Forge of Destiny(Xianxia Quest)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
Arkeus
Crazy cat guy
- Location
- France
The thing is, neither of those things happened. For a good long while we saw more of Han Jian than Meizhen, and this was also why we went and saw Xiulan: to get closer to Han Jian.
What happened is that Xiulan was first seen as 'part of GF', as we needed to get better with her in order to help seeing Han Jian, and only later she became a real friend on her own. However, even then we have kept seeing Han Jian as much as anyone else we have. Maybe slightly less than Meizhen, but Meizhen had a lot of drama around her and is the cold woobie type.
There is also that decision-wise, GF group as a whole were more direct rivals than Meizhen: we threatened their odds of getting in the inner sect, while we don't threaten Meizhen's. Likewise, they are their 'own' factions, and as we chose not to be part of it it makes things awkward.
But yeah, basically, we don't -us- treat them differently beside their characters. Ling Qi definitely prefer having relationships with girls though, and it shows in her relationship chart.
Kai Merah
Hound Hearted Hedonist
- Location
- Somewhere in the corners of my imagination
Hmm, am I the only one who thinks that Han Jian feels more like a useful resource than a friend? Like, we always go to him when we want info on noble things, but I'm not feeling a lot of affection for him honestly. I mean, I kinda like him, I think he's a good guy, but I don't feel particularly close to him. Which is odd given how much he's helped us. He's the one who first gave us a foot up even.
Nah, I feel the same way. It's not that he's a bad guy or an uninteresting character or anything, I just don't really feel any chemistry there.
Agree.
This relationship developed into a mutually beneficial one, but kinda a professional one.
This is at least my take on it.
Arkeus
Crazy cat guy
- Location
- France
Han Jian's thing was that he didn't commit. He helped us out and was a good friend to us, but he has always been somewhat distant in how he talks and acts. He apparently has gotten better there and decided to be more decisive, but part of those decisions didn't come down on the side of Ling Qi.
If you contrast that to Su Ling/Li Suyin/ Gu Xiulan/ Bai Meizhen, they are all extremely passionate people who commit too much of themselves.
Kai Merah
Hound Hearted Hedonist
- Location
- Somewhere in the corners of my imagination
Hmm, wasn't Meizhen pretty distant too though? I wonder if maybe we got distant from Han Jian, despite him being the first person to help us, out of some kind of misplaced guilt maybe? We did seem to be causing some problems to group cohesion just by being there.
- Location
- UK
- Pronouns
- They/Them
I agree that they all seem a lot more invested in Ling Qi than Han Jian was so that's affected our relationships with them. Meizhen seems kinda afraid of commitment though, kisses Ling Qi like it's nothing and then balks at the idea of introducing her to her family
- Location
- United Kingdom
I never really got the impression our relationship with him was professional.
You could argue that we've only really spent time with him to train or discuss nobles/politics, which is fair, but I'm pretty sure Ling Qi does consider him a friend, although recent events with Xiulan have probably strained things a bit.
True. Though, it feels like that wasn't necessarily our fault, but rather a consequence of his responsibilities. In Week 23 he said this:
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Meizhen has power and Han Jian until quite recently didn't. You can try wrapping it up in something pretty but in the end, Sun Lilling, CRX or Meizhen would never have been considered anywhere near as important if they were red.
This is a Wuxia. In the end the only thing that matter is power.
This is a Wuxia. In the end the only thing that matter is power.
Yeah. Han Jian Quest voters need to start looking out for number one and cut the deadweight from his social actions. *cough* Fan Yu *cough*
Mostly, Meizhen cares more about us than Han Jian does, so we care more about her.
If we died, Han Jian would be sad.
If we died, Bai Meizhen would torture our killer to death.
Her help has also been more valuable and we live with her.
Year 43, week 31 Part 2
-[X] Resources: 3x RS, 1x YS, Rippling Lake Pill (2), Stalwart Mountain Pill (2), Vigorous Sapling Pill (2), 2nd Level Pills for Lake + Mountain + Wood (18)
-- [X] Restock Restoratives: 2x Wellspring Pill (6), 1x Spirit Restoration Pill (15) (Total: 21)
-- [X] Make 2 Ossuary Scouts
-[X] Overflow: Qi
-[X] EPC Bonus: EPC
-[X] Spend time working with Zhengui to express his abilities
-[X] Train at the vent with Su Ling
--[X] AM
--[X] Training is nice, but you'd like to get to be better friends with Su Ling, perhaps you could see if she has any interest in music?
-[X] Train with Meizhen
--[X] EPC
--[X] You need to speak with Meizhen, about Cai's offer and the future in general
-[X] Train with the Golden Fields Group
--[X] TRF
-[X] Scout out Sun Liling's base of operations
-- [X] Free: Let Meizhen know we're planning to do this
-[X] Go on a trip to the spiders nest with Li Suyin
-[X] Try to figure out the locking formations on the last bag
-[x] Trade techniques with Han Jian, you can help each other work out the basics.
-- [X] Restock Restoratives: 2x Wellspring Pill (6), 1x Spirit Restoration Pill (15) (Total: 21)
-- [X] Make 2 Ossuary Scouts
-[X] Overflow: Qi
-[X] EPC Bonus: EPC
-[X] Spend time working with Zhengui to express his abilities
-[X] Train at the vent with Su Ling
--[X] AM
--[X] Training is nice, but you'd like to get to be better friends with Su Ling, perhaps you could see if she has any interest in music?
