3. Samson Swarthout: Chronicles of a Gentle Giant

Samson Swarthout: Chronicles of a Gentle Giant


  • NEW ENTRY
    Nara found me easily. Not surprising that she could. She said she came to speak to me, to discourage me from what I am trying to do. It pains me to go against her wishes, but I cannot reveal that what I do, I do to save her and so many other worthy souls.
    Even as she spoke with me, she nestled down to hide from them, and well that she did, for as I hid, a party of gatherers came and I slew them. One survived, but would not answer my questions despite the breaking of his bones. I had to slit his throat. If he had returned to his group, he would have spoken of the encounter, and Nara would have been in danger. They would hunt her, as they do me. It pained me to see the revulsion on her face as I did this, but it was necessary to protect her, and everyone else.
    Shades arrived soon after, and I had to flee from them. The looks they gave me, the words they spoke, strike the strength of my convictions, robbing me of the will to continue. I do so desire peace, I desire to have the company of others, but I repulse them now, they see only an orc bent on killing. They do not understand . I left them in the woods so that they would not be branded as criminals by being seen with me.
    Shortly after, Connacht arrived and he too called out for me in the woods, to recall me. I hid as best I could, so that they would just leave, but they waited foolishly, calling loudly through the woods. I dont know what all they spoke of, but suddenly from the trees swooped down nearly 20 of the Horde. They surrounded Nara, Shades and Connact, and meant to kill and silence them for even discussing the option of opposing their plans. I killed many of the Horde in the defense of those who I still call friend.
    Together, I thought, we felt that we had done so much damage that we may as well press on and finish it, but the Iron Horde had Minogons which fell upon us. I cannot help but feel that had we fared better against the minogons, lying just past would have been the last of the Horde, and in reaching them, killing them, this would have all been over.
    Connact carried my body back to the temple where I was restored.
    Even though, an hour before, everyone felt it necessary to continue the fight, I was berated in the temple for waging this war. Nara's words cleaved my heart, and it still bleeds freely today. I have not the strength to fight the Horde today should they find me. Let them kill me.
    I am again in the forest. More alone now than ever before.

    NEW ENTRY
    Sarakar knows now. I returned to town for supplies and a moments rest in the inn, and she surpised me. I managed to subdue her and escape, but have a wonderful pain in my face to accompany the pain in my heart. I am too tired to enter into conflict with her. Perhaps it would have been better if she had simply cut my heart out and been done… but alas, I feel most of my heart lies rotting on the temple floor, carved to pieces by the daggers of Nara's words.

    NEW ENTRY
    The gathering parties are larger now. I let one pass by, there were too many. I heard them speaking, there are hundreds of them nearby now. How badly they desire to enter the city. Their deceiving plan may not work, and then the full force of their army shall be revealed to everyone. How unfortunate that so few seem concerned by this.
    I returned to town to have my equipment tended to by the master armsman. Indeed the chaotic events of the city unfold daily. I spoke with many people. Sarakar and I were forced to work together to stem the tide of creatures flowing from some magic portal, Oh yes.. and we spoke bitterly to each other for nearly two hours, but our need for each other at the portal I think is the only reason we both are still alive.
    Malek and I dispensed a little justice to a small dispute where I acted as judge.
    Father Terent rarely speaks to me anymore. I wonder if he too abhors the war quietly fought in the forests.
    Oddly enough, Ms Moni, my first friend in this forsaken city arrived recently, but only for a short visit . It was so good to see her again, and she seems to have selected Mr Lux as the object of her affections. If I survive I shall indeed be proud to attend their union.
    Tisha is always her friendly self, but I sometimes wonder if she even knows or cares about the army, waiting silently out there for its opportunity to strike at our heart.
    I explained my thoughts on the Horde's plan to Kzerza. He looked to be as if he had never considered that Sarakars orcs would be capable of such treachery, but after all, they DO worship BANE! Kzerza apologized for his actions and said he would speak to Sarakar. It was little consolation. If he truly believed, he would be with me now in the woods as I take pause to write this.

    Other than the dance so long ago, there is only one joy I can write about:
    I have been asked by one (who shall remain unwritten in case I am killed, to protect his wishes to remain unknown) to assist him in becoming an elf. He heard of my desire to do so and came swiftly to me pledging his help. Thanks be to Mr Sunar, who claims he has found an answer to our prayers.
    We need the blood of a doppleganger or a mimic and the blood of one of the desired form before he can attempt it. If only there was more time. Perhaps if I tell ... the one whose name I cannot reveal... he somehow can come up with these things. As much as I want this for myself, I am stuck in these woods until something finally breaks with the Horde.

    With the immediate dangers in the city quelled, I now return to the forest. The Horde is close, and I fear their patience thin. No one can control them and it seems we are powerless to stop them.

    This is the final entry


  • NEW ENTRY
    small drops of blood drip from the writers hand onto the page, mixing with the fresh ink
    A small wound, and they will soon smell it. I must finish this quickly and move before more come in search.
    I let those two float down the river as a sign to the rest… Do not come to this place, death awaits you here. Yet, I fear I cannot win this fight. Years before, I followed the army in their wake, and when they stopped to rest and replenish themselves, I hunted them. Without the divine strength granted me before, I too would have had to rest, but alas Helm's strength allowed me to pick away at the hunters and gatherers until the army was stricken with fear every time they stopped to rest and gather food. It is almost amusing that, to them at the time, I had become an orcish angel of death, to see me in the woods was to know that their time had come to an end. But these of the Iron Horde are very disciplined, and I imagine the luxury of a fear inspiring notion shall not be mine.
    The know exactly who I am, and how I must fight.

    This time, I must stay close to the city, to defend it. I cannot roam freely towards or to the side of the enemy, lest the scouts they send get behind me. They know that I shall ever remain between them and Xyrastalis, even if I am pressed up against the city gate by them, because I must defend it. It is my home. I shall not lose this home, nor my loved ones. Even if I perish, I shall so perish in a manner that I take them with me to the afterlife.

    If only there was a great leader to show me a better way, and lead the people of Xyrastalis to conquer these fiends. Damn you Sarakar! You wish to feel the flex of power at your fingertips as you wield this army for your own desires. But YOU ARE A FOOL!

    the writing becomes hard, under the weight of emotion

    YOU desire to LET them into the city! YOU would call them your FRIENDS! And late some night they will slip from their beds and KILL you in YOURS! They shall blame the citizens for slaying you in your sleep, turning you into a martyr, and then rally the rest of their forces against those that remain. While the citizens look for your murderer, the few orcs inside the city shall silently lift the bars from the gates, destroy the Pedestle and the magic shield, and proudly allow their entire army to slip past the city defenses killing every surprised inhabitant they find.... OH... and THEN! Then their treachery will become evident to you as you observe from the AFTERLIFE! With their army they shall mine VAST amounts of this crystal, and shall SO enchant their armor and weapons as to make them INVINCIBLE! From Xyra they shall invite orcs of all breeds, and bring them into their fold, and granting them great power for which to conquer the world.
    AND YOU WOULD LET THIS HAPPEN! You fool fool girl! You know not the fire with which you play. These are ORCS! Their very blood desires power. There are thousands of them, and even if the leader you so wantonly court pledges his allegiance, those of the orc blood will always follow the strongest leader, and certainly within those thousands shall be a strong one... stronger than your ambassador of peace certainly. You bring doom to us all! I should slay you, but I need you. I need you to keep pledging peace to them, while I whittle them away. And soon they shall turn from you in order to seek me, growing tired of your weak pledges for peace and inability to stop me, and then I shall lead them away, far away from this place. I know should that happen I must give up those closest to my heart, but... at least she will live.

    Sam wages a personal war against the orcs... AGAIN! This time without the aid of a god, 'He Who Lurks in Shadows' returns, this time, older and wiser


  • NEW ENTRY

    these papers seem to have become dampened with the wrinkles of wet, then dried paper. Smudges of dirt appear here and there, the signs of someone who has been in the field for a while. The newfound eloquence in Sam's writing is gone, opting for a blend of newfound skill and practical block script, as if he hadn't the time to be fancy anymore

    My dictionary has finally fallen apart, the wind scattering the pages into the river I was near. Perhaps it guided my hand well enough and for long enough, that if I die here in the woods, others will be able to read these pages and understand what I am trying to do, and know that I died trying to help people.

    Maybe I should have been a ranger. It would really help. My fieldcraft has never been the finest of skills and as often as people I know stumble upon me in the woods, I wonder how I ever manage to catch these orcs unaware.

    I guess this all started that night of the ceremony… to Selune was it? Not a diety I know very well. All of Sam's lady friends were there, dressed in the most stunning, shimmering gowns. Mrs Eva was brilliant, little Tisha almost made me want to be a halfling! Ms Rae, as usual, managing to turn a dignified attire into something more... seductive, I guess since I dont have my book to give me the right word.

    Nara too. a blot of ink as if the pen has paused for a while in that spot while the writer thought Stunning is the only word for her that night. They say wood elves are wild, almost animals, uncouth, yet still possessing that elfish arrogance. If I said she is not, it might offend her dignity, but she far, far exceeds my expectations of what to expect from one of her blood. She is wild certainly, but an animal only in the way she melds into the forest and fights with such tenacity. Uncouth? Certainly not, she looked every bit the part of a princess, so radiant I stared at her without capability of speech. I think my gaping offended her, and made her feel even more uncomfortable. But honestly her discomfort was so adorably cute I havent the heart to regret it.
    As I have been in the woods so long pondering that night, I begin to think I much prefer her in her woodland dress, though to see her so pristine an statuesque again would not harm my soul in the slightest. But with the leaves and twigs in her hair, smudges of dirt on her face and hands, at least then, she would attract less attention, risking less that someone else discover her and sweep her away from me. That fear is greater than my fear of the foes I await patiently as I write this.

    Strange things happened during the ceremony, and I do not understand what all happened, but no one seemed alarmed, so I paid it no further thought. After the ceremony, we left to the celebration. I wore the attire of a sailor's god. At least it was not Bane. Nara, I believe in her embarassment from the ceremony, dissappeared, much to my chagrin. Despite the intent of taking a single night to enjoy the company of others, tensions mounted and tempers flared, almost dragging me into a fight on more than one occasion. Eventually my beloved Narawien arrived, and from then on, the night for me was a highlight of my life.

    I can remember watching Mr Darian dance with others during our travels, and he even showed me a few steps, which thankfully I never forgot. Even though I dance with the grace of a stringed puppet on a childrens stage, at least I knew a few steps and danced for the first time. Thanks be to you, Mr Darian, for your patience and generosity teaching me those few steps so long ago, for my first dance was was more magical than any wizards spell.
    I even danced with young Sarakar, who tried to make amends with me for our past differences and we agreed. If only I had not been concentrating so hard on what my feet were doing, I might have taken a moment to sense the heart behind her words and know what treachery she held in store for us all.

