PFJ May 6 playtest

May 06 19:09:01 <castfromhp> It's a pleasant and sunny day in Glassdell, the first after a miserable week of rain and fog, and students at GMU are in high spirits, hitting the beach and exploring the town during their summer break. Those who haven't gone home anyway.
May 06 19:10:32 <castfromhp> For our heroes, however, dark clouds threaten to sweep these sunny carefree days away. In the last few weeks, you've all noticed an uptick of Shadow activity throughout the city, in the various points where you can enter the Otherspace enveloping it. In particular, Nivinsburgh, normally one of the calmer spots of the city, is rife with Shadow activity.
May 06 19:11:09 <castfromhp> To address the cause, you've all called a meeting - deciding to gather in the office of Professor Sato, a professor in the Japanese department of the university - and your Navigator in the Otherspace.
May 06 19:13:09 <castfromhp> Professor Sato is an older, skinny man who walks with the assistance a pitch black cane, topped with a crow's head - reminiscent of his Persona, Yatagarasu. He gruffly welcomes you into his office and shuts the door. "No one else's in, an' my summer class students are too busy playin' grabass to come in for office hours. We're alone." He says as he slowly makes his way back behind his desk.
May 06 19:14:37 <QuentinBlake> "Hello to you too Professor."
May 06 19:15:39 <ReggieMcRae> "Hey. So, what's the plan?"
May 06 19:15:44 * ReggieMcRae gets straight to the point.
May 06 19:15:58 * JessicaMorimoto is a young half-Japanese woman with dark black hair and apparently a thing for leather. She looks a bit irritable as this really isn't her time of day, but she knows how important this is. "Yo."
May 06 19:16:34 * JessicaMorimoto takes a seat at one of the desks and throws her feet up in the seat of another.
May 06 19:17:07 * ReggieMcRae is a young man in his early 20s, fairly clean cut, and wearing a button down shirt, and a nice pair of slacks. Brown hair and glasses.
May 06 19:17:19 * Nathaniel enters as quietly and calmly as ever, taking the seat directly across from Sato's own. Nathan is wearing a simple polo and slim-fit trousers, casual wear appropriate for the summer. "Good morning, Professor."
May 06 19:17:51 <castfromhp> "We hoof it over and investigate." Professor Sato says, twirling his car keys around his finger. "But let's review what we know so far. Shadows grow and multiply in the Otherspace when people repress the parts of themselves they don't like, the parts they refuse to face. You see a lotta that 'round campus, of course, but Nivinsburgh? That's usually better."
May 06 19:17:58 <JessicaMorimoto> Or, er, office. Not classroom. In that case she just has a seat in one of the cushy chairs.
May 06 19:18:25 * QuentinBlake is blonde, relatively short, and doesn't tend to make eye contact unless he's being talked to directly.
May 06 19:18:53 <castfromhp> "Which means something is making people run away from their problems en masse there. I smell something fishy. A cult, maybe, or even something supernatural."
May 06 19:18:56 * QuentinBlake has his full attention on the professor, however. He's taking this very seriously.
May 06 19:19:05 <castfromhp> "We know we're not the only Persona users out there, after all."
May 06 19:19:22 <ReggieMcRae> "Oh?"
May 06 19:19:38 <ReggieMcRae> "So there are others as well?"
May 06 19:19:43 * Nathaniel frowns, "Yes, the recent activity around Nivinsburg IS worrying. But I'm more concerned with the increased shadow activity we're seeing throughout the city."
May 06 19:20:08 <QuentinBlake> "M-maybe it's another friend we could recruit."
May 06 19:20:28 <ReggieMcRae> "That'd be nice. Our ranks are pretty thin."
May 06 19:20:31 <castfromhp> "They pop up here and there." Professor Sato waves a hand dismissively. "Probably a college kid, like you."
May 06 19:20:35 <JessicaMorimoto> "There's nothing to say the two aren't connected." she says to Nathaniel.
May 06 19:20:53 <JessicaMorimoto> "Especially since that place is usually a snooze."
May 06 19:21:36 <castfromhp> "Yeah, what it tells me is something is happening to people in Nivinsburgh, and those people are going elsewhere. Now, why do people visit that part of town? Work, of course, with all the banks over there. And all the shops and restaurants. Doesn't narrow it much, but we've got an idea where to look."
May 06 19:22:03 <ReggieMcRae> "That is a distinct possibility, alas."
May 06 19:23:38 <JessicaMorimoto> "So where do we start?"
May 06 19:24:05 <Nathaniel> "Should we take separate transport?"
May 06 19:24:27 * Nacht (~Nacht@2F0EE0AF:718B41B:CAB7517C:IP) has joined
May 06 19:24:51 <castfromhp> "Hey, I'm just driving. I'm in no bloody state to go poking around myself." Sato jingles the keys again.
May 06 19:25:55 <QuentinBlake> "That's good. I won't know the first place to go."
May 06 19:26:39 <QuentinBlake> "But if it's a nice part of town, with banks and things, maybe it's got to do with money?"
May 06 19:26:49 <QuentinBlake> "People can get weird about money."
May 06 19:26:58 <ReggieMcRae> "That they can."
May 06 19:27:07 <castfromhp> "Check the papers, talk with folks, see if there's anything new that popped up recently." Sato says. "Yeah, I bet." He nods.
May 06 19:27:17 <Nathaniel> "If it's enough for this much shadow activity we should be able to figure something out by talking with the people."
May 06 19:27:35 * Nathaniel stands up first, "As per usual, I'll be driving my own car."
May 06 19:28:02 <ReggieMcRae> "Eh, parking's expensive over there. I'll be biking."
May 06 19:28:16 <JessicaMorimoto> "...I'll take the free ride."
May 06 19:28:22 <castfromhp> "What, you don't want me to just give you a lift?" Sato raises an eyebrow at Reggie.
May 06 19:28:23 <QuentinBlake> "So will I."
May 06 19:28:25 * JessicaMorimoto nods over at Sato.
May 06 19:28:42 <castfromhp> "Gee, I may be lame, but my leg's good enough to push the pedal."
May 06 19:28:50 <ReggieMcRae> "Eh, sure. I ain't gonna argue with a free ride."
May 06 19:29:19 <JessicaMorimoto> "Shotgun."
May 06 19:29:30 <Nathaniel> "I'll wait at the usual spot then."
May 06 19:29:39 <QuentinBlake> "Shot- awwww."
May 06 19:29:41 * ReggieMcRae grumbles. "You're not even that tall, Jessica."
May 06 19:30:01 * JessicaMorimoto grins.
May 06 19:30:48 <JessicaMorimoto> "Alright then, sounds like we got a plan. Anything else?"
May 06 19:31:34 <castfromhp> Sato just gets up and starts to exit.
May 06 19:31:46 * ReggieMcRae follows.
May 06 19:32:18 * JessicaMorimoto heads on out.
May 06 19:32:20 <Nathaniel> With a final respectful nod at the professor Nathan exits the office.
May 06 19:32:38 * QuentinBlake follows
May 06 19:33:56 <castfromhp> After a short car ride, you reconvene in Nivinsburgh, where extremely modern glassy skyscrapers tower over pubs and cafes that appear to date centuries back.
May 06 19:36:18 <castfromhp> Normally humming with activity at all hours of the day, you notice it's especially busy now. Businessmen and woman fill the streets, heading to their favorite lunch spots. Normally, lunchtime is a hectic affair in Nivinsburgh, people edging each other out of the way on the narrow historical streets, but you all notice today that people are much more amicable, though some of their expressions almost seem -too- serene and placid.
May 06 19:38:00 <JessicaMorimoto> "Anyone else getting the bloody willies?" she murmurs as they arrive.
May 06 19:38:22 <QuentinBlake> "It's odd, that's for sure."
May 06 19:38:39 <JessicaMorimoto> (So we're out of the car now?)
May 06 19:38:48 <castfromhp> Yup.
May 06 19:39:06 * ReggieMcRae stretches as he emerges from the car.
May 06 19:39:14 <ReggieMcRae> "I call shotgun on the way back."
May 06 19:39:16 <castfromhp> Sato decides to stay in the car, though he says to ring him if you find anything. And of course, if you find an Otherspace entrance.
May 06 19:39:20 <JessicaMorimoto> "Sure, fine."
May 06 19:39:25 * Nathaniel surveys the strangely placid crowds, "Not that I miss being shoved around by irate business but this doesn't feel right."
May 06 19:39:52 <QuentinBlake> "I said something about money before, but I would have thought people would get more stressed out about it, not less."
May 06 19:39:58 <Nathaniel> businessmen*
May 06 19:40:01 <castfromhp> You all have your Persona focuses - keys given to you by the Velvet Room that represent your inner strength. Throughout the city, you find mystical doors identifiable on sight by a Persona User to be a door into the Otherspace.
May 06 19:40:32 <Nathaniel> "Let's ask around first. That was our goal in coming here, right?"
May 06 19:40:38 * JessicaMorimoto lights up a cigarrette as she stretches out and gets onto the sidewalk. "I'm gonna ask around a bit, yeah."
May 06 19:40:45 * Nacht has quit (Read error: Connection reset by peer)
May 06 19:40:46 <ReggieMcRae> "That it was."
May 06 19:41:06 <QuentinBlake> "Sure."
May 06 19:41:46 <QuentinBlake> "Maybe I'll go check out the bank?"
May 06 19:42:32 <Nathaniel> "I'll see about the local businesses."
May 06 19:43:21 <ReggieMcRae> "I will check the cafes."
May 06 19:44:22 <JessicaMorimoto> "I'll crawl by a pub and see what I can fish out."
May 06 19:44:46 * Nathaniel looks for a popular enough restaurant, one that's sure to see lots of customers cycle in throughout the day, and uses his power on the front desk.
May 06 19:45:11 <castfromhp> I'll set your scenes up in order.
May 06 19:47:05 <QuentinBlake> Ok.
May 06 19:47:06 <castfromhp> Quentin, you walk into a bank and find the atmosphere here is a bit...confusing. Given the clientele around here, normally there are very serious and straightforward transactions between the bank's customers and the tellers, but today the tellers seem often confused, some of them even appearing to be arguing with the customers.
May 06 19:47:51 <castfromhp> Nathaniel, you lock eyes with the host at a popular sushi spot as soon as you walk in, getting his full attention. "Welcome to Sushi Para! Just one?" He beams widely, as if searching for your approval.
May 06 19:49:20 <castfromhp> ReggieMcRae, you notice as you walk down the street that every cafe you see is strangely empty. Waiters and waitresses standing around awkwardly in the larger sit down spots, and baristas resting their heads on their arms at the counter of the smaller shops, frustration and boredom written all over their faces.
May 06 19:50:09 * ReggieMcRae orders a cup of earl grey. "Eh? Business seems slow today. What's up?"
May 06 19:50:38 * Anise (~Anise@Rizon-537E11C8.cinci.res.rr.com) has joined
May 06 19:50:51 * QuentinBlake figures he had better try to do some business. He approaches the teller, intending to pretend to want to open an account.
May 06 19:51:13 <castfromhp> Jessica, you walk up to the White Hart and spy out of the corner of your eye a pair of burly looking men in suits in the alley. They're cornering another man in a business suit who is wearing a clueless and fearless expression on his face.
May 06 19:51:26 * Nathaniel tries his best to smile in response, "In a sense, yes and no. I was looking for a place to take someone out to for a lunch date tomorrow and this place came up first. I don't eat out much but my partner is rather fond of sushi so..."
May 06 19:52:17 <Nathaniel> "Say, I don't spend much time around Nivinsburgh besides the occasional date but people around town seem somewhat different today. Do you know why that is?"
May 06 19:52:59 <castfromhp> Reggie, the barista lights up when he hears your order. "Coming right up, mate. Yeah, I'm gobsmacked. Word is, there's a small hole in the wall place that's gotten rave reviews recently, and everyone's rushed over there, leaving us hanging dry."
May 06 19:53:41 * JessicaMorimoto eavesdrops on the group, leaning against and enjoying her cigarette. She wonders if the guy is going to get his ass kicked - and decides to hold off on her course of action until she hears a little of what's going on.
May 06 19:53:51 <JessicaMorimoto> *leaning against a wall
May 06 19:54:05 <castfromhp> Quentin, the teller eyes you with mild suspicion, looking over to one of her coworkers before returning her attention to you and putting on a smile. "Good afternoon. I'd love to do that for you. What kind of account, sir?"
May 06 19:54:46 * AoriPhone (~Revolutio@Rizon-2078EF04.hsd1.in.comcast.net) has joined
May 06 19:55:22 <QuentinBlake> "Uh. A savings account, please," he says, "There seem to be an awful lot of arguments and things happening."
May 06 19:55:31 <ReggieMcRae> "Oh? What place is that?"
May 06 19:57:14 <castfromhp> Nathaniel, the host nods excitedly before responding. "If it's a date you want, apparently the Alchemist Cafe is the place to hit up after lunch. I haven't been yet, but all my coworkers have said it's literally life-changing."
May 06 19:58:55 <castfromhp> Jessica, it seems to you like they're arguing about a debt the two burly men are trying to collect on - it sounds shady as hell too. Give me an Understanding roll with 1 Boon.
May 06 19:58:57 * Nathaniel looks at the man rather oddly, "...does your boss know you recommend other businesses to potential patrons?"
May 06 19:59:07 <Nathaniel> "Still, I do appreciate your candor."
May 06 19:59:24 <JessicaMorimoto> roll 2d8+1d4
May 06 19:59:31 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+1d4
May 06 19:59:31 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1d4: 16 [2d8=8,7; 1d4=1]
May 06 20:01:52 <castfromhp> Quentin, the teller sighs. "It's like everyone's lost their minds here." The teller hesitates a moment before continuing. "We...can't really talk about customers' personal affairs, so I'll leave it at that." It seems like she'll need convincing to get more out of her.
May 06 20:02:30 <castfromhp> ReggieMcRae, the barista narrows his eyes as he hands you your tea. "What, you're not thinking of going too are you?"
May 06 20:03:12 <QuentinBlake> "Is the bank in trouble?" asks Quentin, trying to coerce more information out, "If there's some kind of trouble, maybe I should go to another bank."
May 06 20:03:22 <ReggieMcRae> "I'm ordering from here, am I not?"
May 06 20:04:14 <ReggieMcRae> "Come to think of it, I'll take a biscuit too."
May 06 20:04:21 <castfromhp> JessicaMorimoto, this man seems completely genuine to you. He has no idea what this debt is and why people are going after him for it. At the same time, the burly men, while shady, don't seem like they've picked some random bum off the street to harass either. Even without speaking to them, you get an inkling of a sense from Krampus's ability - and it's quite chilling. This man doesn't seem to have -any- regrets or weight on his
May 06 20:04:21 <castfromhp> mind. It's like everything negative is blanked out for him.
May 06 20:04:59 <castfromhp> QuentinBlake, give me an Expression roll.
May 06 20:05:08 <QuentinBlake> Oh boy.
May 06 20:05:18 <QuentinBlake> It's just 2d8, yes?
May 06 20:05:21 <castfromhp> Yup
May 06 20:05:35 <QuentinBlake> 2d8 my expression is 0 so lol
May 06 20:05:35 <CritSenpai> my expression is 0 so lol: 9 [2d8=4,5]
May 06 20:07:25 <castfromhp> The teller sighs in exasperation. "No, -we're- not in trouble, but some of our customers...Listen, why don't you just check the papers at the stand outside? Now, we've got a line forming, so maybe less chatter, more business?"
