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

Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
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This was a fun update. For the voting options, I'm really conflicted.

It's fun hearing about Huisheng's Way, and how Ling Qi interprets it. Also more thoughts on our tribulation and how some of its consequences (the sealed meridian).

Also some nice lore, that there's a distinctive Way for each face of the Moon (and probably Sun). This kinda recontextualises the name "Dreaming Way". We know from Six that the Dreaming Way is disconnected from the Dreaming Moon, but the Weilu may have disagreed.

The conversation with Han Jian also went how I thought it'd be. Awkward Introduction, followed by summit business to help them right themselves. I expect that they'll relax after talking shop, talking about their lives, Xiulan, etc, before we thank him and leave.

For the vote, I'm conflicted. I want to complete the set >_<. More seriously, it'll give us a lot of credibility, and I'm not sure if we'll be able to reintroduce the Guo and thus the GF if we leave it. Option 2 explicitly says it isolate the GF, and if that applies to the summit and everything AFTER it, then I'm hesitant to pick option 2. Plus, we may lose extra plotlines and alternate endings if they're not present. Such as the GF vibing with the Seared Lands, like (hopefully) the Bai vibing with the Tangled Pines. There's also the point that, apart from the Xuan and the ES, the GF may be the only other province which ma initially y interested in longterm trade with the WS.

There's also the problem id changing the summit a bit. In previous votes, those seemed better and vital to the summit's success. This? Not so much. So it doesn't feel worth doing. Plus, though I trust Yrs to handle things excellently, too many moving parts means that some things will be left behind or have less focus.

However, I also love the appeal of option 2, mainly for the delegation to free up narrative space. The Twilight King and the Cataclysm have been brought up a lot, and by virtue of the Han being there, we can point all questions to them and have that off our hands. We'll just need to talk to them about how they frame things. So we'll have more space to talk about other things in discussions.

Plus, connecting the GF geomancy clan with the WS province that loves geomancy sounds good. The only problem is the Guo' loss of face, but it's small and on their part, since they've not contacted us. With their bloodline, they could help, but didn't, so we asked another source.
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)
 
[X] Wanted to see to the possibility of adding an observer from the Golden Fields, more formally bringing them in and largely completing the set. (More difficult ask of Han Jian, adds additional complexity to Summit. Roll for degree of success if chosen.)
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)

This seems like it accomplishes what we want without increasing difficulty. If the Guo want to get left behind, that's their problem, not ours.

Also, LQ/LZ shippers rise up.
 
[X] Wanted to see to the possibility of adding an observer from the Golden Fields, more formally bringing them in and largely completing the set. (More difficult ask of Han Jian, adds additional complexity to Summit. Roll for degree of success if chosen.)

So, I asked Yrsillar, and the "leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project" is a "long-term consequence, with no effect on the upcoming summit" so we may not be able to reintroduce them into the narrative for like, trade and stuff.

So I'm voting for option 1 because, even though it may complicate things, I want to involve them in the long-term, especially when we get to eventually get to trade of stuff like glass, which the WS loves. Plus, the Golden Fields and the Seared Lands have a lot to learn from each other, and I don't want to lose that opportunity.

Plus, no effect on the summit means that a lot of our worries for option one are covered, imo
 
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[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)

I think the Han would be happier not getting too stuck in.
 
[X] Wanted to see to the possibility of adding an observer from the Golden Fields, more formally bringing them in and largely completing the set. (More difficult ask of Han Jian, adds additional complexity to Summit. Roll for degree of success if chosen.)
 
Oliver_Twister said:
[X] Wanted to see to the possibility of adding an observer from the Golden Fields, more formally bringing them in and largely completing the set. (More difficult ask of Han Jian, adds additional complexity to Summit. Roll for degree of success if chosen.)

So, I asked Yrsillar, and the "leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project" is a "long-term consequence, with mo effect on the upcoming summit" so we may not be able to reintroduce them into the narrative for like, trade and stuff.

So I'm voting for option 1 because, even though it may complicate things, I want to involve them in the long-term, especially when we get to eventually get to trade of stuff like glass, which the WS loves. Plus, the Golden Fields and the Seared Lands have a lot to learn from each other, and I don't want to lose that opportunity.

