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[12:45 pm, 18-Apr-2129 (MONDAY)]

School roof: usually the highest location on the map of any academic facility, constructed out of steel or concrete and designed with the purpose of sheltering the building occupants from the outside elements. It is also usually the popular resting spot of many a student. Over the course of humanity’s history, thousands of teachers have attempted to forbid their pupils from ascending to the tops of the school and potentially falling to their deaths. Alas, the collective youngsters’ desire to relax and chat in the dazzling sunlight far outweighed any rules and punishment.

Ultimately, the schools gave up and began officially sanctioning school rooftops as leisure areas. A typical school roof in the twenty-second century contains protective chain-linked fences, several benches and several garbage cans. Students, of all genders, typically come there to eat lunch, discuss private matters or experience mutual love. Sometimes all three occur—at the same time.

Note that this is a phenomenon exclusive to the Imperial Empire of Japan. Schools in other, English-speaking countries barricade off their rooftops, for some strange reason.

On that note, you are currently eating last night’s leftovers on the rooftop of Akumachi-Kirijo’s Classroom Block C. It’s a bright and sunny day and therefore perfect for complementing your slightly cooled salmon and olive oil fried vegetables. Thank god for that, you think to yourself. You wouldn’t know what you’d do if the weather had been all grey and nasty, like your sixth-grade science experiment.

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Next to you, on a shared plastic bench, are your two companions. Takauji Koyoura, the boy with the nigh impossible spiked haircut, and Kanami Ishimura, the girl with skin as pale as snow and the proud owner of a glare that could melt uranium. When Kanami had flung open the doors of classroom 5-3 the moment the lunch bell had sounded to meet Takauji, he suggested bringing you along. You shrugged your shoulders and accepted. Celeste had gone to deal with some house stuff and god knows where Akikazu had limped off to.

“Takauji, you have tomato sauce on your cheek. Hold still.”

“What? I’ll wipe it off myself. No, Kanami, put the tissue down. You don’t have to do it for me!”

“Nonsense. I am your fiancée. This is my duty.”

“Gaaah! Quit it already!” Takauji shouts. “Don’t lick it once you’re done!”

According to the rumours, Takauji and Kanami are practically an old married couple by now. This is something Kanami is terrifyingly aware of, judging by the way she clings to her childhood male friend with barely concealed smugness.

In any case, the love life of your classmates will have to wait. You are preoccupied with other matters. You flick your thumb across the screen on your smartphone and watch as the text scrolls downwards. Celeste’s proclamation from yesterday is ringing through your mind. If you’re going to be spending the next two years studying at Akumachi-Kirijo, then you needed a decent grasp on the community there. And that means…

“Yo Takashi, whatcha got there?” You jerk your head upwards to see Takauji peering at you, his mustard-laden hot dog in his other hand. “Is that the Persona dueling guide?”

“Yeah. I thought it was time to read up on it.” You say. “I’ve heard it’s a pretty big deal here, after all.”

“It’s optional. A lot of students don’t enter the arena in their entire school lives.” Takauji replies.

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“Yet, they are respected less. Persona dueling is still an important part of this academy’s culture. Like all other schools, there is a hierarchy, with the Elite Twelve at the top and the fresh blood at the bottom.” Kanami interjects. She gives you a cold smirk. “It isn’t based around just studies, Takashi. Trust me, we both know.”

“If you win duels, you’ll prove your worth and people will come to respect you.” Takauji crosses his arms and nods with approval. A smile of his own, to match Kanami’s, blossoms on his rough features. “Man, I remember when Kanami and I first came here. People looked down on us a lot, so we got better and fought a bunch of guys. Those were good times.”

“He isn’t telling you the whole story.” Kanami says, rolling her eyes. “Takauji used to start a lot of fights by himself. He would mouth off a lot.”

“Seriously?” You ask.

“Hey, I like to think that I’ve learned from my mistakes.”

“Which is why you challenged the class president to a duel, on the very first day?” Kanami is smiling, but her teeth are gritted and her voice is strained, as if being wrung between a pair of metal rollers.

“It wasn’t my fault! She attacked me!”

“Why you are attracted to her, I cannot comprehend."

“What are you talking about? Why are you glaring at me like that?”

"I'm not glaring."

“…can we get back on track now?” You grunt.

“Sorry.” Kanami grunts, clears her throat and says, “Takauji’s first opponent was a classmate in the second week of the first semester. They got into an argument and Takauji smashed him in the nose for insulting my family. From there, it snowballed. He gained more and more notoriety and with it came the challengers.” She looks now somewhat nostalgic, as if beating her opponents to a pulp was a fond memory to the albino girl. You wouldn’t be too surprised if this turned out to be the case. "Of course, I was always there to back him up. We were dared to put our money where our mouths were. So we did.”

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“We carved ourselves a little niche in the totem pole. It’s been pretty good, so far.” Takauji smiles.

“In any case, C+ rank isn’t the end.” Kanami chides. “Not for you or I.”

“Yeah, I know.” Takauji laughs.

“Takauji, you say dueling isn’t everything but I’m really not getting that impression from you.” You comment. “This isn’t one of those scenarios where the only way to get good is by beating the crap out of as many people as possible?”

“Well, we might be a little biased.” Takauji says, rubbing the back of his head. “Like we said, Kanami and I fought a whole lot in the arena. We had fun, too.”

“Takashi, there are two ways to get acknowledged around Akumachi-Kirijo. Be strong in body or be strong in mind. If you can’t achieve either of those, then you are doomed.” Kanami states, in that soft, ominous voice of hers. It is like silk drenched in the blood of the damned.

As if to contrast her pessimistic speech, Takauji slaps you on the back and grins. “Don’t panic too much, man. Sit back and enjoy the ride. You seem like the type of guy to take initiative.” He says. “So I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“Celeste told me you are good at maths.” Kanami gives you a small, sardonic smile. “I’m now convinced you’ll do better than Takauji at your studies.”

“What the—Kanami, I’m not that terrible. I get top marks in English, y’know!”

“Fueled by an obsession with American television shows and movies, of course.” Kanami nudges him in the side and begins to chuckle.

>Sounds neat. I’m going to read these rules now. Kanami, keep doting on Takauji.
>Just how many fights did you two get in?
>I think I’ll concentrate on my studies for now.
>(Disregard everything, consume leftovers)
>Custom option.

>>42482420
>>Sounds neat. I’m going to read these rules now. Kanami, keep doting on Takauji.

>>42482420
>>Just how many fights did you two get in?
then
>Sounds neat. I’m going to read these rules now. Kanami, keep doting on Takauji.
with maximum troll face

>>42482420
>Just how many fights did you two get in?

>>42482420
>>Sounds neat. I’m going to read these rules now. Kanami, keep doting on Takauji.

>>42482420
>Sounds neat. I’m going to read these rules now. Kanami, keep doting on Takauji.

>>42482420
>Just how many fights did you two get in?
>Custom Option
What happens to students who have a purely support based persona?

>>42482420
>>Sounds neat. I’m going to read these rules now. Kanami, keep doting on Takauji.
also this
>What happens to students who have a purely support based persona?

>>42482420
this >>42482601

-------------[12. Hanged Man]----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RANK: E+
STATS: STR E+, MAG E, END E+, AGL D-, LCK C, DEV C-
AFFINITIES: Resistant against Wind, Weak to Earth
SKILLS: Poisma, Garu, Assault Dive
-A dog spirit said to possess people in Japanese lore. Those possessed are in a state of "inu-tsuki," and lose conciousness. Onmyoji used them as familiars.
-Quite fast. Infect foes with Poison, blast them away with Garu or knock them down with Assault Dive.

