let's set d o w n some (
groundrules) wrote in
westwhere2022-05-18 06:35 pm
Entry tags:
- 2ha: chu wanning,
- arc iii,
- arcane: viktor,
- asoiaf: daenerys targaryen,
- finale,
- harry potter: hermione granger,
- kingdom of the wicked: emilia,
- kingdom of the wicked: wrath,
- legend of fei: xie yun,
- mo dao zu shi: xiao xingchen,
- mo dao zu shi: xue yang,
- oh! my emperor: beitang moran,
- oh! my emperor: su xunxian,
- owl house: eda clawthorne,
- sword of frost: yun yifeng,
- the gifted: marcos diaz,
- tian guan ci fu: xie lian,
- touken ranbu: kanesada,
- triangle strategy: jens macher,
- umbrella academy: diego,
- umbrella academy: five,
- untamed: lan sizhui,
- untamed: wen qing,
- warcraft: anduin wrynn,
- warcraft: wrathion,
- word of honor: zhou zishu
the tithe
The Arc III finale stretches until 2 June — and it’s erupt to no good.
THIS HOUSE IS YOUR HOUSE
The Ke-Waicai believers prepare for human sacrifice rites to prevent the eruption of the Ke-Sanwon volcano. They will lead tributes to the volcanic crater, which is lidded by the grounds of a decrepit haunted temple — known as the House of Ravens.
At the heart of the temple is a trodden dais that comprises four slowly receding plates. Numerous temple columns and deteriorating walls offer overnight hiding places, but beware the flinching statues and irritable large ravens. Meat, blood or shiny offerings can distract the birds.
- ■ Use the three previously gained keys to infiltrate the House of Ravens at night through forest pathways revealed by the Huntress.
■ Entrants to the House of Ravens are fully or partially depowered. Their ancestral curse is immediately lifted. Their strength is pulled into the Ke-Sanwon crater, which brims with raw magical power.
■ Hide on temple grounds until dawns, when the dais plates fully open to reveal a 10-metre entryway into the volcanic crater.
■ Overnight, characters are relentlessly tempted by mirages that only they witness: the eerie voice of a loved one might coax them to commit their greatest sin, or they could repeatedly relive memories that led them to such follies.
■ Characters guilty of drunkenness and gluttony feel deathly parched, starved and drawn to a lavish spread that is constantly far out — and ends up comprising raw corn and stale water, when they finally reach it. The lustful find their companions irresistible, or trail after a delectable beauty, who dissolves when touched. The wrathful mull violence, while the envious suspect their companions possess what they most desire. The proud are contemptuously incited to prove their superiority or independence, while the slothful give in to callous indifference towards their peers.
■ The stone statues that decorate the House of Ravens retaliate once visitors succumb to their sins: smaller sculptures throw stones or throttle nearby sinners, but only move when you do not look into their eyes. Larger 4m-tall statues exit the walls and give (slow) chase, retreating after 10-15 minutes. The statues stop attacking at dawns.
LET THERE BE BLOOD
CONTENT WARNING: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF NPC PAIN, TRANSFORMATION
By dawns, the believers of Ke-Waicai have rallied their tributes — each crowned with wreaths of branches and crops — before the open dais. Roughly two hundred villagers attend the rites, along with eight powerful priests who use elemental magic.
- ■ A first sacrifice walks a long narrow plank that starts from the dais and goes a few metres into the mouth of the volcano. The plank shivers under from heat, but withstands weight.
■ During 15 minutes of exposure, the volcanic magic enshrouds the sacrifice, who painfully transforms into one of the animalistic tar creatures housed in the labyrinths of Ke-Sanwon.
■ Magically sensitive characters can feel this tribute now hosts volcanic magic, and that Ke-Sanwon’s power has slightly diminished.
■ The rites are interrupted by the significantly weaker, but wrathful Beastmaster, whose xenomorphic creatures attack the temple and seek his missing son
■ Characters should free the remaining tributes during the skirmish. They can be as nerfed as you need (if at all) during the rest of their stay in the House of Ravens.