-[X] Train with Meizhen
--[X] EPC
--[X] You need to speak with Meizhen, about Cai's offer and the future in general
-[X] Train with the Golden Fields Group
--[X] TRF
-[X] Scout out Sun Liling's base of operations
-- [X] Free: Let Meizhen know we're planning to do this
-[X] Go on a trip to the spiders nest with Li Suyin
-[X] Try to figure out the locking formations on the last bag
-[x] Trade techniques with Han Jian, you can help each other work out the basics.
Ling Qi considered the fortress for some time, warring with herself over what she should do. Some part of her thought risking herself was pointless. She could lose a lot and would probably gain little. She had already picked up a few useful tidbits of information from the outgoing groups, so why risk herself in a place that seemed prepared as a deliberate trap for her? Even the gaps in guard coverage, the handful of seconds where there would be no eyes on certain parts of the walls was probably a trap. Sun Liling had probably planned it that way. Better to use her scouts, she would only be out a few red stones if they got destroyed.
It didn't sit well with her though. She had never had a problem with cowardice, she would never have survived long if she did, but the thought of turning away and leaving this place with so little twinged the tiny shred of pride Ling Qi had begun to cultivate in her heart. She had broken through everything Yan Renshu could throw at her and come out victorious. Surely she could at least scout around the courtyard.
Besides, wasn't she being a little conceited? While she didn't doubt that these outer countermeasures were aimed at keeping her out, she had improved greatly in the last couple weeks. Plus, no matter who her grandfather was, SUn Liling was still a girl her age, not some all knowing sage.
With the number of people she had, keeping a watch on every inch of wall all day was impossible. She didn't know exact numbers, but she was pretty sure Liling didn't have more than a few dozen people under her, and they too were disciples. Even if they had better senses, they weren't career guards or soldiers. Even if they had been drilled, there was a limit to how effective that could be in such a short time.
She could do this, as long as she prepared well
Dex 6 + Stealth 6 + EPC 2 + Robe 2 + Slipper 2+2 SCS= 20 dice + 6 auto-successes +1 omake auto(Fixerupper).
5 5 10 4 8 3 1 10 6 6 2 1 7 6 4 4 2 6 5. 4 successes. 11 total
Fail
rerolling
6 10 1 8 5 2 6 1 5 1 5 7 8 9 8 2 8 6 5 7. 8 successes. 15 successes
Pass
5 5 10 4 8 3 1 10 6 6 2 1 7 6 4 4 2 6 5. 4 successes. 11 total
Fail
rerolling
6 10 1 8 5 2 6 1 5 1 5 7 8 9 8 2 8 6 5 7. 8 successes. 15 successes
Pass
Ling Qi did not rush in immediately though, this wasn't like Yan Renshu's bases, where she had to fool only formations and could hide in the the dark corners of a cave. A stop by the market got her a soft gray and green cloak that would cover the more colorful parts of her gown and break up her profile besides. Once she returned, she carefully checked herself over for anything that might make noise, and stored it away.
With all that done, she stole across the open field like a shadow, zig zagging from one piece of minimal cover to the next during her brief windows where movement was safe. When guards passed by, she lay flat on her belly, as utterly still as she could manage, hidden behind stones or stumps. It was nerve wracking… and exciting.
Ling Qi soon made it to the base of the wall, squinting at the bright light of the orb hanging overhead. Though it cast no shadow, it did provide concealment. She studied it for a moment, eyeing the formations worked into the bronze sconce. The orb itself seemed fragile, a ball of thin glass, she had considered simply breaking them, but she had restrained herself. After a moment, she climbed carefully upward and set one of her scouts atop the sconce, with the command to look closely at every part it could reach.
She could study the formations later, and figure out if there were any tricks.
Her next step required patience, there would soon be a gap in the patrol on the wall, it would only last a handful of seconds, but that would be enough for her to get up and over. It wasn't like ten meters straight up was very far for her any longer. Thankfully, the wall was rough enough for her to get a grip on, hanging blow the orb sconce while she waited. While it was one solid piece, up close large patches of it were not yet smooth, and had the texture of natural stone.
Her moment came then, and Ling Qi put her thoughts on architecture aside. She grit her teeth as she forced her suppressed dark qi to flow and flung herself upward, rapidly rising toward the top of the wall. Vaulting over the rough battlements, she immediately crouched low, taking only a moment to survey the interior before leaping off the edge into the shadow of a stack of heavy wooden crates that sat beside the interior of the wall.
Her cloak and gown fluttered, but an application of qi slowed her fall, preventing any noisy flapping. As she settled on the ground, Ling Qi gave a quiet sigh of relief. She had felt several layers of alarms, but she had been able to suppress her qi well enough to slip by them. The first step was over. Even now she could hear the sound of the next patrol making the turn that would have put her infiltration point in plain sight.
Now relatively safe, hidden behind the crates, Ling Qi took a moment to actually study her surroundings more closely. The interior of the fortress was a field of packed dirt around the three small blocky buildings inside, two of which faced each other, with the last squatting at the rear end of the fort. There was a small staked off area full of targets and practice gear, but little else of note. Pairs of disciples stood at the entrance to each building, while a handful of others went about their business, chatting or practicing. There was a rather harried looking boy with a stack of papers and a quill inspecting stacks of crates though, so she probably shouldn't linger long.
She was curious though, and so she very carefully lifted the lid of the crate next to her, peering inside. It was full of wrapped bundles of arrows, with what seemed like color coded fletching. Some kind of special ammunition maybe? There were orange, white and blue coded arrows from what she could tell. Ling Qi glanced furtively around, and then slipped her hand inside, pulling one bundle into her ring. For intelligence gathering purposes of course. One missing bundle could be attributed to an error.
