New Agamand Times

 (Ratchet, The Barrens) In the bustling goblin port town of Ratchet lies a watering hole of somewhat ill repute: The Drunken Kodo.  Run by a group of dubious business people, the establishment does excellent business, until recently, said one employee.  It all seemed to coincide with the arrival of the Knights of the Ebon Blade, or the Death Knights.

Beings of pure darkness, these Death Knights - once favorites of The Lich King - now seek solace in the warm arms of the Warchief's Horde, and they find mixed reception.  The barmaid of the Drunken Kodo went on to say that "compassion" is key when dealing with these Knights, "Because if I am nice to them, they are nice to me.  And that's nice."  

However, an outspoken troll employee known simply as "Grub," had a rather different approach to the Horde's newfound soldiers.  He went on to say that he would like to see their heads on pikes, see them hanged, drowned, and other ways of being generally dead.  He believes these Knights will betray the Horde as they have betrayed their old master; old habits die hard.

In speaking with two Death Knights in attendance, Mr. Steiner said that he felt somewhat welcome, but it depended on who was present at the tavern that evening.  Mr. Steiner seemed rather distracted all evening, and spent several minutes in hushed conversation with the amiable barmaid.  "Elanor," on the other hand, went on to say that, "Now that they're getting used to us, things are improving.  People are warming up to us.  We had problems in the beginning with some Forsaken, and that troll over there ["Grub"], but people are getting used to the fact that we're not going away."  

If these Knights of the Ebon Blade cannot receive welcome at an establishment such as The Drunken Kodo, where are they ever to feel welcome?   Mistrust at the bar is far less dangerous than mistrust on the battlefield; the true test is time as to whether these Death Knights can withstand the horrors of the Horde military training.

(The Ghostlands, Quel'thelas)  A rush of activity surrounding the Undercity in the past few months is due to new projects going on in Northrend, so says an anonymous source.  The anonymous source went on to say that this may also be the cause of the recent flurry of activity taking place in the Plaguelands and the surrounding areas (including Lordaeron and Quel'thelas), "The Scourge must be dealt with in a timely manner, this is not the time for adventurers to be sleeping on the job!"  This reporter took a trip to Deatholme and found the former city teeming with hostile undead inhabitants, they were observed to be more organized than their more mindless comrades out in the Dead Scar.  More to come on Northrend and Scourge activity.

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Personal Diary:

I have aquired another demon, her name is unpronounceable and the voice in which she chooses to say it makes it even more so. 

I returned home from Silvermoon City the other evening and found her lounging in a chair, nude, and saying she had been "waiting for me." 

I miss my wife and daughters.

December 11, 2007

(The Barrens, Kalimdor) Tonight at the tavern known as the Drunken Kodo, a musical performance wowed an audience of at least 30 people as they danced, chatted, and drank along to the music of Lord Melody - King of the Kaiso.  A shaman by the name of Kalfou said the performance was "FANTASTIC!!!!" as he cheered at each song.  Libations were flowing as one young Troll woman said that "This is da time fuh singin' not for papers!"  Evidently enjoying the show too much to lend her comments.  A young hunter going by the name Firetusk was less than impressed, "You call that a performance?  I thought it was some drunkard singin'!"  Inn patrons were both pleasantly surprised and a bit annoyed by the noise of the crowd and its performer.  Lord Melody himself said that he's been singing all of his life, and has been performing steadily for the past two years.  While his songs cover some traditional Troll folklore, some are completely his own creation.  Catching another performance of the King of the Kaiso will be difficult, however, as he does not advertise.


Personal Diary:

It is still difficult to talk to strangers.

I must get to know the Troll and Orc peoples, as I was not able to understand if I was being slighted or if that is a normal way for them to behave.

I wish I could have taken Jenna and the girls to the concert, they would have loved it.

Gakpad did not enjoy being left alone all night, apparently he was often discussed as if he were not there.  He bent my ear about it on the long trip back to the Crossroads.

November 13, 2007

(Undercity, Lordaeron)  Pollution.  It's something which we can all stand beside, and we do every day that we remain in the Undercity.  The thick green sludge which runs as a river around and through the city's walls gives a pallor to the city interior and to the inhabitants and workers there.  Apothecary Vallia said about the river of sludge, "We do not ask why the river remains.  All we know is that it is there, and we accept it as part of our city."  Auctioneer Rhyker disagreed, "It's not like I have much of a sense of smell or anything anymore, but when I leave the city after work ... Phwoar!  The smell on my clothes is overpowering.  I think I know now why I don't seem to have a rat problem in my home."  More research needs to be done on the preservative or detrimentary causes of the river before further action can be taken.

