The Dragons Bane

Meeting up outside the tower of the mages, we discuss what we will do with our money before we go into the store.

“Well, I only have 2500 gold pieces to spend, so I don’t think I am going to get very much,” comments Clernon.

“It be costin’ ye 2500 gold ta go ta yer next level?” exclaims Delgar.

“And you were complaining about the 1000 gold that the fighters guild charged you!” teases Seldor.

“Well, I be lookin’ fer a better weapon,” says Dimlar, “mayhaps I be tradin’ in me hammer.”

“I would like something that would let me talk with my beautiful bride, no matter how far apart we are.” This causes a few laughs and chuckles.

“I’ve been thinking about some better armor, but I hear it is expensive,” says Seldor.

“That’s what I was told, but I was also told that I can commission some armor by placing a deposit on it,” replies Clernon.

“That is true, you may also put money down on any item in the shop, but you must place at least 20 percent down and you must pay something on it every time you return from the dungeon. In fact, I hope to pick up an item that I have been paying on for quite some time,” Mizdar informs us.

“Are we ready yet?” asks Nordok, impatient to get back to his new bride.

“Aye, ‘tis time ta be havin’ some fun spendin’ me money!” states Delgar.

We all proceed through the door of the tower, some of us for the first time.

“Wow, it’s bigger on the inside than it is on the outside!” exclaims Nordok, his voice filled with wonder.

The gray haired clerk sitting behind his desk, accustomed to such outbursts from people on their first visit to the tower, greets us without any indication that he heard Nordok’s comment. “How may I help you?”

“We wish to visit the magic shop,” says Mizdar.

“You may proceed.”

We walk to the door behind him and enter the shop. Something peculiar happens, though. We each find ourselves alone in the shop, except for a shopkeeper.

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“Where did my companions go?” asks Nordok.

“They are here, in the shop, but each person’s business is conducted in private. What is your business today?”

“Umm, I guess I want to see what is available.” Nordok’s uncertainty is obvious to the shopkeeper.

“We have many things of interest to all. Please be more specific.”

“Is there anything that would let me talk with my new wife from far away?”

“The only items available that would allow you to do that can only be used by mages.”

“How about something that will let someone fly?”

“We have rings of flying and potions of flying.”

“How much for the ring?”

“10000 gold pieces.”

“Oh. How about a potion, then?”

“One potion of flying costs 800 gold pieces.”

“I’ll take one of them. What type of armor do you have?”

“We have several types of magical armor that will fit you. Magical platemail starts at 5000 gold pieces, magical splint starts at 4000 gold pieces.”

“How about long swords?”

“+1 long swords are 2000 gold pieces, each additional +1 costs another 2000 gold pieces.”

“Does that mean I can sell this +1 long sword for 2000 gold pieces?”

“To someone else, yes. But I can only give you 1800 gold pieces for it, we have to make a profit somehow.”

“Then I would like to sell my sword and buy a +2 long sword. I also want the potion of flying, and I want to put 1500 gold pieces down on the best armor that I can.”

“The best armor that a deposit of 1500 gold pieces will get you is +2 platemail.”

“That will do.”

“Ok, that is a total of 6300 gold pieces, less the 1800 gold pieces for your sword, leaves a total of 4500 gold pieces.”

“Mizdar has our voucher from the castle’s coffer, do I have to get the voucher from him?”

“No, not as long as he is in the shop. But you must sign here and here, though.” And the shopkeeper hands Nordok a quill and a piece of parchment that reiterates the transactions as well as a claim voucher.

“That’s easy enough,” says Nordok, as he signs both parchments.

“Please give me your sword.”

“Here you go.” Nordok then removes his sword and lays it on the table, where a voice, seemingly coming from the table, states what the item is. “+1 long sword.”

Removing the sword, the shopkeeper places it in a rack with other swords along the wall. He then pulls another long sword from the rack and places it on the table. “+2 long sword.” Nordok takes the sword and straps it around his waist. The shopkeeper then goes over to a shelving unit and returns with a flask, which he sets on the table. “Potion of flying.” Nordok takes the flask.

“I will need to measure you for the armor. Will you please step over here and stand up straight by the wall.”

Doing as he is told, Nordok stands against the wall.

At a command from the shopkeeper, several tape measures spring forth from the wall and get the required measurements for the armor before disappearing back into the wall.

“Is that all you need?” asks Nordok.

