I'll just assume Antoninus is a recipient of Aodhan's standard presentation. He's a thin, handsome man of average height, with dark hair, dark eyes, and a slightly olive complexion. He's dressed in formal robes that bear the symbol of House Mercere, clearly marking him as a Mercere magus. His only escort is a white cat that looks vaguely arrogant. Yes, more so than a normal cat.
(OOC - I realize the robes are a little gaudy, but he hopes it will make him more impressive when he meets other magi. Also note that I changed his Reserved +1 Personality trait to Aloof +1. He has a latent casual arrogance from being a Mercere/Mutantum magus that he doesn't even notice.)
Antoninus is clearly intrigued by the bedroll and the boots, though he doesn't interrupt...
...vague polite smile...
Antoninus assumes this is either an exaggeration or an outright lie, but wouldn't dream of holding such a thing against a salesman.
Antoninus responds in Latin: Indeed it would. I often find myself wishing for a more agreeable horse. He gives a slight bow. I am Antoninus ex Mercere, late of the Roman tribunal. Your wares are impressive, and more importantly, imminently practical. The bedroll in particular would serve a messenger well on a cold night. I find that the crafters of our Order tend to focus too heavily on so-called 'great works' and fail to acknowledge those who produce works that a magus can actually use. From which covenant do hail, sodalis?
(OOC - I'm well aware that Aodhan may find some of that insulting. Antoninus doesn't intend it as such.)
Might as well check...Int 3 + Order Lore 2 + roll 1. Since I can't imagine this is a stress, die, I'll call it a total of 6.
((House rule - Lore rolls, remembering stuff, things like that, are practically always Stress die unless otherwise stated. So, go ahead and roll the follow-up.))
You can practically see the hairs on Aodhan's head move with how easily any insult whizzes right past him unnoticed.
"Antoninus ex Mercere, good day to ye! I'm from the..." he scratches his head a moment. "It's an island with canaries? Is that how it's called? It's a bird island I believe, strange name. I feel that practical items are what are going to sell and get my name remembered, then I can make items by commission as customers will feel confident in my skills. A bridle could definitely make a horse more agreeable. An item like that or other enchanted tools are very economical...they still require ye to use it and the skills to handle the horse, yet it enhances your efforts. That's how it saves Warping, it could be used every day without worry."
Very interesting. Antoninus takes a closer look at the bedroll and boots. Have you offered your wares to any of the Redcaps? Not here of course, they're quite busy managing the tribunal, but during your time at...Insula Canaria, is it? Establishing a relationship with House Mercere can be quite lucrative, especially when it comes to what is clearly your area of expertise. Practical enchantments are always in demand. He looks up with a smile. It may also cause your name to be mentioned in several covenants...
"Redcaps? Not yet I'm afraid, though I'm sure they'll be good customers...If ye have an in with them, send them my way Sodalis." when the Covenant is named it's like a light appears over his head. "Insula Canaria! Aye that's it! I always forget that, it needs work, but that's a bonus for me. So my friend, is there anything here I can interest ye in? Or possibly a commission?"
I can't promise a great deal of influence, but I do know most of the Loch Leglean Redcaps personally. I would be happy to mention your name as a prospective supplier of practical enchantments. I recommend visiting Isis at Taigh Gogar if you hope for a formal contract.
What is your asking price for this bedroll? I'm not certain I'll have the vis to purchase this particular one while we're here, but a commission is certainly a possibility if your rates are reasonable.
(OOC - I'm not trying to drag this out. Antoninus just figures Aodhan is the sort who needs to close a deal before discussing other matters.)
Aodhan takes a moment to actually commit the name to memory. Truly his memory could be prodigious, but he often neglected things that seemed inconsequential, thus his scatter-brained demeanor. "Isis at Taigh Gogar" he murmurs and closes his eyes as he files it away.
"Thank ye. Now then, the bedroll is of minor power, practical though it is. I do have to stick with the pricing rules that my Primus has laid out. In this case, 3 pawns of vis for the item. Your choice for the Art they are from. Now though...would ye rather have an item on commission? Those minor enchantments I mentioned would cost ye the same, but I could tailor it to your specifications. Ye said ye are from Mercere, so you know of the ideal that an item's form and material provides when enchanting it aye? A wand is ideal for controlling things at a distance, a sword for cutting humans and animals, a skull for ghosts. An item that I'd make would use those same principals to enhance your skill with such a tool. A crown makes ye more regal. A saddle controls a horse, a tool works better as intended. Do ye ken? The possibilities are quite grand, and these abilities, while magic, do not affect ye or the target, so it cannot warp. Might that be worth something? Name the tool or item and if it has those Hermetic associations, I can make it work better for ye. It also has the advantage of being only weakly enchanted, so it escapes casual magical inspection most times. For 3 pawns and a season of my time. Ye'd supply the item or the cost for it."
Such things would certainly be worth something to a Redcap, but not as much to me, I'm afraid. I'm neither a warrior nor a craftsman, and I haven't sat a horse in a decade. I'm afraid my interests rarely fall outside the laboratory these days, as my friend here can attest. At length. As with your display items, I will pass word of these other...minor enchantments, you called them?...on to the Redcaps. I'll refrain from describing the details. While I think I understand the principles, I wouldn't want to give false impressions. As with the others, I'll suggest they contact you directly.
Aodhan shrugs, not a sale, but a referral could be quite useful.
