The Path Unending (A Cultivation Quest)

[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.

gotta check out side story gal.

[X] Ta Riou. She is digging a firepit beside what looks like a massive jar of sand.

She was interested in us and i'm curious as to what she is going to make glass wise.

[X] Nu Shaying. She has several scrolls open and holds an enormous brush over them all, carefully painting elaborate pictures upon them.

energetic girl. wanna see how Zhi deals with someone who is energetic and hyper.

[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.
[X] Pan Yueqi. She has a stick of ivory and a bar of silver, both of which she is treating with plentiful heat.
[X] He Kwoo. He appears to be burning letters into a wall scroll.

[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.
[X] Boli Guozao. He is bent over his workstation with knife and wood, carefully carving joining points in the sides.
[X] The Audience. Why are these people even here? What is it exactly that they do?

[X] He Kwoo. He appears to be burning letters into a wall scroll.
[X] Song Doyan. She is hard at work carving amethysts into interesting shapes.
[X] He Kwoo. He appears to be burning letters into a wall scroll.

Threw together what little we know of them so far to make people's decision a bit smoother.

[] Po Yuanij. He has needles flying as he weaves thread into fabric.
"Po Yuanji!" a scarred man bellows in a deep voice.

[] Song Doyan. She is hard at work carving amethysts into interesting shapes.
"Song Douyan!" hollars the woman next to him, a willowy lady with fingers crusted in rings.

• Considered "the one to beat" by the nondescript guy from last post

[] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.
"Siau Satai!" squeaks the girl with the green ribbon in her hair.

• The girl that appeared here in a commission
• Not part of the Creator's Garden
• Comes from a common background
• Thinks Fan Zhao is an ass

[] He Kwoo. He appears to be burning letters into a wall scroll.
"He Kwoo!" calls a man with dark red hair and ink stains on his palm.

• Tripped Song Douyan
• According to nondescript guy, was "most impressive last round" and mentioned in the same breath as the front runner Song Douyan
• Implies he either has money or connections to get a good material for last round. Or he's incredibly resourceful?

[] Xi Weixiao. She is holding half a dozen ingots of metal and seems to be calculating exactly how to use them.
"Xi Weixiao," a girl with half her face bandaged drawls lazily from the back.

[] Kan Shuli. He has acquired some large timbers, and sawdust fills the air around him.
"Kan Shuli!" another boy nearly screams, his volume loud as if to make up for his neighbor's lack of enthusiasm.

[] Jie Zhenbao. He holds several long branches which he is stripping of bark and extra limbs.
"Jie Zhenbao," the boy in front of him states. His eyes are wide and darting from you to Fan Zhao then back again.

[] Pan Yueqi. She has a stick of ivory and a bar of silver, both of which she is treating with plentiful heat.
"Pan Yueqii," a smaller girl mumbles, eyes on the floor.

[] Ta Riou. She is digging a firepit beside what looks like a massive jar of sand.
"Ta Riou!" bellows the bleached blonde, eyes still trained on your face.

[] Boli Guozao. He is bent over his workstation with knife and wood, carefully carving joining points in the sides.
"Boli Guozao," comes the distracted answer from the man next to her.

• Clubs Siau Satai (and others) to monopolize wood

[] Nu Shaying. She has several scrolls open and holds an enormous brush over them all, carefully painting elaborate pictures upon them.
"Nu Shaying!" the last woman hollars, almost vibrating with barely suppressed energy.

[] Long Bu. He has a panel of wood upon which he seems to be laying glue and strips of fabric.
"Long Bu!" the last disciple of the bunch intones, nodding towards you in what you suspect is an attempt at friendliness.

[X] The Audience. Why are these people even here? What is it exactly that they do?
[X] Ta Riou. She is digging a firepit beside what looks like a massive jar of sand.
[X] Xi Weixiao. She is holding half a dozen ingots of metal and seems to be calculating exactly how to use them.

[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.

[X] Xi Weixiao. She is holding half a dozen ingots of metal and seems to be calculating exactly how to use them.
[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.
[X] Long Bu. He has a panel of wood upon which he seems to be laying glue and strips of fabric.

[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.
[X] Ta Riou. She is digging a firepit beside what looks like a massive jar of sand.

Siau Satai was from the omake, and Ta Riou stood out to me as someone who had clear idea of what they were doing, and im curious if we can find out why she was so curiously studying us before.


[X] The Audience. Why are these people even here? What is it exactly that they do?

