"Point of order, Crownsguard," Ink whispers, "the Lionshield Coster, which this place once was, originates from Yartar. Yartar and Everlund are not the best of friends, so be mindful." He points at the pearls and in a conspiratorial whisper tells Crownsguard, "We should find out about those."

Then still low, but not quite a whisper, Ink suggests, "You should pick up a copy of that new Volo's book - he's a bit of a sensationalist, but you'll get a healthy update on the modern bestiary of the realm. Maybe even find something of use regarding these giants - and see if he covers dragons - or that squidly thing we saw in Noaner's Hold."

Ink heads over directly to the books on magical theory, perusing their contents as quickly as he can to determine what use they may bring him. 

He also keeps an eye out for books on alien beasts, the undead, imbuing objects with arcane power, and books describing the inner power of the mind (psionics). These are secondary, however, to the magical theory books that could perhaps teach him new spells, regardless of how mundane they may seem. 

"Understood." Crownsguard walks over, picks up the pearls, and places them in front of the shopkeep(?), "Hello. I would like to learn more about these."

Ink, moving towards the books, mutters under his breath, "Can't tell if he's a sharp blunt object or a blunt sharp instrument....." 

// As Crownsguard moves through the shop, please make a Dexterity check to avoid knocking things over. //

Bull in a China Check: 10

// Ink, please make an Intelligence (Arcana) check. //

Crownsguard narrowly avoids knocking over a teapot with a clockwork design, but manages to right it before it drops onto the floor. The man behind the counter regards Crownsguard warily.

In response to the question regarding the necklace, the man says distractedly, “Yes...ah...it is an enchanted moonstone...necklace. The...stones reveals the current...ah, phase of the moon. Got that one from Halruuan merchant.”

As he speaks, he looks from Crownsguard, to Ink, back to Crownsguard. “I’m...terribly sorry; should I address you, or the construct?” he says to Ink.

Crownsguard extends a hand, "Hello. I am Crownsguard, your average commercial customer. This is Cat. Say hello, Cat." Cat does nothing for several seconds, "I have been told that silence is golden. I have also been told that gold is an appropriate gift in place of greetings. Therefore, good job, Cat."

"Either or, good sir...." 

After a distracted pause having gone back to the books, Ink asks, "What phase does the necklace say we're in?" 

Crownsguard looks at the necklace.

 Ink approaches the shopkeeper with several selections, somehow balancing copies of An Encyclopedia of Important Transfiguration, Rudiments of the Shadow Weave, Current Studies of A Giant's Sensory Systems, The Major Poets of Baldur's Gate, Dragons: Uncommon Areas of Habitation, A Treatise on Novel Abjuration, and The Field of Battle. Although the stack is hefty, he deftly balances them as a practiced sage would. 

"I'm interested in these. If you have any further books on magical theory, obscure creatures, and topics of similar nature," Ink says pointing at the Shadow Weave book on that last point. "How many dragons for them?"

"I'd be interested, as well, on topics that most people find, let's say, distasteful." Ink does a slight imitation of a zombie at this point. As way of explanation, he comments, "I find myself traveling in a cart for long periods of time and bored. I could use some interesting reading material."

"Also, I noticed the sign change out front - what happened? If you're at liberty to say."

Quote from DarthAvarice >>

"Thank  ye  fer  seeing me Lord Rhuiden.  Ah'm  Flint o' Citadel Adbar, an ahm  operatin' fer  th' Lord's Alliance, Sword Coast region.  Ahm sure ye be knowin' o' th' Ordnin' an' th' giant activity." Flint continues  with the details he remembers from Nightstone, the cloud giant castle, Triboar, Noaner's Hold and the adamantine ring, trying to mimic Ink as he delivers these bits of news.

Next Flint mentions his companions. "Ah've fallen in wit'a elven Harper, an a bein' strain outta ancient Netheril, some construct who seems born yesterday but has ancient knowledge. Good folk in a fight ta  be sure, just reportin' on th' affiliation."

Finally, "an here's what ah need some help with if ye  can be o' assisantance," Flint relays the search for Rip's family as the most urgent, asking if he knows a way to discover where they may be located and also asks if the elf has a solution for the ring "it's a ship anchor ta be sure, but ah want ta  get it away from th' giants, an' truth be told, ah want a cut at its value too."

  The elven mage looks curious at the mention of Netheril. “A construct, you say? Sentient? Self-aware? How interesting. I would love to study this being. And I might have come across a work that would be beneficial to it—though perhaps not. Hard to say without seeing what force animates it.”

Quote from jr_el_leon >>

 Ink approaches the shopkeeper with several selections, somehow balancing copies of An Encyclopedia of Important Transfiguration, Rudiments of the Shadow Weave, Current Studies of A Giant's Sensory Systems, The Major Poets of Baldur's Gate, Dragons: Uncommon Areas of Habitation, A Treatise on Novel Abjuration, and The Field of Battle. Although the stack is hefty, he deftly balances them as a practiced sage would. 

