Once the next update launches, I’ll prioritize setting up a spreadsheet to add to my “guide” so more people can look at/sort the variables. I have fun theorizing, even when I’m completely off the mark.
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I’m not sure what others have commented, but I’m sorry if I’ve touched on a topic that sounds as if it’s gotten a little tired. I love the character writing, and I think Merlin’s nature is wonderfully unique and fascinatingly, almost eldritch in its alienness! I was only trying to wrap my head around what some of the romances might entail, beyond the content warnings.
Apologies if I’ve added to the confusion, but I also just wanted to say that I’m not sure if reducing it down to an issue with “Merlin not having a human libido”, might be skirting around the crux of the subject a bit? I don’t think a libido or sexual attraction is necessary for enjoyment and intimacy between partners. However with Merlin, it doesn’t seem like it would be a reciprocal, intimate experience for both? From what’s been described, it sounds more like it would entail a simulated fantasy for one, and a somewhat routine feeding for the other. Of course an argument could be made that feeding from someone is an intimate act, but there’s the added element of an illusion that separates them. I can’t help but imagine someone sitting on the sidelines like “wow this sandwich is decent, thanks!” 
whilst their partner is lost in an intricate fantasy and is contending with what is essentially an illusion, not the true aspect, desires, and feelings of their partner. Letting a vampire drink blood, or allowing a demon to siphon off energy is one thing, but in Merlin’s case, feeding them in exchange for “being in a relationship” sounds like it forces a partner into a situation where they have to repeatedly experience something vulnerable, unreciprocated, fictitious, and ultimately, lonely?
I’m also not sure I understand what the appeal of a relationship would be for Merlin if they don’t experience any romantic feelings at all? It sounds like they’ll reluctantly “accept” being in a relationship if they get to use the MC as a convenient/ tasty food source?
Or maybe I’ve totally gotten the wrong end of the stick!
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Part of the appeal of Merlin for me is superficial since they have the option to look similar to FGO Merlin who has one of my fav designs. 
Even if Merlin won’t have romantic feelings for the MC I don’t think it means it’s completely one sided if it’s a long term relationship.
If the MC says they want to have a serious relationship in the Free Time Hub, Merlin does say they will actually feed less on the MC.
It’s been mentioned on the Tumblr they will bring up past lovers in conversation (they’ve done so in the game already) which I think is kind of sweet.
Edit: This post on the Tumblr gives some good insight into Merlin as a RO.
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Gotcha, totally understandable.
What about the possibility of us gaining sufficient life/soul/magical energy (or whatever it is Merlin feeds on) that they can safely and regularly feed on us without needing to feed on others and it not being a health risk for us?
Would they be okay with that since it isn’t them being changed or is that still a no? (And if they would be okay with it then will/could that viable possibility for us later in the game?)
Oh and btw will there be any scenes in the Merlin romance where we walk in on them feeding on someone else or that not be a thing/locked behind a conversation where we discuss the situation with Merlin to be involved/watch the feeding sessions?
(Just so I know whether to do their romance or not (I don’t mind them feeding on others but would much prefer there not be any mandatory scenes where we witness it, if there has to be a scene like that implemented I’d much prefer it be optional and locked behind an option where a player asks to watch/be involved.))
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Nonhumans are confirmed (in the code) to be less nutritious for Merlin, even though they’d probably have more life energy and magic to feed on.
Maybe the more magic/life energy/soulstuff you have, the tighter your grip on it is?
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Or maybe it’s more difficult to digest? Like cellulose.
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Bro I’m begging you, is it Mordred? I’ve been trying my damn hardest to be Mordred
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I want to be Mordred so much too! Or at least bed him, either works to be honest.
My greed MC would very much like a powerful enemy or a sparring partner so it would be very nice if Mordred ended up as one of our allies. I don’t think it’s him but I like Adrian enough that I wouldn’t mind him being Mordred.
If not us, would you guys prefer Mordred as an enemy or friend? Also, who between the harbingers would you people prefer to be Mordred?
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The main reason I think the MC might be Mordred is because he’s a well known Arthurian character that most people will recognize.
I also think Adrian is possibly Mordred. There’s a Camelot background quiz on the Patreon where he tells the MC they can’t be Mordred if that’s the result you get (the quiz isn’t canon to my knowledge). He doesn’t react well if you say you want to be Mordred.
But Adrian has hints for other Camelot characters (I’m subscribed to he’s Lancelot theory) and Mordred is just one of them.
Edit: The quiz is canon. I can’t wait to ask Merlin to take it for the lols.
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Ideal scenario: Mordred is the saboteur in the rival circle and is going to betray them to help us.
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I’m AMAZED, there’s so much in there already.
