In reply to Yshtar (msg # 21):

“Hmmm... well... you        Do seem to know what you’re talking about. Or are at least very good at making up smart-sounding words. I’ll tell you what. Give me a moment.” He dashes over to one of the shelves toward the back of the store. Pulling a small sheet of vellum from under a towering pile of pots and pans which immediately collapse with a loud series of CLANGS around him, he begins mumbling to himself. A moment later, the vellum erupts with a sudden burst of light, ignites, and crumbles to dust in his hand. He then presents you with the looking-device. “There we are! Now you can have it all you want tonight, then come back tomorrow and pay. We’ll discuss price then. All you have to do is return it to me tomorrow in as good of condition as it is now and the curse won’t have any negative effect on you.”

He practically forces the device into your hands.

Bartimaeus looked in stunned silence at the kosmoculum, then at Milo, then at Yshtar, then back to Milo.

He grinned.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Bravo, Milo, bravo. That will teach me to haggle with a gnome." He fumbled in his purse for 12 gold and 5 silver, and handed it over. "For the canvas and Yshtar' book. You'll have to tell me what the curse was when it doesn't activate. Oh."

And he fumbled in his purse again.

"One last thing."

He drew out a bronze coin.

"I came upon this curious coin and have no idea as to its origin. It had a mate in gold though I don't have an example with me. Since you have cause to traffic in foreign objects, would you be able to tell me whence it came?"

---

//Later, when Yshtar and Bartimaeus had left the store.//

"Did that not strike you as singular?" Bartimaeus laughed. "How does that place generate revenue? Too much dust on everything to have any serious inventory turnover. No care taken for the goods. A gnome capable of enscorcelling from a scroll. There is certainly more there, though I'd put even money that Milo knows nothing of it."

He looked at Yshtar and the books she carried. "What is your interest in the ruling council? I intended to seek an audience with Lady Shadesworn; perhaps our purposes may be united there."

---

OOC:
So it seems the Market day event has proceeded to nighttime though Y and I came here 'in the morning'. I know we're playing fast and loose with time given the nature of this PBP, but B would be completely willing to spend most of the day with the canvas and the telescope... would Y want to spend the day with her book? We could then sally forth with whatever knowledge we gained looking for a tall building to look at the stars on?

Yshtar watched the haggling with slight amusement until an actual curse was cast. The vellum erupting with a sudden flame was indeed concerning. But she would have nudged the priest of Oghma anyway if he for some reason he forgot to return the item. As they walked out the woman looked back at the elder gnome suspecting some sort of foul play from his part. Once outside she faced Bartimaeus.

"You are entirely right. The shop was not what it seemed. I don't think there was any malicious intent though. You shouldn't worry about the curse. Knowing gnomes this might have been a harmless alchemical trick anyway. But who knows?"

They walked for a while when the priest asked another question.

"The ruling council? I want to understand how they got here and I will be a member eventually. And you? What's so pressing that you run across town to get these gadgets? What is your plan?"

Once they were a minute's walk from Milo's, Bartimaeus turned around to look at the building.
~~ No attic but a reverse-attic: did the architecture conform to Euclid? ~~
[Is it a one-story building from the outside?]

He responded to Yshtar. "Oghma laughes at plans; they rarely survive encounters with evidence. Sound methods, adaptable and which follow the evidence, on the other hand... if we knew what we wanted it wouldn't be called re-search, hmmm?" But Bartimaeus took the cue from his companion, and slowed his gait to a stroll. "Possibly an alchemical trick. But gnomes can be particular about payment; possibly that alchemical trick applied itself to my purse; I wouldn't be surprised if 24 hours saw my finances transmuted into slag.

"I did not go there for these gadgets. They are a happy coincidence, which we must be open to, mustn't we. I went there to see what was there, and it proved of interest. As for Lady Shadesworn, she holds the keys to the more complete archives in this city; her writ for an assigned private carrel would be valuable, indeed!"

