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: Langley, Hssrrrr, Galahd, Kalen, Stern, Velnas, Nantier, Roselei, Herb seller, Zachariah, Cole, and Mrrurr; and places: Gale, Maddok Isle and the Tower of Zkal.

The room would certainly not qualify as luxury almost anywhere that they had gone—but at least it was safe, and they had already gathered that the city of Gale was not a safe place for them to be.

"What do you think we should do?" said Daniel.

"Well, let's get some shut-eye, and then figure out if we can wander the city any, see if we want to help them out, anything useful," said Anicka.

"There's also that island to the south of here," said Phaedra. "Where the ring of endless magery is supposed to be."

"OK, we'll see if we can go there," said Anicka.

After a night's sleep, and a rather spartan meal for the surface, Frrrrrr donned his voluminous robes again, and they left the inn for the streets of Gale. Gale was the most unpleasant city they had yet seen in Valorim. A thick, smoky haze hung over the streets, and the roads and buildings had been scarred by fireball bombardments.

As was usual for Valorim, alert guards were everywhere. However, they seemed more interested in watching the townspeople than anything else. The people were quiet and nervous, cowed by the guards around them. Many of the people had glazed expressions on their faces. They stumbled down the street, seemingly unsure of where they were or where they were going. The air smelled of decay, sulfur, and something they couldn't quite place—a bitter, medicinal smell.

Shockingly, they found a nephilim—she was pathetic and bedraggled, hair scraggly and missing in patches, one fang broken off, and she held a begging bowl.

"I am Hssrrrr," she said, crawling to them.

"Can I help you?" said Frrrrrr, horrified.

Hssrrrr emitted a raspy purr, and said, "Oh please, great ones, please give me a few coins."

Frrrrrr handed over five coins, and Hssrrrr bowed in gratitude or abasement, and he said, "Is that all?"

"Yes, master, thank you for your time," said Hssrrrr, and she walked away on her knees.

"I'm sorry," said Anicka, taking in Frrrrrr's horrified expression.

"I don't understand this," said Frrrrrr.

"I don't either," said Anicka.

Before they got much further, a beggar ran up to them, dropped to his knees and raised his bowl, displaying light green stains on his fingers and a glazed over look in his eye as he said, "Thank you for being so kind, kind adventurers. I am Gelahd, kind ones. Can you spare a coin?"

"What do you want with us?" said Daniel.

"I've heard of you. You are great and bold. It is an incredible honor to meet you," said Gelahd. "And if you would be so kind as to give me some coins, maybe I can aid you."

"Why are you so full of flattery?" said Anicka.

"Who deserves it more than you? An honor, I tell you, to meet such heroes, such colossi, standing astride our troubled times," said Gelahd. "Such heroes, I'm sure, are greatly rich, not only in wisdom, but in coins." He looked at them hopefully.

"Fine," said Anicka, and she dropped a few coins in his bowl.

"Thank you so much," said Gelahd. "And for a hundred more, I can tell you something very interesting about the golems."

"You are demanding," said Anicka, handing over the additional shakedown money. "Tell us what you know of the golems."

"In the herb house, there's a mage. She's always there, always not quite awake. She mumbles," said Gelahd. "And sometimes she mumbles about golems! Prod her about it, and you might find something good."

"Where is the herb house?" said Angarahad.

"I'm not supposed to say. It's here in town. You're so bright," said Gelahd. "You find it!" He seemed eager to get away.

Anicka grabbed his arm, and he said, "All right, all right. There's a concealed door near the north gate. Leads to the herb house. Let me go!"

Anicka released him, and he quickly scuttled to the other side of the grove.

They moved through, entering the business section of the city, and approached a man who quickly stuffed a package into his pocket.

He bowed to them, and said, "I am Master Kalen. Greetings to you."

"What did you just put in your pocket?" asked Anicka.

"What?" he said, looking defensive. "What are you saying?"

"Nothing," said Anicka. "What sort of shop is this?"

His face twitched suddenly, looking like he was in pain, and he said, "I am the trainer for Gale. Would you like knowledge."

"You appear to be in pain," said Angarahad. "Are you ok?"

His hand rested securely on his pocket, and he said, "Pardon me. I just have a headache. They happen."

