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Message: <blockquote data-quote="GladiusNP" data-source="post: 796469" data-attributes="member: 10574">Crane’s Curiosities and Antiquities.Bartholomew Crane is an old, old man.  He is at least ninety – though short-lived for elves, he’s probably the oldest human in Mor’s End.  He’s still rather spry, despite the fact that he uses his cane, and his mind is as sharp as ever – despite the shaking sickness he has recently developed in his limbs (Parkinson’s Disease.)  He’s very thin, and has a slightly stooped posture, but still manages to get out into the streets every day for a brisk walk – though less brisk than it used to be.  Bartholomew wears spectacles, and still dresses very well – though the fashions are about twenty years out of date.  He usually wears a grey watersilk cravat, a crimson velvet vest, a cream silk shirt, and black trousers.  He also wears gold spectacles, perched on the end of his hawkish nose, attached by a small gold chain to his shirt.  He still has a few wisps of white hair, which are carefully combed over every morning – he still takes great pride in his appearance.  He also carries a white, ivory cane, decorated with carving of a sea-battle with a Kraken.Crane’s Curiosities and Antiquities was founded after Bartholomew made his fortune as the cabin boy (at the tender age of nine) on the elven ship Fortune’s Wave.  The exploring ship of an adventuring party, Fortune’s Wave travelled far and wide, ranging to far-off lands, mysterious ruins, and forgotten islands.  Bartholomew watched and learned – though he was usually on the fringe of things, he still tells with great pride how he shot a Kraken in the eye with his crossbow from the rigging (it was a critical hit) and delivered the killing blow, after the beautiful and courageous Captain (Kiale Anduiin) fought the beast off of the deck.  He’s very fond of reciting the exploits of the crew of the Fortune’s Wave, and often regals his customers with long, epic stories of the great voyage.  Some of his ship-mates still drop by to visit now and again, bringing him all sorts of strange oddities.  Crane doesn’t sell much – indeed he probably buys more than he sells – but has a wide variety of items available.  Stuffed animal and monster heads, maps in foreign languages, books on strange peoples and far off lands, outlandish weapons, clothes, jewellery, and the like.  His shop is found in Old-town.The store is a small, corner shop, with two windows facing on to the street, one on the north side, and one on the east.  Through the glass, Bartholomew sets up (with the help of his assistant, Archibald Oakheart) two window displays which are regularly changed, though the north currently features an ornate mahogany water-clock, a string of pink pearls, a conch-shell, and a polar-bear skin, while the east features a woven carpet, on top of which lies a jewelled double-bladed sword, and a helmet with a magnificent crest of eagle feathers.  Inside the shop, all sorts of items are for sale, filling the small space from floor to ceiling.  Most of it is covered with a fine layer of dust, and Crane usually guides each customer through the shop personally.  He is happy to talk about anything and everything, ever eager for new knowledge and tales of the world.  As a guide, magic items are not available, and though many old books are for sale, there is no guarantee that a particular subject will be covered, though Bartholomew has volumes on herbs (including texts on foreign plants), swordplay, martial arts (unarmed and armed), sailing, necromancy, gods of the west, history of Mor’s End, histories of most of the known world, and magic.Most of Crane’s clientele is the very rich of the Mor’s End, who buy the odd and strange from his shop, decorating their mansions with various pieces.  Bartholomew also buys all sorts of curiosities – though he’s careful to check if they’ve been stolen first.   Adventurers can sell all sorts of loot here, and Crane gives a pretty fair price.  Crane is also a good friend of Duncan Fletcher – the two of them get on very well, as Duncan helps Crane fix up many broken antiques.  Duncan never sells anything to Crane. Plot Hooks –1.    The Fortune’s Wave returns to Mor’s End to visit with Bartholomew Crane, still captained by Kiale Anduiin, swordswoman and sailor.  What mysterious item has been brought within the hold?  How does the city’s power structure react to the care free crew of the Fortune’s Wave?  2.    