A/N: The world of Exile (Avernum) remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software, not me. I promise, following this bit of non-profit fun to return to the game unharmed the following persons: Anaximander, Mayor Arbuckle, Captain Maxine, Kessle, and Dawn; and places: Fort Emergence and Krizsan. I would also like to note that, in conformance with most of the fantasy tales, the age at which one comes of age in this world is much younger than our own world, and the adventurers are considered full adults in this world.
Morning came, and after a quick breakfast, they went across the fort to Anaximander's office.
"Good morning," he said, "I want to compliment you on your excellent work. Your maps are accurate and detailed, just the sort of thing we need from you. Now, I'm sure you realize that there is a very important task that we have for you, and these small missions were merely preparation."
"We kinda figured it out, talking to people," said Anicka. "We're supposed to go to the surface?"
"That's right. It is a great honor that has fallen to you, to be given such a task," said Anaximander. "Of course, you're not the first, but ... well, the first group, we're not sure what happened to them. You will be leaving Fort Emergence to the north. Your task is to emerge onto the surface and develop an idea of conditions there."
"Our task is a great honor and a great burden," said Anicka. "We're pretty new to all this."
"Much thought went into the decision of who to send to the surface first. Eventually, we decided to send older adventurers, with skills well-honed for the surface. Then they disappeared. Sadly, you were not our first choice, but we have faith in you," said Anaximander. "Your inexperience may be a greater aid on the surface than you think. You are not overly reliant on skills useful only in the underworld. And of course, we will be sending other spies."
"I see. Where will the spies be going?" asked Daniel.
"More than that, I don't want to say. Suffice it to say that soon after you leave, others will fan out onto the surface to gather information," said Anaximander. "Don't look for them, but rest assured, they will find you."
"So, we're close to the surface?" said Angarahad.
"Oh yes. This fort is well-concealed inside a hill. Simply exit out to the north, and you will be outside. What you will find there, we still have little idea," said Anaximander. "This is your task: to look out and report back. And if you merit it, be rewarded."
"What else should we do?" said Anicka.
"Constantly return to see me and tell me what you have found. Come into my office and give reports. I will, in turn, give you instructions for how to proceed," said Anaximander, and his expression grew stern. "How we greet the Empire will determine much of the survival of Avernum in the future. Care is essential."
"I can't make any promises," said Anicka, "but we'll try to stay out of trouble."
"Just be careful. Don't commit grotesque crimes. Keep a low profile. Don't murder people," said Anaximander. "That sort of thing."
"So, this entire fort is inside a hill?" said Daniel.
"Yes, leave to the north and you will emerge out of a hill on the surface. We believe there is an Empire city to the southeast. You should go there first," replied Anaximander.
"Why do we need to explore the surface?" said Nathan.
"At this point, we need to know what the Empire has been up to. Both we and our allies need to know," said Anaximander.
"Can you tell us more about the other group?" said Angarahad.
"Well, the first group which went to the surface was very experienced in the ways of adventuring, and very carefully trained. They went up. And they haven't been heard from since," said Anaximander. "Thus we selected you for the second attempt. There were four of them. Their names were—well, are Erin, Elsner, Gwost, and Tucker. If you can find out anything about what happened to them, please let me know. It is of great interest to us."
"Why aren't you sending someone more experienced than us?" said Anicka.
"It is complicated. Avernum politics. You see, there was much controversy in the Council about whether we should send anyone to the surface. They gave us a six month charter to send people up. Six months was all the faction who wished to send people to the surface could get out of the faction who wished to remain hidden," said Anaximander with a sigh.
"So, time was limited?" said Daniel.
"Exactly. When the first group disappeared, we realized that we could never get permission to send more people up, not for years at least," said Anaximander. "So we grabbed the most competent group of adventurers we could find. You were recommended by Nigel ... one of the war heroes. There's a side storeroom with a little equipment that you may find helpful."
"Thanks," said Anicka. "I guess we should be going, then."
They entered the small side storeroom, finding a note on the door: "Please reserve items inside for secondary surface exploration team."
