Kilo just sits in thought for a while before finally speaking again, "Earliest memories. ....I remember being hunted by, things that spoke at least as well as I did. No hard feelings. It was survival." he considers some more, "I remember Yajirobe eating a dragon we had fought and argued with and eventually killed. It was trying to eat us. For some reason I didn't feel it was proper. Still not sure why." Kilo shrugs. "I guess by the time I got to my first person, it didn't seem like much of difference."
"That's fair, I think. At the end of the day, killing for sport, or for fun, is just as cruel regardless of what it is you're killing."
She sits for a moment in silence. "Where do you feel like you'd want to stop training? What's your end goal?"
A thought visibly occurs to Panamax. "Oh. If you ever want me to look you over in lieu of a mirror, I am entirely willing."
Tavene looks touched by the offer. "Well... thank you, Panamax. I don't usually think too much about what I look like, but... I may take you up on it."
Panamax wrote:
Panamax is entirely taken aback by this question. "I ... no. That wasn't what I meant at all. I was talking about those conversations where certain things are pointedly not said." He laughs, quietly. "I fully expect to miss an ambush. I am a terrible tactical thinker. If you ever have advice to offer on the subject, I will listen and not take offense at basic suggestions. I promise you."
"Oh. Sorry, I don't ever pick up on things not being said." She laughs awkwardly. "A trade, then. If you're making tactical errors, I'll say something. If I'm making social errors, you say something."
Kilo:
Kilo wrote:
"Personal? Sure." again, if Tavene has any skill in reading people, she would likely know Kilo doesn't understand the difference between a personal question or any other.
Tavene absolutely has no ability to read people. :)
Kilo shrugs, "I wasn't much for studying, but I believe Master Musashi was challenged something like a thousand different times by other warriors trying to prove that their styles were superior. I'd imagine, even as much as I love fighting, that's a lot of dead people.
"I never much cared for studying, either." She says with a half smile. "Can I ask a personal question?"
"Well, the Not Cube said the Master you seek will be found in the Empty Sanctum. My interpretation of that would be it must be a Master of the Void. Grampa told me that the creator of the two sword style, and perhaps the greatest swordsman of all time, wrote a treatise entitled 'the Book of Five Rings'. The 5th Ring, or 5th Element, is the Void. It seems to make sense to me. But to paraphrase the Reluctant Messiah, everything I just said, might be wrong." Kilo grins. For him, that was a big speech.
Tavene listens patiently, doing nothing to mask her growing lack of comprehension as he gets through his story.
"Huh. This Master sounds like someone I should visit, too, then." She pats the swords next to her. "I've heard of the Empty Sanctum, but I never hear anything good about it. I guess that'd be the perfect place for a Master to spend their time. Something about the proving yourself up to the challenge of finding them."
She shakes her head and lets out a chuckle. "I never understood that. If I were a Master of anything, I'd stay put in a major city so people knew where to find me. Maybe I'm not understanding the spirit of the thing."
Panamax:
Tavene attempts to smooth her hair down after Panamax has finished.
Panamax wrote:
"Jarris is easier to interact with, than, say, Kilo. Jarris flirts, I flirt back. It's a game, and who knows what lies underneath?"
Panamax hesitates, then adds "I may attempt to find out."
She lets out a 'hah'. "You and I are very different. Kilo says little, but it tends to be of importance. Jarris, well... as you said. It's like he's playing a game."
She tilts her head. "I hope he proves to be more than the fancy clothes and amazing smile. He sort of grows on me the longer he's around, but I'm not sure I could handle him in more than small doses." She raises an invisible glass. "Luck to you, should you make the attempt."
After a few moments, she addresses his other comment about not paying attention to people around him as much as he should. "Are you worried you're not paying enough attention and might miss an ambush? Someone turning on you?" She asks from a tactical standpoint.
She gestures at the large group they're surrounded by. "Much like every other large group I've ever found myself in, I don't feel like I quite fit in here." She smiles a little then. "Although maybe that won't change. Maybe there won't ever be a large group I fit in with."
Panamax:
"I can talk to her. Or at least, she talks to me. The one I summon seems to be an exact copy, but the ones I see in mirrors... they're different. I can't talk to them, but I hear them sometimes."
