Friends at the Table

• Perpetua 03: The Shadow of the Dragon Tower Pt. 3

  “Oh, how did we get here!?” That’s what the staff of the Little Snail Food Truck might be wondering. After all, just a week ago, they were living the good life: traveling from town to town, seeing the sights, and serving delicious, memory-making meals. Now where are they? The depths (or heights?) of a ruined Dragon Tower? Separated in the dark? Confounded by its hallways and stairwells? Was this what people meant when they said ‘adventure’? This week on Perpetua: The Shadow of the Dragon Tower Pt. 3 Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.01] Dragon Tower Map (IN PROGRESS) [PMDT] I’m going to try to save most of the maps until I get the text done, but I wanted to put at least this starter one in so I could start getting feedback. (Dotted lines are secret hallways/doors.) There are 10 rooms in the Dragon Tower dungeon, eight main ones and two secret side rooms.  Entry Hall [DTEH] You obviously can’t skip the first room of the dungeon, but it’s pretty straight forward. There’s an optional boss fight here (see [NMCH]), and you can get some lore about what happened here. I think it’s connected to the events from the Prelude (this is the same tower, if you didn’t notice) but I’m not 100% sure yet. Downward Stairwell [DTDS] Technically this is an upward stairwell that goes downward, but whatever, that’s what it says it’s called on the save game file. This is again pretty straight forward, so I won’t bother spelling out which platforms and stairs to jump between Squire Training Hall [DTTH] There’s a chance to encounter a Dragon Squire here, but depending on how you enter, it’s normally just filled with little bits of loot and some clues for solving puzzles (both in the dungeon and later in the game, from what I can tell).  Scryer Library [DTSL] There are a bunch of books you can interact with here to get some lore about the world, though a few of them are written in weird runes. You can also aggro a Scryer here. She’s not as tough as Chelik, but can still give early parties some trouble, so be careful!. Magic characters can find some early gear upgrades here. Plus, check the eastern wall for a secret passageway to… Magic Pantry [DTMP] This is sort of a “rest stop” or “check point” in the dungeon. Everyone gets +1 IP and chefs can find rare ingredients. It’s a bit of a schlep to get here if you chose the western route through the dungeon, but definitely worth it! Observation Deck [DTOD] Some more jumping puzzles, one of which has a kind of brutal timer. But there’s potentially a really interesting cutscene with BIG implications here. I’ll leave you to see if you can figure it out. Flaming Tunnel Tunnel [DTFT] Trying to pass through this place without having at LEAST fire resistance on your whole party is extremely risky. I haven’t figured out how to get through here without taking any damage, so I much prefer going through the Observation Deck to get to the final part of the dungeon. BUT you can get access to the Squire Armory through here. Squire Armory [DTSA] There is a real tough physical enemy type in here (I’ll post the stats on them later), and it shouldn’t be too hard—at least if you’re not facing it alone. But make sure to heal up before you come in, and be extra careful about dragging in mobs from elsewhere in the dungeon. Make sure to poke around this place for some gear upgrades for your melee damage dealers! Shimmering Ruins [DTSR] You’ll find out first hand what the “shimmering” in this room is via a cutscene when you first enter it. My advice is that if you don’t have someone with very high Insight or some Tinker abilities, do not try to interact with the objects. Eternal Flame [DTEF] This is technically the end of the dungeon (though you can obviously still explore if you want to). I won’t get too deep into spoilers, but there’s a cutscene that will play when you get here, AND (thanks to DragonFang86 on the forum) we know that if you rush to the end quickly, you can actually get an early encounter with one of the villains that’s all over all the ads for the game! I bet you could even fight her, if you move fast enough, but no one’s done it yet. Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social) FeaturingAli Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Art Martinez-Tebbel (amtebbel.bsky.social), Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social), and Andrew Lee Swan (swandre3000.bsky.social) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.  

