I know a little bit about FATE by reputation and glancing through one of the core rulebooks a long while ago.<br/><br/>Hom hrum.  A story hook then...  Well, working off of the idea of Numenera's hooks, it could be that Olan sees Emmeret as a person of a senpai kind of status.  Like a worker that's been present for much longer than he that he can ask for help.  In fact it could have been Emmeret that showed him the ropes around the business and what he could be doing instead of sitting around on his thumbs like most other new hirees.  Hired bodyguard could be a good initial reason that he's initially hired on with his other talents being whipped cream on the proverbial pie.  As for a connection to Olan, the core rulebook provides the following " Pick one other PC. That character seems to have a terrible relationship with machines—or at least the machines that you communicate with. If she is next to a machine that you interact with in a friendly manner, that machine is treated in all ways as being one level lower than normal (unless doing so benefits you or her, in which case the level does not change)."  I'm fairly open to any other kind of ways that the characters might be related to each other of course.<br/><br/>As for the starting adventure: " One of the other PCs asked you to come along because of your knowledge. 2. You need money to fund your studies.  3. You believed that the task might lead to important and interesting discoveries.  4. A colleague requested that you take part in the mission as a favor"  I'd say that one provides a fairly strong case, as does 2 and 3.  He's something of an academic fellow but he does have a few practical considerations when it comes to money.<br/><br/>Olan is the type that others would likely consult thanks to his in depth knowledge of Numenera and a few other key subjects (I'm thinking economics and law atm).  Seeing as Emmeret is operating on a relatively quasi legal basis it would be a very useful ability to know where exactly he could toe the line and/or press his luck.  And knowing the finer points of how money flows through the world would most definitely be important for someone working for a trade union or the like.  I think Olan would have met Emmeret before Beatrix, since he's not really the kind of person that would go slumming or really want to associate with people of questionable character and occupation like that.  Provided that he's even aware of what she does of course.  Then again, Olan's views of what constitutes 'good and wrong' is a little...subjective.  Some of it depends whether or not he's the one said actions are being acted upon.  XD  He's perhaps a mite self-important like that.<br/><br/>As for the Church, he sees it as a strong economic/political power in the Steadfast.  What the Amber Papacy is doing and what it condones/forbids is most definitely something to be paying particular attention to.  It certainly seems to hold perhaps a stronger moral hold over the majority of the common people than the nobility.  Although there are exceptions to every rule of course.  Overall his attitude is one of being careful to not awaken a sleeping dragon.  To turn the church or it's many agents/supporters against oneself is all but a death sentence, as far as Olan is concerned.  Otherwise he's relatively neutral on the subject of religion, living by the credo, live and let live.<br/><br/>The Steadfast is a realm rife with riches and conflict.  As it happens, the two often coincide.  He's interested in his continued survival as well as money in order to support future endeavors and investments.  Kings and queens and noble titles will all change over time, but the possible opportunities that their presence provides will not.  Although one must be careful when dealing with the upper classes, since the makers and enactors of laws are far more lenient with those with larger coin purses.<br/><br/>As for what brings us together and what might break us apart.  I think one answer is simple enough.  Money.  A big enough amount of Shin could make anyone greedy enough to reconsider alliances if they stood to gain a kingly sum.  Though I may be wrong on that aspect too, we'll see what my fellow players have to say about that.<br/><br/>Yes, I think it would have a large patron organization to benefit from, not only in terms of having older, more experienced possible business partners/teachers but also for having safe houses where we can rest as well as characters that we may be familiar with and interact with on a regular basis.<br/><br/>A Trouble hmmm?  Well one I could think of could be "A Bit Too Full Of Himself".  He's a newly graduated college student that hasn't been out in the real world much and does have a fair sum of knowledge that most probably aren't aware of.  So he's liable to perhaps think a bit more of himself and his opinion and what he knows than is probably necessary.  Though if anyone else sees any possible others from what I've set forth so far, I definitely wouldn't mind hearing any kind of suggestions!<br/><br/>And I very much support this idea of a home town and a Trade Guild to represent us!  :D