[LP CYOA] 傳

[Nevill]

Yunzi and the Nie are at a perfect stalemate. Having a dozen fighters rush to her aid will give her the advantage she needs. If the twins are focusing on evading the dozen youths, that gives Yunzi all the openings she needs. It's an eady job that they can handle. More than that, they'll be happy to do it.

Hello? The orthodoxes have 150 people, and the Cult has 100, of which only 50 or so are available. This dozen of youths will not make it through a hundred of their enemies to reach Yunzi:

They are also being separated from each other by the more numerous orthodox pugilists, though does not seem to be an intentional strategy of the orthodox side.

They are trying to flee, for fuck's sake!

 

[Zero Credibility]

That can be prevented:

Didn't notice that, so much discuss going on. Still, two of our main rivals (for the title of the best fighter and for a potential harem member) are locked in mortal combat, why the hell would we want to interfere as a third side at this point beyond simply trolling them? Let them tire and bleed each other out a bit before we get involved. BJ wanted to fight us when we were wounded, didn't he? Let's return the favour to him. We on the other hand can take out the cannon fodder troops easily thanks to our team and the element of surprise. Conserve our strength while we save lives at the same time, I like that. Then take them all out - the cultists attacking Guo Fu, Guo Fu himself if we can't talk him into standing down, ditto for Yunzi, the twins (stripping time!), Vahista and BJ. Kind of like showing up and saying "enough games kids, look at the mess you made!".

Let's not delude ourselves - the outcome of the battle is decided in this choice. We are not prompted to choose the course of action every 5 minutes.

Nah, we don't know that. Yunzi and the twins are in a stalemate, I don't care if Vahista and BJ kill each other, and Guo Fu is holding his own for now. The newbie cultists are the ones that need help the most, they are getting killed right now. There is at least a reasonable chance other fights will still be here when we wrap that one up.

 

[Nevill]

I must have missed something, but what's the rational for D? I'm inclined to move from my current B vote after treave's outline, but seems like if we want to hit the heads, it's B, if we want to help the escape, it's C (maybe C3 to play traffic cop), if we want to troll, it's A. But why bother with the least important characters?

To minimize casualties while the Saint breaks them out, or until Vahista goes through Bai Jiutian (he has the upper hand), grabs Yunzi and goes past Guo Fu. Once Guo Fu is out of the way, the Cult will flee, too.

Unless they are stupid enough to cover the retreat of their Maiden or something.

Nah, we don't know that.

I am not talking about how time consuming it is, I am talking meta here. We only get one choice to decide the outcome of the event.

 

[Azira]

It's going to be fun when the sword saint decides to stop Jing, because Jing's dangerous..

 

[Baltika9]

I must have missed something, but what's the rational for D? I'm inclined to move from my current B vote after treave's outline, but seems like if we want to hit the heads, it's B, if we want to help the escape, it's C (maybe C3 to play traffic cop), if we want to troll, it's A. But why bother with the least important characters?

Because saving the youths does the following:
More rep points the temple and more gratitude from them.
We can sendvthem to help Yunzi out, it's an easy job to help their holy maiden against two girls. Not like they can run anywhere with all paths blocked off.
We take the Kunlun and Taishan out, which means they can't kill off the Fire cultists in other areas, or help in subduing Vahista and Yunzi.
And Yunzi and Vahista will definitely approve of it after all is said and done.

 

[treave]

It's going to be fun when the sword saint decides to stop Jing, because Jing's dangerous..

Not impossible, that.

 

[Nevill]

Because saving the youths does the following:

I believe Tigranes is asking how would you save them, because the battle is being decided elsewhere. If the Fire Cult fares poorly on other fronts, the youths die all the same.

Edit: Never mind, I might be mistaken.

 

[Absinthe]

The nature of the Saint's actions is determined by your stance. If you go with 2, you'll be asking him to help the underdogs.

We don't decide for him what he does. We can only hope that if our interests are the same, we will end up on the same side. If we side with the Fire Cult, then quite possibly we won't have his assistance. He was leaning toward Orthodox in the update, so he might end up our enemy in this case.

As if he is not going to join into the fray if he likes what we're doing.

If we're fighting Vahista and Bai Jiutian, he might be interested in observing his disciple's performance. Especially since most of the opponents here are beneath his level (mostly Sword Saint; Vahista is worn). On the other hand, if he decides to "show us how it's done" or provide "suggestions" then all bets are off.

There is no victory for them here. They are fleeing after their god has been killed. They are panicking.

We don't know anything about this. They are fleeing because the squeeze is on them for now.

Even if Vahista kills BJ, he is not going to rally them, he'll just grab Yunzi and run for it.

