Kannic Orefinder's page

Kannic Orefinder wrote:

To Ryo

How long you been following them? Are you getting so close that you warrant such a personal and violent warning?

"There is only one, as far as I know. Ihave been following it for just under a month now, and the creatures nows that. You could say am very close to it. You seem to know a lot about this type of undead, and I doubt your knowledge came from an old tome, but I know this one too well. Because it is my fault it is here, and my fault my brother is dead, I will not stop until I drive a stake through it's rotted heart."

Each of these beasts is different. Dangerous in its own way. Always cunning. A few years back I was on a expedition and discovered a chamber, some sort of burial vault, that had been shunted from the Above. I lost four of my clansmen that day. The Elders taught me what I needed to know to kill that vampire permanent-like. And me cousins that had been turned. Dark beasts, vampires are. Undead will be my next favored enemy.

to the group

Sounds like there's been quite a number of these killings, and the guard is trying to keep a lid on 'em. Not usual behavior for vampires. Down here they really try to be discreet, lest they bring down the wrath of the populace. And they don't like to waste 'food' Definitely out of character.

To Ryo

How long you been following them? Are you getting so close that you warrant such a personal and violent warning?

When everyone is set Kannic leads them away from the shop using a totally different route. Somehow they make it back to the Juggling Dwarf.

Kannic peruses the varieties of ammo, trying to find something useful against undead, failing and settling on a box of silver rounds.

"Any new toys while I'm in town?", he asks.

The clerk shows him a quiver of crossbow bolts. They talk quietly and Kannic purchases them.

Picking up some supplies and a few potions he tanks them for their time. The potion bottles slip into his belt pouch without causing any shift in their size. He hands over a small pouch with the telltale click of gems.

From his cloak he pulls out a rod with a rounded end.

"All set, everyone?"

Now she's buying leather to wear in the cold, cold north!

I kinda like the sheer cotton tunic look.

"Okay," she said, reluctantly. "I'm gonna have to fix a lot of skimmers to pay for that," she added glumly, but she did allow the gnome to show her over to the cloaks, finally finding a darkmantle coat that suited her better since her arms and legs were less likely to get caught in the folds when she fought.

Kannic chuckles, "Skimmers. Yeah, lots of skimmers."

He makes a mental note of introducing Aananda to the lucrative field of adventuring.

Kannic Orefinder wrote:

Aananda wrote:

Kannic Orefinder wrote:

"And a knife."

He tosses a hooked knife onto the counter.

"Even if you never draw it, anyone that sees it will think twice about bothering you."

"Besides it's a handy tool when traveling."

She looks at the knife quizzically. "Why would I need such a thing? My entire body can be a weapon if need be. Not to mention I carry some pretty big wrenches," she added with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"Like I said, you can avoid a lot of trouble just by letting someone see you're armed. Less tempting target. Your choice."

She shook her head. "No. If a spanner isn't enough to convince them I'm trouble, a knife won't either. And I prefer not to carry something I won't use. But thank you."

he shrugs "Your call. Welcome anyway."

"No, Baela. I haven't found a new site. And if I did I wouldn't cross me clan."

Kannic Orefinder wrote:

"Be sure to show her those darkmantle skin cloaks. Warm, and water resistant."

Her eyes widened at that. "There's no way I can possibly afford that," she said, sounding a little overwhelmed.

"Dark business, Missy. Best to be prepared. Our 'friends' tend to like the cold. Can't go visiting them with chattering teeth can we? Would ruin the surprise."

"Consider it a stake. You know, like miners use to get started."

Kannic Orefinder wrote:

"And a knife."

He tosses a hooked knife onto the counter.

"Even if you never draw it, anyone that sees it will think twice about bothering you."

"Besides it's a handy tool when traveling."

She looks at the knife quizzically. "Why would I need such a thing? My entire body can be a weapon if need be. Not to mention I carry some pretty big wrenches," she added with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"Like I said, you can avoid a lot of trouble just by letting someone see you're armed. Less tempting target. Your choice."

Directing his comments to the assistant, "I'm gonna need to take a looksee at the ammunition for my pistol. Special varieties. .44 calibre."

"Be sure to show her those darkmantle skin cloaks. Warm, and water resistant."

"And a knife."

He tosses a hooked knife onto the counter.

"Even if you never draw it, anyone that sees it will think twice about bothering you."

"Besides it's a handy tool when traveling."

"I think she could use one of these belts."

Kannic tosses over a belt with many pouches; several of each size. It also has a couple of loops for tools or weapons. It's soft, but surprisingly strong leather.

