The Velvet Room Conspiracy Board

[fogboundcrow]

[In the Velvet Room, just off to the side of Igor's desk, stands a conspiracy board on wheels for easy transportation. It's covered in notes connected by red string and pins, meant to serve as a source of information to guests both new and old. Here is what it says...]

Ren Amamiya vs Akira Kurusu?

What even determines whether one is an Akira or a Ren? I had assumed glasses were the indicator, but my timeline's Ren completely shatters that possibility. Crow believes it may have something to do with "dumbass energy." This may be an affectionate use of the term dumbass. He is madly in love with his Ren.

Souji Seta vs Yu Narikami? Other name inconsistencies?

The Kanji here knows Yu Narukami as Souji Seta. I can only conclude this is a similar case as the Akira and Ren discrepancy, but what does it mean? What determines if a timeline is a Souji or Yu timeline? Or an Akira or Ren one?

As of now, I (and Crow), Magpie, and Sparrow all seem to come from Ren timelines, as does our Ren and the other Ren. The only other Ren. Everyone else is an Akira.

I do not have enough data to determine the commonality of Yu vs Souji at this time.

[There is an additional note pinned underneath this one in slightly neater handwriting:]

This does not seem to be limited to Wild Card Persona users. A version of our mother arrived, and her name is not consistent across realities. It is wholly possible that we may meet others whose names do not mesh, but there are far too few examples to truly say one way or another.

Akechis and Akira/Rens: Fated to be Together?

I get the striking suspicion that Akechis and Rens tend to end up together in most worlds or have at least some manner of ambiguous attraction or connection that may or may not be romantic. They seem like matched sets. Like white and black pieces on a chessboard in some respects.

[Another note in similar handwriting is attached beneath.]

While it's true that a great majority of Akechis and Akiras/Rens seem to share romantic feelings or at least some manner of attraction, the connection is not without exception. Lotus shares a more brotherly bond with his Akechi. We must remember that the multiverse is vast and there are always exceptions.

Vampires are Real and so are Demons

There are vampires here. Two of them. Naturally, that's badass, but Mikage-cho contains actual demons. Some of them look an awful lot like Persona or the Shadows in Mementos. The Shadows in the TV world are very different. Masked, with very abstract forms like floating mouths and... tables. What this says about cognition is beyond me.

[Another small note from Crow is attached.]

Although the vampires have left, other supernatural entities are present, including a ghost and someone of 'the Realm.' He has advised everyone to be careful when giving their full names, as doing so could lead to a loss of free will. As many of us use codenames, this shouldn't technically be an issue, but I wanted to give a warning just to be safe.

Cognitions

Extremely creepy facsimiles of people that are way too cheerful for their own good. They are probably not "real." The Inaba fox, however, seems authentic enough. Igor as well, though he seldom is forthcoming with his answers. "Important" people seem absent, however, such as Dojima-san, Narukami-san and his friends, and as much as I despise him, Adachi.

The people here seem comparable to NPCs in video games, if anything.

Why is it mostly US?

The population of this world primarily consists of Akiras/Rens and versions of me (Goro Akechi). Morgana, two Haru Okumuras, Kanji Tatsumi, Naoto Shirogane, and a few other outliers exist, but I find myself puzzling over why there are so many of us and why there are so few girls. Are the only ones drawn here Persona users or people fated to become Persona users?

[Crow adds another note:]

I believe at this point we can confirm that a Persona is not an automatic precedent to be here. Mother is, as far as I can tell, not gifted with the ability. Makoto Yuki also differs in that respect. I believe a more likely connecting thread is that those brought here are connected to areas where metacognitive phenomena have or will transpire.

Akechi Codenames:

There are so many of us that we have elected to select codenames. Here are the known codenames thus far.

