>>5602287
>Have us carefully decide our character step-by-step
Let's fuckin' do this shit, Mystery Dungeon Style.

>>5602287
>>Have us carefully decide our character step-by-step

>>5602316
>>5602357
Ah, good choice. The last ones thought it ideal to pick the random-ass Personality Quiz, and basically let Jesus take the wheel.

But very well then. We shall go forth to a more formulaic approach to designing your entity.

...Aaaas soon as I actually figure out how to go about with things like Stats and Stat Growths. My apologies; I did not think this through.

This could take me a good bit, or a good while, who knows.

To pass the time, may I recommend watching some Shrek? Or some other entertainment, whatever floats your wonderful hearts as I figure out our sweet recipe of Character Creation...

>>5602416
My apologies for the day-long delay. Especially as I am now starting to feel a little silly for ACTUALLY working out some stat stuff when its relevance isn't even completely guaranteed.

But oh well. Too late now.

On to business then. Which you like to begin with for your creation?

>World of origin (Some worlds will lock you out of certain Jobs, due to their lack of presence in said worlds; this is possibly even the case regarding the Etc. Job, the one that lets you decide your own stats/abilities.)
>Job/Class (Vice versa)

>>5603499
>>Job/Class (Vice versa)

>>5603499
>Job/Class (Vice versa)

>>5603499
>>Job/Class

>>5603542
>>5603567
>>5603569
Ah, very well. Job Time it is.

Feel free to garner your frankly vast selection, and make your choice. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with some jobs, I shall inform you to go look it up, dummy.

...Also for clarification: I must spoil you that this is not Mickey's universe, so the worlds of VII, VIII, and X are not available.

>Warrior/Fighter

>Knight/Paladin
(Forbidden by I(huh?) and Crystal Chronicles
>Thief

>Ninja
(Forbidden by I, XIII, and Crystal Chronicles )
>Monk/Black Belt

>Red Mage
(Forbidden by XIII, XV, and Crystal Chronicles)
>White Mage
(Forbidden by XV)
>Black Mage
(Forbidden by XB)
>Hunter/Archer/Ranger

>Bard
(Forbidden by II, IX, XIII, XV, & Crystal Chronicles)
>Blue Mage
(Forbidden by I, II, III, IV, XIII, XV, and Crystal Chronicles)
>Chemist
(Forbidden by I, II, III, IV, IX, XI, XII, and Crystal Chronicles) (C'mon. Be that guy.)
>Dancer
(Forbidden by I, II, III, IV, IX, XIII, XV, and Crystal Chronicles)
>Dark Knight
(Forbidden by I, II, IV, V, IX, XII, XIII, XV, and Crystal Chronicles)
>Dragoon
(Forbidden by I, XIII, and Crystal Chronicles)
>Geomancer
(Forbidden by I, II, IV, IX, XI, XIII, XIV, XV, and Crystal Chronicles)
>Magic/Mystic/Rune Knight/Fencer
(Forbidden by I, II, III, IV, IX, XI, XIII, XIV, and XV) (Also, the fags over at Akun ended up with this)
>Samurai
(Forbidden by I, II, III, IV, XI, XIII, and Crystal Chronicles)
>Summoner
(Forbidden by I, II, VI, IX, XIII, XV, and Crystal Chronicles)

>Etc. (Take your design in your own hands)
(Forbidden by I, III, IX, XI, XII, XIV, and Crystal Chronicles

There are plenty more occupations to consider, if you wish. If none of these immediate ones please you, you can find more particular ones at this wonderful informative site: https://www.ffcompendium.com/h/jobs.shtml

Do not be afraid of being a little bold, if it so compels you.

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>>5603734
>Black Mage

>>5603734
>>Black Mage

Or

>Summoner

>>5603739
Black Mage a Cute

>>5603734
Ah, yes, I forgot to mention:

>>5603741
Voting for two things is absolutely valid and acceptable, if you so wish. No double-voting for something though.

And indeed,
>>5603739
Black Mage a Cute

>>5603734
>Black Mage

>>5603734
>Black Mage
No sense of right or wrong

>>5603739
>>5603741
>>5603760
>>5603763
Ah, splendid. A Black Mage is indeed something that one can only so rarely go wrong with these days.

Fortunate for you, the Black Mage most indeed has a vast variety of realms to come from, being only nonexistent in the world of Eos, where magic is pretty much either a Monster thing or a royalty thing.

With that said, let us now choose your World of Origin. And while at it, let us also decide your Race. Perhaps even Gender too, if perhaps rhetorically...

>World A (Final Fantasy I)
(In this world, Black Mages are nigh-exclusively Human. Elves are nigh-entirely peaceful, and never humor combat, though the black magic merchant in Elfheim had to happen somehow, right...? Especially as plenty of their dirty Dark Elf kin are famous for dabbling in such arts. Dwarves don't do magic though, sorry. <:/)
>Duoni (Final Fantasy II)
(Only humans here. Sorry.)
>Tresan (Final Fantasy III)
(Humans. There's dwarves too, and oddly available...?)
>Earth (Final Fantasy IV)
(Humans, Lunarians, and even Dwarves! My goodness.)
>Planet R (Final Fantasy V)
(Humans.)
>Rock (Final Fantasy VI)
(Humans... and Moogles!)
>Gaia (Final Fantasy IX)
(Black Mages (wait, what?))
>Vana'diel (Final Fantasy XII)
(Humes, Elvaan, Galkas, Mithra, and Tarutaru)
>Ivalice (Final Fantasy XII)
(Of the vast variety, your only four options are Humes, Viera (strangely enough), Moogles, and Nu Mou.)
>Cocoon (Final Fantasy XIII)
(Humans)
>Hydaelyn (Final Fantasy XIV)
(The whole smorgasbord; Hyurs, Miqo'te, Lalafell, Elezen, Roegadyn, Au Ra, and Hrothgar)
>Kessho (Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles)
(Clavats, Selkies, Lilties, and Yukes)

Go nuts, my fellows.

>>5603851
>>Rock (Final Fantasy VI)

I hear FFVI is one of the best FF game even when considering FFVII and FFVIII

>>5603851
>>Gaia (Final Fantasy IX)

Or

>Rock (Final Fantasy VI)

>>5603851
>Gaia (Final Fantasy IX)
The classic choice.

>>5603862
>>5603861
>>5603851

Ohh Changing my vote to FFXI, Obama and Joe Biden are telling me it's a good one too with an iconic Black Mage.

>>5603851
>>Ivalice (Final Fantasy XII)
>Nu Mou
love me some nu mou

>>5603851
>World A (Final Fantasy I)

>>5603873
I can accept this too
>Gaia (Final Fantasy IX)
So we can be a Black Mage Black Mage.

>>5603862
>>5603863
>>5603876
o-Oh! If your concern is specifically on being an iconically race-ambiguous Black Mage, such a thing is in fact possible in:

>World A (Final Fantasy I)
>Tresan (Final Fantasy III)
>Planet R (Final Fantasy V)

Just in case that's your specific concern.

>>5603887
Then I'm sticking with world A.
Can't get more classic then that

>>5603887
I'm still fine with Gaia, mostly because it comes with a pre-packaged existential crisis and cool backstory.

>>5603887
>>5603851
>Gaia (Final Fantasy IX)
Good tech level, interesting and actually detailed approach to black mages, and a LOT of shenanigans. Also I don't know shit about the others outside of FF1, which has a duller world in comparison last I checked.

