As soon as Wood asked the gnome about something to help breathe underwater, Elias blinked in surprise, then let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head at himself. "By the gods, I should have thought of that first," he muttered, rubbing his temple.
He turned to Wood, his expression somewhere between amused and impressed. "A practical mind is a valuable thing, my friend. Here I was giving a grand lecture on the flooded dungeons, and it never once occurred to me that we might need to actually—oh, I don’t know—breathe while we’re down there."
Ardana follows Wood through the meadow and forest, and listens to the conversations, not feeling like she has anything to add. Something strange is going on, she is on her guard, looking side to side alert for danger or any sign of the wayward young man. She is not able to detect anything (Perception 7), so she follows Wood until sight of the ruined keep. She wonders how the keep was defended; there is no ditch or moat apparent. Surely if the dungeons are flooded the keep's builders would have elevated the base of the walls, or diverted some of the water into a moat to deter attackers. Especially in such a dangerous area, if the stories are to be believed.
Still, she doesn't know what to make of all this, but is surprised by the figure seated amongst the ruin. She thinks back to the simulacrum who appeared marbled halls she explored South of Longshadow, and wondered if this was some sort of magical or demonic entity as well. She focuses her mind, with a silent prayer to Helm, and scans the area (Divine Sense).
Once there is a gap in the conversation, she asks the gnome
We are following the trail of a young man, several days old, how long have you opened your shop here? Have you seen the man?
Tarysaa stops to take in the ruins, the area, and this gnome. She did not sense anything untoward at the moment but she remembers the may instances of a calm before disaster struck in the past. Just to be certain, she invokes Mage Armor on herself.
Once the spell was completed, she tried to discern if the wares being offered are junk or, perhaps items pulled from the deeper ruins of this place.
Insight Check: 8
With a twinge of guilty, she realizes she is unable to discern anything of note. Perhaps if she did her full ritual to detect any magical auras from the objects? But that takes time they may not have if the child was in danger below.
Those who come close enough to speak to the gnome, can see that, on an elegant carpet decorated with patterns that reproduce in detail different leaves of different tree species, are laid out:
- a pair of engraved bone dice
- an embroidered silk handkerchief
- a painting with the portrait of a man in armor
- 2 ancient scrolls of written parchment, partially ruined by water
- 8 vials containing liquid (6 contain a red liquid that glimmers when shaken - 2 have the content that is separated into brown, silver, and gray layers resembling bands of stone and shaking the bottle fails to mix the colors)
"Oh, 'Good Desler' as I am I still have no potions of that kind, but... Hey are you not toying with the idea to explore the flooded dungeon, are you?" the unusual dealer frowns "It is dangerous! Full of monsters, they say. Don't go there! Or," he shrugs "if you really are determined to go buy some of my options of healing or climbing. Maybe they will help you come back".
"A young man?" the gnome scratches his head "No, I did not see him. But if he was young and went to the ruins alone... Well... I doubt he lives still".
[[ OOC: The Insight checks do not point out anything suspicious... Maybe the gnome is just a very eccentric dealer, after all. Ardana's Divine Sense does not detect anything either. ]]
Elias knelt gracefully before the gnome’s wares, his long fingers hovering over the displayed items with the practiced eye of a scholar and a storyteller who had handled many oddities in his time. His keen arcane senses stirred as he examined each piece, searching for any lingering traces of magic.
With a thoughtful hum, Elias straightened, looking to the Good Dealer with an appraising eye. "You have some intriguing items here, Master Dealer. Some with history, some with mystery." He tapped the dice thoughtfully. "Care to share what you know of these? And the scrolls—I wonder if you realize just how valuable they might be."
His expression was calm, but behind his blue eyes, the hunger for knowledge gleamed.
((12 Arcana check as Elias is examining the wares))
"Oh, you can call me Fonkin, Master Customer" the gnome replies, flattered by the attention given to his goods "Fonkin 'Good Dealer' of clan Cloak at your service!"
"These dice were sold to me as an heirloom..." the merchant begins to explain "A dwarf adventurer claimed to have made them from red dragon bone! A story that may or may not be true, but I purchased them anyway for their excellent workmanship... and the bone they are made of is certainly valuable anyway. To you, esteemed sir, I am willing to sell them for only 25 gold pieces".
