- Location
- The Middle of the Howling Wilderness
Shit, there goes about half of them
He can be a recurring villain. Every four years.
My work here is done.
The wand method is more flavourful for Harry Potter. Just make it clear what each component represents.
Belatix Lestrange has nearly two inches of length on Harry.a really short wand can sometimes indicate that the owner is lacking something morally.
Belatix Lestrange has nearly two inches of length on Harry.
Hell, Moldymort has two and a half.
WTF Harry?
Seriously though, while I'd prune down the list of potential wand woods to prevent massively split votes, theres so much diversity in there its actually much better than I was expecting. Also if and when this quest happens I want a Manticore Quill core. I don't care what it does. Just make it happen.
Nooooo.
For some background, there are actually a lot more materials that can be used to make cores for wands, but Ollivander only trades in three, and those three are the only ones that have been expanded on. I've got some ideas for Ilvermorny, but here's what the three cores mean:
Huh. I never really realized how much worldbuilding went into all the background stuff in Harry Potter. Maybe because it never shows up in fanfics. The wand stuff is actually pretty cool. Lots of variety and potential for interesting combinations.
I feel like people don't give J.K. Rowling enough respect as a writer. I mean, Harry Potter is far from flawed, but there's a lot more to it than most people are willing to give it credit for, even its fans.
huh. That's actually really sad.
Also, the more of this kinda stuff I read, the more I want to start writing a Jane Austen/Harry Potter crossover fanfic. It feels like that would actually work.
Yeah, her worldbuilding gets a lot of criticism for being kinda inconsistent and arbitrary, but it seems like she was always more concerned about making her world a vehicle to tell the kind of stories that she wanted, rather than as an end in itself.
Not that familiar with it, but maybe the more vital parts of the settlement are quietly built into more remote locations, and usually there is little cause for most adventurers to go to those places?Oh, and Hima's built on a mountaintop, but Hima is literally nothing but one inn and a few merchants who presumably sleep in their stalls at night, so who cares? "Village of Adventurers" my ass, that inn doesn't even have a tavern!
Not that familiar with it, but maybe the more vital parts of the settlement are quietly built into more remote locations, and usually there is little cause for most adventurers to go to those places?
Well, a cursory search on google raises the possibility that there might be Mountain Aquifers, or maybe underground rivers in the places that have nothing built on top of them. Or they have collect snow and melt them? Plenty of ways to get drinkable water in a relatively clean world compared to the modern world.Though that does raise the question of how they grow food; the mountain doesn't seem to have any water sources.
Well, that can't possibly lead to any confusion. Especially if it is in the middle of a battle, where a G might end up getting added or lost partway through. Maybe it would be prudent to refer to them in some other way to minimise confusionIf you want to expand, you have to first deal with the alliance between Zhang Yang in Shangdang and the Black Mountain Bandits led by Zhang Yan,
On one hand, that would be a profit moment. On the other hand, sone part of me is dreading ever trying that.
And possbily having a coallition try to kick your shit in.On the other hand, you'd be sandwiched between the Suns in Yang, Liu Zhang in Yi (and maybe later on Liu Bei in Yi), and Cao Cao everywhere to the north, unless you managed to do all this early enough that you might be able to head off one or two of these factions from gaining power.
Considering what he became, odds are we can never really be the Ruler of this land in the minds of the people. Unless we one-up him as a ruler.Or you could do the easy thing and turn south instead. Jiaozhi, ruled by Shi Xie, is in what in modern times is northern Vietnam.
Amen.I've always been kind of disappointed with how little actual person-to-person interaction there ever was between the heads of the three kingdoms.
And why exactly Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian were visonaries. Then Sun Jian came down with a case of death after he went and grabbed the Imperial Seal and lied about it. The heavens were not happy about that.it shows off the debauchery and ill-concealed greed of these warlords.
I don't mind. I really like these posts.I've also got some plans for Lu Bu and the Battle of Hulao Pass, but I think this post is getting way too long already.
Well, that can't possibly lead to any confusion. Especially if it is in the middle of a battle, where a G might end up getting added or lost partway through. Maybe it would be prudent to refer to them in some other way to minimise confusion
On one hand, that would be a profit moment. On the other hand, sone part of me is dreading ever trying that.
And why exactly Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Jian were visonaries. Then Sun Jian came down with a case of death after he went and grabbed the Imperial Seal and lied about it. The heavens were not happy about that.
Maybe some other chance meetings with Sun Ce or Sun Quan after Sun Jian bites it? Gives it a generational feel, with the younger Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and older Sun Jian in the first meeting at the aforementioned time, the proud Cao Cao, steadfast Liu Bei, and unproven Sun Quan at Chi Bi, and the old Cao Cao, reminiscing of the past. (If things get to that point)
With the MC either part of it in-quest or just the observer.
