Eldrin lingers near the edge of the group, hands folded neatly behind his back, his gaze steady on Halia. He listens, not just to her words, but to the weight of them, the offer, the implication, the careful smile she gives Meira.
When Meira rejoins them and speaks of the tavern, Eldrin’s voice follows after, quiet but crisp, pitched for his companions alone.
“An old temple south of Conyberry. Curious that such tales surface now, while coin and interest move through the same room.” His eyes drift, to the dwarf now presenting his nugget of gold.
“Coincidences are worth noting, even if they prove nothing yet.”His manner is reflective as he offers his observation.
“I’ve no objection to the tavern. Seems as good a place as any to compare thoughts.”
Gareth observes the exchange with Halia quietly. He can't help but feel that she might've shafted them a bit, but one hundred gold pieces was still pretty decent for clearing out one old dwarven ruin. The ranger grins at Lyra's mispronunciation of Conyberry, but he likes her version of the name better.
"Tavern's fine with me. It's probably getting to be a bit late to set off for the gnome settlement," he says.
"A strong drink sounds fine to me." Zephyros sighs, still visibly exhausted from lack of rest the night prior.
A sudden shock stretches across his face as he fumbles around in his pocket.
He exhales slowly and rests his face in his right palm.
"Embarrassingly, I had quite forgotten to hand this over to the dwarven brothers..."Ironheart mutters under his breath as he presents the Amulet of Abbathor, barely audible to his companions. His shame is obvious.
Zephyros, shaking his head, asks his allies, "should we hang on to it or...?"
Halia snickers as Meira and Lyra mispronounce the town of Conyberry, though she makes no effort to correct the error. After Halia finishes paying out the dwarf for his "motherload" she walks back over to the group as Zephyros pulls out the amulet to Abbathor. "Interesting, you mind?" She holds out a hand, waiting for you to hand it to her.
She takes a moment to look it over. "This is old... very old. Where did you find this?" She grabs the magnifying glass from a nearby table and inspects it closer. "I'll take it off your hands for 25 gold pieces." She says in a matter-of-fact tone.
Eldrin’s attention sharpens the moment Halia inquires about the amulet. The tone she takes isn’t idle curiosity, it’s interest. A merchant of precious metals and gemstones suddenly keen on ancient relics? That suggests deeper waters than she lets on.
He tilts his head slightly, studying her through narrowed eyes, fingers absently brushing the spine of his spellbook at his side.
Curiosity, gets the better of him.
Without a word, Eldrin’s eyes briefly flicker with pale blue light as he traces a faint sigil against the inside of his wrist, almost imperceptible beneath the folds of his sleeve. The faint hum of arcane awareness unfurls around him.
The spell works beneath his calm exterior, searching for the unseen threads of magic that might betray the true depth of Halia’s dealings.
He scans not just the amulet, but the tables, the shelves, her as well quietly cataloging any glimmers of magical auras, their schools if present, noting details for later reflection.
Your spell reveals that this amulet is not magical in nature. Similar to the first time you saw it in the temple. Though you do see the moonstone around Lyra's neck ,and Zephyros' trident glow with a magical aura. You also see the necklace Halia wears glowing as well as the magnifying glass she used to study the amulet. Both necklaces give off an aura of Abjuration, while the trident and magnifyling glass glows with divination.
You also see two scrolls under the table, not readily visible with the naked eye glowing. One glows with transmutation magic, while the other glows with divination magic.
Eldrin watches Halia examine the amulet, arms folded neatly, expression unreadable. But behind his eyes, the weave hums, casting gentle ripples of light across his sight as the unseen world opens to him.
The amulet, mundane. Zephyros’ trident hums with divination, Lyra’s moonstone glimmers faintly; But Halia…
Interesting.
Two scrolls hidden beneath the table shimmer. But what draws Eldrin’s eye most is her necklace, the soft, steady pulse of Abjuration magic.
His gaze shifts from the amulet in her hands to the faintly glowing chain around her own throat.
Cool, polite, Eldrin speaks, his tone utterly like a scholar politely asking to inspect a rare manuscript:
“If we are to make a study of curious trinkets… Might I examine yours in kind?”His chin tips ever so slightly toward her necklace.
