- Location
- the internet
I think LQ would like something more simple than that or the flower themed stuff other people have posted. Something more like these:
Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Users' Choice!
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
Mother Nyx
Mother of Elpis
- Location
- The Kei Klub
- Pronouns
- She/Her
As I said before, just imagine this but the chain is silver instead of gold.
I really wanted hand things but only if xiulan and suyin were with us because they have one already.
I think there is too much focus on chains in quite a few of the above examples. On the one hand, hand jewelry that is mostly just chain is going to be boring to read about (because there is not that much to describe) and on the other hand i dislike the S&M symbolism of it. (yes, the variants that are mostly chains and maybe a few small gems have far too often some variant of 'slave chain' in the name).
If you take instead this bird jewelry ,shown below, instead, then you will see that you get a pretty scene instead of just a chain with a few gems and that is why I like it.
Of course, the depicted scene for Ling Qi's variant doesnt need to be birds (though it can be, given that we had that singbird motif at the music competition). Instead of 3 birds, we could have a reference to the three moons or our three spirits or anything else. Also, we are getting it from a master craftsman in a fantasy world, so it might be possible that the scene ends up looking 'alive' in some way?
If you take instead this bird jewelry ,shown below, instead, then you will see that you get a pretty scene instead of just a chain with a few gems and that is why I like it.
Of course, the depicted scene for Ling Qi's variant doesnt need to be birds (though it can be, given that we had that singbird motif at the music competition). Instead of 3 birds, we could have a reference to the three moons or our three spirits or anything else. Also, we are getting it from a master craftsman in a fantasy world, so it might be possible that the scene ends up looking 'alive' in some way?
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- Location
- the internet
I think there is too much focus on chains in quite a few of the above examples. On the one hand, hand jewelry that is mostly just chain is going to be boring to read about (because there is not that much to describe) and on the other hand i dislike the S&M symbolism of it. (yes, the variants that are mostly chains and maybe a few small gems have far too often some variant of 'slave chain' in the name).
If you take instead this bird jewelry ,shown below, instead, then you will see that you get a pretty scene instead of just a chain with a few gems and that is why I like it.
Of course, the depicted scene for Ling Qi's variant doesnt need to be birds (though it can be, given that we had that singbird motif at the music competition). Instead of 3 birds, we could have a reference to the three moons or our three spirits or anything else. Also, we are getting it from a master craftsman in a fantasy world, so it might be possible that the scene ends up looking 'alive' in some way?
Yeah Maybe if its gonna get some Moon and/or star motifs, it can provide some small bonuses to Lunar and/or Stellar qi in addition to the large +Resist boost
Those hand things will make headpatting our sis difficult. If only our sis was bald....
- Location
- the internet
We can always use our other hand lol
We'll ask Meizhen if she has any smaller cousins that won't bite us.
How often does that sort of thing get done with the back of someone's hand rather than their palm anyways? Like, the term is headpats rather than headbackhands.
Aranfan
Team Plasma Grunt
I imagine since we're going to a clothier for our jewelry we're going to get chain lace rather than just chains and decorations. It does also of course have to be tastefully gaudy because Ling Qi doesn't do subtle when she can be bothered to show off.
These are sweet. I like em.
While you have a broader point I agree with (just chains as many have depicted are kind of boring), my minimal research into this back when I brought up my concern (that was then subsequently treated as something else), "salve bracelet" is pretty much the name of the jewelry in modern western parlance, because even googling things like "hand jewelry", "hand flower", or "ring bracelet" brings up images that also include "slave bracelet" in the image name or listing. Even googling things like "panja bracelet", has the thing called a "slave braclet" in some images. It's only googling things like "hath panja(s)" or "hath phoole" (the latter is apparently hindi for "hand flower") that show items without the term "slave bracelet".
The Dreaming Lady
- Location
- United States of America
Report on the Dreaming Lady
Information Requested: Ling Qi the Dreaming Lady, Monarch of the Crescent Mountains.
