Sirrocco
Pedantic
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Okay. Cool. What does "20% boost" mean in this context?
Nobility on the Golden Plains [A Clan Builder / Cultivation Quest]
- Thread starter Arcanestomper
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
To the amount of progress they can make on actions.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
- Pronouns
- He/Him
It would be nice to have an informational-marked post with the info on the Pavilion. It could be part of the character sheet, it coudl be it's own, but it would be nice to have somewhere we could go to actually see the stats on that thing. It would be even better if it came with whatever explanation there might be as to what those stats do.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
It's in the Relations: The Zhuge Clan post. Which is an informational and does make sense.
Sirrocco
Pedantic
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Ah! I... hadn't actually thought to look there.
What does "Budget: $1 ($9)" mean? Specifically, what does the "$9" mean?
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- Pronouns
- He/Him
I believe that's our current income and the total money we have. We get $1 a turn and have $9 right now. Which doesn't go as far as it sounds given our likely need for more Stress reduction.
Yep, the $1 is how much budget the pavilion receives from the clan each turn in excess of what it needs to function. The $9 is how much you have accumulated. Theoretically it's part of the pavilion budget, but as the young master and the pavilion master you can pretty much do whatever you want with those spirit stones.
I just added another value. The $4.5 is how much the pavilion generates from making and selling elixirs when you don't give it anything to do.
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Sirrocco
Pedantic
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Well. That certainly makes "purchase new equipment" more viable as an option.
Turn 14: Resolving the Dispute (Year 4/Summer)
New
Turn 14: Resolving the Dispute (Year 4/Summer)
[X] Plan: Last Hurdles
-[X] Select a technique to boost with 3 TP. (School of the Leaf Cauldron)
-[X] Look through Kasjan Documents (Goal 45/50) (Administrator)
-[X] Brew Rusted Lotus Elixir (Goal: 0/10 Repeatable) (+1 Stress) (Costs $5 per elixir after first)
--[X] Show it to our older Brother as proof that you can actually do this.
-[X] Get Help with your Plantation
--[X] Ask Our Brother
-[X] Select a technique to boost with 3 TP. (School of the Leaf Cauldron)
-[X] Look through Kasjan Documents (Goal 45/50) (Administrator)
-[X] Brew Rusted Lotus Elixir (Goal: 0/10 Repeatable) (+1 Stress) (Costs $5 per elixir after first)
--[X] Show it to our older Brother as proof that you can actually do this.
-[X] Get Help with your Plantation
--[X] Ask Our Brother
At this point the dispute is nearly done. Zhuge clerks have combed through the records and launched a flurry of complaints and accusations at the Kasjan clan. Combined with the recent near assassination of a Zhuge official the Kasjan clan is well and truly on the back foot.
For your part you only need to go over the documents one last time checking the work of all the minor clerks and seeing if there is anything else that they missed. You make a few last minute adjustments in how the information is presented. Nothing really new, but you use your talents in story telling to create a narrative that paints the Kasjan in a heavily negative light.
Ultimately you also find a few Zhuge merchants who were legitimately corrupt and passing off inferior goods as a higher grade. You pass their information along to your brother as well. No doubt they will be fined or even have their trading licenses revoked. No great loss to the clan, and it will help the Kasjan save a little face instead of coming away with nothing.
Clock Removed: The Kasjan Dispute
Clan Prestige: +1
In celebration of the resolution of the dispute your mother holds a banquet. It is a grand affair and representatives from the clan's allies as well as all the surrounding noble families are invited. Even the Kasjan clan is invited. Nominally this is because the resolution of the trade discrepancies will lead to a brighter more prosperous future as the clans deepen their relations.
More practically the Zhuge clan has pulled a reversal on the Kasjan clan and is now trumpeting their ability to out maneuver and humiliate them to everyone. This has turned from a potential disaster to a massive gain, and it is in large part thanks to you.
So you are very pleased as you dress in your third finest set of robes. Your second finest are for ancestral ceremonies. And your best are of course reserved for Imperial functions. It's a fine green and blue affair that your mother gifted to you when you broke through to the Knight realm. You especially appreciate the spatial storage in the sleeves for your knives.
The banquet itself is planned to be a multiple day affair showcasing the Zhuge clan's wealth and power. You are unsure how you feel about it. Sometimes these things can drag on interminably if you get stuck with a boring crowd. More politics and careful maneuvering through poison laced words than anything actually fun.
So you arrive at the banquet hall with mixed expectations. The first few courses are formal and filled with several speeches that are mostly polite nothings with an undertone of Zhuge clan boasts. Afterwards you are free to mingle and you wander around looking for interesting people.
Unfortunately the first person you find is anything but. It's the Kasjan clan's representative. They've sent their own young master, Kasjan Kai. He is a spindly looking man with sunken eyes dressed all in grey. You glare at each other for a few moments. You may have won this round, but you haven't forgotten that the Kasjan intended for you to be the ones humiliated.
