20 Kraukr - 3 Urrakr

The first entry in Rielel's journal, taking place from what is assumed to be the 20th of March to the 3rd of April.

I left mother's nest today. More accurately, she kicked me out, but that's not important. She was merciful, though, and waited until the start of the season of new growth.

I was soaring across the bleak expanse of the Kru Wuara, when I spotted a half-elf struggling through the sands. The pitiful being was barely alive, but I could clearly see the golden artifact he clutched in his dirty hands. The magic that flowed off of it in waves was a powerful kind, and I knew I must have it. However, I did not want to soil my claws with mortal blood, and merely followed the poor thing until it finally collapsed. I made quick work of snatching up the shield, but a twinge of pity in my heart made me give the creature as proper a burial as I could in the middle of a desert.

Balikala, the brute, soon found me hiding out with my treasure. Being much bigger and tougher than I was, the threats he spit were definitely something I should consider. I relinquished the lovely shielf, but despite my willingness to give up, he still bullied me. He broke the shield in his teeth, destroying that powerful magic I felt in it. He laughed cruelly, flying off soon after. I loathed him when we were in the clutch together, but I think I may loath him more now.

I settled down in a lovely clearing in the closest forest, the stars twinkling merrily above my head. I had not been asleep for long, before I was tossed several yards. Although, tossed is a very light way of putting it, but nevermind that. A gargantuan elder dragon stood over me, snarling as smoke billowed out of his jaws. He screeched at me to leave his territory immediately, and being so weak in comparison, I grovelled for forgiveness. He beat me soundly, driving me out.

I flew for several days without a single stop to rest. I didn't want to repeat the recent events, and continued until I found a place to make my own. I stumbled upon a lengthy network of caves in a mountain, inhabited only by goblins. As averse to staining my claws as I was, I simply frightened them with a display of flame and smoke. The goblins quickly began offering their resources to me, which I accepted, of course. Some of them began to worship me as though I were a god, but that was not a matter of my concern. All I wanted from them was loyalty to ensure I had personal servants.

No more than three days later, I found the goblins holding contests in a fighting pit. While normally I do not meddle in mortal affairs unless they would affect me directly, I could not stand by to this. The chieftain of the goblins claims that this was how they taught young goblins bravery �" through bloodshed. That made the first time I ever soiled my claws with mortal blood.