“Yes. Is there anything else that I can help you with?”

“No, that is all I can spend today.”

“Thankyou, it has been a pleasure doing business with you.” The shopkeeper then shows Nordok to the door. Nordok opens the door and goes through, finding himself outside the tower where some of the others are waiting.

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Seldor, finding himself alone, but figuring that this is how it is done, takes it all in stride.

“May I help you?”

“Yes, I wish to trade my sword for a better one.”

“Please place your sword on the table.”

Unbuckling the sword, Seldor places it on the table. “+1 long sword.”

“I can give you 1800 gold pieces for it.”

“Ok, that will give me a total of 6600 gold pieces to spend on a sword. What is the best sword that I can get with that?”

“I have a +3 long sword that you can have for 6000 gold pieces.”

“That will do nicely, I’ll take it.”

The shopkeeper then takes the long sword from the table and places it in a rack of other swords. Removing a different sword, he places it on the table. “+3 long sword.” The shopkeeper then nods to Seldor to take his new long sword. Taking the long sword, Seldor buckles it around his waist, adjusting it slightly.

“Now, how do I pay you?”

Producing a quill and a piece of parchment, the shopkeeper sets both in front of Seldor on the table. “Read and sign this.” A quick check of the parchment reveals that it states the transactions, followed by a place to sign. Signing his name, Seldor begins to hand the parchment back to the shopkeeper. “That is your receipt, you get to keep that.”

“Now you must please sign this claim voucher.” Seldor signs the voucher. “Is there anything else that I can help you with today?”

“Nope, I’m all set.”

“Thankyou for your patronage, come back soon.” The shopkeeper then escorts Seldor to the door. Opening the door and walking through, Seldor joins Delgar and Dimlar outside the tower, where, a moment later, a puzzled Nordok joins them.

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Delgar, well accustomed to the peculiarities of the tower, walks over to the table.

“How may I help you today?”

“I be here ta put money down on me armor.”

“How much do you wish to pay on your armor?”

“I wish ta pay an additional 3000 gold pieces on it, here be me copy of me receipt.”

“I see you owe 6000 currently on your +3 dwarven platemail. And now you wish to pay an additional 3000 gold pieces, that brings the total balance to 3000 gold pieces.”

“That be right.”

“Ok, let me update the records and your receipt.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you today?”

“Nay, I be havin’ other plans fer the rest of me money.”

“Very well, please sign this claim form,” the shopkeeper then hands the dwarf a parchment and quill. Signing his name at the bottom, the dwarf hands the parchment and quill back to the shopkeeper.

“Thank you for coming by, I hope you will be able to come back and get your armor soon.” The shopkeeper then shows the dwarf to the door. The dwarf exits the tower, where he waits for the rest.

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Dimlar walks through the door and proceeds to the waiting shopkeeper behind the table.

“How may I help you today?”

“I be wantin’ me hammer, an’ I be sellin’ this one.” Dimlar then sets his hammer on the table. “+1 war hammer.”

“I can give you 1600 gold pieces for it.”

“Aye, that be good nough. I only be owin’ 3200 gold pieces on me hammer, I be ready to pay the difference.”

“Very well.”

The shopkeeper then takes the hammer from the table and places it in a rack of other weapons. Removing another hammer from the rack, he places it on the table in front of the dwarf. “+3 dwarven war hammer.” Taking the hammer, Dimlar hangs it from his waist, opposite his short sword.

Producing his receipt, the dwarf places it on the table. The shopkeeper checks before marking it paid in full with his quill and handing it back. Producing another piece of parchment, he hands it to the dwarf, along with the quill.

“Please read and sign the claim voucher.” Dimlar checks the voucher before signing his name, authorizing the additional 1600 gold pieces to be drawn from the party’s account.

“Anything else that I can help you with?”

“Nay, but I may be back.”

“It has been a pleasure doing business with you, and I hope to see you again soon.” The shopkeeper then escorts the dwarf to the door. “Good day.”

“To ye also.” Dimlar then leaves through the door. Joining his brother, they wait for the others outside the tower.

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Mizdar, stepping through the door to the mage’s shop, greets the shopkeeper. “Hello, Tolkar, how is business today?”

“Well, it was a little slow, but something tells me that it is about to pick up considerably.”

“Yes, I believe you may be right. Here is the party’s voucher, we each have at most 5000 gold pieces to spend.”

“So, what can I do for you today?”

