19. In which Dave solves Nastassia's mysterySo, we've been given a quest. Nastassia's probably one of the most decent people on this rock and, besides, its a quest. Quests mean XP, XP means levels, levels mean we can more efficiently stove people's heads in and take their shit.
![](https://i.imgur.com/X4H7hzw.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Let's head on to Yew and see what we can find, crew."
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
: "Shouldn't we be solving that murder...?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/kM0yHeU.png)
: "Or at least going to Bucaneer's Den and getting shithoused?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/qNRyT2O.png)
: "Or any of the other myriad subquests you've likely started by complete accident since coming here?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "...Ya know, just for all that back-chat,
no. We're going straight to Yew, because I'm the only one that can drive the flying carpet."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "Heh. 'Drive.'"
![](https://i.imgur.com/Uy0KUMd.png)
So, we park the carpet over at Yew. I parked at the graveyard since its nice and memorable, and there's plenty of space. Besides, its not like they're gonna come out of their graves to exact their vengeance upon the living.
Heading to the right a bit, we come across Empath Abbey proper. This is a good place to stock up on food, if you don't mind stealing it. A lot of the barrels in here are loaded to the gills with grapes (don't fill very much, but there's a
LOT of the little bastards) because the monks are serious winos. Its here that we meet a gentleman by the name of Kreg.
![](https://i.imgur.com/rOuoqI2.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Howdy, Kreg. What do you do around here?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/dlP6IRM.png)
: "I am a monk here at the Abbey. I am working on an alchemical mixture."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "A mixture? ...That's not a by-word for 'steroids' is it?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/dlP6IRM.png)
: "...Nooooooo? We here at the Abbey will soon be taking a vow of silence. However, it will take some time for all of us to become accustomed to the sound of silence. Therefore, I am creating a potion that enables the imbiber to become temporarily silent. The concept is very similar to a potion of invisibility."
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
: "A vow of silence? That's a new one on me."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dlP6IRM.png)
: "Well," he looks embarrassed, "after reading a book on how we compare to our predecessors, we learned that most people expect us to take a vow of silence. "So," he shrugs, "we have chosen to do so, once I can make that potion. I realize that it sounds foolish, but I truly believe it will help us produce more wine."
![](https://i.imgur.com/kM0yHeU.png)
: "Are you an idiot? Communication is key during the brewing process!"
![](https://i.imgur.com/NkWYH1Z.png)
: "And why a potion of invisibility? That seems...oddly specific."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dlP6IRM.png)
: "As a matter of fact, my research has reached an impasse, for I cannot determine the nature of some critical reagents. What I need is a potion of invisibility to analyze. Then I could progress from there." He looks at you, hopefully. "Wouldst thou be willing to obtain a potion for my studies? It is likely that thou couldst find one easily at the mage, Nicodemus'."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "I'll pass, for now. I have more pressing matters that need my attention than a guy that wants to shut up but never learned the fine art of just shitting his damn mouth."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dlP6IRM.png)
: "Art thou sure? I will give thee information in return."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "What kind of information?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/dlP6IRM.png)
: "I will tell thee about Lord British, The Fellowship, or Buccaneer's Den if thou bringest me the potion of invisibility."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "The liege everyone knows, the Scientologists I distrusted from the word 'go,' and Whore Island. Not exactly tantalizing me, dude. Later."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dlP6IRM.png)
: He nods farewell to you.
Well, that was suitably un-fucking-helpful. Kreg's got no info regarding Nastassia's dad and he seems to want everyone to shut up. Apparently, he's not heard of the miracle new invention called a "gag." Whatever, let's see if any of the other monks can help.
![](https://i.imgur.com/ojTc8BK.png)
Nearby, we find this gent. Also a monk of the Abbey, maybe
he will be useful.
![](https://i.imgur.com/CNXhGO3.png?1)
: "Glorious day, Avatar." Perrin grins.
