A/N: The world of Exile (Avernum) remains the property of Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software. Following this bit of non-profit fun, I promise to return unharmed to the game the following persons: Eliza Brooks, Mervin, Shirley, Vahkos, Esselarea, Lyle, and Marjorie; and places: eastern Valorim, in particular, Lost Isle, Libras, Squiggus, Vahkos' tower, and Lorelei.

Leaving Golddale to continue their explorations, they encountered a group of nephilim. By appearances, they had been hunting—their bows out, but not pointed at the group. When they noticed the group, they made no move to attack, but also did not back away.

"We should leave them be," said Frrrrrr, "a hunt is honorable."

"They're your people, I'll go with your judgment," replied Anicka. "Let's go the other way. Don't want to scare their game or anything like that."

The nephilim seemed relieved to have actually met outsiders who didn't try to kill them, and then clearly doing a double-take, they moved forward cautiously, and the two groups greeted each other.

After a few awkward silences, the nephilim said that they had a home in a secluded vale to the southeast, and Frrrrrr wished them luck on their hunt, as they moved on, looking for more game.

They moved around the range of mountain, and stood at the entrance of a small vale, blocked by a rough stone wall, manned by a bunch of armed and wary nephilim, a village visible beyond the wall. The valley entrance was heavily defended, and for good reason, as a large group of ursagi and goblins were clearly preparing to launch an attack.

"Let's go," said Anicka. "I think we should help them out."

Frrrrrr smiled at this, and said, "I am glad you think that."

"Why shouldn't I?" said Anicka. "The others in the area seem decent folk, so it's not like they're likely to be bandits."

With that, they moved up to help the nephilim, who looked relieved to have help. While they probably could win the fight without help, they would most likely take heavy losses. After the battle, the nephilim quickly brought their wounded back into the fortifications, though one paused to wave and point into the settlement.

"We have been invited," said Frrrrrr.

"Great," said Anicka. "A few friends always helps."

"And a safe place to stay the night is even better," said Daniel.

The village beyond the walls was intact, while there was damage to the walls from the ursagi attack, with many nephilim of all ages and both sexes working to repair it.

After resting and trading with the nephilim, they continued south, where the sound of harsh human speech could be heard from the top of the hill, and investigating further, there was an old, worn stone circle, and in the center of that circle was a stone slab with a skull atop it. Several ogres wandered around the skull, and every once in awhile the skull talked, though what it said was indistinguishable at this distance. Whatever it said, the ogres cheered. A closer look revealed that the ogres had apparently listened to the skull for days, stopping only to drink, as they looked exhausted and emaciated.

Approaching closer, the ogres saw the group, and shouted, "Thieves! They have come to take the skull! Slay them!"

The ogres were in no condition to fight, and soon lay dead, and curious, Anicka decided to take the skull along with them, as they continued on their way, finding fishing villages where the folk made jokes at the expense of the group and offered to take them to the next isle for ten coins. Taking them up on this offer, and the next, they noticed a lack of life—no birds chirping, no animals scavenging at the shore. Only one unnerving clue: an absolutely perfect statue of a squirrel near the beach told the story.

"There is most definitely basilisks here," said Angarahad.

"Well, we'll just have to root them out," said Anicka.

"The place is crawling with them!" said Daniel, after their third fight.

"I know, let's keep going," said Anicka. "There's got to be more ... I think this is the remote isles that Foxfire meant where we'll find the recipe. They're certainly far enough from everything else."

In the middle of a clearing, they saw an ancient circle of weathered and mossy stones, nearly overgrown by strange fungi—tall, creamy spires as tall as six feet, and in the middle of the grove was a nest of a family of lizards.

"Clear that out, we probably make this island safe," said Anicka.

"We must be careful," warned Angarahad. "There's a lot of them."

They searched the glade, finding gauntlets, quite a bit of gold, and that the fungi were neither edible nor useful, but a patch of mandrake was growing at the base of them, and Nathan quickly collected some roots.

