2026-03-04: Bonezor the Unyielding
- Log: 2026-03-04: Bonezor the Unyielding
- Cast: Kasumi Yoshizawa, Ryuji Sakamoto, Haru Okumura
- Where: Kazusa's Atelier: The Neo-Lunar Palace
- OOC Date: March 04, 2026
- IC Date: October 04, 2012
- Summary: The Thieves begin progressing through Kazusa's Atelier. Not for a change of heart, but to save the princess at the highest point of the palace.
MONAD: A party led by Kasumi Yoshizawa has begun the event Kazusa's Atelier: The Neo-Lunar Palace.
(|============= Monad - Kazusa's Atelier: The Neo-Lunar Palace =============|)
-==== Round 1: First Strokes - Challenge Level 1 ============================-
| Approach Options: Academics or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Skillful - Proficiency Up L1 and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-
You emerge in the courtyard of a grand palace. The palace towers, as if it
were reaching out to touch the night sky itself. It is made of gleaming
white stone and metal with silver ornamentation, and pulses of multi-colored
light race all over its surface.
In the sky behind the tallest tower, a pitch black void sits, ringed with
crimson fire, casting everything in a red light. From that ring an inky
blackness spreads, slowly consuming the night stars in the sky. And in the
center of the crimson ring, in the highest tower, something glints like a
red gem.
As you take all that in, a bitter, frigid wind urges you towards the open
gates of the palace for shelter.
The inside of the palace is lit by floating orbs of light encased in silver
and glass fixtures, and multi-colored pulses of light that trace intricate
patterns on the ceilings and walls. The halls appear deserted, but in the
distance comes a low, predatory growl. It steadily gets louder until a door
opens and someone urgently beckons your group inside, the door slamming shut
just before the growling was about to catch up.
You find yourself in a brightly lit workshop. The walls are lined with
shelves of different kinds of miniature but life-like statues, from humanoid
to beast to robot to mythical creature and beyond, all in various states of
completion. Your savior is a Sanguin Humor, an owlgirl with startlingly
bright yellow eyes and brown and gray feathers woven through her hair,
garbed in a red and black robe.
She explains that the palace isn't safe, and that strange things have been
happening ever since the imposter Princess took over: their Sister Star is
trapped in a never-ending eclipse, the sky turns dark, and monsters roam the
halls. The real Princess must be trapped at the top of the palace, but the
way up is blocked by a barrier. If you were to bring an offering of a
vessel, however... that might help you get to the highest parts of the
tower. After all, it is what the Princess loves doing most, so the owlgirl
Sanguin Humor urges you to follow her example.
The Sanguin Humor demonstrates by sitting down at a round workstation inlaid
with purple runes and a flat, obsidian-black disc on it. A wireframe springs
into life above it, and at her touch it is molded and shaped. A touch of a
rune on the workbench places a holographic paint brush in her hand, and she
starts to paint in skin, hair, and other details. When she finishes, she
picks up the disc and a new miniature statue is posed on top.
The Sanguin Humor hands your group a fresh disc, and there are a number of
other workstations. Your Academics could help with working out the controls,
while Proficiency will surely help with the creative process itself.
OOC: As a group, you'll be collaboratively creating a character! For this
round, don't worry about clothing or other embellishments; those will come
in later rounds. If you need some inspiration to get started, you can roll
on a table at
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tir5tjha7KiTvF26HQYarS7s1imdmbdbXVTuf8_u
VbY/edit?tab=t.0.
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
It's time to go delving into Kazusa's Atelier! Kasumi took the lead on setting up a date and time. On a chilly October afternoon in Akihabara, Kasumi, Haru Okumura, and Ryuji Sakamoto enter the atelier. (Kind of a strange group, isn't it?)
Anyways! The thieves meet a friendly Humour and are led along into workrooms. Honestly, the whole conceit makes Kasumi giggle a little.
"Aw... So, we have to create a little figurine...?" Bit by bit, Kasumi feels like she understands Kazusa-senpai a little bit more. "Well... My fingers are surely deft enough to make the thing. ...Should we roll on where we start?"
