User blog comment:Vorred/Patriots - Feedback Blog/@comment-958607-20130909172419

Chapter nine was a nice twist that shifted the focus from the main characters to a smaller, more manageable group of combatants who haven't had much focus thus far. :P

The first thing that I noticed was the odd event of Merall wanting a break. Given that she's such a physically capable character, this was peculiar. However, it seems perfectly realistic. She's a fighter and she knows that she has limits. She also knows that it's tactically a lot better to face an enemy when you're re-energized as opposed to tired. Plus, she has been doing stuff pretty much non-stop. The fact that Tilira then criticized her like that really continues the question of whether or not Tilira is a conventional female hero. She seems very snappy and narcasistic, which isn't what you'd expect for a character with such pure, elemental value. However, I believe that Tilira is a Toa of Life and Life is harsh. All of the Toa Mata were reflective of their respective elements in terms of character, so there's no reason Tilira can't be a cruel, hardship-inducing hero. It makes a welcome change from the purity of most spiritual, good Toa. What made this even more effective was the fact that Tilira said "Toa these days." This was very cheeky, especially considering she hasn't done anything until this point yet the others have been fighting Nuva for days. XD

Kyhae is another interesting character who I'm glad to see get more attention. I'm assuming that her past is linked to the origins of the Farside Toa, so I anticipate that she will play a larger role in future, and I see the potential for her to become an honorary member of the Farside Toa team, adding another female to the ranks and officially giving them too many Kaukaus. XD

Vastara does seem very feminine in this installment, which I didn't expect seeing as her build reminds me so much of Lewa Phantoka. There's something kind of teenage about her. Knowing that you'd planned that scene with her and Range becoming closer makes me think of the character differently, and she definitely feels a lot more like a part of the team now.

I was jumping around with joy when you reintroduced Solace and Viretha. XD That whole debate was a fantastic way of getting rid of non-essential characters that weren't your own. I'm guessing that Solace will be killed off at some point, leaving you with nearly an entire cast composed of just your creations. :P The fact that you had Viretha leave with the others in Chapter 8 threw me, but I always suspected that she would come back. :P After all, someone's got to take care of Aescela.

In terms of my favorite specific images, I have quite a few this time round. :P The middle image in this caught my eye because, again, it's one of those images that could very easily go wrong and look terrible. But you really did it justice and it worked out fabulously. :D

Also, I'm starting to think that Viretha looks great! XD Black is a fantastic color and you have a very poseable creation there. :P In these images she is very well posed once again and really stands out. :P

My only criticism is that, after all the hype that we built up to with the core characters, it seems a little strange to then carry the action on to supporting cast members like this. :P It's a little anticlimactic but, to be honest, I don't think it's worth complaining about. :P I'd much rather have it the way that it is because it really fleshes out these minor characters.

I can't wait for the big battle. :D