In reply to Bartimaeus (msg # 25):

From the outside, the building is very much the single-story cottage you saw originally. From inside, there definitely did not appear to be anything above the single large room.

"Keep your secrets then. I'm just the bodyguard anyway."

Directly contradicting herself she did ask another question.

"And what are you looking for in the archives? And if you don't plan to give a straight answer just pretend you didn't hear my question.

At least she doesn't need to explore the town on her own. Bartimaeus might be an odd fellow but so far didn't do anything particularly dangerous and this was still her first day here. She mind as well tagged along this strange man than to go to the Adventuring Guild to get a job to clean out the sewers or whatever they tend to give as "first missions" nowadays.

“All in good time, Yshtar, all in good time. I’ve been recently robbed, remember, and advised a loose tongue had something to do with it.”

They turn a corner and approach the Salty Seaman. “I thought we might take lunch and have a look at our recent acquisitions. I’m staying here, the proprietor’s taste in puns notwithstanding. If you insist upon a room of your own I’ll request and finance the adjoining one, but you’re more than welcome to stay in my own room. I shan’t be using the bed in any case.”

---

OOC:
Investigation rolls for the chart and the telescope? If so...

18:57, Today: Bartimaeus rolled 46 using 5d20 with rolls of 13,1,1,16,15.  5 d20 rolls for skill checks.
Each would have a +5 mod for Investigate (or Arcana)

Also, did Milo have anything to say about the brass coin?

In reply to Bartimaeus (msg # 28):

The gnome had brushed it off as a curiosity that he would gladly trade a silver piece for; being that they would be the same size. He reasoning not withstanding, it’s entirely up to you whether you made that trade before leaving or kept your coin.

Once up in your room at the Salty Seaman (either with or without Yshtar depending on her choice) you begin studying the two objects you claimed from the junk shop.
The star chart proves to be an odd piece. Much like the one on the ceiling of the room in the Bard College you studied, something about it is just the slightest bit off. However, unlike the ceiling, this one is very much a mundane work with no magic of any kind effecting it. It’s far easier for your eyes to trace the movement of stars from season to season here as opposed to how they appeared in the stone chart. It is only after hours of careful study that you finally realize what’s wrong with it. Beyond the obvious strangeness of how it is set up and what you determine to be purposeful contradictions with the real night sky, your eyes finally fall upon the needle in the haystack: there is a star present here that should not exist. That does not exist. In each version of the sky shown across all four seasons, there is a single star (marked with a tiny C-shaped rune on the map in each instance of its appearance) which stays in a perfectly fixed position while all the others have shifted. Which is when it suddenly strikes you what it is you are seeing. It isn’t staying in one place, but the scenery around it is ever shifting from season to season. This isn’t a star map displaying the movement of the cosmos, this is a chart of the movement of a single, unaccounted for star while all the other celestial bodies remain fixed. The shift in the stars around it simply represent how the sky appeared near where this star was spotted. And its movements were... erratic, to say the least. Nonsensical even...

As for the viewing device, there is likewise no magic to it that you can discern. Just a clever contraption used to gaze at the night sky. You are uncertain what the point of the light purple tint to the glass is, but beyond that there aren’t really any oddities to it beyond its overall intricacy.

Yshtar just shrugged at the secrecy of Bartimaeus. Then at the suggestion of sharing a room with a man he just met she politely replied.

"I would prefer to have my own room please. If it is next to you, you can just shout whenever that archlich pesters you again." Then she realized what the man just said. "If you are not staying in your bed where do you sleep?"

She fully expected him to say he's sleeping in the closet or something similarly weird based on what he's been up to since meeting him. She looked at the Salty Seaman while talking to the priest. Later in her room she examined the Saga of the Saltspire Seven in detail to see if there was anything interesting in it.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:58, Wed 14 Oct 2020.

Bartimaeus paid over two silver to the bartender for the nearest room to #9, and requested a luncheon be served for them both.

