The guild was slowly waking up as it was turning into true morning. Adventures checking to see if any new quests were posted and heading to the counters to accept it. some people indulging in the modest breakfast they sold for a few copper. Others looking like they were recovering from a night of drinking.

Finding a short line, when it was finally his turn handing his guild card he asked “Hello my name is Thomas, I was told I may be needed today for some questions. Anything on that?”

The receptionist an older man looked at the card then ruffled through some papers, “ah yes here is the note about you. If you didn’t stop in, we were going to send a runner to inform you in an hour or so. We will need you to be here by nine so you can explain to the people that will investigate what happened. So, you have just shy of three hours, you can wait here or come back. Anything else?”

“No, thank you. I have a few places to stop but I will be here on time.” Taking his guild card Thomas heads off to Madam Plumbs.

The shop was in a small looking building that was on a street off the main market area. The sign above the door in flowing letter said “Madam Plumbs Place” opening the door a small chime rang out.

Looking at the shelves that had potions, dried plants, a stack of different scrolls, and other random items, he had no idea what they went to or did. From behind the counter a curtain moved, and a young-looking woman stepped out who if he didn’t know better was his age. Her eyes showed age and wisdom, her pointed ears made it clear she was an elf.

Elves were always hard to guess how old they were. When she saw it was him a smile broke out across her face, “Tom it’s good to see you! What are you looking for this time? Maybe some health potions? Something to help recover your mana faster? Or do you want to try something new I am cooking up? It is supposed to make you four times stronger for thirty minutes I will even give it to you for free if you just tell me its effects!”

The words tumbled out of her mouth like a water fall but that’s how she always is when she talks about her craft. “No thank you, Tessa, the last time I fell for it was your attempt on an alternative health potion that turned my black hair green and had me vomiting for three hours straight. It took a full day for my hair to go back and another two before I felt normal. Never again! Also, its Thomas not Tom, I tell you that every time!”

Grabbing two more torch scrolls he walked to the counter pulling out the bag of plants and herbs he was going to sell and placed them on the counter as well.

Looking like she was attacked she gasped “I thought we got past that my dear favorite customer! It was an unfortunate accident but that is what happens when an alchemist tries to push their craft forward! Either way though Tom sounds better than saying Thomas all the time. I have told you that you can call me Tess. See how easy that is! But fine I will call you Thomas. Anyways what do you have in the bag? Mind if I look?”

Shaking his head at her airy attitude, “just some plants I thought you could use, take a look and see if you want them.”

Pulling out each half dozen plants and herbs she inspected them nodded and looked up at him “Yeah, I will buy them, but you need to get better at harvesting them. Most are in rough condition but still useable, you know that’s kind of my fault since you always come to me, but I haven’t corrected you. Wait a sec.”

She went behind the curtain and came back rather fast, in her hands she had a small book with no writing on its cover. Placing it on the counter and told him “I started thinking about it a few weeks ago when you came in with that load of salvia that I could do something to help both of us. This is my notes and some basic drawings of all the local plants, herbs and how to harvest them better. Take it, study it a bit just when you do gather some stuff come to be first! Unless it’s a quest of course. Now what are you buying?”

Knowing arguing with her would be pointless, he just smiled “Thank you Tess, I mean it. I just want these two torch scrolls I want to make sure I have a few more. Also, I could use a few bandages, I had to use a few yesterday.” Lightly patting his right side as he said so.

Tessa face went from a fun filled one, to one of pure concern in a second and was staring at where he indicated the injury was, “what happened? Are you okay? Need me to take a look? I may not be the best, but I am a capable of healing.”

Little taken aback by her pure concern “no, no I am fine I used your ointment, and it is almost healed already.”

Eying him a bit longer she nodded “good that stuff works wonders, you should buy a healing potion in case of emergencies though. I will give you a discount for being a repeat customer.”

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“How long do they last? And how strong are the bottles? Don’t want them breaking on me.”

“They will hold up fine, the only thing that would break them is a direct impact. Dropping or even falling on it won’t break it most of the time. It will last a year before it loses potency as long as it isn’t opened. healing potion, two torch scroll, and a few bandages. I will only charge you five silvers. That of course that’s the price after taking out the plants you brought it plus a small discount for you.”

That is a lot of coin, five silver could feed a person for a month or more but it was still a good deal. The two scrolls should have been a silver each, the potion another five, the bandages were worth only thirty coppers. So, it really is a great deal.

