@?< 53Fort Exile KA well-maintained sign says: Passed through portal 117832The sign says: Barracks3A nice copper plaque reads: Thairl. Sage.The sign says: StorageThe sign says: Storage=The sign says: Outfitting New arrivals please enter040"I don't know about that."0stnd0pYou see a small man. He smiles at you nervously. His skin is incredibly pale in the strange light of the fungus.~"I am Andrew. On behalf of King Micah, not to mention your thousands of fellow inmates, I would like to welcome you to Exile."@"I wait for new arrivals, such as yourselves, and welcome them."0exile0v"Yes, Exile. That's what we call this place. We're all exiles here, after all. Sort of makes sense." He smiles sadly. 0welcome0"To ease the considerable shock of being cast into the underworld, of course. So. Welcome to the underworld." He pauses to think. "Also, I'm here to say where you can get information about Exile, and supplies." 0information0"Thairl is the town sage. He lives and works in the building to the southwest. He's a bit glum, but he does his job well. He will answer your questions as best he can. Of course, you should get supplies first." 0supplies0"To prevent certain problems, new arrivals are sent to Tor to get modest supplies to support themselves until they find work. He's in the building to the south. We've found doing otherwise results in desperate, dangerous, and violent new citizens."a"This way, you'll have a fair chance. What you do with it when you leave here is your business." 0look01stnd0mYou see a middle-aged woman, who seems to be in a big hurry. Like everyone you've met, she is extremely pale.?She grins. "I'm Janice, dear. You can call me Jan if you want.""I'm in charge of supplies for the fort. The soldiers, they cook on their own, and I'm the one they go to for the food. And weapons. And clothes. It's tedious work, but it keeps me busy as long as Thairl is stationed out here."1soldiers0m"Good lads, every one. Well, most every one anyway. Just between you and me, the best get sent to the front."1front0,"To the north. Where all the Nephilim are." 1thairl0She sighs mightily. "My husband, the sage. He helps the new arrivals get acclimated. Being out here depresses him terribly. Being at the border, and all."1border0u"Between the humans and the Nephilim. He's convinced they'll storm the fort any day now. Who knows. He may be right."3nephilim0"Ah. The doom of all of us, if the sliths don't get us first. Lots of them have been sent down here, along with the humans. Many migrate to lower caverns, but many more stay here, determined to take our land. A large tribe of them lives to the north."O"They don't arrive at Fort Exile, by the way. They teleport in somewhere else."25nephilim0#"You'd best ask Thairl about that."2stnd0rSitting behind the counter is a tall man, wearing bronze armor. Behind him is a large rack of crude stone weapons.DHe says, in a deep voice, "I am Tor, weapons handler of fort exile.""Well, sometimes I maintain the weapons of the guards, sometimes I guard travelers going to Silvar, but mostly I give supplies to newcomers."2weapons0He looks back at them in disdain. "Pretty crude work, huh? Metal is rare down here, tools to work it rarer still. And magic? Good luck."2work02silvar0"The town to the west. You should ask Thairl about it. He lives down the road to the west. Take the first left. He lives on the right."2supplies1003stnd0sYou see a slender, worried looking man, wearing impeccably pressed wizards robes. He sits behind a book-laden desk.u"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Thairl. I am the sage for Fort Exile." The corner of his mouth twitches slightly.$He grimaces. "I'm here to help you."3help0"Well, every day or so, our benevolent overlords above hurl a few more souls into the hellish cesspit. Then they come to me, and I tell them just how bad things are here." he chuckles dryly. "Normally, I'd be cheery, but today I'm just not in the mood."'"Anyway, I'm here to give information."3castle0"It's our pride andjoy. We built a real castle, of rocks, crude magic, and spit. King Micah lives there, orchestrating our desperate defenses. You should see it. It's reasonably impressive. It's in the Great Cave, to the southwest." 3information0"Yes. For example, on our lovely neighbors, the Nephilim and the Slithzerikai. Or on nearby towns. Or on your chances for escape. Or on how you get supplies. Or on the local politics." The Nephilim you've heard of. There are many of them above ground. )But you've never heard of "Slithzerikai."3slith0"Lizard men. Only live below ground. Intelligent, powerful fighters, very magically talented. We've been at war with them for years, and lately things have been at a stalemate. They live to the west."3towns0"Duvno is to the north. It's a farming community, ravaged by Nephilim raids. You'd have better luck at Silvar, to the west. It's the largest settlement nearby." "Help Duvno if you ever can. If it falls, this fort is next to go."3politics0"Each town has a mayor. The mayors form a council. The council co-rules with King Micah, lord of our homey little pit. Micah lives in The Great Cave. To get there, go a ways south, and a ways west."R"By the way, the Council meets in the Castle. It's a place you should know about."3supplies0P"Go see Tor. He'll give you some basic equipment, so you aren't totally doomed."4stndSYou see a worn and scarred middle-aged man. He carries a potted plant and a shovel. "I'm Dunbar."f"I'm the groundskeeper. And gardener. And fix-it man. I like gardening best, but I do what they need."4 mushrooms0S"You'll get sick of 'em before too long, but they're food, and that's what counts."4trees0"Amazing, aren't they? The roots dig into the rock and the leaves absorb moisture from the air. They get light from the fungus above. I can't figure out how the scrawny things stay alive, but they do!"4garden0"Yeah. We've bred some pretty weird plants down here. All sorts of mushrooms for food and fodder. Those weird twisted trees for what little wood we have. And so on. Mages make the plants, I grow 'em."4mages0"Yeah. They live in a tower to the south or something. All the wizards go there. They do all the standard weird stuff with demons and such, but they make plants too. Without them, we'd all be dead."11stnd0You see a powerfully built woman, wearing chain mail with a strange insignia on it. Her reddish cheeks contrast strongly with the paleness of the rest of her skin. "I'm Acacia.""I'm the guard captain for the barracks here at Fort Exile. We got a bunch of good men here, and when the Nephilim come for us, we'll give 'em a good run. We work best on defense."11insignia0You point out the insignia. It's a crude drawing of the portal you came through. "This? It's our symbol, the Seal of Exile. It reminds us of where we came from, and where we hope to return to."11peace0"We haven't attacked anybody. We just want some caves to call our own. Not good enough for our foes. They won't rest until every human on their dinner plates." 13stnd0-You see a shy frail woman, picking mushrooms."I'm Diane."A"Well, I'm Tor's wife, but that's not what I do. I cook, mainly."13cook0"Well, a couple times a week a cook meals for everyone here. I'm actually a very good musician, but there's not much call for that around the fort. Oh well, we won't be here forever."13music0She sings a song for you, which you've never heard before. It long and sad, about life in caves and missing the sun above. She has a beautiful voice.25stnd0You see a guard.He grunts. "I am Gunther."5"Bringing doom to anyone I am told to bring doom to."11defend0"Yeah. It's a tough job, but important. If the Nephilim take this fort, newly arriving humans fall into their hands. And then..." She draws her thumb across her neck, and makes a charming noise.