I grinned, and Ailsa giggled. Tol’geth grunted. The big man hated shopping, and to be honest, I couldn’t blame him. I never did either. Besides, virtually everything he needed in a fight he had on his back. His sword, I’m talking about his sword. “But” She stopped, and her expression grew pensive. “I believe nothing these juniors could produce would be of help to you in this fight. At least, not at this point. Come with me, I’ll take you to where the high-level shop is set up.”
Chapter 16: Shopping At Our Level
“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” — Confucius
The Great (temporary) Market, City of Sowers Vale, 6th Novos, 2989 AoR
Ten minutes later I found myself in a smaller, less crowded mall like structure that was built off to one side of the main one. Where the other one was what I had guessed to be the size of an air-craft carrier in-doors, this was more like a high school basketball gym. Three stories tall, and large enough to hold a strip mall or two.
“From spring until early winter these offices.” Alara pointed around the room to the doors and offices behind each shop’s table. “Are the administrative offices of the wood cutters, and royal ship builder guilds. Come the winter festival, or whenever the Count or Cardinal decree it to be, it gets swiftly converted into a shopping center for the more powerful in the city. Just as the other merchant guilds have their sections in the lower market.” Alara gestured toward the massive warehouse we had just left. “And here in the upper market, so too does the magical market have a presence in both locales. We leave the junior students, those who are under skill level 6 or so, to the lower. So you won’t find anything of worth there. At least not for your levels. Finding anything that would be helpful in the completion of your tasks there would be, difficult.”
We kept walking towards the center of the place until we took a sharp turn to one side and found they had converted several offices into a single stall. The tables on the outside were empty, save for several books. “Those will only list the items we have for sale. You can ask to see them and one of the servants will bring them to you for inspection. Normally not even the Count is allowed back in the vault. At least, not without an escort.” I stopped at the table and flipped the pages of the book back and forth. Things like Phoenix Fire, Red Dragon Bone, Cor’ax Ape Brains, and Unicorn Blood were listed on one page under ingredients.
As I read the page, I grew annoyed. Not with anyone else, but with myself. I had only visited the outer magical market three times. I had not thought to ask during any of those trips if they had higher level ingredients available for sale elsewhere. I wanted to smack myself in the forehead. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble building Puff if I had just come here. I was sure that the sorcerer had purchased his golem crafting materials from this store.
I left the book following Tol’geth as my friends followed Alara past the tables and into the offices. Several Journeyman and even Master level people, in terms of their skill if not their official standing in the mage’s council, sat at desks crafting or repairing items for customers. Enchanters, alchemists, mages of every kind often worked together in pairs with members of other magical Types to complete their work. We walked right past these tables and the complex and intricate enchantment working there. I even glimpsed Fiddle working with a mage in red robes on a project. They were in the middle of a complex if low-power weaving, so I didn’t bother them, but it was good to see the man was okay. I had been worried the sorcerer might try to lash out at those who had helped me build Puff. But the man’s servants hadn’t bothered taking the enchanter out. Either that, or they didn’t have the ability.
We stopped at a large, round metal door. “This is the vault. You would never be allowed in. Under any circumstances.” I tapped my foot, waiting for her to get on with the pageantry. “But, you are with me. The daughter of Po’tak, leader of the local juggler’s guild, and highest ranked mage in the Light Tower. After my father. Oh, and chief administrator of the Mages Council. So, I get to make the rules. And stipulate when they get bent.” If her smile had been light, I’m sure she would have blinded everyone in the room as she pulled a metal lever and pushed the vault open.
The room was metal lined with intricate, almost invisible white etchings that were clearly the human version of rune crafting, sigils. They were all bent towards preventing entry, hardening the vault, redirecting mana away from the vault and into two massive mana crystals that were empty to my sight, all while hardening the stone and metal that they made the room of. There were two signs I had not known about, and I took quick sketches of them in my journal while Alara’s back was turned. They were far from perfect, but as long as I had the general shape of them I could work out finer forms later by experimenting.
