In the morning, Occa says, "Okay, who is going to see Ray Jay?"
Occa says before heading to Sandas, "I will take some of the treasure we found in case gold will help as well. By the way, does anyone need any spell components?"
Jesse nods... "Actually yes, those for magic missile and lighting bolt which I seem to be using a lot."
Occa says, "Well, Magic missle requires none and lightning bolt doesn't use up it's components. At least for normal mages, I am not sure about bards."
"I suppose I should invest in some additional spell components as well. The profession of a mage sure isn't inexpensive." says Darian.
March 11th is sunny. The temperature again struggles up above the freezing point, and the snow is slowly melting. There is only 4.5' of it on the ground, now.
"Getting hot out here," Gilstrock murmers as he looks about at the sun and the slowly melting snow.
Occa, Cat, Darian and Valdar teleport to Sandas.
Suddenly the four of you are standing in a narrow street flanked by tall (by medieval standards) buildings. There are many people about, going hither and yon about their business. After breathing the fresh air of the western mountains, the stench of Sandas hits you hard.
The weather is also drastically warmer, here. There is no snow about...in fact, it is overcast, windy and raining.
Valdar leads you across the road to a small, unassuming tower. A battered sign above the door reads -
"Ray Jay. Master of the Arcane Arts. Fortunes Told, Pots Mended."
He knocks at it, and it is soon opened by a half-elf in the robes of a magic user.
"Valdar!" he says with a smile, and ushers you all in. "To what do we owe this pleasure?"
"Ming, we want to try to trade some magic," says the elf-lord. "Also, these people are Occa, Caterina and Darian. I've told you about them. Oh, and is Ray Jay in?"
"Cat and I have met previously," Ming says with a very warm smile.
Darian extends a hand towards Ming. "It's nice to meet you Ming."
"Delighted, I'm sure."
"That would depend on what magic you want to trade for what," says Ming, after nodding to Occa and Darian. "What with the troubles in the south, we are starting to get a little reluctant about parting with it."
"Oh, is that what that true wizard was talking about, Valdar?" buts in Darian.
"We think so," Valdar says.
"But yes, Ray Jay can see you."
Darian looks relieved.
"What is it you want to trade?" he asks.
Valdar says to you, "Ming usually handles the magic buying and selling."
"Are you parting with any magical items, Ming?" asks Darian.
"That depends," Ming answers. "What are you after?"
Darian shrugs and grins sheepishly. "Something to keep me from dying every time we come across a dragon? They all keep breathing on me..."
"Other than that, I don't have many needs. Maybe something to make me stronger or more agile, but I have no specific items in mind. I'm mainly here to talk with Ray Jay."
Occa says to Ming, "Pleased to meet you, Ming. First, before we tell you what all we have, let me say that we are looking for a portable hole and possibly a ring of regeneration. As for what we have...a good deal of items. Many wands and staves. A sheet of smallness and a rope of entanglement. Hmm, a cube of frost resistance...there are others as well. Does that help?"
"Occa, I thought Al said he had a portable hole. Do we need two?"
Occa says, "Oh, sorry, I just caught up on my email."
"Hmmm...a portable hole? A ring of regeneration? No can do," Ming says apologetically. "I could buy that other stuff off you, though..."
Occa sighs and says, "Money is of no use to us...hell, we have plenty of that. Do you have any magic you are able to trade that might be useful against dragons? Maybe a cube of force? Or something that provides protection against either cold, fire, acid or electricity?"
"I have some potions and scrolls, but they would probably not be what you are looking for," Ming replies. "I am sorry."
Occa gives Valdar a sidelong glance and says, "I thought they sold magical items here."
"I TOLD you that things were funny these days!" Valdar replies with a cute pout.
Occa shrugs and says, "No problem, Ming. Can we see Ray Jay? We need to ask about.." He nods his head up and down as he says, "THEM."
He giggles and says seriously, "Darian here has some questions for Ray Jay and I wouldn't mind meeting someone with such a rep."
Ming nods and leads you up the winding stairs to Ray Jay's study. It is a large room - seemingly too large to fit in the tower, you feel, stuffed to the brim with books, scrolls, arcane things and neat stuff.
In here is a beautiful grey-elf maiden, a vision of feminine beauty with silver hair and green eyes, clad in a gossamer gown...and puffing on a stogie even more noxious than the ones that Al seems to favour.
"Valdar," she says. "And...?"
Darian is stunned by her beauty and doesn't even seem to notice the cigar or the odor. "D..Darion Trist, Milady arch-mage."
Occa pushes past Valdar and takes Ray Jay's hand. He says as he kisses it, "I am Occa Larsor, formerly of the Free City States of Delith. It is a pleasure to meet you."
He releases her hand and bows. "I have heard much of you and your powers."
She looks at him curiously.
"And I've heard of yours, and Darian's," she replies, with a glance at Valdar. "Stiff and Orlon's party has become very powerful indeed... Now, what's happening?"