Plus, no effect on the summit means that a lot of our worries for option one are covered, imo
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Having the golden field isolated not effecting the summit doesn't mean having the golden fields involved also has no effect on the summit. The concerns were never about what would happen if we leave them, it was what would happen if we bring them in.
 
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[X] Wanted to see to the possibility of adding an observer from the Golden Fields, more formally bringing them in and largely completing the set. (More difficult ask of Han Jian, adds additional complexity to Summit. Roll for degree of success if chosen.)
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)

My instinctual desire to go for option 1 is really only due to going at it for completionist's sake, but success and failure really is undesirable in 1.

For 2, opening conversation on the Twilight corruption issue gives us both a big IN to talking about the Red Jungle, and also a bit of a shield if/when things turn to shit outside our control.

Talking about the corruption gives us a concrete thing to point at about problems we both similarly suffer, an easy issue to mention regarding the existential benefits of copperation (beyond "mere" material trade), and an out by highlighting the number and complexity of the problems we face along with the options cooperation opens up in solving or mitigating big issues in both territories.

Let's just make sure to avoid any allegations of "bringing their problems to our lands" and we'd be fine.
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)

Who was the one who called me a negative nancy for predicting this would be awkward? Yeah, you know who you are.
 
[X] Wanted to see to the possibility of adding an observer from the Golden Fields, more formally bringing them in and largely completing the set. (More difficult ask of Han Jian, adds additional complexity to Summit. Roll for degree of success if chosen.)
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)
 
I think the most obvious benefit of GF direct involvement is glass as a trade good, since we know it's in short supply in the south
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)
 
[X] Wanted to see to the possibility of adding an observer from the Golden Fields, more formally bringing them in and largely completing the set. (More difficult ask of Han Jian, adds additional complexity to Summit. Roll for degree of success if chosen.)

I intended to vote for the other option, but unfortunately I was struck by a very hilarious idea. Too hilarious to resist.

Han Jian making the ask could result in a particular Guo Scion making an appearance. The half-blood(Zheng bastard) young miss that is tentatively in the works as his fiance.

It just makes sense, you know. The two of them get an opportunity to feel out each other's personalities, it symbolically presents a united face to out-of-provincers in contradiction to the internal political tensions of the Golden Fields, it's very funny.

All good things.
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)
 
[X] Wanted to him to raise the possibility with his own connections of whether experts on Twilight corruption could be enticed to speak with the Seared lands experts, as a bargaining chip for negotiations. (Easier ask of Han Jian, keeps Summit as is, leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project.)
 
[X] Wanted to see to the possibility of adding an observer from the Golden Fields, more formally bringing them in and largely completing the set. (More difficult ask of Han Jian, adds additional complexity to Summit. Roll for degree of success if chosen.)
 
Oliver_Twister said:
So, I asked Yrsillar, and the "leaves Golden Fields isolated from the project" is a "long-term consequence, with no effect on the upcoming summit" so we may not be able to reintroduce them into the narrative for like, trade and stuff.

So I'm voting for option 1 because, even though it may complicate things, I want to involve them in the long-term, especially when we get to eventually get to trade of stuff like glass, which the WS loves. Plus, the Golden Fields and the Seared Lands have a lot to learn from each other, and I don't want to lose that opportunity.
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A permanent isolation effect seems like too much to deal with in the long term and would significantly complicate matters if we do have a success. I trust Ling Qi to get it done without the extra help, so I'm voting for the first option, even if the second option is enticing.

[X] Wanted to see to the possibility of adding an observer from the Golden Fields, more formally bringing them in and largely completing the set. (More difficult ask of Han Jian, adds additional complexity to Summit. Roll for degree of success if chosen.)
 
tigertail said:
A permanent isolation effect seems like too much to deal with in the long term and would significantly complicate matters if we do have a success. I trust Ling Qi to get it done without the extra help, so I'm voting for the first option, even if the second option is enticing.
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It's really just like "if the summit ends up being a big success and notable thing then the Guo not being there while everyone else was means they'll lose some face and may be a bit salty". It's not really a big worry imo.
 
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