A man makes a deal after death so that he has a chance to see his loved ones again. In accepting the deal he becomes the object of a bet between mysterious god-like figures. He is given a document to fill out that lets him obtain vast powers. Which he uses to become the best farmer he can become with the available resources.
Cultivation Do You Mean Farming?
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Chapter 1
Chapter 1
I find myself floating in a dark void, and I feel weirdly calm. I'm not breathing, but something is. I can feel its breath hitting the back of my neck. Before I address that I feel I must address what led me to this point. The last thing I remember before appearing in this place is the feeling of my lungs filling with blood after I was stabbed by a would-be mugger. He must have been upset to learn I only had 20$ in my wallet, but I think murdering me was a major overreaction.
I gotta say so far the afterlife is a major disappointment. I was raised to believe I would see pearly gates and get to meet my family. With nothing else to do I start to reminisce about my life. I was an orphan raised in the local orphanage. I had a pretty alright childhood compared to what you would expect from tv. I never went hungry, I was educated, and I had friends. I was adopted when I was 13 by an older lesbien couple. They treated me like I was their own blood and flesh. Their names were Margaret and Elise, and I can't help but smile as I think of them. Unfortunately they died in a car crash when I was 16. I am still thankful of our time together. Honestly I was hoping to see them again.
After they passed I didn't want to go into the foster system so I got a job and applied for emancipation. My first job was to work at the local plant nursery. The owner was a friend of Margret's, their name was Arrow, and they were nice enough to hire me, even though I had no experience. I eventually learned to enjoy taking care of the plants. I worked that job all through high school. Speaking of, I was able to complete high school and even managed to get into college on a scholarship at the local college. I was majoring in agriculture. Granted I only got to go for a couple of weeks before the mugging event happened. Was it so much to ask to go on a milk run after nine?
It's as I think this last thought that the breathing behind me stops for a moment before I feel arms drape across my shoulders and a deep reverberating chuckle shakes its way through the being behind me. "Yes you'll do just fine. You see mortal in exchange of your name I'll let you be the object of a bet of mine. You'll get to live again, get great even godlike power. All you have to do is give up your name and then fill out a form of my choosing and I'll make it reality. If you play your cards right my brother might even let you see your loved ones again. What do you say mortal?"
And suddenly I can speak again. First things first I have to at least try to find out. "Can you tell me what the bet is?"
"Ah ah ah that would tilt the results. Nice try though. Now I'll only ask one more time. Do we have a deal?"
"Yes you can have my name, it's _______ ________." Upon trying to say my name all that comes out is a wheezing breath. Needless to say I'm a bit freaked out even through the calming features of this space.
"Excellent. Ah the taste is exquisite." After the being says that I hear a snapping sound and there is light shining on a podium in front of me. On the podium is a sheet of parchment of some kind as well as an old-fashioned quill made from a large black feather. "Go ahead and fill out the form."
Looking at the page I see it says The Elder Scrolls: Daedra Jump Doc. I remember the daedra from skyrim. They were something like demons and they had their own gods called daedric princes. First option is Affiliation. I chose Independent as I don't want to be involved with any of the daedric princes. Mind not all of them are evil but even the 'good' ones have alien mindsets. If I had to pick one to serve I would pick Meridia who seems to hate the undead with a burning passion, except I don't like fighting. Next I skip location to go to Daedric Morphotype I chose to be a Daedric Prince myself as it gives me the freedom to pick three domains. For my three domains I pick Agriculture, Domestication, and Crafting. I'll be the Daedric Prince of farming. I've wanted my own farm since my first job.
Before picking Perks I decide to pick my Drawbacks so that I can tell how much I have to spend. As I look through the options I quickly spot what may be a way to game the system. It's called Supplement Mode. It gives 0 points but lets me use this form as a supplement to another document of my choosing. So at the very least I won't have to deal with other daedra. Next I pick Extended Stay which I take nine times so that I will stay in total for 100 years. I'm sure my moms wouldn't mind the wait considering I don't know what happens at the end of the time. Doing this gives me nine hundred points which considering I started with a thousand, and spent six hundred on becoming a Daedric Prince, I now have thirteen hundred.
For Perks I start with General Perks. I of course take the freebie of Orchestra Of Oblivion which gives me a mental playlist of songs from The Elder Scrolls. Then I pick Daedric Tongues which makes me really good at picking up languages. After that is Elemental which makes me take half damage from something of my choice. I chose poison. Daedric Summon which gives me a spell that can summon me it will take a lot of skill for anyone to use since I'm a Daedric Prince but my Companions seem to be able to do it automatically. I also pick up Immortal Vestige which makes me come back from death once every ten years. After that I pick Nymic which gives me two magicly important names that can be used to invoke me, as well as making me harder to magically control. The last General perk I pick is Liminal Bridges which makes me able to cross any boundaries including dimensional boundaries, and makes it so I can't stay sealed if I at least put in effort to escape. After General Perks I pick my discounted perks from being Independent. I take the freebie of Vigilant which makes me do three times as much damage to daedra and demonic beings. The only other Independent Perk I pick is Heart Of The World which lets me tie my existence and soul into an item object or place and as long as the thing I imbue it into exists I will reform from death indefinitely. The only other Perk I pick is from the Hircine tree called The Hunt which makes me good at hunting, tracking, skinning and gives me increased patience.
For Items I chose Daedric Resources which gives me fifty of whatever resource is unique to Oblivion that replenishes every week. The second Item I pick is Daedric Realm which comes with Daedric Prince and gives me a whole plane within Oblivion that I can design to my hearts content and it's a little larger than Tamriel. For Independent Items I only take the freebie called Divine Amulets which gives me nine blessed amulets. My last two hundred points I spend half on Orichalcum and Daedric Spider Silk giving me one hundred orichalcum ingots which will replenish every week, as well as a silk roll made from daedric spiders that is finer and stronger than any mortal silk and it replenishes when used.
Companions I only get the freebies of Atronach Mount and Holy Executioner which gives me respectively a mount made of an element of my choosing and a Companion who specializes in hunting evil daedra.
As soon as I finish the paper the light goes out and I hear rustling which must be my benefactor reading though the paper. I can tell the moment they spy my little trick as there is a bellowing laugh before I hear "So you found a way to cheat the system did you. Fine I'll allow it, I did say I would make the document come true after all, and I don't go back on my word. But It never says you in particular get to pick. So I'll still choose where you'll go. You won't get to fill out another form though. And I think I'll let it be a surprise where you will go."
I find myself floating in a dark void, and I feel weirdly calm. I'm not breathing, but something is. I can feel its breath hitting the back of my neck. Before I address that I feel I must address what led me to this point. The last thing I remember before appearing in this place is the feeling of my lungs filling with blood after I was stabbed by a would-be mugger. He must have been upset to learn I only had 20$ in my wallet, but I think murdering me was a major overreaction.
I gotta say so far the afterlife is a major disappointment. I was raised to believe I would see pearly gates and get to meet my family. With nothing else to do I start to reminisce about my life. I was an orphan raised in the local orphanage. I had a pretty alright childhood compared to what you would expect from tv. I never went hungry, I was educated, and I had friends. I was adopted when I was 13 by an older lesbien couple. They treated me like I was their own blood and flesh. Their names were Margaret and Elise, and I can't help but smile as I think of them. Unfortunately they died in a car crash when I was 16. I am still thankful of our time together. Honestly I was hoping to see them again.
After they passed I didn't want to go into the foster system so I got a job and applied for emancipation. My first job was to work at the local plant nursery. The owner was a friend of Margret's, their name was Arrow, and they were nice enough to hire me, even though I had no experience. I eventually learned to enjoy taking care of the plants. I worked that job all through high school. Speaking of, I was able to complete high school and even managed to get into college on a scholarship at the local college. I was majoring in agriculture. Granted I only got to go for a couple of weeks before the mugging event happened. Was it so much to ask to go on a milk run after nine?
