> > > > > 27 bronze coins
> > > > > 10 red gemstones
> > > > > guards sword
> > > > > stone of strengthening
> > > > > food rations
> > > > > bucket
> > > > > rope
> > > > > tinderbox
> > > > > sticks
> > > > > string
> > > > > portrait
> > > > > clear focus stone
> > > > > crate
> > > > > hammer
> > > > > blanket
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > yes I deliberated and I know I need to make a fake ring. But when I go to the blacksmith, he doesn't know what it looks like and obviously neither do I. PS I found the secret area ... boy was that lame.
> > > >
> > > > If you have spoken to the Baglindor then you know about the ring. There is a place near the kitchen in the castle where you can find an article that will show you what it looks like. You will have to distract the ladies in order to take what you need. Once you take it bring it to the blacksmith.
> > >
> > > I can't quite get the order of what to do in the kitchen to distract the girls without having the cook kick me out. Any hints?
> >
> > There is a place on the west side of the castle. Some nice smells are coming out of the window. If you can find a way up there maybe you could cause a distraction. Check it out. Hint- You will have to distract the guard first.
>
> as I said above, I've already been in thekitchen & stoked the fire & raided the icebox and snooped around and every time I stay too long the cook kicks me out and I can't get the portrait.

Yep. You're staying too long. Good point. An excellent and critical point if you think about it.

Consider this:

If you try to get the portrait by going through the kitchen, the cooks will stop you.

If you stroll into the front door of the banquet hall while all the staff is preoccupied with something they heard in the kitchen, who's going to stop you from making a fast switch? :)

-Mandi "For the record, this drove me batty too" aka Chaos