Howard

Howard is an NPC aboard The Xianzhou Luofu. He can be found in Central Starskiff Haven, next to the old wooden bridge and across from The Sleepless Earl.
==Profile==
Howard is an IPC trade commissioner who was assigned to trade tech with the Xianzhou Alliance. He became interested in Xianzhou culture after studying it in preparation for his work assignment.
==Location==
==Voice Lines==
;(Version 1)
:: "The Xianzhou has such a rich culture and history... fascinating."
;(Version 2)
:: "White bubbles roll around the cup like clouds, and the aroma is, uh, striking. A good tea, a good tea indeed."
==Dialogue==
;(First interaction)
:Howard: "I'd rather have three days without food than go one day without tea." I mean, the Xianzhou natives have to drink tea even if they're starving. I've drunk my fill of tea, too — and zero calories, too. It's a pretty interesting turn of phrase.
:Howard: Vegetations in the Alchemy Cauldron, Whale-Tide Spring, Emerald Hills, and Hunter Maofeng...
: If you ask me, Whale-Tide Spring's the best.
::Howard: Whale-Tide Spring? Hold on, let me look up some good quotes about tea.
::Howard: "Whale-Tide Spring buds are tender. Bake-drying results in knotted strips as fine hairs appear with a silvery green hue. Brew to create swirling clouds in your teacup. Its mild fragrance is striking..."
::Howard: It's all in unintelligible Xianzhou words. But that's okay, no harm in ordering a pot of Whale-Tide Spring tea.
: Actually, I don't really know much about tea.
::Howard: Hahaha, I can tell! You're an Outworlder with a curiosity for Xianzhou culture.
::Howard: Ordering tea aboard Xianzhou isn't the easiest thing, and you might not get all the cultural allusions going on. But that's just my own bad habit, — you don't have to be like me.
::Howard: This Whale-Tide Spring is awesome, and I'll sit on a pot of this for a while.
: May as well just close my eyes and pick out one at random, right?
::Howard: , you're an Outworlder just like me. You're not exactly wrong. but it's really quite rude.
::Howard: Xianzhou tea drinking is steeped in history, culture, decorum, and rules. If one were to glug it down like some common ruffian, it would sully the tea's heritage...
::Howard: This Whale-Tide Spring is awesome, and I'll sit on a pot of this for a while.
:Howard: The name's Howard. I'm a trade commissioner for the Interastral Peace Corporation, or IPC. I've come here to trade tech with Xianzhou. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.
: Nice to meet you, I'm (Trailblazer).
: I'm (Trailblazer).
:Howard: Hahaha, fate has brought us together. Take this small gift. "Small gifts in place of vast appreciation", as they say. Please accept it.
: You must be quite a fan of the Xianzhou culture.
::Howard: Hahaha, I already knew a little about Xianzhou culture back at HQ. Now I have the opportunity to be stationed here, I have prepared ahead.
::Howard: The more I studied it, the more I became... despite everyone at work jokingly calling me "Mr. Xianzhou," my knowledge about Xianzhou culture really is just a drop in the bucket.
: I think you already know far more than I do.
::Howard: You're too kind. I know this is the famous "humility," right? "The dragonfruit never sings about its sweetness."
::Howard: It feels like there are secret masters hidden throughout Xianzhou, each pretending to be super-normal. What a fascinating phenomenon.
:Howard: I've had a great time chatting with you, . If there's anything you'd like to know, I'll definitely tell you everything. Consider me your new friend.
;(Obtained Part 1)
----
;(Subsequent interactions)
:Howard: "Soil that does not deplete, but self-replicates." ...is there really such incredible tech aboard Xianzhou?
:Howard: Ah, our is back. Have you come to chat with me, or is there something else?
: I want to chat with Howard.
::Howard: Don't be a stranger. What is it you want to talk about?
:: I want to ask you about some Xianzhou trivia.
:::Howard: I heard an interesting rumor from the head of the Sky-Faring Commission.
