In Progress Wiping all out.

[Renegen]

Haven't played the PSP version but Persona 4 is better in every way to Persona 3.

 

[CappenVarra]

Love the cattish commentary; this isn't the kind of game I'd usually consider playing, but the writing makes is entertaining to read

 

[Mrowak]

Sukeban Cho

I am liking what you've done with our heroine and her alter-ego. With the actual protagonist I almost hear humble, respectful and polite forms... in English. She is more Japanese than the Japanese in this game. The alter-ego (true-er self?) instead of being the an opposite, is more direct, and frank, kinda offering another perspective on events. Anyway, the squabbles of both are an entertaining read.

I am uncertain about the combat system and dungeon crawling aspect of this game. I've not been the greatest fan of the gameplay design in Persona 4. Frankly, i had more fun with SMT: Nocturne.

I have been kind of sick lately, and I probably could do with a bit more rest. I will update a bit slower for a while, so I can go to sleep earlier every day. And start answering all those PM and emails I have been delaying, since we are at it.

Do rest, and do not overdo with the pace of updates. 3 updates of this size a week is a max, I reckon (but then again, my own LPs kind of don't end ).

 

[Sukeban Cho]

Hmm, so battles are the usual JRPG fare.

They aren't, but it is hard to notice the differences until we get deeper into the game. They are the usual Shin Megami Tensei fare, instead: The focus is almost entirely put on the minigame-ish nature of the mechanics, and on buffing and debuffing. It feels more like a casual puzzle game than a JRPG, at times.

Which is part of the charm.

Do the Personae summons take a long time, as usual?

It depends on what you mean by as usual. Personae aren't really summons, in that every single attack you use, other than your basic strike, summons one. As Hirato said is no more than three or four seconds: Your characters shoots herself, the Persona appears, the attack is done.

If you don't grind you will barely notice it, but if you do give in to your inner Pokemon Trainer and grind to get the components to create awesome custom demons you will start missing the old games' faster attacks around the time you reach the third block.

Would be interesting to see an in-depth analysis of the differences between Persona 3 and 4 as far as their combat and dungeon crawling mechanics go.

I do not remember Persona 4's mechanics all that well, but I may load it for a bit to refresh my memory one of these days.

P3P mixes elements of both Persona 3 and Persona 4, though.

Love the cattish commentary; this isn't the kind of game I'd usually consider playing, but the writing makes is entertaining to read

It makes me happy you are enjoying my little Let's Play. I hope I will not let you down later.

I am liking what you've done with our heroine and her alter-ego.

I am glad you like it so far.

I've not been the greatest fan of the gameplay design in Persona 4. Frankly, i had more fun with SMT: Nocturne.

Nocturne is one of the best, if not the best, Shin Megami Tensei game, combat wise.

But you must not face terrible choices like "Should I go out with Akihiko today, or do something with Yukari? Gee, either way I am missing on the cultural film marathon. There goes the schedule on my plan of raising Academics for the next round of exams." and whom to go to the festival with, which makes Nocturne inherently inferior.






Edit:

I just found this piece of Persona 3 fanart that has the Persona 3 cast cosplaying as the Persona 4 cast, which I will post here for the lulz just because Persona 3's female protagonist is dressed like an actual Sukeban on it.

Spoiler

 

[Mrowak]

I am liking what you've done with our heroine and her alter-ego.

I am glad you like it so far.

I've not been the greatest fan of the gameplay design in Persona 4. Frankly, i had more fun with SMT: Nocturne.

Nocturne is one of the best, if not the best, Shin Megami Tensei game, combat wise.

But you must not face terrible choices like "Should I go out with Akihiko today, or do something with Yukari? Gee, either way I am missing on the cultural film marathon. There goes the schedule on my plan of raising Academics for the next round of exams." and whom to go to the festival with, which makes Nocturne inherently inferior.

Haha. Yeah, while playing Persona 4 I found myself much more interested in all the side and subplots there were regarding various characters - my team members and other people. Those simple stories, deprived of any supernatural element, with no real gameplay whatsoever, were much more interesting than actually fighting demons of the netherworld. It is strange that when the quest deadline approached, I only thought about maxing out the relationships with the teammates, and hoped I could get this over with the dungeons.

...

o_O

Edit:

I just found this piece of Persona 3 fanart that has the Persona 3 cast cosplaying as the Persona 4 cast, which I will post here for the lulz just because Persona 3's female protagonist is dressed like an actual Sukeban on it.

Spoiler

Wait, is Akihiko Sanada cosplaying Satonaka Chie? o_O

 

[Cassidy]

VOTE FOR THE DOG!

-Snip-

Don't know what this is about, but I like dogs!

Do you still think Macross is better than Babylon 5? ^______^

NEVAR FORGIVE, NEVAR FORGET



In any case I voted for the dog. And is this a Visual Novel, a Dungeon Crawler or both?

 

[Sukeban Cho]

Chapter the sixth:​

Vanessa Nyah and the basics of fusion.​

I wanted to fit all of April 22 on a single update so we can start exploring Tartarus in the update right afterwards, but as it was growing to be quite huge I decided to cut this part and add it on its own. I will post the update proper later.

Spoiler

Welcome to the Velvet Room.

Thank you for receiving us this late, sir.

Well... I suppose it's time for me to explain what I really do here. It is my job to create new Personas.

Personae.

But in order to do so, I must fuse your Persona cards together... In other words, I shall merge them into a single Persona. The number of Personas...

Tch.

...you have buried within you is approximately 170. We've never seen a visitor with this many possibilities before...

...I fear for the sanity of whomever is roleplaying me...

If you establish Social Links, you may be able to create even stronger Personas, too.

If you don't mind spending half of your life trying combinations after unlocking their fusions, he means.

Heh heh heh... This should prove veeeery interesting.

It is my hope not to let you down, sir.

So, as you accumulate cards, please bring them to me. If you wish to learn about fusing Personas in more detail then talk to me so that I may give you some hints.

Please do so, sir. I would very much like a better understanding on the basics of fusion.

My role is to create new Personas. By fusing your existing Personas together, I allow a new one to emerge. When a new Persona is created, it tends to be of higher level than the ones that were fused. However, Personas that are fused are lost forever.

By forever you mean...

He means we will need to recruit a new one and train it from the very beginning if we want a replacement. That or pay a steep fee to spawn them from our compendium, once we get one.

I understand.

Since the process requires multiple Personas, you will be left with fewer than you had before... Which powers will you forsake in order to gain new ones? It is up to you to decide.

He must be lying. We all know there is no such as thing as choices and consequences in japanese role playing games.

Right now you mentioned Social Links, sir. Could you tell me a little more about them?

Persona is the power of your soul, which thrives on the bonds you have with others. Thus, it is only natural that Social Links affect the strenght of your Personas. If you have established a Social Link of the same Arcana as the Persona you wish to create then that Persona will receive power from the Social Link and level up. The amount of power it will receive depends on the level of the Social Link. In some cases, your Persona may even surpass your own level. *chuckle*

Which is the only situation in which we will be able to command a Persona more powerful than we are.

Do you understand now how important Social Links are to Persona-users?

They appear to be very important, sir.

There are several types of fusion. First, the Normal Spread... This is the most basic type. You simply fuse two Personas together. Next, the Triangle Spread... In this type of fusion, three Personas are used to produce a Persona of an even higher order. Supposedly, certain Personas can only be created through Triangle Spread fusion...

Is there a method to predicting the outcome of fusions, other than trial and error?

