Scorpiox

"Is that what passes for courtship down here? Back home, a play was something watched with a pint of ale in the mead hall with your shield-brothers after a hunt. Hmph, these customs never cease to surprise me, I thought I was being invited to share a beer and listen to tales of great battles by the firelight. Guess that mixes things up a little." "Thank you, miss. I might well give it a try. If what Guts says is true, I could use some companionship right now. It's not like I'll see Jess ever again in these parts, is it? Damn, she hasn't even been back to our room, judging by the fact that the mess is still how I ruined it months ago." Haldor flung himself back into a seat and produced a bone comb from inside his belt.

Haldor grasped a nearby flagon and tossed it in the direction of Sarge, before continuing with his conversation. "What would you say that I do then? I can't sit around for the rest of my life waiting for her to return. She wasn't here when I needed her, just having returned from the temple. She didn't even care to show her face, through all we've been against together, she didn't think it pertinent to greet me home after nearly having my head kicked in trying to save the city. We nearly died, Alexis, and she still hasn't showed up, I...I can't live that life." He sighed. "Besides, who said it was a date? A girl has invited me to the... theatre - whatever that is, some kind of play house ain't it? -, what's wrong with that? If Jess turns up and objects on the day, well she can shove off, she's never thought of taking me out anywhere herself." The nord surpressed a grin, and took another long drink for good measure.

"Theres a...problem." Haldor held the letter up so she could see it. "This letter is from Naj-Nadeline-Najde-something, whatever her name was, at the Convent, you remember her? Well, she's invited me to the theatre. What do I do, Alexis? I haven't seen hide nor hair of Jess for going on months now, she's never here, I can never find her in the city. Is she trying to tell me that I need to move on? Is it wrong for me to visit Bric'lin with this girl, so soon after my return?" The nord looked imploringly at the Elf. "You're a lass, you understand these things. You've got to help me, Alexis."

You can redeem yoursefl by identifying these two songs.

I don't know if you realise it, but you've just referenced two songs in that one sentence.

Haldor snorts and rolls his eyes at Arthur's honey-coated words. He mutters to himself. "Lexie? What kind of a nickname is that?" But cringeworthy as the nord might find the two, he was in need of some assistance, well advice, from one of them. On returning to the hall, Haldor had discovered a letter addressed to him by a certain Novice at the Convent outside Eubric, and didn't know what to do. The shaman removed his boots from the table and sauntered over to the Elf, completely ignoring her human lover. "Hey there 'Lexie', can I borrow you for a while? There is something that I could do with some... help with."

I think that's pretty true, and thank you for the advice. I guess that's why I find my performance in Quest #28 one of my favourite, Haldor came off as more mature but also not too serious, I'd like to try and return to that aspect of the character in part if I can. My chance at leading in Quest #38 was a big move forward for Haldor's character, I think it would be interesting to see how he's changed in relation to leadership since then.

I'm pretty excited to see some of these classes in action, now that a lot of players are drawing close to the mark!

Witch has no gold-making opportunities, I'm afraid.

"Me also, I don't think I got much beside gold and potions for all that. Well, you can't be ungrateful, the way you're going, you've made enough cash by yourself looting those damn chaos beasts." Haldor thought for a moment. "Somewhere with better ale probably, and some nicer views, perhaps a waitress wouldn't go amiss." He paused. "But really, I could never leave, this is my home now. After all this time, I don't think they'd have me back. The way I left wasn't exactly... honourable."

Haldor leant back and put his hands behind his head, grinning. "You might want to invest in somethin' to keep you alive long enough to use these fancy weapons, seein' how things turned out against the witch. A nice bow is only so much good if you're too busy bleedin' to utilise it." The nord sat forward as the drinks arrived, and wasted no time in helping himself to some of the ale. Not too long after taking a sip however, Haldor made a gagging noise and promptley spat the frothy liquid out. "Pah, what is this stuff anyway? I put my neck on the line to save this damned city, and what do I get in return? Warm bloody stale bloody beer that tastes like its been left out in the rain for half a day. Someone should lock this place down."

A burly norseman strolled through the doorway of the hall once more, rolling a gem around in his hand. He lightly made his way through tables and chairs filled with all manner of people, many of them new, but he paid them no heed. Haldor deliberately refused to look at Arthur as he found himself a comfortable seat and planted his muddy boots up on a nearby table. The nord waved his hand. "Somebody get me a drink, I'm thirsty, and dog-tired."

Does this mean I can claim some bonus WP for the weaker plaything that I received?

I don't know what you're laughing about, I only killed Cronk and Alexis once, you managed to wipe out nearly the whole party!

I'd like to join in saying a huge thank you to Zepher for taking me on this quest and previous in the series, it was truly brilliant in both gameplay and writing standards.

That's rather rude considering how much effort Zepher put into writing and planning this quest.

Off the top of my head: she managed to start a war in Haddon, and was attempting to become a god. Zepher, all I'm going to say now is that quest, and the whole series, was truly brilliant.

"Didn't see you there, Atramor, but anyhow, I'd be more than happy to swap this gem for yours. We on?" Haldor holds out his hand to shake the witch's, confirming the swap of the nord's Aquamarine for Atramor's emerald.

Haldor coughed noisily. "Sorry, but I think I got buried there. Does anyone want to buy, trade or otherwise do a deal with this new gem of mine? I have no need to hang on to it."

Haldor thanked Cronk, but held up the aquamarine to his eye. "Thanks for the thought, mate, but I don't really have much use for this. Anybody want to trade something for it?"

Okay, here it is, the PERFECT song for the finale of Quest #53. Not one that you young 'uns will know, but a truly excellent piece nontheless. Sums up the mood so well.

"I would rather them have been buried in the sun, so that their bodies can be reminded everyday of the world while their spirits soar high. But here is as good place as any, I only wish that we could have Triad, Bal and Bennetton for buriel too." After examining the grave, Haldor stepped forward to say a few words. "Triad, she was like no person that I've ever known before. She cared nothing for herself, only for the wellfare of others. Triad was always brave, always strong, in all I knew her, she never once showed fear or feelings of self-preservation, even in death. Triad fought with honour, only doing so when the life of a comrade was at risk. She fell as she was in life, protecting her friends, at the cost of her own safety. We can never forgot her, or what she did. Triad, we mourn your loss, but know that your soul is high above us now, watching. I doubt there is, or ever has been, a more selfless, honourable, calm and perfect individual that crossed this land. Goodbye, dear friend, the world is missing a part of it after your passing." The nord coughed, attempting to disguise a sob. "Cronk, would you like to speak for Bal?" Haldor turned his face away, and wept into the hem of his cloak.

"Looks like Hoke's found himself a friend. Cronk, let him have it, he's been gasping for one since Haddon..."

Lame excuse, you just have something against WBD and I, don't you?!

"You're right, whoever you are, we did win. We have all been hit hard this quest, but I can go home with a stupid smile and relax in the hall that we just earned ourselves a place in. In this moment, I regret nothing, bloody nothing at all. Hans, Felton, Gnash, Triad, Sasha, Bal and Bennetton gave their all for this city, I think they're deserving of a plaque if someone will help me make it. Cronk, you handled us lot well indeed, even when we reached breaking point, I give you credit for that. And to you, Dyric, Skrall, Hoke, Thothwick, Nyx and Atramor, you my friends are people worth dying alongside, though I am thankful it did not come to that. I hope we will work together in the future, where we must now all turn our minds." Haldor waits for a moment, wondering what to say. "Come on, let's share out this loot and get going, there is a beer with my name on it somewhere upstairs."