It's been a bit over a day, and so far "A Cetra in Action" is winning pretty handily. There is something I wanted to talk about and perhaps get some feedback on. Namely dealing with the monster hunting option and combat.
Combat is something that a lot of quests have a bit of an issue with. If you want to do a battle, turn by turn, under the normal voting rules, battles can take weeks at a time. And that's before we include the time it takes to write combat, which is tricky at the best of times. So, for the vast majority of battles, it will be boiled down to a few rolls of the die (mass combat, factions duking it out, solo duels) or a simulated battle (I'll simulate several rounds of battle between the party and their enemies. The players might get to decide a group strategy, but they won't vote turn by turn) The only exception is, of course, Boss Battles. Which I'll try to use very sparingly. It does leave me in a bit of a weird spot with some abilities and traits where I have to come up with an effect for general play and an effect for battles, but I'm sure it will be fine.
Assuming the "Monster Hunting" option wins, I'll simulate 2-4 battles between Aerith and randomly selected monsters from the Dalmasca regions. Winning will get her some EXP and funds, if she loses she might either abandon the fight or get injured. But don't worry too much. Death is pretty unlikely in random encounters.
@griffinlw if this plan wins I would like to use my 5 QP on the Odd Jobs action, assumed I can use it for that.
About combat in fine with the ideas you have mentioned. Like the idea of that in important boss battles and the like you can allow us to make a genera strategy to act out, but aside from that keep combat simple.
For trait and the like either make it passives or activated effect that we could choose when to use perhaps?
Not to experienced ln quest combat to be honest to give that many suggestions but if needed I can try and come up with something.
Very glad I learned how to make the website automatically end the vote. Anyway the plan A Cetra In Action has won, and turn 1 will proceed accordingly.
However, I have some bad news. My internet is currently on the fritz, and has been for about a day now. I'm actually writing this post up on my cell phone. I'll be working on Turn 1 when I can, but having to use my phone is definitely slowing my down.
Very glad I learned how to make the website automatically end the vote. Anyway the plan A Cetra In Action has won, and turn 1 will proceed accordingly.
However, I have some bad news. My internet is currently on the fritz, and has been for about a day now. I'm actually writing this post up on my cell phone. I'll be working on Turn 1 when I can, but having to use my phone is definitely slowing my down.
Oh, darn, I forgot to threadmark this and missed the first vote! And it's too late to spend QP too... XD
Er, if it's not too much of a hassle, could you change the shade of yellow you're using for funds, equipment, and stewardship actions? It's really hard to read in the sunlight theme.
Oh, darn, I forgot to threadmark this and missed the first vote! And it's too late to spend QP too... XD
Er, if it's not too much of a hassle, could you change the shade of yellow you're using for Funds and equipment? It's really hard to read in the sunlight theme.
Don't worry about the QP, you guys rolled like gods. Probably the luckiest turn 1 I've seen in a quest so far
To be honest, I thought the default dark theme was the only theme Sufficient Velocity had. That's why I usually stray away from the darker colors when I'm picking colors for things. But I can see that with sunlight the colors I use for learning and stewardship are a little bit hard to read. I'm not 100% sure if there's a color set that works for both, but I can try
DC: 0/30/60/90
D100= 96 +19= 115 Crit! You've always been good at making friends. It's good to see that hasn't changed. What an odd cast of characters though… [You made several friends over the course of the month]
Monster Hunting
DC: None.
D100= 20+ 12= 32 [No Advantage. Few Battles.]
Loot from monsters and the like are crafted into articles fit for sale. Some of these are little more than refinements on the base materials. Others require crystals, concoctions, and alchemy to produce. Few require too much skill or effort, though, making crafted articles a common sight at market, their quality, if not quite their appearance, being hardly distinguishable from that of regularly produced goods. If one is lucky, one might find some articles selling for below the going rate.
-Sage Knowledge
Monster Hunting wasn't something you enjoyed, but sometimes it was necessary. Under the plate in Midgar there tended to be hordes of vermin scuttling about, at least in the more run-down areas. More than once you got into a scrape with the monsters under the plate.
