I disagree that we're on a time crunch here. We only got hard reset and caught because we interrupted the loop both times. Now we know to keep our heads down by playing our "part".
The Path Unending (A Cultivation Quest)
- Thread starter Vesvius
- Start date
- Original
-
- Tags
- original xianxia cultivation quest
Parabola
Divided Loyalties Librarian
- Location
- The Destination of Fate
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I don't think we'll be able to leave. The crab is still here in the loop, after all, even though it presumably started going off heroically into the distance to seek new opponents.
I think Ves is the kind of QM to give us problems we can have solutions to. We did not get obliterated by this time loop. It was bad for Zhi's mind, but he is still here and even managed to cycle some of that Time to empower himself.
I think the goal here is finding the source of Time anam, and not worrying about being able to punch it.
I think Ves is the kind of QM to give us problems we can have solutions to. We did not get obliterated by this time loop. It was bad for Zhi's mind, but he is still here and even managed to cycle some of that Time to empower himself.
I think the goal here is finding the source of Time anam, and not worrying about being able to punch it.
Worth noting, the kukuni behind this tried to unmake us... but failed, and actually made us stronger. We have leverage here, we are uniquely qualified to deal with this thing, and we are a Caretaker, and this is our jurisdiction.
- Location
- United States
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Try to convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine even if people don't break their routine to get tested, and to instead try and adapt testing into their routine instead if he must have them be tested.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] Check on Chui Dao's wellbeing, memories and any kukuni senses that might be helpful.
[X][SMALL] Keep a look out for any clues about where the disturbance to the local anam is coming from, or any sources of Time anam.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Try to convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine even if people don't break their routine to get tested, and to instead try and adapt testing into their routine instead if he must have them be tested.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] Check on Chui Dao's wellbeing, memories and any kukuni senses that might be helpful.
[X][SMALL] Keep a look out for any clues about where the disturbance to the local anam is coming from, or any sources of Time anam.
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DangerKitty
shoddy writter
- Location
- lala land
that was before the kukuni was specifically targeting us. we were not getting thoughts put into our head before. Now we are a threat. now he is fucking with us. Who's to say that he won't do it to the others? or that other things won't change.
and if just not messing with the loop is the answer to not taking damage then leaving provides a solid answer.
Either we CAN leave, and everything is fine. or we end up right back where we started.
and if we do, do we take the time damage or mental attack? if we don't, then we know that we only get hurt when we mess with the villagers.
So either it works or we learn more about the loop and we're fine. and if it works then we can inform the caretakers. if it doesn't then we know how to dodge the enemies attacks.
Because if it were capable of attacking us right now it would be. But it's not. Nor is it effecting the others. Whatever the Kukuni is it's reach is limited nor is it all powerful.
We'll certainly have to be more careful now, but it isn't going to just be able to smite us out of nowhere because, again, if it could it would.
Cteatus
A Guy Who Fell Down a Hole
You're gonna want to include a bit more just in case Siani can't get to your right at this exact moment.
If we are going to stay here and keep observant, we might want someone to claim the role of courier going forwards, and not put two people in one singular task as was commented previously?
(Though I do still think we should probably start trying to summon bigger fish even if we don't want to hit da bricks)
[X] [APPROACH] Shoubiao's Wake is dangerous, and the wise thing to do would be to retreat. Zhi will attempt to redirect the examination towards Twelve Fields, where a more learned expert may be contacted.
Parabola
Divided Loyalties Librarian
- Location
- The Destination of Fate
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I think the examination itself is an important part of the loop. As in, we know that there's been other examinations who came to this village and then left and then the clerks marked this place's location on their maps and they didn't notice anything off. But the Zhuans never marked it on theirs, so...
Perhaps this place only appears to people who are making examinations. And as we've seen a good chunk of the external part of the village, seeing what the examination itself is like is probably for the better. We lay low for this one.
