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Daodan: Difference between revisions
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{{Hatnote|This page is about Oni's plot concept of the Daodan Chrysalis; for the Daodan DLL patch for Windows Oni, see [[Daodan DLL|HERE]].}} | {{Hatnote|This page is about Oni's plot concept of the Daodan Chrysalis; for the Daodan DLL patch for Windows Oni, see [[Daodan DLL|HERE]].}} | ||
{|style="float:right;" | |||
{|style="float:right" | |colspan=2|[[Image:Daodan Punch.png|256px]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
|colspan=2 align | |colspan=2 style="font-size:115%; text-align:center; vertical-align:bottom;"|<br><br>''Chinese origin of the term Daodan'' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| align=center | | align=center style="font-size:500%; line-height:1em;"|捣 | ||
| align=center | | align=center style="font-size:500%; line-height:1em;"|蛋 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| align=center|DǍO<br>''(attack, beat<br>or disturb)'' | | align=center|DǍO<br>''(attack, beat<br>or disturb)'' | ||
| align=center|DÀN<br>''(egg or<br>origin)'' | | align=center|DÀN<br>''(egg or<br>origin)'' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|colspan=2 align=center|T R O U B L E M A K E R<br><small>N.B.: DǍO 捣 should not be confused<br>with the better-known DÀO 道 ("way") | |||
|} | |} | ||
The Daodan Chrysalis is an entity which, being implanted in a human host, forms a symbiosis with it. Gradually the host's organs are replaced by improved copies grown by the Chrysalis. Developed by [[Professor Hasegawa]] in order to help humans survive the [[BioCrisis]], the Daodan Chrysalis has been implanted in multiple characters in [[Oni]]. | The Daodan Chrysalis is an entity which, being implanted in a human host, forms a symbiosis with it. Gradually the host's organs are replaced by improved copies grown by the Chrysalis. Developed by [[Professor Hasegawa]] in order to help humans survive the [[BioCrisis]], the Daodan Chrysalis has been implanted in multiple characters in [[Oni]]. | ||
{{TOClimit|3}} | |||
==Facts== | ==Facts== | ||
===Symbiotes=== | ===Symbiotes=== | ||
The word "symbiote" is not found in all dictionaries, but it is an alternate spelling of the more common "symbiont". The root of the word is Greek for "living together" and refers to the two entities together as a singular noun. The human side of the Daodan symbiote in Oni is referred to as the host. | The word "symbiote" is not found in all dictionaries, but it is an alternate spelling of the more common "symbiont". The root of the word is Greek for "living together" and refers to the two entities together as a singular noun. The human side of the Daodan symbiote in Oni is referred to as the host. | ||
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===Chrysalis=== | ===Chrysalis=== | ||
The Chrysalis is first named by [[Shinatama]] during [[Quotes/Speech#Shinatama.27s_death|her revealing monologue]] in [[Chapter 8]]: "They used me to monitor the growth of the Chrysalis inside you". It was [[Quotes/Speech#Scanner_room|later elaborated on]] by Kerr [[Quotes/Consoles#Chrysalis_Removal|and his colleagues]] in Chapter 12, as seen in the leading quote in this article. The Chrysalis' growth process takes on dramatic proportions in a [[Quotes/Consoles#Shinatama.2FKonoko_Relationship|later description]]: "Konoko is closer to full transition than we ever suspected. Rough projections estimate that the Chrysalis will have infiltrated more than 80% of her body and will have replaced somewhere between 40 to 56% of her original organs." | The Chrysalis is first named by [[Shinatama]] during [[Quotes/Speech#Shinatama.27s_death|her revealing monologue]] in [[Chapter 8]]: "They used me to monitor the growth of the Chrysalis inside you". It was [[Quotes/Speech#Scanner_room|later elaborated on]] by Kerr [[Quotes/Consoles#Chrysalis_Removal|and his colleagues]] in Chapter 12, as seen in the leading quote in this article. The Chrysalis' growth process takes on dramatic proportions in a [[Quotes/Consoles#Shinatama.2FKonoko_Relationship|later description]]: "Konoko is closer to full transition than we ever suspected. Rough projections estimate that the Chrysalis will have infiltrated more than 80% of her body and will have replaced somewhere between 40 to 56% of her original organs." | ||
