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EponymousMrYar posted: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. Airy must be so pissed at us, going around filling our bloodlust to murder the entire Bloodrose Legion and too busy to awaken the crystals. And yes, Olivia too. Sitting around in hiding, hearing Agnes has entered the Florem maiden competition in her sacred garments, and...nothing?
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May 27, 2017 07:56
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The trek downhill goes in a freaking abyss of terribleness. That one scene with the sage before the flower festival, and this guy alone makes it my least favourite chapter. And obviously nobody can understand that woman. She's gone off the deep end. Can't you people tell. Then again, she was really gone. Trail of broken women is pretty awful aptly put. Throwing this dandy red guy in the rotting ocean will do the world a favour. The world needs less people like him, not more. Blademaster_Aio fucked around with this message at 12:14 on May 27, 2017 |
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May 27, 2017 08:08
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Hey, can you cut the Bravely Second mention out of your post?
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May 27, 2017 08:59
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Greyarc posted:Hey, can you cut the Bravely Second mention out of your post? Sorry. If I do mention anything wrong, feel free to point it out, I'll edit it out. Also, I should add, aren't Victor and Victoria still following us from waaaay back when we actually entered the flower festival. So they just watched us kill their allies? Blademaster_Aio fucked around with this message at 12:18 on May 27, 2017 |
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May 27, 2017 12:15
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We, uh. We never actually did anything about stopping the dye or the wings from being a thing, did we? They're still out there for people to poison themselves with.
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May 27, 2017 12:22
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Glazius posted:We, uh. Hey, we can't solve all the world's problems. Besides who knows, maybe now that the Venus sisters are gone maybe the problem will magically fix itself. Or something.
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May 27, 2017 12:38
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The shopkeeper is going to warn everyone about the poisonous effects of the stuff remember? She'll try to undo the brainwashing along the way no doubt. Maybe it will wear off now that the sources are dead.
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May 27, 2017 12:46
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Consider that the party has managed to murder everyone supplying the dye and hairpins, so nobody can get any more. It's not like the average resident of Florem knew that the hairpins were made of fairy wings and the dye was snake blood or whatever. Once the current supply runs out and the withdrawal symptoms are over, this problem should sort itself out.
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May 27, 2017 21:05
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Commander Keene posted:Consider that the party has managed to murder everyone supplying the dye and hairpins, so nobody can get any more. It's not like the average resident of Florem knew that the hairpins were made of fairy wings and the dye was snake blood or whatever. Once the current supply runs out and the withdrawal symptoms are over, this problem should sort itself out. Pretty much. Current supply will poison people, but no more is coming onto the market. Hopefully, orochis and tree fairies can replenish themselves over time.
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May 28, 2017 01:35
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Nice avatar, Greyarc. You're no longer a Stupid Newbie, congrats. Also holy poo poo DeRosa is awful.
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May 28, 2017 01:39
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DeRosa seems like that kind of guy that comes up in fiction whose idea of hooking up with women involves backhanded compliments and damaging their self-esteem. Also, I love how he says "I have no interest in children", and then walks off with Edea and leaves the other girl behind once he sees her in that indecent bikini. I would assume this scenario is the reason they aged Edea up from 16 in the Japanese version, especially since the Bravo Bikini was even skimpier in the original.
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May 28, 2017 01:54
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Hobgoblin2099 posted:DeRosa seems like that kind of guy that comes up in fiction whose idea of hooking up with women involves backhanded compliments and damaging their self-esteem. Pretty much, I guess. But what does it matter? That scene is creepy no matter what. It doesn't make dandy red any less of a lech.
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May 28, 2017 04:17
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Blademaster_Aio posted:Pretty much, I guess. If he's an asterisk holder, we can murder him for his perversions and steal his powers. Patter Song fucked around with this message at 01:13 on May 29, 2017 |
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May 28, 2017 05:05
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No way DeRosso can possibly be creepier or more evil than he is right at this second
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May 28, 2017 05:26
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Blind Duke posted:No way DeRosso can possibly be creepier or more evil than he is right at this second To be so young and hopeful. DeRossa's a very very slimy beast, but there's a character later on that practically makes him a saint... until even later.