>>5603887
World A

>>5603862
>>5603898
>>5603864
>>5603871
>>5603894
>>5603901
>>5603946
>Gaia: 4 votes
>Rock: 1 votes
>Ivalice:1 votes
>World A: 2 votes

Very well then. You are a Black Mage from the planet Gaia. (Akunfags ended up picking Planet R)

Normally, we would transition to the part where we name your character and/or consider an initial personality...

However, due to the nature of Gaia's Black Mages, this will not be the case.

You are Black Mage Type B No. 277. You are from a humble village of fellow self-aware Black Mages (and Genomes and Moogles (and Bobby Corwen)) known as the Black Mage Village.

You had lived tranquilly, if perhaps in a rather confused manner, in this village a good while, with rarely much worry outside of the while-back times of terror when Kuja was yet alive and a force to be reckoned with.

One day, however, the Naked Ones arrived. Much to the hubris of... well, really pretty much the entirety of your kind as well as the Genomes, you had attempted to commune with what you so determined to be some rather confused kin of yours.

However, any such attempts would result in them aggressing the fellow villagers, consequently sending most everyone into a shock. Most, including you, were initially hesitant to strike back at these familiar beings.

It was only after a couple people were actually on the verge of Stopping that you reluctantly took up your magics and proceeded to repel these Naked Ones, and realized their true nature, as their whole beings completely vanished upon Stopping.

After the attack of the Naked Ones, some alien, blocky-looking ship of great mass came to your humble village, and some of the exotic folk on board insisted your lot came with them to safety - to one of few planets free of the presence of the Naked Ones.

As such, when the time to choose came, you decided to go to...

>Someplace highly unfamiliar - almost scary, even - yet undeniably beautiful. (Insomnia, of Eos) (Akunfags went here)
>Someplace bubbly and fuzzy; almost familiar, yet definitely not if you actually paid attention. (Mewni, of Mewni)
>Someplace only somewhat unfamiliar (Alfitaria, of Kessho)
>Actually, you didn't go anywhere. Bobby Corwen is too adorable to abandon.

>>5604901
>Actually, you didn't go anywhere. Bobby Corwen is too adorable to abandon.
Any that would abandon the baby chocobo are already Heartless

>>5604901
>>Someplace weird and somewhat grotesque, but full of magic. (Boiling Isles, Demon Realm)

>>5604915
For one reason or another (not to mention that I don't even know what the hell you're referring to), this is not a location that you are either aware of or informed of as an option.

>>5604910
Ah, of course. You didn't go anywhere. Dangerous now as your realm may be, you consequently felt nothing short of a wish to protect what lies in your village. Especially poor little Bobby Corwen; goodness knows that little goober wouldn't be going anywhere without being in unnecessary danger.

As such, while a good few of the Genomes and even a Moogle went with onto the Gummi Ship, you found yourself and most everyone else declining to leave. On the contrary, you all so vowed to remain to defeat any encroaching, menacing Naked Ones that would arrive in your village. The folks on the ship would insist yet again, but you remain steadfast in your decision.

With little much else to say on the matter, the ship leaves you to resume your otherwise typical dilly-dallying about...

.....

I am sad to say this, but due to the seclusive nature of the village and the apparent mindset behind your stay, it is currently impossible to proceed with No. 277 in terms of adventure.

As such, we must unfortunately turn our eyes elsewhere, and look to another Black Mage...

>World A (FFI)
(Human, Elf, Dark Elf)
>Duoni (FFII)
(Human)
>Tresan (FFIII)
(Human, Dwarf)
>Earth (FFIV)
(Human, Lunarian, Dwarf)
>Planet R (FFV)
(Human)
>Rock (FFVI)
(Human, Moogle)
>Gaia (FFIX)
(Genome) (Wait a minute, that wasn't there before...)
>Vana'diel (FFXI)
(Hume, Elvaan, Galka, Mithra, Tarutaru
>Ivalice (FFXII)
(Hume, Viera, Moogle, Nu Mou)
>Cocoon (FFXIII)
(Human)
>Hydaelyn (FFXIV)
(Hyur, Miqo'te, Lalafell, Elezen, Roegadyn, Au Ra, Hrothgar)
>Kessho (FFCC)
(Clavat, Selkie, Lilty, Yuke)

>>5605156
...Goddammit, I forgot to turn off italicization

>>5605156
>World A (FFI)
Ok then, give me another black mage black mage.
Got to be mindful of trap options from now on

>>5605156
SvtFoE is a setting choice but not Owl House? Shit quest (jk/s)
>Ivalice (Nu Mou)
come on guys, we can still beat the chargen

>>5605156
>World A (FFI)

>>5605156
>Gaia (FFIX)
>No. 277
I refuse!
Damn it, why was I late...

>>5605156
>>5605178
y'know what, i'm gonna throw out there the dark horse choice since i'm not gonna win anyways
>Luxendarc (Bravely Default)

>>5605178
Unfortunately, I haven't watched any of Owl House.

And even more unfortunately, I watched the entirety of SvtFoE. u_u

Hence why that's an option, but not Owl House.

>>5605156
What the fuck kind of QM offers an option in Chargen that can't be used? Why even include it? Utterly pointless to do so any just ties it up to take longer. I can understand suboptimal or even trap choices when the story has actually started, but doing it here is just going to make people wonder if you have a few extra chromosomes.
It would have been infinitely more worthwhile to just not include that as an option, and extend voting time so more than two people voted.
Besides that, in KH specifically it's 100% possible to get transported somewhere else against your desire when Darkness gets involved. It's how a shitload of people ended up in Traverse Town to begin with.

>>5605208
if you didn't drop it after season 3 or something, it's on you
>>5605230
I know Hec from the old days of Star vs Quest, he's a smoothbrain and a bitch

>>5605230
>>5605237
Can confirm, I am a smoothbrain and a bitch. The trap was an accident though, because I just prefer going things immersively and on-the-fly, and struggle with planning in general.

>>5605156
>>5605192
Supporting. I don't want it to end this way bros.

>>5605156
>World A (FFI)

>>5605174
>>5605178
>>5605181
>>5605192
>>5605200
>>5605248
>>5605270
>World A: 3 votes
>"bruh": 2 votes
>Ivalice: 1 vote
>Some other shit that's not listed and doesn't exist here sadly: 1 vote

Apologies for the unintentional derail. I was completely oblivious to the precise circumstances of the Black Mages of Gaia until I had already started writing things out.

Very well, you are a Black Mage from the world of World A. But where did you learn your Black Arts...?

>Cornelia, the classic and quaint kingdom (Start at Level 5 instead of 1)
>Pravoka, the city of pirates (Increased Attack, but reduced Wisdom (Magic Defense))
>Elfheim, home of the peaceful Elves (Nothing) (Alternatively, increased Agility (Speed & Evasion), but you're an Elf and also have reduced Attack)
>Western Keep, dull home of the Dark Elves (Increased Health and Defense, but you're a Dark Elf and an asshole, also reduced Mana)
>Melmond, the weathered town of strong hearts... if perhaps only metaphorically (Increased Wisdom (Magic Defense), but reduced Health)

Just in case you're curious about your stats, I shall share with you your current ones.

Let it be noted that Increases and Reductions are entirely by one 'stage'. As such, I feel it important to tell you that the stages are - from lowest to highest - Trash, Low, Below Average, Average, Above Average, High, and King.