Beginning Report…
Path: Moonlit Dream. The path of the Moonlit Dream has aspects of Moonlight and Dream, and it's techniques take the form of dappled silver illusions. While most paths dealing with illusions concern themselves with convincing an opponent that a specific falsehood is true, not so with the path of the Moonlit Dream. Instead, the Moonlit Dream focuses on transforming the real into the unreal and the unreal into the real. As such, it is an incredibly difficult path to embark upon, but the rewards are only limited to one's imagination. Forger and Ruler techniques are the most common amongst those who embark upon the path of the Moonlit Dream, but there are some potent Striker and Enforcer techniques available as well.
The Dreaming Lady and Monarch of the Crescent Mountains was the first known person to create the path of the Moonlit Dream, and with it, she rose to ascendency as a Monarch. Her origins are shrouded in mystery and obfuscation, but given her residence in the Crescent Mountains, most hold that those mountains are the land of her birth. While none can point to a specific point in time when the Dreaming Lady ascended to become a Monarch, it is likely that she is one of the longest living Monarchs. Illusive and secretive, not many have encountered the Monarch personally, but many foolish armies have found themselves trapped in a hellish landscape of cold, mist, and beast, unable to find a passage out before dying, never having even laid eyes on the infamous Crescent Mountains.
Under the Dreaming Lady's protection, the Crescent Mountains have flourished as a province, rising to the point of being comparable to the Ninecloud Country. Streams of liquid moonlight flow from the peaks to nourish the forests and lakes which inhabit the vales between the mountains. Many communities have formed around these streams, seeking to use the power present in the moonlight to help them gather the necessary moonlight madra to advance along the path of the Moonlit Dream. However, these communities also follow their Monarch's example by investing in the arts. Music, literature, dance, sculptures, paintings, clothing, some of the best examples of culture come from the Crescent Mountains.
For while not many have personally met the Dreaming Lady, her presence can be felt and heard at various times in various places of the Crescent Mountains. Music so lovely that it makes stone statutes cry can be heard echoing through the valleys and peaks of her home. The range of emotion it can elicit is startling, from nostalgia and melancholy to joyful purpose. Ever seeking to improve, the Dreaming Lady has been heard to play a single song for centuries, steadily improving it until she is satisfied with the final product. Despite this though, no recording of her melodies has ever emerged. It seems that the Dreaming Lady takes exception to recording her songs without permission, and actively hunts down those who do so. And those who receive the personal attention of a Monarch rarely last long.
Sometimes, on particularly clear nights when the moonlight is exceptionally strong, one can see the Dreaming Lady flit between mountain peaks like a flickering spirit. The particular reason she does this are unknown. Perhaps she is seeking inspiration for another of her songs? Perhaps she is surveying her territory? Perhaps she is gathering even more madra for an unknown working? There could be as many reasons as stars in the sky, and without more information about the Dreaming Lady, the most that is currently available is speculation.
Suggested topic: Ling Qi and her origins. Continue?
Denied, report complete.
A/N: @yrsillar another omake for the Omake throne! This one is a bit of a short one, but I was inspired by "Uncrowned." I hope people enjoy the read!
Information Requested: Ling Qi the Dreaming Lady, Monarch of the Crescent Mountains.
Beginning Report…
Path: Moonlit Dream. The path of the Moonlit Dream has aspects of Moonlight and Dream, and it's techniques take the form of dappled silver illusions. While most paths dealing with illusions concern themselves with convincing an opponent that a specific falsehood is true, not so with the path of the Moonlit Dream. Instead, the Moonlit Dream focuses on transforming the real into the unreal and the unreal into the real. As such, it is an incredibly difficult path to embark upon, but the rewards are only limited to one's imagination. Forger and Ruler techniques are the most common amongst those who embark upon the path of the Moonlit Dream, but there are some potent Striker and Enforcer techniques available as well.
