Siegfried turned to leave Kabani’s emporium but was seized by a thought. He turned. “Kabani, my good Mercane, what do you think I could get for something like this?” He produced his ethereal elfbane cutlass from his bag of holding . Kabani’s red eyes lit up, and his grin creaked open ever wider. “Ooh, you are all about the planes today, aren’t we? A dalliance from one to the other at the flick of a blade, yes?” He winked theatrically. “And an elfbane weapon, no less? You could not have brought it to a more favourable environment, I think, yes?” “Well, certainly it would be worth more here than elsewhere,” Siegfried replied. “After all, I could take this beyond the Western Shores and get quite a price for it.” “Yes, but then you’d have to travel all the way to Arvandor, the divine realm of most of the Seldarine, now, wouldn’t you?” Kabani laughed. “They would want it for different reasons, no?” His laughter trailed off. “Well, far be it from me to turn over another one of my cards. What are you looking for in return for such a trinket? You’re not exactly interested in the currency of this particular realm, no?” “No, am I looking for self-improvement,” Siegfried replied. “Something to help me improve my capabilities.” “Ah, you are a self-starter!” Kabani clapped his elongated hands together loudly, the sound of two sides of beef colliding in a butcher’s shop. “Interested in personal development, the best kind of development! And what capabilities would you be looking to augment?” “All of them,” Siegfried said firmly. “Of course, there’s no magical item that defeats all your enemies, gains all your victories, and sucks your cock. We’d all have one if such a thing existed.” “Now I am blushing!” Kabani chortled. “I’m interested in things that make me a more powerful wizard, things that make me a more powerful warrior, I’m looking for things that make me a more powerful diplomat, things that protect me, things that harm my enemies…what do you have?” “Well, I hope I don’t have something that makes you a better negotiator!” Kabani chuckled. “This is less valuable to me, and here in Acheron you could sell this sword for a great price to any respectable Orc, including Gruumsh,” Siegfried said, laying the hilt of the cutlass on the countertop. “At a considerable markup, no less!” Kabani said. “Honestly, you couldn’t sell this fairly - you should be able to take this to auction, there would be so many buyers.” Kabani chortled. “It is as though you have a window into my own mind, Siegfried! Of course this shall go to auction.” “To murder elves from another plane entirely?” Siegfried said. “I can see how followers of Shaargas, for example, would find this particular weapon extremely useful in their missions, shall we say?” Kabani said thoughtfully. “Though most orcs prefer the direct approach, sometimes they appreciate that finesse can be used to achieve their goals…” “Do you happen to have a helm of teleportation ?” Siegfried asked as he eyed the wares on the display shelves. “Back to the planes, is it?” Kabani said. “Well, I am in the business of satisfying the heart’s desires of my clients.” He fished around behind the counter for one of his interdimensional strongboxes and grunted as he lifted one up to the counter. He opened it and golden light spilled out. He reached in and extracted an item, placing it upon a velvet cushion. The open-faced helm had a prominent bowl, jutting cheek plates and sloping neck guard, and on the crown was an inverted A-shaped rune in gold. Now it was Siegfried’s turn to have his eyes light up. Kabani winked. “Now, I’m only making this deal because, well, if we were on the Prime Material, it would be a mere curiosity, not equivalent in value to what you see before you. But on this plane, my friend, you’ve come to the right shop.” “Absolutely,” Siegfried said. “I couldn’t get a better price anywhere else, and nor could you.” “Very true, very true,” Kabani waggled a long index finger at Siegfried. “But don’t be spreading gossip about what an easy trade I am while you are gallivanting across the planes while wearing that helm, yes?” “Friend, you are a fantastic merchant and you drive a hard bargain!” Siegfried protested a bit too much. “But you also know a great deal when you see it.” Kabani laughed. “Such flattery. And here you say you want improvements in your diplomatic abilities. I scoff! You’re already top tier, my friend. You should be making treaties between Magubliyet and Gruumsh, not haggling with the likes of me!” He chuckled. Siegfried did not join in the mercane’s laughter. “That’s the plan,” he said firmly. Kabani blinked as he took Siegfried’s measure. “Oh,” he said quietly. “Oh, my.” The mercane’s eyes widened a bit. “Huh, indeed. Well, if that becomes the case, all that I ask is for just enough notice so that I might make arrangements, arrangements that could be profitable to both of us.” “I’ll remember that,” Siegfried said. “As will I,” Kabani said. “So, do we have a deal?” Siegfried asked. Kabani nodded and bowed. “Indeed, we can trade for these items, though you yourself drive a hard bargain.” He placed the hilt of the cutlass into the strongbox and proffered the helm. “It is quite a jaunty helm – I have no doubt you’ll wear it well, fashionably speaking.” He turned to Bob. “And what of you, Robert Trevelyan? Is there anything else I can tempt you with today, my friend? Or do you have anything you’d like to tempt me with, as did your companion? I appear to be in a most generous mood today!” “No, I think that’s everything,” Bob said uncertainly. “I have this unholy greatclub !” Siegfried said. “Meh, it’s fine, I guess,” Kabani said. “I’m glad you didn’t lead with this one.” “Ah, but I think it would make a fair trade for a trinket such as a raven’s slumber ,” Siegfried said. “Bob, I think your mount Skraper would enjoy such a place of respite.” Bob nodded thoughtfully. “And I have this item, a wand of torture , that I would like to see traded for a tome of leadership and influence , perhaps?” Siegfried continued. “Ah, now we come down to it,” Kabani said. “In this case, this is something that you want. Perhaps if you threw in a few more items from your personal collection?” “If you think that is fair,” Siegfried said darkly. “You will judge it so!” Kabani said. He reached for another strongbox and withdrew a thick tome. “This one is entitled Forty Years Before the Doors by Zanthravas Rolovantar, Lord Chamberlain of