You are Takashi Wakui, a sixteen year old Japanese high school student. In your world, half of humanity possesses a Persona—the corporeal manifestation of one’s personality as a supernatural entity. You had been an unlucky ordinary at first, lacking the potential to summon your Persona. Then the application AETHER was forcibly installed on your smartphone. It sucked you into the nightmarish realm of the Blackened Void, where you fought monsters and awakened your Persona in the process.
You are now the Wild Card of the 22nd Century. You possess the Fool Arcana, giving you the power to draw strength from bonds and wield multiple Personas at once. Already this places you in great danger, as the Fool Arcana is seen as an impossibility by the common masses. Revealing your newfound power to the common world would immediately land your head on a dissection table. To make matters worse, you and several others have been cursed as the Void’s Chosen, fated to traverse the wastelands of the Blackened Void until the end of the game. For what purpose does AETHER exist, what mysteries lie within and how is victory achieved?
Previous Threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Persona%202129%20Quest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwilightThorn
Mechanics: http://pastebin.com/Eq9mum2X
Spell/Skill List: http://pastebin.com/5NYivMQd
Part One Recap: http://pastebin.com/i1VjfnyX
Character List: http://pastebin.com/rt7mRjQs
Persona List: http://pastebin.com/UU6Ed5RY
Takashi's Stats: http://pastebin.com/tt34mHGs
Blackened Void Info: http://pastebin.com/wLBjhqgf
[5:23 pm, 6-Jun-2129 (MONDAY)]
“Excuse me, may I have a moment?”
You and Takauji are mucking around the corridor near the cafeteria when the familiar voice floats through the almost deserted area. Feminine, wrapped in a hint of British, composed and firm. Rinako Ichimonji, the ever-so-strict vice president of the student council, stands behind the two of you, silently watching. You turn around to greet her.
“Um…” Even before exchanging words with her, you know that Rinako is a whole new kettle of fish compared to Eriko. The rumor mill speaks of her often, a dutiful girl with a cool demeanor that almost seems to clash with her vivid blonde hair and supermodel-like appearance. Where Eriko blazes through hotly—muscles pulsing with energy, seeking a challenge, always always continuously striving forward—Rinako is not far behind, cooling and fanning the flames her best friend has created, a serene expression on those pretty features, providing much needed restraint lest Eriko run the student council into the ground. Their personalities are like night and day, a juxtaposition that is supposed to be irreconcilable. Yet, they say the two girls are inseparable. There is no reason for you not to believe them.
The same people also say that Rinako becomes a bloodthirsty maniac onto the sports field. Legends speak of the inferno burning through the vice-president’s eyes as she grows several pairs of fangs. Her opponents tremble before her demonic wrath, getting down on her knees and pleading for mercy with salty tears flowing from their eyes. But it’s far too late. A dozen three-pointers have been scored and the first half isn’t even over.
In all the fairness, the rumor mill is not known for its reliability. They are probably exaggerating, others say and you would be inclined to believe them. Still...there was that incident from the spring sports competition. Why Rinako had chosen Kaz Inaba for target practice, you do not know. You do not want to know. The matter of fact is, Kaz had shivered during drama practice, when one of the club members brought the topic up in passing. In that very moment, upon seeing his dumbstruck and horrified expression, the entire club knew his pain. As one, they chose to offer their silent condolences. The vice-captain went out and bought him an ice-cream. Minty-flavored, just the way he liked it.
Getting back on topic, you are unsure how to address Rinako. She’s obviously not going to be all casual about it. You do not believe for a second that you have earned the privilege of addressing her by her first name. Then, what should you call her? Rinako-sama? Vice-president? Eriko’s best friend? That last one might be even more an insult than her first name.
So, you opt for the inoffensive, safe and polite route, which is what normal people do when they greet a stranger for the first time.
“What is it, senpai?” You ask.
“I need to talk to you about something.”
“What about?”
“Something important.” She glances over at Takauji. “It’s private in nature. Forgive me.”
“Naw, it’s cool, senpai.” Takauji responds, cheerful as usual. “I’ll leave you to it. Takashi, I’m going on ahead. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, see ya.” You wave to him as he retreats down the hallway, then turn to the blonde girl. She’s staring at you, her eyes full of intent, as if you were an animal in a cage to be examined. It can’t be helped. A knot of tension kneads itself in your stomach. You attempt to not avert your eyes. It’s a success so far, but for how long?
>>47861322
IT'S HERE
We will die here, I know it.
>>47861322
Let's not forget to get in a couple of duels this week.
She's going to tell us to stay away from Eriko isn't she?
The surroundings are quiet. In the distance, the last stragglers of the student body stumble out the school gates.
“I told Eriko I was on a bathroom break, so I’ll make this quick. Are you Akikazu’s friend?” Rinako says suddenly, catching you off guard.
“I…uh…yeah, I am, senpai.” You say, then add, “Is there a problem?” in a manner that is polite and challenging. Rinako either hasn’t picked up on it or knows and pays it no mind.
“No, there isn’t.” She replies. “The truth is, I was once Akikazu’s friend, too.”
“Really?” You blink. “He never told me.”
“Eriko, Akikazu and I were a trio of good friends back in middle school. As you can see, that isn’t really the case.” She sighs, softly. “It’s good you are looking out for him. He’s rough, but deep down he’s a decent person. So, keep it up.”
“Thanks, I guess?” You say, unsure. “Eriko said the same thing.”
“I’m not surprised.” Rinako comments. “She cares about him a lot. If only she was capable of taking her own advice…”
“Pardon, senpai?”
“I'm saying that my best friend is a hypocrite.” Rinako says, "It's rather infuriating to watch."
“Senpai, what exactly are you telling me here?” You ask.
“I'm getting to that. I believe you need to give the two of them a push.” Rinako states. “Eriko and Akikazu are stuck in a deadlock. They both think the other is unapproachable for their own personal reasons, when in reality all of their problems could be solved if they just came forth and be honest with each other.”
Her voice raises slightly at the end and her fists clench. Anger radiates off her. You take a step back, surprised. She notices it and places a hand on her chest to steady herself.
