I considered my options as I strode away from the Salty Clam, regarding my next steps.
The way I see it, I can either invest into a piece of Heavy Armor or two now - and who knows how expensive they'd be, maybe I couldn't even afford a single article - or try and scrounge for some writing materials to kick-start my magical research.
Heavy Armor is a more short-term investment, with a high upfront cost and nothing else needed to raise the skill level except time spent getting hit (traditionally anyway, maybe just wearing it will gain me experience passively here).
Magical research or more specifically, gaining any other novice spells in the Conjuration and Illusion trees and therefore the ability to research apprentice spells once the proper perk is taken is a more long-term investment. Furthermore, all I needed to begin was a writing utensil, and a few pages of paper - or parchment here I'm sure - which I'm sure can't be too expensive.
Pondering this I came to the easy decision to begin my journey into magical research first. Much like Heavy Armor getting my extra perks until I reach my goal of efficient casting while wielding it, magical research should be getting me extra time until I reach my goal of learning all the spells and effects I can at each level of spell casting possible.
Balancing my time in between these is going to be key to me getting powerful enough to take on actual quests and face real danger without the absolute threat of death looming over me.
So first, the... what kind of store here sells writing supplies? What were they called again.... scriveners? I think that's right.
Wandering my way back to the eastern main thoroughfare - and attempting to memorize the path I was taking as I did - I kept my eye open for landmarks to help navigate, specifically at the different shops I was passing by; some of which caught my eye as armorers and weaponsmiths and many other different specialty stores.
If nothing else Ireford seemed to be quite a bustling place with a very active economy - a good sign for the start of my adventuring career no doubt. I didn't see many shops with their storefronts closed, and most of the open ones had people shuffling in and out at a decent pace.
I reached the main road and waved to a stop a leather-adorned catfolk walking by, his brown ears twitching at my approach and his hand falling to a dagger sheathed in the crook of his back.
"Hello! May I ask if you happen to know the location of a scrivener near here?" I asked him, keeping my hands out to my sides and making it clear I had no intention to approach closer or accost him.
"Dar'Amnir does know of one, yes. Pale-skin should walk down the road towards the sunset, and find one quickly. This one walks that way, and will guide human if pale-skin fails, hm?" He didn't relax one bit as he spoke. It did relax me a bit to hear a rather familiar cadence, even if he was clearly on edge... unless he was always like this.
"Thank you for the help Dar'Amnir - I'm Dekar. I just find myself in the need of some writing supplies you see, to begin my study of magic..." I nattered on, taking the initiative to walk in front of him to show I'm certainly no danger to him.
He didn't speak a word or offer any opinions as I blathered about my wishes to become a powerful mage, but I did suddenly feel an iron grip wrapped around my forearm as he grabbed it from behind, pulling me to a stop and gesturing at a store next to us, whose sign was half hidden and I had missed.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
"Catfolk wish luck to human. This one must now leave, yes?" He said, immediately walking away further west down the road.
Well. That was mildly frustrating. I hope it wasn't something I did, but he seemed rather abrupt.
I read the sign as I glanced up toward the store, "The Scribes Delight" was written on it. Seems exactly like the kind of place I need.
The inside of the shop was just as neatly kempt and quiet as the exterior, with no customers currently inside and a single man standing behind a counter. The rest of the shop was filled with short tables full of different types of parchments, numerous quills and bottles of ink, and many different designs of bound books; I assumed empty and ready for use.
My Speech skill seemed to have been doing me favors so far, even though I hadn't unlocked any actual abilities for it yet. So, I put on my best smile and walked up to the counter.
"Hail friend!" I said in a neutral tone, trying to act friendly but not too cheerful or annoying. "I was hoping to pick up the cheapest set of writing implements you have, and maybe a few pieces of parchment to go with it. I'll be starting my magical research soon, and want to practice my forms before writing anything formal - you understand I'm sure? I don't want to purchase anything more expensive just yet when I can't make good use of them."
He may be more approachable knowing that I'm both a mage and planning to come back to purchase more expensive items later.
"I suppose I could let you have some cast-off practice sheets and a cheap quill, and our worst ink for a silver if that's amenable." He said. His tone didn't change remaining as neutral as mine, though he seemed to give me a considering glance as if weighing me in his head.
"Perfect! That should last me a few days and get me back into practice." I took the one silver I had earned from Marie and put it on the counter leaving me with just a few coppers left in my pocket.
I was sure I could last without eating or drinking until my shift began tonight at the Salty Clam, so there was no need to spend them either.
The clerk walked around the shop, picking up what must have been the least expensive quill and the cheapest bottle of ink and leaving them on the counter before walking into a door I hadn't seen behind the counter and disappearing into the back of the shop.
He came back moments later with a short stack of parchment, all clearly used and scraped clean in practice and unbound, placing them down on the counter next to the quill and ink.
I didn't even attempt to count how many sheets he had given me - I was already penny-pinching the man and beggers can't be choosers. Furthermore, he helped me without any complaints.
I picked up my supplies, carrying them carefully as I could and leaving the silver on the counter for him to pick up.
"Thank you! I'll see you again in a few days, of that I have no doubt. Fair weather!" I hoped that wasn't a totally weird thing to say, I admit I don't fit in here yet. At least no one has asked me to remove my hood and studied my face...
The clerk grunted at me in return, picking up the silver and dropping it into something beneath the counter out of sight.
Well. Time for me to head back to the Salty Clam and maybe start some research in my room - maybe I'll get lucky and unlock something before my work tonight can even begin!