Welcome, Candidates! Along with the release of the free version of 0.3.12, I'll also be cross-posting the in-depth guide to the Social Battle with Nersmias in that version. Remember that you can get the Supporter version on Patreon, as well as early access to v0.3.13! Here's the explanation on Patreon for the battle of v0.3.12:

"(...) challenging you to a battle of wits and will against Nersmias. This segment of the game uses special mechanics, for which it'll be useful to come prepared through fortified stats, well rested willpower, hypnosis actions (remember that you can now get them by hunting monsters) and even recruiting help from other Candidates.

Depending on your results in this verbal battle, you may gain access to two optional, non-exclusive story paths: one where you finally get the chance to speak to Sillan, and another one where you become the focus of attention for a while, getting dragged to three sex scenes involving exhibitionism, free use and humilliation. The gender and sex of the involved characters depends on your settings."

It is recommended that you try to beat him on your own at least once, for the sake of experiencing the content first-hand, unspoiled - and feeling absolutely free to close the game if you end up at the defeat segment and you decide you don't enjoy it. In case you want to win by whichever means necessary, but somehow do not find the correct steps, here's the in-depth guide explaining the mechanics and possible actions:

- Nersmias Social Battle ~ Introduction -

Starting on version 0.3.12, it is possible to discuss with Nersmias at the Temple of Harmony. Because brute strength isn't an appropriate tool for those who wish to oppose his goals, the discussion with Nersmias involves special mechanics to turn it into a "discussed" battle, where it could be possible to make him change his positions if you come well prepared enough and choose the correct options - but he might also want something from you.

I'm balancing this event to make it hard to succeed if you're defending goals radically different from his own, especially if you attempt to do so blind. Still, it might be an interesting experience, so I won't dissuade you if you want to try.

- Important values -

- There are four important values of which you might get access to more or less precise descriptions of two during Nersmias' main event: Nersmias' global trust, global conviction, local trust and local conviction.
* Global values are influenced by all Candidates, local ones are only relevant during the discussion between Nersmias and the player.
* Trust values start at 50, conviction values start at 100.
* Local values will be modified by a fraction (25%) of the difference between their starting values and the current state of the global values, meaning that altering the global trust and conviction of Nersmias beforehand might be useful or detrimental to you.
- Being able to use hypnosis actions will allow an extra mechanic during the main event.
- You may benefit from having buffed will, intelligence, perception, charisma, empathy, will and restored willpower.
* A value called "social evaluation power" will be calculated for this scene with the player's (empathy * 1 + perception * 0.65 + luck * 0.35), which will be used to gauge Nersmias' values.
* Player's persuasion power: Charisma * 0.9 + Intelligence * 0.6 + Empathy * 0.3 + Luck * 0.2. Affects the effectiveness of some interactions with Nersmias.
* Player's inspiration power: Charisma * 0.9 + Will * 0.6 + Empathy * 0.3 + Luck * 0.2. Affects the effectiveness of some interactions with Nersmias.

- The other Candidates -

Padmiri, Claw, Maaterasu and Nashillbyir can also interact with Nersmias, as they have different opinions which were defined in the events where Valtan's situation was discuss in the Passion Temple.

You can ask for their opinions through an adventure request at the cost of 5 social drive, if they like you enough.

If they like you enough and Nersmias is available, you can also ask them to go speak with Nersmias for the cost of 5 favors. Keep in mind that they won't return the favors if they find themselves unable to talk with him, and they will only argue in favor of their own opinions, not yours.

- Evaluating Nersmias -

- Social Evaluation Power:
* At a value of 30 or more, you will have level 3 and 0 inaccuracy.
* At a value of 24 or more, you will have level 2 and 15% inaccuracy.
* At a lower value, you will have level 1 and 30% inaccuracy.
- You will receive different descriptions of Nersmias' attitudes depending on their values, your SEP level (2 and 3 share the same descriptions), and your inaccuracy. A large inaccuracy will make it more likely for you to receive wrong descriptions.
- At a level 3 of SEP, you will also receive the exact values of Nersmias' trust and conviction during each round.