“Sorry, I shouldn't lose my temper like that. But I keep telling Eriko about this, she hasn’t listened. Either that, or she knows and refuses to make a decent effort.”
A polite reminder that this is a chaos thread.
>>47861458
Nope
>>47861458
Yes, good son of men, rebel against the Lord
You blink. “Does that have something to do with how I saw Akikazu shouting at Eriko earlier in the semester?”
“Oh, that. That was partially my fault.” Rinako answers, looking none too pleased with herself. “I tried to create a situation where they could talk to each other, but it just turned into a shouting match because of Akikazu. In hindsight, I should have seen it coming.”
“You’re Eriko’s best friend, senpai? Can’t you tell her about this?”
“Like I said, I have. Eriko is deliberately blocking me out. Just because I’m her best friend she thinks she can act like a child…” Rinako growls. “Has she forgotten Akikazu used to be more than that? Why did that situation with his father happen?”
“His dad?” You repeat. “What happened?”
Rinako’s eyes widen. “You don’t know?”
“Should I?”
“Everybody in the school knows about it.”
“I’m new here.”
“Oh.” Her eyes dart to the side, just for an instant. “Yes, I suppose that would explain it.”
Was that supposed to be derogatory? Rinako gives that impression of a disinterested queen talking down onto the peasants. She’s just like that Katsukawa girl, except Rinako isn’t a complete bitch. “Akikazu has never told me about my family. Granted, I haven’t really told him about mine, but still. Did what happened to his dad make him depressed or something?”
“You’re half-correct. I think the first thing you should do now is dig deeper into it. It’ll give you a bit of insight into his issues.”
“Couldn’t I just ask him directly?” You ask.
“Knowing Akikazu, he’d probably just shout at you a lot." Rinako answers, seemingly a bit annoyed. "It might be worth a try. He seems to like you a lot.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard of him talking to you, senpai. The student council’s information network must be greater than I thought…”
>>47861451
Man, we tried, Rinako. She didn't listen. Though that was back when we had different rules, and we had a pretty bad penalty to our roll as a result. We'll try again now that they're more forgiving.
>>47861496
>“Akikazu has never told me about my family
>my
“We aim to please.” Rinako sighs and glances over to a nearby digital clock. “I’m sorry, I need to get back to the student council room. I’ll say goodbye here, then.”
“That’s okay. Thanks for the talk, senpai.”
“Goodbye, Takashi Wakui.” Rinako says, nodding in your direction. “Be nice to Akikazu. If you do ever find out about his issues, bring it to him directly instead of sidestepping around it. He’ll appreciate it more.”
With that, the two of you depart for your respective destinations.
>Maybe you should talk to Akikazu soon…
[9:30 pm, 6-Jun-2129 (MONDAY)]
<THE_FIRST> Hey Fumika
<THE_FIRST> How are you?
<Azure Scholar> Is there a particular reason for why you have decided to communicate with me tonight?
<Azure Scholar> You are distracting me from important work.
<THE_FIRST> Whoa chill out
<THE_FIRST> I just wanted to see what you are doing
<Azure Scholar> I take it you will not stop until I answer? Very well, then.
<Azure Scholar> As of present, I am observing the subject in the Forgotten City while simultaneously working on some personal programming projects of mine.
<Azure Scholar> The subject has yet to show any sign of movements. The programs I am developing are related to my background as a mercenary.
<Azure Scholar> Does this answer your question?
<THE_FIRST> Uh yes
<Azure Scholar> Then, goodnight.
<THE_FIRST> Wait what
<THE_FIRST> Can’t we have a conversation
It’s too late. Fumika is now offline. You groan and put down your phone.
>Maybe you should catch up with Fumika at some point…
>>47861523
>Maybe you should talk to Akikazu soon…
>Maybe you should catch up with Fumika at some point…
Great now I have to remake the schedule again.
[8:10 am, 7-Jun-2129 (TUESDAY)]
The apartment feels lonely in Shizuka’s absence. Fortunately, it is a sensation you are slowly acclimatizing yourself to, one arduous day at a time. Besides, in an age where tablet screens have almost completely supplanted paper, your nee-san is only a single video call away. The Internet is truly a miraculous invention bestowed from the kitchen sink of pantheons that the world’s religions believe in. It’s hard to imagine an era when it didn’t exist. Why, humanity relies on it for so many things. If it were to suddenly disappear, the streets would no doubt be packed of riots before the minute was up.
While walking to school, you can’t help but notice a conversation between two boys…
“Hey bro, remind me when the exams start?”
“19th of July, you doofus. It’s right after Marine Day.”
“What? Are they expecting us to cram in study during a national holiday? Is the school staff comprised of sadists?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem if you maintain consistent progress for the rest of the semester.”
“Ugh, don’t talk to me about that. You know that I have shit to do at home…”
“Man, imagine if you got really sick around the exam period, like for a whole week or two. You’d miss out on all the important classes and totally bomb.”
“Dude, you’re making me more and more depressed. Stop it!”
You spot Takauji and Kanade up ahead and run up to greet them.
>>47861543
We can do both of those inbetween classes. No need to reschedule our week.
[4:00 pm, 7-Jun-2129 (TUESDAY)]
“Another day down, thank god for that…”
“Let’s go and get some ice-cream. It’ll be my treat.”
“Everyone, don’t forget to put away the chairs! Veleis-sensei has been complaining about it a lot.”
“Aw, what’s the fuss, Kanade? It’s not like anybody cares…”
“Well, I do! Now, let’s get to it!”
Classes have ended for the day. What shall you do?
>Call the team to the Blackened Void (Exploration)
>See what Akikazu is doing (Hanged Man S-Link)
>See what Fumika is up to (Hermit S-Link)
>Look for Kozue Yusa (Death S-Link)
>Visit Aria in the hospital (Devil S-Link, boosts random social stats)
>Fight randoms in the Battlegrounds (Gain C. EXP, reputation and increases WILLPOWER)
>Study in the library. (Increases INTELLIGENCE)
>Go to the gym. (Increases WILLPOWER)
>Wander around the city (Random encounter)
>Custom option.
