"Since we don't know how much steel we’ll be able to bring back to the king,” Tarhall said. “It might be a good idea to bring extra horses or a wagon or something.”

"I had the same thought, a wagon. Some practical items like rope, crowbars, shovels, chests, lighting, food and the like. I will draw up a list of such details common to military logistics. My concern is mainly to procure items that will assist us with less conventional issues that we may encounter in a magical locale."

Owain looks around for another priest and flags him down.

A Dwarven priest approached.

Owain greets the priest with a smile and says, "We were told that your temple has experts on spirit and elemental beings. We would like to arrange a meeting with these individuals."

"We have masters in both fields," the cleric said. "But much effort must be expended in rebuilding the city and caring for those in need. The Temple of Reorx is one of the few temples that have been rebuilt in the city and an unusually large burden is placed at our door.”

Owain nods with understanding. "The burden you speak of is why we are here. We are tasked by the king to assist in the rebuilding and relief of the city by delving where no other dares. We seek to bring back the riches of the Lycaeum. I'm sure the king will be most generous with the temple when we are successful in appreciation of the its involvement. A small time investment is all we require of you."

"And for that time and our wisdom," the cleric said. "We require a suitable donation, in advance."

Owain produces a pair of steel dragons from his belt, one for each of the experts involved and awaits a reaction from the priest.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:03, Fri 28 May 2010.

The cleric accepted the donation and led the heroes through the temple. He spoke with another dwarf, seated behind a desk. The other dwarf looked through some sort of book and gave the first dwarf the name of Gwen Avondale.

Their guide nodded and they continued on their way. Ten or fifteen yards later, he knocked on a door and opened it without waiting for a reply. And announced that she had visitors.

And then he showed the heroes in.

Olven Wolf quietly follows the connversation between Kar, Owain, and Tarhall, not deeming it necessary to contribute anything that had not already been said.  That Kar had met a young woman, apparently fallen for her, and brought her along on this journey might seem unusual to other men, but Olven accepted the events without comment.

To Sarah, Olven says, "I take it you're a priest here.  I'm sure your expertise will come in handy on our journey to the Lyceum." The statement Is not a question at all, merely an observation of facts.

Sarah smiled at Olven. "I am not a priestess," she said. "Only one of their beneficiaries. But I hope I’ll be of some use on this journey nevertheless.”

Owain enters and takes a look around.

Olven enters behind Owain and examines the room.  "Mistress Avondale?" he asks.

Inside a human female in her sixties sat behind a large desk. She had an open book before her and couple of others stacked on the desk. The side walls were decorated with bookshelves filled with books. The wall behind her was to a large part covered by a window. The floor and ceiling were rough hewn stone, as was the walls around the door and the window.

The room was illuminated by sunlight from the window, and what appeared to be magically enchanted rocks on each side of the door and one fastened in a candlestick on the table.

The heroes entered the gray haired female’s office, who after finishing what she was doing placed a bookmark in the book and closed it.

“What can I help you with,” she asked and looked at them.

"Information. My name is Sir Owain, and these are my traveling companions Olven, Tarhall, Kar and Sarah." says Owain as he politely makes introductions.

"We are embarking on a journey soon, and it is likely for us to encounter both spirits and elemental beings where we are going. We would like to know how to ward off or destroy such creatures if they do not see fit to leave us alone in return."

"I see," Gwen said. "Different kinds of spirits are dealt with differently. Which kind of spirits will you be facing?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:23, Wed 02 June 2010.

Owain tries to recall what he had spoken with the king about for a moment then replies, "The only words used to describe them were ghost and spectral beings. Other than that I cannot say. Mention was made of fighting water elementals as well."

“Unless you can become insubstantial or travel to the Ethereal Plane, ghosts are only affected by magic. All magic has some chance of affecting them, but ghost touch weapons treat them as substantial. Some clerics can also force them away with their faith.”

“In regards to spectral minions, they are affected by magic in the same way ghosts are, but traveling to the Ethereal Plane or relying on your faith will not help you.”

“In regards to elementals, I am not the expert with which you need to speak.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:15, Thu 03 June 2010.

"Who should we talk to, then?" Olven Wolf is no old hand at dealing with ancestral spirits or beings from other planes.  He knows combat against flesh and blood, be they human, orc, or goblin, but he has always left the supernatural creatures to those who know what they're doing.  Well, undoubtedly the wizard and the monk know something about fighting unearthly beings.

"The answer to that question requires a suitable donation," the cleric said. "Unless you've made arrangements with whoever brought you here to take you further."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:29, Thu 03 June 2010.

"We have made other arrangements to see the expert on elemental beings. However, I am not content to venture among the spirits without a means to defend myself. Is there no other method with which to deal with them? something more mundane? if not then is there a means to ward them away? a talisman perhaps?"

“Unfortunately not,” Gwen said. “There are no mundane solutions, except perhaps helping a Spectral Minion to fulfill its duty, whatever that is. Spirits have the same problems attacking the living with weapons and magic though. But ghosts have a variety of inborn abilities, if we can call them that, that grants them other ways to attack.”

“There are magical items that can be used, but most require that you can use magic. The only one that I can think of that doesn’t would turn you insubstantial too. But we do not have any of these in storage and they would take months to finish. As well as a sizeable donation for us to part with them.”

"I imagine so," Olven says, folding his arms.  "If such an item were available, wold you not be willing to loan it to the king's treasury?  We partake this mission not for our own pockets, but on behest of the king himself." Except, apparently, Handar, Olven thinks wryly.  The mission had seemed so straightforward, but Owain has already laid out a good deal of his own gold.  Olven hopes that the king will reimburse the knight.

"First of all," Gwen said. "Such an item is not available at this point. And second of all. When such items are used, there is always risk of damage and loss. Which is why we require donations in advance."

"Very well. I suppose there is nothing to be done then. We will consult the expert on elemental beings then. Thank you for your time." says Owain to Gwen, then turns towards the exit.