Re: Forging a Path
Hiran
"I can respect that," Sovek replied to Hiran's decision. He was about to offer his hand for a shake to seal the deal when Hiran started using the magical-gesture greeting that spellcasters often used. Sovek replied in kind. Although his hands were not as precise as Hiran might expect. They showed that Sovek knew of the greeting but probably did not cast spells himself. Not too surprising for someone who specialized in potions rather than spells.
Once Sovek managed to pack away the fungi Hiran had traded him, Sovek went to a back room and brought out several old tomes that would be relevant to Hiran's research. When the Dr. Hiran went to collect the books, Sovek stopped him. "Oh no, I am afraid the books must remain in my shop. They are my only copies. You can have the information within, but the books themselves are not for sale. I can provide you with parchment and a quill if you would like to copy some information though. There is a nice bench over in the herb garden where I like to do exactly that sometimes. Here, let me show you."
Sovek showed Hiran to a spot in the center of the shop where natural light flooded in from above. There was a stone bench with a flat block of granite beside it that could serve as a table. The bench was surrounded by various herbs, such as krakenweed and horseradish and violet grubblecackel. It was quite peaceful actually.
And true to his word, it did not take long to find magical symbols within the books that matched up with the markings on some of the jewelry. In the end, Hiran was able to determine that three of the pieces granted magical effects. The others were just for show.
The sea witch's bracelet was the most potent. It had an octopus-shaped ruby on the front that would change shape depending on which way you looked at it. Its markings indicated that it could draw out the power of any sea creature touched and allow the wearer to turn into it.
The ring looked to be made of coral and was inlaid with tiny shells and countless jewels the size of sand grains. And when worn, it seemed, would allow its owner to breathe underwater!
The hairpin appeared to be a vanity item. When placed in one's hair, the wearer could alter the appearance of their clothes to look however they desired. The effect was only an illusion, however, and changed only the clothe's appearance and not its material. Cloth made to look like armor would not clank, or provide physical protection, or hinder movement.
What do you do?
Eryn
Lady Hammersoft nodded to Eryn. "A standard whip it is then." Then, with her transaction seemingly complete, the blacksmith went back to her work and began preparing the vorlag skin for Eryn's armor.
What do you do?
Ilura and Marcus
As Sir Ubir opened the door, it creaked as one might expect from a door in such a rundown state. But Ilura's sharp ears also caught the sound of a couple of small pulleys squeaking as a string was pulled tight. Her eyes caught sight of the string at the top of the door as Marcus's light illuminated the room. It was probably set up as a signal to notify someone elsewhere if the door was ever opened.
The room itself seemed to be a dusty old storage room. There were cobwebs all over everything. Sealed crates, an old portrait painting with a rip in the canvas, a big mirror with a crack running through it, and other assorted items. Thomas flew into the room, circled around quickly, and came back to land on Ilura's shoulder with his head facing back out the door. He let out a small caw and the crow's words rang out in Ilura's head. [I saw a room behind the mirror before the light lit everything up. And there was an air current coming from that painting.] The crow picked at Ilura's ear a bit. [And hey, look, there is a person looking at Marcus from that window out across the alley.] By the time Ilura could turn around to look though, whoever was there was now gone. She could, however, see that the mirror's reflection did appear to be a bit off, and the eyes on the painting looked like they could be slid aside for someone to peek through. Additionally, there was a line of dust on the floor that showed where some crates were often slid aside.
And Sir Ubir did exactly that. He slid the crates aside to reveal a passage beyond. "I will be back momentarily, if the two of you will be kind enough to wait here. It shouldn't take me more than half an hour to set up a meeting." As he moved to close the passage behind himself he added, "And please do not mess with anything in here. It would be in everyone's best interests."
What do you do?
Hiran
Sovek will let you read his books, but will not let you take them with you outside of his shop, so they do not add to your weight or add to your bag of books. The weight of the potion is 0.
Bracelet of the Brine
You can Shapeshift, as the Druid ability, but only into animals with a strong connection to the sea (saltwater fish, seagulls, walruses, etc.). You must have touched a living version of that animal since putting on the bracelet. You loose all forms if you ever take the bracelet off and must "collect" them again.
Ring of the Reef
The wearer can breath both air and water.
Hairpin of Fickle Vestments
When placed in one's hair, the wearer can alter the appearance of their clothes to look however they desire. The effect is only an illusion, however, and changes only the clothe's appearance and not its material. Cloth made to look like armor will not clank, or provide physical protection, or hinder movement.
Eryn
Was there anything else you would like to do in town?
Ilura and Marcus
You two are about to be left alone in a "storage room" while Sir Ubir goes to set up a meeting with a member of NECRO. He hasn't closed the secret passage door yet though, if there was anything you wanted to say or do before he does.
What is about to happen?
More people will probably be watching you than it appears. The mirror and the portrait seem designed to allow people to view the storage room without being seen.
What should I be on the lookout for?
Someone took note of you guys from across the alley when you entered the room.
What here is not what it appears to be?
The room is full of little secret things. A two-way mirror, a secret passage, a secret viewing portrait, and a signal string attached to the door at the very least.