Killilli’s Dragon Heist

"Hey Mr. Rishaal? Do you have any books on books? Those books are the best!"

She will select five books with fun titles and/or nice covers and brings them over when they start talking about magical books she gives and appreciative,

"Ooooohhh! I need one of those!"

Then listens intently to the ghost talk. She looks through her small stack of books then scurries back to look for books on ghosts and home improvement/repair, again with preference on the nicest looking book or cleverest title.

"Ooo, Mr. Rishaal, do you have any books about things that catch fire or explode or stuff? Maybe Uncle Spark will like that."

"Kerri, do you like books? Do you have a favorite book?", she asks her trusted grownup, then in a whisper "How much do books usually cost? I've never bought a book before, and I like Mr. Rishaal too much to steal one, he called us Young Book Wyrms!"

"I knew there was a ghost," Kerri says.

"You were right! How cool is that!? A fairy would have been great too...", Lyss says a bit wistfully. "As long as it wasn't a really mean fairy. Doesn't seem like a bad ghost though, just kind of tricksy. Maybe we can make friends with it, and it can be our security system. OOH! Do you think it's a TROLL GHOST?!"

Rishaal chuckles at the enthusiasm of his young customers, a small flame licking at his lips. “So many questions! Such joy for learning. Every arcane spell caster must register with the order, so they can be called on by the blackstaff at times of need. I myself am a member of the order, and it is imperative that I check your membership status before allowing you access to arcane texts. May I take your names please and a rough approximation of your magical abilities?” A large register appears with a purple cloud on his desk and starts flipping its pages of it’s own accord.

on hearing of your saving of Floon ”Ahhh yes, I’ve heard rumours of that, the young Lord Neverember seems to be singing your praises. You’ve made a powerful ally there, he knows almost everyone of note in this city.” 

“Yes,yes, ghost books. I have many, but if it seems more of a ‘tricksy’ ghost as you say, then I would suggest ‘Poltergeists - Spectral Pranksters, or just misunderstood?” Rishaal conjours a spectral hand to grab the book and bring it over to the counter. “We have some books on home improvement, although they are restricted to members of respective guilds for each craft. It is recommended that you hire a solicitor if you seek to do any work, to ensure you aren’t stepping on any toes. If you have any accreditation then I’ll happily show you them. The ghost book will be a dragon (gp), while the other selected books I can give you as a bundle for a shard (sp)” 

((is Kerri registered already?))

The sound of breaking glass comes from the house, followed by effusive swearing.  Spark pokes his head out of the door.

"What?  You have 5 seconds before I tell you to piss off."

The halfling tips his hat forward, taking a bow. His clothes are the latest fashion - bright, colourful and extravagant. “My apologies for disturbing you. My name is J.B. Nevercott, a humble haberdasher. I was taking in an important clients clothes when I came across.... and unfortunately damaged.... a curious object. I thought it might interest you enough to take on the job of repairing it? I am willing to pay quite the pretty penny.” He discretely pulls out of his pocket a metal object you have only heard of before and know to be a pistol.

When the book appears Aimee gives an appreciative swing then puts the books she finds on the counter.

"Books are great but I don't need them for magic! Magic just happens! Boom!"

She turns into a short troll and creates sparkles around herself.

"Magic!"

Aimee buys all the books!

Spark blinks at it.

"Ooo . . .I never could turn down a gadget.  Or money, for that matter.  I’ll take a look."

Rishaal applauds Aimee’s display, “Bravo young one, thank you for your custom! how did you come across these powers?” The book suddenly stops on a page, and the dragonborn puts his glasses back on to read. “Ah yes..... Aimee is it? From the temple of Ohgma? I apologise for my earlier blasphemy.” His brows furrow as he reads further down the entry....

Meanwhile at Trollskull Manor.... “I thought as much. If you do a good job of this, I’ll put a good word in with the owner. I’m sure they’ll have some work for you. How long do you think it will take? Shall I stay to watch your handiwork?” 

"Sure! I'm Lysslinn, that's L-Y-S-S-L-I-N-N. I think I had a last name once, but I don't remember it. I don't have any magic!"

Spark grins happily.

"I have no idea!  Months, maybe."

"No problem! I won't tell him if you don't!"

After turning back to Aimee she points at the large scar on her close shaved scalp.

"My magic came from a branch! Went right in!"

She makes wet shurlurping noise as she pantomimes it going into her head.

She leans forward to try and see what he is reading.

"Is it the thing with Mistress Kestrel? Or Master Fenlim? Or Sister Danforn? Or the time with the bunnies? Everyone said that was an accident, huh Lyss! Hey! Can I read it when you're done? I think I need to add some notes!"

“Months? Perhaps word of your skills was overstated. I do not have months for this task. My client will just have to find others to pay for this task it seems.”

At the Bookshop.... 

The dragonborn looks over the book, addressing Lysslin. “No, in that case you won’t be in here. If you are willing to sign up though, I could teach you a thing or two? Of course, i would require a favour in return, from word of your work with young Neverember it spunds like you are quite capable investigators.”

After a few moments reading, the dragonborn looks up at Amy with concern. “Yes, the temple have stopped paying your fees.... allegations of arson.... you’re a wanted woman Aimee. As a member of the watchful order, it is my duty to report your whereabouts to my superiors. Though, you don’t seem like the type to destroy literature....” 

Kerri smiles, "I'm Kerri... and I have no idea, unless you mean those mages who kept bothering me once I left the temple after our... falling out." She pauses at the mention of arson, and starts rubbing her temples, "Arson? You've committed Arson? Mystra help me... why did you commit arson?"

"You WOULD?! Oh, yes, yes, yes, sign me up! We are great at investigating! I can do whatever favor you need, probably!", she will sign her name wherever he asks her to.

"Kerri, did you get kicked out of your temple too? You're just like Aimee! I'm glad you're not homeless any more either."

"Oh, that makes it sound really bad. It was 'light arson' at the most, right Aimee?" 

"I wasnt kicked out," Kerri says, "we just... disagreed on things. Myself and the Acolytes of The House of Wonder agreed that we were better off going our seperate ways."

"Arson, no! A gentle browning, mostly! I don't hurt books on purpose, ever! Some just got close to a lantern, can you believe they use real fire lanterns in the archives?"

She then ponders and says,

"Wanted? By who? They escorted me off the temple grounds yesterday? Wait! Did they change their minds?! Do they want me back!  Tell them too late!"

She beams at Kerri and Lyss and hearing Kerri's story about getting also kicked out, but with different words, says,

"You can go your separate way with us Kerri!"

"Yeah! Separate together! You think Uncle Spark had to 'go separate ways' too? What's the House of Wonder?"