Jon Smythe – A Simple Bookseller

[stevebarracuda]

On the streets of the Gate, a man in a tall black hat has joined the day-sellers as they traverse the various neighborhoods, bringing goods to the people...for an extra fee.

This man is neither exceptionally tall nor short, heavy nor thin, muscular nor frail.

A closer look and you see what appear to be every so slightly pointed ears, and a fairer-then-normal complexion. But a man, nonetheless.

To those in the fabric trade, it would be immediately apparent that this man is fashioned in a passé style belonging to the Moonshae Isles.

The man in a tall black hat carries with him a leather book valise, of unexceptional design. A few subtle pieces of molded leather adorn its edges. It is large, but seems to be of no hindrance to the man's movements—no doubt being magical—in order to carry a number of books with greater ease.

The quintessential traveling salesman. And as he walks the streets of the Gate, or ventures further outside the walls to ply his trade, he walks as a truly free man, as if he has not a single care in this world...

Some have gained his name— Jon Smythe, the simple bookseller....

Or so they say.

[stevebarracuda]

"Here ye, here ye....books for sale...books to buy...wait...books that I've sold!"


Texts and rare tomes that have been sold:
A Study of the Fantastical Vestments of the Priests of the Realms
Accoutrements of Masterful Wizardry and Their Construction
Alazzabner's Grand Enscorselments of the Mind
Codex Necromantica
Fundamentals of Abjurative Enchantment
Fundamentals of Terrible Destruction - text on enchanting great weapons of power
Luskan's Arcane Brotherhood
Marvelous Artefacts for the Resistance of Sorcery
On the Crafting of Mystical Garbs for All Climes
The Adventures of Grin, Richard and Wu-Wei - a tall to be read at the fireside
The Book of All Elements
The Book of Seeing
The Ghost of Conyberry
The Lore of the Master Alchemist
The Northern Four Adventuring Group
Uthgardt Barbarians - a widely read historical document
On the Crafting of Mystical Garb for All Climes - An crafter's holy book..of sorts.
The Northern Four Adventurer's Troupe - A classic yet long out of print tale of lore and adventure.
Fundamentals of Terrible Destruction - Learn to make a weapon the most powerful.
Fundamentals of Terrible Destruction - Learn to make a weapon the most powerful.
Of Healthful Enchantments to the Body - A fitness guide in the least...but oh, so much more...
The Book of Fire - Dangerous to keep next to the following volume...
The Book of Ice
The Wonderous Potions of the Brothers of Illmater - A rare book unseen outside ancient temples
Advanced Abjuratives - Tome of enchanting armor with protective wards.
Deflections and Dispellings - Invaluable to just about any adventurer....
Wind by the Fireside


The man in a tall black hat also shows off a special tome, of which he translates to anyone who is not versed in the ancient alphabets, a book known as the Book of Waves.

A small glass bauble embedded in its cover seems to swirl with an image of a moving ocean...curiously enchanting children and noble ladies alike, to the man in the black hat's amusement.



///Seriously. Buying and selling books. Looking for the rare and the unknown.

[stevebarracuda]

On Flamerule 12, 1351 (server clock reads this), Jon Smythe did sell the great tome Fundamentals of Abjurative Enchantment to one Maren Blake, of the Bloodthorns.

It was a challenging sale, having had a low price to begin with. However, Blake of the Bloodthorns was a young adventure of little coin, eager for knowledge. In a most chaotic decision, Smythe decided to take the man's meager coin and call it an evening....


...however, the next day did arrive, and Smythe was approached by a hooded male figure, who seemed to be traveling with a group of Elves...or they were traveling with him. Nonetheless, this male did identify himself as "a wizard of no small measure." With those words, Smythe brought out of his valise two great tomes covering different aspects of the arcane. Luckily for Smythe, this hooded individual was both interested, and willing to listen to Smythe's whispered offer. A fair trade in coin passed from the man to Smythe, and the deal was done.

[stevebarracuda]

During his day-selling in the open squares of Baldur's Gate, Smythe came into contact with a young, non-speaking monk...or at least appearing to be a monk. This monk desired a book, a book on dragons to be precise, and Smythe seeing an opportunity, convinced the monk to hire him to acquire this Draconomicon.