>>47861551
>“Man, imagine if you got really sick around the exam period, like for a whole week or two. You’d miss out on all the important classes and totally bomb.”
...Stop that.
>>47861581
>>See what Akikazu is doing (Hanged Man S-Link)
>>47861581
>See what Akikazu is doing (Hanged Man S-Link)
>>47861581
>See what Akikazu is doing (Hanged Man S-Link)
>>47861551
>“Man, imagine if you got really sick around the exam period, like for a whole week or two. You’d miss out on all the important classes and totally bomb.”
Is that supposed to be foreshadowing?
>>47861581
>>See what Akikazu is doing (Hanged Man S-Link)
>>47861581
>>See what Akikazu is doing (Hanged Man S-Link)
>>47861581
Is Drama Club not meeting today? Tuesdays are when it's open. Did our missing so many meetings mean that we didn't hear Kaz's announcement that it wouldn't be happening today?
>>47861581
>Fight randoms in the Battlegrounds (Gain C. EXP, reputation and increases WILLPOWER)
>>47861581
>Custom option.
Go to Drama Club, as was in our schedule. I see what you're trying to do here, Thorn. It's not working!
>>47861608
It happens in Persona 3. MC gets sick, you loose a week of summer break
>>47861617
>>47861638
I forgot to put it in whoops. You can still vote for it if you like.
>>47861581
>Custom option.
Go to Drama Club.
So I guess we aren't doing Drama today so how about we adjust the schedule like this
>Tuesday
Akikazu
D-d-duel
>Wednesday
Hang out with Fumika or Visit Aria
Kozue Yusa at night
>Thursday
Drama club
Duel at night or Forlon Abyss
>>47861581
Drama CLub
>Tuesday
Drama club
visit Aria
>Wednesday
Study
Kozue Yusa, Fumika, or Aki SL
>Thursday
D-D-DUEL
Visit Aria
>>47861679
>Tuesday
Drama
Duel
>Wednesday
Aria
Akikazu
>Thursday
Fumika
Duel
>>47861709
Visiting Aria once during the week and just before she gets discharged is enough.
>>47861722
Change one of the "Duel" to "Study" and im down for that
>>47861726
I'm personally expecting that something will keep us from being there when she gets discharged, because that's when she's going to be in one of AETHER's patented "all the bystanders die horribly" abductions and otherwise we might interfere with that. Just you watch, the only reason she hasn't mentioned anything about some "adware" on her phone is because she's too self-conscious to bring up even the slightest of her troubles.
>>47861581
>>See what Akikazu is doing (Hanged Man S-Link)
>>47861640
Not to mention Mitsuru so generously signing us up for summer school when we totally don't need it.
And FOR GOD'S SAKE, people, we NEED to do the Forlorn Abyss soon. We can't just keep Chikashi chained to the bonfire forever. I'm starting to suspect that his roommate might be either a future Abomination or HaHeHiHoHu.
>>47861581
Drama club.
>>47861750
That works.
>>47861581
>>47861635
Change this to Drama club
>>47861322
>DEV S-
You forgot to update it.
>>47861810
Yeah, HaHeHiHoHu could be Ming. They've got kind of a similar speech pattern.
>Tuesday
Drama
Duel
>Wednesday
Aria
Akikazu
>Thursday
Fumika
Study
Drama club barely wins. If I haven't updated the pastebins correctly it's because I was busy and did this shit in a rush. Okay then, writing...
>>47861911
Perfect
>>47861911
We should do the death girl S link on sunday then.
>>47861971
Yeah id be cool with that
Wonder what the poor girl is doing right now
>Fumika has more END than us
Pretty embarrassing.
>>47862229
BUT DEV ANON. WE NEEDS IT.
“I should go to drama club today…”
You follow your words and head down to the amphitheater. You enter the doors…and nothing much happens at all. You sit down in a chair, greet your fellow club members whose names (and faces) continue to escape you like the reasons behind the world’s greatest heist and wait for Kaz the begin the usual introductory speech. It’s loud and enthusiastic and there’s a smidge of chocolate around the patch of skin near his lip. The thing sticks out like a sore thumb on the club president’s shining face. Everybody has noticed it, yet nobody has the gall to verbally point it out. In fact, Kaz ignoring the blemish on is otherwise perfect appearance somehow makes him even more charismatic than usual. If you had been a woman, you would have felt strange vibrations around the part below the torso.
“Okay everyone, let’s get to work!”
Kaz then begins matching everyone up in groups to practice snippets of various plays. You are assigned to a romantic love comedy about demons. There are two details about the play that don’t sit well with you: it’s a romantic love comedy and it’s about demons. What’s the point of making the characters demons if they’re just going to act like humans with wings and magic? Also, how are the two main characters supposed to fall in love with each other if they apparently despise each other with enough force to blow up the solar system? Where is the logic in this setting? You voice these one hundred percent legitimate concerns to the vice-president, who frowns and tells you that a: it’s fiction and b: shut up and listen, because assigning roles already takes too long and we're running out of time.
Okay then, you say to her, I’ll follow along but I’m not playing as the girl, got it?
Then a scene is acted out where the main characters’ ‘best friend’ shove them in the back while both are drunk, causing them to trip over, lock lips and simultaneously have aneurysms.
You are starting to regret not jumping into Kaz’s group when you had the chance.
It’s nonetheless a valuable experience, meaning that feel yourself become slightly more charismatic and understanding of the world around you. Somehow.
>Your CHARISMA has increased by 4 points!
>Your UNDERSTANDING has increased by 3 points!
You then go home thinking about whether or not the Lovely Eight café serves ice tea. It is only until stepping onto the train and beating an office lady for the last remaining seat that you realize that you hadn’t interacted with Kaz much today. Your bond has been strengthened, that is true, but it’s like covering an already sturdy wooden bridge with a carpet of sticks.
Well, it’s not bad to have the day off, you think to yourself. At least Kaz didn’t ask you to help resolving a bullshit love triangle between two of his lady friends.
[6:30 pm, 7-Jun-2129 (TUESDAY)]
It’s night time—the period where all of your friends except Fumika are doing their own little things in their own corners of the city and probably shouldn’t be disturbed.