- Nersmias Social Battle -

The battle consists in an introduction, the battle itself, and a conclusion. The introduction will be composed of one or more initial statements where you declare your intentions or bring different topics to Nersmias. The battle will be a succession of different topics that may be randomly offered to you if their requirements are met (notice that there won't be much of an actual "battle" if you only choose topics that make Nersmias agree with you), which may alter Nersmias' values, impose checks on you and rarely change your respect within the Shapeshifter tribe. The conclusion will be reached when one of the ending conditions has been met during the battle, or you decide to retire.

- Introduction -

Several options, most of them stating your intentions. Honesty may not be well advised.
- I have come to defend Valtan: Lowers trust and raises conviction, will allow you to select an extra option later. It's never good to select this options.
- I want you to let Valtan talk to Sillan: Raises Nersmias' conviction. Nothing useful here either.
- I'm worried about Sillan: Check of (charisma + will) >= 32, raising trust and reducing conviction if passed, no negatives if failed.
- I want to hear about your reasons: Will not change anyone's stats, but it provides good hints about the effects of subsequent options. Allows you to pick more options later.
- Extra option unlocked at (perception + luck * 0.3) >= 17: Ask about the murals in the Temple. Small trust increase, gives you some extra lore and allows you to pick other options later.
- Time to speak my mind: The Social Battle proper starts.

- General Mechanics -

Once you enter the Social Battle, you will be offered different topics to discuss, with more options to choose from if you have high social stats the same way you'd have more options in a generic conversation. Choosing some options prevents you from choosing other options later (you can't argue that Valtan is a good Candidate and that Valtan shouldn't have become the Shapeshifter Candidate in the same playthrough), they cannot be selected twice, and they may have some conditions to be picked. For instance, three options require you to have high relationship stats with Valtan (>=4 friendship or romance, >=4 domination, or >=3 enmity/rivalry, respectively).

Naturally, options that agree with Nersmias will make his conviction stronger, but some options that he will disagree with will backfire if they're moderately weak arguments.

High trust will prevent Nersmias from using hypnosis against you, while his trust reaching zero will make him kick you out.

- Social Battle Topics -

- Sillan didn't want to be a Candidate: Unlock "Sillan was complicit in the swap".
- Sillan was complicit in the swap: Your persuasion decreases Nersmias' conviction, unlocks "Maybe you didn't even deserve to have a Candidate".
- Maybe you didn't even deserve to have a Candidate: Your inspiration lowers Nersmias' conviction, and his trust decreases.
- Valtan had Sillan's interests in mind first: Inspiration check >= 32.
* Passed: Inspiration decreases Nersmias' conviction, his trust decreases.
* Failed: Nersmias' trust decreases.
- The Goddess wanted Valtan and Sillan to swap: Nersmias' trust decreases and his conviction increases.
- Valtan makes for a good Candidate: Nersmias' conviction increases.
- Valtan deserves to see Sillan: Nersmias' conviction decreases.
- Valtan doesn't deserve the exile: Nersmias' trust decreases, conviction increases.
- Valtan is chaotic indeed: Increase Nersmias' trust and conviction.
- Sillan deserves to see Valtan: Decrease Nersmias' conviction.
- Valtan helped me rescue Glien: Inspiration check >= 26.
* Passed: Your inspiration decreases Nersmias' conviction, his trust increases.
* Failed: Increased conviction, decreased trust.
* Logically, you will only receive this option if Valtan aided you during Cavern Rescue.
- If Shapeshifters are chaotic, you must respect that: Decreased trust, increased conviction.
- If Shapeshifters are chaotic, maybe they need a firm hand: Nersmias' trust increases.
- Valtan deserves to be trusted: Nersmias' trust decreases.
* Requires the player to have 4 levels of either friendship or romance towards Valtan.
- I will rein in Valtan: Inspiration check >= 26.
Passed: Your inspiration largely increases Nersmias' trust, and his conviction decreases. Gains a lot of respect with the Shapeshifter tribe.
Failed: No effects.
* Requires the player to have 4 levels of domination towards Valtan.
- Valtan is scum: Increases Nersmias' trust and conviction. This option is mutually exclusive with a lot of different options, so even if you pass the initial requirement, you may need some re-rolling to get it.
* Requires the player to have 3 levels of either rivalry or enmity towards Valtan.
- Stop using hypnosis (Variant A, Player didn't use hypnosis): No effects.
- Stop using hypnosis (Variant B, Player didn't use hypnosis): No effects.
* These options require the player to have noticed Nersmias' hypnosis, which might happen at random.
- Valtan shouldn't be High Priestess: No immediate effects, but allows you to select one of the last remaining choices to the question: "And what priorities should a High Priestess have, in your opinion?"
- Caring for those around her: Increase in trust and conviction, small respect gain with the Shapeshifter tribe.
- Ensuring justice: Your inspiration increases Nersmias' trust, and his conviction increases. Large respect gain with the Shapeshifter tribe.
- Maintaining order: Trust and conviction increased. Large respect gain with the Shapeshifter tribe.
- Keeping power: Decreased trust, increased conviction, respect loss with the Shapeshifter tribe.

