Navero 37

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From rec.games.frp Sat Apr 14 13:33:13 1990
Path: uci-ics!jarthur!dparsons
From: dparsons@jarthur.Claremont.EDU (Daniel Parsons)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp
Subject: Navero XXXVII
Keywords: Navero, of the Correct and Unalterable Way
Message-ID: <6223@jarthur.Claremont.EDU>
Date: 14 Apr 90 04:51:38 GMT
Organization: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711
Lines: 280


Dania was unable to find a spellcaster who would give her the training she needed to reach 5th level. It was becoming obvious that something would have to be done about that, but establishing permanent ties in any one place had many problems.

  • Navero, male human cleric, 5th level
  • Dania, female 1/2-elf MU, 4th level
  • Kortul, male human fighter, 5th level
  • Razuli, male human fighter, 5th level
  • Kory, male elf bard, 4th level
  • Topash, male elf druid, 4th level
  • Meth, male ? thief, 3rd level

Navero went back into the inner city. The guards at the gate didn't seem to recognize his name; they remained uniformly bored, and Navero got in and went to his temples, where he bathed and spent a few hours praying and reading the holy words. He also replenished his stock of holy water, and got a couple of healing potions. The priest he had conversed with earlier found him, and they had a short talk.

Priest: (Sees Navero praying before main altar) "Oh, hello, I do believe I recognize you."

Navero: "Yes, father! I'm acolyte Navero, I was here 3 weeks ago."

Priest: "Ah, yes, acolyte Navero. You were under Luminot, weren't you? Yes. Well, when we last met, I believe you were telling me about some adventures you had been on with those strange friends of yours."

Navero: "Yes, father. We went out and had some more. We went west to find out what all the clouds were, but there were Undead all over, so we fled into a castle called Methigor, where Duke Desmod was..."

Priest: "Desmod the Dark, you mean? My soul, I'm glad to see you alive, my young friend! Whatever possessed you to enter into his clutches?"

Navero: "He set up illusions, and told us he was trying to fight off all the undead. I'm afraid I was fooled, father. We went out and got this thing called a Bloodstone, and..."

Priest: "Oh! You didn't give it to him, did you? Of course you didn't, you're still here, and so am I. Well, hm."

Navero: "Do you believe me?"

Priest: "Oh, I believe you, I believe you. The alternative, of course, is to believe that Lordling Bentwick killed Desmod; that, of course, is quite impossible. Naturally, you'll have to tell me all about it later; the important thing, my young friend, is that you did it! Somehow or other, you did it! Now, are you sure Desmod is dead?"

Navero: "Well, no."

Priest: "All right. Did you destroy the Bloodstone, then?"

Navero: "Well... no."

Priest: "Well... do you know where it is?"

Navero: "Well..."

Priest: "I see... what, exactly, did happen?"

Navero: "Well, Desmod revealed what he was, and then we called for Those Who Are More Than 2 And Less Than 4 and they came and..."

Priest: (Suddenly turns white as a Sheet Phantom.) "Do.. do you mean... The Paladins, Scourge of All Evil and Embarrassment of All Good?"

Navero: "Uh, yes. They..."

Priest: "oh..." (thud)

Navero: "Father?"

Meanwhile, Dania went looking to see if there were any magic-users in the low-town who could recharge her staff; there were none. She braved the gates, and although the guards were a bit suspicious, none openly voiced objections, and she quickly made her way to the magic shop.

Shopkeeper: (snif!) "May I HELP you, ma'am?"

Dania: "Yeah; do you know where I can get a Staff of Thunder and Lightning recharged?"

Shopkeeper: "Your staff needs... a bit of reCHARGing, ma'am?"

Dania: "Yeah. It fizzled."

Shopkeeper: "It... FIZZled, you say? I SEE. George?"

George: (From the back) "Yes?"

Shopkeeper: "Do we get any COMMISSIONS for recommending SPELL-casters, hmm?"

George: "Yes; from Lielerionti the Holy, Al the Stubborn, Stanley the Kind, and That Other Mage Who Lives Down The Block."

Dania: "Don't you know his name?"

Shopkeeper: "That IS HER name. She is JUST a TAD eccentric. PerHAPS you would not be INTerested in such. I think that AL would be your BEST opportunity. He IS rather comBATive, and very interested in ITEMS, use and upkeep. He can usually be found at his workshop at 236 Flamebreath Road."

Dania: "Sure, thanks. Bye, George!"

George: "Bye, come again!"

(Walks to Flamebreath Road, past a smithy, a leatherworker, and a very large stable, to a big open building with several furnaces and things. Several people are occupied in glassblowing, heating, etc. A tall fat man seems to be supervising it all.)

Dania: (To large man) "Hello, do you know where I can find Al the Wizard?"

Foreman: "Al the Wizard? I think the master might be found somewhere. And who wants to know, darlin?"

Dania: "Me. I'm Dania Couliari, I'm looking for someone who can recharge a Staff of Thunder & Lightning."

Foreman: "Well, well, well. You need a staff with some juice in it, do ya, little lady? Ha, ha! MORGAN!! See if he's in. Meanwhile, care to have a look around, lass?"

Dania: "Sure, thanks. Big set-up you got here."

Foreman: "We have been very successful working here, missy. We specialize in glassware for the local laboratories, but there's also good demand for it among the wealthy. So very much more attractive than clay or stone, eh? O' course, it doesn't change what's on the inside, but if they're willin' to pay for it all, we're willin to supply."

