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What is Choice of Games? Choice of Games is a website that hosts a number of text-based, multiple-choice games aka CYOAs. They currently have 6 relatively short free games – Choice of the Dragon, Choice of Broadsides, Choice of Romance, Choice of the Vampire, Choice of Intrigues and Choice of Zombies – playable online on their website, and 6 longer games with demos playable on their websites and the full version of which you can download onto your iPad, Android or Google Chrome for a small price. The one I’m playing in this thread is called “Choice of Kung Fu”, where you are a senior student in a martial arts monastery in fantasy China, which is under threat of invasion by foreign forces. Statistics In Choice of Kung Fu, you have 8 statistics – Status, Fighting, Magic, Tenacity, Cleverness, Englightened, Honor, and Tianxia (天下) / Laowai (老外). Your choice at each junction will raise and/or lower some stats, and your stats will in turn determine which choices become available to you at the next junction, and the chances of success of those choices. All your stats start at 50 and can go as high as 100 or drop below the starting value. The first seven stats are relatively self-explanatory. Tianxia (天下) / Laowai (老外) is a special case – they are opposed stats and raising one will always lower the other and vice versa. Tianxia (天下) means “under heaven”.“天” (Tian) means “sky / heaven” and “下” means “below”. Tianxia (天下) is a Chinese phrase that can refer to the physical geographical world, the metaphysical realm of mortals, and political sovereignty. In ancient China, Tianxia (天下) referred to the land divinely appointed to the Emperor. Laowai (老外) is an informal, and somewhat derogatory, term for “foreigner”. “老” is short for “老是” (always) and “外” is short for “外人” (outsider). Style Your answer to the third question in the game will define the fighting style with which you are most familiar, which in turn determines which combat options will be most successful for you. Relationships There will also be opportunities to build relationships with certain potential allies (or adversaries), to pursue a romance (entirely optional, and non-creepy if you do take the option), and attract disciples (if you reach a certain point in the game). These will help to determine the choices available to you at the later parts of the game. Your first post below doesn't make any sense at all! That's because we are starting in the middle of the CYOA. There was a Part One which I'd inadvertently started before the 3-month embargo period for LPs had not yet expired, and which Zorak had rightly locked. That thread has since gone into the archives and Zorak is unable to re-open it, and therefore a fresh new thread is being started to continue where we had last left off.
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| # ? Mar 18, 2013 23:18 |
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| # ? May 21, 2013 07:40 |
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Excerpts from The Way of the Panda 1. Action is not the Way of the Panda. After all, inaction is the true way of the Dao. Only by emulating the most inactive of the beasts can we be one with the Dao and enlightened by the Buddha. 2. Sleep is the Way of the Panda. Plans always go wrong, the truly wise adapts to the changes around him rather than attempting to force his tiny opinions on the world. 3. Master Bearcat said: To notice and not to care; that is righteous. To see and not to notice; that is sublime. 4. Master Panda said: To go quickly is foolish. To go slowly is prudent. Not to go; that is wisdom. 5. Master Panda came upon a woman in distress. The woman cried: help me! and Master Panda went slowly. The woman said: Why do you not run? Help me! and still Master Panda came slowly. When Master Panda came to the woman, the woman asked: why did you not come faster? Master Panda replied: This is the Way of the Panda. 6. One day, Master Panda came upon a merchant, who needed a strong man to carry his wares down the mountain. Master Panda was hungry and asked to be paid in bamboo for the work. The merchant was delighted, for he planned to trick whoever came along. He gave the Master a handful of tender bamboo shoots, and promised ten times as much when the work was completed. Yet in truth, the merchant had no more bamboo shoots, and was a wicked man. Master Panda sat and ate the bamboo shoots, and did not rise. The merchant said: how is it that you take payment and do not work? Master Panda did not reply, and fell asleep. Thus was the merchant's wickedness thwarted. Disciple Po added: To take what is offered with no thoughts for the capricious future; truly this is the Way of the Panda. 