A chill wind came howling down the Pass and Naramira wrapped her traveller's cloak tightly about her. It seemed like it was always winter up here in the mountains. The sky was an ominous grey colour, but at least it hadn't started snowing yet. The young enchantress was suddenly glad she had decided to set out early from High Hold Keep this morning. With any luck, she'd be out of the mountains and well into the Plains of Karana before the weather worsened.
A sudden gleam caught her eye and her gaze shifted upwards. There it was again. Something bright was reflecting in the sunlight. 'An ambush,' Naramira realised. She knew that the High Hold Pass was overrun with malicious bands of orcs and decided not to take any chances. Her image wavered and then vanished as she prudently cast Invisibility over herself.
She continued upwards, treading softly to avoid revealing her presence. She soon realised how fortuitous that wayward beam of light had been. Crouched behind an outcropping of rock, she came upon four heavily-armed gnolls waiting in anticipation. One of them was polishing its steel helmet with a tattered piece of cloth, admiring its own reflection in the mirror-like surface. The pale sunlight was bouncing off it and Naramira quietly thanked Erollisi Marr for the warning.
Careful not to make a sound, she slipped past the gnolls and followed the Pass further. She safely passed many such groups of ambushers until she finally reached the top of the mountain trail and stood looking at the steep path leading downwards. A sheer cliff to her left and what seemed like a bottomless gorge to her right, a narrow winding path was her only way down. Naramira swallowed nervously. 'That could be a really nasty fall,' she thought to herself as she kicked some loose gravel down the precipice and waited in vain for any sounds of it landing on the bottom.
Her journey downwards, nervous though it was, continued without mishap. When she was almost halfway to the bottom, she came upon a huge face carved into the rock. It seemed wise beyond her knowing and somewhat sad, its gaze at once kind and tempestuous. Only years later did Naramira discover that it was in fact the image of Karana, the Rain Keeper, carved many ages ago by his nomadic worshippers during their migration from the high mountains into the plains, that had watched over her steps during that treacherous descent.
By the time she reached the bottom of the Pass, night had already fallen. Naramira was anxious to reach Qeynos, and she knew from the directions she had received at the Keep that it was still many days' travel away. 'At the bottom of the Pass you will find a road leading to the west. If you follow it, keeping to its turns and twists for many days, you will eventually find yourself at the foot of the Qeynos Hills. From there an enquiry at one of the guard towers will guide you safely to the gates of that great city,' was the clerk's rather vague directions. She decided not to waste any time and, after a quick supper of cold rations, set out in the dark in what she hoped was the right direction.
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The sun finally rose over an annoyed and hopelessly lost enchantress. For what seemed like the hundredth time, she cast True North upon herself. Her body twirled in a circle for a few seconds and came to a stop in a direction she knew to be due north. She turned to her left and sighed in exasperation. The fertile Plains of Karana stretched out in all directions with no sign of the road she should have been following whatsoever.
Now that the sun had come up, she could see the hazy blue outlines of the mountains behind her, reassuring her that she was indeed facing the correct way. There was nothing for it but to continue on in that direction and hope that she'd either find someone to ask the way from or stumble across the road at some point. She heaved her satchel onto her back once more and, berating herself for deciding to travel at night, trudged wearily westwards.
Perhaps a week had passed when she finally saw something strange on the horizon. She made her way eagerly towards what seemed like enormous stone spires jutting up towards the sky like claws. As she approached, she could see that the structure was man-made and that the spires were covered in symbols. Some of them were familiar, but on the whole she could not understand their message.
"The portal to Luclin will become active in ten minutes. If you wish to make the journey, please purchase a shard." Naramira jumped as a female voice intruded upon her thoughts. She turned to see a woman dressed in brilliantly white robes looking enquiringly at her.
"Excuse me?" Naramira asked politely. "Where is this… Luclin? I'm afraid I haven't heard of it before."
The woman smiled and slowly extended her arm upwards. Naramira looked up, but the sky was a clear blue with nothing in sight except for the full moon, as always, visible during the day. Then, the realisation dawned on her. "The moon?" she asked, awestruck.
"Indeed," the woman replied. "I am the Luclin Scion and these are the Karana Spires. Many adventures await those bold enough to explore the recently discovered reaches of Luclin. But, if you wish to gaze upon the many wonders of that strange realm, you must purchase a travelling shard."
'The moon!' Naramira thought in wonderment. 'What an adventure that must be!' She declined the Scion's invitation though, saying: "There are many places in Norrath I have yet to see. The moon will have to wait."
