A Shitty Shonen Quest

[Radvic]

I don't think we can afford much to purchase, and am really unsure what we'd be looking for, so I'm gonna go with:

[X] Plan We Have No Wares, So Train
-[X] Network (Charisma) You have no familial connections. That means you've got to create a network with your own abilities, and no one else's.
--[X] Xin Jin If there's somewhere to start a network, with who else other than the traveling merchant you know?
-[X] Train (Martial) There is much you need to improve, if you wish to surpass your father.
-[X] SPECIAL EVENT: Nanhu Winter Tournament (Martial) (-75 Money, possible winnings, possible Reputation gain) (Reduced to 1 Action by Journey) "Hey, Han Xiao, I heard of a tournament around Nanhu village. From what I heard from Wang Chang, if you're anywhere close to your Dad...well. Nothing's guaranteed, but the best fighter there probably wouldn't be exceptional, if you know what I mean, so it probably won't be a big deal for the daughter of Erse's greatest swordsman."
-[X] Train (Charisma)

Which should improve our ability to network and build up reputations and whatnot, all of which will be highly important moving forward.

 

[wingstrike96]

[X] Plan We Have No Wares, So Train

 

[hYGP]

[X] Plan I'm On The Road
-[X] Train (Martial) There is much you need to improve, if you wish to surpass your father.
-[X] SPECIAL EVENT: Nanhu Winter Tournament (Martial) (-75 Money, possible winnings, possible Reputation gain) (Reduced to 1 Action by Journey) "Hey, Han Xiao, I heard of a tournament around Nanhu village. From what I heard from Wang Chang, if you're anywhere close to your Dad...well. Nothing's guaranteed, but the best fighter there probably wouldn't be exceptional, if you know what I mean, so it probably won't be a big deal for the daughter of Erse's greatest swordsman."
-[X] Network (Charisma) You have no familial connections. That means you've got to create a network with your own abilities, and no one else's.
--[X] Xin Jin If there's somewhere to start a network, with who else other than the traveling merchant you know?
-[X] Marketplace (Charisma+Leadership) Perhaps places other than a village with hardly any smiths and only swindling traveling merchants as weapon suppliers might have better wares, and better prices.

---

Training Martial

Roll: 96 + 10 (Talented)+ 5 (Proud) = 111 Critical! Critical Roll: 20 + 11 = 131 Total Roll. Opposed: 30.

Gap of 100! [A Moment Beyond!]
Background Roll: 98 + 3 (Heaven's Peripheral Vision) = 101 Critical! Critical Roll: 41
Movement Eight. You pivot backwards on your right foot, real sword locked with imaginary as the other tip points away and your edge is presented your opponent's neck.

Movement Nine. Step forward and cut.

Reset to position one, guarded from all comers.

One hundred, you think.

You sheathe your sword for a moment, furrowing your brow.

These techniques...Dad swore by them, but somehow they felt as though they lacked something, and you couldn't help but wonder whether that something was something your Dad needed.

There was something your Dad had once said, though.

"If you can't seem to make any more progress, imagine something which you cannot beat, and then imagine defeating it."

It...it might be worth a try.

You drew your sword up again. This time, you closed your eyes.

Your opponent drew their sword. You came at them, as they came to you. Your blocks were too slow, your attacks too frail, your feints too obvious - but your eyes were not! If you could not defend, attack! If you could not attack, misdirect! If you could not misdirect, defend!

Suddenly, something clicked. Your sword found innumerable gaps that hadn't existed before, while your opponent found themself facing a barbed wall of thorns, one ounce of your blood costing a liter of theirs! As much as your imaginary opponent began to improve to match, you were simply too strong, too clever, too hard to defeat for them to even stand a chance, even in your wildest dreams!

And then, just as your opponent finally falls, the moment fades.

Try as you might, you can't recreate what you felt. However, phantoms of that performance seem to be etched into the corner of your eye, and the feeling of your body's movement seems to persist as you go through the basic drills again -

+12 Martial! Limit Reached!

Temporary Perk [A Moment Beyond] Gained! +9 to Shattering The Limit: Martial once!

---

Background Critical Interrupt!

Your further thoughts are interrupted when you hear a voice cry out.

"Hello the camp!" you hear. You turn to the noise, one hand on your sword. "May I rest for a moment with you?" the voice echoes.

Learning: 72 Opposed: 62 - 5 (Proud) = 57

It only sounded like one person was trying to come in, so it probably wasn't an ambush; and besides, even if it was, you were pretty sure you could take them.

"Hello the traveler! You may, provided you show your face and sheathed weapon!" you say, watching his approach.

