Ebirc's studies on the bow reveal no hint of a curse, simply a small enchantment. Its a light one, enough to make the arrows fly straighter, and the pull of the string to carry more force once released than it normally should. It was not a mighty bow, but relatively easy to draw, yet there was something about it that stuck out. The material used for the string didn't seem normal. In fact, it almost seemed like truly fine hair, golden in shade and strengthened by whatever enchantments were laid into the bow itself. The craftmanship suggesting elves.<br/><br/>The bastard sword proved a tougher challenge to examine. Ebirc's skills were enough to tell him that there was something inherently<em>wrong</em>with it, there was something almost hostile to Ebirc's touch, yet it seemed at ease in Mark's hand, but somehow the blade itself seemed to carry a purpose of some sort. Beyond that, it was evident the blade had been enchanted with some elemental magic, and kept sharp by it as well. Rather well made, whoever made it had spent a fair sum on it.<br/><br/>Nearing the orb eventually though Ebirc would come to quickly notice that the orb radiated with unholy energy. The green clouds within might be poisonous, and the very least they would do would harm anything too close to the orb when it broke. It seemed merely touching the orb would be enough to cause trouble, but removing the journal would send the orb rolling, and breaking once it slipped off the table. Trying to nudge it aside and keep it from falling would be a feat best left for someone with quick reflexes, talent for precision, and knowledge of handling magical traps.<br/><br/>While those preparations took place though there was sound of footsteps somewhere down the corridor, seemingly coming from the western side of the intersection at the end of the hallway. Still distant, but the sound of something large was pretty clear, the footsteps giving squelching wet noise under them, and something heavy was being dragged along the floor with it.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Results</div><div class="spoiler_body">Bow is a +2 Longbow, simple enchantment nothing 'special' about it as such, other than its construction.<br/>The Bastard Sword appears to likewise have a +2 enchantment, as well as Keen, but there seems to be some command word to unleash the elemental power in it. Complicating things there is that the sword appears to have a purpose, and possibly an Ego of its own.<br/><br/>The orb appears to be more or less a magical trap, and based on the looks, one that could kill a younger adventurer with a little bad luck involved in its activation. <br/><br/>Knowledge Religion (already rolled in the background) gives this to add: Such devices were commonly used by the agents of Mortanius in the past, carried by his messengers to take away their secrets on discovery, boiling flesh from bones by burning vapors, eradicating evidence, and raising undead soldiers from the remains of those so killed. Heretical and twisted blend of Divine and Arcane magic, only the Mystic Theurges of the past age were known to manufacture them, and the last known practitioner of the arts was burned at a stake over a century ago.</div></div>