John Walden wrote...
Hello everyone. This is my first post on BSN (so forgive me if I make a mistake:P) I've been reading on this forum since a few weeks after ME3 released (and the
ME2 forums before ME3 was announced.) I'm about 70/30 on indoctrination theory, but there is
definitely more to the endings then meets the eye.
Now to the point. I found something interesting while replaying Jade Empire (the first Bioware game I played and the reason I first played Mass Effect) that made me think of the ME3 endings.
HUGE JADE EMPIRE SPOILERS AHEAD!
At the end when you face the main antagonist, he gives you a choice to surrender...
This scene takes place after the PC breaks free from Sun Li's hold by fighting a battle in his/her
mind.
Sun Li: I see now that the Water Dragon's power is the prize, not the means to victory. No matter
what I expend, while you live you will resist. That is your role.
It is the Celestial Bureaucracy attempting to restore balance. We must bring the fight back down
to earth. Unless... you are made to see reason.
Player: I'm Listening
Sun Li: What if I guarantee your name will live in the heart of each and every citizen in the Jade
Empire? It is a glory beyond mere heroics. You would be eternal.
I do not seek power as my brother did. I will correct the violence inherent in Man. I will make
certain there are no more wars, no more droughts.
Everyone will be content in their roles. And they will hold in their hearts the warrior who
sacrificed everything so that they might prosper. You could make that happen.
Player: I fall, but my name lives on forever? Why would I agree?
Sun Li: If you defeat me, little will change. In time, this Empire will come and go, along with
the memory of what you did. I seek eternal stability.
Your name will forever be lauded. In the end, is that not the only immortality worth having?
Player: Forever remembered as a hero by all?
Sun Li: Forever. Not a man, woman, or child will go a day without acknowledging your sacrifice.
Many have struggled for utopia; you will be the heart of it.
Player: Then I agree.
Sun Li: You do? You will let down your defenses so that I may guide the Jade Empire to a stable
future?
Player: For the Jade Empire and the name of (PC's Name), I agree.
Sun Li: Then let it be done. You give yourself to a far greater glory than you could ever know.
Goodbye, my student. You fulfilled your role just as I had wished.
The scene changes to an old man and a young boy standing in front of a statue of the PC.
Old Man: The statue of the hero. A shining symbol of sacrifice.
Look upon it and feel gratitude for all the prosperity we have.
Boy: What was life like before?
The old man turns to the boy his dead grey/brown eyes show he is "Indoctrinated".
Old Man: You don't need to know. All that matters is the glory of the Empire.
Boy: But we need to ask questions to honor what was done. What if this hero wasn't finished?
A Large golum looks at the boy, The old man looks worried.
Old Man: This is your lesson for today. To be happy in your station, you don't need to know.
Boy: We don't need to know.
Old Man: Very good Return to your place.
The boy walks back to sit with the rest of the children.
Old Man: Now, who has delivered the Empire from war and pestilence?
Children: The Hero and the Glorious Strategist.
Old Man: Who showed us how to sacrifice for the greater good, so we are free to live in peace?
Children: The Hero and the Glorious Strategist.
Old Man: Who has ensured that the Empire will endure forever?
Children: The Hero and the Glorious Strategist.
The Scene pans to show Sun Li watching over the group, he than turns around and walks away
with an evil laugh.
Just thought that was interesting to see how choices in past Bioware endings compare to ME3's.
Hello and welcome to our thread. Unfortunately I didn't play Jade Empire.