Zhongli's Ideal World Session 1

[idolpro]

"In his long life, he has met countless people, and shall meet countless more still.

As they say: the waters change course, but the mountains move not."

--The Raiden Shogun

Comments

Re: Mt. Aocang

[shatteredhourglass]

[Let's head to the Tree of Azhdaha! ...Somehow! This is a lot of mountains. He'll get creative with big leaves and vines and such, maybe.
Technically Nyx wanted to look down on the city from above but uhhhhh the narrator just remembered he doesn't have glasses rn so that's entirely unhelpful.]

Mt. Aocang: Nantianmen (Azhdaha's tree)

[leaveofabsence]

Never travel to an unknown idealized world without your glasses. The moral of this story.



The tree is as mesmerizing as it is massive - crowned in full bloom with gingko leaves and imbedded with Dragonfall crystal that pulses with the energy of geo. At the top of the tree, one large branch pulses brighter than the others. It shifts if one is to look away - changing from the cold ice of cryo to crackling electro energy.

Two figures are resting underneath the tree, one napping (Alexander) and the other (Persephone) enjoying a moment of quiet.

Re: Mt. Aocang: Nantianmen (Azhdaha's tree)

[shatteredhourglass]

[Well, that's a very dramatic character of a tree.
Time to beeline towards the familiar face he sees (if he squints) over there first, though.]

Persephone?

Re: Mt. Aocang: Nantianmen (Azhdaha's tree)

[leaveofabsence]

[ Persephone tilts his head as he looks over at Nyx. ]

Ah, did you want to take a rest, too?

Re: Mt. Aocang: Nantianmen (Azhdaha's tree)

[shatteredhourglass]

[Shakes his head.]

Mm, not right now. ...I need to find the parts that aren't quite right.

Re: Mt. Aocang: Nantianmen (Azhdaha's tree)

[leaveofabsence]

[ Persephone tilts their head ]

Not quite right?

Re: Mt. Aocang: Nantianmen (Azhdaha's tree)

[shatteredhourglass]

Apparently there's some places that aren't quite how they should be now? I don't know what it was like before, though...

Re: Mt. Aocang: Nantianmen (Azhdaha's tree)

[leaveofabsence]

It has always been like this. The Geo Archon has ruled over Liyue peacefully for the last 3,700 years.

Re: Mt. Aocang: Nantianmen (Azhdaha's tree)

[shatteredhourglass]

...? Wouldn't that make it weirder if nothing had changed?

[Nyx is truly lucky to have encountered an npc he "knows" first cause he may very well just straight up not talk to anyone else in here for the rest of the game,]

Re: Mt. Aocang: Nantianmen (Azhdaha's tree)

[leaveofabsence]

[ #introvertproblems ]

[ Persephone just raises an eyebrow at him ]

There's nothing strange here.

[shatteredhourglass]

Ok.

[Even if shyness isn't getting in his way, he can still be defeated by Persephone's blinding beauty. JUST GOING TO ACCEPT THIS failed Charisma roll.]

Um... I still want to look around though, since I haven't been here before...

[leaveofabsence]

[ He points off to the side toward the Table of the Archons ]

The Archons are having their annual meeting. They always have it before the Rite of Descension.

[shatteredhourglass]

So-

So I... shouldn't get in the way?

[CLEARLY THAT IS WHAT THIS NPC MEANS WHEN POINTING OUT A MEETING OCCURRING OVER THERE
Nyx hasn't had enough video game experience, forgive him.]

[leaveofabsence]

[ With a blank expression: ]

Ah, I do not believe that they will care.

[shatteredhourglass]

Oh... well, I guess if they're- gods, then they wouldn't care about a little noise...

[Hmm. Well, let's take a quick look around the area here before we must unfortunately wish Persephone goodbye to move on.]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Your vision blinks for a moment but only to let you know that the tree might be bad news. No other information is given. Either way, you have the following options: ]

The Table of the Archons: In the center of the mountains lies a lake, where an island fitted with a stone table, seven stone chairs and seven gold goblets preside. One seat is vacant, but it looks like Zhongli is saving a seat for a special person.

The Guardian Yaksha: High above the treetops and within the shadows of the mountain, you might spot a splash of vibrant color among the scenery. Use caution before preceding.

You may also travel to: the docks, the marketplace, or the central pavilion.

[shatteredhourglass]

[H. Hm. Well, that's concerning, given his dream-unitmate is. Napping under it.]

...um. Do you- do you two need to rest here?

[leaveofabsence]

It is the quietest spot. Liyue is very busy.

And Azhdaha is on guard duty for the Rite of Descension.

[shatteredhourglass]

Azhdaha?

[leaveofabsence]

The leader of the Mileleth and one of the Geo Archon's greatest companions. This is his tree.

[shatteredhourglass]

"His" tree?

[leaveofabsence]

Yes.

If you would like, you can meet him down at the preparations for the ceremony.

[shatteredhourglass]

Oh, I just meant, why is the tree "his"... does he come here to rest, too?

[leaveofabsence]

[ Persephone glitches out.

Like a video game bug.

And then reappears ]

[shatteredhourglass]

Persephone?