duh, how do you activate the special attacks/attributes of chars items? are they used automatically?- like the staff of air, how do i make the cloud with it? if i should come across an air elemental, how do i capture it with the staff? i have many other q's that would further display my woeful lack of knowledge, but i'll save em

In the interface, near the weapons and/or spell slots, there is a bag. Click on it and the special abilities of items will appear. Remember that you have to wear them to use the abilities, its not enough having them in your inventory.

many thanks, effendi