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===Power surges=== | ===Power surges=== | ||
[[Image:TXMPKONtransform.png|right]] | [[Image:TXMPKONtransform.png|right]] | ||
Over the course of the game, Konoko experiences three major power surges that leave her glowing with energy. The surge takes the form of a violent spasm during which Konoko raises her arms in the air. A blue glow appears all over her body, accompanied by a soft whistling sound like a breeze. The fly-in panel of her face shows glowing eyes. The corresponding voiceover sounds ecstatic or even orgasmic (also compare to [[wp:Ecstasy of Saint Teresa|the ecstasy of Saint Teresa]]). | Over the course of the game, Konoko experiences three major power surges that leave her glowing with energy. The surge takes the form of a violent spasm during which Konoko raises her arms in the air. A [[#Chenille glow|blue glow]] appears all over her body, accompanied by a soft whistling sound like a breeze. The fly-in panel of her face shows glowing eyes. The corresponding voiceover sounds ecstatic or even orgasmic (also compare to [[wp:Ecstasy of Saint Teresa|the ecstasy of Saint Teresa]]). | ||
The first surge occurs after Konoko's second fight with Barabas and is not noticed by the TCTF since they are under attack at the time, but the second one is noticed by scientists at the TCTF who receive data on Konoko's vitals, and it increases the concern they have over her progressing transformation. The final surge takes place after Konoko beats Muro in {{C|14}}, and this time it is powerful enough to knock back bystanders or even kill them. | The first surge occurs after Konoko's second fight with Barabas and is not noticed by the TCTF since they are under attack at the time, but the second one is noticed by scientists at the TCTF who receive data on Konoko's vitals, and it increases the concern they have over her progressing transformation. The final surge takes place after Konoko beats Muro in {{C|14}}, and this time it is powerful enough to knock back bystanders or even kill them. | ||
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===Sytropin=== | ===Sytropin=== | ||
A medicine to slow down Konoko's transformation, though with decreasing effectiveness, mentioned in [[Quotes/Consoles#Sytropin|this console]]. | A medicine to slow down Konoko's transformation, though with decreasing effectiveness, mentioned in [[Quotes/Consoles#Sytropin|this console]]. | ||
===Countermeasures=== | |||
{{Quotebox|width=400px|right|quote='''"Warning: target neutralization failed. Daodan symbiote organism present. Engaging Omega security mode."'''|source=Shinatama, [[Chapter 13]]}} | |||
Griffin is clearly concerned about how to stop a Daodan host if they go out of control or turn on the TCTF. Owing to the above difficulties in surgically removing or slowing down the Chrysalis, Griffin resorts to defensive precautions: | |||
* The mysterious [[Quotes/Consoles#Emergency overrides|emergency override Griffin Alpha Zero]], which we don't get to see. | |||
* An office elevator leading to the super-secure Omega Vault. This may not have been constructed for the specific purpose of escaping a rogue symbiote, but instead for general security, e.g. in the case of a raid by the Syndicate. However it comes in handy when Griffin needs to escape Konoko. | |||
* A hastily-constructed weapons platform controlled by Shinatama, once Griffin anticipates that Konoko might come for him. This includes a fallback known as Omega security mode, which we also do not get to see, as in-game it causes Shinatama to [[Quotes/Consoles#Omega Security Vault Retrofit|overload and break free]] of the Omega Vault's control. | |||
===Transformation=== | ===Transformation=== | ||
The concept of a physical transformation was [[Quotes/Speech#Shinatama.27s_death|first briefly mentioned]] by Griffin, and later [[Quotes/Consoles#Shinatama.2FKonoko_Relationship|stressed as alarming]] by TCTF scientists in Chapter 13: "We must hope that Konoko was destroyed when she fell into the biomatter disposal vats. [...] If not then she may be even closer to her final evolutionary stage: what form that might take, and what the presence of such a creature might portend for humanity we cannot know." After we see Mutant Muro, we can understand their concern! | The concept of a physical transformation was [[Quotes/Speech#Shinatama.27s_death|first briefly mentioned]] by Griffin, and later [[Quotes/Consoles#Shinatama.2FKonoko_Relationship|stressed as alarming]] by TCTF scientists in Chapter 13: "We must hope that Konoko was destroyed when she fell into the biomatter disposal vats. [...] If not then she may be even closer to her final evolutionary stage: what form that might take, and what the presence of such a creature might portend for humanity we cannot know." After we see Mutant Muro, we can understand their concern! | ||
