Ahead is a woman, arms wrapped tight in some form of unknown fur, shivering quietly against the cold. Closer inspection shows her to be approaching middle-age, but apparently fighting it as much as she can - Varying forms of cosmetics clash over her pale, thin skin, a veritable rainbow of rouge and blush, eyelashes unnaturally long and thick. As you get closer she turns to face you, smile wide and bright... and perfume nearly overwhelming. Karoliina Kaski: Oooh, a real-life pioneer! How exciting! Come a little closer, darling, let me get a good look at you. : I'm not really sure... Before you even get a chance to reply fully, the woman is right next to you, peering up at your face with a rather critical eye. Karoliina Kaski: You know, you should consider staying out of the sun a bit more, dearie. Your skin is already starting to suffer. And that complexion - Oh, oh my, no. Tell me, have you ever considered getting some cosmetic surgery? A little bit of help never hurt anyone, and, well, you could definitely use the help. No offense, just trying to offer some advice. You might want to consider a bit of a diet too. Maybe accessorize a bit better? : Thanks for the fashion tips, but I really didn't come all the way out here to be put under the microscope. Karoliina Kaski: Oh now, don't be like that. Everyone needs some fashion advice now and again. Besides, it's my job - Karoliina Kaski, lead jewelry designer for Nemo Fashions Incorporated. And you are? : My name is... She has a rather nasty habit of not letting people finish, apparently, as she starts talking again before you even have a chance to mention your name. Karoliina Kaski: See, the company sent me here to - What do you call this place again? Pandumbra? Whatever. Anyway, they sent me out here to look at some of the local jewelry designs, try to get a new feel for what the fashion of the frontier is. : Jewelry making? Out here? You've got to be kidding. Karoliina Kaski: Oh no, dearie - See, this place is chock full of natural resources, tons and tons of gems and precious metals. Quite a few jewelry makers have popped up out here in recent times, and some of their designs are quite nice, in that quaint, rustic way. I was supposed to go out looking for a set list of people who might know something, but... She turns her attention back to you again, a light smirk crossing her lips. Karoliina Kaski: Tell you what. I really don't feel like tromping around in the snow for the next few days, freezing my fingers off. You, on the other hand, seem like someone who knows their way around - If I give you the list, and you go find them for me, maybe I can slip you a little bit of extra cash. How's that sound? : I think I can handle... You're starting to feel like you really don't have much of a piece in this conversation, your sentence once again cut off. Karoliina Kaski: Excellent! Here, I've uploaded all the names to your NCU dealie. Just go find these people, see if they have anything of interest, and come back here when you're done. And if you find any good pieces of jewelry, be sure to bring them back to me, 'k? Take care, sweetie! : Goodbye -- The woman before you appears somewhat distracted, staring off into blank space in the distance. A hand is held near her left ear as though attempting to keep out any ambient noise nearby... Or perhaps she just has an earache. Honestly, it's rather hard to tell, what with the somewhat unpleasant grimace on her face. If she notices your presence, she makes no notice of it. : Erm... hello? Her hand waves dismissively in your direction as you speak, not once looking away from, well, whatever it is she's staring intently at. After several moments she gives a decisive nod. Finally turning her attention toward your position, her hand drops back to her side, a rather relieved sigh exiting her lips. Miska Verone: Sorry about that, had a call back to the boss - You know how that goes, people just start talking and then they start rambling and next thing you know they're barking orders and you just wish they'd shut up but they never do, and... yeesh. Anyway, hi! Um... can I help you? : Well, if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing all the way out here? Her eyes roll dramatically, a bright (if not somewhat exasperated) smile coming over her face. Miska Verone: Oh, same old thing, you know how it is. Those JAME guys start complaining about wildlife levels getting out of hand or something and then they start sending people like you and me out to take care of it. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining - The creds are decent and all that, but it gets really old some times, you know? I swear, if I have to deal with another call asking me to take out five shadowleets just so I can buy some supper, I'm gonna go back to Jobe and shove some Perennium where the suns don't shine. : Well, if you don't want to do it, maybe we could work out a deal...? She seems to ponder this for a few moments, a light frown covering her face before brightening considerably. Miska Verone: Yeah, I think that could work. Tell you what - I'll upload the details to your NCU, you go out and do the dirty work, and I'll split the money with you. I managed to make enough today already, so might as well share the load, right? Her hand reaches down to a small bracer on her wrist, tapping against it briefly with a satisfied nod. Miska Verone: There you go. Just head down and pop off the creatures listed, then show back up here and I'll toss you part of the profits. Just remember - These things don't play around, so you may get a few scrapes. Shouldn't be too bad for