"That would be us," said Anicka. "Let's see what they're giving us."
Collecting the goods, they organized things, and then set out across the bridge over the lava—if Empire attacked, the bridge could be collapsed almost instantly. After a time, they emerged from Fort Emergence into the outdoors. A harsh yellow light from above blinded them, making their eyes water, and the air smelled strange—lacking the odor of sulfur.
For some time, the size and openness of the blue space above them was terrifying, and they could not muster the courage to continue.
"OK," said Anicka. "We've come this far, we might as well press on."
Emerging from the hill, and then the valley, plants were everywhere ... a light breeze blew, and the sky was blue, richer than any they had ever seen. The place was warm, dry, and ... even having been born in Avernum, there was no question that they were home.
For an hour, they just admired the sights and savored the sensations.
Daniel looked around and said, "There's not much settlement here. I hope that's not a bad thing."
"River to the south," said Phaedra. "No settlements along it, though."
"Great. There's no immediate danger of attack," said Anicka. "And there's plenty of room for people to settle up here."
"We can't get too excited," said Angarahad. "There's a lot of investigation, and we'll have to meet the surface people."
"This is frightening," said Frrrrrr from within the robes that concealed much of his feline features. "I feel like ... there's just so many ways for someone to attack ..."
"I had no idea the light would be so bright," said Anicka. "Look we're here to explore, so let's explore."
"Something's moving up there," said Daniel, who had mapped out their exit point, and he pointed to the underbrush ahead.
"Wonder what it will be?" said Anicka, and she looked carefully, and then her face fell as she saw that these creatures weren't animals, but blobs of brightly colored slime, the grass curling up and dissolving beneath the blobs as they glided over it.
"This is odd," said Angarahad. "Empire worked for years to slay all monsters on the surface, but there's never been anything like this in Avernum."
The large slimes bubbled, leaving a trail of dead plants behind them, as they oozed toward the Avernite explorers.
"That was really weird," said Anicka, as she cleaned the slime from her sword.
"We definitely should find out what that's about before we go report," said Phaedra.
They continued south to the river, and found a large stone farmhouse, once a solid, beautiful stone structure, now surrounded by dead crops, the land spoiled by slimes and the building appeared abandoned.
Anicka unsheathed her sword, and entered the building cautiously. Many acidic slimes had been in and out of the building, and as a result, everything had been quite ruined. The others, having followed, were poking about, trying to find some clue as to what had happened here.
"We're surrounded!" said Frrrrrr.
"That's not too bad," said Anicka, after the fight, as she cleaned the slime off her blade again. "They seem to die easily."
"Yeah, but there's a lot of them," said Nathan. "And anything useful here has been dissolved or eaten, or whatever those things do."
Continuing southeast, hoping for answers, they reached a tight cluster of farmhouses, surrounded by a tall, recently built stone fence. Behind it, several farmers watched the group carefully. While they clearly recognized them as outsiders, possibly even as Avernites, they didn't seem hostile, and so Anicka moved closer to talk to them.
Surprisingly, the farmers welcomed them within the walls, and gave them a meal. They warned about the slimes, and also mentioned some brigands who somehow traveled with the slimes without harm. The farmers were in agreement that no one knew where the slimes had come from, but that the only way it seemed possible to survive was for humans to stick together as much as possible.
After the fine meal, they continued to the outskirts of the city of Krizsan, one of the largest cities on the continent of Valorim. Even the largest settlements in Avernum looked minuscule compared to Krizsan, and Krizsan was far from a large city by Empire standards. As they drew closer, they passed travelers, farmers, and soldiers. All immediately noticed the group.
Crude clothes of lichen-cloth, thin and pale people immediately marked the group as different, and surely some of these people recognized Avernites when they saw them—yet no one seemed interested. For whatever reason, they didn't seem to care that the Empire's enemy was amongst them.
"Perhaps they aren't so influenced by the Empire?" said Daniel.
"Or they just have much worse to worry about," said Angarahad.
