Before this thread fully goes underway I’d like to take a moment to discuss a few of the changes to the mechanics of this quest. The details are all in this link (http://pastebin.com/Eq9mum2X) but if you can’t be bothered opening it here’s a brief rundown of what has been changed/added:

>Removed overflows as they proved to be useless in practice.
>Added d100 to the game. Rolls are now split into ‘mundane’ (cooking, studying, lifting etc.) and ‘suspenseful’ (final exams, combat, speech checks etc.) categories.
>Changed all opposing dice rolls to standard dice checks, added analysis system to gain information about checks.
>Added loadout system for equipment; default is 1 Weapon, 1 piece of Defensive Equipment and 2 Accessories.
>Changed how Macca is represented.
>Introduced the Combat Chain from Deniable Assets Quest into this quest.

Information about the Combat Chain can be found here: http://pastebin.com/KypPFgFr. It basically works like this:
>The QM gives a description of the situation (layout of the room, number of enemies, what weapons are equipped on both sides, civilians, technology and other points of interest). This can be enhanced with special technology or magic.
>The Players decide and vote on a plan of attack.
>QM separates this into a sequence of actions, each one with varying difficulties.
>Players roll 3d10 for the sequence of actions. Rolls are applied to their respective actions.
>Lots of writing.
>Rinse and repeat until situation has been resolved.

That’s more or less the gist of it. Resuming regular Persona 2129 Quest…

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<THE_FIRST> Yeah I basically haven’t decided whether or not to use my other Personas when dueling
<THE_FIRST> Gonna give it a few matches before making my decision
<THE_FIRST> I’ll definitely do it when Celeste invites me to the doubles
<Akagi21> let me get this straight
<Akagi21> you said you wanted to give that shit a test
<Akagi21> but you only used your main persona in that duel
<Akagi21> that ippon datara
<Akagi21> for what dumbfuck reason did you not bring your other personas for the ride
<Akagi21> you like analogies and metaphors
<Akagi21> then ill give you one
<Akagi21> its like bringing a sword to a gunfight
<Akagi21> except you dont have a fucking sword
<Akagi21> and both your hands have been chopped off
<THE_FIRST> …
<THE_FIRST> …
<THE_FIRST> …
<THE_FIRST> I forgot
<THE_FIRST> ._.
<Akagi21> three words
<Akagi21> you utter retard
<THE_FIRST> Yeah I know
<THE_FIRST> Girl was a scrub though
<THE_FIRST> She didn’t even last five minutes against me
<Akagi21> dont get arrogant
<Akagi21> its annoying
<Akagi21> and its why our school got itself stomped by your older sister
<THE_FIRST> Great ain’t she?
<Akagi21> thats not the point
<Akagi21> look
<Akagi21> if theres one sin that akumachi kirijo is guilty of its being insufferable pricks when it comes to everything
<Akagi21> sports exam results dueling painting whatever
<Akagi21> you name it some smug motherfucker in the academy is strutting around with his head stuffed up so far his own ass he can smell his own farts
<Akagi21> i dont think you realize how devastated some guys were when your sister beat us
<THE_FIRST> You know?
<THE_FIRST> Were you even in high school back then?

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<Akagi21> i knew some guys back then
<Akagi21> anyway dudes were literally crying into their shirts when your sister lifted up that shiny gold trophy
<Akagi21> some were even calling for the refs head
<Akagi21> like that soccer game two years ago when china btfo Germany 8-2
<THE_FIRST> I don’t watch sports so I have no idea what you’re talking about
<Akagi21> you must be deaf to the news then
<Akagi21> its like
<Akagi21> you lost get the fuck over it
<Akagi21> you cant expect to stay on a pedestal for your whole life its just begging for someone to knock you down with a washing pole
<Akagi21> besides
<Akagi21> it was a duel between schools
<Akagi21> in other words kids
<Akagi21> its not like the rest of the world cares
<Akagi21> it’s a fucking game whats the point of getting worked up over something so insignificant
<THE_FIRST> This coming from the guy who threw a fit over online multiplayer minesweeper?
<Akagi21> you shut your whore mouth
<Akagi21> you only won because the game glitched and crashed and you know it
<THE_FIRST> Glass houses man
<THE_FIRST> Geez seems like a lot of guys take what happens in the school very seriously
<Akagi21> you have no idea
<Akagi21> some have been in the school since kindergarten
<Akagi21> akumachi kirijo is basically their whole life
<THE_FIRST> What the fuck
<THE_FIRST> This is actually a little unnerving
<Akagi21> tell me about it
<THE_FIRST> Going back to the original topic
<THE_FIRST> I’m well aware of my mistakes
<THE_FIRST> So from now on
<THE_FIRST> I’m going to try and maintain a maxed out Persona stock
<THE_FIRST> Assume I’ve got my top auxiliary Personas with me at all times
<Akagi21> alright
<Akagi21> we thought you already did that
<THE_FIRST> Well
<THE_FIRST> Now I’m making it official
<THE_FIRST> Case closed
<Akagi21> there was nothing to close in the first place

AT LAST

>>47412107
INDEED

>>47412107
The time has come, an so have I

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>Obligatory been waiting for this
Also, Thorn, how's your mom now? How'd finals go?

>>47412047
Akagi, you are the best. Keeping us level headed and giving advice.

I've been waiting for this for a while.

I even re-read the archives!

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<chocolat_orange> takashi-kun.
<chocolat_orange> takashi-kun!
<chocolat_orange> takashi-kun!!
<chocolat_orange> takashi wakui of class 5-2 in akumachi-kirijo academy for the supernaturally talented!!!
<chocolat_orange> i won’t stop adding exclamation marks until you respond!
<chocolat_orange> by now the beeping noise of the aether client is distracting you from whatever activities you are doing tonight! it won’t end until you pick it up so you better do so now!
<chocolat_orange> please hurry up already! i have serious business i want to discuss with you. it’s very, very important. in fact, i’d even put it above studying for that mockup maths exam veleis-sensei is threatening to give us next week!
<THE_FIRST> Hi Celeste
<chocolat_orange> there you are!!! you better not rush off to wash the dishes or something.
<THE_FIRST> Before this conversation continues
<THE_FIRST> I mean before we properly being discussing your problem that you’ve been yelling my virtual ear off for
<THE_FIRST> There are a few things I need to tell you
<chocolat_orange> what?
<THE_FIRST> I've started to keep my phone on vibrate
<THE_FIRST> Like all the time so I don't hear it
<THE_FIRST> I sense it through my skin
<THE_FIRST> Also I was in the shower so there was no way I could hear you through all the warm and lovely running water
<chocolat_orange> oh.
<THE_FIRST> Lastly
<THE_FIRST> I don’t really care about the mockup maths exam
<THE_FIRST> It’s my best subject after all I’d probably get a B+ even without studying
<chocolat_orange> well mister, maybe you don’t consider it important but it’s my worst subject so I do!
<THE_FIRST> I don’t get it
<THE_FIRST> What’s so difficult linear modelling and truncus graphs
<THE_FIRST> It’s just a bunch of lines on grid paper
<THE_FIRST> It’s easy
<THE_FIRST> All you do if read the equations draw some graphs and it happens
<chocolat_orange> >:/
<chocolat_orange> are you teasing me, takashi-kun?
<THE_FIRST> Maybe?
<chocolat_orange> >:/ >:/ >:/ >:/

Resident Lawfag checking in.
Glad to see you're back in business, Thorn.

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<THE_FIRST> Are you pouting?
<chocolat_orange> yes!
<chocolat_orange> fine, if you’re going to tease me, then i’ll do it right back at you!
<chocolat_orange> you better prepare yourself because i am going to lay down the law! >XO
<THE_FIRST> What
<chocolat_orange> ooooh, takashi-kun! what’s so hard about learning english? it’s just the most common language in the world and almost completely different from japanese due to the lack of pictograms. all you have to do is emigrate to the usa, live there for eleven years and then it just happens!
<chocolat_orange> and being satisfied with only a B+? coming from the guy who got triple ones in the math exam? don’t tell me you’re slipping…

>>Takashi: Resist the urge to ask Celeste if it’s that time of the month.

>>Takashi: Succeed.

