Radwa was unceremoniously awakened as they had been the past several mornings: by an unwelcome splattering sound followed by a foul stench wafting in through the holes in rusted walls of their ramshackle shelter.  In the pen next to the workshop they'd been staying in, the old aneen had taken it's morning constitutional right against the wall.  Again.

Unable to sleep through the odor (not from lack of trying), Radwa decided that it was time to rise and get moving.  There were preparations to make.  These people would never have hope if their last chance scouting party was seen leaving with that toothless, tempermental neighbor of of Radwa's, but right now, that was all the citizens of Canthus could spare.

The aneen had been recovered, wandering in the plains west and south of the aldea.  It had been part of a scouting party that left nearly a month ago.  The still-healing wounds on the animal indicated that it had been attacked by denizens of the Caecilian Jungle.  Those raids had been ranging farther north by the year, but Wilmark Aldrege, Regent of Canthus, had expressed a hope that those vicious abhumans and their lizard-like mounts might stay away from the higher foothills of the Black Riage.  His optimism proved unwarranted.
This message was last updated by the GM at 01:08, Wed 12 June 2019.

"Must you?" Radwa complained as the smell assailed their nostrils - as it had every morning they'd been staying there. They got up and dressed, packed their sleeping things away, and returned their attention to their work, munching on a breakfast ration.

They had their cache of io laid out neatly, what they'd thought was enough to build a transport cart. In truth, most of what they needed was here - they still needed some more parts and more metal plating than they thought. Their attention turned to the synth shielding - the bits that were supposed to be both the windows and the photovoltaic charger had been damaged by sandblasting and were far too opaque to be of use in either of the applications they needed it for.

"At least the more complex parts are all right," Radwa said to themselves, looking at the mimetic gel and quantium they had, before looking back at the synth shielding. "Maybe I can try buffing it out - it doesn't look too caked on and I should be able to salvage some of it, right?"

They look over at the aneen and sighed. "I'd better take this outside," they said, before opening up the stable doors and pulling some of the synth shielding out. They got out their buffing cleaners from their tool box and started to take out a few of the synth shielding pieces into the sunlight to try and clean them off - both to help clean them and to have something resembling air flow for both theirs and the aneen's sakes.

The scratches didn't seem quite as bad once Radwa washed the dust and grit off, but they would still need some polishing to useful as windows.  There was a dented tin of polishing compound in the workshop area, left over from some craftsman or other, some project completed or forgotten years ago.  It stank, but it was effective.  Rags could be found in abundance.  The problem was, apart from needing to spend more time soaking in foul odors, there was barely enough polish for half of one panel.  Radwa would need to find a way to obtain more.

Radwa took a small vial of the polish as a sample, packed away the rest of the cache of materials and iotum, and pulled the hood of their cloak up. "Well, this isn't going to cut it - maybe somebody has some more I can use. Hopefully they do - it'll be easier to buff it all out rather than find more, I think."

They sighed and turned towards the rest of Canthus, setting off to the market area in the hope of finding the polishing compound they needed, their hircine legs glinting briefly under their skirt as they left the stable.

The community has still not risen to full life, but some people are about.  Aromas of cook-fire smoke and sizzling meat waft through the air, counter-pointed with the occasional assault of people disposing of their nightsoil in cylindrical receptacles stationed about the aldea.

A rare cloudy day contains the possibility of rain.  Men, women, and even a few Lattimor are deploying collection barrels by the roofs of the buildings, even the unoccupied ones.  Radwa has been in the area long enough to know that most of the community's water is drawn from a spring to the south, but no one misses a chance to get easy, clean water.

In the market square the food vendors are already hawking their wares.  Skewers of roasted insects are removed from a metallic heating box before being hung from a display wire.  One woman gracefully skins and scores a magillin fruit before rolling it in a mix of spices, creating the edible image of a flower with orange-tipped blue petals.

Radwa looked around the aldea, enjoying the more pleasant smells of the early morning while quietly reminding themselves that time existed and most places didn't have shops open all twenty-eight hours of the day. "Maybe I should've built the sustenance synthesiser for them instead..." they said to themselves as they passed along the food stalls.

They actually stop to watch the woman prepare the magillin fruit, admiring the deftness and skill in her work, idly turning a piece of quantium in their hand. After watching the woman continue to turn out more art, Radwa approaches.

"Hello. Sorry to... to both you but, uh, could I have one of your flowers please?" they ask, their voice softened and quieter than it was compared to talking to themselves but still audible.

The woman, perhaps in her 50s and dressed neatly if cheaply, looks up as she rolls another carved fruit.  The smell of the spices is a bit stronger, hot and spicy to counter the earthiness of the magillin.  "You're from awver the Scouts Camp, I think.  Didn't graw up round here, judging by that accent."  She sets the finished "flower" on the rack and wipes off the knife blade on her apron.  "You heading past the Veil?  A quiet one like you?"

Radwa did their best to hide their discomfort at the way the conversation had changed, but they probably weren't doing a good job of it. "No - I mean yes, I'm going on the expedition but... no, I'm from Navarene to... to start with. I mean, even quiet people can explore, can't they?" they said, their voice getting faster as the sentences ran on, before they made themselves stop and catch their breath, an awkward expression on their face, the hand that held the quantium gripping it far too tightly.

The woman stabs one of the magillin flowers and pokes it toward Radwa.  "Gaw on, then.  Take it.  You'll need your strength."  Once the morsel, bigger than Radwa's fist, is taken, the older woman smiles.  "We appreciate you lot helping.  You need something for the trip?  Magillins wawn't keep, though.  Awnly a couple days after you pick 'em."

Radwa accepts the magillin with a surprised expression. "Thank you. You... don't want any shins for it?" they asked, happy to accept but mildly confused. They put the quantium in a pocket so they can properly grip the magillin fruit-flower, letting the spice mix waft through their nose.

"I want a safe place to live.  A magillin is a small price to pay for that."  She smiles warmly and picks up another fruit from her crate, still in its dark, fuzzy skin.  "I'm sure you have better things to do than chat in the marketplace.  Run on with you.  A new home wawn't just fall out of the sky for us."  With quick, practiced movements, she begins to peel the fruit and carve the petals of another "flower".

Radwa takes a few seconds to absorb the fact that they were getting the food for free before thanking the woman again and going on their way. They paused for a moment to bite into and savour the fruit, enjoying the scent of the spices and the taste and texture.

