Hello garyesanford,

We're aware of that issue but it shouldn't happen that much and apparently it's regular for you. This might be related to corrupted files on the game's install or perhaps connection issues with our servers.

Do you play Online or Offline?
Could you, by any chance, provide us with a video of the issue you encounter or a screenshot of the places where you are when this happens? That would help us to spot the places where this happens and check that the areas are made safer.

Another player made a report for the same issue there, does it look like what you've experienced as well in the details?
https://wolcengame.com/forum/bugs-issues/bug-reports/cant-progress-past-maelys-in-online/
He says:
"Maelys' speech bubble doesn't have the square play button (skip) option normally located in the top right corner of her speech box.
Eldrich, the main NPC character is not loaded into the game along with me.
I'm not given the option to skip the opening cut scene.
I can't skip the opening cut scene."

It seems that the issue also doesn't happen offline and you'll currently have a better experience of the game since there are currently some network issues (which can lead some spells to stop making damage for instance). If you don't plan on playing with friends, I suggest you play Offline by using the top right option on the character selection screen.

Another message though, can you try Online but in a Private game (you can change that in the Game Settings just below "Play")? That won't change the Multiplayer possibilities and I'm curious to see if that happens to you in that mode too.