Part 26: Delphinus Clean Up
Prayer
Yeah, it's legitimately Great is what it is!
I guess it's special because this is where the Vanishing Point is? Or is there some other reason...? I don't like this... Maybe it's just the upcoming operation making me nervous...
We're up against demons. Hitting us while we're celebrating is their specialty. ...Anyway, let's focus on the mission. Carelessness is the enemy... Let's stay sharp.
But it's TOO organized... like something a human would do. It looks like nothing on Earth, but it feels like it was made by human hands... What's going on? This sector is even creepier than the others...
But all I've done is get kidnapped by demons and cause trouble... I wasn't any use at all. I can hardly be proud of what I've accomplished here. How can I face the people back home? Why did I even sign on for this mission in the first place?
We got this from Asura. The past three boss Rare Forma have all had their uses. What about the Ulna?
Starts off by being underwhelming and redundant. Enemy Welcome is Enemy Challenge but worse and technically harder to get. Increases the encounter rate by a tiny amount, costs the exact same amount of macca as Challenge... and they're both a size of 2 to boot! What is this nonsense?
...Okay this is really good and it's basically never getting removed. Just on principle, more than anything else.
This as well! There's not much reason TO remove this one since it's a size of 0 so it literally costs nothing to use. It does technically make it harder to use precalculated combinations for fusions if that's what you want but unless you, say, grind a Pixie to level 40 it won't matter all that much!
And that's it. We only get the 3 from Asura. What the heck?
Don't you think so, Tadano?
What are you talking about? Hawhawhaw! Just kiddin'! But I tell ya... You boys on the strike team have done a lot fer us in the lab. We'd never have gotten so much done, let alone collected so many forma, without you guys. I'm thankful fer you boys, and I mean that sincerely.
And... if you could collect forma like there's no tomorrow, we'd really owe you. Do it for us, okay?
Aww yeah, we can move on into Eridanus whever we want now.
Regretfully, this is all we'll see of it today. But soon... soon!
What do you think, Hitonari? It'll work. ...I see. Well, whether we believe or disbelieve, it's not as if we can do anything to change it. The best we can do is have faith while carrying out our duties.That finishes all the updated dialogue. Before we start any new sidequests, we'll finish up uhh... all of the ones we have outstanding. That we can. Whew boy.
Please give me the data you found. Thanks very much. This data migt be very helpful in enhancing the Demonica's functions. Wait here, please.> Gekko took the data he received from you and took it to the lab.
......
> Gekko returned from the lab.
There... a new function should be added to your Demonica's Sub Apps.
This costs 3/10 of the SubApp space and it's... thoroughly okay. It means you don't need to have a demon at Analyze 2 to know if a thing you're going to do is a Good or Bad idea... provided you already know. It gives you a visual shorthand on the target reticle thing. I might remember to use it at some point just to demonstrate but it's beaten by paper, memory, playing the game for about 40 seconds longer...
Our work is done for now, but in our current situation, I doubt my mission will ever end... If you don't mind helping me again later, come talk to me. Thank you. Because of you, those crewmen's deaths were not in vain.That's Gekko dealt with. And we're on the Red Sprite already, so...
> You reported to Anthony...
...... Hey, Hitonari... Am I a loser?
Hey, Strange Journey? Could you maybe do more things like this in the future? I'd appreciate it.
Er, hang on! Wait! Hold that thought! ...I don't want anything to get in the way of our friendship, bro. Just forget I asked, okay? Still, that's pretty cold of her... In the end, she's just another ice queen. Heh... Forget her, man! I'll find a chick who's way better for me! Just you wait!
Can the next one maybe be human? That'd be a nice change.
Anyway, before we go finish more sidequests that we're sat on, let's fuse some new things. Mayahuel is the Secret Best Demon in the game for reasons that won't make sense right now. She comes with Mana Aid which on its own is really good (restores 10% MP at the end of a fight), her weaknesses are hyper-misleading because that Phys weakness?
