The patrol was dull today.
I'm not unhappy about this, it sure makes my life easier when theres nothing but the mundane to report. Ol'Emma was talking about the gnomes again, but I think half the time she mistakes the lawn statues for ne'er do wells. Still no word on the investigation of those two conspiring gnomes, I really don't expect to hear anything more about it actually, there were no other reports from the general citizenry so likely it will just disapear into the files and never be seen again.
There was some trouble with a dwarf who was sitting in the middle of the road blocking traffic. He didn't hear me when I first approached him but I came back later and managed to write him a warning. The offender was beligerant and refused to give his name, I'll watch out for the fellow next time in case there are other offenses.
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I spoke to the captain a dozen times about getting a mounted unit for the increased traffic in Stormwind, I can't keep chasing after every speeding mechanohog on foot, I'm not that fast and since the enginering specifications make them all look the same it's difficult to find the right offender.
I'm still looking for that purple headed dwarf with the over-sized rifle, he ran off when I asked for a permit. I don't understand why anyone avoids getting these things, it's not hard, they practically give them away on request...with the occasional horde trying to raze the city they almost have to.
I think I'm going to put in my vacation for a few days, theres a night elf that keeps following me and I think it would be good not to run after street sleepers and speeding tickets for a short time.
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I didn't really understand that druids could get drunk until I actually saw one. Yes I heard the stories and stereotypes, So I thought they were all noble upstanding citizens, self control...it really puts you through one when you see them turn into a bear for the first time. The elf kept assuming he'd been hit by what I can only figure was a gnomish invention then claimed he'd been shot by a hunter. Once I confirmed he hadn't actually been injured I was able to guess that he'd likely had a wild afternoon and tried to follow procedure, unwilling yet to call livestock control out of respect.
I of course did not count on how fast a drunken bear could run and spend roughly half an hour chasing the elf down again to a bar where I found two citizens of a private military group, one who demanded he see my credentials before dealing with the drunk. I did not see the harm in this, the elf was not going anywhere and I was able to handcuff him. My discovery that I was not strong enough to drag a bear to the stocks was disapointing but not surprising and eventually I was forced to call livestock control just as he took off again, I have no idea if they ever caught him.
I've drawn the short stick the past two days now to feed the horde prisoner. I can see why the last three didn't cut it. The woman while not beligerant is social and insists talking or she refuses to eat. I've told her multiple times that we were not authorized to converse with her and I have no doubt that is for good reason but I'm also convinced she'd be content to sit there all day if necessary without touching her food and we can't leave until she refuses the meal or eats it, the guard being terrified of leaving her with any utensils that could be used as an escape tool. I don't enjoy bringing her food tonight, by the light such fanatical devotion to the horde is frightening.
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It's too easy now for me to understand why Private Belson joined the monestary. How do you guard someone when you know they can escape any time they want? How can you even justify it once you realize they are there on purpose for their own amusement?
Part of me feels they should kill her, against dozens of lives I fail to see how one unborn child remains sacred, and I hate myself for it. The prisoner, Svetlaena will escape, she could have done it whenever she wished and what is unbelievable is the only reason she hasn't yet has been solely to torment one man. Theres nothing that can be done about this, a piece of me fully understands that no matter what we do there is no way to stop her from going free and while she remains here like an invited guest we are forced to guard her, feeling more like bodyguards by the minute.
They're not really picky anymore about who they choose to guard her, nearly everyone has seen her written confession of the bodies, she's even proud of this.
I am still a law abiding soldier and light help me it feels as if that is the only thing that keeps me from running a blade through her heart.
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I'm really not some hero like everyone says, I'm not some crackshot investigator. I don't deserve this promotion, the captain knows I don't deserve it, no one else seems to care. I'm more then a little bothered that Svetlaena has made so many requests, I could deny her easily and that would be the end of my headaches but theres fifty acts of closure and soon to be fifty one if I force myself to work with her. How can I measure my own comfort against so many others?
The dwarf that helped her is in strict confinement, his acomplice is hovering between life and death, my fault, she tried to help him escape, I injured her on accident, I think gravely. If she survives she'll go to the stockades, I think the dwarf will be evaluated for any mental tampering and probably sent to the Abbey for treatment or hung. I don't really know which is better at this point.
An example of overbloated reputation, a woman came to see me and though she looked too young for it asked me to find out what happened to her daughter. She says the elf will only talk to me, I've seen evidence otherwise but she looked desperate. I'm not sure what I was supposed to find out about Ceridwyyn Ryderrch, how she died? Where her body is? Was it worth it? I want to answer all three for the lady but I know that every single question I ask of the condemned, it's costing me.
Was it worth it? I don't believe so, her death seemed so pointless, but would I tell Alisse that? If I can help it, no.
I'm putting in for a week's leave tommorow, maybe forced myself to ride one of those damnable griffins and visit mom and dad for a few days, I'm sure they could use the help.
