Patchwall 8:  Arvee has a few things he needs to do in town, and right now the only one he is comfortable with is Ahb to go for (he knows that he's not any good at this).  If Ahb isn't too busy, he would then go to Beldwyn (Note the sigh when he thinks this).  But Arvee needs to sell his Half plate +1, Great Axe +1, and masterwork chain set that he made.  After that, he is going to try and find someone willing to enchant his Scythe (It is a masterwork).  He'll have whatever we decide for the split (assume he'd only spend about 4 grand anyway), about 1400 left over from previous split, and 225 that he brought with him (he'd keep some of it).  If he can't find that, he would want to find some boots of speed or something.

Ahb will be happy to accompany Arvee to do the armor selling.  She needs to do some of that herself.

Beldwyn would like to buy the +2 Ring of Protection.  She intends to pay for it by selling her +1 Ring of Protection to Taizu (2000gp) + her share from this most recent adventure + the remaining balance from her personal cash.

Beldwyn would like to copy spells from one of the spell books we aquired before we sell them.  (Without my character sheet and a player's handbook, I can't say how many I spells I don't already have and how many of those I have the ability to cast.  I think that I have enough cash to pay for the materials, but cannot be certain without my character sheet.)  Now that Beldwyn is thinking about it, it would be a good idea to check how many pages are left in her spell book.  

Beldwyn suggests that the group consider keeping in the group pot, in order of importance:  1) the healing potions - of course; 2) the wand of Alter Self - can be very useful as pointed out by Taizu; 3) the Lighting Bolt scroll; 4) the two Invisibility scrolls

Beldwyn has found herself needing more money than she has to pay for the things she wants and believes are absoluetly necessary: +2 Ring of Protection,  a new spellbook, supplies to copy aproximately 3 new spells in it, spell components and a tithe to her temple.  For this reason she will  look to make a bit of cash while they are in town.

She will discuss this with Ahb and ask for her advice.  Beldwyn is willing to make potions or a wand for the group, but the group would have to buy the materials.  Also, as brewing potions and crafting wands requires a personal cost from the magic user (experience points) Beldwyn would ask for a fee.  She feels weird about asking the group to pay her for the use of her abilities, but the personal cost of brewing potions and crafting magical objects is considerable.  It is not the same as casting a spell while adventuring.  When adventuring, hopefully all parties benefit from the spells Beldwyn casts and the cost is just fatigue.  When brewing a potion or crafting a magic item for another party - the receiving party gets the benefit and the magic user creating the object pays a long term cost.
 
If the group is not interested, Beldwyn tells Ahb that she is thinking about seeing if there is any market for her skills here in town and asks Ahb if she might be willing to help her with this.  Maybe there is a wizard, magic user, temple or merchant in town that would have a use for Beldwyn's knowledge or skills.  Her plan is to approach her temple (Garl Glittergold) for assistance and if they don't need her skills and have no leads, she will ask Ahb if the temple of Pelor can be of assistance.  If that fails she will ask Rowan if she can ask the Watch if they have any leads.  Beldwyn is not interested in leaving the town for this work.  She is very leery about putting offensive spells/potions/wands (Magic Missle, Ray Of Enfeeblement, Lightening Bolt, etc) into the hands of strangers.  If that is the magic that is in demand, she will want a temple or the Watch to vouch for the character of the buyer.  It would also be nice if Ahb were willing to determine if the buyer was evil.  Beldwyn is not interested in temping for evil.

If there is a market for Beldwyn's skills she will negotiate terms.

Beldwyn will mention to Ahb that she is out of pearls for the spell Identify and ask if the group is willing to buy one or two for the group pot for this purpose.  Beldwyn personally bought two of the three pearls used to Identify the most recent loot, at a cost of 100gp each.

Making the necessary money is Beldwyn's first objective, she will spend the rest of her time:
1) purchasing new spell book, supplies to write spells in the book and spell components
2) writing the new spells in her new spell book.
3) perhaps Beldwyn can tithe to the temple of Garl Glittergold in services rather than in gold - she will explore this
4) volunteering to add her juggling - pitiful though it is - to Taizu and Tarva's act
5) practicing her juggling and flute playing
6) replenishing her spell components
7) if money allows - shopping for a special scoll holder that allows for multiple scrolls to be stored with easy access during combat
8) if money allows - drinking and gambling with Rowan

In considering the treasure split - Taizu is very interested in the glass wand - Alter Self - since his spells cluster in transmutation and this is right up his alley as well as the Undetectable Alignment and Charm Person scrolls. Beldwin also expressed an interest in the glass wand - seems she has this longing for wings. So once we have the finances straight, we need to seriously consider what we are selling.
 
