Nakai's Journal (1): In the Quiet

I begin writing in this journal at the behest of Prelate Guylain, in hopes that it will help focus my thoughts in this undertaking he has bestowed upon me. I am unclear as to why he has asked me to accompany young Aisling and his protege, the dwarf Thorin, upon this endeavour. Aisling brims with the fiery idealism of youth, while Thorin is every bit the brash and reckless dwarf I have often encountered in my previous.. travels. I stated adamantly to the Prelate that I wished to remain in the Temple where I could concentrate on my studies in the clergy, but he would have none of it.

So it is, then. It is by the will of Torm that I serve.

Our mission is to rid one of Athkatla's outlying villages of an orc encampment that has been terrorising the natives with their raids. We spent the past few days in heated discussion with the tribal elders before the Queen Mother took a stand and assented to our offer of intervention. I am glad she decided thus, for what glory is there in battle? What honour is there to make widows out of loving wives, and orphans out of babes?

It is a wise decision that the Queen made. Better for three foreigners to fight on their behalf and mayhap die, rather than lay siege to the orc encampment where the heart of their strength resides, risking their wrath. This way, her people still have a glimmer of hope. To live. To continue.

Our small party has been blooded for the first time in this expedition earlier today. We had the misfortune of encountering a wayward patrol who were more intent on finding a napping spot than remaining alert of intruders. Risking the loss of our element of surprise if detected, we set upon them with weapons drawn. Thorin split an orcish helm near in twain with a throwing axe, while Aisling slashed another orc's throat open with his longsword. With my heavy mace I crushed the skull of the patrol leader. It was over as quickly as it had begun.

We were nearly undone for we had not noticed a last orc, who was straggling behind its companions. It was a stroke of luck that the paladin struck the orc in the throat with his arrow; if he hadn't, I would not be writing this now.

Tomorrow my companions and I will strike at the encampment and slay the orc captain. The night air is still and quiet, the moon is full and her stars fill the sky. This bodes well for us. We will fight, and by Torm none of us shall die.

Nakai

Tianna's Journal (3): The Orcs Remain

It has been three sets of the sun but there is still no movement in the north. This leaves the conclusion that the strangers have either forsaken us or heaven forbid, already have their heads mounted on poles. How else could they have tarried on a task that shouldn't take this long to complete?

The merchants continue to steer clear of our borders, greatly intimidated by the last plunder in the village. If this terrorism does not cease, starvation will soon set in; I worry most for the children. No doubt the village has become an isolated abandonment, surrounded by devilish danger that threatens to snap at any hapless chicken that strays from its coop.

No. The orcs must be stopped. If I see no sign of life by next sunrise, I will lead our men to finish the deed, Queen Mother has to approve, for time is a-wasting even as I speak.

She has called our allies from the nearest tribes and men have already begun to rally at our village to brace against the next invasion, which is likely to be triggered off whether or not the strangers succeed in their mission. I feel my senses immensely dulled by the lack of skirmish. I would rather be at the stronghold, hunting orc and meting out our revenge.

I spied the Elder and Queen Mother whispering furtively by the prayer grounds this morning. My ears could have deceived me but I had caught the sound of my name amidst their hushed conversation. I did not like the look on their worried faces either.

My soul pricks with the sense that something immense is about to occur. Nervousness and anxiety has crept into my heart though I can find no cause for it. I shall seek solace and counsel at father's crypt as soon as my watch is relieved.

The gods keep me.
Tia

Thorin's Journal (3): We Are Near the Heart of the Orcish Stronghold

A sense of dread has overcome me. As night falls, the thumping of orcish wardrums can be heard in the distance, an echo of the throbbing hearts of countless human slaves held captive, working throughout the night under the cruel whips of orc taskmasters. Distant fires can be seen flickering, as guards patrol the perimeter of the camp.

As we trek nearer to the orc encampment, countless animal carcasses lie strewn all over the ground of the forest, left to rot. It is a most strange sight, as orcs are not given to letting meat go to waste. The stench of death is in the air.

God knows what they have done; Even the rivers and streams have rebelled, what life they once held has been replaced by a steady stream of black liquid. Upon closer inspection, our healer Nakai produced the answer to this mystery. The orcs have planted their foul weeds called "Krashic" in druid lore, by the riverbanks. These are no mere weeds, as they have been planted and cursed by Orc-Shamans. They produce a most poisonous toxin which the orcs use to coat their darts and swords. Alas, the rivers have succumbed to the foul arts; It has given up it's final breath. It no longer brings life to the animals who once drew from it.

