Coal into Diamonds! (RP tiem)

[Slate]

"Izlude's real close, sure," the blacksmith piped up, seemingly glad to be contributing to the conversation again. "Just a lil' walk to the south 'n' east. That nice Kafra lady can get us there for next to nothing, seeing it's so nearby." Having gone the exact same route in the opposite direction when he'd left Einbeck, the smith was familiar with the way.

He didn't like how the - what did they call it? - transcended members of the party were so pushy. Of course he and the chemist would have needed protection to go somewhere as dangerous as the abandoned part of the mines; any knowledgeable Einbeckian stayed far away from that area, and even adventurers rarely went in there alone. But these people were acting as if to be less than transcended were to be utterly incompetent. Too much fighting, the smith thought: people who do something a lot begin to forget about skills outside their area of expertise. They could stand to be pleasant about it though.

The sad frown that had accompanied these thoughts had vanished from the smith's face upon vocalizing the directions to Izlude. Now he was smiling almost as broadly as before. "Seems like it's time to form the party and get goin' then! I think Shichiro oughta do the honors, it bein' his trip an' all. Meantimes, we'd better introduce ourselves, for those as don't seem to know each other arready. Name's Byuth Sherrick, but folks 'round here taken to callin' me Coal. Can't imagine why!" He laughed loudly, indicating his stained complection.