This thread is a little self-enclosed encounter. The rest of the story will continue, but we'll resolve this concurrently. You may play in both simultaneously. Of course, given the fact that you are destined to survive whatever may befall you here, there is a vanishingly low possibility of violence.
Vagrant leads Nuyok and Rath a couple of blocks up from the waterfront. They stop by a modest and unassuming workshop that sits apart from its neighbors by virtue that it is fully lit, even at this hour. A knock at the door summons Stichard. He is a thin wiry fellow in his apparent sixties, with steel gray hair receding form a high forehead. His eyes are narrow, though his mouth smiles. He is not ugly, but no one could call him as much as plain either.
Vagrant explains the situation and Stichard gives Nuyok an appraising look. If there is recognition for the apprentice of Bane, he does not show it. "Good morning... Adept Nuyok," he greets you. This is not really an insult, but it is not a warm greeting either. And it is a technically and socially correct term of address. "Well, well, well. If we are to do this thing, let us do it quickly. I have a number of restorations to finish for Curator Parsee, and this is the only time I have enough quiet to concentrate."
He glances at Rath and his eyes widen briefly. "Huhuhmm... Odd company to keep, odd company indeed. Still, discretion breeds business."
He leads you through his workshop which is filled with broken objects awaiting repair. Tapestries and fine china and crystal predominate, but there are a few artifacts from the Old World tucked here and there. To Nuyok's eyes, the workshop is a confusing jumble of enhanced morphia. A Chimera could be lurking in a corner and he'd never see it. To Rath's eyes it is a junk shop, albeit one with an eerie feel; the master of this place is definitely a mind witch who can see him plainly. To the eyes of Vagrant... well the place is a mixture of opportunity and nostalgia.
Stichard bids Vagrant to draw forth the posters. They are torn and faded in spots, but definitely of museum quality. Vagrant, please describe them

.oO(Hmm if this mind witch knows about me, Nuyok must too, and he was still willing to help me out.)

.oO(Nuyok thinks to himself, best to not bother correcting him on the title, want this transaction to be smooth so we can be off.)

Along the way, Nuyok takes a look around to see if anything nearby particularly catches his interest:

Spirit Sense, 13-
3d6: 4, 3, 2 (STUN: 9, BODY: 3) Tue October 8, 2002 @9:27 AM (EDT)

Once at the point that the transfer will occur, Nuyok will take Stichard's lead on the ley line transfer, including whatever time he feels is appropriate to facilitate the transfer. If able to, Nuyok will also attempt to push his EGO to help in making the roll (feel free to roll if so).

EGO 18, roll 13- (obviously any penalties, and any time or other bonuses):
3d6: 2, 5, 3 (STUN: 10, BODY: 3) Tue October 8, 2002 @9:27 AM (EDT)

Stichard indicates to Rath and Vagrant, "This process will take about the same amount of time as to--hmm--eat a small meal. Please make yourselves comfortable, but do not touch anything. Some of it is quite -hmm- delicate. You can walk the neighborhood if you wish. It's quite safe, there are -hmm- regular patrols" He eyes you curiously.
He seats himself at a table with the posters and clasps Nuyok's left hand. They each touch the posters with their free hands. A look of intense concentration overtakes their faces...

And that's that. They sit that way for 20 minutes. No chanting, no eerie crackling energy, no burst of dramatic music. It's actually quite boring to onlookers.
What will Rath and Vagrant do during this time?

"Why don't you tell my about yourself while we're waiting? I mean it has to be stifling underneath all those rags." In a very low tone "...are you..maybe Riven? I mean if you are I don't mind, I'm..I mean..uh..I've met some Riven before, and they're just people like everyone else. i don't know why people have to give them a hard time. I mean I was always told the mind..Adepts were evil people that made the dead walk, but Nuyok is an okay guy. I think he can tell if people are Riven just by looking at them.." Rath seems to be chattering on like he's nervous and trying to calm himself.

"I have heard people speak of the Riven but I am not one of them...actually, can you tell me what they are? Why are people afraid of them? I mean Nuyok? Stichard? Are they Riven? Do you know much of their history...where did the Riven come from? How long have them been around?"