After his offer to remove the leaves, her eyes go wide and she lets out an embarrassed "Oh!" She reaches to feel for them and pull them out, then pauses. "Sure, sorry, you can help. Or I can do it, since I'm already doing it." She blushes as she becomes more awkward.
"Anyway." A small cough. The leaves remain in her hair.
"I'm not worn down, don't worry. I'm made of sterner stuff." She smiles. "What's your other question?"
Tavene grins, and mimics each finger raising in response.
"I find it preferable. The more people around, the more uncomfortable I become."
"I'm adept at foraging, hunting, and finding clean sources of water."
"Fire and shelter, one might say, are my bread and butter. I can make shelters out of pretty much anything outside."
"It would depend on the predator. I can't claim to be able to defend myself from the biggest of them out there, but I do well enough."
She drops her hand.
"I've had to do it before. Survive in the wilds, on my own. I envision someday building a little place for myself out in the woods, close enough to a town that within a day's ride, I could get supplies if necessary."
She looks surprised at his offer. "I... don't think I would mind that so much." She says with a slow half smile. Then the smile slips away. "I was thinking of parting ways with the group in Kordech. Finding another job, maybe." She looks slightly uncomfortable.
Kilo is clearly looking forward to being on the move again and away from (or so he thinks) the complexities of City life and human interaction.
Tavene very casually places herself in Kilo's proximity within the caravan when everyone is settling down to start the journey.
"I know that look," she says with a half smile. "I sometimes wonder what it would be like to leave cities entirely. Make a home out there somewhere." She gestures to the forests in the east.
"It was pointless," Tavene says from behind Nalo, "but that had nothing to do with you. Just with the nature of the thing in the tubes. No reason to think you're not a good leader." She pats Nalo on the shoulder in that awkward way that indicates she's not used to trying to comfort anyone.
Tavene hesitates when she looks over the group. "Yes, I'll try to find him. I trust you all to take care of yourselves, where Jarris' best defense is to flirt with whatever is trying to kill him."
Reading People, Difficulty 3:
Tavene says it sarcastically, but there's warmth there. She's worried about the Glint.
Without further ado, she disappears into the hallway with her weapon drawn.
Tavene smiles when Kilo demonstrates his breathing technique.
"I traveled, for a while, with a man who claimed to be a Master of Breathing. I'd never heard anything so ridiculous in my life, but after a few days..."
She steadies herself, closes her eyes, and places both hands on her stomach. She takes a deep breath with a slightly open mouth, a breath that seems to stretch longer than it should and fill more of the inside of her than space actually allows.
The exhale is just as slow and precise, and her whole demeanor changes as the breath leaves her. Her face relaxes, her shoulders drop, and she seems smaller. More vulnerable, and at the same time, stronger.
She opens her eyes. "I forget to breath that way most of the time. But when I do, I find I'm relaxed and able to pay more attention to what might be going on around me. And, hopefully, nothing really interesting pops up to interrupt me, and kindly waits until I'm done."
She cocks her head as she looks up at the taller man. "The hand motions make it look like you're conducting music."
Tavene leans against one of the walls, scanning the room as everyone mills about or explores the electronics. At one point, she walks over and crouches down next to Ceri.
Eavesdropping/Paying Attention, Difficulty 1:
"Hey Ceri, let me know if you find anything that looks uh... good for someone like me." Tavene sounds a little embarrassed to be asking.
Ceri gives Tavene elevator eyes. "If there's anything obviously for a fight, sure, I'll let you know. Do you have something under the hood you keep secret?" Ceri raises her eyebrows suggestively, to which Tavene looks flustered and shakes her head.
"I don't like women."
Ceri looks confused, then lets out an abrupt laugh.
"No, no, I meant... are you like me?" She tugs at the high collar of her shirt, revealing something no one else can see unless they're standing over Ceri. Tavene hesitates, then nods.
"I train, but I also know the benefit of what was created in worlds before us."
Ceri nods again. "If I find anything, I'll let you know."
When she walks away, she looks pleased with the outcome of the conversation with Ceri, then moves to stand next to Kilo.
"What do you do, to entertain yourself in places like this?"
Tavene glances at Nalo and shrugs. "I don't mind."