[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] If people don't break their routine to get tested, convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine. For our collective safety.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu to use Twilight Horizon
[X][SMALL] Read Daiyu and Kun into what is going on so far and what you have figured out. Three heads are better than one after all.
Perhaps this place only appears to people who are making examinations. And as we've seen a good chunk of the external part of the village, seeing what the examination itself is like is probably for the better. We lay low for this one.
[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] If people don't break their routine to get tested, convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine. For our collective safety.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu to use Twilight Horizon
[X][SMALL] Read Daiyu and Kun into what is going on so far and what you have figured out. Three heads are better than one after all.
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- Pronouns
- He/It/Argh!
We should try to convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine when people don't break their routine to get tested.
[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] Use Shatter the Mirror by the cart
[X][SMALL] Attempt to have Zhuan Kun claim the courtier role, to attempt to look for whoever is delivering their mail over
[X][SMALL] Try to convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine even if people don't break their routine to get tested, and to instead try and adapt testing into their routine instead if he must have them be tested.
[X][SMALL] Ask Siani for help, you don't quite have the training to handle this, but don't want to just leave
Edit:
Adding another change, because why not
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu to use Twilight Horizon
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] Use Shatter the Mirror by the cart
[X][SMALL] Attempt to have Zhuan Kun claim the courtier role, to attempt to look for whoever is delivering their mail over
[X][SMALL] Try to convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine even if people don't break their routine to get tested, and to instead try and adapt testing into their routine instead if he must have them be tested.
[X][SMALL] Ask Siani for help, you don't quite have the training to handle this, but don't want to just leave
Edit:
Adding another change, because why not
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu to use Twilight Horizon
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Spector29
It Only Gets Worse From Here
I'm all for sticking around IF we also try and summon Siani. It's not like we're going to lose something important by bringing him in; a Time monster is eating at our soul, that seems like a reasonable time to call for backup from the person we know most able to give it to us.
[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] Use Shatter the Mirror by the cart
[X][SMALL] Attempt to have Zhuan Kun claim the courtier role, to attempt to look for whoever is delivering their mail over
[X][SMALL] Try to convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine even if people don't break their routine to get tested, and to instead try and adapt testing into their routine instead if he must have them be tested.
[X][SMALL] Ask Siani for help, you don't quite have the training to handle this, but don't want to just leave
This doesn't seem like a SMALL thing, but I'm not sure where/if it should be a separate APPROACH vote
[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] Use Shatter the Mirror by the cart
[X][SMALL] Attempt to have Zhuan Kun claim the courtier role, to attempt to look for whoever is delivering their mail over
[X][SMALL] Try to convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine even if people don't break their routine to get tested, and to instead try and adapt testing into their routine instead if he must have them be tested.
[X][SMALL] Ask Siani for help, you don't quite have the training to handle this, but don't want to just leave
This doesn't seem like a SMALL thing, but I'm not sure where/if it should be a separate APPROACH vote
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Aabcehmu
Confusion as a Natural State of Being
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Pronouns
- Any/All
[X] [APPROACH] Shoubiao's Wake is dangerous, and the wise thing to do would be to retreat. Zhi will attempt to redirect the examination towards Twelve Fields, where a more learned expert may be contacted.
Time Anam is a matter of great import, and we aren't the most senior Caretaker. We are in fact tied for the most junior Caretaker.
If we have any or find any methods to contact our elder sect siblings or master, we should. We should report this when we return. But we shouldn't continue to engage here and now.
Time Anam is a matter of great import, and we aren't the most senior Caretaker. We are in fact tied for the most junior Caretaker.
If we have any or find any methods to contact our elder sect siblings or master, we should. We should report this when we return. But we shouldn't continue to engage here and now.