<THE_FIRST> Alright point taken
<THE_FIRST> Besides I didn’t say I was going to be satisfied with a B+
<THE_FIRST> No madam if I don’t get at least an A on the maths finals I’ll
<THE_FIRST> Uh
<THE_FIRST> I don’t know
<THE_FIRST> Probably go and review the coursework a lot
<THE_FIRST> Then sit at my chair staring at my mobile screen while trying not to shed a single tear of shame
<chocolat_orange> pfffttt XD
<THE_FIRST> Glad to see it cheered you up
<THE_FIRST> You feeling stressed lately?
<chocolat_orange> yes, sort of
<chocolat_orange> hold on a second
<chocolat_orange> om nom nom nom
<THE_FIRST> What are you eating
<chocolat_orange> my handle :)
<THE_FIRST> Uh
<THE_FIRST> Oh I get it
<chocolat_oranage> mmm that’s good stuff. i feel so much better now. sugar really is the cure for all kinds of pains.
<THE_FIRST> And I don’t know what the hell I expected
<THE_FIRST> What’s been happening?

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<chocolat_orange> been pushing myself to read up on all the material we got in class. plus, lucianne got an event deal for the release of an upcoming movie and we have to prepare for that. she’s been running us ragged at work. i never knew the lovely eight was that popular of a café, but according to the rest of the girls it’s existed for over nine years! can you believe that?
<THE_FIRST> Well
<THE_FIRST> The food was good
<THE_FIRST> It was pretty large
<THE_FIRST> And popular going from how packed it was
<THE_FIRST> So I’d say it the place is doing well for itself
<chocolat_orange> i know, right? i looked it up online and it’s won awards for its level of service and stuff. makes me proud to be working there :)
<chocolat_orange> and i definitely gotta say that lucianne made the right choice
<THE_FIRST> Sure if you say so
<THE_FIRST> We have really gone off topic here
<THE_FIRST> What is it that you wanted to talk about
<THE_FIRST> I’m getting the vibe it’s not more maths homework help again
<chocolat_orange> the night is still young, takashi-kun. there might be plenty of time to help me get my head around the concept of kinematics…
<THE_FIRST> Okay but only if you tell why Amrita does fuck all for the common cold
<THE_FIRST> Shoot Celeste
<chocolat_orange> i’ll keep this straight and simple.
<chocolat_orange> the weekend is coming up, let’s go and polish off that mission in the hazebound woodlands!
<THE_FIRST> Um okay
<THE_FIRST> Is that it?
<chocolat_orange> do you have any objections?
<THE_FIRST> We have still like two weeks to finish that
<THE_FIRST> Aren’t you being a little hasty?

>>47412161
Friendly reminder that this is a chaos thread. All rolls must be in the name of chaos.

>>47412084
I'd 8-2 be a German in 2127!

>>47412201
but isn't the point of chaos
kinda
not blindly following a name

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<chocolat_orange> i’d just thought it would be nice to finish a mission we were assigned to do. by whatever weird entity is controlling aether.
<chocolat_orange> i haven’t played a lot of games in my life so correct on me if i’m wrong.
<chocolat_orange> but that’s the purpose of players in a game, right? complete worthwhile game objectives to make progress? we’re the players of aether so i think we should be doing that.
<THE_FIRST> Almost a week ago we beat up a former classmate of mine and chained him to a bonfire
<THE_FIRST> I’d say that was pretty major mission
<chocolat_orange> yeah, we did a good job with that. i’m not saying we didn’t!
<chocolat_orange> but even so…
<chocolat_orange> i’m getting a bit restless all over. you know that feeling when you try to gorge on sweets but in the back of your mind you know you should be eating some meat and rice to go with that?
<chocolat_orange> it’s kinda like that.
<THE_FIRST> My analogies are way better
<THE_FIRST> It’s a little surprising you want to go back to the Blackened Void so soon
<THE_FIRST> Ever since we started playing the game
<THE_FIRST> It wasn’t unusual for us to take week long breaks before going on missions
<THE_FIRST> To take a breather and catch up on RL stuff
<chocolat_orange> i know takashi-kun, but that brings me to my next point.
<chocolat_orange> the blackened void is a dangerous place, no doubt about it. it’s full of shadows, zombie elves, knights in charred armor, robots and demons.
<THE_FIRST> They are not zombies
<chocolat_orange> whatever!!!

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<chocolat_orange> but despite all of that, i was having fun.
<chocolat_orange> walking across never before explored terrain, cutting up shadows with a real sword, beating up foes with my magic, watching the two blacksmiths repair my weapons, finding treasures and rescuing our fellow players…
<chocolat_orange> it was painful and uncomfortable at times. remember that panzer shadow or the robot that almost turned me into swiss cheese?
<chocolat_orange> but deep down, i had a good time!
<chocolat_orange> maybe it’s speaking to the magic inside of me that riles up all persona-users across the world, that drives our spirit to clash against each other in the arenas humanity builds.
<chocolat_orange> or maybe it’s because i’m a competitive girl and i like pushing myself. aether could very well one of the greatest challenges i’ve seen!
<THE_FIRST> Didn’t those elves kidnap you and chain you to a wall for eight hours
<THE_FIRST> I don’t think they gave you any food or water
<THE_FIRST> Weren’t you scared for your life back then?
<chocolat_orange> i was, but part of me knew you were coming to rescue me.
<chocolat_orange> that’s one of the reasons i can accept what the blackened void throws at me.
<chocolat_orange> because you’ll be with me, takashi-kun. you’ll have my back.
<chocolat_orange> you along with the others.
<chocolat_orange> we support each other and we make it through.
<chocolat_orange> don’t you think so, takashi-kun?
<chocolat_orange> isn’t there anything about aether and the blackened void you enjoy?

>>Takashi: Respond.

>“Alright, you’ve got me there. Exploring the Blackened Void is fun.”
>“I’m just trying to be careful. You never know what’s out there.”
>“Exploring that damn death world is the least fun part of my life.”
>“It’s sort of half-half for me.”
>“I'm not sure, sorry.”
>Custom option.

>>47412251
>>“Alright, you’ve got me there. Exploring the Blackened Void is fun.”
BUT,
>>“I’m just trying to be careful. You never know what’s out there.”

>>47412251

>“Alright, you’ve got me there. Exploring the Blackened Void is fun.”

>>47412277
I'll second this.

>>47412251
Supporting >>47412277

>>47412251
>>“Alright, you’ve got me there. Exploring the Blackened Void is fun.”
>>“I’m just trying to be careful. You never know what’s out there.”
Also, god damn, seven opening posts. Not that I mind, I love your character interactions.

Semi-new writefaggotry starring True Best Girl will drop after I get dinner, folks.

>>47412251
>"Alright, you've got me there. Exploring the Blackened Void is fun."

>>47412251
>“I’m just trying to be careful. You never know what’s out there.”
While facing challenges alongside others does inspire a sense of accomplishment and comradeship, it would be far more pleasant to not have to risk dying every time we do so.

>>47412251
>>47412277
this

>>47412298
hype

>>47412251
>>“Alright, you’ve got me there. Exploring the Blackened Void is fun.”

>>47412277
I will support this. It IS fun, but we can't be over zealous either. Though I agree that we should do the mission soon so it's out of the way.

Also, study some math with her so we can KEEP RAISING OUR INT.

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>>47412153
><chocolat_orange> >:/ >:/ >:/ >:/

>>47412251
>Custom option.
"I like that it lets me spend more time with you, Akikazu and Fumika. Other than that, not really. The Blackened Void only offers two things: incredible danger and getting called a pussy by supernatural jackasses for not wanting to be around said danger. Neither is something I find fun."

>>47412251
>“Alright, you’ve got me there. Exploring the Blackened Void is fun.”

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>>47412047
><Akagi21> dont get arrogant
><Akagi21> its annoying
><Akagi21> and its why our school got itself stomped by your older sister
><THE_FIRST> Great ain’t she?

>>47412251
><chocolat_orange> i was, but part of me knew you were coming to rescue me.
><chocolat_orange> that’s one of the reasons i can accept what the blackened void throws at me.
><chocolat_orange> because you’ll be with me, takashi-kun. you’ll have my back.
...shit. My support for Fumika as best girl is slowly crumbling because of sheer HNG.
>>47412298
Looking forward to it.

>>47412084
><Akagi21> like that soccer game two years ago when china btfo Germany 8-2
Why do you have to remind us?

>>47412377
GIVE UP. SUBMIT TO THE DIABEETUS.

>>47412251
>>“Alright, you’ve got me there. Exploring the Blackened Void is fun.”
>>“I’m just trying to be careful. You never know what’s out there.”

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>>47412377
Since when are lawfags so weak willed.
Fucking fight it bro, we need to avoid "First Girl" syndrome. Eyes on the Mojo prize

I didn't realize this before but apparently 114 has cancer

>>47412251
>“Exploring that damn death world is the least fun part of my life.”
>Custom option.
"But it's not like we have a choice, people are going to get tossed in there anyway. And completing your quest should get us another Companion, that will make things safer the next time we're forced to deal with that place. So yeah, let's go."

