The EARTH story - July 6, 1372
The next morning finds you back at Laurie's temple. Sharone is feeling much better already, and so is Kelar, once the high priestess touches him with her rod of healing.
Mikodin quietly looks at the bracers, a couple of rings, and the hand axe.
"Perhaps some of these might prove useful," he mutters quietly. "And I could use some of the money in order to pay the temple what i owe for my training last time. And, speaking of training, I wouldn't mind doing some more training right now."
Aldarin, who has been rather quiet until now, begins examining the rod for the usual symbols and runes.
It is a crystalline rod. There are no identifying features on it.
He also checks out the Long Swords to see if any appear to be of a spectacular sort.
All of them glow nicely.
"I believe that we could possibly finish the rest of this dungeon without the aid of these items but we definitely know that by utilizing them to assist us in doing so we would be able to do so with much more effectiveness. If time is an issue, then let us continue but let us use what items we may be able to in the process."
Finishing he picks up a ring and begins examining it.
"I am potentially interested in the some of this haul," says Equinox, "Depending on what they are, of course."
Op Code chuckles. "We shall do this the honorable way. People who want the same item should arm wrestle for it."
He eyes the rings and potions.
Brennnon pours through the spell books looking for new spells for his books.
Standard spell book 1:
Read magic
Magic missile
Find familiar
Erase
Shocking grasp
Alarm
Tenser's floating disc
Sleep
Push
Charm person
Dancing lights
Identify
Wizard mark
Affect normal fires
Light
Unseen servant
Precipitation
Enlarge
Nystul's magic aura
Burning hands
Taunt
Grease
Write
Tenser's eye of the tiger
Standard spell book 2:
Audible glamer
Protection from cantrips
Leomund's trap
Fools gold
Detect invisibility
Know Alignment
Pyrotechnics
ESP
Wizard lock
Ray of enfeeblement
Irritation
Otiluke's boiling oil bath
Tongues
Water breathing
Slow
Protection from normal missiles
Wind wall
Flame arrow
Cloudburst
Detect illusion
Fly
Explosive runes
Haste
Otto's crystal rhythms
Standard spell book 3:
Minor globe of invulnerability
Wall of fire
Rary's mnemonic enhancer
Enchanted weapon
Confusion
Massmorph
Dolor
Leomund's secret chest
Hold monster
Passwall
Animal growth
Disintegrate
Spiritwrack
Otiluke's freezing sphere
Eyebite
Transmute water to dust
Standard spell book 4:
Banishment
Mordenkainen's sword
Monster summoning V
Ottos' irresistible dance
Symbol
Maze
Wish
Power word kill
Travelling spell book 1:
Read magic
Ventriloquism
Find familiar
Mount
Shield
Charm person
Travelling spell book 2:
Ray of enfeeblement
Invisibility
Vocalise
Blink
Fly
Wind wall
Travelling spell book 3:
Otiluke's resilient sphere
Ultravision
Distance distortion
Geas
Travelling spell book 4:
Maze
Polymorph any object
He also looks at the wands that are unclaimed.
The first wand has a command word: 'The walls have ears'
There is no command word visible on the second wand.
Sharone picks up the other staff and the small ivory fan. "These objects interest me. Does anyone mind?"
The staff has a red cross on it.
She also looks for any emerald jewels, jewelry or rings that will go with her current green outfit. She will take these pieces in preference as her share of the cash.
Jon looks to the cleric. "Sharone, don't you want a suit of plate and shield? You're always up front turning undead, and being swallowed by things. Doesn't look like any one else wants it."
"There are fighters and more senior clerics who should have this protection before me."
She smiles and begins to rummage through the scrolls, looking for any with religious writings.
Jon says, "Hmmm. Well, what about we leave the standard spell books as group treasure so that all mages in the group may benefit from them and leave them somewhere safe as we can't take them with us? I suppose the senior mages get the travelling books if they want them as they share spells anyway. Distribute the scrolls between the magic users and potions equally between all the group by chance as that's the best for the group. If no fighter can use or wants the elven plate mail I can use it being a full elf. It would be good if we had a leader. Has anyone offered?"
"I offer myself, unless somebody else wants the job," replies Equinox.
