Excursus IV

God damn it! How can anybody be so dumb!? He might as well have posted a freaking notice in the forum! It's no wonder that every spy in the barony was hollering down every possible comm channels! With elaborate descriptions of his appearance, character traits, and all possible whereabouts. Otherwise why the hell would there be a small army assembling in this backwater town. Fuckin' hell, it sounds like there are more than five hundred inquisitors in this death squad! And the Conjurers won't be far behind! And who knows how many factionless players will find their way here! The bounty on his head is bigger than the ones awarded for taking down most raid bosses! They've probably locked down all the respawn points by now and organized themselves in a straight line for easy frags. And he's just on level 30 with just his pants equipped, at least that's what the locals are saying.

A cursing Morgenhand ran out into the square. A dying Fidex was proclaiming something from a burning pyre. The flames began consuming the feet, and laughter rang out. The burning bastard's body began to contort and twist. Feathers burst from the skin and caught fire instantly. A flaming figure waved its arms that had already formed into wings flew into the air. It froze 20 feet above the pyre and propelled by the current of hot air yesterday's drinking buddy darted towards the head Inquisitor. The flight soon turned into a headfirst fall, I could swear I saw charred bone from under the flames. The Inquisitor raised his hand and screamed: "Autodafe!"

The flaming figure burst in a flash of blinding white Light and flakes of greasy ashes fell all over the caster. He started trying to dust himself off but ended up smearing black all over himself.

'Cursed! He is cursed!"

There was screaming and shouts coming from the crowd. The knights regrouped and locked shields around their commanding officer.

'Hey! So how did I look?'

'Fidex, are you fucking crazy!? Is the respawn point locked down yet?!'

'What are you talking about? I suddenly appeared in a nice place. There's this dried up oak with animal skulls hanging all over. Quite picturesque.'

'Get the hell outta there and find somewhere to hide quick! The manhunt is on, man!'

'Don't get your panties in a twist! Tell me what the inquisitors are up to.'

'They're in a box formation moving steadily towards the gates. Looks like someone's started throwing rotten tomatoes.'

'Great! I'm not done with them yet, now listen carefully and do exactly as I say...'

'May I ask where you are going, my dear sirs?!'

Morgenhand stood right in the middle of the gates, the knights in front bared their swords.

'You dare stand in the way of the Light, human?'

'Me? Heeeeell no, not on my life. I merely wish to humbly ask for your help. Since the vigilant protectors of good against the forces of Darkness have honored our town with their presence, perhaps you can solve another problem for us. Will you hear my plea?'

'Speak, warrior. - The head inquisitor stepped forth.'

'North down the road near Baron Gorring's cursed castle, a horrible creature roams hungry for the flesh of sentients. You must stop it! Protect the people of the town!'

'You want us to save people who have sheltered a cursed heretic?'

'Hunger and fear for our children have made us desperate! We were forced to seek protection elsewhere. Our bravest and strongest have fallen to the monster's gluttony. And desperation leads to foolish decisions! Or do you consider the lives of innocent children a fair price for mere hospitality? If you wish to condemn the whole town just because we put up with a stranger - well... Maybe the cursed one wasn't so wrong after all.'

The Inquisitor huffed in outrage but restrained himself and said:

'We will kill your monster. And then I'll be back to ram your words down tour throat!! Move out!'