In general, Persona fusion exhibits predictable patterns dependent on the Arcana involved. There are a number of combinations, however, that don't follow the usual patterns. For example, fusing Personas of the same Arcana... The best way to learn is to experiment on your own.

Tell her also about skill inheritance.

A Persona created through fusion may inherit the skills possessed by its precursors. In other words, it's possible to give a Persona skills that it could never learn on its own. You should keep this in mind when you're trying to create a powerful Persona.

Please, sir, tell me more about the rules governing this process.

The mechanism of skill inheritance is not completely understood, but there are three key points I'd like to share with you. First, the skills to be inherited change every time you select a Persona for fusion.

By which he means we will cancel and retry the same fusion over and over gain until we manage to force her to inherit the skills we want her to, or close enough.

Second, the chance of a skill being inherited depends on what the expected Persona is.

By which he means both the time and the effort invested on the previous point will be many times for naught.

Lastly, the more skills the original Personas possess, the more skills the resulting Persona will inherit. Please remember this.

I will do so, sir.

Allow me to explain more about skill inheritance. For each Persona, there are skills that can be inherited, and those that cannot. It is primarily determined by the Persona's characteristics... Here are some general rules: Personas proficient at physical attacks are unlikely to inherit magic attacks. Regarding magic attacks... let us first discuss Fire, Ice, Electricity and Wind. A Persona with an affinity for one of these four elements cannot inherit skills of the other three types. Likewise, Personas with an affinity for Light will never inherit Dark skills, and vice versa.

This is complicated.

Meanwhile, Personas proficient at healing cannot inherit any physical attacks. As you'd expect, Personas good at physical attacks tend to be bad at magic, and very few Personas can wield magic of multiple elements.

They aren't really THAT rare.

Even more rare are Personas who can inherit any skill, although they do exist.

And most of them are linked to The Fool themselves.

You will learn more, by and by, as you experiment with fusion.

Is there any other way to give particular skills to a Persona?

Skill cards let you seal skills and teach them to any Persona. For example, if you were to use an "Agi" card on a Persona, that Persona would then learn "Agi". Even if the skill is one that cannot be passed down through fusion, it seems Personas can learn via skill cards... Also, if the Persona you wish to teach the skill to already has eight skills in its current repertoire you will be able to choose which skill to discard.

Thank you very much for telling me this, sir. I am sure this knowledge will be useful to me.

I've also heard that skill cards can be copied somewhere... It would be best for you to learn about that yourself through trial and error.

Given how useful they seem to be, I have to ask... Are there any other kinds of cards I should keep an eye out for?

Are you familiar with the Minor Arcana cards? They depict coins, swords, and whatnot. Of those, the face cards -- the Page, Knight, Queen and King -- hold special powers: They are called Incense Cards, and they can enhance Personas' abilities.

I understand.

These cards' effects can be passed on through fusion to new Personas. If you happen to acquire one, you should give it a try.

I will do as you say, sir. I am grateful for all the advice and wisdom you have imparted on us. I look forward to seeing you work this art you know so well.

I regret to inform you of this, but our powers are not perfect. Although rare, there are times when the cards are placed incorrectly, causing an accident. The resulting Persona will most likely be different than what we anticipated. Please pardon us if this does occur...

It is understandable, sir. And, once more, thank you very much for your time and patience.

Afterwards she left the Velvet Room, returning to the entrance to Tartarus. Soon later all SEES members returned to the dormitory, tonight's mission having ended.

 

[lightbane]

Remember kids, according to P3, unlike what (terrible) mangas say, being an aggravating emo loner without friends will be your downfall.

He must be lying. We all know there is no such as thing as choices and consequences in japanese role playing games.

*takes a deep breath* Nocturne, Strange Journey, Devil Survivor, Steambot Chronicles, BoF 1-4, Radiant Historia, Radiata Stories, Infinite Space... Say otherwise.

 

[Crooked Bee]

Looking forward to the next update!

 

[Sukeban Cho]

Looking forward to the next update!

Remember kids, according to P3, unlike what (terrible) mangas say, being an aggravating emo loner without friends will be your downfall.

You are rong! Being an aggravating emo loner is the prerequisite for a magical girlfriend to appear in your life and save you from yourself!

*takes a deep breath* Nocturne, Strange Journey, Devil Survivor, Steambot Chronicles, BoF 1-4, Radiant Historia, Radiata Stories, Infinite Space... Say otherwise.

Tch. All those games are japanese, therefore have no choices and consequences. Q.E.D. The sistine chapel, now, that's some finely crafted C&C right there.

In any case I voted for the dog. And is this a Visual Novel, a Dungeon Crawler or both?

A mixture of visual novel, dungeon crawler, and life sim. So far we have seen mostly the visual novel. From the update after the next one there will be several updates focused on Vanessa, Yukari, Junpei, and everyone's imaginary friends ascending the first block of Tartarus... several times, because I love my Pokemon Training. From then on there will be a good deal of life siming until we hit the first real boss.

o_O

Haha, yes, totally. The formula just works, regardless of how bad it sounds on paper. Now if they just added some of Devil Survivor's long term consequencing and made Persona 2's urban myth manipulation a standard element of the series...

Wait, is Akihiko Sanada cosplaying Satonaka Chie? o_O

Of course! They are the only two unarmed fighters.

And they would be a cute couple if a crossover game was made.

 

[Sukeban Cho]

Chapter the seventh:​

Touring with ball and chain.​

Spoiler

But man... things have been real crazy these past couple days. Are you all right? You must be confused since you've just transferred here too.

I am well, Sanada-San. Thank you for asking.

Wow, that's impressive. You're completely different from Junpei. On the other hand, I'm so bored that I feel like I'm going to die...

...Hey, is there any way I can sneak in on the fight? Maybe I could get past Mitsuru if I wear Junpei's hat?

...No, nevermind. The consequences wouldn't be worth it...

They enter the school. Later...

Student: Next, we'll hear a word from the Student Council. Please welcome the new President, Mitsuru Kirijo, from Class 3-D.

Thank you.

So, she did get elected. Well... I guess she IS the most popular girl in school.

You can say that again! There's like some kinda aura around her...

Besides, this school's owned by the Kirijo Group, right?

...so much for the aura theory...

As I begin my term as a Student Council President, I'd like to share with you my vision for this coming year. It is my firm belief that each of us must accept the responsibility of bettering our school. However, change cannot occur without sustained effort and an unprecedented level of commitment. That is why we must restructure our daily lives to accommodate this lofty goal. I'd like each of you to dig deeply into your well of motivation, and re-evaluate your convictions, to imagine a bold new future without losing sight of the realities around you. That is the key.

...school politics are serious business...

I am certain that many of you have your own visions of the future... For us to reap the full benefits of our education, your paticipation, ideas, and enthusiasm are essential. Thank you.

Dang... That was freakin' amazing...

The iliterate are so impressionable.

Hey, did you understand what she was talking about?

I did, yes.

Huh? Seriously? Man, you're smart... Sure didn't sound like somethin' a high schooler would say...

Appropriate, when she said nothing.

If it was anyone else, we'd be laughin' our assess off.

... You know what? I'm tired of these textbooks. I just went over this novel in the last class. I've got a great poem we can cover instead. Close your textbooks, everyone, and listen...

You feel tired... Close your eyes for a few minutes?

I thank you for the offer, O Lord, but I actually enjoy literature teachers who love their work.