+"I have little hope for peace, I'm afraid."3escape0Z"No chance. None whatsoever. We all stay down here until monsters hunt us down like dogs."0`A sign reads: Cotra - 30 mi. w. Mertis - 45 mi. s. The Castle - 200 mi. s, 350 mi. wNA poorly maintained sign reads: Duvno - 8 mi. nw Fort Exile - 15 mi. sBA sign reads: Duvno - 30 mi. north Silvar - 20 mi west (NC%"For new arrivals. Which you aren't."b"Ah. Yes." He hands you food, a pouch of money, and some crude weapons. "Here you are. Good luck.""Ah. You've heard. Yes. The Nepharim captured a half dozen of our troops in an ambush last week and took them to their fort by the lake to the north. If someone could rescue them and report back to me, I'd reward them generously."X"Are you sure you rescued them? I haven't heard from them yet. Come back when you have.""You rescued our troops! They arrived earlier today!" He reaches into his desk and pulls out a pouch, which he hands to you. "Here is your reward. The people of Cotra owe you a great debt."d"I'm afraid we haven't had any people captured lately, but if any are, you'll be the first to know."She looks at you dubiously. "Yes, my necklace was stolen, I suspect by the Nephilim in the big fort to the west. I see you don't have it. If you return it to me, I will reward you very generously. When you get it, if you get it, return to me."Her face brightens! "My necklace!" She takes it and puts it on. She summons an assistant, who brings you a small pouch of jewels and a small token. "You may well be who King Micah is looking for. Go to the Castle. This token will get you in."The necklace looks lovely on her. "Yes, thank you for this. It will be a great help. And you should go to the castle. That token will gain you audience with His Majesty. Exile needs people like you, now more than ever."}"I would love to work on a mighty blade! Now that would be a challenge! If you ever find something I could fix, let me know!"He stares at the fragments of the greatsword in awe. "Now THIS is a challenge." He sets to work, with hammer, water, and lava. The sparks fly, and the flames bellow. Then, he brings the repaired sword to you. "Thanks! That was FUN!"E"I would love to fix your sword, but you couldn't carry it if I did."You give him the money, and he fishes out of his tunic a grimy ebony brooch. "There. Take it. If it really is magic, its use is beyond me."EHe smirks. "You don't have the money." You resist an urge to mug him.+"You already got it. You think I have two?""We have spies, but they've done little good. If you ever find any evidence of what the Slithzerikai are up to, bring it here. I'll reward you well."He takes the plans from you, and looks them over. "Wonderful! This will save many a human life." He then gives you a decent sized bag. "Here's the reward - 500 gold. Be sure to bring me any other information you find.""Us mages are supposed to teach Dispel Barrier to as few people as possible. Mage's secret and all. But I want that slith magic tome - it would be a great help to know their secrets. Bring it to me, and I will teach you the spell."She reverently takes the book. "Thank you. Understanding slith magic will be a great aid." She spends several hours teaching all of you how to cast Dispel Barrier. "Out of gratitude, I will also teach the spell to anyone you may add to your group later.""Ah, yes." She reviews for you the principles of the dispel barrier spell. "Now don't tell any other mages I did this. I could get in trouble!"fIt roars, and belches flame. "Enough talk. I desire dinner, and more wealth. And you will provide it!""Ah, yes. The sliths are led by their mighty and wily chief - dread Sss-Thsss. There will be no peace or safety until his head is brought to me, and I think only a small, stealthy band can get it. Bring me his head, and your reward will be rich indeed."["I see you have not yet slain Sss-Thsss. Do so. The potential gain far outstrips the risk."The face of King Micah lights up. "Well done! Well done indeed!" He claps his hands, and bags of gold are brought to you. "I declare you good and favored friends of Exile, and may we never need to call upon your help again!"X"Fortunately, we have no need at the moment for you to risk your lives for our benefit.""Fort Remote, to the west, has been attacked. Go there, find out who has done such a thing, return, and report. You will be rewarded.""Go forth and send Grah-Hoth back to Hell. Do so, and power and wealth will be yours. You may choose your position in life, and I will make it happen, even to the point of replacing my idiot son as my heir."He smiles. "There is nothing more required of you. Travel and learn, so that you may better fit into whatever position in this land you decide to occupy. Then return."You tell King Micah of what you learned, and his expression turns bleak. "Friends, Exile needs your help. The old enemy has returned. Destroy this demon Grah-Hoth. If you do, you will be given power and wealth as only I can give it to you. This I swear."He looks about, eyes unfocused, scrying the room. Then, satisfied, he turns to you. "Yes. We, almost accidentally, discovered a part of the password to the outer world. And, if you can cure my wife, I will tell it to you."He smiles. "Yes. For the deed you have done for me, I will tell you. We never found where the exit was, but we did find the last syllable while scrying the surface. It was 'Kai.'" (You take note of this.)He shakes his head sadly. "My wife, Hathwisa, is ill. I don't know with what, one of the diseases of the caves, but she will probably die soon. The only thing untried is graymold salve. I would do anything for you if you could find some and cure her!"He smiles. "Hathwisa is indeed well. I cannot thank you enough. You have saved that which I value above anything, above this tower, above magic, above myself. If there's anything I can help you with, just ask about it.""We blasted it, then sealed Grah-Hoth's foul servants inside. If you ever want to get into it, you will need a certain key. And if you could heal my wife, I would tell you where you could find it.""Ah. If you want to get into the fort, you will need the gold key, in the southwest corner of the castle. You will need a password to get to it. It's in the back cover of a blue notebook, in a hidden bookshelf near my quarters." (You take note of this.)Bohman nods and provides a check-in book for you to sign. "Excellent. Now, when you return from the other side, you can get through. Without this book, we wouldn't know who can come back and who has to stay over there."gBohman shakes his head. "Nah, it's all right. I've already checked you in. Go over in good conscience."Zagat smiles. "I'm glad you decided to give it a whack. Go through the gate in the corner. If you can make it to the opposite exit, your reward will be 10 gold. Good luck."|Zagat nods. "I'm so glad you're trying again. You were very popular last time. Go through as before. The reward is 20 gold."J"Excellent. The reward is 50 gold this time. You go over very, very well!"Zagat grins broadly. "Good for you! This battle doesn't look to be too challenging, but it will be very exciting for the rubes. The reward is 500 gold. Have fun!"Zagat sighs. "Alas, as much as I would like to send you through again, we're out of monsters. Come back later, and maybe we'll have some in stock."Scab smiles wearily. "I'd love to help you out. I'd love to see that arrogant bimbo get hers. But I only want to help you if you're competent enough to succeed. And there's a great way you could prove yourself." He turns and looks pointedly at the arena.cScab shakes his head. "I'm still not convinced. You've only fought easy stuff. Keep going through.""OK. I'm convinced. I was working with a thief named Asp. He can help you. Tell him my name, and ask about the circlet. Also, we got the key to its case. It's in a secret cave west of here." He tells you where in the cave the key is. You take note of it.vHe shakes his head. "First go through the arena and talk to the nice ogre at the other end. Then I'll hire you again."T"Yeah, I hear ya." He turns a heavy wheel, and the portcullis at the entrance opens."Go away! It's open already!""Ah, yes. I've been told of you. You are being given a chance to join the Scimitar, secret defender of the people of Exile against the monsters who put us here. All you have to do to join our band of rebels is complete a simple little mission."