Having looked at what everyone was doing and requesting Taizu to do during these 17 days or so, I can now address what Taizu did (or tried to do):
1)      Taizu and Tarva were going to try to negotiate the deal they had with the second best inn in town with the best inn.
2)      Gigging each night at the resulting inn.
3)      Finding and playing with any other Bards in town possibly with the thought of doing a "concert" towards the end of the stay depending on willingness/availability.
4)      Checking with the Bards, Thieves ect about the group who kidnapped Carrica and tried to ambush the rest of us (sorry notes are at the Websters so I don't have the name because its gone right out of my flu infested head - Good choice Jen, BTW on passing on the plague house).
5)      Talking to Rowan about the group's past and hers with Tarva.
6)      Assuming he's willing, talking to Arvee about his ordeal with the orcs. Seems to Taizu that Arvee's is a story that should be told (again, assuming Arvee is willing).
7)      Teaching Beldwin flute playing
8)      Taizu will write a minimum of 2 letters (John I'll email you later about them) and help Tarva with hers if she needs it;  
9)      Pretraining his next feat - again no PH but its the second arrow shot per round.  
10)     Generally increasing knowledge of local lore/history

Everybody now owns their own horse (or pony) and tack. The group retains ownership in a single packhorse and its tack.

Everybody has exactly one Cure Moderate and two Cure Light potions -- just as before the ambush.  Those potions which were used up during the ambush have been replaced (most of them from booty we captured from the ambushers, the rest purchased anew from the temple of Pelor).

The total splittable pot (after taking out horse, tack, and 2,000gp) is 47,363gp.  Divided by 6 people, each share is 7,893.83.

From the ambush list of items, the following items have been requested, and by a single person each:
  Taizu   - $  200 #155: scroll Charm Person, Mirror Image, Mount
  Beldwyn - $8,000 #188: ring protection +2 AC [with reimbursement]
  Taizu   - $1,980 #196: wand Alter Self (22 shots)
  Rowan   - $1,157 #202: large wooden shield +1 AC
  Taizu   - $   25 #209: scroll Charm Person
  Tarva   - $  800 #214: masterwork composite longbow, +4 str.  
  Rowan   - $1,000 #216: magic cloak, +1 saving throws.
All other group items (except, as noted above, the packhorse and tack) are sold off.  Thus
    Ahb receives: 7,893.83gp.
    Arvee receives: 7,893.83gp.
    Beldwyn receives: a ring of protection +2 AC; and needs to place 106.17 back into the pot.
    Rowan receives: a large wooden shield +1 AC; a magic cloak +1 saving throws; and 5,736.83gp.
    Taizu receives: a scroll with Charm Person, Mirror Image, and Mount; a wand of Alter Self (22 shots); a scroll with Charm Person; and 5,688.83gp.
    Tarva receives: a masterwork composite longbow, +4 str; and 7,093.83gp.

 
Beldwyn, Tarva hopes you're a little better off than your last message indicated.  Weren't you going to sell your +1 AC ring?  Surely that covers the 106.17, plus your new spell book, plus your other supplies, easily, yes?  If not, Tarva will offer to loan you the money to pay back the pot, so you can get your ring.  Ahb, Tarva immediately gives you back the 150 you spent on magic arrows for her two weeks ago.  And: how are you doing on finding and affording the armor you want?  Rowan, Tarva wants to show you the shop where the Bag of Holding is.

The group finances spreadsheet now shows us as having 2,000.02 money on hand, and 44.50 in possessions, broken down into 37.5 for livestock and 7 for supplies, for a grand total of 2044.52.

Ahb thanks Tarva for the 150 gp back and lets her know that it really wasn't necassary to repay.  She is still working on her training and hasn't had time to go armor shopping yet, but hope to soon.

Beldwyn will pay for the overage of the  +2 Ring of protection by selling her +1 Ring of protection (worth 2000 gp) to Taizu.  Due to the large ammount of the split Beldwyn is not as poor as she first thought.  She will buy another spell book and supplies to copy Obscuring Mist from the spell books we are selling. (The rest of the spells she already knows.)  The only things Beldwyn will look into purchasing are a better flute than the penny whistle she currently has (advice from one of the musicians is appreciated), and a crystal ball for scrying.

Beldwyn will tithe to the temple of Garl Glittergold.  She will spend her time as mentioned in the earlier email.  Added to that, Beldwyn will spend the time, money and XP necessary to make a Wand of Ray Of Enfeeblement.  When it is completed she will be very excited to show it off to Arvee and the rest of the party.  (This does not include showing the wand in action - just a discription of the spell's effect.)  She will carefully explain to Arvee that out of consideration for him she chose to make this wand instead of one containing: Melf's Acid Arrow, Lighting Bolt or Fireball.  

Yes, Taizu buys the Ring of Protection +1 from Beldwyn.  Taizu will help Beldwin find a better flute. Taizu offers to teach Beldwin how to play it in return for a wand.

Patchwall 9:  As of the split there are seven 100gp pearls in town (resale value 90gp each).  By the end of Ahb's training another 5 come into town, three of which are on consignment to another buyer so an additional 2 are available for sale giving a total of 9 available for purchase by the group or its members.  Tarva buys all seven initially available pearls: one for herself and the remainder for the group.

Ahb prays at the temple and then tithes 800gp from her group split.  She then goes armor/scythe shopping with Arvee.  Ahb would like to purchase the very best armor she can get with her remaining 7243.83 + the proceeds of her current armor + the proceeds of the sale of the +1 chain shirt.

