Gunter, the Barbarian Mage

[MongoJerry]

GUNTER: ACT V ANYA

The citizens of Harrogoth celebrated the lifting of the siege and the return of the prisoners of war well into the night. City leaders hastily organized a banquet in Gunter's honor, and Gunter heard toast after toast praising his bravery and prowess in battle. Nihlathak, the purported leader of Harrogoth, was conspicuous by his absence, however. After Gunter had eaten and drunk his fill, he finally begged his leave from the assembled guests for he had a long overdue reunion to attend.

Gunter knocked on the town healer's door and the elderly Malah greeted him with a hug and an enormous smile. After seeing so much death and misery in her halls of healing, Malah said it was good to see Gunter again alive and in good health. Gunter told Malah how he'd proved his worth to Esmerelda and finally fulfilled his dream of becoming a sorcerer. Then he told her all about his adventures at the Rogue Monastery and Lut Gohlein and all about his epic battles against two of the three prime evils, Mephisto and Diablo. Malah listened to every word he said with a mixture of awe and wonder in her eyes.

Finally, Gunter concluded his tale and asked Malah to tell him all that had happened in Harrogoth. Malah's face saddened. She told Gunter that her son, Bannuk, had been killed in the first battle with Baal's army. She blamed herself for his death. "I know you and my son, Bannuk, did not part on the best of terms," said Malah. "But I wish I had encouraged him to go with you. He might still be alive today."

Gunter comforted Malah for some time and told her not to blame herself for Bannuk's death. Then Gunter asked Malah the question he had wanted to ask ever since he returned to Harrogoth. "What exactly happened to my father?" he asked.

Malah looked sadly into Gunter's eyes. "Your father gave his life to save Harrogoth," she said. "The war was going badly for us and at any moment the city walls were going to be breached. The town elders sacrificed themselves to make a powerful ward to keep Baal's army at bay. After the ward was created, Baal realized that his victory wasn't going to be as quick as he thought it would be, so he left Shenk the Overseer to lay siege to the city and went up Mount Arreat to look for something. I know not what."

Gunter told Malah how the townspeople had told him that his father had cursed him for abandoning Harrogoth before he died. Malah shook her head vigorously. "No! That's horrible," she said. "People can be so cruel when their hearts are full of fear. I was with your father until the end. He wished you were here not because he was ashamed of you but because he wanted to tell you he was sorry that he did not encourage your magical studies and in essence forced you to leave Harrogoth to fulfill your dream. He thought it was ironic that after disparaging your studies of magic that he would end up sacrificing his life to create a magical ward to protect Harrogoth. He loved you very much and was proud that you were strong enough to continue pursuing your dream even when everyone ridiculed you for it."

Gunter paused and took the news in. He wanted to see his father again even if it was only for one last time. Then a thought occurred to him and he asked, "If the elders had to be sacrificed to create the ward, then why was Nihlathak allowed to live?"

Malah replied, "You aren't the first person to ask that question. Nihlathak claims that he was selected by the elders to stay behind and lead the people, but there is no mention in our literature that says that the spell that creates the ward allows for any of the elders to survive. Some speculate that the ward isn't as strong as it could be because of Nihlathak's actions, and few believe that the elders would have chosen Nihlathak of all of the elders to stay behind. Because of these doubts, no one will follow Nihlathak's directives and instead the people have taken to listening to Anya, a young alchemist and daughter to one of our slain elders who is a strong crafty woman with a spirit like no other.

"But I fear for her safety for the night before your arrival, I overheard her and Nihlathak arguing about her father's death. The next morning, she was gone. Nihlathak has his own tale as to where she went and why. Don't believe him! I fear he is at the root of her disappearance. Please, if you can, search for Anya and bring her back to us. She'll know what to do about Nihlathak."

Gunter bid Malah goodnight and promised Malah that he'd begin his search for Anya at the first light of day. There were strange happenings in Harrogoth. Could Gunter find Anya and discover what Nihlathak was up to?



The Arreat Plateau had Slingers, Hell Whips, and Fire Boars. It was pretty straightforward stuff. If you Taunt the Hell Whips, they'll stop whipping their minions into a frenzy and instead will close to melee range and whip you. Of course, then they'll be stunned by War Cry, so that's a good thing.

I found a Twitchthroe and a Raven Claw on the Arreat Plateau. Neither of them will be useful for Gunter, but they're a further indication that the unique drop rate has definitely improved in 1.10s.



The Crystalline Passage had Claw Vipers, Bone Mages, and Dark Archers. All of them were easily Taunted and stunned. If you Taunt Claw Vipers, they won't use their charge attacks and instead they'll slither nice and slowly up to you to get stunned.

I found a Serpent Lord staff in the Crystaline Passage.



The Frozen river had Succubii, Sirens, and everyone's favorite monster, Gloams. Taunt again worked well against all of these monsters, although it got a little hairy in a few places when it seemed that lightning and fire balls were being fired at us from every direction. However, a heavy dose of Taunt at all edges of the screen usually managed to bring all of the Succubii, Sirens, and Gloams within War Cry range.



Otherwise, the going was pretty steady and after a long search, I finally found and resuced Anya.

I found an Iron Pelt in the Frozen River.

The celebrations in Harrogoth at Anya's return were tempered by the news of Nihlathak's treachery. Malah gave Gunter a magic scroll that improved his resistances against magical attacks a little bit. Then Gunter went to speak with Anya to find out what he must do to stop Baal and the treacherous Nihlathak.

Anya thanked Gunter for rescuing her. She presented him with a rare barbarian helm to honor him for his achievements. (ed. 12% chance to cast a lvl 4 charged bolt, +2 to increased speed, +10 to life, cold resist 9%).

Gunter said, "Um, thank-you. I will treasure this always. In fact, I think I'm going to give it to Larzuk for, uh, safe keeping."

So, Gunter rescued the maiden Anya. Will he be able to stop Nihlathak?