%%%%
air elemental fan

A magical device for summoning air elementals. It is rather unreliable, and
usually requires several attempts to function correctly. Using it carries an
element of risk, which is reduced if one is skilled in the appropriate
elemental magic.
%%%%
amulet of clarity

This amulet protects its wearer from some forms of mental confusion, including
being infuriated against one's will.
%%%%
amulet of clarity:quote

<amulet:quote>
%%%%
amulet of conservation

This amulet protects some of the possessions of its wearer from outright
destruction, but not infallibly so.
%%%%
amulet of conservation:quote

<amulet:quote>
%%%%
amulet of guardian spirit

This amulet makes its wearer less susceptible to external damage, draining
magical power instead. Should the reserves of magic be depleted, the spirit
will fail to provide its protection until more power is available.
%%%%
amulet of guardian spirit:quote

<amulet:quote>
%%%%
amulet of inaccuracy

This amulet makes its wearer less accurate in melee combat and when targetting
monsters via ranged attacks or spells.
%%%%
amulet of inaccuracy:quote

<amulet:quote>
%%%%
amulet of rage

This amulet enables its wearer to attempt to enter a state of berserk rage.
%%%%
amulet of rage:quote

<amulet:quote>
%%%%
amulet of resist corrosion

This amulet protects the wearer and their equipment from corrosion caused by
acids, although not infallibly so.
%%%%
amulet of resist corrosion:quote

<amulet:quote>
%%%%
amulet of resist mutation

This amulet protects its wearer from mutations, although not infallibly so.
%%%%
amulet of resist mutation:quote

<amulet:quote>
%%%%
amulet of the gourmand

This amulet allows its wearer to eat fresh raw meat when not hungry, and
drastically increases nutrition you can get from them. These effects on the
wearer's digestion are cumulative over time and are initially small.
%%%%
amulet of the gourmand:quote

<amulet:quote>
%%%%
amulet of warding

This amulet repels some of the attacks of creatures which have been magically
summoned, and also makes the wearer more resistant to draining attacks.
%%%%
amulet of warding:quote

<amulet:quote>
%%%%
amulet of faith

This is a talisman crafted to call the attention of the gods to its wearer.
This divine attention makes it easier to please your god, but your god is also
less likely to forgive your transgressions, and the amulet will drain some of
your divine favour when removed.
%%%%
amulet of faith:quote

<amulet:quote>
%%%%
amulet of stasis

An amulet meticulously constructed with magical wards to block magical and
physiological effects that would otherwise teleport, slow, haste, or paralyse
its wearer.

While the amulet is effective against most translocular magic, plane shifts
such as banishment are beyond its ability to block.
%%%%
amulet of stasis:quote

<amulet:quote>
%%%%
animal skin

A large piece of thick skin covered in fur, cut from the corpse of an animal
and worn as a primitive garment. It offers rudimentary protection against harm,
but, having never been tanned, it carries a light stench of rotting flesh.
%%%%
animal skin:quote

“He killed the noble Mudjokivis.
 Of the skin he made him mittens,
 Made them with the fur side inside,
 Made them with the skin side outside.
 He, to get the warm side inside,
 Put the inside skin side outside;
 He, to get the cold side outside,
 Put the warm side fur side inside.
 That's why he put the fur side inside,
 Why he put the skin side outside,
 Why he turned them inside outside.”
    -Anonymous, in Wells' _A Parody Anthology_, p. 120. 1904.
%%%%
apple

A delicious, firm red fruit, tart to the tongue.
%%%%
apple:quote

“MINERVA was the goddess of wisdom, but on one occasion she did a very foolish
thing; she entered into competition with Juno and Venus for the prize of
beauty. It happened thus: At the nuptials of Peleus and Thetis all the gods
were invited with the exception of Eris, or Discord. Enraged at her exclusion,
the goddess threw a golden apple among the guests, with the inscription, ‘For
the fairest.’”
    -Thomas Bulfinch, _Bulfinch’s Mythology_, ch.. XXVII. a. 1855.
%%%%
apricot

A succulent yellow-orange fruit, prunus armeniaca.
%%%%
apricot:quote

“Apricot Ratafia

This is made two Ways, viz. either by infusing the Apricots cut in Pieces in
Brandy for a Day or two, and then passing it thro’ the draining Bag, and
putting in the usual Ingredients; or else the Apricots may be boil’d in White
wine, and by that Means more easily clarify’d adding an equal Quantity of
Brandy, and a quarter of a pound of Sugar to every quart, with Cinnamon,
Cloves, Mace, and Kernels of the Apricots. After all the Ingredients have
infused eight or ten Days the Liquor is to be strain’d again and put into
Bottles and so kept.”
    -Charles Carter, _The Compleat City and Country Cook: Or, Accomplish’d
House-wife_. 1732.
%%%%
arrow

A long shafted projectile intended to be shot with a bow or longbow, fletched
with feathers at one end and a point at the other.
%%%%
arrow:quote

“I saw in a hall an arrow pointing the way and I thought that this inoffensive
symbol had once been a thing of iron, an inescapable and fatal projectile that
pierced the flesh of men and lions and clouded the sun at Thermopylae and gave
Harald Sigurdarson six feet of English earth forever.”
    -Jorge Luis Borges, _Mutations_. 1960.
     trans. Mildred Boyle
%%%%
banana

A delicious yellow fruit, probably grown and imported by some amoral
multinational as the result of a corrupt trade deal.
%%%%
bardiche

A long pole with an enormous, cleaving blade on one end.
%%%%
bardiche:quote

“The republic always maintains seven or eight thousand regular troops on the
frontiers, to prevent the incursions of the Tartars. The King does not maintain
these troops; he only pays the Heydukes, the Semelles, and the Janizaries. The
first-mentioned are dressed in blue, with large buttons and plates of tin, and
have bonnets made of felt upon their heads. They have firelocks, and the
bardiche, which they say is a very good weapon.”
    -John Pinkerton, _A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting
     Voyages and Travels in all parts of the World, many of which are now first
     translated into English. Digested on a New Plan_. 1808.
%%%%
battleaxe

A large two-handed war axe with a formidable double-sided head, designed for
use in battle by skilled warriors.
%%%%
battleaxe:quote

“On Carian coins, indeed of quite late date, the labrys, set up on its long
pillar-like handle, with two dependent fillets, has much the appearance of a
cult image.”
    -Sir Arthur John Evans, “Mycenaean tree and pillar cult and its
     Mediterranean relations,” _Journal of Hellenic Studies_ XXI, p. 109. 1901.
%%%%
beef jerky

A strip of preserved dead cow or bull.
%%%%
blessed double sword

A magical weapon with two razor-sharp blades. It has been enhanced by the
Shining One's power.
%%%%
blessed falchion

A sword with a broad slashing blade. It has been enhanced by the Shining One's
power.
%%%%
blessed great sword

A sword with a very long, heavy blade and a long handle. It has been enhanced
by the Shining One's power.
%%%%
blessed long sword

A sword with a long, slashing blade. It has been enhanced by the Shining One's
power.
%%%%
blessed scimitar

A long sword with a curved blade. It has been enhanced by the Shining One's
power.
%%%%
blessed triple sword

A magical weapon with three great razor-sharp blades. It has been enhanced by
the Shining One's power.
%%%%
blowgun

A long, light tube, open at both ends, through which various types of needles
are propelled by puffs of breath at enemies. It makes very little noise.
%%%%
blowgun:quote

“Along the Upper Caiary-Uaupes blow-guns are made from the stems of a variety
of palm (Iriartea setigera Martius)... The Indian selects two stems of such
sizes that the smaller will exactly fit within the larger. After these stems
have been carefully dried and the pith cleared out with a long rod, the bore is
made smooth by drawing back and forth through it a little bunch of tree-fern
roots. The smaller stem is then inserted in the larger, so that one will serve
to correct any crookedness that may exist in the other. The wooden mouth-piece
is then fitted to one end, and about three and one half feet from it, a boar's
tooth is fastened on the gun by some gummy substance, for a sight. Over the
outside the maker winds spirally a strip of the dark shiny bark of a creeper
which gives it an ornamental finish, and his blow-gun is complete.
 ”The arrows are from ten to fourteen inches long, and of the thickness of an
ordinary lucifer match. Those of the Indians of the Caiary-Uaupes are made from
the midrib of a palm leaf or of the spinous processes of the Patawa (Enocarpus
Batawa) sharpened to a point at one end and wound near the other with a
delicate sort of wild cotton which grows in a pod upon a large tree (Bombax
ceiba). This mass of cotton is just big enough to fill the tube when the arrow
is gently pressed into it. The point is dipped into poison, allowed to dry, and
redipped until well coated. The exact composition of this poison is unknown,
and probably varies in different localities; but it would seem that the chief
ingredient is always the juice of a Strychnos plant. It is known among
different tribes by many names; such as Curari, Ourari, Urari and Woorali.”
    -C.W. Mead, _The American Museum Journal_, vol. VIII. 1908.
%%%%
bolt

A metal projectile, shorter than an arrow, intended to be shot from a crossbow.
%%%%
bolt:quote

“In the midst of our last assault, which would have carried the gate sure and
given us Paris and in effect France, Joan was struck down by a crossbow bolt,
and our men fell back instantly and almost in a panic — for what were they
without her? She was the army, herself.”
    -Mark Twain, _Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, by the Sieur Louis de
     Conte_, Book II, chap. 40 “Treachery Conquers Joan”. 1896.
%%%%
book:quote

“On leaf of palm, on sedge-wrought roll;
 On plastic clay and leathern scroll,
 Man wrote his thoughts; the ages passed,
 And lo! the Press was found at last!”
    -John Greenleaf Whittier, _The Library_, st. 4.
%%%%
book of air

A primer on the elemental magics of Air. The pages often flip themselves, as if
blown by a stiff breeze; at other times, the pages are stuck together by static
electricity, and throw off brief sparks as they are separated.
%%%%
book of alchemy

A book focusing on alchemical processes and their use in magic spells,
collecting the wisdom of many ancient alchemists. When the book is opened, the
text is revealed as the ink condenses from the air onto the pages.
%%%%
book of annihilations

Blood leaks from the tattered pages of this book, and even an illiterate will
feel the sheer impact of arcane fury contained within. It is sought after by
sorcerers, for it allows the gifted and resourceful to command destruction with
ease. Feeble wizards, however, may well meet their doom when trying to read
this opus.
%%%%
book of beasts

A book of spells focused on the magical production of beasts, with pages made
from animal skins and covers lined with teeth. It reeks of a zoo, and will
occasionally nip at the fingers of careless readers.
%%%%
book of burglary

