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Gigi-FenixPhoenix β Commander Shepard Synthesis
Published: 2012-08-04 20:02:09 +0000 UTC; Views: 29141; Favourites: 910; Downloads: 364
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Description
This is the second part of my Mass Effect tribute. This is a representation of the synthesis option. This is Shepard sacrificing herself for everyone (not just organics). It's the final decision. The ability to find peace in knowing that you have to die, that you will die. It's the acceptance of her fate and, even more, the embracing of it.When I chose this ending and saw Shepard running (as if rejuvenated) towards the green beam and leaping to her demise, I could almost hear her saying:
"I understand, Mordin. It had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong."
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Shepard Series
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[link] Commander Shepard -- Doubt
[link] Commander Shepard -- Resolution
Commander Shepard --Synthesis
[link] Commander Shepard --Destroy
[link] Commander Shepard --Control
Commander Shepard --Peace
[link] Commander Shepard --Regrets
[link] Commander Shepard -- Refusal
BONUS:
[link] Wallpaper
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The Shepard Files
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*the first link would be the fanfic, the second the image that goes with it
[ONE] Colonist [link] [link]
[TWO] Colonist/Sole Survivor [link] [link]
[THREE] Spacer
[FOUR] Spacer/Ruthless
[FIVE] Earthborn
[SIX] Earthborn/War Hero
Related content
Comments: 262
π: 1 β©: 0
This is amazing! You put a lot of emotion into this piece! I also love the lighting!
π: 0 β©: 1
I did! Thank you very much for your kind words! I simply loved Mass Effect so much, I poured all of that into my art! <3
π: 0 β©: 1
It really shows!
π: 0 β©: 0
Beautiful artwork. Not the ending I chose but this is fantastic.
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you very much, I'm glad you liked it. This was actually not my first ending either. I chose destroy first. Then refusal (as soon as the option came out with the extended ending). However, I probably liked Edi's speech at the end of this ending the best. It was very emotional.
π: 0 β©: 1
In terms of the ending speeches I agree EDI's was the most moving. Then Hacket and finally Shep in control. Though paragon control's last little sentence about being the one who gave up his life to eb the one who could save the many always made me teary eyed.
π: 0 β©: 1
Hacket was an amazing character and I agree his speech was powerful. That's one of the things that Bioware excelled at with Mass Effect. There were so many memorable characters, it's tough to pick one as my favorite!
π: 0 β©: 0
I love this picture! I love this ending as well! If I may quote myself in a YouTube comment recently:
"The reason why I choose Synthesis is mostly to do with this scene with the peace between the Quarians and the Geth. The Geth are now fully sentient AIs thanks to the Reaper Code and Legion's sacrifice. They are as alive as humanity and the alien lives are. The Synthesis ending gets flack because of accusations of Shepard becoming like Saren, but I wholeheartedly disagree. Shepard, in choosing Synthesis isn't acting like Saren, but moreso like Legion. Sacrificing himself to give everyone a better future. Nobody complains about Legion's method of sacrifice, yet everybody whines about Shepard... who's just doing the exact same thing on a much larger scale. As for why he couldn't just, say, drop a hair into the beam or even toss the Catalyst through, I don't believe that would work either because Shepard isn't fully human anymore. He's partially synthetic and that allows the Synthesis to happen, with everyone becoming like him. (I'd imagine the green eyes and veins will fade in time as things are still "processing" during the endings btw). So therefore, dying and being resurrected by Cerberus was better than thought, since I doubt the Synthesis would happen otherwise. We've already been uniting the galaxy from people to people, why not do so again on an even grander scale? Am I saying this will bring eternal world peace? Probably not. There's still gonna be conflict, of course, whether it be in their galaxy or beyond theirs. Because just because synthetics and organics are now united, doesn't mean that things will be utterly perfect forever and ever. 
π: 2 β©: 2
I agree.
For me, Synthesis ending is basically "Galactic Peace".
Synthetics have no reason to fight anymore, all organics are no longer threatened by the Reapers and any future Synthetic uprisings.
One life for the ENTIRE galaxy to gain peace.
I don't know about you, but i would have taken that leap if it meant that outcome.
π: 2 β©: 0
Thank you! Well this is the one thing I enjoyed about the ending. Even though they aren't perfect and a lot of people complain, they still give way to some interesting discussion and points. I agree that when I chose Synthesis, I was thinking of the Geth, Legion (his sacrifice) and EDI. I didn't want Legion to have died in vain, especially not after he displayed he had a "soul". This just seemed the ending in which the majority of the sentient being achieve happiness (at the cost of Shepard's life). But it would be a worthy sacrifice and I was reminded of Mordin's selflessness as well. Which is why I included his quote.
π: 1 β©: 0
This was why I became so interested in Synthesis when I was given the chance. Think about it, Shepard sacrificing his/her life, inorder to both stop the Reapers and solve the very problem that resulted in their creation.
