I DO confess I picked that one up again after starting this game.
Total coincidence, I swear.

Will be a little late with the responses today. Sorry for making everyone wait!

Well, Wei should be fine. After all, scars mean they got smacked around a lot :P

No post until this evening I think, I've got to drive to work today.

Well, apparently virtue is easier when you're locked in a monastery and surrounded by monks! Who would have thought?
Also, I'm officially the proud owner of a copy of The Classics of Mountains and Seas!
Now I can download e-copies without feeling bad about it.

Nice.

I fell off the wagon a bit adjusting to being back at work, with any luck, I'll get a post in today.

DM's posting seems to also have slowed down a little bit.

Since that's been the case for a little while, it may be worth discussing a change in expected posting rate, so we all know what to expect as a new regular.

Because right now it's not every single day we get an update. I'm here for the long run, even if it slows down a little. But, I also think it's reasonable to be upfront with how active we should expect the game to be going forwards.

This may just be a momentary lapse, but since we haven't had an announcement I can't help but think the rate of adjudications may be slipping.

Anyone, feel free to LMK what you think ab that

Had half intended to post that yesterday, to be fair, and then the round of posts came in :P

On a more serious note though, it's perfectly okay if DM is more comfortable with lowering the posting requirement to once or twice a week or so if it makes their schedule a little easier. He/she can still post daily, it just wouldn't be a requirement, and as enthusiastic as DM may be working on a new system, there are points where (sub)systems need to be reworked, and those cut into available spare time quite a bit.

Been a rather swamped recently, sorry for making everyone wait. I wanted to maintain the posting rate to pressure myself to post regularly, but looks like its not working out. I will still try my best to post whenever I can but the minimum will be once a week. Hope everyone is okay with that.

Hey, no concerns here.

Still, you shouldn't pressure yourself to post. Sure, the RP is progressing at a good pace, but in the long run posting would just end up feeling like a chore, and that translates into everything you write as well. Personal enjoyment is the difference between writing for fun, and writing as if you're a salaryman clocking in for the day.

It's all about the flow. :)

Upvote.

On a (somewhat) related note, i've been messing around with my building layouts a bunch, and i've ended up with a number of easily affordable ones that are summer and winter temperature proofed so it'll keep your Outers alive. Well... Affordable aside from the Breakthrough room, but that's to be expected.

Want to share blueprints?

Outers will face winters naked outside and be TEMPERED by them!
I'm honestly pretty lazy with my ACS, so I don't really have layouts worth sharing. It's not a game friendly to long periods of inactivity: I just started remembering why starting with anything other than the Metal or Fire law is suicide, and my vacations are already over.

Anyway, I don't mind slower posts (I THINK I saw posts in pure combat situations go faster, which is good) so take care and avoid burnout.

Eh, you can make due with anything. I'll share my layouts, been working on them in the Realm of Illusions to see the effects they have. Super cheap to build (practically only brownstone and iron) and Very Auspicious despite shoving two Outers in a 5x5 bedroom. Even have an Economy sized single Inner that's 5x4.

I'll share the designs when i get home, need to start up the game to give additional temperature information.

Right, so here's the catalog:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpHHDyWC-eo

--> ITEM #1: Outer Disciple Bedroom <--

First item on our list is this wonderful bedroom, perfect for housing up to two Outer Disciples in.

	B	L	B
	B		B
	S
		D

  B = Bed (Brownstone)
  L = Lantern (Brownstone)
  S = Display Stand (Brownstone)
  D = Door (Brownstone)

Total cost: 39 Brownstone Blocks, 26 Brownstone Offcut

Constructed entirely from Brownstone, at only 39 Blocks and 26 Offcut (including floor and roof) this is an affordable two-person bedroom for the starting Disciple. Being a bedroom, it of course has a door located on the south side of the building, resulting in Auspicious Feng Shui.

