[x] A son must obey his father. Kingdom has Kingdom's laws, family has familial laws. Filial piety is the Dao of family; son obeys father, father protects son, respect one's elders, and help your children stand proudly on your shoulders. Blood comes first before brotherhood; let it be drilled into your skull. Even if you can't understand how, listen to the instructions that tell you to be a part of society. (+1 Charisma) (+5 Culture (Zhongguo)) (No XP)
[x] The younger brother of the man in red silks who bullies Baba is a boy your age. His brother boasts to your father about how his little brother learns from a long bearded man who flies into town every three days, about how much better he is going to be compared to father. Sneak a peak at what the old man teaches. You think you can do better, and your Baba's Fist is stronger. (Low Chance of Social Links?) (Event!) (Low XP) (Requires 3 Agility OR 10 Tiger Bone Fist)
[X] A son must obey his father. Kingdom has Kingdom's laws, family has familial laws. Filial piety is the Dao of family; son obeys father, father protects son, respect one's elders, and help your children stand proudly on your shoulders. Blood comes first before brotherhood; let it be drilled into your skull. Even if you can't understand how, listen to the instructions that tell you to be a part of society. (+1 Charisma) (+5 Culture (Zhongguo)) (No XP)
[X] The younger brother of the man in red silks who bullies Baba is a boy your age. His brother boasts to your father about how his little brother learns from a long bearded man who flies into town every three days, about how much better he is going to be compared to father. Sneak a peak at what the old man teaches. You think you can do better, and your Baba's Fist is stronger. (Low Chance of Social Links?) (Event!) (Low XP) (Requires 3 Agility OR 10 Tiger Bone Fist)
I'd honestly suggest not fucking with the younger brother of the dude who bullies our dead with impunity and looks wealthy, that's a good way to get 3d10 angry toughs materializing out of the ether to annihilate your clan.
I'd honestly suggest not fucking with the younger brother of the dude who bullies our dead with impunity and looks wealthy, that's a good way to get 3d10 angry toughs materializing out of the ether to annihilate your clan.
[X] You are reaching a point where you cannot advance further in the Tiger Bone Fist. Father probably has lessons to teach you... perhaps even a story on the origins of this Tiger Bone Fist? (+1 Tiger Bone Fist) (Event!) (No XP)
[X] You have been to the edges of the marsh, but always where you can see your town. You never go too deep, but maybe you can venture in a little, as a game for a day, to see what's inside. Baba's apprentice sometimes regales you with stories of how there's treasure within this marsh, under this looming, winding mountain, and stories of the heroes that resided at its peak. (Event!) (Moderate XP) (Requires 3 Endurance AND 10 Resistance (Esoteric))
[X] You have been to the edges of the marsh, but always where you can see your town. You never go too deep, but maybe you can venture in a little, as a game for a day, to see what's inside. Baba's apprentice sometimes regales you with stories of how there's treasure within this marsh, under this looming, winding mountain, and stories of the heroes that resided at its peak. (Event!) (Moderate XP) (Requires 3 Endurance AND 10 Resistance (Esoteric))
[X] A son must obey his father. Kingdom has Kingdom's laws, family has familial laws. Filial piety is the Dao of family; son obeys father, father protects son, respect one's elders, and help your children stand proudly on your shoulders. Blood comes first before brotherhood; let it be drilled into your skull. Even if you can't understand how, listen to the instructions that tell you to be a part of society. (+1 Charisma) (+5 Culture (Zhongguo)) (No XP)
[X] A son must obey his father. Kingdom has Kingdom's laws, family has familial laws. Filial piety is the Dao of family; son obeys father, father protects son, respect one's elders, and help your children stand proudly on your shoulders. Blood comes first before brotherhood; let it be drilled into your skull. Even if you can't understand how, listen to the instructions that tell you to be a part of society. (+1 Charisma) (+5 Culture (Zhongguo)) (No XP)
[X] You have been to the edges of the marsh, but always where you can see your town. You never go too deep, but maybe you can venture in a little, as a game for a day, to see what's inside. Baba's apprentice sometimes regales you with stories of how there's treasure within this marsh, under this looming, winding mountain, and stories of the heroes that resided at its peak. (Event!) (Moderate XP) (Requires 3 Endurance AND 10 Resistance (Esoteric))
[X] A son must obey his father. Kingdom has Kingdom's laws, family has familial laws. Filial piety is the Dao of family; son obeys father, father protects son, respect one's elders, and help your children stand proudly on your shoulders. Blood comes first before brotherhood; let it be drilled into your skull. Even if you can't understand how, listen to the instructions that tell you to be a part of society. (+1 Charisma) (+5 Culture (Zhongguo)) (No XP)
[X] You have been to the edges of the marsh, but always where you can see your town. You never go too deep, but maybe you can venture in a little, as a game for a day, to see what's inside. Baba's apprentice sometimes regales you with stories of how there's treasure within this marsh, under this looming, winding mountain, and stories of the heroes that resided at its peak. (Event!) (Moderate XP) (Requires 3 Endurance AND 10 Resistance (Esoteric))
Culture (Zhongguo) 10: Filial Piety and the Old Words that reign under the heavens, those are The Way of your people, aren't they?