Bartholomew sells the party a map to the warrens – supposedly leading to the lost sword of Mor himself.  What really lies at the end of the map?  Will the party survive the journey to the centre of the warrens?3.    Crane, before he left the Fortune’s Wave (at age 20), had a brief affair with Kiale Anduiin.  A young half-elf (Sean Crane) arrives, claiming to be the son of this union.  Though Bartholomew takes him under his wing, Archibald, Crane’s assistant, has his suspicions.  He hires the party to investigate Sean.  What will they find?  Is the half-elf what he claims to be?Bartholomew Crane, male human Com 9 (Retired Adventurer): CR 8 (Gales of Laughter); ECL 1/4; Medium-size Humanoid (human); HD 9d4; hp 12; Init +0; Spd 25 ft; AC 7; Melee Ivory Cane +1 (1d3); AL CG; SV Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +7; Str 5, Dex 4, Con 4, Int 17, Wis 19, Cha 13*.  Feats:  Skill Focus (Appraise), Toughness, Endurance, Lightning Reflexes, Great Fortitude, Simple Weapon Proficiency (Light Crossbow).  Skills; Appraise +11 (cc), Knowledge (Arcana) +9 (cc), Profession (Sailor) +10, Use Rope +2 (Has –4 penalty), Knowledge (History) +9 (cc), Knowledge (Geography) +9 (cc), Ride +2, Swim +2 (has –4 penalty).   *Taking in to account aging penalties/bonuses.  Simple weapon proficiency feat is a class feature of the commoner.  If playing with FRCS system feats, Crane has the educated feat, instead of endurance, and knowledge skills increase appropriately.  Archibald Oakheart, male human Bard 3 (Scribe and Story-teller). CR 3; Medium-size Humanoid (human); HD 3d6; hp 17; Init +2; Spd 30 ft; AC 12; +5 Melee (Masterwork Rapier, 1d6), +4 ranged (Throwing Knife, 1d4); AL CN; SV Fort +2, Ref +5, Will +3; Str 11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 15, Wis 11, Cha 16.  Feats:  Weapon Finesse (Rapier), Weapon Focus (Rapier), Dodge, Martial Weapon Proficiency (Rapier)*.  Skills; Appraise +8, Decipher Script +8, Perform +9, Gather Information +9, Profession (Scribe) +3, Move Silently +5, Hide +5, Listen +3, Spellcraft +8.Gear – Masterwork Rapier – Silver Thread.  Archibald’s sword is a masterfully crafted weapon.  He found it in an old trunk of antiques he was unpacking for Bartholomew, and asked if he could have the blade.  The blade is fine, re-folded steel, with silvery waves showing how the metal has been hammered into a magnificently lethal work of art.  The basket hilt is silver filigree, worked delicately to resemble lace, in a pattern of roses and thorns.  The pommel is set with the only gemstone (a moon opal) on the weapon, and unscrews to reveal a hollow hilt.  The scabbard is made of very soft lambskin leather – the type usually used for fine gloves, not sheathes, and has silver studs running up and down both side.  Archibald always wears Silver Thread.  *Class Feature.Archibald Oakheart was the son of an old Mor’s End wizarding family, who unfortunately cared little for wizardry.  Using bits and pieces of his education, he managed to develop a rough sort of magic use – using his other talent, his voice.  After he left home, he worked as a scribe, and became interested in histories and legends.  He’s now a fairly accomplished story teller, and uses his job with Bartholomew to find out various facts to make tales of.  He gets to make his own hours, and plans to write a book of Bartholomew’s adventures.  He’s become interested in some slightly shady ventures lately, and has begun to train himself in stealth.In his personal life, he’s a free spirit, and a regular at Conaill’s Cocktails.  He is also invited to many parties and so on, and has broken his fair share of hearts – he’s not particularly reliable.  He cares for Bartholomew in his own way, but probably would take off if a really great opportunity came his way.Archibald always wears his rapier, and carries a throwing knife in his left boot.  Although a decent swordsman, he rarely fights- though he talks with a great deal of bravado, he backs down if things get serious.  He wears fashionable clothes, a white silk shirt and tight black trousers, with high, glossy black boots coming well up his calf.   He has golden, shoulder length hair, with brown eyes, and very fair skin.  He usually wears a black, wide-brimmed hat outside, shielding his face from the sun - he sun-burns very easily.Spells per day 2 1st, 3 0th.Known – Charm Person, Identify, Mage Armour, Read Magic, Detect Magic, Daze, Flare, Light, and Mending.</blockquote>

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