Lead a fractured merchant clan in a moment of crisis to wealth and glory, or to your ignoble fall!
Money and Power: A Xianxia Merchant Quest
- Thread starter Mr. Prokosch
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Character Creation 1
The funeral was a lavish affair. The Patriarch came from the gutter, and so had a soft spot for the truly destitute. They marched through the city, throwing spirit chips worth a lifetime of peasant labor like they were grain. Behind the funeral train seeds of Saint's Grace bloomed under a magnificent gardening technique, a shower of shining black-purple petals scattered with the wind, each would heal a mortal of all illness. At the end of the procession kneeling mortals, lottery winners, received elixirs of exaltation and laughed with purest joy at the first kiss of immortality. The old money scoffed at this merchant house putting on airs. New money crowed that at this rate they'd be bankrupt in a week.
It was desperate. It was necessary. Honor, goodwill, and wealth would have to be their shield. With the Patriarch dead, they had nothing else. Adding the Core, Branch, Adopted, and Employed, the Clan had over 100,000 members. Most were mortals, or in Hungering, the first step on a long path. A few trusted agents and ranking members had the resources and talent to reach Building. They were wealthy, well-established, and well-organized. They were prey.
Clan members gazed at their Patriarch one last time as he proceeded inwards, to be interred with full honors in Sanctuary Hill, the second most prestigious cemetery in the Silver Rivers region. Deep in the Hall of Mourning, the innermost family stewed in dark silence over his corpse.
The Widow wore a mask of absolute grief, the better to hide the coldness she felt inside. The Old Man was dead, may his soul rot. Good that he'd died, bad that he'd done it just now. Her position was precarious. Her plans were still in their infancy, her loyalists unprepared. She had no blood connection to the Clan, even to most in this room. If she wasn't careful, she'd be back in the street. No, never that. She must remind herself, she'd grown too strong to think like that.
The Heir was composed, he pushed down waves of grief to plan the future of his House. There was much to do. Their rivals were sharks in bloody water. Their partners were snakes waiting to pounce. Their allies were vultures, eying a soon-to-be corpse. Without the Great Patriarch's power to protect them, without his wisdom to guide them, they were weaker than ever before. They needed leadership. They needed him.
The Spare watched his rivals as he schemed. All his life, he'd been second-best. Their cursed Patriarch pitted him against his brother, and forever found him wanting. But in the furnace of his father's scorn, he'd grown strong. His brother was a complacent fool. Their father's death was not a threat, it was an opportunity. There was profit to be made, where the Patriarch dared not tread. Chaos is a ladder.
The Exile paced with poorly contained fury. The shit smear that sired her was dead, and now she'd never be able to feel the old fool's face being crushed beneath her boot-heel. The Heir had called her back for this farce of a funeral, no doubt with plans to use her strength and connections in the Sect. She had other plans. Without the Patriarch to stop her, this Clan was hers.
The Prodigy cried silent, shuddering tears. Her beloved father was dead. Sweet moments played before her eyes. She remembered her tenth birthday, when he'd given her an Elixir of Deva Blood and Abyssal Tears and she'd broken through to Seeking then and there. He'd said she was his Golden Child. When she revealed her foundation technique, his booming laughter filled the estate. He said she was a perfect talent, perfectly shaped, her growth rivaling the crown prince of a True Noble. Her father said she'd be the new heir in a few more years. Now what would she do?
1. Which will be the new Patriarch, or Matriarch? Who are you?
[] The Widow, patient and ruthless
[] The Heir, skilled and loyal
[] The Spare, cunning and ambitious
[] The Exile, driven and aggressive
[] The Prodigy, young and talented
This vote will determine your character archetype. You will have a cultivation breakthrough in the aftermath of the Patriarch's death, allowing you to strong-arm the rest of the family into following your leadership, for now. There will be more character creation choices in the next vote.
2. Your family leads a merchant clan in a very vulnerable position. You trade in nearly anything now, but one thing is your foundation. Your resources for both personal and clan use are particularly rich in this area. What is it?
[] Spirit Beasts
[] Elixirs
[] Treasures
[] Essence Crystals
[] Rare Books
[] Art and Entertainment
[] Staples and raw resources
3. The Patriarch was the clan's founder and by far most powerful member, his leadership was absolute. His death was sudden. How did he die?
[] Poison
A rival no doubt, but who? Incredible wealth would be a prerequisite, but not sufficient. Poisons potent enough to kill a cultivator at his level would need to be tailored to his exact style of cultivation, a family secret.
[] Raid
The patriarch was always searching for new opportunities. He was ecstatic to find a new trade partner from well outside the Imperial borders, one that promised treasures of enormous value. Only he had the strength to travel so far into the Beast Lands, outside the Emperor's Light. A foreigner returned his body to you with an apology and a contract they mean to continue.
[] Duel
The Valiant Clan had long been jealous of your success. They manufactured an excuse and challenged your clan according to Imperial Law. You lost. Will that be enough to appease them, or will they only be satisfied with root and stem?
It was desperate. It was necessary. Honor, goodwill, and wealth would have to be their shield. With the Patriarch dead, they had nothing else. Adding the Core, Branch, Adopted, and Employed, the Clan had over 100,000 members. Most were mortals, or in Hungering, the first step on a long path. A few trusted agents and ranking members had the resources and talent to reach Building. They were wealthy, well-established, and well-organized. They were prey.
Clan members gazed at their Patriarch one last time as he proceeded inwards, to be interred with full honors in Sanctuary Hill, the second most prestigious cemetery in the Silver Rivers region. Deep in the Hall of Mourning, the innermost family stewed in dark silence over his corpse.
The Widow wore a mask of absolute grief, the better to hide the coldness she felt inside. The Old Man was dead, may his soul rot. Good that he'd died, bad that he'd done it just now. Her position was precarious. Her plans were still in their infancy, her loyalists unprepared. She had no blood connection to the Clan, even to most in this room. If she wasn't careful, she'd be back in the street. No, never that. She must remind herself, she'd grown too strong to think like that.
The Heir was composed, he pushed down waves of grief to plan the future of his House. There was much to do. Their rivals were sharks in bloody water. Their partners were snakes waiting to pounce. Their allies were vultures, eying a soon-to-be corpse. Without the Great Patriarch's power to protect them, without his wisdom to guide them, they were weaker than ever before. They needed leadership. They needed him.
The Spare watched his rivals as he schemed. All his life, he'd been second-best. Their cursed Patriarch pitted him against his brother, and forever found him wanting. But in the furnace of his father's scorn, he'd grown strong. His brother was a complacent fool. Their father's death was not a threat, it was an opportunity. There was profit to be made, where the Patriarch dared not tread. Chaos is a ladder.
The Exile paced with poorly contained fury. The shit smear that sired her was dead, and now she'd never be able to feel the old fool's face being crushed beneath her boot-heel. The Heir had called her back for this farce of a funeral, no doubt with plans to use her strength and connections in the Sect. She had other plans. Without the Patriarch to stop her, this Clan was hers.
The Prodigy cried silent, shuddering tears. Her beloved father was dead. Sweet moments played before her eyes. She remembered her tenth birthday, when he'd given her an Elixir of Deva Blood and Abyssal Tears and she'd broken through to Seeking then and there. He'd said she was his Golden Child. When she revealed her foundation technique, his booming laughter filled the estate. He said she was a perfect talent, perfectly shaped, her growth rivaling the crown prince of a True Noble. Her father said she'd be the new heir in a few more years. Now what would she do?