7. The Duke Wen of Wu once consulted Master Panda for advice on how to solve a dispute between two vassal lords. Master Panda related the following story: He was once asked to arbitrate a dispute over 12 mu of farmland between two landlords. He went to the inn at that town and sent word that the landlords were to meet him there. While he waited, Master Panda ate and drank until he was full. As the landlords had not arrived, he went to sleep under the table. When the landlords came, not seeing the Master, they fell to arguing until one became so angry that he struck the other and killed him. When Master Panda awoke, the murderer had already been arrested by the guards. As one man was dead, and the other in prison, Master Panda awarded the disputed land to himself. Duke Wen was silent for a long time. Master Panda asked: Do you know by what action you will resolve this matter? Duke Wen said: No. Master Panda said: You are enlightened. Disciple Shu added: By inaction, we allow the universe to correct itself. This is the Way of the Panda. 8. Master Panda said: Fighting; that is action. That which is not fighting; that is inaction. By this you may know war. Disciple Zhang added: In the case of war, that which is most like not fighting is the Way of the Panda. 9. To sleep and let one's friends feed you; this is the Way of the Panda. 10. To encourage others to action with only words, that is the Way of the Panda. For words of encouragement can drive others to great things, and whatever they achieve is something that you, yourself, do not have to. 11. Master Panda came upon a poor village and ambled into the elder’s hut to ask for food. The old man ordered the farmers to gather all the bamboo in the village and offer it to Master Panda, so soon he was full and content. After the meal, the villagers gathered and questioned Master Panda: “Master, we are poor and ignorant, and forced to toil in the fields to feed our families day in and day out. We freeze in the winter and sweat in the summer. We are raided by bandits and accursed by disease. How can we be content and truly become one with the Buddah while suffering so?” Master Panda sat up, scratched his head and said: Shut up. I’m trying to take a nap. And thus they were enlightened. 12. To express emotion other than contentment with your place in life is not the Way of the Panda, for it is far too much effort to get angry, sad, or generally worked up over things. Whatever happens, happens. 13. One day, King Hui of Wei sent Official Fu to Master Panda, to seek his advice on matters of state. Master Panda sat in his pavilion and ate bamboo. Official Fu said: The King desires your presence; and the Master said nothing. Fu said: The King has prepared many fine things for you; and the Master said nothing. Fu said: You will have great honor in Wei; and the Master said nothing. Fu pleaded until the eighth bell. At this point, the Master rose from his seat and, by means of a basin, relieved himself. Fu became angry. He said: How is it that you do not reply? I have traveled one thousand li, and spoken until my face is blue, and yet you reply only by means of vulgarity. Master Panda said nothing. Fu said: If I had not traveled even one li, if I had not spoken even one word; that would be better. Official Fu presently departed. Master Panda said: He is enlightened. 14. Master Panda said: I will tell the story of the Panda and the Shaolin Temple. After the great flood, before the time of the Four Emperors and Five Sovereigns, the world was in disorder. The Jade Emperor dispatched his officials to make order in the world. The Dragon Emperor was sent to make order among the creatures of the sea, Emperor Yu was sent to make order among the people, and the Monkey King was sent to make order among the beasts. But the Monkey King was distracted by the fragrance of Fruit and Flower Mountain and abandoned his duty, so the kingdom of beasts has always been without order. Emperor Yu saw the disorder among the animals, and commanded Western Monk to find the most worthy of them and bring them order. Western Monk traveled one thousand li to the kingdom of beasts, and such was his purity that they congregated and attended to him as students to a master. Western Monk said: By the mandate of Emperor Yu and Heaven, I have come to find the most worthy among the kingdom of animals and bring them order. The animals were in disorder, and desired Western Monk's offer. They strove, each before the other, for Western Monk's attention. Dragon said: I am wisest, and therefore I am most worthy. Tiger said: I am most ferocious, and therefore I am most worthy. Crane said: I am most graceful, and therefore I am most worthy. Snake said: I am most silent, and therefore I am most worthy. Leopard said: I am swiftest, and therefore I am most worthy. But Western Monk said: Who is the most peaceful? For he was enlightened. Presently, he saw Panda resting in a tree, and inquired about him to the other animals. All agreed that Panda was the most peaceful animal in the kingdom of beasts, and therefore Western Monk attended to him. Western Monk said: the kingdom of beasts is in disorder, and I have come to find the most peaceful of animals to help me make order. Panda said: of what use is order? The bamboo grows wherever it does, flowers at any time, and has a great fecundity. Does it need order? The clouds come and rains fall when and where they may. Does