Personal Diary:

I accidently sewed my leg into my pants.  It was very embarrassing to go to my tailoring teacher and have her extract me from them.

Gakpad says that he's tired of being inside all the time, and that he wants to hurl fireballs again.  I sent him back to the Nether for a short respite.

That being said, I now ache for lack of company.

I left Silvermoon after I paid a very pretty elf woman a compliment, and she turned around and shrieked at the sight of me.  Such a place only harms one's self-esteem.

A Special Travel Insert!

November 5, 2007

(Silvermoon City, Quel'thelas)  The city of the sun sits on the borders of the beautiful Eversong Woods.  Teeming with wildlife, the woods are a good place to relax and spend time with loved ones.  The city retains that serenity within its walls with its plentiful gardens and wide open spaces.  Bustling and lively, the citizens are approachable, and love to have questions asked about them.  When in the city, be sure to visit both Auction Houses (beautiful Sin'dorei architecture, not to be missed), and the temple of the Blood Knights.  Murder Row is not nearly as insidious as the name sounds, and is a good place to sit when the activity of the city gets to one.  While accomodations and other luxuries in the city cost a bit more to non-Sin'dorei or Forsaken Horde brethren, the lavish rooms in the Inn and interesting foods make the extra expense quite worthwhile.

Personal Diary

My stay in Silvermoon remains unharassed.  I am afraid to speak out against what I have seen here for fear of being evicted from my small office.

I do not sleep, but I found myself dreaming the the other afternoon.  I dreamt of the last time I saw my wife and daughter.  It was unpleasant.

I miss my wife.  My stitching on my ruined clothing is not nearly as tidy as hers always was.

I seem only to remember when I am dreaming.  This is disturbing.

I travel to the Undercity only to fish these days.  I am not one for fishing, but my catches from the sludge amuse me.

October 31, 2007

(Silvermoon City, Quel'thelas)  The city of the sun, they call it.  Its beautiful stonework and golden statues make it a glory to behold, and its citizens likewise.  While it has been said that the Blood Elves can be disapproving of their Horde bretheren, they are found to harbor several different races within the city's walls.  Including gnomes.  In an upstairs bedroom of a prominent Silvermoon City Inn was found a small gnome, who was defacing property and laughing uproriously.  It was later discovered that the gnome in question was also a pirate (as was evidenced by his piratical hat).  Should the Horde be accepting of a people who allow desecration of the charity of the Forsaken?

Personal Diary:

Scouted out areas for a new office, and brought the imp along.  He had nothing constructive to say whatsoever, but was much more pleasant company than Jhazjuk. 

I am finding this emaciated form hard to dress.  I feel exposed and bony when wearing almost anything.   However, I did find a beautiful set of robes of a recently deceased (by Gakpad's hand) mage.  I am saving them for a special occasion.

I witnessed the burning of the Wicker Man, and I was wholly moved by the Dark Lady Sylvanas' speech.  I have resolved to spend more time in Forsaken lands so that I may further understand my people's customs.

I am fully aware that at one time, I entered the world as a small thing ... and had a period of growing into adulthood.  I remember those times as being full of confusion and wonder.  There is very little difference, I am sure, when entering into the world as a member of the walking dead.

October 26, 2007

(Silverpine Forest, Lordaeron)  An Archmage known only by the name of Arugal has taken up residence of the once coveted property known as Shadowfang Keep.  It seems as if the Keep has fallen to the same sordid fate as its nearby Pyrewood Village: inhabited by worgen and their undead compatriots.  Although what has happened to the former occupants of the Keep is unknown, one may only assume that they are what makeup the current Keep population.  The neighboring town of Pyrewood Village, an another anonymous village untouched by the plague by day; by night, its inhabitants transform into bloodthirsty worgen.


Personal Diary:

I have been busy in what is now called the Ghostlands, although I have found it more populated by "lynx" and trolls than any ghosts and ghouls. 

While the Blood Elves are kind enough to me, I believe they view me as some sort of monster. 

I am still attempting to learn what has happened since the Undead Plague, and although my dreams are filled with grim visions of slaughter, I still feel very lost. 

My former work as a page of Dalaran has come in useful, as I am able to read the necromantic books given to me by my new trainers and thus able to control my demons, or attempt to. 

I found a pair of spectacles off a Dalaran mage.  I do not believe he needed them any longer, as I killed him, but I hope they give me an air of knowing what I am talking about. 

I have not seen a proper sunrise or sunset in weeks.