Erudisia pats Little One’s hand gently, consolingly. 

“Lupin, a moment, please?” She calls, before asking the inn keeper about the wide and its hours, as much as might be commonly known and directions also. 

“The Wide, eh?,” Lupin answers. Her eyes are wide-set and large, her voice, gravelly. She’s older than she looks, you think, and bears the weight of disappointment in the lines of her face. But she speaks easily and while keeping an eye on the other patrons, settles into her theme.

“Almost anything can be found for sale in the Wide. Vendors can operate there without official licenses. Tax-free, in other words, something I wish I could say. And no limits on what they can sell. For example, merchant’s guild in Baldur’s Gate won’t allow the sale of a ship launched out of Waterdeep within the city boundaries. Or other marine instruments, say. But that’s only for regular folks. If you’re in the Wide and you can afford it, you can find your sea gear from Waterdeep or Neverwinter, or wherever. As long as the wares are legal. Of course, ‘legal’ means different things to different people, whatever may be written in the books. They say a hefty bribe or a reputation for blood-thirst is the only way to earn or to scare yourself into the best spots if you’re a merchant hoping for a stall.

“It’s located in the Upper City, which makes up the northwestern third or so of the city proper. Not far from here, four or five streets due west to the North Gate. The Upper City? It’s the newest part of the city, home to the patriars, the wealthiest citizens, and their estates. Some folks call it ‘exclusive,’ others, ‘decadent,’ and the patriars usually call it both things. And they don’t like most of us messing with their ‘exclusive decadence,’ hehe. There’s a nightly curfew that means that those who don’t live there must leave at sunset. Unless they have a special token. And that goes for The Wide, too. Everything will be closed by now. Excuse me.” Lupin is called away by another Inn patron.

“This might take a minute, Milady. If you need anything, just ask Jayjay there,” a maid/waitress dwarf woman carrying trays on strong arms. Lupin takes her leave.

Meredith raised her hand sheepishly, " Uh....how about we just stay in tonight and check it out during the day tomorrow......I don't want to get arrested on my first night in town.......or worse."

Bell nods in agreement. "Plus, we can sit and listen and maybe hear things that might steer us along our path?"   
She eyes a tray of food as it passes by and her stomach growls in approval at what she sees. 
She turns bright red, "Sorry."

" And of course Bell is absolutely starving to death....the poor thing.....she really should get something in her as soon as possible....", Meredith giggled and then suddenly froze motionless in her seat as her brain turned over what she had just said and shut down momentarily.

(Erudisia’s background feature is position of privilege. I wonder if a local noble or official might grant her a token or a special dispensation:

Quote from NycrolB >>

(Erudisia’s background feature is position of privilege. I wonder if a local noble or official might grant her a token or a special dispensation:

Feature: Position of Privilege

Thanks to your noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of you. You are welcome in high society, and people assume you have the right to be wherever you are. The common folk make every effort to accommodate you and avoid your displeasure, and other people of high birth treat you as a member of the same social sphere. You can secure an audience with a local noble if you need

— who should we ask to attend us/or to invite us into their residence, maybe?). 

 

Erudisia:

Quote from DandDSince1973 >>

The innkeeper is named Lupin, a large brown-complexioned human woman in her forties with short-cropped tightly curled dark hair and an anchor tattoo on her shoulder. She wears a black leather-laced vest over a white sleeveless shirt and brown pants. Lupin offers a sad but warm welcoming smile, and with her you arrange for rooms and meals. Meals of chowder and bread are served in the guest rooms. The common room is rather empty at this moment but Lupin tells you that it tends to fill up after the evening meal.

(We’ll assume you settle in, bathe, and receive your supper. We can cut to the end of the meal where you can decide what to do next. A quiet night in the inn and an early start? Or, after supper go to the common room or stretch your legs with a walk about town?)

 

(Just as a reminder, you've settled in, bathed, and had supper in your rooms before shifting to the common room & your conversation with Lupin.)

Bell blushes as red as a rose; ducks her head until it passes (barely) but it does not stop her from nibbling. 

(( she tends to eat like a bird... nibbles all day... plus she burns it off fast ((luckily ))))

She continues to nibble but smiles at Meredith as she settles into listening to the chatter...

With your agenda set for the next day, you retire to your room and spend a very comfortable night at the Blade and Stars. The next morning, some nice breakfast rolls, strong tea, and bacon are politely brought in by Jayjay and another dwarf woman, both very jolly and respectful and they quickly retreat to allow you privacy to eat and prepare yourselves for the day. The Wide, as you understand it from Lupin, opens bit-by-bit depending on each shop’s offerings, with groceries available soon after sunrise, and other shops opening mid-morning. We’ll say it is mid-morning when you gather your things and head to the North Gate, through which you must pass into the Upper City to find The Wide. Do you bring your horses? Do you leave anything behind at the Inn, paying for a second night in advance?