It's a resistance. She takes 50% damage from all Phys attacks.
Thunderbird is not as exciting or interesting. Everything stat-wise you can see right here. I just want his Source because it gives Void Elec and I can use that for something special.
Lorelei is awful and not at all worth actually using. It's a shame because I would if she was a good base. Alas, she thinks its a good idea to waste a skill slot on Media. Marin Karin is nice but we've got a million ways to get that by now. Her source is marginally better by replacing Media with Lullaby.
And Mediarama. Sigh.
I'm just using her as fodder.
For this guy. He has a ton of ailment weaknesses: 200% Sleep, and 300% Stone, Paralyze AND Charm! But his source gives bother a pretty dece Phys skill and Charge so you gotta take the good with the bad here.
A Frivolous Nation
We've kept this guy waiting a long, long while. We should probably give him his dues.
> You handed Dionysus the Zhen Feather...
Hohoho... so this is a feather of a Zhen...
First, I must find a meal to go with it. You have done well... It's a shame that you and I can't share a toast over the poison wine.> Dionysus left...
......Yeah, uh, a full ailment cure is nice and all. Just a shame it's single target! Gonna recommend skipping this one if you don't feel like bothering with it.
We need this before we can finish up in Delphinus, though. It's honestly a good weapon in general but you're not gonna get it without actively going out of your way for it because it's AT Delphite II x2, Spirit Stalk x4 (Pisaca) and Enigma Himorogi x8 (Futotama). Yeah, uh...
Oh wait, hang on I can't afford this right now.
Much better.
A Rotten Nation
Nice work, kid. That Kresnik's good as dead. Now take your reward. C'mon, no need to be modest here.
With my victory, the curtain will finally close on this sa drama. Then, the world of black chaos, filled with disease, will begin. Heheheheh...
The Chernobog Vest is... kinda good, tbh. It doesn't have any damage resistances, but it doesn't give you any weaknesses either. It's also the best armor in terms of raw defense thus far.
So what about Kresnik?
At last, I can defeat Kudlak! I thank you. As promised, a reward.
The depths of this land... they shall be our dueling grounds. And this time I shall strike down the black chaos!
If the Frost Cannon is the relative best EX Mission reward, the Belobog is in 2nd place. Very high defense, no weakness, resists Phys? Why yes I am not planning on removing this for a long, long time!
Silence
Anyway, let's check this battle out.
No matter. On this day, I shall defeat you at last.
You're persistent, I'l say that for you. But I think I'm about ready to claim your life. Now die! Dance of Illusions
Ugh...!
Ugh...
Incredible... Grrrrrr...! This punk... At this rate, it'll never end! A Rotten Nation
As shall I... Just as I have grown in strength, so, it seems, have you...
> The demons left.
And 'lo the eternal struggle continues...
Real quick, before we head on back to the Red Sprite to do as many new sidequests as can we're gonna make Ares. He's the first Fury and while I wanted to give him Matador's Source, it's just unfortunate it made it virtually impossible to not put Life Gain on.
Also Ares does have weaknesses. A lot of them. He is 300% weak to every ailment. Yes, he's the 2nd and last demon that's weak to Rage. Go figure.
Prayer
We'll start by checking in with Dent, since that makes the most sense. This gives us two right out the gate, huh?
Here's the first one... This is a mission from Gekko.
I'm sorry to say we've lost more of our precious manpower. We can't let their investigative efforts go to waste... Feel free to ask him anything you need to complete the mission. Will you grant Gekko's request? Yes.
The object is to collect black box data from dead crewmen's Demonicas. Okay. Really? You have no idea how helpful that'd be. I'll send your Demonica the password to decrypt the seals on the black boxes. Some Demonicas have different passwords because of the equipment enhancement from the other day. I'm sure this password will accommodate both old and new Demonicas. There's a lot of anomalous data, but most of it has the same contents.
Well, I wish you luck.I'm sure this one will be resolved pretty quickly, once we get to Eridanus proper.