Sadly, the omnipresent lighting extended into the courtyard, so she could not yet slip into the shadows entirely, forcing her to rely on more mundane stealth ability to slip from her hiding place to the next. This time a stack of training equipment sitting near the roped off yard. It was more mundane, training weapons and gear, straw targets for archery, nothing worth investigating. The gray tarp thrown over the spare targets presented an opportunity. Ling Qi squeezed under it with hardly a rustle. Now she just had to figure out how to get into the buildings, it was looking light it might be hard though. There were no windows, and the single door of each was actively guarded, unless she could get them away…
Ling Qi paused in her consideration as one of the doors opened, and a person she recognized emerged. It had been a long time since she had seen Ji Rong, but his scar was still hard to miss. Unlike some of the other boys, he hadn't taken to wearing any kind of armor, instead sticking to a simple combination of baggy pants and a loose hanging, sleeveless shirt. Her eyes lingered longer on the bandages wrapping his forearms and hands, there was script on those.
He was also fully late second realm, which was… a little irritating. He was keeping up with her despite everything wasn't he? The boy had a certain cocky swagger to his step these days too. When he turned his head to look behind him, Ling Qi followed his gaze, to find another figure she hadn't seen in a long time. Sun Liling's second, Lu something. He hadn't changed much, still being a tall fine featured boy with obnoxiously pretty hair that reached the middle of his back. He too forgoed any armor, though he wore metal studded armored boots and tighter trousers rather than the more usual noble outfit. The long red sash around his waist glittered ominously too, Ling Qi thought it was probably a weapon of some kind.
Ling Qi held her breath and suppressed her qi as much as possible, they were heading this way, and she needed to remain undetected.
Dex 6 + Stealth 6 + EPC 2 + Robe 2 + Slipper 2+2 SCS+1 environment= 21 dice + 6 auto-successes +1 omake auto(Klaus).
1 10 8 10 8 2 3 7 10 6 2 3 8 1 2 4 9 4 4 4 8. 9 successes. 16 total
1 10 8 10 8 2 3 7 10 6 2 3 8 1 2 4 9 4 4 4 8. 9 successes. 16 total
Luckily, it seemed to work, given the way the two boys continued conversing without pause.
"...does she want us to squat here?" Ji Rong's words reached her as the guard closed the door behind them.
"As long as we need too," Liling's pretty boy responded. "I don't see what the hurry is. It's not as if we lack anything here."
"You're too easy going," the scarred boy replied irritably as they approached the training area. "We're bottled up in here like rats, I still haven't gotten a chance to deck that stuck up bitch. I can't get Sect Points like this either, Lu Feng. Some of us can't send home to Daddy for treats."
"And you are, as always taking this too seriously," Lu Feng replied, and Ling Qi saw him roll his eyes, a long suffering expression on his face. "Wenji and the others will finish establishing supplies soon, you can get your points then. Until then, just enjoy the wargame."
"It's not a game," Ji Rong growled as they entered the roped off area. "You think I'm gonna be satisfied with what we've done so far? Do you think the Sun Liling will be? Neither of us is gonna be satisfied with getting looked down on."
"On the contrary, a game is exactly what this is," Lu Feng replied smoothly as the boys took up positions across from each other on the field. Were they going to spar? "But I will not bother arguing this again," he replied with a sigh, flicking his hair back over his shoulder.
...Wait, why was Ji Rong taking his shirt off? That was unnecessary. Why would you… didn't they have self repairing clothing? Why wouldn't that be the first thing you got?
"...why she keeps you around, it's like you don't have any pride," Ji Rong's words penetrated her distraction a moment later as he tossed his shirt onto a fence post and took up a fighting stance.
Glittering lines drifted from Lu Feng's gloved hands, as he took up a loose stance. His physical cultivation lagged Ji Rong's somewhat, but he didn't appear worried. "And that is why a dumb brute like you will never catch the princesses eye, though why you would want such a…"
He vanished, blurring to the side as Ji Rong's sparking fist passed through the space where his head had been a second ago. That first attack flowed into a flurry of exchanged blows between the two boys, which Ling Qi watched intently. It was useful to gather intelligence on enemy fighting styles.
"You can shut your damn mouth about that," Ji Rong grunted, eyes narrow as he slapped aside curling coils of wire with a sparking fist. "I ain't stupid, and I'm not some puppy dog following her around."
"Is that so," Lu Feng replied, a mocking edge of dubiousness to his tone. "Well, you are far too ugly to be a good puppy, so I suppose that's a good thing. Your base lust is as obvious as it is amusing however," he mocked, even as he twisted and dodged to avoid Ji Rong's increasing tempo of attacks.
"There's nothing," Ji Rong replied, leaping backward to avoid glittering wire that shot up from the ground. "Wrong with looking!" he finished as he rushed back in, refusing to give the other boy space. "Least I'm not a limp dandy like you!"
"Hmph, as expected of a brute," Lu Feng replied as he caught a punch on his forearm, only to grin viciously as wire coiled up the other boy's arm , allowing him to fling Ji Rong bodily into one of the fence posts. "You truly have a one track mind."
Ling Qi shifted uncomfortably, they weren't really using new techniques, as interesting as this was to watch, she really did have other places to go. At least she had learned that Liling still had people on the outside doing work to supply her people with Sect points. Forcing her attention away from the battle, she turned it back to the buildings, studying them for a weakness which she could use to approach.
