I'm in favor of getting the heaviest oath immediately to start power levelling our retainers and ace the next Mind Crush, therefore presumably getting a ton of will xp.
but can we still meet the requirements for the outer school if we do that? we're talking an extra 50% to all exp costs, that's NOT little, while it will take time for our retainers to start getting significant bonuses from the +18% to AT MOST 3 of their skills.
This one Oath will automatically satisfy the Horkos 20 and two oaths requirements. One skill at expert and the 3 layers of iron body cultivation should also be fairly easy to reach.
But this isn't our real goal. I imagine that it would be a bit of an embarassment for our family if we ONLY made branch member... though they MIGHT be more understanding if we revealed the long term oath we took, as it's a valuable Oath.
That said, we're aiming for Outer School at least.
- easiest way to reach Third Order Oath is probably to add conditions to the training oath. Maybe limit what can be trained with it? Alternatively we add more requirements to WHO can be boosted by the "give up personal talent for follower talent" oath, removing it as a potential tool for trade with not-retainers.
Still, it's too soon to worry about higher order oaths right now.
- Horkos 50 is doable. The Oath alone gives 36 Horkos, and we're currently at... 8.
So that's already 44. Maybe we get a few more points before taking the Oath? If we reached 14 first, that would satisfy this requirement
-Will at second tier... We're training it thanks to our artifact when doing physical training, AND the Soul Crash training also trains Will massively, so it should be fine. We can then use pills to help the rank up to tier 2. So it should be fine, even with higher exp requirements.
-test or tournament I'll assume we'll do fine in, we know too little to judge right now though.
-3 expert skills OR 1 master skill, AND 5 layers of iron body. THIS might be problematic if we give up our talent.
We can probably make up for it with extra lessons, I suppose, but we'd need to make deals with students for them, or get the eye of teachers.
I suppose that showing our dedication by taking a RANK 36 oath might net us more lessons? It seems like it worked for the first oath...
-Will at second tier... We're training it thanks to our artifact when doing physical training, AND the Soul Crash training also trains Will massively, so it should be fine. We can then use pills to help the rank up to tier 2. So it should be fine, even with higher exp requirements.
I will point out that you're already in the second tier, all of your attribute's are it was the starting perk you picked.
Secondly, I would also like to reiterate that its total y possible to get another different high-ranking oath if picking a high ranking one is what you want.
I will point out that you're already in the second tier, all of your attribute's are it was the starting perk you picked.
Secondly, I would also like to reiterate that its total y possible to get another different high-ranking oath if picking a high ranking one is what you want.
We aren't and shouldn't be in a rush to max out a second Oath anyway.
At the very least, we need to look into what other Oaths we could do, and consider which ones we want to have with each other.
We aren't and shouldn't be in a rush to max out a second Oath anyway.
At the very least, we need to look into what other Oaths we could do, and consider which ones we want to have with each other.
true. we still should have lessons about high order oaths later, and while I don't expect us to get advice about oaths as good/strong as the one White Blade told us about... well, we might be surprised.
We could also ask home. Our family certainly knows a lot about good oaths to make. We can also share the Oath we were adviced about, it would be an even stronger Oath for our family's leaders.
They have already mostly realized their potential, presumably... then again that might actually make the Oath weaker for them
true. we still should have lessons about high order oaths later, and while I don't expect us to get advice about oaths as good/strong as the one White Blade told us about... well, we might be surprised.
We could also ask home. Our family certainly knows a lot about good oaths to make. We can also share the Oath we were adviced about, it would be an even stronger Oath for our family's leaders.
They have already mostly realized their potential, presumably... then again that might actually make the Oath weaker for them
oh man, that would be awesome, since we are presumably considered the subordinate of most adult clan members. I wonder if getting the talent buff before the talent hit would increase the Oath Rank.
Somewhat? Evry 1 body score brings another 1-2 years of life so from pure cultivation you could end up living around 200~ if you go high enough.
You could also just swear an oath for more lifespan, and this is a known oath which several emperors have took and depending on how far you take it you cal likely swing another 1000 years at max from it.
[x] She isn't ready and will undergo both remaining trials to show her worth.
AN: Well this took me a little time, mostly because I debated on how exactly I wanted to execute this test and I feel I landed on a good method. I hope you enjoy. I'm putting a moratorium of 4 hours on voting to allow debating, you're going to need it this time. When Aurora awoke once more, she found herself still aware. still herself.
She was no longer in the white void where the white blade resided but in a small room made of finely carved stone. there was nothing in the room with her, it was totally empty expert for nine doors leading out, three on each wall.