They found an out-of-the-way spot to sit and watch everyone go about the business of the day, taking bites from their fruit as they watched, occasionally brushing their hand over the pocket where they'd put the quantium they'd been playing with earlier.

Radwa is able to find a shady spot between two buildings and under a large tree, keeping out of the summer sun for a bit.  As they slowly consume the magillin, they discover half a dozen seeds within, squarish marble-sized lumps of deep scarlet flecked with black.  Radwa nearly breaks their teeth on the first one they encounter, and are careful to flick out the remaining ones as they're exposed.

The bustle in the town slowly picks up as the sun rises.  Overall, Radwa sees abnormally high numbers of children and older folk going about their daily business or just kicking a bundle a sakra stems around.  A pair of peddlers, their carts pulled by avian-looking quadrupeds, are flanked by a single guard who looks only slightly less weather-beaten than the merchants.

Radwa hears bits of news and gossip from various passersby, too.

"... haven't been any attacks for a week now.  We're due.  I hope they got that eastern turret repaired or I'll be ..."

                  "... is the first mira-mira meat he's brought in for a month.  I'm hoping I can get a cut of the haunches for that stew the kids like."

"I'm not sure this was worth the trip, Abbal.  Do you really think these people are going to buy those Fasten textiles?  Still, we might be able to get some goods at a cheap price if ..."

The sweat cools on Hoa Sen's forehead as she finishes her katas and tugs her tunic back into place. Such a simple gesture: replacing the disarrayed. There's no such simple solution for Canthus or for Hoa Sen herself. Aeon Priest Ulhe and his small semblage should have been here weeks ago; their route was, by last reports, no more dangerous than her own had been. Of course, last reports had also suggested the aldea was not in any immediate danger.

That, Hoa Sen knows, is wrong. She feels it in her bones. She has done what she can to help; while she could never master the Order's numenera, she has learned much about the way of organizing goods and people. The Regent Wilmark Aldrege has appreciated that help.  It is not going to be enough. Even Radwa, the wright with the numenera legs, can not build a solution. How much difference the resources of the Papacy could provide! More skilled hands to work the salvage into functional devices, more knowledge to restore the burned fields and heal the wounded.

Hoa Sen is all the resources the Order of Truth has managed; she knows that anything else is hypothetical and increasingly unlikely to arrive quickly enough to make a difference.

For a time, the kasunda loses herself in the waxing bustle of Canthus in the morning. There are people to cheer, vendors to check in on, children to entertain with a joke or flourish of hand or foot. Hoa Sen's ears collect the gossip. Little of it is new, little happy...
This message was last edited by the player at 01:22, Wed 12 June 2019.

Radwa finished the fruit - skin and all - and was just cleaning their hands when they saw Hoa Sen passing through the Canthus marketplace, speaking effortlessly with others around her and making conversation look as easy as breathing.

"I wish I could do that."

They stretched their legs, took out the sample vial of polish, and waved at Hoa Sen, hoping to catch her attention.

Hoa Sen spots Radwa when the wright waves and excuses herself from discussing the ongoing antics of errant children. As soon as she's away from the conversation, her smile slips. A little. Her body language tightens up, too, becomes the more habitual movement of somebody who has walked long distances and in strange places.

When she reaches Radwa, she touches a finger to her throat and bows shallowly. A little more life comes into the smile. "Radwa. A pleasure to see you this morning. How progresses your work?"

Radwa returns Hoa Seon's gesture of greeting, and showed her the sample vial of polish. "It goes. Do you know if anyone here has more of this polish?" they ask, opening the vial to allow Hoa Sen to better inspect the contents.

"I need much more of it because some of the synth shielding got damaged by sand and needs cleaning before I can use it in the cart, but I don't have nearly enough of the polish I need to do it," they explain before stopping themselves and giving Hoa Sen a chance to actually reply.

Hoa Sen frowns briefly at the proffered vial. It is a tube of...something. That is as much as she can tell. While she's got a mental catalogue of things it might be, she's no better at making the connections between that list and the substance in front of her than she was as an apprentice. "Polish. Yes. I am not certain who might have more, but I am happy to help you look. We will certainly need every asset we can arrange if we are to find these people a new home. Have you yet asked around?"

A pack of stray og-whirric snuffle past, stout beasts with six legs and thick scales, piggish noses on blunt faces.  They are generally harmless, if occasionally a nuisance.  A couple gobble up the stray magillin seeds that Radwa had discarded.  Another sniffs expectantly at their fingers before noticing it had been left behind and trotting to catch up with its companions.

"There are a few craftsmen over on the east side of town who might have this polish. Let us walk that way," Hoa Sen says, and, taking Radwa by the elbow, begins walking them in that direction. "Have you begun assembly yet, or have your efforts been consumed in gathering materials?"

Radwa is surprised at Hoa Sen taking their elbow, but doesn't resist. "I've started a little bit - I'm short a few parts and I need to buff the synth back into transparency so the cart has windows and can recharge itself properly, so there's still a ways to go yet, but I know I'll be able to finish it for whoever else is coming on the expedition," they explain as they walk together. "I mean, hopefully it's not too many - the design only has room for four passengers and a driver, so if we get more than that it might get a bit squishy..."

Sen sighs. "I worry that the answer to that question hangs too much on whether the other expeditions return. There are so few of us left with both the will and the skill to go beyond Canthus's fields." Hoa Sen's eyes drift toward the horizon, and she lowers her voice. "We are at the point in which necessity dictates our movements. We do what we must with what we have." She pulls her attention back to the wright. "Which, hopefully, includes the polish you need for this cart. Here we are. You will have to verify what it is you need, but I will help make sure that it is put to the greater good."

Hoa and Radwa have arrived at a small square bounded by the little shops of crafters.  The signs of a potter, a maker of reed furniture, a utensil-smith, and an armorer can be easily spotted.  Hand-painted signs of icons or Truth glint in the morning sun.

The shop that Hoa has indicated is a synth molder.  Objects of varying shapes, nearly all of transparent synth, are boldly displayed behind a perfect window.  The door, translucent synth in a woven pattern of blue and red, is propped open, allowing the low whirs of machinery to drift out.

"I hope so too," Radwa replied as they entered the shop, their feet clacking on the floor and gently pushing past the door.

"Hello?" they called, not quite moving past the door and instead peering around it so only their head was visible from the other side. "Is anyone in?"

