A/N: The world of Exile/Avernum remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software, not me. Following my non-profit fun here, I promise to return to the game unharmed the following persons: Tekora-Tel, Kyhar, Ohar, Koriba, Rentar-Ihrno, Glantris-Bok, Vyvnas-Bok, Commander Ace; and places: Erika's Tower, Ghikra, New Formello, New Cotra, Portal Fortress, and Fort Emergence.
Trekking north, mapping assiduously, they came to a golem-guarded bridge beyond which a great tower rose.
"Erika's!" said Phaedra, awe in her voice.
"Let's go," said Anicka, and she started to lead the way across.
The animated statues moved to block the path, and one said in a raspy voice, "The great archincantrix, Erika, heroine of Avernum, scourge of the Empire, has noted your approach. She has decided that you have done nothing worthy of her notice. Until you perform a mighty deed on the surface, she will not grace you with her valuable time."
"The surface?" said Anicka, but the golems did not answer, nor did they move. "What do you mean, mighty deeds on the surface?"
"They're not moving," said Daniel.
"No shit," said Anicka, turning to return to the cave floor. "What do they mean?"
"I think," said Angarahad, "someone finally told us what we're really supposed to be doing."
"What do you mean?" said Anicka. "The surface? What kind of thing is that?"
"The place where most of the adults came from," said Angarahad. "I've heard talk. The people we fought in the big war. I think we're supposed to go up there!"
"Yeah?" said Anicka. "Well, then we better get this mapping gig done so we can go already."
They were moving back into the caverns, when totems suggested a non-Avernite-friendly area, and barely had they gotten within, but they saw crude ogre huts to the north. Some fled north, while the others charged.
After the battle with the ogre guards, they searched the hovels along the path. Strangely, there was no treasure, the huts cleaned of anything of value, even metal.
"Wonder where the good stuff is," said Anicka.
"We could keep going," said Daniel. "Since we probably already stirred this nest."
They continued, but were surprised to find that there were several crude slith nests, not like the friendly sliths who had allied with Avernum, but the savage ones. It appeared only a small portion of the village population was present, but that didn't stop them from being ready to attack at once, and seeing the number of attackers, Anicka led a hasty retreat.
The mapping continued, as they approached the bizarre, bulbous construction which was characteristic of the vahnatai. Even though it was stone, rather than the crystal of deeper caves, the stone appeared to have been grown, not cut or otherwise shaped. The walls were round, smooth bubbles of rock, and eerie, silent passages led inside.
They entered Ghikra, which was not so much a town as a diplomatic settlement, where the vahnatai allies kept in touch with the people of Avernum. It was strangely silent, guards notably absent, though undoubtedly the place was not unprotected.
The entry was decorated in the vahnatai style, with statues and pools arranged in a manner that seemed random, although reports were that vahnatai found it to be aesthetically pleasing. Angular passages led off into shadows.
Stepping inside, they met a tall, dignified vahnatai with the dry, dusty skin of one of advanced years. "I am Tekora-Tel of Avit," he said.
"Hi," said Anicka. "We're adventurers—my name's Anicka. This is Daniel, and Frrr, and Angarahad, Phaedra, and Nathan."
"Frrrrrr," corrected the nephilim.
"Sorry," said Anicka, and she turned back to Tekora. "Why are you here in Ghikra?"
"I am a leader and a teacher," replied Tekora-Tel. "I come from our city of Avit with my pupil, searching for one of our number."
"Avit? Where's that?" said Anicka. "Can you tell us about it?"
"My home, one of our finest cities in our lands, far, far below. My city was the first to greet the humans," replied Tekora-Tel. "This fact is related to my search."
"Who are you searching for?" said Anicka.
"One of our mages, Bon-Ihrno, disappeared. He was a hero among us, the first to befriend you humans, and to bring Avernum's people into our lands. He said he was going on a journey, and has not been seen for months," replied Tekora-Tel. "It is a worrying mystery."
