The Path Unending (A Cultivation Quest)

[FalloutCow]

[] [APPROACH] Shoubiao's Wake is dangerous, and the wise thing to do would be to retreat. Zhi will attempt to redirect the examination towards Twelve Fields, where a more learned expert may be contacted.
We could probably point out that there is a reason it isn't on most modern maps.

[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.

[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.

Edit: I changed my mind.

 

[thamuzz]

[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.

The kukuni engaged us using ZK's face and favorite game. I'm not entirely clear how much we remember about our vision, but if we do remember the games, this might help.
[X] [SMALL] Consult with Zhuan Kun about the game of Garden of Beasts your opponent presented to you.
[X] [SMALL] Describe to Zhuan Kun the Garden of Beasts game you played with the not!Zhuan Kun. Draw out the game's map, the terrain, the natural wonders. See if he can provide a read on this opponet you faced.

I'm not entirely fond of the "draw out the game" action's wording, but including it since it also works for this.

From what our enemy said, we need to proceed without giving our goal away and without overcommitting. Ideally we should pursue further clues via one of our allies, and make a feint with another. I'm not sure how to carry that out.
We should also surreptitiously check to see if the weaver still exists.

[X] [SMALL] Run down the team on the what happened on the last loops to have all three rub braincells together.

 

[ShyGuy]

I agree with someone else pointing out that Kong Zhi, the man who cultivates Time anam and is about as prepared for this kind of problem as anyone in his weight class could possibly be... is still getting battered and thrown around like a tree branch in a tornado, to the point where we're now losing bodily control and having to fight off spiritual assault.

We are, to be quite frank, impossibly fortunate that neither Zhuan Kun or Mei Daiyu have been incinerated by this anomaly thus far. I have no interest in testing whether this good fortune continues.

Moreover, I don't think the collective brain of the questgoers is up to the task of threading this needle. It feels like we're flailing around in an active minefield, except worse because now we have the direct, malevolent attention of a Kukuni that is infinitely better versed in how to weaponize this anomaly than we are.

As @Falconis pointed out - a Great Old One sat us down and explained, in small words, that it's a completely ruthless opponent and will now be seeking our utter annihilation, no matter what it has to sacrifice in order to achieve that goal.

We're out of time, we're out of room for error, and the current brewing consensus seems to be "keep walking into that buzzsaw: eventually, our bones will wear down its teeth!"

Click to shrink...

Really, my take on it is that the guy that held all the cards still managed to lose. A clueless Zhi still managed to flail his way out. This guy isn't as insurmountable as people are painting him as. This isn't some "Great Old One".

Lets try to actually gather some information before declaring the problem unsolvable.

 

[qazcdewsx]

[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[x] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X] [SMALL] Consult with Zhuan Kun about the game of Garden of Beasts your opponent presented to you.
[X] [SMALL] Describe to Zhuan Kun the Garden of Beasts game you played with the not!Zhuan Kun. Draw out the game's map, the terrain, the natural wonders. See if he can provide a read on this opponet you faced.
[X][SMALL] Read Daiyu and Kun into what is going on so far and what you have figured out. Three heads are better than one after all.

 

[MoonSerpent]

To all escape plans

Please consider accepting the Courrier Role from the headsman to get out-

At least, try to play the role out instead of just rushing for the obvious exit.

 

[FalloutCow]

I mean.

To be honest.

This looks ludicrously out of our league. We almost got fucking Unmade by whatever the fuck is hanging out here.

Click to shrink...

I mostly agree. The main issue I see is that Kong Zhi is simply too inexperienced for this.

 

[UlseDovThur]

[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.

[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] If people don't break their routine to get tested, convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine. For our collective safety.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu to use Twilight Horizon
[X][SMALL] Check on Chui Dao's wellbeing, memories and any kukuni senses that might be helpful.
[X][SMALL] Keep a look out for any clues about where the disturbance to the local anam is coming from, or any sources of Time anam.
[X][SMALL] The group should keep an eye and ear out for anything that might be used to date when this loop started.
[X][SMALL] If an opportunity arises, ask what message the headman sent to Twelve Fields. Conversationally.
[X][SMALL] Is there anything significant about the incoming storm?