"The parchments are Spell Scrolls that an adventurer must have recovered from somewhere..." Fonkin continues "Unfortunately, I don't know much about magic, so I can't tell you what spells are in them - I sell them for a flat rate of 40 gold pieces each. With potions it's easier... you know, if one isn't afraid of a little risk, to identify them all one needs is a small sip... That's why I know what those do. I sell them for 40 gp each anyway."
"Let me be clear though," Good Dealer is keen to point out in conclusion "that, since I am only a poor merchant who deals in special offers and goods that are sometimes perishable or of a capricious magical nature, once the deal is concluded no refunds are granted!"
[[ OOC: Elias' Arcana check allows him to understand that one of the scrolls has become too ruined to be understandable anymore - it is now useless. The other one... if it is indeed a Spell Scroll, it might be read and be effectively used. However, he fails to understand what spell it is. ]]
Years and years of studying the historical figure of Rassalantar, however, suddenly make the knowledge hungry notice something about the portrait... The straight brown hair... The mustache... The pleasant expression... These are all traits that some sources also attributed to Rassalantar. Of course, it could very well be just a coincidence... After all, the exact appearance of the hero has not been handed down... And such traits are certainly not exceptionally rare.
Koran watches the group as they discuss things with the gnome, examining his merchandise. He looks interested at the claim of healing potions, but stays in the back. As the others seem to be finishing their evaluations, he'll ask "Do the experts think there's any veracity to the potion claims?" as he pats his pouch.
Elias tapped a finger against the good scroll, his eyes narrowing slightly. "This one interests me. The other is little more than ruined paper." He glanced up at Fonkin, watching for any flicker of deception or surprise in the gnome’s expression.
Elias gave Fonkin a knowing look, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his lips. “You mentioned an adventurer sold these to you. I suppose that means they were either desperate, foolish, or both.” He tapped the good scroll again. “Still, this one has value, unlike its ruined counterpart.”
"Now, Fonkin, let’s speak plainly." He gestured to the ruined scroll with an almost pitying look. "This, I’m afraid, is worth nothing. Ink faded, parchment crumbling—whatever knowledge it once held is lost. Which means your real value here is this one." He tapped the remaining scroll, his blue eyes glinting with quiet amusement. "And yet, if you were sold these as a pair, I can only assume you paid expecting both to be worth something."
He let the implication hang in the air for a moment before continuing.
"So now, you find yourself with only half of what you paid for. Which means, Fonkin, that I’d be doing you a favor by taking this one off your hands for a fairer price—one that reflects the unfortunate reality of your investment."
Fonkin assumes an expression halfway between disappointed and doubtful: "I already said... I am not an expert in magic! I only have your word, esteemed customer, that a scroll is worthless".
"Who knows?" his eyes light up with hope "Maybe someone else will be interested instead!"
"If that one you keep handling is of your interest instead..." the Good Dealer focuses on the only apparent current deal opportunity "where could you possibly buy it for less than 40 gp?! Come on, pay me and take it! You will regret it, if you leave it there, you know how these things go... When an item calls to you, it must be bought immediately, before someone else buys it!"
Elias studied Fonkin for a moment, noting the gnome’s unyielding stance on the price of the scroll. He had bargained with merchants before—sometimes, they could be worn down; other times, their stubbornness was simply part of the game.
Rather than press the issue further, Elias let out a thoughtful hum and shifted his gaze to another item among the displayed wares: the portrait.
"Now this," he said, leaning in slightly, "is an interesting piece. A curious addition to a merchant’s wares in the middle of a ruin. Not exactly the most practical thing to lug around." He glanced at Fonkin with an inquisitive look. "Tell me, what’s the story behind this?"
He knew that shifting interest might make Fonkin more inclined to negotiate later—if not on the scroll, then perhaps on something else. At the very least, it was an opportunity to glean more knowledge about the strange artifacts this gnome had gathered.
"Oh, a dwarf adventurer sold it to me as nothing less than the portrait of the hero Rassalantar, the same one this village is named after!" Fonkin assumes a solemn tone "Can you imagine how much I could sell it for, in the hamlet, if only I could prove such a thing? But since I can't... I could offer this to you for just 25 gp!"
Meanwhile, Woodrow's offer arrives and the gnome calculates: "So... Two potions of 40 gp each, would make 80 gp... Then the dice - dragon bone, remember - 25 gp... Which added to the 80 from before makes... makes... That would make 105 gp! Are you asking me for a discount because you're buying three items? Let's see, you look a nice man..."