All right, Kenji, you'd better not be sleeping back there! You should be ashamed of yourself, taking a nap while I pour my heart into reading this poem! For that, you get another essay along with your regular assignment tonight! I'll expect a slice of cake when you turn it in, too! And don't cheap out with the store-bought stuff like last time!

I love this teacher already.

You stayed up and listened to the lecture... Your Academics has increased.

*poof* Baby Sha, Sha, Sha, what the hell are you?

Ah, this is a good one.

I'm whimpering, whimpering, crying!

Wait! Stop right there, this is not After School!

Sha, sha, sha, my heart keeps pit-a-pating today.

It could be argued After School is not Orange Caramel, yet Orange Caramel is After School.

Baby sha, sha, sha, oh my shanghai love!

That would be naught but cheating!

You are so conceited!

And now you'll say I look right handed to you, right?

Meanwhile, deep within our heroines' own delusional realm...

Spoiler

Does this really means I can start deciding what to do with my time, or are they just teasing me?

They are probably just teasing us. Do not drop your guard yet.

Our heroine uses the notebook on her desk to save the game, then starts talking with those students still in the classroom. A male student with neither name nor portrait tells her the Tennis and Volleyball teams will open to new members two days from now, and then she finds Junpei looking out the window. One could say he looks thoughtful, were he not Junpei we are talking about.

Dude, Mitsuru-senpai's speech this morning was crazy. I heard no one was even close to her in the election. Considering her background, I don't know why they bothered.

I do not believe I understand all of what you mean by that.

Let's face it, we're all just plain ordinary compared to her, man.

She also finds a girl with neither portrait nor name that offers to give her directions if she ever gets lost, and a guy of similar description talking some nonsense about being on a diet. It is near this last one she meets the first Akihiko fangirl of her career.

Female student: You're the transfer student everyone's talking about, right? The one who moved into the dorm where Akihiko-senpai lives?

I am her, yes.

Female student: I've always wanted to talk to you.

It is fine with me, if you so desire.

Female student: Really? Great. Then could you be a pal and tell me everything about Akihiko-senpai? His favorite foods, his type of girl, how he spends his days off, and...

I'm terribly sorry, but they say being a loser can be contagious. Ta-ta.

Vanessa leaves the classroom with the intention of exploring the school. Just outside she meets the first Mitsuru fan of her career.

Female Student: Mitsuru-senpai's speech was sooo cool! I voted for her! Everyone else looks so small compared to Mitsuru-senpai. *sigh* Mitsuru-senpai...

Oh, my. Look at the time... I am very sorry to say I must go. Good evening.

From here she goes on to walk around the school looking for something interesting to do or learn. However...

Newsflash! Some girl decided to drop out from highschool.

The envy is eating away at me.

Did you hear, did you hear? That girl said, like, parents who nag about studying totally suck! I should write this down, yay.

And over there it was said, what is this tree? what does it represents?

Tch! Curse these yellow untermensch! What can change the nature of the tree? That ponders the true gentleman.

A lady, she was.

You never know.

There are indeed abysses with no bottom.



Time passes...

Female Student: It's hard to read... It doesn't look like English... And if you listen close, you can hear mysterious voices inside... It's one awfully mysterious home economics class, let me tell you.

Thank you for the story. You have piqued my interest, for certain.

Our heroine finds her way to the Home Economics room, and...

There's a note on the door. It appears to be a mixture of Japanese and some other language. In order for you to understand it, you need to improve your Academics. You must be at least Average.

This must be the Attention Whores club. *shrug* Let's go elsewhere.



More time passes...

I fail to understand the point of allowing only males to be part of natation teams.

Not to mention giving us free rein just to have nothing to do.

Extra! Extra!

What is it, Pixie-san?

The schedule for the first term has been, like, totally posted on the bulleting board!

Anything interesting?

Like, I don't know. Let's see... Midterms begin the eighteenth of may, and finals the fourteenth of july.

Damns are not being given.

And then there's a bunch of breaks and stuff.

Now, that's a good girl. *throws pixie a cheeto*



Even more time passes...

Good evening, sir.

I was...

However, keep in mind that you are interrupting my, um... scholarly pursuits.

I am very sorr...

...You seem healthy enough. My eyes cannot be deceived!

But I just wante...

Now, get back to class!

Yet it is already ov...

It seems he will only see you if you are sick or tired.



Later...

Ah, the joy!

......?

What is it, O Lord?

There's a commotion at the front gate...

Akihiko Fan: Look, it's Akihiko-senpai!

Their voices... *twitch*

Giddy Schoolgirl: Wait for us!

...the pain...

......

Man, would you look at that? I hear they're always swarming Akihiko-senpai like that.

I know he's the captain of the boxing team, but... I mean, come one! You don't even see girls flock like that on TV!

I take it you are not very interested in asian pop, Iori-San.

I wonder where they're going...

Akihiko goes straight to the group.

Hey, are you guys free this afternoon?

Huh? Who, us!? I... guess so...?

I want the two of you to meet me at Paulownia Mall. You know where it is, right? I'll be at the police station.

We will do as you say, Sanada-san.

See ya there.

Th-The police station? Uh, are your friends gonna come along, too?

Who, these girls? I don't even know their names. They talk so much they give me a headache. Anyway, I'm gonna head out... Don't keep me waiting.

Akihiko Fan: Awww... Why can't he be more friendly? *sigh*

*shudder*

Man, how can he not know their names!? I mean, seriously! Just look at them!

Yet that precisely is the reason he does not know their names, Iori-San.

Well, I guess we gotta go... Sheesh, talk about putting a damper on a guy's afternoon.

The police station at the Paulownia Mall... You decide to head there with Junpei.

Junpei and our heroine are left by themselves at the school's entrance.

Oh, this is so totally cool!

I do not understand, Pixie-San.

That guy, the weird lonely one? Just now he was mumbling to himself about, like, strange stories going around about students turned evil ghosties who eat people!

This is very interesting. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Wouldn't it be, like, super cool if it were true?

I am confident all urban legends that reach us have at least a fair chance of being partially true.

Yay!

And, on the way out...

It would seem they were not just teasing us, for once.

OoOoOoOoOh! Can we really go to all those places?

Yet Sanada-san told us not be leave him waiting...

D'aww, C'moooon! People like us is actually expected to visit every nook and cranny before triggering the next plot event!

I beg your pardon?

The fluttering one, a point she has. Imagine! You meet this guy, the perfect guy... Yet locked out of his route you are, an optional event you missed! Alas.

But... we really should not leave Sanada-san waiting for us...

Ah, to sacrifice true love for duty! So admirable, our mistress.

Such is the profound strength of one willing to lose it all in one proper gesture.

Wild flower of ancient Yamato, she.

*whimper*

Under the rain, against the gale! Of fairy kind the last prince, waited! And wept.

Cruel fate for a prince to be bound to the witch.

I... It would be improper of me not to make sure there is no Prince-Sama waiting somewhere for me, would it not?

Super duper -totally- improper!

Just a quick look around. Sanada-San will not even notice.

Ah, the song of damnation is now one of redemption! And love.

And so it was that our heroine visited Port Island Station, with Junpei in tow.

Such a quaint flower shop.

And... Lookie look! A theater!

Near the entrance a man comes to our heroine.

Man: Do you like movies?

Very much so, sir.

Man: Me, too! Movies kick ass! I love them because they're like a microcosm of real life.

Let's watch a movie!

We do not have much money left.

Tickets cost 1500 yen for high school students.