"Hello again," he bowed, yellow eyes peering out of a light face. "It is an honor to be recieved so kindly, fellow travelers. My name is Ou Yan, of a remarkably distant relation, and I thank you for allowing me to rest my feet here," he said.

[Trait: Perceptive]

Somehow, his fine silk clothes skillfully hidden under a worn-out traveling shawl made you more than a little skeptical of his "remarkably distant relation."

"It is an honor to meet you as well, Yan of the distant relation to Ou," you say, trying not to smirk. "I am Han Xiao, and I must beg your pardon for being unable to furnish you with much more than company."

He laughed.

"Do not worry, Han Xiao, company of a pearl such as yourself will be more than enough. Care for some tea?" he said.

You try to keep a straight flu-dammit.

"Thank you for your kind words, but I couldn't possibly impose on you," you say, voice trembling just slightly.

"It is no great imposition on me to share some dried leaves and cold water," he said. "Quite the opposite, it would be quite the imposition on you to force you to find more fuel to heat the water; I apologize for not offering to help find fuel."

"Oh no, it's no great imposi - oh. Clever, Ou Yan, clever," you say, sighing in defeat.

His high, trilling laugh seems somehow genuine and hollow and the same time to your ears.

"Do not flatter me too much, I was born and raised playing this silly game of verbal bows and scrapes. To be a simple woman and yet catch onto the heart of the game so quickly is the truly admirable trait," he said, producing two teacups, a pouch of tea leaves, and a teakettle. How he stored in in his sleeves would be a mystery for a later date. "I would be blessed to have a fraction of your natural talent."

You blushed. You...can't exactly deny that, can you?

"Thank you for your kind words," you say.

He laughed again.

"Beautiful, talented, and confident; my, what a dangerous combination," he smiled.

Your cheeks pink a little more, and you carefully stoke the fire to avoid looking at him.

Out of the corner of your eye, you notice Xin Jin coming back with more firewood.

"Hey, Xin Jin!" you cry out, waving to him.

"Hey, Han Xiao! Hey, handsome traveler!" he cried out.

"Hey, you said the words before I could!" Yan said in response. "Come on, join us for some tea, will you?"

Xin Jin laughed.

"I'm afraid you have me at a slight disadvantage! How am I supposed to graciously accept if I don't even know your name?" Xin Jin said.

"Ah, pardon me! My name is Ou Yan, of no great relation to the royals!" he said, as you mimicked bunching up your hair and putting a pin through it.

Xin Jin nodded in understanding, setting the firewood by you as he sat at a close distance away from Ou Yan.

"Then I thank you, kind friend, for your generous gift; would you please take these mere droppings for your tea?" Xin Jin began.

"Oh, but those are the droppings of fine silkworms; far too generous a gift in return for some simple leaves. I cannot take them in good conscience," Ou Yan says.

"Ah, you sell your fine tea leaves short! If I'm not mistaken..."

[Trait: Perceptive]

Yeah, you can see how this is going to play out. On the one hand, if you just continued to watch, you'd have to sit through the two of them endlessly bowing and scraping to each other instead of actually getting along. On the other hand, this was quite informative on the art of politely bullshitting flattering your counterpart, one might say.

[] Stop it
[] Just keep watching

---

The Tournament
Background Roll: 50
You entered Nanhu as a rumor.

MARTIAL: 100 OPPOSED: 63

Your first opponent, a local youth, is defeated in a single stroke.

The loose collection of people watching yawn.

MARTIAL: 100 OPPOSED: 5

Your second opponent is a man who found your blade at his throat before he could laugh twice.

His jeering friends fall silent, as a few brave souls cheer for you. The crowd is slightly bigger.

MARTIAL: 100 OPPOSED: 71
MARTIAL: 100 OPPOSED: 1

Your third opponent takes you seriously. Thus he falls in three moves, telegraphed cut into ground sweep into swordpoint at his throat.

The crowd goes silent. You can't really see an open hole in the ring anymore.

MARTIAL: 100 OPPOSED: 26

Your fourth opponent stares at you warily, so tense he can't possibly move. That's why he's caught by surprise when your blade suddenly tickles his chin.

"I-I yield!" you hear, for the fourth time that day. Satisfied, you step back, sheathe your sword, and salute him.

The village headman stares in shock. You look at him expectantly, hand on your hilt.

Shaking his head, he cries: "Han Xiao of Erse Village is the champion! Everyone -" "HAN XIAO! HAN XIAO! HAN XIAO!" the crowd roars.

You exit Nanhu village as the champion.

