Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Users' Choice!
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
Turn 13: Arc 3-1
The garden had turned out well, Ling Qi thought. Thankfully the rest of hanyi's tour had been much less stressful. Traveling a circuit of the valley viscounty, she had the opportunity to speak with many more minor nobles, cementing an overall good impression. More importantly though she was able to see Hanyi's smaller performances.
Out in the countryside the rites she took part in were not on stages surrounded by nobles, but in old growth groves, at important lakes and in the center of fields, and though they held a respectful distance, they were open to the public.
Ling Qi had never been familiar with priestly rites and organized festival days. In Tonghou very few temples and shrines existed in the outer city. There were the quiet men and women who oversaw funeral rites and scattered shrines out in the agricultural lands. The people of the outer city had their personal rites, like the thieves whose slapdash shrine to the Grinning Moon she had observed once. The Liu clan was content to leave it at that though.
So it had surprised Ling Qi, to see so many mortals gather for those services. Even if they were dull to her senses, there was a certain solemnity that had struck her as she watched the rites performed in the face of the coming winter, with Hanyi's song drifting through the air. The scent of candles held tightly in hundreds of hands burning, of softly lit lanterns heavy with offerings drifting down the mountain streams, of incense and prayers whispered too softly for mortal ears to hear.
The closest thing she could compare it to was watching the new roads carved into wild earth.
"Ah, Big Sister is back!" Gui's voice reached her as she stepped into the shadow where two slender trees came together in an arch and emerged in the center of the garden where the boiling mineral springs heat sent streamers of steam into the evening air. Earth and stone shifted, gravel falling as Zhengui rose from the depression, the nest he had dug out for himself, his footfalls sending ripples through the bubbling waters.
"That's right," Ling Qi said with a smile, reaching out to pat him on the head, he was half her height at the shoulder right now, the size the garden had been designed for. "There were some snags, but Hanyi's tour went well."
"I Zhen suppose I will have to congratulate her then," the serpent said haughtily. "But she is not the only one who has been working hard. Look upon our work sister!"
Ling Qi looked behind them to the garden surrounding the mineral spring, the bright colors of the flowers contrasting with the cool shadows and drifting mist. Shaped stones had been raised throughout the garden center as well, silent silhouettes in the steam and mist. They were a little crude, and Ling Qi couldn't quite work out how they had been shaped. Passing Zhengui, she knelt down in front of the closest. It seemed like it was only a boulder at first glance but a closer look revealed that the low slung stone was shaped roughly like a tortoise.
"How did you make this?" Ling Qi asked brushing her fingers over the shaped stone. Already moss was growing over it, in the crevices that provided it detail.
Zhen puffed up with pride and for once, Gui seemed to do the same. "Well, Gui had the idea when he saw some crafty-humans. Since Gui can make wood very hard to burn, he can make 'molds' if he really tries."
"And I, Zhen can easily produce molten stone. Glass too will be within my reach," Zhen said proudly.
"Mm, glass is weird, every time we tried it was ugly and cloudy," Gui grumbled. "Rock is better."
"Hmph, glass would be more beautiful, if Gui could digest things properly," Zhen hissed.
"It's a great idea," Ling Qi said, cutting off their argument before it could really begin.
"Heh, he's pretty creative," Sixiang piped up, their eyes materializing over her shoulder to look over the sculptors. "Gotta admit, even I thought you needed hands to do sculpture."
"Yes, Gui is very smart," he chirped, earning a complaining hiss from Zhen. "I wanted to make one of everyone but Hanyi and Big Sis are hard. The Sixiang is harder."
"Wouldn't look right with rock anyway," Zhen grumbled.
"Hm, hm, I bet I could figure out some tips now that I think about it," Sixiang mused.
"Probably, we did need to add ward stones to the garden anyway," Ling Qi mused, their presence kept malicious spirits out, but if they let anyone in it would be good for the developing spirits of the gardens to have boundaries. "Sculptures would be more interesting than just stone posts."
It would be good practice Ling Qi thought. Between the Dream realm and thresholds, and the creation of this garden, Ling Qi was beginning to come back around to her formation craft. Warding stones were something any noble needed, providing the boundaries between the lands of man and spirit. Her exploration of Dream had given her some insights and renewed interest in the subject though.
