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The Path Unending (A Cultivation Quest)

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KreenWarrior said:
I'm not convinced that the loop restarting is actually caused by what we've done so far (each loop appears to be roughly the same length of time by what I've read, not that we've been timing it), but fair enough, talking to the Headsman is more or less as good as talking to Liyu because we want to do both. I'm not convinced that pretending to be couriers is necessary, but I can't see how it would hurt.
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The dog barking shows a meaningful difference in how the loops ended - not doing our "role" seems to make the dog show up, though whether its related to the kukini I dont know
 
All this talk of plays reminds me of Mei and Zhi's date. They're even both about a little village off in the wilderness.

X] [APPROACH] Change the performance to see what seams are in the pattern.
-[X] Fabricate a missive from Jingyi's Summit using whatever seal Zhuan Kun has on him that orders the village to leave. A census, a draft, something that demands immediate attention.
-[X] Race ahead of the group and act as a courier from Jingyi's Summit delivering the message. Do not tell the headsman what the letter is about, but inform him you passed a clerk and the examination is coming.
-[X] While waiting for the Headsman to make a decision on what to do about the letter and information, inspect the village, focusing specifically on leaders or loners.

[X] [SMALL] Immediately ask Daiyu to use the Twilight Horizon.
[X] [SMALL] Inform Clerk Ni that you have uncovered a ploy against the testing treasure.
[X] [SMALL] Activate the Wandering Estate and check the water clock inside.
[X] [SMALL] Bring out a piece of metal and try to get Chui Dao out of the hammer by trying to shape the metal.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he has any techniques which would secure his memory.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he happens to have a technique that can help him protect his memories. If he doesn't, to better convince him on future loops, ask him to tell you something minor about himself that you'd have no reasonable way of knowing (e.g. his favorite food).
[X] [SMALL] Check memories to determine if the loop is the same length each time. If the loop is the same length each time, about when we think the loop is coming to a close, try to get to a place with a broad view and see what's happening.
[X] [SMALL] Attempt to contact Chui Dao and see if they're ok
 
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[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.
Discord seems to be pointing in this direction
[X] [SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Zhuan Kun about the time loop and ask Daiyu to use the Twilight Horizon to confirm.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he has any techniques which would secure his memory.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he happens to have a technique that can help him protect his memories. If he doesn't, to better convince him on future loops, ask him to tell you something minor about himself that you'd have no reasonable way of knowing (e.g. his favorite food).
[X] [SMALL] Inform Clerk Ni that you have uncovered a ploy against the testing treasure.
[X] [SMALL] Activate the Wandering Estate and check the water clock inside.
[X] [SMALL] Check memories to determine if the loop is the same length each time. If the loop is the same length each time, about when we think the loop is coming to a close, try to get to a place with a broad view and see what's happening.
[x] [SMALL] Try to observe the storm, see if there's anything strange about it.
[x] [SMALL] Write a letter to ourselves in the Wandering Estate. See if things inside the Estate re-set or otherwise resist the loop.
[X] [SMALL] Bring out a piece of metal and try to get Chui Dao out of the hammer by trying to shape the metal.
[X] [SMALL] Attempt to contact Chui Dao and see if they're ok
[X] [SMALL] Tell the clerk that there is a time loop and that we have lost at least 4 days already and that the danger to the testing artifact is too great to risk.
[X] [SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Zhuan Kun about your theory that there is a kukuni behind this and that its nature might be Joy. Ask them to make their own observations and have a short brainstorming session a short while after arriving in the village.
[X] [SMALL] Convince the Clerk that if you let Zhi and Kun entertain the villagers before performing the test, the turnout will be greater. Remember that it has been a long while there has been an examination here and the villagers might be leery of testing. A reminder of what actual artis can do will excite them.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Daiyu to put on a performance that will increase the joyful mood in the village.
[X] [SMALL] Use SEG again in the village and scan as broadly as possible, looking for signs of a Hidden Realm, kukuni or anything else.
[X] [SMALL] Kong Zhi will trigger the Ivory Ferryman's special ability to turn intangible should he feel like things are going to be reset.
 
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[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] Guard

[X] [SMALL] Immediately ask Daiyu to use the Twilight Horizon.
[X] [SMALL] Upon reaching the town square enter the Stallion's Enclosed Garden, and cast about thoroughly with my Sixth Sense.
 