Dex 6 + Stealth 6 + EPC 2 + Robe 2 + Slipper 2+2 SCS+1 environment= 21 dice + 6 auto-successes
5 3 3 2 5 6 6 1 6 7 8 1 1 2 7 1 8 1 4 2 3. 4 successes. 10 total
Fail
5 3 3 2 5 6 6 1 6 7 8 1 1 2 7 1 8 1 4 2 3. 4 successes. 10 total
Fail
Ling Qi was not certain what gave her away, but her instincts, sharpened by years spent fearing the consequences of being caught, twinged only a few moments after she had begun to search for good paths into the interior. An instant later, Ling Qi was suddenly glad that she had not fully taken her eyes off the roughhousing boys, because she caught the slight shift in Ji Rong's stance the instant before he rocketed toward the tarp she was hiding under in a spray of lightning.
Dark qi flowed, pushing through the suppression and she vanished in the same moment that the boys booted foot came down where she had been standing, cratering the ground. She caught his narrowed eyes, as she rose into the air, buoyed by the power of her gown. There was no surprise in his expression, only a sort of grim determination tinged with wary respect.
At that moment, as she floated in midair, her cheap cloak billowing and her hood thrown off, Lu Feng started to say something, but Ling Qi had no interest in banter. She knew she was in a bad situation, and so before the first words could leave his lips, she rocketed upward.
In the wake of her escapades in Yan Renshu's lair, Ling Qi had been bothered somewhat by how easy it seemed to escape the boy. She had learned some things in discussing the matter with Meizhen. Mainly, the true worth of her gown.
Flight, true flight, without some unwieldy transportation talisman or mount, was largely unheard of below the cyan realm among imperial cultivators. Which meant that few made preparations for it in the outer sect. Ling Qi had no doubt that these ones had though, even as she sliced an incoming arrow out of mid air and spun, cloak flapping wildly as she avoided two others.
Her suspicion was born out as the next arrow exploded in a blue white flash, replaced suddenly by a wide net with weighted stones tied in strategic places. She yelped as it entangled her, and the weight grew immense, as if each stone weighed a hundred kilograms or more. She grit her teeth and forced more qi through her channels, and in an instant she dissolved, for a brief moment becoming little more than a black mist that seeped through the gaps in the net and continued up.
Her troubles didn't end there though, as a bright light from below, brighter than the omnipresent glow caught her eye. She looked down to see Ji Rong, crouched in the middle of the training field, his cupped hands extended upward toward her.
More alarming was the rippling ball of bright yellow plasma the size of her torso screaming through the air faster than an arrow. Ling Qi jerked to the side, dodging desperately, and had to grit her teeth to hold back a scream as it grazed across her side, searing her flesh right through the gown.
As painful as it was though, it didn't stop her, even if it did mean quickly discarding the now burning cloak she wore as she flew off with every ounce of speed she could manage.
This made for the second time that she had crash landed in the garden, Ling Qi mused. She wasn't particularly fond of it. This attempt had been a bit of a wash it seemed, though she had at least gotten a name for one of Sun Liling's suppliers and uncovered some of their strikers routes.
The scout left on the lamp was a loss as well, but a minor one. She did wish she could have studied them more though. It was a bit galling to have only gotten a bundle of trick arrows out for her efforts.
Gained 12 trick arrows
-4 Net Arrows: Immobilizes target until they succeed at a 12 success escape attempt.
-4 Flare Arrows: Adds armor piercing two to an attack, as well as an additional point of damage on a successful one
-4 Disruptor Arrows: On dealing damage, dispels the lowest ranked buff on the target. Cannot affect buffs of four dots or higher
They were useful, and Ling Qi did wonder if she could figure out where Liling had them commissioned from, but it was no great heist like her last one. Feeling rather dissatisfied as well as mildly sore after applying a salve to her burn, Ling Qi took the time to write down her observations and deliver them to Cai's home before heading down the mountain to meet with Han Jian.
She hid of course, no reason to make herself a target on the trip. Spending time with Han Jian and the others continued to be somewhat awkward due to the tensions between them, but they pressed on regardless, continuing to comb the surroundings for useful sites and resources between training sessions.
Talent 6 + Stones 30 + Golden Fields 5 + Pills 6 + Spine 4 + Zhengui 5 = 56
3 7 10 2 10 9 5 3 5 7 1 7 6 7 4 7 2 6 2 2 10 8 10 10 4 3 6 6 1 6 9 5 4 10 7 4 8 1 6 3 9 8 1 6 4 6 2 7 1 6 10 1 3 9 10 8. 33 successes
Rerolling 6
7 4 4 9 3 2. 2 successes. 35 total
115/90 Third Pulse achieved. Additional Spine Meridian required for next rank.
25/150
3 7 10 2 10 9 5 3 5 7 1 7 6 7 4 7 2 6 2 2 10 8 10 10 4 3 6 6 1 6 9 5 4 10 7 4 8 1 6 3 9 8 1 6 4 6 2 7 1 6 10 1 3 9 10 8. 33 successes
Rerolling 6
7 4 4 9 3 2. 2 successes. 35 total
115/90 Third Pulse achieved. Additional Spine Meridian required for next rank.
25/150
Passives
+3 die to physical defense pools of the user and all allies within forty meters
+3 dice to stamina and resolve tests of the user and allies within forty meters
User gains a three die bonus vs poison and disease effects
Deepwood Vitality: oo
Cost 5 qi
Instant
The user channels their qi into the earth, spreading like a great tangle of roots to link with up to three allies. On activation the user and each target are granted one temporary health box and a three die bonus to physical defense for four turns. In addition if the user or an ally is under a negative effect, this technique clashes against the effects caster and dispels the effect on success. Temporary health boxes receive damage first, and disappear upon being used.
