Flamerule 15

Flamerule 15, 1369: (half moon, waning)

    Stewart, Maanamere and Henkles (I think) go to the first apointment
    set up by Bruce.  In a secure room above a local bank, they meet
    with Alartha Karphodikis, a well dressed woman with 2 trim guards in
    chainmail who is selling "Kharzag", a flametongue longsword which
    screams like a demon when swung.  She tells the party that it has a
    special purpose of slaying white dragons, against which it does
    significantly improved damage, provides protection from cold and
    dragon breath and is empathic.  Maanamere tries it out and it feels
    _real_good_.  (The hilt of this sword is made of brass. The pommel
    is a tourmaline cabochon.  The guard is 5 curved rods. The grip is
    fluted purplish crystal. The blade is made of plain meteoric iron.)
    
    Alartha tells them that the sword is one of the items that will be
    sold at an auction across the street from the Vault of the Sages on
    the 20th.  She will also be selling a magic shield, 3 potions, and a
    wand of detecting secret doors (with low charges).  Someone else
    will be selling magic boots, a magic cloak and some enchanted
    bracers at the same auction, but she can't vouch for their quality. 
    
    The group discusses possibly having her sell items for them in the
    future.  Her standard agreement is that she gets 10% of the sale
    price plus the cost of having the item fully identified once the
    item is sold.  She prefers to sell at auctions as that tends to
    improve the price.
    
    Elizabeth Rose and Devlin go to the House Invincible to inquire
    after Frik.  They find "Brother Frik" tending the temple gardens
    with his tail showing.  He informs them that he has a duty to Helm
    and he will stay at the temple.  He tells them of his aspiration
    to be a great priest someday.  The group discusses "Brother Frik"
    briefly with one of Helms priests and learns that he is indeed
    welcome there and the charm cast by Buffy has been removed.

    The party decides to ask Devlin to identify the three books ("Manual
    of Bodily Health", "Libram of Gainful Conjuration", and "Manual of
    Golems") that the party found in the first dungeon they explored and
    have been carrying around ever since.  He does so and discovers that
    they are monsters, not magic items.  Some later library research
    reveals that there are quite a few possible monsters that could
    appear to be books, even ruling out something being transformed into
    a book against its will.  There is even at least one cousin to the
    mimic which prefers that form. 
    
    The second magic weapon dealer meets with the party in one of their
    rooms that night.  Stavar Sunblight, mousy man w/3 huge smelly
    guards in ring mail comes to tavern to show "Betty Bullwhip", a
    talking, animate bullwhip who claims to be quite talented in combat
    and elsewhere, particularly against creatures wearing leather.
    Stavar wants 6000gp for Betty and although some members of the party
    find her strangely appealing, they decide they can't afford her at
    this time. 
    
    Rumors begin arriving in Silverymoon that adventurers are being
    drafted to help patrol the area around Everlund.