More Hades 2
May. 17th, 2024 10:41 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
schneefinkI'm having a ton of fun playing Hades II.
Day 6
#34: another run to the surface because I needed more bronze. I fought with Heracles in one room this time, that was fun. Very bad luck with boons and I was surprised I even made it to Polyphemus.
Back at the Crossroads Hecate warned Melinoe not to overextend herself at the cauldron, "lest your fair right hand come to match your left." Huh, so the ghost arm was a magick accident, it seems. She continues "Although perhaps that boy-shade Icarus would fancy you more if that were so. Been gone awhile hasn't he?" And I'm immediately very much looking forward to meeting Icarus, hopefully soon.
#35: Another underworld run because this time I wanted myrtle, with some more assistance by Nemesis, Arachne, and Echo, with a brief detour through Asphodel thanks to Chronos. Arachne mentions that Hecate sometimes says hello to her. I was using the argent skull, almost died to Scylla but then did make it to Cerberus (where I finally found myrtle) thanks to a cool cast build. Iirc I had three different cast boons? Not enough to make it to Cerberus though, even though I managed to upgrade the Arcana so I have two Death Defiances now.
I did the empath incantation and can now see which gifts to offer people, very helpful. I definitely want to unlock the fishing pier now so I can fish together with Nemesis, means I have to make it past Polyphemus, ugh.
#36: Another underworld run with the sister blades. I started upgrading the Aspects of Melinoe on some of the weapons and suddenly I'm short on silver… I met Artemis and she affirmed that she considers Melinoe her sister (though technically she says "We may not be sisters by blood, but… you'll always be Sister Melinoe to me" which could also mean sisterhood as in their organization but I'm sure that's what she meant.) Another very narrow victory over Scylla, almost died because I got impatient, and then I died in the Phantom's Lair.
I invited Dora to the hot springs with me :) That was nice.
Day 7
#37: another underworld run with Descura, looking for silver this time. Hermes asked me to say hey to Charon because "we've not collaborated much as before, what with everything of late. I miss those times!" Last time I met Nemesis she went through a Chaos portal, this time Chaos confirmed Nemesis is allowed with them. I met Nemesis in the Fields this time. Beat Cerberus again and made it to Tartarus, and I met Hades this time! (Unfortunately I was spoiled for that, but not for Cerberus being there as well, aww.) Melinoe met her father for the first time as an adult, and Hades found out his daughter is still alive (or maybe he did know, not sure what Chronos has been telling him to torment him.)
A slight improvement fighting Chronos thanks to a good Hestia special.
#38: underworld run with the axe, didn't go well at all thanks to among other things an unfortunately chosen Chaos boon, but at least I made it to Scylla. An interesting moment was Zeus saying that mortals want another Golden Age under Chronos because there was no war or strife, but "no advancement or society, either. The path of progress isn't paved!" And Chaos saying that they still have the nectar Zagreus gave them.
#39: Overworld run with Descura for resources, and this time I met Medea in Ephyra, nice. She and Mel clearly know each other, I wonder how that happened, I assume Medea visits the Crossroads sometimes, since she's a witch too? She doesn't seem to be a shade; I'm not going to look up Greek mythology timelines. I also met Heracles again, he's starting to respect Mel and that's nice. I finally beat Polyphemus! The ships are cool. I even beat Charybdis, though only barely, and that's only a miniboss… At least I got some iron and driftwood out of it but I still need plenty more.
Back at the Crossroads Mel apologized to Nem for making her uncomfortable with the nectar. "It's just, I've always looked up to you, and… I'm doing the best I can."
Day 8
#40: I finally met Icarus! I expected to meet him in the Underworld, not on a ship :D He really wants to help in the fight. Aww, he calls her Meli. Clearly they know each other quite well.
Thanks to Icarus' invention I even made it to the beach, where I met Eris. (I'm sad I was spoiled for her being a boss. It's so annoying when a post says "area 1 spoilers" in the title and then there's area 2 spoilers in the comments. Yes yes I know I should just stay away from spoilers altogether but as soon as I discover something I want to see what others had to say about it…) Eris speaking plain: "You're boring. I don't like you. And you don't get to order me around…!" I predictably lost to Eris, I was already very low on health.