"Mm, Zhengui will keep making them better then," her little brother agreed happily.
Ling Qi nodded and stood, anything else interesting happen while I was away?" she asked.
"Um, I don't think so. I went to play with Mr.Avalanche and the Rockhead, but I spent most of my time here." Gui said.
"That's good, you had fun?" Ling Qi asked, strolling to the edge of the mineral spring. They had come a fair way from blowing up the hilltop.
Zhen made a hiss of agreement as he moved up beside her, his presence making the bubbling water snap and hiss more violently. "Sister, do you like the garden, really?"
Ling Qi blinked. "Of course Zhengui, we'll get better with practice, but I think it turned out really well."
Gui scuffed his foot across the flat stone that lined the pools edge. "But Gui knows Big Sister couldn't do everything she wanted with her art."
Ling Qi frowned. It was true that she had intended to work with the Winter Hearth Resounding Art, with the idea of cultivating it alongside Zhengui. She had of course, and the art had advanced, growing past the early stages, but at the same time, it never felt like the cornerstone of what she was working on.
"Well of course not, you had me helping too," Sixiang chuckled. "This has been a really fun project, you know?"
Ling Qi shook her head turning to meet her little brother's questioning gaze. "I wanted to cultivate that to make the garden better, but our ideas changed. I… don't really regret that."
Besides, although she had not gone through with actually altering the art, she did have some ideas for it still. Perhaps it was a little inefficient of her to change course like that but… this was more important.
Zhengui looked at her for a long moment. "Okay."
They looked out over the garden in silence for a few minutes in comfortable silence before Zhen spoke again.
"When can we show grandmother and little sister the garden, Sister?" Zhen asked.
"Hm, we'd need to finish up a few things, but we can probably show them before the tournament starts," Ling Qi said thoughtfully. This was a place for Zhengui, but also because of that a place for kin. It would be safe
"Actually…" Gui began, trailing off. "No, nevermind."
"Well, that's unusual," Sixiang murmured.
"Speak up Gui," Ling Qi said curiously. "What's wrong?"
"Gui wants the other's to come. The shrine-maker, the dancer, and the others who talk to us," Gui explained slowly. "Um, Gui has made this place, but more people should come."
Ling Qi frowned for a moment, he wanted some of the staff to come too. That was…
...That shouldn't have surprised her.
She'd seen it after all, on her tour with Hanyi, Mortals gathered, and spirits exalted. She had been in someone else's lands, participating in someone else's rituals. But she wouldn't always be. People would follow the rituals she laid down, those people who would be living under her power.
"Big Sister?" Gui asked,sounding worried.
"That's a good idea, Zhengui," Ling Qi said,patting him on the head. They're our people too huh? Even if they're not family."
He brightened up."Yeah! Even if this is just the first try, this is the place for Gui,"
"The place for Zhen," his other half echoed.
"And for Big Sister," they said together. "Our people should come!"
Ling Qi nodded absently. "Well we have some work to do then. You'll need to work on some more sculptures and I'll work on inscribing warding arrays on the ones you already did."
"And I'll work on placement," Sixiang said cheerfully.
Ling Qi hummed in agreement. She had to wonder though, how did she want to handle this.
[] Talk with your mother and Zhengui, select the best among your household for the first tour of the garden (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward exclusivity and tighter bonds. Alters LQ's choices for Power expression)
[] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters LQ's choices for Power Expression.)
Out in the countryside the rites she took part in were not on stages surrounded by nobles, but in old growth groves, at important lakes and in the center of fields, and though they held a respectful distance, they were open to the public.
Ling Qi had never been familiar with priestly rites and organized festival days. In Tonghou very few temples and shrines existed in the outer city. There were the quiet men and women who oversaw funeral rites and scattered shrines out in the agricultural lands. The people of the outer city had their personal rites, like the thieves whose slapdash shrine to the Grinning Moon she had observed once. The Liu clan was content to leave it at that though.
