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I remember her Scan being useful, especially because you only have to do it just once for each new enemy.
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Dec 25, 2019 12:06
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Accordion Man posted:I remember her Scan being useful, especially because you only have to do it just once for each new enemy. Getting the scans for all the enemies you've already fought is the worst though
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Dec 25, 2019 12:36
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Junpei posted:You know, I'm still not sure how the real Rasputin was such a lady-killer. Either he was a really good conversationalist or he secreted pheromones that made any woman within arm's reach wanna bang him. I was saving this for later, but to hell with it, now is a good time to reveal this. Dude was hung like a horse. There is a Museum in Russia that apparently has his severed, pickled phallus on display and it is 12 inches long from what I have heard, and am not sure it the pickling left if soft or hard. THAT is why he could likely get all the ladies.
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Dec 25, 2019 19:29
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OminousEdge posted:I was saving this for later, but to hell with it, now is a good time to reveal this. Dude was hung like a horse. There is a Museum in Russia that apparently has his severed, pickled phallus on display and it is 12 inches long from what I have heard, and am not sure it the pickling left if soft or hard. THAT is why he could likely get all the ladies. Pretty sure that 12 inch pickled dick they have on display is actually not a human penis. Had to go do some unfortunate Google searches but there's one they had that was actually a dried out sea cucumber, and another that hasn't been tested but could have been from a horse or cattle. His daughter (uh... yikes) claims he had a 13 inch dick though.
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Dec 25, 2019 19:44
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2 Updates until someone mentioned Rasputin's dick
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Dec 25, 2019 21:27
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I love to take pictures of enemies and stuff
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Dec 25, 2019 22:02
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This is a particularly funny time for the people to discuss booze with a Russian princess. Going into WWI the monarchy had a monopoly on booze production. One of the less popular war time policies of the Romanovs was prohibition.
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Dec 25, 2019 23:41
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habituallyred posted:This is a particularly funny time for the people to discuss booze with a Russian princess. Going into WWI the monarchy had a monopoly on booze production. One of the less popular war time policies of the Romanovs was prohibition. given story goes when WWII ended, *Moscow ran out of alcohol* and the apocryphal story of why Christianity became the predominate religion, prohibition was a very poor move on the Romanovs' part.
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Dec 26, 2019 03:25
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I love that this is a setting where summoning a flying demon to assassinate a princess in a city is less suspicious than just breaking her neck and dropping her in the river.
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Dec 27, 2019 01:04
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Hey, it makes perfect sense! Why would a religious official summon a demon? That's the exact opposite of what they do!
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Dec 27, 2019 04:31
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Even with everything Yuri's been through, he still runs directly toward screaming.
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Dec 27, 2019 05:19
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Glazius posted:Even with everything Yuri's been through, he still runs directly toward screaming. One of the big reasons Yuri's a likeable protagonist is that no matter how much of a weirdo he is, he has always been a genuine hero.
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Dec 27, 2019 05:28
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Night10194 posted:One of the big reasons Yuri's a likeable protagonist is that no matter how much of a weirdo he is, he has always been a genuine hero. In Shadow Hearts, a woman screaming in an alleyway could be literally anything from a mugger to an eldritch nightmare breaching its way into the mortal realm and the minds of all who gaze upon it to sup upon their sanity. Either way, Yuri's gonna have something fun to punch.
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Dec 27, 2019 05:50
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Night10194 posted:One of the big reasons Yuri's a likeable protagonist is that no matter how much of a weirdo he is, he has always been a genuine hero. Rude as he may be, Yuri remains a Hero at heart.