Taizu sells off the +1 Short Bow purchased a mere two weeks ago.  He looks for a Magic Longbow to replace it; but upon being unable to find one, he settles for continuing to borrow Tarva’s magic bow.
Rowan is buying the Bag of Holding and working with the watch/learning the town.  In addition, Beldwyn expressed an interest in drinking/gambling and Taizu/Tarva expressed an interest in hanging out and story exchange.

Tarva purchases the Gloves of Dexterity +2 for 4,000gp.  In her search for some means of seeing in the dark, Tarva discovers that such items do exist, but none of them are currently for sale here.  She and Taizu are gigging each night.  She continues her normal offer to the Temple of Pelor to stop by each day and help with any healing – using both her Heal Skill and her Faith Healing ability.  At some time when Taizu is otherwise busy, she finds a highly respected jewelry shop and stops in to commission a particular broach she wants.

Tarva can read now!  A whole new world has opened up!  Is there a library in this city?  Tarva wants to read up in much more detail about the history of this area – the Flanaess -- so that she'll have a better idea of historical alliances and historical hatreds (both of which will fuel current power structures); of the current disposition of kingdoms and alliegances; of important 'world'-shaping events she's barely heard about (e.g., "Hateful Wars", "Temple of Elemental Evil"); and of this subject: sage Qillathe told Tarva, "Several years ago this world experienced a massive war.  Incredible amounts of high order magic were expended, and various Gods, or their avatars, were reported to have actually taken direct part.  The physical and political results of that, Tarva can find out elsewhere," and now Tarva wants to find out more about this massive war, and those physical and political results.

She finds that there is no library.  There is a bookseller.  There is also a small school for the children of the wealthy.  The war was the Greyhawk wars and Qillathe was exaggerating a little about the Gods (not their avatars though, there are reports of some demi-gods taking active part in some parts of the fighting).  Taizu might actually be a better source on some of those things (particularly the Temple) as might Arvee (particularly the Hateful Wars).  In the limited reading material Tarva is able to find, it is reported that there are areas where magic simply doesn't work.  The Gyri refugees mention that the Old Faith druids and the clerics of Boccob are purifying those spaces but it takes time...

Finally, it has been a long time since Taizu has been able to participate with fellow musicians in the "classical" music she knows is his first love.  After all these months of pub-playing, Tarva thinks he deserves and needs a chance to indulge himself in more "high-brow" forms.  If there is a Bardic College here, or even just a local gathering of musicians, she will encourage him to get in touch with them, and see if he and they can't squeeze in a concert near the end of our stay here, with of course the rehearsals necessary for such a concert [which in truth would be the more important part, for it would give Taizu the interactions he's been missing (although he's never complained about that) with fellow maestros].  And if he wants her to participate also, Tarva will make time for those rehearsals.

For some reason Taizu’s relations with the thieves seems to have soured of late.  It is very difficult to make contact and they are very clearly putting him off when he asks questions about the Council of Wrath.  After about a week of this, Taizu only rarely even glimpse a thief in his area (but he has the feeling that someone is watching him.)

Patchwall 10:   Tarva brings the pearl she purchased to Beldwyn and says: "Beldwyn, I've had these magic items with me since before I was gated into this world; and since I used to know how they worked, it never occurred to me to have them lored again. But I know the amulet doesn't work the same as before, I'm beginning to realize the same is true for my sword, and so now I'm also starting to wonder about my bow. I'd like to have all three lored. Would you be willing to do that -- for an appropriate commission, of course -- or should I go find a commercial wizard in town?  I do have a pearl to use."

To which Beldwyn says that she is happy to cast identify on Tarva's items as well as use her skills of Arcane Knowledge and Spellcraft to find out what these items do in our world and how they are used.  There will be no charge for this service as it is no hardship for Beldwyn to do this for Tarva.  She will want to do this work in a safe and quiet environment like the group's room or a room in her god's temple and asks that Tarva accompany her and guard her during the work.  Afterward if Tarva wants to buy her a drink, that would be welcome also.

There is a high-level, somewhat reclusive mage in town.  His name is Fflamwyth ap Trahaearn.  He is Human (Flan) from the Grand Duchy of Geoff. By the report of his apprentice, Samuel, he is either old or prematurely aged.  He has a magic shop that supplies a living and his apprentice, Samuel, minds the store.  Samuel is quite obviously smitten by Tarva and volunteers to take her request to his master.  Eventually (Tarva gets the sense there was much wheedling involved) she find out that ap Trahaearn will consider the taxing spell if she still requires it to be done.  His terms are (as presented by an apologetic Samuel for his "obviously" unreasonable master): A ruby or sapphire lens, set in a small golden hoop (gem worth at least 1500GP), a written history of the item to be analyzed as best as Tarva knows it; a fee of 1000GP (Samuel hints that (having heard Tarva and Taizu play (longingly from the crowd)) his master might relent on the price in exchange for a performance of some songs from his homeland in a private setting.  How much of a break he is very unwilling to speculate on.); not to meet Tarva face to face.  Samuel is puzzled by the last one as typically his master meets with his higher-end clients and he feels Tarva would certainly qualify as one of those.

