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Your name is Takashi Wakui. You are a sixteen-year old, Japanese high school student living in a world where half of humanity possesses Personas—manifestations of inner souls as demons, spirits or deities. In the past, you had been one of the unlucky ordinaries lacking a Persona. Then a game called AETHER was forcibly installed on your smartphone. Initially it appeared to be little more than a piece of nasty spyware, extremely persistant and impossible to remove.

Then it sucked you into to a realm called the Blackened Void, where you fought Shadows and gained your first Persona--Ippon-Datara of the Fool Arcana, the degraded blacksmith demon god. Now you are the Wild Card of the 22nd Century, capable of wielding Personas of each Major Arcana. Turns out AETHER is more than a simple, reality-immersive game; it is an accursed phenomenon superimposing itself over an otherworldly realm, consisting of vicious monsters, decrepit ruins and glamorous treasures. And to make matters worse, you and several others have been condemned as its chosen Players.

For what purpose does the game exist, what mysteries lie within and how will you Players achieve victory?

Previous Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Persona%202129%20Quest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwilightThorn
Character Sheet: http://pastebin.com/3AgNX579
Persona List: http://pastebin.com/tDFHYrAA
Mechanics: http://pastebin.com/UqzmF3tv

[Social Stats]
>INTELLIGENCE: 36 points (Rank 2: General)
>UNDERSTANDING: 20 points (Rank 2: Average)
>CHARISMA: 17 points (Rank 2: Ordinary)
>WILLPOWER: 21 points (Rank 2: Standard)

[Social Links]
Void's Chosen (Fool): 1/10
Celeste Tachibana (Magician): 2/10
Takauji Koyoura (Lovers): 2/10
Akikazu Osaragi (Hanged Man): 1/10
Kozue Yusa (Death): 1/10

[Other Stuff]
Money: 11500 Macca
Build EXP: 0
Persona Stock Limit: 3
>>
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[Six years ago…]

Akumachi City, a metropolis where goods are being bought, used up and discarded in every minute of every day. The Shadows batter against the city walls with vicious strength and terrible magic, starved for the souls of humanity. Saboteurs and assassins crawl around the chrome interiors of offices and laboratories, acting as mere pawns in the ever-convoluted war between the megacorporations of Japan. Fighting breaks out in the streets of the Fallen Downtown, as the street punks and yakuza exchange bullets and fire for dominance over the common territory.

An aspiring youth of the Wakui family is determined to carve her own path against her future. To win the right of doing so she must draw her Strength and land a single blow on the formidable Empress’s chest. She rushes forward with her fist held out. The power of Kali is flowing within. It is almost immediately forced back by her opponent, forcing the girl to retreat further back up the court.

“Hah…hah…” Shizuka pants, sweat dripping. She glares. “Dammit…”

“Is that it, Shizuka?” Rumi strides towards her daughter, expression neutral. Her Persona, Hariti the redeemed yaksini goddess, floats behind her, her tanned hands coated with forst. “Do you want to quit for the day?”

Shizuka shakes her head. “No, kaa-san. I’m still not finished. Power Charge!” She closes her eyes and clenches her hand. Kali roars and a magnificent cobalt aura surrounds her master. Raw power is now gathered within. “Here I come, kaa-san!”
>>
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The girl disappears to the naked eye. In the span of seconds, Shizuka has leaped in front of her mother, intent of spearing her chest with a vile assault from Kali. An ordinary Persona user would find themselves smashed to the ground and ribcage broken. However, Rumi Wakui was no ordinary woman. She was an elite alumnae of Akumachi Kirijo and had not achieved the position without significant effort. There was a reason why over eighty percent of her former classmates no longer expressed the desire to duel with her.

So she dodges to the side of her daughter’s strike and slamms quick fist in her side, knocking the girl to the ground. Shizuka coughs and attempts to climb to her feet. Her mother is having none of it.

“That’s will do for today, Shizuka.” Rumi speaks, strict and firm.

“No, I can still…”

“You did well, but you need to rest.” Rumi Wakui watches as her daughter collapses onto one knee. Shizuka looks shocked, as if control over her bones had suddenly been yanked by an invading psychic. “See?

Your sister growls and glances aside. “…Fine. I’ll get you next time, kaa-san.”

“If you say so.” Rumi responds. Deep inside, she is pleased with Shizuka’s progress. The girl has already reached C-rank at her age and will no doubt continue to further develop her potential. This hunch would turn out to be right—in a fortnight’s time, Shizuka would force past her mother’s defenses and land a solid blow in the gut. The attack would have all the weight and impact of a bull trying to dent a tank, but it would be a victory nonetheless. “Hold still so I can heal you.”

Diarahan replenishes Shizuka’s vitality. Rumi snaps her fingers and withdraws Hariti back into the Empress card. She then walks over to a young boy sitting on a bench on the edge. It is you: a ten year old, soft-spoken, introverted and ordinary child.

“Kaa-san…”

“Takashi.” Your mother speaks. “Tell me what you thought of the fight.”
>>
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The ten-year old you swallows and averts your eyes. “Scary.” You mumbled. “I didn’t want to see Nee-san hurt.”

“We agreed on it, Takashi. Your sister and I had no regrets.”

“I know.” You mutter. “But I still don’t like it.”

“I thought it might be something like that. Don’t worry, it is nothing to be ashamed of. I thought the same way as a young girl, too.” Rumi says. “I brought you here to watch for a reason.”

“What, kaa-san?”

“I wanted you to catch a closer glimpse of the world we live in. For better or worse, Persona combat has become part of our society. From school tournaments to official matches sponsored by megacorporations…it is not something that will go away any time in the near future. You will have to become used to it.”

You look at her. “If I become a Persona user, kaa-san, will I have to fight as well?”

“I’m afraid you may. Persona users are naturally drawn to each other, Takashi. Often, this will result in battle.”

You stare at the ground. “Why do people fight, kaa-san?”

Your mother sighs. “This is a complicated question for a child your age. To put it briefly though, it is because of a clash of ideals.”

“Ideals?”

“They are what each side thinks is right. Humans are prideful creatures by nature. They don’t like seeing their ideals as wrong, so they may lash out at their opponents. This results in heated arguments, which sometimes leads to a fight.”

“Should humans try to get along with each other?”

“If only, Takashi, were it that simple.” Your mother says. “Money, religion, love, hatred and survival; these are all reasons for why humans fight. Humanity wouldn’t have gone anywhere if we did not clash against each other.”

“…”

Her gaze then softens. “Don’t think too hard about it. You are still young. When you grow up, you will understand…”
>>
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[In the present…]

You, Celeste and Akikazu square off against the black knight. The knight is equipped with a charred black blade, a heavy shield and clad in armor from head to toe. It is staring across the bonfire space, unyielding.

How will you proceed?

>Retreat further back.
>Attack with magic.
>Attack with physical.
>Apply buffs and be on guard.
>Attempt to escape.
>Custom option.
>>
>>42054390
Good thing we get to be introduced to fighting with a more morally straightforward reason for conflict, then. We can cut our teeth on "saving people from killer monsters" before we have to deal with any of the complicated motivations.
>>
>>42054467
>Apply buffs and be on guard.
>>
>>42054467
>>Apply buffs and be on guard.
>>
>>42054467
>>Apply buffs and be on guard.
>>
>>42054467
>Apply buffs and be on guard.
Give Akikazu some buffs. It looks like he's going to be our party tank, so let's boost that to the extreme.
>>
>>42054467
>Apply buffs and be on guard.
>>
>>42054467
>Apply buffs and be on guard.
>>
>>42054467
>>Apply buffs and be on guard.

Always, always always buff first in SMT boss battles.
>>
>>42054467
>Apply buffs and be on guard.
Buff Akikazu, he's got some frustration to work off with that hammer of his.

Our knuckles won't get past the armor of the knight. Don't know about Celeste's sword.
>>
>>42054584
A good rapier will bypass the armor with it's thin tip. A great rapier would just go through it anyways.
>>
Writing now.

