So, random tournament thought: I don't really care if it's determined by rolls ot narrative. The reason I love reading the dice logs is because that gives us the best information about how strong we are compared to everyone else.
Really though, I just want to see everyone's character sheets so we know how much our hard work has paid off. If yrsillar gave us character summaries after the fights, I wouldn't care if we had dice logs or rolls.
Yeah Traveler doesn't make the mist permanent, it just makes it last long enough to be functionally so in the sort of combat encounters remaining in the quest.
If you want to reject this kind of magic, please present a superior pick.
Rejecting the good simply because theoretically, a better approach may exist somewhere over the rainbow is ridiculous.
Doubly so as we know Foundation has a Domain bottleneck, and finding a green level Art that ends before Green 3 and has even better thematic then "Own up to your nature and look upon the world with clear eyes".
At that point, you have so many qualifiers in mind that nothing likely fits them.
And rejecting Arts because they start early is definitely folly, because by that logic, SCS and FVM are trashy garbage, Red 2 Arts that would hold us back.
Yeah Traveler doesn't make the mist permanent, it just makes it last long enough to be functionally so in the sort of combat encounters remaining in the quest.
But yeah, this here is good evidence in favor of the "Domain Powers are about the underlying lesson learned through studying the Art, not about their elemental spread or their direct powers". It translates that lesson as directed by the foundation of the Domain.
[X] Internalize Argent Mirror
-[X] Ling Qi and Allies of at least four dots positive relation within one hundred meters may reroll a failed perception test once per combat or scene.
Part of the problem here is that we don't know much about how domains develop, or what's needed for green progression.
Like, I'm sceptical of whether or not higher level arts provide greater bonuses. I think the bonuses are determined by Art quality, Domain level, and how well you're maintaining its themes.
[X] Internalize Argent Mirror
-[X] Ling Qi and Allies of at least four dots positive relation within one hundred meters may reroll a failed perception test once per combat or scene.
[X] Internalize Argent Mirror
-[X] Ling Qi and Allies of at least four dots positive relation within one hundred meters may reroll a failed perception test once per combat or scene.
Remember that synergistic options in a domain make everything work better compared to unrelated option. This ally-boost fits with our base domain effect as well as TRF if/when we slot it. The personal lie-detection boost? Not so much.
SCS and FVM aren't common and can grow far beyond their roots. Argent Mirror has already reached its zenith.
In my mind, I see it as kinda being cheap and spending your money on a run down house that'll depreciate in value extremely quickly instead of actually buying something well built and long lasting.
Well yes, AM has been mastered - that's how you add something to a Domain to begin with. It being relatively easy to learn is part of the point, for it to be a tool that the Sect's warriors can use against the spiritual attacks of the barbarian tribes further South - most notably for the Red and Yellow cultivators that fill out the majority of the ranks.
However, a note: Only Arts that require the Third Realm for completion can even be considered for a Domain slot:
Not all arts grant domain abilities on mastery. No art which completes before the third realm will do so, and even among those that do, only ones which fit the user may grant bonuses. At the beginning, with a mostly 'blank' domain most third realm arts will offer these bonuses, but as you progress, choice will become narrower.
As far as adding it to our Domain is concerned, the bonuses will continue to accrue and improve, and for all that we have signed on as CRX's spymaster we can readily be far more than just that. Furthermore, it also Fits Ling Qi, at least to a degree - she's aware of herself, and the lesson of the Mirror is one that can help her maintain her balance even when she is cut off from her support base.
Any Art we add to our Domain is a part of the Foundation of that Domain, the baseline from which it will be expanded upon as we grow into Cyan. This is, in my eyes, why 'Green Foundation' and 'Green Completion' are the third and last 'stages' of Green, respectively. When we've reached Green Completion (14), that Foundation must be Complete, or at the very least have a solid core with room for expansion, as it will be extremely difficult and expensive to alter it beyond that point.
So while getting Argent Mirror is not a perfect choice, it is a good choice, especially in the way it pushes us to confront our own actions without judgement.
Don't Domain Abilities upgrade automatically as our Domain increases in rank? That's what happened with the first item slotted in, at any rate. It went from:
Allies with whom Ling Qi has at least four dots of positive relation receive a four die bonus to spiritual defense, and a two die bonus to resolve and composure tests when within one hundred meters
Upon going from a zero dot Domain to a one dot Domain.
