- Location
- USA
Are you... Familiar with the cultivation genre?
Shards of Awakening
- Thread starter dmclain2
- Start date
Vote closed
- Location
- Israel
Yes, western xianxia is alot less brutal than the chinese version and feature saner worldbuilding. And even among cnovels, its not like every one of them is Reverend Insanity.
Beyond that, the people who usually get bullied in xianxia are social outcasts with no support, Quan Jia is very far from either of those conditions. (Note how her family name means people are already predisposed to like her.)
- Location
- USA
High status means high status rivals, and Quan has a lot if shinies to steal, being defenceless seems like an invitation for frequent bully
- Location
- Israel
@dingdonghadron these assumptions you're making aren't supported by the story here as far as I can tell.
This is the Elder's thoughts on Jia's future prospects:
This is the social trait Jia gets for her parentage:
We also have the conversation with the Zheng boy in update 2 showing us how even minor nobles know of Quan Jin and expect him to achieve the position of viceroy of the province and are currying favor with Jia as a gateway.
If you want to argue that Jia would have been targetted in the sect, it would be much more relevant to argue that sponsoring Xiao Lien whose spiritblooded origins are heavily stigmatized against will earn us the ire of some people. (Which I don't have a refutation for, though it isn't as guaranteed as Jia's lack of talent making it difficult to keep pace with her peers cultivation wise, being the main downside of choosing to play as her.)
This is the Elder's thoughts on Jia's future prospects:
Note how it takes her resources translating into advancement for granted and says nothing about any struggle or need to protect them despite her "useless" talent.
This is the social trait Jia gets for her parentage:
Again, it is purely positive, making no mention of old enemies or grudges.
We also have the conversation with the Zheng boy in update 2 showing us how even minor nobles know of Quan Jin and expect him to achieve the position of viceroy of the province and are currying favor with Jia as a gateway.
If you want to argue that Jia would have been targetted in the sect, it would be much more relevant to argue that sponsoring Xiao Lien whose spiritblooded origins are heavily stigmatized against will earn us the ire of some people. (Which I don't have a refutation for, though it isn't as guaranteed as Jia's lack of talent making it difficult to keep pace with her peers cultivation wise, being the main downside of choosing to play as her.)
Ok. Character sheet's updated (relevant portions excerpted below).
To provide a bit more information on the derived stats and how techniques effect these stats, since it may not have been as clear as I'd intended previously. Without a technique, Quan Jia uses the following attributes as the default base Strength (P. Att.), Dexterity (P. Def.), Stamina (P. Health), Potency (E. Att.), Awareness (E. Def.), Resilience (E. Health). When using a technique, the tagged attribute(s) can be substituted in (though it/they only applies once). Potency is a universal enhancer to techniques and all techniques benefit by (Potency / 2) when used.
Thus Quan Jia has 8 P. Def. dice when using Sleep's Glittering Sands and 5 dice when not.
So that I don't end up rolling dice into eternity when Quan Jia spars against someone with 1 or 2 P. Att. dice, defensive degrees of success will apply bonuses on subsequent offensive rounds (to represent an opponent getting caught out of position, or whatever.)
To provide a bit more information on the derived stats and how techniques effect these stats, since it may not have been as clear as I'd intended previously. Without a technique, Quan Jia uses the following attributes as the default base Strength (P. Att.), Dexterity (P. Def.), Stamina (P. Health), Potency (E. Att.), Awareness (E. Def.), Resilience (E. Health). When using a technique, the tagged attribute(s) can be substituted in (though it/they only applies once). Potency is a universal enhancer to techniques and all techniques benefit by (Potency / 2) when used.
Thus Quan Jia has 8 P. Def. dice when using Sleep's Glittering Sands and 5 dice when not.
So that I don't end up rolling dice into eternity when Quan Jia spars against someone with 1 or 2 P. Att. dice, defensive degrees of success will apply bonuses on subsequent offensive rounds (to represent an opponent getting caught out of position, or whatever.)
Physical Stats
Attack = 2
Defense = 5 (8)
Health = 5
Esoteric Stats
Attack = 4
Defense = 1
Health = 10
Attack = 2
1 (Strength) + 1 (Unarmed)
5 (Dexterity) + 4/2 (Potency) + 1 (Technique)
1 (Stamina) * 5
Attack = 4
4 (Potency)
1 (Awareness)
2 (Resilience) * 5
Hitting things wasn't necessarily your favorite thing to do, though, you had learned how to do so. It was, after all, one of the few places where your pops wouldn't compromise: if you wanted to explore outside of the estate you had to learn how to defend yourself. Since there were only so many things to see, and nap on, inside the estate, you had agreed, and despite your preferences learned how to both punch and kick.
Quan Jia can fight off an arbitrarily large number of unawakened beings (e.g. animals or people) she also received a +1 dice bonus to her physical attack pool.
Quan Jia can fight off an arbitrarily large number of unawakened beings (e.g. animals or people) she also received a +1 dice bonus to her physical attack pool.
