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Forge of Destiny(Xianxia Quest)

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[x] Defensive approach. Attempt to reach the fort first and hold it against the others
[x] Support, remaining within art range of the group and acting fully in the role as a support
 
Last edited:
[x] Defensive approach. Attempt to reach the fort first and hold it against the others
[x] Support, remaining within art range of the group and acting fully in the role as a
 
Vote Tally : Original - Fantasy - Forge of Destiny(Xianxia Quest) | Page 19 | Sufficient Velocity
##### NetTally 1.7.10.1

[X] Defensive approach. Attempt to reach the fort first and hold it against the others
[X] Support, remaining within art range of the group and acting fully in the role as a support
No. of Votes: 10
Arkeus
Kipeci
Leviathan
Nevill
Serous
Shadowward
Sigil
Sirrocco
TotallyNotEvil
wingstrike96

[x] Offensive approach. Actively work to eliminate the other groups
[x] Scout, remaining in stealth and moving ahead of the group, while circling back around for support in combat
No. of Votes: 7
Kshail
Hannz
Koden
Raron
Vanguard_D
veekie
Zhade

[X] Offensive approach. Actively work to eliminate the other groups.
[X] Mixed, remaining out of sight, but within easy range of the group
No. of Votes: 3
tricholysis
1986ctcel
The Nomad

[X] Plan: Attack in Defense, Defense in Attack
-[X] Take the fort first, at all costs.
-[X] Station someone there with a ranged communication ability, then send out harassment forces to attack the other teams.
-[X] The person left behind booby-traps the fort as best they can. If the castle is attacked, they rabbit and let their booby traps take apart the other team, while calling the strike teams back to lead the other enemy team to attack the one that has invaded the fort. When both are weak, attack and destroy both.
-[X] Otherwise, harass the other teams. If one gets close to the fort, back to plan one. If a team gets hurt, they can fall back towards the fort.
-[X] In any case, lead the teams toward each other and the fort. They might join forces if they meet too far outside the fort, but once they get close, they likely won't be willing to let any foes inside the castle.
-[X] Scout to capture the castle, then Mixed with whoever the slowest of the team is so that we can keep their speed high enough for harassment attacks.
No. of Votes: 1
Plan: ◈Attack in Defense, Defense in Attack
Hangwind

[X] Defensive approach. Attempt to reach the fort first and hold it against the others
[X] Mixed, remaining out of sight, but within easy range of the group
No. of Votes: 1
pheonix89

[x] Scout ahead and pull enemies into a ambush.
[x] Use Against the Wind so that they come into the ambush at a disadvantage.
No. of Votes: 1
TheLastOne

[X] Offensive approach. Actively work to eliminate the other groups.
-[X] We know nothing about who we are fighting so let them fight each other to learn more and to take them out when they are tired.
[X] Scout, remaining in stealth and moving ahead of the group, while circling back around for support in combat.
No. of Votes: 1
eillera

Total No. of Voters: 24
Vote Tally : Original - Fantasy - Forge of Destiny(Xianxia Quest) | Page 19 | Sufficient Velocity
##### NetTally 1.7.10.1

[X] Offensive approach. Actively work to eliminate the other groups.
No. of Votes: 11
tricholysis
1986ctcel
eillera
Hannz
Koden
Kshail
Raron
The Nomad
Vanguard_D
veekie
Zhade

[X] Defensive approach. Attempt to reach the fort first and hold it against the others
No. of Votes: 11
Arkeus
Kipeci
Leviathan
Nevill
pheonix89
Serous
Shadowward
Sigil
Sirrocco
TotallyNotEvil
wingstrike96

[X] Support, remaining within art range of the group and acting fully in the role as a support
No. of Votes: 10
Arkeus
Kipeci
Leviathan
Nevill
Serous
Shadowward
Sigil
Sirrocco
TotallyNotEvil
wingstrike96

[x] Scout, remaining in stealth and moving ahead of the group, while circling back around for support in combat
No. of Votes: 8
Kshail
eillera
Hannz
Koden
Raron
Vanguard_D
veekie
Zhade

[X] Mixed, remaining out of sight, but within easy range of the group
No. of Votes: 4
tricholysis
1986ctcel
pheonix89
The Nomad

[X] Take the fort first, at all costs.
No. of Votes: 1
Plan: ◈Attack in Defense, Defense in Attack
Hangwind

[X] Station someone there with a ranged communication ability, then send out harassment forces to attack the other teams.
No. of Votes: 1
Plan: ◈Attack in Defense, Defense in Attack
Hangwind