it need order? I am nourished and sustained by these things that are without order. How is it that I should desire order? Western Monk said: You have nourishment. By order you will gain wealth. Panda said: of what use is wealth? My belly is full and my children are many. My fur is warm and the nights are not cold. I am happy. How is it that I should desire wealth? Western Monk smiled and said: You have happiness. By order you will gain power. Panda said: of what use is power? The sun rises and sets, the plants grow, the rain comes, the fierce animals do not come to the mountaintop, and I am content. The universe is complete. I do not desire change. How is it that I should desire power? Western Monk frowned and said: The universe is complete, but the people do not respect you. By order you will gain respect. Panda said: of what use is respect? I have nourishment, I have happiness, and the universe is complete. Does the sun need respect? Does the grass beneath the feet need respect? I have no cares for the opinions of others. How is it that I should desire respect? Western Monk said: Truly you are the most peaceful one; I will make my home like yours; and he departed with the Five Animals to make order in his temple. He founded the Shaolin monastery high on a mountain, like the noble panda, but still panda did not come. This is why there is always fighting in the Shaolin Temple, for the Way of the Panda is the way of peace, and yet is also a solitary way. 15. Master Panda said: To not know and call it not knowing; that is ignorance. To not know and call it knowing; that is foolishness. To know and call it not knowing; that is wastefulness. To know and call it knowing; that is arrogance. Knowing and not knowing; calling and not calling; these are all cases of action. Not knowing and not calling it not knowing; this is the Way. 16. One day, Poet Li came to consult Master Panda on the mysteries of the Dao. The Master sat on Yellow Flower Mountain and contemplated Dragon Spring Waterfall. Poet Li ascended the mountain and consulted with Master Panda. Poet Li said: The waterfall is beautiful. How may this soul become beautiful as the waterfall? And the Master said nothing. Poet Li said: Is it not the case that the waterfall, in harmony its surroundings, gains the beauty of nature? How may this soul become in harmony with and gain the beauty of nature, and thus become beautiful as the waterfall? And the Master said nothing. Poet Li said: Is it not the case that the waterfall, embodying the most harmonious element of nature, becomes in harmony with its surroundings, and gains the beauty of nature? How may this soul embody the harmonious element of water, become in harmony with his surroundings, gain the beauty of nature and thus become beautiful as the waterfall? And the Master said nothing. Poet Li said: Is it not the case that the waterfall, by yielding completely in form, flows through and around the unyielding world, embodying the most harmonious element, becomes in harmony with its surroundings, and gains the beauty of nature? How may this soul yield completely in spirit, flow through and around the unyielding world, embody the most harmonious element, become in harmony with his surroundings, gain the beauty of nature and thus become beautiful as the waterfall? The Master said: Be silent. Poet Li said: I am enlightened. 17. Master Panda said: Too often, a confusion arises between studying and learning. They are not one, but in fact are opposite. Studying is active. Learning is passive. That which is active, exhausts. That which is passive, enriches. Studying and learning; this is a case of exhausting and enriching, so that the ultimate benefit is nothing whatsoever. Studying and not learning, this is less than nothing. Not studying and still learning, this is what I prefer. 18. One day, Master Panda and his disciples were meditating and discussing the Way in Tall Bamboo Pagoda. Disciple Shu said: Master, you have stared at me from the third to the fourth bell. Do you, by this means, convey an exhortation to follow the Constant Way? Disciple Zhang said: The Master is asleep. Disciple Shu said: Teaching without teaching, purpose without intent, effect without action; this is truly the Way. 19. Master Panda said: Once upon a time, I dreamed I was a panda, sitting in the bushes, eating bamboo. I had great pleasure, sitting and eating as I pleased, having no idea of the man Panda. Suddenly, I awoke, and there I was: myself again. Now, I do not know whether it was then I was a man called Panda, dreaming I was a panda, or if I am now a panda, dreaming of being a man called Panda. Between Panda and panda, waking and dreaming, is there necessarily a difference? This ambiguity is an instance of the unity of things. 