It seems strange to go from the current system setup where one needs "overlaping Arts to achieve competency in any area" to this future "max of 8 Arts in total to cover every needed area"
Hopefully we won't run into the issue where multiple low(er) level Art that eat few Meridians give better results that high(er) level Arts that eat a bunch of meridians.
As i see it the current growth of the power / meridian ratio on our Arts isn't high enough to avoid this. Hopefully our next arts to level up to Green realm will give them the major power spike needed to disprove me.
I guess it has something to do with how irrelevant meridians currently are for Ling Qi. An art going from two to three needed meridians only mean one extra action to LQ, so obviously it can't gain +50% power up.
There's a little issue with that, so far the only successor arts we've seen would indicate that successor arts are more specialized versions of the initial art: FSS+/TRF+/SCS+/whatever+ will most likely leave big fat holes in our competency coverage.
There's a little issue with that, so far the only successor arts we've seen would indicate that successor arts are more specialized versions of the initial art: FSS+/TRF+/SCS+/whatever+ will most likely leave big fat holes in our competency coverage.
Well, FZ wasn't exactly losing anything from its previous art, was it? It might have given more focus to the movement elements than the defensive or offensive ones, but it also gave us Encircling Wind as a new offensive tech and increased the offensive passives, as well as gave us slightly stronger Shielding Gale and slightly better defensive passives.
I don't exactly mind a SCS, FVM, FSS or TRF that are somewhat more focus in where they grow anyway, as by that point we'd be able to tell which part of the art we want to focus on best.
OTOH, I realised that squad-offense/perception might be a little too broad unless we are lucky, so it probably could be perception/offence.
I can see you aren't so hot on the idea of a Domain weapon art, but if it's any motivation to you it would probably use some of these Arm meridians we have floating around. That could free us from having to force them into other Arts.
In any case though, the point I was trying to make is that I'm not sure leaving intentional holes in a tight, designed, build is wise. How likely is it that random drops we find will fit into emptier places we've left, and not simply be better versions of things we have already? How likely is it that we get anything like the same frequency of random drops away from the Sect? How likely is it that the random shiny drop will actually fit a tighter set of elements that we will have new gear made specifically to exploit? How impossibly hard would it really be just to open up a half dozen meridians if we find some magical super-drop that we're salivating over?
I think you're vastly underestimating the costs of leaving intentional holes in what we want to be a closely designed build, and overestimating the rewards of holding versatility available for random shiny things that come our way. I pretty much think that the frequency of random drops that we absolutely must have will be rare enough that in the event we really really need it, we can do an intensive Meridian week and buy some really extreme levels of drugs and rip through some post-cap meridians to get it out.
The whole benefit of designed builds is lost if you're intentionally leaving a lot of space on the table to be filled by whatever random shiny object floats down the river our way.
I can see you aren't so hot on the idea of a Domain weapon art, but if it's any motivation to you it would probably use some of these Arm meridians we have floating around. That could free us from having to force them into other Arts.
In any case though, the point I was trying to make is that I'm not sure leaving intentional holes in a tight, designed, build is wise. How likely is it that random drops we find will fit into emptier places we've left, and not simply be better versions of things we have already? How likely is it that we get anything like the same frequency of random drops away from the Sect? How likely is it that the random shiny drop will actually fit a tighter set of elements that we will have new gear made specifically to exploit? How impossibly hard would it really be just to open up a half dozen meridians if we find some magical super-drop that we're salivating over?
I think you're vastly underestimating the costs of leaving intentional holes in what we want to be a closely designed build, and overestimating the rewards of holding versatility available for random shiny things that come our way. I pretty much think that the frequency of random drops that we absolutely must have will be rare enough that in the event we really really need it, we can do an intensive Meridian week and buy some really extreme levels of drugs and rip through some post-cap meridians to get it out.
The whole benefit of designed builds is lost if you're intentionally leaving a lot of space on the table to be filled by whatever random shiny object floats down the river our way.
You are saying there would be holes, I am saying there would be focus on core things of our fighting style rather than trying to get everything that don't mesh. This is also why Domain weapon art is a luxury. It's fun, but it has nothing to do with our core style. If we happen upon a good one through a reward it could be one of those 'utility' art beside our core ones. There is obviously also an argument for leaving some specific utility art unequipped.
Finding a new art that is a better version of what we have is good? It's extremely unlikely from a meta perspective, but stacking things work so that's a very good thing for us. We won't get anything like the same frequency of random drop away from the sect. In the sect, we got 9 reward arts in a year. I am saying we could get 2 random reward art in 5 years.
The problem is that we can't do an intensive Meridan Week and buy some really extreme levels of drugs and rip through some of the post-cap meridians to get it out. Having 8 art already means we did this a bit. Having 9 means we did this a lot. We are currently looking at plans that "leave space" with 7 art.
Certainly, CRX is a big advantage here as we might get access to the White Room and it might make everything irrelevant, but it's also not something we can count on.
Does our core style not involve ever hitting anything? Our Domain Weapon is both an extreme accuracy enabler and a huge target. We could've voted for a Domain Weapon that was content to wander off and do its own thing, but instead we have what we have and for it not just to get shattered in every important fight we're probably going to have to support it, reaping the huge rewards such a potent accuracy enabler gives when it isn't novaed down easily.
I think we are a getting a bit ahead of ourselves. We don't know how many meridians future arts would require, nor do we know what will be available, nor what options do we have to augment our style ( e.g. formations could perhaps replace our need for a stealth art or a sp. buff art) NOR do we know what sort of cult. goodies can be obtained by Cai or found in Weilu ruins.
Finally, swappable arts, for different focus, are a thing already in green, just see Liling.
Hopefully we'll keep access to the White Room next year. That plus some decent meridian pills will probably be enough to go way beyond the 54 soft-cap.
@yrsillar The White Room isn't in the front page character sheet's formation and locations info. It might not belong to Ling Qi, but she still have regular access to it.
On an other note: does anyone think we should slot AM in one of our (current) five open Art slots in our domain ?
I think it would make it easier to eventually replace it since if we do our domain will inherit at least part of it's function.
Adhoc vote count started by Ayashi on Jun 4, 2018 at 8:35 AM, finished with 692 posts and 119 votes.