>no name
You forgot to fix it again OP

>>42482700
Should be fixed now.

Writing now...

How does revive spells work now that there isn't a segregation of gameplay and story?

>>42482812
Probably a really strong healing effect specialized for stabilizing and awakening the extremely injured so it can only be used in that circumstance and not as a general healing spell.

>>42482812
Pokemon style? Unconscious or fainted but not actually dead

>>42482420
>C+
They most likely aren't the next target. My guess is the computer girl

>>42483148
Well, if we're going by Chekov's gun rules, then the next player is either the computer girl, Yoshino (the representative for our house) or that cyborg waitress from last thread. Those are all characters that have had attention drawn to them without any apparent significance to the plot, so there's probably something interesting that's going to happen with at least one of them this arc. Given the black net conversations we've been seeing in the interludes, I'm tempted to assume it's that cyborg waitress, but she might have a different role to play.

>>42483329
There's still our android teacher and her husband.

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>>42482812
“Sounds neat.” You reply, tapping on your phone again. “I’m going to read these rules now. Kanami, keep doting on Takauji or whatever.”

“I’m grateful you understand.” Kanami whispers and then shuffles a little too far into Takauji’s private space. You ignore his yelp of surprise and concentrate on reading the online manual. The main section is prefaced by a colorful splash screen and an overly lengthy section describing the history of dueling in the academy. Once you push past the jargon and get down to the nitty-gritty, you manage to extract adequate amounts of knowledge so as to not look like a complete dunce when you step into the battlegrounds. You summarize the rules of Persona dueling in your mind, as follows:

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-All duels must be approved of and moderated by a member of the staff—no exceptions. Unofficial duels will result in punishment.

-Participants must sign a waiver declaring that anything that happens within the arena is their own responsibility. The academy is obligated to provide free health care for the participants.

-Moderators have the right to interfere or cancel duels at any point.

-Duels can range from one-on-one fights to entire team battles. Maximum participant limit per side is five individuals.

-Victory is achieved by rendering the opponent(s) unable to continue. Participants may surrender at any time they wish.

-All buffs and debuffs are removed at the beginning.

-Student are forbidden from the following: dealing fatal blows, gouging eyeballs, destroying/severing limbs and attacking the opponent after surrender. Any of these actions will result in an automatic disqualification.

-Exiting the arena in any way is an automatic forfeit.

-All duels have a time limit, thirty minutes at maximum. If the time runs out, the result is an automatic draw.

-Only replica weaponry is allowed. They are designed to inflict pain without severely harming the opponent's body. Any replica weaponry from outside sources must be evaluated and confirmed by the staff. Any student caught carrying ‘real’ weaponry will be punished and the items confiscated.

-Spectators are forbidden from interfering with duels in any way. This includes using skills such as Third Eye to scan participants and gain insight on their skills and affinities. Students caught doing so will be forbidden from spectating and participating for an arbitrary amount of time.

>>42483498
>-Spectators are forbidden from interfering with duels in any way. This includes using skills such as Third Eye to scan participants and gain insight on their skills and affinities. Students caught doing so will be forbidden from spectating and participating for an arbitrary amount of time.
Thanks for explaining that.

>>42483498
Good thing we're a fist fighter, then, we don't have to worry about the weapon issue. Still not sure if forbidding spectators from scanning us will really give us that much of an advantage, though. There's only so much we can get away with when it comes to Augmentation before people call foul on us. They probably won't jump to "he's the Wild Card, get him" but they would suspect us of having outside help or banned items somehow.

>>42483498
>-Spectators are forbidden from interfering with duels in any way. This includes using skills such as Third Eye to scan participants and gain insight on their skills and affinities. Students caught doing so will be forbidden from spectating and participating for an arbitrary amount of time.
>Students caught doing so will be forbidden from spectating and participating for an arbitrary amount of time.
>caught

Note that there is nothing stopping them from just showing up, scaning and then selling that info.

>>42483664
Or scanning while we are walking around the school

>>42483677
That is probably more difficult logistically but not impossible.

>>42483664
Yeah, they might not give a shit and choose to do it anyway, damn the consequences.

[shadowruns intensifies]

Is there anything stopping the opponent from scanning us and then say, posting it on the internet after the fact?

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“That part about replica weaponry is interesting,” You mutter. “Considering that most Personas wield weapons themselves.”

“It’s all about minimizing risk.” Kanami says. “There have been incidents where participants have accidentally severely maimed or even outright killed their opponents. The academy wants to avoid as many lawsuits as possible.”

“Those were from the really early days, though. Like, 2040 to 2050.” Takauji comments. “Besides, the proctors step in when things are about to go south.”

“So how do you guys get around it?” You ask.

Takauji raises his hand. “Fists, man. You and I, bro.”

“I am supplied with a replica bow and arrow.” Kanami says. “The tips are painful enough to inconvenience the opponent, but they don’t draw as much as blood as real versions.”

“And most importantly, they won’t kill someone if aimed at vital spots.” You say. So things haven’t changed from Shizuka’s day. She had defeated her opponent in the finals with a halberd made out of hardened plastic. You look down at your phone screen and think. “Say, what happens to students with purely support based Personas?”

“You mean like Spotter types?” Takauji says. “Those guys don’t fight one-on-one. They get snapped up for team battles or don’t duel at all.”

“Having a good Spotter or a Buffer can make a huge difference.” Kanami muses. “Though, that’s evident to anyone with at least half a brain.”

“Experience, huh?” You say.

“Too right.”

You pause for a moment. This is a question that needs to be worded carefully. You doubt Takauji and Kanami would catch onto the secret lurking deep within your soul, but anomalies like you have been caught in the past. Experimented, dried into hollow shells and discarded into a furnace.

“What’s stopping people from scanning me, running away and then selling my information to my enemies? I know it’s forbidden, but I think some people just don’t give a shit.”

>>42483834
Sensory Personas tend not to have very good attack capabilities, so we probably won't be dueling any. At least, in one on ones matches. I can see a group including a sensory Persona user in a team battle, that would be a good advantage.

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“It’s difficult.” Kanami replies. “Augmentation hides your Persona, correct? However, Spotters almost always summon their Persona because it’s much harder to augment scanning powers. It’s fine in the arena, but anyone caught doing that in the bleachers would stand out like a sore thumb.”

“Not to mention, a lot of guys know how to block out stuff like Third Eye.” Takauji says. “Still, you never know. Some people are just that desperate.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much, Takashi.” Kanami says. “No-one wants to be caught embarrassing themselves in public, never mind being banned from spectating.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. There were only three incidents last year, and in those cases the moderators threw out the culprits before they could detect anything important.”

“That’s a relief. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Lunch continues. You disregard the rest of the world and eat leftovers. Takauji chews on his hot dog and Kanami gulps down her sashimi. Behind you, the sounds of cheering waft from the sports field. You wonder what Celeste and Akikazu are doing. Or Yoshino, the house captain. Or Kaz Inaba, Kozue Yusa, the girl in the library on your sister. Come to think of it, you’ve been meeting a lot of new people in the past week.

…hang on.

>>42484139
Is AETHER going to turn out to have a Social Link tracker app?

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“Oh, that’s right.” You sigh. “Sorry Takauji, Kanami. Need to pop out for a sec.”