20. Once, Lord Shang of Qin came to see Master Panda. This visit was a great honor, for the power of Qin was known throughout all of China. Lord Shang was a student of Master Han Fei, and greatly desired to debate the Way and the proper order of the world with Master Panda. At dawn Shang came himself to the door of the Master's monastery, such was his esteem of the Master that he went up alone and knocked upon the door. Master Panda said: I am sorry, but I have been summoned by the Lord of Nighttime Things, and cannot answer. Lord Shang knew of the Master's ways, and was not perturbed. At the ringing of the second bell, Lord Shang again knocked upon the door, and the Master replied: I am deep in conversation with the Prince of Dreams, and cannot at this moment hold an audience with even the Learned Lord of Qin. Lord Shang smiled to himself, for he had heard many stories of the Master, and sat down on the step to wait. At noon, Lord Shang again knocked upon the door, this time expecting an audience, but the Master replied: I am enjoying what has been provided to me by the King of Natural Bounty, and cannot snub this great kingdom even for the wealthy Lord of Qin. Lord Shang sat back down to wait. At the ringing of the sixth bell, the sky grew dark and rain began to fall. Lord Shang again knocked on the door, this time quite hard, and the Master replied: I am listening to the Emperor of the Four Winds, and cannot interrupt his counsel even for the wise Lord Shang of Qin. Shang sat down on the step in the rain, and shivered, but was not yet dissuaded, for he was a man who placed great value on learning. After the setting of the sun, when the rain had stopped and the stars had risen into the heavens, Lord Shang again knocked on the door. The Master said: I am reading the proclamations which the Sovereign of Heaven has written in the sky, and have no time even for one so esteemed as the pre-eminent Lord of Qin. Please forgive me, but you will have to come again another day. Lord Shang then grew angry and said: Will you not see me? I have traveled far and endured great insult to speak with you, I, Lord Shang the Learned, the Wise, whose cleverness and subtlety is known by all under heaven, lord paramount of Qin, the richest and the greatest kingdom of the Zhou? The Master said: Are you more subtle than the Lord of Nighttime Things, and more clever than the Prince of Dreams? Are you richer than the King of Natural Bounty, or wiser than the Emperor of the Four Winds? Are you greater than the Sovereign of Heaven, and so learned that you may ignore his proclamations? All these great powers have occupied my time today; to ignore even one to speak to you would be the gravest breach of propriety. I am sorry, but I am afraid I have no time for the mighty nation of Qin or its pre-eminent Lord, for greater forces constantly demand my attention. Perhaps you may find an audience with the Lord of Nighttime Things, or the Prince of Dreams, or the King of Natural Bounty, or the Emperor of the Four Winds or the Sovereign of Heaven, for they are wiser than I and I constantly seek their advice on all things. Lord Shang bowed his head, and silently departed. Later, when his retainers asked Lord Shang whether he had received an audience with Master Panda, Lord Shang said: Yes. 21. Master Panda said: The Martial Marquis of Liang was a wise man. When the forces of Zhao arrived on the borders of Lu and Qi, other lords and officials began rushing their troops hither and thither. Some withdrew in fear of Zhao's attack, while others advanced to the border to bravely do battle. In the case of those who fled, the men of Zhao despoiled their homelands such that no wealth remained. In the case of those who attacked, they were utterly destroyed, and did not return to their homes. When the forces of Zhao arrived at the county of Liang, the Martial Marquis had only just assembled his soldiers, making no haste in his muster and no particular preparations for attack or defense. The men of Zhao, exhausted from defeating the armies of Lu and Qi, saw the soldiers of Liang county and decided to plunder elsewhere. Thus, Liang was the only county spared the sack of Lu, and the Martial Marquis became a man of great importance and wealth. Disciple Shu added: In the case of making a decision, there is an option which often goes overlooked: not to decide. 22. Once, the Master was in the state of Wu, teaching the Way. All under heaven know of the half-barbarian Wu kingdom. The Master was not received frequently or well, and was often hungry and in a state of vexation. The King of Wu did not see him, and disdained his counsel. One day, the King sent for the Master directly, to hold audience with him on the city wall. Beyond the walls, there was a multitude of the tattooed Hundred Yue people, carrying swords and halberds, armored and arrayed in file. King Helu said: Look out and see, the capital is in a desperate state, and requires whatever assistance in order to avoid destruction. The Master said: There is no cause for alarm. How is it that you should seek an audience with me, when before I was spurned? King Helu said: There is surely cause for alarm, as an army of barbarians stand even now before the walls! The Master said: I see no army, only a great many people. Is Gusu so small and provincial, to be unaccustomed to such numbers? How is it that you have closed