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May 28, 2017 06:57
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If DeRosa is a red mage I'll be very, very cross with the game, especially because rosa means pink, not red. E: but the De is a really nice touch, it gives the name an hint of depraved nobility. Apart from that,  Kill him with fire, will him with ice, kill him with anything but make the bastard suffer.
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May 28, 2017 08:52
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Omobono posted:If DeRosa is a red mage I'll be very, very cross with the game, especially because rosa means pink, not red.
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May 28, 2017 08:55
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Blind Duke posted:No way DeRosso can possibly be creepier or more evil than he is right at this second asymmetrical posted:I do wonder if it wasn't meant to be Rossa, as that's red in Italian.
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May 28, 2017 10:20
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Entry 39: A Rose as Red as Blood Today's Norende gift is imported from Harena. Sounds neat. It will be by far the best rose we deal with in this update.  When we last left off, the party's plan was working like a charm. Edea got DeRosa's full attention, and he began escorting her to... wherever he disappears off to.  Boy, Edea sure is putting on a convincing act.  The party watches from a distance away, hidden in the (invisible) crowd. DeRosa and Edea stroll off, the party moves to follow, and--   But I didn't hear a peep, let alone a scream... In any case, we have to find her. ...Have a look at this. Something is caught between the paving stones.Ringabel goes to look.    It's a scrap of the bikini. ...A hidden passage, then?  And don't leave my side, no matter what. Why do you say that? Women are fickle beasts... Ringabel, you have the worst taste in role models. Come again? Well, are we going in?Guessing Tiz just tunes out most of Ringabel's chatter by this point. The party opens the hidden passage and steps in.  The stairs lead down, eventually opening into a large, hazily lit chamber.  Secret passages, and now this?The worst taste, Ringabel. What is all this? It's all machines and laboratory tools. No, seriously. The worst.   There! Edea! The party unlocks the cage. The women are all either unconscious or too disoriented to move or speak.  All these women, left here unconscious... We have to free them from this place.Tiz nods.    Now that is unfortunate. "Red" is a fine nickname, but you've gone and butchered it. I'll ask this once. What have you done with Edea? Ha, I gave you fair warning, boy. Said I'd have her in my pocket, didn't I? I'm telling you, it's all in the technique. And the technology. Toxin!? As in poison, yes. Follow along. You mix pheramore with nidaphyx...As a refresher, nidaphyx was the addictive hallucinogen extracted from the orochi.  Can't imagine the stuff is good for you, but my, is it effective. Any woman within arm's reach falls for me. Guaranteed. A slave to my every word. Ha ha ha, so yes... There's a chemical technique, to start. Why do this? To attract women? Why imprison them here, then? What are you really after? Ladies in the right places to help me climb my way to the top. Once I spot them, it's just a matter of making them fall for me. That part's easy. Then they do my work for me. Whatever I say. Recruitment technique, check. That's it, then? All this, for some lazy ambition? It extracts toxins from the seduced women to make cologne to seduce more women. Rinse, repeat... There's a fine technique for bringing down a nation. Hush, darling. Red still has the floor. Now... I never forget a lady's face. Ever. It's my gift. I knew yours in an instant. Imagine my surprise, seeing not one, but two golden geese trundling along behind you. How you saw them as anything but an opportunity, I'll never know. Were I in your shoes, boy, I'd use every trick of the trade to make them fall for me. Once they're in love, they're yours. You've won. For women are creatures of emotion, my friend. Bar wench or grand duchess, a gal in love will give anything--do anything--for the man she loves. And her wishes, her identity? These mean nothing to you? Regardless, your capture will be my ticket to riches and glory, and I thank you for that. A traitorous runaway and a wanted witch. I can think of no two finer instruments. He's Eternian. Are you with the legion!? Quiet in the back, thank you! Where was I? Ahh, yes. Techniques for getting ahead.We should've locked this guy in a room with King Khamer and let them talk each other to death. Use every tool in reach until it crumbles to dust. That's how a man succeeds. Eh, dandy? DeRosa's attitude towards women is not nearly as fictional as a reasonable person would hope.  Women in real life commonly deal with being treated as nothing more than disposable playthings, merely because they're female.  This makes the PUA an interesting choice for the final boss of this storyline.  Let's make this formal. I am captain of the Eternian Forces' Bloodrose Legion-- So, who's raring for a fight?  