The crime scene behind them, Kannic leads them on a meandering journey thru Mentor. Both streets and alleys. Finally they arrive at the mouth of a darkened alley where two children seem to be playing. With a gesture from Kannic, one whistles. A light in an open doorway beckons them.

"Say as little as possible, but be straight about what you want."

He leads them into the back door of some sort of shop and past a burly human guard, but instead of heading into the main floor, they head down stairs. Knocking at a 2nd door they enter a 'shop within a shop'. It seems too big to fit in the confines of the shop above.

Addressing a sandy-haired gnome "Baela! Long time no see. Got some customers for you. No nonsense now. They be friendly, and yur prices should be as well. No taking advantage of any wide eyes. My account will cover any shortfalls, right?"

"Any of that drow liquor left?"

This place seems to be a catch all shop; weapons, gear, clothing.

"On the way to my friend's shop we must discuss ways of seeing and not being seen."

With the mess cleared up, Kannic alerts a patrol, enduring the obligatory question and answer session. Not surprisingly, that part goes quicker than usual. The telltale wounds seem to prompt the guards to clear the area quickly, with an admonishment for discretion.

Tamrin Sunwake wrote:

Aananda wrote:

"Okay," she said. "If a good cleaning is all that's needed..." She looks around for some water, finding a basin of it in what she supposed was the kitchen area. She set it down in front of the wall with the writing, and then with a few small movements of her body to help ground her concentration, suddenly lunged forward, the water from the basin rising up to mimic the motion of her hand. The water hit the wall with enough force to smear the blood beyond any recognition of writing, most of it dripping down to the floor.

"Sorry," she said, shyly. "I didn't mean to be showy. That's just a lot faster than scrubbing. My teachers would almost certainly give me a lecture for that."

"Oh! I think I can handle - " as he moves over to the wall, and subsequetnly gets some of the backsplash from Aananda's 'cleansing'

"Um...nevermind."

[drip, drip] :)

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" she says horrified. "I didn't mean to..." She waits as if she expects to be yelled at.

Noticing the splash and the possible problems it would create, Kannic intervenes.

"That won't do. Won't do at all."

He mumbles something in Terran and his hand glows. Waving it over the splash marks the blood and water splashes flow into his hand, he clenches his fist and the mess is gone.

presdigitation FTW

Aananda wrote:

"Okay," she said. "If a good cleaning is all that's needed..." She looks around for some water, finding a basin of it in what she supposed was the kitchen area. She set it down in front of the wall with the writing, and then with a few small movements of her body to help ground her concentration, suddenly lunged forward, the water from the basin rising up to mimic the motion of her hand. The water hit the wall with enough force to smear the blood beyond any recognition of writing, most of it dripping down to the floor.

"Sorry," she said, shyly. "I didn't mean to be showy. That's just a lot faster than scrubbing. My teachers would almost certainly give me a lecture for that."

"Oh! I think I can handle - " as he moves over to the wall, and subsequently gets some of the backsplash from Aananda's 'cleansing'

"Um...nevermind."

[drip, drip] :)

Kannic shakes his head at the messy clean up attempt.

"Well, that will work too."

To Ryo "Now that the complication is addressed, do you plan to leave her to be found by others, or shall I fetch a patrol for you?"

Cardcaster Ryo wrote:

Tamrin Sunwake wrote:

The odd-looking thing attached to his belt can also be seen now. It almost looks like a hand crossbow by the grip that is visible, but it has no bowstring to speak of.

Careful, he'll think you're hitting on him if you mention it!

This from the guy who only warmed up to the dwarf... ;D

What's not to like about Kannic? ;)

Cardcaster Ryo wrote:

If I have made this part of the game all about me, I apoligize, though I really shouldn't since everyone decided to hop on the VAMPIRE EXPRESS!!!

Well c'mon - who in their right mind would let anyone traipse off to deal with vampires all by themselves? Haven't you watched any horror movies!? ;)

Too bad we only have one girl. Looks like Aananda has to do the customary shower scene before the monster shows up. :)

"OK then. When we are finished here."

"Sir Ryo, do you wish to call the patrol or a cleric? Or, keep this quiet?"

"I know a little of undead 'complications'. Will your friend's corpse require special handling?"

Kannic Orefinder wrote:

Tamrin Sunwake wrote:

"Um - well, I can't accept a gift without offering something in return, so here," as he takes off his duster and offers it to her.

"It's still cold, you're still shivering, and you can keep it until you get proper stuff in the morning."