    And that brings me to why I am sitting here in the hollow of a cliff, without a fire, escaping the rain. Sarakar has somehow managed to gain control of the Iron Horde. There is nothing about them any better than the Gruumsh worshiping scum that robbed me of my speech. Even worse these fiends worship Bane, and I have studied enough about that vile diety to know that Gruumsh and Bane are interchangable with vile and evil in any given sentence. But because they worship Bane, it granted Sarakar power over them somehow, and I found this out the very day after the celebration. Oh I have tried to convince that girl to change her ways, to show her a better way and to truly end our conflicts, but this treachery.. this defies every ounce of sense I possess.
    In the tavern, I stumbled upon the leader of the Iron Horde, a being easily as powerful as myself in battle, but lost my wits trying to beat him to the ground and strangle the life out of him. For my efforts, I was publicly beaten, stabbed in the back, tied up, and left for dead in the streets. Sarakar of course defended her orc, and the orc naturally participated once I had been knocked down, but Kzerza.. I did not expect his blade to cross my back. Treachery runs deep it would seem. The Horde is a great threat, but it appears I am alone in that thinking. Orcs are orcs, never to change.

    I am alone now. No one I have spoken with will take a stand against them. Not even those I thought I could depend for support have pledged any. Perhaps they honestly believe there is some peace to be had with them. They do not know, they do not understand, and they lack the vision I have into the hearts of those they deal with. So it has fallen upon my shoulders, Samson- (and do insert every manner of foulness to describe me here) to live alone in these woods and fight these creatures with every bit of my worth. It seems so much like nearly 15 years ago, when I fought another army, alone, in just this same manner. There is no honor in this fight, no love for the spilling of their blood, it is about surviving myself, and keeping this plague from reaching those I love. I am much older now, not quite as lithe as a youth but most frightening is this time I lack the empowerment of a diety. Upon rescuing, Mr Darian, Helm himself revealed that it was he that enabled my survival, and success against them. This time, I have not prayed upon this matter; there has not been time. I know in my heart that I have but one request left to me, that one such as I could never appeal again in the future almost so regularly as a true paladin for the empowerment of a diety. No, I think I must do this alone. And if I survive till the end, then perhaps those most imporant to me will still be alive as well____--------/.

    there is a mark on the page as if the writer was surprised and drew the pen across the page. There are also some smatterings of dark blood mixed with the dirt smudges from the handling by dirty hands

    In This chapter the Horde is revealed- which ultimately shall claim Sam's city


  • NEW ENTRY
    Irony.
    The summation of this life can be distilled into a single word. Irony.

    From birth, cast upon the mercy of a priest, with only a lock of hair in a small bag for a mother.

    Where is the irony? A stranger's mercy was greater than a mother's love.

    Complaints are hardly warranted, as growing up in the care of an educated man had its advantages, that is, until young Mr Darian was dropped off one day to study as a paladin. Then the teaching stopped, instead being given to the one with the most potential. There was no reason to be jealous, Mr Darian became a mighty paladin, and he did possess potential. But… Sam, you became the tiller of the soil, the gatherer of water, the hunter so that the priest and his protege might study in peace. How many hours were spent in the loft at the end of each day, listening to the teachings? How many days did we spar, learning to use our blades?

    Where is the irony? Raised like a paladin, trained like a paladin, but lacking from birth the potential to succeed as one.

    And then came the day when the orcs wrought devastation and genocide within our borders. Who was the first casualty? One who bore their blood. But instead of a swift death, a merciless beating forever forged the mighty into the meak. This mind was so battered that even simple speech became nearly entirely removed from its capability.
    Mr Darian struck out after the remains of that army to destroy it, and his loyal, childhood friend lay half dead to recover, alone, bleeding and forgotten in the fields.

    Where is the irony? That Sam's first Life Quest was to rejoin the young paladin and ensure his survival, to be there for another when no one was there for Sam.

    In the following years, of noble work and quests to restore the righting of wrongs, persecution and hatred followed Sam, for his blood was tainted, his size caused fear and his speech evoked hostility.

    Where is the irony? Good deeds all to often go punished.

    Despite the trials and tribulations we overcame together, Mr Darian's death was ultimately a freak of nature, a storm which swept him from the deck of a ship.
    The irony? That a man so mighty, having bested so much opposition, should trip over his own feet and fall into the stormy depths.

    In the coming year, routed from town after town, driven like a cow from field to field, Sam struggled to keep even a full belly.
    Past deeds oft go overlooked.

    Then to arrive in this town, still the amusing mockery of both humans and those of the foul blood, yet to be elected as a public official. Now THAT is indeed, ironic.

    And now the final irony, to achieve that which is most desired, must Sam return to the renounced part of himself, the scourge of his life, to find the strength to succeed at the most important endeavor any one can embark upon: the pursuit of happiness.

    It is indeed ironic that ... I shall say it for once, the orcish blood, which has plagued this life with such persecution, may now hold the key to its emancipation. What kind of life it must be to fade away into the woods and live happily? To once again pick up a plow, formerly a responsibility, soon perhaps to become a priviledge, to toil away once again for another. To care for, provide and protect another.

    Yet these simple joys lie across a gulf which Sam cannot seem to cross unaided. Only divine power, something formerly as elusive as a feathery cloud, may hold the key. It is this same divine power which could not be harnessed before and was the previous failing in the attempt to become a paladin. Yet if only once, it could be weilded, if only once a divine being would have mercy and empower Sam with wit, charm, intelligence, SPEECH! ....perhaps then... perhaps only then, might Sam succeed.

    Deep conflict rages over this quest. It is purely for selfish reasons that it is even considered. Or is it? Perhaps the desire to care for another is not so selfish? Certainly the desire for companionship is... And how will it be construed in the eyes of whichever diety is amused enough to lend the aid which Sam requires?

    There is no doubt that the answering of the call will be from the diety sam forsook when he renounced his blood and everything attributed with it. Gruumsh? The spelling eludes, but the name is forever imbedded in this mind, as are the scars inflicted upon Sam's head by those that followed him. Now THAT is irony.

    So then, the last piece of this ironic puzzle would be: To succeed, and thwart the plans of a god, to accept his aid willingly, and NOT fail. Just as the followers of Gruumsh were impotent to slay Sam so long ago, so would that god be just as impotent to claim Sam's soul should this Quest fail. Sam will goad this god into lending his aid, and must not...
    No... WILL NOT fail

    NEW ENTRY

    Recent days have proven themselves quite relaxing. So relaxing, in fact, as to allow opportunities to strengthen relations with many of the others.
    Little Tisha Skittlesworth, despite being a halfling and full of their energy, is quite endearing to me. For her size, she has one of the largest, most compassionate hearts of any in Xyrastalis. Her stories of her home life help fill some of the emptiness of mine. Unfortunately, her memories of her mother are vague at best, and those are the stories which would hold the most attention. However, she seems to have had a good father and he raised her quite well. Brother John may have done the raising, but our relation was always so much more teacher to student than father to son. Halflings used to hold so much appeal, but the more they run around this forsaken place, they become more and more annoying. She is a breath of fresh air, and helps restore my faith in them as a species.

    As nice as Ms Eva is, we seem to speak less and less. Perhaps because she has a husband and rightfully spends most of her time with him. They do seem happy together and my blessings go with them, if I had any to give. As always, she is polite, and entertains my nagging for advice on some matters, and also as always, her advice is very sage. Perhaps not the closest of friends but without a doubt she is an ally, and one that a debt of gratitude is owed, for opening up the ability to use this pen and paper to their greatest effect.

    Mr Malek and Father Terent... worry me. They seem more and more out of sorts, as if they are under some mysterious longing. Father Terent seems unsatisfied with the work he is able to accomplish and even more so with the acknowledgement he receives for his hard work. Malek on the other hand seems to be struggling more and more with his relationship with Tyr. Despite frequent advice on how he should conduct himself as a paladin, he struggles onward. It is not as if my advice carries much weight with him in any case, despite the years of experience working for a very honorable paladin.

    Sarakar... we maintain our hot and cold. My best efforts to restore some of the karma lost between us continue to be hit or miss, but without a doubt, there is something in that heart of hers dying to break free. She endures the contempt her upbringing and resulting actions focus upon her, but at the same time the weight of that contempt disturbs her. Resisting the urge to touch her and discover what truly exists within her heart is difficult. The desire to help settle the turbulence she must feel is so often squashed by her impetuous comments. She actually had the gall to compare SAM with a paladin. As if... If she only knew.

    The one they call Quick opened up just yesterday. Another poor creature sentenced to misery of a smiliar sort. She too clamors for acceptance and intimacy... albeit with too many she meets. Love is where you find it indeed, and this heart is hardly in a place to judge, but it would seem her searches are too broad and roaming to ever discover that what she seeks must be found with dedication and effort, and not stumbled upon in fleeting moments of intimacy before moving on in search of new satisfactions.

    Hmm... dare even more ink be spilled accounting my own search? In review of past writings, one common thread in nearly every entry stands boldy out. A mind ensnared and driven by the heart, a heart which unfortunately is bound without freedom to soar as hearts should. What is it that inhibits every efforts success? Not pure rejection but... noncomitalism?

    Indeed, things are not so bad in the slightest.
    While normally she strives ever so valiantly to maintain her aloof nature, a windfall success was recently realized. For the first time, she relaxed her guard, and opened up as never before, sharing things that perhaps none have yet heard. And while these new discoveries raise so many new questions, the most important came when she confessed no fear of my touch, despite the knowledge that a simple touch could extract things her thickest walls of defense would mean to protect. Indeed she allowed a long moment of contact, where deeply I felt her feelings of the moment and reveled in the beauty of her soul. It was a level of trust so satisfying that, as her thoughts washed over me, exploring her inner being, it only reinforced that which has long been known to me.

    Despite this new found trust, the experience sadly revealed nothing more in her than a deepening friendship. The sanctity of her deepest desires were well hidden, and nothing of her thoughts and feelings of the future imprinted upon me.

    She did want a hug and that.. that was easily provided. Quite gladly in fact.

    One can only wonder, if this bridge between us can be built upon. And if so, how long before she realizes that with a simple touch, can Sam set to work to rectify all that ails her, destroy what plagues her, and provide all that she longs for. Or will she in her independence, retreat further into herself, denying any assistance, prefering to be ever independent and self-sufficient in her constant effort to prove her value as a being, and shun Sam in the process?

    Somehow... somehow... if she can be shown the sweet harmony of mutual support, of reliance on others to complement her weaknesses, and how her strengths can lift up others to heights they alone could not acheive. It is there, inside her, but how to bring it OUT?! How can she be made to understand the joy that can be found in the knowledge that someone out there will always have her best interests at heart?

    The prayer for the lifequest is written, and it rests in a pocket over my heart. It is still an option, as only Mr Ster felt the risk too great. But in light of recent events, it will stay in the pocket until there is no other recourse

    An intersting introspection into his own life
    More interpersonal interactions


  • NEW ENTRY
    The new day is about to begin and only one option presents itself, but the fear of the risk is beyond what fear has ever been felt before. To succeed would yield a lifetime of happiness, and yet to fail, death and misery… an eternity of absolute torment.

    Indeed the most difficult decision of a lifetime stands in the foreground. A Life Quest? Should Sam offer up his soul to whatever god shall receive him and grant him what she finds so lacking? And the penalty of failure... how deep runs this burn? Is it enough?

