Strange Antiquities

Dear Applicant, I am pleased to offer you the role of Apprentice Thaumaturge at Strange Antiquities. You show promise – a sharp mind and a strong stomach – exactly what this work demands. I need you to run the shop while I attend to other pressing matters. You will need a keen eye for detail as you provide the townsfolk of Undermere with occult objects for their arcane needs. Undermere might seem unassuming at first – a serene little town on the edge of a grand lake. But it also sits at the edge of our world and the world beyond – and it falls on us to preserve reality’s frayed edge. Permit me now to outline your duties – you’ll need to be up to speed from day one. On Your Duties in the Shop – Every day, you will welcome new customers into the cosy, candle-lit interior of the shop. Their needs are unpredictable and often alarming, but never dull! About My Absence – These ravens are an omen. There is a sickness in this town and I intend to investigate it. Barton Potter told me that his bad eye has been aching again. That can’t be a good sign. And a creeping dark has set up in Jack Hungerford’s house. I have business in Ravenglass but I will consult with the occult scholar, Verona Green, before I leave. There are always forces at play that would see our beloved Undermere unmade. We stand between them and the threshold. If events take a turn, you may be called upon to take a stand. In Conclusion – This shop is my life’s work. And, for the most part, it has been good to me. May it now offer you equal parts reward and mystery! But remember: some curiosities are best left untouched, and some visitors are not what they seem. I look forward to your arrival. Yours, Eli White Thaumaturge & Proprietor Strange Antiquities, Undermere Purveyors of the Arcane since 1683