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.
Being knee deep in denial would probably not be allowed anymore.
What Sixiang is carefully not saying here is that Zhengui isn't treated like a brother.
More like a son.
Spirit Beast > Animal > Motes of raw qi > Barbarians.
Savage, girl.
You know, Ling Qi really draws a lot of her values from Meizhen. Zhengui is family like Cui is family.
And some people just need to die. As long as she can get away with it.
Well, a good judge should be competent and well informed. Its a good start.
Incidentally, I wonder if we can teach Zhengui to cultivate in his sleep...Sixiang should have a trick or two to enter his dreams.
Bureaucracy Proced.
Nice.
Oh hey guys, remember this sim from the city evacuation Trial? Apparently they're rentable at the upper ranks.
Good field training.
That is a very nice trick. Lunar Clones? They look solid, so its a multipresence rather than illusion technique.
His spirit! A Reflecting Moon fairy is a Doppleganger!
Oh no, hes joining the teasing party! D:
Bait for a nosy rival?
Doraemon-sempai!
...wow, the rumor mill is having fun.
-Secret Shadow: Renxiang is tiny and pale/Ling Qi is tall and dark.
-Secret Lovers: Ling Qi DOES look very much like Shenhua's own lover.
-Secret Gown: Its theoretically possible for a powerful spirit to disguise as a weak cultivator, and it is not impossible for Shenhua to be capable of tailoring such a spirit. It wouldn't grow exactly, but it can just reveal new abilities it always had when needed.
Hmm...sounds like he read that Ling Qi is in a downer mood and set out to raise her spirits. But didn't pick up why she was in a downer and was thus irreverent.
All are equal in death in the end.
Anyone who can kill without consideration is probably not a good person to choose to do it with.
For Ling Qi she's probably going to go at this in the reverse direction. She's TOO good at unpersoning enemies for her own comfort.
Some prefer to banish all doubt.
That way leads to walking blind.
Also its subtle, but he noticed her discomfort with contact and thus refrained from headpats I think?
You have a short amount of time to cultivate before you depart into barbarian territory. In that time you will cultivate…
[] Sable Crescent Step
Passive Effects
+25 bonus to Speed
+10 bonus to initiative
+10 bonus to Stealth
Speed Bonus increases by 10 in Low Light or Darkness
Stealth bonus increases by 10 in darkness
+15 bonus to Hit and Penetration if making the opening attack of a combat
+10 bonus to Hit against Unaware or Unready targets
+10 bonus to Avoid in environments which allow for stealth
Grinning Crescent Dancer: B rank
Duration: Long
Calling upon the favor of the Grinning Moon, and using their skill at manipulating dark qi, the user's becomes an indistinct phantom, a flicker of shadow dancing between lights. Greatly enhances the dancers ability to avoid attacks and stay ahead of foes. The deeper the darkness grows the quicker their reactions and movement become. In darkness the dancers immaterial form may ignore the some of the impact of even those attacks which strike its flitting form. No mundane obstacle may block the movement of the Dancer, so long as they can perceive their destination, and entrapping them through wholly physical means becomes impossible.
One with Shadow: C rank
Duration: Persistent
The user merges with the shadows and dark, dematerializing entirely. In this form they may slip from shadow to shadow, without crossing the space between so long as the destination shadow is at least moderately sized. In this form the users presence is muted, even to spiritual senses. If the user slips successfully into the shadow of an opponent, their connection grants their first attack against that enemy a great potency, ignoring the effects of any damage reduction the target may have. However, an attack on the shadow the user inhabits can harm the user, and damage will break this technique.
Sable Crescent Step: B rank
A master of this art may bring its lessons together in a single movement, an impeccable step of matchless grace. The cunning master may find several uses for this movement. A single attack of equal or lower may be avoided, no matter how unerring the aim, as the user simply ceases to exist in the material world for a moment, rematerializing with Far range of their current position. If more offensively inclined, the user may instead make a single physical attack utterly bypassing up to C rank physical armor and damage reduction, and rematerialize within Close range of their target. Targets with higher damage or armor reduction instead have it reduced by two ranks for the purposes of determining damage.
