I must say, I didn't quite expect an update this soon. A pleasant surprise and a quite welcome one for a Sunday evening.
Also, apologies in advance. I am in a bit of a strange kind of mood, and some of the comments below may reflect that.
The negotiations, such as they are, are quick and painless. The Farmers, despite their grand plans of keeping their ramshackle spears to serve as family treasures, value the contents of Zhuan Kun's purse more than their half-formed dreams, and are willing to take pretty much anything you're willing to pay.
It's always nice dealing with reasonable people. Those weapons, no matter how valuable as a memento and a symbol of agency, or even as a tool of last resort, can only bring the farmers harm in the long run.
Still, all might not be lost. You turn to your companions. "If the stone damaged the Cavern Bringer, it has to have some amount of anam- perhaps enough to be a viable material! Have we enough time to dig it out?"
Another farmer- this one, you presume, is Wu- straightens up at your words. "Dig it up?! Dig up my fields? They're already ruined from that mole! Any more diggin' 'll make any plantin' impossible this season! I-" His words cut off abruptly as Shim moves next to him and begins speaking in hurried, whispered tones.
I am not sure I follow. If the spirit mole collided with the rock while burrowing underground, and then resurfaced wounded, why would there need to be any more digging and further ruination of the fields? Just follow the trail (well, the row) and remove it from the soil. No need to dig new holes in search of the rock.
Mei Daiyu's expression is far more regretful, but just as uncompromising. "We have been taking our time," she says by way of apology. "And anyway, it's unlikely to be anything all that potent. The Cavern Bringer was slain by… among other things, a particularly hardy shard of tree bark. If that could penetrate its hide, I would think that a similarly infused stone can do the same if it's run into hard enough."
This is a good point. Rock is an Anam material, that is certain, but the fact that the spears wounded the mole show that it need not be a valuable one. It could easily be a Rock 1/2 mat which is not really worth the effort.
Her words make sense, but your heart sinks. "But…" you say and definitely do not whine as you look back at where you left the Cavern Bringer's body. By now, the anam trapped in it's bones and flesh has surely begun to degrade, tearing away it it's physical structure and inviting rot and decay. There is no way you are getting something useful out of that husk, so this rock might be your only chance to add to your stores!
Zhi, let this be a lesson to you. Always prioritize the loot.
Safety of the party? Hah! Party-shmarty. If they are any good, they'll survive long enough for you to obtain/harvest the wondrous Anam bounty that are the mats.
"Besides, did you not just harvest enough materials from the Pearled Willow to stock a booth back at the sect?" she prods. "You have enough to keep you busy for a time, I would think."
Silence, woman! You know not of which you speak. Utter hogwash. It seems like additional, harsher, lessons of the one true Kong philosophy are required.
"Can a painter have too many pigments?" you ask rhetorically. "Can a sculptor have too many types of clay? No. You never know when inspiration will strike or what it will call for. So it is with my material stockpile, and I would hope you would understand that by now."
You tell her, Zhi! Enough with the torturous finagling of the materials and crafting methods in order to make a proper charm. Let the materials and inspiration flow!
"Yes, yes, you are unto a kukuni of creativity," Mei Daiyu teases. "That's why you sit atop your materials like a squirrel atop it's fall horde. Tell me, if I were to search your home, would I find small caches of forgotten materials? Is that how Kongs truly craft charms? By leaving piles of materials around until they spontaneously take form?"
Utter sacrilege. Such profane mockery of the Kong path can hardly be borne. With such friends, who needs enemies?
Perhaps the noble Ying clan will be more appreciative of the talents of the Kong.
In your life, you've set foot in but two of the Empire's grand cities. You were born and raised in Harmony, of course, the grand capital of the Radiant Empire, but you also spent seasons in the Kong's ancestral home of Soaring Crow. The two cities… differ from each other. Soaring Crow was built into the sides of a canyon thousands of years ago, and the time has done nothing but bring people into greater harmony with the place they live. New buildings are carved to meld seamlessly with the lines of the stone, walkways from one ledge to the other must be constructed from a type of wood the same shade as the stone it touches, and newcomers have trouble even seeing that the city exists at a casual glance.
Very interesting. And probably quite a rare city design philosophy in Artists. But it actually suits the Kong well. After all, rather than bending Anam in their materials to a pre-determined form and purpose, the Kong crafting philosophy seems to encourage it's adherents to adapt to the peculiarities of each individual material, coaxing out its various properties and trying to guide it into the desirable final result.
Harmony, on the other hand, was built to shine. There is not a single dirt road in the entire capitol; every street is shining white stone and the skyline is full of sweeping spires, each one a monument to man's defiance of nature. It glitter brilliantly in the sun, outshining the rivers it sits beside, in every facet the perfect crown jewel of the entire Empire.
Now, this is the approach that I expected imperial city planners to take. And honestly, it's quite fitting that the capitol itself would be such a stark example of that doctrine.
Of the two philosophies, Mockingjay is far closer to Harmony than it is to Soaring Crow. It was not built to be as one with the Forest of Pearls; it was constructed to spite it. The grand towers stand above the few trees allowed to grow near them, and the walls are constructions of stone so dark that anything next to them stands out as if it were aflame. The titanic brass gateways that separate the city from its surrounding villages clashes horribly with the stone, but it sends a message all it's own. "I stand against you," it seems to whisper. "I was born to outlast nature itself and I shall do so."
Hmmm. Interesting. Especially considering that the Ying are said to be more symbiotic/less radically opposed to the natural world in their views.
Of course, if I remember correctly, Mockingjay is implied to be older than the Ying (as in, they are not its first stewards).