(70) LOW HP
(30) HIGH MP
(9) LOW STRENGTH
(4) TRASH STAMINA
(30) KING INTELLIGENCE
(21) AA WISDOM
(17) AVG AGILITY

...Also, names would be appreciated.

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>>5605361
>>Western Keep, dull home of the Dark Elves (Increased Health and Defense, but you're a Dark Elf and an asshole, also reduced Mana)
It's what He would have wanted

>>5605361
>Cornelia, the classic and quaint kingdom (Start at Level 5 instead of 1)
Basic but no thinking required

>>5605361
>Cornelia, the classic and quaint kingdom (Start at Level 5 instead of 1)

>>5605361
>>Cornelia, the classic and quaint kingdom (Start at Level 5 instead of 1)

>>5605361
>>Cornelia, the classic and quaint kingdom (Start at Level 5 instead of 1)

>>5605361
>Melmond, the weathered town of strong hearts... if perhaps only metaphorically (Increased Wisdom (Magic Defense), but reduced Health)
Glass cannon lets fucking gooooo
>Name: Validus

>>5605371
>>5605375
>>5605429
>>5605435
>>5605445
>Western Keep: 1 vote
>Cornelia: 4 votes
>Melmond: 1 vote

Ah, yes, of course. Throughout your life, you learned your arts from the healthy kingdom of Cornelia, where the unchallenging Goblins that so infested its forests served as prime material for practice. And whenever you would tire or bore, you always had a humbled people to return to... Not to mention the cute and entertaining Dancer that frequented the fountain, of course.

Yet not even your well-booned prowess could fight against what would soon come. Where one moment you were but gazing upon the local fountain for the umpteenth time, slowly readying yourself for more self-training, it was in but the next that the world seemed to be consumed in a vast, overpowering Darkness, as the skies suddenly went an ominous pitch-black.

As you attempted to ponder what exactly was transpiring, the shrieks of the locals aimed your gaze to the Cornelian Castle, which revealed it to be swiftly engulfed by what seemed to be a massive swarm of dark things.

You couldn't help but make comedic note that most of them somewhat resembled your shaded figure, but knew better than to think of it as more than a jest at best, as you cooperated with the local guards to fend off all the ones fast approaching the Cornelian Groundlands.

>Someplace highly unfamiliar - almost scary, even - yet undeniably beautiful. (Insomnia, of Eos) (Akunfags went here)
>Someplace bubbly and fuzzy; almost familiar, yet definitely not if you actually paid attention. (Mewni, of Mewni)
>Someplace only somewhat unfamiliar (Alfitaria, of Kessho)

This terrifying defense lasted for what felt like a dreaded three days. You couldn't say for certain how long exactly it had been, as the eternal dusk refused to give answer. That, and the occasion of a couple of the citizens suddenly turning into one of those Dark Things would keep you far too busy to thoroughly think.

It was a godsend, then, that a foreign, highly unorthodox ship of blocky make arrived, insisting it had come to rescue any survivors and whisk them away to interplanetary pastures of a safer variety.

It was only for the most fleeting of moments that you were hesitant before truly fathoming the situation. It was immediately after that you and the rest of the citizenry and - reluctantly (until hearing that the other towns and cities joined as well) - the Guard swiftly took ride on this 'Gummi Ship'.

Upon hearing the selection of protected worlds permitting refugees, you decided the one to most take your fancy would be...

>Someplace highly unfamiliar - almost scary, even - yet undeniably beautiful. (Insomnia, of Eos) (Akunfags went here)
>Someplace bubbly and fuzzy; very familiar, yet rather unorthodox if you actually paid attention. (Mewni, of Mewni)
>Someplace only slightly less unfamiliar than the first one (Alfitaria, of Kessho)

>>5605517
goddammit, I thought I copypasted the other thing at the middle there.

ahem

LEVEL UP! 1 -> 5
HP: 70 -> 100
MP: 30 -> 36
Strength: 9 -> 11
Stamina: 4 -> 5
Intelligence: 30 -> 35
Wisdom: 21 -> 25
Agility: 17 -> 21

Also, I'm tired, so see you at approx. 4PM CST

>>5605517
>Someplace only slightly less unfamiliar than the first one (Alfitaria, of Kessho)

>>5605517
>Someplace only slightly less unfamiliar than the first one (Alfitaria, of Kessho)

>>5605517
>Someplace only slightly less unfamiliar than the first one (Alfitaria, of Kessho)

>>5605527
>>5605539
>>5605864
You went for Alfitaria, the one of the several cities protected by massive crystals that create powerful barriers around their domains - barriers that fortunately permit most any being not of evil, monstrous nature.

After it made a brief stop at that Eos world - to drop off those who sought solace there - it was not long before you reached Kessho, and were formerly dropped off along with the many others from your world as well as from another one.

...But this all still leaves that question from earlier.
"How do I know about Oswald's little story?"

Well, we'll get there in a hot minute. But before that, one more question...

Across the three days you had before your coincidental meeting with Oswald, what exactly did you do?

You have three Day Points to distribute among the following options

>A) Commune with the locals (Acquire 1 (one) additional Party Member)
>B) Study about this Darkness menace that's going on and about (Acquire neat lore nuggets; spend two to learn a basic Black Mage Spell)
>C) Entertain the local children with your magics
>D) Help out the locals with some menial work stuff that a Black Mage can apparently do (Gain 1200 gil and some EXP) (Spend two Day Points here to Level Up)
>E) Troll one of the local elder Lilties over how cool Magic is

Don't be afraid of offering additional options to try.

>>5605237
I only read this thread to confirm this. He came across like a bitch after the first three posts.

>>5606325
>A) Commune with the locals (Acquire 1 (one) additional Party Member)
>B) Study about this Darkness menace that's going on and about (Acquire neat lore nuggets; spend two to learn a basic Black Mage Spell)
B twice

>>5606325
Commune with the locals (Acquire 1 (one) additional Party Member)
Study about this Darkness menace that's going on and about (Acquire neat lore nuggets; spend two to learn a basic Black Mage Spell)
Study about this Darkness menace that's going on and about (Acquire neat lore nuggets; spend two to learn a basic Black Mage Spell)

>>5606325
>A) Commune with the locals (Acquire 1 (one) additional Party Member)
>B) Study about this Darkness menace that's going on and about (Acquire neat lore nuggets; spend two to learn a basic Black Mage Spell)
>D) Help out the locals with some menial work stuff that a Black Mage can apparently do (Gain 1200 gil and some EXP) (Spend two Day Points here to Level Up)

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oop, forgot an image of the place

>>5606349
>>5606411
>>5606418
>Communing with local one day, and studying the other two: 2 votes
>Communing one day, studying the other, and helping out on another one: 1 vote

Ah, yes. Across the three days, you spent plenty of time learning what little you could of the threat that apparently has not happened to anything near such a degree as this for centuries anywhere. Indeed, its presence has been so scarce that most folks thought it to be like a myth up until now.

Fortunately, your scouring brings to you knowledge of how there used to be a man from long ago - about 200 years in the past - that also sought knowledge on this infestation, and largely learned much about the 'Heart', which is apparently the magical manifestation of one's memories and is also considered an Element in and of itself, though is almost always confused for actual Holy magic when seen in action.

What little you learn otherwise of this menace largely comes in the form of knowledge that you mostly already know about - that these things are mostly pitch-black beings with typically yellow eyes (you'd get some darted gazes before assuring them that you are in fact not one of those cretins), frantically attack people, and consume their hearts to make more of themselves.

