A/N: The world of Exile (Avernum) remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software, not me. I promise to return to the game unharmed the following persons: Seles, Tucker, Nydia, Mayor Knight, Sloan, Ginny, Commander Corie, and Grassi; and places: Portal Fortress, Tower of Magi, Fort Emergence, and Sharimik. Don't keep me in suspense--click the link and tell me what you think of the story thus far.
Resting from their venture collecting the Orb of Thralni, the group finally was ready to return to Portal Fortress, and made their way to the portal.
Seles said, "Welcome back. Do you have more business with the portal?"
"Well, we did want to go to the Tower of Magi, too," said Anicka.
"And there is also something we thought you might be interested in," said Angarahad, getting out the book they had retrieved from the cult's building.
"Interesting," said Seles, flipping through it. "Quite insane. You're lucky you returned into one piece. Still, I suppose there is something to be learned from it. Thank you. Go ahead and use the portal."
"Thanks," said Anicka, and she led the way up the stairs and into the portal.
"We'll just browse around the library while you talk to Solberg," Anicka said once they had gotten into the Tower of Magi.
To Anicka's vast annoyance, once they entered the library, several second-year students had encircled Daniel, asking him all sorts of questions about the surface and their ventures up there, while Angarahad and Nathan were poring over some herbalist's textbook, and Anicka and Frrrrrr were ignored.
Phaedra returned, and was beaming, and seeing Anicka's scowl, said, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," said Anicka. "Let's go. Dan! C'mon."
Leaving the Tower of Magi as they had arrived, they left Portal Fortress, and Phaedra said, "Maybe we should talk to Erika about what we've discovered."
"I suppose," said Anicka. "Wouldn't do any harm. And I'd kind of like to see if we can check that one tunnel out, too."
After visiting with Erika, who definitely felt it was possible the dragons were involved in the surface plagues, they re-entered the tunnel, the ogres fleeing from their village, leaving an abandoned place behind. Continuing down the tunnel, they came to the second village, filled with crude slith nests.
While the portion of the village that remained to fight were fierce combatants, once the guards were slain, they searched the hovels, finding no treasure of any sort.
"Odd," said Anicka. "Let's keep going."
They reached the final cave in the chain then, and found that the remaining ogres and slithzerikai had banded here as a last ditch defense against the invasion. A considerable force, looking like they meant business, was ahead.
"Let's go!" said Anicka, leading the way into the fight.
After the fight, at the end of the swamp, they found something both exotic and bizarre: an evil shrine jointly built by ogres and sliths. It was dominated by a rough-hewn statue of a large humanoid monster, one head ogre, one head slith, with four arms and plenty of other appendages, striking a balance between ugly and nasty. At its base, valuables had been piled in apparent supplication, no doubt stolen from local merchants by the looks of the barter goods, though there was also a well-made sacrificial knife.
They trekked back to Fort Emergence, and decided that it was best to rest there before returning to their surface explorations.
Anicka was alone in the dining hall when Daniel entered, and he sat down next to her with his meal.
"Can't you find another seat?" said Anicka. "The hall's full of 'em."
"Why you so outta sorts?" said Daniel.
"I'm not," said Anicka. "I just ... Why don't you go find an adoring audience while you eat."
"What?" said Daniel. "Nick, I ... I kinda like no one really paying me much mind."
"Sure," said Anicka. "You weren't objecting in the Tower."
"Is that what's got you bothered?" said Daniel. "Nick, I ... That creeped me out. It was like ... They wanted a piece of me because I've been on the surface, but if it'd just been plain Dan, son of Daniel of Dharmon, I might've just as well been some sludge left over after they made a potion."
"I'm familiar with the left-over sludge feeling," said Anicka, stabbing the lizard steak bite viciously.
"I don't know why," said Daniel. "You're better looking than any of them apprentices."
"Because I'm a bastard, remember?" said Anicka. "Not even a lot of help that my mom claimed some famous guy I've never met as my father."
"I guess ... I never really gave that much thought," said Daniel. "I don't remember my dad much."
"At least you know for sure who he was," said Anicka.
"Yeah, Daniel of Dharmon, part of the Scimitar," said Daniel. "And he's probably dead somewhere, body forgotten ... doesn't do me a hell of a lot of good. Mom cries a lot whenever I see her. Guess that's why I wanted to head off and not spend time in Dharmon."