Furthermore, the AM bonus appears to be what is granted at a one-dot domain, in that it provides four bonus dice or a reroll (depending upon the choice we make).
About the only thing we should really keep in mind is that 'Arts that Stack or are Complementary will be more beneficial than more scattered bonuses'. So while the Argent Master would probably pursue and add the Argent Arts, we will not be, as our focus is in other fields, even if we do Master the Argent Arts we have available.
Ignoring the exact mechanical effect, I like building on a domain that supports others, and Ling Qi has helped plenty of friends move through difficult parts of their lives, or their own self-deceptions. That's something I want to internalize.
[X] Internalize Argent Mirror
-[X] Ling Qi receives a four die bonus when attempting to discern lies or see through illusions.
So long as this doesn't lead to more argent arts being picked up this does not seem like a bad choice to me. My main fear about it is that once we get one it will encourage others.
[X] Internalize Argent Mirror
-[X] Ling Qi and Allies of at least four dots positive relation within one hundred meters may reroll a failed perception test once per combat or scene.
So long as this doesn't lead to more argent arts being picked up this does not seem like a bad choice to me. My main fear about it is that once we get one it will encourage others.
Train them, certainly - the Permanent Bonus from Argent Mirror is nothing to sneer at, and doesn't rely on maintaining Meridians for the Art. If the other Argent Arts have a similarly useful bonus then I'm all for that.
But no, I have no desire to slot the others into our Domain. The Path of Silver Balance is not for Ling Qi.
[X] Internalize Argent Mirror
-[X] Ling Qi receives a four die bonus when attempting to discern lies or see through illusions.
People keep saying that our perception is good enough and a reroll is better, but this ability isn't just about perception. This is finding out someone is stealing money when looking over their books (Bureaucracy), detecting false leads (investigation), assisting in politics, detecting lies (empathy), telling when someone is just bluster (resolve vs intimidate if they are bluffing), maybe resisting suggestion style mind control, detecting when enemy general is directing troops to lead away from his true objective (war), and of course when someone is using subterfuge on us. Remember, lies aren't just verbal. Heck, would also help resisting feints in combat which may be using our masteries to parry.
Also, 4 dots of positive relations is insanely hard to get. We have two, our little brother and our best friend. That is it.
Seriously, is the plan now to make Ling Qi's Way and Domain a full spy mistress path? Because some things I been seeing this vote makes me hate the Cai path even more as it seems to influence everything. Even Ling Qi's personal cultivation.
"Your pretty persistent, you know that?" Han Jian said, leaning back against the against the railing of the balcony. They were on the second floor of the Sect town's teahouse, overlooking the gardens below.
Also, this scene was very bittersweet and a good example of our relationship with Han Jian, where he quickly convinced himself he couldn't be our friends and was trying to subtly warn us off and trying to find excuses.
Attribute: Darkness, Moon, Yin
Current Meridians: Legx3, Spine
Needed Meridians: Spine(8)
Max level: 8
Darkness has no form nor presence, and so those who master it learn to cast these things aside, and embrace the absence and silence of the empty night. This movement art focuses on understanding of this rare element allowing the user to move from place to place with little regard for what lies between there present position and their goal.
Passive Effects
-Increases user's speed by 9
-Increases user's initiative by 5
-Add three dice to all stealth rolls
-Speed and initiative bonuses increase by two in low light, and three in darkness
-Stealth bonus becomes auto successes in darkness or low light
-User adds five dice to their first offensive clash pool if attacking first
-User adds three dice to all offensive clashes against targets which cannot perceive them.
-User gains a four die bonus to physical defense in darkness
-User cannot be tracked through mundane means, All other attempts suffer a five die penalty
Grinning Crescent Dancer: oooo
Cost 9 qi
Instant, response
Calling upon the favor of the Grinning Moon, and using their skill at manipulating dark qi, the user's form is made an indistinct phantom, a flicker of shadow dancing between lights. The user adds six dice to their defensive pool, one point of perfect defense and increases their speed by 5. While active, the user ignores all terrain penalties, slopes or falling damage. Users may cross water or gaps freely as long as their movement ends on solid ground, and may move through spaces too small for their bodies, so long as they can perceive their destination. In addition the user gains a five die bonus to all attempts to escape from any effect that impedes mobility in any way, as well as attempts to bypass formations. Lasts five turns. When not activated in low light or darkness, this technique costs an additional two qi.