So it had surprised Ling Qi, to see so many mortals gather for those services. Even if they were dull to her senses, there was a certain solemnity that had struck her as she watched the rites performed in the face of the coming winter, with Hanyi's song drifting through the air. The scent of candles held tightly in hundreds of hands burning, of softly lit lanterns heavy with offerings drifting down the mountain streams, of incense and prayers whispered too softly for mortal ears to hear.
The closest thing she could compare it to was watching the new roads carved into wild earth.
"Ah, Big Sister is back!" Gui's voice reached her as she stepped into the shadow where two slender trees came together in an arch and emerged in the center of the garden where the boiling mineral springs heat sent streamers of steam into the evening air. Earth and stone shifted, gravel falling as Zhengui rose from the depression, the nest he had dug out for himself, his footfalls sending ripples through the bubbling waters.
"That's right," Ling Qi said with a smile, reaching out to pat him on the head, he was half her height at the shoulder right now, the size the garden had been designed for. "There were some snags, but Hanyi's tour went well."
"I Zhen suppose I will have to congratulate her then," the serpent said haughtily. "But she is not the only one who has been working hard. Look upon our work sister!"
Ling Qi looked behind them to the garden surrounding the mineral spring, the bright colors of the flowers contrasting with the cool shadows and drifting mist. Shaped stones had been raised throughout the garden center as well, silent silhouettes in the steam and mist. They were a little crude, and Ling Qi couldn't quite work out how they had been shaped. Passing Zhengui, she knelt down in front of the closest. It seemed like it was only a boulder at first glance but a closer look revealed that the low slung stone was shaped roughly like a tortoise.
"How did you make this?" Ling Qi asked brushing her fingers over the shaped stone. Already moss was growing over it, in the crevices that provided it detail.
Zhen puffed up with pride and for once, Gui seemed to do the same. "Well, Gui had the idea when he saw some crafty-humans. Since Gui can make wood very hard to burn, he can make 'molds' if he really tries."
"And I, Zhen can easily produce molten stone. Glass too will be within my reach," Zhen said proudly.
"Mm, glass is weird, every time we tried it was ugly and cloudy," Gui grumbled. "Rock is better."
"Hmph, glass would be more beautiful, if Gui could digest things properly," Zhen hissed.
"It's a great idea," Ling Qi said, cutting off their argument before it could really begin.
"Heh, he's pretty creative," Sixiang piped up, their eyes materializing over her shoulder to look over the sculptors. "Gotta admit, even I thought you needed hands to do sculpture."
"Yes, Gui is very smart," he chirped, earning a complaining hiss from Zhen. "I wanted to make one of everyone but Hanyi and Big Sis are hard. The Sixiang is harder."
"Wouldn't look right with rock anyway," Zhen grumbled.
"Hm, hm, I bet I could figure out some tips now that I think about it," Sixiang mused.
"Probably, we did need to add ward stones to the garden anyway," Ling Qi mused, their presence kept malicious spirits out, but if they let anyone in it would be good for the developing spirits of the gardens to have boundaries. "Sculptures would be more interesting than just stone posts."
It would be good practice Ling Qi thought. Between the Dream realm and thresholds, and the creation of this garden, Ling Qi was beginning to come back around to her formation craft. Warding stones were something any noble needed, providing the boundaries between the lands of man and spirit. Her exploration of Dream had given her some insights and renewed interest in the subject though.
Formations Dabbler evolves to
Liminal Carver(G) 1: Your formation craft works best with the things in between. Not barriers or locks, but in doorways, thresholds and borders.
Liminal Carver(G) 1: Your formation craft works best with the things in between. Not barriers or locks, but in doorways, thresholds and borders.
"Mm, Zhengui will keep making them better then," her little brother agreed happily.
Ling Qi nodded and stood, anything else interesting happen while I was away?" she asked.
"Um, I don't think so. I went to play with Mr.Avalanche and the Rockhead, but I spent most of my time here." Gui said.
"That's good, you had fun?" Ling Qi asked, strolling to the edge of the mineral spring. They had come a fair way from blowing up the hilltop.
Zhen made a hiss of agreement as he moved up beside her, his presence making the bubbling water snap and hiss more violently. "Sister, do you like the garden, really?"
Ling Qi blinked. "Of course Zhengui, we'll get better with practice, but I think it turned out really well."
