- Location
- The Temple of the Winds
I doubt you can use an other person as the heart of your Dao.
The Guo example is not really appicable since it's merely a physical usage.
Forge of Destiny(Xianxia Quest)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
The Guo example is not really appicable since it's merely a physical usage.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
- Pronouns
- He/Him
The whole point of our Domain is that it's a home for our friends... and Zhengui literally lives in our Dantian. I think we can make it work, thematically.
- Location
- Third planet from the star named Sol
- Pronouns
- He/They
People define themselves in relation to others all the time. Hell, the entire trope of characters like Batman's Alfred is someone placing their entire purpose towards serving another. Then there's couples who define their relationship towards each other, or knights who see themselves as protectors of a realm, and so on.
- Location
- The Temple of the Winds
there is a difference between defining yourself as "the farther of X" or "the friend of Y", and trying to use someone else as the basis of your identity. Using Zhengui, or rather trying to use him as the nurturing part of our house domain would simply make Ling Qi's domain everything around it rather than the house.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
- Pronouns
- He/Him
You're making some pretty strong assertions about a conceptual space that really isn't well-defined yet.
Nah, I'm with @Ayashi here. A spirit companion informing your Domain, and vice versa, is drastically different than them being an actual component of the Domain itself. A simulacrum, effigy, reference, or stand-in of the spirit or its role existing as part of the Domain is the former and perfectly reasonable and expected. The latter isn't something I'm willing to claim is impossible, but it doesn't match any Imperial cultivation or social conventions we've seen or heard of.
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- Location
- scrabbling
We know very little about how Imperial cultivators relate their Domains to their spirit beasts. These partnerships probably run a wide gamut across the Empire, and the list of Ling Qi's interactions with Elders and other teachers about Spirit Beasts and Domains is pretty short: Elder Su, Elder Ying, Zeqing. These were all about one or the other, and definitely not about the interaction between them.
(though I do agree enough to think it sounds Cloud Tribe-y)
(though I do agree enough to think it sounds Cloud Tribe-y)
Greater thunder
<Verified Lurker>
- Location
- Flamedragon Realmverse
The way cultivation is here seems more like a warlock progression.
The farther you go, the easier it is to discard bits of yourself or change them by outside elements.
The farther you go, the easier it is to discard bits of yourself or change them by outside elements.
Jensaarai
Sing Victory Everlasting
- Pronouns
- They/Them
What kind of "warlock"?
cokerpilot
Here comes the rain.
Well that was a hell of a read. I was somewhat sad that we chose the retainer route rather the apprentice route as I loved almost everything involving Xin and Elder Jiao. Still Cai is an interesting character as well and this story route is sure not to be dull.
I actually tried reading all the pages but gave up somewhere around 1200 and around 2000 or so I mostly stooped reading more then 5 pages before or after each update because wow did it git crazy in this thread.
@yrsillar your story is fun to read and your characters are amazing I am surprised and mildly disappointed I missed this so long.
I really want to say more here but honestly I don't think I can currently put my words of praise or any constructive criticism without having out in a lot of work that I am not in right mind to do at moment.
A question to my fellow readers as well though before I go. Is it possible to get a blessing of each phase of the moon or are we locked into the ones that have been picked already? When I first read about that technique I got the feeling it was the former but as I read on in the story I got less certain of that.
I actually tried reading all the pages but gave up somewhere around 1200 and around 2000 or so I mostly stooped reading more then 5 pages before or after each update because wow did it git crazy in this thread.
@yrsillar your story is fun to read and your characters are amazing I am surprised and mildly disappointed I missed this so long.
I really want to say more here but honestly I don't think I can currently put my words of praise or any constructive criticism without having out in a lot of work that I am not in right mind to do at moment.
A question to my fellow readers as well though before I go. Is it possible to get a blessing of each phase of the moon or are we locked into the ones that have been picked already? When I first read about that technique I got the feeling it was the former but as I read on in the story I got less certain of that.
