Never have to go looking for Trouble

The smell of roasting grains and meat lifted Kano's tired eyes. He knew he had not slept much and on particular nights, possibly not at all. He was back in his cottage in Chelandria and the lovely Alice was making them some food. She had been awake when he returned the night before and was finally starting to see the light at the end of a long dark tunnel. Kano had told her she could stay as long as she needed to keep from the bastard that was her husband. A promise that as long as Kano was around, no one would beat her like that made her a little more drawn to him. He had recognized that look but had decided against forming a relationship, he had problems enough already with women back on the otherside, especially now. A sigh escaped his lips as he thought about Tiffany and wondered just what she would do, while he had never intended to hurt her, he also had not taken into account how she would feel either. His sigh was heard and Alice turned around, giving him a quizzical look. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be a bother."

'Ah, she misunderstood.' "No, no. Its not you. Just a bad dream that started out nice and ended on a rather... good note." He grinned sheepishly as he recalled all of the dirty, nasty things he had done to Margo and how she had moaned and climaxed at each and every one. The thought of a repeat of that session came to mind as he had discovered that she was a masochist and enjoyed how much he had forced her to endure while he took out all of his pain on her body. She seemed to be against when he had her outside on her balcony, bent over the rail while he 'railed' her exit. There were going to be marks on her that would keep her indoors for a few days, but she seemed pleased with each and every single one of them, screaming his name for all of her neighborhood to hear as he gave them to her.

Alice suddenly spun around as her face blossomed red and Kano broke from his reverie. A quick glance around and he noticed that a tent had formed in his breeches along with a small dark spot that told of a slight leak of precum. He cleared his throat and mumbled an apology as he stood up while trying to shake things in a proper place. 'Living with a woman you are not fucking is odd.' he thought as he quickly removed himself from the cottage and started his morning chores. As he was pulling some thatch around, he noticed a man stumbling about in the graveyard. "Hey, friend, you alright over there?" he called out as he walked over. It was not the first time someone had drunkenly woken up in the graveyard. A newly deceased loved one usually brought out such cases. Drawing closer, he smelled an awful stench from the man and was taken aback by it for a moment. Before he could do anything more, the man leaped at him, his face a hideous scowl of rage. Kano dodged the man's hands and nearly tripped as he backpedaled before he settled himself into a fighting stance. He gave a quick forward kick to the man's solar plexus and gained a moments breath which also gave him a chance to stud his opponent. The man was obviously not alive and it luched at him once more. Kano could feel it was strong and was grateful it was not fast. 'Zombie. Huh, weird, I figured I would have seen one sooner.'

He leaped back before catching his balance and then launched a powerful kick at the creature's skull that sent it flying off of its neck. The body tried to swipe at him a couple more times before it fell over and twitched. Kano wiped the sweat off of his brow and looked over at the head that was still opening and closing its mouth at him. He grabbed a stout stick and using it as a club, he quickly crushed the gray matter inside to finish it off. "Yep, that was gross." Now was the perfect time to inspect the graveyard and its magical wards. His eyes changed color as he activated his <Arcane Sight> to look at each one. They were weaker than before, way weaker and that was probably how the dead came back, or something darker was going on. 'Maybe another Necro is running around? Doubtful. They would have raised more, still, best to be cautious.' He made sure to strengthen the wards before heading back to the cottage.

As he stepped in, he found that Alice was sitting in front of two bowls at his table, she had been waiting for him. "No, no, you don't have to wait." He exclaimed as he quickly sat down to join her. He did enjoy this aspect of a woman's touch in his home, Alice was great at cooking. She could make these bland and tasteless things taste amazing. Eating loudly as he slurped at the contents of his bowl, she tried to hide a smile as it was obvious that Kano was enjoying every last bit. It was not long before he finished and wiped his face before leaning back and sighing in satisfaction. It was going to be a good day it seemed. He made sure to remind her to stay away from the graveyard since he just discovered a soulless walking around. He also made sure to use the vernacular that was used here in Chelandria, since zombie was not a coined term here.

It was time he did his morning routine anyway, time to train the body and the mana reserves. His stats had not changed much in months, he knew because he had checked every night.

***

NAME: Nameless (No name chosen.)

Alias: Kano (???)

RACE: Human - Deathless

CLASS: Necromancer 4

Subclass - Playboy 10

Subclass - Law Enforcer 5

***

PHYSICAL: 38

Skills

Brawling 11 - Unarmed damage 18-27 (deadly)

Subskill - Unarmed Combat (Marine UC) Allows unarmed damage to deal deadly damage.