On the way up to their rooms, he replied jovially to Yshtar. "An appearance of the Archlich Vampire Aboleth will be announced with enthusiasm! Oh... my bed? Ah. Well, the brothers of my order employ a meditative trance not dissimilar to that of the elves - you're familiar? - which obviates the necessity of a bed. That's all."

---

Spoiler for Insight DC 18: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
That bit about the Oghmic brothers is not true.

---

"It's generally a difficult technique to master, but it is one of those which has come easily to me. Ha. Sometimes I miss the unconscious oblivion of deep slumbers!"

---

Spoiler for Insight DC 4: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
He desperately misses sleeping.

---

"In any case, do enjoy your reading! I should be pleased to hear what you learn about the Lady Shadesworn, if you're inclined to share." He laughed and smiled. "But I'll understand if my reluctance to offer information is rewarded by its equal measure!"

Once back in his room, Bartimaeus laid his equipment down, unfurled the star chart on the table and placed the kosmoculum in its case on the bed. He walked over to his familiar, petted it and inquired about its morning.


~~ // ~~

Hours later in the afternoon he emerged from his room with his mug for hot water in the hallway, muttering under his breath and looking into the middle distance.

"... uncharted star... course laid... other stars plot it... other stars in movement held movement still... require more time... time... season... during what season... erratic... epicycles within epicycles... reference material insufficient... Shadesworn archives."

He returned to his room for further study.

~~ // ~~

At dusk Bartimaeus emerged from his room and knocked on Yshtar's, visibly agitated with anticipation. "Good evening! I hope your day has been as enthrallingly uneventful as mine has been! Uninterrupted time is a jewel beyond measure! ... Nighttime is nearly upon us; shall we head out to find a perch for the night sky, and possibly make an inquiry not dissimilar from that at Milo's? I thought I spotted a place in the city's center in which bears scrutiny, and then there is... well... it is a place we might expect fewer lights to dim our eyes."

---

OOC:
Bartimaeus' route will take him past Vargarth's. If there is activity within, he'll knock. Otherwise, he'll continue to... the city's cemetery in the Roe, looking for a hill with few lights around.

Similar arrangement with Ailuros. Equipment will be has been updated re: what I have on me.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:19, Wed 14 Oct 2020.

In reply to Yshtar (msg # 30):

The book details the various tales and exploits of an adventuring group known as the Saltspire Seven. Having all met in the northern metropolis of the same name, the group began traveling together out of necessity; having all taken a mission together to slay a dangerous manticore that had been menacing the city’s trade routes. Having succeeded, they decided to stick together as a group for the better part of three decades.

Their adventures brought them all across Veltria, bringing them into contact with virtually every civilization and culture therein. Many of their exploits became well-known folk tales in the regions where they settled. The three individuals you are particularly interested in have their background described in detail, though much of the information is from decades back. You suspect this was written when they retired from adventuring, while they were still a bit younger than they are today.

Vernum Cartwright was a cunning strategist and master of virtually every weapon he’d ever laid eyes on. A unparalleled warrior with a bombastic tone and a love of battle, he was often the leader of the group when it came to combat. Hailing from Saltspire’s military complex, he was the only member of the group who had actual formal military training. It would go on to be a great boon for the party when they later found themselves leading an assault against the keep of a drow necromancer toward the end of their adventures; heading up the charge with nearly 300 other soldiers under their command.

Paula Shadesworn was the only member of the group not originally from Saltspire; hailing from a small fishing town from the southern end of Veltria’s eastern coastline. A cleric of a mysterious celestial being known simply as the Watcher. A master of barriers and a peerless healer, she was very much the heart of the group in both her combat role as well as her overall personality. Calm, kind, welcoming to a fault, she was ever the source of positivity and charity amongst the otherwise pragmatic group. A collector of arcane knowledge and various esoteric texts, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to assume running a library or archive would be her ideal vision for retirement.