Xin Jin, incidentally, walked out like a wolf among sheep. If the amount he paid you to "shut up and let me enjoy my moment" was any indication, he was one fat wolf.

+50 Money!

Of course, you could sympathize somewhat; the prize purse did make a wonderful clinking sound.

+50 Reputation!
+150 Money!

At the same time, though, you wince; the damage to your Heavy Leathers was a bit unfortunate, considering how much of that was self-inflicted.

Heavy Leathers now Quality: 107

---

More to come tomorrow; I just wanted to get this out by the end of the day, even if it is a few hours later than the previous updates.

 

[veekie]

[X] Stop it

Comedy skit is nice but lets make actual friend

 

[Radvic]

[X] Just keep watching

Free Charisma lesson?

 

[araa]

[X] Just keep watching

 

[DarkKing98]

[X] Just keep watching

Now that tournament was just bullshit.

 

[wingstrike96]

[X] Stop it

Stat training is lesser than royal friend

 

[Sirapthy]

[X] Stop it

 

[TooSlow]

[X] Stop it

 

[BadAtScreenNames]

[X] Stop it

 

[hYGP]

[X] Stop it

---

You roll your eyes.

"Gentlemen," you project.

Both turn their heads to look at you, mid-bow.

Charisma: 80 Opposed: 78

"Both of you...have clearly demonstrated your virtue towards host and guest. Both of you can be argued to have moved past the point where refusal is virtuous and instead approach where your obseqeious demonstrations of virtue are in and of themselves lacking merit," you carefully construct.

Leadership: 72 Opposed: 81 - 10 (Passed Charisma Check) = 71

"So, in recognition of each other's virtue, you should just give the gifts you were intending to each other, and let the matter rest," you state firmly.

Both of them blink.

Ou Yan pulls Xin Jin in closer for a moment. The two whispered for a moment, and then shared a knowing look.

You tapped your foot.

The two nodded, and then at the same time handed over each other's gifts; "Han Xiao truly is wise," "Yeah, you're right, Han Xiao," the two echoed, and then looked at each other, and then laughed.

Your lips draw into a thin line. They weren't supposed to unite in laughing at you!

"Glad we got that sorted out," you say.

"So, if I might be so bold, what are you two traveling around for?" Ou Yan starts.

"I'm traveling as a merchant, and Han Xiao's my protection," Xin Jin cheerfully admits.

"Oh? Han Xiao is the strong one between the two of you?" Ou Yan says, hand covering his mouth in surprise.

[Trait: Proud]

"Yes, I am, and as the strong one I can speak for myself," you cut in, more than a little exasperated.

"Oh, I apologize, I mean no offense," Ou Yan waves off. "I'm just happy to see two other people that aren't content to be the spitting image of what the incestuous pool of Mencian scholarship deems to be fit for everyone," he says, voice level as if he was describing the noonday sun.


"Remarkably distant relation to the Ou," you say, eyebrow raised. Xin Jin mirrors your expression.

"Yes, yes, I suppose since you volunteered what you're all traveling on the road for, it is only right that I share what I'm traveling for: I'm traveling around visiting some family friends, and hoping to make some new ones along the way," he smiles.

"Uh-huh," you say, and share a knowing look with Xin Jin.

Sighing, you begin. "Since Xin Jin," you side-eye him,"has seen fit to introduce me as his helper, I thought I'd take the time to clear some things up: Yes, I am offering to protect him in exchange for traveling with his help, but I'm also journeying about to see the Kingdom as my father wished."

The air turns unexpectedly bitter.
SL: 2/10 Opposed: 2/10 (Perceptive + Charming)
"Yeah, though I think you're leaving off the bit where you plan on winning the Nanhu tournament," Xin Jin casually slides in.

[Trait: Perceptive]

You nod, ostensibly in agreement, but more to thank him for diverting the subject. Emotions flicker across Ou Yan's face for a moment, before his smile reappears.

"You plan on winning? Are you that confident?" he says.

[Trait: Proud]

"Yeah, pretty much," you shrug.

Yan laughed. "Well, let it not be said that Han Xiao lacks for confidence, and Xin Jin for charm. You two seem like interesting people, so I'll keep an ear out for you should I be lucky enough to hear of you again," he says.

You and Xin Jin share another knowing look.

"We'll do the same for you," you both say, shit-eating grin on both of your faces.

Ou Yan looks at your faces, and sighs, holding his palm to his forehead.

---

Marketplace
Background Roll: 99 + 3 (Heaven's Peripheral Vision) = 102 Critical Roll: 38 + 2 = 140
The region's whispers are traveling faster than the wind, you swear. Already when you show up, you hear whisperings of a terrifyingly strong woman with flame-red hair before they suddenly turn to you and know your name.