Crow - My future self. Often seen in a Shujin Academy uniform with a black turtleneck and gloves. May or may not be engaged to his Ren, which I am not going to get into here, but know that they are extremely close. If you are weak to insufferable wholesomeness, I offer my condolences.
Raven - Me. I'm thirteen, but rest assured that I have far more maturity than most older teenagers I know.
Magpie - Is the Detective Prince, or was, at any rate. The coolest Akechi. Show your respect. Extremely powerful and intelligent.
Hawk - Six years old and absolutely precious. If you hurt him, you will die.
Shrike - Apparently a reaper and older than the others.
Aspen - Rose's Akechi. Seems rather normal as far as Akechis go.
Sparrow - He's the 'pleasant' one. You'll know him when you see him. Also, fuck Maruki.
Owl - Apparently is brothers with one of the Futaba-sans.
Stray - Another Shujin Akechi with braids, breaking from the bird pattern because it's the hip thing to do, I suppose.
Crane - Evidently we're branching out of corvids again with this one. We've yet to meet, but Crow said he got sent back in time. At this point, I shouldn't be surprised.
Phoenix - He is a bird demon from Hell. Well, not originally, but he ended up in Hell by choice and turned into a bird demon. His adoptive father is part of the Ars Goetia. Also, evidently, Hell has diegetic musical numbers and the princess feels like she belongs in Destinyland. I have many questions and will interrogate further.
Dove - Like Sparrow, but also not? Apparently more inclined to pursue answers, and the Ren in his world was stuck in a deep sleep. Ask Crow for details. Or ask Dove directly. Just don't be weird about it.
Falcon - A robot. Show your respect. He's had a difficult time. Additionally, Shido deserves to burn in hell.
Frog - Apparently also leads the Phantom Thieves. I don't know why he chose Frog, but here we are. He's nice enough, but there's this uncanny feeling like he's Crow but a little to the left.
Crow's Shadow - Because Crow can summon his Shadow outside cognitive spaces, he's far more present now. The yellow eyes give him away. Apparently he's still deciding on a name, but I've heard "Hiro" used a few times.
Wagtail - Once was Magpie's younger self, but has chosen his own path. Also the coolest Akechi. This is not up for debate.
Wolf - He has a Digimon and is slightly older than me but younger than most Akechis. His Digimon has claimed Rook despite not being an Akechi. Whether or not this counts is up for debate but I'll note it for transparency's sake.
Jay - Another Akechi around ten or eleven years old. Treat him well, or suffer the consequences.
Corvus - Not a Goro Akechi. Often seen smoking and wearing a hoodie.
Mockingbird - The Goro Akechi from Hannei's world.
Karasu - He survived Maruki's reality and seems incredibly aloof, like Magpie if he forgot to drink coffee in the morning.

More will be added as I am informed of them. Feel free to make your own additions.

"Akiren" Codenames:

Look, some are Ren and some are Akira. There are enough now that they, too, have codenames or nicknames.

Joker - The Ren Amamiya from my reality, in the future. Crow's boyfriend/fiance (?). Rather silly and certainly a menace, but he's a good person.
Drake - The first Ren present here. Does not wear glasses. Blew up fake Shinjuku once and is also a menace. This is not an insult.
Spades - The cool Akira. Can shapeshift and is very laid back. He owes my Shadow loyalties.
Akira-kun/Aki-chan- A five year old Akira. If you upset him, you shall burn in hell. Loves dinosaurs and is selectively mute, but he is very intelligent and understanding.
Lotus - Apparently of the fair folk. That's really all I know.
Trickster - The Ren that's a girl. I don't know her especially well.
Fiend - He has interesting tattoos and walks around shirtless.
Kira - A new Akira. He went to Hawaii here.

There are others. I'll add them once I know their codenames, so bear with me. That is a sign, Ren, that you get a codename too. You know who you are.

Coffins at Midnight?

The Iwatodai door is strange. At midnight, all of the cognitions turn into coffins and a mysterious tower appears. I don't know what this means, but this warrants deeper investigation.

[Oh boy. Seems Crow's left yet another note.]

This phenomenon is called the Dark Hour. When the clock strikes midnight, all electronic devices cease functioning, and the door to the Velvet Room shall not let you escape until the hour ends. Gekkoukan High School transforms into the tower Tartarus, which is crawling with Shadows and highly dangerous. Do not go in there unless you are adequately prepared, as the floors are ever changing and a powerful Shadow called the Reaper lurks. You only have an hour to do your business there and escape, lest you be trapped within Tartarus until the next Dark Hour.

