a very messy, unhinged ramble about worldbuilding: the perfect simplicity of dweller's empty path's magic system
i've talked about it irl to my friends so i decided to also post it here
This will mostly be focused on witchcraft and BEAST-Types. I might also get into tinfoil hat territory as I am going to discuss things found outside the game such as the Extras Folder in the game files, and Dwellers of the Mountain's Forest.
Dweller's Empty Path is one of my favorite games of all time. I love how casual it is about the queerness of the characters, I love how the characters act, how they look. I love the music, especially Caina's theme Cool Cat. Which, fun fact, was my most streamed song on Spotify at one point.
I loved playing every second of it, but what really stood out to me was how simple the magic system was, and how it uses that simplicity with such depth and nuance I hardly see anywhere else.
The definition of witchcraft is inherently simple: witchcraft is powerful magic.
But with this simplicity runs the problem of being too vague: powerful magic? what are the limits? could it kill someone?
When people don't understand something, the human reaction is to fear it. When witchcraft is shown to be powerful BUT not well understood, the response is to fear it, to outlaw it, and to villainize anyone who practices it.
Even though witchcraft can be used for protection, for healing, for cures,
Even though Claire poses no threat to people, she still has to hide herself from society because she's a witch.
I think it's really important that Claire still chooses to help people despite the discrimination she faces for her work.
TINFOIL HAT TERRITORY:
Dwellers of the Mountain's Forest
It says a lot about her character that even though she fought the dragon that could potentially harm the people in the kingdom, she doesn't demand they accept her.
Dweller's Empty Path Extras, A Witch's Favor Part 1
Even when she is hunted down, she still chooses to help people with her witchcraft.
END OF TINFOIL HAT TERRITORY
Another thing that we need to discuss is how Yoki mirrors Claire.
Unlike Claire, who is more reclusive, Yoki goes out and integrates herself into society. But I don't think Yoki experienced the same harsh treatment Claire did, since she had Charles to protect her, and she was in an isolated area away from anything that could actually harm her.
She befriends the people in the village and even gets a job delivering letters there. She works for the prince, and is friends with Caina, who in contrast, does not trust the crown.
And, in turn, Yoki is much more warmly received by the people because she extends her hand to them and lets herself be known.
Obviously, there are still nuances to this. Witchcraft and BEAST-Types share similar treatment - it's why Yoki and Claire are looking out for each other in the first place. They're both not looked upon favorably by the anyone and are considered outcasts. The main difference between BEAST-Types and witches is that BEAST-Types have actually been aggressive in the past. The most well-known incident of a BEAST-Type attack was the death of the king and queen.
The prince is obviously doing what he thinks is best for his people and has to carry the legacy, despite how flawed he actually is. To quote Yoki he "does not want to let his people down."
It's well within his right to be skeptical of BEAST-Types, especially when the lives of his people are at stake. What I appreciate is how he changes his views and opinions once more information could be accessible.
For the case of witchcraft, this is JUST A THEORY/HEADCANON, but I don't think he actually fears or is against witchcraft the way his people are. He actively turns a blind eye even when he knows a witch is living in Yoki's house, and he although he threatens to arrest Claire should she leave, Yoki's immediate thought is that he'll let them off the hook, because that's something he's done with her.
TLDR: Dweller's Empty Path's intentionally vague system of magic works because it's vague system preys on the human nature of not understanding = fear. Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.