You exchange a few polite words which quickly devolve into scathing insults. He calls you a poison master, true but not something you bring up in polite company especially at a banquet. In return you call him a paper cultivator, referencing the Kasjan clan's affinity for talismans. As the words get more heated and devolve from veiled insults to outright name calling your respective entourages start glaring at each and the atmosphere becomes tense.
Neither of you are stupid enough to escalate things into a physical conflict however. Not here at an official banquet anyway. When your hands start moving towards your knives and his start drawing qi strokes in the air, both of you take a breath and decisively turn away. Your respective groups move to opposite sides of the hall. You didn't make an enemy today, simply met one you already had.
As the banquet goes on you happen to find yourself in a group with several of your peers. Young masters and mistresses from other baronies and particularly important clans. The Azure Sky Sect, the Zheng Clan, the Jade Maiden Sect, the Lim Clan, and so on. The truth is that this region of the empire is a comparative backwater so there are few events that would bring so many of you together.
As such this is a rare chance for you all. You exchange rumors, boast about your respective accomplishments, and mostly gossip about what's going on in actual important places. There are rumors that the Imperial Ninth Prince is touring the countryside. You haven't heard any official word about that, but it doesn't stop everyone from imagining meeting him. They say he's only sixty two but is already in the Count realm. That he's defeated a thousand opponents and wrestled a dragon.
You doubt that given the sheer offense that would present to the Dragon of the Wastes, but you suppose the way that the young master of the azure sky tells it is certainly an exciting tale. Unfortunately as the conversation turns towards other topics you find an annoying pattern cropping up. Young master Zheng keeps boasting about accomplishments that directly match your own. It's subtle, he isn't responding to you immediately or even in the same order you tell your own stories. But every time you bring something up he eventually mentions how he did something better.
There's no polite way to bring this up. Acknowledging what he's doing would lose you even more face. Of course this is all happening in the Zhuge clan and you are the Zhuge clan's young master. You could use your status to shut him down, but if you handle it improperly it would just make things worse. And it's annoying, but not actively insulting. Fortunately you aren't the only one to notice this. The others are starting to look a bit uneasy, and it's clear that many of them are mentally debating whether they should intervene. Whether they want to curry favor with you or young master Zheng.
Eventually the young mistress of the Jade Maiden, Xun Jia, sect is the one who speaks. She invites you to meet one of her friends. It's a polite way for you to disengage though you are definitely planning to put Zheng in his place eventually. As the two of you move away young mistress Xun tells you that her friend is from the Maze Lands. Apparently she's been traveling around the empire on tour.
You immediately can tell who she's talking about. There's another lady talking to one of the Zhuge clan's martial commanders. Her robes are lined with fur and she's wearing a thick fur cloak. From what you remember of your classes on Maze Land cultures it's probably from the most dangerous spirit beast she's defeated. You wonder what it was.
Xun introduces her as Haoran Chìhóng of the Night Bear Sect. After a few polite nothings you decide you might as well ask what her cloak is made from. She proudly tells you that it came from a Raging Hill Fiend. You don't recognize it, but from the way she describes it the beast was the size of a hill and equipped with a maw that could swallow a cultivator whole. Apparently she fought it for a whole month before managing to deal the final blow. It's an impressive accomplishment and you reciprocate with your own most dangerous fight, the expedition into the Night Tide Abyss.
She nods appreciatively and after a few more exchanges the two of you are chatting like old friends not even noticing when miss Xun and the martial commander leave. Surprisingly she shares your appreciation of spirit herbs and tells you of several rare specimens she has found in the Maze Lands. You also commiserate about older siblings. Apparently she has a number of older brothers who are all powerful cultivators. She is wandering the empire to try and accomplish enough deeds to get out from under their shadow. You wonder if a trip to the maze lands might get you away from your sister.
Sadly you cannot talk with lady Haoran all night. As the young master you have a duty to greet other guests, and especially to entertain other members of your generation. Saying farewell to your new friend you plunge back into the crowd to mingle and chat. You stay far away from the Kasjans, but loop back around to young master Zheng as he is chatting to several ladies about the prowess of his spirit beasts. You make several pointed comments about letting spirit beasts do all the work and wonder about his personal prowess. Now that you've had some time to think, and consult with the Zhuge clan spymaster, you've prepared a number of cutting remarks and it isn't long before young master Zheng is the one who disengages with a burning red face.
Eventually the night ends and you return to your quarters reflecting on everyone you have met. Several faces stood out to you for good or for ill. There are still several days of the banquet remaining. You wonder whether you should spend it consolidating your new relationships.
Choose an NPC
[ ] Kasjan Kai, the Antagonist
You don't talk to the Kasjans or their young master much during the banquet. They mostly sit there looking displeased and shooting angry glares around. However you do have one conversation with Kasjan Kai in which he manages to slip in several nasty retorts under the guise of polite small talk. The one about your sister being poison is particularly enraging.
Nothing overtly happens because of course they wouldn't do anything so soon after the dispute was resolved, but you find that you are suspiciously unlucky over the next few weeks. Your clothes seem to be damaged in your closets. You are splashed by elixir residue multiple times, and the spirit deer nearly trample you when you visit the stables. You suspect that you have been cursed.
