Tarotober part 2 The High Priestess and the Empress

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS DISCUSSIONS OF THEMES THAT YOU MAY FIND OFFENSIVE, IT ALSO CONTAINS DISTURBING IMAGES. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!

 The High Priestess

Designated Number 2, the 3rd card of the Major Arcana and the first of the "influences" and the first to represent Society. A young woman with long silver hair, dressed in blue robes and wearing a crown similar to the Moon God, Isis, stands I'm between two pillars holding a scroll that is marked "TORA"

The High Priestess Means Intuition, Memories, and the revealing of Secrets. Reversed, it means Secrets and been Stubborn. The allusion to Isis is not a coincidence, as this card is ruled by The Moon.

When used to Depict a specific person, it usually a female influence, a sister, aunt, or godmother or wife.....but never a mother! That card comes later!

The high Priestess is represented by Fuuka Yamagishi, the 1st Navigator of P3, Yukiko Amagi, the Snow Black, P5's Makato "Queen" Najima, and Rose, The Soul Powered Psychic of Street Fighter.

Fuuka

Small in Stature, Even for a Girl in the year below our heroes, Fuuka was prey for bullies in High school, So when she was locked in a changing room and left over night, the school changed into Tantalus, while not a fighter her unique Persona manifested naturally without causing the trauma of using a evoker to shoot herself. Using the signal from Lucia, Fuuka's Persona, they found the girl and found that Lucia's set of skills can be used in a new way, as a Navigator.

Fuuka is a small Mousey, Insecure Girl who feels inadequate In her own body, especially when sharing the dorm with 2 of the school's popular girls. 

In her social link, Fuuka has started cooking in an attempt to be more "Girly", at the expense of fixing and tinkering with Technology and Gadgets because of it, it's only when Minato tells her to truthful to herself, she realizes that gender roles are bullshit as long as you love yourself and are loved. In the end, Fuuka gifts Minato some Headphones she had being fixing. Unfortunately that does not change the headphones on Minato's costume in anyway, expect in the dancing game, which we are not acknowledging. It's purely a key item to prove we can fuse for the Most Powerful monster in the Priestess Arcana.

While Fuuka is an interesting Character, Her story does not fit the Motif of High Priestess, But if she was An Empress Social Link, It would Work.

Hear me out on this!

Her Doubt does not come from her powers not working, nor does it have her trying to prove she can fight and be something she's not! That's counter-intuitive. No It's about her perceived lack of Femininity. Just look at the design of Lucia!

She's a literal Safe zone shaped like a Pregnant lady. Given that The Empress is about Femininity and Nurturing, That argument can be made!

Yukiko Amagi

Inaba is like any small town in Japan. there are 2 schools, Acres of ricefields, A temple, a shopping district and an Inn.

But in this Inn, handed down for generations, resides a girl, a beauty adored by all the boys in school, soft and pure as the snow she was named after, Yukiko Amagi

As the receptionist of the Famous Amagi inn and Hot springs, It was here The Newscaster stayed before she was Murdered. When Yukiko was interviewed on tv and talked down to about boys, the murder and the responsibility at such a young age, Yukiko was kidnapped and thrown into the Tv world. the next night, A Shadow Yukiko appeared on the midnight channel, dressed as a fairytale princess. Yukiko's real feelings of been tied down by inheritance, and her own sexual awakening was broadcast bare for all to see. 

Yukiko denied her feelings about wanting to leave Inaba. Turning her Shadow into A Phoenixian Monstrosity of Burning wings and Hot lace! When the shadow is defeated. She realizes her feelings of Restriction are there, Turning her shadow into her own Persona, Kohana Sakura

Resolving to leave Inaba after Graduation and Applying for a Job Licence, She comes afoul of the producer of the tv show, "News of the Weird", who offers to pay Yukiko's college tuition, So he turn the Amagi Inn into a "Murder Mansion" and have customers come via morbid curiosity! Angered how the Murders and her own Attempted Murder would be trivialized to make a quick buck, he instead wants to make out the hot springs out to be a seedy Brothel. Insulted, Yukiko refuses. In the end, While she doesn't go through with leaving her town or the inn, she has being taking Hotelier Lessons via Correspondence Courses and Applying the Modern Style to her Families Inn. It may not be traditional Inn anymore, But in this way, at least Yukiko doesn't feel like a Princess trapped in a tower.

Yukiko....is a strange case to try to find any semblance of tarot Context to. As most of her decisions where not made via Intuition but via her Conscience and Morality, That's the Difference, The producer laid the fact he was Scum too thick, without being Tactful or Duplicitous! Sorry, I don't see any Mythos going back to any aspect of the card, at all.

Hopefully P5 does it Better.

Makoto

Since her Sister is A Chief Prosecutor (The very same who interrogates Joker during the story.) Makoto is the Studious Straitlaced Student Council President who turned a blind eye to the Suffering of the Sports teams by Mr Kamoshida. In her role as Student Council President, Makoto would later Notarize a loan from a Loanshark called Kaneshiro, Swallowing her pride when she discovered the identities of the Phantom Thieves, She entered the Cognitive world of the gangster's Bank, Now Imagined as an UFO. With the Thieves Surrounded, Kaneshiro would talk big to Makoto, calling her an useless Woman, and proposing to Sell her Body to pay off the debt! Angered by this, It Awakened her own Persona, A Living Motorcycle called Johana!

