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[jin guangyao prefers to limit his engagement with the network, but occasionally needs must when the devil drives, or however that idiom goes. anyway here he is.]

Greetings. I am called Jin Guangyao.

[k off to a solid start, where u headed next]

I have come to understand that lockjoint is a seasonal malady that any of us may experience, though using one's unique blood powers may increase the likelihood of developing the condition. If I am interpreting the recommendations described in The Sleeper Condition correctly, while there is no cure for lockjoint, keeping warm nevertheless reduces the severity of mild to moderate symptoms.

As a cultivator, I am capable of creating paper talismans which, when activated by spiritual power, can generate warmth for a limited period of time. I have already had success modifying these talismans so that a Sleeper's blood capabilities should be a sufficient replacement for a cultivator's qi when activating the talismans. However, to be effective, a talisman's runes must be written either in cinnabar or blood. I am reluctant to make extensive use of the latter resource as, even if the risk posed by extensive bloodletting for this purpose was not high, blood is not an unlimited resource.

[because if you let blood from someone long enough, they'll run out of blood and die! hah hah! a little joke. anyway,]

I am willing to create a substantial number of these warming talismans for use by the residents of Trench in exchange for assistance sourcing cinnabar, or a functional alternative, in sufficient quantities to make the work sustainable. If you are willing to provide support, please respond to this post so that we may discuss the specifics in more detail.

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[More practical uses for funky talismans, educational...]

Do you have any objections to previously-sourced blood? I've got nearly unfettered access to the bank. And as the blood has already been let, as it were, the additional pollution is negligible.

[we're all about pragmatism in this house! pragmatism, public works, patricide, other fun p-words, etc.]

Greetings, Palamedes-xiansheng. I have no objections, as long as the blood retains its power. If it has been used in any previous ritual, I don't believe the talismans will function as intended.

[he is careful not to say that they will not work, because while there are no actual indemnity clauses in the cultivation world, he is not going to be held liable for any consequences brought about by someone using one of his talismans incorrectly.]

No, it hasn't been used; it just sits there in tubes and waits to be given a good home.

Do you want a specific type? Rather: have you experimented with the various types as component ingredients? I'd hesitate to use vileblood for this project, but you're the talisman expert.

['waits to be given a good home' what??? something has been lost in translation here, that's fine, jin guangyao moves on,]

I have used my own blood type both as a medium for writing the runes and for activating the talisman, but I have not yet made use of additional blood types.

[see him carefully speaking around what specific blood type he has, that's right, information privacy as it pertains to your personal health information is important!]

Perhaps we could arrange a time for me to come by the Sanctuary for a demonstration. We can discuss additional details in person.

How about the Lumenarium instead? I'm elbow deep in blood and assorted blood-related items all morning there anyway, and we try not to leave unsupervised blood around the Sanctuary, just in case. And! I can give you a tour.

That's every morning and a little after lunch; whenever you've got time, I'll be there.

Palamedes-xiansheng is wise to take such precautions. This one will defer to your expertise in such matters.

I will seek you out at the Lumenarium. Until then, be well.

[the only reason he doesn't end this text exchange with an absurdly formal e-signature is because he hasn't figured out how to do that yet.]

Edited 2022-12-22 03:49 (UTC)

[Hang on a minute while he looks something up--man, he's still getting used to being able to just do that whenever he wants. Technology is awesome. (Until it's not.)]

Are you aware of any mineable mercury sulfide deposits in the area?

This proposition of yours is an excellent idea, and I'm willing to go out and acquire as much of this material as possible--provided there's a suitable method of avoiding the mercury toxicity, but I think my armor can handle that--but finding it seems like the key issue.

[is he aware of any--wait, what? now it is jin guangyao's turn to look something up. ah. okay, they're referring to the same mineral.]

Greetings. This one is unaware of any cinnabar deposits nearby, but in my world cinnabar is often sourced near hot springs. It should not pose a danger to any Sleepers seeking to handle it unless it is heated to a very high temperature.

[Danse would be fine either way, power armor or no, but he's still stubbornly refusing to accept that there are benefits to having gross green mutant blood.]

Hot springs. All right. I'll see what I can find.

I have to say, it's encouraging to see someone this committed to improving conditions for others. Where I come from, that's nowhere near as common as it should be. You're the one who was talking about maintaining a potable water supply, correct?

[The name rings a bell now.]

