[OOC:
((OOC: Wanting to move this along a bit, I know we're a day behind events.))
That could indeed become a problem, as it limits the number of characters that Julian & Ed can interact with. May I offer a possible solution?]
*Wolfenden is busy, with many activities and conversations taking place around the newcomers. The hodge-podge of outfits, dialects and architecture makes it no easy task to determine the historical place and time of this small town (or is it more of a large village?) for certain.
Among the chatter, there is a buzz of gossip about a criminal named Leytan, who is due to be hanged tommorow, though not in Wolfenden. And not too far away from Ed and Julian - perhaps within earshot, perhaps not quite - Harold the potter is chatting with Patrick the baker, who is holding a basket of fresh bread.* [OOC: We needed a Baker called Patrick, to balance out a certain main character name. ;D]
Harold: ...I went back to the marketplace, found the bookseller again - Callimpsest his name is.
Patrick: I always thought he was called Callum Best.
Harold: No, Callimpsest. It's Latin or something. Anyways, I told him how I'd enjoyed The Labyrinths Of Assassins, but I'd had so many late nights reading it that I was knackered. And the story was keeping my head spinning like my wheel, so as I couldn't get to sleep.
Patrick: What did he say?
Harold: He said it happens a lot, and he sold me a ring.
Patrick: Wanted you to take a wife, did he?
Harold: Cheeky sod! No, it's called a Somnia Ring. Told me to put it on my thumb when I got home.
Patrick: Bet you had your doubts.
Harold: I did. Went back to the workshop, slipped it on... nothing happened. I sat down and thought about how lovely it would be to get some sleep. Then I remembered I'd left some cheese out on the table, so I went to finish it off. My apprentice was there, looking all anxious. Said he'd been trying to wake me, and he couldn't, but I'd looked peaceful so he'd left me to it. Turned out I'd slept for an entire day, through one into the next! No word of a lie.
Patrick: Zounds!
Harold: I felt all refreshed, and not too hungry either, considering.
Patrick: That why you've been nabbing my rolls, is it? Leave off! Bake yer own!
Harold: Like you bake your own pots, eh?
Patrick: Haha. So, you'll be getting yourself another Somnia Ring, will you?
Harold: Afraid not. Callimpsest told me they're treated with a special powder. Once the body's had one dose of it, it won't work again.
Patrick: Sign of a foolish trader. He should've sold you another one, and not said a word.
Harold: Not foolish, honest, if you please! A rarity in that marketplace. Shame he doesn't set up his stall every day. He hasn't today, and there'll be other traders there selling Somnia Rings, and taking his business.
*The chat moves onto more mundane matters, until Patrick has to leave to take his rolls to the Crazed Heifer.*
[OOC: Admittedly, that's a bit contrived. But now there are three options:
- Julian and/or Ed overheard, and get Somnia Rings for themselves for some reason, allowing them basically to skip ahead a day;
- Julian and Ed didn't overhear, but end up putting on Somnia Rings, maybe unknowingly, through other circumstances;
- You are free to ignore this and pursue other avenues.
Whatever the case, I hope that helps.]
]