To befriend Makoto, you must Max out your intelligence, So Get your Quiz Answers From GameFaqs, as the school questions are 500 IQ trivia! When you do, Makoto will give you the time of day. And she'll ask you how to appear less unfriendly, after learning she goes to karaoke if you press it, you end up in the real answer anyway, the arcade. One Session of PWNING N00BS! And Makato is more relatable! 

Makoto's story starts when you are with her in the Red light district, when she notices a girl she knows  working in a club. Concerned, Makoto meets Eiko after school ands asks Eiko if she's ok at home, to which Eiko claims she doesn't need the money. Makoto tells us as such, but Eiko does have a younger more talented brother who gets all the attention. Eiko and Makoto hit it off over a shared love of a cartoon so Makoto has made a friend on her own, which makes her second guess if interfering with the relationship between Eiko and her Boyfriend, who is a serial con artist and pimp, it's only when she gives him her number out of concern, that Tsubaba calls Eiko, "Makoto" to her face, Eiko accusers Makoto of "stealing her man" when Makoto slaps the sense into her, which she does! 

Makoto's story succeeds where Yukiko's fails. A situation where someone must choose to do the right thing or do what is expected. And Makoto been doing the latter all her life, and it nearly got her killed. She holds her father's Memory very dear, who was a detective confronting the gang who murdered his wife, and was sadly ran down in the line of duty. She decides to join the family business, hoping one day to reach the title of Police Commissioner.

Not that it matters, Given the Resolution of Yukari and Rise Storylines, But Makoto may be the canon Romantic Interest! 

Rose

There are.....a lot of Strange fighters in The Street Fighter universe. From a Emerald skinned monkey man, to an Aztec clay statue come to life, to a Turkish Oil Wrestler with one hell of a sunburn!

But all pale in comparison to the Italian fighter Rose...Who is not a martial artist!

Rose is a tarot card reader who earned her place at ( and later runs)  La Palacia Maggica, a Grand House where the Wealthy and influential would seek guidance from Mystics. With Rose not only Gifted in Premonition, but ESP and Astral projection.

One Night, when asked about the Odds of the Street Fighter tournament, her vision showed her the end of the world. Concerned, but with no real formal training, Rose entered into the Tournament. As the days went on Her Vision became Clear, M. Bison was using the Tournament as a ploy to replace his dying body with that of winner, Ryu. When Ryu felled Bison, Rose Intervened and Bison's soul took her body instead, However turns out Bison's Psycho Power is the direct opposite to the source of Rose's abilities, the Soul Power, kind of like Yin and Yang, both cancel each other but one cannot survive if the other is destroyed.

Her Possession between the events of Alpha and SF2 scared Rose, even though she had no memory of what she did, the fact that her Body was used for evil and she resolved to stop Bison....even it means her death.

By the end of SFV,  Ryu killed Bison, one and for all, and with no body to replace it seemed like Rose could keep on living!

But She Couldn't get it out of her mind. Why is she still here?

Charming and Beautiful, Rose is a Mechanically Unusual Fighter, using a scarf imbued with Soul Power as a multipurpose tool, it's a bat for Projective, it's a taser, a shield, A drill Bit and Pole vault! It does it all!

She also has the disadvantage of being Anemic, so she would miss early morning matches.

Rose is very much the Priestess Card. Her Intuition guided her to a situation in plain sight that was more insidious than thought. However that Intuition, honed by mystic by Whatever training she obtained, has made her deal in absolutes. First by wanting to sacrifice her life to do so, to training Apprentices to finish her work if she dies, such as Maggio and Menat. However meaning G and feeling no Soul from him, she knows her fight is not over!

Fukka-0

Yukiko-0

Makoto-1

Rose-1

Round 2 Perks

Sadly, Fuuka gains her Abilities via level up and not by Social Links. So no points.

Yukiko comes with all the standard moves she learns with the others. But also unlocks the Amagi Family Inn and Hot Springs as a location.

Why is this important?

Well, there is a one time event during New Year's Day. Where you can invite one of your party Members for a dip and  to contemplate the year. Your guest will ask what you are thinking and you are given the choice of picking "The Past Year" or "The Future". Picking the past will make your guest remember a forgotten move, but picking the future will make you guest learn their final move early, and it's usually powerful!

Makoto comes with Follow up attack, talk, Harisen Recovery, and Endure as Standard, But comes with only 2 unique abilities. Shadow Calculus and Shadow Factorisation

Calculus shows all elemental weakness of an enemy while Factorisation shows the Enemy's Status Weaknesses.

Rose has being sought by Ryu for spiritual advice whenever he is in Europe. No official sources have claimed she can subdue the dark Hadou like Dhalsim can, however.

Fuuka-1

Yukiko-1

Makato-2

Rose-2

Influence on the hero and their world. 

Fuuka as your ally and roommate, is front and centre on your journey. As a voice in your ear, may seem a little detached.

Like all your Female Social Links, Yukiko can be romanced, She can eavesdrop during her shifts at the inn, but it's downplayed.

Makoto is the Strategist of the Phantom Thieves, with a black belt in Akido, so she can hold her own, But she's also a better Healer than Morgana who also has strong physical attacks, as opposed to Morgana's luck based attacks

Rose has an invested interest in the confrontation between Ryu and M.Bison. Her existence depended on it. She recognises that Ryu is the one that will save the world, and tries to help best she can, even if she believes that Sacrifice is the answer! 

