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Showing content with the highest faith level on 07/26/2024 in all areas
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My dream comic if I could draw would be Flan going on an adventure with Koishi and Nue to set up a Let's Play channel. Fighting forgotten gods and evil youkai to find the only copy of SSB Melee in Gensokyo.2 points
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Alright, seeing as how Touhou 20 is probably going to be released in 2025 (given the release dates from historical data), I've come up with some various theories and predictions for TH 20 and other releases based on previous games. This will include spoilers as it will talk about previous games and the stories behind them. This is also for fun! So you can take it as is or disregard it as you like as this will include my own supported viewpoints to the series. You guys can also add some predictions for what you think. 1. Touhou 20 | Will Focus On A New Plotline / Develops The Beast Realm Plot Alright, this prediction requires some backstory of the Touhou games, as people who know about Touhou lore know that a lot of the games are interconnected and sometimes reference past incidents and/or plotlines (EX: the current Beast Realm plotline and/or involvement of characters from the last game as seen from 6, 7, and 8, though many games do use past characters who aren't often seen as MCs). Introduction To start off, Touhou 20 is probably going to be a very important entry to the series due to previous games such as Touhou 10 being a new introduction to various characters and also Sanae, who has been a constant in the current Touhou games as a main character, aside from a new plotline given Kanako influencing Touhou 11's main plot. That aside, I feel like ZUN would probably be more inclined to make Touhou 20 a special entry that would either start another incident or continue the Beast Realm plot. New Plotline / Continuation of Beast Realm Plot This prediction is based on the length of previous plotlines and the focus of making Touhou 20 into something newer in the multiple entries. As the title says, Touhou 20 will probably involve a new plotline aside from the beast realm, which will probably be of some importance, but not enough to make the beast realm the main focus of this entry; it can also be put aside for another new incident. The other theory means the continuation of the beast realm plotline given that Touhou 19 UDoALG still has the three leaders kind of agitated against each other for control of Gensokyo, though the data to back this up is pretty low considering Zanmu's UDoALG ending has all three leaders of the beast realm convene and make up with Reimu acting as the peacekeeper, though the beast realm will probably still be of relevancy if brought up again. So to the new plotline I have some generalities that might be expected 1. Eastern thematic: Touhou has constantly focused on using characters from eastern mythologies for different plotlines; the use of western themes for a main game plot hasn't been used since EOSD, which focused on vampires, witches, maids, demons, and fairies. (To which I feel kind of disappointed as some character designs are from western backgrounds and fangames have provided great explorations of how it could be done for the main plot (BDiTB).) 2. 3–4 playable characters or just 2 main characters: This one needs more explanation as many people who have played Touhou know that many of the recent entries do include more than the usual two, though with the current theory "New Plotline," this might be relegated to just Reimu and Marisa with either 2-3 shot types that will lead to different endings. Otherwise, 3–4 playable characters will be the mainstay, given the recent entries which are probably the most likely. 3. *Something more modern*: This prediction is kind of more loose, so you can disregard it more easily, but I'll still talk about it anyway. Seeing as to how Gensokyo is constantly facing off more and more threats that have some theming around modern-day stuff, I feel like Gensokyo might face off with another kind of vague relation to the outside world that isn't entirely another character, but something that incites a new character into another incident. 2. New Touhou Fighting Game It has been about ~6 years since we had a multiplayer Touhou fighting game (disregarding GI and UDoALG as they don't fit what I'm actually talking about; the last one was AOCF in 2017). Studio Tasofro's recent work, GI (Goukyou Ibun), also called on the TH wiki Sunken Fossil World, has been kind of in production hell as it was supposed to release after WBaWC (presumably due to the effect of COVID-19 affecting the production schedule and release date). This wasn't exactly what people most expected from the game, as most people here felt that the gameplay fell short, though the music and art style always hit with people, given that Tasofro is made up of popular producers of doujin games. So maybe within the next year or two, there might be a new Touhou fighting game, as it is 2024, and Tasofro's regular schedule of fighting games might come back. 3. New Side Game Kind of expected given the release timeline, what type of side game is probably going to be dubious as most of the previous side games are either mostly STBs(Shoot The Bullet) and or one of the prominent ones GFW or 100th BM. Though one thing is for certain, it's going to include bullet curtain mechanics as it seems that is the only thing ZUN knows how to program a game around.1 point