His voice carries no overt accusation, but the suggestion is clear, an equal exchange of curiosities. His igaze meets hers steadily, not challenging, but inquisitive.
“Of course… I understand if you prefer to keep your protections to yourself. Though in my experience, merchants who arm themselves with arcane wards tend to be more than simple traders of silver and stone.”
There’s no malice only curiosity, as if the necklace were a puzzle to be solved.
Halia listens to your counter offer and snorts in derision. "Fourty gold, you can't be serious." She looks at you with mild contempt. "I don't think so. 30 gold is my final offer. If you refuse, you can go find yourself somewhere else to trade your trinkets for wasting my time." Her attention diverts to Eldrin.
Eldrin,
As Halia becomes aware you're interested in learning more about her necklace, she begins to pull her shirt up to cover it completely. "You have a keen eye my elven friend, but that is one secret I don't wish to share." She hesitates, thoughtful for a moment before adding, "Listen, I just don't trust you enough to give you that kind of information. We did just meet after all."
She beckons you to come closer. Quietly she continues, "I'll trade you this necklace if you complete a job for me. Interested?"
If you say yes,
"An associate of mine went to the ruins of Thundertree in the Neverwinter Woods to search for a battle axe known by the name of Hew. It's said to have magical properties. You'll know it if you find it. I'm interested in that battle axe. If you find out what happened to my associate, I'll throw in a bonus. His name is Bruno and he's been gone for several days now. The idiot probably just got lost in the woods. Here is the location of Thundertree." She points it out on a nearby map. "You'll have to take my word that the necklace is worth the trip."
If you say no,
"Well I guess we're done here then. Safe travels."
Meira watches Halia's exchange with Zephyrosfrom a bit of distance. She tries to get a read on whether she is being fair or if she's trying to swindle the man. (Insight: 7) Her assumption is that she makes money at this and so is offering lower prices to start. It's not a swindle but a way of getting some advantage to make money for herself. 'And clearly the others working here,' she thinks, glancing at the guards near the door.
As Eldrinblatantly casts a spell in the middle of the shop, she is amazed he isn't escorted out immediately. Again her eyes drift towards the guards. 'Maybe they didn't notice?'she thinks, though that would bode ill for the safety of Halila and the contents of this place. She cringes a bit at Zephyros' clumsy attempt at wringing out 40 gold pieces for the evil dwarf god's amulet. 'Not his fault, but my goodness! What is Halila going to think of all of us?' she wonders. She is torn between smoothing things over or just slinking out so maybe Halila won't associate her so closely with the others. She ends up just heading quietly outside.
Once Zephyroscomes out, she greets him in a sympathetic tone, "I saw that negotiation for the amulet didn't go so well. Sorry about that. But maybe it is a sign that we should give it to those two dwarves. I mean, we don't have to out of our way, but I'd guess we'd see them again sometime." She pauses a bit before continuing. "You know, we've only just met Halila. Best to be nice to her for now, as I imagine she does most the trading in this area. And if we're here for a while... well, we're likely to need her to buy things from us in the future."
Eldrin watches her carefully as she adjusts her collar, hiding the necklace away. He inclines his head slightly, not in submission, but in acknowledgment.
"Fair enough,"he says evenly. "Trust takes time."
He listens to her offer about Thundertree without interruption, his expression unreadable, save for the faint narrowing of his eyes at the mention of the missing man.
When she gestures to the map and mentions the battleaxe, he responds with the barest trace of a dry smile.
"I will speak with my companions. A missing dwarf, an enchanted axe, someone among them is bound to find that compelling."
His gaze, however, shifts, not to the map, but to the faint glow beneath the table where the scrolls reside. His tone softens, not the tone of a buyer, but that of a scholar passing a shelf of books with idle interest.
"As for myself, I don’t seek axes or armor. Only understanding. And before I go, if you’d permit it… I wouldn’t mind having a glance at those scrolls." He lifts his hand briefly, palm open, as if leafing through invisible pages. "Nothing more than a scholar idly flipping through a page before leaving a library."
His voice remains casual, almost detached.
"Of course, your wares, your rules. I ask only for curiosity’s sake, not for coin."
A faint lift of one brow. Not something to bargain over. Just the idle habits of a restless mind before turning to other matters.