Fuuka-2

Yukiko-2

Makoto-3

Rose-2

The winner is Makoto.

THE EMPRESS

Fourth in line is the Empress card, Designated as 3. And is Ruled by the planet Venus.

A Heavily Pregnant Woman Stands in a Wheat Field, Dressed In a Robe and Crown.

As Mentioned above, the Empress Means Femininity, Protection and Nurturing. If used to predict the future for a female enquirer, childbirth may be discussed.

For a single person the card means The Enquirer's Mother.

Our 4 new contestants are Mitsuru Kirijo, Head of S.E.E.S, Margaret, the Ruler of Power, Haru "Noir" Okumara, The Beauty Thief and Cammy White "The Killer Bee" 

Mitsuru

Mitsuru Kirijo, the heir of the powerful Kirijo Group of Investment Bankers had it all. Wealth, A Formal Education overseas, Enough Points to Graduate High school early and to attend any College she wanted.

However, the truth of The Kirijo's wealth in recent years during a period of crashes, was unforgivable for a long period of time, even by Yukari who lost her father

You see, The Kirijo Group is responsible for the Dark Hour.

Her Grandfather Discovered the existence of "The Mind Place" or properly the Cognitive World. Seeing that the minds of all reside in the same place at night. The Man had a idea for to expand his influence. Subliminal Advertising in People's dreams. But why stop there, when you can change a person's  mind and opinions to whatever you want. Better still the tidy profit of selling this power to the highest bidder?

That didn't happen.

What did happen was the Dark hour, and the attacks on humanity increasing over 10 years.

When she was just 7, Mitsuru and her father were involved in an incident that revealed Tantalus. And they were attacked by shadows. In her fear for her father, she cried for help.

And it came, freezing the Shadows in ice.

This was Pantescelia and from now on, Mitsuru had a way to fight back.

Via The power of Persona.

Remember that song by Pulp?

(I Wanna Live Like) Common People?

That's Mitzi's Social Link in a nutshell!

Sort of!

Being Rich all her life, she always had chef's make dinners. And still had some retainers cleaning the dorm on school hours, so you explaining to her that Burgers are eaten without cutlery is met with genuine surprise.

However, something is worrying Mitsuru, and you finally get it out that it's a Legal Issue. Due to the Recent Death of her Father, Mitsuru cannot inherit anything without Marriage, due to the fact he died before being of legal age.

Naturally, the Suitor is a Rich-Boy Douchebag who only wants her for money, and when he says that it's want her father wanted, Mitsuru snaps and finally remembers how powerful she is on her own, saying that she'll run the company despite her being (GASP!) A WOMAN! She tells him that she'll use all the Group's power to ruin his if he doesn't rescind the contract.

Mitsuru is two characters, the self assured fighter on Tantalus, and the sheltered rich girl who is served her every need all her life (in the Secret Surveillance tape after Spring Break. She reads a magazine on reviews for A bikini, and frowns that the company gives her clothes to wear In public.) Which is good, because it gives the character depth, especially one that comes of indefatigable. 

Mitsuru is both sides of the Empress. The Mature leader on the brink of adulthood, and the person who is overprotected herself and emotionally blackmailed up to the point she fights back.

Margaret

One day You enter the Velvet Room when Igor Is away. Margaret senses Yu feels different and surmises that it was faithed that you should mee...

MARGARET IS A FETCH QUEST!

THATS IT!

SHE WANTS RARE PERSONAS WITH MOVES THEY CAN'T USUALLY LEARN TO WHOOP YOUR ASS IN A OPTIONAL BOSS BATTLE!

THAT'S IT!

Haru

In Joker's class there is a polite, unassuming girl. she's seen going to your classes, sitting to one side, serving you in the Electronics Shop and watering the Flowers as the sole member of Shujin Academy Gardening Club.

All to prove her worth, Not her Wealth.

Haru is the heir to Okumara Foods, the Company that owns the Fast Food Chain, Big Bang Burger. After Complaints Online that Big Bang treats it's Employees Harshly, the Phantom Thieves had no idea how deep it truly went.

Mr Okumara had used his wealth to support Councilman Shido in his quest for Presidency, becoming bankrupt in the process. In doing so Cutting Corners on his Restaurants, this created a Palace in the Cognitive World Based on the the Sci-fi themes of his restaurants. He as an alien overlord and all his employees as disposal robots. But that's not all.

Seeing his daughter as just as Expendable, Mr Okumara....sold Haru into Marriage as collateral for a loan, from a retainer called Sugamara. When Morgana left the Phantom Thieves, he found Sugamara trying to force himself on Haru. Morgana in his cat form attacked him, and when Haru tended to the beast, she was surprised it spoke. It could only mean one thing, Haru had a persona.

When the duo introduced themselves at first, they thought Haru was the dreaded Black Mask, killing people with mental shutdowns.

Then they realized how out of her League she was.

When they Confronted Shadow Okumara, he told her that Children are no more than stock to be invested in before been sold. This angered her to betray her beliefs in reasoning with him, Freeing her Persona, M'Lady!

Sadly changing her father's heart to reveal who is responsible for the mental Breakdowns, was killed himself on television via Shutdown, as the Phantom Thieves celebrated in Disn..DESTINYLAND!

Poor Haru was caught in the scandalous headline, "Heiress eats Cotton Candy as Father Dies". So not only does she have her Duties in the phantom thieves but to play Kingmaker in the future of her company.

