Locations · Establishment · Any

Helioglyph's

Helioglyph (his magical name) is a Talismonger, a maker of charms, talismans, holy items, and so on. This is the place where those seeking fine craftsmanship and good symbolism come. If you are looking for enchanted items, go elsewhere.

90 xp 7,087 views

Helioglyph (his magical name) is a Talismonger, a maker of charms, talismans, holy items, and so on.

The shop is near the gate of Azure Wall. Like many stores and homes in the area, it is painted in bright colors and decorated with "mystical symbols". (Well what common folk call mystical symbols, alchemical shorthand, ancient languages, and the occasionally odd scribble). Common folk think these act as magical protection, but they are not. Since they are expected of "magical shops" and homes, Helioglyph has painted his sky blue house with "sun gold" trim and mystical symbols. He has a gold sun on his door. The shop is a two story affair, with the lower level being the shop and upper level where he and his eight non familiar cats have lived for the last twenty five years.

Helioglyph specializes in common magic items, things that gain power through the belief of everyone rather than mystical enchantment. Thus he sells rabbit feet, religious items, disks to ward off fey, and talismans inscribed with classic magic circles for protection, luck, and the occasional fertility. Other talismans are copies of tarot card or disks with mystic letters on them. Technically all these items do work, if the cosmic forces are alligned just right. They really need "charging" or minor enchantments to make them effective. Common people believe they are magical, but not so magical as to be dangerous, so it makes them happy to have them.

Helioglyph is an excellent silver and gold smith, and has been known to dabble in copper, iron, and the occasional jade work. His work is quite skilled and his work has an artisitc flair. Despite the stigma of coming from a "magical shop", many clerics in the region pick up finer emblems of their faith from the shop.

Helioglyph does do a "bit of enchanting" on the side, enchanting basic simple talismans. True luck/ fate charms (+1/-1), minor mystical resistance, skill bonuses, and so on. Anything stronger than would be enchanted by someone else (though he might of made the piece originally). He does sell certain things on consignment for others in the district.

Scrolls

0 scrolls

Twists, chapters, and details meant to stream with the submission — not general discussion.

No scrolls yet — leave one if you have a twist worth keeping.

Sign in to plant an idea scroll.

Enjoyed this? Sign in and cross blades for MoonHunter — five clashes, up to 25 XP.

Sign in to cross the blades.

Rare mark

Hall of Honour

for Helioglyph's

The Hall of Honour is your mark on a submission you believe is frick’n awesome — so good you would jump in front of a dragon’s breath to protect the scroll it is written on.

Bestowing HoH also highlights it on the front of the Citadel for about a day, so others see the recognition it earned.

You may bestow HoH on the same submission up to your level (with a short wait between strikes). Five distinct HoH voters raise a work to Golden.

Discussion

7 comments

Reader talk, questions, and feedback — not scrolls.

  1. KendraHeart

    I like this because it can be used in a variety of settings. You can put it in the Haight in SF, you can put it in Seattle in Shadowrun, The Village in New York, and any number of fantasy places. It is just not an equipment list, it is a place.

    0 xp Reply +XP
    1. KendraHeart reply

      I liked this before. I like it much better now that the NPC and the setting is up. Can I give 5+

      0 xp Reply +XP
  2. valadaar

    A very usable location, as per Kendra's comments.

    0 xp Reply +XP
  3. Murometz

    I just love the idea of a Talismonger!

    Why is it titled Helioglyph's, with an apostrophe?

    (fixed some glaring spelling errors for you)

    0 xp Reply +XP
    1. MoonHunter reply

      It is the talismonger's working name. His place or shop does not have its own name, it is just his place or Heliograph's. It would be like Ralph's or Max's.

      0 xp Reply +XP
    2. Murometz reply

      well that explains that then.

      0 xp Reply +XP
  4. Murometz

    years later, i still love the idea of a Talismonger!

    0 xp Reply +XP

Sign in to join the discussion.

Continue the path

Three more steps through the hall.

  1. Azure District by MoonHunter Bound

Other takes

every piece can be retold

No other takes yet — the best compliment on the Citadel is a Retelling.

Bonds

4 bonds

Curated bonds across the Citadel — sign in to bind a bond. Kindred Favors are another thread in the same weave.

Binds to 2
Echoes 2

Pieces that link here

The graph

Bind a Bond

from Helioglyph's

Know a piece that belongs with this one? Bind them together so every reader who finds one can find the other. Choose how they are bound.

Sign in to bind Bonds.

Browse Locations Seek the Citadel