- Location
- United States of America
It's uncertain if we can get blessings from All the phases, but we know for certain that we can get at least 3 due to our moon tutor. Our moon tutor had blessings from the Bloody Moon and then both of the reflecting moons. Additionally, he wasn't cyan yet, so it may be possible to get more as we breach higher realms.
I'm going to take a more aggressive stance that no, it is not possible to get a blessing from each phase of the moon. We've already seen phases of the moon simply not entertaining any bids for it. Regardless of how many opportunities for patron selection there are, I don't believe it's likely that Ling Qi will be able to live a life according to each phase's preferences to a significant enough degree to qualify for their attention. Especially as Ling Qi specializes her focuses and worldview according to her Way, we should see avenues more firmly cut off. This isn't a big deal, I think, and I'm sure we can dip our toes in the aspects of plenty of phases to an extent short of meriting blessings.
'Barbarian' Interlude
The ache in his bones and soul was growing worse, Khashin mused.
His armor and harness hung heavy on his shoulders, as torrential rain pounded down from the clouds overhead. Not a single droplet touched him, nor his Soul-Brother.
"We are not so feeble as that," the deep and ancient voice of his Soul-Brother rumbled in his thoughts. Beneath, his Beast-Self tossed its head, letting out an equine snort, and with his Man-Self's hand, he patted the beasts neck. Sparks danced on his hooves as they churned air, and powerful wings beat once, carrying them higher, toward the sheared off mountain peak at their destination.
All around, the shadows of his shamans and warriors danced in the storm, the beat of the drums indistinguishable from the rumble of thunder.
If only he could recognize their faces, the old man mused, narrowing his eyes behind his bone flight mask as he peered ahead. Gone were his brothers and sisters, and even his beloved Dagasai had been laid to rest among the Earthbones. Their children too had passed, and most of their grandchildren as well. He had difficulty recalling the names of those who were left.
Yes, they would soon seek the stars together.
Not this day, however. Today, worldly duty beckoned.
He felt the moment that his cadre's storm met the other, clouds crashing against one another with an earthshaking rumble. With a thought, his Beast Self angled down, mighty wings spread wide, and began to circle the peak.
In the distance, he saw his equal do the same, emerging from the rains to circle, once then twice, and a finally a third time as the beat of the drums rose to crescendo from both sides.
As he made the third pass, Khan Khashin's Man-Self let out a long breath, and together with his Soul-Brother, loosened his grip on their oversoul.
The storm shook and the air rippled under the spreading force, clearing rain and cloud as the full might of a man near the pinnacle of the Sixth Heaven emerged. Across from him, the other Khan's soul emerged, roiling outward to clash with his at thee center. Beast and Man alike let out a grunt of effort, Soul shoving against Soul as they sky above cleared, leaving a perfect circle of sunlight shining down on the mountain peak.
He grimaced as the other Khan gave way for him, a show of respect for his age and deeds… but nothing more. To think that this boy half his age could match him so. He truly was growing feeble.
His Beast-Self's hooves clattered, kicking up sparks as it cantered across stone instead of sky, and he came to rest within earshot of his fellow Khan.
"Khan Khashin of the Lightning Drinkers greets you," he announced as they came to a halt, his voice scratchy with age and wear.
"Khan Galidan of the Behemoth Eaters gives his respect," The younger man's voice boomed, from where he sat atop his own mount. It was a massive thing, a great eagle with golden feathers, that outmassed his own Beast-Self twice over and more.
Khashin peered through narrow eyes at the younger man. Just as he was, the other man was dressed for battle, his face concealed behind a carved mask of bone. "Why did you request this," The old Khan replied bluntly, cantering forward.
Khan Galidan reached up, removing his mask. He had the face of a man in his prime, clean shaven, with sharp eyes that pierced like spears. "I would speak to you of the grand Kurultai, and the opening of Skyson's vault."
Khan Khashin grunted removing his own mask and exposing his own badly weathered face to the high mountain wind. "You wish our warriors to ally in the Game then?"
"That would be most welcome, mighty Khan," Galidan agreed seriously. "I had hoped to speak of the other matter however."
Now Kharshin scowled. "Fool," he spat. "Do you think yourself mightier than Ogodei?"
