RPGM Liora's Price of Dignity [v0.2.0] [aura-dev]

[wardeityjesus]

Cunning mood triggers if you subsequently clear areas very quickly and are battle actions where Edgar applies a debuff.
Like I keep saying, Edgar offering contracts more often would simply lead to speeding up the game more thus reducing Edgar's chance of winning.

If there is no need to rely on Edgar outside of him paying for negotiations, not even to get gold from him for affording infusion and training, then the issue is purely on the Normal difficulty level.

EDIT: Edgar will also offer extra negotiations of you were defeated on a previous day or if you accept the drinking clause at a date.

How is Edgar expected to win if he’s not offering contracts to increase Lioras arousal? Him not offering contracts more frequently is actually a problem, because it means you can easily micromanage his contracts to get the ones you specifically want and mitigate his attempts to delay you.

I actually figured out why he never does cunning actions, it’s because on the weekly date (the first contract I always pick ok day 7 after having 0 contracts) he often offer a “on turn protect” clause, with a few offered contracts you can easily loop him into doing nothing but face tanking his way through fights, him never doing a cunning action, either because the fights over in 2-3 turns or he is downed before he can do any

the last time I beat the hellhound I ended with maybe about 15-20 contracts on day 45, most of which were things that basically have 0 impact like “wearing clothes on a date” and the mostly cosmetic mental change ones. Ideally if there’s going to be so many cosmetic contracts they should at least be proposed as frequently as possible, otherwise I can easily see it being possible to get to day 100+ with at most giving Edgar a few handjobs, which is way too slow burn for the system.

 

[aura-dev]

How is Edgar expected to win if he’s not offering contracts to increase Lioras arousal? Him not offering contracts more frequently is actually a problem, because it means you can easily micromanage his contracts to get the ones you specifically want and mitigate his attempts to delay you.

You can always approach him with a negotiaton.

 

[wardeityjesus]

You can always approach him with a negotiaton.

This is the fundamental issue in talking about though, there is literally never a situation, except in a full on throwing the game play through, where going out of your way to take a contract with Edgar is ever optimal, at best, you can use a single contract to get thousands of gold from him and cover the week, that’s it, his battle options suck as I’ve mentioned and except for wasting his turns with protect are never useful, and his exploration skills are too expensive to ever be even negotiable. In SKA the mind palace was its own unique section with its own time, Liora does not have one and so if he isn’t offering the contract as a free action there’s almost always something more useful you can be doing, even just going to sleep early and getting a stat buff is more valuable half the time.

There are at least 100 contracts currently in the game, at 0.2, with my guess being 100s of additional contracts in the next patches, unless this game is going to go on for a decade of in game time, you are never going to be able to fully corrupt Liora in a reasonable time without hard throwing the game,which means you either halt the games story to see the sex scenes or stop the sex scenes to progress the story, neither is particularly good.

 

[jrrduude123]

IMO you should play the latest patch before making a hardline assessment of how good/bad making contracts with Edgar is, since he got a pretty significant buff. I also think there are some people who are going to need a harder difficulty to resort to needing contracts. But IMO the contracts are really good, granted the exploration contracts are expensive for what they are. However if you're entering the mindset of Liora (you're on a timer and the faster you go the better) then those contracts make sense for her to sign on paper.

I'm not expecting the balance to be fully polished at 0.2, but the contracts should at least make sense, which I'm glad they do.

 

[wardeityjesus]

I also think there are some people who are going to need a harder difficulty to resort to needing contracts.

My point is it would not matter what difficulty the game was at, contracts would still not be something you would reasonably choose over any other provided option given to you, its a death by a thousand cuts situation.

1. Edgar is weak, poorly statted, lacks any relevant abilities and doesn't scale well, so any combat related contracts that don't center around him facetanking are awful to pick up because they by extension don't scale and Edgar rapidly begins to get 1-2 shot by everything even with his high defence, meaning even his protect ability falls off a cliff and its only purpose is to force him to not use cunning acts.

2. Social contracts range from being completely avoidable via day restrictions, or debilitatingly bad to the point theres no reason to ever accept them (the date after character defeat is basically a walking noob trap that should never be picked up ever), these serve as little more than buffer contracts that are used to pay off decay every week and nothing else.

3. Mental change contracts are initally too low value to be used for anything, but are central to the system in that they have to be picked up to unlock higher cost contract options, Edgar almost never offers them however because of their low values.

4. This leads to an inevitable loop, Edgar won't give arousl increasing contracts as a 3+ day offer due to low value, leading to him repeatedly giving the same useless social contracts which lets you either get all the relevant combat skills (protect every turn so he can facetank a few hits) and then loops to the debilitating "date on character falling in battle" noob trap that you just have to keep refusing endlessly.

