Baal Taran
Other · Old Camp
"Everyone who doubts or opposes him will be destroyed."
A recruiter at the market
Baal Taran, who introduces himself simply as Taran, is a Brotherhood member stationed near the market on the far side of the castle. His job is to spread the faith to strangers and explain why the Brotherhood believes the Sleeper can offer a way out of the Colony.
The Sleeper's promise
Taran describes the Sleeper as possibly even more powerful than Innos. While asleep, the Sleeper's power remains limited to thought, but his awakening is near.
The swampweed opens the mind and can bring visions, while the Great Invocation will join the Brotherhood's minds and connect their souls to the Sleeper's so that he can show them the road to peace. Taran warns that everyone who doubts or opposes him will be destroyed.
Couriers and the castle
Only Cor Kalom's couriers are allowed into the castle, because they trade swampweed to Gomez for goods from outside. Taran explains that the Hero would need to join the Brotherhood to use that route.
When the Hero admits to carrying a letter for the highest Fire Mage, Taran guesses that the mages gave it to him before his arrest and warns him to keep quiet: messages from outside are valuable enough that some people would slit his throat for one.
A recruiter's practical advice
Taran discourages the Hero from buying mage runes or potions, claiming the Brotherhood sells the same goods more cheaply. He points him toward Brother Parvez near the market for a trip to the swamp camp.
Faith, trade, and access are intertwined in Taran's pitch; the Brotherhood offers salvation, but it also controls a useful route through the Colony.