...Anyway, Anthony's got more for us. Fine.
This world's not as bad as all that, huh? Here's the thing. I have anoher favor to ask you. ...Okay. You're the man! I'll just cut right to the chase...
See, this time... the demon chick showed up in my dreams. She was REALLY cute, man. I'm talking, like... REALLY cute. Plus the stuff she did to me! I'm head over heels for her. This is true love, man. Just look at me. I can barely stay on my feet thanks to my lack of sleep. The dreams are so good, but she just won't let me sleep! But... I'd kina like to see her while I'm awake.
Yeah, I can describe her for you. I already kinda did, partly. Remember how I said she can enter people's dreams?
I'm counting on you, bro!I'm sure you know exactly who this is, so let's just skip right to the point.
Encounter
It's hard to tell with the mask, but you're not the one whose dream I went into last time, right? Oh well. So? What did you want?
Ohh, right, him! Of course! ...And? What about him? He wants to see me for real, not just in a dream...?
THAT guy!? He was SO weak! When I took a little taste of his spirit, the way I always do...
I was so surprised, I even gave back half what I took from him. Yeah, I don't think so. Tell that An-something guy I said this:
Welp, sucks for Anthony. Let's go tell him the great news!
Prayer
> You reported to Anthony...
Uh... What the hell? Does that mean... y'know... I'm not man enough for her?
Could've REALLY done without that.
Alright, I get it. Well, fine! But I'll say this! It takes more than this to make me back down! Soon enough, or someday, anyway... I'll be a real manly man!
I may have been too hasty.
Can we stick Anthony in one of the garbage piles in Delphinus where he belongs now?
I guess not, huh? Well, fine then.
Guess we're both still alive, huh? ... What...? I look kinda glum? Is that so...? Well, nothing gets by you. Wanna know why I'm so down? ................Yes.
To tell you the truth... There's something I gotta say to a certain demon chick. Sorrow
A while back, I screwed up and got separated from the team. That's when I ran into this demon chick I'm talking about. She didn't attack me...
Considering the conversation we JUST had, I sure hope this is literal and not another analogy. Otherwise that's a Succubus and you have nothing to apologise for.
Except everything before this.
Man, after that, I didn't miss a shot. Bullseye every time. I beat every demon that got in my way and managed to catch up to the team. So, yeah, the demon chick was with me the whole time, but... When I joined back up with the squad, I figured it was time to say goodbye. That's when I saw it...
I got scared and ran off. Didn't even say thanks... You understand, right? What I want you to do for me... I can't look her in the eye after how I acted. So tell her I said thanks... and that I'm sorry... ...I'm counting on you.Well, that's surprisingly not creepy for once! I guess he's learning after all.
So, sure, we'll go see Skogsra for this.
Encounter
Did I do something to make you uncomfortable?> Hitonari told Skogsra about Anthony...
Sorrow
Nothing to e done for it, really. It's just human men for you. They'll come running for a pretty face, but they run right back when they see your back's a tree. This "love" humans talk about all the time sure is flimsy.
I'd actually wanted to talk to you some more... But I think the moment has passed. ...Anyway, like I just said, it doesn't bother me that much. One thing, though...
...Tell Anthony that, okay?Since it seems this is Anthony's denouement, sure. We can finish up this quest chain with a not-weird and yet still pretty cool ending. Unless he gets creepy again.
> You reported to Anthony.
...Huh. She didn't mind, did she? Well, maybe I should leave it at that.
Oh, no, that's a good thing.
...You didn't want to do it, huh? Don't worry about it. I envy your personality, man. Well, all I can really say for this one is "thanks." I dunno if I'll have any more problems or not, but... If I do, I'll be counting on you.
Well, that makes 5 of these done now. We've gotten Incenses for every stat, so that's a pretty good indicator that we're do--
God dammit!
Prayer
You and me are like cockroaches-- we don't die easy! So... that out of the way... You think you could help me out one more time? ...Yes.