There was no mark definiterating the nine wooden doors, bar their location there was nothing which Aurora could find that made any door different from another. with nothing in the room itself being discovered on second pass Aurora decides to open one of the doors.
The matelice handle was cold to her hands as she pulled it down, pulling the door toward her silently. revealing the sight of her… father?
The sight shocked Aurora but she quickly regained her senses, the white blade could read her mind there is no reason to conclude that he couldn't access her memories for an illusion of her father.
Still, even though she knew it wasn't her father in front of her and yet the wide shoulders, dark hair and blue eyes seemed so realistic, and that smile… that smile reminded Aurora of her home.
The illusion of her smiling father was seated in a replica of his study, she remembers she would spend hours in that room when she was little, for no reason other than to be close to her father.
As Aurora looked closer she felt the ache in her soul calling for the comfort of the memory and knew if only she would step forward the memory of home would heal its pain.
With great willpower Aurora pulled herself out of the trance she fell into and closed the door, she may or may not enter it later but there are still eight more doors she must look through lest she miss something vital.
Behind the second door she opened -the one to the left of the first- Aurora behad a mountain of gold and treasures, deep down she knew this was the treasury of a great king and could feel that should she only step forward she will be allowed to take a single treasure from within.
The third door opened to show a peaceful meadow and Aurora knew that if she stepped forward she would always carry a piece of it wherever she'll go.
The fourth door revealed an old man sitting in meditation in what seems to be a dojo, surrounded by respectful and obedient students and knew that if she entered this memory she would sharpen her techniques under a respectful master.
The fifth door opened to a rushing waterfall and Aurora knew that should she step before it its force on her shoulder would refine her body.
The sixth showcased a throne room, a knight kneeling before a man with a golden crown upon his head, from just a glance Aurora knew she would witness a rare and powerful oath should she enter.
The seventh showed nothing, a void empty from all matter, it would consume a part of her should she enter but it would return as much as it took.
Behind the eighth Aurora beheld her death, the details were vague and ever changing, one moment she was a frail old lady, the next she was young again and had a sword through her chest but she knew that death would provide her experience few would know in their life.
The ninth door, open to a simple hallway with a door on its other end. Instictevlly Aurora knew that she found the exit. Should she step forward she will complete this trail and leave for the next.
But did she wish too? had she shown or completed whatever it is that this test is about? The White Blade called this the maze of ten thousand visions. Why would he do so if finding the exist was so simple and easy?
But Is it? so simple and easy? Even now when she found the exit she hesitates on moving forward, drawn to the visions behind her and the treasures within, could she stop herself from losing her way within the visions should she attempt to reach their promise?
She doesn't know but she feel's the claws of this place digging into her soul, the longer she remains the harder it would be to leave.
She must make a choice, and quickly.
You may pick as many as you'd like (plan vote please) but beware that the longer you stay the harder it would be to leave and you may be lost within the maze forever.
[] The first door- A vision of home (gain: heal all of Aurora strain).
[] The second door- A vision of greed (gain: A choice of treasure).
[] The third door- A vision of a peaceful meadow (gain: piece of the meadow ???).
[] The fourth door- A vision of mystery (gain: greatly increase mastery of a random technique).
[] The fifth door- A vision of challenge (gain: 2 layers of iron body).
[] The sixth door- A vision of fealty (gain: knowledge of an oath).
[] The seventh door- A vision of nothingness (loss: ??? gain: ???).
[] The eighth door- A vision of death (gain: 2 experiences toward unlocking the next oath).
[] The ninth door- A vision of the exit (result: complete the test).
First of all, let us keep in mind we have fairly mid will (effective 6).
so... we shouldn't be greedy, but let us remember, this is a test to verify what kind of person Aurelia is.
What we pick here is what Aurelia would prioritize, for one reason or another.
healing of the mind
a treasure
presumably some kind of stress-resistance/ composure trait?
technique exp
refinement progress (Iron body)
Knowledge of a powerful Oath
mistery box. I'm assuming we'll give up a trait or skill exp, and gain something in its place that's at least as good
experiences, and, narratively speaking, "knowing how it feels to die".
we leave
so... not picking anything can easily be seen as a sign of cowardice. OR it could be a sign of wisdom, really.
But then again the cultivator who doesn't take risks is not the cultivator that goes that far.
I think three is on the upper end of what we can afford, but honestly it's still probably too greedy. I'd likely go with 2.
so...
I'd ignore 2 (we're from a wealthy family anyway), 1 (we'll heal in time on our own), 4 and 5 (they're things we can get on our own, even if this saves us time), 7 (I'd rather not bet with Aurelia's inner self) and maybe 8 (most people live their whole life not knowing what death feels like. And mechanically 2 Experiences out of 10-50-100 needed for the next few unlocks is not really THAT much...)
