A/N: I still make no money from the wonderful world of Avernum/Exile, which remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. I promise to return to the game unharmed the following persons: the friendly spirits, Tyoarik, the demons, Grah-Hoth, Windell, Ethridge, Aimee, Khoth, and King Micah; and places: the realm of Grah-Hoth, the new Empire outpost, the remote hut, Bargha, Khoth's Lair, and the Castle.
Picking their way amongst the lava and other signs of desolation, the companions found themselves within a small hidden cavern. At the far end, a glowing spirit, its glow soft and reassuring, beckoned them to approach. Deciding that they could handle themselves if it came to it, the group neared.
The spirit floated nearer. It was the ghost or shade of a young woman, and her smile indicated that she was happy to see them. "Greetings. We were summoned and sent by Solberg the wizard. We can aid you," she said. A look of urgency appeared on her face. "I sense I am followed. I must flee. I have been in the fortress of our common foe! The barriers can be passed!" With that, she handed Ansel a twisted, black iron key.
She glowed brighter for a moment, and the wounds suffered in the lava healed. "If you can't reach Grah-Hoth's fort, go to the Waterfall Warren. The Orb of Thralni will help you. Now, I must go. Solberg sends his best wishes."
She faded into a wall. Moments later, there was a roar, and several bolts of red light flew into the wall after her. Ansel pocketed the black key.
They continued, and another friendly ghost floated nearer. He smiled, and said, "Welcome, humans. We have been sent to help against Grah-Hoth. His release has caused great consternation in the spheres. I cannot stay long. We must struggle to avoid Grah-Hoth's gaze as it is. But I can tell you one thing. One of us went spying in his tower."
"We met," said Ansel.
"Then, good luck," said the spirit, and it faded away.
Shortly thereafter, they came to a great chasm, and on the other side, they could see the horrible tower which was the fortress of Grah-Hoth.
"This is it, then," said Ansel, patting the hilt of Demonslayer. "Shall we?"
"Absolutely," said Duncan.
After flying across, they got their first good look at Grah-Hoth's fortress. The place was a huge, arching, Gothic horror of architecture. Carvings on the walls depicted debaucheries beyond common imagining, and tiny, loathsome creatures sported and fought in the shadowy corners. The place was old. Centuries or more. In Grah-Hoth's absence, the whole west half crumbled, and all the other walls showed signs of wear and decay. Inside, the sounds of work could be heard.
"This is it, then," said Ansel. "We'll settle the score between Avernum and Grah-Hoth for once and for all."
They continued, reaching a dark gallery filled with statues. However, the statues were not stone, but the frozen form of beings, some human, some slith, some demonic. They moved incredibly slowly. The moans and pleas for release could be clearly heard. Somehow, their spirits had been trapped, and it was enough to make one's skin crawl to hear them.
They continued after slaying another of Grah-Hoth's lieutenants. Crossing a rune on the floor, tendrils of light emerged, finally settling on the pocket where Ansel carried the twisted iron key. The grounds were filled with dull-eyed imps, rebuilding but doing nothing to stop the progress of the companions. In a trash pit, they found an imp picking through the filth, and eating a large, pale grub as the companions rounded the corner.
Tyoarik said, "Oh, humans! You no kill Tyoarik! I no mean harm to you."
"What are you doing down here?" asked Ansel, suspiciously.
"I hide from Grah-Hoth. He enslave us. He take our freedom," replied Tyoarik.
"Your freedom to do what?" asked Duncan.
"Sinister imp things. You know?" said Tyoarik, baring its teeth. "We hate Grah-Hoth. We hope you humans come to kill him."
"Why?" said Jynx, puzzled at this.
"Because then he gone and we go back to free and easy imp lifestyle," replied Tyoarik, as though this were obvious. "No more repairing walls and sweeping and getting beaten by full demonkin."
"So, can you help us kill him?" asked Ansel.
"Yes! Yes! I tell you one thing. Grah-Hoth fort locked up. Locked up good. But we seal secret passage in. Not sealed well, though. East of hear. Storeroom. Secret passage in east wall. Open up, and you will get in! Kill Grah-Hoth!"