Ten Ring Defense: oo
Cost: 4 Qi (initial)
Instant
This user fills themselves with the vital qi of the great forests to protect themselves and their allies from harm. Grants the user a three die bonus to physical defense for three turns. In addition the first point of damage the user suffers each round is downgraded one stage. Aggravated becomes lethal, lethal becomes nonlethal, nonlethal is negated. In addition the user may expend three qi to negate 1 point of damage, even from attacks which bypass normal negation. This effect may be used on allies within range.
Hundred Ring Armament: ooo
Cost: 8 qi(initial)
The user armors themselves and their allies with the iron bark of primeval forests. The user is granted armor 2, which stacks with any equipment they may be wearing. This effect may be extended to up to three allies, for an additional four qi each time. In addition, the armor of those affected may only be bypassed by perfect damage. This effect lasts 3 turns.
Fourth Pulse 15/150
+3 die to physical defense pools of the user and all allies within forty meters
+3 dice to stamina and resolve tests of the user and allies within forty meters
User gains a three die bonus vs poison and disease effects
Deepwood Vitality: oo
Cost 5 qi
Instant
The user channels their qi into the earth, spreading like a great tangle of roots to link with up to three allies. On activation the user and each target are granted one temporary health box and a three die bonus to physical defense for four turns. In addition if the user or an ally is under a negative effect, this technique clashes against the effects caster and dispels the effect on success. Temporary health boxes receive damage first, and disappear upon being used.
Ten Ring Defense: oo
Cost: 4 Qi (initial)
Instant
This user fills themselves with the vital qi of the great forests to protect themselves and their allies from harm. Grants the user a three die bonus to physical defense for three turns. In addition the first point of damage the user suffers each round is downgraded one stage. Aggravated becomes lethal, lethal becomes nonlethal, nonlethal is negated. In addition the user may expend three qi to negate 1 point of damage, even from attacks which bypass normal negation. This effect may be used on allies within range.
Hundred Ring Armament: ooo
Cost: 8 qi(initial)
The user armors themselves and their allies with the iron bark of primeval forests. The user is granted armor 2, which stacks with any equipment they may be wearing. This effect may be extended to up to three allies, for an additional four qi each time. In addition, the armor of those affected may only be bypassed by perfect damage. This effect lasts 3 turns.
Fourth Pulse 15/150
Ling Qi finally mastered the next technique for her sole wood art, allowing her to layer powerful defensive qi over herself and her allies. It could block most anything that her friends could throw at it, excluding a few of Xiulan's attacks, and a single one of Han Jian's sword arts. She was pretty pleased with the effect, even if it was pretty costly. The only problem was the time and concentration it took to form the armor.
She also got her demonstration of Argent Storm, which wrapped the body in a layer of obscuring wind, and produced loud thunderclaps to deflect enemy blows and enhance your own. She in turn demonstrated the less visually impressive Argent Mirror, using it to defend herself from the effects of Han Jian's aura of command when he summoned his banner as he had done at the council battle.
They showed each other the beginning exercises of each others art's, enough to practice the first few levels. They would need to cooperate again to push beyond, which was an unfortunate necessity due to the jade slips, which were protected from being copied.
Luck was still against them when it came to finding useful sites though, there was profit to be had, beast cores and herbs to be turned in, but nothing of true note.
+50 Red Spirit Stones
+4 Sect Points
The next day, with a night of calming meditation under her belt, Ling Qi had recovered from her effort in the fortress, and she had met Suyin early in the morning to help the girl with her own request. Cool mist still hung over the forest at the base of the mountain as two of them walked on, Li Suyin slightly in the lead since she knew where she was going.
"You have to wonder why there are so many nests like this out here," Ling Qi said idly as she stepped over a jutting tree root. It had been confirmed, thankfully, that their destination was not the nest she had stolen silk from.
"Once the Ahui clan conquered the Forest of Murk and bound their leader bound its guardian spirit, spiders became a popular spirit companion in the Emerald Seas," Li Suyin replied matter of factly. "Since they were an offshoot and pillar of the ruling Hui clan, it only makes sense for others to have copied them."
Ling Qi blinked, glancing at her friend. She hadn't actually been expected an answer. "...What happened to them then?" Since clearly they weren't keeping the spiders under control anymore.
Li Suyin didn't respond at first, peering into the mist ahead as she fidgeted with her sleeves. She was a little on edge about the coming binding it seemed. "They were destroyed during the invasion of the Cloud Tribes, along with many others. "The Hui clan never properly recovered from the loss of so many loyal vassals, and combined with the imperial condemnation of their failure to properly coordinate their armies..."
Ling Qi nodded absently, sometimes she felt like she could ask just about anything and Suyin would have some kind of answer. There wasn't time for anymore historical trivia though. "We're here," she said, interrupting her friend. "Or is that some other giant spider nest?" She asked quietly, pointing to the looming shadow ahead in the mist. She had thought it a hill, but no, it was a massive pile of webbing that rose in a low, sloping cone until it met the crumbled remains ofa squat stone tower, which was sheared off at the height of the taller trees, which seemed to serve as an anchor for the nest.
Li Suyin swallowed nervously as she squinted into the mist to make out the details. "No. That is… that is it," she replied.
"...Do you need some time?" Ling Qi asked with judgement, glancing at her friend. That man sized tunnel halfway up the 'hill' probably looked even less inviting if you couldn't see into the dark. Knobbly, wriggling sacks studded the inner walls and ceiling. She didn't know if they were eggs or prey.
"No. I can do this," she replied quietly, taking a deep breath and drawing herself up as she continued to walk. Ling Qi followed her, eyeing the nest warily as she expressed her flute. Now that they were close, the atmosphere grew more oppressive with every step, and the mist seemed to thicken, swirling around their ankles as they began to ascend toward the tunnel.