    Three outcomes hang in the balance

    1. Endure another Life Quest and Commit this soul into the balance for her heart, to succeed: a lifetime of bliss, but to fail...
    2. Eternal damnation by whatever orcish god receives this soul, and forever be subjected to agonizing, ethereal torture for renouncing the vile blood that courses through these veins.
      OR
    3. Simply try to apologize and strive to enjoy what few moments of friendship can be shared.

    The question tortures and is relentless in its nagging. All or nothing? or... Make do with something?
    The urges of this soul... the answers are known. Is success even possible, too much to ask?

    The recent failure of that Bronson fellow, who claimed we shared the same vile blood from even the same vile father still lingers. His soul, forever entombed in a pact with an unknown god due to his failure.
    Indeed, his judgement came from Sarakar... perhaps she lied, taking pleasure in the knowledge that her decision would remove a soul from the face of this earth.
    Who shall be the judge then? If Sarakar were in a place to judge this Life Quest, most surely would she find it a convenient way to see THIS soul... also removed.

    Sam considers wagering his soul to gain what he most desires


  • NEW ENTRY
    A new terror. Orcs of a breeding terrifyingly similar to Sams. They possess strength, and cunning, fighting with much the same skill as those around Sam have come to depend upon. But now an army of them knocks on our doors, threatening our way of life. We were soundly beaten out of the sewers. Despite our own troubles with the rats, these invaders also walk with impunity against them, batting at them like flies whilst they occupy the sewers in preparation for what can only be another invasion of the city. These small bits of crystal most of us carry in our bags, apparently carry with them a great magick that is desired by many. If an army such as this aquired an unending source of this crystal, nothing could stop them. They must be defeated now, before it is too late.

    NEW ENTRY
    Woe unto this troubled soul. A grevious error and slip of the toungue threatens to undo so much delicate work as to render this mind troubled unto incapacitation.

    But… to start at the beginning. Ms Lalo, whome was rescued in the sewers having fallen victim to the aforementioned vermin, seems to have developed a notion that the entire town hates her. This is not the case, despite the woman's chilling soul, which leaves a frigid air in her wake and chill bumps on the skin. Sam only informed her that the sewers were not the place for a being of her skills. She in turn interpreted this as an attack upon her being and as such has rendered nothing but disdain thenceforth. However, that cannot be the underlying reason for last nights events.

    She was abducted by shadows, controlled by...? Who knows. Mr Malek, Mr Ster Arna (a man who has earned complete respect and my deep compassion for his situation) and.. naturally Sam, attempted to thwart her abduction but failed miserably. She was taken right out from under our noses by these ghosts.
    We searched high and low for the culprit to no avail. Racing for the next destination to search for her, we encounted that most beloved of women, Ms Sarakar. Nara was there, but she is never so dashing around that woman. It is as if a part of that woman's vile nature reaches into Nara's soul and changes her. She becomes curt, and joyless.. apparently reveling in the misery of others, but only when Sarakar is near. When she is not, the child in her is evident, the need for acceptance, respect, and perhaps even love. Others have seen this and recognize the truth as well. Sarakar's influence chokes the life out of that dear lady with only her mere presence. One can only begin to fathom what poisonous damage is done to her mind when they are alone together. Whatever that damage may be, it likely lies beyond the healing powers of even the most compassionate.

    Digression is not a virtue.. Sarakar somehow immediately knew where Ms Lalo was held, despite the long efforts of those who felt responsible for the failing of her protection. Also despite the knowledge of the situation held by Mr Malek, and Mr Ster, she immediately compelled herself into command and took us to that dreadful temple north of Lacerta. Sure enough Lalo was there, but as soon as we arrived and saw to her safety, the bickering began.
    Sam tried to break the whirlwind of shouted insults and accusations with an ill received, even if juvenile, attempt to bring them together for a group hug to liven their spirits and break the foul atmosphere. Thankfully Mr Malek directly went to work to close whatever gate these beings had entered our world. He succeeded, but absolutely NO thanks to those bickering cretins that felt only THEY could deal with the crisis. In fact, in truth, Mr Malek could have handled the entire problem single handedly, as a paladin should.

    It was at this juncture that those ill fated, impulsive words escaped these lips, which so deeply rent asunder the gentle cultivating of the most precious thing that graces this life, were spoken. Sam you are as stupid as every slander against you ever uttered was correct!

    In lamenting the ineffectualness of Sarakar and her party's presence, you idly spoke those words in Nara's presence and she heard them, took them to heart, and may forever feel you also guilty of the disdain she feels all others direct towards her.

    Note to Sam: Apologize at once, grovel if necessary, and restore what if any, broken faith may remain in her.

    We returned to the city to find it full of zombies, apparently trapped and left behind after Mr Malek had closed the gate from whence they came. Sam attempted, however feebly, to compliment Nara's crafty bow work to ratify her belief that she indeed is a contributing member of society and her skills coveted. But these words fell on deaf ears. Her eyes spoke volumes of mistrust and shattered faith.

    What a cruel irony from days just past where we were alone and together hunted the wererats and depended on each other. It was, during those moments almost as perfect a time as could ever be wished for. And now, through blatant stupidity.... .... how can any one being wield such power over the mind, body, heart and soul of another. This soul is no longer mine.

    Two troubles... potential loss of his love and the first warning signs of the Second End of the City


  • NEW ENTRY

    RATS! Not just vermin, but large two legged creatures. Mr Malek, Decim, Father Terent and a few others braved the smelling of the sewers to dispatch veritable hordes of the beasts. An Army of them in fact. They were identified as wererats. We spent much of the morning keeping thier numbers down, but the things were capable of moving through the sewers with deadly proficiency, appearing in the midst of our party and attacking the weakest members. It was not any great feat that this armor and weapon allow Sam to move amongst them with near impunity, but others… have not the same fortune.
    We encountered a werecat which had been battling them as well, but required out aid. It had discovered an army massing in a deep chamber. Their intentions were to surface and wreak havoc upon the town. This small intrepid band of saviors fought viciously every step of the way down the sewer halls until we found the rallying place of this army. By all guesses there were over 500 of them. The battle was long, and sword arms hung limply at the end, but ultimately, with the carnage piled 3-4 feet high, we prevailed against them. Thanks be to Mr Decim's cunning bolts, Mr Gim's stature as it provided a great barricade against them, and Mr Maleks vicious swings. The Padre stood back far less than any would have liked, his spells long exhuasted and he too committed himself into the fray, for to stand back in this hellacious last stand would have been our doom.
    Twas a good thing we caught them where we did in the sewers, for if that horde had been released on the town, they would have quickly surrounded the citizens and overwhelmed them from all sides in their great numbers.

    Upon the defeat of the invading forces, the werecat dissappeared to learn more of them. It suspiciously moved with as much ease in the sewers as the rats, but there was no doubt that these things hated our unlikely ally as much as it hated us. We retired to the town for rest, but before we had even made it to the tavern, the werecat was back, claiming it had found the brood nest, or breeding grounds for these creatures.

    We again descended into the depths of the city to eliminate this threat, lest the threat of another army be upon the city in days. It was uncanny how quickly they multiplied, feeding on the waste of the inhabitants above. Another long, constant battle yielded nothing more than a wasteland of carnage. Despite the expense of such a mission, the loss of equipment and magicks, indeed it was a grand accomplishment. We did not slay them to the last, but certainly they are under more control than before. No one knows how long they lay under our feet amassing, and indeed they are not wholly gone, but at least the threat of their invasion has passsed. It is a routine now, to enter the sewers now and again, to ensure their army enjoys not the pleasure of uninterupted reconstitution.

    NEW ENTRY
    Theives and Rats. Together they create a wholly new dimention of difficulty. Three women were kidnapped by these rogues, but their plans went awry as the rats forced them to barricade themselves inside their own sewers in fear for their lives. We slew unknown dozens more of these creatures and a great number of criminals to rescue these women. Indeed we saved their lives. Once a savior of Ms Charlie's little girl, now a savior of 3 of her closest friends. Perhaps Sam will be afforded a room for free in the inn now?
    After a breif repast, Nara descended back into the sewers, to relieve some the frustrations imbedded in her by our colleagues. She still feels unwanted by so many. The attentions of so many others wave like banners with bands behind them, yet she does not see. Our time together was mostly silent, as the fear of breaking the joy of the moment would be realized with the utterance of a word. Dreamlike. Despite the violent nature of dispatching the wererats, it was a pure, wonderful moment. More than just defending her from the beasts (something too innate inside Sam to break) but hearing her arrows whistle past, knowing she stood behind and we worked together. As one.

    Moments like that are priceless and worth the value of a life.

    More adventures and a little Q time with his love (still unreturned)


  • NEW ENTRY
    Poor Ms Eara. Something happened to her. Mr Decim sayed she could not come back unless people wanted her back? Is Sam people? Sam wants her back. Sam dont count? Must figure out how to fix this. It is not right for an elfs soul to wander like that.
    Sam is mad at Mr Decim cause he knows the secret and aint telling. Some oath. If it was not for that oath, Sam would have bashed him for not telling. Wish Sam knew more about this kind of stuff. Sam dont even know who to ask about it. If Sam had more hair, it would be pulled out by now.

    Let see… what else. Ms Rae and Fenia are turning out to be nice people. Ms Eva is always so ... aloof, Sam dont understand why people dont like her.

    Lots of little people running around these days. Too many steal.

    We got a new Lady Paladin in town. Sam thinks that she would be a nice girl for Mr Malek, but he aint keen on the idea yet. That is okay. Sam will fix that.

    Sams to do list:
    1 Get that Lady Paladin after Mr Malek, cause they would be a good fit.
    2 Help Mr Decim, Mr Malek and Brother Terent fix the city shield
    3 Show Ms Sara that being nice can make you happy, cause thats when people are nice back
    4 Help Ms Nara less scared so she can pick someone to make her happy

    Sams what the hell does Sam to do about this list?
    1 Ms Natsume- she makes Sam nervous. But it not like Sam aint curious about her. (Is this what Mr Darian meant when he said "Sam, dont play with fire?")
    2 How to get Ms Eara back?

    Wow. Thats alot. Maybe Sam should of been a paladin

    *the quality of the text has improved considerably. The simple block letter strokes have been replaced by the beginnings of script.

    NEW ENTRY
    Ms Eara is saved, that paladin lady dissappeard but also fortunately for these unsteady nerves so has Ms Natsume.

    NEW ENTRY
    Since coming here, things have proven to be a chaotic journey akin to the voyage which sped here on troubled seas, of triumph and tribulation, of success and defeat. Sam has battled wits, brawn and even emotions and come to a final conclusion:
    Mr Darian was right. Always be nice to people. And it has payed off.

    Having been driven out of dozens of towns previously for reasons of fear of size, offense at demeanor, and ultimately sheer ignorance, Xyrastalis is finally the unlikely place that Sam will call home.

    Sam has the most precious of all things here: Friends... and people to care about. Some of these cares may never render fruit in this lifetime, but it is more important to hold onto these cares than abandon them. Abandoning them would be relinquishing hold of the very soul of this life.