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Between the Net cafe entry and the current MMO RPG vibes, Ryuji is certainly out of his depths here. There is a part of this that fills him with dread. Like a Lovecraft protagonist.
For weeks, Ryuji has sat in class with that DEMON behind him. He missed the days when she was a mean girl because it didn't feel like whatever this was was going to eat his soul.
Did Kazusa necessarily have soul devouring potential? Ryuji wasn't sure. He has admittedly not been entirely knowledgeable about this...change.
But the unknown is terrifying right? RIGHT?!
So when Ryuji sees the creepy owl woman and all the high fantasy trappings of an adventure. Skull stares at everything, taking it in. He taps a pipe on his shoulder and attempts to figure out of one of the work stations, frowning at the runes.
"So...anyone a secret nerd about fantasy cuz I'm more of sci-fi guy." He frowns as he considers just hitting it with his pipe but this all seems delicate.
Without thinking Ryuji takes a sip from his sports drink. He grins, tilting the bottle as he attempts to figure this out. The bottle tips further and further. UNTIL.
Ryuji empties sports drink on the workstation controls...which does SOMETHING. "Oh...my bad" Ryuji winces.
MONAD: Ryuji Sakamoto has acted with Sports Drink toward First Strokes! Amrita!
MONAD: Kasumi Yoshizawa has acted with Beauty is Devotion! toward First Strokes! Diligence and Focus!
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
The time has finally come to infiltrate Kazusa's Atelier. Honestly, Haru wasn't certain what to expect, being her first time interacting with the Metaverse in this way. Kasumi took charge, which was a little surprising considering how new she is to the team, but she is the bold and headstrong type, after all, isn't she? The net cafe scene isn't one that's familiar to her, but that seems to go for most of their little party.
The atmosphere as they enter the Atelier is... strange. It's cold, Haru immediately realizes, as the frigid winds beckon them into the glassy interior. "It's not a Palace... but it's like a palace." Haru comments, twirling her axe around. But rather than being led on a high fantasy adventure, they're beckoned towards some... workstations, where they're instructed to create a doll of some sort.
"...Unfortunately, my true love is for horror." Haru replies to Ryuji. Knowing her preferences, maybe it's more fortunate than anything that they won't be relevant here. "It's a shame we don't have Fox or Phoenix with us... I'm afraid they are far more artistically talented than I am." They'll have to work with what they have, here.
Haru glances over at the various figures lining the walls and shelves. "It seems like most of the vessels here are rather inhuman and frightening-looking. I believe our character should be intimidating enough to match them.~" Haru chimes in, as the group scrambles together to make a character. "Perhaps a dragon of some sort?"
MONAD: Haru Okumura has acted with Proficiency toward First Strokes! Base! (|============================ Monad - Results =============================|) -==== First Strokes - Round 1 ===============================================- Ryuji Sakamoto Proficiency Success Sports Drink Amrita Fatigue: 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Haru Okumura Proficiency Success Proficiency Base Fatigue: 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kasumi Yoshizawa Proficiency Success Beauty is Devotion! Diligence and Focus Fatigue: 0 -============================ Party Conditions: =============================- Starting Conditions: Skillful-2 and Stupor-2 Final Conditions: Skillful-1 and Stupor-1 -====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====- -==== Reach: 1/6 |= | ===================================================- (|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Kasumi hums to herself about Ryuji's question. "Hm... Not really? I mean, I'll play the new Dragon Quest but..." It doesn't really count as an affinity, right? She gets started on working on like, the base outline of the guy.
"A dragon! That's a good point, Oku...Noir-senpai!" Ahem.~ Maybe Kasumi isn't very good at this yet. "Yeah... I'll get chisel some scales in.~" She chuckles happily as she does just that with a toothpick. "I'm surprised... That Motojima-senpai did this sort of thing." She pauses. "No wonder she stuffed this hobby down... I almost wonder if she even enjoyed Gymnastics."
