Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks's page

Brickasnurd chuckles at Illiam's statement. Of course, of course. Perhaps again some evening at Jak's place. For now, I'd best get back to the front of my shop, thieves tend to grow courageous when I'm not looking right at them. The busy eyebrowed gnome says, in a way that makes Illiam thing, somehow he might actually be talking about him. Then he moves aside the heavy curtain to this small back storage room going back to the main room of his Goose 'n Gander.

At the mention of the magical sleeves and magical nail Brickasnurd's eyebrows quaver in what almost looks like an ocean wave from one side of his face to the next. He mumbles for a bit, Hummmm, hrrrmmmmm, hummmmm. His brow furrows, and his lips open and shut as if to say something and then stop. Finally, a resolute calm comes over him and he says, You mean these? and pulls something off of his sleeves. Immediately his garish, loud, brightly colored garments disappear and underneath a beautiful shirt of shimmering chain, supple in its softness appears. His pants, of well crafted sheepskin leather, are plain and brown, but clearly made for travel and adventure. Every moment spent in the secret society of Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks reveals that there is more and more about him unknown to the world. And this, he says and reaches into his pocket, the same pocket that Illiam caught a magical aura emanating from before, revealing a stout piton made of adamantine. You are right to crave such items, as they are useful beyond measure, but to sell them to you, would mean I'd no longer have them... So... price is a particularly tricky issue... The outlandish gnome sits and furrows brow and quivers lip repeatedly humming and mumbling to himself, seemingly deep in thought. hhhhmmmmm, hrrrrrrmmmmm, hummmmm, hrrrrrmmmmm. Finally coming to a decision he puts the sleeves back on himself and his clothes once again appear garish and bright, in keeping with his normal style. I'll let you have the nail for seventy-five, but the sleeves I'll not sell. Not yet anyway, I'll need to find some alternative to them first. He smiles and holds out the nail for Illiam to take.

Brickasnurd looks Illiam up and down, for a moment, seemingly thinking about or deciding on something. Then he says, I can let you have it for two-hundred and fifteen gold coins. He then leans in again and whispers, and I'll thank you to keep my secrets still secret. He stands back up and winks one bushy eyebrowed eye at his halfling friend.

Scanning the back room of the Goose 'n Gander reveals that Brickasnurd is, indeed, holding out, on more than just Illiam. It becomes apparent very quickly that this entire back room must be protected by a sheet of lead within the walls, and within the fabric of the curtain, as Illiam can detect magical auras within the room, three to be exact, two faint, one moderate, all on wands, but can no longer detect the auras that he witnessed in the main room. Finding the wands magical, Illiam has no need to decipher them, as, just with the skeleton key, they are neatly labeled. One, a long thin piece of very light colored wood, with a jagged and twisting pattern carved into it, is labeled, Call Lightning, a particularly powerful spell usually used by druids and shamans. Another, a thick wand of metal with glittering bits of some yellowish dust apparent throughout, is labeled, Wall of Fire, another powerful spell used by many different casters both arcane and divine. The last a simple baton of steel with zero ornament at all is labeled, Remove Blindness or Deafness. Upon reading the labels, Illiam knows exactly why this room is so "hidden;" any one of these wands is worth a small fortune. The three of them together, if sold in a large market, could set a person up for the rest of their life. Illiam's fingers itch, ever so gently as he realized the wealth that is sitting before him, but his rational mind reminds him that nobody with such wealth ever leaves it wholly unprotected. Clearly there is much more to the unassuming Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks than initially meets the eye.

Speaking of, the wild-haired gnome pushes aside the heavy curtain and steps into the back room next to Illiam, seeing him eyeing the treasures. Those little dandies are left over from my adventuring days. He says with an impish grin, as if that explains everything. I'm doubting you could afford them. Hee hee. He observes and chuckles a bit. The skeleton key, though, that's not such an expensive item, though I'm sure you can understand why I don't want it just out for all to see. Hee hee hee. He laughs at his own conspiracy.

Brickasnurd leans in conspiratorially, smiling wide enjoying the secrecy of their shared conversation. He whispers, You mean a skeleton key? Yeah, I might have one of those, but if I did, I couldn't just keep it out here in the store front. He points to the door to his back room, and says, again in a whisper, saunter around a bit, and then slip your way into that back room. I'll meet you back there once I take care of the rest of these customers.

