Forge of Destiny(Xianxia Quest)

@Arkeus
I am for apologizing.
We really barely scrapped by here, and should apologize in both groups.

I am only glad we did not bring everyone together to the vents.
The thing is... Gu Xiulan did want us to present Li Suyin to her, and Su Ling did gain from this. Given a potential social action is talking to Gu Xiulan about the issue and trying to see what's what, a hasty apology not only might actually piss her off compared to actually spending time to do it well, but it's also not something that would be very truthful from Qi Ling to her.

Speaking of Gu Xiulan, I'm really getting the impression here, given her reaction about Huang Da, that she is perfectly fine with 'marrying for power to not so great people'. Given the hints about Han Jian's previous self, I actually wouldn't be surprised if she used to be like the Huang Da fangirls, but for Han Jian. The Blood Knight bit seems to go against it, but it seems she is more complex than 'just' Blood Knight when it comes to such topics.
 
The thing is... Gu Xiulan did want us to present Li Suyin to her, and Su Ling did gain from this. Given a potential social action is talking to Gu Xiulan about the issue and trying to see what's what, a hasty apology not only might actually piss her off compared to actually spending time to do it well, but it's also not something that would be very truthful from Qi Ling to her.

Speaking of Gu Xiulan, I'm really getting the impression here, given her reaction about Huang Da, that she is perfectly fine with 'marrying for power to not so great people'. Given the hints about Han Jian's previous self, I actually wouldn't be surprised if she used to be like the Huang Da fangirls, but for Han Jian. The Blood Knight bit seems to go against it, but it seems she is more complex than 'just' Blood Knight when it comes to such topics.

Good points.

I am ok with either than, excuses or not.

We should try to find time and just talk to our friends next week than.
 
@Arkeus

I would apologise to Su Ling an Li Suyin for that whole thing. But I am highly against apologising to Han Jian's group. Xiulan and Fan Yu particularly were ridiculously, unbelievably rude from literally word one. Like if we weren't so close and didn't need them so much I'd be considering dropping the group over this.

Yeah Su Ling didn't help on day two but you don't say it's fine to bring someone along to a friend and act so badly from word one. Especially if you (Xiulan) have been asking to meet those friends. If you're really thay opposed for god's sake say no before hand, or at least be rude to me (i.e. the person that invited them) rather than the guest. We need to have a serious talk with them, especially Xiulan next social action.
 
Good to know. I do think it's a delicate situation and preferably handled with a real social action yes, and not a subvote. I'll keep my current vote that has "Apologise to Li Suyin", mainly because Su Ling actually had a lot of fun so she's probably not going to like a 'worthless' apology, if I understand her character right.
 
If there is better wording, do tell. If people don't agree, do tell.
Personally I don't see a reason to apologise and I see some not to. It's not-China, first of all, so apologies are always admitting fault and blame for something going wrong. Nothing really went all that wrong for anyone—feelings scraped and bruised but nothing 'permanent' or needing papering over. Second, Li Suyin can't be coddled everytime something doesn't meet her classical expectations of noble nobles and virtuous cultivators. We already had that talk and retreading it wouldn't do much good. Even if that's not her problem with what's happened, if it's just her feeling snubbed, then she does need to recognise that shivering branches draw a lot of attention if the rest of the tree is still, and Ling Qi can't be the one to patch her mental state up after every confrontation she has.
 
Personally I don't see a reason to apologise and I see some not to. It's not-China, first of all, so apologies are always admitting fault and blame for something going wrong. Nothing really went all that wrong for anyone—feelings scraped and bruised but nothing 'permanent' or needing papering over. Second, Li Suyin can't be coddled everytime something doesn't meet her classical expectations of noble nobles and virtuous cultivators. We already had that talk and retreading it wouldn't do much good. Even if that's not her problem with what's happened, if it's just her feeling snubbed, then she does need to recognise that shivering branches draw a lot of attention if the rest of the tree is still, and Ling Qi can't be the one to patch her mental state up after every confrontation she has.
There's a difference between coddling someone and saying "Sorry the group I specifically invited you to acted like complete arseholes. I never thought they'd be that bad." That apology won't need a full social action but I think it very much needs saying to Suyin as her friend.
 