1. Which will be the new Patriarch, or Matriarch? Who are you?
[] The Widow, patient and ruthless
[] The Heir, skilled and loyal
[] The Spare, cunning and ambitious
[] The Exile, driven and aggressive
[] The Prodigy, young and talented
This vote will determine your character archetype. You will have a cultivation breakthrough in the aftermath of the Patriarch's death, allowing you to strong-arm the rest of the family into following your leadership, for now. There will be more character creation choices in the next vote.
2. Your family leads a merchant clan in a very vulnerable position. You trade in nearly anything now, but one thing is your foundation. Your resources for both personal and clan use are particularly rich in this area. What is it?
[] Spirit Beasts
[] Elixirs
[] Treasures
[] Essence Crystals
[] Rare Books
[] Art and Entertainment
[] Staples and raw resources
3. The Patriarch was the clan's founder and by far most powerful member, his leadership was absolute. His death was sudden. How did he die?
[] Poison
A rival no doubt, but who? Incredible wealth would be a prerequisite, but not sufficient. Poisons potent enough to kill a cultivator at his level would need to be tailored to his exact style of cultivation, a family secret.
[] Raid
The patriarch was always searching for new opportunities. He was ecstatic to find a new trade partner from well outside the Imperial borders, one that promised treasures of enormous value. Only he had the strength to travel so far into the Beast Lands, outside the Emperor's Light. A foreigner returned his body to you with an apology and a contract they mean to continue.
[] Duel
The Valiant Clan had long been jealous of your success. They manufactured an excuse and challenged your clan according to Imperial Law. You lost. Will that be enough to appease them, or will they only be satisfied with root and stem?
Chalchiuhxochitl of the Atlahau Clan
Archtype: Prodigy
Skills & Specialties
Cultivation Knowledge - 5
Business Sense - 4
Enlightenments
Heaven-Touched Dreamer - 1
Order-Aligned Spirit - 1
Destructive Abyssal Research - 1
SPECIAL:
Instinctive Adaption - 3
Diverse Strength - 2
Law's Guiding Grace - 1
Core Cultivation 1.2
Genius Talent
You have 1200 ATU (Arbitrary Teotl Units)
You are slightly above the known peak in Teotl control
You are approximately 20% more physically capable than Perfect cultivators without the use of techniques
You are 20 years old. You will not show your age until you are 600 years old
You inspire mild feelings of awe in people with lower cultivation
Trauma
Aggression (from near-death by Abyssals)
Foundation
Infinitely Perfect
This unique foundation technique gives you the ability to destroy and then remake any part of your own cultivation.
Growth: You may shatter and then reforge your own core. Each reforging makes it stronger, improving your basic cultivation (Teotl capacity, Teotl control, physical abilities, lifespan). Reforging takes time and cultivation resources, and you are mortal until it completes. Unlike other foundation techniques, this provides benefits indefinitely.
Refinement: You may shatter any Pillar Technique. You will still know the technique, but you will lose the Pillar Bonus. You lose any Mastery techniques based on that pillar. You can reforge the Pillar with a new technique. You can add additional Pillar Techniques at great difficulty up to a hard limit of 13.
Transformation: You can shatter your Transformation and choose a new thing to Merge with. You will have to restart the entire process and take on all the risks again. This isn't advisable unless you find something truly extraordinary to merge with or find a way to mitigate the risks.
Benefits after Transformation will be revealed if you reach that level of cultivation.
Techniques
Flesh Sculpting
The infamous, restricted technique for shaping living things with your will by flooding them with Teotl. This ability has enormous potential, its capabilities increase with Chachi's healing, anatomy, nature, crafting, and cultivation skills. At her current level of skill Chachi can heal very basic damage, turn simple living things into living treasures, and attempt to alter the natural abilities of spirit beasts.
You know a collection of unremarkable combat, movement, blessing, and utility techniques.
Pillars
Art of Evaluation
A mental enhancement technique that effects perception. You can extract maximal information from your senses. If you taste a pie with the Art of Evaluation, you will know the precise ingredients, how long it was baked, how sharp the knife was that cut it, etc. Sharpens the mind, not the senses. You won't see or hear a mosquito any faster, but as soon as you notice it you'll know its precise location, size, weight, and if it has blood in its stomach. Your father taught you this as your first technique. He created it himself, and sung its praises at any opportunity. He believed there was no greater virtue than a perceptive mind. Pillar bonus: Passive, switch on and off without cost.
Will of Creation
A general matter manipulation technique. You can alter the shape and composition of basic materials, turning objects suffused with your Teotl into other objects. With practice, you can mimic complex crafting practices, like distilling and forging, using only your Teotl control. For best results, you need an intimate understanding of the mundane process. This difficult to master technique is common among merchants and craftsmen in your clan. Pillar Bonus: You can do anything a mortal craftsman could near instantly and without tools, so long as you understand the process.
Touch of Destruction
A simple combat and utility technique. When used in combat, allows you to add destructive force to your strikes. Outside of combat, can be used to efficiently break down objects and structures. This basic technique is extremely common everywhere. Pillar Bonus: Gives an intuitive sense of natural weak points and increases base strength of the technique.
Blessing of Efficiency
An esoteric blessing technique. Shapes ambient Teotl around the target, making things faster, easier, and less wasteful. Works on anything that can be made more efficient, but most effective on complex systems. People, machines, businesses, even nations can benefit. Knowing this technique is a job requirement for Imperial Magistrates, though they don't have to integrate it. Pillar Bonus: Extreme improvement to base strength and scope, can maintain multiple blessings if you're willing to dedicate a constant drain of Teotl to each.
Basic Imbuing
A core treasure-forging technique. Allows you to shape the Teotl waterways of mundane objects, making them receptive to empowerment rituals that turn them into magical treasures. Anyone interested in making treasures learns this. Pillar Bonus: Objects can gain minor powers with imbuing alone and you can tweak the powers of existing treasures.
9999 Revelations Meditation
A powerful mental enhancement technique. You can shut off all your senses, entering a deep trance state where mind and spirit are in complete communion. Generates insights both profound and mundane. The longer you stay in the meditative state, the more effective the meditation. Favored by monks and inventors. Pillar Bonus: You can remain sensate with the meditation active and perform basic tasks, though you won't be able to use other techniques.
Secret Ritual of True Spirit Refinement
A special empowerment ritual. Can be used to channel heavenly power to items. Heavenly power improves them massively along every parameter. You may perform the ritual multiple times to incredible effect, but each time increases the risk of destroying the target. Attempts are fueled by natural sources of heavenly power. Known only by an exclusive group of craftsmen in high demand. Your father obtained this technique for you at extraordinary expense. Pillar Bonus: Reduced risk of failure.
The Cosmic Forge (Destruction-Creation-Imbuement-Efficiency-Refinement)
You can summon the Cosmic Forge, a workshop of pure will. With time the Cosmic Forge can break anything down into Essence Crystals and Pure Teotl, the building blocks of the universe. A small amount of the material is lost in conversion. The Cosmic Forge can be used to create anything you can imagine, so long as you have enough stored Essence Crystals of the appropriate type as material, Pure Teotl as fuel, and time to work the Forge.