■ The dais must stay open to access the volcano. You can take control of it and of the House by defeating the magically endowed priests, (literally) shouldering the head priest’s ancient white raven and holding its leash.
■ Pass the raven around and defend the bird’s current holder! Whoever carries the raven is often targeted by the village mob and the Beastmaster’s creatures.
■ The clashes last a few hours, until the Beastmaster and villagers exhaust their forces.
■ Diego Hargreeves, Xie Lian, Wrathion, Daenerys and Jon Snow apprehend the Beastmaster, slaying him, when he refuses to relinquish the Brotherhood. Decide who lands the killing blow. His last words: ”You’ve… seen this place. My animals… our dead… have more compassion than these living.”
FIRE AND BRIMSTONE?
The volume of magical energy and tormented spirits inside the volcano weighs heavily on the fracturing dark water mirror that has prevented Ke-Sanwon’s eruption so far. It’s going to blow, unless you:
- ■ Throw more dark water in to fix the mirror fissure. You can get dark water from volcanic cracks, dried wells and creepy crop fields.
■ Use ice / cold magic and ol’ science to cool down the volcano and help the mirror heal. Or lend Moiraine and Magnus a hand as they work with cold magic, and protect them while they cast.
■ Help Wrath and Wei Wuxian exorcise the volcano’s ancient spirits. Many have lost consciousness, reduced to memory fragments and feelings of wrath, pain and resent.
■ Guide villagers to bring sea water. Anduin (on top of the dragon Wrathion) and the harpy Eda are flying in supplies. Viktor is coaxing shipments from his werewolf friends of Ke-Waiar. Large phoenixes are also up for grabs for deliveries. Ensure couriers can safely arrive and quickly discharge their water.
■ Several characters are set to each absorb some of the magical power contained within the volcano, developing aftereffects. They must walk the wobbly plank and stay exposed to the volcano magic for under 15 minutes to avoid transformation: the longer they linger, the more power they take in, feeling as if they are burning from within. Exit quickly and rest copiously after. Those who spend over 10 minutes exposed suffer intense fevers and require immediate medical assistance to cool down.
WILL SOMEONE THINK OF THE CIVILIANS?
Beyond the House of Ravens, assist villagers who want to safeguard their possessions or evacuate by sea.
- ■ The gradual spread of Ke-Sanwon’s magic infects some villagers with temporary animal traits. These effects dissipate within three-four hours.
■ Characters who remain in the villages may feel more irritable and resentful, overcome by the feelings of the volcanic spirits.
■ Coordinate water and supply deliveries with those at the House of Ravens.
■ The Hok-Shinn are divided in their response: some resort to daylight robbery to secure the funds for their own safe departure; citing security, the men of Sairen unsympathetically rally commoners into designated parts of the village, often splitting apart families that then need help finding relatives; alone, Weisi’s followers keep the peace, but are frequently overwhelmed by waves of panicked villagers, thugs and animal hybrids.
■ The magical spillage overwhelms the forest fox spirits, leaving some enraged and prone to attack. Others assume the shape of beautiful wo/men and ask escort into Ke-Waihu for shelter, without disclosing their fox natures. These ethereal strangers betray their origins with cold smiles, glimpses of fleetingly sharp teeth, a fondness for chicken, and… is that an extra set of ears? No harm befalls those who bring a fox into the village, though s/he may insist on now being your lawful spouse.
THE AFTERMATH
With the clashes and Ke-Sanwon subdued, the villagers of Ke-Waicai request back their temple keys and white raven. They lead the party to the beacon of the House of Ravens — the beautifully carved and now-closed dais above the volcano.
- ■ Party companion Hatisse confirms the beacon can be revived within days.
■ She warns that an eruption was prevented by depleting the volcanic magic now, but that the threat could recur within five to 10 years.
■ All character curses (ancestral or individual) are lifted, and powers return completely.
