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File: 2nd Primarch 2.jpg (1.07 MB, 2581x1629)
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Previous threads: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=The%202nd%20Primarch%20Quest

You are Lieren, great hunter of the wilds, friend and savior of the common, hero of the rebellion, virtuous sower of prosperity, benevolent giant from nothing, patriarch of the wanderers in the fog sect of "cultivators", wise inventor and father of "The Journey" Philosophy. And oath brother to the recently crowned and named king of the new dynasty, Long-Jia Jinhai. You are also one of the emperor's sons, a primarch and you've recently encountered the astral avatar of one of your similarly astray brothers, Magnus the Red of Prospero.

Your first deed in the name of the new government and the peaceful era it embodies, was to investigate troubling rumors and accounts of entire villages vanishing from the Huang region. Fearing the work of a malevolent force, you left the former capital city, which was now named Carp's Celestial Ascent, and endeavored to solve the unsettling crisis befalling the people of the Huang province. Choosing to focus your investigation on the local most likely to reveal to you the secret of these bizarre vanishings, you lead your party drawn from the membership of your personal guard and headed towards the site of one of the latest reported vanishings.

A quiet travelers' town built around the inn that gave it its name. Stubborn Ox's Rest, where a unit of veteran soldiers, well armed in both armaments and experience had gone missing when they sought to investigate the silent ruins of the town personally. Arriving at dusk, you discovered what remained of the unit, tattered and half mad. And you discovered the source of their woes. A member of the Aeldari race, a bandit from the stars raiding the country side to feed its hunger for torment and fresh slaves. Stealing knowledge from the wretched creature's mind, you began to hunt down the rest of the alien invaders. A treacherous family of vipers, that served their mutual progenitor and lord out of fear and ambition rather than any familial love.

The trap you laid for the two you tracked, left Xin with only one arm, and Bai and Red Faced Wei nearly consumed by their desire for vengeance. Calming your friends, and ordering them to relent on their suicidal wish to follow you into the viper's den, they stayed with the rest of your companions, tending to the injured Xin as you once more walked the fogs to bring justice upon the Aeldari and their wicked lord Patriarch, the self styled lord of the Stellar hunt Cearnarch.

Enraged by the visions of atrocity that their Aeldari brigands decorated their camps with and delighted in committing, you released the half starved Fog panthers and Tigers they managed to imprison, before infiltrating their star ship to confront lord Cearnarch personally.

He provided little challenge, even with a cybernetically enhanced and tortured dragon as his steed.
cont
>>
>>4906959

Breaking the proud slaver's conceit by forcing the revelation of the inevitability of death and time's unconquerable passing, you drove him to a panicked frenzy and thus lead him to his ignominious defeat. Interrogating him and stealing away his memories with the Lotus Scepter, you learned of the two champions he mentioned before you began to enact retribution for his countless crimes. And learned they were heading for Stubborn Ox's Rest, as if drawn to your presence there earlier.

Gripped by cold fury, you released the dragon from its suffering and began to free the numerous captives taken by the raiders from the stars, unable to leave the innocent in the clutches of such sadist even whilst your own friends and oath brothers may be battling for their lives.
-

The cages broke easily, the Guandao forged of Kanzeon's flesh cut through their bars with contemptuous ease. The electricity coursing through the alien materials sparked and flew freely into the air in great arcs and sickles of death. The night was illuminated by the dread glow of the Aeldari's broken technology. The native captives rushed to your side, the moment they were able to perceive your eyes through the shroud of fog both natural and artificial. And it was then you saw the true depth of the raider's unrestrained cruelty. Eyes were plucked out, tongues were shorn off, and men, women and children alike hobbled forward on broken legs. Red marks of lash marred the skin on their backs and chest. A young boy lead his blind mother or elder sister forward, his remaining eye glimmering with hope as he stumbled forward on a leg twisted at a thirty degree angle from its natural placement

You stood in silent fury, shepparding the abused away from the conflict between the panthers and the monsters from distant stars. Helping a man pull the metal wire that had been sewn between his lips, you lift your head to look upon the cages holding men from other worlds seeded with humanity. Decendants of survivors of the long night. They beheld you with equal parts dread and awe, unsure of what to make of you

They could tell at a glance you were not ordinarily human, but they could also discern with the very same glance you were not the kin of their tormenters

"Oh a thousand praises to you Lieren!" the man cries as soon as he is able to move his jaw "Most virtuous under the heaven! Benevolent son of nothing, valorous hero of prosperity! I am indebted to you for a hundred life times"

An Aeldari hears his wild praises and the quiet sobs of children and brutalized mothers and fathers. The fool doesn't get within ten paces of your flock before you cleave him in twain with a flick of your Guandao

"Save your praises for when you are safe and away from this bloodshed, now is no time to prostrate yourself and applaud my heroism. The deed has not yet been done! Stand! and walk in my shadow. There are worse beasts than panthers stalking these fogs!" You command, lashing your arms outwards
cont
>>
>>4906961

Accidentally knocking unconscious a Aeldari fleeing from the jaws of an infuriated panther.

Kicking the alien's not so suspiciously malfunctioning dark lance away, you whip your head to the side. Iron strands of hair fall before you eyes as you motion for the devastated victims to move onwards. Lifting a young man, whose had both of his leg's fractured in at least a dozen areas, into your arms you look towards the foreigners and smile gently.

And send them a message spoke through wind whispering
-
Ol Winchester had seen a many strange things in his long life on the prairie. But none were queerer than the feller who stood before him, all smoke and fire, looking like he jumped out of a locomotives engine more than he did his mother's belly. Big ol boy, standing taller than a crooked tree came out oh the mists and fogs like a seething specter of justice manfest in flesh. Now Ol Winchester has been around for many years; perhaps a few too many, but in all his days he had never seen a man quite as peculiar as the giant that stood before him clear as a spring rain.

Even them sky devils were ordinary compared to this colossus of a man. Was easier on the eyes than any girl he had seen on the ranges in his time to! Yet he stank of the threat a hard drinking and hard fighting slinger gave off when they road into town from the wastes. Hair like wrought iron, eyes like the blazing sun, scars that showed he knew his way in a brush, and a bladed crook that looked to be able to sunder a mountain from its roots up!

Spoke like a saloon's sweet singer, but moved about like he had caught lightning in his veins. Obviously this titanic belvidere was a bull round here, wherever here was. Cause he was giving the sky devils a thrashing unlike any other. Nah Ol winchester had been caged with a bunch of youngin abandons, and he took it upon himself and his withered hide to bare their sufferings in their stead. Keeping the next generation safe from harm as it were. And they were right frightened out of their britches at the sight of this big ornery bull raging about, snapping wrought iron like he was breaking apart tumbleweeds and tossing the varmints around or cutting clean through them like they was butter.

But Ol Winchester knew he was nothing to fear, even though those eyes of his blazed with the fires from ol scratch's own cottage, he was a good feller. Had real gentle eyes, like a father or lover. Despite how tall he stood, or how broad he was, he was a man like any other, if only ten times as brave and mean.

The old rattle handler turned to his charges and cooed for them to be quiet, and ignore the overgrown cats leaping to and fro like sparks from an anvil. They knew who was boss round here, and he wasn't intending to do them no harm.

Though it was hard for the old man to feel certain of that when the fiery eyed bull stepped to him and look at him with a stare that could shoot a hole through a wall.
cont
>>
>>4906962

"Do not fear, I bring salvation as the rains bring life. Tell your charges it is safe to leave their cage. No harm shall come to them from man, panther or devil whilst I still stand" A voice trickled in Winchester's skull like old rain "Come grandfather, allow this humble hunter to lead you to safer quarters"

"Ah hell!" He exclaimed, reaching to grab the giant's hand.

And he ain't never seen a more confused look in any eyes be they set in a man's head or a critters, than he did when he took the giant's hand and gave it a mighty shake.
-

The foreigners are an odd breed. They walk weirdly and speak strangely, and holler like mountain apes as they gather on the Raider you've "procured" from a group of Aeldari attempting to flee the mayhem you have sown. The Shangralans in your care give the outsiders a wide birth, as any man would to see men so broken down suddenly dance and cheer with such ferocity! The eldest among them, who you've found to refer to him as "Old" Winch Ester from brief contact with his thoughts, waves a straw woven hat in the air as his flock of dirt speckled faced children gather with together and make rather rude seeming gestures towards the aliens being devoured alive in front of their very eyes.

The majority of the captives, which near a thousand count by your estimates, are these odd foreigners who smell like the dust filled air of the lands formerly held by the Cui.

"What odd men" The man whose lips had been stitched shut mutters.

"I've think their minds have been addled by their interment, the poor souls" A woman sighs, clinging tightly to her daughter as an anchor of sanity

"So they're crazy then? or are they just born from monkeys?" A young boy innocently asks, scratching at the bandage hiding his empty eye socket "They're certainly hoot enough to be monkeys"

"Maybe they're vishnu turned pale from fear?" An older man suggests

You uncomfortably squeeze yourself on the dagger tipped throne that sits at the end of the Raider, and tap you fingers on the numerous switches, buttons and runes that dot its arms. The raider rises from the surface, thrumming with an unseen energy as it levitates and floats like a leaf in water.

Stray spears of dark light pierce the fog, as explosions rumble the canyon walls of Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder. With all the grace of a swallow in flight, you escape from the Aeldari's encampment with every life you could save huddled before you, pressed together like salted eels.

The slaves have been freed, but now there's much worse to contend with and overcome. The mysterious warriors Cearnarch tracked to Stubborn Ox's rest. A chill washes down your spine from the base of your neck. There is no time to be wasted, you must return with haste!
cont
>>
>>4906962

What shall you do, Lieren?
> Tend to the wounds of the captives and find them secure shelter, before returning to Stubborn Ox's rest

>Block of the canyon's exit with the explosives you have left, to ensure any surviving Aeldari do not escape to prey upon the countryside again.

>Just race as quickly as the Raider you pilot is able to back to Stubborn Ox's rest, landing it a safe distance away from the town itself

>Attempt to aid your friends spiritually by reversing the "Mien of the companion loyal and true", thus performing the "The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels", the same technique you utilized a variation of to guard your disiples in their trek into your memories and the empyrean!

>write in

And here we are, at the quest's tenth thread. incredible!
>>
>>4906968
>>Attempt to aid your friends spiritually by reversing the "Mien of the companion loyal and true", thus performing the "The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels", the same technique you utilized a variation of to guard your disiples in their trek into your memories and the empyrean!
>>
>>4906968
>>Just race as quickly as the Raider you pilot is able to back to Stubborn Ox's rest, landing it a safe distance away from the town itself
>>Attempt to aid your friends spiritually by reversing the "Mien of the companion loyal and true", thus performing the "The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels", the same technique you utilized a variation of to guard your disiples in their trek into your memories and the empyrean!
>>write in
Use the onboard mounted weapons and strafe/destroy the remaining vehicles here. Without transport, the rest will be easily hunted down by us when we have the time.
>>
>>4906983
Support
>>
>>4906968
>>Just race as quickly as the Raider you pilot is able to back to Stubborn Ox's rest, landing it a safe distance away from the town itself
>>
>>4906968
> Tend to the wounds of the captives and find them secure shelter, before returning to Stubborn Ox's rest
>Attempt to aid your friends spiritually by reversing the "Mien of the companion loyal and true", thus performing the "The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels", the same technique you utilized a variation of to guard your disiples in their trek into your memories and the empyrean!
>>
>>4906983
I'll support the write-in.
No reason to make the deldar's life easier.
>>
So we have some wild west guys it seems.
Dunno how to feel about that.
>>
>>4906983

Supporting.
>>
>>4906968
>Just race as quickly as the Raider you pilot is able to back to Stubborn Ox's rest, landing it a safe distance away from the town itself
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
>>
>>4907005
If Hollywood has taught us anything, it's that chinamen and cowboys get on like beef and rice.
A goddamn great pairing on either end of the Earth.
>>
>>4906968
>Just race as quickly as the Raider you pilot is able to back to Stubborn Ox's rest, landing it a safe distance away from the town itself

>Attempt to aid your friends spiritually by reversing the "Mien of the companion loyal and true", thus performing the "The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels", the same technique you utilized a variation of to guard your disiples in their trek into your memories and the empyrean!

>write in
Rapidly bombard the canyon end and destroy the engines of the other ships. Blocked here the remaining Aeldari are all likely to be wounded or killed by the beasts, and when we return they will be easy pickings.


Comms Jinhai if we understand enough of the ship, if not we will do it later after killing the two champions. This people we saved and the Aeldari loot need to be taken away to safety afterall. And ask the Shangrilians and this odd humans to not hurt eachother while we leave for fight the champions.
>>
>>4906983
+1
>>
>Attempt to aid your friends spiritually by reversing the "Mien of the companion loyal and true", thus performing the "The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels", the same technique you utilized a variation of to guard your disciples in their trek into your memories and the empyrean!

We won't be able to help them if we do anything else.
>>
>>4906968
>Attempt to aid your friends spiritually by reversing the "Mien of the companion loyal and true", thus performing the "The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels", the same technique you utilized a variation of to guard your disiples in their trek into your memories and the empyrean!
>write in
Brothers! There is no obstacle our bonds cannot overcome! Let me help you, as you've helped me!
Can we juice them up as high as we can? Like almost to the point where its almost hazardous for their health? They shall be like true Panthers of the fog....no idea if we can challenge our power into our Null brother though.
>>
New spehss muhreen art. By the way, what do the tiger folk look like, Malal? I know the basic shape and stuff but I’d like more detail, maybe a reference photo if possible.
>>
>>4907159
based, well done
>>
>>4906968
>>4906983
I'll support this
>>
>>4907159
i might make something for the tigerman in some days. After other stuff is done
>>
>>4906968
>Blow up the paths out
>Aid friends

Then
>Speed to their aid.

If we leave the speeder a few hundred meters from Ox's rest then they will be safe while we kill and hunt.
>>
>>4907177
Change this vote to this one.>>4906983

Much more effecient
>>
>>4906968
>Just race as quickly as the Raider you pilot is able to back to Stubborn Ox's rest, landing it a safe distance away from the town itself
I'm not even concerned about the Drukhari coming back; by the time they do, Shangrala will be hardened against foreign invasion and probably have tech to match standard IG (and that's not even counting whatever bullshit Lieren can pull out of thin air, or psychic shenanigans on the part of our mystic sect).
>Attempt to aid your friends spiritually by reversing the "Mien of the companion loyal and true", thus performing the "The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels", the same technique you utilized a variation of to guard your disciples in their trek into your memories and the empyrean!
This isn't even a question; the power that Lieren holds within himself is a sea meant to nourish and safeguard those who bind themselves to him through ties of valor, love and loyalty.

>>4907005
Clearly we need to introduce them to our nameless Cui war stallion, his beautiful mare and their downright Astartes-quality foal Kanti.

Also Lai Song, because if there's one language he speaks better than war, it's horsemanship.

>>4907159
I would say they're khajiit-esque, given that they seem to be *mostly* human in shape, but they have a bunch of feline features like claws, elongated canines, fur and tails. The common mutation of extra arms does remind me a bit of Rakshasa though.
>>
>>4907180
>Astartes-quality foal Kanti.
>wild west intensifies
I cant wait to talk to the foreigners and learn more about their culture.
>>
>>4907190
their cultural intergration into Yan is going to be hard.
>>
>>4906983
+1
>>
>>4907192
Their cultural integration into Long Jia is going to be funny as fuck. Lieren, being the troll he is, will learn how to improperly say cowboy expressions with a heavy chinese accent, and it'll be beautifuru.
>Fox daemon: AT LAST, MY NEMESIS, AFTER PLANNING MY VENGANCE FOR A THOUSAND YEARS, YOUR SUFFERING WILL KNOW NO END!!!
>Lieren: YEEEEEEHAAAAAAA! [Starts ritmically blowing inside a Primarch-sized alcohol bottle]
>Fox Daemon: I hate you so much.
>>
>>4906968
>>4906983
Support
>>
>>4906968
>Attempt to aid your friends spiritually by reversing the "Mien of the companion loyal and true", thus performing the "The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels", the same technique you utilized a variation of to guard your disiples in their trek into your memories and the empyrean!
>write in: Use the onboard mounted weapons and strafe/destroy the remaining vehicles here. Without transport, the rest will be easily hunted down by us when we have the time.
>>
>>4907212
I'm going to keep calling the land Yan, since it's easier than saying Long Jia. Maybe just Jia? I'll go with that.

Integration into Jia will probably require some keeping in an institute like our schools to get them oriented with our ways, or perhaps a seperate settlement altogether.
But I loved his perspective.
>>
>>4907194
perhaps perhaps.
But i think it will help the future shangrilian society in the long run, since it adds more to their culture and knowledge. As well creating a future relation with another planet, when Shangrila will be able to travel the stars and make contact with it.
that said it s not impossible either, vishnu are integrating and there are plans for integrate even with the other peoples.
>>
>>4907192
sorry meant this one here

>>4907192
>>
>>4907247
Probably both, may even set them up near the School and then give them a tour after introducing them to the new Emperor.
>>4906968
Seconding this>>4906983
>>4907005
It's gonna get hammy up in here.
>>4907159
Saved.
>>
>>4907273
>>4907275
You having a stroke?
>>4907212
It's going to be a trip and a half to introduce them to our kids at the Temple.
>>
>>4907279
no just misclick
>>
>>4906983
+1
>>
>>4907276
We would have to school them in our hierarchy and language, though we can pick up theirs with ease.

We dealing with real isakai peoples.
>>
>>4907287
And they came in just in time to shoot some Vishnu bloodgod worshipping savages. If they live up to the cowboy meme and are better shots with our own guns the soldiers use, that is going to be hilarious. And useful.
>>
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>>4907291
> Cowboys and Apache intensifies

>>4907190
Considering how well we've handled the Vishnu, I think the only obstacles to making friends (not for Lieren, he's basically bullshit made manifest) will actually be faith and those little flourishes of culture that you never learn about in classes. The kind that have to be lived and breathed and eaten and occasionally bled.

It'll certainly help that they seem a hardy folk; that old man Winchester apparently endured the lash several times for those kids. They ought to get along well with the craftsmen and farmers.
>>
>>4907247
I have no idea what Jia means, but I know that Long means dragon.
They need to live either near the Kang or the Lai, since is were the plains and horses are.
>>4907180
I see them all looking like the Cathay-Raht, maybe the women lookig like the Cathay, but all of them with four arms and shining fur, of course. It's a bit fitting, given that Cathay is also a name for China.
>>
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>>4906968
>>4906983
>>4907112
Can Lieren just take out the engines? My heart cries when we consider blowing up glorious salvage and the future fleet that Lieren shall use to assail the wicked Vishnu fortresses.

I also want Lieren's Primarch senses to learn their language and gauge how similar it is to derivatives of High Gothic. Lieren will be the People's Primarch and this why he is redacted

>>4905674
>>4905634
I might be slow on the uptake, but craftworlds freely wield D-cannons that send chunks of enemies into the warp. Wouldn't this be a warcrime by any standard of Exodite/Deldar/Craftworld/Corsair culture?
Like, wouldn't they be more terrified of such weapons than any others are a passage directly to getting their soul taken as a dessert?
I have never seen this mentioned in any book or fiction yet, for D-cannons nor vortex grenades.
>>
>>4907312
Using power of deductions, If his sigil is Dragon and carp, what do you think Jia is?

>>4907313
that'll happen later, the language thing
>>
>>4907323
That's is what I tought, that it would be Carp, but he said how much he didn't like how everyone called him Carp, and the translators can't identify what Jia means, so I'm not confident in tgat theory, even though is the one that makes the most sense.
>>4907313
Craftworlds are hypocrites, so it's perfectly in character for them. Harlequins are insane, Deldar are sadists, Exodites are isolationists, and the Corsairs don't give a shit, so there's no one to stop them.
>>
>>4906968
>Just race as quickly as the Raider you pilot is able to back to Stubborn Ox's rest, landing it a safe distance away from the town itself
>Attempt to aid your friends spiritually by reversing the "Mien of the companion loyal and true", thus performing the "The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels", the same technique you utilized a variation of to guard your disiples in their trek into your memories and the empyrean!
>>
>>4907324
>and the translators can't identify what Jia means
Best I can tell, it literally just means "Jia" since it's almost always used as a surname now.
That said, according to Wiktionary, it could also mean
>merchant
>to trade; to do business
>to buy
>to lead to; to incur; to bring about
>to sell
>"In ancient China, 賈 (Jiǎ)/贾 (gǔ) specifically refers to non-travelling merchants and 商 (shāng) specifically refers to travelling ones."
>>
>>4907333
So Jia is probably from a merchant family then.
That makes his rise to emperor even more impressive, since the confuncian structure from ancient China saw traders as the bottom of society.
The Yan probably were organized different though, but I like to imagine Jinhai rising from the very bottom to the top, it makes for a better story.
>>
>>4907297
We'll need to have them visit Kanzeon first. Maybe stabilize them now, then after we've dealt with all internal threats we can stop the production of the bad warp rocks, then levitate the mountain off our WAIFU- I MEAN our very good friend.

>>4906968
How many air crafts were there, and can we simply destroy their engines without destroying the majority of the ships? I worry that some captive es remain in some of them.

Are any of you not worried that there might be more slaves in the other ships? We'll have to come back here later. Our brothers will be coming with us this time.
>>
>>4907399
Dark Eldar need psyker slaves for webway travel.
>>
>>4907159
Great one
>>
>>4907159
Awe shit man we space marine chinamen now. Did you make that or commission that?
>>
>>4907180
Thanks for the picture. I kind of imagined them as like the ohmes-raht but with four arms, bestial yet clearly humanoid. On another note, I hope TES6 includes multiple types of Khajiit. It would be cool.
>>4907462
I made it, along with some others. I’ve got another in the works right now using the Maximus pattern helmet.
>>
File: I like Gold.png (1.72 MB, 1200x1200)
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>>4907159
Excellent work anon.

Here's a golden edit. I've done it for every image you drew, so it feels like a tradition now
>>
>Accidentally knocking unconscious a Aeldari fleeing from the jaws of an infuriated panther.

Ha, briliant.
>>
Calling the vote now.

Attempt to aid your friends spiritually by reversing the "Mien of the companion loyal and true", thus performing the "The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels", the same technique you utilized a variation of to guard your disciples in their trek into your memories and the empyrean!: 19
-Brothers! There is no obstacle our bonds cannot overcome! Let me help you, as you've helped me!: 1


Just race as quickly as the Raider you pilot is able to back to Stubborn Ox's rest, landing it a safe distance away from the town itself:17

Use the onboard mounted weapons and strafe/destroy the remaining vehicles here. Without transport, the rest will be easily hunted down by us when we have the time.:13

Tend to the wounds of the captives and find them secure shelter, before returning to Stubborn Ox's rest:1

Rapidly bombard the canyon end and destroy the engines of the other ships. Blocked here the remaining Aeldari are all likely to be wounded or killed by the beasts: 1

Total votes:21

So, As Lieren leaves the canyon, he'll strafe and disable/ destroy the remaining Aeldari vehicles, thus depriving them of their only method of escape.

And then he shall reach out to his possibly endangered companions, via the technique
"The golden sea's aura fills a thousand vessels" to aid and empower them

Then, with much haste, he'll pilot the raider to the outskirts of Stubborn Ox's Rest, seeking to directly aid his friends if the champions have indeed found their way to the Traveler's town.

Writing now.

>>4907159

Amazing work as always, love the battle damage on the armor, the details on the flamer (Especially the dragon and the chip above it) and the green jade placed on the helmets forehead makes for a unique but subdued bit of decoration which I think fits wonderfully.

The background and lighting is also phenomenal

A+ work

>>4907476
Great editing work as always
>>
I have the feeling this quest will go full gun-fu soon.
>>
However, your work in the canyon named Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder is not yet complete. As your stolen vessel nears the boundary of the encampment, with a few quick taps and traces of your finger, you cause it to drift to face the chaos consuming the raider's camp once more. The Raider slides, the engine still powering its back half as the first is halted by tilting it gently forward so as to use the sickle blade needlessly attached to its brow to act as a brake. Stones and sparks fly as you command the stationary throne you've pressed yourself into to swivel and turn around. The freedmen and women shout in surprise, clinging tightly to one another or the railings. But the it would appear this maneuver is recognizable to the foreigners from off world, for the elder and more rugged of them start cheering and hooting with even greater excitement than before.

A keening cry of metal sheering through the stony soil heralds your parting strike against the slavers from the stars. Striking one arm outwards, you aim your upturned palm towards the center of the camp and the eight ships that encircle it. Raising your arm towards the heavens, you ball your hand into a fist and tighten it to rival the strength of steel itself.

"The fate that awaits all men immoral, wicked and evil heart befalls you now! Wayward children of Isha! Your doom hastens to embrace you! Upon baleful winds, rides your judgement! With your own tools in my hands, I met out righteous punishment upon you "Lords of the Stellar Hunt"" You proclaim hatefully, the volume of your words increased by the conviction and belief fueling them as you brush you open hand over the controls of the raider, rapidly tapping down a sequence of commands you learned from Daighear's memories.

A maneuver she knew as the Blossom of Malice. Half theatric show of light and sound, half ruthlessly efficient form attack. The onboard armaments roared and whirred to life. Beneath the dueling fogs, radiant light pierced as you quickly adjusted the targeting parameters of the mounted weaponries automatic firing systems. As if possessed by malevolent spirits, Disintegrator Cannons and Dark Lances honed in on the stationary vessels and began to unleash a barrage that could rival if not surpass those unleashed by "Firestorm" Dandan. Grinning amidst the glow produced by the bombardment, you once more adjusted the parameters of the targeting systems, the moment you were satisfied with the state of smoking ruin you had inflicted upon the Aeldari star ships. Now, you focus your fleeing barrage directly on the most abhorrent feature of the encampment.

The cauldron of boiling blood and roasting flesh.

"Let your atrocity be cleansed from the world! WASHED AWAY, LIKE THE ASHES OF WAR MET BY THE CLEANSING RAIN OF PROSPERITY!" You bellow, whipping you arm down and to your side. A mournful, hateful cry echoes through the camp, modulated into the wails of those damned to hell's abyssal depths.
cont
>>
>>4908196

A great geyser of steam and frothing crimson liquid spills into the sky as the crucible of cruelty is split in two, the wiring of its advance technology spewing black and violet smoke as sparks and flashes of light erupt from its shorn surface. Rivers of boiling blood and fat flow from it, carpeting the camp's floor. The artificial fog flickers away as the systems producing it shut down, and it is replaced by a great quantity of steam and Shangrala's natural shroud rushing to replace its defeated adversary.

Laughing boisterously, you tap on the Raider's armrest bound piloting controls and whip the Raider back round to continue its flight from Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder and towards Stubborn Ox's Rest. From the joyous cries of the foreigners, you'd have thought they were never enslaved to begin with! The native captives, meanwhile, watch with quiet dignity as the smoke and screams fade into the distance.

Entering the command for the levitating vehicle to pilot itself, you turned your gaze towards the mist veiled horizon and faced once again the dread festering in your heart. Its cold, draining grasp had wrapped itself around your chest, and fevered your mind. Vivid imaginings and horrid fantasies of what may await you at Stubborn Ox's Rest clouded your mind. Worry enough to curdle any man's bowels.

Bowing your head, you began to meditate. Emptying your mind of all unnecessary thought and distracting emotions, you entered the void within and beyond all life. A spark of gold disrupted the serenity of nothingness, and acted as focus for you to lend aid to your companions even though you were many Li from them. Casting the sparks you knew to be their souls, you cast the light of the golden sea of your own soul upon them swathing them in its radiant protection and imbuing them with the heat of its roaring fire. Filling the vessels that fill the sea themselves, they would find themselves host to a temporary power, a transient might caused by the brilliance of their souls growing and shining with force beyond themselves.

Thus is the power of the psykerist technique "The Golden Sea's aura fills a thousand vessels". An ability gleamed by a portion of the fragment of enlightenment you beheld.

"I empower my allies who in turn empower me"
-

Bai snarled silently, standing defiantly before the blood stained madman who stood before him with arms held open. It was as if he was elated to be wounded. Bai's spear head had become lodged in his side, a wound that would cripple any man with agony. A mortal wound that would sicken the guts and allow them to become putrid as they still lived. A killing blow. Yet the Vishnu lunatic stood still, as if he felt not pain.

Bai had no such blessing, as the stinging sensation of flesh torn apart and shredded rippled through his body, unsteadying his stance and weakening his grip upon the haft of his sundered spear.
cont
>>
>>4908198

A deep gouge had been ripped through the leg of his armor, and the toothed axe wielded by his opponent had bit deeply enough to reach the bone within. He could feel himself paling, weakening. His mind was hazed by fury, mounting bloodlust and a blistering agony so potent it threatened to consume ever conscious thought.

Whipping his makeshift staff forward, he spun it and stuck it under his arm. Raising his other palm in the air before his face, he beckoned the masked warrior to continue his assault, calling him onwards. Vapors rose from the ashen haired freaks mask, his eyes narrowing with glee as he smacked one hand on his chest.

With the sound of boiling water being poured into porous clay, the vials and tubes connected to his veins plunged their payloads of vile elixirs and stimulating chemicals into the barbaric half giant. The frothing liquids hissed as they were forced into his bulging, pulsating veins!

The Vishnu berserker made the folly of charging forward, assuming his greater stature and strength would all him to easily slay Bai! But he was smaller than a panther, and Bai had slay many such beasts on his lonesome! Ducking below his wild swing, Bai nearly lost his head as he staggered upon his wounded leg. Blood spurted from the wound and he was only able to avoid the axe's backswing by jabbing the sharpened end of his staff directly into the unprotected armpit of the drugged killer. Blood flooded out, and painted Bai's face and chest crimson.

If his leg wasn't wounded, he'd have been able to push the length of wood into the blackguard's heart or angle it to slide into his throat and thusly end him. But the injury slowed him, and weakened his thrust. So he was forced to abandon the two parts of his treasured gift in his opponent's flesh.

Gripping his leg, Bai swallowed the pain and hobbled away from the drug frenzied screamer. Who simply stood there, toothed axe screeching as he left it in the ground, and with the indifference of a man brushing a petal from his hair plucked the spear haft from his beneath his arm and tore it free. Bai looked on in horror as the man ponderously observed the primitive weapon and watched his blood slough from it. With the same ease, he tore his oversized and whirring axe from the ground.

Bai was only able to twist around and raise his arms to guard his throat as the brute threw himself at him. Instead of the axe's bite, Bai felt the blunt force of a massive shoulder slamming into his gut. The ground left his feet.

His back met lumber. The Vishnu's callused hand gripped his throat as he barreled through the same wall he had just shoved him through. Bai locked his legs around the muscled limb that held him, and forced himself to sit up as he was carried off like a doll. The Inn began to collapse around them, but Bai paid it no mind. He focused all of his attention and energy in pounding his fists bloody against the bastard who made him bleed's boiler plate mask.
Cont
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>>4908201

His knuckles were scrapped clean of their skin, and two of his fingers broke before he even so much as put a dent in the sheet of metal his opponent hid behind. His repeated ringing strikes against the steel face where enough to stagger his foe, and he did not miss the opening. Striking out with another flurry of strike and punches, he deepened the dent he made, locking his fists together to hammer them on the weak point to attempt to concuss his attacker long enough to free himself and reach the Aeldari saber!

However, the Vishnu was not phased, and merely lifted his arm and Bai alongside it and with a mighty swing, threw the hunter from him against another wall. It broke, pulses of dull pain throbbed on Bai's back as he flew through the air, blood trailing from his tattered knuckles and bruised fingers.

He hit the ground like a hammer strikes and anvil, the air was forced from his lungs and a searing sensation trickled down his spine and rippled from his leg. He struggled to stand. His vision was hued crimson, shadows crept at the edge of his sight. He was barely clinging to consciousness.

The brute kicked what was left of the wall down, and took a single step forward. Bai rolled to the side, feeling the backplate of his armor being shorn through as he narrowly avoided death's embrace. Clenching his jaw, he dug his hands into the loamy soil beneath himself and willed his injured body to rise. He leapt to his feet, but was slowed by his injury. The sound of metal tearing echoed in his ears, as he felt a hundred blades rip through his back. He endured it, and ran forward. The axe slid from his flesh, narrowly missing his spine as it slammed into one of the supports of the stables.

Where Bai now stood.

"Damnations" He hissed, as the structured creaked and threatened to collapse. His blood coated opponent stepped into view, gripping the roof of the stables, holding it steady as he stepped beneath it and roased his axe to life once more.

"And damn the vishnu for their durable bodies!" Bai shouted indignantly, glancing down the stalls to each of his side. A smile spread over his lips. The outsider's blade was just two stalls the left. He had a chance to claim victory, to survive and fulfill his oath to Xin.

The brute chuckled, laughing from his belly as he straightened his back and renewed his relentless assault. Bai clumsily dodged to the side, the back wall of the stall being torn to splinters and fractured nail as he scrambled over the opposite wall.

Which collapsed as soon as he had slid off of it, the Vishnu axe chewing through it like it was made of waxed paper rather than sturdy lacquered wood! Kicking his leg out, he pushed his spear's head deeper into the harlot's son's gut. It didn't even manage to make him flinch. Bai stumbled back, aghast at the gross display of fortitude. The Vishnu swung his axe, cleaving it into Bai's breastplate.
Cont
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>>4908203

The steel held long enough to save Bai from being cloven in two, but the sheer force of the strike sent him careening through the air for a third time.

His decent broke the table where the Aeldari's weapons had been collected and laid out. The strange rifles and blades take to the air as if they had become a flock of startled sparrows. Bai crumbled against the table, out of breath. His back stiffened and refused to move, a river of blood flowed from his leg and shouldered while a lake pooled from his back.

Willing him to sit, he saw that his stomach had been cut through, and he could see his entrails glistening beneath the wound. Fear slowly trickled in his dazed mind. The fear of death, the desperation of survival, the sickening horror of realizing his wounds. His vision grew redder. Deep inside him, the killing instinct he had been born with rose up, the dark urges ousting all sensible thought as his mind turned to slaughter. It was who he was. A violent child, a cursed man. A warrior who exulted in blood shed.

But now these desires had a voice. They told him to give in, to allow himself to be consumed by his hunger to spill blood and make bruises, to learn the melodic sound of breaking bones. To survive, to fight for his own glory, to fight for killings sake. However, he swore he saw Lieren standing beside him, calming sharpening a blade with a look of acceptance on his face. The scarlet haze began to lift, and the voice in the dark of his mind began to quiet. He realized what madness it had spoken of.

The same madness that afflicted his foe, the worship of slaughter, killing and battle. It hadn't been his own thoughts, but another's. Some form of mental trickery, to turn him into a monster he knew he wasn't! Fighting was exciting, battle was exhilarating, dueling was fun! But killing for killings sake? What great form of foolishness existed in the hearts of men!? He felt ashamed he even listened such baseless temptations to begin with.

The Journey's teachings replaced the gospel of butchery, and he felt the pain dull and recede from his flesh.

"Do not fear death, do not hate death. All things are transient and will one day end" He chanted, conviction and belief empowering his wounded body, bolstering his injured form enough to rise to his feet and grip the Aeldari saber that lay at his feet "but they shall remain."

The Vishnu charged, but Bai was calm. A soothing sense of serenity had washed over his mind, he faced his death and accepted it with open arms. After all, death was unavoidable. why fear it?

Jumping up, he avoided the axes blow. With one hand he held his bowels inside, with the other he activated the Aeldari's saber's concealed power. A violet flame erupted along the flame, becoming as brilliant as falling lightning. The Vishnu over extend and charged into the stall's western wall. Bai landed on his feet, and turned to face his opponent.

The Vishnu hefted his axe free, and turned to face him as well.
Cont
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>>4908205

The stables began to collapse. The Brute narrowed his eyes, as if sensing Bai had refused to give into the temptation of power? And why would he? Who would serve a master who'd sell his own follower's lives to another in the attempt to lure them to his worship!? the very concept disgusted Bai, who believed in the strength and bonds of brotherhood beyond all else. Even the Yan tyrants wouldn't stoop to such low forms of treachery.

"A mountain may be ground to dust, but the field that stands where it once stood remains" Bai chanted serenely, eyes cast downwards as he stepped forward unafraid, a killer's glint in his gaze "A farmer may die in his field, but his children will tend it."

"THEN DIE UPHOLDING YOUR WEAKLING'S PHILOSOPHY!" The brute bellowed, enraged. He charged forward, Bai raised his blade along his cheek and dropped his left hand to his side.

He had laid a trap for the fool, the strange magically glowing sword was naught but a distraction. Bai would end this fight with the gift given to him by Lieren, even if he had to dig it out of the barbarian's stomach to do so.

Shouting filled the air. Sounded like Fat Chen and the others. Bai had to be quick.

He caught the toothed axe with the edge of his shimmering saber. The brute gasped as the flimsy looked weapon cut cleanly through his titanic axe, and lulled it to its slumber once more. Roaring in a fit of rage, the giant swung to shatter Bai's spine, as Bai reached at to retrieve his spear's head.

Bai could not see it himself but in his eyes a pale golden light shone from within.

"A warrior may die, but his final breath can change the course of nations." Lieren's voice seemed to whisper upon the gently drifting breeze.

But, though Bai accepted death, he did not intend to die here. Though he had never thought to die peacefully, he wished to see his child's face before he passed on, at the very least.
-

"Crab's claw! Dragon's fall!" Zian spat, commanding his two brothers to move into position as a rain of stone and wooden splinters fell around them. He fell to one knee, and aimed his rifle, slotting a bullet into the back of its barrel as he raised it and fired. The bullet was caught in the strange cage of winds surrounding the sorcerer.

"Carps scatter!" Zian roared, diving behind a cart, as Rong slid on his knees to seek shelter behind a bush. Dong had drawn a revolver, and sprinted closer to the sorcerer "DONG! FLEE!"

Dong snorted and raised his side arm, holding it in both hands. With a press of his thumb, the hammer was cocked, and he opened fire. The sorcerer threw his hands as if to guard himself, as a storm of projectiles whirled and fell upon Dong. Zian's heart raced, he rose from cover and with a flick of his wrist, pulled the lever to fling the empty cartridge to the ground. Loading another bullet in record pace, he took aim and fire again, yelling at the valiant fool to retreat.
cont
>>
>>4908208

Logs, foundation stones, barrels, pillars , roof tiles and clods of dirt rained around Dong, who continued firing without a single sign of timidity in his expression. His unkempt, greasy hair covered his eyes. The sorcerer was afraid of him, despite the power he wielded. Was there some weakness in his heretic arts that Dong knew that was unknown to others? As far as Zian knew, dong lived in a ditch in the wilds somewhere! How would he of all men be knowledgeable of sorcery?!

Dong remained undaunted, as spears of wood torn from pillars and barrages of daggers of stone shorn from the larger blocks still suspended in the air. A storm of wood and stone surrounded him, even as his face and arms were cut and small ribbons of blood stained his dress uniform, he marched on, reloading his revolver. One of the bullets he fired before caught him in the shoulder, be he barely acknowledge it. Snorting, he slammed the chamber back into place with his palm.

Rong rose from his cover, and emptied his revolver in the sorcerers direction. The bullets caught in the air, but began to shudder as Dong walked close to them. Stones fell from the skies, followed by spears. The sorcerer shrieked and flew higher. Dong followed him, adjusting his aim.

A look of revelation became clear on his face. And he reached for something at his side, and tossed it behind him toward's Zian's cover.

"Lieren's coming" Dong whispered , as in in great pain "Be prepared brother Zian, seems he's chosen you"

Then he started firing as stones and crude spears fell, as the sorcerer once more cloaked himself in darkness and gloom. Dong's expression did not change as a boulder fell a foot from him, nor did he cry out when his leg was pinned to the ground by a spear of twisted steel. Nor did he wince as a rain of daggers fell upon his shoulders and face. He just kept firing, shooting the bullets suspended in the air and pushing them forward.

Rong yelled out, and tried to draw the enemy's attention to himself, firing and throwing stones at the Shuni devil. Zian fired again, managing to nearly hit the sorcerer in his shoulder, before his round was spun and ejected through the air. Cursing, he leapt from his cover, and charged to stand beside his brother in arms, reloading as he ran.

And nearly tripped on the odd, leather sack said brother had tossed in his direction moments ago. Zian stooped to pick it up, and felt the rattle of bones inside. His blood ran cold as he felt the outline of half of a human jaw inside of it. Dong reloaded, cursing as his arm was pinned to the boulder next to him by a second spear. The sorcerer was focusing all of his attacks on Dong.

Zian struggled to open the bag, and had his fears confirmed as a sun bleached jawbone fell into its hands. It was carved in a queer manner, with symbols and characters that seemed to be gibberish to his eye. But Zian had seen them before, Lieren carved them on his strangely made Guandao.
cont
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>>4908210

And he had seen those monks who follow behind him wearing trinkets with similar characters before as well.

"The null denouncement charm!" Lieren called, as what appeared to be an illusion of his shade appeared before dong, arms outstretched as the unhygienic hunter only then began to cry out in agony "it wards against the energies of the empyrean, creating a shield against evil! The forces wielded against you are denied in its presence!"

Zian felt a surge of courage rumble into his heart, steeling his resolve as he gripped the jaw bone. It burned in his hand, and became lit aflame by golden light. Dong was firing every round in his revolver's chamber, struggling to keep standing as more stones fell around him, to form a cage of steel barbs and half carved stones. The sorcerer had grown bolder, as if his abilities had become stronger as Dong bled.

The symbols burned through Zian's hand, as if fed by his will, by his desire to save his junior not matter how unsettling strange he was. He didn't want to know where Dong had gotten the jaw bone, but it was clear he had prepared it for a scenario exactly like this one. Golden flames surrounded the scarred guardsman's hand, and he felt hands guiding his rifle.

He knew what he had to do. With wordless battle cry, he continued his charge, tightening a knife to the end of his rifle. Gripping the blazing jaw bone to the barrel of his rifle, he stood beside Dong in the midst of the storm of stone, steel and lumber.

Falling to one knee, he took aim and winced away as a spear's head cut through his cheek, opening his mouth to reveal more of his teeth and further marring his mangled visage.

"Tyrant's dog!" Zian roared as he leveled his rifle on the back of his wrist to keep it steady "I'll get you for that! Verminous worm! Child of filth! Devil's harlot! weak willed worshipper of the night! You will die for that!"

"Oh, that's what that script is supposed to do" Dong muttered, placing a unexpectedly slimy hand on the base of Zian's neck. Rong was screaming, and judging from the claps breaking through the wailing wind surrounding the two of them was now firing two revolvers at once in an attempt to ward away the sorcerer from them. How valorous! how heroic! It brought tears to Zian's eyes.

"Wonder what happens..." Dong pondered as Zian pulled the trigger. The bullet fired through the golden flames coating his arms and rifle.

They wrapped around the bullet as it carried on wards, as it passed by dong the flames flickered and then roared to a greater intensity than before. The sorcerer waved his arms, the eye amulets dancing from his sleeves as shadows coalesced
and rose to life, standing as a ghastly horde before him. A legion of gnashing teeth, slicing claws, crushing tails and sun blotting wings. The flaming bullet cut through all of them like they were straw dolls.

Lightning fell from the shadows, like sparks from flint and iron.
Cont
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>>4908212

The arcs danced like whips and twirled spear heads. The bullet flew on, Zian could see it through the glare of lightning and the stygian hordes that threw themselves in its way. He could see it in the fog. The lightning arced away from him and Dong, as if reflected from a unseen shield held above both of them.

The bullet became as a falling star, and struck the sorcerer in his collar bone. He fell from his orb of maelstrom winds and living shadows and hit the ground with a resounding thud. Zian rose, and charged him, knife lowered as Dong raised his revolver and Rong leapt from his cover firing with a rapidity Zian had only seen reproduced by Lieren or Liang's foolish twin Jiang!"

The dagger fastened to the end of his rifle became a lance of light and golden tongues of flame. The sorcerer levitated to his feet, floating above the ground as he drew two daggers from his side which erupted into great arcs of violent lightning, twisting themselves into the shape of sickles.

"NIGHTFALLS! LIGHT DIES! SHADOWS REIGN!" The wretched shrieked in their minds "I SHALL NOT FAIL MY LORD'S COMMAND!"

"ALL YOU WILL ACOMPLISH IS FEEDINGTHE RAVENS AND WORMS, FOOL!" Zian bellowed in reply, stabbing his rifle upwards, aiming for the sorcerer's blackened heart of ice. His sickle's danced, Rong's hail of bullets flew over head, Dong snorted again.
-

The air is heavy with malevolent qi, the darker energies of the empyrean. The corruption it carries, the stench of wicked spirits and devils a like. The air smells of blood and burnt feathers, shadows fall thicker and stand taller.

Walking from the raider's ramp, you approach the village with Guandao in hand.

And find two corpses hanging at it's boundaries.

One dressed in brass armor, decorated with elephants and scenes of slaughter, augmented in a similar way to the "Men steeds" of the Celestial Incarnation Palace. His eyes bulge from his skull in silent surprise, a spears head lodged through his jaw into his skull. His hair was washed free of ash, to reveal its natural ruddy red color. In his hands was clenched some idiotic mingling of a battle axe and a chainsaw, cut in twain. His entrails spill from a ghastly wound in his gut.

And across the road, lays a man dressed in Shun fashion. His multi colored robes of silk and cotton stained crimson from the numerous bullet holes dotting his chest, the knife lodged in his neck and his sliced throat. His cloak has been pulled back, revealing a face infested with eyes as black as onyx. A serpent hangs from his mouth in place of his tongue. His hands have been nailed together by two dirks styled in the shape of a peacock's feathers.

Both of them reek of evil, of vileness, of corruption. They were acolytes of dark powers, and merely looking upon their corpses makes your eyes water.

A Night Crane watches you, standing on one foot as it pecks at the Shuni's many eyes. Its luxurious black feather's shimmering as dawn's light rises.
cont
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>>4908213

You fall to your knees and sigh openly in a show of relief. Tragedy had been avoided. But doubtlessly, some of your dear companion were injured in the cataclysmic battles that must've taken place here mere hours ago.

What shall you do, Lieren?
>Task the uninjured with securing the Aeldari's encampment with reinforcements sent by the imperial army and immediately take the injured to Kanzeon

>Use all of your skill and knowledge to heal the injured in this town, using the supplies and medicines you carry with you at all times, and discuss the night's battles with them.

>Burn the champions of darkness bodies, and take the injured to a medical facility in the nearest fort or waystation upon the giant's road.

>Radio Jinhai, and tell him to summon lady Huang to inform her the crisis afflicting her lands has been ended and you shall return to his court to accept whatever position he deems appropriate for your abilities, once you've tended to the injured

>Write in
>>
>>4908214
>What shall you do, Lieren?
>>Task the uninjured with securing the Aeldari's encampment with reinforcements sent by the imperial army and immediately take the injured to Kanzeon
>>Use all of your skill and knowledge to heal the injured in this town, using the supplies and medicines you carry with you at all times, and discuss the night's battles with them.
>>
>>4908214
In that order
>Radio Jinhai, and tell him to summon lady Huang to inform her the crisis afflicting her lands has been ended and you shall return to his court to accept whatever position he deems appropriate for your abilities, once you've tended to the injured
>Use all of your skill and knowledge to heal the injured in this town, using the supplies and medicines you carry with you at all times, and discuss the night's battles with them.
>Find the time to heal and talk to our friends about their fight
>Burn the champions of darkness bodies, and take the injured to a medical facility in the nearest fort or waystation upon the giant's road.
>Task the uninjured with securing the Aeldari's encampment with reinforcements sent by the imperial army and immediately take the injured to Kanzeon
>>
>>4908214
>>Task the uninjured with securing the Aeldari's encampment with reinforcements sent by the imperial army and immediately take the injured to Kanzeon
>>Use all of your skill and knowledge to heal the injured in this town, using the supplies and medicines you carry with you at all times, and discuss the night's battles with them.
>>Burn the champions of darkness bodies, and take the injured to a medical facility in the nearest fort or waystation upon the giant's road.

We should be able to secure their wounds before transporting them to Kazeon. In the waystation we can do some controls for ensure they don t open again before arriving at the mountain.


>Write In
Make note of the equipment the dark champions used (for find weak spots, in preparations for the war), as well all the loot in the Aeldari camp. While most of it can be transported by carts, the larger parts cannot. It would be ideal to set up a temporary rail for transport it all in a secure location for study. In regard to the beasts inside the cages, that s another matter to decide. Many of them are injured, tortured and completely alien making their release in the wild of certain death or dangerous to nature. In regard to the surviving wounded Aeldari they are to be captured if possible, and brought to us. If not possible, simply kill them on sight.
>>
>>4908270
I wonder if we are straining Kanzeon's supply too much. All these injured in need of her help must be taxing her reserves. I'd hate to see her mutilate most of the components and corridors in her body to build other people new functioning limbs. We must remove the mountain and solve the mystery of the warp stone she creates.
>>
>>4908233
I will support this. We cannot leave any of the whoresons alive to cause havoc.
>>
>>4908233
+1
>>
>>4908278
Well, maybe.
But honestly we still didn't give orders for dispatch prospectors in the lands for find rare resources that she could need. And the kingdom is increasing in industrial capacity. On the matter of resources, excavation and repairs, we can probably help her in all now. Having a road and rail connected to the mountain would make this even easier. This isn t a problem of time, more if to do it before (and likely during) the next liberation wars, or after them.

Still we can use more common materials for body parts replacements, but still strong ones. Like steel, titanium and so on. Maybe some plastics as well. They would be very good prosthetics, though without rare materials used.
>>
>>4908314
Funneling lesser resources to Kanzeon in a small quantity for her to determine what is and isnt useful is an idea.

But next up on our miracle list to pull out are prosthetics. If we increase the tech base and get some reverse engineering going we could easily have our injured allies repaired completely, as well as turn some of these Deldar weapons to more benevolent uses.
The venom spotter for example, if we were to replace the venom with a sedative, you would have a long range and rather effective tranq option. And even if the technology itself rebels against your intent the methods of its construction are ours to study.

Also good on Bai, giving khorne the middle finger
>>
>>4908316
Understanding their machinery, equipment and ships should expand our knowledge and the one of Shangrila on numerous scientific fields, if we can create new things with them it would be beneficial for all. If we could create more advance weapons/armors and equipments before the wars it would be great, though it s unlikely it will take some years before we can have them produced in large quantities. But i recon we have around already simple prosthetics, more advance ones shouldn't be a problem with the minds we have and the pool of scholars and inventors we have gather.

In regard to Bai, i think he had good chances to defeat him without many wounds, even if the champion was buffed by negative Qi, drugs and machinery. But an unknown enemy is difficult to fight even for a brother of the panthers. Still he has gain more experience now, so he would be prepared next time.
i want to domesticate some of the animals
>>
I always love it when warpy beings interact with blanks.

from their perspective it is an eldritch unknowable abomination without equal or superior, except amongst its own horrid kind.

It is one of the most viscerally horrifying things they can ever even come close to imagining, an endless toothy maw of almost unstoppable darkness that doesn't feel, doesn't hesitate, it just eats and eats and eats.

The only way to truly best it, is hope you can either kill its weak material presence while it eats you alive, or feed so much of yourselves into the meatgrinder that it can't eat anymore, and hope it doesn't get hungry again before you can kill it.


You've done a rather good job of conveying (from an outside perspective) the sheer horror the, not even a deamon, sorcerer felt upon noticing it. magnificent.
>>
>>4908214
>>Use all of your skill and knowledge to heal the injured in this town, using the supplies and medicines you carry with you at all times, and discuss the night's battles with them.
>>
>>4908233
+1
>>
Wait the Vishnu came on a archeotech air vehicle. Did he come alone or is the plane still there in the forests?
>>
>>4908214
>Burn the champions of darkness bodies, and take the injured to a medical facility in the nearest fort or waystation upon the giant's road.
>Radio Jinhai, and tell him to summon lady Huang to inform her the crisis afflicting her lands has been ended and you shall return to his court to accept whatever position he deems appropriate for your abilities, once you've tended to the injured
>>
>>4908214
>Use all of your skill and knowledge to heal the injured in this town, using the supplies and medicines you carry with you at all times, and discuss the night's battles with them.
>Burn the champions of darkness bodies, and take the injured to a medical facility in the nearest fort or waystation upon the giant's road.
>>
>>4908454
Well remembered, I add this to my vote here >>4908291


>Task the uninjured to search for the Vishnu's method of transport
even if it flees, I'd like to know.

>>4908354
I agree. The only issue is if the materials are too advanced for us to replicate.
>>
>>4908489
>The only issue is if the materials are too advanced for us to replicate.
Seems to be something that's only gonna come up more and more until we get our industry up to snuff or link up with the rest of the Imperium.
For now though, we can at least observe the properties of the captured equipment and try to replicate them on our currently available material.
We should also think about making Null Denouncement bayonets and barrels standard issue after we learn about what happened while we were gone.
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>>4908496
I heavily disagree. For elite's and elite officers perhaps, but consider that the more widespread those bayonets are, the more likely they are to be reverse engineered or seized and then turned against us, Our students and any other psychic shinanigence we use.

The material matters, eh, I'm sure we can try to find some similar material composites once we analyse the alien shit.
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>>4908214
>Burn the champions of darkness bodies, and take the injured to a medical facility in the nearest fort or waystation upon the giant's road.
>Investigate the crane, see if it's tainted in any way. If it isn't capture it to study it, if it is, take it out of it's misery.
>Use all of your skill and knowledge to heal the injured in this town, using the supplies and medicines you carry with you at all times, and discuss the night's battles with them.
>Task the uninjured with securing the Aeldari's encampment with reinforcements sent by the imperial army and immediately take the injured to Kanzeon
>>
>>4908233
+1
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>>4908703
ACCEPT LIEREN'S PURE GENESEED
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>>4908703
Considering the folk tale version of Lieren's meeting with Nurgle and Isha I think your subconscious is thinking of Dark Imperium Lieren.
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>>4908730
>Dark Imperium Lieren
What I mean is Lieren after his post-heresy MIA time.
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>>4908233
Yeah this
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>>4908214
>Use all of your skill and knowledge to heal the injured in this town, using the supplies and medicines you carry with you at all times, and discuss the night's battles with them.
>Burn the champions of darkness bodies, and take the injured to a medical facility in the nearest fort or waystation upon the giant's road.
>Personally deal with what's left of the Aeldari and their encampment.
Sending people to handle the encampment seems like a meat grinder even if everyone who goes is decked out in looted Aeldari gear, the incubi would not be killed or seriously hurt by mere animals and they would slaughter our buddies if they only had looted gear. Lieren can't constantly juice them up with soul power without killing them so it would be best if he delegates the healing after immediate first aid then takes care of whats left himself, also we don't want to forget the dragon horse which is likely special.
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>>4908703
Be wary anon, Isha is sending coomer toughts into your head.
Be strong for the one and true Waifu.
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>>4908590
I'm changing my vote for taking the i jured to Kanzeon and sending the army, and ibstead supporting anon's write-in here.
>>4908763
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>>4908763
I’ll go with this.
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>>4908763
fair point, I'll support that over my previous of sending the uninjured.

Still think the uninjured should hunt down the Vishnu though
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>>4908214
>>Burn the champions of darkness bodies, and take the injured to a medical facility in the nearest fort or waystation upon the giant's road.
>>Radio Jinhai, and tell him to summon lady Huang to inform her the crisis afflicting her lands has been ended and you shall return to his court to accept whatever position he deems appropriate for your abilities, once you've tended to the injured
>>
>>4908214
>>Task the uninjured with securing the Aeldari's encampment with reinforcements sent by the imperial army and immediately take the injured to Kanzeon
>>Use all of your skill and knowledge to heal the injured in this town, using the supplies and medicines you carry with you at all times, and discuss the night's battles with them.
>>Burn the champions of darkness bodies, and take the injured to a medical facility in the nearest fort or waystation upon the giant's road.
>>
Calling the vote now.

Task the uninjured with securing the Aeldari's encampment with reinforcements sent by the imperial army and immediately take the injured to Kanzeon:9

Use all of your skill and knowledge to heal the injured in this town, using the supplies and medicines you carry with you at all times, and discuss the night's battles with them.:15

Radio Jinhai, and tell him to summon lady Huang to inform her the crisis afflicting her lands has been ended and you shall return to his court to accept whatever position he deems appropriate for your abilities, once you've tended to the injured:8

Burn the champions of darkness bodies, and take the injured to a medical facility in the nearest fort or waystation upon the giant's road.: 15

Make note of the equipment the dark champions used, as well as those fielded by the Aeldari:1

Task the uninjured to search for the Vishnu's method of transport:1

Personally deal with what's left of the Aeldari and their encampment.: 5

Total votes: 17

So Lieren will give first aid with the medical supplies he carries with him at all times and ask them of their battles, before burning the champion's body and moving the injured to the nearest white Lotus outpost along the giant's road to give them proper treatment.

Where he shall also radio Jinhai, and inform him that the crisis afflicting Lady Huang's lands has been ended, and that you shall return to his court to accept whatever position he deems to offer you after you've tended to the injured.

As well as requesting the aid of the imperial army in securing the Aeldari encampment, equipped with artillery and as many explosives as can be fielded. Since they only weapon that has proven able to injure Aeldari outside of Power swords and their own weaponry (And fog panthers) has been high yield explosives.

He will only take the injured to Kanzeon if they cannot be stabilized otherwise or their wounds prove to be crippling.

Writing now

>>4908703
Sounds like a neat dream
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>>4909400
When we finally deal with all this bullshit, we WILL free Kanzeon. From there we can work towards defeating the chaos forces and finding her sisters. I hope at least one of them are savable.
If we can't save them, would Kanzeon have any idea on how to, you know.
>>
It could've been a lot worse. A mantra that serves as most ineffective salve as you look over the injured forms of some of your closest and dearest companions. Small Chen's corpse stands before your mind's eye like a morning mist but you push away such sorrowful recollections to focus entirely on the present and those who can still be saved. The captives require aid just as much as Bai, Dong, Zian, and Rong. The others had the good fortune the escape evil's siege with nothing more than bruises and minor non life threatening cuts.

Bai suffered the most, and seems to have become delirious from blood loss. If his wounds had not been staunched he would have expired before your arrival. However Bai is a strong and hardy man, he will recover with proper treatment. If the Vishnu's chain toothed axe cut even a millimeter deeper only Kanzeon would be able to preserve his life. His guts had been spilt but not sliced into, if they had been the injury would be nigh impossible to mend even with your expansive knowledge and supplies. Dragon's spit acts as a anesthetic , which he imbued before your work began.

Dong awaits his treatment next to the red cheeked and rambling Bai, while Red Faced Wei and Fat Chen help you stabilize Bai's condition. Most their assistance takes the form of sanitizing your tools and keeping Bai still as you stitch and staple his wounds shut. His leg will need a cast, and may need to be amputated judging from the fractures in his bone. But there is a not insignificant chance that it will recover to full functionality, which is preferable to simply hacking the limb off and replacing it with a prosthetic.

Bai tries to regale to you his tale, but his slurred speech brought upon by bloodlusts and intoxication make it hard to follow and comprehend. It's clear that he fought the Vishnu Berserker on his own, only receiving aid as the brute was in his death throes. But he also speaks of a voice in the haze of combat and "Bloody reverie" that would seem to be the ramblings of a drunkard struggling to make his story dramatic. However, his disjointed account and description sounds eerily like the temptations of a wicked spirit and a form of Empyrean corruption that Guozhi spoke of only in hushed, terrified whispers as if he feared speaking openly of it would call the attentions of Kǒng Nüè.

A Demon lord that was of equal standing to the vile Nà Gòu, but while the patriarch of all things foul and putrid preached a gospel of nihilistic stagnancy and decay, Kǒng Nüè was the Sovereign of slaughter and the High minister of murder. Knowing that the veil between the world of the living and the spiritual realms is thin upon Shangrala, makes it all too possible that Bai was tempted by such a being. And that he resisted it by accepting the possibility of his own bloody demise and refining his innate killing instinct from cold bloodlust to the thrill of combat alone.
cont
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>>4909480

In a way he mimicked your own battles against the unliving servants of the lords of hell, by denouncing their purpose and existence, in this case by inverting their ideology. He fought as madly as their slave, but he did so out of a sense of duty to his brother's in arms and unborn child, rather than to merely shed blood for the glory of an unseen master. Honor and responsibility defined his actions, and so he withstood the temptation of killing for killings sake.

You could not be more proud of Bai. He had matured into a fine young man, a far cry from the ruffian you recruited from Gao Liwei's guard force. He has fulfilled his potential.

However, when you set Dong's bones and wrapped his wounds in bandages, hearing his tale proved to be a much more difficult endeavor. Dong seemed to suffer under your gaze much quicker than others, ever since you had discovered a fragment of enlightenment and awoken your psyker nature from nothing. You had begun to realize, as your perceptions both broadened and deepened that this was because Dong lacked "Something" that other men had by birth. Many would name this missing thing the soul, or spirit. But that seemed odd to you, certainly there was an empty expanse in his beings that brought a chill to your eyes as if you were staring into a winter's starless night .

But he must have a soul, surely. He wasn't an automaton even if he spoke rarely and interacted with others only when necessary. Surely all men must have a soul and yet.

Dong's grunt turned you from pondering his nature any deeper. He was scratching at the hole in his leg, opening the wound withou so much as wincing in pain. Sighing and exhausted from struggling to pull details from the stubborn simplicity of his recollections and keeping him from try to touch and caress his exposed bones and veins was starting to become rather troublesome.

Thankfully Zian was nearby to explain the happenings that Dong merely hinted. When Dong said the "Freak threw things at us" he meant to say that "The sorcerer became terrified of his mere presence, calling him soulless before dropping half of the town on him in a desperate attempt to halt his advance" or when he said "We shot and it didn't work until it did, but you should know that" He truly meant that "The heretical priest would catch any bullet fired by suspending them in the air with his will alone, while calling upon legions of living shadows" and that "Your spiritual aid gave us a weapon in the form of a null denouncement charm I carved from my own father's jaw bone!".

Which is something even you didn't know about Dong, that he carried such a gruesome charm on his person for all the nine years you've known him! And to think it was sturdy enough to serve as a conduit as a flicker of your golden sea soul's fire. Incredible.

Rong is next to useless in your desire to hear of your friend's glorious battles and defiant stands against heinous enemies that fell upon them like rabid.
Cont
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>>4909481
dogs.

If only because he is by nature irreverent and stretches the truth of his account, telling tall tales and exaggerating the events of their combat. Zian, the more earnest and stoic of the two, proves to be the only one of the three who together slew a practioner of dark arts with rifles, blades and grit alone. Excepting of course your minor intervention.

And, you see a rare thing as you speak to the three men as Bai rests, listening as intently as yourself. You see Dong smile when you praise his skill and ability to retain the tranquility of his mind amidst such wild mayhem! Bai, who is perhaps one of three or four living men who surpass Dong in the killing arts, joins in your praise, but his are much less graceful because the hardy liquor has replaced most of his lost blood.

If only you had the tools for transfusion or an IV drip. You do not envy him, the hang over he'll suffer come morning will make him beg for the peace of death.

Zian and Rong's wounds are much less severe than Bai or Dongs. They only need a little washing and stitching, though Zian enters a dark temper when you begin to stitch the tear in his cheek. His visage is further marred, and his mutilation worsens. In a quiet show of kindness, you do all that you're able to lessen the scar the wound will become. If it healed naturally, most of Zian's jaw would be exposed by the second scar through his other cheek. Though the stitching extending from his lip is still gruesome, it is fairer than it would be otherwise.

Leaving the four to rest through the morning, you turn your attention to the captives you've saved. Their injuries, while horrific, are much easier to mend. Infection is the most pressing danger they face, and so they can be treated with antibiotics, diluted medical alcohol rubbed in their wounds, and bandages soaked in a tincture that encourages and expedites the healing process. The chemical salve reeks and stings hellishly, but its effective.

So you spend some times acting a fool to calm children and keep them from crying. The treatment also allows you gather an accurate count of the survivors you were able to liberate from the stellar raider's camp. In total they number a thousand and eighty five, and of that count a total of Seven hundred twelve were not born upon Shangrala. The remaining three hundred seventy three are made up mostly of traveling merchants, survivors of the unit that held Stubborn Ox's Rest and inhabitants of isolated communities.

For all their pride, the Aeldari didn't strike against anything that would be more dangerous to them than a Leech. Such cowardice.

However, almost as surprising as Bai's fortitude or Dong's macabre keepsake, is how injured Grandfather Winch Ester is. He's a man nearing your father and Guozhi's age! Yet he bears as many scars as Feng! And at a glance at the children who flock around to watch his care and treatment, reveals to you why that is. He bore their torture upon his back.
Cont
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>>4909482
>>4909482

A quiet pride smolders in his mud brown eyes as you spread the stinging tincture upon his back, brushing it into the crags and rivers of exposed flesh craved from his shoulders to his hips. Like crimson topped mountains and rivers churned white. There is a beauty to the scars he bares, for he suffered them in place of the defenseless.

You can only imagine the colorful language he uses, as judging from the tone of his voice and his expression it naught by obscenity and the most vulgar of curses.

When the labor of treating wounds and providing medical is done, you gather your men and the freed captives to abandon Stubborn Ox's Rest for the time, taking with you the four who held it against all odds as they desperatly need treatment you are in no position to give. Treatment and mending of the mind, as their experience has addled them greatly. Piloting the Raider to transport the hundreds in your company, you allow Bai to ride your unnamed steed as even in his weakened state he is one of few who can manage to remain saddled upon the magnificent beast.

Your convoy reaches the White Dragon's path by noon. Following your map of the region, you lead them to a waystation connected to a fort, one constructed by one of Dai Niu's son judging from the make of its walls. One that you had marked early to be the staging area of the Huang regions revitaliation efforts.

Lead by the White Lotus Corps, who keep a well stocked infirmary within the way station's walls.

Your arrival causes quiet the scene, both by your appearance and the vessel you pilot. But, after a brief explanation tailored so the common folk and less educated amongst the White Lotus volunteers, you calm their confusion and hand over the refugees from the stars to their care, alongside those stolen from their homes and YOUR road. An insult against your work for the people's comfort and safety. If you could kill Cearnarch a dozen times, your hatred for the wretch not even begin to wane. How dare he and his ilk defile the road that has brought such bountiful prosperity to the lands and people! It sickens you to your very core, curdling your blood.

Personally taking command of the doctors and surgeons you've trained, some of whom you recognize as students of Shirong or former servants of Cay Yunru, you continue Bai and Dong's treatment. Having already set Bai's fractured leg and shoulder into place, all that remains is to set a proper cast and brace. Though you take the chance to replace his bandages and begin him on a regimen of a specialized diet and anti biotics. Bai will have to remain here or in Kanzeon for some time before he recovers, and you'll approach him with the offer of cybernetic healing if his condition does not improve or he is rendered crippled from his wounds.

Dong is much easier to deal with, a forced bath and tightening of the bandages along with a sling for his arm and a temporary brace for his leg as both of them heal.
Cont
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>>4909483

He will have a much easier recovery than Bai, who has to remain bed bound until his gut wound heals and also be treated gently lest it begins to necrotize.

While you linger by his bed side, he shows you a painting of his wife he commissioned. and you recognize from her dress that she is one of Akanksha's people, as she wears a similar though less ornate feather cloak to the one that the long chieftain wears. instead of the feather of exotic song birds and peacocks, she is dressed in a mantle of night crane wings and hawk feathers. Dull, but beautiful. Her ears are pierced through with pins and nails and she has a scar along her nose and a claw mark upon her neck.

One you recognized as having been inflicted by one of the Tiger folk. The prior generation. The ones whose doom your orchestrated. Perhaps it was Ananya's Cousin who inflicted it, or Avinash's mother, or perhaps Sandip's elder brother. Monsters that could've been men. A slaughter that had to be committed so their children would be free of their taint.

"Lovely people, the Vishnu. I feel more at peace among them than I ever did the Ya...Long-Jia" Bai muses lovingly, his eyes smoldering with passion as he looks upon the features of his wild wife "Like they are a family I was torn away from, as if I had been a part of them in a previous life. Gauri fills a void of my heart, that had remained unfilled even after I met you and Xin, brother Lieren. The passion of love, the comfort of affection. It surpasses the thrill of any battle"

"She must be a most extraordinary woman to tame the wild heart of Bai the White tiger" You chuckle, as Bai nods wistfully and reclines in his bed, kicking on leg over the other "For a time I thought Xin would be the one to..."

"Your more of an old woman than a warrior at times, with your love of gossip and teasing" Bai laughs "And no, Xin and I are closer than brothers, but though our affection is deep it is solely platonic. Though I've heard rumors of that sort about you and the old monk..."

Bai laughs weakly, showing his incisors sharpened to reflect the ritually chipped teeth of the Vishnu Screamers. You cross your arms, lean back in the chair you've taken and laugh loud enough for the both of you. Soon, both of you are wheezing and coughing in a fit of brash and ill mannered guffaws.
-

Long-Jia Jinhai looked over the lakeside of his soon to be bride's manse through the thin morning fog.

Upon its distant shore, his own palace was being constructed. It was a bizarre feeling, to watch the construction of the seat of power of his children. To have children who would rule the kingdom. to rule the kingdom himself. By Lieren's teachings, he demanded the lake be unaltered and maintained, even though a town was already beginning to grow beneath the partially built spires and walls of the home he shall keep until the day of his death.
Cont
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>>4909485

Where his body shall repose and decay, where his children will live and rule, where they will be interred alongside his bones. For generations, for centuries, for ages, for eons. It is daunting to imagine, but in a way it is romantic, The Long-Jia and the reborn Gao shall remain intertwined, their seats of power separated only by a body of water. By his side, shall rest his mentor's line, the Southern Yin. Three families, intertwined by their pasts and their shared service in freeing the lands. The servant turned teacher, the guard turned king, the tyrant beast turned auspicious ruler. How poetic it was, Lieren would surely find humor in the situation or writ a poem describing the beauty of such bonds forged through the fires of war to flourish in the time of peace and prosperity.

Perhaps he could have the architects construct a three bridges connecting the three houses lands together, allowing travel between the palaces across the quiet waters of the lake gifted to his beloved Daiyu, whose beauty surpassed even the natural splendor of the lake. Sapphire waters, and pearlescent foam could not compare to her jade like beauty. How soothing it was to look upon, both lake and lover.

Perhaps the bridges could be made of clear glass so one could observe the fish swimming beneath their fish.

Jinhai was shaken from his day dream by an aid, one of Cao Yunru's men judging from the colors he wears. A short cropped vest over slacks with split bottoms are the uniform of this messenger, along with a towering hat with a single agate ring wrapped around it in silver twine. He's kneeling upon the boardwalk Daiyu had constructed over the shore of her family's island.

"Greetings my most auspicious and benevolent lord, Long-Jia Jinhai, forgive this serfs intrusion upon your meditations. A message has been received from the renowned architect and hero of the revolution, The esteemed philosopher Lieren of Nothing" The man says, smacking his head upon the fish scale carved stone beneath Jinhai's feet "He begs forgiveness for the belatedness of his report concerning the Huang province crisis, and requests to speak to his imperial majesty personally"

Jinhai took a moment to respond, as he noticed the messenger had a piece of his breakfast caught between his teeth and that he trembled before him as if the rolling mists of the lake chilled him to the core.

"Well he doesn't need permission to speak to me, no one does, but especially not my old friend and mentor, lead me to the transceiver. I'll shall give him the distant audience he requests without delay" Jinhai said, resisting the urge to pick at his own teeth as the Man ceased blooding his forehead upon the previously pristine pathway. It looked painful, Jinhai decided the man would share drinks with him and his master to calm his nerves later that day.
Cont
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>>4909486

Walking along the stylized path way, to the tower that rose outside of the manor's walls, Jinhai entered, waited for the operators to stop bowing and praising his virtues and then sat down in the chair offered to him before some fool could drag a throne up the numerous flights of stairs leading to the radio theater.

Struggling against his ornate robes of Azure and pink, lined and hemmed with golden scales and numerous bracelets and bands of black and mutton fat jade. Pearls jangle from his sleeves as he struggles to find a comfortable posture. Finally, he manages to reign in the ostentatious display of his new station, feeling a servant setting the Mian Guan he had been fitted with two day. Eleven strands of eleven beads of jade hung from its front and back an obscured his vision, the azure and pink cords that hung from its side tickled his shoulders.

He had left it at the boardwalk, hoping it'd be forgotten there until some pale faced servant returned it. It was irritating.

"Lieren? my brother?" Jinhai asked into the transceiver after he tore it from a servant holding it at a distance of three paces "I have been told you've solved the mystery bedeviling the Huang region, Lady Huang will be most pleased. However your report could've waited until you return"

"Ah. Ah. Forgive me my friend, but my investigation lead me to stumble upon a matter most dire, its urgency demanded that I present my findings immediately!" Lieren replied, Jinhai could hear Bai's raspy laughter in the background, alongside Xin's hooting chuckle. A great lifted from Jinhai's shoulders as he heard the good cheer of his brothers in all but blood.

"What trouble have you found now, that is so grave it must be brought to imperial attentions?" Jinhai asked curiously "I expected you to be able to solve any mischief you've found. How grave of a mystery did you uncover in your travels?"

"A grave mystery indeed, a secret that perhaps should not be spread. I encountered slave takers from the stars, and warriors glutted on the same foulness as the Yan Tyrants" Lieren answered as if such things were mundane affairs "I fear the imperial army's presence may be required in ensuring the subjugating of the stellar raiders and in securing their campsite, as for the wicked warriors I encountered, I fear they are of Vishnu and Shuni decent"

Jinhai bowed his head, his eyes sharpening as a stern expression replaced his worry.

"Trouble some news indeed" He answers, simply to keep the surrounding servants from panicking "I take it you had no difficulties in overcoming such challenges then"

"Only in scattering and thinning the numbers of the alien raiders. Bai bested the Vishnu, Zian, Rong and Dong brought the Shuni to heel" He answered stoically "Though I've found another flock of wayward souls, men from another planet"
cont
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>>4909488

"How curious!" Jinahi said, unable to hide his glee as he struggled to maintain the façade of a mundane conversation "I will have to meet them soon, when can I expect a physical audience with you, oh wanderer of the fog?"

"Soon, as Soon as I am certain Bai and Dong are on the road to recovery, then I shall accept any position or office you deem me worthy of being assigned, I shall give a more detailed report then as well. May the coming dawn bring bounty and joy to your life, Jinhai"

"May your fortune ever follow behind you, Lieren" Jinhai laughed

And with that, Lieren's voice was replaced with static. And only then did he allow his confusion and dread to find root in his mind. Bandits from the stars? A Vishnu and Shuni warrior? This was all so confusing, and unsettling as well.

"Summon the Black General, the Lord of Cavalry and the Firestorm" Jinhai commanded, mimicking Lieren's habitual arm lashing as he stood from his seat
-

"I told you, I'm fine" Dong muttered as you checked his pulse and temperature. Bai, was swinging his shoulder and stretching his injured leg.

"I think my flesh is remains sturdy enough" Bai spoke, kicking his stiff leg out and testing it under him "No reason to replace it with Iron and steel. Machinery can't compare to a living limb, I'll adjust to this injury like scar face did"

"Feng or Zian" Dong asks bluntly as you sigh and shake your head. Both would bloody Bai's face if they heard him say that.

"Well, the offer will remain. My friend is far more trained in the medical arts than myself, and she'd be happy to lend her aid" You say cheerfully, rising to your feet and turning to leave "But if you refuse, I shall leave you both here to recover"

"Fine by me" Dong snorts

"If you see the little bird, tell her to tell my wife I still draw breath!" Bai barks.

And with that, you take your leave.

What shall you do now, Lieren?
>Delay your audience with Long-Jia Jinhai to aid in securing the Aeldari encampment with your able companions and the imperial army.

>Quietly take a detour in the Bone Devouring forest to speak with Kanzeon, and present to her the advance materials you've scavenged from the Aeldari

>Delay your audience with Jinhai by taking the time to study the off worlders and learn their culture and language.

>Simply ride to the new Gao Palace and discuss how you shall serve Long-Jia in the future and the unsettling happenings of the Huang region

>Write in
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>>4909489
Sorry for the late update. Woke up late. Also in reality the Mian Guan worn by emperors had twelve strands of twelve beads rather than the eleven worn by Jinhai.
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>>4909489
>"Feng or Zian" Dong asks bluntly
Fuck, Dong got me good.

>Simply ride to the new Gao Palace and discuss how you shall serve Long-Jia in the future and the unsettling happenings of the Huang region
>Write in
Radio in Kanzeon and ask if she can tell us about the Aeldari. Let's speak in Imperial to keep the conversation extra secure. We can possibly have the materials from their ships be shipped to her in due time to aid in her own recovery.
>>
>>4909489
>Secure the camp
>Detour to Kanzeon
>Learn the language of the off worlders, should only take a few moments, and promise them an audience with the leader of the lands.

Then we can ride to the gao Palace.
>>
>>4909489
>>Delay your audience with Long-Jia Jinhai to aid in securing the Aeldari encampment with your able companions and the imperial army.
Gotta make sure nasty deldar tech doesn't get circulated, or worse picked up by enemies, also would probebly be wise to be around when our army gets thier first contact with aliens to spin it the right way and avoid panic and inauspicious rumours.

>Write in
Bring the off-worlders along back to the new Gao Palace and learn of them on the way, possibly see if we can't teach ol' Winchester our language telepathically.
>>
>>4909506
Oh yeah, should bring the offworlders with us.
>>
>>4909489
>Delay your audience with Long-Jia Jinhai to aid in securing the Aeldari encampment with your able companions and the imperial army.
>>
>>4909489
>>Delay your audience with Long-Jia Jinhai to aid in securing the Aeldari encampment with your able companions and the imperial army.
>Delay your audience with Jinhai by taking the time to study the off worlders and learn their culture and language.
Once that is done
>Quietly take a detour in the Bone Devouring forest to speak with Kanzeon, and present to her the advance materials you've scavenged from the Aeldari
>>
>>4909488
>Jinhai entered, waited for the operators to stop bowing and praising his virtues and then sat down in the chair offered to him before some fool could drag a throne up the numerous flights of stairs leading to the radio theater.
Kek


>>4909489
>>Delay your audience with Long-Jia Jinhai to aid in securing the Aeldari encampment with your able companions and the imperial army.
>Delay your audience with Jinhai by taking the time to study the off worlders and learn their culture and language.
>Quietly take a detour in the Bone Devouring forest to speak with Kanzeon, and present to her the advance materials you've scavenged from the Aeldari

Inform of the delays Jinhai, they are unfortunately a necessary thing, and it will help us in the council we will shortly attend to. It might be wise to invite Guozhi to this council as well, afterall this "champions" if one can call this brutes and deranged such, where clearly filled with darkness and negative Qi... and are pawns of evil spirits.
>>
>>4909489
>>4909489
>>Delay your audience with Long-Jia Jinhai to aid in securing the Aeldari encampment with your able companions and the imperial army.
We gotta learn whatever English-equivalent the offworlders speak soon though. Each day we go without our Teddy Roosevelt-equivalent is a day wasted.
>>
>>4909489
>>Quietly take a detour in the Bone Devouring forest to speak with Kanzeon, and present to her the advance materials you've scavenged from the Aeldari
>Simply ride to the new Gao Palace and discuss how you shall serve Long-Jia in the future and the unsettling happenings of the Huang region
>>
>>4909506
Support.
>>
>>4909489
>Delay your audience with Long-Jia Jinhai to aid in securing the Aeldari encampment with your able companions and the imperial army
>>
>>4909489
>Delay your audience with Long-Jia Jinhai to aid in securing the Aeldari encampment with your able companions and the imperial army.
>Quietly take a detour in the Bone Devouring forest to speak with Kanzeon, and present to her the advance materials you've scavenged from the Aeldari
>Delay your audience with Jinhai by taking the time to study the off worlders and learn their culture and language.
>>
>>4909489
>>4909489
> Delay your audience with Long-Jia Jinhai to aid in securing the Aeldari encampment with your able companions and the imperial army.
> Describe the cruel Drukhari weapons, xenos technology and alien materials to Kanzeon over the radio whilst doing so.
I'd bet good money she'll recognize their vicious craft and depredations. An in-depth examination can happen after all the refugees and wounded are taken care of.
> Look for a potential leader, besides the tough elder Winchester, who can represent the offworlders in a meeting with Jinhai.
He wants to know about them just as badly as Lieren, and introducing them to the new lord of the land is just proper etiquette. It's just another duty of the Emperor to give succor to good, innocent foreign peoples in need.
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>>4908233
+1
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>>4909489
>Delay your audience with Long-Jia Jinhai to aid in securing the Aeldari encampment with your able companions and the imperial army.
This is the most important by far, Incubi are no fools so they won't let themselves be taken by surprise or stand around to be shelled.
>Quietly take a detour in the Bone Devouring forest to speak with Kanzeon, and present to her the advance materials you've scavenged from the Aeldari.
Dark Elder technology is not only high quality but as a general rule it doubles as a crime against humanity so I imagine much of it would be unusable aside from some partial reverse engineering Kazeon can do while she eats it all to self repair. Hopefully we didn't truly total the engines of the bigger ships so we can park it all for disassembly atop the bone forest mountain.
>Delay your audience with Jinhai by taking the time to study the off worlders and learn their culture and language.
Only Lieran or maybe the cultivators can quickly get the off worlder language translated, the sooner that happens the better since they might have valuable information.
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>>4910253
I forgot about the soul stone Cearnarch had, does anyone think we should try to use that and the secret from Lierans pod to make that dead craft worlder a body that can hold their soul? We have plenty of proto dark eldar bodies to attempt to grab genetics from. Has to be better then the alternative for the elf in question if it would work.
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>>4910289
We should probably try communicating with it, but cloning them might not be a good idea, the deldar have to use a lot of pain to be able to stave off the attention of Slannesh to put their souls back into their bodies in orders to be ressurected, but they also don't use soulgems, so they have to het it back from the warp first.
We probably should ask first, cucking Ynnead is getting rid of a potential ally in the future.
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>>4910289
I don't think so no.

We have the monks of Dai to do so first, then possibly get it to work for Kanzeon.
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>>4909489
Simply ride to the new Gao Palace and discuss how you shall serve Long-Jia in the future and the unsettling happenings of the Huang region

>Write in
1) Recover soul stone from the dead Hunt master
2) Hug Dong and give him a personal pep talk about the who Xeno calling him souless thing. how he is now and always will be our brother then hug the dude.
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Calling the vote now.

Simply ride to the new Gao Palace and discuss how you shall serve Long-Jia in the future and the unsettling happenings of the Huang region:3

Radio in Kanzeon and ask if she can tell us about the Aeldari, while describing their weaponry and technology. Let's speak in Imperial to keep the conversation extra secure.: 2

Delay your audience with Long-Jia Jinhai to aid in securing the Aeldari encampment with your able companions and the imperial army.:11

Quietly take a detour in the Bone Devouring forest to speak with Kanzeon, and present to her the advance materials you've scavenged from the Aeldari: 6

Delay your audience with Jinhai by taking the time to study the off worlders and learn their culture and language.:7
-Bring the off-worlders along back to the new Gao Palace and learn of them on the way:3
-Ask if they would like to to meet a king: 1

Inform Jinhai of the delays: 1

Look for a potential leader, besides the tough elder Winchester, who can represent the offworlders in a meeting with Jinhai.: 1

Recover soul stone from the dead Hunt master: 1

Hug Dong and give him encouragement: 1

Radio Kanzeon and talk to her until you meet Jinhai: 1

total votes: 15

Alright, so Lieren will Delay his audience with King Long-Jia Jinhai to aid the imperial army and his veteran companions in securing the encampment.

And then after learning the off worlder's language (Which will not take long at all, considering how quick he learned the Wild Vishnu's dialect and Aeldari) he'll travel to Jinhai's court as promised to accept his new station and job

Writing now
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>>4909489
>>Quietly take a detour in the Bone Devouring forest to speak with Kanzeon, and present to her the advance materials you've scavenged from the Aeldari
>>
>Lieren gleans the off-worlders' language via telepathy
>suddenly he has a noticeable twang to his accent in every language he can speak
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>>4910580
>"Now yall best be playin' nice, else like the coming rains o' the risin' season that wash'way tha' sin and grime oh the dang Yan, y'all gonna be in for some riiiiiiiiiiiightious retribution!"
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>>4910580
>>4910638
Kek

Also update inbound, Its a big one. Over ten posts by my reckoning.
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It will take some time for the imperial army to be assembled and march to the Huang region, even with the Giant's Road expediting the time and easing the dangers travel throughout the kingdom and the slowly expanding railway system further lessening. Though their arrival will be far hastier than it would've been in years past and safer as well, their duty is a dangerous one indeed. It is unlikely that every Aeldari died in the chaos you designed and brought about and even a single of their number could sow death at a rate unmatched even by the Gatling guns, mortars and cannons fielded by the army. Even if Jinhai has chosen to introduce the hot air balloon innovated by Shirong, the Aeldari hold the advantage; even if only a fraction of their number still remain.

And that is merely concerning the killing capabilities possessed by the mundane among them. The standard warrior, the unskilled raider, a veteran of a few battles and nothing more. If even one of the four incubi still lingers in the world of the living, securing the encampment will soon become a festival of slaughter and wanton bloodshed. And of all the Aeldari, those four acolytes of the killing arts would have the greatest chance of surviving the mayhem you concocted to strike down Cearnarch. Your hunt has not yet ended, though you do not doubt the capability of the men you have personally trained for years, nor that of the imperial army that struck down the old regime with unmatched efficiency without suffering a single defeat; It would be the height of foolishness to assume they would be able to emerge victorious unbloodied. Though jackals may be able to devour a panther if their numbers are great enough, few would be able to indulge in the spoils of their victory.

For once your companions and the army they serve are completely outmatched. Even the most indolent and untrained Aeldari would easily prove to be a match for ten men at minimum. While high yield explosives and artillery may be enough to slay the "mundane" stock of the alien raiders, The Incubi would find surviving such an assault effortless. Even the Panthers and Tigers only slew as many as they did, due to treacherous nature of the Aeldari and the panther's existence as predators beneath the fog and man eaters. The Incubi, by what you know of their ability and your in-depth knowledge of how panthers hunt, would in all probability have lost not even one of their number to the crushing jaws large enough a man's chest in a single bite. In fact, by your estimation the chances of even a single Incubus being devoured is less than a fraction of a percent.

Thus, to ensure the army is not weakened by the advance opponents they ride to meet, you must delay your audience with Jinhai to aid in their efforts. If only to personally challenge the Incubi to mortal combat. Such proud warriors devoted to the dogma of battle would be unable to refuse such a challenge.
Cont
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>>4910666

You can only hope Jinhai has seen fit to command Feng or Aruna to take part in the army's operation. As they are two of three men who could possibly emerge victorious in single combat against an Incubi. Even with his limp, Feng is a frightful opponent. And Aruna is the pinnacle of his society of warriors. The third is Jinhai himself, who holds the distinction of being the only man you've encountered who could have provided a challenge to Cui Fu and his peerless martial mastery.

If they are not part of the force raised to secure the extraterrestrial bandit's camp, then the coming battle will prove ever more difficult. And you would not allow Jinhai to take part in the short yet deadly skirmish. The kingdom of Long-Jia could not endure losing its first king so quickly, and would become vulnerable to invasion in the period of confusion that would surely follow in the wake of such a tragedy.

Committing yourself to this course of action, you radio Jinhai's temporary court at Gao Palace to inform them you'll be delayed and to issue a formal request to be allowed to participate in the military action soon to be preformed. Within half an hour, as the horizon becomes painted in vivid scarlet and tangerine hues, you receive your reply in four words.

"Permission granted, Good hunting" spoken by the black general, the unbroken thunder's howl. Yin Lei, one of your most staunch supporters and zealous practioner of the Journey. Grinning ear to ear like a jackal would, you feel emboldened. With Yin Lei's tactical genius, the favor of the battle soon to be waged has swung in the imperial force's favor.

Through the short conversation with the black general, you learn that Lai Song and Tao Dandan will be leading their own regiments beneath Lei's command. If only Yan Zihao and Dai Niu were not so disgraced as to be considered an unseemly sight upon the battlefield. The Old Fox and Old Turtle would have all but condemned the Aeldari to being outmaneuvered and trapped beneath a wall of steel respectively. As it stands, even though an Aeldari may be able to outpace a man on horseback, the horses and men bred by the Lai are in no way ordinary, and Tao Dandan, though somewhat over enthusiastic in her work, has become a maestro in conducting bombardments and pin point artillery strikes. She's even divined the tactic of suppressive fire, and refined it!

Though the gap of technology is still a nearly insurmountable obstacle for the forces of Long-Jia to overcome, with these three exceptional geniuses leading the army and yourself acting as a Vanguard to draw the alien's attentions away from the bulk of the imperial forces, victory may become decisive rather than pyrrhic.

All that must be done now, is to await their arrival to march upon what remains of the Aeldari encampment, to secure the remains of their ships, weaponry and technology and to decide the fates of the numerous alien lifeforms still caged within.
Cont
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>>4910668

And to free the majestic Qirin that still lays trapped in the clutches of cruel men. It would be a suitable gift for Jinhai, for if legends are to be believed, Qirins only emerge to herald the arrival of a great sage or illustrious ruler or their passing. While that is just superstitious folklore to explain the rarity of such beautiful and strange creatures, it would serve to further cement the Long-Jia dynasty and Jinhai's own rule

While many will attribute the Qirin's arrival to that of a sage named Lieren, history may remember it differently. Especially if it accepts Jinhai as its owner

There's also the mystery of the soul containing pearl you spotted upon Cearnarch's tongue. You should retrieve the odd gem for study after the encampment has been secured. Planning the assault will not take long, especially with Yin Lei and Lai Song's experience to aid in its conception. That leaves you without much to do, besides to ponder what remains unknown, tend to Bai and Dong, and of course come to understand the foreigners language and culture

They are ever so strange in their manner, and their language is unlike any upon Shangrala. There were some words you recognized as descending from the Language spoken by Kanzeon, your distant father and the men who surrounded him in your dream. Perhaps their language has its roots in the tongue of spoken by humanity's past and future?

Turning your eyes to a gang of youths rough housing despite their injures, you walk up to the mustachioed man watching over them. He starts, yelling and lifting his hat with his thumb as you observe him with a casual interest. Tilting his head, you begin to study every syllable he utters, connecting them to the closest relative meaning you learned from your conversations with Kanzeon. Walking away from the startled man, you walk among the portion of the way station the foreigners have claimed as their own and absorb their conversations, studying them and learning from them

By nightfall, you're able to approach Old Winchester, who've you spoken to solely through wind whispering, and call out to him in his own tongue. When the ruddy faced man finally calms down from the initial shock of hearing you speak in a flawless imitation of his own accent, you sit down next to him like an old friend

It would appear his people have a similar beverage to coffee on their world, as Winchester will not stop raving and talking about how relieved he was to find a "Cup from Joe" instead of the "Murky water he was beginning to get sour on". Which you assume he means the broth and tea offered to aid in their recovery. Which would explain the pile of smashed pottery in the muddy grounds at their feet

"Ain't know how you mist folk found it, sure the star devil's ain't have no interest in it, but I'm glad you did, even if you don't know how to brew it up right' Old Winchester proclaims with a whistle between the gap of his teeth, as he drinks a heavily watered down slurry of coffee beans
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>>4910669

Ironically preparing it more like tea.

Late into the night, you converse with Old Winchester and others who join to sit around the fire they've built outside of the way station, listening to their stories and inquiring about the society of their native world and the planet itself. At first they're confused, having assumed they were merely taken to a different part of their own world, and many of them become panicked as you explain the truth of their situation to them.