It seems to finally register that Aananda is cold. The Below is fairly stable in its temps, but Agartha has warm and cold zones. He must switch mental gears. He's been too long Below. He takes the stake, and pulls out a pellet.

"Aye, a gift for a gift. I use these in the tunnels if I get hard pressed. They mimic the crystal Above. Throw it to the ground if pressed by creatures that fear the light. You will have 5 minutes to escape."

Daylight pellet, MiC

"Wow, that's really handy. Thanks, Kannic," she said with a smile, examining the small pellet.

"There's a shop or two nearby that run 'extended hours' if you have need of better attire or equipment. Used or new. Friends."

Kannic Orefinder wrote:

Kannic nods in agreement, his face still in the shadows. This lad is unlike the seers he has met before, but he knows what happens to people that fall out of favor with others. He knows too of the undead Ryo has described. The tunnels Below hold many secrets. It is unlikely that the covens he has crossed before would be so brazen.

So Kannic has 'connections?'

Aye. Good ones in this town, enemies in others.

"Um - well, I can't accept a gift without offering something in return, so here," as he takes off his duster and offers it to her.

"It's still cold, you're still shivering, and you can keep it until you get proper stuff in the morning."

It seems to finally register that Aananda is cold. The Below is fairly stable in its temps, but Agartha has warm and cold zones. He must switch mental gears. He's been too long Below. He takes the stake, and pulls out a pellet.

"Aye, a gift for a gift. I use these in the tunnels if I get hard pressed. They mimic the crystal Above. Throw it to the ground if pressed by creatures that fear the light. You will have 5 minutes to escape."

"We could get you warmer clothing sooner than morning if you wish. Not all stores close."

Daylight pellet, MiC

Kannic nods in agreement, his face still in the shadows. This lad is unlike the seers he has met before, but he knows what happens to people that fall out of favor with others. He knows too of the undead Ryo has described. The tunnels Below hold many secrets. It is unlikely that the covens he has crossed before would be so brazen.

Kannic follows along, no sense of intoxication upon him despite the amount of ale he consumed. His steps are near silent. The smell of blood in the house causes him to draw a wicked hooked knife, though none see him do so.

"By the Forge.", he curses.

He steps to the side of the door, avoiding going in, and his eyes take on the sheen of granite as he Detects Magic thru them. Pressing against the front of the house he seems to fade from sight, and slowly he shifts to a spot where he can seek out other eyes watching the discovery.

Detect Magic, Stealth - Hide

He pauses for a moment, looking at each of you.

"The less people involved, the better. There is an evil previously unknown in Agartha, in this city, and I am trying to end it's existence. It has already taken my brother, I do not want any more people to suffer. It is bad enough the creature is using surface animals to attack during the day..."

"Surface animals, or animals from The Above, the Old World? Our clan calls this place the Surface. We live in The Below."

Kannic Orefinder wrote:

A frown crosses the brow of the dwarf, chasing the smile from his eyes, "Chasing the future? Rough business that."

"Trying to stop it is worse."

"Trying to stop it alone is always worse. Need a hand or two?"

"If I had seen such good food and company in my cards, I would have walked faster. Tonight is one I shall remember for a long time."

As the night begins to grows colder, Ryo begins warms up to everyone. Guessing games soon come to an end, for Ryo has the strange ability to guess correctly everytime. Jokes though, manage to catch him by surprise.

Not soon after he has finished eating and has sobered up, he winces and places his hand on his facial tattoo. His other hand dives into his cloak, and pulls out a strange deck of cards. Clearing a spot on the table, he shuffles the cards and places three face down on the table.

"Show me."

His tattoo glows as he flips the cards over. One shows two people next to each other, an arm on the other's shoulder. Another shows a cloaked figure with a scythe, and the last shows a person hidden in shadows. He stands, quickly collecting his cards, and places some coins on the table.

"Thank you for the wonderful evening, but I am afraid I must leave now."

Though he has a smile on his face, it is easy to see it is forced, and his eyes are grim as he turns to leave.

The cards are The Friends, Death, and The Secret. If no one had stopped him earlier, this would have happened anyway. Ah the power of divining cards...

A frown crosses the brow of the dwarf, chasing the smile from his eyes, "Chasing the future? Rough business that."

Kannic Orefinder wrote:

The dwarf's eyes sparkle as he takes in the newcomer.

"Certainly! Feasting is a fine way to meet new people."

"I'm Kannic, of the Three Stones Clan."