Back at the Crossroads Mel called Eris a traitor, Eris protested that she never said she was on their side. Mel and Hecate both regret that Hecate promised Nyx her children would always be welcome. Nemesis asks if Mel is surprised and if she'll give Eris yet another chance. The Fates' Book of Shadows says Mel is drawn to Eris like a moth to flame and Eris would welcome a gift of nectar, hmm ^^
I can now upgrade my gathering tools! …as soon as I have the resources.
#41: Another resource run on the overworld: I beat Polyphemus using the argent skull and Odysseus' keepsake, which Polyphemus recognized as Mel smelling of Nobody, and made it to Eris carrying the spade but didn't find a single mandrake seed, boo. No Icarus either. I did come across the fountain I unlocked though, that was nice, and instead of Charybdis I came across Circe's island. So all the witches do know each other, hm? I made it to Eris' second phase this time but hoo boy does she do damage.
Afterwards Mel asked Hecate about helping Arachne but Hecate said that was a matter between Arachne and Athena.
I've discovered an ally in each of the six biomes now, so probably all of them, and there's four different people occasionally helping out on runs: Artemis, Nemesis, Heracles, and Icarus. The helpers are great and very intriguing, and of the allies my current favorites are Hades and Arachne but I look forward to getting to know Narcissus, Echo, Medea, and Circe better too.
Day 9
#42: Another overworld run, and I finally found mandrake seeds. Found Medea again, apparently Mel learned several curses from her. Avoided Charybdis again, died to Eris.
I started using Charon's keepsake with the thought that more money -> more purchases -> more chances to get Charon's loyalty cards -> more moon dust/other resources.
#43: Underworld again, with the skull again, I'm starting to quite like it. Made it to Chronos and did decent damage in his first phase. I met Arachne, Narcissus, Echo, and even Hades again, and after dying Mel dreamed of Hades: Hades asking Hecate to take Mel (so at least he had good reasons to expect her to be alive!), then finding Nyx and then all the others encased in stasis (an endless moment) and Chronos sitting on his throne. Hades already knows he's lost and he's trying hard to be polite. Chronos asks where the Fates are, uh-oh.. (It felt weird to play as Hades ^^ )
Then on the fated list appears a plea by the three Fates for Melinoe to help them. Uh-oh.
I wish there was a way to pause godhood gain in god mode. I'm at a little over 50% and this works well for me for now, I'd love to improve like this, but instead I'm gaining more damage resistance with every death, and when I'm at 80% the eventual switch back to "normal" will be hard. (Though actually I don't remember it being that hard in Hades 1, but that was years ago. I think I went from god mode + heat to no god mode and no heat, I should probably do something similar, we'll see.)
Day 10
#44: Overworld run with Descura, and I met Icarus again! (I love that he's called "free spirit.") He was worried Eris was in the area because of something he did; "Never occurred to me she was just following you around, same as ever." (I know I'm not the only one who originally thought the romance options would be Nemesis and Moros, but is now surprisingly invested in Icarus and Eris.) I also got two duo boons, including one from Hestia and Aphrodite. "Come on, hop to it, hot stuff! While you've still got your looks! Not like Aphrodite here is gonna let you hold to them forever. She doesn't care for competition, you can trust me on that." "Sweet Hestia, whatever do you mean? I'll be the first to admit looks aren't everything. Who even needs them? But on the other hand, we're blessed to have someone of such vast wisdom and experience as you here on our side!" – okay admittedly I'm easy but I want a lot more Hestia&Aphrodite now.
Upon seeing Eris again: "These senseless fights with you… I cannot rightly say I appreciate them at all. Though, at least the Moon is beautiful tonight?" xD I beat Eris for the first time after that :)
Eris didn't seem mad at all. She alternately calls Mel Trouble and babe ^^
Back at the Crossroads Nemesis tried to compliment Mel about that, and had to point it out when Mel missed it ^^
#45: Overworld run with the sister blades. I got another duo boon, Aphrodite and Zeus ("Your wise and even-handed uncle… he knows all about spreading the love around!") and met Circe again, who said the island Aiaia can be Mel's companion too. Her boon made Mel smaller and that affected the voice too ^^ Narrowly lost to Eris.
