The following is a notation of the thoughts of Kraygon,
while pondering over a mug of Rivengut.
Nightal 14th It has not been very long since I left Earthfast,
yet I have experienced a human's life worth, and I've just begun.
Wow what a resume! I have been part of Azoun's army in the war,
walked patrols as a city guard in Ravensbluff, marched with the
fellow clansmen as we explored and conquered a new world, and now
an adventurer, a member of a company. The Greased Ferrets, what
a name. Sounds like a gnome thing to me, but they get the job done.
Bah! I remember when I first saw them. What a pathetic bunch.
All wet behind the ear. A fighter of marginal ability, a couple
of thieves, a merchant, a couple kids, a tinkerbell priest of Lathander,
and a blasted elf! With those thieves in command and an elf in the
ranks, it's a wonder how they survived, but they did. Their roster
has changed a bit. The thieves are gone, along with Jondalar. Now
they have some sort of a mage who specializes with fire, and Malagar
a aspiring fighter.
I have suffered a set back in achieving the attention of Clangadin.
I did not win a battle with an unarmed man. This is a serious incident.
He was unarmed, and I had my trusted axes. At first I was stunned.
I thought, "what kind of a fool is this?" I even offered him a weapon
to make the fight fair. When he refused, I realized his limbs were
his weapons. What's worse is that when I attacked, I failed to strike!
Of all my swings only one connected. Evidently I have not learned
enough, therefore, I must start anew. It is back to the basics,
to train harder than ever. I shall not rest until I can redeem myself.
I fear for my future opponents, for they will have to face my frustration
which has now turned to rage. The foreigner is lucky: He is already
dead!
This recent set back has also pointed out a new direction to follow.
I must search out these new styles and adapt my fighting to counter
them. I know that the druid who can not cast can fight like this,
I must practice with him more. Although this is not his preferred
lactic, I should learn a lot from him.
Damn the next mage that I face! His life will be worth nothing
more than the bounty of a goblin ear. I fell victim of some mage's
treachery. I was struck by fire twice during my combat with the
foreigner. This aided my opponent. It shall not happen again, for
the next mage I face in combat will have to cast with the shaft
of a siege bolt in his shoulder and an axe in his breast. He will
then have a question to answer: Which is stronger, his magic or
my rage.
Ah! Dragons Breath, the perfect stress reliever. When taken in
small quantities it can relive tension, and when taken in larger
amounts it can be used to relieve consciousness. I must remember
to follow my doctor's orders: "One dose before bedtime to help victim/patient
sleep." I think I've discovered an interrogative agent to be used
on any captives we might take. Surely the drow system can not handle
this gift from the gods!
Enough about quality beverages, time to move on to more important
subjects: Weapons and Armor. More specifically, my fine equipment.
Recently I've had time to try out my new found tools of the trade.
Ultok (+3 Axe) works far beyond my expectations. So far, no one
has answered any questions that I have axed of them. As usual, Largon
(+1 quality axe) has not failed me. Such a fine tool, my pa would
be proud to see it in action.
Those fine Dwarven additions to my armor have worked out fine
so far. I really haven't had the chance to try them, but I shall
make it a point to test them in our next encounter. The priestess
seemed to like my helmet. I sure do! It definitely has its merits
in certain situations.
A fine weapon I have found in Murmel (the Roland Bow). As most
bows go this one is a little slow, but it makes up for it in the
size of its punch. I've poked a couple of Drow with it, and it has
worked beautifully. I still haven't tried out the bolts my stone
cousins gave me, but I know I can trust the craftsmanship. I still
keep Garnth (It. X bow). The old bow is a good quick- draw weapon.
As for my armor, no serious blows have been felt yet, only some
"attention getters." It was my finest investment yet. If I live
long enough I should try my hand at Grafting armor. If nothing else,
I could do a no worse than those human armorers. They don't have
enough patience to work the metal to its fullest potential. Besides,
they just don't have the eye for it like us.
I like being back underground. It is so beautiful. Who'd have
thought that I, a tree cutter, would miss the underground. Its funny
but I feel back at home, especially after seeing Glitterdome. I'm
beginning to wonder why I ever left. I must be getting old. The
elders always told not to leave. They used to say it was a phase.
I'm starting to think they were right.
So far our search for the forge has gone well. We have encountered
some Drow and made short work of them. The only thing that concerns
me is the Drow that escaped. We could not have killed them all,
only a fool would think that. The surely went back to warn the others.
If they don't come after us because we have invaded their territory,
they will defiantly come after Blackwolf just because of who he
is. I'm glad that I sleep with one eye open, all that soldiering
is paying off. Blackwolf has offered to teach us some underground
survival stuff. I might take him up on it.
It must be the will of the gods. I'm beginning to feel like my
life has been focused. Ever since I met this group things have been
going well for me. I've been able to get my hands on some excellent
weapons and armor. I got out of a piss poor job as a city guard.
Damn, those humans are hard to work with. They just didn't know
how to use me. Finally, my life has a direction: save the forge.
The Drow don't deserve it; the Duergar aren't worthy of it; the
Dwarves made it, so it belongs to us. I will not rest until the
forge rests in a Dwarven Stronghold. This is my oath!
I still don't understand why it has to be such a mixed group to
recover the forge. Why couldn't a bunch of us Dwarves go and get
it. It would be a lot easier, but who said it would be easy.
Clanggedin grant us victory!
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