That's a possibility. Not a certainty. But if Vahista kills BJ with our assistance, direct or indirect, then he's also free to level the battlefield and tip the scales for the Fire Temple's victory

Didn't notice that, so much discuss going on. Still, two of our main rivals (for the title of the best fighter and for a potential harem member) are locked in mortal combat, why the hell would we want to interfere as a third side at this point beyond simply trolling them? Let them tire and bleed each other out a bit before we get involved. BJ wanted to fight us when we were wounded, didn't he? Let's return the favour to him.

Then vote B3. The combat has already been going on for a while. They are already tiring each other out and wounded. Waiting any more is just going to pass up on this opportunity.

We on the other hand can take out the cannon fodder troops easily thanks to our team and the element of surprise.

Our team can already take out the cannon fodder themselves. Jing doesn't need to help with that.

Then take them all out - the cultists attacking Guo Fu, Guo Fu himself if we can't talk him into standing down, ditto for Yunzi, the twins (stripping time!), Vahista and BJ. Kind of like showing up and saying "enough games kids, look at the mess you made!".

Dude, seriously, you should vote 3. That has 3 written all over it. The 2 vote is not going to be this.

Nah, we don't know that. Yunzi and the twins are in a stalemate, I don't care if Vahista and BJ kill each other, and Guo Fu is holding his own for now. The newbie cultists are the ones that need help the most, they are getting killed right now. There is at least a reasonable chance other fights will still be here when we wrap that one up.

If we vote 2 then we are siding with the cultists in the overall fight though. Also, those cultists that are we're rescuing still have no escape so they're just going to join the fight elsewhere (with our assistance).

 

[Baltika9]

Because all other fronts are static. Guo and Yunzi are at stalemates, and Vahista is having trouble with BJ. It is reasonable to beleive that the situation in those three won't change too much if we don't interfere right now.

The only ones in solid danger are the dozen or so youths ( treave, can Cao'er spot their exact numbers? A 'couple dozen' is kinda hazy) are the guys in D. They are about to die without any interference.

 

[treave]

Their exact number would not matter at all. A dozen is a precise measurement as far as I am concerned, though.

 

[Baltika9]

Just curious, is all. But whatever. Absinthe, I thinl you're hamsterwheeling on account of the Cult. The guys are trying to break out of here, their whole leadership save for Vahista has been crushed under a mountain and presumed dead, they are getting slaughteted by a numerically superior enemy and their Holy Maiden is in danger. Vahista isn't dumb enough to stretch his luck like that, he's definitely trying to GTFO.

 

[Baltika9]

If we vote 2 then we are siding with the cultists in the overall fight though. Also, those cultists that are we're rescuing still have no escape so they're just going to join the fight elsewhere (with our assistance).

This is completely false:

The stance in the first choice only relates to that particular fight, you're not expected to fight the entire field.

 

[Zero Credibility]

Didn't notice that, so much discuss going on. Still, two of our main rivals (for the title of the best fighter and for a potential harem member) are locked in mortal combat, why the hell would we want to interfere as a third side at this point beyond simply trolling them? Let them tire and bleed each other out a bit before we get involved. BJ wanted to fight us when we were wounded, didn't he? Let's return the favour to him.

Then vote B3. The combat has already been going on for a while. They are already tiring each other out and wounded. Waiting any more is just going to pass up on this possibility.

Not enough, I want them to bleed more. Each second they spend fighting each other instead of us is a definite advantage in my book.

We on the other hand can take out the cannon fodder troops easily thanks to our team and the element of surprise.

Our team can already take out the cannon fodder themselves. Jing doesn't need to help with that.

I don't think we were even given the option of sending our team separately. Were we?

Then take them all out - the cultists attacking Guo Fu, Guo Fu himself if we can't talk him into standing down, ditto for Yunzi, the twins (stripping time!), Vahista and BJ. Kind of like showing up and saying "enough games kids, look at the mess you made!".

Dude, seriously, you should vote 3. That has 3 written all over it. The 2 vote is not going to be this.

The allegiance vote only covers the fight we are getting directly involved into, it is perfectly possible to go for other approaches in other fights. Here, I just can't make myself beat up a bunch of kids that are trying to run away. Maybe they can run somewhere else or take cover, maybe we can then order them to stand down. If they try to mess up our plans later, then take them down as well, sure.

 

[Absinthe]

Baltika9, if the battle swings in his favor (which it would, with our assistance), he might prefer a decisive victory over a retreat. Retreating loses face and it leaves your enemy intact. Dealing a decisive blow might be better. Also, the Holy Maiden isn't in danger as soon as the battle swings in her favor, and she might even win that 1v2 battle on her own. The real danger to her is if more Orthodox attack her while she's occupied. If Bai Jiutian is defeated and Vahista goes on (and Xu Jing joins Fire Temple side), then Fire Temple wins (unless Sword Saint interferes).