π: 1 β©: 1
This one seemed the closest to a perfect ending, in that it ensured equality (between machines and organics) and destroyed the reaper threat. With Control --especially renegade control-- I got the impression that God-Shepard would at some point forget what it was like to be human and would reinstate the reaper cycle.
π: 0 β©: 0
Fantastic artwork - thank you! My Paragon Shepard chose Synthesis. I never had a particularly huge problem with the endings, though there do seem to be many loose ends to be tied up with Synthesis. Mainly it seemed to be the only way to save something - anything - from the exhaustive (and exhausting) destruction that had gone on in the past 30-odd hours. It's messy, questionable and unclear, but at least it's something.
In fact, the more I've had time to marinate in the creative choices, the more I appreciate Bioware's refusal to implement a 'clean' ending. A series as complicated and conflicted as Mass Effect shouldn't have a gotten a save-the-world ending. Sure, Synthesis is confusing, contradictory and very messed up. Just like the complicated tangle of lives my Shepard managed to save by choosing it.
Thanks again for the artwork!
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you! I agree. In a sense, Mass Effect tried to give us endings you would get in a real world. Meaning, not perfect and not necessarily all wrapped up in a tight bundle of answers. However, I do wish they had changed the extended ending to include the differences with each choice. If I recall correctly, with Synthesis you are told nobody would remember Shepard. Like Shepard would just blink out of existence. I thought that it would mean the memories of everyone would be altered so as they didn't remember Shepard. And yet, the team at the Normandy remember Shepard's sacrifice. Or was it only that Shepard would stop existing and nobody would know she's a bodiless entity? (Because there's no clear death stated for her either, right?)
π: 0 β©: 0
I don't know much about Mass Effect, I haven't played it yet. I plan to after I finish X-2 from the remaster release, so I can't say about this piece's connection to the game. Now what I can say is: beautiful work, GG!
It looks as if she's disintegrating on the sub-partial level. Yet she's at peace. I don't know if they're related at all, but her acceptance of death reminds me of Tidus' acceptance.
π: 0 β©: 1
Indeed. You should definitely play this game, Sefira! Trust me, you will love it! And when you do, you'll understand why she is disintegrating and why that gives her satisfaction.
π: 0 β©: 1
From everything I'd found out, casual digging without a lot of spoilers, what people are telling me, I have a feeling I will. It's artwork like this that makes me want to jump the gun on starting ME! But I will wait! I don't like playing two games at once. I obsess over one while forgetting the other. But I do own the trilogy pack with all three games to play once X-2 is done.Β
But from this artwork, your enjoyment of the series, I can't wait to find out!
π: 0 β©: 1
I understand. I'm exactly the same way, haha. I can't play 2 games at one. I feel like I get confused, especially with the gameplay, and I would end up leaving one unfinished then never replay it properly.
π: 0 β©: 1
Yep, yep! Very true. Sadly, I've left Resident Evil 6 and Kingdom Hearts Rechain of Memories unfinished for this reason. I don't want to this with Mass Effect. When I get it to it, I want to myself in the world so I can form my own opinion of it. I have a feeling it might not like my love for VII or X, but it will be up there. The ME universe seems to be rich with its own history and elements that will have me caring for the fate of its inhabits.Β
π: 0 β©: 1
Trust me, you will love it. I had never played a SCI-FI FPS game before Mass Effect. I saw my brother playing it and I was sure I wouldn't like it at all. Then I gave it a chance... and it was amazing! I was blown away by the characters and the story. It has everything a game should have: a groundbreaking mission, a heart aching romance, tough obstacles, understandable villains and amazing story.
π: 0 β©: 1
I'm sure I will! I was iffy about it because of the FPS part, I've never been a fan of them, but the things I've heard about the story make it sound like it will be worth it. You know, not a shoot 'em up type of thing, but story.
As you know, I love story. It's why I fall in love with the FF series in the first place. And all the different paths you can take Shepard? It's tickling me; giving me a good feeling. It's a general excitement I haven't felt for the FF games in a while.Β
π: 0 β©: 1
Trust me. I hadn't played a FPS before this one, but the gameplay is fun, not hard and the story... is amazing!
π: 0 β©: 0
This series is just perfect. And seeing this picture almost made me love Synthesis ending, though I always thought is was very unfair.
π: 0 β©: 1
I think all the choices (except maybe refusal) are flawed... but it also makes it real, in a way. There is no perfect choice. There can never be a perfect choice. You only get... choices, where one is not better than the other, it's just slightly less worst. Still, the lack of love towards offering us a more fulfilling ending did not subtract (for me) from the work of art that's this game. As a female gamer, this game has placed a bar real high, in which a female can be a leader, badass, strong without the need to sexualize her, turn her into a damsel in distress or showing her off as a sex object (with skimpy dresses and friggin' high heels <--seriously, why would you EVER fight like that?).
