GoJays2025: As promised, here it is! Sorry this thing's like a novel. You don't have to read all of it. I kind of got carried away at the beginning there. It was longer still until I removed major sections from the story. Anyway, I'm loving the game so far - thanks again!

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My name is Vivian. I was born of a human father and an elven mother. I did not know my father, for he left me shortly after birth. As a result I came to be very close to my mother, and the world of magic. I have been studying spell books ever since I could read, and have developed a reputation as somewhat of a bookworm.

I had grown homesick recently, having not been back to see mother ever since I moved to a school in Caladon to obtain some proper education on the art of spell-craft. Before I knew it, I was aboard the LFS Zephyr and on my way home.

We were not in the air long when trouble began brewing. Outside a handful of small aircrafts encircled us, and without warning they opened fire. Amidst the panicking passengers and sounds of the hull breaking apart, I froze in terror - so this is how it all ends?

I realized the blimp was rapidly descending as I felt the gravity weaken - some of the smaller objects even hung in midair as if by magical intervention. Flames also began to erupt all around us. Death was certain.

I wasn't aware of everything that happened beyond this point, but the next thing I knew I was lying in the scraps of the blimp. Twisted metal littered all around me, the scent of burning was all that I could smell.

From deeper within the pile of metal beside me came a whispering voice! 'Help me!' It said.

With all my strength I managed to move enough of the blimp scraps to see the face of a gnomish man. He rambled about something which I did not completely understand, and gave me a ring to deliver to someone - 'find the boy!' He urged. Unfortunately there was nothing else I could do other than to accept the ring and watch as he succumbed to his fatal wounds. What he tried to tell me certainly sounded extremely important, but unless I can find some further information about this ring I'm afraid I'm at a dead end here.

This is when I realized I had become the sole survivor of the crash - stranger yet, without a scratch on me!

As I stood up and began to focus on the world around me, I noticed a figure running towards me. It was a man dressed in some kind of robe... he approached me and we began talking. He was obviously very flustered and made very little sense. From what I could gather, his name was Virgil, and that he is offering himself to me as a servant. I did not hesitate on his offer, since it seems like I will be needing all the help I can get at this moment - but I will have to keep a close eye on him. He suggested we go to a nearby town called Shrouded Hills, where a friend of his resides - a man named Joachim. Perhaps he will know the individual (or individuals) responsible for the attack of a civilian airship.

Grabbing all I could of the valuables around the crash site, I began to head toward Shrouded Hills.

Before we could get far however, a hooded man stopped us in our tracks. We exchanged a few words, but it soon became obvious he was looking for a fight. But why out here, in this circumstance? My magical ability is hardly a thing to brag about, but along with Virgil's help, we defeated our enemy easily enough, although I did not come away unharmed. Virgil informed me that the man was really an assassin. An assassin?! Am I in THAT much danger? His corpse did not yield much in terms of useful items or information, the only thing to note was that he was wearing a strange amulet.

The trip to Shrouded Hills went smooth from there, and upon reaching the town we sought out the inn where Joachim was staying. As soon as I opened the door a shrewd looking man greeted me with a proposition - a bank robbery was about to go down and he wanted me to help them rob the place! The nerve of some people! I took the news and proceeded directly to the town doctor, who also served to uphold the law.

Needless to say, I agreed to bust the heist along with Virgil and the doc. As we neared the bank I could already hear gunshots ringing from within. I quickened my pace. My heart was pounding as I opened the door - this is too much action for one person to handle in a day! But I was also excited for the chance to demonstrate some of the spells I learned in school.

The bandits immediately turned their attention to me, but through some quick thinking I pulled their guns away from their hands with words alone! They stood shocked for a second, but instead of surrendering they came at us with their bare fists - they proved to be no match for us. The doc provided me with a magical sword for my help. I had dabbled in some armed combat outside of reading various spell books, so I actually could wield it properly. I just hope I'll never have to use it on another living creature.

I proceeded back to the inn to finally meet this mysterious Joachim character, as well as to finally get some shut-eye. Wouldn't you believe it - even more complications! It seems Joachim isn't here! Instead two dead bodies laid on the floor in his suite along with a note - it seems he had been targeted too, since the dead men were also wearing those strange amulets.

It looks like our adventure is far from over. Forgive me, mother, it may be a while yet before I will finally see you again. Now, to find all I can about the whereabouts of Joachim... and track down the owner of that ring...

prakaa: I certainly had trouble getting OUT of shrouded hills. Don't let that stop you though.

GoJays2025: Just played some more and finished Shrouded Hills (for now). I didn't have any trouble getting out at all... were you referring to those goons by the bridge? I tried talking my way out, but that didn't work, but after 'disarm'ing them and 'harm'ing them they went down pretty easily. Those critter encounters outside of town are kind of annoying, but still, two or three harm spells will usually take care of them all.

GoJays2025: Just played some more and finished Shrouded Hills (for now). I didn't have any trouble getting out at all... were you referring to those goons by the bridge? I tried talking my way out, but that didn't work, but after 'disarm'ing them and 'harm'ing them they went down pretty easily. Those critter encounters outside of town are kind of annoying, but still, two or three harm spells will usually take care of them all.

Aignur: It's good that you like using Harm. You'll be using it for the entire game. In fact, you could probably go through the game using no other spells, abilities, schematics or weapons other than Harm. It's that good.

GoJays2025: As promised, here it is! Sorry this thing's like a novel. You don't have to read all of it. I kind of got carried away at the beginning there. It was longer still until I removed major sections from the story. Anyway, I'm loving the game so far - thanks again!

GoJays2025: I noticed there aren't too many pure offensive spells (gotta admit, most of those spells don't seem very useful at all). I was kind of regretting picking the magic path until I realized how good a simple harm can be.

Aignur: I frequently use Quench Life, just because it's awesome to "bye" someone - when they don't resist it.

GoJays2025: You gain XP every time you damage an opponent, but if you just 'off' them like that do you still get as much XP?

Aignur: No. But you gain awesome. Sadly Arcanum does not list your awesome anywhere =(