I need to know something first. I say that the threads are around 9:30 pm UTC. The thing is, am I actually an hour late when I start?
>>
>>42054713
at least 1 hour, 2 if you don't count daylight savings.
>>
>>42054467
>Apply buffs and be on guard.
>>
>>42054609
Celeste doesn't have that, though. She has a bronze short sword, one that was in pretty bad shape before we had the Haphaestus twins fix it up. And I'd be surprised if the Black Knight's armor isn't something more durable than normal steel. I think she should probably stick to a caster role for this fight.

>>42054713
Longer, actually. It's about 10:54 UTC right now.
>>
>>42054771
Yeah her sword's going to do fuck all then.
>>
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>>42054750
>>42054771
Jesus Christ I was afraid of this. Fuck!

First of all, let me apologize for what is possibly my biggest blunder yet. Followed by declaring that threads will now take place at 10:30 pm UTC. Hopefully I've got the time right this time.

Okay back to writing.
>>
>>42054805
>10:30 pm UTC
And what's that in CEST?
>>
>>42054805
It's okay, Thorn. This might just be me, but I've internalized the actual time it starts rather than the intended time. So it doesn't feel like we're starting late.
>>
>>42054823
CEST is two hours ahead of UTC. So half past midnight.
>>
>>42054805
>apologizing
>implying you did anything wrong
MGNQ stopped running like 20 minutes ago and quests share a large userbase.
>>
>>42054805
Yeah I never bothered converting to UTC and just say it as 3-4ish PST.
>>
>>42054875
Does that mean we're going to Get Fucked one of these days?
>>
Question, when we tried to use the Trafuri Canister did it just not work, or did we lose it when it failed?
>>
I just noticed the ONLY prospective LI so far has been Celeste?


>>42055173
it took us to the campfire, where the Black Knight was waiting for us. He has a "Shut Trafuri the fuck down" aura.
>>
>>42055203
He's talking about the SECOND Trafuri canister used. Did we lose it?
>>
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>>Apply buffs and be on guard.

Shizuka had once said that a Persona user without knowledge of at least one buffing and debuffing spell was doomed to lose. Such skills were invaluable in the battles outside the city walls, where the stronger Shadows could hit with the force of a dozen bazooka strikes and cross distances with the speed of bullet train. Buff the squad, debuff the enemies and attack with full force, simultaneously hoping to the gods that none of the Shadows knew Dejaka or Dekunda. A simple strategy, but practical and therefore good.

You are thankful to have hung around Shizuka, Daisuke, Tsugumi, Viola and the rest of the squad.

The black knight is still staring, unmoving. Does a shred of chivalry remain inside its bulky carapace? Is it giving you the chance to discuss tactics among the team before resuming the battle?

Probably not, considering how it basically sucker punched Akikazu and chained him up.

Time to assume control.

“Celeste, buff Akikazu with Rakukaja. He needs it.” You say. “His hammer is the only thing that can get past the armor.”

Celeste opens her mouth as if to protest. Then she closes it, her face serious. “Understood, Takashi-kun. What will you do?”

“Cast Tarukaja on of us. My knuckles won’t do much. Guess I have to stick with magic…”

“Oi, heads up!” Akikazu shouts. “He’s coming!”

The black knight rushes forward, already half-way through a powerful swing. Akikazu instantly moves in to block it with the war hammer. The harsh screech of metal against metal is ear piercing. He grunts and groans, forcing the power of Ubelluris through his bones.

“Come on…”

“Rakukaja!” Sati appears in a burst of flame. She points her fingers at Akikazu and a grey aura covers his body. Defense up, along with resistance against magic.

You, on the other hand…

>Attack with Zio (Pixie)
>Attack with Bufu (Moh Shuuvu)
>Attack with Agi (Ippon-Datara)
>Attack with physical.
>Cast Tarukaja on self.
>Cast Tarukaja on Akikazu.
>Custom option.
>>
>>42055225
>Cast Tarukaja on Akikazu
>>
>>42055203
No, we used a second Trafuri Canister just as Black Knight locked us down, I believe that's what he's referring to. As for prospective love interests, give it time. We don't even have a full party yet.We're likely to develop Social Links with some more girls our age, anyway. I'd be surprised if Yoshino and the girl from programming class don't become links.
>>
>>42055225
>>Attack with Bufu (Moh Shuuvu)
>>
>>42055225
>>Attack with Zio (Pixie)
>>Attack with Bufu (Moh Shuuvu)
Find his weakness, relying on brute strength is for people confident enough in their raw power.
>>
>>42055225
>Cast Tarukaja on Akikazu.
>>
>>42055225
>Cast Tarukaja on Akikazu.
We just said we were going to cast Tarukaja, keep it together, everyone.
>>
>>42055225
>Custom option.
Do we know what elemental attacks Akikazu's persona uses? If it's electricity, use elec break.
Otherwise,
>Cast Tarukaja on Akikazu.
>>
>>42055225
>>Cast Tarukaja on Akikazu.
>>
>>42055299
I always found it weird that earth types used elec spells.
>>
>>42055299
Ubelluris has mostly physical and Earth spells in the game, presumably his isn't too different.
>>
>>42055347
that assumes that there is an earth element.

The last game I recall having Earth element was Digital Devil Saga.
>>
>>42055378
There is an Earth element in this. It was mentioned a while back. We've got the standard for most Persona games as well as Earth, Nuclear, and Psychic, the later two being considered advanced elements alongside Almighty.
>>
>>42055378
Thorn has mentioned in earlier threads the Tera spell.
>>
>>42055378
>>42055347
>>42055324
>>42055299
and reading from the pastebin, there IS an earth element, but no Force as it is probably replaced by Wind.
>>
Writing now...
>>
We have a really good elemental spread for early game.
>>
>>42055509
That was the point of our picks or so I gathered.
>>
No boss music has been given yet?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE05-_6DRro
>>
>>42055225
>cast tarukaja on akikazu
Right now, we need Akikazu to serve as the main guard against this guy while we keep him buffed, healed, and try and figure out his weakness.
>>
>>42055531
I mean that Thorn is pretty lenient with us, since Akikazu's SL gave us bufu, while he himself is Earth.
>>
>>42055509
True. You know, for all the shit the Velvet Squatters give us, we're doing pretty damn well given that we've only been the Wild Card for a little over two weeks. Minato was just now learning about Tartarus at this point, we're already on the second dungeon and have six Personas. Maybe we'll never be able to match the other Wild Cards at the peak of their power, but we've definitely come out of the gate strong.
>>
>>42055595
increasing offense will make the Black Knight Go Red faster, the opposite of staying safe when we don't know the weakness yet.
>>
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>>Cast Tarukaja on Akikazu.

You command Moh Shuuvu. The cursed bird girl forms out of the crushed card of the Lovers and howls in the direction of Akikazu. Red-orange power, as brilliant as the eternal sunset in the sky, surrounds his body. The blonde boy blinks at the sudden rush of strength, then a feral grin appears on his rough features.

“Take…this…!”

Once again, he forces the great blade of the black knight aside, staggering it. This time, he commands his own Persona to act.

“Ubelluris, Tera!”

The stone demon roars and slams its fist against the hard earth. The ground beneath the black knight quakes and rumbles. Cracks form. Then a rush of energy bursts upwards, clawing the the black knight’s armored leggings. It stumbles backwards more and the armor is scratched at the base.

“Bufu!” You fire ice at the knight. It covers his body then shatters at once. Damage is dealt, but not a critical weakness.

“Rakukaja!” Celeste points Sati at you. Defense up for you.

The knight regains its balance. Its helmeted head slowly turns towards you, the leader. It draws its sword back. One foot in front, the other behind. Before you can prepare yourself, raise your fists or anything of the sort, the black knight has leapt forward. It clears the space and is now positioned right in front of you, ready to cleave you in a downwards arc.

