Getting started with Talebound
Create a separate Talebound character, learn the combat rules in Red Hollow, then prepare in Quillgrave and choose a tale from the Book of Shadows.
- Character
- Separate Talebound character
- Classes
- Slayer, Witch, Inquisitor
- Starting area
- Red Hollow
- Preparation hub
- Quillgrave
On this page
How Talebound differs from your regular character
Talebound is a separate PvE action-RPG mode accessed through the World of Warcraft client. You create a mode-specific character rather than bringing your main character’s class and equipment into a tale. The three archetypes are Slayer, Witch and Inquisitor. You can adventure alone or with friends.
In the documented PTR flow, character creation lets you customize race and appearance. Class selection happens during the opening prologue, not on the ordinary character-creation class panel. A missing class selector at creation therefore does not mean the character setup is broken.
From character creation to your first tale
- Create a Talebound character and enter the Red Hollow introduction.
- Choose an archetype during the prologue and learn its available actions.
- Set reachable binds for Evade, Guard, Sprint and your attacks; the PTR enables press-and-hold repeat casting by default.
- After the introduction, explore Quillgrave and its four progression specialists.
- Use the Book of Shadows beyond the library, up the stairs toward the cave, to select a difficulty and story.
- After the attempt, return to Nib and open the reward chest beside him before planning another run.
What to spend where
| Resource | Destination | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Bound Silver | Nib / Talebound store | Account cosmetics; Warband-bound |
| Ducats | Earned inside tales; settled through Nib | Run earnings that contribute to end-of-run rewards |
| Tales of Valor | Thalannis Loretender, the Scribe | Class improvements and talents |
| Outfitter Supplies | Kragg Stonefist, the Outfitter | Persistent character attributes |
| Alkahest | Lilywhistle Bottledrop, the Arcanist | Consumable formulas and potency |
| Lost Relics | Meryndel Songseeker, the Antiquarian | Passive curiosities |
The two kinds of character progress
Inside a run, filling the experience bar gives a level and a choice of augmentation. Those temporary augments belong to that attempt and disappear when it ends. Improvements purchased in Quillgrave are the persistent layer that supports later attempts.
That distinction matters after a defeat: a lost run augment is not the same as losing an Outfitter improvement. Bound Silver has a separate purpose again: it funds collection rewards rather than replacing your combat-resource pools.
Choose a first class by its actions
| Class | Core kit | A useful distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Slayer | Sword, shotgun, mines and fast movement | Explosive Shot rewards close positioning; Minefield moves you backward |
| Inquisitor | Light attacks, moving casts, empowered attacks and burning effects | Condemn works while moving; empowered casts ask for more commitment |
| Witch | Lightning, poison creatures, spiders, ravens and feline transformation | Summons and transformation add states to manage alongside positioning |
Access and preview context
The free October PTR demo is a historical test window. Its announcement listed Red Hollow, three stories, all three classes, and Normal, Veteran and Heroic difficulty. Do not treat that past event as confirmation of today’s access requirements or that its progress carries to a live release.
Continue with the systems you will use first
Frequently asked questions
Where do I choose my class?
The PTR report places the archetype choice inside the prologue, after character creation.
Does a run level permanently improve my next run?
Run-level augment choices reset when the attempt ends. Quillgrave improvements are the persistent progression layer.
Where are my end-of-run rewards?
Look for the chest beside Nib in Quillgrave’s town square. Its contents depend on the attempt and preview tuning.