Gem Appraisal [Event - Summer Wedding Pt. 1 Participants]

[pantsgrey]

At the edge of the marketplace you see a booth you have ever seen before. Whether by asking around or reading signs, you’re able to tell that this is the appraiser selected by the groom. Something about the appraiser seems…off. You begin to understand the reason behind the rumors you might have heard about this guy. His long mess of grey hair obscures his face, but does little to hide his mismatched red and blue eyes. He has a hunched over posture and is dressed in run-down brown robes. Even hunched over, he towers above most of the mages coming to have their gems appraised.

This initial appearance may create a sense of distrust, but you overhear some of the local appraisers mention that his judgments are fair, and some begrudgingly admit that the newcomer is more precise than they are. When the newcomer occasionally brushes aside his hair to examine particular stones, it reveals an intelligent and thoughtful expression. You overhear him muttering out numbers and see his expression differ based on the quality of the gem. As the crowd ahead of you disperses you overhear the man talking to himself.

“Fine offerings, but not what I had expected from the citizens of the fabled mage sanctuary after a trip to a mystical goldmine of gems…” The harsh rasp of his voice did not hide the hint of disappointment in his voice. He notices you approach and bows his head slightly. “Othlan the Appraiser, at your service. You know the rules, each of you pick the gem you think may have the greatest value from your collection, and I will tell you its value. As for your extras, I can buy those off of you. An Okay gem will earn you 10 Essence, a Nice gem can earn you 20 Essence, a Fantastic gem will net you 30 Essence, and if any of you have managed to find a Beautiful gem that you aren’t surrendering to the young couple, I can give you 50 Essence. If you found something Dull, I can throw 1 Essence to you for the effort.” Othlan chuckles at this; it is a very unpleasant sound.

“Make your selections. Show me what you’ve found, and don’t disappoint me, hehehe…”

[Aldian]

Aldian quietly listened to the old man as he spoke.  The old man certainly didn't look very, skilled, from his appearance.  One would expect the founding family to at least hire someone that could take care of themselves.  But either way, if they could trust him he could trust him.  Sure, he'd heard rumours of the guy being creepy, although he also heard those were spread by a rather midget like character.  Most likely case is the guy spread rumours about anyone taller than himself.  After the old man finished with his speech he looked down at the little pouch he stored his precious stone in.  Well, it was time to get them appraised, which wasn't much of a surprise.  However he'd expected all of the stones to be given to the founding family, not just the bride and groom, but the relatives and so on.  It was slightly disappointing, but there was nothing he could do.

After checking his stones for a good ten minutes Aldian decided that the Beautiful Amethyst he had found was surely the best of the stones he had picked.  It took a few minutes for him to finally have his time with the appraiser, due to the line, but at least he got there.  "Uh, I would like you to rate this." He said, pushing an Amethyst across the table towards the old man.  "Also, I would like to trade these in." He said, placing an Okay Topaz, a Nice Emerald and a Nice Sapphire down upon the table.

[Klaiun'Lysilien]

Appraise:
Beautiful Citrine

Essence:
Nice Turquoise
Nice Quartz
Okay Ruby

[Eveline Delamort]

Appraise:
Fantastic Jasper

Essence:
Nice Sapphire
Nice Tourmaline
Okay Carnelian.

[Brother Bernard]

Appraise:
Beautiful Zircon

Essence:
Fantastic Topaz
Nice Emerald
Okay Jade

[Clove]

Appraise:
Fantastic Heliodor

Essence:
Okay Peridot
Okay Diamond
Okay Topaz

[pantsgrey]

Othlan takes each gem offered, examining each one closely before stating the numbers for Eveline and Clove.

"Eveline, is it?" he whispers. "Of course yours would be red." He chuckles again, still unpleasant. "But that is of little importance to me, all that matters is that your Jasper has a quality of 84. Certainly one of the more impressive offerings I've seen today."

"Clove...hmm, you remind me of my own children...ehehehe....but that won't win you an unfair score. Your Heliodor has a quality of 83. This batch is much more satisfying than the rabble that came before your group."

When Othlan looked upon the stones offered by Aldian, Klaiun, and Bernard, he paused. An expression of surprise and excitement crossed his face as he seized the three stones. "This Amethyst, this Citrine, this Zircon! All of them...impossible...perfect 100. This is amazing! I knew this wouldn't be a waste of time! Three perfect samples, I could use them for-"

Othlan stopped suddenly and gazed at the three. He returned to his calm demeanor, and he hunched lower, closer to Aldian, Klaiun, and Bernard. "As I'm sure you are aware, there is only one bride, and I doubt the bride and all of the in-laws need perfect gems for the wedding. There is such a wide spread of incredible stones offered...I don't think a few perfect ones will be missed. Tell you what. I would like to make an offer, just for the three of you. Let me have your gem instead of the groom, and I can make it worth your while. Of course, the bride deserves he perfect ring, but the mothers and sisters wouldn't mind settling for close seconds...what do you say...do we have a deal? Hehehehe...."

Accept Othlan's bribe, or give the gem to the groom? The choice is yours.

Aldian gains 50 Essence.
Klaiun gains 50 Essence.
Eveline gains 50 Essence.
Bernard gains 60 Essence.
Clove gains 30 Essence.