Perhaps they are trying to alter the Mockingjay's implied esprit de corps under the radar, and that's why they are so reclusive and hiding from attention?
I doubt such a course of action would be popular both with the wider imperial community and many of the denizens of Mockingjay.
But the tester, the honorable brother Ni Weiyan, has yet to arrive. For the first time in what feels like months, your time is your own.
Even better. Time to cosplay as Sela's disciple and do whatever we want!
[] The bazaars of Mockingjay may not be spoken of in hushed whispers, but they are still grand and with a broader reach than the markets of the Delving Heart. You will delve into this nest of hawkers and merchants and see what you come out with.
Interesting. Of course, we have need of additional supplies, and pills of a certain type of Anam would save us a lot of time and hassle. Additionally, there's bound to be some rare items and characters to gawk at and be tempted by.
That being said, it is in no way assured that we will be offered what we need and there are probably more... inspiring venues to visit and actions to take.
[] Mockingjay is home to Natural Wonders that are accessible to traveling Artists if you know who to ask. Thankfully, you are here on official business, and as such know exactly who to speak with to gain access to The Avenue of Serenity (Wood/Life/Peace 200. Cost: 2 Bronze Talents).
Sounds like a delightful wonder. I can feel the ills and itches leaving me just by imagining, let alone Zhi.
I think there's a high likelihood that the wonder in question heals mental stress as well.
However, this would be more tempting if Zhi hadn't spent precious traveling time recovering on the way to Mockingjay.
[] The innkeeper has strong words about the quality of Mockingjay's smitheries. You may not learn a great deal, but you've a very vocal, very bored hammer that might find the sights intriguing and educational.
This might not help Zhi directly, but it could be a nice bonding experience with Chui. And who knows? Perhaps Zhi gets lucky and finds something (or someone) rare during it?
[] The archives of Mockingjay fill an entire building set near the very center of the city. You never know what you will find as you browse through the dusty old scrolls, but one thing is for certain: you will find something you've yet to discover.
It is hard to beat senior Caretaker sister's recommendation. It is a mystery box of sorts. They are all kind of fantastic and useless things Zhi can ran across in such a venerable vault of knowledge.
[] The Ying Clan is spoken of with admiration on the streets of Mockingjay, and they are known far and wide for their generosity towards those who please them. Kong is always seeking out new contacts and though Mei Daiyu might not be happy with your actions, you are certain that with your pedigree and skills you can land a commission that will get your foot in the door.
View: https://youtu.be/JGlla4vGxkY
Do it, Zhi. You know you want to.
It is quite odd that such apparently absentee and elusive lords like the Ying are so popular still.
Yes, I suppose few subjects would like their supernatural overlords to overly meddle in their affairs, but one's governors being rarely seen and consequently, difficult to approach, shouldn't endear them to their charges.
[] Yours is far from the only group sent out to escort an imperial tester, and some trips have already borne fruit. A grand congregation of neophyte Servants is waiting for escort back to the Heart. Perhaps you could drop in on them and take the measure of the next Ninth Circle.
This sounds like fun, not going to lie. But we have enough ducklings as it stands, and I am not sure we need more at this point of time.
[] Zhuan Kun apparently has plans for Mockingjay. You are not certain what they are, however. When you ask him, the only response you get is that he 'plans to attend several schools'. He does not say that you are not allowed to join him, though, and you could follow him as he… audits several classes, you suppose.
Is it strange that I am liking Kun more and more as time passes? The man is a bottomless well of unintended entertainment. I am sorely tempted to have Zhi join him on a dojo-crawl. And who knows? Perhaps Zhi learns something along the way.
[] Mei Daiyu does not linger in the Moonlit Conquest for long. She is out the door mere moments after you arrive, barely taking the time to let you know that she will be in the outer villagers should you need her. Perhaps she could do with some company.
Frankly, this is my least favorite option by far. And this is from the person who in general likes Mei.
I think there are better ways for Zhi to spend his time than to provide company to Mei as she mopes around and feels sorry for herself (or even worse, plans something stupid).
[] Thanks to Ming Hui's talented knife, you've feasted upon Immortal Cuisine before, but your friend is still but a student in its ways. Mockingjay is home to any number of establishments that claim to serve the grandest of anam-touched foods. You should attempt to corral Zhuan Kun and Mei Daiyu and visit one.
This could be quite beneficial, as a temporary boost to capabilities, a chance for team building or even just a novel experience for Zhi. But it could also just prove to be a frivolous and expensive self-indulgence. A gamble imho.
[] A city as grand as Mockingjay has no end of problems that need to be solved, and you are an Artist capable of solving problems. You've joined a court for it even. You will venture onto the streets of Mockingjay and see what there is to deal with.
A mystery box if I ever saw one. Although one that could leave Zhi in none-too-fit state for the mission ahead. With a heavy heart, pass.
[] The outskirts of Mockingjay are safer than the Forest of Pearls, but that does not mean that they are truly safe. Numerous bounties on man and beast are posted on the inside of the walls. You will visit those boards and see what bounties are offered.
I don't think we quite need money that much. And it would almost definitely be irresponsible considering the very soon mission. Only possible exception if it were something that Zhi could easily do, which means that the likely reward would be small. I think we can do better.
[] Mockingjay may be new, but experiencing fresh locales is overrated. Your workbench is but a flick of the wrist away, and you've over a dozen materials to experiment with. You will return to your Estate and get to work.
Always tempting. But no. This is the action of last resort. It shan't help Zhi grow as much as other options would.
I am very looking forward to what Mockingjay has in store for us.
