Wistways
You friendly neighborhood artist
- Location
- Australia
Also come join us crazies on the Discord, plenty of inane back and forth there
The Path Unending (A Cultivation Quest)
- Thread starter Vesvius
- Start date
- Original
-
- Tags
- original xianxia cultivation quest
Also come join us crazies on the Discord, plenty of inane back and forth there
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Don't worry, we don't have too many inside jokes and the ones we do have will be easy to pick up once you finish reading.
Also you all have eyes but refuse to see Mount Tai. Why choose one waifu when we can choose all?
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WhiteNights
Notorious Phoneposter
- Pronouns
- She/Her
We have both the clones and the Time for it.
Zhi x MirrorZhi is the way to go.
Ahhh, I'd love to, but I have some certian technological constraints, so I can't really use Discord for awhile...sad daze.Also come join us crazies on the Discord, plenty of inane back and forth there
Good to know! The quest seems interesting so far, but dang, the amount of times I have to go back and re-read the system to make sure I understand every bit makes me realize I know little and less of how all this works. Is their some kind of document that goes further in-depth?
DangerKitty
shoddy writter
- Location
- lala land
Personally i would advice straight up ignoring most systems stuff. The quest is more focused on its narrative aspect than its mechanical aspect. If you have any specific questions about it though, you can just ask here. But i really recommend just enjoying the story and when you are caught up the math wizards will explain what the mystical numbers mean.
Wistways
You friendly neighborhood artist
- Location
- Australia
We do have an amazing group of number crunchers in this quest who know the deep mysteries of "math" and "probability". They unlike most shadowy math based cabals regularly post up probability charts, Helpful predictions of completion on long tasks (infusion, cycling) , and suggestions on optimization in thread.
But honestly most of us just vote with our feels. Vote for what you like, explain why you like it and don't put other questers opinions down and you will be fine.
Sounds solid to me! I pray that the magical mathmeticians can show me the truth of the mysterious dice rolls. Statistics was never my strong suit. And I gotta say, I'm taking a liking to Kong De.
Wow...their prowess in deciphering numbers sounds like an incredibly useful asset! By chance, where can I find som examples of this math at work? Ligt spoilers of unimportant things are fine. Ah, a decision made with the heart instead of the head may lead to new possibiltiies. One thing I have a love-dislike relationship with is votin'.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Voting is great except for when people disagree with me.
183. Finding Priorities
Vesvius
The Wicked God
A/N: A big thanks to the 48 people who have pledged to me on Patreon! If you'd like to join them, you can do so here. Or, if you'd like to support me without the monthly commitment, you can buy me a cup of Ko-Fi here.
-----------------
You pause to consider before asking any of the dozens of questions floating through your mind. In the end, you do not give voice to any of them. You have tempted your fate enough with Sister Xiong, and you would rather not end this briefing before you have learned all you can.
After a moment's pause to gather your thoughts, you let out a long breath, and ask what seems to be the most pertinent question. "What do we know about this tester that we will be escorting?"
Sister Xiong offers you the shadow of what might one day grow to be an approving nod. "You will be escorting Tester Ni Weiyan," she informs you. "He is newly trained, and this is his first testing cycle. From all accounts though, Tester Ni Weiyan embodies every virtue that his imperial glory attempts to teach his servants."
"So he is…"
"Dedicated," Sister Xiong continues. "Driven to the point of obsession. He has little interest in anything that does not directly contribute to his duties. In truth, were he in possession of the Spark, he would make an exemplary Artist."
"He lacks the Spark?" you echo. "Is that unusual for His Imperial Glory's testers?"
"Unusual? Hardly," comes the response. "It is not only encouraged, it is mandatory. If one wishes to be trained in the use of the testing treasures, they must first prove that not a single drop of anam resides within their family. Should any one of their ancestors within five generations prove to have been even the least Artist, they are disqualified from service."
