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ultrafilter posted:...Drakengard? ... This chapter was written by one of Yoko's drinking buddies, wasn't it? WTF Einheria, couldn't, you know, ask around for antidotes for those chemicals, for your sisters' sake? There's evil, there's petty evil, there's  and there's loving over your family, blood or otherwise.How the gently caress is Edea an Eternian? Is she the result of a magic ritual where she has all the conscience of her nation? Not for the last time, who the gently caress thought it was a good idea to have the hard-headed idealist (even if at times she might be misguided) anywhere near the average asterisk-holder?
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May 20, 2017 16:24
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| # ? May 13, 2024 00:31 |
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Omobono posted:WTF Einheria, couldn't, you know, ask around for antidotes for those chemicals, for your sisters' sake? There's evil, there's petty evil, there's
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May 20, 2017 16:53
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Einheria is not the boss of the Bloodrose Legion so likely she just does not know about the stuffs side effects on her sisters.
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May 20, 2017 17:49
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She's seen them at the start of the chapter, and knew about how bloodthirsty they'd become then.
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May 20, 2017 20:29
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I think the Eternians being such total, irredeemable pricks serves several functions, but the one relevant at this point is: it makes you feel OK with flat-out murdering them for their asterisks. If more of them were sympathetic, it'd make you feel a bit worse about mugging and murdering a stuttering and confused old Black Mage for his dark magic, or slaughtering a muscle-bound but none-too-bright Monk for his martial arts skills.
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May 20, 2017 20:43
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Well, for some of them, like merchant hat, you really do want them to suffer. For the rest of them though, there wasn't anything stopping them from writing in a few lines that we spared them. But nevermind. I'll just let the story speak for itself. And I think bravely second was much better about this. Anyway, Einheria was good, except her sisters had already gone off the deep end.
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May 21, 2017 00:11
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Tiz Arrior thirsts for Eternian blood, and mercy cannot sate this thirst. I love that Edea just dispassionately watches and participates as we murder all her childhood friends.
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May 21, 2017 03:07
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Once you go pitch black you can't go back. They made their choice.
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May 21, 2017 03:10
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This world is black and white, and those black as pitch deserve the judgement she just now learned as a job skill
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May 21, 2017 04:55
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Wow. That turned dark REAL FAST. Um.  ?
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May 21, 2017 23:15
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I'm kinda surprised this entire thing is hidden behind a sidequest of all things. Remember, this entire quest and it's interactions are apparently missable.
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May 22, 2017 11:02
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Nuramor posted:I'm kinda surprised this entire thing is hidden behind a sidequest of all things. I'm pretty sure the game was banking on you hunting down all or nearly all of the asterisks. Sure, you don't have to, but the quests aren't hidden, they have big blue "go here" exclamation points on the map and passing up the jobs is not a good idea, especially if it's your first time through and you don't go in thinking "eh, I don't really need Time Mage" or whatever. I ended up getting all but one of them.
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May 23, 2017 00:00
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Patter Song posted:I'm pretty sure the game was banking on you hunting down all or nearly all of the asterisks. Sure, you don't have to, but the quests aren't hidden, they have big blue "go here" exclamation points on the map and passing up the jobs is not a good idea, especially if it's your first time through and you don't go in thinking "eh, I don't really need Time Mage" or whatever. If you only do the plot stuff, the game becomes super boring. It's not very interesting to mash X to purify crystal. And we even have to fight a random boss monster which is also boring. We only have the wind crystal for now. We're close to the water crystal and there are 2 more. Plus why would you not want to get extra jobs? They call them sidequests but I consider them part of the main game because without them the game would be boring.
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May 23, 2017 00:16
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It's kind of funny to think that Chapter 2 opens with Alternis begging Einheria to talk to Edea and that interaction is optional.
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May 23, 2017 00:44
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Also she meets Edea via ambushing her and attempting to kill her instead of calling a parley and y'know, talking.
