August  20, 1372



Two more weeks pass before the elf reappears. It is August 20, 1372.

Trinity has been concocting.

Salaam's font and vials are at last ready.

"I am ready when you are.  I am interested in a sword that is finer than the one I currently have,"  Galil says.

"That would be about anything we have here,"  says Trinity-as-Erica.

Malvis would like to see the Illusionist spellbooks mentioned in the treasure, as well as wait for the results of testing on some of the wands.

"Malvis, feel free to look at the spellbooks.  That reminds me, though. Trinity, now that I am capable of casting magic-user spells, I need to learn some spells.  Would you be willing to let me borrow one of your basic spell books so that I could attempt to learn some?  I also need to mpick up some spell books of my own.  And I would appreciate any advice on what spells to learn."

Trinity-as-Erica looks at Kadlian. "You can cast spells, now?  Is nothing sacred?"

"Apparently not."

"Of course I will train you to cast spells, lest you wish Niko to do it."

"I asked you for a reason."

"And that reason is?" replies Trinity-as-Audrey.

"And finally, I would like to lay a claim on the frostbrand.  I know Galil is also interested in it.  Is there anyone else who wants it as well?"

"I'd like it too," says Trinity-as-Erica. "I mean if you can cast mage spells, why can't I use a sword?  I bet it would be good for making mixed drinks with too."

Kadlian chuckles.  "I do not know why mages cannot use swords.  Darian can, but then he is a figher and a mage.  Maybe if you tried that, you could.  As far as using it for mixed drinks, should I end up with it, I will be glad to loan it to you for that purpose."

"Mostly, as we are busy studying and learning.  We have little time for the martial arts, and since sword wielders are a dime a dozen, it's easier to hire them,"  says the woman.  "I will withdraw my claim, as I was mostly joking."

"In examining the crystal balls, I saw a very disturbing sight.  On one case, I saw Hlarn Meg tortured by a deamon, and in the other, I saw him elevated to the purple, with his kinsmen.  If the first vision is what has happened, and the second, what is now, there is more concern as who knows how he has been injured, corrupted."

Galil shakes her head, "Oh no Lord Kadlian, I withdraw my claim on the frostbrand since you have no better weapon than that.  Perhaps there is another in the pile that would suit me as well."

"Stick up for yourself Galil,"  says Trinity-as-Erica, ever the instigator.  "You died to find that sword, so you have as good a claim as Lord Kadlian does."

Kadlian draws out his flame tongue.

"If you are indeed serious about that, then I will be glad to give you this shortsword.  It is a flame tongue.  Against most things, it is just a minor magical sword.  Against regenerating creatures, it is a bit more deadly. Against cold-using, inflammable or avian creatures, it is even more powerful.  And against the undead, it is at its strongest. Plus, speak the command word, and you can ignite it.  Useful for starting fires or keeping that troll from ever rising again."

Kadlian removes the sheath for the shortsword from his belt and hands it to her.  It is decorated with a stylized dragon flying over a forest. The sheath is a bit worn, but otherwise serviceable.  "I will not be needing it, if you are going to carry the shortsword."

"I'm real interested in the shiny plate mail that bandit was wearing. Has it been identified yet?" Dor inquires.

"Yes," replies Trinity.

"Dor, are you capable of reading?"

"Sure I can. Waddya take me for, some kind of idiot?" he answers. "Why, does the  armor have a sign on it?"

"As a matter of fact, yes.  That is why I asked if you could read."

Trinity lays claim to the following items:

wand:  terror (fear wand?)
wand:  combusts things (burp)
flying broom
Scrolls:  Protection from demons and protection from lycanthropes

"We should also divide the potions, they do us little good here, and much potential in the field."

"Agreed."

Galil smiles, having been pondering Lord Kadlian's offer of his short sword.

Galil takes up the sword, carefully testing the balance and weight of it before frowning.

"I am afraid that I am not as skilled in wielding this size sword.  I believe I will need to seek out a long sword.  Thank you for offering it to me though,"  Galil replies with a smile.

"You are welcome."

Kadlian looks at Edelle, Windul and Vastelle.  "Which of you can make use of the shortsword?  Do not worry, I will make sure this time that you all have a magical weapon."

You learn from them that none are proficient with the shortsword. They also remind you that they all have magical longswords already.

"Check to see if any of the unclaimed longswords are more powerful than what you are carrying."

"As far as the shortsword goes, I will continue to carry it.  You never know when it might come in handy."  Kadlian straps the shortsword back onto his belt.

"Oh, and if there are any other magical items you four are interested in, please speak up so that I can put in a claim."

"If we're not leaving till tomorrow, Trinity, do you have time to Identify my helm, cutlass (not the firebrand) and dagger?"

"For a price, Ugarte.  For a price,"  says the mage.  "Specifically, the cost for components."

Niko shrugs. "No problems there."

"Then it shall be done," replies Trinity.

"You forgot to say pretty please."

"No, he forgot to say, here is the money for the supplies,"  says Trinity.

Galil turns to Niko, "Niko, would it be possible for you to identify this item?"

She points to the  shield.

"After Galil makes her decision with respect to a magical sword, I would like to claim the rest of them and give them to my followers."

Malvis looks awkwardly over at Trinity, coughs a few times, then finally straightens and says, "You have been my mentor and guardian, and i would never presume to wrest anything from your grasp.  But I, too, would find the two wands and the broom very handy, and would like to state my desire for these items."

Realizing how brash he must have sounded, Malvis blushes, and stammers, "It it's all OK with you, Trinity, that is."

Trinity laughs at Malvis' uncomfortableness.  "Malvis, you are coming along nicely.  It's about time you spoke up for what you think will help you.  I will withdraw my claim on the broom in favor of you.  As for the wands, perhaps we can split them, you get the fear wand, that being a favorite spell of illusionists, while I keep the combusting wand, as fire and combusting things is a favorite past time of well...me."

Malvis visibly brightens, smiles, and says, "Fine with me, then.  If no one else objects, we'll do it as you suggested."

Dor asks, "How does this magic armor and shiled stuff work? Does using a magic shield that is as good as scale mail or as good as plate mail help if you are
using magic armor that is better than plate mail? Do they add up or does the best one win?"

"A shield is cumulative to your armor."

Dor looks at the ring of truth. "Hey, you can detect lies with this. That should come in handy. Who cares if you can't take it off? Niko, why did you get rid of this fantastic ring? Can I have it?"

"All yours, kid.  Personally, it wouldn't have been so bad had I been able to take it off...however, given the choice of protection from fire and turning invisible, the choice was simple.  Of course, when's the last time we actually talked to someone before killing them?"

"The bandits," says Edelle.

Niko snorts. "That's because they surprised us!"

Note that Niko is wearing the ring and cannot take it off.

"Excellent," Dor replies. "Then the items I would like to claim are the magical plate mail, the shield that protects as well as plate mail and the ring of truth. Naturally, I will trust to luck if anyone wishes to also claim one or more of these. Except with Sir. If that cat is involved, then I surrender the claim."

He frowns in puzzlement at Sir.

"So noted.  I believe Galil is also interested in the shield."

"I thought she wanted the shield that protects like scale mail," Dor answers.

"I am concerned of my identification of the shield in question and I believe Galil has asked Niko to identify it as well, since it seems more powerful than any shield I have ever heard of."

Niko will Identify the shield later today.

The mages retire to identify.



next day...

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