The Crying Children

Overview	Story	The Crying Children	The Church of Gears	The Eighth Chef	The Musicians of Bremen
The 8 o’Clock Circus	L’heure du Loup	The Puppeteer	The Blood-red Night	Yesterday’s Promise	The Blue Reverberation

For the character, see Philip.
For the Urban Nightmare reception, see The Crying Children (Reception).

The Crying Children
Type	Distortion
Parent	The Reverberation Ensemble
Appearances	Library Of Ruina

“	Do relationships between people really matter? They'll all break in the end, sooner or later. Can't a person be himself and walk down a path he chose purely on his own, without anyone else's intervention? He may seem like a nobody, but he'll ultimately gain more.	”
–The Crying Children to Malkuth

The Crying Children is a Distortion of Philip, a former Fixer of Dawn Office. After the Unspeaking Child escapes the Library and joins the Reverberation Ensemble, the Crying Children now seeks a world of isolation, where people only care about themselves without any regard to others. The fight takes place on the Floor of History.

Composition

During this Reception, Philip is fought as the only foe, though in phase 2 he will summon 4 Unspeaking Children to aid him in battle, for a total of 5 guests.

Sprite	Name	Description
	Philip	Also known as "The Crying Children". A former Fixer of the Dawn Office, before his own determination was corrupted by Oswald into cowardliness and tragedy, becoming a wax angel Distortion based around fire. Formerly a flock of statues that represented his selfish desires, only the Unspeaking Child remained, and thus transformed into an aloof, indifferent and amnesiac version of himself who believes he's happier without his memories, though as the fight drags on, his emotions bloom once again. Fights using a decrepit, jagged longsword.
	Unspeaking Child x 4	The few remaining fragments of Philip's mind, after having narrowly escaped the Library before. The Unspeaking Child embodies Philip's shame at his attempts to justify his own cowardice, shutting his mouth to stop making excuses that flout all his desires and beliefs. They split to aid Philip when he enters his second phase.

Story

Philip arrives at the Floor of History, standing by himself for a moment before Malkuth runs up to him, happily introducing herself as the Patron Librarian of this Floor and his opponent. Philip gives no answer and continues to stands silent. Malkuth asks if he's even gonna say anything, and Philip finally replies in a deadpan voice that he has nothing to say to her anymore. She asks him again if he holds a grudge towards the Librarians, thinking he might believe they took everything from him, with Philip simply replying "Maybe so" in the same vacant tone, but Malkuth notes he doesn't sound too certain about that.

Philip explains that he still has remnants of memories and emotions within himself, not sure if he lost them of simply forgot about them, only that they became dull with time. He believes his former self would've held onto them, unable to let go at all, before moving on to state that he's simply standing there for "the performance that will awaken the people of the City"; he doesn't have any hard feelings towards Malkuth or the rest of the Librarians, he's simply there to take the Light from them. Malkuth asks if he doesn't even feel like something important was taken away from him, to which Philip explains that having his happiness taken away doesn't mean that he's sad; he didn't become intrinsically unhappier, he simply returned to a placid state when he hadn't realized his own emotions, back before he even joined Dawn Office.

Malkuth asks what would be left of him, if he had to part with such important emotions and memories. Philip concedes that there's nothing left, but even then, he doesn't feel bad about it. He wonders why are people taught they must earn things to be happy and successful, be it jobs, wealth, friends or knowledge, knowing they will all eventually fade away like everything does, which ends in them struggling in vain to hold on to them and falling into despair once they invariably fail, just like he once did. He wonders if relationships have any actual meaning to them, knowing they'll break sooner or later, and if that's so, people would be better off walking a path they chose on their own, without anybody's influence over them; even though they seem like a lonely nobody, they'll be the one who will gain the most in the end.

Malkuth understands he's afraid of what might happen between himself and other people, having experienced that same anxiety in her past life, but interjects that without those emotions, nobody would be able to move forward; even in difficult and trying times, there's always something to learn from one's own toil. Philip dismisses her words, believing that even if that were true, she's not somebody that could lecture him about that, expressing a bit of emotion reminding Malkuth she's took the life of her colleagues, to which she responds nothing.

Still, Philip states that he's not here to take revenge unlike anybody else would. He just wants the means to a free life, unchained and not having to worry about being criticized for anything he does. Malkuth admits that without a clear conscience of her own actions, she has no more arguments to make, and signaling her Assistant Librarians to get ready, says there's only one way left to settle this.