"You don't know about Riven? Where do you come from? There is a place where there are no Riven? Maybe you just call them something else...Well Riven are people, and sometimes beasts, that get caught by Reavers...You don't know what Reavers are either? OOC: This next part assumes that Vagrant said he didn't know what Reavers were. If he does or his people call them something else please ignoreWell Reavers are, I don't really know what they are, my grandfather used to say they are the old gods way of getting back at us for turning away from them, father says he's crazy and that the Reaves simply are, like the rain or the mountains. They are like...balls of light that usually kill people and anything else they get a hold of. Sometimes though, the people don't die, they change. Sometimes the body changes sometimes the mind, sometimes both. I don't know why people fear Riven so much. Maybe because they think it is contagious, or maybe becasue so many Riven go insane.They all don't go insane though. Some of them are good people that had a bad accident."

"Where are you from that you don't know about Reavers or Riven?"

"Thank you, Rath, it makes a bit more sense now. I was recently injured and I have forgotten a few of the obvious things...pay it no heed...it is all coming back..help me a bit more. Where would I find one of these Reavers? I mean are they easy to find? Have you ever seen one?"

"Do you really believe in the old gods? I mean could those stories really be true?"

"I don't know about the old gods, I guess it could be, Grandfather talked about them like they were real." Rath gets a sad look on his face and looks down at his feat when he speaks. "Yes I have seen a Reaver, a hunting party I was on was attacked by one. The appear mostly in the wilds. I don't think they are too common, but if you live in the wilds long enough, your sure to see one. My uncle told me that mind..I mean adepts can control the Reavers. My uncle said the Adepts are the ones that probably created them. Maybe Nuyok knows more about them."

Nuyok says "I know little of reavers, and hope to never see one. I certainly haven't created any."

How far back can you remember stories of Adepts? Where there some that your grandfather or your uncle spoke of as being very powerful? Are they still alive?

"My tribe does not trust the power that adepts have and stayed away from it. From the little I've learned most of my tribe just believes the stories that were handed down. I've learned that not all of thoes stories are true. Again Nuyok is the one you should ask."

After the transfer, Nuyok will want to sit momentarily to rest, wipe his brow, then nod to Stichard, say to Vagrant "It is done" and prepare to depart.

Once outside, Nuyok will say to Vagrant "We have not discussed terms yet, what do consider to be reasonable?"

"Nuyok, you will find that I can be very reasonable in my transactions...more so then a number of those that compete in the line of work I am involved with. I realize that my attire and raspy voice make me out as someone you may not want to befriend. However, only if crossed will I become a fierce enemy. So, name your percentage. I would rather make a friend here then a business partner or an enemy."

Does Nuyok have any idea on a reasonable rate for such work? Seems like fairly common Adept activity...

Holding a ley line is about the lowest, easiest job an adept can perform. Those who punk out at the lower levels of power, (i.e. never become masters) can hold ley lines. Novices and many masters and virtually all clergy are required to hold lines about the city (for defenses and public works) as part of their social compact. You were spared a lot of that responsibility by Bane, and the fact that you were never a Novice at the Hall.*

Now, travelling through dangerous territory while holding a ley line is another matter. You could haggle out a much better price because you are not just holding a line, but risking your life to do so.

Finally, you must temper this in the light that Vagrant realizes you were already on your way to Adala, and not just holding a line for him.

Bottom line, you pick a price and haggle. The lion's share would definitely go to Vagrant, since he could always wait for a cheaper adept.

*This is why so many Masters will refuse to call you a Master. Education at the Hall is difficult and very, very expensive. There is a degree of unwillingness to accord you the title, since you didn't do the time/pay the price. It is analogous to many situations in the field of Academe, where professors and doctors will zealously guard their titles and poo-poo others whose titles are honorary or self-assumed.
The fact of the matter is that although you are as skilled as a master and call yourself one, you are not one.

Thanks for the info!

Nuyok says "Since I was already headed to Adala anyway, how does 10% sound?"

"10 it is then. 10 and a bit of information for the curious. Who trained you in your ways of the ley? Do you all have masters that train you? Are you from a long line of Adepts?

"Adepts usually receive their training in schools, though the wealthy can provide for more personal tutoring of their adept children, and such a trait is not carried down by birth. I myself am not from a wealthy background, and am more of a...ah...prodigy."