Castle Waterdeep. ” “That does interest me a great deal,” Siegfried admitted. “Perhaps this sword of subtlety dubbed Shadowstrike, along with the staff of evocation and wand of torture , but I’ll need a manual of gainful exercise as well, for Varien.” “Another hard bargain!” Kabani said with a smile. “I think that might actually conclude our business,” Siegfried said. “Indeed, although…” Kabani fixed Bob with a curious look. “You, Robert Trevelyan have the aura of ancient magic about you. Where do you hail from?” “From a city far to the east called Kirkwall,” Bob replied. “East?” Kabani shrugged. “What is east in Acheron? Meaningless. So, on your own little world you are from the east, yes?” “Indeed,” Bob said. “Interesting,” Kabani said. “The name Kirkwall is somewhat familiar to me. This goes beyond the dragon’s egg I promised you earlier.” “Dragon?” Bob said. “The dragon’s blood that flows in your veins,” Kabani said. “But I speak of the foes of your ancestors in this Kirkwall of the East. They were slavers, yes? And enslaved your forefathers?” “That’s right,” Bob said. “And these slavers, they had powerful friends, yes?” Kabani said. “And it took the might of your patron, the golden dragon, to break the backs of these oppressors, yes?” “Yes,” Bob said. “I feel as though I have read your people’s story somewhere,” Kabani said. “I think I may have something for you. To remind you of ancient powers that changed your destiny. Ancient magic, indeed. Magic that makes the Netherese look like newcomers.” “The Netherese?” Bob repeated. “Yes, in the time before time,” Kabani said. “Very powerful mages on your little world, the Netherese. But they pale in comparison to those who came even earlier. How are you with languages, my friend Robert?” “Competent,” Bob replied. “Good, good,” Kabani replied. “Perhaps you should pursue studies in an ancient tongue, as I believe this item was once held by the dark wizard who oppressed your people.” “And how did you come to possess this item?” Bob leaned forward, interested. “Ah! Well, these things come to me, when history passes into legend, and legend passes into myth, items are found, lost, forgotten, and then remembered. Your oppressors had forged a bond with an Imaskari wizard, one of the last of his ancient race, extending his own life far beyond the spans of mortal men. Until, that is, his encounter with Palarandusk in the air over Kirkwall. The golden dragon sent him fleeing back to his tower, or perhaps even further afield – off the planet Toril entirely? The realm that is so easily forgotten. Perhaps. But in his haste, he lost a piece of his great power. And to show that I am a Mercane of good will, in light of our transactions today, I will throw this into the bargain, as I believe you are the right mortal to keep this item secret, and keep it safe, if you understand my meaning.” “I do, I think,” Bob said. “All right then,” Kabani said, shuffling over to a pile of strongboxes and extracting a small one that was dwarfed by its own locking mechanism. He began to open each lock, giving the companions the side-eye as he worked the locks. He then extended his finger, hooking it around a silver chain that he pulled out, revealing a glittering ring threaded upon it. “This is the Sixth Imaskarcana, and I would like you to have it as a token of our mutually beneficial arrangements,” Kabani said. The Mercane dangled the ring almost hypnotically in front of Bob. The ring was made of a strange lavender-hued metal and embedded with a bright amethyst. Siegfried estimated that the ring might be 5,000 years old or more, and among the most powerful artifacts created by the artificers of Imaskar, an ancient magical empire that pre-dated Netheril. Per some sources, there were seven such Imaskarcana – items of tremendous power. There were many legends surrounding these items, appearing in references in ancient tomes that often related how they were used by great generals in battles against the gods themselves. Other historical references made the argument that the Imaskarcana were created via a compact between Imaskar and an extraplanar empire or race of unknown origin. These items were considered lost to history. The Sixth Imaskarcana was said to have been in the possession of ancient Imaskari mage Yaravindar Ipurnos, who was an ally to the slavers of Kirkwall and who was grievously wounded in battle with Palarandusk. Ipurnos was one of the most powerful wizards of the Endless Waste, outclassing any mage from Kara-Tur or Raurin, and was known to sit in his Violet Spire, revelling in his own human superiority while holding the gods in great contempt. “I wonder what Palaranduk would say when I see him next?” Bob said. He reached for the ring. Kabani pulled the chain back and leaned forward intently. “Now, this item is not to be trifled with, Robert Trevelyan. In fact, it may behoove you to learn a bit more about ancient Imaskar and its ways before interacting with this particular artifact.” “That makes sense, yeah,” Bob said. “Indeed. I wouldn’t want to you leave my shop empty-handed, so it’s in your hands now,” Kabani said, dropping the chain into Bob’s open palm. “My thanks,” Bob said. Kabani sighed and straightened up as though he’d relieved himself of a great burden. “Well, this ring has travelled very far and over a long period of time, but perhaps it was always meant to wind up in your hands,” Kabani said. “I think it was,” Bob replied. “Excellent!” Kabani rubbed his hands together. “Now then! You have depleted my wares – I shall have to restock my inventrory after I speak with my supplies and contacts across the planes to find items of interest to you gentlemen. But in the meantime, I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours.” “Likewise,” Bob said. “And to you,” Siegfried said. “I look forward to those gauntlets.” “Of course!” Kabani said. “My agents are ensuring their acquisition at this very moment.” The party left Kabani’s emporium. There was a sound of a slamming door in the alley behind the adventurers, but when they turned, the door and sign had disappeared. “Time to test this helm out,” Siegfried said, placing the helm on his head. The party members flew up into the sky above the walking city until Siegfried could spy the glow of the Godsworn Eye portal. With a wink and a thought, the party teleported directly to the massive arcane gate, leaving Istvarhan and the brutality of the Battle Cube in their wake.