Halia leans back a bit in surprise at the mention of the scrolls. "How did you know about those? I picked them up not long ago from a half-elf who said he was hunting the dragon. What was his name..." She taps her chin in contemplation for a moment. "Ahh yes, his name was Fromear. They are nothing special. I'll sell them to you for 100 gold pieces each."
She grabs them from under the table and places them on top for Eldrin to inspect. One is feather fall. The other is identify.
Meira,
You don't suspect Halia is trying to con Zephyros. She is just a business woman trying to make some coin.
Eldrin steps forward as Halia lays the scrolls on the table, hands neatly folded behind his back. He studies the parchment with the quiet focus of someone more interested in the craft than the cost. When she names her price, his gaze flicks up to meet hers, cool and measured.
“A hundred gold each,” he repeats softly. A flicker of amusement crosses his face. “Halia, you’re clearly a capable merchant, so allow me to propose something that benefits us both.”
He reaches into the folds of his cloak and retrieves a well-kept notebook bound in dark leather, scored with notes, diagrams, and fragments of arcane formulae. He sets it gently on the edge of the table and opens to a blank page.
“I’ll give you twenty gold, not for the scroll, but for the opportunity to study the Feather Fall spell for a few minutes and take notes. You retain the scroll. You’re still free to sell it afterward for the price you quoted, perhaps even more convincingly, now that it comes recommended by someone trained in the arcane arts.”
He slides a small pouch of coins across the table with a soft clink.
“That’s twenty gold with no loss of inventory, no risk, and a potential increase in perceived value. All I ask in return is a quiet moment with the scroll and this page.” He gestures to his "notebook".
Gareth's attention is captured by the idle mention of another half-elven hunter, especially since this one is either brave or stupid enough to try hunting the dragon himself. "Fromear?" the ranger asks. "When did you last see him? Do you think he's really hunting the dragon? Alone?"
As far as Zephyros' haggling with Halia over the amulet, Gareth shrugs. "Thirty gold does sound like a fair price for such an old amulet. Or we could hang onto it and give it to those dwarves if we see them again."
As Eldrin continues his conversation with Halia over her necklace and some magical scrolls, which he somehow learned about, the ranger leans against a wall, arms folded in front of his chest. He observes the exchange with interest, especially when Halia mentions something about a missing dwarf and an enchanted axe.
Halia looks at you confused for a moment, "Forgive my ignorance, as I'm not a wizard like you, but I thought the scroll was consumed in the process of copying it to your spell book." Her eyes narrow slightly, but her demeanor remains friendly. "I'll allow it, as I typically don't trade in scrolls, but I want the original asking price if the scroll is consumed."
[[OOC: You will need to pay 100 gp for the scroll, two hours, and 50 gp to copy it to your book, which covers the cost of the fine ink used to transcribe it. I will also need an Arcana check DC11 to transcribe it to your spell book successfully.]]
Gareth,
Halia looks at you after your question and responds, "He was here a few days ago. He was alone when I talked to him, so... maybe." She shrugs her shoulders as if to emphasize that she doesn't know if he is hunting alone.
"Uhmmm, hello?"Lyra suddenly pops up beside Eldrin, her bright brown eyes scanning the conversation with interest. She offers the wizard a cheerful grin. "Can I help? I'm not planning to spend all my gold anytime soon. And hey, since I just got that lovely moonstone, it only seems fair you get something nice too."
The halfling turns to Halia with a hopeful smile. "Or maybe you'd be interested in a little divine assistance? I mean, Iim not that powerful a cleric—yet—but I can still do a few helpful things... I think?"She clasps her hands together earnestly. "I'd be happy to lend a hand, just in general... but especially if it might help my friend here get that scroll for a bit less!"
Abishai/Naiya:
Lyra won't insist if you guys don't want to keep RPing this, but I wanted to post this just in case she could help. After all, she's just said that she doesn't even know what to do with so much money.
[[OOC: I don't mind! I'll RP all day long and thrice on Sunday. I've retracted my commentary regarding the Inn above and will repost when we move on.]]
Halia looks at you quizically as you offer your help. "What would you suggest, my little friend?" She looks around the room momentarily, before a light bulb in her mind lights up... "Tell you what. I have a few blank spell scrolls that have been collecting dust. If you can transcribe three cure wounds spells onto them, I will give your wizard friend here the featherfall scroll for free. I will provide the materials and ink. You provide the spell and divine inspiration. How's that sound?"