The Heavens were cruel. That was the only explanation for the hours, days, weeks, months, years, centuries, ages... well maybe not the last two, you had spent learning the endless minutiae of trade agreements and political alliances in the Province of Shattered Peaks.
Quan Jia understands the underlying power structures and alliances that form the province. (Skill will be expressed narratively more than mechanically)
Quan Jia understands the underlying power structures and alliances that form the province. (Skill will be expressed narratively more than mechanically)
If lessons on politics had been torture then lessons on cultivation were... still torture. Why did pops always try to keep you cooped up inside? Regardless, your lessons exposed you to a thousand different cultivation resources, taught you to recognize the ambient ley lines that made up a cultivation site, and gave you a theoretical foundation for how talismans worked.
Quan Jia will automatically identify all common cultivation loot she finds and receives a +1 dot bonus to identifying rare loot.
Quan Jia will automatically identify all common cultivation loot she finds and receives a +1 dot bonus to identifying rare loot.
- Location
- USA
I'd argue that
1.) The fact that her backing and resources guarantee, in the mind of an elder, eventual advancement to the inner circle is not in anyway a guarantee against competition, potentially violent, physical competition.
2.) Even if her peers do not present physical threats, elders are likely to subject disciples to them in one form or another as 'tests'. While failure here is unlikely to deprive Quan of already acquired resources, poor showings do accrue an opportunity-cost as typically good performance gets rewarded. Isn't it best to try to snowball in the 'early game' when Quan (can be) at her biggest advantage over her less well-heeled peers, who threaten to overtake her via higher talents?
3.) That the background trait gives a purely positive bonus does not mean there won't be people predisposed to dislike Quan (or who will quickly begin to dislike her) especially because her Dao is likely to appear as 'lazy' to people who don't understand it - this could quickly breed resentment.
Doylist argument - without conflict, there's nothing to drive the narrative. Ergo, it's reasonable to assume there will be conflict else the story will stagnate.
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
The winning plan has 3 xp left over. Where are those going?
Also can we still learn how to use pillows?
Also can we still learn how to use pillows?
Last edited:
- Location
- Israel
I'll start with the doylist argument, as I find it the most interesting to discuss.
Personally, I thought the main conflict in this quest would come from the main weakness of the chosen protagonist. To elaborate, relying merely on her lacking talent and her father's resources, Jia is unlikely to be recognized for her own achievements instead of being stuck in the shadow of her father. This will lead to Jia throwing herself into dangerous trials in order for people to see her 'Jia' instead of 'the daughter of Quan Jin'. This would mean that rather than the conflict coming from threats to the gifts from her father, it would come directly from Quan Jia herself.
This can also frame Jia's relationships. Xiao Lien is very likely to surpass Jia and distinguish herself thanks to her talent, she might even want to pay Jia back. This could make Jia wonder if Lien likes her for her, or for being her ticket to the sect (which isn't even her doing really, but rather her father's). Mei Mei, similarly, is with her because she was her mother's handmaiden, not due to Jia's actions. Needless to mention are all the young masters who are just trying to curry favor. All these would push Jia into emotional and (inevitably for a cultivation world) physical conflict as she attempts to assert her own worth both to others and herself.
As for the other counterarguments:
1) It dosen't mean conflict won't exist, but that it wouldn't be the bottleneck to her cultivation and won't stop her from advancing.
2) Elders are not going to put cultivation reliant tests on fresh disciples, some of whom are either freshly awakened commoners, or the descendants of mercantile or baronial families with no real arts or tehniques to speak of.
2.1) Investing in improving our ability to speed up our cultivation is snowballing our lead. Meridian actions pay back their equivalent in xp investment in a remarkably short time period, from which point they're pure surplus. Which means they're exactly a way to turn our higher starting dice into more dice later.
3) She dosen't need to not be disliked, just liked enough that her detractors don't consider it worth to try and bully her, which is why the positive wider reception is very beneficial.
@CedeTheBees I don't see why we couldn't learn pillowfighting later.
Last edited:
- Location
- USA
We're not really in disagreement, then, from a doylist perspective of the likely hood of violent conflict, we just disagree on a likely origin.
1.) Perhaps not in the same way as they are for poorer disciples, but, politically collected or not, being weak can leave her to the whims of the more martially inclined disciples. Exactly how hands-on or hands-off the sect is re: outer disciple politics will determine how big of a detriment this could be, but we don't want Quan in a situation where she's ultimately pressganged into some subfaction or another. To successfully be a sleeping dragon, one must actually be a dragon.
2.) This really depends on the sect/story. There are absolutely elders/sects in western-xianxia who 100% throw their new disciples into very dangerous situations, the main difference is in western-xianxai the concequences tend to be more 'kid glove', fewer deaths/permanent disfigurement. Fewer, not none.
2.1) Only if the initial-lead in meridians is more impactful than the sort of rewards we would get from winning challenges/tests. Sometimes, these sorts of rewards are very good - other times less-so - but provided it gets us effectively 1 cultivation resource a turn, it's worst-case probably a break-even. We can't really math this out without knowing what sorts of prizes are up for grabs, or exactly how training/cultivation is going to work.
