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Miketopus posted:Speaking of, sorry everyone that I'm still going slowly. My work tends to come in waves, and right now surf's up. Hoping I'll have something next week and then more regularly after that. Dude, you're FINE. We get it, life happens, no need to apologize. Especially when there isn't really a set schedule for these things anyway. I've been working my fair share of 20-hour work days the past month or so to know how it can get.
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May 12, 2024 00:32
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Welcome back everyone! Thanks for your patience while I had a bit of a delay between updates. Life takes some curious twists and turns, but time to get back into this with gusto. Also whoo, third page of the thread unlocked! Before I get into the update proper, here's another perspective on the "blue pill" thing in the localization. Kanthulhu posted:I think the "blue pill" theme of this town might be a reference to viagra, instead of a Matrix thing? Totally forgot viagra was a thing in the nineties, and WD was pretty funny about putting in some risque humor in their translations. Take a look at Lunar Silver Star Story and Lunar Eternal Blue Complete if you want some good examples. Also play those because they are two of the best RPGs ever. Anyway, let's get into it!  With... Lieza being mopey. Kind of taking the wind out of my sails right now, lady.   - If you're like this forever, I...  - The answer to that depends on Elc, and no one else. If his mind fails, it will matter not that I healed his body. - But... if Elc fails to awaken... what will I do? I could finally be free... but to lose the person I have come to... - But do you really wish to depend on one person forever? - What? - I believe you have some personal issues to face first. - !          - We have to try and hide, Lieza! Quickly! - Halt! One more step and that breath will be your last! - Scan? Wait... stop! - I'm warning you scumsuckers! Get out of my house! - Watch your mouth, old man. We're not going anywhere yet. - Hmmm. This is incredible! I've never seen readings this high! And this one hasn't even been elevated to C-class yet! We must make use of her. (2) - So, men, how did your subject score? - Ours is an incredible specimen! She will be a valuable addition. (2) - Good. Gallarno will be pleased. Transfer her to White House. - Wait! No! Take me instead. She's just a child! - Shut up, old man! You're no use to us! - (Gets smacked) Owww! - Grandfather! (2) - Let's get the girl out of here. We can decide what kind of C-class she'll be later. - I actually think this one will enjoy the transformation. You heard them... MOVE! - ... - Lieza! - (Gets shoved) Kya!  - Silence! Unfortunately for you, no one can stop this! Besides, you're just lab samples now. No one cares what you think. Get them out of my sight... (2) - Let's go, now! - Lieza! No! - Stop the sobbing and move it! - Elc still battles his feelings of guilt. You also must face your inner demons. You cannot wait for Elc to wake up to help you with that. - ... - It is a journey you must make yourself. Bravery will open your mind... just as love has opened your heart. - But, Kukuru... what do I do?(Literally half a second after Kukuru leaves...)   - Come!? - Kee kee! - Well...   - See? Biiig excitement come out when you ask! They want go biiig bad! - Well then... um, I look forward to their assistance... I... think. - Also Rai-jin in Alatos Azendia Highland and Fu-jin in Zariban Water Shrine! You go see with biiig eyes, they help too, eh? Move much fast now. Chongara wait for you in Silver Noah. - All... right, then.I know that was a lot of  to take in, and frankly I wish more JRPG heroines were told to sort their own poo poo out like that, but let's talk about how the next portion of the game works. With Elc still in his plot coma, Shu and Shante experiencing turbulence, and Arc's crew busy with their assorted tasks (Except Kukuru who apparently just gets to sit around), we're fresh out of humans to accompany Lieza. So, she gets all of our monsters up to this point, plus the three that could continue to tolerate Chongara after he let them out of his summon pot.     As you can see, their levels are more or less where they were at from the first game, and as a result their stats are fairly sub-par. I've heard that Hemo-ji's abilities can be a bit broken because of their absurd range, but I'd prefer not to have anything that uses the words "Hemo-ji Finger" and "Chongara Bomb" so alarmingly close together.  Out of the three, Kelack is far and away the most useful. In addition to its potent Cure spell, it actually inherited the King's Image (And somehow jailbroke it so it's not restricted to Chongara anymore). Also, unlike most other monsters, Kelack can use all three of its equipment slots! Well, technically so can Mofly and Hemo-ji, but meh. Anyway, Lieza has a flight to catch. Hope it goes better for her than the others.    - Well then, where would you like to go? - To my hometown of Holn. It's on the continent of Forles. - Check. I know exactly where that is. Step inside, and we'll be on our way.  - I wish you well in your endeavor here. Good day. - Thank you. You know, thinking on it, Chopin is actually a pretty awesome NPC. He is only known for one major skill, and that's flying the Silver Noah. But in spite of that, he's always been supporting the group with tips, trivia, and guidance. He's even flown the ship into numerous extremely dangerous situations just to help people out. It's easy to let him fade into the background, but he's surprisingly well written and never feels annoying or cliche. On top of that, he shares a name with an awesome classical composer, so. Here's to you, Chopin.  Anyway, the Forles Skyport is nothing special. So we're leaving. Lieza's Theme  Outside of the Skyport, there's a few locations of interest in this region of the world.  Our town for the update is Ramul. It's better than some towns, but worse than others. I'll explain that in a bit.  Gia Temple is right next to town, and while it has a bit of dialogue I'll be showcasing, there's not much else to it at the moment.   Contractually obligated monster grind zones.  A cool-sounding cave with a rock in it that tells us we need proof of how awesome we are and to leave before we die.  The town our character actually wants to go to, which means we should avoid it at all costs for now.  So, Ramul. It's a pretty decent town overall, but I need to get this out of the way right now: I can't stand its music. It sounds like a circus. It's not on the soundtrack I have, and I can't find it on YouTube either, so count yourself lucky.   It's got an inn you have to pay for, yeah, but this will be the first update I'll be doing that. Multiple times.  There's a Guild, too. I was starting to forget what they looked like.  The clerk is nice enough too, but without Elc or Shu taking jobs is...    ...Totally okay? Huh. Either Guilds operate off of the honor system, or Lieza has a way more colorful backstory than I thought. We'll get to those jobs in a second, they're super easy. After all, the plot advanced and this is a brand new Guild, which means...  New bounties!     We'll be seeing two members of this rogues' gallery in a bit, too. First, let's finish up our tour of Ramul.   The item shop in town has mostly the same wares as the last shop we could visit, but one item of interest is the next level of basic body armor, the Cloth Wrap. It starts out at the same defense level as a maxed out Gauze Wrap, so there's no reason not to buy a few and trade in the old equips. Also, I decided to clear out a few other items while I was at it, since I found my luggage full of shoddy shoes, obsolete herbs, and near-useless nettles.  Next, a brief foray into Temple Square. ? - What will happen to our peaceful lives? - Hmm?  - While the people who control them threaten us! The beasttalkers of Holn have been revived! Soon, they will rise once more, as the legend says! But we need not worry, for Gia watches over us! If we pledge ourselves to Gia, he will deliver us! And that is the best reason for us to finish this temple! And so, today I collect a special fund for the cathedral. Give generously and Gia shall not forget you! And now, let us supplicate Gia...Neat, I didn't realize Arc the Lad had evangelists. Kind of surprised they've held back the urge until so far into the second game. You can wander around the square, but there's not much to actually do here except converse with people.   Public sentiment in town and the temple square, by the way, seems to be variations of "gently caress Holn and everyone from it" so Lieza should probably keep a low profile.  Aww, it's okay tree. It's important to... branch out at a steady pace.  Okay, this is getting stupid. Let's do those jobs and collect some bounties. Actually, the moment you accept one of the jobs and leave the Guild...  - Why, yes. Mom - I'll tell you what I know... He used to be the best-behaved boy. But lately, he's just been out of control! Now he's been seen running around town, causing trouble. Please find him for me.  Kid - You can't tell me what to do anymore! Mom - See? Bring him back so I can tan his hide! And so begins the quest to punish a kid who probably has ADHD. This job is pretty straightforward, you just need to find the kid in each of the spots he runs to around town. He never goes into any buildings, and he never leaves the town screen, so it's not like you have a lot of ground to cover.  Oh, and because it's this game, if you talk to the kid's identical twin who is minding his own business near the center of town, you get a pay cut when the job is complete. How much, you may ask? Well, the original job pays 1500 Goz, but if you mistake this kid for the bad one, it goes down to 375. Yes, you lose out on over 1000 Goz for talking to the wrong kid. No, it doesn't make any sense. Yes, you should probably save before you do this job just in case, but thankfully the nice kid is relatively stationary and doesn't hang out too close to the bad kid except for a couple spots.  That aside, the job is just a simple matter of finding and talking to the kid eight times. Yes, eight times. Why, do you think that's excessive? It's the nineties, repetitive sidequests are a given.  