However, your pursuit of knowledge rewards with an understanding that apparently the vast majority of these creatures are significantly vulnerable to Status Ailments, and find within a particular text a free teaching of the spell Sleep to any able-bodied Black Mage. This boosts your total known spells to three. (Fire, Thunder, Sleep)

Of course, all bookery and no socialization makes a fellow bland. As such, you find the time to take to talking with the locals on matters MORE than just information on these Dark Things. You ask about places to rest, customs, what people do for fun, and other such things. Admittedly, however, outside of there being customs of a rather racial nature (This kingdom is ran by 'Liltian' royalty), you find that things here are notably rather 'normal' - and rather similar in simplicity to your home of Cornelia.

Nonetheless, you encounter a good several rather exotic individuals amidst your chatter, but the one that you were most fascinated by - for one reason or another - was...

shit, I need to continue in another post

>The teenage Lilty boy who apparently seems very, VERY racist towards the robotic, nigh-birdlike Yukes that he constantly dubs 'Yuckies', and bashes about how magically oriented they are, despite finding you really cool for doing the same exact things as them. Despite his youth, he seems notably well-built for combat, and wants to make his militant and equally racist grandpa proud.
>A very sassy and oddly friendly Selkie of similar age to you who otherwise keeps insisting your hat (among other things) is totally hers. You can't help but notice her somewhat obsessive nature about the matter, as she has tried many methods ranging from vainfully tattling some guards on how you totally stole that hat from her to attempting to straight-up bribing you for it. Otherwise though, she finds your talk of magickry funny and somewhat cool. Also, you notice she's a rather powerful and swift if otherwise frail blitzer.
>A male Elf from your world. At first glance, he seemed no different than the rest of his lot, but further talks would reveal that he is in fact on the few of his kind that actually drew his sword and shield to combat the threat of darkness. Amidst your talks with him, you find him to be a rather wise sort, as well as knowing how to cook...? Also, he was the one to initiate conversation with you, as he commended you for your actions at Cornelia despite not being there at all.
>A humble and kind Clavat who really likes the subject of food. Why, when you informed her of your magical methods, she immediately asked if you were capable of consistently cooking bread and/or steak with it. She also seems to have quite the appetite, though she must have quite the metabolism as she doesn't much look like she does. She is quite blatantly a White Mage.

>>5606643
>A male Elf from your world. At first glance, he seemed no different than the rest of his lot, but further talks would reveal that he is in fact on the few of his kind that actually drew his sword and shield to combat the threat of darkness. Amidst your talks with him, you find him to be a rather wise sort, as well as knowing how to cook...? Also, he was the one to initiate conversation with you, as he commended you for your actions at Cornelia despite not being there at all.

>>5606643
>A male Elf from your world. At first glance, he seemed no different than the rest of his lot, but further talks would reveal that he is in fact on the few of his kind that actually drew his sword and shield to combat the threat of darkness. Amidst your talks with him, you find him to be a rather wise sort, as well as knowing how to cook...? Also, he was the one to initiate conversation with you, as he commended you for your actions at Cornelia despite not being there at all.

>>5606643
>>A male Elf from your world. At first glance, he seemed no different than the rest of his lot, but further talks would reveal that he is in fact on the few of his kind that actually drew his sword and shield to combat the threat of darkness. Amidst your talks with him, you find him to be a rather wise sort, as well as knowing how to cook...? Also, he was the one to initiate conversation with you, as he commended you for your actions at Cornelia despite not being there at all.
World As stick together

s-Sorry, this might take me a while...

>>5606643
>>A male Elf from your world. At first glance, he seemed no different than the rest of his lot, but further talks would reveal that he is in fact on the few of his kind that actually drew his sword and shield to combat the threat of darkness. Amidst your talks with him, you find him to be a rather wise sort, as well as knowing how to cook...? Also, he was the one to initiate conversation with you, as he commended you for your actions at Cornelia despite not being there at all.

>>5606987
hecc do an update

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>>5608506
Fine. But you're gonna have to wait for tomorrow for the rest.

>>5606651
>>5606720
>>5606797
>>5608468
But of course, the wise Elf from your world quite obviously garnered the most of your interest. Wishing to have a fellow from the same world accompany you in these trying times, you humbly request that he come along with you, that the two of you could further garner how to proceed.

He takes but a moment of processing your request before agreeing to join you in bumbling about in confusion. At one point, you ask for his name, and find him to be dubbed Bronadon.

In turn, of course, he asks for yours...

>

>>5608549
Max Fleischer.

>>5608549
>Eglwyswrw
>But you can call me Egg

>>5608549
>Elgswyn
>But you can call me Egg

>>5608549
Validus
It's latin for powerful

>>5608549
>Blacky McMageguy

Or you know what

>Hectictude, it means wise and large-brained in Esperanto

>>5608549
>Hectictude

>>5608549
>Eglwyswrw
>But you can call me Egg

File: Oswald The Lucky Rabbit.gif (314 KB, 1314x1464)

314 KB GIF

>>5608639
>>5608839
>>5608840
>>5608956
>>5608973
>>5609001
>>5609013
>Eglwyswrw/Egg: 2.5 votes
>Hectictude (bruh >_>): 2 votes
>Max Fleischer: 1 vote
>Validus: 1 votes

You tell him you are named Eglwyswrw, but prefer Egg for convenience's sakes. You are quick to find, however, that Bronadon has absolutely no issue referring to you by your full name.

After proper introductions, the two of you would proceed to more appropriately explore this Alfitaria for a time...


ACQUIRED BRONADON!
LV: 5
HP: 143
MP: 9
STR: 20
STA: 24
INT: 15
WIS: 28
AGI: 15


It was this casual stroll that led you to answer to the elusive question you totally asked me in the beginning.

Amidst your examinations, you and Bronadon stumbled upon a rather unorthodox-looking Rabbit - even in comparison to the other varieties of Refugees currently populating the area. What's more, this rabbit also appears to carry with it a clunky device initially unknown to you, .

You attempt to analyze this apparently raving rabbit from a distance, but he ends up approaching your lot, asking the two of you about any 'Keyholes' around here.

His question left you confused and assuming he had some form of criminal intent, but he quickly corrects you by insisting he means the ones that lead to 'the Worlds' Hearts'. This only leaves you further confused.

Bronadon however, being a total bro of course, gives you a swift rundown of what exactly Oswald is referring to, telling you that apparently Planets have memories.

Recalling that one tidbit about Heart element stuff, you quickly dismiss your confusion, and Oswald then proceeded to tell you the vast majority of his little backstory while conveniently omitting the part where he did in fact unleash the Tide of Darkness currently leaving everyone in big doo-doo, and instead just claims that he wronged his kingdom's dignity or something).

Hearing his tale, you...

>Find sympathy, and ask to join him in his efforts
>Find opportunity, and insist you'd only help him with his mess if he pays you

>>5609240
>>Find sympathy, and ask to join him in his efforts
Hope he doesn't do his Epic Mickey script

>>5609240
Wait, oops, dagnabbit, that's Level 4 stats. Lemme fix that real fast.

ahem

LV: 5
HP: 153
MP: 9
STR: 21
STA: 25
INT: 16
WIS: 30
AGI: 16

>>5609240
>Find sympathy, and ask to join him in his efforts

>>5609250
>>5609273
Ah, yes, of course. You found sympathy in him, and asked to join him in his efforts. Bronadon just as well vouches to join in. Touched by the two of you's generous proposal, he gleefully welcomes you into his entourage.