>>47412251
>“It’s sort of half-half for me.”

>>47412251
>“Exploring that damn death world is the least fun part of my life.”

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>>47412449
The spirit is willing, but the feels are weak.
Regardless, I must stay strong in the face of temptation and remain pure and faithful to the one true waifu.

High Priestess>Devil>Magician>Hermit

We probably haven't even met best girl yet

>>47412538
True. How long did it take until Aigis appeared on P3?

I'm still waiting to meet the whole part, first. Once we know all our options, then we can waifu someone. It should probably be someone in the party, though. I wouldn't want to have to keep secrets from Takashi's girlfriend.

>>47412538
Best girl is Last Word according to TT

>>47412549
Like june if I remember right

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>>47412556
>used goods

>>47412136
My mom is fine. As for finals, I haven't even started those.

Writing now...

>>47412567
Thank god theatre finals are usually pretty simple

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Reminder that Fumika is consistently getting new art.

>>47412515
And the Hanged Man trumps them all. While the girls fight for dominance, Akagi will slowly rise up to claim the prize as they fight.

After all, white day proved that Akagi was the only safe path.

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>>47412580

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>>47412549
>Liking robot poon
July 20th for the beach trip. So about a hundred days/three months and a few days after the start of the game/quest on April 11th.
>>47412556
>Liking a False Messiah
>>47412580
I can only get so erect, anon.

>STATS: STR D-, DEX E+, MAG D, END D-, AGL E+, LCK C+, DEV S-
Should we improve STR or DEX next?

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>>47412625
Robot girls are superior

>>47412580
True, but even with Chelsea dead there are a fair number of anime characters with similar designs, so we can still post stuff of her.

>>47412565
>>47412625
Hey, I don't like her, just saying Word of TT.

>>47412626
DEX so our overall rank will go up a little more

>>47412626
DEX

>>47412626
Developement. We have enough total CEXP to push it up. With the no overflow rule, we can level up much quicker with it and grow that much faster.

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>>47412658
>I have to post off brand girls.

>>47412626
Max out luck first.

Celeste pleaes old men for macca!

>>47412742
This isn't Fallout

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>>47412738
Yeah, but they're not far off brand. You can get pretty damn close.

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>>47412625
>I can only get so erect, anon.
Is that a challenge?

>>47412769
>Maxing out luck
>Not Charisma or Intelligence

Luck is the worst stat in fallout

TOASTER
O
A
S
T
E
R

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>>47412783

>>47412786
>max luck
>jinxed
>not the best way to play Fallout

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>>47412783
>>47412805

>>47412786
Maxed luck is god damn op.

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>>47412805
Shit Hermit Navigator famalam. Have a better one.

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>>47412655
>All metal
>No vag
>Only gears inside
>No warmth, sensitivity or sense of touch

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>>47412776
>posting fakers.

>>47412880
>sense of touch
We have already created prototype prosthetic with a sense of touch.

>>47412880
>Forgot can't carry on the family name

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>>47412867
>Rides around in a Lovecraftian persona
Not sure if that's a plus or a negative

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<THE_FIRST> Alright
<THE_FIRST> You got me there
<THE_FIRST> I can’t deny that part of myself
<THE_FIRST> Exploring the Blackened Void is fun
<THE_FIRST> From the very beginning when I summoned my first Persona
<THE_FIRST> I was enjoying myself
<THE_FIRST> Reaching out to that power sleeping inside me and surrounding myself with that cobalt aura
<THE_FIRST> It felt like the best shit in the world
<chocolat_orange> see? what did i tell you?
<THE_FIRST> Although some parts of the game are less fun than others
<THE_FIRST> Such as being pecked on by a murder of crows
<THE_FIRST> Or nearly getting blown up by a dummy of a girl I know
<THE_FIRST> Or watching my friends get hurt
<THE_FIRST> Shot blown up set alight and more
<THE_FIRST> Shit sucks
<THE_FIRST> Look I’m not saying we should ignore the mission outright
<THE_FIRST> I was planning on doing that in the future just not so soon
<THE_FIRST> Listen I’m just trying to be careful
<THE_FIRST> I don’t think we’ve explored even five percent of the Blackened Void
<THE_FIRST> You never know what’s out there
<chocolat_orange> oh, i wasn’t accusing you of being scared or anything. in fact, i think it’s good that you’re being cautious about this whole thing. it’s the sign of a good leader :)
<chocolat_orange> i was just wondering if you completely disliked exploring the blackened void.
<chocolat_orange> i’m happy my fears were proven wrong.
<chocolat_orange> wouldn’t want to drag my best friend to something he hated with all his heart
<THE_FIRST> I guess you can rest easy now
<chocolat_orange> definitely :D
<THE_FIRST> Okay I’ll go and talk to Akikazu and Fumika and let them know
<THE_FIRST> See you tomorrow morning Celeste
<chocolat_orange> wait!!!
<chocolat_orange> i, um, wasn’t joking about that kinematics help…
<chocolat_orange> what do all these equations mean? help me before i’m forced to eat out all the jellies in my pantry!
<THE_FIRST> I knew it
<THE_FIRST> You are so lucky I am good at this

>>47412989
Yay, possible INT growth! We'll be ready for the exams yet!

>>47412988
Huh, I understand all but two of those elemental icons. I think that the light blue is nuclear, but what is the purple one?

>>47413097
Psychic or Gravity, I'm guessing.

>Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
>By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
>“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,
>Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
>Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”
>Quoth the Raven “TWEET TWEET YOU WORDY SUMBITCH.”

http://pastebin.com/wUYkazet

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>>47413250
Beautiful

>>47413250
Okay, it was already great just as self-parody, but that ending...simply beautiful.

Wow these shop items are taking some time to write. Please bear with me...

>>47413250
I laughed. Great Job Bird man.

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>>47413250

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[9:00 am, 5-Jun-2129 (SUNDAY)]

After a breakfast consisting of a prepackaged microwave meal that would no doubt set off a warning in your dear old mother’s brain, you head downstairs to enter the door to the Blackened Void. It turns out you are the last of the team to arrive. Celeste is leaning against the wall, cleaning the hilt of the rapier with a bit of cloth. Akikazu is around at the bonfire, staring into the flames. Fumika, true to her nature, is observing the ‘subject’ chained to the bonfire, monitoring his heart rate through a program on her computer.

“Morning, Takashi-kun!” Celeste waves and smiles. “Did you sleep well?”

“Hey, Takashi.” Akikazu grunts. "Took your damn time..."

“Please hurry up and prepare yourself.” Fumika mutters, not bothering to turn around. “We don’t have all day.”

You nod, and proceed towards the shop entrances scattered across the courtyard of the safehouse.

>You now have the chance to purchase items. You currently have 129k (129,000) Macca.
>Shop: http://pastebin.com/cpJWquuv
>Please also choose Takashi’s Personas and his loadout of equipment. Currently, he can carry 1 Weapon, 1 piece of Defensive Equipment and 2 Accessories.
>Persona List: http://pastebin.com/MDQzgiku
>Stats: http://pastebin.com/ARMVCbCA

>>47413250
See, now I want to assume that all the fanfics are in-universe writing. Fumika writes the yaoi. Shizuka's writing the one about Aria because we know she's a soap opera fan and the interactions with Aria would therefore intrigue her (also, I don't think it mentions the Blackened Void, so that works out). And Akikazu wrote the Takashi x Celeste story because deep down he is a romantic and thinks the two of them would be so cute together.

>>47413250
maximum kek

>>47413447
>Buy
>Ring of the Cat's Eye

>>47413447
>bring our current weapon
>buy Merc outfit
>bring Koppa Tengu, Matador, Makami, Narcissus

>>47413250
And here I was, wondering when someone would write yaoi of Takashi and Akikazu. Thank you for granting this wish, you sick sick man.

I love it. So would someone else.

>>47413447
Shop:
>Simple Merc Outfit

Persona:
>Ippon-Datara
>Makami
>Jack Frost
>Yamata-no-Orochi

Equip:
>Combat Gloves
>Simple Merc Outfit
>Ring of Remedy

>>47413447
Purchases:
>Simple Merc Outfit (60k)
I want the extra fate point, but we really do need to upgrade our defense.

Personas:
>Matador
>Narcissus
>Koppa Tengu
>Makami

Loadout:
>Combat Gloves
>Simple Merc Outfit
>Ring of Remedy

>>47413574
>>47413447
Supporting

>>47413447
Voting for an armored jumpsuit.