Suddenly the skull said, "You should buy some nice skull wax. I'm starting to look dull."

"I think this is one of those things that X made," said Anicka. "Weird."

However, as it seemed the basilisk island was—no pun intended—a dead end, they returned to the villages, finally coming back Lost Isle.

A tired looking woman wearing an intricate gold amulet was sitting behind the desk in the barracks, and she said, "I'm Commander Brooks. Greetings."

"Greetings," replied Anicka. "You're in charge here?"

Eliza Brooks grimaced, and said, "Marginally. Trying to keep this town in one piece. Anyway, that's my job. I'm trying to deal with the basilisks."

"What's wrong with the town?" said Daniel.

"Most everyone has left, what with the basilisks," said Eliza. "Can't blame them. Only takes a few basilisks to make a place lethal."

"Tell us about your problems with the basilisks," said Anicka.

"We don't know how they got here, but there's at least ten of the deadly evil little suckers running around. Most everyone left until they could be dealt with. I stayed to fight them, because I had this," she said, pointing to her amulet.

"What does that amulet represent?" said Anicka.

"It's sort of a family heirloom. When I wear it, the basilisks can't hurt me. Now I spend all my time hunting them, trying to get rid of them all. I'll succeed someday, somehow," she said, with a bitter laugh. "You know, some people tried to purchase it from me before they left!"

"I'll bet the amulet isn't for sale at any price," said Daniel.

"Like I'd get rid of the only thing that could help me save this island! People can be so stupid," said Eliza.

"Looking to hire any adventurers?" said Anicka.

"Even if I was, I wouldn't hire a stinking nephil," said Eliza.

"I see," said Anicka. "Good day!"

They left the office, and suddenly the skull spoke again, saying "I could use a hat. A nice hat. With feathers or something. Why don't you buy me a hat? If you were the skull and I was the dopey sword guy walking all over the place, I'd buy you a hat."

"I think we should sell this for the novelty," said Anicka. "And never tell Brooks about how many basilisks we killed."

In Libras, they met a massive merchant, decked out in fine silken clothes with thinning hair and a pockmarked face, clearing his throat frequently.

"Just call me Mervin," he said.

"What sort of business do you run?" asked Anicka.

"I run this end of the Eastern Trade Route. You know, we're always looking for good couriers," said Mervin. "Eastern Valorim—few people, many resources. All it takes is merchants to arrange getting the goods in and out, and good couriers to do the job. You look like you have good courier potential."

"What does a courier do?" said Anicka.

"It's simple, and very profitable. Squiggus, a town up the coast to the east, gathers and processes fine, savory herbs. We send fine clothes to them, to keep them alive out in the wilderness. You purchase goods here, sell them in Squiggus, and bring their savory herbs back here, where I buy them," said Mervin. "Profit for you. Interested?"

"Yeah, we're interested," said Daniel, looking at Anicka.

They bought clothes, and then started on their way. As they traveled, they entered a wide plain. It was a beautiful sunny day. Green grass waved in the wind, a herd of deer grazed in the distance. It was completely unspoiled, and the rich land could doubtless support many, many people.

"This would be a good place for Avernites to settle, if we can get Empire to go along with it," said Anicka.

As they continued north, an icy wind cut through their armor, chilling them. The forest was deathly quiet, no signs of animal life, but pale bits of bone poking out of the underbrush.

"I don't like it," said Anicka.

"I guess this is why they have trouble getting couriers," said Daniel. "Still, let's see how much money we can make."

They continued up the way, and a group of local militia was camped near the side of the road, near a small town. They rose and drew weapons.

One soldier pointed at Frrrrrr with his sword, and said, "Your kind aren't welcome in these parts. Go. Don't come back. If we see you again, we'll kill you."

"Nice," said Anicka. "This courier gig might not work out so well."