You didn't listen to Baba, went ahead and learned more than he thought to teach you. Some of those things, he thought you were too young to learn.
"You must listen to your father," Baba said.
"Why?" You asked.
He trembled, his veins bulging and his muscles growing red. For a moment, you felt something you never felt before in Baba's presence. But then he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Guo you guo fa, jia you jia fa. The nation has national laws, and the family has familial laws."
"Why?" You asked again.
"To keep order under the heavens, Yin. To keep the common folk from suffering. You must be good, and obey. You must be righteous and kind, even if it is hard. Hao ren you hao bao. The heavens repay good with good, and evil with evil." He pats your head. "It seems I have a lot to teach you."
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
"Baba," you approach him after dark, at the table.
"Hm?" He blinks at you. "That's new."
"New?" You tilt your head.
"You rarely start conversations." Father replies offhandedly, "But what is it, Yin?"
"I... can't... the Tiger Fist..." You fiddle with your wooden spoon, unsure of how to proceed.
"What is it? Show me your forms," Father motions to the backyard.
And so you nod and walk out.
It cold that night, but it does not bother you. That sort of chilliness doesn't bother you much at all anymore.
Then you begin. You raise your hands, pulling them back tightly to your sides. Your stance spreads, as if you were coiling up like a snake. And so your demostration begins. Every motion you have practiced ten thousand times, you make the effort to show to your peak. Small stones are crushed underfoot, trees' barks are shattered by your palms, but no more than that. It should hurt... it once did... but it doesn't anymore.
After five minutes, you turn to father, breathing hard and sweating. "I feel like this is as far as I could go, Baba."
Father nods. "I suppose it is time to tell you the truth... this is sooner than I'd have liked. Come, let us go deeper into the swamp, away from any... unnecessary ears that might approach."
You walk so far that the town now look like a small star in the distance. Its light barely flickers.
Your heart beats too quickly, a secret, a secret! Childish giddiness fills you, despite yourself.
Father sighs and sits down and motions for you to kneels before him, like a student at a master's feet. "I didn't think you'd learn so fast, Yin. I was considered a prodigy, but I was a young man before I reached this stage."
"Was this before you met Mama?" You inquire.
"Hrn. Yes. A few years before then." Father's eyes grow misty, but you don't know why. Is he sick? He keeps talking, talking more than you've heard him talk in a long time... talking until his voice grew unsteady and cracked. "I had... encountered a lucky chance when I was young, maybe just ten years older than you, in the mountains. I was pus... I fell from one of the many cliffs, and I didn't remember how far I fell or where I fell. I fell through leaves, branches, and stone... when I came to, I was underneath the mountain, at an ancient tomb. Along the edges of this cavern, I found a slab of stone, carved out by the tomb's owner, with his pinky. That was where I learn the martial art I taught you, Yin. Are you upset, son? It was wrong of me to lie to you, but... the lips of children often let slip secrets."
You shake your head. "No, Baba. It was to... protect me. Wasn't it?"
"You took filial piety to heart," Father smiles.
You nod, silently.
"Yes, it is a secret, because there are people, in our village, who would abuse it for evil. And there is much I must do," Father sighs.
"Do? What do you need to do?" You ask. This is the first time father has said anything about his goals.