Best to focus on the trials in front of them. The trio produces a workable base of a dragonfolk. "If we have the time, I might like to make him some fire too..."
MONAD: Ryuji Sakamoto has drawn a new Challenge!
(|============= Monad - Kazusa's Atelier: The Neo-Lunar Palace =============|)
-==== Round 2: Street Fashion Strut - Challenge Level 1 =====================-
| Approach Options: Charm or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1, Skillful - Proficiency Up L1, |
| Smooth - Charm Up L1, and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-
As you leave the workshop with your brand new vessel, the Sanguin Humor
tells you to seek inspiration as you make your way up the Palace to the
Manifest Gallery--you can use more of those workstations to add more to your
vessel as you go.
Thankfully the palace has teleporter pads that will help you ascend rapidly,
instead of having to climb endless stairs.
You enter a room that, bizarrely, looks like an urban street. There's a
number of Flegmat Humors, catboys and catgirls, hanging around, all dressed
in various types of stylish street fashion. And in the middle of the street
are various crates and planks that make a makeshift runway.
The exit at the other end of the street has a workstation next to it. If you
can impress the crowd, you'll unlock some outfits to add to your vessel. You
can hit the runway with all the Charm you can muster, or perhaps use your
Proficiency to dazzle the crowd.
OOC: Add some cool street fashion to your character! If you need
inspiration, you can roll against the table at
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tir5tjha7KiTvF26HQYarS7s1imdmbdbXVTuf8_u
VbY/edit?tab=t.481uu1sqd4c5.
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Dragon Quest totally counts!" Skull says to Kasumi.
Ryuji's credit, pouring the drink on the workstation results in something. The vessel is some sort of demonic dragonic form that seems to be made of black flames with golden horns. Ryuji stares at the results.
He also notes the many dragon type characters in the group. "Oh wow....So Uhhhh...To the teleporter!"
The party arrives to a sprawling street and there is a workstation at the end of it!
Ryuji also sees all the varied characters he could've spawned instead of his sick demon dragon thing. Still he isn't sure if those will be a problem. "We need to sneak by....Time to wing it!"
Without warning, Ryuji takes a drink from his last sport drink. He erupts into a makeshift hip hop dance to distract the many Humors.
MONAD: Ryuji Sakamoto has acted with Sports Drink toward Street Fashion Strut! Amrita!
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
Haru marvels at the dragonfly they managed to put together. "Wow! I know I said I wanted to make something intimidating, but they're actually pretty adorable, don't you think?" Haru giggles.
They teleport into the next area, and it seems their goal in this stage of the game is to impress enough of the ever-fashionable city-goers to unlock their fashion secrets. This seems far more up Panther's alley than anyone, but it's not like Haru is completely deprived of charm in her own right.
Considering character creation is all about exploring self-expression, Haru actually decides to lean into the more masculine aesthetic of her Phantom Thief attire, approaching one of the catgirls as she walks confidently down the runway. "Hello there, miss." Haru places on hand on her hat, while the other mysteriously conjures a cup of fresh hot coffee. "If you have no other commitments, would you care to join me for a drink?"
"Hehe." Haru smiles, glancing back at her two companions. "Charmed, don't you think?"
MONAD: Haru Okumura has acted with Coffee Break toward Street Fashion Strut! Amrita!
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Proud of their work, they continue on.~ And they have to work a runway... "Oh, uhhh...! Oh gosh!"