“Toilet break?” Kanami asks, not bothering to look up from her steaming bowl of instant tofu mix.

“I wish.”

“Got in trouble with the sensei?” Takauji questions. He takes a swig from a can of orange juice and belches. Kanami frowns disapprovingly. “Sorry.”

“Again, I wish.” Instinct grabs holds and you briefly brush your fingers across your temple. Specifically, the patch of skin above your beating, red heart. “I’ll be back in a few.”

With that, you exit the school rooftop, wondering Takauji and Kanami could decipher why your expression resembled a soldier about to head into battle. Okay, maybe not that extreme but you weren’t exactly looking forward to this. And why would you, considering what the Velvet squatters did to you last time?

You swing open the Velvet Door and dive into the blackness. The murky room soon pops into view. The toothy smiles of its residents are as wide and arrogant, as expected. The girl puts down her cup and sauce and leans forward, like a child anticipating the new episode of a cartoon about immense suffering and violence. The boy refrains from breaking into a monologue about tarot interpretations, nor does he criticize you. Instead, he slides out the tarot cards and flicks them into the air.

“Welcome back, kid. Let’s get this over and done with.”

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[Strength]
(This is the only Persona available)

NAME: Valkyrie
RANK: E+
STATS: STR D-, MAG E-, END E, AGL E+ , LCK D+, DEV C-
AFFINITIES: Resists Physical, Weak to Wind
SKILLS: Bufu, Cleave, Counter
-Odin's daughters in Norse lore. They ride their horses through the sky and fight. Their duty is to guide the souls of warriors to Valhalla in preparation for Ragnarok. "Valkyrie" means "chooser of the slain.
-A physically based Persona with an Ice affinity. Counter gives Valkyrie a small chance to reflect physical attacks.

[Magician]

NAME: Jack Frost
RANK: E+
STATS: STR E, MAG E+, END E, AGL E, LCK B-, DEV C+
AFFINITIES: Absorbs Ice, Weak to Fire
SKILLS: Bufu, Ice Boost, Sonic Punch
-A frost spirit that appears during the winter and melts away in spring.
He is made of ice and snow, but do not be fooled by his cute demeanor. Jack Frost freezes people with his cold breath, smiling all the while. He originally looked like an abominable snowman, but he may have changed form, the better to freeze people.
-A rounded Persona with a slight focus in magic. Ice Boost slightly amplifies the potency of all ice skills.

NAME: Pyro Jack
RANK: E+
STATS: STR E-, MAG D-, END E-, AGL E+, LCK C, DEV D+
AFFINITIES: Absorbs Fire, Weak to Ice
SKILLS: Agi, Sukunda, Provoke
-Also known as Jack O`Lantern, he was an Irish farmer who persuaded the devil not to take him to hell. When he was refused entry into heaven, he wandered earth as a pumpkin-headed soul.
-Purely magically focused Persona. Sukunda lowers agility on one foe and Provoke tricks into enraging (defense down, offense up).

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NAME: Nekomata
RANK: E+
STATS: STR E+, MAG E, END E, AGL D-, LCK C, DEV D
AFFINITIES: Resists Earth, Weak to Gun
SKILLS: Tera, Marin Karin, Feral Claw
-Incarnations of long-lived cats in Japanese mythology. They have various powers, including human speech and control over the dead.
-An agile and nimble Persona. Tera does earth damage. Feral Claw does physical damage with a small chance of confusion. Marin Karin charms the foe, but is notorious for its low hit rate.
-Also quite popular. Has two possible colors: purple or dark brown.

[Justice]

NAME: Angel
RANK: E+
STATS: STR E, MAG D-, END E, AGL E+, LCK C, DEV C
AFFINITIES: Blocks light, weak to darkness
SKILLS: Dia, Hama, Sukukaja
-Ninth of the nine orders of angels. They are closest in nature to humans. They watch over individuals and warn those who stray from the path.
-A relatively common Persona in modern society. It is said that this Persona has the potential to evolve forwards through the angel hierarchy. The version Takashi is given will not.
-A support-type Persona. Dia to heal wounds, Hama to banish foes (reminder that light still does damage) and Sukukaja to increase agility.

NAME: Archangel
RANK: E+
STATS: STR E+, MAG E, END E+, AGL E, LCK C, DEV C
AFFINITIES: Blocks light, weak to darkness
SKILLS: Hama, Holy Arrow, Cleave
-Eight of the nine order of angels, their duty is to humans and deliver messages. They are at constant war with the fallen angels.
-An assault-class Persona. Cleave does physical damage. Holy Arrow does gun/piercing damage with a chance to charm the foe, thus temporarily bending it to the summoner’s will.

>>42484358
>Jack Frost
>I have to chose between pryo jack and jack frost.

>>42484358
>Jack Frost

>Archangel

>>42484358
>>42484400
Let's take Valkyrie to be our tank and switch out Slime.

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“Well? What is it? Struck dumb by the choices presented? No matter, take your time. If such a concept can be applicable here…”

[Strength]
>Valkyrie
>I’ll choose later…

[Magician]
>Jack Frost
>Pyro Jack
>Nekomata
>I’ll choose later…
>I decline these Personas…

[Justice]
>Archangel
>Angel
>I’ll choose later…

>>42484358
>>42484400
Pyro Jack and Angel.

>>42484473
>I’ll choose later…
>I decline these Personas…
>I’ll choose later…

>>42484473
Jack Frost has better development potential.

>>42484472
>>42484473
I just realized, did we ever find out how to get rid of an unwanted persona and get a new one?

>>42484473
>Valkyrie
>Jack Frost
>Archangel

>>42484473
Well, I like this quest so much I decided to actually participate rather than just lurk the archives!
>Valkyrie
>Jack Frost
'cause we already have Ippon-Datara for fiery stuff.
>Archangel
Because I've always been a fan of beating things to death.

>>42484473
>Valkyrie
>Pyro Jack
>Angel

>>42484497
How's Slime's development potential?

>>42484358
Valk, Jack Frost, and Angel. The speed buff is handy to have and something to give us a light defense even more so.

>>42484473
>>Valkyrie
>>Jack Frost
>>Archangel

>>42484473
>Valkyrie
>Jack Frost
>Archangel

>>42484473
>>Jack Frost
>>Pyro Jack

>>42484473
[Strength]
>I’ll choose later…
We have to do this, just to mess with them.

[Magician]
>I decline these Personas…
I want to see what this does

[Justice]
>Archangel
No particular reason, I just think he'll be useful.

>>42484529
E

>>42484473
Valk
Jack Forst
Archangel

>>42484577
>just to mess with them.
That'll just give them an excuse to call us indecisive. We aren't in a position yet to troll them. Just gotta bear with these little shits.

>>42484473
>Valkyrie
>Jack Frost
>Archangel

>>42484473
>Valkyrie
>Jack Frost
>Archangel

>>42484527
>Well, I like this quest so much I decided to actually participate rather than just lurk the archives!
I have been awake for over 25 hours, my eyes are dry and my subconscious is screaming at me to go to sleep.

I'll rub hot sauce in one eye if I need it to stay awake for this.

>>42484473
>Valkyrie
>Pyro Jack
>Archangel

So we're going to have a lot of ice Personas after this, with the way the vote's going. Moh Shuuvu, Valkyrie, and Jack Frost. Well, I guess at least we'll have options when we need to deal ice damage.

