Scree’s search for the Insignia of Claws began the moment the adventuring party decided to take a week of rest in Frandyln. While others buried themselves in study, brooding, or drink, Scree scoured the city’s marketplace and magical item shops. She had heard rumors of the enchanted medallion—an artifact that could imbue her unarmed strikes with magical power—but she also knew she couldn’t afford the steep prices that often accompanied such treasures.   Day 1: Rumors and Leads   Scree spent her first day flitting from stall to stall in the crowded market, asking merchants and shopkeepers about enchanted medallions. Most didn’t have what she was looking for, and those who did wanted exorbitant sums far beyond her budget.   Late in the afternoon, an elderly dwarf selling curiosities pointed her toward a shop at the edge of the Artisan’s Quarter. “Mara’s Mystical Trinkets,” he said, stroking his beard. “She’s got a knack for finding rare items. She might have what yer looking for.”   Day 2: First Encounter   The next morning, Scree stepped into Mara’s Mystical Trinkets, where she found the insignia displayed prominently in a glass case. Mara, the shrewd elven shopkeeper, quickly named her price: 400 gold pieces.   Scree feigned disinterest, pointing out imagined flaws and hinting that the enchantment was outdated. She offered 200 gold, which Mara rejected outright. Despite the hadozee’s charm, the shopkeeper wouldn’t budge below 350 gold that day.   “I’ll think about it,” Scree said, leaving with a determined gleam in her eye.   Day 3-5: The Art of Negotiation   Scree returned each day, working tirelessly to wear down Mara’s resolve. She charmed her, joked with her, and even brought her small gifts—a rare flower she’d found outside the city, a satchel of roasted nuts from the market. Each time, Scree inched the price lower, while Mara countered with her own arguments about the artifact’s worth.   “You’ve got plenty of trinkets here, Mara,” Scree said on the fifth day, leaning casually on the counter. “How many of them actually sell for their asking price?”   “And how many adventurers like you will treasure this medallion as much as it deserves?” Mara retorted with a smirk.   Day 6: Sealing the Deal   On the sixth day, Scree made her final offer: 250 gold. She pulled the coins from her pouch and set them on the counter, their golden gleam catching the shop’s soft light.   “Take it or leave it, Mara. You know it’s better than waiting for a mythical collector to wander in. Besides, you’ve seen how much I want it. I’ll make sure it gets put to good use.”   Mara hesitated, her fingers tapping against the glass case. Finally, with a resigned sigh, she said, “Fine. You win, Scree. 250 gold it is.”   Scree grinned, victorious. As Mara wrapped the medallion, she handed it to Scree with a wry smile. “You’d better do something remarkable with it, hadozee. Don’t make me regret letting it go for a song.”   “You won’t regret it,” Scree promised, tucking the insignia into her pouch.   Day 7: The Fall   That evening, Scree sat in her room at the manor, turning the insignia over in her hands and marveling at its craftsmanship. She felt a rare sense of pride at her accomplishment—not just in acquiring the artifact, but in proving she could navigate the bustling city with skill and charm.   Her satisfaction was short-lived. As she prepared for bed, a sudden chill filled the air. The shadows in the room seemed to stretch and deepen, and before she could react, a powerful magical force slammed into her.   Pain flared in her head, and everything went dark.   The last thing Scree saw was a hooded figure stepping out of the shadows, a cruel smile on his face as he whispered an incantation.   And then, silence.   Fade to Black   Scree awoke to the sound of distant dripping water and the cold bite of iron against her wrists. The insignia was gone, along with all her possessions. She wasn’t alone; the familiar faces of her companions surrounded her in the dim light of the cell.   Her adventure for the insignia was over. But a far grimmer one was about to begin.