Thus began your adventure with Oswald The Lucky Rabbit...

ACQUIRED BY OSWALD THE LUCKY RABBIT!
LV: 2
HP: 161
MP: 0
STR: 18
STA: 18
INT: 18
WIS: 9
AGI: 18
LUK: 31

Wait what the--

Oh my! It appears there was a mysterious Luck stat involved in all of this! My goshes and gollies, I cannot believe this was forgotten. Nonetheless, yours and Bronadon's Luck stats are also revealed...

and they're both 10.

but anyways,

The three of you currently find yourselves standing amidst the Commerce Tower of the Alfitaria Capital City. Oswald begins to tap his foot in a state of ponderance.
"Alright boys. Since we clearly have no idea where the heck the Keyhole is, it looks like we'll have to get back to asking around..." He then grumbles a bit. "gosh i hope we don't actually have to hunt it down ourselves out there..."
"If the people here don't seem to know, maybe their books do?" Bronadon suggests. "I'd imagine this sort of thing isn't what most folks think about on the frequent, so perhaps they'd pass the knowledge off to a book or two."

>Agree with Bronadon, and go to the Royal Library
>Just try asking some of the folks here in the Commerce Tower
>Suggest asking around the Central Tower
>Maybe the Legislative Tower?
>Consider asking at the Fountain Park Avenue

>>5609376
>Agree with Bronadon, and go to the Royal Library

>>5609376
>>Maybe the Legislative Tower?

>>5609376
>Agree with Bronadon, and go to the Royal Library

File: image_2023-03-21_003031194.png (3.14 MB, 3270x1851)

3.14 MB PNG

Pardon the awkward silence, folks. it's really fucking hard to find any relevant information about FFCC Crystal Bearers...

>>5609383
>>5609386
>>5609389
"Ooh, that sounds like a good idea! Yeah, we should look at the Royal Library for something about that. After all, if I could find a book about a Keyblade Wielder, surely we can find one about Keyholes!"
Oswald lets of a grumbly whimper as he rolls his eyes. "Fiine. I guess that sounds like a good move."

With that, the three of you begin your extensive trek as you descend down the Commerce Tower to make your lengthy way past the Clock Plaza and Shuttle Central Platform, where you ride one of the Capital Express Shuttles to the Royal Library. Upon arrival, you and Bronadon quietly make your way to the shel--

"Who the heck combines a library with a pot museum!?" Oswald blurtingly asks.
"Shhhhh!!!" The moogle librarians all collectively shush at Oswald.
He rolls his eyes yet again before QUIETLY joining you in gazing through the hundreds of dozens of books.

...Unfortunately, after what felt like an exhausting hour or two, you find not a single book in the Royal Library regarding the location of the planet's Keyhole. Quite so, not even the moogle librarians have any idea about any such books. The closest to any such thing was a book about "The Heart, Soul, and Willpower", which basically describes to you in detail the titular subjects and then some:

- The Soul is a bunch of aether that develops its own sense of sapience either by 'natural' means or by making use of its host's Consciousness as a sort of crutch for 'rapid' self-development, or even an optimized amalgamation of the two. Though soul creation methods technically vary, the most common means is reproduction. Souls can be inherently capable of accomplishing feats of magic upon 'sufficiently acclimating' with any of the Elements of the universe. Souls can expend their generated aetheric excess - commonly referred to as 'Mana' - to conjure such elements.
- The Heart, as was briefly mentioned in one of your prior read books, is an element created by a Soul's strong acclimation to Memories, though apparently planets can just make some as well (This has lead to severe controversy about 'Planets Being Alive'). Though initially mistakable for Holy magic, it's particularly technically different through its means of specifically interacting with Memories, while Holy magic has different and varied restrictions to its interaction.
- Willpower is the most mysterious of the three; though traditionally considered the mysterious 'core phenomena' of the Soul, many Soulless entities - such as Keyblades and soulless organisms - have shown to be just as capable of wielding Willpower.

(cont'd)

- All this information is largely thanks to two people - a Keyblade Wielder from 200 years ago named Kumo, and "an elegantly informed and absolutely beautiful lady of the field of magical research by the name of Professor Shantotto".

Oswald lets out a sigh as he slams a book closed. "This has been a total waste o--"
"Shhhh!" The moogle librarians hush Oswald once again.
He rubs his face in frustration as he puts the book away. "(...i just want to get out of here now.)"
"(drat. i was hoping there'd be something here that'd help us...)" Bronadon silently comments in defeat.

>Look HARDER.
>Suggest asking around the Central Tower
>Perhaps the Clock Plaza
>Maybe the Legislative Tower?
>Consider asking at the Fountain Park Avenue
>Fuck it, wild goose chase around Kessho it is.

>>5609691
>If it's something as important as a keyhole to a world's heart, then maybe the information is intentionally kept suppressed to protect the world from malevolent actors. Perhaps seeking an audience with this world's leaders could prove fruitful?
I get the feeling this is gonna be a triton situation, so wherever the hell the royals are is going to be our best bet at finding out what the keyhole business on this world is like. God knows the normies for sure wouldn't know about that shit.

>>5609691
>>5609755
Supporting.

>>5609755
>>5609791
"(now that i think about it,)" you whisper, "(maybe the heart of the world is something the powers that be don't want most folks knowing about, for protection's sake. i think we should maybe ask the royalty of this place for a clue.)"
"(ohhhhh,)" Oswald ohs, then nods. "(okay yeah, that makes sense. we should go check the royalty out.)"

Oswald then walks right up to one of the moogle librarians. "Hey, do you know where the King and Que--"
"SHHHHHHH!!!" The moogle librarians all collectively shush Oswald yet again.
The one being inquired silently speaks up. "(the queen is currently busy at the palace tower, kupo. she--)"
"Okay thanks!"
"SHH!, (kupo.)"

Oswald already begins making his way out of the Royal Library and towards the Shuttle Platform, and you and Bronadon proceed to follow him on the Capital Express Shuttle yet again.
As the three of you begin to ride back to the Shuttle Central Platform, Oswald speaks up yet again. "Hey uhhh, do you guys know where the Palace Tower is?"
"Uhhhh..." Bronadon uhs, before both he and you shrug in acknowledgement that none of you have any idea where the Palace Tower is.
Oswald sighs once again. "Well, at least it shouldn't be THAT hard to figure it out, since this IS royalty we're talking about."

As the shuttle arrives, the three of you make your way to the Clock Plaza. Oswald goes up to one of the notably large guards that populate the royal city.
"'Ey, you know where the Palace Tower is?" Oswald asks the guard.
"Oh?" the guard ohs as he turns to Oswald. "You take the shuttle to the Fountain Park Avenue. It's up the stairs and through the gate. But royal business is going on there, and only diplomats and other royalty are allo--"
"Yeah, well I'm something of a king myself, bub," the rabbit informs the guard. "And this is an urgent matter here; the planet's at stake."

The guard squats down to garner a further look at Oswald. "...You don't look much like a King to me, 'bub'."
Oswald begins to tap his foot in irritation. "It's complicated, okay?! I'm kinda in exile at the moment, and I need to redeem myself by saving your worlds from this Darkness stuff."
The guard scoffs and rises once more. "Well, even if the Queen felt like humoring some exiled royalty, you'll still need to show proof of your status."
"Yeah wel I kinda can't right now, since pretty much all my good stuff is stuck at home!"
The guard simply crosses his arms. "Hmph. Not our problem."