The still silence of the night is occasionally broken by screams of agony. By Moradin! I can take this no longer! My axe screams for blood and revenge, but it will have to remain unsatisfied till the orc captain is slain, lest we draw further attention to ourselves and endanger our mission. Already, we have been traversing by night and resting in the day to avoid the orc patrols.

However, just this morning, we could not escape detection from this team which had a bloodhound with them. We were forced to draw swords and it was with great fortitude that my Master's arrow silenced the leader just as his horn was raised to his lips. The sight of the orc grappling helplessly at the arrow protruding from it's throat, accompanied by the gurgling of blood, raised a cheer in my heart as for a moment, surely all was lost and our quest had reached its untimely end.

It would have been difficult to bury the carcasses of the slain orcs, but surely the next patrol would be looking for them in their prolonged absence and our position would have been given away.

Nakai spoke up again.

We tied the orcs securely on ropes and hoisted them up onto the trees, far away from the eyes of the patrols on the ground below. It will be sometime before the bodies start to decompose and emitt it's foul odours. Hopefully, our presence will go undetected till then.

This may be the last time I get to pen my thoughts down again. We strike early tomorrow morning, just before the break of dawn. May Moradin grant his favour upon us.

Thorin Axefist

Christian's Journal (3)

We set out for the orc stronghold as soon as dawn broke, travelling light and without our horses, lest any of the orc patrols hear us and give warning to their chieftains. The villagers provided for us their sturdy bows and arrows, though Thorin has favoured his throwing axes and Nakai has renounced use of such weapons. I prefer my sword, but the arrows might prove useful. The council, together with the Queen Mother, saw us off and wished us success for our mission, although that Tianna girl was staring daggers at me and fingering the hilt of her Karadush katana as if I were an orc! She did not seem particularly pleased to be left out of the expedition.

We met with no hostile creatures throughout our journey as we forgoed the beaten path and travelled through the light underbrush, occasionally avoiding an orc patrol. I am thankful we have not yet have had to resort to the use of force, for a prolific number of orc corpses might alert the orcs to our presence. The element of surprise remains our greatest advantage.

I fear I cannot write much more, for the already dim fire we have about our camp may attract the keen eyes of the orcs. It would be best to put it out and take refuge in the darkness. I cannot tarry, I have first watch.

May Helm watch over us all.

Christian Aisling

Tianna's Journal (2): Liberating the Orc Stronghold

I have scarcely returned from the council meeting and have but a few moments before I take my sword to relieve the night watchman at his post. There was much debate and tension at the meeting tonight and I was surprised to see the strangers there. After all the protests about involving the outsiders in our own affairs, Queen Mother decided to accept their offer to help for the plan I brought up: to infiltrate the orc stronghold and slay the captain.

I have no doubt that they must have considerable influence and reputation for their prowess to have had Queen Mother trust them so. Still, it should have been me that was sent to make the killing! Regardless, they will have to come back alive and victorious before they gain any respect from *me*.

The paladin is the leader of the group. He seems wiser and more powerful than the rest and there is definitely more to him than meets the eye. I bear no conclusion to Queen Mother's politeness and liking for him but I was definitely annoyed at the way Fae and the other girls were giggling as they spied on him through the gaps of the tent. A man would have to have more than mere good looks in order to catch Tia's eye!

The short adorable one, Thorin, is rather fascinating. I have never seen a dwarf close up before. And I did not know that they had the stomach for the barrels of ale that this one vanquished tonight!

Nakai is the tall and silent one. I heard whispers that the white-clothed cleric is a retired warrior, with a name that is no stranger to any house. He held his tongue throughout and was but listening as the rest bantered on.The party will be spending the night with us before old man Khan equips them with some equipment to set them off towards the north in the morning.

I have decided that I shall not speak to any of the strangers and concentrate on protecting the village should anything go wrong on their part -- something that will come as no surprise to me.

Tia

Thorin's Journal (2): We Prepare for Battle

The council meeting ended successfully with the appointment of my master as leader of the party chosen for the mission. We are to assassinate the orc captain, with hopes that the ensuing chaos will weaken the chain of command and lower their morale, enabling the village militia to launch a full-scale assault on their stronghold. Word has been sent to the neighbouring villages: All able bodied male-folk above the age of fifteen who are willing to do battle with the orcs are to gather at the village centre by the 10th day of the next fullmoon.