A book containing many diverse spells useful for theft, breaking and entering,
and other miscellaneous larceny. Sorcerers who let their attention lapse while
reading from this tome will occasionally turn a page to find that some small
item from their pockets has been pilfered and placed between the pages.
%%%%
book of callings

An introductory text on the magical Summoning of beasts and beings from other
realms. Tiny flies and gnats seem to pop up out of nowhere when the book is
opened, and then vanish when the book is closed.
%%%%
book of cantrips

A book containing a small selection of very basic magic spells, intended for
beginners who wish to learn the rudiments of one of the featured magical
schools. Nonetheless, even experienced mages can still find use for the spells
contained therein.
%%%%
book of changes

A student's primer to the magic arts of Transmutations, with many lavish
illustrations from the school's early experimental history:
half-wizard-half-Spiders, wizards with Blade Noses, or beaked tentacles instead
of legs. The text is full of reassurances that this kind of thing doesn't
happen anymore, though some potential Transmuters decide to take up Charms
instead.
%%%%
book of clouds

A book of magic spells for creating an assortment of clouds, sheathed in a fine
mist that sometimes makes the words appear a bit hazy. An insightful book,
though occasionally the author gets sidetracked into boring discussions about
what objects the cloud diagrams look like.
%%%%
book of conjurations

A book containing an introduction to the destructive magical arts of
Conjurations. It shudders with barely-contained power when it is opened.
%%%%
book of control

A book of magic spells for controlling minds, bodies, and even space. Wizards
who see the book lying around may feel a compulsion to browse through its
pages, and those who do sometimes find it hard to take their minds off the
sigils and runes inside.
%%%%
book of death

A ghoulishly illuminated manuscript containing dark spells of Necromancy,
written with inks distilled from corpses. Each page is filled with grotesque
art depicting scenes of disgusting decay and horrifying death, with much of the
text incorporated into the drawings as coils of entrails or arrangements of
bone.
%%%%
book of debilitation

A book containing Hexes useful for an Arcane Marksman. Many of the pages inside
are filled with holes, as if they had been used as archery targets before being
inscribed and bound. This occult technique supposedly gives the spells an
affinity for being used with ranged weapons, though, in practice, they appear
to work no differently from the variants found in less-perforated texts.
%%%%
book of dreams

A record of the somniloquent utterings of an entranced mystic, describing a
number of spells reflecting the mystic's dream state. Critics of the work argue
that the spells are functionally no different from ones already known, but the
book remains popular for its uniquely bizarre imagery and cryptic digressions.
%%%%
book of enchantments

A spellbook containing an assortment of magical Hexes and Charms, which
sparkles and shimmers as the pages are flipped. The quaintly anachronistic
title reflects an earlier, more incomplete arcane understanding of these two
schools of magic.
%%%%
book of envenomations

A book of magic spells, glowing with a sickly green light. This book was first
written by Olgreb, the infamous Venom Mage, who murdered many of his rivals by
sending them highly poisonous copies as gifts. Current editions are harmless,
though often dead bookworms and silverfish are found stuck between the pages.
%%%%
book of fixed level

A book of magic spells.
%%%%
book of fixed theme

A book of magic spells.
%%%%
book of fire

A book, containing advanced spells in the elemental school of Fire. Many Fire
Elementalists have had their eyebrows and beards singed off by the momentary
flame that issues forth when the book is first opened, and some have even found
that, when left unattended for months, it can spontaneously combust,
occasionally burning down whole libraries in terrible conflagrations.
%%%%
book of flames

The standard text used in arcane academies by students of the elemental magic
of Fire. It is quite warm to the touch, and its edges are singed. The pages are
inscribed with sigils of flame that glow with flickering light to read by.
%%%%
book of frost

A book of magic spells, often used as an introduction to the elemental magics
of Ice. The cover is cold to the touch, and the mystic runes are written in a
flowing, jagged style, reminiscent of frost covering a window.
%%%%
book of geomancy

A book containing basic spells involving the element of Earth. It feels quite
dense, though no heavier than other spellbooks. When read, little bits of grit
spill from the pages, which appear to be made of thin sheets of mica.
%%%%
book of hinderance

A mystic manual dedicated to the art of slowing the minds and bodies of one's
foes, written in a cramped, nearly incomprehensible script on very rigid pages
that don't turn easily. Some wizards report a stiffness in their fingers while
they read, which goes away when the book is closed.
%%%%
book of ice

A book of advanced magical spells using the element of Ice. The book is
freezing cold, and the pages are covered in flaky bits of frost. Even though
they wear warm clothing, the scribes who write copies of this tome often suffer
frostbite or hypothermia.
%%%%
book of maledictions

This spellbook teaches Enchanters how to weaken and confound their enemies with
Hexes before finishing them off. The frontispiece contains a depiction of an
evil eye, an ancient cursed symbol; this has occasioned numerous tales of
adventurers who met bad ends after carrying this book into the dungeon. Though,
as sceptics point out, pretty much everybody who enters the dungeon meets a bad
end.
%%%%
book of minor magic

A spellbook containing a variety of simple but useful magical incantations.
Many prominent spellcasters used this book to begin their arcane studies. First
published three centuries ago, it is one of the most well-known grimoires in
the world, and is currently on its eighty-eighth printing.
%%%%
book of necromancy

A macabre book of magic spells, often the very first grimoire a beginning
Necromancer will learn from. Considering the hazards that can come with
dabbling in necromantic magic, this is also sometimes the very *last* grimoire
a beginning Necromancer will study.
%%%%
book of party tricks

This book contains a number of fun spells guaranteed to liven up any wizarding
party, as well as a number of toasts, jokes, and party games, all written in
bright colours and funny scripts. The spells in this book have been adjusted
slightly so they can be sung to the tunes of popular drinking songs.
%%%%
book of power

A book of powerful magic spells, coveted by ambitious wizards who seek to gain
ascendance over their rivals. It crackles and shudders with barely-contained
energies.
%%%%
book of spatial translocations

The classic text of the magical field of Translocations, written by the
archmage and accomplished Warper Golubria two centuries ago. This book can
still be found in magical libraries all across the world, although sometimes
not on the same shelf where the librarian left it.
%%%%
book of summonings

An advanced treatise on Summoning magics, detailing ways of summoning and
binding creatures from all manners of horrible realms. There are a number of
dire warnings with graphic illustrations of the dangers of summoning such
monsters, since not all of them will be friendly.
%%%%
book of the dragon

A magical book of spells which allow some command over dragons and their
aspects. The book is warm to the touch, bound in a scaly sort of leather, and
every page has a lavish illustration of a different variety of dragon, both
real and imaginary.
%%%%
book of the earth

A textbook for experienced Earth Elementalists. It has an aura of incredible
density, making those who look upon it feel as though they are standing under
hundreds of tons of rock, even when really under the open sky.
%%%%
book of the sky

A magical book containing powerful elemental spells of Air. The scribes who
produce copies of this grimoire are sequestered in high towers in the plains,
to better attune themselves to the forces of Air, and the coruscating runes are
written in flickering lightning.
%%%%
book of the tempests

This book contains magic spells which command some of the most destructive
forces of nature. When opened, lightning crackles between the pages, winds gust
against the reader's face, and the whole book shakes with violent tremors.
%%%%
book of the warp

A book of Translocations spells for experienced Warpers. Its shimmering pages
exist in multiple dimensions at once, not all of which obey the usual rules of
geometry. Some pages disappear when they're turned, while others appear out of
nowhere, and others pass directly through the other pages or themselves. Some
of the pages have three sides, or only one, or have fractional numbers of
corners. The effect can be disconcerting.
%%%%
book of transfigurations

An advanced book of Transmutations spells, written on constantly changing
material. At any given moment, a sorcerer could be reading words written on
paper, silk, stone, parchment, etched glass, wool, metal foil, snakeskin,
velvet, or a thousand other things.
%%%%
book of unlife

This unholy book describes a variety of magical methods for the creation and
command of undead servants. The dreadful book radiates a malignant aura, and
its parchment pages sometimes twitch and shudder on their own.
%%%%
book of war chants

A book of spells helpful for a warrior. The versions contained here have a
musical form, following the traditions of fighting skalds. Functionally,
though, they work the same as spells whose magic words are merely spoken.
%%%%
book of wizardry

A book of various magic spells, useful for any sufficiently-talented
spellcaster. Mages of a scholarly nature consider it a point of pride to have
contributed in some way to this work, though more than a few of them have been
slain by jealous rivals using their own spells against them.
%%%%
bottled efreet

A mighty efreet, captured by some wizard and bound into a bronze flask.
Breaking the flask's seal will release it to wreak havoc — possibly on you.
%%%%
bow

A curved piece of wood and string, for shooting arrows. It does good damage in
combat, and a skilled user can use it to great effect.
%%%%
bow:quote

“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.”
    -Khalil Ghibran, _The Prophet_, “On Children”. 1923.
%%%%
box of beasts

A magical box containing many wild beasts. One may allow them to escape by
opening the box's lid.
%%%%
bread ration

A filling meal of stale, but hearty, bread.
%%%%
bread ration:quote

“It is further reported that in the provinces [Caesar] gave banquets constantly
in two dining halls, in one of which his officers or Greek companions, in the
other Roman civilians and the more distinguished of the provincials reclined at
table. He was so punctilious and strict in the management of his household, in
small matters as well as in those of greater importance, that he put his baker
in irons for serving him with one kind of bread and his guests with another...”
    -Suetonius, _De Vita Caesarum, Divus Iulius_. 110 CE.
%%%%
broad axe

A war axe improved with langets, spikes, a lengthed haft and a single-bladed
crescent head. It can inflict grievous wounds, but is cumbersome to manoeuvre
with just one hand due to its length and weight.
%%%%
broad axe:quote

“Weapon, shapely, naked, wan!
 Head from the mother’s bowels drawn!
 Wooded flesh and metal bone! limb only one, and lip only one!
 Gray-blue leaf by red-heat grown! helve produced from a little seed sown!
 Resting the grass amid and upon,
 To be lean’d, and to lean on.”
    -Walt Whitman, _Song of the Broad-Axe_, l. 1-6. 1867.
%%%%
buckler

A small piece of wood and metal, to be strapped on one arm for defence. It is
somewhat cumbersome to wear, and, without a little training, slightly slows the
rate at which a warrior attacks.
%%%%
buckler:quote

“Let who will boast their courage in the field,
 I find but little safety from my shield.
 Nature's, not honour's, law we must obey:
 This made me cast my useless shield away,
 And by a prudent flight and cunning save
 A life, which valour could not, from the grave.
 A better buckler I can soon regain;
 But who can get another life again?”
    -Archilochos. 7th cent. B.C.
     trans. William H. Goodwin, 1878.
%%%%
cap

