Letters from the Wetlands

These letters were written by Ursala and Gulgrim - to each other, obviously. Ursala was in effective exile in the Wetlands whilst Gulgrim was on a clan campaign in Stranglethorn Vale. The correspondance largely speaks for itself.
Dated individually, written by the characters' respective players.
==22nd February 2010==
Gulgrim,
I would have wished to have seen you. Alas, time takes me before I have chance. I return to the Wetlands this eve. I do not know how long for. I was sent in disgrace from Hammerfall, so it may be a long while.
I apologise for having been candid with the Chieftain. I shall not make the mistake again. It may lead still to trouble. I see that now; unfortunately, said trouble may still catch you as it did Harg and Cerk. I trust you to do with this warning what is beneficial.
I may not see you again soon. This is a pity. There is much we could learn from each other. Nontheless, I wish you well. Perhaps ask of Air if we might communicate - if you feel the want.
I will keep my hair as you last saw it.
Ursala Earthwielder
==25th February 2010==
Ursala,
I had no idea! I wish I'd had a chance to see you before you left. There were many things we could have discussed, many paths to walk. No matter. Those paths will preserve until ours cross once more.
Strange though, your words have troubled the Chieftain something awful. I've never seen anything have an effect on him quite like this. He seems to think that perhaps you are right, but that he will never become a Shaman full fledged once more, due to his commitments as Chieftain. I see his point, but I also know that he is still a far more powerful and respected Shaman of the Horde than I.
I would very much like to hear of your exploits, as I will tell of mine. Tonight I earned my first scar on the field of battle in Stranglethorn Vale. A barbed arrow caught me clean in the left bicep, but I decapitated the offending Troll to earn my scar. The Chieftain himself healed me, his powers coursing through my system and closing all of my wounds.
I very much like your hair in that style. It is at once practical and yet appealing as well.
Gulgrim of Dagger and Totem.
==27th February 2010==
Gulgrim,
I apologise for the time it took for this reply to arrive. I had to ask of Air to have it delivered. Air asked for my voice for a while in return, so if you hear it on the wind then do excuse us but do not allow Air to fool you. Perhaps it would be best if Chieftain Gremcark did not know of this correspondance (presuming Air does not tell him; if it does, good luck, and please do your best to let me know).
Have you ever seen Gremcark turn into a wolf? I wish, one day, to ask him if he can. Perhaps you would wish to do the same?
It heartens me greatly to hear of your scar. I have three, but I earned none of them - the first was by a blue drake in the Coldlands that Watrus killed. Nelay (Nelai?) healed the cuts. The second and third were by a human paladin, from whom I ran away. I am jealous of your bravery and strength! Perhaps one day even a runt shall earn her battlescars. Stranger things have happened.
If you are near Orgrimmar any time soon, do pay a visit to Dogtooth (my riding wolf). I miss him so. I am sure that he is entirely indifferent to my absense. He is almost as frustrating as Irritant sometimes, but he is a better companion. Cragshot spoils her animal.
There are many things that pass here that I would not wish to shackle with the words of orcs. Perhaps once we are alongside each other in more than damp scraps of parchment, I would be able to tell you in the ways of wolves about my journeys.
It may be a long time yet. There is much to be done. I may only ask so many favours of Air, me being one of the Earth as I am, and at some point I will run out of parchment and ink - whilst my replies may be sporadic at best, your continued letters would be very much appreciated.
Ursala Earthwielder
==2nd March, 2010==
Ursala,
I do not think that our correspondence would be a dispersing thought for the Chieftain. Indeed I think he would embrace it. It builds inter-clan relationships and will, I think, assist us both as we grow as Orcs.
I have seen him transform into a Wolf once. He ran with Dishka and I, during the Stranglethorn Campaign. I have much to tell you of our exploits.
I cannot explain the fury that set upon me when I was struck with that arrow. It was as if the only thought in my mind was to claim the head of the one who had marked me. There was no fanfare save my own private celebration of this event. It gladdens my heart to know it gives you hope that you too may achieve this level of success.
When we return from the Campaign, I will be sure to look in on your wolf, although it does not know me. Perhaps I will ask one of the others, in the case that they are better suited for this particular task. I believe that Cragshot is in Orgimmar at the moment, so it wouldn’t surprise me if she was looking to the animal herself. Irritant has most definitely earned his name on many occasions.
