Sounds like a plan to me!  :)

In reply to Agatho (msg # 10):

I think that Brothers in the Faith would absolutely work. If Derrick is some kind of Novice of the Church who has decided that his role in the Plan is to follow Agatho around and keep him safe.

EDIT: I'm going to have to go read the setting details for Hayrest and the Church to get more details.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:23, Sun 09 June 2019.

Hayrest is from the Numenera books.  The Church of the Sovereign One is my own invention.  :)

We could well have - though that would've been a couple of years back and would have been when Radwa was fleeing with their parents to try and escape the Convergence members that their father had pissed off. The family might have spent a month or two there before running again, heading for Cerdyn's Pass. If we've run into each other there, you may even remember Radwa's parents, especially if you have an interest in crafting or understanding numenera.

I like this one: "Pick one other PC. This character seems incredibly unaware of their body and always happens to get in your way. If you miss your foe and accidentally hit someone else in close range, it's likely to be them."

I suspect that one may not be the most popular connection on offer...  :p

BTW, welcome aboard!  :)

Well, my interest is more in the first part than the second. ;)

My descriptor connection suggestions aren't as fun, though it might be interesting to tangle intuitive with empathic.

If we can tweak this to be more about the void matter that infuses Artor and whatever is behind your Foci being unaware of one another, then I'm in for this one

Perhaps the Void matter seems to target the same individuals as Hoa, for whatever reason.  Maybe Hoa's intuition is a tiny spark of Void matter?  Perhaps Hoa's strikes, when hitting the Void matter by accident, cause damage as if they'd struck Artor's body?

In reply to Immortal Eye (msg # 19):

Any of those work? Indeed, happy for the specifics to begin as a mystery of the prices of discovery is interesting plot fodder

I'll have to mull it over a bit. One of (if not "the") weird thing about Hoa Sen is that she just doesn't seem to be able to interact successfully with objects, especially complicated ones (although she's smart enough that she should be able to understand them). She does so much better with people and bodies. I'm not sure whether the Void would have anything to do with that...I have a vague idea that she's got some flukey genetic material or nanite influence in her neurology that was (ironically) engineered anti-tech...whether that was some ancient zookeeper species that wanted more natural humans or something stranger.

So I still have my Focus Connection to make, the options are:

• Pick one other PC. You knew of this character years ago, but you don’t think they knew you.
• Pick one other PC. You’re always trying to impress them, but you’re not even sure why.
• Pick one other PC. This character has a habit that annoys you, but you’re otherwise quite impressed with their abilities.

If any of those grab anyone's attention, let's work something out.

Having reviewed the material in Jade Colossus, it seems unlikely that Hoa Sen would be resonant with void matter. She grew up a city girl in the heart of the Steadfast. "Unlikely" is hardly "impossible," especially in Numenera, and I'd still be up for it if out GM has ideas about stuff to do with it. (It could be that she's dissonant with void matter for some reason, as kind of suggested in the speculation a few posts upthread.)

Here are the other focus connections for Hoa Sen:
-Pick one other PC. They seem to believe that the only true weapons are those you can hold in your hand. [This one seems unlikely.]
-Pick one other PC. You once trained with a close friend of theirs, and you owe that mutual friend much. [Plausible if Hoa Sen has studied with somebody since leaving Qi.]
-Pick two other PCs. Once these two heard about your skills, they expressed interest in being your students. However, only one seems to have any aptitude. [Possible!]

Mayhew and Hoa may well be learning from each other as students, having trained under vastly different circumstances.  They'd have met little, if at all, given Mayhew's current location (Coming Soon!).  Hoa's likely heard of him, though.

Just a thought.  If it doesn't work, no worries.

Here are some connections for Mayhew.

Delve Connection: You’ve often been maligned for your looks. Ungainly, different, of a different species or cultural background—the reason you look different than others is up to you.

He's an anthropomorphic red squirrel so that checks out.

Delve Background: Mentor - he was discovered in a Numenera installation. His 'father' accidentally released him from cryo-sleep seven years ago. Now he is taking his father's place in the world.

Initial Link to the Starting Adventure:

1. Against your better judgment, you joined the other PCs because you saw that they were in danger. Possible.
   
2. One of the other PCs convinced you that joining the group would be in your best interest. Possible.
   
3. You’re afraid of what might happen if the other PCs fail. Very possible.
   
4. There is reward involved, and you need the money. Doesn't really fit Mayhew.

Focus Connection:

1. Pick one other PC. They seem to believe that the only true weapons are those that you can hold in your hand, and they might look at you with disdain. Eh. It could work...
   
2. Pick one other PC. This character seems incredibly unaware of their body and always happens to get in your way. If you miss your foe and accidentally hit someone else in close range, it’s likely to be them. I kind of like this one, but would want a willing partner.
   
3. Pick one other PC. You once trained with a close friend of theirs, and you owe that mutual friend much. Love this one, if we can make it work.
   
4. Pick two other PCs. Once these two heard about your skills, they expressed interest in being your students. However, only one seems to have any aptitude. Eh. It could work...

I volunteer for Initial Link #2, or a combination of #2 and #3, if you wish...  :)
This message was last edited by the player at 02:47, Tue 11 June 2019.

Mayhew is a "lifelong" resident of Canthus, so you'd need to RP that out once you get there.  Not impossible though.

I like this idea. Perhaps Hoa has contacted Finnian, Mayhew's father, but due to his injuries, he can't train Hoa. While Finnian can train novice students, Hoa is beyond him already as their skills are advanced.

Hoa is in town primarily as a tertiary of the Order of Truth. I do like the idea that they're learning from each other and perhaps have some past contact in common (even if by reputation). Hoa Sen is a long way from home, after all, and inquisitive.

Mayhew, I'm not sure about any of the formal connections, but as a resident of Canthus you'd probably be aware that Radwa's building a four-wheel drive transport cart for the expedition and is short on a few parts.

In that case, Mayhew would be interested in helping locate the parts needed. While it isn't one of the official connections, perhaps we could have worked together on an earlier project?

In reply to Mayhew (msg # 31):

Not likely - Radwa hasn't been in Canthus long. They only arrived when they heard the call for explorers and have spent much of their time here building the transport wagon. They'd certainly welcome the help.

Where is Agatho from? As the Immortal Eye mentioned, Mayhew has lived all his known life in or near Canthus. His father/mentor is recently retired delve who traveled quite a bit decades ago. Given Agatho's age, perhaps you knew Mayhew's father?

Agatho is from Hayrest...

Agatho has traveled extensively during his previous sojourning excursions.  He could certainly have met and befriended Mayhew's father in the past...  :)