+25 bonus to Speed
+10 bonus to initiative
+10 bonus to Stealth
Speed Bonus increases by 10 in Low Light or Darkness
Stealth bonus increases by 10 in darkness
+15 bonus to Hit and Penetration if making the opening attack of a combat
+10 bonus to Hit against Unaware or Unready targets
+10 bonus to Avoid in environments which allow for stealth
Grinning Crescent Dancer: B rank
Duration: Long
Calling upon the favor of the Grinning Moon, and using their skill at manipulating dark qi, the user's becomes an indistinct phantom, a flicker of shadow dancing between lights. Greatly enhances the dancers ability to avoid attacks and stay ahead of foes. The deeper the darkness grows the quicker their reactions and movement become. In darkness the dancers immaterial form may ignore the some of the impact of even those attacks which strike its flitting form. No mundane obstacle may block the movement of the Dancer, so long as they can perceive their destination, and entrapping them through wholly physical means becomes impossible.
One with Shadow: C rank
Duration: Persistent
The user merges with the shadows and dark, dematerializing entirely. In this form they may slip from shadow to shadow, without crossing the space between so long as the destination shadow is at least moderately sized. In this form the users presence is muted, even to spiritual senses. If the user slips successfully into the shadow of an opponent, their connection grants their first attack against that enemy a great potency, ignoring the effects of any damage reduction the target may have. However, an attack on the shadow the user inhabits can harm the user, and damage will break this technique.
Sable Crescent Step: B rank
A master of this art may bring its lessons together in a single movement, an impeccable step of matchless grace. The cunning master may find several uses for this movement. A single attack of equal or lower may be avoided, no matter how unerring the aim, as the user simply ceases to exist in the material world for a moment, rematerializing with Far range of their current position. If more offensively inclined, the user may instead make a single physical attack utterly bypassing up to C rank physical armor and damage reduction, and rematerialize within Close range of their target. Targets with higher damage or armor reduction instead have it reduced by two ranks for the purposes of determining damage.
Hefty Speed boost, modest Stealth boost, modest evasion boost and a Perfect Dodge which ALSO sets up for a fatal touch.
Extremely valuable for combat.
[] Curious Diviner's Eye
Potency: Green 2
Max Level: 5
Current Meridians:Head x3, Lung x2
Keywords: Academics, Intelligence, Perceptiveness, Projection, Moon, Secrets, Water, Yin
The arts of the great diviner have spread far and wide with time, their secrets no longer held in trust. This art has been said to be a descendant of the impeccable arts of the great horned sages. Perhaps as a starting point for more inquisitive youths. The curiosity and seeking nature of the new moon is clear in its influence here.
Passives
+15 to Combat Perception
+5 to Social Perception
+10 to Spiritual Avoid
+10 to Formations when deciphering arrays
+10 to Academics when researching new information
Inquisitive Study: D
Duration: Persistent
The user's eyes gleam briefly with a silver sheen as they study the object of their curiosity. The users perception increases greatly for up too two tests in a single scene, allowing them to discern many details that they might otherwise miss.
Seeking Moon's Eyes: C
Duration: Persistent
Conjures three reflective silver wisps the size of a coin. Expressions of the Diviner's curiosity, these wisps seek their parents interest eagerly. The wisps ignore wholly physical obstacles but cannot travel further than Close distance from their creator. The creator may see from the wisp's position as if they stood there themselves, though only in one direction at a time. This greatly increases their combat perception in the areas within which this sight overlaps.
Statblock
Health: G
Speed: C20, Initiative: D
Avoid: C10, Armor H
Watchful Moon Analysis: C
Duration: Immediate
Used in tandem with an damaging art, allows the users thoughts to far outspeed their limbs, greatly slowing their perception of the world, and allowing the user to pick out minute details that might otherwise be missed in the flows of an enemy or obstacles qi, and adjust the course of their blow. Through this the user ignores the effects of a single defensive technique of C rank or lower, or if none are active, penalizes the targets armor or avoid at the users discretion.
Initiate's Viewing Pool: C
[Non-Combat]
Requiring a surface of calm water at least two handspans wide, the user concentrates on a familiar person or place within five kilometers of their current position. The user is able to view the person or location in clear detail with both sight and hearing with perception equivalent to their own at a one rank reduction. This viewing may be opposed by arts or talismans of various types, in which case the users combat perception is used to determine success.
Max Level: 5
Current Meridians:Head x3, Lung x2
Keywords: Academics, Intelligence, Perceptiveness, Projection, Moon, Secrets, Water, Yin
The arts of the great diviner have spread far and wide with time, their secrets no longer held in trust. This art has been said to be a descendant of the impeccable arts of the great horned sages. Perhaps as a starting point for more inquisitive youths. The curiosity and seeking nature of the new moon is clear in its influence here.
Passives
+15 to Combat Perception
+5 to Social Perception
+10 to Spiritual Avoid
+10 to Formations when deciphering arrays
+10 to Academics when researching new information
Inquisitive Study: D
Duration: Persistent
The user's eyes gleam briefly with a silver sheen as they study the object of their curiosity. The users perception increases greatly for up too two tests in a single scene, allowing them to discern many details that they might otherwise miss.