Gain: An Enemy
Establishes Kasjan Kai as an antagonist to the MC. He will work to foil your plans and humiliate you personally. This will introduce more severe events targeted at the MC personally as well as actions targeted at him in retaliation. Less will provide large stress reduction on face gain for defeating him in return for heavy penalties for being defeated in turn.
[ ] Zheng Xinyi, the Rival
Young Master Zheng is an annoying one. He won't stop bragging about his spirit beasts. He has somehow gotten it in his head that you are the preeminent alchemist in your generation, which would be quite nice if he hadn't also developed a burning need to prove that beastmasters are better than alchemists in every conceivable way.
He butts into all your conversations at the banquet. Whenever you mention alchemy he talks about how he has a spirit beast that can do the same thing better. How spirit beasts help cultivation better than elixirs. How spirit beasts can heal and fight. How spirit beasts won't poison you if you use them too much. It's more than a little grating and you find yourself spitting back that elixirs are cheaper, less messy, and can provide more complex benefits than any spirit beast. The only reason the two of you don't fight a duel is that neither of you are on a direct combat path, but you consider poisoning him several times over the course of the banquet.
Gain: A Rival
Establishes Zheng Xinyi as a rival to the MC. He will work to prove that he is better than you. He will not seek your downfall as such, but humiliation is a possibility. Will provide similar events as the Enemy, but with less penalties for loss and smaller bonuses to Face and stress reduction.
[ ] Haoran Chìhóng, the Friend
You are intrigued by Miss Haoran. Her stories of the wild mountains are far more exciting than your usual life, and less life threatening than your sister's trips. You strike up a conversation and find that she is quite the conversationalist with many interests that align with yours.
Over the next few days you show her around the city and have several excursions into the nearby mountains searching for unexplored ruins. When the time comes that she regrettably has to leave to return home you exchange communication talismans and promise to keep in touch.
Gain: A Friend
Establishes Haoran Chìhóng as a friend to the MC. She will seek the MC out for fun outings and opportunities for adventure. Adds a third clock with positive events. These will provide additional opportunities for stress relief as well as random benefits. However these adventures may become even more dangerous than the schemes of the Antagonist.
Quest Note: Picking an option will make that character mechanically relevant, but the other characters will still exist and may show up at narratively relevant times. For instance if you pick Chihong you may still get an event with Kai messing with your spirit herb plantations. That would just mean that you got a negative clan event that I felt was suitable for Kasjan meddling even if I wasn't using the specific enemy table.
Using the Zhuge lotus from your personal gardens as well as a pile of sword grass you refine your first true Rusted Lotus elixir. It feels wrong. You are used to making elixirs from well defined recipes using spirit herbs of a high grade. The Qi in the Zhuge lotus is weak and the corpse grass is practically a weed. You aren't even sure if they are worth a grade of clay. You didn't realize it was possible to grade something lower than that.
You have to use an extremely large quantity of both to gather enough Qi and even after removing all the excess material the Rusted Lotus elixir that comes out of your cauldron looks like rather disturbing sludge. If someone gave you a recipe that resulted in this you would either discard it as trash or assume that you had failed somehow.
You have tested it repeatedly however, and despite the unwholesome appearance the elixir should work as you expect. It's garbage, but it will help cultivate, and most importantly it's a tenth the cost of a Bountiful Lotus Elixir. And that's just in pure material costs. Finding an alchemist capable of brewing one would cost even more.
You can easily see the benefits of this. Especially if you can produce it in larger quantities. So you bring the first batch to your older brother. He grasps the possibilities immediately and you both spend several hours discussing the best course of action.
You discuss the possibility of bringing in an expert alchemist to possibly improve the recipe, but eventually you both come to the conclusion that any alchemist good enough to assist would simply cost too much to both hire and ensure the secrecy of. So instead you turn to the other area of improvement, better ingredients.
After you detail the necessary growing conditions for the Zhuge lotus you both consult several maps of the province for likely locations. Your brother promises to send out groups of scouts to check each location and determine which of them is optimal for the new lotus plantations.
You come away from the meeting feeling pleased with both the results of your research and the acknowledgment of your capabilities that your brother has given you.
Find a Spirit Herb Grove (+10/Turn)
The Maple Cadre
For the past year you have taken a few days here and there to give lectures to the maple cadre. You've taken the time to address their questions and teach them lessons on various aspects of their apprenticeships. More than just their individual performance as alchemists however you have also been considering their overall effect on the Silver Grass Pavilion.
There are not that many apprentices in the maple cadre, but with their additional prestige you know that many other apprentices will seek to emulate them. And in time the lessons you are giving now will propagate through the entire pavilion. Especially as the apprentices eventually become alchemists in their own right.
So you have directed the lessons somewhat. You didn't neglect any aspect of their alchemical training, but you did focus on an area that you wanted the maple cadre to excel in. And which eventually you plan to inculcate in the entire pavilion.
