"You should take a look at the community chest to see if there are any better shortswords in there."
Jesse, looking quite relaxed and happy to see her husband and friends gives everyone a big hug. "So, how were things?" she asks
"Close there for a while. We kind of got a bit overwhelmed with daemons, toads and toad-demons. We're getting closer to Salaam, I'm sure, but we're going to have to keep wading through the local residents until we find him."
"How good of a short sword do I need to make a dent in those demon things?" Emm asks.
"Dunno," Robert replies. "I know that magic forged on the Prime loses power on other planes."
"Also, how long have we been gone?"
"It is February 9th, now, Master Emm," says Igor, squinting up at him with his one good eye. "You have been gone ten days or so."
After casting his restoration, Orlon opts to rest up for the rest of the day, so you decide to return to Hell in the morning.
You notice that Gonzo slips out soon after breakfast.
"So if it is only useful in hell, then why don't we bring a bunch of swords to hell, and cast whatever spells are needed to find out if they will be useful," Emm asks, continuing his conversation with Robert.
Robert scratches his head.
"I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at," he finally replies.
"Well," Emm replies, if something appears to be weak on this plane, but is powerful in hell, then we won't know unless we bring it to hell and check it out there. Isn't there some magic spell that identifies things? We would need to use it on the swords when they are in hell."
Robert nods.
"Good point. Occa?"
Occa says, "We aren't lugging all that stuff to hell to identify it on the off chance that it could be from hell....sorry, just isn't feasible."
Emm shrugs.
"Spoilsport," mutters Robert.
Gilstrock looks around. "Anybody for a run?" he says. "Bundle up, it's cold out there... but I'm going for a run! It would be stupid not to enjoy the weather here! Especially since we're going back to that Hell place where it's hot as hel... er, where it's hot."
"I will go," says Equinox, "a run sounds like fun! Where are we going to go?"
Gilstrock does not answer, having already run off. Equinox takes off after him.
Occa departs soon after.
That evening, you all gather back at Occa's mansion for dinner.
Upon Gonzo's return to Occa, he says to no one in particular... "Dems hot sticks weez been uzin on dem deamon types ain't doin' nuttin but ticklin' der fancy... no wonders dey been friggin us up. Alla us fighter types gots ta make sure we got freezin' weapons and cold dings ta frigg up some o' doze hot-boxes down der in hell."
"Might not be too bad o' idears ta get some stoneskin, but dat magiks might not be as good as cold weapons."
"Occa, gots youse any way ta make me some ice-daggers or ice-rocks and keeps dem frozen till I can hurl dem at dose beasts down der?"
"I hear ya, short dude," Gilstrock says. "I've got Thawbreaker-- a fine weapon. Course, it's a little inconvenient when I get knocked back into water...."
Gonzo snickers... "Soos wez noticed... me hopes me do betta in dat respect."
"And I've got my frostbrand. I just seem to not be as effective as I'd like with it. However, I haven't become a popsicle, yet."
When Niko returns, he will also memorize and cast Stoneskin on himself and anyone else in the party.