Friends at the Table

Though the office of the Shining Star stands on the second of Spillaway Peaks' three tiers, on a clear night, its rooftop beacon can be seen from miles away. This, Thelonious, the newspaper's editor-in-chief says, is a recruitment strategy. Those who see the light and travel through the wilderness towards it tend to be inquisitive and adventurous enough to make good freelance reporters. And though they followed the Shining Star's reputation before its shining light, couldn't the same be said of the crew of the Little Snail?
This week on Perpetua: A Picture of the Hills 03
Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.058]
Side Quests[SDQS]
Spillaway Peaks [SPSQ]
Escort the Waylon the Photographer - 300 Asta
Description: It's time for Old Waylon to take the yearly photo of the town. Guard him on his journey up the mountains to the best angle.
Definitely take this quest before leaving town. You're gonna be going up that way to do other side quests anyway, and while Waylon isn't worth a damn in a fight, he also doesn't actually cause you too much trouble as long as you keep up with him!
Terrapin Interest Story - 25 to 425 Asta
Description: The Shining Star is paying for feature stories about the people of Spillaway Peaks. Brainstorm an idea, interview your subjects, write your article, and supplement it with art!
This one is a pain in the butt and it seems really random how much you make from it. Basically, you pick from easy to difficult in each phase of the quest (topic, interview, etc.) and depending on how you do, you get more money. Each of the topics also requires you to go to different places, so like if you do a story on the school play, you have to go to the Clutch area to interview parents and children, where as if you do a story on the port's guards, you need to go down to the water to talk to them. I guess if you really need the Asta, go for it.
Investigate the Livestock Deaths - 400 Asta 
Description: Beula's Giant Oxen have been getting sick, and some have even been dying! This is a problem, since it's almost time to dredge up new Rice Paddies.
Though this looks like a side quest, it's basically mandatory. Unless you were inducted into the Luminaries by Commodore Onyx before leaving Calstega Bay, when you meet with Thelonious, he'll basically put you on a path to do this quest. As such, go read the main Calstega Bay quest section of the FAQ to learn more about this one. 
Kill 17 Frostoads - 100 Asta
Description: N/A
I honestly don't understand why this one is even on this side quest board. Isn't it supposed to be a newspaper? Why would they pay you to kill random toads? There's not even a description on it!
Paper Delivery - 20 Asta
Description: Deliver the Shining Star to all 15 of its readers.
Okay, so, you have to go from the Shining Star to 15 different NPCs spread all across the town. And with a 20 Asta reward, it sounds like a really boring fetch quest that just wastes your time right? Well. I guess I won't say it isn't a time waster. But the important thing is that you can do this once per every Rest action. And because you can stay for free in Jonathan's family's house… that's right. It seems like you can just grind money here indefinitely. I say "seems" because I haven't tested it yet, and there is a chance that just resting repeatedly and not advancing the main plot could have consequences, like it did in Shine-Divine War Armidirge. So be careful, but let me know what happens if you do try to get infinite money here!
Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social)
Featuring Ali 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.

