AN: The world of Exile/Avernum belongs to Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. Persons and places belonging to the game will be put back unharmed when I'm done. Formello and residents (Mother Claudette, Mayor Evelyn, Miles, Golizar, and Gad) do not belong to me, although some dialog does.
In the morning, Ansel said, "You know, I just remembered. That Jason fellow wanted to see us if we got them bandits to the north. So long as we're back here, might as well pay him a call."
"You're right," replied Duncan. "Who knows how long it'll be before we wander back this way."
"Good, then we'll go see him, and then get on our way," said Ansel.
Walking back over to Jason's shop after they had finished breakfast, Ansel greeted Jason cheerily.
"Well, good to see you folk again," said Jason. "What can I get you?"
"Nothing so much at the moment," replied Ansel. "Just had a spot of news that we thought we'd give you. We came across them bandits you told us of. They won't be bothering anyone anymore."
"I heard," said Jason, grinning. "And I'll thank you for that. Makes life down here a bit easier." He started rummaging through a drawer, and pulled out a fine golden bracelet. "Here's something for you. Ain't magic--that's a little too hard to come by, but still you should be able to get a good price for it."
"Thanks," replied Ansel. "Hey, Jynx, why don't you wear it for now? Shame to hide it away."
Ansel put it around Jynx's wrist, the sleeve of her gown coming down to nearly hide it. "Next one we get is yours, ok?" he said, giving Brynja a grin.
"Sure," said Brynja, her tone sounding disbelieving.
The group left Fort Duvno, and this time their journey was relatively uneventful, and they finally came to the edge of a large, settled cavern. Most of the free, flat space had been taken up by well-tended mushroom fields and rambling stone farmhouses. Guards patrolled the area, keeping evil humanoids at bay, and in the center was a large city.
"I didn't expect to see such a productive area," said Jynx. "This is one of the nicest places I think we've seen since we got here."
"Not that that's saying all that much," said Brynja, "but, yeah--it's nice to see."
As the group continued on the road toward the city, they saw a group of giant lizards chained together. Drawing nearer, they saw that these lizards had had teeth and claws filed down, and bore a brand mark on one flank. In the distance, they could see a wagon drawn by two of the giant lizards.
Entering the city of Formello, even with constant warfare with the nephilim, there was such a buzz of activity that with all the haggling merchants and the like, it seemed--with momentarily closed eyes--like being back on the surface.
"Where should we go first?" said Ansel, his eyes alight. They passed the watchtower of the city guard, but no one stopped them to question them.
"Let's just wander," said Jynx. "Find out what all is here."
Soon, though, they came to a temple--a small, unremarkable structure if it had been on the surface, but here it was evidently made with a great deal of care.
"Remember that fellow we met in Fort Duvno?" said Brother Theo. "Let's stop in."
"Sounds like a good idea," said Ansel.
An old woman dressed in white robes was busily straightening things in the large room where services were clearly held. A clean marble table with white candles stood on a raised platform on the far side of the room.
"Hello," she said, giving the group a smile. "How can I help you?"
"Well, it's not so much that we're needing help at the moment," said Brother Theo. "We're just learning about people and places right now."
"Recent arrivals then," she said, "you still have a bit of the color of seeing the sun about you. I am Mother Claudette, and I care for the people here in the city."
"Well, we met someone named Caius," said Brother Theo. "He told us to mention his name to you if we met."
"Ah yes, Caius was a wise acolyte, and a good friend," she replied. "I thank you for passing on his regards. I am glad to hear that he is well."
"Would it be possible for you to teach me further in the ways of healing?" said Brother Theo.
"Oh! You're wandering healers! Wanderers of the faith!" she said, her face lit up. She sighed. "I've been so busy running the church and helping the mayor. It would be wonderful if others had the skills to help in the struggle." She looked thoughtful for a moment and said, "For a modest donation, I could find the time to teach you."
"I should like that very much," said Brother Theo.
"As would I," added Rudel.
"Here," said Ansel, taking out the bag of coins. "Whatever you learn is for all of us. But I've no head for that kind of thing, so I guess we'll head off to find the inn or something."
"There's no need to rush off," said Mother Claudette, smiling at them. "I'm sure there is much more we can discuss."
"What would you be doing right now, were it not for the wars and evil and such?" said Jynx.