With a brief pause of hesitation, he nodded “yeah fine it could save my life so why not.” Pulling out the coins, the deal was struck. Stowing away the scrolls and bandages with his other ones, he put the health potion in a pocket on the inside of his bag. So, it was somewhat more protected but also easily accessible.

“You can either drink it or pour it directly over the wound, drinking it is more effective but takes longer. If it’s a bad wound, I would recommend pouring half on it and drinking the other half for best effect. Now have a good day and come seen me again Tom!” Tessa told him with a wave as he exited the store.

Muttering under his breath but with a smile as he went “It’s Thomas. Not like she listens.” It was an exchange they had almost every time he was there. Not like it bothered him.

Noticing he still had plenty of time before the meeting at the guild, Thomas headed towards the street that had specialized in armor. It was a street that branched off the main market road. Within minutes of stepping on the street, the clanging of metal being worked sounded down the street.

The smells of blacksmiths and leather works assaulted his nose. This street is where all the armor and weapons are produced for the entire city. From that he learned they actually produced a large amount of gear for the frontier towns here as well.

The first shop he went to was one he had looked into before. A shop the specialized in lighter leather armor, walking in he was greeted with the smell of cured leather. Stands displaying full sets of leather chest plates with thigh guards, shoulder pads, and bracers.

The man behind the counter simply told him if he had any questions let him know. The prices ranged from a gold for a chest piece to full enchanted sets costing twenty or more gold. Getting an idea for the price of things he gave a nod to the man behind the counter and proceeded down the street.

Stopping at different leather shops, the prices varied but were roughly around the same across the board. Moving onto the shops that focus more on heavier equipment like steel or other metal armor.

The first shops prices were surprising, only slightly more expensive than the leather gear. At least the lightly enchanted armor, the basic gear that had no enchantments were about twice as expensive. To make it even more confusing, there were some sets that were so expensive it seemed like only someone from a noble house could afford it. Wondering why he walked up to the young kid behind the counter that looked to be around fourteen.

“Hello, question for you as long as it isn’t rude to ask. I was wondering why some of the enchanted armor here is roughly the same price here as it is in the leather shops. Then some others are extremely expensive, just wondering why.”

The kid behind the counter in an amused voice replied “well its simple really, the material used decides how many, and how powerful enchantments can be placed. The steel and other strong metals can hold some strong stuff. If a leather worker gets some high-end mana beast skin, they can make some pretty powerful stuff too. That costs as much as our high-end stuff here.” The kid gestures towards the armor in a stand behind him and continues. “That piece was the best thing my dad has made recently and has five enchantments and is a special blend of metals. Making it almost indestructible.”

“Ah does that mean the reason why the piece with no enchantments is more expensive because it is just based off labor and probably material cost, its more?” Trying to get a better understanding of how it all worked.

With a shrug the kid responded, “From what my dad says it gets complicated. I don’t know much more other than at a base level leather is better for people wanting to be quick and quiet. Metal is better for people who stand in the front and expect to get hit. Some enchantment only works on metal and some only on leather. Honestly, I don’t know much more, I can get my dad?”

“No, its fine that helps a lot, anyways I am not sure what I need. Thanks for the help, any other information?”

Scratching behind his ear for a second, “There is this shop called Dawsons they have both types and better at equipping newer adventurers. We are more suited for specialized equipment. Give them a look if you want.”

Waving goodbye he left the shop, realizing he had more than an hour left before he had to be the guild Thomas went looking for Dawsons.

Finding the shop rather quickly since it was exactly halfway down the street. Actually, that’s when he realized that the street was split. One half all leather works the other metal, the dividing line was actually Dawsons.

A bit annoyed at himself for realizing that it took him this long to notice he just sighed and went inside. The inside of the shop was laid out like the others except for it had everything. From basic leather works to extremely nice, enchanted ones, the same was shown with the metal ones.

The other difference was this shop already had a large number of people in it. Some looked like they were buying, others looking for equipment to be repaired.

Realizing quickly that this would take longer than he initially thought. He looked around to get a good idea of the questions he would have when he came back. The other thing he noticed was the prices were a little cheaper than at the other shops.

With a sigh he left, heading towards the guild. Hoping that he could make it back and actually get some real armor today.

Well, this meeting at the guild should be simple, just telling them what he saw. At least he hoped so.