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Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DispelAkimbo" data-source="post: 952235" data-attributes="member: 1916">With physical evidence of an intruder now in their possession, Jalderin manages to persuade Princess Melissan that it would be safer to return to her quarters. It takes him half an hour to actually do the persuading, and the passing guard patrols would more likely describe said discussion as an argument, but eventually the task is completed and the princess is secured in her room.***After an hour of lazing around his inn room, Zander Helmsblade soon grows bored and informs his brother that he is heading out to look for some work. With the standard warnings to be careful issued, Rowan watches his younger brother leave the inn.Zander heads straight to the Nobles district, thinking that work there will pay better and might not be so physically taxing. He soon manages to find the Great Library of Sarivale, ascends the steps and heads inside.After a few minutes of persuasive talking and sheer determination, he manages to talk his way into an interview with Edeficus, the library's ninety three year old curator."So, you say you've done scribing work before?" asked the elderly man, not taking his eyes from the manuscript he was dutifully working on. "Whom have you worked for? A local person? Anyone of renown?""I have worked for Rowan Helmsblade, my brother." Zander stated, hoping that the nepotism would not count against him."Helmsblade?....Helmsblade...hmmm....Helmsblade you say?", Zander nods. "Well, I know the name but can't put my finger on where I know it from. Just a moment please." The elderly curator rises from his desk and walks to an adjacent set of bookshelves. He peruses the spines of several volumes before selecting a particularly dusty one, returning to his desk with it and flipping through a few of the pages."Ah, here we go, the Helmsblades history and family tree." Zanders eyes light up and he peers forwards to try and see details of the book the curator is looking in. Edeficus scans his eyes down the page, mumbling to himself as he recounts the details of the Helmsblade family. Every now and again Zander manages to make out one or two of the mumbled words."Ancient lineage....land in east....merchant....farming....two sons....treason....outlawed....guilty....murder....oooh, a very nasty business." The curator finishes by closing the book and returning his gaze to Zander. "Skilled or not, I'm afraid that I cannot employ you. Your family has a most dubious history and this library has a reputation to uphold. Should word get around of us employing someone such as you then the donations from the nobles that keep this place running will soon stop and we will all be out of work." Zander turns pale as Edeficus mentions the words treason and murder."B...b...but that can't be right! My brother would have told me if we were like that. Our family wouldn't do that kind of thing. Rowan always said we were decent folk! Let me see that book!""I'm sorry, but this is a private book that is not viewable by the public. Hence why it is kept safe here in my study." Zander's face drops in disappointment, but that soon turns to anger at seeing his family being accused of crimes against the kingdom, and he is unable to even hear what the crimes are."Fine! Enjoy your sleep!" Exclaims Zander as he calls upon the arcane power contained within him, and casts a spell to send the curator to sleep. There is a "Thud" across the room as the curators assistant drops into a deep sleep."Oh dear, I really don't think that was necessary, or even legal." states Edeficus, a slight waver of worry creeping into his voice. Zander panics and leaves the room in a hurry, only to run straight into a number of the library's employees who detain Zander until a guard patrol can be summoned."Ooops." says Zander. Who is shortly after that arrested and taken to the palace dungeons.***Meanwhile, Rowan, the other Helmsblade brother also leaves the inn and heads determinedly towards the royal palace. He approaches the gates to the palace compound and speaks to a pair of guards who are barring entry."I'd like to see the king." He plainly states. The two guards look incredulously at each other."Just like that? You'd just like to see the king?" Rowan nods. "Erm...sorry the king is busy today. I suggest that you make an appointment at the council halls and come back another day." Rowan insists but is flatly denied an audience with the King. He leaves the guards at the gates and loiters in the city gardens surrounding the palace compound for a while. With his chances of getting in the palace looking slim, he returns to the inn.He arrives back at the inn and heads to his room. He barely closes the door when there is a knock on it. He cautiously opens it to find a guard contingent stood there."Rowan Helmsblade?" a guard asks. Rowan nods slowly. "We'd like you to accompany us to the palace.""Of course", replies Rowan, hoping that his request to see the king has finally gotten through and he will be granted an audience. He grabs his cloak and locks his room door. The guard clears his throat in an official manner and speaks again."Rowan Helmsblade, I am arresting you on suspicion of crimes against the Kingdom of Sarivale. You are assumed innocent until proved guilty, however as your family have already been tried and convicted of the crimes in question, we have been instructed to take you straight to the palace dungeons.""Bugger." Says Rowan. A look of some dismay is apparent on his face as he is led away by the guards and placed in a dark prison cell somewhere under the royal palace.***After checking with a couple more of his contacts to see if any more information can be acquired, Eben Hakkan returns to see his contact in "The Watchers in Grey"."Here", says Eben's superior handing him a badge of office and a purse of money. "I've had to call in a large number of favours to get this, so make sure you don't mess up with it. That badge is the badge of a Royal Advisor from one of the outer noble estates. I've arranged it so that any enquiries about you and your position should validate your status, provided no-one gets too suspicious and pokes too deep or hard." Eben nods his understanding and gives a slight bow in gratitude to his superior. "The purse contains two hundred silver pieces to cover any expenses that you may incur." Eben hefts the money pouch in one hand and mentally confirms to himself that it weighs about right for two hundred silver pieces. He thanks his superior and departs.After a standard bit of misleading alleyway taking and backtracking to ensure he is not being followed, Eben returns to "The Seedy Tavern" and gives the innkeeper fifteen more silver pieces. A tidy sum."I need to know what the word on the street is concerning this attack on the king. I know it might look suspicious, but I want you to pro-actively ask about it and find out what people know. Even if it is just that certain groups are not connected to it then at least that is something." The innkeeper takes the money and grunts in his standard non-committal way.After a quick stop to at 'Refined Clothing', to buy some suitable clothing for a Royal Advisor Eben heads nervously towards the palace. On the way he mentally reminds himself of some of the lessons his father taught him as a child about how to deal with people. How to act confident in the face of questioning, how to avoid difficult situations and divert conversations to steer clear of difficult subjects. By the time he arrives at the royal palace he is cool, calm and collected. He passes the gate guards with almost worrying ease and has soon made his way to the Kings chambers to investigate the scene of the crime."What is the name of the guard who found the King?" Eben asks the guard who is accompanying him around the Kings quarters."I believe that would be Sir Marin of the Royal Contingent, Milord.""Good, have him brought here, I wish to question him." Eben asks with authority and the guard, who is used to taking orders, complies without question.</blockquote>

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