In Stranglethorn there are these… crystals. They seem to grow on the bodies of creatures, including Ogres. We have met with both Salax and Nelai’s Loa, the former of which has prophesised the death of Ryz and myself through exposure to these crystals. I laugh in the face of such a prophesy. The Loa cannot possibly see my future. Each time I engage in combat though, I’ve suffered terrible near misses. I was peppered with arrows just the other evening, but Nelai managed to stabilise me. We suffered a terrible loss there, as the Trolls pushed us back hard. I’m beginning to think that Salax’s Loa has cursed me. If that is the case, I’ll be snapping its neck and breaking the Troll’s nose.
These Loa, they demand respect from all of us. It makes no sense. The Chieftain pointed out that the Elements do not refuse to aid the clan even though not everyone pays them due deference and worship, yet these Loa do. It’s insanity. We’re helping them, yet they do not seem willing to help us.
Anyway, I will continue to write to you as often as I can.
Gulgrim
==5th March 2010==
Gulgrim,
DO NOT tell chieftain about this, please trust me. I will forget how to write soon but I can still read so please keep sending letters
have patience with the loa, they do not understand mortals very well
I hope Nelai and Salax are taking good care of everybody, a troll priest told me once that it is a priest's job to mediate between the loa and the mortals, I hope Nelai and Salax can do a good job of appeasing both
Not all is well here but it shall be soon, I just need to do what the elements tell me but I need to be able to listen for that. Sorry! Good luck
Ursala
==8th March 2010==
Ursala,
Do not tell the Chieftain about what? This communication between us is innocuous enough, is it not? Do not fret, the Chieftain is not an unfair Orc. I am certain that he would approve.
I have reason to believe Jik’la, Salax’s Loa, may have cursed me. Patience is wearing thing right now. Ever since she said that I was doomed to die in this jungle, I have suffered no less than three near death experiences. If she has cursed me, I have already informed Nelai that Salax’s jaw will be forfeit. I will fight him, and I will win. I know it is not his fault, but I cannot fight a Loa, and I must show it an example.
Nelai has spoken to me at length about the subject. I still don’t understand it. The Loa have no clear cut set of goals, not like the Elements. They are an alien intellect, moving in mysterious ways. Even the Trolls cannot explain most of what they do. Nelai, Salax and to a point Watrus are doing their best though.
What do you mean not all is well? Are you safe? Do not be so ambiguous, you will cause distress and worry.
Gulgrim.
==11th March 2010 (1)==
Gulgrim,
Trust me. If on nothing else, this. Do not tell him that we are communicating.
From what I understand of the Loa, they are fickle as mortals only moreso. Did you ever wonder why so many Troll shamans are of Air and Water? Treat them as you would an Air spirit. They will twist and writhe and cheat, if you let them; but it is their nature.
Look after Nelai, and look after yourself. You must prove Jik'la wrong. Did you consider that Jik'la may be attempting to spur you to violence for her amusement?
Do not die, or I shall have to have you resurrected that I might kill you again.
Do not worry for me. The reason that I was sent here was to solve strife. There was a dwarf tomb, and I had to take a body there. There is a ship. I think that I may have to sunder a gem to break its spell. This shall be the testing of my axe-edge.
They say that I pay too little attention to what is important. I fear that they may be correct. It is physically painful to write now, as strongly as they are demanding my attention. It is not long until this shall be over and I shall be granted my parting gift, but I must concentrate in order that it will happen how it must.
Earthwielder
==11th March 2010 (2)==
Ursala,
Alright, I understand your meaning. I will keep this quiet, but know that I do not like it. I do not like keeping things from the Chieftain.
I have never stopped to think of why so many Trolls favour such things, but I most certainly cannot treat these Loa as I would a spirit of the Air. It just does not feel right. My understanding of these creatures is that they’re Troll aspects that have transcended death. They were mortal once, with wants and thoughts and fears, but now they are Gods. The Elements have never been mortal. They have never felt the things a mortal will feel. I cannot treat them the same. That is impossible! We have met many Loa, from great apes to serpents, and they have all been completely different. There does not appear to be a uniform approach to dealing with them.
