Heartholm's Journal

[Heartholm]

((Posted this in the wrong forum before))nI've decided to begin keeping a journal to chronicle my adventures in Kalimdor, and my adventures with my new companions in Nyx. Perhaps at the end of my travels, it will make for valuable inspiration for an epic poem or even a novel.nnFor now, it merely serves as a repository of stray thoughts, awkward pauses, and bad penmanship.nnDay 1.nI've been summoned to the Valley of Wisdom in Orgrimmar for my initiation into the Tribe. The interview is concise and to the point, however, there's a test of my martial abilities as well. I'm woefully unprepared for battle, and suffer a horrible defeat at the hands of their resident forsaken warlock. Apparently they've mistaken me for a "Bloodknight." I can scarcely imagine myself being able to muster up the focus to siphoning dwindling energies out of an empty chamber, much less charge gallantly into battle against the forces of the slightly-less malicious Burning Legion.nnThen again, I've already spent a day in Orgrimmar without getting sick from drinking the water. Perhaps I underestimate my own fortitude.nnDay 2.nCliffwatcher Longhorn requests that I make my way to the Thousand Needles Canyon. Apparently, the Grimtotem tribe is in possession of several secret missives and coded messages that reveal their treachery. I set off in the night, sneaking into their encampment and stealing the letters. Along the way, I managed to rescue a guard from the outpost they'd been holding hostage, and managed to seriously injure their chief without sustaining a single scratch. I wonder if the Bullmen are inclined to pay in gold pieces, or if they perhaps use the less ostentatious but more easily portable Goblin bank notes...nnDay 3.nThe Bullmen have decided to repay my death-defying efforts on their behalf with food, board, and the services of a guide. Perhaps the wealth of one can be measured by their experiences and companions, but quite frankly, the gold would've been nice. My guide leads me to hidden nooks and crannies where I find roots, berries, and flowers to make suitable pigments to mix for paint. Searching the skyline, I find a suitable perch from which I can paint the sunset. My guide drones on and on about the spiritual significance of the particular spire as we attempt to scale the sheer side of it, his words are lost on me as I'm holding on to each handhold for dear life. About 10 feet up, I can hear a "yip-yipping" at my heels as a trio of vicious hyenas are nipping at our heels. In my panicked scramble up, rocks slid from beneath my feet, crushing the curs below us.nnOne of the hyenas, a large, smelly brute, belonged to the same brood as the legendary Steelsnap. I'll take its jawbone to Thunderbluff and see what price it'll fetch. It'll certainly bring in more gold than the painting. My sunset looks more like a tiger's mangled rump.nnDay 4.nI set off towards the Shimmering Flats to deliver another piece of post to a remote outpost. The guards there ask me to investigate a Dwarven dig site, overrun by Silithid. I manage to sneak behind a patrol of Dwarven archeologists attempting to retake the site and collect the samples I need. Shortly after, My hearthstone begins burning with an intense, edritch energy. Before I can determine the cause, I'm whisked away to a far off place.nnI reappeared in a small town seated at the head of a vast Savannah. Members of all races of the Horde, and strange, brown-skinned creatures milled about. Among the crowd, I recognized several face. They, along with the help of Swanthula, one of the hostesses of the gathering, explained the particulars. We were led to an ancient, magical circle. Sitting around it, members of the tribe would be called within the runes to answer questions. Their answers were humorous, enlightening, and at times, a bit off putting. I would say the gathering was... rather inspirational on the whole. I'll have to bring my instruments to the next congregation. And perhaps some food to share.nnAfterward, I had the chance to meet with Shaylarose, another higher ranking member of the tribe. We chatted briefly, and I found out she's a fellow poetry aficionado. I'll have to send her some of my work soon and see what she thinks.

