Maps

You find yourself wandering the markets of this city with your fellow companions trying to determine where to go. As you are passing by stores and stalls of various kinds a merchant calls out to you."Ah hello there traveler! I do not recognize you and your companions. Perhaps you are new to my humble city?" You nod, it seems you and your comrades stick out more than you thought. "Ah, then let me be the first to welcome you to Ravenford! Is there something you are looking for? A specific shop perhaps or a tavern?" Before you can begin your rejection of a guide the merchant seems to read your mind. "Ah, I will not be offering a guide! Such a thing is useless with no long term value! No, no, no. I am a humble cartographer! A map maker!" You realize now what he seems to be trying to pitch. "I know what you think, a con man eh? I suspect you and your companions may have been tricked in the past but fear not for I am a honorable salesman and a master of my craft in cartography. If you do not believe me, use a a truth spell if you wish! I have nothing to hide!" Well he did make the offer so your spell casting companion obliges. After several inquiries by the Rogue and Paladin he is indeed honest to his words.
"Convinced? Good! Now shall we do business then? I offer you and your companions a map of my city with all prominent locations and areas of interest marked for you as well as a legend to interpret what the symbols mean. Now this map is the basic, all temples, taverns, shops of various kinds and places of interest. This is only 5 SP." You are quick to catch the key phrase in his statement: "the basic". If this is a basic, what more do the others offer? You ask him this. "Aha! A discerning customer! Most just purchase this and be on their way! Very well then, I can pull another map with more......intricate details. Perhaps one with locations that one would need to.....let us say....go un-noticed and make contact with the local....underground?" The Rogue's ears perk up. "Perhaps one with Holy Sites known only to the local clergy?" The Paladin and Cleric raise and eyebrow. "Perhaps one that marks the areas where the local animals live and what they are as well as any groves in the area?" Your Druid's eyes widen. "If you are more of the scholarly type, perhaps one that lists the local libraries, mages guild and artificers guild?" Your Wizard, Warlock, Sorcerer and Artificer all have that look of deep thought. "Local pit fighting rings and other such areas?" The Barbarian, Ranger and Fighter have the look of anticipation. Even so, you are not persuaded nor have you heard the price. Yet.

The merchant looks at you. "Maps depicting those will be 50 SP each." You're not so foolish as to buy several maps when one would suffice and you tell him as such. He smiles at your words. "Very well, for you, my prized map of the city. I assure you, you will find it quite worth the price. This map lists everything I have just mentioned. It is magical too. It projects the image in a 3 dimensional space with a constant marker that updates where the map is currently, that is to say, where you are when you open it. It will move as the map moves. Mind you, it is for this city only! Price? Ah, to business right away then eh? As you wish, 1 Gold for this one." Once again, your keen mind picks up on the detail. "It is for this city only." This implies he has others for other locations. After the exchange of coin you ask. A glint of surprise crosses his face momentarily. "Ah, an excellent question." He puts up a sign signifying his shop is closed and closes all shutters. He then lights a candle and returns his gaze to you. "What location do you want a map for?" Your answer is a simple on yet straight to the point. The world. His eyes widen. "Forgive my apprehension but I am not certain you can afford that one." You heft your bag of Gold onto the counter and his eyes widen again. "A moment then please." He leaves to a back room leaving you and your companions where you stand. Several minutes pass but he returns with a map case. He opens it and pulls out a very ornate and certainly arcane map. He shows you how to manipulate it to zoom in and out and how to access the legend. He even teaches you the magical phrase to render it blank to all except you and those you chose. Despite this magical marvel, you are a grounded individual. You ask for the price. "500 Gold Pieces. No bargaining. No questions to it's origin or maker." You take the opportunity after your Wizard assures you it is not cursed nor tracked. A very useful thing indeed.