 

[Thor's Twin]

Really, my take on it is that the guy that held all the cards still managed to lose. A clueless Zhi still managed to flail his way out. This guy isn't as insurmountable as people are painting him as. This isn't some "Great Old One".

Lets try to actually gather some information before declaring the problem unsolvable.

Click to shrink...

I totally agree. Simply having the information that there is an active actor here instead of a passive effect gone wrong is huge. Actors have reasons and purposes for their actions, and if we can figure those out we should have an opportunity to resolve this issue.

Additionally, this Kukuni is not omniscient. We surprised him. Nor are they omnipotent here. We prevented our death. Winning is a possibility here.

It'll be tough, for sure, but the outcome of our fight with this Kukuni is not predetermined or set in stone. We have the tools and we have the knowledge to formulate a successful strategy for winning.

 

[Imugi]

We could cancel the Examination for today y'know. Just push it off for tomorrow. This would free up Mei Daiyu and Zhuan Kun to investigate and research, and it wouldn't risk damaging the testing treasure.

[] [APPROACH] There will be no testing this village today, Clerk Ni will simply have to test them tomorrow. Head to the village and claim a room for Clerk for the night, then investigate.

 

[ShyGuy]

What are peoples thoughts on explicitly informing Daiyu and Kun about the loops? Do we want to briefly tell them what we know and to be on the lookout for something that might relate to Time shenanigans? Right now the vote seems to just be a bit vague in telling them to look for discrepancies.

Edit: Btw

[][SMALL] Read Daiyu and Kun into what is going on so far and what you have figured out. Three heads are better than one after all.

I added this to my vote btw. I figured it was a bit vague on if we told them or not and that it was better to be explicit. Three heads are better than one. And if we want to solve this mystery, it is better to get the whole Scooby Gang on the same page. We originally asked them to look for discrepancies but that could mean anything. This way, letting them know that Time shenanigans are afoot, they will have better context on the types of things that they are looking for.

 

[thamuzz]

Oh, and leaving now means we give up the chance to find a time-dog for Nokkai.

What are peoples thoughts on explicitly informing Daiyu and Kun about the loops? Do we want to briefly tell them what we know and to be on the lookout for something that might relate to Time shenanigans? Right now the vote seems to just be a bit vague in telling them to look for discrepancies.

Click to shrink...

I'm in favor.

 

[MoonSerpent]

[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.

The kukuni engaged us using ZK's face and favorite game. I'm not entirely clear how much we remember about our vision, but if we do remember the games, this might help.
[X] [SMALL] Consult with Zhuan Kun about the game of Garden of Beasts your opponent presented to you.
[X] [SMALL] Describe to Zhuan Kun the Garden of Beasts game you played with the not!Zhuan Kun. Draw out the game's map, the terrain, the natural wonders. See if he can provide a read on this opponet you faced.

I'm not entirely fond of the "draw out the game" action's wording, but including it since it also works for this.

From what our enemy said, we need to proceed without giving our goal away and without overcommitting. Ideally we should pursue further clues via one of our allies, and make a feint with another. I'm not sure how to carry that out.
We should also surreptitiously check to see if the weaver still exists.

Click to shrink...

This right here, there's a reason the Kukuni played the game with the pieces it did. It's not a one to one match into the cycle. But! Gleaming at least an insight to what exactly its playbook is would be huge for this cycle.

For now, what we do have is that it's hiding something

Natural Wonder after Natural Wonder fall to his onslaught as he displays his mastery.

Only when the Wavecrown is buried beneath his serpents does he speak again. "Your play was strategic and logical," he intones. "But it was shortsighted."

Click to shrink...

What is the Wavecrown? From whatever it is out here, I'm relatively certain it's related to the Emberflow Abyss and the Moss from all the light show it gives off as a storm whenever the Cycle breaks;

Hmmm, interesting.

Click to shrink...

But the moss itself is a potent ingredient used for a variety of elixirs and pills. The best way to harvest it is by collecting the fish that have recently fed and retrieving the moss from their stomachs. The very act of harvesting the moss also serves to make it sustainable. The fish itself is rich in-"

Click to shrink...

