The Path Unending (A Cultivation Quest)

There's no way Jai Fa doesn't have a pill to refuel her anam considering Shouxi, and there's fair odds that Jin spent the comparatively paltry Sect Points in order to give his own champion a grade 2 pill or two. (9 for the cheapest grade 2.)
The Box's 6.66 successes cannot be replaced by 3 hardness - even if you assume hardness is just as useful as raw successes, which it isn't. If we haven't won by the time the Box runs out, we lose.
 
[X] [TAIL] Confront Teng Lim, but in a nonagressive way. This may have nothing to do with the duel.

He probably fell for her hard. The flower of the Azure Garden has entralled many men.

Your vote needs to still include your votes for loadout. Only the latest post you've made with a vote in it will count, so you've invalidated your loadout vote.
 
The Box's 6.66 successes cannot be replaced by 3 hardness - even if you assume hardness is just as useful as raw successes, which it isn't.
Ofc Hardness isn't going to replace the Box, and I never said anything to that effect because that'd be ridiculous.

However, once the Box runs out, Hardness helps keep the Tempo the Box has won, since even tied rounds let the winner keep Tempo so the Retort can continue applying its debuff. Does it do that as good as the Box? Of course not, it's not nearly at the same BT so that wouldn't make sense anyway. That being said, it's certainly a lot better than APR at doing so, especially considering Hardness lasts in the following turn where you can benefit from it when you're using a separate Charm. (Like say, the Retort.)

(To rehash the details once more for the sake of new readers, it has five more defensive successes than APR as long as the difference between the combatant and opponent is between one and three successes, which is quite common. Since Hardness 3 lingers for a round, it extends the defensive range of already potent Charms like the Retort to impressive levels, making keeping Tempo even easier.)
 
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[X] [TAIL] You will approach him directly and formally introduce yourself, then ask him what this is about while trying to throw him off balance. You will be affable and forgiving, while Jai acts suspicious and intimidating.

[X] [LOADOUT] A Pond, Reflected

Edit: Not really sure of what charms to give Jai. The curse of too many options.

Regarding our tail. We can either ignore him, turn the tables on him and follow him, or confront him. I guess this all depends on if we think he is working with Jin to try to sabatoge us or get info on our charms or if he is just professionally curious.
 
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[X] [LOADOUT] A Moment's Respite
[X] [LOADOUT] The Widow's Ward
[X] [LOADOUT] The Vitriolic Retort
[X] [LOADOUT] A Dance at the Midnight Crossroads

[X] [TAIL] You will approach him directly and formally introduce yourself, then ask him what this is about while trying to throw him off balance. You will be affable and forgiving, while Jai acts suspicious and intimidating.

This is better than just going up to talk to him, which is good enough for me.
 
[X] [LOADOUT] A Moment's Respite
[X] [LOADOUT] The Widow's Ward
[X] [LOADOUT] The Vitriolic Retort
[X] [LOADOUT] A Dance at the Midnight Crossroads

[X] [TAIL] You will approach him directly and formally introduce yourself, then ask him what this is about while trying to throw him off balance. You will be affable and forgiving, while Jai acts suspicious and intimidating.
 
[X] [TAIL] You will approach him directly and formally introduce yourself, then ask him what this is about while trying to throw him off balance. You will be affable and forgiving, while Jai acts suspicious and intimidating.
 
Voting for all Charms as the Box and the Rings are a given and no real thought is required. That means Jai Fa only really needs to use the other three Charms and I firmly believe she can display the effectiveness of the Pond Reflected easily in the beginning then move on to the Widow's Ward and Vitriolic Retort as the main arsenal.

[X] [LOADOUT] A Moment's Respite
[X] [LOADOUT] A Pond, Reflected
[X] [LOADOUT] The Widow's Ward
[X] [LOADOUT] The Vitriolic Retort
[X] [LOADOUT] A Dance at the Midnight Crossroads

Going for the simpler approach vote as we aren't that skilled socially so trying to get too complicated is more likely to blow up in our face.

