The merchant and the Lotus
The Black Blossom Lotus was a legendary object of mysterious origin and reputed magical qualities. One version states that the magician Herces made it for the new ruler of Amstanat. It disappeared during a period of strife, while being transported to a hiding place in Eshnosopur. Several years later, alleged pieces of the lotus began to appear.
However, this version was disputed by Red Sophia, who claimed that the grand vizier of Amstanat had a copy of the lotus made, and it was this copy that disappeared. The vizier was later robbed by bandits and, without knowing what they had, the bandits sold it to a jeweler in Ress, likewise unaware of its significance.
When the jeweler died, a merchant from Unshib came across it in his wares and bought it. The jeweler's son, Miergen, was suspicious and identified the lotus, but too late to stop the merchant. He recruited Red Sophia to help him steal it back. While trailing the merchant's caravan, they encountered Cerebus, who they easily recruited. Unfortunately for them, the aardvark double-crossed them, taking the lotus for himself.[1] Cerebus took the lotus to Palnu to sell it. A merchant bought it but promptly dropped it in the river, explaining that he wanted to keep powerful magical items out of the hands of magicians.[2]
Years later, the lotus was still lying at the bottom of the river.[3]