If you agree:
You will need to provide three level 1 spell slots, 6 hours, and three Arcana checks DC 11.
A faint flush of color creeps up the sides of his pale cheeks as Halia gently but firmly corrects him. His mouth opens slightly as if to offer rebuttal, but then he closes it again with a quiet click of his teeth.
“I… stand corrected,” he murmurs after a moment, bowing his head slightly in both respect and visible embarrassment. “Schooled by a merchant on the finer points of scroll transcription. Duly noted.” His lips press into a thin, self-deprecating line.
When Lyra suddenly appears at his side with her characteristic brightness and generous offer, the embarrassment lightens, just a little. He glances down at her, genuinely touched despite himself, his expression softening.
“Your generosity is far more valuable than the spell,” he says quietly. “But this spell’s worth doesn’t match the size of the purse or the trouble it would cost to procure. A gentle descent is hardly worth an empty coin pouch.”
He gives a quick, practiced bow toward Halia, like a student excusing himself from a failed demonstration in front of their teacher.
“My apologies, Mistress Thornton. For wasting your time, and for underestimating your expertise.”
And without waiting for further offers, debate, or the possibility of further humiliation, Eldrin turns sharply on his heel and strides toward the door, every measured step a silent prayer that this entire exchange would drift swiftly from the memories of everyone present.
Preferably forever.
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Eldrin lingers near the edge of the group, hands folded neatly behind his back, his gaze steady on Halia. He listens, not just to her words, but to the weight of them, the offer, the implication, the careful smile she gives Meira.
When Meira rejoins them and speaks of the tavern, Eldrin’s voice follows after, quiet but crisp, pitched for his companions alone.
“An old temple south of Conyberry. Curious that such tales surface now, while coin and interest move through the same room.” His eyes drift, to the dwarf now presenting his nugget of gold.
“Coincidences are worth noting, even if they prove nothing yet.” His manner is reflective as he offers his observation.
“I’ve no objection to the tavern. Seems as good a place as any to compare thoughts.”
Gareth observes the exchange with Halia quietly. He can't help but feel that she might've shafted them a bit, but one hundred gold pieces was still pretty decent for clearing out one old dwarven ruin. The ranger grins at Lyra's mispronunciation of Conyberry, but he likes her version of the name better.
"Tavern's fine with me. It's probably getting to be a bit late to set off for the gnome settlement," he says.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
"A strong drink sounds fine to me." Zephyros sighs, still visibly exhausted from lack of rest the night prior.
A sudden shock stretches across his face as he fumbles around in his pocket.
He exhales slowly and rests his face in his right palm.
"Embarrassingly, I had quite forgotten to hand this over to the dwarven brothers..." Ironheart mutters under his breath as he presents the Amulet of Abbathor, barely audible to his companions. His shame is obvious.
Zephyros, shaking his head, asks his allies, "should we hang on to it or...?"
Halia snickers as Meira and Lyra mispronounce the town of Conyberry, though she makes no effort to correct the error. After Halia finishes paying out the dwarf for his "motherload" she walks back over to the group as Zephyros pulls out the amulet to Abbathor. "Interesting, you mind?" She holds out a hand, waiting for you to hand it to her.
She takes a moment to look it over. "This is old... very old. Where did you find this?" She grabs the magnifying glass from a nearby table and inspects it closer. "I'll take it off your hands for 25 gold pieces." She says in a matter-of-fact tone.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Eldrin’s attention sharpens the moment Halia inquires about the amulet. The tone she takes isn’t idle curiosity, it’s interest. A merchant of precious metals and gemstones suddenly keen on ancient relics? That suggests deeper waters than she lets on.
He tilts his head slightly, studying her through narrowed eyes, fingers absently brushing the spine of his spellbook at his side.
Curiosity, gets the better of him.
Without a word, Eldrin’s eyes briefly flicker with pale blue light as he traces a faint sigil against the inside of his wrist, almost imperceptible beneath the folds of his sleeve. The faint hum of arcane awareness unfurls around him.
The spell works beneath his calm exterior, searching for the unseen threads of magic that might betray the true depth of Halia’s dealings.