[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.
[X] Pan Yueqi. She has a stick of ivory and a bar of silver, both of which she is treating with plentiful heat.
[X] Jie Zhenbao. He holds several long branches which he is stripping of bark and extra limbs.
missing a bracket Alectai

Enjou said:

Why are people voting ONLY the audience? You can vote for three things, as long as it's not the do-nothing option.

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Presumably because they don't care which of the contestants we look at, so long as the audience is included. As for me, side story girl is the only one I even vaguely care about.

[X] The Audience. Why are these people even here? What is it exactly that they do?
[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.

Mei Negaverse Social Option: [] Creator's circle is buzzing with the latest news on her competition. Lord Kong has finally 'deigned' to make an appearance! Watching those sycophants experience Kong Zhi is sure to be entertaining. And perhaps you'll learning something more about crafting art?

[X] Pan Yueqi. She has a stick of ivory and a bar of silver, both of which she is treating with plentiful heat.
[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.
[X] Ta Riou. She is digging a firepit beside what looks like a massive jar of sand.

[X] Song Doyan. She is hard at work carving amethysts into interesting shapes.
Same specialty as KZ? And the front runner? I'm interested.

[X] Pan Yueqi. She has a stick of ivory and a bar of silver, both of which she is treating with plentiful heat.
[X] Ta Riou. She is digging a firepit beside what looks like a massive jar of sand.

I just want to see what these two will do.

[X] He Kwoo. He appears to be burning letters into a wall scroll.
[X] Nu Shaying. She has several scrolls open and holds an enormous brush over them all, carefully painting elaborate pictures upon them.
[X] Ta Riou. She is digging a firepit beside what looks like a massive jar of sand.

Fan Zhao tested the function, now we'll test the form!

This is great, and people had to be practically dragged into doing a competition action.

I like gems and glass, and don't particularly feel strongly on a third, so chose weaving given KZ's familiarity with it via Kong Shuren.

[X] Song Doyan. She is hard at work carving amethysts into interesting shapes.
[X] Ta Riou. She is digging a firepit beside what looks like a massive jar of sand.
[X] Po Yuanij. He has needles flying as he weaves thread into fabric.

I hope KZ has it in himself to be nice but fair, and to remember that these contestants are probably still on the 'novice' end of the spectrum, but this is the guy who raged about a particularly pink scarf...

Good luck contestants, for KZ will have no mercy.

[X] The Audience. Why are these people even here? What is it exactly that they do?
[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.

Vesvius said:

Behind him two lines of six disciples each march into the amphitheatre in lockstep, moving like soldiers wading into battle. Their eyes are trained forward. None of them glance around, not even when the murmurs start up again. They march until they reach the front of the cavern and stop no more than a dozen feet from your desk. As one, they bellow, "These humble juniors greet the honored charmcrafter! We thank you for your instruction!"

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...We really should've interfered earlier.

Vesvius said:

"Siau Satai!" squeaks the girl with the green ribbon in her hair.

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[X] Song Doyan. She is hard at work carving amethysts into interesting shapes.

Sidestory girl! Can't wait to see how she wins the final round.

[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.

Fellow jeweler!

[X] The Audience. Why are these people even here? What is it exactly that they do?

Why are they here?

[x] He Kwoo. He appears to be burning letters into a wall scroll.

Gotta make sure this guy is on the up and up and not cheating.

[x] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.

Sidestory girl! Might as well see what she's up to.

[x] Pan Yueqi. She has a stick of ivory and a bar of silver, both of which she is treating with plentiful heat.

Picked her coz she had the most timid introduction and I wanna make sure no one is bullying her. Maybe give a little reassurance.

[X] Song Doyan. She is hard at work carving amethysts into interesting shapes.
[X] Xi Weixiao. She is holding half a dozen ingots of metal and seems to be calculating exactly how to use them.
[X] He Kwoo. He appears to be burning letters into a wall scroll.

[X] He Kwoo. He appears to be burning letters into a wall scroll.

He's sus and I wanna keep an eye on him.

[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.



[X] Ta Riou. She is digging a firepit beside what looks like a massive jar of sand.

Glassmakers are super cool.

[X] Siau Satai. She is constructing a canvas from wood and wool, with paints ready and waiting.
[X] He Kwoo. He appears to be burning letters into a wall scroll.
[X] Xi Weixiao. She is holding half a dozen ingots of metal and seems to be calculating exactly how to use them.

CedeTheBees said:

...We really should've interfered earlier.

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There's an opportunity cost for every action taken, though.

