[X] Start researching.
[X] Let your body do its thing.
[X] Feed Nameless (Actively lowering Health in return for bonuses to all combat rolls)
[X] Aeonic Intervention (Guaranteed!) (Call upon a random Aeon)
[X] Start researching.
[X] Feed Nameless (Actively lowering Health in return for bonuses to all combat rolls)
[X] Aeonic Intervention (Guaranteed!) (Call upon a random Aeon)
The natural conclusion to Stelle stacking too much Electrochemistry and Pain Threshold
Don't see any reason to delay the thought, exchanging 1 Half-Light for 2 Pain Threshold and the Morale restoration is a good deal to me. We could save up the guaranteed Aeonic Intervention but - meh, this is a good a point as any to show off. We're not going to get into a serious fight for a long time after this, not unless we really start veering away from canon.
I want to see what Nameless actually does, so might as well hit that button too.
What difference does voting mind, heart, body or senses for the fight make? I don't get it.
If we are going with Body, we don't need the Aeonic Intervention. Having some powerful deity like being save us is the opposite of showing off. That's what tanking damage and still kicking ass is for.
@CryoIce Would it be fine if we roll for Aeonic Intervention like normal and set aside the guaranteed success for a future fight? I want to see what it does here but expending the guarantee on a tutorial boss is probably a waste.
Hm, yeah, I'm realizing that was a bit vague. It's essentially just what main attribute you focus on for the fight, though it will also have a benefit when you level up.
@CryoIce Would it be fine if we roll for Aeonic Intervention like normal and set aside the guaranteed success for a future fight? I want to see what it does here but expending the guarantee on a tutorial boss is probably a waste.
Poll up on the use of your guaranteed Aeon call!
People have brought up that you may not want to use it just yet, so I've given the option to roll it normally.
Special Combat Actions:
(Actions gained through equipment/traits/thoughts/companions/many other ways. Can use as many or as little as you'd like. A special action will be activated if is selected by at least half of the voters.)
We do. There are currently 15 voters and only 6 votes for Aeonic Intervention (Guaranteed).
Which means it isn't passing regardless. Might as well just do the roll and save time by not doing another poll.
[X] Start researching.
[X] Let your body do its thing.
[X] Feed Nameless (Actively lowering Health in return for bonuses to all combat rolls)
THINKING BAD! BIG MISTAKE! ME NO WANT NO BRAIN IN FIGHT! ME WANT HIT THING WITH SWORD!
As for the researching, we can't not commit to our first thought! That's not DiscoTrailblazing in the slightest! Also adding this with preservation path will actually just make Stelle into the best tank in the universe
Ahh, why did you tell us the result. Half the fun of the thought cabinet is the gamble, the intutitve thinking to try and figure what the result of one thought or another could be.
I the futre unless you have already decided one way or another I would really apreaciate you keeping the internalization benifits hidden, so you can trick us into or away from various options at least or change the rewards based on viewer commentary.
Sorry about that, but its due to the more permanent nature of Thoughts. In Disco Elysium you can simply discard a thought once internalized, but that would be rather finicky in this format. So instead I made it so the exact results of a Thought are available, allowing the audience to have the full knowledge of what they're voting on.
>Started researching [High-Functioning Masochist]
>Let your body do its thing.
>Feed Nameless: Passed (16 of 18)
>Aeonic Intervention: Failed (5 of 18)
<Electrochemistry[Medium:Success] Medium: 10 vs Your Total: 11> It's as if a bolt of lightning hit your body. The previous river of adrenaline turns into a flood in an instant.
You're the first one into a combat stance. Nameless is quickly brought to bear, receiving a hum of acknowledgement in return. Before you push yourself over that threshold, you have a question to ask.
"Nameless… is there any way we can replicate our first meeting?" Silence is your only answer, yet you can feel her grinning. Just as prior, time slows.
"Oh my, it seems you're quite adept at saying just what a maiden wants to hear. We should fix that at some point… but I'll let it go, this time."
Three.
It's a different feeling from last time. Instead of a constant drain of your energy, it's inverted. Building higher and higher, muscles tensing and tendons straining.
Two.
<Shivers[Easy:Success] Easy: 8 vs Your Total: 11> A blade that promises(denies) the end(death). A wielder that ensures(lacks) a future(beginning).
One.
It bursts, yet the pain is but an afterthought. The Doomsday Beast approaches rapidly and you match its charge head on, body in overdrive. (-10 Health, +2 to all combat checks, and ignores penalties from injury.)
"Are you always going to be running headfirst into things!?" Someone says, but you can't quite tell who… Actually, it seems you don't remember who's with you right now at all. That briefly makes you feel disconcerted, but throw the feeling away. It doesn't matter, not now.
A claw of the beast makes its way toward you, a strike that's raw and inelegant.
<Physical Instrument[Challenging:Success] Challenging: 12 vs Your Total: 13(Roll: 7 + Physical Instrument: 4 + Nameless' Blessing: 2)> And you match its effort but surpass its result, cleaving your way through a massive 'talon' with little hindrance, continuing your offensive.
