The Collector shook his head again, gesturing vaguely to Yellow as he spoke. "The very nature of magic is to be unpredictable," he answered, apologetically. "But the magic of which I speak is... generally weak. Easier to cast. More reliable. But weak. That is why making it, in particular, deadly is a wise choice," he explained. Selling it-? Maybe. "As for unpredictability, well... It is unpredictable by nature. The Shield, that is. It could cause more damage. Or fail to block it entirely. It requires some practice to operate," he went on, "with consistency. If you wish an item that can consistently kill another Gembound, without risk-? Come back to me in two weeks' time. I can fashion, or obtain, something by then. But as with all things... there is always a risk of-... Backfire."
The Collector paused, studying Yellow closely. "There was an item, once," he mused--"given to the spider called 'Thothaga.' But I do not know if she would be willing to grant it to you. It is the very sort of item you might seek--the kind to allow fate itself to be... shall we say, rerolled. For a second chance to be granted to your failures. If you can find her... perhaps you might offer something in trade."
@Yellow
The Collector stared, for a moment, at Rainstorm. "...A fine reason," he said, at last, voice veiled. Hairy hands reached out, claws drawing the stone chips closer even as the other hand pushed over the Diadem and the Amulet. "This contract is sealed... As for what they do," he went on, turning and setting the stones out of sight--and bringing forth, too, a hot cup of tea. This he set before Rainstorm before sitting back on his stool, crossing one leg over the other.
"This is called the Diadem of the Mind." He gestured gently to the large crown, wondering how in the caves the small bird would carry the metal crown away. Ahh, well; it wasn't his problem, was it? "This allows those who can use the magic of reading minds, to target specific memories, thoughts, visions--even if the target tries to hide them. It was once one of this set of three," he added, pointing also to the ring. "Owned by a great wizard-... Supposedly reincarnated somewhere within the caves. You know," he added, shifting forward to peer at the bird curiously, "it was said that, before he died, he swore a curse upon these items. Not anything to make them damaging, of course--but that he would find them, in future lives. That he would always come back to them. I had always thought it to be a silly myth, but... perhaps he was reincarnated in you..? You would need to wield and use all three, to find out, but--perhaps two is enough for you," he murmured.
"...In any case. The Amulet of the Watcher allows those who can view the past to seek specific points in time--generally an impossibility. It's quite powerful, but it is also said that the Wizard contended against dark spirits that haunted such visions, so... I would use caution with it."
A smile, and a shrug. Again: not his problem, now.
Unidentified Item!
Rainstorm has received an unidentified item from The Collector!
4★ Diadem of the Mind
A dark metal crown fitted with smooth-cut amethysts.
|
 | OWNER: Rainstorm Diadem of the Mind
A dark metal crown, fitted with a number of smooth-cut, gleaming amethysts. There's a feeling of powerful latent magic about it, as though not all is yet revealed...
PART THREE OF THE WIZARD'S TRIUNE.
ELEMENT: 
MAGIC LEVEL: 100
DURABILITY: 50
SPECIAL: This ring allows a cast of Mind Reader to seek out specific thoughts or memories, even when the target is not currently thinking of them.
MATERIAL: Unknown Metal, Amethyst
ATTACK: N/A |
ADDED: Cursed: (This curse is Hidden. GM tag for the first failed use of this item to reveal it.)
DEFENSE: 0
WEIGHT: 1
EQUIP: Crown
|
Currently owned by: Rainstorm
|
Unidentified Item!
Rainstorm has received an unidentified item from The Collector!
4★ Amulet of the Watcher
A dark metal crescent on a pendant, studded with twelve tiny, softly glowing amethysts.
|
 | OWNER: Rainstorm Amulet of the Watcher
A small crescent pendant of dark metal approximately an inch across. This pendant is studded with twelve tiny, softly glowing amethysts, and is hung on a similarly dark, slender chain. Casting Hindsight with this pendant equipped allows the wearer to seek out specific memories, be they moments in time or memories of a particular desired entity. There's a feeling of powerful latent magic about it, as though not all is yet revealed...
"But who is doing the watching..?"
ELEMENT:
MAGIC LEVEL: 100
DURABILITY: 10
SPECIAL: none
MATERIAL: Unknown Metal, Amethyst
ATTACK: N/A |
ADDED: Cursed: Each use dims one of the tiny amethysts, extinguishing its light forever. (This curse is Hidden. GM tag for each use of this item to reveal it.)