"My mom died when I was little," said Anicka. "During the war. My aunt and uncle are nice enough to me, but my aunt's fallen ill, and I didn't want to be a shopkeeper. Not where everyone keeps acting like I'm going to be my mom all over again."
"What do you mean?" said Daniel.
"She took care of most of the guard," said Anicka. "And they paid her for it. And I'm not like her! I'm never going to be like her."
"I understand," said Daniel. "You're pretty good as leader of our bunch."
"I don't even know why they picked me for that," said Anicka.
"Because you're good at it," said Daniel.
"You're a shitty liar," said Anicka.
"Nick, I ... I mean it," said Daniel.
"Oh, fuck off," said Anicka, standing abruptly. "Look, go back to the Tower, take your pick ... any of them would happily sleep with you. But I am not my mother."
"I never meant ..." said Daniel. "Nick, I ... I really like you. Half getting killed all the time together and all ..."
"I'm not going to be a notch on your bedpost, Dan," said Anicka.
"Well if you were, you'd be the first!" said Daniel. He stopped, blushing, and said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't've said that."
"You're joking!" said Anicka.
"About what?" said Daniel. "Look, I ... just because I coulda ... I never ... Nick, I ... I want to be like my dad was. He ... When he didn't come back, everyone knew he was dead, even though they never found a body, because they all knew how much he and mom loved each other. And ... I never ... The others, that just grab any warm body ... I ... I didn't want to be like them."
"I didn't know, Dan," said Anicka. "I'm sorry. I ... I've thought about you like people are always thinking about me, and I ... I shoulda known better."
"Truce?" said Daniel, holding out a hand.
"I think I owe you a kiss and make up," said Anicka.
"Glad you're not wearing your armor," said Daniel, embracing her, before landing an awkward kiss. "Damn, Nick, you're ... I'd like to ..."
"Where are the others, anyhow?" said Anicka, suddenly finding herself short of breath.
"Dunno. Probably most of 'em are off in the library or the lab," said Daniel. "Wanna look for somewhere we don't gotta worry about interruptions?"
"How much time ..." said Anicka.
"C'mon," said Daniel, taking her by the hand, and he led her into one of the unfinished, partially furnished rooms.
"No one will look here," said Daniel.
"Just how long are we hiding?" said Anicka.
"I dunno," said Daniel, taking her into his arms again. "Just until we've a mind to go where they'll be, I guess."
What had begun as one kiss, Anicka couldn't recall how it had ended with Daniel's shirt on the floor, her outer gown atop his shirt, and the undergown bunched at her waist, and his trousers by his knees. It did seem, though, that they had been engaged in one very long kiss rather than multiple kisses.
"Oh, god, Dan, stop!" said Anicka. "That hurts!"
"Nick, I ... Oh, god, I ... Oh ... Sorry," said Daniel.
Suddenly, Anicka felt a gush of fluid, not realizing it was her blood, but the pain had subsided and she said, "Oh, Dan, I ... don't stop ..."
"Nick, I ... Oh, gods, Nick ..." said Daniel, and his words broke off as he dissolved to the wordless kisses.
It had been three hours, multiple acts of lovemaking, and the couple was still twined upon one of the as-yet-unassigned (though no longer unused) beds when Daniel said, "Nick, I ... will you marry me?"
"After today?" said Anicka. "I think we better."
"Yeah," said Daniel. "I just ... Nick, you be upset if the others know?"
"I ... I don't think we'll be able to hide it much," said Anicka. "I just hope I can walk in the morning."
"Is it that bad?" said Daniel. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," said Anicka. "Let's find a bath, though."
Bathed, they went back to the room set aside for them, finding the others were already in their beds, asleep.
Daniel said, "Wanna stay in mine? Just to hold ya?"
"I ... I'm not ready to let them know like that," said Anicka, blushing at the thought of the rest of the group seeing her get out of Daniel's bed.
"OK," said Daniel, giving her another kiss. "Then, sleep well."
Returning to the surface, they decided that they should go to Sharimik next, and as they crossed over the mountain pass, they found it guarded by bands of misshapen humanoids.
One, brandishing a massive halberd called, "This is our pass! You give us twenty-five gold! Else we slit you bad!"