■ Spend some downtime in the villages. Ke-Waicai offers the most luxurious, but frosty accommodations, while the werewolves of Ke-Waiar are tired, but thrilled hosts. Those who suffer from lycanthropy are now experiencing fewer and fewer ‘nocturnal episodes.’
■ In Ke-Waihu, villagers have now calmed and are grateful for help with reaping the fresh harvest and watering their crops, as well flows revive. Every other night, Hok-Shinn Weisi organises a bonfire with village musicians, hearty dances, fresh bread and ale. Villagers seek to marry off their… alluring spawn to their saviours.
■ Within days, Hatisse summons the party to the activated beacon: a pool of white energy, in which one must slowly descend. Characters who were dropped or AC swept in May enter the beacon first and are presumed returned to their home worlds. Characters set for a canon update follow in — but are spat back by the portal and return within minutes.
■ Inevitably, the remaining volatile magic of the volcano disrupts the beacon and ruins the dais. Happily for you, the Merchant will soon get in touch with your next ticket east.






izuminokami kanesada | touken ranbu
[Okay, yeah, after seeing that one tribute turn into actual goo? Kanesada definitely thinks these priests have to go. Different cultures are fine and all that, but human sacrifice is, uh, pretty messed up. Also, at least put your sacrifices out of their misery instead of making them suffer for an extended period of time.
Needless to say, as soon as the Beastmaster arrives and everything turns to chaos, Kanesada joins the fray. He's foregone the mantle of Shinsengumi blue he usually wears and has his long hair pulled back in a ponytail because damn is it hot in here, meaning he's a streak of red as he rushes toward the remaining tributes and one of the people guarding them.
Usually, Kanesada refrains from killing humans during missions, since his enemy is something altogether different, but, again, there's that whole human sacrifice thing and that just won't fly.
With his blade drawn, he slashes at a guard, catching him by surprise. His sword cuts through clothing and flesh easily and the man falls, clutching at his long, diagonal wound. Kanesada quickly turns his attention to the next guard, though he's lost the element of surprise now. This second guard takes a swing at him with his own shoddy sword, which Kanesada easily blocks, but this confrontation only attacks more attention. They have to keep the remaining tributes safe. If only he had some more help. If only Kunihiro were here...they'd be a nearly unstoppable force.]
2. let there be blood, birb version
[One of the things with battle is that one can easily find themselves in a completely new situation without realizing how they've gotten there. For Kanesada, this means he suddenly has a bird foisted upon him.]
Eh!?
[He's given no time to juggle holding his sword in one hand and grasping a leash in the other. And then it seems that he's still given no time to react to the fact that there is an angry mob that has focused their collective attention on him.
Or is it the bird?
Either way, this is a pain in the ass. He deflects some attacks one-handed while side-stepping others, but there are still a lot of people coming after him.]
Oi! What the hell? I'm not a babysitter!
3. thinking of the civilians
[As soon as the battle comes to its conclusion, Kanesada feels it's safe for him to leave. The House of Ravens is in a literal volcano, obviously, and he is a sword, and the fear of melting is incredibly real.
And yet, despite being sweat-drenched and bloody, a very pretty woman claims him as her personal bodyguard. So he takes her to Ke-Waihu with every intention of leaving her side in order to help anyone else who needs it. Except as soon as she's safe, she plasters herself to his front and smiles up at him.
This isn't quite right -
She pulls Kanesada down for a kiss. He pushes her away as soon as the surprise wears off.]
What are you doing? I mean, I know I'm pretty and all that, but -
You saved me. We are now husband and wife, or, at least, we should be.
Eh!?
4. wildcard!
[eyyyyy baybeeeee]
that birb, and also, those geriatrics???
