The Hermit's Hoard

RP blog for OC Rens the Ranger

[renstheranger]

Special Delivery

[effronthetwisted]

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[renstheranger]

{View thread from start}

Sifri put her finger to her lip in thought as she considered the item Effron indicated. Mentally skimming through the shop’s inventory – she knew the store by heart – she realised they had nothing of the sort. But she couldn’t turn the man away … especially since he was one of Rens’ hand-picked clients. She had to put on a show, even just to buy some time before taking Effron to her employer.

“Well, I certainly understand why you’re having difficulty finding something like that,” she said, after a suitably long pause. “They’re not easy to come by. Let’s see…” Ducking back behind the counter, she fished out a small stool and dragged it towards a teetering shelf. Only wobbling a little on the stool, she began nudging some of the trinkets around as if she were actually looking for something.

Maybe she could tempt Effron into an impulse purchase? “We do have quite a few figurines. Perhaps one of them will suit your needs.” Sifri picked up a few pretty trinkets that had minor enchantments, pretending to evaluate them before putting them back. Then she settled on one that was much more familiar, a glass miniature of a fire elemental. “Must it be an animal?” she asked Effron. “This particular figurine was previously used to summon its likeness from the Plane of Fire. If you’re looking for combat ability, it’s very efficient.”

Sifri hopped down from the stool and put the fire elemental figurine on the counter, turning it to catch the candlelight. The warm flames refracted in the glass brought a smile to her face. Still, she was glad she no longer had need of this particular trinket. Sifri casually pushed the stool back under the counter, content that she’d delayed long enough.  “Rens also possesses a Silver Raven figurine, though it’s a little small for your requirements.”

Sifri paused, remembering the subtle wording and emphasis required for this part of the deal. Rens, usually so cavalier when it came to the social graces, had been insistent. “Of course, Rens has many contacts in many places. I believe he is due to depart on another trip very soon. He finds the strangest things, in the strangest places. I could take you to him, if you wished to negotiate for a specific acquisition?”

[renstheranger]

Special Delivery

[renstheranger]

effronthetwisted:

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{View thread from start}

Sifri had her head buried in the ledger, as she always did this time of day. As much as she looked forward to the work, tracking yesterday’s business was always a bit easier when the sun had fully risen and the cold of the desert night had been burned away. How Rens could stand to rise at dawn each day without fail, she had no idea.

Sums danced before her, each number slotting into place like in a puzzle. There was a kind of magic here, Sifri thought, something beyond that of summoning elementals and hurling fireballs. When she reached the bottom of the column and the numbers came out just so, a tingle of satisfaction seemed to touch her very core. She tucked the ledger into its customary spot under the desk with a wistful smile. Business was good, now that The Hermit’s Hoard was the only shop of its kind for some distance.

Sifri moved on to the list Rens had given her – names and details of particular individuals with an interest in magical items. Many of them were simple collectors, but a few were enterprising merchants. Her employer may not have understood the complicated accounting system she’d developed, but his ability to sniff out potential business contacts was extraordinary. Their profit margin proved it. Tucking a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear, Sifri inked her quill and started a letter to a wealthy merchant lord. She had barely finished the salutation when the bell over the shop door tinkled. A bright smile was already on her face as she looked up, though it slipped for a moment when she saw what – who, she corrected herself – had just walked in.

She wasn’t sure where to look first – the horns? The mismatched eyes? Or – there it was, the arm that gave the tiefling his unfortunate moniker. Sifri recalled an earlier list from Rens, and decided that this new customer had to be Effron the Twisted. She reached out with her magic just a little bit… yes, it was unmistakable, a slight aura of death clung to him. Realising she’d been staring a bit too long, Sifri scolded herself. Don’t be rude, she thought. You’ve seen worse.

In an instant the friendly shopkeeper mask was back in place. “Hello. Effron, isn’t it? I’m Sifri,” she said, dropping her eyes demurely as she introduced herself. “I assume you got my letter. And the, er, wine.” She crinkled her nose. “I hope it wasn’t too much for you. My employer’s vintages sometimes have interesting side effects.” Having tried a few sips of Rens’ creations herself, she hoped had not sent any of those bottles.

Sifri spread her hands wide. “Welcome to The Hermit’s Hoard. You’ll find we have many enchanted items here.” She gestured to shelves crammed with trinkets, a rack of magic-imbued clothing, and several larger items tucked against the walls. If not for the constant tingle of power that emanated from nearly every piece, the place would appear to be a grandmother’s attic. “Whether you’re looking for a gift for a magically-inclined friend, or something more purposeful than pretty, I’m sure we can assist you. And if there’s something we don’t have, Rens is often on the road and may be able to obtain it for you.” She made sure to put the subtle emphasis on the word, as Rens had instructed. Those in the know would… know.

Her introductory spiel done, Sifri fixed Effron with what she hoped was a welcoming smile. “Can I assist you in finding something specific?”

[renstheranger]

Special Delivery

“A package for you, Master Effron.” The courier deposits a letter and two dark bottles wrapped in brown paper on a nearby table. The man makes a swift retreat, even tripping over his feet in his haste to escape the inebriated warlock.

The letter is penned in a very neat hand – too neat, as if the writer had learned the letters by rote and then faithfully duplicated them without any attempt at personalisation. The wine is powerfully fragrant.

Dear Master Effron,

My employer has been made aware that you have an interest in magical curiosities and elven wine. My employer is a purveyor of both and I kindly invite you to patronise The Hermit’s Hoard next time you are in the area.

Please enjoy the wine; it is my employer’s own vintage. I recommend that you avoid sampling it on an empty stomach.

Yours in invitation,

Sifri (Assistant, The Hermit’s Hoard, on behalf of proprietor and owner Rens, Saviour of Dezerton)

[A simple sketch of the location is included]

[renstheranger]

The Oasis

Wiping sweat from his brow, Rens surveyed his slowly-growing Oasis. Fresh water bubbled from rocky outcroppings, flowing into small streams with sandy beds. The small plants around them were thriving, and even the larger trees were beginning to take despite the natural climate. Rens wrinkled his nose. It still smelled a bit wrong. The burnt sand on the breeze tickled his nose and got into every crevice, even with the thick canopy of leaves above him. The people of Dezerton had thought him mad when he’d announced his plans, but they’d given him the land anyway – none of them were game enough to deny the saviour of their town. It had taken time, and no small amount of gold, but eventually he and a gnomish associate constructed an elaborate network of pipes, valves and pumps underneath the desert sand. From there, it was simply a matter of selecting his favourite sun-hardy plants and importing them from across the continent. Finally, he had his little piece of forest – of home – and he didn’t even have to leave town to visit it.