Ergo

## Purpose

Currency.

**Ergo** is a key gameplay mechanic in *Lies of P*. It is used as a currency to level up as well as purchase items from merchants.

## Background

Ergo is a manifestation of a person's memories, life essence, and time. When a person dies, their essence is transformed into Ergo which naturally disperses around the site of their death. However, when a mineral known as Kroud is present, it will absorb and harness Ergo's energy, causing it to grow larger. It was first discovered in Krat six hundred years ago in the Relic of Trismegistus. At that time, Ergo was regarded as a worthless substance, but unique individuals known as "Listeners" possessed the extraordinary ability to "hear" the voices of the deceased resonating within Ergo.

Thirty years ago, the Alchemists settled down in Krat and discovered the Relic of Trismegistus to be an Ergo mine. A talented alchemist and inventor named Giuseppe Geppetto devised a specialized heart to serve as a power source for Puppets. This invention single-handedly transformed Krat from a modest, impoverished seaside town into a bustling city of marvels. Puppets, with their remarkable capabilities, began to replace the workforce, handling menial tasks and serving as indispensable helpers. Ergo's importance soared to such heights that it became the very currency of the city.

Despite its prominence, the public remained oblivious to Ergo's true nature. On one fateful day, a puppet named Camille was observed saving an infant from falling from their crib. Camille's design was rudimentary, devoid of any programming that would logically prompt such a heroic act. This enigma prompted the Alchemists to seize Camille for further examination. Astonishingly, she insisted that they return her to her child, leading the Alchemists to disassemble her for further study. The Alchemists theorized that Camille had awakened an Ego, Ergo's manifestation of a person's human emotions and personality from their past life. As Camille had a similar appearance and identity to her previous existence, she had an easier time awakening her Ego. Armed with this revelation, the Alchemists started experimenting with Ergo on individuals, driven by the ambition to evolve humanity and achieve immortality.

Around this time, Sophia Monad, the daughter of Valentinus Monad, discovered her unique ability as a Listener. She harnessed the power of Ergo, particularly its control over time, enabling her to manipulate time itself. Tragically, upon Valentinus' passing, Simon Manus assumed leadership of the Alchemists and became aware of Sophia's extraordinary gift. He imprisoned her and constructed a machine capable of tapping into her powers to collect Ergo on an unprecedented scale, fueled by his desire to ascend to godhood and achieve eternal life. As Sophia struggled to thwart Simon's perilous ambitions, she stumbled upon the revelation that Ergo Waves, which permeated throughout Krat, could facilitate long-distance communication and astral projection.

After several decades, Krat was plagued by the relentless spread of the Petrification Disease. Unbeknownst to the public, this epidemic was a direct consequence of prolonged exposure to Ergo. Those affected found their bodies slowly petrifying until their death. Due to the pervasive presence of Ergo in daily life, the populace of Krat found it almost impossible to avoid it and the disease. Furthermore, the purified essence of life, trapped within those suffering from the disease, crystallized into valuable Ergo stones which were highly sought after for their intrinsic worth. A dubious salesman named Clark Shore sought to capitalize on the panic caused by the disease. He managed to steal a recipe from the alchemists' and subsequently reproduced a supposed "Miracle Cure," which he distributed to the public. This concoction effectively neutralized the detrimental effects of the Petrification Disease, but it came at a great cost. Those who consumed it suffered grotesque mutations, resulting in the city slowly being overrun by a population of deformed and monstrous individuals, known as the Carcass. The city of Krat, once a place of promise and innovation, now faced a cataclysmic crisis, teetering on the brink of chaos and despair. To make matters worse, Kroud grew uncontrollably due to the high concentration of Ergo, threatening the city's destruction entirely.

## Gameplay

Ergo is used to increase Pinocchio's level as well as currency to purchase items from merchants. Ergo is largely obtained by defeating enemies. The amount obtained depends on the current location as well as if its a standard enemy, an elite, or a boss. Normal enemies generally produce a small amount of Ergo, while elite enemies and bosses produces a significantly larger amount of Ergo. Equipping the Hunter's Amulet will increase the amount of Ergo obtained. New Game Plus will also increase the amount of Ergo obtained from each enemy.

If the player dies, all of their Ergo will be dropped at the site of their death. **Death Ergo** will remain in place but will disappear forever if the player dies again. If a player dies in a boss room, the Death Ergo can be found outside of the boss room doorway. Should a player take damage before picking up their Death Ergo, they will bleed Ergo for each hit. This means that if a player takes enough damage, they could potentially lose all of their Ergo before they reach the spot where they died. Gemini's Iron Protection and Gemini's Emergency Protection can be used to temporarily prevent this from happening. The P-Organ can also be upgraded to reduce the amount of Death Ergo lost during each hit.

### Ergo Stones

Ergo stones are usable items that award a certain amounts of Ergo when used. Ergo stones are found in the world or obtained by defeating enemies. Unlike collected Ergo, Ergo stones will remain in the player's inventory after death. Thus, Ergo can also be effectively accumulated through Ergo stones. Players can also sell Ergo stones to merchants to receive the same amount of Ergo they would have gotten if used independently.

Rare Ergo is obtained by defeating bosses. Players can consume them like normal Ergo stones to receive a massive amount of Ergo. However, they can also be traded with Alidoro or Rookie Explorer Hugo to obtain Special Weapons or Amulets.

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