|"We have our seers and masters of scrying, and we know you have not completed your mission. Don't come back until you have.""You have succeeded in your mission. We will now consider you one of us. Go through the secret passage to the south and speak with Rogow. She's in charge here."Khoth drags a claw across the ground. The sound makes your hair stand on end. "It's a very simple ritual, and one I will provide very cheaply. Return my scroll to its proper place, and I will teach it to you."Khoth nods her huge head. "You have done well for me, humans. I am a creature of my word." He teaches you the motions to pass the wards. It is a simple ritual, and you take note of it."My plan is simple. I want to teleport you into the heart of the evil, into Hawthorne's throne room! The wards are powerful, but it is possible. To do this thing, I need several brooches."TErika looks over your possessions. "You don't have enough brooches. Keep searching."Erika looks at the brooches you have, and smiles coldly. "Four may be sufficient. I am not sure. Get a fifth if you can. If you can't, I can give you further instruction anyway."OShe looks over your brooches. "Excellent. I have further instructions for you.""There is a place, somewhere down here, well hidden, which is close to the surface and from which someone may be teleported. I don't know where it is, but I do know who you should talk to: A man named Aydin."g"The first great deed has been done. Congratulations. And thank you. I have little more to say to you."He chuckles. "Denied. But, it can be earned. There are two items of interest to me: a silver circlet and an onyx scepter. Bring them, and I will give you permission."s"You have not the scepter. You have not even the circlet!" He rears up in a terrifying manner. "Waste not my time!"J"You have the circlet. Excellent. But the onyx scepter remains to be had."?"The scepter was well guarded. Well done. Now get the circlet."The dragon waves you forward. Trembling, you present the items. He nods, and swoops them up with a mighty claw. "You may go east. It may not do you any good." 4"You have my permission already. Waste not my time."#"Yes. The door. Around the corner."1Silvar ?A battered sign reads: Gruber's Weapons Out of BusinessIThe sign reads: Adventurers Greatly Needed! Inquire at The Castle'The sign reads: Krantz's Boat-Works'A nice copper sign reads: City Hall#The sign reads: Efram's Weapons(The sign reads: Rations and suppliesThe sign reads: TRAINING%The sign reads: Anastasia's armor040 "Hmm. Wouldn't know about that."0stnd0lYou see a big, scarred man. The reddish puckers of his scars stand out starkly against his fishy-white skin.M"I'm Erik Scarhead. First name, mom gave me. Last name, I earned for myself.";"I give people training. Then they can go end up like me." 0train91stnd0QThere is a middle-aged woman wearing a huge steel breastplate behind the counter."I'm Anastasia. Efram's wife."["I deal in armor. You can buy some here, if you have the cash, or sell some, if you don't."1armor0"You'll need it, if you plan to travel around down here. Don't count on getting any iron or steel armor, though. Damn expensive. Hard to make down here. Leather's cheap, though. Bronze is OK. And magic? Forget it."1magic0"The mages down here, such as they are, have a really tough time making magic armor. Potions and scrolls, sure. But armor? Almost never."1purchase5Anastasia's Armor071sell61Efram0N"He sells weapons two stores down. Ask him about 'Demonslayer.'" She chuckles.2stnd0=Behind the counter is a very small man with a very big sword.M"I'm Efram." He shifts his weight so his sword turns towards you, and smiles.u"You can buy or sell weapons here. Don't have much of a stock out here - hard to get good metal. But we do our best."2purchase7Efram the Weaponsmith072sell82demon0He grins wildly, and slaps his scabbard. "This is Demonslayer." It is an iron greatsword, of impressive aspect. "Well, I haven't really slain any demons with it. It's the best sword in these parts, but its not thegenuine article.2genuine0"Well, I don't know too much about it, but once a bunch of adventurers and soldiers came down here. Got killed off, to a man and woman. And one of them, someone told me once, had this amazing demon slaying sword. That was a while ago."bHe thinks. "Of course, then again, he may just have been jealous of my sword. Guys are like that."3stnd0SThe barkeep busily polishes the counter. He's tall, and has a very ambitious beard."Gary.""I sell drinks. One gold. You can also get a room for the night. Five gold. We have a nice room available." He polishes for a bit. "Oh! And for 10 gold, I can help you with item storage."3storage10%"Give me 10 gold, and I'll tell you.""Sure, I'll watch your extra stuff for you. Put it in the room down the hall, the one with the crate in it. I'll guard it with my employee's lives." He grimaces. "Make sure you leave the stuff inside the room, though. Anywhere else, and I can't watch it!"103drink10"Hmmph. No credit."u"Here ya go." It's some sort of beer, made of fermented fungus. Strangely, bizarrely, almost horrifyingly, it's good.13room4""I said, a stay is 5 gold pieces."8194stnd0OThis is a young, well built man. He is weighed down with two heavy duffel bags.<"I'm Jay." He puts down one of the bags to shake your hands.#"None, now. I'm kind of a refugee."2sword0"Ah! That's 'Demonslayer'"4refugee0"Well, I was a farmhand at Fort Duvno. That's some 20 miles to the north. But then the nephilim started coming south, and I decided to move to more hospitable territory." 4nephil0"Yeah, the cat-heads are starting trouble again. They're building sort of a fort at the north end of this huge cave. It's small now, but nobody's doing anything about it, and it'll be big soon. Then, watch out!"_"Hmm. You could find out a lot more about it at Fort Duvno. Go east to Fort Exile, then north."5stnd0CA man in battered armor seems to be drinking himself into a stupor.I"I'm Chuck." His words are slurred, and vomit seems to be soon in coming."Mercenary."5merc0"Yeah. Fighting the cat-heads. Then the sliths. Then the cat heads. Then the sliths. Hell, I've been beat up by everybody. I'm on vacation now. Go away."5island0"Huh? Oh. Yeah, the sliths boss lives in this big, big hummin' island fort. Saw it while runnin' away once." For a moment, his mind seems to clear. "Ya' know, we saw its south side. Some of them were goin' into it there."2"Funny thing, though, we never saw a door there." 6stnd07You see a burly man, wearing a belt covered with tools.""I'm Krantz. Pleased ta' meet ya'""I make boats. There's a big call for em' in these caves. You can get one for not much gold." He shakes his head. "Hope you do. The sliths have been hell for my business. Anyway, if you want to purchase one, say so. They're on sale. 350 gold."6purchase216slith0"There's droves of them to the west, on the other side of that huge lake, and they pretty much own it. People don't fish there anymore. Too risky. Of course, people also need boats to get to the Great Cave, to the south."8stnd0FThere is a pale woman working behind the counter. She has the jitters.+"I'm Carol, sort of." She smiles nervously.2"Well, you can buy rations. And I have some cows."8purch11168cows0"Well, I try to take care of the poor dears. I'd love to sell you some milk." She chuckles, for no apparent reason. "But whenever I try to take care of them, I hear noises."8noises0V"Yes, out behind my shop. Clunking and stuff. Makes me nervous." That much is obvious.7stnd0YA man in nice, well-cut robes shuffles papers behind a desk. He seems pleased to see you.8"Mayor Jonathan Stellas. You can just call me Jonathan."U"I am the mayor of this fine city, and a member of the Exile Council. Keeps me busy."7mayor0"Yes. I settle the odd dispute. I order the troops. If and when we get attacked, I marshal the defenses. And I take care of the records. It's a lot of work."7council0"Yes. Exile has six large cities, and this is one of them. The mayors of each form a council, which co-rules with King Micah. It works very well, actually, and I'm proud to be a member."7records0"In the room to the west. Go help yourself. Not very interesting, true, but necessary. I keep track of everybody who comes to Exile I can find. Someday, people will want to know what happened down here, and when they do, our records will be here."16gnrc0"Moo."17gnrc0"Moo."18stnd0You look closer at the statue. It's cleaner than the others, and a much nicer piece of craftsmanship to boot. Then, it winks at you!"No. Don't have one."^"I just stand here. Watch. Listen." It starts humming gently, unconcerned about your presence.18divu0e"Don't have anything to say. Haven't heard a thing. Nope, nope, nope. Sorry." It resumes its humming.25stnd0You see a heavy set woman in heavy bronze armor, holding a halberd. Strangely, she looks exactly identical to all the other guards. You wonder why that is."I am Sue."H"Defending this city from all who try to mess it up. So watch yourself."O0&This sign has been thoroughly defaced.#This sign says: Formello - North'Brigand fort +This old, battered sign reads: Barracks*This faded sign reads: Weapons storage10$/Nephilim fort \This crude sign is written in a language you don't understand. It has a red X at the bottom.14He coughs. "I don't know."16stnd0UYou see a man in tattered armor. He is clearly underfed, and has been beaten as well.