"No," the younger Khan replied, meeting his glare without a flinch, even as the mountain under them began to shake, stones rattling and dust falling as their spirits once again clashed. "Assault is foolish, but the lowlanders greed will never be satisfied."
"Besides," he said after a pause. "That Taghai will be seeking the right to name himself Khagan, no matter what words we speak."
His words brought Khashin up short, his expression twisting in furious incredulity. "I know his ambitions. Who would listen to that ice addled madman?"
"Many," Galidan replied, crossing his arms. "These past five winters, his tribe was untouched."
Khashin's eyes narrowed. The further south one flew the harsher the winters grew, carried on icy winds from the dead-plains south of the Mother Mountains. "I assume you do not merely mean that luck favored him," he had flown all this way, Khashin decided, he would see what tale this young man wished to spin.
"The Crone ignored him, to feast on his neighbors," the younger man replied bluntly. "And why not, he has married an Ice Witch from the south, and offers the beast sacrifice."
Khan Khashin leaned back in his saddle, hi expression cold. The Iron Toothed Crone, who flew north in a vessel of stone each winter to torment the People in the southern mountains, was an ancient foe of Father Sky. Where she passed, food spoiled, lesser beasts went mad and children disappeared from their cribs. She could not be fought, only survived. "You make bold accusations. Tribes have gone to war for lesser insults."
Galidan spread his hands helplessly. "I do not speak falsely. He does little to hide it. Winter's cold spreads further north with each year, and the lowlanders push us into her embrace. Is it any wonder that the People lose faith in Father Sky's wisdom. We are free to fly as we will, but are these mountains not the bones of our Mother?"
The old man closed both sets of eyes. That at least rang true. He heard the sullen whispers among the younger warriors. Those who had not seen the horror that followed Ogodei's failure. They saw only retreat and submission, the cowardice of old men. Yet never had one of his warriors dared to turn to the worship of demons such as the Crone or the Gnawers. Let alone a Khan "To cling to a single place is error," he replied quietly.
"Yet you are still here," Galidan replied, Beast and Man alike fixing him with a look. "You have not flown west, beyond the Red Garden, or East beyond the Sun's Grave, as some did."
Khan Khashin merely grunted, his Beast Self stamping it hooves. "The Mother Mountains are not a single place," he answered.
"As most of the People would agree," Galidan said bluntly.
"...Make your proposal, Khan Galidan," The older man said.
"I wish only for you to support me when I make claim to the Skyson's legacy," The Eagle mounted man replied, the great beast beneath him spreading its wings.
"You will die," Khashin said flatly. "None have survived entering the tomb."
"Perhaps," the younger man replied, lifting off. "But I will not die chased from my home, nor corrupted by demons. I ask only to be given the chance."
"...I will investigate your words," the old man said, his Beast-Self's wings spreading as well. "If you speak truth about Taghai, I will support you," left unsaid, that a lie would see new vendetta declared.
The sky changed always, but Khashin had hoped that his final days might pass without strife.
The spirits laughed at the desires of men.
His armor and harness hung heavy on his shoulders, as torrential rain pounded down from the clouds overhead. Not a single droplet touched him, nor his Soul-Brother.
"We are not so feeble as that," the deep and ancient voice of his Soul-Brother rumbled in his thoughts. Beneath, his Beast-Self tossed its head, letting out an equine snort, and with his Man-Self's hand, he patted the beasts neck. Sparks danced on his hooves as they churned air, and powerful wings beat once, carrying them higher, toward the sheared off mountain peak at their destination.
All around, the shadows of his shamans and warriors danced in the storm, the beat of the drums indistinguishable from the rumble of thunder.
If only he could recognize their faces, the old man mused, narrowing his eyes behind his bone flight mask as he peered ahead. Gone were his brothers and sisters, and even his beloved Dagasai had been laid to rest among the Earthbones. Their children too had passed, and most of their grandchildren as well. He had difficulty recalling the names of those who were left.
Yes, they would soon seek the stars together.
Not this day, however. Today, worldly duty beckoned.