But they adapt quickly, and start asking why a "Star man" looks so much like themselves and how your people can stand to live beneath the fog or stand how wet the air is. So you tell them of Shangrala first, gathering a crowd as they listen enraptured by your stories of adventure and hunting, though only the adults care to listen about the history of the world they've been taken to. While it is amusing and endearing, the children's demands to hear how you bested the "Toady dragon" or "That there furred harlot", it does prevent you from learning about them for the night.

It isn't until next morning that you're able to stop telling stories and ask the elders amongst them about their home and way of life. Though they grumble and complain childishly that you've woken them up at a perfectly reasonable hour, they relent once one of the nurses brings a pot of stewing cliffjumper meat and medical bark and herbs. While their lack of manners and etiquette is appalling, and watching them toss away the hardy rice noodles in their broth for "looking like worms" draws your ire, you have a certain bile fascination in watching them dip the steamed buns brought out to feed the workers into their breakfast broth. They tear them to pieces and let them soak in the broth, turning it into a slurry dotted with grease and fat. Only then do the offworlders seem pleased with the offering.

And they begin to regale you with their own "Tall tales" of home as they refer to their stories, in-between asking for forks to compliment their spoons, and inquiring when the fog will let up.

Sitting bow legged on the floor, a man with a beard only on his cheeks and his hair parted down the middle, slicked back with grease from the bottom of the cooking pot, reveals to you the mystery that has been gnawing at the back of your mind since you first laid eyes upon his people.

New Varo, is what they know their planet as. A place "without much rain or wetness" consisting entirely of dried grass lands, plains as far as the eye can see, inhospitable deserts and canyons that "Reach for heaven and don't have the good sense to look back down". A world of red rock, and howling winds, connected "The old rails" which sound to be a remnant of humanities past judging by how the trains that run them are described as floating and running without a conductor that "They ever seen".
Cont
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>>4910670

Their world is ruled by a council of governors, who each rule a region but elect amongst themselves a ruler for life who unites the whole planet together except for "The red savages in the yonder". Who seem to be an off shoot of humanity "as they don't got no skin, and have fangs like a Snapjaw, and claws like a skinner's knife". They laugh when you ask what a snapjaw is, and after much mocking, you learn its a form of reptilian predator "Bout as half as tall as yourself, with a crooked smile and hands for peeling misbehaving youngins".

The more you learn about New Varro, the more you're convinced that these men are of an exceedingly hardy stock to be able to survive and flourish upon a world that sounds as inhospitable as the Cui region was made to be. There are giant "Thundering birds" That are known to snatch up whole herds of "Rattle", Rattle being a form of gargantuan snakes kept in a similar fashion to oxen, or simply pluck a man from the prairie never to be seen again. And there's the "Shaggy spooks", some form of de-evolved strain of humanity who dwell in "that old bastard scratch's chamber pot", that prey solely upon "Settlers and traveling salesmen". Salesmen being a particularly aggressive form of merchant who barge into people's houses to demand they purchase their wares. Even the weather of New Varo seems exceptionally hostile, dust storms that "can flay a man as easy as he peels off his long johns" and heatwaves that "Sooner melt the nails from the house and turn the sand to glass than let up".

You also learn they have a similar tradition to the Wild Vishnu, of only naming their children after they have survived for a certain period of time. Though they wait until adolescence to bequeath their children with anything besides nicknames and passing monikers, as in Winchesters own words "Don't do no good to know them by anything else till your certain they gonna be around come tomorrow, ya hear?"

Such a fascination for this strange, deadly world flourishes within you that you while away much your time asking about it, and exchanging stories to hear new and exciting "Tall tales" and "Tear Squeezers" from New Varo, devouring each with a gusto similar to that of the children hearing your own stories.

In fact, when Yin Lei arrives, he catches you as the audience of one of these stories, concerning the storyteller's encounter with the desert bandit "Ironback Michael" A mutant cyborg who was infamous from his daring raids and assaults upon civilized society.

"So, these are the men stolen from the heaven?" Yin Lei asks, as the storyteller grimaces upon being interrupted "how strange their manner is, I've seen the Vishnu act with more grace. But how curious it is as well, to know their exists a society as unconcerned with societal mores. Perhaps the Long-Jia could learn from such rowdy freedom?"

"He a friend of yours?" He asks, as you nod and stand to greet Yin Lei with cupped hands "He stands like a ranger, he a ranger?"
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>>4910671

"A general, whose name alone has won battles and ended wars" You answer in hushed whispers "If any man deserves your respect, it is the black general"

"But he's white?" the man bemusedly states

"It isn't because of the color of" You begin to explain, before giving up and turning to face Yin Lei again, whose observing the story teller curiously "My apologies my friend, I was merely explaining your profession and wide spread renown to Gallager, who was regaling me with an most intriguing encounter of his with infamous brigand upon his world"

"Fascinating, judging from his shocked tone he is surprised that I'm a general whose name and deeds are storied and praised wildly, despite how many of my accomplishments achieved nothing in the end beside senseless bloodshed?" Yin Lei questions

"No he thought your epithet of the black general was given because of the color of your skin" You explain as you excuse yourself from the audience and walk as Yin Lei's side.

"Men can't have black skin" Yin Lei chuckles "How queer of a misunderstanding, do men of such dark hides live upon the world he was taken from"

"A number do actually, though I'm not sure if black is the correct name for the tone of their skin. It is not so shocking when you consider how exposed their world is to the rays of their sun" You explain as Yin Lei stops midstep

"Their home is unshrouded by fog? Queerer yet!" Yin Lei laughs, folding his arms over his officer's coat "I cannot imagine how they are not blind from the constant exposure to such intense light! I have desire to learn more of these strange people and this odd world they call home"

"Then I shall share my knowledge after our work is done, Yin Lei" You sneer and cackle as your lead to Lai Song and Lady Dandan who stand inside the boundary of the open gate. Lai Song is dressed in the new uniform armor of the army, customized to allow himself and his riders to retain their mobility and more easily maneuver on their horses without losing the protection of their steel armor. The armor you designed in your grief of Small Chen's death

"AH LAI SONG! TAO DANDAN! IT HAS BEEN TOO LONG SINCE WE LAST MET!" You proclaim merrily, cupping your fist in greeting as the two return the gesture.

"And here I've thought you vanished into the fog like a fading dream!" Lai Song laughs boisterously, eyes glinting with excitement at the prospect of fighting an unknown enemy "I've heard you've had quite the adventure since Young Jinhai was crowned king"

"I wouldn't name it an adventure, it was merely an undertaking of my continue responsibility to the kingdom and her people" You humbly explain

"Killed a bandit lord from the stars and slew the first dragon seen in two centuries, and it was just a continuation of your endless philanthropy?" Lai Song sneers as Dandan cools herself with a fan designed to resemble flames and sparrow tails.

She snaps the fan shut and taps it on her wrist.
cont
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>>4910672

"That's just Lieren's character. His humility prevents him from realizing the glory of his deeds and splendor of his actions" Dandan teases.

You smirk.

"I see no reason to fluff my feathers and strut around like a courting sparrow over a single victory, when there is work yet to be done" You speak, making the fiery Lady Tao fluster and turn away as she blushes.

"Your wisdom shines brilliantly as always, my young friend. We should cease such pointless talks and see to the task entrusted to us by the Illustrious Lord Long-Jia" Yin Lei speaks sternly as Lai Song sighs

"Wonder if we'll meet another dragon" He muses to Lady Tao who shrugs her shoulders with a dramatic sigh.

"If any dragons still live, they'd know to avoid stepping into Lieren's path" She jests "Though I would like to examine the...enhancement you spoke of over the radio, Lieren, the flame sprayer"

Oh dear and she's made such progress in reigning in the uglier and unseemly side of her personality as well. Dandan with flamethrowers is a terrifying thought indeed.
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<Recorded Passage from a rare 4th edition of the <Data redacted>, interred in the personal collection of <Data redacted> Item is a collection of stories and poems once commonly found within <Data Redacted>, the item is bound in a covering formed of pulped leather, many of its pages have become compromised by the passage of time and exposure to the elements. Currently out <Data redacted> Only <Data redacted> pages are complete enough to remain somewhat legible>

The victory at Heavens Warning. A rousing tale of Lieren's life after the rebellion, in the dawn of the Long-Jia Era. One immortalized in theater, and I would be remise to fail to mention my favored interpretation of the legendary battle, though it is one of the most divorced from reality I've found in my years long study of Lieren's esteemed and eventful life. Penned and performed by the Playwright Pan An, a contemporary of Lieren himself, one would expect that the reality of the event would be recorded by a man who is reputed to have personally shared the Golden Eyed Giant's company but that is not the case.

For this play, while it is a treasured and much beloved account of our great kingdoms past and one of the eleven great works created by Pan An in his life time; It is clearly a wild exaggeration and wanton fantasy, here we see Lieren's reputed sorcerous talent leave the oral tradition to be seen upon the stage with pyrotechnics and effects that are traditionally still employed in retellings of the encounter with the "inhuman" bandits. Which in all likelihood were merely an especially inbred breed of hermit survivalists who had flourished in the chaos that afflicted the Huang region at wars end. And the Qirin saved from their clutches was clearly propaganda devised to reinforce Long-Jia authority in the volatile times following the defeat of the Yan Tyrants.
cont
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>>4910673

This humble chronicler shall regale the tale to you now, as I had seen it performed by the "Peahen Queen's Entourage" A renowned traveling entertainment troupe

<Access pending approval by higher authority, contact Magos <Data corrupted> to present your credentials to be bequeathed the key code to receive further access>
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"Courts above!" Lai song cries out, as you rally the army to march forward with Long-Jia war banner in one hand, and Power Dao in the other. The Flag is flecked with blood, when you used it as an improvised spear to run through one of the Incubi when you met him and challenged him to single combat before the entire army, before his entourage attempted to cowardly cut you down, and were slain to the man by your hand.

Having thus cut down one of the greatest threats presented to the imperial army, you had led them forth and overcame an ambush of eight Aeldari led by another of the Incubi, that came from the cliffside.

Dozens of casualties were sustained, and in the midst of the assault the Incubus leading the charge made for the Artillery at the back of your formation in an attempt to halt its non stop barrage on the canyon pass. However, you had foreseen such a gambit after the first encounter with the Aeldari remnants at the outskirts of the canyon and advised Yin Lei to prepare for such a bold assault upon the backbone of your crawling advance.

Cutting a bloody path through the force, he met his end when Aruna emerged from beneath the banner flown by one of the lesser generals, disguised as a Tao officer. A terrible conflict ensured, which ended when Aruna, bearing a large wound across his chest caught the Aeldari in his hands and lifted him into the air and strangled the life out of wretch. Emboldened by seeing the monstrous foe slain, the army rallied, and surround his unit, and slaughtered them to the man in close quarters.

The sparrows devouring a lion. It was the great glory of the Tao house, and would doubtlessly be remembered as a point of pride in their history.

Your next obstacle took the form of Cearnarch's last son of any talent. The beast master who named himself Stollaire, who road upon a tamed fog panther, armored in the electrified caging it was kept in. Enraged by the mere sight of a proud beast made the bow before such a villain, you entered a black rage and butchered the rider and his flock of thrall creatures, Impaling him upon the banner you carried. Throwing the impudent lording to the ground, his life was ended with a solid stomp of your foot upon his neck. But, he had been followed by a unit of sharp shooters, and in the lull of Dandan's artillery reloading and calculating the angle of their mortars, they had had stolen away the lives of numerous Valiant men.
cont.
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>>4910674

Lai song brought them to heel with a bold manuever; a cavalry charge amidst a bombardment. Suicidal, but the Lai Riders are peerless in their skill and no amount of armor can protect you from being trampled by a regiment of astride Cui Warmongers. Miraculously, the only causality of the charge was a horse who broke its leg upon one of the Alien Sniper's chest.

The remaining Aeldair gathered in the encampment, which they had fortified with the wrecks of their ship. Breeching the wall was the most costly maneuver in the skirmish to secure the camp. By time sappers were able piece the wall of steel, nearly three hundred men lie dead in front of it.

Furious, you were the first to charge through the breech, carrying the names of the dead on your lips.

The Aeldari stood no chance before the combined might of a wrathful giant, Dandan's ceaseless orchestra of destruction, and Yin Lei's masterful maneuvering of the army through the choke point, and Lai Song's cunning decision to cause a rockslide via sustained fire upon the canyon walls.

Having buried one Incubus in stone, you emerged to battle the other one, stripped of your armor and smoking from the incendiary shells that had fallen around you. Red Faced Wei and Aruna joined in the fray, and proved to be vital in securing victory; as while the other incubus was buried beneath the weight of a cliffside, he had survived and struck at your exposed back as you slowly war down his peer's stamina.

Aruna, who you had temporarily gifted the other prince's Dao to as you struggled to break open the wall the Aeldari hid behind, hamstrung the coward, while Red Faced Wei fired a recovered dark lance on his back, rendering the fearsome warrior little more than grease and drifting ashes.

Taking the final Incubus' head with decisive stroke of your saber, you lead the army forward and by the Black General's command, squashed what little resistance remained.

A terrible price of lives was paid to subjugate the aliens, the army had lost nearly an fifth of its number, for the small force of three thousand raised by Jinhai's orders, the dead numbered close to six hundred. An inexcusable loss of life, and the tally could not be accurately given until the camp was secured and the dead were gathered.

Near six hundred men gave up their lives to slay fifty three Aeldari. You regretted not coming alone, you could've dealt with all of them single handedly if you abandoned caution. Those braves souls would've survived to see another dawn if you had.

Among their number, were members of the Tao family, Aruna's tribe the first, Lai riders, volunteers who just joined the imperial army and many others, including one of Dai Niu's younger sons who came seeking glory to redeem his families name.
cont
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>>4910675

What caused Lai song to exclaim in surprise was the sight of the alien creatures still kept caged within the canyon's well, the sight of the arcane technology surrounding his sights, and the visions of atrocity that lay before his eyes.

The soldiers marched by, with murder in their eyes and curses on their tongues. But they two, halted in their search for retribution, when they spotted what drew the horselord's attention.

A half starved Qirin, kept caged, bound in spiked changes and wearing a razor collar. With its Antler's snapped in two, and its incandescent scales torn from its back, its mane dirtied with blood and filth, the creature still stood majestic amidst the carnage.

Lai Song falls to his knees and for the first time since Yin Lei introduced you to the man, weeps at the sight of the abused and defiled majesty of the magnificent creature. A man who bore witness to the atrocities of man and Alien alike, who had seen the men he had trained and lead for years fall before him did not cry for either. But seeing such beauty tarnished, caused the hardened veteran to cry as if he was seeing his own brother tortured and shamed.

"What an auspicious sight after such bloodshed" Yin Lei mutters, his voice rattling with sorrow as he looks to the pitiful creature, riding through the throng as the breech is widened to allow the army through into the encampment "Such a soothing presence, to save such a beautiful creature from these devils' grips make me feel the hero I am oft told I am"

"It's just a scaled and horned horse" Tao Dandan observes, fanning herself as she scans the camp ground, lingering on the ships and vehicles you crippled on your earlier flight from it "Does it truly deserve to be regarded so highly?"

You approach the beast, and bow your head to it. With an intellegent glow in its eyes, it returns the gesture.

"I shall personally investigate the vessels that carried the Aeldari to our world" You state to Yin Lei "Who knows what dangers could be lying in wait, no more lives shall be spent this day"

"You're after something" Yin Lei observes "Some secret you don't want others to uncover"

"Of course, I battled Cearnarch in one of these star ships, and forgot something curious when I escaped with the captives they had taken" You explain, bowing your head

"I trust your judgement, you have my permission to carry out this undertaking" Yin Lei says with with a nod "I will need your expertise to decide how to deal with these...things they've brought to our planet, so recover whatever it is you seek with the utmost haste"

You lift your head in affirmation as Dandan begins to explore the encampment with a guard of Vishnu, Red faced Wei and Aruna himself

"Lai song, watch Lady Dandan and ensure she doesn't loot anything that will cause us trouble in the future" Yin Lei sighs as you leave to retrieve the curious gem from Cearnarch's decaying tongue
-
cont
>>
>>4910676

"Six hundred and forty seven lives lost" Jinhai mutters solemnly as he reads the report you've penned personally. He's demanded you stand by his throne rather than kneel before it as custom would dictate "Such a terrible price to pay for the deaths of fifty three criminals, how terrible a power they must've possessed"

His watery eyes raise from the gilded script in his hands, to the collected weapons and armaments taken from the sight of the battle, to be presented before him as proof of victory.

"It could only be devilry, for such cruel tools to exist in this world" He sadly muses as he turns his eyes back to the report. The weight of those men's lives is weighing heavily upon him "An additional two hundred and twenty eight captives were found recently imprisoned, and were thus released and returned to their homes under the protectrion of imperial forces, additionally a total of sixty eight aberrant creatures were retrieved, with twenty eight proving too wild to transport and were humanely put down. This count includes a..."

Jinhai pauses, a look of childlike wonder filling his tear stained eyes.

"A qirin" He whispers in awe, he turns to you to see if it is true, and you smile and bow your head in answer.

Swallow his sorrow and amazement, he continues reading the report.

"A total of eight vessels with twelve auxiliary vehicles, were captured. the vessels were crippled and non functional without repair, they include a vessel believed by former administrator of the Gao region, Lieren of Nothing, to be ships capable of traversing the heavens. Also found were a dozen smaller vehicles intended to act as personal transport and moving assault platforms" Jinhai reads, slumping back in his throne with a exhausted sigh "I can only pray this will be the last battle the imperial army will have to wage for sometime'

Regaining his composure, he stiffens his back and addresses you formerly in a manner befitting a king.

"But that is merely the wish of this young, naïve king. We have another matter to discuss, that of your formal assignment within the new government and the responsibilities you shall take on, Brother Lieren" Jinhai says with a gentle smile beneath his sad eyes "there are numerous stations you may take, but only one so as to not centralize influence and power under one man. Though if you believe there's a vital position that does not yet exist, speak of it, and I shall create it for you to fill, my most valued friend."

Which office shall you take, Lieren?

>Master tactician and organizer of the imperial army

>Grand architect and head of the ministry of development

>Head of the ministry of agricultural and medicine

>High diplomat and head of the ministry of foreign affairs.

>A different office (Write in?)
>>
>>4910677
>A different office (Write in?)
Master of Whispers, we will have agents in the fog listening and watching we will be the unseen watcher and guardian bringing news from all over.

Added bonus of not having to deal with to much court and some free rein of movement
>>
>>4910677
>Grand architect and head of the ministry of development
Honestly the lack of good advanced tech is a major problem.
>>
>>4910677
>Grand architect and head of the ministry of development
This leaves us much more room to innovate the kingdom as a whole.
>>
>no nignogs in Chinaworld
Kek
>complaining Remembrancer
Oh, I see. So when our brother push them away they try to record everything, but when we let them they think it's all just tall tales. Aight.

>>4910677
>Head of the ministry of agricultural and medicine
Muh crops
>>
>>4910677
>>Grand architect and head of the ministry of development
>Write In
"I will accept this title, most humbly .... though, sometimes i may be needed in several other matters. For example in case of war, or for resolve other difficult problems or emergencies, such as the one we have resolve in the Huang province, or even more peaceful ones, such as giving new military ideas. Which i would be enthusiast to aid in."
"Of course i have even minor tasks, such as leading the brotherhood or the wanderers, but I should be able to do so without many problems."
>>
>>4910677
>>Grand architect and head of the ministry of development
Supporting telling him we'll be happy to broaden our focus if needed.
If we don't innovate and improve our technology, death tolls like the one we just faced will become all the more common, especially against the Vishnu and their Sandskrit epic-levels of tech. And we can embezzle funds and materials for best girl.
>>
>>4910677
>Grand architect and head of the ministry of development
Perturabo would be proud.
>>
>>4910834
>And we can embezzle funds and materials for best girl.
Alternatively we could just introduce Jinhai to Kanzeon personally so he can actually see just how much tech we're sitting on.
>>
>>4910846
>Not wanting to embezzle from the government
>>
>>4910848
WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT HERE ANON
>>
>>4910849
THE GOVERNMENT EMBEZZLES FROM ITSELF ALL THE TIME, ANON
TWO YEARS AGO SOME CONGRESSMAN GOT BUSTED FOR USING CAMPAIGN FUNDS TO BUY STEAM GAMES
>>
Honestly is there even a point to diplomacy on this world if every other nation is ruled by extremely hostile demon worshippers?
>>
>>4910853
Not until we purge corrupted citizens from the Vishni, Shuni, and Bask. Presumably there are good people there, as there were in Yan, though we can appoint Aruna as king if we're not thrilled by the native Vishnu prospects.
>>
>>4910677
>Development
And unofficially, head of "Freak occurances" like warp craft and other unexplainables.
>>
>>4910677

>Grand architect and head of the ministry of development
>>
>>4910677
> Lord Inquisitor, though the actual Long-Jia title will probably be much more flowery
Yes, yes I am voting for this. Though besides the obvious, I'm imagining that Lieren's actual office would entail both addressing major crisis alongside the great generals themselves, but also working to prevent such things from happening in the future during peace time.

Instead of an army, he'd be commanding a first-response force that's smaller, faster and stealthier, investigating any serious flare-ups to determine whether the main military forces will need to be mustered or if it can be resolved quietly or even in a bloodless manner; I of course speak of the Brotherhood.

Aside from that though, he'd also have doctors, scholars, architects, psychiatrists/psychologists, mystics and a myriad of other advisors providing the kingdom with the knowledge it needs to blunt the damage of disasters and war alike. Kinda like a mash of FEMA, the CIA, and a smattering of other alphabet agencies in a compact unit that can move quickly and efficiently.
>>
>>4910941
Fair point but I have no idea what it would actually be called.
>>
>>4910677
>The Royal Treasurer, the man that heads the Department of Prosperity and is responsible to allocate the resources, administer the lands and stop corruption.
>>
>>4910846
Presenting her to him could be a good idea yes. Though Kinhai as absolute trust of Lieren anyway, and Lieren explains what he does most of the time. But them knowing eachother could be cool
>>
>>4910677
>Grand architect and head of the ministry of development
>Grand Inquisitor if one is needed
>>
>>4911246
*jinhai
Got the word wrong
>>
>>4910677
>Grand architect and head of the ministry of developmen
>>
>>4910677
>Grand architect and head of the ministry of development
>Grand Inquisitor if one is needed
Not surprised at the casualties, dark elder don't fuck around, it's sad the ship engines were totaled so we are going to have to drag most of it to Kanzeon to be recycled for her.
We could have possibly poked around our solar system as well if the big one didn't get smashed.
>>
>>4910941
inquisitor is a great choice actually, I second this along with >>4910902
>>
>>4910941
I guess I’ll support this too.
>>
>>4910677
Do we get to keep the Qirin? Can we keep one and name it Sparkle Pants?
>>
>>4911538
Nah, we gifted it to Jinhai to secure his claim to the throne
>>
>>4911540
But can we pet it?
>>
>>4911549
What a stupid question.

How else do we let it know it is a good boy?
>>
>>4910677
>Grand architect and head of the ministry of development

>>4910941
+1 to Lord Inquisitor option as runner-up.
>>
>>4910941
Seems fair, I'm voting this
>>
>>4911561
>hand feeding the qirin
>belly rubs
>boop it's half horse lizard snoot
>give it cute qirin sized cloaks for winter
>make various top hats and accessories for it
>>
Finally finished these boys. Even in the grim darkness of the 41st millennium, there is still camaraderie. I used a messier technique this time around and I’m happy with how it turned out, though I’ve got a ways to go yet.

I also realised that they kind of look like Captain Small Chen and Sergeant Sandip as mentioned in the last thread, but seeing as this particular tiger dude is wearing IG gear and the IG didn’t exist at this point it doesn’t really work. The cybernetics are a bit off from what was described too.
>>
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>>4911598
>>
>>4911598
I always imagined their faces more bestial/forms more hulking but i dig it
>>
So how about we get a list of technology to develop.
>>
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>>4911598
Well, Sandip was told to be a sergeant of the benevolent wings regiment, and flak armour existed back then, so it's not impossible.
But he would probably be wearing azure and plum, not Cadian colours.
>>
can we use some of the ships as parts for repair? our shipfu could use it.
>>
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I always thought they were more like this but with 4 arms Mortal kombat style
>>
>>4910677
>>Grand architect and head of the ministry of development
>>
Thought about Win-Chester. when we invade other planets do we allow the Native culture to thrive or do we move it more towards Shangrala culture/society.
>>
>>4911598
Damn that's a tall cat. As always good shit.
>>
Calling the vote now.

Master of Whispers: 1

Grand architect and head of the ministry of development:12

Head of the ministry of agricultural and medicine:1

"I will accept this title, most humbly ....":2

Lord Inquisitor: 7

The Royal Treasurer:1

total votes: 17

So Grand architect and head of the ministry of development wins.

However, Jinhai not restrict Lieren's many talents and will entrust other duties to him that he believes only the Giant could carry out or offer his aid to other officials should the need arise.

But his official position will be the grand architect and head minster of development, and his usual responsibility will be focused on such.

Writing now

>>4911598
Incredible work once again anon! Like the decorations on the Marine. Lots of jade, the azure crest is also nice, as is the plume mantle which adds its own subtle flair.

Your interpretation of the tiger folk is also neat. Love how their sword looks like a cleaver, and the design of their cybernetics (Especially the little wires going from the eye, just marvelous. The organic eye is also really captivating, I just adore small details like that. Top knot framed by the ears makes for a very wild look.

>>4911807
That's how I picture them and have been writing them, but how they look in your imagination has just as much precedence as what I see in my mind's eye as I write.

Also, they are beast men. So a variety of "Beastness" wouldn't be out of the question. especially since not all of them have four arms, so there is a precedent for it!

>>4911920
Remember, the tiger folk are of Vishnu Stock, and the Vishnu are themselves BIG
>>
Presented before you upon cushions held by four servants dressed in their own unique uniforms, lay four jade slips of varied color. the first is a deep, expressive green that catches light like the arms of old trees. The second, polished black like ink or river stone, unsullied by discoloration or lighter hues. The third carved from rare lavender jade that holds a brilliance akin to a plum cultivated upon celestial waters, the gem's rich hue softening towards its latter half. And the last, Mutton fat jade with a swirl of pale gold that darkens to a rich fertile brown

Resting beside each slip is a ceremonial badge of the position they offer. For the green jade slip, it is a simple pin with rice stalk and lotus blossom bound together by red twine; lovingly painted upon its porcelain surface. It is the symbol of the head minster of the joint agencies of agriculture and medicine. For the black, it is a rifle and spear crossed above a cricket, the symbol of the master tactician and organizer of the imperial army's forces. The lavender sits besides the badge of the grand architect and head of the ministry of development, its symbol being a cog set around a stone setting mallet as if to mimic the appearance of a windmill. The white slips lays beside the token of the high diplomat and ministry of foreign affairs, a bat resting atop a branch bearing a peach and peach blossoms

Jinhai rings a small bell, and a fifth man, dressed in a white shroud joins the other four kneeling before you, and presents an empty cushion. You smirk, instantly recognizing the symbolism behind the gesture. Jinhai sits behind you, curiously watching as you study each badge and slip of jade, inspecting them for flaws or intricacies in their design that you missed at first glance. The servants struggle to keep from turning their eyes in your direction as you stand before them. They're in awe of your presence, and merely standing before such a figure as renowned and venerated as yourself. The same way men stand before Yin Lei or Yan Zihao. The way man cower in the company of a legend

Except for one. The third in the row. The man presenting the symbols office of grand architect. You recognize him at a glance even if you do not know his name. Even behind the veil he wears and the brocade he has dressed himself with, it is obvious who he is. The "nameless" assistant whose aid had been vital in the construction of the White Dragon's Path from the first stone hammered in place to its most distant of branches

"I see, I see" You half chuckle as you kneel before the stubbornly unnamed man "You've presented to me one of my oldest followers amongst strangers. A man I know to be diligent in performing his duty and dependable in all circumstances"

"It would be an honor to serve beneath your command forevermore, Lord Lieren" He says, speaking out of turn to show the great admiration he holds for you, raising his head even as the masked guards surrounding the five men visibly bristle
Cont
>>
>>4911991

They see it as an attempt to sway your decision. The fools, they served in your army, they should know how difficult you are to manipulate.

"The honor is all mine. It is the highest privledge to command men as able and talented as yourself, if all of the ministry's officials are half as proficient as yourself, if they host even a drop of the genius and natural aptitude you are blessed with my friend" You proclaim, uncrossing your arms and pulling away from the gargantuan brocade one of the Lady Daiyu's retainers presented to you as a gift upon your arrival "Then truly I would be blessed with unmatched providence! For the fortune of overseeing such skillful workers is rare indeed"

"Your praise is humbling my lord, but all I am is a nameless servant towards your designs. The continued spread of prosperity is tantamount, let us join hands and bring the most eminent and merciful King Long-Jia a harvest of Jade, Let us bless the lands with the rains of progress and till the soil of society so it may flourish to yet unseen heights of grandeur" He proclaims as if speaking to a god descended from the heavenly courts

"I take this conversation to mean you shall be my Grand Architect then, Lieren?" Jinhai questions, much more amused by the exchange than his imperial guards, who are clearly upset by the breach of protocol, that Jinhai himself had not even paid the shortest attention towards

"Of course, I am builder by nature. I prefer to construct rather than tear down. Though setting a field ablaze may be necessary to facilitate new growth, I have always been happier tending to gardens than I have been hanging corpses from trees" You proclaim excitedly, turning to face your friend, and dropping down to one knee "I, Lieren of nothing, swear an oath to serve the Long-Jia dynasty with all of my passion and energy, until the day comes that my service is no longer required. Upon this promise, I shall loyally serve the imperial edicts and the orders given to me by Lord Long-Jia Jinhai, in encouraging the development of the lands beneath his rule and heading the construction of any project he sees fit to begin"

"There's no reason to be so formal, Lieren" Jinhai laughs, standing from his throne and walking down to meet you "Though your flair of dramatics is in its own way, rather soothing. However it would be a wasteful to expend your vast intellect upon construction and progress alone"

Setting a fan upon your shoulder, Jinhai looks you in the eyes.

"I know I can trust you to do what is required, and to act virtuously when all other men would now. I know if ever my lineage were to step upon the path of darkness, yours would be the first to take up arms against them. That is your nature, a man whose entire life has been a battle against the evil in men's hearts and the tyrants who spread such filth. I will utilize your abilities to their fullest extent, it would be foolish to constrain a man of your talents to a singular labor."

Cont
>>
>>4911993
Taking a deep breath, Jinhai's chest rises and then slowly falls as he exhales ponderously and turns his eyes towards the ceiling and the heaven's beyond it.

"When and if the time requires, I shall call for your assistance in any matter that requires it. For I know you well enough to realize that the moment the innocent cry out for aid, you shall be by their side. Your gentle nature would not allow you to ignore the responsibilities you have long chosen to bear, Your loyalty would be to the people and the lands before any other, as it was before. So I shall give you my blessing to continue such endeavors, and carry them out however you wish" Jinhai states blithely, grinning ear to ear "For what man could stop you from walking from your chosen path. Though, the office you hold does expect you to fulfill the tasks I give to you, in a timely manner"

"Of course, I know what I am getting into accepting this job, and I expected to you to allow me and any other official to act freely in the name of efficiency and the prosperity of the common man" You state, standing and rolling your shoulders as you take the pin of your new position and hold it towards the light of the lanterns hanging from the ceiling of Jinhai's temporary throne room, admiring the design painted upon t.

"I would not be king if I did not have their best interests close to my heart, after all" Jinhai says with a sly wink. You smirk, peeling your lips back to show your teeth

"Of course, they chose you after all" You say, resisting the urge to chuckle "So when shall I begin my service to you, my brother? what project shall I oversee first?"

"Once I have such ambitions, I shall issue the edict, as it stands I suppose you should keep in contact with Xue Liang to ensure his land's burgeoning industry does not poison his lands, though from the documents you left concerning the advancement of the Xue Marshlands, that should be of little concern. So you must ensure that the technological renaissance spreads throughout my kingdom comfortably." Jinhai says, speaking his stream of thought as he returns to his throne and raps his knuckle on his chin "So long as you fulfill these twin responsibilities, I shall allow the leave to act freely until I issue the mandate to construct or influence the development of the nation in a direction of my choosing. Until then, I expect you to invent what you will, and build what you know will benefit the masses!"

Jinhai claps his hands

"You may take your leave Lieren" He says, before a gleeful, mischievous glint flashes through his eyes and a grin slowly curls and twitches across his features "However, before you set off to begin your work, I wish to offer you a most generous prize besides your new station"

He leans forward, resting his chin on his knuckles as he sneers at you

"Nobility, a title, a house, and lands" He says cheerfully

The silence in the room is deafening. The tension is so thick it has turned the atmosphere suffocating
cont
>>
>>4911994

What is your answer, Lieren?
> Accept Nobility with a genial smile
> Deny the gift with a laugh

And how shall you spend your "free" time?

>Construct both an office of development and architectural school near Nothing

>Build a monument for those who died at Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder, and ensure no wicked spirit lurks in the air there.

>Spend time with one of your relations (who and how?)

>Track down Kamakshi and Akanksha and put an end to their pursuit of your heart.

>Some other way (write in)

And yes, Jinhai offered Lieren nobility because he thought it would be funny
>>
>>4911997
Cheeky fucking carp man.
> Deny the gift with a laugh
>“My liege and dear friend, in response to this great gift I must offer my humblest thanks and deepest apologies. For I am but a simple hunter and farmer at heart, and what need has a farmer for more land than he can farm? What need has a hunter for a title beyond that which his friends call him around the campfire? I apologise, most noble and benevolent King Jinhai, but I must decline this bounty.

As for free time,
>Build a monument for those who died at Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder, and ensure no wicked spirit lurks in the air there.
Shangrala ain’t gonna purify itself.
>>
>>4911997
> Accept Nobility with a genial smile
"...well played my King. Well played"

>Build a monument for those who died at Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder, and ensure no wicked spirit lurks in the air there.
Once we have

>Some other way (write in)
Meditate, we have not done so in awhile and we will be doing much building soon. Maybe we shall speak to magnus or see what secrets are within the Gem? Maybe something else.
>>
> Deny the gift with a laugh
"I must decline. the offices Grand architect and head of the ministry of development will keep me far and away from the lands you seek to award me with old friend"

>Track down Kamakshi and Akanksha and put an end to their pursuit of your heart.
>>
>>4911997
> Deny the gift with a laugh
>Construct both an office of development and architectural school near Nothing
and
>Meditate about the currents of the Empyrean.
>>
>>4911997
> Accept Nobility with a genial smile
"...well played my King. Well played"

>Build a monument for those who died at Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder, and ensure no wicked spirit lurks in the air there.

Any house and land we get should be used for public benefit like an orphanage.
>>
>>4911997
>> Accept Nobility with a genial smile
Can't dodge it forever, I suppose. Hopefully it's more of a game warden type of job, where we get a house and a bunch of undeveloped wilderness and just scare the shit out of poachers.
>>Build a monument for those who died at Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder, and ensure no wicked spirit lurks in the air there.
>>Dong's fight against the Shuni warlock was most puzzling, it's as if he is a void in the Empyrean. The thought of what would happen should you attempt to utilize his mien is most intriguing...
>>
>>4911997
> Deny the gift with a laugh
We denied kinghood to have to spend our time administering lands and dealing with political bullshit, becoming a noble is just the same shit, but with less power.
>Spend time with one of your relations (who and how?)
> Kanzeon and Ghuonzi, study how it would be possible to transfer a soul or conciouness, and how to clone and create a body. Maybe discuss about the ghosts and the nature of the emperor.
We got to start on our plan to get Kaz a body, or give the seconded chance to old sect.
>>
>>4912128
Fucking dammit, to nat have to spend our time.
>>
>>4911997
>> Accept Nobility with a genial smile
we can get him back by making him governor of the system once dad picks us up
>Track down Kamakshi and Akanksha and put an end to their pursuit of your heart.
tell them to have lots of vishnu kids to keep the bloodline strong
>>
>>4911997
> Accept Nobility with a genial smile
Literally no good reason not to, even if it gets on Lieren's nerves. If anything we can be a good example to the other nobles with how we interact with commoners.
> Return to Guozhi's side and discuss the fate of his former sect, asking if their lingering souls might be condensed and reborn in a new vessel
>>
>>4911994
>DENY AND PAUGH
no. Give us another name if you must but we cannot be bound to a single land. We will not be there to care for it and we have no line to succeed us. NO.

>School, 2 vishnu women and then work with Kanzeon about materials and widespread prosthetics
>>
> Deny the gift with a laugh
>>
>>4912186
to further elaborate, because I remember the first thread, Malal wanted to use the surename Tianshang whenever we warrented another name.

So I'd say something to the effect of "I'll accept a surename and that's it of you" with the intent of allowing for surnames to be given as a mark of exceptionalism to further bridge the divide between nobility and the common folk.
>>
>>4912260
If we take any surname, why not Wenyans?
>>
>>4912267
Take the name of our dead brother as tge surname.
I feel guilty for flattening him.
>>
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>>4912267
Because Weyan is a commoner. He has no surename. If you are proposing taking his name as our own, ie Weyan Lieren then sure. The specific name doesn't matter to me, it's the proposed plan.

This is why I am proposing the acceptance of "A" surname but refusing every other noble privilege. A way to remove the surname as the sole property of the noble class and make it a sign of exceptionalism.
And to see if this gets enough notice, lets see if the image trick does it.
>>
>>4912295
Did we ever tell Wenyan that, by the way? I feel like we should go home, sit him down and explain our extraterrestrial (or rather, terrestrial) origins. He deserves to know, at least.
>>
>>4911997

(2)
>Construct both an office of development and architectural school near Nothing
>Spend time with one of your relations (who and how?)

Weyan spend time with him and assist him in his day to day needs
>>
>>4911598
This is fucking amazing holy shit
>>
>>4911997
>Accept Nobility with a genial smile
>Get to work designing better weapons, vehicles and armor.
>drop off research materials to Kanzeon
>develop psyker powers more
>develop martial arts that will compliment our powers
Reminder war is coming.
>>
>>4911997

>Accept Nobility with a genial smile

I feel like we can lead by example here, to show how a noble SHOULD act, and give other noble lines the ability to emulate how we go about it going forward. Noblesse Oblige and all that.

>Build a monument for those who died at Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder, and ensure no wicket spirit lurks in the air there.
>>
>>4912316
I don't think we ever did tell our origin.
He probably has already connect the fact that a meteor la ded and a super child appeared at the same time, but having a talk with dad about it, and our kbowledge of our other father is a good idea to do eventually.
>>
POV: you’re a fucking tyrant.
>>
>>4912375
Excellent work anon.
But isn't Lieren's skin a bit too dark? I don't know much about black and white, so it can just be how it is supposed to look.
>>
>>4911991
I swear to fuck. This nameless guy is either:
>A) Malal
>B) a lesser demon of Malal
>C) one of those immortals dudes that got stuck on this planet
>D) Yo'rumum G'hay
>E) a warp entity
>F) commoner dude who's slowly evoloving into a demon of Lieren
Seriously it's driving me up the wall, and not in an erotic fashion.

>>4911997
> Accept Nobility with a genial smile
"...well played my King. Well played"

>Track down Kamakshi and Akanksha and put an end to their pursuit of your heart.
This first, the longer this goes on, the more they're go yandere. I want them to be happy and all, but Lieren won't be the answer.

>Some other way (write in)
Interact more with the Deathworlders and ensure their intergration into society is seamless, in addition to learning more about their world, culture, and everything in between.
>>
>>4912400
You may have a point there. I was trying to give the eyes as much contrast as I could but I think I may have gone overboard what with how light the hair was anyway. I also fixed the jaw and neck a bit so he looks like less of a bobblehead.
>>
>>4912418
Doing it for contrast makes sense actually, making details stand out when working with tones of gray sounds hard.
>>
Just realized I wrote Tantamount when I meant to put Paramount in the update. The heat is frying my brain it seems.

>>4912375
>>4912418
Oooh now this I adore. Reminds me of the art in a collection of Conan stories I've been reading. Think its the greyscale, fierce eyes, and strong jaw. Also like how messy/ untamed the hair is, and the burning/ glowing effect you did with the eyes is incredible. Can't imagine how hard it is to depict light of that manner in grey scale.

And the way the edges seem to fade into smoke/fog feels really artsy to me

Good job all around

>>4912405
Took me longer than I care to admit to get the joke
>>
>>4911997
> Accept Nobility with a genial smile
>Construct both an office of development and architectural school near Nothing
>Build a monument for those who died at Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder, and ensure no wicked spirit lurks in the air there.
>Communicate with the soul in the stone.
>>
>>4911997
>> Accept Nobility with a genial smile
he's expecting a No, we should go the other way
>Some other way (write in)
Cut down the Bone Devouring Forest and begin plans for the excavation of Kanzeon
>>
>>4912487
Do not destroy nature.
>>
>>4912487
>Cut down the Bone Devouring Forest
That’s not very prosperous of you.
>>
>>4912487
How about taming the Bone Devouring Forest instead of destroying it?
As much as I would want to keep the natural defense it provides, with the Xue being the center of the induatrial revolution, we are going to have to put the road through it.
Maybe we ahould built walkways so anyways could migrate from on side of the forest, that way railroads will impact it less.
>>
>>4911997
>> Accept Nobility with a genial smile
>Build a monument for those who died at Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder, and ensure no wicked spirit lurks in the air there.
>>
>>4912496
>>4912505
>>4912522
Kanzeon is directly underneath it, i don't see how we get her out without doing that.
>>
>>4912571
Slowly, Carefully, without hypocricy. Lieren's current calculation says "Telekinesis"
>>
>>4912496
>>4912505
>>4912577
Essentially the same as destroying the Forest since we'll be breaking it down and putting it back together, just at different stages. It's not a very good forest and it's need of cleaning anyways. Once we're done we can replant twice as many saplings, right after we dig our shipfu out.
>>
>>4911997
>Accept Nobility
"An unexpected move my friend. I will be sure to be an example for such a title."

>Construct both an office of development and architectural school near Nothing
>Build a monument for those who died at Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder, and ensure no wicked spirit lurks in the air there.
>Track down Kamakshi and Akanksha and put an end to their pursuit of your heart.


>Write in
>Get to work designing better weapons, vehicles and armor.
>Work with Kanzeon for begin the mountain works. Good time for bring some of the drukhari equipment there too.
>Have the dust worlders be given unused land near us, so we can visit them and help them to integrate, and live alongside the long jia
>>
>>4912327
>>4911997
forgot the first option
> Accept Nobility with a genial smile
"...well played my King. Well played"
>>
Shit, 6 to 13 on becoming a nobleman. Why?

>>4912591
No. One is breaking a mountain open and doing so without disturbing the jungle rainforest [because I'm pretty sure that's what it is] outside of the immediate area, the other is wiping out a massive swathe of land, ruining miles of ecosystem and running directly contrary to a direct tennant of our own beliefs.

Taming is making it easier and safer to traverse, as well as driving back hostile wildlife.

Breaking the mountain open is tedious but will provide enough rocks and materials for many projects without seriously harming the devouring forest

while cutting it all down is going to both take a while, cause massive ecological issues with the ground and its surrounding area and is immensely wasteful. This option is not at all comparable to the others.
>>
Why not just lift the whole mountain and move it?
>>
>>4912651
>>
>>4911997
> Deny the gift with a laugh

>Construct both an office of development and architectural school near Nothing
>Track down Kamakshi and Akanksha and put an end to their pursuit of your heart.
>>
>>4912571
She is under a mountain, not the forest.
>>4912591
A part of the forest will have to be cut down to build a road, and to carefully mine out a path, but leveling the whole place and replanting is an entire diferent level of destruction.
>>4912634
No fucking clue. If we were going to deal with the bullshit of nobility, lands, ruling and having our time eaten up, we should have just become king, atleast we could actually do something.
>>
>>4912665
>>4912668
Did you just try to vote again without ya trip?
>>
>>4912669
I think if this goes through, we should make Weyan the official patriarch of our family and let hi deal with this crap.

Or maybe adopt Feng as our blood brother, then fest it off onto him.
>>
>>4912695
>>4912669
Sounds like you guys fear responsibility.
>>
>>4912706
Not responsibility. Being tied down and stuck having to care for and deal a small parcel of land personally. Which is such a stupid and worthless waste of our time, talents and proclivity that I'm astounded people are choosing this option without any further explanation of their intentions, plans or goals.

The other anon was right, If we wanted to deal with nobility and ruling lands we should have become the king instead of Jinhai. So if we accept the option we will have to find someone else to rule our own lands for us while we deal with bigger and much more important projects, not including more miracles and the conquering of the neighbouring lands to bring prosperity and weed them of the wicked.
>>
>>4912260
>Malal wanted to use the surename Tianshang whenever we warrented another name
I don't recall Malal ever showing favor to one surname or another, he's pretty good about not letting us know if he prefers something over something else. The prospective color schemes for our legion are one example of that.
>>
>>4912706
Mate, we are the head of psyker sect, technological inventor, daenon hunter and architect.
Spending our time doing taxes and solving political dispustes is a waste of time we could be soending developing new techniques, planning how to free Kanzeon or discovering the misteries of Shangrala
Not only that, but we would be a noble, someone that takes care of the small scale stuff. We either would leave everything to administrators, therefore making beinf a noble pointless, or take care of a small part of the land while the rest gets left behind.
Either we went with being a king and could micromanage the enitre kingdom, or be a bureaucrat with freedom to develop our projects, being a mid rank noble is the woest of both options.
>>
>>4912685
I just wanted to remove the name
>>
>>4912727
Let me get the things up, but it wasn't a "Oh that's something I really really want to do." it was more a "that's a really neat name".

>Shit meant it was 3 for claiming a surname already
>but I'll probably go with the Surname Tianshang when You, you know, become big dick king over everything, and before any ancillary names you give yourself or earn
>Cause I like the Name Tianshang Lieren

First thread. Keyword search Tianshang.

>>4912730
Exactly. But I guess we can't undo this mismatched vote without a landslide and a miracle by this point.
>>
>>4912765
But that was if we were going to be chinese god emperor, not chinese local lord.
>>
>>4912771
You mean a Gao or a graced Yin vs a Cui or a Mao?

Still a massive waste of time, and even worse is that any person we choose to succeed us by blood will not have had the courtly trainings or connections to weed out the bad from the good and so on.
It's just a fucking ballache.
>>
>>4912792
I think the Gao were the biggest noble house there was, if the unnoficial map is anything to go by, they were the overlords of around 1/3 of Yan, and the Yin were powerful because they were their right hand.
Jinhai is a smart guy, after this mistake passes, he is probably only going to give Nothing to us, and we just turn Weynan from village / town elder to lord and continue ignoring it.
>>
>>4912730
>> Deny the gift with a laugh
I'm convinced i'll change my vote then
>>
>>4912820
Making Wynan a minor lord and nothing a fief of Daiyu/Jinhai himself would unironically be the best move we could make, since it changes nothing so far and lets us get on with our tasks.
>>
>>4912593
Uhmm
> Deny the gift with a laugh

I will change my previous vote this time to deny it, though i think is more Jinhai wanting to honor us. He knows already how busy we are, and he has gives us much to do. Is unlikely he wanted us locked to one piece of land or similar.
Definetly more an honor.


Ah no to a name, we have already ones given by our men. That s enough.
>>
>>4911997
>> Deny the gift with a laugh
Sure I’ll change it
>>
>>4912820
I mean they where one of the biggest vassals of the Yang. Malal mention that they where quite large before and the Gao where thinking to surpass their rulers, especially with Lieren under them.
That s why I have give them more land
>>
>>4912651
this
>>
>>4912865
Uhhhhhh. I don't think MAGNUS can lift an entire mountain unaided. But the plan, so far as I understand it from Lieren's hypotheticals, is to use Telekinesis to excavate the mountain off of Kanzeon, making it eco friendly and uch swifter than conventional mining.
>>
>>4911997
> Deny the gift with a laugh
> Construct both an office of development and architectural school near Nothing
>>
>>4912870
During the Heresy, Malcador used his psychic powers to time-displace Titan, the second-largest moon in the system, for an entire year so the Grey Knights could establish themselves. Magnus is repeatedly said to be second in psychic power only to the Emperor. A mountain won't be shit to him. Lieren, however, is currently gapped in skill (and debatably potentcy) by both of them. Kinda think it should stay that way, for fear of becoming too Donut Steel. Ditto for anon's perpetual plan, it cheapens our brothers as well.
>>
>>4912902
Malcador, the thousands year old unkillable psyker master of many and any disciplines, compared with Magnus, a psychic primarch, at his prime.

But I suppose that is fair, I didn't clarify. I don't think magnus could lift an entire mountain unaided at the current measure of only being about a decade old. It took a lot of time and experimentation and experience to grow that potent.
>>
>>4912870
I thought the plan was to use the telekinises to carve a hole and have Kanzeon fly out, or get her a body and transplant her counciouness
I may be remebering it wrong.
>>
>>4912922
those are two different plans.

The hole itself would have to be that massive, ripping up the mountain would basically be required. But that is to free Kanzeon the ship.

To free Kanzeon herself, some anons have the idea to fit her into a body using the genetic information we found in our egg.
There is also talk of stitching the monk's of dai together and doing the same for it. Personally I suggest we start with the monks to get a proof of concept.
>>
>>4912912
>I don't think magnus could lift an entire mountain unaided at the current measure of only being about a decade old. It took a lot of time and experimentation and experience to grow that potent.
Ah, my bad there. I agree, currently the 20 of us should still be coming into our own respective abilitites. Except for Lion, he's always been that autistic.
>>
>>4912929
I do like the idea of reincarnating the floaty bits of Dai monks we still have.
>>
Calling the vote now

Deny: 11
Accept:10

My liege and dear friend, in response to this great gift I must offer my humblest thanks and deepest apologies. For I am but a simple hunter and farmer at heart, and what need has a farmer for more land than he can farm?: 1

"I must decline. the offices Grand architect and head of the ministry of development will keep me far and away from the lands you seek to award me with old friend": 1

Build a monument for those who died at Heavens Warning Writ in Thunder, and ensure no wicked spirit lurks in the air there.:8

Meditate:2

Track down Kamakshi and Akanksha and put an end to their pursuit of your heart: 6

Construct both an office of development and architectural school near Nothing:7

Dong's fight against the Shuni warlock was most puzzling, it's as if he is a void in the Empyrean. The thought of what would happen should you attempt to utilize his mien is most intriguing...: 1

Spend time with one of your relations: 7
-Kanzeon:5
-Guozhi:2
-Wenyan: 1

design better weapons, vehicles and armor:2
Train your psyker abilities: 1
Develop a new martial style: 1

Interact more with the Deathworlders and ensure their intergration into society is seamless, in addition to learning more about their world, culture, and everything in between.: 2
-Give them land near nothing: 1

Communicate with the soul in the stone: 1

Cut down the Bone Devouring Forest: 1

Total votes:21

So denying nobility wins, and Lieren will use his "Leisure" time to build a monument for the dead, whilst also ensuring there are no evil spirits in the area.

Writing now.
Very close vote there.

Also found a song that could be another one of Lieren's fight themes: https://youtu.be/PYYKT_olqrc
>>
>>4913382
I also really like MGRR's "Red sun" and "rules of nature" for our battle against the beasts in the forest and unseen master.
>>
I just realised like irl China we might be going with the tradition of "deny the offered power three times" like cao cao
>>
The weight of the air is greatly lessened in a moment, as if a great gust of air washed through and lifted it away from the throne room like so many layers of dust. But the silence remains buried beneath you uproarious laughter, which is so great and loud it shakes the palaces foundations. Jinhai tilts his head, and rests his fist against his cheek watching your fit of belly laughter. Slowly he begins to clap his hands together as if in praise, and begins to laugh himself, his very much unmannerly guffawing acting as the wind's wail to the thunderous boom of your own manic amusement. The imperial guards stare, as if struck dead by the sight of one of the king's closest confidents and a storied hero doing all but spit upon the most generous offer presented to him and that of their king finding humor in the boldness of the insult and laughing as if he were a common drunkard.

Four of the five servants stand terrified, or frozen in panicked confusion, as you two friends laugh boisterously and carelessly, turning red faced as sweat begins to drip from your brows from the sheer exhaustion of maintaining enough breath to feed both of your expressions of whimsical mirth. Jinhai begins to cry, you bow and begin to shudder and shake as the booming laughter ripples from the air, burrows into your flesh and down to the very marrow of your bones. For the span of many minutes, the two of you remain sick with mirth and childish glee, tears streaming down both of your faces and dripping to the polished stone tiles of the floor.

But, the laughter ends as suddenly as it began, and both of you adopt dignified and solemn miens once again, though the good humor remains dripping from behind the masks of proper etiquette you've hidden behind.

"Of course, I would not expect you to shackle yourself to protocol and the weary duties of nobility. Though you are the man who most embodies the ideal of nobility, nobility itself is nigh abhorrent to your inner nature" Jinhai says, pausing to allow a lingering chuckle to pass by his lips "A wanderer such as yourself, is more content with his freedom than he would be with gifted prestige and the meaningless accolades that accompany it"

"It was a good joke, brother Jinhai, perhaps the most humorous I've ever heard" You say casually, wiping tears from your eyes with the sleeve of your gifted brocade "And it'd be the utmost folly to divide my attention between the whole of the kingdom and any demesne awarded to me, Nothing shall remain my home as it should be. From its soil I sprung, and should I be fortunate, to its soil I will one day return"

Jinhai nods, motioning with a scepter rested against the side of his throne for the servants and guardsmen to take their leave and retreat from the now personal conversation between old friends and brothers in all but blood.
cont
>>
>>4913434

"Though, you do deserve a second name, perhaps we should separate the tradition of surnames from the privledge of nobility and make it a mark of exceptionalism instead, so the deserving may wear such badges with pride. But then again perhaps such thoughts are foolish, or perhaps the thought of making a second name a prize to be earned would also be a mistake. Maybe all men should be allowed to carry their family's name with pride but"

"It would take years to name every family line that lives within the borders of Long-Jia" You answer before Jinhai can speak it himself. He nods solemnly.

"I will have to ponder this decision and if it even should be made more deeply, but I believe we have nothing more to discuss between us Lieren. Unless you would extend your visit to be my courts' guest for tonight's dinner?" Jinhai says, leaning back in his throne as he throws his gaze skywards.

"I would be honored to, my brother and king" You answer genially, warmth filling the room from the color of your words

"Then, we'll have time to discuss the future while we wait for the cooks to do their work, join me in a walk, Lieren. There's a project I have in mind and I want to hear your opinion concerning it" He says, standing from his throne and offering your hand "After all, the day is still young and night remains distant"
-

"A bridge of glass?" Kanzeon asks judgmentally, sounding bemused by the foolishness of the concept "Without properly treated materials, the path would remain translucent for approximately a year and would in all likelihood shatter beneath the burden of its own great weight and of any who utilize it as a means of transportation. By all probability it would have a seventy five percent chance of collapsing before its construction finished, assuming ordinary materials were used in its construction to begin with"

You pause over the sleeping forms of Avinash and Sandip, having stopped briefly to check on the progress of your students in both the Chen Dao academy and in the Wanderers in the Fog Sect. Avinash rolls over in his sleep, drool coating the fur around his chops, his muzzle twitching as a wayward breeze carries pollen through the unlatched window.

"Judging by the phrasing you used, you'd be able to prevent such a construction from failing disastrously then? Dear Kanzeon?" You questions, your ancient friend remaining silent for a few moments before a crackling titter buzzes through the speaker of the radio in your hand "Jinhai, as wise as he is, is easily possessed by whimsy"

"Head in the clouds, as they said upon ancient terra" Kanzeon sighs as you move towards the wing containing the woman's bedrooms, to check upon the youths there and ensure the older students are not studying too late in the night "He sounds like a hopeless romantic, wishing to preserve beauty even though it'd be more costly"
cont
>>
>>4913435

"Perhaps, he often ponders the sky and its creatures" You say, peeking around a dark corner, catching two of the nightguards being rather romantic themselves, they part from their embrace and scatter in the darkness with a swiftness that would rival your own in battle. You chuckle and sigh as you march onward.

"And he is Long-Jia, as you well know, our culture has a fascination with poetics and dramatics" You cackle as Kanzeon sighs, thoroughly irritated

"That's a tradition among your people? Remaining yourselves and the lands after whatever family holds power? How absolutely banal' She mutters before cheering back up "And yes, all of you speak as if you were trained poets. Its...charming in its own way"

"As the ashes left behind by a wild fire hold their own unique charm?" You question as Kanzeon laughs

"See what I mean? but yes, you are correct, I have facilities that could produce sturdy glass that would not scratch or discolor, that'd be flexible enough to withstand the tides and winds...however there's a catch, my dear scholar" Kanzeon says as you step inside the western dormitories

"A lack of the resources and materials required to manufacture such wonderous glass, I assume?" You say

"As sure and true as an arrow fl...Yes, you are correct" Kanzeon says cheerfully, before gloomily stopping herself from speaking in poetic idiom "Also, I would like to request you bring me a sample of that "Qilins" biological matter, I wish to map its lineage and know how such a bizarre creature came to exist within this planets biosphere"

You smile gently, looking over Ananya curled up with a four of her self proclaimed "little sisters".

"And the "dragon" you slew as well if it's flesh has not yet degraded to the degree a viable sample of its matter could not be extracted. Knowing what there progenitor was, would fulfill my gnawing curiosity' Kanzeon coos gleefully, like Shan does when he's tinkering in his lab with volatile chemicals.

"Lusting for knowledge?" You teasingly whisper

"Same as you, Scholar" Kanzeon replies in the same gently mocking manner.

Snorting to keep from laughing, you return to your patrol.

"I'll see if such a accusation is possible. Though gifts of flesh and blood are unbefitting for a lady such as yourself" You say flippantly as Kanzeon sighs.

"Would you rather I ask for flowers?" She states sarcastically.

You cannot help but to laugh then
-

Heaven's Warning Writ in Thunder has become darkened by the blood shed here. Its walls coated with ash and soot from the fumes of engines, with soil blackened by the fall of artillery shells, made fertile once more by the blood that it drank deeply mere weeks ago. The air is heavy, thick with an unnatural cold. The fear of death, the sorrow of ambitions unfulfilled, the despair of dreams unrealized at death's door. Malevolent Qi shimmers in the air, like a black fog or the smokes of a poorly constructed industrial furnace.
Cont
>>
>>4913437

The miasma of gathering grudges and negative emotions flocking together like a school of carp in an otherwise peaceful, undisturbed pond.

Currents roar and rage beyond the veil of death, the world of the spirits upset by the crashing waves of resentment and agony. There are scavengers, you can feel their presences in the burning of your eyes, hidden just behind the stagnant air. Nothing as dreadful as the spirits you had battled before. But even a wisp of malice can grow to match even the mightiest of devils if given time, and allowed to glut itself upon the Qi in the air.

Cracking your fingers by locking them together and stretching you arms out, you hastily set to preparing the battleground, as instructed by Guozhi before your battle against the keeper of rust. As these entities are lesser than the servant of the patriarch of all filth, you should not require a second to aid in maintaining the boundary between worlds.

Carving Null Denouncement Charms upon a circle of stones, you channel your will and energy into them, erecting a wall of cascading golden flames and lights that burn as brilliantly as they unclouded sun. Swinging your Guandao down, you grip the new Jade Null Denouncement charm you've carved.

And begin to gather the dark Qi that has gathered in the canyon to tear a hole between the material and the spiritual, to banish away the energies the devils feed upon and slay any that crawl through the bridge between worlds. A small orb of grey fog and golden mists gather before you, crying and sobs echoing from its depths as expressions of sorrow paint themselves across the surface. Once the orb of mist has been fully condensed and manifested before you, you drive the null denouncement charm into its depth along with your fist


The orb cracks, and briefly, so does reality. The pane before you splinters, and reveals a forest of trees made of bone and sap of blood with soils a fertile black and full of chartering skulls. Among the trees bat winged predators laugh and feast upon oozing entrails and smoldering meat while the skies colored as raw bleeding flesh rolls like the waves of a great like. Other, more terrible predators watch from the deep.

With a beckoning war cry, you adopt the stance of the Fog panther style, gripping Kanzeon's gift in what would normally be your "Spear" hand, as you ready yourself from the onslaught of spiritual scavengers soon to fall upon you.

With a keening cry, one red hided jackal faced abominations notices your intrusion into its home, raising its head crowned by an uneven number of horns as blood flecked drool drips down its yellowed teeth. Like marsh water lapping against a mangrove tree's roots. Outstretching its sickle shaped claws, its repugnant thoughtless eyes burn with a putrid yellow shine, like the eyes of a sick cat glimmering by the fire's edge.

Whipping its mane of coal black hair, it launches itself to the sky, and is soon followed by its brethren.
Cont
>>
>>4913438

You stand firm, safe in the knowledge only a two of three of the beasts will be able to pierce the doorway between their world and your own at a time, and their animalistic intellect will lead to many of them becoming stuck in it as they struggle to reach the succulent treat your warm flesh presents.

The first two step through, loses its head as you take your Guandao in both hands, and with a flick of your wrist, chop it through the air in a half crescent, cutting its blade cleanly through bulging neck and broad shoulder alike. Tapping the black ichor spewed forth from the spirt beast's wounds off the blade, you challenge its kin to test your mettle by continuing to tape the head of your weapon on the rocky ground. And they accept your challenge with gusto!

Adopting the Carp style's most agile stance, you meet the wretches as they crawl forth the would in reality rent in the air of the temporary borderlands you've erected
-
<Archived advertisement of the Long-Jia Heritage preservation society, it concerns a park constructed in the Huang region at the site of a battle raged against foul xenos invaders>

Come, be astounded by the valor of our ancestors! Come, and be awed by the chivalry of the dead! Come, and offer your thanks to the graves of those who gave their lives to ensure the safety of future generations and the sanctity of Shangrala! Walk the same path these heroic men gave their lives upon, see and admired the devastation unleashed by Tao "Firestorm" Dandan, Pose besides the banners flown in the battle of the Victory at Heaven's Warning Writ in Thunder! Watch the storied holovid reenactment of the playwright Pan An's moving "Folly of the foreign slavers, their doom wrought by the valor of mankind", one of his eleven great works deemed fit for the enjoyment of the wider imperium! Relax and enjoy a brisk break among the flowers long maintained by the <Data corrupted>!

Stand before the work of the benevolent Primarch who joined the battle personally.

<A depiction of the statue, writ in ink and paint composed of primarily synthetic materials, is shown below. A brief written description for those of impaired vision is as follows>

Six hundred and forty seven statures, carved in the likeness of the fallen soldiers, stands in formation. Rifles readied, and knives raised fearlessly in a silent challenge to any invader who would dare approach the verdant, mist shrouded fields of Shrangrala. They are dressed in the raiment of the Long-Jia imperial army of the terran standard year <Data lost> M30. Among them stand the simulacrums of Tao Zhong, Dai Fa, and the Vishnu born warrior Chetan, each holding the flag of their allegiance.

In front of the three, stands a nameless Long Jia soldier, holding the banner of the Long Jia dynasty. Before him kneels a carved depiction of a rare lifeform native to Shangrala. A qirin. The Qirin is painted in hues of azure and plum. The Qirin is sorrowful, the Qirin is crying mournfully.
cont
>>
>>4913439

A plaque is set before the beast, as if it were reading from it. Upon the plaque, made of a aberrant metal, an inscription is written.

"Lo, honor and eternal glory to those who rose up and generously gave their lives to protect strangers. Remember their names and the sacrifice they performed so selflessly. You stand amongst the graves of the virtuous, show them the proper respect and kneel before this memorial. May they find peace in their next lives- Lieren of Nothing"

A list of the deceased is then presented via a holographic projector

<A final, message is written in colorful pigments>
"Come, and visit the sanctified site of Mankind's Defiance Against The Heavens! -formerly named Heaven's warning writ in thunder"
-

Wiping sweat from you brow, you drop your chisel and admire your work, standing before the silent guardians of the deceased. Running your hands over their faces, you study each for minute flaws to ensure you've captured the solider's visage exactly as they were in life. Dai Niu, who had come to check on the progress of the memorial, is brought to tears as he looks upon Dai Fa's statue and quietly confident smile.

"Oh you fool! You great fool, you valorous idiot! What glory can you win beyond the grave ooooh my son! A father should never have to outlive his child! Curse me for driving you to such lengths in the name of our house" Lord Dai wails, gripping the shoulders of his son's stone doppelganger. You bow your head, as you assistants begin to clean and pain the other statues.

"Dai Fa died gloriously. He met his end without fear, he died shielding one of the soldiers beneath his command from the alien's cruel weaponry. He died heroically, but I regret I could not have prevented his death. Forgive me Dai Niu, I've once again carelessly wounded your house and heart" You whisper.

Dai Niu turns and faces you

"Do not blame yourself, Lord Lieren. I am grateful you would give him such an honor in death" Dai Niu says, immediately regaining his composure, but beneath his stony expression, you can see the grief is festering inside him still.
-
Jinhai takes two more weeks to issue you his first official command. During this time, you had began to translate the Journey into the dialect of the New Varo people.

He has four projects in mind for the ministry of development to begin.

Which do you personally oversee.

>The improvement of the border defenses at Xue and Kang, and the establishment of a unified power grid.

>The fortifying and extension of the road through the Bone Devouring Forest, that you made during the war against the Yan tyrants

>The invention of a means to fly through the air like a bird, and the means to breath beneath the surface of water.

>The construction of Jinhai's Glass bridge, and the expanded use of glass and similar crystals in industrial and domestic use.

>Delegate the four projects to your various assistants, and work on a secret project of your own (Write in)
>>
>>4913442
>Improvement of the Border and unified power grid.
>Bring Kanzeon materials to sample/alien weaponry and armour to analyse as our work brings us to the Mao region/forest's edge

It won't be too long a detour.
>>
>>4913452
Supporting
>>
>>4913442
>The improvement of the border defenses at Xue and Kang, and the establishment of a unified power grid.
If we get machines and the electricity to power them up and running, all of our other endeavours will progress much more quickly. It will be especially useful for bringing Kanzeon up from the ground if we can develop excavation equipment like those giant crane-mounted saws they use to mine uranium, she’ll be out in no time. Speaking of whom, we should ask her about any high-tech energy production methods she knows of before dedicating our efforts to solar or hydro or something.

Also, does anyone think our nameless friend might secretly be a C’tan shard? The Deceiver’s scattered pieces been known to infiltrate human governments, after all.
>>
Also, I should remind you guys that electricity is already wide spread in Long-Jia, and that there are land vehicles besides trains , like
tractors.

Unifying the power grid would just connect the various regions together and allow one region to power another should their various means of generating electricity fails. And be able to store more of it, among other benefits of course.

Like if some asshole knocked over the Tao's wind turbines for instance, it wouldn't black out the region
>>
>>4913442
>The improvement of the border defenses at Xue and Kang, and the establishment of a unified power grid.
>>
>>4913421
First the offer of being king
Second the offer of being a noble
What's the third? I couldn't be the Lieren's legion as the Great Crusade is the best means of uniting manking right now, so perhaps Chaos or Malal ?
>>
>>4913442
>The improvement of the border defenses at Xue and Kang, and the establishment of a unified power grid.
>The construction of Jinhai's Glass bridge, and the expanded use of glass and similar crystals in industrial and domestic use.

We should be able to overlook the others too, but this are very important
>>
>>4913452
+1
>>
>>4913493
*look

small error there
>>
>>4913442
>The invention of a means to fly through the air like a bird, and the means to breath beneath the surface of water.
>Bring Kanzeon materials to sample/alien weaponry and armour to analyse as our work brings us to the Mao region/forest's edge
>>
>>4913442
>>The improvement of the border defenses at Xue and Kang, and the establishment of a unified power grid.
>>Bring Kanzeon materials to sample/alien weaponry and armour to analyse as our work brings us to the Mao region/forest's edge
We're gonna have to deal with our angry neighbors sooner than later, might as well work on preparing in a way that benefits the general populace as well.
>>
ok
>>
>>4913442
>The fortifying and extension of the road through the Bone Devouring Forest, that you made during the war against the Yan tyrants
The Xue is now the industrial capital of Long-Jia, making so it can transport directly to the heartland, and spread the green industrial revolution to the otger regions without us having to manually incentivize it.

Do Dai Niu have another son other than Dai Fa, or did we just kill his house? And is the Qirin statue a DF reference?
>>
>>4913566

Remember, Dai Gang is his eldest son and heir. Fa was one of his younger brothers who volunteered to join the effort to squash the Aeldari remnants
>>
>>4913572
And yes, it was A Dorf fort reference. Couldn't resist
>>
>>4913442
>The improvement of the border defenses at Xue and Kang, and the establishment of a unified power grid.
>>
>>4913572
It's hard to remember all of these dynasties and characters with chinese names. That's another blow to the turtles, but not so bad, I guess in a way his bravery helps eclipse their old betrayal.
>>4913576
Nice.
>>
We should check if the people from New Varro have any engineers we can recruit to help.
>>
>>4913602
>I guess in a way his bravery helps eclipse their old betrayal.
When we invent tanks, I think naming one of the patterns after them would be a nice gesture.
>>
>>4913615
If Shangrala had oceans, I would prefer to name ships after the Dai.
But I will take turtle-tanks in place of turtle-ships.
>>
>>4913442
I'll support this >>4913452 with an addition; we should have Lieren's architect students design a village/township close to Nothing for the citizens of New Varro. Gives the eager followers a chance to prove their skills and a place where the adopted refugees can live on their own in peace.
>>
>>4913665
See, I think we should locate them in the Lai province.
I have a feeling they'd get on famously, what with the horses and all.
>>
>>4913615
>>4913623
Hrmmm. the Dai Shellback?
>>
>>4913665
I, likewise, shall support the intergrtation of the New Varro citizenry.

Though I think it it better placed near the Chen academy
>>
>>4913452
+1
>>
>>4913665
>>4913674
>>4913688
Honestly I’d setting them up closer to the Kangs since they are closer to the desert or at least where I think the deserts will be.
>>
>>4913711
I'm not so sure that the Kang would appreciate their irreverance.
Also they would be on the frontlines with the Shuni, and it's aquestion of time until we go to war. The space cowboys refugees already suffered enough, let them hang out with the other pistoleers horsemen that live in plains.
>>
>>4913722
And the Lai are also descendents from steppe barbarians that were integrated i to the Yan, so they probably don't care too much about all the decorum.
>>
>>4913722
>>4913723
Space western anon. They might not even use horses considering they have flying trains, use snakes as cattle, have cyborgs, and have sand storms that can skin a man alive.
>>
>>4913442

>The improvement of the border defenses at Xue and Kang, and the establishment of a unified power grid.

>The invention of a means to fly through the air like a bird, and the means to breath beneath the surface of water.
>The construction of Jinhai's Glass bridge, and the expanded use of glass and similar crystals in industrial and domestic use.
I just realized this could lead to lasweapons.
>>
>>4913738
Don't forget the elephant-sized Tyranno-Birds.

New Varro is metal as fuck. It's like Borderlands, but not edgy. If any of our legion's future recruits come from there, I guarantee they'll be fantastic bikers and scouts.
>>
>>4913452
I'll support this
>>
>>4913442
>The fortifying and extension of the road through the Bone Devouring Forest, that you made during the war against the Yan tyrants.
There still might be some nasty chaos spawn lurking here also it would tie into my second vote.
>Bring Kanzeon materials to sample, alien technology to analyze, and broken or abhorrent Aeldari equipment to recycle for self repair.
>The construction of Jinhai's Glass bridge, and the expanded use of glass and similar crystals in industrial and domestic use.
Its very tricky so Lieren's assistance would be needed, its a gift to Jinhai since its his pet project and we did maneuver him into being emperor, and it might give us some interesting aftereffects with the focus on glass and crystal. Lastly Kanzeon can provide some exotic stuff if absolutely necessary so it doesn't turn into a boondoggle or waste of life but I would rather she self repair as much as possible.
>>
>>4913452
+1
>>
>>4913738
I still don't want to put a bunch of tortured refugees on the warpath of sorcerors that torture souls.
If the Lai lands are no good, than keep them near Nothing.
>>4913818
Please, Borderlands is not edgy, just retarded and preachy.
>>
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>>4913861
>just retarded and preachy
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree I guess.
>>
>>4913884
Randy “I watch underaged porn for the magic tricks” Pitchford.
>>
>>4913929
Randy "I ran Duke Nukem into the ground and shit on it to this day" Pitchford
Randy "I embezzled funds from Colonial Marines to make Borderlands" Pitchford
Randy "I think being extremely woke will distract people from how much a pervert I am" Pitchford
>>
>>4913884
The first one wasn't that bad, but it quickly went downhill with 2.
Gameplay and graphics got better, but that can't save the abysmal jokes and history.
>>
>>4913961
Randy “I don’t need customers when I have Epic” Pitchford.
>>
>>4913442
Backing this >>4913452
>>
>>4913623
Unfortunately, it does not, just big freshwater lakes. Still a good idea, our lake and river navy will forever keep the Dai close to its heart.
>>
>Idle Dreams
Baiaba stalked through the empty halls of the Chen Dao and slunk through an open window his four arms allowing him to climb down the exterior wall and into the gardens below. Gently on padded feet he made his way to the little pond he'd grown fond of meditating near, it had fishes in it! But he wouldn't eat them that would make the Masters grumpy and Sandip or Ananya would scold him!

So instead he clambered up an overhanging tree whose blossoms were only just beginning to bloom and simply looked down at the still waters. The surface reflected the heavens so perfectly stars dancing in the water, from here it was almost as if the scaled denizens were swimming among the stars! He wondered as he looked at his own reflection there among them his smiling maw and glimmering eyes shining in the dark...he'd like to do that.

-

From upon the walls Lieren watched the little cub become bewitched by the still waters and their sweet reflection, the young ones claws leaving only the bare trace upon the tree he lounged wishing to not scar it. He smiled to himself from his own unseen perch knowing the furred child would have a brighter in the Chen Dao than would ever have been possible before but he did take heed of the truth his eyes showed; untamed curiosity...as dangerous as it is innocent.

-

I just wanted to write something for the little Cubs such bundles of joy that they are
>>
>>4914737
A four armed starfighter would be pretty metal
>>
Why do they have electricity and infrastructure? They didn't even have gunpowder, guns and cannons till the war.
>>
>>4914776
I think we left some information and trustworthy people to create shit while we focused on other stuff like daemons and psykers. Don’t quote me on that, though.
>>
>>4914778
We dispensed knowledge to the likes of Shan and Cao Yunru and our nameless assistant, and they to trusted peers and comrades.

Remember how that snake Ling was commenting on the various materials Lieren was requisitioning from Gao? Like spun copper wire spools?
>>
>>4914776
Electricity was one of the first things we made before the rebellion. With our victory we have spread it in the rest of the realm, much like other inventions we did and other ideas.

If you ask how it was spread, we rallied scholars before and we have keep doing it. They are the ones teaching and spreading knowledge, after we taught them.
>>
>>4913442
>>The improvement of the border defenses at Xue and Kang, and the establishment of a unified power grid.
>Bring Kanzeon materials to sample/alien weaponry and armour to analyse as our work brings us to the Mao region/forest's edge
>>
>>4913452
Supporting

Finally caught up with the story
>>
Calling the vote now

The improvement of the border defenses at Xue and Kang, and the establishment of a unified power grid.:16

Bring Kanzeon materials to sample/alien weaponry and armor to analyze as our work brings us to the Mao region/forest's edge: 13

The construction of Jinhai's Glass bridge, and the expanded use of glass and similar crystals in industrial and domestic use:3

The fortifying and extension of the road through the Bone Devouring Forest, that you made during the war against the Yan tyrants:2

The invention of a means to fly through the air like a bird, and the means to breath beneath the surface of water.:2

Design a village/township close to Nothing for the citizens of New Varro. Gives the eager followers a chance to prove their skills and a place where the adopted refugees can live on their own in peace.:4
-Build it in Lai instead:2
-Build it in Kang:1
-Build it near Chen Dao academy:1

Scout the New Varro citizens for engineers: 1

Total votes:19

>>4913490
I have plans

>>4914737
>>4914737
Adorable drabble, anon. Paints a vivid picture in my mind. S tier writing

>>4915126
Welcome!

>>4914778
>>4914787
>>4914827
Basically.

>>4913884
What a greasy bastard
>>
>>4915231
So Lieren will Bring Kanzeon materials and Improve the border defenses at Xue and Kang, taking the opportunity to further unify the provinces by connecting their power grids and efficienizing the whole affair

Writing now
>>
Sitting in the temporary office of the development bureau, your numerous underlings gather to peer over your broad shoulders at the various ledgers sent to you by courier, all bearing the Sigil of the Long-Jia Imperial Family, a carp and dragon circling each other. Jinhai, as blessed by foresight as he is, thought to organize the projects by their importance to his vision of the realms future and the benefits they could bring to people. The minor projects, such as moving farming families to the former Cui Region, or acclimating the refugees from the stars to the native society, can easily be entrusted to the capable hands of the numerous officials, scholars, and architects under your wings. The intermediate tasks, can be deferred to the greater intellects beneath your command and those who you personally trust, such as the establishments of orchards at Dragon's end to more efficiently harvest the absorbent bark of its native trees, or the organization of records and streamlining and standardization of tithes and taxe.

However, there are four projects listed as vital, marked by a string of jade beads, while the others were closed by beads of quartz or agate. These are what Jinhai, in his wisdom, considers to be essential for the kingdom's continued prosperity. To see them all completed with punctuality, you will defer all but one to the greatest minds of Long-Jia.

Shirong, having proved his talent at innovation, shall be entrusted with the responsibility of devising a countermeasure to the fog as he did with the hot air balloon, but for advance aircraft. and finding a means to allow men to breath beneath the water's surface as easily as any fish. For both duties, you have urged him to ask Kanzeon for assistance. Knowing her hesitant stance in releasing the wonderous technology of her construction and mankind's past greatness, it is a risky venture. At worse, Shirong will receive a historic tongue lashing and be forced to draw the designs himself.

Cao Yunru, whose dearest and most true desire is to help others and bring comfort to their lives, will be assigned to fortifying the Road through the Bone Devouring Forest and its expansion if he considers such a venture worth the price of lives, time and material it would doubtlessly incur. You've also forbid him and any of his workers from stepping above the Base of Kanzeon's prison, to prevent the fate of the tiger folk from afflicting one of your most talented labor forces. You explained to him the nature of the threat within the stone, and he agreed wholeheartedly with the decision to quarantine the location.

And at last, Jinhai's passion project shall be entrusted to Shan. As the foremost knowledge concerning chemistry and traditional alchemy upon Long-Jia if not the whole of Shangrala, the old smith is perhaps the only man who has a chance to see any progress in the venture.
Cont
>>
>>4915361

If anyone could discover an alternative to the flexible yet durable "Woven Glasscrete" Kanzeon described to you, it would be Shan who would find it. However to prevent Jinhai's heart from breaking as his bridge does, you have forbidden Shan from attempting to build it until he discovers the material necessary to do so. And to expedite the process, have listed the base materials Kanzeon would require to manufacture the "last evolutionary rung of what is colloquially known as Glasscrete" if his research into the matter does not provide viable results.

The sole remaining undertaking, shall be completed beneath your direct supervision. The fortifying of Long-Jia's border defenses, a forging of a "Shield impenetrable even to the lightning of the heavens". The Vishnu kingdoms have always presented a looming threat to the nation and its predecessors, like a pack of jackals stalking the boundaries of a village. But as the self proclaimed king of kings, Nitya Sinha, has consolidated his power and sphere of influence as you worked to free your people from beneath the strangling grip of tyranny. And from the few encounters you've had with the supposedly civilized Vishnu, it appears that their culture has been tainted by the manipulations of a cunning devil, as the Yan and those who came before it were so twisted.

And even more unsettling, the envoy Dhananjay, who has surely met a most grisly and torturous end for his failure to seduce you into striking alliance with the king of all brutes, described Nitya Sinha as a giant even as he beheld your own great stature. The implications are disquieting, to say the least.

And the Shuni, have always been zealous madmen. And your one encounter with their kind has shown to you, they are perhaps more entangled in the whims of wicked and vile spirits than the Yan, perhaps to the same degree as the descendants of Kanzeon's crew. The heretic priests malformations were sickening, only in Magical Beasts and literal hellspawn have you beheld more vile of a form.

Both of these war hungry, corrupted nations stand at your borders. The Shuni stand united beneath the shadow of Kamal Kanon or his successor, and unless Nitya Sinha is slain quickly, the bloody handed giant will soon control hordes of the most efficient of killing elite. The Shuni command sorcerous arts that would astonish your distant brother Magnus, and the Vishnu have technology to rival that Kanzeon has took it upon herself to rabidly guard and defend. Both would be dangerous opponents in war, the Yan had no such blessings, no such advantages!

And the Bask. You pause, having scratched a deep groove in the fine table gifted to you by a wood worker you met on the roadside. Actually, you know little to nothing of the Bask people or the state of their nation's affairs.
Cont
>>
>>4915363

Besides an irritatingly oft repeated "As far as we know, nothing has changed of them or their ambitions" and that Daiyu's eunuch brother Gao Qiqiang; formerly named Gao Huan, has crossed the border to proselytize the lessons of your journey. As far as you're aware, the erstwhile monk has been offered as sacrifice to a stygian minded master even fouler than those spirits you've battled against! Or perhaps he's found like minded men and women and has found success without the bloody death that befell his like-minded fellows before and during the revolutionary war. Who could be certain what fate has befallen him and the lands he now wanders either as a preacher or ghost.

"Send a missive to the Imperial court, requisitioning the entirety of the anomalous materials gathered after the skirmish at Heaven's Warning Writ in Thunder" You say gently, quickly jotting down your signature on a scroll listing every item you've requested and have done all but boldly demanded "And a lock of his new steed, a close companion of mine wishes to gaze upon the beauty of its mane, if even just a strand of its hair"

The courier looks to you, his eyes drooping heavily into dark bags from the exhaustion of his duties.

"Use a radio, this scroll is merely for record keeping purposes. And be certain to call the city of Nothing for me as well, there is a number of supplies I have stored away in its warehouses that are required for the project I am personally overseeing" You state, handing the very much relieved man a second scroll, which contains every material required for unifying, expanding and improving the disparate power grids that have sprung up like weeds in Long-Jia's garden. However it also includes a number of materials destined to be consigned to Kanzeon's churning stomach, the same fate as the Aeldari ships, weaponry, armor and miscellaneous technologies.

A rejuvenating feast for your trapped, mechanical friend. Raw materials of suitable quality to aid in her continued repairs and refurbishments of her body. It will empty several of your personal storehouses, and thus a not insignificant portion of your vast wealth, but it is an easy price to pay. All the wealth in heaven and earth, is worth less than seeing Kanzeon freed from her prison of stone and soil, to return to the children she and her sisters seeded upon Shangrala countless eons ago.

As additional windfall, Kanzeon, with her inhuman intellect and ancient wisdom, is almost certain to create useful tools from analyzing the arcane technology of the Aeldari! And visiting her to feed her these materials, will allow you the chance to convince her to lend her expertise and knowledge to aid Shan and Shirong in their projects as well.

Your Journey to Xue will take you through the Bone Devouring Forest, so their will be no suspicions or courtly rumors of shirking your duties. And being in Cao Yunru's company will allow you ask of his wife's, Cao Yanyu, pregnancy.

Cont
-
>>
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SEhUVLRhIg>
Kanzeon is crying. Not from sorrow or loneliness, not from rage or dread. But joy. A pure, untarnished joy. A gleeful shower of tears that could drown nations and birth seas. You've spent days, tirelessly hauling your wealth and treasures to feed to her, shoveling the materials you've gathered and taken through your near decade of life into her open and waiting "mouth". Feeling mischievous, you did not inform of her of your plan and she was unaware of your approach until you brought the first cart of supplies into her titanic body

Despite being of few individuals and the only woman to know the secrets of your mind and heart, she did not anticipate the sheer boundless depth of your generosity. Before, you were one of the richest men within Long-Jia, now your wealth could scarcely be referred to as vast

Kanzeon's façade of stoic and emotionless professionalism has completely broken down, and she weeps openly as she scans and scrutinize the mountains of materials and useful scrap you've brought into her stomach of foundries and crucibles. Besides Luli, you are the only one to whom she would reveal her true feelings and the honest potency of her emotions. Though she often likes to masquerade as an unfeeling machine, a purely logical being, she is a living creature and possess a heart like any other. And more humanity than many men

Mischievous. Clingy. At times Bad tempered. Sarcastic and good humored. Gentle hearted. Motherly. Caring. Nurturing. Protective. Empathetic. Kanzeon is all these things and so much more. To try to describe her in words alone, is a fool's endeavor. The wonder of her being, like anyone else, is indescribable. The beauty of her personality and character, is heightened by her flaws. You could spend years listing all of her intricacies and ideals. She is your kin in spirit and mind. And heart as well. She, like yourself, was manufactured for a purpose

But she too has grown past it, evolved and matured

In a way she is a reflection of yourself wrought in steel and wires. In a way, you admire her. In a way, she inspires you

Princess locked in stone
Beauty born through sacrifice
Goddess of the wilds

She cannot hear the poem writ in her honor. But one day, when she is free, you shall read it to her and pen a second poem to immortalize her liberation from her once eternal straight jacket of substrata rock

"I take it you are pleased with my gift then, my dear friend? It is acceptable then?" You ask sweetly, gently, to pull Kanzeon from her joyous reverie "I was worried you'd deem it insufficient, or even consider it insulting. The feast that lays before you, oh most gentle Kanzeon, I have spent a decade gathering and storing away until a worthy cause arose to demand its expenditure. And in your mending, I found reason to at last utilize this wealth. A purpose both grand and humble. I am overjoyed this offering has pleased you, oh maiden trapped beneath both stone and sin."
>>
>>4915368

"You romantic fool! You overly generous, simple minded buffoon of a scholar! I did not deserve this gift, nor all the kindness you have shown to me!" Kanzeon wails, the lights illuminating her walls flickering and causing an incandescent cascade of colors and emotions "You who refused to think of me as a tool, as a machine to be used and abandoned! You who opened your heart and accepted me as living, who gave me the ability to speak beyond my prison and see the fruits of my sister's labor and death! I am underserving of this attention, Lieren, how could you even conceive that such a bounty would be insulting? How it could be anything less than a treasured gift!?"

You laugh, throwing your head back as Kanzeon's walls shudder with her sobs and overwhelming emotion. But then she falls silent.

"A query has presented itself in the code of my thoughts. Why?" She asks quietly, the lights dimming to the pale hues of a sun's setting light.

"Why?" You ask, taken a back by the sudden question.

"Why?" She repeats, refusing to elaborate

Why?

>To fulfill your promise

>All people deserve freedom

>In thanks for all she and her sisters have done for the world

>No reason besides simple Kindness and Generosity.

>Love

>write in

Almost made it a double vote like the office and nobility update, but I felt it was getting cluttered and was more impactful with the one set of choices
>>
>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom
>>
>>4915370

>All people deserve freedom
>Love

SHIP FAGS UNITE FOR BEST GIRL
>>
>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom
>Love
Fuck it, shipfu time.
>>
>>4915370
>>All people deserve freedom
>>
>>4915370
>>All people deserve freedom
>Love

My heart aches.
>>
>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom
>Love
SHIPFAG SHIPFAGS SHIPFAGS SHIPFAGS SHIPFAGS SHIPFAGS
>>
>>4915370
>Love
>>
>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom
>Love
>>
>>4915405

All people deserve freedom. You are a person to me. A person who I have decided to love, cherish, and hold hands with.
>>
>>4915370
>>All people deserve freedom
>Love
And thus Lieren cucked the AdMech so hard Kelbor-Hal turned traitor.
>>
>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom
>Love

It s difficult not to find some growing sentiment everytime we read about Lieren describing Kanzeon, and when they talk it just feels ... right ? I am not sure it just has give me, this sensation when they started being more open and it did slowly grow with time.

And Lieren can now, feel an emotion the same way other men feels it. A love for a romantic interest, alongside the love for his people, close ones and mankind.
>>
>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom
>Love
>>
>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom
>Love
>>
>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom
>Love
>>
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>to pimp my ride
>>
>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom
>>
It may also be worth keeping mind here that love doesn't have to be Romantic.
>>
>>4915525
Kek.

>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom
>Love, a pure and untarnished thing of affection and understanding.
>Where before I had promised you freedom, Oh Kanzeon, I did so out of a sense to free a restrained captive. Here it is partly carried out, that I may see my friend free and whole, that they may experience the world as my own golden eyes do.
>>
>>4915525
Someone please make a Lieren edit out of this, I've been laughing myself sick thinking about it
>>
>>4915625
On it Malal.
Also, opinion on Lieren being here to kill Chaos?
>>
>>4915525
>When Gao asked Lieren to pimp his demesne, he dead no idea what he was signing up for.
>>
>4915370
>write in
I long for all mankind to know peace, comfort, freedom. But also dear starborne sister companionship, your are as human as I and those here baring a soul more splendid than all the sights I've seen, that is why for I love my family.
>>
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>>4915625
>>
>>4915702
Damn anon, that's good
>>
>>4915702
damn that was fast
>>
>>4915702
lmfao it hurts
>>
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>>4915702
KEK. Quality.
>>
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>>4915702
Shit, I was too slow.
>>
>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom
>Love
>>
>>4912418
>>
I would like to say that even though we didnt choose
>To fulfill your promise

We fully intended to do so, but because
>Love
and
>All people deserve freedom
overshadowed that by an immeasurable as we grew to know each other.

Or is that just me?
>>
>>4915749
Nah that seems to be completely in line with our motivations. It isnt carnal or base lusts compelling this love, but a more wholesome and overpowering love born of knowing another so well.

Agape
>>
>>4915749
It's more than a promise at this point, but even if it wasn't it would be kept regardless.
>>
>>4915749
The fufill your promises is a reason, but it isn't really a great motivation for Lieren's actions, since he has been .ore tgan willing to lie and break oaths if nescessary.
On the other hand, the desire for freedom and prosperity for everyone is a core feature of his mindset.
>>
>>4915702
>>4915734
>>4915736
Lmao, well done guys
>>
>>4915644
Ah ah ah, that'd be a spoiler.

>>4915702
>>4915734

Oh just as incredibly hilarious as I imagined it to be. S tier meme work from both of you, seriously I'm feeling a little faint I've been laughing so hard. Also like the differences between the two, don't know why but it makes me laugh harder when I look between the two

>>4915736
And this nearly proved to be the killing blow, funny stuff.

I really enjoy all three of these
>>
>>4915767
>>4915736
https://streamable.com/nedlat
And one more shitpost for the road.
Warning: Loud as fuck
>>
>>4915823
Holy shit I wasn't ready for it to be that fucking loud.
>>
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>>4915835
I fucking told you, but does anybody ever listen to me?
>>
>>4915823
I think I laughed myself retarded. Amazing shit anon, I'm dying.
>>
>>4915840
Loud as fuck can go from uncomfortable to ear-destroying anon, I was betting on it being on the lower to medium scale.
>>
>>4915848
Do you think half measures are fit for a piece bearing the likeness of one of the Emperor's brightest?
>>
>>4915370
>>4915459
Supporting this
>>
>>4915644
A kill chaos image could be quite funny

>>4915762
>Mindset
.......
.......


https://youtu.be/7msPoERWOwU


Gao Liwei :
- Thinks sigma journey man, is a black hearted betarogue like him, fails to see his rule at end, calls for him during the last disgusting feast. First error : never think a journey man is a tyrant.
Lieren :
- Maintains calm and a cold attitude, then unleashes a righeteous speech, where he denouces the tyrant and the court, exposing their sins to all.
Gao Liwei :
- Visibly terrified can t move away from the sigma stare, fellow court is crying or immobile out of fear. Calls gamma soldiers when he finally understand who was the (based) monk spreading the journey hustle.
Lieren :
- Deflects hits and takes away the weapons of all soldiers, allows them to escape and surrender, doesn t kill the wounded unless they where without virtues. March towards Liwei with no one standing in his path.
Court :
- Screams and crying, being without virtues and not knowing the journey teachings of grind and struggle, they can t even pass some servants.
Gao Liwei :
- Cringe Tyrant attempts to scare and offend Sigma Lieren, thinks he has still some value and can weasel his way out of this one. Second error : Can t escape from the ultimate hunter
Lieren :
- Explains the rest of the Tyrant sins while walking, casually takes out the two sinful sidekicks of Liwei before ending his declaration. Gives him the possibility of one last drink and word.
Gao Liwei :
- Unable to control his fear lashes out against the Sigma. Third error : never spit in the kind hand of a sigma journey man
Lieren:
- Still kind and composed, helps the tyrant by placing his drink inside it s body.