May 06 20:08:17 * JessicaMorimoto frowns. That is REALLY fucking creepy. Hmm, what to do... Does she really care enough to get involved further? How badly does that situation look like it's gonna escalate, anyway?
May 06 20:08:20 <castfromhp> ReggieMcRae, the barista nods and gets you a biscuit. "Fine, it's the Alchemist Cafe waaaay down the street. I had a coffee there the other day and don't see what's so special about it. It's not even a good studying spot."
May 06 20:08:48 <QuentinBlake> "Er... Well... Uh... I think I'll... shop around. Got to pick the right bank for me, right?" He begins to excuse himself from the line and makes a beeline for the newspaper stand if nothing stops him.
May 06 20:09:00 <ReggieMcRae> "Yeah, I'd much rather have tea and a good biscuit."
May 06 20:09:18 <castfromhp> Jessica, it doesn't look like it'll escalate physically, at least. It's broad daylight, and people can clearly see into the alley. If anything, there might be ramifications for this man -later- if he doesn't come up with the money or a good explanation, but nothing will happen right now.
May 06 20:10:59 <JessicaMorimoto> Right then, no need to get involved then. She ducks out and looks for a place to call Sato from where she won't be overheard, flicking her butt into a receptacle.
May 06 20:12:26 <JessicaMorimoto> (I can wait :V)
May 06 20:15:49 <castfromhp> QuentinBlake, it takes you a moment to scan the paper, but only a moment - you're pretty aware of the news due to your brother, so you mentally filter out all the chafe pretty quickly. What sticks out to you is some scandals coming out about prominent businessmen around here, and in rather odd ways - a man inexplicably went to the police saying he found drugs and other criminal paraphenalia in his office - and it turned out upon
May 06 20:15:49 <castfromhp> investigation that it all belonged to him and he had no recollection of it. Other bits in the tabloids talk of mistresses whose lovers had inexplicably forgotten about them - they decided to go public to spite them. That sort of thing.
May 06 20:16:51 <castfromhp> Nathaniel, the man shrugs. "AFTER you have sushi here. What, you're still taking your girl here tomorrow, right? Anyway, my boss wouldn't mind. HE'S actually been telling everyone he sees to go there, and it's kinda creepy, to be honest..."
May 06 20:17:11 <castfromhp> Jessica, you go ahead and ring up Sato. "Yeah?" He says in a gruff tone as he picks up the phone.
May 06 20:18:03 * Nathaniel laughs, "I'm actually curious now. How long have people been buzzing about this place?"
May 06 20:18:14 <castfromhp> ReggieMcRae, the barista nods in agreement. "Like a proper Englishman. Now, convince everyone out there the same." He scowls as a group of college-age women pass by, all holding coffee cups with an alchemist's circle logo on them.
May 06 20:18:36 <Nathaniel> "I figured I'd have heard about it by now from my friends or some of the guys on the tennis team."
May 06 20:18:49 * ReggieMcRae chuckles.
May 06 20:18:52 * QuentinBlake buys a copies of the papers with the interesting headlines and heads back to the meeting spot. Sounds like A CLUE.
May 06 20:19:20 <JessicaMorimoto> "We split up to poke around a bit. Things are bad, Prof. Saw a pair of loan shark muscle hitting up a guy for a debt, he didn't know what they were talking about. People like them ain't in the business of mistaking identity, but the guy's conscience was stark clean. Too clean. Completely blank. And judging from the expressions I've been seeing all around it ain't just him. Either their
May 06 20:19:20 <JessicaMorimoto> problems have been repressed super hard, or they've been ripped right out of them."
May 06 20:19:30 <castfromhp> Nathaniel, the host thinks for a moment. "It's only been a couple weeks since it suddenly became a hit. Word is, it almost closed down a few times before then, but now suddenly they're the hottest thing this side of the Prism Passage."
May 06 20:20:12 <JessicaMorimoto> "I'm gonna see about meeting back up with the others and telling them, but I figured I'd throw that your way first."
May 06 20:21:02 <Nathaniel> "New management? Good for them though. Most places never really manage to turn things around."
May 06 20:21:03 <castfromhp> "Well, fancy that." Professor Sato replies. "This is practically a milk run so far, but keep on your toes."
May 06 20:21:30 <JessicaMorimoto> "Gotcha. See you in a bit."
May 06 20:22:28 * JessicaMorimoto heads off to meet with the others
May 06 20:22:30 <Nathaniel> Unless the host has anything else to offer Nathan thanks the man and heads outdoors where he immediately texts the group, [New cafe opened up a few weeks ago, coinciding with the increased shadow activity.]
May 06 20:22:44 * JessicaMorimoto also lets the group know what she saw, one way or another.
May 06 20:23:40 <Nathaniel> [The Alchemist Cafe. Apparently everyone is raving about it, even some rival businesses owners. I say we direct our attention there.]
May 06 20:24:09 * QuentinBlake texts too [People acting weird at the bank. Something to do with businessmen getting involved in scandals, except they don't remember being scandalous.]
May 06 20:24:55 <JessicaMorimoto> [Looks like people have been literally robbed of their problems. Some kind of memory loss. Saw a guy whose conscience was completely clean even though some shady thugs were hitting him up for a debt. It's not a coincidence.]
May 06 20:25:16 * ReggieMcRae finishes up his tea and biscuits and leave a good tip for the man.
May 06 20:27:02 <Nathaniel> [These are probably linked. I'm going to drive to the cafe now. I'll wait for you outside]
May 06 20:27:16 <ReggieMcRae> *leaves
May 06 20:27:19 <JessicaMorimoto> [I let the prof know my side. See you there.]
May 06 20:27:51 <QuentinBlake> [Got it. See you there.]
May 06 20:28:26 <castfromhp> Those of you reconvening with Sato find your Navigator smoking a cigar right outside his car. "Sounds unnatural to me. Even cult members have some lingering guilt if they've done wrong."
May 06 20:28:48 <castfromhp> Nathaniel, it's very hard to find parking near the cafe, but as you drive by, you see there's a line going literally out the door and snaking around the building.
May 06 20:29:09 * ReggieMcRae walks back to Sato's car.
May 06 20:29:25 <QuentinBlake> I reconvened with Sato, "I guess you can't feel guilty about something you don't remember."
May 06 20:29:26 <Nathaniel> How do the people look as they're lined up? Are they like the man Jess saw or completely opposite?
May 06 20:29:53 <QuentinBlake> "It would explain why this guy turned his own drugs in to the police, or why these other people didn't remember they had mistresses."
May 06 20:30:02 * QuentinBlake shows off the headlines. I'm helpiiing
May 06 20:30:11 <JessicaMorimoto> "Right." she nods. "The only people without guilt are already six feet under. We have a vague idea of where to go now, but we don't have a motive or their means just yet. ...There's no doubt something supernatural's going on."
May 06 20:31:41 <castfromhp> Nathaniel, they all look incredibly content, though some of them wear more blank expressions. Even the dirty, sweaty construction workers towards the end of the line don't look a bit bothered or fatigued and in fact seem pretty chipper.
May 06 20:31:41 <QuentinBlake> "I guess we should check out that Alchemist place. Nathaniel's already on his way."
May 06 20:32:32 <ReggieMcRae> "Yeah, that's what my intel said too."
May 06 20:32:34 <castfromhp> "Someone ring him and see if he's found anything yet." Sato says, getting into his car and pulling up Maps on his phone. "Get in. Shotgun navigates." He tosses his phone to whoever gets in the front seat.
May 06 20:32:44 * Nathaniel parks his car a distance away and returns to a snap a picture of the people in line to send to the others. [Good luck finding parking.]
May 06 20:32:45 * ReggieMcRae hurries into the front seat.
May 06 20:33:11 * QuentinBlake tries, but Reggie beats him there. Uuuu.
May 06 20:33:22 * QuentinBlake gets in the back.
May 06 20:34:01 * JessicaMorimoto gets in the back and stretches out, fiddling with her spiked bracelet.
May 06 20:34:10 * Nathaniel looks around and clutches his key tightly in his left palm. Are there any Otherspace links around here?
May 06 20:34:21 * QuentinBlake texts Nathaniel, [We're on our way. Find anything yet?]
May 06 20:36:10 <castfromhp> Nathaniel, not outside, no. In your experience, the types of doors that lead into the Otherspace don't tend to be on the outside of buildings, or if they are tend to be back or side entrances. Employees only doors, janitor's closets in the basement, or heavily secured doors like those leading to a server farm deep within an office complex tend to be the usual suspects.
May 06 20:36:32 <Nathaniel> Nothing from the back alley either?
May 06 20:37:03 <castfromhp> Nothing from the back alley.
May 06 20:37:25 <Nathaniel> If nothing else, Nathan looks for somebody close to the front of the line and locks eyes with them.
May 06 20:39:20 * Nathaniel texts to the group, [I'll try to get us a place in line]
May 06 20:39:33 <castfromhp> You lock eyes with a cute girl your age. She's got deep brown skin and has a GMU pin on the strap of her bag.
May 06 20:39:34 * ReggieMcRae navigates. It doesn't really seem that far.
May 06 20:40:34 <castfromhp> It's not far at all, by car anyway. Sato mutters "Bollocks" to himself as he sees the parking situation nearby and opts to just drop you off outside before driving off to find parking elsewhere.
May 06 20:40:53 * Nathaniel smiles as he approaches, "Hey, I-oh, sorry you looked like someone I knew...are you a GMU student?"
May 06 20:41:23 <castfromhp> "It's alright." The woman says with a smile. "Yeah, you too?"
May 06 20:41:40 * JessicaMorimoto grumbles as she gets out. "Look at how many people are here- shit, that line. Well, we don't have the luxury of waiting to get in.. and we wouldn't find anything that way anyway. So where's our break-in point..." she scans around.
May 06 20:42:19 <Nathaniel> "Mhm. I must have seen you around campus or something. You're not somebody I could forget."
May 06 20:42:59 * Nathaniel offers her his hand, "Nathan. Nathan Frost. I play for the tennis team."
May 06 20:43:07 <castfromhp> Besides the main entrance, there's a door in the alley, probably one an emergency exit.
May 06 20:43:58 <castfromhp> As you observe, Jessica, you see a man holding a Just Eat bag walk right in, past the whole line, presumably to pick up delivery orders to send out.
May 06 20:44:10 <QuentinBlake> "We'll think of something. All we have to do is get inside."
May 06 20:44:34 * JessicaMorimoto shuffles along like she's going to get at the back of the line, but keeps going into the alley.
May 06 20:44:47 <JessicaMorimoto> Or, she pauses for a moment.
May 06 20:44:50 <castfromhp> "Sneha." The woman says with a small giggle, she seems flattered by the attention.
May 06 20:45:13 <Nathaniel> "...Sneha. That's a nice name. Have you been here before? I heard about this place from some acquaintances...didn't expect such a long line though..."
May 06 20:45:18 <Nathaniel> "Is it always this packed?"
May 06 20:45:32 * QuentinBlake follows along with Jessica, since she seems to have a plan.
May 06 20:45:59 * QuentinBlake looks around for some pidgeons to get a favor from, just in case a Plan B is needed.
May 06 20:46:15 <castfromhp> "First time here, actually. I'm supposed to meet a friend, but..." Sneha gets up on her tiptoes and looks around, frowning.
May 06 20:47:08 * Nathaniel laughs, "Yeah, same. Mind if I wait for my friends here with you?"
May 06 20:47:40 <Nathaniel> "What's his name? Maybe I know them," he asks, with an emphasis on the him.
May 06 20:48:45 <castfromhp> "Her, actually. Varsha." Sneha replies.
May 06 20:49:02 <Nathaniel> Do I know an actual Varsha?
May 06 20:49:23 <Nathaniel> From osmosis or otherwise
May 06 20:49:57 <castfromhp> You've probably run into a couple people on campus with the name, but you can't be sure any of them is her friend.
May 06 20:50:57 <JessicaMorimoto> "...We could get some bags, or..." she mutters, trailing off, but then spots Nathan by the front of the line. "...Actually, looks like he got us a spot ahead."
May 06 20:51:03 <Nathaniel> "I know a few Varshas. Maybe not the one you know though..."
May 06 20:51:09 <Nathaniel> "So, is that a yes?"
May 06 20:51:27 <QuentinBlake> That works.
May 06 20:53:11 <QuentinBlake> "Great. He got us a spot? Lets go."
May 06 20:53:54 <castfromhp> "Yeah, go for it." Sneha sighs. "It's not like her to be late. Normally, she's got such a rigid schedule, so she's never late to anything - and won't give you a moment more of her time than she thinks she can spare." Sneha shakes her head. "Triple major, captain of the rowing team, mock trial ace, probably still has a 4.0 anyway...You know the type." She adds in explanation.
May 06 20:54:23 * JessicaMorimoto heads over to Nathaniel. "Hey."
May 06 20:55:11 * Nathaniel turns to see the other members of the team, "Oh, hey there they are. Meet Sneha everybody. She's new to the cafe too."
May 06 20:55:34 <QuentinBlake> "Uh. Oh. Hi. I'm Quentin. Pleased to meet you."
May 06 20:55:49 <JessicaMorimoto> "Really? Hey. I'm Jess. Lot of good buzz about this place right?"
May 06 20:55:59 <ReggieMcRae> "I'm Reggie."
May 06 20:56:11 <ReggieMcRae> "Who's the lady?"
May 06 20:56:27 * ReggieMcRae nods his head towards the woman.
May 06 20:56:28 <castfromhp> "Hey. Well, at least someone's managed to meet up with their friends here." Sneha says. Even as you cross over as a large group, it doesn't seem like anyone in line really cares that you all just cut...
May 06 20:56:29 <JessicaMorimoto> "Sneha, weren't you listening, Reg?"
May 06 20:56:58 <ReggieMcRae> "I can't hear from that far away." :|
May 06 20:57:08 <Nathaniel> "Yes, her friend Varsha doesn't seem to be around."
May 06 20:57:42 <JessicaMorimoto> "Got a no-show on a friend huh? Sucks. Maybe it's just traffic. Even the parking getting in was pretty bad."
May 06 20:58:57 <QuentinBlake> "I'm... uh... not sure what the big deal is. It's just a coffee shop, right?"
May 06 20:59:00 <castfromhp> The group of you make small talk for a bit, but it only takes a few minutes before you make it into the cafe. To its credit, the decor at least looks quite nice - there are ornamental crystal sculptures dotting the place, coffee machines in the back that look like alchemical alembics, and little bits of steampunk decor like ornate clocks without looking garish.
May 06 21:00:21 <QuentinBlake> "Oh. I guess that makes sense. Good theming."
May 06 21:00:53 <castfromhp> Sneha grabs a table for two to wait for her riend, and the four of you are seated together at a booth shortly. One thing that immediately stands out to you - there's a bit of distortion in the air near the kitchen door as the waiters and waitresses rush in and out - a telltale sign of an Otherspace entrance.
May 06 21:01:30 <QuentinBlake> "I'm getting nervous."
May 06 21:01:50 <castfromhp> Your experience is that no one around - who isn't a Persona User at least - notices anything out of the ordinary if you walk up to a door, open it with your key, and step in. It just sorta fades from their memory.