"That is…" you answer, trailing off as you struggle to find the words. "That seems… to me, it appears that the Imperial Testers have a most strenuous and dangerous task. To travel the width and breadth of the Empire is no safe feat. Even the least Servant would be far safer than the most skilled Seated. Would it not make more sense to have Artists test nascent Artists?"
"It would, were it not for one key facet of the testing: the testing treasures themselves."
Sister Xiong sits back on her stool and twists her wrist, conjuring a steaming cup of fine porcelain. As she sips her tea, she continues on. "The testing treasures are sensitive in ways that normal Natural Treasures are not. They must be if they are to be manipulated by neophytes without even the faintest hint of training. As such, their care and transportation becomes a rather delicate affair. The least amount of foreign anam can contaminate a treasure, rendering it unusable for generations."
After a moment's pause to savor the tea's flavor, Sister Xiong's eyes lock onto you once more. "The testing treasure is an imperial relic that dates all the way back to the Emperor-In-Tears. It, and the function it provides, is worth more than any single village in the entire Empire. Safeguarding it is your highest priority."
You nod, committing your senior's words to memory. "I see. What are my other priorities for this assignment?"
"Past safeguarding the treasure?" Sister Xiong muses. "Safeguarding yourself and your fellows, of course. Save for the treasure, there is no greater asset committed to this task than our disciples. We have high hopes for your Circle, Kong Zhi, and it would be a shame for them to fade because you were smeared beneath a boulder. And of course, keep your eyes and ears open. You are a Caretaker, after all."
You nod sharply. Xiong Eryu meets your gaze for a moment, before turning her attention back to her paperwork. "Beyond that, making a good impression on our new Ninth Circle is paramount. These neophytes will become your juniors in due time. They must come to the Heart with a drive to succeed planted deep within their soul, and there is nothing that implants such a drive quite like a respected Senior."
Your senior lapses into silence, savoring another sip of tea. When the quiet drags on for too long, you speak up once more. "Um… what about Tester Ni Weiyan?" you ask. "This assignment is to accompany him, no? Should… should I strive to ensure his well being?"
A half-shrug is the response. "Should it not conflict with your other priorities, I do not see why not," Sister Xiong states.
You… you are not certain what to make of that. It would likely be best for you to nod and move on. "Very well," you answer. "Will I be expected to be attending Tester Ni Weiyan at all times?"
"When traveling? It will be hard to avoid the man," comes the bland response. "But during your stays in cities and villages, you may find some opportunities for personal time. Take them when you can find them; they will be few and far between."
"And how would the Senior Sister suggest I spend my personal time?" you push. "There must be some ways to advance and better myself when I am outside of the tunnels. What would the Senior Sister do in my stead?"
Sister Xiong studies you carefully. "I suspect there is a great difference in how you and I would choose to spend our free time," she states. "But in truth? Something, Kong Zhi. You should do something."
After another sip, Sister Xiong elaborates. "The Radiant Empire is a beautiful land, with no two cities identical. There are libraries you can visit, crafts you can learn, sights to behold in every corner of our wonderful home. There will be tomes in the Archive of Mockingjay that are unheard of in Honeydrenched Hills, normal teachers in Twelve Fields that would be looked at in awe were they to venture to Locust Gallery, and far more besides. Seek out knowledge and experience wherever you can find it- you never know when the smallest scrap of information will come in handy."
From there, the briefing begins to dissolve. You ask Sister Xiong a few more questions about your route and the dangers you may encounter, all of which are answered to her satisfaction if not your own.
Soon enough, you're sent from the briefing room with a token in your hand- one that directs you down to the Requisition Hall. You've been granted a precious opportunity to call upon the resources of the Caretakers for this task. You had best not squander it.
How does Kong Zhi spend his five (5) requisition points?
[] Write-In in Plan Format (Please suggest what Zhi's requisition points become.)
> How can I best make use of this opportunity to better myself while out of the sect?
> What do we know about the tester we will be escorting?
> What should my priorities be on this mission?
> What do we know about the tester we will be escorting?
> What should my priorities be on this mission?