Dania: "Yeah, right. Does Al usually recharge items?"

Foreman: "Sure, he ain't proud, like some. This the item, then? Looks fairly standard, shouldn't be too much trouble at all. How much you got to pay for it, then?"

Dania: "Enough, I think, mister."

Foreman: "Here now, no need to get unfriendly, my diminutive miss! Al will set the price himself, o' course, no help from me. I just want to know if I should chase you off the lot before you waste any of the master's time."

Dania: "I'll discuss it with him, if you don't mind. Where is this guy, anyway?"

Foreman: "He's standin' in front of ya! Now how much you got, elf?"

Dania: "Err... How much is standard?"

Foreman: "Depends on the customer's attitude and my mood. Which is getting worse by the minute."

Dania: "I got 650. And silver."

Foreman: "650? Jeesus. That, and two of those gems in your pocket you failed to mention, and we got a deal. And I want no argument."

Dania: (Sigh.) "Done. Here. When do I get it back?"

Foreman: "Call tomorrow, and not during mealtimes! I'll see you then and not before. Good day!"

Meth Crystal also went into the main city, but as he was new there, he had no trouble getting in through the gates. He took the opportunity to inspect the set-up, then wandered in his own way to an open-air market. The merchants were slow-eyed and mostly kept their wares out in the open, so it was obvious that there weren't many thieves in the city. Nonetheless, if they were anywhere they would be here, so he walked around, looking like a dupe, until he felt a light touch at his belt.

Meth: (Whips around and grabs urchin.) "Well, hello!"

Urchin: "I didn't do anythin, mistah! I brushed agains' ya! I'm tellin tha truth, honest bless my soul I didn't never do anythin' wrong!"

Meth: "Well, of course! I wouldn't care to finger you for anything like lighting, scraper! But here! (gives urchin 2 coppers) Surely such an enterprising little mouse will know where to find rats, hah?"

Urchin: (Crafty look creeps onto filthy face) "I dunno sir. Rats have lots o' holes, sir. Go everywhere, they do."

Meth: "I see, I see... You know, rats and mice just don't go together well, because the rats are so much bigger."

Urchin: "Naw, they go just fine, mistah. Mice can run!" (Attempts to run)

Meth: "NOT so fast, there... I suggest that you not run away from me, as rats can run too, but they don't like chasing mice and it can make them quite angry. (starts rubbing a copper and a silver together between his fingers) Now... the education of the young is very important, I fully realize, but I was hoping that this once you could educate me."

Urchin: "Next to 887 Ridge Way, under the lid. Say 'Bentwick is a fairy.'"

Meth: "But we already knew that. Well, I had better be running along, and so had you." (gives copper)

Urchin: "Hey!"

Meth: "I don't throw good silver to untalkative runts, my good fellow. Now do you want me to call the watch to get a cutpurse?"

Urchin: "Fuck you and your bleedin' silvah!" (runs)

Meth wandered about the market a bit more, purloining himself a new belt buckle, and then made his way over to Ridge Way. The address was a small building in a grungy area of town; it smelled like strong perfume and other, more repugnant odors. The door was locked and barred from within. In the alley beside the house, behind a fence, there was a sewer entrance under a heavy steel plate; rungs set in the walls allowed easy descent. Meth went down the ladder, and when he reached the bottom, a crossbow bolt whizzed past his ear and clanked into the wall.

Meth: (Ducks) "Hey, is that Bentwick? You, sir, are a fairy."

Dark Brooding Figure: "Who tha fuck are you?"

Meth: "I are Meth Crystal, and I are peeved with you."

Figure: "Shut yer mouth. Where'd you get the password?"

Meth: "From somebody who knew it themselves. And where did you get such a big crossbow?"

Figure: "Mum gave it to me for me birthday, for bein' such a good boy. Alright, I guess you pass."

(Meth walks past the person, who is a smallish man with a big crossbow. The sewer tunnel goes on for a few more yards, then enters some kind of basement or undercity chamber. Inside, there are about 6 urchins and an older man.)

Meth: "Greetings, honored elder! May a hardbat never come across your tommyknockers! I wonder, dear memsi, what a dreamer like myself would do if pressing a hold with his edge so fine? I realize your ground may not grow grass, but surely your mind is fertile."

Fagin: "Huh?"

Meth: "Where's your guildmaster?"

Fagin: "Don't have a guild. Got smashed. Driven out of the old home, all executed by his Lordship."

Meth: "Ho! How did that happen?"

Fagin: "Lieutenant Jersyson, or JELLY'S SON if you prefer. Cursed fanatic, and one with half a brain in his head. Would his damn father jerked off that night instead."

Meth: "I think I met this person once. Dark, flaming eyes, looks like he got a buttplug stuck in him somewhere?"

Fagin: "Aye. No guild. I'm trying to find a way to prevent these poor lost souls from falling into disorganization and infamy, but the gods know it's hard on an old man."

Meth: "I see, yes. Would you mind, then, if I were to do business in your city, old master?"

Fagin: "Naw. What's your business?"

Meth: "I sell recreational herbs and other pharmaceuticals, of high quality and worth. Care for a wholesale deal?"

Fagin: "Naw. And none to my boys, they'll lose their edge. The future of this city lies in their hands."

Meth: "Then perhaps they'd best wash them sometime soon. Be seeing you!"


Daniel Parsons

"City adventures can be fun. They don't threaten your life so much as your purse, which makes them more exciting."