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Dec 27, 2019 10:13
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Episode XLVII: Dances With Wolves.jpg)  Music: Vicious 1915 ~ Battle in Europe .jpg) ...You'd think a creature that can literally fly would manage not to be surrounded. But I suppose it didn't anticipate being drawn into a combat pocket dimension that has warped the size of all space within and also allowed a scantily clad fencer and a wolf to instantly teleport to its flanks. This is Pendulum, a 333 HP Water class mid-boss. .jpg) Calling it a mid-boss is probably being generous. It's a complete pushover with a few unimpressive attacks and the somewhat annoying ability to cause the Reverse Ring anomaly. But that's not much of a worry as the party can easily take it in a single round and will do just that. .jpg) But this fight mostly serves as a chance to use Anastasia's special ability -- Snap Shot. Snap Shot only costs a single MP and unlike every other action in the game, it's an automatic ability with no Judgment Ring necessary. Let's give it a whirl. .jpg) .jpg) I'm not sure where Anastasia got the tripod from but then again she just did a Jojo pose and made a camera appear from thin air. So it's best not to question it. .jpg)  <cranks camera> Now look this way!Snapshot flash! .jpg) And so Anastasia gains a new ability from that snapshot of Pendulum. Only a handful of certain bosses will yield a new ability. And indeed, it's impossible to get all of them in a single run of the game since Carla's cat, Andre, and Veronica's dog, Oscar, both had SnapShot abilities long before Princess Romanov was available. There is a New Game + mode in Shadow Hearts: Covenant where all the party members are available in battle from the very start, so that's how you can be all completionist for Anastasia's abilities. If this was a more modern game or it ever got an HD Remaster, I have no doubt there would be an annoying achievement tied to this. Spoilers: I'm not THAT much of a completionist. Andre yields Cash Steal which lets Anastasia jack extra cash off enemies. Oscar provided Remove which nullifies an enemy's buff. Ho-hum. .jpg) A second function is SnapShot that it will also display the targeted enemy's HP/MP and elemental class. These stats are permanently unlocked for the enemy type with the need to take another picture, assuming we see another one. However, the revealed numbers will only appear if Anastasia is in the active battle party. So that's a little annoying. .jpg) A Snap Shot that unlocks a new ability will give Anastasia a free turn immediately which allows her to dig into a new menu option in the form of Album. From here, we can go ahead and use that stolen ability and throw it back at Pendulum. .jpg) I summon you! <tosses the picture toward the screen>.jpg) Piano sting! .jpg) .jpg) Oh yeah, Anastasia less stole their ability and more made summonable copy of their soul to launch their signature attack at the enemy. .jpg) Aqua Raise is one of the cheaper Album summons at 36 MP and is obviously Water-based damage. Though it does have a spicy chance of causing Poison alongside that. But in the case of Pendulum, it just annihilated him outright. That works too! Music: Result ~ Victory .jpg) Well? How'd you like that?.jpg) Well, the first use of your special ability didn't get the entire party killed so you're already ahead of Lucia, I'd say. Music: Anastasia ~ Going Her Way .jpg) *pant, pant* I-I'm fine. Is there anywhere you want us to take you? Is your home nearby? *pant, pant* Th-there's a clockmaker down the street. I need to see him. Is that where you live? No. I commission him for inventions to fight against Mother Russia's enemies.  ...OK? <sigh> Let's just roll with it and take her there.A short while later, back at Edgar's Shop. Music: Anastasia .jpg)  Oh! I'm so glad you're safe! Thank God! Thank G— <waves dismissively> Oh, come on now. Don't make such a big deal about it! So a demon bird almost ate me in an alley. It happens! What do you mean, "big deal"?!.jpg) <motions to the Yuri and the others> If these folks hadn't helped you, you would have been... <puts hands on hips and looks away annoyed> I know. I know. I'm grateful already! And half these people weren't even there! Tch... Fine... .......jpg) Anastasia strolls up to a nearby store counter and slams something down on the table. Yuri walks over to inspect it. .jpg) What's this? <motions to the ring> It is a gift. Please take it. Hmm... So... what's it do? +3 to physical strength? Protect against poison? ...What? No. It's just valuable! Wear it. Pawn it off somewhere. Do what you please! Well that's boring..jpg)  Excuse me, miss. If I may, young lady, there is a much more important question than that. Why