As a down payment, the monk provided her only gold coin...



A deal was made that Jon Smythe would acquire said Draconomicon, and the monk would then have to further negotiate the price for the book, as well as payment for the acquisition. It is a tenuous agreement, but one that both gave their word to uphold...should the book be acquired.

The monk, non-speaking as she was, wrote down her name to Smythe: Katir Irian.

Smythe, having bluffed his way into many situations, left their conversation quite convinced he could acquire such a tome....and hopefully in not too long a time.

//// This interaction led to the Draconomicon Quest.

[stevebarracuda]

Smythe visits the shop of Maltz, and while discussing the route south towards Beregost, Smythe eyes a pair of books laying idly upon Maltz' shelves. A few words are exchanged, then a few coin, and Smythe places the two volumes in his valise. Soon afterwards, with a sly grin, he leaves Maltz to begin his day trade within the walls of the Gate.

"Exactly what I was looking for...." he exclaims as he continues on foot towards the Palace District.

[stevebarracuda]

On Flamerule 15, 1351 (server clock reads this), Jon Smythe did sell two arcane tomes to a wise, grey bearded old wizard. The wizard, who did not offer his name, seems particularly interested in elixers and masterful wizardry, which, luckily, Smythe was holding, in his valise, two tomes on those subjects.

--------

The sale pleased Smythe, as having been earlier accosted by one supposed debonair troubadour, who doubted not only Smythe's honest trade, but his sense of humor as well. Alas, nothing too damaging was said between the man and Smythe, but Smythe did take a good look at the man's face...

---------

And a fine little lass of a hin entertained Smythe for some time with her dazzling dagger tricks. Surely Smythe will see more of her in the future...for she is quite interested in earning a few coin, something Smythe seems to not have much of a problem earning in his bookseller's trade.

--------

Another priestly fellow in flowing white and gold robes did approach Smythe later in the evening, asking particularly for works related to holy orders, or those who have taken the vow of the monk. Smythe did carry one single work on divine vestments, which the priestly man did want to buy. Unknown to Smythe, however, this was the most stingiest priest in the whole of Baldur's Gate, and it took the utmost of Smythe's skill as a tradesman to come to an equitable price.

[stevebarracuda]

An unexpected opportunity occurred at the first meeting of the Draconomicon Quest company—the hin named Zyak was initially there to offer Smythe a number of rare tomes...alas, for Smythe, the Draconomicon was not among them.

Nonetheless, the books were of great quality, and Smythe could not pass up on this opportunity to increase his stock. A fair deal was made, according to those who happened to by at the Blade and Stars with the company first met.

And now our simple bookseller continues on with his trade, as he sits in the open plaza of Baldur's Gate, East, amongst the day sellers and such.

[stevebarracuda]

On Flamerule 16, 1351 (server clock reads this), Jon Smythe did sell five arcane tomes to a young and eager mage, elven by the looks of em—young for an elf, thought Smythe...who seems to know a think or two about the race, it appears. As typical with all young adventures, this one expressed their great lack of wealth, and for some unknown reason, Smythe made an odd gesture towards the mage and brought his usual price per volume down slightly, hoping that as he did it, no other book merchants where watching.

Undercutting others in the trade can sometimes cause irritation, causing riotous fraction amongst the small community, leading to strife and a combative competition that does nothing but drive the price of the commodities down, and put those of lesser skill out of business.

If asked, Smythe would deny the lowered sale price. "Why not a good deed done," thought Smythe to himself. "For maybe tomorrow, I will have performed a bad one..."

Alas, the booksellers life....

[stevebarracuda]

On Flamerule 16, 1351 (server clock reads this), Jon Smythe did end the day with a lighter valise than was expected.

A tall man, adorned in black armor and hood, did approach Smythe as the light of day waned in the western sky. He had a way with words, this man did, chatting Smythe up with his knowledge of books that he had read, in his time. But the man, who remained nameless, sought texts that had a great historical importance...and Smythe did provide.