The thing is... Gu Xiulan did want us to present Li Suyin to her,
Did she?
That was his heart technique if she remembered right. "Thanks for offering," she responded regretfully. "I'm going to be really busy for awhile though. I'm going to try to win a spot in the top three in Elder Su's lessons, so I'm going to be studying and cultivating with Li Suyin a lot this week," she paused, feeling awkward as she recalled an issue. "Ah… Have I introduced you to Li Suyin? She's my friend in the spiritual lessons."

Gu Xiulan frowned, giving Ling Qi a reproachful look. "You have not, nor have you even mentioned her," she said, sounding a little irritated. "I believe I have seen her though, that waif-ish girl with the blue hair? I had noticed you speaking to her, but I did not know you were so close."
All I am reading in her words is 'you have some other friends than me, and you didn't tell me about them? I thought I was your most important friend and you will be holding on to me like a drowning man!'

I think Karugus has the right idea. Gu Xiulan is possessive, and she has her eyes set on Han Jian... and on us. She does not want her investment to drift away, and she wants to know everything about us - whom we hang out with, what circles we are orbiting, etc. That does not mean she wants to mingle with that part of our lives. She wants to keep a hands-on approach on our development. She is already sizing us up for beautification and thinking of setting us up with a rich and influental suitor (she even contemplated Huang Da).

I think Han Jian and Li Suyin deserve an apology. I also think Su Ling got what she wanted and it was better than what she expected anyway - an apology would surprise her more than anything. As for Gu Xiulan, I am not sure. I know she means well and that she offered us a helping hand when we needed it most - and that warrants our gratitude - but at some point we are going to want to take her hand off our shoulder when she gets too pushy.

Speaking of Gu Xiulan, I'm really getting the impression here, given her reaction about Huang Da, that she is perfectly fine with 'marrying for power to not so great people'.
Marrying us for power that she might be able to tap into. This is the vibe I got from her.

And hey, if we'd be alright with it, why not?
 
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Did she?

All I am reading in her words is 'you have some other friends than me, and you didn't tell me about them? I thought I was your most important friend and you will be holding on to me like a drowning man!'

I think Karugus has the right idea. Gu Xiulan is possessive, and she has her eyes set on Han Jian... and on us. She does not want her investment to drift away, and she wants to know everything about us - whom we hang out with, what circles we are orbiting, etc. That does not mean she wants to mingle with that part of our lives. She wants to keep a hands-on approach on our development. She is already sizing us up for beautification and thinking of setting us up with a rich and influental suitor (she even contemplated Huang Da).
I think it's both. Gu Xiulan is possessive and jealous (and I've said so a few times before), but I think she also wanted to 'have control' on that part of our life. I might be misreading her there, but I think she both wants us to have nothing to do with Li Suying (so she is our only friend), but also wants us to present Li Suyin to her so that there is 'no hidden friendship'.
I think Han Jian and Li Suyin deserve an apology. I think Su Ling got what she wanted and it was better than she expected anyway - an apology would surprise her more than anything. As for Gu Xiulan, I am not sure. I know she means well and that she offered us a helping hand when we needed it most - and that warrants our gratitude - but at some point we are going to want to take her hand off our shoulder when she gets too pushy.
I'm not sure about Han Jian. I think he had fun with Su Ling, to be honest. I also think that he actually likes putting some chaos into his little group. Again, I might be misreading things.
 
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It just struck me that Gu Xiulian is slowly shaping up to be like Ling Qi's mom. Grooming her and all that is bound to blow up at a certain point, especially if she doesn't learn of Ling's past and why she ran away.
 
It just struck me that Gu Xiulian is slowly shaping up to be like Ling Qi's mom. Grooming her and all that is bound to blow up at a certain point, especially if she doesn't learn of Ling's past and why she ran away.
This is why I talked earlier that her attitude toward Huang Da's pursuit of us was...worrying. It really feels not having used a full action to have us explain our issues and deal with it might bite us in the ass, as while she is sort of understanding we don't like him, she also seems to think it would be good for us to be 'sold out' to the highest noble around.

There is a big schism in perspective there, and we need to deal with it.
 