Anicka drew her sword and hollered back, "This is what we use to pass!"
As they approached, several javelins hit the ground, and then hit with better accuracy as the group continued. The humanoids were hunched, twisted, and had dark skin and piggy eyes. These creatures had been described in legend as troglodytes, though everyone said they were extinct.
When the battle was over, they searched the troglodytes, finding a human-made map, still legible despite brown stains which might have been old blood.
"Let's go," said Anicka, tracing the route to Sharimik.
They continued northward, and a group of Empire guards were on patrol. They looked about to talk to the group before they saw a non-human in the group and passed with a mere brusque nod. Shrugging off the behavior, they continued, meeting yet another group of guards on patrol.
"Watch out if you're going up and down this road," said one of the guards, apparently not caring about the non-human in the group. "Keep rested and keep your weapons handy. Recommend no camping out, find a village to stay in. Those troglos are barbaric. They can't even talk, they just snarl and kill. Watch out!"
"Thanks for the warnings," said Anicka.
They continued, entering Sharimik. Immediately, the cold and grim nature of the place struck those in the group. Huge guards watched the people suspiciously, and people moved by quickly, taking care to avoid eye contact. Signs of troglodyte attacks were everywhere, walls crumbling under a constant barrage of fireballs and shockwave spells.
A group of guards immediately surrounded Anicka's group, apparently trying to decide whether to throw them out or attack. Suddenly a lieutenant ran up and whispered something to the group.
Grumbling, the guards slouched away, and one mumbled, "Welcome to Sharimik. Watch yourself."
The townspeople were giving the group quick furtive glances, and passed and moved on.
"Well, that's cheery," said Anicka. "Let's find the town hall."
As they rounded a corner, they met a woman with a light dusting of makeup, darkening her complexion, and the group suddenly realized that she, too, was Avernite.
She pulled them aside into a narrow alley, and said, "I'm Sandra. Unspecified Services. Pleased to meet you."
"What are you doing here?" said Anicka.
"I'm from Unspecified Services, like you. Keeping an eye on what's going on in Sharimik. Heard about your accomplishments," said Sandra. "Excellent work."
"Thanks, we try," said Anicka.
"You're really going places," said Sandra. "Been to the Bunker yet?"
"The Bunker?" said Anicka. "I don't think so."
"It's back down in New Cotra. A few mages, trying to figure out outlandish solutions to our problems. They might be able to help you," said Sandra. "Talk to Captain Johnson. He'll tell you how to enter."
"We met him," said Anicka. "I didn't think he'd be helpful."
"He's a bitter old guy. Hates Unspecified Services. You may have to press him to get information about the Bunker," said Sandra. "Ask him about it, and mention my name to him if he gives you any trouble."
"So do people realize that Avernites are walking among them?" said Daniel.
"Of course. Well, some know for sure. And others have heard rumors," said Sandra, and she smiled. "We're lucky, though. The Empire has quarantined Valorim. They aren't helping the settlements here. The Empire won't help, and we might. So they'll at least hear what we have to say."
"So how is it living here?" said Anicka.
"Beats going up north. Gale is being attacked by these utterly lethal golems, and the Keep of Tinraya was utterly destroyed," replied Sandra.
"What happened to the Keep of Tinraya?" asked Phaedra.
"It was the strongest fort in Valorim, and some sort of bizarre monster unlike anything ever seen wiped it out. Can't find anything else about it, but I'm working on it," replied Sandra.
"Thanks," said Anicka.
They entered the office of the mayor, then, and he said, "Hello, outsiders. I am Mayor Knight. How may I be of assistance?"
"How fares Sharimik?" said Anicka, wondering how forthcoming he would be.
He looked somber, and said, "Well, it's complicated, but at the heart of it, I am trying to maintain control."
"Why is control so difficult?" said Anicka.
"Attacks come at us from all sides. The Empire has abandoned us. I guide my people upon the only safe path left to us," replied Mayor Knight.
"Who's attacking you?" said Daniel.
"We have foes, both outside and inside," said Mayor Knight. "The troglos come at us from without, and subversives cause rot from within."
"What subversives?" said Anicka.
He looked disturbed, and said, "I'm afraid you are not authorized to have that information. My apologies."