He scans not just the amulet, but the tables, the shelves, her as well quietly cataloging any glimmers of magical auras, their schools if present, noting details for later reflection.
Action: Cast Detect Magic
Eldrin,
Your spell reveals that this amulet is not magical in nature. Similar to the first time you saw it in the temple. Though you do see the moonstone around Lyra's neck ,and Zephyros' trident glow with a magical aura. You also see the necklace Halia wears glowing as well as the magnifying glass she used to study the amulet. Both necklaces give off an aura of Abjuration, while the trident and magnifyling glass glows with divination.
You also see two scrolls under the table, not readily visible with the naked eye glowing. One glows with transmutation magic, while the other glows with divination magic.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Eldrin watches Halia examine the amulet, arms folded neatly, expression unreadable. But behind his eyes, the weave hums, casting gentle ripples of light across his sight as the unseen world opens to him.
The amulet, mundane. Zephyros’ trident hums with divination, Lyra’s moonstone glimmers faintly; But Halia…
Interesting.
Two scrolls hidden beneath the table shimmer. But what draws Eldrin’s eye most is her necklace, the soft, steady pulse of Abjuration magic.
His gaze shifts from the amulet in her hands to the faintly glowing chain around her own throat.
Cool, polite, Eldrin speaks, his tone utterly like a scholar politely asking to inspect a rare manuscript:
“If we are to make a study of curious trinkets… Might I examine yours in kind?” His chin tips ever so slightly toward her necklace.
His voice carries no overt accusation, but the suggestion is clear, an equal exchange of curiosities. His igaze meets hers steadily, not challenging, but inquisitive.
“Of course… I understand if you prefer to keep your protections to yourself. Though in my experience, merchants who arm themselves with arcane wards tend to be more than simple traders of silver and stone.”
There’s no malice only curiosity, as if the necklace were a puzzle to be solved.
Zephyros wrinkles his nose and takes a deep breath.
He's had little to no experience with swindlers, but he knew enough to identify them.
Ironheart's soft brown eyes look dead-center into the merchants.
Stroking his big brown beard, the veteran offers, "forty gold. Take it or leave it."
Zephyros then quickly adds, "It was rather tough to acquire, and I reckon with it's age and origin, you likely won't ever find another."
"Or," The vastly muscled warrior continues. "You can trade it for one of them curios trinkets Mr. Eldrin is interested in"
Persuasion: 2 :(
Zephyros,
Halia listens to your counter offer and snorts in derision. "Fourty gold, you can't be serious." She looks at you with mild contempt. "I don't think so. 30 gold is my final offer. If you refuse, you can go find yourself somewhere else to trade your trinkets for wasting my time." Her attention diverts to Eldrin.
Eldrin,
As Halia becomes aware you're interested in learning more about her necklace, she begins to pull her shirt up to cover it completely. "You have a keen eye my elven friend, but that is one secret I don't wish to share." She hesitates, thoughtful for a moment before adding, "Listen, I just don't trust you enough to give you that kind of information. We did just meet after all."
She beckons you to come closer. Quietly she continues, "I'll trade you this necklace if you complete a job for me. Interested?"
If you say yes,
"An associate of mine went to the ruins of Thundertree in the Neverwinter Woods to search for a battle axe known by the name of Hew. It's said to have magical properties. You'll know it if you find it. I'm interested in that battle axe. If you find out what happened to my associate, I'll throw in a bonus. His name is Bruno and he's been gone for several days now. The idiot probably just got lost in the woods. Here is the location of Thundertree." She points it out on a nearby map. "You'll have to take my word that the necklace is worth the trip."
If you say no,
"Well I guess we're done here then. Safe travels."
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Meira watches Halia's exchange with Zephyros from a bit of distance. She tries to get a read on whether she is being fair or if she's trying to swindle the man. (Insight: 7) Her assumption is that she makes money at this and so is offering lower prices to start. It's not a swindle but a way of getting some advantage to make money for herself. 'And clearly the others working here,' she thinks, glancing at the guards near the door.