We can probably leave it for a week, but yeah, week after, we need to social Gu Xiulan. And maybe ask Meizhen for advice on Huangda too.
 
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A Calm Dark and Quiet World
A Calm, Quiet, and Dark World


It was such a fragile thing, this representation of her qi. Never consciously aware of its existence, but always comforted by its presence. The presence of qi was the mark of a cultivator, a being who had the talent, and drive, to strive beyond the bounds of mortality and become something more than they once were. However, not all qi is alike, each is flavored by experiences, griefs, triumphs, and choices that are made. This qi is no different, and while its owner has barely begun the journey of cultivation, the qi has shifted, contorted, and expanded to meet the demands placed on it.

The representation of a qi is not a physical representation, nor is it purely illusory. It straddles the line between that which is and that which is not. For while it can have an influence on the material world, how can a representation of an immaterial entity be considered material? This qi, like so many others, could be seen as a flame flickering and growing stronger as more fuel is fed to it, but that can be said of all representation of qi. To determine the true nature of someone's qi, one must look beyond the flickering flame to what lies within.

A qi may look appear as a mountain, strong against those who would come against it, knowing of all who step foot on it, and always remembering grudges and promises. Another may appear to be a brilliant bonfire, roaring in proudness at the light and power that it produces and begging all to come and gaze upon it in wonder. Still yet a different qi would be like the thunder of the clouds, full of brilliant power and prestige but quiet until the time to display them. The sun may be the representation of another qi, calm and life-giving to those who take shelter under its power, but ruthless against those that would seek to harm it.

None of these representations of qi are the representation we seek to perceive though, none of these multitudes of qi have piqued our interest. It is this qi, a representation of wild winds, the fog that hovers over the waters of the ocean, and the deep, calm dark that lies underneath the waves. Over this landscape, there is no sun, like in so many other representations, but only the grinning moon and the stars that keep it company. This landscape will change as the journey continues and more of life is experienced. Mountains may rise from the sea, trees may grow like the mangroves, or thunder may pierce the heavens. However, one thing will be certain, that the moment the journey started, the wind was seeking freedom and shortly afterward the waters and the dark came as well to make this qi their abode.

While tempests may form from the fear, indignation, and pain suffered along the journey, those tempests will never touch the cold, calm dark places beneath the waves. The place that was grown during the years of harsh living on the uncaring streets. For she has never forgotten the power of being able to be still and unseen, of being unnoticed by the predators around her, and using that carelessness to survive in this cruel and unforgiving world.
 
...Someone got a gif of Azula losing her shit? It would be representative.

That's... Hrm. Gu Xiulan as Azula-like. Well, no wonder I like Xiulan, troubles and all. Hah. She's more polished than Azula in her social skills though.

... I wonder if that makes us the Mai-like in this analogy. We don't have the, ah, perkiness to be Ty Lee. (Suyin has the pressure points, maybe?) A qi blocker in this setting would be an absolute menace though.

You are not, but keep in mind that everyone else suffers from lower talent, average is 4-5, below average is three. Most folks don;t get nearly as much success as Ling Qi even with a greater number of dice.

I didn't realize that a 1-2 dice gap talent would have so much impact TBH. I guess over a large enough number of rolls, it adds up though.
 
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@yrsillar Thanks! So, any ideas where my +2 should be used? I was thinking Zephyr's breath if "Plan Zephyr" won, but if "Plan Plan" won I don't think it would be all that useful.
 
At this point I'm thinking the most salient point of her being pissy was that she wanted her alone time with us when we told her we'd be busy last week, and this week instead of doing alone time with her and maybe telling her about Li Suyin we brought Li Suyin in her Han Jian's time. I'm sure if we had done an action with Gu Xiulan she'd have felt that we aren't cutting her own time with us by bringing our other friend and having our own alone time with that other friend. She... probably doesn't like being second. At all.

That might be due to her relationship with Han Jian's group.

I didn't realize that a 1-2 dice gap talent would have so much impact TBH. I guess over a large enough number of rolls, it adds up though.
Not even large enough numbers of rolls. For every ten successes Qi Ling has, a Talent 5 would have 8. A Talent 4 would have 6. That's huge. Really, really huge.