[X] Gu Xiulan has done all she could to prepare herself and train, coax her out of the training field for one more night on the town
-[X] EPC: FVM; Vent: AM; Overflow: Qi
-[X] White Room Access: w49: Lanlan+Su Ling; w50: Lanlan+Li Suyin
-[X] If it hasn't been done already, buy the monthly GSS for 200 RSS and sell it for 500 RSS.
-[X] Week 49: 1YSS (+3 Virtual), dark/mountain/lake 10, music/water/earth/wood 5 (Net 10+40+30*2+15+10*3=155 RSS)
--[X] Train Music arts with Zeqing: FVM (w49)
--[X] Cultivate with Cai Renxiang: AE (w49)
--[X] Train at the vent with Su Ling: TRF (w49)
--[X] Train with Meizhen: AM (w49)
--[X] Take a Job: Planting (w49)
-[X] Week 50: 1YSS (+3 Virtual), dark 10, moon/music/water/earth/wood 5 (Net 10+40+15*2+10*3=110 RSS)
--[X] Train Music arts with Zeqing: FVM (w50)
--[X] Tutoring: FVM/AE: Domain & Art Modification (Into Music, if possible) (w50)
--[X] Cultivate with Cai Renxiang: PLR (w50)
--[X] Train at the vent with Su Ling: TRF (w50)
--[X] Take a Job: Camp Overseer (w50)
[X] Stalking Horror, Hidden Senses
-[X] Open Door
-[X] EPC: AE; Vent: AM; Overflow: Qi
-[X] White Room Access: Lanlan, Li Suyin
-[X] Pills: 1 YSS (3 Virtual), 10 Dark, 5 Music/Water/Mountain/Lake/Earth (10+40+15+10*4=105 RSS)
--[X] Tutoring: AE/AM; Using Special Senses: Earth Sense & Qi Sense
--[X] Train Music arts with Zeqing: FVM
--[X] Train with Meizhen: SCS
--[X] Study Formations with Li Suyin (Ossuary Horror & Li Silk Guard)
--[X] Build Ossuary Horror: 21 Scouts (or max # Scouts, if that changes) (Techs: Scalding Stream, Deepwood Vitality, cost 21*8 = 168 RSS)
-[X] Buy Flaming Frond Sash. This small sash is made from a single tropical leaf, and covered with enticing fire artwork that seems to dance as it moves. Physically worn by Zhen. The wearer's Fire and Wood Arts cost 3 less Qi, reducing them to a minimum cost of 1. They also gain a +2 bonus on offensive clashes with Fire and Wood Arts. (cost should be ~200 for speed order)
-[X] Buy Ashen Branch Necklace. This thick necklace is shaped like a tangle of roots and vines, but on inspection is actually composed entirely of fused ash. A trace of it rubs off when you touch it, but it never seems to wear down. Physically worn by Gui. The wearer's Fire and Wood Arts cost 2 less Qi, reducing them to a minimum cost of 1. They also gain a +3 bonus on defensive clashes when a Fire or Wood Art is active. (cost should be ~200 for speed order)
-[X] Buy Fleeting Moonlight Shawl. It's hard to tell the color of this thin gossamer fabric. From some angles it seems like a pale white and from others a shiny black. Gives a +3 bonus to offensive clashes with Dark and Moon Arts. Perception checks against the wearer have an X dice penalty in low light or darkness. (max X while still keeping cost at 200 for speed order)
-[X] Total RSS expenditure: 873 RSS
[X] Time for ASA
-[X] Closed Door
-[X] EPC: AE; Vent: AM; Overflow: Qi
-[X] White Room Access: Lanlan
-[X] Pills: 1 YSS (3 Virtual), 10 Dark, 5 Music/Water/Mountain/Lake/Earth, Sturdy Oak + Soul Concentrating Elixir (10+40+15+10*4+18+28=151 RSS)
--[X] Tutoring: AE/AM; Using Special Senses: Earth Sense & Qi Sense/ spiritual defences
--[X] Visit the Archives
---[X] Ashen Shadow Art
--[X] Train Music arts with Zeqing: FVM
--[X] Train at the vent with Su Ling: Ashen Shadow Art
--[X] Train with Meizhen: SCS
--[X] Cultivate in the White Room (LanLan) : Lung Meridian
-[X] Zhengui Offense Talisman: -3 wood/fire qi cost, +2 atk with wood/fire arts (cost should be around 200)
-[X] Zhengui Defense Talisman: -3 wood/fire qi cost, +2 def while wood/fire techs are active (cost should be around 200)
-[X] Ling Qi Offense Talisman (replaces Blizzard Pin): +3 atk with Dark/Moon arts. Perception checks against the user have an X dice penalty in low light or darkness (max X while still keeping cost at 200 for speed order)
-[X] Total RSS expenditure: 751 RSS
[X] Stalking Horror, Hidden Senses
-[X] Open Door
-[X] EPC: AE; Vent: AM; Overflow: Qi
-[X] White Room Access: Lanlan, Li Suyin
-[X] Pills: 1 YSS (3 Virtual), 10 Dark, 5 Music/Water/Mountain/Lake/Earth (10+40+15+10*4=105 RSS)
--[X] Tutoring: AE/AM; Using Special Senses: Earth Sense & Qi Sense
--[X] Train Music arts with Zeqing: FVM
--[X] Train with Meizhen: SCS
--[X] Study Formations with Li Suyin (Ossuary Horror & Li Silk Guard)
--[X] Build Ossuary Horror: 21 Scouts (or max # Scouts, if that changes) (Techs: Scalding Stream, Deepwood Vitality, cost 21*8 = 168 RSS)
-[X] Buy Flaming Frond Sash. This small sash is made from a single tropical leaf, and covered with enticing fire artwork that seems to dance as it moves. Physically worn by Zhen. The wearer's Fire and Wood Arts cost 2 less Qi, reducing them to a minimum cost of 1. They also gain a +3 bonus on offensive clashes with Fire and Wood Arts. (cost should be ~200 for speed order)
-[X] Buy Ashen Branch Necklace. This thick necklace is shaped like a tangle of roots and vines, but on inspection is actually composed entirely of fused ash. A trace of it rubs off when you touch it, but it never seems to wear down. Physically worn by Gui. The wearer's Fire and Wood Arts cost 2 less Qi, reducing them to a minimum cost of 1. They also gain a +3 bonus on defensive clashes when a Fire or Wood Art is active. (cost should be ~200 for speed order)
-[X] Buy Fleeting Moonlight Shawl. It's hard to tell the color of this thin gossamer fabric. From some angles it seems like a pale white and from others a shiny black. Gives a +3 bonus to offensive clashes with Dark and Moon Arts. Perception checks against the wearer have an X dice penalty in low light or darkness. (max X while still keeping cost at 200 for speed order)
-[X] Total RSS expenditure: 873 RSS
[X] Stalking Horror, Hidden Senses and 20% less paranoia
-[X] Open Door
-[X] EPC: AE; Vent: AM; Overflow: Spiritual
-[X] White Room Access: Lanlan, Li Suyin
-[X] Pills: 1 YSS (3 Virtual), 10 Dark, 5 Music/Water/Mountain/Lake/Earth (10+40+15+10*4=105 RSS)