Intresting Ves chose to cut it here.

That honor would go to the small beads of throbbing red light that dance between the waves, shining and shimmering amongst the golden rays that descend from the heavens. Each individual speck is dazzling, but it is when they gather together to form an underwater inferno that truly stills my breath in my lungs.

Click to shrink...

What does a kukuni truly want with this kind of power?

But spirit? Mind? Those, they have in abundance. And they desire to correct this imblance. Through cycling they grow more solid, more real, and more harmonious with the world around them.

Click to shrink...

 

[ShyGuy]

Oh, and leaving now means we give up the chance to find a time-dog for Nokkai.



I'm in favor.

Click to shrink...

Alright then...

[][SMALL] Read Daiyu and Kun into what is going on so far and what you have figured out. Three heads are better than one after all.

I added this to my vote. I figured it was a bit vague on if we told them or not and that it was better to be explicit. Three heads are better than one. And if we want to solve this mystery, it is better to get the whole Scooby Gang on the same page. We originally asked them to look for discrepancies but that could mean anything. This way, letting them know that Time shenanigans are afoot, they will have better context on the types of things that they are looking for which should hopefully lead to more clues.

I'd encourage anyone who wants to explicitly tell our companions about the loop to maybe add it to their votes as well.

 

[MoonSerpent]

Alright then...

[][SMALL] Read Daiyu and Kun into what is going on so far and what you have figured out. Three heads are better than one after all.

I added this to my vote. I figured it was a bit vague on if we told them or not and that it was better to be explicit. Three heads are better than one. And if we want to solve this mystery, it is better to get the whole Scooby Gang on the same page. We originally asked them to look for discrepancies but that could mean anything. This way, letting them know that Time shenanigans are afoot, they will have better context on the types of things that they are looking for which should hopefully lead to more clues.

Click to shrink...

We do have that; it's this:

[SMALL] Run down the team on the what happened on the last loops to have all three rub braincells together.

 

[ShyGuy]

We do have that; it's this:

Run down the team on the what happened on the last loops to have all three rub braincells together.

Click to shrink...

Huh, somehow I missed that one.

 

[Mathematicae]

[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.

[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu and Kun that they absolutely shouldn't stick out or interrupt the villagers routines, just observe them and look for discrepancies.
[X][SMALL] If people don't break their routine to get tested, convince Clerk Ni to pretend everything is fine. For our collective safety.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu to use Twilight Horizon
[X][SMALL] Check on Chui Dao's wellbeing, memories and any kukuni senses that might be helpful.

 

[Enjou]

[X] ShyGuy

A reminder that the only things in the [SMALL] section that will actually get implemented are the ones that get over 50% of the votes in that section. We shouldn't be too conservative with this because we're only going to get so many chances - this is like the auction house mystery, we're on a timer and we need as much info as possible. I'll vote for ShyGuy's plan since it has a good amount of stuff.

 

[Falconis]

Ah, okay I think I have an idea of whats up.

We don't know how long we've been here but if we assume that it takes a loop for the kukuni to do the spirit scrub then Clerk Ni was already hit by it in our 'first' perception of this loop. Based on this quote I assume it is at least 6:

I stare blankly at the board for a long moment before turning back to Zhuan Kun. "...the Natural Wonders have special abilities?" I ask.

Zhuan Kun's head cocks to the side like a confused hound. "Yes, they do," comes his blunt answer. "Did I not mention that?"

All I can do is shake my head. "No," I sigh, annoyance warring with amusement in my heart. That would have been useful information to have before the game- before the last six games!- but it's hard to be upset at Zhuan Kun. There was no malice behind his silence; he's just been so excited to play that he forgets I don't have an encyclopedic memory of the Garden. "No you did not."

"Oh." Zhuan Kun stares at the board for a moment and shakes his head. "Then you will have a new factor to consider during the next game."

Click to shrink...

If our guess that the granny will be gone this time is correct then that gives us some explanation for what happened here.

As we round a bend and come across an abandoned cart and ox, the trembling seems to subside- until I try to steer Quishu, and it returns even stronger than before.

