audio | un: yiling patriarch

[weifinder]

We've just heard from our friend Haltham about the fighting between Unhalad and Anurr forces nearby, so here's a question for everyone, brought up originally by our companions who got themselves drugged and fight-happy against the second living: what actions do you think we should or shouldn't take?

In Haltham's encouraging words, think wisely. Whatever we're doing or not doing has an effect by merit of choice. Also, a reminder that we still need to not end up in either's hands or revealing our location, given the reason we were summoned here has not changed, and our deaths can be a benefit to either side. Our lives benefit ourselves and our rescuers and the peoples here, by keeping us out of warlord hands.

( He's not opening up with his thoughts because he doesn't want it as a discussion against his take, but as people offering their thoughts after he asks the question. )

Comments

[weifinder]

Can we do so without making it appear as if a third party is involved?

[downswing]

( He stops — )

...unlikely. ( Only to carry on. ) We make attempt.

[weifinder]

There are dead in these woods.

( His point being: they can make it more muddled, less clear. Disguise as they can. Apparently have an army of squirrels, but really, really, more dead to confound the dead. )

Give them the opportunity to escape, let the aggressors stay focussed on each other.

[downswing]

We do not know if the dead of the woods partake of the conflict.

( They might... invite violence on entities that are living their lives in innocence. )

[weifinder]

The possessed or the ones not possessed?

[downswing]

( The most frustrated: )

Either.

[weifinder]

Lan Zhan... it's one thing for us to be unsubtle when we know the situation, and we were all unsubtle enough dealing with that ship. What plans are we making now to misdirect the armies we can't fight alone so that the captives have their opportunity for freedom, and we don't make ourselves the target of all three groups at once?

[downswing]

Fire and smoke. Confuse them.

[weifinder]

Confusion arrays might also assist—at least one of our number states he's familiar with them, if he can be leant the spiritual energy for their construction.

[downswing]

Master Wei means to lend him qi.


( He knows you can't, you — )

[weifinder]

Master Wei means to find one who has the qi or other energy to spare, as Master Wei would be a waste fast enough to become a liability.

( This is said so jovially it makes teeth ache. )

[downswing]

( Mhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. )

I do not lack.

[weifinder]

You'd need to be companion to him for the duration of the setting of the array.

( Might not lack in the one, but he questions the patience of the other. Especially when Lan Zhan's speed and accuracy can be better applied elsewhere, but—this is not his choice to make. )

[downswing]

Arrays are matters of moments.

[weifinder]

All going well, yes. If you're willing, you'll find him speaking on the subject below.

Other thoughts on confusion... I think it's possible to target those who've died versus those who have not. Or who haven't fully, after watching the ah... ( a swallow ) ... the wolves.

[downswing]

The wolves.

( Wei Ying intends to near wolves. )

[weifinder]

Half alive, half dead, and partly possessed. All noted long after the, ah, fact.

[downswing]

Past Chenqing's control.

[weifinder]

Requiring different coaxing, yes. I deal with the dead, not the half, and not the possessed, generally speaking. Though I suppose I have with that last, just not in these ways.

[downswing]

Fright would reduce your control.

[weifinder]

Panic is a problem I'm working on.

( They live with a dog. If this does any wonders for his nerves, he's trying to be upbeat about it. )

[downswing]

( Breathing and breathing and breathing — and silence. )


...how are you best assisted?

[weifinder]

( An answering pause, the start of words, the trailing off of them. )

I don't know.

( And that's the most honest thing he can say. Exposure isn't helping. Leaving and coming back just carries its own dread. Staying at the farm is tense if he's not at Lan Zhan's side, and second to that, with guilt, at their son's. )

[downswing]

Lend me half your burden, for safe-keeping.

[weifinder]

( Another pause... and a sigh that turns into a soft laugh. )

I'll lend you half mine, if you'll lend me half yours.