For temperature management, given the room's small size this is as simple as placing a single ore on the display stand. An Ice Crystal Ore will drop the ambient temperature 13 degrees Celsius, whereas an Igneocopper Ore will raise it by 13 degrees, making this an ideal year-round bedroom that can be easily modified to fit the need. As Essence bar is not recommended here, raising or lowering the temperature by a full 27 degrees as they essentially count as two Ores for temperature management purposes. As there is no difference between Igneocopper (and Ice Crystal) Ores and Bars for temperature management, it would be wise to go for the economy option here. Regardless of the display option picked however, the Feng Shui remains Auspicious at all times.

--> ITEM #2: Inner Disciple Bedroom <--

Of course, Outer Disciples one day transition into Inner Disciples, and that is where our next design comes in.

	L	B
		B
		S
	D

  B = Bed (Iron)
  L = Lantern (Brownstone)
  S = Display Stand (Brownstone)
  D = Door (Brownstone)

Total Cost: 21 Brownstone Blocks, 21 Brownstone Offcut, 8 Iron Bars

This design follows the same methods of the Outer Disciple bedroom shown previously. Retaining much of its beloved crampedness (+++), this design features a luxurious Iron bed, increasing the Feng Shui to Very Auspicious. Its low cost design makes it an ideal guest residence as well.

Of course, the same remains true regardless of the Ore placed upon the display. Given the room's even smaller size compared to a two-person Outer Disciple bedroom however, a single Ore can drop or raise the temperature by 20 degrees Celsius instead of 13, making it also ideal for Yaoguai ill suited to hot or cold temperatures in general. Of course, this effect is doubled for Essence bars: A single Fire Essence bar on the stand gives off an amount of heat comparable to replacing the Iron bed with an Igneocopper one, which is interesting to keep in mind. Regardless of the Ore used, the Feng Shui drops slightly to Auspicious.

--> ITEM #3: Inner Disciple Luxury Bedroom <--

Naturally, there is also a luxury option to our Inner Disciple bedroom.

	F	B	B	T	F
	S
	Sc	Sc			V
	L				M
				D

  B = Bed (Iron)
  L = Lantern (Brownstone)
  S = Display Stand (Brownstone)
  D = Door (Brownstone)
  F = Flag (Brownstone)
  T = Dressing Table (Brownstone)
  Sc = Screen (Brownstone)
  V = Vase (Brownstone)
  M = Manual Pavilion (Brownstone)

Total Cost: 58 Brownstone Blocks, 43 Brownstone Offcut, 8 Iron Bars

This one is more elaborate, featuring more room options that allow the Disciple to have an easier time focusing on their meditations. As with the smaller bedroom, the Feng Shui is once again Very Auspicious.

In terms of temperature management, an Ore would only raise or drop the temperature by 5 degrees Celsius, one might consider installing a second display next to the Lantern, though Inner Disciples have a tendency to have higher ideal temperature thresholds than mere mortals. Regardless, due to the increased amount of furniture, the Feng Shui remains Very Auspicious even with an additional display stand.

--> ITEM #4: Kitchen <--

Of course, what Sect would be complete without a kitchen?

	W	St	St
		St	St
D		S	L

  W = Water Vat (Iron)
  St = Stove (Brownstone)
  D = Door (Brownstone)
  S = Display Stand (Brownstone)
  L = Lantern (Brownstone)

Total Cost: 33 Brownstone Blocks, 31 Brownstone Offcut, 4 Iron Bars

Admittedly, this is something that's still giving me trouble. The Water Vat being of Iron interacts nicely with the Brownstone of the Stove, leading to a room that is Very Auspicious. I'm not entirely sure why, but sometimes the Stove ends up Slightly Auspicious rather than Auspicious, but i suppose that may be due to unknown factors.

Temperature wise, it's the same as before. The room is fairly small, so a single Ore should alter the temperature by about 10 degrees. And, being a kitchen, the door is facing West.

--> ITEM #5: Mess Hall <--

And lastly on our living section, the Mess Hall.