Despite her earlier condition, Edea joins us. Unfortunately, she starts charmed, meaning she'll attack us instead of DeRosa. The charm status can be overridden by equipping her beforehand with a rebuff locket (anti-charm accessory). But then you'd miss out on this nice bit of story/gameplay integration!  Breaking someone out of charm is no big deal. Just takes a light bonk on the head.  Friends don't let friends stay charmed!  DeRosa hits for a good amount, especially with Thundara, so ideally you'd come prepared with lightning resistance.  He'll also attempt to fear and charm opponents throughout the fight.  In all the times I've done this fight, DeRosa almost always tries to charm Ringabel or Tiz. Coincidence or are the game makers sending a hint?  In any case, torturing and murdering women is not a healthy way to deal with buried personal issues. Edea demonstrates the results in this case.    DeRosa won't mind if we raid his clothing closet.  Ringabel took a turn at stealing and nabbed these. Hermes is one of the best known Greek gods. This description is pretty accurate.  Red mage has an interesting gimmick in this game involving a chance to gain BP when hit. That'll get covered in the job summary.  Did you know crowbars can be used for more than just bludgeoning? Video games have misled me.    So ends DeRosa, with an indelicate flop onto the ground.  Have to wonder whether a more direct approach might not have been more effective. Look here, at these papers. I imagine they are his writing. ...Reports? They're awfully thick... Ringabel led the charge the whole way. Direct your thanks at him. ...Thank you, Ringabel. You're squarely on the "white as the driven snow" list for today. Appreciated. Come to think of it, that suit is the wrong size for you. You're liable to-- Why are you upset? It's a simple fact that the size isn't-- Augh, I'm moving you to my "dead to me" list! Ha ha! All's well that ends well. Except for the women who DeRosa killed, or are going to suffer life-long PTSD or physical effects from the drugs, or those two girls who murdered each other with their bare hands, or the hundreds/thousands of Crystalists who were slaughtered in raids, or the younger Venus sisters who were arguably dragged into this without being made aware of the mind-altering side effects and subsequently lost their minds and were murdered by the protagonists seen here.   Ah ha ha, sorry to have worried you like that! What I can't figure out is why all those women would fall for that man's tricks. Indeed. I would have refused that old degenerate out of hand! Young degenerates aren't much better. Ringabel wouldn't stop going on about "technique"... Oh, but it was Ringabel who was the most concerned for you. And it was Ringabel who was the most flustered when you disappeared, Edea. And he only got that angry at the red mage because of you, you know.  I guess you're right. I suppose he's "white" today, then. Why? Does he have days when he's "black"? Well... Say, Agnès. What do you think of Ringabel? What do I think of him? Oh, no! I didn't mean it like that! Mean it like what? Umm...uh... What I mean is...he's muttonheaded, lecherous, and lacking all social graces, but every once in a while--  Or were you just gossiping about me? Remember, I'm always there for you--even when you don't want me. Eeew! Creepy! And now, we didn't mention your name! Now go away!Edea reflecting on Ringabel is cute, but this conversation doesn't make sense. Why are they blaming the women and forgetting the whole hallucinogenic toxin deal? Why are they acting like Edea wasn't also a victim? Why is Agnès acting even more naive than usual and acting like the other DeRosa victims were ignorable?  After DeRosa's death, the party found his papers. They've been added to D's Journal, so let's take a look. D's Journal: The Red Reports posted:The below is excerpted from the so-called "Red Reports," thought to be penned by DeRosa: The corrected Red Advent page: that downer khint refused to come aboard our plan to plunder eternia. we'll have profiteur deal with him, and strike the orthodoxy treasury as planned. we'll incite the hostages to martydom in order to furnish a scapegoat, qada will ready every compound he can, and the fools will all die where they stand... Interesting takeaways here. Some thoughts: Was DeRosa affected by the hallucinogenic toxin as well, or did he have a way to negate it? Was the Matriarch one of the bribed officials, or was she such a doormat she was ignored during the Crystalist purge? How did DeRosa get to such a high position when he's so terrible? Edea's father is either a terrible person and/or a terrible judge of character. Although two of the characters referenced in Red Advent have been met (and killed), there's a third we haven't yet seen who deals in 'compounds'. Maybe eventually we'll find out what that's about.   