(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

it, though the essences were too subtle for me to catch. "If you were so
intrigued by the box, what made you decide to give it away?"
A small smile quirked at Shilandra's lips, and for a moment she relived the
memories of being a mere journeyman wizard, "I was young and brash back
then. In my relentless pursuit of knowledge, I carelessly undid one of the
spells. Look closely at the box, it was like new when I had it. The signs of
decay are an indication that the spells are weakening. I realized I was in
danger if I kept the box any longer. So I held a contest to get rid of it."
"A contest?"
"It was the most expedient way to rid myself of it. I simply invited all the
bashers in the Hive to fight each other to determine who was the best.
Bashers are notorious for having big muscles and not much upstairs, if you
know what I mean," Shilandra said, tapping the side of her head, "They
came like flies to honey. I offered some money and the box as a prize. I
believe some basher named Brasken won the contest."
"Do you know the history behind this box?"
She shrugged, "The only thing I have been able to learn is its name. It is
called Moridor's Box. As to who this Moridor is or the origins of the box, I do
not know."
"You seem to know something about magic. Can you tell me what spells
have been put on this box?"
"For many years I studied the box and tried to learn its secrets. Spell upon
spell upon spell has been woven into it. To my amazement, my studies
revealed that all the spells are of the type used to confine fiends," Shilandra
said it casually, with the same calm with which she arranged several reams
of paper covered with formulae and scribbles. As if she had no problem at
all with the idea of holding the legions of the Abyss in one hand.
My hands trembled at the word, and my fingers clenched against the wood.
"Fiends!? You mean there are fiends trapped within this box..."
"No! Not fiends. A fiend," she gave the box a tired glance, "And judging by
the sophistication and power of these spells, it would have to be one of
significant standing and power in its realm."
365