was that monster trying to kill you, anyway? I see you were carrying valuables. Are muggers just like that in Russia? We're new in town... <folds arms and looks away> .......jpg) A royal princess's personal business is none of the affair of peasants. Yeah, I'm checking out of this conversation. Hey, Blanca. Come here. I wanna try something... Awroo? Let's just say that in this great big world there are those who choose to align themselves with the forces of good and battle against the dark forces of evil. Yuri does not have time to listen to a self-important tween girl. He is far too occupied practicing his dance number with Blanca and happily hums to himself while doing so. Blanca seems significantly less enthused but he's a good boy and goes along with it. Music: ENDS .jpg) <bows and looks around nervously> Please forgive her! She's always liked to daydream... Urgh... Don't take her seriously. I'm not daydreaming anything!! <pouts>.jpg) .jpg) Yuri has engaged in the conversation once more. Or finally stopped zoning out. It's difficult to say. .jpg) Well, my dear, it's probably nothing. Nothing to get too worried about... Little girls get attacked by hellspawn all the time. It happens. But that monster that attacked you looked a lot like a creature we fought. I don't remember fighting anything like that. Meh. Same ballpark of monster. ...Not really. That is not the point. Now, young miss, that monster... It was summoned by black magic. A powerful wizard. Am I right?Anastasia turns around startled. .jpg) Do you know how to use magic too? Like Rasputin?.jpg)   Rasputin?! Aw-aw-awroo?! (Ra-Ra-Rasputin?!) <looks around confused> Why did you all shout like that?Anastasia runs up and hides behind Edgar. .jpg) Please say it isn't true! You're not working with that dirty old man?! You know Rasputin? ...... Yes, I know him.Ana comes out from hiding. .jpg) Everyone says that, because of him, my father's government has been ruined. <folds arms> Your father's government? Really? That's right! Also he did just try to kill me and admitted to a plot to kill my entire family. So there is that... Uhh... Excuse me, but does that mean that you are...?.jpg) <sighs and motions to Anastasia> She is Princess Anastasia Romanov. Tee-hee. Awwww...Music: Anastasia ~ Going Her Way .jpg) .jpg) I can't let Rasputin get away with whatever he's doing! He's going to damage my father's honor! And maybe try to kill him. I probably should have led with that. We understand how you feel. But aren't you taking a few too many risks? <nods> ...... Tch... Other than that monster assassination attempt, I was doing just fine... ...Clearly. If you go back and reveal Rasputin's scheming to the empress, she'll listen to you, won't she? <looks down> No. My mother never believes anything I say... I can still protect my father's honor. Mother is a lost cause... Now, now, Princess....jpg) Rasputin is planning on doing something at the victory reception, right? That's right. That's what I think he said, anyway. I don't remember telling any of you that so I'm sure how you know... Don't worry about that. <steps forward> What is this "victory reception"? I'm not gonna lie, I've been blanking on half this talk... Very professional, Yuri. Bite me..jpg) The victory reception will be a celebration of his return. Oh, did they... win the war? Kinda had my own deal going on in the last few months. I haven't paid attention to that. No, the war is still going. The royal family just... ergh... enjoys indulging in celebrations... It's not the most popular practice, honestly... I think they're a bore, personally. But those of nobility attending them seem to enjoy it. Princess, the issue is people *not* attending the balls....jpg) That's a great idea! I can't believe you came up with it! Shaddup..jpg) That way, we can guard Princess Anastasia and we can get into the Hermitage without any trouble! It sounds like a good idea, but do you really think it'll work? Yeah, I dunno. You guys all look pretty suspicious...  So do you!  Hey, I've got a stylish aesthetic going on. Unless there's a circus in town, I dunno what you're going for... Let's remain civil. Yeah, OK local aging pimp. No need to be mean. And I'm not even going to get into your whole situation again.  At least I know how to wear a belt. OK, can we stop?.jpg) Yeah, sure let's just walk in with no cover story in the dead of night. I'm sure there will be no issues with that. No sir.    Video: Episode 46 Highlight Reel (You should definitely watch this.)   Pendulum Concept Art - Getting a real Eve from Parasite Eve vibe with that weird spikey talon substitute for legs.  Edgar Concept Art - It's like Dr. Wily and Dr. Robotnik did a Fusion Dance.  Yuri and Blanca Dancing Illustration - Macabre gothic horror.
