Kai didn't move. He pulled in his lips in an effort to not smile. He was taught to respect everyone. He was born in a shit pile, his fathers loved him. He knew what it meant to be both noble and crapped on. His fathers were a dichotomy of two lives, and Kai was the product of both of their experiences, having started out in a shit one of his own. You shouldn't be given respect because you think you deserve it. It's earned like everything else. He knew Eb, and it made him smile inside, knowing she didn't think he was in the wrong. But he wasn't going to make this about him. She was doing that enough.

She was making it all about her. All about how bad her day was. How she hurt someone. Were the tears even real or just a thing to cause a scene? Did it matter? Kai didn't move.  He looked to Eb, he'd follow her lead on this. But he wasn't presenting a threat, only to protect Uno from any further ire.

Kai turned around and glared at the now crying woman.  He had no sympathy for her.  Tears could flow and sobs could rend the air, but he didn't care.  "You aren't a bully?  You grabbed Uno by his arm and you glared at him when  he didn't move fast enough.  What do you bloody call that?  Being polite?  If that's polite I hate to see what being a bully looks like to you.  Just because you are having a bad day does not mean you can take it out on other people."

Uno tugged on Kai's sleeve. "It's okay.  Really."

Kai looked down to the boy.  "No it's not." He returned his attention to the table he'd vacated.  "I am sorry for my behavior."

Kai looked over at the newly arrived, with a jolt of recognition and a frown. He liked Eb. But she'd tell his fathers and that could go just as badly. The woman pushed the coin to him. Her words tightened his resolve, and his ire grew even larger. 

Their potential employer spoke his truth, and Kai listened. His first instinct was to say she started it and he even opened his mouth to say just that, but one look at Eb and he clamped his mouth shut and rethought his words.

Yeah, he could have done a lot of damage. He could have done way more than offer to take it outside. Most people backed down when they were given the option of a fight, and that had been the case here. But if he saw his offer for violence as his response, then he wasn't thinking either. And Kai knew that if he got off on the wrong foot with anyone in the party, he'd have issues for a lot longer. Better to cut and run now. Maybe his fathers were right. Maybe not, but right now, Kai was done with all of it.

"I don't work with bullies." He said, picking up the coin on the table and pushing past Eb with a murmured apology. "Sorry." 

Kai pulled Uno aside with a smile and handed him the coin. "For your troubles." 

So much for that adventure...

[[ ooc: So apparently Kai is also a hot head and he couldn't drop it. I didn't want to force him to back down, so walking away is his best solution. Feel free to stop him. ]]

Advancement

WS 11 to 12:

1. Expeditious Employment (5/5, 7/8)

Kai's look got smug. He knew he wasn't a great fighter, but he knew he was a good one. He'd best many a man who thought he was just a child. But he let it flit from his lips with a laugh. "A pillowfriend? Do you think everyone someone stands up for is someone's little toy in the bedroom? Uno is a kid. He's a friend I see every day. And I will stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves."

He stood up with a wave of his hand out the door. "Ifin you do be wantin to fight, then by all means. Show me the way." Kai didn't have his quarter staff with him but he had his sword at his side and with the One Power he didn't need one. He could create a quarterstaff of fire or air, or earth or even spirit if he wanted to. He was not afraid of this bully.

Kai shook his head with annoyance.  "Do you like to be grabbed by the arm and ordered about? Just because you think he's beneath you doesn't give you the right. You can order food with Stella.  Uno is a runner, not a bus boy, not a server, a runner.  He does errands for those who pay him.  Do you pay him?  Did you even tip him when he led you to the table? Manners gets you a long way in life."

Kai looked at the woman with a nod. "You are welcome for the wine."

He turned his attention to their potential employer. "I'm sorry if my outburst causes any potential problems, but I don't like when people bully others."

Rude much? Kai thought to himself. It always bothered him visitors were always so rude to folks like it was their god given right to just do whatever they wanted because they didn't live there. He tried to listen to the conversation but his anger only boiled below the surface distracting him.  Uno was shuffling by doing his job when the woman snatched his arm and began issuing orders.  That was enough for Kai.

He stood up and frowned. "You don't have to be so bloody rude all the time. Uno is not your serving hand. He's a runner. He doesn't fetch things for you or me or whatever unless his bosses tell, so stop pretending you are some sort of boss around these parts because obviously you don't know up from down."

Kai walked over to the bar and ordered her precious little askings, which she could have done all on her own bloody own. He growled under his breath as Uno tugged on his sleeve. "It's alright." Donal just grunted as he started preparing her drink and Stella, the serving girl, started making a damp clothe from a clean bar rag in the small linen cabinet.

