AN: The world of Exile/Avernum belongs to Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. Persons and places (Tower of Magi, Glenda, Brantford, Zanthia, Throndell, X, Kelner, Ambrin, and Linda, and various apprentices) belonging to the game will be put back unharmed when I'm done.
Ansel gave Jynx a look, as if to silently say "this is your area--you lead the way". Two men stood by the entrance--both wearing carefully tended armor and holding halberds.
Walking up to one of the men, Jynx said, "Hello, we are visiting the Tower--is there someone that we should check in with, or a guide to find our way around?"
"If you're wanting to visit the Tower," said one of the men, "we won't stop you from it. School's that way," and he pointed, "and shops and the temple is that way," and he pointed again. "Gardens up thataway, and anything else ain't for you."
"I see," said Jynx, blinking at his abrupt manner. "Well, I thank you for your time."
In a voice barely above a whisper, he added, "Go wandering elsewhere--don't get caught. It's an uneasy time in the tower, and I daren't say more."
"I guess we ought to go toward the shops, then," said Jynx, trying to sound more certain, and then she led the group off to the left.
Once they were out of sight of the two guards, Ansel said, "What was all that about, anyhow?"
"Official line is don't go wandering outside the specified areas," said Jynx. "But unofficially--folk's uneasy, and would welcome someone setting right what's off."
Walking into the shops, then, they were greeted by a cheery redheaded woman.
"So, what goods do you deal in?" asked Jynx, seeing nothing to give a hint as to the answer.
"I have a wide variety of powerful items available for purchase, all made by the mages of this tower," replied Glenda. "They are very skilled."
"How skilled?" asked Rudel, moving toward the counter.
"They are quite skillful, if dour. I have some small skills in the magical realms, but I'm not in their league. And I can't say I mind. Lately, they've been looking as if they wish they weren't in their league, either," said Glenda. She smiled, shrugged, then added, "None of my concern, of course."
"Do you have any items that might help bypass a magical energy barrier?" asked Jynx.
"No, I'm sorry," replied Glenda. "Though I've heard that there are folk who will teach the spell up north."
"Well, thank you anyway," said Jynx, sounding a bit disappointed.
They moved on to another shop, this one staffed by a tiny, grinning man in ratty robes, surrounded by an astonishing collection of items--some mundane, some expensive-looking, and some utterly bizarre.
"Why do you have all this stuff?" said Ansel, unable to restrain his curiosity.
"Well, I collect strange items from all parts of the caves, and pass the savings on to you," said Brantford. "Let me know if you want to buy something! Also, I have some skill for identifying any of your items."
"That sounds quite useful," said Duncan. He opened his pack, and pulled out a few of the items that they had recovered from the ogre cave before their arrival at the Tower.
Eventually--lightened of extraneous items and weighed with some new coin, the group left his shop.
Continuing through the shopping district, they came to another small shop staffed by an ancient, hunched woman busily bustling behind a counter covered with alchemical equipment. She was busily measuring and mixing, and her movements displayed a nervousness--whether it was the process or some other cause, it was hard to say.
"Excuse me, kind shopkeeper," said Brother Theo. "What can I purchase from you?"
She paused from her work to look up at him, and said, "I am Zanthia. This is not my shop, I'm afraid. It belongs to Cortath. I can teach you some recipes, if you want, but I am very, very busy."
"What recipes can you teach?" said Brother Theo, for this was the sort of thing that interested him.
"I know two recipes which might be useful to you," replied Zanthia. "I can teach you how to make Balm of Life and Hasting Elixir--two very useful potions. Let me know if you would like to buy any of these secrets."
"I would, indeed," said Brother Theo.
After Brother Theo had completed his transaction, scribing down the recipes, Brynja said, "Why are you so busy?"
Zanthia looked up at the group again, and this time, strangely, there seemed to be a glimmer of fear in her eyes. "I can't tell you why, I'm afraid," she said "but suffice it to say that this is a time of great urgency in the tower." She returned to her work, as though afraid she had said too much.
"Er, who is Cortath?" asked Jynx.
"The owner of this shop. He traveled north to try to find some graymold for some sort of salve. Healing. Not my area. If you're looking for him, he probably visited Phyllea in Fort Draco. Ask her about him," said Zanthia, grinding something into a yellow powder. "Phyllea is quiet," she added quickly, "and she can be hard to find, but mention I sent you, and she will help."
"Thank you," said Brother Theo and he led the way out of the shop.
"Folk sure seem uneasy here," said Jynx. "I think it would be worth a prowl around to see what we can discover."
