“Ah yes, Volothamp, a good friend. The books are quite popular; we just had a new shipment in. Lots of people are looking to get his well-times insight into giants. The books are 25 gold pieces, and that’s the sale price.”

Flint thanks Rhuiden, "shall ah bring th' rest o' me group 'ere  on th' morrow? Ye  can meet Crownsguard  an' tell us how yer meetin' went. Rip's also o' th' Lord's Alliance  an' can tell ye  'bout his family. Or  could ye bring outsiders ta th' meetin'? Might help ta have Rip's own account 'eard  there."

Quote from Awaypturwpn >>

“Ah yes, Volothamp, a good friend. The books are quite popular; we just had a new shipment in. Lots of people are looking to get his well-times insight into giants. The books are 25 gold pieces, and that’s the sale price.”

 "Very well... Hmm...You mentioned something earlier about buying the books as a set would affect the prices - could you break that down for me? Sorry - just trying to make sure I do my math right before lopping off that ten percent you just brought up."

Quote from DarthAvarice >>

Flint thanks Rhuiden, "shall ah bring th' rest o' me group 'ere  on th' morrow? Ye  can meet Crownsguard  an' tell us how yer meetin' went. Rip's also o' th' Lord's Alliance  an' can tell ye  'bout his family. Or  could ye bring outsiders ta th' meetin'? Might help ta have Rip's own account 'eard  there."

 “Ah...you are thinking to have him petition the elders? You are allowed to do so, of course, but know that the Zoars are not friends of the Lords Alliance.

”In any case, I would of course be happy to meet him, and that construct of which you spoke. If you bring it here in the morning, before the elders convene, I have an experiment to propose to it.”

Meanwhile, Edmun discusses with Ink. 

“There are a few sets, such as the one from Tholin Thunderbane on Dragons, oooh and also Cooking With Cast Iron. Great read. Never tired the recipes myself. And I think that there are some various monster manuals around here, mostly dealing with orcs and goblins. Some of those belong to sets, as well.

”But none of the books you have there are part of any set.”

 "Very well," Ink replies, "we'll take Geddarm's latest book on the local bestiary, Rose's treatise on the shadow weave  and the pair of books by Jerier - that wouldn't qualify as a set would it?" Ink asks that last bit with an awkward chuckle. 

He continues, "I think we're taking the pole of collapsing,as well - not sure about the immovable rod... Crownsguard, do we get it? With your discount, it's 230 dragons without the immovable rod, 500 including it."

Ink quizzically looks at Crownsguard and asks, "Crownsguard - would you have any coin on you? Because if you did, I'm guessing it's Netherese coin millenia old that young Edmund here might be interested in seeing."

Crownsguard shakes his head, “My creators did not pay me. However,” He removes a small pouch with the Order of the Gauntlet’s insignia on it, “The Order has provided me with travel money. Most of it has been exhausted. I have 6 dragons to be exact.”

Ink examines the coins regardless to double check that they are modern imprints.

 

Quote from jr_el_leon >>

Ink examines the coins regardless to double check that they are modern imprints.

 Crownsguard's handful of gold coins are the uniquely-shaped Waterdhavian dragons, relatively freshly minted. 

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/forgottenrealms/images/8/82/GoldDragonCoins.png/revision/latest?cb=20180915021258

Ink sighs as he sees the fresh, glittering coins, then saying, "Very well..." He takes out a handful of precious gems, one pearl, two rubies and three nondescript gems, each of about 100 dragons in value, and a bloodstone worth about half as much of any of the others.

"So, five hundred dragons for the whole lot, right? These more than cover it... In fact, I'd be over paying if I gave you all of them."

Edmund takes a look at each gem in turn, using an eyepiece. 

“Yes indeed, these will more than cover it.”

He will give you change in gold, if you have no further business.

Ink will happily take the excess in gold as it's more liquid, is the change equal to the expected overpayment (~150gp) or is it a lesser amount?

// Ah I see where you did your math. I did the math incorrectly! Allow me some clarification, because yes he is willing to buy gems. //

Edmund easily identifies each gemstone and accurately assigns values to them (correlating directly to their originally stated value in gp). 

He offers to pay in gold pieces for the bloodstone (50 gp), and in silver bullion for any remaining gems you wish to sell to him (value & weight = silver pieces, although they are 1lb bars of silver rather than coins), up to 40 bars (2000 sp). 

Ink would be willing to trade 50gp for the bloodstone, but given their nature as giant-sized rat catchers, he'd rather keep the last 100gp gem rather than trade it for heavy silver.

// So, the books, the pole and the rod for 5 gems worth 100gp each, and trading in the bloodstone for 50gp? //

 

Quote from jr_el_leon >>

// So, the books, the pole and the rod for 5 gems worth 100gp each, and trading in the bloodstone for 50gp? //

 Yes, and 5 sp in change. 

(25*3+80+100+300 = 555)

(555-555/10 = 495.5)

With the exchange done, Ink excitedly starts packing the books away, saying "I cannot wait until I can start reading through these. Edmund, it's been a pleasure dealing with you. I hope that Crownsguard's voice acts as a draw to your storefront. Uh, would you know of Geddarm's book covers giant-kin? Seems rather apt knowledge at the moment and I'm trying to prioritize my reading. Oh, and would you know where I can find fine papers and inks - the kind needed for magical transcription? I intend on putting these theories to practice. I can't really afford the materials now, but it's good to know so next time we're through Everlund."

----

He also looks up at Crownsguard, "So, do you want to hold onto the pole of collapsing and the immovable rod for now? We can discuss who should carry what when we meet up with the rest."

“Yes. I will be happy to carry the items. I am happy that I could assist in getting a discount for us. I believe the modern term for this is ‘getting a steal.’ I do not understand how cheap, legal purchases are equivalent to stolen goods, but as the saying goes, ‘when in a different time after centuries of stasis, do as the modern day people do.’” Crownsguard holds the goods.

"Uh, Crownsguard - you may want to stow them on your person or in one of your bags. You really shouldn't walk around just holding them in your hands...." Ink remarks. 

“Fair point.” Crownsguard stores them in his bag.