Kai shook his head. "It's not. I got this. Go back about your duties." Stella gave him a weak smile as she passed, carrying another tray of mugs and food to a nearby table. He just glared at her, letting Uno take the brunt of this woman's ire. This was her job.

He walked back with the tankard of wine and damp clothes and accidentally sloshed some of the ruddy liquid to the table. "Here's your bloody wine. Next time, do it yourself."

Kai sat down and listened politely. He wasn't sure his fathers would let him go. But they really couldn't stop him, either. North to Malkier? But why didn't they just hire a portal straight there? Here in Merrilor gateways were as easy as finding a horse.

The questions he asked made Kai shrugged. "I'm finishing up my schooling. Mostly teaching right now. Best way to learn is to teach. Or so my fathers say." He didn't know if it made him happy. He liked what he did. He was good at it. And it was unique. Not exactly what his father did, and definitely didn't want to be a diplomat like his dad.  Kai wasn't any good with words.

"I have always liked traveling the world. My fathers have taken me many places. I could travel anywhere in the world I wanted. Though I don't think I can make a gateway big enough for a wagon." He wasn't his father. He could make one big enough for a man to take a horse through, and that was about it. But he could do that for a long time, but a wagon that was wider than he could muster. "I've been training with a quarterstaff and short sword most of my life and I now teach my own style at the Unity Tower a combination of the weapons and the One Power." Kai didn't often tell strangers what he was capable of, most people still feared a man who could channel but here in Merrilor he felt safe -- it was home. And the city was built with male and female powers alike.

Kia followed a routine, much like his father. It made like simpler knowing where to go, what to do and kept his mind steady. He was by no means crazy or insane or anything of that nature, but his mind wandered. He knew that. His fathers knew that. Everyone in Kai's life knew that -- and sometimes Kai wished they didn't. Just once, he'd like people to stop reminding him to stay on task. 

Mucking out the horses' stalls, then a quick washing before breakfast. It wasn't his favorite chore, but at least he liked the horses. All three of them were grand geldings purchased from the finest horseman, -- nothing but the best for the Gilyard family. At least, that's what his dad said. And it was good exercise which kept the body fit. Kai hated running, but he'd do that too before he headed off to the Unity Towers for his lessons. He couldn't wait for that to finish and be over and done with. He wasn't learning much these days -- mostly teaching and learning through teaching.  

Then on his way home for lunch he'd scoot by each of the meeting boards around town -- looking for adventures he could never go on. They always said he was too young. He was 18 now, he should be able to go. He was a better fighter than a lot of those slackers he'd seen venturing around. Kai had probably been fighting for more years than they have, but all they saw was the boyish face and the distracted look in his eyes. He couldn't help that the people were boring.

The Riposte always had a lot messages to read. He'd probably read every one of them a thousand times.  He pulled open the door and Uno greeted him with a big hug. "Kai."

The boy straightened himself with a gruff grunt from Donal at the counter. Kai waved at the keep with a bright smile and made his way to the board.  Smack dab in the center of the board at the perfect height was a brand new detail. Kai's smile widened.

Uno tugged on Kai's tunic, and the bells on the red sash around his waist jingled like someone opening a door. "I hung it."

"That is such a great place, Uno. Catches the eye right away. Good job. You better get back to work. I don't want you to get in trouble again cause I'm here."

Uno ran off to finish whatever chore he was supposed to. He turned to Donal with a hopeful smile, and the man just shook his head. Kai didn't even have to ask before Donal nodded towards the purple booth by the south wall. "Purple Booth, South wall."

Kai skipped a couple of paces before remembering himself. He was a noble born son, he'd better act like it and not some foppish kid who thinks he knows everything -- cause he didn't. But he wanted to.

The man sitting at the booth kinda looked like the guy in the picture. Kai wondered if he drew it. He might have to ask, but he had a more pressing question. "How exactly does one change their stars?" he asked the man sitting in the booth. 

Totally into sending Kai into the arches as one of the first.  Could easily play into his desire to travel.  And since he'd have to travel to actually get to the Arches maybe it's all part of the 'quest to be raised'.  Like all who are in Merrilor need to travel BY FOOT to Tar Valon, enter the perilous dungeon with nothing but what they brought and walk through the arches.  (There is of course a cleared path so the channelers who run the arches can get there safely, but only the testers know this).  And passing is their 'graduation'  Perhaps inplace of the oath rods?

As far as where my mind was poking was the Traveling Gardens since that's where Nox would have focused and I can see him being involved in setting it up.  Though beyond the basic ideas I haven't given it much thought.  I'm currently floundering with my own writing and since nothing is steady everything is floundering.  

