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I bid a warm greeting to everyone in leu of winter's chill. For those I have not been acquainted with, my name is Lan Xichen and I am a cultivator from the Lan Sect back home.

I have two orders of business I should like to square away.

First and foremost, after getting settled in this world and growing accustomed to its culture and considerable technological advancements, I should very much like to take up teaching musical cultivation once more.

If that is a term you are unfamiliar with, permit me to elaborate; cultivators are practitioners of martial and mystical arts, cultivating spiritual energy - also called qi - in order to form a spiritual core. My sect practices these arts specifically through use of musical instruments.

I am curious if there would be any interest among the people here in studying such arts? Even if one has no interest in the martial and spiritual aspect or is too old to begin forming a core, one could gain a greater understanding of music and learn to play an instrument such as the guqin or the xiao.

The second matter is a request to fellow hunters. When it comes to the hunting of beasts that cannot be brought back from their transformation, it is of utmost importance that they are slain in ways that minimize blood pollution - I do not doubt we are all in agreement on this, yes?

I would be interested in exchanging methods of quick and bloodless slaughter with fellow hunters. And I must place emphasis on quick. Whatever danger these creatures pose, and whether or not they were once people - there is no sense in dragging out their suffering.

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I am not a hunter but maybe a poison would help ? I can make them my shop is for potions but alchemy can make poison too oh I am an alchemist

That is a good suggestion - my only quibble is that any fast-acting poisons I've run across tend to ravage the body to horrifying results. But if you know any that are quick and relatively painless, then that may be a promising option.

I am not a hunter, but if I truly cannot save them, I assure you, they do not add to the pollution.

Then you have found a means of dispatching them without bloodshed, or am I misunderstanding?

They stop existing, certainly. I absorb them down to their very atoms.

[...Hang on, he's got to look something up on the omni.

Well, after an hour of attempting to familiarize himself with particle physics, he only has a slightly less vague concept of what an atom is.]

Is that something other sleepers may be able to replicate, or is it an ability unique to yourself?

Edited 2023-02-05 05:00 (UTC)

No, I cannot teach it, nor can it be replicated in my manner, if someone else can do it, is a way they managed on their own.

That is a special gift you have then, though I understand if you might be reluctant to put it into action. Dealing with something like the beast problem should never fall on the shoulders of a single individual.

I know kinds that only damage health it never seems like it damages the body but I am not a healer most times the person or monster just dies I don't like to use them very much I like making potions better

Especially of this world, it should not fall onto one alone.

Forgive my ignorance. Is it truly better to kill quickly, when it's unknown how much humanity yet remains? Or is it simply a cultivator's sin, to say "whether or not they were once people" so dismissively? With respect, honourable teacher, a quick and painless death is still a death.

Edited (logging in ate my subject ) 2023-02-05 10:55 (UTC)

I understand.

Are there, perhaps, potions that can help stave off beasthood?

[An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure after all.]

There is nothing ignorant about your question - the fault is mine for not prefacing my own with the statement that this is strictly about situations where no non-violent solutions remain.

You are right in saying a death is still a death. There are some here fortunate enough to possess skills that reduce corruption and beasthood - myself among them - but I have yet to meet anyone who is omnipotent in that regard.

Hello. My name is Ezra Bridger, and I am a Jedi in training. The Jedi being a spiritual and martial sect, from my own world.

Our practices are framed less as cultivating a core and more as cultivating a connection to the energy that binds all of reality.

I play woodwinds, with moderate skill. It's something I picked up independent of my Jedi training, and none of my teachers have mentioned music specifically as a method of developing, as a Jedi. So I admit, I'm curious.

Greetings Ezra Bridger - it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Your education as a Jedi and my own understanding of cultivation sound very similar in broad strokes.

Is there something you are specifically curious about, or would you like a broad overview of cultivation in general? The methods vary greatly between sects, so I don't want to overwhelm.

Indeed. Especially not here.

If the young miss is not a hunter, may this one ask if she is part of other organizations within the city?

Let's start with a broad overview, please, if you don't mind. I know there are other cultivators here, haven't had a chance to talk to them about it, much less get into differences between sects.

I am trying to figure that out I know there are spells in my world that calm down monsters and men but the hard part is making a spell into a potion I am hoping I can find the right ingredients but I have not so far

I see. In this regard, I am still learning. I have used my fish to learn about "corruption" and other such matters, but research is not my strongest suit. The townspeople called the creature selling chocolates a beast, and yet it did not seem dangerous beyond the offer it made. Is all beasthood violent? Is it possible to turn from humanity but still be deserving of life?

[ Somewhere in the combination of the name being provided and the mention of using music to pull off things like that, Ange realises she knows this person. The one with the flute she ran into a few months ago, right?

It makes her ponder the message for a few more moments than she usually would have, and after those moments she does move to type and answer. ]

How far exactly do those powers of cultivation reach?

I saw what you did last time around with your flute. Is it just always just like that, with the ice, or is there more to it?

We've met before, I take it. Forgive me, I cannot put your UN or writing style to a face.