Moros says he can't feel the work of the Fates anymore. Nemesis basically says she never expected a positive outcome.
#46: Underworld run giving the torches another try, but I still don't like them very much, barely made it past Scylla. I took the fishing rod and was hoping I'd get another incantation from Hecate, but nope. Interesting info from Chaos: "I shall hold Chronos to account for what has come to pass. But I am not without blame, myself. For I fear that I made present matters worse. We shall see whether any such mistakes can be corrected." Very intriguing! (I saw people say Chaos' new design looks very similar to Meg, even theories that Chaos might be possessing Meg while growing a new body etc., and I originally didn't think that was likely at all but now, maybe something did happen…)
Afterwards I finally invited Nemesis to go fishing! An unexpected conversation about how Nem is the only one in her family who thinks life's meant to be fair, but not everyone is born on equal footing.
#47: Overworld run with the skull, I didn't meet any ally except Charon but I did beat Eris again, nice. (Haven't seen Charybdis in a while I think.) I can now turn the golden apple into nectar, neat. I'm slowly upgrading my arcana and weapons etc. as well as my damage resistance but I like to think I'm getting better too. It's cute that the tiny shades in the crossroads follow Mel around after she comes back successful.
#48. Another overworld run with the skull, this time I beat Eris only losing one DD the entire run, cool. I met Selene, who said that she cannot see much of worth in Eris at all, harsh. Heracles was surprised Mel got a blessing from Hera, just like that. Hephaestus mentioned Icarus and his self-made wings, calling him "not too bad."
Back at the Crossroads I invited Nemesis to the baths. Some reminiscing about their sparring and competitiveness, Mel tells Nemesis to say if she needs anything, like taking off that armor; Nemesis: or taking it off.
Now that I beat Eris, more than once even, goal-wise it feels like I should focus on the underworld, but the overworld has driftwood, it has Icarus & Eris encounters, and it's also shorter.
Day 11
#49 Underworld run for poppies. I finally got the familiar incantation! I met Hades again; Mel was surprised he was not the one to tell Chronos where the Fates are, and I was surprised Mel thought that he was. Made it to Chronos' second phase!
#50 Overworld run, Chaos gates can appear on the surface now. Met Heracles again: "Our parents sure made a mess for us, didn't they, sister. Born to the mightiest of gods, yet living like outcasts… like bloody animals."and "Have you met our fathers? Sure, we're in the middle of an interminable war, but at least we're far away from them."
Polyphemus is growing on me. Upon learning that the dead are sailing the ships in the harbor, he thinks about teaching them to take on some of his household chores ^^ I also met Icarus again, who's concerned for Meli, and Hermes, who asks M again to look out for the Boatman.
After beating Eris again I had an interesting talk with Nemesis. She pointed out that the mortals did have it better during Chronos' reign, their so-called Golden Age. Mel protests and asks if Chronos being somewhat nice to some mortals makes up for what he did to his sons and foster-children. Nemesis: "No. Look. What if… what if this is what we deserve?" Mmm. Mel protests that they deserve better than living in shadows denied their families and asks if Nemesis doesn't want justice for them. Nem is unconvinced. I love how this shows their different perspectives, Nemesis being older and having spent more time with mortals too, while Mel was basically raised as a child soldier among gods and the only mortals she spent time with are dead. (Except Medea and Circe, maybe? Not sure about them.)
#51 Underworld run, this time with Zorephet in the aspect of Thanatos, i.e. his scythe! Cool. Also the first run with Toula as Mel's familiar. (…she's cute as a fisher but otherwise doesn't seem very helpful.)
Chaos asks if Mel thinks the Fates determine everything, Mel says not every detail. Turns out Chaos is the one who told Chronos where to find the Fates!!, "to verify such choices could be made without their influence." Did not see that coming. Mel says Chaos was deceived for Chronos did not have benign intentions. Chaos said they are unfamiliar with deceit but were misled and are quite displeased about it. Hm.
More mutual flattery with Arachne. I met Artemis again and got thrown into Asphodel again, then met Hades again. He asks if Mel is well, she says it depends on how her task goes; she's been preparing all her life to bring the usurper to justice. Hades apologizes. Made it to Chronos' second phase again, cool.
