Zalic

Dark Elf commander of the King's Guard. First introduced at odds with General Hoknar Grik regarding military strategy, Zalic is loyal to the crown. He is a clever and cunning tactician.

…his strongest feelings are a deep anxiety about the safety of Sabek, a fierce determination to defend the crown… - Silver Threads of Fate (LC1)

Zalic is a stoic spirit, believing that too much expression of emotion may compromise the current mission at hand. Stern and cool but with a good heart, Zalic undergoes a journey of self-awareness given the opportunity.

He holds those who fought under him in high regard;

Though he was a firm commander, he always thought well of you, and he trusted you with critical missions. - Gate of Brizoor Waal (RPA-ADVF)

Zalic seems very much at home in dark caverns. They remind him of his home on Ishvank.

As a young man, Zalic had an animal companion in a giant boar;

“They once used fireballs to startle these noble creatures from their dens. A cruel practice.” After a pause, he adds, “I was bonded to one like this in my youth.”

A giant boar racing through the woods, with a young Dark Elf by its side. Because the young Dark Elf seems so happy and free, he is almost unrecognizable as Zalic. Together, he and his boar explored the forests until the boar fell to a hunter’s trap. - Silver Threads of Fate (LC1)

A profound memory in the Ancestral Castle reveals that Zalic was foretold and destined to explore places past Ulos;

In a dark cave, Zalic wades into a glowing pool and stands before an elder of Ishvank (ISH-vank), who annoints him with this glowing water. The elder speaks to him in an ancient tongue: “You, my son, are meant for other worlds.” - Silver Threads of Fate (LC1)

This foretelling of his possible future has led to some envy over King Taron's ability to create rifts and travel to other planes.

First seen in his tent having a heated discussion with General Hoknar Grik, you are faced with a choice on how best to proceed against the Dragul:

• Side with Zalic, and reassure him of your loyalties; he will then give you his coin.
• Side with Grik, and receive his approval plus his potion.

If you saw things his way, following the events at the outpost Zalic will regret to inform you about Grik's advancement to Bogroot Swamp and your new orders.

Upon your return to Sabek from Jolev, Zalic will greet you based on your performance in fulfilling King Taron's mission.

Instead of heading south as originally planned the next day, Zalic fetches you the night of your arrival to deal with the Vampire threat reported in Undercity.

Zalic escorts you to one of the main entryways into Undercity and guards the door, trusting you to extinguish the Vampire outbreak from reaching Sabek.

Depending on your loyalty to the King's Guard, he will gift you a special weapon.

Following the night's events, Zalic will accompany you back to Sabek, where an explosion rocks Taron's Arena.

Springing into action, Zalic rushes to eliminate the Ogre that has escaped Taron's Arena:

• Join him and pursue the Ogre.
  • Attack the Dragul:
    • Succeed, and slay it efficiently.
    • Fail, and the Ogre fights you back, continuing toward the palace.
• Attempt to talk it down:
  • Succeed, and win favor with it as you promise safe passage out of the city.
  • Fail, and have no choice but to defend yourself.
• Side with it and attempt to sabotage your commander:
  • Succeed, and the Ogre gets away, Zalic seething at your betrayal.
  • Fail, and Zalic dispatches the Ogre no thanks to you.
• Dispatch the gang of Goblins instead.
  • Depending on your success with them, Zalic will catch up with you.

However, if you go to the Temple of Ulos first instead, you will find Zalic buried beneath rubble from the explosion:

• Attempt to free him:
  • Succeed, and cement your loyalty to the King's Guard.
  • Fail, and Zalic will breathe his last breath, crestfallen that you were not here to suppress the mounted attack.
• Let him die, with his final look at you being one filled with horror.

As you leave the Arena, you find a most curious shard of glass.

If Zalic survives the fight outside Taron's Arena, he will confront you about your betrayal to the King's Guard at the gates of Sabek Palace, ending with him being carried off through the rift in the clutches of a Giant Bat, or dead by your hand.

If you killed Zalic on the bridge of Sabek Palace, the Demon Elsifor will unleash his ghost as well as those of General Grik and Warden Mercy upon you if you had a hand in their deaths:

• Fend off the vengeful spirits.
• Fall to your fallen former comrades.

Brought to Affril, Plane of Knowledge, Zalic has gone through a transformative journey away from Nalos and off of Ulos; he has let all worldly attachments to the King's Guard go, and forgiven any previous transgressions he had with you.

Zalic fights Gimlix and Yuvan Rokta and the Ghost-Eater at his side in the emptiness of Moti, Plane of Death, at the final battle of Brizoor Waal:

• If you side with the King's Guard, you will fight alongside him:
  • If you defeat the opposition and are favored by the Dark Elf, he will greet you graciously. You claim the site, and find a black rune.
  • If you defeat the opposition and are disfavored by the Dark Elf, you will earn his thanks and claim the site, finding a black rune.
  • If you fall to the opposition, you stumble through a rift back to Elsifor's Tent at Brizoor Waal in defeat.

Commander Zalic is frozen in mid-stride near Taron's Arena. His sword is drawn. His attention is focused on a nearby Ogre. He is clearly prepared to defend the crown at all costs.

If you choose to free him from his frozen state, he will present the Tear of Oramond to determine your trustworthiness. You find that the trial is a painful process:

• Pass Zalic's test and earn his trust. He promises to lend his aid.
• Fail to complete it because the pain is too unbearable. Zalic will not assist you on your quest.

When you place your hand over Zalic’s, a jolt of pain races through your body and mind. It feels as if your very soul is being skewered and twisted from your flesh. - Silver Threads of Fate (LC1)

If he joins your quest, he will provide you with valuable insight and tactical advice. He also will form an unusual bond with the pig in your company.

Zalic is waiting at the gate, a silver flask at his hip.

• Control you urges and ask him for something to help you in your mission.
• Give into your urges and steal the flask, drinking it down before he can respond.