"So long as we don't get ourselves vaporized or something," said Ansel, far more subdued than any of the group had seen him be since their arrival in Avernum.
They continued on their way, winding up within a hall filled with statues, and to one side, the entrance to a temple.
"Let's go there," said Brother Theo. "Perhaps there we can learn a little more."
Entering the temple, they saw a quiet chapel attended by a powerfully built man wearing spotless white robes with a huge mace hanging at his belt.
"Hello," said Brother Theo, "are you the priest of this temple?"
"Yes, I am Throndell, a servant of the True Way," the man replied. "I provide guidance and occasionally protection to my brothers who work here for the good of Avernum. I also greet pilgrims to this place."
"Do you get many pilgrims?" asked Rudel.
"Yes," replied Throndell. "Many come to this place for guidance, and I am often one of those they come to. I can teach people a wide variety of spells. Let me know if you want to buy them."
"I would indeed be interested in learning these that you will teach," said Brother Theo, and he looked to Rudel.
"As would I," added Rudel.
Ansel gave a barely audible sigh, opening the purse of the group's coins.
After the exchange of knowledge, Brother Theo said, "You look like a holy man of great power. Can you teach us any of the really powerful rituals?"
"I might. I sense great things in you. I would like to help. But I need help in return. There is an item I wish to forge one day, and to do that, I need an anvil. A huge anvil," said Throndell. "If you can tell me the location of the largest anvil in Avernum, I will teach you."
"We'll keep a lookout," said Brother Theo.
"Thank you," replied Throndell, smiling.
"Why do they need protection?" asked Brynja, seemingly absent-mindedly.
Throndell suddenly became nervous, very strange for a person of his obvious power. "Yes, well a mage's life can be a dangerous one," he said, "and there are certain forces I can be of extra assistance in controlling." He seemed unwilling to say more, and the discussion was clearly at an uncomfortable end.
Leaving the temple, they passed through the hall of statues to a little hall which seemed little used--rooms filled with empty beds.
"Guess this is where pilgrims stay?" said Duncan, looking around.
"I'd guess so," said Brother Theo.
"So, what are we going to do next?" said Ansel.
"I think, head to the school side, and see if I might be able to pick up a spell or two," said Jynx. "Then, perhaps we should go up to Fort Draco, and see if we can find this Cortath."
"And another thing," said Rudel, "if I were looking for a giant anvil, I'd look there."
Retracing their steps, they ended up along another long corridor, which seemed to lead around the perimeter of the tower. Suddenly, a concealed door stood out to Rudel, and they made their way through it, just as they heard an armored man around the corner. Within, they found a fairly substantial library, and in the midst of the library, a strange man--middle-aged, calm and confident, with a staff carved in the shape of a cobra, and completely lost in thought.
"What are you doing in this library?" said Jynx, displaying her thorough surprise.
"Lately, I have been researching a new spell which would make an anvil drop on someone's head, even from a long distance. It would be a wondrous spell," he replied. "I wouldn't have a chance to find it without this library. Mostly though, I teach."
"What do you teach?" said Jynx, definitely excited.
"Powerful spells. But I've been busy lately, and haven't time to do any teaching now," he replied. Thinking for a moment, he said, "But wait! We could trade! I have heard rumors that somewhere in Avernum, there is a place called Bargha, that has a small library. Find it. It would be a great help in researching my anvil-flinging spell. I'll make you a trade. You tell me where the library is, and I will teach you spells."
"Are you a member of the Triad?" asked Rudel.
"Yes, I am X," he replied. "I, Linda and Solberg rule the tower. However, I have been busy, and Solberg is away, so it is mainly Linda that is in charge." Half to himself, he added, "I wonder what she has been doing."
Running a finger over the spine of one of the books, Brynja said, "Where did the library come from?"
"One of the many gifts of Erika Redmark," replied X. "About whom the less said, the better."
"Well, thank you for talking with us," said Jynx, and she then led the way from the library. The armored man was walking away well in the distance as they re-emerged into the hall.
Continuing around the path, they saw a young apprentice dressed in the blue robes of his station staring into the pool, looking quite nervous.
"Why are you staring into the pool?" said Brynja.
Startled, he looked at the group, glanced around, and murmured, "I am Kelner the apprentice. I come to this pool often, to contemplate."
"You can speak?" said Jynx, surprised. "What things do you have to contemplate?"
"At this time," replied Kelner, "yes, but don't tell anyone, please. There are too many things to contemplate. My life. My lessons. And the things that are happening in this tower. If you knew the name of the thing we have brought here, perhaps I would share my contemplations with you..." He looked sideways at the group, as though waiting for some sort of response.
Picking up on the unusualness of this apprentice, Rudel muttered, "You mean the Haakai Lord?"
Kelner looked relieved. "Yes, you are not from the tower, so you might be trustworthy," he said, murmuring softly, but his words were quick, his eyes scanning for eavesdroppers. "A powerful creature has been brought here, and it may escape any day. It all started when Solberg of the Triad left. It is my hope that if he is alerted, disaster may be averted."
"When did Solberg leave?" asked Jynx, also in hushed tones.
"He went away a year ago. I don't know why. He was my friend and looked after me, and he said if ever he was needed, instructions for where to find him were left in a hidden cave east of here. I can't go find him, but maybe travelers such as you can," said Kelner. "His message is in a secret tunnel northeast of here, inscribed on a twisted black pillar of stone. Please find him. If the Haakai Lord escapes, horrid, horrid things will happen."
Jynx smiled grimly at this knowledge--the best lead on the problem they'd managed to get, and said, "We'll go."
Leaving Kelner by the pool, they continued on the perimeter path, until they came around to the side where the school was housed. Checking into one empty room, they found large books on pedestals, and Jynx moved to examine one of them. The book described a number of obscure and not very interesting magical artifacts. A bookmark, however, was at a page describing something called a Blessed Athame--an enchanted knife of incredible durability and sharpness. A marginal note mentioned that one of these knives rested in a hidden place within the tower. Rudel, meanwhile, was studying the book on the other pedestal--its subject various sorts of summonings and bindings. He was finding it difficult to read, however, as many pages had been torn out, and most of those remaining had been defaced by spilled ink. On the last page, however, he noticed a scrawled note: "Adze-Haakai? Madness!" Thinking it strange, he took note of the name, though he did not speak it aloud.
Moving on, they found the sleeping quarters for the apprentices of the tower--a very quiet place as the students had to take a vow of silence for the first two years of their study, bound by spells to ensure they did not violate that vow--leaving Kelner's talkativeness a puzzle.
They continued, finding a few nervous-looking, silent apprentices on their way, before finding a small lecture hall, intended for a very small number of students. A board on the north wall had frightening, arcane symbols upon it--here, many of the brightest Avernites were taught magic. This was a most remarkable thing, considering that on the surface, very few people were allowed any access to magic, and even then, only after swearing dire oaths of loyalty to the Empire.
Continuing their explorations, Jynx opened the door onto a room cluttered with an astonishing variety of flasks, mortars, pestles, jars of small body parts, and other alchemical devices. While things bubbled and smoked, there was also evidence of the occasional explosion. An old man was puttering about the laboratory as they entered.
"Do you work in the tower?" asked Jynx.
"I am Ambrin, and I and Konig are the day to day teachers of the Tower. I have been a teacher for many years. You can buy spells if you want," he said, then chuckled. "Don't ask the students for help. They are forbidden to speak without permission."
"Why can't the students speak freely?" asked Duncan, wisely deciding to omit mention of the conversation with Kelner.
"Ahh, it's part of their training," replied Ambrin. "Konig and I look after them, teach them magic, and discipline them as necessary."
"Where is Konig?" asked Rudel.
"He's away. Looking for some sort of crystal cave. Don't know anything about it. He said he was going to Cotra, I think. Pity he's away. He's the one who teaches a lot of our potion making classes. If you see him, ask him about it," said Ambrin, and he smiled. "Who knows? Maybe you could learn something from him."
"Perhaps," said Jynx, "and what spells do you teach, for I would like to learn."
Ambrin then began teaching Jynx, and Rudel--an astonishing number of spells, available without oaths of loyalty, but only requiring coins.
"Are there other jobs we could do for you?" asked Ansel.
"As a matter of fact, there is an infestation of ogres nearby. They keep eating our students. Kill the ogre mage which leads them, and I will teach you a valuable spell. They live to the northwest," said Ambrin, and with another chuckle, he added, "You may want to be careful, though--it may be a somewhat difficult foe."
"As it happens," said Ansel, "we were there before we came here, and so we have already killed the ogre mage."
"Well done. The apprentices in the future who don't get devoured will have much to thank you for," said Ambrin. "Good for you. Good luck to you in your future travels."
Recognizing a dismissal when they heard one, the companions left the laboratory, and prowled through the rest of the school, finding nothing other than the occasional frightened-looking apprentice who quickly vanished from view. Turning to climb the stairs, they saw a sign declaring: "Tower Gardens. Please don't pick fruit. No walking on mushrooms."
The group entered the Tower of Magi gardens. These were for far more than just decoration, beautiful though they were. Plants were magically altered here, to create hybrids useful in the harsh, dark environment of Avernum. Many of the strange plants which sustained life in Avernum were created here--such as the fungal trees, and the most useful strains of edible mushrooms, and the stringy lichen used to create cloth and rope. If the Tower of Magi were nothing more than this room, its value to Avernum would still be incalculable.
While there was no one else in the gardens, they found a concealed room, bearing a sign reading "Restricted Area! Danger! Stay away!" Ignoring the sign, though, they passed through locked doors, coming into a large room which was clearly a magical laboratory of extreme potential and power. Small protective glyphs were etched into the walls, floor, and ceiling. While there was energy here, something else was, too--a palpable feeling of danger and evil.
"I don't think we are ready to take this on," said Brother Theo. "We should away, and find the means of finding Solberg and seek his advice."
Thinking this wise advice, the group quickly departed, shutting the doors behind them. Wandering further, they came to a sign outside a closed door bearing the words: "Flora/Fauna Modification Lab. Limited breathing recommended."
"Cheery," said Brynja. "Shall we?"
They opened the door, and within, a young woman with short, dark hair sat at a desk, writing. Leaning against her chair was a short, wooden staff, carved in the shape of a twisting serpent. Runes on her robe indicated that she was a person of great power.
"I beg your pardon," said Jynx, "but who are you?"
"I am Linda of the Triad that controls the tower," she replied.
"What is the Triad?" asked Duncan.
"The Tower of Magi is run by three mages," said Linda. I control research, X is in charge of teaching. And one of us is absent."
"Who is absent?" asked Rudel, as though he did not know the answer already.
Linda gave him a truly ugly smile, and said, "Yes, one of the three is away. We don't know when he will be back." Something in her tone suggested that she truly meant "if he will be back."
As though he had noticed nothing untoward, Rudel said, "I'd like to ask X about teaching. Where is he?"
"Yes, he may be of aid to you," replied Linda in what was apparently her usual non-helpful manner. "He's around here somewhere."
"What are you researching now?" asked Rudel, as though truly interested.
"Oh, many, many things. This is an ambitious time for the tower, a time of great and auspicious happenings," replied Linda, her fervor for research making her far more communicative than she had been heretofore. "Right now, I am trying to find information on the First Expedition."
"What was the First Expedition?" asked Ansel.
"Many years ago, when these caves were first found, the tyrants above sent down a variety of troops, led by a group of adventurers. These adventurers had a wide variety of magic items: several weapons, several peculiar items, and finally a scepter," said Linda. "They were all killed, to a man and woman, and the items were scattered. And we want them."
"What sort of magical weapons did they have?" asked Duncan.
"We cannot yet reliably make magical weapons. That's why we want these so badly. There was an undead slaying spear, and a halberd with a blade of jade. And, more importantly, there was the pike 'Giantslayer,' and greatest of all, the sword 'Demonslayer,'" she said. "Demonslayer was shattered, alas. But if the pieces were found, it could be reforged."
"Do you know anything about the peculiar items?" asked Rudel.
"There was a necklace which made a leader more persuasive. We've found that--someone up north owns it. There was Thralni's Orb, which enables the user to fly. There was a Blessed Athame--a magical knife which could cut practically anything," said Linda. "It would be a great thing to find these items." She began to stare up at the ceiling, ignoring the group, as though their presence was starting to make her uncomfortable.
"Tell me about the onyx scepter," said Jynx softly.
"A strange and powerful item, only usable by the greatest of mages. I could say more about it, but I won't. Suffice it to say, this is a great and auspicious time for the tower," said Linda, smiling in a disturbingly sharklike way.
"We've learned you summoned a rather large demon," said Brynja, speaking before any of the group could stop her. "Are you sure that's safe?"
Linda jumped from her chair, clearly furious. "How did you learn of that? You fools have no idea what you're talking about. The things we do here do not concern you. Begone!" She waved her hand, and the room dissolved before the companions' eyes.
Quite suddenly, they found themselves standing outside the entrance to the tower.
"I don't think it was a good idea to say that," said Jynx.
"Just wanted to see something," said Brynja. "I think we should go tell someone."
"Right--I think we'd better head off for a time--we've learned a lot, but it might be awkward to just walk back in there," said Rudel. "Why don't we see if we can find this hidden cave, and then Solberg?"