Back at the crossroads Odysseus is at the tavern. Mel calls him "Od" ^^ and asks if he's sad about Penelope and Telemachus. Odysseus denies that, says he and they are cordial with each other still, but actually he was thinking about the sirens' song. Mel is incredulous ^^
I invited Eris to the hot springs! Eris was surprised she got another invite after "last time," uh-oh ^^ Mel says the bath will release tension, Eris says hopefully Mel doesn't expect this to change her because it won't. Still a nice time though overall.
#52: Another overworld run, this time with Frinos as my familiar. Polyphemus wonders what Mel's beef with Chronos is: "He wants to change stuff up a bit, so what. Life's hard up here. It could be easier." He thinks Mel has too many ideals ^^
I finally met Charybdis again, it's been a while. Beat Eris again, though narrowly this time. I do like that the vanquished screen shows Eris getting dragged down by ghostly hands. "I thought that we were friends?!" says the person who keeps initiating these fights ^^
Back at the crossroads Moros wonders how Nemesis can be sure her decisions about consequences are hers alone, since the Fates have a say as well. Nemesis is not happy about the insinuation that she is "just another mindless puppet our sisters are pushing around" and says "their prophecies are vague because they don't really know what's coming."
Unlocked the aspect of Persephone for the skulls, I look forward to trying that out.
First patch of EA, among other things they improved sprint and made resource gathering easier (picking a tool now only means that the resource will show up more often but you can gather everything you see.) They also adjusted Eris showing up and giving a "blessing" of strife when a player progresses "too fast" - that is a hilarious mechanic btw.
Day 12
#53: Underworld run with the staff, aspect of Momus. It looks cool and the healing is very convenient.
Hestia calls Eris the runt of Nyx' litter, oof. Zeus says Chronos capturing the Three Fates should be seen as an opportunity since what comes to pass isn't their decision anymore. Hades said it takes a small army of Satyrs to drive Cerberus away from Tartarus every time.
Mel to Chronos before the fight: "You don't set the course of history… you're Time. You're just the paving stones we cross along our way. More than getting back at the gods, you're getting back at the Fates, who know your rightful place in all of this." Chronos: "I do, in fact, take issues with the Fates. Though they ought to be none of your concern, or anyone's. Imagine being free to make your own decisions now, only to long or the weight of their yoke upon your back! How pathetic." Then, fight!
My build was heavily Hestia-focused this time, especially the special. I had two fire infusions, even, from Hestia and Apollo; still not sure when they're worth it but this time I assume they were useful. I had Frinos with me, which looked funny in the clock dimension ^^ It took all my DDs and Skelly's Tooth and it was close, but I finally beat Chronos! \o/ Run 53, about 60% damage reduction from god mode, and after 40 hours.
The conversation afterwards was great as well. Chronos says he'll just come back, Mel says she'll show no mercy and just kill him and again and again, and collect the ichor from his veins or whatever flows through them. Chronos threatens her family, Mel says she doesn't care about them because she doesn't even know them. Chronos dissolves and leaves sand behind. Mel goes to explore Zag's room – and that's where Early Access cuts off, for now.
Back at the crossroads Hecate congratulates Mel and tells her to keep studying, i.e. killing, Chronos while they work on how to make him go away permanently. Nem thinks Mel has come to gloat. Odysseus is happy about the win.
(With Eris Mel had a talk about her family, Eris saying she doesn't want to see Nyx or Thanatos again because they're even more stuck-up than Mel. Nyx always wanted things her way.) I also invited the historian and archivist to the crossroads so now I see stats about my runs. The stats about weapons etc. currently don't differentiate between overworld and underworld clears, which I can see making sense in the finished game but right now with the overworld only being two biomes feels a bit unbalanced. Ah well. And I unlocked the oaths of the unseen, this game's version of the heat system in which you swear different vows and you raise fear, and as a reward you get "nightmare" as a resource which you can use to level up your weapons. And there might be specific challenges? Haven't tried it out yet.
That was cool! I wanted to do another run immediately but I told myself that I finally need to clean up my notes and post them. Not much cleaning up tbh but ah well, this is mostly for my memory anyway.
Btw I found a list of how characters refer to Melinoe.
Now I can play juuust a little bit more today, just one more run...