[behind the shield of his omni, jin guangyao is experiencing a feeling of a kind over being recognized, and having his ambitions read so clearly. it's not a wholly positive feeling. he packages it up neatly and tucks it away to be worried over at a later date.]

Yes, you are correct. I am delighted to have made such an impression.

[he texts in reply, you know, like a liar,]

Improving the lives of the common people improves the lives of all people. While I am unable to complete the work that I began in my home world, I would like to pursue a similar agenda here. But please forgive me, xiansheng. We have exchanged many messages thus far, and I am afraid I do not know how to properly address you.

[It's far from unprecedented for Danse to hold an entire conversation without thinking to introduce himself until pressed, but it's not as easy to do so now as it used to be. His former title would really come in handy right now. A first name, even. He gets the impression that Jin Guangyao's idea of "proper address" is not going to be satisfied with a blunt mononym.]

It's just Danse.

[He can type this with a straight face, because if Lady Gaga ever existed in his dark and desolate world, the Brotherhood scribes have not documented her discography.]

No need to stand on ceremony, citizen.

[it's fine, jin guangyao doesn't understand most memes anyway.]

Very well, Danse-xiansheng.

[what is this not standing on ceremony business, he's clearly never heard of it.]

Sansa-guniang suggested that some minerals which might be useful to my purposes could be found within a cave system nearby. I will need to obtain precise directions, but perhaps a small group capable of combatting the beasts there might investigate to see whether the minerals are a suitable alternative to cinnabar.

Would Danse-xiansheng be amenable to such an expedition?

[like he kind of assumes so, given the talk of armour and everything else, but it is rude to presume.]

Of course. Count me in. As soon as the rest of the squad is assembled, I'm ready to go.

[Letting Danse make himself useful by lasering beasts and yelling military jargon at other people? This is the best Christmas ever, Jin Guangyao, you shouldn't have.]

Do you plan to accompany the group on this mission?

[look, he doesn't know who around here is the Combat Type and who isn't; this is just Danse's weird idea of friendly small talk.]

[that's jin guangyao in a nutshell for you, granting people their hearts' desires with zero strings attached, probably.]

Thank you, Danse-xiansheng. This one is most appreciative of your assistance in this matter.

Yes, it is my intention to be present for the expedition. While my martial arts and cultivation are not as strong as my sworn brother's, I am capable with a spiritual sword and am knowledgeable in several other combat techniques, should we require them. I will also need to be present to identify whether there are minerals in these caves that will suit my purposes.

[small talk is small talk! jin guangyao has an advanced degree in this kind of banter; even if he doesn't know exactly what a 'squad' is, he can make an educated guess, and if this fellow is going to be the 'muscle' in their contingent, it's probably not a bad idea to develop a decent rapport with him.]

[Danse understood "martial arts" in that sentence, which intrigues him, and "sword," which is charmingly old-fashioned in a way the Brotherhood loves to geek out over. "Cultivation" baffles him a little in context, but you know, maybe it makes sense. Farms in the wasteland are always getting attacked by raiders and mutants. Of course that would lend itself to developing useful methods of self-defense.]

Outstanding.

Ideally, of course, we won't need to do too much in the way of fighting, but I'd like to see what you can do with a sword. What exactly makes it "spiritual?"

A spiritual weapon is named as such because it contains a spirit.

[you know, obviously.

okay it's not that obvious, and jin guangyao has come to accept this in his limited time in trench.]

I would be pleased to provide you with a demonstration. Would you be willing to meet me at the Lighthouse located in Darcmouth? It is outside of the city-proper and therefore should be a safe location for such things.

I have some free time now if this is agreeable to you.

Edited 2022-12-28 19:20 (UTC)

Oh, hello again Jin Guangyao-san!

I'll be honest, I'm not too sure what cinnabar is exactly, but if you point me in the right direction, I'm happy to help!

Have you looked into any alternatives for what you need other than gathering it ourselves directly? If the Trenchies already have a supply line for this sorta thing, it might just come down to figuring out the right price for them to part with some of it.

[ belatedly, he realises that his username is probably not an obvious giveaway for who he is... ]

It's Ryouma, by the way!

[ah, there is a name he recognizes!]

Greetings to you, Sakamoto-gongzi. This one is pleased to hear from you again and hopes that your adjustment to life in Trench has not been too arduous.