A faint blush comes over Kasumi's cheeks, who's definitely a little shyer than her seniors. Well, if she can't manage it with words... Maybe some of her gymnastics skill will come in handy! She produces a ribbon and performs a small routine, reminiscent of her all out attack.~
MONAD: Kasumi Yoshizawa has acted with Beauty is Devotion! toward Street Fashion Strut! Diligence and Focus! (|============================ Monad - Results =============================|) -==== Street Fashion Strut - Round 2 ========================================- Ryuji Sakamoto Proficiency Success Sports Drink Amrita Fatigue: 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Haru Okumura Proficiency Success Coffee Break Amrita Fatigue: 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kasumi Yoshizawa Proficiency Success Beauty is Devotion! Diligence and Focus Fatigue: 0 -============================ Party Conditions: =============================- Starting Conditions: Clumsy-2, Skillful-1, Smooth-2, and Stupor-1 Final Conditions: Clumsy-1 and Smooth-1 -====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====- -==== Reach: 2/6 |== | ===================================================- (|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
The catgirl that Haru approaches is mystified by the gallantry of this Phantom Thief. The catgirl fiddles and looks off to the side. "Uh...S,sure. That would be lovely."
Meanwhile, Kasumi and Ryuji are doing their moves to distract the rest of the Humors.
Once everything is in order, Ryuji quickly moves to the workstation and completes the task to give his Demonic Dragon some Archer attire styled after Harajuku street wear. "Sweet! Lets keep going guys!"
MONAD: Haru Okumura has drawn a new Challenge!
(|============= Monad - Kazusa's Atelier: The Neo-Lunar Palace =============|)
-==== Round 3: Fueling the Forge - Challenge Level 2 ========================-
| Approach Options: Charm or Guts |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Bolstering - Guts Up L2, Box - Add 1 |
| Item/Money/Gear., Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1, and Smooth - Charm Up L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-
The climb through the palace seems endless--if you were to glance out a
window now, you would see the palace grounds as a distant circle, surrounded
by a sea of encroaching darkness on all sides.
The next room you walk into is a sweltering forge, tended to by an owlgirl
Sanguin Humor, dressed in a black tunic and white leggings. She greets you
and takes note of your vessel, and how you must be undergoing the Princess'
trial. She offers to forge a weapon that you can then add to your vessel,
gesturing to a workstation by the other exit.
But in order to do that, she's going to need some fire crystals for her
forge... crystals currently being guarded by a rather large Coleric Humor in
the shape of a dragon in the back of the room. Only its massive forebody
emerges from a cave entrance, with shimmering red crystals piled beneath it.
You can either use your Charm to convince it not to attack, or if you're
Guts-y enough you can just dart in and steal some. Either way, the Sanguin
Humor will forge a weapon of your choosing to be scanned into the
workstation.
OOC: Add a fantasy or medieval weapon to your character! If you need
inspiration, you can roll against the table at
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tir5tjha7KiTvF26HQYarS7s1imdmbdbXVTuf8_u
VbY/edit?tab=t.9y0qg01lx15n.
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
The team continues down into the next area and the atmosphere shifts noticeably hotter as they make it into the forge. It seems the crystals they need to give their adorable little demonic dragon a weapon of its own are guarded by a much fiercer draconic Coleric Humour.
"So.. all we really need to do is take them? I suppose we couldn't make it through without some heist or another~" Haru giggles, as she sights the glimmer of the crystals. "Let's go, Thieves!" For her part, Haru equips her massive grenade launcher and fires a blank, loud enough to distract the dragon for long enough to grab a handful of crystals.
MONAD: Haru Okumura has acted with Intimidation toward Fueling the Forge! Bravery and Focus!
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
"Huh..." Murmurs Kasumi as she sees the dragon protecting it's hoard of Fire Crystals, and their dragonkin vessel. "This feels...thematically poignant, somehow." She feels a bit bad about going to steal from the poor sleeping dragon, but then Noir forces the issue-
"A-ah, yes!!" She rushes in to snag some crystals!
MONAD: Kasumi Yoshizawa has acted with Guts toward Fueling the Forge! Base!
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Woah." Ryuji is taken aback by the giant dragon guarding the crystals. He is going to need a weapon like everyone else.
He is considering what to do when Noir busts out the Gernade launcher.
Skull stares for a moment, reminding himself not to mess with Noir ever. "Uhhhh...Right. I'm gonna..."
Ryuji rushes for some crystals while the dragon is dealing with Noir's distraction.