(also one of these days I will get a Hades2 icon.)
Day 6
#34: another run to the surface because I needed more bronze. I fought with Heracles in one room this time, that was fun. Very bad luck with boons and I was surprised I even made it to Polyphemus.
Back at the Crossroads Hecate warned Melinoe not to overextend herself at the cauldron, "lest your fair right hand come to match your left." Huh, so the ghost arm was a magick accident, it seems. She continues "Although perhaps that boy-shade Icarus would fancy you more if that were so. Been gone awhile hasn't he?" And I'm immediately very much looking forward to meeting Icarus, hopefully soon.
#35: Another underworld run because this time I wanted myrtle, with some more assistance by Nemesis, Arachne, and Echo, with a brief detour through Asphodel thanks to Chronos. Arachne mentions that Hecate sometimes says hello to her. I was using the argent skull, almost died to Scylla but then did make it to Cerberus (where I finally found myrtle) thanks to a cool cast build. Iirc I had three different cast boons? Not enough to make it to Cerberus though, even though I managed to upgrade the Arcana so I have two Death Defiances now.
I did the empath incantation and can now see which gifts to offer people, very helpful. I definitely want to unlock the fishing pier now so I can fish together with Nemesis, means I have to make it past Polyphemus, ugh.
#36: Another underworld run with the sister blades. I started upgrading the Aspects of Melinoe on some of the weapons and suddenly I'm short on silver… I met Artemis and she affirmed that she considers Melinoe her sister (though technically she says "We may not be sisters by blood, but… you'll always be Sister Melinoe to me" which could also mean sisterhood as in their organization but I'm sure that's what she meant.) Another very narrow victory over Scylla, almost died because I got impatient, and then I died in the Phantom's Lair.
I invited Dora to the hot springs with me :) That was nice.
Day 7
#37: another underworld run with Descura, looking for silver this time. Hermes asked me to say hey to Charon because "we've not collaborated much as before, what with everything of late. I miss those times!" Last time I met Nemesis she went through a Chaos portal, this time Chaos confirmed Nemesis is allowed with them. I met Nemesis in the Fields this time. Beat Cerberus again and made it to Tartarus, and I met Hades this time! (Unfortunately I was spoiled for that, but not for Cerberus being there as well, aww.) Melinoe met her father for the first time as an adult, and Hades found out his daughter is still alive (or maybe he did know, not sure what Chronos has been telling him to torment him.)
A slight improvement fighting Chronos thanks to a good Hestia special.
#38: underworld run with the axe, didn't go well at all thanks to among other things an unfortunately chosen Chaos boon, but at least I made it to Scylla. An interesting moment was Zeus saying that mortals want another Golden Age under Chronos because there was no war or strife, but "no advancement or society, either. The path of progress isn't paved!" And Chaos saying that they still have the nectar Zagreus gave them.
#39: Overworld run with Descura for resources, and this time I met Medea in Ephyra, nice. She and Mel clearly know each other, I wonder how that happened, I assume Medea visits the Crossroads sometimes, since she's a witch too? She doesn't seem to be a shade; I'm not going to look up Greek mythology timelines. I also met Heracles again, he's starting to respect Mel and that's nice. I finally beat Polyphemus! The ships are cool. I even beat Charybdis, though only barely, and that's only a miniboss… At least I got some iron and driftwood out of it but I still need plenty more.
Back at the Crossroads Mel apologized to Nem for making her uncomfortable with the nectar. "It's just, I've always looked up to you, and… I'm doing the best I can."
Day 8
#40: I finally met Icarus! I expected to meet him in the Underworld, not on a ship :D He really wants to help in the fight. Aww, he calls her Meli. Clearly they know each other quite well.
Thanks to Icarus' invention I even made it to the beach, where I met Eris. (I'm sad I was spoiled for her being a boss. It's so annoying when a post says "area 1 spoilers" in the title and then there's area 2 spoilers in the comments. Yes yes I know I should just stay away from spoilers altogether but as soon as I discover something I want to see what others had to say about it…) Eris speaking plain: "You're boring. I don't like you. And you don't get to order me around…!" I predictably lost to Eris, I was already very low on health.