The store has an amazing variety of synth objects displayed on the walls.  Some are clear, others in the translucent shades of the door.  Some have twisted patterns of some combination of the above.  Most of the items are everyday and utilitarian: bags, pots, windows, helmets, utensils, etc.  There are even a few pieces that look simply decorative, shapes that defy definition and function.

A muffled shout from the back room announces "I'll be with you in a minute!"  The whirring continues for a few more seconds, then subsides.  A younger man wearing a leather apron, gloves, and a synth face shield comes out.  He lifts the shield to reveal an eager face pocked with burns.  His arms show similar markings, a fresh glob of red synth sticking near his left elbow.  "What can I sell you?"

"A pleasant morning to you, sir," Hoa Sen says, making the same touch-the-throat-and bow gesture with which she'd greeted Radwa."We are seeking supplies to facilitate an expedition. Master Radwa requires at the least a certain polish." The arkus looks encouragingly over to the wright. "We'll see you recompensed, sir, one way or another."

A brief conversation and Radwa's remainder are enough to identify the product, and he does have some in stock.  "It's ten shins a tin.  'Sthe awnly stuff I knaw that'll work on the synth saw well.  Gets it right clear, perfect smooth."

"How much do you need?" Hoa Sen asked Radwa. Ten shins was...dear. If they needed more than a single tin, even Hoa Sen's persuasive powers were unlikely to prove sufficient.

The shopkeep waves to a small display, three tins in total.  "I can make what you need in synth, too, polishing included.  'Course, that depends on what you're looking for.  And that'll effect the cost, you knaw."  He smiles in what appears to be an attempt to be friendly.

Radwa studies the tins for a moment before replying. "I think one tin will be enough to finish what I need," they say, actively failing to make eye contact with anybody present.

"Though I don't have enough shins myself to cover the full price..." they aid, their voice trailing off as they show the five shins they do have to Hoa Sen. "What else do you accept, if anything?"

The man smiles.  "I do barter, of course.  Artifacts mainly.  Or machines.  Things that have a lasting impact."  He pauses a moment and chuckles wryly to himself.  "I alsaw accept genius.  I have a prawject ain't never been able to finish.  You build it working, you can have the polish and then some."  He chuckles again and his smile grows just a tiny bit cruel.  "But naw one has been able to figure it out since Pettilac passed on about ten years agaw."

"I also remind us, gently, that this contributes to the thin line of hope we walk for a future for the people of Canthus," Hoa Sen said, her tone measured. "We hardly expect you, sir, to make your civic duty into mere charity, but we should consider that duty as we work together to decide what is fair. Master Radwa, do you have the time to spare to look at the gentleman's machine?"

Radwa nods enthusiastically. "Certainly - I'd be happy to take the time to examine it!" they said, their expression brightening immediately.

"You break it, you replace it.  That gaws for all the pieces, too."  He motions you around the sales counter, taking a moment to lock the front door.  "Can't take naw chances with so many strangers about."

He leads you into the back, first through a store room of wares, some half-completed, and then into a workshop in back.  Two hulking machines take up most of the back wall.  The closest is a silvery contraption with a large turntable and open space in the center.  The shopkeep calls this the "synthshaper" and explains that it's worked perfectly for years.  Beyond that is another machine with valves and dials and nozzles and all manner of controls.  It seems to be made of a bronze-like metal and is conspicuously incomplete.

"This is what needs completing.  My pappy were sawld it as havin' four colors past the clear stuff.  Pettilac worked on it when he could, but after the clear was working, it just weren't a priority, since he was doin' it cheap.  After he died, Pappy tried to put the last one together.  It was a kit-like.  But he ain't figured it out before he died.  I couldn't figure it either.  Took apart the green to see if I could make it work, but then I couldn't even put that back together."  He waves at an irregular pile on the work bench before opening a latched case of battered black synth and pulling out an object.  "This is the real bugger that stumped me.  I can't figure out where it gaws and I can't see it in any of them."  He jerks his head back toward the functional pieces.  "But I knaw it's a part.  It comes with.  It has its awn slot in the case."

He hands Radwa a silvery disc, about 10 centimeters in diameter.  It is covered in odd symbols, bits of wire, and other colorful bits.  "Genius away."  He leans back against the wall and holds up the tin of polish, skeptical expression on his face.

Radwa pulls the hood of her cloak a little neater over their head as they started to examine the disc. They also examine the other parts - the "green" - and do a few laps of the device, carefully tracing their hands over each surface, their metal feet clacking on the floor as they paced.

"It certainly seems like a set... let me see..." they say to themselves as they examine the machine.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Will also apply one level of Effort, so difficulty is 1.
08:07, Today: Radwa rolled 1 using 1d20.  Crafting Numenera roll [Diff. 1

... are you Fucking Kidding me. Spending 1 XP for a re-roll!

08:19, Today: Radwa rolled 8 using 1d20.  Crafting Numenera roll [Diff. 1].

Much better.].

---

As they're around the other side of the machine, they spot something on the black disc - an odd, faint notch. They run their fingers along it and find more of them, practically unfeelable if you're running your fingers along any direction but one.

"Wait - this disc isn't a physical part of the machine," they explain as they come back around to the others. "It's the instruction manual - there's a set of really faint notches along here that indicate how to open it up and read it," they continue, excitedly indicating the relevant spots on the disc.

They trace their finger along the notches and a small projection of a page appears over it. "There - see? Now we should be able to get this device working again. If you'll give me a few hours with my tools and books I think I'll be able to get this device working for you again!" they exclaim, practically bouncing in place with excitement.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:30, Tue 18 June 2019.

The shop-keep's jaw practically hits the floor when he sees the projection appear.  He merely nods and waves toward the tool bench.

It takes Radwa less than half an hour to retrieve their tools and books.  There is a warm mug of lekva tea waiting for them when they return to the synth-maker's work room.

OOC: Hoa, you can exit this scene as you see fit, including adding to the conversation before or after Radwa retrieves their materials.

Hoa laughs in honest delight at Radwa's revelation. "So gracious of them to include a manual! I am certain you will both learn as much from that as from studying the machine." The arkus bowed to both Radwa and the synth stylist. "I will leave the technical work in your far more capable hands. Master Radwa, we will meet again before long, I expect."