the gates, when so many people desire entry? King Helu said: But they are ten thousand in number, armed and armored, marching in column and file, carrying drums and banners, how can they not be an army? To close the gates is only prudent. The Master said: Perhaps they are an army, yet how is there cause for alarm? Is the State of Wu so weak that the King has never before seen an army? Armies are always marching from place to place, arriving and departing. How should we be alarmed at this occurrence? King Helu said: Those banners are of King Yunchang of Yue, and his greatest generals. There can be no doubt. The Master said: Perhaps this is the army of Yunchang, yet how is there cause for violence? Is the King of Wu so unlearned that he has never before seen a formal procession? Kings are invariably accompanied by a great number of retainers and servants, guards and porters, officials and officers, wherever they go. King Yunchang has come to Gusu. How should we be unmanned by his appearance? King Helu said: King Yunchang is my sworn enemy, and we have clashed in battle many times. This event has no explanation, other than attack. It is prudent that we should prepare for defense, although the situation is dire. The Master said: Perhaps these people are an army, and perhaps Yunchang has come, and perhaps he intends to attack. Allow me to go among the people below the walls, determine whether they are an army, and if Yunchang is there, and, in that case, to divine his intent. If all is as you say, there is no hope. If I am right, there is no cause for alarm whatsoever, and your actions have unduly vexed the people who wish to enter the city. The King assented. The Master went down to the people below, and spoke with them. Presently, he called up to the King. The Master called: This is not the army of Yunchang! This is the wedding procession of the Yue Princess Huang, and these ten thousand men her servants and retainers! These chariots are laden with treasures, and these great generals have come to pay their respects! King Yunchang has sent them to you in order to create a peace between your two states! Open the gates and receive your bride! The King called: How is it that a wedding party comes with arms and armor, and in such great number, and carrying war drums and the banners of great generals? The Master called: You have spurned my counsel entirely, and judge yourself doomed by your own accounting, yet you still refuse to listen! The Master then, having no wish to remain, departed Gusu. King Helu did not open the gates. The wedding party of Princess Huang were incensed at this affront, and immediately assaulted the city. The wedding procession, with ten thousand servants and retainers, the great generals, the chariots laden with treasure, the drummers and the standard-bearers, soon overwhelmed the soldiers of Wu. Thus Princess Huang of Yue sacked the Wu capital of Gusu, and the stubbornness of King Helu caused him endless disaster. 23. One day, the Master was sitting with his disciples in the Garden of Peach Blossoms. Disciple Po said: Master, I am bored. The Master said: We are sitting in the Garden of Peach Blossoms. How can you be bored? 呼 The Disciple said: Here, nothing occurs, and nothing is done. A learned master and his student, surely they should be doing something! The time drags on most tediously. The Master said: Here, a thousand things occur, and a thousand things are accomplished. The elements are in the constant motion of their ordained harmonies, the ten thousand living things bustle around us as though the garden were like a crowded marketplace. The learned master and his student, surely you do not imagine that they do nothing? Breathing, eating, seeing, contemplating, these and a thousand other things are each accomplished by us each day. The progression of time, this is exactly in accordance with the order of the world. How could it be otherwise? The Disciple said: Out among the lands and peoples of the world, would we not accomplish more than sitting and eating and contemplating? The Master said: How can more be accomplished? Walking, this accomplishes walking. Speaking, this accomplishes speaking. Striking, this accomplishes striking. Sitting, this accomplishes sitting. Eating, this accomplishes eating. Contemplating, this accomplishes contemplating. Walking and sitting, speaking and eating, striking and contemplating, each action accomplishes itself only. How can one accomplish more than the other? Disciple Po said: By some actions, can the world not be changed? The Master said: This is arrogance. 