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Message: <blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 895811" data-attributes="member: 1210">"Wow, all this must have come from the adventurers that Mabrack sent down here previously," Sybele comments.The party's turned up quite a collection of broken armor and weapons, a few gems, a village's worth of coins and more.  Among the more interesting nonmagical items are a golden symbol of Galador and a mithral harp studded with sapphires at the tuning pegs ("too bad we don't have a bard," comments Sheva).  Quite a few magical items turn up, too; after Orbius has a chance to use his new perfect identify spell on some, and regular identify spells on the rest, it turns out that they've found:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Potions of flying, protection from fire, remove disease, remove fear and aid; An arcane scroll containing the spells wall of force, cloudkill, and minor globe of invulnerability; Bracers of Escape (gives a +15 competence bonus to Escape Artist checks and a +4 shield bonus to AC vs. attacks that can initiate a grapple); A Wand of Magic Missiles, maximized (caster level 9, but only 6 charges); A Tome of Understanding +2; The Devouring Rod (functions 2/day, can cast destruction by touch, grant its wielder a +3 enhancement bonus to all ability scores for one hour, or emanate a planar shockwave that breaks all dimension anchors/locks or similar effects within 60' and deals 10d6 to all ethereal or incorporeal creatures within the same range; each time it's used there's a 25% chance it will devour a random magic item of its wielder, and if it's used once in a day it can choose to activate itself a second time; Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 10, Ego 6, AL CE; never bestows a negative level). The Strogassian Shadow Ring (graven with a grey screaming face on the band, once put on it can't be removed without a successful break enchantment against 20th level caster or severing the wearer's finger; the wielder may use a Shadow Touch ability, which lasts for 10 rounds and gives the wearer a touch attack that deals 1d6 str damage, Fort DC 10+1/2 HD+ cha bonus negates; using this ability deals 1d4 str damage to the wearer; also allows the wearer to cast fear as a 10th-level sorcerer, save DC 14+cha bonus; deals 1d4 cha damage to wearer when activated; also allows the wearer to heal herself as the spell, except that it won't heal ability damage inflicted by the ring itself; using this deals 1d6 con damage to the wearer.  Finally, the wearer can cast slow (save DC 13+cha bonus) as a 10th-level sorcerer, although this inflicts 1d4 points of dex damage to the wearer).</li> </ul>"Well, that works out," Sheva says cheerfully.  The party returns to the storm giant wizard's castle above and reports their success.  Then they take a well-deserved rest and divide up the loot.  Sybele takes the ring since she's already got one semi-cursed ring (taken from Firestorm Peak years ago), Sheva takes the tome and then realizes that it's useless to her (she's already read one).  Muttering curses, she decides to sell it.  Angelfire eyes it greedily, hoping she'll offer it to him; this will prove the first real strain in their relationship.  Orbius claims the devouring rod with real reservations; he decides to sell it, though Habiskis licks his lips at the thought of owning such an item.Mabrack booms, "Good news!  Marius has agreed to negotiate with you.  He should be here on New Year's Day."  He frowns momentarily.  "I tell you what I told him; you are guests in my home.  Do not cause trouble, or I will be forced to destroy you."  Enthusiastically, Sybele agrees, hoping she might see her daughter again soon.During the day, an unexpected visitor arrives, looking for Lester.  It's Morland, the dwarven stonelord that they met in the battle with the formian hive on Pesh months ago.  He fled the Battle of Pesh when it became apparent that his sacred earth temple was going to be overrun, and found a wizard willing to teleport him to the party Lester was in- of course, the L's not here now, but he asked to be transported to the group, and he seems safe here (although the giant's more than a little disconcerting to the little dwarf).Then, as it's New Year's Eve, they all get roaring drunk.  The conversation goes in many directions that are probably not the most discrete ("the best way to kill a mage is to get in close," says Sheva to the giant; Sybele keeps coming on to Mabrack, leading Thrush frowning grimly- she's his, after all), but nobody starts a fight and things seem relatively smooth.  The group gets trashed until they're on the verge of passing out; then Angelfire naps himself, Thrush and Mabrack, and after an hour, they awake refreshed and start drinking again, not stopping til almost 10 on New Year's Morning.At noon, Mabrack receives a sending.  "Marius," he announces, "will be here in fifteen minutes."Next Time: Negotiations with Marius!</blockquote>

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