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Calm down there, Sparky. You know anything about the Abbey or the surrounding area?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/CNXhGO3.png?1)
: "This is a pleasant location. I like the privacy, which gives me a chance to study when I need to. The Brotherhood is across the road, and I am near a healer. Also, I have begun a study on the effects of dealing with death for undertakers. I am using Tiery as a case study."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "I'll admit, I never thought of studying morticians. You know anything about a dude named Julius?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/CNXhGO3.png?1)
: "Nope."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Thank you for not wasting my time like that asshole, Kreg. Later."
![](https://i.imgur.com/CNXhGO3.png?1)
: "Goodbye, Avatar. Best of luck in thy journeys."
Yet more completely unhelpful people. Come on! Surely someone's gotta know about this guy.
![](https://i.imgur.com/37egUzS.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/Kb7btuW.png?1)
: "Hello, Avatar," says Reyna.
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "You a monk or...?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/Kb7btuW.png?1)
: "I am a healer. I have chosen to set up shop here near the forest."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Why, though?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/Kb7btuW.png?1)
: "I wanted to live and work here because the land is very beautiful. I have found many things to do and see. Unfortunately, the forest is so spread out that I have yet to meet many of the others who live in this area. I do know that the Abbey is just across the way from mine house."And somewhere nearby is a scholar." She appears thoughtful for a moment. "Also, I believe there is a prison just east of the Abbey.
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Fair enough. I guess its not terrible around here. You wouldn't happen to know about a feller by the name of Julius, would ya?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/Kb7btuW.png?1)
: "I do not."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "SON OF A BITCH! Okay, I'll catch ya later. On to the next unhelpful bellend!"
Shit, even
I'm starting to get frustrated, by this point. Thankfully, Yew doesn't have very many people in it, so we can narrow the list of persons who know anything down readily enough. Still, though.
![](https://i.imgur.com/kYGhIqh.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/rz1FrLb.png?1)
: "Greetings, Avatar. I hope thy days are full of beauty."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Are you...hitting on me...?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
: "She's a monk, so I'd imagine not."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Getting 'Kreg from the Abbey' vibes here. Again."
![](https://i.imgur.com/rz1FrLb.png?1)
: "I am afraid I do not know of such a person."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "Wait...what?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "What he said."
![](https://i.imgur.com/rz1FrLb.png?1)
: "There's nobody named Kreg at the Abbey."
![](https://i.imgur.com/qNRyT2O.png)
: "I guess, being a monk, she'd know."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Hm. You know anything about Julius?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/rz1FrLb.png?1)
: "Someone else might, but I don't."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Fine. Let's find the NEXT useless person."
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
: "You're oddly stuck on this."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "I will get fucking un-stuck. Just you wait."
![](https://i.imgur.com/NkWYH1Z.png)
: "That sounds vaguely threatening..."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "I'm not gonna kill anyone. Probably."
![](https://i.imgur.com/NkWYH1Z.png)
: "So not helping."
So, here's the skinny. We got one more monk to hit up. Bad news! He's ass-deep in the fucking woods! It took me forever to find this son of a bitch. In fact, I had to find him in Exult's cheat menu and teleport my happy ass to him. Yes, he was
that irritating to fucking find.
![](https://i.imgur.com/Za2hqKk.png)
He was here, for future reference.
![](https://i.imgur.com/QIPv1A7.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/hgN2fyk.png)
: "Yes, Avatar," Taylor asks. "May I assist thee?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "
JULIUS."
![](https://i.imgur.com/hgN2fyk.png)
: "Did I do something?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
: "No, he's just frustrated."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "In more ways than one."
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
: "I'd suggest answering the implied question all the same, though. Just to be safe."
![](https://i.imgur.com/kM0yHeU.png)
: "The giant, daemonic sword isn't for show."
![](https://i.imgur.com/hgN2fyk.png)
:
*gulp* "Julius? I cannot be certain, but 'tis possible he may be someone who now resides in the... cemetery. I have heard that name mentioned as someone who was brought to the Abbey to be buried, though I know not who brought him and I do not remember from whom I heard it. I do hope he was not a friend of thine," he says, apologetically.