"No problem," said Anicka. "What sort of help were you expecting from the Empire?"
"The Empire has not sent us guidance, supplies, or reinforcements for months and months. We have to look after ourselves," said Mayor Knight. "They have shut us off since the disaster at Tinraya."
"So what's your safe path?" asked Angarahad.
"Control! The Empire rules our world through control, and we can keep Karnold Province safe through control! Our discipline will help us defeat the troglos," said Mayor Knight. "In fact, that is why you were allowed to enter Sharimik."
"So, if we hadn't fought monsters down south, we wouldn't be here?" said Anicka, remembering the less hostile manner of the troops encountered.
"Essentially. Word has spread of the pale travelers who helped end a plague of monsters to the south," said Mayor Knight. "I therefore let you come here in the hope that you could be convinced to undertake a quest for us."
"Tell us more about this quest you have in mind," said Anicka.
"Recently, a troglo envoy came to our walls, bearing a scroll. The envoy shouted that Vothkaro, the King of the Troglodytes, wished for us to send diplomats to him. It left the scroll and fled," said Mayor Knight. "Since then, we have been unable to find anyone skilled and smart enough to deserve the mission and simultaneously, suicidal enough to take it. If you will be my envoy, I will reward you. Alas, there is a problem."
"What's the problem?" asked Anicka.
"Sharimik is ruled by a triad right now. Empire rules bind us still. Before you can go on a mission for us, you need to get approval from Garrison Commander Corie and Internal Affairs Supervisor Levin," said Mayor Knight. "Go ask them about this mission. Convince them to allow you to undertake it, and I will assist you."
"Where will we find these people?" said Anicka.
"Commander Corie is undoubtedly in the barracks at the north end of the city," replied Mayor Knight. "Supervisor Levin is a superb gentleman. My right hand man. He's just next door."
"What would our reward be for helping you with the troglodytes?" said Daniel.
"Wealth, of course. Cash consideration. Plus, we have some magical knowledge which I think you will greatly appreciate," replied Mayor Knight. "But only if you help us."
"What does the scroll say?" asked Daniel.
"The scroll grants free passage into Castle Troglo to the bearer," said Mayor Knight. "When you get the required permissions and accept the mission, I'll give you the scroll."
"You say you control Sharimik?" said Nathan. "That's an odd word to use."
"If you saw how much disloyalty I had to deal with, how much fear, how close my people are to panic, you would use that word too. Every day, it seems like someone else is being disloyal. And disloyalty must be dealt with harshly," said Mayor Knight. "We have no room for rebellion now, what with the troglos at the gates."
"That might be reasonable," said Nathan, "but only when you act with justice."
"Justice?" said Mayor Knight with a frown. "I am in charge here. I am justice. You would be wise to remember that. You are here because I gave permission, and for no other reason."
"We'll remember," said Anicka. "Thank you for speaking with us. We'll find the others and be back soon."
Leaving the city hall, Anicka said, "They're edgy, Nathan, we gotta be careful."
They found on their way an Empire archer, who appeared depressed, and he said, "I'm Sloan."
"How are you?" said Anicka, ignoring the fact that he didn't look happy about seeing them.
"I... I ... Wait a minute! I don't have to talk to you!" said Sloan. "I have enough problems."
"Tell us about your problems," said Phaedra. "Maybe we can help."
"Hey, even if I wanted to talk to you, which I don't," said Sloan, "these days it's not too smart being seen talking to Avernites. So buzz off!"
"How do you know we're from Avernum?" said Anicka.
"You would stick out in any crowd. Everyone knows there's Avernites about, and everyone knows about you in particular. If the Empire ever sent representatives down here anymore, you'd be arrested for sure!" said Sloan. "But for now, I don't want to be seen talking to you. Good day!" With that, he tromped away.
"Good day to you, too," said Anicka. "Wonder what's eating him."
"Who knows," said Daniel. "Maybe it's just the troglodytes."
After some searching, they found the office of the garrison commander, another dervish.
She looked at them skeptically, and said, "Commander Corie. I run the Sharimik garrison, outsiders. Quite a job. I also help Mayor Knight as best I can."
"Are a lot of troops stationed here?" said Phaedra.
"Sharimik has been, for some time, the main military depot for southern Valorim," said Commander Corie. "I'm in charge of looking after it. Quite the responsibility."
