What are the stats on (insert item name here)?
Some equipment can affect your character's performance in positive or negative ways. To learn the properties of various pieces of equipment, you can certain scrolls and spells that can tell you partial or complete item stats. The names of the scrolls and spells should be self-explanitory and such scrolls can be purchased in your local magic shop.

I was "zapped" when I attempted to pick up an item off a corpse or off of the ground.
Being "zapped" by an item means that the item is aligned against you. The good, or evil in the item is so strong that you trying to pick it up as the opposite alignment shocks you, causing you to release your hold on the item.

Okay, so I can't pick up the item. I'd really like to know what it's stats are though, is there any way I can do this?
Yes, of course. The above mentioned scrolls can be carried on your person and recited upon items in your inventory, or on the ground.

I'm sure I had an (item name here), not it's gone, how?
There are many ways you can lose objects. Some disappear over time; many spells and other nasty effects will destroy objects. In both cases the mud will give you a message when the object is destroyed - it may happen in combat, so you'll have to be careful to notice them. If you "rent quiet" you will not be informed of unrentable items which the receptionist tosses away when you rent. There are a few other ways that items can be destroyed or taken away.

I see some people with really cool looking equipment. How come I can never find any?
You need to get out of towns. You won't find any "cool" items in the shops within the towns. Get out. Explore the zones that people don't often go to. You can get the statistics that we provide from month to month by typing help stat.

I'm dead certain I had an unholy krang of doom, now it's gone! How?
There are several ways you can lose objects. An items natural rateof decay could be accelerated by several spells, and other nasty effects. This could come to an end during combat so you'll have to pay attention so you don't miss it. Also, in your travels of Krynn, you're very likely to come across many unscrupulous characters who would be more than happy to lighten your load with their nimble fingers. You are warned to watch your inventory and change purse around these pilferers.