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Even Further Beyond [Complete]
- Thread starter Rihaku
- Start date
- Original
Lackey Selection & Adventure Result
Rihaku
The Internet
The winning option is [X] Southern Vane. Let's hope you find the Heroine! Don't forget, your two benefits for forming an Adventuring Party are Teleportation and Lieutenants.
In the meantime, however, you must decide which 2 Lackeys you have encountered in your last years at the Yong estate. The ones you do not pick will not be present in your Backstory, though they may still reside in this world...
---
[ ] The Quiet Professional - Huai is not a nice man, but he was by far the most powerful Dao Protector your father could arrange that remains both loyal and discreet. While he will not act unless your life is in danger, he can be bribed to action with massive (even for you) sums of money or treasures relevant to a Cultivator of the late Reality Forming Stage. Stealthy as a living shadow, he is trained in Yong Elemental Arts and can perform the Fist Counter, a weak version of your Grandfather's signature technique. It is capable of rending most esoteric effects, improving your chances of escape if trapped instead of killed.
Unique Feature - Power - He is a Cultivator at the apex of the Reality Forming Stage.
*Unobtrusive, you won't know he's there
*You get the feeling he vaguely dislikes you - tied to the Spoiled trait
*By far the most powerful companion, though unlikely to increase in power unless you make an active effort
*If made a Lieutenant, does increase in power but at a reduced rate
*If you pay him, he'll do even the dirtiest of jobs without complaint
[ ] The Sidekick - Sun Jiarong has been your loyal and dependable Lackey since the age of ten. An inveterate yes-man, spineless and without shame, he is nonetheless fanatically devoted to you and you alone. Despite his abject character, he is a surprisingly dangerous combatant with a frankly alarming arsenal of Forbidden Techniques. He is more than familiar with the shadowy operations you have performed over the years and can be trusted to handle moderately complex tasks with something approaching professionalism.
Unique Feature - Bro For Life - It is impossible for him to be turned against you. Not even mind control or the signing of ineffable contracts can do so. At most, he would be rendered inactive due to internal conflict between his mind and body.
*A teen your age, rather oily and unpleasant to behold, in the mid Ego Barrier stage.
*Forbidden Techniques allow him to hit far (1/2 stage) above his weight class, though you won't be able to learn most of them.
*Loyal unto death and beyond, he would literally never betray you. Near-elf levels of resolve when it comes to keeping your secrets
*If he is empowered, in time he has the potential to become a very dangerous Cultivator, capable of murdering enemies a full stage above his own
*Really quite adept at begging for his life, he might convince easily-flattered enemies to spare you
*His family is a vassal of Yong's
[ ] The Fangirl - Ren Yongxing ("call me Xing!") is an elegant, highly cerebral, intelligent, poised and articulate young woman - except in your presence. Exposure to you causes her to devolve into a babbling mess, but you're confident she can overcome this problem in time. Gifted with a near-genius level IQ and an appetite for literature that rivals your own, she is an efficient and inspired administrator that has solved logistical challenges even you have struggled with.
Unique Feature - Within My Calculations - Very sporadically generates Mastermind Points.
*Will never be capable in battle, Lieutenant raises her competence
*Of common birth, completely unsuitable for marriage to you
*Does not consume cultivation materials, leaving more for you
*Adept at creative problem-solving in non-violent situations
*Until or if she overcomes her crush, you will have difficulty issuing orders to her in person
[ ] The Noble Lady - Ming Xiaoling has deigned to allow you to escort her for a tour of the Southern Provinces. She is a Cultivator of some skill, and is very interested in pursuing ancient Legacies and Secret Dungeons. As a fellow member of the Great Clans, her influence is the equal or superior of your own. Finicky, exceptionally beautiful, cantankerous and spoiled, she insists on traveling with her overlarge luggage and despises camping out. As she has no real female friends and Nameless is one of the few peers that can handle her, she is somewhat loyal to him if only out of necessity.
Unique Feature - Line of Ming - To stand against one Great House is ill-conceived; to stand against two is folly.
*Her father is the Patriarch of Ming, she only has one elder sister. She is third in line to the Trade Throne of Ming
*She may be a quarter-elf, with all the benefits and disadvantages that entails.