3.) "Dont annoy her daddy" is a deterrent, yes, but I don't think it's particularly wise to assume it will be sufficient to insulate Quan from all potential inter-disciple conflict. There's always a 'mad dog' around somewhere. There's also the potential for literal-mad-dogs/spirt beasts that don't care about how well liked Quan is because she's made out of meat.
I see no reason we can't later - there was no option for xp-to-ability at chargen, but I'm sure it's something that'll come up.
- Location
- Israel
Rather than "don't annoy her daddy", I meant more "don't annoy the people who want her daddy to like them". besides this nitpick, we do seem to be in agreement that there's a lack of information at this point so we need to wait before reaching any conclusion.
A Welcoming Speech
The reformations of the Azure Exarch Sun Wei, brought to the Imperial Sects at the advent of the Third Age, were designed to cope with an Empire existing within a permanent and ever increasing state of expansion. This state of affairs within the Eternal Empire had placed the Imperial Sects under a mandate to churn out Awakened and Ascended cultivators of sufficient numbers to settle and defend these myriad border provinces.
To put a, perhaps too blunt, point on this particular confluence of events, the time-honored tradition within the countless outer sects of the Empire where highborn nobles were expected to and indeed encouraged in the task of suppressing utterly their lowborn counterparts could no longer be allowed. Of all the changes mandated by the Azure Exarch, few were fought as diligently as this reformation, and in the end, numerous alternative concessions toward the primacy of birth were made.
Upon the principle of equality of opportunity, however, Sun Wei remained unmoved, and so it is that unto this day, the once casual violence displayed upon those of lesser birth remains confined within several iron clad precepts.
Reformation and Revolution, Scholar Gong Xue, 3rd Age, 72nd year of the 2nd Interregnum.
In the light of dawn, the parade ground that last night had been inhabited by a riot of color and life was now inhabited by a different, although still riotous mix color. The bustling cheer of thousands of celebrants, however, had been left behind for austere silence.
Quan Jia yawns and lists sleepily into Mei Mei, who places a steadying hand on her shoulder. Sadly her attendant doesn't let her lean on her shoulder.
So mean...
"It's too early." The words come out muffled by yet another yawn, "Tell the Sect Head he needs to postpone this until after noon at least."
"Unfortunately Sect Head, Emerald Claw, Hu Bao, far outranks this humble attendant," said attendant responds with her customarily obnoxious cheer, never even the slightest put off by the early hour.
"It's so colorful," another disgustingly cheerful voice pipes in, and if Quan Jia were willing to open her eyes she'd scowl at her newest friend, "I wonder what all the tents are for?"
Perking up slightly at the mention of tents… tents meant cushions, cushions meant sleep, she forgets her moment of pique and murmurs hopefully, "Tents? Where's ours Mei Mei?"
"I believe I see the Rose and Alembic on that hill nearest the podium." is the response and blinking heavy eyelids open, Quan Jia does see her father's panoply hanging from the front of a pure white pavilion. This moment of awareness drags unpleasantly on as she takes in the pavilion on the hill opposite her father's.
"Oh, eww, is that Luo's banner? " this time her annoyance is a far more tangible thing and she directs an impressive scowl at a banner displaying a hideously ugly peach tree in full bloom.
"I believe it is, my lady," is Mei Mei's bland response as she looks around at the various pavilions, "it appears the Meng and the Shao have also sent disciples."
All four of the major clans in the province had sent children to the sect, and she had a pretty good idea of which child each clan had sent: Luo Lifen was a terrible person on her own and her father thought he was a better choice for viceroy than her pops, making them both awful people. By comparison Meng Chao just refused to ever just shut up about money and commerce and Shao Cuifen was really only interested in that sword of hers, making the both of them really boring, but nothing worse than that.
Quan Jia could already feel her mood plummeting. If only Meng Chao and Luo Lifen had started attending the sect last year, she could freely engage in her two favorite past-times: napping and wandering about looking for interesting things. But now she'd have to go to tea parties and pretend that money was interesting or that Luo Lifen wasn't a bitch.
"Who are they?" Xiao Lien asks as the three of them make their way over to her pavilion.
"Boring people," is Quan Jia's dismissive answer.
"Along with the Quan, those clans make up the four major noble powers within the province," is her attendant's slightly more helpful answer.
"And boring," she prompts, and with a resigned sort of sigh Mei Mei responds.
"And, as my lady so eloquently put it, boring."
"But why are they boring?" bloodshot eyes turn toward her friend, and Quan Jia does her very best not to growl.
"Any more questions and you'll be on pillow duty the rest of the day," she growls anyway.
"That doesn't sound so-" there's an easy amusement in Xiao Lien's voice, very different from the fear and confusion and exhaustion from last night.
That isn't enough to keep Quan Jia from interrupting though, "pillows don't get to talk."
All that gets in response is a shrug, a grin, and blessed silence.