Click to shrink...

I think we met these people, they are the courier the village headsman is expecting. And our normal modus operandi of questioning anything strange wiped them out until only the ox was left. We never try and question the ox so its still here.

They are also this

But being behind his lines is no protection, and the Natural Wonder is nowhere near as safe as he believes it to be. I move the Night Lurker from where it had been hiding nearby and charge forward. This time, it is my turn to press a rune, and the Night Lurker shines with amethyst power. The weak snakes guarding the hill are no match for my Colossal, and soon it stands alone on my new conquest.

Yet the noble doesn't seem dismayed by my victory. Instead, he simply continues playing, his snakes moving around the table in a never-ending tide of scale and venom. Natural Wonder after Natural Wonder fall to his onslaught as he displays his mastery.

Only when the Wavecrown is buried beneath his serpents does he speak again. "Your play was strategic and logical," he intones. "But it was shortsighted."

"Oh?" I ask after a moment, dragging my eyes from the board. He gestures at where the Night Lurker still stands alone atop the Hill. "I thought that was a good play. It kept you from scoring any more points and deprived you of a reserve force."

"It did," he allows. "Yet you used your Night Lurker to slay a few of my Hatchlings. It was like sending a Warlord to crush a group of Seated. It was effective, certainly, but it could have been achieved without going to such lengths."

"From the start," Zhuan Kun continues. "I was prepared to lose the Sand Nest."

Click to shrink...

By removing the couriers from the loop we removed his connection to the outside and 'kept him from scoring any more points' by bringing new people in. This village wasn't on the map because we removed their connection to the outside.

"But Falconis," you say, "How would we have done this before we arrived?"
I point you to the line "But being behind his lines is no protection, and the Natural Wonder is nowhere near as safe as he believes it to be."
I'm betting wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff had us fighting this battle before we actually remember coming here. Kind of like how in the dream vision we arrive in the midst of playing a game but there is no point where we perceive arriving at the inn or starting the game.

Either way I think this is when we take the advice of those weird 'invisible' things we encountered the first time we got here and "FLEE". Not just because we're in a dangerous situation but because Clerk Ni has been hit already.

(btw I think the Granny is the Famine and the kids are the Shivering Rapids)



That said, If we can come up with a good strategy of attack, even if its not a clear winner, then we should go for it. Our opponent isn't omnipotent and we have several more cards to play even though we don't know what our cards do at the moment. If we can obfuscate our intentions then it might help but I don't even know if pretending to be caught in the loop would help, the dream showed that our opponent didn't notice our lapses and was focused entirely on the game board.

Perhaps we can use its obsession against it somehow to gain victory. Its goal seems to be to Stand Shield over this village (granted we failed that sense motive) so if we can convince it that letting us do what we want will let it stand shield more effectively we might be able to get its cooperation. It is prepared to sacrifice anything so why not itself?

Actually hot damn we have Zhuan Kun right here if we need to try and leverage Zhuan protection of this place. Dunno if thats anything but at this point im just thinking in text. If anybody has any thoughts in this direction perhaps we can use it to win.

 

[MoonSerpent]

Uhh guys

is the truth of this world that they only emerge from the sea because the moon wills it, and it is the truth of the moon that it must reign over all its light shines upon.'"

Click to shrink...

For now, what we do have is that it's hiding something


What is the Wavecrown? From whatever it is out here, I'm relatively certain it's related to the Emberflow Abyss and the Moss from all the light show it gives off as a storm whenever the Cycle breaks;

Click to shrink...

I think the kids wanted us to take a trip out to sea.

I guess Siani was right all along:

"The two of them would stumble across the lost treasure of the Laughingstar or find themselves on a boat

Click to shrink...

We're not exactly in the Laughingstar or with Kumi, but from the way things are going we might as well be doing all these things.

Thing is though, we gotta survive sundown and hope there's moonlight for this theory to work.

First off:

[][Small] Ask Kun, what's the aspects of Rubyglow Moss?

[][Small] If this cycle continues past sunset and with a shining moon take the team on a boat trip and head for the largest collection of Rubyglow in the water… If your gut was right about it, we might just find another Natural Time Wonder or something truly crucial for this Kukuni.

