SCII Legacy of the Void

[ragnarok]

YEah, I know. I was disappointed. It was implied we would be shown several things in HotS: Kerrigan revealing her past as the Queen of Blades and thereby uncover information regarding Amon and his plans; and Kerrigan's battle against a darker side to her. The Gollum/Smaegol internal struggle plot would have given a lot more depth to Kerrigan's evolution. Perhaps Sarah's acceptance of the Primal powers of Zerus would have vanquished the Queen of Blades persona, but in its dying moments the Queen of Blades would claim victory over Sarah by accepting something other and darker into herself.


Oh the missed possibilities.

Her acceptance of the primal infestation was to get revenge on Mengsk and to avenge Raynor's "death".

She probably wouldn't have survived the pool on Zerus had it not been for Raynor. In any case, he was able to restrain her (however small that might be) even during the 1st infestation when Amon's influence still played a role. So obviously it would still have that effect on her after HotS.

Regardless, others won't see it that way. Even amongst the Raiders they wouldn't, as they only listened to her in HotS because it was about getting Raynor off the Moros.

[Visions of Khas]

She probably wouldn't have survived the pool on Zerus had it not been for Raynor. In any case, he was able to restrain her (however small that might be) even during the 1st infestation when Amon's influence still played a role. So obviously it would still have that effect on her after HotS.

What exactly did Kerrigan leave behind when she accepted the Power of Zerus (tm)? Also, when you say "he was able to restrain her", do you mean Mengsk, Amon or the Overmind? Because one of the implied benefits of Kerrigan's Primal form is that it completely cleansed her of Amon's influence, perhaps because she has technically regressed to a level in Zerg evolution predating Amon's genetic tampering.

[ragnarok]

What exactly did Kerrigan leave behind when she accepted the Power of Zerus (tm)? Also, when you say "he was able to restrain her", do you mean Mengsk, Amon or the Overmind? Because one of the implied benefits of Kerrigan's Primal form is that it completely cleansed her of Amon's influence, perhaps because she has technically regressed to a level in Zerg evolution predating Amon's genetic tampering.

I don't think Raynor really saw it that way, but some he had always been able to keep her from going completely insane. I mean ok some people had argued that because we didn't know Raynor's EXACT location in the "True Colors" mission, you can't say Kerrigan intentionally spared him.

But I still feel that despite amassing the Zerg to prepare for the war against Amon in the 4 years between BW and WoL, Kerrigan could have killed Raynor any time she wanted if she chose. Remember, Raynor used Zerg infested worlds as hiding spots from the Dominion during those 4 years.

Now, as for what Kerrigan leave behind when it came to Zerus, it would be like the last of her humanity, now that Raynor was killed. But even then you can argue she didn't leave it COMPLETELY behind, if you did Char after Zerus. Because on there, she still gave Warfield a chance to leave the planet with his life, Warfield just chose the stupid option.

And the part of predating Amon's genetic tampering is obvious. Remember, the Xel'Naga didn't CREATE the Zerg, they simply uplifted them. In other words, when the Xel'Naga arrived on Zerus so long ago, the Zerg already existed. They then uplifted the primal Zerg there to become stronger and everything, but then Amon messed with the Overmind's orders, which in turn corrupted them.

Even so, cleansing her of Amon's influence did not cleanse her completely of Xel'Naga influence, as the artifact could still affect her. If that's true, then it's possible that the Xel'Naga had done something to the first spawning pool on Zerus in order to uplift the primal Zerg there.

Remember, according to Flashpoint, Valerian said that the artifact was designed to kill Xel'Naga creations. But the first spawning pool on Zerus existed BEFORE the Xel'Naga even arrived there, so the only explanation is they did something to that pool. Otherwise, Mengsk's usage of the artifact against Kerrigan at the end of HotS wouldn't have done anything to her.

[Turalyon]

I mean ok some people had argued that because we didn't know Raynor's EXACT location in the "True Colors" mission, you can't say Kerrigan intentionally spared him.

Yes we can. She spared Raynor, just like her enemies Mengsk and Zeratul, to show them how insignificant/meaningless they were to her and that she could crush them at any time of her choosing. The twist of the knife was that it wasn't going to be now.

Now, as for what Kerrigan leave behind when it came to Zerus, it would be like the last of her humanity, now that Raynor was killed.

All she lost was her human looks not her "humanity". Her will to exact revenge in return for having someone she cared about killed is a very human trait and it remains intact throughout even after entering the pool. If she was beyond such petty sentiment, she would have just went off to take the fight directly to Amon because he posed a much more obvious physical threat specifically to her and just ignored Mengsk altogether.

Even so, cleansing her of Amon's influence did not cleanse her completely of Xel'Naga influence, as the artifact could still affect her. If that's true, then it's possible that the Xel'Naga had done something to the first spawning pool on Zerus in order to uplift the primal Zerg there.

So, the Primal Pool isn't that special either then. That's good to know. Pity that one can only come to conclusion then that its inclusion there is as an excuse to power Kerrigan up.

Remember, according to Flashpoint, Valerian said that the artifact was designed to kill Xel'Naga creations.

The Wiki says that Narud said that. It's funny how if this artifact is so effective at destroying Protoss and Zerg that Amon/Narud just doesn't spend their time more efficiently by making more of these than the Hybrids - they're so much more cost effective and no Protoss or Zerg can go near one.

[ragnarok]

Yes we can. She spared Raynor, just like her enemies Mengsk and Zeratul, to show them how insignificant/meaningless they were to her and that she could crush them at any time of her choosing. The twist of the knife was that it wasn't going to be now.