>Dodge out of the side.
>Step out of its range.
>Block with Ippon-Datara.
>Parry with Ippon-Datara.
>Tank the hit.
>Custom option.
>>
>>42055791
Parry, dodge, then BACKSTAB!!!
>>
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>>42055791
>CROSS COUNTER!
Only option
>>
>>42055791
>>Parry with Ippon-Datara.
>>
>>42055791
>>Dodge out of the side.
>>
>>42055791
>>Parry with Ippon-Datara.


Just don't tank the hit.
>>
>>42055791
>>Dodge out of the side.
>>
>>42055791
Can I just downvote tanking the hit? All the others seem fine but seriously just do not that.
>>
>>42055791
>Parry with Ippon-Datara.
Drive the sword into the ground
>>
>>42055959
*do not do that
>>
>>42055791
>Parry with Ippon-Datara.
"Hey Akikazu, don't freak out"
>>
>>42055791
>Block with Ippon-Datara.

Hammer god + Rakukaja stronk
>>
>>42055791
>Parry with Ippon-Datara
If possible, try to get out of the blade's path once they connect.
Hell, maybe Switching Ippon out the moment we get out and countering with pixie and use her magic?
>>
>>42056031
Nah, keep the hammer, he is too fast to switch and bait.
Really we need to dodge or parry this hit and then step forward.
Becomes extra awkward for him to strike us properly and the leveraging action from the length of the blade is lessened, which means we can parry easier.
Course he then uses the pommel and knees, so you have to be careful.
>>
>>42055791
>Parry with Ippon-Datara
>>
>>42056114
Perhaps we could channel a agi through our fist if we move forward? The range might not be good, but we can do it, and it could probably catch it off guard as well.
>>
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>>Parry with Ippon-Datara.

The art of deflecting an enemy’s attack, leaving it staggered and vulnerable to a full frontal assault. This wasn’t Shizuka’s area of expertise. She was the type of operative to layer herself with as many defense boosts as possible, then wade through the enemy ranks and endure blows until she got close enough for a halberd up the ass. Now, your mother, on the other hand…

The knight is beginning to move. The blade is coming down! Your quickly switch to Ippon-Datara and summon him. Your timing needs to be precise. Deflect the exact moment the blade motion towards you…

>Roll 1d20
>Best out of three
>>
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>42056182
nat 1
>>
>>42056182
>>
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>42056182
>>
Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>42056182
>>
Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>42056182
Get him in the nads.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>42056182
>>
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>>42056203
>>
>>42056213
Noice! is this a weapon break?
>>
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>>42056213
>>
>>42056213
Damn, nice save
>>
>>42056213
WOOHOO
>>
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>>42056213
>>
>>42056213
I've been rolling a lot of crits lately. That druid must have been right.
>>
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>>42056213
YISSSSSS....
>>
>>42056228
too be honest, based on what>>42056213
got, I'm glad I fucked up.
>>
>>42056277
Tell us which druid so that I can be as lucky as you.
>>
>>42056314
Some dude I met at a health food store.
>>
>>42056338
..Modern druids? Those are a thing?

Well, either way we probably just knocked him off balance or opened him up for a beat down. Considering his speed, keeping the momentum going our way would be a very good idea.
>>
>>42056338
'health' food store?
>>
>>42056376
>..Modern druids? Those are a thing?
West coast is best coast.

>>42056378
What?
>>
>>42056213
Mother fo, just lay back and take it.
>>
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All out attack time!
>>
>>42056439
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnd4HSs6YeU
>>
>>42056439
>arrogance of the strong
>>
>>42056213
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eij079q7hDY
>>
Need to do an errand, sorry.
>>
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>>42056524
Take as long as you need boss!
>>
>>42056524
That's fine. See you when you get back. We'll be here.
>>
>>42056213
Black Knight: DEUS VULT!
Ippon-Datara:..........bitch, please.
>>
>>42056396
>West coast is best coast.

Objectively wrong. Nice places to visit though.
>>
>>42056731
I am sorry, I couldn't hear you over the sound of legalized pot and free druid buffs.

The witches are also fun.

P.S. We have have Hollywood and set the cultural tone for this goddamn rock, what do you have?
>>
>>42056788
Not being pinko faggots
>>
>>42056788
I live on the west coast and it is a nice place to stay for a while, but all the places worth staying (and some of the places that aren't) are stupid expensive.

Stupid housing bubble.
>>
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The blade is moving in slow motion. It is a cut buzzing through the air, intent on slicing through your chest and spilling precious blood. A cold determination awakens inside of you. You glare at the blade.

No…no….yet…just a little further…

Now!

Ippon-Datara swings his hammer to the side, colliding with the blade inches away from your torso. It is swatted aside and the black knight lurches. Your Persona does not stop there. With righteous fury forged in the fires of the sea of the unconscious, it winds its arms back and swings with almighty strength. The hammer, a terrible piece of metal, smashes into the chest plate of the black knight, crunching through the armor and slamming it onto the hard ground. The knight is now flat on its back. A metallic, guttural groan of pain emerges from the helmet.

“Kill Rush!”

It does not end there. Akikazu takes advantage of the opening. Ubelluris lurches forward like a stampeding buffalo. It crashes a stony fist downwards onto the knight, damaging the armor further. The left fist is next. Akikazu then shouts the command and Ubelluris casts. The earth beneath the knight bursts upwards, sending the monster cartwheeling through the air towards a cliff wall.

“Agi!”

Celeste also pelts the knight with a fireball for good measure.

With a shudder, the knight climbs back to its feet. The parry and subsequent riposte had dealt a great deal of damage. But the knight is refusing to give up. It is holding its shield out in front, positioning itself in a defensive stance.

>Elec Break + Zio (Pixie, high mana cost)
>Attack with Bufu (Moh Shuuvu)
>Attack it relentlessly with Ippon-Datara.
>Wait and see what it does.
>Custom option.
>>
>>42056657
He should have known better than to attack a blacksmith god with a tool of iron. Classic mistake.
>>
I want to fuck Moh Shuuvu
>>
>>42056855
>Elec Break + Zio (Pixie, high mana cost)
Fancy finisher!
>>
>>42056855
>>Elec Break + Zio (Pixie, high mana cost)
>>
>>42056855
>Elec Break + Zio (Pixie, high mana cost)
>>
>>42056855
>Elec Break + Zio (Pixie, high mana cost)
>>
Is this some disgusting blend of persona and dark souls.
>>
>>42056855
>JUST zio
>Pulinpa

>>42056880
>>42056890
>>42056893
>>42056900
WHY
>>
>>42056855
>>Attack it relentlessly with Ippon-Datara.
Gotta practice with the stand we will be using in the tourney.
>>
>>42056859
She'll eat your brains if you do that. That's kind of her thing.
>>
>>42056926
More hits and stun locked him more.
>>
>>42056934
Joke is on her.

>>42056906
It has a dark souls knight as a shadow and the bonfires, that is about it.
>>
>>42056944
We don't even know if he's already weak to zio.

Also, if he's Null Elec, break will only downgrade him to Resist.
>>
>>42056855
>Attack it relentlessly with Ippon-Datara.
>>
>>42056952
I think Black Knight is a denizen, not a shadow. They're somehow different in an as-yet undefined way. They seem to be more intelligent, at least.
>>
>>42056855
>Elec Break + Zio (Pixie, high mana cost)
>>
>>42056849
That is just CA.
>>
I completely forgot about this between my two jobs.
Did you waifu anyone yet, and if so, who?
>>
>>42056855
>Attack it relentlessly with Ippon-Datara
>>
>>42057082
Nope, but Celeste won the best girl poll.
>>
>>42057082
We did not. The only girl our age we have a Social Link with is Celeste, and she's still at level 2, so we're not nearly that close yet.
>>
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>>42056788
My constitutionally guaranteed rights, low CoL, and the 2nd strongest economy in the nation.