- Hypnosis -

- If Nersmias' trust towards you is below 55, he will use hypnosis against you at the end of each round, becoming progressively obvious as your willpower decays. His attacks deal a base damage of 16 willpower, which decrease towards 8 as your will approaches 24.
- The same way, if you have learned hypnotic glance (battle) and have at least 5 willpower, you have spend 5 willpower to deal 5 damage to Nersmias' conviction and 2 to his trust. HOWEVER, if you use hypnosis before him, he will get angry and kick you out, resulting in you achieving nothing but decreasing his trust by 25 and locking you out of talking to him again.

- Ending Conditions -

The Social Battle may result in you being directed to either one, two or none out of two different extra scenes, one where you talk to Sillan, and another one with extreme content where you aid Nersmias. The ending may be reached automatically if certain conditions are reached, or upon trying to leave.

- Automatic Ending Conditions:
* Nersmias runs out of conviction: Conversation with Valtan.
* Nersmias runs out of trust, player has high willpower (>20): The Player is kicked out, no extra scenes.
* Nersmias runs out of trust, player has low willpower (<=20): The Player is forced to aid Nersmias.
* Player runs out of willpower, Nersmias has high conviction (>20): The Player is forced to aid Nersmias.
* Player runs out of willpower, Nersmias has low conviction (<=20): The Player is forced to aid Nersmias, *and* gets the chance to speak to Sillan.

- Leaving Endings: Different outcomes if you choose to leave before any automatic ending is reached.
* Valtan must be pardoned: Nothing useful here. Nersmias' trust will decrease and his conviction increase, and you will leave.
* Let Valtan speak to Sillan, just once: check for Nersmias' conviction < 20.
** Passed (lower than 20): Player is offered to aid Nersmias in exchange for a chance to speak to Sillan (for the player, not Valtan).
** Failed: Nothing is gained, re-directed to "Nothing else to discuss".
* We should work together: check for Nersmias' trust >= 60.
** Passed: Player gains 150 Shapeshifter tribe respect, Nersmias' conviction and trust raise considerably.
** Failed: Nothing is gained, re-directed to "Nothing else to discuss".
* Nothing else to discuss: double check for Player's willpower <= 30, and Nersmias' trust <= 20.
** Passed: Player is forced to aid Nersmias.
** Failed: Player leaves safely.

- Consequences -

- Resisting 9 hypnosis attacks from Nersmias will raise your will affinity by 0.05. Stats affinity determine the speed at which you gain stat experience.
- An absolute defeat with Nersmias (one where you are forced to aid Nersmias) will permanently reduce your will by 2.
- Aiding Nersmias (Ending): The player is taken to a story path with three sex scenes with 2, 3 and 4 generic and semi-generic Shapeshifters, whose parameters might vary depending on your settings (especifically, regarding futa content and male characters). The story path has the tags: exhibiotinism, group, free use and hypnosis.
* You lose all your merit, 250 respect from the Shapeshifter tribe, and 750 domination towards Ate, Claw, Nash and Padmiri.
* The relations between the Passion Temple and the Shapeshifter tribe fall by 100.
- Talking to Sillan (Ending): You will have the chance to speak with Sillan and push her in different directions, which will have consequences later. Additionally, some options have hidden effects:
* "You should speak with Valtan one last time": Sillan gains 1000 friendship with the player.
* "You must confront Valtan": Sillan gains 750 friendship and 500 submission towards the player.
* "You shouldn't trust Nersmias": Sillan loses 250 friendship and gains 250 enmity with the player, and loses 100 friendship with Nersmias.