Transformation - Heaven-Forged Diamond Spirit
Loving Domain – Spiritual effects, poisons, or diseases below transformation that will cause harm to you, or anything you love, will be disrupted. Effects below Lord level will be weakened. The Teotl effects of anyone who loves you will be slightly enhanced.
Prideful Order – You can restore things below transformation to their idealized form within the Perfect Order with a touch. With great effort you can Will very minor localized alterations to idealized forms within the Perfect Order. ALTERATIONS WHICH DEFY HEAVEN WILL BE PUNISHED.
Aura of Wrath – Anything hated by Heaven will be grievously harmed by your presence. Anything you hate will be weakened by your presence.
Loyal Refraction – You gain a blessing from those you are spiritually bound to, and grant a blessing to anyone loyal to you. YOU ARE BOUND TO LORD TLALOC, DUKE XIPETOTEC, AND THE EMPEROR OF LIGHT.
Heaven-Graced Fate – You will be shielded by fate as a reward for righteous action and loyal service to heaven, to a degree commiserate with your contributions. You will be punished by fate for unrighteous actions. YOUR SHIELD IS WEAK AND FADING.
Righteous Clarity – You are clearly marked by Heaven's Blessing. This mark cannot be obscured in any way. The righteousness (or lack) of your actions will be clear to all. You are a natural ally of those loyal to heaven and a natural enemy of those who defy Heaven.
Spiritual Severity – You can only use Orthodox Techniques.
YOU ARE BEING WATCHED. YOU WILL BE JUDGED BY THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR ACTIONS. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF ALL WHO ARE BOUND TO YOU BY BLOOD, OATH, OR GIFT. YOUR CLAN IS UNCLEAN.
Archtype: Prodigy
Skills go from 1-7, they represent broad competency
Each skill level takes more effort to raise than the last.
- Competent
- Trained
- Skilled
- Expert
- Master
- Grandmaster
- Perfect
- Focus
- Specialty
- Pillar
- Insightful
- Enlightened
- Transcendent
Each skill level takes more effort to raise than the last.
Skills & Specialties
Cultivation Knowledge - 5
*The Orthodox Path - 2
Athletics - 3Business Sense - 4
*Bureaucracy - 2
Crafting - 4*Elixirs 1
*Treasures 2
*Jewels 1
Martial Arts - 3*The 7 Pillars (Spear, Staff, Saber, Broadsword, Hammer, Dagger, Chain-Whip) - 1
Charm 4*Beauty 1
*Etiquette 1
*Diplomacy 1
Intrigue 2Enlightenments
Heaven-Touched Dreamer - 1
Order-Aligned Spirit - 1
Destructive Abyssal Research - 1
SPECIAL:
Instinctive Adaption - 3
Diverse Strength - 2
Law's Guiding Grace - 1
Core Cultivation 1.2
Genius Talent
You have 1200 ATU (Arbitrary Teotl Units)
You are slightly above the known peak in Teotl control
You are approximately 20% more physically capable than Perfect cultivators without the use of techniques
You are 20 years old. You will not show your age until you are 600 years old
You inspire mild feelings of awe in people with lower cultivation
Trauma
Aggression (from near-death by Abyssals)
Foundation
Infinitely Perfect
This unique foundation technique gives you the ability to destroy and then remake any part of your own cultivation.
Growth: You may shatter and then reforge your own core. Each reforging makes it stronger, improving your basic cultivation (Teotl capacity, Teotl control, physical abilities, lifespan). Reforging takes time and cultivation resources, and you are mortal until it completes. Unlike other foundation techniques, this provides benefits indefinitely.
Refinement: You may shatter any Pillar Technique. You will still know the technique, but you will lose the Pillar Bonus. You lose any Mastery techniques based on that pillar. You can reforge the Pillar with a new technique. You can add additional Pillar Techniques at great difficulty up to a hard limit of 13.
Transformation: You can shatter your Transformation and choose a new thing to Merge with. You will have to restart the entire process and take on all the risks again. This isn't advisable unless you find something truly extraordinary to merge with or find a way to mitigate the risks.
Benefits after Transformation will be revealed if you reach that level of cultivation.
Techniques
Flesh Sculpting
The infamous, restricted technique for shaping living things with your will by flooding them with Teotl. This ability has enormous potential, its capabilities increase with Chachi's healing, anatomy, nature, crafting, and cultivation skills. At her current level of skill Chachi can heal very basic damage, turn simple living things into living treasures, and attempt to alter the natural abilities of spirit beasts.
You know a collection of unremarkable combat, movement, blessing, and utility techniques.
Pillars
Art of Evaluation
A mental enhancement technique that effects perception. You can extract maximal information from your senses. If you taste a pie with the Art of Evaluation, you will know the precise ingredients, how long it was baked, how sharp the knife was that cut it, etc. Sharpens the mind, not the senses. You won't see or hear a mosquito any faster, but as soon as you notice it you'll know its precise location, size, weight, and if it has blood in its stomach. Your father taught you this as your first technique. He created it himself, and sung its praises at any opportunity. He believed there was no greater virtue than a perceptive mind. Pillar bonus: Passive, switch on and off without cost.
Will of Creation
A general matter manipulation technique. You can alter the shape and composition of basic materials, turning objects suffused with your Teotl into other objects. With practice, you can mimic complex crafting practices, like distilling and forging, using only your Teotl control. For best results, you need an intimate understanding of the mundane process. This difficult to master technique is common among merchants and craftsmen in your clan. Pillar Bonus: You can do anything a mortal craftsman could near instantly and without tools, so long as you understand the process.
Touch of Destruction
A simple combat and utility technique. When used in combat, allows you to add destructive force to your strikes. Outside of combat, can be used to efficiently break down objects and structures. This basic technique is extremely common everywhere. Pillar Bonus: Gives an intuitive sense of natural weak points and increases base strength of the technique.
Blessing of Efficiency
An esoteric blessing technique. Shapes ambient Teotl around the target, making things faster, easier, and less wasteful. Works on anything that can be made more efficient, but most effective on complex systems. People, machines, businesses, even nations can benefit. Knowing this technique is a job requirement for Imperial Magistrates, though they don't have to integrate it. Pillar Bonus: Extreme improvement to base strength and scope, can maintain multiple blessings if you're willing to dedicate a constant drain of Teotl to each.
Basic Imbuing
A core treasure-forging technique. Allows you to shape the Teotl waterways of mundane objects, making them receptive to empowerment rituals that turn them into magical treasures. Anyone interested in making treasures learns this. Pillar Bonus: Objects can gain minor powers with imbuing alone and you can tweak the powers of existing treasures.
9999 Revelations Meditation
A powerful mental enhancement technique. You can shut off all your senses, entering a deep trance state where mind and spirit are in complete communion. Generates insights both profound and mundane. The longer you stay in the meditative state, the more effective the meditation. Favored by monks and inventors. Pillar Bonus: You can remain sensate with the meditation active and perform basic tasks, though you won't be able to use other techniques.
Secret Ritual of True Spirit Refinement
A special empowerment ritual. Can be used to channel heavenly power to items. Heavenly power improves them massively along every parameter. You may perform the ritual multiple times to incredible effect, but each time increases the risk of destroying the target. Attempts are fueled by natural sources of heavenly power. Known only by an exclusive group of craftsmen in high demand. Your father obtained this technique for you at extraordinary expense. Pillar Bonus: Reduced risk of failure.
