That-Shop-That-Was-Not-There-Yesterday Quest
- Thread starter Vocalend
- Start date
- Original
zero_breaker
Anti-Anti-Procrastination Decisive Weapon
- Location
- Buried in work
[X] The Wizard's Shelf
[X] Think of the intricate restraint mandala layered under the store. Your talents with magic are not very good, but proverbially pulling the trigger of a metaphysical net enough to restrain a Greater Dragon is as easy as breathing.
Going for defensive measure first.
whaddayamean, im just there procrastinating and doing nothing else
[X] Think of the intricate restraint mandala layered under the store. Your talents with magic are not very good, but proverbially pulling the trigger of a metaphysical net enough to restrain a Greater Dragon is as easy as breathing.
Going for defensive measure first.
- Location
- Germany
[X] The Wizard's Shelf
[X] Reach for your left arm gauntlet. Normally, it is but a 'normal' gauntlet, tempered and enchanted to stop a keen edge of a sword from cutting through. But you had attached a Void Crossbow, a weapon hidden in a sheathed dimension, with arrows custom-made to seek and devour magic intended to harm its wielder.
I'm not sure if humanoid fingered drakes are adorable or creepy. I kind of want one either way.
[X] Reach for your left arm gauntlet. Normally, it is but a 'normal' gauntlet, tempered and enchanted to stop a keen edge of a sword from cutting through. But you had attached a Void Crossbow, a weapon hidden in a sheathed dimension, with arrows custom-made to seek and devour magic intended to harm its wielder.
I'm not sure if humanoid fingered drakes are adorable or creepy. I kind of want one either way.
- Location
- italy bologna
[X] The Wizard's Shelf
[X] Reach for your left arm gauntlet. Normally, it is but a 'normal' gauntlet, tempered and enchanted to stop a keen edge of a sword from cutting through. But you had attached a Void Crossbow, a weapon hidden in a sheathed dimension, with arrows custom-made to seek and devour magic intended to harm its wielder.
[X] Reach for your left arm gauntlet. Normally, it is but a 'normal' gauntlet, tempered and enchanted to stop a keen edge of a sword from cutting through. But you had attached a Void Crossbow, a weapon hidden in a sheathed dimension, with arrows custom-made to seek and devour magic intended to harm its wielder.
- Location
- St. Petersburg
[x] Reach for your left arm gauntlet. Normally, it is but a 'normal' gauntlet, tempered and enchanted to stop a keen edge of a sword from cutting through. But you had attached a Void Crossbow, a weapon hidden in a sheathed dimension, with arrows custom-made to seek and devour magic intended to harm its wielder.
[X] The Wizard's Shelf
[X] Think of the intricate restraint mandala layered under the store. Your talents with magic are not very good, but proverbially pulling the trigger of a metaphysical net enough to restrain a Greater Dragon is as easy as breathing.
Look at it this way, once we have an attacker restrained they can always become products.
[X] Think of the intricate restraint mandala layered under the store. Your talents with magic are not very good, but proverbially pulling the trigger of a metaphysical net enough to restrain a Greater Dragon is as easy as breathing.
Look at it this way, once we have an attacker restrained they can always become products.
- Location
- Sydney
[X] The Wizard's Shelf
[X] Think of the intricate restraint mandala layered under the store. Your talents with magic are not very good, but proverbially pulling the trigger of a metaphysical net enough to restrain a Greater Dragon is as easy as breathing.
DarkKing98
Certified Village Idiot
- Location
- USA
This quest looks interesting! We shall become the best shopkeeper ever!
Oh such a swell quest idea. I hope this will be wonderful.
CharGen Part 3
[X] Think of the intricate restraint mandala layered under the store. Your talents with magic are not very good, but proverbially pulling the trigger of a metaphysical net enough to restrain a Greater Dragon is as easy as breathing.
---
As you thought of the restraint mandala, the customer raised a placating hand. "Peace, shopkeeper. I mean no harm." You proverbially put your mind-finger off the trigger and to look at your customer more clearly. A fair-faced man with yellow hair and matching set of eyes pleaded on you. "My curse must have startled your sensibilities. W-whatever it is that you were going to pull on me, I implore you to not do it."
