“The Gilded Lantern Arcana is a narrow, three-story shop squeezed between a clockmaker and a herbcutter. Shelves are crammed with labeled jars, scroll tubes, and oddities; a brass oil lamp shaped like a lantern hangs above the counter and casts warm, dancing light that makes the runes on items shimmer. The air smells of lemon oil and old paper. Customers must ring a small bell carved with a star to summon Merrin, who appears from a curtained back room with spectacles crooked and a measuring rod tucked behind one ear. Merrin bargains cheerfully and keeps a ledger of favored customers with marginal notes in several different inks. While friendly, they are meticulous about provenance and will refuse to sell items they suspect were obtained by theft. They offer basic repairs and small enchantments for coin or trade in components. Expect measured pauses while Merrin hums and mutters the price, and a small stamped discount for adventurers who present a scar from a true peril.”