Huge enough that it would justifies having a starting character with Talent 4 but Late Red and having a spiritual animal and having hundreds of red spirit stones per months of resources. Hell, even then it seems too weak (I'm thinking Han Jian is a bit lower on the rung of nobles for 'High Noble', for example).

Speaking of starting chars:
High Noble (Average Innate Talent as disadvantage) < Scholar (No mention of Innate Talent) < Artisan (Above Average Innate Talent advantage)/Soldier (Above Average Talent (not innate?) advantage) < Street Rat (High Innate Talent) < Prisoner (Best Innate Talent)

That would tend to make one think 3<4<5/5<6<7, but 3 is not only 'Below average' but crippling. We get two and a half as many successes as a 3. Talent 7 would get thrice. So my thought is that it was 4<5<5 (with special talent) for Artisan/Soldier<6<7. That or @yrsillar hadn't the rules down pat at the time.

Also, Han Jian is probably High Noble (though he probably isn't one, and the High Noble was not supposed to be an heir), Li Suyin is probably Scholar, I don't know if we met the Artisan but Li Suyin apparently mentioned him, the Soldier is probably Gan Guangli, and the Prisoner Ji Rong.

Huang Da is probably Ji Rong's chargen enemy. Which annoys me, as it means we got most of the Prisoner's disadvantage (military service, enemy from the get go, no ressources) but we haven't got it's ridiculously good advantages (Best Talent, High Physical Skill and good combat skill). Well, we do have decent mental abilities and 'possibly hidden ability?', but still. Getting it's disadvantage :(
 
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@yrsillar, what is the meaning of the individual dots on the sections of the Forgotten Vale Melody? The one we just unlocked is already at two dots, so I don't think it's a matter how upgrade each particular section is. Does that have to do with the number of dice somewhere?
 
At this point I'm thinking the most salient point of her being pissy was that she wanted her alone time with us when we told her we'd be busy last week, and this week instead of doing alone time with her and maybe telling her about Li Suyin we brought Li Suyin in her Han Jian's time. I'm sure if we had done an action with Gu Xiulan she'd have felt that we aren't cutting her own time with us by bringing our other friend and having our own alone time with that other friend. She... probably doesn't like being second. At all.

That might be due to her relationship with Han Jian's group.


Not even large enough numbers of rolls. For every ten successes Qi Ling has, a Talent 5 would have 8. A Talent 4 would have 6. That's huge. Really, really huge.

Huge enough that it would justifies having a starting character with Talent 4 but Late Red and having a spiritual animal and having hundreds of red spirit stones per months of resources. Hell, even then it seems too weak (I'm thinking Han Jian is a bit lower on the rung of nobles for 'High Noble', for example).

Speaking of starting chars:
High Noble (Average Innate Talent as disadvantage) < Scholar (No mention of Innate Talent) < Artisan (Above Average Innate Talent advantage)/Soldier (Above Average Talent (not innate?) advantage) < Street Rat (High Innate Talent) < Prisoner (Best Innate Talent)

That would tend to make one think 3<4<5/5<6<7, but 3 is not only 'Below average' but crippling. We get two and a half as many successes as a 3. Talent 7 would get thrice. So my thought is that it was 4<5<5 (with special talent) for Artisan/Soldier<6<7. That or @yrsillar hadn't the rules down pat at the time.

Also, Han Jian is probably High Noble (though he probably isn't one, and the High Noble was not supposed to be an heir), Li Suyin is probably Scholar, I don't know if we met the Artisan but Li Suyin apparently mentioned him, the Soldier is probably Gan Guangli, and the Prisoner Ji Rong.

Huang Da is probably Ji Rong's chargen enemy. Which annoys me, as it means we got most of the Prisoner's disadvantage (military service, enemy from the get go, no ressources) but we haven't got it's ridiculously good advantages (Best Talent, High Physical Skill and good combat skill). Well, we do have decent mental abilities and 'possibly hidden ability?', but still. Getting it's disadvantage :(
Well could Xiulan be the High Noble character? She's got the attitude problems and a ton of older sisters meaning she's not the heir.
 