We have enough, alas!

Not to mention a bothersome Junpei, a random cinephile, and a fine pair of puppy eyes.

Alright, it sounds like fu...

Dude, that's NOT the police station...

Thou slayer of joy!

The party leaves the theater with a heavy heart. After, of course accidentally, eavesdroping on a true casanova and his mark...

... they find themselves walking down an alley behind the station.

Kitty ahoy!

Hello kitty!

Please, do not do...

*poof*

...that.

Meanwhile, deep within our heroine's own delusional realm...

Spoiler

*sigh*

Oh, oh, oh! *flutters around* Lookie look here!

A mahjong club?

I do not believe we should be here.

Oh, c'mon. Just a peek.

Cigarette smoke and a nervous tension fill the air.

For once, he is quite right. Let us lea...

Punk: What's a chick like you doing here?

Nothing, sir. I was just leaving.

Another Punk: You better get outta here before you get into some deep shit.

I will do as you say. I am very sorry. Good evening.



After recovering of the scare she had just experienced our heroine arrives at the Iwatodai Strip Mall, with Junpei in tow.

Our heroine leaves the mall and continues her search for both a fairy tale prince waiting for her, his fated damsel, and a fun time to be had, now on the local station. She gets a contemplative cabbie instead of either. Yay.

Taxi Driver: But for cabbies like me... it's the same thing, year in, year out.

Are you feeling well, sir?

Taxi Driver: I'm not feeling bad or nothin', just... I feel like I've done it all before, you know? Every year...

They ignore some little girl ranting on about her teacher and leave.



A bit later she arrives to the local shinto shrine, with Junpei still in tow.

I beg your pardon?



Not very far from the shrine she finds a familiar place... with Junpei still in tow.

Is this not our dormitory?

And thus, tired of listening to Junpei's constant whining our heroine takes the train to Paulownia Mall. Once there, however, it doesn't take long for her to go...

Oh, lookie look! An arcade!

I am to meet someone, but this place did catch my fancy.

Male Student: If you wanna know about the games here, I can tell you all about 'em.

I am very grateful for the offer, sir. Please tell me about the games available to play right now.

Male Student: You can play the quiz game today, or try the fortune-teller machine. The quiz game is pretty difficult... It's a good way to improve your academics.

I see. And what about the other one?

Male Student: I'm not sure what good the fortune-teller machine does, but I hear you gain some kinda magic powers...

*tilts head*

Male Student: Well, that about covers it.

Thank you very much for your time.

Over there, isn't that a crane game?

Where? Oh, like, it is! It is! It is! It totally is!

Alright, alright! But, after the police station, okay!?

Awwwright... Oh, look! A CD Shop! Can I? Can I? Can I?

We can come back later, right? Let's go to the police station first.

Maybe we should visit the pharmacy and better prepare ourselves for any eventuality during our explor...

Let's go to the police station first, man...

I am sorry, you are right.

An antique store I spy! There, next to us.

It seems to be closed, though.

Alas, you are right! Until June the ninth, the sign yonder explains.

Oh, it's not open, huh... Wait a minute! This isn't the police station!

Can't we just totally kill the jerk and have some fun?

That would not be nice.

Like, pretty please with a soma drop on top?

No, he is right. We should go to the police station at onc... Oh, my. Is that a Karaoke club?

Oh, my! Oh, my! Oh, my! *plays riff*

Dude, we can check it out AFTER we go to the police station.

I really enjoy Karaoke.

Let's leave it for later!

Ah, look. This must be the nice cafe Yukari told me about before, "Cafe Chagall." It looks like a fun place to be, does it not?

Do you want to have fun drinking tea with me? Are you seriously thinking about that?

What a good idea you have just had, Iori-San!

Sorry, but not now! I gotta go to the police station!

*pouts* Alright.

Be Blue V? What a totally strange name for a place.

It seems to be a SPA of some sort.

Dude! The police station's next door!

*mumble, mumble* ...fuck off and, like, die... *mumble, mumble*

Here we are, the police station.

Oh, my! Look, look! There's a totally mysterious alley right next to it!

Dude, you passed the police station!

*mumble, mumble* ...shithead... *mumble, mumble*

Oh, these are the guys I was talking about earlier.

This is Officer Kurosawa. He helps keep our squad well-equipped.

I am pleased to meet you, sir. Your help is much appreciated.

And, this is from Ikutsuki-san...

R-Really!? Sweet!

You and Junpei each received 5,000 yen.

You can't fight empty-handed, so find something you like.

I will do as you say, Sanada-San.

Officer Kurosawa has connections...

But, these things still cost money.

Of course they do. Nothing in life is free.

I realize that.

The song of happy little birds, a field of wild flowers in spring, and the bright blue sky disagree with both your big banal selves, hmpf!

Well, I'll see you later. Thanks again.

Akihiko leaves.

I've been informed about you two. My job is to maintain peace in this city, regardless of the circumstances.

With all due respect, sir, I find it surprising an officer of the law is helping us in such a way as you do.

I'm just an ordinary police officer, but it doesn't take a genius to know something strange is going on here. I'm only doing what I think is right.

I understand.

I don't have that much, but you should be able to find what you need. I won't ask what they'll be used for. But, I believe that you'll use them for the right reasons.

Thank you for the vote of confidence, sir.

Our heroine checks the equipment available at the moment, but there is nothing particularly interesting and she has other things on which to spend her money right now. After thanking Kurosawa for his help and promising to come back later she leaves the police station.

I'm gonna take off, since I'm in a bad mood now... Later.

Junpei has left.

I doubt I will ever have a worse impromptu date, no matter how long I live.

Totally!

At least he fucked off already. Let's check that alley we saw before.

I found the door by accident and my curiosity was piqued. I am very sorry to have bothered you, sir.

Well then... I look forward to your next visit.

Thank you for your patience, sir. Good evening.

Leaving the alley they decide to visit the pharmacy they had not been able to enter before.

Good evening, sir. How are you today?

The competition between different pharmacies is heating up. I've got to make my store more unique, or I'll be sunk.

I am very sorry to hear.

I'm starting by making Saturday a regular sale day. Come out this weekend and support my store!

Our heroine checks the goods being sold, but decides to buy only a box of Super Cat Food for seven hundred yen, I guess in case she gets hungry later on. Then she finally gets down to the important stuff.

That piggy bank in the likeness of Ganesha wants to go home with us.

The first time she grabs nothing but air, but with the second try...

Yayifications!

Before long they leave the mall. Or, instead, we should say the switch malls: They look around Iwatodai Strip Mall for a little while, trying to get a feeling of what's there to do in the city. While doing so...

Vendor: Our takoyaki is delicious! And it's only 400 yen! It's our own special recipe, with no octopus... Want some?

That sounds... enigmatic, to say the least. I'll take one.

I hope you are feeling like collecting crap food, because that's not going into me.

Maybe it's tasty.

Just LOOK AT IT.

Good lord.

With... it... stored safely in a plastic bag fated to be forgotten for quite a long time in one of her bag's many pockets they finally take the train back to Port Island station and check the movie theater's programe. A marathon of foreign movies without subtitles is showing, and they decide watching it would be both fun and good practice.

You immersed yourself in foreign languages, and found yourself unsure if you understood them or not... Your Academics has greatly increased.

Good evening, Kirijo-San.

Perfect timing... I'd like to speak to you for a moment.

Of course.

Regarding our exploration of Tartarus... Akihiko is still on the mend, so for now, I'd like you to lead the team.

