Forge of Destiny(Xianxia Quest)

My big concern with "[] She told me that she would earn my loyalty" is that implies she does not have it yet and indirectly states LQ is not yet a loyal vassal. However true that is, it's sort of an in-your-face statement of it.
Well CRX really does not have it yet, like at all and LQ is not a loyal vassal either. She is trying to be/wants to, but saying that she is would be a lie.
 
We don't have just one single reason for following Renxiang though. We are not as straightforward as Guangli. I think the 3 reasons I included are the main essence of why Ling Qi follows Renxiang and should not be further simplified.

Absolute material advantage granting security and etc is probably our main reason. But trust in Renxiang as a person is why we trust her to give us all this and look after us and our family. Why we wouldn't just abandon ship to someone else giving us a better offer.

And lastly, of course, we're aware of our moral flaws, but we're interested in being better, and also seeing if the world can be better than what we've seen of it in our life so far.
The update itself calls this reasoning out. We have a lot of reasons, some small and some large, but we are being demanded one singular reason right now.
She had a dozen little reasons and rationalizations, but was there really one coherent reason?
We can't give an answer that has more than one facet. That's not what we're being asked.
 
"Yet, you are not certain that it is not," the heiress replied shrewdly. "The question lies solely in whether you would walk the long path toward justice at my side. If I have been unclear before this point, Ling Qi, answer me this question. "Are you truly satisfied with the world as it is?"

"You would know better than I, perhaps," Cai admitted. "Which is why I reach out to those such as you and Gan Guangli, to ensure that my path does not become corrupted in ignorance. I do not have my Mother's perception. Many things are hidden from my eyes and ears. I do not expect to achieve my ideal without struggle or pain. So I will ask again. Are you satisfied, Ling Qi?"

"No, I'm not," Ling Qi sighed, closing her eyes. "I am selfish though, and often thoughtless toward others. Is that truly what you want in a retainer?"

[X] I am not satisfied with the world or myself as it is. I don't know if it's possible, but I want to walk the long path toward justice at Cai Renxiang's side.

[X] Lady Cai's offer was the one that offered us the greatest potential for growth. She offered us a home where we could extend our roots, opportunities that would let us advance as a cultivator, an ideal that would help us grow as a person.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, this encapsulates things nicely I think...

[X] I am following her for the advantages in establishing my house and because I believe in her integrity as a leader who won't squander what I create... and guide my own growth in such a role.

Not sure about the wording on "because I believe in her integrity as a leader who won't squander what I create" though. It feels a little weird...
 
"...While I would not dream of demanding information from you, honored Mother...Why have I previously been informed of your condition?" Ling Qi's liege asked promptly. Even Ling Qi could see the tension in the girls shoulders, she was as off balance as Ling Qi had ever seen her.
why have I not been informed?

"I have deemed the situation stable, and will thus be making the knowledge public, as if this day. Rejoice Renxiang, you shall soon have a younger sister."
as of this day
 
[X] She gave the best offer. I trust her to be a good liege. I'm interested in seeing if the world she desires to create is even possible.
[X] She told me that she would earn my loyalty.

these are good for being concise and straightforward.

[X] I am following her for the advantages in establishing my house and because I believe in her integrity as a leader who won't squander what I create... and guide my own growth in such a role.

this is the limit for how flowery and manipulative Ling Qi should get. anything more is dumb

note in the two longer answers the order—the first thing is the most important.
 
We can't give an answer that has more than one facet. That's not what we're being asked.
I would argue that what you've quoted there is questioning whether such a thing is possible, not demanding we come up with such an answer. Personally, I'd vote along the lines of "Because it helped me to oppose an enemy, because I was advised to by those I trust, and because I would like to see her achieve her goals". Admit that we don't have a grand reason to follow her, and instead give her the smaller reasons she did. We say that some of it was pragmatic, some of it was based in another's advice, and then finish with saying something that hints at us having a personal investment that would lead us to become truly loyal to her. Because we aren't yet. CR knows that. I think trying to convince her mother otherwise is unlikely to work.
 
Not sure about the wording on "because I believe in her integrity as a leader who won't squander what I create" though. It feels a little weird...

It definitely has a bit of an arrogant feel that's turning me off of it. The latter part is also phrased kind of oddly; her own growth "in such a role"? Which role? As a leader?
 