I am open to exploring alternatives to cinnabar and have discussed the possibility of using previously acquired blood with Palamedes-xiansheng. Please see our discussion above if this is of interest to you. However, I would prefer to have as many alternative avenues available to me as possible as there is always the risk of increased pollution any time blood is used towards any purpose.

Edited 2022-12-22 22:48 (UTC)

Well, other than whatever was going on with the Tower last month, it's been pretty alright!

[ to make a massive understatement, but in ryouma's opinion, everyone can forget about him; there are more important things to think about. ]

Using blood that's already been drawn sounds like a smart idea. I sorta wondered if Coldblood might be useful, seeing as we don't really feel the cold, and when we burn, we burn pretty hot hehe. Assuming there's a way to make it go back to something you can use to make talismans, that is.

Wouldn't mind parting with some for a trial run if you don't want to dip into the community supply to do a little science. Like I've been saying, it's not like I can't make more~

In the meantime, I'll take a look around town and see if there's anything available as far as the cinnabar business. Who knows what comes in on those mysterious boats from who-knows-where? Could be useful!

[ it's an excuse for him to poke around said boats and be nosy anyway... ]

This one is humbled by your offer to make some of your own blood available without asking for anything in exchange, but there is no need for such generosity this time. I believe that the supply of previously let blood that Palamedes-xiansheng has access to, as well as the pint that Sansa-guniang has offered to provide in exchange for twelve completed talismans, is sufficient for my needs at present.

If you would be willing to investigate possible sources within the city and let me know your findings, however, I would be most appreciative.

Hallo Lord Jin Guangyao,

I don't know if we've spoken on the net work, but this is Sansa Stark. Your talismans sound very useful, and I should be very glad to trade you a pint of blood for a few dozen to keep at the Sanctuary. I learned a few months ago, when we needed to supply a great quantity of blood for transfusions, that Sleepers can safely give up to a pint of blood a day, so it wouldn't be any great trouble for me to give you more if you run out.

[blood may a renewable resource after all!]

Do you know if it might be possible to create talismans that the human people born to Trench might use, to prevent frostbite and other medical problems? I have heard that qi is very like what my friends in House Uchiha call chakra, and that all creatures possess it in some form. It has been very cold of late, and it would be nice if the children could play in the snow without any danger.

Many valuable stones can be found in the caves at the rocks. It is difficult terrain, and it has large crabs and other dangerous creatures, but I'm sure we can find a traveling party equal to it, should the need arise.

Edited 2022-12-22 10:19 (UTC)

Greetings to you, Sansa-guniang. We have not yet spoken on the network, but this one remains very grateful for your assistance and wise counsel when we were drawn into the Trenchwood. It is my earnest hope that you and your household have been keeping well since we last spoke.

[and--a whole pint of blood? daily? he's taken aback by that.]

I am amenable to a trade of blood for twelve talismans. As I can only guarantee their effectiveness currently when the runes are written in cinnabar, that will be the medium in which the runes on these talismans are written. I will be sure to discuss the results of my experimentation with your blood type as rune ink as my work progresses.

[this feels rather adjacent to demonic cultivation, he acknowledges to himself with some discomfort--not out of some moral dilemma over the matter, but simply due to optics. he's not the only cultivator in trench, after all. but, ah, she has raised a very important point,]

Currently, these talismans can only be activated by Sleepers with sufficient command over their blood powers, or by cultivators. But Sansa-guniang, I see you have anticipated me in this matter. It is my sincere wish to create a simple but effective talisman that can be activated by someone who lacks either a golden core or Sleeper blood, and to make them readily available upon short notice. It is the pragmatic choice, as Sleepers cannot be everywhere at once in the city to provide support to the common people in a crisis.

[and it's, like, the good and virtuous thing to do or whatever, he supposes, but if there's one thing jin guangyao can't tolerate, it's inefficiency in an emergency.]

[oh we are on lord/lady firstname basis now neat]

Thank you, Lord Guangyao. My household is well enough, and I very much hope the same can be said of yours.

We are interested in improving living conditions for everyone in Trench at the Sanctuary. Many of us feel it's the least we can do for the people born here, who have been so kind and welcoming. We also hope that in addressing the conditions in which corruption arises, we might help to keep people from becoming corrupted in the first place. Misery and trauma are known to cause corruption, and companionship and good feelings are known to relieve it. To that end, we welcome any ideas you might have for the Sanctuary and the city of Trench.