Jarris looks thrilled at Nalo's comment about the cheese shop. "It's an amazing place. If travelers only make one stop in Keford, I strongly advise they make that stop Arbella's Yellow. Anson recalls well; the wheel of cheese there is boasted to be one of the biggest in the northern kingdoms."
He leads the way, heading towards the southern side of the market. At this time of night, a surprising amount of stores are still open. A small crowd of people mill about the market, making purchases or just chatting with each other in the streets.
The shop is easy to find and only has one other customer in it at the moment. And the giant cheese wheel is impossible to miss; it takes up the center floor, with many smaller cheeses displayed artfully around it. The cheesemonger looks happy to see a group of three enter the shop. "Good evening, good evening! Would you..." the woman does a second take when her eyes land on Jarris. "Oh hello Miz Oran. You and your friends are welcome to sample whatever you'd like. Just let me know and I'll cut a few pieces!"
Jarris smiles and tips his hat to her. "Ever my favorite cheesemongress, Edaline. Thanks for your generosity." He turns to his companions. "This really is my favorite shop."
Kilo:
Tavene chuckles after the comment about comparing fishing to numenera. "That's good advice. And yes, I'd love to try it out. You really can't have too many skills to rely on when you're outside of a city." She smiles warmly. "Where do I start?"
Tavene lets out a surprised 'ha!'. "That's a good point. They probably would cancel each other out."
And you do! You run into Jarris near the center of town, coming from the direction of the market. He's carrying a small bag over his shoulder filled with something that clinks softly as he moves.
"Ah, good evening, ladies! Mind if I join you on the walk?"
"I'll give it a day or two and leave a note at the inn, should neither of you be present if I'm ready to leave." Ada says. She turns back to say something quietly to the man in the back of the wagon, and it sounds like they're in the midst of a minor argument when you and Tavene turn back into the city.
"I can't say I'm sad we won't be traveling with Tam." Tavene admits, casting no glances backwards in case she catches the man's eyes. "He seems harmless, but gods. The talking. It's like Jarris, but so much worse."
"I've used a bow before... but I can't say I'd ever thought to learn how to fish with one. Just poles, whenever I'd camp out near a lake or river. So I'd love to learn from you!"
Kilo wrote:
Kilo smiles broadly, "I think we understand one another, Tavene." He looks directly into her eyes, "I am happy we have met and are making this journey together."
It's hard to ignore boundless and honest enthusiasm, and although Tavene isn't the best at dealing with people, she's not immune to his earnestness.
"I'm happy for that too, Kilo." She says with a lopsided grin.
"Really? The ocean has plenty to provide. If for some reason the bean doesn't do it and the cook won't put something together, I'm sure I can keep going until you're sated." Kilo appears honestly concerned.
Tavene looks a little confused, and then she laughs. "Oh, no, it's just an exaggeration. I'm not too shabby at catching my own food either, just ah... not as practiced on a ship. Much better out in the wild."
Kilo wrote:
"Well...aside from eating for eatings sake, isn't that the reason for eating? I mean, food is fuel, right? So eating provides energy to make yourself better. It's a perfect win-win!" Kilo grins happily.
"Exactly!" She seems genuinely excited about the conversation. "A perfect cycle. Eat delicious food, fight until you're about to drop, eat more delicious food."
Kilo, Reading People, Difficulty 2:
Tavene seems to get just as excited about talking about food as she did fighting. It's pretty much the only time you've seen her show any emotion other than 'awkward' and 'annoyed' and 'content'.
Nalo:
Tavene catches Nalo's eye, then looks to Ada in her caravan. "Three shins? If you were to hire me alone, I would be worth ten for this trip. Besides, maybe you can milk a few extra shins out of the people you attract who will only travel if you offer protection. Call it two a head."
Ada hesitates.
"Well... two is a little low..." she seems unsure.
"Come on, Ada. Are you going to let a large group of people willing to protect you slip away so easily?" A masculine voice pipes up from the covered cart. Tavene whirls around to face it, confused when she sees no one.
A man with dark hair, short and messy, pokes his head up from the floor of the cart. It's clear he's just woken up from a long night, or an early nap. He looks between Nalo and Tavene, gaze lingering on the former, before looking to Ada.
"Hush, Mathias." She chides. "Okay, wreck me but that's cheap." She shakes her head and looks back to Nalo and Tavene. "Two shins a head, protect the caravan during the trip. Maybe hunt a little something out on the road so we have more to eat than rations?"
