WALL OF ARTIFACTS
You gaze upon the wall of artifacts on display at the Dread Dragon Inn, and your eyes widen in wonder. There are all sorts of magical items and strange curiosities to behold. A sign above the display states, ‘The Mysteries of the Arcane: A Collection of Rare and Powerful Artifacts’. A well-dressed halfling stands nearby, eyeing a particular case containing a rather ordinary looking ring.
Enticed by the enchantments and mesmerisms locked away in their cases, you step forward for a closer examination.
There are shimmering crystal orbs that seem to contain swirling mists and flashing lights, as well as strange metal contraptions with knobs and dials that hum with arcane energy. Among the items are also old scrolls and books with intricate writing and diagrams, some of which glow with magical runes.
In one case, a floating orb begins to emit a pale, green light. You recognize it as a necromancer’s orb, imbued with the power to sap one’s very lifeforce were they to get too close.
Another artifact that catches your eye is a djinn’s lamp. It’s adorned with intricate designs, and you can almost sense the power emanating from it. You’ve heard of such mystical lamps before, and their supposed power to grant the holder three wishes stirs within you a barrage of fantastical thoughts.
As you turn away, an empty display case catches your eye.
You decide to speak with the halfling. He’s of slight build, standing at only three and a half feet tall. Despite his small stature, he carries himself with a certain dignity and poise, as if he were born to be a nobleman. His features are sharp and intelligent, the scars on his face betraying the fact that he’s older than he appears. He is impeccably dressed, wearing a fine doublet and vest with a matching set of breeches and polished leather shoes. As you near, he welcomes your approach.
“Finnian Highhill is the name, and you are?”
Despite his well-mannered appearance, he has a sly look in his eyes.
“Well met, wizard. It’s a privilege to meet another admirer of the magic of this realm. It’s a shame what’s happened here, and it’s certainly a shame that I’m not sure who could have done it. That’s the problem, isn’t it? So many of Auberon’s so-called friends had plenty of reason to see to his demise, and just as he was about to name one as a thief, no less. As such, I can understand why you’d want to talk to me.
Haven’t they told you? In my younger days of adventuring at Auberon’s side, I was a thief. Yes, disarming traps in dungeons, picking the locks of treasure chests, sneaking ahead as a scout – I certainly did my part for the party and Auberon and I both benefited greatly from our mutual alliance. Poison, as seems to be the case here, was never my forte, however. Fingersmithing and the like was my game, not apothecarial work.
As it so happens, there once was an alchemist in our adventuring entourage, and as it so happens she’s sitting right over there at the table. If this was indeed a poisoning, she might have had something to do with it. After all, Auberon did kick her out of the party all those years ago, and I did hear them having a rather heated debate about something earlier tonight.
As for my own innocence, let me just say that there was a great mutual respect among Auberon and I. He was as avid a collector of magical items as I am, and we shared many wonderful conversations over the limitless potential these artifacts could bring to the world. Would these make great additions to my own collection? Of course. But I wouldn’t murder my friend over them.”
There are shimmering crystal orbs that seem to contain swirling mists and flashing lights, as well as strange metal contraptions with knobs and dials that hum with arcane energy. Among the items are also old scrolls and books with intricate writing and diagrams, some of which glow with magical runes.
In one case, a floating orb begins to emit a pale, green light. You recognize it as a necromancer’s orb, imbued with the power to sap one’s very lifeforce were they to get too close.
Another artifact that catches your eye is a djinn’s lamp. It’s adorned with intricate designs, and you can almost sense the power emanating from it. You’ve heard of such mystical lamps before, and their supposed power to grant the holder three wishes stirs within you a barrage of fantastical thoughts.
As you turn away, an empty display case catches your eye.
You decide to speak with the halfling. He’s of slight build, standing at only three and a half feet tall. Despite his small stature, he carries himself with a certain dignity and poise, as if he were born to be a nobleman. His features are sharp and intelligent, the scars on his face betraying the fact that he’s older than he appears. He is impeccably dressed, wearing a fine doublet and vest with a matching set of breeches and polished leather shoes. As you near, he welcomes your approach.
“Finnian Highhill is the name, and you are?”
Despite his well-mannered appearance, he has a sly look in his eyes.
“Well met, wizard. It’s a privilege to meet another admirer of the magic of this realm. It’s a shame what’s happened here, and it’s certainly a shame that I’m not sure who could have done it. That’s the problem, isn’t it? So many of Auberon’s so-called friends had plenty of reason to see to his demise, and just as he was about to name one as a thief, no less. As such, I can understand why you’d want to talk to me.
Haven’t they told you? In my younger days of adventuring at Auberon’s side, I was a thief. Yes, disarming traps in dungeons, picking the locks of treasure chests, sneaking ahead as a scout – I certainly did my part for the party and Auberon and I both benefited greatly from our mutual alliance. Poison, as seems to be the case here, was never my forte, however. Fingersmithing and the like was my game, not apothecarial work.
As it so happens, there once was an alchemist in our adventuring entourage, and as it so happens she’s sitting right over there at the table. If this was indeed a poisoning, she might have had something to do with it. After all, Auberon did kick her out of the party all those years ago, and I did hear them having a rather heated debate about something earlier tonight.
As for my own innocence, let me just say that there was a great mutual respect among Auberon and I. He was as avid a collector of magical items as I am, and we shared many wonderful conversations over the limitless potential these artifacts could bring to the world. Would these make great additions to my own collection? Of course. But I wouldn’t murder my friend over them.”