If you have Max Kindness, Haru will allow you to join the school's gardening club. Her social link is the fallout from the Big Bang Palace. As she tries to change Okumara Foods image, appoint a fair president who is not a crony for Shido, and the threat of Sugamara trying to still marry her, all this and growing her own coffee beans to sell in her own brand of cafés. The strain is too much at times as she nearly collapses from tiredness. Thankfully convinced by the homegrown coffee, and his appointment. The new President reveals her father and Sugamara only had a verbal agreement. So his threats are null and void.

Haru is the Nurturing aspect of the Empress. As seen in her hobby of gardening. Though Formal and Sweet Natured on the Surface, she has a lot of inner Strength. And maybe a crazy side!

Cammy White

The Operative from MI6 has had a chequered past, before fighting for Queen and Country, she killed her own Prime minister. As the Code Name: "Killer Bee"

Cammy was one of many of M.Bison's Dolls. Female Clones that are the Workforce of Shadowloo, From Secretaries, to Sleeper Agents, to Guard Duty to.... Bunny girls in his Casino Front in Vegas?

Of the 13 known Dolls, Cammy is special Genetically cloned from Bison's own DNA and conditioned as a cold hearted killer. Countless lives had being took, but when Bison ordered to kill Dhalsim for the Destruction of his damn, Dhalsim used his mystic powers to clear her mind of brainwashing. 

Returning to Shadowloo with a new sense of curiosity, she learned of her origins and of Bison's plan to marry her (taking the phrase "Love Yourself" to a new low!) Cammy defeated Bison and turned herself into the British Government, who decided Shadowloo was a bigger threat than they thought, to use Cammy as an operative in its top secret Delta Red, with the promise that if she can, she will free her "Sisters" the other dolls, as she topples Shadowloo

Cammy is our First Subversion of a card's Context: Femininity warped by Bison's ego, Young Women Brainwashed and Assigned Jobs In Stiff Gender Roles, Dressed in Catsuits and Leotards For his master's Viewing Pleasure. Of Course you can now Choose Different clothes for Cammy to wear but the Leotard is now like The Chun Li dress, It's too Iconic! In her Face Turn, She's Become the Protection Aspect of the card, acting after freeing some of the Dolls and helping them Acclimate to Lawful Society and Free Will. However she does feel Guilty about the crimes she committed, sometimes triggering Flashbacks, and she's had her share of Failures,like saving her Clone Decapre from being recaptured and reprogrammed by Shadaloo.

Mitsuru-1

Margaret-0

Haru-1

Cammy-1

ROUND 2-PERKS

Mitsuru gives you an Invoker and the key to her motorcycle, They are just Key Items and have no practical Use.

Margaret gives you a Brooch, A kiss, and 100 plus Asswhippings in a boss Battle with the Personas your stupid ass gave her! At least she kisses you! The other girls barely even hold your hand!

Haru comes with all the Party member bells and whistles. Follow up, Talk, Harisen Recovery, Endure and Second Awakening. But she comes in very late in the game, and requires Maxing out the one trait that has little ways of leveling up: Kindness!

So you Better early on Buy a plant and water it, Go to the Family restaurant and order a few Nostalgic Steak, Go to the maid Cafe and order anything. and with Level 1 Kindness, apply for a night job at the florists and complete orders to max it!

To Make Up for this High Requirement, The Unique Ability to Grow Vegetable for Curative Items is a godsend, Given the Moves in Persona are cast from your Own Health and since you will be hit a lot. you will die a lot. Cultivation can be upgraded to the mighty Bumper crop, and Miracle Soil Decreases the wait times between yields, a very Useful ability.

Cammy usually works with Chun-Li and Guile in dealing in the more grounded, criminal activity of Shadaloo and the Illuminati, while Ryu deals the more fantastical Baddies Head On!

Mitsuru-1

Margaret-0

Haru-2

Cammy-2

INFLUENCE ON THE HERO AND HIS WORLD

Mitsuru is the leader of S.E.E.S and Minato's Senpai, so she has final say on everything.

Margaret is the Velvet Room Attendant appointed by Igor for Yu's adventure, and as a Tarot card reader, it's her cards that are given to Yu in his Mind whenever he wins a battle, randomly Doling out experience, Money, Skill cards or New Personas, Other than that if you do succeed in a quest she will talk you, But it'll either be Innuendo or Quasi-Philosophical Advice. 

Haru appears too late in the game to Contribute anything significant after her arc. She's Upstaged by a  punk arguing with a cat! 

Cammy and Ryu had fought before with them Complementing each other after the other's loss. However, In 5, Cammy Now tells Ryu that "I'm a Soldier. Fighting is my Employment!" This is Significant Character Growth, as she use to be blaise about using the term "Killer" on herself!

Mitsuru-2

Margaret-1

Haru-2

Cammy-3

In the most contested 4-way to date, the Winner is Cammy.

and that will do it for part 2, I'm currently writing up the review for Avenger's Confidential: Black Widow/Punisher. So Once that's over, Part 3 The Emperor and The Hierophant will next.

Theme month: Tarotober Part 1 The Fool and The Magician (WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS!)

 The Tarot has existed 100s of years. It's Mysterious imagery and broad meaning have Captivated and Scared people in equal measure for that long. We all have a story about how someone met their beloved via the cards or came into riches via an impossible stroke of luck. My Grandad once told a story that a friend of his drowned after a tarot reading was ignored!