Oswald begins tugging at his ears in frustration. "GRRuh! This is stupid! What the heck are we supposed to do then!?"

>Implore the guard to maybe hear Oswald out
>Bribe the guard (you currently have 500 Gil)
>Suggest asking around the Central Tower
>Perhaps the Clock Plaza
>Maybe the Legislative Tower?
>Consider asking at the Fountain Park Avenue
>Fuck it, wild goose chase around Kessho it is.
>Maybe check out the Royal Library again?

>>5610674
>Ask the guard specifically what we would need to do or show to prove Oswald is royalty.
>Perhaps the Clock Plaza

>>5610677
You budge into the conversation. "What could he do to prove that he's royalty then?"
"I dunno," the guard replies. "Probably have his crown on him, for one. Honestly, I might've humored this little guy if he'd just looked the part. But a bloke with just some overalls is definitely not royalty OR a diplomat."
"'Ey!" Oswald 'eys. "Who you callin' a little guy!? Most of you guys are practically just as small!"

"Well, we're trying to look for the Keyhole of this planet," you inform the guard. "Do you at least know where we can find it?"
Oswald adds, "Yeah, we need to seal it to make triply sure those Dark Things don't ruin this planet somehow."
"'Keyhole'...?" The guard glares a mean look at Oswald, before turning his gaze to the particular device he's carrying. "You better not be thinking about breaking into anything..."

Oswald then facepalms himself. "...No. I'm not. I want to seal it from everything so nothing will destroy the planet."
The guard starts tapping his foot. "Well tell you what. Go take your business to the Legislative Tower, and if what everything you're saying is somehow true, then they'll send a request letter to the Queen. It will be on her to decide your fate on this matter."
"Oh come on! We don't have the time for this! The planet's at stake here!"
"Sorry, bub. I don't make the rules around here. I just enforce them."

Oswald presses his fingers on his forehead in weary frustration. "Urrrgh...."

>Go to the Legislative Tower and file a request to see the Queen
>Bribe the guard (you currently have 500 gil)
>Fuck it, go through the Fountain Plaza Avenue and up to the gate
>Suggest asking around the Central Tower
>Ask the others around the Clock Plaza
>Fuck it, wild goose chase around Kessho it is.
>Maybe check out the Royal Library again?

>>5611465
>>Go to the Legislative Tower and file a request to see the Queen

>>5611465
>Go to the Legislative Tower and file a request to see the Queen

>>5611465
>Go to the Legislative Tower and file a request to see the Queen

Oh shit, right, I forgot. This theme's been blastin' since you've arrived in the city: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrXK5jhG98I

>>5611470
>>5611473
>>5611531
"Well, we might as well give it a try anyway..." you tell Oswald.
"That's right," Bronadon supports you. "This currently seems to be our best option at the moment. Sorry, Oswald."
Oswald unamusedly rubs his head as he silently mumbles something before the three of you proceed to leave the guard and make an uneventful, lengthy trip to the Legislative Tower.

Upon finally reaching the Tower, you walk up to the counter where a Lilty woman stands behind it.
"Hello, welcome to the Legislative Tower," the woman greets. "Can I help you?"
Oswald stands on his tiptoes to get his head over the admittedly small counter. "Yes, I'm King Oswald The Lucky Rabbit of OsWorld, and it's important I ask your Queen about the whereabouts of the Keyhole. I need to seal it in order to be triply sure this planet will stay a Safe Haven."
"...'Keyhole'?" The woman confusedly inquires Oswald.
"The heart of the planet? The thing that makes sure you all don't just end up in the realm of Darkness?"

She gives Oswald a creeped-out look like as though she were hearing the blabber of a madman. "Uhhhh.... Ooookaaaaayyyy..." She then grabs a few papers plops them right before Oswald. "I'll have to ask that you fill out these papers with the appropriate information, uhhh... Once you're done, we'll... process your request to speak to the Queen."
Oswald then takes an offered pen and begins the lengthy boring process of filling out the papers, grumbling as he does so.

As you wait, you find yourself with an opportunity to commune with Bronadon, or otherwise do SOMETHING to pass the time...

>Ask Bronadon about his favorite food
>Play Rock-Paper-Scissors with Bronadon
>Ridicule Oswald for naming stuff so narcissistically

(sorry for the wait; I haven't been feeling so energetic recently for some reason...)

>>5611684
>Ask Bronadon about his favorite food

>>5611684
>>Ridicule Oswald for naming stuff so narcissistically

>>5611684
>Ask Bronadon about his favorite food
Cooking sidequest?
Don't die on us QM, hope you feel better soon.

>>5611684
>Assist Oswald with filling the paperwork out. You may be able to give the writing a 'regal' and 'knowledgeable' air that could help it to be taken seriously by whoever reads it.
Time to put that high INT stat to use, right lads? 35 INT and 25 WIS means we're probably the most erudite and booklearned person in the room by a longshot...at least, having compared it to oswald and bronadon's stats.

>>5611684
>>5611915
Supporting this too.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>5611687
>>5611692
>>5611705
>>5611915
>>5612158
>Ask Bronadon about his favorite food: 2 votes
>Assist Oswald with filing the paperwork out: 2 votes
>Ridicule Oswald for naming stuff so narcissistically: 1 vote

Oh dear. A tie. Only one way to resolve this one.

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>>5612739
damn

>>5612739
Can't we do both?

>>5613063
Probably a bad question, since Hec is probably in the middle of writing.
Hopefully we'll be given the choice to help Oswald out with the paperwork too.

>>5612739
Darn, if I'd known my vote would only count for one instead of combining both I would've just gone with assisting Oswald.

Oop, sorry for the delay folks. Was simultaneously frankly undergoing a smidge of writer's block (I think) and getting pulled aside to help my dad with some work stuff.

But anyway

>>5613023
>>5613063
I suppose when you put it that way...

(ahem)

"Hey Bronadon," you ask, "what's your favorite kind of food?"
"I believe my favorite would have to beeeee... cobra."
"Cobra...?"
"Well it'd be either that or wolf, but I just think eating wolf feels inappropriate. So, I eat the only other thing to eat around my parts: cobra. A good salad is nice every now and then, but I prefer saving that for the rest of my kin."

Just as you're about to respond with concern about a diet of poisonous snakes, a thought quickly crosses your mind about Oswald; his prior mannerisms and actions have given you a sufficient picture of the idea that this rabbit just might not have much of a thorough idea of what the fuck he's doing.
As such, you pardon yourself from Bronadon: "Uhh, I'll get back to you on that. One moment."
"Oh?" Bronadon ohs as he witnesses you swiftly approach Oswald.
"Excuse me, uh, Oswald?"
"Mh?" Oswald mhs as he stops his filling out the forms to turn to you. "What."
"Maybe I could help you spiffy up your paperwork a little? Perhaps make it more enticing to the Queen?"

Oswald simply raises an eyebrow for a moment at your sudden, unorthodox request before squinting at the possibility this is your way of literally informing him he's too stupid to fill out his own paperwork about himself. He stays squinting at you for a solid two moments or so.
"...Explain."
"Well... If how everyone's reacting to you is telling me anything, they're probably not going to take you seriously unless you spice up your presentation a bit. And, well, I myself am a connoisseur of spicing up presentation. So what do you say? Care for some assistance from a know-it-all wizard?"
He looks up at an angle in thought as his foot lightly taps.