"Have you taken anything for your headache?" asked Nathan.

Looking upset, he said, "I have nothing more to say to you! I just need some time alone." He walked away quickly, hand on his pocket.

They moved into the next shop, shaking their heads. There, a grim, pale woman sat at a counter, sharpening the steel tip of a javelin.

"I'm Stern," she said. "What do you want? I'm the fletcher for Gale, and I have fine missiles for sale here."

Looking over the wares, Anicka said casually, "How do you think Gale is faring?"

"I don't talk politics," said Stern with a headshake. "And I don't want herb, if that's what you're asking about."

"What is this business with the herbs?" said Angarahad.

"If everyone in this cursed city wants to hammer their brains into mush with skribbane, that's their business," said Stern. "Beyond my control. I just make missiles."

"Why don't you want to talk politics?" said Anicka.

"Golems fire spells over our walls constantly, and we need missiles to fire back, and that's all I know about it. Anything beyond that is beyond me," said Stern.

"Got it," said Anicka. "I'd like some of these bolts."

"Very good," said Stern. "Some of my better work."

Wrapping up the package, they went back onto the street, and Daniel put an arm around Anicka's waist.

"This herb thing, it sounds like it's really bad news," he whispered into her ear.

"I know, Dan," said Anicka. "I think that's the same thing they were looking for around Lorelei. I'm not going to start taking it, that's for sure."

Moving into the next shop, they found a woman who was clearly a mage, but she seemed distracted, with glazed over eyes.

"I am ... I ... I am Velnas," she said, and as they drew closer, they could see stains on the collar of her robes.

"Are you all right?" said Anicka.

"Excuse my distraction, I am a bit tired," said Velnas. "I am Gale's mage. I teach spells and do other services."

"Why are you tired?" said Phaedra.

Defensively, she said, "What? Wha ... wha ... why should I not be tired? This town is under attacks ... attack all the time. Why else would I be under the weather."

"You seem drugged," said Nathan.

She lurched forward in her chair, and said, "I ... I don't ... I don't have to put up with this!"

"OK," said Anicka. "Tell me about the other services you offer?"

"Well, I can," said Velnas, clearly concentrated, "I can identify items."

"OK," said Anicka. "We've picked up a few things need identifying."

She cast an identify spell, though her motions were so clumsy, it was a wonder the spell worked, and she said, "There you are, I'll tell you for a mere forty gold per item."

After concluding their business, they went to the next shop, and found an alchemist.

"You will get no herb here," he said. "I'm Nantier, and a simple alchemist."

"Not a problem," said Anicka. "Are you looking for a sword for hire?"

"Not a sword, a mind. I wish to learn how to make Heroic Brew. It is a rare, powerful, difficult to make potion. I came here because I heard that an excellent recipe is here, probably in the library. I believe it is, but I can't get to it," said Nantier. "Find the Gale recipe, and share it with me, and I will reward you with the finest potions in my stock."

"So what sort of stuff do you have for sale?" said Anicka.

"I teach alchemical recipes. I could do it a lot better if I could enter the library," said Nantier. "Still, we all do what we can."

"Why can't you use the library?" asked Phaedra.

"Gale has a small, but very high quality library in city hall. Unfortunately, the librarian died, and our esteemed mayor closed it for good," said Nantier, and he thought for a moment, and said, "I heard one woman say she knows how to enter it, but I will have no dealings with her."

"Who is that woman?" said Anicka.

"She has a shop where she sells that cursed herb stuff. I'm not sure where it is," said Nantier. "She told me she knows something of the library. I want to get into it, but I wouldn't go near her place of business for the world."

"Do you have any potions for sale?" said Anicka.

"No. All of my potions must be sold, at very low prices, to the mayor and his offices," said Nantier. "It is now required by a law, which only applies to me."

"That sounds very odd," said Nathan.

"It is the way things are right now," said Nantier with a sigh. "And if I wish to stay inside the safety of these walls, it is the way it will stay."

"I understand," said Anicka.

They left, and made their way into the shrine. A priest, comfortably into middle age, was wearing armor, a mace at his belt, but he was clearly being eaten by weariness.

"I am simply called Zachariah," he said. "Welcome to my shrine."

"Can you assist us?" said Anicka.