The crew of the Little Snail has come to Spillaway Peaks in search of an ally: Thelonious, the editor-in-chief of the Shining Star newspaper and a member of the mysterious group called the Luminaries. But before they can go, meet Theo, and earn his trust, they first have to do a little shopping…
This week on Perpetua: A Picture of the HIlls 02
Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.058]
Town Maps [TNMP]
Spillaway Peaks [SPMP]
The Shell Barrow
You know that big dome you can see at Spillaway Peaks from the world map? Yeah, this is it. This is where they do their "Weekly Rehearsal," which is like Church Sunday for them. Depending on how things go, you can visit this place at the end of the arc and get a buff. 
The Clutch
This is where Terrapine kids grow up and go to school. You can get a pretty good Jonathan scene if you go here, but that's about it for now.
The Docks and Administrative District
There's not much here, except a way to get back on the Ferry and head back to Calstega Bay
Jonathan's Family Home
This is the only of the Clan Homes you can actually enter, but it's pretty big! It's four or five levels high (depending on how you count) and there are a ton of rooms to explore, random NPCs to talk to, and some loot too! If you do a side quest for Jonathan's dad, he can build you some gear in his workshop!
The Shining Star
The town newspaper. If you're ready to advance the main plot, head up to the second floor of the Shining Star. You'll automatically run into Theolonius (and Jonathan's sister is working there as an intern or something, too). But if you aren't ready yet, you can stay downstairs and use the quest board to grind out some XP and asta!
Shopping District
The highest level of the Spillaway City map (not counting the Spillaway Outskirts, but there you have to load out to the world map before getting there, so I don't count it!) There are three main shops here. A general store, which basically just lets you recover IP and get basic items, and then Abelene's Armory and Stokely's Specialties.
Abelene's Armory
Armor: Reinforced Mud Suit
300 asta | 11 Phys Def / INS size +1 Mdef | -5 Init | Earth Resistant 
Armor: Meditation Robe
1000 asta | Def: DEX die +1 / MDEF: INS die +2 |-2 Init
Whenever you recover Mind Points, you recover 5 extra Mind Points.
Armor: Choir Robe
1000 asta |  Def: DEX size +1 / Mdef: INS size +2 |-2 Init
Counts as 1 bonus SL of "Sound Barrier": After you sing a verse with medium or high volume, all physical damage you suffer until the start of your next turn is reduced by【SL】(applied before Affinities).
Shield: Eyecatching Cape
800 z | +2 Def /+0 Mdef
As long as you don't have a martial armor or another shield equipped, you may apply the effects of the Dodge Skill (see Core Rulebook, page 203). 
Shield: Seasoned Potlid
1500 asta | Martial |+2 Def /+2 MDef 
When you deal damage with a delicacy (see page 151), you deal 5 extra damage.
Shield: Plated Tambourine
1700 asta | +2 Def / +0 Mdef
If you have the Resonance Skill , consider your Skill Level in it increased by 2 (up to a maximum of SL 5).
Weapon: Giant Fork
1000 asta | DEX + MIG | HR + 16 | Martial | Physical Damage | Spear | Two-handed | Melee | 
When you use this weapon with the Knife and Fork Skill, you may add the High Roll to the attack's damage  (you don't have to treat it as being equal to 0).
Weapon: Electrified Flyswatter
1300 asta | MIG + DEX | HR+10 | Bolt Damage | One-handed | Melee
You may attack Flying creatures, but you take -3 to the roll.
Stokely's Specialties
Accessory: Ring of the Occultist - 600 asta
Spells you cast with a target of "Up to three creatures" instead have a target  of "Up to four creatures" (you must still spend additional Mind Points for the fourth target).
Accessory: Spare Magicannon Chamber - 800
When you summon a Magicannon, you also receive an extra Elemental Chamber, matching the previous elemental type you stored. 
Accessory: Ring of Denial 600 asta
When you cast the Dispel spell (Core Rulebook, page 192), its MP cost becomes "10 × T" and its target becomes "Up to three creatures".
Accessory: Lightcatcher Cage - 800 asta
You are Resistant to bolt and light damage. If you enter Crisis, the effect of this accessory ceases until your next rest.
Accessory: Ancient Pocketwatch - 600 Asta
When using the Entropist skill Stolen Time, you may use any of its options one additional time per skill use (paying requisite MP cost as normal).
Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social)
Featuring Ali 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.

On the western continent of Perpetua, four fated adventurers set out on a prophesied journey. 
While to the east, in the Elevana League, a trio of travelers began to investigate a metaphysical sickness. What, if anything, connected these two groups? Who was powerful enough, invested enough, to watch each from above or below—besides you and I?
Perhaps, if not for the impending stress of a familial reunion and the ever present struggle between one's responsibilities to their culture and to themselves, the brilliant, Terrapine inventor Jonathan would find the perspective necessary not simply to answer these questions, but to intuit that they exist at all. Yes, I think that if it were laid out for him, he would see the patterns by now, the etchings and the echoes. 
But we… We have the perspective, the maps, the right roles: Storyteller and listener. And we have the chapters open in front of us: The Shadow of the Dragon Tower. The Flames of Burzin, Journey to the Bay. On Track to Iron Chains. Sizzling Rivalry. Crashing Waves. A Roar Across Cenn. Aquatic Ambush. In Too Deep.
Indeed, those seven adventurers were themselves "in too deep" to know what was about to happen, to sense that there even were other heroes like themselves, whose stories carried a strange and powerful resonance. You will learn soon that they were not the only heroes across Perpetua's many cycles. And perhaps this will be part of a new map you can come to understand in time. A map which will raise a new question: Are these echoes part of a careful, yet uncanny balance in the cosmic play of our lives? Or a poetic rhyming that keeps existence itself aligned? 
This week on Perpetua: 
Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.058]
Some Feedback [Page 29 of 30]
CarlsSr
Hey I have a question: Why does Jonathan's family suck so much @$$?
XxZelgadyskXx
Great question Carl! Nice to see you make a more substantive post! 
I definitely understand why it might seem that some of his family isn't great, but I think they're just frustrated with how long he's been away. Even for a Terrapine, that many decades seems like a long time! It also seems like they're going through a little bit of a family crisis with how his mom is getting older and sicker. Maybe if we saw them in the old days, before he left, they'd be a little more likable!
TheUnforgivenIII
Yeah right, once an asshole, always an asshole. The truth is that Jonatahna is a bad ass who doesn't need his family. They can't make flaming guns out of thin air. They don't have a sick ride. All they do is hold a guy like him back. Plus their music f'ing SUCKS.
Doom_Tree_Anne
Wow Zelgadysk, do you ever do any RP on IRC? Sounds like you'd play a great Jonathan.
XxZelgadyskXx
No comment! But join the server, I'm sure some people would love to talk RP with you. 
Alukard83
I think it's easy to get mad at a video game family that's been written to make you mad. Real family is tougher to deal with, because a lot of times you love the same people who really tick you off. That shit is tough!
CarlsSr
Yeah. 
[Extra words added to reach minimum word count.]
XxZelgadyskXx
Do you think Jonathan's little sister feels the same way about him that you feel about your family, Unforgiven?
TheUnforgivenIII
I didn't say SHIT about my family, asshole. My dad is a kick ass bike mechanic and my mom used to be a rock station DJ. Way cooler than Jonathan's dumbass church family.
TheDiamondRanger
What's your mom do now?
Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social)
Featuring Ali 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.