After meandering about for a bit Illiam does indeed slip Stealth: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 into Brickasnurds adjacent back room, passing behind the thick curtain that hangs as a doorway. Once in the back room, Illiam is very surprised, not by the range of items that he sees, though a couple look to be magic wands that he did not detect while looking before. No, instead the shock of this back room is that it is very organized. Everything is arranged neatly, has been recently dusted, and some things are even labeled with small paper labels. The skeleton key he wanted, is one such. Sitting on a shelf with other sets of tools, some of which look distinctly like the tools of a thief, the key sits with a small string attached to a tiny square of paper labeled, very clearly in common script, skeleton key.

After completing his transaction with the farmer, Brickasnurd stands behind Illiam watching him manipulating the magical device. Hmmmm, I'm not sure I even knew that could do that. Come to think of it, He says, I'm not even sure I remember where I got that little device. Then Illiam watches as Brickasnurd cast's detect magic on the anytool, and concentrates on it for a minute. Awfully useful in a lot places that little thing. He finally says after his examination is complete. If you want it, I could probably let it go for two-hundred and thirty-five gold pieces, since you're a friend. He smiles a warm and welcoming smile. Then leans in and whispers overtly surreptitiously, we little folk have to look out for one another. He says and nudges Illiam's rib cage with his elbow, ever so slightly.

My goodness!!! Well I bet the rest of the envoy are glad that you happened along, aren't they? The flamboyant Gnome pauses for a moment and quirks a brow, he looks like he's going to say something, or perhaps ask something, but then clearly thinks better of it. Good, good, good! Brickasnurd drains the last of his fourth tankard, and stands up, more than a bit wobbly. Whoa! That last tankard of Jak's pale ale went right to my head. I best be calling it a night master Illiam. He says, and then bows deep at the waist, sweeping one hand up in a wide arc, a true courtly courtesy. I thank you for the tales my friend. We should do it again some time. For now though, I'd best get to bed. Shop won't open itself in the morning. After shaking Illiam's hand and giving his farewell, Brickasnurd makes his meandering, and slightly unsteady, way to the door, smiling and waving at a many of the commoners as he does so.

Stories? Me? Brickasnurd looks a little surprised at the suggestion. Well, yes, I... He stammers, I've got a few stories, but, but tonight is about you, your friends, your stories! He smiles, seeming pleased with himself, and takes a long drink from his tankard.

Tassle Worms? And they were too dumb to understand draconic eh? Interesting. You found a way to use your cleverness even after your magic had run out. That's the mark of a great adventurer! Three cheers to Illiam! Brickasnurd hollers to the whole bar. It is quickly echoed by Jakk Crimmy from behind the bar, as he yells...

Ah! Ha ha hee hee hee! The flamboyant gnome laughs with exuberant glee and claps his small hands together in rapid applause. You didn't!? Brilliant. You are full of tricks, aren't you? Then what happened?

Dragonkin! Darkmantles! Now there are some creatures I'd like to hear about. What sort of dragonkin? Wyvern? Faerie dragons? What exactly is a darkmantle? I seem to recall hearing that name, but I don't recall what sort of creature that is? Brickasnurd takes another long draught from his ale, and stares at Illiam waiting to hear tales of darkmantles and dragons.

Seeing Illiam puts a huge grin on the gnome shopkeep's face and he waves him over with a loud yell across the crowded bar. Illiam, you ol' son of a halfling! Get over here and share a brew! I bet you've got some stories to tell. Walking over Illiam sees that Mr. Hildrinsocks is drinking a tall, even for a human, mug of ale, and has just finished up a bowl of Jak's stew. A crust of bread still sits on a plate next to him. Brickasnurd shoos away some children that he was talking to, and invites Illiam to sit in the bench opposite him. Sit down my friend. Into the woods and back again, eh? Do tell. Brickasnurd looks at Illiam with rapt attention, waiting to hear his tales of valor and danger.

Once outside Illiam asks, What sorts of creatures frequent the woods Brickasnurd? As they walk down the few steps from his shop to the street.

Oy! A good question m'boy. Brickasnurd says. Wolves, oh the wolves, wolves everywhere sometimes it seems. Watch out, they bite! They like to knock you over too so they can gang up on you. Snakes too, lots of different kinds of snakes. I've even seen some dragon-kin in the woods, wyverns and the like. All sorts of nasties, but there's some good things in the woods too. It isn't all bad. At night, in a peaceful glade, you might be blessed to watch the glowmold light the forest floor. All in all keep on your toes, you'll be just fine, 'specially with them big burly turtled-up types hanging around, with their long pieces of steel. Those are handy every once in a while for scaring stuff away. He smiles big and his eyes take on a vacant expression for a moment. Then he looks at Illiam and says, Well? You gonna give the bag a try or what?