%"I'm so glad to see you. I'm Daniel.""I was part of a group that raided these caves. We thought they didn't know we were coming, but they must have seen us, 'cause they nailed us when we entered the main cave. I don't know what happened to the others."16cave0"I'm not sure where it is from here. Just inside the entrance. There's a spring in the center, with a pool. Since you're here, you must have seen it."16nailed0f"Goblins. Nephilim. Even a shaman. I fled when one of the others caught a bolt of flame in the chest."16others0"There were about 20 of us. A bunch of them died in the ambush. Others hid in tunnels. This place is riddled with hidden passages. Two of us were captured."/1%The sign reads: Cotra - 20 mi. w.2 :Cotra 1An old wood sign says: Storage. Keep out.0A bronze sign says: Elspeth's Arms and ArmorZA wood sign reads: Boatworks A boat is painted on the sign, floating through a cavern.1Metal letters embedded in the wall: City hall245"Hmm. Can't help you."0stnd0DThere is a pregnant woman with long, blonde hair behind the counter.4She smiles. "My name is Jenny. Welcome to my store."I"I brew a wide variety of different potions. I am an alchemist by trade."0potions0"For healing, for the curing of poison." She smiles down at her large stomach. "For the easing of pain. Let me know if you want to buy something."0purchase12Jenny's Alchemy12140alchemy0She smiles apologetically. "I'm afraid I don't sell my secrets. However, there is a mage visiting who mentioned some having some skill in alchemy. He's been staying around the bar. You might ask him."1stnd0You see a heavy man with a peg-leg. He wears an eyepatch, but you can't help but notices he occasionally lifts it and looks at something with both eyes.He makes a brief "Arr" noise. You aren't sure why. "Arr, matey I'm Eduardo. I'm the master boatsmith here." He says "Arr" again."I sell boats. Fine crafts, fit to sail the seas. Well, the lakes. I've got one ready to purchase. You look tough enough to brave the danger, matey! And a bargain, at 250 gold."1danger0"Arr. We used to sail the underground seas, fishing and exploring. Then the sliths started attacking. Since then, business has been slow."1pirate0He sighs, and makes the "Arr" noise in a dispirited way. "You've been talking to Andrew. I'm not really a pirate. I got thrown into Exile for punching a captain. I just act like a pirate for fun. There're no real pirates down here."F"The Empire catches a pirate..." He draws his thumb across his throat.1purchase222stnd0;You see a teenager. He's busy eagerly working on the boats.)"I'm Andrew. I'm apprenticed to Eduardo."V"Just working on the boats. Spreading tar. Filling holes. Following Eduardo's orders."2eduardo0His eyes widen. "He's good to work for. Doesn't beat me, lets me sleep six hours a night! Plus..." His voice lowers to a whisper. "I hear he was a pirate!"3stnd0hYou see a lethal looking woman in a leather baldric. Knives poke out from various places on her anatomy.W"I am Elspeth. Welcome to my humble shop." She grins in a reassuring, lamprey-like way."I deal in armor and weapons, and if you have any supplies you don't need, you can sell them to me. What with the lizards around, business has been very, very good."3armor5Elspeth's armor183weapon7Elspeth's weapons6123purch05"Armor or weapons? Or do you want to sell something?"3sell133lizards0"The Slithzerikai. That's what they're called. They all live to the west, and they've just started raiding and attacking. Like we didn't have enough trouble with the Nephilim." She looks back at the wide variety of weapons on the walls.["Yes, it's been a two front war. But we're holding them off pretty well. Better than some."3nephil0"Nephilim. And Nepharim. They're like Nephilim, but bigger, and sterile. Don't know much about it, but that they're nasty. Captured a bunch of our people last week." She sighs, then starts fingering a knife up her sleeve.%"We'll pay them back. Mark my words."4stnd0aA wiry, nervous man sits behind the desk. He has long, frazzled hair and an aggressive bald spot."I'm Paul.""I'm the secretary to his lordship Mayor Steele. If you have some business with him, you have to ask me. But he's pretty busy with this prisoner business. You'd have better luck in the library."4library0q"Door on your left. Not much there, mostly records." He chuckles. "But who knows. There might be a magic scroll."4business0"Normally he loves to see people. But, the nepharim to the north are holding some of our men prisoner. I'd only bother him if it's really, really important. He's only been thinking about the prisoners."5stnd0bA gray haired man hunches over a desk, muttering to himself. He wears impeccably clean silk robes.K"Huh?" He looks up at you briefly. "Why did Paul let you in here? Go away."X"What? Look, I'm very busy. Unless you have something important to say, please go away."5nephil0He looks up from his work. "The Nephilim and Nepharim have a fort to the north. They've been giving us hell. Know anything about it?"5prisoner1016stnd0[An aging, raven-haired woman tends bar. She wears gray home-spun, which must chafe awfully.+"I'm Elizabeth, owner of the Darklake Pub.""I sell food and drink. Also, if you need a room for the night, we have one out back. Just say the word. On tap today is fine mold ale, only 3 gold a drink. A room is 5. And you can buy rations."6room4"It costs 5 gold."33356drink10 "2 gold."mThe ale is excellent and very strong. You enjoy it a lot, once you pick out the bits of mold floating on top.26purch11467stnd0}A young, steely-eyed man sits well back in the corner. He's hard to make out in the shadows. He looks you up and down coldly."My name? Just call me Asp.""Just passing through."7scab0He smiles humorlessly. "Ah, an old friend. And he sends you to me. I'm afraid I'm not working now. Keeping a low profile. Perhaps you are looking for information?"7information0"On what?"7circlet2"Hmm. Someone I met, um, while working, told me that the mayor of one of the rebel cities owns it. She trapped it. It blasts anyone who tries to get it without saying 'Ankh'." (You take note of this.)588stnd0lYou see a man in flowing robes, a polished staff close at hand. He doesn't seem to appreciate the attention."I am called Konig."Q"I am here looking for the crystal cave. And I prefer to be alone at the moment."8cave0"A legendary, dangerous cave filled with powerful crystals. You hear of it from time to time. And if I knew of it, I wouldn't tell you."8alchemy0"Alchemy?" His dour face twists into a slight smile. "Ah. You must have been speaking with Jenny. What I was saying was that a man named Miles just found an interesting new recipe for strength potions. Not at all challenging."]"If you're interested, he lives somewhere around Fort Duvno. I think. Ask him about alchemy."8 firestorm0C"Ah! You found me. If you want to purchase firestorm, let me know."8purch14Konig the mage669stnd0jAn archer sits at the water's edge, looking out carefully. He's old and wrinkled, but his eyes seem sharp."Elmer."d"Watching the water. The sliths occasionally attack from the lake. It's dull, but I deserve a rest."9rest0i"Look, son. I'm old, but I'm sly. I just came back from a recon mission at the Nephil fort to the north."9recon0He looks you up and down. "Hope you're good, if you plan to take on that place. It's a fort, in a big cave. Well defended. But it'd be easy to sneak it to. There are narrow tunnels all over. I had an easy time slipping into them. You probably could too."\"I didn't look around em' much. Too many rats. But I bet there's an easy way into the fort!"10stnd0fA young woman wanders around, preoccupied. She wear a bright green dress, and is in quite a good mood.jShe turns to you. "I'm Nance. Yes, it is short for Nancy. No, I don't like being called that." She laughs._"Normally, I trade off days with Elspeth. We own the weapon shop together. This is my day off."10elspeth0{Nance smiles shyly. "She's my, umm... my friend." She puts heavy inflection on the word friend, then watches your reaction.10friend0"Yes. My very, very close friend. I don't know what the Empire's reason for sending you into Exile was, but you're getting pretty close to mine." For a moment her cheery mood breaks, and her eyes show a cold glint of fury.19stnd0cThis is a statue of a bent old man. When you look at it closely, you see it is looking back at you.It stares at you.6It smirks slightly. That is the only response you get.19divulge0It smirks. "I know something. There's this crystal cavern hidden nearby, with magical restorative powers. But someone vandalized it, and it awaits repair." It smirks again.25stnd0IYou see one of the town's soldiers, ready for action at a moments notice. "Dagnar."h"Guarding Cotra from the Sliths. And the Nephilim. And the Nepharim. And bandits. Heck, from everybody."1name signsdiff35""26stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd026stnd0&#,0Formello IThere is a nice carved marble plaque in the wall: Welcome to Formello:A small copper plaque reads: Jen and Ken's Farm SupplyJasmine's Fine ArmsBernie's Brews6There is a pair of crossed swords painted on the wall.RThe temple of the good spirit. All pilgrims are welcome. Services every third day.2There is a large sign here: Library of Formello;A large brass sign: City hall No supplications please348 "Afraid I can't help you there."2gnrc0"Hiss."3gnrc0)"Hiss." It looks at you hungrily. "Hiss!"4gnrc0%"Moo." It pauses reflectively. "Moo."5gnrc0"Moo!"0stnd0EYou see a small woman with long dark hair. She smiles sweetly at you.