Naras' Vignette

[JadedDM]

"If we put the word out that there is a new kohen, many people will flock back to the temple to ask for our services," Agnas suggests. "Those that need healing or wards will come to us."

"They'll also start paying their tithes again," Leena adds. "They don't take acolytes seriously enough. When we ask for their tithes, they give us the brush off. After all, what are we lowly acolytes going to do about it?"

"We should seek out investments," Otaya adds. "The kohen, err, the old kohen was always looking for new expeditions."

Leena frowns. "Preferably something more reliable than musty old artifacts, though. Let's face it, archaeology is not profitable. Plus, I suspect Kohen Truestone went on those expeditions more to fulfill his own personal curiosity than make money. We lost more money than we made most of the time."

[JadedDM]

"Ladies, thank you. OK, Please put the word out. Now, the rest of this food will keep until tomorrow, although it'll need a little bit of purifying. Have you heard of any requirements for expeditions, lately?" finishes Naras.

[JadedDM]

"We haven't, but then again, we've been busy maintaining the temple," Leena admits. She begins cleaning up the mess while Otaya and Agnas depart to begin spreading the word around town that there was a new kohen.

[JadedDM]

Naras nods and then leaves. She heads off to the Smithy to introduce herself and assess whether the facility would be capable of supporting amour manufacture.
If she fins someone at home, she will say "Hello. I am Naras Stonebreaker. I'm standing in for the Kohen."

[JadedDM]

Naras walks through town, until she comes to the smithy's shop. The ringing of a hammer on an anvil and the smell of ash assault the kohen's senses as she enters the building. A gnome with wild, brown hair, wide black eyes and deep brown skin works the forge, hammering out some nails. When Naras enters and introduces herself, he stops his work and removes his goggles. "Kohen, huh?" he repeats. "This is my shop. Name's Neex. I am, I mean, not the shop. Well, the shop is called Neex's, but that's not the same thing. What do you want?"

[JadedDM]

"Hello Neex," Naras started, "you'll know Gonto's relationship with crafting. So I thought I'd come and see what facilities there are in town. And to make sure you know how welcome you are at the temple. Would you mind if I have a look around?"

[JadedDM]

"Welcome, am I?" he asks. "I didn't think the church accepted 'heretics' like me. Renos is my god, kohen, and he's never let me down." He frowns suspiciously at her request. "Why, what are you looking for?"

[JadedDM]

"Well common ground, crafting, can possibly build bridges. Metaphorical that," Naras backpedaled. "I was, as I said, looking to see what the crafting facilities are like in Narin. On top of that, I'd heard rumours of mechanical beasts, and it seemed obvious explore that at the same time. Have you heard or seen anything like that? Or know of someone that has? Finally, just as something I wanted to try and develop was to be able to repair or make simple pieces of armour."

[JadedDM]

Neex sniffs, then wipes his nose, which smears soot on his face. "Mechanical beasts? What sort of beasts do you mean? And if it's armor you're seeking...hmm, not much call for steel armor out here on the islands. Everyone prefers the lighter stuff that won't make you sink like a stone if you go overboard. But you might try the weaponsmith in town. Probably dabbles a bit in armor, as well."

[JadedDM]

Naras scratches her ear, answering, "Mechanical insects of some kind. Actually facilities for me to practice making armour."

****
OOC: From what she can see, does the smithy look up to being able to support making armour ?
***

After waiting to Neex's reply, Naras head off to the armorer's.
Again, if she fins someone at home, she will say "Hello. I am Naras Stonebreaker. I'm standing in for the Kohen."

[JadedDM]

"Ah, those blighters," Neex replies, nodding knowingly. "That was about a year ago. Never saw one of them in action myself, but I saw the scraps of one from a distance. Heard they attacked the Paragon one night and were responsible for the rash of murders last year, including the old innkeeper's daughter."

Looking around the shop, it would appear Neex has most of what is needed to forge metal armor. He has tools, a bellows, a furnace, an anvil, tongs and cauldrons...but no casting molds. He doesn't seem to have anything that would be useful in crafting non-metal armor, though.

Thanking Neex for his time, Naras then moves on to the weaponsmith's shop. (There doesn't seem to be an armorer in town at all, just two blacksmiths and a weaponsmith.)

The weaponsmith is a male half-orc of middle age, who has just finished plunging a glowing red blade into a bucket of cold water. There's a loud hiss and a cloud of steam, then he sets it aside with his tongs. "Welcome to my shop," he says. "I'm Roken. It's about time they finally sent a new kohen. Although I hope the old one is okay. You looking to buy or sell?"

[JadedDM]

Getting straight to the point, Naras replied,"Thanks Roken. More like getting to know the place and people. Looks like your shop's kitted to make armour, which is something I want to practise. Is your shop is use day and night?"

[JadedDM]

Roken raises a brow. "Are you asking to rent out my shop, kohen?" he asks. "I suppose it could be used to work on armor, if that's your goal. Are you supplying your own materials and labor?"

[JadedDM]

"Just asking the question, Roken. I'd be the labour. Looking to improve another aspect of my crafting in worship of Gonto. Are you one of Gonto's faithful?", Naras responds, not altogether tactfully.

[JadedDM]

Roken nods. "Aye, I am. My human father taught me the ways of Gonto when he raised me to take over his shop." He frowns. "Although I don't attend the temple. I never felt comfortable there. People stare at me, as if I don't belong because of what I am. Maybe they're right."