[[ OOC: Woodrow should roll a Persuasion check I'd say, just as Elias tried in his post. Maybe he will get his discount... ]]
Elias raised an intrigued eyebrow, folding his arms as he regarded the portrait with renewed interest. "The hero Rassalantar, you say?" His voice carried the measured skepticism of a seasoned storyteller, one who had encountered countless claims of lost relics and historical treasures, many of them dubious.
He stepped closer, carefully examining the details of the artwork—the brushstrokes, the aging of the canvas, the styling of the armor or clothing depicted in the painting. "A remarkable find, if true," he mused, "but you say you lack proof. That does present quite the predicament, doesn’t it?"
((investigation 12 to examine the portrait))
He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Tell me, Fonkin, has no one in the hamlet taken an interest in verifying its authenticity?" His blue eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Or perhaps, should we uncover something within the ruins that speaks to the hero’s likeness, we might establish that proof for you."
His tone was casual, but the offer was genuine. If Fonkin was hoping to increase his asking price through historical validation, Elias saw an opportunity to turn the negotiation to his advantage.
Wood persuasion roll - 6, forty and forty are eighty plus the twenty five for the dice is one hundred and five, by Eilistraee's silver hair you're correct. He counts out 5 more gold and hands to him.
"Oh, everyone has their own specializations!" the gnome happily counts the coins, providing goods in exchange "I may be a better than you at math... but it's quite clear that if some ferocious monster were to emerge from the ruins, you would be the one with the most useful 'skills'! Your appearance practically screams 'expert wolf with still-sharp teeth'!"
Fonkin then turns his attention back to Elias...
[[ OOC: Elias' Investigation roll doesn't reveal anything decisive... The painting does indeed look ancient - so it could be a period painting. And his extensive historical knowledge does not detect any anachronisms: the hairstyle and armor are that of the time. Obviously, from here to being able to say with certainty that this is indeed the only officially known portrait of the great hero Rassalantar, there is a long way to go... ]]
...and he seems interested in the implications! His eyes light up with interest: "I still advise against looking for trouble in the ruins, for your own safety... But surely if you could bring me proof that this painting actually depicts Rassalantar, I would be very grateful! We could then sell it in the hamlet for a great price and... split the proceeds in half, for example! What do you say, cultured and kind customer? Or... did you have in mind to make me a different proposal?"
Elias pressed the advantage. “Think about it, Fonkin. Right now, this portrait is an interesting trinket, a gamble at best. But if we find evidence in the ruins—an inscription, a statue, a matching depiction of Rassalantar—you could return to the hamlet and name your price. Historians, collectors, maybe even the village elders themselves would pay handsomely for the image of their namesake hero.”
He gestured to the potions and the single worthwhile scroll on the carpet. “In exchange, all I ask is a fair price for these—half, let’s say. A small investment on your part, with a much greater reward waiting for you should our search bear fruit.”
Elias fell silent then, letting the gnome wrestle with the offer. It was a merchant’s gamble, but one worth taking. If Fonkin truly believed in his wares, he’d recognize that Elias was offering him a far greater profit in the long run.
((persuasion 19 this time...if you're giving me a second crack at it. Understood if not.))
"Half is a big discount..." Fonkin seems torn. "And yet if the painting really did gain value..."
"Tell me this, oh my pugnacious customer," the gnome finally offers "in addition to the scroll, how many potions would you like to buy? Tell me and I'll give you my best discount offer. You'll see, it will be a fair price; we'll reach a deal that's satisfactory for everyone!"
Elias smiled, sensing Fonkin’s hesitation—a sign that the gnome was at least considering the deal.
“I’ll take the good scroll and one of each potion,” Elias said smoothly, gesturing toward the vials. “A fair bargain, given the opportunity I’m handing you.”
He clasped his hands behind his back, maintaining an air of patient confidence. “So, what do you say, Fonkin? A little investment now for a much greater return later. You may call yourself the ‘Good Dealer,’ but I’d say this would make you a very wise one as well.”
Elias waited, watching Fonkin’s calculating expression, ready to seal the deal.
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Wood sizes the gnome, would you happen to have anything for underwater breathing?
As soon as Wood asked the gnome about something to help breathe underwater, Elias blinked in surprise, then let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head at himself. "By the gods, I should have thought of that first," he muttered, rubbing his temple.