When you are a bird of destiny, a portend of calamity, the heir of predators, of oracles, of great desecrators of the war field — when you round the mute beam of your beady gaze on lesser creatures, and, great or small, they each know the hour of their passing comes, and so they scatter — when you are the muse of poets and writers and artistry, when sculptors behold you as they might a great king &mdas;
...and you're stuck traded from arm to arm, like the disciple of a pleasure house, each time more and more gracelessly positioned. It's not that Lan Wangji sympathises with the bird's long-suffering squeaks and sighs, so much that he watches it sprawl on Kanesada's arm now, climbing his shoulder with an absence of enthusiasm that infant disciples typically reserve for winter's cold stream ablutions. And he knows.
He knows.
This bird has witnessed many a tragedy, and the lion's share of them have worn human faces and trotted it around today. It's for the raven's sake, more than that of Kanesada, that Lan Wangji intercedes to cut the crowd as if it were cloying, muddied waters, and Bichen's length glistens like a quiet salvation from spatters of stale soot and blood and the spittle of some great, old fool, who throws himself forth — collapses? — to capture the raven. More elders swarm behind him, teeth clattering, eyes squinted.
Awkwardly, Lan Wangji breaks the old man's fall, shudders at the definitive creak of his yielding joints, and politely settles the elder on his feet (for the precepts advise to spare elders kindness and the courtesy of not murdering them first during your volcanic promenades).
Hissed at Kanesada behind him, as Lan Wangji rises from crouch to swing Bichen in a low, jolting arc and deter a second assailant: )
Consider a strategic retreat.
( Please, and thank you, for we do not subscribe to animal cruelty in this house, but also, half the elders of Ke-Waicai are raining upon them, and, really, it's a strange thing, fighting off geriatrics with murmured apologies and a distinct shortage of tangyuan. )
these priorities, wangji
Second, that guy in white is either really considerate of others or really stupid for not cutting down the people attacking him. But then he did strike Kanesada as...different back when they were fighting off ghosts in the temple. Not bad or anything, just...different.
In the present, however, Kanesada doesn't let that bother him. If white robes man wants to be selective, that's fine. They'll cross that bridge if they come to it. In the meantime, he keeps that bird's leash clutched in one hand and swings at an assailant with his sword in his other hand. Kanesada reserves no kindness for the elderly in this situation. It's simple, really. They're trying to kill him - and/or the bird - and he is trying to not be broken. In battle, there is often no time to consider niceties. It's either you or them.
And then comes the suggestion to retreat. Which is fine. Kanesada understands the need for such tactics, but at the moment? He's stuck between a literal lava pit and an angry mob.]
Yeah. About that.
[Another angry villager charges at the bird clawing at his kimono. Kanesada pivots away and slices at the man's torso, dropping him.]
It ain't really an option.
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To Kanesada: ) No.
( Bad. Wrong. No good. Turning, he releases Kanesada's sword to its natural gravity-born descent, slipping in between to strike another elder with the fat hilt of Bichen, sooner than her blade. A last-minute calculation, delaying the sword, more effort inserted in protecting the men who seek to cull them, than in keeping them down.
This... may prove a taxing challenge, borderline exhaustive. )
Disarm, do not strike down. You will slaughter.
( They're too old to hit without murder. Aim for... slaps and hilt knocks and severe, disapproving glances, and think of their many nephews, grateful they need not keep vigil over grandpa's dislocated hip after. )
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They're trying to slaughter us!
[It's only fair, in Kanesada's book. If you show up to a fight, you better be prepared to bleed. Suddenly, he misses Kunihiro desperately. His partner wouldn't argue with him in this situation. They wouldn't even have to speak to each other to know what moves the other would do. They'd be in sync and probably have this place wiped out in an hour, at most.
But this guy is a weird kind of sword-wielding pacifist, so Kanesada takes advantage of his momentary safety and sheathes his sword, you know, like an idiot, and pulls the whole thing from his belt. Fine. For now, he'll just bash in some skulls.]
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For a heartbeat, Lan Wangji looks at his arm like a man possessed, as if the head of the proud sexagenarian that's born of his silks is a grotesque growth, a gargantuan worn, dangling.
