"Companions. Allies."

H

e seemed a mite distempered upon first meet, but the human man named Deus Servus, in spite of this devotion to some god, and battle hesitance, is no coward. Holds principles, he does, which makes his word more credible and his intents easier to know. I feel he and I may work well together, once he finds his boots more solid. Albeit, I sometimes question the sensibility of his tongue. Doctrine makes one solid like the stone, the Dwarf says, but even a boulder knows when to move.

Much the opposite is Korgeth, from the human. I would never have seen myself in allegiance with a man of Orc blood, yet here am I... Something about him stirs my curiosity, mayhap, and I sense a certain kindred ness to his pain of being the outsider. Being second to one of better blood. And he is strong, quite strong he is, and adroit too in spite of his size. Sometimes I can see him fighting a beast, the wild and hot, green blood within him. Balancing on the crest of a mountain, he seems, able to fall to either side with a strong gust or ill step. I hope to influence him towards the side of society, where he can put his growing power to heroic, not brutish, deeds. And of course, if I can keep him in check, his strength can be of use to me.

And as unlikely as the Orc, is an Elf with whom I find company. Though wily, he at least knows when to keep a disciplined tongue. And I find him succeeding risky maneuvers, footing as swift as an Elf's but sure as a Dwarf's. Usually—I think I will precede him on dangerous crossings, from henceforth. And I feel that in his company I may unwittingly find trouble, yet he has an element of luck about him which finds restitution. He has some ways which I find unsavory, like his taste for women. Luckily he finds no attraction in me, at least when he's sober. No Elf can hold his ale. With my coin I don't trust him, but I do with my life. For some reason. How vexing, Loxslot is!

Many others I've also met, with whom I may seek help in the future. Ava, a girl with secrets her own. Though of her agenda and motives I am unsure, I owe her my life. There is also Dain, a kindly elder man Dwarf who sees me with eyes free of disdain for woman Dwarfs. A Human woman named Tatiana, who carries no means of physical defense other than a game hound—She I am not sure of, but in her brief time has proven herself trustworthy. And others as well.

Tomorrow we depart from Uli for Draghma and Ostern beyond that, with a cluttered and oft-erroneous map recovered from nest of aberrant rodent men. A royal wedding there be. Mayhap some adventure we can find.

-M

A.E. Many weeks it has been since my last entry—Caught up in travel and a sudden excitement in Uli I've been (the abberations I wrote of, who killed a village woman at Draghma. See sketch). From hence a more regular log I shall keep. I fear things might change fast.

These creatures stood upright with varying height.
Some tall as me, and some as tall as the Orc, Koregeth.
Vermin.