Of course, after you joined up with Cloud and the gang you fought in groups so everyone had each other's back. But there was no safety net, and no team this time.
Just you. It was perfectly understandable that you would be a bit nervous.
It didn't help that the Dalmascans made it look so easy.
There were dozens of hunters entering and leaving Dalmasca to plumb the desert sands around the city. Some were in groups, and others went solo. Some were already returning from early morning (or late night) hunts with bags full of feathers, hide, and tiny chunks of crystal. There were even merchants hanging out near the gate, buying up monster parts they deemed 'useful.'
"Nervous are you?" A woman's voice drew you out of your contemplation.
She was just as armored as the rest, with a pointed red/pink helm and metal pauldrons. In her hands was a long spear with a wicked-looking tip. The woman herself was tall and lanky, with a long hairless tail adorned with a pink ribbon and a pointed face.
"A little." You confess.
"Hmm…" She gave you a once over, taking in your utter lack of armor and the staff in your hands. "You're a mage, aren't you?" You nod. "Black or white?"
"Huh?"
The woman sighed. "Destructive magic, or healing magic? Which is your forte?"
Well, I don't have any materia right now so…"Destructive." You raise your staff.
"I see. You'll probably be fine on your own if you don't over-extend. If you're really nervous just pair up with someone."
"Why don't I pair up with you then?" You suggest innocently.
"I don't know who you are."
"Aerith Gainsborough." You introduce. "There, now you know who I am. Problem solved right?"
"You're ridiculous." She sighed again in exasperation. For a moment you think she's about to insist you leave, but instead she says "Freya Crescent. Don't slow me down Aerith."
Freya made a good companion for your hunting trip. She was strong and fast, pulling off impressive leaps that you've only ever seen a SOLDIER perform. When she came crashing down with her spear, it was nearly always fatal to lesser monsters. Which, luckily, the creatures around Dalmasca largely were.
Without materia there wasn't much you could do specifically, but thankfully your natural, non-elemental spell was more than enough. After taking out a few monsters, Freya seemed grateful for your presence.
After she speared a cockatrice that was about to peck your arm off, you were grateful for hers too.
Freya was a pretty stoic person, but that was fine. Cloud was much pricklier than she ever was, and after being around her for a few hours you realized she wasn't being unfriendly. You got the sense she just wasn't the most emotive person..
Not that it stopped you from trying to break the ice. "Are you from Dalmasca, Freya?"
"No. Burmecia." She said curtly. "What about you?"
"Nope. I grew up in a place called Midgar. I'm guessing you've never heard of it. Well, I've never heard of Burmecia either."
Freya gave you a strange look, weighing her words carefully before she said "So you're an outsider as well. One of the people who never knew about this place before you came here."
"Yup." You said simply.
"I see." The two of you stare at each other, drinking in the news that neither one of you belongs here. It was an odd way to draw a connection, but it reminded you of AVALANCHE, that band of misfits and outcasts "May I ask a favor of you Aerith?"
"It depends on the favor, but I can try."
"I'm looking for a…. Landmark of sorts. An eternal sandstorm, one that rages just as strongly from one day to the next no matter how much time has passed. The storm will guide me to something I've been looking for. If you find out anything, please tell me."
Even if it sounded absurd, her tone told you that it was something she cared deeply about. There was only one answer you could give.
"I'll keep my eyes out."
At the end of the hunt, you split the spoils and went your separate ways. But she made sure you knew, she wouldn't be opposed to teaming up again
[Total Results: Aerith gains 1 EXP and 2 Funds.]
[Made Friends with Freya]
[Side Quest: Where is the Eternal Sandstorm?]
Odd Jobs
DC: 30/60
Roll: 85+ 16= 101 Tier 2 Success Although Dalmasca was certainly enjoying their freedom from the empire, they were also suffering from a new problem born of the suddenly missing imperial presence.
Manpower.
It was a problem you were actually somewhat familiar with. Part of why so few people wanted to separate from Shinra was the difficulty of being independent. No mako power, no footmen or SOLDIERs to sic on monsters.
