[LP CYOA] 傳

[Kipeci]

Will there be any potential chance to reclaim the glory, or have we cocked it up for good with our silly practical silk stuff?

 

[treave]

Unless you're willing to become the consort of the cult, no chance.

 

[TOME]

It's not like we will be cutting grass with the silk technique.

 

[Tribute]

So we're going to be dependent on Qilin for new silk indefinitely, then?

 

[Kipeci]

Unless you're willing to become the consort of the cult, no chance.

I wouldn't be averse to whoring Jing out to the crazy poison cult, just so long as we can also whore him out to the crazy fire cult and the mountain nunnery.

 

[Baltika9]

Completely off-topic question, but I'm very curious about it: does Europe of this timeline have any warriors that could match the Chinese pugilists? Say, a Norse berserker or veteran Varangian guard/viking, or an experienced Frankish/Germanic knight? Or maybe a crusader jacked up on FAITH! and RIGHTEOUSNESS! Just curious, really.

 

[TOME]

I don't see the silk running out if we use it only as a armor and as a weapon. But we might need to start practising condom selling if try to tie up every madman we meet. And besides, Qilin already invited Jing to show his skills in bed so all we need to do for endless silk supply is to save her.

 

[treave]

Completely off-topic question, but I'm very curious about it: does Europe of this timeline have any warriors that could match the Chinese pugilists? Say, a Norse berserker or veteran Varangian guard/viking, or an experienced Frankish/Germanic knight? Or maybe a crusader jacked up on FAITH! and RIGHTEOUSNESS! Just curious, really.

I wouldn't know. You'd have to get examples of common fantasy literature involving early medieval superhuman warriors. The powers in the wuxia setting revolve around qi, are pretty much magic, and there just isn't a Western equivalent that translates easily, unless you want to have paladins blessed with miracles wading into battle with their holy powers.

 

[Baltika9]

Well, the Vikings had their powers of getting high and shitfaced and going into battle with a raging hangover berserkergang, fell no pain and all that jazz; Dudes like Roland were considered blessed by GOD, so there's your paladin prototype. The Celtic druids drew their power from nature, and since the Muslims were hardcore enough to push back an entire faction with six Vahistas, then they definitely got some Allah going on. And the Slavs had their bogatyrs, men blessed by God/pagan Gods with inhuman prowess in different fields.
I'm just wondering if it's included in the setting, would we ever meet a mysterious wanderer from the West (not all that uncommon, Byzantium did send envoys and emissaries down to China, who sometimes succeeded, and sent some veteran soldiers with them, including the Varangians) and get a chance to learn some really mysterious stuff. Like going batshit insane in the middle of combat, Egil Skallagrimsson style, or like that guy at Stamford Bridge.

 

[Nevill]

But really if both choices led to Cao'er following us then the choices would probably be presented differently. We just have to tell her that we need her to look after the Emperor and get help for us, she will listen and that way someone will know we are in the tunnels. I mean if we drag her down too then Gao could just leave us all down there, and if we can not find a way out we are screwed.

Now, I know that talking is a free action, but you'd have to tell her that mid-flight. Jing is about to fall in a second.
And if we leave her, we'd have to forbid her to help us. A implies we will be searching a way out on our own, Ying will not lift a finger to help us, with or without her, and do you really want her wandering here alone?
If we tell Ying to take care of her (what a trustworthy guy, didn't he intend to kill us just minutes ago?), he'd probably heed the request and take her with him, by force, if needs be. No help will be forthcoming.

As for our ability to find a way out, the madman could do it, so at the very least we can confirm its existence. We'll need to find a way to either communicate with him, or follow him.

Not necessarily on instinct rather than logic. I see no reason, emotional or rational, why we should place Cao'er in such a shitty situation in B: completely blind in the tunnels (making her Immortal Eyes rather useless), a likely injured Jing whom she can't heal and a mercurial and nervous Qilin; all against a psychotic maniac that just slaughtered half of their escort and has perfect knowledge of the tunnels. Thing is, I think that two talented fighters at full health, like Jing and Qilin, stand a much better chance down there by themselves. They are good fighters, they are quick and well conditioned. Jing's hearing is pretty good to go by, so a third inexperienced person who has never been in life-or-death situations like these would be a liability. Which is why I consider A to be the best move: we're acrobatic enough to make the jump without injuring ourselves too badly, good enough to link up with Qilin and proceed from there.