[X] The person left behind booby-traps the fort as best they can. If the castle is attacked, they rabbit and let their booby traps take apart the other team, while calling the strike teams back to lead the other enemy team to attack the one that has invaded the fort. When both are weak, attack and destroy both.
No. of Votes: 1
Plan: ◈Attack in Defense, Defense in Attack
Hangwind

[X] Otherwise, harass the other teams. If one gets close to the fort, back to plan one. If a team gets hurt, they can fall back towards the fort.
No. of Votes: 1
Plan: ◈Attack in Defense, Defense in Attack
Hangwind

[X] In any case, lead the teams toward each other and the fort. They might join forces if they meet too far outside the fort, but once they get close, they likely won't be willing to let any foes inside the castle.
No. of Votes: 1
Plan: ◈Attack in Defense, Defense in Attack
Hangwind

[X] Scout to capture the castle, then Mixed with whoever the slowest of the team is so that we can keep their speed high enough for harassment attacks.
No. of Votes: 1
Plan: ◈Attack in Defense, Defense in Attack
Hangwind

[x] Scout ahead and pull enemies into a ambush.
No. of Votes: 1
TheLastOne

[x] Use Against the Wind so that they come into the ambush at a disadvantage.
No. of Votes: 1
TheLastOne

-[X] We know nothing about who we are fighting so let them fight each other to learn more and to take them out when they are tired.
No. of Votes: 1
eillera

Total No. of Voters: 24
 
[x] Defensive approach. Attempt to reach the fort first and hold it against the others
[x] Support, remaining within art range of the group and acting fully in the role as a

Consolidating because Offensive Support wouldn't end well
 
[X] Offensive approach. Actively work to eliminate the other groups.
[X] Mixed, remaining out of sight, but within easy range of the group​
 
Vote Tally : Original - Fantasy - Forge of Destiny(Xianxia Quest) | Page 19 | Sufficient Velocity
##### NetTally 1.7.4
[X] Defensive approach. Attempt to reach the fort first and hold it against the others
No. of Votes: 14
Arkeus
1986ctcel
FixerUpper
Kipeci
Leviathan
Nevill
pheonix89
Serous
Shadowward
Sigil
Sirrocco
TotallyNotEvil
veekie
wingstrike96
[X] Support, remaining within art range of the group and acting fully in the role as a support
No. of Votes: 12
Arkeus
FixerUpper
Kipeci
Leviathan
Nevill
Serous
Shadowward
Sigil
Sirrocco
TotallyNotEvil
veekie
wingstrike96
[X] Offensive approach. Actively work to eliminate the other groups.
No. of Votes: 10
tricholysis
eillera
Grigori
Hannz
Koden
Kshail
Raron
The Nomad
Vanguard_D
Zhade
[x] Scout, remaining in stealth and moving ahead of the group, while circling back around for support in combat
No. of Votes: 7
Kshail
eillera
Hannz
Koden
Raron
Vanguard_D
Zhade
[X] Mixed, remaining out of sight, but within easy range of the group
No. of Votes: 5
tricholysis
1986ctcel
Grigori
pheonix89
The Nomad
[X] Plan: Attack in Defense, Defense in Attack
-[X] Take the fort first, at all costs.
-[X] Station someone there with a ranged communication ability, then send out harassment forces to attack the other teams.
-[X] The person left behind booby-traps the fort as best they can. If the castle is attacked, they rabbit and let their booby traps take apart the other team, while calling the strike teams back to lead the other enemy team to attack the one that has invaded the fort. When both are weak, attack and destroy both.
-[X] Otherwise, harass the other teams. If one gets close to the fort, back to plan one. If a team gets hurt, they can fall back towards the fort.
-[X] In any case, lead the teams toward each other and the fort. They might join forces if they meet too far outside the fort, but once they get close, they likely won't be willing to let any foes inside the castle.
-[X] Scout to capture the castle, then Mixed with whoever the slowest of the team is so that we can keep their speed high enough for harassment attacks.
No. of Votes: 1
Plan: ◈Attack in Defense, Defense in Attack
Hangwind
[x] Scout ahead and pull enemies into a ambush.
No. of Votes: 1
TheLastOne
[x] Use Against the Wind so that they come into the ambush at a disadvantage.
No. of Votes: 1
TheLastOne
Total No. of Voters: 26
 
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Zhou's Test: Part 1
  • Threadmarks
    • The first stage of cultivation, the red stage, as it is called today, is in truth merely a preparatory step for the far more difficult path ahead. While it is true that cultivators at even the middle stages of it surpass all but the most skilled and gifted mortals, it cannot truly be said that they yet walk the path of the Immortal. It is possible to reach the peak of the Red Soul, of the Golden Physique with even the meanest talent, given time and dedication. The empire holds hundreds of thousands of such cultivators, and they serve the important role of filling her armies and staffing the city and town guards that protect the mortals of the empire and allow them to go on with their lives as productive citizens rather than fearing the predations of spirit beasts and petty banditry.