Eddard Harper was what the Tenebrians refer to as a “spellsword.” A capable frontline fighter with a strong grasp on magic, he was a powerful asset on the battlefield; specializing in fighting multiple opponents at once. Able to turn allies against one another with merely a word, he could shift the tide of entire battles without rest. Personality-wise, however, he was always the most distant of the group; never really wanting to maintain much of a connection to the others. Cold, calculating, and with an overall no-nonsense way about him, you suspect a govrerning position like Lord of Trade would suit him well enough.

"I have never heard of your practices but I do miss my bed. Let's meet in the evening. I might share what I've found in the book."

With this she happily -and perhaps a bit mischievously- bid farewell to the insomniac priest and went into her room. It was acceptable - nothing fancy but free. On the continent with her lifestyle not a lot of men offered their bed nor to rent Yshtar a room so she was quite pleased for now. It is my lucky day after all. She went on reading.
She doffed her armor marveling how clean it was - just like always. Later when lunchtime came she was pleasantly surprised by the food provided and while the young woman did catch a glimpse of Bartimaeus she decided not to bother him. In fact he looked like in a trance and Yshtar did not want to go anywhere near the suspicious steaming mug he was hugging. Returning her room she continued reading the book which was actually quite intriguing: The Saltspire Seven apparently had a much more interesting life she will ever have.
The agitated knocking in the evening surprised her somewhat but not entirely. She appeared in full gear when opening the door.

"Hello Bartimaeus. My day was not bad thank you. I hope the Veltrian crusader did not pester you this time?" She smiled. "So our goal is the cemetary? A very...poetic place to watch the stars. I would have thought there are quieter places around the city but you don't have to explain yourself. I assume the angle of the mound in the middle of the cemetary provides a measure that compensates for the alignment of the stars this evening so you can make optimal measurements?"

Shall we continue in the cemetery?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:16, Thu 15 Oct 2020.

Waterfront ---> Town Square - Adventurer's Guild

Vela came in with the Goliath woman Mitgira. Both looked like they had been in a good scuffle but neither of them showed much discomfort at that. The half-orc never entered the adventurer's guild before however, and she took the chance to look about..

Tegan had noted the clouds or fog bank that seemed to be situated over Tideswallow before he reached the city's wall, and briefly wondered whether that was some sort of an omen. After a moment's thought, he pushed that thought aside, reasoning that it was likely just some sea-fog that had rolled in off of the harbor. ~Could be worse,~ he thought to himself. ~I'll take a little fog over slogging through the rain any day.~

He thought back to the previous day's travel, when he marched along on a perfect fall day, under a cloudless sky of cerulean blue. He remembered that word specifically, having complimented a lady wearing a dress of that shade shortly before leaving Saltspire. "Begging your pardon, milady, but I could not help but notice how stunning you look in that shade of blue," he had said, sketching a bow.

"Cerulean," she clarified, flashing him a dazzling smile. "And it matches your eyes quite nicely also, good sir."

Not long after that he had bought a tabard to wear over his armor -- it did not match the shade of the lady's dress precisely, but 'twas close. Sadly, he did not see the woman again before leaving Saltspire, so he could not show off his new purchase and flatter her as being the inspiration for it.

As he neared the city gate on the road from Scarborough-at-the-Crossroads, Tegan noted that foot-traffic was passing freely into and out of the city, but that surprisingly enough -- to him, at least -- he did not see any City Guards posted there. ~Could be that the big Imperial encampment a short ways back up the road has something to do with Tideswallow's easy-breezy attitude about manning the gates,~ he thought to himself.

Once he passed through the gate, Tegan did see some Guards walking the ramparts on the wall above him, but they did not seem especially interested in the foot traffic down below them.

Perhaps ten or fifteen paces inside the gate, a young street urchin took his ease in the shade, leaning back against a large stack of wooden crates. The youngster looked Tegan up and down, then quickly pushed himself away from his resting-place and glided over to the Half-Elf.

"G'day to ye, sir. Can I int'rest ye in a brand-spankin' new map of our fine city? Guaranteed accurate, sir!"

Tegan smiled. "And how much coin will I need to part with in order to gain ownership of this wondrous map, hmmmm?"