"At least they went—let's see what we can do with a full run," said Daniel.

They sold the clothes, bought the herbs and brought them back to Mervin.

"That's not bad," said Daniel.

"No, but I don't want to make another run," said Anicka. "At least, not until we deal with that tower we saw in the woods. I don't want to be all weighed down."

They made their way back to the woods, and finally reached the tower that had been glimpsed through the trees. They stepped into the gloomy halls of the huge, stone building. Just inside the entrance, there was a large entry hall, dominated by a massive, ornate empty throne. Undead aimlessly wandered about, seeming uninterested in attacking the group.

"This is bizarre," said Anicka.

Finding a lever which raised the portcullis, they were able to enter the center of the tower.

Here a vampire—pale, lithe, and lethal—rose from his throne appearing amused as he watched/

"I am Vahkos," he said, "You have intruded upon my lair."

"You invited us in," said Anicka, remembering the sign. "You're undead?"

"Of course. I have been alive for centuries," said Vahkos. "Moving from lair to lair, devouring one adventurer after another."

"The Empire hasn't tried to kill you?" said Angarahad.

"The Empire are incompetents," said Vahkos. "They can't even control you Avernites."

"So, why haven't you attacked us?" said Anicka.

"Oh, I suppose I should be slaying and devouring you," said Vahkos. "But I wish to welcome you first."

"You might find us to be formidable opponents," said Daniel.

"I'm sure you see yourself as such. I could have killed you long before you reached me, but I've done that so many times, and it gets old," said Vahkos. "So instead, I have a little challenge for you."

"Your behavior is odd," said Anicka.

He grinned, and said, "This is my tomb. Lovely, isn't it? Huge, imposing, sepulchral. Everything I hoped for. I had my undead servants make it for me."

"They must be skilled," said Frrrrrr.

"They're wonderfully useful servants. They watch the woods for me. Build my home. Keep me company. Don't know what I would do without them," said Vahkos, rubbing his fangs with a long, red tongue. "But enough chatter. About that slaying and devouring—I have a challenge for you."

"Let's hear it," said Anicka, in what she hoped came off as a bored voice.

"You adventurers are such a greedy lot, so I'll tell you what. I'll let you loot my treasure stores! I'll wander off, and let you have your fun. Then in return, I get to slay you as you try to escape. Doesn't that sound fun?" said Vahkos. "Now, do you agree or disagree?"

"We won't be your playthings," said Anicka.

"Oh well, you'll be back. They always are," said Vahkos, and he clapped his hands, and they were back at the entry.

"OK, let's agree to his deal—except we'll kill him and the rest on the way out," said Daniel. "We've almost got enough for the house in Lorelei anyhow. This might put us over the top."

"All right," said Anicka. "Let's go."

They returned to Vahkos, and Anicka said, "All right, we'll go along—as long as you won't get too upset when we slay you."

"Excellent," said Vahkos, and he clapped his hands and disappeared, while many undead roared, now that they were free to attack the group.

They found Vahkohs, and struck the final blow, and his body began to moulder immediately. However, unexpectedly his spirit rose and hovered in front of them before floating away through a nearby wall, seeming too insubstantial to affect them.

"I don't think it's over," said Angarahad.

"We'll look the place over thoroughly," said Anicka.

Searching carefully, they found some treasure, and a rear exit to the tomb, where there was a small glade with twisted and warped trees blocking the sunlight, and in the center of the glade was a pedestal with a crystal atop it—and two demons to defend it.

The crystal was a delicate, beautiful stone, with a light flickering inside it, as though alive—an ugly, sickly green.

A voice inside their heads said, "Thank you for saving my home from its evil invaders! Now, at last, I can rest happily. Blessings upon you."

"Why do I feel like that wasn't quite right," said Anicka.

"It's not," said Daniel. "Let's break the crystal."

"Why?" said Angarahad.