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• Perpetua 02: The Shadow of the Dragon Tower Pt. 2

  The crew of the Little Snail, traveling food truck and makeshift HQ for this band of equally makeshift adventurers, has agreed to escort a young priestess named Veile to a mysterious destination. Within days, they met their first obstacle: a group of mischievous Fleggs who’ve vandalized the Little Snail and sabotaged the way forward… This week on Perpetua: The Shadow of the Dragon Tower Pt. 02 Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.01] NPCs & Monsters [PNMS] Flegg [NMFL] Typical Traits: Mischievous, Anxious, Clever, Family Oriented Stats: DEX 8, INS 8, MIG 8, WLP 8 Attacks: Flegg Strike, Infuriate, Flegg Blast Special Abilities: Final Act: Stoneshell In-Game Description: A living egg. It comes up to your shins. It has a beak!? These guys must be a little different than they were in the demo, because they definitely didn’t have the ability to turn into a stone when you killed them in Prelude. I wonder if something happened to them between the game or if the designers just rebalanced them? Anyway, they’re a basic enemy type, pretty good for grinding, but don’t underestimate how they can overwhelm you in a group. Starter Tip: Even though they’re “monsters” you can actually try to use Persuasion on them! Vinnor Jekk (he/him) [NMVJ] Traits: Devoted, Optimistic, Pedantic, Arrogant Stats: ??? Attacks: ??? Spells: ??? In-Game Description: Solivigant of the Way of Fearless Truth who seeks to enact a world-saving prophecy. I can’t tell what I think about this guy. Either he’s going to betray the party and become a mid-game boss or he’s just one of those guys you hate to talk to even though he’s technically right about everything. No clue about stats/attacks/spells (because let’s be real, this guy DEFINITELY has spells). Starter Tip: Depending on your dialog choices you can get a chance to snoop through his stuff to get more lore.  Chelik, Awakened Dragon Watcher (she/her) [NMCH] Traits: Wise, Focused, Out-of-Her-Time, Melancholy Stats: DEX 6, INS 10, MIG 6, WLP 10 Attacks: Elemental Charge  Spells: Ice Beam, Flame Breath In-Game Description: Recently revived scryer of the Dragon Watchers. I can’t stress this enough: Chelik is an optional boss. Unless you have done a bunch of grinding, she’s probably out of your range when you first meet her. Yes, you can get some really decent gear if you manage to knock her out, but I think it’s probably worth trying to avoid the fight all together (or else use the Persuade command to try to escape it). Starter Tip: If she’s using Elemental Charge, that means she’s low on MP and you can probably push the advantage a little!   Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social) FeaturingAli Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Art Martinez-Tebbel (amtebbel.bsky.social), Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social), and Andrew Lee Swan (swandre3000.bsky.social) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

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  2:29:50
• Perpetua 01: The Shadow of the Dragon Tower Pt. 1