MONAD: Ryuji Sakamoto has acted with Punk Talk toward Fueling the Forge! Bravery and Patra! (|============================ Monad - Results =============================|) -==== Fueling the Forge - Round 3 ===========================================- Ryuji Sakamoto Guts Success Punk Talk Bravery and Patra Fatigue: 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Haru Okumura Guts Success Intimidation Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kasumi Yoshizawa Guts Success Guts Base Fatigue: 0 -============================ Party Conditions: =============================- Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Bolstering-2, Box-0, Clumsy-1, and Smooth-1 Final Conditions: Bolstering-1 -====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====- -==== Reach: 3/6 |=== | ===================================================- -==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================- Items: 0, Money: 1, Gear: 1 (|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
A successful heist! The Dragon momentarily jerks forward in surprise, giving Ryuji and Kasumi plenty of opportunity to grab as many crystals as they can fit in their hands. The Dragon growls in frustration, but ultimately seems to decide the matter isn't worth his time and curls back to sleep, disgruntled.
"It's a good thing we didn't have to harm him. That would be rather traumatizing for our little vessel, wouldn't it?" Haru smiles, when Kasumi notes the poignancy. Despite immediately turning to a grenade launcher to solve the problem, Haru's actually quite pleased they managed to resolve this without any violence towards their vessel's kin.
In any case, using the fire crystals, they manage to forge a mighty flame-tipped spear for their vessel. Fitting!
MONAD: Kasumi Yoshizawa has drawn a new Challenge!
(|============= Monad - Kazusa's Atelier: The Neo-Lunar Palace =============|)
-==== Round 4: Not a Safe Room, but Close - Challenge Level 1 ===============-
| Approach Options: Academics or Understanding |
| Conditions: Bolstering - Guts Up L2, Checkpoint - Cleanse all negative |
| conditions., Educational - Academics Up L1, and Hard - Understanding Down |
| L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-
As you keep climbing ever higher, through stairs, teleporters, and endless
hallways, it's clear you're reaching ever-dizzying heights: A quick glance
out a window now reveals that palace grounds are a speck of light in the far
distance below you, leaving you almost suspended in a void of darkness.
Unlike the tense atmosphere of the empty hallways, though, the next room you
enter oom feels more... peaceful. Safe. Even like it was waiting for your
presence.
The room is comfortably sized, with a tiled marble floor outlined with
silver. Several large pillars are spaced evenly around the room, and the
very center of the room has a differently-colored title emitting a soft blue
glow. There is also some comfy furniture scattered about, as well as plenty
of food and drink.
It's a good chance to take a break. Perhaps you can use your Academics to
formulate a plan for your ever-heightening climb up the palace, or maybe you
can use your Understanding to reflect on what you might have learned of
Kazusa so far through her Atelier.
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Whew! Thank goodness it didn't turn into a fight... Kasumi would've felt awful. (And without a navigator, dangerous!) "Right?~" Kasumi chuckles with Haru. "I don't know how I would apologize..."
The trio gradually keeps moving through the atelier. "We're making such good progress!" It's a relief, thankfully. Though, now they have a chance to think about how to continue the climb...
"Motojima-senpai truly has... many layers to her, huh? It's been nice to learn more about her..." She thinks about things. "I wonder if there's a hidden staircase, or some sort of mechanism? Motojima-senpai needs someway to let Oosaka-senpai in."
MONAD: Kasumi Yoshizawa has acted with Let's Patch You Up! toward Not a Safe Room, but Close! Amrita!
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Yeah she does." Ryuji agrees as he keeps up with the party. He rolls his arm as he continues through the weird fantasy world that makes up Motojima's mind.
When they find the "safe room", Ryuji makes a sigh of relief, finding a place to squat on the floor. He rolls his head as he starts to think of where to go from here. What to do about this mean girl he keeps getting into trouble with...The sooner he got rid of her crazy monster self, the sooner stuff would be more or less normal again.
"You know, Motojima...like I don't get why she hides who she is. I get wanting to be popular but this stuff...like it's part of who she is and she just about threatened me to deny it..I dunno. I hope she figures it out so I don't have to worry about getting into more trouble." Ryuji sighs and stands up, looking around. "So what now?"