Turning over the last two books after glancing through them, Brennon says, "These books are beyond my level. Perhaps their are mages of higher caliber then I that can benefit from what is contained within. The others I can read and would like to spend some time scribing the spells into my spellbook for use on our quest. Since we will be here for sometime training that is. Is there anyone here that could train me for my next level? I would gladly pay them."
Vardui says, "I would like to copy some of these into my spell books."
He turns over the four travelling spell books.
Tully suggests, "Maybe we should identify this stuff before we start splitting it up. I am a bard and will help. I also need to train."
Jon, not being sure of what Sharone intends to do with regards to the scrolls, moves away from her, saying, "Bet one's going to be cursed at least. Could explode or anything. Wouldn't suggest it in your state. I'd read them if no one else wants to. After all I'm the expendable one. Well, maybe not the scrolls."
Jon, who is invisible, says to Vardui, "It's me, Jon. Vardui, hey, feel free to copy whatever you want. Ummm, Vardui, can you provide training? I'm just about up to casting two lightning bolts at the same time and just can't quite manage it. Perhaps you could help if it's not an inconvenience? Well, while everybody else sorts of mills around lets start loading up the mule. Anybody want to help? Now's who's taking a list of all the items just to be sure none get misplaced? Are we going to use the lawful good kind monk again? He gets my vote. I wonder if I can wear the elven plate and fight."
"I can train you," says Vardui.
Jon says, "Gee that's great. Thanks. I will take you up on that."
You all hear Jon trying on the Elven plate mail, singing, "If I were a rich man I wouldn't have to work hard. Ooh is somebody going to try the cloak and bracers for curses? Otherwise, I do them too. Yeah, know being the official curse locator and all, then I do the swords. So what's the plan from here? Is it training then the rest of the dungeon or the other way round? I vote for training first!"
Jon puts on the plate mail, but it just does not seem to work for him. He finds it next to impossible to cast spells, and when he tries to do anything thiefly, like climbing the wall of Laurie's temple, he falls to the floor with a loud, rattling clank.
"That would suit Aldarin, Farad or Kelar more than you," observes Devlin. "I also think everyone should train before we continue."
You also note that while Jon is invisible, the plate mail remains visible when he puts it on. The same goes for any other items he handles after turning invisible.
Jon comments, "Boy that's really cute. Walking platemail, because you can't see me."
Jon takes off the plate mail. "The plate mail's not cursed."
Jon puts on the cloak and bracers.
"Luck's holding so far..."
Still with a look of shock on his face, Kelar says, "This is quite a haul. What happened and why are my thumbs sore?"
After hearing the story he says, "I will try the plate mail but I don't think it will work for me. Last time I tried casting a spell with that type on it just didn't work."
"I would also be interested in copying some of the spells along with the rings, bracers, cloak and depending on the swords," says Kelar with a gleam in his eyes as he sees the jewels. "And if no one cares I think I would like to take my share of money in jewels."
Jon says,"Well, I like blue jewels so I would take those coloured ones but you're welcome to the rest."
Kelar tries on the plate mail and it suits him just fine. He has no trouble casting spells in it, either.
"If none of the humans are interested in the other plate mail then I would like it," says Devlin.
Meanwhile, Sharone is looking at scrolls.
1. Protection from possession
2. Protection from weretigers
3. Protection from magic
4. Protection from demons
5. Unreadable to Sharone
6. Divination, exorcise, divination, detect lie, sticks to snakes, neutralise poison, cure serious wounds
7. Spiritual hammer, slow poison, spiritual hammer
8. Protection from wererats
9. Unreadable to Sharone
10. C U R S E !
Suddenly a fireball explodes in her face, engulfing her and all of you within its blast radius.
Jon, Mikodin, Kithus and Beth suffer 36 hit points and drop.
Op Code, Aldarin, Devlin, Al, Equinox, Ayazin, Jo-owrn, Drinor, Leslie and Laurie take 36 hit points of damage.
Farad and Kelar take 72 hit points and are vapourised.
Aron jumps and rolls back, and the flames miss him.
Sharone takes 52 hit points of damage and is reduced to a pile of smoking ashes.
Vardui and Tully take 72 hit points of damage.