"There is... someone I must save. Yin, let the thought not bother you anymore," He seems tired, aged. His face sags. "I will tell you the secret. Perhaps you shall find that cavern again some day... I never did. What you learned is indeed just the basics of the basics, but that is all the insight I was able to gleam from the ancient slab. Its true name is not the Tiger Bone Fist. Heh. I was illiterate back then, and you mother was the one who taught me that it was called... hrm... the Thousand Bones Art. You cannot advance this art by mimicking me. It is... not a good art, son. It is a killing art. Are you sure you want to know?"
"... Yes." You cannot think of a reason not to know.
"You must use it for killing great beasts. Take everything from them over and over, until you have taken their blood to nourish your bone, take their skulls as totems, etch their spirits into your soul." Father shakes his head. "It is not a kind art... and it is not one I wish upon you. If... only I had anything else to protect you... ai, it is a cruel world."
To that, you agree. It is a cruel world, because it keeps you from... from... from Her. "Why is it called the Thousand Bones Art though?"
"It is why you cannot advance... I killed many tigers to be able to do what I can do." Father laughs. "But, in reality, it was just a lucky chance. I was not a prodigy, so when I met a real one... ai. I am unlearned, Yin, but I feel this may be an evil art."
You frown. "So I must kill a thousand tigers?"
Father laughs. "No, you silly boy. It is a Thousand Bones Art because you can take any beast's power and make them yours. You must gain their Essence and their Insight. Watching me has only given you Insight of the Tiger, you do not have the Essence. It will be hard to learn, Yin. Father learned from hard lessons, you can only advance this fist by fighting beasts stronger than you... A weak tiger will give you nothing. Are you sure you want to learn this? There is no turning back..."
"... Yes."
He draws out a long, breathy sigh. "Very well. I shall teach you the mantra formula. Pay close attention, because I will not repeat it..."
[New Trait: Insight of the Tiger]
Learning from Baba, you gained...
Thousand Bones Art 10: You learned that strikes are only as strong as the strength of the muscles and hardness of the bones behind them. Killing beasts allows you to take this martial art further and transcend the limits of mortal skills by nourishing your bone and soul with the blood and soul of defeated beasts. You can shatter wood.
Thousand Bones Art 20: Sinew like bowstrings, knuckles like iron. Leverage and momentum, you learn, are key to amplifying your strikes. You have learned the mantra that allows you to take the Insight and Essence of beasts you have defeated. You can crack stone.
You do not know why father stays in this little village. Why does he not leave to advance his Thousand Bones Art? What good is there to delay his advancement and let his talent seep away while being belittled by the bullies of this little village? Why does he is here with you? Doesn't he have a goal, a mission that he must fulfill?
You are a dutiful son, so you do not ask that kind of question, but some times, you wonder yet you cannot imagine why.
Even as you are, you can tell his health is slowly worsening with each passing day, his injuries, his missing arm, only now, now that you realize you must be a dutiful son, do you see that he is hurting. Your Baba is hurting, and you have no way of helping him.
You are now eight years old, and you have yet to even see all of the village. Father's apprentice says, to your face, that you are a weird child, and that most of the village doesn't even know what you look like. You... are not sure what you look like either. You've only seen your reflection in the waters of the marsh after all. Though... this does make you feel embarrassed that you are not as strong and tall as your father.
Is this... shame?
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
[Choose three.]
