NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 8621112" data-attributes="member: 2012">"I remember you telling me about them when we were in Minar City," Aureus adds. "You spent several nights in that guild's library... what was it called again?" She muses. "Hex-something..." Aureus shakes her head. "Not important. We can't rely on wizards who might be more likely to flee again rather than stand and fight against Vok. And... dragons make me nervous. On my world, they cannot be trusted."Aureus looks at Phar again. "Better to stick to the local guild.""If you want to make contact with the Magician's Guild," Ivoron says. "A war wizard named Elaffaeh is stationed at Fort Symas. While she is a soldier first, she could be helpful."[Spoiler="For Scotley Only"]The guild Aureus is remembering is called Hexhall. It is a small guild of (primarily) human wizards whose members all come from the Duchy of Minar. It is not as powerful as the Arcane Order but does have scholarly ties to it. Hexhall's library is where Phar learned most of what he knows about the Arcane Order and its activities. The leader of Hexhall is a dwarf wizard named Grammar Kanmarlle.Hexhall is even smaller than Sandbreak's Magician's Guild. It has only a dozen members and most young Minaran wizards try to join the Arcane Order instead of Hexhall. Its small library of around 50 books is good but has more to do with recent magical history than magical theory. Phar didn't learn any new spells while visiting Hexhall.[/Spoiler]"The Crimson Blades might be the best allies to fight against demons," Aureus suggests. "If we can convince them and the senate there is real danger." She nods to Phar. "You could cast sending to make contact with Sir Balorix. I'm sure he's reached Knightswall by now. I doubt Sir Avanth has reached the senate yet, even on horseback."She looks at Ivoron. "Is this Elaffaeh powerful?"The doorman shrugs. "She's talented with fire magic. That I've witnessed.""Talented doesn't always mean powerful." Aureus notes. "It sounds like we need to get these Wolfheads mobilized too. If they are land's army then they'll be needed if blood elves and demons manage to get past the Arcane Order." Aureus pauses as Qi says something to her telepathically. "Qi is certain that the Wolfheads would rally around Cruel Justice's wielder." The hutaakan looks at Quinn. "They would see you as a war leader, if it comes to that.""Fort Symas has a garrison of soldiers. Over one-hundred fifty Wolfheads. The fort was built around 500 years ago. It has long stood to defend these lands from bandits and monsters. Now, it mainly protects the iron mine in the northern half of the dry mountains. There is a camp of miners at the fort.""How far?""It's another fourteen miles up rugged hills and low mountains. The trail is clearly marked from here to there. I could take a message to the captain for you, if you will stay here and watch over Mazz until I return? My horse might not be as strong as your mounts be he knows the way.""We could go ourselves," Aureus suggests. "Lorien is there, as is Aeron." She looks at Caerth. "He could get in touch with Sir Balorix or Sir Avanth for us... or maybe other druids.""So, we might have to let the senate decide how best to defend the Strandlands while we protect who we can, where we can." Aureus pauses and shakes her head. "We're adventurers, not soldiers. Well, I'm not a soldier. I don't want the people to suffer, but I'm not eager to fight another battle against an evil army. Fighting the undead was hard enough. But fighting armies of demons and corrupted demonic elves... are we even capable of that?""Probably not," Quinn says. "But we have to do what we can for Carnell." The knighted Guardian puts his hand to his sash. "I accepted this honor and won't throw it aside just because we might have to fight demons."Aureus shakes her head. "I've never had the misfortune of dealing with a dragon. As I said, on Maran they are untrustworthy and brutal. But if dragons truly are different here, you're probably the best choice to deal with one."Caerth finds the old gnome 'holding court' among the villagers. He seems delighted to have visitors and is paying close attention to the young brother and sister -- William and Penelope. Caerth knows their last names are Sulley and that their parents were all they had. Now, they are alone in the world. The half-orc druid knows how that feels.Mazz immediately seems to sense that Caerth wants to ask him something. "You wish to speak to me. Ivoron been telling tales, hasn't he?" He chuckles. "Well, go ahead. If I can help you help these people, I will try, but I'll want something in return. While gold would be nice, more food would be better. Or perhaps you and friends can run an errand for me." Mazz smiles. "Perhaps you could make it rain. It's been very dry and the hottest months will soon be here."The old gnome hands Penelope a sweet treat that he pulls out of a hidden pocket. He pats her on the head and suggests she go play with Stuffles. "Just be gentle."The young girl nods and stuffs the treat into her mouth before running to find the potbellied pig. The animal has wandered out of the common room out the back of the inn. William goes with her to make sure his sister remains safe.Mazz nods to Nicholaus. The farmhand thanks the elderly gnome and ushers the rest of the villagers upstairs."I've agreed to let them stay here for now. There is more than enough room and Ivoron and I can use the company. Nicholaus might stay on permanently. I've agreed to let him try out to be our new cook." Mazz pauses and glances with his one good eye up at the ceiling. "We must try to find a place for those children. They could stay here, but it might be too much for me and Ivoron to handle. Fort Symas is not a good place for them either. William would likely have to work in the mines and the girl would be put to work in the kitchen. No, best they stay here or go back to Carnell."Mazz motions for Caerth to sit. "Ask your questions, druid."[HR][/HR]Maur:While Caerth goes to speak to Mazz, you take the time to go to talk to Aries. you eventually find the Soldier of Iron kneeling in the room with no ceiling at the top of the inn. You can see the room was indeed meant to be a rooftop garden at one point but now it completely overgrown and wild. It seems to be a strange place for an armored knight to pray for his spells.Aries' devotion to his faith is obvious but what isn't obvious is to which god he is praying. The man has scattered what looks like a sacred bundle of leaves and several old animal bones around himself. He does not move when you step into the room's open doorway. You wait until the man is done."I'm not going to change my mind," Aries finally says. "You cannot ask me to betray my brotherhood." He stands and looks at you. "I know I won't change your mind either. Or the others. So, where does that leave us?"</blockquote>

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