False on most accounts. Immortal Eyes do not require light, making her the first to notice the madman. She can stabilize an injured Jing and/or Qilin even without the light (she might not be able to perform surgeries, but bandaging is doable, and she can see Qilin's meridians, making her skill in pressure points effective. As for the fighting skills, she is a fighter in her own right (though not on Jing's level), the only one who can see the madman, and the situation might not require fighting skills in the first place. Honestly, judging by the ease with which the madman overwhelmed Gao Ying, his immense qi, and his brutal strength, I don't know if fighting is advisable at all.

treave, can one's intentions be read through qi? Maybe having 'just fighters' down there would be limiting our choices.

 

[Fangshi]

Now, I know that talking is a free action, but you'd have to tell her that mid-flight. Jing is about to fall in a second.
And if we leave her, we'd have to forbid her to help us. A implies we will be searching a way out on our own, Ying will not lift a finger to help us, with or without her, and do you really want her wandering here alone?
If we tell Ying to take care of her (what a trustworthy guy, didn't he intend to kill us just minutes ago?), he'd probably heed the request and take her with him, by force, if needs be. No help will be forthcoming.

My point was mostly a "meta" one. There is little point in putting forward two choices if they both end with Jing and Cao'er in the hole. As for whether I would want Gao to forcibly take Cao'er out of a dangerous situation, yes I would rather have her safe than in the pit with us. And he may not be a trustworthy guy, but at this very moment he is trying to save our life, he won't succeed but he can still save Cao'er. As far as trustworthiness goes he may not be but to be fair neither is Jing. Jing breaks his word when it is convenient and seems to have an easier time with it than Gao does. Gao won't harm her, he did not harm her when they were waiting in the cave for Jing and he won't harm her now, absolute worst case scenario he uses her to make us fight him at some point down the line, she will still be safe though.

At any rate I simply think she will be better off in A than in B and Jing and Quilin can handle themselves.

I wouldn't know. You'd have to get examples of common fantasy literature involving early medieval superhuman warriors. The powers in the wuxia setting revolve around qi, are pretty much magic, and there just isn't a Western equivalent that translates easily, unless you want to have paladins blessed with miracles wading into battle with their holy powers.

As for equivalents to wuxia in the west, there are not really any modern examples that spring to mind but the old chanson de geste have the Frankish Paladins doing all sorts of badass things with the help of God. Fighting whole armies like in The Song of Roland or making love to a girl over one hundred times in one night like Oliver boasts he can in the Pilgrimage of Charlemagne, there is also the various Arthurian cycles that have the knights doing some fairly outrageous things but most of these stories are from the Medieval or Renaissance periods.

Edit: Some of Sir Walter Scott's stuff might also work, I remember a few passages from Ivanhoe where Robin Hood or Ivanhoe or the "Black Knight" perform fairly impressive martial feats.

Later examples could also include Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo given the Count's almost supernatural abilities, a few other examples also spring to mind. If we are talking about modern fiction then the western equivalent probably revolves around gunmen instead of practitioners of martial traditions, for example the "Man With No Name" would fit in well in at least some wuxia stories.

 

[Baltika9]

But really if both choices led to Cao'er following us then the choices would probably be presented differently. We just have to tell her that we need her to look after the Emperor and get help for us, she will listen and that way someone will know we are in the tunnels. I mean if we drag her down too then Gao could just leave us all down there, and if we can not find a way out we are screwed.

Now, I know that talking is a free action, but you'd have to tell her that mid-flight. Jing is about to fall in a second.
And if we leave her, we'd have to forbid her to help us. A implies we will be searching a way out on our own, Ying will not lift a finger to help us, with or without her, and do you really want her wandering here alone?

This is actually a good outcome: if we tell her to please watch the Emperor and that we are really relying on her to do that, then she will do so, if only out of loyalty to us. I really don't think that she'll be jumping in after us.

If we tell Ying to take care of her (what a trustworthy guy, didn't he intend to kill us just minutes ago?), he'd probably heed the request and take her with him, by force, if needs be. No help will be forthcoming.