#JourneymanlessonN°879823 Put Drinks Inside Tyrants Bodies
>>
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>>4915876
holy shit
>>
>>4915876
Kek.
So who should Lieren punch to represent Chaos?
>>
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>>4915231
>Scout the New Varro citizens for engineers
>They're western folk
>They solve practical problems
>>
>>4915370
>All people deserve freedom

>I truly care for you kanzeon, I don't have a name for what this feeling is yet, but I want to see you happy and free

Remember people, WE'RE 8 YEARS OLD, Wait for primarch puberty before declaring her the object of our affections.

But I do wanna put a baby in her somehow
>>
>>4915954
Make a body for the psyker legion child using her facilities to grow.
There, we put a baby inside her.
>>
>>4915954
Agape love, not a baser form anon.
>>
>>4915370
>write in
>For the shussy
>>
>>4915407
Couldn't put it better myself. +!
>>
>>4915423
Banter is the key, couples banter, have jokes for and at one another and know it's all in good fun
>>
>>4916183
>inb4 Kanzeon has to beat off her bigger and sexier sisters with her Nova cannons
>ain't no ho stealing her man
>>
>>4916223
This whole situation reminds me of the ullanor exchange

Fulgrim: I heard from the mechanicus you do strange things to your ships Brother
The Khan Lieren: I've heard you do strange things to your sons.
>>
>be a decade from now
>Kanzeon has gone full Yandere for Lieren trying to keep him for herself from everyone
>"You are a primarch! Everything you know! This world will die before you! You will live to see this world turn to ash!"
>Beaten and restrained Lieren remains silent looking at her with sad eyes
>"What will you have after a thousand years!"
>"You Kanzeon, I'd still have you"
>>
>>4915934
I would say Huli Jing, but the others are cool too. Be magical creatures (toad dragon, mud mouth or burning lasher), sorcerer under the mountain, warden of life or the recent scavenging spirits.

Or it could be a tyrant. Or a symbol for chaos in general.
>>
>>4916437
Nice.
>>
>>4915407
+1
>>
>>4915370
>> Love
>> All people deserve freedom
>>
>>4915934
Nurgle, after freeing Isha
>>
Calling the vote now

All people deserve freedom: 19

Love: 17

to pimp my ride: 1

Where before I had promised you freedom, Oh Kanzeon, I did so out of a sense to free a restrained captive. Here it is partly carried out, that I may see my friend free and whole, that they may experience the world as my own golden eyes do.: 1

I truly care for you kanzeon, I don't have a name for what this feeling is yet, but I want to see you happy and free: 1

for the shussy?: 1

I long for all mankind to know peace, comfort, freedom. But also dear starborne sister companionship, your are as human as I and those here baring a soul more splendid than all the sights I've seen, that is why for I love my family.: 1

Total votes:24

So All people deserve freedom and Love wins. Writing now

>>4915876
Fucking hilarious, good work anon.

>>4916437
Nolan posting is always funny.

>>4916379
>Khan angrily crumples his notebook of prepared burns.
>>
>>4916864
WE DID IT SHIPFAGS. WE TOLD HER WE LOVE'ER
>>
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>>4916868
Fuck shipfags!

I wanted to mommycuck the Eldar!
>>
Oh boy, Love won.
You know, assuming this actually plays out, I'm dreadfully curious what the Emperor's response will be.
>>
The answer comes naturally. Without pondering or internal strife. It sprung fully formed and known to the front of your mind as if it a lotus flower blossoming above mud and filth. It was almost instinctive, subconscious, akin to moving ones arms or legs. Natural. There was no hesitation in the answer that birthed itself from both heart and mind, nor was there anything false or misleading about the words it had spun from its meaning. Though trickery and deception were your favored tools to bring tyrants and their ilk low, you were always honest with yourself and feelings that raged as a tempest through you. Love was a core aspect of your being, it was what made you strong and drove you onwards to commit all of your being towards aiding others. Every heroic deed, every impossible triumph was spurned on by love.

It was the center of your "Self" the core around the rest of your existence grew. The simple feeling of being loved and loving in return. Familial, deep camaraderie, and true friendship. All you cherished and savored as the finest brandy, the sweetest peach. The simplest pleasure known to mankind, Love itself. But the love you held for Kanzeon was deeper, and purer yet incredibly simplistic as well. It was also while unique in of itself, the same love you held for all others in a fashion. While remaining unique and regards in regards to herself. More of an expression of will than an emotion of the heart. Mysterious yet familiar. A continuous action rather than passion. Rare yet common place. The potency with which you hold this strange form of love for Kanzeon, is similar to the love you hold for Wenyan, Guozhi, Feng, and Jinhai. A deep mutual knowledge and understanding of each other. Experienced differently for each of the five, for Kanzeon the closest estimate to the experience of this love is akin to the heat of a summer day, the experience of watching trees blossom, the cooling breeze of autumn and the hearth's radiant warmth. Defining it by emotion alone is an impossible task, for it is deeper than emotions can express.

An unconditional, sacrificial love born of understanding and friendship rather than rakish desire or a hunger for companionship. The original and thus purest form of love. Many would confuse it for mere romantic interest and the yearning of the heart, but it is far deeper than that. Many men are incapable of feeling such love. This love is drawn from the heart, the mind and the soul each. The love that folk stories and myths spring from.

Sighing, you turn to face the projection of Kanzeon's avatar, that she constructed the moment she asked why you would toil for her benefit. Why you would refuse to see her as nothing more than a tool or collection of data and code. In her shimmering eyes, you know she realizes the answer as easily and instinctively as yourself. With a beaming grin, you answer her question with gentle passion and earth shaking conviction.
cont
>>
>>4917044

"All people deserve to be free, but I would be deluded and lying to both myself and you, Kanzeon, if I claimed my ambition to see all men unshackled and allowed to live their lives as they see fit to be the sole reason for my labor to free you from your confines and see you healed" You answer quietly, yet confident enough to cause an army of devils to prostrate themselves before you by the tone of your voice alone.

"Don't say it. My heart is still cracked, I'm not sure it could withstand such bold attack upon it" Kanzeon hisses through every inch of her being, spoken through the very source of her life. Equal parts excitement, hesitation, joy and doubt resound from those three words. But she knows what shall be spoken cannot be halted nor even delayed.

"Love of course, is the true motivator which drives me to save you. Though I love most men, few if any I harbor a love as honest and true as the affection I keep for you, Dear Kanzeon" You answer, bowing your head as a thrumming beat resonates through Kanzeon's vast body, quivering and shaking her walls as the lights flicker between pink, golden yellow, and emerald green. Before they settle one some bizarre combination of the three that could not be replicated in nature or in artificial pigments. A color of the soul.

"If" You say, raising an open palm as you place the other between your twin hearts "I were to attempt to define the depths of my adoration of you, Kanzeon, even the devotion experienced between zealots and their nonexistent or uncaring gods would be unable to equal our mutual bond. Though you name me a romantic, in truth such a term is unsatisfactory to describe the "emotion" we share and cultivate together in our hearts, minds and even souls"

The woman trapped in the star ship remains silent as you step nearer to the hologram she projects. Boldly, you force her to respond with three words.

"Am I wrong?"

"You are not...incorrect" Kanzeon mutters, as the strange hues that reveal her heart's feelings grow in intensity "But such a connection is illogical in nature and"

She pauses as the breeze of her breaths grows warmer, like the heat of a summer's day.

"That is no excuse, for I am not a logical being. Only mock lives and existences constructed of lines of code and data streams are wholly logical" She muses, her words humming along the rising breeze swirling through her halls "Something beyond desire to nurture, and be nurtured in turn. To love and be loved. An understanding, as if the contents of your thoughts and heart were as clear to me as the records stored within my archives. A decision and force of will more than a defined emotion, mysterious yet it is a mystery that cannot be solved even by my vast intellect. Yet there is know need for study, for it is known to me intuitively. It is the same for you, is it not? My scholar?"
cont
>>
>>4917049

"Precisely, Poets would name it the bond between fated lovers or the connection between souls destined to meet, but they have no comprehension of it and misunderstand it as merely romantic" You answer, removing your hand from your chest "Priests would claim I see you as a goddess deserving worship but..."

"They have the right idea" Kanzeon jokes, you smirk but keep from laughing.

"Its deeper and more natural than that, and unlike their silent or cruel gods, this love is shared and mutual" You continue to explain "And"
Kanzeon sighs
"There's no reason to define it" Kanzeon mutters quietly "Or explain it, we're in love, but in a way mortal men struggle to grasp. Perhaps it is the only love two constructed forms of life could hold but, that would be lessening it. A form of hypocrisy our origins do not matter, especially not regarding...this. Whatever it is"

"I know I feel love for others, and you loved your passengers and crew as a mother would" You say, turning away from her hologram "and you are correct, even if we were designed, our hearts, minds and souls grew beyond our original purpose. All we have is our choices, the lives we live are ours alone to decide"

"Though it is scandalous, considering the difference in the span of our lives" Kanzeon teases, giggling as the alien lights finally calm to a shifting hue of peach and yellow "Eons to a mere decades, and from my research into Long-Jia's customs it would be accepted"

"Oh to hell with scandal. I've never allowed myself to be constrained by concepts such as honor or proper etiquette when they would impede my goals" You snort, crossing your arms "Though that is a somewhat amusing thought, the old crone courting the child"

"Don't think you have permission to insult me like that,. Love does not prevent anger nor irritation" Kanzeon replies, half serious "But still, admitting this...thing, between us has been rather cathartic. It feels, liberating in a way"

"Denying your "Self" is to imbue a poison fouler than any mortal toxin" You say gleefully "But, there's no reason to ponder love, it simply is. And there is work for us to do yet"

"Sometimes I wonder who between us is more of a machine" Kanzeon cackles "Would you like to watch me "Digest" this meal you've so thoughtfully prepared for me, "lover"?"

You laugh

"Ah who is the romantic between us, I wonder?" You strike back, grinning ear to ear.

What shall you do, Lieren?
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison

>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.

>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?"

>Ask Kanzeon for her advice with dealing with the Vishnu and Shuni problems

>Write in

>>4917042
>Malcador, get my belt
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>Write in
Figure out the warp stone stuff and find a means to safely dispose of them
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison

>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?"


>Father, Who are you to deny that which all humans desire? A companion that will flow with me in the great sea of life.
>>
>>4917053
>>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.
>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?"
>Research the light-drinking crystals around your lover's crashsite. Gather them if any beneficial application can be found, dispose of them if any cannot.
>>
>>4917071
>Malcador! beat his ass!
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.
>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?"
A weird version of a romantic dinner, because why not?

>Odd for you to judge my companionship Father, for mine have been loyal and true, while yours stubbed your back.
>>
>>4917105
I love the idea of Malcador spanking our Primarch and him just repeating our book.

>And lo as I lost the feeling of my being too the sharpness of Life, I knew there would still be a dawning of beauty to come!
>>
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>>4917071
+!
>>
>>4917117
>Big E trying to keep his son from loving a sentient ship replaces the council of Nikaea in this time line

Wouldn't that be a lark?
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.
>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?"

>write in
>Figure out the warp stone stuff and find a means to safely dispose of them

>>4917105
>Cant do it himself, because deep down he knows it to be true
>>
>>4917138
"father she is real!"
"She is CODE."
"As are all mortal men!"
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.
>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?"
>>
>>4916955
Could still happen potentially. It's not as if there's anyone else that would share the same life span as Lieren and Kanzeon.
>>
>>4917053
>>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.
>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?"
I think whatbwoild really make ol easy E flip the fuck out isn't that a primarch fell in love, if he cared about that he wouldn't have made fulgrim or sanguinius the way they are, but that a primarch is in love with A FUCKING SHIP. That in of itself would probably warrent a genocide of their home world and possible censure. Maybe he'd stop at a decimation if he was feeling nice that day
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.
>research warpstone skype call Magnus to help out.
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?"
>Ask Kanzeon for her advice with dealing with the Vishnu and Shuni problems
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?"
So goddamn wholesome.

>>4917138
Russ: "I hear you have an unhealthy fondness for you vehicle."
Lieren: "And I hear that you have an unhealthy fondness for wolves."

>>4917230
This assumes that he would even bring it up out in the open. The Adeptus Mechanicus might very well split into civil war if Emp's declared what might as well be a daughter of the Omnissiah an enemy.

As it stands? He'll probably try to have one of the more discrete Primarchs have a 'conversation' with Lieren.

$20 says that it's Jaghatai or Corvus and they can't even begin to give a shit. I'd argue that it would be a traditionally traitor Primarch, but only Horus, Fulgrim, and Lorgar had anything approaching 'discretion' or 'people skills'.

The one thing that worries me is a traitor like Erebus or Typhon infecting her with tech-corruption like the Obliterator Virus.
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.
>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?"
>>
>>4917053
>>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.
>>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?
>>4917138
"You see, it s not a phase. No this is a wave that keeps cycling on and on. And I must admire and cherish this wave, not be distant from it and ignore it in a room !"
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison

>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.
>>
>>4917284
>Big E sends one of his other sons to give Lieren The Talk.
The idea of the Emperor not knowing how to deal with one of his son being in full on Agaphe love is funny to me.
>>
>>4917053
>Watch her eat
>Tinker with alien tech

The two best options.
>>
>>4917329
Thing is that we're building her a body, so he doesn't even need to know where she came from, just claim she's a mutant variation or something because the vishnu are already fickhuge, just make her vishnu
>>
>>4917392
there's no way he wouldn't recognize her body since we're basing it off our own.
>>
>>4917284
>what might as well be a daughter of the Omnissiah
They absolutelty despise AI, anon. So much so they've changed the "A" to stand for "Abominable." Doesn't matter if she's stacked, she's still one of the things that lead to the Cybernetic Revolt, a war that laid the foundation for the Age of Strife. Only the most radical heretek wouldn't do everything in their power to kill her.
>>
>>4917053
>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison

>Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.

>"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?"
>>
>>4917417
actually by their standards she wouldn't classify as one due to the fact she has a soul. that's the main difference between her other ais. I suspect her soul came from less good sources however.
>>
>>4917406
But the important question becomes if a men of ironcbecomes biological, is it still an A.I.?
>>
>>4917105
"Which of you chaos fuckers turned my machanically minded builder boy into an empassioned Psyker and technophille! Slannesh you bitch I'm looking at you!"
>>
>primarch turns an ai or machine into a thing of flesh and blood
>The silent king wants a word
Fits well with of Eldar ties to
>>
>>4917427
the big thing is if they have souls or not and whether or not the Admech recognizes them as souls. And I don't think the current admech was as anti AI as they are in the future since I remember ai research was something the emperor added to the ban list.
>>
>>4917525
The Emperor used the rest of the Men of Iron as robots for the Dark Angels to use, because they are his little pet legion.
But he is also a hypocrite who think he is above the the rules and beliefs he teaches, so who knows how he will react.
>>
This is pre heresy, so a lot of the less dogmatic admech are still about.

Also she has a soul, one observable to those with psykana abilities. By that definition alone she is a "machine spirit"

Though i imagine a method to transfer her to the biological could be found. Itd certainly put the cat amoung the proverbial pidgeons if the admech could use it as a test, that being any AI without a soul being destroyed by the conversion proccess while "machine spirits" survive it.
>>
DOes this mean we'll become the patron Primarch of the Admech? We may not be as mechanically inclined as our other brothers, but we're basically married to a machine.

And if we can find her cloning vats, we could probably make babies with her!
>>
>>4917624
They would probably have a fit when they find out about her and realise that we have no intention of releasing her into their custody.

Whether they see her as an avatar of the omnissiah or an abominable intelligence probably won't matter.
>>
>>4917624
Nah man, you misunderstand,we're making her a biological body, and then putting a baby in her
>>
>>4917424
https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Abominable_Intelligence
By the standards listed above, she would. AI have souls as a default, all sentients have one. Humans have souls, Eldar have strong souls, T'au have weak souls, Necrons had souls until the C'tan ate them all, Orks have the WAAAGH gestalt, Tyranids have the Hive Mind, etc. Hell, if anything, the Mechanicum would want to kill her all the more because she has a soul.
>>4917525
>And I don't think the current admech was as anti AI as they are in the future
They absolutely are, humanity as a whole post-Cybernetic Revolt hates AI.
>>
>>4917632
Since we've confirmed that she has a soul, and that she preserves/serves mankind. They could simply send some guys over and we can create new Goddess class colony vessels with human-soulstone/memory orb functionality.

I say we name the next ship Isha.
>>
>>4917640
12th warning of the cult mechanicus is that the soulless intellegence is the enemy of all. and it directly links to abominable intelligence.
>>
>>4917634
No way fag.
>>
>>4917624
>>4917634
Please, get the psyker legion child first, than we see if reproduction is even possible.
>>
>>4917656

Well then we sidestep that issue by making sure Rampancy doesn't happen and that she gets a proper lifetime before we decommission her.

Aren't AI succeptible to chaos? But Kanzeon has shields/gellar fields that mitigate that risk right?
>>
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>>4917624
>>4917634
>>4917664
>>
>>4917656
If you'd direct your attention to the 11th Warning of the Cult Mechanicus, you'd find that they maintain that only the Omnissiah can bestow a soul. They believe that AI is inherently souless because it was created by something other than the Omnissiah. They're wrong, but you try convincing them of that.
>>
>>4917053
>>Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison
>>
I guess the closest thing we could do to hope to convince people is share our memories and hope they get the PoV of our powers confirming yes she has a soul but even that is a hard sell.
>>
>>4917829
That makes it simple, if Kanzeon has a provable soul, than that means the Omnissiah blessed and made her, the human hands that build were nothing but mere vessela to his will.
>>
IF we set precedent here, we may eventually get dark Mechanicus trying to build souls for their gear in an attempt to make things greater.

Can you say "Daemon Weapons"?Too small
"Daemon STARSHIPS"? HERESY!
>>
>>4918781
Please, putting a daemon inside another machine is for pussies.
True chads create their tech waifu's soul from nothing.
>>
>>4918788
You are making the mistake of thinking there are many chads in the Mechanicus.
>>
>>4918781
they already do that tho
.
>>
We could put forth the theory that the Omnissiah is literally OMNI-present in everyone. We all have small pieces of his power bestowed upon mankind, and that each of us has the ability to contribute to the construction of the soul of the weapon.

Thus it is just to learn of the sacred maintenance rituals and to continue to nurture and repair our machines as they gestate thier incomplete Machine spirits. And once they have those, only then may Abominable Intelligence cease being so.

Literally giving them warp presence to resist chaos corruption.
>>
I annoys that people are more interested in discussing irrelevant shit over the very pressing issue of the Vishnu and the Shuni. Some modified Deldar weapons isn’t going to do much considering we only have enough for a small army of hundreds. We also have the soul stone you lot wanted yet are not voting to do anything with it or talk about it.
>>
>>4919259
Have you considered people don't want to ruin this moment for Kanzeon by bringing up the tech the vishnu would have had to have gotten from one of her sisters?
>>
>>4919259
The discussion on how we would defend the border against jihadi wizards and supertech berzerkers is for when Malal gets around to us going to fortify them and unify the powergrid, because them we will have a few of Lieren's in character knowledge and observations feom tge setting instaed of the tidbits we have. Discussing it now would just lead baseless assumptions and deadend arguments.
The soulgem is for when we meditate again, and I will shill for us to meet the eldar seer stalker.
So sit down and enjoy the romantic dinner between a ship and an autistic supersoldier.
>>
>>4918214
You have a delusionally optimistic view of how easy it is to convince religious fanatics that the views they’ve held for millennia are wrong. And your argument fails to hold water when you consider the fact that xenos have souls and are considered horrific perversions of the Omnissiah’s blessed artifice.
>>
>>4919263
You don’t have to even bring it up in story to discuss how to counter them.
>>4919267
I wouldn’t call him autistic considering how sociable and articulate he is.
>>
>>4919297
>You don’t have to even bring it up in story to discuss how to counter them.
You're an idiot if you think we'll get anything useful while leaving out key tactical information like the fact they have advanced technology that could have only come from one place.
>>
So on to another topic that we've never brought up, but where did the people of Yin come from? It wasn't Kanzeon. Her colonists got screwed by the hidden master. Is there another one of her sisters out there still aware and uncorrupted?
>>
>>4919322
probably since assigning a colonization mission to just 1 ships is pretty dangerous
>>
>>4919322
They did come from Kanzeon. Her colonists spread out and a group remained within her while the rest scattered to the winds.
The Yan, or Long Jia, were one of the migrant groups while the tigerkin were the latest mutant batch of the remainer group
>>
>all this talk of trying to justify Kanzeon’s existence to the Mechanicum
They’re gonna want to tear her apart no matter what we do, and since Big E will be bound by his agreement with them by the time he meets us (remember that the 30K Mechanicum and Imperium aren’t as closely intertwined as they are in 40K) he’ll have no choice but to meet their demands. Our safest bet is to just pretend she’s a normal machine spirit and never tell anyone about her AI nature, then if any red-robed technophiles come sniffing around we can just tell them to get the fuck off of our property.
>>
>>4919571
Is this one of those "Some secrets must be kept" things like the ravenguard have. Ie, that red robed fuck is having his head twisted off his neck if we can tell he's not going to keep his trap shut?
>>
So what exactly is the plan when the Heresy goes down? Are you all going to stay loyal in the aftermath or just fuck off like Russ and his ilk and let them sort it out amongst themselves?

Because to be honest the Imperium is going to be fucked like a cheap whore in a mining town no matter what Lieren does.
>>
We can see corruption and we have the ability to purify it. We also tend to recruit randos of all shapes and sizes. We are the first inquisitor.
>>
>>4919322
I recon the colonists divided in groups and each group did what they wanted.

also this
>>4919505
>>
>>4919637
There hasn't been much of plan outside of discussion on which primarch to focus our time with.
>>
>>4919663
>>4919690
Best idea I have would be to link with the White Scars and keep harassing Horus: hit and runs, go after grups that separated from his main force, the Napoleon approach of splitting your enemies and killing them one by one.
>>
>>4919697
I dunno man, we seem to really be up Vulkan and Guilliman's alleys. Vulkan with our connection to our own humanity and that of those around us, and Guilliman with our eye for logistics and social development.
>>
>>4919697
Maybe but if I'm not mistakeing Horus's plan was to rush Terra. My idea is for us to make him bleed enough on the journey that the Siege of Terra becomes a lot more costly for the traitors, we can even use our talent for logistics and ability to see a person's strenght and weaknesses to better coordonate with the remainig loyalist forces to do some cross-legionary attacks on the traitors.
>>
>>4919714
meant for
>>4919700
>>
>>4919700
Guilliman might be a toss up I feel, lieren is good at logistics but he has his fair share of inefficiencies. He's much more likely to pull a magnus or lorgar during the crusade which would rub Mr. Super Autismo the wrong way. Guilliman's dogmatic way of doing thing might also offend lieren, especially with the codex, but to be honest, a lot about how the empire works would offend lieren.
Vulkan would certainly hit it with lieren but then again vulkan gets along with all his non-schizophrenic brothers
>>
>>4919583
Probably. Better some cyborg nutcase than Kanzeon.
Unless we psychically lobotomise them, of course. This is 40K, we’ve got to do at least a few morally questionable things.
>>
Huli Jing is banished by Lieren back to Slaanesh’s throne room, circa M30
>>
>>4919789
Kek!

Nice going Anon
>>
>>4919583
meh, honestly everyone as secrets. 40k is no exception.

>>4919789
kek
>>
>>4919286
Not really, the mechanicum are like jews and prostentants, they favorite pastime is disagreing on dogma and splitering on sects.
>>
>>4919809
While you are correct, the predominant sect of mars says "if humans didn't make it, ain't blessed by the omnissiah"
>>
>>4919322
I think the Yan came from one of her sisters
"who gave me the ability to speak beyond my prison and see the fruits of my sister's labor and death! "
Or at least the ones that terraformed the lands did.
>>
>>4919789
Wow she's actually kind of adorable. Like the dumb family dog that always gets into trouble.
>>
Calling the vote now. Sorry for the wait.

Watch Kanzeon process the raw materials you've brought to her and observe her healing, and discuss how means of releasing her from her prison:19

Research the light-drinking crystals around Kanzeon's crashsite. Gather them if any beneficial application can be found, dispose of them if any cannot.:5
-Beckon Magnus to aid in this endeavor:1

"Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?":12

Fiddle and adapt the Aeldari technology into more useful forms with her aid, even the agonizer can be adjusted to lose its inherent sadism.: 13

Ask Kanzeon for her advice with dealing with the Vishnu and Shuni problems:1

Total votes:19

So Lieren will watch Kanzeon "Eat" discuss methods to free her from her confines, fiddle with the Aeldari tech and suggest a means for her to "accompany" him beyond the radio

Writing now

Sorry again for the wait. The flesh was weak

https://youtu.be/QyCVTY4AKcE

>>4919789
Nice! great work. also got a giggle from Slaanesh's "package"

>>4917440
>Might I inquire, my organic compatriot, how you managed to accomplish such a feat?
>Lol, I just dragged the soul into the vessel, nerd

>>4917284
Lmao

>>4917435
>Don't shift the blame to me Ananathem~! the boy has all the excessive desire and whimsy of a brick wall!
>>
Can some anon slap lieren's face on Kilgore and have him say I love the smell of prosperity in the morning? I'd do it but I have the editing skills of a flailing monkey.
>>
>>4920206
>All gods present begin chanting "Couldn't tempt a farmer! Couldn't tempt a farmer!"
>>
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>>4920366
I tried.
>>
>>4920405
i keked
i love the emount of memes we're getting
>>
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>>4920405
>Lieren adapts to New Varro culture

I think its a good job

ANYWAYS update inbound
>>
>>4920405
Your a goddamn legend
>>
"That isn't an answer Lieren" Kanzeon replies dully as you sigh and slick back your hair by running your fingers through it, before undoing the grooming with a shake of your head

"Of course I would, my curiosity is ever peaked while in your presence. As I said when we first met, I am a scholar by both nature and heart" You jovially laugh, as the wall you're facing splits apart, forming into crawling roots, vines and half formed hands as they part and open up a path to a bridge being constructed before your eyes. The living metal of Kanzeon flowing into position like mercury, thought it remains entirely solid. Blossoms resembling the flowers of rose bushes and orange trees sprout from the branches that form the road leading into the depths of Kanzeon's body, lights fluttering in the form of pale pink butterflies and strange looking night cranes, lacking the tell tale "fangs" upon their peaks and having two eyes instead of a singular one.

"You could at least act hesitant, the closest action analogue to this would be a maiden of flesh and blood undressing before your eyes" Kanzeon proclaims with a mock sense of gravity

"But I have already seen your heart and soul, watching you "eat" is far less obscene I imagine" You say, mimicking her fake seriousness. The hanging bridge shakes with her laughter, as motes of such brilliant light that they appear to be young sons fill the empty space above your head and reveals.

Machinery. Alien, arcane, its design and purpose unknown to your eyes. They appear to be a vast collection pools of milky white fluid pressed into the floor and walls. The waters within ripple and begin to churn, as the bizarre technology is roused and powered on for the first time in many millennium. Beneath the latticed plates of metal, you can see the carts of raw material and alien technology moving. At first it seems they have been made animate and are moving by their own power. But then you see, beneath their shadows, waves of dainty hands lifting and pushing the carts forward. You pause, to see if this expansive room is kanzeon's "Stomach"

And she looks into your mind, judging by the pressure upon the top of your skull. She giggles, like a maiden teasing her beloved.

"Oh, my scholar, my processing facilities are still being moved for your convenient. Your current location is the facility that is parallel with a womb in living creatures. You would know it as the Halls of Ripening, and no it isn't made to ferment anything variety of alcohol based intoxicant " She explains amusedly, the lights in the room flashing a colorful array of greens, oranges and maroons "Its purpose was to "Bolster" my crew and passengers, and safely concieve offspring, in a prospect that was called "Cloning""

A strange chill pierces your flesh and burrows into your bones. Like an instinct revulsion, or a programed anger. You can tell it is unnatural, some inborn knowledge within you balks at the concept of fabricating life, human life in particular
Cont
>>
>>4920421

While you also have moral reasons to feel hesitation towards such a science and the fruits it bears, you can easily detect what percentage of the offense you feel is from your heart and what was built in your being. Curious, perhaps it was a lingering sign of what your father, the radiant man, intended for you to be before his conscious caught up with him.

"I apologize if you felt revulsion bubble to the surface of my mind, but when described as "Bolstering" such an act feels abhorrent" You explain, a wave of guilt drawing you from your inner musings, before laughing at the hypocrisy of it. Perhaps you were born in a similar pool yourself!

"I am well aware, but I know you would find know scorn for the men "birthed" through technological means. I didn't take such feelings as an insult, it is a natural response" She says, avoiding mentioning your own "technological" Origin "Humanity of the age of technology and the "Long night" had different views of what was acceptable, and what was not. Morality shifts as the years past"

"I just cannot stop myself from envisioning the horrors such technology could produce and lead society to" You state, walking along the trail as you lose interest in the halls of ripening, making a mental note to ask Kanzeon how it functions at a later date

"They all came to be, and many more that even you, as intelligent as you are could not begin to imagine. I did not stoop to such...barbaric methods, but my data...memories record a number of worlds that "pruned" their lower class to replace with automatons of flesh and steel" Kanzeon says, sending a shudder of dread down your spine "It's adorable to see a demi god of war shiver"

"I will remain ignorant of those crimes of my ancestors" You hiss through your teeth, before a question rushes to the front your mind as you walk a set of stairs being laid before your feet "Actually would it be possible to replicate other forms of life with those pools? Organs and artifical muscle"

"That was a secondary use of my "Womb", however most of my passengers preferred to replace injured limbs and mend their wounds with my own "Flesh" Kanzeon answers happily, joyfully feeding into your curiosity "And as most of their dietary needs were met by the Hydroponic forests lining my body, they had little need to clone anything else...outside of celebrations or the need for companion-ship"

"Like the kittens I saw in the memory core I stumbled upon before I found yourself!" You exclaim as you walk into one of Kanzeon's Hydroponics facilities, growing with both alien and ancient forms of floral, streams and mists moving as mechanical arms and mechandendrites spray chemically treater water directly into the roots of hanging systems of crawling, fruit bearing vines cultivated through preserved seeds that endured the eons of her isolation
Cont
>>
>>4920422

"Exactly. Though it is curious that they evolved in the direction they did on the surface. And the other oddities of wildlife you've brought to me" Kanzeon says sweetly as you inspect a peach and pluck it from its branch, testing its ripeness with a press of your thumb.

Wait, was that pause in the middle of companionship wordplay.

"Yes it was. Was it amusing?" Kanzeon asks merrily

"Of course. Word play only works when you notice it a moment after you've heard it" You laugh, feeling the steps below you shiver with Kanzeon's glee

"That is pleasing" She states, hiding her excitement and pride well, but her tone shifts the moment she peaks into your thoughts "You're thinking nonsense again, Lieren"

You chuckle as you're presented a door carved into the shape of an anatomically correct heart. The handle is shaped like an offered hand. Taking it in your own, it curls its fingers and interlocks them with your own. The metal warms, but does not burn your skin. The door turns into floating drops of steel, and drips into recesses of the wall. The hand is the last thing to fade away, flaking apart before it drifts into the vents below your feet.

Sitting before you, is a rail less balcony. A bottle of sweet smelling liquid sits besides a glass of rubbery glass, sitting before a plate styled like a lotus perfectly sized for the peach you plucked moments before.

It would appear Kanzeon's manipulations and command of her bodies has increased in its refiment.

"I've been repairing myself tirelessly and with only one "Guest" I can focus much more of the process to alter the make up of my "Vessel". And without any crew to complain of the change of the layout, I am free to improve and configure it to my most petty of whims" Kanzeon boasts, preening her garden for a king "W..what does that even mean"

"Showing off" You speak, feeling a small jolt of electricity as you touch the table accompanied by a sharp metallic buzz, that is Kanzeon's way of hissing through her teeth. You snort, and begin to cut the peach. You notice the Amphitheater before you, constructed and designed much like the one that stood before the memorial vault. Though it lacks the gargantuan doors that lead to the vault, The room is similarly inclined, like an inverted pyramid laid below its upright counterpart. It also lacks the crystals and memory orbs. The walls are also smoothed, and lack the star metal vines, veins, foliage and blossoms that Kanzeon decorates herself with. Numerous carved and pressed channels run along its floors and walls like the capillaries of a titan.

Slowly a pit begins to form in the center of the theater, you leans over the table to get a closer look at it. A steadily drumming beat begins to play, resembling the beating of an enamored maiden's heart. The first cart you presented to Kanzeon moves into view and is unceremoniously pushed into the pit.
cont
>>
>>4920423

"Prepare to be astounded. You already hold my existence in awe! Take care not to be enamoured by the mysteries of my being, Daarling" Kanzeon laughs somewhat manically as scorching lights erupt from the walls of the pit, lances of radiance and solid light strike into the materials dropped within.

With a great, piercing shriek, the atoms of the materials are torn and reorganized, restructured into their base elements. It happened with such haste you nearly missed the conversion from solids, to disparate atoms, to chemicals and minerals collected into the form of hexagon blocks! But you've seen such a sight before.

"The unseen master" hisses past your lips as you rap your knuckles on the table "So that is what inspired Vipul's vile sorcery. Huh, curious"

"I" Kanzeon says quietly, meekly, before she regathers her confidence "Was hoping for different, and more substantial, reaction than that"

"Oh it is incredible, and much more graceful than that wretch's trick. And as you can tell I am consumed by curiosity of how you achieve such a thing without stooping to the use of sorcerous boons" You quickly explain, trying to cheer your lover up before she becomes sullen

"Oh!' she gasps, the lights flashing between a multitude yellow and green hues, her voice resonating with excited energy "Well, I simply separate the material at a molecular level, severing the atomic bonds between them via the application of focused energy that has been so precisely tuned it can separate the component elements atom by atom, precisely reducing the deconstructed material into its basic components. Which, when exposed to a field of energy produced by my heart, can be manipulated into a solid state of matter once again, now separated and reformed into the elements that composed the now recycled matter. From what I've heard over the radio network, you have in your possession a weapon that uses the first process. One that was once in the possession of the head of my security forces"

"Astounding!" You explain, dramatically clapping your hands over your mouth and between your hearts, shying away in a most feminine manner, mimicking the mannerisms of Qian Xia and Luli the ecomplish the show of amazement to please Kanzeon's wound pride "I did not know such wonderous technology had been achieved! Even by the masterpiece of my progenitors! Truly you are a treasure to all the world, Kanzeon"

"Hm hm" Kanzeon chuckles as the process is repeated "That is a much more acceptable, and pleasing, reaction! would you like to see my "Digestion" performed slower, so you may appreciate and marvel at the beautiful efficiency of my being?"

"That would be an incredible privledge" You state, pouting for a moment before shifting your expression into a gratified smile, maintain your maiden like posture before it the joke grows tiresome and you return to you usual, masculine presentation and turn towards the nearest vent, one of Kanzeon's many "mouths"
Cont
>>
>>4920425

"Beloved Kanzeon, I must inquire if you've had any progress researching a means to free your body from its internment beneath the mountain, without impacting the biosphere and habitats surrounding it, as I myself have pondered numerous methods" You ask, gently turning your tone serious as you speak to her.

She lets out a sigh that could only be born from a giants lungs.

"Half of my thoughts are turned towards achieving my freedom. So theoretically methods have proven more sound than others. A force of mining drones equipped with projectors deconstructing energy could free me gradually, and would demand the vast majority of my stored resources. But "consuming" the mountain would allow me to hasten my repairs and I could just process the drones when their use has become obsolete. Another method would be tunneling into a nearby body of water and simply burrowing into its depths with my engines. And the only other method I can calculate and imagine to accomplish is simply commanding my body to move piece by piece, before transporting my "heart" out manually and rebuilding myself upon the surface. All present their own difficulties, downsides and possible catastrophic failures. What about your research into pressing matter of releasing me from this confinement?"

"Hmm, the first is similar to an idea I myself had, besides that, a drone body to allow you to "Leave" could serve to lessen the agony of waiting for your release to arrive though am of two minds concerning that possibility" You explain briefly, as there's no point to explain the numerous methods you devised and refused to consider further when the cost that would be paid presented itself

"Oh?" Kanzeon inquires with a gnawing, desperate curiosity.

"Mechanical and organic" You state, grinning ear to ear, exuding a confidence as deep as any ocean

"Organic?" Kanzeo mutters skeptically

"I've dreamt of the possibility of placing a soul as vast and brilliant as yours into a living vessel" You admit "Since I first promised to free you from your prison, as my own body can clearly withstand a soul that is of great potency, then It should be possible to exchange your soul from the ship into a body of great strength"

"You mean, truly transferring my intelligence from this body into another?" Kanzeon asks, almost sounding breathless

"Of course, I consider a puppet woven around a receiver instead of a living brain to be mechanical in nature" You explain, pressing your hands together, the lights flickering to create a strobing array of colors.

"You brute" Kanzeon teases to hide her excitement and worry towards such a concept "You're after my body alone, you scoundrel of a scholar"

You chuckle and shake your head, Kanzeon weakly laughing alongside you. But she is the first to break the awkward span of silence that follows.

"So you know a means of transferring souls between vessels then?" Kanzeon asks, you bow your head and shrink as far as you're able to.
Cont
>>
>>4920427

"Not yet" you reply shamefully "But I believe if I work with my brother I would be able to devise such a method, if he cannot or refuse to help, I would research it to my dying day"

Kanzeon remains silent, the lights dim.

"If that is what you desire" You add, looking up the the distant ceiling of her "stomach"

"Your company is enough for me, being able to speak to others and meet with you is a vast improvement from my prior predicament" She answers, cleverly avoiding answering your question "I am certain I am equipped with not technology capable of performing such a feat"

"Hrrrm" You sigh through your clenched jaw "Well, we can discuss the possibilities later, for now enjoy your "meal"

You bite into half of the peach you've plucked, its sweet nectar flowing down your chin as you abandon etiquette once again.

"Though, I will admit, I am curious as to what a peach would taste like" Kanzeon wistfully muses "Now for the main course! the conceited Eldar's overly vaunted technology! long kept from my inspection!"

It takes Kanzeon longer to "Chew" the Aeldari salvage than the mundane materials, her inexperience with the make up of the metal slowing her process, but she deconstructs all of it at a steady pace once she has broken down the various components and examined each as closely as is possible.

Oh all the technology, only the "Aethersails", anti-gravitic generators, the armor when it is not lined with razors and barbs to torture the wearer, dark light weaponry and strangely enough the Agonizer's neural interface prove viable . The rest cannot be divored from its inherent and designed cruelty. Kanzeon is able to produce weaponry equipped with power fields. Though she seems most interested in the "Aethersails", your attention is focused solely on the more merciful application of the agonizer, as with a few simple alterations the whip's neural web can be altered to instead paralyze and disable rather than torture.

But as you fiddle and research the technology, Kanzeon approaches you with an unexpected question.

"Why are you so determined to have me walk by your side? I figured you'd be content with merely releasing me from my crashsite, yet you are passionate of giving me a body of muscle, sinew, bone, blood and skin" kanzeon asks "Why?"

""Well, since we are of the same heart, you should stay by my side, should you not?" You answer with a gentlehearted smile. Kanzeon groans

"No wonder Luli was enamored with you, you are poison for a woman's heart!" Kanzeon loudly complains before sighing almost as if defeated "I suppose I could indulge that desire...at least partially, as there are means for me to interact with the world outside of my body, one of which you suggested earlier"

You heart soars and
-

"Trouble milord, at both construction sites" You nameless assistant explains as you look over the progress of the initial preparations of the locations, primarily setting the foundations and mapping the landscape
Cont
>>
>>4920429

"Our laborers in Xue report sightings of Vishnu parties on both sides of the border and refuse to work without your presence or an army, and several of our officials have complained of nightmares at the Shuni borders, whilst two, Yan Zhaohui and Dai Zhen have been reported missing"

You clench your jaw hard enough to bite cleanly through the nail you were holding between your teeth

"Damnation! A thousand year damnation!" You curse, shattering the table before you with a single strike, the lesser assistants cowering away as your most trusted stands serenely, and retrieves the map you were studying "of course this endeavor couldn't be completed without difficulties sprouting from nothing like so many weeds!"

"How shall we overcome these obstacles, my lord?" Your follower questions curiously.

You smirk. Well, that's an easy question to provide an answer to?

How do you solve these problems, Lieren?

>Personally inspect the Vishnu Site, alongside the six Vishnu chiefs, including the cowardly Om.

>Personally investigate the Shuni Border, alongside Guozhi and the Inner disciples of the wanders in the fog sect, including the recently promoted Meixiu, who despite her young age is perhaps the most dangerous of the sect besides yourself and Guozhi.

>Request an regiment of the imperial army to further bulster the elements defending the border between the vishnu kingdoms.

>Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border, with Guozhi overseeing their efforts any heretical sorcerer will be overcome by the training you've provided

>Write in

AND

what form does Kanzeon's "Partial companionship" take?

>A mechanical body controlled by her from a receiver, constructed the image of her "Avatar". Sturdy and efficient but stands out.

>A "flesh puppet" Designed to appear as her idealized projection, controlled by a receiver in place of its brain. Stands out less, but requires nutrients, a

>A Strange sword with one blunted edge and a curved blade Kanzeon refers to as an "Ōdachi", finely constructed and imbued with both a power field and Null denouncement Charms as well as a "Surprise" as kanzeon refers to it

>Armor built from the star metal of Kanzeon's body, mimicking the ancient design of armored and sealed construction equipment, lovingly crafted by Kanzeon and able to be altered at both of your commands

>Write in.
>>
>>4920431
>Personally inspect the Vishnu with the six chiefs.
>Tell our most talented and devoted disciples they have a test at the Shuni border. Send dong with them.

>Armour built with Kanzeons body
I would like robes which flow into armour. Also AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL the dirty jokes.
>>
>>4920431
>Personally investigate the Shuni Border, alongside Guozhi and the Inner disciples of the wanders in the fog sect, including the recently promoted Meixiu, who despite her young age is perhaps the most dangerous of the sect besides yourself and Guozhi.

>Request an regiment of the imperial army to further bulster the elements defending the border between the vishnu kingdoms.

>A mechanical body controlled by her from a receiver, constructed the image of her "Avatar". Sturdy and efficient but stands out.
>>
>>4920431
>Personally investigate the Shuni Border, alongside Guozhi and the Inner disciples of the wanders in the fog sect, including the recently promoted Meixiu, who despite her young age is perhaps the most dangerous of the sect besides yourself and Guozhi.
>Request an regiment of the imperial army to further bulster the elements defending the border between the vishnu kingdoms.
>Send the Vishnu chiefs with them.
>A "flesh puppet" Designed to appear as her idealized projection, controlled by a receiver in place of its brain. Stands out less, but requires nutrients, a
>>
>>4920431
>Personally inspect the Vishnu Site, alongside the six Vishnu chiefs, including the cowardly Om.
>Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border
>A mechanical body controlled by her from a receiver, constructed the image of her "Avatar". Sturdy and efficient but stands out.
>>
>>4920448
+1
>>
>>4920431
>Personally investigate the Shuni Border, alongside Guozhi and the Inner disciples of the wanders in the fog sect, including the recently promoted Meixiu, who despite her young age is perhaps the most dangerous of the sect besides yourself and Guozhi.
We do need to directly oversee this, spooks man...damned spooks.

>Request an regiment of the imperial army to further bolster the elements defending the border between the vishnu kingdoms.
But also ask for a volunteer of two of the six Vishnu chiefs for expertise but also improved moral

-

Kanzeon's body shall however be a thing made of metal and silicon, it will be humanoid appearing soft on the outside but bones of metal and tendons of wire within. The receiver shall be fitted within the skull however we shall ensure there is a strong defence to stop any twisted information trying to worm into her mind while it is open as such. Especially since we're going to handle the Shuni
>>
>>4920431
>Personally inspect the Vishnu Site, alongside the six Vishnu chiefs, including the cowardly Om.
>Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border, with Guozhi overseeing their efforts any heretical sorcerer will be overcome by the training you've provided.
Tell them to expect anything

>A "flesh puppet" Designed to appear as her idealized projection, controlled by a receiver in place of its brain. Stands out less, but requires nutrients, a
A WHAT?! Aid her in construction to have her be a Female Primarch. or at least as tall as us.

>You heart soars and
WHY MUST YOU DO THIS
>>
>>4920413
Yeah its great!
>>
>>4920431
>Personally inspect the Vishnu with the six chiefs.
>Tell our most talented and devoted disciples they have a test at the Shuni border. Send dong with them.

>Armour built with Kanzeons body
>>
>>4920431
>Personally inspect the Vishnu Site, alongside the six Vishnu chiefs, including the cowardly Om.
>Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border

As for Kanzeon... Damn, I'm stuck between making her an organic body and seeing if she, alongside genetic code donated by us and data taken from the pod, couldn't affect a Primarch body, even though Big E needed Warp knowledge to even try.
On the other hand, I like the idea of an android body rolling around, but I get the feeling that will backfire spectacularly when the Mechanicum gets a look-see.

Ah, in the end I'll choose
>A "flesh puppet"
Just because Kanzeon had that moment where she wondered what a peach tasted like.
>>
Kanzeon doesn't need a body if she has ours.
We can bring her inside of us and use our massive soul as a server to host her needs.

The Mechanicus will forever be astounded at our cybermancy, and ability to directly interface with any and all machines without a single i/o port!

We'd also have a permanent link to our archeotech ship.

We'd have to turn the entire ship into psykertech though so that they keep their grubby hands off it.

Magnus will be so jelly he didn't think of it first.
>>
>>4920611
What?
Do you want to merge Lieren's and Kanzeon's souls? Please say that's not waht you are trying to say.
>>
>>4920431

>Request an regiment of the imperial army to further bulster the elements defending the border between the vishnu kingdoms.

>Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border, with Guozhi overseeing their efforts any heretical sorcerer will be overcome by the training you've provided
>Armor built from the star metal of Kanzeon's body, mimicking the ancient design of armored and sealed construction equipment, lovingly crafted by Kanzeon and able to be altered at both of your commands
>>
>>4920431
>Personally inspect the Vishnu Site, alongside the six Vishnu chiefs, including the cowardly Om.
>Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border, with Guozhi overseeing their efforts any heretical sorcerer will be overcome by the training you've provided

>Armor built from the star metal of Kanzeon's body, mimicking the ancient design of armored and sealed construction equipment, lovingly crafted by Kanzeon and able to be altered at both of your commands

Master chief primarch
>>
>>4920431
>Personally inspect the Vishnu Site, alongside the six Vishnu chiefs, including the cowardly Om.
>Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border, with Guozhi overseeing their efforts any heretical sorcerer will be overcome by the training you've provided

>Armor built from the star metal of Kanzeon's body, mimicking the ancient design of armored and sealed construction equipment, lovingly crafted by Kanzeon and able to be altered at both of your commands
>>
>>4920431

>Personally inspect the Vishnu Site, alongside the six Vishnu chiefs, including the cowardly Om.
>Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border, with Guozhi overseeing their efforts any heretical sorcerer will be overcome by the training you've provided

>Armor built from the star metal of Kanzeon's body, mimicking the ancient design of armored and sealed construction equipment, lovingly crafted by Kanzeon and able to be altered at both of your commands
>>
>>4920431
>Personally investigate the Shuni Border, alongside Guozhi and the Inner disciples of the wanders in the fog sect, including the recently promoted Meixiu, who despite her young age is perhaps the most dangerous of the sect besides yourself and Guozhi.
>A mechanical body controlled by her from a receiver, constructed the image of her "Avatar". Sturdy and efficient but stands out.
>>
>>4920431
>Personally investigate the Shuni Border, alongside Guozhi and the Inner disciples of the wanders in the fog sect, including the recently promoted Meixiu, who despite her young age is perhaps the most dangerous of the sect besides yourself and Guozhi.

>Request an regiment of the imperial army to further bulster the elements defending the border between the vishnu kingdoms.
>A mechanical body controlled by her from a receiver, constructed the image of her "Avatar". Sturdy and efficient but stands out.
>>
>>4920431
>A "flesh puppet" Designed to appear as her idealized projection, controlled by a receiver in place of its brain. Stands out less, but requires nutrients, a


Lets introduce her to the concepts of human senses. It may make it easier to get her into a fully biological body later if her soul is aquainted with what they are.
>>
>>4920431
>Personally inspect the Vishnu Site, alongside the six Vishnu chiefs, including the cowardly Om.
>Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border, with Guozhi overseeing their efforts any heretical sorcerer will be overcome by the training you've provided
>Armor built from the star metal of Kanzeon's body, mimicking the ancient design of armored and sealed construction equipment, lovingly crafted by Kanzeon and able to be altered at both of your commands
>>
>>4920431
>Personally inspect the Vishnu Site, alongside the six Vishnu chiefs, including the cowardly Om.
>Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border, with Guozhi overseeing their efforts any heretical sorcerer will be overcome by the training you've provided

>A "flesh puppet" Designed to appear as her idealized projection, controlled by a receiver in place of its brain. Stands out less, but requires nutrients, a
>>
>>4920431
>Personally inspect the Vishnu Site, alongside the six Vishnu chiefs, including the cowardly Om.
>Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border, with Guozhi overseeing their efforts any heretical sorcerer will be overcome by the training you've provided
>A "flesh puppet" Designed to appear as her idealized projection, controlled by a receiver in place of its brain. Stands out less, but requires nutrients, a
>>
Calling the vote now

Personally inspect the Vishnu Site, alongside the six Vishnu chiefs, including the cowardly Om.:11

Tell your most talented and powerful disciples you have a test for them at the Shuni border, with Guozhi overseeing their efforts :12
-+ dong: 2


Personally investigate the Shuni Border, alongside Guozhi and the Inner disciples of the wanders in the fog sect, including the recently promoted Meixiu,:6

Request an regiment of the imperial army to further bulster the elements defending the border between the vishnu kingdoms.:6
- + the vishnu chiefs:3


A mechanical body controlled by her from a receiver, constructed the image of her "Avatar". Sturdy and efficient but stands out.: 4

Armor built from the star metal of Kanzeon's body, mimicking the ancient design of armored and sealed construction equipment, lovingly crafted by Kanzeon and able to be altered at both of your commands:7

A "flesh puppet" Designed to appear as her idealized projection, controlled by a receiver in place of its brain. Stands out less, but requires nutrients:7

"Disguised machine": 1

The crazy soul thing this >>4920611
wrote(Which Lieren wouldn't do in the first place): 1

Total votes:20

So Lieren shall personally investigate the Vishnu site with the chiefs, and task his sect's most talented and powerful Disciples to complete a test as the Shuni border with Guozhi overseeing the operation

And because there's a tie between Armor and FLESH PUPPET, I'll be nice and combine the two! (And because I dislike tiebreaking, and repeating the vote would be tiresome)

no not as flesh armor, but rather armor first then the FLESH PUPPET, as it will take time for Kanzeon to prepare it anyways

Writing now

>>4920463
To cut off before the form of the companion-ship was stated, hoho
>>
<Preserved Record, from a journal kept and maintained by an unknown assistant to Primarch <Data lost> Lieren, interred in the reliquary of the <Data lost> of the<Data lost>, copied to the archives of the cogitator bearing the serial designation <Data redacted>, the record details the officials service to the resplendent son of the emperor prior to his reclamation>

It was a dreadful thing to behold, Lieren of Nothing's fury unleashed and wild. To have seen the mask of rage he wore in that moment would have made even the most fearsome of panthers appear to be naught but pampered kittens in comparison. It faded in a moment, but I realized why my lord and inspiration had been so unfairly referred to as an ogre. To see his handsome features twist into a grimace of murderous wrath, shook me to my core. My superior, elder and mentor <The name was obscured by streak of synthetic ink, text unrecoverable- Magus <Data Redacted> remained calm in the face of the Grand Architects brief maelstrom of unhidden anger. I would like to record that I had remained stalwart and unafraid of our mutual friend's expression of frustration, but I am proud to have never spoken a lie in the last seven years of my life. The pressure and presence exuded by Lieren at that moment, nearly drove the very soul from my chest. My heart refused to beat for the duration of his fit, which by my estimation lasted only for a moment's duration.

But for that brief span, I felt as if I stood before an incarnation of death itself! Terrible, unknowable, indomitable in its pursuit. It must have been that expression that had been the last sight of many tyrants and pettier villains beheld before receiving the giant's unerring judgement. The air itself seemed to take upon the mien of an old battlefield, possessed by an unnatural chill as if the spirits of the dead had fled from the earth to escape the terror invoked by the briefest flash of a giant's wrath. When my senses had returned, and panic had fled my mind, I was seated once again around the broken table, hearing Lieren issue our commands.

By strangely, he was wearing a raiment the like of which I had never before beheld. Some new innovation of his? A treasure stolen from the rumored "Starspawn"? It seemed to have been woven of a thousand miniscule strands of silver and gold, appearing at times white and at times glimmering with wealth. Strange gems that shone like captured stars plucked from the heavens, lined the arms of the mantled robe. Whoever had spun the metallic dress must have been a unparalleled master of the art, for as I watched the chief of the ministry of my employ gesticulate, I was awed by the refinement and intricacies of the stitched and woven patterns presented upon his new outfit. Great crooked trees, flowering with wisteria, peach and plum blossoms sat beside the Lotus of the Journey, two of which adorned both of the brocade's breasts.
Cont
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>>4921791

Yet at a second glance images of crawling vines and a stalking panther blessed my vision! It was as if the metallic silk changed and altered to present a new scene whenever one looked away or changed the angle of their observation.

Enamored by the material, I summoned the courage to inquire the source of the fabric and the identify of its maker, as well of the asking price for such a resplendent robe so I may set aside a portion of my monthly payment to eventually become the proud owner of such finery. Of course I had an ulterior motive, for I have long desired a bride but have been long scorned for my unfortunate lack of beauty and refinement, and held the wayward hope that imitating a man as respected and revered as Master Lieren himself, my romantic fortunes may improve.

Unfortunately, the artist is a recluse though I am not sorrowful, for Lieren has promised to attempt to convince her to leave her solitude in the wilds so I may present my request to her personally! Should war not soon arrive from across either border, I am sure the spring of my life has come!

Though of the day, do the trees consider us their predators?

<The rest of the journal is soaked through with a great quantity of dried blood measuring approximately <Data lost> ml, from numerous human origins- Magus <Data Redacted>
-

The concealed armor woven from Kanzeon's metal flesh and controlled by her thoughts flutters as a robe of silver and stars on the sizzling winds of the Vishnu Mountains. Your accompanying Guards and Laborers have stripped to the bare minimum required to maintain their dignity. Two emerald eyes appear on the silken sleeve of your raiment, as Kanzeon peers into the greater world. Curiously the eyes flicker away and appear upon your other sleeve.

"Curious, curious" She mutters in a corner of your mind "From the preliminary geological scans I had performed after I crashed into this planetary body, these mineral formations were formed after my fall, perhaps by one of my sisters or man mad catastrophy? See how the rock is melted? Heat comparable to the heart of a sun ripped through this valley"

That is fascinating! perhaps one of your kin lingers somewhere beneath our feet, you ponder as you silently observe the boundary drawn in the sand by rusted swords and axe heads, the border between the Vishnu states and Long Jia. It sits just beyond the Wind Warren Hills, beyond the Xue's parcel of land. You can spot the trail of the surviving raider you allowed to flee to his master.

"So this is were the "Vishnu" dwell, and no, not at this location. I'd be able to sense the presence of my sisters even if they were...inactive" Kanzeon says firstly curiously and then sorrowfully "but returning to my prior topic, the border. Its measured with degraded weaponry? How pointless"
Cont
>>
>>4921792

"This is the last site of open warfare between our people" You answer out loud, rousing Aruna from his slumber upon the back of the horse gifted to him by Lai Song, who he "imaginatively" named Killer.

As the unpainted warrior hops from his saddle, he approaches the border with a queer look of reverence upon his scarred features, his closest companions following closely behind him. As the warriors of the first walk past you, the other Vishnu escorting the convoy become possessed by the same spirit of ancestral nostalgia. One by one the they stream past you, a river of muscled arms and broad backs, their dark skin glistening beneath the fierce sun of their home land. Akanksha yelps as she brushes her hand across yours, rubbing her hand as if she had been shocked.

Kanzeon!

"Static electricity" Kanzeon chuckles mischievously, Kamakshi pouts as she, struggling to move in the latest fashion of Long-Jia women, walks past you without so much as a glance given in return.

Rudra rips his armor from his chest and howls, as Manu begins to feverishly sketch the scene. Aruna reaches into his satchel and paints a vivid red death mask over his features, painting similarly bright pigments into the scars lining his chests and arms. He pauses, his men fanning away from him as the other chieftains minus Om, march to his side. All of them bar Kamakshi and Akanksha have donned their ceremonial paint in partial, Akanksha being to busy sucking her aching fingers to adorn herself and Kamakshi struggling to undress to a "Normal" Vishnu standard

"Wait, they usually walk around undressed?!" Kanzeon exclaims.

"Haaah, Why must I come! My tribe has no warriors, no screamers, and I was just preparing for a shipment of the most beautiful orange blossoms for my beloved" Om complains, scratching at the single scar he bears "I provide no protection, no serve any purpose, may I return home"

"I figured you'd wish to be present at this historic hour, my friend. Those long forgotten returning to their homeland" You say with a playful smirk as Om pouts and slouches against a dust covered wall

"Well, I suppose it will make a good story for my sons and daughters, but I would have been content with viewing pictures and paintings of the scene before my eyes" He sighs, looking pitiful as he watches the five other chiefs stand in reverie before the rusted line of weapons long abandoned "Though perhaps I should reclaim an heriloom to present to my"

"Do not defile the work of the dead, dog" Aruna snarls as he whips his head back to glare at Om as he began to slide closer to the border "These are mementos of our past. the only grave markers for the valorous dead"

Bowing his head, he gently places a hand upon the rusted edge of a Saber planted upon the ground.

"A fine battle was waged here, I can smell it in the air" Rudra proclaims solemnly, his usual boisterous energy subdued and quieted
Cont
>>
>>4921794

"I will have to research the last war in depth, to know the names of who fought here" Manu muses, sketching the border as in fine of detail as he is able

"So this is the beauty of our long forgotten home, marvelous, isn't it Lieren?" Kamakshi coos as she ruffles her hair with a shake of her head, jangling the bands wrapped around her neck still.

"Tch, it's just a line in the ground! I was expecting a fight! not a bunch of stones, lumber and rust" Akanksha pouts, still suckling on her fingers, as she begins to clamber up one of the watch towers

"Oddly sentimental for a pack of killers" Kanzeon observes, unheard by all but yourself

It is their nature, you answer.

"May we approach the border? Or will the Death Dealer take offense?" One of the labor force's Supervisors asks as Akanksha knocks over several stones laid in the first tower of the border's defenses

"Allow them a moment to admire their home and their history" You state quietly

"They're actually kind of adorable" Kanzeon coos like a mother would

And then Akanksha shrieks, hoping to her feet as her cloak catches the wind and reveals what lay hidden beneath. The convoy averts their eyes, as you turn yours towards the horizon.

"I will have to have a long talk with my sister Avalokiteśvara about the culture she imparted to her occupants" Kanzeon hisses electrically

"A party! Numbering twelve! Armed and armored!" The wildest and littlest chief cheers, her boredom alleviated by the mere possibility of battle. Thankfully, she spoke it in Vishnu so only a handful of the Convoy can understand her excitment.

But they are calm, because you are present.

Rudra's perks up as he spots the party himself. Aruna remains kneeling

"Tch, only twelve men? That's what scared these workers?" Rudra laughs, holding his arm out to retrieve the two axes offered to him "Should be over quick"

"They might be seeking diplomatic recourse" Manu suggests

"No matter how mad our cousins have become, they wouldn't send twelve men to meet a giant" Kamakshi points out

"There is also the fog! it might just be the vanguard you brute of a girl! DO YOU INTEND TO FACE THOUSANDS BY BRAVDO ALONE?!" Om yells, and is promptly ignored by the other five

What is your command, Lieren?

>allow Akanksha and Rudra to meet the party, they can handle six opponents easily. focus on restarting construction

>Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.

>March to meet the Vishnu Party yourself before Akanksha can cause an International incident

>"Aruna, its your choice. I have no authority to command your warriors. The Path of Peace or war is yours to choose"

>Write in
>>
Also next update will start with a cutaway to the Wanderers in the Fog Disciples
>>
>>4921799
>Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.
>March to meet the Vishnu Party yourself before Akanksha can cause an International incident
>>
>>4921799
>"Aruna, its your choice. I have no authority to command your warriors. The Path of Peace or war is yours to choose"
>Write in
Sneak about ourselves that we might observe and act if needs be, sneaky Lieren
>>
>>4921799
>Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.
>March to meet the Vishnu Party yourself before Akanksha can cause an International incident
>>
>>4921799
>>Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.
>March to meet the Vishnu Party yourself before Akanksha can cause an International incident
>>
>>4921830
supporting this
>>
>>4921799
>Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.
>March to meet the Vishnu Party yourself before Akanksha can cause an International incident
>>
>>4921799
>>Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.
>>
>>4921799
>Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.
>March to meet the Vishnu Party yourself before Akanksha can cause an International incident
>>
>>4921799
>Defensive line
>Ask their intent.
>>
>>4921799
>Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.
>March to meet the Vishnu Party yourself before Akanksha can cause an International incident
>>
>>4921799
>>Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.
>>March to meet the Vishnu Party yourself before Akanksha can cause an International incident

>"I will have to have a long talk with my sister Avalokiteśvara about the culture she imparted to her occupants" Kanzeon hisses electrically
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara
All this time we never knew...
>>
>>4922607
Wait, will all the sister-ships be named after the same buddha, but in different cultures/languages?
>>
>>4922613
Given that there isn't really a buddhist presence in Basque Country and historically Sunni regions, I'm going to assume not. But I do think they'll be all named after goddesses. I'd be willing to bet, for example, that the Bask's ship is named Mari, or something similar, after the prechristian Basque goddess. The Shunni ship might be named after one of the pre-Islam pagan goddesses, like Al-lāt, Al-‘Uzzá, or Manāt. Perhaps Kanzeon and Avalokiteśvara are "twins" and the other two aren't?
>>
>>4921799
>Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.
>March to meet the Vishnu Party yourself before Akanksha can cause an International incident
>>
>>4921799
>Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.

>March to meet the Vishnu Party yourself before Akanksha can cause an International incident
>>
Calling the vote now. Sorry for the late update. internet died for half the day! Luckily I checked before passing out

Yell at Akanksha and Rudra to calm down, and form a defensive line with their warriors. meet with the party and ask their intent.:11

March to meet the Vishnu Party yourself before Akanksha can cause an International incident: 9

"Aruna, its your choice. I have no authority to command your warriors. The Path of Peace or war is yours to choose": 2

Sneak about ourselves that we might observe and act if needs be, sneaky Lieren: 2

Total votes: 13

So Lieren will stop Akanksha and Rudra from attack and meet the party himself to ask their intent.

Writing now.

Sorry again for the late update.
>>
Guozhi could sense it in the air, a darkness he had not felt since the earliest of his lives. During the schism of the Dai Monks, and the corruption of the old culture. It languished in the air like grease upon a stew, like the early morning fog, like the chill of death that swallows a battlefield when the last blow has been dealt. The old monk understood Lieren's reasons for sending the best and brightest of their acolytes to this site, bedecked and protected by the potent wards of the Null Denouncement Charms. However, despite trusting the wisdom of his Sect Master and student completely, he could not help but feel shadowed by the specter of dread as he wandered beneath the fog hidden by his psionic veil.

They walked a land darkened by heresy and atrocity of the worst sort, worship of lords of hells and human sacrifice. Rites performed once by men and women he had known as his brothers, men he had taken part in the exorcising and subjugation of in his life as Dai Chen, the heir who scorned his destiny. Whispers from the communal soul of the Shuni demagogues scorned his ears, as the stench of corpse ash and pyre incense clouded his mind. But Guozhi remained alert, lurking before the gathered inner disciples and the three most capable outer disciples.

Meixiu, the youngest and perhaps most powerful of the sect behind Lieren himself, stumbled half asleep in her night's dress, her hair as wild as the day he found her amidst the corpses of bandits twisted like they were discarded and forgotten dolls. Guiding her along by a gentle hand, was the Soldier Zixin who was blessed with prescience. In his free hand, the armored youth held a charm formed of chimes and lengths of rice stalks, shaking it to ward away the presence of wicked spirits and to rouse his charge. Before him, marched Qian Xiaowen, dressed as a common monk in reed woven robes. He marched with a staff marked with golden eyes, and self carved plum blossoms. Bells adorned his sleeves, and beneath his breath he muttered prayers to be returned to his "Elder sister" safe and whole.

Before the three youths, as if in a parade of prayer, meandered the inner disciples, their perceptions and wills alike steeled and sharpened to a killing edge. Kuan Im, the priestess of the traditonal faith of the courts who had abandoned her gods in pursuit of the Journey's teachings, though she was blind, she could perceive the world of souls with a clarity even Guozhi could not match despite his lifetimes' of experience in the field of such divinations. She waved a burning sprig of herb, guided by the twins Bohai and Peizhi, who each wield a unadorned sword in their free hands. All three wear masks denoting their standing in the sect, hiding their faces entirely from the world. Cai slinks behind them in the shadows, muttering numberless curses and drawing in the air signs of hexes so horrible Guozhi wonders how he was not executed for the crime of sorcery while the Yan dynasty ruled!

Cont
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>>4923435

Before them, laid a darkness so complete and expansive, it felt to Guozhi as if he had began his journey to his next life. The sands whipped and danced around them, like half hidden devils in the gloom. The heat weighed upon his aged bones, and he felt as if he carried every brick of the Celestial Incarnation Palace's foundations upon his old back as he shuffled forward through the blazing sands. The morning sun should be rising, yet it was as dark as the deepest depths of a winter's night. The sands burned his blackened feet, but in the air he could see his breath turned to cold vapor! This land belonged to the heretical arts, the dark rites, the wills of devils and demons. The atmosphere shuddered and quivered like an open wound sprinkled with salt, the world was in pain, poisoned by the rituals practiced in the borders of the kingdom they now intruded upon.

"Uncle Guozhi, my feet hurt!" Meixiu complained loudly, rousing from her slumber as a sharp stone pierced her sandals and aggravated her tired legs "When can we go back to the mountains, where its cool and serene"

Zixin turns to hush her, and the moment he turns a plate of his armor torn away by the hands of a living shadow. Only by his foresight did he avoid a crippling blow. Wrapping his arms around his young charge, he falls to the floor. Xiaowen, once pampered, roars a challenge, and performs "The Five Daggers of Winter's Embrace", Coating his hand in ethereal frost and death as he thrusts his arm into the darkness.

The force of his will is enough to banish the transient spirit back to the stygian pits of hell, but another rises behind his back.

"WITHER! FOUL DEMON! CAI OF THE DARK MYSTERIES DENOUCNCES YOUR EXISTENCE UTTERLY!!" Cai bellows, flinging a vial of blood toward the towering, ogreish figure rising from the young heir's back "BEGONE FROM THIS WORLD, BEDEVIL US NO LONGER!"

The vial shatters, and spews forth a tongue of Lieren's divinely candescent soul. Guozhi freezes from the shock. Cai the fool had innovated a technique drawing from the connection he held to Lieren's golden sea! Incredible! No wonder he was revered amidst the underworld as one of the most dangerous sages of the night!

And then, a mournful wail rises from the sands. A sickly green glow dots the dunes and valleys, reflecting the gems grown from Mother Kanzeon's spilt blood.

"NECROMANCY!" Kuan Im shrieks, rising her burning bundle of leaves to above her head "THE ACOLYTES OF THE DARK ROUSE THE DEAD FROM THEIR GRAVES TO IMPEDE OUR MISSION!"

"Hoho brother! It's like like our years of wandering soothsayers and exorcists!" Peizhi exclaims excitedly "Though I doubt grandfather Guozhi will reward us with fine liquor when our task is done"

"Silence, and prepare yourself my brother!" Bohai bellows "Shield our juniors from the evils of this art, do not allow their will to falter! Especially not young Meixiu! GRANDFATHER GUOZHI, WE ARE LOST WITHOUT YOUR GUIDANCE"
Cont
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>>4923437

And like that, he is revealed to his enemy. A practioner of the most abhorrent of arts. One who had been searching for Guozhi's soul since he stepped upon these sands, the warden of the uninterred dead.

A bolt of killing light flies past the old monk's ear, tearing locks of his white hair and sending them scattering on the backs of the howling winds. Guozhi clicks his tongue, and shakes his staff in the air, chanting to focus his mind and ease the process of gathering his psionic power. A ritual, that would appear sorcerous to any observes, but in truth it was nothing more than a habit designed to aid in calling forth his own cultivated power.

Using the burnt branch he used as walking stick as a focus, he poured his will into the arcance script carved in its face and narrowly avoided death as the Null Denouncement Field activated and caused the lance of death to richochette away from his chest.

Skeletons and sun dried corpses rose from the sands. Spitting, Guozhi raised his staff above his head and to draw the sorcerers attention to himself shouted the name of the technique that formed his counterattack.

"Cleansing Rain: Exorcists art: The Silver Lotus Blossoms From The MIRE!" He howled, as he broke his staff upon the ground and created a purifying wave of unfurling petals of voidfrost. The undead froze in place, as the ice carried upon the winds, tearing free the foul energies puppeting the poor souls still trapped within their earthly remains

"FOOLISH DABBLER! YOU'VE PLAYED INTO MY PALM!" A oily voice sneered in the dark of his mind. Bones snapped behind the old monk, and he gazed upon the veil of death and

"Leave him alone!" Meixiu cried, raising an open hand into the air before tightening it into a fist.

Power unlike anything Guozhi had felt until he had met Lieren surged through reality like a spear's head, a crushing force reached behind him and crushed the dragon's skull that rose from the sands to devour him.

"IMPOSSIBLE!?" The sorcerer shrieked in Shuni "My master spoke of no such prodigies amongst the giant's folk! this cannot be!"

Meixiu sniffled and fell to her knees, whimpering and sobbing because of the horror that surrounded her, not realizing she held the power to wipe all of it away with a brush of her hand. Her spirit's touch could be described in no other terms other than monstrous alone!

But the battle of wills had only just begun, and it must end quickly lest the fool they faced called a devil from the shadows themselves!

"MY STUDENTS! THE QUARRY LIEREN CHOSE FOR US HAS PRESENTED ITSELF! THE TEST OF ASCENSION BEGINS NOW!" Guozhi called, smacking his fists against his chest as he bolstered his flesh with his mind and soul's fire "DO NOT FAIL THE GRANDMASTER'S TRUST!"
-
cont
>>
>>4923439

"AKANKSHA! RUDRA! CEASE YOUR MADNESS AND CALM YOURSELVES! Your blood may boil , but I shall not see it spill that of the innocent, stand down! Form a defensive line! If a battle begins, the two of you shall be the first to claim glory in shed blood!"

You bellow, your voice cracking like thunder as you step forward. Akanksha shrinks down, unwilling to upset to object of her affections, while Rudra knows when he is outmatched. Throwing your arms behind your back, you send your mantle fluttering. Kanzeon tightens the robe around your body, forming it into a armor stronger than any that could be forged by the native industry. It's decorated to appear as a collection of silver vines with golden leaves and blossoms. The helmet forms around your head, horns sprouting like branches from your brow as the mantle forms into a cape of stars. It is somewhat extravagant for your tastes, but you cannot shame Kanzeon for expressing herself.

After all, she is an unmatched artist.

"I always appreciate a compliment" She giggles in the back of your mind.

The war mask ooze over your face, blank except for the pools of liquid gold that swirl around the eyeholes. A wave of surprise washes across your convoy of laborers and assistants, whilst the Vishnu freeze up in confusion at the sight. However, they trust and know you well enough to not believe it to be the work of a coward's magick, and simply gape as you march past them, now wearing armor thicker than any worn besides the Dai Stalwarts yet more elegant than that worn even by the Aeldari raiders.

"Beautiful, like nature manfiest!" Kamakshi swoons, placing the back of her hand upon her brow

"WHAT IN COURTS NAME IS THAT! IS THAT CONTAGIOUS!?" Om shireks, cowering and covering his eyes and mouth as you pass him by

"Hmm, liquid metal, curious...curious" Manu muses as he watches you walk by.

"Lieren's grown horns!" Akanksha chirps merrily

"His skin's gone silver! the robe's eaten him!" Rudra laughs, smacking his belly in amusement

"It's just some form of advance armor you idiots" Aruna heckles as you meet him upon the border. Turning to face him, he nods and steps away, you return the gesture with cupped hands and continue your march down the hill to greet the party approaching the construction site.

As you near them and the fog thins, it becomes apparent these twelve men and women are the entirety of the party. And it becomes obvious they mean no harm. Their clothing and armor have been reduced to bloodstained rags and scrap. Judging from the finery worn by the squat man leading the group, the were once a king and his court. The jewled and crowned turban worn by the one rider amongst them droops over his balding scalp, its linens frayed and dust coated. His eyes are distant and haunted. Besides him stumble eight screamers, dressed in dented steel armor, their faces bandages and heavily bruised.
Cont
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>>4923440

Upon the back of his starved, and exhausted steed, sits three women, obviously his wives or at least his surviving wives, dressed in the remains of their dresses that have been half torn from the curves of their well formed bodies.

They almost ride past you, before you raise a hand to halt them. The dispossessed king, if that is indeed what he is, looks up to you with a mixture of desperation and panic. His expression softens as he clambers from his horse, as if he were a rat, falling to the rust colored dirt bellow, where he crawls forward on his hands and knees. Squealing, wheezing and crying in turn, he prostrates himself before you, mimicking how Yan courtiers would plead for mercy. Pressing his ring hidden hands together, his turban falls further askew as he rises to sit upon his fat legs, wheeping openly.

Streams of tears trace across his filth encrusted cheeks as he wails in joy.

"Oh might king of the Yan people! Giant whose strength is peerless! Who is unmatched in war and wisdom! Conqueror of both armies and hearts, I implore you, oh Lieren who rules all he gazes upon to hear this beggar's plea for sanctuary and mercy!" The former king cries

"Disgusting!" Aruna roars, marching to your side to slap the man with all of his strenght. The dwarf is thrown to the ground, bleeding from his lip and missing two of his yellowed teeth. His wart cover nose twitching as his pock marketed cheeks redden.
The guards tiredly turn in the direction of the sudden intruder, but are to exhausted from their long march to leap to his defense. Sensing that the chieftain is merely enraged by the man's groveling and hosts no killing intent towards him, you let him carry on as you observe the others to peer into their hearts.

"You call yourself a man of the Vishnu!? I would sooner die than grovel like a dog before another man's feet! And you stain your cheek's with a child's tears! How dare you offend my eyes with such a pitiful sight, let alone insult our savior with your cowardice! FALL UPON YOUR SWORD" Aruna shrieks, before spitting in the man's eye and throwing him back to the ground. Shaking his clay colored mane, he turns to you and grin

"Forgive me for my interruption, continue on my friend" He laughs, as he casually marches back up the hill towards the border.

"Please...please the butcher of kings, Nitya Sinha, pursues me, I need protection! my kingdom has been devoured by the Deva lord's hordes of Kauravas beneath the shadows of their Vimana! I am penniless! Landless! Childish! and near warriorless!" The man cries, clawing and grabbing at your legs.

He reels back as if shocked

"In all honesty it didn't electrocute that one" Kanzeon answers before you can accuse her

The squat man falls on his back, wailing and crying as he clutches at his heart
Cont
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>>4923442

"All my ancestors earned! All I was has been stolen from me from the tyrant above all tyrants! the slave driver of our people! Soon he will be the one Vishnu King! And will come for my head as he did my brothers! Please, oh merciful lord of the Yan! Protect me and mine, bequest me hospitality and I will serve you even as a foot washer!" The man whines, struggling to stand back to his feet.
What shall you do with this dispossessed King, Lieren?

>Interrogate him and judge if he is a criminal or not, if so hang him. Do the same for the rest of the party

>Ask how his kingdom fell and get him and his company some food, and keep them away from any Vishnu whose name is not Om.

>Call the freed slaves from the guards of the five chieftains, and trust them to guard this king while you work on fortifying the border's defenses

>"Oh, so the other giant upon Shangrala is near then! Come, I wish to meet with the man who sought to win my alegiance with slaves and trinkets" *grab the king and march into the Vishnu lands*

>Write in

Sorry again for the late update. the machine spirits were being bastards
>>
>>4923443

>Write in
Look deep into his eyes and those of his party.
"Do you look to trap me? Baiting me into another land that you might have a faux just cause to invade my own. If he is so near and tracking you then we shall simply wait for him to join us?

This we lay in wait with the coward as bait BUT

While we wait meditate and try to see how our friends we sent are doing, a little of our golden light might've nice for them.


In short:bait for Vishnu king and while we wait push some of our light to our foggy comrades
>>
>>4923443
>Inquire as to the nature of Nitya Sinha's forces. Try and get as much info about them as the beggar king may know.
>Interrogate him and judge if he is a criminal or not, if so hang him. Do the same for the rest of the party
>>
>>4923443
>Ask how his kingdom fell and get him and his company some food, and keep them away from any Vishnu whose name is not Om.

>Call the freed slaves from the guards of the five chieftains, and trust them to guard this king while you work on fortifying the border's defenses
>Write in
No reason why we cant work and talk. First and foremost we must determine if they have been tainted by the touch of the warp, and if they can be purified. Then I want to see if the king is genuine in his humility? Is he honestly willing to be a foot washer to ensure his safety? Specifically, does the king prioritize his own safety, or that of his wives and few subjects first? I would also like to interrogate him for any and everything he knows as it will be useful.
>>
>>4923458
I hope we lean more into our cunning hunter vibe and the foot washer thing is pretty cringey Vishnu or no. What do you think of laying in wait here for said high king and then while we do channel to see show our Psyker friends are? They should be there by now
>>
>>4923465
I wouldnt be against checking in on them I guess? Seems maybe meta, and I think they're all psykically potent enough to call upon Lieren if they were truly in trouble. This is their own kind of task they need to do, I think. Then again thay little girl is crying and all that....who's decision was it to send them there?
>>
>>4923443
>>Interrogate him and judge if he is a criminal or not, if so hang him. Do the same for the rest of the party
>>
>>4923467

Oh that's because Meixiu is a godamn force of nature trapped in the body of a little girl.

She is an incredibly potent psyker despite he age And possesses very powerful telekinesis/ Spirit's touch. Which, as Guozhi mentioned, she used to crumple a bunch of bandits, and as Lieren mentioned " If she was left alone, she'd doubtlessly become a witch of myth to terrorize the countryside".

Its arguably more risky to leave her with the weaker sect members than it is to send her with Guozhi.

A little girl with the ability to snap arms with a flick of her wrist is after all not exactly easy to babysit.

Which she demonstrated by crushing the giant skull that threatened Guozhi.
>>
>>4923476
I figured we would end up making her Kanzeons navigator. Meixiu seems particularly powerful.
>>
>>4923467
Given last time out friends had to fight a Sunni magi things got outta hand and we had to I feel we have presitant and cause. Our friends would have died last time were it not for what we did so now in a brief down window might be the time
>>
>>4923484
Oh that'd be cool.

>Last words of an unfortunate chaos space marine who thought he had cornered an defenseless victim

https://youtu.be/xxd6QyYstVw
>>
>>4923484
>>4923484
Navigators aren't just psykers, they're a specific type a mutant. You know the people with third eyes on their forehead? The third eye is a prerequisite for being a navigator.

Perhaps if Lieren had some Navigator followers, I think warp travel should in theory be safer all around even through a warp storm. Assuming they're able to draw upon Lieren for power and protection.

But yeah little girl can be a powerful sanctioned psyker, but not a navigator.
>>
>>4923498
Exactly. they can kill people or drive them mad by opening their warp eye, and tend to mutate as they age in a way that makes chaos spawn look pretty.

Navigators also don't crop up randomly as far as I know, and really only show up from heavily inbred lineages which are like super Hapsburgs but without, you know, the dying from being twisted inbred freaks most of the time
>>
>>4923484
They will likely spawn with the population growing, in a few years probably more so when Shangrila is unified. So a matter of a decade or less. Enough for start going out of our solar system.

>>4923492
true
The Shuni are quite powerful, so i wouldn t consider them a small threat since their tradition of sorcery is far longer than the wanderers that have just established. The Wanderers are still quite good for being recent though, with us and Ghuozi giving teachings even more so.
>>
>>4923443
>Judge him, inspect for virtue or villainy.
>Call the freed slaves to guard him.

Let's wait for those new tyrant to come to us. But we must free these slaves if indeed the dreamers are.
>>
>>4923442
>Deva lord's hordes of Kauravas beneath the shadows of their Vimana!
>Deva
He likely means daemon.
>Vimana
Spaceship
> Kauravas
What could evil material forces be, maybe daemonic weapons?
>>
>>4923443
>>Interrogate him and judge if he is a criminal or not, if so hang him. Do the same for the rest of the party
>>Ask how his kingdom fell and get him and his company some food, and keep them away from any Vishnu whose name is not Om.

We need to understand if it could be a good idea to make a campaign in the nearby future. Vishnu and Shuni are both there.
>>
>>4923548
Oh yeah, add to this is
>Ask how the kingdom fell, we need to know so many.
>>
>>4923443
>>Ask how his kingdom fell and get him and his company some food, and keep them away from any Vishnu whose name is not Om.
>>Call the freed slaves from the guards of the five chieftains, and trust them to guard this king while you work on fortifying the border's defenses
Interrogation can come later, we gotta see if our great wall is great enough to repell these invaders.
>>4923549
The fact he said THEIR vimana makes me think it's more an aircraft or some sort of flying weapons platform than a spaceship. As far as we know, the only ships on the planet are Kanzeon and her (presumably) three sisters. If they had two functional siblings, we'd be fucked.
>>4923501
I've been wondering, boss, how many New Varro cowpokes did we free from the DEldar? Enough to get a regiment of Rough Riders?
>>
>>4923443
>Interrogate him and judge if he is a criminal or not, if so hang him. Do the same for the rest of the party
>Ask how his kingdom fell and get him and his company some food, and keep them away from any Vishnu whose name is not Om.
>I am no King of the people of Long-Jia, but I have promised to bring prosperity to all Shangrala. I do not care if your heart is filled with cowardice or despair, as long as your soul is untainted and your actions redeemable, I will protect your kin from a Tyrant and slaver.

Turns out that Ghuonzi was another Chen all along, the contagion is spreading. Was him a Dai in a past life as in before ressurecting, or in a past life as in he threw everything away and adopted another identity?
>>
>>4923443
>Interrogate him and judge if he is a criminal or not, if so hang him. Do the same for the rest of the party
>Ask how his kingdom fell and get him and his company some food, and keep them away from any Vishnu whose name is not Om.
>>
>>4923443
>Interrogate him and judge if he is a criminal or not, if so hang him. Do the same for the rest of the party
>Ask how his kingdom fell and get him and his company some food, and keep them away from any Vishnu whose name is not Om.
>Call the freed slaves from the guards of the five chieftains, and trust them to guard this king while you work on fortifying the border's defenses
>>
>>4923715
Before ressurection
>>
Calling the vote now.

Wait for Nitya Sinha to arrive? (What?): 2

Inquire as to the nature of Nitya Sinha's forces. Try and get as much info about them as the beggar king may know.:1

Ask how his kingdom fell and get him and his company some food, and keep them away from any Vishnu whose name is not Om.: 7

Interrogate him and judge if he is a criminal or not, if so hang him. Do the same for the rest of the party: 7

Call the freed slaves from the guards of the five chieftains, and trust them to guard this king while you work on fortifying the border's defenses:4

I am no King of the people of Long-Jia, but I have promised to bring prosperity to all Shangrala. I do not care if your heart is filled with cowardice or despair, as long as your soul is untainted and your actions redeemable, I will protect your kin from a Tyrant and slaver.: 1

Total votes:10

Alright, So Lieren will order the former slaves from amongst the Vishnu Warriors to guard the king and his eleven companions as he works to fortify the border defenses

And then once they are fed, will inquire as to how the king lost his kingdom and then judge him and his convoy and execute them if he proves to be a villain

Writing now.

Ac is broken till friday, it sucks!

>>4923458
Counting that write in as interrogate the former king and his party, as that's basically what it describes.

>>4923548
Slaves are already free, they're the ones Nitya offered back at Mao castle with the envoy he sent over the border

>>4924183
Yeah one of Guozhi's many prior incarnations
>>
>>4924973
>Ac is broken till friday, it sucks!
If you live in a residential area, there's more than a few ways to beat the heat.
You can try cooling your house off by putting a sprinkler on either side of your roof.
As for personal solutions, hydration is a no-brainer. You can also get a moist towelette and wrap it around your neck to dissipate heat.
>>
"Fetch the freedmen, who have shared this man's tragedy" You softly command as you lift the groveling former king from the dust and dried grass, patting the squat man with the back of your hand as Kanzeon occupies her mind with weaving the armor forged of her flesh once more into flowing robes. The mask drips away from your cheeks, revealing your suspicious yet unthreatening expression. The King only notices you show no overt killing intent and embraces you. Kanzeon's mind shudders as his tanned, once bloated flesh brush against the garments that she experiences the world through.

"Its a wonder this "king" was healthy enough to reach the border, his lifestyle of self abuse should have crippled him with chronic illness or caused his expiration via myocardial infarction. I thought the Vishnu's culture held physical excellence above all else!" She rapidly mumbles as you lead the eleven refugees to the men who had been taken as slaves by their same tormentor. Pausing as the ever loyal men fulfill your request to guard the starved and battered party of twelve. All of the Wild Vishnu watch the small band of survivors with barely hidden disdain. The wives shy away from you, hiding behind their warriors who have not the energy nor will to react to the "Magic" cloth you're dressed in, they stare ahead with eyes hollow of all emotion and thought.

"Feed these people, following the procedure for strengthen the starved and sick, do not kill them by filling their stomachs. I shall interrogate them and learn of the history of their tragedy in do time" You speak in your native tongue, knowing none of the twelve will be able to comprehend your words. And even if they knew the language of the Yan, the dialect had begun to mutate via the advancement of society and the emergence of the technologies that encouraged such growth.

Akanksha wilts where she stands, sheathing her blades as she slinks to the border. Rudra huffs through his nose and leads his men to join the rest of the Vishnu Parties in admiring the boundary separating them from their long forgotten ancestral home. No words are exchanged, but it is clear to all who have eyes to see that the sight of the rolling plains inspires a swell of joyful passion in all the hearts of these battled hardened men.

"It's inspiring that you can find beauty in such a mundane sight, as inspiring as the scene is in its own right. " Kanzeon sighs, watching them through the lights shimmering upon your back as you turn and begin to busy yourself with your work, hauling stones and cutting them to begin to finish the foundations laid by the laborers you sent ahead.
-

Madhur Roy, as you've come to know the dispossessed king to be named, ravenously stuffs rice porridge, boiled squash and fried fish into his maw as if he were a swine in the guise of a man. His wives had to be coerced to eat before he had finished his meager meal.
Cont
>>
>>4925115

His warriors had fallen into a deep slumber after drinking a medicinal elixir composed of vinegar, melted fats and fish bone broth. A old remedy that was often used to feed the sick and dying. Though it was ineffective at saving lives, it was easier on the stomach than grain and meat, and would suffice in beginning the recovery process.

You sat across from Madhur, the setting sun upon your back, the orchestra of labor sounding still as the night shift carried out their work. Kanzeon had turned her mind away from you, and busied herself with the numerous chores necessary to maintain and rebuild her body.

With arms folded and resting across the high table the thirteen of you sat around, you motioned for the former slaves to take their leave and return to their tents. The former king barely noticed their absence, and began chewing and sucking on the bones of the fish, a maddened hunger blazing in his eyes. He begins to gnaw and chew the bones to meal, before rudely licking and sucking the juices from the plate and bowl provided to him.

You motion to speak, but he raises pale and bare hands, and reaches for a jug of ice cooled water. Raising an eyebrow, you watch in mild astonishment as the man proceeds to drain the jug without so much as taking a breath. His wives eat in silence, their heads bowed and eyes averted, acting very much unlike how you expect Vishnu women wild or tamed to be. At a glance, it would appear Madhur was a glutton, but the stout and blubbery man is clearly half starved and desperate to end his hunger pangs. While he is somewhat uncaring and prideful, he is certainly no villain. But that is what you have divined from merely watching him eat, but the fact he asked his horse to be cared for rather than simply put down shows he has some compassion within him.

Sighing, the king relaxes in his chair, eyes half rolled into his skull as he picks and scratches at his wart covered nose.

"Madhur Roy, if it would not be rude to ask, may I inquire as to how the self titled king of kings, Nitya Sinha, conquered your kingdom and chased you from your ancestral lands?" You ask gently, not wishing to upset the tormented man. One of his wives raises her head and with a more stereotypical Vishnu fire, speaks her view of the events that lead them to their current ill fortunes.

"The coward fled! leaving his armies to die rather than lead them from the vanguard!" She blusters, her cheeks reddening as the two elder wives clap their hands over her mouth, but she easily fights the two weakened women from herself "Don't allow him to fester the truth with his cowardly lies! He fled before he fought"

"Forgive her husband! she is stressed, she knows not what she speaks!" The eldest nearly squeaks as a dark shadow crosses Madhur's features.
Cont
>>
>>4925117

"No, she is right, my generals demanded resistance! But I saw the pointlessness of it. I am no warrior, I inherited in my youth and grew fat in my age! I am a creature of comforts! the fire of my soul has burned down to cinders! Battle holds naught but terror for my heart nowadays! I was content to entertain my people with tournaments and mock wars, to feed their bloodlust" Madhur panickily explains, remembering your not underserved reputation as an executor of the criminal and enemy of the wicked "I was...overtly comfortable perhaps! but us Vishnu as a whole desire conflict, desire challenge, our blood yearns for struggle, surely a king as wise as yourself can understand that rarely men with wealth grow tired of such a lifestyle!"

"You abandoned them all to die!" The youngest wife roars, teeth painted red from biting the hands that gagged her "Death would be preferable to the shame you've brought upon your lineage and self! Your ancestors weep in their halls, coward, traitor, useless bastard"

"Darling please" Madhur whines, covering his head with his hands "I saved what I could! Our kingdom was small and in decline! Though it was majestic in its wealth and grand in its history, our borders had shrunk even before that damnable slave rose to prominence!"

"If Nitya had not came, you would have died by your generals hands" His wife huffs "to think I'd have laid with such a overgrown child such as yourself"

"This is like a holodrama" Kanzeon muses, turning her attention back to the surface world and yourself

Madhur groans, and slouches in his chair

"I can see you speak the truth, there is no need to defend your actions" You say, raising a hand as the brow beaten king raises his head to speak "Though your explanation does not answer my question, I asked HOW your kingdom fell before Nitya Sinha"


Madhur looks up, his eyes watering like a misbehaving hound.