A cloth or leather cap.
%%%%
centaur barding

An armour made for centaurs, to wear over their equine half.
%%%%
chain mail

A suit made entirely out of tiny metal rings. Offering strong protection
against weapons, claws and carnassials, chain mail hinders quick and stealthy
movement.
%%%%
chain mail:quote

<leather armour:quote>
%%%%
cheese

A lump of cheese.
%%%%
choko

An almost tasteless green vegetable, which grows on a vine.
%%%%
choko:quote

“I ought not to omit naming a vegetable which Mr Yates placed on our table, and
to which he directed our attention. It was the Tchu-tchu (Sechium edule) called
also by the people _pepinella_. It is a small gourd, very much like vegetable
marrow; one seed covers a wall with its ramifications.”
    -John Overton Choules, _The Cruise of the Steam Yacht North Star: A
Narrative of the Excursion of Mr. Vanderbilt’s Party to England, Russia,
Denmark, France, Spain, Malta, Turkey, Madeira, Etc_. 1854.
%%%%
chunk of flesh

A piece of raw meat found in the dungeon. It won't stay fresh for long.
%%%%
cloak

A cloth cloak.
%%%%
cloak:quote

“O Bell my wife, why dost thou flyte?
   Now is now, and then was then:
 Seek now all the world throughout,
   Thou kens not clowns from gentlemen:
 They are clad in black, green, yellow and blue,
   So far above their own degree.
 Once in my life I’ll take a view;
   For I’ll have a new cloak about me.”
    -Anonymous, “The Old Cloak”. 16th Century.
%%%%
club

A heavy piece of wood, with a place to grip on one end and most of its weight
at the other, making it suitable for swinging or throwing at a foe. While clubs
are rather primitive weapons, bashing someone's skull in with one remains a
very popular and effective means of dispute resolution.
%%%%
club:quote

“I have always been fond of the West African proverb: 'Speak softly and carry a
big stick; you will go far.' If I had not carried the big stick, the
organization would not have gotten behind me, and if I had yelled and
blustered, as Pankhurst and the similar dishonest lunatics desired, I would not
have had ten votes.”
    -Theodore Roosevelt, in a letter to Henry L. Sprague. January 26, 1900.
%%%%
corpse

A corpse. You can butcher it to produce edible meat chunks.
%%%%
crossbow

A piece of machinery, used for firing bolts, which takes some time to load and
fire. It does very good damage in combat.
%%%%
crossbow:quote

“(Tell enters with his crossbow)
 W. TELL:
 My precious jewel now, —my chiefest treasure—
 A mark I'll set thee, which the cry of grief
 Could never penetrate,—but thou shalt pierce it,—
 And thou, my trusty bowstring, that so oft
 For sport has served me faithfully and well,
 Desert me not in this dread hour of need,—
 Only be true this once, my own good cord,
 That hast so often wing'd the biting shaft:—
 For shouldst thou fly successless from my hand,
 I have no second to send after thee.”
    -Friedrich Schiller, _Wilhelm Tell_, IV, iii. 1804.
     trans. Sir Theodore Martin, 1898.
%%%%
crystal ball of energy

A magical device which can be used to restore one's reserves of magical energy,
but the use of which carries the risk of draining all of those energies
completely. This risk varies inversely with the proportion of their maximum
energy which the user possesses; a user near his or her full potential will
find this item most beneficial.
%%%%
crystal plate armour

An incredibly heavy but extremely effective suit of crystalline armour.
%%%%
dagger

A double-edged fighting knife with a sharp point that can be thrown from afar.
Seen by some as a weak weapon of last resort, others appreciate it as a perfect
tool for assassinations.
%%%%
dagger:quote

“He drew his dagger, that was sae sharp,
   That was sae sharp and meet,
 And drave it into the nut-browne bride,
   That fell deid at his feit.

 ‘Now stay for me, dear Annet,’ he sed,
   ‘Now stay, my dear,’ he cry’d;
 Then strake the dagger untill his heart,
   And fell deid by her side.”
    -English traditional ballad, “Lord Thomas and Fair Annet”, circa 1650.
%%%%
dart

A little, fletched, sharply pointed projectile designed to be thrown by hand.
%%%%
dart:quote

“Loving the hand that sent it
 I the dart revere.”
    -Emily Dickinson. mid 19th cent.
%%%%
deck of changes

A deck of magical cards which induce changes in the user or his environment.

It may contain the following cards: the Elixir, Battlelust, Metamorphosis, the
Helm, the Blade, the Shadow, the Mercenary, the Potion, Focus, Shuffle,
Experience, Wild Magic, the Helix, the Sage, the Alchemist, Water,
Vitrification, Dowsing, Trowel, the Minefield.
%%%%
deck of defence

A deck of magical cards, most of which defend the user from harm in various
ways.

It may contain the following cards: the Tomb, the Banshee, Damnation, Solitude,
Warpwright, Flight, the Elixir, Battlelust, Metamorphosis, the Helm, the Blade,
the Shadow, the Mercenary.
%%%%
deck of destruction

A deck of magical cards, most of which hurl death and destruction at one's foes
(or, if unlucky, at oneself).

It may contain the following cards: Vitriol, Flame, Frost, Venom, the Spark,
the Hammer, Pain, the Orb.
%%%%
deck of dungeons

A deck of magical cards which deal with shaping the dungeon.

It may contain the following cards: Water, Vitrification, Dowsing, Trowel, the
Minefield.
%%%%
deck of escape

A deck of magical cards, mainly dealing with various forms of escape.
Incautious use may lead to being dumped from the frying pan into the fire!

It may contain the following cards: the Portal, the Warp, Swap, Velocity, the
Tomb, the Banshee, Damnation, Solitude, Warpwright, Flight.
%%%%
deck of punishment

A deck of magical cards which wreak havoc on the user.

It may contain the following cards: the Wraith, Wild Magic, Wrath, Xom, Famine,
the Curse, the Tomb, Damnation, the Portal, the Minefield, the Swine, Torment.
%%%%
deck of summonings

A deck of magical cards, depicting a range of weird and wondrous creatures.

It may contain the following cards: the Crusade, the Herd, the Pentagram, the
Dance, Foxfire, the Bones, Repulsiveness.
%%%%
deck of war

A deck of magical cards which are useful before and during battle.

It may contain the following cards: the Portal, the Warp, Swap, Velocity, the
Tomb, the Banshee, Damnation, Solitude, Warpwright, Flight, the Elixir,
Battlelust, Metamorphosis, the Helm, the Blade, the Shadow, the Mercenary, the
Crusade, the Herd, the Pentagram, the Dance, Foxfire, the Bones, Repulsiveness,
Vitriol, Flame, Frost, Venom, the Spark, the Hammer, Pain, Torment.
%%%%
deck of wonders

A deck of highly mysterious and magical cards, which can alter the drawer's
physical and mental condition, for better or worse.

It may contain the following cards: the Potion, Focus, Shuffle, Experience,
Wild Magic, the Helix, the Sage, the Alchemist.
%%%%
demon blade

A terrible weapon, forged in the fires of Hell.
%%%%
demon blade:quote

“Quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit: occidentis telum est.”
 “A sword by itself does not slay; it is merely the weapon used by the slayer.”
    -Lucius Annaeus Seneca, _Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium_, Letter LXXXVII:
     Some arguments in favor of the simple life, l. 30. ca. 65 A.D.
     trans. Richard Mott Gummere, 1917.
%%%%
demon trident

A terrible three-pronged weapon, moulded by fire and brimstone.
%%%%
demon trident:quote

“At these words he started up, and beheld—not his Sophia—no, nor a Circassian
maid richly and elegantly attired for the grand Signior’s seraglio. No; without
a gown, in a shift that was somewhat of the coarsest, and none of the cleanest,
bedewed likewise with some odoriferous effluvia, the produce of the day’s
labour, with a pitchfork in her hand, Molly Seagrim approached.”
    -Henry Fielding, _The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling_, Book V, ch. X.
     1749.
%%%%
demon whip

A terrible weapon, woven in the depths of the inferno.
%%%%
demon whip:quote

“With a terrible cry the Balrog fell forward, and its shadow plunged down and
vanished. But even as it fell it swung its whip, and the thongs lashed and
curled about the wizard's knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered, and
fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss.”
    -J.R.R. Tolkien, _The Fellowship of the Ring_. II, 5, “The Bridge of
     Khazad-dûm”. 1954.
%%%%
dire flail

A spiked flail with longer spikes and a heavier head.
%%%%
dire flail:quote

“'Ah! ah! ah!' laughed his two men, 'how the Norman villains will be humbled
when they see their doughty knight's skull beaten in by our brave countryman.'”
    -_Tales of Chivalry; or, Perils by Flood and Field_. 1830.
%%%%
disc of storms

This extremely powerful item can unleash a destructive storm of electricity.
Its effectiveness greatly improves in the hands of one skilled in using magical
devices.
%%%%
double sword

A magical weapon with twin razor-sharp blades. According to legend, a knight
once suggested the idea of a double-bladed sword to a master forger as a joke,
but was pleasantly surprised to find that not only was the forger capable of
making such a sword, but that the weapon produced was extremely deadly.
%%%%
double sword:quote

“Oh I won't get up, I won't get up,
 I can't get up for my life
 For you have two long beaten swords
 And I have but a pocket knife.
 Well it's true I have two beaten swords,
 They cost me deep in the purse
 But you will have the better of them
 And I will have the worst.”
    -English traditional ballad, “Mattie Groves”. ca. 1600.
%%%%
eggplant

A rotten eggplant which you can throw at the Crawl developers. (It's a bug if
you ever see this message.)
%%%%
empty ebony casket

A magical box after its power is spent.
%%%%
eudemon blade

A sacred blade from the forges of Heaven, inhabited by a good spirit. It is a
favoured weapon of the Shining One's servants, and cannot be wielded by the
forces of evil.
%%%%
eudemon blade:quote

<demon blade:quote>
%%%%
eveningstar

The opposite of a morningstar.
%%%%
eveningstar:quote

“It is said to have been the favourite weapon of the Norman priest, who,
objecting to the shedding of blood, had no scruple about the dashing out of
brains.”
    -T. M. Allison, “The Flail and Kindred Tools (from a historical and
     literary standpoint)”, _Archaeologia Aeliana_, Third Series, vol. IV.
     1908.
%%%%
executioner's axe

This fearsome weapon is covered in dried blood and crude engravings of torture
and death, but bears a well-honed blade. The enormous axehead looks quite
capable of dismembering any victim who falls afoul of it, and you feel
confident that a single stroke would suffice.
%%%%
executioner's axe:quote