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "So, he died, then? Any leads?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/hgN2fyk.png)
: "Ah, the Emps. I have not been able to glean much information about them."They live on the eastern edge of the deep forest, not too terribly far from here."They resemble apes, but only slightly. They are exceedingly shy, and will rarely feel comfortable enough to approach a human. "The only way I was able to view an Emp closely occurred when I happened to have honey in my pack which I had just picked up from Bee Cave. The creature appeared, stared at me for a few minutes, and then asked -- asked, I say -- for mine honey. I believe they are empathic, hence their name. "Quite an interesting species, dost thou not agree?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Huh, okay. So, fetch some honey and give it to some little woodland dudes?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/hgN2fyk.png)
: "The honey from the caves is quite tasty, but rarely can one get it without a fight. The Bee Caves can be a rather dangerous place."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "Ya know, I think I might know what he's talking about."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Killer. Hey, Taylor, one last question."
![](https://i.imgur.com/hgN2fyk.png)
: "Shoot."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Aimi didn't seem to know anything about the Kreg guy hanging out in the Abbey. You know him?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/hgN2fyk.png)
: "That name does not sound familiar, Avatar. Perhaps he is not from this area."
![](https://i.imgur.com/NkWYH1Z.png)
: "I'm a kid, and even
I find that suspicious."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "You're catching on quick, Robin. The guy's probably a con artist or something."
![](https://i.imgur.com/kM0yHeU.png)
: "Dealt with some of them in the past, you see."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "If by 'dealt with' you mean 'perforated,' then yes."
![](https://i.imgur.com/NkWYH1Z.png)
: "Cool!"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Later, Taylor."
![](https://i.imgur.com/hgN2fyk.png)
: "May thy knowledge increase with thine encounters with nature, Avatar."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "You're some kinda hippie."
Okay, so we know that Nastassia's dad is no longer of this world. That's...unfortunate. But, we
did get a roundabout lead in the form of the Emps. Emps are basically little ape-dudes that live in the forest east of Yew. They're alright little fellows, mostly harmless. But, they happen to know a lot about things in the woods. In fact, they're plot critical, but more on that later. For now, we've got a suspicious character to investigate.
Heading to the jail, we find a book on the warden's desk...
![](https://i.imgur.com/4mQYRfL.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/kM0yHeU.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/qNRyT2O.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/NkWYH1Z.png)
: "
Ooooooooohhhhhhhhh, someone's in
trou-ble!"
Indeed! Turns out that Kreg's a liar and a career criminal whose real name is Kellin. Let's go
beat him over the head with a pipe see what he has to say for himself!
![](https://i.imgur.com/0ANcFjv.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "You're really doing this? Six heavily armed men...well, five heavily armed
men and one kid with a shotgun."
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
: "He's swinging at me with a magic, transforming dagger."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "He seems quite intent on killing you, Iolo."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dlP6IRM.png)
: "
MUST SHANK OLD MAN!"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Arcadion?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/CQKPPKo.png)
: "On it, boss."
![](https://i.imgur.com/RR7QrLX.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Leaving now."
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
: "Are we just gonna leave his carcass rotting on the roof of Empath Abbey?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Someone will tell the undertaker, its cool."
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
: *sigh*
![](https://i.imgur.com/ljK1QtR.png)
Thus, we began our journey to the Bee Caves, which are just south of Yew. We come to a gent's shack, which is suspiciously empty. Curious, maybe he knows how to get the bees to not attack us...given our semi-ghetto armour situation, that would be helpful.
![](https://i.imgur.com/UODXUP9.png)
Yatta! This dude is Tseramed. He's a cool guy: makes sleep arrows for free (which have a chance to temporarily KO anyone they hit) and has a way to pacify the bees. Plus: party member potential!
