Earth – World of The Misplaced Dungeon.

{Timeline: MD – Ch. 103 to 104 – CT shortly after ‘Research’}

Donnie made his way into the Tatton Arms and after a trip to the bar to acquire a pint he looked around the crowded room. He spotted his friend Aziz sitting at one of the corner tables with a bored looking Lottie.

He joined them having managed to snag an unoccupied chair. “Hi Lottie, wasn’t expecting to see you today, what are you doing hanging around with the likes of Aziz?”

Aziz looked up from his book indignantly, “And what do you mean by that Donnie boy?”

“Just that when you have your beak in a book, well, you are not good company.”

Lottie sighed in agreement. “He’s a lost cause Donnie, he just got that one at Abacus books not long ago.”

“Don’t listen to her Donnie. It’s your fault. If you hadn’t asked me about what your American online pal was all exited about I wouldn’t have considered buying it.”

Donnie widened his eyes in a show of overdone theatrics. “What’s that book got to do with overpriced enchanted items?”

Lottie rolled her eyes, looked at her empty glass and made her way to the bar. Donnie grabbed Aziz’s book off the table and making sure to not loose his place checked the cover. “Basic Principles of Enchanting by Jaitor the Magnificent, I didn’t realize you were into fantasy Aziz.”

Aziz snatched his book back. “It is not fantasy. It is a primer for beginning enchanters, and surprisingly readable. Some of the ingredients are weird but there is an index that gives alternatives.”

Donnie just stared, then he shook his head briefly. “I never thought... hey does that mean you’ve seen the screens?”

“Na, not yet anyway. Oh thanks Lottie.”

Lottie slid refills in front of her friends and resumed her place at the table.

“So Aziz, what has this to do with overpriced enchanted items, and are they overpriced?” reiterated Donnie.

“You tell me?” Aziz produced a sheet of paper from his pocket, opened it out and laid it on the table. “That is a printout of their online catalogue, or rather I did some copy pasting from their website. The prices are all in US dollars.”

“Magitech inc.

Queen’s Court,

Castle on the Moon.

Crystal sphere:

Magic (item) detector, range 5 meters – $400,000

Magic (electronic surveillance) detector, range 5 meters – $400,000

Ring or pendant:

Storage Device, 4 slots, 20cm diameter opening – $400.00

Storage Device, 6 slots, 30cm diameter opening – $900.00

Storage Device, 8 slots, 30cm diameter opening – $1,200.00

Storage Device, 16 slots, 45cm diameter opening – $3,200.00

Cleansing (personal) – $500.00

Ring: (affects living creatures only)

Personal Deterrent (electroshock) – $1,000.00

Growth, times five, duration 4 hours, cool down 20 hours – $2,000.00

Shrink, by five, duration 4 hours, cool down 20 hours – $2,000.00

Water Breathing (simple), duration 6 hours, maximum depth 60 meters – $1,000.00

Water Breathing (advanced), duration 6 hours, maximum depth 60 meters – $3,000.00

DNA Sequencer – $500,000.00

DNA Manipulator – $2,000,000.00

DNA Diffuser – $10,000,000.00

Earring:

Darkvision (basic) – $1,000.00

Temperature Adjustment – $750.00

Atmospheric Control – $1,500.00

Minor Illusion (personal) – $500.00

Notes: For a premium we can add the property “soul binding” to our items. We recommend Basic Principles of Enchanting by Jaitor the Magnificent.”

Donnie snorted, “Ten million! Ha, no wonder Tamlyn20 was indignant.”

“Expensive is right, Uncle Joe’s on Regent Road has storage devices for eighty quid,” agreed Lottie. “How about we visit him and ask about some of these things? See how the prices compare.”

The three friends remained in the pub until the landlord called time, then they staggered out and made their own ways home.

* * * PARTHIA – DRAKOTON * * *

Daniel watched carefully from the entrance to the burrow. He examined the alleyway carefully and didn’t forget to scan the roofs. Deciding everything was quiet he moved out into the alleyway and changed, then he grew. Hurriedly he produced a cloak from the storage device set into his ring. Then he got dressed under the cover of his cloak.

Smiling he emerged onto one of the shop lined streets of the commercial district and strolled unhurriedly towards his target. Daniel kept looking around as he passed, noting signs of increasing prosperity. He felt a glow of pride for his part in the prosperity of this town that he was coming to consider home.

And there it was, squeezed between to large gaudy shops, a fancy door under a fancier sign that simply read “Jaitor’s”.

Daniel pushed the door open and stepped into a small, luxuriously carpeted room containing a table and four chairs. A middle-aged man with close cropped greying hair stepped through the back door and surveyed Daniel.

“Allow me to introduce myself. Jaitor the Magnificent, proprietor of this the best emporium of enchantments in the Archipelago of Frezantel.”

Daniel grinned up at the man. “I have news for you Jaitor. My mistress sends you her good wishes and offers you a contract for the sale of copies of your book, Basic Principals of Enchanting on the world called Earth.”

Suspecting a joke Jaitor examined Daniel carefully. “Another world you say. Why offer me anything as I would never have learned of this by myself.”

Daniel smiled, “Mother dislikes thieves almost as much as she despises pirates. So she offers fifteen per cent of the sale price on each copy sold to you. You may stipulate how you want the monies paid.”

Daniel pulled out a bag from his storage device and placed it with a clink on the table. He followed this with two hardback volumes and a skill crystal. “Two examples, a skill crystal with English, spoken and written so you may read the books to satisfy yourself that the translation is faithful to the original and sixteen imperials and thirty-two guilders to cover the first quarter’s sales.”

Daniel looked at the stupefied enchanter, bowed and left the shop.

* * * EARTH – ALTRINCHAM * * *

Donnie slouched through the doors of the Jobcentre and grumbled to himself as he climbed the stairs on his way to sign on. The room dedicated to Universal Credit was, as usual, mostly empty and several of the advisors were just ignoring everyone. Donnie smiled winningly and sat down to wait his turn next to a stunning blond.

“Hello I’m Donnie.”

Lottie giggled, “I know.”

Donnie did a double take and just stared dumbfounded at his friend. Gone was the pale almost colourless girl he knew. “Oh wow. Have you finally found makeup you’re not allergic to? You look great.”

“I have you and Aziz to thank for my makeover. And I’m now self employed.”

“What. Stop joking Lottie.”

“I’m not. I’m selling these,” she fingered a small gold earring adorning a new hole in the top of her right ear, “on commission. I get ten per cent and I am the only agent for the North West.”

“Those little rings. That doesn’t seem like a good deal.”

“Don’t be silly Donnie. That’s a Minor Illusion (personal) that I bought for five hundred dollars. Well actually I paid seven fifty for the version that can fool cameras. It hides blemishes, does makeup, allows you to change the colour of your hair and or eyes. It’s gonna be a goldmine. The poor rabbit girl I spoke to hadn’t a clue. They’re going to sell like hotcakes.” Lottie grinned and bounced in her chair.

Donnie watched as his friend almost danced her way to the advisor when her name was called. He heard her say, “What do I need to register as self employed,” to her advisor as he made his way to see his usual job coach.