"You do have a plan, right?" Ling Qi asked cheerfully as the sounds of chitinous legs skittering in the distance filled her ears. It was galling to walk right into a situation like this. They were surrounded, above and below. She could just barely make out the moving shapes on the trees which poked out of the nest.
"I do," Li Suyin replied softly, stopping at the tunnel entrance. She straightened her back and then bowed, hands clapped together in front of her. "Great Matriarch, this humble one brings offerings!" She spoke loudly, even as she squeezed her eyes shut. "Delights wrought by the hands of man, for your pleasure and amusement. Please grant me audience, that this petitioner might offer them to your august personage."
Ling Qi glanced around warily, even as she made the proper bows as well. It was a little hard to tell with the way her eyes worked now, but this area was unnaturally dark, given the time they had spent walking, the sun should be high in the sky and shining down, but it was still misty and dark.
There was a few moments delay as Li Suyin's words echoed down the tunnel, and Li Suyin's expression began to grow nervous, but then a thick cable of thread, woven in along the ceiling of the tunnel, slowly lit up with a pale blue glow. It made no difference to Ling Qi, but clearly it was the sign Li Suyin was hoping for. She shared a brief look with the other girl as they straightened up and headed in.
Li Suyin motioned for her to keep silent as they did, so the trip down the winding, narrow tunnel was made without any further chatter. The glowing cable lead them through multiple splits in the tunnels, always heading toward the center of the nest at the base of the ruined tower. Eventually, they found their feet once more on solid stone, only lightly covered in debris, the ceiling rose sharply overhead, creating a large entryway, and ahead lay a crumbling arch, over which hung a curtain of diaphanous white silk.
Two massive spiders with thick almost rocky carapaces stood guard. One lurking above the arch and the other on the floor, each of their legs looked as large and sharp as a sword, and sixteen blank black eyes regarded them with cold intelligence. They were both third realm, and Ling Qi could feel a greater presence still beyond the curtain, comparable to Zeqing.
She remained silent though, allowing Li Suyin to continue taking the lead. They stopped a few steps beyond the end of the tunnel. "Honored guardians," Li Suyin greeted, making a shallower bow than she had at the entrance. "May I pass?"
"You alone petitioner," the spider on the floor hissed, its voice sounding like a raspy old man as its fangs twitched. It's blade like limbs made a scratching sound like metal being dragged over stone as it moved.
Ling Qi glanced at her friend in alarm, but Li Suyin merely nodded in acceptance, before turning to meet Ling Qi's eyes. "It is fine," she said reassuringly. "Please be patient Ling Qi, I will be out soon."
"...Right, see you soon," Ling Qi replied. She didn't like it, but there was also little she could do to help her friend in a confrontation with a fourth grade beast. She would have to trust Li Suyin to know what she was doing.
Nonetheless watching Suyin's back as she passed beyond the curtain was difficult. Her friend looked so small compared to the nearly horse sized spiders and her every instinct screamed at her not to let Li Suyin out of her sight down here. She glowered at the massive guardian, her fingers itching for a knife. They were third realm, but she could probably take it if she had too...
Those thoughts did not make the wait after her friend passed through the curtain any less interminable. There was no way to properly track time, and the spiders showed no interest in conversing with her. She considered meditating, but she knew her nerves would make such an exercise fruitless.
It felt like hours before the curtains shifted and a figure emerged from the milky layers of hanging silk. Li Suyin looked terrible as she staggered out, a sickly pallor on her face. Her steps were unsteady and she nearly fell as she emerged, only catching herself on the doorway at the last moment. Blood stained the chest of her soft grey gown, though it was only a small patch, which didn't seem to be spreading.
Ling Qi crossed the entryway in the blink of an eye, utterly ignoring the threatening hiss of the guard as she caught Li Suyin before she could trip on the uneven flagstones in front of the door
"I...did it," Li Suyin's muttered, her voice muffled by Ling Qi's shoulder. Her voice was slurred, and her friends weak attempts to push away from her and stand on her own proved fruitless and clumsy. Ling Qi opened her mouth to say something, only to blink as she felt an odd pinch on the hand which rested on Li Suyin's back. Glancing over her friends shoulder, her eyebrows rose as she saw a ball of pink fuzz and chitin the size of a child's fist on her back. The relatively tiny spider was trying and failing to bite her hand, fangs failing to penetrate her skin. It let out an affronted chitter and waved its furry little pedipalps threateningly at her anyway.
"...I'm guessing the one on your back is yours?" LIng Qi asked, continuing to ignore the agitation of the larger spider beside her.
"Oh…. oh, um…" Li Suyin blinked for a moment, swaying in Ling Qi's arms. "Yes, she is," the other girl let out an uncharacteristic giggle. "All mine… Zhenli, be good. This my friend."
The little spider still regarded her suspiciously, but at least stopped trying to chew her finger off. Ling Qi sighed, moving away for a moment to watch her friend sway on her feet. Li Suyin looked incredibly drunk, if she was being honest. The girl swayed on her feet without Ling Qi's support. "Well, why don't you ask her to climb up on your front. I'm going to carry you, alright?"
"Tha… thank you, Ling Qi," Li Suyin stumbling on her words. "Zhenli…" she made a face of almost comical concentration and a moment later hse spider clambered onto her shoulder.
Ling Qi sighed and moved behind her friend, scooping the smaller girl up into a bridal carry, it was a little awkward, but Li Suyin was short enough that she could manage it. The girl was asleep with her head resting on Ling Qi's shoulder before they had gone a dozen meters. This close Ling Qi could smell the pungent scent of strong liquor on her breath. Just what had she been doing in there?