I suppose I'll take that as a win.
As the three of them reach the pavilion, Quan Jia wastes no time in identifying the cushiest cushions, and with an entirely acceptable lack of dignity, flops down on the nearest one. In the midst of flopping, she notices the tell-tale shimmer of a Dream Replicator, and by the time she's settled is already begging Mei Mei. "Make something pretty."
Qi, infinitely soft and delightful washes over her, and the silk canopy above her dissolves into a rain of pink petals. The ground below her shifts, grass grows thick and emerald green, and with a contented sigh, Quan Jia leans back against the smooth bark of an ancient cherry tree. Her eyes are already slipping closed even as her new friend bites off a surprised exclamation.
"Welcome to the Sect of Riven Stone, I am Sect Head Hu Bao" a voice, deep and resonant, pulls Quan Jia from a pleasant daydream, and for a moment she ponders returning to it while the voice continues, "from today until you choose to leave, are dismissed, or promoted, you will be disciples of the outer sect."
Unfortunately, the voice seems to carry with it an invigorating energy, and reluctantly Quan Jia sits up. Noticing, for the first time the man standing at the podium: tall, with shockingly pink hair that seems to radiate out from his head in every direction, and rather impressively muscled.
Interesting...
"For this year Elder Dai Shi has been elected to serve as the elder in charge of the Outer Sect." At those words, a man in garishly bright robes of yellow and red coalesces out of motes of dust and light.
"With him will be Elder Yi Qiu," the sect head pauses once again and an effeminate looking man with long black hair appears in a shimmer of iridescent light to his left, "and Elder Chen Fan." The elder that appears to his right is older, almost stout, with a wide, smiling face.
"Together they shall enforce such rules as necessary to comply with Imperial Precept." There's a flicker of something between amusement and contempt that flashes across the sect head's face at those words.
"Listen well children, because the first of these Restrictions is inviolate." The sect head frowns, and the air crackles with energy. "Conflict between disciples shall not include any attendants or bodyguards. Said servants are only to act in order to prevent death or permanent injury."
That frown hardens, and a pulse of heavy, potent qi, drags at her, pulling her and everyone else, excepting perhaps the three elders, in attendance into a number of embarrassing and awkwardly prostrate position. "Any found to violate this Restriction shall have the pleasure of my personal attention."
For a moment the silence lingers, and the weight presses down, before finally, the Sect Head relents.
"Second," Hu Bao continues as everyone slowly returns to upright positions, "there will be a moratorium on all violence, either toward individuals or their effects for a period of three months. Those that cannot restrain their baser instincts until this moratorium is over will find themselves dismissed from the sect, regardless of their patronage."
"Finally. There shall be no violence in or directly around the following areas: the outer sect library, the medicine hall, and the residential grounds. Any who violate this final Restriction shall find themselves lashed no less than one-hundred times in the full view of any sect disciple who wishes to observe."
"With that said," he continues, "I will leave the particulars of the upcoming year to Elder Shi Dai."
"Once again, welcome to the Sect of Riven Stone my newest outer sect disciples," The words are accompanied by a flash of actinic light bright enough to burn white spots in her eyes.
"As Sect Head Hu Bao indicated, I am Elder Dai Shi, and I would also like to convey my welcome to each of the hundred and one disciples accepted into the sect this year." A surprisingly dry and to one versed in Mei Mei's particularly subtle sarcasm, obviously sarcastic voice seems to emanate from the brightly robed elder who'd just stepped up to the podium.
Veiled sarcasm becomes naked as a sardonic smile crosses the elder's face. "While doubtless few of you will prove worth the effort, Elder Chen Fan and Elder Yi Qiu have graciously decided to provide lectures on spiritual cultivation and combat respectively."
"And for those that are incapable of stilling themselves enough for guided lessons," for some reason it seems as though the elder is looking directly at her as he says that, "there are numerous trials and cultivation sites, a number of minor Courts, as well as a few remnants from prior ages that wait to dine on the spilled blood and flesh of dull and incautious disciples."
"Since spending any more time discussing trivialities with unworthy children would interrupt far more pleasant distractions, I will leave my esteemed colleague, Elder Chen Fan to coddle the lot of you through the rest of orientation," with that Elder Dai Shi dips his head in the direction of the matronly elder and vanishes the same as he arrived, amidst a swirl of sand and light.
"To behave only as one's Dao directs is the privilege of power and esteem," the elder smiles, a warm, almost infectious thing, "but that is a far distant concern for even the most talented amongst you. No, what is important now are a handful of matters far more prosaic and administrative."
"First," she gestures and a pagoda, set with four sloped bright red roofs, shimmers into translucent reality, "access to the outer library is gated as follows: the first floor is available to all, the second floor with explicit approval of any elder, the third floor with Elder Chen Fan's, Elder Dai Shi's, or my own approval, and the fourth is at the moment entirely off limits."