May 06 21:02:19 <JessicaMorimoto> "Tactical bathroom breaks. Make for the door. Not as a group."
May 06 21:02:31 <JessicaMorimoto> "Don't eat or drink anything." she whispers.
May 06 21:02:44 * ReggieMcRae nods in agreement.
May 06 21:02:52 * QuentinBlake nods too.
May 06 21:02:52 * JessicaMorimoto gets up to excuse herself to the bathroom.
May 06 21:02:56 * ReggieMcRae whispers to Jessica. "I already had tea and biscuits."
May 06 21:03:03 <JessicaMorimoto> "Ughhhhh."
May 06 21:03:22 <castfromhp> A water stops by after you whisper this. "Hello! Have you decided what to order? Or do you need a few minutes?"
May 06 21:03:40 <Nathaniel> "We'll need a few minutes."
May 06 21:03:45 <QuentinBlake> "Uh! Um. Er..."
May 06 21:03:48 <QuentinBlake> "What he said."
May 06 21:04:00 <castfromhp> "Certainly!" He ducks away, out of view, to serve another table.
May 06 21:04:04 * JessicaMorimoto rolls her eyes so hard her neck snaps and she dies. Or maybe she only wished that would happen. "Just a few minutes please." she says to the waiter, as she excuses herself.
May 06 21:04:39 * JessicaMorimoto makes like she's going for the bathroom, then approaches the kitchen door and takes out her Key, inserting it into the distortion.
May 06 21:06:21 * Nathaniel sits up and looks at the other tables, "I think I'll pass around and see what other people have been ordering."
May 06 21:06:31 <castfromhp> When you insert the key, a pulse ripples through the air, swimming over the surface of the kitchen door and forming into a pair aged oak doors, with an intricate pattern of metal bars laid over a foggy glass window covering the top half.
May 06 21:07:16 * Nathaniel follows quickly after, unlocking the Otherspace door with a casual ease.
May 06 21:07:20 * QuentinBlake counts to, like, five, and then loses his nerve and follows Jessica.
May 06 21:07:23 <ReggieMcRae> "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom as well."
May 06 21:07:32 * JessicaMorimoto opens the door and heads inside.
May 06 21:07:32 <castfromhp> Nathaniel, there's no real rhyme or reason to what anyone else has ordered. Tea, coffee, even what look like light coffee cocktails at some tables.
May 06 21:08:11 * ReggieMcRae looks at other people's tables and looks at what they've ordered as he heads there, then inserts his key into the distortiony door thing thats apparently here.
May 06 21:09:28 <castfromhp> One by one, you each approach and enter the door and step through. You each feel a tingling at the back of your head, as you grasp the power of your Personas in this otherworldly realm.
May 06 21:12:10 <castfromhp> You find yourselves in a foyer at the entrance to what looks like a much larger, vaster coffee shop, crossed with a fantastical laboratory or atelier. An impeccably dressed man is standing before you and checking a sheet of paper. Further into the shop, however, all the customers look indistinct and fuzzy, lining up to go to a counter to order. "Ah, yes, we have your reservation for a table right here."
May 06 21:12:58 <castfromhp> "Once you place your drink orders up at the counter, you'll be shown to your table further inside." The man bows dramatically before stepping aside to let you in.
May 06 21:13:17 * JessicaMorimoto just steps on in, deciding not to ask questions. She'll see for herself what's beyond.
May 06 21:14:05 * Nathaniel follows the man in, an aluminum baseball bat materializing in his hands as they press enter.
May 06 21:14:22 <QuentinBlake> "Should we play along? Or go in g-guns blazing?"
May 06 21:14:36 <ReggieMcRae> "Play along for now."
May 06 21:14:44 * JessicaMorimoto just jerks her head a little, gesturing in.
May 06 21:14:54 <ReggieMcRae> "No need to cause a ruckus until we need to."
May 06 21:16:18 <castfromhp> Further in, you see the line at the counter is at least moving along pretty quickly. People aren't actually receiving drinks though. You see them walk up, in sync and with identical motions, chatter incomprehensibly at the barista, then an icon of a coffee cup appears above their head with a chime and shakes, then disappears, like the animation of using a consumable in a video game.
May 06 21:16:47 <JessicaMorimoto> "The fuck."
May 06 21:17:03 <QuentinBlake> "Odd."
May 06 21:17:04 <castfromhp> As you watch, you notice for some of the customers, a black wisp of smoke snakes out of their ear after this, and zips up into vents in the ceiling.
May 06 21:17:25 <QuentinBlake> "M-Maybe playing along isn't such a good idea."
May 06 21:17:26 * JessicaMorimoto eyes the vents. "Bingo. I was right." she eyes where the vents lead.
May 06 21:18:14 <ReggieMcRae> "...How odd."
May 06 21:18:21 <Nathaniel> "Lead the way."
May 06 21:18:22 <ReggieMcRae> "Yeah, Im gonna have to agree, Quentin."
May 06 21:18:24 <castfromhp> The vents lead upwards and presumably further into the complex. Now that you're here, you see not only are there rooms of tables beyond, but there are stairs as well beyond that.
May 06 21:18:32 * JessicaMorimoto heads for the stairs.
May 06 21:18:54 <JessicaMorimoto> "No need to play this along to the end. Let's go. We'll deal with whatever as it comes."
May 06 21:19:13 * QuentinBlake follows, "Right."
May 06 21:19:56 <castfromhp> "Excuse me!" One of the baristas says to you as you head for the stairs. "Paying customers only in the lounge area."
May 06 21:20:01 * ReggieMcRae follows as well.
May 06 21:21:05 * JessicaMorimoto smiles sweetly. "We're VIP."
May 06 21:21:50 <castfromhp> He shakes his head as he emerges from behind the counter to confront you. "Rules are rules, ma'am, I'm sorry."
May 06 21:22:59 <JessicaMorimoto> She sighs. "I suppose it can't be helped then."
May 06 21:23:10 * Nathaniel chews his lip. "Let me try."
May 06 21:23:24 <JessicaMorimoto> (All in favor of busting this guy's chops?)
May 06 21:23:30 * Nathaniel tries to catch the baristas eye, "Do you think you could make an exception for me and my friends?"
May 06 21:24:32 <castfromhp> The man looks right at you, "If you really are VIP, I can make you the House Special drink, but you'll have to wait in line like everyone else."
May 06 21:25:17 * Nathaniel looks to the others and flexes his arm subtly with the baseball bat.
May 06 21:25:55 * JessicaMorimoto begins to head up the stairs.
May 06 21:25:57 <QuentinBlake> (Aye)
May 06 21:26:06 * QuentinBlake sighs. Oh boyy
May 06 21:26:20 * QuentinBlake follows Jessica, getting out his rifle in case a fight breaks out.
May 06 21:27:04 * Nathaniel follows after her.
May 06 21:29:01 <castfromhp> The man's eyes bulge, and he begins to grow in size, his head nearly reaching the ceiling. "Rules...are...rules!" He voice booms. He reaches behind the counter with his now-huge arm and grabs a tea kettle and a chemex of coffe, tossing them both at the stairs ahead of Jessica and Quentin, where they shatter.
May 06 21:29:07 * ReggieMcRae chases after them Summoning a rapier.
May 06 21:29:31 <JessicaMorimoto> "Oh shit. Well that answers -that- question."
May 06 21:29:35 <castfromhp> From the puddles of spilled coffee and tea, two small forms rise, both looking like small girls but with fae-like qualities. Hop on Roll20
May 06 21:29:55 <JessicaMorimoto> She snaps her fingers, and her bracelet unwinds, twisting down her arm and growing past her hand into a large, barbed chain whip.
May 06 21:31:03 <castfromhp> BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6THFGWLEn7w
May 06 21:32:22 <castfromhp> The tile types alternate zones. So Quentin and Jessica are in one zone, each engaged with a different enemy, and Nathaniel and Reggie are both engaged with the giant barista.
May 06 21:32:58 <castfromhp> A crow's feather falls from the sky, and you hear Sato's voice ring through your heads. "Gettin' into it already, huh? I've got your back."
May 06 21:33:17 <castfromhp> All players taking fast turns first.
May 06 21:33:25 <Nathaniel> Nathan does
May 06 21:33:44 <JessicaMorimoto> Fast turn!
May 06 21:33:47 <ReggieMcRae> fast turn
May 06 21:34:00 <QuentinBlake> Fast Turn I guess
May 06 21:34:08 <Nathaniel> 2#2d8+1 vs 2 small fairies Twin Shot
May 06 21:34:08 <CritSenpai> vs 2 small fairies Twin Shot: 13 [2d8=6,6], 8 [2d8=5,2]
May 06 21:34:23 <castfromhp> hits both!
May 06 21:35:00 * Nathaniel clutches the key in his right palm and squeezes, manifesting Roland into the battle to shoot at the two fairy girls behind him.
May 06 21:35:13 <Nathaniel> 2#1d6 Effect Die
May 06 21:35:13 <CritSenpai> Effect Die: 1 [1d6=1], 4 [1d6=4]
May 06 21:35:14 <QuentinBlake> Can I buff someone with Tarukaja before they take their turn?
May 06 21:35:25 <castfromhp> You could yeah
May 06 21:35:33 <ReggieMcRae> (not me)
May 06 21:35:49 <JessicaMorimoto> (I'll take it)
May 06 21:35:56 <Nathaniel> "I hold off the big guy. Clean up the small fry!"
May 06 21:36:33 <castfromhp> The big guy counts as two combatants by the way, so if only one of you is in the Engagement at some point later, you'll count as Pinned.
May 06 21:36:56 <castfromhp> 9 damage each right?
May 06 21:37:01 <Nathaniel> Yeah
May 06 21:37:02 * ReggieMcRae stands up straight, as opposed to his usual slouch, and adjust his glasses. "I'm afraid you won't be alone for this engagement."
May 06 21:37:10 <QuentinBlake> "Francesco!" Quentin casts Tarukaja on Jessica to give her Attack Up, WITH the minor action to give her +1 Accuracy this round.
May 06 21:37:43 <castfromhp> The northern fairy girl is Staggered as the Gun shot hits her weakness!
May 06 21:37:43 <QuentinBlake> (Or wait, That costs Momentum to useDoesn't it? Nevermind)
May 06 21:37:51 <Nathaniel> The poncho wearing knight pulls out a wide-barreled shotgun from underneath its garb and fires wildly at the fairies.
May 06 21:37:57 <QuentinBlake> (Just the Tarukaja :B)
May 06 21:37:59 <JessicaMorimoto> "Now the question is, are you creamy or black? Persona!" She whips the air and raises her key. A well-dressed, if archaically so goat demon materializes and slams down a bundle of birch branches into the Coffee-chan next to her.
May 06 21:38:06 <castfromhp> "Lookin' cool, Nathan." You hear Sato's voice in your head.
May 06 21:38:19 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+1 Cruel Attack
May 06 21:38:19 <CritSenpai> Cruel Attack: 4 [2d8=2,1]
May 06 21:38:23 <castfromhp> Huh? What costs momentum?
May 06 21:38:30 <QuentinBlake> (Nevermind. I got confused)
May 06 21:38:46 <castfromhp> Jessica, coffee-chan is Staggered, so that hits.
May 06 21:38:47 <QuentinBlake> (I thought my teamwork style thing cost momentum)
May 06 21:38:57 <ReggieMcRae> "Come, Boreas! Let us show them what you can do!" A winged old man with a conch appears, and blows his horn. Tarunda on the big dude
May 06 21:39:13 <castfromhp> Attack or Magic Down?
May 06 21:39:15 <JessicaMorimoto> Cruel Attack has Technical: Staggered and I have Tarukaja.
May 06 21:39:20 <ReggieMcRae> Attack Im thinking.
May 06 21:39:58 <JessicaMorimoto> So that's 22 damage.
May 06 21:40:01 <JessicaMorimoto> I think
May 06 21:40:22 <castfromhp> The coffee fairy screams as you lash out with your whip, disappearing into a puff of coffee-flavored smoke!
May 06 21:42:27 <castfromhp> Enemy turns! The green tea fairy backs away from Quentin, then aims a stream of fire at Nathaniel!
May 06 21:42:30 <castfromhp> 2d8 agi
May 06 21:42:31 <CritSenpai> agi: 9 [2d8=7,2]
May 06 21:42:37 <castfromhp> 1d6
May 06 21:42:37 <CritSenpai> 1d6: 5 [1d6=5]
May 06 21:42:50 <castfromhp> 6 fire damage!
May 06 21:43:12 <castfromhp> The big barista guy flails wildly at both Nathan and Reggie!
May 06 21:43:25 <Nathaniel> Roland shimmers in front of the flames and shields nathan from the damage. 3 Damage
May 06 21:43:28 <castfromhp> 2d8+1 reggie; 2d8+1 nathan
May 06 21:43:28 <CritSenpai> reggie: 12 [2d8=4,7]; nathan: 16 [2d8=8,7]
May 06 21:44:15 <castfromhp> 13 damage! Halve it for Reggie due to Tarunda, but Nathan takes the normal amount since the crit cancels the 50% reduction.
May 06 21:44:26 <castfromhp> And Nathan is Staggered!
May 06 21:44:34 <ReggieMcRae> (rounded up or down?)
May 06 21:44:37 <castfromhp> down
May 06 21:44:54 <castfromhp> The Barista flexes after the attack. Looks like Attack Down is canceled, but he flies into a rage!
May 06 21:45:01 <castfromhp> Momentum is up to 1 now. Player fast turns?
May 06 21:45:11 <JessicaMorimoto> Jess will perform a slow turn.
May 06 21:45:13 <QuentinBlake> Fast for me.
May 06 21:45:24 <ReggieMcRae> Fast.
May 06 21:45:29 <castfromhp> Go for it!
May 06 21:45:44 <ReggieMcRae> Recasting Tarunda.
May 06 21:45:47 * Nathaniel falls onto his back from the blow but scrambles to his feet. Fast Turn
May 06 21:46:03 <castfromhp> The barista looks weakened once more!
May 06 21:46:43 <QuentinBlake> "I am thou!" I cast Tarukaja on Nathaniel for the Attack Up, and use the Minor action to add a +1 boon to accuracy.
May 06 21:47:11 <castfromhp> Anyone spending the Momentum for Analyze or just keeping the +1 acc bonus?
May 06 21:47:35 <JessicaMorimoto> (Analyze!)
May 06 21:47:37 <Nathaniel> "Professor, what have you got?"
May 06 21:47:47 <ReggieMcRae> (Analyze is my preference as well.)
May 06 21:48:13 <QuentinBlake> (Yeah. Analyze is good)
May 06 21:48:29 <castfromhp> "The big guy, right? Hit em with a mind whammy, but forget the guns." Sato's voice echoes back.
May 06 21:49:46 <castfromhp> (if this changes your action, you can go ahead Quentin)
May 06 21:49:53 <QuentinBlake> Yeah I'll change that
May 06 21:50:03 <QuentinBlake> "M-me?"
May 06 21:50:13 <JessicaMorimoto> "You heard the man."
May 06 21:50:16 <QuentinBlake> I'll have to change to a slow turn if I want to hit the big barista with Psi
May 06 21:50:23 * Anise has quit (Ping timeout: 240 seconds)
May 06 21:50:25 <Nathaniel> "Knock him off his feet Quentin."
