ooc: You make some progress but fail to finish the Auran Mask within a day. (DC25)

Jem walks into Lilliane's, and looks around.  "Hello?" he calls.

"What?" a melodic female voice said, coming from somewhere behind the counter. A head showed up and two blue eyes set in the delicate face of an elven woman looked at the new customer. "Oh, a customer." she commented to nobody in particular and straightened herself. Long blond hair fell beyond her shoulders and the woman, dressed in blue robes, addressed the man before her. "Welcome to my humble shop, how can I assist you?" she asked, gesturing at the eclectic collection of curiosities, scrolls and potions, books and wands.

"I think I might be interested in some of those." Jem says, pointing to the scrolls and potions.  "But please could you explain to me how they work, first?"

His bright blue coverall, neatly pressed and spotlessly clean, indicates that he might not be from around here.

The elf gave Jem a look that seemed to imply her curiosity was piqued, but then took one of the potion flasks "Potions are typically imbibed in one gulp, some of the stronger healing potions can be split into several mouthfulls for partial results. The oils in the vials are spread over the item in question: a sword, arrows or a garment." she explained, then put the flask back on the counter. "Scrolls require some ability to cast spells, either arcane or divine in nature. You can then use the scroll to invoke the magic. Only few people who do not know how to cast a spell are capable of using a scroll successfully and there is a risk involved of the magic going awry." the mage elaborated. "Does that answer your query?"

"It is a good start." Jem responds with a grin.  "I have never seen anything like those before.  I have seen spells in ampoules and in crystals, but never in that form."  He pauses for a moment as he considers the words more fully.  "Nor and I conversant with those different casting types that you mentioned.  Divine and Arcane.  What does that mean?"

The elf raised an eyebrow at the fellow's words but went on as requested. "Gods and some celestial beings can grant blessings upon those who sincerely worship them in the form of spells or small miracles. Those are called divine magics." she explained patiently. "Then there are those who know how to manipulate the powers that permeate the universe through formulas which change reality. Those are called arcane magics." she told him.

She took a longer look at the man "Since you are not familiar with either type of magic, may I suggest you choose a potion or permanently enhanced item? What kind of effect are you looking for? Healing magics, items that enhance your strength or speed?" she asked kindly.

Jem frowns, "Well, the universe itself gives me my magic, it is my focus and, one day, I hope to become one with it.  I suppose, according to your definitions, that means I use divine magic?" He asks with a questioning note in his voice.  Then, apologetically, he adds "We don't think in those terms, where I come from."


"Perhaps a small scroll with something that is divine magic on it? To test it?" He suggests, "Although I need to find somewhere to get some of your money.  All of mine is on this ..." he says, holding up a cred-stick.

As Jem and Lillian look at his cred-stick, it warps and twists, turning into a wash-leather purse that proves to be filled with metal coins and polished gems.  Pulling back in startlement, it returns to it's technological form, but returns to gems-and-metals when extended once more.

"Errr ... wow." is all that Jem can say, as the credstick changes form, and then back again.  Then he tries it a couple of times more, just to prove to himself that it works.

"I'll assume that answers your currency related question." the elf commented with a smirk before picking up a slender wooden stick and offering it to Jem "How about we verify your assumption using this wand." she offered and gestured towards an empty bucket. "Just say 'Eldath be praised' and the bucket should fill with water." Lilianne instructed the stranger, nodding in encouragement.

It is clear that Jem isn't familiar with the wand either.  He turns it around a couple of times as he inspects it, and then aims it at the bucket.  "Eldath be praised." he says loudly and forcefully.

OOC:  Now we need to wait for Artifex to tell us the outcome  :)

ooc: Wand 'Create Water', Caster Level 1. Should create two gallons of water in said bucket.

Jem points the wand at the bucket and it quickly fills with pure, crisp, clear water.

"Excellent." the elf beams "That confirms you can use items with divine magic. What kind of effects are you looking for so I can help you select the most suitable magic for you?" Lilianne asks, looking at Jem.

"I didn't know you could store spells in sticks" Jem exclaims with delight, then looks around for a bin, then asks,  "What should I do with the empty stick?"