>hollywood
>something to be proud of
>mfw
>>
>>42057095
it's not like there are any other choices.
>>
>>42057129
For now, at least. Ideally we'll get some more Social Links soon.
>>
>>42057122
Anon, you are my kind of guy.
>>
>>42057129
Shizuka could have had it.
>>
>>42057118
>>42057095
>>42057085
Besides, why go with Bromage when we have a perfectly servicable lovers social link? He even uses martial arts like us as well for all sorts of fun combos!
>>
>>42057095
>>42057082

This is persona m8.

It ain't right unless we end up with a harem.
>>
>>42057095
As long as no shit waifu.
I'll catch up later tonight
>>
>>42057122
I bet you have enjoyed some movies out of Hollywood you ungrateful hypocrite.
>>
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>>Elec Break + Zio (Pixie, high mana cost)

Pixie twirls through the air and casts the famed spell. A sickly, yellowy aura not unlike the color of jaundice forms around the black knight. Electrical resistance down. You, on the other hand, clutch your chest as over half your mana is suddenly sucked out of your body. The experience is similar to your entire brain being deposited in a vat full of sulphuric acid. You resist the urge to retch and instead focus your eyes on the black knight.

You reach out, hands trembling and cast.

“Zio!”

A bolt of electricity strikes the black knight. It roars as the lightning courses through its system. Its knees tremble and threaten to send it crashing to the ground. No such luck, however. It regains its balance and brings up its sword…only for Akikazu to rush forward and pound his war hammer into chest.

“Thanks, Takashi!” he shouts as he prepares another swing.

The black knight backsteps and rolls back. Then it shoves its sword and shield on its back.

“What the…?” Celeste gasps.

The knight is now clasping its hands, as if prayer. Wisps of white and crimson light are beginning to surround it. This seems to be a ritual of sorts. What will you do?

>Interfere
>Apply buffs while the black knight is distracted
>Command everyone to attack at once
>Skirt around for a backstab
>Run away
>Custom option
>>
>>42057182
Harems are complete shit.
Even an alone end is better than that.
>>
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>>42056934
Worth it.
>>
>>42057244
Once again we're talking persona... though I guess "Harem" isn't the right word...

You just end up with the opportunity of banging everyone. Even if you end up with a waifu.
>>
>>42057232
>Apply buffs while the black knight is distracted
>>
>>42057232
>Skirt around for a backstab
>>
>>42057232
>Interfere
>>
>>42057232
Interfere with ranged attacks - no need to risk getting close.
>>
>>42057232
>Walk of Peace
AHHHHH

>Apply Buffs
>>
>>42057232
This is usually the time you either start striking like your life depended on it, or defend like your life depends on it.

Either way, your life depends on it.
>>
>>42057232
>Interfere
At range, though. I don't want to risk this being the sort of thing where touching it will harm us. Everyone blast away.
>>
>>42057232
>>Apply buffs while the black knight is distracted
>>
>>42057196
I also enjoy low price consumer goods and mapo tofu. Dosen't stop China from being a stinking shithole.
>>
>>42057232
>>Apply buffs while the black knight is distracted
>>
>>42057232
>Interfere
Staying at range
>>
>>42057232
>Interfere

Keep casting Zio.
>>
>>42057297
What does Walk of peace do?
>>
>>42057232
>Apply buffs while the black knight is distracted
>>
First time making a live thread! Yes!
>>
>>42057465
Slows down everyone, including the caster, in range. Good for countering fast attackers if you have a high Def and are normally slow anyway.
>>
>>42057465
Tranquil walk of peace makes everyone walk SUPER SLOWLY and become unable to dodge.

So ranged attacks or just buffing defense/attack are the acceptable methods.
>>
>>42056788
Hollywood is a tourist trap from hell.
>>
>>42057507
So basically it reduces our ability to dodge at the cost of his ability to dodge...

Unfortunately he's the one covered in armor. We need to gain distance...


Then again, Aether team doesn't know that yet. So that's metagamin.
>>

Can anyone recommend the best Persona game? Or, at the least, the best one to start with? And is PS3P better than 3 other than being able to play as the little girl? Thanks.
>>
>>42057538
Running is THE worst move in this case. We need our buffs up when it his then work on blocking/ keeping him away from Celeste till it ends.

>>42057572
I like P3 alot, but I am biased since it was the first I played. If you play it, try for the PSP remake which adds the combat system of P4 and other good shit.
>>
>>42057572
couldn't stand P3P when all interaction became literal dating sim segments. I've heard a lot of good things about the female story, though, with proper character development for the male party members.
>>
>>42057538
To be fair, a good strategy for 'Imma chargin my special' is to move away from the target, spread out, and hammer the bastard with whatever you can. Considering he hits like a truck already, blocking is a bad option. Besides, we made him weak to zio for a bit. We need to hammer that weakness.
>>
>>42057572
There's a Persona General on /vg/ you can check out, if you can deal with them.
>>42057615
Agreed, the visual novel crap turned me off.
>>
>>42057572
Best to start with is probably P4 since it allows full control of the party.
>>
>>42057232
>>Interfere
>>
Do magic stones fall under weapon crafting/blacksmithing?
>>
>>42057637
Eh, we spread out there's a chance he could hammer celeste. We need to be able to protect her and have Aki handle the CQC.

Plus Aki is the one with the best ability to tank.
>>
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>>Interfere

“Everyone, attack!”

“What?” Akikazu cries.

“I don’t know what that knight is doing, but it can’t be any good! Don’t get close to him, though!”

Akikazu stares at you, as if struggling to comprehend the words coming out of his mouth, then nods. Ubelluris bellows and causes the earth beneath the knight to rise up. Celeste rushes forward, a fireball in her hands. She hurls the flame at the knight and hits it in the pauldron. Yet the black beast continues to stand there, unmoving and in prayer. She growls and casts Rakukaja again, once on you and another on Akikazu.

“Zio!” You fire electricity, stunning the black knight. The ritual is prevented. But the damage is done. A holy white light covers his weapons, both the shield and the sword. It is the same kind of light in Hama spells, the bane of Ippon-Datara’s existence.

Shit.

Akikazu strikes with the war hammer. The black knight blocks with the shield. Then it shoves Akikazu backward, forcing him on his behind. Celeste casts Agi again and fire billows on the black knight’s chest. Its attention is drawn.

With a roar, it charges towards Celeste, sword outstretched.

>Let Celeste’s Ring of Displacement soak up the damage (opening for backstab)
>Leap in front of her and block with Ippon-Datara.
>Attack with Zio.
>Attempt to shove the knight out of the way.
>Custom option.
>>
>>42057764
>Let Celeste’s Ring of Displacement soak up the damage (opening for backstab)
>>
>>42057764
>>Attack with Zio.
>>
>>42057764
zio to stagger

If no stagger, Celeste can take the displacement
>>
>>42057764
>Attempt to shove the knight out of the way.
>>
>>42057764
>Attack with Zio.
>>
>>42057764
>Let Celeste’s Ring of Displacement soak up the damage (opening for backstab)
>>
>>42057764
Are you fucking serious, Celeste? You needed a specific write-in just to make sure you buffed your OWN defense? Heck, I was about to say to do just that before I noticed the buff option and deleted it.

>Pulinpa
Akikazu is better at interrupting with pure damage
>>
>>42057764
>Attempt to shove the knight out of the way.
>Custom option.
Chi cast a Zio when we tackle it, infuse the shove with lightning.
>>
>>42057816
Agreed.
>>
>>42057764
Can we freeze its feet midcharge and just trip him like a nerd?
>>
>>42057764
>Attack with Zio.

>Tell Aki to be ready to hit with tera to take his legs out from under the knight.
>>
>>42057764
Use the ring to soak up the damage for backstabbing.

