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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Seravin" data-source="post: 1090571" data-attributes="member: 6783">Thurmaster and TausterLike its owner, Tauster’s cottage was comfortably disheveled.  The cottage had four distinct rooms that all somehow seemed to blend into each other with little warning.  Upon entering a guest first saw the kitchen and its sturdy little table (made by Garlyd in Milbourne).  Scattered about the table were a handful of parchments and an odd book or two.  Off to the left was an open doorway that could be closed off with a rather tattered looking curtain (actually an old bed sheet).  To the rear of the kitchen was a sturdy looking oak door, bound in iron.The L-shaped room beyond the curtain was the largest in the cottage and served as a combination study, library, workshop, lab, and living room.  In one corner a pile of books teetered precariously against the wall.  Along the opposite wall was a scarred and burned table of some indeterminate wood; beakers, alembics, and pots were scattered seemingly haphazardly across its surface.  There were two chairs in this living area, arranged in front of the fireplace that was opposite the door.  Both were comfortably stuffed and on the side table between the two chairs were a pile of plates.If one were to go through the forbidding, oaken door in the kitchen (presuming they got past the Arcane Lock) they would find Tauster’s bedroom.  The bedroom laid host to a sturdy bed with a sagging mattress, several blankets strewn about the floor, a wardrobe of some dark wood, and an iron washbasin.  The ever-familiar pile of scrolls and books were present, and there were always at least two plates and a mug sitting on the table next to the bed.Today, just two days after her return from Parlfray Keep, Tauster was entertaining Jallarzi in his workroom.  The old wizard was enjoying teaching Jallarzi a little more of his craft and he wondered at her own tales of what she and her companions had done.The wizard’s blue eyes crinkled as he shuffled through a pile of papers next to him.  “So the bandit leader was a cultist, eh?  And he was selling people to orcs?”  Jallarzi nodded and Tauster sighed, sounding a little older.  “At least Jelenneth didn’t pass through his hands.”  He said worriedly.The old man drifted a bit, lost in thought, and then shook his head.  “I ramble so and I’m sure you’re much more interested in what I have discovered about the items you left on my doorstep then my random questions.”“I always like listening to you.”  The sorceress-mage protested.  “You’ve helped me a lot with the spells you’ve taught me.”Tauster smiled, pleased at the compliment, but he shook his head.  “Nonsense, girl.  You’re a natural at this, even more so then I was at your age.  I’ve never seen an apprentice progress as fast as you have.”  He shook his head in wonder.  “Most apprentices require a year or more of concentrated study before they get to a point where they’re ready to make objects disappear.  You’ve been studying two months with much traveling.  The Library…” Tauster trailed off and looked about suddenly.  Then he smiled at Jallarzi.  “No matter.  You’re talented and it’s been a pleasure to teach you.”Jallarzi smiled at the wizard but kept silent.  If she noticed or wondered that the mention of the Library made Tauster worried, she made no comment.Tauster stood up and walked to his worktable.  “At any rate, you and your companions found quite a trove here.  The bow, the bolts, the shield, and the four swords have simple enchantments of strength and accuracy.  The enchantments on the flail, the crossbow, and chainmail are stronger.”  Tauster shrugged at the assessment, clearly uninterested in the named items.  “These two rings are protective in nature.  The silver one will provide a minor deflection against attacks.  The iron ring is slightly stronger though and it has a property that I’ve been unable to identify.”“This ring and the cloak are the true treasures though.  The ring will prevent any magical paralysis while worn and the cloak grants the power of winged flight on command.”  He touched a piece of paper next to the cloak.  “I’ve written the command word here.”Tauster then touched the pair of steel bracers lying on the table.  They were plain looking armbands with some sort of traceries on them.  If one looked closely enough however, it could be seen those traceries were actually arcane script that covered nearly the entire surface of the bands.  A look of lust flashed in Tauster’s eyes momentarily.  “These were the most potent items you recovered though.  Wearing these will protect you as if you were wearing chain mail armor.  They’re hideously expensive to make and I’ve only seen stronger ones once before.”Finally he gestured towards the four steel vials the group had recovered and shook his head.  “I don’t really know what these are.”  He admitted.  “Whoever drinks one will be more susceptible to controlling effects like a Domination spell, but I don’t have the resources to tell more.  All in all the bandits you found were extraordinarily well equipped.”  Unsaid was how troubling such a thought was.  By this time Jallarzi had stood up and was standing next to the old wizard.  “Thank you.”  She said feelingly.  “We appreciate your time and effort.”Tauster waved his hand.  “It was simple really and you and your companions paid for the materials and time.”Jallarzi looked down at her feet and traced one of the cobblestones idly with her boot.  “I wanted to talk to you about that.”  The sorceress said it in the off-handed way of someone approaching a subject they think is touchy.Tauster was old enough to have heard that tone of voice before and he was no fool.  It didn’t take him long to see where Jallarzi might be heading.  Instead of reacting though he just cocked his head.  “How so?”  He asked.Jallarzi looked up from the floor and into her new master’s eyes.  “I was hoping you could teach me the Identify spell.”  She admitted.Tauster looked at her for a long moment.  “Why ever would I do that?”  He asked with some incredulousness.The sorceress smiled winningly.  “Because you like me?”  She hazarded.Tauster snorted.  “I do, but your business is represents good income for me.”  He waved his hand at the village outside his cottage.  “You don’t think they pay very well, do you?”  He shook his head.  “It helps me eat, but the components I need are expensive.  Why should I give you the spell when it means my livelihood?”  Jallarzi thought about it.  The spells were expensive she knew, if only because of the bloody pearl.  Truth be told, his premium for casting the spell wasn’t that expensive given their newfound wealth.  But it rankled.  “We could always take our business elsewhere.”  She pointed out.  “Blasingdale has a Library.”Tauster almost imperceptibly froze.  When he next spoke, it was slow and deliberate.  “I have to admit I wouldn’t like that.”  He admitted.  “Perhaps we can compromise.”Jallarzi cocked her head to the side.  “Go on.”“I’ll sell you the spell, think of it as one last fee that might see me through the year.  I think three hundred gold lions would be fair.”  He waved his hand at the pile of weapons.  “One of those would easily pay for it if you don’t have the money.”  The white-haired wizard paused a moment to allow Jallarzi to digest that, then he continued.  “Additionally I want your oath that you won’t use that spell for anyone else around here.  Identifications are part of my livelihood.  I don’t want to see that threatened.”Tauster didn’t know how much money the party had recovered from the bandits.  If he had, he might have asked more.  Instead Jallarzi thought about it and when she spoke it was with deliberate thought.  “I think I can agree to that.”  She said finally.Thus it was agreed.  Within two days Jallarzi had a new spell in her spellbook, though none of the pearls to actually cast the spell.  On her forearms, Jallarzi wore the enchanted steel armbands, while the iron ring graced her left hand.  Kestral wore the ring that granted protection against Holds and Ashimar wore the bat like cloak of the dead Treshan priest.  Kellron had one of the magical swords at his side and bore the enchanted shield (recently painted to cover the original markings).When the party left Thurmaster the next day, they headed westwards towards Milbourne, unsure of what to do next, but determined to do it in more comfortable surroundings.  There were rumors of trouble up near the Eel-hold and they had yet to go back to the Garlstone Mines.  Perhaps they could even go to the Hardlow Forest and look for Lyntern’s Gleaming Glade and the treasures lost there.  For his part, Kellron threatened to buy the Hounds and Tails from its current owner, if only so they would have a decent place to stay when the party came through Thurmaster.</blockquote>

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