		T			T			T			T			T
		T			T			T			T			T
	W														W
	L		Go		L	Bi	Bi		Bi	Bi	L		Go		L
								D

  T = Table (Iron)
  W = Water Vat (Iron)
  L = Lantern (Brownstone)
  Go = Go board (Iron)
  Bi = Birdcage (Iron)
  D = Door

Total Cost: 51 Brownstone Blocks, 103 Brownstone Offcut, 70 Iron Bars

The prize of our collection, an unmissable element of any Sect: The Mess Hall. Here, up to 25 of your Disciples at a time can eat, converse and enjoy themselves in the luxury of Very Auspicious Feng Shui (though sometimes also Auspicious, presumably through seasonal influences). There is also plenty of entertainment available, allowing for good overall morale among the Sect.

It's a fair investment in terms of Iron, but once set up it should provide plenty of space. As with any large area, heating and cooling may be a problem, but nothing insurmountable. Though if heating or cooling are necessary, this may be a point where one might consider spare Essence Bars from storage. For drinking purposes, i would recommend placing a Well nearby outside.

--> ITEM #6: Forge <--

Of course, your Disciples would actually need Iron to build those beds, and what better place to do it that your very own standardized Workshop design?

	S			Fo	Fo
			W	Fo	Fo
	Fu	Fu				D
	Fu	Fu			L

  S = Display Stand (Brownstone)
  Fo = Forge (Brownstone)
  W = Water Vat (Brownstone)
  Fu = Furnace (Brownstone)
  D = Door (Brownstone)
  L = Lantern (Brownstone)

Total Cost: 65 Brownstone Blocks, 43 Brownstone Offcut

Here we have an odd choice for a Forge, given that it is possible to build with Iron. However, the Furnace cannot, and as such it would be detrimental to have an Iron Forge placed in the room as that would have it be Slightly Ominous. And so we have what will likely be the first Workshop a Sect will build. The lantern is positioned in such a way that it clearly illuminated work areas, and the Stand is far away enough that it does not negatively impact Feng Shui, making the Workshop Auspicious.

Of course, being a room of the same dimensions as the Luxury Inner Disciple Bedroom, an Ore would also have a limited effect, altering the temperature by 6 degrees. It is unlikely to matter much however, as Disciples do not spend extended periods of time in the Workshop, but the option to mitigate the heat and cold somewhat is there if needed. If required, up to two additional Stands could be added adjacent to the existing ones for additional temperature manipulation. The Feng Shui remains Auspicious regardless.

--> ITEM #7: Textiles Workshop <--

	Lo	Lo	L	Se	Se
	Lo	Lo	W
						D
					S

  Lo = Loom (Iron)
  L = Lantern (Brownstone)
  W = Water Vat (Brownstone)
  Se = Sewing Table (Iron)
  D = Door (Brownstone)
  S = Display Stand (Brownstone)

Total Cost: 33 Brownstone Blocks, 43 Brownstone Offcut, 22 Iron Bars

Of course, the problem with the Furnace earlier does not exist here, and so the option for Iron was selected as Earth (Brownstone) feeds Iron, which is the element of our manufacturing devices. The overall Feng Shui of the room is Auspicious, but due to the feeding effect both the Loom and the Sewing Table are Very Auspicious.

For the temperature, like before, Ores raise or lower the temperature by 6 degrees, but up to two additional Stands could be added adjacent to the existing one without issues.

--> ITEM #8: Inner Disciple Workshop (Small) <--

	L	Ta	Ta
	Me
	Me		S	D

  L = Lantern (Brownstone)
  Ta = Talisman Table (Iron)
  Me = Medicine Table (Iron)
  S = Display Stand (Brownstone)
  D = Door (Brownstone)

Total Cost: 19 Brownstone Blocks, 26 Brownstone Offcut, 16 Iron Bars

Much like the Textile Workshop, this Workshop has been optimized to grant the tables Very Auspicious Feng Shui.

Given the size is comparable to that of the Outer Disciple bedroom, a single Ore on the stand will alter the temperature by 14 degrees Celsius, more than enough to suit anyone's personal preferences.