The Cosmic Forge (Destruction-Creation-Imbuement-Efficiency-Refinement)
You can summon the Cosmic Forge, a workshop of pure will. With time the Cosmic Forge can break anything down into Essence Crystals and Pure Teotl, the building blocks of the universe. A small amount of the material is lost in conversion. The Cosmic Forge can be used to create anything you can imagine, so long as you have enough stored Essence Crystals of the appropriate type as material, Pure Teotl as fuel, and time to work the Forge.
Transformation - Heaven-Forged Diamond Spirit
Loving Domain – Spiritual effects, poisons, or diseases below transformation that will cause harm to you, or anything you love, will be disrupted. Effects below Lord level will be weakened. The Teotl effects of anyone who loves you will be slightly enhanced.
Prideful Order – You can restore things below transformation to their idealized form within the Perfect Order with a touch. With great effort you can Will very minor localized alterations to idealized forms within the Perfect Order. ALTERATIONS WHICH DEFY HEAVEN WILL BE PUNISHED.
Aura of Wrath – Anything hated by Heaven will be grievously harmed by your presence. Anything you hate will be weakened by your presence.
Loyal Refraction – You gain a blessing from those you are spiritually bound to, and grant a blessing to anyone loyal to you. YOU ARE BOUND TO LORD TLALOC, DUKE XIPETOTEC, AND THE EMPEROR OF LIGHT.
Heaven-Graced Fate – You will be shielded by fate as a reward for righteous action and loyal service to heaven, to a degree commiserate with your contributions. You will be punished by fate for unrighteous actions. YOUR SHIELD IS WEAK AND FADING.
Righteous Clarity – You are clearly marked by Heaven's Blessing. This mark cannot be obscured in any way. The righteousness (or lack) of your actions will be clear to all. You are a natural ally of those loyal to heaven and a natural enemy of those who defy Heaven.
Spiritual Severity – You can only use Orthodox Techniques.
YOU ARE BEING WATCHED. YOU WILL BE JUDGED BY THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR ACTIONS. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF ALL WHO ARE BOUND TO YOU BY BLOOD, OATH, OR GIFT. YOUR CLAN IS UNCLEAN.
Cast list
Our Family:
Chalchiuhxochitl Atlahau - or Chachi, our protagonist, a prodigy and the new matriarch of her clan as a result of her father's death.
Okuillin Atlahau - our protagonist's sister, a bastard of our father, was hated by her mother, which showed her hate by naming her worm, our father banished her to the Blue River sect, she returned in his funeral to attempt and take control of the clan, was stopped by Chachi who than offered her friendship. She is on the supreme combat path of black lighting, she is our body guard. A Heterodox cultivator.
Teokuitlatlkopilli Atlahau - our eldest brother, the initial heir before we took the clan upon our ascension, pretty useless in a fight, has a pretty weak cultivation, but is extremely knowledgeable in matters of bussines. Currently has a clone, creating said clone seriously harmed him, his clone will last for a year if nothing changed.
Itstlixochitl Atlahau - our mother, we are her only known child, all our siblings are related to us through our father. Can read emotions without tells, has powers that effect the mind, fears being thrown out. She used to work in the shady side of the bussiness, and continues to do so on a need to know basis with Chachi, currently our head of PR. A Heterodox cultivator.
Tetlkoto Atlahau - our brother, he betrayed the empire and us when he made contact with the abysalls and took on abysall cultivation, a form of illegal cultivation punished by death to the entire clan should it be found out. We thought we captured him but it turned out to be a clone, is currently being hunted. Chachi's recent trauma is likely to make her more hostile than she would have otherwise been towards him.
Our bosses:
Lord Tlaloc - our most immediate boss, a very big guy (both metaphorically and literally), likes animals and nature. Had some secret agreement with our father that gave our father free access to the heavenspan river, willing to extend it to us once we advanced a little in our cultivation. Seems considerate of his subjects, a kind lord. Lives in Tlaloc city and is the head of the Tlaloc clan, a creative guy.
Duke Xipetotec - not much known about him.
Emperor of light - a deva that created the lordly system and rules the empire, currently in the realm of sovereign, equal to a demi god. Has the first known heaven forged diamond (which he used as his crown jewel), and our one is a replication of his.
Other powerful beings:
The final beast/the first beast - thought to he the ancestor of all spiritual beasts, a demi god level being, as seemingly intelligent as a regular beast, but much bigger and stronger. Known abilities are the creation of powerful spiritual beasts from anything his body leaves behind (blood, spit, anything) and shapeshifting (mostly known to use a stag or a bear form). The emperor fought him off twice, he seems to react badly when lords get near his territory.
Lord Huitzilopochtli - a rival to Tlaloc, one of the three lords of the 1000 rivers.
Lord Ehecatl - a rival to Tlaloc, one of the three lords of the 1000 rivers.
Lady Chalchiuhtlicue - the lady of the turtle isles, currently in war with abysalls for control over the territory, she didn't seem to do so well, which is an opportunity for Chachi to help.
The Saint of Arts and Crafts - a saint focused on crafting, Chachi is her fan and keeps her public saying written on a scroll in her room. Trained and cybernetically enhanced cute giant turtles into cute giant submarines.
The Saint of Crimson Blessings - a medical saint.
Saint of Life Formed True - a medical saint
Duke Tezcatlipoca - Chalchiuhtlicue's father, she shares her power with him.
The Laughing Judge - a demi god
Pazkanon - a demi god
Magog - king of the giants, basically owner of the world tree, a demi god.
The world tree - a suspected equal to the final beast, produce a world seed once every thousand years, produce lesser seeds more frequently. Probably non sentient, his seeds are ritually launched to space to give life to new worlds.
The Red Champion - also called "The Fire King," or just "The Lord of the Volcanic Mountains", using his personal name is considered rude unless you are close friend or family member, he is the lord of the volcanic regions.
The turtle isles inhabitants:
Tlaaquiani - minister of trade in the turtle isles, daughter of lady Chalchiuhtlicue
Quauhcalli - a son of lady Chalchiuhtlicue, was cursed by a saint for breaking an oath, the curse took from him his ability to speak, Chachi lifted that curse and was granted in return a flesh sculpting technique. A warrior.
Ayotlmacehual, The Triumphant Turtle - a cybernetically enhanced super turtle who is also a submarine, the rooms inside of her aren't that comfortable but she is pretty cool, was a gift sent to the lady by the saint of arts and crafts. She is the flagship of the lady's fleet and the lady hold court on her.
Captain Yecteltlamatqui - a diamond cultivator and a cool guy, gave us some helpful advices for own cultivation, saved us from abysalls.
Engineer guy - He is a secretive disciple of the Saint of Arts and Crafts, kind of an ass with his refusal to share some things, even when they relate to our cultivation like our new diamond materials, but he did give us advice for books.
Tehuilotl - a diamond cultivatior married into the Chalchiuhtlicue house.
The clan:
Tepak - a dashing shade llama, formaly our father's companion beast, use to move our carriage, capable of understanding human speech but incapable of speaking it. Has the ability to project a thin shadow platform in front of her, incapable of flight but capable of running smoothly over any surface.
Atlikiti Atlahau - the head of production, oldest living member of our clan, having co-founded it with our father, their agreement was that he makes the elixirs and our father sells them. Has a foundation that extends his life past the limits of a normal perfect and is an extremely accomplished elixir brewer, he disdain salesmanship, but good at what he does.
Ueuetlasa Atlahau - The head of finance, she is our cousin, unknown if first degree.
