Time for another BSA Campout at the facility with no cell signals. I head to work in the morning and then go meet the troop and head to camp. I'll be back on Sunday.
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"Hai." He looks at the others, taking a quick count and listening to their replies. "How far is this extraction point? If your observations are correct, then we can not count on finding useful supplies. We will need to carry at least enough to reach you."
"You don't hide things well. How bad is the sight?"
"Clotted mare's milk will line you out! Few walkers can drink like a rider-born." That last didn't even sound like bragging, just statement of fact. "You! Servant! Is there any clotted mare's milk to be had?" The poor sap Cho picked out looks confused for a second before answering. "No. We have some mead or fresh goat's milk instead, if you want?" "No culture here at all. Bring me water, then, if you have no real drinks." He turns back to Makanaky. "There will be plenty of creatures in our way as we try to tame the wilderness, but none will be as threatening as our other settlers. Men are man's worst enemy."
The short man laughs heartily. "Call me Cho. I am from Hongal. The great steppes of Tian Xia. Yes, let me try one of these drinks. Is there any clotted mare's milk?" He looks to truly be seeking what he just mentioned.
"Mingle. An interesting word. Let's." Cho follows Weyve across the space, waving at anyone who makes eye contact as they move. As Makanaky introduces himself and offers a very familiar skill set, Cho looks more closely at the dark-skinned man. "Makanaky? Sounds military. I am Tsaong Cho. It sounds as though we will be working together, or competing, or both!"
"I am glad to be going, but the selection process leaves me confused. Yes, let us see what these people think of as good food." Cho follows his companion of the day into the room, obviously rubbernecking as they go, giving the people in the room as much attention as the fixtures and decorations. He points at Aria and whispers to Weyve "I think she is pretending to be Tien. I wonder why?"
Last week was a shooting sports event for the local BSA council. This week is a district camp-o-ree and I'm off to camp with the troop. See everybody on Sunday!
Headed to a Boy Scout Shooting Sports campout to run the archery range. In the Hill Country and a valley, so there is no cell service after I get there. Will be back Sunday night.
Cho looks at the clerk in disbelief, having to remind himself how far from home he really is an attempt to calm himself before responding. "Smedrik, the Seneschal of Codwin I of Augustana. Who put you here?"
"But how does his nose make him unsuitable? Such a skilled warrior would be a good match for any woman. I don't understand." Cho wonders about the story as they leave. "Getting dark. We should visit this inn he pointed us at while there are still rooms to be had, I think."
Weyve: "I have no idea what theater might be here, but I imagine they have several. A tavern with music ought to be easy enough to find, though." He looks around at the crowd until he spots somebody likely. "You! Sir! What taverns are near?"
After getting the basics, he looks back over to Weyve. "Oughtta be something this way, he said."
Market: "I'm starting to think that WAS our interview. Such a hard choice to make with so little information. No evaluations or demonstrations of skill involved? That makes me more nervous than waiting." He scans the market with less urgency and more simple curiosity. "Maybe we should try to relax, and distract ourselves with the things that fill this city?"
Weyve: "Markets are places where they post notices? Most people will go to the market eventually. That makes sense. Yes, let us try the market."
When they get to the market, Cho begins looking around, trying to see if there is a notice or some indication of anything important.
Weyve: "I think going back tomorrow would be a mistake. He indicated we should return after selections have been made. It seems . . . assumed." He looks at the ground as they walk, considering. "There are supposed to be interviews, I thought. We should find out where and when, or the assumed may never come to pass. These interviews have been advertised around the world, surely there will be indications here of how to attend?"
Citadel: As they are dismissed, Cho bows again. As they begin walking, he turns to his new (at least temporary) companion. "That seemed . . . uncomfortable to me. Did what we say matter? Who has the reach to have gotten him to favor us like that? Are we doin gthis because we want, or ma I somebody else's tool?" Am I no more thna a pawn in her game?