[Brother Bernard]

"Absolutely not, we do not have a deal!" Bernard tapped the ground forcefully with staff and harrumphed, clearly indignant at the idea of his gift being used for something else. If the man had feathers, they would be ruffling visibly. He pointed his healing stick scoldingly at the appraiser, "I fully expect my gem to be given to the groom! That was our deal!" After another harrumph, Bernard promptly turned and hobbled away. He could be heard muttering something about a time wizard being right.

[Klaiun'Lysilien]

Oh no. Lysilien really hated making quick decisions. He just wasn't wired for that. The elf would much rather take a day or so to ponder making a deal with vague details with an ominous stranger. There were no outward signs of his anxiety as the rotund cleric shouted at the appraiser and stormed out. Well, nothing other than his tattoos concentrating at his fingers and jumping around a bit. I suppose the groom did only need one stone of such quality. There was only one bride, after all. With the healer so adamantly stating that his was to be given to the groom, what obligations did Lysilien have? He could profit from handing his gem over for the appraiser to do as he pleased. In the long run, was it more worth it to risk on this appraiser or attempt to curry favor with the founders? Sil hadn't met the founders, and had no connection to them, really. They didn't have much of an influence on his life. What harm could it do to make this deal? "I'm... Interested."

[Aldian]

Aldian carefully listened to the Appraiser now, and began to rethink the rumour he'd heard.  Maybe this guy was a bit, crazy, he certainly didn't seem too normal.  His offer was somewhat appealing, however he didn't want to get mixed up with the wrong crowd.  He didn't seem too sane, nor normal, so he couldn't be any good for him.  Grabbing his Amethyst Aldian made a mental note of the score, it wouldn't be too hard to remember.  "I think I'll pass on giving you this."  He said, before placing the precious stone within a pouch.  "But, uh, thanks for the offer though Old Man."  He said, before he speed walked away, rethinking the rumour he'd heard.  So maybe the midget that spread the rumour wasn't mad at taller people. 

[pantsgrey]

Klaiun:

Othlan muttered something about righteous types as Bernard and Aldian walked away. "No matter," he said. "One perfect gem is just fine. Makes it more...special." He nodded at Klaiun and reached into a pocket hidden in his robes. "I knew you would be a proper professional about this. You work with stones and enchantments as well, so as men of the same trade, we can understand each other, and our needs. Someday, I will impart my greatest knowledge on one like you, and you might be..." his voice trailed off. Something seemed to be distracting him. After a moment of contemplation, he grinned to himself. "So that's how it is..." he mused to himself. "I apologize, my good sir, but time is short and I must be off. In exchange for this perfect gem, I shall share with you the results of one of my projects."

Othlan held out a transparent black crystal in his right hand. "Allow me to demonstrate," he pulled back his left hand, and upon muttering a spell, green flames erupted from it. It seemed at first as though he would burn off his own arm with the spell, but the flames were harmlessly absorbed by the crystal, which then obtained an eerie glow. Othlan lifted the crystal above his head, concentrated, and the flames erupted from the crystal into the air. He brought the crystal back down to Klaiun's eye-level. "The best of stones are kept in dangerous places. Enchanted, but dangerous, so you must be prepared. Any offensive spell thrown at you can be absorbed and stored in this crystal, to be released at any time you choose. But take care; it can only store one spell at a time."

Othlan handed the crystal to Klaiun. "Next time we meet, perhaps I will teach you how to make your own. Figure it out yourself, and I might teach you something else instead....until then..." Othlan bowed before vanishing. When he disappeared, the gems he had claimed went with him, but, true to his word, the gems for the bride and groom were left behind for a messenger to deliver.

Klaiun has obtained Crystalline Mana Prison.

[pantsgrey]

Others:

Shortly after Othlan's disappearance, a messenger took the leftover stones and went to retrieve the bride and groom. The soon-to-be wed returned to meet the people who had brought them the stones. "I never would have imagined such beautiful gems to be hidden in this dark forest," the bride said. As she spoke, a soft hum came from a winged mouse-like creature resting on her shoulder, likely her familiar. "I must thank you for finding these stones. My family and I will cherish them always, not just for their beauty, but because they represent your hard work and the strong sense of community within the Hollow. Thank you very much!"

"Brother Bernard and Aldian," the groom said. "Though the contributions of all are very much appreciated and good, the gems you gave us shall be the shining symbols of our family for generations, and for that, we would like to present to you a rare blessing that symbolized our marriage." As he says this he holds out a box and opens it. Within the box are two strangely colored eggs, one resembling Aldian's Amethyst and the other resembling Bernard's Zircon. These eggs contain Familiars, may they forever be your companions, as my wife and I will forever be each other's companions."

"For the rest," the bride chimed in, "your efforts were not in vain, and many of the people dear to us will be receiving your gems. For each of you, though I fear it is not much, we give you a Beginner Spell Scroll. We hope you may use them for the continued betterment of our community as well as your own happiness. Thank you all."

After the rewards were handed out, the bride and groom left, bidding all present to attend their wedding.

As the crowd began to disperse, Aldian and Bernard's eggs began to hatch...

From Aldian's egg hatched a Spitha Realta! This creature resembles a starfish with a deep purple coloration, but occasionally flashes. It is a Familiar of the Lightning Element.

From Bernard's egg hatched a Galebug! This creature resembles a ladybug, but is larger than its mundane counterparts and is not red, but blue. It is a familiar of the Wind Element.

Eveline and Clove each receive a Beginner Spell Scroll!