You pause to consider before asking any of the dozens of questions floating through your mind. In the end, you do not give voice to any of them. You have tempted your fate enough with Sister Xiong, and you would rather not end this briefing before you have learned all you can.
After a moment's pause to gather your thoughts, you let out a long breath, and ask what seems to be the most pertinent question. "What do we know about this tester that we will be escorting?"
Sister Xiong offers you the shadow of what might one day grow to be an approving nod. "You will be escorting Tester Ni Weiyan," she informs you. "He is newly trained, and this is his first testing cycle. From all accounts though, Tester Ni Weiyan embodies every virtue that his imperial glory attempts to teach his servants."
"So he is…"
"Dedicated," Sister Xiong continues. "Driven to the point of obsession. He has little interest in anything that does not directly contribute to his duties. In truth, were he in possession of the Spark, he would make an exemplary Artist."
"He lacks the Spark?" you echo. "Is that unusual for His Imperial Glory's testers?"
"Unusual? Hardly," comes the response. "It is not only encouraged, it is mandatory. If one wishes to be trained in the use of the testing treasures, they must first prove that not a single drop of anam resides within their family. Should any one of their ancestors within five generations prove to have been even the least Artist, they are disqualified from service."
"That is…" you answer, trailing off as you struggle to find the words. "That seems… to me, it appears that the Imperial Testers have a most strenuous and dangerous task. To travel the width and breadth of the Empire is no safe feat. Even the least Servant would be far safer than the most skilled Seated. Would it not make more sense to have Artists test nascent Artists?"
"It would, were it not for one key facet of the testing: the testing treasures themselves."
Sister Xiong sits back on her stool and twists her wrist, conjuring a steaming cup of fine porcelain. As she sips her tea, she continues on. "The testing treasures are sensitive in ways that normal Natural Treasures are not. They must be if they are to be manipulated by neophytes without even the faintest hint of training. As such, their care and transportation becomes a rather delicate affair. The least amount of foreign anam can contaminate a treasure, rendering it unusable for generations."
After a moment's pause to savor the tea's flavor, Sister Xiong's eyes lock onto you once more. "The testing treasure is an imperial relic that dates all the way back to the Emperor-In-Tears. It, and the function it provides, is worth more than any single village in the entire Empire. Safeguarding it is your highest priority."
You nod, committing your senior's words to memory. "I see. What are my other priorities for this assignment?"
"Past safeguarding the treasure?" Sister Xiong muses. "Safeguarding yourself and your fellows, of course. Save for the treasure, there is no greater asset committed to this task than our disciples. We have high hopes for your Circle, Kong Zhi, and it would be a shame for them to fade because you were smeared beneath a boulder. And of course, keep your eyes and ears open. You are a Caretaker, after all."
You nod sharply. Xiong Eryu meets your gaze for a moment, before turning her attention back to her paperwork. "Beyond that, making a good impression on our new Ninth Circle is paramount. These neophytes will become your juniors in due time. They must come to the Heart with a drive to succeed planted deep within their soul, and there is nothing that implants such a drive quite like a respected Senior."
Your senior lapses into silence, savoring another sip of tea. When the quiet drags on for too long, you speak up once more. "Um… what about Tester Ni Weiyan?" you ask. "This assignment is to accompany him, no? Should… should I strive to ensure his well being?"
A half-shrug is the response. "Should it not conflict with your other priorities, I do not see why not," Sister Xiong states.
You… you are not certain what to make of that. It would likely be best for you to nod and move on. "Very well," you answer. "Will I be expected to be attending Tester Ni Weiyan at all times?"
"When traveling? It will be hard to avoid the man," comes the bland response. "But during your stays in cities and villages, you may find some opportunities for personal time. Take them when you can find them; they will be few and far between."
"And how would the Senior Sister suggest I spend my personal time?" you push. "There must be some ways to advance and better myself when I am outside of the tunnels. What would the Senior Sister do in my stead?"
Sister Xiong studies you carefully. "I suspect there is a great difference in how you and I would choose to spend our free time," she states. "But in truth? Something, Kong Zhi. You should do something."