She supposed she would have to ask another time.
"She was still wishing herself dead last time I saw her" Su Ling explained with a wry grin. "I can't say a drinking contest with a giant spider was what I was expecting from that." It was the next day, and she had met Su Ling early in the morning to get some practice in. She was trying to further master Argent Mirror after all, and the fox girls illusions were the best practice she could safely find.
"Yeah, when she said she would need help getting back…" Ling Qi trailed off with a sigh as she leaned back against the tree she was resting near. Things had gone pretty well, but she was feeling more than a bit mentally exhausted from practicing the perception art for so long.
Talent 6 + Stones 30 + SuSu 5 + Growing Cavern 5 + Pills 12 + Spine 4 = 62
9 4 9 5 7 9 5 5 6 4 9 3 2 4 1 8 4 9 4 5 1 9 6 6 10 8 7 6 10 1 5 1 6 5 5 3 4 9 9 1 5 7 6 8 10 8 6 6 6 9 10 8 8 5 4 9 4 2 4 3 4 8. 38 successes
Rerolling 5
10 9 7 10 2. 1 success. 5 auto 44 total
132/120. Requires Early Green for next advancement
12 successes to qi
56/55
+1 qi
1/56
+10 weekly
11/56
9 4 9 5 7 9 5 5 6 4 9 3 2 4 1 8 4 9 4 5 1 9 6 6 10 8 7 6 10 1 5 1 6 5 5 3 4 9 9 1 5 7 6 8 10 8 6 6 6 9 10 8 8 5 4 9 4 2 4 3 4 8. 38 successes
Rerolling 5
10 9 7 10 2. 1 success. 5 auto 44 total
132/120. Requires Early Green for next advancement
12 successes to qi
56/55
+1 qi
1/56
+10 weekly
11/56
Passive Effects
-Adds three dice to all tests and clashes to resist or bypass illusion effects
-Adds two dice to composure and resolve tests as well as dispel clashes
-Adds four dice to survival, investigation, and empathy tests
-Allows the user to sense qi, out to one hundred meters away. The user may tell the cultivation realm of living things of their own stage or lower, and the realm of those higher.
-Allows the user, on a successful perception test, to determine a living things primary elemental alignments, spirit binding connections and overall level of qi.
Serene Reflection: oo
Cost: 5 qi
Instant
The user balances and cycles their qi, expelling external influences. Dispels a single negative effect of two dots or less from the user, and grants three additional die to spiritual defense against the effects caster for three turns. Negative effects of three dots may be dispelled as well, but require a successful clash.
Discerning Gaze: oo
Cost: 4 Qi
Instant
Channeling qi into their senses the user greatly enhances their ability to discern the truth of the world, gaining four additional dice on all perception and empathy tests for the length of a scene, in addition if the user is under the effects of an illusion or other sense affecting technique, they receive an immediate attempt to break out of it, with a four die bonus.
Tranquil Rebuke: ooo
Cost 6 qi
Instant
Centering themselves, the user finds serenity, and in doing, rises above the world, as the mountain stands above the earth. Though this state is short lived, any spiritual technique which targets the user suffers harsh repercussions if their technique fails to find purchase. When used, adds four dice to the users spiritual defense. If the user wins such a clash, the attacker suffers one point of perfect lethal damage, as well as suffering a three die penalty to their own defenses for the next turn.
True Reflection 0/- Requires early green
-Adds three dice to all tests and clashes to resist or bypass illusion effects
-Adds two dice to composure and resolve tests as well as dispel clashes
-Adds four dice to survival, investigation, and empathy tests
-Allows the user to sense qi, out to one hundred meters away. The user may tell the cultivation realm of living things of their own stage or lower, and the realm of those higher.
-Allows the user, on a successful perception test, to determine a living things primary elemental alignments, spirit binding connections and overall level of qi.
Serene Reflection: oo
Cost: 5 qi
Instant
The user balances and cycles their qi, expelling external influences. Dispels a single negative effect of two dots or less from the user, and grants three additional die to spiritual defense against the effects caster for three turns. Negative effects of three dots may be dispelled as well, but require a successful clash.
Discerning Gaze: oo
Cost: 4 Qi
Instant
Channeling qi into their senses the user greatly enhances their ability to discern the truth of the world, gaining four additional dice on all perception and empathy tests for the length of a scene, in addition if the user is under the effects of an illusion or other sense affecting technique, they receive an immediate attempt to break out of it, with a four die bonus.
Tranquil Rebuke: ooo
Cost 6 qi
Instant
Centering themselves, the user finds serenity, and in doing, rises above the world, as the mountain stands above the earth. Though this state is short lived, any spiritual technique which targets the user suffers harsh repercussions if their technique fails to find purchase. When used, adds four dice to the users spiritual defense. If the user wins such a clash, the attacker suffers one point of perfect lethal damage, as well as suffering a three die penalty to their own defenses for the next turn.
True Reflection 0/- Requires early green
Su Ling sat across from her, wiping an oiled rag along the length of her sword. Ling Qi had noticed her using the blade cleaning and care as a meditative exercise lately. "I saw her putting a bunch of those big clay jars into her ring, but I didn't really think about it," she admitted. "It's just a hangover though."
"I'm surprised that she can't just fix that," Ling Qi admitted, watching the clouds overhead as she rested her head on her hands.
"Ehh… liquor meant for cultivators is as full of weird shit as medicines," Su Ling replied easily. "Hao, the guy I sell my stuff too, does business with a couple of brewers. You have to use some pretty potent stuff to affect a cultivator."