The ice is a byproduct of my new blood here, so it was not always like that. As qi is one's own lifeforce, using it causes to take on components of my physicality - blood included. I am a Coldblood with a strong affinity for the cold part, hence the ice being a byproduct of using my qi.

As for how far the powers reach - it depends on ones skill, level of cultivation, how far the core has developed, what techniques one uses, and what their goals are.

Have you considered integrating spellwork with your alchemy? Perhaps that could amplify or alter effects that elements that would impact beasthood.

Your fish?

[Is this person a jiāorén...? It is probably very fortunate that Lan Xichen learned to suppress any excitement at such fanciful thoughts.]

The Chocolatier is somewhat of a mystery. I've encountered them twice and am unsure - their appearance is certainly beast-like, but something resembling a beast does not necessarily make it so. They may be something else, or there may be other contributing factors. Either way, they do not seem dangerous so long as one regains their senses before eating any chocolates they've purchased.

I believe all things, human or otherwise, deserve to live and to be afforded a baseline of respect and dignity. But reality often gets in the way of such ideals and the unfortunate reality here is that all those I've encountered that have turned to beasthood and could not be brought back have been violent. To the point they cannot distinguish friend from foe. Or even recognize their own families.

Then to be brief - Qi is, effectively, lifeforce, or the vital essence of all things. Qigong, or cultivation, is practice by which one develops their mastery of this life energy through rigorous meditation, martial arts, co-ordinated body movements, and breathing. While there are many kinds of qi, most cultivators focus on the equal, opposing, and interlinked forces of Yin energy and Yang energy.

This is all sounds very familiar; those are all things I use to develop mastery, yes. However, Jedi - and Sith, and a few other sects from my native slice of the cosmos usually call the energy that surrounds, penetrates, and binds us the Force.

There are, of course, many other names for this energy, across peoples, even just where I'm from, and as well as for various uses and aspects.

I've heard of yin and yang, since I left my home universe. However, as far as I know, Jedi don't have equivalent concepts, exactly. Of internal balance, yes. And Light and Dark. But I don't think those are the same as yin and yang, actually.

Indeed, I think we all have different names for very similar phenomena - the way various sculptors might work with different kinds of stone or clay; the details may be different, but the overall process is fairly universal.

Would you tell me more about the Force and the Jedi? Because I believe light and dark follow the concepts of Yin and Yang - as do fire and water, summer and winter, and order and chaos. When such things are balanced, prosperity follows. But when they are not - well. I needn't paint a picture, I am sure.

I knew a cultivator in Deerington who was a very good friend of mine, though he was of a much.....darker persuasion in how he used his abilities. I'm curious and would like to learn how to study such a persuasion.

[Oh boy, here we go. Some days he really does sympathize with his uncle.]

If I may ask in turn, was it my brother-in-law, Wei Wuxian? He is the best one to study the cultivation of resentful energy under if he is willing to take apprentices at all, as his methodology is actually both viable and sustainable.

[...And even then, it backfired all too easily.]

I would be interested. Spiritual energy is usually divided as a type of aether in my world, but I have also heard certain types of aether referred to as 'chi' by those from the Far East.

If I may ask, how old does one have to be to not form a core?

I try to kill - when I must kill - with either a swift stroke of a blade to a vital area to minimize the blood spilled or with elemental abilities that either batter a creature quickly or cause disruption to their body's aether or physical systems and leave little if no external wounds. Lightning, for example.

no I I have not I cannot use magic I am not a mage just an alchemist

The ideal time is in childhood, though young adolescence is not too terrible a time to start either for laying the foundations. The onset of adulthood makes it exponentially more difficult, but not impossible if one is dedicated. Still, the foundation will remain shaky, and the developmental bottlenecks will be tighter and far more frequent, potentially leading to qi deviations.

You can control lightning? I know I should not be surprised, given the variety of abilities here, but that is a remarkable feat indeed.

Edited 2023-02-07 06:24 (UTC)

And if aether is anything like your qi, then there could be grave consequences for imbalances. Or am I wrong?

Somewhat. It tends to be one of the more active elements when aether aligning with it is channeled. It's not my favorite element to use, but it is effective.

My "omen" is a fish.

[ Well, a fish skeleton. Goth mermaid shit. ]

I see. A frenzied state without end. No wonder there are so many precautions taken to avoid it. For how long have you been cultivating?

[ Not even an attempt at a segue, he has no conversational finesse. ]

So if you were to talk about it in that sort of way, it's not really different from the generic concept of 'magic', right?

And this is Ange. I showed you around over at the archives a few months ago, after finding you with ice everywhere while you were using your instrument.

I am a Sailor Senshi, I am Sailor Moon. That is my organization.

No, though I have met him a time or two here in Trench. The one I became close was named Xue Yang. He was a--what did he call it?--demonic cultivator I believe?

Well, let me say, first off, that there's an array of people here who would answer to the term 'Force user', yet we come from across thousands of years of history, even branching paths of history, and all that time is interspersed with open war between sects. So getting somewhat different answers if you ask someone else is entirely likely, without any intent to deceive or even necessarily being 'wrong'.