You wonder what you should do.
>Eat out somewhere (Random encounter)
>Call available team members to the Blackened Void (Exploration)
>See what Fumika is up to (Hermit S-Link)
>Visit Aria in the hospital (Devil S-Link, boosts random social stats)
>Fight randoms in Gaea Stadium (Gain C. EXP, reputation and increases WILLPOWER)
>Study in your room (Increases INTELLIGENCE)
>Go to the gym. (Increases WILLPOWER)
>Custom option.
>>47862525
>>Fight randoms in Gaea Stadium (Gain C. EXP, reputation and increases WILLPOWER)
>>47862525
>>See what Fumika is up to (Hermit S-Link)
I only want to check up to make sure Best Girl isn't mistreating What'sHisFace.
>>47862525
>Fight randoms in Gaea Stadium (Gain C. EXP, reputation and increases WILLPOWER)
>>47862525
>See what Fumika is up to (Hermit S-Link)
>>47862525
>Fight randoms in Gaea Stadium (Gain C. EXP, reputation and increases WILLPOWER)
>>47862525
>>See what Fumika is up to (Hermit S-Link)
>>47862525
>>Fight randoms in Gaea Stadium (Gain C. EXP, reputation and increases WILLPOWER)
>>47862525
>See what Fumika is up to (Hermit S-Link)
We will change the Fumike with the Duel on the chart
Cool, a tie. Maybe I can do a final destination vote properly this time. Reply with numbers only or else it won't count.
1. Duel
2. Visit Fumika
>>47862525
>>See what Fumika is up to (Hermit S-Link)
1
2
>>47862736
Visit Fumika
We will just switch the days
>Tuesday
Drama
Fumika
>Wednesday
Aria
Akikazu
>Thursday
DUEL
Study
2
Option 1 it is.
>>47862758
ay yo kaz DDS or raidou
>>47862912
Yes
>>47863066
smartass
>>Takashi: Go and duel someone.
That sounds like a really good idea. Punching your fellow classmates in the nose and humiliating them in front of the student body is just the thing you need to work out the kinks in your system and distract you from the imminent monstrosity that is the end of semester exams. You put on your shoes, chomp down a bunch of candies to regain your mana and head outside.
Upon passing the alleyway near your apartment block, the narrow stretch of concrete that smells like all nooks and crannies in the world combined and is the entrance to an otherworldly nightmare that could give Tsugumi nightmares for weeks, you realize something. The last time you duelled someone, you used Ippon-Datara only. That had gone well, but you believe that it’s only because your opponent was weak. Tonight might be different. Your Auxiliary Personas give you an incredible advantage. Using them could lead you to a succession of victories. If your secret was discovered, however, then…
You shake your head. This decision is one that needs to be made quickly. Otherwise people are going to notice a high-schooler staring into an alleyway as if he was in love with it or something.
>Please choose the four auxiliary Personas you would like to bring, or select none at all.
>Persona List: http://pastebin.com/UU6Ed5RY
>>47863215
Narcissus, Koppa Tengu, Makami, Matador.
>>47863215
Makami(D), Melchom(D), Principality(D-), Koppa Tengu(D)
>>47863215
Let's bring Koppa-Tengu, Oni, Matador and Obariyon. along.
>>47863215
Koppa Tengu, Matador, Narcissus, Principality
>>47863248
Hey don't bring anything that resists light! We already showed that we are weak to it when we dueled Celeste.
>>47863215
>Narcissus, Oni, Matador, Melchom
I personally don't think we should use them, but it'll be good to have them at least.
>>47863315
and? We can bullshit we figured out a technique to mitigate it. besides Principality is mostly for heals.
>>47863215
Yamata-No-Orochi Obariyon Koppa Tengu Narcissus
>>47863215
>Obariyon
>Narcissus
>Matador
>Makami
>>47863316
Just use Oni for Tarukaja on first turn and switch back.
>>47863315
Had we gotten Ippon Dodge light, people could buy that.
>>47863360
>get hit in the face
>hey guys I totally dodged that
>>47863360
>>47863387
don't we only get weaknesses when our persona is out?
>>47863402
Nope. It must suck to be weak to ice and live in a cold region.
>>47863215
Yamata-noOrochi
Matador
Makami
Narcissus
>>47863402
No, we've always got our elemental resistances and weaknesses. That said, Personas can learn to overcome those weaknesses, we could just say we've done that.
>>47863351
>>47863476
>using the San Drain persona
Really guys?
>>47863484
And if we get hit with another Hama spell while we have Ippon-Datara out and we clearly take a lot of damage from it?
>>47863530
We don't bring Ippon-Datara out, then. Persona Augmentation all the way. All the cool kids are doing it.
>>47863493
It worked out well for Chikasi!
>>Takashi: Take Makami, Koppa Tengu, Matador and Narcissus.
You refuse the tea from the two squatters in the Velvet Room, because you have shit to do and there’s no time to sit around and have an abominable tea party. They snicker at you. You wave it off, feeling as if you had just avoided ingesting a litre of snake venom.
You travel in a somewhat less empty train carriage and arrive at the front entrance of Gaea Stadium. The magnificent round dome is alight, a white round dot amidst an ocean of randomly colored street lights and darkened concrete pillars. You nod appreciatively at the entrance surrounded by stadium security and various journalists. Then you head over to the left because that’s where the smaller student entrance is.
This leads you to a section of the stadium walled off by reinforced concrete barriers. It’s divided into a number of miniature arenas with a proctor supervising each one, similar to how the academy Battlegrounds operate. The place isn’t exactly busy, but nor is it empty. There is just enough activity for the miniature arena to serve its purpose without the officials complaining about the noise or lack of students.
You enter a changing room and load up the matchmaking application. This time, it takes less than a minute for you to find a suitable partner. The countdown starts, five minutes before the beginning of your duel. You feel the tension working its way up your spine. It’s the good kind of tension, bolstering your muscles and kick-starting the sleepy engine of magic lurking in your soul.