Gui scuffed his foot across the flat stone that lined the pools edge. "But Gui knows Big Sister couldn't do everything she wanted with her art."
Ling Qi frowned. It was true that she had intended to work with the Winter Hearth Resounding Art, with the idea of cultivating it alongside Zhengui. She had of course, and the art had advanced, growing past the early stages, but at the same time, it never felt like the cornerstone of what she was working on.
"Well of course not, you had me helping too," Sixiang chuckled. "This has been a really fun project, you know?"
Ling Qi shook her head turning to meet her little brother's questioning gaze. "I wanted to cultivate that to make the garden better, but our ideas changed. I… don't really regret that."
Besides, although she had not gone through with actually altering the art, she did have some ideas for it still. Perhaps it was a little inefficient of her to change course like that but… this was more important.
New Winter Hearth Resounding Project unlocked.
Zhengui looked at her for a long moment. "Okay."
They looked out over the garden in silence for a few minutes in comfortable silence before Zhen spoke again.
"When can we show grandmother and little sister the garden, Sister?" Zhen asked.
"Hm, we'd need to finish up a few things, but we can probably show them before the tournament starts," Ling Qi said thoughtfully. This was a place for Zhengui, but also because of that a place for kin. It would be safe
"Actually…" Gui began, trailing off. "No, nevermind."
"Well, that's unusual," Sixiang murmured.
"Speak up Gui," Ling Qi said curiously. "What's wrong?"
"Gui wants the other's to come. The shrine-maker, the dancer, and the others who talk to us," Gui explained slowly. "Um, Gui has made this place, but more people should come."
Ling Qi frowned for a moment, he wanted some of the staff to come too. That was…
...That shouldn't have surprised her.
She'd seen it after all, on her tour with Hanyi, Mortals gathered, and spirits exalted. She had been in someone else's lands, participating in someone else's rituals. But she wouldn't always be. People would follow the rituals she laid down, those people who would be living under her power.
"Big Sister?" Gui asked,sounding worried.
"That's a good idea, Zhengui," Ling Qi said,patting him on the head. They're our people too huh? Even if they're not family."
He brightened up."Yeah! Even if this is just the first try, this is the place for Gui,"
"The place for Zhen," his other half echoed.
"And for Big Sister," they said together. "Our people should come!"
Ling Qi nodded absently. "Well we have some work to do then. You'll need to work on some more sculptures and I'll work on inscribing warding arrays on the ones you already did."
"And I'll work on placement," Sixiang said cheerfully.
Ling Qi hummed in agreement. She had to wonder though, how did she want to handle this.
[] Talk with your mother and Zhengui, select the best among your household for the first tour of the garden (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward exclusivity and tighter bonds. Alters LQ's choices for Power expression)
[] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters LQ's choices for Power Expression.)
Last edited:
DangerKitty
shoddy writter
- Location
- lala land
[X] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters Power Expression.)
that way when we get our ice fief. we will have paved the way for big festivals centered around zhengui.
that way when we get our ice fief. we will have paved the way for big festivals centered around zhengui.
Last edited:
- Location
- Canada
Ohh, this is really cool. Don't have the faintest idea of what the power expression will look like, but the idea is engaging.
On the vote itself, personally the closer bonds one seems more thematic with Ling Qi, but there is something about the festival idea that draws me to it. I think Zhengui would love to be the centre of attention during an event like that.
On the vote itself, personally the closer bonds one seems more thematic with Ling Qi, but there is something about the festival idea that draws me to it. I think Zhengui would love to be the centre of attention during an event like that.
Last edited:
NoxOfUmbra
Shadow of the night
- Location
- Colombia, South América
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
[X] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters LQ's choices for Power Expression.)
This is me in my attempt to make LQ more extrovert
This is me in my attempt to make LQ more extrovert
Last edited:
[x] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters Power Expression.)
I think Ling Qi has the tight knit bonds covered. Zhengui can be our connection to the community of our fief.
I think Ling Qi has the tight knit bonds covered. Zhengui can be our connection to the community of our fief.
Last edited:
[X] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters LQ's choices for Power Expression.)
