Scorpiox

"Yeah, and what did I just say? Hypocrisy and feebly trying to get your retort in are now prohibited in this party. Watch yourself, pal." "I've met her on two occassions now. The first time, we were in a town called Haddon, where some nasty people were plotting a coup. We ended up on the wrong side, thanks to a false Felton put up by the witch, nearly got us in too deep. But in the end we got back the real one, saved the day and all that. The next time was much more recent. We were in a godforsaken valley, searching for clues into Wren's past. In the end we found more than we bargained for, only just escaped with our lives from a trapped splinter of Ennoc trapped in some poor bastard's body. And at the end, she was there, she came to find us. And I promised that I'd meet with her one last time."

Haldor kicked the nearest object in exasperation. "Alright, I'm ending this bollocks now. Thothwick, you keep your bloody mouth shut. No lectures, no more final words, no hypocrisy or ignorance. It's either helpful and courteous, or you don't say it. Agreed? Same goes to everyone else, we would do well to realise that by this, we're playing right into her hands. Okay, game over, finished. I swear if anyone tries to retort to this, I'm going to knock their damn teeth out." With that (hopefully) settled, Haldor turned to Atramor, looking for a more civil conversation. "So, Atramor, what experiance have you had with Wren in the past?"

Yeah, but it isn't so much fun just playing with yourself. ( ) 'Was'? Last time I checked, she still is.

In moderation, yes, it does make things more interesting. I'd like to see more Ameli type characters, who take an interest in the heroes personally, it makes for some very good roleplay decisions indeed. Speaking of which, I just wish that Sisco could be more active, Haldor and Jess' relationship was one of the most entertaining things to play. And Haldor gets lonely sometimes.

Haldor turned briefly. "I don't know what your problem is, Thothwick, but I hope it isn't going to get in the way of what we're trying to do here. I know Wren, I know how this is exactly what she wants to happen. So let's not waste any more breath on this, eh?" The nord walked away, tired of hypocrites and their irrelevent views, to find some more interesting people. "Hello Hoke, I haven't seen you for donkey's years. How's it been going?"

Haldor sighed. "Go away, I don't care about your imposed self-righteous opinions. And anyway, back home we have our own set of gods, there is no such thing as a nordic Zoot worshipper."

No problem, thanks a bunch for doing this for me. On another note, does anyone have any thoughts on Haldor's new costume?

Haldor eyed up the man. He looked a strong, no-nonsense character, one who wouldn't be afraid to make tough decisions. "Haldor Skovgaard, pleasure to meet you. You've got some kind of fowl on your head, by the way." This metasimian, not so much. Haldor could feel a headache forming already. "Well pardon me for not knowing your name, 'Thothwick', and you can call me Haldor, since you didn't ask. Do I look like a follower of Zoot? I'm a nord, I would rather eat my own hair than honour Zoot in any way. And anyway, why on earth would I be here to fight Wren if not for my deep abhorance of that dark god?" Zepher, I have a shiny new weapon, and a new avatar too.

Haldor jogged up to meet the party, nodding at his allies. "Hans, Poletad, Grey Wizard, Triad. And you fellows, Cronk, Alexis, Arthur, Hoke, pirate, mage, Metasimian. What have I missed? Is it true what I have heard, is she coming to Eubric? Maybe this'll be a good chance to blood Zoot er Isen, after all."

It isn't 'a magical item appearing from thin air'. I activated the Zoot's Plaything, and I chose for it to become an axe, that's all.

On his way to meet up with the others from Quest #53, Haldor stopped off at the marketplace for some upgrades. He stolled over to Anwyl's smithy, where he had his brand new Zoot er Isen imbued with the power of ice itself, all for the price of 50 gold. Next, he went through the complicated process of having Thoric's light transferred from his older weapon rod over to Haldor's war axe; which cost him 100 gold pieces. The nord then quickly headed off to find his collegues, now having only 30 gold coins to his name.

