The Curious Cog & Commonplace

Est. 2025 Gnome Artificer

The Curious Cog & Commonplace

Merrin insists customers try a 'curiosity sniff'—a soft, polite inhale from certain jars to 'unlock the memory' of an item. He keeps a teapot for guests and cat...

ME

Shopkeeper

Merrin Quickwhorl, a Gnome Artificer (Lvl 8)

Keeper's Species

Gnome

1 Potions15 Misc4 Misc1 Armor2 Weapons1 MiscEst. 1.5k gp

Shop Inventory

(24)
Potions1

A small glass vial of ruby-red liquid that mends flesh and bone when consumed.

Heal 2 HPHeals HP when consumed (standard D&D 5e potion of healing).
Miscellaneous15

A length of stout rope with dozens of tiny knots and a faint smell of citrus; surprisingly supple.

When thrown and secured, knots grant advantage on checks to climb it once per hour (Merrin's engineering touch).

A glass eye that shutters minutely when it detects motion; fits in most humanoid sockets with a drop of adhesive.

Once per day, grants the wearer 'advantage on Perception checks that rely on sight' for 1 minute as it subtly focuses.

A heavy brass compass that twitches toward the holder's 'true home' (as they define it).

Points toward place the user most considers home; can be fooled by magic that alters memories or when the user has multiple homes.

A glass jar filled with mismatched buttons; when the lid is off, they murmuring indistinct phrases.

Once per day, if you press a button to your ear, it whispers one short clue or direction tied to a nearby obvious secret (GM decides usefulness).

A stout iron lantern with a chimney and hood; bright light 30 ft, dim 60 ft on full oil.

Works as a normal oil lantern; hood reduces glare for stealthy use (-2 to passive Perception of observers within 5 ft when hooded).

A palm-sized brass sundial that records the last hour of sunlight and emits a pale shimmer at dawn.

Grants +2 to History or Survival checks about recent events tied to daylight within the last 24 hours once per day.

Delicately preserved iridescent wings kept in a corked vial; they never crumble.

When attached to clothing or armor as a charm, grants +1 to Acrobatics checks (cosmetic flair required).

A small deck showing nearby oddities and shops; each draw hints at a place within a day's travel.

Drawing a card provides a useful hint or rumor about the place depicted (GM discretion).

Fine toothpicks trimmed with silver; harmless but oddly satisfying.

Can be used as improvised daggers (1 piercing damage) in desperate times; silvered edging can harm certain creatures that fear silver when a legitimate silvered weapon is required (GM adjudicates).

A small tin whistle that, when blown, perfectly mimics the call of one local bird species.

Can be used to attract or distract animals and grant advantage on Animal Handling or nature-based checks to call that species once per hour.

An embroidered map that depicts an alley that doesn't exist—except under certain dreamlike conditions.

When meditated upon for 10 minutes at midnight, the map gives a cryptic hint about one hidden door or portal within a half-mile radius (GM discretion).

A small bottle of ink that never seems to run out; the level always returns overnight.

Useful for scribes and forgeries; ink regains full amount overnight unless used for magical rituals (then it behaves as normal ink).

A convincing set of false teeth—perfect for disguises. One tooth hides a tiny compartment.

Teeth grant advantage on one Deception or Disguise check per day when properly fitted.

A muslin bag containing an assortment of tiny, curious things: hairpins, tiny bells, a thimble with initials, a child's marble, a fingernail-sized painted portrait, etc.

Mostly decorative; occasionally one item may have minor use (GM's call).

Needles, thread, patches, and a tiny hammer—everything to repair clothing and minor gear.

Grants a bonus to Repair (tool) checks or nonmagical clothing/gear mending checks when used properly.
Miscellaneous4

A dull pewter button with a faint star etched on the back that warms in the hand when someone nearby lies.

Once per long rest, you may press the button to gain a bonus to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw within the next minute.

An hourglass with a faint blue glow; the glass is cracked but keeps sand flowing in odd ways.

Once per day the user may flip the hourglass to grant themselves the effect of the Haste spell for 1 minute (no concentration) but they suffer 1 level of exhaustion when it ends.

A small leather-bound journal whose pages lock when the owner sleeps.

While attuned (attunement optional; 1 hour), the book prevents anyone but the owner from reading or removing pages without leaving a trace; impossible to remove without a successful Sleight of Hand () or dispel magic.

A small silvered mirror with a hazy surface; when peered into, it shows a fragment of the last lie spoken within 30 feet.

Once per day, shows an image or phrase representing the last lie told in range; cryptic and subject to interpretation.
Armor1

A modest wool cloak that resists dirt and spills; looks plain but stays presentable.

Negates disadvantages tied to appearance (disguise/stealth social checks) once per day.
Weapons2

A compact, well-balanced blade favored by travelers; sturdy and serviceable.

Counts as a simple weapon; fitting and minor balance tweaks by Merrin grant +1 to attack rolls when used for nonlethal tasks.

A well-crafted slingshot with a carved maple handle and braided leather sling.

Three polished stone bullets included; specialty shots (tangle, blinding powder) sold separately.
Miscellaneous1

A flat straw mat that folds into a tiny boat; it creaks a bit when used but stays afloat.

When unfolded and set on calm water, it supports up to one adult for 30 minutes before needing 'reweaving' (noncombat use).
ME

Merrin Quickwhorl

GnomeArtificerLvl 8

Shop Atmosphere

Merrin insists customers try a 'curiosity sniff'—a soft, polite inhale from certain jars to 'unlock the memory' of an item. He keeps a teapot for guests and catalogs trades in a ledger where he draws tiny doodles of buyers. Haggling is permitted if you can trade a story or an uncommon trinket in exchange.
Visual sheet

Turn The Curious Cog & Commonplace into a sheet

A high-res, share-ready sheet you can post or print.