[ ] Even without being able to improve your martial art, you can still improve yourself. There is a lot of room to grow, as long as you keep exerting yourself and doing your best in physical activity. (Choose one to increase by one: Endurance, Agility) (Strength is at limit for this option) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Dodge, Brawling) (No XP)
[ ] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Observation, Empathy) (No XP)
[ ] Take time to clean up your hovel, clean up yourself, and clean up your life. Effort must be put into being graceful and harmonious with nature. If you must be delicate and unable to be as bulky as father, then you must do so with grace and awe. This ought to be a good time to learn to better care for yourself, but more importantly, better care for your father and his house, as is part of your duty as a filial son. (+1 Charisma) (Choose one to +5: Observation, Grooming, Empathy) (+5 Chores) (No XP)
[ ] Father has always fed you, but eating the same thing every day has become monotonous. It's almost as if you were living the same month over and over again, eating these coarse grains. Maybe eating something new will help him too? (+5 Cooking, +5 Gathering, +5 Herbalist) (5% Chance of Event) (No XP)
[ ] You feel naked without a weapon. Make something that fits your personality, as a personal weapon of protection that you can keep with you at all times. Consult your father in its making, it shall be your first true creation. Even if your father does not make weapons himself, he will help you, you feel. (Choose One: Decorated Iron Dagger, Decorated Iron Throwing Hairpin, Decorated Iron Claw, Decorated Iron Poker) (+5 Ironworks) (Low XP)
[ ] You want to entwine your fingers in hers, Dreamer. (20% Unlock Akuma Magic, +5 Firearms, -5 Empathy, -5 Diplomacy) (Low XP)
[ ] It's high time for you to introduce yourself to the other children your age in the village. You hear there are three or four others around your age. Strange, you remember there being one more. Perhaps this is a good time to learn how to talk to people of equal standing, make friends and influence people. Or make an ass of yourself. You haven't talked to people before... ah, are you still an introvert? This will be a challenge. (Event!) (+5 Empathy) (Moderate XP)
[ ] You know not a lot about the herbs that grow on the mountain, but perhaps the more perilous regions have something for your father, who is unwell and bothered by his past injuries. You know you can resist most of the poisons of the marsh, you just have to cross it, climb the mountain, and look for miraculous herbs that you have heard are there. You don't actually know what these herbs look like. (Adventure!) (??? XP)
[X] It's high time for you to introduce yourself to the other children your age in the village. You hear there are three or four others around your age. Strange, you remember there being one more. Perhaps this is a good time to learn how to talk to people of equal standing, make friends and influence people. Or make an ass of yourself. You haven't talked to people before... ah, are you still an introvert? This will be a challenge. (Event!) (+5 Empathy) (Moderate XP)
[X] You know not a lot about the herbs that grow on the mountain, but perhaps the more perilous regions have something for your father, who is unwell and bothered by his past injuries. You know you can resist most of the poisons of the marsh, you just have to cross it, climb the mountain, and look for miraculous herbs that you have heard are there. You don't actually know what these herbs look like. (Adventure!) (??? XP)
[X] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Observation, Empathy) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Take time to clean up your hovel, clean up yourself, and clean up your life. Effort must be put into being graceful and harmonious with nature. If you must be delicate and unable to be as bulky as father, then you must do so with grace and awe. This ought to be a good time to learn to better care for yourself, but more importantly, better care for your father and his house, as is part of your duty as a filial son. (+1 Charisma) (Choose one to +5: Observation, Grooming, Empathy) (+5 Chores) (No XP)
-[X] Grooming
[X] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Observation, Empathy) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Take time to clean up your hovel, clean up yourself, and clean up your life. Effort must be put into being graceful and harmonious with nature. If you must be delicate and unable to be as bulky as father, then you must do so with grace and awe. This ought to be a good time to learn to better care for yourself, but more importantly, better care for your father and his house, as is part of your duty as a filial son. (+1 Charisma) (Choose one to +5: Observation, Grooming, Empathy) (+5 Chores) (No XP)
-[X] Grooming
[X] You know not a lot about the herbs that grow on the mountain, but perhaps the more perilous regions have something for your father, who is unwell and bothered by his past injuries. You know you can resist most of the poisons of the marsh, you just have to cross it, climb the mountain, and look for miraculous herbs that you have heard are there. You don't actually know what these herbs look like. (Adventure!) (??? XP)
[X] It's high time for you to introduce yourself to the other children your age in the village. You hear there are three or four others around your age. Strange, you remember there being one more. Perhaps this is a good time to learn how to talk to people of equal standing, make friends and influence people. Or make an ass of yourself. You haven't talked to people before... ah, are you still an introvert? This will be a challenge. (Event!) (+5 Empathy) (Moderate XP)
[X] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Observation, Empathy) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Take time to clean up your hovel, clean up yourself, and clean up your life. Effort must be put into being graceful and harmonious with nature. If you must be delicate and unable to be as bulky as father, then you must do so with grace and awe. This ought to be a good time to learn to better care for yourself, but more importantly, better care for your father and his house, as is part of your duty as a filial son. (+1 Charisma) (Choose one to +5: Observation, Grooming, Empathy) (+5 Chores) (No XP)
-[X] Grooming
THE MORE EMPATHY WE HAVE THE MORE WE CAN BURN TO THE AKUMA
[X] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Observation, Empathy) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Take time to clean up your hovel, clean up yourself, and clean up your life. Effort must be put into being graceful and harmonious with nature. If you must be delicate and unable to be as bulky as father, then you must do so with grace and awe. This ought to be a good time to learn to better care for yourself, but more importantly, better care for your father and his house, as is part of your duty as a filial son. (+1 Charisma) (Choose one to +5: Observation, Grooming, Empathy) (+5 Chores) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
Both are good stat increasers. Both provide precious Empathy which we will spend sooner or later.