MONAD: Ryuji Sakamoto has acted with Bro Down toward Not a Safe Room, but Close! Empathy and Focus!
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
The next area gives the group something of a breather, with a familiar comfort similar to one of the Palaces' safe rooms. Having time to discuss a strategy to move forward is one thing, but Haru feels it's also important to think about what they just saw.
"She really does..." Haru agrees with Kasumi, that there's a lot go layers to the girl named Kazusa. "She truly is nothing like I thought she would be." She takes a sip from some tea pre-brewed for them in the safe room, as she considers what Ryuji says.
"I suppose it must be some kind of pressure..." She suggests, gazing down into her cup. "Pressure to suppress who she really is, to be a certain way." She can understand it in a sense, due to her similar upbringing - especially considering she has many interests herself that aren't 'appropriate' for who she is. "I hope so, too. For her own sake as well." She nods.
Kasumi's idea of a hidden passageway is intriguing. They'll have to keep their eyes open as they continue forward.
MONAD: Haru Okumura has acted with Let's Talk It Out toward Not a Safe Room, but Close! Efficient and Empathy! (|============================ Monad - Results =============================|) -==== Not a Safe Room, but Close - Round 4 ==================================- Ryuji Sakamoto Understanding Success Bro Down Empathy and Focus Fatigue: 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Haru Okumura Understanding Success Let's Talk It Out Efficient and Empathy Fatigue: 0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kasumi Yoshizawa Understanding Success Let's Patch You Up! Amrita Fatigue: 0 -============================ Party Conditions: =============================- Starting Conditions: Bolstering-1, Checkpoint-0, Educational-2, and Hard-2 Final Conditions: Educational-1 and Hard-1 -====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====- -==== Reach: 4/6 |==== | ===================================================- -==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================- Items: 0, Money: 1, Gear: 1 (|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
"It's difficult," Kasumi speaks up. "when you're expected to be a certain way and you can't...live up to that." She understands how it's like, in a way. After all, she has to deal with others expectations on her so often. It's frustrating. "Her father wasn't very approving of her hobbies, apparently too. It doesn't excuse her being mean, but... Well, we all have things we struggle with."
Kasumi purses her lips a little. She's looking forward to seeing the real Kazusa pretty soon. Hopefully, her hope for a hidden contraption is on the mark.
MONAD: Ryuji Sakamoto has drawn a new Challenge!
(|============= Monad - Kazusa's Atelier: The Neo-Lunar Palace =============|)
-==== Round 5: The Manifest Gallery - Challenge Level 3 =====================-
| Approach Options: Guts or Understanding |
| Conditions: Bless - +1 to Group Roll (Per Character), Bolstering - Guts Up |
| L2, Educational - Academics Up L1, Hard - Understanding Down L1, and Hard |
| - Understanding Down L1 |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-
You've ascended high into the palace, and the halls are in rough shape. The
pulses of light that ran along the walls are all dark now, many of the
magical lights are flickering rapidly, and there are deep, goinging claw
marks embedded into the floors with alarming frequency.
But finally you reach your destination: the Manifest Gallery. Though high,
arching doors you step into a large gallery space: Flegmat Humors, catboys
and catgirls in all manner of fantastical costumes and garb mill about,
observing miniature animated statues placed on display in various poses or
looping animations. For the moment, this room still appears to be brightly
lit and in good shape.
An owlgirl in orange robes trimmed with yellow--a Sanguin Humor--ushers you
forth to a small altar with a receptacle for the disk you've been carrying.
She explains that all you need to do is to place the disc in the altar and
name your vessel. When you do, the image hovering over it vanishes and is
placed on display.
The Sanguin Humor thanks you for your offering, and hopes that with enough
offerings they'll be able to convince the Princess to let down the wards
guarding her chambers. She presents everyone in your party with two gifts:
* You have gained the Key Item PRINCESS' FAVOR!
