-obelix-

Thalion listened to the conversation, and after Arthur's last sentence simply stated: "Ready!"

"A sound story. Maybe just to paint a bit of detail, and to avoid the eventual question "Well, lets see that emblem!?" we could say that we spotted a person that was with the Wolfgangs going to/from the docks?"

"Thats a very good idea master De'kra. I think we can easily use something like that."

As he moves out of the alley Thalion whisperes to Arthur: "Once we are out, if we run into any Bonapartes what do we do? If we talk to them, who should do the talking?"

"Master Barur, its good to meet you. My name is Thalion. So onto the task at hand. If I understand correctly, we have to: decide how to go in, check for any indication of "Wavebreaker"'s docking, and check for any evidence of shipment. I always vote for a diplomatic approach first, and violence only as a last resort, but since we have no skilled diplomats I don't know.... Party leader, masters De'kra and Barur, suggestions!?"

Thalion nodded, "I see. No, no it was not Nerwen that brought me to Heroica, it was the next step that was expected of me, after graduating from the mage academy in Gris. We are kin, if by that you mean we are both of the elvish people so we have the same ancestral roots, but we were born and raised in different domains so we had no contact until we met here. But I have to say I am really glad that happened. And as far as your tendency to acquire knowledge goes, I know what you mean. Do not forget I am a mage too. In fact I would have some questions for you about that, but that can wait. Back to our last adventure, I can not tell you who bound the demons to the dark, forsaken temple we found beneath Eubric. I can, however, tell you that there were three seals there, Abraxsas's which was already broken when we got there; Mephisto's which the Ziegfried necromancer, who I do believe was the one you recalled, broke before they attacked us, and Merilith's which was untouched. And we made sure it stayed that way. Unfortunately, we did not have the means to raze the temple but with the help of the dragon, I am sure you've heard of her too, the entrance to the temple was sealed. We found no records of Abraxas or other Ziegfrieds, apart from the demon's broken seal." Hearing the last comment Arthur made, Thalion nodded several times in approval, "It is true. I could not believe how fast rumors travel in the Hall of Heroica... And they spread like wildfire too. And, as a student of history, I find that most disturbing. People should listen to facts more, not conjure up their own versions of truth."

"No need to apologize master Arthur, but what is it that concerns you? I do not mean to pry if it is personal, but if it is something I can help, please tell... But to answer your questions, I am indeed rather new to Heroica, though I have walked the forests, rivers and mountains of our small domain for more then two centuries... Yes, I do know wise Nerwen, we met on our previous quest, the one master De'kra was telling you about. Whats more, she helped me and thought me much in a short time we've spent together and I consider her a friend. Why do you ask? Do you know her?" Thalion was silent for a moment. "If I may add to master De'kra's story, indeed one of the Ziegfrieds has summoned a demon, but it was Sycamore Ziegfried, and the demon was Mephisto. Our employer was a small Nôrn girl who had lost her friend, a zombie boy. I do not think she knew anything about the Ziegfrieds. There is still something peculiar about that boy though; he was with the undead army when we found him but seeing the girl, he didn't fight us even with the necromancer present. Still, we had to fight Sycamore and her army to free the boy. Then most of us attacked Mephisto and banished him back to Azazot. Sadly two of our friends were devoured by the demon, and we feared we may have lost them. But wise Nerwen kept the hopes up for all of us and eventually we found them alive and well. After all that was over, we saw the girl and her friend home, brought the remains of Sycamore to the Ziegfried family and let them know of her fate."

"A pleasure to meet you master Arthur. I am Thalion Dwinlas, a mage. As for the equipment, I wouldn't mind borrowing something more powerful then my dagger at least for a while, until we, hopefully, find something more suitable I can call my own and wield." Thalion nodded in gratitude to De'kra as he received the Shadeaux Dagger and equipped it.

Hearing this, Thalion nodded in approval: "That might not be a bad idea while we wait for others. I too am interested in learning about the Ji Pei; if that is not much to ask..."

Sandy, Quest #44 was amazing! It was the first one for me and as such an introduction to Heroica system which is simple and enjoyable (I have played many (mostly pen and paper systems in the past Fallout, Drakensang, Vampire... but most of all D&D)) and I really like it. Like most of those I listed, Heroica too seems to be evolving as time goes, and all the things I've seen change are good. Also, all the quests I've glimpsed at (no matter the quest master) looked good. Back to the Quest #44, the story of the quest was great, much deeper then the simple search for a missing person, and the only problem (and not a large one at that) was the speed, but taking into account the sheer number of players it was inevitable. The thing that I liked most, and I don't know how many people are aware of this, is the fact that you made a quest very enjoyable (even playable if you will) to both low and high level players at the same time, and that was no easy task I am sure. I have to give special praise to our leaders for an excellent job they did! I look forward to playing, and enjoying Heroica's quests for quite some time! This is form a long time RPG player and fan. P.S. Sorry if this was off topic a bit, but I tried to blend impressions of a quest and the whole system into one post...

