The Chained Watcher

Scar Goes on a Shopping Spree

By the way, in an attempt to standardize my terminology a bit, Magic is personal, while Mana is external. Some characters might not use it though, either because they don't know the difference or don't care. Or because I forget. That too.

~~~

Scar moves from stall to stall in the big marketplace he found, hunting for magic items. Doesn't matter what kind, as long as they're enchanted.

To a certain extent, there are plenty to be found. Little things, like a sourceless faucet... that can only produce about a gallon of water before needing time or mana to recharge... And a rune-fueled stove! ...That also only holds a certain amount of charge before needing time or mana to be useful again... And he can't forget about these awesome little lantern thingies! They... Well, at least they've got a 12 hour charge instead of a 2 hour one. And that length does vary depending on quality!

He also managed to buy a couple of the little magic ear pieces too, but one look at those was enough to tell him that they're way above his current skill and knowledge level.

Hmm, would it be a good idea to ask Grian to try teaching him the very basics of enchanting? He has a sneaking suspicion the eager Watcher will get caught up in his excitement and try teaching him stuff way too fast, but it'd probably be worth it once he reigns it in and gives him some beginner practice exercises. Maybe later. For now, shopping!

Squinting at a pile of 'enchanted' rings for sale in a stall on the outskirts of the market area, Scar's confusion grows as the person running the stall claims, "Expertly enchanted, the whole lot of 'em. Takes a bit of attuning to get 'em to work though."

"Attuning?" he asks. Could that be why the rings don't look magic? Grian's stuff always looks magicless, and he thought that was just a Grian thing, but maybe it's more common than he thought.

"Yup! I've got a couple I'm keeping for myself that I've already attuned if you want a demonstration."

He perks up. "Oh! I would appreciate that greatly!"

"Alrighty then." They hold their hand out, palm up, and whisper, "Water Sphere." A sphere of water bubbles into existence above their hand, floating obediently. But...

"...The ring didn't cast that though?"

The shopkeep's eyes widen for a fraction of a second, then narrow in a strange righteous indignation that feels... fake. Forced. Like it's there to convince others watching that they're upset at being accused of lying. "Oi, you sayin' I'm a fraud? The entire point of these rings is that they can cast novice-level spells without needing to actually learn it."

"No, but this was different," Scar argues, confusion growing. "The ring didn't do anything. The mana was yours, and it didn't go through the ring at all."

Their anger grows deeper. Darker. "If you're not buying, scram. I ain't lettin' you slander my goods just because you wanna grind someone's reputation into the dirt."

"Geez, I'm going, I'm going." Scar backs away with his hands up placatingly. Whatever this guy has going on with those rings, it's not worth staying and arguing with them. Besides, what use are rings he can't sense magic in? He wants to use these things as training supplies, not for their intended purpose!

Meandering over to another shop, he casts a glance back, finding a glare still being leveled at him by the shopkeep with their arm resting on top of the unadorned money box. Geez, man...

"Are the rings actually a scam?"

Turning back to the person running the little shop he's currently considering purchasing from, Scar smiles awkwardly, deflecting, "Well I don't know if the other rings are a scam..."