"I'm sure we will - thank you!" Radwa replies as they set down their large box of tools, a book sticking out from a pocket to one side. They select a few tools of their own as well as some from the bench - making sure to separate them out enough so they don't end up in the wrong place - and start to read through the manual, working on reassembling the device.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
07:54, Today: Radwa rolled 3 using 1d20.  Crafting Numenera roll [Diff. 1, 1 roll for the whole task].

---

It took some time between flicking through various pages of the manual, banging, careful removal of panels, narrowly avoiding a toner blowout, and getting all the pieces exactly into place, but eventually the device was completely reassembled and Radwa was finishing up the diagnostics, watching the test print come through.

"There you go - all fixed now," they said proudly, tucking a stray lock of hair back under the hood of her cloak.

The shopkeep is overjoyed and starts pouring out green and black synth.  "This is wonderful.  I will be able to make so many more combinations now.  I am very impressed."  He adds some red and blue and clear synth to the mass he's created and moves it over to the shaping machine.  As it switches on, a high whirring noise fills the room and a few stray sparks launch from the ventilation gaps.  He quickly and expertly molds the material into an intricate and colorful pattern, and shaping it into a vase.

He proudly removes it from the device and hands it to Radwa, still warm.  "For you.  And the polish, of course."  This he hand to them, also, with a small bow.  His beaming smile continues.

Radwa accepts the vase and the tin of polish, a smile still on their face. "Thank you! I'm glad I could get it working for you again!" they replied chirpily as they left the shop, vase under one arm and tin of polish held in their other hand.

They make their way through the streets and back towards the stables where all of the parts, panels, and synth were, listening to the world around them along the way.

As Radwa builds and tinkers their way toward the evening, there is a small commotion in the scouts camp.  Just at sunset,tTwo loaded aneen, heavy with bulging bags and metal plates held in place by straps are led toward Radwa's workshop area by a human male and a lattimor female, both dusty and looking weary.  The lattimor offers a low rumble of greeting.  "Are you Radwa?  The regent said you should get first pick on this.  We picked it up in a small building we took shelter in on the way back from the east."  She sighs and blows out her lips.  "No hope in that direction."

Radwa is stretching out their arms and rubbing their tired muscles after a lengthy day of polishing and buffing when the aneen arrive. They're taken aback at being specifically asked for, but listen and nod as the lattimor explains why they've come to her.

"All right - I'll have a look and see what's there. Thank you," they replied before approaching the aneen.

Even a cursory glance at the material shows that there is more than enough of the plating Radwa needs to complete the transport.  The wires, tubing and other bits sticking out of the bags contain a promise of even luckier finds.  The human nods to Radwa before beginning to unpack one of the aneen.  The lattimor approaches Radwa and offers a hand in a human greeting.  "I'm Blorr.  Blessed to meet you."

Radwa is distracted by the plating and other salvage that might be there, and doesn't notice the lattimor's greeting immediately. They reach out their hand to accept that handshake and open their mouth to introduce themselves...

... before they notice something unexpected...

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Spending 1 level of Effort to reduce difficulty to 4.
10:32, Today: Radwa rolled 8 using 1d20.  Intellect [Diff. 4].
Not good, but I'm going to roll with it.

---

... and they freeze.

Their expression was excited, but it immediately collapses into a blank, frightened mask. Their extended hand is trembling and their skin goes noticeably paler than it was before, close to matching to colour of their cloak. Their breathing accelerates and there is tension visibly flooding their body, but Radwa isn't moving.

Blorr blinks and looks confused.  Even the human notices eventually.  "They ok?", he asks.

Blorr pulls back her hand but looks closer, face only inches from Radwa's.  "Frozen, maybe?  But it's not cold.  No electrical charge that I can notice."  Radwa can feel the vibrations of Blorr's voice.

The human nods toward the work bench.  "Something gaw wrong with a cypher or something?  Those tinkers are always messing with things they aughtn't."

Blorr backs up a few steps.  "I'll unload the rest in the yard.  You see if Mayhew can figure it out.  Maybe a bit he found is reacting badly with a bit in here.  I don't want that effect to spread."

The human nods and the two travelers slowly lead the beasts of burden out of the building.  The human's aneen bucks, unprepared for the abrupt change of direction.  A few of the straps, now loosened, break free.  Four metal plates crush a leather satchel into the gravel below.  Something in the bag explodes in a quick gout of flame, burning the human's leg and startling the aneen.  It gallops off into the dusk, its high pitched squeal slicing the quiet.

The high-pitched squeal of the aneen is followed by a similar - but significantly louder and longer - shriek from Radwa, their expression still blank as they make this noise. It's only when they finish screaming do they blink and apparently snap back out of it, suddenly gasping for breath as if they'd just finished sprinting around the aldea.

They drop to both knees and just breathe heavily, still staring off but apparently more aware of their surroundings, if only because you can see their eyes darting around trying to take everything in at once. One hand is held over their chest, the other clenched into a fist so tight their knuckles have gone white.

Blorr ducks from the fiery blast and continues leading her own aneen out into the courtyard.  She returns for the injured human, glancing at Radwa only enough to judge if the wright is still a danger as she drags her screaming comrade away.

Soon Radwa is again alone in garage.  In the distance, the fleeing aneen can again be heard wailing, but so far away.  Bloor is screaming in timpanic bursts for Mayhew and for a healer.  A few shouts from the village, farther on, drift in on an errant breeze.

More sparks leap from beneath the plating, leaving black, oozing spots on the stones, and lighting Radwa's horrified face in a bizarre, irregular strobe.

As residents of Canthus and strangers alike all cross out of the aldea and into the short span (approximately 100 yards) of grass before the Scout Camp, there is no indication of what's actually going on.  Some bear weapons, but others are just running, or even walking quickly.

The ramshackle buildings, crude huts, and make-shift dwellings that comprise the perimeter of the camp seem untouched and unoccupied, as they have since the last expedition set forth.  A deep voice continues to shout from deeper into the camp, "We need a healer here!  And Mayhew!  Someone get Mayhew!"

OOC: Those coming to the camp can make a perception roll, if interested.  Difficulty 4, target 12 on d20.

Upon entering the camp, Artor paused to assess the threat

Having fallen somewhat behind the faster Artor as they ran into the Scout Camp, Derrick now charged past him heedless of potential danger. Normally quite perceptive, Derrick was too focused on the voice calling for assistance to pay attention to much else. He headed towards the voice with his shield on his arm, but still without his weapon drawn.

Derrick rolled 4 using 1d20. Perception - Trained - Diff 3.