With DeRosa's death, we've cut off the head of the Bloodrose Legion and completed the last side quest of Chapter 2. Tiz will be carrying his sword magic over to the Red Mage job. Next: Hope Victoria and Victor haven't gotten too bored following us around and watching us kill their coworkers, because it's time to go find the water vestal! -- Event Viewer Sub-Scenario: Are We Going In? A Cellar of Secrets Red Mage Fiore DeRosa Red's Report Party Chat: Ringabel's Worry D's Journal: Ringabel posted:Edea wore the bravo bikini, and who should take the bait but the red mage Fiore DeRosa, head of the Bloodrose Legion! We tracked DeRosa to his underground laboratory, and foiled the scheme he was planning for Florem. I'll make more notes later. D's Journal: Edea Lee posted:Edea used the bravo bikini, which she had for some reason taken from the sage, to entice the red mage Fiore DeRosa! This poorly fitting attire not only caught DeRosa's attention, it got her kidnapped. After a desperate pursuit, we finally located Edea, and bested DeRosa in battle to put an end to his dark ambitions. D's Journal: Fiore the Red Mage posted:
Greyarc fucked around with this message at 06:15 on May 30, 2017 |
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May 30, 2017 06:12
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From a writing standpoint, I do like how they used Derosa as a "dark reflection" of Ringabel. Did I make Ringabel a Red Mage as soon as I got that asterisk? You bet!
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May 30, 2017 06:29
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That could have been worse. Also the implication seems to be that he wasn't affected by his own concoction. However considering that the rest of the Bloodrose Legion's leaders are women and he views them as tools and two of them went crazy from the goods...
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May 30, 2017 06:32
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GeneralYeti posted:Nice avatar, Greyarc. You're no longer a Stupid Newbie, congrats.  Thanks!Omobono posted:If DeRosa is a red mage I'll be very, very cross with the game, especially because rosa means pink, not red. It may be referring to rosa as in rose. EponymousMrYar posted:Also the implication seems to be that he wasn't affected by his own concoction. Yeah. Main question is whether it was because he had a way to neutralize it or whether it only affected women. Considering his charm battle ability works on men, I'd like to think it's the former. Greyarc fucked around with this message at 06:46 on May 30, 2017 |
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May 30, 2017 06:38
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I like the redesign of the Red Mages, even if I miss the hat with the feather. Red Mage is a pretty decent job in this game and has a number of interesting abilities besides its usual role as "Captain Mediocrity."
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May 30, 2017 06:47
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Note if you enter the fight with a party that doesn't put out enough damage the fight can very quickly become a grind because he is more than willing to abuse Cura.
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May 30, 2017 07:00
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EponymousMrYar posted:That could have been worse. The second part makes way too much sense Greyarc posted:It may be referring to rosa as in rose. With a first name as Fiore (flower), it may be this. I'm still very very cross with this game  On the other hand, it probably isn't deliberate, but shitstain's name feels fake, especially with his surname spelled and capitalized that way. If he was an actual noble, he'd be called Fiore de Rosa, so he feels to me like somebody whose birth name was John Smith or Mario Rossi trying too hard by changing his name.
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May 30, 2017 08:22
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Rossa is Italian for red, so maybe it's not trying for Spanish? (See the name Barbarossa meaning Redbeard)
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May 30, 2017 08:39
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Yeah, the implication is that Artemia and Mephilia were victims of DeRosa's nonsense. Were it not for him, they probably would've been as reasonable as Einheria. The fact that DeRosa was willing to do something shady like this to his boss' daughter also bodes unwell. Blueberry Pancakes fucked around with this message at 15:48 on May 30, 2017 |
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May 30, 2017 15:45
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Hobgoblin2099 posted:The fact that DeRosa was willing to do something shady like this to his boss' daughter also bodes unwell. Given Red Advent, I don't think he's too worried about that.
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May 30, 2017 17:35
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Hobgoblin2099 posted:Yeah, the implication is that Artemia and Mephilia were victims of DeRosa's nonsense. Were it not for him, they probably would've been as reasonable as Einheria. This always struck me as odd, though. Is he just so deep into the red pill (  ) thing that he doesn't even acknowledge Edea's existence? Even if this is the case, doesn't Edea know (or at least know of) him? Something doesn't add up here.