Tavene glances at Nalo again, then back to the driver, and nods. "A deal is struck."
Ada nods, looking at Tavene with renewed interest. "Huh. I can't argue, having capable people along is more valuable than just transferring folk from place to place." She chews on her lip.
"I can put out a call for passengers going east." She says after a few moments of thinking. "People who weren't keen on traveling without protection. If your seven were willing to keep more of an eye out, do a little more protecting than traveling... three shins a head?"
Ada raises an eyebrow and looks at the two of you with speculation. Or is it suspicion? She keeps glancing at the gates. Is she bored of you? Would she mug you all and leave you naked in the wilderness a day after you left? You just can't seem to read her.
"That's considerate of you, letting me wait a bit to fill up. I'm sure you've heard, no one's about this trip right now." She sighs. "I might be a right fool to wait for passengers, but as I've got a couple already..." she nods. "I'd say for seven, going to Kordech? Four to five days total, depending on the weather, assuming no more Winds," she taps the side of her seat with her pointer finger, "you gotta bring your own food, but I'd say for seven it'd be five shins a head."
"What, no discount?" The words tumble out of Tavene's mouth.
"Well... what did you have in mind?" She does seem more interested in having a discussion about it than she did just asking for shins. That much you can see.
"He called it a minor Senzu bean. It's supposed to fill you up and heal you to boot. It should be enough to make you feel better." He places the bean in her hand and folds her fingers around it.
Tavene looks up at Kilo while his hand covers hers. "Thank you," she doesn't move her hand away, but a half smile appears on her face. "I'll take it before bed, after I've put this fish away. That training was intense, I feel like I'll probably be hungry for a day or two no matter how much I eat."
She chuckles. "I guess that's one of the many reasons I got into this line of work. Eating whatever I want and burning it off in a good fight."
Nalo/Caravan Hunting:
Nalo wrote:
Nalo's pale eyed gaze rakes up the driver with a cold assessment that doesn't match the slow polite smile that curves her lips. A ever so slight shake of her head for Tavene, more a maybe than a no, "I'm Nalo `Ui`uiki. Tavene said you might be able to help us find out if any caravans are heading to Kordech?"
The impression you get from Tam is that he is one of those people who just happens to be obnoxiously bubbly morning to night. He's like a kid, but although he looks young, he's definitely an adult. You think it's possible he might have gotten too close to numenera at some point.
Tam looks crestfallen. "Oh jeez, yeah I wish I was going that way," he says, acting as though Nalo asked for him specifically. "Not many people want to go that direction on account of the Wind, but Ada, she's crazy, she'll go anywhere! She's running a line out to Kordech in the next day or two." He points to a very similar looking caravan. The woman is staring off into the distance with a book in her lap.
"Okay, great, thanks, good chat," Tavene says quickly. Tam watches the two women eagerly as though they'll stay and chat with him, but Tavene moves towards Ada without much further ado. "Hi, Ada? Tam pointed us your way, said you were going to Kordech?"
The woman looks started, and the book almost falls off her lap when she jumps. "Oh! Yes. I already have three passengers booked..." she looks back at her wagon and does some quick math. "I've got room for at least ten more, and I'd like to fill it before I head over. Not many drivers heading out that way right now, so a two person trip isn't quite worth my while." The aneen tethered near her cart munch noisily on grass nearby.
Tavene smiles, looking at Kilo with new respect. "It looks like you should be the one training me. I barely touched you!" She reaches out and touches his arm. "There is nothing more meaningful than your truth. It is story enough." She says this with a strangely intense earnestness, then looks a little embarrassed and drops her hand.
Rolling a 19 means you catch the hell out of a fish; there are plenty in the water.
A school of fish passes by the boat, and a large one is easily speared by the Glaive. Tavene takes the portion with a thanks and another strange look at Kilo.
"Nalo." She says abruptly. "Are you two... I mean, you followed her here." She doesn't elaborate and seems further embarrassed to have asked.
"The short version is that I got a strange feeling in my head one day, and when I was running supplies for the midwife, that feeling left my head and went into the body of the patient and they healed up some."
Panamax cocks his head and freezes briefly, then continues. "There is a longer version which is more detailed and a lot bloodier. But eventually I figured out that I could do it at will. I decided that I liked it and it was who I am, and now I am here."