Ling Qi hummed to herself, she supposed that made sense. "Do you think you have some free time still?"
Su Ling frowned for a moment. "Sure? I don't have anything I gotta do till later."
Ling Qi hesitated here, she knew it was a little silly, but she still felt awkward about asking this. "I've been doing a little composing. Do you think you would mind listening for awhile?"
The fox girls ears twitched and she looked at Ling Qi oddly, pausing in her work on polishing her blade. "Huh, you picked up another art then? Figured you'd be full up."
She frowned at her friend. "No, I mean just normal music. Not everything I do is cultivation."
Su Ling gave her a singularly unimpressed look.
"...Well I'm trying to do some normal stuff," Ling Qi muttered, looking away. "If you don't want to…"
"I don't mind," Su Ling replied over her. "I'm just kinda surprised. Hope you're not expectin me to know one note from another though."
"I don't need you too," Ling Qi replied, sitting up. "Just tell me how you feel about the piece when I'm done, that's more important than the technical stuff," at the risk of sounding arrogant, she was a bit beyond flubbing notes at this point.
She played without end for the rest of the morning, allowing her tension and built up nerves to flow away into the melody she wove with her flute. It was… nice. It was everything she liked about doing things with Suyin. There were none of the undercurrents of awkwardness atht remained with Meizhen, or the tension with Xiulan, or even the feeling of needing to live up to some impossible image that Li Suyin sometimes gave her.
Su Ling was hard to read though, she complimented the music easy enough, but she was pretty vague on her thoughts about it. The girl just seemed a little… sad, if anything. Which was strange, as the melody she was working on was lighter one. She didn't seem inclined to talk about it though, and so Ling Qi did not push… yet.
Maybe with a bit more effort, the girl would speak her mind.
Strength 14/20
Stamina 21/25
Intelligence 21/25
Wits 10/25
Resolve 16/25
Manipulation 17/35
Composure 16/25
Craft 4/6
Occult 6/12
Politics 4/12
Athletics 9/21
Larceny 10/25
Survival 6/15
Expression 17/21
Throwing Knives 14/14 New dot gained
Archery 2/20
Resilience 6/15
Power 4/3. New dot gained
Additional 25 successes to Eight Phase Ceremony
Stamina 21/25
Intelligence 21/25
Wits 10/25
Resolve 16/25
Manipulation 17/35
Composure 16/25
Craft 4/6
Occult 6/12
Politics 4/12
Athletics 9/21
Larceny 10/25
Survival 6/15
Expression 17/21
Throwing Knives 14/14 New dot gained
Archery 2/20
Resilience 6/15
Power 4/3. New dot gained
Additional 25 successes to Eight Phase Ceremony
Relationship Changes
Bai Meizhen: oooo
-Best Friend
Income after Expenditure: +150 Red Stones
You have five major actions and three minor. However, I will allow up to two minor actions which are tied to major ones.
[] Zhengui is growing restless, you should help him prepare a nest
[] Train at the vent with Su Ling
-[] Any
[] Take a job
-[] Specify
[] Visit the Archive
-[] Search for a technique
-[] Study or improve formations
[] Train with Meizhen
-[] Select an Art
[] Train with the Golden Fields Group
-[] Select an Art
[] Cultivate on your own
-[] Physical
-[] Spiritual
-[] Qi
-[] Meridian (which one?)
-[] Art(Which one?)
[] Attempt Breakthrough
[] Look in on Suyin and her new spirit, see how they're getting along
[] Continue playing music with Su Lingto unwind, you felt a little better just from one session after all.
[] Find the time for a chat with Guangli, even if he is biased, he's probably the one who knows Cai best
[] Spend some time around Cai Renxiang, what does she actually do all day
[] Take a look at the books Xuan Shi was reading in the archive, see if there really is anything hidden
[] Meizhen held something back in your last conversation. Press her on it, it seemed that she had some idea that might allow them to stay together
[] It has been some time since you have just done something relaxing with Xiulan, and you have some disposable income now, maybe you can have a little shopping trip?
[] Head back up the mountain to visit Zeqing. You... should try not to hold a grudge
[] Write a letter to mother
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SealedDaemon
Revealer of Invisitext, Vote Counter, and Beta
And it happened TWICE. The first time it got rerolled. Shame about the failed infiltration.
Mother Nyx
Mother of Elpis
- Location
- The Kei Klub
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Let's not push Bai just yet, again. Let's just bask in being besties again.
Beyond that, I feel like we should pick up Argent Current before me breakthrough?
Anyone else's thoughts on that?
Beyond that, I feel like we should pick up Argent Current before me breakthrough?
Anyone else's thoughts on that?
- Location
- USA
Great update, but jeeze, two rather horrible stealth rolls sucks.
@yrsillar , a question: could we get an update to the Jobs Board? With us having Stealth and Larceny successes go towards cultivation it would be nice to have a stealth/larceny Sect job to choose. I admit that sounds like an OOC reason, but I think Ling Qi knows in character that those sorts of actions help her cultivation these days. If so you would think she would look for jobs that included such actions.
@yrsillar , a question: could we get an update to the Jobs Board? With us having Stealth and Larceny successes go towards cultivation it would be nice to have a stealth/larceny Sect job to choose. I admit that sounds like an OOC reason, but I think Ling Qi knows in character that those sorts of actions help her cultivation these days. If so you would think she would look for jobs that included such actions.
Is this supposed to be Su Ling rather than Suyin?
Mother Nyx
Mother of Elpis
- Location
- The Kei Klub
- Pronouns
- She/Her
To be fair, Suyin was there. Just... too drunk off her ass to hear anything.
i would like us to write to mom.