%"My name is Jen. How can I help you?""Well, my (ahem) friend Ken and I bring food from the outlying farmers and sell it here. Mainly cows for milk, and lizards for meat. Let me know if you ever want any rations." She smiles even more sweetly.0rations0"Of course. You look like travellers. Well, rations are 2 gold a meal. Let me know if you want to purchase any" She sighs. "Of course, some visitors, not many, mind you, think the price is too expensive." ?She smiles even more sweetly. It's starting to get frightening.0 expensive0"Yes. Many do complain, but with the attacks, it's often difficult to keep supply up. Enough for the locals, you see, but not much more. Of course, if you can't afford our rations, Fort Duvno, a scant forty miles to the south, may be able to help you." OShe sends forth a smile of almost blinding sweetness. You contemplate homicide.0purch11211stnd0You see a rugged man with a short beard and long blonde hair. He wears heavy leather clothes, and has a surprising variety of scars.]"I'm Ken." He seems slightly distracted by the lizards, which never stop eyeing him hungrily."Well, I take care of the lizards. Feed them, look after them, try not to get eaten by them." He chuckles evilly. "Butcher them."1lizards0"Well, there's not too much in the way of livestock down here. The abovegrounders sent down some cattle once, which are good for milk, but the mushrooms turn the meat rancid. So we raise giant lizards. At least they aren't dragons."QHe looks down, and notices a giant lizard is chewing on his leg. He kicks it off.1dragons0"Dragons? Not that good eating. Problem is, try to butcher them, and they blow you up. Plus, there's only five of them. Or, at least, five we've heard of." He stops talking, in order to try to keep a lizard from killing him.6stnd0iA graying woman lounges behind the counter. There is a painting of a man in armor on the wall behind her.p"I am Jasmine, the proprietor of this store. Have been, ever since Menrick, rest his soul, went to the beyond."_"I sell fine armor, and finer weapons. Also, I need some blades, if you ever want to sell any."6purch05"Armor or weapons? Or do you have something to sell?"6armor5Jasmine's armor5116weapon7Jasmine's weapons12186sell86menrick0"Ah, poor soul. We came down into Exile together. We were just too noisy for those twits up there. We helped build this town up here. Then he died in a Nephilim raid." She pauses to wipe away a tear, and takes a long look at the painting.T"Couldn't spend all my time hating people, so I took over the store. And here I am."7stnd0There is a portly man with short gray hair sitting behind the counter. When you enter, he is writing haphazard notes on a sheet of vellum.C"I'm Bernie. Welcome to my shop. Would you like to hear The Chart?""I have all manner of potions and the like, which you may purchase. You can also sell me your excess magic. And, if you would like, you can hear The Chart. It's about the meaning of life." 7purch12Bernie's Brews12197sell137chart0He pulls out a sheet of paper, and start talking and writing. He describes and draws his life above, how he was thrown into Exile, and what he has learned since he arrived, throwing in on the side many opinions on life in general. FIt is very interesting. It also makes practically no sense whatsoever.8stnd0nYou see an old woman in white robes. She wears a small gold ankh around her neck, and radiates peace and calm.,"Greeting, children. I am mother Claudette.""Alas, I am very busy. I can provide healing, if you are in need, for a small donation. But other than that, running a church such as this is much work."8healing208caius0Her face lights up! "Oh! You're friends of Caius!" She asks you of his welfare, and you tell her how he's doing. She sighs. "I have been so busy since he left, running the church and helping the mayor. There is little I can do for you."VShe thinks. "Actually, if you want, you could buy some spells. For a modest donation."8purch15Mother Claudette048mayor0"She has been furious, almost debilitatingly so, ever since Nephilim spies stole her necklace. It was one of the few powerful magic items down here - it aided one in leadership. Since she lost it, she thinks of nothing but getting it back."I"In fact, if you ask her about it, you could get a job. If you want one."10stnd0eA wiry man in black clothes wipes the counter. It's hard to see his face through his long black hair.#"Call me Vermeers. This is my bar.""Selling drink or a room for the night. Drink is 4, cheap room is 5, nice room is 15. And I hope you buy. Business has been wicked slow lately."10drink10>"Business hasn't been so slow that I'm giving the stuff away!"He puts a bowl of thick purple brew in front of you. It's delicious, but you are scared to ask what is it. As you drink, Vermeers whispers to you "And watch that guy over there. He keeps muttering about spiders."410cheap4"You can't afford it."203710nice3."You can't afford it. How about a cheap room?"163711stnd0XA young mage putters around, straightening the books on the shelves. He carries a broom.#"I'm Zed. The assistant librarian."i"Oh, learning thingsman was not meant to know. Plumbing the forbidden secrets of the unknown. Sweeping."11sweeping0"Yes. Mainly sweeping. I'm apprenticed to Miles. He does most of the work. Most of the people who come here are mages, you see. If you have any real business, talk to him. Now if you'll excuse me, I have forbidden secrets to plumb." He starts sweeping.12stnd0The mage sitting behind the counter is surprisingly fit. He is young, just shy of middle age, and very tall. He has a nicely trimmed black beard. BHe stands to shake your hand. "I'm Miles. What can I do ya' fer'?""Well, I run this library. Third best in the pit. Only ones better are in the castle and the mage tower, a long ways away. Mages come here to do research, and compare notes. Oh, and occasionally purchase a spell." 12spell14Miles the Mage0312purch0"Spells or recipes?"12alchem0His face brightens. "Yes, I dabble in a bit of that on the side. In fact, I have a new recipe for strength potions. Easy to make, and the only rare ingredient is glowing nettle. I hear some of that grows near Fort Exile."C"Anyway, I'll let you have the recipe for a very reasonable price."12recipe16Miles the librarian4413stnd0iA man in long silk robes putters around looking mysterious. A large hood hides his face. It's a bit much.RHe intones mysteriously, "I am (dramatic pause) the teacher." You snicker quietly.vHe chuckles, in a peculiarly sinister way. I train all those who come to me. (dramatic intake of breath) For a price!"13train917stnd0A fidgety woman in a lovely blue dress sits in a chair, rapidly flipping through the papers on the table next to her. She wears a sash of office.="Greetings, visitor. I am Mayor Evelyn. I am also very busy.""I look out for the residents of this city. And occasionally they look out for me. Now, if you will excuse me, I have much work to do." She makes a big show of turning away from you.17necklace10218stnd0jThis is a statue of a tall, armored woman. Looking closely, you see she is making a slight swaying motion.LShe looks down at you and whispers "I am Myrtle." Then she resumes her pose.1"Talking to those that I am supposed to talk to."18divu0"Greetings, master. I have little of use to say. The mayor had her necklace stolen. The town treasury is rich. There are magic fountains to the southeast, and magic spiders to the west. Oh, and someone said Motrax knows about a stone key.")"Please forgive me for not knowing more."19stnd0lA man sits at the table, hunched over a bowl of some sort of purple beverage. He mutters to himself quietly.