Wizards and wars

The four follow the sign, and soon come to a ramshackle wooden hut. The inside looks suitably impressive, with ornamental drapes, and thick candles proving the only light. In fact, this confuses Istal somewhat. In his experience, the more showy the shop, the less likely the goods are to be genuine. This shop is very showy, and yet he can sense the items within are indeed magical. The proprietor sees his confusion and cackles.
€˜It€™s what people expect, y€™see,€™ he explains. €˜There€™s more fakers out there than real shops, so yer average customer expects to see all the trappins. Load o€™ nonsense of course, but that€™s how it is. Same as why I€™m out in the sticks. People see a shop in town, they don€™t trust it. If it€™s harder to get to they do.€™
He shrewdly scans the four of them for a moment, then wanders around the shop, plucking spell scrolls seemingly at random from the shelves, and places them on the counter.
€˜Y€™look to be on a journey and expectin€™ trouble. If you want to buy any spells, it€™ll be one o€™ these.€™

The spell scrolls on offer are:

Fire - Allows the caster to create bursts of fire. At higher levels, allows the caster to control existing flames. 200 coins.

Ice - Allows the caster to create shards of ice from air moisture. At higher levels the caster can create a blizzard. 200 coins.

Speed - The caster can boost the agility of themselves or a comrade for a short period of time. More intelligence = more duration. 750 coins.

Illusion - Allows the caster to create and dispel illusions. You cannot dispel an illusion placed by someone with a higher intelligence stat than your own. 1000 coins.

Identify - Allows the caster to know what an item is, what it does, its origin, etc. If used on a living creature it can determine what their attitude is towards you, and even what its weak points are, if any. More intelligence = more facts known using this spell. 3000 coins.

He also takes a tray of what seems to be jewellery from under the counter.

€˜These€™re charms,€™ he explains. €˜Make sure they€™re in contact with yer flesh and they€™ll have all sorts o€™ benefits. Y€™can€™t use more than two at once though. Each one€™s 500 coins.€™

The charms on offer are all stat bonuses, and will add one to a stat.

Ever one to look for opportunities to make money while travelling, Fennel asks if there are any jobs that need doing.

€˜As a matter of fact, a group of Magivores moved into the woods shortly after I did. The bu**ers feed on magic, y€™see. I can€™t do a thing to €˜em, and they€™re always trying to get at my stock. If y€™can get rid o€™ them for me, you can have any one thing from my stock for free. Interested?€™

Being a physical tank, I dont need anything. Maybe some charms later, but not now.

Ill also pass on buying, but Ill certainly go after those beasties for him. Preferably get them into some narrow area so I only have to fight a limited number at a time so they dont swarm me.

If I succeed, Ill take the identify.

Oh, I didnt notice this sidequest thing. Ill help Alex, and if I suceed, take the strength Charm.

hmz, Ill be on Alex side too, and I fancy that Speed spell myself

Ill join the others. :)

Sorry for lack of updates, business happened.

Did it involve retcons?

No, but it involves a very interesting typo. I meant to say life happened, but got business instead.

Sorry again for the delay, I feel bad about it seeing you all got your plans in so quickly. I should just point out for clarification, the reward is one item, not one per person. Anything else you want should be bought.

Update next post.