[of course sansa wants very much to treat corruption––she views it as almost miraculous that such a thing is possible––but she also never wants to be trapped in a city full of angry, hungry smallfolk who perceive her as responsible or even exempt from their suffering ever again.]

It may help you to know that the people born here can work our blood magic if they have access to some of our blood. I have found bloodstone to be well-suited for my purposes, but over the years Scholars and Architects have found many different ways to use our blood in crafting tools. As with any magic, some of these are very dangerous, but I have found nothing to say that bloodstone is dangerous or unreliable for common use.

I do make some, but it is very difficult, and I can't make anything anywhere near as powerful as the jewelers and artificers in town. It's useful enough, though, and I'm able to provide it to other Sleepers at no great cost.

If you do need more cinnabar, you may be able to find some in the caves, but many Darkblood mages can summon all manner of goods, and I imagine there are those that would be glad to assist you in summoning it. I would suggest you speak with Tori Nichols, if you can. Her user name is queencobra. She a friend of mine, and very generous.

I should be very interesting in hearing more about qi and talismans, sometime. I have always thought magic rooted in life to be safer and more useful than that bought in blood.

[jin guangyao is certainly not about to give voice to this opinion on the network, but the mere idea that blood from his own body, or the blood of his loved ones, may become an essential ingredient in the solution to this particular problem, is deeply unnerving to him. which is not to say that this is what sansa is suggesting in her response; only that jin guangyao can see with chilling clarity suddenly why mike and shen yuan were snatched by zealots.

all the more reason to source alternatives to their blood for this work.]

It is still my preference to use cinnabar for this work, yes. Would you be able to provide me with the precise location of these caves? I intend to arrange a small expedition to explore them once the weather is more advantageous to such things.

I would be delighted to share what knowledge I can with you about spiritual cultivation, though I must humbly admit that my own capabilities are far inferior to those of my sworn brother, Lan Xichen. His mastery of martial arts and spiritual cultivation through music is without equal.

[quit simping on main, jin guangyao. (he's not wrong tho.)]

[sansa hates the zealots the way the older sleepers hate mother mercy, but she was just glad to have enough time to prepare for people trying to string them up by their ankles and drain their blood. she imagines if they turned up like this in asshai they wouldn't make it off the beach.

bleeding money does make some things easier, though. sansa tries to make sure the locals have enough ethically harvested blood and bloodstone that they don't become dissatisfied and try taking some themselves...the properties of forbidden blood only apply if the victim is killed.]

The rocks and the caves are next to the beach; they are the only sea caves most of us can reach by land. Lady can guide you there tonight, if you like.

[because sansa's not interested in taking her human form there, and prefers to have lady with her when she's awake.]

The wolves often hunt there for crabs. They can be very big.

Still, I would encourage you to speak with Lady Tori, if you can. She is kind and generous, and very good at summoning materials in any quantities you might like.

I look forward very much to meeting your brother. Of course everyone is welcome at the Sanctuary.

[except john gaius....also 'sworn brother' is the term sansa uses for those who have sworn an oath of kinship to her (blood or otherwise) and will absolutely assume this is a familial relationship until told otherwise. fortunately people in westeros use a lot of different euphemisms for relationships outside of marriage or this could be problematic.]

Edited 2022-12-28 17:13 (UTC)

[Look at A-Yao go! Not even a few months in another world and he is already looking at ways to begin making things run more efficiently. So clever, so adaptable! He wants to cheer him on the best way he knows how over this device.]

d(>_･ )

[So suave and so sneaky. No one will ever know it's him.]

[oh er-ge. er-ge, he knows it's you.

jin guangyao finds lan xichen, wherever he is in the siheyuan, and simply gives him a patient look (affectionate). he holds out his omni for his inspection.]

Er-ge. [sigh.] I don't understand this one. What is it supposed to be?

[Gasp! However did A-Yao know?! He was being so sneaky. ~~There's a reason one of them was a spy and it wasn't Xichen.~~]

Clearly that is from an anonymous user who wishes to show their support for Lianfang-zun.

[He's curled up on the sofa with a heavy looking book filled with glossy pages depicting the famous works of impressionists. Xichen looks up from the omni at Jin Guangyao and smiles in that little way of his, as if someone told a mildly amusing joke.]

Though if I were to hazard a guess, it's a thumbs up -- a colloquial gesture for encouraging another -- and a very serious winking face.

[how did A-Yao know? because A-Yao has eyes. he humours Lan Xichen, a smile dimpling his cheeks. dryly,]

Clearly. Well, Lianfang-zun is humbled by this unknown user's encouragement and support.