A sudden confrontation! Having 'sniffed out' a lead, Antistrophe, Brontë, and Caoimhe have dug their way towards the truth. That truth rests in the underground archive of the Hexcloaks' regional headquarters in Cenn, City of Iron Chains. But such a basement does not go unguarded. To arms, Team ABC!
This week on Perpetua: In Too Deep 03 
Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.055]
NPCs & Monsters [PNMS]
Hortensius, Venomous Hexcloak [NMHR]
Traits: Joyful, Experimental, Cruel
Stats: DEX 6, INS 10, MIG 6, WLP 10
Attacks: Toxic Whip, Poison Cloud
Special Abilities: Heal
In-Game Description: A misanthropic hexcloak with a mastery of toxins, venoms, and other poisons.
Hortensius may not seem like the most dangerous of the Cenn Hexcloak Trio, but his mastery of poisons means that he can really wear you down (or set you up for another of the trio to knock you out.) Unsurprisingly, he resists poison damage.
Starter Tip: Poison Cloud can hit everyone, and it always hits. Get ready to use some tonics! 
Maxi, Earthen Hexcloak [NMMX]
Traits: Tough, Direct, Snobbish
Stats: DEX 10, INS 6, MIG 12, WLP 6
Attacks: Stone Maul
Special Abilities: Status Immunity, Stoneshield
In-Game Description: A Hexcloak soldier who combines expertise of earthen enchantment with finely honed martial prowess.
Maxi is proof that sometimes all you need is a big stick. She doesn't have special attacks or active abilities, just a collection of strong defensive passives and a really high Might (which she tends to keep high because of her Status Immunity ability). 
Starter Tip: She resists both earth and, more importantly, physical damage. Spell damage is your best bet here!
Mercurion, Voltaic Hexcloak [NMMR]
Traits: Laconic, Rude, Mercurial
Stats: DEX 10, INS 10, MIG 6, WLP 6
Attacks: Electrified Dagger, Hexipistol, Fulgur
Special Abilities: Flying (Bugged?)
In-Game Description: Impudent in speech. Electric in action.
Mercurion seems to be the leader of the Cenn Hexcloak Trio, and for good reason. They can dish out big damage QUICK with their Fulgur ability (and it also has a low chance of making you dazed). Try to knock them down even quicker, or else Hortensius' heal will make them a real pain in your behind.
Starter Tip: The game says they're flying, and they have a hovering animation, but some people have reported that Mercurion isn't actually flying in their boss fight. So don't worry if it seems broken, it's just a bug!

Castine, Living Metal, has retreated to his chambers to channel his power. An ancient dragon continues to slam at the city's protective dome. Kley Kaina has been dragged away by Commander Thereus Aegir. Something suspicious lurks inside the Hexcloak Headquarters of Cenn, City of Iron Chains. And Antistrophe Landrace, Brontë Adelvys and Caoimhe Wake have pledged to get to the bottom of it… literally.
This week on Perpetua: In Too Deep 02
Perpetua Guide [In Progress v.055]
Dungeon Maps [DNMP]
Cenn Tunnels Map [CTDM]
Honestly, even though there are a few spots where you can get into fights, it's hard to call the Cenn Tunnels a dungeon. But because there's a boss fight at the end, and secrets throughout, I decided to put the maps here. It's important to remember that you can dig anywhere but only the spots I've marked here will lead to anything. Don't waste your time digging into empty hollow areas!
Map 

Map with Solution

S - Starting Point
Whenever you leave from here, all the enemies encounters down here will re-populate. So if you really wanna grind during this section of the game, this is probably the only place to do it. 
1 - Wormking Nest
If you are desperate for XP, you can dig into this hollow in order to fight a wormking (it's like a ratking but for worms). Each time you dig a new passage into this zone, another battle will start. Not worth the time in my opinion, but maybe it's worth it if you're right at the edge of a level!
2 - Buried Dig Site
An old dig site from before Castine's Moon appeared a hundred years ago. There's a few random valuables that you can find here. I got a golden shovel!
3 - Ore Vein
You can get some upgrade materials here. Especially useful if you're trying to upgrade Antistrophe's shields!
4 - Flegg Alcove
Three level-synched fleggs will spawn here as soon as you enter the tunnels at point S. If you take too long, they'll start wandering around and can actually ambush you!
E - Exit
This is where you can start digging your way towards the Hexcloak Headquarter Basement. Make sure you're all healed up and ready for a boss fight!
Hosted by Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social)
Featuring Janine Hawkins (@bleatingheart), Sylvi Bullet (@sylvibullet), and Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry)
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.