"How do you help Mayor Knight?" asked Anicka.
"He is in charge of anything in Sharimik that isn't military. A competent administrator," said Corie, "although I am concerned about his inability to get anyone to go on this mission he's been talking about."
"Well, he did talk to us about taking it," said Anicka, "and said we should talk to you."
"I can't believe Mayor Knight wants to give you this mission. You want permission? Prove your worth. The troglos have an enormous altar in the hills east of Angel's Rest," said Commander Corie. "It blesses them. Makes them much nastier in a fight. Find and destroy it, and my permission is yours. The problem is that it's sure to be magical. You may need to perform the Ritual of Sanctification."
"Where can we get the Ritual of Sanctification?" said Angarahad.
"All that holy mumbo-jumbo is beyond me. I haven't the foggiest idea how to destroy an evil altar. I'll tell you who might, though. Talk to Nydia. She's in Softport. Tell her my name, she served with me once," said Corie. "If she knows anything about how to destroy the troglo altar, she'll tell you. And that's the last help you'll get from me."
"Nothing else you can tell us about this altar?" said Anicka.
"It's up a long valley in the mountains east of Angel's Rest. Troglos use altars to magically energize themselves," said Corie. "They're big, magically charged things, and destroying one of them would be a great victory."
"The guards didn't want to allow entry to the city," said Daniel. "Why not?"
"It's a delicate thing to talk about. Your pale complexion is worrying," said Corie. "But Mayor Knight thinks you can help us. I think he either knows something I don't or, more likely, he's a fool. We shall see."
"OK," said Anicka. "Then I guess we're off to Softport. Thanks for talking with us."
They left, and following their noses, came into a shop where a pretty young woman was chopping garlic.
"I'm Ginny," she said. "Welcome to my shop."
"Your food smells delicious," said Anicka.
"Yes, and doesn't all this look good as well? It can all be yours! I have all sorts of food for sale," she said with a smile, indicating the counters full of food. "It's nice to have customers. It's been lonely, lately."
"Why haven't you had many customers lately?" said Daniel, eying some of the available food.
"With all the monsters about, the merchants I always talked to don't come through anymore much. I talk to the townspeople, but some of them are ... well ... ungrateful," she said, sounding irked. "One of them, in particular."
"Why, what happened?" said Anicka.
"I was really interested in Sloan, one of the archers in town. I gave him a ring for luck while fighting the troglos. It was a family heirloom. He lost it! Can you believe it!" said Ginny. "I really wish someone could recover my beautiful ring from that oaf."
"We might be able to," said Anicka. "We'll give it a try. Could we buy some of your food?"
"Certainly," said Ginny.
After buying some of the food, they left the shop, and Daniel said, "Guess that's what Sloan's problem is."
"Let's talk to him," said Anicka.
Coming around the corner, they met the still-unhappy looking Sloan.
Daniel said, "Hey, we were talking to Ginny. She wants her ring back."
He looked surprised, and said, "I lost Ginny's ring while fighting some troglos outside the walls at the southwest corner of town. I couldn't find it again. If only I could, I might have hope with her."
"Hey, that's a shame," said Daniel, instinctively moving closer to Anicka. "Maybe we'll have better luck."
Moving on, suddenly a massive blast hit the wall, nearly knocking them from their feet.
"You all right?" said Daniel, helping Anicka back to her feet.
"I'm fine," said Anicka. "Oh shit!"
Daniel turned to see what Anicka had seen, and saw several troglodytes squeezing their way through the new crack in the wall. After the battle, the Empire troops gave them curt thanks for the assistance, and they hurried out, sensing they were unwanted. Doing so, they stumbled over a small, middle-aged man, who was at first panicked until he recognized the group.
"I'm Grassi," he said. "Move in, quick! Don't let anyone see you!"
"Why are you hiding?" said Anicka.
"I'm an alchemist," he whispered. "I study alchemy. Be careful," he motioned for them to join him. "You can't be too careful."
"What kind of alchemy do you do?" said Nathan.
"The hard kind. Potions. It's hard to do any new research when concealed back here, I admit, but you can't be too careful," said Grassi. "It's a pity, too. I had come up with some excellent recipes."
"What recipes do you know?" asked Nathan.