Brennon takes 36 hit points and dies in a puff of smoke.
Aldarin, Tully, Equinox, Ayazin, Jo-owrn, Devlin, Op Code, Al, Drinor, Vardui, Aron, Laurie and Leslie remain alive and conscious.
Jon, Mikodin and Beth are alive but injured and unconscious.
The scrolls are destroyed by the flames, but fortunately nothing else appears to have been damaged.
"Ouch!" the cavalier of Thor says as a wave of heat and flames knocks him off of his feet and onto his back. As he lets the heat subside, he slowly gets up and witnesses the carnage from the foolishness of Sharone.
He looks for the staff with the red cross and looks for any signs or wonders that would detail to him if it is a staff of healing or some kind of divine regenerative abilities.
"I have left one cure serious wounds and three cure light wounds, that is all," he says, starting with Beth, he uses a cure light wounds, and will heal to consciousness Jon, Mikodin, and Kithus until his spells run out.
"Medic!" Op Code calls out. "Tend to the more serious ones first."
He then tastes the potions, one at a time so that they don't intermix with each other.
"Ouch," mutters Equinox and he changes shape to a wolf and then back to a human in order to heal himself. "That was not very smart! I cannot believe that we forgot to tell Sharone not to read the scrolls with all of us here! I feel pretty stupid."
Then, to Op Code:
"Op Code, how do you know that the same thing won't happen when you sip a cursed potion?"
Just in case something else triggers another curse/trap, Equinox casts Protection from Fire and Protection from Lightning on himself. Then he waits until someone casts Death's Door or the like on the unconscious people and then he casts 4 Cure Light Wounds and one Cure Serious Wounds to bring them round to better health.
After giving a quick prayer of thanks to Tyr, Aron tries to help those unconscious.
"Do we have any potions or salves that we can give them to help ease their pain?"
Op Code offers Aron, "I have a vial of healing/extra healing and a potion of healing on me. As well I have 2 potions that have life giving ability associated with them."
Aldarin also begins moving around to check those who are still conscious and begins administering first aid.
Ayazin coughs up a little blood and groans, "Oh, why didn't I memorize any healing spells today? I believe we've been a little too reliant on Farad."
The druid crawls over to Kithus to see if he is breathing.
Drinor scrapes himself off the floor and lays hands on the nearest unconscious victim, to keep them from dying. "Be careful where you step. Don't scatter anyone's ashes, we can use them to resurrect later."
Saying so, he attempts to gather Sharone's remains into a container.
"No, no," says Laurie, looking at the carnage to the party and her temple through tear filled eyes.
Leslie throws her a look, as the high priestess closes her eyes, and her lips move soundlessly...
..."If none of the humans are interested in the other plate mail then I would like it," says Devlin.
Meanwhile, Sharone is looking at scrolls.
1. Protection from possession
2. Protection from weretigers
3. Protection from magic
4. Protection from demons
5. Unreadable to Sharone
6. Divination, exorcise, divination, detect lie, sticks to snakes, neutralise poison, cure serious wounds
7. Spiritual hammer, slow poison, spiritual hammer
8. Protection from wererats
9. Unreadable to Sharone
10. C U R S E !
Suddenly Sharone's hair turns flourescent purple.
Laurie, who for some reason has had her eyes closed, opens them and exhales loudly. Leslie puts her arm around her shoulders and smiles.
Sharone looks at the last scroll.
11. C U R S E !
Suddenly, Sharone appears to Leslie, Mikodin, Op Code, Aron, Kelar, Al, Kithus, Jo-owrn, Beth, Drinor and Tully to be more charismatic and beautiful than ever...even if her hair is purple.
Farad nods, as Kelar removes the plate mail. "Yes, I think I'll have a go at it. Being an elf I should be able to wear the armor and not be hindered while casting spells. I think I'll also wait and see how the various other items compare to what I already have. I might wish to upgrade."
Everyone is fine.
People look around in surprise and confusion.
"By Elminster's white beard, what in blazes is going on here?" Al asks, utterly confused by the sudden manipulations of the Weave. "That is why I didn't become a mage!"
Aldarin says, "Perhaps it was all an elaborate illusion or delusion of some type?"