After another sip, Sister Xiong elaborates. "The Radiant Empire is a beautiful land, with no two cities identical. There are libraries you can visit, crafts you can learn, sights to behold in every corner of our wonderful home. There will be tomes in the Archive of Mockingjay that are unheard of in Honeydrenched Hills, normal teachers in Twelve Fields that would be looked at in awe were they to venture to Locust Gallery, and far more besides. Seek out knowledge and experience wherever you can find it- you never know when the smallest scrap of information will come in handy."
From there, the briefing begins to dissolve. You ask Sister Xiong a few more questions about your route and the dangers you may encounter, all of which are answered to her satisfaction if not your own.
Soon enough, you're sent from the briefing room with a token in your hand- one that directs you down to the Requisition Hall. You've been granted a precious opportunity to call upon the resources of the Caretakers for this task. You had best not squander it.
When Kong Zhi embarks on a mission for the Caretakers, he does not do so alone. He does so with the organizational might of the Eighth Court at his back- and as such, he is entitled to specialized weapons, tools, and charms that the Caretakers keep locked in their vaults.
Before every Caretaker Mission, Kong Zhi will be given the opportunity to spend a certain number of points on his requisitions. The number of points he is given will depend on how crucial this assignment is, how much he has contributed to the Caretakers in the past, and his reputation within the organization.
These Caretaker Requisitions that he can spend these points on can be be divided into five categories:
Infiltration: points spent on Infiltration requisitions become disguises to allow Kong Zhi to walk undetected through hostile areas, keys and talismans to open any locks, and traps to punish the unwary.
Combat: points spent on Combat requisitions allow Kong Zhi to better withstand a frontal assault. They become powerful weapons, protective armor, and useful charms to assist in the fine art of facepunching.
Survival: points spent on Survival requisitions allow Kong Zhi to function better outside of civilization. Travel rations, charms that create potable water, guides to local flora and fauna, and various items to assist in tracking creatures through the wilderness all fall under Survival.
Cultivation: points spent on Cultivation requisitions give Kong Zhi access to all sorts of pills and elixirs to assist in his missions. Be it healing medicines, emergency anam restoratives, local Natural Wonders when you are beyond the sect's borders, or tokens that grant temporary knowledge of powerful techniques, it is all at Kong Zhi's fingertips. (NOTE: Cultivation Requisitions are highly monitored for obvious reasons. Abuse of said requisitions is subject to harsh oversight, and any caught abusing them will be appropriately punished.)
Contact: points spent on Contact requisitions do not give Kong Zhi any physical items- no, they give access to something possibly more valuable. The Caretakers know many useful people the width and breadth of the Radiant Empire, some of whom assist them for favors, some of whom assist them for favors owed. Contact Requisitions give Kong ZHi access to those people, granting him their names, locations, and the authority to make debts or call them in.
Keep in mind that the number of items you recieve and the number of points invested in a requisition may not be the same. Points invested may instead increase the magnitude of the item you receive, or it may indeed result in more items being checked out. This time, you will be selecting what Zhi picks from the Requisition Hall yourself. An example requisition vote might look like this, only with the >'s replaced with vote brackets:
>Plan Example
>>Survival: 1
>>>A charm that creates fresh, potable water
>>Combat: 2
>>>A Suit of Lightning Infused Armor
>>Contacts: 2
>>>A guide to show us through the Brightmaples.
Before every Caretaker Mission, Kong Zhi will be given the opportunity to spend a certain number of points on his requisitions. The number of points he is given will depend on how crucial this assignment is, how much he has contributed to the Caretakers in the past, and his reputation within the organization.
These Caretaker Requisitions that he can spend these points on can be be divided into five categories:
Infiltration: points spent on Infiltration requisitions become disguises to allow Kong Zhi to walk undetected through hostile areas, keys and talismans to open any locks, and traps to punish the unwary.
Combat: points spent on Combat requisitions allow Kong Zhi to better withstand a frontal assault. They become powerful weapons, protective armor, and useful charms to assist in the fine art of facepunching.