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Dec 28, 2019 20:19
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I honestly love that they went with “well people used to claim cameras stole your soul right?” when deciding how to justify a blue mage in the setting.
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Dec 28, 2019 20:31
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Yuri remains the best protagonist. “Screw your backstory, I’m gonna dance with that dog until I’m pointed at something to punch.”
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Dec 28, 2019 21:47
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Yuri dancing with Blanca is a delight.jpg)  : Well excuuuuuuuuuuse me princess, you're interrupting Man & Dog bonding time.
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Dec 28, 2019 22:22
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Why is claiming premature war victory and holding big celebrations still a thing over 100 years after World War 1? Have we learned nothing? [reads it was a big thing in Ancient Babylon too and groans]
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Dec 28, 2019 23:33
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Yuri will always hold a special place in my heart just for playing with a big wolf instead of listening to Anastasia's fanciful speech. Still, this version of Princess Anastasia is quite entertaining. I feel like she'd be way into magical girl anime if they existed right now...which they might.
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Dec 29, 2019 01:58
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quote:And so Anastasia gains a new ability from that snapshot of Pendulum. Only a handful of certain bosses will yield a new ability. And indeed, it's impossible to get all of them in a single run of the game since Carla's cat, Andre, and Veronica's dog, Oscar, both had SnapShot abilities long before Princess Romanov was available. There is a New Game + mode in Shadow Hearts: Covenant where all the party members are available in battle from the very start, so that's how you can be all completionist for Anastasia's abilities. If this was a more modern game or it ever got an HD Remaster, I have no doubt there would be an annoying achievement tied to this. This is actually incorrect, it's entirely possible to grab those abilities in a single playthrough; Those bosses pop up in Solomon's Trials and you can nab them there.
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Dec 29, 2019 02:34
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I love that not only has Yuri decided to out of the blue start dancing with Blanca, but that no one else seems to notice or care.
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Dec 29, 2019 02:37
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kw0134 posted:I love that not only has Yuri decided to out of the blue start dancing with Blanca, but that no one else seems to notice or care. You know they've all done it at some point.
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Dec 29, 2019 02:53
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DukeofCA posted:You know they've all done it at some point. Let's not kid ourselves, any one of us would likely do the same, given the chance.
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Dec 29, 2019 08:27
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Almost immediately
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Dec 29, 2019 14:29
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The only way this scene could be improved if it turned out Blanca was secretly Poshul all this time.
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Dec 30, 2019 01:20
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So what're the odds that Rasputin "healing" Alexei to get the Tsarina's trust is going to lead to Alexei transforming into some horrible monstrosity?
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Dec 30, 2019 03:59
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Probably somewhere around 195%.
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Dec 30, 2019 12:04
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Commander Keene posted:Probably somewhere around 195%. [Morbo]That's not how probability works.[/Morbo] You forgot a zero or two at the end.
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Dec 30, 2019 12:17
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Now, to be fair, he might have legitimately helped Alexei in our timeline. Aspirin was considered a wonder drug at the time. Thing is, it would have acted as a blood thinner, which wouldn't be a good thing to give someone whose blood doesn't clot. Telling the Tsarina to not let the doctors bother the poor kid could have saved his life.
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Dec 30, 2019 14:25
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The evidence is that "prayerful healing" would have been, with the state of medicine in the 1910s, the most helpful thing to do for a child with hereditary anemia. You can't transfuse platelets, any number of medicines are at best snake oils with no efficacy and the real medicines would be contraindicated. Having a creepy old monk put his hands on your head and mumble a few words and not letting the physicians try out whatever pharmaceutical nonsense they've whipped up in a lab that would make a meth cooker blanche would have been a healthy thing to do.
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Dec 30, 2019 14:44
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amigolupus posted:So what're the odds that Rasputin "healing" Alexei to get the Tsarina's trust is going to lead to Alexei transforming into some horrible monstrosity? The odds should be on whether its simply just alexei or a amalgamated flesh abomination of all the royal family
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Dec 30, 2019 15:44
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kw0134 posted:The evidence is that "prayerful healing" would have been, with the state of medicine in the 1910s, the most helpful thing to do for a child with hereditary anemia. You can't transfuse platelets, any number of medicines are at best snake oils with no efficacy and the real medicines would be contraindicated. Having a creepy old monk put his hands on your head and mumble a few words and not letting the physicians try out whatever pharmaceutical nonsense they've whipped up in a lab that would make a meth cooker blanche would have been a healthy thing to do. That and healing magic is an established fact in this universe.