>>42484917
Well Celeste is going to specialize in fire magic, so there's little point in getting Pyro jack.

>>42485044
Not only that, we have a persona that cannot be unequipped capable of using fire.

>>42484473
>Valkyrie
>Jack Frost
>Angel

>>42484753
You... have my respect.

>>42485044
>>42485077
I guess. It just feels weird getting more Personas with skills we already have when we haven't even used Inugami or Mokoi yet. Can we at least try to use them before we experiment with the new ones?

>>42485110
Thanks.

Best quest.

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>>Valkyrie

A blonde woman, clad in steel armor, riding a fiery red steed gallops out of the Strength tarot card. She is powerful, yes, but there is a firm grasp of self-control and virtue within her.

“So you are the new master, then? I am Valkyrie. Let us walk down this path together!”

>>Jack Frost

A snow fairy, easily recognizable on the streets of Tokyo, stumbles out of the card of the Magician. It picks itself up and does a little twirl in the air. Multiple brass bells dingle, like baubles on a vibrating Christmas tree.

“My name is Jack Frost, hee-ho. You better not underestimate me, or I’ll hee or your ho up!"

>>42485219
>I’ll hee or your ho up!
That's why I like him/it

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>>Archangel.

The final Persona is stern and unwavering. As expected from an angel creature of the Justice Arcana. Order, rationality and righteousness. Archangel embodies these traits as he casts a stern eye over your form.

“I am Archangel, a proud warrior of the Great Will. I shall lend my power to you…”

The tarot cards float down from the air and you shove them into your pocket. A glowing light shines around you as the power of your Bonds take effect…

>Valkyrie has learned Rakunda!
>Jack Frost’s MAGIC has increased to D-!
>Jack Frost has learned Mabufu!
>Archangel has learned Sukukaja!

“Jack Frost has now overtaken Pixie as the primary Persona of the Magician Arcana, Weakest One.” The girl exclaims. “Pixie will no longer grow. A cliché has thus been avoided, what a relief!”

“All the power from your bonds will now be focused on Jack Frost.” The boy says. “And remember, you always have the choice of denying a Persona until later. Now then, it’s time for you to return your world. You can’t afford to become complacent, no?”

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>>42485219
>or I’ll hee or your ho up!
Is that actually in the game or no.
This is important.

>>42485328
You motherfuckers couldn't tell us that before? We need to find a way to hurt them.

>>42485328
>Pixie can't get stronger

FUCK

>>42485328
>We won't get Demifiend's Pixie anymore
Fuck.

>>42485376
I knew we should have declined the new Persona. But no, everyone wanted Jack Frost. So now we're stuck with leveling up a shitty Persona we're never going to use, instead of the awesome power of Elec Break+Zio. Great.

>>42485364
Jack frost > Pixie.

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>>42485411
Feels bad man.

Is Jack Frost capable of becoming King Frost?

>>42485453
Jack Frost is worse than Pixie. It's got a slightly higher Luck stat, but its moves are all around worse.

I feel like I should've made it clear that choosing a new Persona will stop the growth of any existing ones within the same Arcana. This is my fault, and I apologize.

>>42485514
Just King Frost??? Where is your ambition?

>>42485441
You know, we can always just go back?

>>42485612
Black frost is best frost

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[3:40 pm, 18-Apr-2129 (MONDAY)]
Today felt like it lasted a lot longer. First there was that conversation with Takauji and Kanami. While enjoyable as it had been, it seemed to drag on forever. Like, ten minutes had stretched into an hour. What an oddity! Then Japanese Literature had decided it was high time to bore you to death, gabbing on and on about essays and the proper way to analyze context.

Thankfully…

“And that’s the end of it.” Veleis-sensei announces. “See you tomorrow, children.”

Now you’re free, relatively speaking. Martial arts club is on today, and the Blackened Void sure as hell ain’t going away any time soon. That silent laptop girl might be in the library and there’s always something new to do in the city. Or maybe you could go straight home and play video games, you loser.

What will you do?

>Attend martial arts club.
>Study in the library.
>Call the team and head to the Blackened Void.
>See if there’s anything to do around town.
>Head straight home.
>Custom option.

>>42485612
No, no, it's fine. Perfectly fitting with how the squatters (they don't get capitalization anymore, they don't deserve to be proper nouns) are such dicks. Of course we wouldn't know until after we've already made the decision.

>>42485612
>implications
Lucifrost of Judgment in the future?

>>42485590
Jack Frost actually has development potential, unlike Pixie. I doubt pixie would have ever actually grown anymore past what she already had.

>>42485633
No, we can't. They just said that we can't. Because this is Persona 2129 quest, where fuck you for thinking you have agency.

>>42485656
Finally have a conversation with computer girl

>>42485656
>play video juegos

>>42485690
We can explicitly go back to using old personas dude.

>>42485677
He has a development potential one sub-rank higher. Is that really going to make a difference? I doubt it, especially when we're probably going to get yet another Magician Persona before he's gotten anywhere in terms of leveling.

>>42485656
>Call the team and head to the Blackened Void.

>>42485716
But we can't go back to Pixie getting the Social Link bonuses. So she's always going to lag behind, now.

>>42485656
>Study in the library.
Computer girl! New social links!

>>42485690
We can still use Pixie. She just won't get any stronger.

Don't worry, we still have access to elec break.

>>42485656
>>Attend martial arts club.

>>42485656
>Call the team and head to the Blackened Void.

>>42485656
>Call the team and head to the Blackened Void.
I feel the need to hurt things. Let's go kill Shadows.

>>42485759
She was always going to lag behind. Any persona besides Ippon would.

>>42485759
She wasn't going to grow much more anyways.

>>42485656
>>Study in the library.

>>42485656
>Call the team and head to the Blackened Void.

>>42485656
>Study in the library

>>42485656
>>Call the team and head to the Blackened Void.
We need to git gud

>>42485656
>Attend martial arts club.
Gotta learn how to adapt.

>>42485656
>Study in the library.

>>42485656
>Study in the library
(get social liiiinks)

>>42485656
>Call the team and head to the Blackened Void.

>>42485917
>>42485898
>>42485854
>>42485807
>>42485770
Nerds

>>42484753
25 isn't even that hard
Try working for 36 hours straight

>>42486098
I haven't managed to get six hours of sleep in one day for almost 2 weeks.

>>42486131
Been there too.

I like the high sleep deprivation gives.

>>42485590
>>42485514
MOTHER. FUCKING. BLACK FROST.

>>42485612
that brings up an interesting question: Would anyone recognize the Demonica of Demonee-ho?

>>42486250
No, we must go beyond black frost. We must create a Demi-fiend frost, a demi-frost if you will. That or a jack frost that uses our outfit.

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<THE_FIRST> I think I feel like breaking something
<THE_FIRST> Let’s go the Blackened Void
<chocolat_orange> um. okay?
<chocolat_orange> are you feeling alright takashi-kun?
<THE_FIRST> Yeah I’m fine
<chocolat_orange> well there’s no fencing club on today.
<chocolat_orange> so i’m ready when you are. what about you akikazu?
<Akagi21> i told you guys
<Akagi21> there’s nothing for me to do after class
<Akagi21> fuck yes i’m in

So the three of you board the bullet train towards Moon’s East. You enter the door at the back of the alleyway and step into the Forgotten City. The door to the safehouse opens and the team slips through.

“What now, Takashi?” Akikazu asks.

