The Floating Oak
Artifact and Magic Item Emporium and Museum
The world’s largest collection of magical items, both legendary and commonplace.
FOREWORD
I am Tomasz - the owner, proprietor, and curator of the Floating Oak. I count it as an enormous privilege (and a yet greater responsibility), as I cannot even browse the shelves without being overcome with wonder. Curios from far and wide, both across the world and across history (and a fair bit of pre-history as well!) are scattered carefully about, looked after by the few apprentices I can trust with the historical significance, let alone the raw power, behind such things.
And what things there are in these walls! Things made with dark and terrible purpose, things made totally by accident, things not made at all, things with stories, things of rumor, things entirely inexplicable! We have the Hand of the Merry Prankster, the Torch Blade, I shudder at having the First Lesson of the Sword, I smile at Gori’s Cloudgazer, and I keep the Black Bargain locked away tight in my desk. We have artifacts from the likes of Lady Frehly, the Motley Eyrie, the Saint of the Crying Desert, even some from old King Nowon himself.
And then I think further outside of the walls, and remember what I live and work in.
The Oak itself.
A giant oak tree levitating over the edge of a waterfall cliff, with a great treehouse built onto it. A treehouse which is larger on the inside, and a treehouse in which, despite the decades it’s been here, I still discover new rooms, and usually only when I need more space.
I occupy a position that even the greatest emperors could find envy of. It is a position that many try to take. The Oak and its inventory help me repel any attempts at malice, frequently before I even have the chance to take notice.
This is my wondrous home, my wondrous life, and this is a long-overdue record of my dealings. At this point I cannot possibly hope to fully catalog every single thing in the shop - the shorthand running inventory will have to do - but I want to leave this as a way to remember it.
Reader, I do so hope that you will find yourself at home among the awe and joy this establishment can bring.
Welcome to the Floating Oak.