Lundar's Library

As everyone knows by now, the famed artist and veteran exile Sor is leaving the lands. Sor has contributed heavily to the Puddleby community over the past two decades, and his fine artwork has done more to define the look of our islands than any other artist. He was a compulsive gambler, and I will miss the many nights I spent sitting with him at the card tables of the Golden Butterfly, cursing Jack Vintian’s name.
Today, as a going away ceremony of sorts, Sor held an enormous auction for the items he’d collected over the years. Many of the finest items from Sor’s treasure hoard were auctioned off, and were sold for astounding prices. Some of the items that fetched high prices were EP Portal Stones, Catsbane Necklaces, and a Pass Key, which went for a whopping 80,000 coins.

As for myself, I had saved up some money for the auction, and managed to snag a lump of Tin Ore and a Skein of Silk.

After selling off his items, Sor, ignoring the protestations of many exiles, headed to the Golden Butterfly Casino to play one last hand of Black Jack. Many exiles attempted to pull Sor away from the table, but they tried in vain. The sweet toxin of gambling ran too thickly through his veins.
As Sor approached the table, he asked that the bystanders stand aside, so that he could play his last game alone. He seated himself by the table, with a wink to old Jack, and Jack asked for Sor’s bet, with a greedy gleam in his eye. Sor shocked the assembled exiles with his outrageous bet. 99,999 coins were now at stake.
Jack delt Sor his cards, and for a moment the room was tense, as everyone waited to find out the outcome of the draw. Then, Sor broke into a smile as he turned the cards over to reveal a 9 of cups and an Ace of swords. For himself, Jack delt a Queen and a 4. Jack, looking nervous now, drew one more card, and placed it onto the table. It was an 8. The hand was a bust.
And the rest, as they say, is history.