--[X] Tutoring: AE/AM; Using Special Senses: Earth Sense & Qi Sense
--[X] Train Music arts with Zeqing: FVM
--[X] Train with Meizhen: SCS
--[X] Study Formations with Li Suyin (Ossuary Horror & Li Silk Guard)
--[X] Build Ossuary Horror: 21 Scouts (or max # Scouts, if that changes) (Techs: Scalding Stream, Deepwood Vitality, cost 21*8 = 168 RSS)
-[X] Zhengui Offense Talisman: -3 wood/fire qi cost, +2 atk with wood/fire arts (cost should be around 200)
-[X] Zhengui Defense Talisman: -3 wood/fire qi cost, +2 def while wood/fire techs are active (cost should be around 200)
-[X] Ling Qi Offense Talisman (replaces Blizzard Pin): +3 atk with Dark/Moon arts. Perception checks against the user have an X dice penalty in low light or darkness (max X while still keeping cost at 200 for speed order)
So do we know exactly what putting arts into our domain does? Because I don't think this argument regarding our domain weapon is really useful until we do. Ayashi says it will inherit at least part of it's function, whatever that means.
Well, we don't really know (which is reason to experiment), but since we are slotting specific Arts in our domain it stands to reason that the effect it will have is related to the Art itself.
Hence slotting TRF will give something defensive related.
I admit there is the (slight) possibility that slotting an Art will give a bonus that's only active when the Art is equipped (or used), but if that is the case i think it's better to know right now so we can start to look into how to switch an Art out of our Domain (which we know is hard but possible), rather than wait until we master say, FVM next year.
Also: Slotting AM in our domain will help more for the Tournament than not doing it.
Hopefully we'll keep access to the White Room next year. That plus some decent meridian pills will probably be enough to go way beyond the 54 soft-cap.
@yrsillar The White Room isn't in the front page character sheet's formation and locations info. It might not belong to Ling Qi, but she still have regular access to it.
I mean, Ling Qi no longer has access to the White Room. I am pretty sure it's in the outer sect right now, and this is the last week of the year. CRX won't leave the white room just for Ling Qi if we fail to get in inner sect, and if we do we don't know if she'll have a new one in the inner sect.
Does our core style not involve ever hitting anything? Our Domain Weapon is both an extreme accuracy enabler and a huge target. We could've voted for a Domain Weapon that was content to wander off and do its own thing, but instead we have what we have and for it not just to get shattered in every important fight we're probably going to have to support it, reaping the huge rewards such a potent accuracy enabler gives when it isn't novaed down easily.
What do you think a weapon domain art do? I mean, I am going to say the opposite: a domain weapon art would be good if we had a domain weapon that was about hitting the enemy, so we could give it more damage/etc when it does hit.
We chose the domain weapon we chose because we don't have to support it. It supports us in our first couple turn, and if we have better dice than the opponent (which we should in a lot of case, given it's dex+expression) it shouldn't die either. It can also attack opponent + domain weapon at the same time. It doesn't really matter if it gets broken after 5+ turns.
I... also don't see what is core about using our domain weapon in our build?
I got the impression that the white room is a portable artifact as Cai's mother sent one for her use. As such i think it goes where CRX goes. So if we both get into inner we are good, if either of us doesn't get into inner its gone. Of course, Mommy Cai may just take it back after the tourney.
I got the impression that the white room is a portable artifact as Cai's mother sent one for her use. As such i think it goes where CRX goes. So if we both get into inner we are good, if either of us doesn't get into inner its gone. Of course, Mommy Cai may just take it back after the tourney.
pretty much yes.
Considering the value of it, having it sit in the Outer Sect is kind of nonsensical.
Though whether it remains in the sect for CRX (and minions) to use, or goes back to Shenhua, depends on what exactly she considers appropriate reward for her daughter's first year test.
Basically, it would probably be best to vote on a cohesive build as a whole that doesn't take the whole of the maybe 9 arts we could have by Green Completion.
What does a build of ours need? We're a CC/AoE specialist with FVM, FSS, and PLR, which are Darkness/Music/Water/Yin, Darkness/Water/Yin, and Moon respectively, and we're a stealth/infiltrator specialist, too, based on a combination of our background skills and SCS.
So we're looking at a mix of Darkness/Moon/Music/Water/Yin, and probably want Wind alongside that. That's six... but it's better than the hodgepodge we've got now.
Stealth, Movement, Perception, Physical Defense, Spiritual Defense, Crowd Control/AoE, Combat Art (melee or ranged, for those circumstances when we really need it, and we will. A silent assassination is better than needing to fog an entire structure with FVM), and maybe Disguise. That's eight-nine in the worst case of 'one each'; bah.
Yeesh, okay; 'ideal' goal time:
One Art for Stealth + Movement. An upgrade of SCS, or something else, IDK. Darkness/Yin, Darkness/Wind/Yin.
One Art for Perception. Moon aligned If we're lucky.
One Art for Defense (BEST CASE). Water/Wind? Wood?
Otherwise
-One Art for P-Def, unknown elements but probably Yang. TRF fills this at the moment.
-One Art for S-Def, unknown elements but probably Yin. Hehe, Music/Yin?
Our Specialty: the AoE+CC mix.
One Art for Combat: something that enhances either our personal ranged attacks, our personal melee attacks, or that works in conjunction with our Melodies. Direct, single target damage is something we're lacking.