Festival sounds lot more fun than tour, and does seem like it will force qi to interact more, plus Zhengui is leaning towards Landwide deity so being one more openly worships seems to fit.
Festival sounds lot more fun than tour, and does seem like it will force qi to interact more, plus Zhengui is leaning towards Landwide deity so being one more openly worships seems to fit.
Last edited:
Vote feels kind of weird. Open cult for Zhengui I am behind. But an open bent for LQs Power advancement feels weird narrativ wise. Like not really built up.
- Location
- United States
I think there is something wrong here. Zhengui asks a question but Ling Qi responds like he asked a different one.
Last edited:
Sirrocco
Pedantic
[] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters Power Expression.)
Eventual long-term plan is that Zhengui gets large enough that he is our fief. Best to make his cult open and welcoming.
Eventual long-term plan is that Zhengui gets large enough that he is our fief. Best to make his cult open and welcoming.
Zhengui seems like he could be an amazing spirit for mortal farmers and the population in general to worship, so I'm definitely leaning towards having a big festival for him. Plus it'll be really fun if the entire town and eventual city in our fief has a huge annual festival for our beautiful son.
[X] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters LQ's choices for Power Expression.)
[X] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters LQ's choices for Power Expression.)
Last edited:
Sirrocco
Pedantic
Who said anything about Ling Qi's power expression?
It's Ling Qi's being altered.
Last edited:
[X] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters Power Expression.)
Guys remember that Zhengui's Dao is not meant to patch up the deficiencies in Ling qi's Dao. Instead as expressed via previous updates, he wants to be the Ruler of His Own Untamed Land and likes the worship of the people nearby, this is a chance for him to reorientate / form His own Way to grow / keep up with 'Big Sister'.
Guys remember that Zhengui's Dao is not meant to patch up the deficiencies in Ling qi's Dao. Instead as expressed via previous updates, he wants to be the Ruler of His Own Untamed Land and likes the worship of the people nearby, this is a chance for him to reorientate / form His own Way to grow / keep up with 'Big Sister'.
Like how the Sect altered the ecosystem of the land they were conquering, killing the wild spirits that refused to yield to human supremacy and nurturing those who did yield? Though, in this case, Hanyi's inclusion into the rituals of human civilization reverses the relationship: instead of altering the spiritual ecosystem, the humans are altering their own traditions to accommodate a spirit.
...Phoenixhome, the capital of the Gu, is built from, among other materials, carved glass. It's not something that can happen soon, Zhengui traveling there to gain inspiration and teaching from the glassmakers there, but maybe the Gu will come again for the Outer Sect Tournament and bring some artisans who could talk glassmaking with Zhengui?
As a reminder, Ling Qi's current understanding of Power is:
[] Talk with your mother and Zhengui, select the best among your household for the first tour of the garden (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward exclusivity and tighter bonds. Alters Power expression)
Zhengui is a nascent tutelary god -- a god of protection whose domain covers a person or a place; this looks like Zhengui becomes the god of the Ling and their closest associates. Selecting this is making him give only his closest cult members more benefits, or concentrating the requirements for the benefits his cult gives him onto less people, I think. In other words, making his cult an exclusive club restricted only to a small class of people. The trait would be easier to raise, maybe, since all it would care about is the strength of the bonds Zhengui has with a small number of people.
Speculating on how this develops Ling Qi's understanding of Power: this builds off of how Ling Qi realized that her Power -- her Dreamwalking skills, her cultivation -- gave her the option to negotiate directly with the Seven Hills Stream spirit in the Liminal, to the surprise of the priestess. In other words, the capabilities people have and don't have segregate people into strata.
[] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters Power Expression.)
This looks like Zhengui becomes the god of the community around the Ling Clan, of their fief and the people on it, regardless of whether the Ling clan have any formal relationship with them or not. He already has a village in the Icebreaker valley worshipping him, and this looks to be the one that is most likely to retain them as cult members, since we're probably not going to go back there any time soon. Raising the cult trait probably would be a matter of how many people are worshipping him, rather than how strongly they care about him. Possibly the more difficult option, since there's already plenty of agricultural spirits around and we'll need to convince people to include them without a pressing need.
