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="Haraash Saan" data-source="post: 3147784" data-attributes="member: 46615">As Levillie moved off I noticed a massive old ugly hound that clambered slowly to its feet and followed him. I had not seen the beast before and frankly considering its size (it dwarfed the Gnome, there’s an unintended pun), I do not know how I had missed it! “Food did you say?” rasped a voice from behind us. We turned to see a tall, hunched, shambling pile of rags hurrying to catch up to us. The only human traits about it were the bald pate, and its grubby face. The later being a stretch to be recognisably human.“Yes.” replied Basstian hesitantly, as he turned to face his questioner. I felt that his first thoughts were similarly sceptical to my own. The man, if you could call him that, was nothing but a starving wretch. “If you are truly interested in my proposal.” he added haughtily.“Aye. I am.” replied the mound with a vigorous nod. That statement told me a little about our new friend. He was from the Fastness, not a local Guernean like me. His annunciation was good with only a slight accent. I have a gift with languages, Fastendian being one that I know quite well.As we walked through the town, Baastian pointed out some sights, one of which was of particular interest to me. Nightingale Street, where many pleasures of the flesh could be experienced. If I was not to be selected by one of the Veiled Sisters at the Convent of the Doves later that evening, then perhaps I would have to celebrate All Summers Day in the appropriate way here. That was the problem with the convent; the nuns there selected you, not the other way around as may be more familiar.We arrived at a tavern called the Green Arms just as the clouds burst and rain pelted down onto earthen street. The tavern was named after the pair of green troll arms that hung in pride of place above the door. The story goes that Sea Trolls attacked the drinking establishment one evening years ago. They were defeated quite quickly after the owner of the time slammed the door shut with such force that the arms’ of one of the trolls were severed as it tried to claw him. All that now remained to mark their arrival and swift departure was that very pair of arms. You may think that they should have decayed, exposed to the elements as they were, but that is the very special thing about trolls. The nasty creatures are notoriously difficult to kill because their bodies heal themselves. I would not be surprised to have found out that the armless troll had grown back a new pair of limbs!Our guide and host pushed open the doors to the tavern to reveal a small and quaint establishment. Four tables were occupied, and they by an assortment of characters. A robed woman sat chatting intently to a sailor at one table. On another was a girl not yet at womanhood clothed in filthy rags. A couple of mugs sat on the timber table in front of her. She looked somewhat out of place, but I expect she was limbering up for the hard night ahead of her. On the third table were two curious folk; a traveller and another Gnome. What is the world coming to?  Both were watching the door, although not for us as they ignored us completely. Finally there was an ugly hulking man with many scars upon his face and large bare arms. With him sat what could only be described as a wizard. I say this because, well, the spectacles, long white hair, beard and his attire, a robe with moons on it, struck me as very wizard like. Of course he could well have been a loon. I have already demonstrated that Halfast was full of them.Baastian ushered us to a large vacant table and called for food and drink. The mound looked up expectantly. I swear he began to salivate at the prospect of a meal.Roast lamb and trimmings were on the menu as was a spicy soup from the Fastness. The mound opted for the later. I mention this because the silly fool actually snorted the spiced powder that came with the meal, much like a gentleman would with quality snuff, but with a bit more gusto. What passed for the mounds’ nose started to bleed. He was definitely an odd one. Best keep an eye on him.We chatted as we ate. I tried to be polite to the rabble surrounding me but only Baastian and the Gnome, Mortec, seemed to have any culture about them. I will note that if you are every travelling through Halfast, do go to the Green Arms and try their lamb, it truly is superb. Although the mead I drank could not be compared to Astrid’s Marvellous Mead from Montfort.“So what of this proposal Leville?” I asked, wiping my mouth with a kerchief. I always have some on my person. One can never be without the means to keep clean. “Are you finally ready to share some details?”He looked at me with a slight smile and a glint in his eye. “But of course. I was so carried away with our delightful meal that I had almost forgotten what had brought us here. I have been asked by my employer, your patron if you accept the terms, to find some suitable folk to become gladiators.““So you said.” remarked Argonne, a tallish man garbed in the browns and greens that one would associate with a woodsman. On closer inspection the clothes that he wore were almost patchwork and definitely crudely made. He seemed to have few possessions, the most notable being a staff that leaned against the table. His most remarkable feature, though, was the lack of one. He wore a strange mesh mask across his face that it effectively obscured any detail. How he saw out of it when none could see thorough it was a mystery to me.“Yes, my impatient friend, I did indeed.” continued Baastian as he absently flicked a golden curl from his forehead. “If you choose to join with me today then your patron will sponsor each of you into the Halfast Games.” He glanced about looking for reaction, and he got it!</blockquote>

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