It's as I think this last thought that the breathing behind me stops for a moment before I feel arms drape across my shoulders and a deep reverberating chuckle shakes its way through the being behind me. "Yes you'll do just fine. You see mortal in exchange of your name I'll let you be the object of a bet of mine. You'll get to live again, get great even godlike power. All you have to do is give up your name and then fill out a form of my choosing and I'll make it reality. If you play your cards right my brother might even let you see your loved ones again. What do you say mortal?"
And suddenly I can speak again. First things first I have to at least try to find out. "Can you tell me what the bet is?"
"Ah ah ah that would tilt the results. Nice try though. Now I'll only ask one more time. Do we have a deal?"
"Yes you can have my name, it's _______ ________." Upon trying to say my name all that comes out is a wheezing breath. Needless to say I'm a bit freaked out even through the calming features of this space.
"Excellent. Ah the taste is exquisite." After the being says that I hear a snapping sound and there is light shining on a podium in front of me. On the podium is a sheet of parchment of some kind as well as an old-fashioned quill made from a large black feather. "Go ahead and fill out the form."
Looking at the page I see it says The Elder Scrolls: Daedra Jump Doc. I remember the daedra from skyrim. They were something like demons and they had their own gods called daedric princes. First option is Affiliation. I chose Independent as I don't want to be involved with any of the daedric princes. Mind not all of them are evil but even the 'good' ones have alien mindsets. If I had to pick one to serve I would pick Meridia who seems to hate the undead with a burning passion, except I don't like fighting. Next I skip location to go to Daedric Morphotype I chose to be a Daedric Prince myself as it gives me the freedom to pick three domains. For my three domains I pick Agriculture, Domestication, and Crafting. I'll be the Daedric Prince of farming. I've wanted my own farm since my first job.
Before picking Perks I decide to pick my Drawbacks so that I can tell how much I have to spend. As I look through the options I quickly spot what may be a way to game the system. It's called Supplement Mode. It gives 0 points but lets me use this form as a supplement to another document of my choosing. So at the very least I won't have to deal with other daedra. Next I pick Extended Stay which I take nine times so that I will stay in total for 100 years. I'm sure my moms wouldn't mind the wait considering I don't know what happens at the end of the time. Doing this gives me nine hundred points which considering I started with a thousand, and spent six hundred on becoming a Daedric Prince, I now have thirteen hundred.
For Perks I start with General Perks. I of course take the freebie of Orchestra Of Oblivion which gives me a mental playlist of songs from The Elder Scrolls. Then I pick Daedric Tongues which makes me really good at picking up languages. After that is Elemental which makes me take half damage from something of my choice. I chose poison. Daedric Summon which gives me a spell that can summon me it will take a lot of skill for anyone to use since I'm a Daedric Prince but my Companions seem to be able to do it automatically. I also pick up Immortal Vestige which makes me come back from death once every ten years. After that I pick Nymic which gives me two magicly important names that can be used to invoke me, as well as making me harder to magically control. The last General perk I pick is Liminal Bridges which makes me able to cross any boundaries including dimensional boundaries, and makes it so I can't stay sealed if I at least put in effort to escape. After General Perks I pick my discounted perks from being Independent. I take the freebie of Vigilant which makes me do three times as much damage to daedra and demonic beings. The only other Independent Perk I pick is Heart Of The World which lets me tie my existence and soul into an item object or place and as long as the thing I imbue it into exists I will reform from death indefinitely. The only other Perk I pick is from the Hircine tree called The Hunt which makes me good at hunting, tracking, skinning and gives me increased patience.
For Items I chose Daedric Resources which gives me fifty of whatever resource is unique to Oblivion that replenishes every week. The second Item I pick is Daedric Realm which comes with Daedric Prince and gives me a whole plane within Oblivion that I can design to my hearts content and it's a little larger than Tamriel. For Independent Items I only take the freebie called Divine Amulets which gives me nine blessed amulets. My last two hundred points I spend half on Orichalcum and Daedric Spider Silk giving me one hundred orichalcum ingots which will replenish every week, as well as a silk roll made from daedric spiders that is finer and stronger than any mortal silk and it replenishes when used.
Companions I only get the freebies of Atronach Mount and Holy Executioner which gives me respectively a mount made of an element of my choosing and a Companion who specializes in hunting evil daedra.
As soon as I finish the paper the light goes out and I hear rustling which must be my benefactor reading though the paper. I can tell the moment they spy my little trick as there is a bellowing laugh before I hear "So you found a way to cheat the system did you. Fine I'll allow it, I did say I would make the document come true after all, and I don't go back on my word. But It never says you in particular get to pick. So I'll still choose where you'll go. You won't get to fill out another form though. And I think I'll let it be a surprise where you will go."
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
From one moment to the next I find myself suddenly outside of the void I previously inhabited. I find myself under blue skies in a rather familiar looking clearing which looks the same as the forest I used to go hiking with my moms. Considering that I don't think the entity would drop me off back on Earth I must be in my Daedric Realm. I also feel a weight on my head and feeling along my scalp I find what feels like smooth horns growing off the side of my head. I'll have to find some water to look at my reflection later for now I can tell my skin is the same tan shade it was before and I appear to look the same aside from the horns and my legs which end in fur and cloven hoofs. I'm also wearing what feels like an itchy sackcloth tunic, and trousers.
After putting aside my investigation of my changes I decide to use my Heart Of The World Perk to bind my soul to my Daedric Realm so that I can come back from the dead as long as it exists. I think of using the Perk, and I feel the strange sensation of my soul starting to resonate with the world, then I feel a click, and I just know it is done.
Now that that is taken care of it's time to hunt down something to eat. Literally if I can't find some forage. I might eventually end up having to go outside of my realm to see if I can't get some seeds or cuttings so I can start my farm properly. As I scan the ground for tracks and plants I can't help but feel like I'm forgetting something.
______________________________________________________________________________
Bjorn Holy Executioner
I'd almost think I was on Nirn still rather than an unfamiliar plane of Oblivion if it weren't for feeling the familiar gulf between myself and the Nine Divines. I still can't believe I accepted that deal from that voice in the dark. I mean my only other option was to stay dead and be trapped in The Hunting Grounds. It's where I died after all. How humiliating to be caught only to be hunted for sport though I did manage to take quite a few of my adversaries with me. The deal was to follow a new daedric prince or spend eternity as a chew toy for werebeasts and daedra. Obviously I was skeptical but when I heard what their chosen domains were I decided they weren't a threat to Nirn and accepted the deal. The only proof I have of the deal being in place aside from my new environment is the knowledge of how to summon the Daedric Prince Of Farming.
Honestly I'm unsure of my future. I've been trained to be a warrior since I was young. Being raised by Viligents of Stendarr. I don't know how I'd handle a life of farming. Honestly I'm hoping he won't try to stop me from continuing my duties. I guess there is only one way to find out what they are going to want from me. I'll have to summon them.
______________________________________________________________________________
Unnamed Daedric Prince
I managed to weave together a passable basket from long grass I found by the nearby river, and I've filled it with various wild plants that I know as edible. Mostly root vegetables, but I also managed to get some berries including black berries. It's as I straighten my back from grabbing a couple of oyster mushrooms for the basket, that I feel a strange tugging sensation before my view suddenly changes.
I find myself standing in front of a panting man with blonde hair and green eyes. He also has two swords strapped to his hips. "Hoo it took a lot more out of me to summon you than I expected. I'm Bjorn, I've been sworn into your service. I only ask that you let me continue serving the nine divines alongside serving you."
Ah improv. Theater class don't fail me now. "I have no qualms about the divines. You may continue your service to them as long as you don't harm me or mine."
At this he visibly relaxes. He must have been worried I would make him give up his faith. Now that my attention is not drawn to the man before me I can see that we stand just outside a cave, and in the dirt under my feet is a pentagram with a daedric script scrawled about the points of the star. That must have been part of the ritual to summon me.
Oh crap I just realized I never gave him a name to call me, and I don't have a name to give. In my panic I just say the first thing that pops into my mind. "You may call me Farmer Joe." I'd facepalm if I didn't have an audience.
