Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)

[CedeTheBees]

How many omake points do I have? I'm willing to spend them all on the 40% option.

Just means I gotta make more fanart for that Void concept

 

[darkoda]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure)

 

[memoryofglory]

[X] Be open in your intention for friendly relations and exchange in the long term. Discuss the White Sky where you can emphasizing the similarities over the differences. Use implication of Great Spirit interest and Ling Qi's patronage of the moon as legitimacy for the project. (40% chance to reduce opposition to your progress and swaying Cao Chun. Sets his Bond to -1 on Success or -4 on failure.)

Virtue is for sad nerds like Jiao.

We have divine favor.

A little more seriously, while aversion to bloodshed is a lot of the motivation here for Ling Qi and Cai Renxiang, it's reaching out for the possibility of connection, and the similarities that bolster that, that really defines at least the former's approach, for me. The world sucking is an important part of Ling Qi's characterization, but what we're building towards, and what she already has built towards, is the most important. And hers is a bolder stance than simply fleeing the worst of the world's cruelties. Her Path, at least so far, has been to reach across the barren wasteland of Isolation to clasp hands with the Other, in defiance of the world and even her own internalized truths on its (and her) nature.

Just the same as the Wall has to be journeyed across to sustain any real relation with the people of the south, it's not sustainable to merely skirt the barrier of imperial biases. Not on a practical level, and not as a matter of Ling Qi's convictions.

The talk of Great Spirits really is an afterthought here. Convenient, useful, but not the driving motivation. Ling Qi's designs are prime, not the moon's. The moon, here, is a political instrument for Ling Qi's convictions, which as I've explained above are etched into her Way, even as she's still discovering the fact.

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The best possible outcome there is -1 Bond which isn't that much better than -2 + 60% chance to reduce opposition to our project. The bad outcome, -4 bond, is massively worse than any other outcome here. And you want to risk all that on a roll we can only bring up to 60% at most. Being dedicated to roleplaying is one thing, but this is a bit much. Whatever Ling Qi's actual core motivations are she still has the ability to read her audience and be sincere without being dumb.

 

[ichypa]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure)

Huh.

That's undoubtedly gonna trigger any MoI veteran super hard.

Implying a tangential connection to Jiao, that is

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Wouldn't that ship have already sailed just by attending the Argent Sect?

 

[ClawClawBite]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure)

 

[Astro Ambulance]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure)

 

[JowKeen]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure)

We don't need to poke this man's Heresy detector by claiming to be Divinely Supported when he's spent his life killing Heretics who almost certainly believed the same thing.

Inquisitors can be very tiresome to manage, as it's on us to learn the ways in which they communicate rather than them compromising an inch in order to better understand or empathize with "Their Enemy". Hrmph. It'd be a good idea to start learning the specifics of Imperial Virtues as well as the specific language a devout Imperial uses when referring to The Great Spirits. We could try to talk to Auntie Xin about stuff, but that ship may have sailed.

The way I see it, we could probably aim for "White Sky is half civilized" through the White Sky Men of the Sun. Their naked Winter aspect is going to look exactly like a heretical Mother Moon cult to him. Emissary might be acceptable. Crone may or may not be heretical. However, just over half-civilized is probably good enough to be considered "a viable idea" if we can get there. By learning the language and expectations of Cao Chun and other Imperials like him should speed up the process of bringing the Virtues of the White Sky forward. Which is good, because as I said the middle Winter is almost certainly going to be seen as "Definitely Heresy".


claiming "Divine Inspiration" sounds weird to me. We might be able to claim it later, but we'd need to be better versed in it to "properly" claim it to an anti-cult inquisitor I think

 

[AbeoLogos]

The best possible outcome there is -1 Bond which isn't that much better than -2 + 60% chance to reduce opposition to our project. The bad outcome, -4 bond, is massively worse than any other outcome here. And you want to risk all that on a roll we can only bring up to 60% at most. Being dedicated to roleplaying is one thing, but this is a bit much. Whatever Ling Qi's actual core motivations are she still has the ability to read her audience and be sincere without being dumb.

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This argument brings me back to the good old days of the bloody moon dream. Nostalgia aside, it didn't work out too well.

Internal characterization is important. Arguably the most important. The entire point and theme of the bloody moon dream was how Ling Qi reacts in the face of perceived threat when she finds herself betwixt titanic powers that dwarf her. Whether she stands firm or shrinks back. Where her own principles fall on the scales.

I don't think we can really coherently divorce any of that from the current situation. The threat is less imminent, perhaps, but all of the pieces are exactly as in play now as they were then. Of course, playing to an audience inherently backing down. But caution can be its own form of retreat, and it's important to consider what exactly is being retreated from. Here, it's full-throated advocacy for Ling Qi's principles. Opinions obviously vary, but it's not my preference.

 

[Olgol2]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure)

 

[Erebeal]

I don't think we can really coherently divorce any of that from the current situation. The threat is less imminent, perhaps, but all of the pieces are exactly as in play now as they were then. Of course, playing to an audience inherently backing down. But caution can be its own form of retreat, and it's important to consider what exactly is being retreated from. Here, it's full-throated advocacy for Ling Qi's principles. Opinions obviously vary, but it's not my preference.

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I don't see (3) as really representing LQ's principles though. Like, a fundamental part of LQ's principles has been practicality, and the pursuit of security. Indeed, that's a major element in her drive to connect with others. Like sure, she'll favour diplomacy in a lot of situations, but that's in large part simply conflict avoidance.