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Dec 30, 2019 19:00
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Eh, he's likely a black mage with no actual healing spells.
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Dec 30, 2019 19:08
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Are we still in the stereotypical "leeches for everything" phase here? E: assuming it ever was a thing that happened of course But yeah, modern medicine is still in its infancy and a charlatan with the right idea could outperform court doctors with no clue. I'm also giving the Romanovs a lot of credit by assuming they hired actual doctors instead of charlatans pretending to be medics before Rasputin.
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Dec 30, 2019 19:18
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As I understand it the main course of treatment was to try and bleed the hemophilia out of the kid so whatever old Raspie did would probably be an improvement.
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Dec 30, 2019 19:39
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My impression is that whatever Rasputin was doing, the result of it was that the doctors were being stopped from giving their solutions to the kid and Rasputin gave the kid some quiet recovery time. Given that the solutions the doctors kept trying to do for the hemophiliac was shove Aspirin down his throat..... yeah.
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Dec 31, 2019 00:01
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Omobono posted:Are we still in the stereotypical "leeches for everything" phase here? There was a very thin line between medicine and quackery.
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Dec 31, 2019 00:50
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Episode XLVIII: A Royal Audience Music: Anastasia ~ Going Her Way .jpg) Our only objective now is to return to the Winter Palace Hermitage and introduce our crew of anime hooligans to the Czarina so we can umm... err... hang out in the palace and hope to catch Rasputin on his way back to his quarters to bang Veronica or something? I'm sure they'll figure it out. .jpg) Before we go, Edgar has stashed a Lottery Ticket behind his clerk counter. Sorry, pal. I know you're helping us out but we are hoarding these things like a dragon with treasure. .jpg) Nobody in town has anything new of note to say EXCEPT for Old Boris here standing just south of Edgar's shop. Speaking with him now that we have a full party result in... .jpg) Another Nibelung Scene which buffs her Bullenfogel Sword Art. I don't know if I'd be comfortable having a Guardian Mime. That feels like it would get old fast. .jpg) .jpg) We could go do some shopping with the Magimel twins, but we're good for the moment and we'll have another opportunity before we get into any further battles. Plus the only thing really worth buying at the moment is a weapon upgrade for Blanca as we might get a freebie for Karin this very day. Meanwhile, in an undisclosed basement... Music: The Real Intentions .jpg) .jpg) Masaji Kato, what on earth are you doing browsing through the Émigré Manuscript, young man?! You take your hands off that no good book immediately! Also, a reminder that despite Kato looking like he's well into middle age and having the deep dadass voice of Papa Nier, he is only 29 at this point... .jpg) AND you're hanging out with Nicolai?! What are you doing?! You were a nice boy up until your superior officer crush got murdered by government agents right in front of you and you started hitting the gym hard, climbing the political ladder and dressing up in an unusually villainous-looking cape. ... ...Aww crud. Kato closes the book and turns to Nicolai. .jpg)  It certainly seems to be the authentic article. I didn't believe the rumor it was actually shaped like a skull. But here we are... Fascinating. Well, we do aim to please.Nicolai stands up and starts pacing over toward the opposite wall. .jpg) May I consider our negotiations to be completed, then? Yes. Whatever may happen within Russia, the goodwill of Japan will extend to... whomever the next emperor may be. The implications of that role changing hands in the imminent future is something we can... look past. I'm afraid I'll require more than that..jpg) You don't need to worry. I'm the direct representative of the Foreign Minister, Kantaro Ishimura. My words may be considered the will of the Emperor. I thought I read Katō Takaaki was your current Foreign Minister? He got sick and retired this year. To make no mention two Japanese foreign officials in this pact named Kato