I will do my best not to disappoint you.

You never know when a powerful enemy might appear, like the one you faced the other day. It's best to be prepared, or else you may find yourself in a difficult situation.

I understand.

So, whenever you'd like to explore Tartarus, just let me know, and I'll gather everyone there. Also, since I'm sure there are other things you will need to take care of, you may go out at night if you need to.

Thank you.

Well, that's it. Keep up the good work.

After saving the game our heroine decides to check on everyone on the lobby. First Ikutsuki...

Yet you seem to know much about them, the Personae, and the Dark Hour.

I used to be a researcher for Kirijo Electronics... That is the primary reason why I am the chairman of the board. And that is also what makes this dormitory such a convenient location to conduct SEES activities.

Thank you very much for telling me.

One way or the other the Kirijo Group is up to their necks in whatever it is that's happening in this city.

Oh, you should also be aware that I am unable to summon Personas. However, in order to perform my research, I was taught how to enter the Dark Hour. So if you need any help, please do not hesitate to ask. Of course, I cannot be of any help. Ahahaha...

Worry not about it, sir.

... and then Akihiko...

But, he knows about us and helps out when he can.

I can't but wonder about the reasons behind his help.

To be honest, I don't really know. But, he's a police officer, so he's dedicated his life to helping people. Plus, he's a pretty cool guy.

How did the two of you met, Sanada-san?

He helped me out a while ago. He's someone you can count on.

I have the feeling that was his way of telling me to mind my own business.

How very perceptive of you.

... Yukari...

I feel like I spent all day hiking up Mount Fuji. What about you, Vanessa?

It is indeed tiring.

Yeah, it's tough, especially for girls. I think we just have to get used to it.

... and then Junpei.

I do, yes.

Well, I was thinking, why does it have to look like a gun? I mean, you gotta be a little nutty to point a gun at your head and pull the trigger, ya know?

Yet from that very perspective it stops meaning once you know it is not real.

Our heroine then checks the news. For once there seems to be something important being reported.

Newscaster: -- who was then immediately sent to the hospital. The man has regained consciousness, but due to his condition, has been unable to speak. Police are awaiting the man's recovery before questioning him. And that's the news for today.

Finally, she goes back to Mitsuru.

They appear as coffins.

It seems far too quaint to be accidental.

Shadows are quite enigmatic... They only attack those who have not been Transmogrified. They feed on the minds of their victims, leaving them unable to speak. We call this Apathy Syndrome, and those who suffer from this incapacitating affliction are known as The Lost.

I am sure we will discover more about them as we explore the tower. Is everyone available?

Everyone can go tonight.

I understand. If you have no objection I would like to enter the tower tonight.

Very well. We'll meet at Tartarus around midnight. Don't be late. I'll let the other know.

Thank you for your hard work, Kirijo-san.

 

[Kz3r0]

Spoiler

 

[CappenVarra]

Can't we just totally kill the jerk and have some fun?

Sounds like a plan!

 

[Krraloth]

 

[Crooked Bee]

I close my eyes

Mmm

Lalala

Great stuff

 

[Sukeban Cho]

Chapter the eighth:​

The Reaper.​

Spoiler

I am.

By the way, I found out something else about Tartarus... A few floors up, there's a barricade preventing you from going any higher. The tower seems to have a number of these interspersed amongst its floors. I know I told you that the layout changes each day, but these barriers seem to be in fixed locations. Therefore, I'd like you to try and reach the first barricade.

I understand.

But don't push yourself too hard. If you go back in from the entrance, you'll be able to resume from the highest floor your previously reached.

Or start over from the beginning.

I'll give you these too, just in case.

You received Medical Powder x2, Snuff Soul x1, Traesto Gem x2, Trafuri Gem x2, Cadenza x3.

If you run into danger, don't hesitate to use them.

I am grateful for your assistance.

I'm counting on you.

Please, do so.

......!?

What is it?

I detect a great source of power above you... It's still relatively far away, but keep your guard up nonetheless.

I will do as you say.

That being over, our heroine leads the party into wandering around at random exploring the many mysteries of Tartarus. Before long they have arrived to this level's staircase. They return the way the came to explore another corridor, and, not feeling very professional tonight, Vanessa strikes conversation with her friends, as they explore.

What's with the smile, Yukari-Chan?

You know when you strike an enemy's weak point and it falls down?

I do, yes.

It looks so funny like that.

D'aww! She's so cute I could eat her.

I concur! *plucks a string*

Please leave my sexuality alone, both of you.

But I guess it wouldn't be so funny if you got attacked while laughing too hard.

Yikes!

They saw us already, run!

The party retreats towards the staircase.

It is not following us.

Shadows are quite territorial. Once we have removed ourselves from what they claim as their own they will just stand there growling and snarling, and once we have retreated enough they'll just go back to whatever it is they do when bored.

I understand. Thank you for the clarification.

Which is, I must add, the perfect time for a surprise attack.

Oh, my. Like, I totally though my Kyrandian cousins were pulling my leg and stuffies.

What in the unseelie court are those things?

Magic Hands, they are called. They burn prettily.

Alright. Orpheus!

They move forward. Before long they come across another enemy party, and again get the jump on them.

Oh, my. Cowardly Mayas. Just kill them already.

Not far away they come across yet another bunch of shadows. Taking advantage of the understanding our heroine now has of their behaviour they make them angry, then escape until they are out of the shadow's senses' reach, and after waiting a couple of seconds they run back in and hope to find it returning to its original position and, thus, offering its back to them.

The short ones are Merciful Mayas. I... I can't really remember what they are weak against.

Do not fret. Kirijo-San, can we get a scan on the floating one?

Roger. I'll attempt to analyze the enemy.

Pray tell, why not the merciful ones?

They look weak. We will subject them to more traditional methods of scientific inquiry instead.

Totally not that.

Totally not that either.

It died all the same, the weakling.

The Muttering Tiara has several weaknesses.

*blank eyes* T... ara...

*poof*

Meanwhile, deep within blah blah blah...

Spoiler

Ouchies!

The Karaoke, m'lady, for later you should leave.

Please forgive me.

What's that smell?

Like, burnt hair?

Our mistress', I would venture.

APSARAS!

That was unexpected.

Further on they come across another shadow in a narrow corridor leading to this level's exit point, and use the exact same method they have been using so far to create and opening in its defense.

And in the meantime we could keep trying things at random.

Alright. PIXIE!

Chibihellos!

Electrocute those weaklings.

Uhm... I wonder...

What is it now?

Like, couldn't this be said to be racial stereotyping?

What do you mean by that, Pixie-san?

Like, she's totally thinking: Lookie look! A pixie! Now we'll ZIO the bleep out of all meanies and bullies!

Oh, my. *plucks a string*

But I am a good pixie, too kawaii and innocent to give pain unto the world. I only know DIA.

And now you tell me.

You totally didn't ask! I'm sooo suing you.

Why you little piece of...!

The results of Kirijo-San's scan are in.

Didn't we, like, just use BUFU on them a while ago?

We missed.

Anyway, APS...!

Wait, no.

Why not?

We should train pixie-san so she can learn more powers. Now, while the enemies are still weak.

*sigh* If you say so.

Yay!

As they are returning they discover the shadows have already started to respawn. It's naught but a lonely Cowardly Maya, though.

Yukari's Persona, Io, has leveled up! St has increased by 1! Ma has increased by 1! Ag has increased by 1! Io learned Patra!