A sign that you have completed the offering of a vessel and
gained recognition by the Princess. It features a crescent moon
encircling a lily, both carved out of moonstone and set against
a small, round black pin. It glows faintly in the dark.
* You have gained the Unique Item FIGURINE OF <Name>!
Hey, it's <name>! This figurine is finely detailed and posed in
the middle of a fierce attack. This is to commemorate the
journey you took to offer a vessel to the Princess. Please treat
them well!
The Sanguin Humor is about to invite you to explore the Gallery when a
hulking, snarling wolf batters its way past the doors. It might have been a
palace guard once, as evidenced by the bits and pieces of armor still
clinging to its body, but as it stands it is fully under the Homunculus'
sway: a Melanc Humor. It roars, causing the Flegmat attendees to scream and
scatter. As they do, it begins to criticize the wasted effort spent on the
fancy costumes and on creating the offerings.
And it will criticize everyone in the party, too, especially anybody acting
in ways that don't confirm to rigid gender norms.
You'll need to use your Guts to battle the beast and subdue it, or you can
try to be Understanding and rally the Flegmats to help with the process.
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Past the Save Room, the party comes to the path to the Manifest Gallery. The Owl Woman explains what comes next and Skull just stares with wide eyes. This was all very intricate.
It made Ryuji wonder why Kazusa has all of this inside her and yet she hides it again.
Ryuji places the Vessel and considers. "A name huh? How about..."
Ryuji has chosen "Bonezor The Unyielding". He has the Princess' Favor and everything is looking good until the Wolf shows up. The wolf is fearsome and critizing everyone for their gender presentation. For real?
Ryuji looks to the others before looking over at the Wolf. "Beat it." Ryuji states very calmly with a demonic fierceness in his eyes.
MONAD: Ryuji Sakamoto has acted with Punk Talk toward The Manifest Gallery! Bravery and Patra!
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
"Yes, indeed." Haru nods sadly, when Kasumi points out that Kazusa's hobbies were criticized by her own family. They may have dealt with it in different ways, but Haru can truly empathize with Kazusa'a situation. For now, though...
They've made it to the end. They have offered their vessel, Bonezor, to the Princess and thus, completed their journey. Unfortunately, no journey can end without some trouble. As that unsightly wolf approaches, Haru finds herself gripping her axe tighter, prepared for a fight. Of course, Haru's own attire is more androgynous than she usually carries herself - so she finds herself facing some of that criticism, but she can shake it off, mostly.
Haru finds herself almost awestruck by the way Ryuji carries himself - calm but fierce. "Didn't anyone teach you to mind your own business?" Haru stretches a finger out to the beast. "Perhaps it falls upon me to teach you a painful lesson.~" She smiles, as she always does before it's time to bring the axe down upon a cognition.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
"This is such an impressive display..." Kasumi is in aw that Kazusa has all of this in her. It's truly impressive. But having to hide such a large part of yourself...
Well, it makes sense why it's become such an issue suddenly.
Kasumi giggles lightly at the name Ryuji punches in. "That's a pretty intimidating name.~" She says, approving of it.
Then, there's the snarling wolf. This must be what it was like for them at the convention... How awful. Skull and Noir seem to have the wolf well in hand, so Kasumi focuses on the Flegmats.
"I-it's okay, everyone! Don't fear!" She calls. "Everyone's done such a good job. Besides, we outnumber the bully!"
MONAD: Kasumi Yoshizawa has acted with Let's Patch You Up! toward The Manifest Gallery! Amrita!
MONAD: Haru Okumura has acted with Intimidation toward The Manifest Gallery! Bravery and Focus!