One with Shadow: ooo
Cost 10 qi
The user merges with shadow and dark, dematerializing entirely to slip from shadow to shadow. The user gains a five die bonus to stealth in this form and may move from one shadow to another without interacting with any intervening terrain or obstacles, even if they lack line of sight. While in this form the user gains one point of perfect defense(stacks with GCD), but being damaged ends the technique. Distance between shadows must be less than the user's movement speed, and must be cast be at least roughly the size of an average human. If the shadow in question belongs to an animate target, the user must succeed on a clash to use it at a four die bonus. On success, the target suffers a three die penalty on perception checks to notice the user. On failure the user is revealed. The user receives an additional five die bonus to their first attack against the target, this stacks with passive bonuses. Lasts four turns.
Seventh Step 43/500
Attribute: Darkness, Water, Music, Yin
Current Meridians: Heartx2, Lung x2
Needed Meridians: Heart(7)
Max Level: 8
There are many forgotten places in the world where human kind does not tread easily. This technique is a part of the chronicle of a long dead wanderer, composed into music and offered to the smiling moon. It speaks of mist covered valleys hidden deep in the mountains and the mischievous and hungry spirits that wait in the dark, and the loneliness of the wanderer's path.
Passive Effects
-Adds four bonus die to all music based expression rolls
-Adds six bonus dice to all attempts to resist dispels on water and darkness techniques
-User receives no penalties for acting in low light or darkness-Permanent
-User receives three bonus die on defense against sound and music based techniques
-Expression is used as Mastery when using this art(does not receive the previous passive bonus when used this way)
-Instruments wielded by the user may be used to make sound based melee attacks at up to ten meters range. These attacks may be used in conjunction with appropriate arts without interrupting the melody. DV equals manipulation or expression, whichever is higher.-Permanent
-An additional three qi may be spent to 'hold' the arts effect for one turn as if playing had continued. Cannot be used if art is interrupted by hostile action.
Mist of the Vale: ooo
Cost 5
The users melody causes a light mist to roll forth from their instrument. The mist is filled with deceptive shadows and sounds, and weakens the light within to low light. The mist spreads to cover a sixty meter radius centered the user. An additional ten meters of radius may be added for two qi, up to a maximum radius of two hundred meters. All single target techniques targeted at the user or an included ally suffer a automatic three dice penalty. The user gains a four die bonus at stealth attempts within the mist. The user may waive the negative effect on up to five allies, while paying two qi for each additional ally included. This technique persists as long as the user continues to play and up to four turns afterward, regardless of weather conditions.
--Diapason of the Lost Traveler
The mournful sound of the lost traveler is an integral part of the melody, no longer player separately. The user clashes with all enemies within the mist with a bonus of five dice. On hit the targets perception rolls take a three die penalty, and attempts to leave the mist or move toward the user or an included ally result in the target doubling back unless a 6 success perception test is passed. Enemies within twenty meters of the user or an included ally do not need to make this check. Additionally the target suffers a four die penalty to defense while under this effect. Lasts for as long as the target remains within the mist. Counts as a two die effect for the purpose of dispels.
Dissonance of Night's Terror: ooo
Cost 6
Instant(If used the same turn as Mist of the Vale)
May only be used within Mist of the Vale. The users music grows low and eerie, punctuated by high, sharp notes, while the mists darken with indistinct and predatory shapes. Enemies within the mist suffer from immaterial attacks of phantasmal nightmares every turn. These attacks are DV 4 melee attacks, made with a two die bonus. On hit, targets suffer a three die penalty to their defense dice pools. This penalty stacks up to three times. In addition, on damage targets suffer one additional bleed damage the following turn.This effect activates immediately after the users turn when activated, and immediately before in all proceeding turns.