My 4th weekend of BSA camping starts tomorrow night. This time my wife is going, and she asked me to post my reminder messages tonight so she can push me out the door that much faster if I get out of work late.
Citadel: Cho nods in acknowledgement. "I have heard it said that if you risk nothing, you can gain nothing, and that if you risk little, you can gain little. The name I wish to build, the difference I wish to make is great. That requires great risk, yes?"
After the exchange which might follow the above, Cho will admit another truth. "We came directly from the ship, and have not found lodging, yet."
On my way out the door for the 3rd Scouting weekend in a row, as previously advertised. I'll be back on Sunday.
Citadel: Cho hesitates at the error. "I am Cho, but my clan name is Tsaong. A common enough mistake in these lands. My apologies for mentioning it." Neither his face nor his tone suggest the apology is heartfelt.
Finally ending the bow, he looks the Seneschal in the eye. The statements which follow sound very rehearsed and formal, but he delivers them at a steady pace. "I have traveled across the world to join this expedition. It has become the lens through which I view my life. I can say without doubt that I am prepared to assist your expedition in many ways." "I was trained as a mounted warrior on the steppes of Tian Xi, making me capable at combat and also at capturing, taming, and training animals. As part of my duties in the tribe, I am an experienced sentinel, working to keep my tribe and our animals safe.
His gaze again matches the Seneschal's eyes. "But even more importantly than that, my skills and my back come to join the expedition without negative motives which will harm the expedition or other members. I am here to build myself a legacy as a man who helps others build, who helps others achieve. I am not seeking the lost wealth of Azlant, nor the power of control in the settlement or searching the ruins." His eyes turn down to the floor again, and the near mechanical aspect of his speech vanishes. "I hear that most who seek to go wish to own or control. Stealing from the group would destroy the name I desire." His eyes lock with the older man's eyes yet again. "I can not risk that." "She would never forgive me if I did."
Citadel: Apparently to Weyve's surprise, Cho doesn't say anything else for now, but holds his formal bow.
Citadel Prologue: The young Tien is obviously more nervous in this hub of government, scanning the crowd and moving in a nearly defensive manner whenever people get as thoughtlessly close as happens in a bustling city. No one gets closer than they did in the streets, so maybe it is the walls which have altered his response? "All these people wield the power of government? How do they not get in each other's way?" he wonders aloud, emphasizing the question as though it might be a weapon or shield against them.
"Good day gentlemen, are you here about positions upon the Peregrine?" Cho bows formally. "Yes, Seneschal. We are both here to that end."
I am about to leave for a Boy Scout Camp, where I will stay until late on Sunday (1 Oct). The area is notoriously bad for cell signals. I will be helping run a training event for other adults. Between the two, I will be surprised if I can update anything before then. Then I go back to the same camp in the evening of Friday (6 Oct) for my troop's monthly campout, and will return earlier on 8 Oct. Then I go back for the second half of the training program on the evening of 12 Oct and will stay until late on 15 Oct. Then my wife and I will return to the same campground late on 20 Oct and stay until sometime on 22 Oct for an Order of the Arrow event. Yeah. I do a lot with the Boy Scouts. I really wish even one of those weekends was at a different campground.
Prologe and Weyve: The young Tien shrugs and nods as Weyve points out what should have been obvious. "Makes sense." Pointing with his stick, "Door to the Citadel's around this corner, isn't it? Or is it the next one?"
Prologue & Weyve: "No, rat is not something I am familiar with, but I heard they are everywhere in larger cities like this, making a cheap, ready supply of meat if you need it. I just want to try it." As you get to the stall, Cho is obviously looking over the skewers, trying to see what he recognizes. Most hold nearly indistinguishable strips of meat from larger animals, but a few are tentacles and whole fish small enough to fit on the skewers. "Do you see anything that looks like rat? I may have to try one of those tentacles instead . . .."
