his year, an independent group of adventurers was formed under the banner of the Alliance. Talisman, a rapidly growing band of so called raiders, is dedicated to routing out the dangers that threaten the Grand Alliance. A while back, I sat down with the leaders of this group to talk about their adventures in a cosy little inn in the Mage Quarter in Stormwind City. Rholand Freefire and Evangelin Winterwing form the duo that guides the other members of Talisman. Their war hardened expressions would not make you suspect that they are actually civil and polite.

To start with, could you tell me in a few words what Talisman is about?

Eva: Aye. We are an adventuring group, freelancers.Rholand quickly adds: We aren't mercenaries, though. When Eva says freelancers, she is more referring to the fact that we aren't working directly for any government or organization. Our goal is to seek out threats to Azeroth and eliminate them, nothing more.

Eva: We don't sell our services either, as our funding is what treasure we find.

Annarra: But who decides what is a threat then, if you don't work for someone? Do you not support the cause of the Grand Alliance?

Rholand: While we aren't employed directly by the Alliance or the Argent Dawn, we work closely with agents of both factions who alerts us to major threats. In addition hereto, we ourselves seek out information before taking the decisions.

Eva: In the end we make those decisions ourselves.

Annarra: It sounds awfully noble, facing threats to the Alliance without having to. What drives you to do this? Is it fame? Treasure?

Eva: Well, each member has their own motivation. Some do it for the thrill, some for the noble cause.

Rholand: We don't have a "Unified reason" in the organization either. Peoples' motives are their own and vary a lot. Personally, my awareness of the situation's gravity is what drives me. If we don't stand up for ourselves we'll all plummet into darkness. The ghoul infestation that hit the Alliance was the final happening that convinced me of the dire need of doing something.

Eva: Aye. We started the group when it was quite evident that the threat is not something far away as it was in Outland, but right on our own doorstep. Dangers far too great to tackle alone.

Annarra: Your adventures sound quite dangerous, taking you to and behind the front lines of the northern front.  Where do you find people willing to fight with you?

Rholand: We live in a time with great evil, but in this time we have been lucky that many heroes of the Alliance have stood up, as well. Our members hail from all walks of life, from soldiers to former farmers

Eva: <nods> Most of them do have some combat experience, and we do require some level of skill, of course. A large part of our members are also part of military guilds, or have experience with other groups such as ourselves.

Rholand: Indeed, a large bulk of our members stem from the officers of the Theramore Marines, for example. As you say, it is dangerous work, and everyone's life depends on the members they are with.

Annarra says: Do these people always agree on the goals you have? or is each member able to decide where he or she wants to go?

Eva: Aye. We have a certain level of agreement amongst us, otherwise we'd all go to different places!

Rholand: Yeah, but they still have a choice whether they want to join for the specific missions we undertake, but we have a requirement of showing up to a certain amount of missions.

Annarra: And do these missions often have any success?

Eva: Aye, we are back from a very successful mission we had yesterday. We worked very well together, like a well oiled gnomish contraption.

Rholand: We made an attack on the citadel of Naxxramas. The threat has pretty much been contained to the best of our abilities and we’re already planning out new missions to other dangerous places. That is, while we still keep an eye not to lose our hold on already gained progress.

Annarra: At last then, we come to the subject of the talismans. Care to elaborate?

Eva: Of course. Our own unique trait is these talismans that we use for communication. They carry a minor enchantment that allows long distance communication, and also are specifically crafted for each member, with some custom charms to suit each one.

Annarra: Ah, an invaluable trinket then, I take it.

Rholand: Quite so. They allow us to keep a level of communication that is crucial to our success and they are a symbol of pride for the group we form together.

Evangelin says: Indeed, it’s more than a communication device. Each talisman is unique and hand crafted by myself, so you can’t find them anywhere else. To me they each one is a badge of honour, reflecting our common goals and progress against all evil forces.

Annarra: Lastly, what is the most challenging goal Talisman faces at the moment?

Eva: Well, we are always searching for more heroes. Finding competent people isn’t as easy as it sounds. Besides skill and at least a basic set of battle gear, new members have to perform well in a group.

Rholand: The battle we are fighting is ever ongoing and the more who stand up, the better are the chances of success.