Kid - I give up! Just leave me alone! Mommmm!  Mom - I think a swat or two by his father should set him straight! Your reward is at the Guild. Thank you so much!  Mom - What? Kid - Can't the bad feeling I have about being naughty be my punishment? Mom - I think the bad feeling after your father is finished will be better. You need to learn your lesson. This has happened too much! Kid - But, Mommmmm... Ha, ha, nothing like joking about beating children! Remember, nineties!  Let's continue the antics by going to a comedy club for our second job!  It's... maybe not doing so well.  - I came from the Guild next door.Comedian Mom (CM) - Oh... You're the Hunter? - Yes.  CM - I... I was expecting a man. Sorry to have been so surprised. - There's no need to apologize. CM - I'm sorry to be speaking to you when I'm sick. I don't want to spread this. Oh... Ha, ha, ha... [Cough! Cough! Cough!] - Oh, are you all right?CM - I'll be fine. It's just a bad cold. - You sound terrible, though.CM - I know... Let me tell you about the job so you can go. My son left for a journey some time ago. He used to send me a letter once a month. However, three months ago, the letters stopped! I'm beside myself with worry, and the police are no help. - Have you any clues about where he was?CM - In his last letter, he said he would be returning to Forles in five days. It makes me think he may be nearby. I beg of you... please find him! - I'll certainly do my best!CM - Here's a picture of him. His name is Segle.  CM - I'll be waiting for your return...  (Quick jaunt to a zone that only appears when you've talked to CM and gone to a specific square on the map...)  - ...!? ? - I'll see ya around! - That... looks like the boy I was looking for from the comedy club! Segle - Y... yes. How did you know my name? - My name is Lieza. I've been sent to find you. Your mother has been beside herself with worry since she lost contact with you.Segle - My mother? - She contracted with the Hunters' Guild to find you, and I took the job. Segle - I'd better get home as fast as I can, then.   Segle - I... I just haven't healed fully yet. - Oh! You were hurt?Segle - Yes, I injured my leg and the person in that house found me. She took me in and cared for me until I could stand again. But my leg isn't quite back to normal yet. - Well, if you walk slowly, you should be fine, then. I'll walk next to you.Segle - Thanks... (A not so quick walk but thankfully just a black screen transition for us later...)  Segle - Mom! CM - I'm glad that you're alright... Segle - Mom, I'm so sorry that I put you through this. I should have sent word... CM - Oh, Segle... I'm just happy to have you back with me! CM - Thank you for all you did! Segle - Yes, thanks. Now that I"m home, I've decided to take over the club. CM - Oh? Did you find some good entertainers during your journey? Segle - Yes, I did find many acts to book, but... While I was away, I also learned something important. I learned that I really wanted to be an entertainer. CM - What!? Segle - As I interviewed entertainers all over the world, I decided that's what I wanted to do. So, until I have my act, I can manage this club... then, someday soon, I can be a performer as well! CM - Oh, Segle... I'm so proud of you. You left a boy, but have returned a man. Segle - Do you think so? CM - Yes, I do. I just wish your father were here to see how you've turned out. Segle - Mom... - ... Segle - Thanks again! CM - Please come back and see us anytime! - Okay, goodbye!Aww, that was a nice job. Easy, and heartwarming too. We should take them up on their offer and see their next show.  Just kidding, pretty sure this is locked off for the rest of the game. Let's kill some monsters how about! Battle 2 (Arc 1)   The monsters in both zones are identical down to the grouping. Four Evil Eyes and a Barbarian.  Even so, this might be the first time the game suddenly ups the difficulty to a significant scale. Every monster from this point forward is at least level 30, so they are all around the same level as Lieza. While our party monsters have been getting some good experience, most are around level 20-25 at this moment. Poor AtL, the Ravished ghost who got one-shotted back at White House, is level 14.  Since Lieza is the highest level, she is the only character who can take repeated attacks in a single round, but as you may recall she's rather squishy.  All four Evil Eyes concentraded their attacks on her, and even with blocks and dodges they nearly killed her before I could do anything. They can also use a petrifying attack to force characters to miss their next turn, but thankfully they seem extremely loathe to use that move.  I say "thankfully" because the classic cross formation for healing is going to be vital for surviving fights in these zones, but if you're extremely unlucky the petrifying attack could hit all characters in the cross at once.  That being said, the Kelack healing spell is just as awesome as always, and can put you back to full health with one cast. So, not only do you want to try and keep the Kelack trio safe, you also want to keep them close to as many people as possible so their Cures can get the most mileage.  