The Dreaming Lady and Monarch of the Crescent Mountains was the first known person to create the path of the Moonlit Dream, and with it, she rose to ascendency as a Monarch. Her origins are shrouded in mystery and obfuscation, but given her residence in the Crescent Mountains, most hold that those mountains are the land of her birth. While none can point to a specific point in time when the Dreaming Lady ascended to become a Monarch, it is likely that she is one of the longest living Monarchs. Illusive and secretive, not many have encountered the Monarch personally, but many foolish armies have found themselves trapped in a hellish landscape of cold, mist, and beast, unable to find a passage out before dying, never having even laid eyes on the infamous Crescent Mountains.
Under the Dreaming Lady's protection, the Crescent Mountains have flourished as a province, rising to the point of being comparable to the Ninecloud Country. Streams of liquid moonlight flow from the peaks to nourish the forests and lakes which inhabit the vales between the mountains. Many communities have formed around these streams, seeking to use the power present in the moonlight to help them gather the necessary moonlight madra to advance along the path of the Moonlit Dream. However, these communities also follow their Monarch's example by investing in the arts. Music, literature, dance, sculptures, paintings, clothing, some of the best examples of culture come from the Crescent Mountains.
For while not many have personally met the Dreaming Lady, her presence can be felt and heard at various times in various places of the Crescent Mountains. Music so lovely that it makes stone statutes cry can be heard echoing through the valleys and peaks of her home. The range of emotion it can elicit is startling, from nostalgia and melancholy to joyful purpose. Ever seeking to improve, the Dreaming Lady has been heard to play a single song for centuries, steadily improving it until she is satisfied with the final product. Despite this though, no recording of her melodies has ever emerged. It seems that the Dreaming Lady takes exception to recording her songs without permission, and actively hunts down those who do so. And those who receive the personal attention of a Monarch rarely last long.
Sometimes, on particularly clear nights when the moonlight is exceptionally strong, one can see the Dreaming Lady flit between mountain peaks like a flickering spirit. The particular reason she does this are unknown. Perhaps she is seeking inspiration for another of her songs? Perhaps she is surveying her territory? Perhaps she is gathering even more madra for an unknown working? There could be as many reasons as stars in the sky, and without more information about the Dreaming Lady, the most that is currently available is speculation.
Suggested topic: Ling Qi and her origins. Continue?
Denied, report complete.
A/N: @yrsillar another omake for the Omake throne! This one is a bit of a short one, but I was inspired by "Uncrowned." I hope people enjoy the read!
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Li Suyin and Chibi Du Feng
EternalObserver
eYe Gaze baCk
- Location
- The Void
Alright, finally made art. Have been busy lately so might not make drawings as much as before.
Here's Li Suyin with her fancy sedan and stuff along with her gofer 'plain ol' Du Feng'
I've accepted the fact that I suck at drawing skeletons. Anyways, the skeleton is a boar, hence the two spikes jutting out its mouth. I think this is "Er" (二).
Also, ever since that scene, I just can't take Du Feng completely seriously so he's just plain Du Feng to me now, hence being chibi here. I might consider drawing a more serious version of him in the future.
@yrsillar here you go. Also reminding you to threadmark @Xepheria 's Hand jewelry drawing as well as @Black Noise 's Pibo
Here's Li Suyin with her fancy sedan and stuff along with her gofer 'plain ol' Du Feng'
I've accepted the fact that I suck at drawing skeletons. Anyways, the skeleton is a boar, hence the two spikes jutting out its mouth. I think this is "Er" (二).
Also, ever since that scene, I just can't take Du Feng completely seriously so he's just plain Du Feng to me now, hence being chibi here. I might consider drawing a more serious version of him in the future.
@yrsillar here you go. Also reminding you to threadmark @Xepheria 's Hand jewelry drawing as well as @Black Noise 's Pibo
Snow
Doka
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Just wanted to point out that Meizhen uses an urumi, which in real life is an Indian weapon, and nobody seems to find it particularly odd. Based on that, I'd say Ling Qi having Indian-looking stuff probably isn't a problem; at most, people will probably see it as Meizhen's influence.