"Second," the pagoda vanishes and in its place is a massive hall with marble columns carved into fantastic displays of battle, "a monthly allotment of spirit gems of a requisite level to enable a disciple's cultivation will be handed out from the Medicine Hall. However, in order to facilitate participation in lectures or exploration, each disciple will only be provided one spirit gem per month. Those who wish to receive more must earn them. "
"Third," the medicine hall vanishes and in its place a number of thatch roofed huts, a small handful of larger cottages topped with clay tiles, and two walled, multi-floored houses appear, "housing accommodations are available for all disciples to live separately if they wish, though I would recommend that those among your number unfamiliar with life as a cultivator find yourselves a roommate. Within each option you will find a vent of unaspected qi that will provide a minor benefit toward most cultivation. Please note that the potency of these vents is commensurate with the quality of the abode."
"With that," the array of houses vanish, "I believe I will leave you to your own recognizance. Do try to make the most of the opportunity you've been given."
Quan Jia's already turning away from the podium as the two remaining elders vanish in flickers of qi, "so what should we do first? If nothing else, we really should try to get away before we're bogged down by boring people."
"If my lady wishes it," Mei Mei responds first, "I will gather her things and attain a residence fitting her status."
"Should we really be ignoring everyone like this?" Xiao Lien wonders somewhat diffidently as she glances over at one of several steadily approaching groups of disciples.
"So one vote for exploration, one for house, and one to meet boring people?" Quan Jia pouts, "I guess we'll have to..."
[] Explore the sect. (It's an auspicious day in an auspicious year, and exploration may yield greater results than it normally would). (+5 bonus to exploration roll)
[] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
[] Meet new people. (Most people are boring, and some of them are worse, but not all of them. Going out of her way to meet new, or old acquaintances will result in them viewing Quan Jia more favorably). (+1 bonus to all relationship or reputation rolls next scene)
[A/N]
Each of these options will occur today, but only the winning option will receive the listed benefits. We'll also run through a handful of different things (cultivation, sparring, etc.) over the next few chapter so folks can get a feel for which one(s) they prefer when it comes time for turn votes.
To provide some autonomy to characters in the setting: Quan Jia will take one exploration option per month and new or existing characters will initiate actions (social or otherwise) that Quan Jia can choose to participate in or not (both the exploration and character initiated actions will occur as bonus actions).
I think that's everything, but let me know if you've got any questions or clarifications or whatever.
To put a, perhaps too blunt, point on this particular confluence of events, the time-honored tradition within the countless outer sects of the Empire where highborn nobles were expected to and indeed encouraged in the task of suppressing utterly their lowborn counterparts could no longer be allowed. Of all the changes mandated by the Azure Exarch, few were fought as diligently as this reformation, and in the end, numerous alternative concessions toward the primacy of birth were made.
Upon the principle of equality of opportunity, however, Sun Wei remained unmoved, and so it is that unto this day, the once casual violence displayed upon those of lesser birth remains confined within several iron clad precepts.
Reformation and Revolution, Scholar Gong Xue, 3rd Age, 72nd year of the 2nd Interregnum.
In the light of dawn, the parade ground that last night had been inhabited by a riot of color and life was now inhabited by a different, although still riotous mix color. The bustling cheer of thousands of celebrants, however, had been left behind for austere silence.
Quan Jia yawns and lists sleepily into Mei Mei, who places a steadying hand on her shoulder. Sadly her attendant doesn't let her lean on her shoulder.
So mean...
"It's too early." The words come out muffled by yet another yawn, "Tell the Sect Head he needs to postpone this until after noon at least."
"Unfortunately Sect Head, Emerald Claw, Hu Bao, far outranks this humble attendant," said attendant responds with her customarily obnoxious cheer, never even the slightest put off by the early hour.
"It's so colorful," another disgustingly cheerful voice pipes in, and if Quan Jia were willing to open her eyes she'd scowl at her newest friend, "I wonder what all the tents are for?"
Perking up slightly at the mention of tents… tents meant cushions, cushions meant sleep, she forgets her moment of pique and murmurs hopefully, "Tents? Where's ours Mei Mei?"
"I believe I see the Rose and Alembic on that hill nearest the podium." is the response and blinking heavy eyelids open, Quan Jia does see her father's panoply hanging from the front of a pure white pavilion. This moment of awareness drags unpleasantly on as she takes in the pavilion on the hill opposite her father's.
"Oh, eww, is that Luo's banner? " this time her annoyance is a far more tangible thing and she directs an impressive scowl at a banner displaying a hideously ugly peach tree in full bloom.
"I believe it is, my lady," is Mei Mei's bland response as she looks around at the various pavilions, "it appears the Meng and the Shao have also sent disciples."
All four of the major clans in the province had sent children to the sect, and she had a pretty good idea of which child each clan had sent: Luo Lifen was a terrible person on her own and her father thought he was a better choice for viceroy than her pops, making them both awful people. By comparison Meng Chao just refused to ever just shut up about money and commerce and Shao Cuifen was really only interested in that sword of hers, making the both of them really boring, but nothing worse than that.