TimEd
Meteor maker
I'm all for retreating, but I Do Not like how the option is phrased as "attempt to redirect" because Clerk Ni hates all our guts right noe and will in no way be reasonable when he has no reason to feel like there is any
danger at all. We can't even explain what the danger IS to Daiyu and Zhuan Kun, let alone a pissed off Clerk.
danger at all. We can't even explain what the danger IS to Daiyu and Zhuan Kun, let alone a pissed off Clerk.
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[x] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu to use Twilight Horizon.
[X][SMALL] Run down the team on the what happened on the last loops to have all three rub braincells together.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] If people don't break their routine to get tested, convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine. For our collective safety.
[X][SMALL] Check on Chui Dao's wellbeing, memories and any kukuni senses that might be helpful.
[X][SMALL] Does Zhuan Kun have a scroll about dealing with hostile kukuni?
[X][SMALL] Keep a look out for any clues about where the disturbance to the local anam is coming from, or any sources of Time anam.
[X][SMALL] The group should keep an eye and ear out for anything that might be used to date when this loop started.
[X][SMALL] If an opportunity arises, ask what message the headman sent to Twelve Fields. Conversationally.
[X][SMALL] Is there anything significant about the incoming storm?
[X][SMALL] Everyone pretend to be cheerful. The day is perfect.
[X][SMALL] Attempt to have Zhuan Kun claim the courtier role, to attempt to look for whoever is delivering their mail over.
[X][SMALL] Try to convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine even if people don't break their routine to get tested, and to instead try and adapt testing into their routine instead if he must have them be tested.
[X][SMALL] Ask Siani for help, you don't quite have the training to handle this, but don't want to just leave.
[X][SMALL] Describe to Zhuan Kun the Garden of Beasts game you played with the not!Zhuan Kun. Draw out the game's map, the terrain, the natural wonders. See if he can provide a read on this opponet you faced.
[X][SMALL] Read Daiyu and Kun into what is going on so far and what you have figured out. Three heads are better than one after all.
-[x] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu to use Twilight Horizon.
[X][SMALL] Run down the team on the what happened on the last loops to have all three rub braincells together.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] If people don't break their routine to get tested, convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine. For our collective safety.
[X][SMALL] Check on Chui Dao's wellbeing, memories and any kukuni senses that might be helpful.
[X][SMALL] Does Zhuan Kun have a scroll about dealing with hostile kukuni?
[X][SMALL] Keep a look out for any clues about where the disturbance to the local anam is coming from, or any sources of Time anam.
[X][SMALL] The group should keep an eye and ear out for anything that might be used to date when this loop started.
[X][SMALL] If an opportunity arises, ask what message the headman sent to Twelve Fields. Conversationally.
[X][SMALL] Is there anything significant about the incoming storm?
[X][SMALL] Everyone pretend to be cheerful. The day is perfect.
[X][SMALL] Attempt to have Zhuan Kun claim the courtier role, to attempt to look for whoever is delivering their mail over.
[X][SMALL] Try to convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine even if people don't break their routine to get tested, and to instead try and adapt testing into their routine instead if he must have them be tested.
[X][SMALL] Ask Siani for help, you don't quite have the training to handle this, but don't want to just leave.
[X][SMALL] Describe to Zhuan Kun the Garden of Beasts game you played with the not!Zhuan Kun. Draw out the game's map, the terrain, the natural wonders. See if he can provide a read on this opponet you faced.
[X][SMALL] Read Daiyu and Kun into what is going on so far and what you have figured out. Three heads are better than one after all.
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I think she already did, to no notable effect? Then again, that was just a suggestion so maybe she didn't?
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
She did it last loop. I just wanna make sure we get her to keep doing it.
Artemis
What's a pirate's least favourite letter?
- Location
- The Seven Seas
I think a few folks are probably getting a bit aggressive with exactly what the SMALL actions are for.