--> ITEM #9: Inner Disciple Workshop (Large) <--

	L			Al	Al	Al	Al
			F	Al	Al	Al	Al
				Al	Al	Al	Al
	F							D
		Cr	Cr	Cr	F		Me
	F	Cr	Cr	Cr			Me
	L	Cr	Cr	Cr	Ta	Ta

  L = Lantern (Brownstone)
  S = Display Stand (Brownstone)
  Al = Alchemy Furnace (Iron)
  F = Flag (Brownstone)
  D = Door (Brownstone)
  Cr = Crafting Table (Iron)
  Ta = Talisman Table (Iron)
  Me = Medicine Table (Iron)

Total Cost: 45 Brownstone Blocks, 82 Brownstone Offcut, 56 Iron Bars

And so, we have come to one of the biggest Workshops in our collection. As can be seen, this design incorporates every Inner Disciple necessity, and while the Medicine Table is marked as Auspicious, the Talisman Table, Alchemy Furnace and Crafting Table are all Very Auspicious, as is the room itself. Keep in mind to rotate the Crafting Table to face north to allow easy access.

As can be seen, there are no Stands present. This is because they would be meaningless, three Ores would only alter the temperature by 7 degrees, or roughly 2 and change per Ore, and would lower the Feng Shui of everything in it to Auspicious. It is therefore preferable NOT to add temperature regulatory measures to it.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:12, Mon 16 Aug 2021.

Awesome post! I don't understand a single thing, but I love the aesthetics!

Is this for a video game or smth? Couldn't see how it was related to this game in particular?

Also dunno why the jazz link but it's bangin'!

Yeah, the jazz link was to give the post more of a showroom feel :P

Anyhow, yeah, it's all from a game called Amazing Cultivation Simulator. The reason it resembles this game a lot is because both use the same inspiration (Wuxia) and i've been messing around in it for a number of hours now.

There's a great review here that goes way more into detail than i could :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJxM3POU92w

How can you not see it? That's very detailed plans for our future sect!
...and since you're the rich one here, guess who's buying all that brownstone?

Lei Feng being the Sugar Daddy? It's strangely on point, for him.

I mean, just look how clean this looks:

https://cdn.discordapp.com/att...1-08-17_12_41_49.jpg

Storage for materials and gear next to the workshop, Trade area directly below it to sell off excess and a food-only storage below the kitchen (the area with all the ice crystal ores) acting as a walk-in fridge.

The two Inner Disciple rooms have a simple cultivation room directly below them to speed up their cultivation. Nothing all too special, but it beats them meditating on their beds. The Mess Hall is right between all the bedrooms, with the kitchen within easy access. Might want to tinker a bit more and try a setup with two stoves, but i need to leave in 5 so...

There's even a small training space next to the workshops, with a well close by so they can drink and get back to training pronto, with minimal distance between work area and training area. And of course, an Iron Observatory that makes use of the well next to it being made of Brownstone.

Just... *chef's kiss*

Ran some more tests on the kitchen blueprint.

Making the design slightly wider to fit a second stove in has the game throw a fit about the room size. If there's two workplaces in a room, it apparently needs to be at least Medium sized.

To test this, i took my Workshop design, mirrored it so the door was on the other side, and replaced the (in this case) Textile workplaces with Stoves. Testing shows that you're better off with two Brownstone Stoves with an Iron Vat nearby rather than a different combination of Iron and Brownstone, so go for whatever's more appropriate to the situation i guess.

Also found out that the Stove, Furnace and Smithy count as a source of Fire, so that would probably be why those seem to get better Feng Shui when made out of Brownstone rather that Iron.

Then just... upgrade materials whenever. Ruins of Taiji is a great source of marble, but by then you've got all your individual buildings set up already anyway.

Ohey, new DLC on the way!
And yeah, stuff with fire in it also counts as Fire for feng shui. Pretty annoying.

In reply to Xiao Kang (msg # 360):

Yeah, which means Feng Shui for kitchens is a nightmare since it all needs to be made from Brownstone, since using Igneocopper is only a good idea if you plan to serve Roasted Outer Disciple.

I think the furnace doesn't actually penalize you for making it out of Brownstone, since it can literally only be made from Earth element materials (and Spirit stone), but yeah, the kitchen's a pain.

I hear roasted outer disciple is pretty tasty, though!

It tastes of spite and regret.

Very similar flavor to baked interns, actually.