Tarva is suspicious.  [In Feyland, once, she heard an opera in which, at one point, the hero, trying to purchase a magic potion to use in searching for his kidnapped true love, was parted from a valuable ruby by conmen in much this same scenario.]  So here is what Tarva does.

First, she pours on the charm for Samuel.  Nothing overt: no touching.  [Still, it's just as well that Taizu isn't along.]  Just wide-eyed hanging on his every word, occasional stretches, encouragement to have him talk about himself.  Which naturally would include -- by happenstance as it were -- a lot about his interactions with his mage, and thus hopefully a fair amount about said mage.
 
According to Samuel (elicited over time as he seems prone to distraction) his mage, ap Trahaearn, is in general a good master although he seems to have forgotten what it was like to be young and full of life (said significantly...).  None of his habits are particularly noteworthy.   His training methods seem fair and Samuel is the fourth apprentice that he knows of.  Previous ones have learned enough to become either Journeymen sponsors to a Guild or adventurers (including Samuel's oldest sister who was last heard from in the Great Kingdom before it dissolved a couple of years ago (he goes very vague on this but Tarva has the sense it is definitely through lack of knowledge rather than obfuscation)).  He's sure there must have been others as ap Trahaearn has been living here for as long as Samuel can remember.

Tarva should already know the answers to these:  Is this magic store one of the five mentioned in earlier emails?   Did it 'provide' any of the items we asked about last run?   Did anyone purchase anything from this store?

It is quite likely that people bought from here and this is also the home of Arvee's fabled +3 scythe.  This store has the best reputation and makes the most powerful things (very small production runs though).

Things Tarva is looking for in getting Samuel to, um, chat: how long has Samuel been with the mage?  How long has the mage had this magic store?  What did the mage do before opening (or taking over, or buying out, or whatever Samuel tells her) the store?  Plus, of course, anything she can pick up by happenstance.  Oh, and any indication at all that Samuel recognizes that he is being pumped -- equivalently, any hint that his infatuation with Tarva might be as much of a sales gimmick (i.e., con hook) as her 'infatuation' with him is.

After a little bit of Tarva's heavy breathing, Samuel starts to feel a little suspicious, however a judicious application of a lifetime of skills re-settles him and he belongs to Tarva again (or is at least rented...). Samuel has been with ap Trahaearn for almost two years, is now approaching his 18th birthday, very clearly wants to be taken seriously as a man, looks rather like an unkempt weed with knobbly bits sticking out, and is unaware that when he is excited, he lisps.  His master has not shared much of his personal history with Samuel but he knows he is from Geoff, has not been back in decades, gets visited late at night by people with strange accents (like they're spitting out both sides of their mouth (Taizu will comment that it sounds like the Gyric form of Flan (ie. Geoffian))), and occasionally ships money or items out of the store without selling them through Samuel (he mentions that part of his apprentice wages is paid through the store profits...).  You do not get the sense that his current infatuation is a gimmick so he's either a hormone-stricken 17-year old or a recently rejuvenated master-class actor who's been around the wheel at least twice (I mean nobody's THAT good).

Also, Tarva wants to know if it was Samuel, or the mage, who was listening to TnT from the crowd (Samuel was unusually flustered just then, and thus wasn't clear -- which leads Tarva to guess that the listener was indeed Samuel).  With this as an opener, she expresses (bubble-headed)(best she can do, not being blond) confusion as to how the mage was going to both: not meet her face-to-face, and listen to her in a private setting?

Samuel listened (in awe and lust).  Samuel allows as how the requirement not to meet would seem to preclude the listening as well but he also says that that was his idea, not his master's, as his master seems homesick some of the time...

And at some particularly 'friendly' moment, she'll ask Samuel just how necessary this 'written history' is "because I don't write very well, and that seems like a lot of hard work, an' I don't really know very much about it: just that I found it on another world, before I was gated here.  I don't know anything about who made it, or where, or how long ago.  Is this writing thing something that master ap Fflamwyth always requires?"
 
Samuel wondered about the writing as well so he asked and was told, in essence, that not many people ask for this spell and as it's particularly taxing to cast, he was hoping to be able to get some sense of what he was looking for without meeting Tarva.  He seems strangely insistent on that point and Samuel does not know why (no matter how much her cleavage heaves).

Eventually Tarva tells Samuel that she wants to do this, but will need to go purchase said ruby/sapphire.  Which may take a while to find, but as soon as she does, she'll be back.  And leaves.

Samuel sighs madly and inquires about her playing schedule as he could listen to her voice for hours...

Tarva heads straight for Taizu, to tell him the above, and then all the things she's found out, observed, or inferred from her 'chat' with Samuel.  She wants Taizu to check with his friends and find out just how truthful Samuel has been with Tarva; and also what sort of reputation this mage has with the locals.  Oh, and also if there are any interesting or unusual aspects of the mage's history or appearance -- "for instance, perhaps he's fey, knows I am (that's a fairly standard fey ability) and doesn't want to be 'exposed'.  Something like that."