"It is good to see fresh, bold faces in this battered town. I will give you assistance however I am able," said Zachariah. "However, I am afraid I am growing rather tired."

"Why are you so tired?" said Anicka, afraid that he, too, might have gotten into skribbane.

"This town fights two wars, one from without, and one from within. Golems attack our bodies, and skribbane herb attacks our souls," said Zachariah. "The golems do to us what the giants did to Lorelei. They rush in, throw spells at us, and run back. Every day, we grow weaker. Only one town has had luck fighting them."

"What town is that?" said Anicka.

"There is a force up in Tevrono, a town to the north, that has had much success against the golems," said Zachariah. "However, they stand alone. Our mayor refuses to support them. If you wish to battle the golems, you should go up there and see what they're doing right. But much worse for my poor flock. They are subjected to constant danger and fear. Then these men and women come, and offer them a strange new way to completely escape the horror of their lives, and they leap at it. It makes them strong, and it recharges their energy. It is only then that they find out the true price."

"What is the price of skribbane use?" said Anicka.

"Once you ingest skribbane herb, it starts to seize control of your soul. The more you take, the less good it does you, but the more you need it," said Zachariah, "I tell you, it is as implacable and lethal a foe as the golems ever were."

"I think I understand that," said Daniel. "Could we use your confessionals to talk?"

"With me?" said Zechariah.

"No, it's probably better you don't know," said Anicka. "I understand politics here are ... complicated."

"Quite so," said Zechariah. "Very well."

They squeezed in—Anicka, Daniel and Phaedra on one side, Frrrrrr, Angarahad, and Nathan on the other.

"What did you want to talk about?" said Angarahad.

"Well, we're going to have to go into that herb house," said Daniel. "I think."

"Yes," said Anicka. "We've got a couple solid leads that there's good information in there, and ... well, we've dealt with others that I think are despicable before. So, what's the difference?"

"Not much," said Nathan. "This skribbane stuff really makes people a wreck, doesn't it?"

"Yeah," said Anicka. "And the people in charge of the city sound like they're at least half the problem."

"So, you think we should go to Tevrono?" said Angarahad.

"Maybe after," said Anicka. "We still need to find a way to that island south of here for Phaedra's ring."

"We can go around the docks," said Phaedra. "There was another inn closer there, maybe they know."

"OK, we're close to where that one beggar said the entrance to the herb house is hidden," said Anicka, "so I say we go there first. Agreed?"

With everyone in agreement, they emerged from the confessionals, nodding to the weary Zechariah. They left, and found the concealed door, and passing through a filthy corridor, they emerged into a smoky room with a low ceiling. The air was heavy with the sour smell of stale sweat, and twitching, vacant souls lolled about on filthy chairs, chewing on wads of green leaves.

They met the woman who ran the grim place, as she moved smoothly up to them and bowed.

"Hi, what's your name?" asked Anicka.

She grimaced, and said, "I prefer not to say it. I'm sure you understand. I deal in skribbane herb, if you would like to purchase some."

"No, I don't think so," said Daniel, an arm around Anicka. "Will you talk with us, though?"

"Why yes, I sell refuge. Or strength," said the herb seller.

"How do you manage to sell that?" said Nathan.

"Both come from the same miraculous source: skribbane herb," said the seller. "Want to buy some? Brought at great risk from the Isle of Bigail, skribbane herb will increase your strength, both of mind and body. Take it before battle, and you will be nearly invincible! Take it when you are tired or afraid, and feel true restoration of your soul. Such a miracle can only be purchased here! Do you wish to obtain some?" She smiled and batted her eyelashes.

"Erm, no," said Anicka. "I heard that you might know how to get into the Library of Gale."

She thought, and said, "Oh yes, the librarian of Gale came here often. She traded a key to the library for some herb. You can have ownership of it for only five thousand gold. It does me no good."

"Five thousand?" said Anicka. "Surely you can bring that price down a little."

"Surely, I can't," said the seller. "There are some people who will pay dearly for access to that library. If you won't, they will. Now, leave me to my dealings."

"Fine," said Anicka. "We'll be back when we've raised the money."

Meanwhile, Angarahad had found a woman whose clothes marked her as a one-time mage of the Empire. She reclined on a filthy chair, the corners of her mouth crusted with residue of skribbane. She mumbled constantly and incoherently.

