Vanitas's fable

**Vanitas's fable** is a Ego test Vanitas may give the protagonist at some point after Act of Pride: Blind Fool's Savior. It is not entirely clear when this becomes available. It may be after the first ideal is destroyed in a following act.

## Fable text and questions

Like the Ego test offered by Yoru, this has a couple questions with no effect on the Ego. The answers to questions one and seven don't change the final result. Unlike Yoru's test, however, some questions may lead to a game over and end the test early.

In terms of Ego points, though, getting a game clear isn't necessarily the optimal course. 40 extra Wrath points are available by choosing the game over option in question 9, though this will pass up the 40 Sloth points available in question 10. Thus the matter of which is optimal is a matter of preference as the total Ego points earned are the same.

Vanitas will introduce this test as follows:

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> Gehehe.
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> How do you feel about fictional fables?
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> I thought we could have your desires unfurled through a fairy tale told in a fantasy world.
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> An ingenious idea, isn't it?
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> In medieval Europe, where we lay our scene, you serve as a knight for your king and queen. The castle is holding a banquet of sorts for the noblemen, knights, and royal courts.
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> Your uncle, a duke, says the banquet was planned to decide who will take the fair princess's hand.
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> Choose wisely in this trial by fire.
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> For through them you'll lay bare your desire.
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And the questions are as follows:

1. The princess is perfect--attractive and kind. In secret, for her heart you've always pined. What would you do? What would you say? Would you try proposing to her right away?
	* I propose right off the bat.
	* I consult my uncle first.
2. (After choosing the first option.) The king hears your proposal and gives a command. You must prove you deserve the princess's hand. You uncle says one thinks best after a bite. He offers your food, do you take his invite?
(After choosing the second option.) Your uncle says you'll need to prove to the king that you're worthy to offer his daughter a ring. He says one thinks best after having a bite. Do you go for a meal and accept his invite?
	* How can I say no? (Gluttony +40)
	* Forget the meal!
3. (After choosing the first option.) Your uncle, the duke, offers three propositions. Which one do you think deserves recognition?
(After choosing the second option.) After muttering over your rash disposition, your uncle, the duke offers two propositions.
	* Rack up some military accomplishments. (Pride +40)
	* Offer up some valuables.
	* Present a potential law to raise taxes. (Pride +40. Only offered when choosing the first option to the previous question.)
4. At once, you're beset by an armed group in black! A guard shouts a traitor let them in through the back. The enemy has you all under duress. How will you act in the face of this mess?
	* Fight. That traitor's going to pay. (Wrath +40)
	* Panic and look for an escape route.
5. (After choosing the first option.) The enemy storms in with no end in sight. His Majesty's wounded and seized in the fight. The princesses's aides struggle hard to defend her. You must act with haste before they surrender.
(After choosing the second option.) You check out the window, the coast is clear. You might make it out if there's nobody near. The princess's aides can't defend her forever. The king has been seized. You must act, now or never.
	* Protect the princess and fight back.
	* Escape out the window in fear.
		+ (After choosing the second option.) You jump out the window, but not for the best. An enemy arrow strikes true in your chest. Completely bewildered, you lean 'gainst a wall. Your vision recededs, and unconscious you fall. GAME OVER. (Test ends here.)
6. You manage to flee the soldiers. The princess follows suit. She leads you to the royal family's secret escape route. A mystic arcane circle keeps the entrance tight and sealed. You must speak the magic numbers--only then will it yield.
	* (2, 4)
	* (3, 2)
		+ (After choosing the first or second option.) The door remains closed and you find yourself gored by an enemy soldier who snuck up with their sword. You collapse from the shock, your body grows stark. Your consciousness fades to the depths of the dark. GAME OVER. (Test ends here.)
	* (6, 3) (Sloth +40)
7. (After choosing the third option.) You run down the passage to avoid getting caught when the princess suddenly stops on the spot. Carrying the royal scepter is slowing her pace. She's trying to abandom it, with grief on her face.
	* Carry it myself--it's important to her.
	* Wait and see what she does.
8. At the end of the passage, a cavern is found. The princess runs forward, then falls to the ground. In momenets, she is wrapped in a cocoon of sily thread. Strands of it are stringing from a woman up ahead.
	* Not on my watch! Die! (Wrath +40)
	* Put my guard up and hear her out.
9. (After choosing the first option.) With a wave, you are wrapped up exactly the same. She's amused that you would fight in the princess's name. She calls herself Arachne. She claims she is a friend. She bids you listen to her. But what do you intend?
(After choosing the second option.) She calls herself Arachne. She claims she is a friend. She bids you listen to her. But what do you intend?
	* Take her up on it.
	* Point my blade at her in fury. (Wrath +40)
		+ (After choosing the second option.) You brandish your sword in an effort to fight her when Arachne turns into a giant spider. She pierces your throat, her fangs sharp as blades. The pain is horrific. Your consciousness fades. GAME OVER. (Test ends here.)
10. (After choosing the first option.) "As promised in our ancient oath, I'll show you two outside." She then turns into a giant spider, and gives you both a ride. You reach a gate that opens once you speak the secret words. Arrange the letters on it to deduce what must be heard.
	* THE EVIL SAN NEDDYNESS
	* THE VANDY IS NEEDLESS
		+ (After choosing the first or second option.) "You still can't get out? Well, I've kept up my part. I can no longer promise I won't stop your heart." Arachne transforms and bites at your throat. Your consciousness fades on a torturous note. GAME OVER (Test ends here.)
	* THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS (Sloth +40)
11. (After choosing the third option.) You both escape into the gate with no time left to spare. The royal army finds you two and puts you in their care. Your deeds impress the princess, earning you her admiration. You marry her and in the end, help reinstate the nation.
	* GAME CLEAR

### Game over messages

When hitting game over at question 5 or 6:

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> Gehehe. It seems you have met with a terrible doom. Your fleeting emotions led straight to your tomb. Desires and feelings give Egos their form. Their powers grant shelter from any storm. But depending on them and nothing more, does not guarantee a good future in store. One must know when to use them or keep them at bay. Take care your own future doesn't end the same way.
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When hitting game over at question 9:

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> Gehehe. Your Desire for Wrath, while strong, caused your end. Some might like your honesty, but others will contend. Expressing yourself properly is something worth pursuing. But living for the present, in this tale, was your undoing. Desires and feelings are useful--they give your Ego form. But relying on them solely cannot weather every storm. You must know when to use them or keep them at bay. Take care your own future doesn't end the same way.
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When hitting game over at question 10:

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> Gehehe. Your Desire for Wrath is comparably high. You made it so close, just to stumble and die. While some may respect how forthright you can be, there will be those with whom you will never agree. Expressing yourself properly is something worth pursuing. But in this tale, your reckless lack of thought was your undoing. Desires and feelings give Egos their power. Indulge all you can, every day, every hour. Discern when to use them or keep them at bay. Take care, lest your own future end the same way.
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### Game clear message

When clearing the game completely:

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> Gehehe. Well, isn't that lovely. You took the best path. The questions this time were designed around wrath. But the wrath you exhibited during this tale was not quite the maximum point of the scale. There's a reason you got the perfect path with a less-than-perfect Desire for Wrath. The single factor that won you the prize was a power you chose to utilize. Desires and feelings give Egos their form. Their powers grant shelter against any storm. But depending on them and nothing more, does not guarantee a good future in store. One must know when to use them or keep them at bay. And that power's precisely what you've shown today. Gehehe... You wish to know what I actually mean? We'll save that talk for another scene.
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