Taizu is able to find out that this mage and his shop have an extremely good reputation although ap Trahaearn occasionally seems to get paranoid, nobody that Taizu can find knows why...  People who have seen him (and many have) say he looks like pureblood Flan (albeit old), deep copper colored skin, curly, graying black hair, and amber/green eyes.  

However, Taizu would be opposed to any surrender of HR to anyone without Tarva or Taizu present. It seems to be an easy way to lose the sword; especially after telling him everything about it. Taizu would be more than willing to sing with Tarva for a reduction in price but he's not going to be willing to let her just give up the sword without any guarantees. After all a sword that can talk and heal, while not all of his powers might be usable right now, he's still a very valuable and rare commodity. Taizu would tell Tarva that it is a show stopper if he doesn't agree to allow one or both of us to be present. While his in-town reputation is good and what we've bought so far has been as promised, without an explanation of why he wants no witnesses, Taizu would suggest Tarva keep looking. We should be able to find someone else to handle the spell and a large town like Greyhawk might offer more reasonable terms and prices.

Patchwall 11:  Beldwyn is in the middle of a two-day effort to make a wand for the temple.

Tarva goes back to the magic store and tells Samuel that if she, Tarva, cannot be present during the spell casting, then she must insist that one of her companions, an elf named Taizu, be there instead.  That this is a real show-stopped for Tarva, as she’s not willing to let the sword out of the sight of someone she knows.  Also, for the sake of clarity, she would like a written report of the results of the spell.

Samuel goes away to consult, then comes back to state that, provided Taizu is completely silent and does not try to talk to ap Trahaearn, the mage has no objection to Taizu’s presence.  Also, a written analysis of what he finds is perfectly acceptable.

Patchwall 12:  Beldwyn finished her work on making a wand for the temple.  

Patchwall 13:  Midmorning Beldwyn moves into TnT’s room and starts casting the Identify spell.  Tarva’s sword, medallion, and bow are in the room with Beldwyn, while Tarva stands guard outside (with her dagger).  Occasionally Taizu comes along and gives Tarva a short break.
 
Just about eight hours later, Tarva hears a somewhat muffled cry, in Beldwyn’s voice, of “What the…” which is cut off at the same time that a flash of white light comes out around the edges of the door to the room.  Then there is a thud in the room which sounds suspiciously like a body falling.  Tarva listens for a moment, but upon not hearing anything else, opens the door and goes in.  

The room is a little warmer than expected.  Beldwyn is lying down with one hand still on Heart's Reach.  Her eyes are opened but unfocused, and she looks surprised... She does not rouse when shaken, she exhibits no external sign of injury. Tarva’s healing knowledge reminds her of times after a brutal combat when people would just sit there, paying attention to nothing, unable to be roused.  Usually these people come out of it on their own, sometimes they don't.  Tarva thinks perhaps someone with more experience should be brought in...

Tarva, on seeing no imminent threat to Beldwyn, will strap on Heart's Reach [when Tarva picks up Heart's Reach she notices two things: 1. HR is less lustrous than usual.  2. A blending of a sense of satisfaction and a sense of regret.  This feeling fades relatively quickly], put on her amulet, stow the bow and move Beldwyn to the temple of Pelor.  On the way (having re-locked the room) she comes across Taizu and Ahb who both assist in getting Beldwyn to the temple.  The chief healer at the temple performs an examination, pronounces that Beldwyn is "probably fine, go away and come back in the morning."  Presumably you do so.  That evening, back in the hotel, during breaks in gigging, etc.  Tarva will relate what  happened to the best of her knowledge to everyone else.

So, at the inn that evening, between sets, when everyone in the group is present (except Beldwyn, still recovering in the Pelor temple), Tarva relates the following:

"I'd been standing guard for what must have been almost the entire eight hours Beldwyn had said the spell would take (with occasional breaks thanks to Taizu).  Suddenly I heard Beldwyn exclaim in surprise.  She said, "What the..." and never finished the phrase.  There was a flash of white light which came around all the edges of the door.  It only lasted an instant.  Then there was a thud, which I thought sounded like a body hitting the floor.

"I listened for a moment, because all the tales warn against interrupting wizards, but when I didn't hear anything else, and because I was worried about Beldwyn, I went in anyway.  

"Let me try to get all my impressions straight.

"The room was a little warmer than I expected, as if something had heated it up.

"Beldwyn was lying down with one hand still on Heart's Reach.  She had a surprised look on her face.  Her eyes were open, but they wern't tracking.  I checked her breathing and her pulse, and both seemed normal, and she wasn't bleeding anywhere.  But she didn't rouse or react at all while I did that.  I was reminded of first-time fighters, at the end of their first battle, in shock at all the carnage around them.  All I know to do for that, and I was guessing for Beldwyn also, is wait.  So I thought I would take her to the Pelor temple to see if they knew anything better.

"Beldwyn was casting Identify on three of my other-world items: my sword, my bow, and my amulet.  I put the bow away and the amulet back on, then picked up Heart's Reach to sheathe him.  As I did, it seemed to me that his metal wasn't as, well, lusterous as usual.
 