Men from the neighbouring villages have been straggling in since last week. Many of them, common-folk, who have never held a sword in their entire lives, have rallied together and enlisted, with great faith put on their newfound hero, my master, Christian Aisling. His fame has spread to the neighbouring villages after our last orc-hunting expedition, where he single-handedly slew an orcish patrol sergant in mortal combat. Apparently, no one who has fought "One-Eye", the sergant, and survived to tell the story. Word has it that the valiant archer who loosed the arrow that earned him that nickname, was skinned alive, disemboweled and hung on a tree just outside the city-gates, a testament to Orcish cruelty and wrath.

It is with great sadness as I see young boys, who have barely reached the age of maturity, with hardly a shadow on their bare chins, laugh and joke about the upcoming battle. They know not the harsh cruelty of war. I hardly dare contemplate the outcome of the battle if we fail in our mission. But with life, there's hope, or so goes the saying.

An attractive lady, Tianna Evaline, with a hint of distant elven heritage in her features, was present at the meeting. Apparently, she is the village's champion, a kensai, a sword saint. I hope her skill with that eastern looking sword of hers is as sound as her name. On hindsight, it was she who came up with the plan; Perhaps she has some wit in her after all. Her feminity belies a brave heart though, as it was with much argument and dispute before she condescended to stay behind to protect the village. Ah! Perhaps I was too quick to judge her by her gender.

Our healer, Nakai, was rather silent throughout the meeting. But hidden behind his words, lies wisdom. The wisdom which comes only with age and experience. He speaks with authority, not unlike one who has lived a dozen lifetimes. He is famous in this region, the bards in the taverns sing mighty tales of his valour. Apparently, he is a retired fighter who has laid down his weapons to embrace his new found faith. This explains his powerful frame hidden under the oversized robes that he wears. It will be an honour to fight alongside this great warrior.

The blacksmith here seems pretty handy with that anvil of his. Perhaps, I should revisit him later. It would be wise to sharpen my axes in preparation for the upcoming battle.

Christian's Journal (2) : Our Task is Decided

It has been decided - at the break of dawn tomorrow, the three of us shall set out to the north for the orc stronghold. At the council meeting earlier, we were gathered together with the Queen Mother, her attendants and the tribal elders to discuss how we were to destroy the orcs.

Several plans were suggested and discarded; finally, after hours of debating, one of the Mother's attendants, a feisty little spitfire, spoke and brought up a plan to sneak into the stronghold and slay the captain. I agreed; the village does not have the strength to muster a full-scale assault on the orcs. Discretion is the key, and the demise of their leader will demoralise these orcs who are reined in by fear rather than true leadership and respect.

I requested that my small party take up this mission - keeping to mind the orders of my high priest - and the Queen Mother agreed to my demands, despite the vociferous objections from the tribal elders, who felt foreigners such as we should not "steal" the honour from the other warriors of the village. Yet the loudest and most indignant of them all was the Mother's attendant herself, this sprightly young woman called Tianna Evaline. She felt she was the best choice to lead this foray into the enemy territory. There is such a fire in this attendant! It would be foolish to take her as a normal and lowly handmaiden, for the katana she carries about her waist does not seem like a mere decorative ornament to me.

However, she submitted to the Queen Mother's decree, and soon after we departed from the great hall, to make our own preparations. I convened with Nakai, our healer, and Thorin, axe ever ready in hand, to discuss our battle strategy, since stealth, not valour, is crucial. It would not be wise to charge into their lair with a furious battlecry only to have the entire stronghold of irate orcs bearing down upon us with their wicked swords and axes.

I am confident in our task, for shall good not truimph over evil? I yearn not after the accolades that we may win with our success, but that the innocent might be absolved from the foul presence of the orcs. They have caused too much pain, terror and death in Faerun, and such a debt must be paid with their blood. Time grows short.. I must attend to my prayers.

Tianna's Journal (1): Wedding Revelry - And the Arrival of Strangers

The evening's festivities proceeded without much fuss and all the people were in high spirits. Old man Khan, as usual, had a little too much to drink and had to have his wife knock the ale out of his hand and drag him home by the ear.

Jermyn looked ravishing in her wedding dress! I can only hope that I'll be able to be as skillful with sewing when my own big day comes, though i doubt I'd have the patience to be indoors for a few months at a stretch, working at a silly piece of garment that will only be worn just once in your lifetime!

I think I injured Lamos during the sword dance just now. I can't help but submit to the seduction of power each time I grip the hilt of my sword. That surge of exhilaration that rushes through my blood makes me lose sight of the hazy line that separates friend from foe, till I can only see one thing: my opponent. I must remember to pay my respects to brother Lamos later on, and offer my apologies.

