Darrius feels he needs a shield that doesn't clatter around so much and isn't quite so heavy, and as such would like to go looking for a heavy darkwood shield. He'd still like to have the protection it offers, and a lightweight shield made of darkwood, even a larger one, would still weigh less than a lighter version of one in pine or oak. He'd also like to put his hand on a better version of the studded leather he wears. However, given their time restraints he knows finding both, or either, might not be possible and he might not have the funds on hand to acquire both.
The morning meditation sends the glowing ember of incarnum back from whence it came while summoning forth less obvious miracles. The plates of silver-blue steel return, along with the helm of crystal, but the crackling gauntlets and the ever-present worg pelt remains. Perhaps not the most subtle of choices, but at the very least they won't point him out if he's trying to maintain stealth.
Spoiler>.> Reeeeally want to ditch that armor check penalty. XD
Adamant Pauldrons (+) [2], Crystal Helm (B) [1], Lightning Gauntlets [1], Worg Pelt [0].
Hmm... strange thought I just had. Could I be wielding a weapon in the same hand that I intend to make touch attacks with? There don't seem to be any somatic components, and if any touch would do, the back of a hand or a tap with a fist clenching a dagger would work just as well as a flat palm electric jab to the kidneys, right?