![](https://i.imgur.com/DXwCJ4t.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Yo. Who're you?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/Bf4DKtD.png)
: "I am called Tseramed. Art thou Fellowship members? How art thou called?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "In order: no and Dave."
![](https://i.imgur.com/Bf4DKtD.png)
: "Well met, Dave. Thy demeanor is noble. Perhaps thou couldst introduce me to thy companions?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "I do suppose introductions are in order...we got Iolo."
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
: "I do my damndest to keep this idiot on the story path."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "Thus far, you have failed miserably."
![](https://i.imgur.com/kM0yHeU.png)
: "I dunno, that thing with the Cube generator was pretty important."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "...Point."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Yeah, but that was all me. Next up is Shamino."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "Yo."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "I found him sitting buck naked in a bar in Britain."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "Hey!"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Got Sentri-"
![](https://i.imgur.com/qNRyT2O.png)
: "Who caught me before I'd even had time for breakfast."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Unless you have breakfast at, like, noon, then you were just home alone,
pantsless, and didn't expect visitors, ya fuckin liar. Next up is Dupre."
![](https://i.imgur.com/kM0yHeU.png)
: "I singlehandedly keep the liquor industry afloat in this god-forsaken country."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "And last, but not least: Spark."
![](https://i.imgur.com/NkWYH1Z.png)
: "He calls me 'Robin,' for some reason. But, he gave me a gun and taught me to shoot bad guys, so I'm not gonna complain."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "And that about sums it up. Say, you know anything about those bees?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/Bf4DKtD.png)
: "Such bees as thou hast never seen! Large as a wolf they are, with wings stretching over a span in length. A creature stung by them will pass into a deep, death-like sleep."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "Metal."
![](https://i.imgur.com/Bf4DKtD.png)
: "I have hunted them on many occasions, for I use their poison on my arrows. And I like their honey. Perhaps together we might journey into the cave for some?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "You offerin to join the crew? Hell, why not. The more firepower, the better!"
![](https://i.imgur.com/Bf4DKtD.png)
: "I would be honored, Dave."
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Let's rock!"
![](https://i.imgur.com/Bf4DKtD.png)
: "Thy pardon, Dave, but thy visage brings to my mind a statue that I once saw. 'Twas a likeness of the ancient hero known as the Avatar. Art thou not that same honorable soul?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Someone that fucking recognizes me? Holy shit, I'm floored. To answer you directly: yes."
![](https://i.imgur.com/Bf4DKtD.png)
: "Noble hero, it is an honor to make thine aquaintance."
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
: "Suck up."
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "So far up his ass, you could tell what he had for breakfast..."
![](https://i.imgur.com/Bf4DKtD.png)
: "Hmm?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Yes, '
hmm'?"
![](https://i.imgur.com/n1t82Xt.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/dYTc36l.png)
: "Nothing!"
![](https://i.imgur.com/wsn44jO.png)
Tseramed's got okay stats, being slightly above average in strength and dexterity. Alas, he's also got slightly below average combat rating, but that can be readily fixed.
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Why the hell are none of you people wearing pants?!"
![](https://i.imgur.com/Bf4DKtD.png)
: "Not answering that."
![](https://i.imgur.com/jeN7oUC.png)
![](https://i.imgur.com/b2lKsN3.png)
: "Go in here, and
put some fucking clothes on!"
Thankfully, Tseramed's got some pants in his house, as well as a shirt. I don't think the regular shirts add any armour value, but at least he's not going to go around killing bandits while flashing his man-nipples to everyone. Our armour and kit situation's still a little janky, but at least we can get Tseramed a gorget, magic shield, and magic axe. That should tide him over, for the time being.
![](https://i.imgur.com/eABuj4r.png)
Making our way into the Bee Caves, the bees are surprisingly docile. They won't attack you unless you take their honey, which is amazingly nice for bees that are literally the size of wolves. During the course of our conversation, Tseramed popped a smokebomb into our inventory. This is handy as hell, but only works for a limited time. We'll use it now, so we can nick the honey and scarper off before the bees are any the wiser.