After years in subterranean hovels, the splendor of the huge buildings and streets before them—teeming with life, made the Avernite explorers eyes pop. They entered the city of Krizsan for the first time. As much as they had worried how they might be greeted, no one seemed to give them more than a passing look. Clearly, though, all was not well. People were nervous and watching the ground as they walked. The city walls showed signs of having been scorched and melted, an unidentifiable sour smell hanging over the streets. The guards did, however, give the group a rather nasty look, and Frrrrrr recognized the typical 'non-humans not welcome' glare.
"I think I will not bother with these robes," he said. "They're in the way, and they don't help."
"Krizsan City Hall," read Anicka. "Want to give it a try?"
"Sounds like a good place to start," replied Daniel.
They entered, and soon thereafter met a small, fidgety man with the look of a natural-born bureaucrat, sitting in an impressive, overly-large polished oak chair.
With an inscrutable expression, he said, "Welcome, outsiders, to the city hall of Krizsan. I am Mayor Arbuckle."
"Why'd you call us outsiders, your honor?" said Anicka.
"Is it not completely obvious?" said Mayor Arbuckle. "The rumors have already spread. We know that Avernites walk among us."
"So, why isn't anyone trying to kill us?" said Frrrrrr.
"This is the frontier. The loyalty to the Empire here is not what it could be," said Mayor Arbuckle. "Some will hate you. Some will like you. But most simply won't care."
"How fares Krizsan?" said Daniel.
"I was picked by the Empire to look after this area," said Mayor Arbuckle, a nervous tic developing around one eye. "It was a nightmare assignment and the monsters have only made it worse."
"Has the Empire settled the entire continent?" asked Anicka.
"I believe so. The continent of Valorim is only recently settled. A post here was a dead end for a career even as it was. Then the slimes appeared," said Mayor Arbuckle. "The only worse job is anything dealing with Avernum."
"But Avernum was sealed off," said Angarahad. "How could it be a problem for us ... um ... loyal Empire citizens?"
His mouth twitched, and he said. "Don't bother to pretend. I know there are Avernites running around. I don't care. We have too many other problems, and I'm not foolish enough to believe Avernum would attack us by dropping slimes in the middle of nowhere. Just don't create trouble, or I will have to start caring. If you get my meaning."
"When was Valorim settled?" said Anicka.
"The settlement of Valorim only began two centuries ago. It is still only sparsely populated, and the only area where monsters are still known to roam free," said Mayor Arbuckle. "The other three continents are completely settled. And to be honest, I wish I was there."
"So, being assigned out here was a punishment?" said Phaedra.
"Well, I was an inconvenience. I was at the wrong end of a little office power struggle, and ended up at the wrong end of the earth," said Mayor Arbuckle. "That's the Empire for you."
"Why has this been a nightmare for you?" said Nathan.
"It's bad enough that this is the least developed town in the least developed area in the not-at-all developed continent of Valorim," said Mayor Arbuckle. "But then the slimes appeared, and started to destroy everything."
"How long have you had problems with these slimes?" asked Anicka.
He gave them a canny look. "I will be blunt. You're adventurers from Avernum," he said.
Anicka sucked in her breath, thinking fool—we shouldn't have just waltzed into the city hall ... what were you thinking?
Over her thoughts, Mayor Arbuckle said, "I don't know why you're here. I don't care. We have too much else to worry about." He paused, and wiped nervous sweat from his forehead with a silk handkerchief. "I have a mission for you, and a considerable reward."
"Tell us," said Anicka. "What sort of mission did you have in mind for us?"
"We don't know who is creating the slimes or why, and we don't know where they are coming from. Perhaps a small, skilled band, such as yours could have luck finding them. My soldiers have been no use at all, despite months of trying," said Mayor Arbuckle. "If you can find out where the slimes are coming from and eliminate the source, you will be rewarded lavishly."
"Why hasn't Empire helped?" said Daniel.
Arbuckle looked extremely uncomfortable. "We ... we aren't sure. I have sent two messengers up north to try to get an official response. Neither has returned. It is very difficult to communicate across Valorim," said Arbuckle. "But I do not understand why they have given us so little help! Someday, I hope to journey north myself and find out what happened."