"No, it was not an illusion," says Laurie in a quiet voice. "In her foolishness, Sharone read a cursed scroll and a fireball exploded, killing her, Brennon, Farad and Kelar; and injuring the rest of us.
"Years ago while travelling through the Abyss I was granted the ability to avoid any situation, once. I saved that gift, until today, when I saw the need to exercise it. So, the gods in their greatness altered the flow of spacetime, or the weave, as Al calls it, and instead of a fireball, the curse amounted to...something less."
She smiles ruefully at Sharone.
"I do," she adds, "Request some small compensation for the sacrifice of that gift."
Farad nods. "Us elves are difficult to raise from the dead, so I am greatful. I propose that this fine woman gets first choice of the items we have found here today, as well as whatever cash she feels is appropriate."
Aldarin nods in agreement, "I understand. That was a most powerful event that you brought about. One day, you must share your tale of your travels in the Abyss. I am anxious to hear about your exploits there."
"It was a nightmare," she replies quietly, "And we left without reaching our goals."
"Quite impressive, lady," Al replies with a nod. "As to the Weave, on my world, it is an intangible force that powers magic, controlled by Mystra, the goddess of Magic."
"Kudos to you, lady, you have done a tremendously good deed this day," he says with a nod and smiles.
Sharone looks stonily at Laurie.
"I thank you for your assistance, Laurie, and would be most interested in how you would have avoided the cursed scroll."
"A simple augury, perhaps?"
Equinox answers Sharone quickly before Laurie can respond further: "Sharone, Laurie saved your life and you really ought to be a little more polite," Equinox says gently to Sharone. "And anyway, in all fairness, you were not the only one to make a mistake: no one objected to your reading the scroll. In hindsight we should have cast a Commune to see if any of the scrolls were cursed before you, or anyone, tested any of the items."
Jon says, "What, you mean I lost my job function as the group's official curse and trap locator? Doesn't seem to be much fun in that and I would have loved blue hair. Sharone's always the lucky one. When she dies, she's saved. When giants step on me I'm dead and invisible and almost lost. Well I can identify stuff too but will need to rest first."
Turning to Equinox, Sharone smiles. "You get me wrong. I am most grateful for Laurie's intervention but Idun has given me the power to heal and ultimately the power to restore life. These favours I bestow on my friends without expectation of compensation. Such are the teachings of Idun."
Laurie purses her lips.
"Please do not judge me by the standards of Idun, Sharone, for I am a cleric of Tyr. Am I wrong to request - not demand - a donation to my temple in return for a service performed? If the survivors instead had been forced to seek out an arch mage to perform a wish, it would have cost far more."
"I don't mean any disrespect to Idun, Sharone, but there's always a price to pay - whether it's some metal that men cherish or your sword arm. The priestess Laurie performed a miracle as far as I'm concerned - I'm her body guard," says Aron.
Tully says to Laurie, "What would you like? I could give you an item, write a song about your sacrifice or perform some other service. Your decision."
The bard strums his instrument.
"That would be very pleasurable. However, I was eying that rod of cancellation."
Laurie points to the crystalline rod.
Sharone piles all her equipment, except her clothing and her holy symbol onto a table. "This is all I can afford. The group will probably need all the items in that pile to succeed with the quest that confronts them and I would prefer we not use them as payment. If you require more I will pay when I have something else."
Laurie smiles and shakes her head.
"Keep your chattels, Sharone. I am not so avaricious as to relieve you of the tools that you need to complete your mission. Idun would be upset with me, I suspect; and I am certain that Tyr would be even moreso."
Jon asks, "Laurie what kind of a monster is an avaricious?"
Laurie chuckles.
"Look in a mirror," comments Vardui, regarding the invisible Jon with all of the visible loot that he is trying to scoop.
Jon pulls out an invisible mirror and looks at himself.
Aldarin bows his head in respect, "My dear, your generosity in using the gift bestowed upon you to save the lives of others is well deserving of such a reward. Please take this item in thanks for your blessing upon us all."
With that he holds the rod out to her.
Tully says, "I think the rod of cancellation is more than fair. My vote is that you take it."
He looks to the rest of the party to see what they wish to do...