Not sure about third, but tentatively...
[X] Father has always fed you, but eating the same thing every day has become monotonous. It's almost as if you were living the same month over and over again, eating these coarse grains. Maybe eating something new will help him too? (+5 Cooking, +5 Gathering, +5 Herbalist) (5% Chance of Event) (No XP)
Because Herbalism would allow us to actually get said marvelous herb in future adventure.
[X] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Observation, Empathy) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Take time to clean up your hovel, clean up yourself, and clean up your life. Effort must be put into being graceful and harmonious with nature. If you must be delicate and unable to be as bulky as father, then you must do so with grace and awe. This ought to be a good time to learn to better care for yourself, but more importantly, better care for your father and his house, as is part of your duty as a filial son. (+1 Charisma) (Choose one to +5: Observation, Grooming, Empathy) (+5 Chores) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Father has always fed you, but eating the same thing every day has become monotonous. It's almost as if you were living the same month over and over again, eating these coarse grains. Maybe eating something new will help him too? (+5 Cooking, +5 Gathering, +5 Herbalist) (5% Chance of Event) (No XP)
[X] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Observation, Empathy) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Take time to clean up your hovel, clean up yourself, and clean up your life. Effort must be put into being graceful and harmonious with nature. If you must be delicate and unable to be as bulky as father, then you must do so with grace and awe. This ought to be a good time to learn to better care for yourself, but more importantly, better care for your father and his house, as is part of your duty as a filial son. (+1 Charisma) (Choose one to +5: Observation, Grooming, Empathy) (+5 Chores) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Father has always fed you, but eating the same thing every day has become monotonous. It's almost as if you were living the same month over and over again, eating these coarse grains. Maybe eating something new will help him too? (+5 Cooking, +5 Gathering, +5 Herbalist) (5% Chance of Event) (No XP)
[X] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Observation, Empathy) (No XP)
-[X] Stealth
[X] Take time to clean up your hovel, clean up yourself, and clean up your life. Effort must be put into being graceful and harmonious with nature. If you must be delicate and unable to be as bulky as father, then you must do so with grace and awe. This ought to be a good time to learn to better care for yourself, but more importantly, better care for your father and his house, as is part of your duty as a filial son. (+1 Charisma) (Choose one to +5: Observation, Grooming, Empathy) (+5 Chores) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Even without being able to improve your martial art, you can still improve yourself. There is a lot of room to grow, as long as you keep exerting yourself and doing your best in physical activity. (Choose one to increase by one: Endurance, Agility) (Strength is at limit for this option) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Dodge, Brawling) (No XP)
-[X] Agility
-[X] Dodge
Empathy so we can burn it for magic.
Mental stats so we aren't a moron.
Agility and dodging so that we can "DODGE!".
Stealth is also never a bad thing.
Fuck.... We lost chance for time magic. Speed is key in jianghu fights. -_-
And akuma magic dropped. Why are we abandoning our xianxia cheat bonus?