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May 30, 2017 18:03
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Epsilon Moonshade posted:This always struck me as odd, though. Is he just so deep into the red pill ( The diary indicates that he's been here for at least three years. I think Edea was in training for that time. She's basically a green recruit, no reason for her to know all the soldiers and operations, and in fact her father probably tried to keep as much of that away from her as possible.
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May 30, 2017 18:16
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Cyouni posted:Given Red Advent, I don't think he's too worried about that. Fair enough. Epsilon Moonshade posted:This always struck me as odd, though. Is he just so deep into the red pill ( I assume he climbed the ranks recently. Also, Edea doesn't know everyone in the Eternian Forces. She didn't recognize any members of the K&PM.
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May 30, 2017 18:53
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Hobgoblin2099 posted:Yeah, the implication is that Artemia and Mephilia were victims of DeRosa's nonsense. Were it not for him, they probably would've been as reasonable as Einheria. Einheria let all of this slide for years. She's sane in comparison, but I wouldn't call her reasonable.
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May 30, 2017 19:06
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Greyarc posted:The corrected Red Advent page: Hobgoblin2099 posted:Yeah, the implication is that Artemia and Mephilia were victims of DeRosa's nonsense. Were it not for him, they probably would've been as reasonable as Einheria. Stabbey_the_Clown posted:The diary indicates that he's been here for at least three years. I think Edea was in training for that time. She's basically a green recruit, no reason for her to know all the soldiers and operations, and in fact her father probably tried to keep as much of that away from her as possible.
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May 30, 2017 21:13
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Commander Keene posted:I'm not so sure about this one. He's probably at least partially responsible, but probably not completely. He's top on the list of culpability with the next person in line being whomever ordered him to Secularize Florin (which would be the Evil Council/Edea's dad.) The methods used were of his own making as evidenced in the reports. Written in a journal with a very stylized R which is rather similar to the D journal that Ringabel has. Hmm...
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May 30, 2017 22:36
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Commander Keene posted:Keep in mind, the literal soldier of fortune willing to work for the highest bidder, last seen in the employ of Khamer and Profiteur, had too many scruples to work with DeRosa. That should tell you how low this man has sunk. Could be. Could also just be that it would mean siding against Khamer, who has deeper pockets than Profiteur.
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May 30, 2017 22:43
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So the party decided to put its goal of rescuing the Water Vestal and activating the Crystal in order to track down ad slaughter every officer in the Blackrose Legion. Airy's wondering why she had to entrust her mission to save the world to these psychos.
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May 30, 2017 23:09
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Patter Song posted:So the party decided to put its goal of rescuing the Water Vestal and activating the Crystal in order to track down ad slaughter every officer in the Blackrose Legion. Honestly? Those guys are the reason the Crystals are in this situation to begin with. The problem would have to be  solved , either now or later, but procrastinating means that the Blackrose Legion still controls the Florem area, so DeAsshole or whomever could simply gently caress over the Water Crystal again while the party is away dealing with fire and earth.
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May 30, 2017 23:50
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DeRosa uses a brainwashing cologne made of snake venom and other roofied women, I think that's worth a diversion.
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May 30, 2017 23:56
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I can't stop being surprised that this is technically optional content. I mean, in the focus of saving the crystals before the world breaks it makes sense and I can't help but applaud the game for sticking to that as much as possible even in the face of the subversive elements that would clearly continue their effective efforts after said crystal would be fixed. Maybe that's why. They let you choose whenever to do it (assuming side quests don't get locked off at certain points in the game) and let the inherent interest in seeing things through be the motivator for having players complete it rather than simply railroading you into doing it because it must be done (which is the standard model.) Much like that other poster said awhile back regarding the Sidequests: you could skip them but then the game's a whole lot more boring if you do!
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May 31, 2017 00:21
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The punchline to everything going on in Florem (though I very much doubt the phrasing was intentional) is that the country is being destroyed by literally toxic masculinity. The fact that it's caused by Red's pills is likewise probably coincidental.
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May 31, 2017 00:27
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