    This initial stage was often referred to as the stage of awakening in the past, or some similar moniker, and although that terminology has faded from common use somewhat, it remains accurate. To achieve it is to awaken, to see the world that lies beyond the veil of mundanity. Yet having managed simply to awake is not an achievement to be truly proud of, not for those with potential such as yours. The common soldier serves an important role, but you, who have been chosen to join the sects have the potential to accomplish so much more.

    Do not squander the opportunity you have been given.

    -Preface to a lesson by Elder Su

    "I think we should listen to Han Jian," Ling Qi responded quietly, fidgeting under the groups attention. "I… he's supposed to be the leader, right? Besides, we don't really have any good ways of searching for the other groups, I think?" She glanced around nervously, relaxing at Han Jian's approving expression.

    "Well I suppose so. I doubt the other disciples will be hard to find though," Gu Xiulan huffs, crossing her arms under her chest and glancing at her frowning fiancee. "Could you feel them through the ground Yu?"

    "No," he admits grudgingly. "I have not yet mastered that part of the Yellow Mountain art," he shoots you an irritated look, as if it's your fault that he had to admit that. You just glare back.

    "Which is why I figured defense was our best bet," Han Jian cut in firmly. "We don't have anyone with extended senses or scouting skills yet."

    "Then why ask at all?" Ling Qi asked curiously as they began to climb the steep stone path, keeping a wary eye on the cliffs above.

    "A leader needs to hear his subordinates, even if he thinks he knows best," Han Jian responded with a shrug. "Otherwise he might miss something. We should quiet down and get marching though. We'll be moving double time. I want time to survey the area around the target and set things up in our favor."

    His words seemed to ease Fan Yu's tension, and drew a complicated sigh from Xiulan. Fang simply shook his head and made a sound like a rasping cough that Ling Qi was fairly certain meant laughter from the mute boy as he began to walk faster. She herself simply shook her head and followed them all, keeping in the formation they had practiced, trailing just behind Han Jian.

    3 Successes needed.
    Stamina+Athletics+Cultivation. 4 dice plus 2 auto successes
    7, 8, 2, 4. 2 Successes


    She was soon glad for her further practice progress with her physique, because the group's pace up the steep mountain path was punishing enough to leave her red faced and out of breath by the time they finally reached the first plateau a quarter of an hour later. For someone like her, so used to mortal limits, it seemed absurd to have been practically sprinting for nearly a quarter of an hour.

    Yet thanks to the qi that had seeped into and empowered her body by this point, it was merely tiring, but not truly challenging. Their advantages as one of the first groups in seemed to be holding for the moment as they pushed on, slowed by the lightly forested terrain. Despite the obstruction, a banner bearing the sable dragon and violet pheonix of the empire was visible far ahead, flapping from the top of a watchtower presumably on the walls of the fort they were aiming to reach. It appeared to be at the top of the much shallower slope that forms the upper section of the mountain.

    It made navigation an easy task, but also increased the urgency of their march, since the other groups would easily see it as well. So Han Jian only gave them a minute or two to catch their breath before signalling everyone to spread out slightly and continue. Ling Qi was a moment behind the others in following the silent order, and it made her wish that she had been able to take more time to sync herself with the group. Despite the fact that she was keeping up, it still felt like those few awkward times that she had fallen in with other street urchins.

    Like she didn't really belong with here, to be specific. She ruthlessly shut down that niggling self doubt and focused her attention on the scraggly trees and underbrush around them, straining her ears for any sound that was out of place. The woods were eerily silent, lacking even the faint buzz of insects, the only sound came from the wind blowing through the branches, and the rumbling of thunder from the dark and bloated clouds roiling overhead.