“Takashi Wakui, please head over to Arena 3.” The automated intercom system announces. “I repeat, Takashi Wakui please head over to Arena 3.”
>>47863886
Start the fight with Matador equipped for the neat Auto-Sukukaja.
>>47863927
I like that idea, we should do that.
Your Personas are swirling inside of you, snarling and biting at the air. At since they are part of you, it means that you are the same. You pick yourself off the plastic bench and exit through the marked door.
The bleachers are quiet. Most of your fellow students are busy participating in their own duels. You know from observation that…
>There are no Spotters analyzing your match.
“Yo!” It’s your opponent. A boy about your age, with freckles and messy navy hair. He doesn’t look particularly muscular, but it’s a known fact that when it comes to Persona-users looks can be deceiving. His voice is rough. You regard him with some measure of apprehension. “I’m Yoshii Shirata of Class 5-2. Nice to meet you.”
“Takashi Wakui. I don’t think we’ve ever talked to each other before.” You reply.
“That’s coz I’m all the way up the front and you’re all the way in the middle.” He laughs. “Let’s get to know each other through battle, eh? Best way to make friends, in my opinion.”
“Alright then.” You state. “Just don’t expect me to lose.”
“Right back at you!” Yoshii grins, drawing a pair of knives. You stare at them. Sharp grey edges connected to black hilts. They’re obviously made out of plastic, as to obey the regulations, but getting slashed by one is still going to hurt. Their size is about the same as the real ones Shizuka uses on her missions. “Get ready for a beatdown!”
“Participants, shake hands!” The proctor, not Veleis-sensei as you have become accustomed to, shouts in his hoarse voice.
You and Yoshii obey. You make sure to lock eyes with him. Common courtesy, nothing more.
“Three, two, one…duel start!”
You leap onto your side of the arena as the bell rings. Cobalt aura gathers in Yoshii’s gloved hands. His face lights up with the thrill of the hunt.
“Here I go.” He crushes the card, scattering ethereal dust in all direction. “Chimera!”
A terrible beast heeds his summoning. It is a creature with the body and head of a lion, the head of a goat jutting out from the side and a snake in place of the tail. Electric sparks and embers fizzle and vanish in the air around it. The three heads turn to glare at you, then roar. A dreadful combination of a howl, a bleat and a hiss, fitting of the spawn from the mother of all monsters. Your only response is to raise your arms in front of you, slightly leaned back, and prepare to fight.
>You have not yet summoned your Persona. You may use the skills of your auxiliary Personas through Persona Augmentation. Once you have summoned Ippon-Datara, you cannot use auxiliary skills unless you retract him. Be wary of raising your opponent’s suspicion.
[Input your command]
>Summon Ippon-Datara and have him attack.
>Switch to Matador and prepare to evade.
>Switch to Makami and prepare to block.
>Attempt to charm with Narcissus.
>Switch to Makami and blast him with wind.
>Dodge and cast buffs from all of your Personas and skills.
>Custom option.
>>47864238
>>Dodge and cast buffs from all of your Personas and skills.
>>47864238
>>Summon Ippon-Datara and have him attack.
'ERE WE GO BOYS
>>47864238
>attempt to charm with Narcissus
This has never let us down!
>>47864238
>Dodge and cast buffs from all of your Personas and skills.
>>47864238
>Dodge and cast buffs from all of your Personas and skills.
>>47864238
Chimera will most likely be either weak to frost or force fyi guys
>>47864238
>Dodge and cast buffs from all of your Personas and skills.
>>47864238
>Dodge and cast buffs from all of your Personas and skills.
Sukukaja first so we can dodge better.inb4 Dekaja.
>>47863270
Alright combo, especially with Koppa-Tengu being our arcana.
>>47864238
>>Dodge and cast buffs from all of your Personas and skills.
>>47864238
>>Dodge and cast buffs from all of your Personas and skills.
ALWAYS BUFF.
>>47864238
>>Dodge and cast buffs from all of your Personas and skills.
>>47864238
>Dodge and cast buffs from all your Personas and buffs
>>47864238
>>Dodge and cast buffs from all of your Personas and skills.
Buffs are pretty common and so long as we keep them staggered, it shouldn't be hard. Besides, it'd be tough to tell which buff we applied unless we act on them. Besides, aren't Hermits know for their buffs and debuffs?
>>47864238
>>Switch to Matador and prepare to evade.
>Be wary of raising your opponent’s suspicion.
>lol let's cast all the buffs!
sigh
>>47864436
how do buffs raise suspicion
>>47864436
You realize that we only have two buff spells in our loadout, right? It's Sukukaja and Tarukaja. That's not very suspicious for one Persona to have. Everything else is Chi Casting, which anyone can have regardless of Persona due to training, which is how we have it. This isn't going to look weird at all.
>>47864508
Oh, and both of those spells are on Koppa Tengu (Sukukaja's also on Matador, admittedly, but no reason to waste time swapping to an extra Persona). Koppa Tengu's a Hermit, just like we officially are. And Hermits are known for having a lot of buff and debuff spells.
>>47864436
Buffs are probably the least suspicious because of our persona's nature and their general common appearance. Using Ice or light spells? Those are obviously going to invoke raised eyebrows and suspicion. Wind may be lest likely since the bellows are always a thing to stoke flames higher.
>>47864560
And obviously light is a huge NO since that's our weakness.
>>47864579
Well, there are some Personas that have spells that they themselves are weak to. It's rare, though. I think that wind is probably the way to go when it comes to using a third element. We probably shouldn't use a fourth, a Persona with four elements and buffs/debuffs would be extremely unlikely. But we've got a lot of good wind spells, and fire/darkness/wind isn't too weird of a skill spread.
>>47864604
Unless our personal persona turns into some crazy thing capable of using more powerful spreads, I agree with you there. Fire and wind work well together and dark is always a good element. As is though, we should keep our wind spells a level below or at our fire spell. Showing diversity at a cost so to speak.
That was a nice lunch. Back to writing...
>>47864604
>>47864652
>Ippon Datara turns into Kagutsuchi
>Everyone is afraid.
>>47864706
>Kagutsuchi
thats.. actually a very good possibility considering the connections between the two. Hell, the god is pretty damn hermit if you think about it.