Nelai is fine, she is spirited and strong as she should be. She’s also wearing very little clothing. A trait Watrus is seemingly also displaying. I understand the heat here is sweltering, but I do question how appropriate this is for a Clan campaign. Perhaps the Loa is trying to heckle me, rise my ire. It better not have hexed me. It really better not have.
That is… that you might go through the effort to raise me only to lay be low again, that’s an interesting prospect. Ha!
I will try and do as you ask and not worry, but it is a task I fear I may fail in. You have been gifted such an unusual task, Ursala. I hope that you do use this experience to better yourself. It is your duty as a member of the Horde, and as a Clanmate. Better yourself, and do it for all of us, as we also do for you.
We serve them, Ursala, but they do not control our every action. I think of the Elements as I think of the Chieftain, as a transportation device for service to the greater good and prosperity of ourselves and this planet we now call home. Do not let them bully you, Ursala. Obey their commands and give them their due, but there is no need to be any more than this. We do not benefit from frivolity; deliberate action is what is required.
We faced another pack of Trolls, within something called the Spirit Den. We caught the beasts in the act – killing the Loa of trickery. He showed us something remarkable. Apparently there is a Loa called Samedi, the Loa of death. More importantly, this Loa was disguised as a Troll on an isle North West of the main coast of Stranglethorn. This Troll, this Loa… it has saved my life from the grip of these terrible crystals. I did not tell you before, for I was unsure of what to write, but was afflicted by a deadly contagion. Ryz was too. We both had these strange crystals growing inside and out.
Oh, also. Sithren must pay for his words against the Chieftain. This punishment will come in time though. The Sin’dorei will answer to the Elements and, perhaps, my bare knuckles.
Ursala, I beseech you. Please finish your task with all haste. I would l We could use someone such as yourself.
Gulgrim.
==12th March 2010==
[This particular letter is written in blood.]
Gulgrim,
I appreciate that very much.
There is something more inappropriate about our Sergeants wearing very few items of clothing than of the peons in the Valley? If anything, the Sergeants would be more entitled to their comfort - what is your complaint, exactly?
I am struggling against the Elements in order to write. There is so much that needs doing. They are things that are urgent. More urgent, they say, than this, but there are always urgent things. One cannot do them all. They do not seem to understand this sometimes.
Do you remember Outland? I do not. Azeroth is and always has been home.
What did Sithren say?
Are you alright? Are you sure you are alright? I shall try to do as I implore you to and not worry, but you give such worrying words. Although in truth I do not doubt the skill of the Clan healers, it is difficult to concentrate when I know it is so stressful for them.
I look forwards to seeing you [inserted into the sentence hastily is the word "all"] again.
Ursala
P.S. PLEASE SEND MORE INK
==15th March 2010==
[There are ink blots all over the page, and in a few places the quill has torn the parchment. Written in extra big letters, with not a lot of punctuation. The bird that drops the note also drops a fresh quill and enough ink for -several- more letters.]
Ursala what have you done why are you writing in blood?
Never mind that what you’ve asked me we can talk of trivial things at any time – you must not do this again! Have you cut yourself are you hurt? In the Wetlands! Why? Why? Why?
I have only this last one letter to send to you by the Chieftain’s orders I cannot send any more. He knows about us. Found out I was communicating with you he is not happy Says you must focus on the elements. Forget about being an Orc I do not see why I never did any such thing myself. Seems pointless can find relationship any time but he is Chieftain so I must obey
Worse still I have been told not to open anything you send! I cannot cope like this! I must know if you are safe I must know you have not been injured
Ursala I do not know what to do.
Why are you writing in blood?
Why
I have sent ink. Tell me please. Urgh but cannot open! I am furious!
Gulgrim
==16th March 2010==
Gulgrim,
I had no ink. I had to write back or you would think even worse had happened. Yes I cut myself, the wound will not heal but I can walk on the paw. I will survive.
I am going to be in very much trouble when I get back, am I not? I wonder how much it will take before he loses his temper and has me removed entirely? Tell him I will do as they tell me now. But you cannot read!
It is a very odd to think that I might be writing something that may not get read at all, except by your next of kin. Do not die. Do not dare die.
I wrote in blood because I was out of ink. I had no alternative. At least my blood does not congeal as quickly as it could (ink is the one thing it is good for)
Be calm, it will not be long to the end once I stop reading and writing. Things will be better. Just please stay alive please
Sal
Category:Story