Let's Play Atelier Rorona! Update 8, Part 1
Welcome back to Atelier Rorona!
Though I didn't really plan it that way, this update seems to be vying for another sort of contrast award - while there might be more screenshots than the last update, the video is one of the shortest of any but the initial updates.
And of course the big thing is that where update 7 was almost entirely around town, this update is almost entirely in the field. (Which explains the short video - gathering uses up days fast.)
The usual rounds were pretty uninteresting this time around - no one has any new recipe books for sale. But Esty has got something interesting for us...
Okay, sure...
Oh, hey!
You never let me ask you, so you're gonna have to explain this to me today!
Yeah, well, let's put that aside for now. Maybe next time, okay? Here's today's request!
Another strange request...
Esty, what are you...?
Rorona actually sounds kind of indignant.
It's a secret...remember?
I'm counting on you!
Esty leaves. So many people seem to run off while in their place of business...
She got away again... Hmmm, now I'm really curious, but oh well...
On a random side note, I found that Iksel will take Alchemy Yeast and Pure Oil. Since I care a lot less about most of what I've got registered with him, that'll come in handy.
It feels a bit like these requests are supposed to be teaching you how to do different things with alchemy. Quality, selecting items for different effects, now it's trait cancellation...
Of course, it's just as easy to use a Forgotten Bone that doesn't come with Super Stinky, like the ones Hom has been picking up. So that's what I did.
Calling her "Ms. Dee"... I wonder if this is supposed to indicate that Rorona's really upset about this.
Oh, thanks. I'll make sure to upgrade the Ticket items again.
Received 1,500 cole.
Okay. So anyway, what are you using that item for...?
This again?
I know I'm getting on your nerves, but I'm really curious.
Hmm, okay...
How can I answer this...?
Rorona.
Master? What are you doing here?
Just running some errands.
What about you?
I'm here for a job that Esty asked me to do. She's been asking for strange stuff, so I was wondering what they're for...
You fool. You shouldn't get all nosey about a client's private life.
Isn't this more along the lines of "being nosey about a friend's private life"?
Also, you are the last person I want to have lecturing me about nosiness.
Don't you have a thing or two that you don't want people to know?
Well, I guess...
This front desk lady also has very special interests and hobbies that she can't tell anybody about.
...
You know, when I mentioned "tastes and fetishes" before, I was just quoting a line from another GUST work that amuses me, but now it really is almost echoing it...
You should be considerate enough not to ask her about it.
Ms. Zexis!
You're making it sound like...
Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to be so inconsiderate...
Don't apologize!
This is getting serious!
Don't think...
An alchemist is supposed to complete a job that was given by a client, and that's all.
Do you understand me? Now, go.
Yes. I'll see you later, Esty.
I'm so sorry about everything!
And Rorona runs away.
Rorona! Wait!
Whew, that was close.
...Yeah, but now she has the wrong idea about me.
You deserve it. Just let it go.
Why? o.O
I do not deserve that!
I didn't do anything...
This is all because...
Oops, is it really this late?
I better get going, too.
Keep up the good work.
And Astrid leaves too.
Hey, wait!
...Ugh, I can't believe I'm being tossed around like this.
So, it looks like Astrid is behind this somehow.
And then there's Cory's thing too... Esty is probably getting fed up with these strange requests.
Here's the new set of items. I'm not sure if I'll get much use out of the materials, but being able to grab a Bunny Tail here will save some time later. (They don't seem to be worth registering for requests though.)
Dropping by Pamela's store. There's more mushrooms sitting on the counter... Why are you leaving these things all over? o.O
What? I'm just worried about you...
The slow-motion sibling drama continues. The game's time frame just makes this feel weird.
More stuff from Rorona's parents. Night Lady can be used to make Scale Cloth, but the traits would be a problem.
And with the in-town stuff taken care of, I headed out to the mines to do that boss fight I picked up. Raum Lizard hangs out in Demon's Path, which isn't really where I would have expected. Although admittedly there are Donarn in this area too.
The blue actually makes it look pretty cool, compared to the other examples of the type we've seen.
Anyway, I decided to try fighting this without just blowing it away with damage items, to see if I could do it.
Here's how much damage Rorona's Angel Shot did. A lot less than I'm used to seeing.
A noticable dent, but beating this thing in three turns could be hard... (I'm not sure exactly what it counts there either.)
Like all lizards (so far anyway), it regenerates, so a chunk of that damge just went away. Although it's not enough to matter much.
On the other hand, it doing 90 damage plus a defense down matters a lot. Ow.
I decided to take a chance and just have everyone keep attacking, and took it down immediately after it's second turn. Looks like we're catching up to the bosses in strength, but dealing damage fast enough for these bonus conditions is still hard without items.
The XP is pretty good though.
Drops... well, this might be the highest quality Beast Skin we'll ever see, but I'm not sure what to do with it...
It's the 9th when we get back to the workshop, and we're immeidately dragged off somewhere else.