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On Magic While the Outside World considers magic the domain of fantasy novels and children's stories, magic is a very real force within Gensokyo. While the simple answer is magic is a product of Human faith much like Youkai, this may be contradicted by magic existing in realms outside of Gensokyo, such as Makai. Magic in Gensokyo comes in many forms, ranging from European alchemy and goetias to Japanese animism and rituals. These spells, despite their numerous differences, are universally produced by a common set of characteristics by the caster. These traits being the Ability of the sorcerer, the Temperament of the sorcerer's soul, the Quality of the reagents used, the Space in which the ritual takes place, the Time at which it is performed, and Luck which may conspire for or against you. Your success at Magic is dependent on your ability to utilize all six aspects of its creation. Finding a tutor in the field of magic is a difficult task. Not for want of possible teachers, but because it will be difficult to persuade a capable magic-user. Witches, Hermits and Monks are seldom cajoled by gifts, or desire money. Someone capable of using magic effectively will usually have all they desire, so convincing one to take you as a student will prove difficult. Learning by grimoires or scrolls is harder still; most magical texts in Gensokyo are written in older forms of Japanese, Chinese, Greek or Latin. These are extremely rare, but can be a way to coerce a magic-user into teaching you their arts. Schools of magic can vary wildly, not just in origin but in practice and components. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The right voice was tantamount in showmanship. You had to know well the voice you needed to hold a silent audience’s attention, or to be heard above a crowd of excited youths. It would not take much for one’s voice to be completely drowned out, or to lack the command needed to calm them. Not that one could tell there was an art to it, as he swept a disappointed young woman’s coins into a bag. “Alas young lady, you have failed in your quest. Return once you have mastered the Arcane, or after your parents give you your allowance.” Her soft green eyes began to tear up, even as the crowd of children pressed in around him. Each pleading to be the next to challenge him. So far, he had a fairly respectable mound of coins, which Agappa was carefully counting. Raising each to her eye as she studied it quizzically. Whatever their value, he just hoped he had enough for a meal soon… “OSU!” The shout was surprising. Not least because the only person in the village he had told his name was Keine. When his eyes went up, he could see a figure waving from a window at the school. But she was entirely unfamiliar. Her hair was black and straight, and she was dressed in a simple kimono. Before he had a chance to look more closely, the figure vanished. Oscar didn’t have to wait long however. A few moments later a side door in the Heida Temple School opened, and the figure from the window raced towards him. Quickly joined by three others he barely had a glance at. The first figure ran across the grounds with breakneck speed, pushing others aside without concern, until she reached the front of the table, slamming her palms upon it. Blue eyes staring at him with a mix of relief and anger under her dark hair. “There you are! We’ve been looking for you everywhere!” Oscar already had a good idea of who this was. But his suspicions were confirmed as her hair rolled forward as though alive. In a moment her face was overcome with concern, hands pulling the long hair back in place, revealing a flash of white-blue bangs underneath her wig. Three other figures stood behind her. Each dressed in simple kimonos they had hurriedly donned. Their more extraordinary features were tucked out of sight. Wriggle wore a mane of curly black hair, while Mystia wore a long light brown one. The only other difference either had was the dark rings under their eyes. Mystia nodded as though echoing her friend’s words. Wriggle crossed her arms irritably. “Don’t you know how worried we were? We were out all night looking for you and Rumi!” “...Ah, well I—wait, you were worried about me?” The cliché was she was supposed to blush and turn away. Perhaps denying it as she did. Instead, both Cirno and Wriggle slammed their hands on the ‘table’ in frustration. The cups slowly sliding off the table as they yelled in unison. “Yes!” “Stupid human!” “It was dangerous!” “You might have gotten lost!” “Or eaten!” “Or lost and eaten!” Behind the two, Mystia and Dai-chan looked on silently. Though both had a small smile of relief. Dai-chan even managed a giggle at the two’s antics. “Careful, ‘Chi’. Remember what Keine-sama said. But we’re glad you’re okay, Osu-san.” When did you last hear that phrase? Life had not been easy. His degree hadn’t panned out how he wanted, and yet life moved on. Life had been a series of deadlines, each with a bill meant to lock him in place. Where in his rush, did he ever stop and hear those words? Not since…Ah. He was in his thoughts again. “...I’m sorry...Chi? And uh...you know.” “Our real names are secret.” Cirno said as she leaned in. Raising a hand to her lips even as she whispered. “We’re in-cog-neato. So the humans don’t suspect us.” “Keine-sama teaches class after dark for people like us who work at night.” Mystia managed, around a large yawn. Oscar’s eyes went over the four again. Each with their own unique expression of relief gazing at him. Then something clenched his gut. “Did you find Rumia?” The mood shifted over the four. None seemed to want to speak. One of Dai's hands ran along her shoulder. “No...We spent all night looking for you two. Keine was mad we missed our classes but understood. She said you were okay, but didn’t say you were at the school.” “We looked everywhere in the forest.” Cirno continued, her brow wrinkling in thought. “She must have really wanted to be alone.” “I’m just surprised Mystia’s barbecue didn’t draw her out.” Wriggle said with a slow shake of the head. “Its not like her to miss a free meal...or any meal.” The four grew quiet again. Oblivious to the jostles and stares of the crowd of kids. It wasn’t hard to tell they were confused at first. The silence Oscar was a little slower to notice. In part due to his new friends’ mood. He only noticed the shadow over his ‘desk’ when the pointed hat drifted in front of the sun. Cirno only noticed when the end of the broom swung down, pointing towards Oscar’s face like a sword. Framed by the sun, only the figure’s golden hair and confident smile could be seen. “Heya. I heard you’re a Magician. Let’s see what you can do.” =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Congratulations, you are now a few cents richer, and a stranger's confronted you. What now? = Whoever this is, she seems confident. Maybe playing to that will result in a bigger payday. = Introduce yourself to the stranger! We should be friends, especially if I am going to take your money. = She wants to see a magician in action? Show her what a real magician is capable of. = She's heard of you already? Surely she has something more to bet than a few coins. It might even be useful. = The jig is up! Flee!1 point