Thalion arrived shortly after De'kra. "Master Chalvo, my name is Thalion Dwinlas. It is nice to meet you. Could you tell us a bit about what we are dealing with here?" Turning towards fellow heroes Thalion spotted De'kra: "Hello master De'kra. Looks like we'll be sharing another adventure. Hopefully there will be no archdemons this time. " OOC: My character's stats look good.

Thalion entered the hall proudly, after his successful first quest, only to see it as live as ever. That was still new to him, so he went quietly to the quest board and spotted a few interesting quests. He signed his name under Quest #51: A Shanty for Science, and Quest #52: Tower of Doom hoping that he will go and help on at least one of them.

Thanks for yet another great review Big Cam. This looks like a neat set and the way it presents a dark, gloomy atmosphere of the spider forest is just so good.

Thanks for the great review Big Cam! The review helped me decide I am not that interested in the set itself (I was 50/50), but I really enjoyed reading it.

"I am from a rather small village - Grisalirr (from the Gris domain), located on the western edges of Murkwood forest. It is hidden rather well, and pretty isolated so I would not be surprised if you haven't heard of it. From our youth we are thought (pure) elvish, common and our own dialect, which developed from our isolation and with the influence of the caravans that pass there scarcely. That's why we use them simultaneously in the same sentence, which you may find strange. But be assured that all of our manuscripts are written in elvish runes so that our ancient heritage is preserved and intact." Usually I make it up as I go (old habit from D&D days) but some things I too take from GcE and modify; and I keep a small base of what I have said and its meaning for future reference. And I use the blue for Thalion's internal monologue and translation.

"Thank you, ber'neham. Alas, I don't have enough gold, and gift received is worth nothing without one returned. So I give you my Fire bomb (be it hey are not equal)... You can keep it or sell it, but you cannot deny me this honor!" Thalion smiled, bowed and handed Nerwen a Fire Bomb. * - ber'neham (wise, elder one)

"I guess it is time. Thank you kindly for the help but this weapon is yours", Thalion hands the Shiny dagger back to Namyrra. He then turned to Nerwen. "Hantally!" Thalion bows and hands the Leather Cap to Nerwen. OOC: Does this mean that we can sign up for another quest in the hall, or do we have to wait for that? And another more general question, since we helped the Bonapartes here, can we sign up for a quest that Ji Pei is in (for example #50 or #51)?

"Mistress Namyrra, master William, I am so glad to see that you are alright!" Thalion smailed and bowed slightly to both of them. Turning to Cinna, Thalion spoke: "Mistress Cinna, I would gladly accompany you to the Ziegfrieds."

"I agree. Of course, we will surely visit both places, but I think a trip to the oracle might be a better first choice. If nothing else, we can at least prepare a little for things to come..."

Thalion smiled: "As master Guts says, its alright Skuld; you really are a kindhearted girl. Keep that, listen to your mother and live a happy life in a nicer place." Afterwords he turned to the party: "Where to next, the Oracle or the Ziegfrieds?"

Thalion bowed and asked the Norn leader to step a bit away from Sküld and her mother so that they cannot hear them: "Mistress Åsa, two of our friends were devoured by the demon we fought, and we still feel they are alive and that they can be rescued. Do you perhaps, know of a way to help us bring them back? Or can you at least point us to someone that could know such a thing?"

"To the Nôrns home-building first then?"

Thalion sighed. "This is not right... I feel as tough we've failed them... NO!!! There must be a way... And we must find it!" he thought to himslef. After a while he spoke: "Right! We should bring Skuld home and see about our friends immediately! But what will become of Shaun? Should we take him to the guild of Invision?"

Still, I fear that book will be the key. And also keep in mind that Nerwen is a delegate of the gods too, just like the ones in the temples in town... But if that is the only way, then so be it. Thalion searches the rest of the Temple for anything that might be a clue to their missing companions. OOC: If nothing of interest is found, Thalion is ready to exit the temple and continue.

""We cannot do that; we cannot just RETURN! Master Guts I fear mistress Nerwen may be right about this. I am sure you too know that we, elves, do not utter lies easily. Let us search the temple, but if we find nothing, please give her the grimoire, she may be the only one that can bring our friends back. If it comes to that, the rest of us must do everything we can to help, and should it come to that, even protect her."