Seeking Moon's Eyes: C
Duration: Persistent
Conjures three reflective silver wisps the size of a coin. Expressions of the Diviner's curiosity, these wisps seek their parents interest eagerly. The wisps ignore wholly physical obstacles but cannot travel further than Close distance from their creator. The creator may see from the wisp's position as if they stood there themselves, though only in one direction at a time. This greatly increases their combat perception in the areas within which this sight overlaps.
Statblock
Health: G
Speed: C20, Initiative: D
Avoid: C10, Armor H
Watchful Moon Analysis: C
Duration: Immediate
Used in tandem with an damaging art, allows the users thoughts to far outspeed their limbs, greatly slowing their perception of the world, and allowing the user to pick out minute details that might otherwise be missed in the flows of an enemy or obstacles qi, and adjust the course of their blow. Through this the user ignores the effects of a single defensive technique of C rank or lower, or if none are active, penalizes the targets armor or avoid at the users discretion.
Initiate's Viewing Pool: C
[Non-Combat]
Requiring a surface of calm water at least two handspans wide, the user concentrates on a familiar person or place within five kilometers of their current position. The user is able to view the person or location in clear detail with both sight and hearing with perception equivalent to their own at a one rank reduction. This viewing may be opposed by arts or talismans of various types, in which case the users combat perception is used to determine success.
[] Thousand Ring Fortress
Passives
+10 bonus to Physical Armor of the user and all allies within Close range
+10 bonus to stamina and resolve of the user and allies within Close range
+10 bonus to Physical Armor vs poison and disease effects
H rank damage reduction vs poison or disease-permanent
Deepwood Vitality: C
Duration: Immediate
The user channels their qi into the earth, spreading like a great tangle of roots to link with up to twenty allies. The vital qi armors each fortifies each cultivator affected against a single attack, shattering if it is great enough but leaving the person beneath unharmed. The fortifying qi also attempts to dispel the lowest ranked debuff affecting the targets. Each ally beyond the first increases the cost of the technique by 3.
Ten Ring Defense: D
Duration: Persistent
This user fills themselves with the vital qi of the great forests to protect themselves and their allies from harm. Glowing verdant qi enshrouds their form, bright as the leaves of the Emerald Seas canopy. The shroud drinks in the qi of the battlefield and The shroud drinks in the qi granting G rank qi regen for each enemy(stacks to a maximum of C Rank), just as the leaves of spring and summer are restored from winters clutches. So long as battle is joined, this technique will never fade unless forcibly dispelled
Hundred Ring Armament: C
Duration: Long
Diffusing heavy wood qi through flesh and muscle the user armors themselves and their allies with the iron bark of primeval forests. Granting the user the resilience of a centennial tree, they may shrug off lesser attacks from bladed or piercing weapons, and endure even powerful ones. This effect may be extended to as many as ten allies, increasing the cost by 5 for each one.
Thousand Rings Unbreaking: B
Duration: Long
The eldest trees of the Emerald Seas are mighty things, ancient and nigh invulnerable, akin to living mountains. By calling upon the image of their power, the user gains some measure of their primeval resilience,ignoring minor wounds entirely, and lessening the effect of greater ones. Under this affect, the user becomes utterly immovable to enemy action, and cannot be grappled, unless the enemy's cultivation exceeds theirs by two levels or one realm. This effect may be extended to up to ten allies. So long as this effect is active, the user cannot be incapacitated, any blow that would reduce their health to that point instead reduces it to the lowest rank possible. On activation of this aspect, Thousand Rings Unbreaking is automatically dispelled. This effect may only activate once per scene.
+10 bonus to Physical Armor of the user and all allies within Close range
+10 bonus to stamina and resolve of the user and allies within Close range
+10 bonus to Physical Armor vs poison and disease effects
H rank damage reduction vs poison or disease-permanent
Deepwood Vitality: C
Duration: Immediate
The user channels their qi into the earth, spreading like a great tangle of roots to link with up to twenty allies. The vital qi armors each fortifies each cultivator affected against a single attack, shattering if it is great enough but leaving the person beneath unharmed. The fortifying qi also attempts to dispel the lowest ranked debuff affecting the targets. Each ally beyond the first increases the cost of the technique by 3.