Much can be said about a skill with words, and it seemed both these men shared the power of persuasion. However, Smythe prevailed in the art of the sale, and the man in black armor was convinced to pay top rate for the 3 texts he did desire.

-----------

Soon after the man in black armor departed, a lady in white robes approached Smythe in the plaza, and it was apparent that many in the open square were familiar with her. Alas, Smythe did not, but addressed her as fitting to one of importance...for you never can tell who it is you speak with, and to what strengths they possess, both in raw power and politics.

The lady inquired about books for the children, as she offered to Smythe she needed something to entertain them with...and Smythe produced 2 texts fitting for children: a ghost tale and a tale of great heroes.

The lady offered to pay once convinced the books were safe to be read to children, and Smythe was put in a strange position, to attempt to barter with one who paid from the coffers of an orphanage. Therefore, Smythe offered the lowest market rate for the 2 texts, and the lady seemed content to know that what little coin she had, would be enough.

Polite as can be, Smyte and the lady in white robes finalized the transaction, and parted ways, as the night came crashing upon the open square of East Gate.

The day sellers all packed their wares, and moved to return to their homes. Smythe, lighting his lantern, picked up his much lighter valise, and headed slowly towards the Blade & Stars, hoping to be perfectly in time for the evening dinner services.

[stevebarracuda]

The man in the tall black hat looks amongst the crowd. "Tomes of the most hidden of knowlege, the secrets of wizardry and craft, ghost stories and much, much more...."

Below are the books he currently has for sale or trade (OOC: some books he will quickly show, others not so easily...I'm just listing them here so that no one wastes time):

A Study of the Fantastical Vestments of the Priest of the Realms - An academy within two covers.
Famous Citizens of the Sword Coast - Valuable tome for the politically minded folk.
Luskan's Arcane Brotherhood - Many would kill for this knowledge...to not get out, actually.
On the Refinement of the Alchemist's Craft - Be you an aspiring Alchemist?
Return of the Beast - A book of Sword Coast lore...with a madman's annotation.
The Imp's Prison - tale of lore on the mischievous Imp *new stock*
The Leadership of Neverwinter - recent out-of-print text describing the political intrique of the city Nevewinter
The Lore of the Master Alchemist - Indeed, another rare and coveted tome of knowledge.
The Rise & Fall of Netheril - historical text with hidden knowledge *new stock*
to the Bound Lord...ancient secrets even Ilmatari don't know!


Inside Smythe's valise sit two other tomes...obviously visible to those curious to look to his valise when he opens it, yet Smythe does not advertise their existence. Should you be persuasive, you might learn of what these books are about..., but not easily....:

Liber Occultum - Tome to master the shadow armor arts.
The Quiet Deaths of the Brotherhood of Assassin - Shush....

Also, a keen eye will notice a few vials or elixers within the valise. Just what could these be?!?

---------

[stevebarracuda]

On Eleint 18, 1351 (server clock reads this), Jon Smythe did attempt a trade....

Plying his wares in the open plaza in the East District, Smythe noticed a black hooded fellow observing him for some time.

"You there," said Smythe, "you look as if you've had some schooling...can I interest you in a fine book?"

The man came close to Smythe, and within seconds, made an offer to trade a book for a cookie. Yes, a cookie.

"No, no, no....I do not accept just any offer of food," said Smythe. "One must be wary in what one consumes from a stranger..."

The fellow in the hood did seem offended, and did explain that he was a baker...but, Smythe adamantly refused. The fellow then began to eat his own cookie, turning sour in the conversation, and taunting Smythe that he could "eat his books then!"

"A stupid suggestion, I say...," responded Smythe. This further annoyed the cookie trader, who then buggered off into the shop of Maltz.

Smythe went back to enticing the people of the open plaza with exceptional tomes, then, took a moment to read a bit from a chap book.

Not long from then, the fellow in the black hood did reappear. This time, the fellow had a book to offer, for sale.

"Is it a work of fiction?" asked Smythe. No, it was a book that the man himself had scribed, he told, about his past captain who had fought his way to the 8th level of the Hells...or something like that.