Meredith mused over breakfast, " Best we leave the horse here I think, easier to move through the crowds without them."

" That was a nice bed, I slept really well. I think we should stay here tonight again!  Much more comfortable than the cots at Candlekeep.  Did you all sleep well?", she said brightly.

Quote from DandDSince1973 >>

 

The priests and priestess respond with a mumbled “Perfection…,” as they return to their chess match and books. Blueschist, taking you in as you pass him to exit the tent, raises two fists in the air as a congratulatory salute, wishes you well, and asks you to visit him at his shop if you are ever in Baldur's Gate. As you leave, he is entering into a discussion with the oldest priest regarding purchasing multiple copies of the latest edition of Works of the Avowed.

Quote from DandDSince1973 >>

 

ERUDISIA

The priestess’ face lights up, plainly delighted. “That… that is splendid,” she replies, her words muted by decorum, though she continues to smile genuinely. “We meet twice a month, in the afternoon. Tea, chatting, and then sharing, whoever has something new. Our next meeting is in two afternoons, in the Parlor of Observance. It is a lovely space, plenty of room, and…,” she pulls up short. “I truly do not wish to tax you." She stands, ready to leave. "Will you come in two afternoons? And share your Perspicacity and Passion, in the Aulë, as I believe was your intention, if my Elvish is correct, poetry together with dance?”

Quote from NycrolB >>

Erudisia shares her delight and accord, and promises to be there in two afternoons time. Of course, this shape-changing book misadventure will be concluded by then, won’t it be? Better not to fret, and she chooses not to mention the ongoing trouble of the Scholar’s Shield. 

Certainly, she vows, she would be ready to share an excerpt from an only minimally reworked draft of Perspicacity and Passion. This exhaustion can linger only so long, and this invitation has done much to restore her spirit. 

(Copying from prior posts. The first is an offer from Tuff Blueschist following your arrival to Candlekeep. The second and third: this is the second day since Erudisia's acceptance of the invitation from the priestess of Deneir.)

Leaving your horses stabled and paying for a second night at the Blade and Stars in advance, you make your way down the busying streets of Baldur's Gate toward the Upper City.

At this time in the morning, tall, roiling fingers of fog retreat from where they have reached across the city from the harbor, retreating down the slope toward the water and revealing long streaks of clear blue skies.

The temperature is brisk, and the smell of sea air, sewage, and a retreating odor of moldy flagstones combine with the wheelbarrows of fresh fish trundled up the road toward the markets and kitchens of the bustling city and with rotting fish innards – yesterday’s refuse, still to be collected.

The streets are busy but not yet crowded. Most children are either employed in their parent’s shops or liveries or helping with chores, or else in class in the temples. With Erudisia among you, most of the city denizens move aside to allow you passage. Those who would not defer to a noble back away when they fall under the shadow of Little One, bringing up the rear behind you. A patrol of three Flaming Fist humans saunters past. They give Little One a measured look but, rolling their eyes with a sidelong glance at Erudisia, do not as much as slow their pace. 

You pass under the centuries-old gate through the old-wall into the Upper City. The tone of the architecture around you shifts immediately, as soon as you are through the walls. Now, tall edifices with sweeping arches and towers and tall windows adorned within with patterned and gracefully falling curtains surround you in their cool embrace. Immediately too, there is an absence of the Flaming Fist, and on the side of the wall stand, at intervals, the finely-uniformed members of the Watch, wearing livery in mustard, ivory and forest green over shining chainmail shirts.

You turn through an arch to your right, and now, the view opens up onto an enormous open-air market surrounded by mansions and towers. The Wide.

(Before they leave the inn, Erudisia taps her fingers against her lips. She feels as if there is something she has forgotten, but struggle as she might, the niggling feeling of an unfulfilled duty lingers, like an overdue book. Hopefully, when she recalls what she is forgetting, it will not be too urgent.

As she leaves the inn, she hands an envelope to Lupin, or whomever is behind the bar. It is addressed to The Honorable Miss A. Silvershield and within it advises her friend of the Scholar’s Shield’s plans to visit the Upper City and the Wide where anything can be bought! She signs it with her name, and gives a silver piece to expedite its delivery).