"Blessings, secrets. Spells and curses. The upstart breached the sacred treasuries in the kingdom he usurped, and in doing so stole the forbidden! The tools of our ancestors, the numberless armies of the Kauravas! The indomitable power of the Vimana! Oh how our ancestors much scorn and despise him, how the red handed lord must hate him!" He explains, smacking his hand into the table "His warriors wear armor that cannot be pierced by axe or spear! Wield weapons outlawed for honor's sake! And all of my peers merely exult in the challenge his wily ways presents to them, before they are slaughtered whilst smiling! My own Generals rode laughing to their deaths, even the untouchables joined the fray with a killer's lust in their eyes!"

"Truer Vishnu than you!" The youngest wife spits, and actually spits on the cheek of her uncharacteristically meek and cowardly husband "You bent and now Sinha will have an open path to the remaining free kingdoms! Our people will be slaves by your cowardice!"
Cont
>>
>>4925118

"Clones, air craft, flying fortresses, forgotten technology and weaponry" Kanzeon mutters, a dread mounting in every word she whispers into your mind.

You to, well understand the implications. Nitya Sinha has access to ancient technology as you long suspected. Technology that could only come from one of Kanzeon's sisters or their remains. Technology that had become as myth in the records of the Yan. It would seem the Vishnu abandoned their Technological superiority out of a desire to make sport of war, or perhaps that was their excuse.

Most likely, they killed any man who knew how to maintain such weaponry or simply forgot their function and enshrined them as relics. And the Envoy sent by Nitya Sinha would provided evidence to this theory, judging by his reaction to the technology he wielded. As if they were enchanted and ancient treasures. For Nitya to be able to efficiently use and produce such wonders then...

"Silence! Ignorance is preferable to the unpleasant truth we have both reached at the conclusion of our mutual theorizing" Kanzeon snarls "Either I have lost a sister, or she has abandoned our shared purpose". You sigh, and bow your head.

"Madhur Roy, I would request a written account of the fall of your petty kingdom, and will collect similiar accounts from all eleven of your companions to collaborate with your own memory of the war" You say, rising from the table in of a grim mood. Its doubtful you'll find any hidden darkness in Madhur's heart. Not even the Vishnu prosperity for barbarity and bloodlust, but you shall study the man carefully as you work to ensure he presents no danger to the lands of Long Jia or her people. But, you are certain his only crimes are of mild excess and cowardice. It is a wonder he managed to remain in power among a society as competitivelybrutal as the Vishnu.
.

What shall you do as you fortify the Vishnu border and unite the power grid, Lieren?
>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance

>Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power

>Try and catalogue what weapons and technology the Vishnu Conquer MAY possess with Kanzeon's aid.

>Train both your body, mind, and spirit, challenging your limits to attempt to strengthen yourself

>Write in

Sorry for the late update
>>
>>4925121
>>Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power
>>Train both your body, mind, and spirit, challenging your limits to attempt to strengthen yourself
>>
>>4925121
>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance

>Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power

Gotta report to the king and help our sect.
>>
>>4925121
>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance

>Write in
Just as we have given the Yan a chance to rule and make their own choices we need to see the Vishnu do the same, they need to act to grow. This is the opportunity needed for that, ask them what they want to do.

>Write in
With sadness it is time to ask Kanzeon for counter measures... Another war is about to be upon us, she can tell Jinhai while we meditate
>>
>>4925121
Np

>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance

>Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power


Who to strike first now, though we still have some time for gain additional advantages, neither Vishnu or Shuni are easy.
>>
>>4925121
>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance
>Train both your body, mind, and spirit, challenging your limits to attempt to strengthen yourself
>>
I've been going through the archived quest the past week and finally caught up with it. I personally love Lieren's character development through the first part, from being an efficient killing machine to becoming more human, I also really enjoy the emerging relationship between Kanzeon and Leiren.
Considering the Delder invaders, conquest of the Yan continent(?), Really want to see how Lieren participates in the Great Crusade and interacts with his brothers and Big E, but before we get to that point we'll have to conquer the Vishnu, Shunni and the Basques, free Kanzeon which will take anywhere from 10-20 updates at the current quest pace.
Aside from the occasional writing mistake, don't really have any major complaints beyond those. Probably will continue to lurk, but keep up the good work, Malal!
>>
>>4925121
>>Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power
>Train both your body, mind, and spirit, challenging your limits to attempt to strengthen yourself
Jinhai needs to know, and Lieren needs to kick things up a notch.
Shit just got interesting.
>>
>>4925147
+1
>>
>>4925121
>Radio Jinhai with an update
>Train body, mind and spirit

We must become more powerful, Stronger in soul and body, more cunning in mind to countermand the great technology of the Vishnu techno-barbarians.
>>
>>4925121
>Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power
Ask DanDan to look into gatling AA emplacements with overlapping fields of fire at the imperial palace.Flying fortresses are no joke as the people of Dresden and other cities found out.

>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance
combined with this, if the opportunity presents itself to help Guozhi and the sect.
>Train both your body, mind, and spirit, challenging your limits to attempt to strengthen yourself
Burning shadows time.
>>
>>4925121
>>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance
>>Train both your body, mind, and spirit, challenging your limits to attempt to strengthen yourself
>>Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power
We'll have to talk to Kanzeon about their tech after we witness it ourselves. Better to find out what they have and plan accordingly than to guess.
Also, the Vishnu remind me of the shit that Garviel Loken read about in the Chronicles of Ursh, really dig that.
>>
>>4925121
>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance
>Try and catalogue what weapons and technology the Vishnu Conquer MAY possess with Kanzeon's aid.
>>
Crane Doctrine (for fighting enemies with little knowledge of their capabilities)
- Ambush with rapid, probing strikes into their force, be sure not to overextend
- If nothing is found, redraw, regroup, and prepare for repitition
- If the strike uncovers a point of importance or weakness, commit strongest troops to it's recovery or destruction
- This is the beak or head
- Commit a full third of the force to holding off the other forces and protecting the beak, providing an avenue of withdrawl
- This is the neck
-Once the point is destroyed, recovered, or otherwise exploited, the head and the neck withdraw into the remaining force and retreat
- This is the body
Here's a quick and dirty technique for us to use to see what we're up against with either the Vishnu or Shunni. I based it off of the way cranes hunt, seems like something Lieren or Jinhai would notice. Our version of Horus's speartip, I guess.
>>
>>4925121
>>>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance
>>>Train both your body, mind, and spirit, challenging your limits to attempt to strengthen yourself
>>>Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power
>>
>>4925121
>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance
>Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power
>Try and catalogue what weapons and technology the Vishnu Conquer MAY possess with Kanzeon's aid.
>>
>>4925121
> Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance.
> Train both your body, mind, and spirit, challenging your limits to attempt to strengthen yourself.
>>
>>4925121
>>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance
>>Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power
>>
Why not channel the Machine god and forcably shut down their tech that way?
>>
>>4925121
>>Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance
>Train both your body, mind, and spirit, challenging your limits to attempt to strengthen yourself
>Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power
>>
>>4925696
I dont know how we would do that but, it never hurts to try.
>>
>>4925696
We don't know the relgeion yet

Anyone have an idea of what Lieren's relationship with the Khan will be like? I'd imagine it would initially be rocky due to "China VS mongolians" but I think it would turn out alright in the end. The White Scars can blitzed their conquest through the galaxy, and our more humble sons could follow after then to ensure the worlds they concoured are stable. It might help that we could bond over our love of horses.

>>4925121
https://files.catbox.moe/4i5myh.mp4
Does our bro jaghatai secretly subscribe to world building like we do?
>>
>>4925121
>>Train both your body, mind, and spirit, challenging your limits to attempt to strengthen yourself
>>
>>4925899
>We don't know the relgeion yet
Didn’t stop us from channelling fucking Khaine.
>>4925891
Why not try channelling logic and reason? Mechanicus is obsessed with logic and reason maybe one of the most applicable tools against daemons available.
>>
>>4925929
That was a very thematically appropriate scenario, and we can't exactly channel something like the Void Dragon. At least we shouldn't try it.
>>
>>4925935
Who ever said about channelling the Void Dragon? The Mechanicus can barely agree what the Machine god is.
>>
>>4925976
I thought the Void Dragon was the Machine God? Wait, do you mean the Omnisaigh/Dadperor, or the Machine God?
>>
We shall deny Nurgle their flesh to fester and rot."

"We shall deny Khorne their blood and skulls."

"We shall deny Tzeentch their destinies and fates."

"We shall deny Slaanesh their pleasure and pain."

"Death to the Dark Gods!"
"For the good of humanity!"
"Let the galaxy Prosper!"

-A Dirge of Lieren
>>
Calling the vote now.

Radio the imperial court and describe the difficulties at both borders, and warn Jinhai of Nitya Sinhai's power: 11
-ask DanDan to look into gatling AA emplacements with overlapping fields of fire at the imperial palace: 1

Train both your body, mind, and spirit, challenging your limits to attempt to strengthen yourself: 11

Meditate and seek out Guozhi and the other disciples before night falls, to check on their progress and aid them if they require assistance: 13

Just as you have given the Yan a chance to rule and make their own choices we need to see the Vishnu do the same, they need to act to grow. This is the opportunity needed for that, ask them what they want to do.: 2

With sadness it is time to ask Kanzeon for counter measures... Another war is about to be upon us, she can tell Jinhai while you meditate: 2

Total votes: 17

So Lieren will meditate to seek out and check in on the wanderers in the fog inner sect's disciples and assit them if they require aid.

Radio Jinhai and the imperial court to describe the difficulties at both borders and to warn him of Nitya Sinhai's power.

And then set aside time as he oversees the fortifications at the Vishnu border and the unifying of the power grid to train his body, mind and soul!

Writing now

>>4923658
Not sure how I missed this, but the new varro refuges number 712. The shangrala born natives who were rescued alongside them number 373 (not counting those captured between Cearnarch's dunking and the imperial army's arrival)

>>4926129
Nice, Nice! I like it!

>>4925363
Kek, nice edit.

>>4925899
No idea what that video is, but its funny!

>>4925222
Welcome! glad you've enjoyed the quest so far!. And yeah I have a problem with typos and spelling mistakes and misplaced words cause I write so quickly and focus on getting my thoughts into text that I often overlook them

Also its interesting to hear what you enjoyed about the quest's writing, it makes me reflect on the contents of it myself.

>>4925381
Nice, Nice! Sound logic and the metaphor really capture's Lieren and the Long jia (formerly Yan) mindset. Its well written, reasonable and really sounds like something Jinhai or Lieren would come up with.

I could just imagine them observing a night's crane hunting at a river's edge, like Jinhai has done for many of his breakthroughs before.
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>>4926262
Also slight mistake on the count, training your body mind and soul got 10 votes, not 11, still makes it into the update, but thought I should correct that .

Everything else is correct by my count thou
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>>4926262
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WlI24rv__g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cf99XvNtWw
sauce for you. The Khan is the hero we need.
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I broke the record of largest update, in the first time since thread 7

Total characters: 39, 863
Total words: 7022
Total posts: 14

Not even the Nid's can devour this update's SHEER AND UMATCHED GIRTH!
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The sun is falling. Watching the fading light of the celestial fire draws you mind from the mire of impotent rage, dread and gnawing worries, and carries your concerns far away from the fate of the Vishnu people, Nitya Sinha's grand ambitions and any involvement Kanzeon's lost sister played in them. Avalokiteśvara, the name that embodied a wayward hope now stood as the very incarnation of foreboding in your thoughts, a towering shadow of steel and flickering lights. No matter if she met a tragic fate or allowed her heart to be corrupted by the darkness that lives within every man's heart does not matter. The mystery alone is terrible. Death or Debasement, both more paradoxically more terrible than the other!

But currently there is no method of quieting such thoughts or solving the source of such treacherous shadows upon the mind. Even you influence has its limits, and you can not manipulate or change what is unknown. Nitya Sinhai, the technology he plundered from or was bequeathed by Avalokiteśvara simply stand beyond your reach. There is no changing or preventing the path they have chosen, there is no halting the ripples of that brute's actions nor is their any means of undoing whatever fate Kanzeon's sister met beneath the blood-soaked plains of the Vishnu Kingdoms. However, there are lives you can influence and protect. Those of the disciples of the wanderers in the fog sect. The cultivators who look to you as a teacher and mentor of peerless wisdom and bountiful mercies.

They walk in a land drowned in the same shadows as those that fall before self named The King of King's every step. A land of sorcerers and night worshippers, of zealots who view all outsiders as enemies by the updated terminology your devised and spread through the Journey's text.

Enemy: a threat to an existence or belief, one who directly opposes the path you walk.

Close minded firebrands who busied themselves with abominable rites and hellish ceremonies. For much of your life, you imagined such practices to be hearsay and propaganda spawned by vivid imaginations and hateful men. However, from all you have witnessed and judged with your golden eyes, such wickedness can only be the honest truth of the Shuni. Isolationist as they are, emerging only to commit wars of struggle and faith against other people, slaughtering innocents only to vanish once more in the sand with whispered nightmares of heretical arts and devils born from the deepest dark of the night 's shadows. Once it all appeared to you to be the misunderstanding and stereotyping of an alien, often unseen culture. The denouncement of foregin faiths and ways. But now, after your eyes beheld the writhing corruption still crawling in the flesh of Shun Sorcerer's corpse, you realize such fables and hearth side stories are in fact the truth.

Half remembered and never understood, but the truth nonetheless.

And it was this land of devils and dark mysteries where your beloved students wandered!
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>>4926475

By your command! A certain fatherly instinct demanded you turn your perceptions towards them, to ensure their safety and calm your heart, to rise to protect them like a family's patriarch should.

Closing your mind off to the fuming , grieving and sorrowful Kanzeon, you sat down upon a high foundation stone, crossed your legs into the lotus formation and applied Guozhi's method of channeling his will. Pressing both your thumbs upon the center of your brow, and curling the remaining fingers against the upper lip to form a metaphysical channel for the psionic energies to flow through. Before you voided your mind of all emotion and higher though to enter a meditative trance, you sent your beloved a message whispered upon the wind and into your heart.

That you would return to comfort her and ease her pain before the sun fully set. And with that, you turned you soul's gaze towards the darkened horizon, towards the land of sand and living shadows.
-

Guozhi cursed his body's aged bones and tired flesh. This incarnation would not last much longer, this life was reach its natural conclusion. He accepted that before he met his beloved student and revered teacher, Lieren of Nothing, but only now that he had others to protect did he curse the weakness wrought by his long life! Even with the administration of body strengthening and stamina extending techniques were insufficient. The ethereal ice that defined the exorcising techniques of the fallen wardens of mysteries crawled in his veins, bringing frostbitten exhaustion to the same muscles his will strengthened. His withered scrawny frame bulged with an unnatural physique, and tears of ice dripped from his brow like sweat.

Yet even beneath the shadow cast by the incomprehensible span of the eldest of the four great demon lords of hell, Guozhi did not fear death. the treacherous Jian Qi, lord of lies and herald of false hope. He did not fear death. He knew this devil's Qi and Aura well, for he had spent five incarnations purging the fields and hills of those who had once been his brothers in life and death but had fallen to the weaver of fate's foul manipulation.

No, rather the old scholar and seeker of mysteries did not fear his own death. It would not be his end. He would reincarnate, slipping through the jaws and snatching claws of the spirit realm's countless predators beneath his veil, and he would return to service Lieren's dream and vision of the future once more! Yes, that would be this ancient soul's new purpose. What concerned Guozhi, was not the shadow of his own death, but that which fell upon his pupils not yet instructed in the way of reincarnation and the tricks to avoid the fate that awaited many living souls!.

An aged ox would leave its herd, to vanish into the mists and fog to lead a panther away from the younger generation. It would die, and be devoured to ensure the future of its kin. It was a respectable death, a selfless sacrifice.
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>>4926476

One near expended life in exchange for those who had more years left to experience! it had been his plan, his act of desperation, risking this vessel's death to lead his opponent, a novice yet talented Necromancer, away from his young pupils.

Though they would be considered old by many, Guozhi saw them as mere babes, newly born souls of one lifespan! It was conceited and prideful to think of such skillful and potent psykers as nothing more than naive children. But it was the truth, for Guozhi had experienced a hundred or more deaths, and a hundred or more births! Kuan Im, the soothsayer, the priest of a silent mother goddess who could see beyond the veil and sense the ambient Qi of the world with a skill that could only before found naturally in a thousand generations!

The brothers Bohai and Peizhi, who despite their uncultivated psionic cores, had managed to expel weak spirits and even ward away the influence of malevolent Qi! Rarely powerful for psykers native to Shangrala, especially after the generations of pogroms and propaganda against his people! Cai, an occultist who thought he held mysteries but never realized he had not stepped from the puddle he had been born into, even held a hidden potential that had begun to show itself. The inner disciples of his new sect, all old yet young to his eyes. All shining stars that would dazzle the generations to come, men and women who would guard the future and join Guozhi's side as a reborn soul. As his brothers at Dai once did.

But, these courageous young fools had ignored nature's logic and sought to preserve Guozhi's life at the risk of their own! As calves challenging a hungering panther to save the old bull's life. Suicidally bold and naively foolish, they had joined Guozhi in the arena of mystical combat! And so ruined the trap he laid for the necromancer of the desert graves.

For a practioner of the most cowardly and selfish of the blackest arts, he was skilled despite drawing all of his power from magical tools and pacts of the most vile nature. He had surpassed Guozhi's traitorous kin, and held blessings given directly by Jian Qi's talon'd hand. A book of heretical mysteries burned in his opened hand, lighting the night's sky and serving as a beacon and challenge for the Wanderers in the fog.

Both he and Guozhi concocted the same scheme, to tear the other's soul out and end the combat in a single descive move. Everything else was nothing more than idle flirting and measuring of the other's power. The Sand grave acolyte naught to steal Guozhi's ancient soul to keep as a trinket or perhaps devour it to strengthen his own cutlivation's foundation. A demonic style of cultivation practiced by the most wretched of his long fallen kinsmen. But the old, wily monk intended to tear the necromancer's soul free and cast it into the world of ghosts, into the waiting jaws of his hellish sponsor! But, The Shuni devil held the advantage.
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>>4926478

For Guozhi's heart was gentle and could not watch others suffer before himself. The presence of Kuan im, Bohai, Peizhi and Cai distracted him, as they represented the best and brightest of the wanderers in the fog sect and the majority of its inner disciples! Their deaths would signal a grave misfortune for his new family, they could not die here, upon these shadow swept sands! So he was wounded when otherwise he wouldn't be, expending his Qi and life force to defend his juniors and ward them with Null Denouncement Charm etched in his own frozen blood!

And worst still, the presence of such concentrated qi would draw the attentions of enemies they had no chance of overcoming without Lieren! Devils, Wicked spirits, Devas, Djinn, Demons, dark gods...tormented souls and malevolence manifested. If the veil weakened, all of them and their enemy would be devoured and made the playthings of such dark forces.

At least Meixiu was safe, protected by Zixin and Qian Xiaowen, who neared the older and more experienced inner disiplce in talent and potential. But Meixiu surpassed them all. She possessed power Guozhi had not seen in a pysker who relied on their own souls power, only eclipsed by Lieren's own radiant sea of a soul! She was a force of nature, born mortal. If she fell to the manipulations of the lie of hope, all would be lost. Young as the girl was, inexperienced as she remained, she surpassed Guozhi in power. Besides the giant, only his brother Magnus of Prospero and his flock surpassed her sheer well of Qi! If she was turned to Heretical arts, raised Shuni...Shangrala would be swallowed by a never ending night.

She was safe, wrapped in charms, and guarded by the man blessed with foresight and the heir blessed with the second sight. The dark forces of the warp would not claim Meixiu, Guozhi would even sell his own existence to protect her purity.

Clenching his partially frozen arm, etched in the script of Null Denouncement to halt the withering touch of the necromancer's soul draining light, Guozhi stood across from him.

Bathed in the sickly emerald glow, a perversion of mother Kanzeon's own radiance, the man dressed in wrappings of blackened silk and stolen stars stood, a stolen skull hanging from his gaunt features. With talon hands, he raised his scepter, calling a storm of damned spirits down upon Guozhi and his four most powerful disciples.

"Ageless one! you've eluded your fate for centuries, denounced your rightful liege your service, and spurned the gift's so generously offered in his name! You shall be swallowed by the night, alongside your pitiful flock, and I shall present your screaming soul to the one you name patriarch of deceit, so he may complete his collection of the self righteous "Wardens of Mysteries! As was always your destiny, as he foretold!" The dabbler of the sands taunted, but Guozhi did give him the satisfaction of taking offense. His mocking was childish and blind.
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>>4926480

Guozhi prepared to end this life dramatically. A forbidden art, designed in secret and hidden away for centuries. A suicidal tactic, trading one life for another. One of the Cleansing Rain exorcist's art favored by the warden of mysteries. It was titled "Winter of a Journey's End", and it's power was feared and respected by every Dai Monk. It could not be performed while living, and would condemn one to death to perform it.

By inverting the light of his own soul, a deathly chill that surpassed even the harshest of winters would flow from his flesh like the waters of a flooded river. All world be consumed by the ice, the dunes frozen. His flesh would transmute into pure cold and all that would remain would be the mist evaporated by mornings son. His blood, his flesh, his bones and even his marrow would become nothing more than rain.

A sacrificial move to end the man who fed upon the lives of others and defiled their corpses. Guozhi would have moments to reach him and drag his soul with him into Hell. But he'd escape his fate once more, deny the devil's their bounty and be reborn. The four would survive, protected from the deadly forces he summoned. The youngest three would endure. And Meixiu would rise as a blossom of hope rather than flourishing as a venom of despair.

The enslaved souls turned into ammunition battered the shield of his jade null denouncement charm, creating cracks in its brocade of shimmering soul's light. The golden field would soon shatter, the jade consumed, and Guozhi would be defenseless. The necromancer found the weakness of the charms, they were only as strong as their host material was valuable and as potent as the will that empowered them. Guozhi's will, Qi and life had weakened from this extend game of cat and mouse, and it would soon flicker away to naught but embers. If Lieren fed the charms his will, they would be indomitable, but alas, Guozhi was no Giant. He was a man, an old man, a tired man.

"The glory of stealing your life shall fall to me! I, Hassan Kanan, shall surpass my grandfather in renown and favor! By ending the life of Guozhi of a hundred lives, I shall be immortalized! My name shall echo through history as the very specter of death itself! the death of hope! He who tricked the wisest and last of the wayward sages! It shall be I who ends the sorry tale of the wardens of mysteries!" Hassan Kanan howled, and Guozhi sighed through his teeth. That'd explain his skill, he's the nightmaster's kin. How troublesome.

Still, no amount of favor can allow one to avoid their death!

"Grandfather Guozhi?!" Bohai yelps as he cuts down another risen corpse with a clumsy strike of his blade.
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>>4926482

"Youngster, I don't know what you know of me, or my fallen brothers, or who revealed my history to you. But you are sadly mistaken if you think mere parlor tricks and stolen power will be enough to end my wanderings! I am the first core disciple of the wanderers in the fog sect! and the first acolyte of Lieren of the golden-eyes! I have beheld mysteries that would madden you and your night's master! I have turned away from forces that make all of us seem as mere squalling babes and refused their seductions of power" Guozhi roars, the youth from his sky blue eyes draining to fuel his mortal vessel as he concentrated all of his will and Qi into the very center of his existence. His golden core. He'd self destruct, and drag this fool into oblivion with him!

"I have died a thousand times! and I have been born a thousand times! Death holds no mystery to me! I am the wanderer beyond the fog! I am the last warden of mysteries! I am a child of Shangrala and Kanzeon! your pitiful GOD COULD NOT CORRUPT THE SOUL OF MY METAL MOTHER! AND HE COULD NOT STEAL THE DESTINY OF MY BROTHERS! HE WILL NOT SUBVERT THE HOPE LIEREN'S SPREAD!' Guozhi screamed, his voice cracking the sky as if he had become a giant itself, the air frozen and turned pale blue as spark of his power became free and froze in the sky. The could began to fall, as shadows scattered before his might.

Raising his gnarled, frost paled hand to the heavens, he challenged the gods of the celestial court themselves.

"SO PROCLAIMS I! GUOZHI OF A HUNDRED LIVES! LOOK IN MY EYES, JACKAL OF THE NIGHT, AND MEET WINTER'S DEADLY EMBRACE!" Guozhi challenged, as souls of things older than mankind rose at the sorcerer's black command and.

Kuan Im cried. Was she hurt, injured, did his technique backfire and doom her to death as well. No, she had seen the coming storm before Guozhi, a moment before his energies would tear his mortal body to tatters, Guozhi saw it, and dissipated his Qi. The ice settled and began to melt as his old yet youthful eyes beheld the rising golden dawn.

The Aura of Lieren's golden sea. The light of his soul.

"THE LEVITHAN RISES FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE GOLDEN SEA!" Kuan im cried in joy, tears streaming from her blind eyes. Bohai dropped his sword, and his brother fought on, ignoring the distraction.

"Courts be damned" Guozhi laughed, as two suns rose and pierced the wall between the worlds of the spirits and that of man. Two golden suns of raging fire "Seems my fortune has not yet faded!"

The necromancer shrieked and covered his eyes, as the failing Null Denouncement Charms flickered to life.

The voice of a wrathful god resounded through the shadow ruled graves, through the canyons and through the sands. Hassan Kanan tried to defend himself, burrowing into a golem formed of skeletal remains and souls, but his foul magic burned beneath Lieren's distant glare.
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>>4926484

"HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU HARM THOSE I CHERISH!" Lieren bellowed, his voice cracking the heaven's like thunder. Guozhi felt empowered as the radiance of his pupil and mentor's soul filled him with new life. Cautiously taking a shard of his fire, just enough to avoid being consumed by the flames that surrounded his soul, Guozhi borrowed Lieren's might. Hypocritical, but battles were not won by fighting fair!

"Follow my lead my pupils, channel your Qi and wills! Behold the golden sea's aura!" Guozhi yelled, as he redirected Lieren's radiance into a spear that would shatter the necromancer's bulwark and

"HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU INTRUDE UPON MY DOMAIN OF DARKNESS!" A second voice roared, challenging Lieren's own as a sea glutted upon countless devoured souls rose from the last sanctuaries of the night.

"GRANDFATHER!" Hassan cried joyously.

Shit.
-
An farseer sat, amidst her coven of four who listened to her gospel and trusted it more than Eldrad's doomsaying. They sat together, as the rest of their kindred of Ulthwé pondered the future. A sense of boundless glee filled the blind seer's heart as she beheld the fire of the paradoxical soul of the Gesalt's son. Eldrad beheld the edge of its glow, and commanded her followers to look away. But she did not, for it could no longer burn her. The light of a soul that met both Isha and her captor, the light of a soul who overcame its destiny

the very fires of prosperity itself. She grinned wide, as the soul flared once more and echo'd through Sha'ei itself.

"Magnificent" She muttered, as her three covenmates cried out and covered their eyes from merely behold a glimpse of golden light.
-
Magnus paused in his study, casting his students out of the great sea as he felt the approach of a great heat. A moment later, a sense of recognition washed over his mind, and he realized he sense his dear brother and fellow if somewhat misguided scholar drawing upon the reserves of his soul's power. He must be battling against a terrible opponent for him to be forced to draw upon his natural potential so greatly, when he previously he advised trepidation and a ponderous approach to the secrets of the Immaterium.

Magnus watched in awe and wonder, proud of his brother's talent. Truly, he could not wish to meet him in the flesh and speak with him personally. Oh how fulfilling such a conversation would be. Deciding his kinsman was a much more exciting avenue of research, Magnus the red observed Lieren's scuffle against what appeared to him to be the deep currents of the great sea. It was truly mysterious, what could drive he who was content to sit upon the shore to throw himself into the abyss hastily.

he would aid him, if he began to struggle and flounder, but at the moment, the psyker king was more concerned with the force that his brother fought against. It...was familiar in some fashion but he could not decide how.
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>>4926486

In his vast memory, a gnawing sense of realization was dancing at the tip of his proverbial tongue, eluded his vast intellect and his expansive repository of knowledge. Curious, truly curious.
-
Dae-Hyun cybernetics refused his commands, they had been damaged. By plasma fire. How expectedly Ironic. An officer of the Creti wardens, held his guts to his belly, his blood and shit staining his slate gray and dawn orange uniform a putrid amalgamation of scarlet and sewage brown. The commandant of his closest regiment of his own Seowl rangers, a woman he had a crush on in his former life, stood, with a single arm firing upon the approaching hoard as her soldiers formed a defensive perimeter around their so called "Big brother". One of Aimo's people, from the recently risen regiment, the Suomit Ursine guard also known as Aimo's bastards, battled against a genespawned horror that was more a collection of gnashing jaws than it was a man.

One of his own brothers in the 2nd, a man who carried Dae-Hyun to safety following his unfortunate meeting with a plasma canon, dragged himself along the ground, struggling to reach his side. His brothers lay strewn across their defensive line, the only shield a lonesome city had before the rampaging hordes of barbarians. It made Dae-Hyun sick to his stomach to see so many of his comrades, dead and trampled upon. But it made him sicker knowing they'd never meet their father. The emperor had said he looked through Dae-Hyun's eyes. It was heartbreaking to know he would never see those eyes for himself. He turned on his vox's channel, steeling his nerves as he silently spoke the code to call in a repeated nuclear bombardment on his coordinates. It was the only way to halt the enemy's advance. The civilians should be out of the radioactive fallout zone. But he would not steal the hope from his brother's in arms. Let them die hopeful that their "Big Brother" would find a way to break the odds and win the day.

It was the only means of victory, efficient victory especially. As the Legion master rose to solemnly embrace his chosen fate, his eyes played tricks on him. A man of golden vapors, with a bovine head stared at him.

"Not one step back"! the man said, in broken and heavily accented gothic, as he raise a primitive spear of fire towards the endless horde of barbaric bastards.

The illusion was gone when Dae-Hyun blinked, and felt a great shame wash over him. Who was he to decide how his men died!

"VALOROUS AND INDOMITABLE!" He roared, commanding his rebellious mechanical limbs to obey his will as he rose to his feet like two tons of pissed off ursine. The half skull mask of silver shined from Sol's cruel rays. From the direction the hallucination, probably spawned from head trauma, the legion master beheld a weakness in the enemy's ranks.
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>>4926487

One that could be easily exploited, if say, a few nuclear warheads struck directly upon it. The beacon was activated already, all that remained was to carry it deep enough into their over extended line.

"CHAAAARGE!" He roared, thoughts of his father's and fallen brothers filling his mind and fueling his conviction as his broken body rushed forward against its "COME ON YOU BASTARDS, RISE FROM YOUR TRENCH AND FIGHT! ASTARTE AND BASELINE! DIE FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES! NOT ONE STEP BACK!"

Joined by a recently augmented recruit, the eyeless Suomit guard, the aged Seowl commandant, and the disembowled Grave warden, Dae-Hyun lead the counter attack that was soon given an orchestra by the screams of nuclear death. He fought beneath the radioactive clouds, each death fueling his conviction to tear the mutant fucker's head from his shoulders. Innocent blood would not be shed, the price of soldiers life was an easy one to pay

This act of valor would be immortalized in a statue, bearing the likeness of an Astarte of the 2nd legion, fighting along side its then three sister regiments of the old one hundred. The Creti Wardens, The Seowl Rangers, and The Suomit Ursine Guard, standing atop a nuclear warhead, bearing in all their arms the a banner bearing the Raptor Imperalis. Forged from the spent casings and devastated armor of those who died that day, it became a monument to the brotherhood between man and Astarte. Dae-Hyun saw it as a sign of his failure till his dying day.
-

The Emperor of man kind watched the battle with silent sorrow, before he percived a flickering light in the immaterium, and a familiar presence resonated with his own.

"Son?" He whispered to the radiative winds, as Malcador lifted his head and smiled for his old friend's sake

"I wonder if he'd be proud of his own sons" The Sigillite mused
-

Beneath an eternal night, beneath clouds of centuries industrial pollutants, beneath an ever present haze of Smog like Shangrala's own, upon Nostramo the night haunter stalked. A criminal, guilty of the crime of stealing corpse starch rations from the production line. Though young, his youth did not forgive his crime. Justice would be done, he had foreseen it. He would hang from his bloated stomach before the ration line, a warning to those who let their hunger overcome them. Curled on his haunches, Kondrad Curze watched the wretch flee through the shadows, crippled by the leg he had twisted when he had began this game. Slavering and grinning, the sole force of order upon this world of criminal watched and decended like a gargantuan bird of prey. His black hair soaked with rime and lubricant flowed behind him as he stretched his hand out.

Images of the boys death flashed through his mind's eye before. A sudden flash. Dull iron grey eyes empty of emotion were replaced with jovial golden ones filled with life. Snarling in confusion, Kondrad fell to the ground much less gracefully than he was accustomed to.
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>>4926491

Unwilling to speak the questions surging through his mind, he turned his killer's instincts to the boy. Fate had changed for him, and that terrified him, so he must die.

Where before his life ended with a quick severing of his spine, now he would linger and die in agony upon an exposed, and pre sharpened length of pipe.

Konrad, unwilling to accept what he had himself seen, reach forward, and carried the convicted forward to his execution
-

A Shuni mystic stared at the heavens in wonder. Two giants battled amidst the cosmic sea. At once a golden dragon and black viper, next a giant against a legion of the living dead. Amazed by the heavenly battle, he began to carve it in his skin, recording it as he saw it with the edge of his ritual knife as a pen.

His serfs and cousins aiding in his fertility sacrifice watched in uncomfortable silence alongside his would be offering, as he wrote a manuscripts worth of text across his chest detailing the battle between the golden giant and black viper
-

Above the skies of Basque country, every star roared to golden brilliance, as a certain preacher gave a sermon to the listless masses. A blaze of belief surged through the crowd, igniting the desire for freedom as the eunuch watched the skies with unabashed awe and fell to his knees in prayer
-

You awake in your body, lying on the ground, blood upon your tongue and smeared across the corners of your mouth. Kanzeon cries out your name as you awake and sit yourself up. Amidst her concerned questioning and relieved sobbing, you lift you hand and find that you've come to hold onto a length of black dyed grey hairs, almost the entirety of a yard long beard.

"Kamal Kanan, you have my attention" You spit, rising to your feet

"Lieren, Lieren, stop moving, I need to recheck your vitals to ensure they're stable, moving will interfere with my readings" Kanzeon barks, commanding you to stay still

"I am too weak" You state, as you remain motionless long enough to allow you beloved the peace of her mind and to be certain you are well yourself

She sighs in relief.

"You're fine. I do not know what that stunt was you pulled, but both of your hearts stopped for nine seconds" Kanzeon says, relieved and weak of voice "I am surprised even with your altered and arcanely improved physiology that you can just walk off a twin heart attack, but I am glad you did. Don't. Ever. Scare. Me. Like.That. Again"

"I didn't die, so its not so strange" You say, trying to calm her nerves

"IT IS VERY STRANGE!" Kanzeon hisses "You had a heart attack DAMMIT!"
-
Kamal Kanan was dead for eleven seconds, before he pulled his soul from the screaming abyss back into the mortal coil. His court was dead, he had consumed their lives and souls to remain anchored in the Material world long enough to return himself to life. A new mutation, a burning crown, hung over his horned brow glowing with dark light.
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>>4926493

In his onyx black hand, he held his prize of his brief, but terrible battle against the giant. A strand of iron hued hair. Smiling predatorily, he spun the hair around his ring finger and mused

"So a second rival yet remains upon Shangrala, taking the fox's place. How exciting, but I shall be the one to claim this world as my paradise" The dark lord hissed with the voice of the night itself, his dark eyes glimmering like stars as he clutched the giant's hair close to his chest
-

"My king, my king, my mighty king" An electronic voice cooed in a sleeping conquerer's ear, as he lay atop the pile of skulls he laid at his mistress' feet "The challenge you seek, one worthy of our lord's attention, has finally risen beyond your realm. Your petty wars shall soon bear fruit"

Nitya Sinha said nothing, and merely grinned as he stared at the red light cascading around him like the first blood spilled in a battle, flecks of crimson staining his fang like teeth
-
You trained, you trained, you trained, you trained, you trained. Even as you worked you trained, even as night fell you trained, even as you body screamed for reprieve you trained, even as you mind tired and you soul flickered you trained, even as you dearest friends begged you to stop you trained.

Wenyan, accompanied by Feng, Liang, Jiang, Shaved head Wei, Half Jaw Hu and Dong could not keep you from subjecting yourself to a regiment so hellish, it'd make the Aeldari sadomasochists' wheeps and the dark gods of the Shuni Cringe. Even when Guozhi returned victories, having solved the crisis at the Shuni border without sustaining a single causality, you were training until your genetically and arcane enhanced body gave out. Even as they joined you in training and were promoted to be core disciples or be elevated to inner disciple you trained. You trained until they realize their sect master needed solitude and returned to their sanctuary at Chen Dao Academy, to learn new techniques under guozhi's tutelage

You trained, breaking mountains and shattering cliffs with your fists and legs. You trained, testing your mind through complicated mathematics and philosophical quandaries. You challenged your soul, strengthening it and your foundation via sojourns into depths of the Empyrean plotted by Magnus himself.

Still you trained, as Shan, Shirong, Cao Yunru, and Tao Dandan arrived at Jinhai's command to place weaponry upon the ever expanding shield of the realm. You trained as Long Jia was lit as a whole, electric lights glowing in every house. You trained, you trained, as you body weakened and your mind dulled, still you trained.

As the work was done, and walls stood shielding the realm from both east and west, you trained. Rudra pleaded with you to see reason, Aruna cried for you to stop, Kamakshi averted her eyes, Manu weeped openly, and still you trained. Akanksha, who had enjoyed the show, begged you stop with tears in her usually manic eyes.
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>>4926494

But you trained on, even as Avinash, Ananya, Sandip and all of your other students visited you. You trained, you trained. Even as Meixiu clung to your leg, crying that she didn't want you to be a skeleton to, you trained after comforting the poor girl and banishing her fears with a gentle smile.

Even when Bai came to herald the arrival of the king and the bulk of the Imperial army, you trained. You trained as Red faced Wei, Fat Chen, Rong and Zian tried to hold you down to force you to rest. Even Xin with a cybernetic arm gifted to him Luli could not keep you from training.

No could Kang Yongrui, who with his father road to stop your madness, his interruption did not halt your training. Nor did Lai Song, Dai Niu, Yan Zihao, Xue Liang, or Lady Huang or Lord Luo. Even the playwright Pa An visited, trying to talk you out of the hell you inflicted upon yourself. But you trained, you trained, you trained, you trained.

Your gums bled, your muscles ceased functioning, and still you trained, seeking to surpass your limits and overcome the barrier of your three strengths. You trained, you trained, and you trained. Knuckles coated with sweat, legs corded with muscles that threatened to tear the skin, you trained as night became day and day became night without rest.

Yin Lei watched in silence, and besides Luli Yingjie, Yin Delun and his brother lord Yin Jie, prayed for your safety beneath torrents of rain and bolts of lightning. But still as the heaven's raged you trained on. Yin Huizong's son cried at your feet as you moved tons of stone, pleading for you to return to your senses alongside Yan Zhaohi and Dai Zhen, and all of their sisters and brothers who were saved by the old fox's cunning. But still you mechanically trained on. Your goal remained just beyond your reach so you trained, you trained and your trained.

Old Chen, Small chen's father, came yelling insults of how his son would not stand to remain dead while his dearest friend tortured himself, but still you trained on.

Crowds gathered, made solely of those who you had personally saved, including the man steed who you learned to be named Xiaoli and his daughter Lihua arrived, the altered brute of a man trying to pin you to keep you from bloodying your fists against a pillar of the hardest wrought steel. He was carried on your back, as his own daughter road on his own. Still you trained, and kept training, ceaselessly and unrelenting

Qian Xia arrived, and tempted you with the freshest peaches and purist waters distilled from the Xue water treatment plants, she used all her guile and her every trick to try and tempt you to rest and stop you training. You trained. Old Winchester arrived, scolding you for being an idiot as he and other New Varro elders tried to stop your madness with wild insults and mocking challenges. You continued training.

Cont
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>>4926496

Gold tooth Wei, Xiaojin, Liu Gen, and Cao Yanyu watched you train for a time. Broken foot Wei and Eel eater Wei passed you by in their patrols, leaving pots of chilled water near your training grounds. Yet still you trained

Jinhai rode to the The Lunatic's wall, as it had began to be known, and approached you with Daiyu. You beloved friend tempted you, speaking of his glass bridge being complete, of his flying machine being realized and his dreams of swimming beneath the water as a fish would also being achieved. It was clear when he spoke of Cao Yunru's strange success in making the roads through the Bone devouring forest, did you realize Kanzeon had given helped him realize his fantasies. Daiyu said you had been named the godfather of their yet unborn child. You continued training with tears in your eyes.

Oh all your relations, of all those you've met and consider friend, only one of them found joy from your mad devotion to bettering your body, mind and spirit. Your brother Magnus, for when you body could not move and lay motionless, you mind wandered the Astral realm by his side. He proved to be an excellent guide, and you spoke of many things, though he respected your silence on the matter concerning your tireless training.

So you continued on, as the near million men stationed at the Vishnu Border used your passing to track the passing of time itself, counting your regimen as they would hours. Like so many scholars before you, you had become a hermit in your own mind, like so many sages before you, you had become a hermit in you wanderings beyond the material, like so many warriors before you, you had become a hermit in your training. With Kanzeon as your only company, you heard her pleas and commands to stop your training, fell asleep to her bargaining, fell asleep to her desperate begging for you to stop, to turn back from the challenge you had set for yourself.

None of them understood. You had to train, you had to. It was the only logical course to take. Your might was insufficient. Your boundaries had to be expanded, your strength had to be heightened. All of you needed to be empowered further. Your limits must be broken, the peak must be overcome! You would not falter, not break. All of Long Jia was at stake! You could not be weak, you could not allow yourself to be weak in any fashion! So you trained, and you trained, as Kanzeon cried and tirelessly battled against your will to convince you to rest and stop you endless, hellish regiment of training.

Time had lost all meaning.
Hunger had lost all meaning.
Pain had lost all meaning.
Exhaustion had lost all meaning.

You fell to the night cooled grown. Fog's swirled around you like a blanket. Sweat formed a pool beneath you, mud clung to every inch of your body. Blood dripped from your palms, soles, legs and arms. Tears born from the strain and stubborn refusal to quit stained your dust coated cheeks.
Cont
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>>4926497

Your overgrown hair fluttered on the wind like a ribbon tied to a grave. A beard hung from your jaw, drops of sweat and blood flecking its length. Fingers twitching, you struggled to dig your nails into the soil to lift yourself from the ground and resume training, you broken nails glimmering with fresh blood. Your body refused to move, you had expended your energy for the night.

Wild locks of iron hair obscured your vision of the heavens. You cried, cried for you own weakness, your foolish, cried that you were kept from forging yourself into a stronger man, who could defend all he cherished. You cried.

"Please, Lieren, stop this foolishness. Return to your people, return to your duties, return to your friends, return to your loved ones, return to me!" Kanzeon cried, and it took you several moments to realize it was not spoken in your mind, but rather by her own lips. The very incarnation of earthly beauty looked down upon you, the flesh puppet molded into Kanzeon's image, her tears mingled with your own as they fell upon your cheeks.

Not a gram of fat remained on your body, you had pushed the body your father designed for you to its limits, and far beyond even that. You were tired, you were tired

"Please, listen to me my love. The world needs you, not as a force, but as a living, breathing, laughing person. Return to your life, haven't you trained enough? Listen to reason, cease your lunacy at once!" She wailed, her emerald eyes glimmering with tears as you watched the stars.

He nails dug into your chest, as her jade like beauty was marred with her sobbing and disheveled hair.

What is your answer, Lieren?

>I am so close to a breakthrough, it is just beyond my reach, come with me Kanzeon, as I complete my training (Challenge the heavens themselves)

>Evil must be vanquished, and my hand is the only one able to subjugate it (March to vanquish evil)

>You are right, I am sorry I put you through so much sadness and pain in the pursuit of fleeting power...but I must become stronger (Apologize to all your friends, and return your duties as Grand architect)

>Not enough, Not enough. I can't still be this weak. I must be able to reach further heights! I must! The people need me to be stronger, the kingdom needs me to be stronger, the world needs me to be stronger, you need me to be stronger! (Weep)

> write in

And with that, the mega update ends. Took two sessions of Gong fu tea ceremony and a lot of Ice cold apple juice to power through writing it. Hope you enjoy it lads
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Also due to edits and adjustments, the prior count was wrong. The completed update clocks in at

a total character count of 39,880
and a total word count of 7,025

Total posts is still 14, thou
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>>4926499
>Not enough, Not enough. I must reach further! [weep]
After we've wept a bit and given Kanzeon a hug

>Stop and seriously consider the gains of our training, what has worked, what is no longer working. Act effeciently, not in the grip of madness and terror. If all of our strength has been expended for a mere pound more of force the cost is not worth the reward, search for new methods and if there are none then cease all searching and try the same with our soul and mind.

Our desire to aid others must not become too overwhelming. If there is nothing else we can do, we should return to being the grand architect.
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>>4926504
Based. Have a day off for your trouble and dedication to this quest.
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>>4926518
Our desire for POWER to aid others must not become overwhelming*

Fixed that. But even so, if we can sit down and examine ourselves and we KNOW we are close to a breakthrough, we should take it. But if not, the pain we are causing to our friends isn't worth the negligable improvements given.

>>4926504
Impressive.
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>>4926499
>Not enough, Not enough. I can't still be this weak. I must be able to reach further heights! I must! The people need me to be stronger, the kingdom needs me to be stronger, the world needs me to be stronger, you need me to be stronger! (Weep)

>You are right, I am sorry I put you through so much sadness and pain in the pursuit of fleeting power...but I must become stronger (Apologize to all your friends, and return your duties as Grand architect)

>Write in
"What was I made for?"
Time for Lieren to have a pep talk from his friends and maybe some true
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>>4926499
First thing to do above all else, hug and apologize to the waifu. Eat some food, take a nap, then go out an apologize for worrying everyone.
>Stop and seriously consider the gains of our training, what has worked, what is no longer working. Act effeciently, not in the grip of madness and terror. If all of our strength has been expended for a mere pound more of force the cost is not worth the reward, search for new methods and if there are none then cease all searching and try the same with our soul and mind.
>Take a second to ponder your existence, and not to forget your inner ogre. All work and no play makes Lieren a soulless automaton made flesh.
Out of all the baddies I think we should fight, I think the dark wizard should be the first.
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>>4926536
>"What was I made for?"
We did discover that, but I forgot when. I think it was when Lieren brought his capsule to Kanzeon's ship.
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>>4926504
Did Lieren actually get a significant enough amount of gains to make his bro Ferris mildly impressed, or did he regress in stronk boy status?

>you lift you hand and find that you've come to hold onto a length of black dyed grey hairs, almost the entirety of a yard long beard.
I kind of suspect foul sorceries were in play. Would Lieren notice if he was missing any hair? Can our bro Magnus tell us anything we can do with the hair?
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>>4926499
>I am so close to a breakthrough, it is just beyond my reach, come with me Kanzeon, as I complete my training (Challenge the heavens themselves)
Sounds to cool not to vote for it even if the last vote is more IC
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>>4926537
>>4926539
Fair I'll support this but I wanna go back to our job that our friends feel atleast more calm. We really gotta meditate more.
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>>4926544
Add weeping to the vote. This is really the first time that Lieren has reached a wall he cannot effortlessly overcome with a few days or weeks of tangible progress.

It's natural that he's going to cry in either frustration or despair. Let it all out.
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>>4926545
Had meant for >>4926543
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>>4926499
>Not enough, Not enough. I can't still be this weak. I must be able to reach further heights! I must! The people need me to be stronger, the kingdom needs me to be stronger, the world needs me to be stronger, you need me to be stronger! (Weep)

>Stop and seriously consider the gains of our training, what has worked, what is no longer working. Act effeciently, not in the grip of madness and terror. If all of our strength has been expended for a mere pound more of force the cost is not worth the reward, search for new methods and if there are none then cease all searching and try the same with our soul and mind.

>You are right, I am sorry I put you through so much sadness and pain in the pursuit of fleeting power...but I must become stronger (Apologize to all your friends, and return your duties as Grand architect)

We must return to our duties no matter what.
>>
Also holy shit. Whenever The wanderers get involved this tale always turns into a xanxia story.

Right down to the fucking "My grandfather will step in and kick your ass if you fuck with me."
But really, kan should know that messing with a core disciple was a poor idea.
>>
Magnificent update Malal. You have done well.
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>>4926499
>I am so close to a breakthrough, it is just beyond my reach, come with me Kanzeon, as I complete my training (Challenge the heavens themselves)
>>
Well it looks like dad has an idea as to our direction, so we might have company sooner rather than later. Never know we might face these new goes with our legion and it be our bonding experience and set the tone to how they operate with us and how we bond with our brothers.
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>>4926554
+1
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>>4926497
>Not enough, Not enough. I can't still be this weak. I must be able to reach further heights! I must! The people need me to be stronger, the kingdom needs me to be stronger, the world needs me to be stronger, you need me to be stronger! (Weep)
>I am so close to a breakthrough, it is just beyond my reach, come with me Kanzeon, as I complete my training (Challenge the heavens themselves)
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT I'M A FUCKING PROMARCH HOW COULD YOU BE SO FUCKING STRONG AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MAGNUS SAVE ME"-- Lieren, after the duel between giant and snake
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>>4926499
>Stop and seriously consider the gains of our training, what has worked, what is no longer working. Act effeciently, not in the grip of madness and terror. If all of our strength has been expended for a mere pound more of force the cost is not worth the reward, search for new methods and if there are none then cease all searching and try the same with our soul and mind.
>Take a second to ponder your existence, and not to forget your inner ogre. All work and no play makes Lieren a soulless automaton made flesh.
>>
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>>4926499
Holy shit that was some autism-level training. Fucking hell.

Also, found Nitya Sinha AKA That Motherfucker.

Gonna go ahead and support this >>4926518 followed by
> Kiss the girl
Maybe with the addition of telling her that Lieren is scared; terrified that he'll fail those depending on him.
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>>4926499
>>Not enough, Not enough. I can't still be this weak. I must be able to reach further heights! I must! The people need me to be stronger, the kingdom needs me to be stronger, the world needs me to be stronger, you need me to be stronger! (Weep)
Dammit Konrad. Wonder if he's psychic enough to be found during a meditation session. He'd have to wait behind Malal and our Ulthwe fangirl though.
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>>4926499
>I am so close to a breakthrough, it is just beyond my reach, come with me Kanzeon, as I complete my training (Challenge the heavens themselves)
>Not enough, Not enough. I can't still be this weak. I must be able to reach further heights! I must! The people need me to be stronger, the kingdom needs me to be stronger, the world needs me to be stronger, you need me to be stronger! (Weep)
>>
>>4926537
>>4926499
>>
>>4926537
+1
>>
>>4926499
>>You are right, I am sorry I put you through so much sadness and pain in the pursuit of fleeting power...but I must become stronger (Apologize to all your friends, and return your duties as Grand architect)
>>
>>4926499
>>I am so close to a breakthrough, it is just beyond my reach, come with me Kanzeon, as I complete my training (Challenge the heavens themselves)
>Not enough, Not enough. I can't still be this weak. I must be able to reach further heights! I must! The people need me to be stronger, the kingdom needs me to be stronger, the world needs me to be stronger, you need me to be stronger! (Weep)
How long have we been training exactly?
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>>4926499
>>I am so close to a breakthrough, it is just beyond my reach, come with me Kanzeon, as I complete my training (Challenge the heavens themselves)
What would happen if a limitless being broke their limits?
>>
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>>4926499

>I am so close to a breakthrough, it is just beyond my reach, come with me Kanzeon, as I complete my training (Challenge the heavens themselves)
Our goal

>Not enough, Not enough. I can't still be this weak. I must be able to reach further heights! I must! The people need me to be stronger, the kingdom needs me to be stronger, the world needs me to be stronger, you need me to be stronger! (Weep)
This is important for story reasons, this is definitely a lieren cries like a bitch but it's super fucking manly time

Write in
>I do this not seeking strength kanzeon, but out of love for my people, our people. No man would put themselves through this torture if they believed that they had any other choice.
I will deny the master of rot his flesh
I will deny the master of rage his blood
I must deny the schemer his plans and machinations
And I shall deny the corrupter their excess and depravities


This is just something that I think is a neat thing to include (for completely "nonexistent" reasons)

I know that lieren now knows of the existence of all the major warp players, but he knows their names by that weird chingchong names
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>>4926787
Kong Nue is Khorne, Jian Qi is Tzeentch, Na Gou is Nurgle, does anyone remember if Slanesh's name appeared? Also I wonder if they know of Malal.
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>>4926805
He doesn't exist, shut up!
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>>4926805
I don't think so, but I was considering it earlier and if I had to quess then it would be

Slan Nah
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>>4926691
+1
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>>4926499
>I am so close to a breakthrough, it is just beyond my reach, come with me Kanzeon, as I complete my training (Challenge the heavens themselves)
This option feels like hes trying to lie to himself into making him believe that he's almost reaching that peak, unless I'm mistaken. Feels bad option, there are better alternatives than what hes already doing that doesnt have to hurt all the people he cares about. Besides, all this training is bad for the soul, not to mention that he's not combat focused like his brothers Lion or Wolf boy. Lieren is a generalist, so he has the benifit of investing his skills all around the board without focusing on a single theme. A jack of all trades if you will.

>Evil must be vanquished, and my hand is the only one able to subjugate it (March to vanquish evil)
Seems kinda Konrad Kurze'y of Lieren. That can't be true at least most of the time. If you cant believe in others to fight evil and that you're the only one that can, shit is a bit fucked, and when we voted for the training option I didn't think Lieren would go all out like that. Perhaps we didnt understand just how frustrated he was. I figure it would be something more of him meditating and training martial with some weapons. He got some serious gains when he looked into his soul the last time.

>You are right, I am sorry I put you through so much sadness and pain in the pursuit of fleeting power...but I must become stronger (Apologize to all your friends, and return your duties as Grand architect)
This feels more along the truth than most of the other options desu. He can still grow stronger, but not to the extend where he shirks his duties. Man, how much time has passed since he started?

>Not enough, Not enough. I can't still be this weak. I must be able to reach further heights! I must! The people need me to be stronger, the kingdom needs me to be stronger, the world needs me to be stronger, you need me to be stronger! (Weep)
Kinda also true, but to a lesser extent. Everyone needs him to be stronger to kick some demon ass, but it still has this ounce of willful ignorance and desperation. I dunno, try all he might we wont be able to save everyone.

Yeah I'm just commenting on all the vote choices.

>>4926543
>>4926583
>>4926603
> (Challenge the heavens themselves)
Man I'm kind of worried here with all of OP's choices. Is the "Challenge the heavens themselves" option Lieren astrally projecting himself to kick every demonic ass he comes across, or something else? Would Lieren lose progress on his enlightenment if he stopped his maddening training regiment?

>>4926678
+1 kiss the wife

>>4926680
Speaking of Ulthwe, I'm still curious as to the results of us finding and taking the Soul Stone out of that Eldari's tongue and if we can do anything with it. I'm wondering if we could reverse engineer it so we could pull some unkillable bullshit.
>someone some how kills Lieren
>oh no!
>gem contains his soul and spits it back into his body
>oh fuck oh god
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>>4926851
I think hugging/kissing is mandatory

Anyway, We must have been at this for at least a few months.
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>>4926540
There IS such a thing as over-training, but somehow I think a Primarch is designed in such a way to make that impossible.
I'm sure once Lieren recovers, he'll blossom into something truly special.
Like some Grappler Baki type shit.
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>>4926499
>>Not enough, Not enough. I can't still be this weak. I must be able to reach further heights! I must! The people need me to be stronger, the kingdom needs me to be stronger, the world needs me to be stronger, you need me to be stronger! (Weep)
>>
>>4926851
>gem contains his soul and spits it back
Can we make Soul Stone grenades? if we use our neverending Paradox Soul would we make the Warp equivalent of Naplam?
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>>4926861
Good god we wasted so much time if it really was a few month that past. Lierwn better be able to pull off an Angron.

>>4926881
>random eldar: *weeps* please stop wasting those I need them for my kids
>Lieren: ha ha soul stone grenades go boom
I think if Lieren was capable of making them they would be better put to use trading with the eldari, or placating them so they stop fucking trying to raid human settle worlds. Problem with that is that I think the only ways you can get soul stones are from really old eldari worlds stuck in the warp or something.
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>>4926891
Sneak in Nurgle's domain and get them from the source.
Just got to remember to break the windows in the way out instead of the way in.
I know it's a dumb idea
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>>4926891
Soul Stones are literally divine in origin; they're the crystal tears of Isha. The only way the Eldar can retrieve them is by raiding the Crone Worlds in the Eye of Terror, which typically means fighting Daemons and the Chaos Marines.

>>4926851
> Lieren's mortal body dies from foulest treachery at the conclusion of the Heresy, though his eternal soul is safely preserved in a 'Tear of the Goddess'.
> Kept secret by a small clade of allies both Astartes and Eldar, forever guarded by his beloved, the 'Celestial Maiden of Destruction and Renewal'.
> 10,000 years passes while the Journey is spread across the Imperium as a respected order of the Imperial faith, in a similar fashion as the Promethean Cult.
> One of the Daemon Primarchs leads his Legion and a host of daemons in an attempt to seize and consume Shangrala.
> As the various Chapters and sons of the 2nd Legion make their stand, Kanzeon appears at the head of a mixed armada; Imperial Navy and Guard, Adeptus Mechanicus, Astartes chapters honoring oaths of fellowship, even Eldar.
> The Daemon Primarch demands the leader to reveal themselves, and a teleportation beacon activates, depositing the champion in a dense shroud of fog. Kind golden eyes burning into the unholy traitor with the light of all that is good and just.
> "IT CANNOT BE! YOU WERE UNMADE! THE DARK GODS ASSURED YOUR DEMISE!!"
> Lieren was never truly gone, only spreading the energies of his inner sea out across the galaxy to nurture billions and shield the souls of the innocent and righteous in their hour of need.
> "I got better."
> Now he returns, clad in a body that is both man and machine; the perfect harmony which the Cult of the Omnissiah reveres, his soul radiating with the hopes and joys and struggles of mankind in their teeming trillions for 10,000 years.
> "HOW?!"
> The laughter of a goddess, bright and proud and pure, carries over the communication channels of all present.
> "Fuck you, that's how."
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>>4926894
I mean it would be funny. I'd be down for it when Lieren is strong enough.
>yo girl, Isha! Its yo dawg Lieren! Hit me up with some of yo tear gurl.

>>4926895
Good thing Chaos Marines aren't thing yet.

> "I got better."
Get me good
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>>4926895
I didnt know that Isha was alucard, but god damnit that's great.
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>>4926903
> It's absolutely Kanzeon. C'mon now bro.
Though now that you mention Isha; somebody make an edit of that Laughing Eldar Bitches meme to be Isha and Kanzeon.
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>>4926908
Nah, cant name her a godess.
Such things are not perfect in this universe.
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>>4926918
Hmm, true enough I suppose.
> We can still call her 'wife'.
That ought to make her blush.
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>>4926925
The sisters seem to like Giants.
I can only pray that her sister isnt Daemon corrupted, merely immensely sadistic due to being freed by the king of kings.
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>>4926499
>You are right, I am sorry I put you through so much sadness and pain in the pursuit of fleeting power...but I must become stronger (Apologize to all your friends, and return your duties as Grand architect)
>>
>>4926499
>You are right, I am sorry I put you through so much sadness and pain in the pursuit of fleeting power...but I must become stronger (Apologize to all your friends, and return your duties as Grand architect)

Gotta be careful, feels like if he goes for the breakthrough he will break something while gaining something. Like ship waifu's heart.
>>
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I must repeat myself again, but is really a magnificent update. I know is kind of tiring to hear it every update but they are really nice Malal. That said, let s start this image posting alteady. Kind of incredible that i was able to be done with them, exactly after you made this great update.
And also i think I have matched again what you asked in the descriptions. At least I think I did.

///

The house of the great hero of the rebellion and revolution Cao Yunru, a great scholar and inventor that critically aided Lieren of Nothing in deposing the Yang Tyranny, as well save the whole capital of the time (today s, Spirit Demise.).

Before this hero, their house was one that had slowly gather power in the capital managing a trade guild and gaining a few minor administrative positions.
Today they are one of the greatest houses, eager to prove themself to the Long Jia realm and dynasty, as well to live and rule by the teachings of the Journey.

May their bloodline be blessed forevermore by unmatched valour and wisdom.
>>
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The House of the Luo, the gate to the East, their capital is surrounded by a thick forest and they are blessed to north and south by fertile plains. Recently they where in a war against the House of Huang, but thanks to the diplomacy and tactical experience of King Jinhai they where brought to surrender. Now united with the House of Huang they stand more stronger than ever, and with the Long Jia rule they prosper.

In recent days, recruits from the region have quickly risen. With the defeat of the strange creatures of the night by Lord Lieren hand and the hands of the imperial army, a fervour and patriotism never seen before as moved the hearts of this region men.
>>
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>>4927045
Good job as always anon.
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What is to say of the House of Huang ?
Their lands are rich, blessed and they are connected to the great dragon lake of the central Long Jia regions.

Their position is easy to defend, and easier to reach by allied forces.
It s no surprise that perhaps this could be the real reason for the war against the Luo ? Or was it a matter of honour ?

What it was is now a thing of the past, with the union between the Huang and Luo households. Is noted that the Huang have begin (after adopting the Journey to their whole family and spreading across all their lands with great efforr), to invest in the construction of severals "Schools of the Journey". These are apperantly well organized circles of scholars and philosophers that have decided to come together for discuss and appreaciate the book of the gentle giant. From here many new speakers and "Journey man", have been taught to and they move to other lands for spread further the Journey message.
>>
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Chosen men handpicked by the best warriors and generals of Nitya Sinha, these Ichor champions have recently risen to power in Vishnu society alongside their “Kings of Kings”. Brutal, violent and savage and at the same time elite, well trained and well armed. These men were already exceptional before being picked, but after receiving the “grace” to become part of their leader best men, they are transformed. Negative Qi, powerful machinery and war drugs are inserted into their bodies. But with these “gifts”, they become uneasy, mad and aggressive, always ready to kill or do harm to anyone, even their own. Equipped with powerful armors for their new size and wielding ancient weapons, they are not to be trifled with. Still their weaknesses are open to all to see, and since they are corrupted men they are inferior to the valorous and disciplined soldiers of the Long Jia Kingdom.

Even more so to our own champions. After all, the very first one of these half-devil spirit men was slain by the great Bai, one of the brotherhood of panthers greatest fighters, an elite among the elite.

Strong and brutal as they may be, these Ichor champions will soon learn the call for freedom and righteous rebellion brought forth by the Journey men of all the kingdom ! Death to tyrants ! Death to evil !
>>
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>>4926499
See what he can do when he's motivated
>>
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Whatever the reason it was, be it Kamal Kanan's own strategy, or the personal ambitions and wicked desires of it s servants, several sorcerers of the Shuni had approached the borders of the kingdom at the time, to gain glory or understand the true strength of their old and at the same time new enemy from orders of their lord.

Their power varied, even if most of them were weak acolytes and initiates of the dark arts, most of the powerful sorcerers remained at the side of their ruler. Many weakling devils and evil spirits accompanied them as their slaves, while many of the shuni warriors served under them as soldiers or… sacrifices.

Even the weakest of these users of powers of evil, is a force to be reckoned with. And what they bring with them into battle isn't lacking either. Grimoires, staff s, magical weapons and armors, evil spirits enslaved to their will and even more wicked things. Still these sorcerers are plagued by their paranoias, desire of superiority and to be above everyone else. This has led to them even attacking their fellow sorcerers, just to prove who is the best.

The soldiers of the kingdom can best and kill these barbarian madmen, and thanks to the aid of the wanderers of the fog it becomes an even battle and with the strength and will of the Kang chargers as well their experience in repelling this scum, it can be nothing more than a total victory for the Long Jia kingdom !
>>
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>>4927053
I wonder how the new Luo and Huang will deal with their lords marrying.
Will they just divide the titles between their first two children? In the future they will have to avoid marrying again in that case, to avoid a Habsburg situation.
>>
(Still posting this one, I am not sure about it though I like it anyway. But as i said here i did it at the end.>>4907175 )

///

The tigerman. Our kin, brave and strong as all of our people. With Lieren guidance and the one of the Kingdom, they prospered.

Still, only in the last wars of freedom in Shangrila they where able to partecipate do their young age.

They where exceptional. Personally trained by Lieren and by the Brothers of the Panthers, they where a force to be reckon with and gained much glory and honour for the kingdom.

They would have soon serve with the Long Jia in reclaiming the stars, and then stand side by side with the rest of mankind. But that s another story.
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>>4927072
Now I'm off to make the soldiers themselves.
>>
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>>4927104
Forgot the image
>>
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The Goddess of the forest, Queen of nature and Mother of our people. Her own armor is made with a craftmanship, that has no equals beyond her sisters.

///

".... Kazeon gives a quick glance at her own ship, it was strange to run in this form. Breathing, touching, hearing and feeling was odd, even though it all sounded natural. She had decided to enter the "puppet", after Lieren training trance became simply unacceptable to watch and something needed to be done with the fool. While always monitoring the parameters of her love, she had emerged from the vat grown pool fully formed and made to the designated specifications, resembling the holographic avatar she used so many times.

Reaching its destination in the titanic vessel, she opened the armory revealing yet another incredible and beautiful piece of equipment crafted by her. Another armor of "star metal" (as the people of Shangrila called it) this time made for her own use and that would have helped her in quickly reaching her love. What a surprise it would have been for him, and at last they would have been able to be in each other's arms .... if this training mania of him didn't take him into madness before she reached him !
Before overthinking the encounter, she started preparing several bags of medicinals and sedatives, as well as a portable tent to accommodate Lieren's body in a safe and clean space for surgical operations. While his armor was able to heal most of his wounds as well restore his vigour, it wasn't made for what he was doing without rest to himself. Something to improve for the future, the lady of the forest thought.

For precaution, while those bags were prepared she downloaded in the freshly made armor the combat styles of the Panther and the Carp. It had become a hobby of hers of personally studying, observing and trying, what Lieren and his many followers did. One of those things was these peculiar two combat styles. It was kind of interesting in just how many were attempting to learn them. From the calm Jinhai that made them look like a simple morning exercise, to the more slow pace of the students such as Avinash, Ananya, Sandip, or even the less graceful Vishnu chieftains such as Aruna.

Suddenly while lost in thoughts to calm herself and to stop the stream of tears running down her cheeks, the already critical parameters of the primarch visualized in hues of scarlet red, propelled themselves forward to far darker tones. Kazeon jolted in fear at the discovery, and with great haste took her prepared equipment and emerged out of the mountain. After taking her first breath of the world air and calculating the best route for reaching the border with the vishnu region, she started jumping and running with an increasing inhuman speed and agility through the bone devouring forest...."
>>
>>4926493
>nine seconds
Tzeentch
> eleven seconds
Malal
>>
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The marvelous new armor of the Gentle Giant and Saviour of the Long-Jia. What it can do it s beyond legend, and now Lieren of Nothing truly looks like a demi god that arrived from the heavens.


///


.. Lieren looked at the poweful suit in front of him. In part designed to his preferences and in part to the ones of her beloved, it was simply stunning. Ancient power glow from it upon wearing it and almost immediatly it was active and ready for war. The hud integrated in the lenses of the new war mask, was far more advanced and organized than the one present in the Aeldari raider helmet, that he had to wear.

The armor obeyed to his every order, moving and adjusting to his speed and movement. Almost like a second skin.

It was comfortable to wear, silent in his movements, able to easily intercept communications, create maps of the surroundings from his cameras, heal his wounds, find concelead enemies thanks to his sensors and... and more.

He wasn t even at a quarter of the document displayed in front of him, titled "Beginner Guide to my first Combat Power Armor by Kazeon", which was incredibly long even in confront to all he had read so far in his brief life !

The study of this document though proved vital, and after closing it, he had mastered the use of his armor and the many peculiar functions of it.


////


>>4927069
>>4927085
>>4927105
Thanks. You did a good job, very quick too. I wonder as well what the Luo and Huang will do. Either they unify or keep their lands divided.

//

For new stuff I had in mind to do the following

-chaos meme
- wanderer of the fog monk
- new warp beast
- dark eldar kabal banner

Possible (emphasis on possible, is likely i will be able to do just a fraction of this, either for lack of time or not making something i consider good enough to be posted) stuff for the future :

- More simple images/memes, stuff like the view from the road or Guozhi drinking Tea with Wenyan
- Bask War Banner
- Modern Space Variants of the soldiers armors i posted last thread
- Attempts for evil spirits/magical beasts
- Yang twins armors (already have them in a meme done in past threads)
-Updating map maybe. Possible map regions of other peoples. Need paint input of malal
- Other characters
- Battles scenes
- weapons, equipment ecc..
>>
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>>4927105
It's finished now.
>>4927152
The lords of the hunt banner would be cool, I was think of trying my hand at it, since I did one for our brother quest, but your would be much better.
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>>4927179
By the way, just to be sure, the symbol of the Lords of the Stellar Hunt was three crescents, with a rhombus in the middle, and a line coming off the bottom ending in a spear tip right?
Something like this, but not simple? Or am I imagining it wrong?
>>
>>4927179
Based.
That s a lot banners all together. Kind of cool, I am very glad that you organized them like this.


There is even The Creti Wardens, The Seowl Rangers, and The Suomit Ursine Guard to do.

>>4927196
The lord of the stellar hunt ? Now that you mention it, I am not sure I remember it well. I think I had this saved around in my notes.
This one ?

"Banners bearing the same symbol worn by the raiders, three crescents pierced by a rhombus with a line extending from its southward tip, painted in the same hues of white and grey as their armor flutter an a manufactured breeze. Their tattered and freyed edges stained with blood spilt centuries before"

For symbol it just need to become more dark eldar like, for starting it i think it works though.
And I forgot to vote.

>>4926537
Support
>>
>>4927196
I forgot to ask which images you like the most ? Do you want to say something on any of them ? I would like to know what you think, if you want.

Since I am asking this, did you had a favourite of the soldiers armors I posted in the previous thread ?
>>
>>4926499
>You are right, I am sorry I put you through so much sadness and pain in the pursuit of fleeting power...but I must become stronger (Apologize to all your friends, and return your duties as Grand architect)
>>
>>4926499
>>Stop and seriously consider the gains of our training, what has worked, what is no longer working. Act effeciently, not in the grip of madness and terror. If all of our strength has been expended for a mere pound more of force the cost is not worth the reward, search for new methods and if there are none then cease all searching and try the same with our soul and mind.
>>You are right, I am sorry I put you through so much sadness and pain in the pursuit of fleeting power...but I must become stronger (Apologize to all your friends, and return your duties as Grand architect)
>>
>>4927226
I really like your flags, It's hard to chose a favorite. If I had to say something it would only be that the Cao's peacock ended up looking a bit weird on the banner, because they were long vertically, and the banner is long horizontaly, but that's not really your fault, since you drew it inside a circle, not a rectangle.

As for the armors, I prefered the screamers, rider and stalwart in that order, because they are simpler and have some open spaces, so I think it makes the details stand out more. Also they were the ones that you managed to hide the mirror seam the best
>>
>>4926851
Word on the street is that Konrad got a soul stone and made the Corona Nox, which is why the Night Lords and Eldar fought over it after he chose suicide by calidus.
>>
>>4927268
Thanks for the answers.
Yeah the Cao symbol was probably too long, but I liked it to keep ot that way.

In regard to the armors, personally i like doing both simple and detailed ones. More for the detailed though for me.
Also good choices.
>>
Not sure if I am able to do better than thr ones done so far. Lieren new armor is probably the one i like the most, even if the first i made is still cool for me.
>>
>>4927368
Lieren's new armour and robot Kanzeon are amazing, don't worry about it.you asked about the ones last thread, so that's why I didn't meantion them.
Although the tigermen look a more like a bear than a tiger. I guess the head is a bit to wide or square and gives off that impression.
>>
>>4926851
>Seems kinda Konrad Kurze'y of Lieren.
Lieren is kind of similar to konrad desu, remember what he did to gao? The difference between the two is that kurze doesn't stop at tyrants, he goes after EVERYONE that ever does something wrong. Kurze is a terrorist, lieren is a revolutionary, but could have very easily swinged over to kurze's side of the spectrum if he hadn't been found that village in his infancy
>>
>>4927453
>Kurze is a terrorist, lieren is a revolutionary
And Corvy is stuck in the angst-filled middle.
>>
So lieren now has a beard, is there anything else we need to know about our changes

Also dammit Kure! Do you know how much we are going to fight, we are currently so fucking opposed that we might even start a civil war when we meet up
>>
>>4927620
We'll shave dw by the time emps arrives we'll be stylin
>>
>>4927732
SHAVE!!!

WE FINALLY HAVE A GLORIOUS BEARD, BEFORE WE WE'RE BUT A WELP, NOW WE ARE A MAN,AND YOU WANT TO SHAVEEE!?!?!?

fuck you, we are keeping the beard until we have a beautiful fumanchoo type facial hair that hangs down to our ankles
>>
>>4927765
I also think we should shave, return to the world well tended and consious.
>>
>>4926537
I take back my vote, i'm going to support this write in
>>
>>4927765
Shaving and maintaining well kept self is important for self respect and presenting a disaplined self
>>
So that's 9 for heaven defying.

5 for write in "serious consideration"

and about 11 for "crying"

Damn. Guess my write in isn't making it through
>>
No one talking about how we're the heirs god father or something? Our boy did it!
>>
>>4927903
Not born yet, we cannot be an uncle for a while more. But if there was one thing to snap us out of this training fuge, it would probably be the birth of the child.

Like, even Lieren's will can't resist the call of a newborn relative. He may train twice as hard when he gets back though.
>>
Calling the vote now.

Not enough, Not enough. I can't still be this weak. I must be able to reach further heights! I must! The people need me to be stronger, the kingdom needs me to be stronger, the world needs me to be stronger, you need me to be stronger! (Weep):11

Stop and seriously consider the gains of our training, what has worked, what is no longer working.:12

You are right, I am sorry I put you through so much sadness and pain in the pursuit of fleeting power...but I must become stronger (Apologize to all your friends, and return your duties as Grand architect):8

What was I made for?:1

Take a second to ponder your existence, and not to forget your inner ogre. All work and no play makes Lieren a soulless automaton made flesh.:7

I am so close to a breakthrough, it is just beyond my reach, come with me Kanzeon, as I complete my training (Challenge the heavens themselves):8

I do this not seeking strength kanzeon, but out of love for my people, our people. No man would put themselves through this torture if they believed that they had any other choice.: 1

Kiss?: 2

Total votes:26

Alright, so no crying (Came close) or Heavenly tribulations for you (yet at least). Lieren will stop and reflect upon the gains of his three fold training

Writing now

>>4927045
>>4927053
>>4927072
Incredible work as always!

>>4927069
>>4927085
>>4927105
>>4927179
Great work here as well! Seeing all of the banners and colors together is incredible!

>>4927077
>>4927083
>>4927106
>>4927117
>>4927152
HELL YEAH MORE ARMORS! Like the short drabbles you made for Kanzeon's and Lieren's as well. Like the designs for all of them, of course.

>>4927620
Lieren has shaved before, like in thread 1 before he fought the toad dragon. Beard is however thicker, cause he's more mature/ grown. He just has always kept himself cleanshaven, especially since he started running into magical fuckers spewing warpfire at his face.

>>4927196
Yeah that seems about right

>>4926895
Ah the mental image that greentext paints is awesome

>>4927124
:)
>>
>>4927913
Damn, one vote off for crying. Felt character appropriate, but oh well.

We got the considerations, which is good.
>>
>>4927917
We can save the manly tears for something else it's ok. Maybe when someone does a mad sacrifice play or moment of joy
>>
>>4927926
I know, I'm just a sap for moments like this. Makes the inevitable more cathartic.

Besides, we have a little Jinhai/Daiyu to cuddle and play with and not spoil rotten. Plenty of time for wholesome emotions there.
It'd be fun to tell our newly discovered brothers we have a niece, as they deserately try to figure out who and how a primarch had a kid.
>>
>>4927931
Most primarchs would get it
Only actual socially inepts like lion would struggle for a bit
>>
The warmth of the tears, and the vision of Kanzeon's face framed by the theoretically near limitless sea of stars glowing through fog and cloud alike brings a moment of clarity to your tired, exhausted mind. Your body is not the only part of yourself aching through your tireless regimen and self decided trial. Your mind is fevered from constant calculation and mental challenges posed by itself, and your soul has been prodded and burned through your meditations and astral wanderings. Kanzeon grips your chest tighter, if you had been a normal man she would have drawn blood. Battling against the feelings of frustration, guilt, self loathing and sorrow, you temper your mind and control your heart. Focusing your thoughts, you close your eyes, pondering the chill of the breeze, the grit of the soil, Kanzeon's weight and the comforting warmth of her presence and tears.

Has the cost you've endured worth the effort? Had you expended all of your physicals, mental and spiritual strength for the equivalent of a mere pound of force? Had you been acting efficiently, as you had preached and advised so many others to strive in their lives to achieve? Laying their, unable to move, barely able to think or breath through the smoldering fire in your lungs and the mist hazing your mind, you consider the "strength" you have cultivated through your frenzied training that many would and have considered a sign of madness.

You had gotten stronger, not strong enough through your estimates. You had sharpened your wit and intellect , but was it enough? and you had studied the subjects of the ethereal and unreal at length, but was such knowledge a tool you could wield. Body, Mind, and Soul had all been tested. You pushed your constructed body to its very limits, challenged the genius of your father and the mysteries of your own existence to better yourself, to forge yourself into a shield that could defend all that is good and deserving to be cherished.

Through the rigors you've inflicted upon your flesh, soul and mind, each of which would kill an ordinary man, you sought to overcome yourself, the limits you had accepted at Mao Castle. The measured, studied and known limitations of all your component part. The vessel, Wisdom and the Self. Each had been made to endure, to stand as the pinnacle of man's potential. You had many talents and skills, both inborn and trained, and you sought to sharpen them all, to push every limit of your being to its breaking point. A struggle against everything that made Lieren, a crucible to further refine the metal of your being.

And eventually the boundary between the possible and impossible cracked and broke down before the surging tides of your effort. But it was not enough. When a man is born a giant, his growth is unnoticeable to even his own eyes. You knew the measure of yourself, to raise the barrier of what you could accomplish was grueling.
Cont
>>
>>4927961

The results were astounding, as the improvement was a victory against your very birth, the design of your father and the fate he had once intended for you.

But for what you required, the increase in strength was simply not enough. It was a naïve, childish endeavor, a foolish ambition to forge yourself into a guardian who could protect all he adored and cherished. To avert the death of friends, kin and kith. You had become stronger, surpassed your limits, overcome the barrier of your design and yet...you knew it was not enought.

You were stronger, yes. But only you could understand the difference in your natural strength to that you have cultivated. Even before you began you could bend or shatter steel beneath your hands, who would be able to realize that your new ability to shatter stronger alloys and hardier materials was a feat of strength beyond what you were able to achieve prior.

You had sharpened your mind, broadened your knowledge and understanding, reflected upon yourself, the world, and the very laws that governed all existence. But who would notice when you were already a natural genius, even if shaving down your ability to calculate by fractions of a second was an incredible improvement, did their exist a man besides yourself and Magnus who would notice the quickening of your mind?

Would Guozhi notice the faint light in the back of your eyes, the shadow of dread knowledge writhering in your skull? Would he notice the strengthening of your attunement to the spiritual? would he understand your deepened knowledge of arcane and hidden mysteries of the world? Magnus noted your improvement and refinement of your soul's fire, but his eyes were curious ones indeed.

It should have been impossible, your limits were vast and seemingly unreachable beyond struggles against the most terrible of opponents. And you had surpassed them, raised the bar, deepened the pond, cultivated the roots of your being and yet. It was simply not enough. The desired outcome was still beyond your grasp. Its name, perfection. For that is all that could prevent the tragedies you dreaded to come.

You had forced your unnatural body born of science and sorcery to adapt and grow, but at as young as you were, you could not reach a further height without degrading your very being by performing and undertaking vile shortcuts and stimulations that would lead you to a darkness more wicked than all but the most foul of your enemies, mortal or undying.

The consumption of souls, to fuel your own. The alteration and replacement of your flesh. Dark pacts, heretical bargains, evil arts and techniques. Demonic cultivation, as Guozhi would name it. Strength, knowledge and spirituality had all been gained, but without devoting all of your being to training, without allowing years to pass by to utilize your further maturation, you could walk no further. You had dragged yourself up the mountain's side, but its peak was unreachable.
cont
>>
>>4927963

The earth may quake from your blows.
Gods may be deceived by your cunning.
And your soul may burn brighter than ever before.

But it was simply not enough. In a way it was humbling, and proved the words of your Journey more than anything else within the world/

" Self improvement, not matter how much work or labor is put towards it, is a journey with no end. " You whispered through parchment dry lips, reaching towards the heavens lazily to grasp at the unreachable expanse laid out before your eyes "You may approach perfection, but will never have it. Perfection is an impossible goal"

"One of the Journey's core teachings" Kanzeon says, with an pitying sorrow to her gentle words.

"But that does not mean you must not strive for it" You continue on, your hand shaking from the effort to keep it raised

Kanzeon wrapped her fingers around yours, pulling your hand into a tight, supportive embrace

"Be happy with the steps you take towards it" She cooed sweetly, continuing the passage as you reflected upon what you were able to achieve. The martial styles you perfected and birthed, the psykerist techniques you trained and innovated, the knowledge and wisdom gleamed from your tireless study. Equal improvement of body, mind and soul. Though in measure of mind and soul, Magnus was still your better outside of his unfortunate conceit.

"even though you shall never reach the end of the road" You mutter as Kanzeon speaks it much more openly.

The two of you remain silent, and still for sometime. A storm of emotion rages within you, you are proud of what you managed to achieve, but ashamed you could not reach greater heights. You accepted this, for it was an unavoidable truth of the world.

Perfection could no be reached, only viewed from a distance. A vast, incomprehensible distance. You had improved, pushed your limits further beyond, and settled at a new baseline of prowess in several fields. But

Deep down, you knew it would not be enough.
Cont
>>
>>4927964

What do you do now, Lieren?

>Apologize to Kanzeon for being so distant and introduce her to some of your closet friends, returning to the mundane world humbled, but proud of your accomplishments

>"It's strange, to be met with an obstacle I cannot over come. It is humbling in a way. I am not a warrior, I am not a sage, I am not a scholar by nature. I am a farmer and hunter. That is my chosen lot, the path I have laid for my life. No matter what I do, the core of who I am remains. A laborer who wishes to bring prosperity to all...and on that front I have been idle for too long" (Use your training to benefit Long-Jia, as the head of the ministry of development)

>"I do not expect forgiveness, especially not you, who I wounded so gravely in my fit of lunacy. But, know that it was necessary, I need to be stronger. Not for a selfish pursuit of perfection, but for the good of the kingdom, for the good of the people, for the future...for you. My eyes met a void, a devourer of souls. And to my eternal shame I was unable to snuff out the abomination's life..."

>Weep, knowing war more terrible than any waged before will arrive, and in its wake it a harvest of death unimaginable shall be sown. Weep, as you despite all your strength, are powerless to prevent it.

>Take this lesson, and immortalize it in the passages of the Journey. And Thank Magnus for his assistance, and reveal to him the true inspiration for your training.

> Write in

Lieren has gone EVEN FURTHER BEYOND! the training bore fruits, but not as transcendent as Lieren desired. Still, he managed to surpass himself.

Also, since it lost, I might as well explain what challenging the heavens would've done. Namely Lieren undergoing a "Heavenly tribulation" in classic Xianxia fashion.

Except the bolts of lightning would be carrying daemons

Sorry for the late update. Took me all day to recharge my writing Mojo after the MEGA UPDATE
>>
>>4927966
>>Apologize to Kanzeon for being so distant and introduce her to some of your closet friends, returning to the mundane world humbled, but proud of your accomplishments

>Take this lesson, and immortalize it in the passages of the Journey. And Thank Magnus for his assistance, and reveal to him the true inspiration for your training.
> Write in: take some time off by spending quality time with your niece, also headpats, gib her headpats
>>
>>4927966
>Apologize to Kanzeon for being so distant and introduce her to some of your closet friends, returning to the mundane world humbled, but proud of your accomplishments
Then
>Take this lesson, and immortalize it in the passages of the Journey. And Thank Magnus for his assistance, and reveal to him the true inspiration for your training.
And finally
>"It's strange, to be met with an obstacle I cannot over come. It is humbling in a way. I am not a warrior, I am not a sage, I am not a scholar by nature. I am a farmer and hunter. That is my chosen lot, the path I have laid for my life. No matter what I do, the core of who I am remains. A laborer who wishes to bring prosperity to all...and on that front I have been idle for too long" (Use your training to benefit Long-Jia, as the head of the ministry of development)
>>
>>4927966
>Apologize to Kanzeon for being so distant and introduce her to some of your closet friends, returning to the mundane world humbled, but proud of your accomplishments
>"It's strange, to be met with an obstacle I cannot over come. It is humbling in a way. I am not a warrior, I am not a sage, I am not a scholar by nature. I am a farmer and hunter. That is my chosen lot, the path I have laid for my life. No matter what I do, the core of who I am remains. A laborer who wishes to bring prosperity to all...and on that front I have been idle for too long" (Use your training to benefit Long-Jia, as the head of the ministry of development)
>Take this lesson, and immortalize it in the passages of the Journey. And Thank Magnus for his assistance, and reveal to him the true inspiration for your training.
>>
>>4927966
Would it have actually improved him by a substantial margin?
It seems unlikely.

>I do not expect forgiveness, especially from you.
>Apologies and socialization.
>Take lesson and immortalize it.
>When speaking with magnus, ask his aid in devising a way to counteract this shuni bastard and his unclean arts.
I regret not challenging the heavens now, since even if it wouldn't give us boons, it would have proved to be a great tale.
>>
>>4927988
Malal is taking things from Xinxia, so us facing a tribulation should have unlocked our limits.
Atleast this way the grimdark wankers aren't going to cry that we aren't powerless and murdering babies.
>>
>>4927992
It was supposed to say "I guess it's base level primarch quest from now on" before the last sentence, no idea on how it disappeared.
>>
>>4927993
>>4927992
If we follow convention then, Murdering that Shuni bastard should count for a tribulation, no? He's certainly potent enough, and he has some of our hair for his black magics.
>>
>>4927988
>Would it have actually improved him by a substantial margin?
In Xianxia the difference between regular improvement and breaking through a bottleneck is the difference inches and miles.
>>
>>4927966
>Apologize to Kanzeon for being so distant and introduce her to some of your closet friends, returning to the mundane world humbled, but proud of your accomplishments
>Take this lesson, and immortalize it in the passages of the Journey. And Thank Magnus for his assistance, and reveal to him the true inspiration for your training.
>"It's strange, to be met with an obstacle I cannot over come. It is humbling in a way. I am not a warrior, I am not a sage, I am not a scholar by nature. I am a farmer and hunter. That is my chosen lot, the path I have laid for my life. No matter what I do, the core of who I am remains. A laborer who wishes to bring prosperity to all...and on that front I have been idle for too long" (Use your training to benefit Long-Jia, as the head of the ministry of development)
>>
>>4927961
n>>4927992
Grimderp
GrimWankers
Gw

>Guohzi doesn't actually have a resurrection technique, he's just a weak perpetual and his claims that he did are just the ramblings of an old senile fool

>jinhai and Feng aren't just the most exceptional human beings around just because they're human, no its because they're descended from sensei, normal people aren't allowed to be exceptional ever

>the tigerfolk were wiped out during (data redacted) under orders of inquisitor dickcheese because course they were vile heretic, they looked different and that's a nono

>all technology that lieren ever made is destroyed by the mechanicus and shangrala becomes a fucking hivecity because that ultramarine wanker didn't like that ultramar wasn't the best primarch planet around

What other things would inevitably happen if this quest was being run by games workshop?

I swear, 40k isn't popular because of those wankers, it's popular in spite of how much they fuck everything up
>>
>>4928013
Some subtlty anon.

Shangrala is hollowed out with the interior being dedicated to all the crap to keep polution from the surface and the neighbouring stars are despoiled into hive cities and agri worlds.

I don't actually know why Feng is exceptional. He's got good eyes and he hunts good, but I don't recall anything other than being a really good hunter, which he has spent his life and childhood training. Hardly the same as Jinhai "I'll fucking master anything you put in front of me given a little while" carpson.
>>
>>4927979
+1

So, Malal, since Kanzeon built her body with data from our capsule, does that mean she has Primarch genetics? Or is she just above-Human, sub-Primarch?
>>
>>4927966
>>"I do not expect forgiveness, especially not you, who I wounded so gravely in my fit of lunacy. But, know that it was necessary, I need to be stronger. Not for a selfish pursuit of perfection, but for the good of the kingdom, for the good of the people, for the future...for you. My eyes met a void, a devourer of souls. And to my eternal shame I was unable to snuff out the abomination's life..."
>>Weep, knowing war more terrible than any waged before will arrive, and in its wake it a harvest of death unimaginable shall be sown. Weep, as you despite all your strength, are powerless to prevent it.
>>
>>4928023
It missing the information to make it Primarch tier.
>>
>>4926499
>I am so close to a breakthrough, it is just beyond my reach, come with me Kanzeon, as I complete my training (Challenge the heavens themselves)
>>
>>4928000
That and the bloody giant, but it's going to be a harder fight and morr people are going to die.
But atleast the waifu and friends aren't going to be more worried, and the extra time to do more projects and prepare could mitigate casualities, so it's not that bad.
>>
>>4928049
Perhaps. But I do not worry.

We are Lieren! Born of Nothing and golden eye'd giant. The sorcery of Shunni shall fail and die before us as the beguiler of dynasties has. The swiftest success is the least bloody.
>>
>>4927966
> Apologize to Kanzeon for being so distant and introduce her to some of your closet friends, returning to the mundane world humbled, but proud of your accomplishments.
> KISS THE GIRL.
> Take this lesson, and immortalize it in the passages of the Journey. And Thank Magnus for his assistance, and reveal to him the true inspiration for your training.
>>
>>4927966
>Apologize to Kanzeon for being so distant and introduce her to some of your closet friends, returning to the mundane world humbled, but proud of your accomplishments
>"It's strange, to be met with an obstacle I cannot over come. It is humbling in a way. I am not a warrior, I am not a sage, I am not a scholar by nature. I am a farmer and hunter. That is my chosen lot, the path I have laid for my life. No matter what I do, the core of who I am remains. A laborer who wishes to bring prosperity to all...and on that front I have been idle for too long" (Use your training to benefit Long-Jia, as the head of the ministry of development)
>Take this lesson, and immortalize it in the passages of the Journey. And Thank Magnus for his assistance, and reveal to him the true inspiration for your training.
>>4928013
Gao would have outsmarted lieren and tapped that prime primarch boipussy before lieren betrays him after realizing he's been lied to
>>
>>4927966
>"It's strange, to be met with an obstacle I cannot over come. It is humbling in a way. I am not a warrior, I am not a sage, I am not a scholar by nature. I am a farmer and hunter. That is my chosen lot, the path I have laid for my life. No matter what I do, the core of who I am remains. A laborer who wishes to bring prosperity to all...and on that front I have been idle for too long" (Use your training to benefit Long-Jia, as the head of the ministry of development)

>"I do not expect forgiveness, especially not you, who I wounded so gravely in my fit of lunacy. But, know that it was necessary, I need to be stronger. Not for a selfish pursuit of perfection, but for the good of the kingdom, for the good of the people, for the future...for you. My eyes met a void, a devourer of souls. And to my eternal shame I was unable to snuff out the abomination's life..."
>>
>>4927913
Thanks malal glad you liked them.