Junpei's Persona, Hermes, has leveled up! Ma has increased by 1! Ag has increased by 1! Lu has increased by 1!

This may be a good time for you to introduce our friends' personae to us.

There's no avoiding it, is there?

Proper introductions are important.

*sigh* Alright. I expect you all to know both are figures from Greek myth.

Alas! I know.

It would be worrying if you didn't. Anyway, Io's a particularly popular lover of Zeus, whose lore neither fits nor misfits her host.

Hiya!

I am plased to make your acquaintance, Miss Io.

As I am to make yours.

Yet the abilities she empowers Yukari-Chan with do fit her well, as Io's focused on healing and wind magic, and she also makes her host both resistant against wind and weak against electricity.

With Io's help Yukari will grow to be useful in most situations. She will rarely abandon our side, if at all.

Not that you mind. *plucks a string*

Can you two stop that already? I have a reputation to think of.

And Hermes is none other than, well, himself. Patron of well applied language and ingenuity, as well as of messengers, of commerce, and of sorcery. And maybe something else I forgot.

I do not understand. Is he not Iori-San's persona?

I am sure this misunderstanding will be resolved soon.

I do hope you find it soon taken care of, sir. All the same I am pleased to make your acquaintance, even if it is under such dire circumstances.

He teaches Junpei martial techniques and fire magic, as well as a small bit of enhancement magic to better defend himself and his allies. He also gives his host a greater resistance to fire in exchange of a an increased weakness to wind.

I weep for humanity.

One would have thought the winged boots and helmet to be a dead giveaway, even for those unenlightened on all matters elemental.

And that's for the introductions.

Thank you very much for your hard work.

With that the first level, which is actually the second, is explored and the party moves to the next one. Mitsuru gave them a bit more information on the nature of Tartarus as soon as they arrived.

And if you were to look behind us you would notice there's no stair going down.

You are right. How is that possible?

Tartarus does not actually change overnight. The floor we just cleared no longer exists, a different one would take its place if we were to begin ascending anew.

This place would seem ruled by the logic of dreams.

If you feel like you are in danger, don't hesitate to return.

I understand. Thank you for your concern.

The party moves forward, defeating more shadows along the way.

Then they start once again talking among themselves, the shadows presenting no challenge to them.

Are you feeling alright, Yukari-Chan?

It's really tiring being in Tartarus for some reason.

Yet the practical consequences of such an extrenuous activity are not felt until the next day. It is quite the riddle.

Do you think I'm getting a good workout doing this?

*tilts head*

...Well, not that I care, I just wanted to ask.

Afterwards more shadows are dispersed, and more briefcases looted. In one of those our heroine finds a new pair of shoes, which seem to fit her perfectly.

Then they come across something most strange...

... a golden shadow!

This place keep getting more and more strange.

Golden shadows indicate the presence of a rare form.

Is it more dangerous than the normal shadows?

Those are the red shadows, instead.

I understand.

The golden shadows are something else altogether. If of them sees you approach she'll run way, and will disappear with a poof if you pursue. Ambush one and it'll just stand there confused for a little while, then she'll run away and disappear. With a poof.

I fail to understand the point.

I'm getting there. They are unaffected by magic and all but one type of physical damage both randomly and secretly selected at the beginning of the battle. The remaining one is their weak point, exploiting which will allow you to defeat it in a single strike. Two, at most.

I am still not seeing it.

When you defeat one it will drop an item for you to sell once outside, the value of which will depend on the block the golden shadow was found in.

This place makes no sense at all. *shrug*

Our heroine then tries to ambush the golden shadow, but it notices and disappears. With a poof.

The party continues exploring, by which I mean they slaughter group after group of shadows until they notice a second golden shadow, this one in a situation that makes it very easy to ambush. A very frustrating battle ensues...

... after which it escapes. Our heroine takes her stress out on a nearby group of wandering shadows, which is all her friends needed to level up.

Then she returns to the entrance by means of the local entry point.

Later, at the home base...

Please forgive me for bothering you, clock-sama. Could I have a word with you?

What? Oh, sure, sure. I always have the time for a proper young lady. What is it you need of me?

Thank you very much, sir. And this may sound crazy, but the voices in my head told me you may be able to help my friends and I to heal from our wounds and recover our spent spiritual power.

Oh, that. The voices are right, little missy. There's nothing crazy about it.

There... is not? *tilts head*

Yet there is, I am sorry to say, a fee bound to such services.

Please, worry not about it. I understand.

I would say about nine hundred yen would be enough to get the lot of you in prime condition.

I have that much on me, sir. Please, go ahead.

As you wish, mademoiselle. It is done.

Impressive, clock-sama. Truly so. I have to ask how does this marvel works, my curiosity has been piqued.

It is quite easy for such a wondrous piece of occult engineering as myself, if you allow me but a moment of prideful demeanor. It is, I believe, simply a matter of rewinding your bodies' local time back to the moment you first entered this chamber, fresh and ready to show evil the door.

I see. Truly a wonderf...

Or maybe I am giving your bodies enough time for their natural healing and recovery to kick in, yet no time actually passes. I wonder, myself.

Must I understand you do not know yourself, sir?

Of course I don't. I'm just an unexplainable magical clock you are having a conversation with after projecting your own delusions onto it as a way for you to justify your own understanding of its workings and functions to yourself.

I... I beg your pardon?

He means right now you are having a conversation with yourself while staring blankly at a magical clock.

I never knew our mistress would be able to make so many different voices. Truly impressive.

Voices? You mean...

Totally!

My life is over.

Or maybe we are just pulling your leg.

*whimper*

Fully recovered they return to the clock gate, which allows them to either start anew from the second floor, the first one being the entrance itself, or from the highest floor they reached so far, which in this case is the third. They pick the later, reaching a third floor completely different than the one they just left behind a few minutes ago.

Is there something wrong, Kirijo-San?

I don't detect anything, but... something doesn't seem right...

Oh, my. Listen very closely, there is no time to lose.

I am listening.

There are no shadows on this floor, only briefcases and treasure boxes. You must be fast in taking everything you can, then run to either the staircase to the next level or the entry point, whichever is closer.

I will do as you say.

Quick!

Should I leave already?

There is still time. Try to get more treasure if you want to, yet be sure not to put yourself in a situation where a single blocked corridor could shut you off both the stairs and the entry point.

I understand.

Our heroine looks around for more briefcases, and she also finds a treasure box.

The loot totals to quite a bit of money, two pairs of rubber soles, and one pair of rugged getas. As they are returning to the staircase, however, Mitsuru's voice booms in their ears.

Like, what was that supposed to mean?

She meant it literally!

I beg your pardon?

Later. Make a run for the entry point!

I just told you not to get into this very situation!

Please forgive your pathetic student! I am unworthy of your advice.

A rattling of chains, I hear!

Don't worry, It seems to be quite a ways off. Let's just leave, fast.

They manage to escape without being found by the presence.

*huff, huff* What was that all about, just now?

You must keep moving while inside of Tartarus. Stay too long within the confines of a given level and The Reaper will come for you.

And from what you said before I presume you mean it quite literally.

The logic of dreams, remember? *snaps fingers*

Deep within our heroine's mind, for an instant there's a single glimpse of that which wanders the formless darkness of Tartarus courted by despair and rattling chains.

Then it disappears with a cold white flash.

Neither scythe nor fiddle? It is certainly not what I expected.

You are too much of a romantic.

Please tell me more about this new foe.