Teokuitlatlkopilli Atlahau - head of administration, there are many departments under him
The Xochipixqui clan - remnant of our mother clan, working for us under our mom now.
The Cacalotl clan - Teo's Maternal Clan, The Cacalotl remnants are prominent in the production and administration of the Atlahau Clan. Unhappy with us taking the heir position from Teo.
1000 rivers:
The Nepoualistli clan - They are an ancient Great Clan of proud warriors, sworn to the True Lord. The Thousand Rivers has been at peace for centuries, so they are also remarkably useless, and poor. This has made them bitter and prickly in their pride. Rationally, they would want to cozy up with a wealthy but less prestigious clan, like you. Perhaps even intermarry. They are not rational. They resent you for your new wealth and status, for your ability to thrive in a world that's passed them by. Likely to attempt an ambush or a dual soon, unlikely to attempt assassination.
Ueyak clan - rivals, the Ueyak clan 'hates' you. You are direct competitors in the Thousand Rivers, producing nearly identical elixirs. Their clan is older than yours, but you've now taken the better part of their market share. Your elixirs are higher quality, and you used to produce them for less. You are bitter enemies in the market, but your interests and philosophies often align.
Okichiltekitki - the head of the Special Farmer's Union, the largest supplier of Essence rich plant materials in the Thousand Rivers. Someone behind her leaned on her to provike us and not help us stretch our heavenspan water reverses, seems to also dislike us personally thanks to our father trying to break the union.
Kalchiuani clan - a construction clan that helped build the Walking Fortresses with you. When the crafting clans scoffed at your plans, they got to work. It was your first time working with them, but their support was invaluable.
Zhezhurani of the Kalchiuani - member by adoption, He's their chief materials engineer. Nearly a mortal in cultivation, flawed foundation, but brilliant in his specialty. Not native to the thousand rivers.
The Iknotl clan - Iknotl owes you money. They made a bulk purchase of Dreaming Wisdom Elixirs on credit before your father died. Now they claim the product was defective and refuse to pay for any of it.
Cuāpitzīniā - favored grandson of Lord Tlaloc, sometimes called Tlaloc's left hand.
The Iquitini Clan - The Iquitini Clan has traditionally made your specialized tools and minor treasures. Chachi has been bypassing them with the Forge and they're unhappy.
The Tehuilotl Prospectors Union - crystal prospectors, are very pleased with your recent orders, their only concern is how to meet your seemingly endless demand.
The Blackwater Security Union - a mercenary group composed of sect dropouts.
Beast lands:
King of mountain - killed our father by sending hunters after him, hate walking people.
Garcino the giant - strongest of the walking people, very big, very strong.
Crystal Desert:
The Crystal Cartel - recently sent your clan the corpse of one of your merchants stuffed with a message-stone. They claim that any merchant who sets foot in the Crystal Desert without their permission will give their life-water to the sand.
They offered us a disadvantageous deal, we replied by sending our walking fortressses.
Empire:
The Bull-Frog - He traveled the span of the Empire working as a private investigator, an odd, rare, dangerous profession in a land where secrets were valued more highly than lives. Revealed the Tet clone and is helping us hunt our brother down.
Our Family:
Chalchiuhxochitl Atlahau - or Chachi, our protagonist, a prodigy and the new matriarch of her clan as a result of her father's death.
Okuillin Atlahau - our protagonist's sister, a bastard of our father, was hated by her mother, which showed her hate by naming her worm, our father banished her to the Blue River sect, she returned in his funeral to attempt and take control of the clan, was stopped by Chachi who than offered her friendship. She is on the supreme combat path of black lighting, she is our body guard. A Heterodox cultivator.
Teokuitlatlkopilli Atlahau - our eldest brother, the initial heir before we took the clan upon our ascension, pretty useless in a fight, has a pretty weak cultivation, but is extremely knowledgeable in matters of bussines. Currently has a clone, creating said clone seriously harmed him, his clone will last for a year if nothing changed.
Itstlixochitl Atlahau - our mother, we are her only known child, all our siblings are related to us through our father. Can read emotions without tells, has powers that effect the mind, fears being thrown out. She used to work in the shady side of the bussiness, and continues to do so on a need to know basis with Chachi, currently our head of PR. A Heterodox cultivator.
Tetlkoto Atlahau - our brother, he betrayed the empire and us when he made contact with the abysalls and took on abysall cultivation, a form of illegal cultivation punished by death to the entire clan should it be found out. We thought we captured him but it turned out to be a clone, is currently being hunted. Chachi's recent trauma is likely to make her more hostile than she would have otherwise been towards him.
Our bosses:
Lord Tlaloc - our most immediate boss, a very big guy (both metaphorically and literally), likes animals and nature. Had some secret agreement with our father that gave our father free access to the heavenspan river, willing to extend it to us once we advanced a little in our cultivation. Seems considerate of his subjects, a kind lord. Lives in Tlaloc city and is the head of the Tlaloc clan, a creative guy.
Duke Xipetotec - not much known about him.
Emperor of light - a deva that created the lordly system and rules the empire, currently in the realm of sovereign, equal to a demi god. Has the first known heaven forged diamond (which he used as his crown jewel), and our one is a replication of his.
Other powerful beings:
The final beast/the first beast - thought to he the ancestor of all spiritual beasts, a demi god level being, as seemingly intelligent as a regular beast, but much bigger and stronger. Known abilities are the creation of powerful spiritual beasts from anything his body leaves behind (blood, spit, anything) and shapeshifting (mostly known to use a stag or a bear form). The emperor fought him off twice, he seems to react badly when lords get near his territory.
Lord Huitzilopochtli - a rival to Tlaloc, one of the three lords of the 1000 rivers.
Lord Ehecatl - a rival to Tlaloc, one of the three lords of the 1000 rivers.
Lady Chalchiuhtlicue - the lady of the turtle isles, currently in war with abysalls for control over the territory, she didn't seem to do so well, which is an opportunity for Chachi to help.
The Saint of Arts and Crafts - a saint focused on crafting, Chachi is her fan and keeps her public saying written on a scroll in her room. Trained and cybernetically enhanced cute giant turtles into cute giant submarines.
The Saint of Crimson Blessings - a medical saint.
Saint of Life Formed True - a medical saint
Duke Tezcatlipoca - Chalchiuhtlicue's father, she shares her power with him.
The Laughing Judge - a demi god
Pazkanon - a demi god
Magog - king of the giants, basically owner of the world tree, a demi god.
The world tree - a suspected equal to the final beast, produce a world seed once every thousand years, produce lesser seeds more frequently. Probably non sentient, his seeds are ritually launched to space to give life to new worlds.
The Red Champion - also called "The Fire King," or just "The Lord of the Volcanic Mountains", using his personal name is considered rude unless you are close friend or family member, he is the lord of the volcanic regions.
The turtle isles inhabitants:
Tlaaquiani - minister of trade in the turtle isles, daughter of lady Chalchiuhtlicue
Quauhcalli - a son of lady Chalchiuhtlicue, was cursed by a saint for breaking an oath, the curse took from him his ability to speak, Chachi lifted that curse and was granted in return a flesh sculpting technique. A warrior.
Ayotlmacehual, The Triumphant Turtle - a cybernetically enhanced super turtle who is also a submarine, the rooms inside of her aren't that comfortable but she is pretty cool, was a gift sent to the lady by the saint of arts and crafts. She is the flagship of the lady's fleet and the lady hold court on her.