It is a moment or two before he continues, "Perhaps something that lets me understand languages?" he suggests, "We have come across some really alien writings recently, and I have feeling that there will be more of the same in the future."

Lilianne chuckled, a sweet, lighthearted sound. "The stick holds 50 charges when it is newly created, this one can still be used 41 times before it looses its potency." she said, taking the wand from his hand.

"There are several items that will allow you to understand unknown languages. It can be conserved on a scroll, a wand or in a permanent item - something like a helmet - that will not loose its magic. Of course the latter is rather expensive compared to the other two options." the elf went on. "A scroll can hold half a dozen spells and once each of them was used, the scroll becomes useless and crumbles into dust. Six spells of comprehending languages will cost you 150 golden coins. A wand holding 50 charges of said spell will cost 750 coins and a helmet, given its permanent enchantment, will cost 5,200 gold pieces." she told Jem, giving him a gentle smile. "I have a wand ready, writing the scrolls will take a day and five days to construct the helmet." the wizardess told him.

ooc:
Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic

Appearing as a normal helmet, a helm of comprehend languages and read magic grants its wearer the ability to understand the spoken words of any creature and to read text in any language and any magical writing. The wearer gains a +5 competence bonus on Decipher Script checks to understand messages written in incomplete, archaic, or exotic forms. Note that understanding a magical text does not necessarily imply spell use.

Faint divination; CL 4th; Craft Wondrous Item, comprehend languages, read magic; Price 5,200 gp; Weight 3 lb.

A large blond man, muscles rippling, walks in covered in forge leathers and carrying two large full sacks. He unpacks them, laying out a gleaming full plate suit of mithril. "Hey, Lil, aren't you forgetting something? As agreed, 4200 gold for a 2nd tier defensive enchantment.  4000 for the enchantment, and 5 percent more to cover the damages from the demonic incursion?" he says, pulling out a third heavy sack. He hands it over, adding "that'll take 2 or 3 days, right? I'll have a shield for you to enchant by then. Thanks. Oh, sorry, didn't see you there. John D'oh at your service. Weapon and armorsmith." he says to Jem.

"I had better see how much of your money I have." Jem replies as he holds the pouch out towards Lilliane and lets the coins spill out onto a bench.

OOC:  Waiting for Artifex to convert for me.  BUT  probably only enough for a scroll  :)

OOC:
It's 20 credits to the gold piece, so 1000 cr is 50 gp.

"Err.  Hello Mr D'oh.  My name is Jem." Jem replies as he finishes counting his coins out.  "That is an impressive suit of armour that you have there.  It looks heavy though." he comments as the sacks are unloaded.

With a wry smile, he turns back to Lilliane.  It looks like I can afford a scroll with two of those spells on.  Things are really expensive here ..." Instinctively  her returns the rest of the coins to the pouch, a measly collection  of silver and copper coins, and slides the pouch/credstick back into the breast pocket of his immaculate looking station suit.

Maybe next time I come, I'll have to see if I can bring a few of our bits and pieces with us to sell ...

John shakes his head. "Actually quite light as full suits go. 25 pounds right now, might get a little heavier later when I add some advanced mechanics to it."

"John d'Oh, I will be right with you." the elf said, turning her attention towards her previous customer. Lilianne nodded at Jem's words "Of course you can bring items for analysis, I will be happy to help. Now, I shall prepare a scroll with two uses of the Comprehend Languages magic. You can pick it up tomorrow morning." she said with a gentle smile.

"John, how many times do I have to insist you call me Lilianne, there is always enough time for that." the mage told him with a mild chiding tone. "And you should know that I do not enchant arms or armor, it is not on my sign and it is not my expertise." the older elf explained patiently.

"Interesting ..." Jem comments as he reaches out to lift, a piece of the armour and weigh it in his hand.  "It is a very nice looking suit," he adds,  "And just as light as you say."

John looks a little sheepish as he packs the armor back into the sacks. "I know, I know....Nishka for arms and armor. But you know I just come in here to admire your beauty, don't you?"