"
Well, at least your priorities are in order," the Overlord replied with a shrug, settling back into his throne. "
I've had forgemaster Giblet prepare you some additional items for your journey, as well as repair your equipment. I would suggest you go see him now. Come back here once you're ready to set out, and I'll provide you with your first orders."
As the minions led you away down another stairwell, you heard a parting "
And someone fish Quaver out of the damn portal!"
The winding and twisting stairways made it a bit hard to tell just how high up you were, or where in the tower... at least your guides seemed to know the way well enough, and dropped you off at the tower's forge in no time at all. Compared to the rest of the tower, the place was almost unbearably hot. A number of huge smelting pots hung near the ceiling, and molds and slabs of metal were scattered all over the place. You were greeted by the forgemaster, who turned out to be one of the brown minions with an oversized metal mask and goggles over his head.
"
Ohh, Master's new servants! Master said to put all your things in armoury, you can go get it there," the creature said excitedly, pointing its claw at a door. "
Master also say to make you new shineys! You go get old junk while I bring new shineys!"
With that, Giblet left you to retrieve all your old gear. By the time you were done suiting up, the minion returned holding a small sack, which he then dumped on the floor and began sorting through it.
"
Boots for the sneaky one, yes?" the minion held out a pair of boots to Ryltar. Their leather wasn't exactly new, but had been reinforced with a few strips of lightweight black metal, and those inscribed with faintly glowing red runes.
"
Shiny necklace for the knight," Giblet went on, handing a brooch to Tristan. The metal was cold to the touch, and a sphere had been set into it, filled with a blue light.
"
Gloves for the agile furry one," the minion said, passing a pair of gloves to Ma'kirr. The leather again wasn't of prime quality, but they had been reinforced with strips of metal and inscribed with runes that had a blood-red glow to them.
"
More armour for the scaly one," the minion handed a pair of bracers to Saliak. These had been modified to each have a small shield attached, not quite enough to hinder or properly protect, but certain to be useful for countering blows.
"
And a new shield for the warrior, yes?" Giblet finished, handing Aden a finely polished shield. Unlike the other items, the metal used for it was not black, but had a silvery surface and a soft gleam to it.
"
Giblet can make you more things, too! Big weapons, strong armour! You just bring gold, and have Master let me infuse more life-force into items! Can make you some really powerful things, just you see!"
Loot!
Ryltar receives Boots of the Fencing Master (+1 to AC and Reflex after shifting, can shift 2 squares once per encounter)
Tristan receives Healer's Brooch +1 (add enhancement bonus to healing he does to himself or adjacent allies, also +1 to Ref/Fort/Will)
Ma'kirr receives Gauntlets of Blood (+2 damage against Bloodied targets)
Saliak receives Counterstrike Guards (once a day allows an interrupting basic melee attack when missed by a melee attack)
Aden receives a Shield of Silver Light (can summon a 5-square radius zone of silver light from the shield - your weapons in the light are treated as silvered)