*Apex of the Ego Barrier Stage, knows the secret arts of Ming. Pretty useful both in and out of combat.
*Suspicious and perceptive, sixth sense for ill intentions and will help you talk through complex social situations
*She also adds the Coffers of Ming to relevant trade checks, greatly heightening your purchasing power for major items.
*Gets along well with Nameless
*Her cattiness demoralizes other female Lackeys
[ ] The Genius - Kong Suizhen is a prodigy of the Age, having attained the peak of Organ Refining at only 14. Her skill with a blade is matched only by her ruthlessness in battle. Despite this, she has a pleasant and even-tempered disposition, though sometimes prone to an unsettling level of focus. She enjoys, but is embarrassingly bad at, flower arrangement, tea ceremonies, and other traditional pursuits of the noble lady. She seems indifferent to Cultivation, yet practices it with a mercilessness and drive that borders on insanity.
Unique Feature - Heaven-Sent - Accelerates advancement speed, stacks with Lieutenant.
*She hails from an obscure and disfavored branch of Kong whose fief was devoured by monsters; marriage would be scandalous
*Believes in truth, justice, and the Imperial Way
*Completely useless outside of combat, will spend literally all her time training
*A master of Forbidden Techniques killed her father; stridently opposes those who would use them. Can entangle you in pointless battles. She is hesitant to name this enemy, but he is likely the nemesis she trains to kill.
*Middling loyalty to Nameless, finds him intriguing but less important than training
By default, both Lackeys will be made into Lieutenants as soon as you start adventuring. Let me know if you would prefer to reserve a Lieutenant slot for later. Loyalty can always change, except for Jiarong.
Discussion and fanworks have unlocked 3 bonus options for this vote:
[ ] +1 Mastermind Point
[ ] Second: <Character> - Unlocks the second unique feature for a character. They will become your Second, your prime Lieutenant!
[ ] A Gift from Father - What's inside this mysterious box?
In the meantime, however, you must decide which 2 Lackeys you have encountered in your last years at the Yong estate. The ones you do not pick will not be present in your Backstory, though they may still reside in this world...
---
[ ] The Quiet Professional - Huai is not a nice man, but he was by far the most powerful Dao Protector your father could arrange that remains both loyal and discreet. While he will not act unless your life is in danger, he can be bribed to action with massive (even for you) sums of money or treasures relevant to a Cultivator of the late Reality Forming Stage. Stealthy as a living shadow, he is trained in Yong Elemental Arts and can perform the Fist Counter, a weak version of your Grandfather's signature technique. It is capable of rending most esoteric effects, improving your chances of escape if trapped instead of killed.
Unique Feature - Power - He is a Cultivator at the apex of the Reality Forming Stage.
*Unobtrusive, you won't know he's there
*You get the feeling he vaguely dislikes you - tied to the Spoiled trait
*By far the most powerful companion, though unlikely to increase in power unless you make an active effort
*If made a Lieutenant, does increase in power but at a reduced rate
*If you pay him, he'll do even the dirtiest of jobs without complaint
[ ] The Sidekick - Sun Jiarong has been your loyal and dependable Lackey since the age of ten. An inveterate yes-man, spineless and without shame, he is nonetheless fanatically devoted to you and you alone. Despite his abject character, he is a surprisingly dangerous combatant with a frankly alarming arsenal of Forbidden Techniques. He is more than familiar with the shadowy operations you have performed over the years and can be trusted to handle moderately complex tasks with something approaching professionalism.
Unique Feature - Bro For Life - It is impossible for him to be turned against you. Not even mind control or the signing of ineffable contracts can do so. At most, he would be rendered inactive due to internal conflict between his mind and body.
*A teen your age, rather oily and unpleasant to behold, in the mid Ego Barrier stage.
*Forbidden Techniques allow him to hit far (1/2 stage) above his weight class, though you won't be able to learn most of them.