5. negotiating Contracts take up the singular late afternoon time slot, you are frequently starved for time in this game, with various activities you can do in the single time slot meaning theres almost alwasy something more valuable than taking one of edgars absolutely useless contracts

6. all of this means theres no reason to directly interact with the system whatsoever unless you are literally forced to via decay, and interacting with the system causes you to just waste time and intentionally debilitate yourself in the process.

SKA avoids this because the corruption system is fairly linear, is its own unique time slot that doesn't affect the other games time slots, and the lower tier effects don't have the same debilitating game effects some of the early liora effects have.

Theres also a much higher incentive to interact with the system due to the corruption you don't spend causing Auras willpower to get debuffed, theres no incentive to interact with lioras system in the same way.

I personally would incentivize interacting with the system by either making Edgar far more powerful early on then he currently is, or making the initial mental change contracts he offers linear power boosts specifically for him, and make him continously offer them every mourning as a free action ,this is initially seems like a good deal,but remember, when he kills enemies he takes gold/items from them, which forces you to either make contracts to get these items back, or results in him gaining even more power and scaling out of control, taking everything from you and forcing even harsher contracts.

Add a condition that he won't use his out of control stats to target the dungeon boss without super expensive contracts ,and bam, you've given an incentive that leads to Edgar being able to "win" the game without forcing the game into a grinding halt, as the game now becomes a balancing act between making smart contracts to keep progressing while keeping Edgars power level under control.

 

[SQQQ123]

this game is looking really good. but... 2027... wow....

 

[Knight6797]

this game is looking really good. but... 2027... wow....

That is honestly not even a long development time. 2-3 years is what I see alot of games with a decent scale take on here. It just seems like a lot when you hear a date.

 

[Morsin]

his battle options suck as I’ve mentioned and except for wasting his turns with protect are never useful

except he can ask for masturbation or a blowjob for each time he protects her so this is actually one of the best contracts

I would like to thank the dev for extending the demo days! really been enjoyable since that!

 

[aura-dev]

Ariadne character art.

 

[Eet_Fuk]

View attachment 5439222
Ariadne character art.

Couldn't really get into your previous game, but will definitely try this in a not so distant future

 

[wowdank2]

Hey everyone, big fan of the game. Did some studies and fanart. Keep up the good work guys. Very excited for new updates. Thought about making Liora wear the SKA outfit and then some personal wishes of a bunny outfit.

 

[SQQQ123]

View attachment 5439222
Ariadne character art.

wow.... the dev is posting their stuff here? impressed.
thanks for dropping by. love your work.
my 2 cent feedback about Star Knightess Aura is sometimes the quest lines can be a bit hard to follow. if the game comes with some kind of tree map to help the player conceptualize where the quests are headed. or have a fortune teller or some kind of mechanic that can help the player progress the main quest would be nice.

or an encyclopedia that help the player understand some key game mechanics or useful game tips would be nice too.

i've played Star Knightess like twice, which is a great game, and still found it hard to follow or understand sometimes. nonetheless, the story telling was really good. and H content was woven into the game seamlessly.

the quality of the game production is very evident.

 

[kinglionheart]

wow.... the dev is posting their stuff here? impressed.
thanks for dropping by. love your work.
my 2 cent feedback about Star Knightess Aura is sometimes the quest lines can be a bit hard to follow. if the game comes with some kind of tree map to help the player conceptualize where the quests are headed. or have a fortune teller or some kind of mechanic that can help the player progress the main quest would be nice.

or an encyclopedia that help the player understand some key game mechanics or useful game tips would be nice too.

i've played Star Knightess like twice, which is a great game, and still found it hard to follow or understand sometimes. nonetheless, the story telling was really good. and H content was woven into the game seamlessly.

the quality of the game production is very evident.

Why are posting about Star Knightess Aura here instead of that game's thread?

 

[boringapocalypse]

Good to see people passionate about the balance, but this is a 0.2 build... its gonna change a lot no matter what.

I agree that the exploration contracts are of questionable value, seeing as your party has a shared health pool in a sense, getting Edward to drain an equal amount of his own (which is MORE valuable than the others health due to his good starting defenses and protect skill) is just not worth it. Maybe if he had the ability to not lose health harvesting somehow?

Also, it is ok for the game to have noob traps and crappy or misleading deals. In fact, I will be disappointed if there aren't any. Dealing with unexpected consequences of a poorly worded agreement is a part of the game's appeal I think.

 

[NymphoRose]

Good to see people passionate about the balance, but this is a 0.2 build... its gonna change a lot no matter what.