-"Huh?" He notices you. "Oh, call me Crisper."e"I'm sort of a sage. But now I need a vacation. A long vacation." He drinks more of his purple syrup.19sage0"I was researching with Leith. We were asking Motrax about a magic sphere. He may have found something out. Beats me. I was too busy being driven insane!" He takes a deep swig from his bowl, realizes it's empty, and gets it refilled with gray fluid.19spiders0He rounds on you, a manic glow in his eyes. "Yes! It was the spiders that made me like this! Not those spell-casting ones. Sure, they almost killed me, but they weren't the worst! NoNoNoNoNo! It was the friendly ones!"His face is twitching.19friendly0"Yes, the friendly ones. Just don't ask! You don't want to know! Go investigate them, Leith said. Well forget it. You want to visit them? They're all to the northwest, past Fort Draco. Just go north to the dragon's cave, and west." X"Go ahead! You'll have fun! Like me! HaHaHaHaHa!" He drinks more. He probably shouldn't.25stnd0"You see a guard. He looks anxious."I'm Chip."i"Shh. Don't bother me. We all just got really chewed by Her Honor, and we don't want it to happen again."f3=This old, beaten up sign reads: Fort Draco - 30 mi. north#This sign has been totally defaced.F7Nephilim fort 20,Nephilim fort (L2) 21"Meow."22stnd0"You see an extremely well-fed cat."Meow."2It rubs up against your leg, wanting to be petted.3AThis sign says: Fort Draco - 30 mi. w Cave of Motrax - e.This sign says: Dragon - s.CThis sign says: Cave of Motrax. Polite guests only please.4CThis sign says: Warning - spiders. There are bits of web on it.>There is a stone block here. Carved on it: Mining tunnels.>There is a stone block here. Carved on it: Mining tunnels.?This sign says: Fort Draco - 8 mi. w Dragon cave - eastv3Cave of Motrax .A small plaque by the door reads: BarracksRA wooden sign reads: The Cave of Motrax. Report to barracks before entering.4A small plaque by the door reads: Guest Quarters439"I don't know."1stnd0You see a dragon. He is green, with reddish highlights, and towers high above you. The dull color of his skin and the cracks in his wings indicate he is very old. He stares at you with frighteningly wise eyes.HHis voice is so deep it seems to make the ground vibrate. "I am Motrax."He sighs. A small wisp of flame comes out. "I am an ancient dragon, long past my prime. I do not roam the caves and hunt anymore, but devote myself to scholarly pursuits and playing with my cats."1ancient0"A thousand years I have been alive. I hope for a thousand more. But they will be quiet, filled with contemplation, not battle."1battle0Y"I have fought many, many battles. With Slithzerikai. With humans. And with my brothers."1brother0r"I call the other dragons in these caves my brothers, but don't be mistaken. We are not hatched from like broods."1slith0"My brothers in cold-blood, but in no other way. There are many who are kind and wise, but the Slithzerikai who live nearby are exiles from their race. They are cruel and dangerous. I remember once, they had the gall to attack my home."EHe tells the story, a story of blood and fire, ending in his victory.1dragons0"There are five of them living in these caves. Myself. Reclusive Athron. Cruel Pyrog. Wise Khoth. And Sulfras, strongest of them all." He sighs. "They are all young. I prefer not to speak of them."1battle0He launches into a rambling tale of a battle between himself and some huge demon, which he calls a Haakai. He seems unsure if he's told you the story before.1scholar0"I have humans come here, and I learn of their ways and of the land above ground. I would like to visit. Alas, your leaders would no doubt cast me below again, at best." He chuckles smokily. "I like you humans. Despite our first meeting."1pursuits0"I have humans come here, and I learn of their ways and of the land above ground. I would like to visit. Alas, your leaders would no doubt cast me below again, at best." He chuckles smokily. "I like you humans. Despite our first meeting."1meeting0."I met some of those in the First Visitation."1visit0His head rears back in surprise. "You haven't learned of the Visitation yet? When those above found these caves, they sent a large force below, led by a small group of powerful adventurers, with much magic. The sorry band hoped to subdue us all!"B"They were arrogant. They were stupid. And they were slaughtered."1slaugh0"To a man and woman. A group of them came here, fleeing a band of sliths. They attacked. I slew them, and cast aside their paltry treasures. Another band came, humbly this time, asking for sanctuary. I refused them, though they offered a bribe."1treasure0"My leftovers go to my pets - stupid, smaller cousins, who live down the tunnel to the west. I recall giving their trinkets to my pets to play with. Be careful, though. They anger easily."1bribe2"A stone key, which they said they found somewhere far to the west. I was enraged at being attacked, so I threw them out, and their trinket with them. They can't have gotten far before the sliths got them. They went southeast." (You take note of this.)701cats0E"Remarkable little creatures. I don't know how I lived without them."10stnd0xYou see a woman in long sparkling robes. She has long brown hair, set off well by the sparkling crystal around her neck.8"Greeting, traveler. I am Marian. What brings you here?"V"I have been here for a year now, conversing with, teaching and learning from Motrax."10motrax0_"The ancient dragon of the cave. He knows so, so much of these tunnels, and the races in them."10tunnels0"I hope, one day, to plumb into his memory and find knowledge of a tunnel to the surface world. Then, I can escape this horrid pit." She looks at you slyly. "And maybe take the captain with me."10captain0lShe grins, very broadly. "Ko's the captain. If I left, I'd have to take him with. He's good to have around."11stnd0nYou see a tall, thin man with a long beard. He is old and frail, but you can feel great power coming from him.@He gives you a barely perceptible nod of his head. "I am Leith."*"I grow old. And I learn from the dragon."11dragon0"We understand each other. Although he was as old as I as an infant, I still find we think surprisingly alike. And one day he will mourn me."11mourn0mHe nods solemnly. "Yes. It gives my spirit great comfort to know it will be mourned by something so ancient."11sphere0"Sphere? Oh! You must mean Thralni's Orb. It was brought down here by the first visitors long ago. Years I spent trying to find it, knowing the gift of flight might help me escape. But I never did, and eventually gave up. I never could find it."O"Hmm. I did find out that Thralni met his end while navigating the water maze."11maze0"A bizarre mess of waterfalls, to the west of the Slithzerikai. Very dangerous and difficult to explore. I read an account that he went in, hoping to use to orb to save himself from disaster, and never came out again."12stnd0YYou see a skinny man in nice steel armor. He's almost manic - he can't seem to slow down.oHe bounces up to shake your hand, a wild grin on his face. "Greeting! I'm Ko! Welcome to the Cavern of Motrax."J"I greet visitors to the cave. I also guard things I need to be guarding."12visitor0He goes into his spiel, quivering with happiness. "All visitors are welcomes to the cave of Motrax, to greet the ancient one, to teach and learn. The rules are simply: stay on the path, and behave."12guard0He straightens up. "It's a dull job. With Motrax around, only a fool would cause trouble. I mainly greet people, and take care of my cats."12cats0S"Delta and Epsilon are their names. They should be in the cave. Motrax loves them."12path0"When visiting Motrax, go through the main cave. He'll be in the second cave in. He throws trash into the tunnels to the west, and lives in the tunnels to the east. I recommend against going into the latter. He probably wouldn't like it. "16stnd0EYou see a small, very sedate black cat. It has a tag around its neck.The tag says 'Epsilon.'"Meow."16gnrc0"Meow."1gnrc00He shifts his mighty bulk. "I know not of that."17stnd0=You see a fast-moving gray cat. It has a tag around its neck.The tag says 'Delta.'"Meow!"17gnrc0"Meow."18stnd0EYou see a dim, insubstantial figure, lurking in the back of the cave.It whispers "I was Zeld.":It speaks very quietly. "I wait here, trying for revenge."18revenge0M"On foul Motrax, who slew me while I looked, merely looked, at his treasure."18treasure0"I tell all I can, as my revenge. It lies beyond the lake, beyond his lair, beyond the entry cave. But there is a passage, so humans can get to it, should he pass on. I found it. There are no traps in it! I set them off!""I run the forge, keep it from blowing us all to the surface."1forge0,"Yeah! Magic! And deucedly hot! Be careful!"1surface0N"Yeah! It's a mighty powerful thing! It blows, they'll feel it at the Castle!"2stnd0RYou aren't even sure what species this person is, so covered he or she is in soot.D"Hi!" He shouts to be heard over the noise of the forge. "I'm Bill!"d"I shape the ingots! So they can be shipped out! You know, Exile gets all its good metal from here!"2metal0J"That's right! The best mines are around here! We keep this pit running!" 