He turned to Wood, his expression somewhere between amused and impressed. "A practical mind is a valuable thing, my friend. Here I was giving a grand lecture on the flooded dungeons, and it never once occurred to me that we might need to actually—oh, I don’t know—breathe while we’re down there."
Ardana follows Wood through the meadow and forest, and listens to the conversations, not feeling like she has anything to add. Something strange is going on, she is on her guard, looking side to side alert for danger or any sign of the wayward young man. She is not able to detect anything (Perception 7), so she follows Wood until sight of the ruined keep. She wonders how the keep was defended; there is no ditch or moat apparent. Surely if the dungeons are flooded the keep's builders would have elevated the base of the walls, or diverted some of the water into a moat to deter attackers. Especially in such a dangerous area, if the stories are to be believed.
Still, she doesn't know what to make of all this, but is surprised by the figure seated amongst the ruin. She thinks back to the simulacrum who appeared marbled halls she explored South of Longshadow, and wondered if this was some sort of magical or demonic entity as well. She focuses her mind, with a silent prayer to Helm, and scans the area (Divine Sense).
Once there is a gap in the conversation, she asks the gnome
We are following the trail of a young man, several days old, how long have you opened your shop here? Have you seen the man?
Tarysaa stops to take in the ruins, the area, and this gnome. She did not sense anything untoward at the moment but she remembers the may instances of a calm before disaster struck in the past. Just to be certain, she invokes Mage Armor on herself.
Once the spell was completed, she tried to discern if the wares being offered are junk or, perhaps items pulled from the deeper ruins of this place.
Insight Check: 8
With a twinge of guilty, she realizes she is unable to discern anything of note. Perhaps if she did her full ritual to detect any magical auras from the objects? But that takes time they may not have if the child was in danger below.
Those who come close enough to speak to the gnome, can see that, on an elegant carpet decorated with patterns that reproduce in detail different leaves of different tree species, are laid out:
- a pair of engraved bone dice
- an embroidered silk handkerchief
- a painting with the portrait of a man in armor
- 2 ancient scrolls of written parchment, partially ruined by water
- 8 vials containing liquid (6 contain a red liquid that glimmers when shaken - 2 have the content that is separated into brown, silver, and gray layers resembling bands of stone and shaking the bottle fails to mix the colors)
"Oh, 'Good Desler' as I am I still have no potions of that kind, but... Hey are you not toying with the idea to explore the flooded dungeon, are you?" the unusual dealer frowns "It is dangerous! Full of monsters, they say. Don't go there! Or," he shrugs "if you really are determined to go buy some of my options of healing or climbing. Maybe they will help you come back".
"A young man?" the gnome scratches his head "No, I did not see him. But if he was young and went to the ruins alone... Well... I doubt he lives still".
[[ OOC: The Insight checks do not point out anything suspicious... Maybe the gnome is just a very eccentric dealer, after all. Ardana's Divine Sense does not detect anything either. ]]
Elias knelt gracefully before the gnome’s wares, his long fingers hovering over the displayed items with the practiced eye of a scholar and a storyteller who had handled many oddities in his time. His keen arcane senses stirred as he examined each piece, searching for any lingering traces of magic.
With a thoughtful hum, Elias straightened, looking to the Good Dealer with an appraising eye. "You have some intriguing items here, Master Dealer. Some with history, some with mystery." He tapped the dice thoughtfully. "Care to share what you know of these? And the scrolls—I wonder if you realize just how valuable they might be."
His expression was calm, but behind his blue eyes, the hunger for knowledge gleamed.
((12 Arcana check as Elias is examining the wares))
"Oh, you can call me Fonkin, Master Customer" the gnome replies, flattered by the attention given to his goods "Fonkin 'Good Dealer' of clan Cloak at your service!"
"These dice were sold to me as an heirloom..." the merchant begins to explain "A dwarf adventurer claimed to have made them from red dragon bone! A story that may or may not be true, but I purchased them anyway for their excellent workmanship... and the bone they are made of is certainly valuable anyway. To you, esteemed sir, I am willing to sell them for only 25 gold pieces".
"The parchments are Spell Scrolls that an adventurer must have recovered from somewhere..." Fonkin continues "Unfortunately, I don't know much about magic, so I can't tell you what spells are in them - I sell them for a flat rate of 40 gold pieces each. With potions it's easier... you know, if one isn't afraid of a little risk, to identify them all one needs is a small sip... That's why I know what those do. I sell them for 40 gp each anyway."