I was always taught by my masters that by Light and Dark, Jedi don't mean entirely natural phenomenon that should be in balance, exactly. It's certainly not literal light and dark that we see.

It's more about our moral relationship to ourselves, our feelings, the people around us, and cosmos. This can get muddled - fear, anger, and hate are sometimes described as Dark. Those feelings, of course, are entirely natural, and could never being entirely eliminated, nor should that be a goal. I was taught feelings are valuable, but we shouldn't let rule us. It's actually how we use those emotions that make them Dark.

This gets even more complicate because our connection to the Force can be an echo chamber for emotions. And using those strong emotions as fuel to *use* Force abilities can leave lingering marks in the Force that, to me, feels like coldness or decay. Conversely, a place where's been habitual peaceful meditation can make feeling calm easier, and thus may be called a place of Light.

Hallo, my name is Sansa Stark. I am very interested in qi cultivation, and I can play the high harp. I should like very much to take lessons from you.

With regards to hunting Beasts, this has long been the policy of the Hunters at the Sanctuary; we began having Hunters in the first place because the Hunters at the Gate were unwilling to adopt these practices. You would be welcome among our Hunters, and we are always looking for people who can train them as well.

Our aim has always been to cure Beasts when we can, though. There are a few Sleepers that can do it, and so will things like moon drops. It is difficult, so we try first to help those Beasts that once were people. It isn't always easy to tell that, either, so we are always looking for anyone with any kind of ability that helps them to know if a Beast was a person to join them on patrols. I would be interested to know if qi cultivation can help in this; I have had some luck identifying differences in chakra between people and other creatures in my studies with Sasuke and Sakura of House Uchiha, and I have been told qi is similar in nature.

Warmest greetings to you, young Lady Stark. I would be happy to begin teaching you - string instruments are somewhat of a specialty of my sect and from what I can tell from a quick search on the omni, a harp is not so different from a guqin or a quzheng.

I would be happy to volunteer at the Sanctuary - it sounds as though our ideals are fairly well-aligned. A cure is always preferable to having to kill someone. Cleansing Song can subdue beasts, but it cannot undo beasthood to my knowledge. That being said, there may be potential to composing a song that can.

And yes, qi is very similar to what you describe, though it is dantians and meridians, not chakra, that are used in the formation of spiritual veins and a golden core. I have no doubt, however, various techniques can be adapted across practices.

Also, if I may, what are moon drops? I have yet to run across the term.

I see.

Are there, perhaps, magic users you might be willing to work with in that regard? Or do you prefer to work on your own?

I see! Though, is seafaring not a rather dangerous profession here?

There are numerous things in the ocean that seem keen on our demise - pthumerians not withstanding.

Edited (Hit enter too soon orz) 2023-02-26 04:56 (UTC)

Ah, don't let the name confuse you. A Sailor Senshi protects her whole planet, not just the seas. Land, sky, seas, space, and everything else in between is where we protect.

And I am used to a lot of things wanting me dead. I have a bad habit of standing in their way.

My goodness - I'd worry for your omen's well-being on land if I didn't know they were a fragment of our souls. They are quite dear though, don't you think?

And yes - it's a troublesome state of affairs to say the least. I don't think I've ever encountered such a phenomena that causes such a drastic transformation.

My uncle began teaching my little brother and I from the moment we were old enough to learn.

May I ask, are you also a cultivator?

I am not sure I dont know any I dont think? but I dont mind working with people!!

No.

[ He never seriously cultivated as a mortal, and most of his xian duties he carried out without much spiritual power to avoid being detected as a ghost. Though part of ghosthood came with a fairly innate understanding of the core and its uses. ]

I've moved beyond mortal cultivation.

[ There, that much is true at least. ]

Though my power here seems mostly to come from blood rather than the golden core. Perhaps corruption is simply a form of resentful blood.

Perhaps. I had not considered the blood-based abilities in that light before, even though the corruption does bare some passing semblance to resentful energy.

It is not unheard of for people to lose their original abilities here. I imagine getting accustomed to such a change has had its share of difficulties.

Not really. Wasn't really one for fighting. And there's lamps instead of needing to cast the Distance-Shortening array, this sort of discussion instead of the Communication array... it's not too much adjustment.

Moon drops are a kind of medicine that has magic from the Moon Presence in it. They come in little comfits, and they'll cure any corruption or Beasthood. We found an old manuscript that tells you how to make relics from moon drops that can treat Beasthood, but only Lord Palamedes has managed it so far.

I'm very glad to hear that you're interested in working with the Sanctuary, and I would offer you space to teach within its walls. I should be very interested in learning your songs, and I'm told I have something of a talent for chakra control. It isn't unlike the magic native to my home, though its practice has been lost to time, and I have had to rely on teachers from other worlds to learn to wield it. I have no doubt there is much I can learn from you.

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(sorry for the late reply!)

(sorry for the late reply ;A;)

w(;A;w) sorry for the late reply!

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apologies for replying late orz

No worries at all!!

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ah sorry I lost my draft!!