[he switches off the omni and pockets it, distracted by the illustrations in the book Lan Xichen is so absorbed by. he comes a bit nearer to lean over the back of the sofa to peer curiously at the art, which is so unlike anything either of them would have encountered in the cultivation world. a perfect book for Zewu-jun. he places a hand lightly on his sworn brother's shoulder.]

Would you like tea while you read?

Clearly.

[He chuckles. He's been found out but that's hardly an issue. Jin Guangyao knows he has his support, anonymous or otherwise.]

This Zewu-jun can never resist Lianfang-zun's tea.

[He angles the book so Jin Guangyao can see it more clearly. Of course it would fascinate Xichen; beyond the different techniques and materials and such mechanical things, there is also the framing and centering of the subject matter. The clothes are alien to him; a time period hundreds of years beyond his purview and yet so ordinary. A woman hanging the laundry out to dry is as important to the painter as such exalted subjects as the splendor of the natural world.

It is giving shape to ideas Xichen has left formless in that murky part of his mind where youthful inquiry was sternly shut away before they could drag him down an unrighteous path. He turns the page to what appears to be some kind of dinner party or banquet that is so wildly informal he cannot help but be captivated by the entirety of it. Perhaps he can live with being a little unrighteous.]

...Look, A-Yao, how the artist is almost painting with light itself. Is it not marvelous?

This one does not have Er-ge's eye for such things.

[it isn't false modesty, though he knows how to use that when necessary (for whatever purpose Jin Guangyao deems necessary anyway). no, he's just aware that his gift is for music, and is content to leave the expertise with paint and canvas to Lan Xichen and Nie Huaisang. ~~those bare biceps tho. so scandalous. he's not admiring them, shut up.~~]

It is beautiful though. [soft, wistful. a gentle squeeze to Lan Xichen's shoulder, before he steps away towards the kitchenette to prepare the tea. over his shoulder, he asks,] Who is the artist?

[He leans only briefly into the touch, smiling at the pages. ~~He doesn't miss the way Jin Guangyao's eyes fall to the man's bare arms and. Yeah. He's with you there. Just a couple of sworn brothers being cut-sleeves here~~.]

This one thinks there is nothing lacking in A-Yao's eyes. He sees better than most.

[And to Xichen's delight, art is increasingly subjective through the ages. An untrained opinion is as valuable as the most studious of critics and all for wildly different reasons.]

The artist is...

[He squints at the name. Oh that's one of the weird ones. Give him a sec.]

...Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

[He winces. He probably butchered that horribly.]

[Jin Guangyao allows this additional compliment to go unremarked upon, and therefore uncontested; too much modesty, even when sincere, quickly becomes gauche, and he can't have that.

he also isn't going to embarrass himself by attempting to pronounce that name, either. slyly,]

Er-ge must forgive this one for breaking the rule about making assumptions about others, but I assume the artist is not from the cultivation world. [does he have the entire Wall of Discipline memorized? he just might. the gentle clutter of crockery being taken down from its place on the shelf, the water set to boil, the faint fragrance of Lan Xichen's preferred tea blend as the tea is retrieved.]

what would you need cinnabar for ? I am an alchemist maybe I have something that would work if I know what you want to use it for

[Because then he'll know what form it should be in and what ingredient would be the best to suggest.]

Greetings. This one is grateful for the expertise of an alchemist in this matter.

[and to any plausible alternative to using sleeper blood in his work, if cinnabar turns out to be difficult to come by.]

In my world, spiritual cultivators use cinnabar as the ink for writing the runes on our talismans. The mineral possesses an essential property which allows our qi, our spiritual power, to activate the runes.

so it has to have power ? I think I have some fire salts they are red and have magical property - you can use them to restore and regenerate magic energy would that work?

[fire salts? how fascinating--and bizarre. possibly a little alarming.]

Please forgive this one his ignorance. I am not familiar with fire salts. Can they be rendered into ink? My principle concern is avoiding igniting the paper talismans.

[like, there are definitely talismans designed to catch fire when subjected to spiritual energy. this talisman is not one of them.]

oh! Oh no it's okay they are from my world and they shouldn't catch on fire they aren't hot unless you put them in fire

[Otherwise they would set wooden bowls and his satchel on fire.]

they are fire salts because they come from fire atronachs they are like their essence

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