As for the coffins, those who lack the potential to wield Personas transform into them when the Dark Hour strikes. In our case, most of the coffins are mere cognitions.

Weird Television:

The TV and movies here seem to draw from cognition. Think something into existence, and it may appear. Crow and one of the Rens seemed to do this, which is why one channel showed an Igor Adachi and an Igor Morgana wrestling. ...As well as a buff Morgana and a buff human Morgana in separate instances. One notorious channel, the 'Gorb Networb', seems to display snippets of our lives in the form of child-friendly reenactments with plush orb expies. ...They may actually be real, as a large 'Gorb' fortune teller was present at the Halloween Party. Either way, it is exceptionally weird, yet oddly addicting to watch.

If you pick up DVDs, they will play as intended. You can find almost normal entertainment, such as a unique Featherman series, but it is still influenced by cognition. One time, Crow made a terrible remark that allegedly turned into a B-movie.

People Who May Not Exist?

There are cases where familiar people from our worlds may not exist in other worlds. The Kanji I met here, for instance, does not know of Marie. I have also been informed that Dr. Maruki and a girl named Yoshizawa fall into a similar category. We aren't quite sure what this means yet, but it adds another wrinkle of complication.

TV World:

In Inaba, Persona users may enter a cognitive world through the TV screens. Be extremely careful when doing this. Unless you use the centermost display television in Junes to enter, there is no telling where you'll end up. You may even spawn your own dungeon, taking your repressed feelings and giving them form. Additionally, special glasses are advised to see through the fog, unless you have a masked Metaverse form, in which case your mask may suffice. There's a display with some TV glasses near the TVs now, so feel free to take one.

Age Appropriate Posters???

There are posters for movies that seem to take a different form based on age. For instance, an older teenager may see an advert for a mature film, while a small child may witness something more wholesome. Igor-san seems to want to protect the innocence of children here.

[Crow has added a note all his own:]

Futaba is Our Sister?

At least one version of Futaba is half-siblings with her Akechi. While this does not guarantee a blood relation across all realities, it is worth noting. Speaking personally, I did encounter such a case in my own world, albeit a different Persona user by the name of Ken Amada. Make what you will of that.

- Crow

Holiday Mysteries:

Thus far, we have seen two holiday festivities. On Halloween, Igor-san invited everyone to a grand ball with mandatory costumes. There was an immense banquet laid out for guests, apple bobbing, a haunted house populated by benevolent Shadows with a gift shop, and visitors from other worlds attended, though they did not stay.

For Christmas, we were treated to snowfall and even more benevolent Shadows took to the streets, bringing with them decorations, shops, hot cocoa, and more. Igor-san took the form of Santa Claus within Junes, and a version of Teddie in a reindeer costume was there for some reason or another. In cognitive spaces, all the Shadows were benevolent as well, and a version of Santa Claus replaced the Reaper.

I have no idea where all these Shadows go during the rest of the year, but it is interesting all the same.

Age Changing:

Recently, Magpie and one of the Rens reverted to child form. Igor-san stated it was to encourage them to foster bonds (or at least Magpie), and it lasted just shy of two months. We have no indication of if this will happen again, but you had best be on your best behavior or you may become the next child that Crow desperately attempts to care for.

We'll Always Be in Touch:

We now have proof that people who leave this place can still stay in touch via their cell phones. It seems that memories are generally preserved, and in cases such as Crow and myself, our timelines may branch so as not to endanger each other. It's reassuring to know our connections here don't have to be so fleeting.

[There is room for other characters to leave their findings as well. Some additions have already been made, including some peculiar symbols, such as a flower and a magpie clustered together with other symbols, connected by blue strings.

If your character has made additions, feel free to leave it in a comment!]