Stats and Cards

Philip's uses his personal ensemble page, and has a deck mirroring both his Wedge Office and Crying Children decks. His passives focus on Burn and though initially almost immune to all damage, once he accumulates enough stacks of Burn, he will become vulnerable to stagger and gain a damage boost.

• Philip's Passive Abilities:
  • Nuovo Fabric: Take 1-2 less damage and Stagger damage from attacks.
  • Shimmering: At the start of each scene, exhaust all pages in hand and deck; add new pages to hand. Their cost becomes 0.
  • Cooled Heart: Take no damage from Burn Burn X
    At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down).
  • Sword of Embers: When inflicting Burn Burn X
    At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) using Combat pages, apply +1 additional stack.
  • Tempered Passion: Whenever the Emotion Level rises, inflict 3 Burn Burn X
    At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to all characters, including self. Gain Power by half the current Emotion Level (Rounded down)
  • Overheat: If the character has 15 or more Burn Burn X
    At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) at the start of the Scene, become Overheated, dealing more damage with attacks but Stagger Resistances change to Fatal.
  • Phase 1 only:
    • Searing Sword: While Overheated, inflict 1 Burn Burn X
      At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to target on hit, and inflict 1 Burn Burn X
      At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to attacker when hit.
    • Crackling Heart: HP does not go down below 60% of Max HP. When Staggered, proceeds to the next phase, change resistances, and purge all status ailments from self.
  • Phase 2 only:
    • Searing Sword: While Overheated: inflict 1 Burn to target on hit, and inflict 1 Burn to attacker when hit.
    • Vanishing Mind: When an Unspeaking Child is defeated, lose Power by the number of Unspeaking Children that have been put down so far next Scene.
    • Sizzling Heart: HP does not go down below 30% of Max HP. When Staggered, proceeds to the next phase, change resistances, and purge all status ailments from self.
  • Phase 3 only:
    • A Blade Ablaze: Inflict 1 Burn Burn X
      At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to target on hit, and inflict 1 Burn Burn X
      At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to attacker when hit.
• Unspeaking Child's Passive Abilities:
  • Speed I:  Speed Dice Slot +1 (Cannot Overlap)
  • Torched Heart: Takes half as much damage from Burn Burn X
    At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down). Starting with the Scene after it was spawned, gain 1 Strength Strength X
    Offensive dice gain +X Power for the Scene. and Endurance Endurance X
    Defensive dice gain +X Power for the Scene. every Scene.
  • Overheat: If the character has 15 or more Burn Burn X
    At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) at the start of the Scene, become Overheated, dealing more damage with attacks but Stagger Resistances change to Fatal.
  • Combustion: While Overheated, gain 3 Fragile Fragile X
    Take X additional damage from attacks for the Scene. each Scene, and inflict 1 Burn Burn X
    At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to target on hit. Also uses a different set of Combat Pages.

General Stats and Behavior

The fight against Philip is a 3 phase fight, with each phase is shifted after staggering. Though initially extremely resistant to all damage and Stagger damage, once he accumulates enough stacks of Burn Burn X
At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down), his Stagger resistances will change to Fatal, but he will also gain a boost to damage and apply 1 Burn Burn X
At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) both on hit and on receiving a hit.

First Phase

During the first Phase, Philip will use an assortment of cards in a specific order, with Despairingly Stigmatize being a filler card when he gains more Speed dice.

1. Conflicting Emotions, Waned Eventide x2, Despairingly Stigmatize
2. Despairingly Stigmatize x2, Waned Eventide x2
3. Searing Resolution x2, Conflicting Emotions, Despairingly Stigmatize
4. Repeat

Second Phase

During the second Phase, Philip will use an assortment of cards in a specific order, with Despairingly Stigmatize or Waned Eventide (depends on if he reaches max emotion level) being filler cards when he gains more Speed dice.

1. Restrain, Wound Of Sorrow, Conflicting Emotions
2. Wound Of Sorrow x2, Fierce Spirit
3. Combusting Courage, Searing Resolution x2
4. Repeat

Philip will also summon 4 Unspeaking Children, which they will use Murmur, Wing Stroke and Victimize, with Murmur being prioritized over the other two. Similar to Philip, when they accumilate enough stacks of Burn Burn X
At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down), their Stagger resistances will change to Fatal and gain 3 Fragile Fragile X
Take X additional damage from attacks for the Scene., but will also gain a boost to damage and apply 1 Burn Burn X
At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) on hit. They will also gain 4 copies of Victimize with the highest Priority and can only be used this scene.

