Time Well Spent

[Lucius Foxhound]

Wisp, isn't this place incredible? Come let's look around. Be careful, though ... I sense that there's danger here beyond the normal danger of having hundreds of mages in one place at the same time.

We'll stroll through the stalls, seeing what's for sale. Keeping an eye out for you-know-what.

 

[Tom Cashel]

(Here's what you saw from the ledge up above...)

 

[Tom Cashel]

Booths are selling magic items (not Thayan Enclave items like potions and scrolls, but more uncommon goods), unusual spell components, robes, alchemical supplies, and other necessities of the wizard's art. Many booths are run by master craftsmen who offer common items--mugs, plates, staves, candles, and so forth--crafted in unusual designs or carrying unusual minor enchantments. A few booths specialize in small animals, and one is selling simulacra.

You grow excited for a moment when you see a shelf full of hourglasses, spyglasses, spectacles and glass oil lamps...but are slightly crestfallen to find that none of them resemble the item you seek.

The area within the stalls is extremely crowded, and after a bit you notice that the sky above the crater is growing dark. Globes of light ignite in midair all around the crater, bathing everything in pale radiance.

You begin to grow weary of fighting this crowd...

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

*sigh* Come Wisp, let's get out of this area. It's not here.

I'd like to see what's going on around the Mageduel arena. See how to sign up, and what the local rules are.

 

[Tom Cashel]

Sadly, I had no way of getting rid of the fog (serves me right for telling Gustav to use his Gust of Wind spell to rid himself of his wife’s foul odor), so we all rushed blindly in to battle the unknown.

--from The Journal of Lucius Foxhound

As you're pushing your way through the teeming throng, you bump shoulders with another wizard and excuse yourself. But you've only taken a few more steps when a thickly-accented voice bellows:

"Foxhound!!! You no-good swindler--you've got a lot of nerve showing your face here after what you pulled!"

You turn slowly...to face Gustav "Wildwind" Haelstrom. He is a mountain of a man, with waxed mustaches and glaring slate eyes, dressed in richly appointed blue robes. He still wears his Arcane Brotherhood ring on his right hand...in the manner of one who has lost a wife.

Oh, no... sighs Wisp.

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"Oh, no" is right, Wisp. Better take cover.

"Gustav! You old Conjurer of Kobolds, you! It's been too long. Yes, much too long!

Lucius begins backing away, carefully reaching inside his robes for components

"Well! Must be off. Lots of magic to buy! Still looking for that Gust of Wind scroll, you know. We must catch up! Come by my Secure Shelter. I'm sure you'll find it. Stone walls and such... well, good luck to you!"

 

[Tom Cashel]

"You stop right there," Gustav growls. "I'm not nearly finished with you. Always the fast talker...always the smooth-tongued devil. Well, I've waited for this day for many a year. You may have lost a school of magic..."

He takes in breath.

"...but I lost my WIFE!!!"

By now a circle of wizards, magi, sorcerors, familiars, companions and apprentices has formed around the two of you.

Gustav smiles. "I challenge you, Foxhound. I challenge you a Mageduel."

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

"Er... fair enough. But seeing as I was just leaving, perhaps at next year's Mage Fair we might ..."

Upon seeing Gustav's face, Lucius changes his tone.

"Alright, Gustav. If it will satisfy you. But for the record, my condolences about your wife. I never meant her any ill will.

"Tomorrow then, we duel. We'll discuss the specifics then."

Lucius tries to think back about how he wronged Gustav ... it couldn't have been that innocent comment, could it?

 

[Tom Cashel]

"At dawn," Gustav agrees. "But let it be made plain, that if you flee--like you did last time--let it be made plain to all these gathered wizards and sorcerors of Faerun that if that happens--" he gestures grandly at the assembled throng "--that Lucius Foxhound is a coward and a scoundrel."

"Dawn, Foxhound. Do not be late."

The "Wildwind" turns abruptly and shoves out of the circle, headed toward the amphitheater.

So, Wisp thinks to you, do you think this has something to do with his wife?

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

I don't know, Wisp. I'll try and remember the story ... all I can tell you is that a lot of people out there take things MUCH too seriously than you or I.

"Meanwhile, it's time to get some sleep so I can prepare spells for the duel. I'm afraid I don't have a secure shelter memorized, but I do have some accomodations for us."

We walk toward the encampment area of magnificent mansions and secure shelters. Lucius takes out a rope, says a few words, then tosses it into the air.

"Shall we, Wisp? You're welcome to join me or else stay here. I'm afraid the hunting won't be very good in here."