______________________________________________________________________________
Bjorn
That's a rather peculiar name for a daedra, let alone a daedric prince. Ah well he can be called what he wants to be. I'm just glad I don't have to worship the nine in secret even if my soul is ensnared by a daedra. Better him than Hircine. Mind he looks rather human for a daedra. If it weren't for the reptilian eyes, ox like horns, and hoofs, he would look just like a rather light skinned redguard on the cusp of becoming a man.
______________________________________________________________________________
Farmer Joe
Looking around it appears the sun is, I want to say, setting but it appears to be dimming into a moon. That strangeness aside, I think it's a good time to take shelter inside the cave and have my foraged dinner. I'll even be nice and share with Bjorn. "Bjorn, let's take shelter for the night. This cave seems to be a fine enough spot for the time being." I enter the cave with Bjorn following behind.
When I enter the cave proper I see this is where my Items ended up. I can see stacked at the back of the cave is what must be 100 ingots of a greenish gray metal, a large spool of silk, and a large chest that must contain all the items from Daedric Resources. Now all that's missing is the Atronach Mount but I have a feeling they will turn up tomorrow.
A few hours later me and Bjorn ate about half of the contents of my basket. Which weirdly looks as good as it did when I first made it. Maybe it has something to do with my domain of crafting. Bjorn is conked out on a pile of leaves and dirt in the corner but I strangely don't feel the least bit tired.
I am so bored. I guess I could go exploring the world my realm is linked to. It's not like I can die permanently so I may as well do at least a little scouting. I can get there with the Liminal Bridges Perk. As soon as I think I actually want to go there I can feel myself shift along an unknown axis that I think may be a higher dimension, and I find myself in another forest. Though I can see hanging lights along the branches. It reminds me of the scene of a festival, but the lights appear natural. Soon I notice an odd quality to the air. It reminds me a little of the magicka I've felt since I arrived in my realm, but it has an odd almost physical feeling to it. I can even feel some of it entering my body as I breathe. Magicka doesn't enter your body through the lungs and I can almost feel this strange energy gathering below where my belly button should be. Which I note for later is missing.
Before I can get too used to this strange energy I can feel something approaching, from the sheer amount of the energy spilling out from this thing. I contemplate running but have to ask myself why. I can't be killed, or trapped permanently. So what can it do to me? From out of the brush comes a child of indeterminate gender. If it weren't for the sheer amount of energy coming off of them I might have relaxed at the sight.
"@#$%^ ^%$#@?" The thing in the shape of a kid asks me something in a language I don't recognise and cocks its head at me. I shrug hoping that some gestures are universal and point at my ears before shaking my head.
______________________________________________________________________________
??????????????
What an interesting creature has appeared in my forest. If you go by looks alone it appears to be some kind of ox beastman. Only no ox beastman would look so human. If you go by my other senses it's a spirit of somekind somehow walking three Daos though I can't quite make out what they are individually. It also appears to have qi starvation but if that's the case how can it walk the Dao let alone somehow walk three. Unfortunately we seem to have a communication problem. As in it somehow doesn't speak the language of spirits which we spirits are born knowing. What an interesting puzzle.
From one moment to the next I find myself suddenly outside of the void I previously inhabited. I find myself under blue skies in a rather familiar looking clearing which looks the same as the forest I used to go hiking with my moms. Considering that I don't think the entity would drop me off back on Earth I must be in my Daedric Realm. I also feel a weight on my head and feeling along my scalp I find what feels like smooth horns growing off the side of my head. I'll have to find some water to look at my reflection later for now I can tell my skin is the same tan shade it was before and I appear to look the same aside from the horns and my legs which end in fur and cloven hoofs. I'm also wearing what feels like an itchy sackcloth tunic, and trousers.
After putting aside my investigation of my changes I decide to use my Heart Of The World Perk to bind my soul to my Daedric Realm so that I can come back from the dead as long as it exists. I think of using the Perk, and I feel the strange sensation of my soul starting to resonate with the world, then I feel a click, and I just know it is done.
Now that that is taken care of it's time to hunt down something to eat. Literally if I can't find some forage. I might eventually end up having to go outside of my realm to see if I can't get some seeds or cuttings so I can start my farm properly. As I scan the ground for tracks and plants I can't help but feel like I'm forgetting something.
______________________________________________________________________________
Bjorn Holy Executioner
I'd almost think I was on Nirn still rather than an unfamiliar plane of Oblivion if it weren't for feeling the familiar gulf between myself and the Nine Divines. I still can't believe I accepted that deal from that voice in the dark. I mean my only other option was to stay dead and be trapped in The Hunting Grounds. It's where I died after all. How humiliating to be caught only to be hunted for sport though I did manage to take quite a few of my adversaries with me. The deal was to follow a new daedric prince or spend eternity as a chew toy for werebeasts and daedra. Obviously I was skeptical but when I heard what their chosen domains were I decided they weren't a threat to Nirn and accepted the deal. The only proof I have of the deal being in place aside from my new environment is the knowledge of how to summon the Daedric Prince Of Farming.
Honestly I'm unsure of my future. I've been trained to be a warrior since I was young. Being raised by Viligents of Stendarr. I don't know how I'd handle a life of farming. Honestly I'm hoping he won't try to stop me from continuing my duties. I guess there is only one way to find out what they are going to want from me. I'll have to summon them.
______________________________________________________________________________
Unnamed Daedric Prince
I managed to weave together a passable basket from long grass I found by the nearby river, and I've filled it with various wild plants that I know as edible. Mostly root vegetables, but I also managed to get some berries including black berries. It's as I straighten my back from grabbing a couple of oyster mushrooms for the basket, that I feel a strange tugging sensation before my view suddenly changes.
I find myself standing in front of a panting man with blonde hair and green eyes. He also has two swords strapped to his hips. "Hoo it took a lot more out of me to summon you than I expected. I'm Bjorn, I've been sworn into your service. I only ask that you let me continue serving the nine divines alongside serving you."
Ah improv. Theater class don't fail me now. "I have no qualms about the divines. You may continue your service to them as long as you don't harm me or mine."
At this he visibly relaxes. He must have been worried I would make him give up his faith. Now that my attention is not drawn to the man before me I can see that we stand just outside a cave, and in the dirt under my feet is a pentagram with a daedric script scrawled about the points of the star. That must have been part of the ritual to summon me.
Oh crap I just realized I never gave him a name to call me, and I don't have a name to give. In my panic I just say the first thing that pops into my mind. "You may call me Farmer Joe." I'd facepalm if I didn't have an audience.
______________________________________________________________________________
Bjorn
That's a rather peculiar name for a daedra, let alone a daedric prince. Ah well he can be called what he wants to be. I'm just glad I don't have to worship the nine in secret even if my soul is ensnared by a daedra. Better him than Hircine. Mind he looks rather human for a daedra. If it weren't for the reptilian eyes, ox like horns, and hoofs, he would look just like a rather light skinned redguard on the cusp of becoming a man.
______________________________________________________________________________
Farmer Joe
Looking around it appears the sun is, I want to say, setting but it appears to be dimming into a moon. That strangeness aside, I think it's a good time to take shelter inside the cave and have my foraged dinner. I'll even be nice and share with Bjorn. "Bjorn, let's take shelter for the night. This cave seems to be a fine enough spot for the time being." I enter the cave with Bjorn following behind.
When I enter the cave proper I see this is where my Items ended up. I can see stacked at the back of the cave is what must be 100 ingots of a greenish gray metal, a large spool of silk, and a large chest that must contain all the items from Daedric Resources. Now all that's missing is the Atronach Mount but I have a feeling they will turn up tomorrow.
A few hours later me and Bjorn ate about half of the contents of my basket. Which weirdly looks as good as it did when I first made it. Maybe it has something to do with my domain of crafting. Bjorn is conked out on a pile of leaves and dirt in the corner but I strangely don't feel the least bit tired.
I am so bored. I guess I could go exploring the world my realm is linked to. It's not like I can die permanently so I may as well do at least a little scouting. I can get there with the Liminal Bridges Perk. As soon as I think I actually want to go there I can feel myself shift along an unknown axis that I think may be a higher dimension, and I find myself in another forest. Though I can see hanging lights along the branches. It reminds me of the scene of a festival, but the lights appear natural. Soon I notice an odd quality to the air. It reminds me a little of the magicka I've felt since I arrived in my realm, but it has an odd almost physical feeling to it. I can even feel some of it entering my body as I breathe. Magicka doesn't enter your body through the lungs and I can almost feel this strange energy gathering below where my belly button should be. Which I note for later is missing.