Amphibious attacks are hell, no matter the era. Best way to do this would be to sneak-attack and immediately take a fort on the other side of the river to establish a foothold. And even then, if the river is not merciful, it will be a long time before any supplies/reinforcements can arrive. On the other hand, it is also hard for the enemy to cross it too. Any major movement of Boats are quite noticeable, especially you have fishermen on the lookout.Anyway, despite the fact that it encompasses two provinces, Tao Qian's state is a hard one to defend or expand further. Xu and Yang are separated by the huge-ass Yangtze River (which in Chinese is more commonly called the Chang Jiang, i.e. "Long River"), so there's geographical difficulties from the get-go.
Well, at least the troops from this province are the more experienced ones.
The problem with Bandits in any piece of Chinese fiction is that you don't know if the are either the "Slimy Bandits" or the "Honorable Bandits". So the ways to deal with them are quite hard to figure out without ever meeting them. Especially if it is a "Canny Noble Bandit" who might take the money to betray their alliance only to turn around and stab you instead for being dishonorable.One of the most successful were the Black Mountain Bandits, a confederation of bandits led by Zhang Yan, also called "Flying Swallow Yan." These bandits ravaged lands all around the Taihang Mountain Range, which extends for about 250 miles north-south all the way from the northernmost extent of the Han down into the Central Plains (the modern-day provinces of Shanxi and Shandong are both named in reference to this mountain range, BTW; Shanxi means "West of the Mountains" and Shandong means "East of the Mountains");
An Alliance with Yuan Shao? Oh God. It should be made very clear that this is a temporary one.The best chance of survival would probably come from playing off different factions. The Black Mountains made pests of themselves in Yuan Shao's Ji Province, and later on the Black Mountains tried to assist Gongsun Zan, so an alliance to deal with them might not be out of the question, for example.
With us in the position of Shu. At least until Cao Cao invades, if he does. But he most likely will. And he has Guo Jia at this point in time.And from there, your best bet would probably be trying to find some way to play off the conflict between Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan to seize enough power to become a third power. Which would kind of make the lands north of the Yellow River into a microcosm of the Three Kingdoms, funnily enough.
Well, considering it was by getting too reckless that he was even caught in the ambush he was caught in and got crushed by a boulder/shot by arrows...Just do what Liu Biao did and harness the incredible power of Cutscene Arrows.
But swearing by the heavens didn't exactly help. That's the equivalent of swearing on the Bible then saying lies. It's Bad Juju, especially in those times. Especially if there are supernatural themes that are never shown directly.To be fair, if he'd told he truth he'd have been obligated to give it to either Yuan Shao, who was the leader of the coalition, or Yuan Shu, who was Sun Jian's boss at the time, and by this point neither of them has proven especially trustworthy or sincere as Han loyalists.
It's telling that it took his entire army crumbling outright and being completely surrounded by Cao Cao's forces to capture and kill Lu Bu.I've always really enjoyed portraying Lu Bu as almost inhuman in just how terrifyingly powerful he is, as someone who rises so far above ordinary people that he seems almost to become something elemental, as befitting a man called the God of War. I won't make him Superman or anything, but any battle with Lu Bu in it should definitely involve at least one or two feats that seem almost impossible and strike fear and awe into both sides of the fighting. Other generals might have nearly superhuman feats, but only Lu Bu does the seemingly impossible every single time he takes the field.
That it causes the deaths of the best Generals of the Lords just happens to be a coincidence. Suuure...To that end, the strategy Yuan Shao decides on is to play to Lu Bu's ego and challenge him to what is essentially a gauntlet of successive duels against the greatest generals the coalition can muster.
But if all 20 wipe, that would be break the Coalition Army, though.10 or more and you're a hero who slew a demon of legend, essentially.
Considering that I knew these two survived past Chi Bi at least, it pretty much spoiled that Zhang Fei would go in before these two. Yuan Shu was in on Yuan Shao's plot, so it makes sense. (Considering Huang Gai's moment of fame was faking defection in Chi Bi which Cao Cao thought was true in a moment of derp, well...)Huang Gai and Han Dang, generals of Sun Jian's army, are announced with a bit less fanfare than the rest, their names not so well-known.
Yuan Shao didn't want to lose anyone of his Generals. That Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun volunteered is a bit of a surprise though. Again, knowing that these two were chosen basically spoiled that Zhang Fei was going to charge in before they could get their chance to fight Lu Bu.Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun, generals of Cao Cao's army, are announced with still less. Neither of them's really done anything as far as anyone can tell. Wonder how Cao Cao convinced Yuan Shao to give him two tries?
He was under... Gongsun Zan, who presumably also saw though Yuan Shao's ploy.But the cheers stop completely when the last two are announced. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, mounted archers of Liu Bei's army? Who the hell are they? Wait, mounted archers? Common soldiers? And this Liu Bei is just some county magistrate? What's going on here?
By this point, Sun Jian and Cao Cao are also likely sweating hard. Sun Jian because Huang Gai was one of his best (and older) retainers, and Cao Cao because he might just lose his two relatives for no gain. (Granted, Xiahou Dun had both eyes right now, but...)He trades a grand total of five blows before Lu Bu cuts off his arm and he's forced to flee for his life. Lu Bu doesn't even consider him worth chasing.