"So, as the scribe, you've then traveled to the Hells yourself, eh?," Smythe did ask with a sly grin.

The man had not, it seemed. Tis was only a written description of events that had been told to him, second hand it.

Smythe then said he would purchase the book if it was an original copy, of which it wasn't, unfortunately. Only a copy of the original, it seemed. Smythe then offered to purchase the original manuscript. Alas, that too was unavailable to sell.

Then, the fellow offered to Smythe another book—it seemed this fellow was also a collector!!!—this time an original: a tale of a the quest for the Earthcrown, a lost artefact, by some famous warrior of lore. Smythe was very curious of this work, and was determined to acquire it.

"I will offer you a trade then, my fellow..." said Smythe. "For I have something that a baker could find most useful...do you have an interest?

Yes, the man did, je said. Smythe opened his valise and pulled out a smallish book, its binding strong but slightly used. On the cover, it read: On the Refinement of the Alchemist's Craft.

Smythe offered the book to the fellow in the black hood, wishing to make a fair and even trade. However, this fellow was not impressed, not in the least, and did not feel that such a book was in the interest of a baker, by any means.

"Tis not a bit of this ingredient...a bit of that ingredient...what every true baker wishes to learn in the quest for..."

Alas, the fellow was uninterested, and the trade was off the table, as they say. Smythe, tiring as the moon was high in the sky, wished the fellow who considered himself a baker and a scribe a far well, then headed off to the Blade & Stars for a night's rest.

Tomorrow was another day...and soon, when enough coin was earned by Smythe in his trade, he would deal with the lingering matter of that locked and warded tome...who's true contents still eluded him....

[stevebarracuda]

On Marpenoth 2, 1351 (server clock reads this), Jon Smythe was unloaded of a plethora of books...

At the open plaza of the East Gate district, Jon Smythe stood in the usual place, barking out that he indeed, on this day, have many special books to sell.

He was in the midst of a break, reading a few lines from a favorite chap book, when a pair of women did step to him. The first was of obsidian skin, with protruding horns peeking out from the hair on her head. Planetouched, no doubt, and quite comfortable in their skin, to walk so openly and proudly. The second seemed human, with dark redish hair, and often pouting at the mouth.

"Books!", the first practically cried out. "I am in desperate need of books..." Smythe could handle this one, he thought to himself.

The other one, too, inquired about a few books, seeming to be mainly interested in fiction, and romance. Smythe dismissed her as a browser, only. And knew, no sales would be made with this one.

"You are speaking to the most gifted of booksellers within the Gate walls, lass", Smythe did open up with this fact.

"Tell me, what books are you interested in acquiring?", he said to the tiefling.

The tiefling was adamant about acquiring everything...or, anything that would be worthy to enter into Candlekeep with.

Smythe could not provide the answer that specifically, but he did offer the tiefling many a tomb on the arcane arts, as well as a few works of historical fact.

Then, the bartering began. Smythe, provided an honest price for the 13 books the tiefling did wish to purchase. Smythe turned on the charm, and speaking with a silver tongue, he did describe the value of such a cache of books in very certain terms. The tiefling scoffed and returned a much lower figure. Smythe lowered to a price that was between his initial offer, and the very discounted figure the tiefling countered with. The tiefling did acquiesce, and the deal was made. They even shook on it.

His money purse made quite the bit larger on this deal, Smythe spent only a short time longer in the open plaza, amongst the day traders. Why work when there was new money to play with?

He headed to the Elfsong Tavern...a new shipment of Moonshae Isle wine should have arrived by now...

[stevebarracuda]

Jon Smythe, the simple bookseller, sits in a back room area of the Shelf of Many Books, a table before him strewn with a number of items: a large tome wrapped in a light, plain cloth; an opened scroll that shows a seal from the Candlekeep Order; a small-ish collection of poorly bound pages, with a hectic scrawl of lettering obvious to the naked eye from a fair distance.

Smythe sits there, pondering. He lifts the opened scroll and holds it closer to his face, reading again the response from the Candlekeep Scholars, then, he flings it back to the table. "Pfft...," he says aloud.