Hoa Sen continues her smooth run all the way into the scouts' camp. Only as she approaches does she slow her stride, attentive to shifts in the largely unoccupied mess of huts and shacks.

17:54, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 14 using 1d20.  Diff 3 (9) (Trained perception).

The older man focuses upon the voice calling for a healer, following Derrick...

RPoL Dice Roller:

13:48, Today: Agatho rolled 11 using 1d20.  Perception DT4.

OOC: Just missed.  Sigh...  :o
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Sun 23 June 2019.

A few other humans, who were close to the camp when the shouting began, are already converging in the open area near the center of the camp.  A few had the foresight to bring lights, so it's easy to make out an aneen that two men are trying calm and lead further out of camp.  Near them, a few women are crouched around a lattimor and a man who is lying in the dust, groaning.

Behind you, more people are coming, a few armed.  One large lattimor is in full plate armor, brandishing a massive sword.  Apart from anxious words, no one makes any aggressive moves toward anyone humanoid.

The older man moved toward the groaning figure lying down as he caught his breath.

"I am a Healer...  What happened here?"

The lattimor cradling the injured man looks up at the gathering crowd.  "There was an explosion in the barn.  Kal's leg was burned and worse."  She waves toward the structure, smoke wafting from the large, open doors.  "Be careful if you try to go in.  There may be a cypher going haywire or something.  The wright in there, we were delivering parts ... then just ... froze, mid action.  Didn't speak, didn't move.  Then ... collapsed, screaming."

"Radwa's still in the barn? Derrick, please, would you come help? Their legs aren't organic, you see, and I'm not sure I could drag them out on my own." It isn't that Hoa Sen didn't hear the warning about the possibly malfunctioning cypher, it is only that there's nothing she can do about it directly.

She doesn't wait for an answer, instead making immediately for the smoldering building.

Derrick follows immediately behind Hoa with an eye for any dangers.

Mayhew's sharp senses serve him well. He overhears Blorr updating the other arrivals as he moves over to the Lattimor's side.

"I'm here Blorr," he says in a calm tone. "Stay here with Kal. I will try to rescue wright."

With his usual disregard for personal danger, he quickly moves into the barn. He looks around for any anyone in danger.

---

OOC Difficulty 2. Success.
  12:06, Today: Mayhew rolled 16 using 1d20 with rolls of 16.  Diff 4 -2 (Trained Perception and a level of Effort).
This message was last edited by the player at 22:10, Mon 24 June 2019.

Mayhew, Hoa, and Derrick all arrive at the barn at roughly the same time.  The building is filled with a light haze of smoke that is drifting out the large open doors.  Inside, a stack of metal plates are escaping their bindings as they shelter a smoldering mess that still sends out occasional sparks, leaving a black tarry residue where they land.  A few dips and ridges in the gravel mark the rapid departure of a large biped.  Deeper in, a cloaked figure huddles on their knees.

The old man nodded to acknowledge the lattimor, and drew near to the injured man.

"'Peace to you.' I am a healer, friend Kal..."

The older man placed his hands upon the injured man.

"Sovereign One, please heal this man, to Thy glory, I pray..."

His hands glowed gently for a moment, then faded...

RPoL Dice Roller:

18:48, Today: Agatho rolled 9 using 1d20.  DT2 Healing Touch w/Extra Healing Effort.
18:49, Today: Agatho rolled 4 using 1d6+2.  Healing Touch w/Extra Healing Effort.

Then the older man gently reached out with his telepathic senses.

:: How do you feel now, friend Kal?  If you are still in pain, please share it with me now, so that I may assess any remaining damage...::

Believing the huddled figure to be the afore mentioned Radwa, Derrick proceeded into the barn and approached the figure. "Excuse me. My name is Derrick, it is not entirely safe in here. Would you permit me to carry you out?" As he addressed the figure, he used his shield to protect it from flying sparks.

An anthropomorphic red squirrel, Mayhew is just under five feet tall. He is wearing a dark green shirt, brown vest, brown pants, dark brown leather boots, and a jaunty green cap with feather. A strategically placed opening allows his majestic tail the freedom it deserves.

He glaces at the others who have entered the barn. "Can either of you do something about that?" he asks with a nod to the smoldering mass. Without waiting for a reply, he moves deeper into the barn toward the cloaked figure.

"I'm Mayhew," he says calmly. "Are you injured?"

With three of them hurrying off to the barn and the wounded man in Agatho's capable hands, Artor remained where he was and kept a watch: upon the barn door, upon the wounded aneen, and upon the mood of those who had come at the commotion. In other villages, he had watched nervous crowds become ugly baying mobs - and he knew little of how this Radwa was accepted within the community

Radwa gradually becomes more aware of everything going on around them. Their breathing, once rapid, gradually became more regular, their heart hammering less at their chest, their senses and mind gradually clearing back to reality...

... where things were on fire and they were surrounded by concerned people - and an equally concerned giant squirrel.

"Oh. I'm... I'm all right now, I think. But we'd better leave and put the fire out," they say, allowing the others to help them to their feet. Their voice sounds flat and distant, as if they're not all back yet.

re: Agatho and Artor

Part of Kal's leg is visible where the fabric of his pants were burned and torn away.  As your healing takes effect, you can see bits of gravel, shards of metal, and drops of goo being pushed back out of the flesh.  Still, your initial efforts are not enough to effect a complete recovery.  The leg is still burned and bleeding in a few places and Kal says, "There is still pain, healer.  It's not nearly what it was, but still there is pain."  His snarl of agony has relaxed some, though.

The aneen in the yard is finally fully calmed down and several members of the community are working to unload its burdens carefully.  It doesn't seem to have suffered any injuries, although you can hear at least one person asking where the other aneen is.

re: Folks in the barn

The rate of sparking seems to be slowing and the amount of smoke coming from under the plates seems to be lessening.  The room is growing darker much faster than the outside, and unless light is provided soon, the only way to see anything but silhouettes will be by the intermittent sparks.

Mayhew moves to help them up. Once they're on their feet, he says, "We should get out of here. That smoke might not be good for us."

He looks to the large man with the shield. "Get the two of you out of here. I want to make sure nothing else is going to burn. I worked hard to get this salvage and I don't want to lose it now."

He moves over to the plates and sparking. He looks around for any signs of fire or other hazard. If light becomes an issue, he pulls out a minor glowglobe from his pack and uses it.