There were strangers in our midst tonight. I know not the identity of the three men, only that Queen Mother calls them her guests. The people say they were hired to help drive away the orcs. Once again, worry spoils the evening's joy and I am, again, plagued with concern about the recent attacks. I wonder how long it will be before our village falls siege to the inexhaustible troops that keep pouring from the north. Much damage was left after we drove off the recent herd and Queen Mother refused to let tragedy interrupt the scheduled events. I suspect that the key to our victory lies in defeating the orc captain in his stronghold, only our diminished army would not permit the risk of leaving the village borders unguarded. Perhaps someone will come up with a solution during the council meeting tomorrow.

The Queen be praised!

Tia

Thorin's Journal (1) : The Wedding

The sounds of the night's revelry still sing in my head. The bard's skilful playing, the passionate dancers, the skilful performers, the glowing bride and groom. It served me well to be in the midst of heroes, exchanging tales of valour, feasting the night away with meat and ale.

Ah! It has been ages since I've attended a festival such as this. Life on the road with my master has been harsh. What manner of a dwarf can be seperated from his meat and ale for such extended periods of time? Alas, I am honour bound to serve my master, Christian Aisling, a newly fledged Paladin from the order of Helm. As such, these pleasures of life come far and between. It was with much pursuasion from the bridegroom before my master agreed to grace their marital festivities. My master lives an austere life, prefering to spend his time with his incessant research on his faith, spending hours praying to this Helm whom he serves. Bah!!! I reckon what he needs is a good mug of ale and some hearty tavern wenches to loosen up his sorrysome self. "He's wound up too tight", as Grandma would say.

Fate, however, has decreed that I owe him a boon. For it was he, who risked his honour and reputation when he stood up and took me in: I was destined for the gallows after I killed the group of snivelling hypocritical priests who showed him scantily any respect in a fit of anger. Perhaps, it would be a good thing to stay with this man after all, for he has taught me, with his infinite patience and prayers, to curb and control the frenetic blood-lust I enter when I am provoked.

It seems that we have a meeting with the Queen mother tommorow evening to discuss a plan in lieu of the recent increased orcish activities which has affected trade considerably. Perhaps, it would be wise of me to retire for the night.

By Moradin,
Thorin Axefist

Christian's Journal (1) : Our Arrival

Thorin and I have finally arrived at the tribal village outside the borders of Athkatla, after receiving reports of an orc stronghold that continues to grow in strength and number. The orcs have been disrupting several trade wagons into Athkatla and threatens to overrun the village with its incessant raids.

The high priest of Athkatla has deigned that I put an end to this evil, claiming that a triumph over the orcs shall bolster my claim to be accepted in the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart. I accepted the assignment readily, eager to be counted among the ranks of such noble paladins as Sir Keldorn, as well as curious to observe the ways of the heathen tribes. Perhaps Helm shall use me as a vessel to lead these heretics into the worship of the ever-vigilant Watcher.

I asked to speak with their leader, the Queen Mother, as the patrol we encountered informed us, and we were brought to the village quickly. However, a wedding was underway, and I could not be granted an audience with the Queen Mother immediately as she did not want to disrupt the festivities. I reluctantly agreed to attend the celebrations, as it would be my only chance to speak with the Queen Mother then. The wedding was indeed an eye-opener for such as I, though Thorin readily threw himself into the thick of the celebrations, imbibing amounts of ale that would have quickly sent me spiralling into a drunken stupor. The hardiness of a dwarf still astounds me, though their love of the drink would do well to be curbed.

Yet, I wonder at times whether I have been too harsh on the headstrong dwarf. He has picked up the martial skills quickly, though imparting the teachings of Helm to him have been trying, not to mention impossible. I am glad, however, with the progress Thorin has made with the blind bloodrage he is afflicted with when he is provoked. I remember the time when he flew into his raw, primal rage and slew those false priests that dared to blaspheme the word of Helm in my presence. I took in the young dwarf then, seeking to hone the true potential of his berserk bloodlust as a force against evil, as a furious weapon of righteous anger, for I know the good that lies in this warrior's heart.

As the furore of the night's festivities died down, I managed to speak with the Queen Mother regarding the orc stronghold that lies in the north. She behaves strangely, as if intimidated by me, but for what reasons I am unsure. These heathens have strange ways I am still oblivious to. The Queen Mother, however, has agreed to our help for she has shared with me that their force of numbers have been dwindling, and many wives are now without husbands, and many children have been left as orphans.

We have a meeting tomorrow to discuss the plans of our attack; I must retire soon for the coming days bring blood.

For the Glory of Helm,
Christian Aisling