"Also, I've told you how in my home world he was able to talk to me.  And how recently he's sometimes been able to heal me.  Well, I believe I picked up some emotions from him, sort of a blending of satisfaction and regret, if that makes any sense.

"Anyway, I didn't take time to worry about any of that, then.  I picked up Beldwyn and carried her to the temple, running into Ahb and then Taizu along the way.  At the temple they were a little abrupt with us -- but then I'd rather they were concentrating on Beldwyn anyway -- and told us she'd be fine in the morning.

"And that's all I know."
 
Patchwall 14:  When Beldwyn wakes up and sees Tarva she says "Tarva, what exactly is this sword of yours, where did you get it, how much do you know about it and why did it attack me?  No, wait.  Before you answer, let me tell you what I learned from my spell and skills.  In the mean time, you better come up with a good explanation and an even better apology."  She proceeds to tell you this:

Bow: Is actually a +2 weapon I get the feeling of a link and more but nothing besides that.  Spellcraft reveals that that feeling might indicate a secondary power of some sort, possibly requiring activation...?

Amulet: Powerful Translocation magic very definitely some sort of controlled gate access.  Requires a command word in a language I don't know.  Very strange secondary feel to this but sadly Spellcraft does not reveal why this is different.

Sword: +2 Weapon  with something or someone very powerful attached.  As I was working on it, I think I activated the spell or whatever is in the sword.  I couldn't control it, couldn't stop it and seemed pissed that I was mucking about. Then I think the sword attacked me.  Here is the sequence: I felt a sense of confusion, then violation, then fear, then rage and vast power.  I couldn't stop the spell or control it and I got nervous.  Then a bright flash and  I was seriously knocked unconscious.   Is it possible that a conscience has been forged into the sword?  I don't think the feelings I sensed were mine (except for feeling nervous at the end).  I think the feelings were coming from the sword.   

"So, what can you tell me about your sword, why did it attack me, and why didn't you warn me before I tried to identify it?  I don't mind helping you out, but I hate to be ambushed.  You got some explaining to do."   You can tell Beldwyn is more than a bit annoyed.

At the first sight of Beldwyn, Tarva says, "Beldwyn! You're all right? Despite what the temple healers said, I was worried about you. How do you feel?"  Beldwyn hopefully responds that she feels ok now (or doesn't); and certainly tells Tarva all the above.

To which Tarva replies, "It was never my intent to hurt you. You're a comrade in arms -- we've each saved the other's life directly, aside from all the group efforts we've both been in. Please accept my sincerest apology for bringing you into dange, and believe me that it was entirely unwittingly on my part. I would much rather have had myself hurt, instead of you.

"Thank you for the information you've given me about my other-world items. Perhaps when you've rested you can go over, with me, what you learned: so I can understand what it means, and where that should lead me for learning more.

"By 'forging a conscience', do you mean: 'is Heart's Reach a person'? Yes, he most certainly is. Nobody in this world seems to believe me, but before we came here he could speak with me. Not just parrot sounds; we would hold conversations, and he contributed advice when we were planning attacks.

"I know you've heard some of this before, because I've bored everyone with stories about Heart's Reach. But he's special to me: my being a fighter who wants to heal, who worships a God of Healing; and his being a sword who can heal -- that has created a special affinity between us, and so I'm more than a little proud of his accomplishments. And he's told me that I'm the most compatible fighter he's been a sword for.  "At the very, very least, I know I've told everyone here [*] that HR had started performing healing spells on me, after our fight with the giant. And since he could heal other people, not just his wielder, back in Albion, I made sure everyone knew that -- so if I bought the farm, he could be used to help someone else.

[*] Well, possibly not Rowan: that depends on when she, Taizu, and Tarva got together to discuss histories, relative to this discussion on Patchwall 14.

"I found Heart's Reach in a treasure trove on Albion, the world I was born in, while I was returning there for a visit (from Feyland) to search for more of my family (lost when the orcs invaded our homeland of Cynaria). Everything I know about him was true in Albion, in Feyland, and also in one other world I, um, visited accidentally. But they are not all true here -- or at least don't seem to be -- which is why I want to find out what is true for him here." In a frustrated tone, "And I can't just ask him."

After a moment she continues, "Here's what I know about Heart's Reach. He is a one- or two- -handed longsword. He has a gold hilt worked with circles of hearts, and a 10c star ruby pommel. He is of Good orientation, and will not let anyone who is not Good wield him. He has a very high ego and speaks Phonecian -- which is also the common trade language in Albion, and seems to be what we're speaking now, as well -- and Pennochian, a country in Albion with a strong orientation towards Good and a high percentage of mages in the population. [I don't know, but I would guess that his original maker was in or from Pennoch; else why give him that language?]

"He is +2 to hit and +2 to damage; and can heal 2 points of damage a day, by touch. Only here, since he started, he's either not healed at all, or done so like a Cure Critical.  Also, he could perform a Regenerate spell, to restore a limb, up to once a month. I have no idea, and don't want to experiment, on whether that is still true or not.         
   