    Secondly, Sam has something that has been elusive for a good long while. A job.
    At first, the city street sweeper position seemed the logical choice! It was simple, and well within natural abilities. But, perhaps due to that simple philosophy of being nice, somehow that rash and foolish whim of an application for Judge, was miraculously approved. How it ever happened is something Sam will never investigate, to avoid bursting the dreamlike bubble of life which somehow formed in this place.

    Sadly, the irony of the moment is, the instant this pen touches the table, all visible signs of intelligence vanish from this person to even more than just the casual observer. Were Sam to lift this paper and read it to another...

    "Sam's nut gunna be able ta even say haff da wurds."

    Curses be to the orcish nation for inflicting this prison upon Sam. Simply to settle their own cruel desires for causing pain and suffering, as if being implanted into this hulking body were not enough oddity, they have so damaged this mind that to understand how this writing could be so eloquent yet speech so garbled confounds and frustrates Sam with each and every poorly uttered word.

    In truth, my voice, my true voice which has taken decades to discover, is as silent as the night. The ones who would best learn from it are as unable to understand its meaning as Sam is to speak the words. And those who -can- read it, must never do so for twould betray every vulnerability possessed by this soul.

    So now, having become the 'Judge,' and faced with the trials of authority, so now must the trials of soul begin. For to surely execute this position, indeed shall acts which compromise that fundamental principle of 'being nice' be performed.

    Despite such incredible successes, only one profound joy manifests itself, or herself, daily. She is indeed one of those cares mentioned before, but also the one which shall most likely bear no lasting fruit. Sam must be content to view and smell the blossoms of our daily discourses and continue to build upon the trust that has been so painstakingly and delicately built. There is little hope that those delicate blossoms shall ever become the fruit of knowledge and in turn, she become Sam's tree of life.
    So blossoms only it be! And revel in all their delicate attributes for all their appeal!

    Enough of philosophy!
    Tis wearisome work to write like that! On simpler, more common thoughts, Sam now possesses a mighty set of armor which provides a full measure of protection greater than anything in this town, except perhaps Ms Sarakar. Additionally, one of those cursed blades has made its way into these mighty hands, along with a bow whose draw is greater than that held by any, again... except perhaps Ms Sarakar.
    How ironic that the uncompassionate and joyless should be evenly matched with one who cares nothing for such tools insofar as they may empower Sams ability to keep up with injustices of others. She is surely more advanced, and this gulf extends over time, but if the tiebreaking duel must ever come, Sam shall surely employ his one greatest advantage over her- passion- something that poor shell of a soul may never truly know. If she did, we would have far, far fewer disputes.

    But even then, the relationships with everyone known in this town, seem to have greatly improved. With the resetting of the city's shield, stresses alleived, it seems we all have pause to wield a little more compassion for one another.

    A grand state of affairs indeed

    Sam rises to a high point in his life, one he attains on his own merits and for the first time in his life, Sam feels like he is finally a functional member of society, not living in the shadows


  • NEW ENTRY
    Sam spent a lot of hours with Ms Eva. Got a big help on writing!!! See! Writing! That is how it is spelld. Ms Eva was wunerful and helped Sam so much! She even helped sam write that potrey sam been tryin to write.

    Well, Sam just stumbld into Mr Connacht and he went in the baths. Since sam aint never been in them, sam came too. We was walkin down this hall and all a suddn herd voyces. It was Ms Fenia, Ms Sara and Ms Nara and they was splashin and having fun in the baths. Lotta giggling. Sam did not know baths was so much fun!
    Well Mr Connacht an Sam just stared at each other. Sam bets that Sams mouth was hangin open just like Mr Connachts was! We was both thinkin mebbe this aint the place fer us but then Mr Connact just walked down the hall like he was gunna get in the tub with em! (durn writing good is hard)
    Mr Connact got slapped and Sam hadda drag him away. Ooooh it was sooooo hard not to peek! It was just so so hard, Sam kint tell you how hard! But had to do the right thing. Mr Connact left. Think he was mbarasd. That not right. Wheres that book….

    Mr Connacht was e m b a r r a s s e d. looks as if it was copied carefully
    Sams back was to the door, and then it was time for sam to leeve too. And durnd if sam dint wanna just turn and hop into that tub too! After all, Ms Sara... shes a purty purty lady, an Ms Fenia aint nothin to shake a stick at even with the horns, but.... Ms Nara was in there too and sam aint never seen more of Ms Nara then just face an hands. Sams rilly glad her frinds gave her a bath, she looks so durn purty now it just is killin sam! An dere she wuz all in dat bath with nuttin but suds fer clozs! An boy did sam wanna peek! But sam know it wunt be rite, but sam cudnt blame Mr Connact cuz sam wuz feelin da same durn ting!

    Okee... gutta stop. Cant write good and think bout all dat at the same time. Sam left. The ladys sayed sam was a gentlmen about it all. Mebbe thats worth something. Dont know. Hope they dont think sam peekd cuz sam dint peek! Sure did want to tho!
    Oh what is Sam sayin? If Sam had seen anything, anything at all... would have passed out right there on the floor!

    NEW ENTRY
    Think Mr Gruvan aint comin back. He gave sam most of his things and then he had a big scrap with Mr Connact. No idea why. But he lost and dont think he will come back.

    Tommorow may very well be a BIG day for Sam. Going to give someone a very special present. Just hope it was worth all of Ms Eva's time.

    Note to sam: buy Ms Eva a new d i c t i o n a r y... Sam wearin this one out fast

    NEW ENTRY
    Oh boy. If Sam could sigh on paper...
    Lots of things happened in just a few days. People are working hard on fixing the shield that protects the city.
    Sam going to let them keep doing that. Sam got problems of his own.
    This d i c t i o n a r y is Sams new best friend. Ms Eva has been so help full. But all that work, all her time, Sams time and all that gold was for nothing.

    Where should Sam start? Dont know. The women of this town... they cause problems for Sam. Why are they so much trouble?

    Ms Sara was really nice the other day. For that whole bath thing with Mr Connact. Guess all of what Mr Darian said about being mannerly was right.

    Note to Sam: It is nice when Ms Sara gives Sam a kiss as a thank you, but dont git used to it. That could be very dangerous for Sam.

    Darn why does she have to be just nice enough now and then that Sam can hardly tell good from bad when she is around.

    Then there was the other lady that tried to be 'nice' to Sam.
    Sam was helping a new lady. Ms Natsume. Was putting medicine on her cause she was hurt and before Sam knew it, she was getting really close and had just her undies on. Never seen a woman in just her undies before. Did not exactly handle it well. Might have fainted in fact.

    She thought Sam would not notice cause she was human an Sam... well... isnt. But she did not understand that nothing Orc is good. Not customs. Traditions. Blood. And not orc women. They are... d i s g u s t i n g to Sam. All of it.

    So, when Sam saw ... all of her... all at once... it was a bit of a shock. She was... forward. Yes. That is how Mr Malek would have told it. Forward. Sam thinks she likes Sam. Kept asking about Sams size. Did not understand that really- anyone can see how big Sam is? Right?

    Note to Sam: Ask Mr Malek or Brother Terent what else she meant. Must be missing something. Got to be.

    Well Sam was sure nervous about all that. Sam felt really nervous. Cause here was dis purty lady an Sam is thinking she wanted Sam and maybe Sam was foolish for running away but could not help thinking what Nara would do if she saw.

    Oh boy. About Ms Nara. Sam been slipping. It is good to be polite. And Sam knows to use Sir, an Lady and Mister and Missus and Miss. But darned if Sam just wants to call Ms Nara just Nara. She noticed when Sam did not call her Miss... And Sam kept on slipping up and doing it all day yesterday. What is Sam going to do? She is the one person in the world Sam dunt wanna make mad at Sam.

    Guess Sam aint the only one that reckons shes a wonderful person. Sam knows two others that wish she would pick them. That makes it hard on her cause she thinks she has to choose between people. She is scared. So is Sam! Sam aintnever felt like this and it is kind of scary. But Sam follows his heart. Well... Sam used to follow it.

    Sam had to tell Ms Nara to forget about Sam. That way it is just one less person that she has to choose. Maybe it will make it easier for her.

    That was not a happy thing. It felt just like losin that little puppy Sam had. It was so cute and Sam loved it, but Mr Darian told Sam that it would die if Sam kept it. Only its mamma could give it what it needed. Maybe Sam aint got what Ms Nara needs to be happy, but that dont mean Sam gotta like it.

    Sure wish that poem had mattered. But... even that plan, all this learning Sams been doing so Sam does not embarrass her in front of other people, aint working. Least it was not Sams fault it did not work

    Turns out Ms Nara dont read well. Sam tryed to write something so wonderful that even an elf would really see that Sam aint really dumb after all and maybe she would realize that she does not need to be so scared of what people think about her. Well. That poem was the smartest thing Sam ever did in his life. And it was all for nothing. She did not understand it. She still dont. Even after Sam told her what it meant, she is still scared inside. Scared of being used. Scared of being close.

    Sam has got to help her not be scared... somehow. Maybe then she will find someone to be happy with.
    Sam is also helping Ms Sara learn to feel happy. Ms Sara is too much like Ms Nara. She is scared too. That is why she is so mean. She dont want people getting close enuff to hurt her. Come to think of it- Ms Eara has the same problem. And that is why Ms Eara is running around the forest as a ghost. Why is it so hard for people to be nice to each other? If they was, then people would not be so scared of each other!

    Seems like the only people that are not scared are Mr Decim, Mr Malek, and Brother Terent. But they have faith. They are working hard to save this town. Sam wishes Sam had their faith. They are lucky men. Sam wishes he could be like them and be a big hero to everyone. But at least Sam knows his place. Sam is the pawn on the chess board. Not the King. HA! Not the knight, but sure wish Sam could be. Sam is just the pawn.

    But just like Ms Sarakar was saying. She wants to be the pawn that turns into a queen someday. She aint going to be happy until she does. She could be happy if she just did what Sam told her. Just be the best pawn you can be. Maybe she is the pawn that turns into a queen, but even if she was the pawn that stayed behind to protect the king- would that pawn be any less important? Maybe Sam gots to be the pawn that jumps in front of the king to save him. Ya... that sounds like what would happen to Sam.


  • NEW ENTRY
    Sam dun read alla da junk sam bin writin. Sam saw how Mr Lyander rites an it is so purty. An Ms Evas ritin too an it shur is purty. It make sam sad ta see dat he cudda bin writin like dem peepl, and mebbe cudda bin talkin like dem peepl too. But sam kint no mur. Alla time sam keep hearing how dum sam is.
    Sam lurned dat Ms Nara dunt like sam cuz sam seem so dum ta evrun else an she is mbarased ta be seen wid sam cuz evrun laffs at sam.
    Guess nice aint gud fur much. Now sam rilly beginnin ta unerstand why jus da paldins an prists wuz sams frinds. Only da paldins and prists dunt judge peepl da same. Least Mr Malek an Mr Terent know dat sam is gud inside. Sam rilly feels like dose two men is gunna be sams best frinds. Mr Terent shur is quiet fur a prist, but his soul is gud, an he dunt preech much, but dat okee wid sam. He gutta gud hart an dat all dat matter in dis meen town.