I agree that the exploration contracts are of questionable value, seeing as your party has a shared health pool in a sense, getting Edward to drain an equal amount of his own (which is MORE valuable than the others health due to his good starting defenses and protect skill) is just not worth it. Maybe if he had the ability to not lose health harvesting somehow?

Also, it is ok for the game to have noob traps and crappy or misleading deals. In fact, I will be disappointed if there aren't any. Dealing with unexpected consequences of a poorly worded agreement is a part of the game's appeal I think.

I think people forget how many balancing changes SKA had. I haven't really said anything because technically that feedback is probably worth it for the dev but I'd be surprised if it doesn't get changed a ton throughout development.

As for noob traps and crappy/misleading deals. It's a porn game. I'm not expecting much and it will be hard to top SKA's corruption system.

 

[Trihan]

wow.... the dev is posting their stuff here? impressed.
thanks for dropping by. love your work.
my 2 cent feedback about Star Knightess Aura is sometimes the quest lines can be a bit hard to follow. if the game comes with some kind of tree map to help the player conceptualize where the quests are headed. or have a fortune teller or some kind of mechanic that can help the player progress the main quest would be nice.

or an encyclopedia that help the player understand some key game mechanics or useful game tips would be nice too.

i've played Star Knightess like twice, which is a great game, and still found it hard to follow or understand sometimes. nonetheless, the story telling was really good. and H content was woven into the game seamlessly.

the quality of the game production is very evident.

It's funny you should say that. One of the most recent additions was a wiki section in the compendium that explains game mechanics, states, and stores tutorials you've received.

 

[HikkiG]

Gotta say, I really miss Aura and her ability to just punch her way through most problems (not even counting the collar, just her pure brute strength.) Liora is such a noodle arm in comparesement, gym arc when?

Also sorry if I gave bad analytics last night, Aura Dev, was testing some mechanics using Mtool and in retrospect should've turned them off.

 

[wardeityjesus]

Played through the new patch, beat the demonic warhound at day 47, most of my criticism still is mostly the same, the 0% dodge on Edgar doesn't really do much but slow the first 10 days down a bit until you start getting protect contracts.

as an addendum though the contract system is currently flooded with a lot of options that really should be showing up mid to late game (instead of what I assume to be the act 1 the game currently has implemented with the demonic warhound being end of act 1). An example is the "Liora cannot give Rean advantage" which is so debilitating that it either needs to be 5x its value or have a unique affect attached (a lot of high value debilitating contracts going forward would be do much better to have unique rewards tied to them rather than having to calculate the absurd costs some of the more debilitating effects certain ones would have). Not being able to cast advantage on Rean is so debilitating that I don't see any realistic contract Liora can negotate ever being worth it unless it gives a completely unique reward similar to the works for edgar contract giving additional gold on working.

Theres also a real big issue with contracts that are complete noob traps constatly being offered. "Date on character knockout" is an abysmal contract to ever pick up yet seems to be a high priority contract that shows up literally every 1-2 days and just floods the contract system with worthless options that you will never pick unless you are intentionally throwing the game. The contract should either be higher value or there needs to be a higher internal cooldown for specific contracts to appear in the queue after being rejected.

 

[deneg-net]

I played around. I can't tell you how much content has been seen. All the scenes with Edgar are open in the recollection room.

1. The beginning of the game. The first 3-6 days and up to 13. I had to think about it, and it seems that the developers have worked on the balance of the first location. For example, I wanted to kill the first boss as quickly as possible. To do this, I had to contact Edgar every day and ask him to apply "protection" on the first move and "protection" after Rean kills the enemy.

All this led me to new costumes, hairstyle and meeting Edgar. This draws you into the gameplay and it seems that the heroine changes her appearance and time for meetings with Edgar at home and in a restaurant for useful properties that work ONE DAY a week. All the exchanges are in Edgar's favor, but he still helps us and does not take away the reward. I want to emphasize that I did not increase any stats for the heroes or learn new skills and spells.

So, I got closer to Edgar, changed my appearance. The battle took place in such a way that we approach the enemy from behind, rean kills one enemy with a double attack and then Edgar applies protection. In the boss fight on the first turn, Edgar uses protection, Rean kills the plant, and Liora throws a bomb. In the second, Rean kills a plant, Edgar applies protection, and Liora throws a bomb. On the third move, Edgar applies protection, Liora and Rean throw a bomb. Victory. You can go through the first location twice.