"In the lab ye say? Any number of items can help in the lab. The Anvil of Vulcan is more for me and my purposes in the lab, I designed it that way. Makes work much easier and faster. Do ye find yourself needing to cast a certain spell frequently? Even if it's an easy spell, sometimes the randomness of magic can go awry...items don't though. Or perhaps something that protects ye in the lab? Or keeps your lab neat and orderly? Saves on silver or having servants in your sanctum. Any of those and more could be commissioned. I brought out some of the minor enchantments, surely, but I'm not limited to those. Think on it while ye're here, and do send the Redcaps my way if ye please."
He holds out his hand. "And I thank ye for listening to me prattle on about me wares."
Antoninus shakes his hand. You're quite welcome, and I assure you I've heard far more prattling from far less interesting salesmen. He glances around awkwardly, not entirely sure where to start. I do have another topic to broach, unrelated to your wares. In recent years I've found the bustle and excitement of Mercere Houses, especially that in my home covenant of Harco, is an unwelcome intrusion on my efforts in the laboratory. I'm interested in relocating to a quieter covenant with fewer...distractions. I've put the question to some Redcaps I know and the top recommendation they've provided is your covenant of Insula Canaria. As I understand it, the place has a charming rustic air and a beautiful location. I was also given to understand that you have been recently seeking new blood in an attempt to stave off Winter. I am interested in visiting and possibly joining your covenant, provided all parties are amenable. He smiles agreeably. Would you be willing to mention me to your sodales in attendance? I ask no guarantees, simply introductions.
Let's see...let's go ahead and get two Order of Hermes Lore rolls: one for whether he's heard of the book and one for the author (Vetaulus of Bonisagus). The quality seems to be pretty decent...about 9.
((Wow...I didn't know Cracked had a dice roller ))
Fithich Spòg allows any magus to come copy books, in exchange for either Vis or another book (although those exchanging books generally take precedence). Tractatus seem to be three pawns of Vis, summae generally more.
The name Aodhan rings a bell...Antoninus seems to remember something about Aodhan having a pater, Tintavius, who is rather arrogant and cruel, even for a Verditius, with a tendency to make cursed items.
((Drag away. I'm in the midst of moving, and practically all of my Ars books are boxed up and ready to ship to my new home this week, so I'll be limited to the core book until next week or so.))
For the book...Int 3 + OoHL 2 + roll 7 = 12
For the author...Int 3 + OoHL 2 + roll 0, no botch = 5
Btw, which covenant (or individual magus) is offering the book?
Gah! Sorry about that. I hope you at least enjoyed the article.
Hmmm...this will influence how Antoninus presents Aodhan to the Redcaps. I'll ask what they know about him, but with a positive spin because he's clearly a Redcap's dream crafter if he's on the level. I'll also still try to get at least one of them (probably Maria) to stop by his table and listen to his presentation.
Aodhan looks taken aback at first at the request. "I...really? Well I had no idea that our Covenant was so desirable. I did mention it needs work right? But, if ye have ambitions that should only sweeten the prospect I suppose. Sure! Ye mention me to the Redcaps and I'll reccomend ye to the others at Canaria. It does have its charm, that is very true! I'll introduce ye as soon as others of the Covenant arrive. I came a bit early so I could set up."
A short and rather pretty blonde maga was walking nearby when something said by either Antonius or Aodhan attracted her attention. She circles around, hovering unobtrusively nearby until the two men are finished talking.
Oh, I'm not seeking vaulted ceilings and gods in marble. I've had my fill of that. I'm merely looking for some peace and quiet. As for the rest, I believe we have a deal. Antoninus shakes hands again with a smile. May we both prosper from it. He notices the short blond woman, nods in greeting, and steps back to give Aodhan room to repeat his presentation.
"My apologies, sodales." The woman's voice is a quiet and unexpectedly deep contralto. "I could not help overhearing you discuss Insula Canaria, which happens to be a covenant I am interested in as well, although..." She looks up at Aodhan and Antonius with a small half-smile. "... although I'm afraid I don't have anything as valuable as contacts among the Mercere to trade. I'm Leandra of Jerbiton."
"Good day to you! Ye have the look of a fine eye for quality, why else would ye be here? I'm Aodhan ex Verditius, and I make fine items of magic..." and pauses at her question. "Oh...well that is a coincidence is it not? Aye, I'm from Insula Canaria." he stops and looks at Antoninus as if to double check that he got the pronunciation of his own Covenant correct. "Ye wish to see Canaria or ye wish to join it? I'm new there myself, but apparently my fame at making fine magic items has spread its name somewhat." he puffs out his chest a bit. "Well, why don't ye join me at Tribunal or keep an eye out for me. When I see the others from my Covenant arrive I'll be happy to point ye both out. Now then my fair Leandra, can I interest ye in some magic items? I have a few on display, but am also a Verditius who works on commission. Such as jewelry? Jewelry could certainly look even better on such a bonnie lady as yourself...if ye don't mind me saying."
Aodhan receives a slight nod and smile in return. Antoninus turns to Leandra. Antoninus ex Mercere, late of the Roman tribunal. Pleased to meet you. He then maintains a polite distance while Aodhan does his thing.
Leandra laughs quietly. "I'd love to purchase some things, friend Aodhan. Those boots, in particular, look exquisite... " (They really do, especially since her feet hurt.) "Problem is, I don't have much to trade for them. I do want to join Insula Canaria -- perhaps we can arrange a trade of some sort a few Seasons down the road?"
(( Sorry for the short posts, guys. Unlike my characters in Bibracte or Andorra, Leandra is stubbornly refusing to come to life. ))
))
))