@yrsillar, what is the meaning of the individual dots on the sections of the Forgotten Vale Melody? The one we just unlocked is already at two dots, so I don't think it's a matter how upgrade each particular section is. Does that have to do with the number of dice somewhere?
We get the bonus numbers of dots when using the skill for clash purpose. For example, Guiding Zephyr gives +1 dices to ally, not us, but using Guiding Zephyr, as it's a 1 dot technique, gives us +1 dice. This is why using Against the Wind gives us +2 dots for the clash, etc.
Well could Xiulan be the High Noble character? She's got the attitude problems and a ton of older sisters meaning she's not the heir.
I guess, or Huang Da, but she doesn't seem to have the "High Noble" part of it. She seems to be a lower noble that's rich and a family that's trying to marry up.
 
Information: Please don't overuse the tagging system
I hope you are all very certain in your decision of locking us in for more support type arts in the future. Because, y'know, that's what we are likely to get from water.

Instead, of, say, a Darkness-type talisman custom built for our needs, which boosts our two main arts. Or a Yin type, for all three.

Sash ain't "good", it's literally the first thing of remote worth we've stumbled upon.

Be. Patient.

please don't overuse the tagging system You might find you'll attract the wrong type attention from people you don't want it from. :V
 
Inserted tally
Adhoc vote count started by Kshail on May 11, 2017 at 10:06 AM, finished with 326 posts and 36 votes.

