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Quote from Guilliame >>

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[OOC: Although the Seekers specialise in tracking down people and finding practitioners of unsanctioned magic, they would not be the only people in Constantine who would have the arcane knowledge required. There would no doubt be people with similar abilities at the School who could be approach either officially or privately to provide assistance.]

"I'll see what I can find out from Apprentice Cullen. We have helped each other out in the past."

"Thank you," says the sheriff with a broad smile. "I would appreciate that... Now, remember to keep in mind the number of candles-worth you worked beyond the time we agreed upon. I do not want you to think that I am taking advantage of you."

He then picks up a document on the desk in front of him and adds, "And now, if you will excuse me, I have work to catch up with after my late start this morning."

[OOC: What is Guilliame going to do now?]

Go to the library.

Guilliame leaves the sheriff to his paperwork and makes his way out of the building to the street saying his goodbyes as he goes.

Heading off in the direction of the school, he finds his usual way blocked by some workmen trying to manouevre a broken cart from out of a side street. The odour coming from the cart is one of fecal matter and the smell is atrocious, so Guilliame decides to take a quick detour to avoid having to get too close.

As he makes his way towards the main northern road via this alternate path, he suddenly hears the following: 'Hello Master Magus. Are you looking for interesting books? Why not take a look in the Compleat Sage?'

Looking around for the source of the voice, he sees a middle-aged Sorendenese man standing on a ladder in the process of hanging a wooden sign emblazoned with the words: 'The Compleat Sage'. The sign, which is being placed over the doorway of a shop Guilliame remembers as belonging to a bookseller, also shows the portrait of a man who looks very similar to the one hanging the sign.

There is no one else that could have spoken, but the man seems very intent on hanging his sign and looks like he seems to be having a little trouble.

Do a See the arcane checking out the man and the front of the shop.

[OOC: For the record, the voice that Guilliame heard previously was speaking in Sorendenese.]

The shop itself does not seem unusual; the shutters are open revealing bookshelves lined with numerous books and scrolls.

The man, and the sign he is trying to put up, are another matter—both glow magically. The man is clearly an innate sorcerer and has a relatively strong magical aura. Also, the sign clearly has an active spell on it.

[OOC: Make an Arcana check for Guilliame at Disadvantage to see if he can recognise the spell on the sign. The DC to beat is 12.]

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Quote from Guilliame >>

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[OOC: This is a failure. What follows is Guilliame's roll for experience:

Guilliame Arcana check for experience: 10

This is still a failure, so no experience. To find out more, you might need to ask the owner of the store.

]

"Good morning sir. That looks an interesting new sign."

The man pauses in his efforts to hang the sign and lowers it so the weight is supported by a rung of the ladder.

"Morning?" he queries, looking up at the sky. "Surely it is afternoon? I have already had my lunch, so it must be afternoon."

He then looks down at Guilliame and adds, "This sign? Yes... it is interesting, but there are a lot more interesting things inside for discerning readers such as yourself."

[OOC: The last sentence is said with something of a condescending tone.]

"Pardon sir. I must have missed elevenses. What's your current best seller?"

Balancing the sign on the ladder, the man sighs and climbs down. He then turns to look at Guilliame and does a double take.

"I am sorry, Watchman" he says, one hand still keeping the sign in place. "I did not see your armband. How can one such as I be of assistance to watch?"

Looking a little flustered, he then answers Guilliame's question. "Best seller?" he says, his brows crinkling. "That would be... books I suppose. There is too much competition hereabouts for me to make a living as a scribe."

[OOC: In this world, mass printing is relatively unknown.]

"I am just on my way to start my shift but I like to keep my eye out on local businesses and how they can assist the watch. If I need any assistance never fear I shall return."

"If I can ever be of assistance, then please let me know," says the man, offering his free hand. "And by the way, my name is Helas, Willard Helas."

"Good to meet you Master Helas. My name is Guilliame de Marchant. I will make sure I pop back to check your shop when I have some time. But I must be off to start my shift. Good day."

[OOC: You can have Guilliame say whatever you like, but it is still several hours before sundown and he doesn't start work until the second candle after sunset.

If you don't want to change what Guilliame says, then we can ignore the last two sentence of the last post. In either case, Helas says what follows after Guilliame gives his name.]

"So, are you Jon de Marchant's son?" asks Helas. "I have seen your shop: Masterful Mixtures"

[OOC: Jon de Marchant is, of course, Guilliame's father. Helas is probably not as old as Guilliame's father would be if he were still alive, but he is significantly older that Guilliame and so could have known Guilliame's father when he was still alive.]

"Yes, that's right. You should come down and have a look sometime."

Helas nods and says, "I might just do that. Now that the Black Magick Shoppe has been closed down, there are few alternatives."

He then turns and looks at his sign before turning back to Guilliame and saying, "I do not suppose you have the time to help me put this sign up do you? I need an extra set of hands."