(no subject)

149. Soulsmith  (Cradle #2), Will Wight

Linden has escaped the valley with the protege of a sword saint; they stumble into a magic-mining operation that has attracted thousands of mages from at least five major factions (though only three are actually mentioned). They're all looking for a legendary vampiric spear. Linden learns some things about economics and making magical constructs; in the course of this we get the first references to anyone eating: a bowl of rice; a cave full of venomous lizards; and the mention of a magical school of food-production.

Protagonist "earns" two ranking levels.He needs at least eight more to complete this quest...