As Haldor was strolling around the hall, mug of beer in hand, he couldn't help but glance at the questboard for anything of note. His blood froze and his full tankard clattered to the ground loudly, as the nord's eyes managed to distinguish the words 'Eubric' and 'Wren'. No, it couldn't be true. She couldn't be in Eubric, it isn't possible, is it. Noticing that the quest had only departed recently, Haldor knew that he would have just enough time to catch them up if he was quick. But first, he had to prepare... Extracting the heavy armour plating that he had bought earlier from an iron chest, Haldor knew that he couldn't face the witch unprotected and in his current state. The nord found himself a loose red shirt; comfortable, but light enough for these long southern days. He pulled on the shirt and quickly fastened up his steel armour, painfully aware of how little time he had to get going. And for additional protection, Haldor retrieved his Ethereal Cloak from a satchel and wrapped it around his neck. As one final touch, the norseman put on a thick pair of studded leather chaps, in case Wren was guarded by hordes of extremely short dwarves. Just as he was on his way to gather items at the marketplace, Haldor noticed a familiar throbbing by his right leg. The plaything was awake again, but there was no time for fiddling with such strange objects. But it would not stop, writhing around in his pocket like a livid snake; there was one thing for it. The shaman angrily reached for and grasped the sifting and now squelling piercingly orb, and held it up to a light. "What are you, hmm? What do you want from me? This whole time you've been nothing but an annoyance, and where I'm going, the last thing I'll need is a little ball of nothingness tugging at my shirts. Come on, damn you, do something! Go on, show me what you can do." At these last words, the plaything's squak rose into a deafening hum, ringing the ears mercilessly of any man within a mile. The vibrations grew more eratic, until visible shapes could be seen to form in the surface of Zoot's orb. The plaything seemed to split up into two clear sections, one shiny and metallic, the other dull and grey. The dull section grew longer still, and became thick and wooden to the touch. The other part was soon angular and pointed, drawing blood to Haldor's finger as he reached to inspect it. Like a blade. Within minutes the orb had changed beyond recognition. It now resembled a long spar of wood-like material, topped with a sideways facing curved blade; and axe, lying on the table. It felt like an old friend in the nord's grasp, light and flexible, moving as though it was guiding his arm rather than being just a weapon. So this was the Zoot's Plaything. "Perfect. Such a short time ago you were an ugly and insolent impossibility, now quite the opposite. You're going to need a name, I feel. 'Zoot er Isen', in my mother tongue, it mean's 'Zoot's Ice', which is what you will become. Now, we had better go test you out." Zoot er Isen (War Axe, WP:14)

Since it'll probably be a while until Swils logs on, and I really want to get on 53 as soon as possible, I don't think he would object if I just do the trade now with the price that we agreed.

Sorry Zepher, I've just got to buy some items from Thormanil, then I'll be hopping off to join 53!

Haldor sidled back into the warmest place that he knew, his thoughts full of guilt and things left untold. He placed himself at an empty table and waited for events to unfold. Over his shoulder, he saw the former shaman and loose friend Thormanil approaching. "Yes, you have something for me?" After a brief conversation and exchange of goods, Haldor is left with a brand new opal and a Scroll of Sealing, at the price of 150 gold.

Not necessarily. Could be better, could be worse.

I'm a tad reluctant to reveal it at the moment, as it would sort of mess up everyone's opinions of Haldor for the future. And anyway, Haldor succeeded in his quest so that it wouldn't have to be told. I might post the link after Quest #53, so no harm can be done.

I'm planning on doing a little bit of a bigger post for my sign-up tommorow (the 21st) morning, will there be time for that?

If Haldor hadn't succeeded in his side-quest he would also probably be swinging by now. But yeah, at the levels that we're at, two whole complete levels is actually quite a lot. And I'm very greatful for it.

Thanks a bunch for having us, Etzel, it was great fun indeed. One more thing, however, doesn't Haldor earn another two levels of experiance on top of that for completing his secret side-quest objective too?

Haldor stepped into the room and cleared his throat loudly. "Um, hello folks. Before we depart, I just wanted to come back here to say how sorry I am for my actions earlier. I've had... things on my mind lately. But that is no excuse, I shouldn't have flipped like that. You did nothing wrong." He paused for a moment, collecting thoughts. "You'll all be pleased to know that it has all worked out fine now. We got the culprit, or rather Cronk did, so you don't have to worry any more. The Priestess will probably want to break the news to you properly at some time later, but I thought that telling you would put your minds at rest. Look, I'm really sorry for what I did. And I'll be going soon anyway, but I hope that you can forgive me, and not remember me solely as the bad person that I appear."

He'd just like to apologise, that's all. He's no Ansar. Don't worry, it'll be quick. So roll on 53 tommorow!

Haha! You missed one, Scorpiox is alive and kicking, and plotting revenge... But anyway, it is a very nice comic. I like the design and inclusion of images in the posters very much.

[ The true irony to Haldor saving the day here, is that it is probably the only useful thing he has done all quest.