It hurts, distantly, another man. A person pre-defined as Hanguang-Jun, who lives, breathes for war moments. Not Lan Wangji, an accidental fixture in the howling tumult and the volcano's rising winds, confused by the circumstances of his arrival.
The teeth of old men do not simply happen to cultivators in fine standing. He shakes his arm once, rattles the elder. Again, a third time, hissing — and flinches, when the old man releases, his body jolted back but leaving behind his denture, caught on Wangji's sleeve hem.
A lifetime of abiding Wei Ying's absurdities has prepared him for this moment, when he turns towards Kanesada and continues, nonchalantly, his conversation, even with teeth clattering off his robes. )
— absent learning. Nurture patience.
( Look here. Take... example. )
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Probably not unlike those disembodied teeth that really seem to like Violent Pacifist's sleeve right now.
Or it's because he's literally getting shaken up within that sheath and it feels quite uncomfortable, okay. This isn't how swords are supposed to be used!]
This really isn't the time. You can scold them later.
[Another bonk amid the bird screeching in his ear and digging its talons into his shoulder to hang on for dear bird life as he dances around his attackers.]
Don't you start!
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( The bird, the nightmare of clinging teeth, Kanesada, a fantasy of indignation. Between them, Lan Wangji remains transfixed, seemingly cycling through a wealth of nebulous and incandescent emotion, starting and ending with soul-crushing despair.
This, then, is his life. These are its companions. He can no more extricate himself from his circumstances than allow them to define him, and so he decides, unilaterally — this moment, too, shall pass.
Ostensibly, with a bang, the clatter of an elder pushed into another, falling upon the next, toppling over what seems to be a line-up of stealthily deteriorating octogenarians. Lan Wangji merely gave the push — and now, with a wave behind himself, he awards the nod. )
We withdraw. Before they... ( Dislocate more hips. Clearly. ) Regroup.
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[And he's defending this stupid bird, which is clearly worth something to someone. Not that Kanesada understands why. Probably some spiritual or cultural significance or whatever.
A pain in the ass is what he thinks it really is, but he's trying, okay.
Finally, as the dominos topple over very unceremoniously, Kanesada finds they can come to an agreement. Withdraw? Yes, please.]
Yeah. Let's get the hell out of here.
[Now where was the entrance to this place again...]
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These, then, are the legions they confront with impunity. Careful, oh so ruinously careful, step purposefully slowed, Wangji recedes amid attempts to shrug off his pursuer, the woman collapsing in a clatter of rusted bones, her nails reaching claw-like into the distance.
Well, then. Lan Wangji cannot suspend care for the raven long enough to risk approaching her. Then, that leaves... Kanesada, spared the cut of an even glance: )
Before. Righten her.
( For heavens' sake, man, battle is no excuse to be so unfilial. )
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So. It gets really annoying when Kanesada's comrade insists on being overly kind to these people who clearly wouldn't offer them the same courtesy.]
This is going to get you killed one day.
[But he goes to the particularly fragile woman and...gently drags her up by the arms, trying to ignore her moans.]
Stop it. Go home. This is going to get you killed, too.
[Then again, he can't imagine she has many years left in her.]
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[The 'woman' startles upon hearing the voice, and turns towards Xie Lian with a frown.]
In case you didn't notice. She's a fox spirit. There's a lot of them around here.
[And now she's growling.]
... Come on now, there's no need for that. You're safe, so you should run along before the villagers find out what you are. You know they don't like foxes here.
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And, well, now that her secret is out, some of the signs are a lot more obvious. Sharp teeth. Literal fox ears. That growling that isn't humanly possible.
Kanesada frowns and lays a hand on the hilt of his sword, drawing it from the sheath just a fraction. He doesn't want to attack her, just scare her off, but she's already tricked him once, so who's to say she couldn't do it again? Embarrassing. He's better than this!
The 'woman' sees this and huffs, sparing Xie Lian another look before running off, knowing this probably isn't a battle she should fight.