"I don't know, it's just a hunch," said Daniel. "Vahkos' spirit went this way. And the glade doesn't look that healthy."

"I agree," said Anicka. With a sure swing of her sword, she shattered the crystal, and the pieces of quartz flew across the glade.

The spirit inside rose up, screaming—Vahkos' voice screaming, "Curse you! Curse you! Curse you for all eterniteeeeeee..." and the voice and spirit were gone.

"I guess it was right," said Angarahad.

They continued wandering, and met a dryad—unusually, she was distraught, and said, "I am Esselarea."

"Why are you so upset?" said Anicka.

"I am trying to regain my grove! It has been taken!" she said, as fresh tears fell.

"What happened to your grove?" said Daniel.

She stamped her foot in fury, and said, "A fierce ogre snuck in and scared me out! A dryad's grove is her life. I'm trying to figure out how to remove the horrible creature. Oh, how I wish someone would get rid of it for me."

"Have you had any ideas about how to remove the ogre?" said Anicka.

"Noooo," she wailed. "He's a horrid beast, the biggest I've ever seen. It's in there now, burning my trees and killing my pets. Oh, how I'd reward someone who slew it."

"How do you know what it is doing?" said Anicka.

"You don't know much, do you? A dryad is linked to her grove. I feel the death of every tree and every animal," said Esselarea. "If something isn't done to the ogre soon, I'll be done for."

"What reward will you offer for the slaying of the ogre?" said Anicka.

"The ogre stole some of my trinkets. Whoever slew it could have them," said Esselarea. "But there's a problem."

"What problem?" said Anicka.

"One of you can enter my glade to the east. But only one of you. My glade is working against me now—the glade is surrounded by magical defense. Only one outsider can enter. That's how that one ogre got in," said Esselarea. "Please, please, please, will one of you accept this quest?"

"Perhaps we can help," said Anicka. "We're not too busy."

"If you do, just go through the magical door to the northeast. It is the entrance to my glade," she said, blushing before she started to cry again. "My hopes go with you."

"Just one ogre?" said Daniel. "It should be easy. Who wants to go?"

"I'll go," said Anicka. "Just because I can't stand listening to the crying."

"OK," said Daniel, and he kissed her. "Good luck. See you soon."

In the shadowy glade, there was something very cold and unwelcoming about the forest, as if a malevolent force had invaded it. A gremlin stared at Anicka.

"I'm a gremlin. You're an intruder here," he said. "But I don't need to kill you. Yet."

"Why are you here, gremlin?" said Anicka.

Giving her a toothy grin, he said, "I should be helping you get further into the grove."

"Get on with it, then," said Anicka.

"But just being helpful wouldn't be very gremlinish, now, would it," he said, laughing in the high-pitched manner of gremlins. "Tell you what ... I'll help you if you can answer my riddle."

"What's the riddle?" said Anicka.

"I have a thousand little knives, my hands are red and white. You can give them to your maid to make things turn out right," said the gremlin. "What am I?"

"A flower," said Anicka.

"Not quite. Try again," said the gremlin.

Anicka shrugged, and said, "I can't think of another answer."

"Then go on then," said the gremlin laughing. "You just have to keep going without my help."

Anicka did so, and a gremlin said, "One two three four."

"Um, hi. Why are you standing here?" said Anicka.

"Six seven eight nine. Two three four five," said the gremlin.

"One two three four. Three four five six," said Anicka, deciding she might as well try random numbers.

"Four five six seven," said the gremlin. "Two three four five."

"Seven eight nine zero," said Anicka.

"Five six seven eight?" said the gremlin, looking intrigued.

"Five six seven eight," said Anicka firmly.

"Seven eight nine zero!" said the gremlin excitedly, pointing at the path with gravel at the beginning. "Five six seven eight! Five six seven eight!"