[ ] Recipe Lessons
Your focus with the maple cadre was on pure alchemy. You taught them how to learn alchemy from its core principles. To fully understand each recipe so they can understand what to do, what not to do, and when to deviate from the recipe for best results.
Expertise: +1 Cap
[ ] Regimented Production
Skilled alchemists are useless if they don't do what you want. Your focus for the maple cadre was on teaching them where they fit into the pavilion. How tasks are distributed. How to request resources and when it is and isn't appropriate to do so. You instilled in them a pride in performing their duties according to the needs of the pavilion.
Discipline: +1 Cap
[ ] Family Benefits
You spent more time teaching the maple cadre about the Zhuge clan as a whole than alchemy. You emphasized to them the long and storied history of the clan and how much of its success can be traced to the loyalty and service of its retainers. In exchange you promised them that the clan would look after both them and their families no matter the war, disaster, or illness that might befall them.
Loyalty: +1 Cap
[ ] Lin Quing - Prodigy
Most of the apprentices are intelligent, motivated, and well suited to alchemy. They will make fine alchemists in the future, but for all that they lack a certain spark. A true talent for alchemy that goes beyond simple learning. All except one. Lin Qing has a knack for alchemy that approaches your own. She is able to understand recipes with a glance and has an intuitive grasp of the refining process that allows her to control her cauldron with exceptional skill.
Given time and resources she will become a great alchemist. In fact more than likely she will become a great alchemist regardless if only somewhat slower. Instead of the rest of the cadre you focused on giving her private lessons not just in alchemy but in her cultivation as well. Because the faster she can grow and learn the faster she will become useful to you.
Lin Qing (Loyalty 5/10, Alchemist Prodigy, Peasant, Specialist)
Trouble Clocks
Minor: Accusations of Inexperience [X] [X] [X] [ ] [ ] [ ]Special Actions
Alchemist Bonus--- [ ] Select a technique to boost with 3 TP. [Cultivation, School of the Jade Cauldron, School of the Iridescent Toxin]
Turn Actions
You may personally lead 3 actions without penalty.Remember that you can also write omakes for other members of the clan to deal with issues you can't.
Cultivation (+13) [Cultivation + Qi]
[ ] Cultivate: +.2 TP for every point on the roll (Stress: +1)--- [ ] Select a trait, skill, or technique to boost with the XP gained.
------ [ ] Who benefits from this boost?
[ ] Plant the Seed (Goal: 50)
Nurture your spiritual core by providing it with plenty of wood qi. Prepare a space in your soul to accept it by obtaining enlightenments as to your path. You will need to have a firm conviction and understanding of yourself in order to provide sufficient insights for the core to take root.
Your mother has asked you to wait before doing this.
[ ] Watering the Roots (Goal 100)
Locked
[ ] Pruning the Sapling (Goal 150)
Locked
[ ] Breakthrough: Eating the Fruit (Goal: ??)
Locked
[ ] Attempt to Gain Insights
- [ ] Pick a Path
You are currently on the path of alchemy. It is a fairly straightforward path as cultivation goes, but every cultivator is unique and their path to ascension will follow no others. You can search for insights on various other matters and use them to forge enlightenments to add to your comprehension of the world.
Administration (+4) [Administration]
[ ] Recruit More Alchemists (Goal: 1/10) (Spirit Stones: $1)Send An Lia out into the city to hire more alchemists for the pavilion. There are always small alchemist shops and loose cultivators that can be recruited by a large clan like the Zhuge. They won't be the best or most loyal, but that can be fixed with time.
Size: +1
Discipline: -.5
[ ] Request More Alchemists (Goal: 0/10) (Reputation Test)
Request that the clan elders assign more alchemists to the silver grass pavilion. Despite your low clan influence this is still likely to be accepted simply because it isn't a very large demand. There are thousands of alchemists scattered among the various pavilions around the province.
Unless you happen to catch the clan elders in a bad mood these will likely be better than the alchemists you can recruit on your own.
Size: +1
[ ] Clean up Corruption (Goal: 0/20) (Stress: +0.25)
It will be rather difficult, but you can track down all the cases of corruption in the Silver Grass Pavilion and put an end to it. Many of the alchemists likely just need a warning, but some will need to be removed entirely. But it should get easier as you weed out the worst of the bunch.
Size: -1
Discipline: +1
[ ] Search for an Herbalist (Goal: ???)
You only know the basics of growing spirit herbs, but there are plenty of cultivators who specialize in it. You can attempt to recruit an Herbalist to assist you in tending to your spirit herb gardens and potentially work on improved herb varieties.
New Retainer
Alchemy (+10) [Leaf Cauldron + Core]
[ ] Brew Flowing Ivy Elixir (Goal: 3/5 Repeatable) (1/3 Stress Free)It's always good to have some healing elixirs on hand. You already have the recipe so it shouldn't be too hard to brew a few elixirs. You will gain 1 elixir for each five points of progress.