>>47864763
his Stats
STATS: STR GIT, DEX GUD, MAG YOU, END FUCKN, AGL SCRUB, LCK ASS, DEV BITCH
>>47864706
>>47864763
I don't understand.
>>47864845
You know whats the truly scary part? There are technically two of him. One from persona arena, and the godamned god moon of SMT3. You know, the one that is a font for god's will and erased the old world? Can you imagine summoning THAT?
Matador cackles and Auto-Sukukaja springs to life, relaxing your muscles and lightening your body. You then swap him out for Koppa Tengu and begin casting Tarukaja and Sukukaja as if your life depended on it. Which is sort of does, in a school reputation kind of way.
Unfortunately, your opponent seems to have the same idea. It isn’t surprising, considering that buff and debuff skills were essential for practically all battles. It doesn’t make you any more receptive to the idea, though.
“Sukukaja!” He yells. “And once more again!”
Pale green aura surrounds Chimera and it roars. One of its paws scrapes against the ground, its lion head bowed in your direction. You clench your teeth and focus on the incantation for the Killing Hands spell. Concrete your mana, drag it from the depths of soul and surround it from your wrist to your very tips of your fingers. You get through halfway through the last bit when Yoshii casts a single Rakukaja and points his Persona in your direction.
Then the monster is off, tearing down the area floor like a wolf to a sheep with murder in its fangs and eyes. You blink. And suddenly, Chimera is leaping at you, mouth outstretched to reveal a cavern of pink flesh and drool.
>Dodge to the side.
>Dodge under it.
>Leap backwards.
>Attempt to block.
>Try to counter physically.
>Try to counter magically.
>Custom option.
>>47864763
It actually works really well. Kagatsuchi is a maimed god of fire and darkness that is the patron of blacksmiths and whose cut-off parts became the mountains of Japan. Ippon-Datara is a maimed god of fire and darkness who is a blacksmith and who came from a mountain. That works really well as an evolution for Ippon-Datara.
>>47864927
>>Dodge under it.
>>47864927
>>Dodge under it.
Then
>Try to counter physically.
>>47864927
>Dodge under it.
then
>Try to counter physically.
uppercut
>>47864927
>Dodge under it.
>>47864854
http://megamitensei.wikia.com/wiki/Hinokagutsuchi_(demon)
The big bad of the Persona 4 Arena game. Basically, Izanami gave birth to a baby god that was on fire, which is not a very good way to go. Izanagi cut the baby into eight parts, and in true godly fashion, this lead to a grand total of sixteen more gods being born. They're like rodents or something.Now, consider the fact that Ippon-Datara is a heavily crippled fallen god of the forge.
>>47864927
>>Try to counter physically.
GEE LOOK AT THE TIME
>>47864927
>>Try to counter physically.
FATAL END
>>47864927
>Try to counter physically.
>>47864927
>>47864968
>>47865017
Wait fuck, that's not it.
>SHORYUKEN!!
>>47864927
Remember to switch to Matador when using physical attacks!
>>47865055
Nah, Ippon-Datara. Same Strength stat, and Phys Boost.
>>47864945
>>47864979
Also Kagutsuchi attacks with his fists.
>>Takashi: Slide under and attack.
There is absolutely no way this can go wrong. Then you see Yoshii charging towards you, brandishing his pair of knives.
Shit.
>Roll d100 to pull this off.
>Best out of three.
Rolled 55 (1d100)
>>47865124
Rolled 56 (1d100)
>>47865124
Rolled 56 (1d100)
>>47865124
Rolled 67 (1d100)
>>47865124
roll!
Rolled 88 (1d100)
>>47865124
Rolled 99 (1d100)
>>47865124
please let us be cool
>>47865133
>>47865134
>>47865138
Fucking how?
Man, fuck you too, dice.
>>47865133
>>47865134
>>47865138
Literally mediocre.
>>47865147
Fashionably late.
>>47865133
>>47865134
>>47865138
>>47865147
fuck and i rolled so good
>>47865133
>>47865134
>>47865138
The hell does this mean? Do we get some sort of weird mediocre bonus for somehow getting so damn close to one another?
>>47865195
If it makes you feel better, the dice system uses the timestamp as a randomizer. If you had rolled earlier you would have gotten just as terrible a roll.
Rolled 35 (1d100)
>>47865133
>>47865134
>>47865138
We focking lost
>>47865250
Not necessarily. It just means we've gotten hit. The fight's far from over.
I think sir yellingbird needs a hug right about now
>>47865323
why is that?
>>47865323
HE HAD SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR
I MEAN NOT REALLY
HIS CHARACTER ARC GOT RESOLUTION AND ALL
AND I NEVER REALLY USED HIM MUCH IN THE FIRST PLACE
So whatever I guess.
Also yay for further traumatizing Ken!
>>47865370
he discovered Shinji was weak to bullets
>>47865389
If you play as FeMC you can bone him and Aki at the same time
>>47865412
Shit, man, after the part he just got to he might just break.
>>47865390
No no, you need to use P3 terms. Weak to Pierce.
>>47865389In the FeMc route he can survive
>>47865389
WHERE IS THE NEXT PART OF COUPLE'S FIGHT?
Chimera sails through the air, the intent to tear through your chest air as visible as the paint on the ceiling. You grit your teeth and take a running start. You lean down and slide in the gap beneath Chimera’s jump. At the same time, you charge up energy in your right fist, a Fatal End courtesy of your main Persona, and prepare to deliver it straight into the beast’s backside.
That’s when Yoshii comes pounding across your vision, knife swinging downwards. You roll your feet and send your fist towards it. Both implements connect, the air around them shifts and sparks fly. A lot of grunting is involved. You and Yoshii glare into each other, as if mere eye contact could break the balance and send the other skidding across the arena floor.
Then Yoshii grins, raises his other knife and sends it down onto your left shoulder. The force of the blow almost causes bone to crack. You scream and stumble backwards. Chimera notices the signal and leaps at you once more.
