A Little More Time

"I do understand you desire this object. I desire to trade it to you. Unfortunately, I am a merchant, and I cannot just stop my business for a few years until you find the objects I desire in trade." Akakios brings up his rag-bound hands, tapping a spindle of a finger against the frame of his lantern skull. "But you have been a good customer to me, and I do appreciate it. I will make you a deal, then. I will put this treasure aside, ready to be purchased when I return next year - or any year. But the deal must be fresh and new, and to preserve it, you will allow me to hold on to your sense of time. I shall return it with the final purchase."

Akakios is delighted to have such loyal customers, but he cannot stop business just because someone needs more time to gather the materials to trade. But if you leave him some collateral, he'll hold on to the object of desire until it is purchased. Without the sense of time, the magi will find their schedules harder to keep. Most of the negative effects can be mitigated by an assistant helping organize and keep track of timing for the blighted maugs. Roll a simple die, and that is the number of days lost to distraction every season until they finalize the agreed deal with Akakios. If, however, the magus is too proud or overconfident to accept assistance in managing their time while cursed, use a stress die instead.