Comments

[rosemaudite]

[Here's Rose appending another note, this one related to the Dark Hour:]

I'm not convinced the Dark Hour is a strict 60-minute window. It's difficult to tell when timepieces of any sort stop functioning as soon as it sets in and my own sense of time isn't strong enough to try counting it out, but having been staying in Iwatodai since I got here, I wouldn't be surprised if there's some flexibility to its duration.

I'm also not sure this means anything in the greater scheme of things, and certainly calling it an 'hour' is the most efficient. But that doesn't make it not worth noting.

[fruitknife]

Having lived with it for multiple years: you're probably right.

[paysforall]

Shrike's Shibuya

... contains several differences from the familiar version of Tokyo common to all other worlds. Most prominently:

-> The Shibuya 109 building is instead the 104 building. (Henceforth the two are referred to as "Shibuya 109" and "Shibuya 104" respectively.)
-> There is no Okumura Foods. The Big Bang Burger on the corner near 109/104 is instead a chain called Justice Burger. Other BBB locations are other chains or different fast food shops entirely.

Sparrow, if you're reading this, you'll most likely blank out the rest of this information. Continue at your own risk.

-> There is no direct equivalent to the Metaverse/Tokyo's cognitive world. However, there is a similar plane known as the Underground which is a sort of cognitively-flavored afterlife, 'closer' to the real world than the Metaverse.
-> The Underground does exist in this world, but it is empty. Noise (the Underground counterpart of Shadows not attached to a particular person) does not appear.
-> Personas cannot be used in the Underground. However, my abilities (psychs) from the Underground can be used in Mementos.
-> My wings are only visible in cognitive spaces (Velvet Room, Mementos, etc), which is approximately the same behaviour as in Shibuya 104.
-> Attempts to overwrite BBB 109 with Justice Burger 104 produced a hybrid "Justice Banger," with a largely BBB menu. Hypothesis: BBB is too prominent in the cognitions of the people present in this world to change entirely.
-> Attempts to insert other shops that do not exist in Shibuya 109 have been largely successful. In particular, it is possible to recreate shops that are no longer open in the real Shibuya 104 (Ramen Don).

[fruitknife]

For your name shit: SEES has two different possible field leaders, for the most part. Blue-haired guy, apparently mostly answers to Makoto, or a girl with red hair. Minako in my case. Might have different names if that's just a Wild Card thing.

Never figured out what was up with that in Liminal Space, so I doubt we'll find out here, either. [Not that Shinji's saying the kid shouldn't try, but.]

[fogoflies]

Want a Persona?

Entertain me, and I'll see what I can do.

I'm at the gas station on rainy days.

[fogbornphantom]

Sagiri-san, no. I am vetoing this immediately.

If any children are reading this, do not approach the gas station attendant for handshakes.

- Crow

[midnightmaiden]

Some people seem a little confused, so I just want to let everyone know that I'm Kasumi Yoshizawa!

There's nothing wrong with my memories. I'm just me.

It's important to be kind to each other in a place like this. All we have is each other and the cognitions.

[Attached is a picture of a Yoshizawa in her school uniform, smiling and perky.]

[fogbornphantom]

Attention all Rens and Akiras.

There are too many of you now to postpone it any longer. I believe it's high time you all got codenames.

My Ren shall be Joker because somehow, astonishingly, no one else has claimed it yet.

- Crow

[pancakeboy]

Denied.

There's only one Joker, and none of them qualify.

[The note, while clearly in an Akechi's handwriting, is not signed.]

[lakebrat]

Just an update, if I may, to say that I plan to go by Frog.

After all, if you can't beat them, join them.

Signed, the new Akechi who's staying at Leblanc. (Frog)

[midnightmaiden]

[A note appears on the board with very tidy handwriting.]

There are a lot of misconceptions about Dr. Maruki, so I'd like to clarify them based on firsthand experience!

Dr. Maruki is a very kind person who wants to find ways to help people escape the pain from their traumatic experiences. All he wants is to make the world a better place.

My world's Dr. Maruki happens to be in a difficult situation, where he's been forced to make questionable choices or risk losing everything he's worked so hard to achieve. Someone he cares about very deeply is more or less being used to trap him.