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May 23, 2017 00:50
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Summoning 101: Wind and Water Today we're taking a break from the plot to discuss a more cheery subject: how to summon beasts from the depths of hell to wreak havoc upon your opponents.  After defeating Mephilia, a new section was added to D's Journal. Notes->Notes contains miscellaneous writings picked up from other characters. Following are the contents of the first entry in that section, Mephilia's Memo. D's Journal: Mephilia's Memo posted:9/06, EC 10 Here's pretty solid proof of Mephilia's psychological degradation, judging by the language change between her journal entries. The Summoner job's focus is to finish Mephilia's training by hunting down the listed summons. Right now, all three listed under <1> are within reach. Girtablulu was won by defeating Mephilia. The second, Hresvelgr, has an easy hint. We're heading back to the Temple of Wind, located in the Harena Desert.  Remember that demihuman birdman guy? They've warmed up to the party now that we've got the summoner's asterisk.   Getting each summon involves a gimmick fight.  We're ready to do this.  Owl's been waiting here so long to find a worthy candidate, they've forgotten their prepared lines.    To win the fight, the party needs to survive one attack.  No surprise what that attack is. Hraesvelgr is a giant eagle from Norse myth with power over the winds. One guess which element this summon will be associated with.   Oh look, this summon is... a plane?     Actually, it's a bird.   A hell bird that shoots lasers.   Surviving the summons at lower levels requires prep work. Agnès is White Mage for high magic defense, with the abate wind skill equipped.  Easy as pie if you know what to expect.  Our reward is access to the wind elemental summon.  You can talk to birdman again, but they're done with us, curmudgeon that they are.  On completing Hresvelgr's trial, information on the summon is added to Mephilia's Memo. The hint for the third summon, Ziusudra's Sin, doesn't mean much to us yet, but there's one other birdman we've come across.  This one's in the middle of Mount Fragmentium.  Same deal: survive.  Eh... I don't know. The giant laser bird really hurt. Maybe not?  Okay, okay. Let's give it a go.  Wonder what type of infernal machine/animal hybrid it will be this time? Ziusudra was the name of an ancient Sumerian king who acted in the Noah role in another version of the great flood story.   A woman underwater. Simple start.    She's waterbending?    Here's everyone just as their HP bars were dropping to zero. This time was Ringabel's turn to survive. Same deal as before, but with water protection.  And that's that! Three of the six summons, and all that we have access to at the moment. Earth, wind, and water.  Too bad the game wasn't consistent with the infernal machine/animal hybrid theme. Unless this lady's supposed to be an infernal washing machine. Next: Ringabel meets his match in: battle of the dandies. Also, some of the variations on killing the sisters Venus. -- 
Greyarc fucked around with this message at 03:55 on May 23, 2017 |
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May 23, 2017 03:47
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I love all the summon designs in the Bravely series. Except Ziusudra. That one's just blah.
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May 23, 2017 03:54
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"It's a plane!" "Now it's a bird." "Now it's shooting giant wind lasers at us." "Wait wha-"
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May 23, 2017 04:05
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EponymousMrYar posted:"It's a plane!" It's a Blackbird.
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May 23, 2017 04:23
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Pureauthor posted:I love all the summon designs in the Bravely series. Agreed. The fire one is probably my favorite. Also, I think the bird man has something funny to say if you get wiped, but I can't recall. I don't think you get a game over, at least.
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May 23, 2017 04:40
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I like Summoners in this game a lot more than in FFV, and it's entirely because of the animations.
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May 23, 2017 04:46
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I like that they play around with the styles for classes, the Summoner is a nice change from the green robe + horn combination.
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May 23, 2017 04:58
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The summon animations are easily one of my favorite little touches, but Ziusidra is my lest favorite because it spoils the pattern. It's just 'Shiva, but fully dressed.'
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May 23, 2017 05:05
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Hobgoblin2099 posted:Also, I think the bird man has something funny to say if you get wiped, but I can't recall. I don't think you get a game over, at least. Good call. I'll check it out and add anything interesting to the next summoning post.
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May 23, 2017 05:10
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This is why handling drugs is a bad idea. Plane bird is pretty cool. You can say, it blows you away!
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May 23, 2017 07:31
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There's another benefit to Sword Magic, since I haven't seen it brought up before - casting an elemental Spellblade also raises your resistance to that element for as long as the spellblade buff lasts.
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May 23, 2017 19:38
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But then you have the classic problem where the Fire Dragon that uses Fire spells is, generally, resistant to Fire.
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May 23, 2017 20:36
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Well, it's still good for elemental resistance in a pinch, like if you put the ability set on a healer (totally viable thanks to Aspil-Blade being in the set) and need them to tank elemental hits, or on a Black Mage who's not going to care about what element their weapon is anyway.