One Art for Disguise: specifically to deal with the Perception Arts of others, enabling us to hide our Cultivation level, at a minimum.
Six or seven+; how very irritating.
So if we're really lucky, one Art for Stealth/Movement/Disguise, one for Perception, one for Defense, one for Combat, the rest for AoE/CC?
Stealth/Movement, Disguise/Perception, P-Def/S-Def, Combat, five open slots at Green Completion.
Stealth/Disguise, Movement/Combat, Perception, P-Def, S-Def, four open slots at Green Completion.
Stealth/Movement/S-Def, Combat/P-Def, Disguise/Perception, etc, six open slots... yeah, right.
It looks like we can manage a 'core set' of about five Arts easily enough. For some definition of 'easily', as we'll need to find/make them... but we have time yet, so there is that.
Note: 'Core Arts' does not include most of our Specialization, aka Music. It's just about what everybody needs, barring Stealth and Disguise: P-Def, S-Def, Movement, Combat.
Furthermore, Arts can provide coverage in other ways than those 'hoped' for or looked at: Argent Storm is P-Def and Movement, for example, even if it doesn't cover either of those in a way we particularly like, which will be the problem going forward.
So while I'm hoping we can find or make something like:
Stealth/Movement/Disguise: Darkness/Moon/Wind/Yin
Perception/S-Def: Moon/Wind/Yin
Combat/P-Def: Darkness/Water/Yang
or some variation thereof to use in conjunction with our other Arts, I don't think it's particularly likely or short-term at all.
Personally, I suspect domain bonuses for Argent arts would provide synergistic bonuses to other argent arts, or perhaps grow more powerful with other argent domain bonuses. The argent arts do seem to have a set based theme to them.
Has Yrsillar revealed the full list of cultivator ranks? As far as I understand it goes "Red - Yellow - Green - Cyan - Indigo - Prism - White", but I'm almost certainly missing a bunch of them.
Has Yrsillar revealed the full list of cultivator ranks? As far as I understand it goes "Red - Yellow - Green - Cyan - Indigo - Prism - White", but I'm almost certainly missing a bunch of them.
Has Yrsillar revealed the full list of cultivator ranks? As far as I understand it goes "Red - Yellow - Green - Cyan - Indigo - Prism - White", but I'm almost certainly missing a bunch of them.
Just noticed that week 40 says we add heaven specialty to archery but in the skill section it says wind. Was this changed at some point? Or should we also have heaven?
Just noticed that week 40 says we add heaven specialty to archery but in the skill section it says wind. Was this changed at some point? Or should we also have heaven?
-[X] Open Door
-[X] EPC: AE; Vent: AM; Overflow: Qi
-[X] White Room Access: Lanlan, Li Suyin
-[X] Pills: 1 YSS (3 Virtual), 10 Dark, 5 Music/Water/Mountain/Lake/Earth (10+40+15+10*4=105 RSS)
--[X] Tutoring: AE/AM; Using Special Senses: Earth Sense & Qi Sense
--[X] Train Music arts with Zeqing: FVM
--[X] Train with Meizhen: SCS
--[X] Study Formations with Li Suyin (Ossuary Horror & Li Silk Guard)
--[X] Build Ossuary Horror: 21 Scouts (or max # Scouts, if that changes) (Techs: Scalding Stream, Deepwood Vitality, cost 21*8 = 168 RSS)
-[X] Buy Flaming Frond Sash. This small sash is made from a single tropical leaf, and covered with enticing fire artwork that seems to dance as it moves. Physically worn by Zhen. The wearer's Fire and Wood Arts cost 3 less Qi, reducing them to a minimum cost of 1. They also gain a +2 bonus on offensive clashes with Fire and Wood Arts. (cost should be ~200 for speed order)
-[X] Buy Ashen Branch Necklace. This thick necklace is shaped like a tangle of roots and vines, but on inspection is actually composed entirely of fused ash. A trace of it rubs off when you touch it, but it never seems to wear down. Physically worn by Gui. The wearer's Fire and Wood Arts cost 2 less Qi, reducing them to a minimum cost of 1. They also gain a +3 bonus on defensive clashes when a Fire or Wood Art is active. (cost should be ~200 for speed order)
-[X] Buy Fleeting Moonlight Shawl. It's hard to tell the color of this thin gossamer fabric. From some angles it seems like a pale white and from others a shiny black. Gives a +3 bonus to offensive clashes with Dark and Moon Arts. Perception checks against the wearer have an X dice penalty in low light or darkness. (max X while still keeping cost at 200 for speed order)
-[X] Total RSS expenditure: 873 RSS
"Your pretty persistent, you know that?" Han Jian said, leaning back against the against the railing of the balcony. They were on the second floor of the Sect town's teahouse, overlooking the gardens below.
"So I've heard on occasion," Ling Qi replied in a dry tone, taking a careful sip from the tea laid out on the table beside her. "You accepted the invitation though."
"How could I refuse, when you made the offer as a subordinate of the Cai?" He asked. "I'm not going to forgive you for that stack of correspondence and contracts I have to review and send home now, you know?"
"Sorry," Ling Qi replied, her smile giving the lie to that statement. "But, isn't this what you call, 'making connections'?" She asked guilelessly.
He shot her an unimpressed look. "I think I liked you better as a naive country girl," he said grumpily.
"Things were simpler then, weren't they?" Ling Qi mused. "Well maybe not," she added after a moment. "I'm still thankful for what you did, back then."
"Didn't we have this conversation before?" Han Jian asked, sounding a touch tired, crossing his arms over his tiger striped outer robe.
"We did, but I think we're past the point where we can interfere with each other's interests, you know?" Ling Qi shot back. "We aren't close, but I hope we can put some of the tension away at this point."
Han Jian scrubbed his hand through his hair, looking up at the sky. "Yeah… I think that'd be fine," he replied after a moment. "I'm not sure what you expect to get out of it though. We aren;t likely to see each other much next year."
Ling Qi frowned, those words were awfully fatalistic, all but outright admitting that he didn;t think he was going to make the Inner Sect. "Even so, do I need to get anything out of it? You didn't after all."
"Fair point," he sighed. "For what it's worth, I don't regret helping you."