>>47413447
>bring Merc outfit
idc about the Persona's

>>47413447
Buy:
>Silver Key (open the door in District 2, unlock a shortcut to school)
>Trafuri Canister
>Simple Merc Outfit
Personas:
>Jack Frost
>Melchom
>Oni
>Matador
Loadout:
>Combat gloves
>Simple Merc Armor (assuming we buy it)
>Ring of Remedy

>>47413447
Buy: Merc outfit for 60k

>Weapon: Combat Gloves
>Defense: Merc Outfit
>Accessory 1: Ring of Remedy

Personas:
Makami, (resists and wind)
Melchiom, (money gain and fire)
Principality,(heals and Lightning)
Jack Frost (ice)

>>47413525
>I love it
Then why is there no intimate realtionship between two men or women in your quest ? Doesnt have to be full on- seks scenes

>>47413447
>Shop
Simple Merc Outfit (60k)

>Personas
Matador
Melchom
Koppa Tengu
Principality

>Equip
Combat Gloves
Simple Merc Outfit
Ring of Remedy

>>47413641
>>47413447
Supporting

>>47413469
I just now assume that Yellingbord's fics are in-universe written by Fumika, even the Takashi x Celeste one because romance is something she'll never have

>>47413447
Shop:
> Ring of the Cat's Eye(70k)
Persona:
>Ippon-Datara
>Archangel
>Makami
>Narcissus
Equip:
>Combat Gloves
>Ring of Cat's Eye, Ring of Remedy

>>47413447
>Shop
Nothing we should save our money

>Persona
Ippon-Datara
Makami
Melchiom
Principality

>Equip
Combat Gloves
Ring of Remedy

>>47413574
>>47413689
>>47413699
we get 4+ Ippon guys

>>47413641
>http://pastebin.com/wUYkazet
I'll support it. I am also supporting this story.

>>47413660
Currently there's no intimate relationship between anyone. Give it time, maybe one will show up.

>>47413707
Oh right sorry

>>47413447
>>47413699
>Persona
Makami
Melchiom
Principality
>Narcissus

>>47413660
Man, as much as I support going for Akagi and avoiding the girls, I would rather have it progress naturally than sudden and forced.

You will buy the Simple Merc Outfit for 60k. Your auxiliary Personas will be Matador, Makami, Narcissus and Principality. Your loadout will be the Combat Gloves, the newly bought Simple Merc Outfit and the Ring of Remedy.

This will give you a +3% boost to defensive poison rolls, +3% to defensive sickness rolls, +4% to defensive physical and poison rolls and -4% to defensive fire rolls. Is this correct?

>>47413469
>Akikazu wrote AFaaMWIaHS
This is ridiculous enough that I can't not love it. But then who wrote the Kaede Kurusu femdom?

>>47413525
I aim to entertain.

>>47413807
Darn tootin'. I still want the silver key, though. We don't know how long that's gonna be in the store.

>>47413772
>>47413515
>>47413602
>>47413807
Could we ditch Narcissus who's mostly wind for Jack frost who's ice? Makami does wind too and we lack Ice entirely.

Rest seems good.

>>47413807
Yes

>>47413807
Good enough.

>>47413818
> But then who wrote the Kaede Kurusu femdom?
Kaede Kurusu, obviously. Duh.

>>47413818
>But then who wrote the Kaede Kurusu femdom
Takashi himself

>>47413819
I'd rather have more status effects than an extra element. Status effects are god in Atlus games.

>>47413854
But having an element the enemy is weak against is also god.

>>47413818
>spoiler
It was Kaede herself. Or maybe the female twin.

>>47413875
>Or maybe the female twin.
Makes the most sense.

Matador a best

>>47414014
Daisoujou a best pleb.

Thorn you can just make that update of yours become patch for next Aether Update

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>Purchased the Simple Merc Outfit. Lost 60k macca. You now have 69k macca.
>Equipped the Combat Gloves, the Simple Merc Outfit and the Ring of Remedy.
>Acquired Makami, Matador, Narcissus and Principality as auxiliary Personas.

“Ooh, you have good taste.” Ruri Hephaestus comments as you slip on the jacket of the mercenary outfit. The synthetic leather is thick and dyed black. Multiple belts wrap around your torso, your waist and your legs. Presumably the top two belts, arranged in a cross-like fashion across your front, are meant to be for ammunition for guns. Unfortunately, you don’t have any guns. That’s Fumika’s area of expertise. It’s so disappointing, you think to yourself. You feel like doing absolutely nothing out of shame.

The outfit fits snugly and the minor protection it provides caresses you in its embrace. This will be perfect for traversing across a muddy and foggy forest in a location in an entirely other dimension. Truly, you made the right choice. It was entirely your decision, and definitely not because you saw Akikazu wearing the exact same outfit while recommending it in the true, rough and unsubtle Osaragi delinquent style.

The twin sisters also gave you a pair of thick boots on the house. They are intended for hiking across rough terrain. You also think they’ll be good for stamping into noses and breaking them into shards of cartilage and blood.

…this may be the violent side of you speaking out. It does have a good point, though.

“I didn’t know you guys made clothes as well.” You mutter, glancing around your body to check that everything is in the right place.

The girl looks a little affronted. “Hey, where do you think our kimonos come from? Definitely not the shops. Corporations these days don’t know a single thing about art. It’s all mass produced garbage, I tell you…”

“Uh-huh.” You tie the bootlaces and stand up. “I think I’m done here. See you guys later.”

>>47414253
I think it would be good for Takashi to learn how to use guns someday. It's a good idea to have a ranged option in combat

>>47414345
We can learn fast thanks to our DEV

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“Until next time, customer!” The short, black-haired girl gives you a cheeky grin and a thumbs up. “We’re got a big shipment of new stuff coming in a few days, so check back then!”

“Goodbye.”

You leave the makeshift shopping center and head towards the bonfire, where the rest of the team is decked out in their gear. Weapons and armor, check. Medkits and recovery items, check. Miscellaneous goods like summon objects, also check. Fumika performs the last finishing touches to her laser pistol and picks up her laptop.

“Shall we be off?” she asks.

You nod, then glance over to the boy chained to the bonfire. He isn’t making a single sound, nor can the lightest of movements be detected from his prone form.

“Anything happen with Chikashi?”

“The subject has yet to do anything. Observation will continue as usual.”

“This still feels kind of disturbing…” Celeste comments, resisting the urge to shiver. “Can’t we wake up him up somehow? Or have we tried that already?”

“You are correct in your latter assumption.”

“Damn…”

Akikazu lets out a large groan and starts stomping in the direction of the train station. “God, you guys know how to waste time. Hurry up already! We don’t have all day.”

“Alright, geez. Let’s go, guys.”

The train ride passes quietly. Down the darkened tunnels, screeching along the beaten tracks, headlights flickering like dim candles in an underground prison. You sit next to Celeste on the ride. She has a special type of grin on her pleasant, rosy features. You saw a similar one when she was due to face you in the academy arena a month ago.

>>47413250
Amazing. 7/11

>>47414464
Just ask the twins if he is an empty shell now.

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“What are you thinking about?” You ask.

“Oh, I’m just wondering what kind of Companion I’ll get.” Celeste replies.

“Celeste, we don’t know if this mission is even going to get you your Companion.”

“Yeah, don’t you think I’m overdue for one? Akikazu and Fumika got their buddies on their second missions in their sectors. How come I didn’t?”

“Put it this way. Do you really want a Companion like 114?”

“He isn’t that scary, Takashi-kun.”

“It vomits liquid acid onto people. I don’t know about you, but I think our gigantic lizard beast quota has long since been filled.”

Celeste shrugs. “I wouldn’t mind it if he was obedient.”

“It, Celeste. I don't think 114 has a gender.” You correct. A sudden thought strikes you. “Are you a dog person?”

“Yep! How did you know?” She smiles, her eyes twinkling. “I had a pet puppy when I was a little girl. He was the cutest thing ever, like a big ball of fluff you could snuggle up and pet all day…”

She starts rambling on about how great dogs are and how cute her childhood pet was. Most of it flies over your head. You have no idea what having a pet is like. Your mother forbade it when you were young. Her reasoning was that they cost too much to raise. The apartment was too small and it would be impractical with her going overseas for the majority of the year.

But you and Shizuka know better. Cat hair is one of your mother’s few weaknesses, after all.