Jon, invisible but with hands full off goodies, moves towards Laurie and the two books he is carrying move as if in a bowing manner, "Please take the rod Laurie with my humble thanks...and any other favour I can do for you. Please don't hesitate to ask."
"Please keep this rod of flailing as an appreciation of the gift," Op Code smiles at Laurie.
Sharone looks in awe at the valuable rod. "Was that amongst this pile of treasure? It could come in very handy during the quest for the Saltar artifacts."
"No it was not. I came across this rod many adventures ago, but have rarely, if ever used it. Maybe Laurie can put it to better use than I," Op Code smiles.
"Thank you for your offer, Op Code, but I am not a warrior, or even a so-called 'fighting cleric'," replies Laurie with a smile. "However, I do have a follower, a young cleric named Smet, who would appreciate such a weapon. If I were to pass on your gift to him, would that be acceptable? If you say no, I will quite understand."
"If she cannot then I could put it to good use," suggests Sharone.
Laurie looks to Sharone, then back to Op Code.
"I think, Lord Op Code, that you should give your flail to Sharone if you give it away at all. Smet is more of an administrator or a caretaker for my temple than a warrior. Sharone, a true adventurer, could put it to more beneficial use."
Mikodin would like to take the two rings and the hand axe he was looking at, as well as the bracers.
"I need to train, also," the monk states. "And get these items identified."
Op Code is also interested in the rings. "Let's determine their effects, then we can figure out who can use them the best."
"I think that would be appropriate," Mikodin replies.
Sharone, now looking like a reject from some 60's disco still has the small ivory fan and the Clerical staff....
"Would anyone be upset if I took scrolls 3, 6 & 7? "
She then casts a 'remove curse' in an attempt to return her previously red hair back to its original colour.
Jon has in his possession newly acquired, one ring, one staff, one bag of beans. He has taken off the suit of platemail but is carrying one of the new swords, wearing a cloak, carrying the standard spells books numbered 2 & 3 and a wand. These additions are obvious to all as the the cloak, the sword, wand and two spell books are not invisible and seem to be walking through the air.
Jon invisibly smiles and says, "Just helping out, as no one wants them. Sorry but it's all I can carry with all the laboratory stuff. Hey, I need some scrolls too so I will take 1, 4 and 9 if no one minds."
"Mikodin, take the two rings, the hand axe and the bracers. Maybe we can swap if you can't use the bracers. Are you going to divide up the treasure share now as well?"
Aldarin will keep the sword and rod he was looking at and the ring if it has not been claimed already. If it has then he will take a look at the rug to see of what value it may be. He will also take one of the shields since no one has taken an interest in them as of yet.
Brennon, feeling slightly confused, says, "I would like these two wands to experiment with to figure out what they do."
Jon says, "Hey feel free, Brennon, to experiment with the one left but please don't do it around here in case it's another fireball. I'm going to try the one I'm carrying later...but you're welcome to watch.."
Seeing people grabbing loads of stuff rather than just a few items, Kelar reaches in and takes a couple of swords and if Farad doesn't mind would like to keep the plate mail.
"Farad if it is better for you, you are more than welcome to it," says Kelar to his friend.
Farad shakes his head and looks at his hands, wondering if he just had a hallucination. "I'd like to keep the plate mail, as well as a new longsword if any here are better than what I might already possess."
Kelar then dives into all the gold and jewels and starts making piles of money for each person.
"Who all wants money? I need to know," says Kelar.
"I think that goes without asking, that we all do," Op Code tells Kelar, and he starts tasting potions.
"I only need enough money to cover my expenses: training for last level and this one, and identifying these items," Mikodin says slowly, trying to remember if he has any other mandatory expenses.
"I could use some money to refurbish my keep as a temple to Thor," Al says.
Kithus compares the two handed sword that he took to his original sword.
The new sword is of far better quality.
As Sharone is nowhere near needing any training, she would like to take the staff to her church in Sandas to undertake some detailed study of how it works.
"It makes no sense to take it Sandas just to find out how it works," Equinox admonishes Sharone gently, "We can figure out how it works right here and now so it can be used as we continue through this dungeon. Also, although I almost certainly have no desire for that Staff or any other in this pile of loot, I will not give up any claim I may have on any of these items until after we at least try to find out what each does."
