Link

Daxana wasn't here. Again.

Julian paced nervously. Already the guards were growing suspicious. Julian's companions were gathered around the cart... The cart full of explosives that were going to really liven up the Princeling's birthday party. Assuming they didn't get discovered here. Where was that woman?!

One of the guards leaned over and whispered something to the second, who then turned and went back into the gatehouse behind him. The first raised a hand and approached. "You said this was wine for the Festival?"

Julian looked back at his fellows. They were even worse at this sort of thing than he was. "Errr. Yes?"

The guard raised an eyebrow. "I see. And you said your paperwork was coming... ?"

Julian nodded vigorously. He closed his eyes and willed the guard to just agree and let them through. He opened his eyes and somehow the guard population had multiplied from 2 to 8. This was bad. He edged backwards toward the cart.

"Look, we don't want any trouble," he muttered.

Guard One smiled broadly. "Oh no. We don't either." The entire posse of them began to chuckle. Julian glanced at his companions. They were readying weapons. 3 on 8 wasn't the best odds, but they'd faced some long shots before.

One walked a little closer, pulling his sword completely from the scabbard now. "So tell me, 'Rodrick.' Which vineyard are you from again?"

"Uhhhhhh..."

A clear voice cut in from behind. "The Maglan Vineyards outside of Norvron. Wasn't that on the form?" Daxana was a tall woman with brown and gold streaked hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her brows were furrowed and she strode directly up to the entire company of guards, which had grown from 8 to 12 in an alarmingly short amount of time. She extended a hand to the guard that had come close to seeing the inside of their wagon.

"I'm sorry to be late. I'm Marion Lo. And you are?"

The guard was forced to sheath his sword and took her hand. "I'm Deputy Rawlins, and we saw no form..."

"No form? My goodness, Deputy, that is very unfortunate. My help... well..." Daxana shot a withering gaze to Julian, who despite being used to her after 3 years of travel, still shrank back and looked sheepish. "A firm handshake you have Deputy, and I must say, that complexion. You've not been long in Craise, have you? That's a Revulon river tan if I've ever seen one. Nogrun or Bepshire, any chance?"

The guard actually smiled. "Bepshire, how did you know?"

Daxana "Oh, that tale is a merry one, and I look forward to telling you at tonight's festivities. Let's just say that Madame Pria won't be allowing me in her establishment for years to come. A cooking challenge, and one I must confess I was surprised how ready she was. But, before we go into it... let's resolve this form business and discuss it over drinks, yes?"

The guard nodded along with her. Julian blew out a sigh. They were saved.

Links are an interesting contradiction that seem right at home in a land so divided and yet so connected as Altan'ruhl. They are wanderers... Traveling from one place to the next, learning about the state of the world, discovering how things have changed, and what might have stayed the same. They prefer to travel with company, however, as a Link's greatest joy comes not just from the discovery, but from helping those around them see the world for as connected as it still is.

Playing a Link

Links are almost exclusively used as the face of a party. They have the social skills and associated world/political lore to assist with almost any situation that may come up. However, Links also feel a deepset need to travel and do more. Links would rarely be comfortable staying in one place for longer than it takes to sample the local cuisine, enjoy a night of tales in the tavern to learn the favored drinking songs, and then a quick social event with the nobility. After that, the wanderlust tends to take over the Link is ready for the next horizon.

Link Origins

Most Magen keep the world at a distance. The ability to touch the Pael and manipulate it have left them changed in ways that most "normal people" would never understand.

Homeless	Your home was completely destroyed. Maybe this occurred during the Splintering... Many towns and villages were completely ripped apart as a result. However, it could be far more recent than that. Warlords and Tyrants constantly shifting the livable landscape of Altan'ruhl, and it's quite possible some group displaced you. Or, it could be far more mundane than any of these things. With the Pael destroying many core connections and trade routes, perhaps your town simply dried up and the people all migrated away. Regardless of the reason, you search now for that place that exists only within your memory, a place that truly feels like home. You simply need to find it, and you'll wander until you do.
Conflict	Somewhere in your past, you watched an argument or a conflict tear apart something you love. It could have been a heated argument between your parents and siblings. Or it could have been much grander in scale. A succession war between two princes that forced your father to go off to war. Either way, you learned at an early age that conflict can drive even the best of people into terrible situations, and you resolved to spend your life bringing people together rather than tearing them apart.
Curious	Sometimes it doesn't have to be epic stakes or deep inner conflict. Sometimes the desire to travel the world and see new people and places stems purely from having the heart of an explorer. You are curious. You want to know if Red Peppers are used as a spice from the Southern edge of the Iron Hills to the Elves of the Floating City. Do the play the games of hoop-stick from Beltruth to the Citadel to the Saldragon Princedom? How long will the cities as we know them still exist, still remain to be seen and explored. Time is running out, and there's just too much world to see. You might not make it all... But you intend to try.

Link Connections

Roll a d20 to select a connection option below, choose one directly, or make your own.

1		11
2		12
3		13
4		14
5		15
6		16
7		17
8		18
9		19
10		20

Link Player Intrusions

As a Link, you may spend 1XP to use one of the following player intrusions, provided the situation is appropriate and the GM agrees.
Been Everywhere - As a Link, you've basically been everywhere, or at least more so than most people. How you got there might be an interesting tale, but you can surface surprising familiarity with places based on having been there before, or somewhere like it. Gain an asset while in a particular location for a scene.
Seen Everything - Nothing is original any more. Chances are, if it's out there, you've seen it, or you've talked to somebody who's seen it. When facing an unusual situation, you can automatically provide extensive amounts of lore or knowledge about the topic, and any rolls needed to leverage or use it are eased.
Therein Lies the Tale - Riveting or exhausting, your words have power. You can spin a dialog web that will keep even the most attentive individuals enthralled. Engage in a tale and up to 5 others will be completely drawn in and enraptured by your words, allowing your allies to sneak by or worse!

Link Stat Pools

Pool	Starting Value
Might	8
Speed	9
Intellect	11

The Link gains 6 additional points to distribute among the starting pools.

Link Tiers

A Link pulls heavily from both the Explorer and Speaker trees.

First-Tier Links

First-tier Links gain the following abilities:
Effort: You have 1 Effort.
Brilliant: You have Edge 1 in Intellect, and 0 in both Might and Speed.
Cyphers: You may possess up to 2 Cyphers.
Weapons: You can use light and medium weapons without penalty. You have an inability with heavy weapons; your attacks with them are hindered.
Starting Equipment: Appropriate clothing and a weapon of your choice, plus two expensive items, two moderately priced items, and up to four inexpensive items
Special Abilities: Links may select from the Link Abilities chart below.

1st Tier (Choose 4)	2nd Tier (Choose 2)	3rd Tier (Choose 3
Anecdote (109) Babel (112) Demeanor of Command (127) Encouragement (133) Enthrall (135) Fast Talk (138) Interaction Skills (154) Spin Identity (185) Understanding (194) Find the Way Knowledge Skills Improved Edge Decipher Travel Skills	Basic Follower (112) Calm Stranger (118) Disincentivize (129) Gather Intelligence (144) Impart Ideal (151) Inspiring Ease (154) Skill with Defense (183) Speedy Recovery (185) Trained Interlocutor (193) Inspiration (154)	TBD
4th Tier (Choose 2)	5th Tier (Choose 3)	6th Tier (Choose 2)
TBD	TBD	TBD