    Evn tho Ms Nara keeps on hurtin sam on da inside, mur an mur ofen, sam gutta find a way ta make her unerstand dis. But shes an elf an sam aint doin such a gud job of makin elf peepl unerstand sams tinkins. If only sam cud rite gud!!!!
    Mr Darian said sam wud never speek gud evr agin cuzza whut dem urks did ta sam but he said dat wunt affect sams lernin ta rite gud.

    Note ta sam: Figur out how ta spel ritin
    Note ta sam: Figur out how ta spel figur
    Note ta sam: Figur out how ta rite potrey

    NEW ENTRY
    Sam woke up and went lukin fur peepl tuday jus like any oder day, but evrun was gone. So Sam wint out in da woods an started lukin. Found evrun fitin dem spiders, so sam jumped in ta help. Ms Nara wuz lukin fer rubys fur sum reezun an evrun wanted ta help her git rubys. Wull we gut one an wint back ta town, but den Ms Nara said she wanted mur! Wull sam was tinkin if we split up, we cud mebbe find em faster, so sam wint lukin on his own and gess whut! Sam gut a ruby fer Ms Nara all on sams own!

    Nut like it wuz easy eeder.

    So sam gave it to her an sam tink it made her happy cuz she went skippin off ta town in a big hurry. Den it turns out she dint wan em fer herself! Dey wuz ta help da whole town! Sumtimes Ms Nara rilly is nice, speshully whin shes tryin ta help peepl.

    Wull later on, Sam wuz listnin ta Ms Fenia tell a stury bout her life, a bit bout dem horns on her head. Shes kina like sam cuz peepl sumtimes pick on her bout dem horns, kina like peepl pick on sam fur bein big an dum. It rilly hard ta be a nice persun whin all peepl is ta yous is mean. Dat made sam tink gud tings bout Ms Fenia. Sam knows she steals frum peepl but sam aint never seen her steal from nice peepl so aint nuttin ta worry bout. Ms Fenia seems nice. Nut rilly shur bout dat demon blud, but she aint burned sams butt wid fire yet, so dat probly a gud ting.

    Wull Ms Fenia jus gut dun wid her story an dis big urk come in an called sam ta blud test! Wull dat bout sprised da hell outa sam! We wint outside an he put down da tribute an said he wuz sams bruder! Wull sam wuz rilly sprised den! So we did whut da tradishun called fer… we scrapped. Sam lost. He wuz a tuff wun dat fer shur. Den he picked sam up offa ground an we talked.

    Sam dint unerstand how sam lost till he splained what happened. Dis uder bad bluds name wuz Bronson an he wuz on a life quest ta find his bruder. Sam hadda do a cuple life quests too. It kinda like prayin- an yous git extra help frum da gods, but if you fail.. den da gods take yer soul ferevr. It like makin a deal. Sam wuz rilly scared whin sam hadda do it, but dint die so sam gut ta keep sams soul.

    Aint no comin back if yous fail.

    Wull turns out dat dis urk had a lil bag of mommas hair jus like sam gots. But jus like da tradishun calls fer, sumun else gutta be da judge an see if da life quest is dun rite or not. Ms Sara wuz da judge an she luked at sams mums hair an da hair o dat Bronson bad blud an said dey dint match.
    So sam called him a liar an finished da tradushun. It wuz rilly sad. Sam wanted ta have fambly, rilly rilly did, but evn tho it dint turn out gud fer Bronson, sam buried his body like he wuz sams bruder anyway. Sam hope whutevr god Bronson made da pact wid wuz a nice god cuz dat pur guy died tryin ta find sumtin rilly mportant.

    Sam wuz a lil upset bout da whole ting. Gittin a blud duel, havin a bruder, losin a bruder... all in bout 5 minutes. Ms Nara wuz rilly nice ta sam an tried ta make sam feel beter. Sam dunt like nuna dem urk tradishuns- like blud quests. An sam hope Ms Nara unerstood dat sam wunt mad at her nun, it wuz jus dat sam dint like doin whut da tradishun called fer. Sam prayed ta a cuple gods jussta make sure dat Bronson gits gud treetment whurever he is now.

    Sam redoubles his efforts at study in order to win favor with the object of his desires
    Sarakar slays a possible relative of Sam- another family member lost


  • NEW ENTRY
    Wull, nevr did git wid ms Eva, but instead wint on sum patrol wid Ms Eara and Mr Malek. Afur we gut startd tho, thur wus dis elf, Ms Kalli an she was makin Mr Malek mad wid all her wurds about elf peepl bein so much guder dan oder kinda peepl. Wull mebee if she wuz say elf peepl is guder den urk peepl sam wud agree, but she wuz sayin elf peeple beter den human peepl. Mr Malek tried ta talk sum since into her but she wus about as thick headed as Ms Eara or Sara or Nara…

    Dem all elfs too.. whut is it wid elf peepl an da tings oder peepl tink? Wull sam dunt tink nobudy beter den anywun else... cept urks. Alla us wid da bad blud cud jus die an da wurld wud be beter off. Dat mean sam too, cuz sam nut tinkin hes speshul or nutin.

    Mr Malek gut mad and wint away. Sam gut mad dat da elf wuz talkin bout him behind his back an so sam gave her whut sam tinks. Mebbe sam nut so gud at da talkin game tho cuz she dint lissen much ta sam eeder.

    Wull it kinda funny whut happend next. Sam told ms Kalli ta stay behind sam, cuz elfs aint zactly da frunt line fiter dat sam is. Wull she ran ahed like a yung puppy an gut bashed gud by some urks. Mebbe sam rubbed her nose in dat lil episode eh? Whurs dat elfy supurity now? Mebbe now she gunna tink dat evrun has dere place an if dey stik to dere place den evryting goes just okee!
    Elf peepls place is behind sam, doin da tinkin and da shootin an tellin sam dey want dun. Sam is prubly as smarta fiter as Mr Butcher and Mr Malek, jus dat sam dunt speek as gud as dey do, so peepl dunt give sam no credit fur sams tinkins.

    Wull da dumer peepl gut hurt in da patrol, but dat always happen whin peepl dunt listen ta da smarter folk. Mr Malek an Sam sat round a fire an jus talked. He wuz sayin dat he bin feelin week, like Tyr wunt rilly helpin him. Said he wished he hadda sword dat wuz befittin his place as a paldin. Wull dere wuz dis rumble alla sudden an so we wint ta check it out and wud you beleive it? Dere wuz a magick sword on da grund rite dere... guess Tyr duz lissen ta his paldins eh?

    It wunt fer him tho, it wuz Ms Sarakar's sword, he jus got ta use it while we traked down Ms Sara. We stopped outside of da demon ladys cave. Mr Malek did a ting dat mr darian wudda never dun. He wanted ta wait fur others ta help. Wull sam knows dat paldins nut sposed ta wait. Dey sposed ta go do da rite ting rite den an dere. Dat how sam wuz trained by mr darian. he said -Sam, no mader whut, you gutta act wid whut you beleeve. You gutta always do whut is rite, even if it gunna git you killed."
    So sam tol Mr Malek dat we hadda go in da cave. Dey knew we wuz outside it and if we waited too long den da demon lady wud come wid her demon pet agin.
    So we wint inside.

    Turns out Ms Sara wint ta visit da demon lady an gut bashed up awful bad. Ms Fen wuz dere too but sam kin only treet wun person ata time wid medicine so sam tuk care of Ms Sara. Bet she dint like dat nun. Sam cudnt even beleive he wuz treetin her wounds, but... sam wuz. So den da demon came and sam gut Ms Sara and ran outa dere fast as sam cud, cuz sam members how bad dat last demon burnt sams butt wid dat fire breethin stunt last time!

    Sam said sum meen tings bout Ms Sara an it make sam feel bad dat he did. Said meen tings like she puttin on wate an needed a diet. But dat wunt true atall. Ms Sara is jus as purty an curvy as ever an lite asa feader. Shed be so nice if she wuz just NICE!
    But when she wus okee a few hours later sam tol her not ta tink nuttin of whut sam did, riskin his neck an all fur her. Wunt do her pride no gud ta be tinkin she owed some big dum bad blud no favors. Sam wuner whut Ms Sara wud do if she lost her pride. Evn sam wunt wish dat on sumun.

    Wull Mr Malek gave da magick sword back ta Ms Sara an she wunt as grateful as she shuda bin. She cuda lost her life but dint cuzza sam, and she cudda lost her sword but dint cuzza Mr Malek... Sam wudda least hugged Mr Malek fur doin sumptin like dat.

    Wunder whin dat gurd armor gonna come in sams size.

    Sam officialy serves in the guard as a rescuer, but still no armor in Sam's size
    Despite misgivings, Sam rescues the Banite woman anyway- Sam cant help his helping nature even in the face of his own hatred


  • Sam's efforts in study begin to reflect in the next entries
    Flowers for Algernon anyone?

    NEW ENTRY
    Aint seen Ms Nara in days… Sumun said she mebbe left town. Sam aint gut da energy ta help no wun rite now. Sam aint even gut da energy ta eet. Life sucks fur sam.

    NEW ENTRY
    Ms Charlies lil gurl gut taken by sum pirates. We tink it wuz ta sell her as a slave.
    We hadda go in da sewers ta rescue her an it rilly tuk a lot fur sam ta git da energy ta help. Sam wunt even gunna help but it not Ms Charlie's fault dat sam is sad, an she wuz so sad abut her lil gurl dat sam jus hadda help.

    Wull dem pirates is gud wid traps an dey had dere lair all setup wid em. It wuz slow goin ta git round all dem traps an summa da peepl we wuz with jus dint unerstand nuttin bout traps.

    Dey wunt lissen ta sam nun, or anywun else dat wuz wid sam. Dey run up ahead an git kilt wid traps an den sam hadda fix em.
    Like we wuz standing outside dis door tryin ta git in, an 4 peeple ran by us. Sam dint know whur dey came from but dey dint even talk ta us. Dey ran by an all four gut kilt by traps. Mebbe if dey had stopped ta talk wid us an find out whut wuz goin on dey wunt have gut hurt.

    Wull anyway, dey cleaned up alla traps fur us mostly and we walked round da uder wuns an rescued da gurl.
    Den we wint back an more pirates wuz guardin dere loot. So we thut dat we needed da loot ta pay fur alla da heelin we wuz gunna need.
    Sam opend da door an wus ataked by 6 pirates. Dey dint wanna talk, so sam hadda bash em all. Den we used food ta blow up da traps on da loot and tuk it all. All dat mess bout kilt sam!

    Sam carried 6 peepl outa dere an wuz bleedin allover hisself.
    Sumun else gut Ms Charlies gurl back but sam wuz so dizzy dat jus walked ta da temple an fell ovr. Dat nice god lady wuz dere an saw dat sam wuz in bad shape an wuz carryin so much she wuz nice an saved alla dem peepl sam wuz carrin an even healed sam too!

    Frum all dis carrin sam bin doing, sam noticed he kin carry more lately. Sam is gittin stronger alla time!
    So sam wuz happy an as a treet sam buyed a new rilly big axe frum da gud smith in town. Da smith showed sam how ta nock sumuns weapon outa dere hands wid dat new axe.

    Daz wuz a gud ting ta lurn too cuz dat same nite some insane guy picked a fite wid sam an so sam tuk his wepin away frum him. IT wuz a rilly nice sword too. But he wunt leave sam alone so sum mage fried him up rilly gud and sam threw whut was left outside da tavern.

    Sam gut 300 gold frum Mr Gruvan fur dat rilly gud sword.

    NEW ENTRY
    Sam hates boats. Sam is on anuder boat an its stormin an evrun is sick. We is going ta rescue sum woman frum pirates.
    Sam is wunderin if evr Ms Nara comes back if she'll member sam... we bin on dis boat so long.

    Wish Ms Eva wuz on da boat. Gut all dis time an nuttin ta do. Sam cudda bin reel smart by da time dis trip wuz ovr

    NEW ENTRY
    Gut ta dis pirate island okee. Dese lil scout ships tried ta stup us but dey dint stand a chance. Mr Gruvan kilt off a whole skiff of em by hisself! We tuk dere sails an fixed our ripped wuns frum da sturm.
    Wunt too long an we gut there, pulled up in da harber at nite an dere wuz dis oder pirate ship. We ataked it an kilt evrun but da pirate captin. He wuz gunna ransom dis woman from da fishers in our town but we gut to him furst.
    Den we did dis rilly bold ting. We saild BOTH ships back home! Gave wun ta da fisher man just cuz.

    Note ta sam: whin Mr Malek starts tellin sturies, find sumtin ta do... cuz he tells em like mr darian did... Lukin back, sam tink dat 8 o da 10 years sam wurked for mr darian wuz spint listnin ta his durn sturies.

    Note ta sam: whin Mr Gruvan starts tellin sturies, go find Mr Malek an listen ta his sturies insted. A "Meanderin Malek" stury beets a "great gruvan"
    Note ta sam: dat wuz kinda funny

    Ms Eara sold da oder ship, but she gut 4000 gold fur a whole pirate ship! A WHOLE SHIP! Only 4000 gold. Sumun dun pulled a fast wun on Ms Eara.

    Note ta sam: mebbe Ms Eara nut da wun ta be sellin big spensive tings anymore?

    Wull as soon as we gut off da ship dere wuz spiders in da town. Sam thut he wuz gunna haff a happy day cuz Ms Nara wuz still in town! Gave her a hug sam wuz so happy ta see her, but she wuz in a hurry an left.
    Later sam wuz wid a buncha peepl an sam wuz watchin an listenin ta Ms Nara. Sam rilly beginnin ta wunder bout her. Shes gittin meaner. She says mean tings mur oftn an laffs about it. Jus like Ms Sara duz. It rilly make sam feel bad ta see her gittin caut up wid ms sara's mean ways.

    Mr Butcher gotta gud new name fur Ms Sara tho. "Sweetcheeks" Sarakar. Gut a gud ring to it. Sam likes it cuz it makes her mad, and she gits kinda dum whin she gits mad.
    Mr Butcher gotta name fur Ms Nara too, an sam dunt like dat wun too much. "Mudpie" Den he said sumtin bout kissin on his lil mudpie. Sam gut a lil mad whin he said dat, but tink ms sarakar gut a lil madder. Mebbe dat be gud. Mebbe sam kin git wid ms sara ta git mr butcher away frum Ms Nara, and den da two meen peepl kin be togeder an sam kin git ms nara away frum dem all.

    Note ta sam: avoid gittin a name frum mr butcher

    Wull.. mebbe now it time ta go git a nuder lessin from Ms Eva

    Hopefully you were able to get through this. It was a long quest against slave trading pirates, to include ridding the city of them, and traveling to their base to inflict a reprisal
    Also, Sam's love's personality begins to change under the influence of the Banite woman


  • NEW ENTRY
    Ms Sara is tryin ta git sam ta be nice ta her. She tink she dun taut sam a lessin by bashin sam da oder day. Dunno why she wants sam ta change sams mind, nut like she cares bout nuttin but herself anyway.

    Sam had first lessin wid Ms Eva. It went gud.
    Sam alridy know mur abut ritin dan yestday. Cant wate fur next lessin.

    Sam wuz splorin in da forest wid sum oders an dese spiders ataked us. We hunted em down an kilt em all till we fund dis cave whur dey wuz comin frum. We wint in, an luked arund and left, fitin spiders da whole wile.

    Den sumun thut ta bring da cave dun with a fire… wull da fire gut outa hand an burnt jes but evrun ta deth. Sam jumped in dis lil crick an da fire wint over an dint hurt sam. But whin sam gut up, it wuz jus sam an mr gruvan left standin. Sam hadda carry FOUR peepl back ta da temple. It wuz horrible, dey wuz black an smelly an all tore up.

    Da nice god lady came an fixed evrun, but said we gut reel prublms comin. Der dese magick wepins an mr butcher has wun an dese spiders is comin fur da wepins. Deres more o dese weapons around da area so evrun is lukin fur em. Dey say suma da spiders kin only be hurt wid dese wepins, but sam tink if we jus got rid of em all, den da spiders wunnt come fur us. But insted, peepl all wanna find an carry da wepins now, an dat gunna make da spiders come for US!

    Why dun we jus throw alla da magick wepins out da city an let da spiders git em an go away.

    NEW ENTRY
    Wull sams homewurk is dun. Tuk furever. Still dunt gut 5 tings fur x and z. OH well, dem is hard letters. Kint wait fur next lessin.

    Spiders ataked da city but dey dint do it rite an we beet em no problum. Den da smarter folk wint ta fix sum shild or sumtin, but sam went wid mr malek. Hes a paldin, so sam gunna spind lotta time wid him. He dunt wurk fur da same god as mr darian, but sam dunt tink it rilly matter. Gud deeds is gud deeds.

    Okee... sams brain is confuzd. Big confuzd.
    Yestday Ms Nara wuz tryin ta tell sam sumtin bout not listenin ta peepl. Sam still nut sure xactly whut da point wuz, but she wuz shur tryin ta help sam sumhow.

    Den outa da blue she up an kissed sam!
    Sam jus bout passd out rite dere.

    She said oder stuff but sam kint member it... sams hed is still spinnin.
    It a wonder sams still not layin out dere whur it happend it shoked sam so bad.
    Tink it wuz wunna doze nice frindly kisses tho, nut like she wanted anuder date... But still... it WUZ nice.

    Sam noticed wun weerd ting bout Ms Nara whin she gut so close- she mebbe awful purty... but... dat gurl needs ta git cleen! It nut healthy ta be dat durty an stinky. Now sam is purty cleen, but bin round oder bad bluds afor and DEY kin git purty ripe, but Ms Nara... She gunna git sick soon if sumun dunt splash sum water on her soon!

    Nevrdaless, (dats sams big word o da day)
    She still is purty ta sam, an no matter if she is durty er not shes jus so durn nice dat it dunn rilly matter. Like take Ms Sarakar. Ms Sara is purtier an smells beter dan Ms Nara... but sam kint stand her no way how! It all matter on da inside an dat da only ting sam cares bout.

    SAm wishes dat wuz all evrun ELSE cared bout too!

    But it not. Ms Sara tride ta git sam fired frum the gurd job afor sam even gut hired! Shes so mean... but den she wanted to talk abut bein frinds agin.
    Sam an ms sara called truce, an sam is gunna try ta teech her niceness. Mebbe she will unerstand dat nice is reel gud an dunt hafta be meen ta git whut you want.

    But mr Malek mebbe better fur dat task den sam. Hes a paldin. Gud job fur him.

    Mr Gruvan is tryin ta be sams frind too. He says he aint gunna gamble no more an aint frinds wid Ms Sara... Peepl kin change, so sam gunna take his word.
    Ms Nara says he's lyin, but sam gunna take his word anyway an let him prove hisself.
    Dat way sam takes Ms Naras words bout not listenin ta peepl ta heart, an still is nice ta mr gruvan and ms nara.
    Sam gunna be nice ta Ms Sara too, ta teech her how ta be nice.
    Oh hell, whut sam sayin! Sam gunna be nice ta evrun!

    Wuner how long dats gunna last eh

    Sam's first kiss, a small battle to save the city and miscellaneous interpersonal encounters
    Also Sam's first time hitting the books in about 15 years- to restore some of his long lost ability


  • NEW ENTRY
    sam gut in truble an peepl hadda come help sam
    sam fill bad dat he gut hurt an wuz trubl fur oder peepl

    member sam, if youz makes trubl fur peepl den dey wunt like yous an if dey dunt like yous den dey is gunna runn yous outa da town like alla da oder towns

    note ta sam: dont keep doin bad tings okee?
    jus keep helpin peepl an it all be okee

    wull sam wuz upset bout all dat an wint ta bash sumtin whin dese big doggies atakd sam
    dey wuz big but sam used trik on em an dey wuz purty eezy wen sam gut em off dere feets
    den dere wuz dis bird dat gut sam an tuk sam ta dis dyin man
    naturly sam saved him
    he wunt gunna give sam nuttin but sam mussa made a bit ofa stink bout it so he gave sam gold ta git new magick water
    gud ting too cuz dat wuz alla sams magic water dat he had!

    oh ya, ms sara ran rite by sam an dis hurt man, an so did lossa oder peepl
    sam dunt know whur dey wint but dey shur dint stop ta help dat man
    whurs her compashun? lest sam guts sum
    mebbe sam shud shar?
    mebbe sam gutta be nicer to ms sara so she kin lurn frum sam?
    ooh.. dat gotta be hurder den tryin ta kill dat demon dat burnt sams butt las week!
    sam shur wish sam cud remember dat mans name
    he seemd nice
    wunner if ever see him agin

    okee time ta git ridy fur da furst lessin wid ms eva

    NEW ENTRY

    whut an up an down day! sam had gud an bad tings happen tuday an nut sure rilly whut ta tink of it all…

    gud- sat down wid ms eva fur sams furst speekin reedin an ritin lesson
    bad- ms eva gut up an ran away

    gud- sam wuz gunna give ms eva 10 gold fur a lesson insted of 5 gold cuz it mportant ta sam ta git smart
    bad- she ran away afor sam cud tell her da gud news

    gud- sam sat an talked wid ms earawien fur a long while, an she told sam she is tryin ta git da judge job but she is worreed abut da 'baynites'?
    bad- sam dunno who all da baynites is so sam dunt know how ta help her- jus dat ms sara is a baynite so dat splains alot

    bad- peepl ar sayin dat sams frind mr gruvan aint sams frind after all an dat mr gruvan is frinds wid ms sara
    bad- ms sarakar
    bad- mr gruvan da greedy gamblr
    bad- baynites
    bad- did sam git ms sarakar oh ya sam did alridy but she so bad she worth listin agin!
    bad- EVIL ms sarakar

    gud- sam helped fite sum dedies an did a reel gud job. sam chargd in like sam duz an dem dedies cudnt hit sam no matter how hard dey tried! sam luvs dis new plate armor. dunt work gud on magick tho. alla dat brite lite confuses sam quick

    den sam gut 3 rubies outa dis chest frum da dedies an sam sold em an gave da gold ta alla da nice peepl dat came wid sam.
    it wuz ms eara, mr roland, and ms yolo
    guess who sam DINT give gold to... cud it be.... ms sara?

    bad- mr roland dissapered an sam cudnt give him no money, but nice ms eara said she wud do it fur sam so sam gived her mr rolands money

    gud- sam talked wid ms eara sum more abut gitin her da judge job but she is sad cuzza alla bad tings peepl is sayin bout her. sam tried ta cheer ms eara up but shes dis old elf an dunt tink sam guts much gud ta say bout such tings
    bad- sam dunno how ta help oder dan ta jus bash ms sara once an fur all

    bad- dragons in da city an dey ate peepl!
    gud- sam wint ta help da peepl dat wuz tryin ta make dis smokey stuff ta scare da dragons away

    bad bad- ms sara ran us inta some gypsies an sam wuz gunna ask em if dey cud help but ms sara started killin em all! sam gut a lil mad but had ta help da others so's the gypsies didnt hurt no wun else

    bad bad an reel bad- we run inta more gypsies an ms sara dint even blink, she jus run inta em hollerin an swingin, jus like sam ran inta da undedies, an started killin em. sam thut dat since dey knew we kilt da first batch deyd be more fur talkin, but ms sara jus kilt em all fur no reezun

    dat made sam rilly mad an he gut mad at ms sara fur doin it
    sam dint even help her, he jus felt bad fur da poor gypsies dat she wuz killin an sam stood an watched. it wuz awful

    wull sam wuz dum an givd her whut fur an she dared sam ta do sumtin abut it, so sam wint ta hit her wid sams fist an knock her out so's sumun else cud be in charge but she had a sword an hit sam awful hard wid it
    sam dint know she wuz so strong. she mebbe alot tuffer den sam is now.

    wull den she asks sam if sam is dun, an sam shur wuz dun, but afore sam cud say he wuz dun she run sam strate thru an sam wuz on da ground bleedin afor sam knew whut dun hapnd
    sumun heeld sam enuff dat sam cud get up an sam wuz so mad an sad dat sam cudnt do nuttin ta help da gypsies or stop ms saras killin

    cuzza alla dat, sam wint home

    dum ol sam fergot ta tank da person dat saved sam frum bleedin ta deth too an dat make sam even sader
    alotta peepl wuz mad at ms sara fur doin all dat killin but dey saw her bash ol sam purty fast an sam tink dey wuz too scard ta try ta git her ta stop

    whut a bad day

    sam dun git it
    ms sara said she wuz an orfan like sam, an she hadda grow up in a church an she gut church lernins an lernt how ta fite jus like sam did
    an she is sum knite of bane or sumtin, so sam tinks she shud be nice. knite's gut a code a honor ta live by jus like mr darian da paldin had, but sumwhur ms saras gut some blud lust or some bad evil spirits in her soul now an shes more evil dan somma da peepl mr darian an sam hadda go git and bring ta justice...

    gud- dragons dat eet peepl fur food
    bad- ms sarakar dat jus kills fur da fun of it

    sam choozs dragons any day
    nut like dragons wanna munch on sams anyway
    sam dunt exacly gut a creemy pleezin fillin

    Difficult times in town, but Sam continues to prove his worth as he helps whoever he can, however he can
    Relations with the Banite woman take a turn for the worse and a great conflict between them ensues


  • NEW ENTRY

    sam on topa da world! sam had dinner wid ms nara an it wuz da best!
    sams ol frind mr… wull sam nut ta say dat name no more... but he mr gruvan now... cooked fur sam an ms nara even tho ms nara dint want sam ta spind sams money
    she shard dis cuked burd wid sam an it wuz gud! she kin cuk rilly gud
    but den like rich peepl mr gruvan brut us da main curs an it wuz better! me an ms nara talked alot bout alot an it wuz rilly fun
    we guts ta do dat again soon sam tink mebbe he gitin better bout talkin when shes round sam

    uh oh.. dere sum kina nvazun gotta go help

    NEW ENTRY

    da nvazun is over an sam bashed sum an carrid ded peepl as usual
    ms nara... sam like ms nara lots but sam beginin ta tink dat da date dint go too gud cuz she always is avoidin sam
    dat an dat mean ol ms sarakar is always wid her too an dat dont make it any eezier ta talk ta ms nara nun
    nfact dat ms sara wuz tryin ta git sam ta talk about ms nara but sam wunt gunna give her no chance ta make fun o sam or make ms nara fill bad bout spindin dinner wid sam

    sam know ms sara wud make ms nara fil bad an laff at ms nara
    poor ms nara... sam gutta figur out a way ta git dat gurl away from ms sarakar... she gunna be da deth of ms nara an even if she dunt like sam nun, wull dat no scuse fer sam nut tryin ta help

    NEW ENTRY
    yup, sam sure dat ms nara dunt like sam
    nut sure whut ta do
    gotta git smarter
    so sam talked ta ms eva cuz she is smart an sam is gunna git lessons an learn more manners an how to reed better an rite gud agin
    gut furst lesson tday
    mebbe if sam dunt seem so dum mebbe ms nara will like sam better
    mebbe she nut like sam at all but mebbe if sam kin speek beter she will lissen ta sam dat ms sara is a bad person

    NEW ENTRY
    whut a day! anoder nvazun agin
    sam did whut sam cud an did whut sam wuz told
    ms earawien wuz in charge but she didnt tell sam ta do nuttin mportant
    den sam hurd sunnds of a big fite so sam ran to it an dis big firball kilt lossa peepl
    sam mussa carrid bout 6 peepls outa dere--- all ded- wuz awful
    wull dere wuz waves an waves of em, urks kobolds it all a blur ta sam but next ting sam knows durs 3 BIG trolls all comin at sam
    we fite sum an sam wuz doin okee till sam use shild ta stop dis club comin at sams hed an it wuz a big swing an sam cudnt stop it an sams own shild hit his hed an dat wuz dat
    whin sam woke up dis real nice lady wid big magick dun saved da whole town an sam hadda go git all dose peepl dat sam dropped in a safe place an she heeld all of em
    whut a nice lady she wuz
    ms eara did a rilly gud job tho
    sam gunna pay more tenshun to her when she says stuff

    NEW ENTRY
    sam did a patrol wid ms eara an mr sarge
    deys gud peepl an sam liked helpin em
    ms eara said stuff bout ms sara dat sam dint rilly know but made sens ta sam
    too bad she tinks ms nara is a lost cauz, but sam gunna do whut he can ta change ms earas mind bout ms nara cuz sam tink ms nara is gud

    Sam's first date ever
    Sam proves himself in the eyes of the town as a mighty protector of both the city and her citizens and earns himself a place within the city guard (unfortunately the city never had armor in Sam's size)


  • NEW ENTRY

    gud ting sam gut dis gud armor it gut used
    sam an sum peepl wint ta bugybear cave ta take sum stuff away frum da bugybears
    but sam wund up carrin two of em back ta da temple an we dint git nuttin fur it
    sam felt bad cuz sam aint gut but 100 coin an da prist wants lots mur dan sam guts so sam did wut sam cud an left em in da brite lite mebbe dey wake up

    den sam wint out ta da filds an talked wid da farmers dey guts problems too an sam not shur how ta help jus yet
    sam figure it out soon tho an help da farmers wid der money trubl soon as sam gits his own muney trubls fixd
    sam hurd talk dat da city wuz hiring fur jobs an sam gunna git one

    wull jus afor sam cud find whur ta git a job dis dwarf is needin help wit sum ting da prists need help wit so natraly sam always gunna help prists cuz dats whut mr darian did an sam helped mr darian
    or did sam help da prists? miscellaneous pen marks as sam considers who the hell he was actually helping… his paladin friend or the priests the paladin assisted

    dun matter, wuz all gud
    so sam spint bout FOUR hours watin on peepl to do git ridy to go help da prist find dis holy water an sam came so sam cud carry it all, cuz wuz a lot of it sam hurd

    oh, how sam furget dis!!! sam met mos wunerful elf girl sam dun ever did see... kint member her last name but she is ms narawien, but sam sure sam in luv now... she wuz nice too, cuz she was xcitd abut helpin out a prist an dat meens she gut gud soul like sam! an purty yeppers, wull sam gotta try xtra speshul hard ta be nice ta ms nara so she likes sam back

    wull we wint out an got da water an wuz way too easy sam tink
    gittin da water wuz easy, but den sumtin happend on da way back...
    bad lucks startd hapenin ta peepl but sam wuz dere ta save peepls!

    sams skill wid da medic bags gittin gud, an he saved 2 peepls today frum bein ded
    sam even saved ms naras life!!!!!! sam bet she member dat wuz jus a dumb ugly bad blud dat wuz lukin out fur her an not dem other peepls dat dun care fur eech oder

    wull rite after sam save ms nara frum certin dednes dat lady wid da demon popped outa da grund an started talkin wull sam looked around an THREE peepl wuz ded ur dyin around sam
    wull sam wuz outa medic bags cuz sam save ms nara, but nubudy stopped ta help so sam watched em go ded den sam picked up two of em and join da grup

    oh boy if ms sarakar wunt tryin ta make da demon woman mad, so sam thut it best if da demon woman ate ms sara an let da rest of us go
    sam said cuple tings ta dat efect an da demon woman rilized dat ms sara wuz jus mean souled an so she gut ta business an left us in peece

    ms nara wuz mad at ms sara too an dat made sam glad cuz ms nara cud see dat ms sara is jus as bad as sam thut but sam tink dat ms nara dint like sam tryin ta feed ms sara to da demon woman eider!
    sam dint see ms nara agin an dat make sam sad
    sam also sad cuz sam aint seen mr jason eider
    but sam gut intrist in ms eva cuz she is a riter an sam need lesins on riting an speekin, cus sam tink dat no wun want ta talk ta sam cuz sam sunds dum whn sam talks

    okee, last ting befor sam go ta bed... an sam hate ta say it cuz sam dunt like ms sara but today sam saw her do a gud ting
    ms sara is kinda smart afteral cuz she talked mean ta da prist an made him fix da ded wuns sam wuz carrin an da prist did it fur free! an den he hild everywun dere! so dat wuz a rilly gud ting dat ms sara did
    sam dint wanna amit to it, but mebbe sam gunna carry ms sara outa da wuds if she gut hurt now

    mebbe an dat be a strong-like-sam mebbe

    tommorow sam go luk fur ms nara an see dat she nut mad at sam
    but furst sam gotta find mr jason an find why sam cudnt speek when sam is lukin at her

    must be magicks

    Sam finds love?
    Sam lives up to his reputation as a lifesaver with his 'medecine'


  • NEW ENTRY
    sam saw balrog an is here ta rite down dat he did! when huntin urks yestday sam fund peepl under atak by sum nasties so sam help em whut els sam gunna do
    so dis 1 woman send sam in cave ta peek an sam peeks and sam gits in truble fer peekin but da woman told sam ta peek her name is ms sarakar she tinks she real smart an gud leadr but sam seen peepl beter. mr darian wuz lots beter
    sam had ta cary ms saras frind back cuz he gut hurt she dint even tank sam or give sam shinees fur helpin if sam hant bin dere, sam wuda had ta carry mor dan jus ONE of em back but a nice lady gave sam som money an she tanked sam but dumb sam dint git her name er say tanks even cuz sam wuz sprised dat she wuz so nice