Sharone turns towards Equinox. "....Painted on ears....the staff is probably for healing people but to find out what it heals, how many charges it holds, can it be recharged, if so what spells to use, will take more than a trial and error approach. My Church has an extensive library and a number of skilled priests who I can speak with. Besides, I've got nothing else to do while the group trains."
"Why is everybody snatching items when no one even knows what they are?" asks Equinox. "There are only a few items that I would even want and if they are not located in this pile, I do not need any of this magic. However, I would like to stake a claim on certain items but only after I know what all of these things are. Why don't we all put the magic back into the pile, cast a few Communes and Identify spells and find out what is what before we start dividing it?"
"Yes, we need some order, here," growls Devlin with a glower, wading into the grab fest and standing over the treasure pile in a protective stance. "These items should be identified and then divided up according to the best needs of the party."
"Money is another issue," Equinox continues. "Everybody needs their share for the same reason: training."
Ayazin says, "If I'm not mistaken, we're done with this dungeon. At least, I hope we're close! I for one am eager to get out of the underground and onto the open road, on Thor's quest."
Jo-owrn speaks up.
"We haven't finished exploring Razamataz's dungeon by a long shot. But winter comes early up where that bridge is supposed to be, and it's July already. If people are going to take time off to train - and I think they should - then it's going to be another month before we can get on with things. I think we should train and then go look for the bridge...try and find it before winter comes. We can finish the dungeon when it's too snowy to move outside."
"If it would benefit the party, I am ready to increase my combat skills," says Aron.
"That would surely help," says Devlin.
In regards to the cursed scroll episode, Ayazin adds, "In that case, I agree with Equinox. Those of you who can should identify the magical items, preferably working separately so we don't blow the rest of us to smithereens. The rest of us will tally up the treasures and cut even shares, and what you do with your share is your business. Once those two things are accomplished, we can talk about who gets what magic item and who needs to train. As for myself, I'm not touching anything unless it's fully identified; I've had enough of curses."
Drinor gets a strange look on his face, then peers down at his armor. "Come to think of it, I took this field plate armor and shield from the party's community chest without knowing anything about it. They've served me well so far, but I'd appreciate if someone could identify them for me, just for my peace of mind. I'll gladly compensate whoever is willing to do it."
Equinox speaks up again: "I like Jo-Owrn's plan to go after the Bridge now, but I would like to make sure we have the time to train and identify these items. If Al or Laurie would be kind enough to cast another Commune spell, we could easily identify what items are cursed, trapped or poisoned, as well as more information about our quest and the quests of our compatriots traveling in search of the other artifact. Then, after the Communes are complete, the mages could get to work identifying the items left unidentified and then we can divide these spoils and commence training, if that is appropriate."
Mikodin merely nods at these words, agreeing that, "The most just way would be for each to take what he could use best, and would benefit the group the most."
"I also think that Laurie is entitled to far more than merely one Rod of Cancellation for the use of her special gift. Laurie could have used her gift to avoid her own death at some time in the future but used it instead to save our group. That kind of courage and compassion deserves more than merely an item or two."
Mikodin agrees wholeheartedly with these sentiments, and adds, "While some of us may not have needed the tremendous sacrifice Laurie made, such an act of heroism and self-sacrifice deserves much more than trinkets. Whatever I can offer this gracious lady, she has but to ask."
"I agree with my brother, Equinox," Al replies. "Laurie, I am indebted to you and will aid you anytime you desire. I am yours to command," he says as he bows his head to her. A slight smile creases his lips, but he keeps his mouth closed.
Leslie throws an envious glance at the high priestess.
Laurie shakes her head.
"That is all the payment I request...though perhaps at some point in the future I may ask you to perform some small errand or service for me."
"As to Communing, Laurie, perhaps you would like to do so, as I did not pray for that spell today, as I did not think it would be needed in a dungeon," he says as he shrugs his shoulders.
"It would probably be a good idea if Al or another cleric were to cast a Remove Curse spell on Sharone, who has just read two cursed scrolls."
"Come here, Sharone, I am tempted to allow you to stay this way, but perhaps you have learned your lesson," he says in a stern tone, but smiles slightly.