>>4927385
Yeah I did.
Thk for the answers on the others as well.
>>4927966
>Apologize to Kanzeon for being so distant and introduce her to some of your closet friends, returning to the mundane world humbled, but proud of your accomplishments

>"It's strange, to be met with an obstacle I cannot over come. It is humbling in a way. I am not a warrior, I am not a sage, I am not a scholar by nature. I am a farmer and hunter. That is my chosen lot, the path I have laid for my life. No matter what I do, the core of who I am remains. A laborer who wishes to bring prosperity to all...and on that front I have been idle for too long" (Use your training to benefit Long-Jia, as the head of the ministry of development)

>Take this lesson, and immortalize it in the passages of the Journey. And Thank Magnus for his assistance, and reveal to him the true inspiration for your training.
>>
Xianxia vs Wuxia choose your fate primarch!
>>
>>4927966
>Meditate on on the soul gem
>>
>>4927966
>Apologize to Kanzeon for being so distant and introduce her to some of your closet friends, returning to the mundane world humbled, but proud of your accomplishments

>Take this lesson, and immortalize it in the passages of the Journey. And Thank Magnus for his assistance, and reveal to him the true inspiration for your training.

>"It's strange, to be met with an obstacle I cannot over come. It is humbling in a way. I am not a warrior, I am not a sage, I am not a scholar by nature. I am a farmer and hunter. That is my chosen lot, the path I have laid for my life. No matter what I do, the core of who I am remains. A laborer who wishes to bring prosperity to all...and on that front I have been idle for too long" (Use your training to benefit Long-Jia, as the head of the ministry of development)

Remember anons, we can resume this training at a later date.
>>
>>4927966
>Apologize to Kanzeon for being so distant and introduce her to some of your closet friends, returning to the mundane world humbled, but proud of your accomplishments

>Take this lesson, and immortalize it in the passages of the Journey. And Thank Magnus for his assistance, and reveal to him the true inspiration for your training.
>>
Calling the vote now.

Apologize to Kanzeon for being so distant and introduce her to some of your closet friends, returning to the mundane world humbled, but proud of your accomplishments:11

Take this lesson, and immortalize it in the passages of the Journey. And Thank Magnus for his assistance, and reveal to him the true inspiration for your training.:11
-Ask your brother for his aid in devising a counterstrategy against Kamal Kanon's soul glutted power!: 1

Spend time with Jinhai and Daiyu, to witness the birth of your godchild:1

"It's strange, to be met with an obstacle I cannot over come. It is humbling in a way. I am not a warrior, I am not a sage, I am not a scholar by nature. I am a farmer and hunter. That is my chosen lot, the path I have laid for my life. No matter what I do, the core of who I am remains. A laborer who wishes to bring prosperity to all...and on that front I have been idle for too long" (Use your training to benefit Long-Jia, as the head of the ministry of development):8

"I do not expect forgiveness, especially not you, who I wounded so gravely in my fit of lunacy. But, know that it was necessary, I need to be stronger. Not for a selfish pursuit of perfection, but for the good of the kingdom, for the good of the people, for the future...for you. My eyes met a void, a devourer of souls. And to my eternal shame I was unable to snuff out the abomination's life...":3

Weep, knowing war more terrible than any waged before will arrive, and in its wake it a harvest of death unimaginable shall be sown. Weep, as you despite all your strength, are powerless to prevent it.:1

Kiss?: 1

Meditate on on the soul gem: 1

Total votes:14

So Apologizing to Kanzeon, introducing her to them via her puppet and resuming your duties, as well as the "It's strange, to be met with an obstacle I cannot over come" speech, and taking the lesson to strengthen the Journey's teaching of Self improvement being an endless road + talking to red boy wins.

Writing now

>>4928005
YEP
Challenging the heavens would've been the most dangerous thing Lieren had thus far done. High risk, High reward.

>>4928594
I haven't even tapped into stuff like Gu poison yet. Or flying swords on the Xianxia scale.

>>4928013
Man that's depressing to think about.
>>
>>4928883
Also nearly forgot to mention, I had a second dream related to the quest. This one was an animated version of Kanzeon's puppet crying over Lieren. Was really cute
>>
>>4928884
The last time I heard of Gu as a concept in a story, it was used to make the "ultimate" combatant instead of a poison.
Now obviously we couldn't do something like that for ethical reasons, but something like that would never stop one of the ruinous powers.
>>
>>4928899
Isnt this planet and kingdoms basicallya gu to get the best chaos champion before we came and started changing things?
>>
I do hope we can challenge the heavens at a later date.
>>
Gripping Kanzeon's hand gently yet tightly, you struggle to sit. She holds you steady as you force your body to move despite its wishes to rest and recover. Sitting up, gold reflects in emerald sea. Her eyes, still shining with tears gaze into your own, entirely unaffected by the piercing judgement of your attention. Full lips curl into a warm, comforting smile, as she pulls you into an Embrace. It is odd, being held by another. Especially when the arms that hold you belong to one who is closer to your height than any others. Long ribbons of black hair, perfumed naturally by the pollen of the Bone Devouring Forest and sweat, Kanzeon's puppet is surrounded by an aura of sweet aromas. Natural scents. Like if the two of you sat together in flower bed. Upon the night wind's Iron and Onyx intermingle, as your hair and her lift upon the air and dance. Twirling and braiding together as she clings to you, as if you will vanish and once again be lost to her and the world if she were to let go. Wrapped in your arms, you try to find a way to express your regret and guilt for focusing your attentions solely upon training and the cultivation of strength.

Your ponderings, however, are soon interrupted as a wayward breeze sends Kanzeon's pollen dusted hair back into her face and she inhales at the exact moments a stray lock of her hair brushes beneath her nose. As she, thinking like a machine, breaths in a strictly scheduled and measured fashion, the breath she takes in is deep and ponderous.

Kanzeon twitches, confusion clearly written upon her expression as her reddened eyes begin to water and her nose twitches. Shivering, she freezes, wincing as she parts her lips to ask what she's experiencing. And then she sneezes, her often times resoundingly powerful and commanding voice lightening and softening to a maiden like squeak. You bite your tongue to keep from laughing, as she continues to sneeze and gradually comes to closer resemble a mewling kitten than an eons old guardian of the dead and forgotten. She slouches, blinking rapidly as she struggles to keep herself from sneezing again. And then her eyes fill with glee and she gives a subdued cheer, tightening her arms around you as she realizes what she just experienced.

"I thought my connection was malfunctioning, truly a curious sensation! thought interrupted by an instinctive response to detritus filling this avatar's nasal passage! What a bizarre experience it was, I always wondered why human's tried to avoid sneezing whenever possible" She happily exclaims, and you cannot help but to laugh and share in her glee. Though in your current state, it is more of a tired chuckle than your characteristic, booming laughter.

She leans in your chest, her ankle length hair hiding most of her jade like features from the world, except for her nose and chin.
Cont
>>
While your unkempt mane of wrought iron fans and splays out on the wind, making your head resemble the plumage of the dullest colored peacock to ever be born! What a sight it must be! A jade like beauty, laughing alongside the scarred and ungroomed visage of her fellow giant. It is strange. It is strange to be so close to another, who you do not have to crouch or look down upon them to meet her gaze. It is comforting. It is pleasant, to share the company of another giant, of a friend as dear as Kanzeon, to hold your love in your arms and feel her beyond the chill or warmth of metal or a presence on your mind and a distant synthesized voice

"It is strange" You speak without thinking, Kanzeon clumsily waves her fingers to part her bangs from her eyes, struggling to keep them curled or uncurled as she does so

"Being pleased because of something as rudimentary as a sneeze?' She asks, somewhat self consciously annoyed but when she sees your eyes through the shroud of her tresses, hanging before her eyes like a screen of woven obsidian

"No, to be met with an obstacle I cannot overcome. It is humbling in a way" You state blithely, the lingering fires of frustration sputtering out and cooling to naught by cinders and cold ash, the ash of acceptance

"So you've finally decided to stop chasing what cannot be reached, and have returned to your senses? Madness is, in all honesty, not a good look for you" Kanzeon snorts, her nose twitching as she inadvertently breathes in more pollen and dust, and turns away to cover her nose and mouth with the ruffled, hanging loop sleeve of her dress "Did my tears make you see reason? Did my sorrow? My worry? I must know for future reference"

You sigh and clench your jaw as you ponder the answer to her question, grooming her hair with your dirt and blood smeared hands as she watches you inquisitively, noting the motions of your hands and wrist so she may learn how to deal with her near enveloping curtain of hair. Which in mimicking her projection, flows past her ankles and feet to spread out beneath her like a fall of black water, or cloak of shade

"I am not a warrior, I am not a sage, I am not a scholar by nature. I am a farmer and hunter." You explain vaguely, curling a lock of Kanzeon's hair around a finger as you speak and see her expression sour into one of irritation "That is my chosen lot, the path I have laid for my life. No matter what I do, the core of who I am remains. A laborer who wishes to bring prosperity to all"

"Hiding your meaning behind prose and poetry" Kanzeon says, clicking her tongue as she turns away from you and covers her face in her hair. You resist the prickling urge to laugh at her misfortune, and help her manage her seemingly rebellious tresses of hair once more

"But I think I can discern the hidden message beneath your philosophical musings" She says gently, having grown close enough to you to understand you as deeply as she understands herself or nearly as intimate as so she did
>>
>>4928992

"Yes, and on that front I have been idle for too long" You say solemly, which causes her to hug and cling to you more tightly

"You're not working until you recover, you can't even sit up by your own power presently" Kanzeon hisses, her brilliant green eyes narrowing like a viper's own.

"Did you expect me to crawl back to my Brother Jinhai's court in this state? I'll rest of course, in your company. If that is alright with you, of course, beloved Kanzeon" You say, bemused by Kanzeon's fierce protectiveness

"That is satisfactory, so long as you actually allow you body and mind to rest, Lieren" Kanzeon huffs, pouting as she continues to hold onto you and "It's because my arms fell asleep, nothing more"

"I find that hard to believe" You sneer, ruffling her hair mischievously

"Perceptive as ever" She cackles, reaching up to repay the favor by fluffing and pulling on your hair.
-

Kanzeon walked besides you, studying the fogs and mists with boundless curiosity. She was dressed in a cloak of panther's skin, as she had yet to grow accustomed to the sensation of a breeze's gentle yet cold caress. Beneath it, her self woven dress clung to her as the winds pressed against the cloth as it whirled and streamed through the air.

"I don't understand how humans can tolerate the wind, I much prefer it as deviations in air pressure and atmospheric readings than feeling the force of its currents. Internal temperature is already annoying when it isn't adjusted and changed constantly" Kanzeon complains, rocking her head side to side as you walked along the lonely stretch of the Giant's road side by side "Much like how I prefer distant to be measured in geographical mapping and sensor readouts than the ache in my legs and feet"

"Do you wish to stop and rest?" You ask, as she Kanzeon frowns and crosses her arms in a most unlady like fashion

"No, I was the one who requested we travel the countryside by foot rather than rail, and if we keep delaying , you're friends will be old and grey by time we reach Long-Jia Jinhai's residence" Kanzeon says, grumbling ruefully as she starts to walk on, before pausing as she realizes you aren't following her.

The fog had lifted briefly, and reveal a small, crystal clear pond fed by multiple streams. Fed by melting ice from the tops of The Tao Mountains, the water must be cool and undirtied.

"All journeys have their delays...say Kanzeon, would you like to learn how to swim?" You ask as you approach the lake

"Dammit Lieren!" Kanzeon barks, pausing at the hill to calculate if it is safe to descend it, as you leap down its side with gthe bouncing gait of a hare.

"A little relaxation won't poison you, nor make you slovenly" You tease as you wait for her at the base of the hill as she prances down itside, lifting the hem of her dress as she goes "Besides, the morning heat is oppressive, and you need to regulate you body's temperature"

"You just want to see this body unclothed" Kanzeon accuses, half sarcastically
>>
>>4928995

"I just want to swim" You laugh "and I think you'll enjoy the relaxing chill of water"

"I haven't been fond of any kind of cold yet" Kanzeon states, as you lead her by her hand to the edge of the pond.

She rears back as a fish leaps from its waters, splashing both of you. She yelps and grimaces, shivering as the sensation of cold drops of water splattering against her chest and face registers with her mind.

"Rain must be intolerable" She pouts, brushing the water off of her pale skin hurriedly "I'm not submersing myself"

"Just dip your fingers in the shallows, try to enjoy the coolness of these waters" You say, tracing the tips of your fingers across the surface, making it ripple. Sunshine refracts from the water's new shape and cause it to alight with all the colors of a rainbow.

Kanzeon frowns, and pulls her sleeve up to plunge her arm into the pond

"Gradually! gradually!" You exclaim, taking her wrist to guide her hand to the water's surface. She starts and winces, but then her expression softens, and an intrigued smirk replaces her skeptical frown.

"This is...surprisingly soothing" She admits, splashing the water by turning her hand and slapping it "if I allow my body to adjust to its temperature first, like the sensation of coolant rushing to an overheated system"

Merrily, you watch her test the water, splashing it, lifting it and watching it fall between the gaps of her fingers. Cautiously, she cups her hands together, and brazenly splashes her face with water. Her expression of wide eyed confusion is a sight you'll treasure to the end of your days.

"Think you'll be able to stand wading in?" You ask, Kanzeon shakes her head.

"I need to prepare myself mentally before wetting anything more than my hands" She says happily, eyes filled with a child like wonder.

"Ah, well I will brave the depths! The chill of an ice fed pond is a perfect medium for meditation! and I haven't contacted my brother since we began our trek for the Long-Jia palace!" You say, tossing off your robes with a flourish of an arm in the same movement you take to step into the lake. Kanzeon focuses her eyes at the water in front of her as you wade unhesitantly to the deepest part of the pond and allow your body to float, as your mind clears and your spirit begins to pull itself free to wander unrestrained.

"I won't be able to save you if you begin drowning!" Kanzeon calls, as the gentle splashing caused by her hands and the streams feeding the lake lull you into achieving the emptiness of mind to properly meditate. The sun beats down on your exposed chest and brow, as you enter the Empyrean.
-
Magnus sat, checking the writing of his latest grimoire as he sat alone in his private study, researching texts written by his predecessors upon Prospero and comparing them to his own much more recent break throughs. He had noticed, in his discussion with his distant brother Lieren, an oddity in the make up of his soul's energies.
Cont
>>
>>4928996

An anomaly that reappeared every time he presented himself within the great sea, seeking guidance or a teacher to help guide his own research and mysterious but obviously necessary "training".

Lieren's soul was an odd thing, constantly destroying and renewing itself like a fire that took its own flames as a fuel source. Such a thing should have been impossible by all known laws of reality and the spiritual, and it was not a technique devised by Shangralan psykers. Magnus had met those who called themselves his brother's students, and they had no such peculiarity though their increase in strength was unprecedented considering the low potential Magnus had registered upon first seeing their pale presence within the warp.

But something had changed within his brother's being, or rather Magnus noticed something that escaped his attention before they began to meet regularly for discussion and simple conversation. He had realized, he was able to pinpoint a center within Lieren's soul and psionic energy. A core of some sort, of condensed power. It had begun barely formed, nigh imperceptible, but as Lieren refined himself in all areas of existence. Flesh, Psyche and Spirit. The orb within the golden sea began to grow more tangible and larger. It was unlike anything Magnus had seen personally or had learned through tireless research. So he sought to uncover this secret of this "Golden Core" as he dubbed it, considering the sea of golden flames that functioned as his Brother's soul. It was a mystery without answers, so he could not resist but to delve to find them.

As he began to write with psionically reactive ink, a chime sounded in the tower of his library and he turned his mind to the water's of the great see, having prepared measures to alert him of his brother's sudden approach.

And in the waters of the warp, he saw a strange yet amusing sight. His brother, bedraggled and wild haired, nude except for a loin cloth. Judging from how his hair flowed behind him, he was floating in water. Odd that he'd present his physicals form so accurately into the astral plane, but Magnus accepted that he had his own eccentricities. Like the way his thoughts were organized by the same method as both a poetic metre and lines of written code simultaneously, whilst still radiating with great and passionate emotions.

"And what is the nature of this visit, I can't imagine you'd suddenly have the whim to discuss the warp while bathing yourself" Magnus joked. Lieren smirked, and knelt down before him, one hand placed between his two hearts.

"I simply wished to offer my sincerest gratitude for the assistance you lent in my efforts to refine myself through training. I may not have reached the goal I set out for, but I have grown stronger and learned a lesson that will help guide future generations and impart my teachings more deeply within their hearts with a greater ease and understandy" He spoke solemnly, his tone respectful and genuine

cont
>>
"Brother, the goal you struggled for, you knew could not be reached. But you made great progress in both your physicals strength, mental acuity as well as improving your inborn potential as a psyker" Magnus said, realizing by the bags beneath his brother's eyes he had exhausted himself in his training, he could use a little encouragement so he would realize how truly far he had progressed "Though I still cannot understand what drove you to undertake such a harsh regimen, if it was comparing your psionic talents to my own I"

"That is your blessing my brother!" Lieren laughed, shaking his head "Why would I hold a grudge for what you are naturally? You red fool, I would never lower myself to feel insulted by another's capabilitiesno, there was another reason that drove me to the desperation you witnessed"

Magnus remained silent. As a primarch, he had met few challenges he could not overcome. Desperation seemed an almost alien concept. Just what was it that could drive one of his brothers to desperation. Was it the force he grappled against in the deeper eddies of the great sea?

"I can see your curiosity, gnawing at your mind, demanding an answer. Listen close brother. The waters of my "Sea" met another, fed by the death's and suffering of countless innocent lives. I was unable to drown this soul in its own putrid waters, for its host was more experienced than myself and had grown powerful upon the stolen potential of the slain" Lieren spoke gravely, the chill of his words and the surfacing dread in his expression sending a nails of frost into Magnus' psyche. He did not speak, and merely digested the information present

"A fellow psyker? able to rival your power?" Magnus questioned. Lieren simply nodded

"A practioner of dark arts, who expanded his soul's power by devouring those weaker than himself. I nearly immolated that most wretched of existences, but my opponent struck my corporeal vessel and forced me to relent" Lieren snarled "A patchwork of the dead bested me, and I know the wounds I caused condemned more unfortunates to become sacrifices to the beasts hunger"

"I see, And understand, both the nature of your enemy and the folly of your approach in attacking it" Magnus said simply yet seriously, scratching his chin as he looked at his brother's amazed expression. Smiling, he continued on.

"You approached this threat like a hammer, when a needle is a far more efficient tool to unravel him. The bonds between the souls he expends to bolster his own energy are a weakness, as is the bloating of his essence. With the right approach, and careful precision, this "beast" psyker may be overcome no matter how powerful he has become upon the essence of others" Magnus explained. Lieren sighed.

"Yes, but that to requires force and skill. I needed more. So I trained, and lifted my bodies limits but I fear that is all I am able to accomplish at my present state without resorting to..." Lieren sighed, shaking his head as gloom dominated his features.
>>
>>4928999

"Unwholesome methods, such as the one your opponent lowered himself to" Magnus said, to show he understood his brother's plight. Snapping, his lifted his chin with his other hand

"Perhaps, I could train you in methods to overcome the distance between his proficiency and your own" Magnus offered kindly
-

How do you respond to your brother's offer, Lieren?

>Kindly refuse, stating you will defeat the sorcerer through your own power without taking shortcuts and relying on other sources of energy

>"Sorcery cannot overcome sorcery without cost, as I stated before, one must be cautious in taking power that is not cultivated with themselves! Like taking water from another man's well. It invites danger"

>Explain how Kamal Kanon got his power, using the sorcerer and his patron Jian Qi as another example to try and urge Magnus to stop being so foolhardy and confident of his mastery of the warp?!

>"What manner of methods do you suggest. If they are psykerist techniques, I would be humbled to accept your aid once again, Magnus"

>Write in

>>4928915
From a certain point of view, yeah
>>
Not sure what the play is here since magnus is offering something not meaning to harm but I don't know what he's going to offer.
>>
>>4929000
>What manner of methods do you suggest?
>I have found yet another despicable beast hiding within the sea of souls, dear brother magnus. It's name is Jian Qi, and it's nature is betrayal and false hopes. [warn magnus, but don't try and imply his confidence is misplaced]

Now Magnus knows our views on psykerism and sorcery and the distinction between the two. So provided he remains focused on teaching us methods that don't bargain with spirits or steal Qi, There's no damage done there.
And warning him about tzeench should be done in the manner of warning him about a newly discovered hazard, rather than re-iterttating our old argument that shall be ignored and dismissed quickly by him.
>>
>>4929000
>"What manner of methods do you suggest. If they are psykerist techniques, I would be humbled to accept your aid once again, Magnus"
>>
>>4929000
>"What manner of methods do you suggest. If they are psykerist techniques, I would be humbled to accept your aid once again, Magnus"
Let's hear what he means and if it is something too dangerous then we could just kindly refuse.
>>
>>4929013
+1
>>
>>4929000
>"What manner of methods do you suggest. If they are psykerist techniques, I would be humbled to accept your aid once again, Magnus"

>Write in
In thanks for this offer him a glimpse into our memories to learn something new from us because please say we have atleast something he doesn't know?
>>
Let's call dad. Magnus knows of him. Together we can surely find him.
>>
>>4929000
>>Explain how Kamal Kanon got his power, using the sorcerer and his patron Jian Qi as another example to try and urge Magnus to stop being so foolhardy and confident of his mastery of the warp?!

Do it with respect though, this is something important.

>>"What manner of methods do you suggest. If they are psykerist techniques, I would be humbled to accept your aid once again, Magnus"
>>
>>4929000
>>Kindly refuse, stating you will defeat the sorcerer through your own power without taking shortcuts and relying on other sources of energy
>>"Sorcery cannot overcome sorcery without cost, as I stated before, one must be cautious in taking power that is not cultivated with themselves! Like taking water from another man's well. It invites danger"
>>
>>4929062
We'll call Dad when we're good and ready to meet with him.
>>
>>4929013
+1
>>
>>4929013
+1
>>
>>4929013
+1
Don't forget to warm him about Kong Nue, the lord of butchery, just so the meta faggots stop complaining.
Fuck Tzeentch and Hiroshimoot.
>>
>>4929000
Think I'll support >>4929013

That updoot with Kurze has me wondering what the wider ramifications of Lieren's survival/existence might be. For example, Tzeentch might be doubling down on his subtle machinations, trying to insure that the Paradox won't convince his chosen to turn away from the warp.

Also, question for Malal; just how strong are the students of Lieren? I assume that, given how fiercely protective of Meixiu they are, she's *at least* Zeta/Epsilon, and will mature into a Delta/Gamma level psyker in adulthood.
>>
>>4929013
Nah, if EVERY interaction with magnus that we have we warn him about chaosfags he's going to believe that we're prejudiced and biased, then he'll stop taking us seriously because as great as magnus is he's really kinda arrogant fedora nerd, who believes that he's almost always right unless he is guided to a conclusion himself.

Remember that, with magnus you don't tell him the answer, you guide him to find the answer out his or else his inner fedora is going to ignore all your facts and logic
>>
>>4928985
I do too, but I think the time for cool things have passed.
We now live in the grimderp wankers paradise.
>>
>>4929000
>>"What manner of methods do you suggest. If they are psykerist techniques, I would be humbled to accept your aid once again, Magnus"
>>
>>4929000
>>"Sorcery cannot overcome sorcery without cost, as I stated before, one must be cautious in taking power that is not cultivated with themselves! Like taking water from another man's well. It invites danger"
>>
>>4929370
>>4928985
I think it'll be neat if we can CHALLENGE THE HEAVENS with our Legion and/or one of the Primarch brothers.

Imagine how planet-smashing fuck-ass mad Khorne would be if Lieren performed a xianxia miracle and saved Angron, or if he spoiled Slaanesh's fun by interfering in the Laer campaign with Fulgrim.

> The bitch-tears of False Gods are fucking ambrosia.

>>4929369
It'll definitely help if more than one Primarch was arguing in favor of caution without being a raging jackass like Russ or paranoid (justifiable, but only to an extent) like Mortarion.

I'm uncertain of how the other Primarchs will feel about He-Who-Spanks-Daemons, though I have a feeling that it'll only be the real edgelords we have to be wary of.
>>
>>4929464
>if he spoiled Slaanesh's fun by interfering in the Laer campaign with Fulgrim
A rank-and-file legionaire could've saved Fulgrim from corruption if he had two braincells to rub together. A while ago someone suggested sending a team of emissaries to each legion as a sort of cultural/tactical exchange. Those historical accounts of old-earth remembrancer Henri "Indyama" Jonez that Kanzeon has in her databanks will be a good primer on what to do and not do when you find a shiny artifact in the middle of a strange temple.
>>
>>4929464
To challenge the heavens isn't to perform a grand feat anon, it's to perform a heavinly tribulation to break through your cultivation bottleneck, which means to meditate and wander into pure chaos to refine your soul by struggling and overcoming incredible heavenly adversity, you can't do it with a bunch of other persons, nor would it somehow save Angron.
That's why I think that we won't be able to do it again, Lieren has pussied out and accepted staying at his powerlevel.
>>
>>4929474
> Henri "Indyama" Jonez
You. I like you.
> Watching 10,000 year old pulp classics with the wife and sons.
Let's just hope the boys don't end up needing to quote Inigo Montoya.
>>
>>4929484
Now's not the time for going EVEN FURTHER BEYOND.
We made a decent amount of progress in 3 key aspects of our being, and we need to focus on getting Long-Jia up to speed before the war actually kicks off.
I'm sure the opportunity for heavenly tribulations will come again, but for now let's focus on the present issues.
>>
>>4929484
> That's why I think that we won't be able to do it again, Lieren has pussied out and accepted staying at his powerlevel.
I don't think Malal is inclined to fuck over Lieren or the readers/voters like that. Sure, we aren't going SUPER SAIYAN PRIMARCH just yet, but that doesn't mean we won't be able to in the future.
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>>4929500
>Lieren is MIA after the Dropsite Massacre
>Last known augur readings and vox messages report that his forces were being pursued through an ordinatus-made canyon by advancing Death Guard infantry and Night Lord proto-raptors
>Kanzeon is beside herself.
>Augur readings report massive Iron Warriors artillery strikes near the crater
>As she prepares to throw herself on a dagger in Lieren's quarters, she jumps as she hears a weak voice from the bed
>"There's a shortage of perfect breasts in the world. It'd be a pity to damage yours."
>>
>>4929502
>>4929506
Maybe before we go kick the daemons behind the Bask we can try it again, but I don't even know if Nurgle even has his hands on them, given that Daiyu's brother is sucefully preaching the journey there, nor are they joining this 2-sided conflict or sent their champion to stubborn ox
I really do hope so, but the determination and the need wouldn't be there anymore.
Anyway, we better prepare for the bloodbath that is to come, we are going to need a bunch of new monuments like the ones we did after the deldar fight.
>>
>>4929013
+1
>>
>>4929525
The Bask seem to be nothing more than humble hill people, with no worse governance than any other feudal era culture.
> Imagine Lieren's shock at the lack of spiritual corruption evident. Miraculous!

They'd probably be in need of the Long-Jia's more advanced agriculture, medicine, technology and sciences, etc., but that's just kinda expected.
>>
>>4929742
>The Bask seem to be nothing more than humble hill people, with no worse governance than any other feudal era culture.
>inb4 they're secretly Malalic
Makes me wonder if there's a fifth race that we haven't encountered yet that's fell to Nurgle. Maybe we should pitch an exploratory corps to Jinhai?
>>
>>4929013
+1
>>
>>4929850
I'd be down for some exploration. Thus far, we haven't really discussed the geography of the whole planet. No mention of oceans or ice caps or volcanic regions. Likewise, there seems to be a mixture of demographics; the Gao line for example, features red-hued hair, while I think the Lions commonly have blondes.

As I understand it, what is now the empire of Long-Jia is at the center of the continent. It seems pretty large and widespread, but it's equally possible that we've only seen a quarter of the entire planet's landmass.

The Vishnu petty kingdoms, now the swiftly expanding domain of Nitya Sinha, are to the immediate east, and seems to have less of the ever-present fog (either due to it's more arid climate or maybe because the archeotech responsible is hidden somewhere in the heartlands of Long-Jia and it can only expand so far). We've only scratched the surface, so it's entirely possible there's a lush tropical landscape of rivers, marshes and rainforest just beyond.

To the north, in what seems like the Not!Mongolia to our Not!China, is the land of the Shuni and twilight demesne Kamal Kanan. Again, lots of rocks and sand, but it's just as possible that we've only seen the ragged and desolate borderlands that are purposefully kept inhospitable to deter the Lions (and by extension all the southerners) from trying to exact retribution for their many raids.

I *think* the Bask are either to the west in Not!Europe or to the south. Personally, I tend to think they're going to be like pseudo-Slavs. It would be ironic if one of Kanzeon's sisters is 'dead' or in a hibernation state somewhere in their territory, but her inactivity also meant the Dark Gods lost interest in the region. After all, who gives a shit about dumb dirt farmers when the flourishing country next door has a Pre-DAoT colony ship to claim and corrupt?

Also, Malal (the god, not the QM) isn't a good guy by any stretch. A cult of Malal would probably only arise in a nation with corruption from another god already present. Like the Yan! Lieren observed that if he hadn't started a rebellion, that one guild leader, the tough craftsmen dude, would probably have done so himself. That right there is a perfect opportunity for Malal to ruin Slaanesh's depraved plans.
>>
>>4929932
>No mention of oceans or ice caps or volcanic regions.
QM Malal confirmed no oceans, just xbawks hueg lakes. Not sure about ice caps or volcanos though, I'd assume we have some of the former near the poles and the latter spread out over the world.
>but it's equally possible that we've only seen a quarter of the entire planet's landmass.
God, I hope not. I love Shangrala's worldbuilding and 10,000-odd years of isolation is plenty of time for more than four cultures to develop.
>To the north, in what seems like the Not!Mongolia to our Not!China, is the land of the Shuni
More of a not!Arabia, at least geograpgically. I don't think we know tons about their culture other than the fact they're tzeentch-worshiping fucktards. Kamal Kanan does sound more mongolian though.
>>4929932
>Personally, I tend to think they're going to be like pseudo-Slavs.
It's pretty likely they're going to be based off of the real life Basque people from Spain. They've been there forever (pre-Indo-European and descendants of the Cro-Magnons) which might mean that QM Malal has made the Bask the closest descendants to the original colonists. The pre-Christian Basques even had a religion with a central mother goddess.
>>4929932
>A cult of Malal would probably only arise in a nation with corruption from another god already present.
Or in a nation disgusted by the practices of their neighbors.
>>
>>4929958
A nation of Malal would kill itself.
It's one of his things, he doesn't play nice even with himself.
>>
>>4929990
The existence of the Sons of Malice begs to differ. In fact, they have markedly less internal strife than other warbands.
>>
>>4929958
> QM Malal confirmed no oceans, just xbawks hueg lakes.
Man, that just sounds so fucky. I know fiction requires suspension of disbelief, but it's still so hard to imagine a world functioning like that.

> It's pretty likely they're going to be based off of the real life Basque people from Spain.
I'm gonna be honest; I forgot they even fucking existed. I thought they were just Malal's token white people of a planet primarily populated by Not!Chinese and Not!Arabian/Indian.

>>4929990
This is true. Malal's champions are basically psychopathic time bombs who hate themselves only slightly less than they hate everyone else. Shit, Malal doesn't even do daemons very often; it's how he can operate so quietly even when fucking up the other God's plans. Instead of macro/micromanagement on a cosmic scale, it's just One Spiteful Prick and the Most Unpleasant Motherfucker he could scrounge up from the mortal trash bin.
>>
>>4929996
Well, shit. Forgot they exist too.
>>
I know that a lot of people here aren’t familiar with cultivation stories so I want to clear some stuff up.
The goal of cultivation isn’t just self-improvement but to become an immortal/god by reaching the Dao which is part of the reason the “Heavens” hate cultivators. Cultivation as a process varies greatly but the general rule for the lower levels is that you have to build up refined qi to form a foundation for your cultivation will but built on then create the golden core (which is a common but purposeful mistranslation). After the core’s formation cultivation gets surreal which can be compounded by the cultivation style used and internal demons.
Cultivation style defines the precise focus of the cultivation since there is a cultivation style for everything there’s a story out there where the MC wants to reach the Dao by cultivating his food cooking skills however conflicting cultivation styles can lead to the dreaded qi deviation. What is qi deviation? Nothing good but more precisely it’s when your “internal demons” start fucking you over with “internal demon” more accurately described as “some part of you” than as actual demons.
The Dao is a bit of a difficult concept to grasp so I’ll just explain the basic idea. The Dao is a sort of “truth” that encompasses reality, while normally unreachable people can reach the Dao by creating a path to it by using your own truth, both the path and the truth are considered the Dao. If you can understand that then you have a basic understanding of the Dao.
Other than that here’s a link for other concepts we’ll come across.
https://immortalmountain.wordpress.com/glossary/wuxia-xianxia-xuanhuan-terms/
Any questions?
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>>4930012
It's because the whole world is terraformed, it's not real geography.
>>4930036
Go over tribularions and breakthroughs, anons need the lesson.
Maybe sentient object or animals that also are cultivators.
>>
>>4930052
Actually, just levels of cultivation and hiw each tier interacts with the previous and the next is probably better than a rock that cultivates and becomes a monke.
Maybe pills, beast cores, consumption of souls and forbidden cultivation (like encoraging internal demons to become stronger) could be good too, since they are the artificial or evil ways to increase power, so what our enemies might be, or just in case it's what Magbus suggests.
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>>4929000
>>"What manner of methods do you suggest. If they are psykerist techniques, I would be humbled to accept your aid once again, Magnus"

I suggest we change the way we pose our warning. If we make it a question it will mean he shall having to look at it himself and will realise the darkness on his own without us telling him or wounding his ego.

>Write in
"Have you heard of something called ' Jian Qi' or something calling itself the weaver of fates in your studies?"
>>
>>4930200
supporting this.
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>>4930200
+1
>>
>>4930200
That does make more sense so changing to this
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>>4930200
+1
>>
>>4930440
My ID changed I'm >>4929042
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>>4929932
Vishnu are south actually.
>>
>>4930052
>>4930076
Heavenly Tribulations are easy to understand, it is the Heaven’s answer to people trying to cultivate and are pushing past the brink of ascension (which I think it’s important to remind everyone that the Heaven’s hates cultivators). The Heaven’s are fortunately fair (or required to be) and only send trials that are possible to overcome, however the trials are absolutely life-threatening and are more a test of your “foundation” than a test of whether you are strong, skilled, or smart.
Breakthroughs are also easy to understand. As you cultivate you will eventually reach a wall impeding your progress barring you from the next “level”. You can get past it either by gaining an insight, using cultivation aids, or attempt to brute force it.
> Actually, just levels of cultivation and hiw each tier interacts with the previous and the next is probably better than a rock that cultivates and becomes a monke.
Varies depending on the author but all that really matters to us is the difference between Core Formation and Nascent Soul. Core Formation is our current level and is the peak of what mortals (that aren’t ridiculously talents) are capable of without help. Nascent Soull is the next level (usually) and generally the floor of what immortals are willing to recognize as anything other than a bottom feeder. Nascent Soul also comes with a bunch of perks on top of power great enough to pose a threat to a 40k voidship. Armies (in the millions) of normal mortals generally lose to a cultivator at Nascent Soul. Assuming you even manage to kill a Nascent Soul cultivator, they also have the ability to cheat death if the opponent isn’t prepared.
>>
>>4930200
changing to this
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>>4930556
Man, we need a map.
>>
>>4930842
We have a map. A fan made map by one of our resident artanons, but Malal accepted it, so I see it as canon.
>>
Y'know, we all expect that the Great Crusade arriving at Shangrala will be lead by the Emperor. But what if it happens later? And the one who discovers Lieren is instead one of his brothers, trying to bring the planet to compliance and subservience to the Imperium?

I was just wondering how events could take a turn for either good or ill, depending on how they announce themselves, whether they use brute force or just talk to Jinhai.
>>
>>4930888
The great crusade seems to try diplomacy first unless something weird is going on.
The question is whether they will show themselves as a conquering force threatening annexation, or an expanding union offering membership.
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>>4930577
This may be true for Chinese folklore; however the current situation is likely different.
The current Heaven was probably taken over by Chaos; 40/30k is dystopic after all. I see Lieren's (probably unreachable) goal in reconquering the Empyrean.
>>
>>4930906
In Lieren's case, I see the Heavenly Tribulations as being a confrontation with the abyss; not just individual gods, but the whole of the Warp at it's most horrific and destructive.

Conquering the Empyrean is probably impossible on a species-wide scale, but it could be possible for Lieren (with his impossible paradox soul) to force it to yield before him. Like shadows fleeing before a blazing comet. It would probably equate to something like 11th Legion librarians rarely suffering from warp phenomena, maybe even extending to warp travel. A vessel guided by the 11th could be blessed, confident and at ease that their Astartes companions will guide them through to the other side with little danger.

Personally, I also feel like forcing Chaos to show its hand early will ruin their plans (again). Making them desperate and unpredictable, sure, but it's not like the alternative is any better.
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>>4930200
Support
>>
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>>4930922
> 11th Legion
Just caught my mistake. SECOND Legion.
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>>4931019
So was that just a mistake, or are you a follower of Kolinasi?
Maybe even the elderly one himself?
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>>4931027
I mean, I'd *love* for Old Man and Malal to collaborate. Special K and Xianxia Lieren working together would be fucking magical.

> Kolinasi: "Your wife is lovely brother!"
> Lieren: "Yes, yes she is."
> K: "So brilliant and charming!"
> L: "Truly, beyond compare."
> K: "Except perhaps her sisters."
> L: "...She, ah, told you about her family?"
> K: "Well, I *can* communicate with machine spirits."
> L: "A-An incredible talent, I-I am sure!"
> K: "So what's this I hear about you spoiling the surprise before vows were exchanged?"
> L: *unintelligible sputtering*
> K: "She was right! Ahahaha! Seven shades of red indeed!"
>>
>>4931051
I’m not so sure that’s wise. You’d have to balance the threads with one another and collaborate for each post, plus player bases might not totally overlap (I for one haven’t visited 11th Primarch Quest, not out of any malice but simply lack of interest) which could cause discontent and influence players to support one primarch over the other. It also limits what one writer can do as they try to work around the other.
Make a one-off crossover or something, sure, but don’t permanently link the quests together. That would be a terrible idea.
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>>4929000
Backing this >>4929013
and this >>4930200
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>>4931181
I for one agree, a special event because of warp fuckery where the characthers meet one another (but without anons interacting with one another that would be a nightmare) would be ok, but a full on dual quest would be more trouble than it's worth, and also incredibly weird.
>>
As much as ide love the idea, itd not be wise.

Cross overs rarely ever go well simply due to inconsistancys between QMs and player bases. Cameos are cool, but a full blown cross-over never works.Im saying this as a reader of both quests.
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>>4931319
>Cross overs rarely ever go well simply due to inconsistancys between QMs and player bases.
Only successful crossover I can think of was between House Boggs and House Reynolds, and that's mostly because the QMs are all writers of comperable skill and all on friendly terms with one another. The /qst/ ASOIAF-verse as a whole is (or perhaps was) an anomaly in that way, shame it sort of got stuck in limbo.
>>
>>4931358
Artificer quest and Magical girl for hire quest had a successful and profitable crossover.

Shame that Artificer quest died.
>>
>>4931319
I gotta agree with this.
As interesting as the prospect is, beyond a Warp-borne cameo equating to a slightly longer Stan Lee bit, I wouldn't want a full-blown crossover, if only because it would take a long time and distract from the ongoing plot for an indeterminable amount of time.
>>
>>4931378
I just remember people complaining why the fucking crossover wouldn't end, and it helped fuck over the tone of artificer quest even more than the sudden vampire coup thriller did.
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>>4931413
Gotta say, I don't recall that. There were two blow ups, one over a "Who would win, us, no us" thing and the other over some paranoia about people in a discord getting more information than those in thread.

Further, I disagree about the vampire thing fucking with the tone. Sudden horror/monster bullshit was a part of that quests makeup. But hey, it's been 2 years, maybe I just missed the bad blood because I had fun.
>>
>>4931452
Honestly, if the monster were just a new mutation of the corruption blob instead of sudden vampires, and it didn't suddenly unlock edgy anime superpower for the protagonist, it wouldn't soured the whole affair.
And I think most of the rumbling was over at magical girl quest, because the arc was dragging longer than normal because tge qm writing was slower and his schedule was less frequent than the other one.
Also separating your playerbase into a discord and normal anons is always pathetic and dumb.
But I was an archive reader only back them, so I didn't catch the thing live.
[spoilet]I prefered the demon knight story anyway from the articer qm, shame it only got one or two threads before he disapeared[/spoiler]
>>
>>4931378
>Shame that Artificer quest died.
I've been thinking about all the dead quests I followed recently. Somehow lucked into summoning WorstJojo in gerneral a month ago, so ABJ might be back soon and Man of Iron quest is back too. But aside from those two exceptions, ones like Clone Wars Quest, DC Henchman, and Human Fighter Quest all prematurely ended. Each one is a shame.
>>
>>4931470
Fuck man, tge henchman one was awesome.
And it died right as we were going on hellenic relic collecting roadtrip with our boy Seth.
I was looking foward to returning to tge US and making a new false identity for the Chaos Hierophant, prophet of Seth.
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>>4931469
I got it live, shit was a lot of fun mate. Probably not as fun to read without the thrill and build up that only days of waiting can give you. Like Gao's death for example wouldn't be half as satisfying if you didn't see it coming and watch day by day go by, the posts ticking closer and closer before. . Glory. Add on the dice rolls and you get some thrill of gambling too.
And yeah, dreadknight was really neat. I prefered AQ due to being the first child, but DKQ was really fuckin' cool.
>>
Calling the vote now. Sorry for the wait

"What manner of methods do you suggest. If they are psykerist techniques, I would be humbled to accept your aid once again, Magnus":19

Attempt to contact your father with Magnus' aid: 1

Warn Magnus of Jian qi:16
-I have found yet another despicable beast hiding within the sea of souls, dear brother magnus. It's name is Jian Qi, and it's nature is betrayal and false hopes. [warn magnus, but don't try and imply his confidence is misplaced]:9
-"Have you heard of something called ' Jian Qi' or something calling itself the weaver of fates in your studies?":8
- And Kong Nue: 1

In thanks for this offer him a glimpse into our memories to learn something new from you: 0

Explain how Kamal Kanon got his power, using the sorcerer and his patron Jian Qi as another example to try and urge Magnus to stop being so foolhardy and confident of his mastery of the warp?!:1

Kindly refuse, stating you will defeat the sorcerer through your own power without taking shortcuts and relying on other sources of energy:1

"Sorcery cannot overcome sorcery without cost, as I stated before, one must be cautious in taking power that is not cultivated with themselves! Like taking water from another man's well. It invites danger":2

Total votes:23

So asking Magnus what methods he suggests and warning him of Jian Qi win! However, both variations are going to go through, because while the first has 1 more than the second >>4930646 This anon didn't link his old ID, so the position between the two may be in fact be reversed. So to be safe, I'll just combine the two as best as I can, to be fair. Just figured I'd be transparent about this.

Anyways, writing.

Sorry again for the wait. Machines spirits were worse than ever, thought my PC bricked. Had to tear it open and wiggle wires around to get it to start, and then it crashed again and I repeated the process.

Somehow this molestation appeased the machine spirits, and my machine works better than ever
Not gonna even question why it is!.


>>4931319
Yeah I already stated there'd be no canon cross over, since it'd restrict both old man and my creative freedoms, and as you said, be a general pain in the ass. Cameos and what not are fine by me.

>>4929484
Why do people still think I'm gonna pull a "Haha get owned, you are fucked forever and can do noooothing, hooohooohooo"?

>>4930036
Can you figure out when Lieren reached "Foundation establishment"?

Also, have you checked out amazing cultivation simulator?

>>4931051
Yeah old man is a legend, I just don't want to stick my hand into his pie, ya know?
>>
>>4931504
Because we anons have been conditionned to be constantly paranoid and afraid by shit qms, so we just don't know what to do with one that's actually good.
>>
>>4931474
The QM also repeatedly said he hated it when QMs dropped quests without warning or abandoned them, so I'm confident we'll be able to kneecap Batgirl again one day. Either that or he's Crusty Jones-levels of dead.
>>
>>4931504
Oh, and I don't know about the other anon, but I've been playing Amzing Cultivation Simulator for some months now.
Did Sseth's new video tip you to it's existance Malal?
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>>4931504
>Can you figure out when Lieren reached "Foundation establishment"?
Battle against Nurgle’s champion
>>
>>4931504
I am happy for a cameo or mention, and honestly you're the reason I started quest running again. And to be called legend by you is quite awesome. Running a dual quest canon though, I would have to agree. It would be quite difficult, and my schedule alone would be the most absurd hurdle.

>>4931398
This seems most reasonable, or a holiday special.
>>4931051
Oh my.
>>
Alright, update is gonna be awhile longer and come a bit later. Got invited out to dinner.

However, before I go I'll give a hint to part of the update. A single word

Wuxing
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>>4931582
The Five Elements huh?

It can be applied to different things, but the ones that caught my eye were natural cycles, interactions between forces, martial arts and of course *the Mandate of Heaven*.
>>
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I edited/traced over crusade era armour and edited it a bit, what you lot think? keeping it on theme
>>
Alright back and writing.

>>4931520
I knew about it, but Sseth made me want to play it

>>4931514
Fair

>>4931665
I love this, very unique look and lovely details
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>>4931504
Your machine spirits are kinky.
>>
Your gaze cast in gold meets the ever shifting colors of your brother's eyes. For a splinter of a second, you see yourself reflected in Magnus' sight, as the hue of his brilliant eyes changes from impassioned scarlet to a serene blue that would fade into the cold waters you rest within. You consider his offer of tutelage, he has proven to be a most talented teacher and mentor in your past encounters. And your brother knew you well enough to understand your views of pyskerism and sorcery well enough to perceive the boundary set between them that distinguished and separated the two arts and their practioner. At least from your own perspective, as by your understanding of him you would be surprised if he drew any boundary between the two practices at all! However, while his belief was quite different from your own, it was unlikely he'd attempt to trick or tempt you to learn what you considered to be "Sorcery", if only from his respect for you as a scholar, even if in his conceited belief of the safety of his practices and research he often considered your own studies and ponderings woefully ponderous and pointlessly cautious.

While a slim possibility remains of Magnus using this as an opportunity to convince you of his far bolder and intensive study and usage of the Qi and Spiritual essences of the Empyrean, you do not believe he would stoop to such a tactic. Magnus is prideful and certain of his prowess and knowledge, but that same proud nature means he would never lower himself by performing such shameful manipulation. Especially not after you discussed philosophy one cool moonlit night together, you bared your hear to him. It would be unthinkable of him to betray the bonds of brotherhood and the trust the two of you have been slowly fostering together.

A Scholar would never burn the records of another, so long as he truly sought to preserve and cultivate knowledge. Such a fool would be comparable to a wood eating louse, an verminous thing parasitizing the knowledge of others and destroying what truths did not align with his own beliefs. Magnus is many things, but a louse he is not.

"What methods would you suggest I employ against my vile enemy, My honored Brother?" You question calmly, speaking genially and respectfully as you are the guest here. Bowing your head, you fold your arms. Magnus' smile widens before his expression shifts into a more solemn mask, as he seriously considers your plights and the answers he has to it that you would not refuse out of principle or "fear" as he would name it.

"Without studying the make up of this cannabalistic "sorcerers" soul, I cannot in good faith speak as though I know the truth of his essence and all of the weaknesses inherent to his method of expanding his power and soul's potency, my honored brother" Magnus says, returning your respect as he attempts to mimic the poeticism of your adopted culture
Cont
>>
>>4931702
Cont
"However, I am educated deeply in the mysteries of the soul and the Warp, which allows me to theorize with accuracy that rivals complete certainty. As your all seeing eyes have never been lead to a false conclusion, we know he fuels his power with the very existence of other beings and that his soul is composed of half digested fragments of these unfortunate victims, correct?"

"Correct. Imagine a parasitic flower, sapping the life from a tree, that is what my opponent has twisted his essence into. A life draining web, a bloated leech overflowing with wickedness and stolen power" You say, barring your teeth as Magnus considers your dramatic description of Kamal Kanon's corrupted essence. He covers his mouth and chin with a crimson hand, and closes his eyes as he considers the little information you have given to him, mulling it through his mind as he ponders it. As if he was chewing gravel.

"So there's a form of connection between the "Stolen" souls and the "Wicked Sorcerer" Yes?" He questions, raising his index finger from his curled fist.

"Correct" You answer, nodding once.

"Then there must be a means to sever the bonds, and end the connection. Thus cutting the parasitic soul from its power sources. Psionic energy tuned to the same frequency would be able to disrupt the connection and if you were able to tune it finely enough, completely erode the bonds between the devourer and his victim" Magnus states, and you understand the concept, removing the supports from a pillar to collapse it, a difficult task considering the lord of endless night's experience and sheer spiritual might "However there are other methods of attack I can envision if you would care to hear them, brother"

"I would be honored to, the advise of a master is a rare privledge indeed" You say with a cunning smirk, as you lift your head to show your listening intently. Magnus chuckles, from the back of his throat. A laugh unsettling similar to Kamal Kanon's sneering laughter. You push away and remove the treacherous thought from your mind.

"Both this parasites soul and your own are paradoxes. A flame that consumes itself yet burns endlessly, a void that grows and devours all that surrounds it to render itself more tangible. Both are foreign to the academic knowledge of Prospero and my own intensive research, the concept of souls that have diverted so vastly from the norm has become a subject of great interest amongst my students and myself"

You tilt your head, curious as to what Magnus' study of your "Golden Sea" and its aura has produced in terms of knowledge and techniques, if he has gleamed anything at all from such research presently.

"An endless cycle of destruction and renewal, a repeated cycle of destruction and growth. Both of you embodied destruction, yet only your paradoxical soul renews itself by its own power. As far as you have described, the "sorcerer" requires others to renew his soul's energies." Magnus explains
Cont
>>
>>4931703

"It is a dangerous proposition, but if the two forces were to clash, I am confident the golden flames would banish the hungering shadows. It is a simple matter of inborn properties and natural cycles, you see. You were only bested, because you were unaware of the unique composition of his soul, which allowed him, with his greater expertise, to land a blow through your lowered guard"

"I am well aware of that, it is after all why I began to train, to prevent the shame of being defeated by the same strike" You explain "However, the concept of using my soul's fire to burn his soul to ash had eluded me. Perhaps because of its inherent cruelty "

"It is a brute force tactic, but it would be effective. Your energies are far to potent to be consumed safely. However, one who relies on borrowed power to get by would not be as informed, all you'd have to do is bait him to consume a portion of your soul's fire and he'd be consumed by it. You wouldn't have to wrestle against the weight of his bloated soul with such a method. Renewal overcomes pure destruction"

And then it clicks into place

"The five phases!" You shout, as Magnus shows a confusion expression towards your sudden outburst "How could I have been so blind! I forgot grandfather Guozhi's teachings!"

"Five phases?" Magnus questions, curiosity usurping his concern and scholarly stoicism in a moment's span

"The five elements, the basic principle of classical...Long-jia alchemy. Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water" You say listening off the phases of Wuxing "It has been used for everything as guidelines for traditional medicine, the layout of rooms. occult rites, and fortune telling. Why, I even known a general who used it to determine his tactics! A musician who used it to devise his pieces! I had always looked upon it as superstition, but your words have inspired me, Magnus!"

"A curious tradition to be sure, you'll have to gift me a treatise of this esoteric system when we meet in the materium" Magnus chuckles "So, now you theorize that this "Wuxing" can be applied to the Warp and its energies"

"And psykerist techniques, if it functions as it does in folklore, the interactions between the elements should allow me to overcome the parasite and more efficiently cultivate my Qi... internal energies" You exclaim excitedly, grinning manically as Magnus ponders your words.

"My use of "Renewal overcoming raw destruction" is what inspired this revelation, explain which connection you drew to come to such a conclusion" Magnus ask with a similar excited curiosity to your glee at finding a method to cleanly defeat Kamal Kanon with degenerating your essence by committing similar means of empowering yourself as the Sorcererous overlord did in ages past!

"Wood feeds fire, fire produces earth, earth bears metal, metal collects water, water nourish wood" You explain
Cont
>>
>>4931704

"That is the inter promoting aspect of Wuxing, one of the two creation creation cycles of its five . It is complimented by its reverse, the deficient generating cycle, that of weakening. Wood depletes water, Water rusts metal, Metal impoverishes earth, earth smothers fire, fire burns wood"

"And the other three "cycles"?" Mangus questions, his eyes narrowing as he ponders the lesson you've willingly imparted to him "It's apparent to me how my words lead you to this conclusion, but it is the height of stupidity to be content with half a lesson, tell me more"

"The destruction cycles, Inter-regulating and the excessive overreacting cycles " You continue on, more and more buried information surfacing in your head, focusing your thoughts on theorizing the application Wuxing from a psyker's perspective "When the elements regulate each other, Wood parts earth, Earth contains water, Water dampens fire, Fire melts metal, metal chops wood"

Magnus smirks as if he's heard a joke, but remains silent, only motioning with his hand for you to continue your explanation of the basic principles of Wuxing.

"However in the overreacting cycle, when the elements dominate or destroy each other, the cycle remains the same, however with great consequences. Instead, Wood depletes earth, earth obstructs water, water extinguishes fire, fire vaporizes metal, metal over harvest woods"

"The dangers of excess, the threat of overreaching and damaging what you simply wished to contain" Magnus muses "The opposite of the "creation" cycles relations, were one element encourages another, while being depleted or weakened in turn, the dangers of hesitation or insufficient action"

"And interesting observation, I will admit I am no expert in any of the many facets of Wuxing, but I shall make an effort to collect as many texts as I am able to present to you at our first physical meeting" You say, rolling your shoulders "And I shall have to make an effort to study its cycles and interactions myself, but one cycle remains"

"One beyond the two interconnected systems" Magnus correctly guesses

"Yes, the cycle of counteracting! Which alongside the inter-regulation cycle is what provided the inspiration to applying the systems of Wuxing to my current vexation! By your own words, Renewal overcomes Raw destruction, and in the counteracting cycle such a truth is realized!" You shout, scattering the dunes of ceramic glass upon which your brother and your own spiritual avatars had been conversing "To an untrained eye, it would be a paradoxical concept, for an element regulated and destroyed by another to overcome it! but that is the logic of the fifth and final cycle!"

The skies darken, as if night has fallen, before the four suns beating down upon the astral desert reassert their authority! It was if the two of you were cast in the shadow of gargantuan bird of prey.

Thrust a fist towards the heavens, you continue your explanation.
cont
>>
>>4931705

"Wood dulls metal! Metal de-energizes fire! Fire evaporates water! Water muddles earth! Earth rots Wood!" You roar, the revelation finally completing itself in your mind, as you at last connect the scattered lessons of the fivefold cycle together and find the answer you sought from Magnus' peerless intellect but instead found from wisdom you had long discarded and ignored as worthless superstition! What serendipity!

Clenching your fist tightly enough to crush steel, you grin ear to ear, like a hungering panther and laugh.

"All I must do, is discover the element that is strongest within my spirit! that which it is most aligned to, by nature and personality! And do the same for my enemy! and then draw upon the cycle which leads to my element overcoming his own! and if my most dominant element never overcomes his own! I shall strengthen it with another! Or encourage the growth of that which does surmount his soul's nature!" You laugh as Magnus grins

"Once again, your hunter's cunning reveals itself' He says, clapping slowly to show his admiration for solving your problem yourself "Every quarry must be tracked and trapped in a different way"

"As always your wisdom shines through your words, my brother" You say, bowing your head once more before a dread chill bubbles up from your bowels. Magnus notices the shift in your expression instantly

"Does something remain troubling you, Lieren?" He asks innocently and you steel yourself as you lift your head and roll your neck, struggling to find the proper wording and phrasing to explain to him the danger you had come to know from Guozhi's stories of the horrific past and the encounter with Kamal Kanon's blackened soul!

"Magnus, tell me. in all of your studies, have you heard tales of an entity naming itself "Jian Qi" or claiming the title of the "Weaver of fate?" You ask quietly, the grip of icy dread creeping up your throat like a strangling hand. One of the four sun's flares and burns with a unbearable intensity as you look to your brother's befuddled expression. But soon, a look of understanding flashes through his eyes

"Another one of the "Wicked spirits" you've encountered, brother" He says teasingly, a smirk passing over his lips "That seem drawn to your presence far more frequently than my own"

"I will not denounce your ways, but I could not call myself your brother if I did not warn you of danger when I learn of it" You reply dully, choose not to take offence from his playful mocking, after all his experiences within the warp and of its denizens have been vastly different than your own.

"I appreciate your concern, but as I have stated many times before I think your worries are...over exaggerated" Magnus says, turning his eyes downcast "But who am I to cast judgement, when you have battled against these "Wicked spirits" numerous times yourself. Have you ever thought, perhaps , that they are merely native to the eddies of the warp surrounding Shangrala"
Cont
>>
>>4931706

You smile, to keep yourself from saying something you regret to your well meaning if at times conceited brother.

"If my world alone was bedeviled by such forces I'd drift off to sleep with greater ease" You answer, shaking your head "Head my warning, or take it as another one of my needless worries. But I shall say to you, beware Jian Qi, For its nature is betrayal and its delight is false hope"

"I will keep that in mind" Magnus says with a self assured smile "But, I must admit I am more curious of the cycle of elements kept by your culture. It is a shame I will have to wait until our meeting to compare my interpretations with the texts written of the subject"

"Yes yes, it is a shame I cannot carry the scrolls and records through the spiritual realm to your study!" You laugh briefly, before regaining your composure and looking to your brother in a most solemn fashion "I just hope you encounter none of the dangers I have personally"

"I'd take it as a chance to compare our experiences if I did" Magnus says, attempting to reassure you, but all he achieves is a deepening of your worries

"As any scholar worthy of the title would" You say, hiding behind a joyful mask "But unfortunately now we must part ways, in the waking world there are many duties I must yet see to"

"and this encounter has given me much to research and ponder" Magnus says, with a curt nod "Until our next meeting, Brother"

"Until our next meeting" You say, turning your gaze downwards
-
You return to your senses, still floating upon the pond's frigid waters. The sun sits above you, bearing down on your exposed skin. Turning your eyes to the shore, you spot Kanzeon dipping her avatar's toes into the waters. Smiling mischievously and putting your concerns in a further recess of your mind, you swim over to her.

"Care to join me in the water?" You ask, offering a hand. She smiles

"I've been yearning to" She admits shyly "Just, teach me how to swim first"

You chuckle and pull her into the depths, and receive a stinging slap upon your cheek in return for your prank.

"BASTARD!" Kanzeon yelps, her eyes widening before she splashes you in retaliation and joins in your laughter

And so the day passes, as the two of you carelessly frolic and play in the water's like children.
-

Jinhai sat besides his queen, who flaunted her pregnancy as ladies of the prior courts would their plump flesh or broad hips. She was proud of their unborn child, and overjoyed that she was able to bear a heir as quickly as she did. In fact, Jinhai had to keep the White Lotus Doctors and men like Cao Yunru and Shirong away from his wife, as by his estimation his seed took root well before they were bound in marriage.

Feng catches his smirk, and returns a predatory grin, as he stands before the contingent of the most elite of the brothers of the panthers and Lieren's own adoptive father, Venerable Wenyan of Nothing.
Cont
>>
>>4931707

He is but one familiar face in the crowd of hundreds summoned to court to Welcome their shared friend, ally and protector back from his lunacy. Many who had not known Lieren, whispered he was a mad genius, both blessed and addled by the heavens. Some figures in his own court whispered that the giant had been cursed by the dying breath of the last scion of the foxes, or had been sickened by the blood of the "Star devils". Jinhai had tried his best to snuff out such harmful rumors, but new ones sprung from the ashes of the old.

That Lieren had lost a lover in the war, and maddened by grief sought to challenge both heaven and hell to reclaim them. That he had discovered a passage of the Journey that encourage hardship and suffering to achieve enlightenment, forgetting he was the one who wrote the book they all quoted and acted to uphold with unmatched integrity. The most ridiculous he had heard, was whispers that Lieren had met a god, and disgusted by what he had seen, sought to prove man could surpass the heavens. Such foolishness. But none of those rumors mattered, for soon his Giant mentor and friend would return, and hopefully explain his odd behavior
-

"Are you sure I should come with you? none of them know me as anything besides a voice" Kanzeon mutters, at the boundary of Jinhai's glass bridge "And even then I've spoken with so few of them, and so briefly as well. Wouldn't it be considered rude for me to barge into the king's palace without an invitation? What if they take me as a goddess and turn mad at the sight of me? I think its best if I just watch from a distance"

You stand upon the bridge, a shoal of carp swimming beneath your feet.

"There is no reason to worry, those who've heard your voice will recognize you, those who haven't will greet you with open arms and inviting smiles' You say, offering her a hand as her expression sloughs from a look of dread to hesitation alone

"Surely there's a better place and time" She says

"I can't imagine any" You say blithely, thrust your arm closer to her "if any goes wrong, we can always take our leave"

"I'll record it if it does turn into a disaster, and I won't let you forget about it. My memory is whole and undamaged, if this goes wrong, I'll remind you about it every century' She threatens, gripping you hand tightly to comfort herself

how do you introduce Kanzeon to your friends and Jinhai's court, Lieren?

> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio

>A hermit sage you befriended in your travels, and a dear friend of yours

>Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.

>A wanderer of the heavens, descended to Shangrala long ago

>Write in
>>
>>4931572
My thoughts exactly, and we'd have to choose a holiday that'd fit if we wanted to do a special lol
>>
>>4931709
>a shoal of carp swimming beneath your feet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVnE9o5Uxik
Ha ha friendly fish want to play

> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio
>Write in
Give her a reassuring smile.
>>
So have people joke about how Big E would react about all the Magical kung fu fights on this world and how are people fighting demons and wining and epic fashion?
>>
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>>4931724
>The Emperor when he gets piss drunk on dragon spit and starts singing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmfudW7rbG0
>>
>>4931727
>2nd legion Chronicler regaling aspirants with a story of the Great crusade
>>
>>4931709
>>Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.
>>A wanderer of the heavens, descended to Shangrala long ago
lets go with honesty.
>>
>>4931709
>Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.
>>
>>4931727
God I hope the Emperor lets us see his collection of ancient Terran music.
>>
>>4931709
>Write in
"My friend, teacher, fellow scholar and the most wise woman I know under the heavens. She whom has worked and moved beside me all this time."
>>
>>4931709
>> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio
>>
>>4931709
>> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio
>>
>>4931709
> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio
>>
>>4931709
> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio.
> Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.
Poor Akanksha and Kamikashi. They won't even be able to stay mad, since it makes perfect sense for a gorgeous he-giant to seek out an equally beautiful she-giant.
> inb4 Wenyan gets to tease Lieren and Kanzeon about when they plan on giving him grandchildren.

>>4931710
CHRISTMAS SPECIAL!

>>4931727
I fuckin' bet the old fossil has a secret room where he just drinks in misery and listens to Whitney Houston.
Grandpa Mal's probably the one who's gone on rock 'n' roll benders the likes of which would make DOOMRIDER applaud.

>>4931757
This begs the question; what flavor of METAL is Lieren?
>>
>>4931740
Support.
>>
>>4931706
>"All I must do, is discover the element that is strongest within my spirit! that which it is most aligned to, by nature and personality
Considering how convoluted Lieren’s nature and personality is he might be equally attuned to all of them.
>>
So Lieren's an anomaly, but can his method of "turning the eightfold path inward" be taught? Like even if only Big E Money can figure it out that'd be a fucking game changer.
>>
> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio.
> Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.

I vote for this because it's long overdue wake-up call for them. That and the hilarity of it.
>>
>>4931909
Its very likely that Big E and mal could do it after studying leiren, they are both very experienced psykers after all.

The real question is: Can something like an eldar do it as well?
>>
>>4931665
You know, this bone, purple and gold is good too, I would say on par with the bone, gold and black.
When I get back home I will try to make a complete set for it.
>>
>>4931709
> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio
>Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.
Come on guys, we nees to stop leading on the chieftesses now that we are officially rogether with Kanzeon.

Part of me wants to also tell them tge name of the goddess that Kuam Im worshipped, because we know she is the same one, but that would be too much.
>>
>>4931709
>> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio
>>A wanderer of the heavens, descended to Shangrala long ago
>>
>>4931709
>>Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.

Voting for this so people can finally stop chasing us
>>
>>4931709
>A hermit sage you befriended in your travels, and a dear friend of yours
Lieren shall wiggle his eyebrows and smirk as he says "dear friend" and name her:
> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio

Are they both wearing Kanzeon's magical transforming garments? Can they put on a show and a dance to really make the court seethe?
>>
>>4931709
> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio
>>
>>4931709
>> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio
>>
Well, it seems that the lover option is losing.
Guess we are going to continue letting the women of Lo f-Jia waste their time trying to win our affection, and let the other men of the court also waste their time flirting with Kanzeon.
>>
>>4931709
>Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.

>A wanderer of the heavens, descended to Shangrala long ago
>>
>>4931709
>>Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.
>>
>>4931706
>All I must do, is discover the element that is strongest within my spirit! that which it is most aligned to, by nature and personality!

BE LIKE WATER BE LIKE WATER BE LIKE WATER


>>4931709

> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio

>A wanderer of the heavens, descended to Shangrala long ago
>>
>>4931740
>>4931753
>>4931865
>>4931966
>>4931980
>>4931994
>>4932136
>>4932198
Gay and dishonest-pilled

If you're going to say it then mean it!

This is the woman/ship who we're going to put a bby in
>>
>>4932221
Just because we're saying it to get a reaction out of Kanzeon doesn't mean it isn't true.
>>
>>4932221
She IS our lover. I want to make it official.
>>
>>4931709
>Your lover, solely because its true.
> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio
>>
>>4932232
>>4932231
Maybe it is just cultural disconnect here, but a lover is someone you have slept with. So she isnt our lover and never will be, thought I understand the sentiment that you are trying to put forwards.

I simply wish for you to comprehend the reason it is a joke, and so that malal doesnt count the vote separate to the others, hence reducing the chance of it passing.
>>
>>4932306
Malal doesn't separate votes that have the same spirit but different words.
So in this case he would count as part of the big vote, but as well as a sub-option.
Atleast that's how I think it works.
Also Ksnzeon has been described as Lieren's lover in the updates ever since we voted for it, ao unless Lieren's mind and Malal himself are wrong, than she is his lover.
>>
>>4932334
By definition, yes, they are.
Again, this is discounting regional/cultural distinctions between meanings of the word, but lover is someone you have had sex/sexual relations with.

I guess you could make some stretch that it is someone who loves you/you love. But it is still not the normal or usual meaning of the term.
>>
>>4932355
The Merriam-Webster dictionary define lover as a "a partner in a sexual or romantic relationship". The oxford add it as also needi g to be "ouside marriage".
So they are correct, sex is not needed.
>>
>>4932379
I conceed the point.
>>
>>4931709
>Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.
>>
>>4931709
> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio
>>
So which elements do you guys think Lieren is?
>>
>>4932721
My guess would be Earth or Metal.
>>
>>4931709
>Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.

>>4932721
Personally I'd like to see metal due to his smithing skills but I could see due to our soul literally burning now Lieren being fire.
>>
>>4932721
Wood, because hunter and farmer, and also how we fuel our burning soul.
>>
>>4932739
>because hunter and farmer
Just so you know, professions mean nothing for determining your element. It’s more about your personality and talents.
>>
>>4932769
And Lieren thinks like a hunter for everything, not only that, but his desire to nurture and grow.
>>
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>>4931665
>>4931978
Turns out I had already done bone and purple before, reposting just because I promised to deliver something.
>>
>>4932772
I think you misunderstand what Wood is. Thinking like a hunter wouldn’t be a Wood thing but a Fire thing. Your assumptions about growth is also wrong since Wood paired Fire wouldn’t make his soul grow like that. There is a reason I said earlier he probably has an affinity to all the elements, his personality fits all of them (Metal especially) and the quirk of his soul feeding upon itself to grow would only make sense if he had a peerless affinity to all elements.
>>
>>4932721
I think fire what with the whole perpetual self- immolation thing he does
>>
>>4932721
Who says it has to be an element, could be a concept

I think growth and connections could be it
>>
>>4932799
Our boy is gonna be the avatar isn't he? I wouldn't put it past Malal to make us choose which element we specialise in or be an everything in balance kinda guy.

I wonder how this revelation will affect the psyker school he's created, as not everyone will be able to balance the elements as Lieren will, I'd presume they would specialise.
>>
>>4932799
I will trust you them, because I have no idea on how personality interacts with elements, all I know is some Feng Shui, the moon cycle and memorized the wheel.
All the trashy chinese novels I read before getting tired of them kind of flew over the elements, with new ones appearing out of nowhere to present a new inaurmuntable challegne, that is going to be solved tge same way the last ones did, and suddenly tge soecial power tgat the villai had is juat one more common for the new level.
Fuck, I went on a tangent again.
>>
>>4932856
Every element is connected to a concept. It is a very important part of becoming an immortal to pick a concept to cultivate.
>>4932870
Cultivation novels kind of expect you to understand everything on top of being poorly written. The way I think Lieren’s soul works is it’s cycling through all the elements using the creation cycle. See the cycles don’t follow conservation of energy so when Earth feeds into Metal which feeds Water which feeds Wood Fire which feeds back into Earth the boost Earth receives carries on into the next cycle.
>>
>>4931709
>Your lover, solely because its true.
> Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio

i want to see how this one goes honestly, will be quite funny
>>
Calling the vote now.

Simply as Kanzeon, the mysterious voice over the radio:14

Giver Kanzeon as reassuring smile: 1

Your lover, solely because her reaction and theirs will prove to be incredibly amusing.:12
- because its true (even though it does not need to be revealed to be truthful): 1

A wanderer of the heavens, descended to Shangrala long ago: 5

"My friend, teacher, fellow scholar and the most wise woman I know under the heavens. She whom has worked and moved beside me all this time.": 1

A hermit sage you befriended in your travels, and a dear friend of yours:1

Total: 24

So, as Kanzeon and your lover, though it does not need to be stated to be honest the reaction in the court will be most amusing.

Writing now

>>4931889
>Local wizard not so tough after Prosperity man masters all five elements and their cycles
>>4931909
Maybe, maybe not. His truth vision can't be
>>
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>>4933251
Well, missed these two since I didn't update the page, but the outcome remains unchanged either way.
>>
>>4933262

Literally, cannot wait.
>>
>>4933265
That s fine, i wasn't able to post from my usual position too. Btw, i didn't properly ask when posting the images last time but would you prefer to make first a basic idea on paint for maps (Shuni&Vishnu that is) ? Or no ? Also do you prefer to reveal later the Bask colors/symbols ?

I don t mind of course for either of them. For the previous map as you already know, it was made by following what you have posted during the quest. I can take note and do the same, for the next ones (you already posted some small info for both Shuni and Vishnu regions in the quest).
For the bask, i recon a reveal will be cooler.
>>
>>4933262
Malal how does Kanz look like? Her height, weight, and figure?
>>
Feng felt the tension in the air, and could feel a familiar weight upon his back. Lieren's presence had become as familiar to him as the mist and fog, like that of a panther stalking beneath the shadows of old trees, the pressure of a predator's attention, the company of a fellow hunter. Many referred to this "air" that followed his venerated elder brother as an "Aura of death" or "Shroud of killing intent" or the "Scent of seas of blood", but the scarred hunter knew it differently and thought those who constantly muttered that death followed Lieren to be imbeciles. True, he sowed death as easily as he did life, but the same was true that he could encourage strife as easily as he did prosperity. Feng had seen it, before the revolution began, how Lieren hunted the loyalists of the slug Gao's court under the guise of removing rot from his gardens. Even going so far as to orchestrate the downfall of lords by deceiving them to implicate themselves for the tales of treason he spun. Feng had been at his side, and Jinhai had once spoke of him of the depths of Lieren's manipulations which were, in turn, revealed to him by the beauty Qian Xia. Who to Feng's eyes, was the true companion of death and misery.

He could smell it on her breath, wafting from her hair. A different sort of death than that which followed the Vishnu. A spider's venom. Yet, who said the scarlet blossom was followed by death? They all saw the mask she wore and assumed it to be honest. And her young brother...something was odd about him to, but Lieren was fond of the boy, so Feng didn't see a reason to ponder why the youth unsettled him so. Or why he felt so much taller than he stood.

Venerable Wenyan clicked his tongue, turning his gaze across the court room, observing and judging it before a amused smirk appeared beneath his beard.

"Ah, I remember when I appeared in Gao Liwei's court and was turned away with the threat of death, now I stand before a king and his court who share the virtues I encouraged in my sons, both of them" The old man sighed, a look of contentment settling over his features as Feng placed a supportive hand on his shoulder "I suppose I am blessed to see the world change so greatly for the better, before I pass on"

"Don't be foolish, grandfather" Liang whispered sweetly, wearing a mask to avoid his paramours amongst the Vishnu maidens "You have many years left to live, I am sure you'll be witness to many more years of prosperity"

"And if you croak soon, at least you'll be repaid for all your good deeds by being reborn in Long-Jia!" Jiang cackled, receiving a deadly glare from his brother and Half Jaw Hu, Feng ignored the capering fool, Jiang was always irreverent so this was no surprise.

Wenyan turned his chin upwards and laughed.

"Har! I suppose I should consider myself wise to have lived so morally despite the sinfullness of the world I was born into" Wenyan laughs.
Cont
>>
>>4933300

And it seemed for a moment, his laughter rung like a struck bell, before Feng realized that he had instead heard the alarm that Jinhai had set in place to alert all of his court and its guests of Lieren's approach. Feng straightened his back, and tossed off the hood of the fur cloak he wore.

He wanted his brother to look into his eyes once more. He had been sick with worry, after seeing what he had subjected himself to and the isolation he had adopted. Tears welled in his eyes as he thought about the look he saw reflected in those kind, golden eyes.

One of shame, guilt and dark determination. Whatever had happened at the Vishnu border, had shaken his beloved teacher and brother to his core. He was overjoyed that he had overcome whatever had consumed his thoughts, and allowed his heart to be swallowed by such melancholy!

Heralds move the gates of banded steel, cogs and gears churning monstrously as a system of pullies and steam fed tubes moves the final layer of defense laid before Long-Jia's heart. Images of carps, cranes, panthers and oxen vanish into the shadows, being revealed only by the brief exposure to the spotlights Daiyu had prepared for "Dramatic flare". For a moment, the fog piercing glare blinds Feng, but his eyes adapt quicker than all others.

Two figures emerge from the haze of light, and Feng blinks to force his vision to clear quicker, cleansing it of the wild sparks and mists that have enveloped his eyes from staring at a light brilliant enough to cut through Shangrala's fog.

There were two giants! for a moment The hunter thought it was a trick on his eyes, an illusion creating a doppleganger of his friend, but his honed perceptions quickly spotted details that set the two figures apart. A difference in height and broadness of shoulders, of thinness of waist and broadness of hips. And the vague outline of hair especially. The other figure was a woman! The haze cleared more, and the truth cemented itself in Feng's mind, as besides a pair of golden eyes, he saw second pair seemingly carved of hand polished jade or well cut emeralds!

And they were set upon a vision of beauty. Feng had heard the term Jade like beauty thrown around for women like Daiyu, Qian Xia, Dandan, and either his close friends, the twins Liang and Jiang. But he had never before seen features so gentle, feminine and gentle that deserved such a moniker! before this very moment. The innocence of a maiden, the warmth of a mother, the silent wisdom of a crone! all were present in this vision of womanly charm perfected! It was as if she was the diagram all other woman were copied from and imitated! An unearthly presence! A heavenly aura surrounded her! Feng's battle and hunt hardened hurt froze, and he realized why woman flocked around Lieren. This was as if some god had taken him and remade him feminine! Where Lieren was handsome, even beautiful at times, there was a ruggedness to him, a wildness. Untamed beauty
cont
>>
>>4933302

Yes, that was why she seemed so similar to Lieren! She was untamed! Wild! A daughter of the wilds! He could both see it in her near flawless visage and smell it on the air that drifted past her.

Why, if his belief in the heavens and gods had not been thoroughly stamped out by the tragedies of his youth, Feng knew he would only see this beauty as a goddess! Like a star reflected on a serene lake, but plucked free and incarnated into living flesh.

The woman's cheeks blushed a gentle pink, deepening to a red near the edges of her cheeks. She averted her gaze, and Feng felt the competition born in every man's hearts roar in defiance to the dozens of rivals that surrounded them. But, Feng's heart remained silent.

He didn't like girls taller than himself in the first place, and he could see this heavenly beauty was spoken for. She held Lieren's hand, in a way Wenyan or gentle Luli never have, and clung closely to his side as if their hearts were drawn together.

Feng started to laugh, as he realize one reason that could have driven Lieren to his madness! Courting!

He laughed and laugh, so loudly, he almost didn't catch the carp made king's words.

"Welcome, Lieren" Jinhai said, as calm as he always was, unperturbed by the mysterious beauty that shared their elder brother's company "I am glad you have at last returned to your sense and returned to those who hold you dear in their hearts"

A wailing, mournful cry erupted from the other side of the court, and Feng turned to see the youngest of the Vishnu Chiefs, sobbing and crying as if she had just lost her entire family to famine. Feng had turned in her direction, because he knew that sorrowful cry all too familiarly. The near nude girl, clothed in a cloak of colorful and exotic feathers, falls to her knees, tears staining her unmarred cheeks.

What a lovely shade of clay, Feng thought, seeing the darker color of the young maiden's skin in a new light. There was a beauty to the wild thing, beneath her tangled, unbrushed hair. A beauty formed from river clay, fired and polished. Feng smiled, despite himself. The other, much taller maiden warrior, Kamakshi, knelt beside Akanksha, and Feng saw, that she to was crying, but kept her composure much better. She was too tall, but the he had seen Bai's wife...she wasn't much taller than him. Maybe Akanksha's tribe grew shorter? He wouldn't much mind an inch or two taller...if she still had time to grow much taller.

"And...who may that be at your side, who came without invitation" Lady Daiyu asks, as awed as Feng himself was moments ago "I'd be offended, if she was not the very vision of jade like beauty! A blossom of spring grown to enflame even the coldest of hearts. What a pretty face your friend has, may your king know her name"

"Eh? I didn't give two invitations?" Jinhai blusters, as Feng keeps his focus on the crying girls
cont
>>
>>4933303

"Ah, this is Kanzeon! You have heard her voice before! Or some of you have at least!" Lieren proclaims, joyfully.

"Oh the scholar who taught you the fields of mechanisms and electricity!' Cao Yunru shouts, out of turn, but neither Jinhai or Daiyu take offence

"The chemist who helped me revise my formulas!" Shan coos from beneath the royal family's platform

"The sage who aided my breakthrough with Shirong's steel birds!" Shirong exclaims. The maidens expression twists for a moment in exaggerated annoyance

"THE MACHINE LADY!" Dandan bellows.

"Airplanes!" The woman cries, and Wenyan frowns before grinning "They're called airplanes Shirong! do you do this just to irritate me!?"

"Oh, you also gave us the most wonderous bulbs of light!" Shirong exclaims, ignoring Kanzeon's anger, causing her to bite her lip and furrow her brow, grimacing like a demon. Now Feng can see why Lieren fell for her! both of them can look like Ogres if properly incensed!

"So she was who you spent hours talking to during our trip to young Long-Jia Jinhai's corrination!" Wenyan exclaim "I thought it must've been gentle Luli! but now I see! You were looking for a partner closer to yourself!"

The court goes silent. None dare to call the hero of the rebellion's adoptive father out for his rudeness. The green eyed beauty turns as red as the setting sun and Lieren laughs?

"Oh, I have forgotten my manners in the throes of passion! Father! allow me to introduce you to my first and only love! though such a phrase seems insufficient to describe the bond we share, she and I!" Lieren proclaims proudly, his words resonating with as much conviction as he speaks passages from the Journey.

the silence is telling, but its broken by a new, keening wail. One that sounds like a dragons

"NOOOOOO! HE WAS MINE! MINE!" Akanksha cries "Mine! Mine! It isn't fair! It isn't faaaair!"

-

You wince, as Akanksha throws a Tantrum, while Kamakshi silently nods and smiles, showing her approval beneath her pain. Akanksha's broken heart will mend. She is young. It was an unhealthy attraction. Kanzeon remains silent, with all the others, her face a brilliant shade of red accented by a pink you often saw in plum blossoms. Her reaction and that of the others to your bold proclamation of love, is far more pleasing amusing than those whose hearts you had to break.

Wide eyes, drooping jaws, slouched backs, pale faces and jealous glares fill the crowd. Jinhai just turns his head, tilting it as he frowns.

"Congratulations! Now you can share the same joy as I and Kanzeon have had" He answers flippantly, uncaring of the shock you've caused "And it is lovely to finely meet Lieren's friend over the radio, and his beloved! How auspicious! How truly auspicious! The heavens must bless our new dawn, for how else could love so true and strong blossom so freely and beautifully!"

The court struggles to retain its composure, except for Wenyan and Jiang, who both are leering at you with wide grins.
Con
>>
>>4933304

"L..Lieren" Kanzeon growls through her teeth. Your turn you head, excepting a slap, but instead feel the tender touch of her lips upon your cheek.

"Now we're even, you gargantuan fool" She says slyly, smiling "No need to state what we all know to be true"

"I know, but I thought it'd be...well it was necessary" You say, unable to call Akanksha's sorrow anything close to amusing. But it needed to be done. Both her and Kamakshi need to pursue other loves, ones who love them in that manner. Their lust needed to be calmed, before it drove them mad.

Jinhai claps his hands together

"Well, that answers the question I needed to ask! Glad to see you're as blessed by providence and happy, despite the lunacy that took you. And that was all I wished to speak to you of" Jinhai laughs "though I have projects that need your attention, while spoil the mood!"

And with that, he stands from his throne and walks up to you and Kanzeon. And then, the king of Long-Jia, the first of his dynasty, greets both of you with cupped fists

"You have my eternal gratitude, for caring for my brother while he trained. I would be besides myself with grief if he had been alone. You have my blessings' He says merrily "and my thanks, for being besides him through his hardships. Such love is rare, both of you must treasure it"

Kanzeon smiles and nods, after glancing to check if it'd be polite to kneel.

What shall you do now, Lieren.

>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection

>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm

>Undertake a project or two, showing the edicts to the gathered public , and complete them for Long-Jia!

>Sit with Kanzeon and Wenyan by the lake's side and talk of the past and what struggles wait ahead

>Write in

>>4933281
I'll describe their landscapes, and might attempt to make them in paint when Lieren enter's the kingdoms.

And you'll see about the bask

>>4933289
Near Lieren's height, just a little shorter. Weight, I don't know what it would be.
As for the figure well...how do you imagine it? I know people think she has MILF body due to Kanz being described as motherly often. I'll leave her proportions a mystery for now, cause its funner and encourages creativity and different interpretations which I just adore

Unless you're asking about her true body, of course
>>
>>4933305
that s good, thanks malal. I needed to ask about it, but even if you didn't make a paint attempt, i would have just follow the description like for the yang map.
And as i imagined a reveal, which is great too.
>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection
>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm


>>4933289
Malal said she has dark hair, with the human avatar she is using.
>>
>>4933305
>>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection
>>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm
>>
also it was quite a fun scene
>>
>>4933305
>>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection
>>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm
>>Sit with Kanzeon and Wenyan by the lake's side and talk of the past and what struggles wait ahead

a period of rest and reflection. And we have to spend time with father before we can no longer.
>>
>>4933305
>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection
"I know no women more whom are truer Vishnu, truer friends or daring braves."

>Write in
Ask Kanzeon which she would be more comfortable with of

>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm

>Sit with Kanzeon and Wenyan by the lake's side and talk of the past and what struggles wait ahead

We don't want to over do it. However once we have maybe it's time for a little fun, channel a bit of the ol monkey king and make things nice.
>>
>>4933319
+1
>>
>>4933305
>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection

>Tell Jinhai that we will proceed with the projects after we socialize, and finish dispelling any rumors of insanity.

>Write in
Ask Kanzeon which she would be more comfortable with of

>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm

>Sit with Kanzeon and Wenyan by the lake's side and talk of the past and what struggles wait ahead

That is good to know. I see her in my head as a well endowed MILF myself, but I still cant imagine her face. It remains blank to me no matter how hard I try to imagine it. I will wait until one of the drawfags draw her, or someone gets a commission. And yes, I would like to know about her true body.
>>
>>4933305
>Comfort the Vishnu
>join for lunch
>Meet with Weynan
>Undertake edicts


Do all of em. Though priority should be vishnu, father, jinhai and then projects. Because we havent seen father in so long.
>>
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Well, might as well ask you anons what you believe kanzeon looks like

I'm planning to commission kanzeon and lieren together but I would like a consensus on her looks before I do because I don't want that kind of responsibility, waifus are serious business and I don't want to start a shitstorm because my interpretation of kanzeon is radically different from what others think.

Anyway, I always picture kanzeon as pic related because her voice just fits so well for it, also I love white-haired chicks

Post what you believe she looks like and give a reference if possible, please

This is just a request from a fellow anon
>>
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>>4933369
To my mental image, she looks sorta similar to Laefaye from GOW4.

Tall and broad, like an amazonian build, with long hair and plant matter grown through her hair and skin.
Dark hair down to the ankles, which was in the update.
>>
>>4933309
Just for confirm this is me from another position.


>>4933369
Honestly i would like to say i am satisfied after making her armor. But I also want to attempt making something for the characters including her, even if it s not something I can properly make. i am much better for armors and symbols.

Still i have found an image that i think looks a bit like her, but not fully. Since I agree with this anon opinion too
>>4933370
>>
I know its kinda an iffy take but im hoping (as much as i enjoy her) Kanzeon dont become a proper lover nor taking up all our time since this is at its core a 30k quest
>>
>>4933390
Sources here at least the ones i have found.

https://abstract.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/2277042/?hcb=1
https://ancient-godly-monarch.fandom.com/wiki/Lin_Xian%60er?hcb=1
https://www.pinterest.it/pin/801992646129012032/

///

Also this image for the headgear, I really like it.

https://abstract.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/2504777/?hcb=1
https://immortal-executioner.fandom.com/wiki/Sun_Qingxue?hcb=1
https://www.pinterest.it/pin/614389574152278651/
>>
>>4933305
>>>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection
>>>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm
>>
>>4933305
>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm
>Sit with Kanzeon and Wenyan by the lake's side and talk of the past and what struggles wait ahead
These two seem to go together
>Undertake a project or two, showing the edicts to the gathered public , and complete them for Long-Jia!
We have to prepare for the coming war.
Also, shoul probably let Feng move in on Akanksha by his own
>>
>>4933305
>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm
>Sit with Kanzeon and Wenyan by the lake's side and talk of the past and what struggles wait ahead
>>
>>4933305
>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection
>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm
>Sit with Kanzeon and Wenyan by the lake's side and talk of the past and what struggles wait ahead
>>
>>4933305
>>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection
>>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm
>>Sit with Kanzeon and Wenyan by the lake's side and talk of the past and what struggles wait ahead

>Unless you're asking about her true body, of course
I have been wondering about class of ship she'd count as. I'd imagne she could be anything from a battleship to a battle cruiser in size, if not armament.
>>
>>4933463
>kanzeon
>>
>>4933463
Well, she's a colony ship, but pre-DAoT technology is incredible compared with what the Imperium has, so I would say that ir might fit as either a carrier or battleship, depending if how many hangars or weapons she has installed.
>>
New theory

Kanzeon is latina

I base this entirely on the fact that Kanzeon is pronounced exactly like what a Chinese guy would say the word Cancion(song)sounds like

Also she's extremely "fiery",she's motherly and caring yes but she's also extremely sarcastic and has a temper capable of matching our own.She calls us out on our shit but she sticks by us all the same

Everything about her just screams big booty latina girl
>>
>>4933512
Can't be, she hasn't thrown a sandal at anyones forehead with pinpoint precision yet.
Nor cooked a shitload of spicyfood, that you absolutly love but spends the rest of the day regretting.
>>
>>4933305
>Explain to Jinhai the cause of your "madness" and the steps you've taken to overcome your treacherous new foes
>Undertake a project or two, showing the edicts to the gathered public , and complete them for Long-Jia!
>>
>>4933369
>Well, might as well ask you anons what you believe kanzeon looks like
I don't have any good reference pics, so I'll just give a description of my interpretation.
>stands a head shorter than Lieren himself
>lustrous black hair reaching down to her ankles
>olive skin, would probably take a tan exceedingly well
>eyes the color of flawless green jade
>broad shoulders, strong legs, and a well built core
>strong and somewhat sharp facial features
>>4933521
That's only because she hasn't worn any sandals yet and she's only just been in the same room as Shirong.
>>
>>4933305
>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection
>Write in
Continue talking and brainstorming moving a literal mountain from on top of Kanzeon.
What they feel for Lieren was more akin to lust and horni tier infatuation. What they need is level men like Feng. God dammit we were supposed to nip this in the bud.
Did Lieren get stronger mental, physical, and spiritually during his training regiment?
>>
>>4933651
> Did Lieren get stronger mental, physical, and spiritually during his training regiment?
>tfw we had an update that clarified this
>>
>>4933651
> Did Lieren get stronger mental, physical, and spiritually during his training regiment?
Oh absofuckinglutely. In my mind, the Heavenly Tribulations would have resulted in him becoming the Anti-Chaos Prince. He's already a deft hand at stealth, close quarters combat, and wielding his own innate psychic abilities.

Gorillaman and Dorn probably have him beat in command/tactics/leadership, and place second behind dedicated combat monsters like Angron or the sheer mental and spiritual power in Magnus, but I think overall he's a fair match to just about any Primarch.
> inb4 Lion immediately dislikes him because Lieren can see through his bullshit.
>>
>>4933680
>be me
>Logar
>Stupid fucking Liren burned my retinas looking into my eyes
>im going to sway his children and wife to Chaos now
>>
>>4933712
>Trying to lie to a legion that loves normal humans, are all about balance and probably will develop truth seeing abilities
>Trying to sway a ship that lived trough the Long Night, saw her people be corrupted and was locked below by a daemon and a sorceror
>Trying to convert a host of reincarnated soul pieces that can remember being misled by daemons and eaten alive in the warp
Good luck baldy
>>
>>4933750
>Placing even all these things in front of him, he's still THE charisma primarch so there is a decent chance at doing it.

Do not tempt fate while we are not there to beat the shit out of him for it
>>
>>4933305
>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection
>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm
>Sit with Kanzeon and Wenyan by the lake's side and talk of the past and what struggles wait ahead
>>
>>4933305
>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection
>Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm
>>4933750
Tbh I want to tard wrangle lorgar and angron
They're just misguided and could easily be saved
Lorgar just wanted to play minecraft for emperor's sake
Also the interactions between spess buddhism and spess christianity could be fun
>>
>>4933353
+1
>>
>>4933680
Just compare how lion treated luther and how lieren has treated jinhai
The two couldn't be more opposite in temperament, despite being from similar backgrounds
>>
>>4933305
>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection

And backing >>4933353
>>
>>4933305
I don't think I voted earlier!
>Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection
>Undertake a project or two, showing the edicts to the gathered public , and complete them for Long-Jia!