May 06 21:50:43 <QuentinBlake> Since I need to move into the same zone.
May 06 21:51:20 <castfromhp> Enemy fast turns then! The Barista turns on Reggie with annoyance and tries to slap him silly.
May 06 21:51:24 <castfromhp> 2d8+1
May 06 21:51:25 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 15 [2d8=8,6]
May 06 21:51:31 <castfromhp> 11 damage, halved
May 06 21:51:52 <castfromhp> Player slow turns!
May 06 21:52:13 * QuentinBlake moves into the same zone as the Barista and winds up a Psi attack.
May 06 21:52:16 <QuentinBlake> "I am thou!"
May 06 21:52:27 * JessicaMorimoto points at tea-chan. "Krampus!"
May 06 21:52:30 <Nathaniel> "Cut'em down, Roland!" I'll use Mighty Swing on the big guy to follow up in Quentin's Psi
May 06 21:52:39 * JessicaMorimoto unleashes a dark spell at the remaining fairy!
May 06 21:52:47 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+1
May 06 21:52:47 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 11 [2d8=3,7]
May 06 21:53:01 <castfromhp> hits!
May 06 21:53:05 <QuentinBlake> 2d8+1 Psi attack on Barista
May 06 21:53:05 <CritSenpai> Psi attack on Barista: 11 [2d8=5,5]
May 06 21:53:11 <castfromhp> hits as well!
May 06 21:53:13 <JessicaMorimoto> 9 Dark damage and I roll a 1d6 for Rage right?
May 06 21:53:16 <castfromhp> yup
May 06 21:53:18 <JessicaMorimoto> 1d6
May 06 21:53:18 <CritSenpai> 1d6: 3 [1d6=3]
May 06 21:53:30 <QuentinBlake> 1d6 effect die for Dizzy
May 06 21:53:30 <CritSenpai> effect die for Dizzy: 5 [1d6=5]
May 06 21:53:33 <Nathaniel> 2d8+1 Mighty Swing Crit Check
May 06 21:53:33 <CritSenpai> Mighty Swing Crit Check: 7 [2d8=1,5]
May 06 21:53:43 * JessicaMorimoto uses her Move action to leave her zone and enter the Barista's. "Let's corner this sucker." She cannot move into the engagement yet.
May 06 21:53:47 <castfromhp> Tea-chan looks like she's about to go down but is holding on!
May 06 21:53:53 <QuentinBlake> Psi is normally 6 damage
May 06 21:54:20 <castfromhp> The barista is Staggered by that!
May 06 21:54:24 <castfromhp> Mighty Swing hits too of course
May 06 21:54:31 * Anise (~Anise@Rizon-537E11C8.cinci.res.rr.com) has joined
May 06 21:55:03 <Nathaniel> 11 Damage to Barista
May 06 21:56:03 <castfromhp> Tea-chan moves into the same zone as everyone else, then sprinkles the Barista with healing power! Dia!
May 06 21:56:37 <castfromhp> Top of the next round, Momentum up to 1 again. Keep or spend? Also, fast turns for players!
May 06 21:56:44 <Nathaniel> Fast Turn
May 06 21:56:47 <JessicaMorimoto> Slow Turn again.
May 06 21:56:47 <ReggieMcRae> fast turn
May 06 21:56:52 <QuentinBlake> "I'll keep up the pressure on the c-coffee guy." Fast turn.
May 06 21:56:55 <JessicaMorimoto> Vote on keep
May 06 21:57:00 <ReggieMcRae> (Keep)
May 06 21:57:05 <QuentinBlake> (Keep, yeah)
May 06 21:57:21 <castfromhp> Gogogo!
May 06 21:57:23 <Nathaniel> 2d8+2 Normal Attack on big guy
May 06 21:57:23 <CritSenpai> Normal Attack on big guy: 12 [2d8=4,6]
May 06 21:57:37 <Nathaniel> 7 damage
May 06 21:57:43 <QuentinBlake> 2d8+2 Psi on Big guy to stagger him again
May 06 21:57:43 <CritSenpai> Psi on Big guy to stagger him again: 13 [2d8=8,3]
May 06 21:57:55 <ReggieMcRae> "Sorry, little fairly."
May 06 21:58:01 <QuentinBlake> 1d6 Effect die
May 06 21:58:01 <CritSenpai> Effect die: 1 [1d6=1]
May 06 21:58:10 <ReggieMcRae> 2d8 to normal attack the fairy
May 06 21:58:10 <CritSenpai> to normal attack the fairy: 5 [2d8=1,4]
May 06 21:58:13 <ReggieMcRae> nope.avi
May 06 21:58:20 <castfromhp> The fairy isn't in your engagement.
May 06 21:58:29 <ReggieMcRae> oh
May 06 21:59:13 <ReggieMcRae> Yeah, but I wasnt gonna use that on the fairy.
May 06 21:59:20 <ReggieMcRae> Ill just Garu the barista then.
May 06 21:59:26 <ReggieMcRae> 2d8+1
May 06 21:59:26 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 9 [2d8=6,2]
May 06 21:59:28 <ReggieMcRae> nope.avi
May 06 21:59:45 <castfromhp> that hits! It's normally AC 7, and anyway he's Staggered
May 06 21:59:51 <ReggieMcRae> "Come, Boreas!" Boreas toots his conch and wind appears, his cape billowing.
May 06 21:59:58 <ReggieMcRae> 9 damage?
May 06 22:00:02 <ReggieMcRae> Because of blaster?
May 06 22:00:11 <castfromhp> Yup!
May 06 22:00:44 <castfromhp> Fairy takes a fast turn!
May 06 22:01:02 <castfromhp> 2d8 agi on Reggie
May 06 22:01:03 <CritSenpai> agi on Reggie: 14 [2d8=8,6]
May 06 22:01:09 <castfromhp> 6 fire damage
May 06 22:01:13 <castfromhp> 1d6
May 06 22:01:13 <CritSenpai> 1d6: 6 [1d6=6]
May 06 22:01:15 <castfromhp> and Burned!
May 06 22:01:17 <ReggieMcRae> OW
May 06 22:01:27 <ReggieMcRae> "Yeeeoowwch that's hot!"
May 06 22:01:40 <ReggieMcRae> (Reggie now has 2 HP)
May 06 22:01:50 <QuentinBlake> (Uh oh)
May 06 22:01:52 <castfromhp> Player slow turns!
May 06 22:02:06 * JessicaMorimoto takes another magic shot at the fairy with Eiha.
May 06 22:02:21 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+2
May 06 22:02:21 <CritSenpai> 2d8+2: 12 [2d8=7,3]
May 06 22:02:29 <JessicaMorimoto> Another 9 Dark damage.
May 06 22:02:33 <castfromhp> The fairy is taken out!
May 06 22:02:42 * JessicaMorimoto then moves into the Barista's engagement to Pin him.
May 06 22:02:55 <QuentinBlake> So that means all the enemies in the encounter are currently staggered, right?
May 06 22:03:01 <castfromhp> Yup!
May 06 22:03:07 <JessicaMorimoto> "You guys ready?"
May 06 22:03:14 <Nathaniel> "Just say the word and it's go time."
May 06 22:03:16 <QuentinBlake> "L-let's do it!"
May 06 22:03:28 <castfromhp> "Take 'im down!" Sato grunts.
May 06 22:03:29 <JessicaMorimoto> "Now!" She rushes in with her whip.
May 06 22:03:30 <ReggieMcRae> "Let's rock!"
May 06 22:03:38 * ReggieMcRae rushes in with his rapier.
May 06 22:03:50 * Nathaniel charges in with the others to pile on the barista.
May 06 22:04:11 <ReggieMcRae> (Wait Im staggered? Do I even get to join in on the all-out attack?)
May 06 22:04:11 * QuentinBlake wheeee
May 06 22:04:13 <castfromhp> An extremely anime beat-up scene happens, and you all pose and look really cool. The barista looks like he's on his last legs. (Elite enemy, current HP halved)
May 06 22:04:34 <castfromhp> (you get to look cool sure)
May 06 22:04:47 <castfromhp> Momentum 2. Fast player turns?
May 06 22:04:49 <QuentinBlake> (I don't think it matters considering it's a set effect rather than a cumulative amount of damage)
May 06 22:04:52 <QuentinBlake> Fast
May 06 22:04:52 <JessicaMorimoto> Fast turn!
May 06 22:05:09 <Nathaniel> Fast Turn
May 06 22:05:09 <ReggieMcRae> I use the all out attack to move one space?
May 06 22:05:18 <castfromhp> Go for it yeah
May 06 22:05:23 <Nathaniel> 2d8+2 Normal Attack
May 06 22:05:23 <CritSenpai> Normal Attack: 7 [2d8=1,4]
May 06 22:05:28 <castfromhp> hits!
May 06 22:05:28 <ReggieMcRae> (Where can I move?)
May 06 22:05:29 <Nathaniel> 7 more damage
May 06 22:05:35 <QuentinBlake> 2d8+3 "One more time! Psi attack!"
May 06 22:05:35 <CritSenpai> "One more time! Psi attack!": 11 [2d8=4,4]
May 06 22:05:40 <castfromhp> You just move out of the engagement
May 06 22:05:42 <QuentinBlake> 1d6 Effect die
May 06 22:05:42 <CritSenpai> Effect die: 5 [1d6=5]
May 06 22:06:03 <QuentinBlake> Another 6 dommoge +50% and another stagger
May 06 22:06:12 <ReggieMcRae> I want to remain in a spot so I can wind, but not be in melee range. (Is that spot OK?)
May 06 22:06:14 <castfromhp> Save your SP, Nathaniel cuts down the Barista with his bat, bashing the giant's head in. He falls to the ground in a heap, then disappears in a puff of coffee smoke.
May 06 22:06:18 <QuentinBlake> Oh good
May 06 22:06:44 * JessicaMorimoto whips her chain out and then recalls it back into her bracelet.
May 06 22:06:47 * Nathaniel breathes out and looks around. Are the other baristas and patrons reacting?
May 06 22:07:00 <ReggieMcRae> "Ooof. Im not looking so hot. Anyone able to patch me up?"
May 06 22:07:02 <castfromhp> Now's probably a good time for y'all to figure out which consumables you brought in. Quentin chose an extra clip of ammo, IIRC. Your choices were between that (6x ammo), 2x medicine, 2x ointment, or 2x incense
May 06 22:07:09 <JessicaMorimoto> I brought 2x medicine for sure.
May 06 22:07:14 <Nathaniel> 2x Medicine
May 06 22:07:33 <Nathaniel> And I'm gonna use both right now
May 06 22:07:42 <ReggieMcRae> (2x Medicine as well, since theres no SP healer)
May 06 22:07:51 <JessicaMorimoto> "Drink this. You'll feel better in no time." She gives Reggie a small, capped bottle with a mysterious liquid inside.
May 06 22:07:56 <ReggieMcRae> "Ah, thank you."
May 06 22:08:07 <ReggieMcRae> (12/16 now.)
May 06 22:08:09 <JessicaMorimoto> ...It's homemade sangria.
May 06 22:08:19 * Nathaniel gulps down two pills and winces as the Otherspace does its work repairing his body. (22/24)
May 06 22:08:32 * ReggieMcRae coughs. "Isn't that... booze?"
May 06 22:08:41 <JessicaMorimoto> "Well you feel better, don't you?"
May 06 22:08:53 <ReggieMcRae> "Well, yes, but..."
May 06 22:09:00 <castfromhp> You're used to this by now, but it's still a little odd how most of the figures in this room barely registered that a fight went on. It's like they're just autonomous entities, acting out the narrative enveloping this coffee shop atelier, with no 'programming' to respond to out of the ordinary activity. In any case, your path is clear now.
May 06 22:09:04 <JessicaMorimoto> "Then stop whining and let's go."
May 06 22:09:30 <castfromhp> Customers continue order, as usual, little coffee and occasionally tea icons popping over their heads, and wisps of smoke escaping from their ears.
May 06 22:09:45 <QuentinBlake> "Yeah, lets get up the stairs before someone else shows up."
May 06 22:09:50 * Nathaniel stretches his arm slightly, "Let's."
May 06 22:09:51 * JessicaMorimoto starts up the stairs.
May 06 22:12:04 * QuentinBlake goes too.
May 06 22:12:38 <castfromhp> You proceed up the stairs to find yourself in the midst of rooms upon rooms, each filled with tables. The human figures here look a bit more well-formed. They have distinct outfits but not faces, and they're actually sipping coffee as inky blackness trickles out of their heads and is sucked up into the ceiling.
May 06 22:13:07 <QuentinBlake> "Are those their... memories?"
May 06 22:13:12 <Nathaniel> "The hell is going on here..."
May 06 22:13:23 <JessicaMorimoto> "Probably at least partially, but it's probably more... their problems."
May 06 22:13:51 <JessicaMorimoto> "The things that people normally repress and turn into Shadows, right? ...All the negativity in a person. And it's being drained somewhere."
May 06 22:13:56 <ReggieMcRae> "Escapism at it's fineist."
May 06 22:13:59 * JessicaMorimoto keeps heading up.
May 06 22:14:25 * ReggieMcRae follows.
May 06 22:14:44 <Nathaniel> "Like the lotus eaters from the Odyssey."
May 06 22:14:56 <ReggieMcRae> "The what?"
May 06 22:15:58 <castfromhp> As you head up the stairs, you see the higher you go, the more distinct the 'customers' become, and the thicker and darker their brain-smoke.
May 06 22:16:12 <Nathaniel> "They're being kept sedate and ignoring their problems through escapsim."
May 06 22:16:51 <castfromhp> At the very top of the staircase is a golden door, carved with alchemical symbols and set with gems. It is, of course, locked.
May 06 22:17:17 <JessicaMorimoto> "More likely someone's doing this to them on purpose, to... do something with all of that."
May 06 22:17:35 <castfromhp> You also notice that as you go higher, the floors start to be populated with staff, passing between customers and refilling their drinks or bringing new ones.
May 06 22:17:41 <QuentinBlake> "Can't go this way any more."
May 06 22:17:46 <JessicaMorimoto> "Who says?"
May 06 22:17:49 * JessicaMorimoto tries her key.
May 06 22:17:57 <castfromhp> Nerp, it doesn't fit.
May 06 22:18:03 <JessicaMorimoto> "...Okay, guess not."
May 06 22:18:24 <Nathaniel> "I guess we're gonna need to look for a key."
May 06 22:18:29 * JessicaMorimoto scans the current floor.
May 06 22:19:01 <QuentinBlake> "Or maybe..."
May 06 22:19:05 * QuentinBlake knocks on the door.
May 06 22:19:11 <QuentinBlake> "Maybe someone will answer."
May 06 22:19:29 <castfromhp> There's no response.
May 06 22:19:36 <QuentinBlake> "Darn."
May 06 22:19:40 <QuentinBlake> "Worth a shot."
May 06 22:19:43 <JessicaMorimoto> "...I don't know heads or tails of this symbolism nonsense." she remarks about the stuff on the door.
May 06 22:19:57 <JessicaMorimoto> "Any of you blokes got a clue?"
May 06 22:20:53 <Nathaniel> "I'm studying physical therapy and biology."
