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.
TYIM has the advantage of being really, really good for "Ling Qi is a Cyan/Indigo watching over some Greens to make sure they are safe as they take the fight against the opponent". This is a very common strategy from what we've seen so far and being able to do it well is going to get us a lot of goodwill. As a relatively small clan this is going to be an uncommon occurrence but the Ling will get bigger over time.
- Location
- Boston
[X] Thousand Year Impenetrable Mist: B
- Location
- Germany
G4 Ling Qi is literally drowning her enemies in a lake of beasts. The imagery is awesome!
A CRX boosted by a G5 Ruan Shen can level the ground three meters down with her enemy as the nail!
Oh and it severs an arm, I guess.
Even in moments before Ling Qis death Ling Qis thoughts are beyond immortals and no comrade of hers could have expected her train of thoughts in this situation. ☁
- Location
- Who Knows
[X] Enlightenment's Unbreaking Mirror: B
I don't mind the other one winning, but kind of dig this?? Might as well put up a fight for the votes lol.
I don't mind the other one winning, but kind of dig this?? Might as well put up a fight for the votes lol.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Enlightenment's Unbreaking Mirror: B
Because I will always love Argent Mirror, and this definitive table-turner will be extremely hype.
Because I will always love Argent Mirror, and this definitive table-turner will be extremely hype.
- Location
- Greece
[X] Thousand Year Impenetrable Mist: B
Mirror is probably more useful, but unless I've missed an obvious encounter, I don't feel like the thread ever votes for those types of actions. The [] Hey we've got good Defense, let's immediately all-in and gamble for a decisive victory choices always get obliterated in the polls. I don't think an ultra-strong defense move with an Uno Reverse tacked onto the end will change things.
EUM will no doubt come up organically in combat during the rolls, but I feel like that's probably the extent of what we'll ever see of it.
On the other hand while Impenetrable Mist is more consistent (or if you were being less charitable boring), the bigger claim to fame imo is that it will directly impact Decisions and Write-Ins by giving yet another tool to potential save allies, on top of it being generically useful during combat rolls.
EUM will no doubt come up organically in combat during the rolls, but I feel like that's probably the extent of what we'll ever see of it.
On the other hand while Impenetrable Mist is more consistent (or if you were being less charitable boring), the bigger claim to fame imo is that it will directly impact Decisions and Write-Ins by giving yet another tool to potential save allies, on top of it being generically useful during combat rolls.
- Location
- Israel
He went full Netero... nice
We've made moves like that before. Decently often, honestly. The trouble with them is they can be kind of awkward thematically, or cause character drama that isn't very productive.
Maybe my biggest problem with Mirror here is that the effect that would justify it over the other, the debuffs, rely on enemies targeting Ling Qi specifically for them to apply. The move's mostly relevant when she's out in the open getting punched. We've been trying to move away from Ling Qi having to do everything herself. We've been trying to have stealth maybe be a valid approach in combat sometimes. We've been trying to achieve a support paradigm.
The targeting requirement of the mirror is at odds with these goals. There's a reason we keep turning down counter options. They tend to not align with our style objectives.
If the counter pinged when allies got attacked, it would be completely different. That would fit all sorts of themes and objectives super well. But that's just not what we've been seeing, so those capabilities will continue to be orthogonal to the predominate character developments we're driving towards.
- Location
- Earth
[X] Enlightenment's Unbreaking Mirror: B
Not...really?
We've already invested heavily in defense
This situation where Ling Qi needs a further layer of defense and a get out of jail free card for enemy super attacks is itself wildly out of the norm
If anything mirror would see more consistent usage because theres a lower ceiling on what would warrant its usage (situations where every other defense Ling Qi has is insufficient vs situation where the debuff from Mirror would hasten Ling qis victory)
I said it on the discord, but arguments like this really hammer home how this vote is all lizard brain with some people going into ad hoc rationalization stapled on top to justify it
Companion Quest
He truly was a foolish man.
In the shade of a tree outside of White Cloud Village, on a hill overlooking the fields Xuan Shi sat down careful to be mindful of his injury. He let his head fall back against the trunk with a thunk. His hat tipped forward, falling down over his face, blocking out the world outside.
He did not know what he had expected, not really. He should have learned by now that stories did not reflect reality. An unusual bloodline only led to isolation. The distant school, so far from the empty home was not a place where the friendships of lifetimes were forged. The isolated and lonely heiress who buckled under the weight of expectation did not have any need for love to lighten her burden. Winning tournaments changed nothing. The mysterious and confusing girl who had intruded upon his life had never held any particular interest in him beyond friendly acquaintance, and in fact, his interest had frightened her.