    3 successes needed
    Stamina+Athletics+Cultivation
    2, 2, 1, 7. 1 success+2 Auto Successes
    The fast pace Han Jian and the others set is all the more difficult here on the uneven and root tangled ground. It was far more tense as well, at least on the path the number of directions she had to watch was limited, more like watching a street. Here an enemy could come from any direction. She wasn't the only one who seemed to dislike the terrain though, she noticed Gu Xiulan grimacing as her gown was caught now and again on brambles or branches, and Han Jian nearly stumbled once or twice on a well hidden tree root. Was this kind of terrain not common in the eastern provinces?

    In the end, they burst from the treeline less than ten minutes later, and though Ling Qi found herself nearly panting for breath as Han Jian raised a hand to signal for them to slow down. The fort lay ahead, set at the top of what looked to have once been a shallow hill. On three sides, stone and dirt had been sheered away, leaving unnaturally smooth cliffs some five meters high that seemed to flow naturally into the utilitarian gray masonry of the forts walls which stood as tall as two grown men.

    The final side was a shallow slope with a rough stairway carved into it's center, leading upward to the forts only entrance, a heavy wooden gate that stood open for the moment the gateway was wide enough for three men to pass through side by side, and revealed that the walls were only perhaps a meter thick. This really was a small fort, even her home town had walls of greater thickness raised around the town proper.

    The two 'front' corners held rounded fortifications raised on stubby towers rising half again the height of the walls above the rest. They were covered by wooden canopies, with the center of each dominated by an odd wooden device. It looked a bit like a crossbow the size of a horse, but not quite, she recognized it as a net thrower, she had seen the city guard take down a flying spirit beast with one when she was younger, and even gotten to see one operated up close once, while hiding during a theft on the workshop that built them. There had been a third such fortification situated in the center of the rear wall as well. The banners flapped from atop their canopies.

    As they came to a halt at the bottom of the steps, Ling Qi did her best to catch her breath without being obvious about it. The others were winded to be sure, but none to the same extent as her. She on the other hand was quite tired, her disciple's gown clinging uncomfortably and darkened by sweat in places. She felt even more out of place than usual next to the still pristine Xiulan, who, at worst had a few brambles caught on the hems of her gown.

    "Weapons out. Stay spread out, but within range of Ling Qi and I's techniques," Han Jian said quietly as Fang mounted the first of the steps shortly followed by Fan Yu, both drawing their respective weapons. "We don't know if someone else made it first and is trying to lure us in, so stay alert until we've scoped it out."

    Ling Qi nodded, quickly flicking one of her now sharpened knives into her right hand, pausing to scan the treeline behind them as she did. She didn't want to be snuck up on either after all. She had her breathing back under control now and though her calves still burned, she could ignore it. They reached the gate without incident, and after a pause Han Jian waved his cousin forward, the larger boy stepping cautiously between the gates hammer held at the ready. When nothing happened even after he took several steps inside, it was a relief, Han Jian still gestured for Fan Yu and Xiulan to watch the approach as the two of you moved inside next.

    The area in inside the fort consisted of a small dirt courtyard, with a set of steps on each wall leading up to the battlements. In the center stood a small stone square with a single door and only a handful of narrow arrow slits for windows. It looked far too small to hold more than a handful of people at a time.

    "If I remember right, the fortifications in this region usually have their barracks and support buildings underground, since the mountain tribes don't have any cultivators who use any type of earth qi, and flat space is usually at a premium in the mountains," Han Jian says from beside you, apparently talking to himself. "I kinda doubt that shutting ourselves in a hole for a couple hours will satisfy the instructor though," he adds in a musing tone.

    "Probably not," Ling Qi responded distractedly. It might fulfill the letter of the order, but it probably wasn't in keeping with the spirit, which might be part of the test. "We could probably retreat too it if we need too though," she added in an unsure tone. "I… falling back if you're overwhelmed is good sense, right?"

    Han Jian chuckled, "depends who you ask. There's more than one person who would say that any retreat from barbarians is shameful, and a dereliction of duty besides."

    "Well of course," Gu Xiulan's voice came from behind her along with the creaking sound of the gates closing. Ling Qi glanced back to see Fan Yu turning the mechanism to close the heavy gates. "Retreating in the face of barbarian trash means allowing them in to ravage the poor defenseless little mortals, all the shame in the cowardice aside," the annoyingly pretty girl says in a chipper voice. "Of course, sometimes needs must, but it certainly should not be the first option in mind," she adds with an irritating smile that made Ling Qi bristle at the implied insult.

