Charon Strike had arrived in Phlan the night before by boat, awakening in a seedy inn by the docks. The enchanter descends from his room to the inn's lounge below to have breakfast and then goes to check out the open air market adjacent to the docks. There are also a few businesses operating out of permanent structures further from the harbor. After roaming the streets for a bit and making inquiries, someone directs Charon to a place along the eastern end of the stockade wall. Upon entering the establishment, he sees a gnome managing the counter.
"Yes, can I help you?" asks the gnome.
"What do you have, gnome?" responds Charon. "Anything interesting?"
"It's an odd mix," answers the gnome. "Most of my personal collection is for trade only; I haven't much use for currency. What are you seeking?"
There's quite a bit of clutter in the small storefront. Some old books and strange trinkets are kept in a locked case. Not much else seems to be of much value.
"What have you to offer in trade?" asks Charon. "Gold?"
"Sorry, magic is too scarce in Phlan to take gold in exchange," apologizes the gnome. "Perhaps you could offer your services instead? I have a proposition in mind."
"Of course," agrees Charon.
"How long have you been in town?"
"I'm new, arrived last night."
"Good, good. You are probably unfamiliar with all that has transpired in Phlan recently then."
"Can you tell me what's happening?"
"Within the past three weeks, the Council's mercenaries have been able to reclaim the slum sections of the old city, north of the stockade wall. The church of Ill-Mater has also been reclaimed by the priesthood from the orc cultists of Bane. Those areas are mostly secure, but you will still need a gate pass from the Council to enter those areas."
"So what did I need to do?" asks Charon after taking in all the information.
"Recently, I've heard rumors about an auction to be taking place in Podol Plaza, north of Kuto's Well," begins the gnome. "A very powerful magic item is supposed to go up for sale. I would like you to gather information on what it is, exactly."
"Okay, but I would need the scare spell in exchange," bargains Charon. It can help me do this quest, of course."
"If it interests me, I would like you to bid on it, as my proxy," offers the gnome. "I can reward you with a couple of scrolls for your trouble."
"I'll do it," agrees the enchanter.
"First, get your gate pass from the city council. The guards should be able to direct you toward the plaza," explains the gnome. "Be careful, the area is unsecured and will be swarming with monsters. Since you're new in town, no one should recognize you. If you stick to business, no one should bother you."
"Okay, I will go now," says Charon.
After making his way to the council's office he speaks with a clerk who begins to processes his paperwork.
"Here is your gate pass," The clerk presents the enchanter with the pass. "Please remember, guards do patrol some of the areas under development in the old city, but your safety cannot be guaranteed. You must present your pass when entering and leaving New Phlan. The gates are locked at sunset. No one enters or leaves until they are unlocked in the morning. Is there anything else I can assist you with at this time?"
"No, thanks," responds Charon, accepting the pass.
The stockade wall is fairly tall and clearly visible from any point in the city, the gate located in the center. A guard stands at either side of the large double doors. After presenting his pass, one of the guards nods and opens the gate for the enchanter. This portion of the old city is quite derelict; roofs sag on the buildings, mortar is crumbling, debris lay all about, and overgrowth has began to reclaim the streets. The alleyway Charon was standing in runs parallel to the stockade wall. There is a doorway directly ahead of him. Entering it, he discovers that it is an abandoned building. There is a small open room to the left and another door to his right. There are no fixtures or furnishings. He checks the room, but it's not in much better condition than the scene in the alley. He goes over to the door and notices quite a bit of foot traffic must come through here, judging by the disturbance of the dirt and dust on the floors. Warily, he opens the door and finds himself in another room of similar dimension. On the wall to the left, he sees a street through a crack in the wall. There is door directly ahead of him and another that appears to open to the street that can be seen through the crack.
Charon goes through the door to exit the building and onto the end of a street, which runs to the north. He hears what seems to be human activity in the general area. He follows the sounds and comes to a "T" intersection at the end of the street. There are several buildings huddled closely together all around the enchanter, but the sounds seem to be coming from the building directly ahead of him. He goes into the building, the door opening freely. Inside a modestly single room building, Charon spies a group of five men fitting a heavy timber posts to reinforce the sagging beams of the ceiling and removing debris.
"Hello?" greets one of the humans. "Are you lost?"
"No," responds Charon. "Do you know something about a magic item for sale?"
"No. Nothing here, at least," answers the human. "We're part of the council's reconstruction crew. I'm not aware of any businesses opening up in this area of the old city. Mind you, there are some squatters still lingering about that peddle illicit goods. Smugglers and thieves still lurk about. The guards mostly ignore them, since they deter the monsters from returning."
"Where do you usually find them?" asks Charon. "I'll deal with them, don't worry."
"There are some old market stalls that still get used from time to time," explains the human. "Head out the door and take a right. At the end of the street take another right. There is an open area at the end of the street before getting to the alley where guards are stationed most of the time. To the market is around there."
"I'll go there," declares Charon.
"Alright, good luck," the human bades goodbye.
Following the workman's directions, Charon comes upon an open area at the end of the street. There are several buildings encircling this area. One, which is significantly larger than the others, is on the east end. An open-floor market, roughly 30 by 40 feet. There are several small vendor stalls, three of which are occupied. None of the proprietors look particularly enthusiastic. One looks to be selling questionable wine, another maps and documents, and the third all manner of knick-knacks. Raising his quarterstaff, Charon casts Hypnotism upon everyone in the vicinity.
"Can someone here give me an information about a magic item for sale?" he asks loudly.
The third merchant stands up. "I have magic potions for sale." He displays odd-colored liquids in unlabeled bottles.
Charon facepalms in disappointment. "What's the effect of the potion?"
"I'm not entirely sure which ones do what," responds the vendor.
"Can you drink one first, good vendor?" requests Charon.
"I cannot drink my profits," asserts the vendor.
"Can I drink one?" asks the enchanter.
"They're ten gold each," says the vendor. "What color would you like?"
Charon selects a yellow potion. After exchanging the proper amount of gold, he consumes the potion down to the last drop. His physical form dissipates into a fine mist, his weapon and items incorporating into the cloud of vapor along with his body. Strangely, Charon maintains full sensory awareness and is intuitively able to will his mobility. He tries to harass the merchants, but they're kind of looking around, not sure of what to make of the situation.