Lieza is a fine backup healer, but for once she's actually the strongest character to put on the offensive. You'll want her doing multi-target moves as much as possible, whether it's Earthquake, Spinster, or just a nicely timed dagger attack. Once you have her soften up or eliminate some of the enemy monsters, it becomes more feasible for the party monsters to take over.  Aww, look, it's happy!   Anyway, the original purpose of coming here is for one of the bounties. Just like the others, you can quit the field and come back in if it doesn't spawn in for the encounter. Still, consider staying on for some fights to help your monsters catch up with Lieza. It's good experience here, and assuming you're careful with saving between fights it shouldn't take too long to get them up to snuff. Apparently the Evil Eyes also have a chance of dropping a pretty good staff weapon, though I haven't had that happen yet. Still, all sorts of perks to grind a little.   I think Balguli also has a petrifying move, but it didn't exactly prove a challenge even with a somewhat underleveled party. One down.   Calmio Hill is identical in every way that matters, but for some reason it took me about 5x longer to encounter the bounty here. A few fights were useful, but after a bit I just started exiting and reentering and it still took another ten minutes or so.  And after all of that waiting, it was just a slightly stronger Evil Eye.  It was SERIOUSLY just one level higher than its buddies. I wonder if I even got the right one? Is not being able to tell them apart considered racist? Ghostist, maybe?    It had the dubious misfortune of deciding to show up when I was training all three of my monsters with breath attacks. Those things really pack a punch.    And that's a wrap for Guild stuff for the update! Let's go to Holn and advance the story.   We stumble upon five Barbarians dancing in a circle around a child for... some reason.   - Where'd you come from, boy? You came from Ramul, didn't you? I'll show you what happens to people too curious for their own good! - Oh, dear! I have to save him! Paundit! - STOP!  (Does it matter which? Pick Your Favorite.) - She's got a weird dog! (PYF) - Hehe... this'll be fun! - Kill them all! - Yeah!! - He's too small to run far. - Leave him for later. - We'll start the slaughter with this girl... - ...and her dog!Right, so, the Wicked Barbarians of the West...    Meet flame, ice, and holy breath attacks. The game literally stops me mid-fight before I can finish them off.    (PYF) - I won't forget this, girl!  - Did they injure you?Kid - No. I'm okay. Wow! Your beast obeyed you! It was incredible! Are... you one of the people from Holn? - Yes. Kid - That makes sense. - We'd better go. It won't be safe here for long. Kid - Okay... thanks again for saving me. This is a very descendant-oriented update, I think this is the third one we've helped. Oh, also, before leaving, check out the big gently caress-off rock in the road to make sure you can advance the plot.    So, what we need to do is go back to Ramul and start soliciting help from strangers.       The way it works is, we can now choose to ask anyone we talk to if they will help us move the rock in front of Holn. We have to ask everyone, or just about everyone to the point where you might as well just ask everyone.     We will be summarily rejected by everyone we ask. The townsperson will either be too busy, too weak, or too racist to help us. But hey, at least I showed you the tavern, right? Unlike the others so far, this one contains no plot or job based events so it was easy to gloss over. Anyway, trying to leave town now...  - ? - Huh?Police Chief - You have to come with us. Take her!    - Why have I been arrested? - Now, he has told the townsfolk, and they are demanding your death! Humans are afraid of what is unfamiliar. Your mistake was trusting them... I heard that you want help moving the rock blocking the path to Holn. Fool! That rock is imbued with a spell. Humans won't be of any help in moving it. You would do well to learn to hate the humans. It is they who will cut your life short! With that thought, I say goodbye... I have a ride to Aldia to catch.   What a pickle! How is Lieza going to escape the pokey? Will any of her legion of really strong and useful monsters play a part? Probably not, but we'll find out next time! See you in the next update!
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May 26, 2024 03:09
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Miketopus posted:Will any of her legion of really strong and useful monsters play a part? I mean, any of Chongara's monsters you leveled up will rejoin at the levels they were in Arc 1, so if you put in the effort, they'd probably be great now! ...Of course, Choko is the only one worth long-term investing in.
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May 26, 2024 07:41
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This LP is rad, I've been devouring it over the past week. I'm also so thankful to have caught up, finding my place in those 2 pages was quite a memory game.
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May 29, 2024 23:07
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