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Aranamarunda
2006-02-16, 06:12 AM
Aranamarunda's Arcane Emporium

As described when entered from the Prime Material.
(change city name to suit campaign):

Merchant street, the bustling street that defines the merchant quarter of Triangulus, city of wealth. Here, the most prominent shops present their wares to whomever has gold enough to by the expensive items displayed here. The street is famous for its masterwork items and even some magical ones. It is always heavily trafficked, since all who have some spare time like, to see the glitter and glamour displayed here.

But halfway up, the street gets very quiet. Here, the houses stand close to each other, rising five to six stories high, while some are only seven feet broad. Most window shutters are shut and no items are on display here. Only the whispering voices of the giants that own this part of the street, call to people who are passing by in a hurry. This is the Mercane Walk, a stretch of street with shops that deal in magic so ancient, that sometimes the power of all the magic gathered here, distorts the fabric of time and space. One can get lost in the Mercane Walk, but most likely, nothing really frightening will happen.

The centre of the Mercane Walk is where Aranamarunda's Magical Emporium is located. Slightly broader then most of houses in the Mercane walk, yet somehow more evasive to the common eye. But you've heard of it. Its name has been whispered to you in local inns, by powerful adventurers you met on your travels, and some times by magical items themselves. It is a place of vast magic, the centre of the strange magical flux located here, and the only shop that employs the least to the most powerful adventurers in the world. Aranamarunda pays for your services, Aranamarunda wants everything magical you have, Aranamarunda can get you anything you want... for a price.

But then why, now that you’ve finally located the place, does it look so shabby? Most likely you are mistaken… No, maybe not, for a weathered sign tells you that you are in the right place. Many adventurers are surrounding it too. Then this must be it. You walk up to the doorway.

The angry expressions on the faces of the other adventurers tell you that you’ve to wait in line. Patients seems to be necessary if you want to get inside. Yet, after mere seconds, the door opens and Aranamarunda himself appears. Nearly nine feet tall, he is a sight to behold. An elegant red robe of the finest silk adorns his body, jewelled rings and heavy chains punctuate his blue skin, and the piercing brown eyes that stare at you from his bald, blue head, speak of infinite knowledge. This is a person of power, not of the arcane or divine kind, not the power of the warrior, but he power of a charismatic leader who knows how to play a crowd… And he beckons you to come in.

Angry whispers arise around you, but none there to interrupt you in your way in. Anxiety introduces itself to your heart while Fear settles into that place where it always seems to settle when confronted by things unknown to you. But Aranamarunda leads the way. He himself has to bend to get inside, but once their, a distorted corridor brings you to a magnificent twelve foot high door. Aranamarunda opens it, and light comes surging out. A path, no broader then five feet, twist and turns between heaps of mundane and magical items, displayed in mountains that reach to the ceiling, fifteen feet up. There are candles everywhere, dripping their wax unto the items themselves, yet never staining them. Lanterns in every shape shed light in every colour. The magical items twinkle with delight and seem to call to you to buy them. This truly is the adventurer’s paradise.

Aranamarunda motions you forward, and you reach a kind of landing. A small bar and three different sized tables suggest a small tavern. Two other parties are being served by a beautiful, yet dangerous looking, maiden of unknown origin. You are certain you never want to be bitten by her pointy teeth, though. Aranamarunda points to come of the chairs, and settles himself down too. And then, in a magnificent baritone, he starts to speak:

“So, you are an adventure… I might just have the perfect job for you…”

The conversation last till deep in the night and you are certain to have come to the right place.

As described when entered from the Sigil.
(change city name to suit campaign):

Sigil, city of doors and home to many strange creatures. It is here that you path led you too. Lost in a city beyond your comprehension, feeling sick because of its strange shape, and anxious to get home in every way you can, you’ve stumbled upon the place the mimmir described. The sign reads Aranamarunda’s Magical Emporium, and reorganization of that famous name gives you some hope. For wasn’t there a shop in the capital city of your home country with the same name?

The building looks well kept. It really looks more like a small temple then anything else. White marble pillars carry a roof of black basalt. There are no discernable windows, just the sign that insures that you are in the right place. As you approach the door, it opens itself automatically. A blue giant, nearly nine feet tall, stands in the opening. An elegant red robe of the finest silk adorns his body, jewelled rings and heavy chains punctuate his blue skin, and the piercing brown eyes that stare at you from his bald, blue head, speak of infinite knowledge. This is a person of power, not of the arcane or divine kind, not the power of the warrior, but he power of a charismatic leader who knows how to play a crowd… And he beckons you to come in.

He leads you through a series of rooms, each one more magnificent then the last. Pedestals hold items of power, artefacts of a time long gone. Who is this man, that he owns a place like this? Finally, you arrive at an immense round chamber. The ceiling depicts a typical prime material night, with stars and all, a moon shines happily on your face. A large bar takes up one fifth of the wall on the other side, and the middle of the chamber is filled up with tables and chairs of all sizes and shapes, probably to accommodate demons and angels alike. Some common looking adventurers, meaning that they don’t have tails or tusks anywhere, and are most likely just dwarves, elves and humans, are sitting at one table. Aranamrunda, for that is the giant his name, takes you to another. Without having told him what you are here for, he starts to speak:

“So, you want to go home now… See those doors lining the outer wall? Maybe one of them leads back to your home world. Why don’t we have a talk of how it looks on your side of the looking glass and negotiate the terms of your return?”

You feel elated. This man is surely going to lead you home. You take a sip of the beer that just arrived and sit back. Everything is going to be just fine…