Survival: points spent on Survival requisitions allow Kong Zhi to function better outside of civilization. Travel rations, charms that create potable water, guides to local flora and fauna, and various items to assist in tracking creatures through the wilderness all fall under Survival.
Cultivation: points spent on Cultivation requisitions give Kong Zhi access to all sorts of pills and elixirs to assist in his missions. Be it healing medicines, emergency anam restoratives, local Natural Wonders when you are beyond the sect's borders, or tokens that grant temporary knowledge of powerful techniques, it is all at Kong Zhi's fingertips. (NOTE: Cultivation Requisitions are highly monitored for obvious reasons. Abuse of said requisitions is subject to harsh oversight, and any caught abusing them will be appropriately punished.)
Contact: points spent on Contact requisitions do not give Kong Zhi any physical items- no, they give access to something possibly more valuable. The Caretakers know many useful people the width and breadth of the Radiant Empire, some of whom assist them for favors, some of whom assist them for favors owed. Contact Requisitions give Kong ZHi access to those people, granting him their names, locations, and the authority to make debts or call them in.
Keep in mind that the number of items you recieve and the number of points invested in a requisition may not be the same. Points invested may instead increase the magnitude of the item you receive, or it may indeed result in more items being checked out. This time, you will be selecting what Zhi picks from the Requisition Hall yourself. An example requisition vote might look like this, only with the >'s replaced with vote brackets:
>Plan Example
>>Survival: 1
>>>A charm that creates fresh, potable water
>>Combat: 2
>>>A Suit of Lightning Infused Armor
>>Contacts: 2
>>>A guide to show us through the Brightmaples.
How does Kong Zhi spend his five (5) requisition points?
[] Write-In in Plan Format (Please suggest what Zhi's requisition points become.)
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Ok so i'm thinkin gsomething to restore anam quickly since we're likely to burn through most of our pills, something to ensure we have water and food, and perhaps a sensory item to detedt threats prior to them arriving?
CedeTheBees
Probably high right now
- Location
- Somewhere
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Thinking we should definitely gets maps of local wonders around all our major stopping points. No clue how many points that'd require tho
[X] Plan Road Trip Prep
-[X] Cultivation: 4
--[X] Maps of local wonders around each major stopping point.
--[X] A set of emergency anam pills.
-[X] Contacts: 1
--[X] A list of possible figures of interest in each major city along our route.
Edit: Just remembered we have a stasis ring we can keep food/water in lmao
[X] Plan Road Trip Prep
-[X] Cultivation: 4
--[X] Maps of local wonders around each major stopping point.
--[X] A set of emergency anam pills.
-[X] Contacts: 1
--[X] A list of possible figures of interest in each major city along our route.
Edit: Just remembered we have a stasis ring we can keep food/water in lmao
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Cteatus
A Guy Who Fell Down a Hole
Don't be surprised if you don't get the same stuff, even with the same point spread.
Well at least they didn't leave us normies obsolete on this Xianxia world.
A slap on rock echoes through the cavern
"Meet my new friend, Brother Crusher!"
Library work when we get to Mockingjay, Tutors for hire in Twelve Fields. Many thanks your Graciousness. 😘
I'm thinking 1:2:1:1 for Combat, Cultivation, Survival & Contacts.
Combat: Some kind of sealing charm for locking down strong opponents so that KZ & Co. can either flee from or make vulnerable for dispatching. Should either be a reusable mid-strength, or single use very-high strength talisman.
Cultivation: 1 Set of restorative pills, 1 temporary granted divination technique, focused on scouting/finding opportunities.
Survival: Whatever KZ needs for the road (food, whatever)
Contacts: Primer on all the locations KZ will be visiting, so that when he arrives he has a better idea of the opportunities he can find in them without having to waste him doing on-the-ground scouting.
Combat: Some kind of sealing charm for locking down strong opponents so that KZ & Co. can either flee from or make vulnerable for dispatching. Should either be a reusable mid-strength, or single use very-high strength talisman.
