The Junk Man

Harbinger Jorin (a.k.a. The Sockstealer, The Lost, The Collector, The Finding Keeper)

Long ago in Aelluros, there was a man named Jorin. He loved to travel and had a special talent for finding lost things. Everywhere he went, he collected items that others had forgotten or misplaced.
One day, in the heart of an Aellurian desert, Jorin found a strange hourglass. When he touched it, he was suddenly in the home of Basqia, the god of time. Basqia saw Jorin's collection and gave him a new job: The Harbinger. This meant Jorin would be the keeper of all lost things.
Jorin's home became a place where lost items gathered. But if someone wanted their lost item back, they couldn't just take it. They had to talk to Jorin and convince him to give it back. It wasn't about trading; it was about proving how much the item meant to them.
Even though Jorin seemed tough, he had a soft spot for a pet he named Lint. It looked like a big bug, and it was the only thing Jorin truly cared for.
People told stories of their visits to Jorin's place. Some said they talked to Jorin and got their items back. Others said they tried but left with nothing. But all the stories had one message: if you lose something, and it's truly important, you might get a chance to win it back if you can persuade Jorin.

Modern Day

In the year 474 ND, the people of Aelluros have developed various customs and rituals to appease Jorin, the Junk Man, in hopes of reclaiming their lost possessions.

1. Candle of Recollection: Lighting a special blue candle at dusk and letting it burn until dawn. The flame is believed to guide lost items back to their owners.
2. Lint's Offering: Given Jorin's affection for his pet, Lint, it's customary to leave a small bowl of sweet nectar outside one's home. This gesture is believed to invoke Lint's goodwill, which might sway Jorin's decision.
3. Desert Sand Ritual: Collecting sand from an Aellurian desert, placing it in a pouch, and hanging it by one's bedside. The sand serves as a symbolic link to Jorin's domain.
4. Whispered Pleas: At the stroke of midnight, individuals whisper their heartfelt desires into a sealed jar. This jar is then buried at a crossroads, symbolizing the intersection of the mortal realm and Jorin's domain.
5. Token of Time: Crafting a miniature hourglass and placing it on one's windowsill, serving as a reminder of Jorin's dominion over lost items.
6. Echoing Chants: Reciting ancient verses that are believed to resonate with Jorin's age-old existence. These chants are often sung in groups during the night of a new moon.
7. Arcane Sigils: Drawing mystical symbols on parchment and placing them under one's pillow. These sigils are believed to have the power to communicate directly with Jorin's realm.
8. Blessed Sprinkle: Using water from a sacred spring, individuals sprinkle it around their homes, creating a protective barrier that attracts lost items.
9. Dawn Promise: Writing a promise or vow on a piece of paper during the first light of dawn. This promise is a personal commitment to cherish and care for the item once it's returned.
10. Journey's Bread: Baking a special loaf of bread, representing the journey of lost items. A slice of this bread is left at one's doorstep as an offering to Jorin.