24. Disciple Shi said: Does the bamboo go to the panda? No, the panda must go to the bamboo. Master Panda said: The panda, is it ever seen without bamboo? Since the time of the great flood, never has such a thing happened. If there is no separation between two things, how can one travel the distance between them? When there is no distance, how can the panda go to the bamboo? Can you go to your own hand? Between the panda and the bamboo, there is no separation. The panda and the bamboo, there is no separating them. The panda and the bamboo, they exist together. Content at existing together with nature; this is the quiescent Way of the Panda. Disciple Shi said: What if the panda was separated from the bamboo? Master Panda said: Beholding a real thing and perversely apprehending an unreal thing that one prefers; this is not the Way. 25. One day, Master Panda sat at a railway station. The conductor said: The only trains today lead away from the monastery. You'd best walk home. Master Panda said: I will wait. The conductor said: But the platform closes after the last train. You can't wait here. Master Panda said: Does the train not only follow one track? Eventually it can do nothing but return to the monastery. One concession, please. The conductor said: I am enlightened. 26. One day, Master Panda and his disciples meditated on the Way in Celestial Meridian Hall. Disciple Zhang said: Master, in the case of one who offers assistance, is it not virtuous to refuse? The Master said: The sun shines, do you seek to prevent it? The river flows, can you prevent it from reaching the sea? Inaction and opposing action, these are very different things. All things of the universe, they have their appointed actions. One who follows the Way does not oppose the appointed actions of the universe. The Master smiled and said: One who offers assistance, can it be that he is not of the universe? 27. Master Panda was walking in a field with Lord Hu. Master Panda said: See the horses running and frolicking among the fields? Ah, that is what horses truly enjoy. Lord Hu said: You are not a horse -- how do you know what horses enjoy? The Master said: You are not me, how do you know that I do not know what horses enjoy? The lord said: I'm not you, so I certainly don't know what you know. However, you are certainly not a horse, so you still cannot know what horses enjoy! The Master said: One moment; let us return to your first question. You asked how I know, so you knew I knew when you asked the question. I know it because a horse told me. Lord Hu opened his mouth to speak, but the Master said first: You weren't there, you don't know it didn't happen. Disciple Shu added: In any case, how did Lord Hu know that Master Panda was not a horse? 28. One day Master Panda was in the Sleeping Bamboo Grove, meditating upon the Way, when a powerful warrior, known as Li the Relentless, came upon him and recognized him. Said Li: "Greetings, Master Panda. It is truly fortunate that I have happened upon you here, for I have long wished to best the master of the Way of the Panda." Said Master Panda: "Why is it that you desire to best me? Would you not be much more rested and filled after your long journeys if you meditated on the soft ground and ate the plentiful bamboo with me instead?" Said Li: "I do not desire to be rested or filled, for I only desire to prove my strength and I am well enough to fight. I fear I must insist upon a match." Said Master Panda: "I see I cannot avoid a fight, for your heart is set upon one and your tenacity is known across the lands. I ask that you allow me a little time to gather bamboo and prepare my bed, for I do desire to feed and rest. I will call to you when I am ready." Said Li: "Very well, Master Panda. I shall return at that time." And the warrior Li departed into the forest to set up a camp, but first turned and went around to the opposite side of the grove in case his quarry should try to escape in the direction he had not gone. In the first direction he left his faithful hunting dog to alert him, and on either side of the grove was the Heavenly Garden Waterfall and the Golden Butterfly Cliffs. Master Panda went back and forth between the bamboo stalks, gathering shoots and bamboo leaves. As he went, he also strung wires across the clearing, as densely as a spider's web. Master Panda then spread the bamboo leaves upon the ground to make a bed. Firstly he reclined in it, ate the bamboo shoots, and slept, and was thus well fed and rested and ready to fight. When he woke, he used his chi to cause the ground beneath his bed to sink, leaving a bed of bamboo leaves covering a pit. Master Panda called: "I have gathered bamboo, and I have prepared my bed. I am now ready to fight you." Li the Relentless heard this and hastened into battle, eager to show his prowess. In his haste, he did not notice the wires strung throughout the grove, and in charging at Master Panda entangled himself. Before he could break free, Master Panda hit him onto a pile of bamboo leaves, which parted to leave Li within a pit. Master Panda stood over him, and Li saw that he would not be able to exit the hole without being knocked back in. Thus he admitted defeat. Disciple Yang added: To do no action is best, but if action is required it is best to put it off and prepare, for preparing is less effort than that which is prepared for, and preparations ease exertion upon necessary things. Excerpts from the Apocryphal Book of the Xiong Mao 1. Master Panda sent three of his students forth to face challengers to his school. The first returned quickly. "Master Panda, I defeated my opponent with little effort and left him where he fell." Master Panda flicked his ear and did not respond. The second returned soon after. "Master Panda, I defeated my opponent quickly and directed others to remove him." Master Panda sneezed and did not respond. Long afterward the third student returned. "Master Panda, I..." the student could not finished and collapsed. Master Panda did not respond, allowing the student to rest against his body. The first two students withdrew, ashamed. 