<long yawn> As a crazy-haired gnome gets out of bed, gods above we drank too much last night, say what you will about the Dark Elf Sorvani that elf can pack away the mana wine. The gnome slowly stretches, gets dressed and splashes some water on his face. Living above this shop has some advantages to sleeping- in, as he mumbles about his mana-ache being a cross between a headache and a manapool. Slowly he makes his way down the stairs to his shop, climbing upon his stool behind his counter, and with a big <sigh> he mutters something about inventory. And then he hears a banging on his door outside his shop, pressed against his glass window with a faint sound of “Are you open?” Gorlen mumbles, “clearly we are not … it should seem pretty obvious”, slowly getting off his stool and walking over to his door. As Gorlen approaches the door he flips the Closed sign to Open and waves the customer into the shop. As Gorlen makes his way back to his counter, he tells the customer to have a look around while Gorlen tries to recover from his hangover. But then he smelled it, felt it, and then the managanger masked deep down across layer upon layer of cloaking magics shivered. Thankfully Gorlen already had crazy hair from the evening he had so he didn’t show many of his cards, but he took immediate interest in an unfamiliar customer.
As the customer is slowly made his way through the figurine aisle, he found it odd yet interesting there was a carved figurine of a battle ogre paying exceptional attention to it he grabbed it off the shelf and started heading to the counter. Gorlen sensing this customer isn’t projecting their natural state, slowly reaches down to pick up a specialized set of spectacles that he uses to create jewelry, carve gemstones, and create figurines additionally it provides the enhanced ability to see things truly as they are. Looking down upon the figurine as the customer hands it to him, Golen says “Ahh yes, you know I remember carving this one, it’s a popular piece for folks when they are in a pinch”. Slowly looking up, Gorlen looks upon the customer “What’s your name?” The customer, clearly an adventurer now that Gorlen sees him up close, says “I am Draven Sunshaper.” At this point, the glasses need a round to sync and another round to process their surroundings, so Gorlen needs to stall a bit. Gorlen says “have you seen the rest of the shop are or do you want anything else?”. Draven looks around a little nervously almost looking ashamed, and Gorlen interjects “The Merak items are behind the curtain in the back no judgment go have a look.”
After about eight minutes later a visibly embarrassed Draven comes out, “That was not what I was looking for”, Gorlen gives a bit of a chuckle “You were in there for eight minutes, must have found something you fancied”. Draven looking mortified, Gorlen waves his hand …“It’s okay, if that is not what you want what are you looking for?” Draven responds…“I have heard folks call them spellbreakers?” Gorlen smiles…. “Ahh yes, we have spellbreakers, but how did you hear about them? I’m certain you are new to the city”. Draven says “I came a long way from the city of Esagend, in the Autaria Kingdom”, hmm Gorlen taps his finger on the glass case thinking …He has either seen my Gnome form in the siege of the library, maybe he recently arrived in the spelljammer port in Esagend, or he is full of crap either way I should be getting a synopsis of his true form in a few moments. Gorlen says “Ok I’ve heard good things about Esagend, dragging out a box of spell breakers and setting it on the counter. It’s 500gp per Spellbreaker.” Draven visibly looks excited … “How do you make them?”, Gorlen smiles…” As much as I would like to show people, V’Ral rules, the recipe, and the process is not to be shared, it is a popular requested item.”
Draven looking disappointed, dismisses the unfortunate news and says “I’ll take thirty of them.”, dropping 15k of gold on his counter. Gorlen thinks to himself, as much mana wine Sorvani and I packed away last night I don’t think that 15k will go far in digging me out of that debt. Gorlen shaking off the memories of last night’s indulgences peels off 30 spellbreakers and hands them to Draven. Gorlen says, “Have fun do you need anyone to show you how to use them?”; Draven responds, “I’ll figure it out.”, Gorlen smiles “Confidence, I like that”.
As Draven begins to turn away, an internal ding within the minds of Gorlen occurs and the glasses begin telepathically giving him a dossier upon the true form of Draven Sunshaper.
Telepathic data feed from Gorlen’s infinity lenses:
Race: Ethereon (currently believed to be extinct)
Capital City: Etherhaven
Kingdom: Aetheria (previously believed to be destroyed)
The Aetheria kingdom, previously believed to be destroyed and the Ethereon race wiped out, which appears to be untrue as little is known about both, in your adventure to the Dreadstone Necropolis library you discovered the only piece of literature presently discovered to ever hint at the existence of Aetheria and the Ethereon people. Aetheria in its former glory consisted of floating cities, a crystalline arcanarium that includes crystalline spires, and arcane libraries, elemental nodes, and skyborne gardens.
Ethereon are enigmatic beings that exist between the realms of matter and manaethereal energy. They appear as shifting, amorphous masses of the Manaetheral mist, constantly changing shape and form. Able to take any shape, their natural true form, is constantly changing shape and form. Ethereons are adept at manipulating the fabric of reality, bending space and time to their will.
The city of Etherhaven, has a whole host of diverse array of manaetheral races such as Slyphs, Tethers, Ethersprites, and Astral Arcanids, each with their unique traits and characteristics. The Ethereon are the ruling class in Aetheria. The city is ruled by a Magocracy, along with a council of elders that include solely powerful wizards. The Magocracy governs with wisdom and authority, guided by principles of arcane law and magical harmony. While their rule is benevolent, the Magocracy brooks no dissent when it comes to matters of magic and the preservation of Aetheria’s mystical heritage. The Kingdom of Aetheria is extremely xenophobic and goes to great lengths not to be influenced or discovered by outsiders.
As Draven continues to walk toward the exit, Gorlen not realizing he is mumbling as he digests the data feed huffs…” I guess you don’t see that every day”. Draven turns around noticeably with his guard up, and Gorlen responds “ohh umm not you and he points out the window display in his shop at the caravan pulling up, Wednesday they usually don’t arrive until Thursday. Will wonders never cease!” This was made up they always come on Wednesday, but Gorlen had to make something up. Walking Draven to the exit Gorlen says “Since you’re a new customer here is a big ohm on the house and look forward to doing more business with you in the future” Draven looks down at the big ohm, responding “Thanks!”; enthusiasm seemed partly genuine, but also a little manufactured. As Draven makes his way out of the shop and down the street deeper into the market of V’Ral. Gorlen sends a telepathic message to the Obelisk…” Hey O, I just planted a big ohm tracker on a new customer that I need to learn more about, can you keep an active trace on where he goes?” Obelisk responds… “Active tracking enabled, and actively being logged” … “Thanks O.”
Gorlen smacks his belly, switches signs on his shop door…”Out for Breakfast”… and heads down to the local greasy spoon to nurse his manaache.
