Artim - Wares in the Kabinet of the Mind - the Gate

[Steve]

...and the Genasi is already far down the street, walking with a natural speed away.

"However...uhm...wait...," speaks Artim, raising a hand and his index finger, as if that gesture would somehow magically recall the genasi who has fazed far into the distance, and now seems nearly out-of-reach. Artim takes a step forward in the direction of the earth-born, thinking there may be a way to catch him yet, and unravel the mysterious words that were most recently recited, when...:

A halfling walks up to the man wearing a red hood and white cape . . . after first inspecting other men slightly too close . . . and gives him a huge toothy grin as soon as he spots him.

Artim is paused in his movement by the arrival of the halfling, who seems to have positioned himself in the way, perfectly.

"I was told that ye would show me yer wares when offered a riddle . . . OR a poem!! Or ehr . . . a rhyme. Yes, a rhyme! Well, I've got one for ya!

What walks on four legs in the mornin',
Two in the afternoon,
An' 3 in the evenin'?

Good one, eh!?"

"Waste no time, do you, short sir! And I shall waste no time with you, for your riddle is also one of truth, but well known...for you speak of the Life of Man as spoken in Day...or, I guess it is fair to say, of the Halfling, or any bipedal being the lives and dies.

Now...you say you have sought me out, myself being Artim, a procurer of tales, but who is he that is the seeker? And that seeker, being you, would not only seek me but has begun a search for a small blade that suits your small hands...I can reply that what I can sell or trade you is never nice, but sharp, and of great use. But it is that you must tell me what you will use it for!"

Artim chuckles in good nature to the situation, obviously interested in having the halfling explain himself...now that Artim's attention has been very much distracted away from the monkish and mysterious, genasi, long gone from view.

[Zanniej]

"Waste no time, do you, short sir! And I shall waste no time with you, for your riddle is also one of truth, but well known...for you speak of the Life of Man as spoken in Day...or, I guess it is fair to say, of the Halfling, or any bipedal being the lives and dies.

"Ahw! Got it already, an' so quickly!! Wait, perhaps I've got an even be'er one! . . . "

But before he can come up with a new riddle, he becomes distracted and proceeds to respond to the rest of Artim's response

Now...you say you have sought me out, myself being Artim, a procurer of tales, but who is he that is the seeker? And that seeker, being you, would not only seek me but has begun a search for a small blade that suits your small hands...I can reply that what I can sell or trade you is never nice, but sharp, and of great use. But it is that you must tell me what you will use it for!"

Artim chuckles in good nature to the situation, obviously interested in having the halfling explain himself...now that Artim's attention has been very much distracted away from the monkish and mysterious, genasi, long gone from view.

He then takes a moment to process Artim's words, before responding:
"I seek excitement! An' adventure! An' . . . an' magical trinkets . . . or great stories! Yeh, great stories! However, the greatest of stories are barely ever found in the safety o' a big ol' city . . . so when I go out I sometimes will need te pry somethin' open . . . or when I be found, I need te defend meself! So for tha' I'd like a weapon that's easy te use for me! An' since I ain't the biggest 'round, I'd need a small blade, yeh!? So tha's why I'd want a nice small blade!"
He says with a huge grin, nearly jumping up and down while telling his story, sometimes pretending to already be defending himself.

[Steve]

"Ahw! Got it already, an' so quickly!! Wait, perhaps I've got an even be'er one! . . . "

"The power of the mind can equal the power of chance, my good halfling...or, should it be better said that when chance plays to little a part in our actions, it is but the mind, that shall overcome challenges, great and small!" Artim imparts this oration with much flair.

He says with a huge grin, nearly jumping up and down while telling his story, sometimes pretending to already be defending himself.

"Now then, stand still...stand still!" Artim does chuckle. "Your needs outpace your own self, in this moment. For you must tell me your name...!"

Artim expects to receive it, then:

"I do have something small and useful in mind, for you. There is a dagger that provides a great defense to he or she that wields it, as well, gives you the ability to place another dagger in the other hand, with some skill as well! A bit of the one, two...I poke you!" Artim feints a double stabbing motion the halfling, as a play to bypass the defense, earlier...played.