[Trait: Proud]

You are completely fine with this.

If you decide to buy/sell anything, please vote by plan.

For Sale:
Smoked Fish: Est. 5 Money
Fish Oil: Est. 50 Money
Cloak (Quality: 100): Est. 15 Money
Kitchenware (Quality: 100): Est. 30 Money
Knife (Quality: 100): Est. 15 Money
Sword (Quality: 250): Est. 60 Money
Sword (Quality: 350): Est. 100 Money
Saber (Quality: 150): Est. 30 Money
Spear (Quality: 200): Est. 25 Money
Heavy Leathers (Quality: 150): Est. 30 Money
Padded Shirt (Quality: 250): Est. 60 Money
Repair Leathers (Quality: 150): Est. 10 Money

Background Critical Interrupt!

Then you notice a strange caravan. And the man approaching you, offering something he was told to offer a specific red-haired woman:

Noble Set of Equipment:

• Sword (Quality: 500)
• Armor (Quality: 400)
• Regalia (Quality: 300)
• Banner (Quality: 200)
• Bundle of Spears 25x (Quality: 200)

Estimated Cost: One Small Favor, ???

Sell:
Damaged Leathers (Quality: 107): Est. 10 Money
Nearly New Sword (Quality: 250): Est. 80 Money

 

[veekie]

[X] Plan Plot Hook
-[X] Smoked Fish: Est. 5 Money x4
-[X] Repair Leathers (Quality: 150): Est. 10 Money
-[X] Noble Set of Equipment

 

[StarkDemise]

[X] Plan Plot Hook

 

[wingstrike96]

[X] Plan Plot Hook

 

[araa]

[X] Plan no Plot Hook
-[X] Smoked Fish: Est. 5 Money x4
-[X] Repair Leathers (Quality: 150): Est. 10 Money
-[X] Cloak (Quality: 100): Est. 15 Money
-[X] Knife (Quality: 100): Est. 15 Money

 

[TooSlow]

[X] Plan Plot Hook

 

[hYGP]

[X] Plan Plot Hook
-[X] Smoked Fish: Est. 5 Money x4
-[X] Repair Leathers (Quality: 150): Est. 10 Money
-[X] Noble Set of Equipment

Charisma: 80 Opposed: 38

Leadership: 72 Opposed: 35 - 15 (Charisma Check) = 20

Significant Cost Reduction! Due to low costs, Nanhu Market Relations and Emissary of Dong Gancai Relations improved!

---

"Hey, Xin Jin?" you start, long after Ou Yan left.

"Yeah?" Xin Jin asks, lazily turning his head to you.

"Thank you for...helping me in that conversation with Ou Yan," you say.

"Psh, don't thank me for that; it's only right to help out a friend in need," he says.

"In need?" you ask lightly.

to this, Xin Jin awkwardly scratches his head, blushing in embarassment; "Oh, uh, well, if it bothers you that much just call it...ah, a favor for not asking what else I was doing in Erse village earlier, yeah?"

"Then you're welcome for that," you imperiously deliver.

"Yes, your royal empress under the wide heavens," he drily shoots back.

"It is good that you recognize the difference in position between you and me," you sniffle sarcastically. "However, friends can call me Han Xiao."

"Yes, Mistress Han Xiao," he says, deeply bowing to you. Your lips are twitching. "Please forgive this unworthy servant of yours for incorrectly addressing a noble one such as yourself, Mistress Han Xiao."

You can't help it. You giggle first.

Both of you are bent over and wiping tears from your eyes within twenty heartbeats.

+1/10 Social Link with Xin Jin!

---

"Hail, traveler! Are you by chance the famous 'Han Xiao'?" the merchant asks.

Your hand drops to your sword.

[Trait: Perceptive]

But as you look over the merchant, you notice that robes are oddly expansive, and the merchant's stride awfully loose. Perhaps it would not be best to pick fights with someone who's capability you did not know, though you remained fairly confident in your ability still.

"Well met, traveler, though it appears as though you have me at a disadvantage," you carefully say.

"Oh, my apologies! I am Teng Jian, and I am here as an emissary of Duke Gancai, who sent me to find you! My lord is offering this entire wagon of rich equipment, provided you do him a small favor and meet him!"

You looked at the wagon, filled with weapons, and topped with a fine sword, armor, and regalia.

You blink.

"This...this is equipment fit for a minor lord," you slowly say.

"Lord Gancai was aware you might say that, but he told me to tell you that 'it is a small price to pay for a chance to meet a rising star'!"