We may as well use the item since there is no reason to hold onto it during a life or death boss fight.
>>
>>42057853
WE can sell it to the forge sisters and they can use it to make a better one which we can then buy.
>>
>>42057999
... I like this...
>>
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Celeste defends with her sword. The act is almost futile; the black knight is far stronger than her and is on the verge of trampling her to the ground. To her credit, Celeste grunts and does not relent. The cold iron ring on her finger is vibrating with the speed of hummingbird’s wings, absorbing damage. A small crack appears in it and Celeste’s eye widen with shock.

An opening is present. The black knight’s behind is present for you to assault. But what is the best way of doing so? Using Ippon-Datara is out—a solid blow with the hammer might send the black knight tumbling down on Celeste and crush her.

An idea hits you, in midst of a dusty otherworld where the heat fills the air and the sun does not ever set. Persona augmentation with Pixie. You’ve learned how to conjure fire without summoning Ippon-Datara, so this shouldn’t be too difficult. Right?

The only problem is that the spell wouldn’t last very long. You would have to summon lightning the very instant your knuckledusters collide with the black knight.

“Here goes…” You growl

Kicking off the ground, you charge forward. Your fists are aimed squarely on the knight’s back! Will you be able to pull this off?

>Roll 1d20
>Best out of three.
>>
>>42057999
..so you want to not use the ring, let the sisters upgrade it which will likely cost a yes load of money considering how rare it is, not use it when the enemy has a instant death imbued on it's sword, and even through all that, we don't know if they can do that in the first place.

Not only that, the other options are incredibly risky as well. IF we do not stop the attack, she will likely get struck down. If we try to melee it, we will most DEFINETLY get struck down.

The ring is a cheap magic item which we can likely find lying around for free. Its not worth the risk or money and EVEN then, the better rings could likely break as well.
>>
Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>42058126
>>
Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>42058126
>>
Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>42058126
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>42058126
>>
Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>42058126
>>
>>42058156
Alright, so we've got a fairly decent roll for this. Let's hope it's enough.
>>
>>42058156
Solid.
>>
>>42058156
At least we made it.
>>
I wonder why we didn't just hit the thing from the side with Ippon. Would have left less to chance.
>>
>>42058471
No time to flank it, I guess. Plus, this is cooler.
>>
>>42058471
That backstab though.
>>
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Rolled 18 (1d20)

“Zio!”

Sparks crackle through your fingers as the augmentation begins. It stings, like a dozen static electrical shock as well. That is none of your concern. A primordial beat pounds through your ears, urging you to end the life of the damned black knight. You are only too happy to oblige.

You step forward and punch the backside of the armor, where the spine should be. Part of the electricity fades as your fist courses through the air. It is enough, however. The sheer force of the sudden jolt of lightning causes the black knight to screech in agony.

It whips its head around, snarling like a rabid beast. It raises its sword

And thus giving time for Celeste to shove her bronze sword between the chinks in its damaged armor. She gives and give you a weary smile. The black knight freezes in place, unbelieving and uncomprehending. Then it totters. You leap out of the way.

The black knight crashes to the ground with a resounding thud. Its hands twitch. It grasps the earth and drags itself along the plain, towards the bonfire.

Akikazu is waiting for it. Ubelluris is standing behind him, fists ready. The look in the blonde boy’s eye could melt a steel bar, with the level of animosity behind it.

“Goodbye, you son of a bitch.” He hisses.

The stone fist comes crashing down. One hit, two hit, three hits. Akikazu crushes the helmet with the hammer. The armor breaks in half. A dying moan, longing for a home lost in the flow of time, echoes throughout the valley. Energy flees from the body. The black knight is defeated, well and truly.

The bonfire is relit. The healing aura returns. The inky haze fades.

A shadowy mist is flowing out of the black knight’s remains. The body is decomposing. Soon, there will be nothing left…

>Roll 1d20 for loot.
>Best out of three.
>>
Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>42058616
You better have something nice.
>>
Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>42058616
Someday we'll get a good loot roll..
>>
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>42058616
>>
>>42058632
It is not today.
>>
Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>42058616
Rolling for what we oughta got
>>
>>42058629
>>42058632
>>42058637
Well, at least we have those bonus bosses the Squatters want us to fight, those are supposed to have good loot.
>>
>>42058687
Better then grinding against regular enemies.
>>
>>42058687
Speaking of the Squatters, got a feeling we should know them. Even if they are twins, there are not many beings in SMT that use red and blue together. Would be even worse if we find out the pair are blonde.
>>
>>42058802
>Would be even worse if we find out the pair are blonde.
?
>>
>>42058821
In the Shin Megumi universe, there is exactly one business man with blond hair that can have both blue and red eyes and has been know for being both helpful and a dick.

If the twins are related to him, even if we are able to eventually smack them, I honestly don't think we should. Then again, one potential end boss is the crazy girl who uses the Demiurge, so the spawn of Lucifer is probably a bit easier.
>>
>>42058947
>Lucifer
>Louis Cyphre
I forgot how bad his alias was.
>>
>>42059067
He might as well have introduced himself as a man of wealth and taste, that's how blatant it is.
>>
>>42058629
>>42058632
>>42058637

We do fine on everything else. Why can we never get a decent roll for goodies? I'd be nice if bosses had set drops and then roll for random additions.
>>
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>Obtained 7500 Macca for each Player. No items were found.

“We won.” You speak.

“Yeah.” Celeste answers. She smiles at you, her cheeks covered in dirt and dust. This is a girl who is going to run straight into the showers when she gets back. “You were pretty good. I mean, did you see the way we took down the black knight? It was amazing, Takashi-kun!”

You nod at her. “Thanks.”

“I sure didn’t expect this when I arrived in Japan, I tell you.” She giggles. “C’mon, I’ll heal you.”

“Hey.” You turn to see Akikazu Osaragi glaring at you. He stomps forward, withdrawing his Persona at the same time. “Takashi, we need to talk.”

“About AETHER?”

“No, well, sorta. That’s important. But what’s more important is me knowing how the fucking hell can you summon multiple Personas!”

Your blood freezes. Ah, shit. Yeah, Akikazu would want answers about this power of yours. And coupled with the reputation of your white-haired predecessor. You had forgotten all of this during the exploration of the valley and the fight.

"That's supposed to be impossible."

"We know." Celeste says.

"And yet you did. Switching between a Magician, a Hermit and a Lovers." Akikazu growls.

"Uh-huh."

“You better not bullshit me, Takashi.” Akikazu continues. “I’ve put up with enough crap for the day.”

You sigh, looking down at your dirty trousers and shirt. “I hear you, man.”

How do you respond?

>Let’s get ourselves somewhere safe first.
>I have the Fool Arcana, Akikazu. That’s the gist of it.
>I’ll tell you if you promise not to freak out.
>Not now, Akikazu. Maybe later.
>In my defence, it was AETHER’s fault.
>Custom option.
>>
>>42059092
To be fair, he spent a few games as a chick and as both an old man and young boy, so he at least has variety.

But yeah, not sure it's right, but it is a possibility. Not many things I can see just taking the velvet room considering it's standard guardians.

>>42059105
To be fair, I consider only rolling bad with random encounters and loot to be much better than failing a critical roll.
>>
>>42059154
>>Let’s get ourselves somewhere safe first.

>>I’ll tell you if you promise not to freak out.
>>
>>42059154
>I have the Fool Arcana, Akikazu. That’s the gist of it.
>>
>>42059154
Just matter of fact. AFTER we get to the SAFEHOUSE.