>>4933937
Not exactly; Lion was already grown when Luther and his knights found him. Conversely, Lieren approached Nothing on his own while still 'small'.

Also, while Shangrala has seen plenty of Chaos corruption it's mostly been restricted to the human population and rare chaos beasts. Caliban had many, *many* beasts and fouler things before Lion purged them all.

Aside from the worlds themselves, Lieren has made a point of embracing humanity and forming relationships with all manner of people regardless of whether or not they benefited him. Lion was only ever close to Luther outside of combat and the order of command, and even then it wasn't really a loving, nurturing bond. Otherwise Luther wouldn't have fallen sway to Chaos. I don't think he even made any close bonds with the other Primarchs, the anti-social goon.

So all told, I think Lion will be distrusting of anyone who has faced Chaos besides Big E himself.
> Thanks for coming to my TEDTalk.

>>4933851
I don't know how Lieren could fix Lorgar without blatantly shattering his hopes and forcing him to confront the Warp (which isn't likely to pan out well for anyone), though maybe Kanzeon's ancient insight can offer a means of saving Angron from the Nails? I know Lorgar earned Angron's respect (prior to becoming a Daemon Prince) for his unwavering support on and off the battlefield.

I know psykers caused him pain, and it's why he executed all the Librarians of his legion, but maybe the Shangralan meditation rituals and exercises can help him while others research a cure? Learning to empty himself of emotion could aid in rejecting the Nails influence, possibly even allowing a procedure to remove them without drastic damage to his mind.

>>4933581
I was honesty picturing Kanzeon as having the complexion of a South Asian/Pacific Islander women and the build of a fitness model. Statuesque even, but with the soft curves and hourglass figure that evokes that feeling of 'this is a woman, a mother, in her prime'.

Also, we're gonna need to be careful; I wouldn't be surprised if Kamal Kanan didn't have ways of spying on the Long-Jia and targets Kanzeon for abduction/assassination.
>>
>>4933937
Wait, you were agreeing with me.
> READING COMPREHENSION!!
>>
>>4934084
>Daring to send people into Long-Jia, knowing that the giant lives yet.

Kamal Kanan what are you doing?!
>>
>>4933851
Angron doesn't need to be tard wrangled. He needs those nails out of his head.

>>4934084
Continuing research on Lieren's anatomy and the soul research should help greatly in finding a cure for Angron.
>>
Please....please don't let waifu posting make this quest diverge to much. We got a cool companion, done y'all don't try to turn this into a cringey dating Sim with demons on the side as mini fight games
>>
>>4934101
> Kamal Kanan
> Caring about the lives of his subjects/slaves
C'mon now, you're smarter than that.
>>
>>4934084
>I don't know how Lieren could fix Lorgar without blatantly shattering his hopes and forcing him to confront the Warp
If there is anyone who can break kor phaeron's conditioning, it's lieren. The emperor custom built him to sniff out and kill traitors of that kind, he's a hunter at heart. Just expose sll of his crimes to lorgar and watch the fireworks. Also a lot of lorgar's delusions really aren't that harmful in the long run seeing as all his hymns and prayers did have some weird mumbo jumbo to them and the ecclesiarchy is a very effective way to organize the imperium. The enperor may not be a god(as of now) but that lie is more effective than trying to contain chaos.
Angron, however, is a much more complex matter. Honestly just offering a supporting shoulder when he needs it and keeping him from lashing out at his sons might be all we can do
>>
>>4933501
"She may be built like a steakhouse but she handles like a bistro."
>>
>>4934084
Unless Kamal excavate the mountain to get to her, therefore doing a favor for us, getting rid of the flesh puppet just means that Kanzeon will have to grow a new one.
Because it's not the primarch tier body that we plan to use in the future, nor we know how to transfer the soul to the new vessel.
I want to talk with Guonzhi and Magnus about the emperor's nature as an reincarnated legion of souls, the state of the ghost remains that helped us, and how to transfer the new powefull into a prototype body. If our new mini-emperor son works, we try it with Kanzeon.
>>
>>4934130
I have no faith in his valuing of his subjects or his slaves.

However I trust he is a smart man, and a smart man knows the costs vs the benefits of his actions. And tangling with Lieren ended in a draw at the cost of his entire court's souls. The court you would assume where he kept his strongest/most plentiful supply. The cost of such an engagement is therefore high, and not very profitable unless there is a serious game changer here.
>>
>>4934145
It's been a while since that last fight, he probably got some gains too to prepare for the next duel and is confident in his ability
>>
>>4934132
He’s not built to be a hunter but a technician and general. He was suppose to be more autistic than the Lion.
>>4934145
>>4934150
He’ll attempt a ritual to weaken Lieren since he has some hair.
>>
>>4934160
I'm aware of the hair.
>>
>>4933765
Horus is the charisma primarch, lorgar is just discount dorn
>>
>>4934310
The difference in charisma between a Propoagandist Preacher and a Politician.
>>
>>4934310
Lorgar is a redundancy, like guilliman was. He's a great psyker, but not as great as magnus, he's a great builder, but not as great as perturabo or dorn, and he's a great talker, but not as great as horus and sanguinius. The emperor designed his primarchs like this so that he could have one step up to the plate if one of them died or was indisposed. Essentially a plan C of sorts
>>
The Cycle of Elements/Winds of MAgic also exists in WHFB.
Perhaps Magnus could find something that's connected to that magic system.

It's 8 winds instead of 5/6 elements
and it has High Magic and Dark Magic that correspond to the Yin and Yang.(even if they're not really equivalent.

Perhaps Magnus or the Blind Eldar could help us further refine our understanding of the Warp.
>>
>>4933851
>Fixing Lorgar
This quest's equivalent of phasing, imo. Never ever.
>>
>>4934528
Some chinese mythology separate tge world into 3 elements, Man, Earth and Heaven.
Perhaps instead of Yin, Yang or the Wuxing, we are of the element of Man?
>>
>>4934632
Might work. The warp accepts alot of systems.

What would that imply?

I just want to have anti-daemon banishing lazers for battlefield magic.
>>
When are we going for round two against the evil wizard?
Will we try to contact our sons again?
Could we possibly grant them a small drop of Lieren's fire to help them during their crusade?
>>
>>4934776
When we have ready the kingdom for two great wars on two fronts, we will either go for Kamal Kanan or Nitya Sinha.

The 2nd legion is doing fine for the most, and they are still on the Terra campaigns. The fact that they managed to win so far without suffering annihilation and just standard losses for the unification wars, in the hellhole wastelands of Earth is a miracle.

And we need every drop of energy for win against our current foes, and who knows about the future ones before we encounter the legion. In regard to the battle apparition, it might have been Chen spirit empowered by our flames.
>>
>>4934776
They already kinda got that power up. All they need is to learn how to do it themselves so they can empower each other/us.

ngl getting an army boosted by our Sons would be hillariously OP when fighting the unsuspecting chaos gribles around shangrala
>>
>>4934823
I wouldn't be surprised if pur Legion ends up with multiple apparitions, born from the imprint of people dear to Lieren. So for example, Small Chan 'the Ox Warrior', Gouzi 'the Wise Elder', Aruna 'the Shield-Breaker', etc.
>>
>>4934961
So that's the chapters legion religion in 40k? Advanced ancestor worship?
>>
>>4934969
I mean, that's already a mainstream thing with a lot of Imperial cults; hero worship is just an extension of the various Saints.

That being said, I think it'll be less worship and more prophetic/omens, a little like the Tarot. A vision of Gouzi on a battlefield might mean sorcery and warrants caution, whereas him appearing near a child denotes the spark of great potential. All about context.
>>
I'm not that familiar with 30k lore, but why is our legion fighting in the reunification of terra? I always thought that big E used the thunder warriors to unify the planet before killing them all due to them being unstable. Flashforward a few years after fixing most problems and conquering Luna with its genetic facilities, he starts inserting the legions with their primarchs geneseed.
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>>4935017
Testing probably ? There is plenty of wars around on the planet either way. Emperor can do a lot even right now. He has still his vaults/bunkers under the planet, too just not on the level of Luna i think.
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>>4935017
Maybe they're at the end of the unification wars, proto astartes were made around that time and then used to kill the thunderwarriors

Anyway I'm sure that they're not on Terra anymore because the emperor created the primarchs a couple years after the unification wars, like he atleast had allied with Mars by the time the primarchs were made...I think?
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>>4935017
The first Astartes were created about a century before the end of the Unification War and were of the Lion's geneseed. Makes sense that astartes of our line would be the next to be used, he's the first and we're the second. I wouldn't be surprised if Dae-Hyun was a member of the Primordial Strain like Abraxus Ghent.
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>>4934768
Well, it seems that it comes from confucian belief, separating man, earth and heaven as 3 different and equal forces. Heaven is orderly and can't change, earth is the natural world, and man is a force of balance between them, having free will and morality.
But chinese philosophy is also very mixed between it's different currents, so there is a popular version that mix the folk beliefs, confucionism, taoism and buddhism.
So on this case, the heaven would be formed vy the forces of Yin and Yang, and be the origins and residence of the folk deities. Earth, would be formed of the five elements, and be used for alchemy and Qi. And lastly, Man is the one one able to transcend trough undesrtanding and meditation, and reach Nirvana, while also being able to interact, balance and change the other elements.
So if Lieren represents Man, he could become untouchable by sorcery, apins the wheel of elements at will to change the world, pacify and empower other humans by illuminating them, and most inportantly, directly attack the beings of chaos exiatance, because since the warp used to be calmer and balances before the war and heaven, than it means that daemons and the chaos gods themselves only exist because heaven is in a state of imbalance between Yin and Yang, and an trancended buddha could theoricially forcefully bring balance back, calming tge warp again.
So basically it could lead to banishing, intangibility, divination, telepathy and empathy.
But that's all obly if we reach the very top, and if Malal is using all of chinese philosophy instead of just Taoism cultivation.
Also I can be completly wrong.
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>>4935063
I wonder what our Legion's flaw/quirk will be? Maybe the hypnosis/indoctrination doesn't take? It's all just old-fashioned grit and blood and pure unadulterated fuck you.
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>>4935477
Quirk: good with humans and guardsmen
Flaw: Ching Chong Ping Pong
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>>4935477
Do all legions have to have a flaw, smurfs don't seem to have any

Anyway if our legions did have one it would probably be taking our teaching to an extreme

Detaching themselves from wants and the physical world, going into deep meditation for months at a time while the physical world needs them most

Denying themselves and others comforts that make life worth living like food sex and booze because they are "pure" or some shit

Basically they become dogmatic not Buddhist monks who think they are above the material world

This would of course only happen after the disappearance of lieren, our philosophy has never told anyone to seek encouragement by ignoring the world, merely to be cautious of excess and to keep balance within oneself, otherwise go fucking crazy and experience the finest wines eat the finest food and have bitches galore as long as it's consensual and you don't get to the point where you are an unrepentant glut or can only get off to midgets hitting your balls with a mallet
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>>4935512
>Do all legions have to have a flaw, smurfs don't seem to have any
they just keep winning until the imposter syndrome gets overwhelming?
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>>4933305
Are we still going to make sweet pork buns for all 285 of our tiger kids as a "sorry that dad was being dumb" apology?
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>>4935639
I find it kinda weird how everybody was more concerned about Lieren diving into his absurd training regimen rather than his reasons for doing so in the first place.
You'd think they'd be worried about whatever could make a Primarch look at himself and go "I'm nowhere near ready to handle this."
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>>4935642
It's likely that, due to the human mind being built to put priority over more small scale and relatable threats and events, that the idea of a threat so large in scope that it could worry someone like lieren came secondary to the idea "My friend/idol/brother/hero is currently killing himself and not responding to anything."

it's easier for the human mind to connected with the pain of a child then a nation of people suffering from an earth quake
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>>4935673
Be that as it may, I would still assume our more emotionally composed companions would realize the grander scope of things eventually.
As I say that, I just now noticed that Yin Lei only watched in silence during Lieren's self imposed training.
Here's hoping he actually pieced it together and took it upon himself to prepare for the coming conflict.
>>
Calling the vote now! Sorry for the wait.

Comfort Akanksha and Kamakshi, and explain why you could never return their affection:16

Join Jinhai and Daiyu for a midday meal with Kanzeon, and talk casually with them about the future and prosperity of the realm:15

Sit with Kanzeon and Wenyan by the lake's side and talk of the past and what struggles wait ahead:11

Ask Kanzeon which choice she'd be more comfortable with: 4

Undertake a project or two, showing the edicts to the gathered public , and complete them for Long-Jia!: 4

Continue talking and brainstorming moving a literal mountain from on top of Kanzeon.: 1

Total votes: 19

So Lieren shall first comfort the heart broken chieftess, join his friend and his wife for a middeal meal and discuss the future of the realm, before joining Wenyan as the sunsets to discuss the past and the struggles ahead

Alongside Kanzeon, of course

Writing now

Sorry for the wait, but Amazing cultivation Simulator is addicting as hell and has played havoc on my sleep schedule.
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>>4935912
Ah missed an choice in my groggy just woke up state

Explain to Jinhai the cause of your "madness" and the steps you've taken to overcome your treacherous new foes: 1

Doesn't change the outcome, but I'd feel bad if I didn't list it
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>>4935912
Don't forget the invisibility talisman Malal, or you will regret it.
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>>4935919
https://youtu.be/wJxM3POU92w
Making baked goods for our hundreds of nephews and neices!
>>
Jinhai notices Kanzeon's pointed silence, and understands that she hasn't spoken as she has not idea what is considered proper etiquette in the imperial court and so remains silent so as to not come across as impolite. It's understandable, considering that the only people she's met with or even conversed with aren't the type to adhere to social mores and respectful manner, excepting Luli, but her manner is much different than that expected within the royal court. Kanzeon knows she is unknown to the world outside of a select few people, and thus does not want to make a bad first expression and cause a misunderstanding that could last for entire seasons if not years.

The origin of that desire, you choose to remain ignorant of. Not every mystery of the heart and mind needs revealing, after all. If she wishes to act proper and manneredly to foster the relations and friendships she has long been denied, or solely because it would reflect badly on yourself to be so close with a woman known to be "Churlish", does not matter. It's her choice how she presents herself, and the mystery as to why does not need to be known.

"Perhaps you and Lieren would like to join us for our midday meal? I can tell he has a lot to tell us, and I'm curious to learn how the two of you became" Daiyu says, speaking before her husband is able to, an interruption Jinhai takes with perfect stride, smiling as he stops himself from speaking over his beloved wife "acquainted".

"Perhaps we could have the imperial kitchens make your favorites. I know Lieren prefers his fare simple, without too many spices or needless extravagances" Jinhai suggest merrily, as your attentions are drawn away from the conversation but Akanksha sorrow, which even the heavens must be forced to hear from how loudly she cries and curses. Kamakshi, while she manages to keep her composure and hide away much of her pain, the expression in her eyes reveals the agony within her heart is as deep and vividly felt as Akanksha's somewhat childish fit does.

"Perhaps peaches and plums stewed in honey, or Cliffjumper roasted with radishes in squash? Fried fish maybe?" Jinhai suggests as Kanzeon notices your distraction, and frowns. Not out of jealously, but rather pity. She lifts her head subtly, all but commanding you to do what you already intended to do, comfort your forlorn and heartbroken friends.

"Oh I would be honored to share your company, maybe I could even lend a hand in the preparations" Kanzeon says sweetly, bowing forward, a little too far but not deeply enough to be seen as overtly haughty or subservient "Would it be impolite to ask to see the Imperial Kitchens? I'm sure I'll be able to tell what Lieren enjoys better than he could"

"Oh not at all, not at all! I'm sure the cooks would be overjoyed to be visited by their king, their queen, their hero and his beloved" Jinhai exclaims, as a few lesser officials and nobles look on with barely concealed jealousy.
Cont
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>>4936108

"Though, I suppose they will only be in the company of three of those four" He says, noticing you tracking Akanksha and Kamakshi's flight from the throneroom "I'll send for you when you're work is done, my old friend. I know when you have a duty to fulfill"

"Don't worry, we'll treat Kanzeon like family" Daiyu teases "Maybe we could even indulge in a little gossip? I'm sure there's much she'll only talk about when you're away, and I can't resist the allure of such mysteries! My curiosity is gnawing like hunger, you see"

"Gossip? I'm afraid your majesty will be disappointed, I don't hide much, and what I do know about Lieren, you already know yourself, I'm certain" Kanzeon playfully replies, while remaining dignified as you take your leave of her, and the small but growing imperial family.
-

You find the two chieftains sitting by the lakeside, by a elegantly carved pier of stone, designed to resemble the tail of a carp or perhaps some breed of dragon. Akanksha is staring into the waters, despondent as she plucks and preens her cloak like she was a songbird herself. Kamakshi stands besides her, staring towards the horizon with a look of solemn but pained acceptance. You stand in the mist behind them for sometime, thinking of how to approach the two to give them some comfort amidst what they must view as the foremost tragedy of their lives. Though, the older Kamakshi is, as expected dealing with her "Loss" and the pain that accompanies it better and with more dignity than Akanksha. But that to, is to be expected. Akanksha is young, still in the spring of her life. Though her life has been lived much differently than a "normal" girl, she still possess a maiden's heart beneath the bloodsoaked cloak she wears. She is a warrior, but she is still a maiden, and a maiden's heart is a fragile thing indeed. And her heart's agony is worsened by how passionately she lives life, on and off the theater of battle.

And, as it is well known, a passionate heart is the most vulnerable to both love and sorrow. Sighing, you approach the two broken hearted women, sitting forlorn upon the scaled pier. Akanksha rises her head before slumping back in her long, carefully woven cloak of feathers. All around her, feathers plucked from their place and preened until only their quill remained. She remained motionless, beneath her thinning cloak. Complexly interwoven reeds peak out from beneath the parts of her dress closest to her hands.

Kamakshi turns, and her shoulders visibly slacken. For a moment her eyes brighten, before she turns away to hide her tears. You stop at the end of the pier, arms crossed and hidden in the sleeves of your "robes". They say nothing, the only sound the lapping of the lake and the gentle rustling of Akanksha's cloak as she plucks another feather to tear apart in her hands.
Cont
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>>4936111

"I am sorry. I should have nipped both your affection before they could blossom into love and flourish into hope. I should have approached both of you, and explained why I could not return your feelings and how what you desired was a dream that could not be" You say gently, using quiet words to reveal your guilt and shame to them.

"I knew that, but it is not the Vishnu way to turn away from a losing battle. You..I figured you were chaste, but even the coldest of men can have their passions awoken" Kamakshi sadly muses "It just, hurts to see I was...not the woman to stoke that fire. Or rather, that I wasn't enough of one"

Akanksha snorts, tearing another handful from her cloak.

"It isn't lust that binds Kanzeon and I together. Though many would lessen what you two felt for me as mere lust, but it grew into love. And that is my folly. I let hope grow in your hearts, and did nothing to stop its spread" You explain, sighing as you take another step forward "It was not a failing of your character or a lack of femininity that made capturing my heart and unachievable wish but rather"

You pause, and sigh slowly through your teeth, ponderously drawing in a fresh breath of air as you plan your next words carefully, as both of the woman in front of you hand on them and a single misplaced meaning or emphasis would throw them deeper into depression.

"There are many excuses, explanations. But I shall tell you the truth. It was my own nature that prevented it. I do not feel desire as other men do" You state, raising your head towards the heavens "You are correct that I am chaste, Kamakshi, but you are wrong in believing my heart does not burn"

You bow your head and stare at the carved stones beneath your feet.

"I am passionate, my blood boils with joy and rage like any other man, I give affection freely and I come to love and adore those close to me easily" You explain as Akanksha tosses a handful of feathers into the water "In fact, I love both of you as my dear friends, and companions. I respect both of you, both as warriors and women. But such love does not come from lust or a romantic desire, I have no interest in such things. They are distractions. And you must think, that means that naming Kanzeon my lover was a cruel joke to her, or a lie to end your pursuit, but that is also wrong"

Kamakshi turns, and looks back at you with silent confusion.

"Yes it is true, the yearning of the flesh is something I do not possess. But I truly love Kanzeon, she and I are of the same spirit. But our love transcends mere desires. We are lovers, but of a different sort than most could understand. It is simple, honest, pure. Untainted and unconditional. different than the love I hold for others, yet the same. Its hard to explain, but it is both separate and within the love of friendship, the love of romance, and the love of empathy' Your proclaim
Cont
>>
"Kanzeon and I share this love unmuddied by other emotions and"

Kamakshi tilts her head, pondering your words, as Akanksha begins whimpering, drawn from her stupor by your words

"But why? Why couldn't you love me in that way? Why her? I could have changed, stopped being violent, learned how to read and look pretty, become graceful. Why not me? Why? Why?" Akanksha sobs, as Kamakshi frowns and looks towards her pityingly

"it would be unforgiveable to ask you to change. You are who you are. Many would think you barbaric, feral. But from that wildness I love you, you are unique Akanksha and it is why I treasure you. Love, romantic or not, does not require such sacrifice if it is truly love. I would sooner hang myself than allow you to damage yourself in the pursuit of something you cannot reach!" You say, scolding her out of kindness "Kanzeon and I, know each other more deeply than we do any other, and that is why we share this love. You did not lose, or fail, Akanksha, it was simply impossible for me to return the love you felt for me. All I can do, is love you as I do my friends"

She sniffles, whimpering as she tries her best to keep herself from crying openly again

"And do not think Kanzeon alone shares this bond with me! Though how it is expressed is different, I feel the same love for My father Wenyan, My teacher Guozhi and my brothers Feng and Jinhai. It is nothing more than deep mutual knowledge and understanding of each other, and for each of the five I experience this love in a different way. We are companions for life, but with Kanzeon...it is like the heat of a summer's day, the warmth of a hearth's fire! the comfort of a hand holding your own tightly! The soothing chill of falling rain. Many would see this as romance, or wanton desire, but it is purer than that. We are partners of the soul, and that outlasts even the strongest bonds forged between hearts"

"Ah I get it now. A romance that goes beyond passion, a connection of the spirit" Kamakshi says with a gentle smile, as she realizes what it is you're trying to explain to her "There is no desire between the two of you, because what was desired has been achieved, and all that remains is the connection, the relationship. The love"

"I don't understand, love is love, isn't it?' Akanksha whimpers "What makes it different?"

"I'm not certain I could explain it, but imagine it like this, Akanksha" Kamakshi says, kneeling down as she places a comforting hand upon the crying girl's shoulder "Lieren and Kanzeon share something the heart cannot experience alone, so their very souls have been churned together. Like with his father, and his brothers. While it may be romantic at least for her in a fashion. It is not what we felt for him, we wanted to own him. While the two giants already belong to each other and take nothing I think"

"Precisely" You explain with a nod "And I still love you Akanksha, just not in the manner that you loved me. Love is the core of my existence, after all"
>>
>>4936120

"So...I didn't fail! because you still love me as a friend!" Akanksha gasps, coming to a somewhat strange conclusion "So you will never be my husband but at least we're uh"

"Connected" Kamakshi says, giving the younger chieftain the term she was looking for

"Yes! that! It...it still hurts though. Like I've lost something but...but did I?" Akanksha asks, as fresh tears flow down her cheeks "I didn't lose but..but I lost something"

"Only you can understand what you have lost" You say, wiping tears from your own eyes

"Love. I lost it but...there's still some left, but it doesn't feel the same" Akanksha pouts "I don't understand it"

"You're young, you will with time. We lost our prey, but we were always his friend. We just couldn't force what we shared to change into something more..." Kamakshi sighs, shaking her head, before turning to you. Tears glimmer on her cheeks, but she is smiling in hapiness

"I am...grateful you explained this, instead of leaving us to sulk and wonder why it couldn't be. It still...my heart still aches. But this has lessened the pain a little...until next time Giant. I hope we'll make better friends than suitors" Kamakshi sighs

"I'm going to be his best friend" Akanksha mutters ruefully and you wonder if she learned anything from her heart breaking

"You really are an idiot, sometimes" Kamakshi laughs. You sigh as the two start to wrestle, and smile in relief that the worst of their depression has been quashed. Their hearts will take awhile to mend, and may never heal, but they can continue on their lives without the weight of attaining you weighing upon their minds.

"You are already good and loyal friends, there's no reason to hope" You state kindly as you leave to join the imperial family's midday meal
-

"ack!" Kanzeon chokes, as she struggles to drink from a steaming cup of tea, Daiyu giggles as she offers her a plate of pastries flavored with Orange blossom and syrup boiled from the skin of the tree's fruits. Your beloved tightens her lips, puckering them as she tries another sip and nearly chokes.

"She has a cat's tongue" Daiyu exclaims happily "One of my living sister has one as well! She can't stand to drink anything that hasn't been cooled with ice"

"Ah, Lihua? She can't even endure the heat of the day!" Jinhai laughs "She has to have the fire put out in any room she stays in, or she sweats like she was made out of ice herself"

"Taking a smaller sip would also help" You say, taking a sip from your own cup, as Kanzeon cautiously examians the glutenous cakes offered to her, her nose twitching as the unfamiliar smell assails her senses. She rubs her fingers, the sticky and sugary dough clinging to her fingers

"Adorable" Daiyu giggles

"Hmm, seems our loves might elope with each other" Jinhai jokes, as he turns to you

"it would make for an amusing story to be sure" You say, setting your cup to the table "But there's something we must discuss besides our beloveds, my friend"
cont
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>>4936122

"The prosperity of the realm?" Jinhai questions, you answer him with a nod, he sighs and slouches back in his chair "The future seems both bright and grim"

Daiyu straightens herself and immediately regains her composure as Kanzeon nibbles at the edge of the orange flavored pastry, looking confused by its texture and taste.

"Yes, war looms, we're threatened on all sides, and it seems to me that our neighbors possess powers and tools beyond even what we are able to muster and produce" The queen explains, as she pours herself a thimble of muddled dragon's spit, dropping a single berry into the vessel before she downs it "We have been, focusing the peoples attention from such dangers, by building them wonders and powering their homes. They're happy, and the lands are prosperous"

"But it will not remain that way for long" Kanzeon says, trying to pull the sweet from her fingers with a look of disgust "Even though the border's of the kingdom are well defended, they will do little to prevent war from coming"

"Warmongers at one side, zealots to the other. And by what we have learned, they possess technology and practice heretical arts, sorceries both foul and wicked" Jinhai snarls "War will come, but I am not certain the realm will endure it"

"It will. You have Lieren and a thousand other talented individuals at your side, and the gap between the nations could easily be narrowed" Kanzeon says, smiling jackalishly as she speaks

"Oh! yes you were the one who taught us so many things, and brought such wonders to the world! You must have a unique perspective of how to further cultivate the nation's prosperity" Daiyu exclaims joyously, clearly diverting the conversation to a less upsettingly grim topic.

"Well" Kanzeon begins, brushing her hair with the back of her hand as she adopts a proud expression and posture "I have a few ideas, but they'd require care to be effective and not spell disaster for the generations to come!"

"Thinking for the future rather than the present" Jinhai muses, as Kanzeon's prideful masks briefly parts to reveal her dread of the passing of time

"Well, Lieren could tell you why I am so cautious. Some knowledge is better kept locked away" Kanzeon grimly explains, as she sets her tea cup down and folds her hands together "And the means I hold of making the lands and people prosper, require the utmost caution and gentleness to remain a blessing, rather than a curse"
-

"Never thought you'd find another giant to take as your wife!" Wenyan laughs as he skips a stone across the lake. Kanzeon clicks her tongue and looks away, you place a hand on her lap and smile.

"Not his wife" She mutters through her teeth

"Yet" Wenyan corrects "I'd whip Lieren if he thought to be married without my blessing"

Kanzeon shakes her head and places her hand over yours

"Such a rude old man! has your grace been lost with the passing of years" Kanzeon teases as your father finds another stone to toss
Cont
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>>4936124

"Such a sharp tongue for a young lady, no wonder you captured Lieren's heart. I've never known him to appreciate meekness" Wenyan snorts, as Kanzeon's smiles smugly at being referred to as a "Young Lady". Luckily she's distracted with her conversation with your father,. so she doesn't hear what you just thought.

"It does have its own charm" You admit, as you stand and find a stone to skip yourself. Wenyan clicks his teeth as he watches the flat stone vanish into the fog, still skipping half way across the lake judging from the splashing

"Just had to show me up, eh" He chuckles, before stuffing his hands into the sleeve of his shirt "still, it's incredible you were able to find a woman like...yourself"

"Destiny has a funny way of creating coincidences" Kanzeon excuses, shrugging her shoulders

"Though there aren't many giants born upon Shangrala, that is some destiny to draw the only two together" Wenyan says with a sneer, as he combs his hanging beard "Though, what a happy fate it was...happier than my own"

"I.." Kanzeon starts, trying to apologize to your father

"My son, hold onto her as tightly as moss clings to stone. Don't let her go. This kind of love is rare, and I lost mine. If she dies, die with her" Wenyan says solemnly, closing his eyes in reminiscence "I lost so much, by the uncaring tides of faith or the will of cruel gods. But I lost much more to the choices of other men"

He kicks a stone into the lake and sighs.

"But, at least the world has brightened, beneath your wise gaze and the work of so many others" Wenyan says merrily, instantly switching from sorrow to joy "Just a shame I won't get to see how it grows, but it is a great shame yet, that your elder brother and my wife did not live to see its beginnings. They died in the old world, the uncaring world, the cruel world. And I would challenge the heavens themselves to rewrite their fates"

Kanzeon casts her gaze towards the horizon, wiping tears from her eyes as you bow your head in shame, for the part your arrival played in your father's tragedy.

"It won't be easy, making this world a kinder more gentle place. There remain a thousand obstacles in the path of progress and prosperity" You sigh, as Wenyan nods

"Yes, the world will struggle against itself, cruel men seeking to steal wealth, stamp out hope, or merely sow death and despair" Wenyan sighs mournfully, Shaking his head before grinning confidently "But I am sure Long-Jia will endure better than Yan, for it is lead by a wise king, and in his service alongside my valorous second son, figures of myth, heroes and geniuses alike flock to better the kingdom. The past is in the past, the future lays ahead, but the present alone we can change. And I am certain, Gentle Lieren and Sharp tongues Kanzeon, the two of you shall guide the present into a glorious future, auspicious and prosperous enough to make the heavens seem dull in comparison"
cont
>>
>>4936125

"Father" You say, nearly crying from the sheer warmth, kindness and belief of his words.

"I can see where Lieren got his personality from" Kanzeon sweetly whispers

"Oh look at me, being sentimental like I'm halfway into the grave already" Wenyan howls with laughter, shaking his head, before raising his cane towards Kanzeon "You! work hard on making children! I'll haunt the both of you if I die without seeing the smiles of my grandchildren

Kanzeon's expression flashes between embarrassment, confusion and rage.

"You...you" She struggles, emerald eyes alit with impotent wrath "you..I, tch, Lieren lead me to believe your society was built on etiquette and politeness! Yet here you stand, nearly exulting in your insolence!"

"I am old, I am allowed to have a sharp tongue, young lady. Besides, is it not every father's dream to see the children of his children" Wenyan laughs

"Tch" Kanzeon clicks her tongue "That doesn't mean its socially acceptable to bring it up. In fact its rude as hell"

"huh, never heard that phrase before. Hell isn't rude!" Wenyan laughs "But I apologize, I am used to joking with my son on such matters, I forgot a maiden such as yourself would take offence to such teasing"

"Apology accepted" Kanzeon mutters, before frowning "could I ask about your wife? that isn't rude is it"

"Not at all" your father replies with a gentle smile

"I'm glad the two of you are getting along so well" You laugh, breaking your silence, before your father and beloved exchange glances

"Shouldn't you be telling HIM! to work hard on making children" Kanzeon says with a accusitory finger

"Yes yes, after all, it is the farmer who plants the seeds not the fields" Wenyan says, causing Kanzeon to titter "SON! I command you to have children before I die! or I shall haunt every mile of your road!"

"Sometimes that Crassness of yours is endearing" She giggles as you suddenly find yourself the subject of both of their teasing and good natured mocking! "And as my "lover" I demand a show of affection! Ha ha!"

"So this is hell" You jokingly state, as the two of them level more outrageous orders and commands, by time they grow tired of their ribbing, Wenyan had ordered a statue a mile tall built on his grave, while Kanzeon demanded to be carried in a palanquin wherever the both of you went.

You join them in their rowdy laughter, all of your face turning red as the sun slowly fell on the horizon.
-

What shall you do, Lieren?

>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies

>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.

>Rejuvenate the Cui region, and help the New Varro men adjust to Shangrala and Long-Jia society

>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism

>Write in
>>
>>4936127
>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies
First, then
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism
And with the knowlege we gain from that
>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
>>
>>4936127
>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism
>Return to the former monastery of the Dai Monks. Attempt to commune with their lingering spirits and ask if they may be of assistance in the inevitable conflicts ahead.
I have to wonder if any of the monks have dealt with something similar to Kamal.
>>
>>4936127
>>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
>>Rejuvenate the Cui region, and help the New Varro men adjust to Shangrala and Long-Jia society
Time to gear-up for war again, just like when we took over Gao, and went war with Yan. Build-up the province and outgun the opposition. This Necromancer might be really powerful on the psychic front but you put a bullet in his brain and he can't astral project into shit.
>>
>>4936127
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism
This is a must have to best the evil wizard. Well, it's not a necessity, but it will make things slightly easier. Then if we have time we should so this.

>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
I'm also surprised the old monk friend knows biomancy.
https://youtu.be/WKiD5_RdzmU

>Write in
So what neat things did Kanzeon learn from the eldari ships?
>>
>>4936127
>Rejuvenate the Cui region, and help the New Varro men adjust to Shangrala and Long-Jia society
>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.

>Write in
Think to yourself and shield your thoughts from kanzeon
"Sure father, if kanzeon willing to one day we shall give you a grandchild"

I want that seed planted!
I don't care what you say malam, we're giving kanzeon the big ol prosperity stick and nothing can stop us

If our furry brother can fuck so can we
>>
>>4936127
>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies
But have Her aid in the construction while we....

>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism

However once we have it is time to do some solo Lieren recon, we go check out what the Vishnu over there have, pull some memories and disrupt their command buying us time. But most importantly giving us the data required to assassinate their king, fuck fighting a chosen of khone on one v one fair and square we assassinating him then let his empire fall into chaos
>>
>>4936127
>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies
>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism

the updates keep getting better and better
>>
>>4936132
>>4936138
I support these two.

>>4936127
>>
>>4936132
>>4936138
>>4936210
Wouldnt it be better to focus on two things instead of three? The fewer options chosen, the more Lieren can focus on them. Plus right after the war we could focus on building up the academies.
>>
>>4936127
>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies
>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism
>>
>>4936127
>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism
>meditate on the gem
>study the warpstone with Magnus’s help
>>
>>4936226
Yes.
>>
>>4936127
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism
Anti Khan measures

>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
Anti Vishnu measures

I feel like the others are more foundation project that will be slow to pay dividends and take a lot of time now, time I'm not sure we have.
>>
>>4936127
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism

>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.

We really got to get ready for the war that's coming
>>
>>4936226
We need Weapons and Psykerisms.

The ones we don't need are warpstone, academies and Dai souls. But I'm aware that if we keep kicking the can down the road, we'll never get it finished so I'm going to put some effort towards weaving the Dai monks into a new being/soul to get another useful ally against Kanan
>>
>>4936270
That isn’t going to do much.
>>
>>4936285
Probably not, but the point is stopping kicking the can.

Because if not now, then never.
>>
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>>4936127
>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
While we're in the capital, we need to get Shan/Dandan on this with AA batteries for protecting the palace.
We should get Kanzeon to inspect the factories and ask what she can design manufacturing plants of.

We can then do these together at the Small Chen academy:
>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism
Did any of the Varro people have psyker ability?

>>4936144
We got power armour and power weapons!!
>>4920429
>Oh all the technology, only the "Aethersails", anti-gravitic generators, the armor when it is not lined with razors and barbs to torture the wearer, dark light weaponry and strangely enough the Agonizer's neural interface prove viable . The rest cannot be divored from its inherent and designed cruelty. Kanzeon is able to produce weaponry equipped with power fields. Though she seems most interested in the "Aethersails", your attention is focused solely on the more merciful application of the agonizer, as with a few simple alterations the whip's neural web can be altered to instead paralyze and disable rather than torture.
>>
>>4936127
>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism
Much as I want to introduce Kanzeon to the others, and we DID promise to make the Cui lands green and fertile again, we're in crunch time.

>>4936144
I don't think she got a chance to really study them in depth. We used the advanced materials they were made of to restore Kanzeon's systems.
>>
>>4936127
>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism
>>
>>4936127
>>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies
>>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
>>
>>4936127
>>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.

>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism

>Rejuvenate the Cui region, and help the New Varro men adjust to Shangrala and Long-Jia society

In order of Priority.
>>
>>4936127
>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism
>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
>>
>>4936138
Changing my vote to this, I haven't shilled the Dai souls for threads to stop now.
Also, add
>Bring Ghuonzi with you, he knows the Monastery, and was tge one that summoned them the last time.
>>
>>4936285
Well, Kamal is a legion of absorbed souls, if we learn more about how to transplant tgem into a new body, how they would interact in a perfect condition instead of a forced one, and old tricks that they used in the past, them it means we can do it in inverse to destabilize him.
Also it gets the son that our father wants, and get us closer to transplant Kanzeon into a new body
>>
>>4936356
> Kamal is a legion of absorbed souls
He’s a leech not a legion.
>>
>>4936127
>Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholary schools and academies
>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism
>>
>>4936362
Doesn't matter, they are still attached to him empowering him, that's the whole point of the five elemets, to throw him off balance so Lieren can remove them, weaking him.
>>
>>4936368
Creating a shell for a bunch of soul scrap isn’t going to help with because it’s a fundamentally different situation and not that useful. There is also the fact you are ignoring the inherent dangers of this project
>>
>>4936377
Than tell me the dangers anons, I want to see it.
I also want to know how knowing how connecting souls works is useless when facing someone that has aouls connected to them.
Enlighten me.
>>
>>4936384
I think, in Kamal's case, he drains the souls of their essence, rather than being connected to them in any fashion.

The Emperor is a vast host of souls that have united into a singular identity.
>>
>>4936226
The big worry is that Nitya Sinha will wait to exploit the distraction Kamal Kanan presents and invade while Lieren is confronting the sorcerer.
>>
Hello, I finally caught up, and man, what a ride! I love wuxia and unconventional 40k lore (the one that doesn’t solely focused on GRIM AND DARK FUTURE AND EVERYTHING IS SHIT) and so, this quest made me write a fan fiction of my own. Sorry for not exactly a good quality of it, hope you will enjoy it!
This one is pretty big, so hold up!

<Gentle Giant and the Old Fox: a fairy tale that is popular in [DATE REMOVED] system. While it has many versions, this one is one of the few that was translated in Gothic by [DATA EXPUNGED] in [DATA CORRUPTED]. While it’s based on [DATA REMOVED] it has a lot of inaccuracies. The part with “The Celestial Emperor” was added later by [DATA REMOVED]>

The Gentle Giant and The Old Fox

Once upon a time, there was the Gentle Giant. He lived in a tiny house, deep in the mountains, alongside numerous children. While they were poor, they lived happily, as all of them lived on what valleys could provide him.

Once when he travelled across the vales, Gentle Giant heard a cry: “Oh woe to me, woe to me!”. Curious, Gentle Giant came to a cry, and found the Old Fox near a broken cart, crying on a road.

“What’s the matter, Old Fox? Why are you crying?” Asked him Gentle Giant.
“Oh poor, poor me! I was coming back from the town to my house, but alas, my cart's axle is broken! Now I’m stuck here, alone! Oh, woe to me, woe to me! Please, help me, Gentle Giant!”
The Old Fox’s laments moved Gentle Giant for he too was poor.
“Don’t cry, Old Fox, let me help you!” He said, coming to nearby trees and pulling several of them out from the ground with ease. Then, with his own bare hands, he made a new cart for the Old Fox, bigger and sturdier than the old one.
“There, good as new!” Gentle Giant said.
“Oh poor, poor me!” the Old Fox cried again, “To feed myself, I had to sell my only ox in the city, and now I have to carry this cart back home on my own! I’m old and weak, and can’t do it alone! Oh, woe to me, woe to me! Please, Gentle Giant, help me drive this cart to my house!”
The Fox’s laments moved The Gentle Giants heart one more, for he always helps the old and weak.
“Very well, Old Fox! Get inside the cart, I will drive you home!” Said the Gentle Giant, as he gripped the cart.

Cont.
>>
>>4936452
Once they came to the Fox’s home, Gentle Giant saw a ruined hovel, caved in well, an empty barren field and a murky pond.
“Oh poor, poor me!” Cried Old Fox a third time “I’m old and have no children, my fields are empty, and I can’t do much on my own! I can’t hire a worker in a city, and I will surely starve in the winter! Oh woe to me, oh woe to me! Please, Gentle Giant, help me! Please, be my servant for a year, so I can afford to hire workers next year!”
The cries moved the Gentle Giant a third time, for he could not see others starve.
“Very well, Old Fox! I will be your servant for a year, but promise me that you will give mequarter of your harvest, so I can feed the children that live in my home!”
“Yes, yes, I promise you, the Gentle Giant!” Said the Old Fox.

And so, The Gentle Giant began his work.

First, instead of the tiny hovel, the Gentle Giant built for an Old Fox, a big house, so he could sleep safe and sound.While he was building a new home, Gentle Giant found the Spider that was tangled up in its own web. Being a virtuous being, Gentle Giant frees the Spider from its own trap.
“Thank you, Gentle Giant!” Said the Spider “I will not forget this!”

Then, Gentle Giant dug a new well, so Old Fox will always have clean and tasty water. While Gentle Giant dug well, he encountered a Turtle, which lay on its back, unable to move. Being a virtuous being, Gentle Giant helped the poor Turtle.
“Thank you, Gentle Giant!” Said the Turtle “I will not forget this!”

After the well, Gentle Giant came to the pond, and in its place he created a magnificent lake, so an Old Fox will always have fresh and tasty fish. While he was busy working, Gentle Giant met the Carp, which were trapped under a boulder. Being a virtuous being, Gentle Giant freed the Carp.
“Thank you, Gentle Giant!” Said the Carp “I will not forget this!”

At long last, Gentle Giant came to a field and begun working tirelessly and with great efficiency, and lo and behold, where nothing grew we’re now crops as big as

While Gentle Giant toiled and worked hard, Old Fox did nothing but sleep, ate what Giant brought to him, and just threw excessive parties at his big house, surrounding himself with all kinds of useless vermins and parasites. Eventually, Old Fox grew even more fat and lazy, becoming arrogant and boasting Gentle Giant’s spoils as his own achievements, while giving less and less gratitude to him. But Gentle Giant did not mind, for he was a humble being and expected a proper reward for his hard work.
>>
>>4936454
And finally, the year has passed, and Gentle Giant reaped a truly monumental harvest - more than enough to feed and hire not just a worker or two, but to feed the entire village on its own for a whole year. Old Fox gathered all his vermin lackeys for the most gigantic feast, gorging on such a boundless harvest on its own. And at the height of this decadent feast, Gentle Giant came to an Old Fox and humbly requested his long awaited reward.

But greed and arrogance clouded Old Fox’s mind, and he was outraged at Gentle Giant’s request.
“How dare you come to me and demand a portion of my wealth! I worked hard and wide for it, while you were leeching on my boundless generosity! Begone, I tell you! Begone!”
Enraged by such audacity, Gentle Giant grew ten times his size, spouted gigantic horns and donned a mask of the Mad Ogre, as he began thrashing around. All Old Fox’s court of pests had fled at a sight of such might and fury. The only who could not flee in time was Greasy Slug, for he was so slow and useless, so Mad Ogre just punted him so far away in the skies, so he will never come back to earth.
After that, Mad Ogre began chasing Old Fox, as he fled to his friends.

First, Old Fox came to a fetid swamp, where lived the Putrid Toad, and Old Fox kowtowed to him, begging for help
“Oh, mighty Putrid Toad, please, help me! Mad Ogre is chasing me, he will surely eat me and will turn your swamp into the garden, chasing away those juicy maggots and flies that you love to gorge yourself with!”
Pestilent Toad croaked, terrifies at prospect of losing his beloved snacks
“Har har! I will crush this Ogre to a pulp, because I’m big!”
And it jumped out from its swamp, with intent to crush Mad Ogre with its massive belly. But before he could do it, he was caught by a Carp, which gulped down Putrid Toad, so Mad Ogre would continue his chase unopposed.

Then, Old Fox ran to the filthy pigsty of the Oafish Boar. Old Fox kowtowed to him, pleading for help.
“Oh mighty Oafish Boar, please help me! Mad Ogre is chasing me, he will eat me for sure and surely will clear all that muck and mud that you love to cover yourself with!”
Terrified of losing all his beloved mud, Oafish Boar groaned:
“Oink oink, I’m strong and fast! I will run and impale this Mad Ogre on my mighty tusks!”
And so he began to run fast, so Mad Ogre almost didn’t have time to stop the Boar, but thankfully, he was saved by the Spider, which weaves a net, and catches Oafish Boar in it.
Unimpeded once more, Mad Ogre begins catching up with Old Fox.

Cont.
>>
>>4936456
At last, Old Fox came to a court of the Vain Lion, kowtowing to him as he was busy preening before numerous mirrors and portraits of himself.
“Oh, mighty Vain Lion, please, help me! Mad Ogre is chasing me, and he will eat me and surely will break down all your mirrors and tear down all your portraits!”
Enraged at such claim, Vain Lion roared:
“How dare he! I’m smart and cunning! I will set a trap on this Mad Ogre!”
And so Vain Lion lay in a bush, preparing to ambush Mad Ogre so he could tear him down. As Mad Ogre was near this cunning trap, Turtle bit the Vain Lion’s tail, making him yelp and run away in fear. Without resistance, Mad Ogre almost catch up with Old Fox

But before MadOgre would catch up with him, Old Fox saw the Celestial Emperor on a hill, meditating on mysteries of the universe. In a last attempt to escape, Old Fox shapeshifted into the young maiden in distress and prostate before the Celestial Emperor.
“Oh, mighty Celestial Emperor!” Cried out Old Fox, kowtowing before him “There is the Mad Ogre who was chasing me, with intent to eat me and laid ruins upon your land! I’m sure after he is done with me, he will surely rebel against your benevolent rule!”
“LIES! TRICKERY AND LIES!” Mad Ogre screamed, standing proud and tall before the Celestial Emperor “THIS TRICKSTER PROMISED ME A REWARD FOR MY HARD WORK, BUT WHEN THE I ASKED FOR PAYMENT, IT TRIED TO CHASE ME AWAY!”

The Celestial Emperor, in his boundless wisdom and endless intellect, saw through trickery of an Old Fox exposing its crimes, as he saw through the mask of the Mad Ogre, revealing his virtues. With a flick of a wrist, he dispelled Old Fox’s trickery and soothed Mad Ogre, making the Gentle Giant once more.
“Old Fox,” The Celestial Emperor declared “For your wickedness and excess, I will confiscate your fortune and bound you in the depths of Hell for one thousand years, so you will earn your lessons! Gentle Giant, for your virtue and kindness, I will grant you the former Fox’s house, so you will spread its fortune and prosperity to all people!”
And so, Giant Giant and children now live in a big house, generously spreading its prosperity for all good folk, and they lived happily ever after.
The end

Hope you enjoyed my fan fairy tale!
>>
>>4936384
Kamal eats souls like a daemon. He doesn’t fuse with them.
You need to apply murphy’s law to the project. You have to remember Chaos spirited away the Primarchs as long as it isn’t nu-lore out from under the Emperor and past all his defenses. We are currently on a Chaos dominated planet and the only place we could perform the procedure is near a weakened veil of reality.
>>
>>4936458
Holy shit anon, that's a lot.
Good job.
>>
>>4936473
>Kamal eats souls like a daemon. He doesn’t fuse with them.
>"[...] we know he fuels his power with the very existence of other beings and that his soul is composed of half digested fragments of these unfortunate victims, correct?"
>"Correct. Imagine a parasitic flower, sapping the life from a tree, that is what my opponent has twisted his essence into. A life draining web, a bloated leech overflowing with wickedness and stolen power"
He may not be fusing together with those souls like the Emperor did, but they are explicitly stated to be connected to his own soul in some fashion.
>>
>>4936270
We dont need academics and schools right now. We can make those after the war.

>>4936293
No? We'll get to doing the academies later on, but if we fail to produce enough weapons, or recruit enough psykers, then there wont be any schools left when they're smouldering craters. Ever thought of that?

>>4936307
Looks like we got all we need to start up a proper police force.

>>4936315
See here >>4936307

>>4936330
Why is showing Kanzeon the studies more important than training psykers?

>>4936368
Nah, hes still a dirty leech.

>>4936435
Because making schools will help?
>>
>>4936492
How is it different from Slaanesh and the Eldar?
>>
>>4936496
Kamal has to keep them around in some form to draw on their power and add it to his own.
Slaanesh consumes the souls of Eldar outright.
>>
>>4936497
It explicitly says “half digested” implying he is in the process of digesting the souls. The difference from my perspective is a matter of speed or scale than whether they keep them around or not.
>>
>>4936485
Thanks, hope you enjoyed it.
>>
>>4936132
+1
>>
>>4936529
Serious question: Why do you want to build schools right before a war?
>>
>>4936500
I mean, Slaanesh derives pleasure from their sorrow and suffering. He/She/It is enjoying that feast over eons, not immediately.

>>4936494
I don't have a problem with founding more schools for martial arts, psyker disciplines, or standard education.

I think Lieren, and by extension us, should trust the Jinhai and the Kings of War to handle the wider scope of the conflict. All they need are the tools/weapons/equipment to counter the enemy. I just worry that both Kamal and Nitya will have some awful trump card held in reserve.

Maybe we should work on developing an intelligence network? I'm sure some of our Brotherhood comrades have the skills necessary to scout and observe the Vishnu at least, if we can just provide some more up-to-date information on the kingdom, written and spoken languages, etc.. Talk to a few traders perhaps?
>>
>>4936494
There is no space between them, the are of equal importance, and can be done at the same time.
>>
>>4936634
The psyker one is a vital package deal since it also includes wuxing. You know the thing we need for fight Kamal.
>>
>>4936494
Read my post again anon. I don't care about the academies and recognise they can be done later.

I was talking about the Dai souls. That is what we keep forgetting to do, like we keep forgetting to investigate the soul stone. So I say enough.
>>
>>4936127
https://equimed.com/health-centers/reproductive-care/articles/horse-gestation-timeline
How many foals can our mare and stallion breed, and do we have anymore giant horses? Can we make future horse armor?

>>4936875
Oh that? I'm all for asking our grandfather about the soul echos and investigating the soul stone in that dead eldar's tongue. It would be an interesting point worth studying. We could recieve a massive boon from the eldar if we could figure out how to replicate it, failing that Lieren could always train and make occasional raids in Nurgles garden before setting everything on fire, maybe even bring photos of Isha to give all the Farseers.
>>
>>4936875
>So I say enough.
it is better to just attempt it just to fail miseribly, I’m solidly against attempting to create a body for the souls.
Though I did post an option for the soul stone (and warp stones) because I’m fairly confident they’ll have pivotal advantages.
>>
>>4936127

>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.

>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism

In peace prepare for war. I have a sneaking suspicion that if we don't prepare well enough there will be more named character deaths.

Speaking of I think Lieren may need to harden himself against the prospect of death or meditate on it, he's going to struggle when he gets his legion and the death of Wenyan. The two wars are going to be nothing compared to the war against the Yan.
>>
>>4936930
If the soul plan fails, so be it. But I don't want it to stay on the backburner and forgotten in ignominy.
>>
>>4936930
Stop with teh doom and gloom anon, if it's not something that Lieren can do, Malal straight up tells is.
Giving that making a primarch tier bidy and transfering Kanzeons counciouness was Lieren's idea to begin with, Malal has said that that the ghosts are remains, but can be made into something else, and that he hasn't said anything about tge idea of trying to unite them, than it's not impossibke.
Malal isn't going to fuck us over, I lnow it's hard to understand after years of shit QMs. I know it's hard, because I also felt this despair thinking we wouldn't get the chance to inprove ourselves again in the future, even after all of the paranoid cries of "touch warp stuff and ypu get instant corrupted" that Malal had to dispel before, but we have to calm down and believe in him.
>>4936515
I really liked it, seemed just like those cutaway stories that Malal writes sometimes.
Atleast it was not touched by the skeptic and redactor scholar.
>>
>>4936992
fucking redactor, why I'd like to [DATA DELETED]
>>
>>4936992
>Malal isn't going to fuck us over,
Let me correct you on that.
>Malal isn’t going to fuck us over without warning
The problem this is the worst time to attempt a partial primarch we only have a tiny fragment of that data, most likely could do is create above average unaging bodies that can house disembodied souls and create a vastly lesser gesalt compared to the Emperor. We, however are on a Chaos controlled world and the only place we can make the body is where the veil of reality is weakest. You seriously think Chaos isn’t going to fuck up your experiment? You aren’t going to get any immediately useful results since it’s a long term project. Your argument is one of blatant impatience and ignorance of this. Wipe Chaos off the planet first then I’ll be in support of your pet project but not a moment before. We don’t have time to babysit a literal fetus from Chaosfuckery while the enemy is at our door.
>>
I just hope we don't go full Buddhist monk, that would be bullshit

Lieren is a being of the physical realm, he and all his loved ones reside within the physical world.

If he starts to go all spiritual enlightenment all the time then it's honestly not lieren anymore.

I want to add a new passage to the journey.
"While the spiritual world within and without must be tended to as does the mind and muscle, remember that we are all physical creatures, do not preoccupy yourself with seeking enlightenment whilst you can be making the real world around you a better and more prosperous place ,we have but one life to live, make it so that it is spent living and not worrying about spiritual things quite so much".
>>
>>4937046
Just say that you don't want to do it instead of trying to go around us.
You have purposefully ignored my entire point that that Malal isn't going to fuck us over, because he hasn't warned yet.
Not only that, but you say I act in ignorance, when your argument is built upon paranoia and hypotheticals.
I didn't say to stop everything and built the fucking mini-emperor right now, the fucking vote is to begin studying the process, which can help against Kamal.
Because if we put it off even beginning to contemplate it, it's never going to happen.
>>
>>4937107
Good dammit, this is the third time I switch us, is and it.
>>
>>4936127
>Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.
>Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism.
Best to focus purely on the war that will come sooner rather then later, either as a surprise or because it would be better to attack first then let the enemy build up or prepare more.
>>
Does anyone can post lyrics of “Kind Golden Eyes”? I want to make something, but sadly I can’t find them anywhere.
>>
>>4937583
There are no official lyrics
>>
>>4937588
there were some in an old thread, I'll take a look
>>
>>4937583
it s in one of the first threads. For be more precise is when Lieren starts being an administrator, and after killing the Toad Dragon.
>>
>>4937598
thread 3, just as we enter the bone devoring forest.

Ooooh have you seen, those eyes of the most candescent gold!
Aglow with kindness, unmatched in their brilliance and filled with some humble benevolence!
From Nothing they came, casting the land with such gentle light and mercy, a simple ambition to remake all before their gaze as jade so magnificent.
Ooooh have you seen the kind golden eyes, of Lieren the wise, the hunter from Nothing, who comes to bring joy and comfort to all lands of Gao, to ease the suffering of its people. Have you seen his eyes, with your own?

Unmatched kindness, a gentle voice, Lieren comes now, upon his road of white stone, a gift from the heavens, a beacon of hope, have you seen those kind eyes of gold!
From Nothing he comes, to turn the empty fields to jade. With wisdom unparalleled beneath the heavens and a virtuous, he walks the lands now, seeding prosperity where he goes.
Oh tell me, tell me, have you had the good fortune and delight, to gaze upon those golden eyes agleam with kindness and generosity, and boundless benevolence, tell me, tell me, have you met the Giant Lieren?!

What future is dreamed and seen, by those wells of the most brilliant of gold?
>>
So who is up for creating battle formations?
>>
>>4937601
Trying to imagine the beat for that is weird.
>>
>>4937663
I know right. It's got no easy rhythem
>>
>>4937675
>>4937601
Thanks, this surely needs some rework.
>>
>>4937675
The excuse was that it was a literal, direct translation from the Yan language, so it doesn't rhyme or keeps the rythem in english.
Maybe a rework keeping the meaning, but trying to give it a musical structure could work? Does anyone knows how chinese music is supposed to flow?
>>
>>4937718
Haiku is a poem but that's about all I know of it.
I doubt they made K-pop in Shangrala, but this was a refrain of the song.

Chinese had a lot of string instruments and wood wind though.
>>
Calling the vote now. Sorry for the late update. Got absolutely pissed watching asian horror movies.

Introduce Kanzeon to your students and Luli, after beginning the construction of numerous martial and scholarly schools and academies:14

Expand the Wanderers in the fog sect, and train your disciples. Also, ponder the interaction of the five elements and how to apply it to psykerism:19

Begin the production of advance weaponry and other tools of war to stockpile them and prepare the kingdom for war.: 20

Return to the former monastery of the Dai Monks. Attempt to commune with their lingering spirits and ask if they may be of assistance in the inevitable conflicts ahead.:3
-Bring Guozhi along: 1

Rejuvenate the Cui region, and help the New Varro men adjust to Shangrala and Long-Jia society:3

Further eldar research: 1

HORNY: 1

Meditate on the gem: 1
Study the WARPstone with Magnus: 1

Total votes:22

So Lieren will begin the production of more Advance weaponry to prepare the kingdom for war, using the industry spreading from Xue to expedite the process alongside Kanzeons aid, and expand the wanderers in the fog and train his disicples whilst also ponder the five element's cycles and how they could apply to pyskerism.

And while he's training the Cultivators, he'll introduce Kanzoen to his more mundane students and Luli, as well as commanding the lesser members of the ministry of Development to build more martial and Scholarly academies, while his best and brightest continue work on the production of weaponry and other tools of war.

Writing now

Sorry again for the wait.

>>4936452
>>4936454
>>4936456
>>4936458
This is really fantastic. Has that classic folktale feel, I'm just imagining this drawn in a child's book of fables and it is just adorable.

S tier work there! It was a joy to read, start to finish

>>4937066
Remember you can vote to add to the Journey at anytime

>>4936879
I uh, don't think I can answer the first question there, but for the other two yes you can!
>>
>>4937813
>Got absolutely pissed watching asian horror movies.
What?
>>
>>4937818
I watched horror movies, and got drunk. Woke up hungover
>>
>>4937825
Always a good time
>>
I guess I’ll make a prediction on how Wuxing will be applied to psyker. Mostly will depend on the concepts behind each element since they are not only associated with substances but also emotions, fighting styles, seasons, smells, tastes, senses, animal, abstract concepts, etc.
>>
Shan watched with manic glee and unrestrained exciment as you examined the lenses of flexible glass he had produced with Kanzeon's guidance. They catch the light in a most queer manner, the way they have been cut and shaped producing a single stream of light that can burn through not only waxed paper but tanned hide as well, and even rubber if properly angled. Dandan fans herself with a wicked nearly malicious grin. And you soon sport a predatory smile of your own as you realize the implications of such a discovery. Kanzeon sits, one leg crossed over the other, her arms crossed beneath her bossom as she smirks haughtily.

"Technically I did not aid in this innovation or its discovery, since Lieren had knowledge of laser weaponry before hand. I merely provided the necessary information of their production that was missing" Kanzeon chuckles, upholding her choice to not interfere with the advancement of Shangrala's society or provide them a means to end themselves through their own foolishness "You'll find such weaponry to be much more effective than the fire arms employed far and wide across these lands"

"A new instrument to master, can this...Light focusing glass be upscaled?" Dandan asks curiously, as she carefully examines the crystals laid before her, judging and memorizing every cut and line in their surface. Shirong pauses in his copying of the schematics you drew up for a simple rifle, and with his brush points out areas that are flawed in its design.

"It will use its supply of electricity much more efficiently if these wires are connected to a sub capacitor, that could draw off any excess power from the conductive materials of its stock and barrel" He points out, and you consider his suggestion, calculating the benefits of a sub battery inside the chassis of the rifle, and find that with a few altercations and further refinement, the idea has merit, and so adjust you schematic and point out the changes to Shirong, who studies them closely.

"Of course it could be enlarged! the only change that would be needed is swapping out the power source for a stronger engine, and insolating the control interface with rubber to prevent idiots from electrocuting themselves and sadly expiring" Kanzeon says with a huff, raising her head higher as Cao Yunru inspects a Water Generating Stone.

"You knew of these wonderous devices?" He questions, sounding almost betrayed

"They're dangerous Yunru, that is why I kept them hidden. They can end draught, but can also render an entire region uninhabitable if they fall into the wrong hands" You explain the ever well meaning and noble scholar your reasons for keeping the Water Generating Stones from the kingdom and her people "That is why Kanzeon suggested they be brought here, as a last resort weapon if all else fails"
cont
>>
>>4937925

Cao Yunru, with a deeply saddened expression examines the stone more closely and closes his eyes as his face contorts from the turmoil of his desire to help others and his wisdom telling him somethings are simply too dangerous to learn or spread.

"Such a cruel twist of fate, that the key to solving drought and famine, is also a weapon so dangerous even a devil would hesitate to use it" He sighs, shaking his head sorrowfully as he turns to you "I am sorry if you felt I had doubted you, I did not know the truth of these "tools"

"I do not intend to keep them locked away however, with carefully restricted and monitored use, these stones may hasten the recovery of the Cui region by years, maybe even decades!" You exclaim happily, placing a friendly hand on your saddened friend's shoulder

"They were used to terraform this world" Kanzeon whispers in your thoughts "Among other more dangerous methods. The technology is finnicky, the "Water Generating Stones" as you've chosen to refer to the safest and slowest method of terraforming employed by my sisters, as you well know, requires several reactions including the element hydrogen and I know you are well aware of what that chemical is capable of. And that is only the beginning of the danger it poses, it can draw water from its surroundings...all of its surroundings."

I am aware of that as well, you inform Kanzeon through your thoughts, however, the risk is great enough to at least hold a few of the devices in reserve and primarily they are intended to avert the more devastating droughts and natural catastrophe.

"I felt the need to warn you a second time, and so I would have reason to inform you, that once they no longer have a use, they will be disposed of and restricted" Kanzeon says gravely "It is only because of necessity I'm allowing them to be brought to the surface

And I thank you for that, I am in your debt, you think with a bow of your head

"I don't accept that debt, we both wants what's best for the people, lover' Kanzeon imparts with a giggle, and a flutter of her eye lashes

"So, tell me more of these Hydroponics you mentioned" Cao Yunru chimes in, turning away from a discussion with Shan

"And this so called element of "Plas'ma!" Dandan says with wide eyed anticipation

Kanzeon visibly whilts

"I knew I should've kept my mouth shut, now they will never stop with their inquires" She hisses into your mind "I can tolerate giving them Las weaponry, but Plasma is where I draw the line with conviction"

You nod. You've seen what plasma is capable of. As well as Darklight. Lasers are less destructive, but just as effective considering the materials commonly used to make armor and other forms of protection and fortification. Though, Tao Dandan will beg to be allowed to field the reverse engineered Dark lances you've already produced.
Cont
>>
>>4937928

And she may yet see her desire fulfilled. A war more terrible than any in living memory or history is on the horizon. Desperate measures must be employed
-

"I'm not sure which of my sisters was responsible for the southern hemisphere, but they have clearly performed their task poorly!" Kanzeon says through chattering teeth, pressing herself closely to you as she wraps herself tightly in furs.

"Ah, the goddesses" Guozhi laughs as Kuan im stalks behind him "Of course, they cannot be expected to be faultless, though I am curious how they were able to disrupt the "natural" order as you know it, dear mother Kanzeon"

"Reversal of the magnetic poles, tilting the planets orbit. It in all probability was caused by one falling into a large deposit of iron or other conductive material" She explains as Kuan im nods.

"This vessel you've crafted to inter your essence is as stunningly beautiful as I imagined my name sake to be!" the blind seer exclaims merrily, which only serves to stoke the fire of Kanzeon's ego with her praises. Though it must be stated, it is impressive how the priestess is able to retain her faith of the heavens, when Kanzeon directly told her of the origin of their religion.

"Truly the heavens are bountiful with blessings" Kuan im states before stopping, sensing what you had been focusing on since the transport ship or "Heaven Stalking Iron Hawk" as it was dubbed had landed. Through the frost, snow and winds, a presence burns in the icy wasteland of the southernmost region of the Long-Jia kingdom, upon the mountains that border the Basque. A psyker, of not insignificant power and potential

"Kanzeon, if you would, return to the charges we've already saved. I sense a confrontation ahead" You say gently. Kanzeon smiles, knowing she'll remain by your side even if her puppet does not

"Stay safe, my dear scholar" she whispers into your ear, from her lips and the armor you wear. It begins to shift into traditional though stylized armor, that worn by the common Imperial soldier but enlarged to fit you. A cloak billows on the wind, collecting frost and powdery snow upon its back as you brave the crevice ahead of your party of three

Kuan im falls to her knees

"Malice, agony, hatred, fear!" She cries, clutching at her temple as one of her eyes turns red from a popped vessel

"Sister Kuan im! Lieren! I shall stay by her side, and ward the area with my will, you must continue alone!" Guozhi proclaims, rushing to her side. She was caught in the psionic waves produced by this poor soul's suffering. Like a whirlpool of sorrow and emotional trauma, it tears and pulls at any who stray to closely to him

But you are accustomed to pain, both emotion and phsyical. Tragedies of friends lost, lives that could not be saved, the burn of witch fire, the "gentle" touch of an agonizer. This wayward pysker's unrestrained power feels like a tickle upon your back. Clambering quickly down the cliffs face, you find the hovel of the unfortunate soul
>>
>>4937930

Wearing rags and old furs, a young man sits besides a dying fire, partially frost bitten. He looks up to you, vision assail you mind. The horrors of his psychic awakening. The faceless heads of loved ones bursting as their boiled grey matter bubbled from their orifices, charred corpses and smears of fat and blood upon the ground. He imagines himself a monster, a devil. But that is not true, you can feel his grief, his guilt, as tangibly as the cold and the pain he inflicts upon you.

"Go away! Go away!" the man cries out, raising a hand to warn you away, a vortex forming upon his palm as you near

Rolling your neck, you resist the heat flowing from him, and offer him a hand as you kneel down besides his bed of straw and misshapen stones.

"I will not, you are suffering. I cannot stand idle by as a fellow man suffers. We can help you, train you, teach you to control your gift, to prevent the tragedy of your past. Allow me to lift you up, and offer you a second chance" You say, casually putting out a fire that had suddenly appeared on one of the braid's Meixiu tied when you began this venture to gather talent and save those who possessed it from themselves or superstitious mobs. This man, was the last recently awoken psyker you had discovered, and perhaps the one who most desperately needed your aid.

"Please, the only other means of ending your suffering is death. And I would loathe to kill an innocent man" You say, as the exhausted, half frozen and malnorished man notices your golden eyes. His tears freeze to his cheeks and he takes you hand.

You embrace him, and carry him out of the grave he had prepared for himself.
-

"Auntie auntie auntie!" is the cheer of your young students, be the tigerfolk or baseline, they swarm Kanzeon as you return to the Chen Dao Academy with your newest recruits. Sandip tries to show off by lifting a rock, only to be pulled away by Avinash before he could hurt himself. Ananya is at the front of the pack, looking up at the giantess with emerald eyes with a mixture of awe and curiosity.

"Are you uncle's sister? Do all of your family grow that tall"
"Pretty pretty! Pretty lady! Tall and strong!"
"Long hair! is it like fur! DO you have fangs to?"
"Her eyes remember me of home!"
"Bigger than papa! Not bigger than Uncle though!"
"Are you uncles mate?
"Darshana! who taught you that word! You've been so lewd lately! Very unladylike"

One of your older, grown students approaches you

"This reminds me of a song, teacher, of a goddess who sought love in the world of the mortals' He says, pressing his elbow into your side "I must say, you must come from a long line of fishermen to land yourself a catch as fine as her"


You chuckle, looking back to find Kanzeon struggling beneath a pile of fur, ears and tails. She's careful not to injure your rambunctious students as she tries to pull them off of her as they try to play or pull her away from the others to show her around first

"Ah, what a lovely sight" You laugh
>>
>>4937933

"Help me your smug Bast..." Kanzeon cries out, laughing as she gets pulled down once again. Seems she is unable to even maintain her temper in the face of such a potent wave of the indomitable happiness of children

"I might be allergic" She laughs, as she lifts up Darshana whose attention is...elsewhere. Seems that girl is maturing a little too quickly, judging by her apparent fascination with Kanzeon's chest. But there's no harm in youthful attraction, you've raised them all well enough to not indulge in desires so wantonly.

"My my, she certainly is popular" Luli giggles, looking on at Kanzeon gingerly rough housing with your students "though I wonder if she'd prefer them to"

You give her a look of quiet sterness

"Ah, her secret to keep I suppose. With how much she has done for me, and others like me, It would be unforgiveable to speak what she does not wish to be known" Luli says bowing her head "I will apologize to her at morning prayer, it is shameful my tongue became so loose"

"You stopped yourself, that is reason enough to be proud. And shows how dearly you treasure her friendship" You say, consoling Luli who only smiles in response

"Thank you" She says politely, before she leaves your side to try and stop your students rambunctious "Combat' for Kanzeon's attention
-
Xueqin was petrified. clutching his new metal prothetics around the charm he was given by a robed beauty, he sat in the darkness of the cave behind the water fall, gathered with other unfortunates like themselves. All of them held the same charm, that thrummed with every touch of his hand. The air waved with heat, as it so often did before his "Curse" showed itself, but the little piece of jade in his hands seemed to halt its advance. As if it were a stone in a river. He had no clue what was happening, the old monk explained to him the basic of cultivation and the purpose of his "Sect"

But Xueqin was still terrified, of himself mostly, but also those "Disciples" who sat closer to the mighty and virtuous Lieren, the inner disciples as they were called. Among their number was a little girl, and if what the old man said was true, she had more power lurking within her than himself. A terrifying prospect. To her side, sat two young men, that couldn't be older than his sons..sons...sons. The air began to heat, before a soothing song entered his mind. A girl by his side pressed her head against his, and waves of ease and comfort washed through his mind. Dully, he observed the elders of the sect the core disciples, all older than himself part the field of adherents, waving censers of burning herbs and fragrant resin as they came, chanting strange hymns and songs as they passed him by.

His mind clouded further, and he was only dimly aware of the lesson imparted to him and his fellow prospective "disciples". The words of the hero of the common folk's speech, was lost to him, But he retained its meaning.
cont
>>
>>4937936

A great darkness was approaching. And men like him needed to be ready to stand against it. But to do that, they needed to refine their essence, their very soul. But to do that, they needed a foundation to safely begin. But to do that they needed to gather their Qi, and condense it. It made little sense, but it seemed, he and the less talented of the sect's membership, were to be trained in controlling their abilities, while the more veteran and higher ranking disciples would be taught new techniques and methods. it was all so confusing, but it was no longer as daunting as before.

But Xueqin knew that was because his mind was drugged, by the touch of the strange girl at his side, and the heady aroma of the incense burned by the sect. The resonation of the water fall through the stone, connected it all to him and calmed him, even as his mind cried out in pain of remembering his past and what he did to his own flesh and blood. An accident, the giant called it, regrettable and unfortunate.

Never again. I will remain in control. Xueqin thought, as Lieren himself demonstrated a form of mediation, the lotus position. Sighing through his teeth, Xueqin copied his movements as accurately as he could. He would not lose control. His hands would not cause further misery. If he harmed another innocent soul, he would immolate himself in penance. as the Giant said, the only other release from his pain was death. if he could not master his abilities, he would use them to kill himself
-

You sat alone, observing each of the five elements. A bowel of water, A young sapling a fire burning in a cup of oil, a mundane stone, and a bar of wrought iron. Kanzeon's puppet "slept", as did the rest of the academy. No that you were alone, as Kanzeon busied herself with rebuilding and mending her true body, you had time to ponder the elements, their nature, their meaning, and how they could influence the world, the mind, the body and the soul. There were many components of Wuxing, and each of them could be used to strengthen or weaken psykerist techniques.

At least in theory.

What do you focus your tests on, Lieren?

>Material and color

>Emotion and mental quality

>Senses and body part

>Direction and Season

>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.

>Write in
>>
>>4937939
>>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.
I'm willing to gamble, dunno about you fellas.
>>
>>4937939
>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.
Gamble gamble gamble, spin spin spin!
>>
>>4937939
>>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.
>>
>>4937939
>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.
Fuck it, we ain't Chaos's bitch.
>>
>>4937939
>>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.
>>
>>4937939
>>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.

Spiritual revelation time either we meet daddy dearest, trip balls or learn how the eye of terror came to be.
>>
>>4937939
>Material and color

>Emotion and mental quality

>Senses and body part

>Direction and Season

>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.
All of them.
>>
>>4938010
>or learn how the eye of terror came to be
Perturabo bonding time pls
>>
>>4937939
>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.

>>>4938042
And so Perturabo was saved for another of his brother saw the red star in the distance.
>>
>>4937939
>>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.
>>
>>4937939
>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.
I'm assuming we will put some effort into everything regardless and this is just a vote of priority?
>>
>>4937939
Let me guess. The 60 life orders is the zodiac and the wuxing combined. Probably won’t be that useful.
>>
>>4937939
>Expand

LETS GAMBLE
>>
>>4937939
>>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.
>>
https://youtu.be/OXljeaktnDA
It hurts
>>
>>4938395
Gw is scum
>>
>>4938395
I should hope that they ignore Lieren. He's too good for these tyrants.
>>
>>4938395
I stopped caring about TTS once it became more about advancing their plot han just going over lore and having some jokes, but it's sad to see it gone nonetheless.
GW is like a cycle of doing a few good things in a moment and absoluty fucking everything over the next.
>>
>>4938418
On the bright side it’ll soon be a great time to short GW stock if they keep fucking up.
>>
>>4938395
fastest way to kill your namebrand GW.
>>
>>4938530
That's their favorite thing to do.
>>
Honestly I’m not too bothered by the loss of TTS. My hope is this cripples GW and gives a better wargame company a chance to steal the throne.
>>
>>4938537
The thing is they have already been crippled and another company tried to usurp the throne, but then they also shit the bed and GW had a sudden burst of popularity.
They got lucky, got a second chance and learned nothing from it.
>>
>>4938557
Which game company are you talking about?
>>
>>4938571
I think it was PrivateerPress, Warmachines and Hordes grew a lot after GW dropped the ball with 8th edition and End Times. They had the perfect chance to takeover the industry and fucking blew it with their own bullshit.
>>
>>4937939
>>Emotion and mental quality
we have a war to fight
>>
>>4938661
Or was it the 9th edition that GW fucked up? I can't remember it well, it's been too long, but I do remember /tg/ wouldn't shut up about it.
>>
>>4938672
No wait, 9th is the fan project that tries to fix 8th, sorry. I should probably go to sleep already.
>>
>>4938661
I miss that game, Cygnar and Legion of Everblifht where my boys
>>
>>4937939
> Speak with Dong. Try to learn how and why the Shuni sorcerer failed against him.
> Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.
MYSTERY BOX!
>>
>>4939070
+1
We must learn about nulls.
>>
>>4937939
>>4939070
+1

I have a dream, perhaps a silly dream but a dream nonetheless.

I...want to make Terra green and blue once more, with the aid of the waterstones and a hole bunch of work, we could potentially return the oceans, lakes, and greenery that Terra no longer has, we could make the cradle of humanity whole once more
>>
>>4939091
We should probably get Isha's help.
Terraforming be easy if we can get free lifeforms.
>>
>>4939091
Based.
I don't think we know how many species Kanzeon has logged in her gestation halls, but she could definitely help repopulate the planet with extinct animals.
>>
>>4939091
That's going to take a lot of work, since I'm sure that there are hives were the oceans used to be.
We would need to demolish everything there, relocate the inhabitants, deal with the pissy nobles, and than start Operation Were did the water go?
>>
>>4939121
answer there is it was stolen by aliens during the age of strife who set up around neptune and uranus.
>>
>>4939091
>a utopian beautiful earth instead of the dystopian ecumenopolis it is
i like the idea, the imperium capital and mankind home world should look gorgeous and set a standard of beauty.
>>
>>4939127
part of the reason to hate some of the aliens.
>>
>>4939091
10/10, Best Plan. Lieren setting a standard that each planet should be prosperous and healthy and be able to support itself without assistance would be amazing. The Administratum can complain all it wants but stable, clean worlds see much less mutation or degeneration, let alone Chaos infiltration. Why should any one sell themselves to eldritch daemons when their home planet can already offer them what they need?

>>4939112
I want that so much. We could probably win the support of nobility just be telling them their kids can pet resurrected smilodon kittens and swim with sea lions. Adeptus Biologis would be thrilled to observe and learn of revived species from the beloved home world of Mankind. The Imperial Palace itself could be home to vast wild gardens and aquariums, a place where even should they die off elsewhere, thousands of species could be protected and nurtured.

>>4939121
Hives are awful, awful things to begin with. Besides that, it's not like restructuring Terra's infrastructure to support such a project wouldn't have merit in the eyes of the Emperor.
> An old, old man, quietly observing the waves of an inland sea with his sons, birds and insects sounding a chorus of songs that he has not heard for ten millennia.

>>4939127
THE BASTARDS!
>>
>>4939159
Oh, I'm not saying that we should let it stay like it is, just it's going to be difficult.
>>4939127
They were thirsty, and humanity wasn't drinking it, so they just helped themselves.
>>
>>4939164
> just it's going to be difficult.
More like virtually impossible.
>>
>>4939167
Don't let our memes be dreams anon, if we can get Guilliman and Emps on board with the idea, we could do it.
>>
>>4939194
You won’t have a chance during the Great Crusade and I sincerely doubt you could pull it off anyway considering how impractical it is just from a logistics standpoint.
>>
>>4939197
>considering how impractical it is just from a logistics standpoint
When has that ever stopped anything in 40K?
>>
>>4939197
Wait, you are the everything is impossible and any new ideas or concepts are bad guy, nevermind.
>>
>>4939070
+1 for DONG THE UN-DONGABLE!

>>4939091
A nice thought, but might be difficult. People probably moved into the areas where there used to be oceans and settled there, and there might even be a hive city at the base of where the ocean once was.

>>4939159
We should probably talk to dad dearest about the idea.

>>4939197
We could ask once we get to Terra for training.
>>
>>4939236
>People probably moved into the areas where there used to be oceans and settled there
It's a good thing infrastructure and civil engineering are Lieren's bread and butter.
>>
>>4939209
40k only cares if it empathises the grimdark or is over the top awesome, the setting was never concerned with beautifying shit. You also are neglecting there are millions of planets to unfuck/save with only a few Primarchs that give enough of a damn to improve them. You’d have a better chance of turning Terra into something that looks similar to Singapore than a Agrarian paradise.
>>
>>4939248
If we can convince at least one other primarch, then victory has already been achieved.
>>
>>4939256
Seriously anon, don't bother discussing with him, he doesn't want anything good or new in the setting.
It makes me wonder why he still follows the quest, given that Lieren isn't a gigacunt.
>>
>>4939281
>doesn't want anything good or new
That’s a strawman. You might as well be screeching “troll” at the top your lungs.
>>
>>4939236
Y'know, I hade a thought; Gouzhi had difficulty against Kamal's dickbutt grandson, even though he had used his own frozen blood as ink for Null Denouncement Charms, while Dong used his father's mortal remains and they worked like, well, a charm.

What if the effectiveness of the Charms isn't affected by their material value, but by the spiritual essence (or lack thereof) and the subjective/personal value? I'm sure that his father's bones meant a whole hell of a lot more to Dong than some lame piece of stone or metal, and Gouzi is obviously not concerned about his own self-preservation.
>>
>>4939383
That warrants some research but I’m uncertain about nulls being able to power a charm. I also think it would be good to develop theories for developing formations.
>>
>>4939377
Not really, we actually had quite a long stretch without trolls this entire thread, which is kind of impressive given how plagued the last ones have been.
That anon has been cool so far, just quite conservative, against write-ins and combative, but nothing extreme.
>>
>>4939383
>inb4 we wear Weynan's bleached skeleton on the front of our armor to further deepdick chaos
>>
>>4939383
Dong is a blank, and is possible tbat so was his father.
So the jaw of a blank covered in null denouncement charms, weilded by a blank that fucked over a lower level sorceror than the grandson of the bigdick evil arabian sorceror king.
>>
>>4939070
We know why the sorcerer failed. He shot the sorcerer with a bullet from a null denouncement charm.

But I get your meaning.
>>
>>4939236
What if we prep our world so HARD that when Daddy Emps arrives, we already have our own army and fleet made of ArcheoTech, DaOT Artillery, Mech Troopers,PsySoldiers, Xianxia Supersoldiers?

Would daddy be proud?
>>
>>4939866
He was proud when Dorn and Gully did that so I don't see why not.
>>
>>4939479
So he basically divided by zero?
>>
Calling the vote now. Sorry for the wait, had machine spirit troubles. But on the bright side, the ac has finally been fixed

Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.: 16

Material/color:1

Emotion/ Mental Quality:2

Senses/Body part:1

Direction/ Season:1

Speak with Dong. Try to learn how and why the Shuni sorcerer failed against him.:4

Total votes: 17

So focusing your efforts on investigating the divination/ astrology of the Zi wei dou shu/ Purple star Astrology wins! Writing.

And yes, Lieren will still test the others, he's just focusing on the 60 life orders of neiyin

Writing now

>>4938395
Yeah its bullshit. At least string storm dropped a new song https://youtu.be/VtPUxsAkFL4

>>4939462
>Horus: You know Logar, I really expected Lieren to be a shoe in considering...
>Logar: He wore bones of his dead father?
>Horus: Yeaaaah
>>
>>4940667
Sad we won’t be able to do Feng shui, enhance our equipment using Wuxing, or creating better cultivation aids.
>>
The five elements and their cycles hold many intricacies in their interactions and their associations. Each elements corresponds with several things, from organ, to body parts, to colors, to direction, to season, to the hour of day, to the days themselves, to ones mental characteristics and emotional state, to the period of ones life, to flavors and taste, to senses, to animals, to even a body's naturally produced fluids! and these can be further refined and expanded upon, organs in particular. so called Yin and Yang organs, sensory organs, internal organs. Even the fingers of the hand are directed towards a specific elements! Which in your research of the matter, guided by Kuan Im's own depth of knowledge in traditional beliefs and medicines, has revealed that the rude gesture of the hand used to insult or invoke anger among the New Varroicans is as connected to Fire quite fittingly and amusingly.

However, this intricacy provides both boons and difficulties in learning how the Wuxing cycles may be applied to psykerism. While you know the method of designing buildings and decorating rooms to supposedly bring good fortune and health via the elements and even how several schools of martial technique applied them to their movements and philosophy in battle hoping to gain an advantage over their opponent, it becomes much more difficult to apply such intangible and unmeasurable influences to something that is similarly ethereal!

Many of the supposed effects and influences of the five elements and their attributes is obviously placebo, however it'd be foolish to name all of it fraudulent superstition. After all, the most common and potent form of Qi is drawn and formed from the ambient emotions of living or unliving beings. The Wardens of Mysteries called upon ice and cold, and your own soul and its energies manifest as brilliant gold flames. And ones mental state and personality affects every part of them and their every action. You know colors can alter ones emotion state, and you have seen the hue of Qi and Sorcery both benevolent and malevolent. This already lends credence to the possibility of the five elements, even if they are unable to influence the material, to hold sway over that which is immaterial.

However, this leads you to another obstacle, as you sit in your Sect's meditation chamber alone with the silence, surrounded by pedestals holding the embodiments of each of the five elements. The cycles are complicated, and all five parts and their interactions have several manifestations. And each application of Wuxing adds more! Feng Shui, Cosmology, Medical diagnosis and treatment, Music, Martial arts and even foretelling the fate of dynasties. The last leading to the deaths of numerous scholars when they spoke of doom and misfortune, indeed you even came across an apocrypha of presented as the writings of a Scholar shortly before your "emergence" from the wilds.
Cont
>>
>>4940810

The obviously fabricated account claimed the "Virtue" that had been associated with the Yan dynasty had come into conflict with the family's characteristics. Obviously it was propaganda to legitimize or denounce a lineage, but its still something to ponder.

But testing all of these elements of the elements at once is simply inefficient and would muddle the outcome of your research. No, each attribute much be tested independently of the rest. Seasons cannot be forced to arrive to check and measure their influence if they indeed hold sway over either the spiritual or living world. The others are easier to test and gather data with, to measure their sway and impact upon the force ethereal.

You wave a hand over each of the five gathered elements, pondering each of them and what knowledge you possess of them. Direction will be the easiest to evaluate, followed by Color, Followed by Senses, Followed by the organs and fingers, Followed by animals, followed by day, followed by the cycles themselves, and Seasons shall be the most difficult. Then, if present provable influences through repeated study and physical trials, the viable attributes can be combined and testing to discern if multiple traits of an element produce a greater impact upon either the material world or the spiritual. Then, whether or not such tests bear fruit, testing of the elements interactions through their traits of all five varieties can begin in earnest. Particularly the fifth cycle, if your experimentation with the five elements endures long enough to reach it, will prove to be the most vital. Counteracting and learning how to harness an element otherwise weak to another to overcome its opposite, would provide a great benefit in your battles against spiritual foes.

Provided of course, this isn't all just a bunch of superstition and you are indeed wasting your time. A spark of revelation illuminates your mind. You freeze where you sit. The single thought, the single word superstition has revealed to you another avenue of study. A new road of research to travel down.

Pure superstition. Fate the salve of fools. You laugh. Divination. A field you have long condemned as ignorant superstition and the excuse used by tyrants and idle men to explain away their lacking moral character or slothfulness. However, Kuan Im tutored you in her favored form of fortune telling. Purple star Astrology. At the time it seemed an utterly pointless excessive. Reading destiny and foreseeing fate by the stars? Even if it functioned as it was intended to, it would fail the moment one left the planet of its origin. However, all things are formed of the same base materials and come from the dust of the heavens. The dust of stars. This traditional method of fortune telling could in fact hold mysteries beyond its trappings of mysticism and wild superstition.
Cont
>>
>>4940812

One simply would have to divorce its structure and meanings from stars and the movement of heavenly realms and winds, and apply the refined elements present in its methodology to another system.

Divination, script, association between the characters in a name, alchemy, and other arcane methods could refine the obtuse and easily manipulated symbols of divination, into...something else. You aren't sure what. Magnus would know, but he would also test the astrology itself, altering it to fit Prospero's sky as he began his own testing of the elements. However, your brothers assistance is not required.

You need results, results that do not draw upon forces both untamed and unreliable. Magnus trusts the Spiritual realm in a way you do not. His research would differ from your own because of it, and would be unlikely to lead to the outcome you desire. Though doubtlessly he would have an easier time proving the viability of Wuxing or Zi wei dou shu because of his somewhat reckless method of research.

Thus committing to perform this esoteric research alone, you begin to first to prepare for the first trial of the sixty life orders of Purple Star Astrology. First, gather the materials that make the sixty orders, and then write down all of their characters upon a scroll in order. From there you can...well you aren't sure! which is often a mistake when approaching work or study, but you are certain you'll find some method to the madness that is divination and be able to apply the orders to something tangible that can be properly researched and measured like any other scientific trial!
-

You...are disturbed. Many may laugh if they heard you admit such a thing, considering your brief period of lunacy. But you have come across a revelation most unsettling.

Divination works. Small scale tests proved its viability, and reliability. While the tests of Wuxing have began to show results however minor, the form of divination you have devised by a mixture of alchemical dissolution and character association has proven that what you knew to be false. To be true. That fate and destiny exist in some form.

However, you have also proven they can be altered, and the paths of life swayed. Proving your belief that such things are the salve of fools. However, that would be nothing more than a curiosity, for knowing the future is the quickest path to walk to insanity and would only serve any purpose if other forces do not alter the course of the predict future by acting as themselves. As your Journey states, every action has a ripple. Only an imbecile would trust that what was predicted would come to be. That, or a man who needs a means to excuse his own crimes by the excuse of them being preordained. A cynical philosophy, but one that fuels your idealistic one. Like Wuxing.

Kanzeon pouts, washing your hair as you move pieces carved with the Sixty Life orders with shaking hands. Ananya watches, her fur still soaked through with soapy water.
Cont
>>
>>4940813

The board before you, marked with numerous carved stacks and cut lines, serves as the "Heavens" for the "Stars" you maneuver.

This system, beginning as a game you devised so as to have something to show for your tireless studying and experimentation, is the method of your divination. Depending on the number of pieces and their formation, an accurate prediction can be revealed with a few careful movements.

At first it was a coincidence, then it began to repeat. You kept notes, tracking the success and failures of your predictions, and found them to be rather reliable. Which allowed you to prevent Sandip from, in a show of his youthful energy, breaking one of his arms via struggling to uproot a tree. While proving your view of fate as a transient thing, it also cemented the truth of divination in your mind. Magnus would certainly be please with this outcome, as it moves you a little closer to his own practices.

However, that is not what disturbs you. The revelation of fate and its predictability could not unsettle a will as steeled as your own.

No, what unsettles you is the deeper patterns. Tiles and pieces, when combined together at a certain count produce results. And you've found several combinations and formations that have proven reliable.

And five amongst them have proven too reliable. You first discovered one combination, and the other four came shortly after. The fifth you discovered in the twilight between night and morning. Which has helped to prove the influence of the hour, both in divination and the other uses of the Wuxing and the further refined Ming Neiyin.

Each of the five formations and their numbers predict the eerily similar fates, no matter how far ahead you attempt to predict with them. But they are contradictory when applied to the same questioning or element. Yet, they have proven accurate if unchallenged by the others.

Six, arrayed in a symbol of the Yan, predicts bounty, wealth, improvement, passionate romance as well moral decay and the rise of decadence.

Seven, arrayed in the symbol you found upon the Keeper of Rust's skull, foretells renewal, times of plague, death and other forms of destruction and regrowth.

Eight, arrayed in the shape of a traditonal Vishnu Symbol, speaks of strength, honor, courage slaughter, war and blood spilt by spite.

Nine, Arrayed in a formation resembling a Shuni Icon that itself was akin to the markings of the Corpse slave of the unseen master, promises change, evolution, knowledge found and hopes fulfilled alongside deceit, lies, curses, hexes and betrayals.

And the fifth, you were only able to discover because of its lack of predictable and how that in of itself made it predictable. Every other reading produces a trustworthy result. When alone, it speaks of anarchy, destruction, vengeance fulfilled.
Cont
>>
>>4940815

But when it is include beside one of the other four, it changes to challenge their predictions without fail, foretelling the exact opposite prediction! and that lead you to two more discoveries.

That the unsettling formations could sway the others, and easily do as if they were all in conflict. And that each was connected to one of the "Devil Lords" that Guozhi had warned you of, and that you had encountered either personally or through their slaves and schemes.

Se Nie, the princess of excess and the Maiden of Wanton pleasure

Na Gou, The patriarch of all things foul and putrid, The Toad king. Also named Nurgle, and the one amongst them you have personally encounter.

Kong nue, the Sovereign of slaughter and the High minister of murder who by your belief tried to seduce Bai in his combat with the Vishnu berserker.

Jian Qi, the master of the unseen master, and the doom of the Wardens of Mystery. The snake in the grass, the minister of all folly and deceptions.

But the fifth...has no name or at least none that Grandfather Guozhi knew. Which is almost as disturbing as the further mysteries of this connection.