would become confusing fast in our negotiations of this alliance. Hmm. Sounds reasonable. As I was saying... We look forward to establishing joint aviation and communication companies with you. Naturally, we'll shoulder the full cost. By summer, we should be able to supply you with rations and fully modern weapons. <turns to Kato> Thank you. It sounds good. Heaven knows we could use some imported cuisine in this part of the world..jpg) When do you think I will be able to meet with His Holiness, Lord Rasputin? I'm so sorry. His Holiness is terribly busy. There's a lot to prepare with usurping power and all that. You understand. ...... <doubting tone> ...That's fine. Please give the future emperor my best.Kato turns away and exit before stopping at the door. .jpg) Naturally, whoever takes over the throne will find a true friend in my country. ...Huh.Meanwhile, back at the Winter Palace... Music: Anastasia ~ Going Her Way .jpg) Now that we aren't sneaking out in the middle of the night (although given it is like early January in Russia at this point, the sun probably set around late afternoon given everything in Petrograd seems to be happening the same evening) we're free to explore the first floor of the Winter Palace. Or Hermitage. Oddly the game's save files and a handful of generic NPCs refer to it as the Hermitage while everyone else including spoken dialogue says Winter Palace. The (New) Hermitage is actually building next door (the one in the background when we're standing in front of the Alexander Column.) But it wouldn't be Shadow Hearts: Covenant if things dialogue stayed consistent. .jpg) Well, by explore the first floor I mean there is only one empty connecting hall leading to another corridor identical to the ones upstairs. But there are some new folks to bother on the way. So let's get that taken care of, shall we? .jpg) It's not my fault you failed at your job.   They're going to fire me and my family will starve if that happens. Well, get better at your job!.jpg) Let's just remember there's still one inaccessible hall down here. It may be necessary to come back here at a later date. .jpg) Always remember to check all house plants for hidden international secret lottery tickets. Anastasia enters the first bedroom. .jpg) Should you really be saying this to a twelve-year-old? Hey sweetie, you won't be twelve forever and Kritsin is not just a Ladies' Man but he's a patient man. <finger guns> Guards!.jpg) It has got to be depressing being a woman and seeing your title is just "Of Marriageable Age." .jpg) Just say what's on your mind. ...... ...... FLORA, I WANT TO MAKE gently caress! Guards!!On to the next room... .jpg)  Why we're having a victory ball tonight! That ball isn't for a few days... tonight is just... because. And Russia hasn't actually won the war yet. Why wait to celebrate?.jpg) You know I am the empress' daughter, right? Yes, I am aware. Are you aware you have informed me you are the empress' daughter near a dozen times? ...We've met? <sigh> And that's why I hate these parties..jpg) Aren't you already at a party exclusively for the nobility?  Yes, but our family's numbers could be bigger, dearie!.jpg)  But he's a commoner... I suppose our love is doomed... Why are so many of you adults openly talking to me about love and marriage? We're all three glasses minimum deep in wine.And on to the room after that... .jpg) Why do you open up every time we talk by saying that. It's a nervous tick! That is... very specific..jpg)  (Passionate Erich) Of course not, Olive. You're the most beautiful woman in the world, no matter what you wear, anyway. You'd be even more stunning if you were wearing nothing at all. Oh, Erich! And you're the most wonderful man in the world! Shall we find a quiet nook to make rumpus, darling? Mmm... Delightful! ...I really don't need to be hearing this sort of stuff.By the way, if you'll notice in the upper right corner of the room there is an easy to overlook chest. If loot that we find... .jpg) A free weapon upgrade for Karin. Espada provides +61 Physical and +59 Special Attack. Also, 352 bulls killed seems like a lot but apparently, by around this point in history, the matador fight record was 109 fights in a single year. I cannot find a number for the matador with the most kills but I'm sure it's unpleasantly high. .jpg) That's all for the first floor. The western 2nd-floor corridor and rooms are completely empty so no need to go there. The eastern corridor still has the same NPCs wandering around. Most of them have nothing of interest to say. But now that all the warriors are here, a couple of new NPCs have appeared to further some sidequests. In