3stnd0You see a massive bearded man, covered in what must be an inch of soot. The enormous muscles in his arms almost threaten to tip him over.O"Welcome to my shop! I'm Boutell." He clasps your hand in a bone crushing grip."The best weapons and armor in Exile come from my forge, and I can repair just about anything as well. I'm the only one with the skill to work the steel well."3purch0"Armor or weapons?"3weapons7Boutell's Smithy25323armor5Boutell's Smithy9163skill00"Sometimes I wish I could get a real challenge."3repair1034stnd0You see a smiling, dirty woman sitting behind the counter. She wears a very pretty black dress, that may or may not have once been something besides black.%"I am Aife." It's pronounces Eee-Fay."I'm the town metallurgist, and I dabble in chemicals as well. You would be amazed at how often the cave workers need an alchemist of some sort."4metal0"Yes. they dig up the ores, copper and silver sometimes, but mostly iron, and bring them here to be analyzed. Then the ore gets processed, mostly into pig iron, but we can make steel, in small quantities."4alchem0She smiles. "You wouldn't be interested, I'm afraid. The alchemy I do is painfully tedious stuff to the layperson." She thinks. "Wait a minute! Someone passing through taught me a recipe for a sort of poison that used Crypt Shrooms."R"Some miners use it to rid their mines of mung rats. If you want, you can buy it."4purchase16Aife555stnd0+A woman paces around here, lost in thought.She mumbles something."Research. Please go away."5cortath0T"He crossed the bridge to the west and headed south. Looking for graymold. Go away."6stnd0MYou see a small man with short blonde hair. He wears a belt laden with tools."I'm Brandon the boatsmith."i"Well, I sell boats. Only 300 gold. Let me know if you want to buy one. They can be useful around here." 6purch246useful0"I'm the only person who sells boats for use on this river. It's a neat river. Lots of caves off it. Just be careful of the sliths."7stnd0vYou see a beautiful woman with long brown hair and an astonishing variety of freckles. Strangely, she's clean of soot.%"My name is Sue. Welcome to my shop."Y"I sell supplies to the miners and such, and also to the adventurers that come this way."7supplies0"Well, mining supplies, mostly. Stuff you wouldn't be interested in. But I do have some things you might like to buy." She brushes off a box with her hand. You notice that the store is amazingly clean.7clean0She seems pleased you noticed "Yes. I used to spend all my time keeping things neat, but then I found out how reasonably priced dirt repulsion spells are."7purchase12Sue's Supplies0611stnd0A harried man bustles about.""Welcome to my shop! I am Carlos."E"Well, you could buy rations from me, if that's what you would like."11purch111315stnd0HA sooty beggar rolls himself around the paths on a cart. He has no legs.*"I'm Frank. Give me a gold piece, please?""I was once a productive member of society. Then I got thrown into Exile. Then I became a productive member of this society. Then my legs got chopped off in a mine. Now I try to get people to give me a gold. Sad story, huh? How about it?"15give10"Man! You are poorer than me!""Thank you very much! You know, beggars hear many interesting things. Would you like to purchase some information? Only 20 gold?"115purch10&"Ah, I'm sorry. I don't give charity.""Not all spiders are nasty. There's a bunch of friendly ones across the river and to the north. Met one once, not too long ago. She said she was wandering around looking for someone to come help them. She said ask 'Spider' about a 'mission.'"2021stnd0RYou see an old woman in ragged black robes. She seems to be looking for something.9"Oh, hello. I'm Caitlin." She keeps looking under tables.i"I'm looking for my familiar right now. It's being very naughty. Then we're going to go meet the dragon."21dragon0"Yes. Mighty and ancient Motrax lives in a cave to the east. He welcomes all humans. He actually likes us. Mages from all over go to learn from him. I'm on my way now, if only I can find that naughty, naughty familiar." She turns to continue searching.CShe spies a lizard under a table, and leaps after it. It gets away.21familiar0|"Yes, my little lizard. My friend! And helpmate! Who I won't punish! Not at all!" She starts to search faster as she shouts.7You hear, from behind you, something say "Yeah. Right."25stnd0@You see an armored, soot-encrusted person, of indeterminate sex."Pat."e"Guarding the town. Things have been slow lately, but you never know when the Nephilim will drop by."USpider Cave 136"You're silly!"25flies0"Yum!"25gnats0"Neat! Where?"25aranea0"They're nasty!"0stnd01You see a very large spider. It's looking at you."Hi! I'm spider!"'"I'm looking for flies! They're yummy!"1stnd01You see a very large spider. It's looking at you.!"My name is spider! You're cute!"I"I'm looking for a mate. It's tough. All the cute male spiders are busy."1mate0L"Yeah! You know, you're kinda' cute!" It runs up and kisses you on the shin.2stnd01You see a very large spider. It's looking at you.+"Hi! Wow! You're humans! My name's spider!"It's voice turns sad. "I'm making a new web. The old one got destroyed. It's making me really sad. I can't work on my mission."2 destroyed04"Well, not really destroyed. I forgot where it was."2mission0"Yeah! I was on a mission! I was looking for a mate! Then I could have a few hundred baby spiders! That would be neat!" It jumps up and down joyfully.3stnd0You see a big spider.G"Hi! I'm spider! You guys are cute!" It jumps up and down in happiness."I'm a spider!"3spider0p"You know! I do spider things! Building webs! Meeting cute spiders! Laying hundreds of eggs! You guys are cute!"4stnd02You see a big spider. It's jumping around happily.0"You might have heard of me! My name is spider!""I'm hunting for gnats. Other spiders like flies, which are yummy, but I think gnats are even yummier!" It runs around in little blissful circles.4mission0)"Yeah! Looking for gnats! They're yummy!"5stnd05You see a spider wandering around, looking for flies."Hi! I'm spider!""I'm looking for flies! I met this human once, and he told me there were things called cockroaches, which are really yummy, but I've never found any, so I eat flies."5 cockroach0"Yeah! They're slower than flies, and meatier! And they walk instead of fly! And they shoot fireballs, so you have to be careful! Or is that aranea? They're silly!"5mission0"Yeah." It suddenly turns sad. Its forelegs droop. "One of our spiders was captured by the aranea. They're smart mean spiders. They live in another cave, to the ..." It struggles to remember the word. "... west!"R"I've been trying to get a nice cute human to rescue her. We could give a reward!"5reward0"A bunch of mean people came here once. We webbed them all in a cave. You can't get to it now. If you freed our friend, we'd take the barrier down and you could go in and take their silly things!"6stnd07You see a smallish spider. It giggles when it sees you.'"I'm a baby spider! My name is spider!""I'm a baby spider!"6baby0"Yeah! I can't build webs yet. They fall down. And I catch gnats, cause flies are tougher to catch! Someday, I'll be a big spider, and then I'll be bigger!" It bounces up and down in happiness.7stnd0You see a gigantic spider.)"I'm an elder spider! My name is spider!"K"I am an old spider. I teach the littler spiders of the great Spider Lord!"7lord0"He's a HUGE spider! Like a god! And he makes huge spider god webs, and he catches really BIG flies, and he does stuff, and stuff! It's NEAT!" Nearby spiders stop and listen to this, fascinated.8stnd0CYou see a spider. It stares at you happily with its big beady eyes."My name is spider!"P"I'm looking for a cute girl spider! I was on a big mission, but I finished it."8mission0"I was looking for a fly!" It thinks. "But then I caught one! And I ate it! It was yummy!" It thinks more. "Some spiders like gnats more. They're silly."9stnd0"You see a big spider. It sees you."Spider! Neat name, huh?""I'm a guard spider!"9guard0"Yeah. Sometimes mean people come, or nasty aranea. When they do, I do this!" It runs up suddenly, and kicks you on the shin. It backs up. "That sure shows 'em!"10stnd05You see a spider walking around, looking at the webs."My name is spider." &"I'm an inspection spider! Neat, huh?"10inspect0"Yeah! My mission is to walk around and look at the webs, to make sure they're safe and stuff. You know, webs are very useful!"10useful0"Yeah! You see, when you like, want food, you can build a web, and then bugs will fly into eat, and you can eat them! Yum!" It looks one of you over. "You're cute! Want a date?"11stnd0,You see a large spider. It's staring at you.T"You guys are humans! Neat!" It leaps up and down in happiness. "My name is spider!"