No.  I haven't.  Was going to poke around with the Unity stuff but don't rely on me for that right now.  I have no definitive ideas for anything yet.

I'll jut reply to the bio thread.  Just as easy.  

Oops I can't.  I just added to bottom of the bio I can edit that.

*whispers AI*

So getting to create our own discipline is fun.  Not sure where to post it but here is where I see Kai's 'discipline' going.  Is there anything else I need to include in a description.  I know I can look up old ones (but that's work lol)

Power Augmented

This weapon discipline uses more than just training with weapons but using the One Power as an additional asset in each battle. Honing the ability to fight with a weapon and the One Power requires great concentration and practice with weaves of specific kinds.

Beginners typically form their weaves before a fight choosing to use shields or weaponized weaves to enhance their combat abilities. Intermediate and advanced users of the discipline can create weaves in the middle of of a move to augment their fighting style. Masters of the discipline can create complex weaves and fight multiple opponent at one time while maintaining multiple flows.

[Descriptive note: Think Avatar: The Last Air Bender style fighting at intermediate and above skill level]

I think you've misunderstood the use of inability.  Most people have an inability with weapons.  If it's not listed in your proficiencies you have an inability in it.  

So your guy with the shield inability says he can't use the shield well.  Practiced is the term of being okay in it's use but not highly proficient.  If you want a 4 tiered system I'd say practiced, trained, proficient, specialized and inability means you can use it but you really shouldn't.  If it's listed it's a like an ability with in the ability say you are proficient with swords, but you can't use the heavy weapons to save your life cause you are a weak  or something.  Then you'd list inability with heavy swords.  

And as a side note this is kinda where the disciplines fell in.  Kinda gave you a generic idea of what your character is good at and what they may not be so good at.  Numbers are all well and nice, but I think they get in the way sometimes.

I'm still in favor of the inability, practiced, trained and specialized method the Cypher system uses for all skills.  I'm not saying get rid of the number, we need an easy way to determine who is better than who and that's what the WS is.  

I'll use Kai as an example under the 0-15 proposed.

Kai has a WS of 6 he's trained, can probably pass on some tips to those lesser skilled but he's by no means great barely average.

But he's trained in quarterstaff and short sword.

As a trained warrior he is probably practiced with most light or medium slashing sword - meaning he could pick a long sword or long knife/dagger and use it well.  Not as good as his short sword bout enough  he won't hurt himself or others unintentionally.

Likely practiced with spear and thin pole arm liked weapons.

And since he's still not great he's practiced in offense and defense.  Probably now just starting to focus on one or the other as he decides where he wants to go with his ability.

He's got an inability with heavy weapons.  Not that he can't use them, he just can't really do it well.  In Cypher an inability in a skill hinders the action but doesn't mean you can't try it, just that it's harder.  So inability might not be the right word... untrained probably fits better

Personally I don't think strategy should be part of weapon score.  You can be strategic without knowing anything at all about weapons.  You can be strategic with your use of OP.  Or how you plan your next meal.  There  is a 3 element to weapons knowledge I agree but it's not really strategy?  it's really tactics.  Went to AI for a better explanation:

 

Quote

In summary, while strategy sets the overall direction and goals, tactics are the specific actions taken to execute that strategy and achieve short-term objectives. Strategy focuses on the long term and the big picture, while tactics are concerned with the here and now, optimizing resources and actions to achieve immediate results.

If you want the bullet point list break down I can post it too but this is pretty much what I was leaning at.

Kai Morath

Physical:

Long blond hair parted down the middle and braided from his ear down the back of his head. The braids tied off with a cord and three silver bells each. Bright green eyes and a sharp nose with high cheekbones.

Typically, Kai wears black pants tucked into black leather knee-high boots. His tunic is typically white and belted with a red sash ribbon with bells at the knot and only partially laced at the neck. He wears a black cloak that he repurposed from an old Asha'man coat of one of his fathers.

Personality:

Kai is very aware of his mental state, as it has been a thing for his father growing up. He is easily distracted and finds sitting still to be an issue. While not the best student, when Kai puts his mind to a task, he becomes super focused and can complete it as long as things go smoothly. Bumps can send him into a frustrated spiral and acting out. He is typically a happy person.

(in game) Kai has a temper that he is working on learning how to control. He doesn't like bullies.

biography

---------- § ----------

OP: 20

WS: 11 [specialized: quarterstaff, proficient: short sword] Power Augmented Discipline

---------- § ----------

Timeline

• Expeditions Employment

Alright so Kai is approved.  So where to start lol

Character Name: Kai Morath ni'Gilyard

Biography Link: biography

Group: Channeler/Unity Arches student

Special Requests: If we are assigning OP score hoping for enough skill/strength to Travel.  Going with the proposed 0-15 scale  in WS looking for a 6 if possible not a newb.  Kai is the adopted son of two Legacy characters (I have permission from Odd to use his character in this manner) both were Asha'man and Nox was proficient with gateways and traveling and Kai would have had access to whatever tutors he wanted as Mer was the son of a noble with a decent funding.