Starlight Elegy: ooo
Cost 7
The mournful and despairing tune saps the energy of those not insulated from the mist, making their limbs heavy and their thoughts clouded. The user clashes with all enemies in the mist with a bonus of four dice. On Hit, targets suffer a three die penalty on all clashes, and lose three qi per turn spent in the mist. Affected targets must make a four success resolve test or lose their active action the first turn after being affected. This effect persists until a target leaves the mist.
--Despair of the Lost
Alternatively, the power of the Elegy may be focused on a single target, drowning them in the endless mist, leaving them to wander as if alone and far from from home. When used in this manner, the clash receives a six die bonus. On hit, the target receives the normal effects of the starlight Elegy. In addition, the user makes a stealth test roll. The target and their allies must surpass the users stealth in order to perceive one another, which they may attempt each turn. While under this affect, allies cannot target or affect the victim deliberately, nor may the victim target them, as well as excluding them from the passive bonuses of allies. The victim also suffers a three die penalty to all offensive clashes while under this effect.
Travelers End: oooo
Cost: 8 Qi
In a distant, misty valley, far from the works of mankind, a traveler completed a melody and offered it too the moon, the final notes echoing long after his last breath. This melody is but a shadow of that… but even shadows hold power. Only usable if all other Forgotten Vale Melody techniques are active. Once activated, the mist no longer fades, even if the user ceases playing. In addition, attempts to dispel any Forgotten Vale techniques must dispel Travelers End, first and separately, even if it would otherwise dispel multiple techniques. While Travelers End is active, the qi loss from Elegy is increased by two, and the damage from Dissonance becomes semi perfect.
Very nice SCS level and good to see us getting moon there. Sad that the p.def is still locked to darkness and that FVM still doesn't give darkness even with its new darkness meridian. Hopefullly the next level will change that, but we are going narrative anyway.
FVM7 shows that we are hitting against the limit of early green there. A level that cost us more than the whole art beforehand and also needed a meridian which had marginal bonus. Still, it does make sense considering both FVM7 and SCS7 are available in early green, so it's not like it's an appraisal level, and it does give the framework for FVM8 and having stronger Traveler's End there, like TRF6 and TRU.
Still, sad FVM is apparently never going to have its passive dice applying to itself.
With Zeqing, she mastered the first parts of this version of the Forgotten Vale's final technique, the Traveler's End, which when played empowered the qi constructs of the previous techniques even further, making the arts effects more durable and long lasting. Truly mastering the art would have to wait until her spirit had grown stronger, but for now, she had another potent tool at her disposal.
Woohoo, FVM+ confirmed, and if anyone has it it's Zeqing. This makes me pleased.
Xiulan raised her uninjured hand for a moment, touching her cheek just below where the dark circles under her eye ended. "...Perhaps three months ago," she muttered. "What did you want Ling Qi? I cannot imagine that you took time from your own training merely to comment on my appearance?" she asked, crossing her arms indignantly.
It was a testament to the other girls tolerance for pain that she could move so naturally, given what lay under the wrapping on her arm, Ling Qi mused. Three months without sleep was also excessive, even she took a night out to rest at least once a month. "I didn't," Ling Qi admitted. "I took some time out because I wanted to speak to you about taking a break."
"I hardly have the time, the tournament will starting in a matter of days," Xiulan snapped irritably. "Ling Qi, we cannot all…"
"Interrupt, you can't let her get going," Sixiang murmured in her ear.
"You are more intelligent than this, Xiulan," LIng Qi replied flatly. "I do not know what it is like to have lightning on the brain," she began, eyeing her friends nigh blinding aura, and it's crackling radiant core. "But I know what the tempting whispers of the dark be like, if you don't keep clear head. Gu Xiulan, this is not you."
Sixiang is a treasure, and really glad we took this Xiulan action. Also, I love Xiulan so much, and she needs AM, or at least something to balance herself.
Attributes: Mountain, Lake, Balanced
Current Meridians: Headx3, Spine
Max Level: 5
The early form of the Sects defensive and perceptive arts. Through inner tranquility and surety of self, allows the user to defend against and dispel enemy illusions and crippling techniques as well. Through clarity of mind it allows the user to judge with world with sharp and clear eyes.