She bid the Scion goodbye then and, following the direction the woman had advised, soon found herself to her delight on the road she had been searching for so long. She never strayed from it, setting up camp at night to ensure she didn't wander off it in the dark and casting Invisibility over herself when the way was blocked by a pride of lions or the occasional griffon soaring overhead. A fortnight or so later the plains became hills and she knew that her destination was drawing near.
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Qeynos, the westernmost stronghold of human civilisation, was a magnificent castle-city. It was situated in a verdant green meadow and its walls were covered with ivy and climbing-roses. The sky was brilliantly blue and the pennants and banners of the Bayle family on the ramparts flapped in the pleasant breeze. Naramira thought it beautiful. It was so unlike her hometown of Freeport, where the merciless sun beat down relentlessly and the dust-choked streets were filled with beggars and vermin. 'If I lived here, I would never have wanted to leave,' the young enchantress mused.
She entered the city unchallenged and set about exploring its neat, flower-scented streets. She visited the Order of the Silent Fist to see the monks in training, admired the great clock in the marketplace, danced a jig with a cheerful half-elf in the Wind Spirit's Song and made a courtesy call to the local enchanter's guild. But no matter how much she explored, she was unable to find anyone willing to sell her any koalindl fish.
It was while she was making enquiries at a fairly seedy tavern near the docks called the Fish's Ale that she was approached by a squint-eyed fellow wearing nondescript clothes. "Word has it, good lady, that you are looking to purchase some of the sacred fish," he whispered while looking furtively around in fear of being overheard.
"That's right," Naramira replied dubiously. She wasn't sure if the fellow was entirely respectable.
The man leaned closer, and Naramira grimaced at the odour of stale beer on his breath. He rubbed his hands nervously together and said: "Not many have the courage to harvest from the pool at the Temple of Life, for the Prime Healer himself has been known to strike down any who would do harm to the sacred fish. But I'm sure someone from the Guild could be persuaded to risk life and limb, for the right price of course."
"The Guild?" Naramira asked, her dislike for the man increasing by the minute.
"Let's just say, we operate outside the petty constrictions of the law, good lady. How would fifty platinum pieces sound to you?"
"That's outrageous! I want nothing to do with you and your illicit guild. I will obtain what I need by lawful means or not at all."
The man's face was suddenly twisted by a sneer and his hands strayed towards his belt knife. Although Naramira had thought their conversation private, the abrupt hush that fell around them clearly indicated that more people had been listening in than she had been aware of.
"Take care, stranger," she warned in a deceptively mild tone. "I am an enchantress of the fourth spell circle. You do not want to upset me." All of a sudden her body was suffused in a golden glow as she cast a Lesser Shielding on herself in preparation. The man's eyes widened and some of the other patrons were now gazing so fixedly into their beer mugs they might not have been there at all.
But before things could get ugly, the tavern door banged open, making everyone jump, and a detachment of the Qeynos guard entered. "What's going on here?" the captain demanded, immediately sensing the tension in the room. His eyes wandered over the customers and settled on Naramira, who immediately let her spell drop and answered in a steady voice: "Just a little disagreement, Captain. This man here was just leaving."
The captain smiled mirthlessly as he recognised her antagonist and waved his men forward. "Ah, so nice to see you again, Hanns. We've been searching everywhere for you. Should have known you'd be in here causing trouble, as usual. Guards, tie him up and take him to the magistrate. He has some explaining to do."
As his men escorted the rogue out, the captain turned to Naramira and said: "No good comes of doing business with the Circle of Unseen Hands, milady. Is there something you wish to tell me?"
"I wasn't doing business with him," Naramira quickly explained. "I was asking after koalindl fish and he offered his services. As you might have guessed, I declined and that's when he started making a nuisance of himself."
The captain whistled in amazement. "You have nerve, milady, I'll give you that. Now, as for your koalindl fish, there is no honest way to obtain them. Your best chance is to apply to the Temple of Life and ask them if they'd be willing to help you out. If not, I'm afraid you'll be going home empty-handed."
Naramira thanked him and promised to follow his advice. She made her way to the gates of the Temple grounds, where she could see the Temple suspended over a lake, much like the Academy back home. After making her request to one of the clerics, she was firmly turned away and asked not to return again unless she came seeking forgiveness from the Prime Healer.