"I am Roselei," she said.

"Roselei, will you speak to me?" said Angarahad.

She mumbled, "Oh Edward. Oh, oh, Edward."

"Who is Edward?" asked Angarahad.

Her eyes opened wide, and she said, "Edward, I thought they had you! Have you come back to me? Have you returned?"

Unable to bring herself to lie, Angarahad said, "No, I am not Edward."

"Then leave me," said Roselei. "Let me stay in a place where Edward lives."

"Listen," said Angarahad. "I heard that you know something about the golems."

Roselei's eyes opened wide, and she struggled for coherence, and said, "Yes! Yes! Before Edward left me! I had to tell people! I met a mage. In mountains. North of here. Southeast of Tevrono. Must fly to get there." With a final exertion of energy, she said, "Go to him. Met him. Knows golems." Then she sank back into her chair, exhausted.

They left, moving toward the docks, and saw the inn called the "Sailor's Inn." They went inside, and the innkeeper here wore a hefty sword, seemingly prepared to leap over the bar to break up a fight or fight a golem.

"I'm Cole, the innkeeper here," he said.

"What do you have for sale?" asked Anicka as Frrrrrr sat down with another nephil at the bar.

"Bourbon will be eight gold for a round. A room for the night is five. And don't bug the customers," said Cole. "We keep to ourselves here. Remember that."

"We'll take the bourbon, please," said Anicka.

As they choked down bourbon which was neither strong nor good, Cole said, "By the way, you should be careful in Gale."

"Why's that?" said Anicka.

"Mayor Rali is losing it. Sealed off the city. Talking about the golems is asking for trouble. He's jealous of anyone who can fight them, and resents anyone talking about them because it points out how little good he's done against them," said Cole. "You're lucky. Wouldn't tell this to just anyone."

"Then why be open with us?" said Daniel.

"Everyone who comes through that door has another story about what the Avernites are doing to fight the monsters," said Cole. "Now if you ask me, the person you should talk to is the general."

"What general's that?" said Anicka.

"Go up to Tevrono. You'll see who I mean," said Cole.

"We'll do that," said Anicka.

Frrrrrr rejoined them, and said, "I just bought us a skiff."

"What's that going to do?" said Anicka.

"Get us to the island south of here," replied Frrrrrr.

"Great," said Anicka. "Thanks for the drink and the warning."

They got onto the skiff, and made their way, tying the rickety craft to an equally rickety dock, and set foot for the first time, on Maddok Isle. It was a cold, ruined place, and had clearly been this way for some time before the monster plagues began. Some horrible force afflicted the island and its residents, unable to deal with the problem, fled.

They fought with undead, and left the ruined town. They weren't sure when the settlements had been destroyed, but it had to be at least a few years ago, as the island was a wasteland of ruined towns and rubble. There were no animals—not even seagulls, though there were a large number of bones littering the ground.

The grim island was nearly absent of any life larger than an insect, though it was roamed by many less pleasant creatures, like skeletons, though the elements had not bee kind to the creatures, and they looked like they would fall apart imminently—and that was helped along by the battle they fought.

Continuing to explore the island, they saw a strange stone spire, carved of brown, dull rock. Skeletons with red glowing gemstones for eyes circled it, silently touching and bowing to it. The skeletons, seeming to sense the approach of adventurers, turned and attacked.

Defeating these skeletons, they gathered the rubies left behind by their destruction, and continued. Entering yet another ruined city, destroyed some years ago, and increasingly overgrown, they saw within a tall black basalt wall, almost as though it had been magically summoned from underground, smashing the buildings in its way.

"Wonder if that's going to be a place like Purgatos'," said Daniel.

"It's possible," replied Anicka, "but I think living on an island overrun by undead is even worse than living on one overrun by lizards. At least you can eat lizards."

Searching, they found their way in, and eventually reached a grim basalt temple, dripping with foul ichor and the residue of dark rituals and foul evilness. The dead walked evilly toward the group, hoping to bring them down into their eternal torment.

"All in a day's work," said Anicka, and she raised her sword for battle.