He returns his gaze back to you, but dons an unamused look upon his face. "....Fine. But I get final say."
"Works enough for me."

With that, you approach his papers and guide his hand for a little while in granting his details that extra oomph - a pedantic word here, none of that excessive self-aggrandizing bullshit there, but also even a cute little lie over at that other spot just to potentially grab that extra little attention and have some regal appeal.
As you fill out the details, however, you cannot help but notice the amount of shit this really fucking names after himself - his planet, his kingdom, he apparently has exactly 420 children, AND THEY'RE ALL NAMED OSWALD JR. - EVEN THE DAUGHTERS. Needless to say, you make a mental note to perhaps roast the living shit out of this guy at a later point.
But anyway, it is by what feels to be about ten minutes later that the two of you finally finish up, and Oswald turns the papers in to the woman before him.
(cont'd)

>>5613196
"Ah! Thank you very much," the woman says. "Now, I can't give a definite time for when this will be fully processed. However, once it is, you shall receive mail through Mognet that will inform you on its status. Until then, I hope you have a nice day!"

Oswald then sighs as he turns to you and Bronadon. "Well great. I'm guessing we're probably gonna be waiting on that for a while or something...
Something tells me we should just go to my ship and buzz off to some other planet for the time or something, 'cause I don't wanna just twiddle my thumbs around all day waiting for something that's probably just gonna be a No anyway."

>Go to Oswald's ship
>Uhhhh.... Library? :3
>Fuck it, go through the Fountain Plaza Avenue and up to the gate
>Suggest asking around the Central Tower
>Ask the others around the Clock Plaza
>Fuck it, wild goose chase around Kessho it is.

>>5613190
Bruh, you didn't say to combine your shit with your prior vote. You simply said that you were supporting another vote, which would mean you were effectively voting for two things.

>>5613200
>Go to Oswald's ship
If he thinks it's a good idea, I'll roll with it. I'm eager to see what the roster of planets we'll be trying to save is gonna be.
Besides, it wouldn't be a KH game if we didn't have to revisit worlds a second time just to finish them!

>>5613200
>Go to Oswald's ship

>>5613202
Noted.

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>>5613260
>>5613280
"Oh.. Okay," you blandly respond to Oswald.
"Lead the way then, fair rabbit." says Bronadon.

With that, Oswald and the two of you walk your meager way down the Tower and to a site you had not seen since after you came here: the Gummi Port.
It is here that Oswald guides the two of you with a "C'mon, the ship's over here." to the aforementioned Gummi Ship.
As you gaze upon picrel, you find yourself wondering how the fuck you're supposed to enter this thing, but then that question becomes quickly dismissed as a door suddenly manifests upon the side of the ship, and a sort of walkway extends from it down to before your feet.

You all then walk on up this very walkway, and Oswald proceeds to knock upon the door.
"...Wait, someone's already in the ship?" you ask.
"Yeah. It's Moggles; he's my court librarian and engineer. He's basically the guy that handles my stuff."

You suddenly hear a light-yet-frantic pitter-patter from the other side of the door before it quickly opens to reveal...

(cont'd)

File: Moggles the Moogle.png (89 KB, 572x959)

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>>5614124
"K-k-k-k-- u-uhh, s-Sir! i-i-i-I mean yYour Highness! s-s-s-So soon?"

Oswald just nonchalantly walks right on in as Moggles attempts to greet him. "Moggles, get the ship running. We won't have a clue where the Keyhole here is for a while, so we're leaving."
The moogle swiftly salutes. "o-o-o-Okay, k-k-... u-u-Uh, y-Your Highness, w-w-who are those?"
"New guys. They're comin' with."
"o-o-o-Oh a-a-aAlright, ssir, i-I mean Your Highness." With that the moogle scurries his little way on towards the Cockpit alongside Oswald.
Oswald, however, quickly turns to you and says, "Oh, uh, you can go look around for a bit if you want. I can just figure out a place for us to check out in the meantime."

>"Actually, I think I could help us figure out where to go next."
>Check out the room labeled "Libratory"
>Check out the room labeled "Royal Bedroom"
>Check out the front of the ship
>Just stand there and talk to Bronadon about some shit

>>5614138
>>"Actually, I think I could help us figure out where to go next."

>>5614138
>Check out the room labeled "Libratory"

>>5614138
>Check out the room labeled "Libratory"

>>5614138
>Check out the room labeled "Libratory"

>>5614208
>>5614212
>>5614435
>>5614520
You accept the offer, telling Oswald "Ah, alright." as you and Bronadon proceed to enter through the door labeled 'Libratory'.
Upon entering, your yellow eyes lay witness to what seems to be a stuffed garage that also contains some small, neatly organized bookshelves., all crammed within a tiny bedroom sized room. Technology beyond your quaint fantasy comprehension appears to be arranged - if rather tightly so - around and about here and there, with a little table just a bit to your left being the most naked spot in the entire room. Just to your right, of course, is where you find the small rows of books of various subjects.
Oh. And there seems to be a itty little hammock at the far end of them, presumably for Moggles...

With that said though: as foreign as such a sight may be, you nonetheless are able to catch a hint that maybe this is a rather dangerous workplace, as an odd spark could perhaps engulf this entire room in flames.

"Wow..." Bronadon comments in soft fascination. "This is not something I would ever imagine seeing for myself... Though I imagine such technology might be the norm for some worlds."

Needless to say, plenty of objects and books catch your eye...

>Read a book
- The Heart, Soul, and Willpower (You've already read this though, so)
- The Gummi Ship Design & Repair Book
- Heart Against The Heartless: A Guide on Combatting the Dark Things
- Synthesis 101
- Bottlements
- Gadgeteering and Gambling
- The Many Races of the Universe
>Ogle at that random-ass orb for the entire trip
>Use your kingly intelligence to thoroughly examine some of the tech here
>Go to Oswald's room instead
>Check the front area instead
>Go to the Cockpit instead

(Bronadon seems to be about to look at some of the books.)

>>5615110
>Read a book
>- Heart Against The Heartless: A Guide on Combatting the Dark Things

>>5615110
>Read a book
>- Gadgeteering and Gambling

>>5615110
>Heart Against The Heartless: A Guide on Combatting the Dark Things

>>5615119
>>5615121
>>5615524
You being an inherently booky sort yourself, you obviously also take to the books - and the first one that catches your eye is the relevant guide on all this Dark Thing stuff.

- Dark Things - whilst referred to as such by the author of this book - also go by many other names, such as Darklings, Shadows, Heart Demons, Heart Burglars, Hedon's Nuts, Sins, Blacks, Shadow Creeps, Lightblots, and many more, as well as the unusual and frankly unfitting Heartless by some rare folks.

- Dark Things are commonly mistaken for actual Dark Elementals, but are in fact almost completely different from such, as where where Dark Elementals are naturally capable of independent sentience (even if only to a feral extent in most cases) and have aethereal origins and can in some rare cases even reproduce with its own kind, Dark Things are explicitly mindless in nature, and only attain any level of sapience upon access to a Heart, as well as explicitly being conjured as a result of a person's Heart succumbing to 'darkness' - which is to say it is what happens when someone either becomes hyperpassionately consumed in either Wrath, Fear, Envy, or even Greed, or otherwise when the Heart is enveloped by a Dark Thing, which is inherently composed entirely of that very 'darkness'. Just as well, the Dark Things' means of reproduction is strictly dependent on the external source of Hearts; likewise, it is theorized that if the universe was either completely incapable of sin or completely devoid of Hearts, the Dark Things would instantly become an extinct species.