Even though her presence seemed to be the trigger for a whole lot of problems, Ling Qi mused silently. True, as she was now, she could see that all the cracks had already been present, but it must be difficult not to blame her, given the timing of things. "I'm glad. You're kind, I think," and wasn't that at odds with her image wealthy young masters. "I hope you can do well in the future," even if some part of her suspected that that kind of attitude would not be to his advantage.
"Thing's aren't quite so bleak as all that," Sixiang whispered. "Loyalty and admiration, honestly won, has it's own strength."
"Hmm, I can't quite tell if you're complimenting me there," Han Jian replied, reflecting her own thoughts. "In the end though, I won't compromise who I am, that is what it means to be a cultivator, after all," he said lightly. "I wish you luck in your future endeavors as well."
"I will graciously accept your well wishes," Ling Qi replied. "And in a few hundred years. You can say that the High Chancellor of the Emerald Seas is a friend of yours."
"Ha, you've gotten ambitious, haven't you? Isn't making a claim like that a little dangerous?"
"Maybe, but a cultivator has to take a risk now and then, you know?" Ling Qi replied with a flippant grin.
"In that case, let it be said that the Marquis of Han, will not forget his youthful ties," Han Jian replied with a snort.
"I'll hold you too that," Ling Qi laughed. "Now sit down, I can hear the server at the bottom of the stairs."
Rerolling 13
6 7 7 1 1 1 5 9 7 2 7 8 4. 6 successes. 58 total
293/250 Sixth Step Achieved
43/500 Seventh Step
1/4th to spiritual, improve resilience and resolve
677/1200
1/10th to domain
44/600
With the tournament looming so close, Ling Qi redoubled her efforts to deepen her understanding of many of core techniques, building off the efforts of the last few months of heavy practice. When not cultivating, with the help of Li Suyin, she threw her efforts into learning what she needed to fully construct an Ossuary Horror and smooth the construction process of the scouts that made it up.
Carving so many of the tiny formation arrays into the skulls and spines of the little birds that would make up her construct was an immensely time consuming task, due to the sheer detail and work needed for each one. Thankfully, with Li Suyin's help she was able to adjust her formations so that the end of the scouts lifespan would no longer burn out the raw materials. So, if they weren't destroyed, she would be able to reuse the pre-carved bones in the future, needing only to replace the used up spirit stone powder.
Still, tedium aside, her efforts paid off, and Ling Qi was able to create her first Ossuary horror. Given the limited size of her scouts, it was only the size of an eagle, rather than being a huge monster, but it was enough. Though it as a little wasteful cost wise, if she kept it assembled and active while stored in her ring, she would be able to release it as quickly as she could draw a weapon, or activate some of her quicker techniques. She had no doubt it would be able to serve its purpose as a screen and support in at least one battle. She would simply need to choose the best moment to deploy it.
Between the horror and talismans for Zhengui though, Ling Qi was spending spirit stones like water, but at this point, even the lingering frugality of her mortal days couldn't make her regret it. Her Sect points were no different, spent as quickly as she gained them to receive tutoring in regards to perception arts.
Unfortunately for the burgeoning stealth specialist, there were almost as many kinds of senses as there were cultivation methods. Some cultivators could sense the slightest stirring in the air, while others could feel through the vibrations in the earth. There were cultivators like Sun Liling, whose arts allowed her to forge a mystic connection through spilt blood, and cultivators who could feel the motion of the water in a human body, or the disturbance another cultivators qi caused in the worlds natural ebb and flow.
In the end, there was no easy way to cover every possible method, only through preparation and gathering intelligence on your targets could one be assured of their abilities to hide their presence completely when dealing with cultivators of the third realm and above. Still, Sable Crescent Step provided a good baseline to build off of, eliminating the more mundane senses from the running and giving a strong foundation in the skill of dispersing ones qi.
Attribute: Darkness, Moon, Yin
Current Meridians: Legx3, Spine
Needed Meridians: Spine(8)
Max level: 8
Darkness has no form nor presence, and so those who master it learn to cast these things aside, and embrace the absence and silence of the empty night. This movement art focuses on understanding of this rare element allowing the user to move from place to place with little regard for what lies between there present position and their goal.
Passive Effects
-Increases user's speed by 9
-Increases user's initiative by 5
-Add three dice to all stealth rolls
-Speed and initiative bonuses increase by two in low light, and three in darkness
-Stealth bonus becomes auto successes in darkness or low light
-User adds five dice to their first offensive clash pool if attacking first
-User adds three dice to all offensive clashes against targets which cannot perceive them.
-User gains a four die bonus to physical defense in darkness
-User cannot be tracked through mundane means, All other attempts suffer a five die penalty
Grinning Crescent Dancer: oooo
Cost 9 qi
Instant, response
Calling upon the favor of the Grinning Moon, and using their skill at manipulating dark qi, the user's form is made an indistinct phantom, a flicker of shadow dancing between lights. The user adds six dice to their defensive pool, one point of perfect defense and increases their speed by 5. While active, the user ignores all terrain penalties, slopes or falling damage. Users may cross water or gaps freely as long as their movement ends on solid ground, and may move through spaces too small for their bodies, so long as they can perceive their destination. In addition the user gains a five die bonus to all attempts to escape from any effect that impedes mobility in any way, as well as attempts to bypass formations. Lasts five turns. When not activated in low light or darkness, this technique costs an additional two qi.
One with Shadow: ooo
Cost 10 qi
The user merges with shadow and dark, dematerializing entirely to slip from shadow to shadow. The user gains a five die bonus to stealth in this form and may move from one shadow to another without interacting with any intervening terrain or obstacles, even if they lack line of sight. While in this form the user gains one point of perfect defense(stacks with GCD), but being damaged ends the technique. Distance between shadows must be less than the user's movement speed, and must be cast be at least roughly the size of an average human. If the shadow in question belongs to an animate target, the user must succeed on a clash to use it at a four die bonus. On success, the target suffers a three die penalty on perception checks to notice the user. On failure the user is revealed. The user receives an additional five die bonus to their first attack against the target, this stacks with passive bonuses. Lasts four turns.