One Franchise that Holds the tarot in its core storytelling is the RPG series, Persona and the social links that it introduced in Persona 3. But that is not the only series we will delving into.

To Celebrate 30 years of Street fighter. 22 card artworks were printed Depicting the warriors in gorgeous Artwork. But which characters depict the  cards meaning properly?

We have a few concessions.

1. The Cards are from the traditional Rider-Whaite Format. So no cards from the Thoth format. So no detailed rundown of Aegis Or Adachi.

2. Base games only! So any character who had their tarot changed will be reviewed as original card only. No Fes, no dancing games, No Marvel or Strikers.

3. If the fates of characters are made known in sequels, they will treated as canon!

Our 3 rounds are as follows

1. Backstory and Inspiration

2. Perks and benefits.

3. Lasting influence to the hero and story.

Card 0 The Fool

The First card is the fool Designated as 0. It's ruled by the Element of Air, and the Planet Uranus. It Depicts A medieval Fool, with a Bindle, on his shoulder standing over a cliff with a dog behind him.

The Fool is leaving on an adventure to find himself in the world. The Dog is a symbol of Safety, that the Fool is leaving behind.

The Fool Represents Potential and innocence. When used to represent a single person, it's usually a child or teenager. 

Our first 4-way sees 2 heroes, a Villain, and a wolf's in sheep's clothing.

Minato, The Door to Tantulus, Yu, the Silver Haired Hero with the Big Brother Complex, Igor, the Master of the Velvet Room and "G" the self proclaimed "President of Earth"

Round 1 Inspiration

The somewhat Apathetic and cold Hero of P3, is an orphan who arrives late at a dorm of the high school he transferred to. It's when the clock strikes midnight, he finds the world under the thrall of a secret conspiracy!

The Dark Hour, an extra hour of the day, which freezes time, turns the high school into a citadel, and turns all human life into coffins.

They are the lucky ones!

For those caught out moving, they are attacked by creatures called shadows, and even if they avoid death, they Contract an illness called apathy Syndrome, that removes the ability to function. Rescued by his housemates. And finds a gun, he is told by a voice inside him to shoot himself....and Summon An Essence of his spirit to fight the Shadows, A Persona.

Despite being cold and unfriendly, (There is literally an option to answer either, Whatever, or I don't care in every Dialogue tree!) Minato is A capable Fighter and Quick on his Feet. It's almost like he Knows how to fight the Shadows from Minute one. And here's why...

Minato is a Door between worlds.

On reaching the top of Tantulus there is a carved Statue of a Minato Blocking the way. Minato was freed when the seal was tampered with by Nyx. Resulting in a cold avatar who acted like that because he was unsure of Humanity was worth protecting. By living a human life, by experiencing friendship, hardship, Knowledge, Stupidity, Love and Hate. He realized that Humanity needed to saved and Protected. In the end, Minato gave up his life to reseal the Door, and As he died in  his Friends arms, he Smiled at the life he lived, a smile that was added to the door.

The Transition of the Fool to his death. Is the Narrative of the Tarot starting with the fool and ending with his Soul (The World) after experiencing all influences good and Bad. Minato gets 1 point for Inspiration.

Yu Nurakami 

Like Minato, Yu also left his town to enroll in high school. But unlike the hero before him, Yu moved from the city to the small farming town of Inaba  to stay with his Detective Uncle Dojima and his daughter, Nanako. Things looked like that Yu was going to have an uneventful year at school.

That is if it wasn't for a killer who dragged his victims into a world in the television and crucified there bodies on telephone wires in the cover of fog.

Yu would Discover the Connection Between the Murders, the TV World, and the Truth Behind the Urban Legend of the Midnight Channel. But when he found he could travel into the TV World himself. He needed his own Persona to do so.

Yu is a handsome young man, who is Charismatic, Witty, & Stylish. A great cook, an artist, with a great sense of humour.....And THE WORST EXAMPLE OF THE FOOL'S CONTEXT!

Don't get me wrong, Yu is a great Character, But These Qualities are not earned or Learned like the others, they are out of the Box. Ok he can Learn other things in his social links but he knows so much already. Yu would be a Shoe in for a Magician Arcana, But as a Fool, he's too Powerful! Yu gets no Points for Inspiration.

Igor

One of 2 recurring characters. Igor and the Velvet Room, a pocket dimension between the waking reality and The Cognitive world. Only available to those who has signed a contract, Igor has guided the hero in his understanding of personas since Persona 1. But it's Persona 5, where he becomes a social link in the progression of the story.

It's in the rank 10 event, where you fuse the twins back into Lavenza, where you learn the truth. The Igor you were in contact with is a fake. He is in fact the false God Yaldaboth , who Igor made a wager with, what would humanity do with the power to change hearts? Would they change society or use it to continue the stagnation of human life?  Yaldaboth TRICKED Joker, by stealing the desires of there targets, they unknowingly stole there free will! Turning down the false gods deal for power in exchange for Humanity free will with unlock the the battle.

Acting more like a flawed program than a god, Yaldaboth is the fool on face value. And not a good deep example of it's meaning!