“She danced, and was compelled to dance—to dance in the dark night. The shoes
carried her on over thorn and brier; she scratched herself till she bled; she
danced away across the heath to a little lonely house. Here she knew the
executioner dwelt; and she tapped with her fingers on the panes, and
called,—'Come out, come out! I cannot come in, for I must dance!'
 And the Executioner said,—'You probably don’t know who I am? I cut off the bad
people’s heads with my axe, and mark how my axe rings!'
 'Do not strike off my head,' said Karen, 'for if you do I cannot repent of my
sin. But strike off my feet with the red shoes?'
 And then she confessed all her sin, and the Executioner cut off her feet with
the red shoes; but the shoes danced away with the little feet over the fields
and into the deep forest.
 And he cut her a pair of wooden feet, with crutches, and taught her a psalm,
which the criminals always sing; and she kissed the hand that had held the axe,
and went away across the heath.”
    -Hans Christian Andersen, “The Red Shoes”, _Nye Eventyr. Første Bind.
     Tredie Samling._. 1845.
%%%%
falchion

A long single-edged sword with a slightly curved blade, with its weight
concentrated at the point to increase its lethality.
%%%%
falchion:quote

“I have seen the day, with my good biting falchion
 I would have made them skip: I am old now,
 And these same crosses spoil me.”
    -William Shakespeare, _King Lear_, V, iii. 1608.
%%%%
fire dragon armour

Armour made from the scales of a fire-breathing dragon. It provides great
protection from the effects of fire, while rendering its wearer more
susceptible to the effects of cold.
%%%%
fire dragon armour:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
fire dragon hide

The scaly skin of a common true dragon. It can be fashioned into proper armour,
but even in its raw form it provides great protection from the effects of fire
while rendering its wearer susceptible to cold.
%%%%
fire dragon hide:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
flail

A mace with a short chain connecting the head to the haft. This adds slightly
more force to the blow at the cost of complicating use.
%%%%
flail:quote

“Even after forcing their way, with great effort and loss, through this double
defense, [the Germans] still found themselves at a disadvantage; for their
armor scarce enabled them to contend on equal terms with the uncouth but
formidable weapons of their adversaries. The Bohemians were armed with long
iron flails, which they swung with prodigious force. They seldom failed to hit,
and when they did so, the flail crashed through brazen helmet, skull and all.”
    -James A. Wylie, _The History of Protestantism_, vol. I, book 3, ch. 15
     “Jon Huss and the Hussite Wars”. 1878.
%%%%
giant club

A giant lump of wood, shaped for an ogre's hands.
%%%%
giant club:quote

“Therewith the gyant buckled him to fight,
 Inflamd with scornefull wrath and high disdaine,
 And lifting up his dreadful club on hight,
 All armed with ragged snubbes and knottie graine,
 Him thought at first encounter to have slaine.”
    -Edmund Spenser, _The Faerie Queene_, Book I, “The Legend of the Knight of
     the Red Crosse”, Canto VIII, stanza vii, l. 55-9. 1590.
%%%%
giant spiked club

A giant lump of wood with sharp spikes at one end.
%%%%
giant spiked club:quote

 oni-ni-kanabō
 “oni with a spiked iron club”
    -Japanese proverb indicating overwhelming power
%%%%
glaive

A pole with a large, heavy blade on one end.
%%%%
glaive:quote

“To know the perfect length of your ſhort ſtaffe, or half Pike, Forreſt bil,
Partiſan or Gleue, or ſuch like weapons of vantage and perfect lenghts, you
ſhall ſtand vpright, holding the ſtaffe vpright cloſe by your body, with your
left hãd, reaching with your right hand your ſtaffe as high as you can, and
then allow to that length a ſpace to ſet both your hands, when you come to
fight, wherein you may conueniently ſtrike, thrust and ward, & that is the iuſt
length according to you ſtature. And this note, that theſe lengths will
commonly fall out to be eight or nine foor long, and will fit, although not
iuſt, the ſtatures of all men, without any hindrance at all vnto them in their
fight, becauſe in any weapon wherin the hands may be remoued, and at libertie,
to make the weapon lõger or ſhorter in fight at his pleaſure, a foot of the
ſtaffe behind the backmost hand doth no harme.”
    -George Silver,_Paradoxes of Defence_.1599.
%%%%
gold dragon armour

Armour made from the scales of a gold dragon. It is much heavier than most
dragon scale armours, and grants its wearer resistance to poison, fire and
cold.
%%%%
gold dragon armour:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
gold dragon hide

The hide of a gold dragon, covered in extremely hard golden scales. In its raw
form it does not provide much protection beyond resistance to poison, fire and
cold, but with magical means it may be used to make excellent armour.
%%%%
gold dragon hide:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
gold piece

A pile of glittering gold coins.
%%%%
gold piece:quote

“Here it was that the ambassadors of the Samnites, finding him boiling turnips
in the chimney corner, offered him a present of gold; but he sent them away
with this saying; that he, who was content with such a supper, had no need of
gold; and that he thought it more honourable to conquer those who possessed the
gold, than to possess the gold itself.”
    -Plutarch, “Marcus Cato”, _Lives_. 75 AD.
    trans. John Dryden, 1683.
%%%%
grand grimoire

A deathly silence seems to surround this book as it's opened; even the very air
appears to recoil from the monstrosities pictured here. The pages, covered in
abominable runes, describe how the mighty among summoners can bend to their
will the terrible things from betwixt the planes. Many have been the unwary
souls, however, who have toyed with this tome and been driven mad by eldritch
horrors from beyond imagining.
%%%%
grape

A small fruit.
%%%%
great mace

An enormous metal war club, of great cumbrousness.
%%%%
great mace:quote

“There will arise one named Feridoun, who shall inherit thy throne
 and reverse thy fortunes, and strike thee down with a cow-headed mace.”
    -Firdausi, _Shahnameh_. ca. 1000 A.D.
     trans. Helen Zimmern, 1883.
%%%%
great sword

A massive, straight, double-edged blade with a long hilt and heavy pommel. It
has the potential to inflict devastating wounds, but must be wielded with both
hands.
%%%%
great sword:quote

<demon blade:quote>
%%%%
halberd

A two-handed military pole weapon consisting of an axe blade mounted on a long
shaft reinforced with metal rims to block other weapons like swords. Topped
with a spike and a thorn on the back side of the axe blade, this weapon can be
very dangeous in trained hands.
%%%%
halberd:quote

“And Diarmid oh, Diarmid he perished in the strife;
 His head it was spiked upon a halberd high;
 His colours they were trampled: he had no chance of life
 If the Lord God Himself stood by!—
  Och, ochone!”
    -James Clarence Mangan , _A Farewell to Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of Lucan_.
     ca. 1840.
%%%%
hammer

Consisting of a spiked hammerhead on a medium haft reinforced by langets, this
blunt weapon can deliver significant striking force and even pierce through
armour.
%%%%
hammer:quote

“The hammah that John Henry swung,
 It weighed over nine poun',
 He broke a rib in his left han' side,
 And his intrels fell on the groun',
 And his intrels fell on the groun'.”
    -Onah L. Spencer, _John Henry_. Early 20th cent.
%%%%
hand axe

A tool for rending apart the fibres of wood, or flesh. Small and crafted for
fast, precise handling, it is also balanced such that it can be thrown if
necessary.
%%%%
hand axe:quote

“Lizzie Borden took an axe
 And gave her mother forty whacks.
 When she saw what she had done
 She gave her father forty-one.”
    -A popular skipping-rope rhyme, after 1893.
%%%%
helmet

A piece of metal headgear.
%%%%
honeycomb

A lump of the delicious honeycomb made by giant bees.
%%%%
horn of Geryon

The horn belonging to Geryon, guardian of the Vestibule of Hell. Legends say
that a mortal who desires access into one of the Hells must use it in order to
gain entry.
%%%%
horn of Geryon:quote

‘So Joshua called together the priests and said, “Take up the Ark of the Lord’s
Covenant, and assign seven priests to walk in front of it, each carrying a
ram’s horn.’

‘When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as
they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites
charged straight into the town and captured it. They completely destroyed
everything in it with their swords—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep,
goats, and donkeys.’
    -Joshua 6:6,20-21, New Living Translation
%%%%
ice dragon armour

Armour made from the scales of a cold-breathing dragon. It provides great
protection from the effects of cold while rendering its wearer more susceptible
to the effects of fire and heat.
%%%%
ice dragon armour:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
ice dragon hide

The scaly skin of a cold-breathing dragon. It can be fashioned into proper
armour, but even in its raw form it provides great protection from the effects
of cold while rendering its wearer susceptible to fire.
%%%%
ice dragon hide:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
javelin

This lightweight spear is designed for throwing and can cause serious injury.
{{
    if you.race() == "Halfling"
        or you.race() == "Kobold"
        or you.race() == "Spriggan"
    then
        return "Unfortunately, it is too long and awkward for you to use."
    else
        return ""
    end
}}
%%%%
javelin:quote

“Suppose you found your brother in bed with your wife, and put a javelin
through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their
sins, and be received into the kingdom of God.”
    -Brigham Young, _Journal of Discourses_, 3:247. 1856.
%%%%
lajatang

A very rare and extremely effective imported weapon, featuring a pole with
half-moon blades at both ends.
%%%%
lajatang:quote

“A weapon that comes down as still
 As snowflakes fall upon the sod;
 But executes a freeman’s will,
 As lightning does the will of God.”
    -John Pierpont, “The Ballot”. ca. 1850.
%%%%
lamp of fire

A magical device for summoning fire elementals. It is rather unreliable, and
usually requires several attempts to function correctly. Using it carries an
element of risk, which is reduced if one is skilled in the appropriate
elemental magic.
%%%%
lantern of shadows

An unholy device which calls on the powers of darkness to assist its user, with
a small cost attached.
%%%%
large rock

A very large and very heavy stone. {{
    if string.find(you.race(), "Ogre")
       or you.race() == "Troll"
   then
       return ""
   else
       return "Exceptional strength is needed even to carry one, and " ..
              "only large creatures are capable of throwing it."
   end
}}
%%%%
large rock:quote

“Well, I run to the rock and I hide my face
 The rock cried out, No hiding place
 There's no hiding place down here.”
    -Negro spiritual. 19th cent.
%%%%
large shield

A large piece of wood and metal, to be strapped on one arm for defence. {{
    if string.find(you.race(), "Ogre")
       or string.find(you.race(), "Draconian")
       or you.race() == "Troll"
    then
        return "It looks like it would fit you well."
    else
        return "It is very cumbersome to wear, and, without a great " ..
               "deal of training, greatly slows the rate at which a " ..
               "warrior attacks."
    end
}}
%%%%
large shield:quote

<buckler:quote>
%%%%
leather armour

A suit made from layers of tanned animal hide, this light armour provides basic
protection with almost no hindrance to elaborate gestures or swift, stealthy
movement.
%%%%
leather armour:quote

