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Enchanted Trinkets Complete--a hardcover book containing over 500 magic items for your D&D games!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DispelAkimbo" data-source="post: 964267" data-attributes="member: 1916">"Ah yes, I know this cloth, I sell this cloth!" Jaider Lightbringer couldn't believe his luck. He touched his holy symbol and said a word of thanks to Girion. The Khadish shop owner examines the cloth again and even sniffs it once before he continues speaking. "This is material from my homeland, we make it from the hair of a camel. It may not sound glamorous, but in the desert we make do with the best that we have."Jaider nods, taking in all the detail this merchant can offer. Hoping that some clue may help in revealing the assassin who attacked the king. "Have you sold any of this cloth recently?" Jaider asked, hardly daring to hope his luck would continue to hold."How rude of me!" the Khadish merchant suddenly declared, "I have not even offered you my name! I am Farouk Aziz, I am the proprietor of 'Refined Clothing' and it is an honour to assist you." He bowed his head slightly and offered both hands palm up to Jaider. Jaider did for a moment wonder if this Farouk was expecting some kind of monetary payment in his palms, but instead he returned the gesture and was rewarded with a large smile."Yes, I have sold three lots of that material in the past week, but none for a month or two before that. A noble lady came in and ordered a tunic made from it. A local merchant bought a roll of it, and a man I did not know also bought a roll of it. He looked to be of Arilanan origin if that helps you?"."Yes, that could help." Jaider replied. "I must leave now, but may return if any of these leads look promising. Thank you Farouk Aziz." He bowed his head and offered his hands palm up, as the merchant had done earlier.Jaider left the trading district and headed back to the palace. On his way into the palace the sounds of a smithy's hammer reached his ears. He followed them to a small forge within the palace grounds and found a seven-foot tall man hard at work within. Impressed with the various work dotted around the room, Jaider orders a fine quality war hammer. He then returns to the palace.***Back in the dizzy heights of the palace tower, Eben and Jalderin are discussing what to do about the unseen intruder that has murdered two guards and disarmed Jalderin. After a few minutes discussion, the possibility is suggested that rather than it being the assassin, perhaps it was an automated security device. The princess obviously knew nothing about it, but the queen might. So a guard is despatched to seek and audience with the queen and see if she can shed any light on the subject.The guard is only gone minutes, but to those waiting outside the room it feels like hours. He returns, slightly out of breath and informs everyone that the queen simply said 'The room is off limits, don't concern yourself with it'.Puzzled faces look back and forth from one another as more questions are posed than answers."So does that mean there is an invisible, magical, security device up there?" asked one guard."Perhaps she didn't understand what happened?" asked another."Could be her grief and worry causing her to not think clearly" suggested Eben."It could be any of these things or something else," answered Jalderin, running his hand through his hair with concern. "I'll go and see the queen, make sure she understands what we're asking and get a straight answer from her." He turns on the spot and sets off at a trot in the direction of the queens quarters.Jalderin manages to receive an audience with Queen Allowynn Sarivale. He explains the situation to her clearly and poses his question as simply as possible, while doing his best to ensure formal etiquette is kept. The Queen answers briefly before dismissing him."That room is safe and off limits, there is no chance of an assassin going through there." Jalderin is left no choice but to return to the room and order it to be assumed a dead end in the search for clues to finding the assassin. The guards frown and shrug but return to their duties, leaving Ambassador Eben and Jalderin to ponder where to look next.Eben thinks long and hard before suggesting, "On my way into the palace, a gate guard mentioned that there had been an arrest today of someone assaulting an official in town using magic. I know its a pretty tenuous link, but it could be worth questioning the prisoner to see if there is any relation between the attacks?" With no better leads to follow Jalderin agrees and they head down to the palace dungeons.***On his way to the dungeon Jalderin calls in at the palace armoury and picks up a new sword to replace the one left in the room at the top of the tower. He also calls in to check on Princess Melissan. Her mood has not improved, and after a brief argument he leaves the room. A heavy and quite old vase slams into the room door moments after he closes it. Jalderin winces and turns to the door guard."If sounds of her tantrum stop then check on her immediately. It probably means that she is in trouble.""I heard that!" screams a voice from within, followed by another crash as something else fragile and probably priceless is smashed against the room door. Jalderin and Eben carry on down the tower stairs heading towards the dungeon."A paladin? Ooooh." says Eben as Jaider comes into view heading up the stairs. Jalderin greets him and Jaider and Eben are formally introduced. Jaider explains what he has learned about the fragment of material, and Jalderin explains what they have found in the kings quarters, learnt about the room above and that they are now heading to the dungeons to question a prisoner. Jaider decides to accompany them.***The three descend to the ground floor of the castle and then finally down into the castle dungeons. Spluttering torches light their way along the cold stone corridors of the dungeon and all three of them are thankful that they will not be spending time down here as a guest of the king. They soon arrive at the dungeon guardroom and speak to the head jailer."We would like to speak with the prisoner who attacked a town official today using magic." Eben states in his most official sounding voice. Jalderin and Jaider spread out slightly and cast their eyes around the room. The jailer looks at all three briefly and gulps nervously. It is very rare that he receives non-criminal guests in the dungeons, so three very official-looking ones makes him slightly nervous."I'm sorry sirs, but I have to follow protocol, and protocol dictates," explains the guard, closing his eyes with the concentration of remembering what protocol does indeed dictate, "that no-one can question prisoners, without a writ from the High Justice himself. Who has gone home for the evening." Obviously pleased with himself at such a technical feat, the jailer beams a large smile at his guests.With sighs going up all round at such hassle to simply try and investigate a crime, Jaider and Jalderin decide to go and ask the High Justice for permission to question the prisoner, and Eben goes the library to see what information can be obtained there about the assault.