"I've no interest in demon summoning, but give me some information on the types of undead, their circumstances, and how they may be dealt with...and we have a bargain, Senyor." (trading undead/spirit lore for demon lore, is my intent, if that's what his book amounts to)

On hearing the deal near closing, Chou-Zhen steps away from the bookshelf he'd been examining.  He glances over Iskander's shoulder at the volume the proprietor had offered, but remains still.

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 72):

The shopkeeper's assistant leans in. "Tell you what, take the foll $200, and um, you maybe work for a guy who has a library. Just take the book, slip it in, you know, for posterity."

16:00, Today: Iskander rolled 10 using 3d6 ((2,5,3)). IQ-3 works as empathy. passed
Iskander regarded the goblin a moment, determining whether he meant mischief. Such lore is rarely free, and without a price...especially coming from a place like this...
Iskander would trust in his feelings, as they have always served him well.
"Hmmm..."

"Very well, Senyor."
Iskander makes the exchange.

Chou-Zhen's queue switches a single stroke, then he smirks in a most disquieting way.  He holds his silence, however, merely remaining close to Iskander as he closes the transaction.

In reply to Iskander (msg # 74):

The goblin smiles. He is almost certainly mischief minded, indeed, he seethes with wicked delight and a number of unpleasant urges. Oddly, he is not lying at the moment.

<Yelow>"Just tuck it on a back shelf. No one need go near it for the rest of your lifetime, and long may you live. It will find the right reader in its own time."</Yellow>

Iskander takes the book a bit gingerly, and the money.
"Good business to you Senyor. We shall meet again."
Iskander glances at his companions and heads out into the street.

Chou-Zhen favors the goblin assistant with a full (very disquieting) smile, before following Iskander out to the street.

Once he catches up with the Valdassyan, "Say, Iskander, might I have a quick look at that book the goblin seemed so eager to give away?  I know something of demons, and I'd like to check it for accuracy."

"Sure, but we can't let this wind up in the master's library. I aimed to have it ritually destroyed, at the church. Here..."
Iskander handed the book to Chou Zhen-Mou

Chou-Zhen examines the binding, first, then opens the book to the first page -- even if it naturally tends to open somewhere else.

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 81):


As you exit, there is a faint popping sound, and the door you entered is no longer there!


The book is a primer on summoning demons, and has a number of diagrams and names, along with instructions for ritual...

Make two rolls, one for hidden lore: demons, the other for Per.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:11, Wed 30 May 2018.

"This day... I think it is going to be another strange one, Senyor."
Iskander watched as Chou Zhen-Mou examined the bad juju.

As they headed towards Little Sahud, Chye began to feel the need to seek out some friendly faces and maybe some revelry, before returning to the palace. Turning to Tanaka, he grinned a gold-fanged, grin and said:
"Hoi! What say we stop in for a drink in "our" neighborhood?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 20:42, Wed 30 May 2018.

Chou-Zhen continues at a steady pace, his attention mostly on the book, depending on Iskander in his periphery to stay on course.

19:40, Today: Iskander rolled 10 using 3d6.  area knowledge (Northport) - 13.
19:39, Today: Iskander rolled 11 using 3d6.  streetwise - 14.
Iskander finds a fence, buying and selling many questionable goods..
This message was last edited by the player at 23:45, Wed 30 May 2018.

"That sounds wonderful, actually.
Maybe enjoy the company of some women and warm sake and discuss our next move. It'd be wonderful if an adventure presented itself and we could make a bit of coin. Pick a place, Chye and the first round is on me!" 

"Well, Chye a musician, composer, performer, and singer. You my friend are a poet!
Maybe we can collaborate on a project for Omo-sama, or maybe even independently."
19:22, Today: Chye Isuel rolled 14 using 3d6.  current affairs (Little Sahud) - 13.
19:21, Today: Chye Isuel rolled 8 using 3d6.  area knowledge (Northport) - 12.
Chye couldn't think of anyplace in particular he'd heard of lately, but he did manage to find a place for a drink, and perhaps to pick up on the latest, and maybe some unrelated gossip.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:26, Thu 31 May 2018.

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 85):

The basic lore seems legit, but a number of the summoning diagrams omit safeguards or imply that a drawn pentacle is the equal of a pentagram spell. There seems to be something under the binding...

In the small sake bar, a couple of bushi are gearing up, and stand to drink a round together before leaving, instead of sitting and putting aside their weapons, as is polite.

"Do be careful with that, Senyor... You might open a seal or something."
Iskander looked at the book ominously.

Chye bellies up to the bar.
"The first round is on you, Tanaka-san! Ho ho ho!"
Chye said jovially, as he was in his element again, like a koi in a pond.

"Perhaps we can glean some bits from it, and then destroy it. Some things that would be important are the names of the demons, as that can get you familiar dealing with individuals, but knowing their name gives a degree of power over them, as well. This is of little  consequence, as they will lie and attempt to trick you at every opportunity. But, it would be a bad idea to bring this under our master's roof, agreed?"

"There's something here..."  Chou-Zhen palpates the spine and covers of the book, trying to identify what's hidden there without removing or releasing it.

"Oh, perhaps, Iskander, or perhaps, with some time and a quill, I can repair the omissions so that this might at least be used safely by one learning the art.  I agree, it is never truly safe to deal with demons, but one cannot prevent the thirst for power or completely obliterate the ignorance that makes one feel that if something is easy, it must be safe.

"These are often harder to destroy than it seems they should be, however."

Chou-Zhen holds the book out to Iskander.  "Be cautious of the binding, there's something in it.  Otherwise, you seem to have the sense not to attempt to use this; I'll let you hold it until there's time and a place to work to try to make it safer for whomever might try to use it."

Iskander crossed himself, and murmured:
"Sant Miquel, protegeix-nos..."
Iskander took the book into his pack.
"Let's leave it at the guild, we can study it there, where we can take notes and glean from it, which would work against these forces, rather than to facilitate them. Then, Senyor, I would like to have it destroyed ritually at the cathedral."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:16, Mon 04 June 2018.

"I would not like to risk it being stolen before I can add the appropriate notes.  Have you a lockbox at the Guild?"