“Nought can Deform the Human race
 Like to the Armours iron brace”
    -William Blake, “Auguries of Innocence”, 99-100. 1803.
%%%%
lemon

A yellow fruit.
%%%%
lightning rod

This rod allows its wielder to fire continuous lightning: the discharge is
sustained, and can be redirected to new targets by evoking the rod in
subsequent turns (failing to do so will release the trigger). The rod takes a
moment to warm up, making short bursts rather ineffective. Once the zap is
active, one can wave the rod, creating impressive and damaging arcs of
electricity.
%%%%
long sword

A straight, double-edged blade of medium size, with a sturdy hilt and pommel.
This noble weapon combines accurate manoeuvrability with deadly force, and is
quite powerful in the hand of one trained in its use.
%%%%
long sword:quote

“While we were at grips with this great army and their dreadful broadswords
(maquahuitl [made of obsidian]), many of the most powerful among the enemy seem
to have decided to capture a horse. They began with a furious attack, and laid
hands on a good mare well trained both for sport and battle. Her rider, Pedro
de Moron, was a fine horseman; and as he charged with three other horsemen into
the enemy ranks—they had been instructed to charge together for mutual
support—some of them seized his lance so he could not use it, and others
slashed at him with their broadswords (maquahuitl), wounding him severely. Then
they slashed at his mare, cutting her head at the neck so that it only hung by
the skin. The mare fell dead, and if his mounted comrades had not come to
Moron's rescue, he would probably have been killed also.”
    -Bernal Díaz del Castillo, _The Conquest of New Spain_. 1623.
     trans. J.M.Cohen, 1963.
%%%%
longbow

A long, strong bow made of yew. It does excellent damage in combat and a
skilled archer can use it to great effect.
%%%%
longbow:quote

“Robyn bent a full goode bowe,
 An arrowe he drowe at wyll;
 He hit so the proud sherife
 Upon the grounde he lay full still.”
    -_A Gest of Robyn Hode_ Sixth Fytte, l. 120-123. ca. 1450.
%%%%
lychee

A tropical fruit.
%%%%
lychee:quote

“The Litchi is the most celebrated native fruit of China. It is nearly round,
about an inch and a half in diameter, the shell is tough, becoming brittle, of
a chocolate brown colour covered all over with wart-like protuberances. When
fresh it is filled with a white almost transparent, sweet, jelly-like pulp in
which lies a rather large, shining, brown seed; the pulp is of a delicious
sub-acid flavour when fresh. The Chinese dry it when it becomes black like a
prune and thus preserve it for use throughout the year; in this state it is
frequently to be seen in the London fruit shops.”
    -John Smith, _A Dictionary of Popular Names of the Plants which Furnish the
Natural and Acquired Wants of Man, in All Matters of Domestic and General
Economy: Their History, Products, & Uses_. 1882.
%%%%
mace

A short metal spiked military club. This effective instrument dents armour and
breaks bones through blunt force.
%%%%
mace:quote

“[My plan] does not propose to fill your lobby with squabbling colony agents,
who will require the interposition of your mace at every instant to keep the
peace among them.”
    -Edmund Burke, “On Conciliation with America”, speech in Parliament. 1775.
%%%%
manual

A valuable book which allows one to practise a certain skill more efficiently.
%%%%
manual:quote

<book:quote>
%%%%
meat ration

A filling ration of dried and preserved meats.
%%%%
morningstar

A mace with with a head covered in short spikes. Trading increased force for
only slightly reduced manoeuvrability, this weapon can be deadly in the hands
of a well-trained combatant.
%%%%
morningstar:quote

“Little did then his pomp of plumes bestead
 The Azteca, or glittering pride of gold.
 Against the tempered sword; little his casque,
 Cay with its feathery coronal, or drest
 In graven terrors, when the Briton's hand
 Drove in through helm and head the spiked mace;
 Or swung its iron weights with shattering sway.
 Which, where they fell, destroyed.”
    -Robert Southey, _Madoc_. 1805.
%%%%
mottled dragon armour

Armour made from the scales of a mottled dragon. Although it does not provide
its wearer with much protection, unlike the armour made from the scales of some
larger dragons, it is as light and relatively uncumbersome as leather armour.
It is also remarkably smooth, letting sticky flames flow down like water.
%%%%
mottled dragon armour:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
mottled dragon hide

The weirdly-patterned scaly skin of a mottled dragon. It may be turned into
proper armour by magical means. Its smooth surface does not let sticky flames
attach.
%%%%
mottled dragon hide:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
naga barding

A special armour made for Nagas, to wear over their tails.
%%%%
necronomicon

An extremely rare book, powerful and sinister. Its binding is made from
delicate skin of unknown provenance. Many foolhardy magicians have tried to
study this tome, only to find themselves entangled within necromantic forces
they could not hope to control.
%%%%
needle

A thin piece of metal, typically coated in some harmful substance. When
launched from a blowgun it can be deadly, delivering its toxins into the
bloodstream of a living or demonic being.
%%%%
needle:quote

“I pray that, risen from the dead,
 I may in glory stand—
 A crown, perhaps, upon my head,
 But a needle in my hand.”
    -Eugene Field, “Grandma's Prayer”. late 19th cent.
%%%%
orange

A delicious, juicy orange fruit.
%%%%
orange:quote

“Conserve of Orange Peel

HAVING grated the rinds of some Seville oranges as thin as you can, weigh them,
and to every pound of orange rind add three pounds of loaf sugar. Pound the
orange rind well in a marble mortar, mix the sugar by degrees with them and
beat all well together. Put it into gallipots and tie it down so as properly to
prevent the air getting to it.”
    -Francis Collingwood, John Woollams, _The Universal Cook: And City and
Country Housekeeper._ 1792.
%%%%
orb of zot

Once you have escaped to the surface with this invaluable artefact, your quest
is complete.
%%%%
pair of boots

A pair of boots.
%%%%
pair of bracers

A pair of bracers.
%%%%
pair of gauntlets

A pair of gauntlets.
%%%%
pair of gloves

A pair of gloves.
%%%%
pear

A delicious juicy fruit.
%%%%
pearl dragon armour

Armour made from the nacreous scales of a pearl dragon. It grants its wearer
resistance to negative energies.
%%%%
pearl dragon armour:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
pearl dragon hide

The hide of a pearl dragon, covered in iridescent nacreous scales. In its raw
form it does not provide much protection, but by magical means it may be used
to make excellent armour.
%%%%
pearl dragon hide:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
pie

A custard pie. It appears anachronistically dangerous.
%%%%
pie:quote

“And from that moment on I could not banish Oedipus's terrible end from my
 mind: putting his own eyes out with a pin after hearing those fateful words
 that Tiresias had uttered and being present when his mother hanged herself.”
    -- Fernando Vidal Olmos, Report on the Blind
    Ernesto Sabato, On Heroes and Tombs,
    Translated by Helen R. Lane
%%%%
piece of ambrosia

A portion of strange substance, produced by ghost moths. Consuming it provides
magical energy as well as nutrition, at the cost of losing your mental focus
for a short period.
%%%%
# Historical note: fully articulated plates came only in the last days of
# plate armour popularity.  Before then, it had gaps on and under joints,
# often filled with mail.
plate armour

A full suit of solid metal plate: cuirass, pauldrons, vambraces, waist plate
and greaves. Chainmail covers gaps, allowing movement.

It provides excellent protection, yet donning it takes forever.
%%%%
potion of agility

A magic potion which greatly increases the dexterity and evasiveness of one who
drinks it.
%%%%
potion of berserk rage

A potion which can send one into an incoherent rage.
%%%%
potion of blood

A potion containing the essence of life. It is vital for all living creatures,
as well as some undead ones. It can also provide nutrition for those capable of
eating meat.
%%%%
potion of brilliance

A magic potion which greatly increases the intelligence and magical power of
one who drinks it.
%%%%
potion of coagulated blood

A potion containing the essence of life. It is vital for all living creatures,
as well as some undead ones. It can also provide nutrition for those capable of
eating meat. The blood within won't be palatable much longer.
%%%%
potion of confusion

A potion which confuses your perceptions and reduces your control over your own
actions.
%%%%
potion of cure mutation

A potion which removes some or all of any mutations which may be afflicting
you.
%%%%
potion of curing

A blessed fluid which heals some wounds, clears the mind and cures diseases. If
it is used when one is at or near full health, it can also slightly repair
permanent injuries.
%%%%
potion of decay

A vile and putrid cursed liquid which causes your flesh to decay before your
very eyes.
%%%%
potion of degeneration

A noxious concoction which can do terrible things to your body, brain and
reflexes.
%%%%
potion of experience

A truly wonderful and very rare drink.
%%%%
potion of heal wounds

A magical healing elixir which causes wounds to close and heal almost
instantly. If it is used when one is at or near full health, it can also repair
permanent injuries.
%%%%
potion of invisibility

A potion which hides you from the sight of others.
%%%%
potion of flight

A potion which confers great buoyancy on one who consumes it.
%%%%
potion of magic

A valuable potion which grants a person with an infusion of magical energy.
%%%%
potion of might

A magic potion which greatly increases the strength and physical power of one
who drinks it.
%%%%
potion of mutation

A potion which does very strange things to you.
%%%%
potion of paralysis

A potion which eliminates your control over your own body.
%%%%
potion of poison

A nasty poisonous liquid.
%%%%
potion of poison:quote

“‘poison’ is a harsh word. I prefer ‘potion of shut the hell up’”
    -Oglaf, bowdlerized
%%%%
potion of porridge

A filling potion of sludge, high in cereal fibre.
%%%%
potion of resistance

A potion which grants you temporary resistance to the elements and poison.
%%%%
potion of restore abilities

A potion which restores the abilities of one who drinks it. It also allows to
use a breath weapon again, cancelling the delay.
%%%%
potion of slowing

A potion which slows your actions.
%%%%
potion of speed

An enchanted beverage which speeds the actions of anyone who drinks it.
%%%%
potion of strong poison

A terribly venomous potion.
%%%%
potion of strong poison:quote

<potion of poison:quote>
%%%%
potion of beneficial mutation

A potion which gives you a supposedly good mutation.
%%%%
quad damage

A mysterious item resembling a rune of some kind. Once evoked, it will make the
user glow blue and add a reverb to all sound... and there may be other effects
as well.
%%%%
quarterstaff