After helping Radwa to their feet, Derrick spares a second glance for the anthropomorphic squirrel, but then nods his heads in agreement with the creature's directions and proffers his arm to Radwa to support them out of the barn. All he says to Mayhew is: "Be careful, I'll come back as soon as I've got this one some help."

As he helps Radwa out of the barn, he takes a moment to introduce himself. "My name is Derrick. I've just arrived in town so i'm afraid I don't know many people yet. Hoa said you are called Radwa. Is that right?" He doesn't broach the subject of what happened, leaving that topic for Agatho.

"None of this is good for us!"

Hoa Sen moves swiftly through the increasing gloom. While some fire extinguishing device would be more than convenient, she doesn't remember any such things sitting here. There are, though, a pair of mismatched lights: an organic-looking floodlight and a much harder-edged crystal that hangs from the ceiling. The kasunda goes for the floodlight, grimacing even through the smoke as she strokes the fleshy appendages that coax the thing to illumine.

Radwa allows Derrick to lead them out of the barn, and seems to recover a bit more once they're outside.

"Yes. I'm... better now, thank you. Hold on," they say before turning back to the barn. "Hoa Sen! Grab the crystal on the ceiling and throw it at the fire! That should help out it out!"

The older man nodded.

"I will try again.  May the Sovereign One aid us..."

He placed his hands upon Kal once again, and prayed about twice as long as last time.  Once again, his hands glowed gently for a moment...

RPoL Dice Roller:

15:17, Today: Agatho rolled 2 using 1d20.  DT3 Healing Touch w/Extra Healing Effort.
17:17, Today: Agatho rolled 11 using 1d20.  DT3 Healing Touch w/Repeated Attempt Effort.
17:17, Today: Agatho rolled 3 using 1d6.  Healing Touch #2.

The older man raised his head and opened his eyes to examine the wound.  He looked paler than before, and his hands trembled slightly with fatigue.

"How do you feel now, friend Kal?"

As Derrick and the woman who must be the wright emerge from the barn and begin shouting back and forth to those within, Artor moved swiftly once more. Seeing the crowds posed no threat, he moved to the barn, shrouded in flame and darkness, to lend what aid he could to the furry one

Hoa Sen trusted Radwa's advice; the numenera were after all their department. With the floodlight still only half-illumined, the arkus dodged through spark, smoke, and shadow. Her training at the Durkhal had not, after all, been entirely a matter of bureaucracy, rhetoric, and the human mind. As she landed from a particularly long hop, Hoa Sen put both feet together and coiled. Immediately, she uncoiled, leaping up to grab the light crystal. Even as she returned to the barn's floor, she was flinging the object into at the smoldering, sparking pile.

OOC:  20:21, Today: Hoa Sen rolled 17 using 1d20 ((17)).

Re: barn folks

OOC: Mayhew, make a speed defense roll.

Artor, as you approach, you see no damage apparent on Derrick or the person he is helping.  While smoke continues to issue from the building, the density of it seems to be lessening some.  As you get a better view of the interior, you see Hoa throwing something toward a loose stack of metal plating that Mayhew is standing beside.

Re: clearing folks

Kal's wounds continue to heal under Agatho's efforts.  Soon the skin appears whole, if slightly singed, and there are no traces of foreign objects remaining in his tissue.  His initial efforts to stretch his leg and rotate his ankle are successful.

"Thank you," he expresses to Agatho.

"That was incredible," added the lattimor next to him.  "Who are you, healer, that I have never seen you before?"

OOC Speed Defense roll. And with a roll of 18 combined with his Training and Effort, he would succeed at a Difficulty 8 task.
  He is Trained in Speed Defense. And I'm going to spend a level of effort.
  18:00, Today: Mayhew rolled 18 using 1d20 with rolls of 18. Speed Defense (Trained, Effort).

OOC: excellent

Hoa's aim is true and the crystal, now activated, strikes right at the edge of the metal plates where they shelter the smoldering material beneath.  Mayhew, paying enough attention to heed Radwa's words, leaps out toward the open doors as soon as he realizes that Hoa isn't hesitating.

As the crystal strikes the solid surface, it erupts into a sphere of water, ten feet in diameter (approx. 3 meters).  Mayhew and Hoa are both spattered a bit by the effect, but most of the water drops straight down, quenching any heat below.  Rivulets of muddy, ashen water rush along the parched ground, under gaps in the walls, and part of the way into the open area where Derrick and Radwa are standing.

The stench in the barn transitions from acrid smoke to wet ashes as Hoa and Mayhew stand with very wet feet.  No trace of fire, ember, or spark remains.

The older man gave them a gentle smile and nod as he dabbed the perspiration from his forehead with a weary arm.

"I am Agatho of Hayrest, an unworthy servant of the Sovereign One.  'Peace to you.'  It was a privilege to serve."

"I just arrived in Canthus some minutes ago.  I will be here for a few days, until we depart for the Shimmering Veil."

"I know that your name is Kal.  What is your name, friend lattimor?"

Derrick is unsure whether Radwa really is alright, but he allows them to support themselves when prompted to do so. He continues to watch, somewhat nervously, as the action inside takes place and once water starts to run out of the barn, he makes a suggestion. "If you are injured, my friend Agatho is a healer. It might be wise to let him tend to you..."

Radwa smiled - actually smiled - when the fire went out, as clarity came back to them and they finally passed through.

"I thank you for the offer, Derrick, but my scar is not... not physical, and I doubt it would be within his capacity to heal," they explained. "It's... good to meet you, though... I'm sorry about the, um... circumstances." they finished, trying and failing to look directly at Derrick.

Mayhew looks to Hoa Sen with a smile. "Nicely done! I take it you're Hoa Sen. Pleased to meet you. I'm Mayhew."

He begins walking out of the barn. "Perhaps some fresh air would do us good."

Hoa Sen experimentally lifts a foot out of the wet mess of ash, shaking it briefly to see how clingy the stuff is. She grimaces. "I am. An effective solution, but not the tidiest." Sen picks her way carefully out of the shed. She's smutch with ash and patches of damp--all except for her yellow scarf, which is immaculate. "I hope none of your salvage was lost to the water."

Outside, her glance goes to Radwa. She doesn't yet ask what happened.

To: Agatho

"I am Blorr.  I was on Mayhew's expedition to the east and northeast, as was Kal.  We only just returned the past hour or so."

Blorr looks across the open space toward where Radwa is standing, now with Derrick.  Artor is nearby and Mayhew is just emerging from the filthy air of the barn, followed by Hoa.