May 06 22:20:56 * QuentinBlake shrugs, "Alchemy, I guess. That's got more to do with the coffee shop than anything."
May 06 22:21:06 <Nathaniel> "Not 17th century Alchemy, unfortunately."
May 06 22:22:23 * JessicaMorimoto looks at the gems, and failing anything interesting there, looks around the immediate floor prior.
May 06 22:22:28 <QuentinBlake> "Lets watch the staff. If it's an employee entrance, they might be able to give us a clue how to open it."
May 06 22:22:57 * QuentinBlake follows the movements of the waiters to see if any of them go through the door.
May 06 22:23:56 <Nathaniel> Are there any shadows roaming about?
May 06 22:25:31 <castfromhp> Not in the sense that you understand - supernatural manifestations of negativity and repression - but the staff here on the higher floors definitely seem to have more agency than the cognitive automations like the lower floor customers and the baristas aside from the one you fought. You don't see any staff even approach the staircase going up to the golden door, but...you do notice a few other things:
May 06 22:26:46 <castfromhp> The upper floors are more fully featured than the lower, littered with bars and recreational lounge areas. Some of the customers here appear to be conversing even, but you can't tell from afar whether it's comprehensible to you or even if it's just running off a 'script' or not.
May 06 22:27:34 <castfromhp> On the uppermost level before the golden door, there are several Employees Only areas where waiters and waitresses occasionally pass through, bringing in new drinks and bringing back empty cups and plates.
May 06 22:29:00 <castfromhp> Occasionally, you also catch the barest glimpse of a tall, radiantly glowing man, dressed in an alchemist's coat and wearing a monocle. But as soon as you focus on him, he seems to melt into the crowd of customers and servers.
May 06 22:29:16 <QuentinBlake> "Did you see that?"
May 06 22:29:27 <JessicaMorimoto> "...Yes, yes I did."
May 06 22:29:28 <ReggieMcRae> "Yeah, that was odd."
May 06 22:29:30 <JessicaMorimoto> "Mm."
May 06 22:29:46 * JessicaMorimoto eases closer to the customers to see if she can eavesdrop, careful not to get in the way of servers.
May 06 22:31:50 * QuentinBlake sees if he can get the attention of one of the waiters.
May 06 22:32:35 <castfromhp> Jessica, you eavesdrop on a couple who've both finished their drinks. At first, the chatter seems utterly incomprehensible, but sounds amicable.
May 06 22:34:14 <castfromhp> After a few minutes, however, you start to catch little snippets "child custody", "visitation", etc - it's easy to figure out what they're discussing even with that little context. The discussion appears to get more and more heated, until a waitress swoops by and refills their drinks - as soon as the pair start drinking again, black smoke gushes from their ears, and the conversation returns to gibberish.
May 06 22:34:45 <castfromhp> The waitress then turns to you Quentin. "Oh my, did no one show you to your table yet?"
May 06 22:34:48 * JessicaMorimoto eyes the drinks a moment and frowns, disengaging and watching the smoke.
May 06 22:35:21 <QuentinBlake> "Er. No. Not yet. I was wondering if there was more seating higher up in the cafe." Quentin gestures towards the staircase up towards the gold door.
May 06 22:35:22 <castfromhp> As with the other floors, the smoke appears drawn towards vents in the ceiling, piping them further up through the building.
May 06 22:36:19 <JessicaMorimoto> So the answer here is probably either the radiant man, or the employee doors. ...Well the radiant man probably CAN open that door, but he seems rather difficult to find.
May 06 22:36:25 <JessicaMorimoto> And then an odd thought crosses her mind.
May 06 22:36:33 <castfromhp> The waitress gets a glint in her eyes. "Ahhh, I see. You want a glimpse at the heart of atelier, where all the magic happens." She smiles. "Well, I don't blame you, but even I don't have a key to get up there."
May 06 22:36:33 <JessicaMorimoto> "The smoke..." she whispers to herself.
May 06 22:36:49 <castfromhp> *of our atelier
May 06 22:37:00 <QuentinBlake> "Oh I see. Who does?"
May 06 22:38:10 <JessicaMorimoto> In this room where the smoke is thickest and blackest, maybe it's that concept that's obscuring the 'light'. It's dumb, but it makes sense in some sort of symbolic way. ...In that case, she turns her eyes towards the employee only doors. Maybe they ought to stop the drinks coming out.
May 06 22:38:28 <castfromhp> The waitress mock frowns and puts a hand on her hip. "You aren't going to do anything -sneaky-, are you? Well, the Head Alchemist does, of course, and a few others in the kitchen or the bar staff."
May 06 22:38:51 <castfromhp> "Maybe you can convince one of them, but why don't I show you to a table and get your order before that?"
May 06 22:38:52 * JessicaMorimoto waits off to the side.
May 06 22:39:49 <QuentinBlake> "Sneaky? Of course not."
May 06 22:40:10 <QuentinBlake> "But I don't think that's necessary. My friends are probably already seated somewhere. I can find them on my own."
May 06 22:40:11 <ReggieMcRae> "Nah, we are not of the sneaky variety."
May 06 22:40:38 <castfromhp> Jessica, what are you waiting for?
May 06 22:40:38 * JessicaMorimoto sneaks closer and closer to the kitchen while she waits.
May 06 22:40:45 <JessicaMorimoto> For Reggie and Quentin to be done :V
May 06 22:41:03 <QuentinBlake> (I mean. We got the information we needed. You can probably go.)
May 06 22:41:09 <JessicaMorimoto> (Oh, okay.)
May 06 22:41:17 <JessicaMorimoto> In that case, she just sneaks off towards one of the employee only doors.
May 06 22:41:41 <QuentinBlake> (Kitchen and bar staff have the key, go get it while we try desperately not to let this cognitive waiter give us a brain drain seat)
May 06 22:42:56 <castfromhp> Jessica, you watch the staff going in and out as you search for an opportunity to slip in. Give me a Proficiency check.
May 06 22:43:12 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+1
May 06 22:43:12 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 15 [2d8=8,6]
May 06 22:43:55 <castfromhp> Meanwhile, Reggie and Quentin, you see the radiant man again, across the room. You swear he smirks at you before a waiter crosses his path, obscuring him for a moment - and he's gone.
May 06 22:44:26 <ReggieMcRae> "Who's that?" I ask the waitress.
May 06 22:44:31 <QuentinBlake> "I wonder if that's the owner's shadow or something."
May 06 22:46:24 <castfromhp> Jessica, your careful watch pays off, and you slip into the kitchen unnoticed and quickly duck inside a walk-in pantry where you can still see through a crack in the door. Inside, a line of chefs prepare pastries and mix drinks.
May 06 22:47:01 <castfromhp> The waitress smiles. "Shadow? He's the owner, alright, but how can you call it a shadow when he shines so bright?"
May 06 22:47:27 <QuentinBlake> "Er. Sure."
May 06 22:48:10 * JessicaMorimoto glances around the pantry for anything useful before going bck to her vigil at the crack of the door.
May 06 22:49:05 <QuentinBlake> "Does he come down here often?"
May 06 22:49:13 <QuentinBlake> "Maybe you could introduce us."
May 06 22:49:19 <castfromhp> You dig around. Most of the food here is useless to you, but you find a cognitive mass that could serve as an Ointment. Back in the kitchen, you hear the jangle of metal on metal somewhere beyond your field of vision. Not long after, a woman in a bartender's outfit passes by your hiding spot, exiting the kitchen right after.
May 06 22:49:48 <castfromhp> "Hmmm." The waitress looks unsure.
May 06 22:50:09 * JessicaMorimoto carefully leaves the pantry, tailing the bartender and her keyring.
May 06 22:51:59 <ReggieMcRae> "We'd love to meet him, ma'am."
May 06 22:52:09 <JessicaMorimoto> How close can Jess get?
May 06 22:52:24 <castfromhp> "Wellll, if you can give me a special reason..." She still sounds unsure.
May 06 22:53:27 <castfromhp> It's pretty difficult to follow super closely once you leave the kitchen, Jessica. After all, there are staff members criss-crossing the room. You can see where she's going easily enough though, headed right to one of the bars nearby and setting up shop there. Along the way, you see the radiant man stop her for a brief chat, then disappear just as quickly back into the crowd.
May 06 22:53:46 <ReggieMcRae> "Oh, I'm an investor. I was wondering if he'd be interested in opening other locations."
May 06 22:54:12 <castfromhp> Give me an Expression roll~ With a Boon since you're a biz student after all
May 06 22:54:29 <ReggieMcRae> 2d8+1+1d4
May 06 22:54:29 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1+1d4: 15 [2d8=7,6; 1d4=1]
May 06 22:54:46 * QuentinBlake stands beside Reggie, nodding sagely
May 06 22:55:56 <castfromhp> The waitress's eyes widen. "Well, business -has- been booming lately, so it was only a matter of time."
May 06 22:56:31 <QuentinBlake> "Whew. That's good to hear."
May 06 22:56:40 * JessicaMorimoto slips on over to the bar and has a seat at it. Not much else she can do. There were too many people in the kitchen to disrupt operations, so maybe she can figure out a way to get the bartender to cooperate.
May 06 22:56:54 * Nathaniel idles outside the kitchen to play watch for Jessica.
May 06 22:57:17 * JessicaMorimoto managed to sneak back out already. It looks like she's tailing a bartender.
May 06 22:58:15 <castfromhp> The other customers at the bar have especially thick and noxious looking fumes billowing out of their heads. It almost makes you dizzy just sitting nearby. The bartender is busily preparing drinks for them all and shoves a menu in front of you - looks like it has the usual, but slanted towards chocolatey and coffee-flavored dessert cocktails.
May 06 22:59:12 <JessicaMorimoto> "Thanks." she says, taking the menu. "Busy day, huh?" She tries to keep her focus as she pretends to scour the menu.
May 06 22:59:13 <castfromhp> "I'll see if I can get his attention for a moment for an introduction." The waitress leads the pair of you through the rooms.
May 06 22:59:42 * Nathaniel will stick around Jessica anyway.
May 06 23:00:38 <QuentinBlake> "Perfect. I can't wait to invest in, uh, franchising opportunities."
May 06 23:00:56 <castfromhp> You briefly lose her for a moment as a waiter leads a group of customers through the room, walking between you and her, but when they pass, the radiantly glowing man is standing in front of you. "Vincent Watson." He extends a hand. "I've been told you have a business proposition for me?"
May 06 23:01:23 <castfromhp> "Always." The bartender responds in a bored voice. "What'll it be?"
May 06 23:01:41 <ReggieMcRae> (Do we know if its a terrible or good idea to use your real name in the cognitive world?)
May 06 23:01:52 <castfromhp> (doesn't matter)
May 06 23:02:04 <JessicaMorimoto> "Ehhh, I dunno. I'm a bit picky and all of this looks so good. I'll need a minute... actually, hey, you guys look kind of understaffed. You aren't hiring by any chance?"
May 06 23:02:46 <ReggieMcRae> "I am Reginald McRae, and this is my business partner (who's with me again? Brain fart.)
May 06 23:03:08 <QuentinBlake> "Quentin Blake. At your service."
May 06 23:03:34 <castfromhp> The bartender looks your way in confusion. "Ehh? I'm not really the one to ask, but I sure wouldn't mind if we had more help..."
May 06 23:04:17 <ReggieMcRae> "We noticed how busy and successful your cafe is here, and we were wondering if it were possible to expand."
May 06 23:05:31 <castfromhp> "Are you looking to invest? I admit, this all caught me quite off guard. I never expected my modest cafe would so suddenly take off..." Despite his fancy looks, Vincent seems rather sheepish when faced with your proposal now.
May 06 23:05:42 <JessicaMorimoto> "I think you could use it. Look at this full bar. Just hold off my order. You want some help serving? I can do that. You don't have to worry about pay or anything, volunteer work looks really good on the resume."
May 06 23:06:25 <QuentinBlake> "O-oh, Certainly! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."
May 06 23:06:32 <ReggieMcRae> "Quite. My Sister Samantha McRae (Name drop!) has authorized me to invest into new and upcomming businesses worthy of expansion."
May 06 23:06:41 <castfromhp> "...You sure you know what you're doing?" The bartender gives you a doubting look.
May 06 23:06:55 * Flamy (uid89381@you.get.to.burning) has joined
May 06 23:07:09 <JessicaMorimoto> "Honey I practically live in bars and coffee shops. Of course I know what I'm doing."
May 06 23:07:15 <Nathaniel> "I can offer my aid in whatever capacity is required."
May 06 23:07:24 <castfromhp> Give me an expression check, +Boon for the Night Owl background
May 06 23:07:33 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+2+1d4
May 06 23:07:34 <CritSenpai> 2d8+2+1d4: 18 [2d8=5,8; 1d4=3]
May 06 23:08:04 <castfromhp> Reggie, Vincent considers this for a moment. "Well, can't argue with that. Gee, what do I have to do to get started? I never considered...expanding."
May 06 23:08:18 <castfromhp> Jessica, the bartender moves over. "Aight, show me what you've got, girl."
May 06 23:09:17 <QuentinBlake> "Perhaps we could talk somewhere more private? What do you think, Reggie?"
May 06 23:09:26 <ReggieMcRae> "I think that would be wise."
May 06 23:09:54 <ReggieMcRae> "Would you gather our other associates, Mr. Blake?"
May 06 23:10:15 <QuentinBlake> "I-I can do that."
May 06 23:10:20 <JessicaMorimoto> "You got it." She slides off her seat and starts working some magic - for all her dressing up, she really does know her way around a bar, hell she's even friends with a few good bartenders. She starts helping out and serving up drinks while looking for an opportunity.
May 06 23:10:39 <castfromhp> "I...think that would be good." Vincent says, scratching the back of his head.
May 06 23:11:30 <castfromhp> Jessica, you looking to snag the keyring?
May 06 23:11:55 * QuentinBlake hurries over to the bar where he saw Nathaniel and Jessica go.
May 06 23:11:58 <castfromhp> Give me a Proficiency check, if so.
May 06 23:12:05 <JessicaMorimoto> When a good opportunity presents itself, yep.
May 06 23:12:16 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+1
May 06 23:12:16 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 12 [2d8=5,6]
May 06 23:14:06 <castfromhp> You manage to snag the keyring while mixing a drink, slipping it into a pocket. Soon after you finish, the bartender claps, then stops suddenly and pats the side of her leg. "Aw SHIT."
May 06 23:14:14 <JessicaMorimoto> "Huh? What's wrong?"
May 06 23:14:56 <castfromhp> "Hey, did you see a set of keys as you walked over here? I must've dropped them."
May 06 23:15:15 <JessicaMorimoto> She shakes her head. "No, sorry. You want to go look for them? I'll cover you."
May 06 23:16:15 <castfromhp> Give me an Expression check with a -1 penalty.
May 06 23:16:23 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+2
May 06 23:16:23 <CritSenpai> 2d8+2: 12 [2d8=7,3]
May 06 23:16:29 <JessicaMorimoto> -1
May 06 23:17:29 <castfromhp> "Alright, but don't you leave until I get back, okay? I'm in deep shit if no one's manning the bar." The bartender says as she passes a drink to a customer who seems to be returning to coherence. He returns to a placid state again, smoke pluming with renewed vigor from his head.
May 06 23:17:50 <JessicaMorimoto> "You got it, girl."