Occupation force or not, the empire's presence in Rabanstre probably contributed a lot to the desert city. Guards, messengers, money and what have you. Even if you weren't there to see what the occupation looked like, you could feel its absence if you paid attention. Empty space where there used to be something.
But where there were jobs that needed doing and people who needed jobs, everything fit together rather nicely.
You spent the morning helping put up posters advertising for Amal's Weaponry. Apparently, without the empire's oversight, several banned weapons were returning to the shelves.
At his suggestion, you moved on to Yamoora's Gambits, which needed someone to help demonstrate techniques with and against staff users. You weren't an expert, but they seemed content demonstrating the techniques without any real physical sparring.
"Excuse me young lady." An old woman calls out to you "My husband ran off without his lunch, could you be a dear and bring it to him? He's one of the guardsmen by the eastern gate."
You agree and take the lunch before jogging off to the eastern gate. Besides the money and getting to meet people another thing these odd jobs have been teaching you is how to navigate the city.
"Hello! I've got a lunch for one of your guards!" You announce as you reach the gate. But rather than being greeted with friendly faces from earlier, everyone at the gate looks grim. There's what looks like an impromptu field hospital just inside the gates, people in robes with staves surrounding patients in various states of injury.
"What happened?"
"One of the hunters was stupid enough to rile up a Wild Saurian. No one died, but we're going to run out of potions." One of the guards explains.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"You're not squeamish are you?" One man asks. He's wearing a dark green jacket and carrying a big bag that looks stuffed to the brim with medicines.
"I can handle blood just fine."
"Can you help me then? Nothing too serious, just need you to hand me stuff, cut bandages, that kind of thing." The man smiles slightly as if to assure you that it's alright either way.
You nod, and crouch down next to him.
"Thank you kindly! First things first, can you get me the salve in the grey tin-" "Alrighty! I reckon you'll be up and at em in no time!" The apothecary cheerfully said as he finished bandaging the final guard's wounds.
Despite the many injuries, due to prompt care, none of the guards or hunters would die today. A few of them might need weeks of recovery time, but that was infinitely better than the alternative.
"If you don't mind me saying so you made an excellent nurse miss…" The apothecary's voice stalled as he scratched the back of his head, before lightly smacking himself "Shucks, I forgot to ask your name."
"Since you were busy, I'll forgive you. It's Aerith Gainsborough." You introduce yourself playfully.
"Nice to meet you Aerith. My name's Alfyn Greengrass, I'm a traveling apothecary." He smiled, tugged off his messy gloves, and offered his hand for a handshake. There's no reason not to, so you shake his hand, which is slightly cool to the touch.
"When you say you're a traveling apothecary, you mean you go from town to town healing people?"
"Sure do. It's kind of been a dream of mine for a while. It's a bit of a long story…" He scratched his head sheepishly.
"I don't mind." You assure him, and after a little more urging, he tells you his story.
As a young lad, he came down with a mysterious sickness and almost died, but a wandering apothecary came to his hometown and cured him. Even though he never really met the man, Alfyn was inspired to become an apothecary just like him.
Originally Alfyn and his best friend were going to travel together, but after his best friend's sister fell ill, he volunteered to stay behind while Alfyn went on his journey. They even traded medicine bags, so that Alfyn would always carry a piece of him wherever he went.
It was a sweet story; you told Alfyn as much, making him blush and get sheepish again. Then he asked about you.
Without really meaning to, you find yourself explaining a little bit of your past to him. You can't tell him everything, he doesn't have the context for Shinra or Sephiroth, and you don't feel comfortable telling him about the Cetra. But…
You tell him you're a runaway from a group called Shinra that wanted to use your talents in a way you didn't agree with. When you refused they tried to coerce you, and when that didn't work they tried to force you. Before anything bad could happen to you, your friends broke you out and you made a daring escape.
Alfyn seemed a little displeased at the idea of anyone being forced to do anything, but he does ask what your talent is.
"It's… magic. Kinda? It's different from how everyone else used magic, but it always felt natural enough to me. I mostly used it to grow plants."
"So you're a gardener?"
"I'm the best gardener I know."