someone like you, though. See you back here in a bit! : Goodbye -- The young woman smiles as you come close, reaching up to brush a small stray strand of hair from before her eyes. Miska Verone: You get all of them taken care of for me? : Three of each, all dead. Miska Verone: Great! I'll call my boss in just a second to let him know I - Er, we, you and me, that is - let him know that it's all taken care of. You should find your share of the creds uploaded to your account in just a few minutes. Thanks again for the help! Her hand raises toward her ear once more, before she begins staring off into blank space again. : Um, wait - Excuse me. She blinks quickly, lowering her hand from her ear again. Miska Verone: Yes? I thought we were done - You need something else? : I was sent out looking for some jewelry from the area - Would you happen to know of any? Miska Verone: Sure, tons of it - None that's really my style, but Penumbra's really popular with jewelry makers for some reason. Lots of neat natural resources around, I guess. If you haven't yet, talk to either Jaden Next or Zaven Areyan. They're both really good at what they do. Jaden even gave me a brooch for free a few days back, after I cleared out some creatures around his usual stomping grounds. As she speaks, she reaches into a small pouch near her waist, pulling out a rather nice brooch. Miska Verone: Here, you can have it - Nothing I really would wear, myself. Enjoy! : Goodbye -- Before you stands a tall, kind-faced Atrox, smiling gently as it stares down toward a pair of pliers in its hands. They are busy working over a bit of wire, wrapping around the points in a loose spiral. As you come closer, it looks to your direction. Zaven Areyan: Oh. Hi there. What are you doing all the way out here? : Could ask you the same thing, I guess. Mind if I ask what you're doing? Zaven Areyan: Oh, this? I'm wire wrapping. It's a hobby I picked up from one of my old vat mates. It's a bit... well, some people don't think it's a very macho thing to do, but really? I think it's pretty relaxing. : Sounds like fun and all, but why are you doing it... well, here? Zaven Areyan: There are lots of natural resources and stuff, plenty of things to make jewelry out of. Problem is the wildlife - Most of them tend to horde the stuff for themselves. And I really don't like killing them, but at the same time this is how I make my living. And at least I'm doing it honestly, unlike some people around here. You get the feeling from that last sentence that the Atrox might be referencing someone in particular... : Maybe I could help you clear some of them out? Zaven Areyan: Would you? I mean, I really hate to inconvenience you like that, but it'd be a huge help. The problems are mostly the white Spinetooths and Malah-Extus around. They're really attracted to shiny things, and definitely don't like parting with them. : Sure, wouldn't be a problem at all. Zaven Areyan: Great! If you can take care of five each, that should lower the numbers enough to where I can go and collect some more stuff. Come back and let me know when you're done, ok? : Goodbye -- The Atrox looks cheerful as you draw near, the smile on its face bright and wide. Zaven Areyan: Hey there! I guess you got done ok? : Yep, all done. Anything else? Zaven Areyan: No, that'll do it. I really appreciate you helping me out, too - It's not much, but I transferred some credits to your account as thanks. Hopefully now I can get out there and pick up some more supplies! : You know, I also found these... Zaven Areyan: Oh? Mind if I take a look? Zaven Areyan: Nice! These are some of the supplies I usually get from the area - Sometimes the Spinetooths get a little hungry, see the shiny stuff, and start munching down. The Malahs... well, who knows why they do anything? Here, as a token of my thanks, lemme see if I can't make you a little something out of them. The Atrox turns away from you for several moments, hands busily working with the blue crystals and metal, a gem cutter polishing the former and a portable furnace turning the latter into wire. : (wait for a few moments) Shortly there-after, and with some fine tuning via the pliers, he hands back a pair of earrings, glittering in the bright Penumbra sunlight. Zaven Areyan: Here you are. I don't know whether or not they're anything you'd be interested in personally, but maybe someone you know would like them? : Is there anything else I can do for you? Zaven Areyan: No, that will do it. Again, I really appreciate your help - Thanks a bunch. Hope you enjoy the earrings! : Goodbye -- The man before you seems to be staring intently into a small vial, swirling some form of crystal blue liquid around a dark grey clump of... something. As you come nearer he turns, smiling brightly. Baxter Graves: Ah! Are you the backup I requested? : Backup? Baxter Graves: I suppose I should have known better-- Not like the home office to actually be punctual with that sort of thing. I swear, I stand here in the freezing cold waiting for hours on end doing little more than the scientific equivalent of twiddling my thumbs, and do you think they could actually send me some help? His head shakes sadly as the sentence ends, a tired and thin smile coming onto his lips. Baxter Graves: My apologies, I didn't mean to vent on you. Just been a very, very long process trying to get everything I need here. I swear, I don't get paid enough to deal with this. : Since I'm here and all, is there anything I could do to help out? He tilts his head to one side, looking over your equipment and form. Baxter Graves: You might do well enough - No offense