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May 24, 2017 00:51
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What's the pun/reference in the city of Ancheim's name? I think I've figured out all of the other placenames, but with Ancheim I'm still "There's a bell that chimes?... "
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May 24, 2017 23:42
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Patter Song posted:What's the pun/reference in the city of Ancheim's name? I think I've figured out all of the other placenames, but with Ancheim I'm still "There's a bell that chimes?... It's an anagram for "machine".
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May 25, 2017 01:47
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Let's Learn Jobs: Valkyrie Valkyrie is the spear-specialist of the game. Unlike other jobs seen so far, most of their abilities have a BP rather than MP cost. With options to dish out decent single or multi-target damage, they're a good all-round pick for midgame. Valkyries are a direct equivalent to Final Fantasy's Dragoon/Lancer job. Use spear, jump high, stab things good, betray your friends.   Job icon is a spear. Job Command icon is a wing, because Valkyries fly high and come down strong, whether it's to impale a monster or tank the floor.  Valkyrie and Ranger have a lot in common. Okay, but not great, stats. Terrible with magic. Affinity with a single weapon type. Valkyrie has an added bonus in being able to use heavy armor, making them better able to take a hit.  Blue are support abilities, red are skill abilities. Level 1 - Crescent Moon: Attack all enemies with strength of regular attack. (1 BP) Level 2 - Jump: Leave battlefield, reappearing next turn with 2x attack (3x if spear equipped) on a target. (1 BP) Level 3 - Spear Lore: Allows other jobs to have S-proficiency with spears. (Cost: 1) Level 4 - Judgment: Attack target for 3x damage. (2 BP) Level 5 - Spirit Barrier: Damage taken applies to MP (at reduced 10% rate) rather than HP. Lasts 10 turns or until MP runs out. (10 MP) Level 6 - Soul Crush: Target loses MP equal to 10% of regular attack damage. (16 MP) Level 7 - BP Skill Amp: BP cost skills consume 1 extra BP but deal 50% more damage. (Cost: 3) Level 8 - Decimate: Kills any enemy with less than 10% of HP remaining. Does not work on bosses. Level 9 - High Jump: Leave battlefield, reappearing after two turns with 3x attack (4.5x if spear equipped) on a target. (2 BP) Level 10 - Pierce Default: Attacks do regular damage to Defaulting enemies. (Cost: 2) Level 11 - Soul Mates: Allows other jobs to equip the Valkyrie specialty. (Cost: 1) Level 12 - Aerials: Jumps last one more turn, take 1 extra BP, do 50% more damage. (Cost: 1) Level 13 - Sky High: Starts battles mid-Jump. (Cost: 2) Level 14 - Super Jump: Leave battlefield, reappearing after two turns with 2x attack (3x if spear equipped) on all enemies. (3 BP) Valkyries have a handy set of abilities, worth learning and using with other, better physical damage jobs. A couple highlights: Crescent Moon is ideal for taking out large batches of weak enemies without worrying about running out of MP. High/Super Jump are game-breaking moves if used alongside Time Mage's Hasten World.  P.Atk and M.Atk are boosted by 25% (max 150%) for five turns every time an ally is knocked out. The costume gender divide continues, but despite continued lack of pants the women arguably win this round. Edea and Agnès wear armor-enforced white dresses with sky blue accents and wing-themed accessories, plus very odd thigh-high boots with a sort of reverse-skirt decorated with spears. Tiz and Ringabel wear white armor-enforced full bodysuits with more spear accessories. Presumably the helmets are made of a see-through material and they're not just stumbling around blindly or using the Force.     The women's dresses have another pair of wings attached to the back to complete the "murderous angel of judgment" look.  The back of the men's outfit, in contrast, has--  ...Uh. Well, I think we're done here. Sleep soundly, everyone!
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May 26, 2017 06:01
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I've never looked at the back of the valkyrie outfit. I was seriously missing out, just look at that bizarre alien thing. Haha.
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May 26, 2017 10:20
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Aww, we only saw the front and back. Why won't you show us the Valkyrie Profile? 
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May 26, 2017 10:22
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Valkyrie: HP: +10% MP: -10% STR: +20% VIT: -10% INT: -30% MND: -30% AGI: +10%
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May 26, 2017 16:53
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What plausible purpose could there even be for those head-orbs?