Before I can get too used to this strange energy I can feel something approaching, from the sheer amount of the energy spilling out from this thing. I contemplate running but have to ask myself why. I can't be killed, or trapped permanently. So what can it do to me? From out of the brush comes a child of indeterminate gender. If it weren't for the sheer amount of energy coming off of them I might have relaxed at the sight.
"@#$%^ ^%$#@?" The thing in the shape of a kid asks me something in a language I don't recognise and cocks its head at me. I shrug hoping that some gestures are universal and point at my ears before shaking my head.
______________________________________________________________________________
??????????????
What an interesting creature has appeared in my forest. If you go by looks alone it appears to be some kind of ox beastman. Only no ox beastman would look so human. If you go by my other senses it's a spirit of somekind somehow walking three Daos though I can't quite make out what they are individually. It also appears to have qi starvation but if that's the case how can it walk the Dao let alone somehow walk three. Unfortunately we seem to have a communication problem. As in it somehow doesn't speak the language of spirits which we spirits are born knowing. What an interesting puzzle.
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Farmer Joe
The thing in the shape of a child doesn't seem to hold any ill will towards me. If anything it seems awfully curious. It keeps talking to me even though I couldn't understand it, but I'm starting to get some basic understanding of the words. This has to be the work of the Daedric Tongues Perk, making it easier to learn new languages. Their most repeated phrase, if I'm understanding right, means 'What are you?'. I don't yet know how to answer them, and not just because I don't yet know the words. I doubt they have daedra here and daedra aren't necessarily equivalent to demons. If anything, being a daedric prince would make me equivalent to a minor god.
Another thing that's confusing me is the child keeps referring to themselves as if they themself is the forest. They are very chattie though. I don't think I would have learned so many words if they weren't. We're currently sitting across from each other in the space between two trees while they prattle on.
"My fruit releases light when it's not ripe and thus not ready to be eaten. Which is why it's confusing that the humans who come here seem to want the unripe fruit rather than the good fruit. All the other animals wait until the fruit stops producing light but not the humans. Sure they eat the ripe fruit but only a little and they gather the unripe fruit by the bucket full." My understanding has advanced by quite a bit from all his talking.
I think it's time to break my silence. I have to find out about where to get some crops from after all. "Where humans come from?" While I can understand the language now I seem to have bad grammar due to inexperience in speaking it.
"Oh so you can talk. Not well but you can talk. I have so many questions. Though to be nice I'll answer yours first. Humans come from the gate in that direction." He says while pointing to his left. " Oh I have an idea, let's take turns asking questions you went first so it's my turn. Where did you come from? To me it just felt like you appeared out of nowhere."
I guess I'll play along. I want more information after all. But how do I answer this question with my limited vocabulary. "I come from home. Other place not this forest other forest, other ground, other sun, other moon." There that should do it
______________________________________________________________________________
?????????
Did he just tell me he's from another world? Oh come to think of it I think I heard the humans talking about this sort of thing. He must be from a pocket realm, maybe he's an item spirit of an inner world ring. The humans made it sound like those were rare and valuable. Maybe he's looking for a master? I'd ask but it's his turn.
"Why gate? Thought this was a wild place."
"Oh no, I'm an orchard. It's why there are only my trees in the area." Now it's my turn to ask. "What kind of spirit are you?"
"Daedric prince." At this he says a word in a language I've never heard before. It's not the language the humans who take care of me speak, nor is it Spirit Tongue. It's what he says after saying the foreign word that really confuses me though. He called himself a prince. That's a human thing. We spirits are mostly solitary creatures. I'm only different because I grew up surrounded by humans. Thankfully he goes on to explain. "Small god of farm." Though the explanation only confuses me more. How could he be a god when he doesn't have any cultivation?
______________________________________________________________________________
Farmer Joe
Our conversation goes on for some time before I notice the sun is high in the sky and it's no longer night. "Time for me to go home. Goodbye, let's talk again."
They look a little disappointed but they say "Yes it was nice meeting you. You should come back some time to have a chat." Then they seem to come to a realization. "We never exchanged names. I'm Light-Plum Orchard. You can call me Little Plum, What's your name?"
I guess I gotta go with consistency. "I'm Farmer Joe." And with that I activate my Perk and leave.
Next thing I know a sword is being swung in towards my neck before its course changes, and it goes over my head. About gave me a heart attack.
"Where did you come from?!?!" Apparently it almost gave Bjorn a heart attack as well. After he catches his breath he says. "Sorry I went outside to see where you went and then you suddenly appeared behind me. Usually when something sneaks up on me like that it's trying to kill me."
"I'll mark out a spot to appear at then. That way you'll know where to expect sudden appearances. Can't have you lose your edge after all." I think I can forgive him so easily because, for one it was my fault, and two he can't have done too much damage. "Speaking about appearing, how did you travel around Oblivion?"
"I use an enchanted ring to open portals between realms. Why do you ask? It wouldn't work to get you into Mundus as it won't let you pass the Dragonfires."
Wait, does he still think we're connected to Mundus? We're not, though I guess I'll have to break the news to him. I hope he doesn't take it too hard. "We're not connected to Mundus. I just came back from the realm we are connected to and it was not any part of Mundus. The entity that tied us together sent my realm outside of Oblivion and Mundus."
He looks worried now. "Surely you jest. It's not kind of you to play with me like this." When I start to show pity on my face he looks devastated. "I knew there had to be a trick to that deal, but I thought I would still be in reach of my gods, not damned to be away from all existence."
"Well I already have confirmation that there are humans on the plane we are connected to. So at least there is that."
"I think I must be alone for a while." After saying this he walks off into the woods. I'll let him have some time to himself.
So I have nothing better to do, so let's go looking for humans in the world my realm is connected to. I should also bring something to trade. I think I'll carry a few ingots of orichalcum as a unique metal should be quite valuable. Three should be enough.
______________________________________________________________________________
Qiao Yang Guard captain of the orchard gate
The forest spirit of the orchard came to the gate with a strange man ox thing, saying their friend wanted to make a trade. So I sent a servant off to get reinforcements. This creature must have gotten past the wards. They have even managed to get the spirits' trust. The young miss will not be happy.
______________________________________________________________________________
Farmer Joe
I was able to get Little Plum to introduce me to the people outside of his orchard. They sent off someone, maybe so they could get a translator so that Little Plum doesn't have to play interpreter.
Soon I see many men and women in armor running this way. This doesn't look like a welcoming party. Let's see how this plays out. "Little Plum let me go with them. I'll talk to you later."
"You are under arrest for trespassing and attempting to pollute the mind of the Light-Plum Clan's forest spirit!" Luckly they spoke in the language of spirits to tell me this as Little Plum hasn't had time to teach me the language they were speaking earlier.
Within an hour I find myself in a cell beneath the earth. To get here we passed a few buildings that wouldn't look out of place in medieval china. The building I find myself in has many strange writings along its stone walls. I suppose they are magic of some sort otherwise why decorate a prison like so.
______________________________________________________________________________
Qiao Huan Young Miss of the Light-Plum Clan
I heard a strange man managed to sneak into the orchard. Currently I'm looking at the unusual metal he had with him when he was arrested. Across from me is my cousin Qiao Bai who is the family appraiser and who currently looks absolutely befuddled. "What's the matter? It's something worthless that scammer was trying to pass off as treasure isn't it?"
"I've never seen anything like it. It hardly has any qi in it but is as strong as spirit steel. Maybe he really was here to trade. Though it is beyond me why he would try to initiate trade after trespassing and speaking to our forest spirit. Maybe he thought if he won the spirits trust he would have ours."