Anicka felt definitely weirded out, and decided to move on before she lost her mind. Ahead, a field full of poppies made Anicka feel light-headed. Deciding to move carefully, she continued, reaching the deepest part of the glade, and there was the ogre, sleeping.

The ogre was bigger than others Anicka had seen, but it was a very light sleeper, and as soon as she set foot in the center of the glade, it began to stir, and opened its eyes wide, grabbed a club, and started at her.

Anicka drew her sword, and managed to dodge the ogre's blows, and at last the ogre had taken more punishment than it could withstand, and it fell to the ground with a mighty thud.

After collecting things, Anicka walked out through the glowing trees.

"Thank you!" said Esselarea. "Thank you for saving my home."

She walked into the wood, but the forest shifted, the grove no longer welcoming visitors.

"That was interesting," said Anicka. "Apparently, she keeps gremlins as pets, though they were annoying."

"What?" said Daniel.

"Well, one insisted on asking a riddle, but it didn't make sense," said Anicka. "The other was even nuttier, just said numbers, and I guess I managed to communicate with it, even though I haven't the slightest clue what any of it meant."

"On the bright side, we've got enough money now for the house," said Daniel.

"Then, let's go to Lorelei," replied Anicka.

They reached Lorelei, and went to Lyle's office.

"We'd like to know more about that mansion you have for sale," said Anicka.

"The owner of Hawke's Manse, a huge, beautiful mansion at the northwest corner of town, was killed by a boulder. He had no heirs. I was told to find a buyer for it," said Lyle. "It is a beautiful structure, and quite a bargain. Only eight thousand coins. The only thing necessary is a purchaser. Such as—say—a wealthy adventurer looking for a safe base."

"Not sure about the wealthy," said Anicka, "but we would like to buy Hawke's Manse."

He handed over a key, looking simultaneously impressed and relieved. "Hawke's Manse is in the northwest corner of town. Enjoy your new home."

They walked, for the first time, into the new home. The tour began with a beautiful foyer, featuring an arching roof and a tiled marble floor.

"OK," said Daniel, arm around Anicka's waist. "This is really something."

Suddenly, an old woman walked into the foyer, humming and pushing a broom. She looked them over and said, "Oh great. More people to mess up my nice floors." She continued walking.

"And live in help," said Angarahad. "Not bad, I guess."

"There's a basilisk in the pantry!" said the woman, looking flustered. "I was lucky to get out of there alive. Could you go kill it, please?"

They went into the pantry, easily killing the basilisk, but rather unimpressed with the amount of trash piled about, and went to the dining hall.

"Hi boss, I'm Marjorie," she said. "I hope you aren't going to trouble me much, because I ain't leaving."

"What are you doing in my house?" said Anicka.

She straightened up proudly to a full height of five feet. "I'm the caretaker of Hawke's Manse," she said.

"Do you know the history of Hawke's Manse?" said Daniel.

"Yes. Built sixty years ago, by the master. Feel free to stay here any time," said Marjorie. "Also, if you leave your items here, I can guarantee they'll be safe."

"What happened to the former master of the house?" said Anicka.

"Killed by a giant's rock," she said shaking her head sadly. "In the courtyard. Tragic."

"Don't you think you should be more polite to us," said Anicka. "After all, we are now your employer."

"Well, I think you're deluded, boss," said Majorie. "Are you going to hit me with that sword of yours? I think not. So be off and let me clean."

"Well you've been doing a piss poor job," said Anicka. "Why should I keep you on?"

"I have to be here," said Marjorie. "Because of the curse, you see."

"Tell me about the curse," said Anicka, rolling her eyes.

"The curse has been in place for many years. Nobody knows who caused it, or what the effects would be. All we know is that, if Hawke's Manse ever doesn't have a caretaker, horrible things would happen," she said, looking at them smugly. "So I have to be here. Get used to it."

"Quite thrilled," said Anicka.

They went through the house, cleaning it up, and finally, settling in for a good rest in beds that belonged to them.