As Eldrin blatantly casts a spell in the middle of the shop, she is amazed he isn't escorted out immediately. Again her eyes drift towards the guards. 'Maybe they didn't notice?' she thinks, though that would bode ill for the safety of Halila and the contents of this place. She cringes a bit at Zephyros' clumsy attempt at wringing out 40 gold pieces for the evil dwarf god's amulet. 'Not his fault, but my goodness! What is Halila going to think of all of us?' she wonders. She is torn between smoothing things over or just slinking out so maybe Halila won't associate her so closely with the others. She ends up just heading quietly outside.
Once Zephyros comes out, she greets him in a sympathetic tone, "I saw that negotiation for the amulet didn't go so well. Sorry about that. But maybe it is a sign that we should give it to those two dwarves. I mean, we don't have to out of our way, but I'd guess we'd see them again sometime." She pauses a bit before continuing. "You know, we've only just met Halila. Best to be nice to her for now, as I imagine she does most the trading in this area. And if we're here for a while... well, we're likely to need her to buy things from us in the future."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
Eldrin watches her carefully as she adjusts her collar, hiding the necklace away. He inclines his head slightly, not in submission, but in acknowledgment.
"Fair enough," he says evenly. "Trust takes time."
He listens to her offer about Thundertree without interruption, his expression unreadable, save for the faint narrowing of his eyes at the mention of the missing man.
When she gestures to the map and mentions the battleaxe, he responds with the barest trace of a dry smile.
"I will speak with my companions. A missing dwarf, an enchanted axe, someone among them is bound to find that compelling."
His gaze, however, shifts, not to the map, but to the faint glow beneath the table where the scrolls reside. His tone softens, not the tone of a buyer, but that of a scholar passing a shelf of books with idle interest.
"As for myself, I don’t seek axes or armor. Only understanding. And before I go, if you’d permit it… I wouldn’t mind having a glance at those scrolls." He lifts his hand briefly, palm open, as if leafing through invisible pages. "Nothing more than a scholar idly flipping through a page before leaving a library."
His voice remains casual, almost detached.
"Of course, your wares, your rules. I ask only for curiosity’s sake, not for coin."
A faint lift of one brow. Not something to bargain over. Just the idle habits of a restless mind before turning to other matters.
Halia leans back a bit in surprise at the mention of the scrolls. "How did you know about those? I picked them up not long ago from a half-elf who said he was hunting the dragon. What was his name..." She taps her chin in contemplation for a moment. "Ahh yes, his name was Fromear. They are nothing special. I'll sell them to you for 100 gold pieces each."
She grabs them from under the table and places them on top for Eldrin to inspect. One is feather fall. The other is identify.
Meira,
You don't suspect Halia is trying to con Zephyros. She is just a business woman trying to make some coin.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Eldrin steps forward as Halia lays the scrolls on the table, hands neatly folded behind his back. He studies the parchment with the quiet focus of someone more interested in the craft than the cost. When she names her price, his gaze flicks up to meet hers, cool and measured.
“A hundred gold each,” he repeats softly. A flicker of amusement crosses his face. “Halia, you’re clearly a capable merchant, so allow me to propose something that benefits us both.”
He reaches into the folds of his cloak and retrieves a well-kept notebook bound in dark leather, scored with notes, diagrams, and fragments of arcane formulae. He sets it gently on the edge of the table and opens to a blank page.
“I’ll give you twenty gold, not for the scroll, but for the opportunity to study the Feather Fall spell for a few minutes and take notes. You retain the scroll. You’re still free to sell it afterward for the price you quoted, perhaps even more convincingly, now that it comes recommended by someone trained in the arcane arts.”
He slides a small pouch of coins across the table with a soft clink.
“That’s twenty gold with no loss of inventory, no risk, and a potential increase in perceived value. All I ask in return is a quiet moment with the scroll and this page.” He gestures to his "notebook".
Gareth's attention is captured by the idle mention of another half-elven hunter, especially since this one is either brave or stupid enough to try hunting the dragon himself. "Fromear?" the ranger asks. "When did you last see him? Do you think he's really hunting the dragon? Alone?"
As far as Zephyros' haggling with Halia over the amulet, Gareth shrugs. "Thirty gold does sound like a fair price for such an old amulet. Or we could hang onto it and give it to those dwarves if we see them again."
As Eldrin continues his conversation with Halia over her necklace and some magical scrolls, which he somehow learned about, the ranger leans against a wall, arms folded in front of his chest. He observes the exchange with interest, especially when Halia mentions something about a missing dwarf and an enchanted axe.