Hey, I thought you said this was going to be "in a week". Aren't the weeks ten days long in this game?
Well, that would fit the shopkeeper's cycles, but this event seems to be a bit variable. If you stay home, it'll happen on the 8th.
(Incidentally, there's another case coming up where I'm arbitrarily choosing what faces to use for different dialogue. It's a surprisngly annoying task.)
(Actually, you should probably just assume this to be true anytime there's a bunch of dialogue following a CG.)
What's your problem!? Do you even know what time it is!?
*yawn* ...I'm still sleepy. Can you get me when we're there?
Whoa! She disappeared...
I will carry your stuffed animal.
...Master, why did you pick these people?
You'll see when we get there.
Now, let's go!
Hey! At least tell us where we're going!
Umm...are you sure I can go, too?
Why not? She invited you.
Actually, it might be a bad idea if you don't go.
Stuffed animals... They are so fluffy.
...I'm starting to worry.
I hope we'll be okay.
Quite a crowd Astrid's gathered here. But just what is this "dangerous mission"?
I never knew about this lake.
It's so beautiful.
I'm glad you all seem happy.
I'm not!
Umm, I am!
Hehehe.
We are here. Please, wake up now.
Hrrm...five more minutes...
Master, is this where we can find Foamy Water?
That's correct. But gathering near the water can be dangerous, so I prepared something to help us out.
Oh yeah, you were talking about preparing something... What is it?
Just hold your horses.
Alright, you first.
Me? W-wait, what are you doing to me!? Stop! Get away!
Stop being so difficult. You're wasting time. Give up already!
Nooo! Stop!
What's the matter?
I thought we came here to gather Foamy Water.
Of course. Do you think we're here just to hang out?
Somehow, I'm getting the feeling that Astrid was after an entirely different kind of danger here.
Here is your drink.
Oh, thanks.
Are you listening to me, Master!?
Stop yelling. Geez, what's your problem?
Clean air, a beautiful lake, and the girls hanging out in their swimsuits... It's like a utopia.
But we came here to gather ingredients!
You shouldn't stress out so much about work all the time. You need to take a break every once in a while.
But, you're always taking a break. You even prepared swimsuits for everyone...
So, that means all of these are based on Astrid's tastes, right? ... Interesting.
And boy did it take a lot of work to find out everyone's size.
But watching them have fun makes it all worthwhile.
Gotcha!
Aghhh! Get off of me! Brrr!
You're so cold!
Hehehe! That's because I'm a ghost!
Ummm...
Hey you! Don't just stand there!
Get this ghost off of me!
Uh, okay!
Umm...may I?
Nope.
Aww, Pamela, you're not playing along! This is the part where Lionela's supposed to glomp onto you!
Okay...I'm sorry.
She said no...
Gahhh! You're so frustrating!
Do they look like they're having fun to you?
Sure. They look like they're having a lot of fun.
Pamela's wearing a swimsuit, too? I didn't know ghosts could change their clothes.
Good eye, Rorona. That's all thanks to my skills and technique.
I took a physical object, put it on a spiritual being, and then blended the...
Hey, wait a minute. Pamela had us make her a dress last month. Why would she do that if she couldn't wear it?
(Pamela wore normal armor - which was often things like school uniforms - in Mana Khemia too. Which was a little more surprising when you regularly saw her walk through walls.)
I wish you would put that much effort into something useful...
Are you just gonna sit there and complain all day?
It'll be better if you just drop it and go have fun while you can.
Ugh...I guess...
You too, Hom. Get out there with Rorona.
Understood. Come on, Master.
...Alright.
Cory, let me in!
Get this ghost off of me!
Headed home...
Astrid and Rorona stop for a bit behind the others.
*yawn* I'm tired...
I'm gonna go take a nap...
I will carry the stuffed animal home instead.
I'm exhausted...I bet that ghost sucked out all my energy.
W-well, then I can carry Cordelia home...
That's quite a bold offer you're making there!
I can walk by myself!
I'm glad you all enjoyed yourselves, but it's not over yet. Going home is when the real fun begins.
o.O?
(I really don't know what she could be suggesting here. Seriously, nothing unusual happens.)
We didn't come here to have fun in the first place...
Oh no! Speaking of which, I need to look for the ingredients!
I can't believe you forgot about such an important thing.
B-but, you...I mean, sure I forgot, but...
Here, is this what you need? I got you covered.
When? Just look around. The foam's everywhere. I just scooped some up.
What!? Ah! You're right...!
I can't believe you didn't notice. You were playing right next to it the whole time.
An alchemist should be wary of her surroundings at all times.
*sigh* I have nothing more to say.
Just think! You got to have all the fun you wanted and you also got the ingredient you wanted on top of that.
You can feel sorry about that later.
Okay. Master...I kind of see why she's so confident in herself.
Received Foamy Water.
You can now go to Nabel Lake.
Ten days pass, which happens to be the round trip time for going to Nabel Lake. It's hard to justify that in my mind for what feels like a day trip though...