>Spend Build EXP to upgrade safehouse.
>Open the door with the leaf inscribed on it (consumes Iron Key)
>Open the door with the TV painted on it (consumes Iron Key)
>Explore Pyre Ruin Valley
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands
>Explore the Forgotten City
>Enter the Forlorn Abyss (-2 modifier to rolls except crits)
>Custom option

>>42486185
>I like the high sleep deprivation gives.
Noob.

>>42486418
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42486418
>Spend Build EXP to upgrade safehouse.
Well let's do this first

>>42486418
>Spend Build EXP to upgrade safehouse.

>>42486418
>>Spend Build EXP to upgrade safehouse.

>>42486418
>>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands
We rushed staright to Celeste last time, let's see what else is in that area.

>>42486463
Do it at the end when we got more xp dood

>>42486418
>>Spend Build EXP to upgrade safehouse.
>>Open the door with the TV painted on it (consumes Iron Key)

>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands
wonder if we can kill that boss with 3 refreshed people like cheating bastards.

>>42486418
>>Spend Build EXP to upgrade safehouse.
then
>>42486418
>>Open the door with the leaf inscribed on it (consumes Iron Key)
I'm still a bit curious.

>>42486418
>Spend Build EXP to upgrade safehouse.

then

>Enter the Forlorn Abyss (-2 modifier to rolls except crits)

that -2 looks a lot more managable than the -8 it had before.

>>42486418
>Open the door with the TV painted on it (consumes Iron Key)
Come on, please be Tanaka!

>>42486503
We only get build exp for beating bosses, I believe

>>42486542
Oh. Lets go bounty hunting then

>>42486418
>Open the door with the TV painted on it (consumes Iron Key)

>>42486540
>Tanaka still alive
He's the devil

>>42486418
>>Spend Build EXP to upgrade safehouse.
Oh yeah, time to pimp out our bachelor pad.

>>42486542
Nah, it's for finishing quests. But we don't appear to have any side-quests to do, so we've only gotten it for plot quests so far.

>>42486185
Try bipolar

>>42486418
Build up the base, open the TV room, and once those are done, we go to the forest and hunt the secret boss.

>>42486418
>FORLORN ABYSS TIME

>>42486711
>voting for the end-game extra dungeon
Really?

>>42486418
>Spend Build EXP to upgrade safehouse

>>42486762
if it's like the labyrinth of amala from Nocturn, you can finish the first level almost immediately after beating the first major boss.

>>42486832
Well, the plus side is that it went from -6 to -2, but I do think we should do the squatters' challenge and take out the target. Whatever we get from them could very well be handy.

>>42486832
Can we at least get geared first?

>>42486832
I hope we get ambushed by Dante from Devil May Cry series or Raidou

>>42486762
It's not end-game, but it is meant for a higher level than we are, as evidenced by the fact that we still have a roll penalty.

File: safehouse2.jpg (492 KB, 1332x837)

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>>Spend Build EXP to upgrade safehouse.

You log on.

>>CURRENT ADMIN: Takashi Wakui (Fool)
>>You have 11 Build EXP remaining.
>>Upgrade Tier: 1

[Upgrades]
>Deep Web Access: Allows access to hidden parts of the Internet. (5 Build EXP)
>Microwave: Provides a fully functional microwave that can heat meals in a very short amount of time. Rarely breaks down. (2 Build EXP)
>Brighter Lights: Increases potency of light sources and adds a switch to toggle the level of brightness. (1 Build EXP)
>Bigger Kitchen: Expands kitchen size. (4 Build EXP)
>Bigger Bunk Rooms: Expands bunk room size. Bunk rooms will still have to be shared between two people. (7 Build EXP)
>Bigger Living Room: Expands living room. Furniture must be supplied by Players. (7 Build EXP)
>Garage: Adds a garage for vehicles. (12 Build EXP)
>Storage Room: Adds a room for the storing of generic objects. (8 Build EXP)

Choose your upgrades...

>>42486947
That's where the good xp is.

>>42486974
>Storage Room: Adds a room for the storing of generic objects. (8 Build EXP)
>Microwave: Provides a fully functional microwave that can heat meals in a very short amount of time. Rarely breaks down. (2 Build EXP)
>Brighter Lights: Increases potency of light sources and adds a switch to toggle the level of brightness. (1 Build EXP)

>>42486974
>>Deep Web Access: Allows access to hidden parts of the Internet. (5 Build EXP)
THEY CALL THEMSELVES ANONYMOUS THEY ARE HACKERS ON STEROIDS

>>42486974
>>Storage Room: Adds a room for the storing of generic objects. (8 Build EXP)
>>Microwave: Provides a fully functional microwave that can heat meals in a very short amount of time. Rarely breaks down. (2 Build EXP)
>>Brighter Lights: Increases potency of light sources and adds a switch to toggle the level of brightness. (1 Build EXP)

>>42486974
>Deep Web Access: Allows access to hidden parts of the Internet. (5 Build EXP)

>>42486974
>Microwave
>Bigger Kitchen
We're not in deep enough trouble to have to worry about staying in the safe room, but food will still be nice after long grueling fights.
>Deep Web Access
Spoookkkyyyy. I don't have a good reason for this, I just figured it would be cool... and we are the sort to need anonymity, I suppose.

>>42487031
GAME ON TOKYO PD

>>42486974
>>Deep Web Access: Allows access to hidden parts of the Internet. (5 Build EXP)
>>Microwave: Provides a fully functional microwave that can heat meals in a very short amount of time. Rarely breaks down. (2 Build EXP)

>>42486974
>Microwave: Provides a fully functional microwave that can heat meals in a very short amount of time. Rarely breaks down. (2 Build EXP)
>Brighter Lights: Increases potency of light sources and adds a switch to toggle the level of brightness. (1 Build EXP)
>Storage Room: Adds a room for the storing of generic objects. (8 Build EXP)

Gets my vote.

>>42486974
>Deep Web Access: Allows access to hidden parts of the Internet. (5 Build EXP)
>Microwave: Provides a fully functional microwave that can heat meals in a very short amount of time. Rarely breaks down. (2 Build EXP)
>Brighter Lights: Increases potency of light sources and adds a switch to toggle the level of brightness. (1 Build EXP)

>>42486974
>Deep Web Access
>Microwave
>Bigger Kitchen

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>>42487031

>>42486974
>Deep Web Access: Allows access to hidden parts of the Internet. (5 Build EXP)
I don't care about what else we get, but this is critical.

>>42486974
>>Deep Web Access: Allows access to hidden parts of the Internet. (5 Build EXP)
>>Microwave: Provides a fully functional microwave that can heat meals in a very short amount of time. Rarely breaks down. (2 Build EXP)
save the rest for garage or tier 2


Is this Storage Room mundane, or is it a gamey item box that perfectly freezes stuff in time?

>Voting for brighter lights.

Literally why.

>>42486974
>>Storage Room: Adds a room for the storing of generic objects. (8 Build EXP)
>>Microwave: Provides a fully functional microwave that can heat meals in a very short amount of time. Rarely breaks down. (2 Build EXP)

>>42487120
Hey man, staring at a computer in a dark room for hours on end DOES do some damage.

And brighter lights might be good for calming down after a good DEMONS DEMONS DEMONS

Still not voting for it, though

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>>42487031

We can blog about being the fool on the deep web while we're in here and can't be tracked.
Nobody will believe us and we'll become an urban legend like titor

>>42486974
I'm curious about what the point of getting stuff like bunks and a furnished living room is. Unless something happens that blocks our ability to leave, we'll never spend very long at the safehouse.

