Editing The Sorcerers Labyrinth (section)

==Of Drunks and Mirrors==

A foul-smelling beggar approaches one of the PC's. The beggar will approach either the least threatening or most gullible in appearance. 

Read aloud the following passage:


{|style="background:#ffdead;" border="1"
|-
| Width="300px" | ''An old, foul-smelling beggar approaches [PC's name]. The assaulting stench of horse manure, stagnant alcohol and putrid sweat precedes him. He's shoeless and filthy and wearing tattered, threadbare rags. He smiles as he approaches showing what remains of his jagged, yellow teeth.''

''This latest in a line of beggars has a drunken look in his eyes. Grinning, he greats [PC's name]. "Greeting, traveler! You look like an adventuresome type. I've a proposition for you, one I'm sure you'll be interested in hearing. Come here out of the street and away from prying eyes and ears."
|}


The beggar, [[The_Sorcerers_Labyrinth:Rufus|Rufus]], will try to get the PC to accompany him out of the street to a nearby alley. Alert players will be cautious, but the alley is directly nearby only a few yards away. Observation rolls will tell the players there seem to be no immediate danger of ambush. It seems as though the beggar just wants to leave the bustle of a busy street. 

If the players don't accompany him to the side of the road, he'll follow saying something like, "Got an important date? I'll just keep my voice low then." His eyes will shift from one side to the next as he speaks in hushed tone. 

The beggar approaching them is pretty well just what he seems, but is actually a quite a bit smarter than the average alcoholic bum. 

Read aloud the following passage: 


{|style="background:#ffdead;" border="1"
|-
| Width="300px" | ''"I just happened upon something so wonderful, it may be hard to believe," the drunken bum says excitedly, but in hushed tone with eyes darting left and right. "Something out of the fairytales, you see. There was this shady character -- a mage, I think -- he was talking to some big, mean-looking bloke in the back of a tavern. I overheard their conversation. Seems this wizard was selling a magic mirror. But, not just any old magic mirror like you might find in the back of a traveling wizard's caravan, no. 

''"Ever heard the story, 'The Princess in the Mirror?' Sure you have," the beggar says before you can answer. "It's the mirror in the story! At midnight, it shimmers and glows; turns into a magic gateway to another land. I know what'cher think'n! Fairtales! Kids stories fit to put the little ones to sleep at bedtime! I know, I know -- couldn't believe it myself! Read my daughter the same story out of a book. But, no, I swear by my beard, I done tested it last night!"
|}


In truth, Rufus did overhear a conversation between the two men he described, and the conversation was about the fairytale mirror. The mirror wasn't for sale but the "mage" told the other man that he had it in his possession. Rufus is lying about ''when'' he overheard the conversation; he was eavesdropping about an hour ago. 

Rufus knew where the "mage's" caravan was and broke into it. He stole the only mirror in the wagon, a beautiful, antique full-length mirror. 

He also is completely lying about testing it and finding a magical land, but he truly believes it is in fact the mirror of legend. He's not trying to scam the PC's; he's only trying to unload some stolen loot without them knowing it's stolen.  

Rufus will tell the players the mage needed a new horse to pull his wagon (the truth). Though he was loathe to do so, the mage agreed to trade the mirror for two of Rufus' prized steeds (a lie). Rufus will defend his lies and even offer to show the PC's his stable. In truth, the stable is merely the one he works at, but the owners are all out enjoying the festival.