- Location
- United States of America
What, for getting hand jewelry? Probably not. Even if it did affect our relationship with them in any way, the difference would be minuscule compared to the plethora of other reasons for them to dislike us.
Kai Merah
Hound Hearted Hedonist
- Location
- Somewhere in the corners of my imagination
I'm sorry, this is very lovely and I like the imagery and mythology used in it, but please, there is one persistent spelling error that keeps making my eyes bleed. When the moon is thin and curved, it is known as a crescent moon, not a cresent.
- Location
- United States of America
Thanks for the catch. It's fixed.
Now that our fashion accessories are settled, it's a good time to think about our upcoming mission next month more in depth. Her next scouting assignment would see her detached with a small group to defend an outlying mining village in Sect territory. The two main variables are the identities of her assigned allies and nature of her opposition, with a smaller variable being what measures to prepare we can manage to squeeze in prior to her departure.
The composition of her future small group is currently ambiguous. It could be that it's fellow, subordinate scouts and choices will center at least somewhat on division of labor from a leadership position. It is also possible that the small group has some fellow Inner Sect disciples mixed in, perhaps even named characters. This would be more interesting for me personally, since it would be an opportunity for the relationships Ling Qi has fostered to see themselves manifest in the narrative, with their own consequences and opportunities. Most people Ling Qi knows are neutral to slightly positive in disposition, or else don't feel like they'd be doing this kind of work for the sect. Yan Renshu? Seems a stretch, though it's not impossible. Ji Rong is probably the most likely antagonistic partner, provided the mission does indeed involve peers. Even many of the positively inclined folk are kind of bigwigs, so it's not clear whether they'd be assigned to a job like this. Regardless, force makeup is the first detail of consequence we'll learn when the mission gets under way.
As far as opposition is concerned, it falls into three broad categories: barbarians, spirits, and internal. Cloud nomads are a continual threat in the border regions, and it's quite possible the previous scouting exercise's positive identification of barbarian forces in the area is the reason for this mission now. It is a bit of a shame that Yrsillar dumped the prior barbarian plot on the thread via Liao Zhu's interlude, which didn't engage with any of Ling Qi's particularly well-suited narrative hooks. Had he kept his cards in reserve, the subplot could have been deployed here instead with likely only minor tweaks. Regrettable, since spirit-wooing has only grown in potential relevance with Ling Qi's own suitor rearing his head. It's possible the plot could get stretched through this event, additional ice-woman-wooing gifts questing or something on the barbarian's part, but it would be extremely strained due to Ling Qi's... total ignorance of previous events(and Liao Zhu totally fucking murdering one of them, and replacing him with a temporary clone spy). Aaand very limited ability to appropriately martial our player decisions within Ling Qi's context, since we'd all be operating from crazy meta know-how logic. All in all, barbarians remain an awkward narrative vehicle outside fighting because Ling Qi still can't communicate with or spy on them at all, and no opportunity for remedy has been possible or available on that count.
Spirits are also a continual threat, uh, everywhere. The shape and tone of that threat could be wildly varied, so it gives Yrsillar freedom if he goes with this. Anything from a mindless swarm, to a jealous regional alpha, or even a mountain ogre looking to woo a fairy maiden with his impressive musculature. Ling Qi can prep for spirit problems by cultivating MoSS, which could probably get squeezed in before the mission. There's no guarantee that a communication aid can help with the particular species of spirit challenge faced, but it could help with many.
The last category is a broad one, and reaches into the more abstract. It's possible one or more servants of the sect at the mining village want to defect to the barbarians or bandits, as Liao Zhu implied happened sometimes. There could be internal corruption, and the perpetrator tries to get away with it, or even pin the blame on us. A fellow disciple assigned to the task could try to sabotage our efforts, either out of personal enmity or as a result of a pay-off from one of our political rivals. Finally, the event could simply focus on Ling Qi struggling with the reality of prison labor being used in mining efforts. For many of these, a more human-oriented social art could assist, but it's such a possibility-within-a-possibility that it seems difficult to justify. Having a mini-arc of intrigue and politics woulda be a nice way to introduce such things to the story in a relatively isolated fashion, which hasn't previously been available.