May 06 23:18:04 * JessicaMorimoto watches the bar still, now scanning the crowd for signs of the others.
May 06 23:18:13 <Nathaniel> "I think /you/ got it, actually."
May 06 23:18:14 * QuentinBlake shows up.
May 06 23:18:20 <Nathaniel> Once they're out of sight.
May 06 23:18:27 <QuentinBlake> "Hi Nathaniel, Hi Jessi... What are you doing behind the bar?"
May 06 23:18:41 <JessicaMorimoto> "I have a set of keys."
May 06 23:18:41 <Nathaniel> "It's not important."
May 06 23:18:46 <JessicaMorimoto> She says quietly.
May 06 23:18:46 <QuentinBlake> "Great."
May 06 23:18:49 <Nathaniel> "What is important is that, yes."
May 06 23:19:06 <JessicaMorimoto> "We gotta work fast though, the bartender will be back soon."
May 06 23:19:11 <QuentinBlake> "Uh. I think we met the Owner's shadow. Reggie's cooked up a story about us being investors."
May 06 23:19:24 * Nathaniel glances out, "This place can't be unmanned. They'll find out shortly after we leave. Let's hurry."
May 06 23:20:01 <QuentinBlake> "Right. I think Mr. Watson might lead us upstairs."
May 06 23:20:24 <JessicaMorimoto> "...Huh, then what was I doing all this for?"
May 06 23:20:33 <JessicaMorimoto> "I guess it can't be helped though."
May 06 23:20:41 <castfromhp> "Practice." Sato's voice rings in your head, with a chuckle.
May 06 23:20:48 <QuentinBlake> "Well, now we have the keys. We can come and go as we please if this doesn't work out."
May 06 23:21:01 <Nathaniel> "Just keep the keys. It might come in handy."
May 06 23:21:21 <JessicaMorimoto> "Right. Let's go." She wads the pocket with the keys in it with cloth and paper so they don't jingle jangle.
May 06 23:21:48 * QuentinBlake leads them back to where Reggie and Vincent Watson are waiting.
May 06 23:22:18 * JessicaMorimoto leaves a note at the bar reading "SHIT sorry, time of the month I hope you don't get into shit"
May 06 23:23:15 <QuentinBlake> "Mr. Watson. Sorry to keep you. These are our partners. Ms. Jessica Morimoto and Mr. Nathaniel Frost."
May 06 23:23:26 <JessicaMorimoto> "Pleased to meet you."
May 06 23:23:32 <ReggieMcRae> "Indeed, sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Watson."
May 06 23:23:38 <castfromhp> "You've brought all these people just to talk to me? Gee..." Vincent leads you over to the staircase and up to the golden door. He fishes in his pocket for a set of keys, then unlocks the door with a matching long, golden key.
May 06 23:23:42 <Nathaniel> "...hello."
May 06 23:24:13 * ReggieMcRae steps inside, looking at whats around.
May 06 23:24:49 * QuentinBlake follows Vincent inside. Nervous all over again.
May 06 23:26:15 <castfromhp> The doors are heavy and open slowly, revealing a long hallway. To the left is a tall, reinforced set of double doors, reaching up to the ceiling. They shake and rumble every few seconds, sending tiny puffs of black smoke out of the cracks at the side.
May 06 23:26:59 <castfromhp> Vincent leads you past that to a smaller door, with a placard on it with his name, and lets you into a small office. "So um. How do we start?"
May 06 23:28:01 <ReggieMcRae> "You're coffee and teas are simply divine, we were wondering what the secret to it is."
May 06 23:29:58 <ReggieMcRae> *your
May 06 23:30:10 <JessicaMorimoto> "Would this be your first franchise, Mr. Watson?"
May 06 23:30:30 <castfromhp> "Oh? There's...nothing special to it. Really. I'm not sure why we suddenly got so popular. Maybe it was the reviews?" Vincent nods. "Yeah, my business never took off before this..."
May 06 23:31:38 <Nathaniel> "I heard about your difficulties starting up."
May 06 23:31:46 <Nathaniel> "Just how did you manage such a turnaround?"
May 06 23:32:20 <castfromhp> "I really don't know. I'm sorry if you were expecting some secret ingredient or recipe."
May 06 23:33:56 <ReggieMcRae> "Oh? What's with all the smokey fog stuff then?"
May 06 23:33:59 <QuentinBlake> "Well, um. Do you remember anything that happened or changed within the past few weeks?"
May 06 23:34:07 <JessicaMorimoto> "Oh, it's quite alright. It seems you just found a winning business formula. We could start with investing into a couple of properties around town, some local chains, if you're not wholly confident."
May 06 23:34:07 <Nathaniel> "I apologize for my skepticism but in...our line of work we don't like leaving these things up to chance."
May 06 23:34:21 <ReggieMcRae> "It really adds to the atmosphere of the place."
May 06 23:35:33 <castfromhp> "The smoke-y fog? I..." Vincent's form flickers and spazzes out for a second. "You know, that -is- odd."
May 06 23:36:32 <Nathaniel> "Were you not aware of it?"
May 06 23:36:47 <JessicaMorimoto> "It almost gives the room the sort of look of an old time smokey pub, until the indoor smoking ban in 07."
May 06 23:37:00 <JessicaMorimoto> "You didn't set up a fog machine or anything...? Curious."
May 06 23:38:14 <castfromhp> "No, maybe I should go check it o-" Vincent says as he gets up, frowning, before a shrill female voice interrupts him, ringing through the room. "DADWHYAREPEOPLEUPHEREITOLDYOUNOTTOBRINGANYONEHERE!"
May 06 23:38:32 <castfromhp> He flickers again before disappearing completely, in a small flash of light. The office door slams shut.
May 06 23:38:43 <QuentinBlake> "Ooh. Oh no."
May 06 23:38:46 <JessicaMorimoto> "...What?" She looks around.
May 06 23:39:12 <castfromhp> You're alone in the room now.
May 06 23:39:19 * JessicaMorimoto goes to the door and tries the handle.
May 06 23:39:26 <castfromhp> It's locked.
May 06 23:39:33 <JessicaMorimoto> "...Well isn't that some bollocks."
May 06 23:39:37 <ReggieMcRae> "He might be the owner of the cafe, but...I don't think this is his distortion."
May 06 23:39:43 <QuentinBlake> "Told you the keys would come in handy."
May 06 23:39:44 <JessicaMorimoto> "Well, in that case..."
May 06 23:39:54 * JessicaMorimoto gets the ring of keys out and jingles them, before trying them out.
May 06 23:39:57 <Nathaniel> "The one we're after is his daughter."
May 06 23:40:17 <castfromhp> It takes a few tries, but you get the right key and click the door open.
May 06 23:40:17 <QuentinBlake> "Yeah. He was a little too... friendly."
May 06 23:40:20 <JessicaMorimoto> "I wonder if he had problems at home and it affected her." she mumbles.
May 06 23:40:34 * Nathaniel shrugs, "Whose to say."
May 06 23:40:49 <JessicaMorimoto> "Let's go." she hurries out of the office and towards the big door.
May 06 23:40:50 <ReggieMcRae> "I dunno. If this is her cognition, wouldn't he not be so friendly if that were the case?"
May 06 23:40:53 <castfromhp> "Are you...Evokers?" The voice from before calls out to you from all around as you re-enter the grand hallway.
May 06 23:40:53 <Nathaniel> "As far as I can tell though, it's probably a daughter trying to help fix her father's failing business."
May 06 23:41:01 <ReggieMcRae> "A what?"
May 06 23:41:07 <Nathaniel> "Who is that?"
May 06 23:41:12 <castfromhp> "That's weirdo speak for Persona Users". Sato says through his mind voice.
May 06 23:41:25 <JessicaMorimoto> "We have Personas, yes." she calls back.
May 06 23:41:28 <Nathaniel> "Who's speaking to us?"
May 06 23:41:43 * Nathaniel squeezes the key in his palm.
May 06 23:41:47 <castfromhp> "GO AWAY!" The room shakes.
May 06 23:42:09 <JessicaMorimoto> "Jesus H, kid, we don't want to hurt anyone!"
May 06 23:42:19 <JessicaMorimoto> She grits her teeth and tries to march towards the big door.
May 06 23:42:34 * Nathaniel tries to steady himself in the shaking room, "I think it's a bit late for words. We need to find her and finish this."
May 06 23:42:39 <ReggieMcRae> "Relax, we're not here to hurt you. We just wanna know what's going on."
May 06 23:43:55 <QuentinBlake> "I'd just like to know who she is in the first place."
May 06 23:44:09 <castfromhp> You march right up to the big door, which is still occasionally shaking and leaking smoke. There is, as expected, a big lock on this door as well, with several keyholes.
May 06 23:44:37 <JessicaMorimoto> Do they look like they match the keyring or our focus keys?
May 06 23:44:48 <castfromhp> They look like they could match some keys on the ring, yes.
May 06 23:44:58 * JessicaMorimoto tries to unlock each of them one by one.
May 06 23:45:12 <Nathaniel> "Try the big gold one."
May 06 23:45:19 * JessicaMorimoto does that first, sure.
May 06 23:45:48 <castfromhp> The voice doesn't reply to you throughout this, but you hear a soft wimper as Jessica starts trying the keys. One by one, you undo the locks in the door, using almost every key on the ring, including the large golden one.
May 06 23:46:51 <QuentinBlake> "I have a bad feeling about this."
May 06 23:47:15 <castfromhp> As soon as the last lock is undone, the doors begin to slowly swing open of their own volition, revealing a grand cathedral-like chamber.
May 06 23:47:16 <JessicaMorimoto> "Be ready, you guys. She sounds scared."
May 06 23:47:41 * JessicaMorimoto walks in, carefully.
May 06 23:47:47 <Nathaniel> "Good. That means she knows what she's been doing."
May 06 23:47:57 <JessicaMorimoto> "Or she's afraid of the bad people storming in."
May 06 23:48:01 <JessicaMorimoto> "And has no clue."
May 06 23:48:25 * ReggieMcRae makes sure he's more towards the back this time.
May 06 23:48:29 <ReggieMcRae> "Hello?"
May 06 23:48:51 * Nathaniel chooses not to respond to Jess and simply grips tighter at his bat.
May 06 23:49:49 * QuentinBlake walks well behind everyone else.
May 06 23:49:56 <castfromhp> At the end of the chamber lies a giant steampunk looking coffee machine, covered with extraneous gears. In the middle of it, a large alchemy circle is inscribed, with glyphs surrounding it. There's a sword, an arrow, a flame, a crystal of ice, cyclone, a lightning bolt, an eye, a star, and a skull. A large jagged crystal is embedded in the top of the contraption.
May 06 23:51:31 <castfromhp> To either side, you see cages full of formless shadow, pumped in through vents in the wall. Dozens of staff are there, pushing against heavy clouds of shadow as they try to escape. Occasionally, a wisp slips out of their guard and makes for the door.
May 06 23:53:02 <QuentinBlake> "We don't know the rules here yet. Be careful."
May 06 23:53:13 <JessicaMorimoto> "Here it all is then. The problems of the masses locked away and hidden from the world. But you can't run and hide from all of your problems." She says quietly, watching the staff trying to hold the tide back.
May 06 23:53:34 <JessicaMorimoto> "Bloody hell."
May 06 23:53:59 * JessicaMorimoto attempts to approach the machine.
May 06 23:54:06 * JessicaMorimoto slowly, though.
May 06 23:54:30 <castfromhp> "No..." The voice says, trembling.
May 06 23:54:40 * Nathaniel gazes up at the machine, "We know you're here."
May 06 23:54:46 <Nathaniel> "What have you been doing to your patrons?"
May 06 23:55:07 <QuentinBlake> "At l-least try to explain."
May 06 23:55:14 * ReggieMcRae nods.
May 06 23:55:58 <JessicaMorimoto> "People are hurting... you tried to take away their problems, didn't you? You tried to make them better. Because... you didn't know any better. Innocence can be cruel like that."
May 06 23:56:19 <castfromhp> "It started as an accident, when I was helping my dad with the shop. Every cup of coffee I made, the customers loved it, and they wanted more."
May 06 23:56:27 * JessicaMorimoto listens.
May 06 23:57:20 <Nathaniel> "Why didn't you tell anybody?"
May 06 23:57:23 <castfromhp> "So I kept helping out, I kept making coffee for the regulars who started coming in every, for special customers who came by to see what the buzz was about."
May 06 23:58:27 <castfromhp> "I did. We all had no idea why people loved my coffee so much. I just made it exactly the way all our baristas did, so what reason did I have to question it?"
May 06 23:59:05 <Nathaniel> "But even though people were happy, something was wrong wasn't it?"
May 06 23:59:05 <JessicaMorimoto> "..Was it... your Persona?"
May 06 23:59:18 <JessicaMorimoto> She wonders aloud.
May 06 23:59:56 <castfromhp> "Then one night, I have a strange dream. I'm in a jazz bar, and someone keeps telling me something about being an...Evoker. And yeah...something about a Persona. I didn't get it, it was all fuzzy, and I couldn't remember it very clearly, but then I wake up....here."
May 07 00:00:29 <QuentinBlake> "Sounds familiar."
May 07 00:00:30 <castfromhp> "This huge coffee machine is churning away, and the room was filled with smoke."
May 07 00:00:44 <JessicaMorimoto> "So you're trapped in here?"
May 07 00:00:53 <Nathaniel> "Are you inside of it?"
May 07 00:01:46 <castfromhp> "No, I can come and go as I want to now..."
May 07 00:02:03 <Nathaniel> "Now? What changed?"
May 07 00:02:07 <castfromhp> "All of the coffee at the shop started being loved, not just mine."
May 07 00:02:33 <ReggieMcRae> "Huh."
May 07 00:02:35 <castfromhp> "Well, I took control. I don't...really get what you mean when you say I'm doing something bad. But I do remember something."
May 07 00:03:01 <JessicaMorimoto> "We can explain that in a minute." she nods. "We'll listen to what you're saying."
May 07 00:03:15 <castfromhp> "That voice in the dream...it told me other Evokers would come, that they'd come to take it all away from me. And I WON'T LET YOU!" The machine begins churning at high speed.
May 07 00:03:31 <QuentinBlake> "I sense the other shoe dropping, you guys."
May 07 00:03:40 <JessicaMorimoto> "...Well, sorry kid."
May 07 00:03:52 <JessicaMorimoto> "We have to do what we have to do then."
May 07 00:03:59 <ReggieMcRae> "I don't think you quite understand what's going on."
May 07 00:04:15 <castfromhp> The coffee machine begins pouring two drinks at once, the two of them coalescing into spheres, then each taking on humanoid forms, which hop out to meet you in battle. Into Roll20!
May 07 00:04:20 <Nathaniel> "We're going to put a stop to this and you're going to answer our questions."
May 07 00:04:46 <castfromhp> BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YEI2UUIW-g
May 07 00:05:41 <castfromhp> We'll start with the set-up as is. You're all in one zone. The two coffee homunculi are in another, and the machine is in the last. Player fast turns?
May 07 00:06:05 <Nathaniel> Slow Turn for me
May 07 00:06:18 <QuentinBlake> Fast.
May 07 00:06:22 <JessicaMorimoto> Fast turn.
May 07 00:06:39 <castfromhp> Go for it!
