Tanner's Journal - September

Tanner's luck has definitely turned to the better in the last year. He's had steady employment and been able to save money. Binge drinking has not been a problem, mainly because he has stayed busy doing things he's interested in. His combat skills have improved, no doubt in part due to considerable practice.

Most importantly to Tanner, he has had three extraordinary pieces of luck. One, his library has increased greatly. Tanner's library would be a source of envy in the South. Two, his combat engineer skills have increased tremendously. He is at the point where he can build his own field artillery, such as scorpions and small ballistas. Plus, his civilian engineering skills have improved also. Tanner has done journeyman work on the Brown's Ferry waterfront; never the supervisor, but always in charge of a labor gang. Third, Tanner has built up a network of mentors, employers and friends who have made life easier for him. Jake has been something of a mentor to him in manners political and martial. Working for Pasha has exposed him to smart business practices; Tanner knows enough not to get ripped off now. When Tanner and Faolan the Red go into combat, Tanner trusts Faolan with his life. Perhaps even more suprisingly, he sometimes trusts Faolan's instincts when not in combat.

Tanner is a loner by habit. His only close 'friend' is Faolan the Red. Tanner prefers the company of other soldiers and engineers, like [Sgt. Roarke] of the Wallace house guard. Tanner isn't much interested in women - usually they get in the way of work, but he does feel a strong sense of duty to Miss Macon, and by proxy her protege, Ahnah, along with Princess Bexar. It isn't romantic - they are out of his social rank, among other things. But he does value who they are, what they stand for, and how they ahve treated him.

One surprise for Tanner was winning the Bardstown Festival wrestling championship. He didn't think he could best that many men in contests. It's the only time in his life he has been something of a celebrity, and he had no idea how to handle it.

See: Tanner Hawkwood