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May 26, 2017 17:10
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BioEnchanted posted:Aww, we only saw the front and back. Why won't you show us the Valkyrie Profile? That is an impressively specific joke to hold onto.  Pureauthor posted:What plausible purpose could there even be for those head-orbs? I don't know, but my theories are only getting more terrifying the longer I think about it.
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May 26, 2017 22:42
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Pureauthor posted:What plausible purpose could there even be for those head-orbs? When Dragoons jump on the moon, it takes them twice as long to get down. So clearly Tiz and Ringabel are doing sub-orbital jump drops. Why? Exhibit A: 
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May 26, 2017 23:30
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Entry 38: Gallivanting About A new gift from Norende! Wait. Tiz, I think you need to recheck your suppliers. As mentioned earlier, the order of completion for the Venus sister sidequests changes cutscenes. Let's cover some of the variants. First up is the conversation with Mephilia, a scene known as How to Make a Hairpin. The section mentioning which sisters are killed changes. Going through in reverse order: Version D, the one we got, plays if both Artemia and Einheria have been killed. Version C plays if only Einheria has been killed:  She's dead... Einheria is dead, Mephilia. ...I'm sorry.  My sister is too beautiful to die. She's the only pure one. In all the world...Version B plays if only Artemia has been killed: I hear you killed my sister. Artemia... How did she go? Version A plays if Artemia and Einheria are still alive. No additions; it just omits the section mentioning sisters altogether. They're small touches. Apparently Mephilia is currently only in contact with Artemia's group, not Einheria's, hence she doesn't believe Edea if only Einheria dies. Another minor set of changes are tied to Einheria's death scene, Einheria's End. Depending on whether zero, one, or both of her sisters are dead, Einheria's last line of dialogue changes. Version A, with no sisters dead, gives no line, while C, with both sisters dead, gives this:  Again, an extra touch acknowledging the player's choices. With that covered, let's return to the present. The party's in Florem, recovering from their encounters with the Venus sisters.   Did she finally get fed up with you and leave? I'd had enough of her, anyway. Did she offer you a reason? Well, she'd been saying how she wanted this gold lamé handbag, so I finally bought it for her. You actually ended up buying it... That had to be rather pricey. I'm surprised you could afford it. She seemed really happy when she walked around with her new handbag. But soon, all I could see was the handbag. It looked to me like the bag was walking around with her. It was one huge wet blanket on our relationship. Ha ha! That's what happens when you don't live within your means! You're telling me. I'm almost broke now. That bad, huh? It is. And tonight we'll be roughing it outdoors! Right, Tiz? Wait, whaaat!?That evening, as the party wanders around Florem scrounging up loose change for a stay at the inn:  They come across an unusual man speaking with a woman.  What do you know? It's the final side quest of Chapter 2. It became available after defeating at least one Venus sister and going through the Yulyana Woods dressup segment. As the party shuffles by, eyes on the ground, the strange man turns to address Ringabel.   But pray, mistake me not. I've no interest in children, and still less in men.  "Double date"...? Ah, beg your pardon. That was no criticism. I'm proud--envious, even! Hard to believe I was that young, once. Time's remorseless arrow, eh? Now look at me. Just a sad pile of bones and flab and tarnished dreams. I'd be happy to cheer those bones up any night, DeRosa. Curious... I feel a reflexive, uncontrollable revulsion.The man turns his back on Agnès and Tiz.  You're addressing me? I am. Tell me straight. Just how far have you gotten with her?Ringabel shakes his head. Edea is stunned into silence. ...What!? Not even held hands? That's worrisome. You're making the Red worry.  A pickup artist. In case the dehumanization of women angle of the chapter wasn't clear enough, we're in for a doozy. Take me. If I saw an opening to chat her up, I'd have her in my pocket in minutes. Seconds! What!? If you'll pardon my saying, I doubt Edea fancies shallow old men. Ha ha ha! No need to get heated, lad. True, you have your youth and innocence and baseless confidence. As well you should. Stay just as you are. ...We'll see if she does the same.  "Technique"!? Ahh, but I'm afraid you'll have to study up on that one alone. Heh heh, take care. Ringabel's lackadaisical attitude masks a surprisingly socially awkward fellow.  