[X] [TAIL] Approach him and asked why he is following us.
 
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[X] [TAIL] Approach him and asked why he is following us.
[X] [LOADOUT] A Moment's Respite
[X] [LOADOUT] The Widow's Ward
[X] [LOADOUT] The Vitriolic Retort
[X] [LOADOUT] A Dance at the Midnight Crossroads
 
And vote is closed.
Adhoc vote count started by Vesvius on Jul 7, 2020 at 8:58 PM, finished with 126 posts and 51 votes.
 
things to note, Teng Lim's dex is at 2 and his stealth skill is at 3, wonder what happened that would make his skill be at its current level, probably still at the servant's step
 
things to note, Teng Lim's dex is at 2 and his stealth skill is at 3, wonder what happened that would make his skill be at its current level, probably still at the servant's step
Technically his physical stat is at 2. his Dex could be anything from 1 to 5, depending on his other stats.
He probably is more focused on INT/WIT stats and skills since he's a nerd scholar-type, so I don't think a poor stealth stat is indicative beyond questionable judgment really.
 
Ofc Hardness isn't going to replace the Box, and I never said anything to that effect because that'd be ridiculous.

However, once the Box runs out, Hardness helps keep the Tempo the Box has won, since even tied rounds let the winner keep Tempo so the Retort can continue applying its debuff. Does it do that as good as the Box? Of course not, it's not nearly at the same BT so that wouldn't make sense anyway. That being said, it's certainly a lot better than APR at doing so, especially considering Hardness lasts in the following turn where you can benefit from it when you're using a separate Charm. (Like say, the Retort.)

(To rehash the details once more for the sake of new readers, it has five more defensive successes than APR as long as the difference between the combatant and opponent is between one and three successes, which is quite common. Since Hardness 3 lingers for a round, it extends the defensive range of already potent Charms like the Retort to impressive levels, making keeping Tempo even easier.)
You have immediately contradicted yourself within two sentences. If the Jin champion has a poor enough dicepool that WW or VR could tie or get within 3 sux of it (the threshold for hardness to make a difference) then eight turns of Box + another charm would have racked up enough successes to win the battle. If the Jin dicepool is good enough to fend off the Box + Charm combo for eight turns, then three hardness + WW's dicepool is not going to tie or be a sux or two under unless we're very lucky - and as such we'd lose regardless.

Yes, WW is better at keeping tempo than APR - my car is a lot better at slowing down a train than my bike is, but if a train catches me on the tracks whether I have my car or my bike to protect me isn't going to change whether I get flattened or not. What makes a difference is whether or not there is a train to catch me - which in this metaphor reflects whether the Jin can hold on for eight rounds of Box + anything else or not.
 
75. Disciple Teng Lim
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[] [LOADOUT] A Dance at the Midnight Crossroads
[] [LOADOUT] The Vitriolic Retort
[] [LOADOUT] A Moment's Respite
[] [LOADOUT] The Widow's Ward
[] [TAIL] Approach him and asked why he is following us.
----------------------
You and Jai Fa trade a look. After a moment's thought, you shrug. "There is nothing quite like the direct approach."

Without another word the two of you spin so that you're facing Teng Lim directly. He's paying so much attention to making sure that he's 'hidden' that he doesn't even notice you approaching until you're almost on top of him. You can tell the moment he spots you; he jumps about a foot in the air and his spectacles slide down to the end of his nose, saved from a horrible fate on the path only by the chain around their temples.

You jerk your head at Jai Fa who instantly moves past Teng Lim, taking up a position behind him so that he doesn't get any foolish ideas about getting away. Once he's safely trapped, you step up to him. "Good afternoon… it is Teng Lim, is it not?"

The bespectacled boy nods nervously, and for the first time you get a full appreciation for how small he is. You are nowhere near tall, but Teng Lim barely comes up to your chest. His robes are piled on the path near his feet, dragging a long trail not unlike a snake's behind him with every step. Perhaps if he placed fewer things in his pockets, his robes would sit higher, but he seems to have stuffed every single opening in his robes with thick parchment. A glance down at them reveals chicken scratch writing decorating every piece. It's at the point where almost none of the paper itself is visible, every last inch darkened with ink.