For starters it will normally only appear after quite a long while, as long as you don't draw a cursed card yourself.

What are those cursed cards you speak of?

In due time. Now, normally you'll have more than enough time to clear a level before moving on. Those empty levels with the promise of treasure are the exceptions.

I understand.

And do not even think about defeating it for the time being.

I am grateful for the warning. I will do as you say.

After relaxing for a little while our heroine proceeds to divide the spoils with her friends, giving Yukari a pair of rubber soles and Junpei the rugged getta.

Then they continue their explorations of Tartarus.

 

[GarfunkeL]

Good update. The image of Vanessa just standing there, talking to herself and various household objects around her cracks me up.

 

[Crooked Bee]

 

[Mrowak]

Must I understand you do not know yourself, sir?

Of course I don't. I'm just an unexplainable magical clock you are having a conversation with after projecting your own delusions onto it as a way for you to justify your own understanding of its workings and functions to yourself.

I... I beg your pardon?

He means right now you are having a conversation with yourself while staring blankly at a magical clock.

I never knew our mistress would be able to make so many different voices. Truly impressive.

Voices? You mean...

Totally!

My life is over.

Or maybe we are just pulling your leg.

*whimper*

Awesome stuff out there. I do not know if I should die laughing or feel sorry for our protagonsit. Such emotional brew truly mirrors the madness of this place.

And Hermes is none other than, well, himself. Patron of well applied language and ingenuity, as well as of messengers, of commerce, and of sorcery. And maybe something else I forgot.

I do not understand. Is he not Iori-San's persona?

I am sure this misunderstanding will be resolved soon.

I do hope you find it soon taken care of, sir. All the same I am pleased to make your acquaintance, even if it is under such dire circumstances.

Well, Hermes was kind of annoying in Greek mythology, being kicked out from Olympus at least twice a week or so, so it's no surprise he ended up Junpei, who would use his own share of kicking in various places.

For his fire atribute, though, well, the only explanation that seems likely is that fire is unruly and destructive element - just like wind, so let's have it here instead, for some reason. Besides Merkury (Hermes by Romans) is the hottest planet in the solar system.

Then it disappears with a cold white flash.

They really had to give him evokers revolvers, didn't they? o_O I am getting strong Hellsing vibes from this pic.

Is there any other "trick" to dungeons beside Death chasing you? In Persona 4 there was a whooping number of 1 dungeon with any puzzles, and it was there pay homage to old dungeon crawlers.

Anyway, awesome work.

 

[lightbane]

So, how (stupid) is the AI of your teammates compared with vanilla P3? I read somewhere that in this version you can assume control manually control them, which would make battles much, much easier.

It seems Death had enough of having his/her ass kicked by the Belmont Family and thus decided to change his/her weaponry for something more intimidating.

 

[Ulminati]

Thank you very much, sir. And this may sound crazy, but the voices in my head told me you may be able to help my friends and I to heal from our wounds and recover our spent spiritual power.

Oh, that. The voices are right, little missy. There's nothing crazy about it.

There... is not? *tilts head*

Poor Vanessa. Losing Sanity points already and she hasn't even reached the plateau of Leng.

Excellent update. Many lulz were had. :Bropaw

 

[Sukeban Cho]

After such a long time away from all things role playing game I had forgotten how deliciously weird the Shin Megami Tensei multiverse could get.

Spoiler

Megaten, fuck yeah.

So, how (stupid) is the AI of your teammates compared with vanilla P3? I read somewhere that in this version you can assume control manually control them, which would make battles much, much easier.

I do not know about the AI, to be honest. I'm using direct control, as doing otherwise on Maniac would be suicide.

I kind of miss controling only my own character, though. The game plays very differently when you have to keep in mind the mistakes your friends may make, or make plan around the fact they may not do what you are expecting them to do. It forces you into a role more of a team mother than of a mass murdering badass out of hell, which I kind of enjoyed myself.

And since you mentioned it...

Spoiler

I fused it kind of randomly, as I fuse most things, yet he somehow managed to save the day when I was fighting the second guardian, as I had forgotten to fuse myself anything with Posumudi. Then he did help Akihiko punch the boss to death.

For his fire atribute, though, well, the only explanation that seems likely is that fire is unruly and destructive element - just like wind, so let's have it here instead, for some reason. Besides Merkury (Hermes by Romans) is the hottest planet in the solar system.

I don't really mind the mistakes most of the time, but sometimes shit gets so badly broken that you can't help but be heartbroken. In particular when it is broken for the sake of game balance and nothing more, as Hermes was actually done right in Persona, or maybe it was Persona 2.

It's kind of a shame they have to force the pieces they use into holes they don't really fit into, but it is a testament to how creative they are that they managed to do so pretty well most of the time.

I am getting strong Hellsing vibes from this pic.

Would you laugh at me if I told you I never actually saw that show?

Is there any other "trick" to dungeons beside Death chasing you? In Persona 4 there was a whooping number of 1 dungeon with any puzzles, and it was there pay homage to old dungeon crawlers.

Every time, usually beyond the first, you enter a given floor there's a chance you will get a weird floor instead of a standard one. In the beginning there are few types of weird ones available, like the empty floor full of treasure and with a really short countdown before The Reaper comes, but as you advance others become available.

One of the worst/best ones is the dark floor. You have very little visibility, no map, and no automap. You are basicaly stumbling around a maze with no idea of where enemies, treasure, or the exits are until you literally hit your head on them, and thus you rarely get the free round from starting combat on an unsuspecting shadow from the back. You either fight a fair battle or, if the enemy manages to hit you from any direction before you manage to hit it, with the enemy having a free round instead. And considering the enemy can do all the things you can do (get "1 more", make a character dizzy by hitting her weakness twice in a row, etc) in Maniac you can easily be steamrolled if you don't know what you are doing.

Good update. The image of Vanessa just standing there, talking to herself and various household objects around her cracks me up.

Awesome stuff out there. I do not know if I should die laughing or feel sorry for our protagonsit. Such emotional brew truly mirrors the madness of this place.

I'm glad you are liking my little Let's Play thingie.

Excellent update. Many lulz were had. :Bropaw

 

[Sukeban Cho]

Chapter the ninth:​

Eye of the neko.​

Spoiler

Back into Tartarus' first block, Vanessa and her companions make short work of shadows. Our heroine is quickly getting the hang of it, and the monsters have no chance against her. She also switches her main Persona back to Orpheus for a little bit, as it had nearly reached a new level.

Congratulations.

I am grateful, Mistress. Here, for you is this.

Orpheus gave you something... You obtained the Skill Card Agi from Orpheus!

Thank you very much, Orpheus-Sama. It is a wonderful gift you have chosen.

After the short interlude our heroine goes back to training Pixie while the going's easy. Ambush the shadows, then defend and let Yukari and Junpei take care of the weaklings.

While killing and looting our heroine comes across a briefcase containing a pair of High-Tech Sandals and decides to equip them herself.

Then back to murdering defenseless creatures of darkness they go, and just one more fight is needed before our heroine and her pixie both level up.

Yay! Now I can use Rakunda, too!

Congratulations, Pixie-Sama. I am not yet familiar with the spell, however.

Like, it totally drops some meanie's defense for a bunch of turns.

In practice the target will suffer higher damage from all attacks.

Yay, what bully-san said!

After this short exchange is back to slaughtering the servants of evil for our heroine and her companions. The party defeats another pack of shadows, then they loot another pair of High-Tech Sandals, which go to Yukari this time.