Farmer Joe
The thing in the shape of a child doesn't seem to hold any ill will towards me. If anything it seems awfully curious. It keeps talking to me even though I couldn't understand it, but I'm starting to get some basic understanding of the words. This has to be the work of the Daedric Tongues Perk, making it easier to learn new languages. Their most repeated phrase, if I'm understanding right, means 'What are you?'. I don't yet know how to answer them, and not just because I don't yet know the words. I doubt they have daedra here and daedra aren't necessarily equivalent to demons. If anything, being a daedric prince would make me equivalent to a minor god.
Another thing that's confusing me is the child keeps referring to themselves as if they themself is the forest. They are very chattie though. I don't think I would have learned so many words if they weren't. We're currently sitting across from each other in the space between two trees while they prattle on.
"My fruit releases light when it's not ripe and thus not ready to be eaten. Which is why it's confusing that the humans who come here seem to want the unripe fruit rather than the good fruit. All the other animals wait until the fruit stops producing light but not the humans. Sure they eat the ripe fruit but only a little and they gather the unripe fruit by the bucket full." My understanding has advanced by quite a bit from all his talking.
I think it's time to break my silence. I have to find out about where to get some crops from after all. "Where humans come from?" While I can understand the language now I seem to have bad grammar due to inexperience in speaking it.
"Oh so you can talk. Not well but you can talk. I have so many questions. Though to be nice I'll answer yours first. Humans come from the gate in that direction." He says while pointing to his left. " Oh I have an idea, let's take turns asking questions you went first so it's my turn. Where did you come from? To me it just felt like you appeared out of nowhere."
I guess I'll play along. I want more information after all. But how do I answer this question with my limited vocabulary. "I come from home. Other place not this forest other forest, other ground, other sun, other moon." There that should do it
______________________________________________________________________________
?????????
Did he just tell me he's from another world? Oh come to think of it I think I heard the humans talking about this sort of thing. He must be from a pocket realm, maybe he's an item spirit of an inner world ring. The humans made it sound like those were rare and valuable. Maybe he's looking for a master? I'd ask but it's his turn.
"Why gate? Thought this was a wild place."
"Oh no, I'm an orchard. It's why there are only my trees in the area." Now it's my turn to ask. "What kind of spirit are you?"
"Daedric prince." At this he says a word in a language I've never heard before. It's not the language the humans who take care of me speak, nor is it Spirit Tongue. It's what he says after saying the foreign word that really confuses me though. He called himself a prince. That's a human thing. We spirits are mostly solitary creatures. I'm only different because I grew up surrounded by humans. Thankfully he goes on to explain. "Small god of farm." Though the explanation only confuses me more. How could he be a god when he doesn't have any cultivation?
______________________________________________________________________________
Farmer Joe
Our conversation goes on for some time before I notice the sun is high in the sky and it's no longer night. "Time for me to go home. Goodbye, let's talk again."
They look a little disappointed but they say "Yes it was nice meeting you. You should come back some time to have a chat." Then they seem to come to a realization. "We never exchanged names. I'm Light-Plum Orchard. You can call me Little Plum, What's your name?"
I guess I gotta go with consistency. "I'm Farmer Joe." And with that I activate my Perk and leave.
Next thing I know a sword is being swung in towards my neck before its course changes, and it goes over my head. About gave me a heart attack.
"Where did you come from?!?!" Apparently it almost gave Bjorn a heart attack as well. After he catches his breath he says. "Sorry I went outside to see where you went and then you suddenly appeared behind me. Usually when something sneaks up on me like that it's trying to kill me."
"I'll mark out a spot to appear at then. That way you'll know where to expect sudden appearances. Can't have you lose your edge after all." I think I can forgive him so easily because, for one it was my fault, and two he can't have done too much damage. "Speaking about appearing, how did you travel around Oblivion?"
"I use an enchanted ring to open portals between realms. Why do you ask? It wouldn't work to get you into Mundus as it won't let you pass the Dragonfires."
Wait, does he still think we're connected to Mundus? We're not, though I guess I'll have to break the news to him. I hope he doesn't take it too hard. "We're not connected to Mundus. I just came back from the realm we are connected to and it was not any part of Mundus. The entity that tied us together sent my realm outside of Oblivion and Mundus."
He looks worried now. "Surely you jest. It's not kind of you to play with me like this." When I start to show pity on my face he looks devastated. "I knew there had to be a trick to that deal, but I thought I would still be in reach of my gods, not damned to be away from all existence."
"Well I already have confirmation that there are humans on the plane we are connected to. So at least there is that."
"I think I must be alone for a while." After saying this he walks off into the woods. I'll let him have some time to himself.
So I have nothing better to do, so let's go looking for humans in the world my realm is connected to. I should also bring something to trade. I think I'll carry a few ingots of orichalcum as a unique metal should be quite valuable. Three should be enough.
______________________________________________________________________________
Qiao Yang Guard captain of the orchard gate
The forest spirit of the orchard came to the gate with a strange man ox thing, saying their friend wanted to make a trade. So I sent a servant off to get reinforcements. This creature must have gotten past the wards. They have even managed to get the spirits' trust. The young miss will not be happy.
______________________________________________________________________________
Farmer Joe
I was able to get Little Plum to introduce me to the people outside of his orchard. They sent off someone, maybe so they could get a translator so that Little Plum doesn't have to play interpreter.
Soon I see many men and women in armor running this way. This doesn't look like a welcoming party. Let's see how this plays out. "Little Plum let me go with them. I'll talk to you later."
"You are under arrest for trespassing and attempting to pollute the mind of the Light-Plum Clan's forest spirit!" Luckly they spoke in the language of spirits to tell me this as Little Plum hasn't had time to teach me the language they were speaking earlier.
Within an hour I find myself in a cell beneath the earth. To get here we passed a few buildings that wouldn't look out of place in medieval china. The building I find myself in has many strange writings along its stone walls. I suppose they are magic of some sort otherwise why decorate a prison like so.
______________________________________________________________________________
Qiao Huan Young Miss of the Light-Plum Clan
I heard a strange man managed to sneak into the orchard. Currently I'm looking at the unusual metal he had with him when he was arrested. Across from me is my cousin Qiao Bai who is the family appraiser and who currently looks absolutely befuddled. "What's the matter? It's something worthless that scammer was trying to pass off as treasure isn't it?"
"I've never seen anything like it. It hardly has any qi in it but is as strong as spirit steel. Maybe he really was here to trade. Though it is beyond me why he would try to initiate trade after trespassing and speaking to our forest spirit. Maybe he thought if he won the spirits trust he would have ours."
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Farmer Joe
I'm seriously considering just leaving the jail with the help of my Perk, but before I give up on getting to talk to someone the door to my cell opens and in walks a woman around 20 years of age along with some guards.
______________________________________________________________________________
Qiao Huan Young Miss of the Light-Plum Clan
Seeing the creature that supposedly wants to trade with us I can't help but think him strange. He has the horns and hoofs of an ox, the eyes of a snake, and the head and body of a human. He is apparently a foreigner based on the color of his skin. I can only think he's a half-beastman.
Seeing as he is probably a foreigner I open up in the language of spirits seeing as it's used as the language of cultivators, and traders. "You claim to have come to trade and yet you trespassed into our carefully cultivated lands and are suspected of trying to subvert a spirit under our protection. What do you have to say for your transgressions?"
He looks confused for a moment before saying "I can understand being in trouble for trespassing, but is it a crime to speak to a spirit?" He now looks like he finds something funny. "Cause if it is, then I've got some bad news for you."
"Wait, you can't possibly mean to say you are a spirit! I suggest that you tell the truth. If your goal is realy to trade then you gain nothing from lying." He barely has any qi. What kind of spirit has so little qi. Their bodys are literally formed from concentrated qi. If he was going to lie then at least he could have come up with a more believable lie. The only way it could be true was if he was an item spirit that hadn't had a master and was starving, but he didn't have any items on him that could have been his true-body, and spirits can't go too far from thier bodys. Not to mention he would be fading and appear as a ghost.
"I am a spirit. I'm just not from this world. My realm was recently attached to this reality. It was created by a being beyond my comprehension. Instead of qi my realm has access to magicka." I don't understand that last word but he just keeps making more and more outrageous claims. Next thing you know he is going to claim to be a god.