"I would be doing research. Not on magic," replied Mother Claudette. "On the history of priests in Avernum. It fascinates me. I wish that I could continue looking for information on the first priests down here."
"Well, we've not planned on settling just yet," said Ansel. "Perhaps we could help you?"
"Yes," added Jynx, "Is there anything in particular you're looking for?"
"That would be wonderful!" replied Mother Claudette, looking downright misty-eyed. "Before the war with the nephilim started, I was going to go north and speak with the dragon Motrax. I had heard that he had a scroll describing one of the first priests here. Go there and recover it, and I would be appreciative."
"Needless to say," said Jynx, smiling ruefully, "we haven't been able to speak with Motrax yet."
"He lives to the north," answered Mother Claudette. "Do not be scared of him because he is a dragon. He is friendly to humans.... Or at least, he was when I heard last."
"Well, to be honest," said Ansel, "part of what drew us up here were some rumors about the mayor of this city. Know the mayor well?"
"She has been furious, almost insanely so, ever since nephilim spies stole her necklace. It's one of the few powerful magic items down here. It aids one in leadership. Since she lost it, she thinks of nothing but getting it back," replied Mother Claudette. "In fact, if you ask her about it, you could get a job. If you want one."
"Sounds good," said Ansel. "Listen, Brother Theo, Rudel--why don't you fellows stay here, and we'll go visit the mayor and drop back here when we've finished."
"Sounds like a good plan," said Brother Theo, who looked quite anxious to start going over various prayers and rituals with Mother Claudette.
The quartet then left the church, while Brother Theo, Rudel, and Mother Claudette began discussing matters of their faith. Making their way through the streets, they soon found the office of the mayor. Passing by a number of guards who were very much at attention, they finally entered the office. On a raised platform, a fidgety woman in a lovely blue dress with a silk sash of office was sitting in a chair, rapidly flipping through the papers on the table next to her.
"Greetings, mayor," said Ansel. "May we be of assistance to you?"
She looked up at the smaller group, thinking hard before she replied, "Say, I think I've heard of you. Recent arrivals. Do-gooders. Perhaps you can help me."
"Well, how can we help?" said Ansel, struggling to keep exasperation from his tone.
"A month ago, my gold necklace was stolen by the nephilim. That may not sound like the cause of great concern," she said, "but it was actually a powerfully enchanted item. I believe that it has been taken to their fort to the west. It is a huge fort, several levels. If you can get my necklace and bring it back, we will reward you very, very well."
"We have found a fort of nephilim to the south of here, but no necklace," said Ansel. "However, we will go west and see if we can find it there."
"Very well," said Evelyn. "If you haven't found it yet, if you'll pardon my saying so, there's little else to discuss."
"I understand," said Ansel, and he turned with the others to leave city hall.
Once outside, he said, "Sounds like a good job--better go around the city and make sure we're well-supplied. I'm sure a fort like that will be quite well defended."
"Oh, look!" said Jynx, "the library. Looks like there should be a wealth of information there."
"Let's go see," said Ansel.
Inside, they found a mage standing behind the desk. He appeared to be in surprisingly good shape, and his nicely trimmed black beard stood in stark contrast to the paleness of his skin.
"Good day, sir," said Jynx. "May I ask what you do?"
"I run this library. Third best in the pit," he said with a touch of pride. "Only libraries better are in the Castle and the mage tower, a long ways away. Mages come here to do research and compare notes. Oh, and occasionally purchase a spell."
Remembering how tightly controlled the teaching of spells had been on the surface, Jynx burst out, "Buy a spell? You mean you'll teach us spells? Is that legal?"
He gave a rich, baritone laugh, and said, "Were we on the surface, no--definitely not. Up there, the teaching of magic to those not specifically permitted by the Empire is extremely forbidden. Fortunately, they don't know what we're up to down here."
"My own training was cut short," said Jynx. "I'd like to learn some new spells."
"Wait," said Ansel. "I left the purse with the group up at the temple. I'll go get it--maybe they're done, too."
Looking like they definitely felt out of place, Duncan and Brynja browsed through shelves as Jynx and the mage--who by now had given his name as Miles talked. After a few more minutes, Ansel returned with Rudel and Brother Theo, and Rudel joined in the conversation with Miles and Jynx.
As the exchange of knowledge continued, Rudel said, "Wouldn't happen to know any potions recipes, would you?"