Cultivation: 1 Set of restorative pills, 1 temporary granted divination technique, focused on scouting/finding opportunities.
Survival: Whatever KZ needs for the road (food, whatever)
Contacts: Primer on all the locations KZ will be visiting, so that when he arrives he has a better idea of the opportunities he can find in them without having to waste him doing on-the-ground scouting.
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TimEd
Meteor maker
Eh, water and food we could just bring lots of due to our storage item. Why requesition when we can buy a stockpile?
I'm thinking maybe a Guide first. Who knows if our other companions in this have any knowledge in the area we are going to be traveling at after all.
I'm thinking maybe a Guide first. Who knows if our other companions in this have any knowledge in the area we are going to be traveling at after all.
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Sir LagsAlot
Yandere Dice Magnet
- Location
- In the fridge
This, when Kumi was preparing for her mission she bought supplies from the village and stored them in her stasis ring to avoid spending requisition on such mundane things I'd highly suggest we do the same here.
- Pronouns
- He/It/Argh!
Local wonder locations are interesting, but the will unlikely be enough time to do anything with them. We have a general lack of techniques to train anyway.
I'm thinking Infiltration, in case we need to do some snooping; Survival, in case things go awry; and Contacts, so that we can get intel about the places we are going.
As far as Combat goes, I think we should be okay there. And I don't think we should need much in the way of Cultivation supplies, as we are going to the Market anyway.
I'm thinking Infiltration, in case we need to do some snooping; Survival, in case things go awry; and Contacts, so that we can get intel about the places we are going.
As far as Combat goes, I think we should be okay there. And I don't think we should need much in the way of Cultivation supplies, as we are going to the Market anyway.
I can imagine Zhi just thinking about this very question on water.
Then he looks at the floating boats on the banks of the Delving Heart Docks and starts stripping.
WhoTheHeckity
But no one ever asks HowTheHeckity
- Location
- Murica 🦅
This looks like a good plan already.
In fact, why don't I just...
[X] Plan: Country Rooooaaaads
-[] Combat: 2
--[] Some kind of sealing charm for locking down strong opponents so that KZ & Co. can either flee from or make vulnerable for dispatching.
-[] Cultivation: 2
--[] A set of restorative pills.
--[] A temporary granted divination technique, focused on scouting/finding opportunities.
-[] Contacts: 1
--[] Primer on all the locations KZ will be visiting, so that when he arrives he has a better idea of the opportunities he can find in them without having to waste him doing on-the-ground scouting.
Took out the survival request for reasons stated in the discussion already. I think putting that extra point in Combat will go a long way.
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Cteatus
A Guy Who Fell Down a Hole
Your ring doesn't keep things from spoiling, fwiw.
Cultivation resources seem very valuable on the road when we don't have easy access to lots of Anam. Contacts also seem really useful so we'll have local guides to situate us in each area.
[X] Plan Through the Brightmaples
-[] Combat: 2
--[] A charm that makes physical attacks capable of harming spiritual entities
-[] Survival: 1
--[] A guide to local flora and fauna
-[] Contacts: 2
--[] Contacts to guide us through terrains difficult to navigate, and inform us about local opportunities.
Zhi is generally fine for combat, all his techs uses a fair amount of anam though. So something that allows him to conserve it is nice to have.
Guide to local flora and fauna to let him know what's out there if the party needs to forage.
And a guide through the Brightmaples as that seems like a place you could get lost and eaten by stronger Spirit Beasts.
-[] Combat: 2
--[] A charm that makes physical attacks capable of harming spiritual entities
-[] Survival: 1
--[] A guide to local flora and fauna
-[] Contacts: 2
--[] Contacts to guide us through terrains difficult to navigate, and inform us about local opportunities.
Zhi is generally fine for combat, all his techs uses a fair amount of anam though. So something that allows him to conserve it is nice to have.
Guide to local flora and fauna to let him know what's out there if the party needs to forage.
And a guide through the Brightmaples as that seems like a place you could get lost and eaten by stronger Spirit Beasts.
Don't we have an ice box?
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