Father had never intended to return for him. It had been a lie from the beginning.
"You're being too hard on yourself, you just haven't found your story yet is all," a soothing voice whispered. "Your stand was worthy of prose at least, was it not?"
Xuan Shi did not think he had been particularly heroic, he had faced that creature out of desperation, knowing that Lady Bian's skills were the only ones in their group which could hope to reach others. The pain of the blow he had suffered nearly overwhelmed him, and even now his thoughts felt slow at the medicinal energies flowing in his veins, dulling the pain as the bones in his lower arm were regrown from shards.
Few Xuan were accustomed to pain, a side effect of their natural toughness. He had nearly fumbled his counter.
"But you did not," the spirit said patiently. "You remained even though it seemed that you might die, kept the enemies ire even as your lifeblood spilled. That is why I came to you after all."
"This one apologizes, Kongyou. This sulking is unbefitting," he murmured aloud.
"I understand," she whispered. "It was a little shocking, from your memories, she certainly never showed herself afraid."
"In Miss Ling's position, such fears are not to be advertised," he said quietly. Still it hurt, he had thought things were going well.
"Perhaps," the spirit said, and he almost missed the hint of doubt in her voice. "But you shouldn't be discouraged, my hero to be."
"This one is unworthy of such titles," Xuan Shi replied. He sat up, and reached up to adjust his hat. "This one is no child that needs constant reassurance."
"Of course not, but you don't get to decide what I think is worthy," Kongyou said archly.
To that he had no reply. Xuan Shi looked out over the fields where mortals performed their toil in silence. Despite himself, such words felt good. Even from his uncles, kindest of his caretakers, such direct praise was rare and sparing.
Attracting the attention of a spirit of dream was the only good thing which had happened to him this year. "Thank you," he said quietly.
"Remember, I can't stay forever though, okay?" Kongyou reminded him gently.
He remembered, she had explained from the beginning that she was a regional spirit, that she would not leave her home here in the south. That was… fine.
"But let's not worry about far off things," the muse said lightly. "I said I would help you find a real companion to share your journey, and I keep my promises!"
Xuan Shi let out a dry chuckle, he appreciated the attempt to cheer him. Slowly, he stood back up, holding back a wince as the motion managed to jostle his arm, sending a sharp pain through the veil of medicinal energies in his thoughts. "This one has little idea of where to begin," he admitted.
In the Savage Seas, children were allowed to mingle with young Xuan Wu, and the companionships that were born there became spirit bonds. There were ever less Xuan Wu than Xuan's however, and of the four times he had attended the meetings he had never attracted companionship. No one had taught him what to do after he became too old to attend those meetings.
Such things were a parent's duty.
"Perhaps this one should study the interactions of the region?" Xuan Shi mused. Understanding of the spiritual ecosystem seemed a good place to start in finding a suitable companion.
" Studying is all well and good, and you should definitely do it while you're healing," Kongyou chided. "But the most important thing you're going to have to do is get out there and present yourself to prospective partners! If you spend too long studying how things should be, you'll make mistakes in how they are, you know?"
There, Xuan Shi was uncertain. While spirits would not be put off by his people's mode of speech, it was not as if his demeanor and inclinations had earned him friends among his own generation. Adults of the clan liked him well enough, but peers were a different matter.
"Miss Kongyou makes the task sound like such a trifle," Xuan Shi said dryly as he began to descend the shallow hill he had sat on, returning to the road.
"What did I say about using honorifics?" the spirit grumbled.
"If titles may be applied to this one, they may be applied to thee as well," Xuan Shi said in amusement.
Kongyou made a sound of irritation, but there was no anger in it. Was this then, what it was like to banter with a friend?
"You can be awfully annoying for such a straightlaced guy," Kongyou muttered irritably.
"This one can only apologize," Xuan Shi said, but despite his renewed cheer, anxiety still chewed at his thoughts. Did he truly have the chance of acquiring a spirit companion. His every attempt to forge connections with others had failed again and again. Why should now be any different?
"Because you have me in your corner now," Kongyou's voice was thick with confidence and glee. "Just follow my advice, and everything will work out just fine."
In the shade of a tree outside of White Cloud Village, on a hill overlooking the fields Xuan Shi sat down careful to be mindful of his injury. He let his head fall back against the trunk with a thunk. His hat tipped forward, falling down over his face, blocking out the world outside.