Illiam does in fact reach his hand into the bag, feeling a small palm-sized ball of fur. He throws it out.

When Illiam releases the the ball of fur it begins immediately growing into a large gray-furred wolfhoud. The dog lands squarely on its massive paws, equipped with riding saddle, and it looks at Illiam expectantly. Nice! The very pleased halfling says. Then jumps into the saddle and spurs the dog on, eager to join his new friends for a little adventure. He waves back at the gnome shopkeep and calls over his shoulder. Thanks Brickasnurd! I won't forget this! His voice trails away as he turns the dog north right in the middle of the low market, scaring a bunch of shoppers half to death.

Brickasnurd's entire demeanor changes, he seems to become taller, stronger, wiser, perhaps a shade darker, yet clearly he has not changed physically at all. He waves a hand and the door to his shop shuts and locks, as do the two other doors to the rear parts of his shop. He walks up to Illiam and looks him square in the eyes. Beware the woods Illiam my friend. There are ancient, dark, and hungry things in the Darkmoon Wood, and the trees themselves will try to make you lose your way. Mark me, he says just above a whisper, do not even trust your own eyes when you're in there. He walks behind his counter then, again, and fumbles around on his shelves. As he does so he continues to talk. I don't have any of those ingredients. I know what rat-tail root is, but not sure what pickling process it needs. I'm guessing you'll be looking for Ulizmilla. Don't trust her either, if you can find her; that witch moves her hut so damn often it's like she's playing a game of hide and seek with the woods themselves. He stops what he's doing for a second, perhaps considering if in fact that is what she might be donig. Then starts up again, She'll sing you sweet words, and the next thing you know you'll be scrubbing her pots. It's obvious by the rattle of items on the shelves that Brickasnurd is searching for something. The oldest part of the forest is the northern part, near the foothills of the Five Kings, that's where it started growing anyway, but it's shifted and undergone some destruction and regrowth. Still that's where I'd start when looking for the elderwood, if 't'were me anyway. Ironbloom mushrooms probably are growing like weeds on all the rusting iron the dwarves left behind in their old monastery. That's north too, really close to the Crag. That's the best advice I can give, but... He seems to rummage around more earnestly. Aha! There it is. He says and comes around from behind the counter with a small, grey, very ordinary looking bag.

This is for you Illiam. He says and hands Illiam the sack. It's more than it appears. But I'm sure you would have figured that out before too long. There's more to you than meets the eye, I knew that the moment I met you. When you reach your hand into the bag, you'll feel a small ball of fur. Throw it out and the ball becomes an animal. It makes bats, rats, cats, weasels, and even occasionally a dog you can ride! He exclaims and claps his hands together in excitement. May all the old gods and the new be with you and your friends Illiam. Come back to us with the ingredients, and I'll make sure the town knows of your deeds of bravery. He waves his hands again and the doors open, and he seems to become a little smaller, a little weaker, a little simpler, just a gnome shopkeep.

What do you say we go outside and you can give that bag a try? I always love wondering what will come out next.

I'm going to have a little bit of GM fiat here, and make sure that the animal that comes out is the riding dog, so Illiam can ride up to his comrades. Whether he tells them where the dog came from, is up to him... :D Of course it will disappear after ten minutes and then he'll have to explain something. Normally though, to use the item, Illiam, you'll roll a d100, and the number will dictate what animal comes out. In case you missed it, it is the "grey" bag of tricks. I thought it entirely fitting that the conjurer of cheap tricks, have a "bag of tricks" to call his very own!

Bwah! Brickasnurd coughs up more pastry crumbs, and takes a few stuttering breaths for a moment. Then he walks behind his counter, disappearing from view for a moment, the sound of his booted footsteps the only notice of his presence. When he appears on the other side of the counter his left hand is tugging thoughtfully at his scruff of beard, while his right fidgets at something in his pocket. He looks directly at Illiam then, with the sternest look Illiam has yet seen on the usually jovial gnome's face. Yer going into a 'choille, aren't you? You'd have to be.

Illiam's loud greeting is answered by the gnome shopkeep coming out from a door opened to the back of the shop. He has powdered sugar all around the rim of his mouth, and bits of some sort of pastry drop out of his mouth as he answers. Feasgar math Illiam! Back so soon? I have a couple hours before I close up shop yet? Or did you think of something else you need. Brickasnurd brushes sugar from his shirt front and pants, and smiles coyly. Don't mind my mess. Mum Gessane came by with some of her fine sugared tarts. She's still trying to pay me back for the Osirian oil lamp. He says confidently, as if that explains just about everything important.