"If you are really not from this world how did you get here? We would have noticed if you had landed a sky-ship in our territory."
"I used a power that was gifted to me to travel here. If you give me your hand we can see if I can take passengers. Either it works and we visit my realm or it doesn't and you see me disappear. In both cases I think it at least proves I'm not lying about everything."
It feels like a trap but the wards of the room are suppressing all qi flow, and with so little qi he shouldn't have progressed far in bodily cultivation, so it should be safe enough. "Fine but if it doesn't happen as you said, then you leave us with no choice but for you to be judged by the elders for your crimes against the clan." Saying this I quickly warn my guards before grabbing his hand.
______________________________________________________________________________
Bjorn
I returned to the hill that houses the cave and am now sitting at the cave entrance watching the space Farmer Joe previously appeared from. I'm still grieving my world but I am a man of action and I need to find some kind of purpose, or I'll go mad. I'll have to talk to Farmer Joe about it when he returns. I can only hope he truly cares for my well being or at least wants to pretend.
From one moment to the next where once was an empty space now stands two figures, Farmer Joe and a woman who appears to be of a race of men I've never encountered before. She has hair as black as night and eyes that match. Meanwhile she wears a dress the like I've never seen before.
She also appears to be very much surprised by her surroundings. "You didn't kidnap a maiden did you my lord?" He better have a good answer or I'll rebel.
______________________________________________________________________________
Farmer Joe
"No, I didn't kidnap her. She is here by her own will. She wanted me to show proof I am what I claimed to be." If anything, her people had kidnaped me. "I should probably take her back now but we can talk later."
______________________________________________________________________________
Qiao Huan
I can't believe he was actually able to bring me to another world with such ease. And feeling with my spirit sense I realize there isn't any qi, besides what I breath out, but another energy entirely. Maybe his claims aren't so far-fetched after all.
I find myself with a surprised reverence for the completeness of the realm. The sheer wealth and power that must have gone into making the realm boggles the mind, add in that it must have been done without qi and it just seems impossible. At the very least it lends credence to much of what he said.
I'm brought out of my pondering by him addressing me. "Can I have your hand?" I start as for a second I think he is asking to marry me, before he continues. "I think it's time to go. Before you're people start to miss you."
"Before we go back, I would like to apologize for how we have treated you so far. As it is apparent you are truly new to our world, you had no way to know of our laws and the boundaries of our properties. I will see to it that you are treated as a guest moving forward." Saying this I offer a small bow, then rise accepting his outstretched hand.
I feel the same tugging sensation I felt when he brought me to his realm, and find myself back in one of our warded prison cells. I can see my guards visibly relax as they see I've returned unharmed, but before they can say anything I announce "His claims have been proven true. Therefore he is no longer our prisoner but our guest." It's only after making this proclamation that I realize we never asked his name, or title. This can't be allowed to stand. Among cultivators to not know the name, or title of a guest is a great insult.
Hopefully he doesn't take offense when I must ask for his name. We can't afford to offend him as he has a whole realm potentially full of valuables not seen in our world. "Honored guest if you would be so kind as to share your name, or your title. I Qiao Huan of the Light-Plum Clan, apologize for not asking sooner."
He seems almost reluctant to say his name before firming his resolve and saying "You can call me Farmer Joe." His name takes me aback but I'm able to school my features. Joe is obviously a foreign name, but for his family name to be Farmer is he born from peasants? But wait he said he was a spirit of some kind, so he shouldn't have a family. Did he choose his name? If so, why pick the family name of Farmer? Maybe he is a domestic spirit of some kind.
As I ponder such things It takes me a moment to realize we are still standing in a jail cell and I quickly direct my guards to open the door. "Farmer Joe please allow me to lead you to the guest quarters while I send a servant to fetch your merchandise."
______________________________________________________________________________
Farmer Joe
I now find myself in a rather comfortably appointed guest room which is a step up from my first accommodations here. They even sent a servant with a trey laden with food. Weirdly all the food they brought was vegetarian but they were all full of qi.
After eating I can feel some of the qi from the food sink below my stomach to pool around where my diaphragm is. After enough of it has gathered I can feel it sort of clicking in place, and can feel myself start to produce a small amount. Less than I breathe out with every breath, but I don't think I can run out now. Not without using it at least. This suggests to me that qi is contagious. I wonder if it will spread through the animals, and plants of my realm.
I was told that I would get to meet the clan appraiser and the young miss tomorrow morning to discuss what I want to trade for the orichalicum I brought along. I wonder how surprised they will be when I ask for supplies for farming.
Farmer Joe
I'm seriously considering just leaving the jail with the help of my Perk, but before I give up on getting to talk to someone the door to my cell opens and in walks a woman around 20 years of age along with some guards.
______________________________________________________________________________
Qiao Huan Young Miss of the Light-Plum Clan
Seeing the creature that supposedly wants to trade with us I can't help but think him strange. He has the horns and hoofs of an ox, the eyes of a snake, and the head and body of a human. He is apparently a foreigner based on the color of his skin. I can only think he's a half-beastman.
Seeing as he is probably a foreigner I open up in the language of spirits seeing as it's used as the language of cultivators, and traders. "You claim to have come to trade and yet you trespassed into our carefully cultivated lands and are suspected of trying to subvert a spirit under our protection. What do you have to say for your transgressions?"
He looks confused for a moment before saying "I can understand being in trouble for trespassing, but is it a crime to speak to a spirit?" He now looks like he finds something funny. "Cause if it is, then I've got some bad news for you."
"Wait, you can't possibly mean to say you are a spirit! I suggest that you tell the truth. If your goal is realy to trade then you gain nothing from lying." He barely has any qi. What kind of spirit has so little qi. Their bodys are literally formed from concentrated qi. If he was going to lie then at least he could have come up with a more believable lie. The only way it could be true was if he was an item spirit that hadn't had a master and was starving, but he didn't have any items on him that could have been his true-body, and spirits can't go too far from thier bodys. Not to mention he would be fading and appear as a ghost.
"I am a spirit. I'm just not from this world. My realm was recently attached to this reality. It was created by a being beyond my comprehension. Instead of qi my realm has access to magicka." I don't understand that last word but he just keeps making more and more outrageous claims. Next thing you know he is going to claim to be a god.
"If you are really not from this world how did you get here? We would have noticed if you had landed a sky-ship in our territory."
"I used a power that was gifted to me to travel here. If you give me your hand we can see if I can take passengers. Either it works and we visit my realm or it doesn't and you see me disappear. In both cases I think it at least proves I'm not lying about everything."
It feels like a trap but the wards of the room are suppressing all qi flow, and with so little qi he shouldn't have progressed far in bodily cultivation, so it should be safe enough. "Fine but if it doesn't happen as you said, then you leave us with no choice but for you to be judged by the elders for your crimes against the clan." Saying this I quickly warn my guards before grabbing his hand.
______________________________________________________________________________
Bjorn
I returned to the hill that houses the cave and am now sitting at the cave entrance watching the space Farmer Joe previously appeared from. I'm still grieving my world but I am a man of action and I need to find some kind of purpose, or I'll go mad. I'll have to talk to Farmer Joe about it when he returns. I can only hope he truly cares for my well being or at least wants to pretend.
From one moment to the next where once was an empty space now stands two figures, Farmer Joe and a woman who appears to be of a race of men I've never encountered before. She has hair as black as night and eyes that match. Meanwhile she wears a dress the like I've never seen before.
She also appears to be very much surprised by her surroundings. "You didn't kidnap a maiden did you my lord?" He better have a good answer or I'll rebel.
______________________________________________________________________________
Farmer Joe
"No, I didn't kidnap her. She is here by her own will. She wanted me to show proof I am what I claimed to be." If anything, her people had kidnaped me. "I should probably take her back now but we can talk later."
______________________________________________________________________________
Qiao Huan
I can't believe he was actually able to bring me to another world with such ease. And feeling with my spirit sense I realize there isn't any qi, besides what I breath out, but another energy entirely. Maybe his claims aren't so far-fetched after all.