After they finish picking out something, Cho trades the vendor a couple of coins for the meat and returns to walking. "How much time have you spent on a ship before? I mean, you said you can breathe water. Is there a reason for you to use a ship at all?"
Prologu & Weyve: Weyve looks Tsaong Cho over. "And you? You have the look of a warrior about you. I'm sure we will need plenty of those!" The young man laughs. A hearty, rolling noise that seems to fill the street and attracts attention from the citizens. "Yes, I have some martial training. But I bring more than that to the expedition. As one of the riders of the steppes, I am skilled with animals, not just horses. I know a few things about surviving in the wilderness, and should be able to help make life a little more comfortable as a result. I have researched the kinds of opponents we are likely to face, and have a few minor tricks to make those fights go easier. I was also blessed with the opportunity to learn some of the Azlanti language." He shrugs before continuing. "You might say I had a guardian angel helping prepare me specifically for this expedition. She certainly saved me from a life without meaning." He looks at his feet for a moment. Almost under his breath, he mutters "Now all I have to do is be worth it." A few step later his head pops up, he sniffs the air, and he points slightly off to the side. "Roast meat on a stick! I hope he has rat. Want some?"
Prologue & Weyve: The Tien human mutters as the attractive First Mate corrects him. "Smedrik. Seneschal at the citadel." He looks her in the eyes as he bows, slightly. "Then I am in the wrong place. Thank you, Naerath. I look forward to spending time on the Peregrine." As he moves away from Naerath, the funny blue man he had noticed earlier asks for company.
"If you wish. I doubt proximity will increase your chances, though." The smile almost makes up for the attitude inherent in the statement. Almost. "不幸的。城市生活不是田西。沒有什麼比草原上的馬背上的生活更好。然而，找到一個有文化的人是好的。"
Trying to keep his eyes on the path, preventing himself form being rude and staring, Cho switches back to Common. "I am curious. What skills do you bring to the table that you think will win you a space in the expedition?"
Sorry. I was completely unplugged for longer than I had planned as I moved. Wife changed the connection date on me. I'm reconnected now.
Prologue:: Standing on the dock, in the sun, waiting for a ship he's never seen before, the young man's mind wanders. "These ships are awfully ugly horses, but this is the path to the future." The crowd waiting on the Peregrine includes an assortment of women, many with children. "As are they. I wonder where their futures will take them? I wonder how many of these women spend their lives waiting for someone to return?"
Looking around at the others waiting, some individuals are harder to ignore than others. "Blue? Some weird people in these cities." Eventually, a ship slides into place at the dock, the crowd only slightly off-center for where it ties up. Most of the crowd is watching the ship's deck, waving at somebody or another on board as they scurry about the job of securing the vessel. "I wonder which I should be talking to? I guess I should ask. You don't go to the Kahn, you go to his lieutenants. But I really can't tell who is who from here." He sighs. "Looks like things are thinning out enough to try." As he starts pushing through the small crowd, he sees the blue man charge up the ramp. "Permission to come aboard? Hunh." Reaching the ramp, he stops at the bottom and looks up at the crew above. "Permission to come aboard?" Not really waiting for acknowledgement, he moves up the ramp, catching the end of the blue man's introduction. Instead of following him further, though, Cho turns to the crew member at the top of the gangway. "Who do I talk to about the expedition?"
The completion of Table III starts now. BtW, based on how you've been starting the other tables, I KNOW my written background is getting at least a partial rewrite. No stress. I will adapt the written background to comply with the start you provide as opposed to the start I was expecting.
Updated. I hope the expanded Background suits. I'm still open to suggestions. Unless somebody gives me a really good idea, I believe Cho is fully formed. And Table 3 will be ready to start when you are. We don't want to rush you anymore than you want to rush us. Marathons tend not to go well when you sprint at the start.
And alias. Any recommendations on what else to do with my background bit are welcome. I'm not sure how to better make the connection without claiming too much of the NPC . . .. |