And he's currently trying to save our life. Also, him keeping an eye on her is good in A, it guarantees she won't be coming after us, but will stay with the Emperor and probably report to Shun. And if she does report to Shun, then you can expect her to glare at him until he sends a scouting party after us.

False on most accounts. Immortal Eyes do not require light, making her the first to notice the madman. She can stabilize an injured Jing and/or Qilin even without the light (she might not be able to perform surgeries, but bandaging is doable, and she can see Qilin's meridians, making her skill in pressure points effective. As for the fighting skills, she is a fighter in her own right (though not on Jing's level), the only one who can see the madman, and the situation might not require fighting skills in the first place. Honestly, judging by the ease that the madman overwhelmed Gao Ying, his immense qi, and his brutal strength, I don't know if fighting is advisable at all.

It is confirmed that our hearing is as good as hers in the darkness, so the rattling of chains, stench of blood and the hate-filled moans of Li Ming will be enough to track the dude. Also, he Immortal Eyes are not night vision, all she can see are meridians and qi flow as long as it is within her line of sight, which means no seeing the man through walls. As a fighter she is nowhere near Jing's level, and has never faced a being as intimidating as this, so if worst comes to worst, she will just drag us down (not saying this to be a dick, just being realistic). Also, Jing won't be injured in the first place if he doesn't have to shield her with his body and makes a controlled jump with A.

And if the monster is open to diplomacy, a character with >3 CHA is the absolutely worst candidate to do it, dude. Basically, bringing her down there with us puts her at tremendous risk, pointlessly, and puts the mission at tremendous risk, pointlessly. If Qilin somehow got a sprained ankle from the fall, we're a competent enough medic to relocate it and keep going, we'll just have to run our hands up and down and around a little bit.

 

[Baltika9]

If we are talking about modern fiction then the western equivalent probably revolves around gunmen instead of practitioners of martial traditions, for example the "Man With No Name" would fit in well in at least some wuxia stories.

I'd say this:

Would be a nice portrait for Jing. Clint Eastwood's character fits him rather nicely.

 

[treave]

snip

So you have your answer about whether there is anything that can match the pugilists. Are they going to appear? No.

treave, can one's intentions be read through qi? Maybe having 'just fighters' down there would be limiting our choices.

What type of intentions? I suppose you could tell if someone is about to attack.

 

[Nevill]

As far as trustworthiness goes he may not be but to be fair neither is Jing. Jing breaks his word when it is convenient and seems to have an easier time with it than Gao does.

What does that have to do with anything? Whether or not we are of a reliable sort does not have a bearing on whether we should rely on someone.

He'll take care of her for as long as he thinks us dead. When we prove that we aren't, I have no idea what he is going to do next. He is a very contradictory person, but what he said here does not inspire faith in that our relationship with him will turn out alright. We are still a threat to Shun that he would be glad to rid of.

And he's currently trying to save our life.

He also kind of wanted to kill us. We did him a favor, he did us a favor, we are cool. Back to square one, i.e. trying to kill us.

And if she does report to Shun, then you can expect her to glare at him until he sends a scouting party after us.

It is weeks until they reach Guzhou! By that time we won't be needing help anyway - we'll either be free or dead.

It is confirmed that our hearing is as good as hers in the darkness, so the rattling of chains, stench of blood and the hate-filled moans of Li Ming will be enough to track the dude.

She has sight when it comes to him or Qilin. We don't.
If Qilin in unconscious, how do you find her? By excercising your hearing?

And if the monster is open to diplomacy, a character with >3 CHA is the absolutely worst candidate to do it, dude.

She can't speak in full sentences, and she is shy - that is where her CHA 3 comes from. She does not know how to talk to people. But since the madman's ears are sealed with wax, their conversation can not be verbal anyway.
She is a smart and kind girl, and she can heal people.

Basically, bringing her down there with us puts her at tremendous risk, pointlessly, and puts the mission at tremendous risk, pointlessly.

Tremendous risk... of what? Stop making her a liability, she is not the helpless girl she was 3 years ago that clinged to you at the first sign of trouble. She wants to be of use to you! The scene when she helped you took down the soldiers and then patched them up was absolutely badass.

What type of intentions? I suppose you could tell if someone is about to attack.

