The Golarian sun hangs slightly off from directly overhead, baking the cobblestones until the air shimmers oppressively.The city streets are surprisingly empty for this time of day, but most of the workers have gone inside to escape the hottest hours of the day. A few porters and drivers head back out to the outlying plantations, having delivered their payloads of coffee, tea, and fruit to the city warehouses.
Svexyn leads the group to one of the nicer market streets, a testament to the success of Ghelve and his locksmithing business.
A small turret dominates the facade of the two-story black stone building. Iron bars are embedded in the thick window frames. Beyond the turret’s ground floor windows sits a lovely display of locks, from large to small, simple to complex. To the left of the turret, above a heavy oak door, swings a simple sign that reads “Ghelve’s Locks”. A small, hand painted sign with the words “Open, please come in!” hangs in the window. Svexyn opens the door, and ushers the group inside.
A complex, but elegant, series of gears connected to the door triggers a door chime more reminiscent of a music box then a simple bell. The air smells like metal, fire, and oil, tickling your nose as you cross the threshold. The shop is clean, and well kept, almost obsessively so. No bit seems out of place. The walls are covered with fastidiously labeled shelves and bins, each contained small parts or materials whose purpose you can only guess. A small forge, anvil, and metal working tools are along the back of the shop. A work table covered in tiny tools and instruments faces the door. A grey haired gnome is seated at the table, a monocle over one eye. He appears to be working on a mechanism of some kind that is in pieces on the table.
At the sound of the door chime, Ghelve looks up from his work to greet his customers.
Welcome friends, no purpose is too mundane, nor treasure too rich for Ghelve’s locks. Tell me your needs, and I’ll craft a lock perfect to keep a stable door closed at night or seal the vaults of the richest kings.
Keygan Ghelve looks genuinely surprised.
Oh....Svexyn. M..m..m..m..my word.
Ghelve stammers sligtly.
I’m not sure I expected to see you again... What with going back out onto the street. By the looks of your friends, I’m guessing this isn’t a social call....are you rethinking your apprenticeship perhaps? Started some new business venture?