Panamax smiles at the unbroken expanse of skin. He looks like he might want to put his hand on it again, but he doesn't.
Tavene turns a little red at the long gaze, but says nothing and doesn't cover up.
"I ah," she starts with a little cough, "I think it's uncommon for people to figure out their purpose and be sure of it. Many of the people who have hired me in the past hire me because their purpose is to commit violence, but they lack the spine to commit it themselves." She shakes her head. "Not to insinuate they should. Or that I'm violent. I mean, I am, sometimes."
She takes a breath. "Wreck me, but I'm terrible at this." She fidgets with the hem of her shirt. "It's been a long time since I traveled with a group this size. In such a small place. With such opportunity for talking. I would say that I don't dislike it, but it's not my purpose." She smiles, feeling like maybe she finally explained why she's so awkward. "And sometime, I would like to hear the longer version of how you came to find your purpose."
I'm reading this as you attacking the clone, so if that's a mistake, let me know and I'll repost a different combat scene here!
Before original Tavene can respond, Kilo's knee catches her doppelganger squarely in the gut. The doppelganger drops to the deck, gasping for air she can't find. Her eyes close, and the image of her breaks apart like sand and disappears.
Original Tavene cries out, doubling over as though she also had a knee driven into her stomach. At this, her smile disappears, though she's trying valiantly to act like it's no big deal.
"Ismar means 'thief' from where I'm from. Someone tried to steal something from me, so I killed them and took their blade." She breathes in deeply, straightening herself. "It was the first time I successfully defended myself once I left my village." The smile reappears, but it's shaky. "What does Amittai mean?"
Losing her doppelganger in combat does 4 points of unavoidable damage to her, and she loses her next action.
Nalo/Caravan Hunting:
Tavene makes a face at the mention of selling used underwear.
"I don't think Tam could give anyone who sailed here any problems. You all seem very fit to take care of yourselves."
They make it to the eastern edge of the city as night falls around them. The caravan staging area is well lit with torches, and at least ten other people are milling around the area. Tavene squints at everyone standing next to their own caravan, trying to get the attention of potential clients, and shakes her head.
"I don't see Tam here anyway, so..."
"Tavene Rheos!" An animated voice shouts from the furthest caravan. She cringes. "Over here! It's me!"
Tavene leads the way to a tall, lanky blond man who's waving almost frantically at the two women.
"Tam. Nice to see you again." She offers.
"Jeez, it's been so long since you were here! I think. A year? That's a long time. It's good to see you! Who's your friend?"
The man is young, clean shaven, with guileless blue eyes and a sunny smile.
"We can find someone else if you'd prefer," she whispers to Nalo.
At Nalo's question, Tavene turns bright red. "He asked me if I was interested in selling my undergarments." Her mouth forms a straight line. "Unwashed. After a fight." She shakes her head. "It's never a woman that asks you a question like that. At least, no woman I've met."
Kilo/Deck:
It doesn't take long for other-Tavene to climb; she's clearly as proficient in the skill as the original. Who climbs up behind Kilo after watching him move with a look of appreciation. All three stand upon the forecastle.
"So then, what would you name yours?" The doppelganger asks, vocalizing the same question as her original. She keeps her sword in hand, moving lightly on her feet so as to avoid getting punched in the face.
Tavene nods when Nalo points, and begins walking in that direction. "They'll be just outside of the east gates. The aneen are too big, and their leavings too large, to keep them inside the city." She hesitates. "Uh, anyway. My driver's name was Tam. Tam... something. About as tall as..." she scratches the back of her neck and looks embarrassed. "We weren't friends." She offers.
"He was taller than me. Light hair. Friendly guy, talked too much, asked me weird questions. But nice enough and didn't overcharge me."
Although happy to be on solid ground, Nalo's smile isn't up to full wattage, "Since Jarris is busy with the selling, do you want me to look into caravans to Kordesh? Is there anything we want to buy?"
A pause, "Seriously, we've been cooped up on ship for days, give me something useful to do." A pause, "Heck, doesn't even have to be useful if it is interesting."
Tavene stretches her arms. "I'm feeling a little cagey myself. If you don't mind, I'd like to get out there with you. Check into caravans. I knew a driver the last time I came through here who might still be around and friendly."