"Suppose we wanted to try to deal with the slimes," said Daniel. "How should we go about it?"
"Hah, if we knew, did you think we would ask for help?" he said, and thought for a moment. "There is a possibility, actually. There is a tower to the west of here, on the beach. We believe that there is a mage there who knows how to control the slimes. His name is Jordan Bojar."
"How does Bojar control them?" said Anicka. "Have you asked?"
"No, unfortunately, he is quite mad," replied Arbuckle. "He has killed every solider we've sent there, and we can't afford to send any more. We hope that you might have more success."
"But why ask for our help?" said Phaedra. "We're outsiders."
"Because we have had no luck," said Arbuckle and he leaned closer to the group, lowering his voice. "Smart and talented people do not stay out here. They go north to seek their fortunes. The people under my control are simply not up to the task at hand. Do I think you will succeed? No. Am I willing to take the chance of asking for your help? Yes."
"I understand," said Anicka. "We'll see what we can do."
As soon as they were out of the office, Anicka looked around at her companions.
Phaedra said, "You don't mean that we're going to be ... working for ... Empire?"
"No, I didn't say that," said Anicka. "I ... We better get back. Anaximander is not going to believe all these, and we'd better let him know what's going on up here."
"All right, let's go," said Daniel. "I've finished the map that I'll turn in."
"Good," said Anicka. "Let's get out of here before things get really crazy."
They started north again, finding the light fading.
"Why is it getting dark?" said Nathan.
"They said something about the light does that," said Angarahad. "That it'll get darker, and that's the night. Then after a time of darkness, the bright light comes back."
"Strange," said Anicka.
"I think we got off course," said Daniel. "There's only one boulder here."
"Yeah, and look at this," said Frrrrrr, touching a rapidly crumbling unicorn horn, and pointing to some dark fur on the rocks. "Unicorns, it looks like. The evil ones."
"The evil ones?" said Phaedra. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, there's good ones and evil ones," said Angarahad. "The good ones are white and silver, and no one really has seen them. They're said to be shy and protect their grottoes with magic that keep just about everyone out.. Then the evil ones are black or gray and they just eat everything and make a mess. Then they move on somewhere else and eat everything there."
"They use their one horn," said Daniel, "to impale anyone luckless enough to stumble into them. Like those ... I don't think we can out run them."
"Outrun?" said Anicka. "You make it sound like we should be cowards!"
"Well, those horns hurt," said Frrrrrr. "Let's try to find the way to Fort Emergence?"
"Fine," said Anicka, and she started leading the way west.
"That's it," said Daniel. "Those are the boulders."
It was full dark on the surface by the time they made their way between the boulders, but following the tunnels back into Fort Emergence, they discovered that it was only "late afternoon," and so they made their way to the office of Anaximander.
After the beginning of the report, Anaximander did not seem particularly surprised, and said, "Hmm. So far, it sounds much like what we expected. We're at the outskirts of the Empire, far from the center of civilization. There may still be hope that we can develop some sort of colony up there, hidden in the wilds."
"That's not all," said Anicka, "there were these strange slime creatures, and they seem to kill whatever vegetation they traveled over."
Anaximander's face took on a serious expression, and he said, "This is bizarre, to say the least. The Empire was determined to purge the world of all that was different or dangerous. Yet it seems that dangerous creatures, at the height of the Empire's power, are returning."
"Then we went to Krizsan, and the mayor there asked us to fight the slime creatures," said Anicka.
"How strange. After so many years of fearing and fighting the Empire, our agents are now helping it," said Anaximander.
"I didn't say we were going to help," said Anicka. "I said that he asked us to."
"It does, however, fit with the task you are to do for Avernum," said Anaximander. "Continue on your mission. We must find out as much as we can about these creatures, including, possibly, where they came from. After all, they threaten the place we want to make our home."
"So you mean that we should do what the Krizsan mayor asked?" said Anicka. "Take a job for them?"