There's a high chance that a 2 vote results in Fire Cult making a comeback victory, and then the Sword Saint intervenes. OR if Zhang Jue shows up, then he fucks shit up royally.

 

[Baltika9]

Baltika9, if the battle swings in his favor (which it would, with our assistance), he might prefer a decisive victory (which would be possible, with our assistance) over a retreat. Retreating loses face and it leaves your enemy intact. Dealing a decisive blow might be better. Also, the Holy Maiden isn't in danger as soon as the battle swings in her favor, and she might even win that 1v2 battle on her own. The real danger to her is if more Orthodox attack her while she's occupied. If Bai Jiutian is defeated and Vahista goes on (and Xu Jing joins Fire Temple side), then Fire Temple wins (unless Sword Saint interferes).

There's a high chance that a 2 vote results in Fire Cult makes a comeback victory, and Sword Saint intervenes. OR if Zhang Jue shows up, the he fucks shit up royally.

Yeah no, you're counting in too many unaccountable factors and trying to make helping the Cult look like a horrible idea, which is unfair in my opinion.

 

[Nevill]

They are going to make a comeback... with what army? Half of their forces is busy trying to get out of the pass.

We are not helping them beyond saving their youths, mind you. There is no 'siding with the Fire Cult until they win' option available. Not yet, anyway.

 

[Absinthe]

Not enough, I want them to bleed more. Each second they spend fighting each other instead of us is a definite advantage in my book.

They've bled enough anyway, and if the Sword Saint helps us, then it's going to be a quick end.

I don't think we were even given the option of sending our team separately. Were we?

Don't think so, but treave already weighed in on what they'd do:

If you go to A, the girls will be executing Operation Maiden Capture after you attract everyone's attention. If you go to B, they'll smartly stay away and disable other fighters from afar, since B is the most dangerous site. If you go to C and D, they'll come in and help to clean up in the aftermath.

What Murong does will depend on what his master tells him to do.

Yeah no, you're counting in too many unaccountable factors and trying to make helping the Cult look like a horrible idea, which is unfair in my opinion.

Here's how I see it: If Vahista wins, then he's free to bust out Yunzi, at which point the two of them are a big enough force to turn the fight towards a decisive victory. Guo Fu might be holding up 50 people, but if they're no longer trying to escape, he's probably not going to take out 50 by himself. And if Jing actually sides with the Fire Cult on the whole, then the Cult is definitely going to win, barring intervention.

 

[Kipeci]

Also, a B3 vote is most likely to be in line with what Zhang Jue wants, which is important not just because it'll make him happy down the road that we're proving our skills, but because if he does show up (as the Sword Saint is expecting) he might boss us around and/or join the fray if we he doesn't like what we're doing.

What does he care? We're on vacation, we've given him the emperor and a nifty training opportunity, I don't think he could care less. If he does give us tips, great, maybe we'll learn something. If we are getting mopped all over the floor, though, I imagine that that's something he wouldn't be happy to see, and that could definitely happen if we take on both of these very powerful guys at the same time.

While the cultists seem to be trying to make a break for it at the present, they might just as easily try to push for victory if they see the opportunity. In that case, it's still best for us to be on our own side because it decreases the chances of the two sides wanting to defeat the other (because we'll be in the middle).

It's actually not. If the cultists are in the clear and then decide to start beating on the Orthodox sects, and that bothers you for some reason, then we could just switch to start attacking them at that point. They'll be more worn out than they are now, and we wouldn't also be fighting against the Orthodox guys at the same time. You take one after the other when possible up against large groups, not everyone at once.

If Vahista does make a break for it with our assistance, then it could quite possibly result in Guo Fu getting killed, which is also not an outcome we want.

If Vahista's strong enough to straight kill Guo Fu before we could do anything to convince either one away, how in the world do you think Jing can beat Vahista? You do remember that while we won our last match with Guo Fu, he was standing while we were unconcious at the end, right?

Our goal is to get both sides to back down from the fight, it seems. In that case, I'd rather vote B3. With our new skills, their battle-worn conditions, and our allies, it should be doable to get both sides to back down.

The only side that needs to back off is the Orthodox, there's no reason to waste the Fire Cult's guys. They've lost and just want to leave, killing their guys 'becaz ur fyting!!' is a stupendously dickish move.

 

[Absinthe]

If Vahista's strong enough to straight kill Guo Fu before we could do anything to convince either one away, how in the world do you think Jing can beat Vahista? You do remember that while we won our last match with Guo Fu, he was standing while we were unconcious at the end, right?