The next general steps forward. There's no cheering on the coalition's side, now, only fear and fervent hope. There's no proud boasting or grandstanding among the generals, only grim determination barely hiding the encroaching fear of death. For the next in line, Wang Chong, it's all he can do to keep from shaking. He can't do this. He's going to die, just as easily as all the others-
Shots fired! (Yes, I know the real reason was because Lu Bu killed his 'Father'.)
Considering it took Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Liu Bei to just get a draw with Lu Bu, it says a lot about the prowess on both sides of the fight. Though more about Lu Bu, but still. At least the draw meant that the Coalition Morale didn't break outright.
The problem with Bandits in any piece of Chinese fiction is that you don't know if the are either the "Slimy Bandits" or the "Honorable Bandits". So the ways to deal with them are quite hard to figure out without ever meeting them. Especially if it is a "Canny Noble Bandit" who might take the money to betray their alliance only to turn around and stab you instead for being dishonorable.
An Alliance with Yuan Shao? Oh God. It should be made very clear that this is a temporary one.
Then again, killing him is a good way to get a pissed off Sun Ce after you.
But swearing by the heavens didn't exactly help. That's the equivalent of swearing on the Bible then saying lies. It's Bad Juju, especially in those times. Especially if there are supernatural themes that are never shown directly.
It's telling that it took his entire army crumbling outright and being completely surrounded by Cao Cao's forces to capture and kill Lu Bu.
That it causes the deaths of the best Generals of the Lords just happens to be a coincidence. Suuure...
But if all 20 wipe, that would be break the Coalition Army, though.
Considering that I knew these two survived past Chi Bi at least, it pretty much spoiled that Zhang Fei would go in before these two. Yuan Shu was in on Yuan Shao's plot, so it makes sense. (Considering Huang Gai's moment of fame was faking defection in Chi Bi which Cao Cao thought was true in a moment of derp, well...)
Yuan Shao didn't want to lose anyone of his Generals. That Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun volunteered is a bit of a surprise though. Again, knowing that these two were chosen basically spoiled that Zhang Fei was going to charge in before they could get their chance to fight Lu Bu.
He was under... Gongsun Zan, who presumably also saw though Yuan Shao's ploy.
By this point, Sun Jian and Cao Cao are also likely sweating hard. Sun Jian because Huang Gai was one of his best (and older) retainers, and Cao Cao because he might just lose his two relatives for no gain. (Granted, Xiahou Dun had both eyes right now, but...)
Shots fired! (Yes, I know the real reason was because Lu Bu killed his 'Father'.)
Considering it took Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Liu Bei to just get a draw with Lu Bu, it says a lot about the prowess on both sides of the fight. Though more about Lu Bu, but still. At least the draw meant that the Coalition Morale didn't break outright.
Ah, great. Well, if the Bandit refuses to backstab, maybe Zhang Yang will be more distrustful of those filthy bandits...From what I can tell, Zhang Yan never stabbed anyone he allied with (Zhang Yang, Gongsun Zan, Cao Cao) in the back, so he had that going for him.
To be fair, no-one knows just how good Lu Bu was at the time.If it's not clear, Yuan Shao doesn't quite understand who he's f*cking with.
One of the major blind spots of Cao Cao, I feel, is that sometimes he forgets the human element in a war. Oh, morale and management he knows, but sometimes I feel like he fails to understand the human emotions of his enemies.As for Cao Cao, he's operating on the same logic as Yuan Shao. And like Yuan Shao, he doesn't quite understand who he's f*cking with.
Alright then, so if you wanted to fight the God of War in ancient times, either do like Guan Yu and kill an abusive noble and be on the run for 5 years, or do like Zhang Fei and farm, sell wine, and work as a Butcher.Well, it was more that Lu Bu and Zhang Fei made for a more or less even fight; Lu Bu was struggling when Guan Yu was added into the mix, and had to flee when Liu Bei also started contributing.
Makes sense.It also serves to mark the passing of an age. These are the great warriors of an age of peace and unity, when the greatest threat the Han faced was bands of Xiongnu raiding at the northern borders or some hungry peasants turning to banditry. In the age created by the Yellow Turbans, where feudal lords divide the long amongst themselves and chaos is endemic, the heroes of yesteryear are barely speedbumps to the heroes of the chaos to come.
Alright then, so if you wanted to fight the God of War in ancient times, either do like Guan Yu and kill an abusive noble and be on the run for 5 years, or do like Zhang Fei and farm, sell wine, and work as a Butcher.
One quibbling point I do have is that the stats of the characters are outright stated. Maybe to reflect the uncertain nature of the times, a stat will only be revealed in full after testing someone? And before testing, you would only have the character's impression of their stats, and those might be wildly off the mark? I dunno, just a suggestion here.
Honestly, these always make me sorta hyped!
What work do you still need to do to finish prepping for the Quest, or is it a matter of time and focus?