Back at the Crossroads Mel called Eris a traitor, Eris protested that she never said she was on their side. Mel and Hecate both regret that Hecate promised Nyx her children would always be welcome. Nemesis asks if Mel is surprised and if she'll give Eris yet another chance. The Fates' Book of Shadows says Mel is drawn to Eris like a moth to flame and Eris would welcome a gift of nectar, hmm ^^
I can now upgrade my gathering tools! …as soon as I have the resources.
#41: Another resource run on the overworld: I beat Polyphemus using the argent skull and Odysseus' keepsake, which Polyphemus recognized as Mel smelling of Nobody, and made it to Eris carrying the spade but didn't find a single mandrake seed, boo. No Icarus either. I did come across the fountain I unlocked though, that was nice, and instead of Charybdis I came across Circe's island. So all the witches do know each other, hm? I made it to Eris' second phase this time but hoo boy does she do damage.
Afterwards Mel asked Hecate about helping Arachne but Hecate said that was a matter between Arachne and Athena.
I've discovered an ally in each of the six biomes now, so probably all of them, and there's four different people occasionally helping out on runs: Artemis, Nemesis, Heracles, and Icarus. The helpers are great and very intriguing, and of the allies my current favorites are Hades and Arachne but I look forward to getting to know Narcissus, Echo, Medea, and Circe better too.
Day 9
#42: Another overworld run, and I finally found mandrake seeds. Found Medea again, apparently Mel learned several curses from her. Avoided Charybdis again, died to Eris.
I started using Charon's keepsake with the thought that more money -> more purchases -> more chances to get Charon's loyalty cards -> more moon dust/other resources.
#43: Underworld again, with the skull again, I'm starting to quite like it. Made it to Chronos and did decent damage in his first phase. I met Arachne, Narcissus, Echo, and even Hades again, and after dying Mel dreamed of Hades: Hades asking Hecate to take Mel (so at least he had good reasons to expect her to be alive!), then finding Nyx and then all the others encased in stasis (an endless moment) and Chronos sitting on his throne. Hades already knows he's lost and he's trying hard to be polite. Chronos asks where the Fates are, uh-oh.. (It felt weird to play as Hades ^^ )
Then on the fated list appears a plea by the three Fates for Melinoe to help them. Uh-oh.
I wish there was a way to pause godhood gain in god mode. I'm at a little over 50% and this works well for me for now, I'd love to improve like this, but instead I'm gaining more damage resistance with every death, and when I'm at 80% the eventual switch back to "normal" will be hard. (Though actually I don't remember it being that hard in Hades 1, but that was years ago. I think I went from god mode + heat to no god mode and no heat, I should probably do something similar, we'll see.)
Day 10
#44: Overworld run with Descura, and I met Icarus again! (I love that he's called "free spirit.") He was worried Eris was in the area because of something he did; "Never occurred to me she was just following you around, same as ever." (I know I'm not the only one who originally thought the romance options would be Nemesis and Moros, but is now surprisingly invested in Icarus and Eris.) I also got two duo boons, including one from Hestia and Aphrodite. "Come on, hop to it, hot stuff! While you've still got your looks! Not like Aphrodite here is gonna let you hold to them forever. She doesn't care for competition, you can trust me on that." "Sweet Hestia, whatever do you mean? I'll be the first to admit looks aren't everything. Who even needs them? But on the other hand, we're blessed to have someone of such vast wisdom and experience as you here on our side!" – okay admittedly I'm easy but I want a lot more Hestia&Aphrodite now.
Upon seeing Eris again: "These senseless fights with you… I cannot rightly say I appreciate them at all. Though, at least the Moon is beautiful tonight?" xD I beat Eris for the first time after that :)
Eris didn't seem mad at all. She alternately calls Mel Trouble and babe ^^
Back at the Crossroads Nemesis tried to compliment Mel about that, and had to point it out when Mel missed it ^^
#45: Overworld run with the sister blades. I got another duo boon, Aphrodite and Zeus ("Your wise and even-handed uncle… he knows all about spreading the love around!") and met Circe again, who said the island Aiaia can be Mel's companion too. Her boon made Mel smaller and that affected the voice too ^^ Narrowly lost to Eris.
Moros says he can't feel the work of the Fates anymore. Nemesis basically says she never expected a positive outcome.