Here’s my stats :
What You Did
Interacted with Merlin: 1
Interacted with Adrian: 0
Interacted with Percy: 0
Trained Skills: 1
Worked on Phobia: 0
Stress Relief: 1
Internet Research: 0
Chores: 0
Pearls Sent: 0
Re-evaluation: 0
Magic: 4 Physical: 27 Mental: 30 Charisma: 25
Bold : 152 Sweet : 102 Sassy : 41 Optimist : 108
Silent : 12 Fear Level : 8 Phobia Level: 4
Currently Known Alias : Alexandra Breton
Known Species : Human
Gender : Female
Age : 25
Status
Magic + Mysticism: 4%
Physical Strength + Athleticism: 27%
Intelligence + Perception: 30%
Charisma + Diplomacy: 25%
Health: 100%
You feel perfectly fine.
Vice Level (Lust): Human
Fear Level (Ophidiophobia): Nervous
Corruption: -2 ⛨
Personality
The ‘Me’ I present to the world
Bold: 100%Timid: 0%
Sassy: 41%Serious: 59%
Sweet: 100%Sour: 0%
Optimist: 100%Pessimist: 0%
My Hidden True Self
The ‘Me’ that exists in my mind
Sassy: 100%Serious: 0%
Sweet: 100%Sour: 0%
Optimist: 100%Pessimist: 0%
Arthurian Lore Expert
Round Table Allies (aka Current Suspects)
Merlin: 93%
Adrian Benoni: 81%
Percy T. Longspear: 59%
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What You Did
Interacted with Merlin: 0
Interacted with Adrian: 1
Interacted with Percy: 0
Trained Skills: 1
Worked on Phobia: 0
Stress Relief: 0
Internet Research: 0
Chores: 0
Pearls Sent: 0
Re-evaluation: 0
Magic: 23 Physical: 12 Mental: 36 Charisma: 27
Bold : 198 Sweet : 88 Sassy : 148 Optimist : 74
Silent : 14 Fear Level : 8 Phobia Level: 4
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What You Did
Interacted with Merlin: 0
Interacted with Adrian: 0
Interacted with Percy: 1
Trained Skills: 1
Worked on Phobia: 0
Stress Relief: 0
Internet Research: 0
Chores: 0
Pearls Sent: 0
Re-evaluation: 0
Magic: 19 Physical: 36 Mental: 28 Charisma: 18
Bold : 223 Sweet : 63 Sassy : 156 Optimist : 64
Silent : 23 Fear Level : 2 Phobia Level: 4
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Found a bug, in chapter2-2
*if (clothes = “t-shirt & jeans”) or (clothes_color = “sleeves”)
Should be sleeveless, not sleeves.
1 Like
Oh my gosh, I just replayed the Serial Killer route, and I experienced the joy of killing a blob with nothing but a towel 
OKS gives nothing but wonders each playthrough
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When you pick the changeling background, it’s mentioned that you have better than average luck; good things/things that you want seem to just happen for you.
Does that actually have an impact on gameplay? Does being a changeling make it more likely that you will pass a stat check or something?
I’ve been reading Merlin’s Guide and looking for likely suspects for fae MC’s parents. Here’s some of my findings:
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It does seem to affect some dice rolls.
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"But in the Christianized versions that came after," Adrian continues. "Merlin is an incubus."
*if (fgo)
*if (mute)
That's right... just like in
*link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fate%2FGrand_Order Fate/Grand Order.
From the look of recognition on your face, the implication is clear. Even if your current companions might not understand exactly [i]where[/i] that knowledge originally came from.
*else
"That's right... just like in
*link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fate%2FGrand_Order Fate/Grand Order!"
you exclaim.
From the somewhat puzzled looks on both of your current companions' faces, it seems neither of them are familiar with the series. Yet the implication is clear.
*elseif (arthurian > 1)
Oh, that's right. You do vaguely recall something like that. Not a particularly popular rendition of Merlin within the public consciousness. Odd, in a way. Aren't incubi and succubi rather popular as far as monsters go?
Maybe not to the same degree as vampires and werewolves, but people have always liked sexy things.
Is there a way to trigger the FGO flavor text here if I’m an Arthurian lore fanatic?
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Yes! You need to set the FGO variable to true and there is one way to do that before this conversation. When Merlin reveals their identity, choose: “Huh… you don’t look like Merlin to me.” then, choose “A clean-shaven young man with wild white hair to the very ground. Or wait… was that a woman? You had your choice in Fate/Grand Order.” This will set the FGO variable to true.
There are also ways to set the FGO variable to true if you miss that option in the Merlin’s guide. When talking about the minor enemies section, choose “i fully expect to find unladen swallows and the rabbit of caerbannog now!” and then "i expect cath palug to be a fluffy rabbit that goes “fou!”
Another opportunity is in the minor allies section, and you need to pick “wait is silence pulling an artoria here?” All these options will set the FGO variable to true and would trigger any subsequent FGO flavour text.
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I’ve always been able to trigger the text in the past by going with your first suggestion.
However, when I changed to a lore fanatic (so I can get Merlin’s autograph) I’ve gotten different text even when I went with the same choice.
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