“Well, I believe I still owe 8000 gold pieces on my bracers, so I was thinking about picking them up, and I have a ring to sell, and I may want a new staff, as well.”

“Well, let’s start with the ring.”

Removing the ring of invisibility, Mizdar places it on the table. “Ring of invisibility.”

“I can give you 10000 gold pieces for it.”

“Fair enough, that leaves me 6000 gold pieces for a staff, after I pay off my bracers.”

“I had heard that you did real well this trip. I also wish to thank you for blinding that giant. It was a smart use of your spell. You saved my wife’s brother’s life when you did that, he told me all about it.”

“I didn’t know that there was anyone related to you traveling with us. Was he a member of the guard?”

“No, he was on the road crew. He isn’t the brightest of fellows, but he is all the family she has left. So to show you my appreciation, I have a deal for you. Just don’t go spreading it around, I can’t have people thinking I’m going soft.”

“I have a +3 staff that just came in yesterday. I will give it to you for 5000 gold pieces.”

“Really? Wow, that is a deal. I’ll take it. God knows I need a magic weapon, some of those creatures can’t be hit by normal weapons.”

“Well, between the bracers and the staff, you now should be the equal of the fighters in your party.”

“Not true. Delgar now has the strength of a giant.”

“Really? How did he manage to get that?”

“Well, we found this wall that had several creatures carved into it. One of them was a Thunder giant, and Delgar, being Delgar, just had to go and see what was up with the wall. He just happened to step in front of the giant’s carved image, next thing you know, he has the strength of a giant.”

“That’s some story, I wouldn’t mind stepping in front of the giant myself.”

“Unfortunately, the wall disappeared. What happened to it, I haven’t a clue. I have an appointment with Elrod later today to discuss it.”

“Well, if anyone knows about that wall, he does.”

“I hope so, because nobody else seems to.”

“Well, let me get you your bracers and staff.”

Removing the ring and placing it in a drawer, Tolkar then goes to a shelf and picks up a set of ornate bracers. Next he goes to the rack of staves and grabs one of them. Returning to the table, he places both on it. “Bracers bestowing armor of splintmail. +3 staff.”

“I’ll be needing your party’s voucher till the rest are done spending their money. Meantime, we can clear up your paperwork and you can tell me of your recent trip.” Mizdar and Tolkar talk about the recent trip to the dungeons while the rest of the party takes care of their business.

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Mintock, while never having actually been in the store, has had it explained to him, so he is aware of how it works. Going to the desk, he introduces himself before the shopkeeper can speak. “Hello, my name is Mintock. I would like to know what staves you have available today?”

“Well met, Mintock. I don’t believe I have had the honor of meeting you yet. My name is Tolkar, I run the magic shop.”

“Well met.”

“So you want to buy a staff. Well, I have quite a collection.”

“I also want to trade mine in. It is a +1 staff.”

“Well, how much money do you wish to spend?”

“Not more than 4000 gold pieces.”

“I can take your old +1 staff and your 4000 gold pieces and give you a +3 staff, if you want. That’s 200 gold pieces off the regular selling price of 6000 gold pieces because you are a fellow mage and this is your first time shopping with me. Interested?”

“It’s a deal.”

“Ok, just place your staff on the table so I can confirm what it is.”

Mintock does as requested. “+1 staff.” Removing the staff, Tolkar takes it to the rack of staves, he then picks out the new staff, and puts Mintock’s old staff in its place.

“My, but I seem to have too many staves. I may have to have a sale soon, just to get rid of some of them.” Placing Mintock’s new staff on the table, he reaches for a parchment and quill. “+3 staff.”

“Here is your receipt, and I need you to sign this claim voucher so I can draw the money from your party’s funds.” After signing the voucher, Mintock pockets the receipt and takes his new staff.

“Will there be anything else today?”

“No, I’m all set, thankyou.”

“The thanks are all mine, let me show you out.” As the two mages approach the door, Tolkar once again thanks Mintock. “Thank you again for your patronage, and feel free to come in any time, even if you aren’t interested in buying anything. I always enjoy hearing a good story.”

“I will.” And Mintock leaves through the door, joining the others.

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Clernon, not at all prepared for what he will find in the magic shop, stops just inside the door, his uncertainty evident on his face.

“Come in, and well met, cleric of the tree. What can I do for you today?”