At that point the conversation derailed, and you spent the next couple hours talking about gardening. You told Alfyn about your favorite flowers and how you grew them. He told you about how some of those flowers were good in medicines, and he confessed that he had a garden back home and missed it now that he was traveling. You bemoaned the lack of gardening space in the city, and he suggested you look into getting a rooftop planter.
Eventually, a woman came by and asked Alfyn to check on her son. He told you goodbye, told you which inn he was staying at, offered to help you for free if you got sick or injured, and left you one of his homemade potions as a gift.
It was around this time you decided Alfyn might be the second sweetest guy you've ever met (Zack still had first place in your heart)
[Gain 1 Funds]
[Gain 1 Potion]
[Made Friends with Alfyn]
Investigate the Lower City
DC: 30/60.
Roll: 63 +26 (Flower of the Slums Activated) Tier 2 Success Oddly enough, Lowtown felt more inviting to you than the Upper City. Maybe it was the lack of the blazing desert heat or the somewhat oppressive pressure of the sun, but the Lower city felt closer to home.
For better or for worse.
A young boy collided with you, causing you to stumble, but before he can get away you reach out and grab his wrist.
You smile sweetly as the boy flails around, your coin purse sitting in his hand. You take your money back before you release him, and the boy quickly sprints away.
It still feels like the other residents are eyeing you. But it's more out of curiosity than any sort of malice. After your little display, you've proven that you're not an easy mark.
The thieves quickly decide it's easier to leave you alone.
After an hour or two of walking around you find a little tavern and decide to pop in, it's one of the best places for rumors after all. But everyone seems to focus on one thing. Or rather, one person
"Did you hear about the mercenary?"
"He looks scary…"
"I hear he's wanted for slaying a king?"
"I heard he'd slit his mother's throat for 100 Gil…"
Your curiosity is sufficiently piqued, causing you to look for the sign of disturbance. A man in dark blue clothes, with a covered face is sitting at a makeshift bar. A large black-furred dog is sitting at his side, ears perked and eyes narrowed at the gathered crowd.
Your experience with quiet mercenaries with prickly exteriors is that they're secretly great people beneath the shell.
So you walk over and sit down at his table.
Everyone stares at you like you're absolutely insane.
"Hi, I'm Aerith. I heard that you're a mercenary of some kind?"
Even with his eyes hidden by his hood, you can tell when his attention turns to you. "I am. You have a job for me?"
"Not right now. Maybe later."
"Don't waste my time then." He dismissed.
"How do I find you if I do want to hire you? Do I just ask for the 'black-cloaked mystery man' and hope for the best? I'd prefer if you gave me your name, or a business card."
For a moment he silently stares at you, as if contemplating just stabbing you. "... It's Shadow."
"Alright Shadow, I'll come find you if I have a job for you." You stand up, briefly stop to pat his dog on the head, and then walk off.
Everyone is still looking at you like you're insane.
"Lowtown lies, as its name would suggest, beneath the city streets of Rabanastre. Great pillars standing throughout Lowtown support the soaring edifices above. Prior to the war with Archadia, many merchants used Lowtown as a place to store foodstuffs and wares for sale. With the defeat and occupation by Archadia, many of the former residents of upper Rabanastre were relocated here, leading to its gradual transforming into a residential area. No natural light shines on Lowtown, save where there are passages to the streets above, making it perpetually gloomy. Many orphans from the war have adopted Lowtown as their new home."
-Sage Knowledge
It takes a few days for the people of the lower city to stop looking at you with suspicion, but after they accept you everything goes so much smoother. From that point on, feels a little bit like you're back under the plate.
Sometimes it's a bit gloomy, but there's more than enough light for everyone to see. Houses and Shops are carved into the stone with deft hands, and outside of the lack of light the living quality seems no worse than what's going on topside.
You wouldn't mind living here.
Admittedly, the lower city's reputation for crime is well deserved, but it's nothing like the controlled gang criminals of Wall Market. Instead, it feels more like a district full of Yuffies.