intended, it's just that the help I need is of a rather difficult nature. Not something I could send just your average person out for. See, I'm here studying the local fauna - Their makeup, their habitat, their feeding cycle - Trust me, you don't want to know what I've learned about their mating system. Anyway, I need some samples from them. The problem is that they have to be live samples, collected while they're still active. You see, the extreme temperatures of the area force tissue samples to begin breaking down almost instantly as soon as the creature has died. I've developed a type of liquid which will keep any samples taken from decomposing by forcing them into... well, that's really irrelevant. Either way, I need someone who can walk up to some rather tough creatures, hit them with the delivery system, and then has the ability to get away. : Not really an easy task, but I think I can manage. Baxter Graves: Great! Alright, here's everything you need - The delivery system works like a stim pack, but with three separate compartments - Each one holds a sample. Find the creature, press the "injection" end against it's body, and a vial will separate. I need one each from... let's see here. A Jagged Slither, an Anti-Molokh, and a Notum Scourge. Once you've gotten those, come back to see me. : Goodbye -- The scientist smiles brightly as you come closer, tucking a vial into the pocket of his overcoat. Baxter Graves: Good to see you. I take it you managed to get all the samples? : Right here. Baxter Graves: Splendid. I'll take those and the tagging device, if you don't mind. Baxter Graves: Very well done - This will help out immensely with my research. Now that I have tissue samples, I can begin devising better ways to help keep their population from spiraling out of control. Always a favorite with the JAME scientists, and, frankly, they pay well for such things. : Is there anything else I can do for you? Baxter Graves: Not at the moment, I fear. But since you've been such a big help, I've uploaded a commission to your account. I'm sure I'll need more samples, so feel free to come back if you're ever bored. Much better than trying to rely on the office. Thanks again! : Wait, before I go... Baxter Graves: Hm? Yes? What can I do for you? : I've been trying to find some jewelry in the area. Would you happen to know anything? Baxter Graves: Jewelry, you say? Well, I'm afraid that I don't know too much about the subject. Apparently the local fauna like to collect such things, though - This goes back to their odd predisposition toward shiny things. Most of what they have, however, is typically fairly... well, lackluster, to say the least. For a large part they appear to be odds and ends they've stolen from hapless adventurers within the area, typically well-worn and broken. There are a few good things, though. He pauses for a moment, pulling a tiny ring from the pocket of his overcoat and handing it out for inspection. Baxter Graves: Here - You're more than welcome to this. While I was out attempting to collect samples one day I ran across the corpse of an Atrox - This was laying nearby. I have yet to see the fellow again, otherwise I might consider returning it. Frankly, it does me no good either way. Perhaps you might get some use from it. : Goodbye -- Ahead of you is a rather... odd... looking gentlemen, hands preoccupied with a velvety bag, fingers dipping inside and sifting through some unseen items. It takes him a moment to notice your presence, but finally does so with a start, nearly jumping as you approach. Jaden Next: Oh! Oh, oh my apologies dear friend! I bid you pleasant tidings and greetings on this fine, albeit chilly, day! His tone is exceedingly formal and precise, if not a bit excitable, and he seems rather eager to have made your acquaintance. : And, er, an exceedingly amazing day to you too? He pulls a drawstring on the bag tight, sealing it's contents before clasping his hands together, eyes lighting up as you speak. Something about the gentleman's movements seem as though he's a bit too happy to see you. Jaden Next: Oh, well, thank you very much, thank you very much indeed! It's always great to meet another adventurous soul deep within the icy tundras of this desolate place. Tell me, dear friend, are you here seeking fame and fortune? : Well, I can't really say the thought crossed my mind. Jaden Next: Ah, but isn't that the dream of us all? To find our way and our path to greatness? Surely, dear friend you cannot have thought of this too well... or perhaps you merely said what you thought I wished to hear? Either way, return to me when you can be honest with yourself. And others. : Goodbye -- Ahead of you is a rather... odd... looking gentlemen, hands preoccupied with a velvety bag, fingers dipping inside and sifting through some unseen items. It takes him a moment to notice your presence, but finally does so with a start, nearly jumping as you approach. Jaden Next: Oh! Oh, oh my apologies dear friend! I bid you pleasant tidings and greetings on this fine, albeit chilly, day! His tone is exceedingly formal and precise, if not a bit excitable, and he seems rather eager to have made your acquaintance. : And, er, an exceedingly amazing day to you too? He pulls a drawstring on the bag tight, sealing it's contents before clasping his hands together, eyes lighting up as you speak. Something about the gentleman's movements seem as though he's a bit too happy to see you. Jaden Next: Oh, well, thank you very much, thank you very much indeed! It's always great to meet another adventurous soul deep within the icy tundras of this desolate