"Yeah, that does sound worrying," said Anicka. "Why might Bon-Ihrno have disappeared?"
"Should you ever meet him, return here to me. I wish much to know of where he has gone," said Tekora-Tel. "We do not know why he disappeared. We know that, suddenly, some months ago, he became very agitated, as if he discovered something. Then he was gone. We think that he found out that the Empire was doing something ... something dangerous. But we are not sure."
"Who is your student?" asked Phaedra.
"My student, Kyhar, is near. Speak to him if you wish. I wish him to meet humans," said Tekora-Tel, and he thought for a moment. "This is reminding me. I teach magic to those I find. Wish you to purchase spells from me?"
"That'd be great," said Phaedra.
"I can teach the magic uses of a stone called a soul crystal," said Tekora-Tel. "If you don't have one, though, I can't teach you."
"We don't have one," said Phaedra, disappointed.
"Perhaps someone here can help you get such a stone," replied Tekora-Tel.
Turning, they saw the vahnatai child, who looked at them with great curiosity.
The child said, "My calling is Kyhar."
"Do you live here?" said Nathan.
"No, I am currently learning and traveling," said the girl, her speech perfect as though being trained for diplomatic service.
"Not alone, I hope," said Nathan.
"No, I travel with my master, Tekora-Tel. He teaches me all he knows regarding magic and alchemy," replied Kyhar.
"Do you know much alchemy yet?" asked Nathan.
"Yes! We vahnatai learn alchemy before magic. I know several good recipes. Tekora-Tel says that I may teach them to others, for a fee," said Kyhar. "I am comfortable with doing so. Are you interested?"
"Sure, what recipes do you have?" said Nathan.
After he had copied down the recipes, he said, "How old are you?"
"I am very young, I am afraid," replied Kyhar. "A mere seventy years old!"
"You speak our tongue well," said Anicka. "You know a lot about humans, then?"
"I am in training to be a diplomat. I am trying to learn about humans. You are, however, a confusing species. There is much left for me to learn," replied Kyhar.
"Perhaps we can help," said Daniel.
"All right then, answer this question. A man does great harm to one you love, but escapes the judgment of your revered ones. You then encounter this man, wounded in the wilderness," said Kyhar. "His spirit relies upon you for succor. Do you save him or let him pass to the next life?"
"I would save his life," said Angarahad. "I might not like it, but he may yet be redeemed."
Kyhar nodded, "Submission to the judgments of the revered ones. Very interesting."
"What magic have you learned?" asked Phaedra.
Kyhar looked embarrassed, and said, "I have learned little magic, so far. My training is currently in the preliminary stages."
"I understand," said Phaedra. "Thanks for talking with us."
They moved into the shop district, and there found a vahnatai who was tall and spindly even by vahnatai standards—over seven feet tall and twig thin. He was sitting in front of a fire pit, carefully working on a waveblade.
"Welcome!" he said. "It is a pleasure to meet humans at last. I am Ohar."
"What do you do here in Ghikra?" asked Anicka.
"I craft weaponry," said Ohar. "Our blades are very different from yours, and yet made under the same principles."
"What principles are the same?" asked Anicka.
"We have melee weapons, like you: our wave blades. And we have missiles, like you: our razordisks. Though not the variety, I grant," said Ohar.
"You do seem to have very few sorts of weapons," said Daniel.
"You humans have such a bewildering array of deadly weapons," said Ohar. "We are in wonder that you can keep them straight."
"So how are your weapons different?" said Anicka.
"Much effort goes into each of our weapons, many hours of crafting and perfecting," said Ohar. "Unlike many of us, however, I am eager to display our skill to you humans."
"May we see your work?" asked Anicka.
He presented several recently crafted waveblades and neatly wrapped stacks of razordisks, ands aid, "If you wish to purchase any of my work, let me know."
"I'm afraid we don't have the money ... yet," said Anicka. "Maybe in the future."
"Perhaps," said Ohar. "Until then." And he returned to his work.