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Regarding Touhou 20's story, I doubt we'll see more of the beast realm. The plot is kinda finished at the end of Touhou 19. We've seen the big boss of hell, so I don't think it can get any higher. I don't really have theories as to what the story could be about, but I know it will be related to Zun recent thoughts in life (like 18 was based of market being empty during Covid). There might be hints in the ongoing manga (hopefully it won't be about AI). Gameplay-wise, there's probably going to be some heavy RNG involved. Touhou 18 had it with the cards, 18.5 (even as a spin-off) had them and had random waves and I've heard 19 wasn't supposed to look like 9 initially (maybe it was only 1 screen, and you survive a long random stage with the boss popping up a few times). What's sure though is that the going to be a new mechanic to get bombs/lives. I think it's going to be 4 characters like usual. Touhou 10 is a bit of a special case. And with the number of playable character we have now, reducing the number of character only reduce the potential for story-telling. It could be teams of character like IN (it's the 20th anniversary of IN soon), so maybe Zun will make a small homage (I doubt it, but it's possible). Maybe a spin-off where you play as Muzuchi, like another ISP? That'd be nice. Like, instead of cheat items, you possess a character to gain their ability (though this might end up just being ISP but with multiple shot-types. ). Who knows, maybe the next side-game going to be a HRtP game ? Let's not expect Zun to stop Touhou when it reached a round number (like 20 or 25). He doesn't seems to be the type to care about "normal" and "common sense" (and it this case, that's a good thing).1 point
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Fairies usually disappear instantly when they are killed, but the low magic of Gensokyo during the magic crisis made fairies’ bodies stay as ‘corpses’ for a bit. Like they were in some kind of purgatory for a week. - Fairy Retrospective \------------------------------------------/ I should go back to my small camp and see if I can steal a weapon from the battlefield it should already be. Though the difficult terrain I traversed was not exactly terrain I hoped to have to cross again, I don’t think Sanguine Rose let me off just to get rid of a potentially deadly vengeful spirit… While the way back went without incident, save for your occasional detour to avoid ravenous Youkai or a trap set by some warband, what I found at my camp is much more alarming than just your common denizens of the Plains fighting for loot big and small. It is namely fairies, likely from a warband as they like clinging together, and humans in what I first assumed to be Hakurei military attire, but on closer inspection is a uniform I don’t recognize. They’re all human, though, and I don’t need to use my ability to feel the vengeful feeling coming from them, so these people must be the Purification Brigade I heard about recently… fighting a Crazed Fairy warband… Well, This looting is an inherent part of life on the Plains. I just need a weapon and some food to last me a day, thus I’ll just get near the battle– Someone already threw a corpse at me, because it was in the way of the enemy. This body belongs to a fairy, and the ‘sword’ she is holding on to could better be described as a dagger than a sword, but I’ll take it. I’d have preferred a human body as they would have also had food, but I’ll take what I can get. I leave as quickly as possible because I don’t like being near an entity called the ‘Purification Brigade’ for any amount of time longer than necessary. Especially if they have so much vengeance I can feel it without having to actively use my understanding. As the lush green rolling hills of the Fantasy Plains make way to the Scarlet swamplands, I hunt some fish with my bare hands while also being paranoid that those vengeful humans are after me. A lot of those fish escaped due to that paranoia, but I should have enough for a decent meal. I find an alcove to spend the night in and drink some water from the ponds in the area. It seems like none of those humans followed me, but the amount of vengeance I felt there was truly destructive. Do humans always have that much potential for vengeance stored in their bodies? I wake up sometime after sunrise and begin my journey to the cavern I came out of, when I spot a caravan heading the same way I want to go. Now, travelling with more people is usually safer… Yet how am I going to ‘join’ the caravan? \------------------------------------------/ HP: 144 MP: 48 (+4) No crippled body parts New Items and/or Equipment: A dagger Follow it. → A trading caravan so close to the Plains must be prepared for ambushes, better play it safe and keep my distance. Create a roadblock. → If I stop the caravan, I might be able to bargain my way on it. Act like a poor person. → Maybe by appealing to the merchant’s humanity I’ll be able to join the Caravan. Bargain with the merchant directly. → I don’t have much to offer, but extra protection in these outskirts of the Empire wouldn’t hurt, now would it?0 points