Kanesada watches her leave and tries to collect himself, sheathing his sword when he feels safe enough again, and wiping his lips with the back of his hand.]
Dammit.
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Sorry if I interrupted, you just looked like you weren't really okay with whatever was going on.
... Although I guess you could have taken care of her, since you're a spirit too, but we've seen quite enough blood for a while, I think.
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[Despite his devastating good looks, Kanesada isn't in the habit of falling into whirlwind romances or anything like that. Not that he wouldn't be interested at some point, but he really does have bigger problems in his life.
He's rubbing the back of his neck when his savior of sorts so casually calls him out and his movements stop. Glancing down at him, Kanesada isn't sure if he should deny it or just play it cool. Like, being a tsukumogami isn't technically a secret or anything, but he's already being cagey with the Hijikata that's here, so if he's honest with someone else, that news is undoubtedly going to spread like wildfire.
He should probably just move past that little observation.]
Yeah, well. Can't blame her for trying, I guess.
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[And they are more or less easily persuaded to just leave if you call them out nicely but firmly, like just now.
But sorry if you were hoping to just ignore the whole business, Izuminokami, because Xie Lian isn't going to. he's much too curious.]
... Can I ask what kind of spirit you are? I've never seen any like you.
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[Kogitsunemaru is also one of the old swords who has a sharp bite, so he could very much hurt someone. Thankfully they're on the same side.
This random guy, though. Kanesada isn't sure where they stand. He got that fox lady away from him, yes, but he's frighteningly perceptive. But it's not like he's scared or anything. He can protect himself!
So Kanesada puts his hands on his hips and stands up straight, proud.]
I'm a tsukumogami, more specifically a sword spirit.
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[Xie Lian's whole face immediately light up, his eyes bright as he once again takes in the other man from head o toe and then back up.]
I've indeed never seen a sword spirit with a human form, but I have to say I'm not surprised a sword spirit would be this pretty! So impressive!
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Of course. I was made this way.
[He pats the sword resting at his hip, saya red and matching his kimono.]
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[Xie Lian is, after all, always courteous to spirits, and if that one is a spiritual weapon who cultivated to this stage, they surely must be an important one, right?]
Whoever made you must have had some great skills indeed.
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Yun Yifeng does neither of those things. Instead he smiles.]
Congratulations on your marriage. [He raises his glass a little, as if in toast.] May you stay together until your hair turn white and have many children.
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What? No -
[The woman giggles, spurred on by mystery man's encouragement, and clings even more tightly to Kanesada's clothing.
Many thanks. I intend to wring him dry of all the children he's worth!
...What?!]
Hey, stop that. I'm not - you're not...
[As he tries to unwind the woman's hands from his clothes, Kanesada turns to the very unhelpful man watching all this.]
We're not married!
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Oh? Then are you just playing with this young lady's virtue? That's not very nice of you...
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On your right! [ With his back to Izumi's, Hijikata takes up guard of the other man's left side, cleaving through his target with a quick upward slash. He grins faintly, casting Izumi a glance out of the corner of his eye. ]
Not half bad, Izumi. Guess you're one of us after all.
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It's bittersweet. Even during his last mission, when his old master was right there, Kanesada never got the chance to fight like this. Only against him. Only in an attempt to kill him and restore history, regardless of his personal feelings.
He can still remember every time his blade made contact with that Hijikata's body, every grunt of pain and stubbornness as he never backed down. Because that's Hijikata Toshizou. Kanesada will never forget any of that. Just as he'll never stop loving Hijikata.
But this isn't then. This is a new fight, one unlike anything he's ever faced, and this is a different Hijikata, so familiar despite the inconsistencies. He listens to the commands and answers accordingly, falling back into the sword dance that is practically engraved into his soul.
With a comrade at his back, he is able to fight freely and confidently, taking down another attacker without much effort.]
Don't worry, Hijikata-san! I'm not just a pretty face!