They continued next door. It was said no vahnatai settlement was complete without a crystal workshop, and this was exactly what they had found. The vahnatai passionately valued crystals, and could work incredibly powerful magic with them, but humans had had little luck in learning their techniques.
"I am called Koriba," said the vahnatai man, wearing the translucent, softly glowing garb of the vahnatai, carving a gentle spiral of crystal.
"What are you doing?" said Anicka.
"I shape crystals," replied Koriba. "They are having many uses."
"What sort of uses?" said Anicka.
"It is the basis of our artisticness," said Koriba, "and of our magicalness. Much magic we make with crystal items. For example, I make the magic soul stones often. And on days of power, I even make the spellshards."
"Soul stones? Like the Crystal Souls?" said Frrrrrr.
"Not quite. We call my stones Soul Crystals, not to be confused with Crystal Souls. They are used for certain spells to trap creatures to be called forth later. Very strong," said Koriba, with a sly look. "In fact, certain such spells we are not forbidded from making for purchase to outside people. For prices."
"Can we have one of those crystals?" asked Phaedra.
"Now? No. Perhaps later, if you can be doing small service to me," said Koriba. "A certain lovely statue was stole from us."
"We could look for your stolen statue," said Anicka.
He nodded, and said, "Recently, a courier carrying a crystal statue I had made was slain by bandits and the statue stolen. Yet another theft by humans. If you can recover it and bring it to me, I will reward you with another of my crystals."
"What's a spellshard?" said Phaedra.
"A marvelous item of magic. Is stone that hold a spell, and recharge from energy all around us," said Koriba. "One time each day, it can release that spell, and the next day spell is there anew. Very marvelous. Very rare."
"Thank you," said Anicka, "we'll keep that in mind."
They traveled to the west within Ghikra, and every hair on their bodies stood up, as they were approaching a magical laboratory, everything charged with energy. In the center there was a depression where a huge pentagram had been made, and above the center of the pattern, the air warped and shimmered, like above a fire.
Here, they saw the archmage Rentar-Ihrno, who eyed them curiously, and then dismissed them as not worthy of much attention, and said, "I am Rentar-Ihrno."
"Greetings to you, Rentar-Ihrno," said Anicka, making the bow of respect she had been taught, and then introducing herself and the rest of the group.
Rentar nodded. "Greetings, humans. I have been in communication with Anaximander. I have learned that you are the surface explorers. That is why I have allowed you to see me. We wish for our allies to find the way to the surface. That is why I wished to help you, and why I have moved my work up here."
"What sorts of work are you engaged in?" asked Phaedra.
Rentar sighed, as though resigned to wasting her time with this group, and said, "I am Ihrno to my people, and mistress of Ghikra. I do my research and protect our treasures. Ihrno is an honorary title. It means 'person of great learning.' It is appropriate that I should bear it, as I am the most magically talented of my people. The vahnatai are my people. We live in the caves far below you, and wish only to live safely and undisturbed. Honestly, who could wish for more?"
"May I ask about your research?" asked Phaedra.
Rentar frowned, and said, "That I prefer not speaking of."
"Why was Ghikra built?" asked Anicka.
"When the war against the Empire was won, we decided we should maintain contact with the beings we shared these caves with. That is the purpose of Ghikra. It is the conduit through which communication between our peoples shall pass," said Rentar. "I am here to control it. And to guard it. And we also wish to watch your efforts to reach the surface. We feel not all humans are bad. The Empire humans, however, have proved to be foes to us. It is good they are on the surface, away from us. You must be careful on the surface. The Empire is still a strong foe, and we will not be able to aid you. The sun is harmful to us. Still, I can help with information. When you have been to the surface, tell me of strange creatures you find. Perhaps I can give insight."
"So how great are your powers?" said Phaedra.
"Great are my powers," said Rentar, a peculiar expression on her face, and then the moment passed, and she said, "Do not trifle with us."
"What sorts of treasure do you keep here?" asked Anicka.