Following that they ascend to the next level.

I understand.

If you don't think you're ready, then don't test your luck.

After such a short dialogue with Mitsuru... well, you know the drill by now. However, the next encounter was to bring our heroine a greater understanding on the nature of Shadows.

What's with that one? It looks quite odd.

It is distressed. When you ambush shadows there is a chance enemies will become like that, which is modified by your own power and maybe, I am not sure, their own. I believe the same may happen when you fight enemies much weaker than you, independently of whether or not you ambush them.

And some spellies can distress enemies, too!

I understand. Please go on.

Distressed enemies both do less damage and receive more when hit, and they can't dodge at all. And you will score more critical hits against them, which always count as exploiting a weakness.

I can't believe I am expected to use psychological warfare against monsters.

The shadows are then quickly defeated. They continue carving a path of destruction and slaughter through Tartarus, during which both Yukari-Chan and Junpei level up. Later on a new weapon for Vanessa is claimed as loot, and it is because of such that new knowledge on the nature of Tartarus is imparted to her.

Am I really expected to beat shadows to death with a hockey stick?

It actually counts as a Naginata. And it is slightly better at that than the Imitation Naginata you are now wielding, as a matter of fact.

You... You are pulling my leg, am I right?

Nope.

Yet Naginatas are classified as slashing weapons. There is simply no way a hockey stick is going to beat a bladed weapon at that, regardless of how cheap an imitation the later is.

I do not make the rules, sis.

*sigh* This place is going to make me crazy.

Not to say the hockey stick qualifying as a slashing weapon is taking you over the edge yet you never wonder why it is your flimsy and girly clothes both soften and survive equally the ministrations of enemy claws and elemental magic. Nor, say, why it is a pair of sandals make you far more likely to dodge an attack than you would be without them.

But that's because... because... *whimper*

For everyone else those would be perfectly normal items, nothing but shoes and clothes and hockey sticks. Their powers can only be perceived by Persona users, and exist only within the world of the Dark Hour. You can later ask Akihiko about it, if you mistrust me.

Of course. I understand.

Well then, let's continue.

I can not believe I did not see it earlier.

I don't think I'm following you. What are you talking about?

About everything. I understand it all now.

Oh, my. Broke her, you did. *plucks a string*

It was so obvious, right from the start. We are teenagers with magical powers derived from awakening to their true selves, in turn shaped and defined by old myths and stories.

I kind of know.

We are able to enter a nonsensical and distorted layer of reality governed by dream logic, in which time works differently over those few things it actually works at all.

Uh-huh.

A world with a tendency towards turning itself into something completely different the moment you look away, in which no one but those so awakened can enter.

I don't think our fans need a recap so early.

In this world we fight nightmares and delusions, and we fight the despair, apathy, and hopelessness of mankind.

You could say that, yes.

To do this we have our secret arts, the assistance of our imaginary friends, and the hidden powers otherwise normal items possess in this hidden corner of reality.

Which is exactly what I just said.

And we depend on the guidance and help of those living in places hidden between the world of matter and the world of dreams.

That's the short version, yes.

In the name of every little redcap soaking his hat in the spilled blood of his enemies, don't you see it?

It seems I do not.

I have gone mad after playing way too much Changeling The Dreaming.

*raises an eyebrow*

That makes no... Wait, no. Fuck it, this is quite eery.

Totally creepy.

Alas! Quite twisted.

They were right, all along. I should have listened.

What do you mean?

Role playing games are bad for you. Really bad for you.

What to do? I wonder.

Somethingie! Anythingie! I totally don't wanna be a delusion!

You are in for a life of disappointment.

But then me being here probably means this is better than whatever is to be found to the other side of snaping out of it. *shrug*

And thus our heroine switches her Naginata for the hockey stick, and the party then continues their adventures into Tartarus. By which I mean they keep turning monsters into experience points and looting briefcases for money and equipment at a steady rate.

Finally, our heroine makes her way into the fifth floor of Tartarus.

I presume there is something special about them.

They're not like the ones you've fought before. If you're not ready to face them yet, then return to the entrance and reorganize.

I understand.

The party advances through the empty level. Before long they come across a fork in the path.

Excusez-moi, but can you have a look at that device near you?

My pretentious bitch detector is going crazy.

Of course, Kirijo-San. I will get right to it.

Let us pick the obvious choice.

That device is a sort of portal that connect all like devices together. By activating it, you can move to the entrance, as well as between devices within Tartarus.

I understand.

You should take good advantage of these when you find them. They'll be useful during the expeditions.

You don't say.

Our heroine visits Clock-Sama for some quick healing. Then...

What do you believe you are doing?

You told me earlier we can start anew whenever we want.

Yes...

You also told me time does not flow in Tartarus.

Uh-huh.

And you also told me all those floors we revisit will be entirely new ones.

Most of them, actually. Neither the barricades nor the small guardposts with terminals change.

Thus the best course of action is to clear the three levels between the entrance and the guardpost once and again until we understand the ins and outs of battling shadows, learn how to properly work as a team, better equip ourselves through looting, teach our Personae new skills, and fuse them into more powerful forms.

*sigh* I should have foreseen this.

Time passes without passing as our heroine and her friends kill shadow after shadow, after shadow, after shadow, after shadow. Hours become days and days become weeks, and during all of this Eye of the Tiger blares on the background.

I hate my life.

And we rejoin them...

Good eternal midnight to you, Miss Nekomata.

And to you as well, Miss Nyah. Nyah.

Much stronger we, now, are, with her at our side. A good choice this was.

Indeed. Yet there is much to be done, still.

There's a lot of tower to ascend, to begin with.

Yes, but we will leave that for when we are better prepared.

What?

We need to recover our lost friends, first.

Oh...

And then train them back to where they were, as well as finish training Orpheus and begin training Nekomata.

But... *sigh*

Thus time passes without passing as our heroine and her friends kill shadow after shadow, after shadow, after shadow, after shadow. Hours become days and days become weeks. Friends are met again and new friends are made, and levels are won by some. And during all of this Eye of the Tiger blares on the background.

And then one night, which is still the very same night without being so, in which the state of her party is as follows...

Spoiler

... our heroine stops and stretches herself lazily.

I am quite bored of this. Let us conquer the guardpost already.

*falls to her knees and kisses the ground, eyes brimming with tears*

The party takes the terminal to the fifth floor without further delay.

 

[Ulminati]

In the name of every little redcap soaking his hat in the spilled blood of his enemies, don't you see it?

It seems I do not.

I have gone mad after playing way too much Changeling The Dreaming.

*raises an eyebrow*

That makes no... Wait, no. Fuck it, this is quite eery.

Totally creepy.

Alas! Quite twisted.

They were right, all along. I should have listened.

What do you mean?

Role playing games are bad for you. Really bad for you.

Right up to this point I was like "Vanessa's ranting about the RPG Codex..." then I was like "Oh, it's a subtle dig at my trainwreck D&D campaign"

Minikitty pities the fourth wall. It may never recover from this ordeal.

 

[lightbane]

Neko-chan: *grinding like there's no tomorrow*

Didn't you said something about Megaten games not requiring grinding??

I have gone mad after playing way too much Changeling The Dreaming Lost/Mage the Awakening.

Fixed, Derpsona's tone is too grim for the Dreaming. Besides, the protagonist didn't drop dead the moment she spotted a concrete wall.

Am I really expected to beat shadows to death with a hockey stick?

What's wrong with it? Never subestimate the power of a good stick.