Third Phase

Philip on his Third Phase

During the Third Phase, Philip will use an assortment of cards in a specific order, with Despairingly Stigmatize or Waned Eventide (depends on if he reaches max emotion level) being filler cards when he gains more Speed dice.

1. Scorching Desperation, Fierce Spirit, Restrain, Wound Of Sorrow x2
2. Searing Resolution x3, Conflicting Emotions x2
3. Rekindled Strike x2, Combusting Courage, Waned Eventide x2
4. Repeat

General Stats

Character	HP	Stagger	Max. Emotion Lv.	Lights	Dice Slots	Speed Dice
Philip	550	160	5	6	4	2~5
Unspeaking Child	60	40		3	2	2~4

Resistances

Character	Damage			Stagger
	Slash	Pierce	Blunt	Slash	Pierce	Blunt
Philip	x0.1 Ineffective	x0.1 Ineffective	x0.1 Ineffective	x0.1 Ineffective	x0.1 Ineffective	x0.1 Ineffective
Unspeaking Child	x0.5 Endured	x0.5 Endured	x0.5 Endured	x0.5 Endured	x0.5 Endured	x0.5 Endured

Combat Pages

Philip's Deck (10 Cards)
Name & Art	Stats & Dice
Waned Eventide	Range:  Melee - Cost: 0 Light - 3~10 Evade - 4~8 Block - 3~7 Slash
Conflicting Emotions	Range:  Melee - Cost: 0 Light - 4~7 Block On Clash Win: Inflict 1 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to each other - 4~7 Block On Clash Win: Inflict 1 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to each other - 3~8 Slash - 3~8 Block On Clash Win: Inflict 1 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to each other
Despairingly Stigmatize	Range:  Melee - Cost: 0 Light Thrown out of the deck at Emotion Level 5 after Phase 1 - 3~7 Pierce On Hit: Gain 2 Negative Emotion Coins - 3~7 Pierce On Hit: Gain 2 Negative Emotion Coins
Searing Resolution	Range:  Melee - Cost: 0 Light - 4~8 Slash On Hit: Inflict 2 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) - 4~8 Pierce On Hit: Inflict 1 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) - 3~6 Block
Fierce Spirit	Range:  Melee - Cost: 0 Light Used on Phase 2 onwards only Combat Start: When inflicting Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) next Scene, inflict 2 more stacks; Gain 2 Strength Strength X Offensive dice gain +X Power for the Scene. next Scene - 4~7 Block On Clash Win: Inflict 1 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to each other - 3~7 Slash On Hit: Inflict 1 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) - 3~7 Slash On Hit: Inflict 1 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down)
Restrain	Range:  Melee - Cost: 0 Light Used on Phase 2 onwards only - 3~9 Evade - 8~10 Pierce On Hit: Inflict 2 Feeble Feeble X Offensive dice lose X Power for the Scene. Cannot be lower than 1., Disarm Disarm X Defensive dice lose X Power for the Scene. Cannot be lower than 1., and Bind Bound X Lower all Speed values by X for the Scene. Cannot be lower than 1. next Scene - 4~7 Block On Clash Win: Inflict 1 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to each other - 4~6 Block
Wound Of Sorrow	Range:  Range - Cost: 0 Light Used on Phase 2 onwards only - 3~7 Pierce - 4~8 Pierce - 6~10 Pierce - 3~7 Block
Combusting Courage	Range:  Melee - Cost: 0 Light Used on Phase 2 onwards only - 5~9 Slash On Hit: If target has 10 or more Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down), inflict 1 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to all characters - 5~9 Slash On Hit: If target has 10 or more Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down), inflict 1 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to all characters - 4~8 Slash On Hit: If target has 10 or more Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down), inflict 1 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down) to all characters - 3~8 Block
Rekindled Strike	Range:  Melee - Cost: 0 Light Used on Phase 3 only - 12~20 Pierce On Hit: Inflict 5 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down)
Scorching Desperation	Range:  Mass Attack - Cost: 0 Light Used on Phase 3 only Mass-Individual Mass Attack Targets every enemy. A successful hit destroys the target's Combat Page or action dice. Individual If the dice roll is larger than the target's current die, they take damage, and the die is destroyed. - 4~6 Pierce - 8~14 Pierce On Hit: Inflict 3 Burn Burn X At the start of the Scene, take X damage and subtract one third of the Burn stack. (Rounded down)