There's a large number of ways this mission can be structured, and hopefully it comes into focus fairly early on, so that we can engage the right kind of thought processes to the practical and narrative requirements of our actions.
The composition of her future small group is currently ambiguous. It could be that it's fellow, subordinate scouts and choices will center at least somewhat on division of labor from a leadership position. It is also possible that the small group has some fellow Inner Sect disciples mixed in, perhaps even named characters. This would be more interesting for me personally, since it would be an opportunity for the relationships Ling Qi has fostered to see themselves manifest in the narrative, with their own consequences and opportunities. Most people Ling Qi knows are neutral to slightly positive in disposition, or else don't feel like they'd be doing this kind of work for the sect. Yan Renshu? Seems a stretch, though it's not impossible. Ji Rong is probably the most likely antagonistic partner, provided the mission does indeed involve peers. Even many of the positively inclined folk are kind of bigwigs, so it's not clear whether they'd be assigned to a job like this. Regardless, force makeup is the first detail of consequence we'll learn when the mission gets under way.
As far as opposition is concerned, it falls into three broad categories: barbarians, spirits, and internal. Cloud nomads are a continual threat in the border regions, and it's quite possible the previous scouting exercise's positive identification of barbarian forces in the area is the reason for this mission now. It is a bit of a shame that Yrsillar dumped the prior barbarian plot on the thread via Liao Zhu's interlude, which didn't engage with any of Ling Qi's particularly well-suited narrative hooks. Had he kept his cards in reserve, the subplot could have been deployed here instead with likely only minor tweaks. Regrettable, since spirit-wooing has only grown in potential relevance with Ling Qi's own suitor rearing his head. It's possible the plot could get stretched through this event, additional ice-woman-wooing gifts questing or something on the barbarian's part, but it would be extremely strained due to Ling Qi's... total ignorance of previous events(and Liao Zhu totally fucking murdering one of them, and replacing him with a temporary clone spy). Aaand very limited ability to appropriately martial our player decisions within Ling Qi's context, since we'd all be operating from crazy meta know-how logic. All in all, barbarians remain an awkward narrative vehicle outside fighting because Ling Qi still can't communicate with or spy on them at all, and no opportunity for remedy has been possible or available on that count.
Spirits are also a continual threat, uh, everywhere. The shape and tone of that threat could be wildly varied, so it gives Yrsillar freedom if he goes with this. Anything from a mindless swarm, to a jealous regional alpha, or even a mountain ogre looking to woo a fairy maiden with his impressive musculature. Ling Qi can prep for spirit problems by cultivating MoSS, which could probably get squeezed in before the mission. There's no guarantee that a communication aid can help with the particular species of spirit challenge faced, but it could help with many.
The last category is a broad one, and reaches into the more abstract. It's possible one or more servants of the sect at the mining village want to defect to the barbarians or bandits, as Liao Zhu implied happened sometimes. There could be internal corruption, and the perpetrator tries to get away with it, or even pin the blame on us. A fellow disciple assigned to the task could try to sabotage our efforts, either out of personal enmity or as a result of a pay-off from one of our political rivals. Finally, the event could simply focus on Ling Qi struggling with the reality of prison labor being used in mining efforts. For many of these, a more human-oriented social art could assist, but it's such a possibility-within-a-possibility that it seems difficult to justify. Having a mini-arc of intrigue and politics woulda be a nice way to introduce such things to the story in a relatively isolated fashion, which hasn't previously been available.
There's a large number of ways this mission can be structured, and hopefully it comes into focus fairly early on, so that we can engage the right kind of thought processes to the practical and narrative requirements of our actions.
