Hallus

http://www.sunpathriders.com/bb/images/avatars/hallus_wiki.gif
Name: Hallus Folwick
Title(s): Protector of The Meek, Honorary Mountaineer, Photovoltaic
Race: Gnome
Birthplace: Ironforge
Age : 
Affiliation: Sunpath Riders
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Appearance:
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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.
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Personality:
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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. 
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History:
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The Family Folwick, Adventurers.
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. 
Plans Always Change.
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.
Hallus and Rhinna
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.
Raxbin the Snarly
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. 
Protector of the Meek
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. 
Rhinna Leaves and Everything Changes
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)>
The Sunpath Riders
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.
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Present Day:
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<Rhinna's Stand - Coming soon!>
Category:Alliance
Category:Gnome
Category:Warlock
Category:Herbalist (A)
Category:Tailor (A)