"G"

One day, after the main events of Street Fighter V, the Tech Savvy Rashid was watching YouTube, when he came across the Live feed of a Strange Gentleman. Dressed as Abe Lincoln with a long Blonde Beard, and golden Tattoos, the man Preached of World Peace and Unity...with him as the unchallenged President of Earth! Rashid Challenges G in New York for Clout, with the idea of throwing the match for G to have more views. However unlike Failed Child Actor Vs Failed Rapper's "Completely Unscripted Double knockout" G didn't get the memo and wiped the floor with the Arab Street Fighter.

G is the president of Earth....and that's it! Being Defeated by the Illuminati leader, Gill, and interrogated afterwards, G Continues to spill his Rhetoric, Saying he will Unite Humanity, Not explaining How or Why. The Vagueness and his rumoured Identity as the Robotic Killer, Q, adds to the mystery and the potential of good or evil. Rose faced G and using her Clairvoyance, found no soul. Oro concludes that in the wake of Bison's death, that G is nothing more than The Concept of Tyranny given a new Form.

G's mysterious circumstances makes him a perfect fool.

Round 1 points

Minato-1

Yu-0

Igor-0

G-1

Round 2 Perks for the hero

Since Minato and Yu, are the heroes they hey no points. Igor has an invested interest in his charge's "rehabilitation" and as such, gifts Joker many powers. The power to fuse Personas into stronger monsters, to perceive hidden things with his minds eye. These skills are vital in the gameplay.

G does not help the heroes not does he join the villains, he is canvassing for presidency of the earth, and that is it.

Round 2 points

Minato-1

Yu-0

Igor-1

G-1

Round 3 influence on their world.

Minato is a being protecting humanity, but had to be reminded why. 

Yu Nurakami, while not a god, returns to Tokyo, after solving the killings, and killing his own false God. Saving his Cousin's life and making sure that the evil in the TV World never returns!

Since Ryu is the hero of Street Fighter, and the World Card's Representative, his interactions will be what is used for each character. which is hard when the context of the game is a tournament, meaning that they may or may not meet. And Ryu.... doesn't know what to make of the eccentric, saying just that if he beats him in-game. G if he defeats Ryu continues to be as obtuse, as he his to everyone.

Final points

Minato-2

Yu-1

Igor-2

G-1

The winners are Minato and Igor.

The Magician

The 2nd card of the Major Arcana, Is Designated as 1. A more Mature Fool is now dressed in a subdued fools uniform. Over a table lies Various Charms or props. Over his head the symbol for infinity. Like the way the fool went from freedom to employment, this card means Transference from one state to another, experience, Charisma, Adulthood, Initiative but reversed means naivety. It's Governed by the planet Mercury, God of Travelers, Thieves and Medicine, all those like our Magician here are treated with Fascination and Mistrust in equal measure!

Representing the Magician, we have P3's Kenji Tomochika, THAT ONE GUY, Yosuke Hamamura, P4's "Prince of Disappointment", Persona 5's Morgana, The Suave Hero of our times, and Dhalsim, The Yogi of Street fighter!

Round 1-Inspiration!

Kenji

Kenji is that one friend. You know that guy who Just turns up and is not really your friend and you can't get rid of? Kenji is that Guy, When you get Chinese for the first time in the Strip Mall, He becomes your friend as you are trying to eat, and it only gets worse as he goes to your school. As the story progresses, you learn he is convinced he's in a relationship with a female teacher, giving him extra classes after school. It's only when he learns of her Engagement and her transferring away to stop the embarrassing behaviour by Kenji is when he is talked out of proposing to her. When he realizes how stupid he has been, he gives you the Homemade Choker he made for her. This Item like many in the social links will be prove that you can fuse the most Powerful Persona of each Arcana.

Kenji is Plain, Annoying and Uninteresting....and that's the point! He is the Inversion of the Magician card. He's Naive, He cannot be that smart, if he's taking Grinds, he has no real friends bar yourself and his only window to the outside world is a sitcom, that may or may not be the root to his behaviour.

Yosuke

As the son of the Regional Manager of the Supermarket Chain Junes, Yosuke was Moved from the city to the small farming town. It looked like Yosuke was going to die of boredom in the Boonies, unless Something big were to happen.

So when a Newscaster was Murdered, and the girl he had a crush on who witnessed it was then killed, Yosuke along with Yu, discovered the Tv world.

Not knowing that the humans who enter the TV World, have their true feelings broadcast, Yosuke heard Saki's voice admitting that she was leading him on for a bigger payday, that as the daughter of a grocer, she thought it would be a great revenge on the Supermarket that ruined her family. This is when he Was Confronted by his own Inner Thoughts, A shadow of himself! As the shadow accused Yosuke of only wanting to solve the crime for his own ego. It turned into a Monster when it was denied. However it was quicky dispatched by Yu and when Yosuke resolved these Feelings, his shadow became his own Persona, Jirayah.

As the son of the manager of the Big Faceless Supermarket chain, Yosuke and his family are the brunt of hatred of the local shopkeepers. He is also getting death threats via text.

You are roped into working as a shelf stacker, after some female staff fail to turn up. The same students in earshot of Yosuke talk about how Saki had eloped but returned to raise money, and decided to string along the lovesick son of the man that "ruined" her family for more money than she deserved. This causes Yosuke to fire the 2 girls for speaking Ill of the dead, though he does realise that Saki hated him. Yosuke settles his feelings of rage and jealousy of Yu in a fist fight that comes to a draw, earning you the Buddy's Bandage, proof to that you can fuse the Magician's most powerful persona. He vows to live in Inaba, after gaining an appreciation for it, to live everyday, for the days Saki couldn't.