The older man smiled.

"Well met, Blorr.  What did you find on your journey?  Are any of you joining the expedition through the Shimmering Veil?"

Blorr's face fell more to sadness as she recalled her expedition.  "Death.  Desolation.  Menace springing up all over.  No hope in that direction, certainly.  We brought back some plating and other parts that might help defend Canthus until a new destination is found."

Blorr stood and helped Kal to his feet.  "I am done exploring."  She nodded toward the furry person near the barn.  "Mayhew is the only member of our expedition planning to go out again."

After scanning the area, she turned to Kal.  "Did you see which way Heppa went?  How far she may have gone?  The other aneen," she clarified to Agatho.  Kal merely gave her a skeptical look before shaking his head and conspicuously examining the ruined leg of his pants.

Artor followed behind Hoa Sen and her befurred acquaintance as the made their way from the barn, ready to support either of them should they stumble. If the anthropomorphic squirrel glanced his way, he paused to introduce himself, "Artor, I am known to Agatho and plan to accompany the expedition past the Veil"

The older man's face mirrored Bloor's sadness as she spoke to him, and he nodded sympathetically.

"I must check these others for injuries.  If you need help finding Heppa, I will come as soon as I am able."

Nodding to Bloor and Kal, the older man made his way over toward all of those who had been in the barn.

"Does anyone here need healing?  Is everyone all right?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:14, Thu 27 June 2019.

Mayhew jogs over to Bloor and Kal. "How are you Kal? Bloor, are you okay? What happened?"

Derrick makes it difficult to make eye contact by staring a little too intently, the stare is not intense, merely polite concern. "Agatho can sometimes help with those kinds of scars too." His statement is merely fact and he seems perfectly willing to let the matter rest there if Radwa wishes. He doesn't seem at all put out by the circumstances of the meeting.

Derrick shifts his focus to the barn and the small rivulets of water now flowing out of it. "Will you be coming on the expedition to the Veil as well?"

Radwa nods happily and indicates the partially-assembled transport cart occupying a large chunk of the barn. "Yes - I'm building a cart for everybody to ride safely in for when we go explore," they explain, keeping their focus on the barn. "I think the fire was pretty well-contained, so I don't think it will have sent me back too much time."

"I... gather these others will be coming too?" Radwa asked, indicating everyone else that had gathered.

Derrick looks around at the others in the area and indicates that he knows for certain will be joining the expedition. "My friend Agatho and I journeyed together, we will both be coming. I have just met Hoa Sen who will join us..." He lowers his voice slightly. "... and the man in the mask, who is called Artor, is coming as well."

Feeling that someone should make sure the barn is safe and the fire is out, Derrick advances into the structure towards the pile of metal plates. Given the volume of water it is hard to imagine anything could still be burning, but he has seen stranger things. He pulls the mace from his waist and begins to poke at the pile from behind his shield.

There is no indication of any further fire or even risk of it from under the metal plates.  A stronger breeze has diluted the smoke further and the organic mechanism Hoa activated has reached its full illumination inside the structure.

There are no further calls for healing and the assembled citizens are leaving to return to Canthus proper.  The remaining aneen is led around to a pen beside the barn and provided hay and fresh water.  The plates it was carrying, as well as the bag of parts, have been stacked in a pile in the open area, well away from the barn.

"Do we need to worry about the missing aneen, Madam Radwa?", asked Artor softly, his mask expressionless and the wind catching the voluminous cloak he wore - causing it to snap and crack softly, "Was it carrying any part you required?"

"Not the most auspicious of beginnings," Hoa Sen says, boots still dripping. "But we are nonetheless gathered here. I expect that the other aneen should, in fact, be found. Even if it's not carrying salvage, it's a valuable animal. Canthus can spare nothing to haste. Have any of you skill with animals? Or tracking, for that matter?"

“Nothing but speed and endurance”, shrugged Artor, “And a willingness to help”

In reply to Artor (msg # 91):

Radwa shakes their head. "Not that I know of, no - I hadn't gotten to see it before things happened," they explain, as they started to polish some more clear synth. "Fortunately the fire was localised so I didn't lose any of the parts and io I already have."

Once certain that Bloor and Kal are alright, Mayhew turns to those discussing the trip into the Veil. He takes a couple of steps toward them and bows.

"I'm Mayhew," he says proudly. "I'm lending my skills and courage to the expedition into the Veil.

"Wright, is there anything that you need for the creation of your vehicle?"

He stops suddenly. "Where's the other aneen? Half the plating and other salvage I collected is on it!"

Remembering the tracks he spotted earlier, he begins looking for signs of where the panicked aneen went.

OOC Edit to add the worry about the missing salvage.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:12, Sat 29 June 2019.

Mayhew is easily able to pick up the trail of the missing aneen, on a path that leads eastward out of the aldea.

Knowing he is not that hard to miss, Artor sighed and followed the squirrel who seemed to have the path

Confident that there is no threat from the fire, Derrick re-emerges from the barn as he slips his weapon back into his belt. Hearing the other discussing pursuing the missing aneen, Derrick glances over at Agatho to assure himself that his companion has things well in hand before following Mayhew on the trail of the missing animal. As he catches up, he takes the chance to introduce himself. "Hello, I am Derrick. I hope you won't mind if I tag along. I may be able to help reign in the beast."

The armor-clad lattimor meets up with Blorr and they engage in some form of greeting embrace that looks like it would be uncomfortable for humans to perform.  Low rumbles of their whispers carry briefly on the wind.  Blorr shoots one more concerned look toward the barn before allowing the male to lead her back to the main community.

Regent Aldrege nods to Hoa before accompanying the group that's walking along back with Kal.  He's limping far more than he should be, though it's possible that's just for show.  Soon, the camp is quiet and empty, apart from Radwa, Hoa, and Agatho in the oasis of light that is the barn.

"Agatho, this is the Scouts' Camp. As you can see, circumstances have left us many vacancies. You and your companions can take your pick of bunks, separately or together. That building contains the necessaries for cooking, that for bathing. We have bedding and can manage rations enough to sustain your bodies. If we are sparing with them, it is only because we must ensure that our expedition can be fed."

The kasunda turns to Radwa. "Are you sure you are well, Radwa? Was it just a dangerous cypher that so paralyzed you?"

In reply to Hoa Sen (msg # 100):

Radwa nods. "Yes, I'm all right. It wasn't a cypher or anything, I just..."