"For now," said Anaximander. "If you are concerned that your actions would not be in the interest of Avernum, come speak with me again, but for now ... These slimes would be as much a threat to us as to them, and so dealing with the slimes is in Avernum's interest ... and if Empire wants to pay you, well, I will not tell Levy to dock your pay." He winked. "Continue your mission for Avernum, and if the mayor of Krizsan wants to pay you, too ... well, perhaps such a thing will be on the road to our eventual goal of getting a settlement on the surface."
"All right," said Anicka. "I just wasn't sure."
"It's so strange," said Phaedra. "All I've ever heard about Empire, and the idea that we'd work ..."
"Alongside," said Anaximander. "We didn't expect such an outcome either. Nevertheless, we will keep Avernum's interests at the top, and if it happens to correspond with an Empire interest, then that will be your course. I would suggest going into the bars of Krizsan—surely they are as much a source of talk, and thus hints, as they are in Avernum.
"We'll keep that in mind," said Anicka.
"Very well," said Anaximander. "Please keep me informed with further progress, and in the meantime, good luck to you."
After resting, they returned to Krizsan, and met a woman who was carrying a tremendous halberd. Both the weapon and the breastplate she wore had tiny flecks of dried slime upon them.
She shifted her halberd to one hand, and tipped her helmet, and said, "Greetings, travelers. I am Captain Maxine."
"You called us travelers," said Anicka. "You know that we're from far away?"
"You must be, if you don't know that we don't like stinking, filthy nephilim in our towns," said Maxine.
"If you know what's good for you, you'll apologize for that," said Phaedra.
Maxine laughed, and said, "Fools. I'll give you some advice for nothing. You want to wander around on the surface? Fine with me. But show respect, and know your place, or you'll finish up dead."
Anicka saw the look of contempt and returned it with a bit of equal contempt, and said, "So you're one of the soldiers of Krizsan?"
Maxine shrugged, and said, "I can't talk long. Have work to do. I look after the garrison and city hall. Plenty to do, what with the slime invasion."
"What's with city hall?" said Daniel.
"Just between you and me, City Hall isn't too useful to us. I mean, are we going to club the slimes to death with paperwork?" said Maxine. "That's all Cindy and Agrod have contributed. Cindy does research, trying to figure out how to fight the slimes. She's nowhere near bright enough, and I've lost good men trying out her schemes. Still, she's come close sometimes, worth the trouble. And Agrod—hah! We begged the Empire for help, and who did they send? A worthless paper pusher. I'd like to use him as a shield, that's what I'd like."
"Well, thanks for the advice," said Anicka in a voice that was not very sincere, and she led the way into the Crusty Sailor.
Here, the woman behind the counter looked like a waitress made good, but she was definitely in charge, and she said, "I'm Kessle. Welcome to my inn."
"Nice inn you have here," said Anicka, taking a seat.
"Thanks ... I run the Crusty Sailor Inn. I feel that, even in the middle of all the slimes and horror, we should still have a little luxury to get us through," said Kessle. "We've got fine beer for five coins, fine wine for ten, and luxurious rooms for only fifteen. What would you like?"
"We'll have some beers," said Anicka.
The beer that they were served—a rich, dark brew, was nothing like the mushroom beer of Avernum, and they drained every drop, feeling deliciously intoxicated.
"How've your patrons reacted to the slimes?" said Daniel, his voice a little thick with the beer.
"We have to be careful in these dark days. And we also have to keep clear heads. Good heavens!" said Kessle. "Some people from the northern cities said the monsters were being sent by the Avernites!"
"Which northern cities?" said Phaedra, trying to hide the sense of alarm she felt.
"You know—Sharimik, Lorelei, Gale, those cities. They've got their own problems, and they're just itching for someone to blame it on," said Kessle. "And the Avernites are who they chose."
"Where's Sharimik?" said Frrrrrr.
"The closest city to the north," replied Kessle, obviously not bothered by a nephilim in the bar. "It's on the west coast. Hear they've been having troubles with humanoid raids. That's the rumor, anyway. And Lorelei's a few hundred miles to the north, and I hear that's giant territory now. Very dangerous."
"What about Gale?" said Nathan.