Personally, in terms of Pretending Everything Is Okay, to play a more subtle game, I actually wonder whether we can pretend to be the couriers that they're expecting. I did see Spector made a SMALL action for that but I think that would probably be a large-scale action, since we'd need to get the Clerk in on it. However, we don't have the information just yet on how the procedure goes so far when we do go through with the normal test, so I would approve that sort of action as well, assuming that we can get the others to really keep an eye out as well, without triggering the loop.
Personally, in terms of Pretending Everything Is Okay, to play a more subtle game, I actually wonder whether we can pretend to be the couriers that they're expecting. I did see Spector made a SMALL action for that but I think that would probably be a large-scale action, since we'd need to get the Clerk in on it. However, we don't have the information just yet on how the procedure goes so far when we do go through with the normal test, so I would approve that sort of action as well, assuming that we can get the others to really keep an eye out as well, without triggering the loop.
What is using Shatter the Mirror going to accomplish?
Changing from ZK to MD for the courier role. Since she has acting experience.
[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] Attempt to have Mei Daiyu claim the courier role, to attempt to look for whoever is delivering their mail over
Changing from ZK to MD for the courier role. Since she has acting experience.
[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] Attempt to have Mei Daiyu claim the courier role, to attempt to look for whoever is delivering their mail over
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[X][SMALL] run down the team on the what happened on the last loops to have all three rub braincells together.
Might wanna have some discussions between Zhi Mei and Kun before we dip our toes back into the village proper.
Might wanna have some discussions between Zhi Mei and Kun before we dip our toes back into the village proper.
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- Pronouns
- He/It/Argh!
Okay, what have we got?
We are trapped in a non-standard time loop, as is a village of probably innocent people and one hostile kukuni.
Non-standard features include:
Time continues to advance, but everything is forced back to its original state.
The villagers appear to be aware of their predicament and are able to deviate from the loop, but doing so seems to be something that they want to avoid at all costs. We have hints that they just get erased.
Other features:
Zhi attempting to disrupt things is undesirable and causes Zhi to be indisposed until the reset.
Not attempting to disrupt things appears to be perfectly safe?
The Kukuni:
Motives and means unknown.
The Kukuni attempted to use a blast of Time anam in some way to hurt Zhi, and it is currently ineffective.
But it also doesn't appear to be attempting a different attack. Does that mean it doesn't have one? If it doesn't then something else may be the source of the loop, and the Kukuni is just using a source of Time anam to do this. A point in favour is that you normally can't cycle from the anam in a technique, so maybe it was just a raw blast of anam from the source?
The Villagers:
They have been here for a long long time. They are very tired and also quite skilled at what they are stuck doing.
The headman was waiting for a reply from Twelve Fields when this started? Perhaps there is useful information in what he sent there.
Everyone seems to be infected with some sort of bucolic idyll virus making everyone and everything disgustingly happy and perfect.
Our resources:
Zhi. Possibly immune to Time attacks.
Unless Chui Dao is able to keep their memories into the next loop, or if the Twilight Horizon is able to restore memories to Daiyu, then trying to get anyone else to help with this will be hard as they have to report back before the loop resets.
Chui Dao is a Kukuni and may not be being affected in the same way as everything else here. They may also have some sort of Kukuni senses that may be useful.
Zhuan Kun, Daiyu and Clerk Ni may have information of use, if we can find the right question.
What to do:
Starting with the 'run away' option...
It might be doable. But then again, it might not be. The Kukuni is not going to want anyone who knows that something is going on here just walking away.
And would Zhi really give up just because something looks hard when there are people trapped here?
Sending a message out:
I'm not sure we can just summon up Siani easily. However, Clerk Ni does have a way of sending a message to the nearest city.
Going in and doing the Examination:
This seems like a good option, as we know it works up until someone starts disrupting the villagers. Going for admin duty and attempting to see what records are around would be good. There are likely some clues about what happened just before this loop started that could be really helpful. We will need to get the others to play along with it and make sure that nobody does anything to break the pattern though.