May 07 00:06:50 <QuentinBlake>  I want to Tarukaja Nathaniel, with +1 Accuracy boon.
May 07 00:07:48 <QuentinBlake> "Person!" he cries out, as Francesco appars, casting Tarukaja on Nathaniel. Attack Up
May 07 00:07:59 <ReggieMcRae> Slow turn
May 07 00:08:04 * JessicaMorimoto lets out a lance of darkness. "...Guess you're up, Krampus! Kind of fitting, unfortunately."
May 07 00:08:18 * JessicaMorimoto uses Eiha on north coffee.
May 07 00:08:21 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+1
May 07 00:08:21 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 11 [2d8=2,8]
May 07 00:08:25 <castfromhp> hits!
May 07 00:08:35 <JessicaMorimoto> 9 Dark damage!
May 07 00:09:15 <castfromhp> Effect die?
May 07 00:09:18 <JessicaMorimoto> 1d6
May 07 00:09:18 <CritSenpai> 1d6: 4 [1d6=4]
May 07 00:09:27 <castfromhp> (you can just roll it alongside the accuracy, like 2d8+1;1d6)
May 07 00:09:46 <JessicaMorimoto> Alrighty
May 07 00:10:14 <castfromhp> Enemy fast turns! The machine glows. Marakukaja x2! Both coffee homunculi gain Defense Up and Magic Defense Up
May 07 00:10:39 <castfromhp> The northern coffee homunculi retaliates against Jessica with a gust of wind!
May 07 00:10:44 <castfromhp> 2d8 garu
May 07 00:10:44 <CritSenpai> garu: 5 [2d8=1,4]
May 07 00:10:47 <castfromhp> but misses!
May 07 00:10:50 * JessicaMorimoto dodges in place.
May 07 00:11:05 <castfromhp> The southen one aims a bolt of lightning at Quentin!
May 07 00:11:09 <castfromhp> 2d8+1;1d6
May 07 00:11:09 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 11 [2d8=8,2]; 1d6: 2 [1d6=2]
May 07 00:11:15 <QuentinBlake> "Eep!"
May 07 00:11:16 <castfromhp> Zio! 9 lightning damage
May 07 00:11:24 <castfromhp> Player slow turns
May 07 00:11:33 <Nathaniel> "Let's do this Roland! Persona!"
May 07 00:11:40 <Nathaniel> 2d8+1+1d4;2#1d6 Twin Shot on both fairies
May 07 00:11:40 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1+1d4: 19 [2d8=6,8; 1d4=4]; Twin Shot on both fairies: 2 [1d6=2], 4 [1d6=4]
May 07 00:12:00 <Nathaniel> 2d8+1+4 on south fairy
May 07 00:12:00 <CritSenpai> on south fairy: 16 [2d8=4,7]
May 07 00:12:31 <ReggieMcRae> Tarunda on the coffee machine.
May 07 00:12:41 <ReggieMcRae> Magic down
May 07 00:13:07 <Nathaniel> "Their defenses are too high, can we do something about that?"
May 07 00:13:21 <JessicaMorimoto> "If nothing else, focus fire!"
May 07 00:14:06 <Nathaniel> 12 Gun damage to the two, halved due to Def Up
May 07 00:14:12 <QuentinBlake> "I'm buffing you guys as fast as I can, Jeeze."
May 07 00:15:52 <castfromhp> No enemy slow turns. Player Momentum set to 1. Enemy Momentum set to 1. A transparent figure of a woman your age with similar features to Vincent appears, floating near the machine. She raises a gnarled wooden key to the sky. "Tamamo-no-Mae!" She calls out, and a nine-tailed fox appears behind her for a moment as she fixates on Nathaniel. Analyze!
May 07 00:16:18 <castfromhp> Players spending Momentum? If not, player fast turns.
May 07 00:16:22 <JessicaMorimoto> "...She's older than I thought."
May 07 00:16:42 <QuentinBlake> (I'm down with spending some on an Analysis.)
May 07 00:16:46 <QuentinBlake> Fast Turn.
May 07 00:16:49 <JessicaMorimoto> (Sure, we can analyze)
May 07 00:16:51 <JessicaMorimoto> Slow turn.
May 07 00:17:08 <castfromhp> Which target to analyze?
May 07 00:17:20 <Nathaniel> Let's say north one first
May 07 00:17:28 <JessicaMorimoto> Coffee north I think because we need to burn through them
May 07 00:18:04 <Nathaniel> Yeah, we don't have a way to deal with Def Up atm so that's the next best thing
May 07 00:18:19 <castfromhp> "Huh, that's the odd one. Feels...malleable. Anyway, try the mind whammy again, but don't bother with just punching it." Sato says after a moment.
May 07 00:18:57 <JessicaMorimoto> "Noted."
May 07 00:18:59 <QuentinBlake> "UGH. You want me to get CLOSER?" Says Quentin, who is one moderate hit away from getting KO'd.
May 07 00:21:09 <QuentinBlake> The rules of reality rewrite and Psi becomes a 1-zone attack instead of Same Zone, and Quentin gets to be useful again.
May 07 00:21:29 <QuentinBlake> 2d8+1;1d6 North Coffee.
May 07 00:21:29 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 11 [2d8=7,3]; North Coffee.: 4 [1d6=4]
May 07 00:21:59 <castfromhp> The psi hit rips the coffee homunculus apart, returning it to a puddle of delicious caffeine.
May 07 00:22:01 <Nathaniel> "I won't be able to follow up on that one, then."
May 07 00:22:16 <castfromhp> Any other fast turns?
May 07 00:22:22 <Nathaniel> Slow Turn
May 07 00:22:26 <QuentinBlake> "Well, maybe they're both weak to my stuff."
May 07 00:22:29 <ReggieMcRae> fast turn
May 07 00:22:48 <ReggieMcRae> Garu on the southern one!
May 07 00:23:26 <ReggieMcRae> 2d8+1
May 07 00:23:26 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 12 [2d8=7,4]
May 07 00:24:38 <castfromhp> hits! It's Staggered due to its Weakness and looks like it's barely still up!
May 07 00:24:55 <QuentinBlake> "You got him!"
May 07 00:25:05 <QuentinBlake> "Her."
May 07 00:25:06 <QuentinBlake> "It."
May 07 00:25:46 <Nathaniel> "Does this really matter Quentin?"
May 07 00:25:49 <JessicaMorimoto> "Coffeeself." she offers unhelpfully, with just a hint of snark in her voice.
May 07 00:25:57 <castfromhp> Enemy fast turns!
May 07 00:27:35 <castfromhp> The coffee machine churns, and the glyphs for the gun and the ice crystal fade. The coffee goop of the northern homunculus rises up and turns to a human form again, looking slightly different now. You think it has different elemental affiliations maybe.
May 07 00:28:01 <castfromhp> The machine then spits fire at Nathaniel!
May 07 00:28:02 <JessicaMorimoto> "...So that's it huh."
May 07 00:28:05 <QuentinBlake> "Oh no. Again?"
May 07 00:28:06 <castfromhp> 2d8+1;1d6
May 07 00:28:06 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 4 [2d8=2,1]; 1d6: 4 [1d6=4]
May 07 00:28:11 <Nathaniel> Miss
May 07 00:28:12 <castfromhp> But misses!
May 07 00:28:17 <castfromhp> Player slow turns!
May 07 00:28:24 * Nathaniel jumps out of the way.
May 07 00:29:15 * Nathaniel moves into range of the weakened coffee homonculi and swings at its knees.
May 07 00:29:24 <Nathaniel> 2d8+2 Normal Attack
May 07 00:29:24 <CritSenpai> Normal Attack: 14 [2d8=4,8]
May 07 00:29:31 <Nathaniel> 9 Damage
May 07 00:29:41 <JessicaMorimoto> "It shouldn't be resistant to guns or ice." she says about the new one. "...And they're not resistant to the same things." it sounds more like a guess than a sure statement.
May 07 00:30:09 <castfromhp> The other homunculus collapses into a pile of goop.
May 07 00:30:11 <JessicaMorimoto> "Or... was it giving them gun and ice... fuck it, we'll find out."
May 07 00:30:27 <JessicaMorimoto> "The symbols are doing shit, pay attention."
May 07 00:30:40 <QuentinBlake> "R-right."
May 07 00:30:46 <Nathaniel> "Leave it to me."
May 07 00:31:48 <QuentinBlake> (Who hasn't gone?)
May 07 00:32:00 <Nathaniel> (Jess is up)
May 07 00:32:08 <JessicaMorimoto> Okay, Jess moves in and unleashes another Eiha against the north coffee, curious.
May 07 00:32:22 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+1
May 07 00:32:22 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 13 [2d8=7,5]
May 07 00:32:26 <JessicaMorimoto> 9 dark
May 07 00:32:33 <JessicaMorimoto> 1d6
May 07 00:32:33 <CritSenpai> 1d6: 4 [1d6=4]
May 07 00:33:06 <castfromhp> It seems to do normal damage. Enemy slow turns! The northern homunculi aims at Nathaniel with a frigid assault!
May 07 00:33:10 <castfromhp> 2d8 bufu
May 07 00:33:10 <CritSenpai> bufu: 7 [2d8=2,5]
May 07 00:33:15 <castfromhp> 1d6
May 07 00:33:15 <CritSenpai> 1d6: 2 [1d6=2]
May 07 00:33:19 <castfromhp> 6 ice damage!
May 07 00:33:57 <castfromhp> Enemy Momentum up to 1! Player Momentum up to 1! The woman appears again, calling her Persona once more, this time focusing on Jessica. Analyze!
May 07 00:34:07 <castfromhp> Player momentum?
May 07 00:34:09 <castfromhp> Fast turns
May 07 00:34:28 <Nathaniel> 2#2d8+2 Twin Shot, Homonculi+Machine
May 07 00:34:28 <CritSenpai> Twin Shot, Homonculi+Machine: 16 [2d8=7,7], 6 [2d8=1,3]
May 07 00:34:38 <QuentinBlake> (Maybe we should try analyzing the coffee machine now?)
May 07 00:34:54 <JessicaMorimoto> (I would say the north coffee again)
May 07 00:34:58 <Nathaniel> 1d6 Effect
May 07 00:34:58 <CritSenpai> Effect: 3 [1d6=3]
May 07 00:35:00 <JessicaMorimoto> (To confirm what's going on with the symbols)
May 07 00:35:02 <QuentinBlake> EIther way, Fast turn. Tarukaja on Jessica. Magic Up and +1 Accuracy Boon.
May 07 00:35:02 <castfromhp> hits the homuculi!
May 07 00:35:05 <Nathaniel> 12 damage on North Coffee
May 07 00:35:21 <castfromhp> The homunculi doesn't look as hurt as it should be. It Resists Gun!
May 07 00:35:39 <JessicaMorimoto> "...Okay yeah the symbols are HELPING them."
May 07 00:35:41 <Nathaniel> "It resisted my shots."
May 07 00:35:46 <QuentinBlake> "Good to know."
May 07 00:35:47 <JessicaMorimoto> "My bad, now we know."
May 07 00:35:53 <Nathaniel> "Try the opposite elements."
May 07 00:35:53 <ReggieMcRae> "So, what's the opposite of gun?"
May 07 00:35:55 <JessicaMorimoto> (Okay, can analyze coffee machine)
May 07 00:36:13 <JessicaMorimoto> "...Punching it...?"
May 07 00:36:20 <Nathaniel> "Let's go with that."
May 07 00:36:23 <QuentinBlake> (Yeah, Analyze machine)
May 07 00:36:25 * JessicaMorimoto goes with a slow turn.
May 07 00:37:34 * ReggieMcRae goes with fast.
May 07 00:37:44 <ReggieMcRae> (What was the symbol of the southern one?)
May 07 00:37:50 <castfromhp> "Hrm, this thing's complicated. I can tell you right now you shouldn't try blowing it down, but shooting it will work."
May 07 00:38:10 <QuentinBlake> "If it comes to a shootout, so be it."
May 07 00:39:02 * ReggieMcRae uses Garu on the northern fairy "Boreas! Garu!"
May 07 00:39:05 <ReggieMcRae> 2d8+1
May 07 00:39:05 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 7 [2d8=3,3]
May 07 00:39:09 <ReggieMcRae> nope.avi
May 07 00:39:20 <castfromhp> That hits!
May 07 00:39:45 <ReggieMcRae> 9 wind damage
May 07 00:40:07 <castfromhp> It returns to goop. The Gun and Ice symbols flash back into view on the machine.
May 07 00:40:42 <JessicaMorimoto> "...It's temporary then."
May 07 00:41:41 <Nathaniel> "It temporarily gives up a part of it to spawn new ones."
May 07 00:42:14 <QuentinBlake> "So, maybe we just need to hit it as hard as we can with whatever it uses to spawn the next set of monster."
May 07 00:42:48 <JessicaMorimoto> "Sounds like a plan."
May 07 00:43:06 <castfromhp> Enemy fast turns! The machine reanimates the southern homunculi, and the eye and the sun fade from view. It reanimates the northern one as well, losing its sword and wind this time.
May 07 00:43:24 <castfromhp> Player slow turns!
May 07 00:44:31 * JessicaMorimoto unleashes Eiha against the south coffee since she has Magic Up!
May 07 00:44:52 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+2; 1d6
May 07 00:44:52 <CritSenpai> 2d8+2: 17 [2d8=8,7]; 1d6: 3 [1d6=3]
May 07 00:45:12 <castfromhp> It's Staggered and looks to be very weak now!
May 07 00:45:20 <JessicaMorimoto> The damage is...
May 07 00:45:37 <JessicaMorimoto> 14 dark damage
May 07 00:45:43 <JessicaMorimoto> plus critical
May 07 00:45:49 <castfromhp> Magic doesn't crit.
May 07 00:45:52 <JessicaMorimoto> oh, okay
May 07 00:46:02 <castfromhp> But if it's 14 damage, then it's actually down!
May 07 00:46:15 <JessicaMorimoto> or...
May 07 00:46:19 <JessicaMorimoto> 9+half is... no it's 13
May 07 00:46:20 <JessicaMorimoto> sorry
May 07 00:46:33 <castfromhp> Still down! Other slow turns?
May 07 00:46:42 * JessicaMorimoto moves up to engage it when it resurrects
May 07 00:48:26 <castfromhp> The northern coffee moves to engage with Nathaniel, then swings a coffee sword at him!
May 07 00:48:36 <castfromhp> 2d8+1
May 07 00:48:36 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 14 [2d8=7,6]
May 07 00:48:42 <castfromhp> 11 damage!
May 07 00:48:55 <Nathaniel> And Nathan goes down
May 07 00:49:25 <castfromhp> Player Momentum: 1, Enemy Momentum: 1. The woman Analyzes Reggie.
May 07 00:49:32 <castfromhp> Player fast turns and Momentum spend
May 07 00:49:38 <ReggieMcRae> Slow turn here
May 07 00:49:43 <JessicaMorimoto> Keep momentum
May 07 00:50:04 <QuentinBlake> Fast turn.
May 07 00:50:34 <JessicaMorimoto> ....Another slow turn, let's say
May 07 00:50:44 <QuentinBlake> Tarukaja on Reggie. Magic Up and +1 Accuracy Boon.
May 07 00:51:07 <QuentinBlake> "The machine should be weak to wind, I think!"
May 07 00:51:40 <ReggieMcRae> "Nathan!"