    NEW ENTRY
    sam got new frind mr jason he a ranger 1st ranger sam met dat dint snik behind sam to git sams skin off sams bones me go hunting wid mr jason later today

    NEW ENTRY
    mr jason gud frind but him pick bad frinds fur hisself
    his frind wuz dat ms sarakar an she so mean an jus cruel person mr jason an sam helped save sum elf frum sum evil spirit ting or sumtin an all ms sara did wuz torture dis por elf for da fun of it

    NEW ENTRY
    mr jason took sam on quest fur sumtin ms sarakar wuz in charge agin sam dunno why she is mean an no wun like her so sam git in frunt alot an bash on lotta critters dat is tryin ta git mr jason peepl like sam helpin whn sam is bashin tings

    sam gut lost in cave tho an guess who sam finds? ms sarakar jus as mean as ever she cold on inside sam beginin ta tink she gut an evil soul sam led her outside tho cuz sam is nice even if she not
    she dint offer sam nuttin after she gut whut she came fur tho

    NEW ENTRY
    fund mr jason an we wus jus sploring an cuttin up an bein gud frinds wuz almost like sam with mr darian agin, but mr jason is a ranger an no da same
    den alla sudden we had ta help stop sum atack in da north of town mr jason an alotta oders gut hurt

    NEW ENTRY
    sam dun did a bad ting sam bashed on ms sara
    wunt sams fault she wuz sayin mean tings agin an den she sayd mean tings bout mr jason an hes sams frind so me an ms sara scrapped an sam bashed her gud
    but she had 3 frinds dat snuk up on sams back an sam gut bashed too
    sam wuners if sam kin show his face in da pub tommorow mebbe too much ale an no wun will member? sam had sum, but sam members so mebbe sam nut be so luky

    sam gut nuff muney ta git dat plate armor sam bin wantin fur so long mebbe if sam git in trubl today be gud day to have plate instad of dis rusty stuff frum da boat

    Sam demonstrates his sacrificial nature by putting himself in harms way for others, and his loyalty to those he calls friends, no matter the cost


  • The following are the crumpled and mangled pages of Sam's personal journal which take place after the years Sam was on his own after the loss of Darian Stalwart. The poor quality papers are stuffed in a small leather binder, writtin in charcoal

    it is important to note that Sam is not stupid or unintelligent. His mind works fine within itself. It is when Sam tries get what is inside to the outside that his abilities fail him

    NEW ENTRY
    Dis 2nd trip on boat hope it beter dan 1st
    capn gut sam in fishold it stink even ta sam

    sam tuk mr darians advice an gut quill an sum paper to rite down sams life

    NEW ENTRY
    boats suck sam spen 5 days leanin oer railin
    las boat trip sam lost mr darian in storm

    dis boat trip- starm agin an sam lost lunch evrday fur 5 days

    note ta sam: no more boats. sam walk frum now on

    sam miss mr darian wunt it be gud if mr darian wuz at dis new town an sam cud fin im?

    NEW ENTRY
    sam here bran new town so far sam bin run outa random scribbles- apparently lost in thought sam bin run outa more den 10 oder cities so far
    mebbe sam will fin a gud frind jus like mr darian sayd to do mebbe gud frind be noder paldin like mr darian wuz mebbe paladins kin find eech oder an sam kin find mr darian dat way

    NEW ENTRY
    no mr darian but sam met nice ms moni sam rescued ms moni frum ded ting sam bashd on it wid sword
    but me an ms moni wus sick frum it so we go to temple ms moni poorer den sam so sam hadda pay fur her fixins
    den she need place ta sleep so sam git dat too but it worth it cause ms moni nice mebbe ms moni gonna be sams frind

    NEW ENTRY
    ms moni tuk sam on venture! we cornerd a big guy wid hooves an horns an made him tell us all about some magicker woman doin bad tings dat sam wud like ta stop, but sam kint anyway sam let big guy go cuz sam know whut it like to be outnumerd in corner too him nut to much diffrnt frum sam cept sam dunt hurt peeples

    sam carrid a ded guy back ta temple an gut paid reel gud fer doin da carrin

    NEW ENTRY
    no ms moni in days sam lonly gonna go hunt fer food it so spensive at pub an nobudy like sam hangin in pub much usual stuff– sam stink sam ugly sam gut bad breath only ting dat true bout sam is... sam ugly, big, strong an nice. wonder why it so hard fer peepl to see dat

    the gentle giant desperately searches for companionship and acceptance in a new place


  • The great dark age of Samson Swarthout was anything but 'great.' It was a time where the mighty warrior stooped low with the weight of his own failings. Depression set in quickly, almost willing Sam to die.

    He rose from the beach, and slowly, with the determination and stubborness that characterized him, walked away into the forests with only the clothes on his back.

    At first, he caught work on a few farms, earning only enough to feed himself, drifting from rural township to rural township, offering only his strong back and willingness to help others. As always, his brutish appearance brought trouble and just when Sam thought he had found a place to stay, something would always occur to drive him away.

    Whenever something happened, a woman raped, a man assaulted, something stolen, eyes always seemed to turn to Sam. His usefullness among the humans was usually limited to what he could push, pull or carry, and when his usefullness expired he was often considered a liability.

    Sam continued to drift like a ghost, sticking to shadows more and more, learning for himself the true nature of cruelty and selfishness as he watched others. Always he looked for those who seemed 'nice' before he approached cautiously, generally looking for work.

    Oftentimes he would approach women, due to their more gentle and compassionate nature, but Sam's great size and physical strength was often alarming, especially considering he usually stepped out from the shadows like a criminal about to commit a crime. If he stayed in the open, the men of a town were quick to assume the worst of him and drive him away. If he stayed in the shadows, those that spotted him were quick to assume that he was a common criminal.

    Wherever Sam went, distrust, contempt and even malice were quick to find him. Sam's usual genuine and open nature became quiet, reserved and afraid. He looked for an escape, any escape and most importanly a place to call home.

    Frustrated, Sam used his last coins to go far to the north of Neverwinter to a new opportunity. It was a town called Xyrastalis which had been discovered abandoned. There was nothing wrong with the town, it was fully functional and the only thing going against it was that all of the former inhabitants had somehow gone missing. Vanished. The rumors of great opportunity drew Sam like a magnet.

    Perhaps if Sam got there on the first boat, there would be so few people initially that he would not be run off before he had a chance to prove himself. He hoped that this new town, which would soon be filling with new people would accept him as a citizen. That is… if he got there first and could meet 'other stranger's' off the boat and welcome them to HIS new town.

    Sam boarded the vessel and with his excitement he almost didn't mind when the captain ordered him into the fish hold for the duration of the voyage. Sam had enough spare change to buy a peice of charcoal and some used and tattered papers with which he would chronicle his new life.

    ***Thus ends the historical biography of Samson Swarthout. ***

    Perhaps later I'll include separate adventures of Sam and Darian.

    All post hence forth are from online experiences, and will greatly affect the persona that players in Narfel will encounter.*


  • What some men would consider great fortune and honor, Sam considered frivolity. Within the month that Darian honorarily inducted Sam into the Order of Helm, the Order of Tyr also sent word to Darian that Samson was also an honorary member of the Order. It had only taken the Order a few years to get around to recognizing Sam's service against the orc army which Darian had led the final pitched battle.

    Darian handed Sam a small pin to wear on his cloak, shaped like a small shield with a set of scales and a hammer. The emblem of Tyr. Sam put it in his bag where it came to rest near the pin of Helm that he had been given earlier by Darian. In Sam's eyes, the emblems were nice, but he knew if he wore them openly, it would only attract more unwanted attention and in fact they would most likely be lost far sooner than if they simply collected dust and leaves in the bottom of his backpack.

    In the tenth year of Darian's service to the Order of Helm, Sam found himself dispatched with his paladin to a land far away. A trip across an ocean in which the two required the services of a sailing vessel. They sparred openly on the decks of the ship, to the enjoyment of the entire crew. Indeed Sam and Darian were very well versed in the ways of the sword. Darian's divine protection seemed well matched against Sam's superior strength and his long list of 'dirty tricks' which he threw at his master.

    In one session on deck the two were winding down from a particularly well fought sparring session when the captain of the ship called down from the wheel with predictions of heavy weather coming in moments. The crew of the ship barely had time to reach their posts before the foul weather was upon them. The squall had been missed as most of the crew had their eyes turned to the activities on deck. Suddenly, the entire ship, passengers and crew found themselves in a fight for their lives.

    Sam and Darian had no time to strip out of their armor, instead they clattered around the deck in their plates helping the deck hands wrestle in the sails as the captain desperately tried to heave the ship into the wind.

    The main sails were caught full with the wind and reigning them in was beyond the efforts of six strong sailors. Darian called to Sam to lend his weight and strength on a rope. They heaved in unison, and slowly the mainsail acquiessed under the exertions of the crew, the paladin and his man. However the ship was not out of danger. With the mainsail finally undercontrol, the captain had enough steerage to turn the ship into the wind, but for a critical moment, the ship had to cross from downwind, to crosswind, before turning upwind into the squall.

    It was as the ship turned into the crosswind that a mighty wave crashed across the deck. Sam's strength on the rope saved his life, as he gripped it mightily with both hands, spluttering under the water of the wave as it crossed the deck. He careened into the deck's railing, bounced off, and came to rest again in the center of the deck. Looking up the rope, it had been swept clean of crewmen. Looking behind him, he saw only the loose end of the rope trailing off the edge of the deck. Darian Stalwart, and the six other crewmen were no where to be found.

    The squall only lasted a couple hours, but the captain would not turn back for his crew, saying they were certainly lost. And Darian, still in his heavy armor, most likely drowned immediately. The captain tried to console Sam, but at the same time left no doubts that even the strongest of paladins could not swim in such heavy seas while encumbered in the heavy armor he had been sparring in.

    Sam had lost the last of his family. In losing Darian, Sam lost much of his own life. The man that had protected him, had given him guidance, kept him out of trouble, and always provided the means for which to earn another meal was gone.

    Sam moped about belowdecks for a couple days. Above decks the crew plotted against him, partly blaming Sam for knocking the other sailors from the rope to their deaths and partly desiring the fine armor and weapons the two had boarded with. Late at night, Sam awoke to find himself bound, gagged and hauled above decks to the derisive laughs of the crew, greedily anticipating the profit to be had from the sale of Sam's and Darian's finer belongings.

    The water was warm enough when Sam was thrown into the sea, and again, his great strength served him well as he tore quickly through his bonds allowing him to swim. Fading into the night horizon the ship quickly slipped from sight, and Sam was left alone, to drown.

    But he did not drown. Instead he floated, and swam, and rested and eventually hauled his bedraggled self onto a shore. He had come back to the mainland, alive.

    Thus began the great dark age of Samson Swarthout's life. An age which would span another two years. An age which Sam had not the aid of the divine, nor of a paladin to guide and protect him. An age where Sam had to rely on himself, but also an age where Sam had no direction, no purpose for his life but to simply survive.