>>47414253
>You also think they’ll be good for stamping into noses and breaking them into shards of cartilage and blood.
jesus takashi

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A scratchy voice, bursts of static and the shrieking of gears crying out for a bucket of greases. The train slides to a halt and you jump you. You lead the team up the dark staircase and into the sector surface. Thick, tasteless vapors assault your lungs the moment you open your mouth. The sky is obscured, as usual. A cold wind rustles the damp leaves. In the distance, insects crawl along the soft ground. A bonfire bursts to life in the corner of your eyes, dissipating the mist around it.

The Hazebound Woodlands are still the same as usual. Frigid, wet and muddy. It's almost a relief. The climate begins to nip at your heels. You are thankful for the warmth the new outfit provides you. Even so, you are still tempted to wrap your arms around your body and shiver.

“Where to now?” Celeste asks. “There isn’t anything displayed on the map.”

“I guess we have to keep exploring until we run into something.” You mutter. “Let’s go!”

Shadows gather in the path ahead. Troublesome Mayas, bloodthirsty mages and dispirited Basalts. They hunger for your emotions and your souls. But they will not succeed today, just as all the other days before. As one, the Void’s Chosen charges forward.

>Roll 4d100 (vitality, mana consumption, macca, loot)
>Best out of three.

Rolled 30, 94, 44, 63 = 231 (4d100)

>>47414637

Time to roll

Rolled 6, 19, 53, 30 = 108 (4d100)

>>47414606
>“Are you a dog person?”
>“Yep! How did you know?”
B E S T
E S T B
S T B E
T B E S

>>47414637

Rolled 32, 18, 90, 15 = 155 (4d100)

>>47414637
LETS GOOO

Rolled 100, 94, 24, 60 = 278 (4d100)

>>47414637

>>47414649
>100 for vitality
>4th roll
goddammit.

>>47414644
>>47414646
>>47414647
>>47414649
32, 94, 90, 63
Christ, we got beat up.

>>47414649
COME ON SON
ARE YOU KIDDING ME

32,94,90,63
We get our ass kicked
We use next to no mana
Get a shit ton of cash
And some ok loot

we didn't get the Perfect no damage but ill take it i guess

>>47414687
>>47414675
At least we can heal ourselves since we didn't use mana.

>>47414464
We should hit up the Abyss sometime soon, see what the Overseer knows about the Abominations.

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>>47414649

>>47414712
We should invade a world while were at it

>>47414712
That's what I've been saying.

>>47414732
No. Unless we can communicate with the Players there by writing on the ground or something.

>>47414776
We have to buy a soapstone and get those carvings.

>>47414776
>>47414801
I'm sure we can gesture. Hopefully not in a handful of predetermined ones, though.

>>47414801
HELLO! I'M SORRY! NOPE!
Shit, I am even picturing a half naked guy invading who happened to have found glitches.

>>47414801
>ey, that's a normal chest, man
>i swear it ain't a mimic, man

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>>47414606
>That pic

>>47414829
Or worse, we encounter this guy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqacyIaq27o

>>47414834
>jump here

>>47414862
>illusory wall ahead

>>47414801
>amazing chest ahead
>put it in front of Fumika

>>47414815
"Wh-what is that invader doing? Some dark, depraved ritual to summon a dark god?"
"I think... interpretive dance?"
"Charades! It's trying to do charades!"
"It's a trick! Kill it!"
"Shouji, shut the fuck up. Okay, three words, first word - no, first syllable? First syllable! Sounds like..."

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>>47414898
B E S T
E
S
T

wait a second...
Will we run into some form of Gwyndolin, Thorn, cause if we do..._i wanna fuck him.

>>47414953
Already eaten by Aldrich bud. Sorry.

>>47414953
Bro, with all the tentacles he's got, *he* will fuck *you*.

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>>47414953
>Wanting to bang a tentacle fuccboi who created a fake sister

>>47414898
>>47414933
Can't believe it took me a few minutes to get it

>>47414953
>>47414971
Obligatory, you degenerates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfjdB7kaoxs

Dark Souls is shit

>>47414953
Meant to say
fuck him up

>>47415031
Like it or not, the game world in Persona 2148 is very heavily patterened off Dark Souls.

>>47415100
Doesn't change the fact that it's shit.

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>>47415100
>Persona 2148

>Build EXP: 24
>we'll never play around with our secret base again

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“Dude, that was very reckless of you.”

“Shut up, I know.”

Things had been going swimmingly at first. The Shadows leaped out one by one from the darkness, their craven, foul jaws outstretched to bite down on your body. They swarmed around you in mobs, groaning and trembling with eyes as empty as the space lurking at the outer edge of the atmosphere. Nevertheless, they were manageable. Fumika scanned them for weaknesses and the rest of the team acted accordingly, immolating, crushing, smashing and slashing. Nerve Strike got a lot of use. It was quite amusing to paralyze a Magus Shadow in the torso with a well-placed blow, then stand back and watch as Akikazu crushed it like the rabbits pounding mochi on the moon.

You should have known that nothing lasts forever, fortune included.

It was only after reaching the stretch after the second bonfire that events took a dizzying and particularly sour turn. You led the party down the path away from the clearing with the statue. This must have somehow angered the random number god, knocking over his coffee and sending him into a state of irrecoverable despair. No longer could you brush off the attacks by enduring them with Makami’s magical girth. The monsters surrounded you from all directions, with their shards of ice bullets, chunks of accursed darkness piercing winds and hexes reeking of eternal nightmares and honeyed, venomous lies.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that you and your team barely managed to get out of there alive.

“Hold still Akikazu.” Celeste mutters, placing a glowing palm on his bare chest. There is blood there, trickling from a wound from the slash of a Minotaur. “Almost done…”

“Gah! Careful, dammit!”

“There! Now wrap that up with the bandages in the medkit.”

“You’re not my mom, you know. And you!” He points an accusing finger in your direction. “For the love of god, pay more attention! Shit happens outside your cone of vision. I want this to be the last time I bail you out, okay?”

>>47415127
Indoor Olympic pool when.

>>47415209
Based meatshield

>>47415209
>Makami’s magical girth.

Can I just say I love your way with words Thorn? It's amazing.

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>>47415209
>the rabbits pounding mochi on the moon.
>the rabbits on the moon.

>>47415249
>That anatomy.
If you are going to constantly spam pics of Fumika anon, at least save good ones.

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>>47415318
Ok i got one

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“Considering that you are the ‘tank’ of this team.” Fumika mumbles, brushing off dirt from her cheek—the result of her tripping and landing face first into a puddle of muddy water. None of the others dared to laugh. They couldn’t, because they were under attack from a group of ice-wielding Basalts. “I find that you have a difficult time achieving it.”

“Oh, shut your mouth, Shibuya!”

At least you got some spoils out of it.

>Gained 15.00 C. EXP!
>Obtained 40k Macca!
>Acquired a Silver Key!
>Used up 2 Medium Medkits! 1 remains. Your team is back at full vitality.

Your team is in a safe zone. Well, relatively safe, anyway. There are no Shadows about. But what lies ahead could very well be much worse.

“A fog gate…” Fumika mutters, summoning Moros and performing the analysis process. “It’s blocking part of my magic. However, I detect a powerful presence behind it. Perhaps, even several of them…”

“This is what they call a boss battle, right?” Celeste asks. “Oh, this is not going to be pleasant.”

Akikazu grumbles. “Quit complaining. Let’s just get it over with, then…”

Fumika withdraws her tarot card. “Earlier this day, I received a snippet from another session. The author mentions that all buffs and debuffs are negated upon passing through a fog gate. How this happens is unknown, but there does not seem to be any way around it. We should not waste our magic."

“That would’ve been good to know before trying to fight that boss in Act 1…” You sigh.

There is a strong force behind the gate. Is there anything you would like to do before proceeding forwards?

>Enter.
>[Akikazu: Old Pendant] Summon Knight Laurence of Pyre Ruin Valley.
>[Fumika: Odd Lump] Summon 114 of Area 019.
>Retreat.
>Custom option.

>>47415389
>[Fumika: Odd Lump] Summon 114 of Area 019.

>>47415389
>>[Akikazu: Old Pendant] Summon Knight Laurence of Pyre Ruin Valley.
>Enter.
What was the rule for companions in fog gates again?

>>47415389
>>Enter.

>>47415389
>>[Fumika: Odd Lump] Summon 114 of Area 019.
>Custom option.
Give a little prayer to SOMEONE to give us a little luck?

>>47415389
>Enter
Buff? Or can we only do that in combat?

>>47415389
>Enter.

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>>47415350
Sure is Fumika in here.

>>47415389
>[Akikazu: Old Pendant] Summon Knight Laurence of Pyre Ruin Valley.