#46: Underworld run giving the torches another try, but I still don't like them very much, barely made it past Scylla. I took the fishing rod and was hoping I'd get another incantation from Hecate, but nope. Interesting info from Chaos: "I shall hold Chronos to account for what has come to pass. But I am not without blame, myself. For I fear that I made present matters worse. We shall see whether any such mistakes can be corrected." Very intriguing! (I saw people say Chaos' new design looks very similar to Meg, even theories that Chaos might be possessing Meg while growing a new body etc., and I originally didn't think that was likely at all but now, maybe something did happen…)
Afterwards I finally invited Nemesis to go fishing! An unexpected conversation about how Nem is the only one in her family who thinks life's meant to be fair, but not everyone is born on equal footing.
#47: Overworld run with the skull, I didn't meet any ally except Charon but I did beat Eris again, nice. (Haven't seen Charybdis in a while I think.) I can now turn the golden apple into nectar, neat. I'm slowly upgrading my arcana and weapons etc. as well as my damage resistance but I like to think I'm getting better too. It's cute that the tiny shades in the crossroads follow Mel around after she comes back successful.
#48. Another overworld run with the skull, this time I beat Eris only losing one DD the entire run, cool. I met Selene, who said that she cannot see much of worth in Eris at all, harsh. Heracles was surprised Mel got a blessing from Hera, just like that. Hephaestus mentioned Icarus and his self-made wings, calling him "not too bad."
Back at the Crossroads I invited Nemesis to the baths. Some reminiscing about their sparring and competitiveness, Mel tells Nemesis to say if she needs anything, like taking off that armor; Nemesis: or taking it off.
Now that I beat Eris, more than once even, goal-wise it feels like I should focus on the underworld, but the overworld has driftwood, it has Icarus & Eris encounters, and it's also shorter.
Day 11
#49 Underworld run for poppies. I finally got the familiar incantation! I met Hades again; Mel was surprised he was not the one to tell Chronos where the Fates are, and I was surprised Mel thought that he was. Made it to Chronos' second phase!
#50 Overworld run, Chaos gates can appear on the surface now. Met Heracles again: "Our parents sure made a mess for us, didn't they, sister. Born to the mightiest of gods, yet living like outcasts… like bloody animals."and "Have you met our fathers? Sure, we're in the middle of an interminable war, but at least we're far away from them."
Polyphemus is growing on me. Upon learning that the dead are sailing the ships in the harbor, he thinks about teaching them to take on some of his household chores ^^ I also met Icarus again, who's concerned for Meli, and Hermes, who asks M again to look out for the Boatman.
After beating Eris again I had an interesting talk with Nemesis. She pointed out that the mortals did have it better during Chronos' reign, their so-called Golden Age. Mel protests and asks if Chronos being somewhat nice to some mortals makes up for what he did to his sons and foster-children. Nemesis: "No. Look. What if… what if this is what we deserve?" Mmm. Mel protests that they deserve better than living in shadows denied their families and asks if Nemesis doesn't want justice for them. Nem is unconvinced. I love how this shows their different perspectives, Nemesis being older and having spent more time with mortals too, while Mel was basically raised as a child soldier among gods and the only mortals she spent time with are dead. (Except Medea and Circe, maybe? Not sure about them.)
#51 Underworld run, this time with Zorephet in the aspect of Thanatos, i.e. his scythe! Cool. Also the first run with Toula as Mel's familiar. (…she's cute as a fisher but otherwise doesn't seem very helpful.)
Chaos asks if Mel thinks the Fates determine everything, Mel says not every detail. Turns out Chaos is the one who told Chronos where to find the Fates!!, "to verify such choices could be made without their influence." Did not see that coming. Mel says Chaos was deceived for Chronos did not have benign intentions. Chaos said they are unfamiliar with deceit but were misled and are quite displeased about it. Hm.
More mutual flattery with Arachne. I met Artemis again and got thrown into Asphodel again, then met Hades again. He asks if Mel is well, she says it depends on how her task goes; she's been preparing all her life to bring the usurper to justice. Hades apologizes. Made it to Chronos' second phase again, cool.