"Oh Great Thor, please remove the curses foolishly brought upon one of my companions," he says as he casts Remove Curse on Sharone.
Sharone's hair returns to its normal colour.
Jon protests,"Oooh Nooo it was beautiful and it made her stand out...so that next time I have a bad feeling I can run away from her! Hey perhaps it's a blue rise and will come back when washed in water."
Sharone turns to Farad.
"Could I trouble you to take me to Sandas? The group appears to now have sufficient knowledge and clerical expertise..."
"I do not think that you should leave, Sharone," says Equinox, surprised by Sharone's decision to leave. "Everyone made a mistake, yours was just more obvious. Your skills ARE very valuable: I have not yet met a group of adventurers with 'sufficient knowledge and clerical expertise.' I would not like you to go. Please stay."
Farad shrugs. "I imagine I'll be taking most everyone there in a short while for training. As for curses and the like, I think I might be able to help with that. The gods have given me the ability to see into the future after all. I could look and see if checking an item would invoke a curse, and then we simply take precautions."
"Sharone, we are just a tad uptight with what happened. If its any consolation, it could have happened to any of us, as to divine presence, I learned long ago, one can never have too many clergy present, unless it's a debate," Al says with a smile. "Please stay."
"Indeed, Equinox is right. Do not leave," adds Laurie. "I am sorry if my words to you sounded harsh. I was upset, for myself and a few others saw the carnage in the aftermath of your actions, before I was able to alter that reality into something more benign. Your actions were foolish, but not intentionally so. You had the best of intentions. Perhaps your recent injuries clouded your judgement. The rest of us, who stood idly by, do not have that excuse. As Equinox pointed out, we were all fools for allowing you to read the scrolls."
Jon says, "I knew it was dangerous. I just didn't run fast enough. I told you all, then I almost died again. I'm getting better at handling curses now: they don't kill me outright. Gotta stop this bleeding to death, though."
Sharone pauses, looking for the right words. "Again, I say Thank you for your intervention. And as Idun also relies heavily on donations to help maintain her presence on the material plane I must agree with them. And for once I agree with Al: too many clerics spoil the debate. "
She then picks up her equipment and moves to a corner to contemplate further mysteries of life.
Jon says, "And a very nice God Idun is too but Sharone. If you go I will have to pretend interest in some other gods now. But does it matter where we train or rest up? Sandas would do me, but hey I will go with the group."
"Some people could train here with us," offers Leslie. "It would probably be cheaper."
Jon, tracked by the two spell books, walks over and joins Sharone in the corner, "Hey, while you're over here doing nothing, do you have a couple of spare rooms in your now soon to be furnished house? I need somewhere to set up this laboratory stuff and somewhere quiet, to rest. I could afford a little rent now I think...and if I accidently read a cursed scroll and blew up your house we'd be even. Though I don't think I could turn my self to ash. Now that was impressive. Now, would you tell me about Idun who seems like a nice bloke or gal or whatever..."
Drinor chuckles at Jon. "For goodness' sake, slow down! You're making little sense. Think of the party as one whole, not a collection of individuals. If my left arm was cursed, it would be bad for the rest of my body since it couldn't hold up my shield. I can fight on if I have to, but it's in my interest to avoid curses to any part of me. Now if a curse befalls any part of the party, whether it's vaporizing a third of us or simply turning one's hair purple, it's bad for the party as a whole, and we should avoid curses. It doesn't do any good for one person to be the 'curse magnet' because the rest of us are affected. Tyr teaches us to choose our battles wisely, so don't go looking for trouble!"
Jon having waited his through his two nano second attention span for Sharone to respond, smiles invisibility. He looks deep in thought as he slowly turns around, turning visible in the process so that now you can see his eyes light up with a warm smile.
"Oooh, but curses can be so much fun. Just look at Sharone's hair as it was: a nice colour blue. I would have liked that curse. Now let me think. The curse I had before Sharone was fun, too. I got to attack in a battle like a fighter continuing until everything was dead and I always had a sword handy...didn't have to carry it or anything. It was a very useful curse. Would have been better for a fighter, perhaps a berserker. I wonder whether someone in the party is a berserker in disguise. There's so many people it gets confusing. What with all the spells and stuff that goes off and wanting to fight everything we come across. That with the xorns for instance...and the wights..and whatever. I really do think it safer for me to be the official party member to find traps and curses."