[ ] Brew Rusted Lotus Elixir (Goal: 0/10 Repeatable) (+1 Stress) (Costs $5 per elixir after first)
Prepare Rusted Lotus elixirs for cultivation, to provide to the clan, or sale to others. You may want to present your first one to the clan as evidence of your ability and to inform of the possibilities.
[ ] Research a new Recipe (Goal: ??)
--[ ] What kind of elixir are you trying to make?
You can try to figure out the recipe for a new pill or elixir. You are quite talented in alchemy so you can try to make nearly anything, but more complex and potent recipes will be harder. They may also require more exotic ingredients.
[ ] Use a Flowing Ivy Elixir (1 Elixir)
-[ ] The Target
Use 1 elixir and your wood qi to fully heal a cultivator of the Knight realm or below.
[ ] Assign the Silver Grass Pavilion a Task
-[ ] Elixir or research
You are the head of the pavilion. You can assign the pavilion as a whole tasks to complete. Even in its current state the alchemists will still carry out your orders. Though their output will be limited.
Automatically carries out a task.
Will continue every turn until stopped.
[ ] Purchase New Equipment (Goal: 0/10) (Spirit Stones: $5)
You can purchase some better pill cauldrons from the markets in Fragrant Lotus City. This won't be cheap. You'll need to save up for some time, ask the elders for more stones, or find another way to make money. But it should noticeably improve the output of the pavilion's alchemists.
Facilities: Fine -> Good
[ ] Lead a Grand Project
-[ ] Write in Goal
In order to increase the loyalty of the alchemists in the Silver Grass Pavilion you need to prove that you are a capable leader who can provide them with benefits in the future. You aren't sure how exactly to do that at the moment, but you can start by proving that you are a capable alchemist.
The best way you can think to do that is to marshal the entire pavilion into a grand working producing a rare pill of high grade and realm. This will be a complex endeavor. So your first step will be figuring out what you want to try and make.
Quest (+5) [School of the Iridescent Toxin]
[ ] Go on an Adventure (Goal: ??)You probably shouldn't be heading out to explore ruins and look for treasures on your own, but you don't have anything else particularly pressing to do. Take some time off to go slay monsters, search ancient palaces, and roam the wild lands looking for fortunate encounters. (Depending on the roll you can find useful locations, harvest rare materials, loot treasures, tame spirit beasts, increase your cultivation, and possibly reduce stress.)
[ ] Find a Spirit Herb Grove (Goal 50) (+10/Turn)
You will need a huge plantation to have enough Zhuge Lotus for your needs. Your current spirit herb gardens are not large enough. And unfortunately you cannot just plant them anywhere. You will need a location with high quantities of wood and water qi. Plus you will need to be able to adequately defend your new garden against both bandits and marauding spirit beasts that want to eat your bounty.
Locate Lotus Plantation Site
Learning (+5) [Sage]
[ ] Teach Senior Alchemists (Goal: 0/10) (Face Test) (Stress: +1)You are the best alchemist in the silver grass pavilion, and you could teach even the most senior alchemists in the pavilion a thing or two. Unfortunately many of them are significantly older than you and unlikely to listen well. You'll have to force them to accept your teachings.
Expertise: +1 Grade
[ ] Consider Other Promising Apprentices (Goal: 0/20)
The last batch of apprentices weren't terrible, but it is beneath your dignity to continuously teach apprentices every year. Not to mention you lack both the time and inclination to do so on a regular basis. Still the idea has merit. You just need to find some competent teachers to handle the majority of the work. There will likely be some pushback from the alchemists who prefer to handle their apprentices on a personal basis, but you aren't looking to teach every apprentice like this anyway.
Organize an apprentice teaching system.
[ ] Decipher a New Technique (Goal: 10/Grade)
- [ ] Pick a technique
You are not particularly good at coming up with new techniques, but any cultivator understands the basics. You can work out the different Qi circulations needed to perform whatever goal you are after. Depending on how much effort you put into this your new technique will have a better or worse grade.
Create Crude/Low/Mid technique
High/Master/Perfected (Locked)
Diplomacy (+0) [Diplomat]
[ ] Request a Larger Budget (Goal: 0/20) (Reputation Check) (Stress: +1)The clan elders are unlikely to grant the Silver Grass Pavilion more money, but you can always ask.
Budget: +?
[ ] Request a Personal Stipend (Goal: 0/20) (Face Check) (Stress: +1)
You could also ask the elders for a personal allotment of spirit stones. You'd be free to use these spirit stones in any way you wish. If they agree to grant your request of course.
Spirit Stones: +?
Personal [Automatic success]
[ ] Spend Time with your Family (Automatic)You could try to spend some time with your siblings, or even your mother. You don't know who would be available so it would be up to fate who exactly you can pull away from their duties.
[ ] Get Help with your Plantation
-[ ] Pick a family member
You admit the scale at which you are contemplating your new spirit garden is daunting. Setting it up by yourself would be challenging. Finding the site and establishing the Zhuge Lotus beds would be hard enough. But ensuring the secrecy of your new plants as well as defending them would be an ongoing task.