Inside the room were three elongated display cases that lined the three walls. Staffs, swords, bows, arrows, and all other kinds of weapons lined one wall to my right. To the left were displayed various random eclectic devices I knew nothing about, but they all hummed with mana and magic. They filled the far wall with books, dozens of them. All Magic Books of various kinds, both magic Type, and skills. One of them was displayed with a label under it that read “BOOK OF MANY TRAITS”. All in all the place felt like a gun store, everything locked down, attendants behind glass cases that smiled at you. But who you know would just as surely kill you if you did something wrong. And of course, the manager who watched every move you made. Thankfully in this case the manager had also invited us into the back to see her special collection.
“Like what you see?” she asked smirking. I nodded and tried to keep from drooling. Alara and Ailsa both laughed. “Then let me show you around.”
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“Okay, so let me see if I understand you correctly. You have no money.” I nodded. “None at all?” I shook my head, fighting the burning in my cheeks. “If it’s a matter of negotiation, I really can’t do any better. I’ve already given you my discount. Five hundred gold crowns for everything you have chosen is more than a fair price. I’m practically giving you this stuff for free.” I shook my head again and put down the dark brown jewel I had been holding. It thrummed with Death magic, but there was no way I could afford it. “So, you have nothing at all.” Ailsa giggled, and Tol’geth grunted.
“I’m afraid my student here went shopping with an imaginary purse.” Zed said, exhaling.
“Would you perhaps take barter?” I asked, hoping on hope that she would look past my stupidity. She patted the glass countertop next to the book.
“Let me see what you have.” I pulled out a three of the higher-level gems from my pack, along with some ingredients I had harvested from the ape. I also hauled out the low-quality wands and the ring of element change. Though, I did not want to part with that unless absolutely necessary. The idea of being able to cast a Timelords Inferno 2 of ice, or of earth, would be invaluable on a battlefield. I could think of a hundred other useful uses for the ring even though it was only a one-way change to one element. Once it was used, I didn’t think it would be easy to reset the ring. Though clearly it was possible because it was reset when I took it off the corpse of the raider mage.
“Well, these aren’t nothing. These scales alone would be worth” she wrote an amount down on a piece of paper. “And the wands,” she kept writing as she went through all the magical qasi-junk I had accumulated. Though it made my greedy hoarder heart bleed, I needed the cash for the prizes I had found here in this vault. The gem alone could teach me another Death Magic spell and reset the weeklong cooldown to Mend Flesh 1.
“So, all of this would be worth two hundred and thirty-seven crowns. A respectable sum, and it could get you nearly everything you’ve asked for. All but one of these.” She took the Death Magic Gem from in front of me, the Elixir of Life from where Tol’geth cradled it out, and the silk spool I wanted to used to upgrade my robe. “Hm, well you’d be about ten crowns over, but I’d be willing to spot you that much personally, because Zed is a family friend.” The old man beamed h
appily. It would still be a respectable amount of upgrading to our gear as a group. But we wouldn’t be able to get two of the things Ailsa or Tol’geth had wanted in the entire collection.
Ailsa’s choice would restore her mana pool to full with a half measure drink from the potion and there were six measures of the potion. Tol’geth’s would restore someone on the verge of death to complete spiritual, physical, and mental health, though the description specifically said that emotional damage could not be repaired using it.
In short, what my friends were asking for would only benefit the entire group. I put my hand back into my pack and pulled out a second book I had been keeping there. I had purchased the digital copy to read it while inside Kingdoms of Ashe, and I had not yet had the opportunity to crack open Ethria’s physical translation of it. I brushed my hand over the cover. It was soft and brightly colored. The marching legions on the front made me smile. I had read the first three in the series and this was the final one. I’ll be able to read it when I get home, I told myself as I handed it over.