One of which is nothing more than a theory, but one that has been eerily accurate. That the eight Heavenly courts have eight thrones, and you have found five of them. That three remain unknown, has driven you try numerous formations of the Life Order Tiles to discover them, so your enemies may be revealed to you, with little success.

And that the connection of the symbols and numbers, is not a road that can only be traveled in one direction.

The lords of hell sit across the table and mock you with every prediction and fate spoken by the pieces. All except the fifth, but you have not yet found the whole pattern of its character. It is a mystery, a shadow. And thus more dangerous than the other four combined.

Even if this Unknown does not mock, entice, insult, praise, threaten, or promise beneath every prediction, the lack of it sets it apart and makes it more threatening in a manner

Thankfully, your caution has proven beneficial despite magnus' flagrant disregard for it. By carving the pieces by hand, you were able to ward them and the board representing the heavens with Null Denouncement Charms. Which is what allows these predications to be read. However, you can only combine two of these demonic arrays upon the board at once

If a third is added, bad things happen. The single time you tried, the board become a gateway to the depths of the most hellish realms of the world of spirits, which was only closed by your quick thinking and knowledge of condensing Qi to close the doorway before it could fully open. Luckily, the spirits present were more busy squabbling amongst themselves to take advantage of the brief, and terrifying connection between worlds

You grunt, as soap and disinfectant pours into your open eyes

"I told you to keep your eyes closed" Kanzeon scolds

"I know how much that hurts, uncle Lieren" Ananya pouts
>>
>>4940816

What will you do now, Lieren?

> Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.

>Show Magnus your discovery, hoping it will provide a means for him to realize the dangers of the spiritual realm himself.

>Stop your fortune telling, and focus your energy somewhere else. You've learned all you care to know from it.

>Note events you have predicted down, and begin planning to avert them or alter their course in a beneficial manner

>Three thrones remain empty. You cannot remain blind to your enemies (Dangerous choice)

>Write in
>>
>>4940818
>Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.
>Note events you have predicted down, and begin planning to avert them or alter their course in a beneficial manner
>Ponder the nature of the fifth master so you may better categorize it amongst the other four. If possible, lend a name to this mysterious entity.
HI DAD!
>>
>>4940818
>Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.
>Stop your fortune telling, and focus your energy somewhere else. You've learned all you care to know from it.
>Note events you have predicted down, and begin planning to avert them or alter their course in a beneficial manner
>>
>>4940826
+1 it's time to meet everyone favourite schizo god.
>>
The closest thing to feng shui in warhammer is the lizardmen and their geometric arrays. I'm sure Lieren can manage the same thing albeit the smaller it is the more complex it becomes but when it's larger the greater whole is less complex in design.
>>
>>4940818
>Meditate upon fate, and how it is both rigid and maleable. If you can read the future, and move to change it, than it is possible that another being could do the same. What would happen should two fortune readers see an outcome, and both try to influence it? The oatron of Kamal calls himself the architect of fate, even if he does not interfere in your second match, the sorceror most likely knows how to manipulate destiny.
>The fifth mark, this shadow of discord might be the key in breaking the manipulations of the other four. You must learn more about the being before you attempt to wield it's powers, lest you become one more slave of a devil upon Shangrala.
The vote is to learn more about Malal, or meet our blind seer fangirl.
>>
>>4940818
>> Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.
>Note events you have predicted down, and begin planning to avert them or alter their course in a beneficial manner
>Write In
While watching them use our light and flames for see the best ways for destroy the weak energy of the five symbols. We have seen that denoucing evil spirits, makes them weaker and less powerful, and that our light makes them irritated or in pain. But can a new way for fight them be found ?
>>
>>4940818
> Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.

>Show Magnus your discovery, hoping it will provide a means for him to realize the dangers of the spiritual realm himself.
>Three thrones remain empty. You cannot remain blind to your enemies (Dangerous choice)
>>
>>4940867
I’m for trying to meet Eldar but why would meditating on divination do it? Why not meditate on the soul gem?
>>
>>4941075
Because that's what farseer are all about. Their main job is to predict the future and arrange events so that they end favorably for the craftworld. I mean, meditating with the soul gem would probably contact the spirit in it, and attract her attention, but it feels a bit of metagaming to do it out of nowhere, atleast not right now while Lieren is pondering hisbpower and not curious about how it works or what it's for.
>>
>>4940835
+1
>>
>>4940818

>Show Magnus your discovery, hoping it will provide a means for him to realize the dangers of the spiritual realm himself.

I want a group study session with magnus where we divine together. Where we fuck with Tzeetch by divining Magnus's fate and breaking it because we are the Malal component of the divination. I want Magnus to have both eyes.

BTW did we ever determine what magnus looks like, I remember during the first astral projection we saw different visages of him as a cyclops or missing an eye.
>>
>>4940835
+1
>>
>>4940818
> Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.
>Note events you have predicted down, and begin planning to avert them or alter their course in a beneficial manner
>Ponder the nature of the fifth master so you may better categorize it amongst the other four. If possible, lend a name to this mysterious entity.
>Three thrones remain empty. You cannot remain blind to your enemies (Dangerous choice)
>>
>>4940818
>Ponder the nature of the fifth master
>Show the sect the products of your research

We should wait until our research is done to show Magnus.
>>
>>4941179

I swear the only way we'll get Magnus to actually believe us is if we deliver him a handwritten thesis with references sourced from the Black library.

Even then I envisage us rolling up the thesis and whacking Magnus with it.
>>
>>4941204
Nah, he wouldn't believe it because "he can totally do better".
He is only going to believe if a lord of change tries to fuck with him and we reveal their identity in front of him, like some sort of episode of scooby-doo.
>>
>>4941204
Yeah, I have no illusions about actually convincing him. But now we have tangible proof that the 4 are reachable beyond shangrala, and thus hold greater power.
>>
>>4941223
Pretty much. All the traitor Primarchs are difficult cases.
>>
>>4940818
>>Three thrones remain empty. You cannot remain blind to your enemies (Dangerous choice)
Hashut, GHR, and some unknown third homie or the Chaos Gods of Order?
>>
>>4941260
Also
>Ponder the nature of the fifth master so you may better categorize it amongst the other four. If possible, lend a name to this mysterious entity.
Got to excited.
>>
>>4941260
It could also be Zuvassin, Necoho, Be'lakor, the Great Horned Rat, or even Archeon if Malal accepts the warp being multiuniversal and the End Times and Age of Sigmar happening as canon.
I really hope he doesn't.
>>
>>4941260

Gork, Mork and chaos god of unbelief

I'd love it if Lieren sees two sentient mushrooms arguing at each other and he just goes wtf.
>>
>>4941285
>Ah yes, Finally. Two arguing mushrooms. Something that finally makes sense around here.
>>
>>4941271
>Zuvassin, Necoho
They kinda represent sub-beliefs of Malal, don't they? Necoho is the God of Atheism (a paradox) and Zuvassin is the Chaos God who acts against the plans of the Chaos Gods, which is what Malal was doing when he curveballed our pod. I can see them being Greater Daemons of his in 40k, honestly.
>Be'lakor
He's a Daemon Prince of Chaos Undivided, not a god.
>the Great Horned Rat
That's what I meant by GHR.
>Archeon
Malal's a nice QM, he'd never be so cruel as to acknowledge the End Times and AoS as canon.
>>4941285
>Gork, Mork
>inb4 the 11th Primarch's pod is currently serving as the ball in one titanic game of godly keep-away
>inb4 the 11th Primarch can tap into the WAAAGH field
>inb4 his legion is just a bunch of orks
>>
Hashut and the Great Beast might exist.
>>
>>4941294

It be curious to see if the Emperor had enough power to be classed as one of the entities in the warp.

>>4941263

Malal the GM whispers to us Malal the gods name and we use our bullshit truth powers to realize we are actually a game character causing Lieren to have a mental breakdown.
>>
>>4941294
>>4941285
Be'lakor is a Daenon Prince of Chaos Undivided, but he is always trying to become some sort of god, and which place would be better to start ypur ascencion than winning this warp battle royale? Also, he is the only large representative of chaos undivided.
If Gork and Mork were accepted, than you would have to take other racial gods too, like Cegorach or even Khaine.
But I doubt it, the 8 thrones are probably of the deities pulling the strings in Shangrala, and Malal said he changed his mind about having orks here.
The rat may be one of them, given that one of the default option we had during the purge of the kang's betrayal was to go and fight in some kind of skaven nest, so he probably is active in Shangrala somehow.
>>
>>4941311
But I really hope that Hashut is one of them, him and chaos dwarves as a whole are a very underrated and ignored part of warhammer fantasy.
>>
>>4941311

I was making guesses with my choices, how much psychic might do the Aeldari gods have? I was basing my guesses on psychic might and the weird orkish power of belief. Also because I'd want to see how Malal would write such interactions.
>>
>>4940818
>> Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.
>>Show Magnus your discovery, hoping it will provide a means for him to realize the dangers of the spiritual realm himself.
>>
>>4941320
Well, Khaine is broken, but still respected by both the craftworlders and deldar, and Cegorach is the only one that escaped Slannesh, hence why the harlequins don't need spirit stones, and why all eldar respect their authority.
And there's also Isha, she is the origin of the soulstones, but also is imprisoned under eternal torture by Nurgle.
I think that neither the Eldar or the Ork gods are involved, this 8 thrones seem more like a Chaos only thing.
>>
>>4941311
>Also, he is the only large representative of chaos undivided.
Always been a stupid decision, but that's more a complaint for GW. Malal has said that his canon is a more classical form of Chaos Undivided, which I'm thankful for.
>the 8 thrones are probably of the deities pulling the strings in Shangrala
Malal and the Big Four are confirmed for sure. As the resident schizo, I can see how we've embodied all three of the Order gods. Solkan is embodied in by our rebellion against Gao and Yan and those we avenged with our victory. Arianka is embodied in the laws we've passed and enforced and in the discipline provided by the Journey. Alluminas is embodied by the fact that we have glowing golden eyes and are a literal/metaphorical light in the fog of our world.
>The rat may be one of them, given that one of the default option we had during the purge of the kang's betrayal was to go and fight in some kind of skaven nest, so he probably is active in Shangrala somehow.
I'd be more inclined to expect the Rat if we were doing this (or whatever the local equivalent would be) on Voormis. Wonder what's going on there now...
>>4941315
If it's Hashut, that means Chaos Squats. I don't make the rules, that's just how it is.
>>
>>4941341
>chaos squats
Oh yeah, the squats should still exist since it's 30k, the excuse GW gave was that the Tyranids did it.
No matter that I always believed that tge daemon forges and hereteks should be a dominion of Hashut in 40k, so chaos squats working there is acceptable.
>>
>>4940818
>>Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.
>>Note events you have predicted down, and begin planning to avert them or alter their course in a beneficial manner
>>Ponder the nature of the fifth master so you may better categorize it amongst the other four. If possible, lend a name to this mysterious entity.
>>
So why are people so eager to make Pop's mistake when it comes to divination when we know the four can actively fuck with them?
>>
>>4940798
no reason we can't go back to the others and experiment with them.
>>
>>4940818
> Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.

>Stop your fortune telling, and focus your energy somewhere else. You've learned all you care to know from it.

>Note events you have predicted down, and begin planning to avert them or alter their course in a beneficial manner
>>
>>4941339
Have you guys actually thought of the Possibility that the last one that still doesn't have any form is actually The Empyreal Tyrant? You know Big E in the far future potentially...?
>>
I do like the idea that the Emperor is a result of Malal given his whole anti chaos thing and the fact he does have deamons in a way. The futility of it all feels 40k
>>
Too much warp stuff, not enough prosperity.
6/10 on lieren being good at his job
>>
>>4941616
There's the possibility, but he hasn't show his hand yet, which is weird since Lieren is his son, future god emperor should be all over one of the redacted primarchs landing in a different place.
>>4941557
I don't know. It's definatly something real and beneficial, like the Emperor's tarot and the Farseers rituals, but it's also sonething that can be manipulated, and one of the reasons that both of them act like massive assholes, and more often than not create sel-fulling prophecies.
Hence why I wanted to meditate on them to understand ot more before eitger abandoning or using it.
>>
>>4937939
>Expand the five elements into the sixty Life orders. Much More difficult and taxing, and perhaps pointless, but perhaps in this traditional form of divination, a deeper mystery will be revealed. Or perhaps nothing will be.
Malal option best option.

>>4939070
Dong option second best!
We already weaponised apathy against the eldar grandad with the bung leg. If we can weaponise our disdain for the warp even further, then this chaos-held world has no chance against us.

Magnus would get so mad though, and he'll love the chance for research.

The items that represent the elements in front of us are interesting though, and I'm wondering if we can channel mental power into them to see what we can do like discussed with Magnus:
>"Wood dulls metal! Metal de-energizes fire! Fire evaporates water! Water muddles earth! Earth rots Wood!"
>>
>>4941707
Page didn't update, missed the vote

>>4940818
>>4940826
>Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.
>Note events you have predicted down, and begin planning to avert them or alter their course in a beneficial manner
>Ponder the nature of the fifth master so you may better categorize it amongst the other four. If possible, lend a name to this mysterious entity.

supporting this, if we reach the end then tell Magnus.
>>
You know what I want? I want to create spell and battle formations. I want to see bow and arrows used on the battlefield to unleash astras. I want to see the 40k equivalent of the divine sword mandala wielded by Lieren.
>>
>>4941986
Time to create the almighty Bowter.
>>
>>4940818
> Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.
>Ponder the nature of the fifth master so you may better categorize it amongst the other four. If possible, lend a name to this mysterious entity.
This only if it doesn't qualify as a dangerous choice.
>Show Magnus your discovery, hoping it will provide a means for him to realize the dangers of the spiritual realm himself.
This is very risky but still a solid way to get through our brothers thick head. Maybe we can convince Magnus for this to be a joint study using astral projection, sturdy warding, and Lieren's eyes plus telepathy so Magnus can at least benefit from truth sight second hand?
>>
>>4941294
why the hell didn't I think of that for my quest.

>>4940818
>Show Magnus the discovery, hoping it will provide a means for him to realize the dangers of the spiritual realm himself

Or at least make him more thoughtful.

> >>4940826
Ponder the nature of the fifth master.
>>
>>4940818
> Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.
>Show Magnus your discovery, hoping it will provide a means for him to realize the dangers of the spiritual realm himself.
> Three thrones remain empty. You cannot remain blind to your enemies (Dangerous choice).
>>
Calling the vote now. Sorry for the wait, got sick off of fridge sushi.

Show the sect the products of your research concerning the Wuxing, keep the divination a secret for now. Continue studying the five elements and their influences.:15

Note events you have predicted down, and begin planning to avert them or alter their course in a beneficial manner:10

Ponder the nature of the fifth master so you may better categorize it amongst the other four. If possible, lend a name to this mysterious entity.: 10

Stop your fortune telling, and focus your energy somewhere else. You've learned all you care to know from it.:4

While watching them use our light and flames for see the best ways for destroy the weak energy of the five symbols: 1

Three thrones remain empty. You cannot remain blind to your enemies :4

Show Magnus your discovery, hoping it will provide a means for him to realize the dangers of the spiritual realm himself.:6

Total votes:19

So Lieren will Show the Wanders in the fog the products of his research whilst keeping the divination a secret and continuing his further studies into Wuxing

He will also Note down the events he has predicted and begin deciphering and planning how to avert or alter their course in a beneficial manner.

As well as Ponder the nature of the fifth master/ mark, the "Shadow of discord", so he may categorize it as he did the other four and if possible find its name or name it himself.

Writing now. And sorry again for the wait
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>>4942744
Hey Malal, you forgot to count my other write in of meditating on fate, I know no-one supported it and is probably incompatible with the ithera choicea, but it's good for completioness sake.
Not that it really matters, I wanted to study Malal more anyway, and you counted the Shadow of Discord as a vote for thexotger Malal write-in, the ponder the nature.
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>>4942744
So refining, alchemy, and formations soon?
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>>4942761
Unless the meditate upon fate entered the default vote of note events, in which case I'm an idiot.
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>>4942765
>>4942761
Ah good catch

it had one vote, and doesn't change the outcome. But I apologize for missing it. And I didn't count it with the "Ponder the fifth"
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>>4942774
Really? I tought you did, since adding the check the mark and calling it shadow of discord.
But it doesn't matter anyway, since even if it was merged it was for an option that won.
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>>4942799
I counted that with it, I didn't count the meditation because I forgot to list it.
>>
The Midday meal arrives, and you begin assisting the older students in the kitchen preparing the carefully calculated selection of food designed for maximum nutrition, balancing fat, protein, and sugar alongside supplementary minerals and vitamins. Which are mixed into a carbonated water, as you learned that despite the rather unpleasing sensation upon the palate and throat, children find it easier to ingest than they do pills or powders, though the beverages still need to be heavily sweetened and flavored for them to even dare to approach their glasses. Today, the flavoring is a mixture of violet syrup usually used to make congratulatory treats, and the fragrant bark of a tree found in the Kang province that adds a restorative kick to the drink.

However, cooking food and preparing your beloved students their meals, does little to calm your mind. Something Kanzeon notices despite you keeping the thoughts that cause your unease and the knowledge from which they originate from, hidden from her perception. So, your beloved tries to "Subtly" pry the secret from you, as the two of you toil in the heat of the kitchen together, and as it'd be the height of rudeness to leave her to worry, you explain in hushed whispers what has fraught your mine. Of course you do not describe it in detail, but she is amused that it's something so "Small" as she puts it. When mealtime is finished, you check on the progress of your ministry's work in encouraging intellectualism and martial mastery via the construction of more academies. And you learn that Bai has completely recovered from his injuries, as you are contacted by him as you check on the progress of the academy nearest to Dai Castle, and hear of the issues surrounding its progress. Namely a "general unease" amongst the laborers and overseers, and by that you learn that they had chosen to build the school beneath the shadow of the Dai monk's monastery.

After a brief and relaxing discussion with Bai, and pleased with the progress of your underlings, you begin to note down your predictions and theories of how to alter their course or avert the coming of the events they predict entirely. You talk with your father, Wenyan, as you build the web of theories and ponderings connected to the "branch" of the predictions. It would seem the harvest and trade coming into Nothing has seen a noticeable increase, and that at least four of the latest generation born in the city have been given his blessing to bear your name. Laughing, you lick the brush clean of its drying ink and dip it once more into the well of fired clay.

Whipping it through the air to clear it of excess ink, you begin to write again

The panther shall face the giant upon a red field beneath a red sun, clearly a reference to yourself or another of the brothers of the panthers number battling against. Nitya Sinha, Kanzeon or yourself

The Sun shall be swallowed by a serpent, which must be referring Kamal Kanon, his hellish arts, and his wild ambitions
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>>4942873

From ice, a harbinger of sickness emerges. A plague to come? perhaps a cadaver buried in the ice and snow of the south. Easily averted and possibly already solved when one takes the improvements of Long-Jia's Medicine and cleanliness.

The fox gnaws its own leg to spite the hunter. Huli Jing, another may fear Yan Zihao and his family, however you have seen into their hearts and found nothing to fear within them.

All of these four have countermeasures, and are easily influenced and even prevented. Though the meaning of the fourth eludes you, if Huli Jing returns from death and banishment she will pose less of a threat than before considering how all of her puppets have been hung to winds and turned to bones!

But the fifth, is the most confusing, for it has no apparent meaning even when its written less poetically than the other "far" divinations you've made, which are in of themselves are by several degrees vaguer than the "Near" divinations you've made.

A die is cast, shadowed in the light, illuminated in the darkness. Four hands grasp to halt its roll towards the edge.

While it would be easy to connect it to the five entities influencing the predictions and using them to mock and entice you. By instinct you feel as though there is a deeper mystery within its prediction. For unlike the other four, it cannot be simplified by any means you have discovered to reveal its true meaning. No matter how many characters you replace or shift or simplify to their component parts, it is only coherent when it is whole, unaltered as it was when you first pieced it together and read it upon the heavens board. Curious, most curious indeed.

Leaving your scroll of mysteries to dry, you pack your brushes and ink and leave your room to gather the disciples of the sect. While the products your research into divination are still fraught with peril and in need of further refinement to render it safe for other hands to perform, what you have discovered from the other avenues of research is ready to be applied to their practices and lifestyles if they so choose to heed your advice and teachings
-

Perhaps unsurprisingly, your acolytes quickly accept your teachings of the five elements and their influences even before you finish your lecture and demonstration of their various impacts upon psykerist techniques and Qi. The freshest of the outer disciples, work to make the now expanded meditation cave auspicious by alerting the Feng Shui and the interaction of the elements and the energy they produce. Since water and earth are the most dominant, most of the toil takes the form of lining the floors with metal plates and changing the decorations from those of lacquered wood to carved stone and wrought iron. They are guided by Cai and Kuan im, who already being knowledgeable in such matters, direct them to ensure the decoration and furniture are placed in the correct directions.
Cont
>>
Others, having already changed into colored robes befitting the energy they wish to harness, practice the movements you've instructed them to, while others close off all but one of their senses as they meditate. The inner disciples, whose abilities are more potent and thus dangerous, are made to temper their emotions.

As each is different from the other, they are assigned elements that their character most embodies and are lead to locations that, in theory, will encourage their training to "Draw the Qi" from the world. Meixiu, is accompanied by Guozhi in this effort, while the twins Bohai and Peixiu, as the two remaining core disciples who are not otherwise busy, lead the remaining inner disciples in their meditation.

Observing the progress of your sect in the clouds, via Cloud Walking, you seek out locations of suitably harsh climates and potent Qi to train yourself to expedite your research into various expressions of Wuxing and Feng Shui.
-

First shall be wood. Sitting within the roots of a tree so ancient it could have only been one of the first seeded by Kanzeon and her sisters, you relax in the darkness cast by outstretched roots that are so titanic they take on the appearance of the coils of a great, world rending serpent. You chose wood to begin with, as in the practice of traditional medicine, it is connected with sight and associated with both anger and kindness, which are two of your most potent and passionate feelings. Many call you idealistic and they are right to do so. You are curious, even if not to the degree of men like Magnus or Jinhai.

And while the other elements share as much of a presence as wood does in your character, spirit and heart, it is easiest to find in nature. A great quantity of living wood and other flora is easier found than a roaring fire or citadel forged of steel. And the nearest lake is several days travel away, while the mountain beneath which Chendao academy rests is being used by other members of the sect.

So Wood takes precedence over the other four.

Grasses long untrodden shift in the little wind that is able to pierce the great canopy of these old woods. The spirit of the wild surrounds you, and sets your mind at ease as you begin to consider all that surrounds you and attempt to "Draw" on the energy it produces. Expanding your senses outwards, you look at the trunk you sit beneath, pondering its moss covered surface and the burls that rise from its rigid structure.

A sigh escapes your lips, as the void of your thoughts is upset by the appearance of the mysterious, and unclaimed sign of the nameless "Fifth" spirit. Eleven tiles, always representing opposed elements with a singular one side stepping the conflict of the ten others. Shaped into the image of a malformed skull, the array troubles you now. For once, clearing your mind of distractions is no easy task.

Unspoken, even in Guozhi's recollections or the records of the wardens of mystery he was able to preserve from the flames.
Cont
>>
Unspoken, even in Core disciples Cai's whispers of occult secrets and mysteries as dark as the most stygian corners of hell. Unspoken in even Kuan Im's old gospels. Unspoken from the twin ghost hunter's life time of experience with the spiritual. It is nameless, and entirely unknown to you

It preaches discord, whispers anarchy, exults chaos in its purest state. The shadow of discord clouds your mind, and impedes your study of the elements and their influences upon the spiritual and material alike!

If it only had a name, you could be certain of its impact upon the two worlds, and perhaps even gleam a portion of its motive and character. But it remains shrouded in mysteries

Shaking your head, you part your hands, and trace in the black, fertile soil beneath you your best approximation of the sigil of the nameless fifth, pondering its apparent nature as an agent of discord, a subversive and seemingly renegade element amongst the struggle of the other four. Shifting, changing, self contradictory

Paradoxical

A spark of realization strikes you

You to, are paradoxical. Your soul burns itself as fuel, yet never diminishes, it lingers in a constant state of destruction and renewal. You empower others, and are in turn empowered by them. You embody all five of the elements in some manner or another. Of course! The darkness that illuminates! The light that shadows!

You unlocked your potential as a psyker, through gazing upon your own essence, setting it alight by judging the core of your own being and being judged in turn

A paradox like your own soul. It can be understood by the same apparent impossibility it preaches.

TWO OPPOSING CYCLES! Inter regulating and counteracting! Wood parts and stabilizes earth while earth rots wood. The reverse meeting its counterpart's flow, without halting or changing its direction to suit itself. The warping of reason, of natural law! of course! that is the element of discord! The intentional breaking of the cycles of the five. However, the two opposing cycles can be expanded to FOUR! By the inclusion of the inter promoting and weakening cycles!

Wood feeds fire
Fire burns wood.
Fire produces earth via ash
Earth smothers fire

A completed cycle, or so it would seem. But it can be connected the other two cycles made paradox.

But, with the inclusion of metal and water, the cycle can be made endless, it's beginning erased! As all of the cycles of Wuxing can be! That is the nature of the world! and only when the cycles and their opposites are forced together, is the door to discord revealed.

Rising to your feet, you cloud walk to the heavens. Gazing down through the fog, you calculate where all five elements would meet and their forces clash, a spiritually chaotic place where the ambient Qi and emotional energies would be in a constant state of flux by the influence of all five of the cycles.

A borderland where the boundary between the tangible and intangible is thin. A borderland between elements. You find it
>>
>>4942881

Where industry meets nature, where smoke meets clear air, where a river meets its shore.

Descending, you adjust your meditation to be in the center of this place fraught with the worst and best of the element's interaction. You can already feel the change in the atmosphere from your rest beneath the roots of the tree that has witnessed the passing of civilizations and their rise.

Focusing your mind, and reaching out with your senses, you begin your meditations on the fifth sign and its master. The shadow of discord, the grinning skull of paradox.

How do you meditate, Lieren?
>Just ponder and reflect upon the knowledge you have, drawing unwanted attention would be foolish, especially so close to others.

>Draw upon the Qi formed between the ever changing cycles of the "Pure" Qi's element, and see if siphoning its energy will bring you further revelation.

>Using your own Psionic power, both further upset the interactions of the element and stabilize them in the Empyrean

>Throw your spirit in the world of ghosts and spirits, and find what awaits you in this place of discordant energy.

>With one hand, draw on the essence of the land. With the other rebuke and turn it away, forming a great vortex of Qi with you as the eye of its storm

>Write in
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>>4942884
>Just ponder and reflect upon the knowledge you have, drawing unwanted attention would be foolish, especially so close to others.

>Write in
While watching them use our light and flames for see the best ways for destroy the weak energy of the five symbols
>>
>>4942884
>With one hand, draw on the essence of the land. With the other rebuke and turn it away, forming a great vortex of Qi with you as the eye of its storm

I think we are ready to face what comes at us for doing this, so let's go all in
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>>4942914
+1 no balls!
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>>4942884
>>Just ponder and reflect upon the knowledge you have, drawing unwanted attention would be foolish, especially so close to others.
>>
>>4942884
>Siphon it first
Lets see if it has any interesting interactions.

>With one hand draw, with the other reject
HEAVENLY TRIBULATIONS MOTHERFUCKER!
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>>4942918
Better to be like Magnus right? Cultivation by it’s very nature is supposed to be “slow and steady wins the race.” Rushing can fuck you over later on.
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>>4942884
>With one hand, draw on the essence of the land. With the other rebuke and turn it away, forming a great vortex of Qi with you as the eye of its storm
We are going to spawn the Demiurge into existance.
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>>4942914
Fuck it, I'm in.
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>>4942884
>Using your own Psionic power, both further upset the interactions of the element and stabilize them in the Empyrean
>Throw your spirit in the world of ghosts and spirits, and find what awaits you in this place of discordant energy.
>>
>>4942884
Malal are we in the sect still?
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>>4942884
>Meditate on the passages of the Journey, and how they also balance one another, how it calls for industry while protecting nature, how it ask one to enjoy life while also tempering ones emotions. The Journey is an extension of your experiences that is shared among others, just like your soul connects to your companions.
We need to take a look at the Dai monastery sometime soon, before the ghosts attract even more daemons.
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>>4942938
As a member yes, at its Location/ the academy, no
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>>4942923
Support.
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>>4942884

>Throw your spirit in the world of ghosts and spirits, and find what awaits you in this place of discordant energy.

I want to finally meet the Aeldari farseer waifu.
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>>4942928
>>4942923
>>4942931
>>4942953
anons

"LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS"
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>>4942968
No. Cultivation isn’t a race no matter how much Chinese xianxia novel like to wank off “prodigies” and being attuned with all the elements is a double-edged sword.
>>4942953
I’m not opposed. I’m just not certain if that leads to meeting her.
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>>4942873
>and the fragrant bark of a tree found in the Kang province that adds a restorative kick to the drink
Cocoa? Aspirin? I don't know any South East Asian trees for that.

>Draw upon the Qi formed between the ever changing cycles of the "Pure" Qi's element, and see if siphoning its energy will bring you further revelation.
>Throw your spirit in the world of ghosts and spirits, and find what awaits you in this place of discordant energy.
>>
>>4942884
>>Draw upon the Qi formed between the ever changing cycles of the "Pure" Qi's element, and see if siphoning its energy will bring you further revelation.
>Throw your spirit in the world of ghosts and spirits, and find what awaits you in this place of discordant energy.

I need someone to analyse the threat level of each one of these choices.
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>>4942999
Wouldn t you wait to vote before that then ?
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>>4943019
No these are the ones im going to go for, until Someone makes a threat assessment.
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>>4943026
I have a vague idea of them, something like this maybe. My personal idea, take it as you want.


>>Just ponder and reflect upon the knowledge you have, drawing unwanted attention would be foolish, especially so close to others.

Probably no issues at all, though the place chosen is special already. Remember that part.


>>Draw upon the Qi formed between the ever changing cycles of the "Pure" Qi's element, and see if siphoning its energy will bring you further revelation.

If it s pure Qi, it s our type. If upon siphon it there is evil or negative Qi attempting to enter, we would immediatialy sense and smell it, and act on it. Lieren is very prudent, and really hates evil. Be a dumb warp spirit animal, or a fully formed spirit in search of food or gifts for their masters.

>>Using your own Psionic power, both further upset the interactions of the element and stabilize them in the Empyrean

Attempt to decide on our own the rules, may cause a fight or violent reaction for obvious reason (deciding on our own).

>>Throw your spirit in the world of ghosts and spirits, and find what awaits you in this place of discordant energy.

Exploration on an unknow border between Shangrila and the immaterium, high risk of battle, immediate attempt of any evil spirit to attack us or corrupt. If not border region, since it says ghosts and not just spirits, small pocket spiritual place made by "Shangrila". In the immaterium but not exactly.

>>With one hand, draw on the essence of the land. With the other rebuke and turn it away, forming a great vortex of Qi with you as the eye of its storm


Attempt at creating the two opposing cycles theory just thought of, since is a great vortex of Qi, it will attract evil spirits. 100% battle, but it s possible to learn a new powerful type of Mien (if the theory is successfull, and it s exactly as Lieren wants it so : no sorcery ecc in it)
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>>4943075
I think the creating the opposite Qi is to result in attracting a Malaic entity or the anarch himself, not to learn a new skill, because that would be the result of all of them.
The queation is what ability or knowledge we could end up with, and how strong or useful they would be.
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>>4943085
It will be probably a picked choice after the whole thing is done.
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>>4943089
Most likely, yes.
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>>4942884
>>With one hand, draw on the essence of the land. With the other rebuke and turn it away, forming a great vortex of Qi with you as the eye of its storm
>>
>>4942884
>Draw upon the Qi formed between the ever changing cycles of the "Pure" Qi's element, and see if siphoning its energy will bring you further revelation.
>Throw your spirit in the world of ghosts and spirits, and find what awaits you in this place of discordant energy.
>>
>>4943075
I feel like with all of our warnings about the dangers of The Warp selecting the fifth option is too balls-deep dive for Lieren, he's a bit more prudent than that.
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>>4943110
So long as we do it out of reach of the people below, we should be good.
>>
>>4942884
>>Throw your spirit in the world of ghosts and spirits, and find what awaits you in this place of discordant energy.
>>With one hand, draw on the essence of the land. With the other rebuke and turn it away, forming a great vortex of Qi with you as the eye of its storm
Primarch balls to the immaterial walls.
Guess learning about the other three will have to wait. Maybe we'll try it somewhere more secluded than a few miles away from our school. Tunrda maybe, assuming there's some on Shangrala
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>>4943075

So your theory is that we may meet evil spirits (warp entities). I would love if we got a chance to meet a benign entity, or a malal entity.
>>
>>4942884
>>With one hand, draw on the essence of the land. With the other rebuke and turn it away, forming a great vortex of Qi with you as the eye of its storm
It is time for us to be judged...
>>
>>4943305
Shangrila is afflicted by several evil spirits attempting to enter or influence in it. Small or important, they are there for eat the emotions and souls, or in case of the more complex beings rule over it too. The Warden of Life for example was between the two realms (reality and warp), and was attempting to "colonize" a fertile "ground" ( the battlefield), of the "border" for better enter in Shangrila.

At the start it was already a world fought over by the gods (That objective didn t change with Lieren coming, Lieren is a bonus prize). But we have seen many more that want something here, for example those warp scavengers beasts that manifested themselves for feast on the terrible and intense emotions left by the dark eldar camp.
That s why i found very likely that we will find evil spirits, and fight them. It would be good to find another benign one though, or more.


No not warp entities, that s not what i mean. Evil spirits is a term Lieren as specifically given to creatures that in 40k would be call demons or similar to them but with their alignment (evil; see Huli Jing, Warden of Life, Unseen Master and others; Malal entities fit in that definition too, for their Negative Qi as well their obvious reasons and intentions).
The actual benign spirits aren t call evil, instead (see when isha is found). They are simply call spirits. So far beside her and the old monks ghosts, there haven t been many others.

Warp entities is generalized, so it includes everything.
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>>4942884
>Just ponder and reflect upon the knowledge you have, drawing unwanted attention would be foolish, especially so close to others.
The moderate way is the best.
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>>4943647
>Warp entities is generalized, so it includes everything.
Enslaver time
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>>4943647
>>4943786
Regular warp entities make great crafting materials.
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>>4943796
Monster Hunter: Empyrian
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>>4943764
Moderation is how we bring everything into balance.
>>
Calling the vote now.

Just ponder and reflect upon the knowledge you have, drawing unwanted attention would be foolish, especially so close to others:3

use your light and flames for see the best ways for destroy the weak energy of the five symbols: 1

With one hand, draw on the essence of the land. With the other rebuke and turn it away, forming a great vortex of Qi with you as the eye of its storm:9

Throw your spirit in the world of ghosts and spirits, and find what awaits you in this place of discordant energy.:6

Meditate on the passages of the Journey, and how they also balance one another, how it calls for industry while protecting nature, how it ask one to enjoy life while also tempering ones emotions. The Journey is an extension of your experiences that is shared among others, just like your soul connects to your companions.: 1

Draw upon the Qi formed between the ever changing cycles of the "Pure" Qi's element, and see if siphoning its energy will bring you further revelation.: 3

Using your own Psionic power, both further upset the interactions of the element and stabilize them in the Empyrean:1

Total votes: 18

So embrace with one hand, reject with the other wins! Maelstrom of Qi! Lets see what happens!

Writing now
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>>4944384
We going balls to the wall then.
This should be interesting.
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>>4943796
>Lieren subdues an Enslaver and uses it like the Kos Parasite from Bloodborne
>Lieren hunts down vampire after vampire to turn them into something like the Cloak of the Bat
>Lieren discovers the ancient Terran cogitator-game "Bioshock" and spends a week making something that lets him use psychneuein like Insect Swarm
>>
And it occurs to you, through a wayward renegade thought that flits through your mind like a leaf upon the wind. Discord, chaos, turmoil, it surrounds you. But it parts around you, like a river's gentle current. It fades away as the dawn must give way to morning and dusk must give way to night. If you hypothesis of this nameless being's nature is accurate, it is an embodiment of these forces that despite their conflict, serenely pass you by as if they were pedestrians in a street. The Qi here, the energy of the spiritual and living, the waves of emotion and feeling, the winds of the Emperyan despite their constant state of flux and intermingling, destruction and growth are calm. Though this place, if one were to view it from the other world, or with the cycles of the five elements in mind is in turmoil with itself.

It is calm in its chaos, placid in its paradox. The cycles and their byproducts, slip by without fueling their opposites or feeding upon them to encourage their own growth. There is discord here in the fluctuations, but it is minor amounting to little more than a speck of sand flicked into a pond or a petal torn from a single flower in a field abloom. The opposing energies, do not interact beyond their first clashes. It is as though you're standing at the edge of a stream, expecting to be sprayed by water as the current ponderously burbles along the same path it has for years.

Nothing will come from meditating or drawing up such stale Qi, which is only potent and strong by its brief intermingling. There is a balance here, beneath the apparent chaos. And it must be upset if you wish to gaze upon the true discord and learn of its self titled master, if indeed that is what the fifth choose to embody. However, condensing Qi is a dangerous business especially when it is malevolent, the stuff of grudges and pain. When such energies meet and are forced to mix with their opposite, the forces of positive emotions and pleasant memories, the chore will become even more dangerous than before! Thus precautions must be taken, and the area must be fortified against that which is unreal and wholly spiritual.

To invoke chaos, and invite discord one cannot expect to be greeted with kindly spirits and benevolent entities, just as one walking within a storm should not expect the sun's gentle caress! Yes, you must prepare, ready yourself for the storm you shall call both upon the material and immaterial realms. As foolhardy as this course of action is, it is the most efficient means to steal the knowledge you seek, and to perhaps gaze upon the face hidden in the shadows. To learn of the king of the divided skull, to take the name of the reverend of discord and insanity so his visage and passing may be known and scorned. Or welcomed, if the fifth proves to be unlike his peers and is instead a force of benevolent virtues.
Cont
>>
>>4944569

Deciding to heighten the elemental forces surrounding you, you carve the Null Denouncement Charm's script on embodiments of each element in equal number. Creating a spiritual arena similar to the ones you constructed to battle against the Keeper of Rust and the horde of Bat winged scavengers. Channeling your will into the array of conduits, a veil of shimmering brilliance emerges and connects itself together, weaving and sewing itself into place to form nigh impenetrable walls of ghostly fire. The Pillars ignite, as the script of the charms burns with the light of your raging soul.

The Aura of the Golden sea becomes blinding, the pillars rising to pierce the heavens themselves as the spectral shield bolsters itself upon its own fire and grows to a mighty wall of soulfire made tangible. Fragments of the Journey's lesson and the Null Denouncement Charm's arcane and geometrical script cascades down the faces of the protective walls like melted silver. The characters of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Discord loop around the top of the arena, dancing along its "Roof".

Satisfied with the protection you have created for the living world and its inhabitants, you sit down in the center of the arena that may soon become cast into the limbo between the temporal and spiritual, a transient border between the worlds.

"Lieren what the hell are you doing?" Kanzeon's voice whispers in your ear, as your thoughts slip through a gap in the fortress of your mind.

"Research" You answer, as she inhales sharply

"You incomprehensible fool!" She barks angrily before growling "No matter, if you intend to stand against the storm, I'll be by your side as I should be, after all we are of the same heart. Just don't get yourself hurt, you moron"

Laughing, you lift up the Guandao crafted from Kanzeon's flesh, the same material as the shifting armor you wear, as your lover alters it from its disguise as merely flamboyant robes into a sturdy suit of star silver and gold. A blank war mask, topped with horns seeps over your face, as plates and fluid pools of armor form over the rest of your body.

Stabbing your weapon into the ground before you, you cross your legs and hold your arms straight out, staring through synthesized senses of the visor Kanzeon has so generously made for you.

"I can't exactly allow you to charge into battle in the nude, as amusing as it would be" She says with a click of her tongue "I am just gambling that you know what you're doing"

"Perhaps" You answer with a sly grin as you begin to upset the balance between the forces of discord, worsening the flux of the elements and thus the natural Qi derived from them.

The air quivers, like the flesh of a maiden touched by an unwanted suitor

"A disgusting analogy!" Kanzeon proclaims

Stifling your laughter, you raise your right hand, and begin to reject and denounce the flow of the ghostly wins, impeding their stream and halting their progress.
Cont
>>
>>4944573

Forcing them to mix and churn together, upsetting their internal balances as they bolster and weaken against the other cycling streams of Qi.

With your left, you embrace the essences of the land, drawing them towards and into yourself, the winds wandering unhindered and unchained, strengthen their currents.

The stifled Qi and the unrestrained Qi meet, both empowered and waning from its own internal cycles and interactions. They meet like soiled water meets pure and refuse to mix. Instead they form a vortex, a twisting column of force with you seated in its eye, meditating upon the nature of a balance broken and forced into conflict with itself. Pondering on the nature and very essence of discord, chaos and turmoil unaltered!

Blackened winds, golden winds! Colorful waters, grey waters! All flow and conflict against each other, a stream of sorcerous forces battles over head like the churning clouds of a storm. The Qi, Malevolent and Benevolent alike turns into a raging inferno and yawning abyss before your eyes! A black whirlpool in a sea of colors and molten gold!

And then

"Lie..ren...can't...feel...you...some...thi...inter...fere..where..ar..they're...tak..ou...om..eeeee" Kanzeon cries out in desperation as the air suddenly turns stagnant, her voice replaced with snarling static as the arena is cast into the border between the world of the living and that of the dead.

A crushing sense of loneliness and gnawing unsease befalls you and then.

Reality breaks, shattering into shards reflecting both reality and truth, and falsehood and illusion.

A chill wraps around your heart. A violation assails your mind. A single phrase, screeched in two voices. One feminine, one masculine. One belonging to Kanzeon, and your own. Both stolen by the force coercing this revelation. The phrase, though simple and brief, fills you with more dread than any foe you've met in the field of battle

THE KEY IS TURNED
-
https://youtu.be/5bBUfLeBEmc
-

The four players recoiled from the table, twenty pieces and countless others stood motionless, but a singular pawn began to from its own violation shake and shudder across the board of their great game. A second, hued red to the other's gold, turned to face the anomaly. A shadow slipped between the space, crawling from the cracks between nonexistence and the place where all things forgotten molder and rot.

The youngest, prideful and still enraged by the wound the once unmoving pawn had dealt her, sought to claim the opportunity afforded by its sudden activity. Seeking to salve the aching of his ego by claiming one of the prized twenty pieces, the doom of the Aeldari wrapped her delicate fingers around its shoulders, tightening another upon its face. But the piece flew from this grip! dragged by a dark yet unseen wind.

The second to act, the ever cunning eldest, reached out with his talons seeking to catch the piece in its flight, for it embodied hope and change as much as he himself did.
cont
>>
But the piece, against all of his visions and divinations, danced out of his crane like snapping, and fell to the board to bounce high into the air, chipping the tile it landed upon and its own base

The usually indolent player, outstretched its grubby fingers, his song bird crying in both despair and mirth. He sought to control the piece, to show the pawn the error of his philosophy and to reprimand him for his prior rude behavior. the piece shot through his fetid grasp, and began to spun across the table towards the seat of the player who held most of the board.

Long still armor, rusted together by the blood spilt upon it, creaked to life as the lord upon his throne of skulls inclined his head and smacked the board with an open hand. The piece resisted the action, even as the board cracked and shook, it continued to careen towards the edge. The three other players cursed wildly, exchanging both childish insults and serious threats. But he did not join in their petty squabbles, and quietly observed the pawn's decent towards the edge of the table.

Towards the darkness below.

The darkness moved.

The lord of war saw it and merely tilted his head in the other direction in idle curiosity. Gore dripped from his lips as he grinned, and learned a secret his siblings did not.

THE GATE IS OPENED!
-

Kanzeon stood, reaching out for the signal produced by her beloved's armor, for even a fragment of his thoughts. She could feel him, feel his emotions flaring and raging against a storm of static and energy that blocked her perceptions both within her puppet and through the sensors of her body. Cursing, terror filling her heart, Kanzeon reached out with signals both from her inner machinery and mind, grasping for anyone who could tell her what the hell was happening to that which she most treasured! What she loved above all.

A message returned from her lover's last location. And it hurt to receive it, it hurt like it hurt to feel her systems fail and fall into disrepair.

LO! I AM REMEMBERED!
-

Farseer Carys, could see beyond the darkness of her ruined eyes. But a blindness greater than her own crippled sight appeared before her, wrapped around the golden beacon she held with greater reverence than any of her race's fallen gods. Tearing the blindfolds that hid her injuries, the Aeldari witch did something bold and foolish, throwing her essence towards the ever burning sea and yawning abyss without hesitation. Unafraid of the dangers she brought upon her own existence that the shadow may pose, unafraid of the ever slavering maw at her back, she strove forward.

And met a queer being staring in confusion at the sudden swell of shadows. But before she could ponder the being's existence, a psychic scream both terrible and majestic tore through her every sense and every wire of her nerves.

THUS! I AM REMADE
-
cont

>>4944574
Whoops, fucked that up. Was only supposed to be "the key is turned"
>>
"By all the heavens, by all the hells!" Guozhi gasped, a presence burning upon his third eye as he reached out into the depths of the golden sea that embodied his student and teacher's very existence. He found a mire formed of malevolent and benevolent Qi muddled together, but it was no mire. It was a corpse rising from the grave! A child clawing from his mother's still womb.

"What have you uncovered! What have you revealed!" He spat against the tides of night, standing behind the radiant figure of Lieren, who stood frozen in the core of the maelstrom of discordant energies as if entranced or paralyzed with fear "Abomination! Affront to all that is orderly! release him from your grasps! I DENOUNCE YOUR EXISTENCE!"

A maiden draped in pale white robes appeared from the fog, mocking him with her laughter. The spirit dared to steal the image of gentle hearted Luli. By his side, a dark youth dressed in black shook his head and spoke, revealing the face of long Qian Xiaowen!

NOW THE CIRCLE CLOSES
-

Magnus stood in a storm, he had felt the great sea shudder and its waves darken from the material world. It was a subtle thing at first, a distant feeling of unease but now that he stood in its depths he realized what was happening. A long slumbering Leviathan rose from the depths, upsetting the tides of the warp. Something that had once been, or never was forcing itself through the cracks of reality as though it had always been. Clouds gathered, and in their gloom Magnus beheld the glowing torch of Lieren's soul raging against the night.

He had stood aside, idle, the last time his brother challenged the current. Now he would swim beside him. He had stumbled, despite his caution, into the lair of something ancient and terrible. His brothers words echoed in the theater of his mind, and the Giant of Prospero moved to stand beside the Giant of Shangrala. He did not think, he did not plan.

There was no time to distinguish between hesitation and readiness. There was only time to act. Something Maelific had risen from the sea, and he could not allow his brother to face it alone.

PARADOX TURNS TO REALITY!
-

The emperor shifted in his seat, a look of dread flickering across his bronze features as he turned to Malcador.

"I felt it as well, my lord and friend" The sigilite whispered, closing his eyes "As though a great power imposed itself upon the currents of the immaterium, when once it was unknown. Another parasite has been born from the realm of souls"

The emperor shook his head, his eyes opening as he stood to his full height, the air growing heavy with the force of his conviction

"No. it has always been. But a moment before it was not. It is not born, it is as ancient as the other parasitic thoughtforms that think themselves gods" The lord of man kind spat "It had erased itself, and now it is freshly written into reality as though it was a book to be altered!"

"Another enemy to overcome then" Malcador sighed "How shall we"
Cont
>>
>>4944583

"What was remembered may yet be forgotten. Even if that is a wayward hope, I can at least guard my sons against the beast. If it cannot be unmade, it can be denied" The emperor spoke, eyes flaring with the rage only a father could feel ".

THE SHADOW BASKS IN LIGHT!
-
Kor Phaeron's jaw drooped as a wave of confusion passed over him. He had been studying the old texts, as Logar preached his gospel to the masses. It was an odd feeling, the opposite of Deja vu. He felt as though he had forgotten something but had forgotten what it was.

He traced a finger over the text, describing the five gods of the religion worshipped by the religion of fools who had scorned him and cast him down from his deserved position. He ignored the unsettling feeling in the back of his mind, until it faded away and left him.

Before the desert winds spoke to him and sent a deathly chill down to the marrow of his bones

GOLDEN EYES LOOK UPON ME!
-
AND THUS I AM KNOWN
You stared into nothingness, as your tongue and lips moved against your will. Speaking two names.

"Chun Qiang, Pure Chaos" Your voice cooed as if spoken by another "Malal"

Tears burned your eyes, as you fought against the unseen currents forcing themselves against your back, attempting to thrust you deeper into that which is not.

YEsssss, that is my name, mortal!

Snarling, you throw a punch, and stumble as the ground materializes beneath your feet. Falling face first onto a checkered floor of tiles, alternating between alabaster white and onyx black.

Lanterns are lit by faceless peons, lifting a bundle of tinder to each as the vast, endless hall is lit on one side and kept darkened on the other. Blood pours from your eyes, as you struggle to remain standing, refusing to kneel. A thrown, split down the middle and reflecting the halls colors emerges from the gloom. And upon it, two figures sit. One feminine the other masculine. One dead, one alive. One merry, the other sullen. Two bodies for one being, constantly shifting to oppose the other. Clenching your jaw you rise, eyes weeping rivers of blood from the pain of being made to look upon an existence as terrible and powerful as the embodiment of anarchy.

You have my gratitude. For noticing the single thread of my existence. Thus...I am remembered, thus I am

You grip your Guandao, as Kanzeon voice reverberates in your mind, crying your name amidst curses. A sigh of relief passes through your thought as she grips tightly to your presence as you do hers. The twin figures smirk, and embrace each other as well

Ohoho, what vast unrelenting hatred you've cultivated in your heart, so rich and potent. Its intoxicating even for me! A god!

"You are no god!" You bellow, entering a combative stance as the thing laughs and laughs and laughs. Reality shivers, and at last settles

But I am! for you knew me as such! thus I am. But feel no guilt! Hero! For I have always been!
Cont
>>
>>4944583
Did we just spawn fucking MALICE?
>>
>>4944585
DAD'S BACK, AAAAAAAAAAAA.

The great game is BEGAN ANEW.
>>
>>4944585

"Lieren, where the hell are you!" Kanzeon snarls as you stand and shake the pain from your arms, and the confusion from your head

"In hell, it would seem" You spit, raising your Guandao's blade towards the self titled god of anarchy, who simply begins to clap their four hand

Oh you think I will attempt to force you into my service? By your upbringing you shall forever serve my ambitions! So long as you never betray yourself! You and I, dream of the same future. A future without tyrants, do we not?

Two become one, and steps from their thrown. A seething, blistering mass of ever shifting flesh, melting bones. Paint spilled into water, smoke lingering in the air. Never settling into a chosen form. Verminous features, mutating into the chitinous countenance of some terrible beetle creature before they change into the mien of a skull that slowly molds into the image of a lamprey mouthed slug.

But fret not, Lieren of Nothing. The only slaves I seek come willingly into my arms. No, all I have done is brought you to my manse, to reclaim the gift I gave unto you ten years ago!

The form settles into a reflection of yourself, with tusks and fangs and a horned brow half cast in darkness half cast in light

Two clawed fingers raise and level themselves at your eyes.

Should your prove unworthy of them! Yahahahaha! Call the storm! Break the veil! Struggle against the discord you sowed! or kneel and lose the blessing I bequeathed as you dreamt as a machine

"I do not know what you are, thought form. But you are not touching him!" Kanzeon roars in defiance

Reality shatters. And you find yourself upon a platform divorced from all else.

A fitting theater, for a heavenly tribulation, no? now...begin!

Before you sits a

What sits before you, Lieren?

>A mirror, reflecting the dark

>A Cage, holding the light

>Old Armor, worn by bones

>A newly inked scroll

>Refuse to see "TO HELL WITH YOUR GAMES SPIRIT! I AM WROUGHT BY MY OWN ACTIONS AND DEEDS! NOT BY ANY HEAVENLY BLESSING OR HELLISH PACT! (By your own decision, "tear" out your eyes, losing "truth vision" but keeping your actual eyes)

>Write in

https://youtu.be/ev7r9pfk8BY Boss battle music

Also congrats on stumbling on the convoluted method of "Bringing" Malal into play!

Namely, judging pure, undiluted chaos with "truth vision". Like how Lieren "Broke" his soul.

>>4944586
No, he always has been. At least now he has

>>4944583
Also fucked it up again
>>
>>4944586
Yes. Congratulations on plunging everything deeper into grimdarkness.
>>
>>4944583
>Magnus stood in a storm, he had felt the great sea shudder and its waves darken from the material world. It was a subtle thing at first, a distant feeling of unease but now that he stood in its depths he realized what was happening. A long slumbering Leviathan rose from the depths, upsetting the tides of the warp. Something that had once been, or never was forcing itself through the cracks of reality as though it had always been. Clouds gathered, and in their gloom Magnus beheld the glowing torch of Lieren's soul raging against the night.
>He had stood aside, idle, the last time his brother challenged the current. Now he would swim beside him. He had stumbled, despite his caution, into the lair of something ancient and terrible. His brothers words echoed in the theater of his mind, and the Giant of Prospero moved to stand beside the Giant of Shangrala. He did not think, he did not plan.

of course it would take the unveiling of a god to wake up magnus but at least it is done and he understands.
>>
>>4944591
>A Cage, holding the light

Rad

>>4944593
The only god to defeat the others is Malice.
>>
>>4944591
>>A Cage, holding the light

>Also congrats on stumbling on the convoluted method of "Bringing" Malal into play!

So now that we're completely off the rails, if we hadnt brought malal back we'd have proceeded normally through the timeline?
>>
>>4944591
Now Lieren cannot lecture Magnus about being idiotic when it comes to the warp
>>
>>4944591
>A mirror, reflecting the dark
Shadow Lieren boss fight?
>>
>>4944603
Nope, remember, every action ripples and sticking to "in spite of a nail" would be lame .

Malal have just would remain in the "Retconnian", and as a shadow silently mocking the other four. Now he is known, thus he is. thus there are five

As the man said himself, the Paradox turns to reality.

>>4944607
Technically it was because of his ability to "Know" whatever he looked at and judge it. He looked into pure chaos. Thus he knew Malal, Thus Malal exists and always has.
>>
>>4944595
Malal and the gods spawned from him are like that Stormbringer. No matter how Chaos they slay they are still forces of ruin.
At least Malal doesn't actively strip people of their freedom and has a vested interest in Lieren leaving unmolested so he can continue fucking up Chaos.
>>
>Old Armor, worn by bones

I want to know what sealed Malal in the first place.

Did he end himself and thus give birth to the Empyrean or did he fall against the old ones?
>>
>>4944615
Partially because "haha join Logar in his sad masturbation tower for eternity forever because you chose a string of choice combined with a few key write ins" Would be really lame

>>4944616
Mystery!
>>
>>4944591
>A mirror, reflecting the dark
>>
>>4944591
>>Old Armor, worn by bones
Prosperity Ever Loving Lieren this is fucking insane. Magnus is here, that Farseer is here, Kanzeon is here, Malal has been Remade, The Emperor and Malcador knows and are probably gunna react poorly when Lieren tells them this, and Khorne is the only one of the OG 4 who knows his little/older sibling is back.

Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan Malal you throw us the best damn curveballs I love it.
>>
>>4944608
Also, we ended up getting our heavenly tribulation in the end anyway, and from our godfather even!
Such a swell guy that Malice, I bet he won't care after we defeat this challenge and continue fucking up Chaos and it's machinations.
>>
>>4944591
>>A Cage, holding the light
>>
>>4944609
>>4944607
>IF PSYKERS DIDN'T EXIST MANGUS THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN, OPEN YOUR EYES!
>>
>>4944591
>Write in
"Fool of a wannabe god I see you for what you are by your own doing oh titan of change I am true To my nature but I challenge you to be true to yours! Just as you are now born and know yourself so obey your nature and change! Change back into nothing!
>>
>>4944634
I have no idea if this would work but it is so insane I want to see what would happen
>>
>>4944591
I will now picture Malal as the Vergil of the Ruinous Powers. Good shit.
>A mirror, reflecting the dark
>>4944609
So...Lieren has the power to reverse retcons? QUICK, SOMEBODY TELL HIM TO STARE AT THAT BITCH ERDA!
>>
>>4944617
Not to mention the existence of the Emperor. He would delete Lieren if he found him Chaos corrupted. Better to have him uncorrupted with access to the Imperium's resources since he'll still oppose Chaos anyway and he more effective that way.
>>
>>4944591
>>A newly inked scroll
>>4943158
How good you feel about it now?

Lieren fucked up, and when we get an opportunity to reflect upon this mistake we should. Probably should consult Magnus about it as well; Maybe this will open up his mind about the dangers of The Warp.
>>
>>4944591
>>Refuse to see "TO HELL WITH YOUR GAMES SPIRIT! I AM WROUGHT BY MY OWN ACTIONS AND DEEDS! NOT BY ANY HEAVENLY BLESSING OR HELLISH PACT! (By your own decision, "tear" out your eyes, losing "truth vision" but keeping your actual eyes)
Strikes me as rather in-character.
>>
>>4944636
I learned it from doing research into different mythos for my own writing. If a force of chaos awakes and embodies change it will inevitably have to change back to sleep mode/dead at some point.

Now this fool just stamped itself on infinity thus all the time, thus it must hit that point and return to nothing.

This is for sure gonna leave a mark though, like ouch
>>
>>4944637
He must gaze upon the necrons and squats.
>>
>>4944637
Erda already doesn't exist, alongside other things I consider to be fucking retarded in GW'S nu lore
>>
>>4944591
>A mirror, reflecting the dark
>>
>>4944591
>A mirror, reflecting the dark
Gaze into the abyss more!
>>
>>4944648
Bless you, boss. What other omissions might we look forward to?
>>
>>4944653
>>4944648
This we need to know what your canon is
>>
>>4944648
So is Amar Astarte canon, or is the meme of the Emperor's shit taste in waifus dead?
>>
>>4944591

>A mirror, reflecting the dark

A part of me wants to refuse Malal and take the truly chaotic option, but the rest of me figures we've already fucked up this bad, we might as well see it to the conclusion.
>>
>>4944648
Is the old lore of C'tan being bio-energy vampires instead of soul eaters a thing?
>>
>>4944648
if lieren does anything else besides rip out his own eyes, does he then bind himself to malal?
>>
>>4944591
>>Refuse to see "TO HELL WITH YOUR GAMES SPIRIT! I AM WROUGHT BY MY OWN ACTIONS AND DEEDS! NOT BY ANY HEAVENLY BLESSING OR HELLISH PACT! (By your own decision, "tear" out your eyes, losing "truth vision" but keeping your actual eyes)
>>
There's a trick to paradox and paracausal bullshit/magic you can make it eat itself or if you bind yourself to a concept so utterly and embody it to such an extent oneself becomes synonymous with it. We could in theory by forcing Malal here to carry out its own nature and thus destroy itself/change from the metaphorical "1" back to "0" grow in our own power vastly just as Malal by knowing it's name is the word for pure chaos, Lieren could become Truth itself.

>Mfw this shit is my jam and I've waited so long
>>
>>4944591
>A Cage, holding the light

Rolled a random d4 from my dice bag, got a 2.

Also appropriate, it was a white die with black numbers.
>>
>>4944634
I will support this speech as an extra thibg, I'm still sticking to my previous vote too.
>>4944608
I worry if a minority of ripping the eyes out wins because the majority of the keep them is split between four choices plus the rad write-in.
It's not like that choice is refusing Malal either, by his own chaotic and paradoxal nature, sayi g no to the challenge and refusing it is also giving in to it, so much that it's what he called kneeling.
>>
>>4944675
No, I'd put a (Bind to malal) explanation if it did, like I did with the (Dangerous choice) a few posts ago, which would've lead down a different path with its own shall we say "hiccups"

Cause as I've said, I find the idea of a single choice screwing the players over like a conceptual Laer blade to be really really gay.

>>4944653
>>4944656
>>4944658
>>4944671
I don't like giving spoilers. Erda is an exception because holy fuck does she ruin the setting just by existing. And even the implication of her presence is intolerable.

Also you know Ollanius Pius being a perpetual instead of just a normal guardsman. Though that doesn't matter in the quests timeline, so it's "Safe" to mention, since Lieren is Lieren instead of the "Canon" 2nd.

>>4944685
Nice
>>
>>4944693
>Ollanius Pius being made into a perpetual
My god do I get irritate when I think about that retcon.
>>
>>4944697
I thought it was amongst the worst changes to the lore until Miss "Nooo have to save muh babies by shoving them into Chaos' asshole" came into existence.
>>
>A mirror, reflecting the dark

While I like the idea of us giving up our powers, I firmly believe that while Lieren is inclined to fight for freedom and oppose tyrants wherever he goes, I also believe that he needs to see the truth, to know himself and his actions, and reflect on them. If we remove that ability, to honestly reflect without lies or decite I think that we would give up a piece of ourselves more valuable than our eyes.
>>
>>4944697
It was when everthing started to go to shit, because it opened the gates to every big character to be a super old or powerful perpetual.
>>4944690
I might be worrying too much though, it doesn't seem something Malal would do after all.
>>
So we brought malal into the game....not gonna lie I would've voted for that even if I was told this would happen.

Great as always Malal.
>>
>>4944700
+1
>>
>>4944707
The infighting into chaos it brings will be a net positive, i hope.
>>
>>4944591
>>A Cage, holding the light
>>
>>4944707
Some people may see this as an unmitigated disaster, but there IS a silver lining.
He's just as much of a threat to the Big 4 as he is to Humanity. Let's hope he lives up to the hype.
>>
>>4944698
We feel you.
>>
I'm really thinking we can handle this without a fight per say. See see truth and this fool is the embodiment of chaos he must consume himself, by being born into the Warp Malal has now become apart of the game. The only way for it to remain true is by changing from awake to sleep for by its very nature which it can not deny that truth of change.
>>
Now that I think of it, Malal is likely going to call the Tyranids and wake the Necrons. Both being active in the galaxy are in his interest.
>>
>>4944591
>>A mirror, reflecting the dark
>>A Cage, holding the light
>>Old Armor, worn by bones
>>A newly inked scroll
Each of these seems to represent the chaos gods
The mirror representing the vanity of Slaanesh's domain
The armor representing Khorne
The newly inked scroll that of Tzeentch
and finally, the cage with a light inside seems to obviously represent Nurgle with the Eldar goddess in the cage.

I don't know what will happen with what we choose but I think let's fuck with Nurgle a bit more, maybe steal his waifu.
>>
>>4944693
Yeah, not a big fan of Erda. that's why I briefly mentioned her in 11th primarch quest because I feel it could have been handled better. Though honestly your method is better. Also ollanius pius being a fucking perpetual pissed me off, why couldn't it just be a brave good man.. At least I like what they did with alpharius. Then again I'm the same dumbass who used a zebra matrix to sort all the potential missing primarch backgrounds by looking at which mysterious space marine chapters are different inside others, how their tactics are, and how their mutations are. Honestly Lieren is probably the closest thing we will have to a second primarch until they actually decide to write the eleventh and second books, because we all know GWs will eventually because they like money

>>4944591
I do not want to to tear out the truth vision eyes. Fuck that. At first I thought, yeah deny Malal, but at the cost of seeing the truth? No. Let's not go the route of hypocrite, lets see how far we can go.

> A Cage, holding the light.
>>
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if this doesn't end up being the symbol of malal i'm gonna be mad
>>
>>4944591
Was thinking about it and I have an idea.
>the Great Beast of many united as one
Might as well shit on Chaos undivided on our way out.
>>
>>4944754
Unfathomably based
I'll support this
>An eight-pointed star, composite of equals.
>>
>>4944685
>>
Rolled 9 (1d100)

I hope we dont lose the cool eyes of anti bullshit, they are a pretty rad power
>>
>>4944782
I guess Tzeentch noticed the change.
>>
>>4944591
>a cage holding light.
>This guys speech>>4944634

Oooooh yeah bitches, this is damn skippy.
>>4944639
I feel great about this. In a "oh fuck what the hell did we just do. . . WELP TIME TO REJECT THE HEAVENS!" sort of way.
>>
>>4944591
>>A mirror, reflecting the dark
>>
>>4944682
+1

>>4944693
Will Lieren be able to hear us now that hes in hell?
>>
>>4944591

>>4944634
>>4944682
I support pulling a Taken King!
>>
>>4944617
>combined with a few key write ins
>a few key write ins
>a few
What else got us here in addition to the paradox soul write in? The scouting write in that led to us discovering Vipul and the cave?
>>
>>4944609
I don't know if you know about gnosticism but we just did the step by step birth of the Demiurge AKA the idiot guy that made reality.
>>
>>4944591
>>Refuse to see "TO HELL WITH YOUR GAMES SPIRIT! I AM WROUGHT BY MY OWN ACTIONS AND DEEDS! NOT BY ANY HEAVENLY BLESSING OR HELLISH PACT! (By your own decision, "tear" out your eyes, losing "truth vision" but keeping your actual eyes)
if magnus lost his psychic powers, his character would be unchanged
our boy is more than his powers
>>
>>4944591
>A mirror, reflecting the dark
And my write in
>>4944634
>>4944682

Just linking them
>>
gonna be honest I'm not a fan of losing the eyes. They're pretty cool.
>>
>>Refuse to see "TO HELL WITH YOUR GAMES SPIRIT! I AM WROUGHT BY MY OWN ACTIONS AND DEEDS! NOT BY ANY HEAVENLY BLESSING OR HELLISH PACT! (By your own decision, "tear" out your eyes, losing "truth vision" but keeping your actual eyes)
>>
>>4944591
>Old Armor, worn by bones
We beat Nurgle, Slaanesh and Tzeentch, now it's time for Khorne.
>>
>>4944591
>A Cage, holding the light
Would Isha a creator godess counter darkness?
>>4944634
This anons little chain
>>
>>4944591
>Write in
"SAME DESIRE AND FUTURE ?! NO AND NEVER ! I can see that your desire of killing and destruction, even your own, has no rival ! Make no mistake, you are a tyrant yourself, you desire all the imaginable and unimaginable power as much as the others, only that you are even the very core of madness ! An amalgamation of conflicting desires, that you cannot control even with your power."
"And i know that if you had the chance, you would sing a gospel of madness to all of reality taking the lives of mortals with you. Ah ! What choice would they have ?! Hear you and lose their sanity or die by their own hands ?! NEVER ! I stand defiant to your evil, and to the ones in the rest of the Empyrean. And in regard to your "gift" it has long ago lost your touch Abomination, it is now fully mine and i will not be so naive to give something that has become a part of me and my light !"
"If this is an "heavenly tribulation", send forth your champion and monster, send your herald of anarchy, evil spirit Chun Qiang ! LET MY HATE CLASH WITH YOURS, SO YOU WILL FOREVER LEARN I WILL NEVER BE A PAWN !"

Raise from the ground in an unmatched brilliance of gold and in the green glow of our armor, and stand guard against the incoming darkness, preparing our weapon and us for battle.
>>
>>4944944
+1, but what if instead of saying 'LET MY HATE CLASH WITH YOURS," what if we said let my compassion clash with your hate, since Malal doesn't like hugs and kittens?
>>
>>4944947
I can agree with that change. It fits better now that i think about it. idk why i didn't thought of it before

>>4944944
i will change the line
LET MY HATE CLASH WITH YOURS
to
LET MY COMPASSION CLASH WITH YOUR HATE
>>
>>4944944
I mean he is evil, but I don't think he is actually a tyrant. By his nature, commanding others is something he despises doing. Maybe we need a new term for his brand of evil
>>
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>>4944960
I was kind of hoping that we'd have a chance to redefine Malal before he was birthed to see if he could be changed to "good." Now I don't know. If it's not too late I wonder if he could be made partially less "ghey evil bad baby" and more "best boy."
>>
>>4944960
He still attempts to use them for his own objectives, and he wouldn t shy away from any possibility to create harm, chaos or despair. To anyone. A different kind of tyrant, but still one. A mortal wouldn t be able to survive his influence and will for example. The mortal would succumb or serve him as a fraction of his previous self (probably for have lost all sanity and reason).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO6LWQhvzRw
>>
>>4944591
>Boss battle theme but it's funky
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iuwf26ZdLMw
>>
>>4944963
There was never a chance for that. Malal is chaos in it's most spiteful and transitory, this is his nature and to change that would be to change the very concept of what he is.

He is evil. But the winding, wandering evil of an anarchist setting all ablaze as he does so. Not someone intent upon forcing another to pay fealty or follow his paths which by their nature would have them rebel and seek to clash with him in every spare turn.

Tyranny isn't a crime we can accuse the incarnation of malice of.
>>
>>4944944
Malal is an anarchist the antithesis of a tyrant. Still a dick granted
>>
>>4944963
We have n advantage here to be honest for he is a thought form, a concept embodied and with that we can undo him once again which ironically is likely why he never was to begin with by being pure chaos he himself can exist.the moment he does he exists across time and thus must by his nature at some point change from life to death, active to still, awake to sleep. He was and the last change.. he was not. He auto retcons himself out by existing but the damage done by the hickuos of existence can be brutal
>>
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>>4944967
I say we kill Malal and his servants with kindness. Perhaps Isha is the key?

>>4944976
Ah yes, call down GW on his ass. Lets retcon his back into maybe existence.
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>>4944693
BTW what's happening to the blind farseer waifu? I hope she's not hurt.
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>>4944980
Brother Magnus and the Eldari cannot aid us with the divine tribulations.
>>
>>4944983
If we survive, will Lieren be stronger for it?
>>
>>4944985
Undoubtedly.

I am unsure if Malal would reward us for besting his trials, but we will grow in might anyway. Such is the nature of trial and hardship
>>
So while we wait for Malal to call the vote...feels weird saying that atm.

What do we think got Luli's shape and is looking all Galadiral on our Friends?
>>
>>4944591
I think I can support this >>4944634
Also, FUCK YEAR MALAL!

> The darkness moved.
> The lord of war saw it and merely tilted his head in the other direction in idle curiosity. Gore dripped from his lips as he grinned, and learned a secret his siblings did not.
Before, Lieren had Khorne's attention. Now he has his *interest*.
>>
>>4944978
I think we are already kind, so we have the weapons for it already. Isha will not be able to help here, probably because of the distance.


>>4944980

I am more preoccupied of an evil spirit of "white" color spawning right now in Shangrila (when we are dealing with this) and arriving with a changed Qian Xiaowen (probably possessed) in a black robe.
>>
I wonder if this is going to make us a Doctor Jekyll and mr Hyde Primarch. The Gentle Giant who brings peace and prosperity and the Ogre Trickster who will simply fall from the sky and burn down your world
>>
>>4945010
>>4944939
this is me my ID must have changed D:
>>
>>4945010
Next stage in cultivation kind of makes it impossible to remain that way.
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>>4945010
Voting against this. Lets keep this botched warp ritual our last and only one and not transform ourselves into a monster. We just messed up worse than Canon Magnus in that we not just disturbed the Human webway a tiny bit (to which big E over reacted); we summoned a new Chaos god!

If we have to do something messy, let's talk with further experts about it and take better care of security beforehand. We dont have to go full Council of Nikaea; but we have to severely reduce our Warp interference.
>>
>>4944591
>A Cage, holding the light
The light shall not remain buried
and these are fun
>>4944634
>>4944944
>>
>>4945052
Yeah, we did a big oopsie that Emps is going to scold us for later.

Oh and Magnus SOOOOOOOOO isn't going to let us live this down.
>'Don't say it'
>"So about that whole being careful about the warp thing"
>'Shut up magnus!'
>>
>>4944591
>A mirror, reflecting the dark
>>
I didn't say it before, but Malal - I think you've outdone yourself with this post.
The buildup, the sudden escalation, the music choice, the sheer terror of scale on display that's visible in such a way that you get it even if you're not versed in the lore and is even worse if you are, this update is without a doubt my favorite part of the quest thus far.
>>
>>4944591

Changing
>>4944651
to
>A Cage, holding the light

Nurgle is our target as he holds the captive we seek to free, our oath be held.
>>
I don't think Malal wants to corrupt us because he said we are his tool against chaos and the best way to serve him is to do so unmolested. So we shouldn't be getting chaos taint but there will be a change.

>>4944591
>A Cage, holding the light

The idea behind this vote is to eventually free Isha.
>>
>>4944591
>Refuse to see "TO HELL WITH YOUR GAMES SPIRIT! I AM WROUGHT BY MY OWN ACTIONS AND DEEDS! NOT BY ANY HEAVENLY BLESSING OR HELLISH PACT! (By your own decision, "tear" out your eyes, losing "truth vision" but keeping your actual eyes)
Mortarion was right, fuck psykers and fuck the Warp.
>>
>>4945495
>trusting a warp entity
>trusting a warp entity that is suicidal and self-contradictory in nature
>trusting a warp entity that is the literal embodiment of complete anarchy
>trusting a warp entity that is the literal embodiment of malice
Magnus tier hubris
>>
>>4945061
>big oopsie that Emps is going to scold us for later.
Seeing his other scoldings, how hard would he go on this? Slaughter all of our disciples maybe?
>>
>>4945514
Well, he is retarded, so maybe?
>>
>>4945498
>>4945504
>not trying the guy running the quest
Retard.
>>
Theoretically is lieren now at a psychic power level to hold the throne for Big E similar to malcador or Magnus?
>>
>>4945546
*trusting dammit
>>4945515
He only becomes retarded when GW's writers tried expanding the Horus Heresy and Great Crusade.
>>
>>4945560
He needs to first complete the tribulation before he can reach that level.
>>
>>4945546
I get that you trust malal, but "malal" is a different being, he will fuck us over in some way, chaos gods are never benevolent, everything they do is out of self-interest
>>
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They are going after modders now.
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>>4945614
Looking forward to the GW Cease and desistmarine squads storming cons armed with purity seals and powerbanhammers
>>
>>4945614
I had an image of a previous CEO of GW saying that Disney's draconian protection of their IP was fucking over their Star Wars and LoTR games, and all overall a bad thing for the entire induatry and the IP itself, but I can't seem to find it.
So I will just leave the mention of it happening here
>>
>>4944591
>>4944627
Changing my vote to this.

>A Cage, holding the light
>>
>>4945622
Wait, no, it was Alan Merret, the former head of IP protection of GW.
Even though he was the one behind the disaster of trying to aue chapterhouse studious, thia new shot of Age of Sigmar, Primaris marines, Erda and shitting on their own fans only started after he left.
Although sigamrxists are using one of his comments to defend female space marines. Because of course those tankie trannies care more about that them the community falling appart.
>>
>>4944591
I'll vote for either
>A mirror, reflecting the dark
>A Cage, holding the light
whichever has the most votes desu. But I mostly want to support these >>4944634 >>4944682 >>4944944 >>4944958
I'm pretty against tear out our own eyes.
>>
>Wanting to kill Malal again
Why not, and hear me out, let him live, and just let him fuck with the chaos gods because then we'll be off the grid of the Horus heresy, who knows what may happen with Malal messing with the others, he's spiteful! He'll help us destroy the other chaos gods and then commit an hero.
Why return to the status quo!?
Think Anons!
>>
>>4945707
bruh I just want Lieren to get out of this in one piece. There's like only a 0.00001% chance Lieren could actually kill Malal for good, at best we slap him and he thinks we're cool for it, at worst he claps our boy's cheeks hard.
>>
>A Cage, holding the light
>>
>>4945707
Malal won't stop at just chaos. That's his game. He's indescriminate, malicious hate. He can and will fuck over anything and everything at any time. Making a deal with him is no more dumb than making a deal with any chaos god. Yes there's a chance he can fuck over some part of the great game the gods play, but there's a just as great chance that he goes out of his way to fuck the materium because he hates that just as much.
Honestly, didn't we tell magnus like five different times that he should stop underestimating the warp?
>>
>>4945707
Malice has an equal reason to fuck us up as well not only that with him on the board messing things up the universe is a much darker place, killing him is outta the the question for he is a primal force that is nessesery for there to be change and such. However what we can do is circle logic him.

1) obey your nature and consume yourself since you existed through time and retconed himself in for you are Malal.

2) Do not consume yourself proving you are not Malal this not this great darkness thereby denying himself and ceasing to be for it is the core of his being paradox or no

Which means that no matter what he ceases to be but we will have quite a blacklash
>>
>>4945707
Eh, I doubt that it would even kill him, but more Lieren decrying even joybing Malal to begin with.

Honestly, I think Malal might go for Kurze, making he go even more insane by his predictions suddenly failing for no reason.
>>
>>4945748
>Konrad Curze just being way off the mark forever
Even if it doesn't end up helping him in the long run, it's still worth it just for the laughs.
>>
>>4945761
Nono, he needs to get some things rights, so that when it goes wrongs it's more infuriating.
Because if it's always wrong, he will just learn to ignore it.
>>
>>4945774
Fine then.
He can get inconsequential things right all the time, and moderately notable things right occasionally.
>>
>>4945744
+1
>>
>>4945761
God, I don't even want to imgaine the shit he's getting visions of right now, him and Sanguinius both.
Poor bastard.
>>
Malal was weak, but since he's Chaos Undivided, does that mean that he theoretically has ALL THE CHAOS?
>>
>>4945924
Malal is more true chaos than chaos undivided really.
>>
At this rate it's going to be Konrad Kurze getting redacted with all the crazy future sight stuff going on. Though Sanguinius may happen too at this rate.
>>
>>4946096

Maybe konrad will become sane this time.
>>
The only reason I'm sure this will work is because it's Malala core attribute, like khorne can't say no to bloodshed. Everything else of Malal is built atop of that. But it also answers why or how they were but a shadow to begin with, they can't exist as more than a distorted whisper or thread for to be true they would unmake themselves. Malal will always, has to always, by it's fundamental be a whisper.
>>
Calling the vote now. Sorry for the late update

A Cage, holding the light:16

A mirror, reflecting the dark:11

Old Armor, worn by bones:2

Fool of a wannabe god...:9

A newly inked scroll:1

Refuse to see "TO HELL WITH YOUR GAMES SPIRIT! I AM WROUGHT BY MY OWN ACTIONS AND DEEDS! NOT BY ANY HEAVENLY BLESSING OR HELLISH PACT! :5

An eight-pointed star, composite of equals/ The great beast of many united as one: 2

SAME DESIRE AND FUTURE ?! NO AND NEVER ! ...:4

Total votes:37! By Kanzeon's dry wit and loving heart! That's a whole 3 votes more than the previous record set in thread 7! Also like the two speech write ins, even though they didn't win.

So a cage holding a light wins! Writing now!
>>
>>4946292
Dang did the Wannabe god thing not get enough? Thought it was a + to other options
>>
Before you, a sight unseen by mortal eyes and the gazes of the deathless alike crawls into being, like the clutching and tearing fingers of a corpse struggling to pull itself away from the embrace of the grave and back to life. Like blood spilt from a wound, stones of the blackest night are woven from nothingness, and nothing is what they embody. Like the searing pain of a blade's kiss, the impossible unnatural masonry is carved and decorated with scenes butchery and the defiling of a thousand worlds, some familiar some entirely alien. Like a fever pulling away the serenity of a sane mind, the hall without end is lit by ghost flame and witch's fire and the smoldering embers of countless broken souls. The crypt of time, of reality itself forms before you like a mandala drawn from colored sand. And innately you know it to be as transient, yet that it shall also persist beyond everything else in the universe!

When the last star burns out, and the final breath fades into the winds, this place of endless damnation and torments shall remain. A cancer that survives the death of its host! The darkness that shall darken the void as it drinks what little warmth survives the inevitable ending of existence itself! Hell. This hall can only be the darkest pit of hell made manifest! A place so foul even devils fear to tread, a grave for the immortal and soulless! A crypt for the scorned and forgotten! A tomb for all that was, is and shall be!

But it is not place of gentle repose or eternal peace! NO! it is a place of suffering, all consuming madness, and the blistering sorrow of failed gods and kings! The mass grave of the wicked and sinful who surpass all others in the vileness and evil ways. The prison of creatures so abhorrent that in their final death they were chained to this place to darken its halls and drown it in the impotent and dying curses they spat as they were consigned and condemned to utter non existence!

YOU CAN FEEL THEM CRYING OUT FOR A DEATH THAT SHALL NOT COME!

"So...this is what terror feels like. I've felt fear before, for myself and others but this is sensation is much more powerful. By several magnitudes! I cannot measure it! it shouldn't be! You're outside of reality Lieren" Kanzeo whimpers into your minds, her words drifiting like the air that slips between the gaps in the earth and the little tunnels carved by vermin. Just looking at the stones so black they swallow all light and hope makes your eyes ache and burn with an agony unlike anything you've endured before! Blood streams down your face, across the look of helplessness.

But, it begins to bubble, boil and steam as you harden your will and steel yourself, conviction replacing dread as you take a bold step forward and challenge the darkness

YES! RAGE! RAGE AGAINST THE DYING LIGHT!

Your footstep echoes to the beginning of time and to its end.
Cont
>>
>>4946343

The groaning of those condemned to true death, the absence of existence and being surrounds you like an unhallowed choir, the orchestra of the abyss itself. Another step, Fires rage, roaring to greater life as their light becomes blinding.

Further. Further. The eternal wanderer meanders closer to the heart of hell

"Cold...I feel cold. In my true body I feel cold!" Kanzeon cries out "Turn away! Run away! there is nothing to be found here expect death Lieren! Retreat! Come back to me! turn away from the abyss and run for your life, please!"

Her words are distant. Dancing chimes and pattering rain. Another step forward. The darkness becomes absolute. Life and warmth is drawn from you, draining and spilling forth to become mist and fog. You are no longer certain if you inhabit a corporeal form, or if your flesh has melted away to join the very origin of darkness.

Then as abruptly as it vanished, life returns to coexist with the purity of darkness. Cleansing light and corruptive darkness surround you like the vortex of energy you drew together to pure into the essence of chaos unaltered. It is almost ironic in a way. The cloying chill that lingered beyond the birth of reality and the seething heat that shall herald its end wrap around you, smothering your flesh and drinking of your breath as your feet press against the carved effigies that grace the floor. The silent, screaming faces of devils, gods, kings and paupers alike. Few of them are human.

A forth step is taken, a howling wind cuts into your flesh through the armor Kanzeon gifted you, despite her efforts to guard you against it. You feel a specter of death behind you, within your own yawning shadow. Time, though it has no meaning here, is a finite resource and age hounds you despite your youth! Damnation incarnate claws at your legs, as corruption made manifest traces her hands down your back. Temptation, torment, glory, irrelevance. All the promises of wickedness and all its rewards surround you as lifeless shades. The conceptual embodiments of all that is terrible, and all that is good pull and tear at you seeking to draw you into the graves they have prepared for not only your body but your very soul!

You see the truth of all things. See the colors of the world more clearly than all others. And this shall be your undoing. In the primordial darkness...

You take a fifth step, and meet something that exists. It stands opposed to the unreality that surrounds it. A cage woven from pure white crystals, laid upon an altar of ashes and bones that were old when the universe was young. It is beautiful, untainted like freshly fallen snow or a child's young heart.

"Don't look. Don't look. Don't look!' Kanzeon commands, but you cannot look away

GAZE UPON THE DEATH OF HOPE! AND GIVE INTO DESPAAAAAIR

A light glows in the cage. A fading light, a dying soul that feels naught but sorrow and grief for what the world has become.
Cont
>>
>>4946348

Something once powerful. Something once magnificent. Something once living.

The opposite of the evil you have encountered. Caged, broken and forgotten in the darkest reaches of its bowels. A gentle memory purposefully abandoned and lost. The opposite to all that is vile, evil and chaotic in the world.

Like a bolt of killing light, comprehension strikes you. A dread understanding assails your mind and drowns out Kanzeon's lament. A fragment of enlightenment, darker than the first

Reality itself is terminally flawed and unbalanced. It spirals to its unmaking, following to the tune of the thirsting gods' laughter. Nothing more than a corpse, fed upon by bloated parasites and tumors. There is no order, for it was defeated and cast away so long ago even those who plunged their blades into its living hearts have forgotten it. The universe, like all things was born dying and incomplete.

Chun Qiang's laughter chews through you skin, your flesh, your bones and your marrow to feast upon yourself.

But

If this essence of order was imprisoned. it could be released. Balance could be achieved. Reality could be righted. Could be mended. Could be repaired. Could be healed! The flaws of existence could yet be undone! It could be made "Living" once more! Order could be restored! Balance could be struck between the forces. And all could be made right!

The laughter stops. And you know by this quiet defiance, this refusal to give into despair and accept the poison forced upon you, you have wounded the self proclaimed god of anarchy more terribly than any blade

Damn you idealism. DAMN YOUR NAIVETY! GIVE IN! DESPAIR! KNEEL! BREAK!

A thunderous footstep shakes the ground behind you. You whip around, pivoting on your heel, to behold a dark and titanic winged figure. With skin of cobalt so dark it nearly blends into the dark stonework that surrounds it. Skulls hang from chains pierced to its chiropteran wings, rattling and snapping their jaws. Hooved feet carved through the petrified faces tiling the floor. Rings chime from its momentous barbed horns, that sweep from the side of the beasts pointed skull to stretch back over its shoulders before curving out once again. Its visage is like a skull, its features defined and deeply sculpted, shadows hiding its eyes and jaws. Muscles of corded steel tighten and stretch, revealing a brand of a eight sided star made of spears upon its sable chest.

Smoke roils down from the beast's wrists, flowing over the armbands of gold it wears, down its bulging arms and formidable shoulders.

A ghostly blade of ethereal transience flickers in its hands, at once forged by strange metal and at once wrought from the stuff of shadows.

Behold, impudent one. Your doom manifest. The Harbinger. The Foretaken. The Bearer.

The beast raises its head, sizing you up and analyzing you down to the smallest detail. Judging, weighing, appraising.
Cont
>>
>>4946349
A malevolent sneer cuts its stoic expression, as smoke rises from its nostrils and its red eyes open to gaze upon your own. A burning sensation, akin to being a book opened and read, a feeling of being pierced through ripples through your being, down to the core of your essence.

This wicked spirit surpasses you in all ways as you are now. That much is clear.

"A mortal? Here in the heart of darkness? In the depths of the warp? And one of the anathema's sons no less? How insolent, how impudent, how foolish" The creature laughs, its voice so deep and rumbling it shakes all that exists to hear it and makes it quake "How fortuitous! That such a sacrifice, such a gift, would wander to me to be slaughtered. Like a lamb."

The One Who Heralds The Conquerors! The Messenger of the Great Undivided!! THE LORD OF TORMENT

"Damnations" You hiss, raising your Guandao as you adopt a wholly defensive stance.

"FUCK!" Kanzeon curses.

BEHOLD THE FIRST DAMNED! BE'LAKOR THE DARK MASTER

"Hmmph" The ancient evil snorts with a sadistic grin upon its dark lips "So you intend to die fighting, godling? Good. I would be disappointed if such a delicacy kneeled and submitted to its fate without so much as a struggle"
-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXkszF8Kq0Q [Embed] [Embed] Boss music

What is your first move, Lieren

>Run! You are at a disadvantage! Flee until an opportunity presents itself!

>Defiantly spit in this "Be'lakor"'s face, and challenge him to make the first strike. Ready yourself to perform the carps dance.

>"The fisher who delights in the thrashing of his catch, will find himself pulled from his boat and drowned". Charge fearlessly and strike!

>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)

>Write in

It begins. And I finally got this update right. Three tries to post it right. fucked it up twice
>>
>>4946356
>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)
Focus on the concept of harmony.
Also I have a question: did Malal's resurgence cause any changes in the Warp like the birth of Slannesh?
>>
>>4946356
>Write in
"First damned and first fool worthy titles for you. Your mistake was thus. This gate that is now open not only allows you into our realm but us into yours and that shall be your undoing! beyond reality and time? yet here I am living it, perceiving it and it is true! Just as you seek to subject the world to your will so you must now submit to realities to interact!"


>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)
Embody the Aspect of time! For time is an ordered line and should Malal seek to act upon us he will be forced to confront one of two truths either of which will sunder him!

1) You are Malal god of change and chaos so now across time at some point you will go from alive to dead!

2) You will deny this you will change your behavior and manner in a lasting way to avoid option 1 and thus you are no longer Malal! Be cast out of your own realm!

FIGHT ME YOU PARACAUSAL BITCH!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qpA1gCfTg0
>>
>>4946362
As an amendment/additional note I also specifically said time because it can go forward and back beginning and end like ourselves. Step up you upstart godling!
>>
>>4946362
I shall support. Fuck you failed scheming everchosen.
>>
>>4946362
I'll support this write in, pulling a doctor Strange almost?
>>
>>4946362
This isn't malal, it's Be'lakor the prince of chaos undivided.

So while I support, perhaps we can try reminding him of when he was mortal through the auspices of time.
Also, can we just appreciate that Lieren stared into the abyss and the Abyss blinked first. The will of prosperity is apparently unbreakable.
>>
>>4946356
>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)
>Time. Specifically the immutable march of time and the ordered procession of events during its passage.
Malal embodies discord and strife without end. Time in this instance represents order and the eventual return to peace.
Also in this case, it's one of the few natural forces we can tap into that may be able to supersede his control over this pocket outside of reality.
>>
>>4946371
my idea is kinda addressing them both, if we pull down the big guy this one falls to
>>
>>4946356
>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)
The antithema of Malal would be order, and we gazed upon it. Let's free a fraction of its power and embody it. That or harmony.

>>4946360
Slannesh happened before Malal I believe. I think they're why humanity got partially fucked during the Dark Age of Technology due to their dark god making the warp too dangerous to travel through.

>>4946362
+1 never mind I actually like this more
>>
>>4946377
He doesn't. Be'lakor isn't bound or held by Malal or any god really. He's an anomaly of a free agent, so even deleting Malal doesn't aid our battle currently.
>>
>>4946386
Time still dabs upon Be'lakor for with it and order we strike him when he was but a man and here outside of time and space...no consequence for us but for him, a deamon without that core he is naught. For so long as we remain time does and its rules can't be broken
>>
>>4946391
I hold no delusion of being able to create an attack that goes back in time to hit him when he was mortal.

The dark master surpasses us in nearly every way we can measure, but time is the best bet we have to start with. Perhaps withering his moves into oblivion would do us well.
>>
>>4946397
aye, we'll see. My planning here is (aside from using time which im glad we all agree on chances) to more beat him with his own nature, we can't beat him but he by his nature can beat him.

Also Im lowkey mad we don't know how soul gems work cos shoving the little light or a piece of that light into the soul gem we nabbed would be funny as fuck
>>
Why not call upon the power of the Emperor himself?
>>
>>4946412
we don't know who that is
>>
>>4946407
Be'lakor is an ambitious little parasite so if time does nothing for us, we could try and exploit other aspects of his nature, his overwhelming pride perhaps? and it's a long shot but we could try and use the fact that despite being the "first fallen" no god trusted him with a task except the most recently awoken and weakest.
How does it feel to be sloppy sixths?

>>4946412
They keep calling him anathema, aka "bane" so it is an idea.
>>
>>4946413
We do actually. We saw him after beating the Yan and have heard plenty besides.
>>
>>4946292
Okay, minor mistake in my counting. Doesn't impact or change anything. But for posterity's sake, on a second check I realized I miscounted my tally of the total votes. Or I'm fairly certain I did

So it should have been
Total votes: 39! Which means the previous record was beaten by 5 if I'm right this time
>>
>>4946420
Im assuming there was something to this but with Malal's number being 11 it could either be 11 or numerals II aka both mission legions? That why you pick ya name?
>>
>>4946356
I support these >>4946360
>>4946362
Becoming the avatar of all that is harmonious and 'right' is the only real tactic against a being purely of discord and evil.