- Hearts are the elemental byproduct of the collaboration of Mind, Body, and Soul, and is particularly made entirely of memories, even some willpower in some cases, and varying levels of either 'darkness' or its antithesis - 'light'.
- Where 'darkness' is effectively negative emotions and vices, 'light' is consequently positive emotions and virtues, such as Patience, Kindness, Charity, and 'general good-willing bravery'.
- The reason for 'darkness' and 'light' being termed as they are in this book is because they are NOT the literal elements of Darkness and Light, despite appearing to be nigh-exactly just that at first sight, and are consequently not typically vulnerable to the same restrictions and resistances as their more 'official' counterparts are; quite so, it would be debatably accurate to say that a Heart's Light and Darkness are distinct derivatives of their official elemental counterparts, albeit said debates would be rather controversial by the standards of most authorities on such matters.

(cont'd)

>>5616512
- An apparent piece of advice for mitigating the conjuration of 'darkness' is to forgo something as personally sensitive as the Golden Rule for something more 'logically grounded' and surprisingly encouraging the likes of Kantian Ethics, as a mindset geared to such ethics would theoretically circumvent and/or - at the very least - put in check the very emotional sources that could so produce any 'darkness'.
-In the event of Dark Things actually being present, that is when things get much more complicated. Dark Things are on the constant hunt for Hearts, and use the presence of 'light' as an indicator for where a Heart is, as only Hearts can hold 'light'. It is also the case that the very Worlds people live on have Hearts of their own, and can serve as beacons for any Dark Things present in reality, as well as even conjure some Dark Things itself, should its own heart be tainted with such 'darkness'.
- The mention of 'light' and 'darkness' being debatably derivatives of their more 'official' counterparts has some particular credibility to it because the next thing the book recommends is that you always combat the Dark Things in well-lit environments, be it in the daytime, in interiors that have the lights on, or otherwise just in general near light sources, as the dark is not only a visual advantage to the pitch-black Dark Things that are then only visible by some specks of light on their designs here and there, but also grant them heightened strength and even powers in some cases. Meanwhile, the exposure of light upon them hinders them of that, and neuters some of their capacity, though even then they are still plenty dangerous in such light.

- In the case of elusion, the only methods of avoiding conflict with any present in your area is either by having a Cloak of Darkness that hides your 'light' from them, or by having a small Heart (which is apparently only possible by either being a nigh-feral being or by being legitimately mentally handicapped to a sufficient extreme that your 'light' is too little to be valued by the desperate Dark Things; even small races such as 'Tarutarus', 'Lalafells', Dwarves, and even Goblins can have Hearts and 'light' just as big as any other race).

(con'td again)

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>>5616519
- Just like most elementals (though notably UNLIKE them at the same time due to the extremity of the following case), they can only be harmed by magic; anyone that either does not possess any magical weaponry/spells or otherwise don't have any form of magical blessings cannot even so much as budge these shadowy creatures, let alone expel them from reality. Furthermore, not even these are enough to keep the creatures down; due to the nature of their existence, the only way to truly obliterate a Dark Thing's existence is by the purification of the Heart that resides within its shadowy consistency.
- Consequently, due to said Heart naturally not capable of being interacted with, the only means of purification is either through the use of empathic magics (apparently, there's a tale or two of an Orator that could destroy Dark Things through the power of their voice) or through the use of a weapon specifically designed to purify through violence such as the mythically fabled Keyblade. There are rare cases, however, of users of actual Light magic purifying Hearts, but it is wagered that this is entirely due to the particular Hearts' equally deep connection to the very faith that they were affected by.

...Amidst all this reading, you take the time to share the information you glean from the book to your comrade Bronadon. In turn, he also tells you plenty about the Gummi Ship Design & Repair Book he's reading.

ACQUIRED ABILITY TO BUILD & REPAIR GUMMI SHIPS!

.As you finish reading the book, Oswald just then pokes through the doorcrack. "'Ey! You nerds done in here? We've arrived."
"Where did we go to anyway?" Bronadon inquires as the both of you put your books away.
"Eos. We're at the city of Insomnia. It's a great sight, you should look for yourself, c'mon!" With that, he swings the door open, and the two of you join him in his walk out of the ship and Gummi Port, and lay witness to the glorious sight of shimmering, towering buildings and flashy transportation devices most everywhere.

All the same, it is when you approach a crossroads post that Oswald stops and goes "Aaaaaand I don't know where to go."

>Go to the Central Plaza
>Go to the Refugee Help Center
>Go to the Citadel
>Go to the City Park
>Fuck it, go wildly walk around
>Ask the folks around the Gummi Port Entrance

>>5616569
>Go to the Refugee Help Center
I'm assuming these guys had some experience running away from Dark Things. The info might be useful.

>>5616569
>Go to the Refugee Help Center

>>5616569
>>Fuck it, go wildly walk around

Sorry for the wait again, folks. Had a busy day helping my dad basically dig a trench for some more pipe stuff for his work. t-that, and I don't feel like I've been giving it my all these days...

Oh, also because it legit took me a long-ass while to find some fitting music because there isn't any for this city in the official soundtrack, so you get this instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBr_SthDzgA

>>5616576
>>5616699
>>5617036
"Perhaps we should check out the Refugee Help Center?" you insist to Oswald.
He raises an eyebrow in stern confusion. "Uhhhhh why?"
"If nothing else, they could give us some information on things that might help us find our answer."
Bronadon pipes up. "It sounds like it'd be a good place to get directions to the right people we could ask about the Keyhole."

Oswald "Hmmmm..."s for a good few moments in contemplation as he rubs his chin, and even taps his foot for a bit. But then, he eases, and answers with a "Fine."
The three of you thusly follow the signpost direction to the Refugee Help Center, which is only about a minute's walk, and enter through the glass doors into the establishment.
It is there that you are greeted by a few lines of several strangers lined for the counter ran by a few workers.

A glance at the pace of things informs you that if you intend on waiting in so much as the shortest line, you might be here for a while...

>Wait in the shortest line
>>Chat with the pilot-looking lizard man that'd be right in front of you in order to pass the time
>>Chat with Bronadon and/or Oswald to pass the time
>Figure something out to speed up the process
>"...On second thought, maybe we should try someplace else."

>>5617680
>>"...On second thought, maybe we should try someplace else."

>>5617680
>Figure something out to speed up the process

>>5617680
>Figure something out to speed up the process

>>5617693
>>5617753
>>5617767
o-Oh, uh.... I shoulda clarified that you'd have to do a sort of write-in for the Figure Something Out option, because I cannot for the life of me think of anything.
Sorry, I was just genuinely stumped all this time on what to say here... ._.;;

>>5618672
In that case I'm changing my vote >>5617753 to
>Wait in the shortest line

>>5617680
I'll also change my vote, but to
>Wait in the shortest line
>>Chat with Bronadon and/or Oswald to pass the time
We can finish up that conversation about the meal, and ask Oswald about his and wife (where and how they are, all of that)

Dead?

Alright, now seems like a good time for someone to archive the thread.