π: 0 β©: 1
Exactly. They could have done the DLC dress less ugly to my taste. 
π: 0 β©: 1
I haven't played the DLC saved for The Prothean. I kept waiting for it to be at a discount, but I've been told this never happens in origin 
π: 0 β©: 1
I think yes. Mission on Eden Prime is rather short and messy, but the new character adds the whole bunch of new things into game. So I think it is worth to have if you are mass effected.)
BTW, some people say DLC Omega is bad, but I love it. To my taste, it is very interesting. Would be even better of you could return to Omega, but we have what we have. Tastes differ though. And I like Citadel DLC very much too. It is very funny and the plot is twisting and original.
π: 0 β©: 1
Yea, the Prothean I was glad I got. Javik has some of the most powerful quotes. I like what I've seen of The Citadel DLC, with the party and all that. Argh, I wish Origin would give a discount if you buy them in a bundle haha. Thanks for the info, though
π: 0 β©: 1
Yeah, that would be great.
π: 0 β©: 0
Thank you! <3
π: 0 β©: 0
I saw synthesis as the best decision as well, although it was a great pain to choose and embrace such destiny... still feel really sad thinking of it as well as of poor Mordin...
You made a great work and caught the true essence of those feelings including your wonderful description to the pic. Thanks a lot for your art.
π: 0 β©: 1
Indeed. I feel like aΒ truly paragon Shepard would chose this option. I also feel like if you have a Shepard with a tragic background (colonist - sole survivor)Β where everyone around you just keeps dying... a part of Shepard might be tired and wished for the only guarantee of respite there is. So Synthesis can be a plausible resolution.
π: 0 β©: 0
I created a headcanon/fanfic based on this image. Β You can read it here:
firefansandbellydance.tumblr.cβ¦
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you very much for letting me know. It means a lot to know my art might've served as inspiration for such a wonderful piece. Yes, I think Shepard would've felt embarrassed to have a statue of her (as oppose to Wrex, lol).
π: 0 β©: 1
Part of me thinks that Wrex doesn't admit it but he had a statue of Shepard erected onΒ Tuchanka. Bakara thinks he was stupid to put it up, but grudgingly admits that Shepard deserves honoring in Krogan tradition.
π: 0 β©: 1
I wouldn't be surprised if he did, lol. He might even have one of Mordin too!
π: 0 β©: 0
Because, in the end, there was only one way to make sure that it was over forever and that everyone lived. It wasn't a perfect solution, no matter what the Catalyst claimed... but Shepherd had known for a long time that there would be no perfect solutions to this mess.
π: 0 β©: 1
Nice! I agree, this wasn't the perfect solution, but it was the one that got real close.
π: 0 β©: 0
Of course the catalyst could have been lying...
π: 0 β©: 1
And if so, Shep got indoctrinated...
π: 0 β©: 0
I know a lot of fans proclaim and glorify the Destroy ending as the best ending (what with the Reapers being destroyed and Shephard possibly living), I personally enjoyed Synthesis and picked it for my Paragon Shephard. Don't get me wrong, if Destroy was the only option available my Shephard would have chosen it, but I liked how Synthesis promised a new beginning.
You portray the sense of sacrifice Shephard is giving. Throwing himself/herself into the beam, their eyes closing as their body dissolves and the last thing they see is an image of their love interest (for me it was Ashley) in their head. Then there is the look of bewilderment as the Crucible beam engulfs the Reapers and the soldiers. The Reapers fly off while the human/turian/ and Krogan soldiers look at themselves and the Reapers in confusion. What adds is the look of sentience that shows within the husk.
Sorry, I just got emotional about this all. I just hope whatever the fourth Mass Effect game is like it doesn't make a canon ending. They have stated that it will be newcomer friendly but still I just hope they don't do anything to make Destroy canon.
Overall good job on this.
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I know what you mean, Synthesis for wasn't the first choice. I picked it during my second playthrough, with the Shepard that had the most tragic background (Colonist and Sole Survivor). My Shep wasn't fully paragon. She was more on the renegade side, but given her baggage (having survived 3 situations that killed everyone else, everyone she loved and trusted...) she was broken and tired. So when given the choices, she picked the one that would end her, once and for all. Providing everyone else for a chance to live, was simply the thing that sealed the deed for her. So when I was painting this, I wanted to show Shepard just letting go of everything, portraying her for the first and only time, truly at peace.
π: 0 β©: 0
This is so painfully perfect. You've conveyed exactly what I thought when I chose this ending!
π: 0 β©: 1
Thanks! I'm glad you like it!
π: 0 β©: 0
Thank you!
π: 0 β©: 0
Synthesis is an abysmal choice. Β The ultimate indoctrination. Β Nice art, though.
π: 0 β©: 1
Thank you! And yes, synthesis could very well just restart the cycle again, but picture this: next ME hero has to fight Ghost Shep... now that would be a bittersweet game!
π: 0 β©: 0
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