Where he can relax a bit, get some food and internet, etc...

while processing we're the next "messiah"
>>
>>42059154
>>I have the Fool Arcana, Akikazu. That’s the gist of it.
>>
>>42059154
>I am the weakest fool.
>>
>>42059154
>I’ll tell you if you promise not to freak out.
>>
>>42059154
>I’ll tell you if you promise not to freak out.
>Let’s get ourselves somewhere safe first.
>We have a safe house we can get to in game. We'll talk there ok? It's a bit of a story.
>>
>>42059154
>I have the Fool Arcana, Akikazu. That’s the gist of it.
>In my defence, it was AETHER’s fault.
>>
>>42059154
>Let’s get ourselves somewhere safe first.
>I’ll tell you if you promise not to freak out.
>>
>>42059154
>I’ll tell you if you promise not to freak out.
>>
>>42059154
Tell him that AETHER made us a fool when we dropped in.
>>
>>42059154
>I have the Fool Arcana, Akikazu. That's the gist of it.
No need to delay or hide shit from him. He's not stupid and can likely put two and two together. We can explain it more in depth when we reach the safe house, but as is, there is no reason to delay it and I don't think he'd like being led around by the nose.
>>
>>42059154
>Can you put aside any preconceptions first.
>I am a fool.
>>
>>42059240
>I was born a hermit, but AETHER turned me into a fool.
>>
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>>42059154
>>
>>42059261
This sounds better then just telling him that we're a fool. It colors it in a way that's easier to consider without shock, and lets us avoid all the potential preconceptions that he may have for fools.
>>
>>42059154
>I have the Fool Arcana, Akikazu. That’s the gist of it.
>Problem?
>>
>>42059154
>Can you keep a secret?
>I am a fool.
>>
>>42059154
>I have the Fool Arcana, Akikazu. That’s the gist of it.
>Custom option.
"Look, I know you probably have a lot of questions, but I don't have a lot of answers. So can you at least save them until we're somewhere safe? Won't take long, then you can grill me for what little information I know."
>>
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“I have the Fool Arcana, Akikazu. That’s the gist of it.” You say. “That’s why I can switch between Personas. I wasn’t born with the power, though. AETHER tortured me to half-death and changed my Arcana from Hermit to Fool.”

“The Fool Arcana.” Akikazu repeats. “The Wild Card. The power Persona researchers have been creaming themselves for the past eighty years.”

“Yeah, that one.”

“The power found in stupid bedtime stories for little boys and girls.” Akikazu says, face like stone. “Held by the Last Word, the strongest Persona user in history.”

You groan. “Kaede Kurusu, the girl who ended World War III, blew up North Korea, forced the annexation of South Korea and the subject of a thousand conspiracy theories floating around the scummy pond of the Internet. Yeah, I have the exact same power as her.”

Akikazu pinches the bridge of his nose. “This is complete bullshit. There is no conceivable way this is fucking happening. Eriko has pranked me with Dormina. That must be what’s going on.”

“Oh, I used to think along those lines too.” Celeste replies. “But no, Akikazu Osaragi, this is reality. You’ll get used to it.”

Akikazu glares at her and gestures towards the scene. “I somehow survived a motherfucking chemical explosion and got myself kidnapped by a shitty black knight. Then I killed that black knight with two of my schoolmates. Listen girl, how can this be anything but a dream?”

Celeste shrugs. “Denial isn’t a river in Egypt, Osaragi.”

“I’m not a destructive messiah or a god or anything like that.” You speak up. “I’m just…” You take a deep breath and sigh. “Look, I know you probably have a lot of questions. We’ll be happy to answer them once we get somewhere safe. There’s a safehouse elsewhere. Let’s go there, okay?”

Akikazu glares at you, then his shoulders slump. “Fine.”

“Thank you. Celeste, …”

“On it, Takashi-kun.” Celeste pops open a Trafuri Canister and wait. The area shines brightly and you disappear.

Only the smoldering bonfire remains…
>>
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From an alcove high up, a knight clad in grey eyes the trio of stragglers.

He surveys the wounds on their bodies, the words uttered from their lips and the weapons gripped in their hands. The knight remains silent, refusing to comment, but he does give a small nod of approval towards the boy with blonde hair. That child has serviceable strength, and must be commended for assisting in defeating the black knight.

Then the grey knight departs, vanishing into the heat and dust of Pyre Ruin Valley.
>>
>>42059704
Spooky.
>>
>>42059777
Scary.
>>
>>42059792
Skeletons.
>>
>>42059704
So, a Denizen who hasn't gone crazy. That's interesting. I hope he's not the only one, it would be nice to have friendlies in here. Or at least neutrals.
>>
>>42059819
Say that again when it turns out he's the/a squatter that the twins want dead.
>>
>>42059819
By the looks of it, the elves seem more terrified/infected by the shadows than outright evil. So really, it's elves being elves. I'd be more concerned if we ran into fey and they acted REALLY nice. Or the 4 arch angels, Uriel, Gabriel, Raphael, and Michael.
>>
>>42059846
Nah, watch the contract go off when near our sister or mother.
>>
>>42059665
We should probably explain how there was a fool twenty years after the last word.
>>
>>42059886
They'll find out sooner or later about AETHER. I'm actually amazed we've managed to hide it for so long.

>>42059892
There literately was not. Last Word was the last. The last Fool to access the Velvet room was 60 years ago. So, the last time Last Word used the velvet room was 60 years ago. She dropped of the face of the planet 80 years ago. She is dead now. There has not been another wild card since.
>>
>>42059704
CHOSEN UNDEAD
>>
>>42059970
Well, Mom's in another country and Shizune has a job that keeps her busy. Combine that with minor injuries just being an expected thing given the curriculum we have and it makes sense that neither of them have realized we keep disappearing somewhere to fight stuff.
>>
>>42060014
That reminds me, where is our father?
>>
>>42060284
He died to shadows.
>>
>>42060284
It hasn't been said. He doesn't seem to be in the picture for whatever reason. I'm sure we'll find out eventually.
>>
>>42060284
He disapeared when we were young.
>>
>>42060284
Shounen protag syndrome. He will never be mentioned.
>>
>>42060284
Only mention of him I remember is from the first thread where it was said that he's overseas somewhere.
>>
>>42060284
It was hinted that he was part of the anti shadow group, but besides that nothing much was talked about him.
>>
>>42060284
He is a buisness man overseas it was mentioned.
>>
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The train back to the Forgotten City passes in silence. Akikazu Osaragi mostly avoids your gaze. Perhaps he is contemplating about the prospects of his future, now that AETHER had attached to his life like an inoperable cancerous tumor.

The doors slide open and you step into the ruined train station. Half-broken stairs take the team up to the surface. A labyrinth of dilapidated towers and run-down skyscrapers blanketed beneath a dark grey sky. For you and Celeste, it’s business as usual. Akikazu cranes his neck upwards to stare at the monolithic steel structures towering over him.

The safehouse awaits. It appears to have registered Akikazu’s presence, responding to his fingerprint. You lead the way inside.

Celeste opens the fridge. “We really should get more food in here.” She mutters. “Is everyone okay with instant ramen?”

Technology in the 22nd century has allowed for water to be boiled in the span of seconds. Celeste rips the caps off the cups and pours the steaming liquid inside. Two minutes later, there are three plastic bowls of hot ramen brewed for the team.

The three Players gather in the living room and slurp down the meal with gusto. Daisuke, the field medic in Shizuka’s squad, had once said there was nothing finer than water and fresh bread after a long, hard battle. This feeling of relief is not something the ordinary citizen will experience in their lives.

But you are not an ordinary child, and neither is Celeste nor Akikazu.

“Takashi.” Akikazu says, voice impassive.

“Yeah?”

“Tell me everything. Don’t leave anything out.”
>>
>>42060284
I believe OP said he was in America with our mother and thats how we knew about the treats Celeste had.
>>
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“Go for it, Takashi-kun.”

“Where to begin…” You mutter. “Okay Akikazu, this is what happened…”

You proceed to spill the proverbial beans. You tell him everything. About AETHER, the missions, the Wild Card and the Blackened Void. You tell him about the first tutorial mission and how you were sucked into the game. About rescuing Celeste and exploring the Forlorn Abyss. You explain the game mechanics of AETHER, Doors, Keys, the Safehouse, the Shadows and more, along with what happened during the buildup towards his own rescue.

The entire time, Akikazu listens without uttering a single word. He occasionally slaps his forehead with his palm or shakes his head, but to his credit he refuses to interrupt.