>>47415403
Pretty sure we're only allowed one at a time.

>>47415389>>47415389
>>[Akikazu: Old Pendant] Summon Knight Laurence of Pyre Ruin Valley.
Time to kick some butt. Summon Laurence because I think he might have something to tell us about.

>>47415389
>[Akikazu: Old Pendant] Summon Knight Laurence of Pyre Ruin Valley.

So who do you think Celeste's companion is going to be? The fact that we got an Estus Flash suggests it might be another Dark Souls character like Lawrence, but we got a Risk of Rain character for Fumika so it might be a different game reference and the flask is just because of the general Dark Souls themes that AETHER has. Dark Souls and Risk of Rain are both difficult, punishing games, so if it was a new franchise I'd expect it to be a really hard one. What are some particularly hard games?

>>47415389
>Akikazu: Old Pendant and Fumika:Odd Lump:
Summon 114 and Knight Laurence of Pyre Valley

>>47415484
Maybe just maybe a sexy diseased dark elf

>>47415484
Gwen: Lord of Cinders. Pyro powered swordsman who is not a cute dog at all.

>>47415389
>>[Akikazu: Old Pendant] Summon Knight Laurence of Pyre Ruin Valley.

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>>47415484
>Dark Souls
>difficult, punishing

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>>47415509
Guy, you're forgetting someone.

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>>47415540
Or...

>>47415540
>best dog
>Not Pascal

>>47415484
I kinda hope its the character from Hyper Light Drifter.

>>47415572
B-but anon, that's Shin Megami Tensei! This is a Purse Owner quest.

>>47415594
But Persona is SMT

>>47415572
>Mainline stuff
>Having anything to do with modern Purseowner.

>>47415594
Still more related than Dark Souls.

>>47415484
Kinda hoping some expy from Demon's Souls. Maybe not!Yuria? Two cute magician girls talking about, I dunno, magic and shit.

>>47415650
Why not Urist from DFortress if it has to be from a hard game ?

>>47415650
two lesbian magician girls, hopefully

>>47415724
GET YOUR YURIa OUTTA HERE

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>>Akikazu and Fumika: Summon.

The two Void’s Chosen clench their Summon Objects to their chests. Akikazu covers the metallic circle of the pendant with his hand and Fumika crushes the Odd Lump, squeezing out a slimy, grey liquid that drips onto the damp grassy ground. They kneel down and force their magic into the objects. Twin circles of runes form in front of them, each one containing golden trails of light that swirl upwards, like schools of fish fighting against a rampaging current. Orbs of light congeal with each other, bringing forth the souls from another realm. Bit by bit, starting from the very core, they are constructed together, as if they are building blocks in the hands of a playful child. A stalwart knight, dressed in heavy iron armor and brandishing a sharp longsword. Secondly, A murderous beast, jowls drooling with a terrible acid and with an appetite exceeding the most ravenous beast on your planet.

Their bodies are pure whiteness. 114 bounds over to its master, who rests her hand on its head. It rumbles, low in tone, satisfied.

Knight Laurence, on the other hand, takes the time to survey the area. The shadows inside his helm conceal his eyes. But you can tell from the way he moves, gently brushing his gauntlets over the leaves of a nearby tree while staring down into the distant road, that he is filled with no small amount of surprise.

Akikazu, who you think has had enough bullshit for the day, marches up to him and taps him on the shoulder. “Oi, what are you doing?” he growls.

“Oh, pardon me. I was merely a little shocked.” Laurence says, spinning around. “It’s been some time since I saw fresh vegetation. The valley is rather dry, as you know. It’s good to see you children. How have you been?”

“We’ve had better days.” You reply. “There’s a powerful monster on the other side of that fog gate. Can you help us?”

>>47415790
Guys I think we might have messed up a little bit with summoning these guys each fight. If you guys remember, when you bring in summons it just makes the bosses harder and deal more damage.

>>47415843
It can't be helped.

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“Why, certainly.” Laurence replies, in that jovial, formal tone of his. “I did state I would be available for assistance. But what a peculiar place this is…” Once again he gazes across the forest. Around the trees, through the dense fog, down to the earth crawling with mulch and dead leaves. “It is not bringing forth any memories, I’m afraid.”

“I don’t remember asking...” Akikazu says.

“Ah, I was merely talking to myself. But to think that I was summoned for the second time…hmm, this needs some considering. Perhaps I should…”

“Sorry, but are you going to help us, but are you going to stand in the corner and mumble to yourself all day?”

Laurence bows slightly, in forgiveness, then takes the shield and sword off his back.

You walk up to the fog gate. There are no more preparations to be made. With that satisfactory knowledge, you close your eyes and step through.

A hideous, grinding noise, comparable to steel sliding against granite, assaults your ears. You grimace and continue to press forward. It’s like trying to push against a wall made entirely out of toxic sludge. An odd presence surrounds you, then it disappears as quickly as it arrived. Is this the buff/debuff negating power of the fog wall, stitched together by whatever mystical force administrating the trails of AETHER? You feel as if nothing had changed inside of you.

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When your eyes reopen themselves, you are standing in a clearing. It is much larger than the one where the Minotaur boss Shadow lurked. It is similar in structure, however. There is a noticeable gap in the trees, which on an otherwise clear day would have let rays of refreshing sunlight be casted down. The grass here is thinner, almost to the point of being beaten into dirt entirely. Several tree stumps are littered across the field. Dense walls of trees encircle the space, clustered together like the wrought iron bars of a prison and almost as impenetrable. The exit is at the very back, but another wall of fog covers it. Something tells you it won’t be dissipating any time soon.

Oh, and there are elves. Tall, slender humanoids with pointed ears, carrying bows, spears, short swords and other assorted iron weapons. Their faces are poisoned, with leaking boils and flaming rashes tattooed across their pale skin. They shamble across the dirt, mumbling and moaning. There are quite a lot of them, you notice.

Like, maybe twenty-five or more?

Geez, you think to yourself as you slowly back away, that’s basically the size of a small platoon.

>>47415843
if so, there is no reason to have or summon companions unless they are cute pets like 114

>>47415953
Okay, I'm going to guess that we're going to have to harvest their gross ooze to put into the flask. It has to have some purpose.

>>47415985
I think that the boss is going to use them to suicide bomb us or to heal himself up.

>>47415985
>harvesting elves

>>47416003
Or just reanimate them and make us fight them over and over.

>>47416019
If we have celeste burn them to ash or 114 dissolve them with acid that should do it.

>>47416034
>null fire
>null acid
What now fag

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There is a rumbling sound behind you. The rest of the team has arrived. A energetic Magician girl, a stocky sledgehammer wielding delinquent, an antisocial computing genius, a knight with memory loss issues and a great beast that could devour an entire cow in a single bite. Also, you, an ordinary high school student who is apparently the successor of the worst female ever to exist. Presumably the game’s intention is to pit this side of misfits against the horde of elves a dozen metres ahead of you. What a match-up this is going to be!

You mentally utter that last sentence with no amount of anticipation. Like, at all. It may even be less than zero.

[Input your command]
>Ambush.
>Negotiate with the elves.
>Watch what they are doing.
>Attempt to go back the way you came.
>Custom option.

>>47416060
>Watch what they are doing.

>>47416060
>>Watch what they are doing.

Start applying buffs as well.

>>47416060
>Watch what they are doing.
>Ambush.

>>47416060
>Ambush.

>>47416060
>Watch what they are doing.

>>47416060
>Negotiate

>>47416060
>Watch what they are doing.

>>47416060
>>Watch what they are doing.

>>47416060
>Apply buffs.

>>47416060
>>Watch what they are doing
GET THE BUFFS.

>>47416060
>Watch what they are doing

>>47416060
>>Watch what they are doing.
>Apply buffs!

>Watch what they are doing.
>Custom option: Get dem buffs on.
>Ambush

Fuck, son.

>>47416060
>>Ambush.
MURDERHOBO MODE

>>47416059
>Impying far fetched things just for hurr durr namecalling
We want only intelligent and reasonable people in this quest, get out

>>47416060
>Watch what they are doing.
>Buff like there's no tomorrow.

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>>47415953
>platoon

>>47416180
Linguistic mutation.
It's correct by the 324th edition of Webster's, after all!

>>47416180
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/platoon
...three units of 10 to 12 men

>>47416126
Considering 20% of the people here have never played a SMT game and another 35% have only played one or two (probably p3 and p4) the odds of having what you want is not good.

>>47416242
>p3 or 4
>SMT

I apologize for the time it's taking the write these posts. In a perfect world, this would have all been pre-written.

