Urist opened the chest under Ubel’s and co. suggestion and started taking out items one by one which started with the books.

Glass Making 101 with tips and tricks Farming 101 and how to do crop rotation How to train speed archery The Basics of spearmanship Knife Combat Wood Working How to make Canoes Construction Basics Magic, Physical, And Class Basics Magical Forging Theory Basic Elemental Golem Theory and Creation

He did a quick search on the market and found that a couple of books here weren't there which were; Magic, Physical, And Class Basics, Magical Forging Theory and Basic Elemental Golem Theory and Creation. Which bewildered him that some items wouldn’t be on the market and he made a note to go actively search for these treasure stashes if that was the case. The most expensive book in the collection was Knife combat which to him felt absurd.

Setting the books aside he moved on to the gems and notice that some of them were shaped oddly. When he pulled one of the strange stones out a cry came from Vlad, “An elemental stone?! What a gift from the heavens.”

“Elemental Stone? What’s that?” Asked Urist curiously.

Ubel responded cooly, “Elemental stones are a pretty rare item that is used for many things. Like magic stones, mages used to store mana these stones are used for Magic Item Creation, Elemental Golem Creation, Rituals, Body Tempering, Meditation, Pill forging. Etc. etc.

“The list goes on and on for the number of uses a stone can be used for depending on its quality, size, and type. All we need is someone with a good identify skill to see the quality; for the type, we can tell by the color. The one you hold in your hand is Scarlet, not Crimson meaning it’s a fire elemental stone, not a blood elemental stone.

“Depending on the quality we might be able to use it as a fire source for forging although the con is to have a fire mage poor mana into it occasionally to keep it going. You got any suggestions on how to use this stone or information to add Vlad?”

Vlad nodded his head in approval, “You covered most of the information, but forgot to include that elemental stones can only store their type of elemental mana. They also store more mana and use it more efficiently then there mana stone counterpart of the same grade.

And the theory why mana stones can be used by anyone is that they change the affinity of the mana to neutral regardless of the source. Although they do give off more powerful effects when they expel mana of that element for some reason. In my world, we still haven’t found an explanation of why that is. But the tests we ran have concluded the pro’s and con’s of these two similar items.”

When Vlad finished his explanation Ubel nodded his head with a thoughtful expression. “Oh? I didn’t know that there was such a difference, in my world we never made such a conclusion. I wonder if it’s true for this world as well.”

Vlad's eyes gave off a mad glint, “We must experiment to see if the laws are the same.”

Urist interjected before the talks went to another tangent, “Indeed, I’m quite interested as well and we have a good test sample here to figure that out.”

Pulling one elemental stone after another the two sitting at the table eyes grew more at the small hill of stones built up. In total, they had forty stones of various colors and sizes leaving the two gobsmacked and Vlad opening and closing his mouth.

Seeing them acting strange Urist decided to move onto the set of clothes that were a pair of bronze gauntlets, a blue-colored tunic, and feathered leather boots. With everything was taken out of the chest, Urist called for someone to get Saera so they could appraise the items.

As they waited Vaikus remembered the knife that he got from the chest and put it on the table.

“Found. Also. Chest. Magical. Strength. Speed. Helped.”

Seeing Urist confused look Blink explained for his older brother and finally got the gist of what he was saying. Taking a quick look around he saw people expecting something from him in how to treat this.

Since he didn’t feel angry for Vaikus taking the knife to help carry the items and there were no laws he felt at a loss in how to treat this matter. Mulling it over for a bit of time he figured out a response everyone was waiting for.

“Since you found this treasure for the group you may keep this knife and be rewarded what you want within reason. But I like to ask you, Vlad, if items can be cursed.”

“They can indeed be king, some of them can be quite nasty.”

Why is he calling me king, Thought Urist before he kept talking. “Then as a rule from now on, if another chest or an unidentified strange item is found that it’ll be handled with measures to not allow cursing. Until such a time it can be identified and be considered safe for a person to use. I assume that is agreeable with you all and that Vlad has some info on how to protect against curses?”

Everyone noticeably relaxed except for Ubel giving a slight flow and a look that said he only got half points. He would ask him what he messed up but decided to turn his attention to Vaikus.

“So as long as the knife isn't cursed you can have it. But what do you want as an extra reward? A better weapon, wine, an advancement on your private room or something else.”

“All.”

“What?”, Is he a greedy person? Man, why does the first time I reward stuff have to be such a guy? I guess I’ll lay down the law and have him only pick one.

Before Urist could display his displeasure Vaikus noticed his remark and quickly replied. “All. Eight. Hunters.”

Oh. Well, that’s easy enough.

“Consider it done. Let me guess hard to choose?”

Vaikus gave a nod, “Indeed. Hard. Thank. You.”

When they finished talking Saera came into the room. “So you got things you want me to identify?”

books, clothes, gems, and a nice looking knife. There were other items inside the chest but he really couldn’t identify them.