Nobility on the Golden Plains [A Clan Builder / Cultivation Quest]

Creation 4: Returning Home

---

The woman in silks bows, "Congratulations Master Liang, I knew you would have no trouble." Raising her head you see a rare smile on An Lia's face. Your right hand woman in the management of the medicine hall is normally very serious and calm. But it seems that your achievement of breaking into a new realm has broken through that.

As well it should. As a soldier your position in the medicine hall was always somewhat precarious. Neither your age nor your power was sufficient for such an important position, and the clan elders would float the idea of bringing in an alchemy master every so often. As you were still young and still progressing such suggestions never went anywhere. But it was still uncomfortable.

Now as a full fledged knight you have the power to back up your status. Which means the medicine hall as a whole is on much more solid footing. You can demand a larger budget, hire more alchemists, and provide input on the clan's plans as a respected head. Well to an extent. You are still very young after all.

"I wouldn't say no trouble, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle." You motion for miss An to rise and the two of you enter the pagoda. "Has anything happened while I was in the mystic realm."

"Nothing of note, young master. A few lunar wolves were sighted by the sentries, but they didn't approach the walls." She summons several soldiers and they begin helping you out of your armor and into more comfortable robes.

"Good, send a messenger bird to my mother. Inform her of my success and that I plan to spend a week in seclusion."

An Lia nods and withdraws with the last servants. You are left alone in the central room of the pagoda. You settle onto a cushion and begin meditating. As the ambient Qi is drawn into your body you run it through your meridians and into your new core.

You can sense that it's still a little unstable, but the feeling of newfound power is gratifying. You settle in for an extended meditation session.

---

A week later you are feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. You feel as if you could run a hundred li with a boulder strapped to your back. You direct the servants to begin preparations to journey back to the capital. Most of them will accompany you leaving only a small garrison to guard the gate.

You and An Li climb into the armored carriage that will carry you back. As it lurches into motion you speak, "When we get back gather the alchemists. I want to test my new Qi control."

"Yes, young master. Which ingredients should I gather?"

You consider. You know quite a few recipes, but only one is at the gold rank. You might as well try making the most complicated elixir you know. It will be a good test of your skill.

Pick an Elixir

[ ] White Blooded Qi Pill (Gold)
Packed with purified Qi this pill is well suited to cultivators with any spiritual root allowing them to quickly absorb a large quantity of qi. This is useful both for replenishing Qi after strenuous techniques and for use in cultivation.

[ ] Boiling Blood Qi Pill (Gold)
A variant of the white blood pill the Qi in this pill is not as purified. Instead it has been condensed and charged with a hint of fire qi. The effect is an explosive burst of strength when ingested as the Qi rages through the cultivator's body. This is very useful in combat, but has detrimental long term effects.

[ ] Flowing Ivy Elixir (Gold)
Infused with wood Qi and a variety of spiritual herbs this elixir has very beneficial effects on the body when ingested. It can cure most common illnesses and promotes the healing of injuries. It's a fairly common recipe, but one that is always in demand.

[ ] Thousand Centipede Poison (Gold)
The venom of centipedes is only one component of this toxic elixir. Many different caustic ingredients have turned it into an insidious and powerful concoction that will kill any cultivator of the Knight realm or below. It even has debilitating effects on Lords.

[ ] Bundle of Stinky Herbs (Gold)
Your own personal blend of herbs and meats infused with Qi. You concocted this bundle to tame spirit beasts. It can attract wild spirit beasts and when ingested makes them more docile. Unfortunately you made the first version of the recipe when you were twelve and no one has ever let you live the name you chose then down.

---

The journey is relatively uneventful. Your guards were able to repel most of the monster attacks themselves. You were only called upon once to fight off a grain horror. Avoiding its scything claws was a challenge, but a few poisoned strikes to its main body were enough to convince it you weren't worth fighting.

After that you moved into range of the patrols from Fragrant Lotus City. You see several of them riding beasts in your clan colors before you sight the towering walls of the city proper. Feeling the need for a bit of relaxation you decide to wander the city for a few hours before you return to your clan's complex.