Back at the crossroads Odysseus is at the tavern. Mel calls him "Od" ^^ and asks if he's sad about Penelope and Telemachus. Odysseus denies that, says he and they are cordial with each other still, but actually he was thinking about the sirens' song. Mel is incredulous ^^
I invited Eris to the hot springs! Eris was surprised she got another invite after "last time," uh-oh ^^ Mel says the bath will release tension, Eris says hopefully Mel doesn't expect this to change her because it won't. Still a nice time though overall.
#52: Another overworld run, this time with Frinos as my familiar. Polyphemus wonders what Mel's beef with Chronos is: "He wants to change stuff up a bit, so what. Life's hard up here. It could be easier." He thinks Mel has too many ideals ^^
I finally met Charybdis again, it's been a while. Beat Eris again, though narrowly this time. I do like that the vanquished screen shows Eris getting dragged down by ghostly hands. "I thought that we were friends?!" says the person who keeps initiating these fights ^^
Back at the crossroads Moros wonders how Nemesis can be sure her decisions about consequences are hers alone, since the Fates have a say as well. Nemesis is not happy about the insinuation that she is "just another mindless puppet our sisters are pushing around" and says "their prophecies are vague because they don't really know what's coming."
Unlocked the aspect of Persephone for the skulls, I look forward to trying that out.
First patch of EA, among other things they improved sprint and made resource gathering easier (picking a tool now only means that the resource will show up more often but you can gather everything you see.) They also adjusted Eris showing up and giving a "blessing" of strife when a player progresses "too fast" - that is a hilarious mechanic btw.
Day 12
#53: Underworld run with the staff, aspect of Momus. It looks cool and the healing is very convenient.
Hestia calls Eris the runt of Nyx' litter, oof. Zeus says Chronos capturing the Three Fates should be seen as an opportunity since what comes to pass isn't their decision anymore. Hades said it takes a small army of Satyrs to drive Cerberus away from Tartarus every time.
Mel to Chronos before the fight: "You don't set the course of history… you're Time. You're just the paving stones we cross along our way. More than getting back at the gods, you're getting back at the Fates, who know your rightful place in all of this." Chronos: "I do, in fact, take issues with the Fates. Though they ought to be none of your concern, or anyone's. Imagine being free to make your own decisions now, only to long or the weight of their yoke upon your back! How pathetic." Then, fight!
My build was heavily Hestia-focused this time, especially the special. I had two fire infusions, even, from Hestia and Apollo; still not sure when they're worth it but this time I assume they were useful. I had Frinos with me, which looked funny in the clock dimension ^^ It took all my DDs and Skelly's Tooth and it was close, but I finally beat Chronos! \o/ Run 53, about 60% damage reduction from god mode, and after 40 hours.
The conversation afterwards was great as well. Chronos says he'll just come back, Mel says she'll show no mercy and just kill him and again and again, and collect the ichor from his veins or whatever flows through them. Chronos threatens her family, Mel says she doesn't care about them because she doesn't even know them. Chronos dissolves and leaves sand behind. Mel goes to explore Zag's room – and that's where Early Access cuts off, for now.
Back at the crossroads Hecate congratulates Mel and tells her to keep studying, i.e. killing, Chronos while they work on how to make him go away permanently. Nem thinks Mel has come to gloat. Odysseus is happy about the win.
(With Eris Mel had a talk about her family, Eris saying she doesn't want to see Nyx or Thanatos again because they're even more stuck-up than Mel. Nyx always wanted things her way.) I also invited the historian and archivist to the crossroads so now I see stats about my runs. The stats about weapons etc. currently don't differentiate between overworld and underworld clears, which I can see making sense in the finished game but right now with the overworld only being two biomes feels a bit unbalanced. Ah well. And I unlocked the oaths of the unseen, this game's version of the heat system in which you swear different vows and you raise fear, and as a reward you get "nightmare" as a resource which you can use to level up your weapons. And there might be specific challenges? Haven't tried it out yet.
That was cool! I wanted to do another run immediately but I told myself that I finally need to clean up my notes and post them. Not much cleaning up tbh but ah well, this is mostly for my memory anyway.
Btw I found a list of how characters refer to Melinoe.
Now I can play juuust a little bit more today, just one more run...
(also one of these days I will get a Hades2 icon.)