"I am the master of the elixirs," he whispered quickly. "Yes, indeed. I can make all of the more intense brews. But I don't do it now, because it would mean being seen. I can tell you the recipes, though. For a price."
"Definitely," said Nathan.
"Back away," hissed Grassi, after teaching the recipes. "Just look away and pretend you don't see me. Or they'll get me."
"How do you know we won't hurt you?" asked Daniel.
"I know. I've heard about you. We all have," said Grassi. "You may be a threat, but not to me."
"What do we need to be careful of?" said Anicka.
"Well, there's the troglodytes, of course. What's worse, there's Mayor Knight," said Grassi.
"What's up with Mayor Knight?" said Anicka.
"We've not heard anything from the Empire for months! Knight is using the opportunity to take total control of the town. He and his flunkies punish anyone who questions them!" said Grassi. "Can you blame me for just staying back here, out of the way?"
"No," said Phaedra. "What do you know about the troglodyte problem?"
"Troglodyte patrols hit town all the time. Their mages hit us with fire and cast spells so their fighters can fly in and cause all sorts of havoc!" said Grassi. "That's why I just hide. Wouldn't you?"
"I guess so," said Anicka.
They left, deciding to search for the ring, and found it, and then returned to Sloan.
"We found the ring," said Daniel.
"You found the ring?" said Sloan, his face brightening, before he looked worried again. "Could you take it to her yourself? I'm not ready to face her yet. Could you? Thank you!"
"Sure," said Daniel. "No problem."
Daniel had slipped an arm around Anicka's waist as they re-entered Ginny's shop, and he said, "We think we found the ring you gave to Sloan."
Daniel handed the ring over, explaining the situation. Ginny's face brightened.
"Oh, that man! I knew he was shy, but I had no idea! I hope he comes by again. I'll apologize for doubting him. Maybe we can try again," said Ginny, blushing. "Thank you so much. You deserve a reward!" She packed a big sack full of food and gave it to Daniel, kissing him on the cheek.
Leaving the shop again, he turned to Anicka, and said, "I didn't ..."
Anicka reached up, brushing the flour off his face, and said, "I know."
Sloan came around the corner, ands aid, "I heard you returned her ring. I'm still building up the courage to go see her. I can't put into words how much I appreciate what you've done. But I still shouldn't be seen with you. Sorry."
"No problem," said Daniel.
Finally, ready to leave, they went north from Sharimik, and ran into a guard patrol.
"Don't go up there," the captain said. "Troglos have a fort up northeast. They'll stab and burn you, take your stuff and eat you. Seen it happen lots of times. So watch out!"
"Thanks for the warning," said Anicka.
They continued north, and were within sight of Softport when a rock smashed into the road in front of them. The stone was eight inches across, but the creature emerging from the woods had thrown it without exertion.
They couldn't help but recognize the creature—smelly, hairy, wearing furs, and over twelve feet tall.
"Unbelievable!" said Phaedra. "They say Empire wiped them off the surface a century ago!"
They entered Softport, and renting a room at the inn, they saw a man in the shadows of the room. He had a nasty leg wound, and was definitely Avernite.
"Greetings," he whispered. "I'm Tucker. What else do you want, friend?"
"What are you doing up here on the surface?" said Anicka.
"I was ... well, I was doing what you're doing, I guess. Anaximander sent me," said Tucker.
"And us as well," said Anicka.
"He sent me and Erin and Elsner and Gwost. We were the first surface explorers. There was too much to explore, though, so we split up, each investigating our own area."
"Where did the others go?" said Anicka.
"Erin went west to Shayder. Elsner stayed south. Gwost went to the southeastern villages. Haven't heard from them. And I investigated the troglos," said Tucker. "Or tried to."
"What happened to you then?" said Daniel.
"I was going to Sharimik. I was going to find what I could about the troglos. But they ambushed me. I barely escaped with my life, and a javelin wound on my leg," said Tucker. "I was just waiting here until more spies came, so I could tell them what I know. Then I will head back to Avernum."
"So, what do you know?" said Anicka.
"If you can get into Sharimik, go see Mayor Knight. He has been looking for people to do some mission regarding the troglodytes. If you're trying to find out more about these creatures, that is the natural place to begin," said Tucker.