[X] [APPROACH] Change the performance to see what seams are in the pattern.
-[X] Fabricate a missive from Jingyi's Summit using whatever seal Zhuan Kun has on him that orders the village to leave. A census, a draft, something that demands immediate attention.
-[X] Race ahead of the group and act as a courier from Jingyi's Summit delivering the message. Do not tell the headsman what the letter is about, but inform him you passed a clerk and the examination is coming.
-[X] While waiting for the Headsman to make a decision on what to do about the letter and information, inspect the village, focusing specifically on leaders or loners.

[X] [SMALL] Inform Clerk Ni that you have uncovered a ploy against the testing treasure.
[X] [SMALL] Activate the Wandering Estate and check the water clock inside.
[X] [SMALL] Bring out a piece of metal and try to get Chui Dao out of the hammer by trying to shape the metal.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he has any techniques which would secure his memory.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he happens to have a technique that can help him protect his memories. If he doesn't, to better convince him on future loops, ask him to tell you something minor about himself that you'd have no reasonable way of knowing (e.g. his favorite food).
[X] [SMALL] Check memories to determine if the loop is the same length each time. If the loop is the same length each time, about when we think the loop is coming to a close, try to get to a place with a broad view and see what's happening.
[X] [SMALL] Attempt to contact Chui Dao and see if they're ok
 
[X] [APPROACH] Change the performance to see what seams are in the pattern.
-[X] Fabricate a missive from Jingyi's Summit using whatever seal Zhuan Kun has on him that orders the village to leave. A census, a draft, something that demands immediate attention.
-[X] Race ahead of the group and act as a courier from Jingyi's Summit delivering the message. Do not tell the headsman what the letter is about, but inform him you passed a clerk and the examination is coming.
-[X] While waiting for the Headsman to make a decision on what to do about the letter and information, inspect the village, focusing specifically on leaders or loners.
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I really don't think we should try this. Talking to the Headsman and trying to get information, sure, but changing things too much is likely to get the loop to reset early.

Like, right now? The villagers who seem aware that the loop is resetting, the Headsman and Liyu, don't know that we know about the loop. They're just surprised that Zhi is here at all after last time. It's also not specific at all about how to approach the 'leaders or loners'. I'd really rather just directly vote to talk to either the Headsman or Liyu.
 
Alright, from the update it looks like either the Headsman or Liyu seem like the most promising avenues to pursue. Here's my idea.

[] [APPROACH] Change the performance to see what seams are in the pattern.
-[X] Run ahead to act a a courier. Fabricate a letter that is intended for the village Headsman. Tell him you were instructed to give this to him and require a reply right away to deliver back to the sender. In the letter obliquely let him know you are aware of the loop and to write down all he knows about it, what the source is, and how to escape if possible.
-[X] After the Headsman writes his reply, make haste back out the village the way you came to try to reunite with the others and see what he wrote.

We run ahead and have Zhi act as a courier with a message for the Headsman that he must reply back to immediately. In that letter we obliquely let the Headsman know that we are aware of the loop and require information as to what caused it, it's source, how to break/escape it, etc. Basically any and everything he knows about it. Zhi then leaves the way he came, still acting as a courier to reunite with the group he have still advanced but have not yet entered sight of the village. And we go from there.

Thoughts?

Edit: Hold up, having another thought
 
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After a lot of thought and discussion in the Discord and a few hints, some of us are leaning in the direction of how the most pressing issue here is that we want information, but we're also afraid of talking to anyone and risk them getting blipped out of existence.

Perhaps the best way to thread that needle is to find written records. And as such, in this small village that doesn't have a library, there is only one place that definitely has enough writing to give us some sort of clue: the Headsman's home.

[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.


(And some Small things, too.)
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he has any techniques which would secure his memory.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he happens to have a technique that can help him protect his memories. If he doesn't, to better convince him on future loops, ask him to tell you something minor about himself that you'd have no reasonable way of knowing (e.g. his favorite food).
 
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[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.
 
Seconding this plan. The Headman and Liyu seem like the biggest priorities to investigate, but Weaver showed that we can't really talk to people. The Headman's house is the best place to look for records, and he seems to be some kind of mouthpiece/game piece of the kukui's.

[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.