the room with the portly war profiteer merchant, a new NPC -- Zuvious, Lover of Folkcraft, has appeared. Speaking with him will advance the Trading sidequest. Remember, we last traded the Underground Film to a filmmaker in Cannes for a Daruma Doll. .jpg) You mean this Daruma? It was made in Japan. The place is famous for them. Although this could be a knock-off copy. I did pick it up in France. A Daruma, huh? It's so well-carved. Such smooth lines and exquisite coloring... Oh, yes! Just a bit of improvement, and this could form the basis of a new craft for us Russians! Would you consider letting me have it? I could give you something for it. Yeah, okay. I don't know why I keep doing this but here we are... I'm sure this'll spread all over the country! What can we call it...? I'll name it after my lover, Matryoshka!And that's how Yuri helped inspire the invention of Matryoshka Dolls to Russia. Just ignore the first set of Matryoshka dolls was carved in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin and designed by Sergey Malyutin by commission of a rich industrialist. Although it is true they were inspired by Daruma and Honshu dolls. I don't think they got the idea from a wandering punch hobo. .jpg) Anyway, Zuvious, Lover of Folkcraft just gave us his drat lunch. Piroshki are basically just a Russian fried/baked meat bun although it can be filled with veggies. That said, I like the idea that since Yuri traded for it he figured he'd have to trade it again for something else and just dumps the thing into is fanny pack in hopes of exchanging it for something else several weeks down the line. It's also worth noting that if we had traded with that upcoming Youtuber movie critic kid in Cannes and gotten the Limestone Block, we would instead have to go trade with Chagall, Who Stinks of Ink over by the twins' shop. He'd also give us a Super Piroshki so it doesn't matter and Yuri having accidentally helped invent Matryoshka Dolls is the funnier option. Zuvious will still appear regardless but now he just laments Russia is a poor country and a cultural dead-end that sucks instead. Moving on, in that room which holds Grand Duke Dmitri, now contains another new NPC -- Natalya, Always Serving People. If we chat with her... .jpg)  <transmogrifies into Lottery Member 11> And a lottery member must never forget to serve people with tickets! So, what can I do for you, sir? What on earth are you talking about?! Yeah, don't worry. I got this one. It's a whole thing... You people are strange. Let me do the lottery. Superb, sir! I'm looking forward to the next time I can be of service to you..jpg) This lottery ring's gimmick is... it's a reverse ring that spins counter-clockwise. That's it. It's very easy to score the top prize. But we're actually going to blow TWO of our increasing surplus of Lottery Tickets to claim the first and second prize. .jpg) Big mood. .jpg) That's a hell of a vague description but this actually a Joachim only accessory that boosts the frequency of him entering his Invisible Joachythm. Also a +2 to Physical and Special Attack as well as Physical and Special Defense. Too bad he's getting the boot this chapter in favor of Anastasia in the active party. .jpg) .jpg) There is nothing else to fart around within the palace. The door to the west in the central corridor that was once blocked by a guard is now accessible and that, in turn, leads to the throne room and plot progress. Music: ENDS .jpg) ...And so these are the ones who saved the princess from the vicious wild dog. All six of them were quite heroic. Including the other wild dog. Awroo!.jpg)  Anastasia. What on earth were you doing out at night?.jpg) Well, I had an important chore to take care of at Edgar's. (Please don't throw me under the bus like that, Princess...) You couldn't take care of it tomorrow? No. <sweats>.jpg) inside the castle. Nevertheless... Even if you did save my daughter's life, we cannot allow strange people to wander around inside the castle. To be honest, the fact that they made it all the way to my throne room without a single guard questioning their presences is a touch on the worrying side. There will have to be further reprimands... <points toward the gang> But why? There's nothing wrong with them. How can you be so certain? You would resist me whatever I said. But....jpg) Music: Suffocation ~ Grim Atmosphere The door to the throne room opens off-screen. .jpg)  Hehehe. Why not go easy on her, Empress?.jpg) Lord Rasputin!Rasputin starts walking toward the group. .jpg) Anastasia is at a naturally curious age. <intense glare> <growl> She's bound to have an adventure or two. <looks of uncertainty> Surely