Seventh Step 43/500
Attribute: Darkness, Water, Music, Yin
Current Meridians: Heartx2, Lung x2
Needed Meridians: Heart(7)
Max Level: 8
There are many forgotten places in the world where human kind does not tread easily. This technique is a part of the chronicle of a long dead wanderer, composed into music and offered to the smiling moon. It speaks of mist covered valleys hidden deep in the mountains and the mischievous and hungry spirits that wait in the dark, and the loneliness of the wanderer's path.
Passive Effects
-Adds four bonus die to all music based expression rolls
-Adds six bonus dice to all attempts to resist dispels on water and darkness techniques
-User receives no penalties for acting in low light or darkness-Permanent
-User receives three bonus die on defense against sound and music based techniques
-Expression is used as Mastery when using this art(does not receive the previous passive bonus when used this way)
-Instruments wielded by the user may be used to make sound based melee attacks at up to ten meters range. These attacks may be used in conjunction with appropriate arts without interrupting the melody. DV equals manipulation or expression, whichever is higher.-Permanent
-An additional three qi may be spent to 'hold' the arts effect for one turn as if playing had continued. Cannot be used if art is interrupted by hostile action.
Mist of the Vale: ooo
Cost 5
The users melody causes a light mist to roll forth from their instrument. The mist is filled with deceptive shadows and sounds, and weakens the light within to low light. The mist spreads to cover a sixty meter radius centered the user. An additional ten meters of radius may be added for two qi, up to a maximum radius of two hundred meters. All single target techniques targeted at the user or an included ally suffer a automatic three dice penalty. The user gains a four die bonus at stealth attempts within the mist. The user may waive the negative effect on up to five allies, while paying two qi for each additional ally included. This technique persists as long as the user continues to play and up to four turns afterward, regardless of weather conditions.
--Diapason of the Lost Traveler
The mournful sound of the lost traveler is an integral part of the melody, no longer player separately. The user clashes with all enemies within the mist with a bonus of five dice. On hit the targets perception rolls take a three die penalty, and attempts to leave the mist or move toward the user or an included ally result in the target doubling back unless a 6 success perception test is passed. Enemies within twenty meters of the user or an included ally do not need to make this check. Additionally the target suffers a four die penalty to defense while under this effect. Lasts for as long as the target remains within the mist. Counts as a two die effect for the purpose of dispels.
Dissonance of Night's Terror: ooo
Cost 6
Instant(If used the same turn as Mist of the Vale)
May only be used within Mist of the Vale. The users music grows low and eerie, punctuated by high, sharp notes, while the mists darken with indistinct and predatory shapes. Enemies within the mist suffer from immaterial attacks of phantasmal nightmares every turn. These attacks are DV 4 melee attacks, made with a two die bonus. On hit, targets suffer a three die penalty to their defense dice pools. This penalty stacks up to three times. In addition, on damage targets suffer one additional bleed damage the following turn.This effect activates immediately after the users turn when activated, and immediately before in all proceeding turns.
Starlight Elegy: ooo
Cost 7
The mournful and despairing tune saps the energy of those not insulated from the mist, making their limbs heavy and their thoughts clouded. The user clashes with all enemies in the mist with a bonus of four dice. On Hit, targets suffer a three die penalty on all clashes, and lose three qi per turn spent in the mist. Affected targets must make a four success resolve test or lose their active action the first turn after being affected. This effect persists until a target leaves the mist.
--Despair of the Lost
Alternatively, the power of the Elegy may be focused on a single target, drowning them in the endless mist, leaving them to wander as if alone and far from from home. When used in this manner, the clash receives a six die bonus. On hit, the target receives the normal effects of the starlight Elegy. In addition, the user makes a stealth test roll. The target and their allies must surpass the users stealth in order to perceive one another, which they may attempt each turn. While under this affect, allies cannot target or affect the victim deliberately, nor may the victim target them, as well as excluding them from the passive bonuses of allies. The victim also suffers a three die penalty to all offensive clashes while under this effect.
Travelers End: oooo
Cost: 8 Qi
In a distant, misty valley, far from the works of mankind, a traveler completed a melody and offered it too the moon, the final notes echoing long after his last breath. This melody is but a shadow of that… but even shadows hold power. Only usable if all other Forgotten Vale Melody techniques are active. Once activated, the mist no longer fades, even if the user ceases playing. In addition, attempts to dispel any Forgotten Vale techniques must dispel Travelers End, first and separately, even if it would otherwise dispel multiple techniques. While Travelers End is active, the qi loss from Elegy is increased by two, and the damage from Dissonance becomes semi perfect.
Locked until Green Appraisal
With Zeqing, she mastered the first parts of this version of the Forgotten Vale's final technique, the Traveler's End, which when played empowered the qi constructs of the previous techniques even further, making the arts effects more durable and long lasting. Truly mastering the art would have to wait until her spirit had grown stronger, but for now, she had another potent tool at her disposal.
However, even in the rush of this final week, Ling Qi didn't allow herself to forget her plans, and she was rather glad that she hadn't, when she reached Xiulan's training field, early on the last day of the week.
Her friend looked positively haggard, her normally immaculate appearance disheveled and smudged by ash. Though she had not reached a breakthrough in her physique, Xiulan's aura had grown significantly more potent to Ling Qi's senses. It seemed that the other girl had chosen to spend this final week building her reserves in preparation for the tournament. She had also reduced the training field to a barren, charred plain, with whole stretches of the soil glimmering like glass.
"Xiulan, when was the last time you slept?" Ling Qi asked bluntly as she approached the other girl, picking her way through the field. "Or bathed for that matter?" she asked, wrinkling her nose a bit.
Her friend shot her a dirty look as the blazing flames leaking from the corners of her eyes and the tips of her fingers faded. "Just last evening," she sniffed. "You shall excuse me for not wishing to waste scents and cosmetics in the midst of a stretch of intense training."
As if that itself wasn't a great change from the girl she had met at the beginning of the year, Ling Qi thought wryly. "And sleeping? Xiulan, you are beginning to resemble a racoon dog."
Xiulan raised her uninjured hand for a moment, touching her cheek just below where the dark circles under her eye ended. "...Perhaps three months ago," she muttered. "What did you want Ling Qi? I cannot imagine that you took time from your own training merely to comment on my appearance?" she asked, crossing her arms indignantly.