Quan Jia could already feel her mood plummeting. If only Meng Chao and Luo Lifen had started attending the sect last year, she could freely engage in her two favorite past-times: napping and wandering about looking for interesting things. But now she'd have to go to tea parties and pretend that money was interesting or that Luo Lifen wasn't a bitch.
Quan Jia's not really the kind of narrator to provide a thorough exposition, either in dialogue or internal thoughts. So here's a brief info dump on the four clans:
Meng: A trading clan with ties to the Jade Combine (Empire wide trading consortia). Their capital city, Houzhai, is built at the confluence of three rivers and boasts a deep-water harbor. Most of the trade-goods for the province flow first through Houzhai. Although scrupulously fair in their commercial dealings, the Meng have parleyed being the main source of Imperial goods into a near hegemony over all trade within the province.
Shao: a mining and metalworking clan founded by the first-generation cultivator Shao Ying, the Shao settled amidst the high mountains that formed the western border of the province. There through skill or serendipity found massive veins of jade, gold, and orichalcum. The wealth and weapons forged from that wealth have propelled the Shao into prominence.
Luo: The Luo are an old-blooded aristocratic clan with branches in half a dozen nearby provinces. They are prominently an agricultural in nature and boast by far the largest and most profitable estates and plantations in the province. Luo Yu, the head of the local branch of the clan believes that between his own personal power and the connections to other branches of the Luo that he should be named viceroy when the province transitions.
Quan: with only two members, the Quan is the smallest of the four major clans, although despite that, they are perhaps the most powerful. The reason for this is simple, at least in theory. The number of Ascended cultivators within the province who have mastered a Dao of Craft to the point where they can imbue their craft with Shen and create artifacts can be counted on one hand, with fingers to spare. This skillset has allowed Quan Jin to develop an extensive network of alliance as well as a deep reserve of power.
Meng: A trading clan with ties to the Jade Combine (Empire wide trading consortia). Their capital city, Houzhai, is built at the confluence of three rivers and boasts a deep-water harbor. Most of the trade-goods for the province flow first through Houzhai. Although scrupulously fair in their commercial dealings, the Meng have parleyed being the main source of Imperial goods into a near hegemony over all trade within the province.
Shao: a mining and metalworking clan founded by the first-generation cultivator Shao Ying, the Shao settled amidst the high mountains that formed the western border of the province. There through skill or serendipity found massive veins of jade, gold, and orichalcum. The wealth and weapons forged from that wealth have propelled the Shao into prominence.
Luo: The Luo are an old-blooded aristocratic clan with branches in half a dozen nearby provinces. They are prominently an agricultural in nature and boast by far the largest and most profitable estates and plantations in the province. Luo Yu, the head of the local branch of the clan believes that between his own personal power and the connections to other branches of the Luo that he should be named viceroy when the province transitions.
Quan: with only two members, the Quan is the smallest of the four major clans, although despite that, they are perhaps the most powerful. The reason for this is simple, at least in theory. The number of Ascended cultivators within the province who have mastered a Dao of Craft to the point where they can imbue their craft with Shen and create artifacts can be counted on one hand, with fingers to spare. This skillset has allowed Quan Jin to develop an extensive network of alliance as well as a deep reserve of power.
"Who are they?" Xiao Lien asks as the three of them make their way over to her pavilion.
"Boring people," is Quan Jia's dismissive answer.
"Along with the Quan, those clans make up the four major noble powers within the province," is her attendant's slightly more helpful answer.
"And boring," she prompts, and with a resigned sort of sigh Mei Mei responds.
"And, as my lady so eloquently put it, boring."
"But why are they boring?" bloodshot eyes turn toward her friend, and Quan Jia does her very best not to growl.
"Any more questions and you'll be on pillow duty the rest of the day," she growls anyway.
"That doesn't sound so-" there's an easy amusement in Xiao Lien's voice, very different from the fear and confusion and exhaustion from last night.
That isn't enough to keep Quan Jia from interrupting though, "pillows don't get to talk."
All that gets in response is a shrug, a grin, and blessed silence.
I suppose I'll take that as a win.
As the three of them reach the pavilion, Quan Jia wastes no time in identifying the cushiest cushions, and with an entirely acceptable lack of dignity, flops down on the nearest one. In the midst of flopping, she notices the tell-tale shimmer of a Dream Replicator, and by the time she's settled is already begging Mei Mei. "Make something pretty."
Qi, infinitely soft and delightful washes over her, and the silk canopy above her dissolves into a rain of pink petals. The ground below her shifts, grass grows thick and emerald green, and with a contented sigh, Quan Jia leans back against the smooth bark of an ancient cherry tree. Her eyes are already slipping closed even as her new friend bites off a surprised exclamation.
"Welcome to the Sect of Riven Stone, I am Sect Head Hu Bao" a voice, deep and resonant, pulls Quan Jia from a pleasant daydream, and for a moment she ponders returning to it while the voice continues, "from today until you choose to leave, are dismissed, or promoted, you will be disciples of the outer sect."