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Alright, I am sorry this one is taking so long guys, but getting everything I want done in this scene is taking awhile. It will be an extra long chapter though since I'm already sitting at 3000 words. I'm just not satisfied with the quick wrap up the current draft has though, and I have to go to work soon, so I don't have time to finish today.
- Location
- United States of America
Well, it looks like us getting blinged out is going to be a bit more interesting than simply visiting a craftsman. Can't wait to see what happens!
- Location
- The Space Between
as far as I have gathered, Bai territory is adjacent to "India" and is south chinese or se asian. They're their own ethnicity, so it would make sense for them to be fairly distinct from the rest of the empire but not so far as being Indian. I agree with the person that said our fashion drawing from Bai or Bai adjacent influences will be a statement. This is a setting where people care about that sort of thing. If it's not fun for the story to fixate on, it's possible we can get around that, but I would assume that if it is stylistically similar to another culture we will be associated with that culture if the person looking at us knows where it's from.
That said, I like skewing a bit towards Bai. We look Southern (tall and dark), have fashion that includes Bai influences, and serve directly under the heiress Cai. Those that want to know where we stand will see that we approve of the Bai dealings just from looking, will see that we are clearly of the Emerald Seas, and will see that we have power even if we are a brand new house. Working elements of various people's into our outfit as tokens/talismans of support should be good. I know that there are small shows of support that are meaningless to those outside the know but meaningful to those inside in reality, we can likely find similar things inside this world to adorn ourselves with as sincere displays of support that don't need to hide
I would also like to take a moment to comment on how Duchess Cai isn't able to reclaim the lost words of burnt texts but like, we saw the moon aunties do it and they offered us a selection. Clearly recovering these lost works could be a huge boon for our relationship with CRX, as well as our understanding of CRX. This was something she was reading at 10, and as a formative text for our boss it might be a good idea for us to read snippets or adjacent stories (or the thing itself possibly) if we ever get the chance. Would be a damn cool song to seek, and likely less dangerous than venturing beyond the wall for FVM+
though . . perhaps more complicated
That said, I like skewing a bit towards Bai. We look Southern (tall and dark), have fashion that includes Bai influences, and serve directly under the heiress Cai. Those that want to know where we stand will see that we approve of the Bai dealings just from looking, will see that we are clearly of the Emerald Seas, and will see that we have power even if we are a brand new house. Working elements of various people's into our outfit as tokens/talismans of support should be good. I know that there are small shows of support that are meaningless to those outside the know but meaningful to those inside in reality, we can likely find similar things inside this world to adorn ourselves with as sincere displays of support that don't need to hide
I would also like to take a moment to comment on how Duchess Cai isn't able to reclaim the lost words of burnt texts but like, we saw the moon aunties do it and they offered us a selection. Clearly recovering these lost works could be a huge boon for our relationship with CRX, as well as our understanding of CRX. This was something she was reading at 10, and as a formative text for our boss it might be a good idea for us to read snippets or adjacent stories (or the thing itself possibly) if we ever get the chance. Would be a damn cool song to seek, and likely less dangerous than venturing beyond the wall for FVM+
though . . perhaps more complicated
I am not sure why you are saying that as if it was confirmed that we would need to venture beyond the wall for FVM+. I know that some have brought it up before as a hypothetical, but as far as i know yrs has never confirmed the idea.
It's more that a suitably epic quest/journey is needed for equally epic rewards. Going to the most dangerous dangerous place we know, a place so distant yet so close, to create a successor to our most fundamental Art seems like good cultivation. It's not necessary to go to the Wall specifically but it could be cool and creating our fist personal Art seems like it should be worth a good story. In addition it could let us interact with wilder, non-imperial spirits as a counterexamples to the imperial and Cai views on spirits, learn about Cloud Tribe culture to develop our soon to be enemies and Ling Qi's sense of empathy or disregard for them, and all manner of things so far away from home. We don't have to do it and as far as i know Yrsillar hasn't said anything on the subject, but something so integral as FVM+ deserves something interesting and we could spend an entire turn cultivating on the Wall without going out of content.