"You want to come with us?" said Duncan. "Help us slay Grah-Hoth?"
"You think Tyoarik born yesterday?" said the imp. "No way. I get eaten up all good."
"Well, thanks for the tip," said Ansel.
Leaving the trash pit, they followed the directions they had been given, and made their way through the weak wall, finding a handful of undead in the newly discovered corridor, but little to slow their progress.
Tearing down another weak wall, the smell of sulfur became exceptionally strong. They had entered a series of tall and beautiful halls, intact despite long emptiness. From all directions, there could be heard hissing and snarling. At least, on the bright side, the raucous roaring of demonic legions obscured the noise of the smashing of the wall.
Suddenly, with a thunderous boom, the walls around the companions dissolved, leaving them standing in the middle of a huge arched chamber. All around, huge demons laughed and cavorted, and occasionally emitted flames from their bodies. In front of the companions, stood the largest demon of them all: Grah-Hoth, the foul lord.
Grah-Hoth smirked, and said, "It is time, at last, for this game to come to an end. I've wasted enough time on you. Once I had this realm to myself. All these caves were mine. then you humans, your warriors and wizards, they came, and they stole my land. They imprisoned me! They dared! Now ... now I begin to take back all I have lost. I will kill every human in what you call Avernum. And I will start with you!"
As one, the demons about began to charge, and the battle was well and truly joined. As planned, Ansel with his sword, Demonslayer, went to charge Grah-Hoth while the rest of the companions held off the others demons and monsters. Finally, the fatal blow was struck.
Grah-Hoth's back arched. He opened his fanged mouth and emitted a shrill, deafening noise. It was half angry roar and half desperate gurgle, as his ravaged form attempted in vain to hold onto life. And then he fell. His massive, reptilian body collapsed to the ground. Moments later, it caught fire. Ansel stepped back, shielding his eyes, and his foul form burnt away. The rock underneath bubbled and melted. Then, with a final cloud of sulfurous gas, Grah-Hoth was gone. Dead—Avernum was rid of him forever.
Looking around, the tiny foul creatures gibbering in the corner had fled. The passages were quiet. All the demons had gone, fleeing for their lives before the might of those who could slay their leader. As the companions left Grah-Hoth's fortress, they looked back one last time. Already, changers were taking place. The black stone was starting to crack again. Ages of decay, held off by Grah-Hoth's magic were catching up with a vengeance. The clouds of sulfur and smoke were fading, and the gargoyles no longer looked so sinister.
As they watched, one of the gargoyle's heads even fell off. The aura of evil and malevolence, no longer supported by the fort's evil master, was fading. Shades rose above the fort—spirits trapped by Grah-Hoth had been freed to find peace at last. And Avernum—free of the threat of Grah-Hoth, at long last.
Intending to return to Bargha to rest, they found the ghosts Ethridge had told them about once. A variety of them—nephilim, sliths, humans. All displayed grievous wounds, all looked angry. They looked more annoyed as the companions got nearer, as Ethridge—the person they wished to fight—was not in the group. However, they indicated they would fight and kill if the group did not back down.
"Ah, nuts," said Ansel, "let's get them, and then we'll take a rest."
After the fight, the ghosts were gone, sent back to whatever dark place had spawned them. Sure that Ethridge would be appreciative, they continued their way to Bargha.
They entered Ethridge's place, and Ansel said, "We thought you'd like to know, we killed the shades which have been tormenting you."
"I am not surprised. The terror has been lifted from me. I have felt much more free," she said, and pulled a ring from her finger. "This is the source of much of my strength. I will miss it, but honor commands that I give it to you. Thank you for your great aid to me."
"Thank you," said Ansel, accepting the ring.
After an evening of carousing and rejoicing in the bar, they decided to check out the new Empire fort they'd learned of in the ruined fort, telling their Scimitar contacts all about these experiences over mugs of mushroom ale.
Leaving Bargha toward the giant lands, they carefully made their way around until they spotted a ledge through the mists. Carefully, they flew across the chasm, and preparing for a great fight, they entered, and found a cavern with a sign. "Warning: This cavern is off limits to all. Go no further!"
"Yeah, and Avernum's off limits to Empire," said Ansel. "Ain't that right?"
"That's right," said Duncan. "Let's find 'em."
They found another sign "Unauthorized users of the portal will be summarily slain." and just beyond that sign, a portal.
"Gee, an invitation," said Brynja.
"So nice of them to put the mat out," said Jynx. "But let's expect trouble when we go through, right?"
"Yeah," said Ansel. "Swords and everything ready."
They emerged from the portal into a hall, and then after one false turn, found their way into what looked like a practice field, with chairs set up for observers on a raised platform. Several shades were waiting for them, and a short fight ensued. Following the walkway, they found a concealed door leading to a bridge to a small island with a portal.
"I'm getting sick of all these transports," said Jynx. "Let's find and kill them already."
"Patience," said Ansel. "I guess they're giving us a little challenge."
Finding this had brought them full circle, they made their way back through, and this time searched further, finding another secret passage, further progress blocked by a magical barrier. Impatiently, Jynx dispelled that, and they continued up a stair to the door.
Here, they found a room full of soldiers, and two of them were dressed in particularly gleaming armor. It was only when one fell that the symbol on his chest was clearly seen—the golden crown symbol of Emperor Hawthorne. One of Empire's most elite soldiers, and they had just slain him in an Empire outpost deep in Avernum.
Then, they opened another door, where a small man sat behind a desk, trembling with fear, obviously not happy that he had been found. His skin wasn't pale as he had obviously very recently come from the surface world.
"What are you doing here?" said Ansel.
"Oh, wouldn't you like to know, pitiful exiles!" said Windell.
"Hey, you don't have to insult us," said Duncan, his sword still dripping with blood from the fight just outside the room.
"I'll do what I want, Avernites. Running around here like worms with your tiny magicks and your precious scimitar," said Windell. "Why don't you just kill me! I'm not going to tell you anything."
"Oh?" said Ansel. "What do you know of the Scimitar?"
"That group of pitiful rebels? You tell them that this base will be replaced by two, then four! For every one of you down here, there are a hundred of us above! You have no chance," said Windell, smirking as he backed away. "You won't even make a dent."
"So this is an Empire outpost," said Brynja.
"Yes! We on the surface have let you malcontents live on your own long enough," said Windell. "All must live under the watchful eye of the Empire. But I won't tell you anything more. And I won't tell you where the treasure is either ... oops ..."
"Alright, weasel boy," said Ansel. "Where is the treasure?"
He gave them a sly look and said, "Like I would tell you. There is a treasure. Why don't you go looking for it?" He started to snivel, "Just leave me here. You get the treasure, and I live. That's a fair deal."
"Why should we make a deal with you, Empire scum?" said Ansel.
"Well, you want one survivor to tell of your mighty blow against the Empire, don't you? And couldn't the survivor just as well be me?" said Windell, his eyes taking on a feral look. "Also, if you'll let me live, I'll tell you about the scroll."
"A scroll?" said Brother Theo, managing to keep his excitement under wraps. "What's so special about it?"
"That's what we have. We took it from a dragon! It's valuable! Take it and let me go! It's in a box in one of the private bedrooms," said Windell, the little courage he had managed to scrape up earlier fading rapidly. "Please!"
Ansel said, "What do you say, folks?"
"I say we kill the little rodent," said Duncan. "Then if they want to replace this fort, it will take them all the longer to know."
"Right," said Rudel. "You see, we don't need Empire scum singing our praises. Let's kill him."
"And he didn't even tell us anything we didn't already know," said Brynja, her mouth curving into a fierce grin. "Nothing worth his life. Kill him."
"Death to the Empire," said Jynx. "Don't worry, you'll have plenty of company in hell, scum."
Brother Theo said, "You stole the scroll, and in his anger, the dragon went to destroy the fort where it was first taken. Now, you stood idly by and let your compatriots die. So, I believe it would be just if you were to die as well."
"Well, there you have it," said Ansel, spitting at Windell's feet. "Unanimous vote. I'm afraid you're just a walking dead man."
"Please!" begged Windell, his face becoming pasty with fear.
"Hah!" said Ansel, and with one blow, he struck down the Empire official, and then quickly wiped the blade clean.
"I'm afraid," said Brother Theo, "that this is but the beginning of what shall be a long and bloody war."
"And the alternative?" said Ansel. "Let them spy on us, give us only a little freedom when they took everything else? Bah. It was a good bit of work."
"Anyway, we've got to make sure there really aren't any left alive," said Jynx. "Then we can worry about treasure hunting."
Searching through, they found a journal written by Windell which describe the creation of this outpost. The Empire, using a considerable amount of magical effort, teleported down everyone here, as well as their supplies. The purpose of this outpost had been to observe and study the Avernites, and find out what they'd been up to down here. Some of the dealings with magical creatures here were described.
Two events were of particular interest. First, there was the detailing of the theft of a scroll from the dragon Khoth and his resulting destruction of another Empire outpost after the scroll had been moved to this fort. Second, the journal described the discovery of several large crystals, each of which seemed to contain the soul of some spirit. From the notes, it seemed that there was some confusion as to what to do with these strange beings.
Moving on, they found a bedroom with a chest, and opening it, they saw a large object inside the chest carefully wrapped in velvet. Brynja pulled the velvet aside, and they could all see the leather scroll, a beautiful artifact illuminated in gold and silver on drakeskin. Unfortunately, no one could read the writing, but they could surmise this was Khoth's scroll.
Deciding that they might be a good long while before returning, they searched for Aimee, and finally found a remote hut with a meditating mage within.
Ansel tapped her on the shoulder, and she immediately woke up and stood.
"Welcome to my home," she said. "I am Aimee Far-Traveller. It is rare indeed to get friendly visitors here. Now, who are you, and why are you here?"
"Well, I'm Ansel, this is Jynx and Brynja, and Duncan and Rudel and Brother Theo," said Ansel. "We got dumped here by Empire, and we've been traveling about. We slew Grah-Hoth, and now we seek an escape from Avernum. We heard you might know something of a password."
"I came down here to travel planes near and far without human interference. I have had great success. I have seen sights of sublime horror and unearthly beauty. I have learned many things, and found out even more things were wrong. And I have learned much esoterica," said Aimee. "As you seek a way out of these caverns, you should know that I have overheard in my travels part of the password to use at the hidden exit. The second syllable is "Bas". I don't know where the escape route from Avernum is. But that part of the password might help you leave."
"We are most grateful for your help," said Ansel. "We will not disturb you further."
"Thank you, and may the gods be with you on your journeys," said Aimee.
They rowed until they came to the shores of the northwest, and made their way to the doors of the lair of Khoth. After fighting off the living statues, apparently the testing mentioned before, they made their way into the lair itself.
Sharply contrasting with the rough, natural stone outside, the gigantic halls were lovely, beautifully built, and ancient beyond reckoning. Every footfall echoed down high arched corridors into distant amphitheaters. Stone blocks of the floor were covered with tiny scratches, as if from reptilian claws. Within, it was quite cold. Not a natural cold, but of undead, as shades paced up and down the halls, dusting and moving books around.
As they continued, they found a pedestal with a row of large leather scrolls, each wrapped around a bar of cold steel.
"There's an open spot here," said Brother Theo as he got out the recovered scroll. The ring of statues seemed to be watching him, their eyes glowing red. He looked at the recovered scroll and the scrolls on the pedestal. "Yes, it's identical. I guess this one goes right here."
While Brother Theo placed the scroll in the row, it was now complete, but nothing dramatic happened.
"Now, I think we're ready to find the dragon," said Ansel. "And hope ..."
A long, sinuous dragon sat coiled in the next room, in contemplation of a huge scroll, and he grimaced after looking over the adventurers.
The group members quickly bowed, to show peace and respect to the dragon.
Thoth said, "So, now you are here, humans. What have you to say?"
"Great Khoth, how do you fill your time here alone?" said Ansel.
He snorted, and smoke and flame billowed forth. "I increase my wisdom, most of the time," replied Khoth. "The rest, I deal with intruders."
"Are we intruders?" asked Jynx, a little nervously.
"Perhaps. Normally, I am not one to welcome humans. I once was," replied Khoth. "Not anymore."
"Then you have had dealings with humans before?" asked Jynx.
He angrily breathed flame into the air. "You are Avernites. You are not of the Empire above. Were that not the case, your puny band would be dead now, in vengeance."
"Vengeance?" said Jynx, more than a little nervous.
"Oh, your deaths would be slow and agonizing," said Khoth, his claws raking the ground in anger. "I would entrap you in barriers and starve and burn you for days and years! This is the reward for cheating a dragon!"
"How were you cheated?" asked Ansel.
Khoth's eyes blazed, a long forked tongue came out to lick his lips as he struggled to restrain himself. "Humans from above came to me once, offering a deal. I would make wards for a tower of theirs. In return, they would give me many books from the surface. I made the wards, but they only gave me a few books, and stole something as well."
"What sort of wards did you make for them?" asked Ansel.
"You are interested? Well, there is a hidden tower near here, across the river. It blocks a passage. To go through, you need to pass several wards of my making," said Khoth. "If you don't know the correct ritual and have the correct item, you die."
"Would you teach us this ritual?" asked Brother Theo.
"Gladly, as it would harm the Empire. First, you must find and return to me a scroll which was stolen from me," said Khoth.
"I believe we have returned that scroll," said Brother Theo. "There was a space that fit perfectly for the scroll we found in an Empire outpost. I hope you don't mind, we killed everyone in there already."
Khoth nodded. "You have done well, for humans. Listen carefully." Khoth described a series of hand motions and a short chant as Brother Theo took frantic notes. "I created a tower for the Empire, southeast of here. When you reach a barrier in a tower, this is the key. You can pass it now. I don't know why you would want to. I don't know what the Empire wants to protect back there, but it can't be that important. Still, with that ritual and a Royal Seal, you can go there."
"You have an amazing library here," said Rudel
"Of the dragons in these caves, only brother Motrax and I truly appreciate the wonders of learning, the joys of intellect. The difference is that I prefer solitude, and he doesn't. But then, he hasn't been cheated yet. Like I have! By humans," said Khoth. "At any rate, he is much wiser than my other siblings."
"Could you tell us of your siblings?" asked Rudel.
"Athron wishes only to be alone in her hole. Fool Pyrog played foolish power games with the mortals of the tunnels. Sulfras is good for contemplating his own might, and little more," said Khoth with a sigh. "We dragons are a strong and proud lot, but we can be as capable of foolishness as you mortals."
"Would you please teach us some magical rituals?" asked Jynx.
Khoth looked on the verge of refusal, but said, "Now, you have helped me, I should help you properly in return. I know far more magical secrets than could ever fit in your inferior human brains. If you wish, for a price, I could teach you some of my secrets."
"Oh, please do," said Jynx.
After they had finished with these secrets, Brother Theo said, "Now, I do not mean to bother you more, but we are looking for part of a password to the exit to the surface world."
"I can't help you with that," said Khoth. "Ask Athron. She may know."
"Thank you for your time," said Ansel, and he led his companions out.
From here, they began the long journey down to the castle. When they entered the throne room, King Micah looked relieved.
"You have returned!" shouted King Micah. "You survived your expedition." He stood and embraced the companions as three large sacks of coins were brought to them. "Come and speak with me. Tell me of your adventures and of your victory over Grah-Hoth. At last, Avernum's victory over him is complete. Our people may sleep easy at last."
Ansel told the story of the adventure as Micah and the royal guard listened with great interest.
"You have done a great deed. I declare you to be Knights of Avernum. Eventually, fame and power is assured to you," said Micah. "For now, I think it would be best if you continued to wander, seeing all of the things Avernum has to offer, and doing all the good deeds you can. Also, there is a powerful magical tome in my chambers. You should read it. It may help you."
"Thank you, your majesty," said Ansel.