You have to admit, it's rare that a customer managed to startle you so. You...haven't exactly heard of such a curse, but it's not even the weirdest thing you've heard. "My bad then." You relaxed. "Must've been one hell of a curse, to be that impacting."
He chuckled wryly. "Y-Yes. Very." He continued to raise his hand as he walked to the counter. "I wish to sell an item I found in my travels. It's magical in nature and a lot of people pointed to this shop if one wishes to trade in a respectable manner."
"Hum, sure. Hand me over the item then."
The customer, who you note to be wearing a yellow traveling cloak, presented a small plain leather sack from behind him. Opening the rope wrapping, you slowly reveal the item in question. It was then that you let out a low whistle.
That of course, without mentioning the set piece of the ring in question.
Without a doubt, this is the eye of the prize. A fingernail sized yellow gem... er... Citrine? No wait, tourmaline. Yes, that would fit the colour scheme. A beautifully cut product that simply dazzles the eye. Even discounting any magical potential or capability, this ring already fetched a heavy price.
... or for example, if it truly is a high-grade magical ring.
Your stopped yourself from salivating openly and looked at the readings from the lenses, visible only to your eyes. The tourmaline is infused with enough mana to single-handedly channel a Meteor spell. The engravings around the ring themselves seems to be made in Ghriz, one of the obscure branches of the Magic Language, ensuring that any mana channeled would be amplified through. From what is seen, some of these scripts are unidentified.... yet the entire array works perfectly. Not to mention the gem does not show signs of being full yet. A-an-
"Miss, are you alright?"
Oh no, you're actually salivating.
"Er, not quite. I am a treasure miner, see. Part of the reason I got this curse was that I had dug too deep at times. During one of my excavation attempts, I found this ring. It certainly looks nice, but I can sense magic enough that this has more worth and I pocketed this until I gone to the Citadel and long story short, here I am. So, how much is it worth?"
"Well..."
[] Undersell it. He does not the true worth of the item, let it be so. You could fetch a great profit out of this and gouge the price up.
[] Let's not be a greedy girl. Explain the approximate worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
[O]Let's be completely honest about its worth. This would take a lot of your money from the treasury, but you'd break more than even anyway. You're a merchant. If you're not playing for money, you should just be a farmer. Blocked by existing Paradigm.
---
As you thought of the restraint mandala, the customer raised a placating hand. "Peace, shopkeeper. I mean no harm." You proverbially put your mind-finger off the trigger and to look at your customer more clearly. A fair-faced man with yellow hair and matching set of eyes pleaded on you. "My curse must have startled your sensibilities. W-whatever it is that you were going to pull on me, I implore you to not do it."
You have to admit, it's rare that a customer managed to startle you so. You...haven't exactly heard of such a curse, but it's not even the weirdest thing you've heard. "My bad then." You relaxed. "Must've been one hell of a curse, to be that impacting."
He chuckled wryly. "Y-Yes. Very." He continued to raise his hand as he walked to the counter. "I wish to sell an item I found in my travels. It's magical in nature and a lot of people pointed to this shop if one wishes to trade in a respectable manner."
"Hum, sure. Hand me over the item then."
As a trader, one needs to know all manners of details about the items that would be bought and sold. As such, you are to appraise the items in question. To appraise an item, Analytical Paradigm is used. This would reveal details and Qualities regarding the appraised item in question. Depending on the Analytical Paradigm used, different details or Qualities may be revealed... or give complete misinformation.
In the current state of the Quest, aside from narrative benefits of the items themselves, there are two relevant stats attached to Qualities:
In the current state of the Quest, aside from narrative benefits of the items themselves, there are two relevant stats attached to Qualities:
Price: This dictates the 'worth' of an item. Though the seller sets the price of the items, this stat works to identify if the selling price attached to the item is higher or lower than its closest 'objective' worth.
Desirability: This dictates the overall 'want' factor of an item. Attached to an item, this stat is dependent on a person's Paradigms. For example, a rogue would have no need for a battle axe, but a warrior would, and to a lesser extent, a woodcutter would buy it if given no alternatives. That said, though different Paradigms modify whether someone would be inclined to buy something for a huge price tag, if the price is right (and low enough), anyone would buy anything.