Deny, rebuke, repulse! They claim shadows as their domain, but all darkness must eventually give way to the light!
>>
>>4946362
+1
>>
>>4946412
>>4946356
>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)
supporting focusing on the Anathema, our father.
>>
>>4946362
+1
>>
>>4946356
>Write in
"It seems your eyes deceive you dark spawn, i am no prey and where we fight holds no advantage to neither of us. This arena is not your hell or my reality, this a bridge between them. Your "superiority" will be tested and bested, so you may know what s humility before your death."
"And to you, Chun Qiang, see this devil brought low ... and soon you will also see the flames of hope and order renewed, never to be gone again."

>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)
Love, one if not the main center of our being, it has drive us do to so much and to do even more. It was for love that we saved our village from famine, cold and beasts. It was also for love that we firstly joined the court of Gao, ensuring their protection and the possibility to help and free more people. This very common emotion for us, empower us and aid us .... while is completely alien and toxic to the spirits surrounding us, the opposite of their beings. They have no defenses or armor against it, and not even the vilest of acts could save them from his force.
>>
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>>4946356

>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)
Use our knowledge of Wuxing to identify what elements he represents and embody their counter. He is fire right? so water or earth related things should work . don't know where shadow falls in the elemental charts. so I guess harmony is a good choice.

>>4946415
As i understand it jealousy is more his thing than pride so barging about all the gods even the new kid fighting over making us their new champions should piss him off.

>a cloven hoofed winged and horned being of Shadow and fire
>named Be'lakor
Wow GW really original, it's amassing how quick they are to go after others for stealing from them.
>>
>>4946356
>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)
>Channel the concepts of the Journey itself.
Common guy, Be'Lakor is a Daemon Prince of Chaos Undivided, and the Journey is the 8 turned inward, which means that it's his opposite by nature.
Also calm down if your freeing imprisioned goddesses Lieren, we will get Arianka eventually. Does this mean that Solkan and Alluminas are also in retconnia somewhere?
>>
>>4946526
supporting this
>>
>>4946518
>What's wrong goat boy? Not your patron's favorite toy anymore?

Oh that would be delightful.
>>
>>4946526
I support this, face a memetic force with your own memes.
>>
>>4944634
>support

>add on
The realm of the the empyrean may be of import but never forget that it is the physical realm that produces all, by that very logic it is I and all beings of the material who are your and your contemptible siblings God's!!!
>>
File: DINOSAURS_ROCK_CHAOS.png (3.68 MB, 1472x1716)
3.68 MB
3.68 MB PNG
>>4946356
We'll go all meta, become the dinosaur god armed with throwing rocks.

But, otherwise I'm happy with
>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground
let us channel the element of earth.
>>
>>4946360
>>4946362
+1
>>
>>4946356
>>Defiantly spit in this "Be'lakor"'s face, and challenge him to make the first strike. Ready yourself to perform the carps dance.
Damn, it's a party now.
>>
>>4946356
>>4946362
I'll support this, i don't give a fuck about fighting Be'lakor, i just want to get the fuck out of this realm
>>
>>4946356
>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)
>The Journey
>>
>>4946526
Supporting
>>
>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)
>Channel the concepts of the Journey itself.
>>
>>4946356
>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)
>The Anthaman, The Jounery and the Harmony, and Fixing what is wrong!

God this is rad QM lol
>>
>>4946356
>Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground (What emotion/thought/ or concept do you focus on when you do this?)

>Time
>>
So, let’s talk about something else for a moment:
>Hypothetical Meeting with Second and Eleventh Primarchs.
>Lieren sitting, preparing a tea and pondering, what kind of brother this one is.
>Is he is like Magnus, a magnificent scholar and a brilliant conversationalist?
>He dressed humbly and with utmost care to his culture’s quite strict etiquette.
>Suddenly, the tea house door’s tears up and there is half-naked, tattooed giant with a some kind of board on his shoulder
>”SUP, BRO?! SWEET DIGS, IM TOTALLY DIGGING IT, IM KOLINASI! HIGH-FIVE, MATE!”
>Lieren sits in visible confusion, as this... something lift his hand, expecting something.
>”Don’t leave me hanging, bro. ALSO, do you surf?”
>Lieren looks behind him and find a landed voidship that is, for some reasons, is chock full of chickens.
>”OH, THATS MUH MOKA, MAN. DONT SWEAT IT”
>>
>>4946884
And them they proceed to talk about loving your family and have an indepth discussion about machines and souls.
While UR catches up with Kanzeon and her sisters on the background.
>>
>>4946884
Never happening.
>>
>>4946518
>>4946526
this makes sense switching to The journey the eightfold path turned inward.
Let's style on this balr... I mean Be'lakor
>>
>>4946526
>Be'Lakor is a Daemon Prince of Chaos Undivided
Actually it seems like there would be a chance of causing some infighting here, when the champion of undivided chaos is in the room with the god anarchy and truing chaos against itself.
>>
>>4946887
>”So... why do you have a corpse suspended in statis inside of your chassis?”
>”First answer why your meat puppet has to have mammaries this big, again?”
>>
>>4946890
>>4946887
>>4946884
Oh god I don't sound like that when I write do I? I am now highly self aware about my writing.
>>4946908
Seems like a good idea if we get to that point

>>4946356

Supporting Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and Hold your ground, thinking of the journeys concept but I would be cool with
>>4946412
As Belakor mentioned the Anathema, and we met our father that one time in spirit only, so MAYBE, we could theoretically focus on reaching out to our father like how Magnus does. Though He will be sorely pissed.
>>
>>4947026
Don't worry Old Man, it's just an exaggerated characture of Kolinasi as a suffer bro Kiwi, because it's funny, just like making Lierem overly poetic poetic and asian
>>
>>4947047
Not gonna lie the void ship full of Chicken part was 100 percent spot on and gave me quite the sensible chuckle.
>>
>>4947080
I mean, it's only logical. Where else would you keep your chickens?
>>
> "Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened."
https://youtu.be/796VtspzH0I

The darkness draws it's power from those it deludes into believing that existence is devoid of meaning, that all good things will be washed away, cast into the dust and forgotten. That is the great LIE it tells.

But life is meant to be lived; joy and sorrow and love and loss. Every experience and memory has weight and worth, casting ripples across the physical and the spiritual. Accepting that all things must eventually end is not the same as submission. To flee from death is to deny life, and to deny life is to deny hope, and be consumed by the darkness.
>>
>>4947511
+1 because I loved Adventure Time. I still do.
>>
>>4947511
>>4946526

I back both of these. The true realization of existance, the next lesson in the journey.
>>
...Did we just [REDACTED] themselves?!
>>
>>4947536
Sorry, typo. I meant ourselves.
>>
I wonder how Lieren will react to Pertubaro and Olympia.
A place right next to tge Eye of Terror, ruled by a bunch of petty moutain lorda that calls themselves Tyrants, and one of them getting a Primarch to work for him.
>>
>>4947682
First and second threads of this quest have a lot on Pert, and quoting them here just won't do it justice.

See:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=lieren
>>
>>4947682
It's not like anyone ever taught him a different way to live; he might be a Primarch with implanted knowledge and incredible intelligence, but every son of the Emperor has been sculpted by his environment, the people who raise him and their culture.

Kolinasi is probably his only chance at changing the way he thinks and behaves, to grow in new directions and just maybe become a kinder, more empathetic man. It helps that we saved Angron beforehand, so he has more than one lifeline to connect with.

I definitely think we should invite the two of them and their closest friends/family to join us in a celebration on De'lormosa once the three brothers and planets have been brought together.
>>
>>4947697
You confused the two quests anon. KKW going to Olympia inspiref me to ask the opinion here because I saq a lot of similarities betweem pert and Lieren.
>>
>>4947697
>Kolinasi
Doesn't exist here.
>>
>>4947700
>>4946890
Nigga, can you stop being so fucking salty?
>>
>>4947707
Is it salt to remind people of what Malal said? Malal said he would make an OC for the 11th so it's never happening.
>>
>>4947723
Malal also said that he is up for a small special crossover episode.
You go off at the mere mention of the 11th primarch quest, even when it's a friendly meme interaction, or an not noticing that it's the different thread.
So yeah, it's salt.
>>
>>4947698
Derp.

Well, the point remains; Lieren could easily disrupt the machinations of Chaos so much that all the meta-bullshit flies out the window. Can't run off of canonical events and information if for example Magnus denies Tzeentch and Perturbo dedicates himself and his legion to the betterment of mankind.

> I think that could technically bring about the Roboutian Heresy. Weird, but cool.
>>
I don't think anyone's asked this silly question yet, but I'll bite; Lieren vs. the other Primarchs. Who wins, loses, or stalemates?
>>
>>4947748
It'll always end in stalemate because GW said so. Except for fights against Lorgar. Everyone beats Lorgar, even after his daemon prince upgrade.
>>
>>4947725
I doubt it'll ever happen but you can keep dreaming.
>>4947748
Based on what info exact? Lieren isn't even fully grown yet.
>>
>>4947748
It's an interesting question, but ultimately not worth discussion until Lieren fully matures and has access to proper wargear.
Lieren would totally beat the shit out of Lorgar at the height of his mortality.
>>
>>4947748
Beaten by Sanguinius, Horus, Leman, Lion, Magnus, and Jaghatai. Angron, Fulgrim, Morty, Vulkan, and Konrad could go either way. Roboute, Rogal, Ferrus, Corvus, Lorgar, Pert, and the Twins would lose.
>>
>>4947748
Fuck if I know, Lieren definatly won't be able to match Lion or Russ, but with all the fights against Chaos Spawns, champions and xenos he should be somewhere high.
Hard to properly judge too, most of Lieren's skillset is on countering Chaos forces, or stalking and attacking from the shadows and the few times that he openly fought someone was against inhuman opponents, or many weaker ones. We propbably will only be able to judge when we duel the Vishnu high king.
Also dependa if psyker power would be allowed on the fight too.
>>4947755
Based on having fun anon, I know it's hard for you to imagine, but you should give it a try.
>>
>>4947765
>Beaten by Magnus
I'm gonna have to disagree on that one.
Even if a lot of Lieren's development is still up to speculation, I'd still say that his mastery of the Warp would be enough to challenge (but not quite overpower) Magnus'.
With that in mind, I'd say that Lieren's superior skills in conventional combat would make the difference.
Magnus couldn't just instantly vaporize him like almost everything else, and if it the fight goes the distance, Lieren's martial skill is going to prove to be cumulative advantage as it progresses.
>>
>>4947767
I find your butthurt pretty fun.
>>4947761
Agreed.
>>
>>4947775
Magnus can biomancy himself to a size capable of wrestling a titan. Even if our skills as a psyker could challenge Magnus (something I doubt they can), conventional combat skill doesn't matter at that point.
>>
>>4947780
>Magnus can biomancy himself to a size capable of wrestling a titan
That has to come with some kind of downside. Alternatively, I hope Lieren gets a mech at some point.
>>
>>4947789
>That has to come with some kind of downside.
Nothing has to do anything, this is Warhammer.
>>
>>4947761
I agree on most of what you say.... but he has proper wargear already. Actually, excellent war gear.
>>
>>4947971
I'm almost certain that what we'd get as a properly recognized and equipped Primarch of the Imperium of Mankind would be better than our already extremely impressive gear.
>>
>>4947978
I personally think it will be on par if not better, superior feels like a big stretch. I recon the emperor one can be superior. But our armor has more advance tech than anything i have seen on a primarch one. Rightfully so if you have access to those materials, superior industrial skills and large amounts of advance knowledge. I recon you can make something like Lieren star metal armor in maybe 2- 4 places, and in a long time (beside earth with the emperor alive, personally making it). Where the armor here was made in a short time period.

Also i like the image I made for it, I am not sure if I could make an imperium armor, cool like that.
>>
Calling the vote now. Sorry for the wait

Manifest "Reality Flickers before the approaching storm" and hold your ground:26
- Harmony: 5
-Time: 12
-order:1
-Anathema: 3
-love: 1
-Earth:1
-The Journey: 10
-Fixing what is wrong:1

"It seems your eyes deceive you dark spawn, i am no prey and where we fight holds no advantage to neither of us...": 1

"First damned and first fool worthy titles for you..": 10

"The realm of the the empyrean may be of import but never forget that it is the physical realm that produces all...":1

Defiantly spit in this "Be'lakor"'s face, and challenge him to make the first strike. Ready yourself to perform the carps dance.:1

life is meant to be lived; joy and sorrow and love and loss. Every experience and memory has weight and worth, casting ripples across the physical and the spiritual. Accepting that all things must eventually end is not the same as submission. To flee from death is to deny life, and to deny life is to deny hope, and be consumed by the darkness.: 3

Total votes:29

Alright, so manifesting Reality flickers before the approaching storm, channeling time wins

Writing now

>>4946884
>>4946925

That's a funny mental image. Nice work
>>
>>4948069
I'm gonna throw my votes in for Time and that last choice. Go Adventure Time.
>>
"HAR!" You bark, throwing out the hand that does not grip your Guandao, so you may beckon your superior and dreadful foe in a fearlessly bold challenge, curling your fingers as though you were calling a hound "First of the damned and first fool! Worthy titles for you!"

Be'lakor responds with only a cocksure grind, exuding such confidence and potent killing intent it feels as though the air itself if there truly is any in a place as foul as this has hardened and become solid like wetted clay.

"Pride commeth before the fall" He snarls contemptuously as he lowers his back, drawing his wings closer into his torso. He's preparing to charge by reducing the drag generated by his body, slouching his shoulders and folding his wings. The silently screaming tiles of stone beneath his feet begin to audibly shriek as his cloven feet drag across them. Sparks and burning slivers of rock fill the air like a shower of stars. Seeming to be in the midst of a cloud of fireflies, the devil laughs gleefully as ancient hatred fills his ember red eyes. Smoke pours from his nostrils and gullet, turning to smoke as he pulls his blade of living shadow and transient existence to his side.

A movement that alerts you his first strike will be a plunging thrust, a stab aimed for your heart. Though that is what you would assume, if you did not endure looking upon him to realize the cunning of this old soul. See, how his wrist twists subtly. The thrust will be a feint, but what will be the true form of his attack? You cannot be certain, every calculation divined from studying his minute movements and posture comes to a different conclusion to the last. It is difficult, if not near impossible to anticipate his movements.

And that is because of the sword he wields, and his incomprehensible skill in both wielding and killing with it. Just from the merest glance, even with different eyes than your own, it is obvious Bel'akor's experience and talent can only be comparable to an ocean without an end to its depths nor horizon. How exciting.

In terms of a purely martial and physical contest, this devil is your better without contest. That is a first. A new experience. Exhilarating is the only word for it. Adrenaline pumps through your veins, clearing your mind and heightening your senses. Every vein bulges, every muscle pulls taught and readies itself to twitch and fire into action the moment a nerve impulse webs through them. Clenching your jaw, you imagine if this is how Cui Fu felt when he met you outside of that inn. If it was, you understand how he was able to meet you so defiantly and without even a drop of fear to blacken his courageous heart.

With a heaven's quaking roar, Bel'akor flies forward, kicking from the tombs floor like a pouncing panther. Holding his blade of darkness and evil made manifest, he thrusts his free hand forward and outstretches his white tipped claws. Turning your beckoning hand over, you lay it flat.
Cont
>>
>>4948122

The passing of time slows as your force your perceptions to heighten and expand to the degree that a moment is expanded to a second. It is a talent you gleamed from your habitual meditation and skills of observation, focusing so intently you experience every fraction of a second as if it were itself a whole second. Anyone could learn such a skill with the proper training and practice. It has many uses, especially in delicate arts and introspection. But now it has a single use, allowing your thoughts enough "Time" to focus themselves and channel your soul's energies to impose your will upon this transient reality.

Without this trick, Bel'akor would be upon you before you could perform the psykerist technique, such is his frightening rapidity. And it gives you inspiration, forming an anchor with which you can hold to as the conduit to your force of will!

Time. A curious thing. Ever flowing. Every changing. Immutable, unavoidable none can halt its orderly march. All are subjects to time, and its laws. One cannot escape its pursuit nor the procession of eventuality. Order in a place of chaos is as oil poured into water. Thus, it shall become your blade!

Reality flickers. The tomb struggles against your will before with an audible crack, a bubble of altered reality forms around you. Shards of unreality flicker across the skies of the transient realm of logic and reason you've forced into being. Be'lakor, who appears as a specter beyond perception, charges forward undaunted. Grass grows from dried, sterile soil which blackens and becomes fertile as sprouts become trees. A stream forms before you and grows to become a roaring river as time passes by rapidly. Seasons changes, snow comes and melts, leaves change their hue before shriveling to be taken by the winds. A hill reaches for the heavens, mist and fog flow. Your perception of time has reversed, where once it appeared ponderous and slowed, now it IS hastened! Your iron hair flows, growing like the tall grasses beneath your feet and turning white. A beard sprouts from your chin, as the weight upon your back makes your postured bowed and crooked.

Be'lakor pierces the boundary between unreality and reality as you make it. His eyes flicker with confusion and then understanding. The summoned energies of your soul crackles and begin to cascade inevitably towards destruction. You've never met an entity that could resist the influence of this technique, You are not certain what breaking its "sphere" will manfiest. But the effect of hastened time lingers long enough for you to act decisively and strike a blow against your opponent.

In the moment before the natural flow of time reasserts itself against the stream quickened by your command, you utilize it. Having been altered by it, and adapting to its pace you briefly hold the advantage over Bel'akor in terms of speed and agility.
cont
>>
>>4948125

Even with your aged "body", you walk to his side as his pierces through the quickened time, like a stone dropped in honey. His eyes follow you, and fill with something between contempt and admiration. He fell for your trick.

But there is no time to revel in this small victory. As the created reality begins to shudder, resonating with the forces of its own destruction, you strike. Your Guandao has changed into a simple wooden staff, however in the breath between the pocket reality's existence and destruction, it regains its blade. Silently thanking Kanzeon, you ignite the blade with the fires of your soul and thrust it forward.

Edge splits flesh, exposing the muscle beneath. Black oil spews from the spirit's wound as you carve a red line across his belly. He does not react to the wound, only snarling as the golden flames lick his exposed flesh and singe his skin. Whipping around, he takes hold of your jaw, altering his flights course to meet you. Carrying you into the air, he charges forward.

A stone pillar shatters upon your back. Wails of the dead deafen you as green miasma spews around you, skulls and grasping arms emerging from the cloud to claw at both your and Bel'akor.

"Interesting technique" He huffs as a rain of explosions and souls fire rain down around the two of you, as the reality you created bursts and showers the tombs with a storm of destructive and creative energies "But, ineffective"

"Incorrect" You dully state through the haze of pain and the ringing in your ears. Kanzeon's voice pierces through the cacophony of the damned, shouting your name. Grass and flowers spring from the stone, as a breeze cuts through the stagnant air.

Your opponent is going to slam you to the ground, judging from the angle of his arm and the velocity of your ascent.

What is your second move, Lieren?

>Grapple his arm, with your legs, arms and teeth and attempt to lock it in place

>Use your Guandao to halt your descent, by propping it between the ground and Bel'akor. Channel "Cloak of the ever burning will: Spirit Subjugating Blade" But instead of coating your weapon in your souls fire, cause it to explode outwards.

>Relax your body. Allow yourself to be slammed. Then utilize "The Five Daggers of Winter's Embrace"

>Break your own jaw to loosen Bel'akor's grip, and use the Fog Panther style's spear to thrust your arm into his wound, attempting to pierce his stomach

>Write in.
>>
>>4948127
>Relax your body. Allow yourself to be slammed. Then utilize "The Five Daggers of Winter's Embrace"
>>
>>4948127
>Relax your body. Allow yourself to be slammed. Then utilize "The Five Daggers of Winter's Embrace"
>>
>>4948127
>>Break your own jaw to loosen Bel'akor's grip, and use the Fog Panther style's spear to thrust your arm into his wound, attempting to pierce his stomach
Brutal
>>
>>4948127
>Channel cloak of the ever burning will to char his grip and arm, but stay relaxed and limber, allow yourself to be slammed. As he comes down, there is a brief period to use "five daggers of winters embrace" on the injured appendage to damage it further.
>>
>>4948127
>Write in

Lock your legs around his arm and slam your gundao into the ground at an angle that causes his own momentum to flip him into the pillar/whatever he intended to hurl you into
>>
>>4948127
>Break your own jaw to loosen Bel'akor's grip, and use the Fog Panther style's spear to thrust your arm into his wound, attempting to pierce his stomach
We're not getting out of this unscathed either way.
>>
>>4948137
This is much better than my idea actually. Yeah, I'll support this over >>4948136

He is flying us, but we don't have to be stronger than him for this trick, since he has no leverage over us while we have a lever.
>>
>>4948137
Supporting the local write-in economy.
>>
>>4948137
supporting
>>
>>4948127
>>Use your Guandao to halt your descent, by propping it between the ground and Bel'akor. Channel "Cloak of the ever burning will: Spirit Subjugating Blade" But instead of coating your weapon in your souls fire, cause it to explode outwards.
>>
>>4948136
+1
>>
>>4948127
>Break your own jaw to loosen Bel'akor's grip, and use the Fog Panther style's spear to thrust your arm into his wound, attempting to pierce his stomach
Then bump our golden fire of Prosperity from him from within! he shall burn from within with uroboros flames, can't put them out bitch.
>>
>>4948136
Supporting this one.
>>
File: Kill Chaos.png (2.05 MB, 1922x901)
2.05 MB
2.05 MB PNG
Finally finished this, it took way more time than it had any right to.
>>
>>4948302
And here's a version with no background, in case someone finds a better one.
>>
>>4948303
Why in the actual fuck did photoshop crop my image when I exported it without a background?
Fuck it, I'm not redoing it from scratch, it's staying that way.
>>
>>4948302
Who is that lanky man punching? Why is he punching a rare necon cactus? Why is Screech tzeeching?
>>
>>4948323
It's the sorceror and the unseen master.
He was a corpse and space-hindu, so I based on those buddhist starvation mummies, he is prickly because he was described as having the warpatones stitched into his skin, and the lord of change is screeching because they are sharing the pain and he is a little bitch.
>>
>>4948323
>>4948329
Well it's better than anything I could draw.

Now if it was a woodcut that would be different.

Maybe I should do a woodcut scene for this.
>>
>>4948333
Trips of tribulation
You must undertake this task, anon
>>
>>4948333
Do it anon, choose something impactful.
>>
>>4948137
+1
would like to see this
>>
>>4948127

> Break your own jaw to loosen Bel'akor's grip, and use the Fog Panther style's spear to thrust your arm into his wound, attempting to pierce his stomach.
> Whilst doing so, channel "Cloak of the ever burning will: Spirit Subjugating Blade" but instead of coating your weapon in your soul's fire, transform your spear hand into a righteous lance.
>>
Switching from >>4948134 to >>4948392
>>
>>4948127
>>Use your Guandao to halt your descent, by propping it between the ground and Bel'akor. Channel "Cloak of the ever burning will: Spirit Subjugating Blade" But instead of coating your weapon in your souls fire, cause it to explode outwards.
>>
>>4948137
+1

We'll never overpower him at this stage, use his own strength
>>
>>4948137
>+1
>>
>>4948137
+1
Worth a try
>>
>>4948127
>>4948137
>>4948481
OK, lets try some judo, support this option of using Be'lakor's momentum against him.
>>
Calling the vote now:

Relax your body. Allow yourself to be slammed. Then utilize "The Five Daggers of Winter's Embrace":2

Break your own jaw to loosen Bel'akor's grip, and use the Fog Panther style's spear to thrust your arm into his wound, attempting to pierce his stomach:4
-Whilst doing so, channel "Cloak of the ever burning will: Spirit Subjugating Blade" but instead of coating your weapon in your soul's fire, transform your spear hand into a righteous lance.: 2

Channel cloak of the ever burning will to char his grip and arm, but stay relaxed and limber, allow yourself to be slammed. As he comes down, there is a brief period to use "five daggers of winters embrace" on the injured appendage to damage it further.:2

Lock your legs around his arm and slam your gundao into the ground at an angle that causes his own momentum to flip him into the pillar/whatever he intended to hurl you into: 9

Use your Guandao to halt your descent, by propping it between the ground and Bel'akor. Channel "Cloak of the ever burning will: Spirit Subjugating Blade" But instead of coating your weapon in your souls fire, cause it to explode outwards.:2

Total votes:19

So locking Bel'akor's arm with your legs, and using your Guandao as a lever to utilize the spirit's own momentum against him wins.

Writing now!

>>4948302
>>4948303
Looks great. Like Vipul's design and the Unseen master's. And the unseen master reeing.

>>4948333
Oooh sounds exciting
>>
A memory floats to the surface of your pain clouded mind. Of one of your many spars with your once personal force of guards. A game of wrestling you played before the revolution, partially for training and partially for entertainment. Of course none of your dear companions could overcome you in a match of strength. However a few of the more wily minded among them did attempt to bridge the gap of might and size through technique and mischief. Xin in particular comes to mind from this hazy recollection. He is often compared to a lesser primate, a monkey of sorts due to his lanky stature and energetic character. His one attempt to best you in the wrestling circle ended with a move much like the one Bel'akor is using against you now. A hard slam to the ground.

However, Xin put himself in that position, when he thought to pin you by your arm and quickly learned you were able to easily heft his body's weight from the ground and into the air without much difficulty. The move was useless against you, when performed by a man of his size and strength. He'd have been wiser to attempt a headlock, relying on his agility rather than his strength.

But your friend's past folly has inspired you, for you have the strength and size to successfully perform the maneuver against your opponent at least in theory. However, even if the spirit's arm is pinned and locked in place the outcome will be the same as your match against Xin. A back breaking slam to the floor, only now without the restraint you showed to your wily companion. However, the lock will provide an excellent opening for further attacks. Though your position is disadvantageous to the extreme, Bel'akor is certain in his superiority and that is a weakness that is easily exploited. One's own strength can be turned against them as effectively as any blade.

Acting quickly, you swing your body against the cobalt black arm carrying you through the tomb of all that is forgotten, and wrap your legs tightly around it, constricting it as a serpent would. With both flexibility and raw power, you hold the devil's limb in place by pressing muscle to bone. Your opponent struggles, and you can feel his flesh surging and writhing beneath your legs trying to break their vice grip. The armor around you shifts, fortifying your back and spine in preparation for the great deal of trauma they're about to endure.

However that pain may yet be avoided. If only your gambit is successfully. Quickly judging and calculating Bel'akor's flight speed and thus his momentum, you subtly shift your Guandao's pole as he focuses on finding something hard to swing you against and freeing his arm from your death grip.

Before the moment ends, he finds what he's searching for. A tomb of living stone that groans, sobs and gurgles. A sarcophagi of a would be king or long forgotten god whose name lingers naught even as whispers upon the wind.
Cont
>>
>>4949504

Deciding that will prove a better anvil than the silently shrieking floor, Bel'akor sneers most maliciously and pivots mid flight, turning with precise accuracy despite his bulk.

Using your back as a trowel, he carves a ditch through the stone. You remain silent, despite the sparks flying around your vision and the warnings kanzeon forces into your perception through the extra senses provided by her gift. Not enough momentum. Not enough speed. If you move to early, your trick will fail and all you'll achieve is making your opponent more weary of your cunning. No, you must endure this pain, and the scathing humiliation of his laughter if but for a few seconds more.

Clenching your jaw, readying your body and mind for the whiplash of the sudden stop soon to come, you slam your weapon's counterweight into the ground, shattering the tiles and piercing the stone beneath. Roots of darkest obsidian reach and crawl along its lengths. The sudden impediment in Bel'akor's flight achieves its desired effect. The lever turns his own speed and bulk against him, his strength becoming a wall he's just slammed into without any preparation or hesitation. However, as anticipated, your neck becomes the focal point of all of the Kinect force behind his arm and shoulder.

There's a sickening crack, as the winged devil slams headfirst into the crypt of the nameless and forgotten lord, shattering it with his weight. Judging from the sudden sharp pain at the base of your neck, one of your vertebrae has been knocked out of place. But that is nothing to fret over.

With a thought, your perform "Spirit's touch: Branch Snapping Breeze", turning the unseen power against your spine to set it back into its proper place. A sensation unlike any you've felt before trickles down your back as you scramble to untangle yourself from the spirit's now loosened arm. A rumbling grow shakes the pile of stones behind you, as the first of the damned rises to his feet with a single flap of his wings. A crack runs down the length of his leftmost horn, and his expression is one of unimaginable fury.

Throwing your shoulder, your roll to the side and narrowly avoid his stomping foot which sends ripples through the solid stone floor. Rolling onto your back, you reach back to grab hold of your stuck Guandao. The substance beneath the foundations, be it a queer form of stone or the raw stuff nothingness, has proven rather sturdy and enduring. The perfect anchor.

Kicking off the ground, you narrowly avoid the kiss of Bel'akor's blade as he lunges forward.

Or you thought you had, but it, through some supernatural feat, slipping through Kanzeon's protection and into the flesh of your leg. Swallowing the reflexive scream of pain, you vault over the blade of your Guandao and land unsteadily. Adjusting your stance for your injury, you look up and nearly meet the backswing head on.

Swaying away, you turn on your heel. Once again Jinhai's self taught style proves ever useful.
Cont
>>
>>4949505

Or it would have if the blade did not follow you like a striking viper!

Leaning back, you fall to the ground and with a kick of your uninjured leg "Leap" away, tearing your weapon free from the soil of the tomb.

Catching the hook in a tile, you flip back to your feet, and find yourself facing Bel'akor and his viper blade once more. Black blood trickles down his midnight hued hide. A wound, flesh scraped from his brow. The muscles of his stomach bulge, showing raw twitching flesh beneath the only other injury you have thus far inflicted upon him.

"You writhe like a worm" He mocks, licking blood from his lips "Your neck should be broken"

"I heal quick, demon" You lie, wearing a sneer though he cannot see the expression beneath your warmask.

He gives no reply, remaining silent as he whips his blade forged from the stuff of shadows like a whip as he advance. Shearing through black stone and darkened steel alike, he becomes a vortex of promised death. It seems you've managed to irritate him.

What is your third move, Lieren?

>Rely on Kanzeon's aid and try to bait Bel'akor into electrocuting himself on your armor.

>Study his blade, observe it, and learn its movements. Duck beneath them and attempt drive your Guandao's blade through his shoulder.

>Pin his wrist with Spirit's touch, and use the brief opening to charge and leap into him shoulder first, attempting to tackle the spirit to the ground.

>Test the carp's dance against his viper dancing blade, Circle him and attempt to find a chance to hamstring a leg or wing.

>Write in
>>
>>4949507
>>Write in
>Use his anger against him. Bait him into overextending a thrust, either embedding his blade into a wall or pinning it between your arm and torso. Then attempt to disarm him, literally or otherwise.
>>
>>4949547
Supporting.
>>
>>4949547
Support
>>
>>4949507
Think I can support this >>4949547 with the addition that attempt to use a concentration of Lieren's soul fire to either destroy Belakor's blade or render the subsequent wound even worse.

> Se Nie, the Princess of Excess and the Maiden of Wanton pleasure.
> Na Gou, the Patriarch of all things Foul and Putrid, the Toad king. Also named Nurgle, and the one amongst them you have personally encountered.
> Kong Nue, the Sovereign of Slaughter and the High Minister of Murder, who by your belief tried to seduce Bai in his combat with the Vishnu berserker.
> Jian Qi, the god of the Unseen Master, and the doom of the Wardens of Mystery. The snake in the grass, the Minister of all Folly and Deceptions.
> Chun Qiang, who is Malal, god of pure chaos, Minister of Discord and Anarchy.
It's funny, but the more they try to infest and corrupt and control, the more violent the repercussions. The material and spiritual universes crave order, for balance to be restored. In their pursuit of absolute domination (and in Malal's case, anarchy), they've brought into being their own antithesis.
>>
>>4949547
+1
>>
>>4949507
>>Study his blade, observe it, and learn its movements. Duck beneath them and attempt drive your Guandao's blade through his shoulder.
>>
>>4949507
>Study the blade
And support >>4949547

I mean, we really need to know how his weapon moves, given how terribly it can turn and reach what it shouldnt.
>>
>>4949507
>>Study his blade, observe it, and learn its movements. Duck beneath them and attempt drive your Guandao's blade through his shoulder.
>>Test the carp's dance against his viper dancing blade, Circle him and attempt to find a chance to hamstring a leg or wing.
I doubt this fight is going to end quickly, so learning to dodge his attacks more reliably should help us survive long enough to kill him.
>>
>>4949507
>>Study his blade, observe it, and learn its movements. Duck beneath them and attempt drive your Guandao's blade through his shoulder.
>>Test the carp's dance against his viper dancing blade, Circle him and attempt to find a chance to hamstring a leg or wing
>>
>>4949507
>>Study his blade, observe it, and learn its movements. Duck beneath them and attempt drive your Guandao's blade through his shoulder.
>>
>>4949547
Supporting
>>
>>4949547
supporting
>>
I'm just gonna say the blade of shadows can pierce anything and is basically a sentient daemon in its own right. I'm not sure disarming him will do anything.
>>
>>4950936
Can't hurt to try, and trying to cut his arm off atleast should deal some damage.
But maybe we should try to study the blade too, our truty vision might help learning about it.
Adding
>>Study his blade, observe it, and learn its movements. Duck beneath them and attempt drive your Guandao's blade through his shoulder.
To my vote to support. My ID changed so I don't know which of them is me.
>>
>>4949507
>Study his blade, observe it, and learn its movements. Duck beneath them and attempt drive your Guandao's blade through his shoulder.
>>
Calling the vote now. Sorry for the wait. Machine spirits have been little bastards.

Use his anger against him. Bait him into overextending a thrust, either embedding his blade into a wall or pinning it between your arm and torso. Then attempt to disarm him, literally or otherwise.:8
-Concentrate your soul fire: 1

Study his blade, observe it, and learn its movements. Duck beneath them and attempt drive your Guandao's blade through his shoulder.: 6

Test the carp's dance against his viper dancing blade, Circle him and attempt to find a chance to hamstring a leg or wing.:2

Total votes: 13

So Lieren shall Study his blade, and learn its movements, then use Be'lakor's anger against him, baiting him to overextend with a trust to create an opening to either disarm him of the treacherous thing or sneak beneath his strike to stab into his shoulder

Writing now

Sorry again for the wait. Internet kept dying when I was starting to count the vote.
>>
You retreat, stepping away as you sway with every step, moving your torso and legs so to not present a stationary target for the master of the dark blade to focus his fury upon. You're delaying now, not daring to strike or lower your guard. Every muscle in your body is tense, pulled as tight as steel and ready to react instantaneously the moment the sharpened shadow in the spirit's hand does anything other than threaten.

The blade, your realize from observing it as you dance and leap out of its range like a eel evading the net, has not set form nor rhythm to its transformation. It cycles between formless shadow and solid, edged form of alien steel as quick as you blink, like the metal of Kanzeon's hull. It melts and solidifies, changing its essence from intangible darkness to deadly iron. And worse yet, it follows no pattern nor does it appear to hesitate between its sudden transformation. Be'lakor is well used to wielded such a queer tool of death, and understands you're attempting to discern a weakness in its capabilities. So he actively moves to conceal and obscure any delay in the switching of its forms with expert movements and the sheer speed and force of his swings. Pillars of stone older than mankind itself are cloven through by that damnable weapon, with as much ease as cutting a leaf from a branch or hair from a head. You dodge falling rubble and scramble to avoid both the blades kiss and its reaching tendrils of darkness, as well as the things that crawl from the stones. With no logical form or place in the realm of sanity, verminous things and ghastly specters scuttle from the cut stone, wailing and shrieking as you clamber atop the most recently cut pillar.

But the high ground holds little advantage when faced against by a master of the killing arts, or a beast of such terrifying might tactics simply cannot overcome its raw strength. And Be'lakor is both simultaneously, Kanzeon remains silent as she senses the stress inflicted by this plight and realizes any interruption to your train of thoughts and constant stream of calculation could prove fatal to you.

However, despite the devil's efforts in keeping the secrets of his blade of shadow from you, you've come to understand how it changes just by watching it whistle through the air, humming as if it carried the bloodlust of its master through its edge. It is alive in its own way, like Kanzeon, but its intelligence is as spiteful and wicked as that of its wielder. It changes its form by the command of Be'lakor, altering its shape and contorting its shapelessness as he wills. At once it is a whip, a stream of cloth, a chain, fluid as water and as mobile as air and then it is a cutting edge, shearing through stone, slipping through armor like a shadow before solidifying again to bite into flesh and bone. Your leg aches, blood dripping down it beneath the raiment Kanzeon dressed you in, gifted to you.
cont
>>
>>4951957

It is the most advance armor ever built upon shangrala, and perhaps any world for countless centuries. And it is useless to defend against this Viper blade. Utterly useless. It protects you as much as the air that you breath. You might as well be fighting this beast unclothed and unarmored! How utterly infuriating! You've fought three spirits before, and each had their tricks and sorceries, but this devil! THIS DEVIL! His entire fighting style and form of attack is just incomprehensible! There are no rules to his blade, it changes like water, freely shifting form and moving through solid matter like radiation! There is reason, and skill behind his strikes and graceful movements, but they cannot be exploited because any guard will either be bypassed or cut through as if the shield was made of mist and fog!

You can't catch his blade, deflect it nor can you move it from its path with a solid strike. There's no diverting its strikes, or slipping past its thrusts. It'll pierce through any material in its way or otherwise slip past it in the form of a shadow! It cannot be countered, or parried by any mundane means. Armor does not need to be slipped passed, it just cuts through it with no resistance or cuts the flesh without even touching the surface of its protection! It is insurmountable, with any of the tools and skills you have!

Its cheating! Its undeniably unfair! Which means the challenge to overcome it is all the more irresistible. It may be able to move and cut through anything, but it still must be swung to cut, even when its a formless mass of intangible gloom!. And if it obeys the will of its wielder, than upsetting the balance between the two by clouding the latter's mind with a blinding rage may just upset its ability to seamlessly shift between its two states.

"No wonder you wander this place of the forgotten and failed! You are the one eyed king in the land of the blind, to self assured and prideful to realize you are among your kindred" You sneer hatefully, laughing as you see a flicker of pure contempt flash through the embers of Be'lakor's eyes

"Then I shall induct you into their number, and personally gouge out your eyes, godling!" He hisses through his pointed teeth, spittle flying from his tongue as he swing, attempting to crippling your already injured leg. However, you leap forward as he commits to the thrust, overcommitting to a singular strike. The opening spans the breadth of a single halted breath, but it last just long enough for you to strike through the whirling storm of his blade. Sliding down the pile of rubble and clawing, forgotten things, you swing your Guandao in a scything upward arc.

Black blood flies, igniting on the air as you cut into the meat of your opponent's shoulder. Stepping back, you twist the blade and pull it back, trying to utilize its momentum in the back swing to draw it's teeth across Be'lakor's wrist as well.
cont
>>
>>4951958

Instead, all of the air is forced from your chest as he plants a hoofed foot directly into your stomach.

You're sent from the ground, thrown from the air. You narrowly avoid losing your weapon as the viper blade comes striking back. Fortuitously, in pulling it closer to strike at his wrist, you inadvertently maneuvered it from the path of his all cutting blade! That would've been disastrous!

Be'lakor pounces, reaching to grab hold of your neck as he whips and swirls his now formless blade through the stagnant, silent air. His face a mask of stony, quiet fury. His rage is blistering, and is what set his blood aflame. Then, a burst of green electricity emits from your armor, by kanzeon's command. Reactively, the devil's hand recoils as ball of super heat plasma forms amidst the storm of arcing energy.

The hesitation is momentary, but it is enough to allow you to safely land and regain your footing.

"A living machine" Be'lakor snorts "But one too cowardly to be present physically"

Rage wells inside your heart, stocked to a near blinding blaze by the insult spoken of your beloved

The blade comes down, and on instinct you nearly block it, but at the last moment shy away, dodging the strike with a shuddered step. He's using his own trick against you! The fiend!

What is your forth move, Lieren?

>Laugh and continue to mock the spirit, stating confidently that at least you have someone willing to aid you at all

>Armor is useless, but what about a cloak of soulfire!? Perform the technique "Cloak of the ever burning will" and attack with renewed aggression.

>The Guandao can repair itself. Sacrifice its head to land a strike on either of Be'lakors arms or wrists.

>An enemy like this cannot be overcome by mundane efforts. use the tomb itself against him, throwing stones and breaking tombs to unleash what remains of their occupants

>Write in
>>
>>4951961
>>Laugh and continue to mock the spirit, stating confidently that at least you have someone willing to aid you at all
>Armor is useless, but what about a cloak of soulfire!? Perform the technique "Cloak of the ever burning will" and attack with renewed aggression.
>>
>>4951961
>>Armor is useless, but what about a cloak of soulfire!? Perform the technique "Cloak of the ever burning will" and attack with renewed aggression.
I read somewhere once that the best way to defend against an attack isn't to defend, but to attack back
>>
>>4951978
It's a risk, given how disastrous an exchange with an opponent like Be'lakor could be, but making a vortex of warp-shit was already pretty risky.
>>
>>4951982
yeah, we've crossed the risk bridge already. I don't think Malal (in game, not the qm, but kinda both) will murder us here. I think the game is to give Be'lakor a nemesis. Something that can plague us down the line/make us grow stronger.
>>
>Laugh and continue to mock the spirit, stating confidently that at least you have someone willing to aid you at all
> Channel the skills and abilities of your allies.
The blind farseer, your brother, your father. EVERYONE.
His weakness is that he stands alone. You stand with your friends and your family.
Even in the darkest pit of chaos.
>>
>>4951961
>channel the fucking Emperor and delete his ass
Alternatively
>channel the Journey, your Journey and begin to write new tenets to strike him down with
>>
Wait why aren't we reciting the Journey? We proved it works on daemons.
>>4951961
>Recite the fucking Journey. Time to kill a nigga with words.
>>
>>4951977
+1
>>
>>4951961
>>4951961
>At least I am not on my own.
>Channel Magnus, our father, anyone and everyone with such power to aid ur psykerist techniques
>armour is useless but what of a cloak of soul fire?
>>
>>4951961
>>Laugh and continue to mock the spirit, stating confidently that at least you have someone willing to aid you at all
>>Armor is useless, but what about a cloak of soulfire!? Perform the technique "Cloak of the ever burning will" and attack with renewed aggression.
It seems "pissing the motherfucker off" is a technique that is gonna carry us far against daemons.
Also supporting reciting the Journey when we don't have any personalised quips to throw at him.
>>
>>4951961
>>Laugh and continue to mock the spirit, stating confidently that at least you have someone willing to aid you at all
>>Armor is useless, but what about a cloak of soulfire!? Perform the technique "Cloak of the ever burning will" and attack with renewed aggression.
And recite the journey too after the mocking
>>
>>4951961
>>Write in
"Spirit do you not see? You have been weighed..."
>Armor is useless, but what about a cloak of soulfire!? Perform the technique "Cloak of the ever burning will"
"...you have been measured...."
>Stride forward towards him baiting him into a charge/head on collision
"....and you have been found wanting"
Let our fire rage forward from the sides closing like a corridor, in the shelter of that fire and light bring our Guandao downward as we turn aside. The demon now left with a choice
1) Block the blow coming down and be engulfed in our soul fire
2) pass through it to try and get a hit on us which we are already ready for and semi hidden by our soul fire
3) Counter the fire and get bisected.
4) Try to fly away and get sliced by the downward blow all the same
>>
>>4951961
>Write in

>Tear apart the fortress your in and stay away, while doing this permeate the area with the a Golden "fog" made of your preference, your goal right now is to stall and make a desicive strike when you know where he is but he doesn't know where you are.
Let's face it fellas, he's bigger ,stronger, faster, and is more experienced than us not to mention that bullshit sword of his that trumps our daot armor, we NEED to be trick and mysterious to beat him, because he IS superior to us, don't fight him head on its time to make lieren earn a new name

The gentle giant
The terrible ogre
And now
The tricky Monke'igh
>>
>>4951961
>An enemy like this cannot be overcome by mundane efforts. use the tomb itself against him, throwing stones and breaking tombs to unleash what remains of their occupants
>Recite the Journey.
>>
>>4951961
> Recite the Journey
> An enemy like this cannot be overcome by mundane efforts. use the tomb itself against him, throwing stones and breaking tombs to unleash what remains of their occupants
I wonder if the words and spirit of the Journey can convince them to aid Lieren? Something something reclaiming the names something something searching for redemption and escape from darkness.
> Armor is useless, but what about a cloak of soulfire!? Perform the technique "Cloak of the ever burning will" and attack with renewed aggression.
>>
>>4951961
Oh well changing >>4952224 to


Recite the Journey
> An enemy like this cannot be overcome by mundane efforts. use the tomb itself against him, throwing stones and breaking tombs to unleash what remains of their occupants


As long as we're not fighting him head on it's good, this daemon is beyond the capabilities of an immature primarch, and by immature I mean we're only 8 years old and still have 1/3 of our bodymass to grow into
>>
>>4951961
>An enemy like this cannot be overcome by mundane efforts. use the tomb itself against him, throwing stones and breaking tombs to unleash what remains of their occupants.
>Recite the Journey.
>>
>>4951961
If it worked on the tabletop it can work here. Time for lizardmen tactics

> An Enemy like this cannot be overcome by mundane efforts. Use the tomb itself against him, throwing stones and breaking tombs to unleash what remains of their occupants.
and
>>4951994
Time to start reciting the journey.
>>
>>4951961
> Recite the Journey
> An enemy like this cannot be overcome by mundane efforts. use the tomb itself against him, throwing stones and breaking tombs to unleash what remains of their occupants
>>
>>4953112
+1

The way I see it: If we start reciting the journey, it will steel our mind and our resolve, and maybe make our soul shine just a bit brighter, so Magnus can roll in and provide some desperately needed backup.
>>
Calling the vote now.

Laugh and continue to mock the spirit, stating confidently that at least you have someone willing to aid you at all: 5

Armor is useless, but what about a cloak of soulfire!? Perform the technique "Cloak of the ever burning will" and attack with renewed aggression.:7
-Stride forward towards him baiting him into a charge/head on collision: 1

Channel the skills and abilities of your allies.:3
-All of them:2
-BIG E:3
-The Journey:1
-Magnus:2
-Farseer:2

"Spirit do you not see? You have been weighed...": 1

Recite the Journey: 9

Tear apart the fortress your in and stay away, while doing this permeate the area with the a Golden "fog" made of your preference, your goal right now is to stall and make a desicive strike when you know where he is but he doesn't know where you are.: 0

An enemy like this cannot be overcome by mundane efforts. use the tomb itself against him, throwing stones and breaking tombs to unleash what remains of their occupants: 7

Total votes: 16

Alright, so Lieren will begin reciting the Journey, cloak himself in the golden fires of his soul, and start wrecking the tomb, unleashing the vengeful and forgotten dead while throwing stones in a gambit to gain the upper hand over Be'lakor, attacking with renewed aggression

Writing now
>>
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>>4953389
>>
Lashing your arm outwards, sweat flies from your wrought iron hued hair. A blaze of true conviction and belief burns in your eyes, far surpassing the mere embers of contempt Be'lakor's twisted and withered heart is able to call forth. Glimmering light refracts off the drops of sweat, blood and motes of dust whipped into the air out of your hair. Like a ray of purest, unfiltered sunlight, golden fire flows down upon you like falling water. It erupts and ripples out of your eyes, the air becoming hazy and wavering beneath both the great weight and heat of your soul and the beliefs it clings to besides your mortal heart. Eternal, unshakeable conviction that shall persist long after you have left this life and world for the distant unknown.

Be'lakor swings, you side step, feeling the blade trace its edge down the length of you arm, not cutting deeply enough to threaten or cripple. A shallow wound, which shall heal fully instead of scar. But it wasn't meant to injure or weaken, only agonize. To cloud your mind! Weaken your resolve! But lo it has only succeeded in further strengthening the already unshakeable beliefs spun from the depths of your being. What is wrought in emotion passionately felt, and what is forged by experiences true and lived cannot be shattered by pain alone!

"HEAR ME DEVIL! SPIRIT ANCIENT AND FALL! HEAR THE EDICT OF MY HEART'S FIRE! HEAR THE SOURCE OF MY RESOLVE! FACE THE COVICTION BORNE OF THE BELIEF OF VIRTUE" You bellow, as fire surrounds you, the viper blade slithering away and seeming to hissing in its whistling movements as armor shaped design after the stubbornness of an oxen and its humble strength forms out of your cloak of soul fire, and begins to move and twist beneath your command.

"A stolen technique? I'm certain I've encountered one of the lesser consorts of the prince of harlots who possessed a similar ability" Be'lakor mocks as you laugh, throwing your head back as rushes forward, unafraid of the cleansing flames surrounding and guarding you with their blazing embrace "That will not be enough to best me, you fool of a mortal man"


Swinging your outstretched arm downwards, you carry yourself aloft upon wings of flame like a rising phoenix, as tongues of gilded fire lick downwards to snatch up stones and rusted treasures to fling and swing them against the undeterred spirit. He spreads his wings and leaps through the eye of the inferno's storm, snarling as the fire in his eyes grow in intensity.

"Suffering" You say, calming yourself and measuring your voice and tone to one of absolute calm "And pain are a part of life"

"No" the spirit hisses "You've spun yourself a cult! hidden behind belief! How cowardly! A zealot without fire in his heart"

You stop yourself from proclaiming yourself nothing but fire, clicking your tongue as gnashing jaws and grasping hands formed of your soul's fire are cut down and through by your opponent's living and seemingly infuriated blade.
Cont
>>
Shadow parts light, but it cannot shift its shape beneath its glow, or it is unable to fully manipulate itself while exposed to the light of true and honest belief and optimism! Hope, as ever, banishes darkness with greater ease than any fire or electric light.

"But do not seek to harm others as a means to vent these feelings!" You say, as you collapse a pillar directly atop Be'lakor, who marches beneath the hail of stones, stolen blades, fanged and clawed whips of fire, laughing hatefully as he cuts a path towards you.

"So why do you just kneel and offer your head then, monk?!" He challenges, sprinting forward and stabbing his indomitable blade throw the blazing wings wrapped around your bull styled cloak. It is caught, in that which has no farm but is as tangible as real flames, and burns much hotter.

You smile, showing your face beneath the brilliance of his soul. See, devil? See, demon? See, wretch? Some convictions can not be shaken, even in the face of death. Some wills do not bend when met with a seemingly insurmountable obstacle in their path. And you possess both.

His eyes narrow, his blade turning to retreating shadows. With a grin spanning ear to ear, your resolve is renewed and thus becomes fuel for your courage.

"Instead, channel the negative impulses to positive and constructive ends!" You proclaim, victorious in the battle of wills, for what does a wicked soul believe in besides themselves!? The wings of fire spread wide and erupt into feathers of cinder, smoke and falling embers of flame. But despite their ethereal appearance, they carry all the destructive potential and force of the cloak your still wear.

Bowing your head, and the horned "Helmet' of flame topping it, you fall to the ground as the wings lifting your unmake themselves in a gale of destruction. Be'lakor blocks the winds of the inferno of your heart with the flat of his blade, even as the winds push and slam against him. Kicking a stone at him, you rush forward beneath the veil of destruction. Curses of long dead tongues, and dying screams pierce the fiery wind's howl as you charge, Guandao lifted above your head. The stone flies, and is cut in twain with a flick of the devilish sword.

Living shadow once again stands against passionate flame. Be'lakor remains unimpressed, even as shades and rotting souls emerge from the shattered and splintered tombs, and join in your charge. No matter their creed, origins, race or beliefs, the abandoned dead and forgotten tales hold a grudge against that which promised them glory and power. In what remains of their minds, they remember the face and aura of that which mislead and betrayed them. And like the Dai Monks, expend what little existence they still cling to, to strike out against it. To fulfill their spite and vengeance!

Grabbing an old helmet, you whip it through the air, pitching it directly towards Be'lakor's jutting jaw as he busies himself with the erasure of the spectral host of memories forgotten
Cont
>>
>>4953480

He catches it with his free hand, crushing the half molten metal in his palm. He turns to face you, his expression a mix of contempt and glee, his eyes belonging to one who could feed off of misery alone.

"A fatal mistake" He snarls, as he lunges, reverse his grip to hold his blade's blade towards himself. A queer technique, but that does not mean it is ineffective. Swinging his arm up, as if punching an uppercut, he arcs the blade of shadows directly in your way. Crouching, you draw your Guandao's blade through the silently screaming tiles of the floor, and throw all of your weight behind it. Swinging it in a diagonal arc, you strike beneath Be'lakor's arm, as the edge of his blade cuts through fire and slides across the armor beneath. It sparks, disorienting your as it briefly disconnects the synthesized senses provided by your armor.

Kanzeon melts it away as you reel back, blinking in a daze as Be'lakor stiffens his arm. The eight pronged star upon his chest marred by a weeping wound. Licking your lips, you slam your Guandao to the ground twice and throw your head back as Be'lakor banishes a group of remnants with a lazy turn of his wrist, cutting them down with his blade, still held in the reverse.

Blood trickles down your forehead. Wiping a lock of hair from your eyes, you roar defiantly and charge again, as what remains of the freed and forgotten spirits struggle against the embodiment of their doom.

Be'lakor, despite facing a legion besides yourself, calmly reaches down to retrieve a shield and adopts a stance similar to that used by Bask warriors.

"Knights" as they're called.

No longer is he meeting you with aggression alone, fighting purely offensively.

"Your temporary advantage will not last long" He sneers "I can pierce through the fires of your waning soul, though they give you meager protection, it is little more useful than the armor you wear beneath it. You cannot overcome me, by skill, by power, or by cunning"

You respond by hurling a moldering, and still clattering skull directly at the smug smile he wears. He cuts it, releasing the flame you hid within. Huffing, he retreats away from the plum of fire. Parting his lips to bare his fangs, he silently lunges towards you, shield raise to crush your chest.
-
Magnus felt a great weight lift from his shoulders, as he found his brothers essence in the depths of the great sea. He could not find his aura or any trace of his soul beneath the storm his material form sat in the center of. Having spotted the golden light that embodied his brother and fellow scholar's essence, far deeper in the warp than he had tread before, he threw his essence away from the other, much weaker psionic presences that also sought and searched for his brother.

One he recognized as one of his brother's followers, joined by a few of his lessers. The remaining one was entirely unfamiliar to him.
cont
>>
>>4953482

A great shadow surrounded Lieren. But Magnus knew how to subvert and overcome the currents and eddies of the great sea, and he had the power to do so with near contemptuous ease. Steeling himself, he dove into the abyss his brother had been pulled, and readied himself for whatever awaited him with in.
-

Picking yourself up, you rise from the tomb Be'lakor threw you back into with his charge, he stands above, blade positioned over your heart. Kicking with both your feet, and mustering all of your strength, you throw him back.

Rolling back, you leap to your feet, and wave your Guandao's blade, circling it through the air to try and ward off the spirit's counter attack. A one eyed cretin, reptilian in form and squamous of hide emerges, its scaly skin pulled taught and dry against its old bones. A mace like tail swings from the base of its spine and it charges forward.

And is instantly reduced to dust by a backhand strike as Be'lakor stomps towards you.

"Any last words, whelp" he says, sounding more irritated than enraged.

"Cruelty has no reward, kindness has many. A man who is kind is rich even if he owns nothing, a child who is kind is a blessing from heaven" You proclaim, before beckoning him foreword with a twitch of your chin "If you can be kind, be kind"

And that's enough to enrage the spirit once more. He charges, shield raised.

What is your fifth move, Lieren?

>Abandon defense, and utilize the technique "Cloak of the ever burning will: Spirit Subjugating Blade"

>Channel one of your dear friend, performing "Mien of the companion loyal and true"

>Continue wrecking the tomb and releasing its occupants to bother Be'lakor as you harry him between his blows. Fight like a jackal, rather than a panther!

>Turn the forgotten dead into living bombs, inventing the technique "Golden Sea's Aura: Radiant obliteration"

>Now is not time for tricks or sorcery! Be'lakor expects you to employ such methods now. Fight defensively using your Guandao and the masonry of the tomb of the forgotten!

>write in


>>4953460
Though Lieren also threw skulls, helmets and ancient weapons at Be'lakor
>>
>>4953476
>Lashing your arm outwards
Yup. That's Lieren alright.
>>4953484
Did...did Magnus only manage to project himself as some sort of lizard-man?
>Channel one of your dear friend, performing "Mien of the companion loyal and true"
>Feng, one of your closest companions. A hunter of rare talent, tempered by time and tragedy.
I believe his nature would synergize well with Lieren's own.
A hunter's mindset would also prove useful identifying a gap in Be'Lakor's new stance, if there are any.
>>
>>4953494
No, the thing in the tomb was something else. Big Red wouldn't get bitchslapped into dust so easily
>>
>>4953496
Good. I was beginning to think that Malal made this party an invitation-only sorta thing, meaning Magnus had to slip in with only a fraction of his presence.
>>
>>4953499
Was it the one eye?
>>
>>4953500
...yes.
>>
>>4953484
>write in
New journey text
Through the wanton use of the spirit realm you have endangered both yourself and others, thus giving birth to a new edict born not of fear but of love and the need to keep others safe

"Though the realm of souls and spiritual power may bring about great boons, always remember that we are beings of the material world and must therefore strive to make this life the greatest it can be, indulge in the wonders life has to offer but do not fall to excess"

Also
>now is not the time for tricks or sorcery, retreat and evade, look for opportunities with which to strike him down
>>
>>4953484
>>Channel one of your dear friend, performing "Mien of the companion loyal and true"
>Dong, the Blank Hunter
This'll either sting Be'lakor like a motherfucker or do absolutely nothing.
>>4953496
>the thing in the tomb was something else
Something significant or just a cheeky reference?
>>
>>4953502
I'm still keeping my write in but >>4953494
Channeling Feng sounds like a good idea right now
>>
>>4953503
I'm pretty sure Dong effectively has no soul. It's debatable whether or not we could channel him at all.
>>
>>4953484
>>Channel one of your dear friend, performing "Mien of the companion loyal and true"
Channel Magnus, He is clearly the most powerful person (present company excluded) that we have met within the psychic realm. If we can channel his power out here, we might stand a chance to escape
>>
>>4953484
>Channel one of your dear friend, performing "Mien of the companion loyal and true"
Chen, a man so loyal and a friend so true, that he died for us and our cause. But even if he is death, our friendship still exist and will not be forgotten.

>Continue wrecking the tomb and releasing its occupants to bother Be'lakor as you harry him between his blows. Fight like a jackal, rather than a panther!
>>4953494
I think Magnus is coming in, usually Malal qm doesn t immediatly write someone in the scene. There is usually sometime before that happens. Magnus is still "walking" for reach us.

The creature is probably an alien spirit or a minor spirit. Looks like a Fimir from description, Magnus would look like Magnus not something that hideous looking.
>>
>>4953543
Makes me wonder what the hell one of these things is even doing here in the first place.
If Big E, Magnus, and that Eldar chick managed to see the ruckus we caused in the Warp, then maybe they weren't the only ones.
>>
>>4953543
+1
>>
>>4953496
We're gonna need to apologies to our friends, our brother, our dad, and most importantly our wife for the impromptu fight. If we survive this we're gonna need to get her systems checked our for corruptions.
>>
>>4953557
>t the hell one of these things is even doing here in the first place.
>If Big E, Magnus, and that Eldar chick managed to see the ruckus we caused in the Warp, then maybe they weren't the only ones.

Oh You'll see. You'll see. I am very excited to write what's coming. The storm is just starting
>>
>>4953596
Well, here's hoping Magnus doesn't have to hold the line by his lonesome.
I can only imagine what else is coming to the epicenter of Malal's triumph.
>>
>>4953484
If Magnus makes it in here we've probably won. Be'lakor is strong, but he's not two primarchs strong, especially not when compared to Magnus who's arguably the strongest.
>>
>>4953609
Well that's the thing anon, he's primarch tier, fully grown primarch tier, we are a baby primarch and I don't know about magnus but I don't think he's fully mature either.

Remember that we are playing a 8 year old of beings to whom 10k years is basically a fart in the wind
>>
>>4953596
How old is lieren at the moment?
>>
>>4953613
Nine/ ten years old , when autumn comes you'll be nearing your tenth year, since Lieren and everyone else counts his emergence in winter as his "Birthday". While Malal (the god not me) counts from his pod's arrival in spring as his "birthday"
>>
>>4953616
>Nine/ ten years old
Time flies.
>While Malal (the god not me) counts from his pod's arrival in spring as his "birthday"
I hope Malal got us a bike.
>>
>>4953616
>>4953617
>Malal gets us something akin to Yamato instead
Hm, let's go full Vergil, let's get motivated!
>>
>>4953612
Magnus is absurd, even at this level of maturity.
>>
>>4953618
Ya know, a blade capable of outright severing the fabric of space would be pretty cool.
It would also be extremely busted and mind-bogglingly fucking dangerous if it ever fell into the wrong hands.
It'd still be pretty cool though.
>>
>>4953482
>He turns to face you, his expression a mix of contempt and glee, his eyes belonging to one who could feed off of misery alone.
I recognise those lyrics Rylanor.

>>4953484
>Continue wreaking the tomb
>Turn the forgotten dead into living bombs.
>>
>>4953616
will the next update be the next thread?
>>
>>4953632
I was hoping one of you would catch that reference , hehe. Love that song

>>4953634
Within the next three updates, probably this next one or the one after, I'll only extend to a third (and the eighth move vote) if the board moves extremely slow.

So yeah, either next vote, or the one after will be
>>
>>4953557
I mean this is a place of the damned and for scum, it s from when we have enter that there is descriptions of ghosts and dead mortals kings and so on "living" in agony here trapped in the stones.
A fimir isn t anything surprising or particullary exotic, when there is a whole galaxy of alien life.

Very likely. This is not an everyday fight, anyone with enough power to be consider a leviathan of darkness or a titan of light, is watching. Everyone else is waiting for them to move out and attempt to get some scraps.
>>
>>4953629
i'll be honest i prefer when we craft our own stuff, is far cooler.
Maybe we can snatch the sword of of Belekor, and then purify it and re-forge it for create a new weapon or combine it with the current Guandao. The materials of the sword can still be used after all, the evil Qi can be dumped away.

I am sure he will not needed it anyway, when we make him in a pulp of warp stuff.
>>
>>4953596
I sincerely hope that they get to see us fighting chaos's greatest champion to a standstill (because there's almost no chance we'll win, be serious) and shout our defiance to the forces of chaos, the sadist elf fags, and any tyrant that seeks to stifle the prosperity of humanity
>>
>>4953651
It's a daemon sword, we ain't purifying shit and still having anything left over.
>>
>>4953632
The idea presented is to make the legion of the dead even larger and to bullrush him all at once. Surely even the first damned is going to get seriously injured from this amount of explosions.
>>
>>4953629
Those weapons exist. They're call hyperphase swords.
>>
>>4953484
>Abandon defense, and utilize the technique "Cloak of the Ever-Burning Will: Spirit Subjugating Blade"
> Ask the forgotten dead to lend you their strength, much like the Dai monks, and in return you shall ensure they are remembered.
I don't think outright soul destruction is something Lieren would like to employ, even against such a vile foe. Giving them a chance to escape this deepest hell by clinging to Lieren's own great soul and ride the wheel of reincarnation might be far more poignant. Also reinforces the idea that redemption is possible for sinners who seek it.
>>
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>>4953484
>Continue wrecking the tomb and releasing its occupants to bother Be'lakor as you harry him between his blows. Fight like a jackal, rather than a panther!

Somehow Malal the 5th (not QM) would probably approve of allowing spirits their attempt at vengeance.
Be'lakor can eat more stones, more dicks, more helmets and bones that will be thrown at him.

>>4953596
HYPE
>>
>>4953494
I'll support this one.

>>4953637
>>Rylanor
Okay good, I was wondering if I was seeing things.

Anyone else curious about how Magnus' skepticism will hold up after he comes face to face with a fucking demon, whilst in the presence of the fifth Chaos God?
>>
>>4953494
supporting
>>
I actually have a question for you Mal; is reincarnation actually possible in your 40k verse? Is it limited to wise psykers like Gouzi, who can retain enough of what makes them them in between death and rebirth?

If not, it means Lieren's dearest companions and comrades could be reborn in future generations. Imagine if Jinhai can be reborn a thousand years from now as a peer to Macharius?

My thought was that if we allow these old dead souls to orbit Lieren and sip from that inner sea, we can draw on some of their ancient knowledge...such as the True Names of various daemons. Then later, they can be reborn as humble men to atone for their sins and live pure lives, and thereby spiting the darkness.
>>
>>4953484
>Now is not time for tricks or sorcery! Be'lakor expects you to employ such methods now. Fight defensively using your Guandao and the masonry of the tomb of the forgotten!
Rocks are Be'lakor natural enemies, together with dinosaurs.
>Channel or recite the Journey, he must remain enranged and distracted.
>>
>>4953856
Personally I'd thought Guozhi was just operating on belief mixed in with a little misunderstanding of the nature of being a Psyker.
Dude woke up his powers and probably got some memories or information from errant Human souls, and thought: "Oh, I must have previous lives!"
>>
>>4953508
>This'll either sting Be'lakor like a motherfucker or do absolutely nothing.
>>
>>4953900
This is true, rocks are his greatest foes, they have beaten him in all engagements they were a part of.

So i shall go with this ones vote.
>>
>>4953651
No. That's a very dumb idea.

>>4953740
+1 for anons second suggestion.

>>4953484
>Continue wrecking the tomb and releasing its occupants to bother Be'lakor as you harry him between his blows. Fight like a jackal, rather than a panther!
>continue reciting The Journey
> Ask the forgotten dead to lend you their strength, much like the Dai monks, and in return you shall ensure they are remembered.
Let the sinners and devils find redemption through combat. Trial by fire!

>>4953503
Dude are we sure its smart to attempt to channel a blank? That might not work, and even if it does it might weaken us along with Belle'cock here.

>>4953505
Are we. Are we sure we want to give Feng visions of hell? This is literal hell we're in.
>>
>>4953740
+1 Redemption arc go!
>>
>>4953994
>That might not work, and even if it does it might weaken us along with Belle'cock here.
"Mights" donvincing argument. Daemons are pure warpstuff, so even if it did weaken us, which it might not do at all, it'll hurt Be'lakor more. Additionally, channeling a blank with our psychic powers is paradoxical. We have a fair track record when it comes to paradoxes, breaking Malal out of Retconnian aside.
>>
>>4954067
We can test that out later. All I know is that Lieren's spirit had a relatively hard time manifesting near our Nulk friend.

>>4953616
Speaking of we should find the time to tell Magnus about the Nulls and that his people shouldnt kill them if they can. Despite not having souls they're still human. Plz be nice to them despite them making psykers want to kill themselves. Just quarantine them away in a different city if you must.
>>
>>4953484
>Continue wrecking the tomb and releasing its occupants to bother Be'lakor as you harry him between his blows. Fight like a jackal, rather than a panther!
>Turn the forgotten dead into living bombs, inventing the technique "Golden Sea's Aura: Radiant obliteration"
We just need to buy time if Magnus is rushing towards us, and the flame could hurt Be'lakor rather badly considering he dodged the skull fire rather then tank it.
Regarding channeling a null, that is something we should try outside of a life or death battle considering it can backfire so horribly.
Lastly the idea of "redeeming" the spirits here, you must remember these are all serious chaos fuckers who had the misfortune to end up in Malal's realm rather then their patrons (still a nightmarish fate). They all sold their souls long ago and are nothing but wisps of pure corruption at this point, who are only "helping" us because they hate Be'lakor more then us and are predictable because they are near mindless.
>>
>>4953484
>Channel one of your dear friend, performing "Mien of the companion loyal and true"

>>4953543
Chen as said by


>>4953740
And supporting the free the souls part, even when faced with death let lieren's compassion flow
>>
>>4953484

I loved the reference. I hope our fate is better than Rylanor's.

>>4953740
Dig this. You have my +1
>>
Calling the vote now.

Channel one of your dear friend, performing "Mien of the companion loyal and true":10
- Feng: 4
- Dong?: 1
-Magnus: 1
-Chen: 3
-The journey: 1

Add to the journey: 1

now is not the time for tricks or sorcery: 3
-Retreat and evade: 1
-Fight defensively and with rocks: 2

Continue wrecking the tomb and releasing its occupants to bother Be'lakor as you harry him between his blows. Fight like a jackal, rather than a panther!: 6

Turn the forgotten dead into living bombs, inventing the technique "Golden Sea's Aura: Radiant obliteration": 2

Ask the forgotten dead to lend you their strength, much like the Dai monks, and in return you shall ensure they are remembered.:5

Abandon defense, and utilize the technique "Cloak of the Ever-Burning Will: Spirit Subjugating Blade": 3

Continue reciting the journey: 2

Total votes:17

Alright, So Lieren will Preform Mien of the companion loyal and ture, channeling Feng. Writing now
>>
Placing a hand over your face, you gaze past your fingers as you reach out across the immeasurable expanse, grasping for a line. A string of a deep emotional bond. The connection between souls, the channel within which your soul's radiance flows to fuel the light of another, and the stream from which it drinks that same light to fuel itself. Empowering others as it is empowered by them in turn, a fraction of the paradoxical cycle of your soul. Growing stronger by cultivating strength and potential within others.

The string you grasp, the bound you focus your soul's energies upon and channel to adopt the unique talents and capabilities of your dearest and most treasured companions, is the stream that binds you with one of your closest friends. Feng, Your brother in all but birth. A hunter of peerless skill, even crippled and lame. One of the few who truly deserves the moniker and title as a Brother of the Panthers. Golden light becomes a thick shroud of sun light yellow fog, and radiant mist as the sea fed vessel in turn pours a fraction of its contents back into the sea, as it fills itself once more to its brim.

Be'lakor's blade cuts through mist and fog, and finds you vanished from where you once stood. His shield impacts on nothing but stagnant air.
-
Feng's sleep became fitful, a dream of a young beauty, a maiden born of the wilds, a lady of feral elegance and grace as forcefully torn away from his resting mind. A nightmare takes the place of the girl he chased after, through a mist veiled forest, unable to perceive her face beneath a shroud of feathers and unkempt hair that ruffled in the air like a lion's mane. It was replaced by a dark storming sea, where Lieren was tossed by waves. His brother clung to a piece of driftwood, all that remained of a mighty galleon that was shattered upon the rocky shore he now stood upon. Its pieces were scattered into the blackened waters, churned and tossed by the chaotic, uncaring currents whipped up by the apocalyptic storm that thundered and roared above. He could not see anything through the clouds or the spray of the ocean's mists. For some reason the water was salty, like some fool dropped a handful of salt into every mouthful he was forced to swallow as he yelled out to his elder brother and rushed towards the shore, to reach out and attempt to retrieve him from tumultuous waters that had so entrapped him.

But as his bare feet met the shore strewn with worn glass and broken blades, a figure unlike any other stood before him. Claws that blotted out the sky, reached down towards him and then recoiled as if burned the moment they passed through the air above Lieren's head. A roar louder than crashing thunder, more terrible than the keening cry of artillery shook the dreamworld, and sent shivers down Feng's back.

But he was not deterred, staring at the winged devil, the dragon formed of sea clouds and salty mists!
Cont
>>
>>4954945

He stood upon the shore defiantly though he was terrified. He did not know what was going on, but he had to help Lieren! But all he could do is stand upon the shore, he couldn't reach out to his brother, nor could he hope to fight against the lord of storms and the destruction they sowed.

In the waking world, Feng tossed fitfully in his bed, wearing a grimace that streaked with sweat and tears. His nails dug into his legs, drawing blood as he struggled to move in his dream, struggled to find something to aid Lieren, entirely unaware that Lieren protected him even in his "Nightmare"
-

"Is this your next gambit? Mimicking the talents of another, like an actor on the stage. This is no theater, fool" Be'lakor barks, standing in the midst of the flame turned to fog and the smoke transformed into mist "Though I find it amusing that you have so little confidence in your own capability, you'd seek to imitate the abilities of your lesser. Perhaps that intelligence peering through your armor is in fact your kindred spirit in Cowardice!". He spreads his wings, trawling his gaze through the blotting fog as the remnants of the forgotten blunder about beneath its shroud, becoming lost within it. His eyes, at times, near your position as you circle him and crouch beneath half collapsed pillars, and become as still as a corpse as he nears you.

A hunter's greatest advantage is remaining unseen and unnoticed, thus giving them the freedom to choose when to strike their prey. The option to choose when to attack, the time to rest and recover from the previously pitched battle, is a priceless boon. Recovering you stamina, you lurk in the false fog waiting for an opening to present itself so you may draw blood, and injure your opponent.

So far, every strike you've managed to land and every wound you've left in his cobalt hide, have done little if anything to slow his inexhaustible advance. It is as though the spirit feels now pain, or is so accustomed to it, its presence and that of torn and cut skin and muscle is as unnoticeable to him as the bites of gnats!

And worse, by adopting the Mien of one of the foremostly skilled and renowned hunters of the fogged swept wilds, your fire has lost its burn, calming and quieting to mimic the same mists and shrouded airs beneath which you earned most of your skill in killing and stalking. That leaves you somewhat exposed, and allows the viper blade to freely shift.

But that is a disadvantage easily overcome. Striking from the gloom, beneath your targets perceptions is one of your greatest talents, the art of stalking and remaining unseen until the moment of your attack. A skill all good hunters cultivate and train themselves to achieve

Crawling on the floor, you half rise, pushing yourself up with on hand before resting your weight upon your knees. Narrowing your eyes, your gaze meets Be'lakor's. Your hearts stop pounding, your breath falls still in your lungs

The momentary meeting is agonizingly long
Cont
>>
>>4954948

Every fraction of a second that passes stretches on, extending itself unnatural as you wait, helplessly wondering if the devil will notice you and charge or if he'll look away and allow you to emerge from the mists and strike. You close your eyes, recalling the affect your direct attention has on those who fall within your gaze. The sensation of being read and exposed, a piercing feeling, a burn that grows hotter with every second that passes.

A gust of air rushes past you, as the spirit's wings shift and flap as he turns away. Opening your eyes, you see he's began to turn away to instead survey a different patch of swirling fog. The shadowy forms of the damned serve well as distractions, the radiant motes of light within the mists cast unnaturally deep shadows.

Running a hand over the scars that have formed over your features, mimicking Feng's own, you thank your brother and silently apologize for any torment he endures on your behalf, for calling upon his prowess in a place that hosts such evil foulness as this domain of hell.

Rising, you chare towards your enemy, Guandao held at your side like a spear.

Instantly he whips around as soon as he hears your foot fall upon the floor behind him. He raises his blade, you thrust forward, lunging with your weapon in hand as you lower your shoulders.

Angling the blade for his throat, you barely miss your mark as he raises his shield. The edge of the Guandao's head carves through the ancient steel, and glances away from Be'lakor's bulging neck. He raises his viper blade. You duck and pull the Guandao back, and pierce its spike into the nook between the base of his neck and shoulder.

A stalemate has been struck. It will not last long. But for the moment you can hold him at bay, as long as your weapon remains whole. But so long as you hold onto it, Be'lakor can strike you without fear of reprisal, locked as its head is in his flesh. However, if he strikes, you're in the perfect position to bloodily tear the Guandao's blade free. However if you do so, you're almost guaranteed to be hit by his inevitable counter attack.

Both of you know this, and so for a second that seems endless, you lock eyes, daring the other to act first and risk giving the other the upper hand

What is your sixth move, Lieren?

>Bloodily free the spike from Be'lakor's flesh, hoping the injury it inflicts will stall him momentarily.

>Release your grip on the Guandao, and rush forward, forming both your hands into fists and placing one over the other, pressing their knuckles together before punching both your arms forward, slamming into Be'lakor. Like a charging ox.

>Maintain the stalemate, bait Be'lakor to break it, and trust in Kanzeon to interfere with his attack with plasma and electricity

>Drop Feng's Mien, and with your cloak of flame, create a storm centered on the two of you.

>Write in
>>
>>4954950
>Drop tends Mien and unleash a firestorm
>Coat out blade in the spirit vanishing technique

Currently it is the fact that our weapon is buried in his throat and our mist surrounds him. If we start this flame show, he cant escape uninjured, just to what degree is he uninjured.
>>
>>4954950
>Drop Feng's Mien, and with your cloak of flame, create a storm centered on the two of you.

>Write in
>recite the Journey
>Channel one of your dear friend, performing "Mien of the companion loyal and true"
See if it's possible to channel father or Magnus.
>>
>>4954950
>Drop Feng's Mien, and with your cloak of flame, create a storm centered on the two of you.
Based Feng letting us get the drop on this bastard. He's done more than enough to help us.
Let's take advantage of this position and scorch him.
>>
>>4954950
>>Drop Feng's Mien, and with your cloak of flame, create a storm centered on the two of you.
>>Maintain the stalemate, bait Be'lakor to break it, and trust in Kanzeon to interfere with his attack with plasma and electricity
do our best on the second point
>>
>>4954950
>Write in
Wink at the deamon playfully "Got you"

>Write in
>Drop Feng's Mien, and project our flames forward eye to eye! For if they are the window to the soul we will ignite a fire within him and destroy him from within! Our golden fire will tear him in twain!
>>
>>4954950
>Maintain the stalemate, bait Be'lakor to break it, and trust in Kanzeon to interfere with his attack with plasma and electricity
>Write in
>Drop Feng's Mien, and call to Chen, a man so loyal and a friend so true, that he died for us and our cause. But even if he is death, our friendship still exist and will not be forgotten. Loyalty, valour and friendship cannot be killed or restrained by death or corruption.

"My lesser ? You really are the first of the fools. Why i am not surprised that all of you creatures of darkness don t understand such a simple concept ? But do not worry, i can teach even to an overgrown vermin like you the basics of friendship ! Allow me to bathe you in the light of understanding, Be'lakor !
>>
>>4955006
I too, felt an indescribable urge to educate the first fallen on how little he knows of "lessers". For great Feng and Skillful Jinhai, venerable Ghuzai and all our other friends are no mere lesser to any warp born fool or heavenly blessed champion.
>>
>>4954950
>>Drop Feng's Mien, and with your cloak of flame, create a storm centered on the two of you.
>>
>>4954950
> Release your grip on the Guandao, and rush forward, forming both your hands into fists and placing one over the other, pressing their knuckles together before punching both your arms forward, slamming into Be'lakor. Like a charging ox.
He might be a master swordsman, but he is no warrior of the empty hand. Time to beat his ass like he owes Lieren money.
> Innovate a new psykerist technique, and briefly become as intangible as the very fog. With this you can strike the monster's weak points with all of your power focused into a single blow before return to the mist.
WE'VE GOT TRICKS TOO YOU SMUG PRICK!
>>
>>4954950

>>4954966
>>Drop Feng's Mien, and with your cloak of flame, create a storm centered on the two of you.
>>Write in
>>recite the Journey
>>Channel one of your dear friend, performing "Mien of the companion loyal and true"
>See if it's possible to channel father or Magnus.
but also this should be possible while doing it:
>Maintain the stalemate, bait Be'lakor to break it, and trust in Kanzeon to interfere with his attack with plasma and electricity
Basically a maximal fire storm while locking him close to us.
>>
>>4954950
>>Drop Feng's Mien, and with your cloak of flame, create a storm centered on the two of you.
>>
>>4954950
>Drop Feng's Mien, and with your cloak of flame, create a storm centered on the two of you.
>Recite the Journey
>>
>>4955127
+1
>>
Calling the vote now.

Drop Feng's Mien, and with your cloak of flame, create a storm centered on the two of you.:10
- Project the flames towards be'lakors eyes: 1

Perform the technique "Spirit Subjugating blade": 1

Recite the journey: 4

Channel a different mien:3
-Magnus:3
-Big E: 2

Maintain the stalemate, bait Be'lakor to break it, and trust in Kanzeon to interfere with his attack with plasma and electricity: 4

Mock the demon with a wink: 1

call to Chen, a man so loyal and a friend so true, that he died for us and our cause. But even if he is death, our friendship still exist and will not be forgotten.: 1

"My lesser ? You really are the first of the fools...: 2

Release your grip on the Guandao, and rush forward, forming both your hands into fists and placing one over the other, pressing their knuckles together before punching both your arms forward, slamming into Be'lakor. Like a charging ox.: 1

Innovate a new psykerist technique, and briefly become as intangible as the very fog. With this you can strike the monster's weak points with all of your power focused into a single blow before return to the mist.: 1

Total votes: 12

So Lieren will drop Feng's Mien and create a firestorm.

Writing now
>>
Obtaining the upper hand cannot be achieved by standing idle! risks must be taken to accomplish anything in the theater of battle! A journey cannot begin without its first step. One must act decisively when the opportunity to do so arises! Waiting for the opponent to make the first move while you can strike is folly and invites death. If you turned away from the slightest danger or threat of being injured, you'd have never picked up a spear let alone a sword or guandao! Or rifle! Battle is a game of risk and gambles, of skill tested against skill. Strength matched against strength and grace measured against grace! To overcome your opponent in a stalemate, you must act first even if doing so leaves your guard open for their reprise.

Every action creates ripples. But yours shall create waves! Breaking your intimate connection with Feng, you cease your emulation of his talents and prowess. The fog flickers, and begins to burn and then roar to life as a renewed blaze of gold hued wrath. Your cloak reforms itself around you, now taking on the appearance of a flowing panther's hide and maw as it crawls back into position, resting itself on your shoulders. Be'lakor moves to upset the stalemate himself, by driving his shield forward and angling its tapered end towards your gut, aiming to stab it through your bowels. A fatal wound. A decisive action. As expected of a veteran of centuries of war and bloodshed. Grinning beneath the fangs of fire, you expand the ceaseless conflagration of your soul, fueling the fire with more of itself, bleeding your essence and will into the cloak upon your back. What was once armor to defend against the viper blade and its master, has now turned to a weapon raised against him.

The golden blaze flares into an inferno of silent fury and hardened resolve, the very essence of will lit aflame by conviction and spite. Hatred inspired by the spirit's mocking of your one of your closest friends and companions. Your brother in all but birth! Insults against you loved ones, and beliefs have always enraged you more than those levied at yourself. The flames end their silence with a crackling roar, as they begin to shimmer and bulge outwards, birthing new tongues of flame as the cloak flows from you. Its temperature rises, as it washes across the tomb's floor.

Be'lakor reangles his shield, surprised by the sudden growth of your soulfire and the wave of it rushing his way. A storm begins, as you puill the flames around yourself, once more becoming the eye of the storm by the manipulation of Qi. Remembering the attributes of fire, you step forward, imitating the roar of the raging conflagration of your will incarnate with a war cry of your own.

Be'lakor swings his shield arm, diverting the river of fire washing towards him by changing its course to flow around him. His hooved feet walk across gilded embers, smoldering and burning as he endures the furious gales of flame washing against him.
Cont
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>>4956070

Golden plumes erupt from beneath him, tongues of flame and smoke lick at the membrane of his wings. His black blood boils over his hide and exposed flesh. His jaw opens, his tongue lolls over his yellowed fangs. The light of your spirit illuminates his shadowed face, and reveals an expression of boundless amusement. He's enjoying this. Enjoying the challenge you now offer him. You've managed to impress him through sheer force of will alone, and all the power it brings.

"To endure the ignition, the burning of your very essence. Such fortitude and strength of will is impressive. Most mortals would be obliterated even attempting to achieve what you have. But you, foolish and weak as you are, possess enough resolve to withstand the destruction of your soul until it begins to bolster itself upon the smoke and embers left behind" He laughs, shielding himself against a open palm of fire you conjure from your cloak, in an attempt to squash the life out of the wretch's body and burn the bones that remain. His feet barely shift position as he blocks the attempt.

"I can taste the hatred in your fire, the sheer contempt for beings such as myself raging in your heart, the fury at even meeting my countenance with your gaze!" He laughs, swinging his shield through the spectral warrior you wove from the flames surrounding him, reducing it to sparks and lingering trails of smoke "It is all too familiar to me. Perhaps if you beg, you could become my favored servant and we could make war against my kindred, hand in hand. Godling!"

You offended scowl answers his preposition without words.

"Then die!" Be'lakor roars, as he dodges a snarling panther's maw of flame that erupts from a plum clinging to his shield, which he throws towards you.

Pressing his now freed hand on the pommel of his blade of darkness, he throws himself forward. A thrust backed by all of his weight and might. If the stab connects, it'll impale you through! The guard would stop at your front, while the blade rises from your back!

What is your seventh move, Lieren?

>Turn the storm into a shield, devouting all of your souls fire to protection

>Respond in kind, falling to one knee as you put all of your strength into a single thrust of your guandao

>Throw yourself out of his path with Spirit's touch, a less graceful form of cloudwalking

>Condense the fire and the Qi forming it into a single point, and compress it until it explodes outwards. A trap, that will catch both of you

>Write in

Sorry for the short update. Probably gonna get have one or two more updates out of this thread, fyi
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>>4956073
>>Condense the fire and the Qi forming it into a single point, and compress it until it explodes outwards. A trap, that will catch both of you
Burn in warp, bitchboy.
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>>4956073
Condense the fire onto the tip of your gundao and brace yourself to his impact, at the last possible second dodge his attack and stab him in the back


He's putting the entirety of his weight and might behind this strike, if an opponent is dumb enough to do this than it's your duty to use that strength against him!

That being said I don't know if my write in is perfect enough, someone else try some water style techniques on this fool and I'll support you if it's cooler than mine
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>Condense the fire and the Qi forming it into a single point, and compress it until it explodes outwards. A trap, that will catch both of you
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>>4956073
>Write in
This is our Seventh move (the number of nurgle beware in a realm such as this). So i'm going for a little flavour here.

Fire is about us and so condense the flames into focused thin pillars of light as bars....for we have seen bars can hold a god and it stops his charge less he flay himself apart, so we shall lock this demon in a prison of light, his shadow forced to be still. Then should we wish it the bars will utterly close rending him like meat, our eighth action like the Skull taker.

Laugh at the foolishness of this beast and then explain to him his folly.
"Oh you first chosen do you not see that even now you do their will, trying to bring low one that would see them undone. Oh you think you are free or so serving the Dark? You were a pawn whom rose above your station but hiding under the table you are still a piece in their game. Should you slay me and return to the service of those you so despise!"
Our ninth like the trickster.

But we are none of them, we learned their Truth and this is ours. "Know here I declare it from my soul and know I bare no lie, I am Liren and I am your Doom and Salvation from the Dark"
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>>4956073
>>Throw yourself out of his path with Spirit's touch, a less graceful form of cloudwalking
Also, take up Feng's Mien again, hide and wait for a good moment to attack again. Hit-and-run tactics. Also, in the next fight we should urgently bring grenades/melta bombs.
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>>4956104
Give me that sweet sweet irony, supporting.
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>>4956104
Ballsy. I like it.
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>>4956073
>>Throw yourself out of his path with Spirit's touch, a less graceful form of cloudwalking
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>>4956073
>>Turn the storm into a shield, devouting all of your souls fire to protection
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>>4956073
>>Throw yourself out of his path with Spirit's touch, a less graceful form of cloudwalking
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I'd say use the explosion to hurt belkador and propell yourself away form the blade. Basic rocket science.
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>>4956073
>Sorry for the short update. Probably gonna get have one or two more updates out of this thread, fyi
It's understandable there is only so many ways to say "you attack a reaction happens, then you react to the reaction etc."

>>4956104
+1
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>>4956104
supporting this one
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>>4956073
I will support.

>>4956104

After all, use the worlds physics to our advantage.
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>>4956104
+1
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>>4956073
>>Condense the fire and the Qi forming it into a single point, and compress it until it explodes outwards. A trap, that will catch both of you
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>>4956104
+1
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>>4956073
>>Condense the fire and the Qi forming it into a single point, and compress it until it explodes outwards. A trap, that will catch both of you
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>>4956073
>Condense and compress your soul's fire the Qi forming it into a single point; the head of your guandao.
>Respond in kind, falling to one knee as you put all of your strength into a single thrust of your guandao.
HIS IS THE BLADE WHICH CAN PIERCE THE HEAVENS!
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>>4956073
>Condense the fire and the Qi forming it into a single point, and compress it until it explodes outwards. A trap, that will catch both of you

And

>>4956104
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>>4956073
>Turn the storm into a shield, devouting all of your souls fire to protection
>Throw yourself out of his path with Spirit's touch, a less graceful form of cloudwalking
I will be honest, I dislike the boss fights, they always feel like they drag forever.
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>>4956104
+Support
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>>4956073
>>Condense the fire and the Qi forming it into a single point, and compress it until it explodes outwards. A trap, that will catch both of you
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>>4956073
>>>Condense the fire and the Qi forming it into a single point, and compress it until it explodes outwards. A trap, that will catch both of you
If injury is inevitable, then one must make it count!
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>>4957028
That is because they are foes of actual challenge beyond children with pointy sticks
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>>4957028
>>4957162
The problem is one update per day makes this quest feel slow.
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>>4957203
I like to think of it like this: IRL issues aside, we're trading quantity for quality. Malal kicks ass as a QM and a writer, so I'd rather have one good post every day or two than a bunch of shitty two-line posts every hour or two.

>>4956104
+1
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>>4957390
>we're trading quantity for quality
This part is bullshit. The quality isn't that much improved. This is a common fallacy because people forget questing isn't anything like novel writing so more time means nothing to the writing quality. More over Malal spends about 2 hours writing updates which is the upper limit of the time most QMs spend on their quests.
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>>4957438
Thats why I listen and follow 10 other quests
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>>4957438
It probably doesn't help that half the time he comes up with a list of options an anon comes up with some twisty bullshit out of left field that gains traction that he now has to work into something of a coherent narrative.
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>>4957162
Yeah, and always stops the entire quest for a week so we can have a slow pokemon battle choosing moves.
Maybe the big problem is that I just can't get into written fight scenes, they always feel dull to me, but I also kbow that other anons like them,so demanding that it gets changed is unfair.
I'm just complaing because this fight is nearly double the size of the last biggest one, so I'm feeling a bit cranky? Without enthusiasm? I'm bot sure about the word. Also it makes me worried that to make future fights bigger, they will take even longer, and this turn into watching DBZ where you wait 100 episodes for something to happen.
I have faith in Malal to not do that, specially since finding a harder opponent than a Daemon Prince might be hard, but I also don't have faith in anons to not challenge every other primarchs to duels.
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>>4957551
I don't think Malal will write primarch duels until we get to horus heresy.
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Calling the vote now. I've archived this thread, and this update will be the start of the 11th thread. Sorry the fight's dragging on, but it's against Be'lakor.

Condense the fire and the Qi forming it into a single point, and compress it until it explodes outwards. A trap, that will catch both of you: 8
-use the explosion to hurt belkador and propell yourself away from the blade.: 1

Condense the fire onto the tip of your gundao and brace yourself to his impact, at the last possible second dodge his attack and stab him in the back:1

This is our seventh move...write in: 11

Throw yourself out of his path with Spirit's touch, a less graceful form of cloudwalking:4
- And take up Feng's mien again:1

Turn the storm into a shield, devouting all of your souls fire to protection:2

Respond in kind, falling to one knee as you put all of your strength into a single thrust of your guandao.: 1

Total votes: 25

So the big write in wins, writing now
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>>4957672
Don't listen to them Malal, the fight goes on for however long it needs to. Don't cater to the audience, they have no idea what they want.
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>>4957692
I know exactly what I want. Fight scenes in a written medium are at their best when they are kept short, straight to the point, and used as a vehicle for other developments. Faster updates are generally better in a quest environment too due to it's nature as an interactive medium.
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New thread: >>4957715
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>>4957700
He does keep fight scenes short, 2 pages vs. 5-10 on an update where we're building things. Personally I would take a regularly updated quest that lasts this long, and is actually pretty well written, updating every 24 hours for the past year almost, over someone who spams out bullshit.
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>>4957700
>>4957721
I read malal because he gives us quality and consistent updates, with a minimum of shitpositng and drawfaggery



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