it was God's will that she be saved by these kind benefactors. <blank look of trying to process how this insanely evil-looking grey-skinned wizard is trusted by everyone> <powerful glare at the guy that literally tried to kill her an hour ago>.jpg) You surprise me, Lord Rasputin! They're clearly travelers from far away. I'm sure they'll prove to be fine companions to the princess. If you think about it, was I not a traveler from far away once too? Well, when you put it that way....jpg) ...... Very well. Anastasia, you may go with the strangers. But only in the morning. I need not hear any adventures with unapproved wild dogs this evening. Thank you again for saving my daughter's life. Have a pleasant stay in my land..jpg) Thank you, Empress. .jpg) .jpg) (Really wanna punch this Rasputin gu—).jpg) .jpg) Empress Alexandra and Alexi depart for their quarters. As soon as they're out of the room... .jpg) Still alive, I see, little one. Really? You're just going to say that in front of everyone?! Given their encounter with you and this "wild dog", I believe the cat, as they say, is out of the bag. Why dance around a known secret?.jpg) Rasputin starts menacingly approaching Anastasia but Yuri is having none of that poo poo and blocks his path. .jpg) So you're Rasputin, eh? You're eviler looking than I would have thought. Yes... I've heard of you too, Godslayer. I would have thought you taller. Hmm... You were behind my familiar's death. If we are to be technical, it was the death of my subordinate's familiar. I would not want you to think such a crude creature is a testament to my power. But the details are irrelevant to the discussion.The throne room doors burst open. .jpg)  Lord Rasputin, my whip is ready for your l—oh, what...? Huh? Veronica?.jpg) Hmm... Long-time no see. I take it Lenny didn't make it after I left you all? He tumbled out of a hole in the wall in that tower and into the ocean. He always did say he wanted to go out that way. Hehe.Yuri enters a fighting stance. .jpg) Hee hee hee hee. Do you wish to fight here? Yeah, maybe. Sure looks like a boss battle arena to me. I admit I could see the aesthetic appeal, Godslayer. But... <turns his back on Yuri> Hmm. ...Let's not. There's no need to spill blood all over this lovely church. I would just have to pay the cleaning bill after I ascend to the throne and it would do me no good.Rasputin walks to the door with Veronica and stops. .jpg) I'll be in the Lion Shrine to the north..jpg) Call on me any time you wish. <makes an ugly face and shakes her fist> Eeeeee! ...Man, I shoulda punched that guy.Rasputin and Veronica depart. A short while later... Music: Town of Twilight ~ European Town .jpg) Oh? What tipped you off? The grey skin? The pointy ears? The sorcerer beard and outfit? The part where he's like seven feet tall? He's obviously no ordinary man. He's on a whole different plane from Nicolai or Lenny. <nods> Yeah, looks like it. Not that is a very high bar to cross. ...Fair enough. Hey... Are he and Veronica like... a thing...? <shudders> <growls> Oh yuck! I don't know what thing you all are talking about... But that lady always goes into his bedroom at night and there's a bunch of yelling and some kind of sound like umm... a whip, I think? I haven't figured out what they're doing in there... But it's probably no good!  <nervous laugh> We'll tell you about that when you're older. Ugh. I did NOT need that mental image... C'mon, now, everybody! Don't look so glum. Now's the time to put our heads together and come up with a strategy. Lucia's right, everybody. Okay, let's go to my room, then! We can talk in peace there..jpg) So the Empress is convinced a group of strangers that her daughter met an hour ago are cool to hang out with her via Rasputin going "ehh, c'mon it's fine" and the first thing they do is all pile into her bedroom. I'm going to go on record, for the outside, that's not a great look, gang...  Video: Episode 48 Highlight Reel (You should watch all scenes with Rasputin being extremely evil.)   Empress Alexandra Concept Art - Every single photo and portrait of this woman has a complete look of "meh, over this poo poo" so I guess they got that right. The Dark Id fucked around with this message at 17:41 on Jan 2, 2020 |
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Jan 1, 2020 00:37
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| # ? May 24, 2024 23:38 |
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Beginning to think that the Empress is not a great judge of character.
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Jan 1, 2020 01:47
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