'To My Cat', a Poem
The Bone Shop's Cabinet of Curiosities
Worldanvil February 24 Challenge
The Bone Garden's main attraction is a cabinet of curiosities that is Rerosha's pride and joy. Rerosha has stuffed the polished ebony cabinet with the shop's most valuable items. The cabinet stands behind Rerosha's counter and is magically protected. The 21 objects detailed below are not for sale. However, if a player helps Rerosha, she could be convinced to part with one of them or at least do a swap.Description
The scroll the poem is written on is made of vellum. Around the scroll is a pretty blue ribbon tied up in a knot. Once unscrolled, one can read a short poem about a cat. The poem is written in a nursery rhyme style and would appeal to a child.
It reads:
'The cat jumped on the chair,
he jumped on the Maiden Fair,
the cat scratched the chair,
he scratched the Maiden Fair.
The Maiden Fair took fright,
threw the cat in the hearth,
now the cat lives forever
in the bright fire of the heart.'
Rarity
The scroll was a present given to Balanzar by her mother when she turned 13. The scroll summons Scratch, a black cat witch's familiar. Scratch stayed Balanzar's familiar throughout the witch's long life.
History
From the age of 13, Balanzar summoned Scratch every day. He was a faithful companion to the witch. However, Rerosha hated Balanzar. The cat was a manipulative critter who only loved his mistress and hated anyone else.
Since Balanzar passed away, Rerosha has not summoned the cat once. Scratch will be a shady, sassy and unreliable familiar for any player who acquires the scroll. However, he could be a very useful asset if pacified. He loves cream and would do pretty much anything for it.
Scratch is an enormous black cat, the size of a huge Maine Coon. He has short, lustrous black hair and a huge, fat face with long whiskers. His eyes are a dark ember and glow in the dark (see secret origin).
Significance
Rerosha will be keen to part with the scroll - and Scratch. She could sell the scroll for a mere 100 gold but would be reluctant to tell adventurers all she knew about the familiar in case they changed their minds about acquiring the pet/familiar. However, Rerosha would tell anyone that Scratch loves cream and to always have some on hand.
Properties
After the poem is read, the scroll must be burnt for Scratch, a black cat familiar, to appear. Once the cat is dismissed, the scroll will reform and be found where the cat once stood. Scratch can only be brought to appear once per day.
Secret History
Scratch was first a demon's familiar. He was created in the bowels of hell, which might explain his temperament.
Scratch will get drunk on cream and then be tempted to talk about where he comes from and his first master, Galgurath. Galgurath got fed up with Scratch's sassy and vindictive personality, created the scroll, sent it to the material plane and waited for someone to pick it up and summon Scratch. The demon took great pleasure in releasing Scratch into the world, thinking of all the havoc the infernal cat would wreck on his unsuspecting new master.
After a few unlucky masters, Scratch was given as a present to Balanzar, and contrary to expectations, Scratch immediately took a liking to the young witch. He remained faithful and devoted to her until her passing.
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