Alrigt, let's get down to business. Remember last time? Y'know... her... Skogsra...Can I retract my agreement to help?
I remember. Figured you would... she was a memorable girl for you too, huh?
It really forced me to admit what a shallow guy I am.
But it's gotten so bad, I haven't been able to focus on my duties. But see, then I heard this rumor.
Plus, it's a goddess! A chick deity! And I thought, man, I'd like to learn from that goddess...I doubt she does hands-on lessons.
I'm sure she could teach me some good stuff and set me on the right track.
Tell her there's a stray, lovelorn man here...
A lady on a camel... I guess? I'm counting on you, buddy!We've seen no one that matches this description even remotely thus far. Guess she's in Eridanus.
Nothing else we can do in the Red Sprite right now. Time for the usual; let's head on over to the Fairy Village.
A Scorched Nation
I was thinking what this village needs is a mascot. But not a weak one! I want our mascot to be a demon with experience and a history in his field. Okay. I knew you'd say yes. I know you won't let me down!
Getting a little meta here, High Pixie. But anyway, this is still really easy. Just gonna pull them out of the Compendium but this time I'm gonna tap the Select button first so I get them at their cheapest, base forms.
> You delivered Pyro Jack and Jack Frost to High Pixie.
Thanks! I always know I can count on you. This is for you, as thanks. Take it!
Honestly, this sidequest chain is probably the easiest thing ever so that it keeps giving us really good SubApp forma is weird.
Like, no, really. Medic is REALLY good. It's Better Nurse and we haven't even had pause to use Nurse at all yet.
Medic reduces damage tiles from 10% HP to 5% and basically turns off ones that inflict ailments. They still CAN, and yes they do actually exist somewhere like the description says, but the odds are so slim you can basically treat them as normal floor tiles with the most minor of inconveniences attached. Kinda like random encounters, really.
Anyway, uh, there's nothing else we can do in Antlia, nothing in Bootes (Melchom doesn't have anything for us), Carina...
A Squandered Nation
We can at least get into a new area with the Gate Search B. It leads to another hidden door that...
Leads to an... empty... helipad? What? What does this even do... why is this here? Is there some kind of Demon Helicopter flying around?
...Well, shit, now I hope so because I want one.
Anyway, back in the other room, there's a normal Unlock door up top.
It is guarding some thoroughly unimpressive treasure. These don't even make particularly good vendor trash, it turns out.
There's also a locked door in here we can't do anything with. Guess we'll crack this one open later.
Oh, and there's a hidden door dow here as well.
Its treasure is... better by default.
Like, in fairness, I'm sure Incenses are really cool and good and helpful for people when they don't want to grind and roll that die. They're basically just Hitonari exclusive out-of-combat Somas to me, though, which is why I haven't touched a single one yet.
There's also a Goblin hanging out here. Sure, what's up G-man?
> You can hear a voice from the door behind the demon.
What's the matter, ma'am?
> You can hear the demon and a female voice from within...
Ma'am...? What is it? Huh...!? Ask... that human...? Huh...? M-Me...? My duty as an attendant? Come on...
If this is how it has to be... Hey, you! Listen! My name is Goblin. I'm the Lady's attendant.
You're a human like her, right? Yes. As another human, can you do her a favor? The Lady came to this world to see Master Cu Chulainn... But we can't find him.
The Lady is a human, and it puts a lot of stress on her to move around in this world. So I want you to look for Master Cu Chulainn on her behalf. Will you accept the Lady's request? Yes. I knew the Lady has a good eye. We're depending on you.
Master Cu Chulain trained in the land of shadows, so he's very skilled at stealth. He might be hard to find, so luck be with you.It doesn't seem that difficult. Head to Bootes, beeline for the palace, look for an Enemy Search demon where one cannot normally appear.
A Frivolous Nation
Like so. 'Cept, that's not Cu Chulainn.
At least I didn't think that "hound" epithet was literal...