Fortunately you are not a lone cultivator. You are part of a clan. And this is definitely in the clan's interests. You can make your case to your family for support in this endeavor.
Stress Relief
[ ] Take a Vacation (Costs $2)You can take some time off from clan matters to wander the city or journey to a neighboring province on a sightseeing tour. You spend your time carousing and flaunting the wealth and status of a Young Master such as yourself.
Stress: -2
Vacation Cost: +1
[ ] Perform Charity (Costs $3)
You can spend some money on the local mortals or even down on their luck loose cultivators. Forgive a few debts, fund some orphanages, perhaps supply elixirs to a clinic or two. Nothing too grandiose, but still enough to make a noticeable impact on your people's lives. There is unfortunately a good chance this will give you a reputation for undue mercy.
Stress: -2
Face Test
[ ] Ponder Existence
You spend time in the library reading philosophy and trying to find the point of all this cultivation. What exactly is the purpose of life? Is it to gain power or to do good? Is a life well lived one of decadence and pleasure, or should you focus on nature and understanding the world. The cycle of history seems never ending. What exactly is the point of it all?
Stress: -2
Deepens Melancholy
Personal Goals
[ ] Became a True Pavilion MasterIt is time to consider what you truly want from the Silver Grass Pavilion. Is it a tool for your personal alchemy, a pillar of the clan, or a method to train loyal retainers. You will put some thought and planning into choosing a course for how you will manage it.
[ ] Acquire a Spirit Bonded Beast
Many members of the Zhuge clan have bonded companions. You would like to have one for yourself. The process is fairly straightforward, but the tricky part is acquiring a beast that will suit you. There are many options from protectors, to spies, to mounts. You could choose one to help you in alchemy or to cover your weaknesses in other areas.
[ ] Elevate the People
You have always felt that the common people in the clan do not have a particularly good lot in life. They are often mistreated and live short hard lives. Helping any particular mortal or their family is a small matter, but there are millions of them. Even you do not have the money for that. At least not on a whim. If you want to improve conditions in the Zhuge province you'll have to seriously plan it out.
Personal Goals
Could the personal goal be something about increasing the status of our Pavilion and making it more effective and efficient? Or at least increasing the loyalty of our members?
"acquire a suitable bonded animal, that would be directly useful and applicable to my life, and connect with it properly"
'Want to leave a legacy that will help lot of peoples and also make people remember him ?'
Trade & Investment (+0) [Merchant]
[ ] Visit the Market (Automatic)You are not really a merchant yourself, but anyone can buy things. You will visit the markets in Fragrant Lotus city and browse for useful things.
Provides a list of available artifacts/techniques/pills/beasts to buy.
Spirit Beasts (+0) [Spirit's Command]
[ ] Cultivate in the Fire Lily Mountains (Free Action)Your Poplar Guardian has been quietly rooted outside your personal residence for the last few years stabilizing its spirit. No one has really questioned why you have a new tree. That is your prerogative as the young master of the Zhuge clan, but your residence doesn't have the best qi flows for actually cultivating. You can send it to the Zhuge private training grounds to cultivate in proper wood qi.
[ ] Guard Your Residence (Current Task)
You can always leave the spirit by your residence to guard you. It's very large and strong and makes for a perfect protector of your home. Especially since not many people expect an awakened spirit tree.
[ ] Search for Spirit Groves (Free Action)
Being a tree your poplar guardian is uniquely sensitive to auspicious locations for spirit herbs. If it was a wild tree spirit these would be the exact sort of locations it would seek out to make its own home after all. You can take advantage of this to send your poplar guardian out to find groves and essentially take them over from their current spirit beast owners. This is somewhat dangerous, but your poplar is fairly sturdy. Unless it runs into a Lord level beast it should be fine. It is however slow so this will take a while.
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- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Haoran Chìhóng, the Friend
I like having friends and Stress is a very big issue going forward, so getting additional ways to ditch it is very important.
[X] Lin Quing - Prodigy
I think this is probably good? I could be talked into the Loyalty option instead.
[X] Plan Refine Our Options
-[X] Select a technique to boost with 3 TP. (1 TP School of the Leaf Cauldron, 2 TP School of the Iridescent Toxin)
-[X] Take a Vacation (Costs $2)
-[X] Search for an Herbalist (Goal: ???)
-[X] Lead a Grand Project
--[X] Attempt to refine our Rust Lotus formula so it is more refined, ideally making it go down easier and be less difficult to make.
-[X] Cultivate in the Fire Lily Mountains (Free Action)
The basic logic here is to finish up School of the Leaf Cauldron 6, and set up to finish Iridescent Toxin to 6 next turn, drop our Stress (which is too high at the moment), continue progress on the Maple Cadre (which has just been shown to be useful), and start working on refining our new formula. I don't actually want to spend actions on the refining process every turn or anything, but we can assign the Pavilion to working on it once we start it, which should hopefully finish up around the same time as the 'Find Lotus Qi' thing finishes up, or close to it.