Unspeaking Children 's Deck (3 Cards)
Name & Art	Stats & Dice
Murmur x2	Range:  Melee - Cost: 3 Light - 3~6 Block - 3~7 Slash - 3~5 Blunt
Wing Stroke	Range:  Melee - Cost: 0 Light - 3~9 Evade - 4~8 Slash On Hit: Inflict 1 Feeble Feeble X Offensive dice lose X Power for the Scene. Cannot be lower than 1. next Scene
Victimize	Range:  Melee - Cost: 0 Light - 4~8 Blunt On Hit: Inflict 1 Disarm Disarm X Defensive dice lose X Power for the Scene. Cannot be lower than 1. next Scene - 5~8 Evade - 6~9 Blunt On Hit: Inflict 1 Feeble Feeble X Offensive dice lose X Power for the Scene. Cannot be lower than 1. next Scene

• 

  Murmur

• 

  Wing Stroke

• 

  Victimize

• 

  Conflicting Emotions and Waned Eventide

• 

  Despairingly Stigmatize and Searing Resolution

• 

  Fierce Spirit and Combusting Courage

• 

  Restrain

• 

  Wound of Sorrow

• 

  Rekindled Strike

• 

  Scorching Desperation

Dialogue

The Crying Children

Combat Entrance "There’s no more conversation to be had." "…I have no ill feelings." On Kill "…" "……" "Unlike me, you haven’t changed." "Have no attachment for what will leave your side one day…" Death "I simply return…" Victory "See? It’s just like my past self."

Malkuth

Combat Entrance "Don’t get too nervous, and take things on steadily!" On Kill "We’re doing great!" "Good… Let’s keep this up!" "It looks like we have a comfortable lead for now, yeah?" Teammate Death "It’s okay. Don’t blame yourself." "We can do it… Have faith in me!" "This is our final stand… We’ll fight till the end!" Death "…Don’t give up guys." Victory "That wasn’t the most gratifying victory."

Librarian 1

Combat Entrance "Miss Malkuth! What should we do now…?" On Kill "He’s still got those angeley statues." "Gotta end this quick…" "Are the others doing alright?" Teammate Death "I’m starting to get scared…" "We’re at a disadvantage. Let’s work our noggins a bit more…" "We’ll have to fight him head on…" Death "No… I have to be more helpful…" Victory "It’s done. …Time to wrap up and head back."

Librarian 2

Combat Entrance "He’s changed a lot. And so have we." On Kill "No time to waste." "We’ve fought him once before…" "Things are going pretty smoothly, aren’t they?" Teammate Death "This is gonna get more dangerous… Need to be more careful." "We can still… stop him on our own, right?" "Just what’s up with the ensemble and its powers…" Death "Damn… This isn’t how it’s supposed to go…" Victory "That left a bitter feeling."

Librarian 3

Combat Entrance "I guess now he’ll be harder to deal with than before…?" On Kill "I’m going strong so far!" "We just need to keep the tide turned!" "I’ll follow up right away!" Teammate Death "…I think we need to approach this differently." "At this rate, our floor might…" "What do we do… What do we do…" Death "I don’t wanna be a burden…" Victory "Sigh… It wasn’t an easy fight…"

Librarian 4

Combat Entrance "He seems calmer than the last time." On Kill "It doesn’t seem all that different…" "Those statues again…" "If everyone in the ensemble is really this strong…" Teammate Death "Don’t worry—I’m fine." "Sorry. I should have watched your back." "…Leave the rest to us." Death "Need to… hold out…" Victory "Have we really won…?"

Resolvable Books & Pages

No books are resolved from this reception, however you do gain his Key Page and Combat Page, Rekindled Strike.

Key Pages	Combat Pages
Philip's Page	Rekindled Strike

Battle Symbols

There is one Battle Symbol related to this reception.

Image	Slot	Appearance	Condition	Effect
The Crying Children	Headwear 4	Philip's head in his ensemble form.	Defeat Philip 1 times with both Salvador and Yuna's Key Pages attributed. (Both the normal and Distorted versions count)	4% chance to boost Offensive dice Power by +1 while inflicted with Burn