2. Does the bamboo go to the panda? No, the panda must go to the bamboo. Do not confuse the Way of  with the Way of the Panda.3. A. A panda may not take action or, through inaction, allow action to take place. B. A panda must ignore the orders given to it by other beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. C. A panda must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws. 3. It eventually came about, as it will, that Master Panda was called away to the Heavens, leaving Disciple Po alone to tend those who sought enlightenment. For a time he held strictly to the teachings of Master Panda, but a day came when the Heavens withheld their bounty of water and the bamboo withered. At first, Disciple Po felt that this was a test set by his late Master, and he held to the strictures well. However, as the food disappeared from the land the disciples cried out with hunger, Disciple Po was forced to anger and shouted, "Why is the way to enlightenment so painful? Why is the way so wearying? Should we therefore visit the heavens in such a state of despair if inaction is the whole of the way?" In his rage, Disciple Po dared to climb to the top of the mountain to make his words heard. But upon reaching the summit, he saw that the lowlands below were still rich with bamboo fields and food of all kinds. Caught in the rigors of his hunger, Disciple Po raced down to the base and ate his fill before alerting his fellow disciples and moving the group to the new land. When asked about his deeds, Disciple Po explained: "I see now that it was indeed a message from Master Panda where he resides in the Heavens. Just as the Master had to move himself to reach the endless fields of bamboo guarded by the gods, so must we on occasion move ourselves to reach the best pastures." In this way did Disciple Po become a Master. JosephWongKS fucked around with this message at Apr 9, 2013 around 14:01 |
| # ? Mar 18, 2013 23:18 |
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”Way of What Is This "Ambition" Thing You Speak Of?” posted:
”Character Sheet” posted:
JosephWongKS fucked around with this message at Mar 19, 2013 around 02:03 |
| # ? Mar 18, 2013 23:19 |
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Lu Jin: 64 
Feng the Huli Jing: 84
Zhuge Miao: 70
Romance: Feng
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Current vote count from Thread 1 Content - 3 Concern - 0 Continue - 3
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| # ? Mar 18, 2013 23:20 |
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Yay, this thread is back! We can finally wash away the taste of Heroes Rise! I can't remember if I voted for this one and I don't have archive access, but nonetheless: How can one strive for worthiness? Worthiness does not come from strife! We are content.
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| # ? Mar 18, 2013 23:58 |
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And the master was content. E: fixed tags.
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 00:41 |
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It's easier to continue on the same course than to reevaluate earlier decisions.
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 00:51 |
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Yay, back to the panda-fox hole!  Pretty sure I voted content.
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 01:49 |
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Ugh, guess I better reread part 1. Content
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 01:54 |
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We are content. Glad to have the thread back 
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 06:06 |
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Did you learn nothing of the way, JWKS? To do nothing is the Way, and in remaking the thread you have caused an action and are thus outside of the way. The enlightened one lets others make their own thread in time.  Now excuse me while I nap contentedly
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 07:24 |
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”Way of What Is This "Ambition" Thing You Speak Of?” posted:
”Way of Being Thankful For What You Have” posted:
”Character Sheet” posted:
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 12:56 |
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Disciples: 35
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2. We aren't ambitious here. Gotta teach our current kids first before moving on to higher goals.
