The Twisted One, also referred to as The Father, is a significant subject of worship in Cvstodia. Dialogue from Deogracias, the comic, and the art book suggest that he was formerly a young man who was so full of guilt that he prayed for punishment from the High Wills. The log he sat on began to twist and contort around his body, and as they became one he never cried or complained, only uttering three words. This event is considered the First Miracle.
Years after he died, a tree grew where he once sat and became known as the Knot of the Three Words. It was called this because the tree was made up of three knotted trunks and as a reference to the man’s last three words: "My great guilt". Hot, gold liquid flows from the tree every year, "perhaps, to remind us that the First Miracle has not abandoned us," as Deogracias says.
The Cradle of Affliction is a grail filled with gold and blood that emanated from his head as he was being painfully and slowly transformed. For this reason, it is a most holy object.
Those condemned to die via execution in Cvstodia are often tied to stakes in a fashion similar to The Twisted One. They can be found throughout the game, especially in the Mountains of the Endless Dusk and Wasteland of the Buried Churches.
Additionally, The Twisted One's likeness forms the hilt of The Penitent One's sword, the Mea Culpa, whose blade sprang from a small statuette of The Twisted One. This sword of guilt, adorned with thorns, could be symbolic of using the guilt that The Twisted One felt as a source of strength.
Relevant Item Descriptions[]
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Key to the Chamber of the Eldest Brother[]... I hear his lament. The one who was believed mute from the beginning, since there were witnesses to the First Miracle. The afflicted one who asked for punishment, and had it granted to him. I hear his lament. Even if the Father is no longer with us, even if only his images, large and small, remain in all the sacred places. I hear his lament. It is the Miracle that makes me hear it, this is my punishment as the Eldest Brother and guardian of this congregation whose mystery is the silence of the Father. I hear his lament, and I don't want to hear it anymore. I will have yours cover His. That is my penance..... |
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Heart of the Holy Purge[]The Legend of Mea Culpa, the Sword of Guilt It is said that this stone statue covered with petals was once a young woman who, tormented by a deep feeling of guilt, struck her chest with the figure of Our Father, asking him to be punished. The Miracle manifested itself in the figure of the Father, emerging from her a wide and long edge, a great rooted sword, which pierced her guilty heart to later transform her body into stone. That sword was called Mea Culpa in allusion to the last words of the young woman. |
Relevant Dialogue[] | |
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| Deogracias in Knot of the Three Words | The Knot of the Three Words. Here is where the First Miracle took place. One devout and tormented youngster asked the High Will of punishment. He placed a wooden log where he sat and prayed. He prayed hoping to be heard. He prayed for pain, so he could ease the guilt that sharply pierced his soul. Then the Miracle manifested itself. It made roots grow and twist over his arms and legs, but not a cry nor a complaint came out from his mouth. Every inhabitant of this land bore witness to it, and all of them prayed before the besought eternal joy of that youngster. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The posture of the Twisted One is inspired by the two thieves crucified with Jesus Christ. The two thieves usually appear in paintings crucified in twisted postures to differentiate them.
- Trees are a very prominent theme in this game, which are significant symbols in Catholic art and literature, where the game gets much of its inspiration. They have been interpreted to symbolize God's bounty and the beauty of his creations, especially the Tree of Life in Genesis.