<font color = lightgreen>Venturing into the second layer of Dragon's Eye now; average level is 9. Orrick finally updated his inventory (could this be based on average party level or level of my mage? not sure) so I now have 4th and 5th level spells. Not that Contact Other Plane is even worth having, mind you...but having our invisible scout recon the whole level is helpful (of course, I know what is here to begin with). Not going quite as slowly now; our power level is pretty good. I wonder if my clerics will be able to turn undead on the next level down....</font>

Contact other plane has only ONE real use .... and that's on Burial Isle.

What use does it have? Never used that spell before..

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You use it to get the true name of the Demon on Burial Isle after you first talk to him so you can command him, and thus wear him as a suit of armor. (Yeah, I know that sounds wierd .. but remember he IS a suit of armor ....)

<font color = lightgreen>Nasty new tactic. Stinking Cloud and then Animate Dead (since skeletons and zombies are immune to Stinking Cloud). The poor little lizardmen....</font>

Despite Orrick telling you that he's prepared to sell you spells based on your level, the level of your mage or party has no effect on the items he sells. He gets new spells and items in stock at the start of each chapter, so his first batch of supplies starts at chapter 1 as you arrive at Kuldahar. He then gets more spells at the start of chapter 2 (when you reach Dragons Eye) more again at chapter 3 (Severed Hand) more spells and some funky items at chapter 4 (upper Dorns Deep) and his final batch of spells and items (including a cool robe) at the start of Wyrms Tooth. He doesn't get any more after chapter 5, so returning to Kuldahar after starting Lower Dorns Deep in chapter 6 won't gain you any more spells or items.