Captain Yecteltlamatqui - a diamond cultivator and a cool guy, gave us some helpful advices for own cultivation, saved us from abysalls.
Engineer guy - He is a secretive disciple of the Saint of Arts and Crafts, kind of an ass with his refusal to share some things, even when they relate to our cultivation like our new diamond materials, but he did give us advice for books.
Tehuilotl - a diamond cultivatior married into the Chalchiuhtlicue house.
The clan:
Tepak - a dashing shade llama, formaly our father's companion beast, use to move our carriage, capable of understanding human speech but incapable of speaking it. Has the ability to project a thin shadow platform in front of her, incapable of flight but capable of running smoothly over any surface.
Atlikiti Atlahau - the head of production, oldest living member of our clan, having co-founded it with our father, their agreement was that he makes the elixirs and our father sells them. Has a foundation that extends his life past the limits of a normal perfect and is an extremely accomplished elixir brewer, he disdain salesmanship, but good at what he does.
Ueuetlasa Atlahau - The head of finance, she is our cousin, unknown if first degree.
Teokuitlatlkopilli Atlahau - head of administration, there are many departments under him
The Xochipixqui clan - remnant of our mother clan, working for us under our mom now.
The Cacalotl clan - Teo's Maternal Clan, The Cacalotl remnants are prominent in the production and administration of the Atlahau Clan. Unhappy with us taking the heir position from Teo.
1000 rivers:
The Nepoualistli clan - They are an ancient Great Clan of proud warriors, sworn to the True Lord. The Thousand Rivers has been at peace for centuries, so they are also remarkably useless, and poor. This has made them bitter and prickly in their pride. Rationally, they would want to cozy up with a wealthy but less prestigious clan, like you. Perhaps even intermarry. They are not rational. They resent you for your new wealth and status, for your ability to thrive in a world that's passed them by. Likely to attempt an ambush or a dual soon, unlikely to attempt assassination.
Ueyak clan - rivals, the Ueyak clan 'hates' you. You are direct competitors in the Thousand Rivers, producing nearly identical elixirs. Their clan is older than yours, but you've now taken the better part of their market share. Your elixirs are higher quality, and you used to produce them for less. You are bitter enemies in the market, but your interests and philosophies often align.
Okichiltekitki - the head of the Special Farmer's Union, the largest supplier of Essence rich plant materials in the Thousand Rivers. Someone behind her leaned on her to provike us and not help us stretch our heavenspan water reverses, seems to also dislike us personally thanks to our father trying to break the union.
Kalchiuani clan - a construction clan that helped build the Walking Fortresses with you. When the crafting clans scoffed at your plans, they got to work. It was your first time working with them, but their support was invaluable.
Zhezhurani of the Kalchiuani - member by adoption, He's their chief materials engineer. Nearly a mortal in cultivation, flawed foundation, but brilliant in his specialty. Not native to the thousand rivers.
The Iknotl clan - Iknotl owes you money. They made a bulk purchase of Dreaming Wisdom Elixirs on credit before your father died. Now they claim the product was defective and refuse to pay for any of it.
Cuāpitzīniā - favored grandson of Lord Tlaloc, sometimes called Tlaloc's left hand.
The Iquitini Clan - The Iquitini Clan has traditionally made your specialized tools and minor treasures. Chachi has been bypassing them with the Forge and they're unhappy.
The Tehuilotl Prospectors Union - crystal prospectors, are very pleased with your recent orders, their only concern is how to meet your seemingly endless demand.
The Blackwater Security Union - a mercenary group composed of sect dropouts.
Beast lands:
King of mountain - killed our father by sending hunters after him, hate walking people.
Garcino the giant - strongest of the walking people, very big, very strong.
Crystal Desert:
The Crystal Cartel - recently sent your clan the corpse of one of your merchants stuffed with a message-stone. They claim that any merchant who sets foot in the Crystal Desert without their permission will give their life-water to the sand.
They offered us a disadvantageous deal, we replied by sending our walking fortressses.
Empire:
The Bull-Frog - He traveled the span of the Empire working as a private investigator, an odd, rare, dangerous profession in a land where secrets were valued more highly than lives. Revealed the Tet clone and is helping us hunt our brother down.
Internal Divisions
Administration
Leader: Teo
Cultivators: 7 Perfect, 14 Advanced, 55 Lesser
Special Traits: Teo's Blessing, Clan HQ
Production
Leader: Atlikiti
Cultivators: 12 Perfect, 22 Advanced, 241 Lesser
Special Traits: Innovative, Insular, Stubborn, Elixir Production Facilities
Sales
Leader: Teo's Clone
Cultivators: 1 Perfect, 3 Advanced, 80 Lesser
Special Traits: Teo's Blessing, Demoralized, Harried
Finance
Leader: Ueuetlasa
Cultivators: 1 Advanced, 5 Lesser
Special Traits: New, Over-leveraged, Harried
Charity
Leader: Itstlixochitl
Cultivators: ???
Special Traits: Need to Know, Intelligence, Espionage
Security
Leader: None
Cultivators: 3 Advanced, 153 Lesser
Special Traits: Dispersed, No Leadership
Known Clan Factions
Teo's Faction (Xochipixqui Remnants + Teo Descendants)
Mom's Faction (Cacalotl Remnants)
Tet Remnants (Purged???)
Mortal Workforce
Allies
River Captains (Acallachiani Clan) - Pleased, taking over all river transport
Crafting Clan (Iquitini Clan) – Appeased, long-term contract to repair the walking fortresses
Construction Clan (Kalchiuani) - Very happy, currently courting several members of your clan
Crystal Prospectors (Tehuilotl Prospectors Union) - Overjoyed at loans and record sales, expanding the business
Partners
Special Farmer's Union – Appeased, happy to be making a reliable profit
Lady Chalchiuhtlicue – Happy at a large shipment, expecting more
Known Enemies
The Crystal Cartel – Sworn Feud
The Swordmasters (Nepoualistli) – Suppressed
The Rival Brewers (Ueyak) - Silent
The Abyss – Lurking
The Mountain Lord - Plotting
Notable Assets
Elixir Production Facilities (Medium Security, Cutting Edge Tools, Attractive, Well-Funded, River Extractors)
Clan Compound (Low Security, Prestigious, Shadowed Guardians, Anti-Abyssal Tea)
Clan HQ (Low Security, Well-Organized, Advanced Communications System, Anti-Abyssal Tea)
Walking Fortresses [5] (Medium Security, Mobile, High Capacity)
Clan Library (Fair Quality, Bolstered by the Turtle Isles Collection)
Heavenly Conduits: 13
General Cultivation Resources
Hungering – Excellent (Elixir Clan)
Seeking – Good (Expanded Library)
Building – Fair (Expanded Library)
Administration
Leader: Teo
Cultivators: 7 Perfect, 14 Advanced, 55 Lesser
Special Traits: Teo's Blessing, Clan HQ
Production
Leader: Atlikiti
Cultivators: 12 Perfect, 22 Advanced, 241 Lesser
Special Traits: Innovative, Insular, Stubborn, Elixir Production Facilities
Sales
Leader: Teo's Clone
Cultivators: 1 Perfect, 3 Advanced, 80 Lesser
Special Traits: Teo's Blessing, Demoralized, Harried
Finance
Leader: Ueuetlasa
Cultivators: 1 Advanced, 5 Lesser
Special Traits: New, Over-leveraged, Harried
Charity
Leader: Itstlixochitl
Cultivators: ???