"You have come to the right man, [insert name here]. For I too, make the most use of the small blade. Perhaps we shall have a go at a bit of fighting, you and I? What say you? And if you beat me...then I will surely give you a discount on any ware that I have to offer."

[Zanniej]

He calms down for a small moment, and says:
"Tommy, I be! Tommy Twotones!"

"I do have something small and useful in mind, for you. There is a dagger that provides a great defense to he or she that wields it, as well, gives you the ability to place another dagger in the other hand, with some skill as well! A bit of the one, two...I poke you!" Artim feints a double stabbing motion the halfling, as a play to bypass the defense, earlier...played.

"You have come to the right man, Tommy. For I too, make the most use of the small blade. Perhaps we shall have a go at a bit of fighting, you and I? What say you? And if you beat me...then I will surely give you a discount on any ware that I have to offer."

He then looks at Artim with wide eyes as he explains his offer, responding at the end:
"I can already fight with two blades! The dagger is more of a utility blade, in reality! I be usin' it for fencin' the attack . . . or . . . cuttin' pieces off a tree when I need some wood, or te jam it under the lid of a chest . . . stuff like tha'!

Though I can't say I be much of a fighter. Like I said, it be more for utility than fightin'. But sure, we could give it a try, 's long as we ain't be going for a lethal battle. I'd love te see another day. So many places I haven't been yet! So many places yet te see! Besides, they be havin' storytelllin' festivals at the Candle place! I want te see one o' those!"
Unless you'd stop him, he'd likely ramble on for quite a while longer, with stories ranging from places he'd like to see, to animals he'd like to meet, all the way to dragons and other extremities.

[Steve]

"Hold it, hold it, hold it there Tommy...you may be skilled in dual daggers, but you also have...skill...in, well how should I say this, two tongues worth of words!"

Artim chuckles and smiles.

"You carry a great enthusiasm for adventure...you...would not be one of the Mirari, finally calling upon me, after my search of weeks for them?!?"

Artim seems honestly curious...and hopeful!!

[Zanniej]

He eyes the man curiously for a moment
"Am I the what? I never heard o' anythin' by tha' name. But I'd gladly help ye search for it!" He says, more enthusiastic than ever.
"I love me some adventure, an' this sounds like fun!"

He looks at Artim, eager and with great anticipation, clearly ready to get moving any time now.

[Steve]

He looks at Artim, eager and with great anticipation, clearly ready to get moving any time now.

To be continued...

[Steve]

Rhiannon's initial annoyance appears to dwindle when Artim displays some (possibly unexpected) toughness. "You're a real pissin' genius aren't you, pumpkin", she says and laughs loudly. "Fifteen bag's a deal."

Artimee Tateslyfe: Well then....You've accepted my offer.

Rhiannon Skye: *holds out a heavy bag of coins already, apparently not wanting to waste any time.*
Artimee Tateslyfe: *he manages to open a smallish sack and pull out the helmet...with a bit of effort* May it suit you well.
Rhiannon Skye: *takes it into both hands and eyes it for a moment.* Sure, hun.
Artimee Tateslyfe: Now..if you need to work on your spoken word...you know where to find me. *he lightly chuckles*
Rhiannon Skye: *laughs.* Piss off, you clay-brained oaf.
Artimee Tateslyfe: Excuse me?
Rhiannon Skye: Awh, come on now, hun. Yer gonna be offended now? Just sharin' my spoken word, eh?
Artimee Tateslyfe: Maybe just surprised...that your tongue seems to lash back and forth, with little beauty to it!
Rhiannon Skye: Ye callin' me ugly, sweetheart?
Artimee Tateslyfe: I'm sure it has its uses...in certain moments. You can only say what I've said when I've actually said it! *he waves his hand about*
Rhiannon Skye: *narrows her eyes at him.*You better watch your words then, else they be fed to you on the end of my boot. *She continues to somewhat glare at him before breaking into another grin. Finally she winks.*
Artimee Tateslyfe: Some need to keep their tongue as sharp as their sword, eh? Compensation comes in many different manners, it surely does. *he winks back at her*
Rhiannon Skye: I ain't needin' compensation for nothin', hun.
Artimee Tateslyfe: Yes, I should not doubt...and so I go on no longer about it. Maybe you would prefer to hear the greater words of another, then? It seems there is a great oration commencing in the east district. I shall be heading there immediately.
Rhiannon Skye: Good thinkin'. *She shakes her head then.* I gotta be places. Maybe if there was a proper brawl I'd consider it.
Artimee Tateslyfe: If I find one...I will send for you! *he chuckles* Good tidings, warrior woman. *he then heads to the east...*
Rhiannon Skye: You do that, hun. *She offers a lazy wave.*

[Miasma]

A woman in dark armor approaches the vendor and points to the shadow knife.