Whether they are hostile, or afraid, or are ready to backstab you - that kind of thing.

Cao'er is the least bloodthirsty type down there, and seeing as how the madman probably perceives the world through his qi, I am wondering if Cao'er's presense may change things.

 

[Baltika9]

Yeah, she can throw things at people and strike them in their pressure points, that;s true, a great support character. This right here is man that was tortured for decades, he doesn't know pain, his meridians are continually pierced with needles through the iron chestguard, he can collapse tunnels with a headbutt, his neiggong is unstoppable. If she wants to be of use, she can do so by making sure the Emperor is delivered safely, not everyone is suited to everything, and this is one thing she is not suited to: facing a machine of pure hate. With an injured Jing at her side whom she cannot completely heal on the spot, what the fuck are we gonna do? Hope he sees her tender soul and drops to his knees (that'll sting like a bitch) and weep like a babe, like the lions before Jesus? No, I don't think so, and Qilin is too agile and skilled in qinggong to just get KO'd like this, at most she sprained an ankle or bruised a side, and even that I doubt. We're falling pretty close to one another, so if she's moving, then we'll hear her.

 

[Fangshi]

What does that have to do with anything? Whether or not we are of a reliable sort does not have a bearing on whether we should rely on someone.

Factors into the thought process, he may have tried to kill us sure but that does not mean he will hurt Cao'er. I am just saying that we are actually in no position to judge Gao as a man based on the little interaction we have had with him, he does seem to have a code and I think she will be fine with him. He is probably more reliable than Jing is all honestly. I don't think he will harm her just to get to us, he may hold her captive but he is just as likely to let her go. Anything could happen down the road, the immediate choice is between dragging her down with us or trying to get her out of here. I just think Jing would try to save her is all.

 

[Nevill]

Here you go again, with the fighting aspect. The machine of pure hate is not directed at just anyone, only at the Emperor. People were passing freely through the tunnels until we showed up with Taisheng.

The only thing she can ensure with the Emperor is that he receives her medical attention if he needs it - if Gao Ying decides to rethink his priorities yet again, she is certainly not going to stop him and the rest of his men.

Whatever you choose, you will be taking risks either way.

 

[Baltika9]

Whatever you choose, you will be taking risks either way.

Obviously, it's just a question of whether or not we want to drag her down into the abyss along with us and likely get injured doing so. Which is both idiotic and not at all like Jing.

Edit:

snip

So you have your answer about whether there is anything that can match the pugilists. Are they going to appear? No.

Well, the examples are obvious, was just wonder if they were a part of the setting. Ah well, no European swordplay/Nordic axeplay for us then. Hopefully we can still learn how to go berserk from someone else, or just do it ourselves with Yunashi Hundun.

 

[Nevill]

If there was an option 'you drag Gao Ying with you and try to position him so that he would cushion your fall', we wouldn't have to argue anywhere near that much.

 

[Baltika9]

And if it were, "Grab Cao'er and use her to cushion your fall," there would be no argument either. Excpet we're risking a very likely injury to ourselves in a less-than-ideal situation for that.

 

[Rex Feral]

Nice to see you root
When's the next Dirge update coming ?

 

[treave]

Whether they are hostile, or afraid, or are ready to backstab you - that kind of thing.

Cao'er is the least bloodthirsty type down there, and seeing as how the madman probably perceives the world through his qi, I am wondering if Cao'er's presense may change things.

It is not impossible, that's all I'll say. But Cao'er can't do that right now even with her eyes.

 

[MystiKnight]

Whether they are hostile, or afraid, or are ready to backstab you - that kind of thing.

Cao'er is the least bloodthirsty type down there, and seeing as how the madman probably perceives the world through his qi, I am wondering if Cao'er's presense may change things.

It is not impossible, that's all I'll say. But Cao'er can't do that right now even with her eyes.

Wait, can someone remind me what triggers Cao'er's full psychotic mode? And if that'll be of any use to us?

Heck, even if it doesn't end up being useful, I just wanna see where Psycho!Cao'er leads us.

 

[Baltika9]

Into our grave, probably. Going psycho around this dude is really the worst thing to do in our situation. As for triggers, well, no one knows for certain, although I imagine Jing being in mortal peril would be one of them.