WHAT YOU COME FOR?> You asked Orthrus the location of Cu Chulainn.
CU CHULAINN? OOH, HE GREAT MAN! ME KNOW HIM! HE SAID HE A GOOD GUARD. WATCHED GATE UNTIL ME GET HERE.
METNOR WAS AT DUEL, SO HE GO HELP.
THAT ALL ME KNOW. TAKE YOUR TIME LOOK FOR HIM.And then Orthrus disappears into the aether, so we'll head on over to Antlia now then.
Fear
Hmmm... A human. You don't appear to be an enemy. The battle is over; all I must do now is rest. But before that, I wouldn't mind having a few words with you. What have you come here for?> You tell her yuo're looking for Cu Chulainn.
It's as though he'd forgotten just who I am.
This might very well be the closest Aife has ever come to appearing in the series.
He's such a worrywort. Though that's what endears him to me... Ah, but forgive me for muttering to myself. You wished to know where he's gone, yes? You came at a bad moment. Cu Chulainn left only moments before you arrived.
Though he couldn't have gone far in such a short time. I hope you find him. A Scorched Nation
He's in this random alcove next to the Red Sprite for some reason. It's really obvious when you see an ES mark appear here, since this was a fixed Forma spot so Enemy Search demons cannot spawn here.
Also, it's probably already really obvious but yes. He's just a palette swap of Tam Lin for absolutely no reason at all.
Yes... that seems to be the case. I've found you at last... Ah, but pardon me. You see, I've also been looking for you.
I am grateful to you for embarking on your search. Surely you know by now, but allow me to introduce myself. My name is Cu Chulainn. Pray tell, do you know why Mother was searching for me?> You told him the reason.
I scarcely thought she'd come all the way here to meet me... I've not a moment to lose! I must see her straight away! I apologize for any trouble I've caused you. Could you be so kind as to tell me where Mother is?> Cu Chulainn left after learning his mother's whereabouts.
We have little reason to not immediately follow back to Carina, so...
A Squandered Nation
The Lady saw her son, thanks to you. We owe you. Now then, with that taken care of, I think it's time I had a little vacation.
Be seeing you.> Goblin left...
Hey, what about our reward?!
I guess Cu Chulainn has it. Or at least he bloody well better!
Silence
I was able to meet Mother here. Thanks for that. Malevolence and Benevolence I never thought Mother would come to this world, though...
What an ingrate I've been! Thanks to you, though, I was able to see her, if only for a brief moment. Will you accept this as thanks?
Yes, yes I absolutely will!
This Gae Bolg is a powerful spear given to me by my mentor. It can cause the utter obliteration of your foes.
That's why I'd like you to hold onto it for a while. You should master it in no time, I'm certain. I must be on my way... I've been thinking of returning to the land where Mother resides.
And I'd like to do something for Mother, since I couldn't do much for her during her visit. If I return alive, I'll lend you my power. Let this be the proof of my vow.
And now, I must be going. A Squandered Nation
Haha, yes. Perfect!
Okay, so real quick: the Knight's Oath is mostly just a fancy trinket that exists for that thing at the bottom.
It's in orange, so it's clearly important. Let's throw it into the password entry screen.
It lets us get a base Cu Chulainn for no hassle at a-- level 48?! Well, never mind then. He's not bad, by any means, but that's gotta wait a long, loooong time.
And the Gae Bolg is, uh, on paper pretty weak. In practice? Nah, it wrecks shit. Fixed 3 hits is great. Random targetting is ehh but use this against, oh I don't know, let's say Asura? Tear through the dude.
...That is in fact exactly what I did. It's just better than the Hawthorn Spear.
There's also a couple of things in Cu Chulainn/The Lady's room here, too. Balms of Rising are new, I think? They revive a thing with 100% HP, so they're not quite as good as Summon Stones but we'll get more of them so...
Oh and while we're in Carina, let's quickly deal with this door over by Horkos' room.