Subskill - Arcane Hand (Able to add arcane power to unarmed strikes.)

Small Weapon Combat 4 - Able to utilize small weapons effectively in a combat situation.

Subskill - Small Blade

Subskill - Blunt

Toughness 47 - Able to withstand 5 points of damage each combat. (Secondary effect- Bonus to

Subskill - Stamina. Tertiary affect - Bonus to Health.) (Bonus to Stamina, Playboy subclass.)

Calisthenics 32 - Knowledge of various exercises to improve stamina and musculature. (Bonus to Stamina and Physical ability.)

Subskill - Endurance (Bonus to Stamina, Playboy subclass.)

Manual Labour 36 - Having performed numerous tasks relating to upkeeping a household, your body is hardened and your mind can clear itself to focus on menial tasks when necessary. (Bonus to Stamina and Physical ability.)

MENTAL: 22

Skills

Bluff - 15 - Able to lie or deceive to convince others of your position.

Subskill - Smooth Talker (Bonus to persuade people that are attracted to you.)

Subskill - Fast Talker (Bonus to persuade people suspicious of you.)

Casting 4 - Able to cast Tier 1 spells with no drawback. Current safe zone of knowledge, 6 spells. Casting Tier 2 spells has 20% less drawback. Casting Tier 3 spells will suffer drawback.

Diplomacy 5 - Able to speak affluently and gracefully to convince others of your position.

Subskill - Negotiator (General idea of what to say to keep a close balance of power during a debate.)

Investigate 6 - Able to investigate areas for clues and think proactively in relation to criminal intent.

Ritual Casting 14 - Able to utilize rituals to power spells above caster's ability while minimizing drawback.

SPIRITUAL: 5

Skills

Ego 3 - Resistance to disruptive morale effects. "Faith in oneself can be good, but take heed of the id."

Aura 22 - Caster now has an aura that radiates outward with your power and intent. (Morale effect depending upon targets disposition toward you.) "Use this carefully."

Stamina 105/105 - (999)

Health 999/999

***

XP - 10

INVENTORY-

Dagger

Gravekeeper's Trench - (Immune to Fear Effect)

Gravekeeper's Breeches - (Resistance to Stun)

Gravekeeper's Tunic -(Arcane Defense bonus)

Gravekeeper's Hat - (Fear Effect, radius - sight, stackable)

Gravekeeper's Mask - (Immune to Disease)

***

SPELLS -

<Arcane Hand> 5

Caster may utilize arcane power to manipulate objects at a distance. (25' up to 50 lbs.)

<Arcane Trace> 10 - mastered

Caster may focus on a target by clearly creating an image in his mind. A spectral trail will lead to the target. - Mastered - Trail will remain until dismissed by caster, able to trace both animate and inanimate objects, including intelligent creatures as long as target image is clear. Spell is now considered a passive/inherent ability.

<Eternal Recall> 10 - mastered

Caster will immediately store everything in his sight within his memory upon casting. - Mastered - Effect is now able to be used at will and can be recalled with a thought. Spell is now considered a passive/inherent ability.

<Mien of an Incubus> 10 - mastered

Caster gains the presence, charm, and subtle countenance of an Incubus, a demonic being that feeds on passionate emotions. (Most prefer lust as it is the more easy and potent state of emotion.) - Mastered - Effect is permanently active. Spell is now considered a passive/inherent ability.

"Take heed, this is the problem and the solution."

<Raise Dead > 1

Can raise 10 basic creatures to obey commands for 10 minutes.

<Undead Fortitude> 10 - mastered

Caster ignores any and all stamina drain effects as long as the spell is active. (Warning! After spell ends, caster will strain twice the amount of stamina for double the amount of time spent under the effect if this spell.) - Mastery - Effect is permanently active unless caster deactivates it. Upon cancellation, all detrimental effects are immediate. Spell is now considered a passive/inherent ability.

<Unholy Strength> 10 - mastered

The caster gains a Profane amount of physical strength. - Mastered - Effect is permanently active. Spell is now considered a passive/inherent ability.