"Why, only one thin Silver Dragon, sir! 'Tis a bargain at five times the price, truly! Only one left -- ye'd best act quickly, sir, lest ye be left wanderin' 'round in the fog, not knowin' yer bleedin' way."

The fact that the urchin was asking a silver piece for the map told Tegan that it was most likely worth about a copper -- if that -- and for a moment he considered bargaining the lad down, just to keep in practice. But he decided soon enough that a silver was worth a lot more to this youngster than it was to him. ~And so what if he thinks me an easy mark? Let him feel good about duping me.~

Seeing Tegan hesitate, the urchin quickly added "It was drawed by the master map-maker, ummm . . . Ink-Spot Drawsalot, sir. Ye won't find a map this good nowhere else in the city, believe you me!"

With a chuckle, Tegan pulled a silver piece out of his belt-pouch and flipped it to the urchin, who, showing surprising dexterity, grabbed it out of the air and took off running.

"Hoi!! My map!" shouted Tegan. It was one thing to overpay for the map, but 'twas something else again to receive naught at all for his coin. But by now the fleet-footed youngster was long gone, having disappeared around a corner after holding up a hand and flashing a rude gesture in the Half-Elf's direction.

Tegan couldn't help but chuckle again, this time at himself. ~Welcome to Tideswallow, rube. Anyone watching that would think me a right and proper hayseed, just in from the countryside.~

In all truth, Tegan did not really know where he should go, now that he had reached the city. Since before leaving Saltspire, he had been having various vague feelings,  dreams, and visions that had all been hinting that he should come to this place, and should seek someone out. But all of the various hints had always ended before the identity of that someone had been revealed to him.

Tegan turned in a circle and glanced at the nearby buildings, but did not glean any hints from having done so. ~Might as well head for the Town Square,~ he decided. ~If this place is anything like Saltspire, there should be some job boards there, with town criers wandering through, along and along. Mayhap I will find something there that will help me find whatever -- whoever -- I am supposed to be looking for.~

And soon enough, after asking directions three or four times and taking a few wrong turns, Tegan found himself in what the locals called the "Town Square District" . . .

---

OOC: Subject to the DM's approval, I will write Tegan's spoken words in blue, and his unspoken thoughts in gray and italics. His thoughts are bracketed by tildes (~) instead of the quotation marks that are used for his spoken words.

A quick glance around the square reveals a plethora life and a few locations of interest. While no criers appear to be present here, you do see a job board situated in front of a massive wooden building which appears to be built from the hulls of several beached ships.

 Not far from it you see a junk shop with its door wide open.

The remnants of some sort of market from the previous day appear to be being hauled away from the center of the square. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think one might be able to seek employment moving the remaining crates, stalls, and stage components.

Several temples stand tall amidst the otherwise stoutly-built buildings around them. The grandest you are instantly certain belongs to the congregation of Amaunator, but the others would require closer inspection to determine the theology of. A few small shrines are similarly located seemingly at random in alcove and alleyways around the square.

A few city guards patrol the various corners and you see a pair of fully outfitted Tenebrian guardsmen (though of what rank or regiment you can’t say as their uniforms appear to be devoid of any such markings) wandering off toward the docks.

---

Seems to be in order. Carry on as intended!

After arriving at the town square, Tegan moved to the center of it, and peered this way and that. From the looks of things, it seemed that there had been some sort of a happening held here within the last day or so -- plenty of trash still littered the ground, and here and there various leftover items (lumber, canvas, ropes, and crates containing who-knows-what) were still being hauled off by disinterested-looking laborers.