Still writing...

>>47416350
It's cool, man. No worries.

>>47416350
So your saying you want to make a vn?

>>47416350
In that case:
YELLINGBIRD'S FACT OF THE DAY, CRACKPOT THEORIES EDITION:
AETHER 1.0

We know that AETHER is currently in Version 2.0, which implies that it's had a Version 1.0 at some point over its sixty year development period. This means that it is very likely that there has been another team of the Void's Chosen in our world, and odds are good that it was based in Akumachi City as well.

My theory is that the last Void's Chosen included some of the adults that we are familiar with. Rumi Wakui is the most likely candidate, if the story she apparently used to tell Takashi is anything to go off of.

>“Once upon a time, there was a young girl. She was almost a grown up and about to celebrate her birthday. Though she had no knowledge of it at the time, her very own adventure was about to begin…” [Thread 17]

I also theorize that Akira, Takashi's father, may have been one of these theoretical Former Chosen. AETHER was probably how he and Rumi met, and the whole 'life and death struggle' thing was probably what instigated their marriage right out of high school.

Other candidates for former Void's Chosen include:
>Veleis Watanabe (assuming androids are human enough to be chosen by the game)
>Sachi Watanabe
>Lenore Anschuetz
>Lucianne Decaux
>Old Man Kenji (Shizuka's squad leader; just a hunch)

It's totally crazy, I know, I just really hope that this is true because the trope of badass predecessors to the protagonists coming out of retirement to take names and kick ass is my absolute favorite.

And, another avenue of thought: if AETHER is in beta now, what will happen when it gets released?

>>47416424
Aether will probably bleed into/co-opt the real world.

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You decide not to get the jump on the elves. They look horrifying, and the last batch of elves you saw transformed into a Shadow that tried to wipe you and your team out, but like you said last night you could never know with the Blackened Void. It could be entirely possible that these elves are friendly! They may be waving sharp metal objects around and speaking in the low, dreary tones a group of soldiers with nothing left to live for would use, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be giving them the benefit of the doubt. With its six glowing lime eyes, 114 is giving you a sardonic, quizzical glance as best it can, but what the hell does a mindless beast know?

“Stay.” Fumika orders, jabbing at the air with her finger. 114 whines. Drool flows out from a gap in its sharp teeth. The temptation to charge forward and start snacking on that sweet elven flesh is so palpable it might as well be a solid block.

But it does not give in. 114 remains in its place, growling at the elven folk. They have not yet noticed the presence of the six new strangers. Hopefully it’ll stay that way.

>>Takashi: Attempt to apply the buffs.

“Buffs have a noticeable magical presence.” Fumika reminds you. “If you perform one, they might notice.”

“Then what are we supposed to do?” Celeste hisses. “Obviously they are the bad guys, which means we have to beat them!”

“Hey, you don’t know that.” You speak up.

>>47416424
I don't know, I sort of feel like there probably haven't been any successful games of AETHER so far in our universe. Whatever the "Ultimate Reward" you get for winning the game is, I imagine it's something pretty world-shaking. AETHER is an expy of SBURB, so it might even involve destroying and recreating the universe (perhaps tying it to the Conception idea from mainline SMT). Whatever the case, I imagine the world would be a very different place if anyone had won a game of AETHER. Most likely any previous sessions ended with the players dying, ruling out our parents. I suppose it's possible, though, that the game went wrong, some sort of glitch or sequence breaking that resulted in the session never actually ending and our parents just escaping from it entirely. In which case our being targeted by AETHER could be seen as some attempt to bring the game back into balance, somehow.

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“Look at them!” Your best friend points in their direction. For the first time, you realize what exactly the elves are doing. A trio of wooden crosses are set up in the distance. The elves are crowded around the objects, pointing their weapons at what’s being tied on them. Bodies, you realize. There’s nothing else that could go on a wooden cross. The bodies of elves. Thin, haggard and white as a ghost, with no life left in those sunken eyes. Wounds slashed across the torso, bleeding liquid iron, a tongue cut out, expressions of fear no doubt from when the mob strung them up and then struck them down one by one…

Death. From all the way across the field, you can sense its icy embrace. You suddenly find yourself agreeing with Celeste. She’s staring at the crowd, agape. Her fists clench. The temperature around you rises.

“This is wrong…what are they doing? We have to stop them!” Almost as if possessed, she makes a movement to step forward, begin the assault. You grab her by the scruff of the neck and yank her back.

“Calm down, Celeste!”

“Let me go, Takashi!” She yells. “They’re going to kill him!”

“Who?”

“That elf in the middle! Can’t you see?”

“What?” You squint your eyes.

“He’s still alive!”

“I hate to break up your little argument," interrupts Fumika, "But there are elves coming towards us.”

“Say what?”

You turn your head back to the front. Several of the elves are striding towards you. Short, gangly beings with rotten faces and hardly any muscles on their bodies. They lug their spears, peering at you with their bloodshot eyes.

“Next time…” Fumika mumbles. “Try and not make a scene in such a critical moment.”

[Input your command]
>“…we come in peace?”
>“Put down your weapons before we’re forced to pound you into the dirt.”
>“This isn’t what it looks like.”
>Screw it, just attack them.
>Apply the buffs anyway.
>Custom option.

>>47416554
>>Apply the buffs anyway.
Then we attack.

>>47416554
>“Put down your weapons before we’re forced to pound you into the dirt.”
>Apply the buffs anyway.
>Screw it, just attack them.

>>47416554
>Apply the buffs anyway.
>Screw it, just attack them.

>>47416554
>>“Put down your weapons before we’re forced to pound you into the dirt.”
>Apply the buffs anyway.

>>47416554
>>Apply the buffs anyway.

>>47416554
>>Screw it, just attack them.

>>47416554
>Apply the buffs anyway.
>Screw it, just attack them.

>>47416403
No, I wish I wasn't wasting my players' time.

>>47416554
>>Apply the buffs anyway.
>>Screw it, just attack them.

Inb4 the elf in the middle is the boss.

>>47416554
>>Apply the buffs anyway.
But take a non-agressive stance

>>47416624
You know we aren't just staring at the webpage waiting for you to update (least I'm not) right?. We are doing other things in the meantime.

You are just one internet tab of many TT.

>>47416554
>>Screw it, just attack them.
>>Apply the buffs anyway.

I think we dun goofed

>>47416554
>“Let me go, Takashi!” She yells. “They’re going to kill him!”
>“Who?”
>“That elf in the middle! Can’t you see?”
>“What?” You squint your eyes.
>“He’s still alive!”
Hm, I wonder who the Companion will be.

>Screw it, just attack them
I really doubt these guys can be reasoned with. You know, crazy zombie diseased death cultist elves and all.

>>47416649
Kill em all and let YHVH/Philemon/Other deity sort them out.

YHVH is our greatest ally

>>47416672
As long as you do everything he says.

>>47416642
Yea I'm playing Stellaris right now and following Wong's quest while waiting.

>>47416554
Apply buffs, but let them attack first. If Mythbusters has taught me anything, it's that counterattacks work better than attacks.

>>47416724
My nigga, space pirate quest is rad as shit

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The existence of your argument spreads across the clearing like ripples across a pond. One by one, the elves swivel their heads to stare at you. Those are not nice stares. They are not the warm and gentle gaze of the kindergarten teacher as she teaches her students how to make art out of dried pasta. Nor are they the inquisitive leer of the science student as he peers into the microscope to observe a dish of bacteria. No, they are glares. Hate-filled, vicious glares with searing red rage behind them. You don’t understand why. What do these elves have against you?

One of them, a tall one wearing long brown robes while carrying a staff made out of some kind of legendary old wood, barks out. A jumble of unfamiliar syllables and consonants echoes through the clearing. One by one, the elves blink. Then they wave their weapons in the air and scream to the fog-laden sky.

You think you should be scared. But for some reason, you are just fed up with it all.

“Screw it, let’s just attack them.” You sigh.

“Finally!” Celeste snarls, summoning a fireball in her hands. “I have so many pieces of my mind to give to these elves..>”

“About damn time.” Akikazu grunts, heaving up his sledgehammer. “Jesus Christ, there are a lot of them, though.”

Knight Laurence strides forward boldly, drawing his sword from his scabbard. “Elven folk, I see? It’s been a long time. By my sword, I, Knight Laurence of…of…um…I cannot remember what kingdom I come from.” he pauses for a moment, then shakes his head. “Never mind that! From the beginning! By my sword, I Knight Laurence shall make you fiends feel my wrath!”