Desirability: This dictates the overall 'want' factor of an item. Attached to an item, this stat is dependent on a person's Paradigms. For example, a rogue would have no need for a battle axe, but a warrior would, and to a lesser extent, a woodcutter would buy it if given no alternatives. That said, though different Paradigms modify whether someone would be inclined to buy something for a huge price tag, if the price is right (and low enough), anyone would buy anything.
The customer, who you note to be wearing a yellow traveling cloak, presented a small plain leather sack from behind him. Opening the rope wrapping, you slowly reveal the item in question. It was then that you let out a low whistle.
An ornate ring of sorts is displayed in front of you. The ring itself is of excellent make. You see etchings and engravings inlaid around the inner and outer layer of it. These etchings themselves seemingly have been enchanted, glowing in a rainbow gradient that, while certainly looks extravagant, does not hurt the eyes at all despite the flashing to the eyes.
That of course, without mentioning the set piece of the ring in question.
Without a doubt, this is the eye of the prize. A fingernail sized yellow gem... er... Citrine? No wait, tourmaline. Yes, that would fit the colour scheme. A beautifully cut product that simply dazzles the eye. Even discounting any magical potential or capability, this ring already fetched a heavy price.
Of course, you're not here to simply appraise its normal qualities. The Wizard's Shelf is far more than that.
Using a series of mind link commands, an array of lenses fly off to the air above the ring. Another command activated a mandala on the counter, catching the ring in the circle and letting it float mid-air. As it did, the lenses spun around. For his part, the man fidgets nervously, looking at the lenses with concern. Well, he has the right to be, those could detect quite a wide array of magic systems and its workings. For example, if the ring happens to just be a fake simulacra, you'd know and he'd walk away with nothing. Or for example....
... or for example, if it truly is a high-grade magical ring.
Your stopped yourself from salivating openly and looked at the readings from the lenses, visible only to your eyes. The tourmaline is infused with enough mana to single-handedly channel a Meteor spell. The engravings around the ring themselves seems to be made in Ghriz, one of the obscure branches of the Magic Language, ensuring that any mana channeled would be amplified through. From what is seen, some of these scripts are unidentified.... yet the entire array works perfectly. Not to mention the gem does not show signs of being full yet. A-an-
"Miss, are you alright?"
Oh no, you're actually salivating.
You wipe your mouth. "Y-yes. And er, you said you found this on your travels?"
"Er, not quite. I am a treasure miner, see. Part of the reason I got this curse was that I had dug too deep at times. During one of my excavation attempts, I found this ring. It certainly looks nice, but I can sense magic enough that this has more worth and I pocketed this until I gone to the Citadel and long story short, here I am. So, how much is it worth?"
"Well..."
[] Undersell it. He does not the true worth of the item, let it be so. You could fetch a great profit out of this and gouge the price up.
[] Let's not be a greedy girl. Explain the approximate worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
[O]
DarkKing98
Certified Village Idiot
- Location
- USA
[X] Let's not be a greedy girl. Explain the approximate worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
Lets be somewhat fair. Or else we get angry customers if they know we are trying to practically steal from them.
Lets be somewhat fair. Or else we get angry customers if they know we are trying to practically steal from them.
BungieONI
Seven gremlins in a trench coat
- Location
- Lickwidget
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Let's not be a greedy girl. Explain the approximate worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
Being known for helpfulness and reliability in a merchant is useful, and as a treasure miner he probably has some interesting connections which can get this at a more accurate price.
Being known for helpfulness and reliability in a merchant is useful, and as a treasure miner he probably has some interesting connections which can get this at a more accurate price.
Ultramandalore
Errant Quester
- Location
- just south of Parts Unknown
[X] Let's not be a greedy girl. Explain the approximate worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
[X] Let's not be a greedy girl. Explain the approximate worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
Let's not ruin our rep.
- Location
- Somewhere else
[X] Let's not be a greedy girl. Explain the approximate worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
- Location
- Somewhere
[X] Let's not be a greedy girl. Explain the approximate worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
- Location
- Sydney
[X] Let's not be a greedy girl. Explain the approximate worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
zero_breaker
Anti-Anti-Procrastination Decisive Weapon
- Location
- Buried in work
[X] Let's not be a greedy girl. Explain the approximate worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
ConfusedPotato
Unverified Verifier
- Location
- Australia
[X] Let's
not
be a greedy girl. Explain the
approximate
worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
CharGen Part 4
[X] Let's not be a greedy girl. Explain the approximate worth of the ring. Making a clean profit out of this is easy enough, knowing your contacts.