Panamax puts his hand near the old location of Tavene's wound. "I can only heal with a touch," Panamax says. "That is how you can tell."
Panamax takes his hand away.
She 'hmms' speculatively, touching the spot again.
"Well, I feel much better, anyway. How did you find out you could do this?"
Kilo:
I addressed most of this in the Discussion thread; I'm going to retcon some of what I've already done here. Other-Tavene has 6 health and one good hit from you should take her out, if you need or want to do that in this combat. I want you to target her directly if you want to, otherwise she's not going to take hits for Tavene. Two fist attacks at 4 damage each are fine for now. I think one defense roll is fine and both try to make it through that roll.
With a quick nod of her head, Tavene directs her clone to use the opposite railing to get on top of the forecastle. I wasn't actually sure what this was, so I did some googling. Let me know if this action doesn't make sense. :)
"Well," she starts, sounding embarrassed, "maybe I'll tell you that later." She darts forward at the cornered Kilo, "after you've earned it!"
Tavene over extends herself slightly as she swings, and Kilo's fist collides with her jaw and snaps her head backwards. Blood runs from her split lip. She stumbles back, shaking her head to clear it while inadvertently dodging his second strike. Blood stains her teeth as she grins. "One is called Ismar, and she's the sword I give to my other." She puts her sword away and raises her fists. "These I haven't named. Yet."
I feel like, for the purposes of combat, having fists count individually as 4 each (medium weapons) seems a little unbalanced. Since most other weapons anyone would wield, including large two handers, are only 6 + whatever Effort someone applies to the attack. If there's something in the reading I can find that disagrees with me, we'll go with that (and unarmed being 8 points of damage as medium weapons), but for now, I think that's a little OP. :)
Yes, only NPCs have health pools; PCs lose points from their pools as an indicator of their health (and part of a health track). And I haven't decided yet how I want to play my major NPCs; I feel like I want to play them as NPCs in combat because it makes my life easier. :) That being said, NPCs never apply Effort, so Tavene technically has none to apply.
Keep in mind, this is from the Core book about spending Effort:
For every level of Effort spent on a task, the task’s difficulty decreases by one step. It costs 3 points from a stat Pool to apply one level of Effort, and it costs 2 additional points for every level thereafter (so it costs 5 points for two levels of Effort, 7 points for three levels of Effort, and so on).
So that's a quick way to deplete your overall health, if you're using Effort frequently. Just fyi!
Tavene manages to dodge one of Kilo's punches while solidly taking the other. Her doppelganger presses the advantage again and swings her sword while Tavene brings her own fists to bear. She can't do much, as Kilo has closed the distance again, but he does take a cut that cleaves past some of his beastskin armor to draw blood.
"You're much better trained than the rabble I usually deal with on the road," Tavene admits, pushing the taller man away from her to give herself some space.
2 damage to Might as her sword is a medium weapon doing 4 damage, -2 from his armor. If you're right about defense, I think your defense rolls just need to beat a 9 in this case as well as your attacks? Correct me if that's wrong
Panamax:
Panamax wrote:
"Is your healing incomplete?" he asks quietly.
Tavene jumps slightly, then shakes her head. "No, not at all, it feels fine. I'm just used to taking my medicine to heal things like this. And after watching what you did to that pirate..." she gives a half smile, "I can't say I'm not a little worried I have an extra something or other now." She looks concerned. "I don't want you to think I'm not grateful. I'm very grateful. Having a wound healed closed by someone else is a lot better than some of the things I've popped into my mouth for the same result."
"Oh, good, I prefer... oof" Tavene starts, caught off guard when she's punched.
I think you're right about Effort just costing once for the action and covering both attacks (since they occur simultaneously). If I find contradicting comments in the rules I'll let you know, but that makes sense to me. Also, when you make attack rolls, can you also make a defense roll so I know what Tavene will have to make to hit you?
She rolls away from the hits, grinning now. "Nice strike." Tavene presses forward and swings her sword towards Kilo, while her doppelganger swings at his exposed back.
