Editing The Sorcerers Labyrinth (section)

=The Trade=

Rufus hid the mirror in the hayloft above the horse barn. He's obviously nervous about the whole situation, but he'll tell the PC's he's had second thoughts about the mirror and wants it gone. "The mirror's not worth having around. Gives me the willies. I don't trust wizards, either; no offense if any 'o you have the gift. You just never know what they're up to, I'm sure you'll agree. What can an ugly old man do with a magic mirror anyway? I'm just a simple horse trader. Can't run off on some adventure in a magical land. Get myself gobbled up by a dragon is all that'll do fer me."

If the PC's seem interested, Rufus will try to sell it to them for as much as he can get. He may be a drunk bum, but he's not stupid. He truly believes the mirror is the magical gateway of fairytale lore and won't hear any suggestion that it isn't. 

Because, in fact, it isn't. 

Rufus will first grab a nearby feed bucket and a long rope. He'll tie it to the handle and climb up the ladder with the rope in hand. If asked what he's doing, he'll say something vague and dismissive like, "Can't be too careful," or, "Just tying up lose ends." 

He'll climb the ladder to the top of the hayloft with the rope in one hand, but won't let any of the PC's climb up with him. He'll then reveal the mirror from up top to the PC's below. It is, apparently, a beautiful, antique mirror. Mages will get a Per+Magery roll to detect if the mirror is magical, and another, later roll if they touch it. 

Rufus will deny any requests from inquisitive PC's to examine it further, particularly from mages wanting to perform magical experiments on it. "I don't know you and you don't know me. this is the opportunity of a lifetime! Don't go wasting it with hastey demands. This is really it! The mirror of legend!" 

He'll push the ladder down from the loft if the PC's try to climb it. He'll then stand his ground and threaten to call for the guard if pressed, but won't actually do so. If assaulted, he'll climb out the window to the rooftop and jump to the next building before running away. Long ago, he planned his escape from the hayloft if the guard, victims of his burglaries, or a band of street toughs ever came looking for him. 

Certain skill rolls at -4 for only seeing the mirror from a distance below may reveal that the mirror is about 100 years old (about the right age to be the mirror of legend). It's fair market value is around $2,500 and it weighs 15 lbs. Rufus wants $1,200 unless the PC's seem particularly wealthy or eager in which case he could ask for twice as much.

If they have the money, Rufus will tell them to put it in the bucket. He'll draw the bucket up and count the money before telling them to come up and get the mirror. When they climb to the top, he'll be gone.