"If he could talk again, I could ask him your questions, and find out why he attacked you, or defended himself, or whatever he did. But he can't, so I can't.

"Again, I am very sorry and most contrite about allowing you to come into harm's way. I would never have asked if I thought something like this would have happened."


Beldwyn apologizes to Tarva for being so abrupt.  Now that she has blown off some steam, she realizes that Tarva would not knowingly endangered her.  She says that she thinks that she is fine and suffered no damage from Heart's Reach.  If that assessment changes with new information, she'll let you know.

"Tarva, there are more details on both your bow and amulet that may come to light either with better work on my part, or though the work of a higher level magic user.  I am willing to try again on them at some point if you like.

“As for Heart's Reach.... I have to say that though you've talked a lot about him and your past, I didn't listen as closely as I could have.  And really, it is hard to believe that a sword has a consciousness - but I guess it does. Was he a flesh and blood person at one time that was put into the sword though magic or something else entirely?  This is a weird concept for me to grasp as I haven't come across anything like this before.  If Heart's Reach wasn't a flesh and blood person at one time, I can't imagine how he was ever created.

“Anyway, the best I can tell is that Heart's Reach was confused and upset by what I was doing and he struck back at me in defense.  I don't know if I was lucky to avoid damage, or if he just wanted to subdue me - either way it was scary.  There has to be some way of talking with him through magic, but I don't really know what that would be right now.  Maybe with a bit of study I could figure something out.  I am also leery of trying it again, upsetting him and being attacked again.  I don't know if he was upset because I wasn't you, because I wasn't a fighter or because I was using a spell on him.

“Regardless, I think it warrants some thought on both our parts.

“But right now I am hungry.  Can we get some breakfast?"
 
After Beldwyn revives and shares her information and ires, Tarva goes searching for the gem.  When she finds a suitable one she asks the merchant how much to make it a lens and mount it in gold.  He asks if this is for ap Trahaearn.

"Why, yes, it is for ap Trahaearn.  He's casting a spell for me.  How clever of you to guess that."  This isn't a hormone-filled teenager, so Tarva is being much more subtle.  Absolutely no overt sexual tension, no hanging on his every word, just the subtle facial expressions and minor body language to make him aware that she is paying attention to him [this might be more from her courtesan skill, where such ego buildups were sometimes more important than actual sex, than from diplomacy].  "Oh, but you must have done this before.  Probably several times."  She pauses, in such a way as to invite him to reply.
 
He says, “I know just what you mean then.”  The final negotiated price is 1,875gp,  “I’ve made this particular type of focus for him several times.”

"That's fascinating.  Everyone I've talked to say he's the best mage around here.  I'm lucky he's agreed to do this for me."  And she goes on, hoping to engage him in conversation and see if she can learn anything  else about the mage.  There is absolutely no pumping or leading questions.  And if at any time Tarva thinks that he has shifted from enjoying a chat with her, to wondering why she's spending so much time with him (or more suspicious thoughts), she will immediately -- but not abruptly -- turn the conversation to the subject of TnT's gigging, asking if he's been to hear them yet, insisting that he must come.  And if she leaves the shop with him concluding that it was all a sales pitch for her gig, that is exactly fine.

"Aye, that ap Trahaearn is a good mage.  We've occasionally had stronger ones (and stranger ones) come through but he's a good 'un.  I usually try to keep a couple of gems in stock for what he needs for his magic.  Not many as he's usually making items and doesn't need much.  He does a nice job (or so I've heard).  He can be a bit tough to get to know but a good man all the same.

"I like a good ditty on occasion so perhaps I will stop by.  Who knows, if I like what I hear, I might even buy you a drink.  Even if I don't, I might buy you a drink” [said with a bit more of a direct and appraising glance but no overt risqueness].

Of course, she then goes to find Taizu and share with him anything she found out.  

At some point during the day Tarva thinks to check HR again and discover that he is looking back to normal...  

Tarva finds a moment alone (or with Taizu -- but nobody else), draws the sword, and thinks at it 'really hard', speaking out loud to emphasize the thoughts, "Heart's Reach, is there anything you want to tell me?"  But all she gets is a sense of fatigue…

Tarva goes hunting for Taizu, to ask: Is Taizu helping Tarva to pay for this Analyze Dweomer; or is he deciding that, despite ap Trahaearn's agreement to Taizu's being present, it's all too weird and suspicious?  Note that Tarva has no intention of asking elsewhere for the extra bit of money she needs -- if Taizu feels strongly enough that she shouldn't, that he won't loan her the money, then Tarva will accept that and wait to learn more at some later date, with some future mage.  [Tarva does point out that we're not likely to run across another mage capable of casting it for quite a while; and that Beldwyn's experience with HR makes it, in Tarva's opinion (as the person wielding the sword), even more important to find out what's up with HR.]
 