I can't say how other worlds compare, but please try to understand. He isn't like Shido! He really is good, deep down.

[willowandoak]

[ Across the bottom of this note, in a large, messy scrawl that partially overlaps the final lines, someone has written: ]

marukipilled brainwashmaxxer

[rookandhound]

A new message, placed temporarily underneath the list of names, scrawled across the back of a 777 receipt.

Some scallywag has removed one of the pins holding up Reneé's Very Official Notice, and used it to hold the receipt in place.

WE'RE THE NEW ONES. CLAIMING WOLF AND ROOK.

[mirrorgirl]

[there’s a note written on cheap looking lined notepad paper and dark blue ink that’s pinned in a corner out of the way]

Hound will be scouting in the Tokyo door. Can be found at the base if needed.

Future Akira inhabiting current Akira's body.

[linkclickakira]

𝙰 𝚋𝚒𝚝 𝚋𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚎𝚍 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘 𝚠𝚎𝚕𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚎𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚖𝚎 𝙺𝚒𝚛𝚊. 𝙸𝚝𝚜 𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚢 𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚙𝚘𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚎.
𝙰𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚙𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚘?

[starvingfox]

A small note now laid written in an available spot near the list of codenames, its message clear for those to see it.

"Greetings. While I do not seem to have any multiples of myself besides one that is easy to differentiate from, I figured I should take a precautionary measure in case of future situations. I am Yusuke, if that name is familiar to any of you. I have taken the codename 'Fox' as it appears to be available, and I look forward to meeting and associating with you, should we cross paths."

[shakenit]

Given how poor my mental state was prior to the beginning of the school year, I can't say my absence from any given timeline comes as a shock.

I'd prefer to leave it at that, in a public space. I'm

It's a work in progress, but I'm doing the work.

[herewardbound]

A new addition has been made to the Conspiracy Board, this one in the form of a selfie, printed and affixed next to the list of myriad Akechis.

An arrow has been helpfully drawn, pointing from the entry describing Phoenix, to the taker's avian face.

It has been joined by a sticky note reading, in slightly agitated handwriting:

'NOT A SHADOW
(MUCH FRIENDLIER)
(PLEASE DO NOT SHOOT ME)'

[herewardbound]

A sheet of copy paper has been somewhat viciously pinned beneath the sticky note, featuring an addendum in a significantly angrier and more untidy scrawl:

THIS IS NOT AN INVITATION TO FUCKING STAB ME, EITHER
I AM NOT, AS A RULE, INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
-BUYING, SELLING, SWINDLING, TRADING, CHEATING, HORNSWOGGLING, BARTERING, OR GAMBLING FOR SOULS
-PERPETUATING ANCIENT WARS AGAINST THE DIVINE EXCEPT ON THE PERSONAL SCALE
-POKING THE SINFUL DEPARTED WITH PITCHFORKS OR WHATEVER THE FUCK PEOPLE THINK DEMONS DO
I GO BY PHOENIX. I PLAY PIANO. I LIKE COFFEE AND JAZZ AND WORK IN A HOTEL THAT REHABILITATES PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP. IF I'M GOING TO BE ASSAULTED, I'D LIKE TO AT A BARE MINIMUM EARN IT.

TALK. TO. ME.

FUCK.

[shakenit]

assorted Yoshizawas:

Violet - that's me. If my hair's not down it's braided, and I wear my glasses.
Fawn - lives with her Akechi-san at home.
Midnight - from Crow and Joker's timeline.

Those are all of us that I know of; I'm sorry if I missed anyone.

[fogbornphantom]

[A new note arrives on the board, not long after Midnight's Palace confirmation.]

Several people here have unfortunately been actualized, which is a complex form of cognitive alteration brought on by an outside force (typically Dr. Maruki). They may act strangely, and many will contest the alterations to their cognition and their being.

For the love of god, do not antagonize them. They are victims and deserve patience and compassion while we try to help them in a way that respects their autonomy and consent.

