A large “33” marks The Monolith for most of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This changes once Act 2 is complete and you finish Maelle’s final relationship quest. But what does the new message mean? Note that the rest of this article includes light spoilers for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Complete Maelle’s final relationship quest for a new message on The Monolith
After you’ve taken control of Verso, returning to camp and talking to the members of Expedition 33 after progressing the main story will occasionally yield relationship level quests. These quests range from simple conversations to completing objectives scattered throughout the Continent.
Maelle’s final relationship quest for Verso (that’s you) is to take her to The Reacher – the highest point on the Continent. After defeating the area’s final boss, both party members return to camp and comment on how empty the Monolith looks now that there is nothing written on it. Maelle suggests writing something along the lines of “Papa, YOU go home.”, alluding to Renoir’s plans to destroy the real Verso’s Painted World. The scene cuts to black, and the words “Papa, va t’en” are permanently etched onto the Monolith for the rest of the game.
What does Maelle’s message mean?
Maelle’s message roughly translates to “Papa, go away” or “Papa, get out.” Since the message can be read as far as Lumiere (where Renoir resides), Maelle hopes that her father will heed her warning and leave the Painted World before Expedition 33 returns to forcefully kick him out. What looks like a playful message between daughter and father is a prelude to the events that will shape the world and those in it.
The journey to the Paintress can be an arduous one, so if you’re having trouble with exploration or combat in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, consider checking our guides for on-foot exploration, maximizing your party’s damage, and mastering the game’s various defense options.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X|S.