Speculating on how this develops Ling Qi's understanding of Power: this builds off of how Ling Qi realized Hanyi's performance threatened someone enough they wanted to stop it, that the people Hanyi communicated with had Power by dint of sheer numbers.
I think I'd vote for this. It makes a good parallel to Hanyi's own tour, her winter festival to Zhengui's spring festival; and it might be where I want Ling Qi's focus of who has power to go.
Last edited:
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Okay let's talk about the dynamic between these two options, what we, the questers, want Clan Ling to become long term, and what we think Ling Qi would want in character as she is now.
Option 1:
The first major pro I see to to option one is developing a sense of prestige around being invited to the ceremony. A sort of, "I'm honored to be here among these peers," kind of feeling. This develops competition in the clan to excel in everything you can, are you the best maid/guard/nanny/heir/Red? Boom you're invited. And by being invited your efforts are recognized. It's a pat on the back for being a bad ass for those who desire that type of reward.
A much more minor pro is that security in smaller events will be much easier to manage in an environment that LQ looks to be racking up potential malcontents.
I think this is also the LQ of the present answer. She's not necessarily anti-social, but her friend group is naturally small and tight knit. She would probably feel more comfortable taking this option, but does taking it match her desire to grow, change, and create a thriving family?
I personally like the competitive clan archetype as long as it's moderated well so that it doesn't become vindictive or self-destructive. The example that springs to mind is the Akura clan from the Cradle series. They're obsessed with competition to recieve ANY amount of attention from their Monarch and its incredibly interesting, but not very cohesive from a family stand point.
Option 2:
Moving on to the inclusion option; major pro? Everyone loves a good party. This an egalitarian choice to try and remind everyone from the lowest mortal to the patriarch themselves that everyone is working towards bringing the Ling Clan to its greatest potential. This is a wide cast morale booster instead of the narrow focus of option one which is potentially better for overall productivity and motivation than the competition would be. However as the clan grows an event that invites literally everyone may end up becoming a security nightmare more than a utopian dream.
From LQ's perspective I think this is the choice she's less naturally suited for while also being the one that she wishes she was more in line with. She's a brooding, lonely girl if left to her own devices, but her spirits and friends help draw her away from those tendencies. She dreams of a warm home filled with her loved ones and I think this option best epitomizes that ideal because it's more egalitarian. She doesn't pick and choose favorites between Six, Biyu, Hanyi, and Zhengui and I think that's actually one of the ideas she holds closest. Loved ones are loved ones and she just kind of extended that to the whole clan.
Personally this is the option I'm less into, but narratively I think it has a lot to recommend it.
Option 1:
The first major pro I see to to option one is developing a sense of prestige around being invited to the ceremony. A sort of, "I'm honored to be here among these peers," kind of feeling. This develops competition in the clan to excel in everything you can, are you the best maid/guard/nanny/heir/Red? Boom you're invited. And by being invited your efforts are recognized. It's a pat on the back for being a bad ass for those who desire that type of reward.
A much more minor pro is that security in smaller events will be much easier to manage in an environment that LQ looks to be racking up potential malcontents.
I think this is also the LQ of the present answer. She's not necessarily anti-social, but her friend group is naturally small and tight knit. She would probably feel more comfortable taking this option, but does taking it match her desire to grow, change, and create a thriving family?
I personally like the competitive clan archetype as long as it's moderated well so that it doesn't become vindictive or self-destructive. The example that springs to mind is the Akura clan from the Cradle series. They're obsessed with competition to recieve ANY amount of attention from their Monarch and its incredibly interesting, but not very cohesive from a family stand point.
Option 2:
Moving on to the inclusion option; major pro? Everyone loves a good party. This an egalitarian choice to try and remind everyone from the lowest mortal to the patriarch themselves that everyone is working towards bringing the Ling Clan to its greatest potential. This is a wide cast morale booster instead of the narrow focus of option one which is potentially better for overall productivity and motivation than the competition would be. However as the clan grows an event that invites literally everyone may end up becoming a security nightmare more than a utopian dream.