:::Howard: I went to a meeting between the Sky-Faring Commission and the Xianzhou traders' representatives, and I saw Madam Yukong's beloved bow. It's really a fine weapon. But upon closer inspection, I discovered it wasn't a real bow.
:::Howard: Her arrows are actually self-guided auto-aim ones, and drawing the bow is just used to give a sense of antiquity.
:::Howard: The Xianzhou natives like using a few tricks to mask their strength, and it's probably connected to their propensity for humility.
:: You came to Xianzhou on a trade mission for the IPC...
:::Howard: Haha, that's not something we can talk about.
:::Howard: Well, to be honest, we offered a handsome price for some of Xianzhou's proud technological achievements, but negotiations didn't actually go so well...
:::Howard: But I trust that Xianzhou isn't a conservative place. Hard work always pays off — and breakthroughs are always possible.
:::Howard: That's about as much as I can say on this. Hope you forgive me! Hahaha.
:: Have you got any advice for an Outworlder?
:::Howard: I was gifted a manual when I first got here, called 100 Common Xianzhou Proverbs for Outworlders. It's a lousy title, I know, but the book itself is great.
:::Howard: The book is really practical, mentioning tons of proverbs and sayings that the Xianzhou natives commonly use. It's a fantastic window into Xianzhou culture if that's something you're interested in.
:: Until we meet again.
:::Howard: Until we meet again.
: Until we meet again.
::Howard: Until we meet again.
----
;(After obtaining )
: You seem pretty interested in Draconic Tears.
:Howard: Hahaha, I really should correct this bad habit of talking to myself.
:Howard: I've grown infatuated recently with the mysteries of Xianzhou culture. I've been obsessed with thinking about them...
:Howard: In one of them, there are in the Lunarescent Depths that can live for thousands of years — and their tears crystallize into pearls. It's enough to set the mind racing!
:Howard: But the Scalegorge Waterscape delves generally don't let Outworlders like us go down, and the Draconic Tears out on the market are all too processed, so they lack that legendary authenticity.
: You sure are fussy.
::Howard: These are pharmaceuticals, but on the open market they always end up looking like sparkly jewels — all scrubbed up nice and pretty to pander to those hunting for legends. Or perhaps that's going a bit too far.
::Howard: Me, I may be an Outworlder but I like local customs and use whatever the locals use. Super-clean and clear Draconic Tears are too fake for me, and aren't worth collecting.
:: I've got some all-natural ones right here.
:::Howard: I just like natural, unclean Draconic Tears. Let me have a look.
:: Same.
:::Howard: Looks like we've something in common. Birds of a feather flock together, haha!
:::Howard: Seeing as we're so similar then, have you got any Draconic Tears for me?
: Actually, I've got some Draconic Tears right here.
:Howard: I've seen too many Draconic Tears on the markets, so I hope you can show me something a little different.
;(Submit )
:Howard: Hahaha, this is the first time I've seen Draconic Tears inside a glass jar like this... And this is exactly the kind of authentic Draconic Tears that I'm looking for! Thank you so much.
: Hey, you gotta play by the rules.
::Howard: What rules?
:: The rules of barter.
:: Don't make me say it.
: Please could you reciprocate in kind?
:Howard: Ah, got it. "Do unto others, and you would have them do unto you."
:Howard: I didn't bring anything valuable with me today, so here's something very small for you as thanks.
;(Obtain , and )
----
;(After completing Topclouded Towerthrust)
: What exactly is the Ambrosial Arbor made of?
::Howard: I'm also curious about that... Wait! Stop right there!
::Howard: It is a top secret on the Xianzhou. Didn't you see how things were when that giant tree grew? It was heavily guarded by people from the Realm-Keeping Commission and the Cloud Knights were on patrol.
::Howard: I heard that the Ambrosial Arbor is an Aeonspawn. I'm not sure whether it is true, but seeing how seriously Xianzhou treats the issue, I suggest that you stay away from the tree and don't dabble in their taboo.
::Howard: Before every business trip, my colleagues always remind me to respect the local customs, or be ready to bear the consequences. You should be careful with your actions when travelling, too!
==Other Languages==
==Change History==