***Eben calls at the library and is disappointed to find that the Curator has gone home for the rest of the day. Apparently the shock of the assault was too much for him to continue work that day.***Jalderin and Jaider arrive at the Caervelyn estate. It is a most impressive looking estate, larger than most noble estates in the city, surrounded by a twelve-foot high wall that is topped with ornate spikes and gargoyles. They walk up the path towards the main building that looks very gothic in design. Statues line the path and stained glass windows can be seen in parts of the house. They are allowed in and request an audience with Lord Jahayle the High Justice.They only have to wait a few moments before they are led into a well-furnished sitting room. There standing in the middle they see a very tall, middle-aged man that has long straight white hair worn loose down his back and steely grey eyes. He drinks from a wine glass holding a dark red liquid before he turns to speak to them."Gentleman, how can the High Justice help you?" Jaider begins to wonder what kind of chief justice this man was. Was he an evil tyrant who judges with an iron hand, was he a man of justice and listened to all case, or was he a lenient man tending to give favour. He has had experience of various types of officials in the past, so to try and gain a better understanding of this one, he uses one of his divinely granted powers and tries to detect any evil intent from the High Justice.He detects no evil intent."I am Jalderin Cormaeril, ranger from Freehaven and protector of the Royal Princess, this is Jaider Lightbringer, a holy knight in the service of Girion. We are investigating the assault on the king today and would like your permission to question the prisoner arrested today for attacking an official with magic." The High Justice swirls his dark red drink around within its glass for a moment before looking up and replying."Do you have any evidence that the two events are linked?""No." Jalderin reluctantly admits, "However that is what we are hoping to ascertain. Either find a connection or rule them out of the investigation." The High Justice sighs and nods."Very well, I will give you permission." He strides across the room and takes a seat at a desk. He pulls some paper out of a drawer, writes on the paper and seals it with wax and his house seal, before walking to Jalderin and Jaider and handing over the writ."I wish you luck in your investigation." he says before showing them to the house exit. With the summer evening drawing in, they return to the palace dungeons.***Jalderin and Jaider return to the dungeons and find Eben waiting for them."No luck, the library curator was shaken up by the attack and had gone home for the day. I thought it best to leave any questioning until tomorrow rather that making him re-live the events today and possibly causing him more stress." Jalderin and Jaider nod and show the writ from the High Justice to Eben.Eben smiles and waffles about how much this will help and hopefully unlock answers etc. He doesn't pay much attention to what he is saying as he is too busy examining the High Justices house seal and trying to memorise it in case it needed 'reproducing' at a later date. He only manages a brief look at the seal before it is handed to the head jailer, but no one seems to notice him looking at it."Right then," says the guard after examining the writ from the High Justice, "which one do you want to question first, the older brother or the younger one?" Jalderin, Jaider and Eben look at each other."There are two?" asks Jaider, "we were led to believe only one person was involved in the attack." The jailer shrugs and brings the nearest prisoner, whom happens to be Rowan Helmsblade, the elder brother.Rowan Helmsblade is led into the room in chains, and is seated by the jailer who cuff's him for a dodgy look."Restrain yourself!" Jalderin exclaims to the jailer who obviously doesn't like to see others mistreated. The jailer looks a little shocked but says nothing.Eben asks Rowan to describe his activities today and his reasons for doing what he did. Rowan explains how they arrived in town, petitioned to see the king, acquired a room at an inn and he was then arrested. He also explains why they are petitioning to see the king, and whom they believe is to blame for their situation.Finally Rowan reaches under his tunic and lifts out a gold leaf on a gold chain around his neck. "This is my house symbol and proof that what I tell you is true! I risk everything by showing you this, as I fear now I have revealed it, it will be taken from me." The head Jailer takes a step forward to cuff Rowan again, but a glare from Jalderin stops him in his tracks. "Please Sir Knight, will you take it from me and hold it safe until I am cleared of these accusations and am free to take it again?"Jaider nods and lifts the gold chain from around the prisoners neck, and secures it in his possession. The head jailer then takes Rowan Helmsblade back to his cell.A couple of quiet grunts can be heard coming from the direction of Rowans cell before the jailer leaves the cell whistling nonchalantly and locks the door. He the heads to the next cell and returns with Zander Helmsblade, also in chains.Zander immediately falls to his knees in front of Eben, Jaider and Jalderin and starts begging "Please don't beat me sirs, I ain't mean to do nothin wrong." Zander is carefully seated by the jailer and asked to recount his day and explain why he did what he did.Zander describes the days events and his reasons for doing what he did. All the time Eben, Jaider and Jalderin are growing more surprised by the apparent child-like speech and mannerisms of this fully-grown man. They all agree that his fear seems genuine and he simply seems naive and unfortunate rather than being involved in any criminal master plan to assassinate the king.Eben, Jaider and Jalderin all agree that as interesting as the brothers tale is, it seems to have nothing to do with their current investigation so Zander is returned to his cell and they thank the head jailer before leaving."Go easy on that one, " Eben orders the head jailer, "he genuinely seems to have the mind of a child, and if I heard that you had beaten a child then I would not be happy." The head jailer looks truly affronted at the suggestion.</blockquote>

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