DEFENSE: 0
WEIGHT: .5
EQUIP: Pendant
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Currently owned by: Rainstorm
|
@Rainstorm
That settled the matter of the Shield, then. Yellow shook their head. ”I can’t risk giving someone something that could hurt them worse when they’re in danger.” As for the other possibilities… what the Collector said made sense, they supposed. There seemed to be few ways to enhance their chances of success with magic, apart from hard, bitter work through practice.
They frowned a little, and considered the second weapon he spoke of. ”I guess that makes sense. … ‘Backfire’? Could you explain how?” The desire inside them burned bright at the thought of such a weapon, but they had to make sure the risk was within an acceptable range. If not… they would take the collar. They knew they could learn magic that was as powerful as the enhanced form of its spell, with time and effort, but the Collector’s marketing spiel made sense to them. Why not let an outside enchantment make a safer spell more powerful? It would accelerate their progress to the same, or maybe even better, result.
”Would you be able to obtain a different item with protective or healing powers, too, with time?” they tried hopefully. ”It’s okay if the power is weaker, or might fail sometimes, as long as the failure won’t do worse damage. If not… I understand.”
As for Thothaga… ”Do you have any idea where to find her?” They would keep that possibility in mind, too, but they did not know if they would be able to track her down. It had taken so long just to find… certain others, and the caves were so big. Even with Mother’s help, they weren’t sure of their chances, or if the spider would even be willing to trade. She must have her reasons for wanting such an item, too. It was a possible option, but not as certain.
Rainstorm watches as the tea appears - warm, steaming. Delicious.
A set of three... Rainstorm's echolocation shows them that on the table, there's more than what they requested to get. They can't tell what the last item is, but they're interested now. They have to see what those items do all together, even if they can't use the spells that are required of them. Perhaps Rainstorm will find someone who can wield all three, show them what it does, and give them back. Or they'll just have the items in their collection forever...
Who is this amazing wizard? Surely it is not Rainstorm - they can't use magic to see those things. At least they dont think so. They've never tried, and they're sure nothing would happen even if they did. Rainstorm does not use their magic often, for someone who is proud of what they could do with it. Not that they know much. Regardless, they want this last item.
"Is it the same price for the last one?"
They want it.
Rainstorm chunks one last piece, shoves it close to this strange being - who could be lying, for sure - but Rainstorm wants to know
"What does the last one do?"
Yellow was given a thoughtful sigh, a tapping of claws on tabletop. "I do not know. But she is... large. Blue. Difficult to miss," he offered, "albeit in that 'hiding in corners' arachnid sort of way. By 'backfire' I mean 'explode in your hand.' As for items that can mend, heal... naturally. I have some, even, that would simply shield the user from a small amount of pain... but nothing that will make someone develop some sort of immunity to injury, of course. Might I suggest," he went on, with a gentle gesture Yellow's way, "considering more carefully the precise nature of what you want? Enchantments generally affect a single spell--and nothing is foolproof. If you take time, and find me later--after this market is concluded--perhaps we might find something more... tailored to your needs. Unless you wish to take some time now, and think on it."
Yellow had come in blind, and that was fair; not everyone knew right away precisely what they wanted. But their requests were simply too vague for the Collector to really fill.
"Indeed it is." His tone said, 'what a clever little bird you are.' His words smiled.
His claws pulled the third gemstone shard over to his side with a delicate little click. Oh, he'd remember this one. Remember--and watch closely. He couldn't wait.
"The ring," the Collector purred, "grants those with telekinetic magic the ability to move not one, but several items at the same time. This is extremely powerful, I might add. Imagine lifting an entire group of allies out of the path of danger... Normally, this sort of magic is reserved for only the most advanced. But the Ring of the Poltergeist holds great power. At times, however, the ghost of the old wizard seems almost to reach through it, moving things to his own ends--but such is the cost of power."
Unidentified Item!
Rainstorm has received an unidentified item from The Collector!
4★ Ring of the Poltergeist
A dark metal ring fitted with a large, glittering amethyst.
|
 | OWNER: ??? Ring of the Poltergeist
A dark metal ring, fitted with a large, glittering amethyst. There's a feeling of powerful latent magic about it, as though not all is yet revealed...
PART TWO OF THE WIZARD'S TRIUNE.
ELEMENT:
MAGIC LEVEL: 100
DURABILITY: 10
SPECIAL: This ring allows a cast of Telekinesis to move up to three objects at the same time. The objects must be within a few yards of one another, and in line of sight and fifty yards of the caster.