~Well, I see no criers loudly proclaiming 'Step right up! This way to your mystery man!' And if I were a betting man, I'd wager that none of the placards and advertisements tacked up  on that job board over there provide any sort of guidance, either. On the plus side of the ledger, there is no throng of street urchins clamoring to sell me things, only to flick me off and dash away once they have my coin in hand.~

His eyes attracted by the movement, Tegan absently gazed at the city guards who were seemingly making their rounds, and two Imperials whom the Half-Elf supposed were likely on Leave from their encampment, having ventured into the city looking for a little entertainment. ~No doubt they can find something here that interests them, although I suspect that they will have better luck finding what they seek once night sets in.~

But neither variety of men-at-arms paid him any mind, at least insofar as he could tell -- so he shrugged and turned his attention elsewhere, as well. ~A big man in full plate is not likely to be attempting to sneak about and do any cut-purse work or try for any five-fingered discounts, I suppose. And if I am not making trouble, then I am not worth their attention . . . probably just as well.~

For lack of anything better to do, Tegan began pacing around the square, stopping briefly at each holy shrine that he came to. His plan was to visit the small shrines first, and then to make his way over to the larger temples, hoping for . . . something . . . some sort of hint of guidance or inspiration.

~Eh, 'tis a plan, a way to begin,~ he thought to himself. ~Whether or not 'tis a good one remains to be seen.~
This message was last edited by the player at 17:09, Thu 29 Oct 2020.

In reply to Tegan (msg # 37):

Looming over the rest of the square stands the massive stone cathedral that acts as the temple to the sun god Amaunator. Easily the most widely worshiped and recognizable of the various deities you see represented around the square, his temple currently seems to be under a bit of construction; with some scaffolding running up one of the five towering spires that mark the corners of the structure. After some quick study of the work going on upon it, you suspect it’s likely just a refurbishing project rather than anything majorly in the way of new construction.

Beyond this you spot a more humble, but still quite impressive, temple to Bahamut. The Platinum Dragon’s temple is built like a small citadel, with an outer wall, a portcullis which worshippers must pass under, and maze of stone structures within housing the various altars and prayer chambers. You spot a pair of plate-clad paladins standing vigil at the entrance beside the portcullis.

From there it’s easy to see the defunct structure that was once a house of worship for three gods of death: the Raven Queen, Kelemvor, and a symbol you’re unfamiliar, made of a simple empty hooded cloak with a sword pointing down amidst its folds. The building itself seems abandoned. Unattended by clergy and worshippers alike.

Finally, you see a temple to dedicated to the Seldarine, what you know to be the elven pantheon as a whole. You’re familiar enough, as most with elf blood in their veins are in Veltria, of the prominence that these gods once held. Now their worship is less a matter of direct connection and more one of simple tradition. A way of holding on to old teaching that might have otherwise been lost to time and diaspora as the elven clans spread further and further from one another. This temple seems fairly well visited, though it is currently not anywhere near as busy as the Platinum Dragon’s or Amaunator’s.

You spot the occasional shrine to lesser gods in the shadows as well as you go. A few of these you recognize. The Moonweaver. Iomedae. Serenrae. Torag. Pharasma. All gods long considered dead or departed in the Tenebrian Empire, but here they appear to still have their worshippers. Small though their congregation may be...
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:10, Fri 30 Oct 2020.

Tegan made his circuit around the perimeter of the town square, stopping for a moment in front of each shrine or temple. He hoped for some sort of a sign or signal from his Patron or their agent -- a flash of radiant light, a whisper in his ear (or his head), a scarce-felt touch when no one was visible nearby. But . . . nothing.

He was a little disappointed, but in truth, had not really expected it to be all that easy or simple. It was one of Mains' favorite sayings, to the effect that anything worth having must first be earned. ~Which leaves me wondering what I needs must do as the next step in my . . . my what? My proving? Mayhap . . .~

The Half-Elf took a deep breath and paced back to the center of the square. ~Well, 'twas a logical and reasonable effort, methinks. But, alas, I've nothing to show for it. Eh, mayhap logic and reason are not the keys needed to unlock this puzzle.~

Tegan glanced around the square and noticed what appeared to be a junk shop which had its doors propped invitingly wide open.

~Well, why not?~ he thought to himself. ~It has long been said that one man's trash is another man's treasure. And from what I have seen from the architecture, this place has deep roots . . . old roots. Who know what I might find in a place like that . . . mayhap something long since thought useless, but which in the right hands might useful many times over.~

With such thoughts in mind, Tegan turned towards the junk shop and began striding purposefully towards it . . .