(2) I feel gets much more at her motivations for a better world that is safer and more pleasant for her to live in, as well as tackling her burgeoning moral compass and why she was drawn to Renxiang and respects her in the first place.

 

[GreenReveal]

[x] Be open in your intention for friendly relations and exchange in the long term. Discuss the White Sky where you can emphasizing the similarities over the differences. Use implication of Great Spirit interest and Ling Qi's patronage of the moon as legitimacy for the project. (40% chance to reduce opposition to your progress and swaying Cao Chun. Sets his Bond to -1 on Success or -4 on failure.)

All or nothing baybeeee

 

[AbeoLogos]

I don't see (3) as really representing LQ's principles though. Like, a fundamental part of LQ's principles has been practicality, and the pursuit of security. Indeed, that's a major element in her drive to connect with others. Like sure, she'll favour diplomacy in a lot of situations, but that's in large part simply conflict avoidance.

(2) I feel gets much more at her motivations for a better world that is safer and more pleasant for her to live in, as well as tackling her burgeoning moral compass and why she was drawn to Renxiang and respects her in the first place.

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Oh sure, don't quote the post directly concerned with the topic you're responding to or anything. Snipe the one where it's an unelaborated aside. Cool.

Edit: this post was meant as a joke but really doesn't come off as one. Sorry, @Erebeal

 

[ActionKermit]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure)

This is consistent with what we've been telling the White Sky. Emphasizing the similarities between the White Sky and the Emerald Seas feels like too much of a reach when we're talking to a Peakaboo inspector from Integrity, since White Sky really *isn't* that similar to the part of the empire he's most familiar with. The empire is large and contains multitudes, but he's probably going to toe the line on the old propaganda about how the Peaks bring civilization to the lesser lands of the Provinces.

Also LQ emphasizing the role of the Great Spirits in this feels a little weird to me because this is a Cai clan mission and the Cai believe in a clear separation between religion and state except insofar as their position as nobles demands they participate in traditional rites. LQ *personally* may be motivated by faith in her three patrons but Renxiang isn't.

 

[angelofwhim]

[x] Be open in your intention for friendly relations and exchange in the long term. Discuss the White Sky where you can emphasizing the similarities over the differences. Use implication of Great Spirit interest and Ling Qi's patronage of the moon as legitimacy for the project. (40% chance to reduce opposition to your progress and swaying Cao Chun. Sets his Bond to -1 on Success or -4 on failure.)

 

[Candesce]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure)

 

[God]

And thus I spoke and said: Go big or go home.

[x] Be open in your intention for friendly relations and exchange in the long term. Discuss the White Sky where you can emphasizing the similarities over the differences. Use implication of Great Spirit interest and Ling Qi's patronage of the moon as legitimacy for the project. (40% chance to reduce opposition to your progress and swaying Cao Chun. Sets his Bond to -1 on Success or -4 on failure.)

 

[Katreus]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure)

 

[GlassMask]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure

 

[Aranfan]

[x] Be open in your intention for friendly relations and exchange in the long term. Discuss the White Sky where you can emphasizing the similarities over the differences. Use implication of Great Spirit interest and Ling Qi's patronage of the moon as legitimacy for the project. (40% chance to reduce opposition to your progress and swaying Cao Chun. Sets his Bond to -1 on Success or -4 on failure.)

 

[Kaja Rainbow]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure

Note that this this won't be the only opportunity to improve our bond. The first option even explicitly specifies that there will be further opportunities to improve this guy's opinion and picking the first option makes it harder. I would rather bank on slowly improving his opinion than try to go for gangbuster and possibly end up with the worst possible result out of this. A 40% chance of failure even after omake is pretty high.

Also speaking from an IC perspective, this isn't out of character for Ling Qi. She's been making similar arguments before to convince people.

 

[JammingforHam]

[] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure)

Click to shrink...

You might want to add the X to your vote.

 

[Zithinoth]

[x] Be open in your intention for friendly relations and exchange in the long term. Discuss the White Sky where you can emphasizing the similarities over the differences. Use implication of Great Spirit interest and Ling Qi's patronage of the moon as legitimacy for the project. (40% chance to reduce opposition to your progress and swaying Cao Chun. Sets his Bond to -1 on Success or -4 on failure.)

 

[Angelazreal1]

[X] Be open in your intention for friendly relations and exchange in the long term. Discuss the White Sky where you can emphasizing the similarities over the differences. Use implication of Great Spirit interest and Ling Qi's patronage of the moon as legitimacy for the project. (40% chance to reduce opposition to your progress and swaying Cao Chun. Sets his Bond to -1 on Success or -4 on failure.)


Sincerity y'all.

 

[Businessmanga]

[x] Be open in your intention for friendly relations and exchange in the long term. Discuss the White Sky where you can emphasizing the similarities over the differences. Use implication of Great Spirit interest and Ling Qi's patronage of the moon as legitimacy for the project. (40% chance to reduce opposition to your progress and swaying Cao Chun. Sets his Bond to -1 on Success or -4 on failure.)

Big swings.

 

[JammingforHam]

[X] Bank on this man's reputation for virtue in discussing the ways in which the Southern Emerald Seas has long suffered from war and violence, and emphasize this as an opportunity for recovery and prosperity, rather than endless violence. (60% chance to reduce opposition to your project and progress toward swaying Cao Chun, setting his Bond at -2 on success, or -3 on failure)

Ling Qi isn't the type to be openly idealistic to people she doesn't know. Choice 2 fits better with her personality and the fact that we are dealing with an individual who can make or break us.