MATERIAL: Unknown Metal, Amethyst
ATTACK: N/A |
ADDED: Cursed: (This curse is Hidden. GM tag for the first failed use of Telekinesis while wearing this item to reveal it.)
DEFENSE: 0
WEIGHT: .5
EQUIP: Ring
|
Currently owned by: Rainstorm
|
@Rainstorm @Yellow
Oh. Explode in your hand. They could… deal with that? That didn’t sound so bad. It wasn’t as if they hadn’t survived explosions before. The information about Thothaga they passed to the Hive with a soft request to keep an eye out, although to be honest Yellow was reluctant to ask for her item in trade. What if she had equally compelling reasons to want something like it, after all? It would almost be unfair even to ask.
Their eyes brightened at the suggestion of thinking of a single spell to enhance. ”I know—!” they began excitedly, before Mother’s blaring warning in their head slammed their jaws shut so hard they nearly bit their own tongue off. Ah—that’s right. Their face heated. They couldn’t tell anyone about the Hive’s magic, because they could never know who was out to get their big, happy family and destroy them forever. Even this seemingly benevolent, if a little shady, trader.
”Um- the magic energy gathering spell!” They scrambled to find another kind of magic to cover their mistake, and landed on this. And lowered their voice, too, as if their previous embarrassment had been for speaking too loudly in excitement. ”The one that lets you draw magic from magical things around you to recover! What about something like that?”
”And the two things you also mentioned? It seems… handle-able, I think. I mean, it makes sense to make a safer magic stronger, right? And exploding in my hands isn’t the worst possible outcome, either.” They would have to be careful with it, but it would be a handy last resort in a battle where life and death hung in the balance: not just for themselves, but for their siblings as well. ”Is the price a piece of my stone? I can do that.”
"I would ask... that you grant life to one of these," he murmured, drawing out a small shard of rutilated quartz. This he set upon the table.
"And for a second item? Yes, a shard of your gemstone will do just fine." He smiled.
"So-... You wish the Collar of the Wind God, and the item that can cause incredible damage but has a chance of self-destructing in your hand? -It is a very low chance," he added.
He estimated it at one in twenty. Perhaps two.
"As for leeching magic-... Indeed I do. But it is known as the Ring of the Vampire--never mind what a vampire is, that is ancient storytelling lore that does not belong to this place. This is an item that enhances the use of that magic against living gemstones--whatever form they may take... Growing children, stones with residual life or... Gembounds, of course."
He smiled.
It wasn't the sort of ring that made the magic more stable, though--only more vicious. Far, far more vicious-... but he wasn't the sort of vendor to lay out all the negatives to his customers. He was a salesman, after all.
@Yellow
Ah, so that was what the Collector wanted the gemstone fragments for? Children? Yellow tilted their head, wondering what the Collector was thinking. Why not give them life himself—? Perhaps he needed so many child helpers with his expanding business that it would be too draining to create them himself—? But it didn’t matter too much, they thought. They could easily pay this price. They gave the Collector a nod, confirming that yes, that was what they wanted.
A melodious hum rose from their throat as they grasped the quartz with small, slender fingers and willed magic into it. They hoped this child would have a happy, easy life like they should have had, having fun helping the Collector and seeing magical items. Certainly fewer people seemed to be out to get the Collector than out to get the Hive. And then, they reached up to their forehead with a cupped hand to catch a fragment of yellow jade that fell with a thought, and handed it to the Collector. There—they would have their items, to enhance the ability of them and the Hive to resist attack, and the Collector would have his children.
But then a look of horror swept across their face as the Collector spoke of draining growing children. ”What?! How can you talk about draining children so casually?” they yelped, actually taking a step backward. Had they made a mistake? Maybe he wouldn’t take such good care of these children as they thought. The idea of draining gemstones with residual life was equally horrifying, as they immediately thought of those shining, lonely gems hidden in Ursa. Ruby and chrysoberyl, all that remained of their first family. But… if they thought about it more, they could see the use in it. What if the gemstones were those of dead Lesser gembound, or of their enemies? What if an injured Hive member could use that leeching magic at a crucial moment in battle, bolstering their own strength to heal their injuries while weakening a vicious attacker that might otherwise kill them?
Their family certainly wouldn’t use it for evil. And it could save a life.
The desire: protect, and destroy, rose up inside them and demanded more. Yellow made a decision. ”What would the price for that be?” they asked, in a calmer tone now.