'Well,' she thought to herself as she made her way back to the city gates, 'if they won't give it to me willingly, I'm going to have to come up with another plan…'
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The young paladin showed great promise. Although she was dressed in basic leather armour and had only a dull-bladed iron sword at her disposal, the resilient blonde girl was making short order of the klicnik beetles outside the city gates. Naramira remembered her own struggles with fire beetles when she had just attained Initiate status, and admired this girl's determination.
The young enchantress watched the paladin as she quickly dispatched of some poisonous snakes and was just about to go up and introduce herself when four gnolls, dog-like animals walking upright and bearing swords and clubs, attacked the girl without warning. Naramira quickly mesmerised three of them, wincing as their yapping presences filled a corner of her awareness. The paladin didn't waste time wondering what had happened, but quickly and efficiently disposed of her assailants one by one. When she had finished, she wiped her blade on the last body and turned towards Naramira.
"Thank you for you help, milady. I knew I was in trouble when I saw four of them coming at me at once."
"It's my pleasure," Naramira replied. "I was most impressed with you skills, but I thought a little help would not be unwelcome." She smiled. "My name is Naramira."
"Erowein," the girl introduced herself. "Paladin of Rodcet Nife, two seasons."
"Well met. And now I must ask for your help, Erowein." She quickly explained what she needed and how no one else had been willing to help her. When she had finished, the young paladin was frowning slightly, her blue eyes clouded in trouble.
"The koalindl fish are sacred to Rodcet Nife. It would not be right for me to help you if the clerics at the Temple have already turned you down." She fixed Naramira with a penetrating gaze: "I have met an enchanter once before… he was an unscrupulous man. I sense the same abilities in you. If I am correct, why have you not simply charmed someone to do it for you?"
"The thought never crossed my mind," Naramira admitted. "I serve Erollisi Marr, and I have taken a vow not to use my abilities for my own ends and to the detriment of others."
Erowein's face lighted up and she smiled broadly. "That is good. I knew you were not the same as that man, but I had to be sure. And since the Prime Healer and the Goddess of Love are allied, it is only right that their servants should aid one another. I will help you."
Naramira thanked her and they made arrangements to meet at the docks in an hour. She spent that time browsing the wares of a little shop called the Jewelbox. As it happened, the owner was an acquaintance of Mistress Amber's and she happily pressed a bag of malachite stones into Naramira's hand as a gift for their mutual friend.
The young enchantress then wandered down to the docks and purchased a ticket to Odus, which would be her next destination. She was just wondering if Erowein had had any misfortune, when the young paladin came walking up to her. She pressed a small, pungent package into her hands with a smile.
"I hope I haven't caused trouble for you, Erowein," Naramira said as she stowed the fish in her satchel.
"All will be well," her new friend reassured her, although Naramira noticed that she no longer carried her sword. "Where are you going next?"
"To Erudin, in search of Erud's Tonic. At least, I think that would be the right place to look for it."
"It is indeed. Ask for Sinnkin Highbrow at the City Library. She is an acquaintance of my brother's and very interested in alchemy and potion brewing. I'm sure she will be able to help you."
"How can I thank you for you help?" Naramira smiled.
"No thanks needed. Be safe and be well, Naramira." She saluted and then waved as the young enchantress boarded the ship and sailed off towards the setting sun. Then the blonde girl returned to the Temple of Life for the last time and started packing her bags.
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The boat arrived at the Erudite harbour early the following morning. Naramira disembarked and followed the other passengers to a room inside a cave where two teleport stones gave access to and from the city. She placed her hands on the cool stone and was immediately transported into the most beautiful city she had seen so far. All the buildings and fountains of Erudin were covered in shining white marble and the green lawns and gardens were immaculately tended. A peaceful atmosphere hung over the city, and Naramira could almost imagine herself hearing great minds contemplating the great mysteries of life. The dark-skinned Erudites went about their city with absentminded, yet purposeful, strides and she was courteously greeted wherever she went, although she got the distinct impression that some of them were looking down their noses at her.
She enquired at the library and was directed to the second floor where she approached a young woman deeply absorbed in a book. The woman didn't notice the young enchantress at first, and Naramira had to cough to get her attention.
"Why, hello there fellow scholar!" the woman exclaimed when she finally managed to tore her gaze from the pages. "Don't you just love books? I am quite a bookworm myself. I could read forever! I am currently working my way through the T's."
"Are you Sinnkin Highbrow?" Naramira asked. She thought a direct approach might be best for the situation.