*Loyal unto death and beyond, he would literally never betray you. Near-elf levels of resolve when it comes to keeping your secrets
*If he is empowered, in time he has the potential to become a very dangerous Cultivator, capable of murdering enemies a full stage above his own
*Really quite adept at begging for his life, he might convince easily-flattered enemies to spare you
*His family is a vassal of Yong's
[ ] The Fangirl - Ren Yongxing ("call me Xing!") is an elegant, highly cerebral, intelligent, poised and articulate young woman - except in your presence. Exposure to you causes her to devolve into a babbling mess, but you're confident she can overcome this problem in time. Gifted with a near-genius level IQ and an appetite for literature that rivals your own, she is an efficient and inspired administrator that has solved logistical challenges even you have struggled with.
Unique Feature - Within My Calculations - Very sporadically generates Mastermind Points.
*Will never be capable in battle, Lieutenant raises her competence
*Of common birth, completely unsuitable for marriage to you
*Does not consume cultivation materials, leaving more for you
*Adept at creative problem-solving in non-violent situations
*Until or if she overcomes her crush, you will have difficulty issuing orders to her in person
[ ] The Noble Lady - Ming Xiaoling has deigned to allow you to escort her for a tour of the Southern Provinces. She is a Cultivator of some skill, and is very interested in pursuing ancient Legacies and Secret Dungeons. As a fellow member of the Great Clans, her influence is the equal or superior of your own. Finicky, exceptionally beautiful, cantankerous and spoiled, she insists on traveling with her overlarge luggage and despises camping out. As she has no real female friends and Nameless is one of the few peers that can handle her, she is somewhat loyal to him if only out of necessity.
Unique Feature - Line of Ming - To stand against one Great House is ill-conceived; to stand against two is folly.
*Her father is the Patriarch of Ming, she only has one elder sister. She is third in line to the Trade Throne of Ming
*She may be a quarter-elf, with all the benefits and disadvantages that entails.
*Apex of the Ego Barrier Stage, knows the secret arts of Ming. Pretty useful both in and out of combat.
*Suspicious and perceptive, sixth sense for ill intentions and will help you talk through complex social situations
*She also adds the Coffers of Ming to relevant trade checks, greatly heightening your purchasing power for major items.
*Gets along well with Nameless
*Her cattiness demoralizes other female Lackeys
[ ] The Genius - Kong Suizhen is a prodigy of the Age, having attained the peak of Organ Refining at only 14. Her skill with a blade is matched only by her ruthlessness in battle. Despite this, she has a pleasant and even-tempered disposition, though sometimes prone to an unsettling level of focus. She enjoys, but is embarrassingly bad at, flower arrangement, tea ceremonies, and other traditional pursuits of the noble lady. She seems indifferent to Cultivation, yet practices it with a mercilessness and drive that borders on insanity.
Unique Feature - Heaven-Sent - Accelerates advancement speed, stacks with Lieutenant.
*She hails from an obscure and disfavored branch of Kong whose fief was devoured by monsters; marriage would be scandalous
*Believes in truth, justice, and the Imperial Way
*Completely useless outside of combat, will spend literally all her time training
*A master of Forbidden Techniques killed her father; stridently opposes those who would use them. Can entangle you in pointless battles. She is hesitant to name this enemy, but he is likely the nemesis she trains to kill.
*Middling loyalty to Nameless, finds him intriguing but less important than training
By default, both Lackeys will be made into Lieutenants as soon as you start adventuring. Let me know if you would prefer to reserve a Lieutenant slot for later. Loyalty can always change, except for Jiarong.
Discussion and fanworks have unlocked 3 bonus options for this vote:
[ ] +1 Mastermind Point
[ ] Second: <Character> - Unlocks the second unique feature for a character. They will become your Second, your prime Lieutenant!
[ ] A Gift from Father - What's inside this mysterious box?
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Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
Oh dear.
Kind of want to get the Sidekick and one of the girls though, which one is up in the air though.
They're all great!
Suizen though seems to have a good personality, is basically catnip for being a Hero Candidate (And making her our Second would likely secure that), Xiaoling gets along with us but we really kind of feed into the worst of each other's problems, and Xing is basically our prime candidate for a second Diagramist, along with Mastermind points, but leaves our party brittle in combat.
But yeah, I'd consider Sidekick to be mandatory, whether we make him a Second or not--having someone who's Loyalty is utterly without question is no small thing, and making him our Lieutenant means that he'll be a hell of a Dragon for us.