[youngestdawn]

[ A few hours later, a hanging door pocket appears, filled with lanyards and ID tags. The sign reads: ]

Actualized Persons Safety Badges
If you find someone who is new and actualized, please ask them to take one of these so other people won't bother them!
Akira, Age 6

[ Nearby, there's a pen and several sheets of stickers, just in case anyone feels like decorating theirs. ]

[ A few days later, another note appears near the little display, much less professional and definitely not proofread. ]

UPDATE
These Safety Badges Are For because the Actualized Persons should be treated like persons and we should respect them even if theyre not normal!!!! What if you were brain messed and everyone treated You like a animal huh. Basic Human Dignity! If You use these for to make their lives worze. I Will Know. And so will Crow. And So Will Onee-San Elizabeth.

[captainkurusu]

[Captain Akira, having now discovered the technological marvels known as ballpoint pens, appends a note of his own:]

My esteemed fellow Kurusus and Amamiyas,

Having given the subject of a codename due thought, I believe the most expedient one for me would be "Captain." However, should any of you feel differently, I'll defer to your collective judgment and answer to whatever the group decides.

Your colleague,
Captain Kurusu

[His handwriting is gorgeous.]

[willowandoak]

[ Ren's handwriting is awful. ]

this can be a general notice
if anyone tries to get me to call them captain or sergeant or any other bullshit, I'll kick their ass
-drake

[wicked_plan]

[A new note has appeared on the board]

Heya. It's me, the Ren from the same world as Karasu. My codename's Wild Card from now on. Call me Wild ( •̀ ω •́ )✧

[lakebrat]

[Another note appears beneath it.]

Meow

[vessel_ken_amada]

[A few days after this, a new note has appeared.]

There are starting to be several Ken Amadas, so we have gathered to get codenames for ourselves.

The Ken Amada living in the Iwatodai dorms got to keep his regular name, as it is a link to many friends back home for him.
Myself (the Ken Amada with a weird face and wings) will now be Nox.
The other Ken Amada with powers similar to mine has chosen Fatalis.
The latest Ken Amada to have joined the Velvet Room chose Draco.

Thank you.

Two back to back notes on conspiracy board

[unit_8910_wolf]

[In relation to this thread]

Been here for a month now but I’m still a newcomer, Zenkichi Hasegawa. Shadow weapon. Codename ‘Wolf.’ An unhuman model.
Attached is the QR code with more info about our ops. It's made by Akane who is also part of the unit- you can contact her through the QR code and no, its not shady.

Please, for the love of god, delete EMMA off your phones if you have it. Before we end up finding you lugging that app around like a ticking time bomb. There's enough on everyone's plates here.

[unit_8910_wolf]

Hello I am Akane – The CCAI that Wolf just mentioned-! Though my form is artificial, my directive is clear: to ensure the safety of humanity. I can be reached via the QR code below ●‿● Queries, requests for assistance, and general conversation are all permitted.

Please heed Wolf’s warning regarding EMMA. The risk factor of maintaining the application far outweighs any possible convenience. This is a matter of security, not preference.

Oh also I will be streaming games and other stuff too! Very soon! ≧◡≦

QR CODE

[A quick note of introduction]

[the_flower_karasu]

My name is Gogo Akechi. As far as I know, my gender as a woman, while non-conforming, is different from the other variants here.

Since my first name is different, I don't supposed a code name is strictly necessary, but I wish to be know as [Yubari]. I'm not sure how it came to me, but it feels...correct, somehow.

[vampirethief]

[A new note appears on Raven's board. It's decent quality handwriting.]

Hey, this is that vampire version of Ren. It's become clear that I need a codename for myself, despite having had gone months without one. So the one I picking for myself is Kaitou.

Yes I know super obvious since Phantom Thief and all, but hey, at least it's not tied to my vampire nature. Plus I'm surprised no one else has taken it yet.

[counterfeitphantom]

[At the bottom there is a large strip of paper with words printed across that is pinned to the board]

PLEASE DO N O T ATTACK OR HARASS THE COGNITIVE PSCIENTISTS. ANY AND ALL PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND IF YOU DO PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR ACTIONS WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES