A/N: As always, the wonderful world of Avernum (Exile) remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. I'm just romping through said world. I promise to return to the game unharmed the following persons: Erika, Mona/Theresa, Mayor DeBry, Malka, and Patrick; and places: Erika's tower, Fort Spire, Fort Saffron, Dharmon, and Patrick's tower when my fun is concluded.
At long last, the companions stood, here in a desolate corner of the Abyss, in front of the tower of the legendary Erika. As they reached the doors, barred by a magical barrier, a sign welcomed them, but warned that visitors were expected to prove themselves.
"Amazing," breathed Jynx.
"Seems like people with the ability have little else to do but make incredible towers," said Ansel. "Shall we?"
"Let's shall," replied Jynx, and she cast the spell to allow their passage through the magical barriers.
"First Gate? I don't understand," said Duncan.
"Well, I guess we're proving ourselves," said Jynx, with a shrug. The next door, labeled "Second Gate" opened easily.
The door labeled "Third Gate" refused to yield to Brynja's picks and the spells of Rudel and Jynx. Then Brynja said, "Hey, this door, I can get through."
Within the next room, they found alchemical supplies guarded by mutant lizards and giant fungi. Feeling that they were under attack, they fought off these creatures.
"I hope she doesn't mind," said Ansel.
"She probably won't," said Jynx. "She did say on the sign we have to prove ourselves."
"There's a wheel here," said Brynja, "hope that opens the portcullis."
"It does, but here come golems," said Brother Theo, recognizing the creatures from the tower of Aydin and Josie."
At last, they came to the last door, behind which they found Erika herself. She appeared as a piercingly beautiful woman, sailing gracefully into middle age with a sense of utter equipose. She looked at the group who had just entered her home with an expression of haughtiness and utter confidence.
"Greetings, mighty Erika," said Ansel. "We have traveled far to meet you."
"Yes, yes. I know," said Erika, waving her hand impatiently. "Get on with your business."
"May we ask you some questions?" asked Jynx.
Erika smiled, a reptilian coldness in her eyes leading them to shiver, and she replied, "Yes. For now."
"Do you get many visitors out here?" asked Brother Theo.
"Few manage to penetrate my tower. Even fewer are of value to me. You are both," replied Erika, her tone suggesting that she barely considered them human.
"What value could we possibly have?" asked Ansel.
Her expression darkened. "I am an exile down here, like you. A prisoner, but worse because of my curse! And more than anything else, I thirst for revenge, beautiful revenge. You should help me. I can assist you in many ways," she replied.
"How were you cursed?" asked Rudel.
"I cannot ever be touched by sunlight again. Its light would burn me like fire," said Erika. "It is a permanent curse. There is no appeal, even for one such as me."
"Do you intend to share your plans of revenge with us?" asked Brynja.
"Yes. My plans are why I came here, why I left the Triad. I wish to bring suffering to the petty fools of the Empire who put me here. To do that, I need tools," said Erika. "I would allow you to fulfill that function, to join me in my mission."
"Why did you leave the Triad?" asked Rudel.
Erika snarled. Sparks shot from the wand as her hand tightened its grip upon it. "Small-minded fools of the tower. I helped imprison Grah-Hoth! I summoned items for the underworld, magic, tomes, tools! And I realized we must fight those above!" said Erika. "They will slay us if we don't slay them first. They must die so we can live. Sad, but true."
"What sort of mission do you need us for?" asked Duncan.
"I want to assassinate King Hawthorne. It would be a good start. It was his father who sent me down here, and he who accelerated the pace at which people were exiled. He poured people down here like water! He is a tyrant, and tyrants must die," said Erika. "If you would help me strike this blow for our freedom, I can give you instructions."
"I could use some magical training, if you have the time to spare," said Jynx.
"Very well. I am adept in all the magical realms. If you wish to learn some incantations, I can teach you—for a price. I know certain spells that are beyond the reach of most. I know much alchemy, and my libraries are open to you," said Erika. "There are advantages to allying with me. Also, I can help you with dealing with my tower, should you want to return to aid me."
After the exchange of spellcraft and alchemical recipes, Jynx asked, "Where is your library?"
"Through the door to the west. Most of the books, I magicked down from the surface. It was difficult, but how could we develop our magic down here otherwise? The mundanes don't realize how much they need us!" said Erika, heedless of the fact that three of the six were just such mundanes in terms of lack of magical talents. "These passages wouldn't even be lit if I hadn't created the fungi that emit light, and I don't even get credit! And don't get me started on the mushrooms!" She sighed, then said, "But I digress. Feel free to peruse my library."
"What about the mushrooms?" asked Ansel.
"The mushrooms down here? That are edible, nourishing, and grow with only the slightest light? I created them! The pathetic specimens down here should worship me!" said Erika. "They owe me their lives! But do they appreciate me? No!"
"We wish to find a route to the surface world. Can you help us?" said Brynja.
"Yes, I can. I know that it is located in the caverns beyond the lair of Sulfras, far from here, first south and west and north again. And I know about the password you will need there," replied Erika.
"A password for what?" asked Ansel.
"The Empire, careful as always, wanted to leave an escape route from Avernum. The Scimitar is searching hard for it. It is extremely difficult to reach. The dragon Sulfras guards it, but that isn't the worst news," said Erika. "There is a four-syllable password needed to go through. Fortunately, I know the final syllable."
"Would you tell us your part of the password?" asked Brynja.
"I stole the last syllable from above. Don't ask more. It was a challenge, even for me. The fourth syllable is "Kai". Certain powerful beings may know the other three," replied Erika as Brother Theo jotted this information in his ever-present journal.
"Where could we find the other parts of the password?" asked Brother Theo.
"Well, the two greatest sages in Avernum are Aimee, who lives as a hermit on an island far to the north, and Patrick, who is choked with grief, but may be useful anyway. Then there are the dragons. Khoth and Athron are the wisest. They may know," said Erika.
"Is there an easier way into your tower?" asked Ansel.
"Now that you've passed my defenses, you don't need to do so again. There is a spare key to the east gate in the library," said Erika. "Also, the front doors will now open at your approach."
"We would like to help you strike a blow against the Empire," said Ansel.
"You may assist me in my quest for vengeance upon the foul King Hawthorne. I can give you instructions," said Erika. "Follow them, and your vengeance will be assured."
"We'll listen to your instructions," said Ansel.
"If you wish to take revenge on the Empire, you will need to use a magical portal. We believe we can use it to send you to the castle of Emperor Hawthorne himself. First, you must find a man named Aydin," said Erika. "He lives in a guarded tower on one of the northern islands. He will tell you how to reach the portal. Along the way, if you find any jeweled brooches, keep them," said Erika.
"What can you tell us about Aydin?" said Ansel, "for we did meet."
"He is a traitor. He betrayed the Empire. He hides on the islands north of the giants' cave," said Erika. "If you won his trust, you should know where to go and how to get there."
"Then he can be trusted? For we talked to him at some length," said Jynx.
"Yes," said Erika. "Since you have contacted Aydin, you know how to reach the portal. Now, you must find at least four of five magical brooches. They are scattered about Avernum, but I believe I know where some of them lie. You will need to find them. I can use them to modify the portal and send you to Hawthorne's castle. You should try to find all five. Then the magical link will be stronger."
"Tell us more about the brooches," urged Jynx.
"When the First Expedition came down, each of their five leaders wore a magical brooch, which was linked to the Empire above. They were used for communication. I can use them for something more," said Erika. "You can use that magical link to teleport you up there. The problem, of course, is finding them. The statues may help."
"Where could we find these brooches?" asked Brynja.
"I'm not sure where all five are, but I've done some research. Look in the library. I've written some notes on their locations. Four of them may suffice for me to help you. All five, however, would be ideal. Much safer," said Erika. "The link to the surface will be weak. The more brooches I have, the easier to trace it."
"Uh, how in the world could a statue help us?" asked Ansel.
"To keep an eye on things, I created intelligent statues and placed them in each of the six largest cities of Avernum. The word to get them to tell you what they know is 'Divulge'. They might have heard something," said Erika.
"Thank you," said Jynx. "May we go into the library now?"
"Of course," said Erika, negligently waving a hand in that direction.
The chamber contained Erika's private library. While small, it was nonetheless amazing. Most of the books appeared to have been only recently brought down from the surface. The spines red like a list of the most powerful and valuable tomes for magical research.
"If only I had the time," said Jynx, half under her breath. "I could spend a lifetime reading in here."
"Too much to do, unfortunately," said Ansel. "Maybe after we've done these other things."
They fanned out, and in one journal, there was a list written in cramped handwriting: 1. One leader slain by Motrax. Perhaps he kept? 2. Scried. In possession of the spiders. Would retrieve, but spiders are too irritating. 3. Group slaughtered in Grim Cavern. Check the pit? 4. Good question. 5. Pyrog has it. Won't trade it. Bad news. Will end in blood. Talk to giants?
"That's helpful," said Rudel. "We got that ivory one in Motrax's cave, and the other from Pyrog's. So we need to find the spiders and the way into the center of the Grim Cavern."
"I think we'll be able to pass through, now," said Jynx. "You suppose we should look for Bertrand, first? Maybe he got in already and stole it, and then we wouldn't have to go through all that."
"We can do that," said Ansel. "Or maybe that's the number four one."
"Check this out," said Brother Theo, opening a book on magical seals and wards to a bookmark, describing h ow to break the seal on an enchanted flask. There was a marginal note. "The Athame is well-guarded in the Tower of Magi. We are safe."
"So, we've got to go back to the Tower," said Ansel.
"And Mertis," added Jynx. "That at least puts us in the same direction."
"And here's that key," said Duncan.
Leaving the library, they thanked Erika once more, and as they approached the door, a keyhole appeared which was a perfect fit for the key Duncan had found.
"So many things we could do," said Ansel, as they rowed away. "Where to start?"
"Well, I say, let's get back out of the Abyss," said Jynx, "and see if we can't find what we need to locate the exit and deal with Grah-Hoth, unless you want to forget about him."
"No, we can't forget about him," said Ansel. "OK, exit, Grah-Hoth, and off the Emperor."
"And we have to go to Cotra," said Brynja, remembering Scab.
"OK, we'll hit that after Mertis and if we have to go into the Grim Cavern," said Ansel. "Probably stop and see Patrick on our way?"
"Sounds like a plan," said Duncan.
"Doesn't that look like it might be the cave Scab was talking about?" asked Rudel. "Let's check it out before we leave the area."
"These webs are awfully fresh," said Ansel.
"Yes, but what's a spider?" said Jynx. "Not enough to make us turn tail, is it?"
"Nope," said Duncan. "Let's go."
After defeating the spiders—who had proved much more difficult with the company of aranea, they found a small hidden tunnel which continued for fifty feet before opening up. After some searching, they found a tiny silver key under an old scrap of leather.
"That's it," said Ansel, pocketing it. "OK, out of the Abyss it is, then."
Moving south, they finally came across the stone bridge of Fort Spire, where people didn't look like they wanted to spit in the group's face for being Avernites. After progressing to the portcullis, Ansel gave the groups' names, and a moment later, the portcullis was opened for them.
As they continued to Fort Saffron, Brynja said, "Remember that prisoner they had? How she said something about wanting a scimitar back? What if she's Scimitar?"
"It's possible," said Ansel. "We'll drop in and see her."
Making their way unobstructed to the cells, they saw the woman still in the cell.
"Hello," said Ansel.
"Hello, vole," said Mona.
"Icarus," said Ansel.
She looked rather embarrassed, and said, "Oh, I'm sorry! You're one of us. Look, don't worry about helping me escape."
"How are you going to escape?" asked Brynja.
"They're taking me to Dharmon. "I'll get set loose there. It was stupid of me to get captured anyway."
"How did you get captured?" asked Duncan.
"I was dealing with the bandits to the north, trying to convince them that they should be working for us. I told them that it was in all the underworld's interest to stick it to the Empire," said Mona with a sigh. "Didn't work. Bandits are fools."
"Do you know much about the bandits around here?" asked Rudel.
"There are plenty of them, and they have many powerful mages and priests among them. We suspect that the spellcasters are actually Empire plants. There weren't any mages with the group I contacted. They weren't Empire spies. They were just dumb," said Mona. "Anyway, after I left, some soldiers picked me up, and now I'm here. I feel so dumb."
"You sure you want to stay in there and escape on your own?" asked Duncan.
"It's probably for the best," said Mona. "Don't worry, I'll get myself out."
"All right, just checking," said Ansel.
They quickly left the cell area, and Fort Saffron altogether, stepping back into the Great Cave itself.
"Let's stop in Dharmon," said Rudel. "I'm hungry."
"All right," said Ansel, and he turned to go into the city. As they walked through, he said, "Hey, let's stop by city hall, shall we?"
"Why not?" said Jynx. "Never know where you'll pick up good info."
They walked in, to find a placid, gray-haired man sitting at his desk, twiddling his thumbs.
"Not doing much work, eh?" said Ansel.
"I try to keep out of the way, mainly. The people of Dharmon are an independent lot, and they wouldn't let me be mayor if I bothered them," replied Mayor DeBry. "So I mainly do paperwork and deal with the council."
"Which council would that be?" asked Brynja.
"King Micah's ruling council. Now there I have to work! I and the other five mayors have been working like crazy to come up with ideas to deal with the sliths. Plans! Tactics! Supplies! Entertainment!" said Mayor Debry. "And Micah just had to come up with that crazy scheme of his."
"What scheme was that?" asked Duncan.
"King Micah wants to hire a bunch of adventurer assassins. No way! Running the war is our job! All ours! I hope you aren't another group of adventurers come looking for a royal token, because if so, you're going to be disappointed," he said.
"Already have one," said Ansel.
"Ah, yes. Just what we need. Adventurers wasting King Micah's time. I always said—ruling is the job of the rules. Fighting is the job of the army. Everyone else just wants to get in the way."
"You wouldn't happen to know anything about the destruction of Fort Remote?" asked Duncan.
"Only that it has struck fear in the heart of all of Dharmon," replied the mayor. "We all wonder who could be next. We have no idea who led this raid, or why. It is, frankly, terrifying."
"Is there anything we can do for Dharmon?" asked Ansel.
He shook his head. "I don't usually hire adventurers," he said, and thought for a moment. "Actually, we have been raided recently by bands of bandits. They have a lair north of Fort Saffron. If you could let me know who's been organizing the bandits, I would reward you."
"Well, as it happens," said Brother Theo, "we found proof that Meena of Spire has been leading the bandits."
The mayor shook his head angrily. "I knew it. Meena. She has turned Spire into a spawning pit for all manner of scum and villains, and now she is expanding her criminal empire. Thank you for this information. We will have to deal with her."
Expecting something tangible as a reward, Ansel stayed put, and DeBry looked up at the group, and said, "You have done a great service for Avernum. I'm sure you feel very proud of your efforts."
"Is there anything else we can do for you?" asked Ansel, his temper very barely in check.
"I must say, you have slightly increased my faith in adventurers," said Mayor DeBry. "However, right now, we don't need more assistance."
"Good day, then," said Ansel, and he turned and led the way to the Dharmon Arms.
As they sat at the table waiting for their meal, a small, sweet-looking woman with a baby at her breast, sitting in a corner smiled at them, as though she knew them.
Brother Theo said, "Hi. Do we know you?"
"No, but I've been waiting for you," she said.
"Icarus?" asked Brother Theo.
She nodded, and said, "I'm afraid I don't have much to tell you. There is a secret entrance into Dharmon from the north, if you ever need to find anything special. Other than that, I'm just listening for Empire spies."
Abruptly, Brynja stood and said, "I'm going to take a walk."
Wandering about, Brynja looked closely at the statues, and then a statue of a long-dead mayor of Dharmon blinked.
"Divulge," she said.
It sighed and spoke. "Some bandits were talking back here, and I overheard them They have a storehouse of stolen goods hidden somewhere in Dharmon. They also said something about getting to a secret boat to reach it."
Hoping all of Erika's statues weren't so useless, Bryna said, "Anything else?"
"They said that one of their number had been arrested. And that he had a valuable brooch," said the statue. "He might be in the jail."
"Anything else?" asked Brynja.
"No," said the statue.
Brynja kicked a loose rock, and made her way back to the others. "Well, I found the statue here," she said, "waste of time. Told me stuff we already knew, about the bandits and the brooch."
"In that case, after we've eaten and slept, let's go off to see Patrick again," said Ansel.
Making their way down, bandit activity did seem much less pronounced than it had been before. Patrick, still looking tired and thin, was much happier-seeming when the companions came into his tower.
"How is your wife doing?" asked Ansel.
"Much better, thanks to you," said Patrick.
"I was wondering about the research you did," said Jynx.
Patrick's seemingly empty gaze focused sharply, and he said, "On things it can bring great danger to know. Is there a particular thing you seek?"
"I want to know the password," said Jynx.
"The password to the surface? Yes, for what it is worth, a sage banished down here did tell me part of it," said Patrick. "The third part of the password is "Eng". I hope that helps you."
"I hope so, too," said Jynx as Brother Theo jotted the new information in his journal.
Leaving Patrick's tower behind, they continued on the road, meeting with the occasional patrol of Avernite guards as they made their way to Almaria.