Time Well Spent

[Tom Cashel]

[Still four hours til dawn.]

"Timepieces, Sir! Timepieces! Well, of course we have a whole trunk full of timepieces...any style you want, wot? We've got these sundials from the mystical lands of Unther and Mulhorand, sand-hourglasses from Thay, egg-timers from Calimport! Here, Sir, here...a timepiece that measures one day. See that green insect inside the glass? His lifespan is exactly one day! When he turns on his back and his legs curl up, you know the day is over! Just apply a little body heat and he hatches, starting the timer. One use only, Sir...one use only! Ha! Better buy one for for yourself and one one for the Missus, wot? Ha-ha!

"How about a bag of mice for your little friend there? He likes mice, don't he? We-e-ell, Sir! We don't just deal in chronological marvels here at Handervump's Mind-Boggling Thrill Shop and Component Suppliers! Not by a long shot, my good man! We've got everything the traveling Wizard might need on any road from Icewind Dale to the fabled lands of Luiren! or my name isn't Mackleberry Handervump!"

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"Thank you Master Handervump! What a fine selection you have here. First, yes, how much for that bag of mice? My familiar hasn't had much luck hunting in the place.

"Your timepieces truly are a wonder! But, in fact, I'm looking for a rather specific piece -- an hourglass with obsidian endcaps, filled with green sand. It's for a certain special lady, you understand. Never disappoint the fairer sex, I always say! If you were to locate such a timepiece for me, I would certainly make it worth your while!"

 

[Tom Cashel]

"--an hourglass with obsidian endcaps, filled with green sand."

"Can't say I've ever seen or heard of such a thing, Sir! No, no, no-no-no...never!" he replies in a loud voice, then adds in a barely audible whisper, "Careful, Sir, careful..."

"Two coppers for the mice, wot? Handervump's best, they are! Treat your little friend right!"

He'd do well to be careful what he calls me, Wisp remarks, or I'll be ripping out Handervump's best eyeballs...

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

I toss two coppers his way... and glance around to see who might be watching.

"I thank you, goodman. Perhaps we could meet later after sunset to discuss future business opportunities between us? I assure you, I am not a man of modest means... and you seem like you know much about fine arcane items."

Careful, Wisp. He knows something...

 

[Tom Cashel]

He hands you a small writhing sack of live mice. "Your friend won't be disappointed with those delectable snacks, I promise you that much! Ho! Ho! He's a choicy palette in them beaks, don't he?"

Mackleberry Handervump excuses himself briefly to sell a jar of spiders and some diamond dust to a Halruaan. He returns and glances around inconspicuously.

"I would dearly love to discuss the opportunities at your disposal, Good Sir...but I find--usually--that by the time sunset has come on the second day of a magefair...well, all the choice items have already been sold...there'll be plenty of items left here in the stalls for a man of your stature and bearing, wot? But I sense that you're a more discerning buyer--and most of those sales take place privately, invitation only, wot? Sometimes by prior arrangement, and sometimes by auction. But those," he laughs, "those are only the most precious, most rare items of the extremest antiquity...oh, no, you won't find things like that here in the stalls! Not at Handervump's anyways! Ha-ha!"

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"Sir! I think you misunderstand me. I was simply looking for a good egg timer that would go well with the decor on my home. I know nothing of items from antiquity ... but I thank you for a most interesting conversation.

"Still, let me know if you find anything, eh? I'm also looking for a spyglass with obsidian endcaps and a green lens. To match, you see."

I give him my winningest smile.

"So long now. I thank you for the mice."

Wisp, I'm going to walk away now. Hang about a bit and see what he does, will you? Then come find me and get your mice.

 

[Tom Cashel]

You wander about amongst the stalls. As dawn gets closer and closer (it's still a ways off), the area grows more crowded with arcanists and their guests, apprentices and bodyguards.

After about twenty minutes of stall-browsing, Wisp flutters onto your shoulder.

Well again, Tall magic-one. The strange salesman didn't do anything untoward...he just looked confused when you left, then sort of shrugged and went back to his business.

[Don't forget that you can make Skill Checks for any social encounter that comes along...]

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Thank you, Wisp. Let's go back to where we camped. I'll let some of these mice go to give them a sporting chance against you.

On the way, I'll swing by one more stall...

 

[Tom Cashel]

[Okay...I looked up locate object. Do you have the Innuendo skill? And do you have 5 or more ranks in Sense Motive?]

It feels like so long since I've had the pleasure of a hunt...even a manufactured hunt...I would dearly love to see the terror of mice before clamping them in my claws, Tall magic-one...

As you said above, you were "asking some of the dealers who are open about some wonderous items...perhaps hourglasses or other timepieces..." and you asked about five before discovering Handervump's Mind-Boggling Thrill Shop and Component Suppliers.

Which type of stall will it be now?

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

[Yes, indeed, Innuendo and 5 ranks in Sense Motive, giving me a total bonus of +4 to my Innuendo roll (I've got that damn Queen song in my head now).]

First, I'll swing by our campsite and release about 1/2 the mice.

Good hunting, Wisp.

Then I'll head over to the simulacra booth. What's for sale? I've always been interested in this art. I'll inquire a bit about his craft... and perhaps imply with an innuendo that I'm looking for some specific, more interesting magic items and perhaps he might know where I should look.