… That sounds terrifying now that you put it into words, but it's true. Less maniacal crime lords and more plucky thieves looking to fleece their oppressors for all they're worth. Just swap Shinra for the Empire.
You also found out more about the Garamscythe Waterway, basically an underground aqueduct/secret passageway. According to rumor, it leads to several exciting locations like the palace and a local prison.
It's also infested with giant rats and other monsters. Because, you know. Why not? At least this waterway wasn't attached to a slum gangster's mansion where he used the monsters to 'dispose' of enemies, loose ends, and women.
Naturally, moments after you made this observation a young woman came sprinting out of the waterway and immediately leaned against the nearest wall gasping for breath.
"You wouldn't happen to be running away from an insatiable crime lord would you?"
"What?" The woman was wearing a cloak with a hood, but the hood had fallen down sometime during her sprint exposing a surprisingly young face and short blonde hair. She also had a sword on her belt. "No… I thought I saw a Malboro."
"Ick. I'd start running too." You give an involuntary shudder at the thought of one of those slimy, disgusting gas bags. "Wait, you didn't get near it, did you? Are you okay?" You lean down and look closely at her face for any signs of blindness, poison, nausea, and so on.
It was around this point the young woman noticed her hood was down, turned to the side and put her hood up. "I assure you, I'm fine."
"Sure you are. What's a young lady like you doing in Garamsycthe Waterways?"
"Exploring. I wished to see Lowtown."
"Well, welcome to Lowtown, I'm Aerith. It's not that different from any other part of town, outside of being underground of course. I could show you around if you like." You suggested.
"That… would be appreciated. Thank you."
"You gonna introduce yourself?" You prod.
"Oh- apologies. My name is Amalia."
"If you're thirsty I know a great place where we can go get some drinks…"
[New Actions unlocked in the Lower City] [Potential housing option unlocked]
[Met Shadow] [Made Friends with Amalia]
Research Dalmasca
DC 40:
Roll: 45 + 11= 56 Success!
Rabanstre
Capital of Old Dalmasca, and before that, manyother kingdoms stretching back into the storied history of the Galtean Peninsula. Rule by the Dalmascan royal family lasted for several hundred years before the city's fall to the Archadian Empire two years past. Now an Imperial territory. The story of the city's people is the story of three cultures, those of Valendia, Ordalia, and Kerwon, who bore trade goods along the many well-frequented routes leading to her welcoming gates. The town proper of Rabanastre is divided into four sections by the cardinal directions of the compass. The east and west are merchant districts, the streets lined with shops and stalls of every description. In the north, the streets widen into a large piazza facing the palace, and to the South can be found three gates leading beyond the city walls to the Dalmasca desert and Giza Plains. The aerodrome can be found in the western outskirts of town, surrounded by numerous privately operated airship docks. In the northwestern part of town stands a splendid cathedral built in the Galtean style, the bell of which, when rung, sounds through every hearth and home in the city.
-Sage Knowledge
To your great relief, Rabanstre has a library full of educational books and tomes.
To your great frustration, there are a lot of very long and complex books you have to read to get the full story. You would have been happy with a guidebook or something, but no…
By the time you're done reading for the day your eyes hurt, but at least you've learned a lot about Dalmasca, Rabanstre, and the world they used to inhabit.
At its heart, the Dalmascan people seemed to be traders and survivalists, willing to weather and endure anything with their pride intact. After the invasion by the empire, and subsequent observation, a resistance sprang up to resist the empire and many criminals opposed the empire implicitly.
There was also a kind of group, Sky Pirates, which interested you. The name originally came from those who would attack airships (of which Dalmasca had many) but eventually grew to include groups with an independent airship. Some were exactly the kinds of pirates they were portrayed as, but others were simply looking for freedom and adventure.
"You're new to this place too, aren't you?" The man who asks you this looks very, very out of place. He's got a blue headband, orange-reddish hair, a yellow vest that's open to reveal his stomach, and poofy yellow pants.
"Yeah. I take it you're new as well?"
"Sure am. Felt like a different world when I first came here. Growing up in your hometown didn't prepare you for anything like this ya?"