Tavene takes 4 damage total, as she doesn't spend Effort this round and both attacks clear the target number. Since she's an NPC, but controlled like a PC, she'll still obey NPC combat rules but her health will be much higher; she's at 32/36 health (drawing from all 3 pools)
Tavene, the original, blushes slightly. "I must have misunderstood, yes. I thought... the words, Zanzo-ken? Hajime? I thought these were names." At his question, she smiles, a little shy. "I might have named mine."
"Ugh." The other-Tavene says, sounding disgusted as she lunges forward with her borrowed sword. "Focus!" Original Tavene has the grace to look a little ashamed, and the smile disappears. She swings her own sword in tandem with her doppelganger.
Kilo defends the other-Tavene's attack, but Tavene lands a hit with the flat of her blade against his arm.
I just figured out how to do combat with NPCs. It only took me most of a first combat session. Pfffft. Basically, in each turn, you guys (PCs) will roll an action (attack or whatever else) and a defense. I won't roll NPC attacks anymore, I'll just determine if their standard attack would break through your defense. I feel silly that it took me this long to understand it, but there you go!
And for further explanation, Tavene is just level 1, but has a doppelganger, so I'm setting the difficulty at 3 to get through your defenses. So you need to roll 9 or higher. Since she's not going easy on you :)
I think if anyone was on the deck at night they would see the sparring, so I'm updating the spoiler to reflect that
Initiative:1d20 ⇒ 2lol Initiative:1d20 ⇒ 8
Tavene and her other both bow their heads. "How did your weapons come to be named?" Tavene readies her sword to parry an attack while the doppelganger lunges behind Kilo to see just how well he defends himself. Both versions of Tavene have easy smiles on their faces; battle seems to make her most comfortable.
Not sure if you actually want to play out a fight here; I'm game to do that if you'd like, otherwise I can fade to black it?
"This is an appropriate time as any!" She closes her eyes, pulling out dual swords. A moment later, another version of herself appears next to Tavene, wearing very basic clothing. Tavene hands her doppelganger one of the swords. "Jarris, if you wouldn't mind moving your art?"
The man salutes good naturedly and moves his things to Bellarim's side of the deck. He's very quick to get out of the way, without looking panicked.
Tavene seems to be concentrating, and if he pays attention, Kilo notices that the doppelganger is moving in concert with the original. Not exactly the same movements, but it's like an elaborate marionette that's tied to her. When she bows, the doppelganger bows too, with the same half smile on her face.
"Jarris." She manages to sound amused and disgusted at the same time. "He's grown on me, but it took a few days before I stopped wanting to punch him in the mouth." She shakes her head. "His business is talking and entertaining, and I've never seen anyone work a room the way he can. But every now and again he completely misreads someone and, well... touches their noses. Or inadvertently offends them with something he says."
She smiles a little. "He's worthless in a fight. That's how I met him, actually. Someone didn't like some pretty thing he said, and then he ended up on the floor. Normally I don't involve myself in affairs that don't concern me, but the guy who threw the first punch was a local, a real rubar of a man who'd caused trouble in that tavern before. Jarris thanked me, bopped my nose, got punched for it, and hired me to escort him elsewhere." She crosses her arms. "Maybe he would have hired that first guy if I'd left well enough alone."
I'm thinking about changing your spoilers to be Makani, as Nalo would call him (for consistency). Would that make sense, or would it make more sense for anyone other than Nalo to call him Kilo instead?
Tavene looks caught off guard by his enthusiasm, but composes herself and raises an eyebrow. "Here? Now?" She looks around at the deck. "We could do a little bit of sparring, if Jarris was willing to move. I'm sure he would be, since he seems to hate saying no to people. Especially strong people." She winks at her fellow Glaive.
Anson:
Tavene pays an oddly intense attention to the story. Even when he's finished and grinning, she seems to be waiting for the rest of the story. A moment later, she laughs. "Ah. Yes. Maybe you'll find it in Kordech."
At his question, she looks briefly out to the sea, then back to him. "The first time I visited Harmuth, maybe five years ago, I'd just finished one job and was looking for the next. Waiting in a tavern on the docks, and he approached me there. He seemed to know more about me than I was comfortable with, but offered me numenera in exchange for a bit of protection." She smiles, but this time, it's without mirth. "After working with him a few times, I'm convinced he needs no protection. Not that there weren't people trying to kill him. There were. But I think he's quite a bit stronger than he lets on."