Jing is strong enough to kill Guo Fu too. I think treave weighed in on this a while ago and said that if Jing were fighting Guo Fu with actual intent to kill, the fight would be much more in his favor. Also, Jing is much stronger presently than he was then. Not to mention his qinggong can eat away at Guo Fu's defense.

 

[Nevill]

If Jing actually sides with the Fire Cult on the whole, then the Cult is definitely going to win.

And if the Gods decide to intervene, we might relocate to Bai Jiutian's head and come up with another cunning plan.

It was said time and time again, the choice we make does not carry to the whole battlefield.

Also, Jing is much stronger presently than he was then. Not to mention his qinggong can really eat away at Guo Fu's defense.

And Guo Fu has formal training now. Not to mention that it was said that Jing would sooner die of old age than drain Guo Fu of his qi reserves.

 

[Kipeci]

Jing is strong enough to kill Guo Fu too. I think treave weighed in on this a while ago and said that if Jing were fighting Guo Fu with actual intent to kill, the fight would be much more in his favor. Also, Jing is much stronger presently than he was then. Not to mention his qinggong can eat away at Guo Fu's defense.

I don't remember any such comment, but I do remember Jing landing claw attacks on Guo Fu that did absolutely nothing, the very same claw attacks that he later used to scale rocky cliffs. Jing was going after Guo Fu pretty hard (nothing held back, remember?) and only managed to bust a few ribs or so. Jing is stronger since then and has nifty neigong tricks, sure, but that's irrelevant to my original point that still stands-- Guo Fu is way, way more powerful defensively than Xu Jing, yes? If Vahista doesn't care and can off him before we can bring up any objection to it, he has the same ability to do that to us if we annoy him by challenging him. In which case, if this is a valid objection against teaming up with the Fire Cult, then it's an absolutely awful one to face Vahista. So what is it?

 

[Rex Feral]

Guys I think If you go with B3A the fight will be very short, Sword Saint kills Vahista in 2 blows, Bai Jiutan stands down, Fire Cult is overwhelmed and all the cultists captured. Sounds like stopping the fight in the most shortest and lazy way, exactly the way the sword saint would prefer.

Also if the cultists get captured although most will be shown mercy, Yunzi and few other relevant figures will surely get executed, because they are dangerous for the country.

 

[Nevill]

Sword Saint kills Vahista in 2 blows

The Sword Saint does not kill... probably. It is not like he beats them to death with the sheath. And it is yet unknown if he is going to participate in this particular fight.

Why would he attack Vahista, but not Jiutian? Yandi suggested attacking both sides. Why would Bai stand down?

Fire Cult is overwhelmed

Is that the goal of the Saint? Doesn't look like it.

all the cultists captured

Is that the goal of the orthodoxes? Doesn't look like it.

This just does not make sense.

Edit:

Also if the cultists get captured although most will be shown mercy, Yunzi and few other relevant figures will surely get executed, because they are dangerous for the country.

I believe the country officials have a say in such matters.

 

[Rex Feral]

He's the sword saint. Killing is his basic living. Sword Saints or Kensei are people that have mastered the sword to a divine level.

Notable kensei were Miyamoto Musashi, Tsukahara Bokuden, Ito Ittosai Kagehisa , Yagyu Hyogonosuke, Higaonna Kanryō, Chojun Miyagi. I will remind you that Miyamoto Musashi has killed over 70 people at once during a dispute with a sword school. This sword saint doesn't look better than him.

Sword Saints are not Saints in the Christian way, quite the opposite in fact, they are people that kill for a living and for amusement. Although he might know non lethal techniques, I doubt he will bother using them.

Also he stated that the cultists are an enemy of the state but that they should be shown mercy from the victors. And that is exactly what he will do. He will save their lives by killing their leadership. With Vahista and Yunzi out of the way they will no longer be a threat for the country, and they no longer have to die.

Guys I really think we should reconsider taking him along.

 

[Nevill]

He's the sword saint. Killing is his basic living.

I beg to differ. He mastered the sword to a degree where he does not unsheathe it to fight. I take it that he is mostly employing non-lethal techniques for the regular foes.

He will save their lives by killing their leadership. With Vahista and Yunzi out of the way they will no longer be a threat for the country, and they no longer have to die.

Except that they will sooner die themselves than let their Holy Maiden come to harm.

Look, you don't know what he will do. We already have people mourning Qilin because OMG Death Flags!, we already have people mourning Guo Fu because OMG Vahista Superhuman!, no need to add Yunzi to this list because OMG Master Swordsman With Murky Allegiances!