He felt the moment that his cadre's storm met the other, clouds crashing against one another with an earthshaking rumble. With a thought, his Beast Self angled down, mighty wings spread wide, and began to circle the peak.
In the distance, he saw his equal do the same, emerging from the rains to circle, once then twice, and a finally a third time as the beat of the drums rose to crescendo from both sides.
As he made the third pass, Khan Khashin's Man-Self let out a long breath, and together with his Soul-Brother, loosened his grip on their oversoul.
The storm shook and the air rippled under the spreading force, clearing rain and cloud as the full might of a man near the pinnacle of the Sixth Heaven emerged. Across from him, the other Khan's soul emerged, roiling outward to clash with his at thee center. Beast and Man alike let out a grunt of effort, Soul shoving against Soul as they sky above cleared, leaving a perfect circle of sunlight shining down on the mountain peak.
He grimaced as the other Khan gave way for him, a show of respect for his age and deeds… but nothing more. To think that this boy half his age could match him so. He truly was growing feeble.
His Beast-Self's hooves clattered, kicking up sparks as it cantered across stone instead of sky, and he came to rest within earshot of his fellow Khan.
"Khan Khashin of the Lightning Drinkers greets you," he announced as they came to a halt, his voice scratchy with age and wear.
"Khan Galidan of the Behemoth Eaters gives his respect," The younger man's voice boomed, from where he sat atop his own mount. It was a massive thing, a great eagle with golden feathers, that outmassed his own Beast-Self twice over and more.
Khashin peered through narrow eyes at the younger man. Just as he was, the other man was dressed for battle, his face concealed behind a carved mask of bone. "Why did you request this," The old Khan replied bluntly, cantering forward.
Khan Galidan reached up, removing his mask. He had the face of a man in his prime, clean shaven, with sharp eyes that pierced like spears. "I would speak to you of the grand Kurultai, and the opening of Skyson's vault."
Khan Khashin grunted removing his own mask and exposing his own badly weathered face to the high mountain wind. "You wish our warriors to ally in the Game then?"
"That would be most welcome, mighty Khan," Galidan agreed seriously. "I had hoped to speak of the other matter however."
Now Kharshin scowled. "Fool," he spat. "Do you think yourself mightier than Ogodei?"
"No," the younger Khan replied, meeting his glare without a flinch, even as the mountain under them began to shake, stones rattling and dust falling as their spirits once again clashed. "Assault is foolish, but the lowlanders greed will never be satisfied."
"Besides," he said after a pause. "That Taghai will be seeking the right to name himself Khagan, no matter what words we speak."
His words brought Khashin up short, his expression twisting in furious incredulity. "I know his ambitions. Who would listen to that ice addled madman?"
"Many," Galidan replied, crossing his arms. "These past five winters, his tribe was untouched."
Khashin's eyes narrowed. The further south one flew the harsher the winters grew, carried on icy winds from the dead-plains south of the Mother Mountains. "I assume you do not merely mean that luck favored him," he had flown all this way, Khashin decided, he would see what tale this young man wished to spin.
"The Crone ignored him, to feast on his neighbors," the younger man replied bluntly. "And why not, he has married an Ice Witch from the south, and offers the beast sacrifice."
Khan Khashin leaned back in his saddle, hi expression cold. The Iron Toothed Crone, who flew north in a vessel of stone each winter to torment the People in the southern mountains, was an ancient foe of Father Sky. Where she passed, food spoiled, lesser beasts went mad and children disappeared from their cribs. She could not be fought, only survived. "You make bold accusations. Tribes have gone to war for lesser insults."
Galidan spread his hands helplessly. "I do not speak falsely. He does little to hide it. Winter's cold spreads further north with each year, and the lowlanders push us into her embrace. Is it any wonder that the People lose faith in Father Sky's wisdom. We are free to fly as we will, but are these mountains not the bones of our Mother?"
The old man closed both sets of eyes. That at least rang true. He heard the sullen whispers among the younger warriors. Those who had not seen the horror that followed Ogodei's failure. They saw only retreat and submission, the cowardice of old men. Yet never had one of his warriors dared to turn to the worship of demons such as the Crone or the Gnawers. Let alone a Khan "To cling to a single place is error," he replied quietly.