A sturdy wooden pole, meant for fighting.
%%%%
quarterstaff:quote

“Then Robin he unbuckled his belt,
 And laid down his bow so long;
 He took up a staff of another oak graff,
 That was both stiff and strong.
 'But let me measure,' said jolly Robin,
 'Before we begin our fray;
 For I'll not have mine to be longer than thine,
 For that will be counted foul play.'
 'I pass not for length,' bold Arthur replied,
 'My staff is of oak so free;
 Eight foot and a half it will knock down a calf,
 And I hope it will knock down thee.'
 Then Robin could no longer forbear,
 He gave him such a knock,
 Quickly and soon the blood came down,
 Before it was ten o'clock.
 About and about and about they went,
 Like two wild boars in a chase,
 Striving to aim each other to maim,
 Leg, arm, or any other place.
 And knock for knock they hastily dealt,
 Which held for two hours and more;
 That all the wood rang at every bang,
 They plied their work so sore.”
    -Anonymous, “Robin Hood and the Tanner”.
%%%%
quick blade

This carefully wrought short sword is preternaturally well-balanced, making it
much easier for even inexperienced handlers to attack with it quickly. Not many
swordsmiths have the requisite skill to make one, so they are only produced in
small numbers, and are difficult to find.
%%%%
quick blade:quote

“He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword...”
    -Julia Ward Howe, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. 1861.
%%%%
rambutan

A small but delicious tropical fruit. How it got into this dungeon is anyone's
guess.
%%%%
rambutan:quote

“The rambutan (_nephelium lappaceum_) is a beautiful fruit to which I have
already alluded, as resembling the mammoth arbutus; and you suppose them at
first, when at a little distance from you, a delicious dish of some tropical
strawberry. But you find on inquiring into the ‘particulars within’ the outer
coat, that there is concealed beneath the red and hairy covering a
semi-transparent pulp of a pleasant acid taste, enveloping a single oval and
oblong seed. I know not but I am peculiar in my memory of the beautiful fruits
of the straits, but none lingers in my recollection so sweetly in its clustered
beauties of the fruit-dish as the bearded and rosy rambutan.”
    -Fitch Waterman Taylor, _A Voyage Round the World And Visits to Various
Foreign Countries, in the United States Frigate Columbia_. 1847.
%%%%
ring mail

A light leather suit reinforced with a covering of metal rings. Protective in
combat, but slightly uncomfortable due to the added weight.
%%%%
ring mail:quote

<leather armour:quote>
%%%%
ring of dexterity

This ring increases or decreases the dexterity of its wearer, depending on the
degree to which it has been enchanted.
%%%%
ring of dexterity:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of evasion

This ring makes its wearer either more or less capable of avoiding attacks,
depending on its degree of enchantment.
%%%%
ring of evasion:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of fire

This ring brings its wearer more in contact with the powers of fire. He or she
gains resistance to heat and can use fire magic more effectively, but becomes
more vulnerable to the effects of cold.
%%%%
ring of fire:quote

“Love is a burning thing
 And it makes a fiery ring”
    -June Carter, Merle Kilgore, “Ring of Fire”. 1963.
%%%%
ring of hunger

This accursed ring causes its wearer to hunger considerably more quickly.
%%%%
ring of hunger:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of ice

This ring brings its wearer more in contact with the powers of cold and ice. He
or she gains resistance to cold and can use ice magic more effectively, but
becomes more vulnerable to the effects of fire.
%%%%
ring of ice:quote

“Some say the world will end in fire;
 Some say in ice.
 From what I've tasted of desire
 I hold with those who favor fire.
 But if it had to perish twice,
 I think I know enough of hate
 To say that for destruction ice
 Is also great
 And would suffice.”
    -Robert Frost, “Fire and Ice”. 1920.
%%%%
ring of intelligence

This ring increases or decreases the mental ability of its wearer, depending on
the degree to which it has been enchanted.
%%%%
ring of intelligence:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of invisibility

This powerful ring can be activated to hide its wearer from the view of others,
but increases the speed of his or her metabolism greatly while doing so.
%%%%
ring of invisibility:quote

“With yells of delight the goblins rushed upon him. A pang of fear and loss,
like an echo of Gollum's misery, smote Bilbo, and forgetting even to draw his
sword he struck his hands into his pockets. And — there was the ring still, in
his left pocket, and it slipped on his finger. The goblins stopped short. They
could not see a sign of him. He had vanished.”
    -J.R.R. Tolkien, _The Hobbit, or There and Back Again_. 1937.
%%%%
ring of flight

This ring allows its wearer to fly. The ring's power cannot be evoked while
airborne, so it's ill-suited for longer trips above deadly liquid.
%%%%
ring of flight:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of life protection

This blessed ring protects the life-force of its wearer from negative energy,
making them partially immune to the draining effects of undead and necromantic
magic.
%%%%
ring of life protection:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of magical power

This ring increases its wearer's reserves of magical power.
%%%%
ring of magical power:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of poison resistance

This ring provides protection from the effects of poisons and venom.
%%%%
ring of poison resistance:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of protection

This ring either protects its wearer from harm or makes them more vulnerable to
injury, to a degree dependent on its power.
%%%%
ring of protection:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of protection from cold

This ring provides protection from cold.
%%%%
ring of protection from cold:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of protection from fire

This ring provides protection from heat and fire.
%%%%
ring of protection from fire:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of protection from magic

This ring increases its wearer's resistance to hostile enchantments.
%%%%
ring of protection from magic:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of regeneration

This wonderful ring greatly increases the recuperative powers of its wearer,
but also considerably speeds his or her metabolism while doing so.
%%%%
ring of regeneration:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of see invisible

This ring allows its wearer to see those things hidden from view by magic.
%%%%
ring of see invisible:quote

“Here is my secret. It is very simple: It is only with the heart that one can
see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
    -Antoine de Saint Exupéry, _The Little Prince_. 1943.
%%%%
ring of slaying

This ring increases or decreases the melee and ranged combat skills of its
wearer.
%%%%
ring of slaying:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of strength

This ring increases or decreases the physical strength of its wearer, to a
degree dependent on its power.
%%%%
ring of strength:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of sustain abilities

This ring protects its wearer from the loss of their strength, dexterity and
intelligence.
%%%%
ring of sustain abilities:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of sustenance

This ring provides energy to its wearer, so that they need eat less often.
%%%%
ring of sustenance:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of teleport control

This ring can be evoked to allow its wearer to control the destination of a
teleport or blink, although without perfect accuracy. Trying to teleport into a
solid object will result in a random teleportation, at least in the case of a
normal teleportation. Also be wary that controlled translocations will
contaminate the subject with residual magical energy, and that controlled
teleports will take longer to trigger than uncontrolled ones.
%%%%
ring of teleport control:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of teleportation

This ring occasionally exerts its power to randomly translocate its wearer to
another place, and can be deliberately activated for the same effect.
%%%%
ring of teleportation:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
ring of wizardry

This ring increases the ability of its wearer to use magical spells.
%%%%
ring of wizardry:quote

<ring:quote>
%%%%
robe

A large, loose-fitting, wide-sleeved outer garment made of light cloth. Robes
easily adjust to fit humanoid bodies of any size. Habiliments of this sort
offer only a little protection against physical harm, but their generous cut
does not hinder evasion from attack or the proper performance of thaumaturgical
gestures.
%%%%
robe:quote

“CLEOPATRA: Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have
 Immortal longings in me”
    -William Shakespeare, _Anthony & Cleopatra_, V, ii. ca. 1605.
%%%%
rod of demonology

This rod contains spells of summoning, some of which can unleash demons unto
this unsuspecting world.
%%%%
rod of destruction

This rod contains spells of mayhem and destruction.
%%%%
rod of inaccuracy

This rod allows its wielder to fire a powerful but extremely inaccurate bolt of
power.
%%%%
rod of striking

This rod allows its wielder to strike foes from afar with force bolts.
%%%%
rod of the swarm

This rod allows its wielder to summon a swarm of insects.
%%%%
rod of venom

This rod contains offensive spells of poison.
%%%%
rod of warding

This rod contains spells designed to repel one's enemies.
%%%%
royal jelly

A particularly rich and golden gelatinous thing. Consuming it will restore lost
abilities, in addition to the nutrition it provides.
%%%%
rune of zot

A talisman which allows entry into Zot's domain.
%%%%
sabre

Though originally designed to slash from a mounted position, this single-edged,
slightly-curved short sword still works very well in the hands of unmounted
warriors.
%%%%
sabre:quote

“Who was the first that forged the deadly blade?
 Of rugged steel his savage soul was made...”
    -Albius Tibullus, _Elegies_ I, xi. ca. 25 B.C.
     trans. James Grainger, 1822.
%%%%
sacred scourge

A blessed weapon, woven by the saints in Heaven and hated by the unholy. It is
a favoured weapon of the Shining One's servants.
%%%%
sausage

An elongated lump of low-grade gristle, entrails and cereal products encased in
an intestine. Yum!
%%%%
scale mail

A leather suit covered with metal plates attached to each other in overlapping
rows to provide full protection, but at the cost of reduced freedom of
movement.
%%%%
scale mail:quote

<leather armour:quote>
%%%%
scimitar

A long sabre. Its wide, curved blade increases the damage it deals, but also
makes it a little bit harder to handle accurately.
%%%%
scimitar:quote

“The museum-cabinet and huge library arrogated to themselves the entire lower
floor — there were the controversial and incompatible books that are somehow
the history of the nineteenth century; there were scimitars from Nishapur, in
whose frozen crescents the wind and violence of battle seemed to be living on.”
    -Jorge Luis Borges, _The Form of the Sword_. 1953.
     trans. Andrew Hurley.
%%%%
scroll:quote

“To drift with every passion till my soul
 Is a stringed lute on which all winds can play,
 Is it for this that I have given away
 Mine ancient wisdom, and austere control?
 Methinks my life is a twice-written scroll
 Scrawled over on some boyish holiday.”
    -Oscar Wilde, _Helas_. 1881.
%%%%
scroll of acquirement

This wonderful scroll causes the creation of a valuable item, with the reader
choosing the type of item to be created. Items produced are heavily biased
towards something fitting the reader's skills, and also towards gear that
hasn't been seen yet, but, alas, nothing is guaranteed.
%%%%
scroll of acquirement:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of amnesia

This scroll allows its reader to selectively erase one spell from memory to
recapture the magical energy bound up with it.
%%%%
scroll of amnesia:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of blinking

This scroll allows its reader to teleport a short distance, with precise
control. Be wary that controlled teleports will cause the subject to become
contaminated with magical energy.
%%%%
scroll of blinking:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of curse armour

This scroll places a curse on a worn piece of armour.
%%%%
scroll of curse armour:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of curse jewellery

This scroll places a curse on an equipped amulet or a ring.
%%%%
scroll of curse jewellery:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of curse weapon

This scroll places a curse on a wielded weapon.
%%%%
scroll of curse weapon:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of enchant armour

This scroll places an enchantment on a piece of armour. Most armour can only be
enchanted to +2, except for shields which can be enchanted to +3, and body
armour and bardings which can be enchanted up to the same value as their base
AC.