  • [x] Plan The Zephyr Will Fly
    -[X] Two Red Stone, 1 Sable Light Pills, 1 Gushing Spring Pills, 1 Qi Foundation Pill, 1 Channel Cleansing Pill, 1 Qi Expansion Pill, 1 Clear Wind Pill, 1 White Hart Elixir, Meizhen's Tea
    -[X] Instructor Zhou Class (Locked-In)
    --[X] Warn Gui Xuilian and Han Jian that we've doing all the drugs next week, and will be worst company for the week.
    --[X] Cultivate Zephyr's Breath.
    -[X] Elder Su's Class (Locked-In)
    --[X] Open Heart Meridian.
    --[X] Ask her how one would go about earning the next scroll of the Argent series, or of Zephyr's Breath. Is there anything we can do to earn them?
    -[X] Go up to the vent to cultivate with Su Ling and Li Suyin
    --[X] Warn them that we're going to be doing all the drugs this week, and apologize for our lack of personality for the next little while.
    --[X] Apologise to Li Suyin about pressuring Her into training with the other group given how painful it seems to have been for her, and make it obvious our friendship is not conditional on her doing this.
    --[X] Forgotten Vales Melody
    -[X] Talk to Han Jian, he did mention wanting to do some training
    --[X] Sable Crescent Step
    -[X] Cultivate on your own
    --[X] Open Head Meridian.
    --[X] Open Spine Meridian.
    --[X] (Meizhen's Tea) Zephyr's Breath
    [X]Overflow to physical first.
    [X] Plan do what we planned to do
    -[X] Overflow for all cultivation directed first into Physical, and once Physical fills up into Spiritual.
    -[X] Two Red Stone, 1 Sable Light Pills, 1 Gushing Spring Pills, 1 Qi Foundation Pill, 1 Channel Cleansing Pill, 1 Qi Expansion Pill, 1 Clear Wind Pill, 1 White Hart Elixir, Meizhen's Tea
    -[X] Instructor Zhou Class (Locked-In)
    --[x] Warn Gui Xuilian and Han Jian that we've doing all the drugs next week, and will be somewhat worst company for the week. Warn them if everything goes as planned we'll try to breakthrough to yellow next week, and silver the week after.
    --[X] Cultivate Zephyr's Breath.
    -[X] Elder Su's Class (Locked-In)
    --[X] Open Legs Spine
    -[X] Go up to the vent to cultivate with Su Ling and Li Suyin
    --[X] Warn them and Meizhen that we're going to be doing all the drugs this week, and apologize for our lack of personality for the next little while. Warn them if everything goes as planned we'll try to breakthrough to yellow next week, and silver the week after.
    --[X] Forgotten Vales Melody
    -[X] Talk to Han Jian, he did mention wanting to do some training
    --[X] Sable Crescent Step
    -[X] Cultivate on your own
    --[X] Open Heart Meridian.
    --[X] Open Arms Meridian.
    --[X] (Meizhen's Tea) Open Meridian Heart.
    [X] Plan All The Drugs
    -[X] Two Red Stone, 1 Sable Light Pills, 1 Gushing Spring Pills, 1 Qi Foundation Pill, 1 Channel Cleansing Pill, 1 Qi Expansion Pill, 1 Clear Wind Pill, 1 White Hart Elixir, Meizhen's Tea
    -[X] Instructor Zhou Class (Locked-In)
    --[X] Warn Gui Xuilian and Han Jian that we've doing all the drugs next week, and will be worst company for the week.
    --[X] Cultivate Physical.
    -[X] Elder Su's Class (Locked-In)
    --[X] Open Heart Meridian.
    --[X] Ask her how one would go about earning the next scrool of the Argent series, or of Zephyr's Breath.
    -[X] Go up to the vent to cultivate with Su Ling, Li Suyin, and Bai Meizhen
    --[X] Warn them that we're going to be doing all the drugs this week, and apologize for our lack of personality for the next little while.
    --[X] Forgotten Vale Melody
    -[X] Talk to Han Jian, he did mention wanting to do some training
    --[X] Sable Crescent Step
    --[X] Apologize for the earlier awkwardness
    -[X] Cultivate on your own
    --[X] Zephyr's Breath
    --[X] (Meizhen's Tea) Zephyr's Breath
    [x] Plan Thunderdome
    [x] Meizhen's Tea, Two Red Stones, White Hart Elixer.
    -[X] Go up to the vent to cultivate with Su Ling and Li Suyin
    -[x] Physical Cultivation
    -[x] Spiritual Cultivation
    [x] Tea
    -[x] spiritual
    -[X] Cultivate on your own
    -[x] Physical Breakthrough
    [X] Plan Pill Week - Arts and Meridians
    -[X] Friends - Tell them all we are going to be heavily cultivating
    -[X] Resources - 2 Red Spirit Stones, 1 Sable Light Pill, 1 Qi Foundation Pill, 1 Channel Cleansing Pill, 1 Qi Expansion Pill, 1 Clear Wind Pill, 1 White Heart Elixer, 1 Meizhen's Tea
    -[X] Elder Su's Class - Heart Meridian
    -[X] Try for training between Han Jian's group and yours again
    --[X] Forgotten Vale Melody
    -[X] Go up to the vent to cultivate with Su Ling and Li Suyin
    --[X] Sable Crescent Step
    --[X] Bring in Han Jian and his group
    -[X] Cultivate Art - Zephyr's Breath
    -[X] Cultivate Meridian - Spine
    -[X] Meizhen's Tea - Cultivate Meridian - Arm
    -[X] Two Red Stone, 1 Sable Light Pills, 1 Gushing Spring Pills, 1 Qi Foundation Pill, 1 Channel Cleansing Pill, 1 Qi Expansion Pill, 1 Clear Wind Pill, 1 White Hart Elixir, Meizhen's Tea
    -[X] Instructor Zhou Class (Locked-In)
    --[X] Warn Gui Xuilian and Han Jian that we've doing all the drugs next week, and will be worst company for the week.
    --[X] Cultivate Zephyr's Breath.
    -[X] Elder Su's Class (Locked-In)
    --[X] Open Heart Meridian.
    --[X] Ask her how one would go about earning the next scroll of the Argent series, or of Zephyr's Breath. Is there anything we can do to earn them?
    -[X] Go up to the vent to cultivate with Su Ling and Li Suyin
    --[X] Warn them that we're going to be doing all the drugs this week, and apologize for our lack of personality for the next little while.
    --[X] Forgotten Vales Melody
    -[X] Talk to Han Jian, he did mention wanting to do some training
    --[X] Sable Crescent Step
    -[X] Cultivate on your own
    --[X] Open Spine Meridian.
    --[X] (Meizhen's Tea) Zephyr's Breath
    [X]Overflow to physical first.{/td}
 
@TheLastOne, your comparison of my plan and yours somehow got picked up by your tally, so you are no longer counted as voting for your own plan.
 
@yrsillar If I gave my bonus to Zephyr's breath, and it had two distinct actions due to tea usage, would each of those actions get the bonus successes or only one?
 
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