(translated from the elvish)
Random observations about the Humans
Humans are very smelly.
I knew leaving the forest would be a life altering event. I had heard the stories of the humans from my elders. I just could not believe the stories that I had heard. I don’t think I actually believed that they could really exist.
They seem to be a short lived, fat people who refuse to wipe filth off of themselves.
They appear to worship a god, similar to The Eternal, but with a punitive streak and a per chant for human women. He appears to have impregnated one of the women and then given birth to himself, or some strange half-god, half-human hybrid. It’s all very confusing and very odd. The humans calling themselves Christians seem to need Sunday to worship this man-god. They do this by drinking his blood and eating his flesh. They begin drinking wine and bread which they claim magically becomes the actual flesh and blood of their man god. What kind of race eats their own god’s son? Every week? Otherwise, they don’t seem to be cannibals, but I can not be sure yet.
Also, I dislike the facial hair both the men and the women seem to grow.
My travels
My desire to travel began when I learned about the Banestorm. Were we at fault? Who are the Dark Elfs?
My need to travel among the humans began in 1994. Starting in 1970 I had been under the training of my beloved Master, Rangyl Berethryl. Early in the 90’s my training was completed when I Mastered the Plant College of Magic.
After my Mastery, Rangyl decided to wander and he joined with a group of humans who were setting up an outpost in the Orc Lands, Castle Defiant. The castle withstood many trials and fought back many Orcish attacks. However, during the beginning of 1994, the settlers were at their breaking point, no longer able to hold against the Orcish hordes.
They appealed to the King of their land who said he would provide troops to help them. The King sent troops, but another noble from that land attacked the King’s land while he was away. It turns out the King was expecting trouble and his troops were immediately back to fight the insurrection.
This began a Civil War in the land know as Caithness. After the likely death of my Master, Rangyl, and my growing Mastery in the Plant College I decided it was time to set out. I left in the spring of 2004 and wandered until the Winter approached.
As Winter settled in I approached the town of Wallace. My thinking was to trade my services for a place to spend the winter. I was greeted at the gate by Marly and Sergeant Sven Helsmein. Marley requested some money to enter the town. It was my first exposure to “finances.” I had heard about money, but I had used or needed it.
Fascinating!
I was met by Master Thomas, the right hand of Lord William of Wallace. I offered my services and he seemed pleased to have the assistance of a Mage. I worked for a week and busied myself bringing two more harvests in for the peasants. As well as growing a Bread Oak tree for Master Thomas. I should point out that Master Thomas speaks flawless Elvish and says he has spent significant time with the N’mar tribe.
After my extra harvests, they were ready to let me winter in the hovel and be on my way. I countered with an offer that I could help shore up the defenses, using the mysteries of the Essential Wood spell.
I spent the Winter helping the town of Wallace get ready for renewed hostilities and earned myself 8 silver bars and 100 pence for my trouble! I also spent the Winter answering farming questions and helping with the serf’s needs. (The humans divide themselves into different castes, very distasteful. It is tied up with the money concept, but I am not entirely clear how.
Also of note, on the “Sunday” work is not permitted. It’s the serfs only day of rest, so that makes some amount of sense.
Once weekly I take dinner with the Lord and important folks of Wallace Town.
In the Spring, after the preparations for the upcoming Civil War, I met a particularly interesting human, Joshua, he has the voice of an Orc, the smell of an Orc, the manners of an Orc and the apparent Engineering skill of an Ancient Dwarf.
I met him through the Masonic Guildmaster, they manage all engineering, stone masonry work etc. Over the Winter I came up with the idea of flooding a section of the Lord’s field’s with water and growing rice. I had a lot of explaining to do to explain what this exotic plant rice is, but I feel confident that rice, with some Engineering and Magical help will become a staple of the Humans here. Especially the Slaves, or Serfs. Same thing really.
The Masonic Master, |Jeff’s character| and myself are scheduled to go out on a reconniscance mission soon! It will be great fun.
Thoughts
My hosts have been kind, but they treat me like an idiotic child rather than an extremely powerful Mage in a Mana poor area. This counts against them.
The story they tell about the “betrayal” at Castle Defiance doesn’t really hold water for me. The fact that the Leader of this land is held in Ill regard for being sensible (i.e. holding troops back against an obviously mutinous vessel. (Is that the word? Vessel, vassal? To few vowels in this brutish language to differentiate properly.)
I might be on the wrong side of this Civil War.
However, the people of this town have been kind to, including their “Nobility”
I have seen nothing Noble about any of the “Nobility.” If anything the daily work and strength of the human slaves inspires me. Mortality and drudgery is Sad. I think I might try to teach them about Elven equality.
It is my idea, after watching this horrific disparity that the humans should take from each one of their own according to their ability. And they should then provide to each according to their need.
It is good that I came out of the forest.
I will learn more Magery.
I will help my Human brothers and sisters.
And I will make comrades out of the Oppressed humans. Their lives are so short, they deserve communal friendship.