Pretend to be a Courier:
We don't know what this does, but the headman is allowed to ask this. And yet most of the time there won't be anyone to ask this to. Interesting. Possibly allows us to talk to the headman. Alternatively, this might be the safe way out, but still leaves the village trapped.
Try to get answers no matter what:
Potentially does get us information, but we don't know what will happen to the villager we try this on.
What do we want to find out:
When did this start, and possibly why? The Kukuni might not have created this. It might just be here trying to use it for something.
How is the loop being sustained? There must be a source of Time anam or similar around here. It might not be the Kukuni.
What does the Kukuni want?
What is the Kukuni's moment? That gives Zhi a way to fight it.
What message did the headman send to Twelve Fields? Is it important?
Why is everyone being perfectly joyous?
What happens at the seam?
We are trapped in a non-standard time loop, as is a village of probably innocent people and one hostile kukuni.
Non-standard features include:
Time continues to advance, but everything is forced back to its original state.
The villagers appear to be aware of their predicament and are able to deviate from the loop, but doing so seems to be something that they want to avoid at all costs. We have hints that they just get erased.
Other features:
Zhi attempting to disrupt things is undesirable and causes Zhi to be indisposed until the reset.
Not attempting to disrupt things appears to be perfectly safe?
The Kukuni:
Motives and means unknown.
The Kukuni attempted to use a blast of Time anam in some way to hurt Zhi, and it is currently ineffective.
But it also doesn't appear to be attempting a different attack. Does that mean it doesn't have one? If it doesn't then something else may be the source of the loop, and the Kukuni is just using a source of Time anam to do this. A point in favour is that you normally can't cycle from the anam in a technique, so maybe it was just a raw blast of anam from the source?
The Villagers:
They have been here for a long long time. They are very tired and also quite skilled at what they are stuck doing.
The headman was waiting for a reply from Twelve Fields when this started? Perhaps there is useful information in what he sent there.
Everyone seems to be infected with some sort of bucolic idyll virus making everyone and everything disgustingly happy and perfect.
Our resources:
Zhi. Possibly immune to Time attacks.
Unless Chui Dao is able to keep their memories into the next loop, or if the Twilight Horizon is able to restore memories to Daiyu, then trying to get anyone else to help with this will be hard as they have to report back before the loop resets.
Chui Dao is a Kukuni and may not be being affected in the same way as everything else here. They may also have some sort of Kukuni senses that may be useful.
Zhuan Kun, Daiyu and Clerk Ni may have information of use, if we can find the right question.
What to do:
Starting with the 'run away' option...
It might be doable. But then again, it might not be. The Kukuni is not going to want anyone who knows that something is going on here just walking away.
And would Zhi really give up just because something looks hard when there are people trapped here?
Sending a message out:
I'm not sure we can just summon up Siani easily. However, Clerk Ni does have a way of sending a message to the nearest city.
Going in and doing the Examination:
This seems like a good option, as we know it works up until someone starts disrupting the villagers. Going for admin duty and attempting to see what records are around would be good. There are likely some clues about what happened just before this loop started that could be really helpful. We will need to get the others to play along with it and make sure that nobody does anything to break the pattern though.
Pretend to be a Courier:
We don't know what this does, but the headman is allowed to ask this. And yet most of the time there won't be anyone to ask this to. Interesting. Possibly allows us to talk to the headman. Alternatively, this might be the safe way out, but still leaves the village trapped.
Try to get answers no matter what:
Potentially does get us information, but we don't know what will happen to the villager we try this on.
What do we want to find out:
When did this start, and possibly why? The Kukuni might not have created this. It might just be here trying to use it for something.
How is the loop being sustained? There must be a source of Time anam or similar around here. It might not be the Kukuni.
What does the Kukuni want?
What is the Kukuni's moment? That gives Zhi a way to fight it.
What message did the headman send to Twelve Fields? Is it important?
Why is everyone being perfectly joyous?
What happens at the seam?
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