"Our Crystal Souls, the spirits of our ancestors in physical form, and even more powerful and knowledgeable than myself. I hope to be one myself. Alas, others covet them," said Rentar. "We have two of them here, and guard them completely. However, we do allow some to visit them."
"There don't seem to be many guards about," said Anicka. "Why are they up here? Wouldn't they be safer in your lands?"
"Many of our defenses are not obvious," said Rentar. "As the Empire taught us, we have great treasures others may covet. The Souls would be safer, but that is not what they wish. They wish to be nearer you humans so they can learn of you. How can they guide us if they can't learn first."
"Could we be allowed to visit?" said Anicka.
She looked uncomfortable, and said, "They have said they wish to see humans who visit. I dislike letting humans near them, but their wishes are paramount." She made a few hand motions, and said, "You may now pass the barriers that keep you from them."
"Thank you," said Anicka.
With the permission, they followed the path to the Crystal Souls. The chamber here was very still and solemn, a sacred place. To the north was a smooth, deep blue pool, undisturbed by the intense flames floating on its surface.
Two large platforms rose from the pool, bridges crossing over to them, and on each platform was a pedestal with a Crystal Soul upon it.
"Wow," said Anicka, awed as she approached the large, perfectly flawless blue crystal.
A voice, inside the head, rather than spoken aloud, said, "I am Glantris-Bok. I am a Crystal Soul."
"What is a Crystal Soul?" said Anicka. "What purpose do you serve?"
"I lived in physical form twelve hundred years. Then at the point of death, I was shifted into this form to exist for millennia more in service. It is the greatest honor my people can give. I am blessed," replied Glantris. "I exist for only one purpose: to help my people. It is our greatest honor."
"How is it an honor?" said Daniel. "Do you enjoy your life as a stone?"
There was a sense of confusion, and the voice said, "Enjoy? What is this enjoy? I exist to serve. I exist to help. There is no thought of enjoy. It is of no importance. I am of good, not enjoyment. What could be a greater honor? Long after you are dust, I will still be serving my race. I will remember you, and someday a thousand years from now, I will instruct a young vahnatai by telling him or her of your struggles. That is what I do. I learn, remember, and advise."
"You must have an enormous memory," said Frrrrrr.
"In this form, I remember everything I hear, everything I see," replied Glantris. "It is a great gift."
"So you are basically an advisor?" said Angarahad.
"Often my people come to me for advice on what to do. I always give it. They do not always take it, but usually they do," said Glantris. "This is why I told Rentar-Ihrno to let you see me. There is information I wish to impart to you."
"We're all ears," said Anicka. "Go ahead."
The voice became quieter, and said, "When you reach the surface, and deal with the Empire as it is today, remember Ouroboros."
"I'm not familiar with this word," said Anicka. "Ouroboros?"
"Ouroboros was the snake of legend, that was so mighty it encircled the world and ate its own tail. It was all-powerful and yet devoured itself. As you see the surface, remember that image," said Glantris. "And that is all I have to say on the subject." With that, the voice in their heads faded away.
"Wow, that was ... strange," said Anicka, and she led the way over to the other crystal.
This time the voice was loud, vaguely discordant. "I ammmmm Vyvnas-BOK!"
"I've heard of him," said Phaedra. "This is one that the Empire stole. May we speak with you? Can you tell us about your experiences with the Empire?"
"I am here! Here!" the rough presence made them wince. "Apologies. I am still recovering from my imprisonment. The Empire ... They ... I ... I ... I ... may not ... must not mention tested on me, twisting my thoughts on myself, to get me to break to serve them!" He calmed and said, "Now I lend my paranoia to my people."
"How?" said Anicka.
"Strange that must sound, but I am my people's fear. They must share their caves and their scarce resources with you humans and others. And the ... the ... the bad people on the surface above us all," said Vyvnas. "I am their constant reminder that it's not about whether you're paranoid, but whether you are paranoid enough."
"I see," said Anicka, although she did not really.