But you did not come over here to inspect Teng Lim. You came to speak with him. "Good," you reply. "I would have hated to have misremembered the name of one of my fellows. In case you were unaware, I am Kong Zhi, and that is Jai Fa behind you."

Teng Lim responds to this introduction by jumping once again and craning his neck, staring at the stone faced woman standing with her arms crossed. You're glad he's looking away from you; it takes you a moment to lift your jaw back up. Did… did he really not notice Jai Fa going behind him? Just how bad is his awareness?

You clear your throat to pull his focus back to you. "We could not help but notice you were following us. Why is that?"

The other disciple just stares up at you. Then he glances back down, turning his attention to the floor. He doesn't say a word.

"Excuse me?" you say. "Perhaps you did not hear me. I am simply asking why you were following Jai Fa and myself?"

He doesn't say a word. Behind him, Jai Fa rolls her eyes.

Well. You were not sure what to expect, but utter silence was certainly not it. You may have to change your tactics.

How do you approach this conversation with Teng Lim?
[] Write-In
 
I feel my option gaining strength.

One more time.

[X] Exchange pointers with him, at length
-[X] Also look behind us in case this is a case of mutual surrounding.
 
[X] Just wait for the disciple to speak for himself, you can wait.

no need to peer pressure him but show were not leaving without an answer.
 
... I feel like he's bait.

He's caught red handed, he's a shitty person at stealth, and apparently his perception is nothing to write home about either.

And even when he's caught, he doesn't even try to excuse himself, he just lowers his head and prays we forget he exists.

That suggests that whoever told him to do this has a hell of a lot of leverage on him, given that he's more willing to offend the two people surrounding him then to even risk offending whoever put him up to this in the first place.

Well, that, and he's not talking either--at all. I don't even think he's making any noises for that matter. This smacks of shenanigans.
 
Back my play y'all. Let's thrash this chump! Only good can come of initiating violence.

"He who sleeps when war begins, sleeps forever when it ends!"
 
[X] Write-In - "Do you like riddles, Teng Lim? I have one for you, answer it well and I'll answer a question you have for me. Say you're in front of a maze ..." (Try to get him to solve the maze riddle, mostly to get him talking). Answer his question honestly, so long as it doesn't reveal anything Jin could use in the duel, or reveal the location of valuable assets like the armory or moment. Attempt to trade questions/answers with him to try and figure out who Jin's champion is, what charms he's built, where he's been charging his charms etc. Flatter him a little "I hear you're the genius who's organized the Tear's timeshare, how did you manage that?"
 
[X] Be sympathetic. Tell him that you aren't going to hurt him. If he came to talk about crafting then you would love to discuss it with him, if it is anything else then kindly ask him to leave it for after your duel.

this guy is obviously horrible with confrontation, if we aren't nice then we will just scare him away and maybe get - rep for him gossiping of us as being a thug. good cop/bad cop could also work.
 
[X] You are worried that Jin is pulling several strings to make sure that you will lose, and with your Aunt Bi coming personally to see the duel, you must make sure every one of thsoe strings are cut. But Teng Lim might not be one of those bastards who will work with a shoddy craftsman like Jin Yazhu, so you will be kind. He is small and still a servant, he can't run away from both you and Jai Fa. You will question his motives and try to lay a groundwork for later communications, you have heard interesting things about him. If he continues to refuse to talk you will take him into a cavern that has less eyes and hope then that he shall talk. If he still doesn't you shall raise your voice at him. If it is revealed that he is working for that bastard that is Jin Yazhu, you will be cold and slightly hostile towards him while making sure that he does not follow you further, and that he will never try to spy on you again, but you shall refrain from violence. If he has came to appreciate quality craftsmanship you shall allow him to watch Jai Fa practice only if Jai Fa herself allows it and he promises to keep the effects of your charms a secret.
 
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