>>42486974
>Deep Web Access: Allows access to hidden parts of the Internet. (5 Build EXP)
>Microwave: Provides a fully functional microwave that can heat meals in a very short amount of time. Rarely breaks down. (2 Build EXP)
We are going to get outed as a fool and have to hide out here.

>>42487182
It would be useful if need to hide from the other world for some reason too

>>42487182
If it comes down to it and our fool status gets reviled to the world, that this will probably come in useful.

So TT are you ever going to answer my marriage question?

>>42486974
>Bigger Living Room: Expands living room. Furniture must be supplied by Players. (7 Build EXP)
>Microwave: Provides a fully functional microwave that can heat meals in a very short amount of time. Rarely breaks down. (2 Build EXP)
>Brighter Lights: Increases potency of light sources and adds a switch to toggle the level of brightness. (1 Build EXP)

>>42487182
>AETHER goes MMORPG

>>42487218
>>42487213
Please stop, I can only shadowrun so hard.

We should leave some Build exp in reserve just in case

>>42487182
There's no point in me spending hours to upgrade my house in Skyrim either. I just can't help myself.

>>42487372
I haven't even began to shadowrun.

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>>You have 4 Build EXP waiting.

“Whoa, what the fuck!” Akikazu’s shout bursts out of the kitchen.

“What is it?” Celeste asks, looking up from her tablet.

“A microwave just appeared out of fucking nowhere, that’s what!”

“That’s because I chose in the Safehouse building program. You know, the one that eats Build EXP and only I can use?” You call out.

“You could’ve given me a warning, goddammit!” Akikazu yells. “Before dragging kitchen appliances out of fucking Narnia!”

“I don’t think that’s how the references goes…” You mutter.

“You know, now that we have a microwave, we could really spruce this place up a bit.” Celeste mutters. “A vacuum cleaner, first aid kits or at the very least a few meal packs. Don’t know where we would buy such stuff, though.”

You shift your attention back to the computer screen. The Deep Web Access upgrade has modified your Internet connection to break past the encryption and authorization protocols surrounding the hidden section of the Internet. Your homepage now contains a link to a website called the ‘Nocturne City BBS’. Out of curiosity, you click on it.

>best food to take on runs?
>First mission thread. Tell us your stories!
>Persona or non-Persona does it matter?
>Hiring some muscle, post your experience
>[LOCKED] Nocturne City Poetry Slam. Get your jam on! (Mod edit: STOP MAKING THESE SHITTY THREADS)

>>42487948
>>First mission thread. Tell us your stories!
>>Persona or non-Persona does it matter?
These two please

>>42487948
>best food to take on runs?
Sounds useful.

>>42487948
>>First mission thread. Tell us your stories!
>>[LOCKED] Nocturne City Poetry Slam. Get your jam on! (Mod edit: STOP MAKING THESE SHITTY THREADS)

When I see a locked thread I mus always click it

>>42487948
>First mission thread. Tell us your stories!

>>42487948
>best food to take on runs?
>First mission thread. Tell us your stories!

>>42487948
>>42487948
>[LOCKED] Nocturne City Poetry Slam. Get your jam on! (Mod edit: STOP MAKING THESE SHITTY THREADS)

Kek Is that a Shadowrun: Hong Kong reference? I love it

>>42487948
>Persona or non-Persona does it matter?

Wait, were those options?

>>42487948
>>First mission thread. Tell us your stories!
>>Persona or non-Persona does it matter?
Just for shits n giggles
>>[LOCKED] Nocturne City Poetry Slam. Get your jam on! (Mod edit: STOP MAKING THESE SHITTY THREADS)

>>42487948
>First mission thread. Tell us your stories!
>[LOCKED] Nocturne City Poetry Slam. Get your jam on! (Mod edit: STOP MAKING THESE SHITTY THREADS)

>>42487948
>>First mission thread. Tell us your stories!

>>42487948
>>best food to take on runs?
>>Persona or non-Persona does it matter?
>>[LOCKED] Nocturne City Poetry Slam. Get your jam on! (Mod edit: STOP MAKING THESE SHITTY THREADS)

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On inspection, it appears to be a forum for hackers, muscle, infiltration experts and mercenaries. You’re not exactly sure why AETHER has granted you access to this website. Apparently merely finding this place gives you the right to create an account and join the community. You select on a thread at random and scan its contents.

SeePlusPlus: Fucking contact lied to us. Half our team is gone!
Nightingale: What happened?
SeePlusPlus: We were asked to find the location on a psychic experiment in one of Hanamura’s offices. Turns out there were way too many guards there. Our decker was ill-equipped for the security and set off the alarm!
TockTick: HAHAHAHAHA. I TOLD YOU SO. I TOLD YOU SO HARD. TOLD[x] NOT TOLD[]
SeePlusPlus: Eat a dick man, this isn’t funny!
Nightingale: Who died?
SeePlusPlus: Our decker and one of our muscle. We stole a bunch of paydata in the process, but it wasn’t worth it to lose those guys!
Nixy: what’s his face, eh? sucks yo
D-Z0: You alright?
SeePlusPlus: Do you think I am? DO I LOOK OKAY TO YOU?
Nightingale: What will you do now?
Nixy: he don’t have much options grl, probably have to bunker down somewhere safe
D-Z0: Should've taken mariselle-chan with him
TockTick: THE BITCH HAS RETIRED. SHE IS NO LONGER RELEVANT TO US.

Yeah, you should probably take a closer look at this later. You barely understand half of what these clowns are babbling on about. So you log off.

>Open the door with the leaf inscribed on it (consumes Iron Key)
>Open the door with the TV painted on it (consumes Iron Key)
>Explore Pyre Ruin Valley
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands
>Explore the Forgotten City
>Enter the Forlorn Abyss (-2 modifier to rolls except crits)
>Custom option

>>42487948
>best food to take on runs?
Directly useful, directly relevant to us.

>>42488184
>Open the door with the leaf inscribed on it (consumes Iron Key)

>>42488184
>>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42488184
>Open the door with the leaf inscribed on it (consumes Iron Key)
then
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42488184
>>Explore Pyre Ruin Valley
Grinding time

>>42488184
>Open the door with the TV painted on it (consumes Iron Key)

>>42488184
>Open the door with the TV painted on it (consumes Iron Key)
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42488184
>Open the door with the leaf inscribed on it (consumes Iron Key)
Might as well get all the resources out of the way BEFORE we go fighting.

>>42488184
>>Open the door with the leaf inscribed on it (consumes Iron Key)
then
>>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42488184
>Open the door with the TV painted on it (consumes Iron Key)

>>42488184
>>Open the door with the TV painted on it (consumes Iron Key)
>>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

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>>42488184
>>Open the door with the TV painted on it (consumes Iron Key)

>>42488184
>>Open the door with the leaf inscribed on it (consumes Iron Key)

>>42488184
>TV door
>Into the elf woods.
I want t see what deals we get and I want to hunt down the mystery target.

>>42488184
>>Open the door with the TV painted on it (consumes Iron Key)

>>42488184
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42488184
>Open the door with the leaf inscribed on it (consumes Iron Key)
>Enter the Forlorn Abyss (-2 modifier to rolls except crits)

>tfw your players mistake text for choices
feels bad man

>>42487236
I'm sorry but my heart belongs to our Lady and Savior Kaede Kurusu
or rather, it would be if she wasn't used goods. ;_;

writing now...