Special Traits: Need to Know, Intelligence, Espionage
Security
Leader: None
Cultivators: 3 Advanced, 153 Lesser
Special Traits: Dispersed, No Leadership
Known Clan Factions
Teo's Faction (Xochipixqui Remnants + Teo Descendants)
Mom's Faction (Cacalotl Remnants)
Tet Remnants (Purged???)
Mortal Workforce
Allies
River Captains (Acallachiani Clan) - Pleased, taking over all river transport
Crafting Clan (Iquitini Clan) – Appeased, long-term contract to repair the walking fortresses
Construction Clan (Kalchiuani) - Very happy, currently courting several members of your clan
Crystal Prospectors (Tehuilotl Prospectors Union) - Overjoyed at loans and record sales, expanding the business
Partners
Special Farmer's Union – Appeased, happy to be making a reliable profit
Lady Chalchiuhtlicue – Happy at a large shipment, expecting more
Known Enemies
The Crystal Cartel – Sworn Feud
The Swordmasters (Nepoualistli) – Suppressed
The Rival Brewers (Ueyak) - Silent
The Abyss – Lurking
The Mountain Lord - Plotting
Notable Assets
Elixir Production Facilities (Medium Security, Cutting Edge Tools, Attractive, Well-Funded, River Extractors)
Clan Compound (Low Security, Prestigious, Shadowed Guardians, Anti-Abyssal Tea)
Clan HQ (Low Security, Well-Organized, Advanced Communications System, Anti-Abyssal Tea)
Walking Fortresses [5] (Medium Security, Mobile, High Capacity)
Clan Library (Fair Quality, Bolstered by the Turtle Isles Collection)
Heavenly Conduits: 13
General Cultivation Resources
Hungering – Excellent (Elixir Clan)
Seeking – Good (Expanded Library)
Building – Fair (Expanded Library)
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Very promising start!
[X] The Exile, driven and aggressive
[X] Elixirs
[X] Duel
[X] The Exile, driven and aggressive
[X] Elixirs
[X] Duel
- Location
- Leeds
[X] The Prodigy, young and talented
[X] Rare Books
[X] Raid
Raids the most interesting plot hook to me, especially combined with a not directly power related resource. Who outside the empire is so interested in our books?
[X] Rare Books
[X] Raid
Raids the most interesting plot hook to me, especially combined with a not directly power related resource. Who outside the empire is so interested in our books?
[x] The Spare, cunning and ambitious
[x] Staples and raw resources
[x] Raid
[x] Staples and raw resources
[x] Raid
[X] The Prodigy, young and talented
[x] Art and Entertainment
[x] Raid
[x] Art and Entertainment
[x] Raid
Some interesting choices. I like to read about good people doing good things, so that narrows it down to Heir and Prodigy for me.
[X] The Heir, skilled and loyal
For resources I want something that makes us stronger. I think raw resources will just make us a target. Elixirs are helpful from a narrative and plotting perspective because they're necessarily one use items, so if a potion gets too powerful you can run out of ingredients or something and don't have the same power inflation problems that more durable items pose.
[X] Elixirs
Raid gives us somewhere to run away to if we screw everything up.
[X] Raid
[X] The Heir, skilled and loyal
For resources I want something that makes us stronger. I think raw resources will just make us a target. Elixirs are helpful from a narrative and plotting perspective because they're necessarily one use items, so if a potion gets too powerful you can run out of ingredients or something and don't have the same power inflation problems that more durable items pose.
[X] Elixirs
Raid gives us somewhere to run away to if we screw everything up.
[X] Raid
Informational: The Cultivator's Journey
Introduction to Cultivation: A Primer. Produced by the Floating Mountain Sect.
There are as many ways to cultivate as there are roads in the empire. Yet, there is only one Imperial Highway, and there is only one Orthodox Path. Do not be tempted by other methods and their false promises. Any peasant knows that the well-trod road is fastest and safest.
The Orthodox path is long but fruitful. It is properly divided into three journeys. Each journey with two phases, each phase three steps.
The first journey is called Perfection. Those who reach the end are called Perfect, and they are at the peak of human potential.
The first phase of Perfection is Growth. Its steps are Exalting, Hungering, and Seeking. On occasion a mortal will spontaneously exalt but an elixir of exaltation guarantees the process. The exalted may begin cultivating the pure energy of the world through breath. Talent and further elixirs can smooth this step, but anyone can complete it with hard work. Next, there is Hungering. Cultivators will soon find that they can no longer grow stronger from breath exercises alone. They must consume precious cultivation resources to proceed. Typically this is the most expensive phase for a cultivator. Ancient clans will begin assembling everything their scions will require at their birth, and may push them through hungering in a week. The sects prefer their Hungering students earn their resources through loyal service. The less fortunate may end their journey here, on the second step. Hungering ends much as exalting, when the benefits of consuming resources dwindle to nothing. They must seek another method of growth. This is called a Foundation Technique. A proper Foundation Technique will be appropriate to the cultivator's skills, personality, and circumstances. Most importantly, it will resonate with the cultivator's soul. Success in the Seeking step will determine much of a cultivator's potential. Access to a variety of techniques to sample and skilled tutors to guide the cultivator will smooth this step. The Sects, which gather cultivators from many backgrounds and retain vast technique libraries have shown even greater success than the great clans in finding perfect Foundation Techniques for their students.
The second phase of Perfection is Refinement, and it begins as soon as a cultivator has integrated their Foundation Technique. The first step is simple to explain but infinitely diverse: they must use their Foundation Technique to refine their being. The specifics vary with each technique. In the next step, Building, they must develop, practice, and perfect a number of Pillar Techniques. The more Pillar Techniques a cultivator masters the stronger they will be, but each addition risks unbalancing the soul and crippling their cultivation. The greatest cultivators in history, such as Sect Elder Luxing mastered 7 Pillar techniques, most settle for 3 to 5. The final stage is Perfecting. The Pillars are combined into Master Techniques. Cultivators can develop more than one Master Techniques, but with the first they earn the title of Perfect and are able to continue on the next journey.
Most remain at Perfect and improve only in their experience and their Master Techniques. Perfect is the peak of humanity. A Perfect will be healthier, faster, stronger, smarter, and more beautiful than any mortal could possibly aspire to be. Through their techniques, they can perform incredible feats of power. They can live for over five hundred years, only showing age in the last decade as their vitality runs low. They are, however, fundamentally human. They have blood, and breath, and tears. The next journey is to become something more than human. It is called Transformation.
The leap to Transformation is dangerous. Half of all cultivators who make the attempt die instantly. Half of those who survive eventually lose their selfhood, their body, mind, or soul irrevocably corrupted. The reader is well advised to deeply consider if they wish to take this step, and to settle any loose ends if they do. For some the reward, the promise of freedom from the ravages of time, and of even greater power, is worth the risk.
The first step is Merging. The cultivator must introduce a foreign element, something utterly inhuman, into their body, mind and soul. Each is a step, but which is taken first depends on the cultivator. The second phase is Mastering. They must learn to master the new element, taming it to their will. The first step is Transposition, mastering the ability to switch between Human and Other. Then there is Liminal, learning to merge the two. Finally, there is Harmonic, learning to make them both improve the other, to become greater as a whole than either is alone. Once a cultivator perfects the Harmonic step, they earn the title of Transcendent.