In reply to Tegan (msg # 39):

From the outside the shop appears to be little more than a hexagonal, one-room cottage-like structure; rustic and simple in its design. Inside, however... it appears exactly the same, as far as how it’s built, but the interior is positively packed with all manner of useless or tossed aside junk one could ever hope to cram into such an unassuming hovel. Through the open door and the large windows out front, you can see piles of discarded items, broken trinkets, and unsorted oceans of forgotten goods; all surrounding an oval-shaped counter in the center of the room where a single elderly gnome is currently napping. Shelves stuffed with cascading avalanches of battered books, parchments, and knickknacks line almost every wall, aside from those where a window looks out toward eith the street or the U-shaped alleyway wrapping around and behind the building.

In reply to GM (msg # 40):

When Tegan entered the shop, he was a little surprised not to hear the tinkle of a small bell announcing the arrival of a potential customer. ~He certainly is a trusting sort,~ he thought to himself when he spied the elderly sleeping Gnome. ~Must not get too many sorts like that scamp who offered to sell me a city map coming in here.~

Not wishing to startle the Gnome -- but also not wishing to have the fellow suddenly wake up, only to find himself cheek by jowl with an unannounced newcomer wearing plate mail -- Tegan cleared his throat as many times as it took to get the sleeping shopkeeper's attention ...

In reply to Tegan (msg # 41):

The gnome awakes immediately with a start, whipping a crossbow almost as big as he is out form under the counter. “PUT IT BACK YOU LITTLE WI- oh. Oh hello there... you’re not a thief are you?” His voice is raspy, gritty, and still a little groggy... just generally old sounding.

In reply to GM (msg # 42):

Tegan raised both of his hands in a "I surrender" gesture. He knew a crossbow to be a powerful weapon, and reasoned that at this short range, a bolt would likely penetrate even his plate mail if it scored a solid hit.

He smiled in response to the Gnome's conclusion. "Nay, not a thief. Just a browser."

"You don't mind browsers, do you?"

In reply to Tegan (msg # 43):

“Oh... oh well that’s different then. Welcome! Please, browse to your heart’s content. Just be sure to put everything back EXACTLY where you found it when you’re done.” He gestures to the massive piles of junk with a very serious expression. You legitimately can’t tell if he’s joking or not and are becoming more and more certain that he isn’t.

In reply to GM (msg # 44):

Tegan very slowly lowered his hands, watching the Gnome quite closely to make certain that he did not have an issue with this. The little fellows request -- warning, whatever -- made it clear enough that the Half-Elf was safe in doing so, for how could one touch things and pick them up if he kept his hands raised up into the air.

Glancing around the interior of the store, Tegan muttered "Very impressive." He refrained from adding the rest of what he was thinking -- something along the lines of ~It's the most junk that I've ever seen in one place in my whole, entire life.~

"How long has it taken you assemble all this?" ~. . . this junk . . .~ the Half-Elf asked as he began to pace down one of the aisles. His plan was not to touch anything, so that he would not be under pressure to put it back EXACTLY as he had found it.

"I can see how things getting put back in the wrong place could be quite a problem," he said. "I'm sure that you have everything organized EXACTLY the way that it should be."

It was all that he could do not to shout "Chaos!" as he plunged his arm up to the elbow into a massive pile of junk on one of the shelves and sweep it all onto the floor.

But that would be destructive and mean, and would probably destroy the little fellow's sense of order and organization . . . plus, there was the matter of that crossbow.

In reply to Tegan (msg # 45):

“Oh this has been a life long pursuit. Built up this collection over years and years. Please, take your time. It’s all very well catalogued and... um... one of those other, similar words... organized, yes, that one!”

---

Go ahead and make an investigation check if you’re looking for anything in particular (doesnt have to be anything specific, just a general type of thing you want to search for). Otherwise, go ahead and just roll a d20.