Smythe then places a hand upon the large tome wrapped in cloth, and lightly taps his fingers upon it, eventually becoming lost in the simple melody his fingers unconsciously drummed out upon the books cover.

"You are both my promise for riches, and my enemy...with a mystery that I might die from unraveling...," he says heavy hearted to the large tome.

Looking up to the walls of the Shelf of Many Books, Smythe lets out a long sigh, his eyes skimming the area of colorful spines arranged in some order or another, their gold leaf titles flickering like little sparks in the candle light.

"All these stories, mysteries, facts, lies...do they even have value anymore, when the sword and the spell seem to have the answer for everything in life?" Melancholy lays heavy in his spoken words.

After a moment of being lost in thought, Smythe turns his attention to the pages poorly bound together, nearly impossible to describe as a book, but nonetheless....

...this "book," recently acquired from a odd older gentleman-adventurer, was practically forced upon Smythe, the old man raving on about something about prophecies...and, cheese, lots of premium, odoriferous, cheese....and dark magic, the end of the world as any know it, the death of the Gods...

But now, Smythe found the whole event of acquiring the book amusing, and with nothing but time on his hands as he sat there alone in the Shelf of the Many Books, thinking to the future, he might as well take good look at this scribble, who knows what he might learn....

Untying the knot that held the pages fast, Smythe squinted his eyes carefully at the wildly hand written text, trying to make out the letters, then words, then oddly crafted sentences. Finally, and with a great deal of effort, Smythe began to read the first lines...and his eyes widened in a mix of surprise and horror....:

[stevebarracuda]

Sometimes, even the mighty bookseller Jon Smythe must run for his life, upon the Tradeway...

"They were after me priceless books!", he can be heard saying, later, sitting in the Elfsong Tavern, drinking a well deserved glass of Moonshae Isle vintage.

[stevebarracuda]

The man in the tall black hat looks amongst the crowd. "Tomes of the most hidden of knowlege, the secrets of wizardry and craft, ghost stories and much, much more...come view my new stock!"

Below are the books he currently has for sale or trade (OOC: some books he will quickly show, others not so easily...I'm just listing them here so that no one wastes time):


A Study of the Fantastical Vestments of the Priest of the Realms - An academy within two covers.
Abjurative Enchantments
Accutrements of Masterful Wizardry and Their…
Advanced Abjuratives -
Advanced Arcanery of Personal Defense - *new stock*
Alazzabner's Grand Enscorelment's of the Mind -
Famous Citizens of the Sword Coast - Valuable tome for the politically minded folk.
Formula of the Learned Scholars of Halruaa -
Fundamentals of Terrible Destruction -
Fundamentals of the Protections for the Self -
History of the Creative Races -
Marvelous Artefacts for the Resistance of Sorcery
Of Healthful Enchantements for the Body - *new stock*
Return of the Beast - A book of Sword Coast lore...with a madman's annotation.
The Book of Fire
The Book of Ice
The Book of Seeing
The Crafts-Work of Evermeet -
The Doombringers
The Imp's Prison - tale of lore on the mischievous Imp
The Leadership of Neverwinter - recent out-of-print text describing the political intrique of the city Neverwinter
The Lore of the Master Alchemist - Indeed, another rare and coveted tome of knowledge.
The Neverwinter Wood
The Rise & Fall of Netheril - historical text with hidden knowledge
The Ruins of Illusk
The Time of Troubles (illegal)
The Trade of Blades
The War of Light and Darkness
Wars of the Creator Races -


Inside Smythe's valise sit two other tomes...obviously visible to those curious to look to his valise when he opens it, yet Smythe does not advertise their existence. Should you be persuasive, you might learn of what these books are about..., but not easily....:

Liber Occultatum - Tome to master the shadow armor arts.
Codex Necromantica
The Quiet Deaths of the Brotherhood of Assassin - Shush....
Luskan's Arcane Brotherhood - Many would kill for this knowledge...to not get out, actually.

Also, a keen eye will notice a few vials or elixers within the valise. Just what could these be?!?