>>42488693
>canon used goods
I'm never reading her doujins again

>>42488693
I mean the one is the ask.fm.

>>42488736
You mean the ones about her pulling a train on random dudes? Yeah, who would have guessed that she was used goods?

>>42488693
>tfw your players mistake text for choices
>feels bad man
You might want to present them differently than you do regular choices.

>>42488693
>>42488736
That's not too shocking.
Gotta up those social links somehow...

>>42488757
Every man in the train is a magical self-instert copy of myself.

>>42488839
>self-instert
Shit tier fetish.

>>42488736
If she's anything like the previous protagonists, she's not just used goods, but also a serial cheater.

>>42488943
What a slut.

>>42488967
You wouldn't mind when she maxes out your social link.

>>42488998
>bond that cannot be broken
True.

>>42488998
Not even that. Usually you only need to get to rank 6, 8 at most.

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>>Open the door with the leaf painted on it (consumes Iron Key)

You slide the key in and it crumbles within seconds. Celeste gives you a nod and pushes open the door. The expected white light consumes the team and you are transported to an entire new location. You did a little research in your downtime. The Hebi-Ko Hot Springs doesn’t exist in Japan, if the search engine is to be believed. It’s either elsewhere in Japan or one of those secret yakuza locations.

In contrast to the sterility of the weapon store or the steamy atmosphere of the hot springs, the air in this shop is rich with the scent of spices and bitter plants. The floor is polished smooth--so shiny you can see an almost perfect reflection. Glass cabinets surround the sides, each one stocked with all manner of dried leaves, herbs and roots. Calligraphy is sealed behind a picture frame and hung on the wall. A china feline is perched upon the front counter. Two words could speak of this shop in a nutshell: old fashioned.

There is no-one around.

“A medicine store?” Akikazu asks out loud. “Huh…wasn’t expecting that.”

“Empty though.” You mutter. “Maybe we should come back later.”

As if triggered by your words, a bell chimes and a figure springs from a door in the back. Someone bursts out, like an explosion reaching the end of a long tunnel. It is a woman with long white hair, dressed in bedclothes of all garments and barefoot. She pounces over to the counter, does a perfect somersault in the air and lands behind it. She breaks out a bright smile and turns to face your team.

There is also a prominent amount of fat on her chest. You are trying your hardest not to stare at it.

“Welcome to Shironeko Remedies, nya!” The woman cries. “My name is Eiko Shirnoneko, nya! How may I help you three kittens today?”

…what the hell is up with her ears?

>(Touch fluffy ears)
>Where are we?
>What do you sell?
>Shouldn’t go and change?
>Custom option.

>>42489117
Touch fluffy ears

>>42489117
>(touch fluffy ears)

Is there really any other choice?

>>42489117
>What do you sell?

Do not touch the fluffy ears

>>42489117
>>(Touch fluffy ears)
>>Where are we?

>>>42489117
>What do you sell?

>>42489117
>>(Touch fluffy ears)
>Where are we?
>What do you sell?

>>42489117
>>(Touch fluffy ears)
>>What do you sell?
>>Try to get her to say that long ass sentence that's a tounge-twister in Japanese.

>>42489117
>(Touch fluffy ears)

Failing that,
>What do you sell?

>>42489117
>>(Touch fluffy ears)

>>42489117
>Touch fluffy ears)
>Where are we?
A bit disappointed that we didn't open the door to the TV room, but since we got darknet access I can live with it.

>>42489187
THIS. O-HO-HO-HO THIS.

>>42489117
>>(Touch fluffy ears)
As if we could choose anything else

>>42489117
I can't believe you would actually put that choice

>What do you sell?

>>42489117
>What do you sell?

>>42489117
>(Touch fluffy ears)
>Where are we?
>What do you sell?

>>42489117
Madam, that is not how you ride a bicycle. Please get off it before you hurt yourself.

>>42489187
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlwVBKs5T_E

>>42489294
So, did the voice actors do something to piss the writers off?

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>>Takashi: Touch fluffy ears.

Part of your brain is screaming at you to hold back. Don’t touch the fluffy ears, it roars. Your mind will collapse beneath the sheer cuteness and you’ll be stuck as vegetable for the rest of your life, dreaming about anime catgirls and cotton candy. Alas, you simply do not possess the WILLPOWER to restrain yourself. As if guided by a miracle of god itself, you lurch forward in a trance.

“Takashi-kun, what are you doing?” Celeste cries.

“Oy, quit it!” Akikazu shouts.

The voice of your friends are drowned out, like the bodies of long deceased divers beneath the ocean. You are nearing the counter, your hand stretching outwards to grasp at your prize.

“Nyaaaah! Ecchi! There’s a pervert in my shop!” Eiko Shironeko exclaims, leaping backwards.

At once, you are shoved headfirst into reality. “Um, I…er…”

“Are you in heat, nya? I’m know I’m quite attractive, but there are times for such things…”

“Wait, I can explain this!”

“Just kidding, nya. Everyone wants to touch my fluffy ears. I don’t blame you.” The shopkeeper shows no animosity, only amusement. “But you have to pass a test first.”

“Uh, what kind of test?” You ask.

“You have to say a tongue twister—in English!” Eiko grins. Without waiting to respond, she fires up. “Here it is: Something in nya thirty-nyacre thermew thicket of thorns and thistles thumped and thundered threatenyaging the three-D thoughts of Matthmew the thug - although, theatrically, it was only the thirteen-thousand thistles and thorns thrmew the undernyaeath of his thigh that the thirty year old thug thought of that mornyaing!”

>Roll 1d20
>Best out of three

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>42489733

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>42489733

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>42489733

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>42489733
Do we include the cat sounds, too?

Rolled 92 (1d100)

>>42489733
Dis gun be good

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>>42489759
>>42489761
yoooooooooooooo

>>42489759
>>42489761
>>42489762
So I guess we go with the 12?

>>42489759
>>42489761
Wow.

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>>42489759
>>42489761

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>>42489759
>>42489761

>>42489761
We're going to suddenly vomit crows, aren't we?

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>42489733

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>>42489759
>>42489761

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>>42489759

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>>42489759
>>42489761

>>42489759
>>42489761
Why, Dice Gods? Why?

>>42489783
>>42489783
>>42489787
>>42489789
>>42489791
>>42489791
>>42489796
>>42489821
>>42489823
>>42489832
>>42489832
>>42489832
>>42489835
>>42489835
Well, he did say BEST of three.

>>42489761
You couldn't have waited TWO SECONDS?

>>42489860
Yes, but it's a odd situation. Crit fails usually overide other results, but the crit success was first. So does that mean we override the one, the crits null each other for a 12, or are her ears going to give us some sort of weird acid trip?

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>>42489860
You're not allowed to remind us Anon. Bad. I enjoy panic.

>>42489860
You asshole, I wanted to see Takashi vomit crows!

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“S-something in a thirty-acre thermal thicket of f-f-thorns and f-f-thistles thumped and t-thundered thr…threatening the three-D t…t…thoughts of…”

No, it’s impossible! You’re not a native English speaker! You can’t perform this task. Celeste is staring at you with a question look, as if to say, ‘Wow what a casual this is so easy I can do it with my eyes closed.’ English has always been your weakness and performing a tongue twister is utterly beyond your capabilities.