Through sheer instinct and maybe a hint of luck, your wayward flailing sends you out of the attack’s path, giving you enough time to drop a Mudo spell on the two. The blast of accursed darkness doesn’t even come close to hurting the two. But the risk of the instant knockout grants you enough time to stumble over to the corner of the arena and regain your senses.
“That bastard…” You seethe, finishing up the Killing Hands spell from earlier. “Fuck, he’s fast. I gotta do something about that…”
>Koppa Tengu: Shibaboo.
>Makami: Shibaboo.
>Makami: Poisma.
>Makami: Sukunda.
>Narcissus: Marin Karin.
>Narcissus: Dream Haze.
>Go on the offensive instead.
>Dodge like hell.
>Continue to buff yourself.
>Custom option.
>>47865425
"Oh god, he (Akihiko) can speak French. Please tell me I can make him drill me like a cavity as FeMC." - Sir Yellingbird, 6/10/16
>>47865478
>Koppa Tengu: Shibaboo.
>>47865478
>>Koppa Tengu: Shibaboo.
>>47865478
>>Koppa Tengu: Shibaboo.
>>47865478
>Koppa Tengu: Shibaboo
>>47865471
Half done. Next thread, perhaps? The one after that? Who knows.
>>47865478
>>Koppa Tengu: Shibaboo.
>>47865478
>Go on the offensive instead.
>>Koppa Tengu: Shibaboo.
>Roll d100 to paralyze.
>Best out of three.
Rolled 37 (1d100)
>>47865634
Time to rock and or roll
Rolled 88 (1d100)
>>47865634
Rolled 16 (1d100)
>>47865494
>>47865539
Bruh, he can do that and more.
>>47865634
Rolled 1 (1d100)
>>47865634
Rolled 62 (1d100)
>>47865634
PRAYING TO YHVH
Rolled 29 (1d100)
>>47865634
>>47865648
Thank god it was outside the roll range.
>>47865647
Thank god you were slow
>>47865644
>>47865645
>>47865647
yeah bro
>>47865648
thank FUCK you're late
>>47865648
Thank YHVH you were late.
Rolled 44 (1d100)
>>47865651
Lucifer is going to show you how it's done.
Rolled 17 (1d100)
>>47865728
Come on Lucy can do better
>>47865728
>>47865750
>Lucifer is going to show you how it's done
>Always inferior to the One True God
>They never learn
>>47865728
>>47865750
>>47865773
As befitting of chaos fags.
Rolled 47 (1d100)
>>47865773
Meanwhile, this one is for neutrality/knows very little about SMT law vs. chaos.
Rolled 43 (1d100)
Rolling for White ending
Rolled 91 (1d100)
>>47865831
Are our rolls suddenly mediocre due to Sleeping Gods using all the 90s and 100s for it's grand finale?
>>47865869
>grand finale
It was a pretty shit end desu
>>47865831
Eh, mediocre.I'll show you how to emulate SMT later, fampai.
>>47865861
>Supporting whiney, wrist-slashing nihalistic wannabies
Okay
>>47865869
Apparently.
>>47865881
It was pretty good all things considered. We kick Diaspora's chitinous wooden ass pretty hard.
Rolled 96 (1d100)
>>47865773
For Arthur!
>>47865896
>I'll show you how to emulate SMT later, fampai.
Be sure you show him correctly.
>>47865921
The fight was great and the possibility he may become god of wanderers later on is neat but the other things were disappointing.
The downside to fighting alongside one’s Persona is that it grants the opponent two bodies to hit. This has never been more accurate as the crackling yellow bolts strike against Chimera, seizing up its muscles as if they had transformed into lead wires on the spot. A roar dies in its mouth and is replaced by a childlike whimper.
“You…asshole…” Yoshii chokes. He is stuck with a single leg off the ground in mid-run, giving the appearance of a particularly energetic and colorful sculpture. “Knew I should’ve invested in resist skills…”
This time it’s your turn to grin and crack your knuckles. What is your plan of attack?
>Mana Fist. Killing Hands. Yoshii’s face. Combine them now.
>Ippon-Datara: Torrent Shot to the chest (involves summoning him).
>Koppa Tengu: Garula.
>Makami: Garula.
>Makami: Agilao.
>Pile on even more status ailments.
>Take the opportunity to buff and debuff.
>Custom option.
>>47865925
I bet everyone was suprised Arthur didn't turn evil.
>>47865925
>You will never be comforted by an A.I.who doesn't go SKYNET after you kill all your friends and beleives in the potential of humanity
Why live
>>47865931
The new Raidou remaster looks great.
>>47865976
>Ippon-Datara: Torrent Shot to the chest (involves summoning him).
>>47865976
>Mana Fist. Killing Hands. Yoshii’s face. Combine them now.
>>47865976
>Mana Fist. Killing Hands. Yoshii’s face. Combine them now.
>>47865976
>>Mana Fist. Killing Hands. Yoshii’s face. Combine them now.
>>Ippon-Datara: Torrent Shot to the chest (involves summoning him).
We can do both right? We attacking Yoshii and Ippon attacking Chimera
>>47865976
>>Mana Fist. Killing Hands. Yoshii’s face. Combine them now.
>>47865976
>>Mana Fist. Killing Hands. Yoshii’s face. Combine them now.
>>47865976
>>Mana Fist. Killing Hands. Yoshii’s face. Combine them now.
>>47865976
>>Mana Fist. Killing Hands. Yoshii’s face. Combine them now.
>>47865976
>>47865976
>>Mana Fist. Killing Hands. Yoshii’s face. Combine them now.
>>Ippon-Datara: Torrent Shot to the chest (involves summoning him).
Maximum ORA.
Rolled 96 (1d100)
roll 100 and this duel will end Takashi accidentally cast megidolaon
Rolled 74 (1d100)
>>47866028
Damn, so close
>>47866028
Not bad, you can have Megidola instead.
>>47865976
>>Ippon-Datara: Torrent Shot to the chest (involves summoning him).
Ora Ora motherfucker. if we can combine it with killing hands, we do so.
>Blitzkrieg: Boosts physical, gun, fire, elec and nuclear attacks.
We should learn this Chi casting.