"We met," said Anicka. "So you going back to Avernum now?"
"Now that I have made contact, I can. Good luck to you. Now, I have a long, painful walk ahead of me," said Tucker, and he stood with difficulty, shook their hands, and hobbled from the room.
"What a shit!" said Anicka. "He could've gone back and people'd be less worried about him and the others."
"I know there's a lot to explore," said Daniel, "but splitting up ... that's stupid."
"Agreed," said Frrrrrr. "Well, let's find Nydia, and then we can rest."
Instead of Nydia, however, they found the mayor of Softport, who looked pleased to see them. "I'm Mayor Scowcroft," he said, "Welcome to you."
"How goes your career, your honor?" said Anicka.
"Oh, I just try to deal with all the monsters as best I can," said Mayor Scowcroft. "I haven't been nearly as effective as your group, though."
"How'd you learn about our group?" said Phaedra.
He looked them over, impressed, and said, "Oh, the tales of the traveling Avernites has gotten around pretty quick. Wait. It isn't a secret you're Avernites, is it? Am I supposed to know?"
"I guess it's no secret anymore," said Anicka.
"I sure don't want to mess around with you, being as you're brave and famous and all," he said, leaning close. "But I'd love to help you if I could."
"We'll accept your help," said Anicka.
"Be sure to search my bookshelves, and help yourself to anything you find," he said with a conspiratorial grin.
"Any work you've got for us?" said Anicka.
"Well, normally, the Empire would help us with this. However, they will not, as Valorim is under quarantine. So I must ask adventurers, such as yourselves. Recently, a man going by the name of Zik, passed through our town," said Mayor Scowcroft. "Alas, during his brief stay, he killed someone. So he must be brought to justice. Fatally, if necessary. I have no idea where he went, but he has a tattoo of a sun on the back of his right hand."
"We'll keep an eye out," said Daniel.
They left, finding a beautiful temple of precisely cut marble floors with expensive mosaics decorating the walls. Inside, a priestess was counting piles of gold, which she scooped into a pouch at the group's approach.
"I'm Nydia. Welcome," she said.
"This must be a wealthy temple," said Frrrrrr.
"I'm a priestess of the Church of the Divine Lucre," said Nydia. "We sell salvation at reasonable rates. We are a beautiful organization. After all, the only way to help others is to help oneself. Self-reliance lifts us all up. Wealth is the great salvation. And we grant absolution for very reasonable rates."
"So how much does absolution run these days?" said Anicka.
"Actually, I am not yet authorized to grant absolution. Haven't saved up enough to buy the ability," said Nydia. "But I can do healing, if you wish, and have the money."
"We heard that you might know the ritual of sanctification?" said Anicka.
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion as Nydia said, "Who told you to ask me about that?"
"Corie told us to speak with you," said Daniel.
Inexplicably, Nydia got upset, and said, "Her. I told her I didn't want anything to do ..." She paused, and regained her composure. "Oh. Yes. Look, I'd teach it to you for a fee, but I don't know it. I know who does, though.There's a hermit in a hut at the north end of the mountains north of here. He knows the spell. I can't get it out of him, but you might be able to. Now go away, please." Highly agitated, Nydia turned away.
"Thanks," said Anicka, and she led the way out of the temple.
Following the directions they had been given, they finally found a footpath leading up to the mountains, apparently both fresh and human-sized.
They entered the hermit's hut, where a simple altar had been set up, and the occupant was apparently unbothered by his aroma.
He was pale, desperately thin, looking almost like an Avernite, and he rasped, "I don't want you here."
"Nydia mentioned you can perform the ritual of sanctification," said Angarahad. "Could you teach us how?"
He looked nervous, and said, "Ah, you want the ritual. An Empire priestess came to me, but she only wanted the ritual in order to sell it. That is not becoming. There is only one reason I do not expel you now."
"What's that?" said Anicka.
"I speak with you because the ritual can be a powerful tool for good, and I feel bound to share it if that is how it will be used," said the hermit, watching them closely. "So tell me, who do you plan to use the ritual against?"
"Against the troglodytes," said Angarahad.
He sighed, and said, "Those humanoids are pests. They bug me and disturb my solitude. I'll teach you the ritual, but only if you leave." He did so, and then when finished, turned away.