It can also be used to enchant the hides of certain exotic creatures.
%%%%
scroll of enchant armour:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of enchant weapon i

This scroll places an enchantment on the wielded weapon, making it more
accurate in combat. It becomes increasingly less likely to succeed when used on
highly enchanted weapons, and can only ever enchant them up to +9. Magical
artefacts cannot be enchanted at all.
%%%%
scroll of enchant weapon i:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of enchant weapon ii

This scroll places an enchantment on the wielded weapon, making it inflict
greater damage in combat. It becomes increasingly less likely to succeed when
used on highly enchanted weapons, and can only ever enchant them up to +9.
Magical artefacts cannot be enchanted at all.
%%%%
scroll of enchant weapon ii:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of enchant weapon iii

This scroll enchants the wielded weapon to be far more effective in combat,
increasing both accuracy and damage. It becomes increasingly less likely to
succeed when used on highly enchanted weapons, and can only ever enchant them
up to +9. Magical artefacts cannot be enchanted at all.
%%%%
scroll of enchant weapon iii:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of fear

This scroll causes great fear in those who see the one who reads it.
%%%%
scroll of fear:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of fog

This scroll surrounds the reader with a dense cloud of fog.
%%%%
scroll of fog:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of holy word

This scroll calls on the powers of Heaven to cause great damage to any nearby
unholy creature — including you!
%%%%
scroll of holy word:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of identify

This useful magic scroll allows you to determine the properties of any object,
and will occasionally allow multiple identifications.

If used on a deck of cards, this scroll will also give away the top card.
%%%%
scroll of identify:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of immolation

This scroll is treated with an incredibly flammable substance, which explodes
violently when the scroll is opened and read, scorching the reader and anything
else nearby.
%%%%
scroll of immolation:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of magic mapping

This scroll reveals the surroundings of the one who reads it.
%%%%
scroll of magic mapping:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of noise

This prank scroll, often slipped into a wizard's backpack by a devious
apprentice, causes a loud noise. It is not otherwise noted for its usefulness.
%%%%
scroll of noise:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of random uselessness

It is easy to be blinded to the essential uselessness of this scroll by the
sense of achievement you get from getting it to work at all.
%%%%
scroll of random uselessness:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of recharging

This scroll restores the charges of any magical wand or rod chosen by its
reader. When used on a rod, it also increases the size of the rod's power
storage, increases the rate at which it regenerates power, and even improves
its melee combat qualities.
%%%%
scroll of recharging:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of remove curse

Reading this scroll removes curses from the items you are using.
%%%%
scroll of remove curse:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of summoning

This scroll calls forth several creatures woven from shadow into the shapes of
those beings found within the reader's immediate vacinity.
%%%%
scroll of summoning:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of teleportation

Reading the words on this scroll translocates you to a random position after a
short delay.
%%%%
scroll of teleportation:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of torment

This scroll calls on the powers of darkness to inflict great pain on any nearby
creature — including you! This halves the resilience of all living creatures,
although is never directly fatal.
%%%%
scroll of torment:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of vorpalise weapon

This scroll enchants the wielded weapon so as to make it far more effective at
inflicting harm on its wielder's enemies. Using it on a weapon already affected
by some kind of permanent branding is not advised. On the other hand, the
scroll can make permanent the temporary branding of weapons obtained from some
spells.

Brands that are closely tied to one of the gods (Trog, Lugonu, Kikubaaquadgha,
the Shining One) cannot be affixed this way. Xom, on the other hand, wouldn't
let such an opportunity for fun go to waste.
%%%%
scroll of vorpalise weapon:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of vulnerability

This scroll cancels all magical enchantments from the reader and from beings in
the vicinity. Also, the magical resistances of the reader and nearby beings are
halved for a short duration. The latter effect does not apply to beings fully
immune to magic.
%%%%
scroll of vulnerability:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scroll of silence

This scroll eliminates all sound near the reader. This makes reading scrolls,
casting spells, praying or yelling in the reader's vicinity impossible. (It
applies to the reader, too, of course.)

This silence will not hide your presence, since its oppressive, unnatural
effect will almost certainly alert any living creature that something is very
wrong. Silence starts out with a radius covering half the normal vision range,
which will then shrink, eventually covering only the reader, before the effect
times out.

Note that demons do not need sound to cast spells; certain necromantic fixtures
have this property as well.
%%%%
scroll of silence:quote

<scroll:quote>
%%%%
scythe

A farm implement, usually only used by untrained mobs in combat.
%%%%
scythe:quote

“It was instinct. Illogical as lightning striking and not hurting. Each day the
grain must be cut. It had to be cut. Why? Well, it just did, that was all. He
laughed at the scythe in his big hands. Then, whistling, he took it out to the
ripe and waiting field and did the work. He thought himself a little mad. Hell,
it was an ordinary-enough wheat field, really, wasn't it?”
    -Ray Bradbury, _The Scythe_. 1943.
%%%%
shield

A piece of wood and metal, to be strapped on one arm for defence. It is
cumbersome to wear, and, without training, slows the rate at which a warrior
attacks.
%%%%
shield:quote

<buckler:quote>
%%%%
short sword

A small, double-edged blade with a short grip. Robust and easy to handle, this
weapon is often found in the hands of those who wish to stab their foes
unaware.
%%%%
short sword:quote

“Who was the first that forged the deadly blade?
 Of rugged steel his savage soul was made”
    -Albius Tibullus, _Elegies_ I, xi. ca. 25 B.C.
     trans. James Grainger, 1822.
%%%%
decaying skeleton

A decaying skeleton.
%%%%
slice of pizza

A slice of pizza: a flatbread with tomato sauce, mozzarella di bufala, and
basil.
%%%%
slice of pizza:quote

“When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore.”
    -Jack Brooks, “That’s Amore”. 1952.
%%%%
sling

A piece of cloth and leather for launching stones, which do a small amount of
damage on impact. Unlike with other launchers, wearing a shield does not slow
down its rate of fire.
%%%%
sling:quote

“And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and
smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead;
and he fell upon his face to the earth.”
    -KJV Bible, Sam 17:49.
%%%%
sling bullet

A small, heavy projectile specially shaped for use with slings. It is more
effective as ammunition than simple stones.
%%%%
sling bullet:quote

“For when things are once come to the execution, there is no secrecy comparable
to celerity; like the motion of a bullet in the air, which flieth so swift as
it outruns the eye.”
    -Francis Bacon, _Essays_, “Of Delays”. 1625.
%%%%
snozzcumber

A repulsive cucumber-shaped vegetable.
%%%%
spear

A hunting weapon consisting of a balanced wooden shaft with a pointed metal
head fastened on one end. Shorter than other polearms, it can be wielded with
one or two hands and is also light enough to be thrown.
%%%%
spear:quote

“The halberd is inferior to the spear on the battlefield. With the spear you
can take the initiative; the halberd is defensive. In the hands of one of two
men of equal ability, the spear gives a little extra strength.”
    -Miyamoto Musashi, _The Book of Five Rings_. 1645.
%%%%
spiked flail

A flail improved by a longer chain and the addition of spikes on the striking
head.
%%%%
staff of air

This staff increases the power of air spells cast by its wielder, and insulates
him or her from electricity. If the wielder is skilled in both evocations and
air magic, they can shock those struck by it.
%%%%
staff of air:quote

<staff:quote>
%%%%
staff of cold

This staff increases the power of ice spells cast by its wielder, and protects
him or her from the effects of cold. If the wielder is skilled in evocations,
they can freeze those struck by it, dealing even greater damage if they are
also skilled in ice magic.
%%%%
staff of cold:quote

<staff:quote>
%%%%
staff of conjuration

This staff increases the power of conjurations cast by its wielder.
%%%%
staff of conjuration:quote

<staff:quote>
%%%%
staff of death

This staff increases the power of necromantic spells cast by its wielder, and
protects him or her from negative energy. If the wielder is skilled in both
evocations and necromancy, they can inflict great pain on those living souls
they strike.
%%%%
staff of death:quote

“'I am Aed Abaid of Ess Rúaid, that is, the good god of wizardry of the Tuatha
Dé Danann, and the Rúad Rofhessa, and Eochaid Ollathair are my three names.’
 And thus he was, with Cermait Milbél, one of his sons, on his back, who had
fallen in fight and combat by Lug, son of Cian, High King of Ireland. The Dagda
betook himself to his knowledge and learning, and therefore frankincense and
myrrh and herbs were put around the body of Cermait, and he lifted Cermait on
his back, and bearing Cermait he searched the world, and came to the great
eastern world.
 He met three men going the road and the way with their father’s treasures. The
Dagda asked news of them, and they said ‘We are three sons of one father and
mother, and we are sharing our father’s treasures.’
 ‘What have ye?’ said the Dagda.
 ‘A shirt and a staff and a cloak,’ said they.
 ‘What virtues have these?’ said the Dagda.
 ‘This great staff that thou seest,’ said he, ‘has a smooth end and a rough
end. One end slays the living, and the other end brings the dead to life.’”
    -Osborn Bergin, “How the Dagda Got His Magic Staff”, _Medieval Studies in
     Memory of Gertrude Schoepperle Loomis_. 1927.
%%%%
staff of earth

This staff increases the power of earth spells cast by its wielder. If the
wielder is skilled in evocations, it can crush those struck by it, dealing even
greater damage if they are also skilled in earth magic.
%%%%
staff of earth:quote

<staff:quote>
%%%%
staff of energy

This staff allows its wielder to control magical energy: casting spells no
longer causes hunger, and ambient magic can be channeled for the wielder's
purposes.
%%%%
staff of energy:quote

<staff:quote>
%%%%
staff of fire

This staff increases the power of fire spells cast by its wielder, and protects
him or her from the effects of heat and fire. If the wielder is skilled in
evocations, they can burn those struck by it, dealing even greater damage if
they are also skilled in fire magic.
%%%%
staff of fire:quote

“The wizard suddenly remembered the words of the god. He remembered that of all
the creatures that people the earth, Fire was the only one who knew his son to
be a phantom. This memory, which at first calmed him, ended by tormenting him.
He feared lest his son should meditate on this abnormal privilege and by some
means find out he was a mere simulacrum. Not to be a man, to be a projection of
another man's dreams—what an incomparable humiliation, what madness!”
    -Jorge Luis Borges, _The Circular Ruins_. 1940.
    trans. Anthony Bonner, 1962.
%%%%
staff of poison

This staff increases the power of poisoning spells cast by its wielder, and
protects him or her from the effects of poison. If the wielder is skilled in
both evocations and poison magic, they can poison creatures struck by it — even
if the victims were normally resistant.
%%%%
staff of poison:quote