"I'm interested in these. If you have any further books on magical theory, obscure creatures, and topics of similar nature," Ink says pointing at the Shadow Weave book on that last point. "How many dragons for them?"

"I'd be interested, as well, on topics that most people find, let's say, distasteful." Ink does a slight imitation of a zombie at this point. As way of explanation, he comments, "I find myself traveling in a cart for long periods of time and bored. I could use some interesting reading material."

"Also, I noticed the sign change out front - what happened? If you're at liberty to say."

// Please make a Charisma check for the "distasteful" stuff //

 The books are indeed quite heavy, and as you set them down for Edmund to examine, he takes note of each tome. "Standard price is 25 dragons a book, but I'll give you discounts on sets."

The first one has an ornately illustrated cover."An Encyclopedia of Important Transfiguration, edited by Solín Jerier. Not the most engaging of books, but at 25 dragons, it's worth every copper, I assure you."

He continues, his eyes widening as he uncovers the supple, black leatherbound tome with golden filigree, "Oh ho! Rudiments of the Shadow Weave, by the nefarious Vontallion Rose! I didn't even realize I still had this...phew, be careful who you show it to!" The shopkeeper grins. "It's also 80 dragons, rare as it is." 

Taking the next one off the stack, a red hardcover with yellowed pages, "Current Studies of A Giant's Sensory Systems, ah! This one was written quite a while ago, well before my time, by the would-be adventurer...ah yes, Ralnus A. Revadac. This book was published post-mortem, after he went to live among hill giants. I'm told all they found was a partially-pulverized skeleton of the poor man." Edmund chuckles grimly. "25 dragons for this one."

Next, Edmund pulls a wood-and-leather-bound book with a bronze clasp. "The Major Poets of Baldur's Gate, a compilation of some of what I would consider the absolute worst poetry in all of Faerûn. But in poetry, to each his own, I suppose. I'd be happy to get rid of that one for 12 gold pieces."  

He then reads the cover of a dog-eared folio. "Dragons: Uncommon Areas of Habitation, by Tholin Thunderbane. Ah, I remember. These writings never gained a lot of traction around these parts, maybe it was the verbose style...but I'm told that it ended up being very popular reading in Cormyr. So there you go! I recently acquired it as part of a 12-tome set. The others are around here somewhere. It's 25 gold pieces for the book, or 250 for the set."  

The penultimate book, a friendly-looking, green codex, opens crisply as he notes the inside. "A Treatise on Novel Abjuration, another by Solín Jerier. This one is signed by the author, just here, see? Never fear, though; the price is the same: 25 gold pieces. A collectible book at a reasonable price."

Edmund finally uncovers the last book. "Ooh, The Field of Battle. An aspiring strategy manual that was written just following the War of the Silver Marches. One of my first purchases, I actually have several copies of the book. Dexion Lathrana is the...ah, fellow...that wrote it, and he stops in every now and then. Retired captain, I believe. Half-elf. Quite the particular person. Oh, and just like the others, 25 dragons."

//  Charisma Check 8  //

Although enthusiastic about all the books, Ink knows how much he has in his pockets (about 40-odd gp and a 50gp bloodstone)... Based on his earlier perusals, which books would offer the most practical use regarding spell theory and the chance of learning some useful spells.

// Ink hasn’t really had time to peruse their contents, but you could either 1) make a Wisdom check for some intuitive guessing, 2) and Intellect check to see if you’ve heard of any of the books or authors, or 3) ask! //

Ink will try to reach back into his memories ( // Intelligence Check 16, add 3 if a history check // ) and try to remember any of the authors to determine which may provide him with the most util instruction regarding magical theory and its application to better inform and tailor his question(s) to the shopkeeper regarding which books would likely be best for a studying wizard trying to learn more applicable magic theory aka spells.

He also inserts a comment along the lines of, "I hadn't realized how expensive books were - I spent all my time studying at the Vault of Sages in Silverymoon before joining up with the Argent Legion.  I will never take a good library for granted ever again."

// Yes, I am absolutely trying to stretch your good intention of the options you gave me... LOL //

Ink has heard of most of the authors, except for Vontallion Rose. He has read some works from Solín Jerier and knows her writing style to be quite pretentious. 

As far as magic goes, the words "Transfiguration," "Shadow Weave," and "Abjuration" all sound magically significant to Ink, and he knows that the Shadow Weave denotes a mysterious branch of magic that is eschewed by most wizards, and especially the churches of Mystra and Azuth. Transfiguration is a specific area of magical theory that primarily deals with the schools of transmutation and illusion, and Abjuration is a school of magic that mostly deals with protection and warding spells. 

It is possible that any of these books might have spells detailed in them, judging by their titles. 

// What are the rest of you guys doing? //

Crownsguard will carefully peruse the shop. Does Crownsguard see anything of possible magical interest to him, Horse, or Cat?