As the Confident and lovesick Teenager, Yosuke is a fun-loving boy who at first let's everyone walk all-over him. He feels trapped being stuck in a Boonie town, Despite the Money, this frustration is shown when you first meet him, when his bicycle's brakes fail and he drives headfirst into a bin. This want of freedom is why he convinces the others to invest in Scooters.

As the second in command of the Investigation Team, it was him who almost Killed Nadatame. Which was out of character for the cool and calm Yosuke. And if you let him, Nanako will die, ending the game!

Also In a strange note, the Arrival of the Supermarket, mirrors that of the Rise of Lidl on the late 90s. Which is treated with Wonder and Distrust, like our Tarot Magician

Morgana

When Joker and Ryuji are taken prisoner in the Castle of Lust, a 3rd prisoner helps them escape. Not a Man, but Claiming not to be a cat, The Creature called Morgana claims to be a cursed human, robbed of his Body and his memories. He does however, have knowledge and expertise of this Cognitive World. When the others return to reality, Morgana follows them, though he has indeed taken the form of a real cat, though he can still talk and be understood by those who have been to the Cognitive World. 

Morgana takes a Mentor role for Joker, under the guise of a pet cat. Teaching the Phantom Thieves, the way of Stealth, Combat, and the crafting of Infiltration Tools like lockpicks, even the knowledge that Shibuya is also a hidden palace called Memontos, used for the side Quests and grinding. Somewhat Sauve, Morgana tries to flatter Ann to get noticed.  He has a rivalry with Ryuji, who he sees as pig-headed. Morgana cannot control his animal urges when treasure is about. Until he has a prophetic dream, of him been created in the Sea of Souls, meaning he is a Shadow.

This sends him into a downward spiral. He leaves the Phantom Thieves to start anew with the then inexperienced Haru. When they Reconcile the Cat) Shadow makes piece with his identity. In the final battle to save Humanity from Yaldaboth, Morgana Learns that he was a Contingency plan set by Igor, before he was replaced by Yaldaboth. After the final battle, the Barriers between world seemingly send Morgana home to the Cognitive World. Only for him to reveal that he gets to stay in this world. Though he may not be the handsome man to sweep Ann off her feet he is glad to stay with this friends.

With his knowledge of the Cognitive World, but none of himself, Morgana is truly both sides of the cards inspiration. Having a courage and ego despite his small frame and Formless Origins, Morgana became the Wingman, Touchstone and Confidant, that more often than not, Steered Joker in the Right Direction.

Dhalsim

In the many crimes Caused by M.Bison's Shadaloo Syndicate, it was the building of a damn, that caused a peaceful man to go to war!

Seeing the Suffering of his village, Dhalsim, A devotee of the Fire God Agni, Meditated on the matter and came to a course of action.

So he wrote a strongly worded letter to his Government Official!

OF COURSE NOT!

He shaved his head bald, covered himself in Blood Red Paint, wore a Necklace made of the SKULLS OF DEAD BABIES! and ordered the temple's Elephants to knock the Damn down!

However, no matter how many times Dhalsim stopped Shadaloo's schemes, they would return, it was only when he teamed with the likes of Charlie Nash, Guile and Chun Li to deal with Shadaloo as a whole they could do what he cannot alone. Though not successful in facing Bison Himself, Dhalsim returned to India, thinking he was a failure, however in the months he was gone, his wife Sally had given birth to his son, Dhatta. Thinking of the future, Dhalsim"s focus became Different. From Avenger to Defender. To angry young man, to Father. From Devotee, to the mantle of Master, Gaining the Local Beat cop Mahesh as his Devotee.

Representing the Transference aspect of the Magician, Dhalsim is one the few characters who has aged. But also of the Tricks on face value. In Street fighter 4, He has claimed his yoga fire are illusions, it only hits those who hold some negatively In their hearts. Despite that Dhalsim takes his devotion to pacifism and detachment of material gain seriously, even leaving tournaments if dangerous foes or long travel cannot be avoided. Dhalsim has truly lived his life on the path given to him.

Kenji-1

Yosuke-1

Morgana-1

Dhalsim-1

Perks

You only gain the Homemade choker from Kenji. That's it. As one of the NPC confidants in P3 the depth of storytelling should make up for no item or stat gain....but Kenji is not that guy!

Yosuke gains abilities that are standard with other playable characters, so his unique abilities are giving food and grocery items to the hero, opening up the option for Calvary attacks when they get scooters.

Morgana is the same but he like the confidants in his base game, is more personable. While sharing moves with the other Phantom Thieves, Morgana teaches Joker how to make Infiltration Tools. To pickpocket his foes. Handy tools for a thief!

Dhalsim is sought out by Ryu for his Spiritual Advice to Control the Dark Hadou. He has beaten Ryu many times as Ryu and Evil Ryu so he has seen him at his best and worst. But more often than not, he has Kept Ryu on the straight path.

Kenji-1

Yosuke-2

Morgana-2

Dhalsim-2

Influence on the hero and his world.

Kenji seemingly has you as his friend, and the others in your class can't even remember his name!

Yosuke is the second in command of your team, and takes it seriously, though of course compared to Naito who is a professional Detective, is out of his league, so his theories don't hold water. It was taken out, but lost voice recordings show Yosuke could have being romanced by Yu.