>Strengthen: Toughen body to ignore innate weaknesses for a very short period of ti
I think I found an excuse for not being weak to light anymore.
>>47865976
>Mana Fist. Killing Hands. Yoshii’s face. Combine them now.
>>47866080
And it even has a temporary effect, too, justifying why we might suffer from a weakness at one point in a fight but not another.
>>47866080
after watching all the persona 5 stuff over and over again i just want everyone in the party to carry some form of gun now
>Battle Aura: Strengthen body to negate all damage from light attacks. Further upgrades alters this to medium and eventually heavy. Very difficult to learn.
How high our P. Aug would need to be to learn that?
>>47866080
Well, didn't Takashi's mom mention it before? Who knows maybe she will teach it to us if we make her proud?
I just want Debilitate and Luster Candy. Set for life once you got those.
>>47866201
Maybe if we duel enough the rewards for doing well on tests will be skill books, since she'll have seen it's something we're interested in.
>>47866184
So Glad we have S Dev.
>>47866238
I'm just waiting for her to come home so that she can teach us herself.
>>47866245
call me stupid but what was the point of getting dev to S again?
>>47866245
so what was the point of S Dev again?
>>47866276
>>47866352
It gives us more XP and makes it easier for us to learn new skills.
>>47866276
>>47866352
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL (DEV): Rate at which the persona/Persona grows and gains experience. Affects...
-The rate at which new skills and abilities are obtained or learned
-C. EXP gained
-C. EXP requirements for the next LEVEL UP
-Social Stats (a little bit)
-Skills and stat boosts from Social Link increments (other Personas only
>>47866276
>>47866352
Developement affects a few things. What we can learn, how fast we level, and even our social stuff to a degree. Before we usually got a 5 int from studying. Right after ranking Dev up, we got 8. That is a nice boost and cuts down the ammount of study time dramatically.
>>47866276
>>47866352
it makes our dick bigger
We should focus on increasing END.
You decide to do what most adolescent boys would do when they see their classmate and inner animal spirit in rigid positions worthy of stone people: call an ambulance. Wait, no you don’t. You just charge up magic in your hand and punch him in the face. Yes, you think to yourself as your glowing fist smashes into Yoshii’s cheek, causing his teeth to rattle, this is very good. You are having so much fun as you uppercut him. Duelling is indeed an enjoyable sport. The mana effect is wearing off, so you give him one last hook and leap back before he untangles his senses.
Yoshii untangles his senses and spits out blood. “Okay, that’s it! No more mister nice guy!”
“I wasn’t aware you were trying to play nice from the start!”
“It’s a figure of speech!” He yells and lightning blasts down from the ceiling. You nimbly step to the side. Then Chimera opens its three mouths and sends a stream of flame bursting through your way. You grit your teeth, switch to Makami and charge straight through it. Half-way through you summon crush the card of the Hermit. Ippon-Datara drags himself out of your psyche, its single eye pulsing like a furnace about to explode.
“Torrent Shot!”
Miniature iron bolts descend like hail. Chimera turns tail and runs from the assault, its serpent-like tail shrieking in the process. The one-eyed blacksmith curses (or maybe that’s just you) and gives chase.
Snarling, you lunge at the Persona’s master. He barks an equally foul retort back and attacks with his knives, slashing and swiping through the air as if the arena had suddenly been infested with a swarm of gigantic wasps. You jab out with your fists over and over again, catching the blows with your knuckles.
It’s another stalemate. That is, until you manage to land a sweeping kick in Yoshii’s right leg. He collapses onto one side, wincing. You grab his right wrist and twist it. His grip goes slack and the knife clatters to the ground.
He responds by headbutting you straight in the forehead. Your vision swims.
>Roll d100 to regain your senses.
>Best out of three.
Rolled 93 (1d100)
>>47866475
Rolled 76 (1d100)
>>47866475
Nat 1
Rolled 89 (1d100)
>>47866475
Rolled 62 (1d100)
>>47866475
Rolled 9 (1d100)
>>47866475
For Arthur!
>>47866482
we regained the fuck out of our senses.
>>47866482
Nice. Now for the counter!
>>47866482
>>47866486
>>47866494
dis gon be gud
We would've lost this duel if we didn't bring auxiliary Personas. Ippon-Datara-only cucks BTFO
>>47866584
>Shitposting
But why?
>>47866475
Hey Thorn can you tell us what are his stats once the battle is over?
>>47866630
It has resist or null dark. Might also have resist Phys
Pain burns in your right leg. It is the sensation a young man experiences when the offspring of Echidna bites down on the single leg belonging to a Japanese demon. It quickly turns to be a blessing in a prickly disguise. It steadies your vision, a mere second before Yoshii shoves the knife down towards your neck. You sidestep, recalling Ippon-Datara at the same time. Chimera falls to the ground, chewing confusedly at nothing.
What happens next is muddied by a haze of agony, adrenaline and the wonderful tingly feeling you get when magic spikes through your fingers. You lash out with another kick, landing it straight in your opponent’s side. The second knife falls to the ground.
You then switch to Koppa Tengu, gather all the wind energy in your hands and send it barrelling towards Yoshii’s chest.
“Garula!”
Yoshii's form is buried beneath a funnel of swirling green. An incomprehensible amalgamation of a scream, a swear and a tearful cry explodes from his lungs. It sounds like a wounded dog dropped into a blender. You are too hopped on mana to devote the effort to decipher its true meaning, but if you had bothered you would have recognised it as…
“Wind! My one weakness!”
Damage connects through the bond between master and servant. Chimera is send flying across the opposite side of the arena. It lands on its side, the lamb head bleating.
>>Once more!
You limp towards Yoshii, who is on one knee and desperately attempting to recover. What sort of assault will you perform on him?
>Burn him with fire.
>Cut him up with wind.
>Curse him with darkness.
>Hammer to the head.
>Put him to sleep.
>Punching still works. Why stop?
>Use one of the knives against him.
>Custom option.
>>47866958
>>Hammer to the head.
>>47866958
>Cut him up with wind.
We got the weakness, now just keep hitting it!
>>47866958
>Cut him up with wind.