Algol--halfway through drawing the gemstones over to his side of the table--blinked and flinched at Yellow's outburst.
Then he broke into good-natured laughter. "I do not expect you to use it that way, little one!" he answered, and it seemed to be a genuine enough response. "You--who speak of protecting others? No, no. I simply give you the full truth of these items. I collect them; I do not create. Here," he added.
One clawed hand delved into his robe--taking with it the life-granted quartz. After a moment's fishing about he withdrew a small, dark metal collar, etched and carved with strange glyphs.
"Find me here in a day or two, and I will have that weapon ready for you," he added, more quietly, as he slid the collar across the table. "As for cost... another stone, I should think. But be wary you do not wear yourself out, hmm..?"
Yellow should approach The Collector in a new thread, taking place after this one, to collect his paid-for weapon.
Identified Item!
Yellow has received an identified item from The Collector!
3★ Collar of the Wind God
A dark metal collar etched with strange glyphs.
|
 | ☆☆☆★★★ Collar of the Wind God
A dark metal collar etched with strange glyphs. It holds the constant feel of rushing wind, often rustling the fur or feathers of its wearer as though by an invisible breeze.
ELEMENT: 
MAGIC LEVEL: 50
DURABILITY: 50
SPECIAL: The wearer of the Collar may imbue each successful cast of Scale with either greatly intensified effects (crushing, restraint, vacuum, etc.) or the ability to affect multiple targets within several yards of the initial target.
MATERIAL: Tarnished Silver
ATTACK: N/A |
ADDED: Cursed: The collar constantly urges the user to gain height and leap from high points, even if they cannot fly. Critical fails rolled on Scale while wearing this collar will create a violent windstorm around the user, flinging them (and anyone within three yards) high into the air before abruptly fading.
DEFENSE: 0
WEIGHT: 4
EQUIP: Collar
|
Currently owned by: Yellow
|
@Yellow
She had been observing the store for a bit, trying to figure out how this was supposed to work. looks like people were mostly buying the items on the table, but one dude was asking for custom stuff. sounds FUN!!
Bebby strode up to the collector's stall, noteably without the rocks she spent ages looking for, (she felt bad about it and noticed everyone else was doing something different, so she just dumped all the rocks on forgraves, but she definitely acted all huffy about it)
"hiiii mr collector!! i'm bebby, you came to our house a few cycles ago!" she said, a little loud, "saw you were selling magic stuff, thought it'd be cool, misread your sign at first BUT NOW I GOT IT, ANYWHO-!"
she looked around at all the cool stuff still on the table first, humming. I can do like. 2 of my rocks and do 1 thing to one of your rocks. what's the cool mace do??" she asked, pointing enthusiastically to the fangstone mace, something that she wasn't even totally sure wasn't too heavy for her.
Galleon hated travel. But she had heard about the Collector's stall. And that intrigued her. Her fins ached as she pulled herself, muscles that hadn't been used in this way in cycles being pushed once again. She switched between pushing herself with tail flaps, and crawling like a beached sea turtle. It sucked. Gone was the fearsome sand shark, the terror beneath the underworld. Here was the fish out of water. The awkward, flopping goldfish. By the time she reached the Collector's stall, she had five change of hearts, six exhausted breaks to pant, and had even face planted into a section of rocks.
"Made it." She panted, more as a small admission of victory to herself. No one else knew how hard it had been for Galleon to crawl here. It was long seconds before she spoke again, gathering her breath. In the meanwhile, her eyes wandered to the wagon with...strangely fleshy legs. The spots on her back flickered between blue and yellow as she thought. Finally she turned her attention back to the Collector. "Alright... Collector, yeah? I think i remember you from the ah, deathmatch. I went to Hydra and found it, ah, a bit dangerous. It was fine, at first. But then I discovered I wasn't the only thing in the sands. I think I'd like something that'd make me more fearsome to the creatures in Hydra. Stronger maybe? Also..." And here, her heard shifted back to watch last legs. "How much would it be for that wagon over there as well? I could use something to help carry me around these caves. Ah, could you do me a favor, while you're at it?"
The smell of that tea had been circling in Galleon's massive respiratory system. She has never had anything like tea, but the scent of the herbs was greatly enticing. Galleon opened her mouth, peeling back her sheets of bone to expose a flat tongue. Though a bit garbled, she struggled out a: "Could you pour me some of that liquid? I wouldn't want to break your stand, and it smells real nice."