[u][b]Yobugwo, Hokksulgug[/b][/u]

The sour fragrance of the sea lingered over Yobugwo's streets. The coastal city sat comfortably within reach of both the Dominion, Othnemarcasan and Shogunate harbors. Most ships that sail from Yobugwo were destined for one of these locations, shipping goods back and forth to meet the demands of Hokksulgug's taste. Because of its value, the city was generally in good condition and well-off monetarily.Yogubwo was known to most as a popular gathering place; where you could stumble across a diverse array of individuals, be they wealthy merchants, seamen for hire, adventurers; anyone looking to turn a profit or take a chance at whatever opportunities the city might have for them. 

A number of military vessels operated out of Yobugwo’s port, and a fort stood nearby. Other noteworthy landmarks included a great shrine to Daejuguo, a patron of good fortune and guardian figure, the famous Kabugya Theater, and Yobugwo Coliseum. The streets were heavy with stores and merchant stands, taverns and guild houses. Many manners of indulgence could be found here, if one knew where to look. There was one such section of Yobugwo nicknamed the vice district. Its establishments offered a wide range of diversions from mundane, day-to-day concerns. While all were comparable in terms of the services offered, some cater to specific inhibitions or had been made famous by their cast of employees. Many such locations also acted as places of worship for minor deities of the Pantheon that promoted such pleasureseeking.

On a normal day the tavern known lovingly by its patrons as “The Laughing Harpy” would have been completely overshadowed by these other locations of interest. The Laughing Harpy, situated a mere ten minute walk from the harbor, wasn’t known for its vices. It wasn’t known for being a center of worship to any gods. It most certainly wasn’t known for selling high quality beer, wine, tea, or any other beverage. What it was known for was its diverse crowd of patrons. Local sailors and fishermen, odd men from the Isoterox Shogunate, worshippers of Yuwan from the Antian Dominion, and Ithicist merchants from the northern sections of the Otnemarcasan Empire. All of these people had seen fit to spend their coins made of gold and silver from a plethora of countries in the Laughing Harpy. And yet this still didn’t make the Laughing Harpy all that interesting, as this was a common occurrence in any tavern one might find in Yobugwo.
 
What made the Laughing Harpy so interesting as of late was whispers, rumors, of one specific patron. “They say you can find adventure, if you seek the foreign warrior in the Laughing Harpy.” They would say. “Adventure, wealth, fame, all for the taking. You just need to speak to *him*. He who seeks the brave to aid him in ending the Sibytte pirates.”
 
The rumors would always point to the same man. A young Otnemarcasan of obviously fine upbringing. His clothes, those of his homeland, were made of the finest silk, though if this silk was “normal” or of the steel silk variety none could say. A short sword, called a jian, was always near at hand. Before him was spread a variety of maps of varying quality. Some showed just the coastlines of the Otnemarcasan Empire. Others the entire region. Others yet were more detailed around the southern Otnemarcasan borders. The young man would peer at the maps, taking a sip from his cup of tea, as he waited. Soon, he knew, they would come.

Seung Choi's ears had caught wind of these rumors, and the timing could not have been more convinient. The prospect of bringing the fight to the Sibyttes, of putting down worthy adversaries in Soyeori's name was a notion that he'd been entertaining for some time now. Choi, a young, wayward noble - although quite the fighter - had figured this Otnemarcasan stranger as the gateway to glory he had been lusting after. 

The nobleman dipped his head inside the portal of the Laughing Harpy, scouting it for the foreigner all the rumors had been abuzz about. He was identified easily by the pattern of his garb, the bright, fine silks a contrast to the exposed flesh and dour attire of the establishment's usual customers. Choi's own clothing was not all that different from the foreigners, as befitting his social stature, although it was colored a deep maroon and embroidered with curved patterns which resembled stylized bovine horns, a traditional Hokksulgugae style. A large portion of his head was shaven, as was a popular trend, with what hair remained swept back into a thin tail.

Upon his entry, the closest bar patrons begrudgingly acknowledged his social presence, giving him a customary nod and a few feet of space. Choi drew himself past the commoners and straight to the table where the Othnemarcasan sat, falling into the chair across him.

"You've made quite a name for yourself these few days," the noble mused. "You can't walk two streets without someone talking about the 'foreigner at the Harpy.'" He looked the outsider up and down, an expectant look creeping over his face.

“And yet Ling found seat before him empty for many nights” The Otnemarcasan responded, his grasp of the Hokksulgugae language obviously far from perfect. He gave Choi a deep nod of his head in greeting. It was perhaps not the most respectful way of meeting a fellow noble, but then again they weren’t exactly in the finest tavern in town. “Ling had begun to fear idea not inspired by fox Lady Narai. Fear no longer” He gestured at Choi, perhaps something had been lost in translation. 
 
“Kau Ling” He pointed a thumb at himself “Ling is son of warrior. You are…” His voice trailed off, expectation heavy in his tone.

"Seung Choi." The Hokksulgugae found himself smirking at Ling's wording, and attemped to pass it off as a friendly gesture. He inclined his head, returning the foreigner's quasi-formal greeting. "It's probably the case that many Hokksulgugae are wary of submitting command to... one who is not the same," he put simply. "However, I'm willing to overlook such trivial things." Choi traced a finger over one of the maps laid across the table, tapping it on the Othnemarcasan peninsula. "Had I not heard the rumors, I'd assume you're just trying to get back home. But they say you have other plans for the Empire."

"Home easy" Ling said, pointing at a location in the far North. His finger lingered for a moment before tracing along the coastline, halting only after it touched a city almost directly across the sea from Yobugwa. The words Astraea was written in small words. "Not so easy" He tapped the word Astraea twice. He seemed to search for a word for a moment, muttering "Joutei" a few times before shrugging. "Clan head. Sibytte ships belong. You understand?"