On arriving at the market. Erudisia gasps with delight. She smells the air, the clues, she listens to the hubbub and clamor of a market place. It is heady, an experience for near all her senses, and it quite drives any common sense from her. They are here for the origin of cursed books … and surely — something stands out to her then — does she not know a bookseller from Baldur’s Gate. Do they not all know the same bookseller? 

Still, there’s no harm browsing first. If the bookseller is not near a purveyor of magical artificery then perhaps they can call for aid… after a few spot purchases. 

(While in the Wide, Erudisia will have half an eye open for any magical items that might suit a Warlock like herself, or books that might suit her Patron and his interests.) 

Into the market you wander, and now your focus contracts from witnessing the broad strokes of the patrions' mansions' tall columns, to fine details such as exquisitely embroidered fabric, degrees of freshness and fragrance of fresh fruits, meticulously carved trinkets, and the most important detail of all, the trustworthiness of a merchant's eye.

After a few minutes, Little One asks the group to halt so that he can explore the offerings of a milliner. "I look for something keep my headband on head."

Across from it is a stall with a painted sign announcing "Autumn’s Breads," a street bakery with fresh pastries, breads, and cakes for 1 sp each.

(Heard: Erudisia is on the lookout for suitable magical items and interesting books.)

(You all remember Tuff Blueschist's invitation. If you had to guess, his poise and refinement would seem more likely to find a comfortable home here in the Upper City than in the Lower City. Given his regular business at Candlekeep, you imagine there must be people in Candlekeep -- the priests of Deneir, for example -- who would have an address for him. Speaking of which, you have not yet established your line of credit here in the city. Most likely, a Temple of Deneir here in the Upper City would be the right place to visit to carry out that task, so two birds one stone...)

(You have these clues to the gingwatzin bookseller's location in the Wide:

- Yalerion remembered that the stall’s name had “dune” in it, but nothing else about the place.

- Valor remembered it was in “not the most reputable” corner of the marketplace.

Putting these clues to use, who would like to roll Persuasion to determine how long it might take to find the correct stall by asking around?)

" Ah, this is more like it! Just like the Cajann Market back home", Meredith mused.

 " Though the Cajaan smells better....."

" Oh, wonder if Calimshan goods get this far north....I should keep an eye out for spices....the food at Candlekeep is alright but it needs more oomph!"

" But......business first obviously. Booksellers!"

Investigation- 5

Persuasion- ( Asking around)- 19

Bell steps up to a stall that is selling hand carved trinkets.  After a stammering start, she will inquiry about bookseller stalls in the Wide.

{game log}  Persuasion: 17 -1 == 16

At Coppers to Crowns, an “oddities” shop selling a miscellany of trinkets – mostly the kind of handmade carvings that are sold everywhere – you notice several items for sale that pique your interest.

A mechanical canary inside a small gnome-crafted lamp 18cp

An old chess piece made from glass 12cp

A cameo carved in the likeness of a hideous person 7cp

When Bell asks about a bookseller whose name sounds like “dune,” the owner squints profoundly and points you farther into the market. “Keep going to the far end,” he says.

Little One returns from the milliner. He is wearing what appears to be an enormous fascinator, a purple cap whose flat rim extends two feet out in a wide ellipse, with lengths of braided silk on either side buckled under his chin. “Was make for dragonborn knight lady. Die before pick up, so price reduce. Only thing they have big enough for ogre head,” he explains. Surprisingly, while wearing it, he looks far more civilized and not a bit less lethal. And most importantly, his headband is completely covered, tied onto his head. “Spend all money. Fortunate I live for knowledge, not wealth.”

As you continue on, Meredith finds a stall called Heath’s Hot Drinks, which offers cups of mulled wine, hot cider, and strong teas for 2 sp each. Among the offerings are a number of specific tea varieties from Calimshan. Leaves can be purchased in pouches to take away, for 1gp for 10 cup’s worth.

Bell continues to ask directions and shopkeepers continue to helpfully direct you ever farther through the maze of tents and stalls. The crowd seems to grow little by little as you make your way through the thick of it until you have fairly lost your bearings when Erudisia notes a stall called Wizards of the Wide, a tent surrounded both on the ground and upon its tent flaps with dozens of protective wards set in crowded lines like mosaic tiles. The stall is bursting with scores of arcane foci and spell scrolls, including scrolls of comprehend languages, detect magic, feather fall, find familiar, mage armor, magic missile, shield, and unseen servant. A sign advertises their price at 25 gp each.

For @DandDSince1973

Meredith hands over 5gp then goes to assist Bell, looking around for Erudisia and complementing Little One on his very fine hat.