You’re wandering through the markets, keeping an eye out for anything that could potentially be useful in your travels. You pass a merchant who is selling cloth and other textiles from various ports in Dun-I. You continue on to pass a vendor who is selling precious metals that can be smelted and molded into wearable armor. However, you’re unable to find something that is really of use.

However, as you’re walking, you pass a man who appears quite frazzled. He is motioning for various travelers and patrons, all of whom ignore him as they move on to the next booth. As you walk past him, your eyes lock and he smiles warmly toward you. He looks at your equipment and smiles, knowing that you are exactly who he is looking for. “Adventurer,” he states with a wry smile. “May I have a few moments of your time?”

You look on at the not well-kept man and tilt your head slightly, confused to what someone who appears lost could want. “My name is Ropier, and I am a Wandering Scholar, formerly of Teardret. I see, by your equipment, that you are quite familiar with the Ul’maan Shards, and fortunately, we have found each other.”

He pauses for a moment while staring into your eyes. “I may have something that you and your allies crave,” he continues. “I have some very rare and powerful Shards in my possession, Shard that can interact with one another to create powerful spells and abilities.”

“These Shards are highly valuable and I believe, in my scholarly opinion, that they can be replicated and synthesized,” the aloof man stammers before reaching into the pocket of his cloak. He pulls out his hand hand to reveal several glowing shards, all possessing a different knowledge than the next. “I’ve spent months studying these Shards and I believe my research is finished on these. I do, however, require more Shards to continue my research.”

Ropier pauses momentarily as he adjusts his glasses. “Adventurers, I will make you deal. These Shards that I have are quite powerful and if you were to trade me two weaker ones, I would be happy to give up one of these.”

You stare at the Shards, and while you are unaware if you are willing to give up any of the Shards currently in your possession, you can sense that Ropier is not speaking with hyperbole. You can feel that the Shards in his possession are quite powerful.

All Shards acquired from Ropier will cost two other Shards in order to acquire. Upon trading any Shards to Ropier, all experience with any traded Shards is lost.