“Well, I’m not sure. I was thinking about some armor, or maybe a weapon. And I was interested in possibly obtaining some healing potions.”

“Well, have you any magic items that you would like to sell?”

“Not really, in fact the only item I possess is an amulet, but I really don’t want to sell it. What type of armor do you have?”

“We have all types of armor. But the prices are kind of high. Perhaps I could interest you in a staff? I could give you a good deal on one, in fact I was thinking of having a sale on them.”

“Well, I only have 2500 gold pieces and I really don’t want to spend all of it. What type of deal could you give me on a staff?”

“I could sell you a +1 staff at cost, say 1800 gold pieces.”

“What about a mace?”

“I have only three maces in stock. Two +1 maces and a +2 mace.”

“What if I were to put 2000 gold pieces down on some armor, what is the best that I could get?”

“Well, the best armor I have is +3 platemail, but it costs 9000 gold pieces.”

“That will do, I want to put 2000 gold pieces down on it.”

“Well then, all you have to do is sign this receipt and this claim voucher. When you come back next time to put more money down, bring your receipt. When it is paid in full, you may have your armor.”

Clernon signs the receipt and the voucher and starts for the door.

“Hold your horses a minute, you forgot your receipt. And I need to measure you for your armor.” The shopkeeper comes around from the table and hands Clernon his receipt, and then directs him to the wall for his measurements. “Please stand against the wall here and make sure you don’t slouch, you don’t want your armor to come out short.”

After Clernon’s measurements have been taken, Tolkar escorts him to the door. “Have a good day, and come back soon.”

“A good day to you as well. May the blessings of the mother tree be upon you,” responds Clernon, before exiting through the door to meet the rest of us.

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Clandistra enters the shop, “good day to you, Tolkar. I am afraid I need to change my deposit. I no longer need the armor I commissioned the last time I was here. As you can see, I have already acquired some.”

“Well, normally I charge ten percent of any money already placed down on an item to do that, but after last night, I feel I owe you for that lovely song. What did you have in mind?”

“Well, I could use a weapon, either a staff or a mace.”

“You are in luck, I can give you a staff at cost today. I have a +2 staff that you can have for 3500 gold pieces. And, since I seem to recall that you had put 1500 gold pieces down on the armor that means that the staff can be yours for only 2000 gold pieces. Interested?”

“Yes, I will take the staff instead.”

“Ok, please give me your receipt for the armor, and then sign this receipt for the +2 staff and this voucher.”

Clandistra does as instructed, while Tolkar gets a staff from the full rack, which he sets on the table. “+2 staff.”

“I do need some modifications to the armor I got this trip, when can I have it done and how much will it cost me?”

“Well, the price depends on the changes. The when is sometime next week. Do you want to leave the armor now? I still have your measurements on record, so we won’t have to do that again.”

“Actually, yes, that would be a good idea. But you don’t have to rush, we won’t be going back out for at least a month. And all I want done is for the fit to be a little better.”

“Ok, I’ll send word when the armor has been custom tailored to your size.”

Tolkar helps Clandistra remove her armor and then he places it on the table. “+2 Elven splintmail.”

“Let me get you a receipt and make out a work order for this armor.” Tolkar quickly writes up the receipt and a work order, transferring her measurements to the sheet.

Taking the staff and her receipts, she heads for the door, followed by Tolkar.

“Have a nice day, and come again soon.”

“Thankyou, I will. And may the mother tree protect you.” Clandistra leaves, joining the others that are waiting outside.

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“Well Mizdar, it seems they are finished. Give me a second to tally their expenditures and I will tell you what the total is that I will be claiming from the castle’s coffers. They have spent a total of 24300 gold pieces of the voucher here, including your purchases.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes, but I think one or two will be back.”

“Well, I guess I had better go and see what they bought.”

Tolkar walks Mizdar to the door. “It was a pleasure doing business with The Dragons Bane. I hope you do even better the next time.”

“Me too, see you soon.” Mizdar opens the door and walks out.

“Well, it seems that we didn’t spend very much in here today. How did everyone make out? Is everyone happy?”

“Aye, but I be happier when I be wearing me new armor,” says Delgar.

“At least I be havin’ me hammer.”

“And I see some new staves, including my own. I suppose our next stop should be the tavern, where we can sort out who still has what left for money. And we can stow some of our things while we are there, as well.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

“What, are you missing your wife already?” teases Seldor.

“As a matter of fact I am.”