“I can’t do it…” You slump your shoulders as your heart admits defeat. How embarrassing this must seem to your friends.

“Aw, don’t feel too bad.” Eiko Shironeko says. “Here, I’ll pat your head. Just try harder next time.”

“Now that’s over and done with.” Celeste says. “What exactly do you sell here?”

“I sell medicine, nya!” Eiko exclaims. “Medicine, Medical Powders, Life Stones, Revival Beads, Balms of Life, Dis-Poisons, Chakra Drops and more! The finest medicines in all of Japan are found here. Please buy a lot!”

Then her smile fades a little. “But I only just set up shop here. So a lot of my wares won’t arrive until later.”

“What happened?” You asked.

“Oh, just a few stray mutts.” Eiko says, airily. “I scratched them up real nice. My stock is limited, but I can still sell you something good.”

In the end, the team ended purchasing 6000 Macca’s worth of Medical Powders, Life Stones and one Revival Bead. Medical Powders were crafted from mountain herbs and could stop bleeding and seal up wounds within seconds. Life Stones were crunching green orbs, candy-like and slowly regenerated vitality over time. Revival Beads had a foul taste, but could revive an unconscious ally.

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As you exit the shop, Akikazu throws you a questioning glance.

“Dude…”

“What?”

“Do you, like, have a thing for catgirls?”

“The hell? What brought that up?”

“What else? The way you tried to grope that woman’s ears! I’m not judging, just to let you know.”

“I don’t, okay?”

>Explore Pyre Ruin Valley
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands
>Explore the Forgotten City
>Enter the Forlorn Abyss (-2 modifier to rolls except crits)
>Return home
>Custom option

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>>42490476
>Natural 20
>Spaghetti

>>42490501
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42490501
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands
It was reflex, alright? We see a cute thing we want to pet it. Said cute thing just happened to be on top of a woman's head this time.

>>42490501
>>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42490501
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands
>>42490504
20s and 1s negate.

>>42490501
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42490501
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42490501
>>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands
At the current pace this quest will last 200 threads

>>42490501
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42490501
>>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

>>42490501
>Explore the Hazebound Woodlands

Can we get a confirmation of whether or not the Forlorn Abyss is like the Labyrinth of Amala

>>42490504
crit and critfail cancel each other out

>>42490593
The Forlorn Abyss is a bonus dungeon. It is entirely possible to beat AETHER without stepping inside it once.

>>42490669
Does it feature Dante from Devil May Cry series? This is very important

>>42490720
No, instead it features Donte from DmC.

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You board the Hollow Express and head towards the land of fog and trees. It almost feels like yesterday that you were dashing down the dirt path, determined to rescue Celeste from a horde of sickly elves. The area is dense with white, suffocating mist. It’s cold too. Celeste shivers and instinctively commands Sati to produce flame in the palm of her hand. Akikazu readies his war hammer and stomps forward.

The train station’s bonfire flickers to life at your presence. “Okay everyone, let’s head up to the second bonfire and see what happens.”

“Second bonfire?” Celeste asks. “We haven’t reached that far.”

“Yes we have. It was the one I activated by myself.”

“That’s not the second bonfire. It’s the first bonfire.” Celeste protests.

“Then what the hell is this one?” Akikazu snorts. “The zeroth one?”

“Yes—actually…” Celeste trails off. “I’m confused now.”

“It’s the first bonfire, Tachibana. Get it together.”

“Wait. Didn’t we refer to the order of bonfires starting from the train station?”

“It was wrong.” You clap your hands and frown. “Let’s just go already!”

“I still think something is off…”

You tread down on the trail and slip on your knuckledusters. Shadows drop down from overhanging on the branches, congealing into squishy messes of darkness. They rise up and take the form of monsters—gigantic sphere with tongues, one-eyed mages and blobs with masks on the top.

“Go!”

>Roll 3d20 (status, Macca, loot)
>Best out of three.

Rolled 3, 14, 15 = 32 (3d20)

>>42490993
time for shit rolls

>>42490993

Rolled 12, 4, 9 = 25 (3d20)

>>42490993

Rolled 6, 4, 7 = 17 (3d20)

>>42490993

Rolled 1, 20, 19 = 40 (3d20)

>>42490993

Rolled 20, 11, 5 = 36 (3d20)

>>42490993

>>42491027
Thank fuck that was outside the first three.

>>42491063
Poop on you

>>42491078
Do you want a critical fail for status? Because I'm pretty sure that would land us in the hospital.

>>42491017
>>42491019
>>42491026
>12, 14, 15
We didn't do super well, but good enough.

>>42491087
Would've been good looting

>>42491103
Which we wouldn't get to enjoy, since we'd be in a coma.

>>42491120
Wouldn't have been that bad. One 1 wouldn't do that. Besides we got lots of meds

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You managed to defeat the waves of Shadows without much trouble. This time, you brought Inugami and Mokoi along for the ride. Inugami snakes through the monsters and bites their jaws off. Mokoi dances about and crushes the Shadows beneath its tiny feet. You crush the card of Archangel and the messenger of god readies its bow. An arrow is fired towards the chest of a Mage, destroying it instantly.

“Take this!” Akikazu is having fun, if one could call that. He certainly isn’t complaining, the way he summons Ubelluris and charges into a crowd of Shadows.

You managed to gain 6000 Macca from the encounter. The cost of the medicine has thus been covered.

“Want to go home?” Celeste asks.

“In a second.” You reply. “I want to open this chest.” AETHER is apparently the type of game that resets its treasure locations with every encounter. Must be based off modern MMORPGs, then.

You eagerly fling open the chest. Then the vigor fades almost as immediately as you inspect the contents.

>Obtained the High-Cut Armor!

Uh…

What…

It’s…armor…fashioned to look like a lingerie set…

This…

Why…

You…

Sorry, what exactly is the purpose of this? Why would AETHER include bedroom garments inside a freezing foggy forest? A dungeon modelled after a strip club, I can understand, but why here?

This is stupid. The game is stupid. You have seriously put with enough bullshit for one day.

You are about to put the armor back when you notice its description. According to the label, its defenses against physical and magic attacks are very high for E-ranked players.

…

What now?

>Put it back anyway.
>Show it to Celeste.
>Hide it and sell it later.
>Show it to Akikazu.
>Custom option.

>>42491318
>Custom option.
Voice the thoughts we just had about the armor aloud, letting our friends share in this moment of utterly baffling level design.

>>42491318
>Hide it and sell it later.

>>42491318
>Show it to Celeste
>Show it to Akikazu.
It's got decent stats, but I am NOT wearing it. If one of you two want it say now, otherwise I am selling it!

>>42491318
Put it on

>>42491318
>>Show it to Celeste.

>>42491318
>Show it to both

"What is this I don't even"

>>42491318
>>Show it to Akikazu.
>>Show it to Celeste.

"Friends please explain"

>>42491318
>Custom option.
Cautiously inquire into how much embarrassment Celeste is willing to endure for higher defenses so she doesn't get hurt. If she inquires show her the armor and respectfully say that if she doesn't like it we'll sell it as soon as we're back at the hub.

>>42491318
>Show it to Akikazu.
Bro, the fuck is this?

>>42491347
This

>>42491318
>>Custom option.
Put it on, boost courage

>>42491347
This, also
>sell it later.

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>>42491318
>Must be based off modern MMORPGs, then.
Must be.

>>42491318
>Show it to Celeste.
>Show it to Akikazu.
Let us bask in its terrible design.