Also,

[X] ShyGuy

 

[Corvo Montés]

Running away now is not going to work, I prefer to gather more info:

[X] ShyGuy

Good plan this one!

 

[Tylansimov]

We don't know how long we've been here but if we assume that it takes a loop for the kukuni to do the spirit scrub then Clerk Ni was already hit by it in our 'first' perception of this loop. Based on this quote I assume it is at least 6:

Click to shrink...

I think we met these people, they are the courier the village headsman is expecting. And our normal modus operandi of questioning anything strange wiped them out until only the ox was left. We never try and question the ox so its still here.

Click to shrink...

This is a good catch, I think we've all been assuming that the first loop we saw was actually the first loop Zhi encountered. But yeah, Ni's behavior does indicate that the kukui targeted him first. Similarly, without the missing merchant, Zhi would have no reason to use the Twilight Horizon, which is what initially helped him figure out something funky was going on.

 

[Artemis]

I had a thought in the discord that I love so very much that I at the least want to write it down. I love the idea of carving out a little ship using the salt driftwood, and using it as a way to preserve memories between timeloops. I'm imagining it washing up on the river's shore after every loop, just a bit damaged but we can repair it with...more of the very same wood that was used to build it. Unfortunately got the confirmation that it'd be a bit much to actually build during the loop without a time mat, but it just struck me as cool.

Also, I think we should have our discussions with ZK and MD inside our storage ring's mansion space. Maybe this will help get people away from the loop and give us privacy, maybe it'll let Chui Dao get a word in edgewise.

I also think that, with the kukuni so clearly watching for our every move, we should use this opportunity to let MD and ZK do some scouting for us. They also shouldn't try to break the script, but they should sneak about and see what they can learn when people think no one is watching. MD in particular would be good for this I think.

[X] [APPROACH] In the past, Kong Zhi wandered freely through the village. Perhaps that was a mistake. We will continue the examination as normal, only Zhi will take a different role.
-[X] The record-keeper for the examination.
[X][SMALL] Run down the team on the what happened on the last loops to have all three rub braincells together.
[X][SMALL] Do any information sharing with the team inside the Wandering Estate, to avoid the eyes of any strangers.
[X][SMALL] Tell Daiyu to use Twilight Horizon
[X][SMALL] If an opportunity arises, ask what message the headman sent to Twelve Fields. Conversationally.
[X][SMALL] Consult with Zhuan Kun about the game of Garden of Beasts your opponent presented to you.
[X][SMALL] Ask Mei Daiyu and Zhuan Kun to try not to bother the villagers directly, and 'let them slumber'. Keep an eye out for the 'seam'.
[X][SMALL] Get Mei Daiyu to sneak about and see if there are anything like records or other items hidden away, without revealing herself to any of the villagers.
[X][SMALL] If we make it to the end of the loop, use the Stallion's Enclosed Garden to avoid what we suspect is the Symphony in Rags.

I think even without the time loop our friends should see the pattern, so hopefully they can make out what seems really off, this seam.

Could also use something to figure out what are the stitches that are hidden, and which is paying what's due.

@ShyGuy could you also add the Small for using the Wandering Estate? Minor chance that it gives us privacy, and could make communicating with Chui Dao easier.

 

[Corvo Montés]

Time to investigate some more.

 

[fluxeal]

[X] ShyGuy
I mean we are a Caretaker and a time artist. This is the path we chose to walk, this very well could be more than we can handle. But the idea of not doing every single thing we can before giving up just doesn't sit right in my soul.

 

[The3rdCorinthian]

*Sigh* I knew I should have stayed at home today...

[X] ShyGuy

[X][SMALL] Describe to Zhuan Kun the Garden of Beasts game you played with the not!Zhuan Kun. Draw out the game's map, the terrain, the natural wonders. See if he can provide a read on this opponet you faced.
[X] [SMALL] Consult with Zhuan Kun about the game of Garden of Beasts your opponent presented to you.
[X][SMALL] Run down the team on the what happened on the last loops to have all three rub braincells together.