"Bloody hell, maybe you should have kept your damn mouth shut..."

“Not now…” Fumika whispers to 114. “Follow my instructions, alright? If you do not, you will be punished.”

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She then turns to you. “Takashi, I scanned a few of these elves. Individually, they are weak, despite having no real weaknesses. They have little mana and their weapons seem brittle and fragile. However, they greatly outnumber us. Whatever tactics you give us, be sure to consider that. Oh, and if you can secure a body for autopsy that would be greatly appreciated.”

The clearing has little cover, save for a few small stumps arranged randomly around the place. It is circular in shape, with the dense tree walls preventing any means of escape. Maybe someone could climb up them and use the height to their advantage, you don’t know. At the end of the clearing are the wooden crosses, two of which contain corpses and one of which has a live body strapped to it.

As for the enemies, there are approximately twenty-five elves. A quick glance tells you that most of them are equipped with simple weapons such as spears or short swords. A couple of the ones at the very back are holding crossbows. The tall elf in the robes has what is obviously a magical staff. There is no real formation to the horde of elves. They are less of an organized squad and more like a gaggle of farmers who picked up their pitchforks and started matching to the witch’s house.

A lynch mob. That’s what they remind you of. Also, you don’t know what kind of magic they possess. Their attention is all on you and your team.

>So, how will you do deal with the Elven Lynchers? Please write out commands for Takashi and his team. This is stage 1 of the Combat Chain.

>>47416896
Laurence is pretty great.

>>47416896
>“Not now…” Fumika whispers to 114. “Follow my instructions, alright? If you do not, you will be punished.”

I can see that Fumika established an S&M relationship with 114 during the times she's been alone here.

>>47416917
Is there a bottleneck around here? If yes go there

>>47416917
Takashi - Matador - Anadalucia
Celeste - Maragi'
Akikazu - Kill rush.

>>47416917
Fumika analyzes
Akikazu moves forward to engage and guard
114 moves forward to melee
Laurence moves forward to melee and guard Celeste Buffs
Takashi Buffs

>>47416917
Combo Magaru with Celeste's Maragi to perform a Detonation. Multi-target spells are the name of the game here.
Anything gets too close, Akikazu hammers them and Fumika shoots them.

>>47416917
Dunno if combat chain works with group fights. As it stands we are just choosing everyone's first link in their combat chains.

>>47416917
Celeste and Takashi open things up with a Maragi and a Magaru. Agi and Garu lade for a fusion spell, their area attack version should, too. Akikazu and Lawrence move forward to tank, while 114 is left to rampage. Celeste continues with magical support fire, Takashi plays battlefield control with Narcissus's debuffs and swaps to Principality when needed for healing. Fumika coordinates, pointing out targets of opportunity.

>>47416952
This and Detonation

>>47417015
If there is an opportunity in combat, heal the elf before he dies.

>>47417046
agreed. Keep the hostage npc healthy so we do not have to worry about another summoned shadow.

From your posts I am getting that Celeste and Takashi should open up with a combination of Magari and Magaru. Akikazu and Laurence then charge forward to perform melee attacks and to absorb damage. 114 is left to rampage by itself. Fumika should continue to scan and analyse targets. After their initial attacks, Celeste should continue with fire magic and Takashi should use his arsenal of Persona to his fullest potential.

The dice checks will be broken down as follows:

>Takashi: Magaru (Easy)
>Celeste: Maragi (Easy)
>Spells: Combine. (Above-Average, dependent on past two rolls)
>Takashi: Anadalucia with Matador to take down elves. (Medium).
>Takashi: Attack even more elves. (Above-Average)
>Takashi: Why are there so many elves just go away already (Hard).

Since Fumika has Dice Analysis Level 1, the text difficulties of each check are provided.

Note how most of these dice checks are for Takashi. For now, the combat chain will be focused on the currently controlled character. The actions of other party members will be done with fair internal rolls.

>Please roll 6 batches of 3d10.

Rolled 3, 6, 2 = 11 (3d10)

>>47417266
aye aye Boss

Rolled 9, 8, 3 = 20 (3d10)

>>47417266

Rolled 7, 8, 10 = 25 (3d10)

>>47417266

Rolled 5, 7, 6 = 18 (3d10)

>>47417266

Rolled 9, 1, 4 = 14 (3d10)

>>47417266

Rolled 7, 7, 3 = 17 (3d10)

>>47417266

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Rolled 4, 4, 3 = 11 (3d10)

>>47417266

Rolled 1, 1, 7 = 9 (3d10)

>>47417266

Rolled 4, 7, 8 = 19 (3d10)

>>47417266
please

Rolled 4, 10, 1 = 15 (3d10)

>>47417266

>>47417287
>>47417288
>>47417290
>>47417293
>>47417299
>>47417303
Assuming TT uses the 'Trickle down' part of Combat Chain I think we passed all but maybe the last DC.

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The silence is heavy as lead. The two parties eye each other with barely contained apprehension. Grumbling and snarling fills the empty space. All weapons are drawn, but no-one wishes to make the first move. For you, and they, know that the battlefield is resting beneath a pile of chaotic gunpowder. The smallest spark would be enough to set it alight.

The elves are waiting, watching to see what kind of move you humans will make. You can see it in their eyes, the anticipation for the counterattack. That’s fine. You expected this. Reaching behind your back, you whisper beneath your breath and switch from Ippon-Datara to Makami. Then you click your fingers and summon a ball of swirling wind in your right palm.

Celeste notices it. Her eyes meet yours. You give her the tiniest of nods, almost undetectable except for raw camera footage. She reciprocates. The two of you know what to do.

You take a single step forward. The elves tense up. The tall one at the very back waves his staff and screams. Several things then happen at once.

The elves charge forward, waving their spears and swords about, howling like madmen. In their fervor, they bump and crash into each other. Some are knocked to the ground and trampled underfoot. Bones snap, skin bleeds. They are left there by their comrades, who have their sights locked in a tunnel vision directly at your pounding heart.

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114 cannot stand it any longer. Its growling stomachs have made it clear. Enough is enough. This is no time to be squatting on its hind legs. Food awaits through the vision sixfold, so why not take the initiative? Roaring, it leaps high into the sky and comes crashing down on several elves on the left hand side of the horde. To their credit, even with splintered bones and fractured ribs, they do not falter. They assault the beast with spears and bolts, driving the iron into its scales. It’s futile. So very, very useless. 114 falters for a second, as if wondering at the Denizens’ stupidity inside its ghastly mind. Then it rips its jowls open and spews bile across the small group.

Hear that agonized wailing mixed with frantic tears and the ripping of already diseased skin? They are the actions of a mad elf who has discovered a new version of hell.

“Now!”

You and Celeste launch a combined Magaru and Maragi. Through you had no idea at the time, the strategy was in fact a common one used in group duels. It’s no wonder why—the two spells overlay each other to cause a fantastic explosion straight in the heart of the mob. A white flash, the scent of ashes, a terrible heat and suddenly the front line of the elves are being flung across the place like discarded dominos. Some are knocked out instantly. Others grope for their weapons and pick themselves up.

“Charge!”

Knight Laurence barrels forward, shield held high and sword pointed in front. He immediately begins slashing and swiping at an elf carrying twin swords, the latter of which has somehow forgotten what blocking is. A dodge there, a quick slash to the throat there and then the elf is down on the ground, drowning in a pool of its own blood. Akikazu joins him, cursing about shitty medieval fantasy stories while summoning Ubelluris at the same time. Player and Companion band together, just in time for sharp crossbow bolts to strike at their defenses.

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Everything is falling into place. A gruesome, bloodstained battleground half-submerged in fog with mother nature prickling at its feet. You rush forward, already halfway through switching to your next Persona. “Matador!” you shout, crushing the card of the Death.

The grinning skeletal warrior, decked in a fine bullfighter suit, leaps out of the cobalt blaze and lands straight in the middle of the mob. The elves stare, apparently unused to such flashy outfits. It’s perfect, Matador seems to cackle. It’s the right time to stab these imbeciles full of holes. He does that immediately. One by one, they fall.

Your blood is simmering, bubbling, boiling and sending froth all over down the side of the pot. Not wanting to be left out, you jump into the fray. Dimly, you are aware of Celeste calling forth more fire spells. You treat the first elf that gets near you to a face of Mana Fist. The raw magic pulses through his shoulder, yanking him backwards onto his arse. Oh, it seems he is not satisfied with that. He’s trying to get back up. Wow, how silly of him! How about a brand new Nerve Strike to the ribs? And this kick to the nose, yeah that sounds great, doesn’t it?