[X] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (+5: Empathy) (No XP)
[X] You want to entwine your fingers in hers, Dreamer. (20% Unlock Akuma Magic, +5 Firearms, -5 Empathy, -5 Diplomacy) (Low XP)
[X] It's high time for you to introduce yourself to the other children your age in the village. You hear there are three or four others around your age. Strange, you remember there being one more. Perhaps this is a good time to learn how to talk to people of equal standing, make friends and influence people. Or make an ass of yourself. You haven't talked to people before... ah, are you still an introvert? This will be a challenge. (Event!) (+5 Empathy) (Moderate XP)
[X] Even without being able to improve your martial art, you can still improve yourself. There is a lot of room to grow, as long as you keep exerting yourself and doing your best in physical activity. (Choose one to increase by one: Endurance, Agility) (Strength is at limit for this option) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Dodge, Brawling) (No XP)
-[X] Agility
-[X] Dodge
[X] It's high time for you to introduce yourself to the other children your age in the village. You hear there are three or four others around your age. Strange, you remember there being one more. Perhaps this is a good time to learn how to talk to people of equal standing, make friends and influence people. Or make an ass of yourself. You haven't talked to people before... ah, are you still an introvert? This will be a challenge. (Event!) (+5 Empathy) (Moderate XP)
[X] You know not a lot about the herbs that grow on the mountain, but perhaps the more perilous regions have something for your father, who is unwell and bothered by his past injuries. You know you can resist most of the poisons of the marsh, you just have to cross it, climb the mountain, and look for miraculous herbs that you have heard are there. You don't actually know what these herbs look like. (Adventure!) (??? XP)
[X] Father has always fed you, but eating the same thing every day has become monotonous. It's almost as if you were living the same month over and over again, eating these coarse grains. Maybe eating something new will help him too? (+5 Cooking, +5 Gathering, +5 Herbalist) (5% Chance of Event) (No XP)
[X] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Observation, Empathy) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] You know not a lot about the herbs that grow on the mountain, but perhaps the more perilous regions have something for your father, who is unwell and bothered by his past injuries. You know you can resist most of the poisons of the marsh, you just have to cross it, climb the mountain, and look for miraculous herbs that you have heard are there. You don't actually know what these herbs look like. (Adventure!) (??? XP)
I dont know what to do
Okay, everyone voting for adventure, PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE THE VOTE TO LEARN ABOUT HERBS. LOOKING FOR HERBS, ONE SHOULD PROBABLY TRY TO LEARN BEFOREHAND.
[X] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Observation, Empathy) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Take time to clean up your hovel, clean up yourself, and clean up your life. Effort must be put into being graceful and harmonious with nature. If you must be delicate and unable to be as bulky as father, then you must do so with grace and awe. This ought to be a good time to learn to better care for yourself, but more importantly, better care for your father and his house, as is part of your duty as a filial son. (+1 Charisma) (Choose one to +5: Observation, Grooming, Empathy) (+5 Chores) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Father has always fed you, but eating the same thing every day has become monotonous. It's almost as if you were living the same month over and over again, eating these coarse grains. Maybe eating something new will help him too? (+5 Cooking, +5 Gathering, +5 Herbalist) (5% Chance of Event) (No XP)
[X] Though you have honed your body, you have neglected to hone your mind. Sometimes, you trip over branches you are unaware of, sometimes you pause to think of basic arithmetic. This cannot do... but since you are unwilling to steal lessons from tutors, you must learn by eavesdropping and observation, right? (+1 Intelligence) (Choose one to +5: Stealth, Observation, Empathy) (No XP)
-[X] Empathy
[X] Take time to clean up your hovel, clean up yourself, and clean up your life. Effort must be put into being graceful and harmonious with nature. If you must be delicate and unable to be as bulky as father, then you must do so with grace and awe. This ought to be a good time to learn to better care for yourself, but more importantly, better care for your father and his house, as is part of your duty as a filial son. (+1 Charisma) (Choose one to +5: Observation, Grooming, Empathy) (+5 Chores) (No XP)
-[X] Grooming
[X] Father has always fed you, but eating the same thing every day has become monotonous. It's almost as if you were living the same month over and over again, eating these coarse grains. Maybe eating something new will help him too? (+5 Cooking, +5 Gathering, +5 Herbalist) (5% Chance of Event) (No XP)
While you are strong and independent, you are still human. Once, you fell sick, a year ago. It was winter, and there was only one sheet of hide in your home.
You remember seeing father kneel beside your bed, feeling you warm vegetable broth. You remember how his fingers shivered because he covered you with his clothes, and how his feet were grayed and blackened from walking in the snow, searching for food and herbs.
He did not leave your side unless you were asleep, whenever you were awake, he would be there, to tell you stories.
The fever eventually passed, but it seemed father never truly recovered. When he thinks you are not watching, he would rub his knees and ankles with his brow furrowed in pain. He would never show that side of you, to you. As the man of the house he cannot in your culture.
Empathy 10: Through speaking with others, you have learned to understand their feelings and motives from their words. You are not solely focused on your own desires.
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You find your heart aching when you see how father would trip every so often. His feet never recovered from that harsh winter.