Between Week 16 (the first week when the "Judge Competition" option became available) and Week 18 (the previous week), these are the actions that Kong Zhi selected (excluding the 3 weekly AP on mandatory Sect duties). Which of these would you have traded in exchange for a "Judge Competition" action?

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Week 16 (24 competitors left)
>>> Mei Daiyu has wasted no time and already begun working with the materials she scavenged from your exploits in the Deeps. She has many questions that she would appreciate your aid with.
>> Sun Yijun is your new brother in the Caretakers, but who is he, really? And who are your fellow brothers and sisters? You will approach Sun Yijun and suggest looking into the history of your new order.
>> Kumi has had precious little time to maintain her residence in the Seventh Circle Hall. As your benevolent senior, she is offering you the chance to aid her in her war on grime. If you are particularly helpful, there may be Sect Points in it for you.
>>> Explain your assignment from Siani, and ask if there is a way she might help us with locating Wonders or treasures. Offer to let her use Dream anam to examine your experiences with the shrews of the Deeps.
>> Write-in: Approach Xiong and inquire about why Siani looked at her when discussing your techniques. Is there some way she can help us? Also, would it be permissible to set up a workshop in the Warren?
>> Eighth Circle Disciples no longer have to pay for entrance to the Archives, giving you unlimited access to knowledge of thousands of years.. You will take advantage of this to further your studies.
>>> You have a technique which requires Royalty, likely a rare anam type. Perhaps the Moloth had a palace or center of power in the Heart, which the sect may have records of.
>> The only true way to walk your path is to cycle the anam of the world. You will do so.
>>> Cloud's Breath
>>>> An Elegant Plume

Week 17 (24 competitors left)
-> You have begun searching for the Glorious Respite, a place of great comfort and rest for the ancient Moloth people. Your searches in the Archives have given you some clues as to its location, clues which you will pursue with all vigor.
-> Recently, you have mastered the Stallion's Enclosed Garden, and with it, an enhancement to your sixth sense. Though it will be tiring and difficult, perhaps you can use this technique to refine your hunts through the tunnel. (Counts as Two Actions. Costs one box of mental stress.)
--> Natural Wonder
-> Jai Fa has noticed that some small things in the Spire have been moved or are missing. Nothing important has vanished as of yet, but she still thinks that it may be a good idea to improve security with a trip to the market.
-> The only true way to walk your path is to cycle the anam of the world. You will do so.
--> A Second of Eternity
---> Shatter the Mirror
---> You should really bring the Second a housewarming gift. Perhaps the Auroch's skull?
-> Your fingers itch to begin work on a new charm. You shall begin planning one out.
--> You have been sent The Love Transfixed, a rare and powerful material meant to be used to assist you with your transformations. It is time to put it to use. (Begin work on the Fractal View charm)
-> Jai Shouxi has recently indicated that his skills as a refiner are now available for purchase. While he may not have the backstock that the Inner Market has, he is a touch cheaper- if riskier. (Does not count as an option. Jai Shouxi can make you a maximum of 5 pills per action.)
--> One Grade 2 Smoke Pill
-> Post a sect job to have A Dance at the Midnight Crossroads charged for you. (Free action)
--> Offer 8 points, plus 20% for the sect fee. 10 points total.

Week 18 (18 competitors left)
>> You have discovered some talent in the physical arts, but talent is useless if not honed. You will find an empty training field and work on your martial skills.
>>> Talon of Remembrance X2
>>The only true way to walk your path is to cycle the anam of the world. You will do so.
>>> A Second of Eternity
>>>> Shatter the Mirror
>> You have finished planning how to best use The Love Transfixed and images of a multifaceted puzzle dance through your head. You will settle into your workstation and turn your imaginings into reality.
>> After many months of secrets and whispers, you have begun to scratch the surface of the mystery that is Nokai. Your barbarian friend finally feels comfortable telling you what you want to know, and you will finally gain your answers.
>> Ming Hui is in a bit of a frantic state as it seems that a package he has been long expecting has been waylaid. He has no idea what has happened to it, but would greatly appreciate your support as he goes to find out.

[X] The Audience. Why are these people even here? What is it exactly that they do?

How about Shatter the Mirror to inspect as many as we can?
Or SEG to see who's most in tune with anam as they work.

[X] Song Doyan. She is hard at work carving amethysts into interesting shapes

[X] Pan Yueqi. She has a stick of ivory and a bar of silver, both of which she is treating with plentiful heat

[X] Boli Guozao. He is bent over his workstation with knife and wood, carefully carving joining points in the sides.