"Yet you are still here," Galidan replied, Beast and Man alike fixing him with a look. "You have not flown west, beyond the Red Garden, or East beyond the Sun's Grave, as some did."
Khan Khashin merely grunted, his Beast Self stamping it hooves. "The Mother Mountains are not a single place," he answered.
"As most of the People would agree," Galidan said bluntly.
"...Make your proposal, Khan Galidan," The older man said.
"I wish only for you to support me when I make claim to the Skyson's legacy," The Eagle mounted man replied, the great beast beneath him spreading its wings.
"You will die," Khashin said flatly. "None have survived entering the tomb."
"Perhaps," the younger man replied, lifting off. "But I will not die chased from my home, nor corrupted by demons. I ask only to be given the chance."
"...I will investigate your words," the old man said, his Beast-Self's wings spreading as well. "If you speak truth about Taghai, I will support you," left unsaid, that a lie would see new vendetta declared.
The sky changed always, but Khashin had hoped that his final days might pass without strife.
The spirits laughed at the desires of men.
Diomedea
A piece of the continent
- Location
- The interblag
- Pronouns
- She/Her
If he dies, there will also be another incursion, but this time we'll get to make "Winter is coming" jokes out of it.
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
Y'all can start changing your pants now, because we've got a likely White level War happening in the Emerald Seas sometime in the next decade or two.
Because "Tomb of the Skyson?" "Nobody's ever survived that". Sort of implies he's going to try and surpass Ogodei--and if the Skyson turns out to be a Great Spirit or a Sublime Ancestor... Well, we already know that you can cheat your way to White with those kinds of contracts.
Because "Tomb of the Skyson?" "Nobody's ever survived that". Sort of implies he's going to try and surpass Ogodei--and if the Skyson turns out to be a Great Spirit or a Sublime Ancestor... Well, we already know that you can cheat your way to White with those kinds of contracts.
- Location
- Brazil
I'm personally more about this Crone figure.
Spirit? White who went mad and cringed to the mortal coil? Some half-ascended cultivator?
"Ice Witch" gave me an impression of at least a moderate amount of civilization, and the flying vessel certainly confirms their prowess.
We might have a Sublime Ancestral throwdown if she keeps encroaching north. Would the Dragon and Grandma Snek and Gorillaz team up if need be?
Spirit? White who went mad and cringed to the mortal coil? Some half-ascended cultivator?
"Ice Witch" gave me an impression of at least a moderate amount of civilization, and the flying vessel certainly confirms their prowess.
We might have a Sublime Ancestral throwdown if she keeps encroaching north. Would the Dragon and Grandma Snek and Gorillaz team up if need be?
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
Good luck with that.
The moderates have already left, taking their chances by trying to bolt past the Garden of the Red Sun and the Grave of the Sun.
The only ones left are the ones who want to stab their oppressors until they're wiped out or kill one of them. And either way, we have to deal with Not!Baba Yaga and her encroaching ice age.
Aramis
An unwilling witness
- Location
- Who cares?
Perhaps Ice-mom could tell us. The spiritual court is very talkative after all. She'll probably tell us "Run you drug-addled idiot" but even that'll be useful.
- Location
- United States of America
Depending on how long it takes for this "Iron Tooth Crone" to move winter to the Emerald Sea, if it does do that, Zhengui might actually be able to help stabilize the weather with heat and growth.
Things to contemplate.
Aramis
An unwilling witness
- Location
- Who cares?
...Our green baby boy versus a mythical Winter spirit, when Zhen is weak to the cold. Please don't.
Ice mom lineage might be a lot better than we previously tought.
Also we have at least a violet cultivator (the one married to an ice witch) that is going to assault the region.
Ice is probably not going to be a very popular element in the close future. What with the ice witch helping her husband raid us.
Also we have at least a violet cultivator (the one married to an ice witch) that is going to assault the region.
Ice is probably not going to be a very popular element in the close future. What with the ice witch helping her husband raid us.
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