How little have you helped around the house? You are almost a grown man now... and father's hair has gained traces of white and gray. Even though he is still strong, even though he still stands so tall, you can see that part of this is just an act. He acts strong because he feels you need to rely on him, because he feels like he must be the wall that protects you from the harshness of the world.
It took you so long, but you can compare how he used to talk about your mother, a person you've never seen before, and how he speaks to you. Your mother is only a storied character to you, but you see the deep well of sadness in father's heart. He cares for her as much as he cares for you... perhaps almost more than you?
Yet he stays here, for you.
What happened?
Why does father not speak of the past? To protect you?
... And when you peek at father, when he thinks you are not watching, you see that tall, strong, majestic hero's back slump. The tiredness of years of suffering and slaving away for the whims of the village shows itself in the wrinkles on father's face. The way his hand shakes from overwork is hidden in his pockets, but you can see it, when father thinks you aren't watching. When did such a proud man--a tiger of his generation--become such a sad, lonely figure, you wonder?
... Was all of this for you?
You try to clean yourself up and to care for the house. You feel this is never enough, but father always smiles as you work as hard as you can, and tells you what a good son you are and how lucky he is. He tells you that you are a gift from the heavens, and he is happy with you.
You do not feel like you are a gift.
Empathy 20: Everyone has a reason for doing something. You understand this now, everyone believes they are the hero of their story and no one wishes to hear words that make them realize they are foolish or wrong. On the other hand, you can spot that even if some actions are not in altruism, you can still take them for their good intents until such altruism develops.
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You walk into the village for the first time in your life. It feels difficult, because you realize other than father and his apprentice, you haven't spoken to anyone in your life.
The town itself is actually pretty large, you come to realize. There is a walled inner village, probably what the village was long ago, where the richest of the town lived. Regular people, like you, cannot enter. That walled town is shaped like a square and probably holds maybe three or four large households. Outside of the walls, there was the outer town, which consisted of some fifty merchant and soldier family houses, each a couple times larger than your hovel.
Outside of that was the servant quarter, closest to the marsh, and at the edge of that was your house.
As you walked into the outer town, you feel like maybe this place is kind of a terrible place to live, maybe. The outer town was much nicer than where you lived... there were actually roads and street lanterns, and food stalls that gave off all sorts of foreign smells you've never smelled before.
A young boy dressed in a red silks and black martial pants walks up to you as you wander into the village. He is a similar age to you, wearing his hair like a dragon's tail and carrying a sword on his back that seems like a little too large for him--you remember that sword, father had worked a whole summer on it, two years ago. The hilt and its decoration tassel hung had sat beside father's bed for a long time. The boy himself seems strong, though not as strong as you, and you can't seem to tell anything else about him.
His face is sharp and clear, very different from the soot covered faces of father and his apprentice, but he is unlike you in that he seems more... muscled and disciplined than your softer looks. Yet when he sees you, for some odd reason, he smiles. "Hey! Are you new to the village?"
"Um." You don't know how to reply to him because he suddenly walks right beside you.
He pats you on the shoulder and nods to you with a wink, "Hey, beautiful girl, you wanna be my maid?"
"Wha?" You blink in confusion.
He seems to retreat a step. He crosses his arms and falls deep in thought. "Seducing a beautiful girl isn't as easy as brother said it'd be... hm... So, being a maid isn't good enough for you huh? Yeah, I don't think any of the girls in our town is as pretty as you either! How about becoming my concubine?"
"Who?" You tilt your head. You don't know what a concubine is.
"No, Wu. Wudang! I am the Second Young Master of this Wudang Branch Clan, you know? This is the Wudang Clan Town, so it's my territory! But I don't rely on my clan, they call me the Fearless Young Boxer!" The second young master smirks and pats his chest. He seems proud of his nickname.
Choose one.
[ ] Introduce yourself as Sun Yin, practitioner of the Tiger Bone Fist, son of one of the servants of the town.
[ ] (Zhongguo) Well met, fellow martial practitioner, let us celebrate our meeting by dining!
[ ] (Thousand Bones Art) You are Sun Yin of the Thousand Bones Art, and you wished to visit this village.
[ ] (Brawling) So you are the Fearless Young Boxer! Perhaps you would like to exchange a move or two with me?
[ ] Ignore this obnoxious braggart and explore the rest of the village.
[ ] (Empathy) So he thinks he can practice flirting with you, perhaps this is a good opportunity to learn how to socialize for you too.