It was a testament to the other girls tolerance for pain that she could move so naturally, given what lay under the wrapping on her arm, Ling Qi mused. Three months without sleep was also excessive, even she took a night out to rest at least once a month. "I didn't," Ling Qi admitted. "I took some time out because I wanted to speak to you about taking a break."
"I hardly have the time, the tournament will starting in a matter of days," Xiulan snapped irritably. "Ling Qi, we cannot all…"
"Interrupt, you can't let her get going," Sixiang murmured in her ear.
"You are more intelligent than this, Xiulan," LIng Qi replied flatly. "I do not know what it is like to have lightning on the brain," she began, eyeing her friends nigh blinding aura, and it's crackling radiant core. "But I know what the tempting whispers of the dark be like, if you don't keep clear head. Gu Xiulan, this is not you."
Xiulan scowled and opened her mouth to speak, but stopped herself a moment later, her eyes narrowing. Her aura shuddered, flickering wildly, and then the blazing furnace of her spirit dimmed, grounded and banked. "Spirits," Xiulan grimaced. "I am a bit of a mess, aren't I?" she mused opening her eyes, and looking down at her charred and soot stained gown. "...Oh ancestors above, Mother is coming for the tournament, if I appear like this…"
"It will be fine," Ling Qi said, patting her friend on her good shoulder. "It's nothing a night out and a good sleep won't fix. I just wanted to make sure you got that, before you ran out of time."
"Even now, I want to refuse and resume training," Xiulan replied with a grimace. "Perhaps Sister Yanmei was correct about including a calmer element in my repertoire."
"That might not be the worst idea," Ling Qi replied agreeably. "Will you be alright now though?"
"I think I will," Xiulan replied, looking down at her good hand, flexing her fingers as sparks danced between the digits. "I should thank you."
"Think nothing of it," Ling Qi replied dismissively. "Just do the same for me, if you would."
"Of course," Xiulan said, frowning. "Yes… of course. I suppose you had something in mind?"
"I had considered a trip to that shop with the shaved ice desserts, to cool your head," Ling Qi teased, relaxing now that her friend seemed to have come down. "But perhaps a visit to the bath house first?"
"That seems acceptable," Xiulan agreed, stepping past her, the glassed soil crunching under her shoes. "I shall have to see if I can do anything with that tangle on your head. I am not the only one who has let themselves go."
"I let my hair hang free as a choice," Ling Qi replied with a huff, easily falling back into their old rhythm.
"Ling Qi, you will be standing before half or more of the notables in the Emerald Seas next week, you cannot seriously mean to go out without even styling your hair," Xiulan replied, rolling her eyes as they exited the ruined training ground.
If her friends smirk was a bit brittle, and her playful tone a bit forced, Ling Qi chose not to notice it.
Attributes: Earth, Dark, Yin
Current Meridians: Lungx3
Needed Meridians: Arm(5), Lung(7)
Max Level: 8
An art designed by a wanderer of the deep paths under the earth, where things best not seen gnaw at the foundations of the world. Yet in the darkness, he found truth. That earth and darkness are as one, devouring all things in the end. This art allows its user to surround themselves with that power, and consume the energy of their foes, and call upon the things that lie in the dark.
Passives
-User gains a four die bonus to spiritual defences
-The user regains two qi per combat turn as long as an enemy has been damaged that turn
-The user gains a five die bonus to perception against any target touching the ground
-The user gains a stacking one die bonus to offensive clashes each time the user damages an enemy. Stacks decay after one turn. (Max 8)
-Constructs created by Abyssal Exhalation are unaffected by the negative aspects of Abyssal Exhalation techniques
Breath of Stygian Depths: oo
Cost 6 qi
The user exhales, expelling the hunger that lies within their soul into their surroundings. This qi takes the form of poisonous purple mist and stretches to encompass up too fifty meters around the user, reducing lighting to low. The user clashes with all targets within range with a four die bonus, on hit, the targets suffers a three die penalty to defenses for the turn and loses four qi. This effect repeats each turn for three turns after. In addition, all targets suffer two points of armor degradation per turn spent in the mist. The user may exclude a target from the mists effects for one additional qi per target. Crawling Horror Constructs receive a four die bonus to all clashes when within the mist, and negate the first point of damage that would be dealt to them each turn.
Crawling Horror: ooo
Cost 9 Qi
Effect may only be used in low light or darkness. The user shapes their qi into the mold of the the things which crawl far below the earth. This wormlike creature forms within ten meters of the user and acts last in the turn. The worm has four health boxes and nine qi, in addition to armor 3 (durability 5). It uses the user's attributes for defense and offense, with a twelve die bonus to both pools, and technique dots for mastery. A worms melee attacks are DV 4, with one point of armor penetration. On hit, targets struck by the worm are grappled, suffering a four die penalty to defense in addition to being unable to move until they break free. Worms may expend 3 qi to give their attack a four die bonus and one additional point of semi perfect damage on hit. Up to three additional worm may be summoned for 3 additional qi each. Worms count as Late Yellow/Silver combatants and last five turns, or until destroyed.
Black Earth Voraciousness: ooo
Cost 8 Qi
The user fills their body and mind with a terrible unending hunger, and lashes out with strands of spiritual power to drain their foes of power. This technique may target one enemy or all targets save the user and their bound spirits within forty meters. If used on a single target, the clash receives a six die bonus. On hit, the target suffers a DV 7 attack, dealing one additional point of semi perfect damage. Against targets who have been damaged by breath of Stygian Depths in the last turn, this attack has 4 AP and deals one additional semi perfect damage. Against targets grappled by Worm constructs the attack has DV 9 and one additional point of semi perfect damage, as well as inflicting an additional two die penalty to all defense clashes. The user receives two qi back for each point of damage dealt with this technique. This recovery only applies to targets which have a qi pool.
Locked Until Green Appraisal
Attributes: Mountain, Lake, Balanced
Current Meridians: Headx3, Spine
Max Level: 5
The early form of the Sects defensive and perceptive arts. Through inner tranquility and surety of self, allows the user to defend against and dispel enemy illusions and crippling techniques as well. Through clarity of mind it allows the user to judge with world with sharp and clear eyes.
