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Andrimar crosses his hands over his lap and relaxes back into the pile of pillows he had accumulated over the long and repetitive process of spell-learning. Working with your father always seems to make copying go by faster, be it because of his attentive attitude towards ensuring your perfection, or his laid back and gentle voice which easily lulls you into a calm and open mindset. By the end of your lessons, your father has grown entirely engrossed in a thick book detailing many secret routes within Illio. 

The book floats a few inches from his face, wrapped in a warping pale green energy. Andrimar does not seem to hear your question at first, but after a silent moment he says, “I believe she has gone into town. You’re free to go hunt her down, Zevemar, if you can open that door with Knock once more.”

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Io, you wander back out into the town of Alanla. The sun is fully above you, bathing the lands in rays of golden warmth that seems to suck into the cobblestone at your feet and surround you in a stagnant but not overbearing heat. From Andrimar’s doorstep, [abbr=Io’s Investigation Roll: 14 + 2 = 16]you remember that the main marketplace is a good fifteen minute walk back through the residential area, closer to the center of town[/abbr]. You had passed it on your way in.

As you pass through the wide and busy streets, you pass by countless groups of friendly conversation, playing children, and the occasional scholarly discourse. You see mostly humans, many with darker skin blessed by the sun that seems to have a constant glean on the nation of Illio, but among these groups you also see plenty of half elves, and even the occasional tiefling. You are unable to really make out their place in some of these crowds, but as of right now everything is peaceful, calm. Community seems to be rather important to many of these folks.

You eventually make your way into the marketplace, and the friendly murmurs of conversation are suddenly loud and full with cries of attention from hurried shop owners and charismatic con artists. The main square is large, centered by a gorgeous marble fountain that holds the design of a vase-bearing woman in the middle of it. Around the fountain are blankets where people are reading or basking in the sun, and around them are stands where people are selling their wares. There are six stands in total, one for produce, one for crystals and jewelry, one for second-hand books, one for beat up metal objects, one for chimes and other wooden accessories, and one for strange clothes and silks. 

[abbr= Io’s Percep Roll: 13 + 2 = 15]The surrounding buildings of the square make up most of the stores in this area, though.[/abbr] You can see a shop focused on the arcane and high knowledge directly to the east of the fountain, and beside it seems to be a public library. To the north is a large metal-working shop. You can see swords and armor displayed in the grand glass windows. To the south is a collection of oddity shops and clothing stores. To the west is a large stable, where horses and mules seem to be for sale. Down the street after this stable is a large tavern and inn, and you see the sign that hangs out into the street reads “The Drowsy Druid”.

All of these stores and areas are open to your curiosity, Io. What do you do?
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