Unfortunately, the voice seems to carry with it an invigorating energy, and reluctantly Quan Jia sits up. Noticing, for the first time the man standing at the podium: tall, with shockingly pink hair that seems to radiate out from his head in every direction, and rather impressively muscled.
Interesting...
"For this year Elder Dai Shi has been elected to serve as the elder in charge of the Outer Sect." At those words, a man in garishly bright robes of yellow and red coalesces out of motes of dust and light.
"With him will be Elder Yi Qiu," the sect head pauses once again and an effeminate looking man with long black hair appears in a shimmer of iridescent light to his left, "and Elder Chen Fan." The elder that appears to his right is older, almost stout, with a wide, smiling face.
"Together they shall enforce such rules as necessary to comply with Imperial Precept." There's a flicker of something between amusement and contempt that flashes across the sect head's face at those words.
"Listen well children, because the first of these Restrictions is inviolate." The sect head frowns, and the air crackles with energy. "Conflict between disciples shall not include any attendants or bodyguards. Said servants are only to act in order to prevent death or permanent injury."
That frown hardens, and a pulse of heavy, potent qi, drags at her, pulling her and everyone else, excepting perhaps the three elders, in attendance into a number of embarrassing and awkwardly prostrate position. "Any found to violate this Restriction shall have the pleasure of my personal attention."
For a moment the silence lingers, and the weight presses down, before finally, the Sect Head relents.
"Second," Hu Bao continues as everyone slowly returns to upright positions, "there will be a moratorium on all violence, either toward individuals or their effects for a period of three months. Those that cannot restrain their baser instincts until this moratorium is over will find themselves dismissed from the sect, regardless of their patronage."
"Finally. There shall be no violence in or directly around the following areas: the outer sect library, the medicine hall, and the residential grounds. Any who violate this final Restriction shall find themselves lashed no less than one-hundred times in the full view of any sect disciple who wishes to observe."
"With that said," he continues, "I will leave the particulars of the upcoming year to Elder Shi Dai."
"Once again, welcome to the Sect of Riven Stone my newest outer sect disciples," The words are accompanied by a flash of actinic light bright enough to burn white spots in her eyes.
"As Sect Head Hu Bao indicated, I am Elder Dai Shi, and I would also like to convey my welcome to each of the hundred and one disciples accepted into the sect this year." A surprisingly dry and to one versed in Mei Mei's particularly subtle sarcasm, obviously sarcastic voice seems to emanate from the brightly robed elder who'd just stepped up to the podium.
Veiled sarcasm becomes naked as a sardonic smile crosses the elder's face. "While doubtless few of you will prove worth the effort, Elder Chen Fan and Elder Yi Qiu have graciously decided to provide lectures on spiritual cultivation and combat respectively."
"And for those that are incapable of stilling themselves enough for guided lessons," for some reason it seems as though the elder is looking directly at her as he says that, "there are numerous trials and cultivation sites, a number of minor Courts, as well as a few remnants from prior ages that wait to dine on the spilled blood and flesh of dull and incautious disciples."
"Since spending any more time discussing trivialities with unworthy children would interrupt far more pleasant distractions, I will leave my esteemed colleague, Elder Chen Fan to coddle the lot of you through the rest of orientation," with that Elder Dai Shi dips his head in the direction of the matronly elder and vanishes the same as he arrived, amidst a swirl of sand and light.
"To behave only as one's Dao directs is the privilege of power and esteem," the elder smiles, a warm, almost infectious thing, "but that is a far distant concern for even the most talented amongst you. No, what is important now are a handful of matters far more prosaic and administrative."
"First," she gestures and a pagoda, set with four sloped bright red roofs, shimmers into translucent reality, "access to the outer library is gated as follows: the first floor is available to all, the second floor with explicit approval of any elder, the third floor with Elder Chen Fan's, Elder Dai Shi's, or my own approval, and the fourth is at the moment entirely off limits."
"Second," the pagoda vanishes and in its place is a massive hall with marble columns carved into fantastic displays of battle, "a monthly allotment of spirit gems of a requisite level to enable a disciple's cultivation will be handed out from the Medicine Hall. However, in order to facilitate participation in lectures or exploration, each disciple will only be provided one spirit gem per month. Those who wish to receive more must earn them. "
"Third," the medicine hall vanishes and in its place a number of thatch roofed huts, a small handful of larger cottages topped with clay tiles, and two walled, multi-floored houses appear, "housing accommodations are available for all disciples to live separately if they wish, though I would recommend that those among your number unfamiliar with life as a cultivator find yourselves a roommate. Within each option you will find a vent of unaspected qi that will provide a minor benefit toward most cultivation. Please note that the potency of these vents is commensurate with the quality of the abode."
"With that," the array of houses vanish, "I believe I will leave you to your own recognizance. Do try to make the most of the opportunity you've been given."
Quan Jia's already turning away from the podium as the two remaining elders vanish in flickers of qi, "so what should we do first? If nothing else, we really should try to get away before we're bogged down by boring people."