---
For a moment, you thought to stoop low enough to essentially scam the man out of his ring. But no. You're better than that.
You'll just somewhat scam him instead. Better for your conscience and still net you money.
"Well, for one thing, you hit the absolute jackpot with the ring." You explained as you disable the array of lenses and the floating panel that held the ring afloat. "This is a very damn valuable ring, discounting everything."
"Oh?" The treasurer miner smiled jovially. "How valuable?"
"Enough to hire a Chronomagus to cast a Temporal Bubble to look to the past for buried treasure." At that, his yellow eyes glittered like the tourmaline ring on the counter. Good, hook and line set. "That's without the magical factor."
"A-and what happens if you add that factor in?" And no need to even use a sinker.
"Well, you could hire out two Chronomagus instead. The sapphire gem is a very good mana conduit, very conducive to mana transfer and could store a large amount of mana."
The man frowned, "Sapphire? Yellow at that?"
You nodded, keeping your expression straight. "Yup. Rarer than normal blue sapphire, part of the reason the entire ring is expensive."
"Ah, and the engravings?"
"Ornamental in purpose.... for the most part. The array contains hermetical patterns that helps channel the prana containment, but most are used to make the entire ring lit up like a rainbow."
"That complex?"
"Yes, that complex." You grinned, knowing the deal is finished. "Do you accept cheque? I don't have enough money to pay for the ring upfront."
"Written contract, actually." He went to rummage his pockets and you had to suffer a little bit of panic as the curse manifested. "Finders Keepers law for found artifacts means that I have to, often enough, track everything about how I found it and the like. It is very fussy, but I kinda need to do it." You nodded at that, a bit of a fuss to deal with when it was your turn to find stuffs at abandoned cairns and the like. Possession laws are tricky to deal with when the spectres of the previous owners are willing to back up their claims on sword point. "I pretty much filled all the forms and now just have to need you to sign the contract for me to hand the ring over, alongside the payment amount." He presented to you a stack of paper sheafs. He paused before inhaling a deep breath.
"I solemnly swear to the Goddess of Truth, Visve that all the informations in here are fully correct as well would never harm those that were to sign the letter. May she smite me if I err even a single letter."
You paused. You can sense the world around pausing alongside you. Of the Pantheon, invoking Visve is the last thing anyone would try to do, partly because she is fickle and exacting and partly because any invocation has a chance of smiting you even if you were true. Her followers said that if you are telling the truth, you don't need to prove it in her name anyway as truth will, according to them, win out.
The man in front of you is definitely mad. Then again, he's a treasure miner.
The moment passed and the man is not at all smote down. "Now that that is done with, shall we sign it in?"
"...Yes we shall." You paused. "You're not even negotiating with me on the price?"
He smiled. "Not at all, they say you're one of the trustable traders in this town, so I will take your offer to hire Chronomages for my ventures. Set your price."
You considered that for a moment. And feel your conscience rebelling, slightly so, at his display of honestly and gullibility. It passed easily before you sign in the note. 400 Gils. That's more than you have on hand. Still, very much an item to behold.
He smiled cheerfully as he extended his arm to you. "That indeed, is true. I hope we can continue to meet again, my travels takes me quite far, you see."
You grinned back before extending your hand to shake his. "Likewise, I hope you can bring me more of these."
He nodded. "See you then," He looked at the letter. "Miss Alicia. May the fortunes be in your side." With that, he left the shop with the clinging of the bell.
You exhaled a sigh of contentment. Another transaction finished~ You picked up the ring. "Truly, Alicia, you have done i-"
That was when the world exploded around you. You had barely a thought as the ring flashed yellow and you're taken to blindness. You feel as if your eyes boiled on spot as white vision turned black. Accompanying it, a crescendo of pure sound assaulted your ears and that took you to deafness.
And that was when you lost consciousness.
---
From the top of the tallest building on the spire, you looked down. The shop had truly disappeared then. The entire space around the Wizard's Shelf had truly been displaced. You note the unfortunate man that had crossed to close to the threshold. He's entirely without his left arm now. He'll live though, nothing this world's magic couldn't fix.
"Well then, I guess we'll see each other someday, Miss Alicia." And with that, you vanished.