His response elicits her first full smile, and her dark eyes crinkle at the corners. "No offense taken, I understand what it's like to prefer your own company. I had to learn fairly early... well, I got used to my own company, anyway." She coughs and turns to look away, then back again. "What are you looking for out there in the dark?"
It's pretty clear she's not practiced at this kind of conversation.
Sherine:
"Well, there's always something new around the corner, out here." She responds, looking back out to the sea.
A few moments pass. And then a few more, stretching out into what might be an either comfortable or awkward silence. "I'm used to working with just one or two other people at a time." After this comment, she waves a hand to gesture at the rest of the crew and guests that are still on deck. "I'm not much good in a crowd."
Kilo:
Tavene looks startled by this, then she smiles, looking prepared to laugh... and then the smile disappears again. "Maybe there was some truth to what I was told, then." She looks a little shaken by the story. "I'm sorry to hear that. It seems like every Glaive I know has a similar story. Born of rubble, born of disaster. How old were you?"
At this, Tavene smiles. "That's a fair point. To look at a group of people like a machine." She gives him a once over. "You look like the sort who hires me to watch their back when they decide they want to descend into old, dark places. Is that what you do, when you're not answering messages from shadows? Or do you just like the aesthetic?"
Kilo:
He might have seen the moon appear this way. It's not a consistent phenomenon, so it depends on how often he looks at the moon. Even for people who have seen it before, it's not a weird thing to be mesmerized by!
She shares a companionable silence with Kilo for a time, also looking upwards at the moon. "It used to scare me, when I was little. Someone from my village told me the green band meant a time when monsters would come out and steal children away for rituals."
Sherine:
Tavene nods in response. "It's a lot easier to move around when you aren't collecting things." She looks at Sherine, then to the rest of the ship, then to the water, then back again. "What kinds of experiences are you looking to collect?"
"How close do you think we are to machines, if we have numenera inside us?" After saying this, she absentmindedly brushes her neck. "I've met so many people on the road who shun that kind of modification, and yet..."
Kilo:
If Kilo is fairly well traveled, he probably has seen Tavene around before, or at least heard of her. She's not famous by any means, but she has taken many jobs over the last decade and travels quite a bit. I would say she's pretty strong; she has the ability to call up a doppelganger, so she's offered her services as a group-sparring partner for people she likes. She prefers fighting with a sword, but has never avoided a brawl using just fists, either.
The moon is high in the sky during the first night aboard the Icewine, appearing with a thick green band around the middle of it that's visible without equipment. This must be the 'green dress' Bellarim mentioned earlier.
"Always nice to see a fellow Glaive on a trip like this one," Tavene says if when Kilo approaches her.
At this, Tavene relaxes. Mostly. "What do you hear from her?" She places a hand on the mast as well, then an ear, pulling back after a few moments with a shake of her head. "With all that I've seen and found on various jobs, I've wondered how much I'm missing. What can't I see or hear?"
Tavene smiles slightly, then returns her gaze out to the sea. "Work with Zi usually is." She shuffles a foot. "Pays well, too. Looks like a lot of you are collectors."
Anson:
When you're feeling the thrum of the electronics under the wood of the mast, Tavene approaches.
"What are you doing?" She asks. Then looks uncomfortable. "Sorry, if you're busy." Looks more uncomfortable."It just looks like you're listening to music." Then she offers an awkward half smile that disappears almost as quickly as it arrived.
When Sherine approaches the prow, Tavene initially looks uncomfortable. Then, when she realizes the other woman is just there to enjoy the breeze, relaxes.
"So, uh... Sherine, what brings you out on a trip like this one?"
Tavene gives only occasional eye contact. She seems more awkward than standoffish.
Tavene rolls her eyes so hard it's almost audible. "As long as the rest of you are okay with a man who will disappear at the first sign of trouble."
Jarris looks mildly offended, but then the megawatt smile returns. "Or a woman who will disappear at the first sign of an engaging conversation."
Reading the Room:
Jarris and Tavene have clearly either traveled together or been in each other's company long enough to get to know one another. Their banter is tense, but you don't get a sense that they dislike each other. More that they are about as different as two people get.
This spoiler has a difficulty of 3, which means you must roll a 9 or higher to see it. If you're Trained or Specialized in reading people or observation, consider a roll of 6 or higher a success.