"We'll have to work with it! D&# -3n\, keep its left arm off of her! I'll grab the right arm, and M@;c4, you make sure she survives in there!" More words, this time met with changes brought to the battlefield. The claw that just struck at you is bombarded with flames, and the other that was already making its way to avenge the other is met by a wind-empowered spear.
<Half Light[Medium:Success] Medium: 10 vs Your Total: 10> Your target's right there. Pummel it. Break it into pieces. Show it your meaning of Destruction.
You've made it to the core of the beast, pulsing and writhing, its energy seeming unstable. A quick slash is repulsed by the strange energy. As is the next. And the next. With growing frustration and your current lack of sense, you…
<Physical Instrument[Legendary:Success] Legendary:14 vs Your Total: 16(Roll: 10 + Physical Instrument: 4 + Nameless' Blessing: 2)> …pull your off-arm back and forcefully thrust it into the core.
Your strike has somehow pierced it enough that the energy is dispersed around its shielding, and instead focuses on healing its new wound. Easy pickings… until black sparks assault the arm still inside of the core, you quickly wrench it out to prevent it from any further harm.
<Endurance[Trivial Success] Trivial: 6 vs Your Total: 10> Which there is none. The pain doesn't come, as the damage only affected the light covering of ice you now notice surrounds you, feeling ever so familiar. (+5 Temporary Health)
Still, you have a wide open weak spot in front of you begging for your attention. It'd be poor manners to be contemplating anything else. Nameless strikes once more, but the core is far more receptive, your blade leaving a large gouge.
"Watch out!"
<Reaction Speed[Easy:Success] Easy: 8 vs Your Total: 11(Roll: 6 + Reaction Speed: 3 + Nameless' Blessing: 2)> A claw has made itself free from its assaulter, and attempts to tear you away.
That's good. It means it's feeling it. You take a backstep to avoid the wide swipe, and find yourself supported by a barrage of arrows. In fact… that gives you quite the opening, doesn't it? You run towards the now frozen claw and…
<Physical Instrument[Heroic:Success] Heroic: 15 vs Your Total: 17(Roll 11 + Physical Instrument: 4 + Nameless' Blessing: 2)> …muster up all of the strength in your legs and leap over it, bringing Nameless down into a crushing strike on the core once more.
For the first time in the fight the entire body of the Beast reacts, as it groans in pain and slumps forward onto the platform. You quickly leap back to find its head right in front of you, shaped like another core… you were unaware the Legion knew about the concept of birthday presents, but you're not one to decline!
Your assault is quickly aided by flames, ice, and wind. The opportunity isn't there long, as it quickly starts to recoil and return to its combat stance.
<Savoir Faire[Medium:Failed] Medium: 10 vs Your Total: 9(Roll: 4 + Savoir Faire: 3 + Nameless' Blessing: 2)> You attempt a smooth getaway, but the rubble surrounding you -parts of the platform as well as pieces of the Doomsday Beast- make it rather difficult.
So you're still right next to it as a cascade of lasers fires from its wings, a shout of alarm ringing from behind you.
<Pain Threshold[Challenging: Success] Challenging: 12 vs Your Total: 14(Roll: 7 + Pain Threshold: 5 + Nameless' Blessing: 2)> It hurts, so very much, but the pain keeps you focused. (-5 Temporary Health) (-5 Health)
It's right in front of you, and you have no patience for a second phase. If its head is its true weak spot, why wait for it to leave it open?
<Physical Instrument[Challenging:Success] Challenging: 12 vs Your Total: 13(Roll: 7 + Physical Instrument: 4 + Nameless' Blessing: 2)> You quickly grapple the closest claw and use its jerking motions as a makeshift launch pad.
You're launched into… nothing. No lucky break for it to have been directly to where you needed to go. Fortunately, as you fall, a drone seems to fly by.
<Hand-Eye Coordination[Easy:Success] Easy: 8 vs Your Total: 8(Roll: 3 + Hand-Eye Coordination: 3 + Nameless' Blessing: 2)> It was easy enough to quickly catch a ride, almost as if that was its intention.
It cuts an almost-direct path to the head of the Beast, faltering slightly as it becomes clear it is absolutely not meant to carry anything close to the weight of a fully grown person. That's fine, as you're close enough to your destination already.
<Savoir Faire[Medium: Success] Medium: 10 vs Your Total: 14(Roll: 9 + Savoir Faire: 3 + Nameless' Blessing: 2)> You swing back to gain some momentum, and then release your grip as you reach the apex, landing rather gracefully on top of the head.
<Physical Instrument[Legendary:Success] Legendary: 14 vs Your Total: 17(Roll:10 + Physical Instrument: 4 + Nameless' Blessing: 2 + Nice Landing: 1)> It would have been graceful, at least. If you hadn't also been bringing your sword down into a plunging attack, gravity assisting you to bore into it.
It desperately wrenches you off and starts clutching at its head. Your landing is smooth enough without any claws or laser careening towards you. You stay vigilant, wary of its death throes.