"Sit. Sit."

The dwarf signals the waitress to bring more food.

The slender man nods

"Thank you. Three Stones Clan? That is an interesting name. Where does your clan come from?

"In the bosom of the western mountains. I'm a long way from home, but I tend to travel more than my brethren. Been to the jungles a time or two." Noting the staff's crystal, "Fire Priest, eh?"

"Interesting place for us all to land, wouldn't you say?"

Kannic smiles at the zest the skinny young woman shows while devouring her meal.

"So much better than traveling rations, eh?"

Tam nods slowly as Kannic talks.

"Well then - you must have done well on your last job, since you seem to be in a such a celebratory mood tonight." [he says, raising his mug to the dwarf.[/i]

"Either that, or you have a most lavish way of enticing new clients in," he says with a grin and a tip of his head.

The dwarf laughs, "Nah, neither actually. Just been underground and mostly alone for the last spell. I'm a bit of an oddity amongst my clan. And it's good to be amongst a variety of people again. Miners tend to be a smelly lot."

"And best of all, a good meal always brightens me mood."

"So what exactly are you a Finder of, Kannic?" Tamrin asks as he has a sip of hot cider.

His eyes take on the gleam of a hunter, "Well, all sorts of things. I search out mineral deposits for my people, places, things, or sometimes people themselves. Here, on the surface, it's mainly places, people, and things."

He takes a pull from his tankard. "Depends on what the customer wants."

The dwarf's eyes sparkle as he takes in the newcomer.

"Certainly! Feasting is a fine way to meet new people."

"I'm Kannic, of the Three Stones Clan."

"Sit. Sit."

The dwarf signals the waitress to bring more food.

The dwarf smiles

"We'll fatten you in no time."

Aananda tilts her head, looking puzzled.

"What is a 'tourist'?"

"Either someone who's lost, or a traveller."

"Here, try some meat. The mutton is slow roasted, and the chicken is well seasoned."

Kannic Orefinder wrote:

"Pleased to meet you, young lady. And you, sirs." His eyes sparkle, perhaps from the drink.

"The name's Kannic, Finder by trade."

"Sit. Eat. Nobody leaves this table hungry or thirsty."

"I'm Tamrin, tourist at the moment and this is Ryo - he sees things. Pleased to meet you," he says in a friendly tone as he pulls out chairs for the three of them to sit.

The dwarf laughs deeply, forcing up a belch in the process.

"Tourist?"

"I like it."

"I suppose we're all tourists at some point or another ."

"Pleased to meet you, young lady. And you, sirs." His eyes sparkle, perhaps from the drink.

"The name's Kannic, Finder by trade."

"Sit. Eat. Nobody leaves this table hungry or thirsty."

In between bites and long pulls from his tankard, Kannic watches the 'longlegs' for a while. The girl is pretty enough, by human standards, but the two men don't even have short beards.

"Soup? What kind of dinner is that?", he calls to the trio.

"Here. Join me for some meat. You're all too skinny for decent folk." He sits alone at a table piled with food and drink. Far too much for one man, even by dwarven standards.

The hint of a mithral shirt peeks out from his leather shirt, but the only weapon visible is a small hammer at his belt.

Settling in at a table, Kannic sets himself behind a meal fit for 3 dwarves. Only fair since he's been exploring tunnels for 3 weeks now, ending in getting shunted to the surface when he got too close to Agartha's protected borders. He scribbles a dispatch to his clan with his latest findings and posts his leave. His employers are used to him disappearing at times, either from the powers of this world or due to his own nature.

He belches loudly and orders more ale.

Kannic tops the rise, after walking for the better part of the day. The outline of Mentor brings a smile to his face. Those scholars sure know how to brew some good ale, and he knows he can also get a good meal and a soft bed in the Juggling Dwarf Inn.

He picks up his speed.

A patch of ground begins to shimmer, taking on an almost fluid consistency. From the center of the disturbance the ground erupts like a fountain. Out shoots the body of a dwarf, flying 20 feet into the air. Before he lands the ground returns to normal, and he falls hard upon it. He gets up, rubbing at his aches and dusting himself up. As he checks his gear he takes a swig from his flask and mumbles

"Well, you don't have to get so touchy. I'm a dwarf, and it's in me nature to dig deep and far." the words are followed by a number of curses

The dwarf picks out a small box from his beltpouch and seems to pick a direction to walk off, hoisting his repeating crossbow to his shoulder. There are more curses about 'how far you threw me this time'.

Ho! What you foreigners doing in my home?