I find myself with a surprised reverence for the completeness of the realm. The sheer wealth and power that must have gone into making the realm boggles the mind, add in that it must have been done without qi and it just seems impossible. At the very least it lends credence to much of what he said.
I'm brought out of my pondering by him addressing me. "Can I have your hand?" I start as for a second I think he is asking to marry me, before he continues. "I think it's time to go. Before you're people start to miss you."
"Before we go back, I would like to apologize for how we have treated you so far. As it is apparent you are truly new to our world, you had no way to know of our laws and the boundaries of our properties. I will see to it that you are treated as a guest moving forward." Saying this I offer a small bow, then rise accepting his outstretched hand.
I feel the same tugging sensation I felt when he brought me to his realm, and find myself back in one of our warded prison cells. I can see my guards visibly relax as they see I've returned unharmed, but before they can say anything I announce "His claims have been proven true. Therefore he is no longer our prisoner but our guest." It's only after making this proclamation that I realize we never asked his name, or title. This can't be allowed to stand. Among cultivators to not know the name, or title of a guest is a great insult.
Hopefully he doesn't take offense when I must ask for his name. We can't afford to offend him as he has a whole realm potentially full of valuables not seen in our world. "Honored guest if you would be so kind as to share your name, or your title. I Qiao Huan of the Light-Plum Clan, apologize for not asking sooner."
He seems almost reluctant to say his name before firming his resolve and saying "You can call me Farmer Joe." His name takes me aback but I'm able to school my features. Joe is obviously a foreign name, but for his family name to be Farmer is he born from peasants? But wait he said he was a spirit of some kind, so he shouldn't have a family. Did he choose his name? If so, why pick the family name of Farmer? Maybe he is a domestic spirit of some kind.
As I ponder such things It takes me a moment to realize we are still standing in a jail cell and I quickly direct my guards to open the door. "Farmer Joe please allow me to lead you to the guest quarters while I send a servant to fetch your merchandise."
______________________________________________________________________________
Farmer Joe
I now find myself in a rather comfortably appointed guest room which is a step up from my first accommodations here. They even sent a servant with a trey laden with food. Weirdly all the food they brought was vegetarian but they were all full of qi.
After eating I can feel some of the qi from the food sink below my stomach to pool around where my diaphragm is. After enough of it has gathered I can feel it sort of clicking in place, and can feel myself start to produce a small amount. Less than I breathe out with every breath, but I don't think I can run out now. Not without using it at least. This suggests to me that qi is contagious. I wonder if it will spread through the animals, and plants of my realm.
I was told that I would get to meet the clan appraiser and the young miss tomorrow morning to discuss what I want to trade for the orichalicum I brought along. I wonder how surprised they will be when I ask for supplies for farming.
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Farmer Joe
It turns out I can sleep. It is just that sleep is completely voluntary for me. I only fell asleep when I got bored and decided to try sleeping last night. I guess that Daedric Princes don't need sleep, but are completely capable of it.
After breakfast, (which was completely vegetarian like dinner was) I was led to a meeting room. Waiting for me was Qiao Huan, alongside a woman who bears a strong resemblance to Qiao Huan, only she is shorter and has hazel eyes instead of black. She is probably their family appraiser I was told would be at this meeting. After they both stand and give short bows to me, which I return, we sit down at a table that has my three bars of metal resting on it. After we sit the as yet unnamed appraiser pours everyone a cup of tea. She pours the tea starting with Huan's, then my own, then hers, which must have held some kind of symbolic importance given how serious she seems to take it.
It is only after everyone has taken a sip of the quite refreshing tea, that Huan starts the discussion. "First let me introduce Qiao Bai. As you should have been informed, she is our family's appraiser. As she is the expert I will let her speak as to the value your metal can serve the clan."
"Unfortunately our branch of the clan does not have access to a blacksmith skilled enough to make use of this metal, without needing to perform many experiments, to get a feel for the metals properties. Which would require a great deal more of the metal than you have brought with you." She genuinely looks regretful for a second before, brightening and saying "However we do have membership to an auction house in the nearby city of Fire's Breath. So we could arrange for the metal to be sold in a month's time, and we would only take a twenty percent cut for using our connections."
She looks so happy with herself that I feel reluctant to burst her bubble. "I'm afraid I'm in a bit more of a hurry, and am in need of items instead of money. Would it be possible to barter and pass ownership to your clan, so that I can get these items more quickly?"
After seeking Huan's approval she says "While you would surely make more profit if we went through the auction, we would be willing to barter with you. As long as you don't need anything either illegal or outside of our reach. We would be willing to trade up to materials or items of up to, three hundred low-grade spirit stones worth."
I don't know if this is a good deal but it does sound like it, and if they try to cheat me it will bite them later. Not to mention that I have more of the metal than I can use, and will get replacements for what I do end up using every week. "Before I agree to the deal I have one more condition. I want blanket permission to visit Little Plum whenever I want to in the future. They were the first to show me kindness in this world after all."
______________________________________________________________________________
Qiao Bai
He truly must have hit it off with our forest spirit, rather than trying to deceive the poor thing. "I can't grant that condition without getting the permission of the main branch, but to be allowed to call our spirit by a pet name is a sign of friendship, and trust. We don't want to make any promises that we can't keep, but we can receive an answer when they reply to our report on these matters. Can you accept without asking for permissions we can't give?"
"I suppose I must, but I don't like how you are treating my fellow spirit. Why must they be isolated?" He seems to be somewhat upset with us.
This is where Huan speaks up as the conversation has drifted from trade to matters she is better suited to address. "It's for their own protection I assure you. There are those who would love nothing more than to use them as a cultivation resource. Even if you ignore that that would be a grave insult to us as we are sworn to protect them, it would harm our livelihood. As our clan is in a mutually beneficial relationship with Light-Plum forest spirits. We plant their forest, provide protection, and cultivation resources, and the potency, health, and thus the usefulness of the Light-Plums goes up. And we only have such restrictive policies because our spirit is young and hasn't progressed far enough in their cultivation to be able to protect themselves." Hearing this he seems to relax greatly.
With that taken care of, Huan gives me a look and it seems it's time to iron out the details of our deal. But first he asks "What do you use the light-plums for? Little Plum seemed to think you weren't eating them because you collect the unripe ones."
"It's no secret that we turn them into lanterns. If you pickle the unripe plums then you can feed them qi and they will produce light. We sell different versions of these lanterns based on the purpose they will be used for. For individuals we sell ones with a simple formation which you can fill with qi which will hold about four hours of qi at a time. For cases where the lanterns will be still, we make ones that can draw on the qi in their environment to keep going for decades."
"Now that we have satisfied your curiosity, all we need to discuss is what items you want to trade for the metal. Could you give a general overview on what you would like to receive so we can see what we can do for you?"
"Sure for the most part I'm looking for everything necessary for setting up a farm in what might as well be a frontier. By this I of course mean my realm." He seems serious. I don't think my ears are failing me. He really brought forth never before seen treasure worth who knows how many spirit stones on auction, and he wants something that could be bought with mortal currencies. We'll have to give him the most luxurious versions of everything available. And we still will have an overabundance of resourses owed to him.
"And what would you like with the rest of your credit? You have two hundred and ninety low grade spirit stones worth. That is if you are okay spending an entire ten low grade spirit stones on getting a farm, a house, and the workers hired to set them up." I was expressly told to give him a fair deal. It's an investment in the future. If we cheat him we lose him as a long term resource.
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Farmer Joe
So as it turns out the metal is worth a lot more than I gave it credit for. I wonder how they would react if they knew I had a hundred bars, and more on the way.
Now that the farm is taken care of I have to figure out what to do with the rest of my wealth. Maybe I should try to finance a village in my realm. That way I don't have to do everything myself. For example maybe I could nurture a blacksmith until they can forge orichalcum tools and weapons. Something about this greatly interests me. It's like some instinct is itching away in the back of my head. Alright I am decided. I will see if they will help me finance a village. "I would like to use the rest of my credit to finance as many people willing to move into my realm as you are able to recruit, within my budget of course."
