Big and Small and In Between

Yesterday I found one more bit of loot from the smuggler's den which I hadn't encountered before: the Klatchian steel tower shield:

This extremely weighty shield has been made from the finest Klatchian steel. Strong, durable, and weighty, it would be capable of protecting someone from even the most determined of attacks - at least if you were able to carry it. An ornate representation of a phoenix in flight has been inlaid upon the central boss of the shield in gold.

It is, indeed, rather hefty, at around 14.33 pounds. While my first thought was to immediately fence it, I think went and took a look about Quow's suggestions for floaters. Right now I am pretty comfortable with the ornate bone shield, as I am slightly above the 483 bonuses it demands. The Katchian steel piece is apparently good from 538 upwards (and the ultimate goal, a giant turtle shell, from 646 upwards). This, and the new hedgie spell that can make shields heavier, are making me think of a road map: when I go back to spending in magic.spells.defensive, as soon as I reach 500 bonuses I can cast Luquayle's Longevity-Enhancing Ballast once, or even twice, on the current shield. And when I reach 538, switch to this one. And then do the same thing, expanding weights as I get better bonuses. It's going to be a slow climb. I will need unimaginable amounts of xp to push defense up. Perhaps I should be considering sailing, so if any of you smugglers are reading this, let me know if you are willing to recruit me.

Anyway, moving from the very big to the very small, and as part of my attempts to reduce my burden, I have decided to give up on my deluded sapphire-hilted knife. The Hedgies in Skund have developed a really small, light and nifty kauri penknife that does all the requirements of body-part gathering and little-demon summoning, and sheathes along with my Fang inside my recently acquired filigreed sword belt. Knifey looks like this:

This is a sturdy, practical folding knife, suitable for all the little everyday things a hedge wizard might need to cut, like string or branches or eyeballs. It has a Wharncliffe blade designed to fold away into the polished kauri handle, and bears a steaming teacup as a maker's mark. The blade is closed.

And finally, something in between! I have Grimoire carry for me my filigreed rowan case, which I don't use for much, actually, expect for the hope of scraping some magical tm from listing the spells within it. It looks like this:

This is a small case made from rowan which has been completely enveloped in octiron filigree. The design is fanciful and intricate and the octiron has been polished to high reflective shine. In the centre of the cases lid is a small plaque which mirrors your gaze perfectly. At the bottom are four small claw-like feet which the case uses to keep hold of the surface. Any surface, really. Between the legs, in the centre of the bottom of the case is another small plaque which might give some information. 

It is in perfect condition. 

There is no ink in the well. It contains no paper. 

It radiates pure octarine brilliance. 

It has the hazy octarine sparkle of a magical talisman.

Sights of the Big Wahoonie - The Brass Bridge

 

People at Uni - Mirodar

You see Mystic Mirodar the Red.

He is a strapping young human lad.

 

He is obviously a wizard. With the overly-ostentatious clothing there could be no other possibility. Judging by the tatty state of his attire though, it would appear that he's not a very good one. The dust and grime coating show that he is well travelled and the restlessness evident in every muscle indicates someone who is not comfortable unless he's busy. 

He looks strange, probably due to extra arms growing from the top of his head and the centre of his stomach. 

Holding : a Klein bottle (top hand) and a jagged coral dirk (stomach hand). 

Wearing : a pair of mirrored sunglasses, a pair of padded leather socks, a pair of climbing gloves, a smuggler's longcoat and a leather gorget.

Smuggler loot (3)

A blue silk kimono 

The kimono is made from light blue, dull silk. It is adorned with the embroidered scenery of Hung Hung's cherry trees in full bloom. The soft pink stitches stroke the silk tenderly.

A darkened stile

This maliciously-pointed implement has been forged from the finest Klatchian steel. Unlike other blades, however, this one has been twisted during its forging in such a way that it resembles the tight spiral of an animal's horn. It looks eminently suitable for slipping between the ribs of any terminally inobservant victims who happen to be in the vicinity.

A braided gold ring

This ring has been finely crafted from gold wire. Woven skilfully together, the individual strands have combined to form something far more attractive-looking than its constituent component. Completely even and uniform, it would grace the hand of its bearer.

Lavender amethyst earrings

A pair of cabochon-cut lavender amethysts, like tiny petals, nestle into simple silver clasp settings, with posts and scrolls to hold them securely in the wearer's earlobes.

An amber and silver ring

This ring has been shaped from silver in such a way that its entire circumference appears to flow in an infinitely undulating wave. The skilled workmanship is accented by an amber teardrop, set in yet more silver. A number of tiny bubbles can be seen, interspersed throughout the amber.

A silver-hilted stile

Hardly a weapon designed for stealthy movement and concealment, the handle of this slender knife has been cast from silver into a stylised representation of a desert cat, the skilful craftsmanship conveying not what the animal looks like, but what it truly is.  Its blade is of the most delicately-honed fine Klatchian steel.