<Perception[Medium:Success] Medium: 10 vs Your Total: 13(Roll: 8 + Perception: 3 + Nameless' Blessing: 2)> And you were right to be, the cracked core of the head seems to be… melting?
It quickly becomes an out of control beam, whipping left and right. Is this some sort of Martyrdom technique? It doesn't seem to be going anywhere near you…
""MARCH!""
Your combat-haze breaks its hold on you as you hear that yell. You aren't the only thing to be concerned about, here. You've already broken into a sprint while you idly wonder if there's ever going to be a day you stop jumping in front of other people's hits… but today's not that day.
You jump in front of the downed March, strange energy surrounding you, manifesting as strange white lightning. 'The Stellaron…' some small part of your brain notes, the rest occupied with the feeling of your insides twisting and tearing. It keeps growing stronger… until it stops. As does everything else. You feel like you should get used to this time-stop thing…
Your attention is quickly brought to a figure in front of you, facing away and wielding a familiar sword. A woman about your height, with long hair, color indistinguishable as her existence seems transient. She brings the sword up, sparks gathering on it -the same sparks that were just infecting your body- and brings it down, cleaving the thrashing Doomsday Beast in two. You have a moment to gasp in awe, before the abyss of unconsciousness takes you.
End-of-Day Debrief:
Your first day(of existence?) was... hectic. Meeting colorful characters and fighting strange monsters. Not even to mention the talking sword and massive dragon thing. You don't have any memories of before today, but you're not sure if it is because they don't exist or because you simply don't remember them. You clearly have some experience fighting, but that could also be Nameless assisting you. These passengers of the Astral Express are interesting though... maybe they're taking new-hires?
Persons of Interest:
Your Persons of Interest tab keeps track of the relationships you have with those around you. They start at 0 and can go 10 ranks in either direction. Any rank-up or rank-down past the first one requires some decently big event in order to complete its rank up. For most positive relationships this will be spending your free time with them, while negative relationships will be a bit more diverse. Every even-numbered positive rank will give some benefit to you, be it an item, thought, bonus when they're with you, or otherwise.
+5 Gave info to help Arlan.
+0 Stole from Herta… but she also kinda told you to do the same.
+5 Effective in your first fight.
+20 Took the hit for the entire group at the elevator.
+5 Good improvisation against the horde.
+10 She was glad to return the favor by helping you out.
+10 Got back to the Control Zone with no damage.
Ranked up from 0 to 1!
+5 Liked the 'compliment'.
+10 Successfully felled the Doomsday Beast.
+20 Jumped in front of the blast aimed for her.
Updated Bond Level: Rank 1(40/100)
-5 Initial Suspicions.
-5 Somehow knew info about Arlan.
+5 Info was correct.
+5 Returned with March safely.
+15 Took the hit for the entire group at the elevator.
+10 Got back to the Control Zone with minimal damage, but it was of his own making.
-5 Acted Recklessly against the Doomsday Beast.
+10 Successfully felled the Doomsday Beast.
+15 Saved March
Updated Bond Level: Rank 0(45/50)
+5 Successfully bonded with her.
+5 Shown to be competent in your first fight.
+10 Acted nobly at the elevator.
+10 Y'know… she can hear your thoughts too…
+0 …and she vehemently disagrees with your opinion on March!
+5 …but your love for battle is only natural, she thinks.
+20 Chose to feed her once more.
Ranked up from 0 to 1!
+10 Successfully felled the Doomsday Beast.
+5 Another noble action… even if she had to help out, this time.
Updated Bond Level: Rank 1(20/100)
+20 Helped Dan Heng to find him.
+20 Took the hit for the entire group at the elevator.
+5 Good improvisation against the horde.
+10 Got back to the Control Zone with no further damage.
Ranked up from 0 to 1!
Updated Bond Level: Rank 1(5/100)
+10 Got Dan Heng and March back safe and sound.
-5 Acted Recklessly against the Doomsday Beast.
+10 Successfully felled the Doomsday Beast.
+15 Saved March
Updated Bond Level: Rank 0(30/50)
You've leveled up!(1 -> 2)
Please select a skill to increase.
[][Level-Up] (Write-in Skill)
You've slain your first Boss enemy!
Please select a Physique skill to increase.
[][Boss-Reward] (Write-in Skill)
And that's the tutorial/prologue done everyone! We're not quite finished with every tutorial though, we missed out on an Exploration segment, and there's an upcoming Off-Hours segment next chapter. Happy leveling!
An entire chapter long fight scene sure was something, and I hope it was delivered well enough. I don't have much to say this time; other than the fact that you're still rolling way too high. I mean sure, Nameless gave you a +2 for this segment but really?!? You rolled below a 6 once. That is just statistically unlikely. Choosing to feed Nameless here let me show that glimpse at the end there, so thanks for that. You guys definitely hit things real hard.
Keeping the arms off of you: 43
March has your back: 74
Supporting the climb: 81
March doesn't get shot by a giant laser: 15
We are gonna keep tanking and our swordo gives us beeeeg bonuses in exchange for HP, so endurance. Physical Instrument is hitting things, which is another thing we'll be doing a lot.