Morgana is the Mascot of the game, funny given that Persona 5 is an 18 rated game containing themes of Child Brides and the Apocalypse! Morgana is your wingman, nothing Joker does passes without his approval, from training to missions, to making sure Joker goes to sleep.

Dhalsim is a kind hearted Altruistic Devotee and later Master, who takes his vows seriously, to the determent of his win loss record. However, he has used his powers to do good. He convinced Rose not to commit Suicide, he gave Cammy free will, and has controlled Ryu's soul from becoming evil many times, before Ryu could learn the power himself. The fact a new generation of Fighters seek him out to train in his story in 5, shows how much Dhalsim means to his world.

Kenji-1

Yosuke-3

Morgana-3

Dhalsim-3

The winners are Yosuke, Morgana and Dhalsim

Join me next week when it's Ladies night. As we cover the Priestess and Empress Cards.

Opinion Piece: The Draft 2021

Usually I would, do a post breaking down the roster pages of Raw and Smackdown. Until wwe Did it for me, In the laziest way possible. Everyone's Name Alphabetically, With no Consideration of Title, Division or Role. Just 2 Reams of Text on the wwe Twitter page, that was launched into my TL. After days of writing the Roster review as it happened to launch for Today. So Instead I will go through the Winners and Losers of the 2 Rosters. Keep in Mind those Staying put with no changes will not be Talked about.

RAW WINNERS

AUSTIN THEORY: Raw didn't Draft Theory: They SAVED Theory! No longer Playing the Surrogate Stupid Son In Papa "Smurf" Johnny Gargano's Sitcom. Theory made a name for himself by Talking out Jeff Hardy. True Hardy has seen better days, But Taking out any Former world champion is how you make a name for yourself!

GABLE STEVESON: The Olympic Gold Medalist is a true Free Agent, or was as He was drafted straight to RAW. A great coup for wwe.

THE WOMEN'S DIVISION (WITH THE EXPECTION OF CAMEL-TOE-MELLA  AND NIA ANTI-VAX!) We are getting  Liv, Zelina, Becky, Mia Yim and Tegan Nox Joining Doudrop and Rhea. In a more Diverse Roster. Even If we have to listen to Corey (Golden) Shower Carmella with Praise.

RAW LOSERS

KEVIN OWENS: Kevin is just counting down the days to his contract being up. and no directly under Senile Vince, The chances of him resigning is now low!

THE TAG DIVISION: Jinder's team of Cronies are now split, as are T-bar and Mace. For everyone else it's just same shit, different day

ANYONE IN LEFT IN CATERING: YES, REGGIE THE WINE CLOWN IS STILL THE 24/7 CATERING CHAMPION AND THE CATERING CHAMPIONSHIP IS STILL A THING!

SETH ROLLINS: THE VISIONARY OF DRIP, WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT NAME?

THE GOBSHITE FROM MTV! IF HE HAD STAYED ON MTV AND NOT TRY TO BANKRUPT WWE BY BEING THE MOST PATHETIC CHOICE FOR CHAMPION, HE WOULD STILL WIND UP ON DANCING D-LISTERS!

SMACKDOWN WINNERS:

THE BLOODLINE: Roman and the Usos, flanked by Paul Heyman is the best thing on Smackdown. The Interview when the usos Remained on smackdown, but Kevin Patrick accusing Paul of using his powers to also Negotiate Brock as a free agent was gold!

THE HIGH TO MIDCARD:   Drew, Cesaro, Mustafa Ali, The New day, Sheamus, Swerve, Ricochet, and Gulak? Even if you don't Book Gulak properly, that's a strong foundation.

XIA LI: FINALLY XIA CAN RUB THE SMELL OF THE 10, 000 YEAR OLD DRAGON LEGEND OFF HER. I KNOW THERE WAS A REASON SHE WAS OFF TV!

SMACKDOWN LOSERS

ANGEL GARZA AND HUMBERTO CARILLO: Evil Mexican coming to Fox. It must be a Mandate!

HIT ROW:Evil African American Rappers coming to Fox. It must be a Mandate! Also, with exception of Swerve, The rest of them Are NOT! ready. Adonis, has Potential, Top Dolla Has BEEF!, But B-Fab is Black Carmella!

AALIYAH: NOT READY!

THE NEW CHARLOTTE DIVISION: With the exception of Toni Storm or Possibly Natayla, Do you really see  Aaliyah or Shitzi Blackfart doing 5 minutes competitive with Charlotte?

KING NAKAMURA: With the King of the ring Back , I'm Hoping wwe has something for Shin to fall back on!

The Tag division: see raw tag division!

RIDGE HOLLAND'S NON REACTION: DID YOU HEAR THE CROWD LAST NIGHT, THEY DIDN'T SAY BOO, THEY SAID "WHO?"

SAMI ZAYN PICKED LAST! bUT vINCE mCMAHON iS nOT bOOKING hIS pOLICTICAL aGENDA wHEN hE bOOKS sAMI!

So that's the Draft done for one year. And it will come into effect, on friday after the Saudi Blood money show. And that may be it for wrestling til the Rumble. If you wan't to follow me on Twitter if you want links to my other Reviews and blogs, or just me tweeting about idiots on gameshows, follow me on Twitter  @RealEnli.

Thanks for reading and keep it here for Tarotober, the Persona vs Street fighter Theme Month!