They exchange a look before Huan takes over saying with some regret "It was already a stretch to get workers to build your farm. That is why it will be as expensive as six of the ten low grade spirit stones you will be spending to hire them. And that is with us sending trusted servants to do the job. Simply put, only the desperate and the unreasonably brave would be willing to go to an unknown world, let alone live there."
She goes quiet for a moment as we sip at our tea before making an aha face. "Though I may have a solution to the problem, if you are willing to accept refugees. There was a nearby village that angered a tyrannical local power, and had their protectors crippled, as well as all of their structures destroyed. Normally this would be a death sentence for the villagers as no one nearby would be willing to upset this group but you don't even live in the same world as the ones who would be offended and could offer shelter to these villagers with impunity. On our part we could finance the relocation, and rebuilding of the village, and because we aren't only a local power our main branch could shield us from any repercussions of this action. What do you say? Are you willing to go with this idea?"
"Before I agree, can I know what they did to offend this 'local power' as well as who this 'local power' is?" For all I know it could have been a village of bandits or something.
"Surely. There was a blight that swept through their fields and destroyed their crops, thus they were unable to pay the 'protection money' that the Bone Marrow Mercenary Corps demands that the surrounding villages under their 'protection' pay. Thankfully they don't dare to pull this with the villages under our protection, but we can't yet afford to protect every village in the region, at least not this early."
"I'd be willing to take them in. It sounds like I would be doing a good deed, as well as getting what I want."
Farmer Joe
It turns out I can sleep. It is just that sleep is completely voluntary for me. I only fell asleep when I got bored and decided to try sleeping last night. I guess that Daedric Princes don't need sleep, but are completely capable of it.
After breakfast, (which was completely vegetarian like dinner was) I was led to a meeting room. Waiting for me was Qiao Huan, alongside a woman who bears a strong resemblance to Qiao Huan, only she is shorter and has hazel eyes instead of black. She is probably their family appraiser I was told would be at this meeting. After they both stand and give short bows to me, which I return, we sit down at a table that has my three bars of metal resting on it. After we sit the as yet unnamed appraiser pours everyone a cup of tea. She pours the tea starting with Huan's, then my own, then hers, which must have held some kind of symbolic importance given how serious she seems to take it.
It is only after everyone has taken a sip of the quite refreshing tea, that Huan starts the discussion. "First let me introduce Qiao Bai. As you should have been informed, she is our family's appraiser. As she is the expert I will let her speak as to the value your metal can serve the clan."
"Unfortunately our branch of the clan does not have access to a blacksmith skilled enough to make use of this metal, without needing to perform many experiments, to get a feel for the metals properties. Which would require a great deal more of the metal than you have brought with you." She genuinely looks regretful for a second before, brightening and saying "However we do have membership to an auction house in the nearby city of Fire's Breath. So we could arrange for the metal to be sold in a month's time, and we would only take a twenty percent cut for using our connections."
She looks so happy with herself that I feel reluctant to burst her bubble. "I'm afraid I'm in a bit more of a hurry, and am in need of items instead of money. Would it be possible to barter and pass ownership to your clan, so that I can get these items more quickly?"
After seeking Huan's approval she says "While you would surely make more profit if we went through the auction, we would be willing to barter with you. As long as you don't need anything either illegal or outside of our reach. We would be willing to trade up to materials or items of up to, three hundred low-grade spirit stones worth."
I don't know if this is a good deal but it does sound like it, and if they try to cheat me it will bite them later. Not to mention that I have more of the metal than I can use, and will get replacements for what I do end up using every week. "Before I agree to the deal I have one more condition. I want blanket permission to visit Little Plum whenever I want to in the future. They were the first to show me kindness in this world after all."
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Qiao Bai
He truly must have hit it off with our forest spirit, rather than trying to deceive the poor thing. "I can't grant that condition without getting the permission of the main branch, but to be allowed to call our spirit by a pet name is a sign of friendship, and trust. We don't want to make any promises that we can't keep, but we can receive an answer when they reply to our report on these matters. Can you accept without asking for permissions we can't give?"
"I suppose I must, but I don't like how you are treating my fellow spirit. Why must they be isolated?" He seems to be somewhat upset with us.
This is where Huan speaks up as the conversation has drifted from trade to matters she is better suited to address. "It's for their own protection I assure you. There are those who would love nothing more than to use them as a cultivation resource. Even if you ignore that that would be a grave insult to us as we are sworn to protect them, it would harm our livelihood. As our clan is in a mutually beneficial relationship with Light-Plum forest spirits. We plant their forest, provide protection, and cultivation resources, and the potency, health, and thus the usefulness of the Light-Plums goes up. And we only have such restrictive policies because our spirit is young and hasn't progressed far enough in their cultivation to be able to protect themselves." Hearing this he seems to relax greatly.
With that taken care of, Huan gives me a look and it seems it's time to iron out the details of our deal. But first he asks "What do you use the light-plums for? Little Plum seemed to think you weren't eating them because you collect the unripe ones."
"It's no secret that we turn them into lanterns. If you pickle the unripe plums then you can feed them qi and they will produce light. We sell different versions of these lanterns based on the purpose they will be used for. For individuals we sell ones with a simple formation which you can fill with qi which will hold about four hours of qi at a time. For cases where the lanterns will be still, we make ones that can draw on the qi in their environment to keep going for decades."
"Now that we have satisfied your curiosity, all we need to discuss is what items you want to trade for the metal. Could you give a general overview on what you would like to receive so we can see what we can do for you?"
"Sure for the most part I'm looking for everything necessary for setting up a farm in what might as well be a frontier. By this I of course mean my realm." He seems serious. I don't think my ears are failing me. He really brought forth never before seen treasure worth who knows how many spirit stones on auction, and he wants something that could be bought with mortal currencies. We'll have to give him the most luxurious versions of everything available. And we still will have an overabundance of resourses owed to him.
"And what would you like with the rest of your credit? You have two hundred and ninety low grade spirit stones worth. That is if you are okay spending an entire ten low grade spirit stones on getting a farm, a house, and the workers hired to set them up." I was expressly told to give him a fair deal. It's an investment in the future. If we cheat him we lose him as a long term resource.
______________________________________________________________________________
Farmer Joe
So as it turns out the metal is worth a lot more than I gave it credit for. I wonder how they would react if they knew I had a hundred bars, and more on the way.
Now that the farm is taken care of I have to figure out what to do with the rest of my wealth. Maybe I should try to finance a village in my realm. That way I don't have to do everything myself. For example maybe I could nurture a blacksmith until they can forge orichalcum tools and weapons. Something about this greatly interests me. It's like some instinct is itching away in the back of my head. Alright I am decided. I will see if they will help me finance a village. "I would like to use the rest of my credit to finance as many people willing to move into my realm as you are able to recruit, within my budget of course."
They exchange a look before Huan takes over saying with some regret "It was already a stretch to get workers to build your farm. That is why it will be as expensive as six of the ten low grade spirit stones you will be spending to hire them. And that is with us sending trusted servants to do the job. Simply put, only the desperate and the unreasonably brave would be willing to go to an unknown world, let alone live there."
She goes quiet for a moment as we sip at our tea before making an aha face. "Though I may have a solution to the problem, if you are willing to accept refugees. There was a nearby village that angered a tyrannical local power, and had their protectors crippled, as well as all of their structures destroyed. Normally this would be a death sentence for the villagers as no one nearby would be willing to upset this group but you don't even live in the same world as the ones who would be offended and could offer shelter to these villagers with impunity. On our part we could finance the relocation, and rebuilding of the village, and because we aren't only a local power our main branch could shield us from any repercussions of this action. What do you say? Are you willing to go with this idea?"
"Before I agree, can I know what they did to offend this 'local power' as well as who this 'local power' is?" For all I know it could have been a village of bandits or something.
"Surely. There was a blight that swept through their fields and destroyed their crops, thus they were unable to pay the 'protection money' that the Bone Marrow Mercenary Corps demands that the surrounding villages under their 'protection' pay. Thankfully they don't dare to pull this with the villages under our protection, but we can't yet afford to protect every village in the region, at least not this early."
"I'd be willing to take them in. It sounds like I would be doing a good deed, as well as getting what I want."