I guess some of those might depend on rules interpretations, though:
@Arcanestomper we can split our TP between two Schools it applies to, right? And, I guess, what would Ling Quing actually provide bonuses to? Alchemy stuff specifically or something else?
EDIT: The Maple Cadre apparently no longer exist. Need to find an alternative action...I'm thinking we maybe hire an Herbalist or do something about our current Trouble Clock. I lean towards the second, but I'm not sure what action does that.
EDIT 2: Added the 'Search For An Herbalist' option, possibly while thinking about other alternatives...
EDIT 3: Approval votes:
[X] Plan: All in on Grand Alchemist
I like having friends and Stress is a very big issue going forward, so getting additional ways to ditch it is very important.
[X] Lin Quing - Prodigy
I think this is probably good? I could be talked into the Loyalty option instead.
[X] Plan Refine Our Options
-[X] Select a technique to boost with 3 TP. (1 TP School of the Leaf Cauldron, 2 TP School of the Iridescent Toxin)
-[X] Take a Vacation (Costs $2)
-[X] Search for an Herbalist (Goal: ???)
-[X] Lead a Grand Project
--[X] Attempt to refine our Rust Lotus formula so it is more refined, ideally making it go down easier and be less difficult to make.
-[X] Cultivate in the Fire Lily Mountains (Free Action)
The basic logic here is to finish up School of the Leaf Cauldron 6, and set up to finish Iridescent Toxin to 6 next turn, drop our Stress (which is too high at the moment), continue progress on the Maple Cadre (which has just been shown to be useful), and start working on refining our new formula. I don't actually want to spend actions on the refining process every turn or anything, but we can assign the Pavilion to working on it once we start it, which should hopefully finish up around the same time as the 'Find Lotus Qi' thing finishes up, or close to it.
I guess some of those might depend on rules interpretations, though:
@Arcanestomper we can split our TP between two Schools it applies to, right? And, I guess, what would Ling Quing actually provide bonuses to? Alchemy stuff specifically or something else?
EDIT: The Maple Cadre apparently no longer exist. Need to find an alternative action...I'm thinking we maybe hire an Herbalist or do something about our current Trouble Clock. I lean towards the second, but I'm not sure what action does that.
EDIT 2: Added the 'Search For An Herbalist' option, possibly while thinking about other alternatives...
EDIT 3: Approval votes:
[X] Plan: All in on Grand Alchemist
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Dealing with the Kasjan Dispute is great for the Clan and the MC's personal reputation within the clan.
Getting along wasn't really going to be possible there.
Thats' an interesting plot hook.
He's a young master so of course he's used to the good stuff,
It feels like the MC uses his older brother as a sounding board while the older brother gets a competent and stable brother that's good within his niches.
That'll be intersting.
[X] Haoran Chìhóng, the Friend
Having friends would do the MC some good.
[X] Lin Quing - Prodigy
Having a proper apprentice is great,
- Pronouns
- He/It/Argh!
She'd just appear repeatedly saying that she ran away twice as far when she was younger than Liang is now.
...Accurate.
But more dangerous than Xin's?
MagnificentMind
To Live is to Suffer
[X] Haoran Chìhóng, the Friend
[X] Family Benefits
Was considering the Prodigy option, but it quite clearly states she will fulfill her potential regardless. So might as well try to instill more loyalty to the entire group
[X] Family Benefits
Was considering the Prodigy option, but it quite clearly states she will fulfill her potential regardless. So might as well try to instill more loyalty to the entire group
[X] Haoran Chìhóng, the Friend
[X] Lin Quing - Prodigy
[X] Plan Refine Our Options
Edit to add:
[X] Cultivate in the Fire Lily Mountains (Free Action)
Literally costs us nothing to do, and it's not like we use the tree for much at the moment anyways. If we make it our Bonded Spirit Beast, having it stronger can only be useful, and if we don't, hey, still a solid Spirit Beast for the Clans uses.
[X] Lin Quing - Prodigy
[X] Plan Refine Our Options
Edit to add:
[X] Cultivate in the Fire Lily Mountains (Free Action)
Literally costs us nothing to do, and it's not like we use the tree for much at the moment anyways. If we make it our Bonded Spirit Beast, having it stronger can only be useful, and if we don't, hey, still a solid Spirit Beast for the Clans uses.
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- Pronouns
- He/It/Argh!
I'm not sure about taking a holiday when we have a half complete clock there. Does having more stress slots available help with the clock?
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Not inherently, but 7/10 full is dangerously close, IMO...we really don't want to hit 10 in that. Also...what action would you suggest instead? I'm certainly interested in what actions we could take to help with the clock, what do you have in mind?
Actually the maple cadre no longer exists. It finished and gave its bonus. I just forgot to remove that option.
You can split TP, but only in whole numbers.
Uncertain.
Possibly, but it will likely take at least 10 years before she reaches soldier without help.
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- Pronouns
- He/Him
Sweet.
Oh huh. Okay, in that case obviously we need to replace that action. Hmmm.