I might suggest something like:

[ ] [SMALL] Ask Kun and Daiyu to ask Liyu for help rounding up stragglers, both to delay her examination and in case she is willing to try and pass information.

edit copied from Shyguy:
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he has any techniques which would secure his memory.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he happens to have a technique that can help him protect his memories. If he doesn't, to better convince him on future loops, ask him to tell you something minor about himself that you'd have no reasonable way of knowing (e.g. his favorite food).
[X] [SMALL] Ask Kun and Daiyu to ask Liyu for help rounding up stragglers, both to delay her examination and in case she is willing to try and pass information.
 
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[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.

[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he has any techniques which would secure his memory.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he happens to have a technique that can help him protect his memories. If he doesn't, to better convince him on future loops, ask him to tell you something minor about himself that you'd have no reasonable way of knowing (e.g. his favorite food).
[X] [SMALL] Ask Kun and Daiyu to ask Liyu for help rounding up stragglers, both to delay her examination and in case she is willing to try and pass information.
[X] [SMALL] Activate the Wandering Estate and check the water clock inside.
[X] [SMALL] Bring out a piece of metal and try to get Chui Dao out of the hammer by trying to shape the metal.
[X] [SMALL] Check memories to determine if the loop is the same length each time. If the loop is the same length each time, about when we think the loop is coming to a close, try to get to a place with a broad view and see what's happening.
[X] [SMALL] Attempt to contact Chui Dao and see if they're ok


Yeah, I think this is probably the way to go. Everyone in the village seems to be afraid of interacting with us directly. Sneaking into the Headsman's house and searching it for clues sounds like the best bet as it neatly gets rid of us having to directly interact with him. And out of everyone in the village, he is the most likely to have something written down in his house and also contain records for the village.

Edit: Also, this plan narrows down our focus to one area which probably increases our chances of finding something. Also, as we aren't interacting with the villagers, the chances of the loop resetting early decreases, potentially allowing Zhi more time to act before the loop resets.
 
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[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.

[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he has any techniques which would secure his memory.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he happens to have a technique that can help him protect his memories. If he doesn't, to better convince him on future loops, ask him to tell you something minor about himself that you'd have no reasonable way of knowing (e.g. his favorite food).
[X] [SMALL] Ask Kun and Daiyu to ask Liyu for help rounding up stragglers, both to delay her examination and in case she is willing to try and pass information.
 
The examination is carried out inside the headman's house, so I don't know what this search the headman's house while the examination is happening is trying to accomplish?
Vesvius said:
As per usual when conducting the examination in a village so small it lacks an inn or a common house, Clerk Ni commandeers the headman's house.
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Imugi said:
The examination is carried out inside the headman's house, so I don't know what this search the headman's house while the examination is happening is trying to accomplish?
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Because during this update, we were just conducting the examination. I'm proposing we actually search for any clues about whether the Headsman is a real person, and whether we can trust him or not.
 
[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.

[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he has any techniques which would secure his memory.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he happens to have a technique that can help him protect his memories. If he doesn't, to better convince him on future loops, ask him to tell you something minor about himself that you'd have no reasonable way of knowing (e.g. his favorite food).
[X] [SMALL] Ask Kun and Daiyu to ask Liyu for help rounding up stragglers, both to delay her examination and in case she is willing to try and pass information.
[X] [SMALL] Inform Clerk Ni that you have uncovered a ploy against the testing treasure.
[X] [SMALL] Activate the Wandering Estate and check the water clock inside.
[X] [SMALL] Bring out a piece of metal and try to get Chui Dao out of the hammer by trying to shape the metal.
[X] [SMALL] Check memories to determine if the loop is the same length each time. If the loop is the same length each time, about when we think the loop is coming to a close, try to get to a place with a broad view and see what's happening.
 
Finally caught up on this amazing quest after reading through it the last couple weeks. Truly incredible piece of work Vesvius!

And what an interesting time to catch up too!

[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.

[X] [SMALL] Inform Daiyu and Kun about what has happened and the current status.
[X] [SMALL] Immediately ask Daiyu to use the Twilight Horizon.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he has any techniques which would secure his memory.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he happens to have a technique that can help him protect his memories. If he doesn't, to better convince him on future loops, ask him to tell you something minor about himself that you'd have no reasonable way of knowing (e.g. his favorite food).
[X] [SMALL] Ask Kun and Daiyu to ask Liyu for help rounding up stragglers, both to delay her examination and in case she is willing to try and pass information.
[X] [SMALL] Use SEG again in the village and scan as broadly as possible, looking for signs of a Hidden Realm, kukuni or anything else.