Foamy Water doesn't actually have much immediate use, but we'll need some later. Although what we've got isn't going to do the job.
Not much later, most of the same people have gathered at the workshop.
Rorona and Lionela are talking about something or other...
...while Cory and Astrid sit nearby.
What's the matter, Cory?
Nothing.
And don't call me, Cory.
Those two have gotten so close lately. They must have a lot in common.
...You sure seem calm about it. She's stealing your dear pupil right from under you.
I kind of like seeing my pupil enjoying herself... I guess I've matured.
I wouldn't bet on that. Also, Astrid's never exactly struck me as possessive.
...Are you saying that I'm the one who's immature here?
So you noticed?
Though, I knew you would, Cory.
See "Astrid not being that mature".
How could you...!?
And don't...!
You're doing this on purpose!
Of course she did it on purpose. She always does it on purpose. Seriously, why do you keep sitting down next to this woman?
You don't have to yell. It's not like they're gonna last very long.
What do you mean by that?
I'm not quite sure which way it'll happen, but...
Come on, tell me already!
I'm so curious right now!
Well, that's a sudden and ominous-sounding turn.
Another day, another synthesis...
Huh? Where's the ingredient?
Am I all out? Oh no...
Is something wrong, Master?
Homhom, I'm sorry but could you go buy something for me real quick? I can't leave the cauldron right now...
Of course. I will be right back.
Hom is walking down the street, when suddenly...
Meow.
The sound of a creature...
Where is it coming from?
Looking to the left, to the right...
Oh...
And finally down.
Meooow. Meooow.
What should I do...?
This is quite the predicament.
There's only one possible solution to this dilemma...
So that's why you brought it back?
Yes. What should I do?
Well...hmmm...
It looks like it's still a kitten.
Meow.
It is very warm and fluffy.
It feels excellent to the touch.
Really? Can I touch it...?
Hisss!
Whoa! Why is it so upset with me?
It doesn't seem to mind Homhom...
...Master, can we raise Little Meow here at the workshop?
Little Meow?
It makes a meow sound and is very little, so it is Little Meow.
Astrid, this is your fault. This is what happens when you name a homunculus "Hom", they think choosing names like that is normal.
...Although actually, Little Meow sounds kind of cute...
I see. Well, I'll have to ask Master first...
Whoa! I never know when you're here...
Rorona seems to be getting used to sudden appearances...
...Why not, Grand Master?
Meow?
This is an alchemy workshop. I don't want it tipping over potions and getting its hair all over the place.
That's why.
Master tips over potions all the time. Plus, this is not an it. This is Little Meow.
...Wouldn't the workshop have blown up?
Homhom, you just totally insulted me...
Little Meow, Big Meow, whatever it is, my answer is no. Go leave it somewhere.
...Yes, Grand Master.
Meoow...
Hom and Little Meow leave.
Yeah. And your look wasn't so bad, either.
...That's not a reaction to sad faces I want to see.
That's not what I'm trying to do!
Why can't we have a kitty?
Do you want some cat walking around, distracting you from your work?
I think it's a lot less distracting than having you wandering around here.
Oh, are you giving me attitude? I see. So you really want me to punish you, huh?
Stop talking like you're in an ero-doujin...
Oh, no. That's not what I want.
It just slipped out of my mouth.
...Hmph. Whatever. There's something more interesting than punishing you today.
Huh?
(Is it just me, or is it showing human-like emotions?)
Well, that was interesting.
Okay, moving on. Like I said, this is going to be largely a field chapter. My goals are to explore most of Nabel Lake and Ster Highlands.
Nabel Lake comes first, since the enemies are weaker, and for that I need Bomb Ice. I have one goal that needs one, and two goals that need a second one, but they're cheap enough that why worry about it at all? I took three just in case.
(It's interesting how your definition of "cheap" changes when you have 120k Cole vs 1k...)
These do deteriorate, but even with the Perishable trait it's too slow to be remotely an issue.
Nabel Lake is another really pretty place.
Until you meet the inhabitants anyway. What the heck is that anyway? Land...whale...unicorn...with blush stickers? o.O
Whatever. They're called Isle Fish, and are completely stationary until you get too close, which is when they charge. They're the only enemy around here that we can't one-shot with a normal attack, and they've got an attack that damages everyone, so they could be dangerous... if they didn't almost always show up just one at a time.
So I didn't even get a picture of that attack. It'll probably come up next update though.
They drop Mermaid Tears. I'm still not sure what to do with these things.
Glow Sand is another new material. It usually makes Golteisen, which would be pretty useful... if it had good equipment traits more often. Or ever.
This area is kind of like a big circle. The exit to the next zone is to the right of that bridge. So you don't really have to fight all the enemies. (In fact, you don't have to fight any of them, since it's not hard to stay out of their aggro range.)
Except you probably ought to at least get this one.
Unlike the rest, this one has friends. Although they go down too quick to matter.
And the chest it was guarding has a recipe book, which is always worth the effort.
Continued in Part 2...