Day 1

It is dry season in the flat land. I have come to the land of elves.

Some weeks ago, after coming down from the mountain, I came to a village that was of ill repute. There were all sorts of human vermin in this town. I snuck around at nigh and found another half-breed orc toiling at grave digging. I spoke with him, and he told me of the town. I found that in this town money was most precious. I stole some cloths and supplies that night. I washed myself and shaved my face as the humans do. The next morning I went into the town as a lord. I found a shop where I could sell my mother's ring. I got 150 gold pieces for it. Though I think it was worth much more. If I find that the human cheated me, I will go back and remove his eyes. Upon exiting the shop, I warned the shopkeeper not to sell the ring, because I would be back for it.

I did not like that town because the humans there were lower than bog orcs. I went south to the land of elves. On the road I met _______________, a feeble man, not strong, and he had no blade. We walked together for some days. I think he needed my protection. Though I did not trust him, it was nice to have a friend. Maybe my first compatriot. Time will tell.

We went to the city of Imperial Ward. They let me through the gate without trouble. Bless you mother for giving me so much of your beauty and charm, though it is significantly blunted by my orc blood. We went to a inn. There in we met a group of three adventures. I did not want to be in this foreign land alone, and two of this party looked as strong as me. I agreed to accompany Sadona, a handsome female elf, Bingle, a quiet ranger, and Trax, a female dwarf, which though not attractive, I felt a kinship with.

My new friends did not have much resources but had high ambitions and spirits. Bingie and I tried to collect information from a strange fellow in the inn that was eating breakfast. He was uncooperative, only referencing us to meeting that was to be held somewhere in the city that night. He called me a half breed and I could only barely contain my explosive anger. But I was trying to make compatriots, not enemies. My hand did not act but my blood boiled for some time to come.

Some men at arms came into the inn. The leader was a big man wearing armor. Trax engaged the man in talk. I stood close. The man spoke of adventure last night. I was anxious and demanded to have him tell us of this adventure. He took offence to my demands and challenged me to un-armed combat. He looked like an honorable fighter. I accepted as I still had anger in my blood from the insult earlier. We removed our armor and went outside. A small group formed.

I felt somewhat as when I fought my older prince brothers, but I fought with full intent to win this match, but I lost. I landed three strong blows that surely shook my opponent to the core, but he remained standing. His last strike was so strong that I lost sense to the world, and my sole floated in darkness. When I awoke from this state, my friend __________, hovered above me in some significant distress. I could hardly hold my head up, otherwise I would have struck the man that was attacking my friend. ______ took money from my pouch and gave it to his oppressor. This solved the problem. A few minutes later I was able to stand and we went back into the inn. I told my friend that he will have to repay the loan in money or servitude. He did not answer.

The group decided to try to find work. We went to a place where papers hung from a wall. I did not lead this expedition and followed. We went to a wealthy man's house and made an agreement to return in the early afternoon. I used the next few hours to find an apothecaries shop. Therein I found a magic user with whom I spoke. My desire was to appear more like a human than an orc. If I was to form compatriots from these men, I must not insult them merely by my appearance. The magician was helpful. He told me that what I seeked would cost 5000 gold pieces. I suppose he expected me to be shocked. I was not. This much gold exists in my father's treasury. I had seen much gold in my early years.

I met the group at the wealth man's house and we were shown in. I was not impressed nor very interested. The fat short weak man told us of the loss of a statue and how this was causing him grief. I was discussed but said nothing. The other's in the party took the lead here, I merely followed. I thought of battle and revenge as the other's talked.

We went to investigate this errand. I didn't disapprove as the merchant had promised us 100 gold pieces each if we find his stupid statue. I would try to be helpful. The group went to the merchants enemy's place of work, but he was not there. We went to the place that the statue was carved. Little information was acquired. I was bored!

For lack of anything else to do we went to a meeting that was held at about dusk. I did not like the place nor the people there. An irritating human approached us and tried to endear himself to our party before the big man was to speak. I did not like this little man and did not trust him. I told the party to split up leaving me and Trax at the square, and the rest to pull back in reserve. The most important part of bravery is not to die. If this were a trap, my compatriots would be close enough to assist us. My precautions were in vain as it turned out the big man talk was empty to me and Trax. This was some sort of a business proposal which did not ring true or credible to any of my party. We left the place. It seems that now my friends had come around to the taiste for real blood and adventure and we agreed to venture east of the town and look for patrolling orcs.

We left on the east road at a few hours before midnight. We walked east until we found a road leading south. From that direction emanated a foul odor. Since we were unclear of what the odor meant. I organized the party off the road with the two rangers ahead, with me and the two magic users behind me. Staying off the road should largely avoid an ambush. We came to a refuse dump for the town. I felt foolish for not having anticipated this as being the source of the stench. No one here to fight and kill.

At the dump two of the dirtiest elves I've ever seen worked. One said he swore he saw an orc to the east of the dump. We marched in the same fashion as before cross rolling country to the east. The ranger's were good as when they came across a knoll, they surprised five orcs talking in a circle and fired their bows into the unsuspecting group. I ran up as fast as I could, but as I got there three already were dead. I killed one with ease. The fifth fell before I could regain rational thought. I was drunk with blood lust. We should have saved one alive. Damn.

I ran to look for more attackers, I wanted there to be more, but none came. My party acted like fools, looting the bodies before establishing a perimeter. The then didn't even share the treasure equally among friends and adventurers. I was disgusted. Let them keep their petty treasure, I don't want the gold, I want the blood and the power.

It was late, we took a head and a shield. The shield was marked with a flaming torch. We left the head at the dump and the shield with the sergeant of the east gate and reported the actions of our night. Why I do not know. But I was tired and cared little but for food and sleep. We returned to the inn and I ate and slept. I dreamed of my mother. She came to as a ghost and told me the stories she told me as a child. Next I dreamed of three shrunken heads adorning my throne.