[EDITED on Wed October 9, 2002 @6:08 PM (EDT)]

Adeptitude is not an inheritable trait. Adepts will almost certainly have normal children and come from normal parents. A "long line of adepts" would occur where there is a tradition of fostering young adepts by older ones. This is similar to Nuyok's case, although it is usually more formalized, the young adept is usually younger and the young adept's education is paid for.
Most decent adepts will make sure their normal offspring are well provided for at least.
This leads to a society in which the ruling class is determined by birth, but is not hereditary. Unique, I think. You can allude to this in characer, so others may see.
I believe it is mentioned in the worldbook, but I'll check.
Ah. It's about halfway through the intro story. I'll have to add it to the text.

Thanks again!

"Excellent work, my new friend. I thank you for your strained efforts."

"Stichard, do I owe you additional for the transfer? We did not discuss that during our first transaction."

Stichard looks at you with his odd, almost mocking gaze. "Adittional charge? No, this is included with your original --hmm-- bargain. Realize though that once you get more than a dozen or so kliks from the city, Nuyok will have the only ley line. Mine will --hmm-- fade, yes. If Nuyok becomes separated or --hmm-- killed, the posters will revert to the way you found them. I doubt they would survive the journey intact."

"Morning, Stichard. Nuyok has agreed to carry the ley line of these wonderful posters of old."

Vagrant digs beneath his rags to reveal 3 slender tubes. Moving to a nearby table he removes them and flattens them out for all to view.

In his raspy-whispery voice Vagrant speaks excitedly, "See this one? Isn't it beautiful? It's from the movie Ben Hur. A classic and an epic set in the ancient time of Gladiators. There's this scene in the movie where the lead star forgets to take off his watch...while driving a chariot...ha ha...cough cough."

"And here this one's from a remake of Gone with the Wind. Isn't Scarlet striking on against that blazing backdrop? Scarlet is played beautifully by the fiery Jennifer Aniston. Man, to think the original was hailed a classic way back when...if they only knew what was to come!"

"This one isn't worth so much since its from a sequel, but I tell you, who would have thought that Battlestar Galactica would have gone 28 movies before dying away. That's more then all the Star Trek and Star Wars science fiction movies of the same time period. Amazing."

"There they are boys...have at it", Vagrant steps back to allow the work to begin. He still seems to be admiring the posters as he waits.

Rath whispers to Nuyok while Vagrant is lost in the posters "What's a watch, and what does he mean 'ancient time' of gladiators. There are gladiators right down the street?"

OOC: That "crossbow" Vagrant is carying, is there any bow on it?

"You do have some nice things here, Stichard, things that are hard to find. I could probably find a buyer for some of these things if you are interested. Especially, that music box. I recognize it from way over here...Russian isn't it?"

Stichard starts. "Rushing? No, I don't think so. Besides the innards rusted away long before I ever got to them. The're probably on the necklace of some barbarian chief, --hmm-- no offense meant, of course," indicating Rath.
"I bought it from a sailor who claimed it came from the jungles of some place called Siberia, far across the Middle Sea. You'll never get a tune out of it, but there's a psychometrist who lives up near the zoo who claims he can hear the --hmm-- psychic impression of the music. He pays for that sort of thing, yes."

Nuyok responds "The only "watch" I know of are the city guards, certainly nothing you'd wear. As for gladiators in ancient times, killing's been something that man's always done, so I'm sure there were such combats long ago, just as there are now."

It appears to be a perfectly ordinary crossbow.

Nuyok surveys the posters with interest and says to Vagrant "One day I plan to spend some time learning about ancient times, I've always had an interest since I was named after a fabled city of ancient times. Apparently it was one of the grandest cities ever, with structures that scraped the very skies."

"Nu-yok. New Yok. New York....ahh yes. New York. A grand grand city. I have...read about its vast reaches into the skies. Skyscrapers they were called. Two of the tallest once stood there. Made of iron and glass they were. Beacons defining civilization at its greatest really. Also defining humanity at its worst..."

Vagrant shakes his head, "Anyway...how do you come by the name Nuyok? Who named you? Do you know why?"

Nuyok can answer you on the way back to the ferry, as time is pressing. Please continue all conversations back on the raft, with full visibility.

On the way back, Nuyok says "I know not why I received the name, perhaps it was the subject of a good tale, or hopefully it was a matter of prophecy to strive for greatness?"