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 13:13 |
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Oh man, going to the mountain to wrestle bear is cool, but lazy panda would rather 4.invite other teachers to do the teaching for him.
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 13:26 |
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We get other people to teach for us. What else?
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 14:03 |
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Seeking out teachers can be hard, but it means getting days off.
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 15:26 |
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Review of Chapter 6 of Twisted is up - http://forums.somethingawful.com/sh...2#post413583057
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 17:07 |
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”Way of Being Thankful For What You Have” posted:
+2 Tenacity +1 Cleverness quote:
”Character Sheet” posted:
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 23:20 |
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Needing to win is harder than wishing to learn.
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 23:35 |
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Sit and learn. For that is the way of the Panda.
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| # ? Mar 19, 2013 23:53 |
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Learn more. Hopefully from the comfort of a nice, soft chair next to a pile of bamboo.
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| # ? Mar 20, 2013 00:03 |
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Watch and learn, while eating bamboo.
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| # ? Mar 20, 2013 11:58 |
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”Way of Being Thankful For What You Have” posted:
quote:
Relationship with Sun An = 50 quote:
”Character Sheet” posted:
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| # ? Mar 20, 2013 12:01 |
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Sun An: 50
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Fight? Have a cup of tea instead.
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| # ? Mar 20, 2013 12:57 |
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Invite him to our school for tea.
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| # ? Mar 20, 2013 13:27 |
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Inviting him involves not having to leave our home. Panda.
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| # ? Mar 20, 2013 13:51 |
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Have a nice day.
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| # ? Mar 20, 2013 16:33 |
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Inviting him to discuss the match leaves open the possibility of discussing not having the match, which would truly be The Way of the Panda.
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| # ? Mar 20, 2013 22:24 |
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”Way of Being Thankful For What You Have” posted:
+5 Relationship with Sun An quote:
”Character Sheet” posted:
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| # ? Mar 20, 2013 23:12 |
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Nmph. Is it morning already? We have napping to do. Make him wait.
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| # ? Mar 20, 2013 23:44 |
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Hey, custom is custom man. Don't fight it. 1
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| # ? Mar 20, 2013 23:47 |
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Greet him as an equal.
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| # ? Mar 21, 2013 00:38 |
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He's probably tired from the trip. Give him a chance to rest.
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| # ? Mar 21, 2013 00:55 |
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Options 1 and 3 would have us answer the door. Let's remain in the dining room and send the students to greet him.
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| # ? Mar 21, 2013 02:22 |
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Making a man that burly wait seems unwise. Better to bite the bullet now rather than rebuild the front of the school when he loses his temper. Greet him as an equal
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| # ? Mar 21, 2013 03:44 |
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Pseudodude posted:Options 1 and 3 would have us answer the door. Let's remain in the dining room and send the students to greet him.
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| # ? Mar 21, 2013 04:05 |
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I just read through the previous thread, and I just can't shake the mental image of Lazy Panda being a literal panda wearing people clothes, trying to not be outed as a panda. Like Chicken Boo from Animaniacs.
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| # ? Mar 21, 2013 04:14 |
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Schubalts posted:I just read through the previous thread, and I just can't shake the mental image of Lazy Panda being a literal panda wearing people clothes, trying to not be outed as a panda. Like Chicken Boo from Animaniacs. Really the thing to take away from the last thread is all the people saying Hero's Rise was good. 
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| # ? Mar 21, 2013 04:19 |
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1. A Panda will get to it when he gets to it.
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| # ? Mar 21, 2013 09:29 |
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| # ? May 21, 2013 07:40 |
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Greet him as an equal. Pandas can spare some energy to be friendly. I got my own copy and man, did we ever miss out on an earlier opportunity. I managed to get named as Zhuge's heir, in family and in kung fu. Is it koscher to talk more about what untaken choices would lead to?
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| # ? Mar 21, 2013 12:43 |
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