***

As Kano was checking out his personal improvements, Alice was wondering why he seemed to have a blank stare on his face. "Kano, are you okay?" She queried as she quickly felt her face to see if there was food on her. No, she was clean, 'Then why is he staring at me?' Her face felt hot as he did not look away. Kano was pulled from his statistics by a hand upon his arm. He blinked to get rid of his sheet and when he opened his eyes he saw that Alice was staring at him curiously. She blushed as his eyes focused on hers and she averted her gaze in embarrassment. Her hand was still upon his arm and he reached up to hold it, "Sorry about that, lost in thought." He replied with a smile. Alice could not help but blush more furiously as she tried to avoid his eyes looking into hers again. He was just too handsome when he smiled, it was if he lit up the whole room with brilliance. Surely it was just hero worship, the man that saved her was dashing like a knight, but he was also handsome and gallant. This was truly every young girls dream, even her own when she was growing up. Now, she was someone else's bride, but this man seemed not to care, he only wanted to help her. If she had started feeling affection for a hero before, it was surely blooming just a little more with every interaction with this young graveskeeper.

***

Li na continued to dodge as each sword flew by her, each metal edge attempting to take her life. A punch or a kick would send one careening away only for it to fly back. Sweat beaded up and poured down her face and chest as she persevered through. Finally, one stopped, just as it touched her neck. "Sorry, Li-li. But you did last longer this time!" The sympathetic but still encouraging voice of her friend Nastalia came from the far end of the room. A wave of her staff and all of the swords flew back and hung themselves on the wall.

"I have to use my body and mind, you only have to use your mind." Li na retorted as she caught a towel thrown to her by a hooded figure standing nearby. "This is only half true. Magic, when not heeded, will destroy a caster. Your body won't." The rogue Whisper added her two cents as she turned to the door, "Someone comes."

The doors to the training room opened smoothly and in stomped a man in full plate. None of the women were impressed as they knew him and knew he wore it everywhere as a badge of his station. Paladin Kalsie Huntington of the Order of the Purest Dawn. He was Nastalia's cousin and as far as the women were concerned, an insufferable prick that knew less than he thought he did. "Cousin, I would have a few words with you."

Nastalia smiled and shook her head. "Speak then, cousin. We are a team, we share all things."

Kalsie hesitated and cocked an eyebrow at her before coming to a decision. "I hear that you have been having a ... gentleman caller of late." These words elicited a laugh from the pretty red haired woman, laughter that pealed through the air like notes of a melody.

"A gentleman caller, yes, I suppose I have." She replied coquettishly, her finger unconsciously went to her mouth as she lightly bit at it when she thought of the rake that had called on her twice now. Though, he had actually only called upon her directly once, she having taken the initiative to call on him before that. Still, her cousin did not need to know everything about her life.

Her reaction seemed to irk her cousin as his nostrils flared for a brief moment. "Dear cousin, Nastalia, you should take care to not entertain every young man that catches your eye. We have a duty to the Huntington family after all."

"No, dear cousin. You have a duty to the family. I am just a village priestess that was taken in, no title or claims. So my marriage would give the family nothing. Besides, as a Priestess of Revia, I can only marry someone blessed by the Goddess herself. Not just anyone that catches mine or anyone else's eye." She reminded her cousin of the curious nature of her religion.

"My lord Hesphalia does not have such a restriciton."

"True, he does not." The two cousins stared at each other, daring the other to continue the religious debate. Finally, Kalsie waved his hand with disgust. "Fine, but remember, do be careful with whom you are friends. Some are not welcome in this House of Enlightened Learning."

"All are welcome by the Hearth, such is the teachings of the her Grace. As the bearer of her word, I am such a Hearth in times of need. I will be friends with whomever I choose. Any whom bear me ill will shall not find the welcome they seek."

Kalsie grunted and stormed to the door, "I will not dally with words with you any longer. Consider yourself warned. The Hierophant himself bade me come and I have done so." The door slammed behind him and the ladies in the room held their breath.

It was Whisper whom snorted first before they all burst into laughter. "The little tyke thinks himself big with the Hierophant behind him."

"Yes, yes he does. But I fear that he is not wrong. If the Hierophant is involved then I must inform our dear Graveskeeper to take heed and be more careful himself. I feel nothing against him, but he does follow a dark path of power. Then again, what would a Hearth be without a little darkness around to keep her warm inside?" Nastalia's joke was lost on the other two women and she could only groan to herself as the handsome graveskeeper's face flashed into her mind. She had seen how strong he was and could not stop herself from wondering how his firm body would feel against hers again. Noticing her dazed look, it was Whisper whom decided to rescue her from her 'discomfort.'

"I shall go. He does not seem to have the same effect on me as he does you two."

"True, he frustrates me to no end and even tricked me into telling him he could court me if he passed certain tests." Li na revealed and the other two women looked at her with wide eyes before pouncing upon her with demands of more to her story.