  Bastion Blaque, battle-hardened ranger and erstwhile captain of the Sonnerian royal guard. Canary Shye, Placid Guardian and master of the Cyclic Hand School of Combat. Quarter Tomm, high arcanist of the hundred burroughs and virtuoso conductor of the elements.Powerful alone, together they were the famed adventurers known as the IRON TRIGON. Which is why, Vinnor Jekk, heterodox cleric of the Way of Fearless Truth hired them when he needed protection for his would-be-protege, the girl of prophecy. Setting out from Verus, capital of the Holy Protectorate, they eschewed train and carriage, traveling surreptitiously across the savannah, hidden in mountains’ shadow, towards the seaside village of Salann where their wide-eyed charge awaited  And as they learned, with ward in tow, she was not alone in awaiting them. Just halfway to their destination, in moonbright night, AMBUSH. Exhaustion. Blinding light. Confusion. Blades unsheathing. The sound of shouting. Magic unfettered. A poisonous air. The cry of death. Was it simple luck or evidence of the prophecy that the young novice they were sheltering escaped that night? That she stumbled forward, alive, into the warm dark. That her protectors had not failed her, in the end, and that she moved now towards new bodyguards, unlikely bodyguards. Not quite heroes, but fellow travelers, if from worlds so unlike her own.  And with death behind her, and rendezvous with a fated future ahead, she wondered if that wasn’t better, maybe? To spend some time not with champions of virtue or mythic figures, but with regular Perpetuans just like her.  This week on Perpetua: The Shadow of the Dragon Tower Pt. 1 Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.01] Hey everyone, we made it to release! Welcome to this new FAQ for Perpetua. Because the site’s system is Biased towards walkthroughs that are A) oldest B) most updated, I’m releasing this guide on day 1 even though it’s pretty slim right now! And unlike some other FAQ writers, I’m not just copying whatever they say in the “official guide.” So that means you can actually TRUST what’s here. Anyway, on to the good stuff! Playable Characters - Western Scenario [PPCW] Elena Millefiori (she/her) [EMPC] Identity: Megadungeon Hostess Theme: Tourism Origin: Passika Megadungeon Rillspur Classes: Chanter, Spiritualist, Elementalist Stats: DEX 6, INS 10, MIG 6, WLP 10 The Prelude did NOT make me think that the Passikan dungeons had "hostesses" but whatever! Elena is the western party's de facto combat mage. Don't be fooled by her looks, she's one of the hardest hitting members in the party for SURE. Yes, she has those bard-like chants, and those are cool, but let me tell you, her elementalism spells pack a punch. Starter Tip: Her BARRIER spell is essential in the early game before you start to get better armor. Always keep it up! Jonathan (he/him) [JNPC] Identity: An elderly Terrapine gear-head Theme: Curiosity Origin: Clay Ridge Classes: Tinkerer, Loremaster Stats: DEX 8, INS 10, MIG 6, WLP 8 Remember this guy from Prelude!? Everyone was debating whether any of the demo characters were gonna show up in the full game, and basically NO ONE thought about the weird turtle man. But here he is! He's a "gear head," which means he can make magical gadgets and devices. Yes that means to use him right, you really have to learn how to craft and how to manage your IP. BUT if you do, it really pays off.  Starter Tip: Jonathan is MORE THAN JUST HIS MAGICANNON. Yes it's powerful. But his Magispheres are great too. Remember to use Acceleration! "Uncle Nicky" Nikolas "Niko Da Shark" Dashiell (he/him) [UNPC] Identity: Redeemed Scoundrel Chef Theme: Anger Origin: Sonnerean Classes: Dark Blade, Gourmet Stats: Dex 10, INS 8, MIG 8, WLP 6 I have to say I did NOT expect this guy’s backstory (mobster turned traveling chef? Cool!)! I also really didn’t expect how much his unique cooking mechanics change every layer of the game. Unlike in the East scenario, traveling with this group always has a benefit because you’re constantly finding new ingredients. He’s also definitely the best physical damage dealer this party has. Plus, the way he gets furious in combat is hilarious.  Starter tip: Give him the best armor you can, because even though he isn’t a tank, a lot of his abilities are based on getting hit. Veile Lynndel (she/her) [VLPC] Identity: Chosen Priestess Theme: Duty Origin: Pastoral Chapel of Salann Classes: Orator, Entropist Stats: DEX 6, INS 10, MIG 6, WLP 10 I guess I can’t say for sure, but this “girl of prophecy” is definitely one of those high potential characters who will get way, way better as you level her up. That doesn’t mean her starting skill set is weak, it’s just that she’s very support focused in the early game. Interestingly: She has the same starting stats as Elena—and I think it’s funny that they keep having scenes together where they’re sort of compared/contrasted. Starter tip: The ability Lucky 7 is BROKEN. Don’t forget that if you have a low number “saved” in your Lucky slot, you can use it on a great roll just to cycle it out and put something better in!   Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social) Featuring Janine Hawkins (bleatingheart.bsky.social) Sylvi Bullet (sylvibullet.bsky.social), Ali Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Art Martinez-Tebbel (amtebbel.bsky.social), Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social), Keith J Carberry (keithjcarberry.contentburger.biz) and Andrew Lee Swan (swandre3000.bsky.social) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.  