I like the current idea, but I'm surprised most people aren't adding to inform Daiyu and Kun about the loop this time. Are we assuming that Zhi will do that automatically?
 
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I can get behind this

[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.

[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he has any techniques which would secure his memory.
[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he happens to have a technique that can help him protect his memories. If he doesn't, to better convince him on future loops, ask him to tell you something minor about himself that you'd have no reasonable way of knowing (e.g. his favorite food).
[X] [SMALL] Ask Kun and Daiyu to ask Liyu for help rounding up stragglers, both to delay her examination and in case she is willing to try and pass information.
[X] [SMALL] Inform Clerk Ni that you have uncovered a ploy against the testing treasure.
[X] [SMALL] Activate the Wandering Estate and check the water clock inside.
[X] [SMALL] Check memories to determine if the loop is the same length each time. If the loop is the same length each time, about when we think the loop is coming to a close, try to get to a place with a broad view and see what's happening.
[X] [SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Zhuan Kun about your theory that there is a kukuni behind this and that its nature might be Joy. Ask them to make their own observations and have a short brainstorming session a short while after arriving in the village.
 
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[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.
[X] [SMALL] Inform Clerk Ni that you have uncovered a ploy against the testing treasure.
[X] [SMALL] Activate the Wandering Estate and check the water clock inside.
[X] [SMALL] Check memories to determine if the loop is the same length each time. If the loop is the same length each time, about when we think the loop is coming to a close, try to get to a place with a broad view and see what's happening.
[X] [SMALL] Attempt to contact Chui Dao and see if they're ok
 
[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.
[X] [SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Zhuan Kun about the time loop and ask Daiyu to use the Twilight Horizon to confirm.
[X] [SMALL] Attempt to contact Chui Dao and see if they're ok
[X] [SMALL] Tell the clerk that there is a time loop and that we have lost at least 4 days already and that the danger to the testing artifact is too great to risk.

The fixed format thanks Blackshard.
 
[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.

[X] [SMALL] Ask Zhuan Kun if he happens to have a technique that can help him protect his memories. If he doesn't, to better convince him on future loops, ask him to tell you something minor about himself that you'd have no reasonable way of knowing (e.g. his favorite food).
[X] [SMALL] Ask Kun and Daiyu to ask Liyu for help rounding up stragglers, both to delay her examination and in case she is willing to try and pass information.
[X] [SMALL] Check memories to determine if the loop is the same length each time. If the loop is the same length each time, about when we think the loop is coming to a close, try to get to a place with a broad view and see what's happening.
[X] [SMALL] Upon reaching the town square enter the Stallion's Enclosed Garden, and cast about thoroughly with my Sixth Sense.
 
Here's a much better way of achieving what the current top votes wants.

[X] [APPROACH] Having traveled to Shoubiao's Wake three times now, or the memories of doing so, Kong Zhi should have a general idea of where the village is. He will go ahead of everyone else and arrive at Shoubiao's Wake much earlier than they have been. Of course Zhi will avoid Brother Crab.
-[X] Are the villagers timed to Zhi's arrival? Are they having the same conversations, in the same places, doing the same actions, despite his earlier arrival?
-[X] The Headman is one of the more... responsive villagers. Approach him, as a guard for a clerk of His Imperial Glory's Bureaucracy riding ahead, with the need to secure the house, his house, where the testing will be done. Investigate his house for any clues or evidence or pleas for help, anything that could shed some light on this situation. Also check if the reset that happened here can be felt.

The Ivory Ferryman's form has a special ability, he can turn intangible. While intangible, Kong Zhi is immune to Warrior, Archer, Defender, Monk, and Sage techniques. My thought is, what will happen should Kong Zhi be immune to this technique? Sure it could be a Traveler or Scholar technique but there's a greater chance that it's not.

[X] [SMALL] Kong Zhi will trigger the Ivory Ferryman's special ability to turn intangible should he feel like things are going to be reset.
 
[X] [APPROACH] Something that is more clear than ever is that there is something very wrong with the villagers in Shoubiao's Wake. Kong Zhi will try and gain answers from one whether they like it or not.
-[X] The Headsman, who seems to be directing the 'script'
--[X] Without actually talking to him, sneak into his home to find out more about him. Have Daiyu and Kun delay the examination, specifically Liyu's.
 
[X] [SMALL] Kong Zhi will trigger the Ivory Ferryman's special ability to turn intangible should he feel like things are going to be reset.
 
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