Passive Effects
-Adds five dice to all tests and clashes to resist or bypass illusion effects
-Adds five dice to all perception tests
-Adds three dice to composure and resolve tests as well as dispel clashes
-Adds four dice to survival, investigation, and empathy tests
-Adds three dice to spiritual defenses
-Allows the user to sense qi, out to two hundred meters away. The user may tell the cultivation realm of living things of their own stage or lower, and the realm of those higher.-Permanent
-Allows the user, on a successful perception test, to determine a living things primary elemental alignments, spirit binding connections and overall level of qi.
Serene Reflection: ooo
Cost: 5 qi
Instant, response
The user balances and cycles their qi, expelling external influences. Dispels up to two negative effects from the user after a successful clash, and grants six additional die to spiritual defense against the effects caster for three turns.
-Tranquil Rebuke
Centering themselves, the user finds serenity, and in doing, rises above the world, as the mountain stands above the earth. Any spiritual technique which targets the user suffers harsh repercussions if their technique fails to find purchase. If the user wins such a defensive clash against a spiritual attack, the attacker suffers one point of perfect lethal damage, as well as suffering a three die penalty to their own defenses for the next turn.
Discerning Gaze: oo
Cost: 3 Qi
Instant, response
Channeling qi into their senses the user greatly enhances their ability to discern the truth of the world, gaining four additional dice on all perception and empathy tests for the length of a scene, in addition if the user is under the effects of an illusion or other sense affecting technique, they receive an immediate attempt to break out of it, with a six die bonus.
Imperturbable Peak
Cost 6 Qi
Instant
In battle, he who maintains the wider view and a clearer head is victorious. Upon activation spiritual debuffs on allies within fifty meters of two dice or less are automatically dispelled, unless their casters cultivation equals or exceeds the users. The user may then attempt to dispel up to three other debuffing techniques at a six die bonus. In addition, for each debuff dispelled this way, the user receives a two die bonus to perception and spiritual defense for four turns.
Mmm, @yrsillar, do we get the +6 from Serene Reflection when using it as a responsive instant to resist a technique, or does it only work after we have failed to do so? Also, Tranquil Rebuke now last for three turns? niiice.
Dexterity 28/45
Stamina 30/35
Intelligence 20/35
Wits 17/35
Resolve 36/35 New dot gained
We haven't had any domain xp from sparring for the last 4 weeks now. this makes me sad.
Alright, we've reached the end of the year. So while I work out the start of the tournament arc, I'm going to let you guys vote on whether to include Argent Mirror in your domain. Internalizing an art is largely permanent, and though your understanding may grow or change with time, the core of the art will always stay with you.
The Mirror is clear, revealing all deceptions, including those of the self. Yet this is no matter of virtue or vice, only an understanding of the self. Whether following reason or passion, one must face forward and acknowledge the truth of their choices, without deception.
[] Internalize Argent Mirror
-[] Ling Qi and Allies of at least four dots positive relation within one hundred meters may reroll a failed perception test once per combat or scene.
-[] Ling Qi receives a four die bonus when attempting to discern lies or see through illusions.
[] Discard this realization
Welp, I think I have been convinced that AM doesn't fit Ling Qi. We don't have a perception domain, after all. At worse we could go for the Ally one in order to go further on the "support loved one/home" theme, but even that is not really ling Qi.
I might have to strategically vote, but for now: [X] Discard this realization
[X] Internalize Argent Mirror
-[X] Ling Qi receives a four die bonus when attempting to discern lies or see through illusions.
People keep saying that our perception is good enough and a reroll is better, but this ability isn't just about perception. This is finding out someone is stealing money when looking over their books (Bureaucracy), detecting false leads (investigation), assisting in politics, detecting lies (empathy), telling when someone is just bluster (resolve vs intimidate if they are bluffing), maybe resisting suggestion style mind control, detecting when enemy general is directing troops to lead away from his true objective (war), and of course when someone is using subterfuge on us. Remember, lies aren't just verbal. Heck, would also help resisting feints in combat which may be using our masteries to parry.
Also, 4 dots of positive relations is insanely hard to get. We have two, our little brother and our best friend. That is it.
Shame that I'm limited to my phone to post right now, or I'd have more arguments. That being said, self awareness and honesty to yourself at least... Doesn't conflict with our themes at all.
Well, outside of ludicrously specific plans that have projected everything in advance, and probably can't actually be achieved ever because the pieces they want for it just don't exist.