place. Tell me, dear friend, are you here seeking fame and fortune? : We're all looking for something, I guess. The smile on his lips widens further, the skin on his face stretching a bit too much for his skeletal features. Overall, it's a bit unsettling, even though his tone and mannerisms maintain the same exuberance. Jaden Next: Very true dear friend, very true. Just so happens that I'm looking for something myself - In fact, it may be providence itself that has brought you to me. After all, two individuals each in need of something, meeting randomly in a place like this? What are the odds, eh? His voice drops slightly as he hefts the bag in one hand - Within, you hear a slight jingling sound, as though bits of ceramic or metal clicking together. Jaden Next: You see, I fancy myself a bit of a hobbyist - People these days will buy into all sorts of... well, for lack of a better term, mystical mumbo-jumbo. Just takes the proper man to capitalize on it, if you know what I mean. Trinkets and tokens sell amazingly well, but only if you put the proper spin on them. Tell someone that you have genuine bones brought from deep within the Shadowlands, tied them together with leather crafted from the most dire beasts the place has to offer, and do a little bit of suggestive hand waving? They eat it right up. One necklace can go for enough credits to keep me fed for a week! : That's great for you, I suppose, but where do I come in? His eyebrows waggle up and down briefly, with the same stretched skin effect. It's really, really unsettling when combined with the wide grin on his lips. Jaden Next: Well, dear friend, that's the rub. My normal items have been doing fine, and I've had no problem procuring the materials myself. Well... ok, a bit of an issue over in the Adonis lands, but nothing too terrible. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that these old hands aren't quite up to tackling the beasts here in Penumbra, and - Well, to be quite frank, I stand to make so much more profit from these that it'd be worth sending a few people out to collect the various bits and pieces for me. So what do you say? Interested in helping an old man out? I promise it'll be worth your while. : Sure, I'll give you a hand. His hands clap together again, nearly bouncing with excitement. Jaden Next: Splendid! All you have to do is get me four decent-quality bones out of, let's say, the Taigan Chimeras near here, and two patches of hides from a Stalking Predator. That'll be enough to make four necklaces, should keep my rent paid for at least another month. Now, dear friend, time is of the essence - Off you go! With that the man turns his attention back to his bag, fingers prying the opening apart once more and staring down into its contents. : Goodbye -- The old man's eyes light up as you come close, tying his bag tight once again. Jaden Next: Oh, it's you dear friend! Wonderful to see you back. I take it you've acquired the items we spoke of? : Here they are, just like promised. Jaden Next: Excellent, excellent. If you would? The old man holds out a wrinkled hand expectantly. Jaden Next: Oh, yes, these will do perfectly! I must say, you've done very, very well. Now I can start to work on crafting up the necklaces and tags for sale. : You realize I could just make these myself, right? That same grin returns, voice lowering once more as he stares toward your eyes. Jaden Next: You could, yes, but you'd be missing the entire point. You see, the items aren't the hard part - Making the necklaces isn't even difficult. But there's something I have that you don't. Trust. You see, my clients genuinely believe that what I give them is mystical and magical, even if it really isn't, and it's all because of who I am. I've spent years building up this reputation, and no one can duplicate that. Trust is the cornerstone of any good salesman. Here - Since you've done so well, I'll let you have one of my more recent necklaces as a souvenir. Good for business, you see. : Is there anything else I can do for you? As your words finish he smiles once more, body bowing deep (albeit a bit stiffly). Jaden Next: That, my dear friend, would be all. I bid you farewell - If you ever feel the need to help an old man out again, just let me know; I'd be more than happy to do business with you in the future. : Goodbye -- Karoliina's face brightens as you get close, practically beaming. Karoliina Kaski: Oh hello, dearie! Did you manage to find everyone on the list : I did. And I found a few things you might be interested in. Karoliina Kaski: Good, good! Let's see, then. Karoliina Kaski: Oh my, yes - Yes, these will do splendidly! Such a wonderful, quaint charm to these, how perfectly back-world. Very appealing to those who want a simple, antique look. Very interesting materials too - Is that bone on the necklace? So delightfully tribal. These will serve as wonderful templates for my new designs. I simply can't wait to show them at my gallery. : Show them? But you didn't even make them. She waves her hand in your direction, a bit of a scoff exiting her lips. Karoliina Kaski: Please, dearie - As though those simple-minded people could reach as wide an audience as myself. Why, I'm practically doing them a favor, giving their work to the masses. The people don't need to know where it comes from to appreciate it's beauty, after all. : But doesn't that make you, you know, a thief? Karoliina Kaski: Not at all, dear. It makes me an artist. After all - Good artists borrow. Great artists steal. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be making a call to the office. Have a good day. : Goodbye