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  2:35:08
• Perpetua 00 - Character Select

  The gale of history rattles across vast Perpetua today. Skyfairing armadas glide towards battle on warm winds. Lines of succession are cynically drawn in breezy, courtly halls, while an ill, stagnant air settles onto once vibrant arcanic academies. It is the year 401 BE, just over four centuries BEFORE the END.  But the skies remain blue above Perpetua, and today’s wind also carries new heroes into history’s current. Heroes drawn up from across the wide world, bringing their unique knowledge, skill, experience, curiosity, passion, strength, and spirit with them. Heroes who carry the best qualities of their people—and in some  cases, their most desperate hopes! After all, regardless of what the wind carries, it flows in one direction, as it always has, as—it is said—it always will..  Despair. Authority. Hunger. Grief. Violence. Inevitability. Malevolence. Doom It is in the face of these that our heroes yet rise on the air. In fact, it is towards them which they fly, riding Perpetua’s cyclonic winds! Lifting up from Grand Sonnerie, from the Hundred Burroughs, from ancient Rilspur and blustery Bilough, from the simple seaside town of Salaan… and even from the dark underbelly of Calstega Bay. Drawn together by something not yet clear—freedom or fate or intervention into either—but held together by their own bonds, growing ever deeper, even as the clock ticks towards a final confrontation. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

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  2:24:10
• Perpetua Prelude 06

  With the information they need secured, the adventurers sent by the Hundred Burroughs begin to gather together and make their final survey of Perpetua’s western continent before returning east. But some of the most dangerous creatures (and people) are yet to be discovered.  This week on Friends at the Table: Perpetua Prelude 06 PERPETUA PRELUDE - GUIDE Random Encounters - [PPRE] If you’ve reached the world map, you know that during travel there’s always a chance of hitting a “Journey Event” (aka a random encounter if you’re using regular words). Most of these are just fights against the enemies tied to that area (go to ‘Enemy Locations [PPEL]’ for more on that), but there’s a low percentage chance that you’ll get either an NPC dialog encounter, a mini-location/dungeon, or a special fight that’s different than the normal enemy ones. We haven’t figured out all of these yet, so make sure to add any you find on the pinned post on the forum! Dog Chase [REDL]: I don’t know why it’s called this given that it isn’t really a dog at all, BUT it is really a chase. If you’re trying to trigger this event, try to stay near the plains or hills, and MAKE SURE your party is led by someone with high Dex so that you have a good shot of succeeding. Hexcloak Interrogation [REHC]: This can happen even before you make it to their secret base. There are a TON of random questions they can ask you, and I’m still working on building a guide for all the answers. The short version is that you should always choose the options that admit that you’re a little bit guilty of something. If you try to plead innocence, it’ll turn into a fight EVEN IF YOU ARE INNOCENT! But if you tell them you’re a little guilty, you can get out of the encounter with just a bribe or even scott free. BTW: Arley cannot trigger this event, maybe because he’s an elf! The Clock Tolls [REGC]: At the end of every week when traveling near Grand Sonnerie, the bell attached to that big clock they have rings, and there’s a random buff or debuff applied to your WHOLE PARTY. You can get various elemental resistances or weaknesses, debuffs like enraged or confused, or even major boons like being fully healed. Be careful though because there’s a really small chance that one of your party members will just die. Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart) Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Art Martinez-Tebbel (@atebbel), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) and Andrew Lee Swan (@swandre3000) Produced by Ali Acampora Music by Jack de Quidt (available on bandcamp) Cover Art by Ben McEntee (https://linktr.ee/benmce.art) With thanks to Amelia Renee, Arthur B., Aster Maragos, Bill Kaszubski, Cassie Jones, Clark, DB, Daniel Laloggia, Diana Crowley, Edwin Adelsberger, Emrys, Greg Cobb, Ian O'Dea, Ian Urbina, Irina A., Jack Shirai, Jake Strang, Katie Diekhaus, Ken George, Konisforce, Kristina Harris Esq, L Tantivy, Lawson Coleman, Mark Conner, Mike & Ruby, Muna A, Nat Knight, Olive Perry, Quinn Pollock, Robert Lasica, Shawn Drape, Shawn Hall, Summer Rose, TeganEden, Thomas Whitney, Voi, chocoube, deepFlaw, fen, & weakmint This episode was made with support from listeners like you! To support us, you can go to friendsatthetable.cash.

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