A ruby serpent ring

This ring has been crafted from gold to resemble a coiled serpent. Shards of ruby pick out the eyes, which stare out like malevolent suns from its golden head.

Honorary Dwarf

I've been trying to polish my spoken dwarvish, which hasn't been easy. Dwarves are not the most talkative of fellows except when it comes to gold and rocks, and I've already mastered the 200 different words for the latter. Anyway, I've been frequenting some caves and listening and practicing to my echoes, and silly as it sounds, it has done wonders. Probably the setting helped:

You feel like the Dwarfish language is less confusing.

..is ..thwestern ..orner ..  ..ge ..d ..ruly ..nhospitable ..ave .. ..uch ..ike ..he ..thers  .. ..dish .. .. ..he ..e  ..ister ..ndication .. .. ..oings .. ..ere   ..he ..ow ..iling ..ffles .. ..ise ..ghtly  ..n ..reams   .. ..loser ..spection  ..here ..re ..dles .. ..wigs .. ..ves ..tled .. ..ome .. ..he ..arger ..vices .. ..k  ..eir ..urpose ..t ..parent; ..t ..hikn'gash ..nlikely ..t ..hese ..rakh'gash ..e ..wn .. ..om ..he ..side

An efficient grflx workleader, a dusty grflx worker, a muddy grflx worker, a bored grflx worker and a weary grflx worker arrive from the southeast.

Grimoire the alligator slaps her tail from side to side.

hskills

Recent skill changes during this session:

Fri Aug 28 21:41:15 2026 - spoken Dwarfish increased by 1 level to level 90.

So after my last success, I decided to hold a small party with some dwarf friends at Hlakket's! They gave me a certificate and everything! The food was also on the house, but I had to abstain from that one. Rats-onna-stick don't sit well with me...

Smuggler loot (2)

Some more trinkets from Ephebe!

An amber silk robe

This gossamer silk robe glows in a warm, amber hue. It has been embroidered with a delicate filigree pattern in silken thread the rich reddish-brown colour of cinnamon and is bound about the edges with russet-coloured silk from which hangs small, round citrines. The gems alternate with small gold coins. The sleeves are belled slightly at the wrists to capture a cooling breeze, and the robe hangs loose to the wearer's ankles, the gauzy material fluttering about with the slightest motion.

Dark sapphire earrings*

A pair of tiny faceted stones, showing elusive glimmers of blue in their night-dark hearts, nestle into simple red gold clasp settings, with posts and scrolls to hold them securely in the wearer's earlobes.

A gold and carnelian necklace

This exquisite piece of jewellery is formed by threading beads onto a fine chain. The golden beads are teardrop-shaped but otherwise un-ornamented, and contrast stunningly with the almost luminously-polished larger pearls of carnelian that are interspersed along the whole necklace.

*These shouldn't come as a complete surprise to the readers of my grimoire, as I've already shown them among my wearables some days ago.

Smuggler loot

In a previous entry, we saw two of the valuable items one can find when looting at the smuggler's hideout, in Ephebe: a pearl diadem and a snake necklace. Sometimes, the loot isn't jewels, but rather, items of clothing or weapons. I have decided to keep track of everything so that I can regale your eyes with a view of these marvelous items. Here go six more to add to the previous two:

A ruby star necklace

This necklace is formed by braiding fine gold wire into an elegant yet hefty plait. Gently twisted, it would encircle the neck of the wearer comfortably. It is finished off with a star-shaped ruby, which nestles in a golden setting, flanked by the braided gold chain.

A twisting myrtle necklet

This somewhat rigid piece of decorative neckwear appears to be designed to make its wearer look as though they have been festooned with myrtle. Fashioned from gold, the body is formed from woven strands of gold, textured to have the appearance of bark. Small sapphire berries nestle amongst delicately-shaped golden leaves, which extend along the full length of the necklace.

A silver and iolite bracelet 

A single link of silver chain connects each of the pale violet gemstones, in their simple channel settings. The strand drapes around a slim wrist like glittering stepping stones across a gentle stream.

A gossamer silk cloak

This silk cloak is so thin, it gives little protection from the sun or rain. The gossamer material shimmers as it moves, floating lightly around the wearer like a full body halo. Here and there, the threads sparkle lightly.

A Gebra steel dory

This is a perfectly-balanced and elegantly proportioned Ephebian dory. Its head has been expertly forged from the finest Gebra steel. The deceptive simplicity of this weapon conceals the fact that it is at one and the same time both elegantly simple and lethally effective. The shaft has been shaped from a piece of ash and has a bronze shoe at its foot.

A darkened makhaira

Approximately the length of a grown man's arm, this slender sword has been forged from darkened Klatchian steel. Soft and supple dark grey leather has been wrapped around the handle to provide a sure grip. The razor-sharp blade would probably prove invaluable for a quick stab in the dark