    Han Jian raised a hand to cut off Ling Qi's retort, and glanced at Fang, who was standing beside the door leading into the central building, "Fang, check inside I doubt there's anything useful, but we should check the interior" Ling Qi blinked, that gave her what might be a good idea. Maybe they could hide in the barracks and attack whoever came next? Or even wait until the other groups were fighting and only attack the winner? She probably would have done that if she was on her own. "We need to hurry. I doubt we have more than a quarter hour at most before someone reaches us. Less if they're being impatient."

    "Then we need to find our positions quickly," Fan Yu grunts as he strides up, the gates having been closed by this point. "What do you intend Jian?"

    "I think…" Han Jian muses, glancing at the gates. "I think Fang and I should move to the battlements over the gates. His art will be fine for harassing approaching enemies, and even if I'm not great at archery, I can handle a bow."

    "You don't have one though," Ling Qi pointed out slowly, wondering why no one else pointed this out.

    He glanced at her in confusion, and then seemed to understand. "Oh, right. I have it on me, it's just in storage. Father gave me a small dimensional ring before I left home." He seems distracted, eyes roaming all over the courtyard.

    Ling Qi had no idea what that was, but she didn't feel like exposing that ignorance to her companions. So she remained silent as Han Jian continued. "Yu, I want you down there to hold the gate. It's going to be broken, so we need someone resilient down there to hold any enemies off."

    "And what of us?" Xiulan asked, idly bouncing on the balls of her feet, apparently impatient to get moving. Fang re-emerges from the central building at this point, and nods to Jian, gesturing to indicate that it is clear.

    "You… should be on one of the watchtowers. Your art has the best range, and I need someone to keep an eye on the other approaches. I need you to use some tokens to set up alarm formations on the other walls too. I don't think any of the other disciples short of Sun Liling could make it over the rear walls, but I could be wrong. I don't know the arts of every disciple we're competing against."

    "Ling Qi," he looked over at her with a frown. "I'd say that you should go with Xiulan, leaving someone alone is usually not the best strategy," he scrubs a hand through his hair looking frustrated. "Defending a fort with so few people… it's kind of a challenge. We're almost certain to have to retreat to the courtyard if the others are reasonably well organized. On the other hand, having you hold the center with us would really help as well."

    Ling Qi considered, glancing at Xiulan, who continued to smile cheerfully. She didn't really like the other girl and wasn't certain she trusted her. Still leaving her alone was dangerous, too. She might be able to work the net thrower if she was on the tower as well. She doubted she would be accurate with it, but given her lack of other truly long range options it couldn't hurt.

    On the other hand, staying with the main group felt much safer, and she would be helping all three of the boys, and Xiulan could retreat from the tower to join them in the courtyard if things went poorly.

    On the other hand… maybe she could convince them to use her less than honorable tactics. It might be a bit hard to convince them though, and she wasn't sure if Instructor Zhou would approve of that kind of thing.

    [] Join Xiulan on the tower
    [] Hold the center with the others
    [] Offer Ling Qi's own ambush idea
    [] Write In?
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [x] Offer Ling Qi's own ambush idea

    We aren't going to win if we don't stack the odds somehow. Better to be seen as shifty but hungry for the win, then play cautious and lose.
     
    Is there something going on between Jian, Yu, and Xiulan? The girl pays a lot more attention to the leader and the company he keeps than to her own fiancé.

    [X] Offer Ling Qi's own ambush idea

    As far as ideas go, it's not the worst one.
     
    Nevill said:
    Is there something going on between Jian, Yu, and Xiulan? The girl pays a lot more attention to the leader and the company he keeps than to her own fiancé.

    [X] Offer Ling Qi's own ambush idea

    As far as ideas go, it's not the worst one.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    I presume she has the hots for Han Jian but he rejected her/her family's offer of betrothal and she got stuck with Fan Yu.
     
    [x] Offer Ling Qi's own ambush idea

    Zhou's a soldier fighting pillaging barbarians. He's not likely to consider ambushes a problematic tactic.
     
    [x] Offer Ling Qi's own ambush idea

    So, our lack of a real weapon bites us in the ass? Not one update after we picked a fucking holdout one for our primary?

    Who would have thought of that, huh? If only someone had warned us we should pick a real weapon for an all-out fight, eh?
     
    Last edited:
    TotallyNotEvil said:
    So, our lack of a real weapon bites us in the ass? Not one update after we picked a fucking holdout one for our primary?

    Who would have thought of that, huh?
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you knew we'd be doing a static defense operation where sniping capability was important.

    Oh, right, you didn't. The knives leaving us not fucked in melee would be more important in many scenarios.
     
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