<staff:quote>
%%%%
staff of power

This staff provides a reservoir of magical power to its wielder.
%%%%
staff of power:quote

<staff:quote>
%%%%
staff of summoning

This staff increases the power of summonings cast by its wielder, and wards him
or her from the attacks of summoned creatures. If the wielder is skilled in
evocations, they can attempt to dismiss summoned creatures that they strike.
%%%%
staff of summoning:quote

<staff:quote>
%%%%
staff of wizardry

This staff significantly increases the ability of its wielder to use magical
spells.
%%%%
staff of wizardry:quote

<staff:quote>
%%%%
steam dragon armour

Armour made from the scales of a steam-breathing dragon. Although, unlike the
armour made from the scales of some larger dragons, it does not provide its
wearer with much protection, it is extremely light and as supple as cloth.
%%%%
steam dragon armour:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
steam dragon hide

The soft and supple scaly skin of a steam dragon. It may be turned into proper
armour by magical means.
%%%%
steam dragon hide:quote

“His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal. One is so
near to another, that no air can come between them. They are joined one to
another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.”
    -KJV Bible, Job 41:15-17.
%%%%
stone

A small chunk of dense but otherwise unremarkable natural mineral. It can be
thrown by hand or launched with a sling.
%%%%
stone:quote

“How happy is the little Stone
 That rambles in the Road alone,
 And doesn't care about Careers
 And Exigencies never fears —
 Whose Coat of elemental Brown
 A passing Universe put on,
 And independent as the Sun
 Associates or glows alone,
 Fulfilling absolute Decree
 In casual simplicity —”
    -Emily Dickinson, “How happy is the little Stone”. ca. 1865.
%%%%
stone of earth elementals

A magical device for summoning earth elementals. It is rather unreliable, and
usually requires several attempts to function correctly. Using it carries an
element of risk, which is reduced if one is skilled in the appropriate
elemental magic, especially when trying to control multiple elementals at the
same time.
%%%%
storm dragon armour

Armour made from the scales of a lightning-breathing dragon. It is heavier than
most dragon scale armours, and gives its wearer great resistance to electrical
discharges.
%%%%
storm dragon armour:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
storm dragon hide

The hide of a lightning-breathing dragon, covered in extremely hard blue
scales. In its raw form it does not provide much protection beyond resistance
to electrical discharge, but with magical means it may be used to make
excellent armour.
%%%%
storm dragon hide:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
strawberry

A small but delicious red fruit.
%%%%
strawberry:quote

“A Samurai was out walking when a large tiger began to chase him. The samurai
ran for his life, never seeing the cliff under his feet. As he fell, he reached
out and caught a vine that hung down. He looked down and saw another tiger
circling below; the first tiger waited above. The vine began to give away. The
samurai then saw a single strawberry growing on the vine. He reached out and
ate the strawberry. How sweet it tasted!”
    -Attributed to various Japanese buddhist monks.
%%%%
sultana

A humble raisin.
%%%%
sultana:quote

“A Turkish garden was among the curiosities to which the Jew found access for
Bentham. It was a sort of orchard of vines and other trees, without order or
apparent arrangement. From that garden Bentham sent specimens of the Sultana
raisin to England which he believed to have been the first of that species
which had ever reached his country.”
    -John Bowring, _The Works of Jeremy Bentham_. 1839.
%%%%
swamp dragon armour

Armour made from the scales of a swamp dragon. It confers resistance to poison
on its wearer.
%%%%
swamp dragon armour:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
# Produces "The slimy skin" if you can't smell and "The slimy, smelly skin" if you can smell.
swamp dragon hide

The slimy{{
    if you.can_smell() then
        return ", smelly"
    end
}} skin of a swamp-dwelling dragon. It confers resistance to poison on its
wearer, and it may be turned into proper armour by magical means.
%%%%
swamp dragon hide:quote

<steam dragon hide:quote>
%%%%
throwing net

A mesh of ropes knotted together with weights around the edge. Originally used
by hunters to entangle and entrap prey, it soon found obvious application in
battle and gladiatorial arenas. Struggling victims can eventually destroy the
net and break free, if they live long enough.
{{
    if you.race() == "Halfling"
        or you.race() == "Kobold"
        or you.race() == "Spriggan"
    then
        return "Unfortunately, it is too large and awkward for you to use."
    else
        return ""
    end
}}
%%%%
throwing net:quote

“The look of a scared thing
 Sitting in a net!”
    -Edna St. Vincent Millay, “When the Year Grows Old”. 1917.
%%%%
tome of destruction

An extremely powerful but unpredictable book of wild magic. Warning: Reading
may be hazardous to you or your surroundings!
%%%%
tome of destruction:quote

<book:quote>
%%%%
trident

A fishing spear improved with a longer shaft and a three-pronged metal head.
Due to the added weight it cannot be thrown effectively.
%%%%
trident:quote

“Without noticing the occupations of an intervening day or two, which, as they
consisted of the ordinary sylvan amusements of shooting and coursing, have
nothing sufficiently interesting to detain the reader, we pass to one in some
degree peculiar to Scotland, which may be called a sort of salmon-hunting. This
chase, in which the fish is pursued and struck with barbed spears, or a sort of
long shafted trident, called a waster, is much practised at the mouth of the
Esk, and in the other salmon rivers of Scotland.”
    -Sir Walter Scott, _Guy Mannering_, ch. XXVI. 1815.
%%%%
triple sword

A magical weapon with three great razor-sharp blades. According to legend, a
master forger created a sword with two blades at the facetious suggestion of a
knight, who, finding that the resulting blade was quite functional, jovially
quipped, “Ah, very good, but could you make a *triple* sword?” When the answer
turned out to be yes, the knight was too shocked to ask about the possibilities
of a quadruple sword.
%%%%
triple sword:quote

<demon blade:quote>
%%%%
trishula

A blessed trident moulded by cleansing flame, with three points symbolising the
combined might of the three holy gods. It is a favoured weapon of the Shining
One's servants.
%%%%
troll hide

The stiff and knobbly hide of a troll, with magical regenerative properties.
Wearable, like other beastly skins, it also reacts well to enchantment.
%%%%
troll hide:quote

“THE TROLL KING: Now, listen, Prince Peer, and give way to reason!
 You're cut out for a Troll. Why, look, already
 You bear yourself quite in a Troll-like fashion!
 And you want to become one, don't you?
 PEER GYNT: Of course.
 In return for a bride and a well-found kingdom
 I'm not unwilling to sacrifice something;
 But all things have their natural limit.
 I have taken a tail, it is true; but, then,
 I can undo the knots that our friend has tied
 And take the thing off. I have shed my breeches;
 They were old and patched; but that won't prevent me
 From putting them on if I have a mind to.
 I shall probably find it just as easy
 To deal with your Trollish way of living.
 I can easily swear that a cow's a maiden;
 An oath's not a difficult thing to swallow.
 But to know that one never can get one's freedom —
 Not even to die as a human being —
 To end one's days as a Troll of the mountains —
 Never go back, as you tell me plainly —
 That is a thing that I'll not submit to.”
    -Henrik Ibsen, _Peer Gynt_ . 1867.
%%%%
troll leather armour

Armour made from the stiff and knobbly skin of a common troll. It magically
regenerates its wearer's flesh at a fairly slow rate (unless already a troll).
%%%%
troll leather armour:quote

<troll hide:quote>
%%%%
wand of cold

A magical device which throws great bolts of cold.
%%%%
wand of cold:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of confusion

A magical device which induces confusion and bewilderment in a target creature.
%%%%
wand of confusion:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of digging

A magical device which forms tunnels through unworked rock by liquefying it.
%%%%
wand of digging:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of disintegration

A magical device which disrupts the physical structure of anything but the
hardest walls — even rigid statues, to say nothing of flesh.
%%%%
wand of disintegration:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of draining

A magical device which throws a bolt of negative energy which drains the life
essences of living creatures, but is useless against the undead, demons,
artificial creatures and even living plants.
%%%%
wand of draining:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of enslavement

A magical device which causes slavish obedience in a creature.
%%%%
wand of enslavement:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of fire

A magical device which throws great bolts of fire.
%%%%
wand of fire:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of fireball

A magical device which throws exploding blasts of flame.
%%%%
wand of fireball:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of flame

A magical device which throws little bits of flame.
%%%%
wand of flame:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of frost

A magical device which throws little bits of frost.
%%%%
wand of frost:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of hasting

A magical device which casts enchantments to speed up the actions of a creature
at which it is directed.
%%%%
wand of hasting:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of heal wounds

A magical device which can heal a creature's wounds.
%%%%
wand of invisibility

A magical device which hides a creature from the view of others.
%%%%
wand of invisibility:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of lightning

A magical device which throws great bolts of lightning.
%%%%
wand of lightning:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of magic darts

A magical device which throws small bolts of destructive energy. They never
miss.
%%%%
wand of magic darts:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of paralysis

A magical device which can render a creature immobile, incapable of moving any
of its limbs. A paralysed creature can only breathe, think, and helplessly
watch as it falls into lava below or you put it out of its misery with your
dagger.
%%%%
wand of paralysis:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of polymorph

A magical device which causes a creature to be transmogrified into another
form. It is especially effective against shape-changing creatures.
%%%%
wand of polymorph:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of random effects

A magical device which can produce a variety of effects.
%%%%
wand of random effects:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of slowing

A magical device which casts enchantments to slow down the actions of a
creature at which it is directed.
%%%%
wand of slowing:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
wand of teleportation

A magical device which causes a creature to be randomly translocated.
%%%%
wand of teleportation:quote

<wand:quote>
%%%%
war axe

A one-handed military axe with a long haft and a single-bladed head.
%%%%
war axe:quote

“'God speed the kiss,' said Max, and Katie sigh'd,
 With pray'rful palms close seal'd, 'God speed the axe!'”
    -Isabella Valancey Crawford, “Malcolm's Katie: A Love Story”, Part I, _Old
     Spookses' Pass, Malcolm's Katie and Other Poems_. 1884.
%%%%
whip

A long plaited strip of leather. Originally developed for use in disagreements
with cattle, this simple weapon is now widely used to settle differences
between all sorts of creatures.
%%%%
whip:quote

“Not with a Club, the Heart is broken
 Nor with a Stone —
 A Whip so small you could not see it
 I've known
 To lash the Magic Creature
 Till it fell,
 Yet that Whip's Name
 Too noble then to tell.”
    -Emily Dickinson, “Not with a Club, the Heart is broken”. ca. 1865.
%%%%
wizard hat

A conical cloth hat.
%%%%
young poisoner's handbook

A introductory book for the magic arts of Poison. Much of it is written in inks
which contain the very poisons described in the text, and mages with a tendency
to lick their fingers before turning a page will usually quit the habit soon
after they begin reading, one way or another.
%%%%