(|============================ Monad - Results =============================|)
-==== The Manifest Gallery - Round 5 ========================================-
Ryuji Sakamoto Guts Success
Punk Talk Bravery and Patra Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haru Okumura Guts Success
Intimidation Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kasumi Yoshizawa Understanding Success
Let's Patch You Up! Amrita Fatigue: 0
-============================ Party Conditions: =============================-
Starting Conditions: Bless-0, Bolstering-2, Educational-1, Hard-1, and
Hard-2
Final Conditions: Bolstering-1
-====================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 6/6 |=====| ===================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ==========================================================-
Items: 0, Money: 1, Gear: 1
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)
(|============= Monad - Kazusa's Atelier: The Neo-Lunar Palace =============|)
-==== Round 6: Pitfall - Challenge Level 1 ==================================-
| Approach Options: None |
| Conditions: Chest - Add 2 Item/Money/Gear. and Revelation - The best |
| result. |
-==== Challenge =============================================================-
After a fierce battle with the Melanc wolf, you manage to subdue it enough
for the Flegmat denizens present to move in to take care of it. This means
you have enough time to have a proper look around--you can't ascend up the
tower yet, but there's still plenty of other things in the Atelier left to
explore.
You find a small movie theater, attended by a Sanguin owlgirl dressed in
purple robes and a white mantle. She lets you know that the next showing is
about to start, and that admission is free with the Princess' Favor.
Once you settle in, an old, grainy video springs to life on the screen. It's
summer break, and an excited, middle school-aged Kazusa and Kazuhiro
excitedly greet their grandparents as they arrive for a week's stay on
summer break. (The grandparents are Shigeki and Kae Motohima, a husband and
wife team who are a legendary game designer and artist duo who made some of
Motojima Corporation's earliest video games.)
During the week, Kazusa and Kazuhiro get to take a trip to Motojima
Corporation's game development studios, getting to see their grandparents'
offices, how games are made, and even play in an arcade of old Motojima
arcade cabinets. Kazuhiro has a fun time, but Kazusa is enthralled,
particularly by her grandmother's art.
So much so that when her father Kazuki, a tall, stern-looking man with short
black hair, comes to pick them up, Kazusa excitedly tells him she wants to
make games like baachan and jiichan.
This incenses the father, who immediately begins to berate her choice to
chase a meaningless creative profession. Kae immediately moves to usher
Kazusa and Kazuhiro out of the room, but not before Kazua's expression
crumbles. The memory fades out with Kazuki and Shigeki openly arguing.
As the lights come back on, you find a golden treasure chest waiting at the
front of the theater. Opening it, you find a new weapon: it's made of
polished black metal, leather, or wood, and elegantly designed with silver
accents. It glows with black light when used.
In non-supernatural spaces it doesn't glow, of course, but it still appears
to be a high-quality cosplay accessory.
Final Loot: 1 Item, 1 boxes of Money, and 2 Pieces of Gear!
(|=========================================================== Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Between Ryuji's glare and Haru's intimidation, the fearsome Humor isn't going to mess with these two. After a long drawn out staredown, the boss just leaves and lets the group by.
Skull leads the group and this leads to a movie theater. The blonde settles in and watches whats playing, jaw dropping as he takes in the movie.
This was her deal...Man, Ryuji suddenly felt quite sorry for Kazusa.
"I guess this is whats going on...huh?"
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
It's another rather anti-climatic standoff as the wolf finally buckles and lets them through. All that's left is the movie theatre, which seems to show footage of Kazusa's own past. A warm memory with her grandparents, followed by an argument with her father. They watch as Kazusa's creative passions are shut down and extinguished.
"Kazusa-chan..." Haru frowns, finding herself using a more informal form of address for the poor girl. It feels a little too much like they've invaded far too much of her privacy than they should have, but Haru just hopes that what they've learned here in this Atelier will give them what they need to truly help her.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
The wolf is defeated, and Kasumi can't help but feel a bit... She doesn't know. Deflated? Like it doesn't make her happy, perhaps. In any case. They complete their task, and have the path open to the princess open now. They go and see a movie and... Well, Kasumi's feelings only intisfy anyways.
"I wonder why Motojima-senpai's father... is like that? If those are his parents." It feels impossible to tell from a screen. Maybe it's another case of distorted desires? It's unclear.
Whatever it is, they'll be able to bring Kazusa back.