In the advanced stages of playing as a Water Mage and finally found someone to train me in level III staff fighting (been carrying that Judges staff for a LONG time :) ). However, except for Vatras (which brings up another question following and who is sleeping peacefully in jail (I know, I looked in from above), I've checked all the mages and druids. Who the heck teaches ice storm?

Now, Vatras. Any way to free him without attacking the whole village (I'd like to enter Ishtar peacefully)?

If memory serves certain spells don't become available until you choose what action to take with the artifacts you collect. If you choose the path of Adanos (destroying the artifacts) then you'll be able to learn the top level ice spells from one of the water mages (might be Saturas... it's been years since I played the game).

That would explain things, I guess I could do that but I've been holding off until a few other matters are settled (I like using the artifacts!).

Unfortunately, my lock picking magic doesn't open Vatras' cell and I'm past "75" in the village so I doubt the leader mage will just allow me in. Guess it'll have to wait until I become a follower of Beliar and am thus able to hunt down nomads to see what Ishtar is about. Perhaps if I had learned how to pick pockets ----

You know, I have to wonder if Orcs in the Varant count against that. So far, the only Hashishin I've killed were bandits and on request of black mages. However, the head honcho at Mosul warned me that somebody was killing his people and soon anyone not trusted would be eliminated. I did eliminate the Orcs at the temple near Sataras.

I forgot about one other group of orcs that I killed in the Varant - the ones in the jungle near the ocean and the temple city (sorry - short memory - Bakaresh?). If the other counted, that may too although they act like the Orcs of Nordmar and attack on sight so, maybe not.

From the test I just did it don't seems like they count.

Didn't think that bunch would (and I have no idea why they are there and why they are so testy). I must have triggered it somehow but to remember so much detail and not to confuse prior games is near impossible.