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| - Name: Hallus Folwick Title(s): Protector of The Meek, Honorary Mountaineer, Photovoltaic Birthplace: Ironforge Hallus is slightly taller than most gnomes, and while he'll never admit it, mostly bald. He hides this fact from others by wearing various hats. You'll probably never catch him without one. He likes to think he has a keen fashion sense, but most would agree that he does not, and so his clothing often consists of unmatched garish colors and has strange adornments. His latest acquisition is a bright purple pointy hat, which he adores. Hallus is friendly and talkative around those he knows, but will silence himself when surrounded by strangers. He is hopelessly curious, but is adept at staying out of trouble -- his curiosity only rarely leads to a visit with the Spirit Healer. He makes friends easily, but rarely talks or shares anything about himself. Hallus will do anything for a friend. His priority is making everyone else around him happy first, sometime neglecting himself in the process. Some might suspect him of being simple-minded at first, because he is rather oblivious to subtleties. If it doesn't hit him in the forehead, he probably won't notice it. Those who know him better might suspect that he's not quite as oblivious as he appears. Hallus gets his adventurous spirit from his parents. Before he was born, they never stayed in one place for longer than a year or two. When his mother, Jena, found herself unexpectedly pregnant, she and Eldwan decided it would be best that they make a temporary home in Ironforge. Their plan was to resume work for the Explorer's League as quickly as possible, once Hallus was old enough to travel. As is common with plans such as these, things didn't turn out as they'd intended. While Hallus' parents were working for the League, Rhinn, a close friend of Jena's also became pregnant. Unfortunately, she and her husband fell ill with an unknown ailment while cataloging artifacts in a series of ruins in Desolace. Jena and Eldwan insisted that the couple move in to their home in Ironforge, so that they could care for them and the child who was expected a few days before Hallus. Rhinna was born twelve hours before Hallus. Minutes later, her father died, Rhinna in his arms. Her mother didn't live much longer, and died just before her first birthday, leaving Hallus' parents with an unexpected extra child. A human child. From birth, Rhinna and Hallus were inseparable. The children's parents didn't have room for two cribs, so they spent their first few weeks sleeping next to each other. This became a permanent arrangement when they discovered that any attempt to separate the two would result in Rhinna mysteriously reappearing next to Hallus. That was just the start of the mysterious happenings that became a part of everyday life during their early years. Furniture would unexpectedly catch fire, and Hallus would giggle and point with Rhinna cheering him on. Boiling hot water would freeze while still on the fire, with Rhinna looking bemused nearby. Jena and Eldwan were astonished at the things the children could do at such a young age, and they encouraged them to develop their gifts as much as possible. When the children were seven, Jena took them to meet Raxbin, a crusty human mage whom an acquaintance in the League had suggested would be willing to take them on as students. He was willing, but only because he'd scared away all his previous students. Raxbin wasn't a cruel man, but he had no patience for mediocrity. Or fun. Or laughter. He was painfully serious and expected this same level of seriousness from his students. Raxbin was enamored with the children as soon as he met them. They were bright and attentive, and sat transfixed during his lessons. Hallus and Rhinna had been learning all their life, and enjoyed it without end. Raxbin's greatest fault was his impatience. This fault affected each of the children differently. Hallus worked very well under pressure, and didn't seem affected by Raxbin's rantings in the least. Rhinna, however, didn't want to be noticed. She was always the quietest in the room. She spoke carefully, and softly, and would never speak unless prompted. She didn't fold under pressure, but wouldn't be rushed. Her lack of urgency to his commands would bring out the worst in Raxbin. He would badger her until she was near tears. Hallus found himself in the uncomfortable position of being in the middle of the two of them on many occasions. He could never tolerate Raxbin's tirades and jumped to Rhinna's aid instantly. This didn't irritate Raxbin as much as one might expect, because it had the side effect of emboldening Rhinna, and she'd respond by answering his question or performing the task he'd impatiently demanded of her. Rhinna hated being rescued, and resented Hallus thinking she needed it. As they grew older, their differences became much more pronounced. Rhinna, as a human, had just completed a growth spurt, and was nearly six feet tall. Hallus didn't seem to be growing at all. The pair also had a different view of the world, and this would lead to their first ever separation, just after Rhinna's 17th birthday, before Hallus had ever planned to leave the comforts of home. Hallus felt that his current priority was in the exploration of his magical gifts. His slower maturation left him without the sense of immediacy to turn his exploration outward. He was still fascinated with what was within. Rhinna was determined to discover the cause of her parent's ailment, and to research a cure. She also wanted to see the world. After Rhinna left for Desolace, Hallus fell into a deep depression and was filled with loneliness. While they exchanged letters almost daily at first, he couldn't shake the feeling that he should have gone with her; that it was a mistake to stay behind with Raxbin. Once she reached the ruins, Hallus knew she'd not have time to write as much, or perhaps at all. His dread of that moment's approach prevented his enjoying even the limited comfort and companionship of the letters. About three weeks after Rhinna left, Raxbin died suddenly in his sleep. Hallus was devastated. With his parents unreachable on a secret project with the League, and Rhinna so far away and not responding to his two recent letters, Hallus never felt more alone. He was wandering in the woods near Thelsamar when something happened that would change his life forever. <Pip and The Fire - Coming soon! (note that some bits in the next section refer to events in this story)> Hallus could still not accept what had happened, and continued to hide his suffering behind a cheerful demeanor. But he was spiraling toward ruin. Facing the truth of his situation was just too much for him to handle. He'd been through too much over such a short time. But someone or something was watching out for him, for in Stormwind, he noted an announcement of the anniversary gathering of the Sunpath Riders. He wasn't sure why he felt so drawn to meet them, but he'd decided to never ignore his instincts again, so he went. Pip planned to watch from afar, as neither of them were sure how the Riders would react to an imp. At the appointed time, he approached Shandala and Sennin in Thelsamar. He was overwhelmed with the kindness everyone showed him. Someone even tossed him a leather ball! The Gathering was like being home again. He was surrounded by love and security. He started to feel happy again. But he still wouldn't face the reality of Rhinna's fate. That reality continued to eat at him, until the final letter was discovered by another. <Rhinna's Stand - Coming soon!>
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