The third journey begins with a fork. Nobility or Divinity? By taking an outside force into their being, the Transcendent become open to the fundamental forces of the universe. They can choose to channel the powers of earth, or of heaven. Those who channel the earth walk the path of Nobility. They claim a piece of land and all the creatures who dwell upon it. They become the land, and the land becomes them. The two shape one another and draw strength from each other. They are called True Nobles. This is to distinguish them from the masses of simple nobility, distant relatives of the True Noble that heads their family. A True Noble's growth depends on the size and quality of their land. Most True Nobles are Lords, the first step, and will remain there in perpetuity. A few, either by gaining great favor with the Emperor or by expanding their land in conquest, manage to reach the Duke step. There is only one Sovereign: The Emperor of Light. If he ever chooses to enter the second phase and Ascend, another may theoretically take his place.
A handful of cultivators have taken the other path. The steps of Divinity are Saint, Deva, and Demigod. The Empire has 22 Saints and 3 Devas, yet none have ever shared how they managed to draw directly on the power of heaven. The Final Beast, the Laughing Judge, Pazkanon, and Magog are known demigods. Others may dwell far beyond our borders. Only the Emperor has the power to protect us from such terrors.
Little is known of the final step of the final journey. All who walked that path are gone from our perceptions. We surmise that they joined their soul fully to heaven and earth, becoming one with all existence much as the Noble becomes one with his land.
Voting is still open, I'm just excited to explain my Cultivation scheme.
There are as many ways to cultivate as there are roads in the empire. Yet, there is only one Imperial Highway, and there is only one Orthodox Path. Do not be tempted by other methods and their false promises. Any peasant knows that the well-trod road is fastest and safest.
The Orthodox path is long but fruitful. It is properly divided into three journeys. Each journey with two phases, each phase three steps.
The first journey is called Perfection. Those who reach the end are called Perfect, and they are at the peak of human potential.
The first phase of Perfection is Growth. Its steps are Exalting, Hungering, and Seeking. On occasion a mortal will spontaneously exalt but an elixir of exaltation guarantees the process. The exalted may begin cultivating the pure energy of the world through breath. Talent and further elixirs can smooth this step, but anyone can complete it with hard work. Next, there is Hungering. Cultivators will soon find that they can no longer grow stronger from breath exercises alone. They must consume precious cultivation resources to proceed. Typically this is the most expensive phase for a cultivator. Ancient clans will begin assembling everything their scions will require at their birth, and may push them through hungering in a week. The sects prefer their Hungering students earn their resources through loyal service. The less fortunate may end their journey here, on the second step. Hungering ends much as exalting, when the benefits of consuming resources dwindle to nothing. They must seek another method of growth. This is called a Foundation Technique. A proper Foundation Technique will be appropriate to the cultivator's skills, personality, and circumstances. Most importantly, it will resonate with the cultivator's soul. Success in the Seeking step will determine much of a cultivator's potential. Access to a variety of techniques to sample and skilled tutors to guide the cultivator will smooth this step. The Sects, which gather cultivators from many backgrounds and retain vast technique libraries have shown even greater success than the great clans in finding perfect Foundation Techniques for their students.
The second phase of Perfection is Refinement, and it begins as soon as a cultivator has integrated their Foundation Technique. The first step is simple to explain but infinitely diverse: they must use their Foundation Technique to refine their being. The specifics vary with each technique. In the next step, Building, they must develop, practice, and perfect a number of Pillar Techniques. The more Pillar Techniques a cultivator masters the stronger they will be, but each addition risks unbalancing the soul and crippling their cultivation. The greatest cultivators in history, such as Sect Elder Luxing mastered 7 Pillar techniques, most settle for 3 to 5. The final stage is Perfecting. The Pillars are combined into Master Techniques. Cultivators can develop more than one Master Techniques, but with the first they earn the title of Perfect and are able to continue on the next journey.
Most remain at Perfect and improve only in their experience and their Master Techniques. Perfect is the peak of humanity. A Perfect will be healthier, faster, stronger, smarter, and more beautiful than any mortal could possibly aspire to be. Through their techniques, they can perform incredible feats of power. They can live for over five hundred years, only showing age in the last decade as their vitality runs low. They are, however, fundamentally human. They have blood, and breath, and tears. The next journey is to become something more than human. It is called Transformation.
The leap to Transformation is dangerous. Half of all cultivators who make the attempt die instantly. Half of those who survive eventually lose their selfhood, their body, mind, or soul irrevocably corrupted. The reader is well advised to deeply consider if they wish to take this step, and to settle any loose ends if they do. For some the reward, the promise of freedom from the ravages of time, and of even greater power, is worth the risk.
The first step is Merging. The cultivator must introduce a foreign element, something utterly inhuman, into their body, mind and soul. Each is a step, but which is taken first depends on the cultivator. The second phase is Mastering. They must learn to master the new element, taming it to their will. The first step is Transposition, mastering the ability to switch between Human and Other. Then there is Liminal, learning to merge the two. Finally, there is Harmonic, learning to make them both improve the other, to become greater as a whole than either is alone. Once a cultivator perfects the Harmonic step, they earn the title of Transcendent.
The third journey begins with a fork. Nobility or Divinity? By taking an outside force into their being, the Transcendent become open to the fundamental forces of the universe. They can choose to channel the powers of earth, or of heaven. Those who channel the earth walk the path of Nobility. They claim a piece of land and all the creatures who dwell upon it. They become the land, and the land becomes them. The two shape one another and draw strength from each other. They are called True Nobles. This is to distinguish them from the masses of simple nobility, distant relatives of the True Noble that heads their family. A True Noble's growth depends on the size and quality of their land. Most True Nobles are Lords, the first step, and will remain there in perpetuity. A few, either by gaining great favor with the Emperor or by expanding their land in conquest, manage to reach the Duke step. There is only one Sovereign: The Emperor of Light. If he ever chooses to enter the second phase and Ascend, another may theoretically take his place.
A handful of cultivators have taken the other path. The steps of Divinity are Saint, Deva, and Demigod. The Empire has 22 Saints and 3 Devas, yet none have ever shared how they managed to draw directly on the power of heaven. The Final Beast, the Laughing Judge, Pazkanon, and Magog are known demigods. Others may dwell far beyond our borders. Only the Emperor has the power to protect us from such terrors.
Little is known of the final step of the final journey. All who walked that path are gone from our perceptions. We surmise that they joined their soul fully to heaven and earth, becoming one with all existence much as the Noble becomes one with his land.
Voting is still open, I'm just excited to explain my Cultivation scheme.
- Location
- Virginia
[X] The Prodigy, young and talented
[X] Elixirs
[X] Raid
[X] Elixirs
[X] Raid
[X] The Prodigy, young and talented
[X] Elixirs
[X] Raid
[X] Elixirs
[X] Raid
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] The Exile, driven and aggressive
[X] Staples and raw resources
[X] Raid
[X] Staples and raw resources
[X] Raid
- Location
- California
[X] The Prodigy, young and talented
[X] Elixirs
[X] Duel
[X] Elixirs
[X] Duel
Jack-o'-Lantern
Local Shitposter
- Location
- Hell
[X] The Exile, driven and aggressive
[X] Spirit Beasts
[X] Raid
[X] Spirit Beasts
[X] Raid