Choi nodded, studying the map. "You want to get back at the Sibyttes," he murmured, more to himself than to Ling. This was perfect; a venue straight to Sibytte territory, and that meant Choi could pay tribute to Soyeori in a more proper manner. 
"I will come," the noble declared, eyes back on the Otnemarcasan. "But we're going to need a solid plan to take on the Sibyttes alone."

"Direct path dangerous" Ling said, nodding. "Must be quick and cunning like Fox Lady." He pointed at Yobugwa, tracing a line from the port city to the southern border of the Otnemarcasan Empire. "Long" He commented, "But sneaky like fox. Then," He traced a line from the border to Astraea "Ferocious like tiger."

At that moment the doors of the tavern slammed open with a hideous creaking.  In stepped a monster of a man whose face lay mostly shrouded by a heavy hood.  Covered in intricate armour adorned by a multitude of Yuwanist symbols and wearing a large yet well crafted sword anyone familiar with rumours in the old Somnus would know him.  Petarch Kyrun, the one man crusade.  Eyeing the tavern owner until they averted their gaze he cast down the hood and revealed a bald head and short face adorned only with a thin moustache.  After giving the whole of the establishment a judging glare he shook his head and made his way directly to Ling and Choi's table.  After pulling a chair out and falling into it the man spoke in fluent if not harshly accented Otnemarcasan, “I have heard of a man who would fight the heathens of Otnemarcas and end their cowardly piracy.  So tell me, are you this man and if so, may I join in?”

Another foreigner? The entrace of the newcomer had drawn the attention of just about everyone in the establishment; no Hokksulgugae grows that tall. Choi turned his head as the man sat down, sizing him up. He'd seen those symbols adorning the stanger's armor before - Yuwanist, were they? That meant he was more than likely from the Dominion. Even with the peace between Hokksulgug and its former parent-state, it wasn't terribly common for the southerners to be seen in the peninsula, save from coming and going on trade vessels, and certianly not dressed for battle.

Ling looked at the newcomer, a raised eyebrow the only response given. "[I seek to cut the head off the Siphonese snake]" He said at last, responding in Otnemarcasan. He relished the chance to speak his native tongue, so few outside of the empire could speak a truly proper language. "[The end of piracy in these waters will be but a side effect. I seek to inflict grevious wounds upon Clan Shan, one of the strongest Sibytte clan there is.]" He turned back to Choi, reverting back to broken Hokksulgugae as he said "King pay good for deed, no?"

Choi gave the Otnemarcasan a puzzled look, pointing at himself. "My king? I don't know if the Daekuang would necessarially approve of this without his consent, and even then, if he wanted..." Choi was cut off by the man at his side.

Petarch gave a great laugh and slammed his hand onto the table before speaking in Choi's touge, “For the respect they give you here I'd expect more than the uneducated drivel you spout boy!  He means his own king, we're killing Sibyttes here, half his nation is going to praise us!  Hah, this is going to be great fun after all, I knew this little trip was worth it.”

The jab from the Antian caused Choi to grimace, cursing himself for misunderstanding Ling's use of Hokksulgugae, and cursing the stranger for the insult. But the man had a point. With the assassination of this Sibytte leader, there would be less threat to the Ithicst trade routes. 
Ignoring the matter for now, Choi turned back to Ling. "But we still need a ship. And crew. Unless you've got either already, I have resources we can draw on."

"Ling's ships are.... how you say? Pirated?" Ling shrugged. "Few men left, but Ling do not want. Small group of tigers go, yes? Not swarm of hungry locusts."

His head muddled from trying to understand Ling's concepts, Choi gave the Antian a weary look and said, "Why don't you work it out and tell me what he's saying?"

Petarch grumbled, “Eh fine”

With a turn to Ling he asked in his same Otnemarcasan, “Would you repeat that to me so I can tell this fool what you mean?  His own ineptitude is slowing us down it seems.”

Choi crossed his arms as the Yuwanist spoke on his behalf. He had no idea what was being said, although didn't imagine it was positively reflective of his character.

"[It is unbecoming of you to call another a fool so readily, but I shall do as you ask.]" He responded in Otnemarcasan, shrugging before taking a sip from his drink. "[What we need is a small group of skilled warriors, not a small army. I seek to kill the third most powerful Sibytte in the land; he is prideful, overconfident. It probably has never occured to him that his end would come from a few. We will sneak into his territory and slay him in his own stronghold; if all goes well his men will have no idea what has occured until after we have had our exit."

Petarch's smile only grew as he heard Ling explain, to hurt the heathens this badly?  He would do it gladly.  After Ling finished he turned to Choi and translated, “The man says we don't need an army, he wants to get rid of the pirates boss and preferably do so [i]without[/i] having to fight the entirety of the mans palace guards.  As for the ships I figure he already explained clear enough, they got hit by the pirates.  So yes, I think your ship would be of use.”

"Fine, then, we'll use my vessel," Choi offered. "But let us be clear on this - while you're on my ship, I expect to be given proper command and respect due a captain, and nobleman of Hokksulgug." He cleared his throat before continuing, "I have it docked in the marina. I can have my slaves, a small crew and necessary goods onboard as soon as you're ready."

"Ling shall be like winters are to Moudora" Ling said, bowing his head to Choi.

Petarch merely gave an understanding grunt.

[hider=Summary]A group of badasses, Kau Ling, Seung Choi, and Petarch Kyrun, forms with the intent of killing the head of the Shan clan in Siphonia.[/hider]