Editing The Sorcerers Labyrinth (section)

=Aragon's Mirror=

''Note: Full-length standing mirrors are anachronistic. Historically, glass working techniques were not advanced enough in TL3 to create flat, transparent planes large enough for tall, thin mirrors. However, in this setting, techniques have been in use long enough for float glass to be somewhat commonplace. Just like its historical invention, it is a carefully guarded secret that has remained so for more than 100 years.


However the PC's get the mirror form Rufus, it's assumed that they do. 

Trouble is, the mirror is owned by the traveling wizard-sage [[The_Sorcerers_Labyrinth:Aragon|Aragon]]. Aragon is a mid-level wizard who isn't happy that his wagon was burglarized. However, the PC's won't know who owns the mirror at this point.

Any mage worth his salt will be able to determine the mirror isn't magical. Analyze Magic can be cast on it if there's any doubt. It really ''is'' just an antique mirror. If there is no mage in the group or all Per+Magery rolls are failed, the PC's can search for a mage to perform Analyze Magic. Roll against the higher of IQ or Merchant both at +1 for Brecconary's current population to find a mage for the job. The mage will ask $50 for the service if the PC doing the talking makes a successful Merchant roll or $75 if the roll is failed. A further successful quick contest against the mage's Merchant skill of 14 will lower his asking price by $20.

The PC's will probably feel defrauded when they learn the mirror isn't magical. They may determine that in truth, Rufus really did believe the mirror was the of legend. He only lied to cover up the fact that he stole it, and to assure the PC's of what he believed was true. 

The PC's may take a number of different courses of action. Below are a few: 

* The PC's may seek retribution. If they do, a Streetwise roll at -3 for being obvious strangers will give them two clues: Rufus' real name and the location of bar he commonly patronizes, the Cracked Mug. <br><br>If the players catch up to Rufus, he'll eventually spill the beans about where and how he got the mirror. He'll swear he thought it was the mirror of lore, and he'll be telling the truth in doing so. He'll give the PC's back their money less $250 he spent paying off a leg breaker, $25 he spent on his bar tab, and $20 he spent on liquor including a bottle of rum he's already got half down intro his gullet. The guard won't fuss too much if the PC's rough him up quite a bit, but permanently injuring him -- for example by cutting or stabbing him or causing any temporary, lasting or permanent crippling injuries from failed HT rolls (B422) -- will cause them to get evolved. What happens in that case is up to the GM, but Aragon will probably find out about the situation and come looking for the PC's at that point.<br><br>

* If the PC's take the mirror to the guard and tell them what happened, they will be asked to remain at the post while they find its rightful owner whom already reported it stolen. They'll also inform the PC's that they will look for Rufus to bring him to justice. <br><br>And, they'll do just that. Both are easily located. Rufus will try to say the PC's are lying and that he had nothing to do with the mirror's theft. But, after a short investigation, the guard will see through this deception. However, the PC's should be made to sweat a little as the guard questions everyone evolved to make sue the crazy bum's story isn't true. Make Acting rolls for Rufus and Detect Lies rolls on the guard's behalf. <br><br>The players will meet Aragon at this time and he will be pleased to have his mirror returned. He'll offer the PC's an enchanted large knife in return for their service (see [[The_Sorcerers_Labyrinth:Aragon|Aragon's page]] for details).<br><br>

* If the PC's just want to hawk the mirror, they can do so. Roll against Merchant at +1 for the town's current population. <br><br>Role play the exchange and make note of what the PC's tell the antique dealer about the mirror. It may be important later when its rightful owner comes looking for it using the Seeker (M105) spell. He won't appreciate it if the PC's intentionally lied about how they got it. <br><br>Unless the antique merchant is given reason to believe it's stolen (e.g., if the players tell him they got it off a drunk bum in a seedy deal), he will offer $2,000 for the mirror if the selling PC makes a merchant roll, $1,200 if not. He won't want it if it seems to be stolen property, and will probably advise the PC's to take it to the guard. <br><br>A further quick contest of merchant skill rolls against the merchant's skill of 14 will bring him up to $2,250 or $1,320 if the original merchant roll was failed. If the PC critically fails this roll the merchant will be offended and won't buy the mirror. No one else in town will give more than $1,000 ($1,200 if another Merchant quick contest against 14 is made). A critical success and the antique merchant will offer $1,000 more for the mirror, or $4,000 more if the PC's convince the merchant the mirror is magical.<br><br>

* The PC's count their losses and do nothing. If they take no real course of action other than to take the mirror and put it with their supplies (they can't reasonably carry it around), Aragon and the guard will find it, thanks to his Seeker spell. If they leave the mirror, Aragon and the guard will find it in the loft (or wherever it's at). It won't take long for the guard to track down the PC's. With a detective present, Aragon will cast Images of the Past (M107) on the mirror which will show the PC's reflection if they ever stood before it. If not, they will find Rufus who will blame the whole thing on the PC's and aide the guard in searching for them.