Kind of want to get the Sidekick and one of the girls though, which one is up in the air though.
They're all great!
Suizen though seems to have a good personality, is basically catnip for being a Hero Candidate (And making her our Second would likely secure that), Xiaoling gets along with us but we really kind of feed into the worst of each other's problems, and Xing is basically our prime candidate for a second Diagramist, along with Mastermind points, but leaves our party brittle in combat.
But yeah, I'd consider Sidekick to be mandatory, whether we make him a Second or not--having someone who's Loyalty is utterly without question is no small thing, and making him our Lieutenant means that he'll be a hell of a Dragon for us.
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- Location
- Earth
Give me ALL THE GIRLS
We've seen the power of Mastermind points A generator of them is enormously valuable.
[X] The Sidekick
[X] The Fangirl
[X] Second: The Fangirl
The pair which are exceptionally devoted to us, so cannot be turned against us. One the Hand, one the Mind.
As for the bonus...I think I'd like the Keikaku unlock.
greatoz
Debonair Djinni
- Location
- The Other Place
Not voting yet, but I would be fine with any option other than the silent professional or the noble lady. A lackey that dislikes us and that we have to bribe is bad. Noble lady I don't like because two spoiled characters is a recipe for disaster. Fangirl seems like a good option, since at least she might grow out of it and generates mastermind points.
Rihaku
The Internet
You can, you'll just have to deal with some inter-party conflict. Just like picking The Noble Lady with any other female. It's difficult, but not insurmountable for one of Nameless's skills.
More of an assassin-type than a dragon, but in a pinch he'll serve. You're more of a Dragon In Chief kind of guy!
Egads, could you imagine that party dynamic... toss the Heroine in there and you've got a regular tempest in a teapot.
DkArthas
CAPITAL IS TO BLAME
- Location
- Earth
- Pronouns
- They
Well, The advantage of successfully turning the noble Lady into a loyal minion can't be understated. It can prove very useful and advantageous. Though, it's going to be the hardest.
The Ming are the one who are going against the Elves from what I remember.
The Genius is also a great option. Turn a possible secondary heroine into a loyal minion.
The Ming are the one who are going against the Elves from what I remember.
The Genius is also a great option. Turn a possible secondary heroine into a loyal minion.
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[X] A Gift from Father - What's inside this mysterious box?
greatoz
Debonair Djinni
- Location
- The Other Place
It's just another box. Father is an asshole with a terrible sense of humor.
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
So, a few possible avenues come to mind here.
1: Sidekick and Fangirl
ADVANTAGES: High Loyalty, Sidekick can potentially become extremely powerful, Fangirl is basically the MoO miniature and generates for us lots of fun stuff
CONS: Limited direct combat ability. Sidekick can fight at Peak Ego Barrier in a pinch, but it's using Forbidden Techniques, which usually have nasty side effects--we're basically fucked against anything we can't buff our Sidekick into being able to throw down against. Neither would be willing to check Nameless if he starts going off the bend
2: Fangirl and Genius
Advantages: High Intelligence and high combat power, making either of them a Second would be ferociously potent. Genius fully capable of checking the worst of our Heroic Passions due to her focus on being as close to a moral paragon as you can get out of the Empire. Genius is quite possibly a Hero Candidate. Fangirl can generate us Mastermind Points despite us not taking the option that optimizes for that.
Disadvantages: Love Triangle nonsense which must be avoided at all costs. Puberty Awkwardness. Limited political leverage
3: Sidekick and Noble Lady
Advantages: Respectable direct combat power, combined with SOCIAL SMASH, all the money, all the influence, like holy shit this is kind of broken in several ways. Noble Lady has asshole detection powers that will protec the only people willing to deal with her.
Disadvantages: Oh my god our personality will nosedive with these two chucklefucks as our Lieutenants, ahhhhhhh
4: The Quiet Professional and Anyone Else
Advantages: God of Combat Descends, the right to basically win any problem that can be solved by main force of arms. Might help beat Spoiled out of us.
Disadvantages: Ferociously expensive to get him to act proactively. dilutes the overall power of our team and has a limited growth curve, won't be able to keep up as things get out of fucking control.