You raise an eyebrow.

"He has enough resources to just send this to any rising talent?" you skeptically ask.

"He also told me that 'if you have any more questions, ask me in person AHAHAHAHAHA'!"

Teng Jian's enthusiasm was beginning to grow a little worrying for you. Along with a whole host of other issues.

Try to get a question answered?

[] [Teng] Don't ask a question
[] [Teng] Tell me more about the Duke
[] [Teng] ...how small is a small favor?

---

Well...things are about to get quite hectic. You needed to beat your way over to Duke Gancai's residence, meet with him, and then race your way back home to manage your own estate during the planting season.

Upon discussing this latest development with Xin Jin, the two of you have decided to temporarily part ways; you'll be traveling with Teng Jian to the Duke's estate, and somehow you find yourself surprisingly unsurprised that the Duke has also somehow managed to get his hands on a lightning fast chariot; Teng Jian assures you you'll be home for the planting season.

Due to A Small Favor Action, Traveling (Duke Gan Cai) Action, Traveling (Erse) Action, and Planting Crops Action, you have 1 Action. Spend it wisely.

[] Network (Charisma) You have no familial connections. That means you've got to create a network with your own abilities, and no one else's.
-[] Teng Jian This emissary of Duke Gancai...to be so young, and so trusted. Perhaps it is worth knowing him a little closer.
-[] Duke Gancai's Retainers If the implications that Teng Jian have been making are true...this might be the most talented group of people you'll get to meet.
[] Marketplace (Charisma+Leadership) Perhaps places other than a village with hardly any smiths and only swindling traveling merchants as weapon suppliers might have better wares, and better prices.
-[] Erse Village Marketplace
-[] Nanhu Village Marketplace
-[] The Estates of Gancai
[] Train (Specific Stat threshold) There is much you need to improve, if you wish to surpass your father.
[] SPECIAL EVENT: Traveling to Gancai's Estates [LOCKED] (1 Action) Teng Jian, upon hearing of your locomotive plight, has decided to help you get to Duke Gancai and back out, very, very quickly.
[] SPECIAL EVENT: A Small Favor [LOCKED] (1 Action) Duke Gancai has somehow heard of you, and has given you a king's ransom for free...save for this one "small" favor.
[] Return Home [LOCKED] (1 Action) Of course, because you didn't go home immediately you're now further borrowing from the generousity of Duke Gancai to manage your home in Erse Village. Of course.
[] Plant Crops [LOCKED] (1 Action) Your father's farm has become your farm. You won't let the cruelties of your life prevent you from doing the honest work to maintain it.

 

[veekie]

[X] [Teng] Tell me more about the Duke
[X] Network (Charisma) You have no familial connections. That means you've got to create a network with your own abilities, and no one else's.
-[X] Duke Gancai's Retainers If the implications that Teng Jian have been making are true...this might be the most talented group of people you'll get to meet.

 

[Radvic]

[X] [Teng] Tell me more about the Duke
[X] Network (Charisma) You have no familial connections. That means you've got to create a network with your own abilities, and no one else's.
-[X] Teng Jian This emissary of Duke Gancai...to be so young, and so trusted. Perhaps it is worth knowing him a little closer.

I'm ok with doubling down on just going after Teng Jian as a contact. I'll leave it to the next voter to break the tie.

 

[DarkKing98]

[X] [Teng] Tell me more about the Duke
[X] Network (Charisma) You have no familial connections. That means you've got to create a network with your own abilities, and no one else's.
-[X] Teng Jian This emissary of Duke Gancai...to be so young, and so trusted. Perhaps it is worth knowing him a little closer.

 

[araa]

[x] [Teng] ...how small is a small favor?
[X] Network (Charisma) You have no familial connections. That means you've got to create a network with your own abilities, and no one else's.
-[X] Duke Gancai's Retainers If the implications that Teng Jian have been making are true...this might be the most talented group of people you'll get to meet.

 

[DarkKing98]

I have to ask. Why the 20 spears?

 

[hYGP]

I have to ask. Why the 20 spears?

Click to shrink...

Learning: 72 Opposed: 78 - 15 (Perceptive)

You stop and think.

Dad had taken you aside once and explained the basic military units to you; all the way from 5 man squad to a 25000 strong army. From this perspective, it becomes fairly obvious what the spears are for; Duke Gancai wants you to begin looking into creating a 25 Man brigade.

 

[DarkKing98]

Then we're missing five spears. Still though, if that's what he wants we may know what the 'small favor' is now.

Wonder if there's a time limit.