Inkarnate.com is totally awesome!!! and would work well.  I have a paid for all assets account I could lend you.  

fantasy town generator is epic.  I LOVE it!  I just wish I could modify certain things, but I adore it!

@Wayfarer threw up the start of my bio. first one (and only one for a bit)

Anything look interesting or any suggestions to fit anything fun in you'd be interested?

TRIGGER WARNING:
N/A

Name: Kai Morath ni'Gilyard
Age: 18
Place of birth: Shol Arbela, Arafael

Physical:
Long blond hair parted down the middle and braided from his ear down the back of his head. The braids tied off with a cord and three silver bells each. Bright green eyes and a sharp nose with high cheek bones.

Typically Kai wears black pants tucked into black leather knee high boots. His tunic is typically white and belted with a red sash ribbon with bells at the knot and only partially laced at the neck. He wears a black cloak that he repurposed from an old Asha'man coat one of his fathers.

Mental & Emotional: 
Kai is very aware of his mental state as it has been a thing for his father growing up. He is easily distracted and finds sitting still to be an issue. While not the best student, when Kai puts his mind to a task he become super focused and can complete it as long as things go smoothly. Bumps can send him into a frustrated spiral and acting out. He is typically a happy person.

Talents:

• Channeler (strong enough to create a gateway big enough for horses to pass through)
• Trained in quarterstaff and swords
• Diplomatic/Charming

Weaknesses:

• Not good with numbers or memorization of things
• Gets distracted easily and can't sit still (thinking ADHD ish)

Character History:

Facts:

• Born in the City of Ten Thousand Bells (Shol Arbela, Arafal) abandoned only a day old.
• Adopted by Nox and Merdyn Gilyard of the Black Tower as they passed through. (Legacy characters)

Summarized History:

Mer and Nox built a big house in Merrilon by the river but close enough to walk to the new established traveling gardens.

During a routine information gathering mission in Shol Arbela, Nox found a bundled up boy outside a door with no adults around. He looked around for the child's parents for several hours before taking him home with him.

Nox and Mer looked for days but were unable to locate anyone who knew about the boy. And it was probably a good thing as both men were falling in love with the child.

Kai grew up knowing that the taint could take one of his fathers from him at any moment. That his words and fears were not brought on by anything he'd done. Anxiety, depression, paranoia, rapid mood swings were all part of a normal day. Just like learning to read and write, arithmetic, learning the quarterstaff or playing with swords. He wasn't a master by any means, but his fathers believed in discipline of not only the body and mind but of his soul as well.

He was tested often for touching Saidin. There would be no accidents Nox claimed, there would be no harm to him. And the taint would never touch his mind.

Kai could touch the source. Both of his fathers taught him how to use it the moment they found he was teachable. And when he was old enough and the Unity Arches was established Kai was one of the first students there.

Kai has always known he was adopted. He has always wondered who his birth parents were. He took a keen interest in all thing Arafel. His fathers often took him to Shol Arabel and told him the story of his adoption.

He took a special interest in learning how to Travel. He wants to explore the world, not be tied to one place.

Character Reputation:

• Kai is a decent student

Connections:

• Nox (Asha'man) - adopted father (Legacy character played by Matalina)
• Merdyn Gilyard (Asha'man) - adopted father (Legacy character played by Oddpositions)

Character Goals:

• Find out about his birth parents
• Travel the world

One Power Score: 20

Weapon Score: 11

Specialized - Quarterstaff
Proficient - Sword

Power Augmented Discipline

This weapon discipline uses more than just training with weapons but using the One Power as an additional asset in each battle. Honing the ability to fight with a weapon and the One Power requires great concentration and practice with weaves of specific kinds.

Beginners typically form their weaves before a fight choosing to use shields or weaponized weaves to enhance their combat abilities. Intermediate and advanced users of the discipline can create weaves in the middle of of a move to augment their fighting style. Masters of the discipline can create complex weaves and fight multiple opponent at one time while maintaining multiple flows.

[Descriptive note: Think Avatar: The Last Air Bender style fighting at intermediate and above skill level]

Maybe.  Sorta wanted to make a character that  is more tied to our new city to help make that work.  Not saying I can't do two.

Yes closed as in guests are not welcome.  Only invited participants can write in closed threads.