Extended Signature
Characters: Bryony Alderleaf (Phandelver and Below) ♦ Vesta Trevelyan (Vecna: Eve of Ruin) ♦ Ada Kendrick (Curse of Strahd) ♦ Gareth Blackwood (Dragon of Icespire Peak) ♦ Karys Velthune (Out of the Abyss) ♦ Surina Xarith (Simple, Heroic Adventure)
DM: Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus
Eldrin,
Halia looks at you confused for a moment, "Forgive my ignorance, as I'm not a wizard like you, but I thought the scroll was consumed in the process of copying it to your spell book." Her eyes narrow slightly, but her demeanor remains friendly. "I'll allow it, as I typically don't trade in scrolls, but I want the original asking price if the scroll is consumed."
[[OOC: You will need to pay 100 gp for the scroll, two hours, and 50 gp to copy it to your book, which covers the cost of the fine ink used to transcribe it. I will also need an Arcana check DC11 to transcribe it to your spell book successfully.]]
Gareth,
Halia looks at you after your question and responds, "He was here a few days ago. He was alone when I talked to him, so... maybe." She shrugs her shoulders as if to emphasize that she doesn't know if he is hunting alone.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
[OOC: No, no, Halia; forgive my ignorance. I thought the spell scroll was not consumed.....]
"Uhmmm, hello?" Lyra suddenly pops up beside Eldrin, her bright brown eyes scanning the conversation with interest. She offers the wizard a cheerful grin. "Can I help? I'm not planning to spend all my gold anytime soon. And hey, since I just got that lovely moonstone, it only seems fair you get something nice too."
The halfling turns to Halia with a hopeful smile. "Or maybe you'd be interested in a little divine assistance? I mean, Iim not that powerful a cleric—yet—but I can still do a few helpful things... I think?" She clasps her hands together earnestly. "I'd be happy to lend a hand, just in general... but especially if it might help my friend here get that scroll for a bit less!"
Abishai/Naiya:
Lyra won't insist if you guys don't want to keep RPing this, but I wanted to post this just in case she could help. After all, she's just said that she doesn't even know what to do with so much money.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
[[OOC: I don't mind! I'll RP all day long and thrice on Sunday. I've retracted my commentary regarding the Inn above and will repost when we move on.]]
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Lyra,
Halia looks at you quizically as you offer your help. "What would you suggest, my little friend?" She looks around the room momentarily, before a light bulb in her mind lights up... "Tell you what. I have a few blank spell scrolls that have been collecting dust. If you can transcribe three cure wounds spells onto them, I will give your wizard friend here the featherfall scroll for free. I will provide the materials and ink. You provide the spell and divine inspiration. How's that sound?"
If you agree:
You will need to provide three level 1 spell slots, 6 hours, and three Arcana checks DC 11.
DM for Tyranny of Dragons and Phandelver and Below, two in-person campaigns that meet weekly on Friday and Saturday nights.
Eldrin blinks once. Then twice.
A faint flush of color creeps up the sides of his pale cheeks as Halia gently but firmly corrects him. His mouth opens slightly as if to offer rebuttal, but then he closes it again with a quiet click of his teeth.
“I… stand corrected,” he murmurs after a moment, bowing his head slightly in both respect and visible embarrassment. “Schooled by a merchant on the finer points of scroll transcription. Duly noted.” His lips press into a thin, self-deprecating line.
When Lyra suddenly appears at his side with her characteristic brightness and generous offer, the embarrassment lightens, just a little. He glances down at her, genuinely touched despite himself, his expression softening.
“Your generosity is far more valuable than the spell,” he says quietly. “But this spell’s worth doesn’t match the size of the purse or the trouble it would cost to procure. A gentle descent is hardly worth an empty coin pouch.”
He gives a quick, practiced bow toward Halia, like a student excusing himself from a failed demonstration in front of their teacher.
“My apologies, Mistress Thornton. For wasting your time, and for underestimating your expertise.”
And without waiting for further offers, debate, or the possibility of further humiliation, Eldrin turns sharply on his heel and strides toward the door, every measured step a silent prayer that this entire exchange would drift swiftly from the memories of everyone present.
Preferably forever.