He did not know what he had expected, not really. He should have learned by now that stories did not reflect reality. An unusual bloodline only led to isolation. The distant school, so far from the empty home was not a place where the friendships of lifetimes were forged. The isolated and lonely heiress who buckled under the weight of expectation did not have any need for love to lighten her burden. Winning tournaments changed nothing. The mysterious and confusing girl who had intruded upon his life had never held any particular interest in him beyond friendly acquaintance, and in fact, his interest had frightened her.
Father had never intended to return for him. It had been a lie from the beginning.
"You're being too hard on yourself, you just haven't found your story yet is all," a soothing voice whispered. "Your stand was worthy of prose at least, was it not?"
Xuan Shi did not think he had been particularly heroic, he had faced that creature out of desperation, knowing that Lady Bian's skills were the only ones in their group which could hope to reach others. The pain of the blow he had suffered nearly overwhelmed him, and even now his thoughts felt slow at the medicinal energies flowing in his veins, dulling the pain as the bones in his lower arm were regrown from shards.
Few Xuan were accustomed to pain, a side effect of their natural toughness. He had nearly fumbled his counter.
"But you did not," the spirit said patiently. "You remained even though it seemed that you might die, kept the enemies ire even as your lifeblood spilled. That is why I came to you after all."
"This one apologizes, Kongyou. This sulking is unbefitting," he murmured aloud.
"I understand," she whispered. "It was a little shocking, from your memories, she certainly never showed herself afraid."
"In Miss Ling's position, such fears are not to be advertised," he said quietly. Still it hurt, he had thought things were going well.
"Perhaps," the spirit said, and he almost missed the hint of doubt in her voice. "But you shouldn't be discouraged, my hero to be."
"This one is unworthy of such titles," Xuan Shi replied. He sat up, and reached up to adjust his hat. "This one is no child that needs constant reassurance."
"Of course not, but you don't get to decide what I think is worthy," Kongyou said archly.
To that he had no reply. Xuan Shi looked out over the fields where mortals performed their toil in silence. Despite himself, such words felt good. Even from his uncles, kindest of his caretakers, such direct praise was rare and sparing.
Attracting the attention of a spirit of dream was the only good thing which had happened to him this year. "Thank you," he said quietly.
"Remember, I can't stay forever though, okay?" Kongyou reminded him gently.
He remembered, she had explained from the beginning that she was a regional spirit, that she would not leave her home here in the south. That was… fine.
"But let's not worry about far off things," the muse said lightly. "I said I would help you find a real companion to share your journey, and I keep my promises!"
Xuan Shi let out a dry chuckle, he appreciated the attempt to cheer him. Slowly, he stood back up, holding back a wince as the motion managed to jostle his arm, sending a sharp pain through the veil of medicinal energies in his thoughts. "This one has little idea of where to begin," he admitted.
In the Savage Seas, children were allowed to mingle with young Xuan Wu, and the companionships that were born there became spirit bonds. There were ever less Xuan Wu than Xuan's however, and of the four times he had attended the meetings he had never attracted companionship. No one had taught him what to do after he became too old to attend those meetings.
Such things were a parent's duty.
"Perhaps this one should study the interactions of the region?" Xuan Shi mused. Understanding of the spiritual ecosystem seemed a good place to start in finding a suitable companion.
" Studying is all well and good, and you should definitely do it while you're healing," Kongyou chided. "But the most important thing you're going to have to do is get out there and present yourself to prospective partners! If you spend too long studying how things should be, you'll make mistakes in how they are, you know?"
There, Xuan Shi was uncertain. While spirits would not be put off by his people's mode of speech, it was not as if his demeanor and inclinations had earned him friends among his own generation. Adults of the clan liked him well enough, but peers were a different matter.
"Miss Kongyou makes the task sound like such a trifle," Xuan Shi said dryly as he began to descend the shallow hill he had sat on, returning to the road.
"What did I say about using honorifics?" the spirit grumbled.
"If titles may be applied to this one, they may be applied to thee as well," Xuan Shi said in amusement.
Kongyou made a sound of irritation, but there was no anger in it. Was this then, what it was like to banter with a friend?
"You can be awfully annoying for such a straightlaced guy," Kongyou muttered irritably.
"This one can only apologize," Xuan Shi said, but despite his renewed cheer, anxiety still chewed at his thoughts. Did he truly have the chance of acquiring a spirit companion. His every attempt to forge connections with others had failed again and again. Why should now be any different?
"Because you have me in your corner now," Kongyou's voice was thick with confidence and glee. "Just follow my advice, and everything will work out just fine."
EternalObserver
eYe Gaze baCk
- Location
- The Void
Yup, we were right, Mr Nightmare Spirit is indeed with Xuan Shi
- Location
- Florida
[X] Enlightenment's Unbreaking Mirror: B