[] I am following her for the advantages in establishing my house and because I believe in her integrity as a leader who won't squander what I create... and guide my own growth in such a role.

to

[] I am following her for the advantages in establishing my house, for my trust that she won't squander my efforts in pursuing her goals, and for my own growth.

perhaps
 
Last edited:
It definitely has a bit of an arrogant feel that's turning me off of it. The latter part is also phrased kind of oddly; her own growth "in such a role"? Which role? As a leader?
Yes, her role as a leader is the intention. Look, grammar is hard and doesn't always match speech patterns and it's too late to change now because awful horrible people have given me support. They should feel ashamed. Plus yrsillar is going to be prettying things up so I'm not too worried.

That aside, I can see how it could come off as arrogant, but it's also absolutely true and a major concern for someone seeking a superior house. We don't think she'll use us as a disposable tool in some petty matter. Huge numbers of other leaders can't claim the same in the setting. I'd say it's more frank than arrogant, but ymmv.

[] I am following her for the advantages in establishing my house and because I believe in her integrity as a leader who won't squander what I create... and guide my own growth in such a role.

to

[] I am following her for the advantages in establishing my house, for my trust that she won't squander my efforts in pursuing her goals, and for my own growth.

perhaps
I considered something like that, but it reads like a list. People don't really talk like that. Not as a social inferior talking up anyway. It just sounds weird.

Also, "my own growth" is a bit too vague. I was linking it to the leadership/integrity specifically.
 
Last edited:
[X] She told me that she would earn my loyalty.

After a bit of thought, this seems the best choice. While it's difficult to put to words why we chose to follow CRX, this was absolutely when we decided to. Hopefully that's enough for her.
 
Last edited:
[X] She told me that she would earn my loyalty.

After a bit of thought, this seems the best choice. While it's difficult to put to words why we chose to follow CRX, this was absolutely when we decided to. Hopefully that's enough for her.

That's honestly the worst answer we could give her. Not only it's arrogant, also belittle Renxiang in front of her mother and in culture where 'face' is everything, this answer is simply suicidal.
 
[] Power

Not too compelled by any of the other options now, and I don't see what I was crafting getting a lot of support. This is amusing enough, probably will strategically vote if necessary.
 
Last edited:
@Arkeus @Erebeal @tricholysis

Thanks for the feedback. I made a slight edit for grammar/flow purposes. It's now

[] I am following her for the advantages in establishing my house and because I believe in her integrity as a leader who won't squander what I create... and to guide my own growth in such a role.

Just added the "to".
 
The worst part, is that we need to make an answer from the perspective of a person that lives in someone elses head. Death of the author is an issue.

Like, what was the point of this?, to justify our choice post vote?.
 
Last edited:
The worst part, is that we need to make an answer from the perspective of a person that lives in someone elses head. Death of the author is an issue.

Like, what was the point of this?, to justify our choice post vote?.
I think the point is to see how write-in choices work for the quest, basically. But yeah, I was really hoping while reading the update that Ling Qi would answer on her own.
 
Personally, I get a bit wary of having to craft votes in the character's voice, which is why I'm perfectly happy to just mention some main points and let yrsillar take care of phrasing. He said he'd edit or outright reject anything that was too far out of character for Ling Qi anyway.
 
Seem like CRX will be remplaced. The duchess waited centuries before getting her after all, so a new one can only mean one thing.

That seems rather unlikely, for a number of reasons. Not only has Cai Renxiang not done anything worth being replaced over (that is, so far as I'm aware she hasn't failed at anything just yet), that would make the choice of following her something of a trap option, and @yrsillar doesn't do those to the best of my knowledge.

Can I just say that this is hands down the most terrifying line in this quest? Because it implies that we are, no matter how remotely, at least somewhat Shenhua's 'type'.

Yeah, I noticed that too. More specifically, this:

"This one, on the other hand… I approve, Renxiang. It seems you have inherited my aesthetic tastes," Some distant part of Ling Qi's mind that wasn't screaming danger warning at her was confused, until the Duchess' gaze flicked away, drawing hers with it, to the other woman present.

Minister Linqin, with her dark skin, neatly combed but clearly wavy dark brown hair, looked back, unamused. "My Lady, perhaps now is not the time for jests," she reminded gently, somehow unphased at the Duchess' attention.

makes me think that Minister Linqin (who Ling Qi looks a fair amount like, so far as I can tell from the description) is Cai Shenhua's lover, which gives her comment rather... interesting implications.
 
Back
Top