[Heartholm]

Day 4nAfter the meeting, I take a few hours off in Ratchet to try my hand at a few throws of the dice. It ends abysmally, and I'm forced to pay the rest of my debts delivering a package to the racetrack in Shimmering Flats. It wouldn't have been too terrible, had my windrider had better taste in music. Apparently my singing annoyed the creature so much, it felt compelled to land several miles north of my destination in a rather well known roost of wild windriders.nnAs I bandaged my wounds and cursed the beast, I managed to somehow misplace my pan flute and parchment. I've been looking into making or purchasing a drum anyhow, so perhaps this is a blessing in disguise.nnDay 6nnI lost my pen at somepoint yesterday, and haven't been able to find a proper one till now. Having received a hot-tip from *name smudged*, the foremost goblin authority on magical tomes and texts, I decided to charter a flight on an airship and make for Tarren Mill. Apparently several more books containing the original letters of Archbishop Alonsus Faol to the Monastery of Tirisfal, sometime before the beginning of the First War. It's possible that these texts could lead to the proof i'm looking for.nnUnfortunately, before I could even make my way into Tarren mill, I was assaulted by several bandits, masqurading as Alliance Adventurers. Fortunate for me, members of the Tribe were more than willing to help me escape my captors, and managed to create a big enough diversion for me to head into town.

[Heartholm]

Day 7nThe hospitality of the citizens of Tarren Mill is without end, but certainly repugnant to those of upright moral attitude. I set out in the early morning, eager to elude more advances by some of the "livlier" women(or should I say un-livelier) and make my way to Hammerfall, to perhaps gain allies to aid my search of the libraries of Stromgarde Keep for the letters.nnUnfortunately, all I got saddled with was a military writ to deliver another package. Despite my protests, I was ordered to deliver the parcel all the way to Grom'Gol. As luck would have it, I was able to obtain the services of a wandering mage, who's portal whisked me away to the Undercity for a reasonable fee. After taking the better part of an hour to cope with the smell, I wandered my way out of the sewers and into a Zeppelin bound for the Cape of Stranglethorn.nnUpon my arrival, I delivered the package to Kin'weelay, a rather amicable Troll mystic. He informed me that he had a bounty posted on members of the Skullsplitter tribe, and that an enterprising young elf, such as myself, might be able to make a tidy sum ridding the jungle of their foul presence.nnHaving once heard a Blood Knight recount his battle with the Skullsplitters, I knew they were as fearsome a foe as one might find among the Tribes of Stranglethorn. I also knew that they were fond of digging large, shallow mass graves for those who's corpses are too dishonorable to make it to the dinner table. Sure, it was a bit disingenuous, but I had no way to pay the ferry back to Tirisfal! nnSo, journal, I set off into the dense jungle, dodging patrol after patrol until I made my around to the rear of their holdings. Fresh graves full of the unsullied corpses of Skullsplitter warriors littered the clearing. So, I unsheathed my mighty spade, and in the dead of night, I began to dig. Having found my 23rd of 25 necklaces, I decided to take a short break to enjoy a bit of pipe weed. And journal, as you know, when I'm to smoke a pipe, I'm compelled to sing.nnOne passing patrol later, and I'm bound and gagged, waiting to be served on a polished stone platter! If it weren't for my hearthstone tucked tidily away in my... "back pocket," I dare say I would've been supper. Thankfully, Ephemeral Nycia heard my call for help and was able to come to my rescue. I'll write another entry once the rope-bruises about my wrists have had a chance to heal.nnDay 8nTaking time to let my wounds heal, I do a bit of fishing in Stranglethorn. Not much to add, save for my catch! A nearly two foot Something-or-other. I'm not familiar with the species, but they taste delicious!nnDay 9nThe conflict in Dustwallow Marsh has apparently reached some sort of pivotal turning point. An old friend's letter left for me in the Bay requests my assistance, offering an incredible sum of gold in order to perform some espionage in the barrens. I set out to Ratchet immediately.nnDay 11nI arrive in Rachet, and after finding a sealed order bearing the seal of Theramore in the post for me, I set out for the Alliance's largest stronghold in Kalimdor. I also find a gift for me from Chaliyphah. 'Tis the season, I suppose. I ought to start adding poetry to each entry. It'd certainly save me the trouble of keeping two books with me at all times.nnThe great sea is not so great, when with your enemy, you have a date.nAbove the mud and muck and mire, sit machines of blade and fire.nnI really ought to take a class or something.