"No, it sure didn't." Once again, you felt that little flickering connection. It was weak and tenuous, but it was still something you had in common. "I'm Aerith, from Midgar. What about you?"
"Wakka from Besaid." He introduced. "I gotta tell you, this place has been throwing me for a loop. No summoners, no blitzball, nobody here even knows about Yevon! And don't get me started on the machina!"
"What do you mean?" You ask.
Later, you would look back and realize you made a terrible mistake.
Wakka went on a tirade about Yevon and Sin and how 'machina were forbidden' and scowling at the way Dalmascans used machinery (though he did admit, he wasn't sure if 'mist' powered machinery counted or not)
You weren't really listening since you were trying to keep reading the many books scattered around your table, but he wasn't giving you much of a choice. The resulting loud conversation got you both kicked out the library, which Waka sheepishly apologized for.
After pouting for a bit you told him it was alright.
It's hard to say if you like Waka or not…
[Learned more about Dalmasca. Some Actions have been unlocked]
[Met Wakka]
New Mechanic: Chaos Events
Chaos Events represent the machinations of Chaos and the fact that the world is very far out of control. Some examples of Chaos Events include herds of monsters, weather events like month-long blizzards, and magical events like curses and blessings. I have a very large selection of events written out, and an RNG to roll to generate them
You lucky fellows managed to roll "Player's Choice: Blessing." So, you get to pick from 5 different good/neutral options to take effect starting next turn. I can't decide if this was the best or worst way for this mechanic to be introduced.
So, everyone, your options are as follows.
[ ] Lucky Star: [Slightly boost all rolls next turn]
[ ] Eccentric Witch: [A strange magic user will exchange odd items like rat tails for powerful artifacts. Supposedly.]
[ ] The Calm: [Renders most monsters passive and prevents Monster chaos events for a short time]
[ ] Mist Fog: [Empowers all magic and reduces the DC of magic checks. Also increases the power of some monsters, and increases the chance of finding rare monsters.]
[ ] Giant Beaver Commune: [A commune of giant beavers settle in a random location and render it safer to travel.]
Alfyn from Octopath Traveler! A status and heal master, but also an absolute beast with an axe! Also one of my favourite Travelers, I'm hoping the obvious synergy between him and Aerith brings great results!
Here is our newly crowned Queen of Dalmasca sneaking into the Lower City under her usual alias. Well, I'm fairly certain it's her anyways. Making friends with her this early is very good!
Ah. I don't really like Wakka much. Obviously from FF10, if he wants to serve Yevon so bad, they're just off the west coast. Could probably just swim over.
As for my vote…
[X] Giant Beaver Commune: [A commune of giant beavers settle in a random location and render it safer to travel.]
Gotta vote for my national animal! Beavers represent!
Occupation force or not, the empire's presence in Rabanstre probably contributed a lot to the desert city. Guards, messengers, money and what have you. Even if you weren't there to see what the occupation looked like, you could feel its absence if you paid attention. Empty space where there used to be something
@AlysPower Thanks for the names! Was feeling a strong sense of "uh oh, am I supposed to know this guy?" when Alfyn introduced himself. Hopefully they'd be good friends, fingers crossed!
Anyway, wow! This really is a very fortuitous turn 1, dang. Lots of friends, lots of things unlocked. And Aerith's sass is always fun to see come out.
[X] Giant Beaver Commune: [A commune of giant beavers settle in a random location and render it safer to travel.]
I'll be honest--FF2 is my second favorite, and I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing my first favorite no matter what, so I'm biased.
I will admit that Alfyn is cheating a little bit. But he's from a turn based fantasy Square-Enix RPG so as far as I'm concerned, he's right at home and so are the rest of the Travelers.
I'm working on some updates to the Factions page for Dalmasca, and I think I'll update one of those reserved pages for "Wanderers"/"Travelers" (haven't decided yet) AKA those faction neutral heroes you bump into. Probably won't update it tonight though, gonna be busy for a few hours.
[X] Mist Fog: [Empowers all magic and reduces the DC of magic checks. Also increases the power of some monsters, and increases the chance of finding rare monsters.]