@Arcanestomper What actions would help with our "Accusations of Inexperience" trouble clock? I'm not clear which of them would qualify for that.
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MagnificentMind
To Live is to Suffer
Would it be possible to invest in her at a later date as part of our efforts to improve the Alchemy division?
Once her talent fully ripens she would make for suitable assistant/ Vice Head assuming we don't find another hero unit to take said role.
[X] Haoran Chìhóng, the Friend
[X] Recipe Lessons
[X] Plan: Introspective Improvement
-[X] Select a technique to boost with 3 TP. [School of the Jade Cauldron]
-[X] Cultivate: +.2 TP for every point on the roll (Stress: +1)
—[X] Sage
-[X] Ponder Existence
-[X] Lead a Grand Project
—[X] Refine and Improve Recipe for Rusted Lotus Elixir
-[X] Search for Spirit Groves (Free Action)
Edit:
[X] Plan: All in on Grand Alchemist
[X] Recipe Lessons
-[X] Select a technique to boost with 3 TP. [School of the Jade Cauldron]
-[X] Cultivate: +.2 TP for every point on the roll (Stress: +1)
—[X] Sage
-[X] Ponder Existence
-[X] Lead a Grand Project
—[X] Refine and Improve Recipe for Rusted Lotus Elixir
-[X] Search for Spirit Groves (Free Action)
Edit:
[X] Plan: All in on Grand Alchemist
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- Pronouns
- He/Him
Deepening our melancholy seems like a really bad idea when it's pretty cheap to just go on vacation again. $2 is a small price to pay to avoid that.
@Arcanestomper
With Deadmans wording, would optimizing the Lotus Qi Sourcing also count as success for the project?
Or strictly only changes to the Elixir recipe?
For TBD, Herbalist sounds good for plant optimization.
Troubleclock:
Succeeding at a Grand Project was mentioned as one way to prove that we got what it takes to leads a Pavillon from an Administration pov. Which is what makes the fact we didn't make the Elixir a grand project asap so annoying.
Other good option for TBD:
-[] Consider Other Promising Apprentices (Goal: 0/20)
It looks similar to the teaching stories action and could be as potent for the Pavillon growth (and a Stress free way to increase the stats would be very valuable).
Sirrocco
Pedantic
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Haoran Chìhóng, the Friend
As for the cadre, we have here two options.
One gets us a minor character minion, according to the minor character rules. Let's dig into that.
- She's loyalty 5/10. That's very hard to change and not particularly impressive. Well, okay.
- She's a specialist. That means that her bonuses are in improving actions and unlocking actions.
- She has an alchemy specialty. That means that she won't unlock anything new for us. Still, she can give bonuses.
- She's peasant rank. That means that she gives no bonuses. We'll need to get her up to Low Soldier to get any bonuses at all from her, and those bonuses will come with penalties until high soldier.
- She's described as a prodigy, which means that, presumably, she'll cultivate faster?
So it's a long-term play because she isn't giving any benefits currently and doesn't look like she's on the verge of breakthrough. At the same time, when she does break through the benefits are... okay? I'd be more excited about this if her loyalty was higher.
By contrast, we can pick one stat for the pavilion to increase its cap on. That's not just +1 actual. That's +1 potential. That still makes for a long-term investment, but I feel like it's a more important one. Loyalty is, of course, awesome, but it's also currently poor. Raising the cap isn't going to matter for a while. Meanwhile, expertise is doing pretty well, and we have ways of making it automatically improve. It's a solid, permanent benefit that will kick in much faster. I'd be happy with either.
[X] Family Benefits
[X] Recipe Lessons
As for the cadre, we have here two options.
One gets us a minor character minion, according to the minor character rules. Let's dig into that.
- She's loyalty 5/10. That's very hard to change and not particularly impressive. Well, okay.
- She's a specialist. That means that her bonuses are in improving actions and unlocking actions.
- She has an alchemy specialty. That means that she won't unlock anything new for us. Still, she can give bonuses.
- She's peasant rank. That means that she gives no bonuses. We'll need to get her up to Low Soldier to get any bonuses at all from her, and those bonuses will come with penalties until high soldier.
- She's described as a prodigy, which means that, presumably, she'll cultivate faster?
So it's a long-term play because she isn't giving any benefits currently and doesn't look like she's on the verge of breakthrough. At the same time, when she does break through the benefits are... okay? I'd be more excited about this if her loyalty was higher.
By contrast, we can pick one stat for the pavilion to increase its cap on. That's not just +1 actual. That's +1 potential. That still makes for a long-term investment, but I feel like it's a more important one. Loyalty is, of course, awesome, but it's also currently poor. Raising the cap isn't going to matter for a while. Meanwhile, expertise is doing pretty well, and we have ways of making it automatically improve. It's a solid, permanent benefit that will kick in much faster. I'd be happy with either.
[X] Family Benefits
[X] Recipe Lessons
- Location
- Israel
Now that ee finished the kasjan trouble clock, does that means that mom now has time to explain to us how to cultivate?