"Let me be clear though," Good Dealer is keen to point out in conclusion "that, since I am only a poor merchant who deals in special offers and goods that are sometimes perishable or of a capricious magical nature, once the deal is concluded no refunds are granted!"
[[ OOC: Elias' Arcana check allows him to understand that one of the scrolls has become too ruined to be understandable anymore - it is now useless. The other one... if it is indeed a Spell Scroll, it might be read and be effectively used. However, he fails to understand what spell it is. ]]
Years and years of studying the historical figure of Rassalantar, however, suddenly make the knowledge hungry notice something about the portrait... The straight brown hair... The mustache... The pleasant expression... These are all traits that some sources also attributed to Rassalantar.
Of course, it could very well be just a coincidence... After all, the exact appearance of the hero has not been handed down... And such traits are certainly not exceptionally rare.
Koran watches the group as they discuss things with the gnome, examining his merchandise. He looks interested at the claim of healing potions, but stays in the back. As the others seem to be finishing their evaluations, he'll ask "Do the experts think there's any veracity to the potion claims?" as he pats his pouch.
Elias tapped a finger against the good scroll, his eyes narrowing slightly. "This one interests me. The other is little more than ruined paper." He glanced up at Fonkin, watching for any flicker of deception or surprise in the gnome’s expression.
Elias gave Fonkin a knowing look, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his lips. “You mentioned an adventurer sold these to you. I suppose that means they were either desperate, foolish, or both.” He tapped the good scroll again. “Still, this one has value, unlike its ruined counterpart.”
"Now, Fonkin, let’s speak plainly." He gestured to the ruined scroll with an almost pitying look. "This, I’m afraid, is worth nothing. Ink faded, parchment crumbling—whatever knowledge it once held is lost. Which means your real value here is this one." He tapped the remaining scroll, his blue eyes glinting with quiet amusement. "And yet, if you were sold these as a pair, I can only assume you paid expecting both to be worth something."
He let the implication hang in the air for a moment before continuing.
"So now, you find yourself with only half of what you paid for. Which means, Fonkin, that I’d be doing you a favor by taking this one off your hands for a fairer price—one that reflects the unfortunate reality of your investment."
((Persuasion of 8...what's with these rolls!?))
Fonkin assumes an expression halfway between disappointed and doubtful: "I already said... I am not an expert in magic! I only have your word, esteemed customer, that a scroll is worthless".
"Who knows?" his eyes light up with hope "Maybe someone else will be interested instead!"
"If that one you keep handling is of your interest instead..." the Good Dealer focuses on the only apparent current deal opportunity "where could you possibly buy it for less than 40 gp?! Come on, pay me and take it! You will regret it, if you leave it there, you know how these things go... When an item calls to you, it must be bought immediately, before someone else buys it!"
Elias studied Fonkin for a moment, noting the gnome’s unyielding stance on the price of the scroll. He had bargained with merchants before—sometimes, they could be worn down; other times, their stubbornness was simply part of the game.
Rather than press the issue further, Elias let out a thoughtful hum and shifted his gaze to another item among the displayed wares: the portrait.
"Now this," he said, leaning in slightly, "is an interesting piece. A curious addition to a merchant’s wares in the middle of a ruin. Not exactly the most practical thing to lug around." He glanced at Fonkin with an inquisitive look. "Tell me, what’s the story behind this?"
He knew that shifting interest might make Fonkin more inclined to negotiate later—if not on the scroll, then perhaps on something else. At the very least, it was an opportunity to glean more knowledge about the strange artifacts this gnome had gathered.
Wood counts 10 gold from his coin pouch then offers the pouch to Fonkin, 100 gold crowns for two of the red potions and the dice good master Fonkin.
"Oh, a dwarf adventurer sold it to me as nothing less than the portrait of the hero Rassalantar, the same one this village is named after!" Fonkin assumes a solemn tone "Can you imagine how much I could sell it for, in the hamlet, if only I could prove such a thing? But since I can't... I could offer this to you for just 25 gp!"
Meanwhile, Woodrow's offer arrives and the gnome calculates: "So... Two potions of 40 gp each, would make 80 gp... Then the dice - dragon bone, remember - 25 gp... Which added to the 80 from before makes... makes... That would make 105 gp! Are you asking me for a discount because you're buying three items? Let's see, you look a nice man..."