From LQ's perspective I think this is the choice she's less naturally suited for while also being the one that she wishes she was more in line with. She's a brooding, lonely girl if left to her own devices, but her spirits and friends help draw her away from those tendencies. She dreams of a warm home filled with her loved ones and I think this option best epitomizes that ideal because it's more egalitarian. She doesn't pick and choose favorites between Six, Biyu, Hanyi, and Zhengui and I think that's actually one of the ideas she holds closest. Loved ones are loved ones and she just kind of extended that to the whole clan.
Personally this is the option I'm less into, but narratively I think it has a lot to recommend it.
TimEd
Meteor maker
Hanyi's
said, patting
"They're our people
I am also leaning towards inclusivity, because I want this to be a fief wide festival in the future. I do get the private ceremony though. I just feel as if our future fief would benefit more from having more festivals, considering it's likely harsh nature.
Also, does the Emerald Sea even have festivals? I cannot remember if any were ever mentioned.
- Location
- United States of America
Uhhh... Hanyi just performed at one last update. And it was mentioned that she performed a few more during this update.
- Location
- The Star Kingdom of Manticore
The idea of using molds to make sculptures is super interesting for Zhengui. It definitely opens up a lot of interesting ideas. Even the glass work is cool, even if it is not working right now.
globalwarmth
ruining the weather.
- Location
- Polar ice caps
[] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters LQ's choices for Power Expression.)
Gui is shaped like a friend
zhengui is friend to all children!
Gui is shaped like a friend
zhengui is friend to all children!
TimEd
Meteor maker
Ahhh. Right. All those completely slipped my mind. I guess I was thinking more of a happier gathering.
Festivals just doesn't really come with negative conotations (or at least those are fairly rare) where I am from. The tropics doesn't really have morose gatherings as a norm. Even some of our more morbid festivals still tend towards merrymaking of some sort.
Last edited:
- Location
- Staring into the void
[] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters LQ's choices for Power Expression.)
This leans into how Zhengui feels about himself. Which I feel is more important than LQ's power insights.
This leans into how Zhengui feels about himself. Which I feel is more important than LQ's power insights.
After Yrs clarified that this choice will build on LQ's recent insight into Power, I am sticking with my previous point in which this is an event for Zhengui to gain experience / insight from and to form his Path with.
For those who worry that LQ's realization of Wider Bonds is going against LQ's understanding which leans to Close Bonds, remember that she is at the Green realm, which is the realm where we are collecting and repurposing insights into our understanding. We learned from Jiao's lesson that going up to Cyan requires us to form our understanding and Way into a Core and the higher we go the more we will sacrifice. A wider foundation / understanding may prevent the sacrifices from being as extreme, as too narrow insights results in higher prices to ascend as seen from the Ashen Shadows chapter.
A festival being held at the garden is a good chance for LQ to add onto her view that only those far on the cultivation marathon are Powerful, for the insight to be more than just the reputation of the powerful is also Power. A broad understanding of a Power can be good.
For those who worry that LQ's realization of Wider Bonds is going against LQ's understanding which leans to Close Bonds, remember that she is at the Green realm, which is the realm where we are collecting and repurposing insights into our understanding. We learned from Jiao's lesson that going up to Cyan requires us to form our understanding and Way into a Core and the higher we go the more we will sacrifice. A wider foundation / understanding may prevent the sacrifices from being as extreme, as too narrow insights results in higher prices to ascend as seen from the Ashen Shadows chapter.
A festival being held at the garden is a good chance for LQ to add onto her view that only those far on the cultivation marathon are Powerful, for the insight to be more than just the reputation of the powerful is also Power. A broad understanding of a Power can be good.
Last edited:
- Location
- Finland
[X] Make of this a festival, the first of its kind, all of your household may come. (Zhengui's cult trait leans toward inclusion and wider bonds. Alters LQ's choices for Power Expression.)
No idea about how this will affect LQ's understanding of power, or if i will like that choices it brings (i kinda like LQ as a gloomy introvert).
But i think it is best choice for Zhengui and that's the most important bit.
No idea about how this will affect LQ's understanding of power, or if i will like that choices it brings (i kinda like LQ as a gloomy introvert).
But i think it is best choice for Zhengui and that's the most important bit.