"If my lady wishes it," Mei Mei responds first, "I will gather her things and attain a residence fitting her status."
"Should we really be ignoring everyone like this?" Xiao Lien wonders somewhat diffidently as she glances over at one of several steadily approaching groups of disciples.
"So one vote for exploration, one for house, and one to meet boring people?" Quan Jia pouts, "I guess we'll have to..."
[] Explore the sect. (It's an auspicious day in an auspicious year, and exploration may yield greater results than it normally would). (+5 bonus to exploration roll)
[] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
[] Meet new people. (Most people are boring, and some of them are worse, but not all of them. Going out of her way to meet new, or old acquaintances will result in them viewing Quan Jia more favorably). (+1 bonus to all relationship or reputation rolls next scene)
[A/N]
Each of these options will occur today, but only the winning option will receive the listed benefits. We'll also run through a handful of different things (cultivation, sparring, etc.) over the next few chapter so folks can get a feel for which one(s) they prefer when it comes time for turn votes.
To provide some autonomy to characters in the setting: Quan Jia will take one exploration option per month and new or existing characters will initiate actions (social or otherwise) that Quan Jia can choose to participate in or not (both the exploration and character initiated actions will occur as bonus actions).
I think that's everything, but let me know if you've got any questions or clarifications or whatever.
- Location
- US
A global dice bonus to everything except arts and techniques is too good to miss out on.
Add in the fact that the highest bonuses would require us to act soon, and the equation seems simple enough to me.
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
Last edited:
- Location
- Singapore
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
I expect the usual pissing matches over these.
I expect the usual pissing matches over these.
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
On the other hand, a nice boost to Gacha could help start a virtuous spiral.
Still, we are a Young Mistress, and money is the biggest superpower...
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
Still, we are a Young Mistress, and money is the biggest superpower...
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Oh god she's a morning person. Is it too late to unroomie her? She might interrupt sleep time >: P
Gotta admit I really like the cattiness.
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
This'll probably be the best for long term growth.
- Location
- United States
[x] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
- Location
- Israel
So interestingly enough, when this is looked at together with the first chapter, we see that the elders are all but certain Quan Jin is going to be viceroy over the Luo candidate (and any other one). Despite this, Luo Lifen was given basically guaranteed admission to the sect, while Jia's admission was under question. From this the only conclusion I can make is that Lifen is significantly more talented than Jia. Dealing with her is probably going to be a major source of problems in the sect, especially if she convinces herself that to show everyone her father is better she needs to lord her superiority over Jia.
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
To be honest, I really wanted to go for the exploration option. The inhouse cultivation boost is only useful until we find the better cultivation sites in the sect, and free exploration actions are exploration actions that don't bite into our
- Pronouns
- He/It/Argh!
Mei Mei is right. We should make sure to acquire the optimal place for pillow and cushion placement before exploring.
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
[x] Explore the sect. (It's an auspicious day in an auspicious year, and exploration may yield greater results than it normally would). (+5 bonus to exploration roll)
More of a protest vote than anything, House is very strong.
More of a protest vote than anything, House is very strong.
- Location
- Germany
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
- Location
- USA
[] Explore the sect. (It's an auspicious day in an auspicious year, and exploration may yield greater results than it normally would). (+5 bonus to exploration roll)
Rollin' the Gacha. Always a good time. Usually.
[] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
Stacking dice for fun and profit. Dice are good, we've done did the maths. The more dice we have the faster numbers go up.
[] Meet new people. (Most people are boring, and some of them are worse, but not all of them. Going out of her way to meet new, or old acquaintances will result in them viewing Quan Jia more favorably). (+1 bonus to all relationship or reputation rolls next scene)
This seems of limited utility since we already have a static bonus to everyone we meet. I guess stacking good feels on top of good feels could result in a kumbaya session?
[X] Explore the sect. (It's an auspicious day in an auspicious year, and exploration may yield greater results than it normally would). (+5 bonus to exploration roll)
Just to be a contrarian!
Rollin' the Gacha. Always a good time. Usually.
[] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
Stacking dice for fun and profit. Dice are good, we've done did the maths. The more dice we have the faster numbers go up.
[] Meet new people. (Most people are boring, and some of them are worse, but not all of them. Going out of her way to meet new, or old acquaintances will result in them viewing Quan Jia more favorably). (+1 bonus to all relationship or reputation rolls next scene)
This seems of limited utility since we already have a static bonus to everyone we meet. I guess stacking good feels on top of good feels could result in a kumbaya session?
[X] Explore the sect. (It's an auspicious day in an auspicious year, and exploration may yield greater results than it normally would). (+5 bonus to exploration roll)
Just to be a contrarian!
EternalObserver
eYe Gaze baCk
- Location
- The Void
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)
Last edited:
[X] Claim a house. (Quan Jia's wealth, and Mei Mei's looming are enough to ensure one of the larger cottages, but if she wants one of the two larger houses, she needs to act soon). (housing offers either 1, 2, or 3 bonus dice to cultivating everything except arts and techniques.)