Originally Published: 27 October 2022
24 September 1461
I have not yet taken the unstable talisman from its place in the Viridin Box. There is no telling what it could do. However, Viridin Boxes have special viewing lenses and lights to examine such a talisman in safety. And so I indulged.
The talisman appears to have a standard octagon shape. However, its length, width, and height proportions suggest that it belongs to a unique class, for these proportions do not quite fit the standards. Furthermore, it is a hybrid talisman, boasting a combination of Classical Circlarian and Universal Remikran features.
One mind-boggling issue, though, is that it has no serial number. Under international law, all talismans must have a standard serial number, and many usually display serial numbers on the back face of a talisman, if not on one of the eight edges. I checked every surface of this particular talisman and saw no number whatsoever.
And so I came to my damning realization: this talisman is counterfeit. I submitted a report to the federal government, declaring my certification in spellcrafting and requesting authorization to carry out the investigation as an official independent party. I am sure to receive permission on this; that is usually the case. The federal government would then cross-examine.
I have also had a hunch: shop disguises at the Balloon Festival. I asked Jon Boff to look at the vendor registry, where I located two shops in particular, as they were there for only a day or two. The schedule showed that they only planned to be there for that time, so adherence to the schedule was not an issue.
Nevertheless, I will take a look. One shop was called "Knick-Knacks and Things" who sold talismans at a lower price. The other was called the "Marlin School of Spellfire," who offered spellfire lessons at cheap rates.
In a venue that is more likely than other types of conventions to lure people under the legal Commonwealth age of eighteen, the "Marlin School" is of most interest to me. So I will begin with that.