Introductory Game - The Artifact

[Onix]

As for needed biological relief, Zivka started to look around for a place but forgot when the riders showed up.

Quick roll for Ed's Int 1d100=45

I'll have to describe this out of chronological order.

As Edward is successfully calming down Sergeant Jeffreys. The Sgt's eyebrows go up and a stunned look appears on his face. Someone calls out "look out!". Ed feels something land on his shoulder.

What is Edward's reaction?

[misterecho]

look at his shoulder

[Onix]

Okay, I wanted to see if the reaction would be "knock whatever it is off".

Back to chronological order.

A small, dark blue bodied iridescent pterodactyl (tero-dac-tyl) like creature with crystal clear wings and tail flies down from the lead rider one of the Footsoldiers sees this and calls out "look out". The pterousaur lands on Ed's shoulder.

Edward looks up at his shoulder and sees the pterosaur. A beautiful bird like creature with a shimmering dark blue body and wing edges but the wing and tail feathers are clear like glass and a brilliantly colored head crest.

The riders climb down and approach Edward but stay a few meters away. The lead rider holds out his arm and the pterosaur flies back to him. He is a stocky man with a full white beard that is separated with metal rings tying the beard into three segments. He is wearing a copper metal helmet with silver chain mail hanging from the back. He is dressed mostly in leather, his cloths are probably intended for animal riding. He carries his long (3m) driving stick in his hand.

The lead rider says (in Chezbah) "What are you doing?" To which the pterosaur responds in an oddly deep voice (in Chezbah) "I like this man. You should invite him to a meal." The rider looks very confused and is visually disturbed by this.

He approaches Edward and in Chezbah say “I would like to invite you to eat a meal with us at work’s end.” The pterosaur will then translate to English “My lord invites you to eat a meal with him tonight. Will I tell him that you’ll accept?”

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

"hat boid spaks bedder anhglish than ah do. I think you should join them, sir."

[misterecho]

I smile at Zvika and ask in Hebrew (Roll for my knowledge of Hebrew) "Do you think they serve Kosher here?"

I then tell the bird "I'd be delighted."

[Onix]

The diplomats push in front of the two of you and in broken Chezbah say “We are the appointed representatives of this expedition we will be the ones to go with you.”

The lead rider closes his eyes and touches his forehead with both hands using the tips of his fingers and then lift his hands upward. Ed recognizes this as a gesture accepting someone else’s authority in Chezbah culture.

The pterosaur objects in Chezbah “Sh!” (word for no) and then say in English “No! Not you, that one.” Pointing it’s tiny fingers at Edward and Zivka.

This again disturbs the riders and they look at each other not knowing what to do for a moment. This is a breach of Chezbah protocol to not properly recognize someone’s authority and very shameful.

The rider responds in Chezbah “There are many places at my table.” He then gestures to the Edward and Zivka “All of you may come and eat.” The pterosaur will nod and translate “You are invited to eat dinner. Please wash and come to the gate of my lord at 17:00”.

The riders then depart.

One of the diplomats will quietly remark “That could have gone worse I suppose.”

You're ordered to get cleaned up and put on dress uniforms. Setting up showers quickly becomes a priority in the camp. One of the diplomats will come over and speak to you. He's dressed in an expensive suit and already cleaned up. He will stress that Chezbah society is highly ritualized and that little things will matter to them. Edward already knows this but Zivka will need the primer. Although the Chezbah have stated that they understand that Earth forces do not know their ways it is still important to try so that the diplomatic effort goes smoothly. This is information that has been gleaned.

The first thing that you are directed to do is to always carry a knife with them but to keep it hidden. Your service knives will do. A knife is only used to take a portion of the meat that is put in the middle of the table. This is a symbolic gesture showing that the guests are not becoming part of the host’s family but are still able to take care of themselves. Otherwise the patriarchal head of the family serves the meat.

The dining table is referred to as “the father”. The table supports the meal and therefore the family, this is the father’s role in Chezbah society. As an extension, plates for eating are also called “fathers”. The cooking pot is called “the Mother” Bowls for eating are called “mothers”. Only the father who’s table it is and his wives may place their bowl directly on the table. Anyone else places their bowls under the table or holds it up while eating.


At the meal, the patriarchal head is the only one allowed to start a conversation. No one may speak unless invited to by the patriarch.

You are ordered to leave your weapons (other than knives) and equipment other than radios at base.

Any questions before it's 17:00?

[misterecho]

Edward does as instructed. Attends to his personal administration and dress, then heads out to find Zvika for a chat.

[Onix]

No problem. What would you like to talk about?

[Chainsaw Aardvark]

Zvika is probably digging through the tank to remember everything (did I pack a dress uniform - here it is! Have I even sharpened this knife since basic?) He is a little over-whelmed to think of specific questions - though he probably should come up with some.

Any prayers to be said/do they mind if he at least quietly says his own. (As he asked the doctor - are there any tzhal [Zewa Hagana le Jisrael -Israel Defense Force] soldiers that could clue him in on observances around the artifact)

Also, how are seating orders determined - it would probably be easier if Zvika acted as Edward's bodyguard/attache (ok, not a word he'd use/know) following behind and just copying him rather than keep all the details straight immediately.

Eating alien food shouldn't be a problem though. If Zvika was really the type that wouldn't eat anything un-kosher, or otherwise truly conservative - he'd have applied for a religious deferment from military service. He just prefers to keep prayers and wear a hat/kippah at all times. The Chezbah won't mind him wearing a beret/kippah at the meal - would they?

Then again, he's got a herd mentality personality - so whatever it takes to help the mission.

[misterecho]

Edward just wants to chat, and calm his nerves. He also attempts to calm the nerves of Zvika.