May 07 00:51:50 <JessicaMorimoto> "Crap, he went down?"
May 07 00:52:09 <QuentinBlake> "Not good."
May 07 00:52:44 <castfromhp> Enemy fast turns! It reanimates the souther homunculi, fading away eye and lightning. At this point, it looks like the machine is straining itself. Gears are spinning fast, almost out of control, and it's rumbling erratically.
May 07 00:53:03 <castfromhp> The northern one aims at Jessica with a gust of wind!
May 07 00:53:06 <castfromhp> 2d8
May 07 00:53:07 <CritSenpai> 2d8: 12 [2d8=4,8]
May 07 00:53:10 <castfromhp> 6 wind damage
May 07 00:53:21 <JessicaMorimoto> She reels a bit. "Oof."
May 07 00:53:43 <castfromhp> Player slow turns!
May 07 00:53:53 <ReggieMcRae> I move in
May 07 00:53:59 <ReggieMcRae> and cast garu on the machine
May 07 00:54:04 <ReggieMcRae> 2d8+1
May 07 00:54:05 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 14 [2d8=8,5]
May 07 00:54:12 <ReggieMcRae> 9 damage base
May 07 00:54:25 <ReggieMcRae> "Boreas! Lets blow that thing down!"
May 07 00:54:40 <castfromhp> The wind rattles the machine! Bits blow off easily, as if it were a straw house. It's Staggered!
May 07 00:54:58 <castfromhp> It looks like it's on the cusp of falling apart now too.
May 07 00:55:24 <JessicaMorimoto> (Hm, I can't reach it with my melee with one move)
May 07 00:56:06 * JessicaMorimoto keeps at killing the coffees since that seems to be stressing the machine too.
May 07 00:56:19 <QuentinBlake> (I thought you just moved in and out of zones rather than counting spaces)
May 07 00:56:32 <JessicaMorimoto> (Have to move into the same zone, then move into the engagement)
May 07 00:56:38 <JessicaMorimoto> (Unless they engage with me first, I think)
May 07 00:56:44 <QuentinBlake> Oh. Got it.
May 07 00:56:54 <ReggieMcRae> Tactician powers activate!
May 07 00:57:17 <ReggieMcRae> (wait, does it even work like that?)
May 07 00:57:18 <JessicaMorimoto> (Whatcha got for us?)
May 07 00:57:33 <QuentinBlake> (Oh dang. I think that works)
May 07 00:57:54 <ReggieMcRae> Minor Action: Trigger when you Stagger or inflict a Status
May 07 00:57:55 <ReggieMcRae> Ailment on a target, then choose one: An Unengaged ally in the same Zone
May 07 00:57:55 <ReggieMcRae> moves to that target's Engagement as a Free Action, or an ally in the target's
May 07 00:57:56 <ReggieMcRae> Engagement may Disengage as a Free Action.
May 07 00:57:56 <ReggieMcRae> "
May 07 00:58:10 <JessicaMorimoto> (Oh, is that legal then?)
May 07 00:58:23 <JessicaMorimoto> (I think I'm engaged with the coffee though)
May 07 00:58:39 <JessicaMorimoto> (But if I disengage before you stagger it...)
May 07 00:58:47 <JessicaMorimoto> (....I don't think we can split turns like that)
May 07 00:58:49 <JessicaMorimoto> (Cast?)
May 07 00:58:53 <castfromhp> The ordering is a little funky cause they'd have to be in the same zone as the machine to use Tactician to move them into the engagement, yeah.
May 07 00:59:46 <castfromhp> So not this time.
May 07 00:59:51 <JessicaMorimoto> Okay but does Krampus punishing a wicked child invite the rule of cool to overide RAW
May 07 00:59:52 <JessicaMorimoto> aww
May 07 00:59:56 <QuentinBlake> (Oh well.)
May 07 01:00:29 <JessicaMorimoto> Disengage from coffee and... well the machine probably just RESISTS dark, not is immune or drain
May 07 01:00:32 <JessicaMorimoto> So let's just...
May 07 01:00:44 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+2 BLAST IT FUCKING ANYWAY; 1d6
May 07 01:00:44 <CritSenpai> BLAST IT FUCKING ANYWAY: 13 [2d8=5,6]; 1d6: 1 [1d6=1]
May 07 01:00:49 <QuentinBlake> (And you still have magic up, so it'll do something I guess)
May 07 01:01:00 <JessicaMorimoto> 13 dark damage.
May 07 01:01:25 <castfromhp> It resists the attack, but even so, it looks like if you prod it with a stick it'll fall apart!
May 07 01:01:42 <castfromhp> Enemy slow turns! The southern homunculi whips around to lash at Jessica with lightning!
May 07 01:01:46 <castfromhp> 2d8+1;1d6
May 07 01:01:46 <CritSenpai> 2d8+1: 11 [2d8=2,8]; 1d6: 1 [1d6=1]
May 07 01:01:52 <castfromhp> 9 lightning damage
May 07 01:02:01 <JessicaMorimoto> She winces, she's not looking good. 2/20
May 07 01:02:09 <castfromhp> Momentum up! Player fast turns?
May 07 01:02:27 <QuentinBlake> Slow turn this time. I'm going in boys B<
May 07 01:02:31 <JessicaMorimoto> Fast turn!
May 07 01:02:40 <JessicaMorimoto> I have loads of SP for spell spamming.
May 07 01:02:45 <JessicaMorimoto> And Krampus is going to get his fucking due.
May 07 01:02:53 * JessicaMorimoto snaps her fingers. "Krampus!"
May 07 01:03:06 <JessicaMorimoto> 2d8+3; 1d6
May 07 01:03:06 <CritSenpai> 2d8+3: 12 [2d8=2,7]; 1d6: 6 [1d6=6]
May 07 01:03:07 <ReggieMcRae> Fast turn
May 07 01:03:16 <JessicaMorimoto> DRAMATIC RAGE
May 07 01:03:17 <ReggieMcRae> 2d8+1 Garu on the machine!
May 07 01:03:17 <CritSenpai> Garu on the machine!: 6 [2d8=4,1]
May 07 01:03:36 <JessicaMorimoto> The shadows tear into the machine with all of the ferocity of the wicked demon. 13 dark damage!
May 07 01:04:23 <JessicaMorimoto> (btw we're at 3 momentum now pretty sure)
May 07 01:04:34 <QuentinBlake> (Yeah. I think so)
May 07 01:05:14 <castfromhp> The christmas demon whips a bolt of razor sharp darkness at the machine, just as Boreas sends a tornado whirling at it. The attacks split it in two down the center and scatter the parts all over the room! The last sounds of its failing gears and bolts sound like a howl of rage that quickly fades away.
May 07 01:05:25 <castfromhp> The two coffee homunculi melt back down into puddles.
May 07 01:05:44 * JessicaMorimoto looks positively winded. "Sometimes... -pant- when you're up against a wall... -pant- headbutting the wall's not the worst idea."
May 07 01:05:59 <castfromhp> You hear a chocked back sob echo through the room. "...Why?"
May 07 01:06:19 * QuentinBlake rushes over to Nathaniel. "Hey. You okay?"
May 07 01:06:22 <JessicaMorimoto> "Because... you're hurting people like this, lady."
May 07 01:06:29 <castfromhp> "How?"
May 07 01:06:44 * Nathaniel groans as he pulls himself back up, "Yeah, you took care of things alright?"
May 07 01:06:50 <JessicaMorimoto> "They drink your coffee, and they love it, yeah. But somehow it's just so much that it just takes all of their worries away." she gestures at the smoke. "Right here."
May 07 01:06:56 <JessicaMorimoto> "You might think that's a good thing, but..."
May 07 01:06:58 <ReggieMcRae> "You alright, man?"
May 07 01:07:01 <QuentinBlake> "Jess and Reggie did most of the work."
May 07 01:07:08 <JessicaMorimoto> "Making them forget doesn't change what's happened."
May 07 01:07:08 * ReggieMcRae offers Nathaniel a hand.
May 07 01:07:23 * QuentinBlake is relieved as he did that. He is glad he didn't have to rush in at the end.
May 07 01:07:29 <QuentinBlake> *As he said that
May 07 01:07:30 * Nathaniel drags himself back to his feet with the help of the others. "...you can't make people forget about their problems, kid."
May 07 01:07:33 <JessicaMorimoto> "It's just burdenening them with... even more problems."
May 07 01:07:46 <ReggieMcRae> "It's a short term solution. And not a good one at that."
May 07 01:07:57 <QuentinBlake> "It's ruining people's lives."
May 07 01:08:31 <Nathaniel> "Forgetting about a problem doesn't make it go away. It just makes people happier."
May 07 01:08:41 <JessicaMorimoto> "For a time, anyway."
May 07 01:08:44 <Nathaniel> "...but sometimes being happy isn't what's best for people."
May 07 01:08:50 <castfromhp> "But..." The voice sounds much closer now. The woman's form crystallizes in the air and slowly floats down in front of you, clutching her head. "I didn't even know that's what was happening. I didn't know it was taking their memories. Is that...what all that is?" She looks over at the mass of dark with with a horrified expression.
May 07 01:09:02 <castfromhp> "No one explained -anything- to me."
May 07 01:09:18 * Nathaniel nods.
May 07 01:09:18 <JessicaMorimoto> "...I don't blame you. You said you couldn't remember what you heard in that dream."
May 07 01:09:36 <JessicaMorimoto> "A Persona... has this sort of power over people."
May 07 01:09:50 <JessicaMorimoto> "But.... not like this. It shouldn't be used like this..."
May 07 01:09:52 <ReggieMcRae> "If abused, that is."
May 07 01:09:54 <QuentinBlake> "We were scared too at first. We had someone to help us."
May 07 01:10:10 <QuentinBlake> "Maybe... maybe you can come with us. We can help you learn how to control this."
May 07 01:10:16 <ReggieMcRae> "Indeed. Mine's not the happiest looking camper as you saw."
May 07 01:10:18 <Nathaniel> "Can you meet us?"
May 07 01:10:19 <castfromhp> "That's terrible." She whispers. "I...ugh..." She falls to one knee. You see her Persona form and rise up behind her, a nine-tailed fox.
May 07 01:10:45 <ReggieMcRae> "Though I suppose its a bit less angry looking than Mister Krampus over there..."
May 07 01:10:53 <castfromhp> What look like...cracks begin to appear along its fur, running all over its body.
May 07 01:11:06 <JessicaMorimoto> "Shut up, Krampus is awesome." she says unconvincingly, and then watches the fox with a frown.
May 07 01:11:15 <Nathaniel> Does the fox look hostile?
May 07 01:11:17 <ReggieMcRae> "I wasn't dissing it. I was saying its not the happiest looking fellow."
May 07 01:11:31 <JessicaMorimoto> "Is her persona... dying or something?"
May 07 01:11:39 <ReggieMcRae> "Wait what?"
May 07 01:11:43 * ReggieMcRae looks at the fox.
May 07 01:12:37 <QuentinBlake> "Professor Sato? Do you know what's happening?"
May 07 01:12:51 <castfromhp> "Not a fuckin' clue. Hold onto your butts."
May 07 01:13:24 <castfromhp> With a burst of light, the form of a man dressed in white robes pierces through the fox's form. There's a shrieking sound as wisps of shadow begin to melt off the man, then rise up in the air to form the face of a fox, which grins maliciously down at all of you before zipping up through the ceiling and disappearing.
May 07 01:13:47 <castfromhp> The woman rises back up to her feet, and you see her mouthing familiar words to herself. "I am thou...thou art I..."
May 07 01:14:03 <castfromhp> "...Abe no Yasuchika..."
May 07 01:14:32 <JessicaMorimoto> "...There was something messing with her Persona." she says, glaring the way the shadows went.
May 07 01:14:52 <JessicaMorimoto> "What the hell..."
May 07 01:14:53 <Nathaniel> "There was something /inside/ her Persona."
May 07 01:15:15 <ReggieMcRae> "I think it became another persona?"
May 07 01:15:16 <Nathaniel> "There might be other victims."
May 07 01:15:21 <castfromhp> "I think...I understand now. Yes, I think we should meet, in the real world." She says. "My name is Victoria. And you are...?"
May 07 01:15:34 <ReggieMcRae> "I'm uh, Reggie."
May 07 01:15:34 <JessicaMorimoto> "Jess. Jessica Morimoto."
May 07 01:15:37 <QuentinBlake> "Um. Quentin Blake."
May 07 01:15:42 <ReggieMcRae> "Reggie McRae."
May 07 01:15:52 <Nathaniel> "Nathaniel. Nathaniel Frost."
May 07 01:17:29 <castfromhp> "It's good to meet all of you." Victoria smiles awkwardly. "I've...put you all through a lot of trouble." She looks to the masses of shadow at each side of the room. "...and many other people as well. What should...I do with those?"
May 07 01:17:48 <QuentinBlake> "Do you think you can release them? Is that even safe?"
May 07 01:18:05 <JessicaMorimoto> "Let them go. A bit at a time. Don't want to shock the people too hard."
May 07 01:18:12 <Nathaniel> "Can we even ensure that people get their memories back?"
May 07 01:18:16 <Nathaniel> "Can you control them?"
May 07 01:18:17 <JessicaMorimoto> "Just let it all come back bit by bit."
May 07 01:18:21 * JessicaMorimoto shakes her head.
May 07 01:18:24 <JessicaMorimoto> "It'll happen on its own."
May 07 01:18:37 <JessicaMorimoto> "The people downstairs started to argue again until they were served drinks, constantly."
May 07 01:18:38 <castfromhp> Victoria nods. "I think I can do that. Let them go."
May 07 01:18:46 <JessicaMorimoto> "And there were wisps escaping even a bit ago."
May 07 01:19:18 <ReggieMcRae> "Yeah."
May 07 01:19:20 <Nathaniel> "We'd like to meet you immediately but after you get back to the real world you might be out of it for a while."
May 07 01:19:58 <QuentinBlake> "You should look for a Professor Sato. He teaches at [WHATEVER UNIVERSITY WE LEARN AT] University."
May 07 01:20:07 <QuentinBlake> "He can probably explain better than we can."
May 07 01:20:08 <JessicaMorimoto> "When you're ready, just come by."
May 07 01:20:43 <castfromhp> "Okay, I'll be there."
May 07 01:22:27 <QuentinBlake> "S-so..."
May 07 01:22:33 <QuentinBlake> "Are we done here?"
May 07 01:23:08 * JessicaMorimoto nods. "Yeah, guess we are. Let's get out of here."
May 07 01:23:22 <QuentinBlake> "Bye Victoria. See you later."
May 07 01:24:33 <ReggieMcRae> "See you then."
May 07 01:24:43 <JessicaMorimoto> "After the debrief I am so going to sleep."
May 07 01:24:45 <ReggieMcRae> "Anyways, let's skedaddle."
May 07 01:24:47 <JessicaMorimoto> "Uggggh."
May 07 01:24:57 * JessicaMorimoto waves and heads back out of the cathedral.
May 07 01:25:10 <ReggieMcRae> "Yeah, Im pretty tired myself, I could definately use a nap."
May 07 01:26:15 <castfromhp> And with that, you all take off and get some much-deserved rest.
May 07 01:26:44 <QuentinBlake> Morgana appears suddenly and tells us all to go the fuck to sleep