I'm not sure why these had to be gated off until partway through Delphinus but they did. So sure, why not.
There's also a one-way door here, just because.
Alright and we'll close the sidequests out by going to visit our Dwarf friend again.
...Yes, we're closing it with this and not starting with it.
But I got an idea for an even more dangerous weapon this time... Thing is, I need you to go collect a few materials for it again.
Willya do it for me? Yes. Okey-dokey! I trust you, boy. You bring me that stuff, and I'll make you an even better weapon! Don't fail me now!So, there's why this is last. We can buy a Nihil from Irving no big deal, but Anubis Stones are nowhere to be found...
Prayer
Speaking of Irving, let's see what else he can make from Delphinus et al.
Anyway, the Demon's Skin is... not good. Sure it grants Curse immunity but it makes you weak to Expel and it's like... even if you weren't wearing armor, Hitonari'd be immune to Expel so why would you mess with that?
Well, because this is from early Delphinus in theory but it requires DF Delphite x1, Wilder Stripes x2 (Nue) and Yoma Cloak x1 (Dis) so you CAN'T get it early because Dis is only in the dark rooms. Whoops.
Traitor Knife is next in the long line of boring tat. Hawthorn Spear is stronger, Gae Bolg is better. AT Delphite II x2, Raptor Nerves x2 (Zhen) and Jirae Bones x2 (Kwancha) but, uh, maybe just don't?
The Jackal is a really good gun. It's going to be our Frost Cannon replacement. Not because it's better for elemental coverage (it really isn't) but because it has 2 ailment skills. Say Goodnight naturally inflicts Sleep and Rock Bullet is way better because it inflicts Petrification.
Problem is getting it. It takes AT Delphite II x2, Raptor Talon x3 (Camazotz) and Victor's Bow x1 (White Rider). So, uh, there's that thing stopping you from getting it easily. Unlike the two things from the Red Capote, this one is very much worth getting though! I'm definitely going to take our Victor's Bow from the start of Delphinus and turn it into this beauty though. Why would I not?
That's Irving up-to-date yet again. There's one last thing before we set off into Eridanus though.
Delphinus was kind enough to finally give us not 1 but 2 special passwords. Let's use a few special passwords of our own... These are just normal passwords you can pull out of your compendium but they give special Password Exclusive demons.
Unlike ones we'll be seeing later, these were never given out by Atlus.
Mainly because of what they give. This one gives us access to Norris! He's kind of terrible!
Worth mentioning here that these passwords give things with NO skills, for complicated reasons. As a general rule, if they had special unique skills? That generates passwords that don't actually work.
Anyway, here's Gore roughly how he was when he fought Orias. I do find it interesting that normal Gore is also immune to Curse. I also like that his basic attack is Gun elemental; it explains why he just shot a bunch in that fight.
Oh right and if you DO use these, yes, you can register them in your compendium. No, you cannot fuse them with anything. Except one special thing we'll get to later. They also start with Max Analyze and their sources are empty sources from dummy data.
But Norris and Gore are kind of weird but logical. Their stats were pretty low, and in Norris' case he was obviously worse than the enemy version.
Want to use a Formless? Here's the one that's Weak to Fire. This is how I know they're neutral to everything else by the by. There ARE passwords for the other 3 variations, but they're identical save for the Weakness so I didn't bother.
...But here's a REALLY special one. I recommend not using this one.
Not just because it's The World's Worst Knocker (seriously, 1 in everything at level 99? Unknowns are terrible!) but because it can actually break your game and delete your save to use the Unknown. The others are on-paper all safe but uhh we won't actually be doing that.
Unknowns are also the only way to hold 2 copies of any given source at once. They give the Source of the relevant demon they're covering for (so this one DOES give a Knocker Source) but it counts as being the Unknown's Source instead.
So, yeah, this is a thing you can do with everything that appears in combat. I'll only deal with the particularly noteworthy ones in the future. Speaking of the future, let's finally enter Eridanus. Are you excited? I know I am!