You can argue that, but somewhere deep in her, if only on a subconscious level, she still cared about him. Remember, at the Monlyth mission when you're racing against the Zerg to steal the artifact, when you win the race, Kerrigan voiced her annoyance at Raynor for forgetting he was so resourceful.

All she lost was her human looks not her "humanity". Her will to exact revenge in return for having someone she cared about killed is a very human trait and it remains intact throughout even after entering the pool. If she was beyond such petty sentiment, she would have just went off to take the fight directly to Amon because he posed a much more obvious physical threat specifically to her and just ignored Mengsk altogether.

So call it something personal, if you will. It was the same thing when she contacted the Raiders to locate where Raynor was. Izsha specifically said she didn't understand why Kerrigan was doing this, since it had no benefit to the swarm whatsoever. Kerrigan explained that this was a personal matter, which will end badly, but she had to do it.

So, the Primal Pool isn't that special either then. That's good to know. Pity that one can only come to conclusion then that its inclusion there is as an excuse to power Kerrigan up.

It's just my theory, don't take my word for it, let someone ask Blizzard about this personally.

The Wiki says that Narud said that. It's funny how if this artifact is so effective at destroying Protoss and Zerg that Amon/Narud just doesn't spend their time more efficiently by making more of these than the Hybrids - they're so much more cost effective and no Protoss or Zerg can go near one.

Careful, Turalyon. You don't know how much effort it takes the Xel'Naga to build one of these things. Even the Xel'Naga have limits to their power and everything. It's the same with the Xel'Naga temples built. You don't know how much it took them to create one.

Yes, you can argue that from Dr. Hanson's scans, the artifact is only a few thousand years old, but it's still not explained just WHO made it, or HOW it was made.

[Turalyon]

You can argue that, but somewhere deep in her, if only on a subconscious level, she still cared about him. Remember, at the Monlyth mission when you're racing against the Zerg to steal the artifact, when you win the race, Kerrigan voiced her annoyance at Raynor for forgetting he was so resourceful.

There is nothing that even remotely implies this beyond one's own fanciful inclination or a desire to be contrarian. That example you gave is very neutral and could've meant anything - least of which is that it was just a plain general observation/remark.

So call it something personal, if you will. It was the same thing when she contacted the Raiders to locate where Raynor was. Izsha specifically said she didn't understand why Kerrigan was doing this, since it had no benefit to the swarm whatsoever. Kerrigan explained that this was a personal matter, which will end badly, but she had to do it.

Looks like she didn't lose her humanity then afterall.

Careful, Turalyon. You don't know how much effort it takes the Xel'Naga to build one of these things. Even the Xel'Naga have limits to their power and everything. It's the same with the Xel'Naga temples built. You don't know how much it took them to create one.

Yes, you can argue that from Dr. Hanson's scans, the artifact is only a few thousand years old, but it's still not explained just WHO made it, or HOW it was made.

Look, given that it's sole contribution is as a glaringly obvious plot device, the reasons why the artifact can't do something is just as equally arbitrary why it can do some other things. No matter what reasons one gives for why, how what and when, the only natural response when confronted with such things is "huh, that's convenient".

[ragnarok]

Looks like she didn't lose her humanity then afterall.

And that is why I want the happier ending. If nothing else for Raynor's sake, since he lost his family, wife, son, Tychus, his close friends in the Heaven's Devils, and just about everyone else close to him.

All you have to do is remember the old saying from Jimmy Hendricks: "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."

Kerrigan by that point in time could have launched the attack on Korhal anyway. Regardless of how the reunion with Raynor would go, she knew Mengsk WAS right in that Raynor would not take the primal infestation well. Yet she turned to contact the Raiders anyway about that, going against what the Zerg stand for.

You could even see it before the prison rescue when you click on Dehaka, he was confused why Kerrigan was doing this in the middle of space, since there's no essence to collect. Izsha felt the same way, since this rescue mission serves no benefit to the swarm.

Look, given that it's sole contribution is as a glaringly obvious plot device, the reasons why the artifact can't do something is just as equally arbitrary why it can do some other things. No matter what reasons one gives for why, how what and when, the only natural response when confronted with such things is "huh, that's convenient".

And therefore, unless Metzen gives us more information on the artifact and its ORIGINALLY DESIGNED purpose, it's going to have to fall under the "Deus Ex Machina" category.

[Turalyon]

^ I'm losing your train of thought/understanding of your position. You initially said Kerrigan lost her "humanity" (and all the good things that come with it, like love) at the magic pool only to now say she hasn't?

[Crazio]

^ I'm losing your train of thought/understanding of your position. You initially said Kerrigan lost her "humanity" (and all the good things that come with it, like love) at the magic pool only to now say she hasn't?

My version of the story is that she regained her humanity when she lost her zerg form (end of WoL) and she kept all her human thoughts / desires after she transformed at the primal zerg pool. Only thing is, she regained tons of extra things with that aswell.

- - - Updated - - -

[ragnarok]

^ I'm losing your train of thought/understanding of your position. You initially said Kerrigan lost her "humanity" (and all the good things that come with it, like love) at the magic pool only to now say she hasn't?

She never lost her humanity in that regard.

Look, for the 3 missions of Char, Kaldir, and Zerus, although you can change the mission order, the order you were SUPPOSED to do them was Kaldir, Zerus, and then Char. At least that's what I saw from the SC wikia, because it was right before Kerrigan was about to leave Char that Mengsk contacted her, claiming Raynor was still alive.

If that's true, all you have to do is look at the Char missions, BEFORE she knew that. Even THERE, she told Warfield to leave the planet and his troops would be spared. Of course, Warfield chose the stupid option, but it proved she did not have the mentality of slaughtering EVERYONE she feels like.