Rumours about Thalos (by Sabine) Warily I came, and wearily I fled. I was sent on a quest to discover the fate of the once-fine city of Thalos. I stumbled through the desert in fear and desparation, for every room looked the same. Soon I heard an ungodly howling. I trembled with fear, but followed the sound. Soon I reached the ruins of Thalos. The things I found there haunt me still; the fountain in the once-proud town square was now filled with the blood of Thalos' forgotten citizens. The guard towers had not served their purpose, and now stood empty save for golems. The half-rotten arm of one of the town's residents floated in what had once been a prosperous bath-house. Then there were the lamias. The source of the terrible howling was not hard to find. They were everywhere. These nasty creatures crawled over everything, haunting the ruins, and attacking without pause those who dared to enter the city. I found the guild hall desecrated; guild symbols destroyed and dark banners that spoke of endless horror draped the walls. I barely avoided a deathtrap, left by those who had taken this town, as a reminder of their power. After much searching I found a man. He had hidden himself well among the ruins. He was afraid and would not speak. But I fed him venison and he offered forth a story. Thalos had been a peaceful, prosperous town not long ago. It was a town like many other towns, with merchants, citizens, guards and adventurers. Even a stray cat or two called Thalos home, and the citizens were kind to them. One dark evening, not long ago, a stranger came to the town of Thalos. The stranger called himself Lorkainn, and claimed to be a cleric. He wore a mystical talisman - a skull, surrounded by teardrops. He demanded that the residents each sacrifice their firstborn child to the God Bhaal before the sun set on the next day. Lorkainn claimed that Bhaal would be a benevolent God, were this sacrifice to be made, but that the punishment for refusing would be harsh. The citizens of Thalos were shocked at this demand, and many refused to obey. Sons and daughters were given clothes and money with the order to flee the town, and seek help for this menace. Whether they survived the desert or the wrath of Bhaal, no one will ever know, for not one has been seen since. At sundown the following day, a few frightened citizens dutifully sacrificed their children on a grisly altar of black granite that suddenly appeared in the town's temple. But Bhaal was not satisfied. When the moon rose, unspeakable horror was unleashed on the town of Thalos. His minions appeared from shadows and dark corners, slaying all in their path. Many citizens fled, and my companion was one of the lucky ones. He knew the secrets of the desert and was able to hide himself from Bhaal. After three days in the desert, he returned to his home. What he found is much the same as what I saw, and what all adventurers find. The lamias were left behind by Bhaal to clean up the carnage and prevent the reconstruction of the city. The entire town lies in ruins, stopped in time. If you peek into a home, you may find the table laid out for a dinner that no one will ever eat. My companion believes that he outwitted Bhaal, but I do not believe this is true. I believe Bhaal spared him for a reason. So that the tale will not be lost, and the warning will not go unheeded. My adventures uncovered something more... there is treasure in Thalos, if only you know where to look...