...then again, an argument for the death experience is that that kind of inner strenght is something that can't really be bought, usually. There's probably some other narrative effect in addition to JUST the 2 experiences, it's something that would shape Aurelia the most out of everything here (except MAYBE the Oath).
It also shows that what Aurelia prizes the most is... wisdom? I suppose that's a viable read of that pick.
You know what? I'll go with this:
[] Plan a greedy attempt at wisdom
-[] The eighth door- A vision of death (gain: 2 experiences toward unlocking the next oath).
-[] The first door- A vision of home (gain: heal all of Aurora strain).
-[] The sixth door- A vision of fealty (gain: knowledge of an oath).
-[] The ninth door- A vision of the exit (result: complete the test).
Here's the reasoning:
First the vision of death, an experience without a price on it.
Then the vision of home, to recover from the Strain in our soul (from the soul crush lesson) and maybe even from the death experience, if it's a traumatic one.
Then the Oath Knowledge
Then we leave.
...This MIGHT be too greedy though. Maybe remove the strain or oath and just leave? We ALREADY got knowledge of a powerful Oath, and it will be quite the long time before we can make one more. We can also think of powerful oaths on our own, if we try. We know the main thing is that we need to give up, to sacrifice, something valuable (particularly valuable TO AURELIA) In exchange for something potentially more valuable IF PROPERLY LEVERAGED.
Like giving up innate talent for the ability to empower our followers, which could then turn around and teach us or help us.
I imagine an alternative for, say, a diplomat, could be to give up their ability to commit violence in exchange for better diplomatic abilities. Give up your body for power (Full Metal Alchemist's style, I'm thinking of Alphonse and how his soul is tied to a suit of armor).
mh... you know, I have an idea for a potentially really powerful Oath Aurelia might find worth considering:
@uri how about this: what could we get if we sacrificed the "refined existence" we started with? Presumably going down a tier of attributes?
[X] Plan Shinies
-[x] The third door- A vision of a peaceful meadow (gain: piece of the meadow ???).
-[X] The sixth door- A vision of fealty (gain: knowledge of an oath).
-[x] The second door- A vision of greed (gain: A choice of treasure).
-[x] The ninth door- A vision of the exit (result: complete the test).
I like this plan because it grabs the non scary Shinies and IMO plays into the noble (and rich) leader of men idea that I found quite nice.
See, here's the danger with creating oaths on one's own, especially sacrifice oaths, and why even though you can craft any oath you want you'll still get a lot of options from the schools or your family.
While it is true that sacrificing your refined existence would be a powerful oath its pretty much a coin flip if you end up sacrificing your entire existence or not, after all you don't know anyone who made an oath like it, how would you know if it's viable or instant death (hint: it death).
See, here's the danger with creating oaths on one's own, especially sacrifice oaths, and why even though you can craft any oath you want you'll still get a lot of options from the schools or your family.
While it is true that sacrificing your refined existence would be a powerful oath its pretty much a coin flip if you end up sacrificing your entire existence or not, after all you don't know anyone who made an oath like it, how would you know if it's viable or instant death (hint: it death).
"Sacrifice the innate trait that makes it so we're inherently stronger, smarter, more willfull, and grow those traits faster than other people".
In any case with this bit of hindsight on the "why use pre-made oaths instead of making new ones"... well, it raises the value of getting oath wordings as rewards, as we can share them with our family if we want. And probably get more oaths our family knows of in exchange.
That said... if the 10-50-100 experiences needed things remains, then we'll need quite some time before we can take a third oath.
[X] Plan: Nothing We Can't Get Ourselves
-[x] The third door- A vision of a peaceful meadow (gain: piece of the meadow ???).
-[X] The sixth door- A vision of fealty (gain: knowledge of an oath).
-[x] The seventh door- A vision of nothingness (loss: ??? gain: ???).
-[x] The ninth door- A vision of the exit (result: complete the test).
in that case it's even MORE important, probably. assuming they're willing to take it, it's likely to synergize really well with that oath of leadership we're already considering.
Again, though, I'm not sure we can afford to take THREE rewards. Aurelia's description sounds like she's extremely worried about giving in.
.. I just can't bring myself to ONLY taking one reward, so
[x] Plan the knowledge I can't get anywhere else
-[X] The sixth door- A vision of fealty (gain: knowledge of an oath).
-[x] The eighth door- A vision of death (gain: 2 experiences toward unlocking the next oath).
-[x] The ninth door- A vision of the exit (result: complete the test).