He takes a deep breath.
"BUT the party can fix me up then and it's easier to fix me or subdue me than most others members."
He takes a breath and pauses.
"I like the challenge of the curses. It's almost a trait. I love magic but am really not that good at it. It's fun to play with."
He pauses again with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Now Drinor, what did you say again? Something about a Tyre slowing down? What's a tyre and why is it slowing down? Do you think the group's slowing down? Sharone certainly has slowed down in this corner..."
"Watch out, he might combust at any moment," Brennon says while examining the wand that has no writing on it. Turning to Laurie he bows slightly and says, "You have my deepest gratitude for all you have done for us. I do not have much to offer except my service. All you need do is ask."
Jon says, "Well, I'm with Sharone while you all decide what to do. Here's the ring, wand and sword back. I'm wearing the cloak, carrying the staff, the two large spellbooks and three scrolls as discussed previously. I await the group decision on what to do now...and who get's what. I will identify the cloak and staff given rest..."
Equinox, watching as the treasure is separated into piles and counted, says: "By my calculations, the non-magic treasure in that big pile of loot comes to a grand total value of approximately 372,900gp which," here Equinox pauses as he counts all 20 members of the group, "Comes to just about 18,645gp for each party member. Give or take a few gold pieces."
Equinox pauses again for a moment and then asks hopefully: "Does anyone have any ideas on how to cart it all away?"
"You can store it here at the temple while you finish your tasks," says Laurie.
Aron looks to the priestess Laurie, "If we were each to take only what we needed, would we be able to offer what remains to Tyr as thanks for the miracle you performed?"
Laurie shakes her head.
"Sooner or later you will need that money for training, if nothing else. The rod is more than sufficient for me."
Jon asks, "Can we carry it magically somehow anybody? Bag of holding,tensors, animal friends, summon animals, overload everybody - strength spells, reverse of enlarge on a chest filled with coins?"
Somewhere in the discussion of the division of items recently acquired, Aron says, "As for me, there is no specific item I'm interested in because I don't know what they do. The only magical item I have in my possesion is a dagger given to me by the ranger Kadlian. Being a monk of Tyr, I'm somewhat limited in what magical items I may use. I think none of the weapons we found would be of use to me. If one of the rings or the bracers turns out to be of a protective nature, then I would gladly accept the use of it in helping to defend our group."
Thus far, the following people have shown interest of one form or another in the following items (the results of Op Code's potion tastings are listed as well):
potion: Op Code feels like a used dungeon salesman
potion: Op Code feels like a used dungeon salesman
potion: Op Code feels like Superman
potion: Op Code feels like Superman
potion: Op Code flatulates loudly
potion: Op Code feels like he can see distant places...
potion: Op Code feels like he can see distant places...
potion: Op Code feels like he can see distant places...
potion: Op Code feels like he can see distant places...
scroll: Protection from possession - Jon
scroll: Protection from weretigers
scroll: Protection from magic - Sharone
scroll: Protection from demons - Jon
scroll: Unreadable to Sharone
scroll: Divination, exorcise, divination, detect lie, sticks to snakes, neutralise poison, cure serious wounds - Sharone
scroll: Spiritual hammer, slow poison, spiritual hammer - Sharone
scroll: Protection from wererats
scroll: Unreadable to Sharone - Jon
ring - Jon, Op Code
ring - Mikodin, Op Code
ring - Mikodin, Op Code
ring - Aldarin, Op Code
rod of cancellation - Laurie, Aldarin
staff - Jon
staff with red cross on it - Sharone
wand 'the walls have ears' - Brennon
wand - Jon, Brennon
bag - Jon
cloak - Jon
bracers - Mikodin
trident
rug
feather token: fan - Sharone
book
shield - Aldarin
splint mail H
plate mail E - Farad, Kelar
shield
plate mail H - Devlin
longsword - Jon
longsword - Aldarin
two handed sword - Kithus
longsword - Kelar
longsword - Kelar
longsword
flail
javelin
morning star
axe - Mikodin
The clerics retire to pray for their spells, as do the mages.