"Ah, I see you have heard of me. Not surprising, no matter what those illiterates at the Academy might say, I am after all one of the paramount scholars of this great city. Why, just the other day I was talking to…"
"Yes, I was told to ask specifically for you," Naramira interrupted. "My friend has a very high regard for you and said you would be the only person able to help me." 'A bit of flattery never hurt.'
The Erudite's face positively glowed. "Of course, of course, no one better. What is it I can do for you?"
"I need a vial of Erud's Tonic, please."
"Well!" the woman exclaimed. "Your friend was perfectly right, of course I can help… but I'll need something in exchange." She motioned for Naramira to come closer and the young enchantress obliged. "There are certain potions, certain elixirs, that are forbidden by the High Council, you see. Of course, a great scholar such as myself should not have to abide by such petty rules, but there you have it. I only want to study it, after all."
"What would you like me to get?" Naramira asked.
"There is a shop near the gates called BlueHawk's Food. The owner, fine upstanding citizen though he may be, have been known to stock some of these, shall we say, slightly controversial elixirs, from time to time. Of course I can't go and enquire after it, it would not do to be seen asking after Innoruuk's Kiss of Death at all. But you, a foreigner, should have no problem."
Naramira agreed to go. She located the shop and handed the owner the six pieces of silver for the tonic, then quickly made her way back to the library, trying her best not too look guilty whenever she passed a city guard.
The exchange took place surreptitiously, both women feeling it better not to be seen with the outlawed tonic. The scholar stowed the vial of black liquid on a shelf behind some books and produced a bottle of blue liquid in exchange. Naramira thanked the woman and made her way out of the library quickly.
'Well, the quest is finally over. All I need to do now is return to that bar in East Freeport. But before I go, I think I will explore this city some more.'
She wandered around the city streets for a while, but although Erudin was beautiful, there wasn't much going on. She asked at the palace where she might find the local enchanter's guild and was directed to the Tower of the Craft Keepers. Her entrance was met by unfriendly and suspicious stares, so she cast an illusion on herself and re-entered in Erudite form. Although the yellow-robed inhabitants were cordial, the young enchantress still felt like everyone thought everyone else to be less intelligent than themselves, and therefore beneath their notice. She exchanged her travel-worn green robe for a yellow one, doubting whether the colour really suited her, and opened a gate as soon as she had paid for her purchase.
The hot desert wind whipped her new yellow robe around her ankles as she stepped through the gate back to her hometown on the other side of the continent.
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Naramira made her way down to the docks in East Freeport. She had heard nothing from Lyise yet, no messages were left for her at the Academy, so she decided to go speak to the barkeeper herself and see what he had to offer in exchange for the various ingredients he had asked for.
The Seafarer's Roost was a disreputable inn, although the owner, Gregor Nasin was well-known as a true professional. As she entered his establishment, he was busily cleaning the countertop, which seemed to be covered with a sticky red substance.
"Hello there," Naramira greeted him. "You may remember a friend of mine, a blonde high-elf girl, from a few months ago. She said you had asked her to acquire certain ingredients for a special exotic recipe for you."
"Ah yes," Nasin replied. "I remember her. Little wisp of a girl, a bit whimsical, as I recall."
"That's right," Naramira smiled. "I have what you wanted. One kiola nut, one jar of honeyjum, one koalindl fish and one vial of Erud's tonic." She placed all the ingredients on the countertop as she ticked them off.
"Splendid!" the barkeeper exclaimed. "Absolutely marvellous! This must have taken you some time to collect. And of course, you're looking for the reward now, right?" He grinned and reached down under the countertop to produce a thick, leather-bound book. "The Barkeep's Compendium! No budding brewer could possibly do without it." He thrust the book into her hands and she staggered under its weight.
"Er… thanks," Naramira replied, somewhat let down. 'What am I going to do with this?' she wondered, not having any inclination towards becoming a brewer any time soon.
"Not exactly what you'd expected, huh?" Nasim said shrewdly. "Well, in truth this book used to belong to someone else. Let's just say, he misplaced it and I've been keeping it safe for him. I'm sure he would reward you handsomely for returning it to him."
"Alright," Naramira agreed. "Where can I find the man?"
"Well, he's not exactly what you would call a man – he's an ogre." Naramira gasped. "His name is Clurg and you will find him in his quaint little tavern in Ogguk. Good luck."
The young enchantress thanked the barkeeper and, somewhat in a daze, walked out of the inn. 'An ogre in Ogguk! What have I gotten myself into now..?'