[[ OOC: Woodrow should roll a Persuasion check I'd say, just as Elias tried in his post. Maybe he will get his discount... ]]
Elias raised an intrigued eyebrow, folding his arms as he regarded the portrait with renewed interest. "The hero Rassalantar, you say?" His voice carried the measured skepticism of a seasoned storyteller, one who had encountered countless claims of lost relics and historical treasures, many of them dubious.
He stepped closer, carefully examining the details of the artwork—the brushstrokes, the aging of the canvas, the styling of the armor or clothing depicted in the painting. "A remarkable find, if true," he mused, "but you say you lack proof. That does present quite the predicament, doesn’t it?"
((investigation 12 to examine the portrait))
He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Tell me, Fonkin, has no one in the hamlet taken an interest in verifying its authenticity?" His blue eyes gleamed with curiosity. "Or perhaps, should we uncover something within the ruins that speaks to the hero’s likeness, we might establish that proof for you."
His tone was casual, but the offer was genuine. If Fonkin was hoping to increase his asking price through historical validation, Elias saw an opportunity to turn the negotiation to his advantage.
((history of 15 if that helps?))
Wood persuasion roll - 6, forty and forty are eighty plus the twenty five for the dice is one hundred and five, by Eilistraee's silver hair you're correct. He counts out 5 more gold and hands to him.
"Oh, everyone has their own specializations!" the gnome happily counts the coins, providing goods in exchange "I may be a better than you at math... but it's quite clear that if some ferocious monster were to emerge from the ruins, you would be the one with the most useful 'skills'! Your appearance practically screams 'expert wolf with still-sharp teeth'!"
Fonkin then turns his attention back to Elias...
[[ OOC: Elias' Investigation roll doesn't reveal anything decisive... The painting does indeed look ancient - so it could be a period painting. And his extensive historical knowledge does not detect any anachronisms: the hairstyle and armor are that of the time. Obviously, from here to being able to say with certainty that this is indeed the only officially known portrait of the great hero Rassalantar, there is a long way to go... ]]
...and he seems interested in the implications! His eyes light up with interest: "I still advise against looking for trouble in the ruins, for your own safety... But surely if you could bring me proof that this painting actually depicts Rassalantar, I would be very grateful! We could then sell it in the hamlet for a great price and... split the proceeds in half, for example! What do you say, cultured and kind customer? Or... did you have in mind to make me a different proposal?"
Elias pressed the advantage. “Think about it, Fonkin. Right now, this portrait is an interesting trinket, a gamble at best. But if we find evidence in the ruins—an inscription, a statue, a matching depiction of Rassalantar—you could return to the hamlet and name your price. Historians, collectors, maybe even the village elders themselves would pay handsomely for the image of their namesake hero.”
He gestured to the potions and the single worthwhile scroll on the carpet. “In exchange, all I ask is a fair price for these—half, let’s say. A small investment on your part, with a much greater reward waiting for you should our search bear fruit.”
Elias fell silent then, letting the gnome wrestle with the offer. It was a merchant’s gamble, but one worth taking. If Fonkin truly believed in his wares, he’d recognize that Elias was offering him a far greater profit in the long run.
((persuasion 19 this time...if you're giving me a second crack at it. Understood if not.))
"Half is a big discount..." Fonkin seems torn. "And yet if the painting really did gain value..."
"Tell me this, oh my pugnacious customer," the gnome finally offers "in addition to the scroll, how many potions would you like to buy? Tell me and I'll give you my best discount offer. You'll see, it will be a fair price; we'll reach a deal that's satisfactory for everyone!"
Wood pockets the dice and makes room for the potions in his pack before moving more into the ruins looking for an entrance.
Elias smiled, sensing Fonkin’s hesitation—a sign that the gnome was at least considering the deal.
“I’ll take the good scroll and one of each potion,” Elias said smoothly, gesturing toward the vials. “A fair bargain, given the opportunity I’m handing you.”
He clasped his hands behind his back, maintaining an air of patient confidence. “So, what do you say, Fonkin? A little investment now for a much greater return later. You may call yourself the ‘Good Dealer,’ but I’d say this would make you a very wise one as well.”
Elias waited, watching Fonkin’s calculating expression, ready to seal the deal.