I just got back from vacation yesterday and everything went well. I finished the book series I was reading and I also got a chance to start in on Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume.

One of the game mechanics revolves around using said Plume to enhance a single character's abilities for one battle. This enhancement is no small boost, instead it is literally all of the character's stats times ten. This makes them practically unstoppable on the battlefield with only one small drawback. At the end of combat, they die. Not in a temporary way (as with most games), but in the "you will never see them again in this game" way. I think this is a great mechanic, as it gives a very good risk vs reward scenario and also ensures that you don't abuse it. The only problem with this is that you get players like me who wish to keep everyone alive. While there is nothing in the game that forces you to use this (other than the first time, as part of one of the beginning sections of the game), they waste no time throwing fights at you that make it near impossible to do without.

I'll keep you all updated on the status of my party as they attempt to make it through the game without me killing them off.