“It’s the only copy of this book on this entire world. Unique, and exquisitely crafted both in its narrative and in the physical book’s quality. The author is Dean Henegar, one of the most prolific in my homeland.”
“Deeeaaun Henegaar? What a strange name, and what language is this? I have never seen it’s like, the closest thing I have seen are dwarven run scripts but this is clearly not that.” Alana said, as she opened the first page.
“Careful, don’t crack the spine that will damage it.” Alana closed the book gently and placed it to its side.
“The description and my Appraisal skill has it listed as a unique item. Meaning it’s the only one of its kind on all of Ethria. But it has little value other than as a keepsake.” My heart fell. But she wasn’t finished. “Still, I have heard of the bardic auction houses that sell trinkets from other Layers, and even from other worlds or domains like the fae wilds. They aren’t that useful, but the powerful in Tri-water, the Federation, and other places trade in such oddities. I am sure I can sell this to the bards for at least half a platinum crown.” My eyes went wide, and she smirked. “Don’t think that means too much. Taxes, particularly on that kind of transaction over the entire breadth of Tor, would be extraordinarily burdensome. Petty lords and ladies all along the the way would steal nearly three quarters of the profit if we moved it over land. Then there are the merchant fees, my personal fees, interest and usury, and so on. The bills add up you know. Still, I will trade this. Along with,” She reached down to the pile of things and plucked the elemental ring I told her I wanted to keep. She gave it a quick glance before tossing it to me. “These, for the treasures you have picked out. And whatever coin you have left in your pockets.”
“You want,” I poured my purse onto the palm of my hand. Six copper pennies and the silver dime appeared. “All of it?” She gave me a disgusted sound and pushed my palm closed.
“I don’t want to beggar you. Consider this a favor. Oh, and you can come and cheer me on at the battle of the bands. All of you, I would appreciate it.” Her smile was broad and genuine, and I had to fight back a laugh.
“We were going to be there in any case.” I said.
“We would be honored to cheer for you god-daughter, I can’t wait to hear your song.” Zed said, and after a few more pleasantries and goodbyes we made to walk out the door. She escorted us out of the store, and towards the side exit where the nobility and high-level people of the city entered and exited the upper market without going through the lower. Zed hugged her, Tol’geth bowed, Ailsa giggled, and I joined my tall friend in a shallow bow of thanks.
“I’m rooting for you, really everyone in this city with an ounce of sense is. Even if most are too afraid or too weak to help. That.” She pointed at the spy glass that was peaking its way out of my backpack. “Was a wise purchase, by the way. It will help you navigate the traps that rat has been laying for you.”
“Uh, traps?” I asked, giving what was perhaps the dumbest expression I had ever given anyone.
“Yes, you didn’t know? Haven’t you been watching him?” I shook my head, but Tol’geth grunted in a way as if to say he had. I looked up at him, but the man gave no sign he was going to explain what he had meant. “Well,” Alara spoke as she might a child who needed to be reminded to tie his shoes in the morning. “He’s laid a blanket of magical and mundane traps so thick I don’t think a flea could get through. You’re going to need that.” She pointed at the Spyglass of True Sight I had just purchased. “And someone very skilled in disarming traps to get anywhere close to him and his tower.” She looked at me, then each person in the group. I guess she didn’t see anything that she liked. Sighing again, she rubbed her forehead.
“You have got to be kidding me. Alright, well, the bards are in the tournament tonight. If you can corner one of them, preferably one whose nephew you have not assaulted, I am sure they would help. For a price. Meaning get some money and see if you can hire them. They are very good at traps. Okay, I need to go. Goodbye, and good luck.” With that she turned and disappeared, activating her invisibility cloak. Ailsa and Alara both giggled at the trick, and I realized my days of recruiting were not quiet over with just yet.