Taizu responds that Sure we can do it. He thinks we need to warn the mage that HR "attacked" Beldwin  because he thought that Beldwin was trying to hurt him. Or at least that's Taizu's best guess as to what happened without more information from Tarva. There had been a nagging suspicion in Tiazu's mind that since HR appeared sentient, he might just get upset with people casting spells on him. Although Taizu was more concerned with the deeper spell (Analyze Dweomer) and not Beldwin merely Identifying it. May also be that the price of the Analyze Dweomer spell will be increased when we tell ap Trahaearn what happened to Beldwin. Based on what Taizu knows right now, he's a bit concerned that HR is less of a sword and more of a bound and transformed elemental or mage. Anyway, that's his wild guess at this point. He always did have a flare for the  (melo)dramatic. .
       
So the 150 gp is Tarva's if she wants to go through with this. Also, Taizu would be willing to see how much more they would be charged if the amulet is checked. Having spent next to no money other than to buy Beldwin's ring of protection and making  money from the gig (and possibly additional money  from gigging with the Bards) and the sale of the shortbow, he probably has  enough to have the amulet checked if Tarva wants to.
      
Tarva thinks that if Taizu has money to spend on loring, that perhaps spending it on finding out about our mutual fertility and 'our' childbirth risks would be of much more interest to her.

Patchwall 15:  Towards the end of the first week (this supercedes anything else said on this) a couple of squads (total 50) plus officers, support staff, and two Gyri (Geoffian) refugee bards come through town.  The officers are staying at the Boar’s Head, and the bards are looking for work in between their duties with the army.  Oh that's the Keoish army (Keoland).  They are traveling through very politely to a gathering point in the north for what they are hoping will be a push into Geoff and Sterich.  The bards would be happy to do some sort of concert or jam session with you and definitely want to exchange stories about what's going on.  They tell you that they left Geoff a few years ago when the giants came.  They are brother and sister and joined wth Keoland as that's where their ancestors came from, despite the animosity between Gyri and Keolander.  They have little to report from Keoland that you haven't heard before.  They are looking to supplement their income.  There are a couple of bards/minstrels/entertainers that live in Waybury but they are generally not up to your caliber.  I don't think this is the Ducal seat but if it is, the court bards are with the Duke, who's not here at the moment.  

Tarva stops back by the magic shop: to hand over the history of Heart’s Reach that she has written out; to tell Samuel that she has found a gem and is having it made into a lens; and to pass along the ‘side effects’ of Beldwyn’s casting Identify on HR (even though that is now in the written report, she wants to emphasize it).  While she’s there she asks about having additional Analyze Dweomer spells cast on her amulet and her bow.
 
Samuel tells Tarva that the cost is another 1,000Ggp, no gem cost.  "The focus, once created, is yours for future use.  My master has found that the act of purchasing the focus tends to help the requestor focus on its purpose which in turn helps him derive the best possible results.  Future uses of the same item as a focus will help with future analyses and mean that you don't have to rely on a mage having a focus ready for use.  I'm sorry if I wasn't clear before."  He does look contrite (or tries to while also leering hopefully).  After reading the history of HR, ap Trahaearn sends back word that given the item's apparent sentience (even allowing for non-communicativeness) it would be best if Tarva was also present (although, again, silent).  It would also be of some use if she would please dress in sackcloth and ashes or found some other way to "(and he looks somewhat embarrassed at repeating this) dim her gorgeous, lustrous locks of hair and conceal the healthy radiance of her skin, perhaps even acquire a disfiguring scar or large facial tumour.  Most particularly please wear loose concealing clothing...” (now Samuel looks somewhat disappointed too)  He also mentions a need to be careful when analyzing or identifying sentient objects...........

Patchwall 17:   Before going in for the Analyze Dweomer casting (but, unfortunately, after the Identify oops), Tarva draws Heart's Reach and speaks aloud to him.  "HR, I'm trying to find some way to let you talk with me again.  I'm taking you to another mage, tomorrow, who will be casting a spell to 'look' at you and analyze the spells that are part of you.  I'm hoping that he'll be able to find out why you can't speak here, and then tell me how to fix that.  I'll be with you the entire time.
    
"I should have told you all this before the other mage cast that Identify spell.  I didn't, and I'm sorry.  That's what happens when you're not able to remind me of the simple things I overlook.  I really want you back talking with me again.  If you can help this mage tomorrow -- he's casting something called Analyze Dweomer -- please do."  She would have done this in the mage's presence, but if he's so concerned about not hearing her voice [Tarva is reminded of an Albion sea legend about creatures called 'sirens'] then Tarva doesn't want to upset him or seem to be acting rudely.  She does do this in Taizu's presence, so he'll know what she said to HR.

Patchwall 18:  <Analyze Dweomer sword: see next run>

Patchwall 19:  ap Trahaearn rests.

Patchwall 20:  <Analyze Dweomer medallion: see next run >

Patchwall 21:  <Analyze Dweomer bow: see next run>

Patchwall 22:  Tarva begins taking Heart’s Reach out of his sheath for ½ to 1 hour each day, just to talk with him, and to let him sense the world directly for more than brief moments in the middle of fights.  She is holding him, talking to him, not necessarily about anything important, but more as an antidote to the sensory deprivation she is sure he must be feeling while sheathed.