"Ma'am? Valdar thought you might be able to help me."
He pulls down his hood and reveals the silver streak. "He says that the mark I wear isn't a curse, but a gift. Psionics or mind powers, I've heard some of my party say."
Ray Jay nods.
"But, he thought you could tell me more. Are there other's like me? Someone who could help me learn how to use them? A guild? Or is it really a curse like I was taught?"
She glances at Valdar again.
"People often fear what they do not understand," she replies. "You are indeed gifted. I wish...errrrr...I often had hoped that I would be so similarily endowed. There are others like you...though your gift is extremely rare. As for a guild...no...there are none for psionics. The study of it is as yet new. Perhaps at some point in the future it will become sufficiently advanced to warrant the formation of guilds.
"Do you know of any others? People I could talk to?"
"Yes...I know several," she replies. "I will contact them."
"But, it is anything but a curse. Use your ability well!"
Darian sighs. "But, that's just it. I know about the invisibility and the healing, but I don't know what else I can do. And I'm afraid to try, for fear of hurting someone."
"The only way you will learn is to try..."
"Against whom? A monster?"
"Yes. And...as you grow more experienced you should gain more talents," she continues. "I would appreciate it if you would keep me informed of what develops."
Darian looks surprised. "You mean I'll get more abilities? Oh! That's why I learned how to heal recently. Because I gained experience!"
"Exactly!"
"I look forward to surviving more battles so that I can become more experienced." Darian looks excited.
Occa says to Ray Jay apologetically, "Sorry, he is a bit of pansy. I suppose we are wasting your time. To conclude, is there anything going on in the world we should know about? We are busy slaughtering ancient wyrms." He shrugs.
"I was hoping that you would tell me!" she snaps.
Darian looks quite angry and a bit hurt. "Would you like me to try them on you, Occa? Do you want to take the chance that I might reduce your mind to that of a blithering idiot?"
Occa says "Go for it...I have never experienced anything like that."
"You sure? I mean I might even kill you. I've never tried to attack another's mind before and I'm not sure what it'll do to you..."
"Well, let's wait till we get back to camp and then they can always wish me back or heal me or whatever."
Darian shrugs. "If that's what you want, I'll be glad to test them on you."
"Sure, I wouldn't mind seeing what it is like. I will resist however. I can also summon some monsters for you to practice on if we have time."
Darian looks surprised. "You can summon monsters? Why not use them as scouts, then?"
Occa frowns and says, "Well, that is a very good question. Technically, the summoned monsters would last for about 3 minutes longer than my wizard eye. However, we don't have a link to them, we can't see invisible through them and so on. We could just send them down a corridor and see if they encounter anyone. It might be good for cannon fooder, but as recon...I am not sure if it is a viable solution."
Darian pulls at his ear. "Hmmm... How long would a summon monster last? I mean we could have them walk in front of us, say fifty feet or so. And they could walk into a room first and we could see if they attract any attention. True, we can't have them map out the dungeon for us, but at least things like invisible dragons should reveal themselves before they surprise us..."
"It would last 3 minutes longer than a wizard eye...maybe 19 minutes total or so."
Occa says, "Why didn't you just wish for psionics, Ray Jay?"
"There is a cost to every wish...as you shall learn," she replies. "I may gain psionics but lose some other ability."
Occa says, "Interesting...that is good to know..."
"Now, what is happening out there with these dragons? This news about Stiff's visitor troubles me. Are you up to the task?"
"Of course...well, maybe...we do seem to die alot in there. Poor recon really. I need to make either a simulacrum or a homonculus...I can't believe a homonculus takes so long to make! Gee...it is faster to create a simulacrum these days. Oh well. Any suggestions for recon?"
Ray Jay looks at Occa.
"Surely someone as experienced as you do not have to resort to asking questions like that?" she asks in surprise.
Occa laughs and says, "I am always looking for a fresh perspective and would be a fool to think I knew everything."
"Good point," she says with a smile. "Do you own a crystal ball? Any druidic types in the party?"
"No, I wish I had a crystal ball. You don't happen to have one do you? I would be willing to rent it if you don't want to give it up in a trade."
She shakes her head.
"No, no druids that I am aware of...we have a bard."
"Anyone who can cast...ummm...is it reflecting pool? How about that ranger, Op Code?"
Occa says, "I will try and find out! thanks for the tip."
Darian bows to the arch-mage. "I will be glad to let you know what other abilities I discover. Thank you for your help. I've learned a great deal and if you can put me in touch with any others like me, I'd be quite grateful."
"I will see what I can do."
"Thank you, Ma'am. You've been quite kind."
Occa says to Ray Jay, "I don't suppose you have simulacrum and or reincarnation, do you? I am heading to the guild next, but I thought I would check with you first."
"Ming can sell them to you," Ray Jay replies.
You depart, then and run some errands...