Positive Encounter
[ ] Heal a beggar
You see a beggar at the side of the road with a crippled leg. In a fit of beneficence you decide to heal it with a wave of wood qi.
+Kind

[ ] Pay a Debt
An Lia reminds you that you still have an unpaid tab at a local inn from your last night of revelry. You direct her to repay it now.
+Honorable

[ ] A Merchant Quarrel
Two merchants in the market are having a petty squabble over their wares. As the nearest representative of the Zhuge clan you hear them out and make a measured decision.
+Calm

[ ] Enjoy the Day
You spend some time in one of the city's many gardens watching the ducks and enjoying the breeze through the trees.
+Happy

[ ] Wave off an Incident
A loose cultivator bumps into you in the street. You decide to accept their apology without forcing them to grovel.
+Forgiving

Annoying Event
[ ] Take a Spirit Flower
You see a merchant selling a Fire Lotus that you desire. There is already a cultivator purchasing it, but you force the merchant to sell it to you.
+Selfish

[ ] Acquire a Map
A loose cultivator is selling a map to an ancient ruin. You buy it for a pittance along with the agreement that you'll include them in the expedition to the ruin. You have already forgotten their name.
+Deceitful

[ ] Evicted an innkeeper
An innkeeper sold you sour wine. In disgust you had their inn seized and evicted them to the lower city.
+Angry

[ ] Suffer from Melancholy
You spend the day writing poetry about the fleeting nature of life and the crushing burdens that are pressing down on you.
+Sad

[ ] Cripple a Cultivator
A loose cultivator bumps into you in the street. In retaliation you beat them so hard their cultivation was damaged.
+Grudgeful

Quest Note: You can't pick two options on the same scale.

---

Once you are done in the city you make your way to your clan's compound. Though calling it a compound is an understatement. It's a small city in itself situated on a small mountain that rises above the rest of the city. The difference is that while the rest of the city is filled with mortals, travelling merchants, and loose cultivators, everyone in your compound is a servant or member of the Zhuge clan.

The first person you go see is of course your mother. Your conversation is brief. Despite your achievement it seems that there is something bothering her. She doesn't discuss it, but you get the impression that there is something going on in the province that she needs to deal with. She dismisses you with the news that there will be a celebratory feast later.

Until then you have the rest of the day free. You decide to head back to the medicine pavilion to check on the preparations for your elixir brewing. When unfortunately you see your least favorite sibling.

Sibling Rivalry
[ ] The Distant Heir, Zhuge Jiang
Your eldest brother has always been very distant. Born when your mother was still a lord, he is far older than you at nearly two centuries. He has long since reached the peak of Core Lord and is merely waiting for an advantageous time to make his next breakthrough.

Your relationship has been less one of siblings and more of teacher and disciple. He oversaw much of your training and was very strict in doing so. You always got the impression that he saw you less as a brother and more as a pawn on a chessboard.

[ ] The Poison Phoenix, Zhuge Xin
Unlike your eldest brother your eldest sister is only a few decades older than you. As such she is very much in your generation. Which is somewhat unfortunate for you as while you are somewhat more talented than most she is a true prodigy.

She broke through to Core Lord at the unheard of age of fifty two. She is regarded as the treasure of the clan with all the ensuing benefits. And unfortunately this has translated directly into your relationship. She regards you as weak and inferior. Someone who is not working hard enough on their cultivation.

[ ] The Mischievous Twins, Zhuge Huang and Zhuge Zhen
Your youngest siblings were born unexpectedly late. You and your older siblings were planned and already assigned roles in the clan nearly from birth. By contrast the twins were a surprise. Instead of strict training they were pampered and treasured by your mother.

They could be talented you think, but they don't apply themselves nearly as much as they need to. Unfortunately they have grown cruel and selfish. They demand anything they want in the expectation that they'll get it. And they play cruel pranks on both servants and other clan members. You are one of their primary targets since any complaints on your part would be unseemly.

Quest Note: On consideration I think these are all separate enough that it doesn't need to be a plan vote.