Passive Effects
-Adds five dice to all tests and clashes to resist or bypass illusion effects
-Adds five dice to all perception tests
-Adds three dice to composure and resolve tests as well as dispel clashes
-Adds four dice to survival, investigation, and empathy tests
-Adds three dice to spiritual defenses
-Allows the user to sense qi, out to two 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.-Permanent
-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: ooo
Cost: 5 qi
Instant, response
The user balances and cycles their qi, expelling external influences. Dispels up to two negative effects from the user after a successful clash, and grants six additional die to spiritual defense against the effects caster for three turns.
-Tranquil Rebuke
Centering themselves, the user finds serenity, and in doing, rises above the world, as the mountain stands above the earth. Any spiritual technique which targets the user suffers harsh repercussions if their technique fails to find purchase. If the user wins such a defensive clash against a spiritual attack, 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.
Discerning Gaze: oo
Cost: 3 Qi
Instant, response
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 six die bonus.
Imperturbable Peak
Cost 6 Qi
Instant
In battle, he who maintains the wider view and a clearer head is victorious. Upon activation spiritual debuffs on allies within fifty meters of two dice or less are automatically dispelled, unless their casters cultivation equals or exceeds the users. The user may then attempt to dispel up to three other debuffing techniques at a six die bonus. In addition, for each debuff dispelled this way, the user receives a two die bonus to perception and spiritual defense for four turns.
Mastered
Ling Qi was in good cheer as she made her way up the street of the residential district, having parted ways with Xiulan a few moments ago. Spending the day out with her friend had been a nostalgic experience, which was odd, given the spans of time involved. This last year seemed longer than several of the previous put together, Ling Qi mused. Regardless she still worried for her friend, but she wouldn't infantilize the other girl by following her home to ensure that she went to rest.
Which left her to cover the remaining distance home on her own. Ling Qi found herself strolling along slowly, observing the little homes, in their neatly laid out rows. She would miss this place, she mused. Despite the troubles she had faced this year, this had been her first real home since she had been very young, and though she had decided to leave it behind… she didn't think she would ever quite shake that connection.
Which was probably things working as intended, she supposed.
"No reason to think of it in such poor terms," Sixiang whispered. "Do the intentions of this places builders change your memories?"
She supposed they didn't, in the end. As she arrived at her home, she was a bit surprised to feel Meizhen's presence inside, as well as Cui. The other girl had been quite busy as well, so they had only seen each other at the Black Pool previously this week. Stepping inside, Ling Qi made her way to the dining room, where she found her friend, seated at the table, watching the stars through the window, Cui looped loosely around her shoulders..
"Taking it easy the last night as well?" Ling Qi asked, leaning against the doorframe. Looking at the other girl, lit by moonlight, Cui's bright green coils the only hint of color, Ling Qi idly wondered what things would have been like if she had been able to return Meizhen's feelings. She supposed that was a silly thing though, she could not be anything other than herself.
"I intend to be well rested on the morrow, yes," Bai Meizhen replied softly, idly stroking Cui's head. Her faintly glowing eyes flicked Ling Qi's way then. "And, regardless of what happens, this is the last day in which we will be living together."
"It is," Ling Qi agreed quietly, moving to take a seat beside her friend. Cui's tongue flicked disdainfully at her. "How is Zhengui? He was cultivating in the garden when I left earlier."
"Asleep, the child," Cui hissed haughtily.
"Well, thank you for looking out for him," Ling Qi replied. "I hope he does not try your patience too much."
"Cui is always pleased to receive praise and admiration, do not let her fool you," Meizhen said dryly. Cui turned up her snout in response, not dignifying her cousins comment with a response.
"Last day huh," Ling Qi mused aloud, as the resulting silence began to stretch. "I'm thankful for everything you've done for me, since the first day. I know I must have been frustrating to deal with."
"You were," Meizhen replied smoothly, the corners of her lips quirking upward in a smile.
"You aren't supposed to agree so readily," Ling Qi complained, her own smile putting the lie to her words. "And… I won't apologize again, but… I have never meant you harm."
She could sense Cui's irritation, but Meizhen simply gave the tiniest of nods, her expression passive. "I know," she replied simply. "And, although I am no Zheng ruffian, to share blood oaths, I do wish you to understand that to me, you are my closest friend."
"I'm glad," Ling Qi replied, leaning back in her seat. "We'll have to seal it over a drink sometime, unless that's too coarse as well," she added teasingly.
"I suppose I could look into a vintage from home," Meizhen replied, a touch of amusement in her voice. "It is always amusing to see outsiders attempt to keep them down."
"I'll show you," Ling Qi said with a false huff, before glancing down, her expression growing more serious "I'm glad I met you."
"The feeling is mutual," Her best friend replied, looking back to the square of sky visible outside the window. "Good fortune to you, in this coming trial, Qi."
"Good fortune to you as well," Ling Qi murmured, resting her hands behind her head. This was a fine way to spend the night.
Dexterity 28/45
Stamina 30/35
Intelligence 20/35
Wits 17/35
Resolve 36/35 New dot gained
+15 Qi successes
+15 EPC(learning) overflow to qi
+5 to AM overflow to qi
Alright, we've reached the end of the year. So while I work out the start of the tournament arc, I'm going to let you guys vote on whether to include Argent Mirror in your domain. Internalizing an art is largely permanent, and though your understanding may grow or change with time, the core of the art will always stay with you.
The Mirror is clear, revealing all deceptions, including those of the self. Yet this is no matter of virtue or vice, only an understanding of the self. Whether following reason or passion, one must face forward and acknowledge the truth of their choices, without deception.
[] Internalize Argent Mirror
-[] Ling Qi and Allies of at least four dots positive relation within one hundred meters may reroll a failed perception test once per combat or scene.
-[] Ling Qi receives a four die bonus when attempting to discern lies or see through illusions.
[] Discard this realization
Oh my goodness, SCS had a massive sea change from the green transition. Adding a Moon Element, and then stacking all of the pre-green magic into one technique, and letting it stack with the upgraded One With Shadow.
No wonder Meizhen praised it!
FVM's capstone technique also does a good job tying it together. Massive augmentation on Dissonance and Elegy, while also acting as ablative dispel protection on the techniques, while perpetuating the art independently in the meantime.
AM also is nice. I'm inclined to go for the perception reroll domain power, but the illusion resistance 8s nice too. The lesson is also a good one to integrate.
'd