They pause their polishing and sigh. "... it was a bad reaction to something I wasn't expecting, that's all. I'll be fine. I'm glad everyone else is all right."

Hoa Sen's expression makes it clear she's not entirely convinced, but she doesn't press the issue. "I hope the others find the aneen. We can't spare any salvage, even if its utility is for the nonce only a possibility." She smiles. "I understand you were able to get the synth spinner working again. That will be a boon for Canthus."

'For a time.' That's always added to these statements. Hoa Sen thinks about Tannin and Ulhe and what the Order could have done to preserve this place. The threads are growing so thin. But it won't do for Hoa Sen to show the fragility of that hope. She'll grieve later, in the quiet moments of the night, in her morning training. If what hope remains is to endure, then it must be...sheltered.

Radwa pauses at the mention of the synth spinner. They go over to a nearby bench where a multicoloured vase spun from synth stands proudly, bright yet unfilled.

"Oh yes - that will help enormously. I was given this in thanks," they reply, turning the vase to show off to Hoa Sen. "I showed him how to access the manual again should something go wrong and I'm not here to fix it, so hopefully everything will work out well and he won't need to do repairs again."

They pause in their speaking and look off into the distance, slowly lowering the vase in their hands. "I hope the aneen didn't go far..."

In the quiet past twilight, footsteps can be heard approaching the scouts camp.  A figure cloaked in gloom approaches the barn

The older man turns his attention from the conversation to the approaching figure, and he observes quietly with both mundane and empathic senses...

Agatho senses a calm confidence tinged with worry as a older man with grey hair and a curled mustache comes into view with the lights of the barn.  He wears a stole over well-made clothes.  The man moves toward Hoa with deliberate strides.

"Greetings, Lady Sen.  I've come to check on the salvage that Mayhew's expedition paid saw dearly for and to speak to the newcomers.  I am tawld that thawse willing to make the trek into the Veil were sent here."  He pauses and turns toward Agatho.  "And yet I awnly see one.  I am Wilmark Aldrege, Regent of Canthus."  He holds his left hand up, flat and palm forward.

Hoa Sen bows slightly to the regent. "The others—Artor Greythane and one name Derrick—have gone with Mayhew to find the aneen. A malfunctioning cypher startled the creature and started a small fire. This is Agatho, a healer. And Master Radwa, of course, who was able to repair Canthus' synth spinner earlier today." Sen pauses a moment, and can't quite keep a hitch out of her voice. "The new arrivals brought sad news, as well, regent. Master Ulhe and his escort have been-- They fell prey to the wilds, sir, and will not be able to grant Canthus the help I had hoped."

The older man mirrors the Regent's gesture, and nods in acknowledgment as he is introduced.

During Hoe Sen's pause, he gently interjects.

"Well met, Regent.  'Peace to you.' "

"I am grateful you have come.  With thawse you mentioned, Lady Sen, combined with yourself, Mayhew, and Master Radwa, I believe we have enough to mount a full expedition to the Shimmering Veil."  A hint of a smile touches his lips.  He then turns to Radwa.  "How is your vehicle coming along, Master Radwa?  With an expedition ready, I think I could find you all the assistants you need."

Radwa is startled to be acknowledged and actually looks up from their work as the regent addresses them. "Um, yes - it's been coming together well, and I think I'll have it ready in good time so the expedition can travel safely in it," they explain, carefully setting the cloth they'd been using to polish the synth down next to the polish tin.

"I'm very pleased to hear that.  Again, I will see that you are provided every assistance."  His face becomes pensive and he looks toward the south.  "Scouting reports along the river indicate that there is another wave coming.  Either that or the damned scalies are planning to build a settlement of some kind, which would be even worse."

He turns to Agatho.  "Our situation is becoming more dire.  Your timing could not have been more fortuitous.  Tell me, what brought you to Canthus?  What skills will take you and your companions beyond the Shimmering Veil and safely back?"

"I am an unworthy servant of the Sovereign One.  We periodically set forth on journeys from Hayrest, seeking to minister to the physical and spiritual needs around us.  On this latest journey, we received word of the expeditions and of the need behind them, and set our face toward Canthus."

"On our way here, we encountered the remains of the party that Hoe Sen speaks of.  Having gathered what tokens we could, including a map to Canthus and a letter addressed to Hoe Sen, we felt a duty to complete their final errand with all due speed."

"I am a Nano, and a Healer, and an Empath, and hope to use such gifts to bless the efforts of this expedition."

"Derrick is a Glaive of my own flock family, and Artor is a Jack and an old friend that we came across shortly before our arrival in Canthus."

Aldrege smiles.  "Excellent.  That should make for a successful attempt."  His smile falters a little.  "Even if you return to tell us that the land is inhospitable, at least our path forward will be clear.  Clinging to scant hawpes for saw long has strained the people of Canthus greatly."

He turns again to Hoa.  "Two days, Lady Sen.  I think we should be able to complete the preparations and see you all off in two days.  Again, Master Radwa, I will see you get every aid you require."  A bit of hope returns to his face.  "We shall all meet at noon on the second day to review the priorities and so that you may receive the equipment that we have worked to hard to prawcure for this expedition.  And I will break out my Anas wine.  This is a major occasion in the history of this aldea.  We shall treat it as such.  Until then."

The regent makes a quick bow, turns, and walks quickly back to the village proper.

The trio in the barn continue to stand in the awkward silence of the regent's departure.  A few small insects buzz about under the light.  The sounds of conversation and occasional bits of music waft out of the village taverns to decorate the desert's quiet.

Radwa nods in acknowledgement as Aldrege farewells everyone and briefly returns to their work before what he said actually sinks in.

"Two days? Oh my... I... I could finish it that quickly, but I'm going to need so much help with it..." they exclaim as they put their cleaning cloth down.

They turn their attention to the others, worry evident on their face. "Will you be able to help me? I'll be able to give directions and most of the pieces are ready for assembly, it's just... I'm going to be so tired..."

"I will be of limited use. Though I was once apprenticed to the Order of Truth, I could never manage to pass the examination to become a journeyman. The numenera eluded my grasp, no matter my studies. I will be happy to lend whatever assistance I may in organizing assistance; I can help arrange shifts and ensure that you do not need to interrupt your work for such...trivialities...as fetching meals." Hoa Sen announces. "Perhaps some of the others will be of more assistance."