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Part IV - Goondalf the G(railseeker)

Going to see the monks is a good idea. While health does regenerate, with our current Constitution score, it can take several real-time minutes to get back to full. The monks, however, can refill our Health and Mana to full instantly. Depending on how far out we are, it’s usually quicker to walk back to Avalon instead of standing around healing. Corvus wasn’t lying about how we should get acquainted with them.

But naturally, Goondalf speaks to the lady on the right first.

No, good lady. I’m new here and I’m just looking around. Who, may I ask, are you?

Belinda: I’m Belinda, and I work here in the infirmary. I’m afraid I’m not quite the healer that Crosby or Friar Massus are, but I try to comfort the wounded and dying. It’s the least I can do.

I’m sure your efforts are greatly appreciated. Good day to you.

Belinda: Wait, I know you. You’re Lieutenant Corvus’ brother, right? We’re running dreadfully short on some supplies needed to combat a fever spreading about the infirmary. And… well, could you please talk to Brother Mo about it? I’m certain you could help us!

I’ll make it a point to, if you think it would help, my lady. Farewell.

Anything, Brother. Avalon’s healers are critical to our survival.

Forgive me, Brother, but won’t a Heal spell cure them?

Brother Mo: The Heal spell was developed, and is administered, for the healing of wounds won in battle. Unfortunately, it can nae help the fever.

That is unfortunate, Brother, and is something of which I was unaware. What supplies, then, are needed to combat the fever?

Brother Mo: We’ve run out of a specific herb. I thought we had more, but it seems we’ve almost run out much sooner than anticipated. I know the influx of wounded has nae been small, but even ‘tis almost as if someone… But that couldn’t be--this is Avalon! Put simply, lad: we need more. There was an orchard in the village which the monks took to use to grow the herbs we need. They’ll nae longer be in neat rows, but the herb will still be there. But, again, ye see the problem. The infirmary can nae afford monks to wander about doing the business of soldiers! Would ye have Mudam the Scout to treat your wounds? No, ye’d surely not! Nor Captain Avarous. That’s our job. We all do what we can.

That we do, Brother. How will I know which herb it is you need?

Brother Mo: ‘Tis more of a hardy weed than a fragile flower so I dare say it’ll be running rampant over the orchards by now. You will know the plant by its red petals, lush green leaves, brown, bulbous fruit, and dank, must smell. What I need from ye is the fruit of the plant--the more the better.

I shall remember your request and fulfill it when I am able.

Yes, more quests!

Thank you, Friar. I understand you lived in the village outside Avalon.

Friar Massus: Indeed. I lived there for three short years before the Ahoul ran us all away from our Church.

I’m going on an expedition there soon. Olon the, well, “merchant” said you might be able to provide me with some useful information about the village.

Friar Massus: Olon told you this? He must have been mistaken. I keep mostly to the Church and from what I’ve seen from the walls there is little left of the village I knew.

There’s nothing at all you could tell me about the outside?

Friar Massus: I may not be able to help you, but you are certainly in a position to help me.

Olon you bastard! You’re lucky we like quests so much or there would be hell to pay for this.

What can I do to help you?

I will do everything I can to recover it, Friar.

Friar Massus: There’s no telling what may have taken up residence in the old Church. It will be dangerous, but if you wish to try, we will pray for your success and safety.

I will do my best, Friar.

Olon mentioned Elarath too, so let’s go see if he has a quest for us as well.

I’m going on a mission to the village soon. I was told by Olon the, uh, “merchant” that you knew something of the village.

Is that all you remember?

No, I’m pretty certain that--Oh, wait! There is something else. I’ve actually been trying to recover a valuable artifact from the village for some time now. It’s an amulet that is needed in the research I’m doing on a certain portal. Elazar had the amulet last, but it was lost when he abandoned his tower. The tower itself is magically sealed, but the amulet is believed to have been lost when the cart carrying much of Elazar’s research broke an axle and spilled its contents on the ground while passing through the village. The amulet should still be on the ground near the broken cart.

I will see what I can do.

Thank you for your kindness lad! With an amulet, hopefully I will be able to finally open the portal. I will await your return!

I’ll see you soon, Elarath.

Hmm, “a broken cart” seems pretty vague. Maybe Elazar can tell us more. But before we go, let’s ask him about Pell too. All Fornaxans know each other after all, right?

Know you, sir wizard, of the mage Pellandrian?

Yes, I know. I was wondering what you might know of her.

Oh, not a lot, not a lot. Been busy with my research, you know. And she’s taken to moping about since her love won’t talk to her. The tribulations of youth--I remember them well. I will say that I’m surprised my fellow Fornaxans let her leave the country. Or maybe it was they couldn’t keep her in!

What do you mean, sir wizard?

She is powerful, lad--to that I’ll admit. Beyond that, however, it is not for me to say. She’s a good person to know, though. I just hope that unfortunate circumstance with her love is worked out in good order.

As do I, sir. Good day to you.

Interesting. She did blow up a dozen Ahoul, which is… not something we can do. Yet. Now, on to Elazar.

Yes, he also said you might have some information that could help me.

Ha! Ha! That senile old… You mean this amulet, don’t you? That old man is touched in the head! Take the little trinket, and remind Elarath that the monks have herbs to help with one’s memory!

Is there anything else you think I should know? Anything that can help me?

I suppose Elarath’s already told you about the underground city. I will tell you to be wary of it. In fact, stay away from it entirely! It is more dangerous than you can possibly fathom.

Dangerous?

Yes! And I’m not speaking of voreworms and giant spiders, boy! I mean it is seriously and utterly dead--for all of us.

I will heed your warnings, sir wizard.

Don’t try to lie to me, boy. I know you will explore them no matter what I tell you. I’m just warning so that perhaps you will watch yourself a little more carefully.

I will. Thank you for your counsel.

We are so good at quests.

After a bit of a struggle, I managed to recover the amulet.

Nice up-selling for a better reward, Goondalf.

That’s wonderful news! I will get to work completing the portal immediately. It is my hope that the portal can be of some help to us!

I hope it proves as useful as you say it will be. Good day.

Magic portals, eh? That should be fine, and certainly won’t unleash anything.

While we don’t get a tangible reward (yet), this quest is worth a whole 5 Training Points! I assume that is in case you actually go out to the village and look for broken carts (there are a couple, in a great bit of trolling) before talking to Elazar.

With that, the fortress section is complete. The time has come to step into the shadows and find our brother!

Musical accompaniment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNFlqV7J-BE

When we are not in a settlement, maps start out with only a radius around the entrance visible. More of the map gets filled in as we explore. And explore we must, under the cover of darkness!

Directly south from where we start, there is a low-walled area that seems to be a garden of sorts. Might be a good place to look for those healing herbs. However, the area is overrun with these little guys, called Mersewogs.