The Peddler
| Alias | The Merchant of Mirrors |
|---|---|
| Type | Wandering Planar Merchant |
| Habitat | Shifting magical tents [citation needed] |
| Deals | Shards, mirrors, and cryptic warnings |
The Peddler, also known as the Merchant of Mirrors, is an enigmatic, plane-shifting merchant who wanders the remote regions of Lyra. Shrouded in heavy cloaks and carrying an assortment of shifting silver mirrors, he is known to appear only to those in profound need or those standing at pivotal junctions of fate.
Contents
Appearance and Shifting Habitat
The Peddler travels with a magical, shifting tent (The Peddler's Tent) that exists across multiple realities simultaneously. The tent's exterior and interior layout are known to shift spontaneously between three distinct configurations:
- The Canvas Refuge: A simple, rustic merchant tent filled with dusty chests.
- The Hall of Reflections: A wider structure lined with shimmering glass mirrors of varying shapes and sizes.
- The Cosmos Canopy: A space that appears physically larger on the inside, with a ceiling reflecting the night sky of other worlds.
He is described as gaunt and quiet, speaking in hushed, echoing tones that suggest he is conversing with reflections only he can see.
Encounters in Brae (1487 DR)
The Peddler was encountered by the Heroes of Eastport in the dense forests surrounding the town of Brae while they were pursuing the rogue wizard Ethor Kelanna. He offered the party shelter within his extradimensional tent and allowed them to peer into his mirrors, which provided cryptic, fragmented visions of their pasts and impending threats.
Trading Practices
The Peddler does not accept standard currency such as gold or silver. Instead, he trades in intangibles: memories, regrets, secrets, or specific reflections. Those who purchase his items often report feeling a light emptiness in their minds, as if a small piece of their history was painlessly extracted during the transaction.
Encounters in the Fen
After killing an Ancient Gully-maw, the Heroes summoned the Peddler while resting in the Fen. Brogmar Mossbeard gave him the creature's heart to locate a craftsman who could refine it, and purchased brass dragonscale mail and several components.
The party summoned him again after noticing that the Shadow Harlequin wore fabric resembling his tent. Skaf from Yonder persuaded the Peddler to discuss the Crooked Man, from whom the merchant said he had escaped. The surviving account records neither the means of escape nor why the Harlequin dressed from a similar bolt of cloth.