“..and that’s pretty much it. We’re Players in AETHER and our mission is to explore the Blackened Void. Or something like that. So…what do you think?”

“Fucking hell…” Akikazu growls. “And here I thought my life couldn’t get any worse.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought too.”

“This is real. It ain’t a nightmare at all.” A wry smirk grows on the blonde boy’s lips. “Shit, looks like I have to accept it after all. There’s no backing out of this, huh?”

“If you find one, mind sharing it with us?” Celeste says, brightly. “Welcome to the team, Akikazu Osaragi.”

“A team, you say?” Akikazu’s eyes narrow. “Yeah, this is a game about co-operation, right? So, Takashi, I guess that makes you the leader.”

“Pardon?”

“You are the leader of this team…right?”

>Damn straight I am.
>You challenging me?
>I suppose so. No-one else is volunteering.
>Not really. Things just sort of happened.
>I don’t care about stuff like that.
>Custom option.
>>
>>42060421
>Not really. Things just sort of happened.
>>
>>42060421
>I suppose so. No-one else is volunteering
but
>I don’t care about stuff like that.
still
>The Amala Computer of knowledge and absolute dread thinks so at least.
>>
>>42059810
Send shivers.
>>
>>42060284
>>42060329
>>42060339
>>42060341
>>42060394

...

sorry
>>
>>42060284
I don't think much had been said about him, but it was comfirmed that he did have a persona at least.
>>
>>42060421
>>I suppose so. No-one else is volunteering.
>>
>>42060421
>>42060480
>The Amala Computer of knowledge and absolute dread thinks so at least.
>>
>>42060480
>The Amala Computer of knowledge and absolute dread thinks so at least.
>>
>>42060421
>The Amala Computer of knowledge and absolute dread thinks so at least.
>>
>>42060518
Yeah I'll back this. >>42060421
>>
>>42060304
>>42060309
>>42060319
>>42060329
>>42060339
>>42060341
>>42060356
>>42060394
>>42060495

Jesus does anyone really know anything about him?
>>
>>42060480
This reminds me - think three people is enough to challenge the first region of the Abyss?
>>
>>42060589
No, and numbers are irrelevant cause it's a solo dungeon.
>>
>>42060601
Forgot about that, fuck.
>>
>>42060601
>>42060610
The dungeon itself isn't solo, it's just the data rooms that are. Our party can help us get to them. But I still don't think we're strong enough to handle them. I'd like to do some grinding with Celeste and Akikazu first. Maybe try using Mokoi and Inugami now that we have a tank to take some of the heat off so we don't need to have Dia at all times. Once we've gotten some experience working together, then we can try the dungeon.
>>
>>42060601
Is it? I thought only the computer room was blocked off to the other players.

i.e. the team fights through the Abyss region, then we get some time with mr computer at the pit stop between regions.
>>
>>42060601
It isn't a solo dungeon I don't think. Just the data rooms.
>>
>>42060284
>>42060684

Maybe our father is the Observer who was talking to us!
>>
>>42060697
Nah he defiantly is the knight that we had the brief PoV of.
>>
>>42060697
>>42060713
Don't be silly our father is obviously Igor
>>
>>42060489
I don't think anyone actively cares.
>>
>>42060784
Actually you are wrong. Twilight Thorn is our father.
>>
>>42060823
No, our father is the Last Word!
>>
>>42060895
WAT A TWEEST!
>>
>>42060895
Actually its Kazuya from HBQ.
>>
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“The Observer in the Forlorn Abyss seems to thinks so.” You respond. “Calls me Leader with a capital L.”

Akikazu snorts. “You seem like the leader type. Bossing us around and all that shit. Not that I’m complaining…would’ve died if it weren't for you.”

“You think?”

“Yeah.” Akikazu exhales and stares up at the ceiling. Who or what is he thinking about? The student council president, maybe? “Heh, I’ve got half a mind to challenge you to a fight. Then again, with the Wild Card’s powers, you’d probably be able to beat me. I’m kinda rusty, too.”

“So you’re joining, then?” Celeste smiles.

“I don’t have much a choice. Ahhh, this is utter horseshit, but from looks of it there’s no escaping it. It’s not like I had much stuff to do after school anyway.”

“So you’re in.”

“You bet I am.”

And thus, it is settled. You extend a hand and Akikazu takes it. A firm shake is exchanged from both parties. You can’t help but smile sincerely at him. The third Player, a Hanged Man with the strength of a titan, has joined the team. Seven remain. Who are they and how do they tie in with the mysteries locked within AETHER?

“Let’s get along.”

“You make it sound so fucking formal, but sure.”

Either way, it’s good to have another friendly face in the nightmarish otherworld of the Blackened Void.
>>
>>42060946
No, he'd be Last Word's dad. It's better for the timeline and Syoko being her mom fits Kaede's silver hair. Also her craziness. She turned on Mad Enhancement one day and forgot to turn it off.
>>
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RANK UP!
>The Void’s Chosen Social Link has reached Level 2.
>Slime’s stats have increased. Strength has increased to D-! Magic Potential has increased to E!
>>
>>42061009
>a Hanged Man with the strength of a titan,
But titan is a strength persona.
>>
>>42061009
So what excuse are we going to make up for him going missing for two days? I don't think we need to explain it to his parents, I'm pretty sure they're dead given how he reacted to those girls trying to guilt trip him about them, but Veleis-sensei sure noticed.
>>
>>42061093
Its easy to explain. He just needs to tell Veleis-sensei that he died.
>>
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>Player rescue mission completed! 11 Build EXP acquired. Transferring 10000 Macca to all Players bank accounts…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbtgRrLAvQg

[END OF EPISODE 3]
>>
>>42061093
I don't think thats an issue for him. If anyone asks they will likely get "Away", "None of your business", or glare of a man who stands up to a Judgement user daily and gives no fucks.
>>
>>42061093
Thugs from another school jumped him as a group cause they couldn't take him solo. he had to recover.
>>
>>42061093
He almost died in a back ally somewhere and only just made it back.
>>
>>42061125
>11 Build EXP
Oh yeah, time to pimp out our house. The best part in any game.
>>
>>42061125
>[END OF EPISODE 3]
This the end for tonight?
>>
>>42061157
Yea! Lets upgrade the building we never actually stay at for very long!

Edit: Why do I keep getting cabbage for my Captcha?
>>
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>>42061125
>[END OF EPISODE 3]
Aww
>>
>>42061192
Well that isn't the picture I meant to pick.
>>
>>42061125
>11 Build EXP acquired
Deep web, maybe there's info there that will be useful about AETHER or the fool.
>>
>>42061181
Maybe not, at the end of episode 2 he still continued for the night.
>>
>>42061125
>11 Build EXP acquired
Can we spend this on things that are not the house?
>>
>>42061041
So....our SL personas will always be the same?
>>
>>42061234
Well, one of the options is a garage, that implies we could buy vehicles, too.
>>
>>42061234
Yeah, we can spend it on other useless stuff! Like the train station so it actually looks a little better and the benches are comfier.
>>
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>>42061230
>>
>>42061247
We can swap out in the room I think.
>>
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Blackness. A far away light, seeping out the cracks from a door. The Velvet Room. You open it and…

You…



…it hurts…

…it hurts!

“Aaagh!”
>>
>>42061266
Oh, I am going to vote we spend all our points on comfy benches!
>>
>>42061247
I'm hoping they'll evolve when we get the rank high enough.
>>
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>>42061289
Damn.
>>
>>42061290
>Not having a sexy female voice announce when the train is arriving an departing on the intercom of the train.
>>
>>42061247
They should get replaced if we level the social links enough. In the mean time, they get better as level up the SLs.
>>
>>42061289
Damn it, squatters, we will be having words with you. Angry ones.
>>
>>42061321
>Not having headphones.
>>
>>42061289
Plus side, we are saying something in the velvet room. Down side, we are screaming bloody murder as we experience horrible pain in the Velvet room.
>>
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You’ve collapsed on the ground, coughing up spittle and blood. Your heart is screaming. Your chest is pounding, heavy pain resonating through it. A lurching feeling spurts its way from your lungs to your throat and more redness is forced outwards. This agony is nothing like you’ve ever felt before. It is so strong that even standing up is a monumental task.