Liora is already loosening up, but it doesn't feel like she's fallen. There are battles with monsters and the reputation of the city is growing. Separately, I would like to note that there was no time to study either the "thunder" or "light" spell. Therefore, it is impossible to defeat the ogres on the bridge. I would like to have the spell "light" learned from the start or "thunder". Scorpions are also very difficult to kill without thunder. There is no way to get an "advantage". Also, such leveling allowed you to complete the alchemist's quest in the dungeon and duel.

My heroes' level is fifth here. The level of two locations is the third. Now Rin doesn't have enough damage to kill an enemy with two hits, and I stop going to dungeons. Day thirteen. I really need a spell of light or thunder, maybe water. I just figured in my head that I'd have to get into AFK mode and start learning the skills I just needed from the start. Okay I tried to learn the skills.

And then the game lost everything it had hooked on in the first 13 days. Edgar started to lose his reputation and started offering absurd contracts. If in the beginning I begged Edgard to use protection on my terms every Friday, now Edgar just uses protection every day, every turn. He improved all the suits with "fire protection" for almost free.

On my 13th day, I was thinking about what I should offer Edgar to improve the costume of Rean or Liora, but it turned out to be free on my 20 day, it seems Edgar gave me more gold on top. Here, in general, there was no interest in further studying spells. I stopped feeling that the heroine was having difficulties. Edgar no longer breaks the heroine's will, he just gives her rich gifts. In that case, I would have abandoned Rean myself. Edgar goes from being a scoundrel to just being rich. And the heroine turns from noble to corrupt. Corrupt maiden became fallen.

Spells have become completely boring to study. In seven days, I've barely studied thunder. I just put all the scenes together. So, briefly.

1.For the first thirteen days, my character was just playing a game. I didn't think about learning skills. I had a good time with Edgar and defeated the boss of the first location every Friday. I was preparing to conquer the second dungeon. Liora approached Edgar herself and asked him for help. In general, the noble maiden became fallen.
2. On the 14th day, the game died for me. A very long study of skills. I'm ready to spend one evening on one skill. But one wek for one spell it's just ridiculous.Absurd contracts from Edgar. Rich free gifts.

 

[deneg-net]

And a couple of my thoughts. They are based on the post above. In my leveling, where the first location has been passed twice and an attempt to conquer the next locations is being prepared.

I would like Edgar to seem like a real scoundrel in battle, and not a useless "defender" every turn. At the beginning of the game, it seems to me that I outsmarted Edgar, but then I want to see Edgar's evolution. That's what I mean.

In my early days, Liora traded her appearance and free time for meetings with Edgar. Liora is in the win position only every Friday. Edgar is always in the win.

Because of the absurd defense contracts, Edgar stops being in the win. Now Liora is in the win every day. This is wrong.
First, we need to remove this system, because the loss of reputation forces Edgar to make absurd proposals. If the player starts experiencing difficulties, then Edgar should suggest to Liora that Rean will receive increased protection and provocation on the first move for five turns.

If that's not enough, then Rean will get enhanced mobility and more when liora cum in battle. Each enhancement is one sentence. Not all at once.

How? Throw the whole fight on the shoulders of Liora's boyfriend. We remember that at the first stage, "protection" from Edgar is pleasant, but then he becomes "protection" forever. How do I see this concept in combat?

The first move.
-Rean is a defender with provocation.
-Liora is trying to help with spells.
-Edgar attacks Liora with a kiss or harassment.

The second move.
- Rean is attacking and at the same time he is still a defender
-Liora helps with spells
-Edgar is either still pestering or taking an 18+ pose next to Liora (fleeting images during the fight)

The third move
-Rean attacks and defends
-Liora is immobilized and Edgar makes his move to molest Liora (fleeting pose 18+) Liora is cumming

On the next turn:
-Liora can help Rean with spell
- Edgar casts increased def, power, attacks, and dodges and provocation on Rean.

and so on

Edgar, outside of combat, offers to improve the girl's boyfriend, first only attack, then speed, and so on in exchange for pestering Liora in battle and at home. So our boyfriend becomes the eternal defender who does not die, who leads a real fight, and our girlfriend becomes a fallen one.
In addition to strengthening the girl's boyfriend, there are also contracts for the open world - jumping, collecting things

The concept of improving a boyfriend can be expanded. In the beginning, Rean improves temporarily in combat. And when the useful attributes run out, Edgar can offer Liora to improve any of the guy's characteristics by two units at Liora's choice forever.
Imho.

In the ending, which I invented for myself and which will never happen(probably), our hero defeats the final demon almost alone , but his girlfriend goes off into the sunset with Edgar

I don't want Edgar to do anything for win battle. I want Edgar to be a rich bastard with power and opportunities, but without strength in the physical sense.
Good guys do all the dirty work at the behest of rich people. In the end, medals and coffins await some, and rich people get their benefits.