===Chenille glow=== | |||
[[Image:Mac Hall - Oni vs. Ghost.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Nova from [[wp:StarCraft: Ghost|StarCraft: Ghost]] meets Oni's Konoko – a pun on the Japanese word ONI 鬼, understood to mean "ghost" when Oni began development. (Actually, the Chinese GUǏ (same kanji) means "ghost" more literally; see [[Oni (myth)]].)]] | |||
As mentioned under {{SectionLink||Power surges}}, a Daodan host glows when their chrysalis is especially active. The effect appears blue on Konoko and red on Muro. This glow effect is referred to in the game's [[Cheats|cheat codes]] as "chenille", which is French for "caterpillar". This is likely making reference to the Daodan's imago stage, implying that a transformation is closer to occurring when the glow is visible. However there is no mention in any consoles of this glow being visible to Konoko's TCTF handlers, so it is left to the player to decide if this is an [[wikt:extradiegetic|extradiegetic]] effect. | |||
===Imago stage=== | ===Imago stage=== | ||
The only mention of this stage by name is in [[Quotes/Objectives#CHAPTER_14_._DAWN_OF_THE_CHRYSALIS|the last chapter's objectives]] in the killed-Griffin scenario, where it is explained that "[Mutant] Muro's Daodan powers make him invulnerable, but having only just evolved he has limited energy reserves." | The only mention of this stage by name is in [[Quotes/Objectives#CHAPTER_14_._DAWN_OF_THE_CHRYSALIS|the last chapter's objectives]] in the killed-Griffin scenario, where it is explained that "[Mutant] Muro's Daodan powers make him invulnerable, but having only just evolved he has limited energy reserves." | ||
Wikipedia [[wp:Imago|defines]] | Wikipedia [[wp:Imago|defines imago]] as the "last stage of development of an insect", the completion of a metamorphosis; in other words, the adult stage. The most famous instance of this transformation in the insect kingdom is the caterpillar which metamorphoses into a butterfly. There also exists a [[wp:Mayfly#Subimago|sub-imago]] stage in one order of insects, the short-lived mayfly. | ||
===True nature=== | ===True nature=== | ||
{{Quotebox|width=400px|right|quote='''"The Chrysalis is the hyper-evolved clone of its host body. As the host experiences stress or harm it grows to reinforce or replace the body's damaged systems."'''|source=Dr. Kerr, [[Chapter 12]]}} | |||
Kerr says that the physical transformation cannot change the symbiote's personality, but rather vice versa. He claims that Konoko's final form will be an expression of the person's "true nature". | Kerr says that the physical transformation cannot change the symbiote's personality, but rather vice versa. He claims that Konoko's final form will be an expression of the person's "true nature". | ||
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===Alienation and loss of humanity=== | ===Alienation and loss of humanity=== | ||
The "power vs. alienation" dilemma is best illustrated by the [[Barabas# | The "power vs. alienation" dilemma is best illustrated by the [[Barabas#Barabas as power without alienation|Barabas experiment]]. | ||
Alienation as such is best explored through the characters of Mai and Muro. | Alienation as such is best explored through the characters of Mai and Muro. | ||
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===Repeated Imago=== | ===Repeated Imago=== | ||
The Imago concept, upon reflection, brings up some unusual questions. If the purest Imago state is achieved, then the Chrysalis has nothing more to adapt to or build upon. Does it simply | The Imago concept, upon reflection, brings up some unusual questions. If the purest Imago state is achieved, then the Chrysalis has nothing more to adapt to or build upon. Does it simply cease to exist, having totally integrated with its host? Could the unified Imago symbiote possibly be implanted with another Chrysalis? If so, then one must wonder at the monsters that may occur…. | ||
===Meaning=== | ===Meaning=== | ||