1: Sidekick and Fangirl
ADVANTAGES: High Loyalty, Sidekick can potentially become extremely powerful, Fangirl is basically the MoO miniature and generates for us lots of fun stuff
CONS: Limited direct combat ability. Sidekick can fight at Peak Ego Barrier in a pinch, but it's using Forbidden Techniques, which usually have nasty side effects--we're basically fucked against anything we can't buff our Sidekick into being able to throw down against. Neither would be willing to check Nameless if he starts going off the bend
2: Fangirl and Genius
Advantages: High Intelligence and high combat power, making either of them a Second would be ferociously potent. Genius fully capable of checking the worst of our Heroic Passions due to her focus on being as close to a moral paragon as you can get out of the Empire. Genius is quite possibly a Hero Candidate. Fangirl can generate us Mastermind Points despite us not taking the option that optimizes for that.
Disadvantages: Love Triangle nonsense which must be avoided at all costs. Puberty Awkwardness. Limited political leverage
3: Sidekick and Noble Lady
Advantages: Respectable direct combat power, combined with SOCIAL SMASH, all the money, all the influence, like holy shit this is kind of broken in several ways. Noble Lady has asshole detection powers that will protec the only people willing to deal with her.
Disadvantages: Oh my god our personality will nosedive with these two chucklefucks as our Lieutenants, ahhhhhhh
4: The Quiet Professional and Anyone Else
Advantages: God of Combat Descends, the right to basically win any problem that can be solved by main force of arms. Might help beat Spoiled out of us.
Disadvantages: Ferociously expensive to get him to act proactively. dilutes the overall power of our team and has a limited growth curve, won't be able to keep up as things get out of fucking control.
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[X] The Quiet Professional
Just in case we get in over our heads like we were warned about.
[X] The Noble Lady
Should be good for helping find good dungeons to delve and help us diffuse things if our lich granted murder boner gets out of hand.
Just in case we get in over our heads like we were warned about.
[X] The Noble Lady
Should be good for helping find good dungeons to delve and help us diffuse things if our lich granted murder boner gets out of hand.
- Location
- Earth
BROSEF, GIRLYSSIAN, AND THE LOOT BOX GIMME
[X] The Sidekick
[X] The Genius
[X] A Gift from Father
[X] The Sidekick
[X] The Genius
[X] A Gift from Father
ADeshantis
King on the Chromium Throne
- Location
- United states
Resist temptation? Why?
[X] The Sidekick
[X] The Fangirl
[X] A Gift from Father
Because every single thing here is a mystery box except the 1 Mastermind Point, and we can start getting those from Fangirl. Personally, I want to see what daddy put in his box.
[X] The Sidekick
[X] The Fangirl
[X] A Gift from Father
Because every single thing here is a mystery box except the 1 Mastermind Point, and we can start getting those from Fangirl. Personally, I want to see what daddy put in his box.
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
To be honest.
"A Gift from Father" I can literally see it being a box of nothing.
"This is my lesson, the mystery box sometimes is only a box"
But yeah, if we take the Genius, popping her as our Second is probably a very good choice, she's unlikely to betray us in that account, and she can serve as something our a check on our attitude.
"A Gift from Father" I can literally see it being a box of nothing.
"This is my lesson, the mystery box sometimes is only a box"
But yeah, if we take the Genius, popping her as our Second is probably a very good choice, she's unlikely to betray us in that account, and she can serve as something our a check on our attitude.
[X] The Sidekick
[X] The Fangirl
[X] Second: The Sidekick
Bros before... well...
[X] The Fangirl
[X] Second: The Sidekick
Bros before... well...
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ADeshantis
King on the Chromium Throne
- Location
- United states
That would be stupid.
- Location
- Earth
>Genius hates Forbidden Tech users
>BROSEF uses Forbidden Tech
Oh wait shit goddamn it
Will change vote soon
>BROSEF uses Forbidden Tech
Oh wait shit goddamn it
Will change vote soon
Rihaku
The Internet
Perhaps her asshole detector is why she's willing to deal with Nameless!
Indeed, you may be immortal, but what if you get trapped in a time bubble? The old Bakuda Solution!
- Location
- Elsewhere
This is really sad. They are my favorite two.
insightful, or funny. Hmm.