#"I'm trying to learn magic spells."11spells0"Yeah! Watch this..." It waves its front legs around, and shouts "BOOM!" Then it looks at you. "That wasn't very impressive. I know. But someday I might cast spells as good as an aranea!"12stnd0'You see a giant spider. It is singing. &It stops singing. "My name is spider!"."I'm a singing spider. Would you like a song?"12song0"OK... Sometimes I get all hungry/ And then I catch some flies/ They fly into my webs/ They are really yummy guys." "Neat huh?" Your ears hurt. A nearby spider swoons.13stnd0JYou see a giant spider. It sees you, and bounces up and down in happiness. "I'm spider!""I haven't decided."13decided0"I really want to find a mate, and have a whole bunch of baby spiders! But I also want to catch some gnats! It's really, really confusing."14stnd07You see a really big spider. It sidles up close to you._"My name is spider." It seems to be trying to use the spider equivalent of a come-hither voice.5"I'm looking for a boyfriend spider! Or a boyfriend!"14 boyfriend0o"Yeah!" She looks at you closely. "You're cute!" She runs up and gives you all kisses. It's very, very strange.l4LThe sign reads: Warning - Honeycomb to west. Be sure you want to go.5The sign reads: Mertis - South Don't go east.}The sign says: Tower of the Magi - 45 mi. south Great Cave - 30 mi. s., 200 mi. w. Castle - 30 mi. s., 400 mi. w.7This partially defaced sign says: The Grim Cavern. -This sign has been clawed beyond readability.TMertis LThis fairly new sign reads: Adventurers needed. Apply at the castle.-A sign by the door reads: Farmer's Market*A sign by the door reads: All welcome.IA freshly painted sign reads: Church Of The All Knowing Goodness.440"I can't help you there."2gnrc0It moos contentedly.3gnrc0It stares at you mutely.4stnd0DYou see a tell, wrinkled old man, carrying around a sheaf of papers..He shakes your hand. "I'm Elmer. How are ya'?""I run the auction house."4house0H"On the west side of town. Go take a look! Lot of good livestock there."4auction0"Yeah. The farmers 'round here bring up the cattle and lizards. Then they bring them here to be sold and taken north and west. Good deal all around."5stnd0SA small blonde woman works behind the counter. She looks at you with a broad smile.$"I'm Terri. Interested in supplies?""I sell farm supplies, mostly. But I sell stuff for the merchant caravans too. You might be interested in purchasing something?"5caravan0She nods. "Lizard-drawn sleds. They haul shrooms and preserved meat to the Great Cave. Takes a lot of supplies. Business has been good. Food's cheap here. If you need to buy rations, let me know."5purch05"I have rations. And supplies. Which would you like?"5rations112155supplies12Terri's supplies036stnd0BYou see a tall, awkward brown haired man. He's polishing a shield."I'm Matt. I'm Tina's husband."j"I buy and sell armor. Lots of demand, what with the undead. You can sell some if you want, or buy stuff."6undead0"Yeah. From the Grim Cavern. The skeletons don't attack the towns and farms much, thank goodness, but anyone leaving town is fair game."6purch5Matt's armor shoppe186sell67stnd0GYou see a beautiful woman with long, brown hair. She is quite pregnant. "I'm Tina. Pleased to meet you.""I run this half of the market with my husband Matt. You can purchase armor from him, and weapons from me. You can sell me your weapons too. I recommend the bronze spears. They'll keep the zombies well away."7zombies0"Plenty of those outside of town. They just appear and come out of the west. They used to attack the farms, but we got good at butchering them, and now they stay away unless we leave town. Then they mob us." She sighs, and starts polishing a spear.R"Still, they aren't so bad. Nowhere near as bad as the Nephilim or Sliths anyway."7purch7Tina's fine weaponry8157sell88stnd0NYou see a noble-looking woman in long, flowing robes. She wears a wooden ankh.EShe nods calmly. "I am Esther. Welcome to this tiny island of peace.""Serving this village as best I can. I provide much more healing than I should have to. I have helped fight the undead on occasion as well. I wish I could rely on goodness more and spells less."8village0"This is the only settlement between the northern cities and the Great Cave." She corrects herself. "No, the mage's tower is to the south. But they set themselves apart."8healing208undead0"They appear in the Grim Cavern, and come out to raise havoc. We really don't know what makes them appear. They aren't a terrible threat anymore, but once they were a horror to behold."8spells0"I am a spellcaster of small skill. I would love to teach you, but I cannot. You would have much better luck in the Tower of the Magi, to the south." She smiles sadly. "My aboveground magical training was limited, I'm afraid. I was nobility, you see."OShe sighs sadly. "I would be still. But a minor power struggle landed me here."9stnd0?You find a man hiding back here. He seems terrified to see you.4"Bertrand. Don't tell anyone I'm back here, please!" "I'm hiding."9hiding0"I'm supposed to go with a caravan back to the Great Cave. But the undead are too much for me! They're horrible! The beady eyes and stuff! I'm staying here, where it's safe! Now go away.9brooch0He yelps in horror. "It's mine! Not Eldins, whatever he says. It's mine!" He looks you over, and smiles slyly. "Although you could purchase it. Just a hundred gold."9purch10410stnd0EYou see the bartender. He's cleaning the already spotless countertop.%"Welcome to my humble inn. I'm Mark.""I run the Mertis Arms, the finest inn in Exile! We serve merchants, travellers and farmers alike, with the best drinks and the best rooms! Let me know if you need help."10help0o"A fine meal is 3 gold, and the most luxurious room you can find is 15. You can't go wrong at the Mertis arms."10meal10G"Alas, the Mertis arms is not so luxurious that we can afford charity."fYou are brought thick, steaming slabs of lizard steak, with mugs of some sort of wine. It's delicious.310room3G"Alas, the Mertis arms is not so luxurious that we can afford charity."39811stnd0You see a stout, striking woman sitting at the bar. She's carrying, amazingly enough, a guitar. She looks at you as if you're nothing special."I'm Gypsy."She doesn't say anything. She simply starts playing. A truly stunning torrent of song pours forth from her guitar. Then she pats it lovingly and looks back up at you.11guitar0She seems pleased you noticed. "I made it. Only instrument of its kind down here. Took me a year. Would have been worth ten years. And now, I'm a minstrel."11minstrel0"I travel from town to town. That's not so hard, as there aren't too many of them. I'm on my way to play for Motrax now. That'll be a first."11motrax0"He's a dragon. Lives to the north, far to the north. And he likes humans. I'm looking to see what he would give someone who showed him what human music was like. Plus, I've never played for a dragon before. I bet nobody has. It would be a first!"`"You know, I hear a dragon lives in the honeycomb. But I prefer an audience I know is friendly."12stnd0FA mage sits in the corner, working out equations on a sheet of vellum.4"I'm William. Apprentice mage of the Tower of Magi."a"Research. I'm going to the library at Formello, to learn how to make a special sort of crystal."12crystal0"A piercing crystal, it's called. A long, thin blue crystal. You throw it at a magic barrier, and it dispels the field! I'm going to try to make one. A crystal, I mean, not a barrier."13stnd0#A soldier sits dourly at the table.He grunts. FHe says nothing. You sense he is less than pleased with your presence.13gnrc0He doesn't respond.25stnd0,You see a huge woman in heavily used armor. "Anne." ("Guarding the town. What did you think?">/Dark Pit 5042L4FThe sign says: Great Cave - 100 mi. w. The Castle - 300 mi. w.[aOgre cave 435"I don't know."19stnd0