How did you even get here? You don’t remember anything.

“Get up, kid.”

You climb to your feet, shaky and unbalanced. Your chest is still heaving. The boy is standing up, pointing his cobalt-colored right hand towards you. He snaps his fingers and the aura vanishes.

“Oh my, nii-san.” The girl giggles. “The Weakest One looks half-dead. For a moment, I thought you had ended his existence.”

“We don’t have a lot of time, so I’ll keep this brief.” The boy states. “We have been keeping an eye on your growth, kid. You have now reached the level where you are capable of receiving our gift.”

“Be grateful, Weakest One! We don’t give those out all the time.”

“I injected a shard of power into your body. Does it sound familiar? You now have the power to store an additional Persona inside your soul. Unfortunately, you were not a child innately born with the disposition necessary for the Wild Card. Therefore…”

“Which is why you crumpled to the ground beneath us, spitting crimson like a dead fish.” The girl smirks. “Ooh, does it hurt? Weakest One, you screamed and thrashed a lot. Come on, give us an explanation. Nii-san and I haven’t felt pain that great for ages. Hardly anybody can provide a decent enough challenge for us.”

“I would apologize to you, but this gift far outweighs any repentance my dear little sister and I could give.” The boy says. “Furthermore, the Velvet Room is located deep inside the sea of unconsciousness and beyond your physical world. Now, begone! My dear little sister and I have important matters to discuss...”

Pain still throbbing in your chest, you fall back into unconsciousness…
>>
>>42061538
Worth it!
>>
>>42061566
>Come on, give us an explanation.
Okay, she knows we're mute in the Velvet Room. That's something she's commented on before. She's not even taunting us with how we can't talk, she's just forgetting something basic she should know. I'm embarrassed for you, girl.
>>
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>>ACCESS AETHER WALKTHROUGH, ENEMY INFORMATION SECTION

[Black Knight]
SECTOR: Pyre Ruin Valley
STATS: [Redacted]
AFFINITIES: Nulls instant death, weak to nuclear and psychic.
ENEMY LOG: [Redacted]
DROPS:
-Silver Key: Opens silver locked door once or iron locked door three times before breaking (14-16)
-Charred Dagger: Pitch black dagger that does minor fire damage along with physical. (17-18)
-Charred Blade: Pitch black sword that does fire damage along with physical. Quite heavy, requires D+ ranked strength for two-handed and C-ranked strength for one-handed (19)
-Charred Blade and Silver Key together (20)
>>
>>42061681
The drop tables sadden me greatly.
>>
>>42061681
please give us some free loot sometime. we will never roll well enough for anything good
>>
>>42061681
Wait, can we actually fight this thing again? Multiple times? Otherwise that information is useless.
>>
>>42061681
Weak to Nuclear and Psychic. Great. Well, good thing we hit him with Elec Break, then, or we'd never have gotten an elemental advantage. And we're probably not going to get any Personas with advanced elements for a long time, too. Looks like you're going to be a mainstay for a while, Pixie.
>>
>>42061736
Do not underestimate the pixie, ever.
>>
>>42061726
We really have had unbelievably bad luck on every loot roll I can remember.
>>
>>42061709
The only thing of interest to me was the silver key and dagger. The blade is nice, but we have no heavy sword users. He certainly felt like a tougher boss though. Least we got a lot of makka.
>>
>>42061742
Anyone whose played Nocturne knows that Pixie stronk.
>>
>>42061742
Yeah how many traditions do we still have today that basically started as "Do this or the fae will fuck you up."? Cause I know it's at least a few.
>>
>>42061764
Celeste could probably use the blade after grinding.

>>42061765
Yup

>>42061770
So many, most we don't even realize are related.
>>
>>42061566
>Unfortunately, you were not a child innately born with the disposition necessary for the Wild Card. Therefore…”
Neither was Minato, and he fought and defeated an Elder God. So you're going to have to come up with another explanation for us being the "Weakest One", squatters. Are you sure it's not just that you're a lot worse at administering the Velvet Room than Igor was?
>>
>>42061762
Again, I would rather have bad loot rolls than bad rolls elsewhere. We do get non rolled items though, so we do get something, and in the end, loot does get replaced easily.

Now good stat rolls and combat rolls? I want those. That mapo tofu got us a whole lot of social experience. Probably more due to increased stats.
>>
>>42061902
Don't worry all of our 20s have been saved for the Mapo Tofu.
>>
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>>ACCESS NOCTURNE CITY BBS

Waiting for site to load…
Successfully logged in! Welcome back, user!

>entire team got slain in bad run, wat do
>Looking for new decker, PM me with your experience and skills
>[Locked thread] Which corporate whore would you fuck?
>Bragging rights thread, show off all your crazy loot here!
>Honor among mercs? Please answer.
>Client wants me to raid one of Kirijo labs, any advice?
>Firearms V7 (Energy weapons vs kinetic weapons, the ultimate showdown!)
>best drones stores in akumachi city? pls help!!!

New Thread?
>>
>>42061958
sure
>>
>>42061958
>New Thread?
Easiest Shadows to grind for Mecca?
>>
>>42061958
On page 6 still have an hour+ of life in it.
>>
>>42061926
Socially, we are honestly a bit horrifying. Not even a month in and we got several social links and everything up to rank 2. If this goes a whole year, we may just make out our social stats.
>>
>>42061958
Do you plan on running long? If not, stick with this one.
>>
>>42062004
the bump limit has been reached
>>
>>42062016
this is a slow board. especially this late
>>
>>42062004
>>42062010
>>42062016
It was part of the story.
>>
>>42061990
>>42062004
>>42062010
>>42062016
Guys, that was in character. Whoever's PoV we're using right now is starting a new thread on the Nocturne City BBS.
>>
>>42062033
I was really worried for a moment when I posted the Macca thread suggestion that I was being dumb
>>
>>42062050
Well, it kind of was. We're the only ones who can grind for Macca, it's a feature of AETHER. Everyone else just has to grind for drops and hope they can sell them.
>>
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy_ucmaaCcM

[EPISODE 4: DAYLIGHT]
>>
>>42062042
If that's the case, how good is our anonymizer? I want to know if anyone has heard about the velvet room, but I don't want to be tracked.
>>
>>42062033
>>42062033
Then, in that case,
>new thread
>I can't into grinding, please assist.
>>
>>42062092
Huh I though our sisters group mention macca drops before, my bad then
>>
>>42062124
Well, I'm sure that sometimes the object a Shadow was containing happens to be money. It's just not a given that you'll get money for killing Shadows like it is for us.
>>
>>42062092
Not even, no one gets anything from shadows in the real world. Shadows don't drop loot in the real world.
>>
>>42062160
I could have sworn it was mentioned they sometimes contain items. Maybe I'm misremembering.
>>
>>42062160
except for golden ones, I remember that.
>>
>>42062183
Golden ones carry Macca and that is about it if I remember.
>>
Weird, archiving took a lot longer this time. Oh well, end of thread today! Thanks to everyone who participated. It was short and I admit the boss fight the Black Knight could've gone better, but I still had fun.

Oh, and the person accessing the Nocturne City BBS isn't Takashi.

Archived Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/42054279/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwilightThorn

Timeskip is next week. Next thread is Sunday, 10:30 pm UTC! This might actually be the correct date for once! See you there!
>>
>>42062253
Thanks for running, Thorn. See you next week.
>>
>>42062253
Did the ring break?
>>
>>42062253
It's probably Shizune.
>>
>>42062314
>TFW I can actually see this happening.



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