Chapter 17: Getting Dressed For A Night on the Town
"The joy of dressing is an art." —John Galliano
The Traser Estate, City of Sowers Vale, 6th Novos, 2989 AoR
We headed back to the Traser estate to meet up with our knightly friend and get ready for the battle of the bands or bards, or whatever these people called it. Honestly, I was excited. When I told Zed, he grinned and agreed. “You will finally get a taste of real Torish culture! Not that country bumpkin stuff like out beyond the twins.” While we waited, I asked Mary to sow the new thread I had purchased into my black robe.
“It shouldn’t take me more than a few minutes. But, the description of this thread says it’s magical which means you are going to have to provide mana for it to activate. Don’t worry, it’ll give you a prompt when you first put it on.” She smiled at me and began working. I thanked her and moved on to examine the rest of my gear. I picked up my staff and a small vial of liquid metal. Alara had instructed me to coat the inside of sigils with the metal, and not to touch it or else I might poison myself. I had a feeling I knew what the vial was, though she called it Mersary.
You have found a vial of pure Mersary paint. Apply to a carved in sigil, rune, or sign to enhance its effectiveness. Effect: If applied correctly will enhance all numeric properties by a multiplier of 2 from runes, sigils, or signs effected. Other effects to be discovered. NOTE: Please leave for three days in cold temperatures to solidify, then coat in clear lacquer infused with mana. The higher quality lacquer, the less degradation this will cause in the multiplier effect.
I pulled out my knife and found the various scripts I, and the various elvan enchanters and crafters had carved into the thing. The natural growth had warped some of them, but the nature of the wood and quality of the innate magical components of the staff seemed to compensate naturally for the damage. First, I took my knife to these warped scripts and repaired them as best I could. Then, I added several new lines of script, focusing mostly on the new human signs I had learned. They were simple, and from what I had seen of them they were mainly connection or efficiency signs designed to lower power loss due to transfer and increase overall efficiency rather than adding new powers or abilities to the weapon.
When I finished, I had added three new lines carved into the central portion of the staff, all designed to increase efficiency. I first infused them with my mana, which made them glow a bright white. Then I took the paintbrush that came with the vial of Mersary and applied it to first the old, and then the new scripts. It was a thin coating. I didn’t want to kill myself from mercury poisoning, or worse. The other two or three elements I knew of that looked like quicksilver and that were liquid at room temperature were all poisonous. Far more so than mercury. So it was best to ta
ke precautions regardless of what it really was. I then spun the staff lightly to see if the Mersary paint was going to smudge, seeing it didn’t, I then coated it all in hard mana as a temporary seal.
It was then I realized I didn’t have any lacquer. I smiled as I rummaged, a plan coming together. I pulled out one of the extra Force Mana Jewels I had left over from Puff and felt my will permeate the gem. I willed it to expand, and it responded. I commanded it to thin and lengthen, and it did. My smile grew as I used my hands to smooth it over the scripts in a thin coating all along the central haft of the staff. I then fed the weir wood a tiny trickle of mana and willed it to accept the gem. It didn’t budge, though I felt it wanting to accept the gem. I grimaced and poured more mana into it. After a moment of building magical pressure, suddenly it released, and the head of my staff lit aflame. The staff thickened slightly, growing to match my will, accepting the coating I had made of the Force Mana Jewel.
I received a notification when I was finished.
You have found Wizard’s Staff of Magic Mastery! This weapon is an arcane focus for magical spells, acts as storage for mana and spells, and is a powerful melee weapon in its own right. Melee, 1d12 damage plus applicable bonuses. 1d8 poison damage applied to melee and all applicable spells cast through the staff. 1d10 fire damage applied to melee and all applicable spells cast through the staff. +1d10 Armor Piercing Force Damage applied to melee and all applicable spells cast through the staff. Quality: Great, Magical. Rarity: Very Rare. Durability: 1,000 / 1,000. Total Spell Slots: 100 [equivalent of 100,000 mana worth of spell storage].
Ethria 3: The Liberator Page 18