Miles' face brightened, and he said, "Yes, I dabble in a bit of that on the side. In fact, I have a new recipe--easy to make, and not many rare ingredients. I'll teach you the recipe for a very reasonable price."
"I'd like to buy the recipe," said Brother Theo, who had suddenly grown interested as the talk turned to potions.
As they finally left the library some hours later, Ansel took the money pouch back, and paled as he felt the light weight. "How much do we have left?" he said, sounding thoroughly agonized.
"We'll be fine," said Jynx. "Besides, don't we have a job for the mayor now?"
"Yeah, but I figured we'd be spending the night in the city before we head out," said Ansel. "How we gonna afford that?"
"It's not that empty," said Jynx.
They entered the common room of the inn, finding within only one patron who was sitting at the table, hunched over a bowl of purple liquid which he drank from sporadically in between mutterings to himself.
"Hi," said Brynja, sitting down opposite the fellow. "What's all that?"
When he looked up, the man's eyes were clear--whatever the purple stuff was, it didn't seem highly intoxicating. "Hello," he said, "I'm Golizar. I'm sort of a sage. But now I need a vacation." He took a drink, and added, "A long vacation."
Curiosity roused by this, Jynx sat down at his table as well, and said, "A sage? How interesting--what were you studying?"
"I was researching with Leith. We were asking Motrax about a magic sphere. He may have found something out. Beats me. I was too busy being driven insane!" he said. He took another drink, and then another before realizing that it was empty, and gestured to the bartender.
The bartender came over, filling the bowl with a gray liquid this time as the others settled at the next table.
"Magic sphere?" said Jynx, too curious to let this rest. "Tell me about it."
"It was called the orb of Thralni," replied Golizar. "It could do remarkable things. Yes. Amazing." He took a drink of the gray liquid, and apparently found it as pleasing as the purple had been. "Or so people said. Leith is at the cave of Motrax, to the north. Ask him about it. If, of course, he's not already mad!"
"So, you're insane, huh?" said Brynja as Jynx glared at her for her tactlessness.
Golizar rounded on Brynja, his eyes glowing with mania, as he said, "Yes! It was the spiders that made me like this! Not those spell-casting ones. Sure, they almost killed me, but they weren't the worst!" The mania seemed to be rising, as he continued, "No No No No No! It was the friendly ones!"
"Uhh...friendly spiders?" said Brynja.
"Yes, the friendly ones. Just don't ask! You don't want to know! Go investigate them, Leith said," Golizar said, taking another sip, and seeming even more manic. "Well, forget it. You want to visit them? They're all to the northwest, past Fort Draco. Just go north to the dragon's cave, and west." He drank again. "Go ahead! You'll have fun! Like me!" he said, and took another drink. "Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha!" He took another drink, and apparently the gray stuff was intoxicating, and the mania subsided into a stupor, as he slumped over the table, snoring.
Meanwhile, the bartender--a wiry man in black clothes with long black hair that nearly obscured his face--was watching the group while he busily wiped down the counter.
"Bartender," said Ansel, "er--you got a name I can use? What can we get here?"
"Name's Gad," he replied. "I can sell you drink or a room for the night. Drink is four gold, cheap room five, nice room fifteen. And I hope you buy--business has been wicked slow lately."
"Um, we'll take the cheap room," said Ansel, counting out the coins with a very pained expression.
"This way, then," said Gad, leading the group to a large room with several lumpy beds.
As morning came, Jynx said, "You know, I think it'd be more comfortable to sleep outside on the cave floor somewhere."
"You're probably right," said Ansel. "And cheaper."
"Stop being such a worrywart," said Jynx. "So, where we going next?"
"I figure we ought to get on with it," said Ansel. "Look into this fort that the mayor thinks the necklace might be. When we come back, we can go see that dragon--I know you're wanting to."
"Shows, does it?" said Jynx, laughing.
"Yeah, but it's ok," said Duncan. "I've never seen a dragon, and I'm kind of keen on the idea. But Ansel's right--we gotta track that necklace before the trail goes cold."
"Or colder," said Brynja. "Didn't strike me as very warm."
Ansel shrugged, and after a quick breakfast, they headed out into the dismal green fungal light, leaving the city of Formello behind as they reached a narrow passage leading off to the west, a passage whose turns all too soon hid the welcome, comforting sight of civilization.