---
For a moment, you thought to stoop low enough to essentially scam the man out of his ring. But no. You're better than that.
You'll just somewhat scam him instead. Better for your conscience and still net you money.
"Well, for one thing, you hit the absolute jackpot with the ring." You explained as you disable the array of lenses and the floating panel that held the ring afloat. "This is a very damn valuable ring, discounting everything."
"Oh?" The treasurer miner smiled jovially. "How valuable?"
"Enough to hire a Chronomagus to cast a Temporal Bubble to look to the past for buried treasure." At that, his yellow eyes glittered like the tourmaline ring on the counter. Good, hook and line set. "That's without the magical factor."
"A-and what happens if you add that factor in?" And no need to even use a sinker.
"Well, you could hire out two Chronomagus instead. The sapphire gem is a very good mana conduit, very conducive to mana transfer and could store a large amount of mana."
The man frowned, "Sapphire? Yellow at that?"
You nodded, keeping your expression straight. "Yup. Rarer than normal blue sapphire, part of the reason the entire ring is expensive."
"Ah, and the engravings?"
"Ornamental in purpose.... for the most part. The array contains hermetical patterns that helps channel the prana containment, but most are used to make the entire ring lit up like a rainbow."
"That complex?"
"Yes, that complex." You grinned, knowing the deal is finished. "Do you accept cheque? I don't have enough money to pay for the ring upfront."
"Written contract, actually." He went to rummage his pockets and you had to suffer a little bit of panic as the curse manifested. "Finders Keepers law for found artifacts means that I have to, often enough, track everything about how I found it and the like. It is very fussy, but I kinda need to do it." You nodded at that, a bit of a fuss to deal with when it was your turn to find stuffs at abandoned cairns and the like. Possession laws are tricky to deal with when the spectres of the previous owners are willing to back up their claims on sword point. "I pretty much filled all the forms and now just have to need you to sign the contract for me to hand the ring over, alongside the payment amount." He presented to you a stack of paper sheafs. He paused before inhaling a deep breath.
"I solemnly swear to the Goddess of Truth, Visve that all the informations in here are fully correct as well would never harm those that were to sign the letter. May she smite me if I err even a single letter."
You paused. You can sense the world around pausing alongside you. Of the Pantheon, invoking Visve is the last thing anyone would try to do, partly because she is fickle and exacting and partly because any invocation has a chance of smiting you even if you were true. Her followers said that if you are telling the truth, you don't need to prove it in her name anyway as truth will, according to them, win out.
The man in front of you is definitely mad. Then again, he's a treasure miner.
The moment passed and the man is not at all smote down. "Now that that is done with, shall we sign it in?"
"...Yes we shall." You paused. "You're not even negotiating with me on the price?"
He smiled. "Not at all, they say you're one of the trustable traders in this town, so I will take your offer to hire Chronomages for my ventures. Set your price."
You considered that for a moment. And feel your conscience rebelling, slightly so, at his display of honestly and gullibility. It passed easily before you sign in the note. 400 Gils. That's more than you have on hand. Still, very much an item to behold.
After that, you sign in your name, Alicia Lemongrass. Done. "The contract is sealed."
He smiled cheerfully as he extended his arm to you. "That indeed, is true. I hope we can continue to meet again, my travels takes me quite far, you see."
You grinned back before extending your hand to shake his. "Likewise, I hope you can bring me more of these."
He nodded. "See you then," He looked at the letter. "Miss Alicia. May the fortunes be in your side." With that, he left the shop with the clinging of the bell.
You exhaled a sigh of contentment. Another transaction finished~ You picked up the ring. "Truly, Alicia, you have done i-"
That was when the world exploded around you. You had barely a thought as the ring flashed yellow and you're taken to blindness. You feel as if your eyes boiled on spot as white vision turned black. Accompanying it, a crescendo of pure sound assaulted your ears and that took you to deafness.
And that was when you lost consciousness.
---
From the top of the tallest building on the spire, you looked down. The shop had truly disappeared then. The entire space around the Wizard's Shelf had truly been displaced. You note the unfortunate man that had crossed to close to the threshold. He's entirely without his left arm now. He'll live though, nothing this world's magic couldn't fix.
"Well then, I guess we'll see each other someday, Miss Alicia." And with that, you vanished.