"I remind about what some want to do to us. What they do to me ... me ... what can always happen!" They backed away in pain as Vyvnas shouted. "We are strong but weak. Everyone must guard everyone from everyone." Vyvnas paused, and said, "Now I am tired. Leave me. Humans are often bad." Then there was silence.
"I think we should just leave Ghikra, now," said Anicka.
"Much to think about," said Angarahad.
"So, we are supposed to be the surface explorers!" said Daniel. "I can't believe they didn't want to tell us yet."
"Yeah, that seems weird," said Anicka.
"I don't understand it," said Angarahad. "But I guess that's why we're not top brass."
"Maybe they want to see how good we are at information gathering," said Anicka.
"It's not like it was hard," said Daniel.
They reached New Formello, a city still very much under construction. Many of the buildings were still incomplete, and what was not incomplete looked new. Interestingly, there was considerable evidence of slith involvement in the construction.
A middle-aged woman, striding with the confidence of a warrior half her age, walked through the center of the new city, and said, "Greetings, my name is Ace. But you can call me Commander Ace."
"That's an unusual name," said Daniel.
"It's not my real name. I chose it. It fits me," said Ace. "Just don't forget. It's Commander Ace to you."
"So how fares New Formello?" asked Anicka.
"I oversee the defense of this town, and believe me, there have been nothing but troubles," replied Ace.
"What sort of troubles?" asked Anicka.
"Well, it's bad enough that there's ten chitrachs out here for every one of us, hungry for blood. But then there are the problems with the sliths they sent to make up half our work force," said Ace.
"What's wrong with the sliths?" asked Frrrrrr.
"Now don't get me wrong. I got no problems with those lizards. They just shouldn't be here. They need lots of heat, and if we sent people out to forage stuff to burn, they'd be eaten by chitrachs!" said Ace. "Plus, they're terrible laborers."
"Why do you say that?" said Angarahad.
"The lizards only started making buildings a few years ago, and they just don't have the knack. Plus, they keep insisting on putting statues up everywhere!" said Ace. "They refuse to work unless they can make statues. It's some religious thing. They can't make a city without statues. Look, I got nothing against them, personally. They just shouldn't be here now."
"I see the problem," said Anicka. "Well, we should get going, I guess."
As they continued, they met a group of five merchants with two carts, giant lizards and guards. With considerable effort, the merchants were making their way down the road.
"Welcome friends," said one merchant, apparently the leader of the group. "I am Arvid the merchant, exclusively serving the entire New Cotra area. May I help you?"
"Sure," said Anicka. "We'll see what you got, maybe you're interested in some of the shit we found in caves."
As they continued their explorations, they found the body of an unfortunate Avernite courier. Judging from the giant lizards in the area and the wounds she'd suffered, she undoubtedly had been chased down and caught by a pack of giant lizards, though it appeared she managed to hide her package—a sack of papers from Avernum—before being slain.
"I bet this it Thereza's courier," said Anicka, shaking her head. "Damned lizards."
Daniel took the package, fanning through it, "Yes, it is Thereza's. We'll take it back to her—it's already late, though."
"Oh well," said Anicka. "We can't fix every problem."
"I think the map's finished," said Daniel. "What do you think?"
"Looks good to me," said Anicka. "Let's go back to Fort Emergence."
Three weeks of travel, and at last, they arrived in Fort Emergence one candlemark after dinnertime, and ran into Thereza.
"We found those papers you were waiting on," said Anicka, as Daniel dug the pouch out of his bag. "The courier was killed."
"Thank you. This pains me greatly," said Thereza, looking both relieved and saddened. "These papers were not that important. Not worth a life. I will pass word to Anaximander regarding what you did for me, though. Thank you very much for your assistance."
"No problem," said Anicka, and she started for Anaximander's office.
"Yes?" said Anaximander.
"We got your mapping project done," said Anicka.
"Excellent," said Anaximander. "Go get something to eat and I'll go over this and your next assignment in the morning."