Ten Ring Defense: D
Duration: Persistent
This user fills themselves with the vital qi of the great forests to protect themselves and their allies from harm. Glowing verdant qi enshrouds their form, bright as the leaves of the Emerald Seas canopy. The shroud drinks in the qi of the battlefield and The shroud drinks in the qi granting G rank qi regen for each enemy(stacks to a maximum of C Rank), just as the leaves of spring and summer are restored from winters clutches. So long as battle is joined, this technique will never fade unless forcibly dispelled
Hundred Ring Armament: C
Duration: Long
Diffusing heavy wood qi through flesh and muscle the user armors themselves and their allies with the iron bark of primeval forests. Granting the user the resilience of a centennial tree, they may shrug off lesser attacks from bladed or piercing weapons, and endure even powerful ones. This effect may be extended to as many as ten allies, increasing the cost by 5 for each one.
Thousand Rings Unbreaking: B
Duration: Long
The eldest trees of the Emerald Seas are mighty things, ancient and nigh invulnerable, akin to living mountains. By calling upon the image of their power, the user gains some measure of their primeval resilience,ignoring minor wounds entirely, and lessening the effect of greater ones. Under this affect, the user becomes utterly immovable to enemy action, and cannot be grappled, unless the enemy's cultivation exceeds theirs by two levels or one realm. This effect may be extended to up to ten allies. So long as this effect is active, the user cannot be incapacitated, any blow that would reduce their health to that point instead reduces it to the lowest rank possible. On activation of this aspect, Thousand Rings Unbreaking is automatically dispelled. This effect may only activate once per scene.
Qi regen becomes persistent, can shield larger squads.
Single use fatal blow avoidance.
[X] Curious Diviner's Eye
Think this plays better into the scouting mission.
The other two are better when it comes to combat, but we're pretty good at combat.
We don't have any equivalent for information gathering.
- Location
- Computer Desk
[X] Sable Crescent Step
A couple of notes/reminders:
- Sable Crescent Step is B rank. It's nice to have as a panic button, but not something we can use heavily with our current qi. Deepwood has been doing fine as a perfect anyway.
- Additionally, its armor bypass is actually kinda shit for us becuase it uses a physical attack. We can't use it to buff an HC sneak attack or something. Watchful Moon Analysis is probably actually our best option in this regard.
- CDE: We can only scry familiar people or places. Not that useful for our first outing here.
- Location
- Space
The big gain on CDE is the increase in duration for Seeking Moon's Eyes. Long -> Persistent is the difference between being able to turn it on when we know an enemy's there to scan for them and just being able to leave it on for the entire duration of the mission.
I agree. That and WMA (our best sneak attack buff to stack on OwS) going up to C rank are the reasons to go for CDE.
notanautomaton
I've got 99 quests, I've finished one
[X] Sable Crescent Step
- Location
- California
There are some decent advantages to finishing CDE now. The main issue if we choose CDE, however, is that we'll have to decide whether to slot it into our domain without seeing the insights from SCS and TRF. I personally think it's almost certain we'll choose to slot SCS, simply because of how important the art is narratively, but there's a good chance we'll only want to slot one of CDE and TRF. If we choose to train SCS now, we'll likely be able to see the possible insights from both CDE and TRF before choosing whether to slot them. We won't be able to do so if we choose either CDE or TRF now.
EDIT: According to yrsillar's post later in this thread, the domain insight votes are probably all going to be done at once either before or after we finish training the arts, so this post doesn't hold true anymore.
EDIT: According to yrsillar's post later in this thread, the domain insight votes are probably all going to be done at once either before or after we finish training the arts, so this post doesn't hold true anymore.
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The gown devours the stains actually. It probably enjoys being bathed in the blood of enemies
I'd note barbarians move around. A good strategy with CDE is to visit every water source in the scouted area, which will allow her to zoom in and listen when they actually visit the spot.
Hmmm... Actually. @yrsillar, given that we basically know we're going to have CDE, SCS, and TRF mastered this month, could it be beneficial to have the domain slotting vote in advance to allow you to better integrate the insights into the narrative? The training nission for example seems like the kind of thing that would have good opportunities for that...
[X] Curious Diviner's Eye
- Location
- The Star Kingdom of Manticore
I have been tempted away from the path please forgive me!
In all seriousness the boost to the eyes seems really good for scouting.
[X] Curious Diviner's Eye
In all seriousness the boost to the eyes seems really good for scouting.
[X] Curious Diviner's Eye
- Location
- Staring into the void
Inserted tally
1337Procrast
Fire Emblem Enjoyer
- Location
- Australia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] Curious Diviner's Eye
[X] Sable Crescent Step
Speaker4thesilen
Superpower: Common Sense
- Location
- Noneya Business
Hmm, something I had not considered. As such:
[X] Curious Diviner's Eye