"How much do you want for this one?"

[Steve]

A woman in dark armor approaches the vendor and points to the shadow knife.

"How much do you want for this one?"

Artim, the Procurer of Tales, does not stop in his momentary actions—whatever they may be—for the woman in dark armor did not gain his attention in the right manner.

//please read the OP. Cheers.

[Miasma]

"If I must amuse you.. then so be it."

"I can only live where there is light, but I die if the light shines on me."

She puts down 40 bags in front of the man and points to the dagger again.

[Steve]

"If I must amuse you.. then so be it."

"I can only live where there is light, but I die if the light shines on me."

She puts down 40 bags in front of the man and points to the dagger again.

"What is that I hear? Is what is hidden in plain...words, only there, to amuse? Or is what is passed before the eyes and ears of many, but only understood by the few, what the wisest of sages call true power?!?"

Artim says this, as he swings his attention to the woman in dark armor, who has seemingly unlocked the Procurer of Tales, from whatever previously, kept his attention.

"Your riddle's answer sits...between the realm of Light and that of Dark...that of shadow! It is, also...why the dagger that I offer to all, is something that you, particularly seek...is that not true?"

Artim makes a gesture, something with a high degree of sleight-of-hand movement, where he passes a coin with a white coating, from the palm of his left hand, to that of his right, closing it, then opening it again, showing a...coin with a black coating. He grins, and the woman in dark armor.

"I will accept your forty bags of coin, my lady." With that, Artim closes the right hand over the coin with black coating, only to open it again, with the coin now disappeared.

[Evilroadrunner]

A Dwarf clad in red and black robes walks up to the stall and looks at the wares. He spots a few items that are of intrest to him.

"Excuse me. What would you like for those?" The dwarf points to the Grainstone glove.

He waits a moment and after no response from the man he remembers something.

"What falls, but does not break, and what breaks but does not fall?" The dwarf says.

[Steve]

"What falls, but does not break, and what breaks but does not fall?" The dwarf says.

The Procurer of Tales seems perplexed, standing there digesting the riddle that is presented by the dwarf in red and black robes. Artim's hand moves from holding one side of his face, to cupping his chin, to scratching at his chin.

"You have brought a fair riddle, dwarf. I am vexed by its meaning. It may be that I have the need for a meal, for all this riddle does is give me visions of bread, that which falls when it does not rise, and that which we may break, with friends, as it is often said. What an association, yes?!?"

Artim gives it one more moment of reflection. "I think I cannot land upon a true answer, which...is fantastic! You have presented a good challenge to the mind, dwarf! Now...."

It would appear Artim pivots to discuss the query on the ware, which could be an easy out from further discussing his inability to solve the riddle....

"These gloves are a rare and special thing, and best fit for the being that uses their fists for battle. Is that what you are, or do, dwarf? But as you ask, I will answer: these gloves are offered for trade, and what I want in trade is something equal to their value, in merit, but not coin. As I have spoken of the wares held in the kabinet of the mind, so did I mention that which I seek in trade."

Artim remains quiet now, but attentive...should the dwarf have anything to offer.

[Evilroadrunner]

The dwarf ponders the man's response, then speaks "I have a few items that I have acquired that I can't seem to sell myself. I may have something you wish to trade for then. I will return with the items." After a brief time he returns with a few weapons and a breastplate.

"These are a few items that I could see parting with for the gloves." He says and begins to show the man the items.

]Peasant's Revolt
Hand axe
Int -1
Concentration -1
EB +2
2d4 peircing
Rage(20) 1/use day

Green Dragon Breastplate +3
AC +3
Feat: use poison
Acid 25% immunity
Use: Dragon Breath, gas 1/use day
60% weight reduction

Sling of Fire
EB +2
1d4 fire damage

After showing the items the dwarf waits for the man's response.