As they and the twins approach the Fire Sigil, Hilgya appears to show interest in Durkon, and masters the evil Beasts of Flame with suspicious ease.
Cast[]
- Elan ◀ ▶
- Durkon Thundershield ◀ ▶
- Nale ◀ ▶
- Hilgya Firehelm ◀ ▶
- The Salamander of the Fire Sigil ◀
- Another salamander
- The Flame Sprite Fire Sigil Guardian (off-panel) ▶
Transcript[]
- Panel 1
Elan, Durkon, Nale and Hilgya stand in a room full of flames.
Elan: Whoa, everything's on fire.
Nale: That's why we brought two clerics along, brother.
Durkon: Protection from Fire!
Hilgya Firehelm: Protection from Fire!
- Panel 2
Hilgya: hee hee! Jinx!
Durkon: Heh heh...
- Panel 3
Elan (whispering): Pssst! I think Hilgya likes you.
Durkon: Wuh?
Elan (whispering): And I mean LIKES likes you.
- Panel 4
Durkon: Elan, jus' becuase we are tha same class and race don't mean...
Elan: Wouldn't that be so cool?
- Panel 5
Elan: I find my long-lost brother and you find a girlfriend? Meeting the Linear Guild is the best thing that ever happened!!!
- Panel 6
The party encounters two salamanders guarding the way.
Salamander of the Fire Sigil: You go no further, flesh things!
Salamander #2: We'll turn you to ash!!
- Panel 7
Nale: Hilgya, I think you'd like to have a word with these gentlemen alone, perhaps?
Hilgya: Of course, Nale.
- Panel 8
Nale walks stage right to Elan and Durkon leaving Hilgya off stage left.
Elan: What's going on?
Nale: Hilgya just needs some "alone time."
Salamander of the Fire Sigil (off-panel): Ha! They're leaving her!
Salamander #2 (off-panel): Burn her!
- Panel 9
Hilgya (off-panel): Try to burn me if you wish, Beast of Flame. But look! I am the servant of Loki, God of Flames and Chaos!
Salamander of the Fire Sigil (off-panel): Aaaa!
Salamander #2 (off-panel): Nooo!
- Panel 10
Hilgya (off-panel): Bow before me, mewling servants of fire. Your god Loki commands it! Hilgya commands it!
Salamander of the Fire Sigil (off-panel): Yes, mistress!
Salamander #2 (off-panel): Don't smite us, mistress!
- Panel 11
Hilgya returns from stage left, while Nale exits stage left
Hilgya: All clear!
Hilga winks, "wink!"
- Panel 12
Elan (whispering): Did you see that? She just winked at you! You are so "in"!
Durkon: Why do I have tha nagging fellin' that with a few more ranks a' Knowledge (Religion), I'd be a lot more worried aboot all a' this?
Salamander of the Fire Sigil: Praise Hilgya!
Salamander #2: Praise Loki!
Fire Guardian (off-panel): Welcome, righteous warriors! you have defeated—AAARRGH!
Off panel, in the direction that Nale went towards the Fire Guardian a sound is heard, "splortch!"
D&D Context[]
- Protection from Fire is a form of the spell Protection from Energy, which provides a limited shield against one type of energy.
- Knowledge (Religion) is a skill that encompasses understanding of religions, myths and churches.
- Salamanders are one of the classic elemental monsters, in D&D and in folklore.
- A Cleric with the Fire domain is capable of commanding lower-level fire-based creatures, in the same way an evil-aligned Cleric can command undead.
Trivia[]
- This is the first appearance (off-panel dialog counts) of the Flame Sprite Earth Sigil Guardian. She will appear (in person this time) only once more, in #532.
- This is the final appearance of the Salamander of the Earth Sigil.
- In Norse mythology, Loki is Thor's adopted brother, and enemy.