"It's far, far to the northeast. Haven't met anyone from there in months. Don't know a thing about their situation. Once you've reached Gale, though, you've just about run out of Valorim to travel through," said Kessle.
"So, you don't think the monsters are being caused by Avernites," said Anicka.
"Isn't that silly? I mean, the Avernites have plenty of reason to hate us, but even if they had the power to do that, why would they want to attack those of us out here in Krizsan?" said Kessle. "I mean this is the rear end of nowhere!"
"You don't think Krizsan is important?" said Anicka, her mind boggled that such a large city could be considered insignificant.
"Important to me, perhaps, but let's be honest. Krizsan is a beautiful city, but it's the youngest and farthest out of the cities in Valorim," said Kessle. "This is as far from the center of the action in the Empire as you can get."
Next to them, there was a woman whose face was sun-weathered, tattoos ringing her arms and wrists, and she tugged and earlobe as she gestured for another round, and said, "I'm Dawn."
"I'm Anicka, and these are my friends, Dan, Frrrrrr, Phaedra, Angie, and Nathan," said Anicka. "Do you work here in Krizsan?"
"Well, I normally sail the open seas," said Dawn. "Now I just wait around here. Krizsan's my home, after all."
"How long have you lived here?" said Anicka.
"I grew up here," said Dawn. "There's no way I'm leaving without a fight."
"You've fought many slimes, then?" said Daniel.
"Some," she said, and sighed. "That's the problem. It's easy to kill one slime. Just one stab is all it takes. But they keep coming and coming, and if one gets the drop on you, it'll hit you with a spell, or cover you with acid, or worse."
"So, how's the sailing business?" said Anicka.
"Not much call for shipping now. Ships haven't been sailing since the monsters appeared," said Dawn. "Interesting thing. Just when the slimes started appearing, when I was sailing into Krizsan for the last time before the ships stopped going, I saw some weird lights on the coast."
"Which coast?" said Anicka.
"The south coast, just west of here. There was a tower, and there were some seriously weird lights flashing around it," said Dawn, tugging her earlobe thoughtfully. "Maybe it's just me, but the slimes must be caused by a bunch of weird magic. Well, there's weird magic there." She grinned, and said, "But what do I know? I'm just a sailor, and you're genuine Avernites!"
"What makes you think that we're from Avernum?" said Anicka.
She pointed at Anicka's hand, sickly pale, and then at her own.
"Does it bother you that we're from Avernum?" said Anicka nervously.
"Don't worry," she said, laughing. "Your secret is safe with me! I was pretty close to being sent down there a few times myself."
"Thanks," said Anicka. "We appreciate that."
As they left Krizsan, still feeling a little woozy from the beer, they encountered a group of tired Empire guards, nervously patrolling the road for slimes. They took a long hard look at the group, obviously recognizing them for Avernites. Clearly, though, they did not care, and just nodded at the group and silently moved on. As they passed, they did make some very rude comments, clearly intended to be loud enough to be overheard. Frrrrrr's ears flattened, but he did nothing more.
"Sorry about that," said Anicka, after the soldiers were no longer close enough to be heard.
"It is all right," said Frrrrrr. "I expected the sort of treatment. For my people, they are treating well, they are not killing me."
As they went along, they stumbled into the middle of a small but furious battle, a large group of brightly colored slimes having surrounded a small Empire patrol, and rapidly closing in for the kill.
"Maybe, we help them out, they'll be nicer to Frrrrrr," said Daniel.
"It's worth a shot," said Anicka. "Can't see a downside—let's go!"
With a joyous howl, Anicka led the way into combat. The slimes had seemed unconcerned, but the addition of the Avernites turned the tide, and the slimes were soon dead. The Empire troops were amazed, looking over the group carefully.
Finally, the captain said, "Thank you, friends! We're from Delis. If you go there," and he gestured west, "and tell Glydden what happened, she'll be sure to reward you." He turned to his troops and said, "Move out. We've got a patrol to finish."
As they moved on, Anicka said, "And not one nasty remark about Frrrrrr."
"Not such a bad day," said Frrrrrr.