Defeating these, they continued, until at last they reached the southern end of the island. This circle of stones seemed to be more affected by the evil affliction covering this island. There was something in the air, an icy edge, or the stench of decay. Then undead started lurching out of the muck, gurgling and hissing. Trying to evade them, there was no chance, as the muck slowed the living down.

"Soon as we beat them, we go into the tower," said Anicka.

The fight was difficult, but at last, they won, and moved forward to see the sign by the entrance.

"This is the domain of Zkal-Lord of Death," read Daniel. "Enter, and your soul may live on forever. Can't say I like the idea of how that would be."

"Nor can I," said Anicka. "I think we need to deal with him like the lich on Bigail."

"I agree," said Angarahad. "But we must be very careful. This place just seems ... I don't like it."

"Well, if you ever find a lair of evil that you like," said Anicka, "we're all in trouble."

"Not that," said Angarahad. "It just feels ... more dangerous than others."

They stepped into a dank, shadowy mausoleum. Countless deceased souls had found their final rest here, and the cold stone seemed to suck the energy out of the air. Tiny bone chips crunched underfoot. The smell of rot was in the air. A strange, draining enchantment hung on the place, weighing heavily on their minds and weakening them.

"Magical energy feels like it's leaking away," said Phaedra. "We won't be able to cast spells long."

"Potions will help," said Nathan confidently.

Fighting their way through the insane maze, they at last reached the inner sanctum. Against all odds, they dealt a death blow to Zkal, the archmage lich, and lord of the undead, who had undoubtedly been responsible for the island's destruction.

"Bet no one ever gives us credit for this," said Daniel. "They'll be able to live here again, and we saved Empire from yet another terrible threat."

"Yeah, but at least we can get his treasure now," said Anicka. "Right, Phaedra?"

"Right," said Phaedra, grinning, as she took a ring out of a chest. "I think this is the one we came for."

"How can you tell?" said Anicka.

"I can't," said Phaedra. "Not for sure. Have to check with a sage in town. But I haven't found any other rings."

"And I think we've made enough to pay that highway robber in the herb house," said Anicka.

"I think so," said Daniel. "If not, we just have to sell a little of the loot we picked up."

They picked their way north through the ruins of the island, and finally returned to their skiff, and then to the city of Gale which seemed to be a ruin of a different sort, being overrun with addicts of skribbane as it was. They went into the herb house.

Anicka didn't bother with preamble, she said, "All right, we'll buy that library key from you."

The herb seller took the money, and handed Anicka a key made of electrum. "Poor soul. She was slain by a golem's fireball, not long after she sold this to me," she said. "Oh well."

"Have a nice day," said Anicka, in a tone thick with sarcasm.

They made their way carefully into the city hall to go to the library, but found there that the door had been sealed off, metal bars blocking it, and there was no keyhole.

"Now what?" said Anicka.

"Bet there is another way in somewhere," said Frrrrrr. "We just have to find it."

Moving carefully through the barracks, they found their way to the back of the library, and from there to a small oaken door, and there the keyhole fit. Searching the books took hours, but Nathan found the recipe for the heroic brew, while Anicka found a book about a great hero named Pachtar whose last great deed had been an attempt to wipe out a nest of drakes on a small island just east of the Isle of Bigail. He was slain, his body lost as was his legendary armor. The book did, however, give directions to the drake lair. They also found a few spellbooks, and studied those.

"Well, that was certainly worthwhile," said Anicka. "Wonder what time it is?"

"Probably late," said Angarahad.

"Hopefully, no one will see us leave," said Anicka. "Are we ready to go?"

"I think so," said Daniel.

They left the library, and found Nantier in his shop.

"We found the recipe for the heroic brew," said Nathan.

Nantier was clearly thrilled, and said, "Yes! That is correct! That must be it! I had partially re-created it myself, but you have uncovered the final secrets. You have earned your reward." He moved to the other side of the room, and moved the floorboards, and brought from the hiding place a leather satchel, and handed it to Nathan, who found six potions inside.

"I will keep secret that you have helped me, to keep you safe from the mayor. Thank you!" said Nantier.

"No problem," said Nathan.

Recognizing that Gale was not a healthy place for them to stay, they decided to spend one last night in the safehouse they had emerged in, and then begin the trek up the road to Tevrono to meet the general that a few brave souls had suggested they meet.