Unfortunately, the PUA's managed to strike a nerve. Edea. Just what manner of technique do you look for in a man? Is it clever conversation? A gift for cooking? Swords and sorcery? ...Kissing? ......Ringabel backs away. The screen fades to black as Edea attempts to punch sense into Ringabel. Meanwhile, Tiz and Agnès find enough pg in the flower beds for the party to stay at the inn. The next morning:  Next time I see that Red character, I'm getting a demonstration, one way or another.Despite Agnès's wishes, Ringabel delays the party from leaving town. That evening the group wanders near the festival stage.   Aside from DeRosa and his partner, an odd woman is lurching off to the side. What's she doing?  It's late for a lady to be wandering about. Shall I walk you home? It wasn't enough... The hairpin...the dye... I used them. Used them both. But... He laughed... Laughed his smug laugh as he said it... "I've a secret beauty potion." But it wasn't enough... It's not enough! Red hair left... Left the basement... None of it lasts... Potion wasn't enough. Basement... so dank. I woke... Woke up and screamed.   ...... What do you make of all that? My dudes. When a woman's running around shrieking about addiction and trauma, it's not a "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" scenario. Considering all the Bloodrose Legion trouble so far, you'd think they'd be on the lookout for this sort of behavior. While Agnès and Edea consider the woman's state and possible involvement of the Eternian Forces, Ringabel spies red and drags Tiz off to the stage area (after Tiz switches to another outfit).   Come. We're following him. I intend to see this so-called technique for myself. After a silent pause, Tiz watches Ringabel stalk off. Finally, with a weary sigh, he follows along. He doesn't care much for Ringabel's insecurities. This had better involve murder or he'll be disappointed.  They sneak through the city's crowds (currently invisible due to game budget) after DeRosa.  Despite their attempts to keep up, they lose sight of him in the middle of the shopping district.   They decide Tiz will search one way...  While Ringabel searches another.  A short time later, Ringabel catches a glimpse of DeRosa and his date.  Before he can catch up, DeRosa disappears again. There is no trace left behind.  It's getting late, and Tiz reports back with no luck. Edea's calling for them in the distance. Better luck tomorrow, Ringabel. The next morning:  Need...sleep...That evening, DeRosa reappears near the festival stage. If approached, the cutscene repeats, Ringabel once again roping Tiz into a futile chase. The next step in the side quest will not trigger until you speak to the mentally impaired woman near DeRosa. Once you do, as early as the morning after the second search, Edea approaches Ringabel.  Ringabel nods. There's something about him. Something shady. We tailed him, and he just vanished. Sure you didn't just botch the attempt? I'm sure you're an old hand at chasing skirts, but you've no talent for tracking middle-aged men. He seems the type to leave a trail of broken women behind him. I'll judge him for myself. Don't. Please... I don't want you going near him. Just the thought of you and him... Besides, have some faith. Do I seem the type to fall for a washed-up philanderer? I'll just put on a little act and see what his game really is. But how? Well, first...That evening, the party arrives at the festival stage area to find DeRosa, just as before.  This time, briefed by Edea, they're ready.  Edea intercepts the couple...  And the lech can't resist the bait.  The "bravo bikini," wasn't it? I didn't realize Edea had it. One glance can tell you it doesn't fit... Clearly, the woman is fearless. Are we sure this is wise? It might attract the wrong attention. Next: How terrible is DeRosa? Our trek downwards has barely started. -- Event Viewer Sub-Scenario: How to Make a Hairpin - C How to Make a Hairpin - B How to Make a Hairpin - A Einheria's End - C Einheria's End - A A Playboy's Palaver In Search of Technique Never Enough Tailing a Technician The Red Operation Bravo Fearless Party Chat: Overpriced Love D's Journal: Ringabel posted:In Florem I was addressed by a middle-aged man accompanied by a woman. He spouted some nonsense about a double date and his technique, then vanished into the night. Though he didn't say it outright, I feel like my manliness has been brought into question! I asked Edea what he had meant about technique, but she just gave me a cold stare. 
Greyarc fucked around with this message at 06:01 on May 27, 2017 |
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May 27, 2017 05:59
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My narrative sense tells me that this is where Ringabel learns the downfalls of 'smooth moves,' Edea learns to appreciate Ringabel and everyone has a rousing good time over killing Dandy DeRosa. Also the Water Maiden wondering where the heck the party has been, they are sooooo late to finally find her they are the absolute worse at this whole 'Crystal Tag' business.
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May 27, 2017 06:21
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| # ? May 13, 2024 00:31 |
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DeRosa is certainly a character, I'll say that. It's also worth noting that Dandy isn't DeRosa's first name, just an adjective.
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May 27, 2017 06:44
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