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I've been reluctant to go into town since coming home, it isn't that I don't want to help rebuild the town but seeing the destruction reminds me of her and I'm not in the mood to revisit the footsteps of murderous elves during my vacation. I think dad suspects that somethings been bothering me but he'll never bring it up, not that I want to and if mom knew she's respectful enough not to say anything, besides I think she's been more bothered by Susan being so tired in the morning. I'm not stupid to miss that the Werner farm is less then a quarter a mile away and I think unless mom has been playing blind she's picked up on it too. I just wish she'd be more careful, considering this is still a bad place for gnolls, also unless things have changed I'm pretty sure that dad's way of solving a problem is still to point a shotgun at it. I thought about having a few words with the Werner boy, maybe intimidate him, but something tells me mom's already given him a talk and I'd probably just screw it up.
Mom admitted they haven't gotten any letters from Gavin in a month and I think this is why she's been obssessing over me since I got back. Part of me wants to believe he's fine but I heard stories about what's been going on up north and I know that his lack of contact is not promising. The good news is there hasn't been any other letters coming through indicating his death so right now all we can do is wait. Figure by the weather we'll be bringing in the harvest tommorow, dad mentioned hiring some help to get things done faster so I hope for Susan's sake he doesn't catch on to Jacob Werner making eyes at his daughter while we're digging up the rutebegas.
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I don't understand how I can be a pathetic wreck around women. I can basically understand what I am going to say beforehand in my head but when it comes down to facing it I get tongue tied and most of the words I come up with spill out on random order without making any sense. Writing of course seems no better and next to me sits a blank letter because I can't figure out where to start or how to say it so she'll like me. I'm terrified she's just going to laugh I mean it's a Doctor....a Doctor. All I am is just some overblown city guard farmboy.
No, I'm gonna do this I gotta...just as soon as Susan stops lurking around my room for ammo. She thinks I gave her away, personally I think it's just because mom finally talked to dad about the situation....she's lucky all he did was nail her window shut.
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Susan agreed to help me with my letter on condition I help remove the nails from her window. I regret agreeing to it but I can't deny she's very good at it....I just wish she would have let me read more of what I supposedly wrote.
I'm really hoping dad doesn't figure out the nails are loose right away, I hate being seen as an accomplice.
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I can't believe I started rambling to her about rutebegas, Gavin ws always better at talking to women. At least she didn't look bored, not that I could tell. I know Breianna was being nosey, odds are the whole town will know by the weekend.
I seem to have a knack for criminals. No, that's not right...criminals find me and I believe after Miss Quel'Ivan someone put a rumor I am in the business of making deals. There isn't a guard in Stormwind who doesn't have an idea who Trigin Steelblade is, his wanted posters make up the buildings of half the city. What I can't figure out is how he managed to find me, on my vacation.
I'm disapointed that according to him so many of the guard are willing to look the other way for a bribe. He threatened me with burning down a building, not even my building. I don't understand what he expects, even if he goes through every guard word of mouth spreads through the city like a plague and I'm not sure he can bribe or scare away public outcry. Maybe I'm just lucky he didn't kill me.
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With the guard being short handed lately I've been called back early. I'm a little disappointed for missing most of the harvest festival this way, but I think I can make it up to Karelle at least, if I can get off for a day during that dwarven brewfest. I'm hoping the gnomes have finished all the repairs on the tram by then.
It's very clear that Quel'Ivan wants those records...guess she doesn't want anything that could look bad on her coming back to bite. I'm a little worried how far she'll go. I've suggested putting the records on lockdown but they'll never listen, so I guess we're just gonna have to put trust that whoever accesses them in the future isn't gonna just run off with them.
I have been given a mount for patrols finally, he's not much but should help me keep up with those mechano bikes to where I won't look a fool chasing after them on foot. Thing's skittish as a rabbit though.
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Trying to take her to Brewfest was a mistake.....I should have known a doctor would refuse. It's my fault, I wanted to show her something new and unusual and...well Officer Jaxom says the dwarves always know how to show a good time. Shouldn't have gotten listened, then I got impulsive and came right out and asked to court her. She didn't say yes right away, I don't know if it's a bad sign if it took a minute for me to convince her it would be worth it, maybe I should have waited longer to ask, but theres no way for me to take it back now, have to move forward.
That stray outside my door won't leave me alone, I think it just wants more food, wouldn't blame him being as skinny as he is. I guess I can spare a little food each day for it, maybe let it out of the rain now and then. Anyway captain's still worried about those murders, I don't think he really believes that we caught the guy. I don't blame him as bad as the crime scene was.
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My brother is dead.
One letter from home I wish I had never received, I don't want to think of what strength it took for my mother to write me after getting the news. Strangely I'm grateful that he is no longer missing, that he has not become part of the undead. All that there was to bury has been burned according to protocol but mom and dad still expect a funeral, we'll bury the ashes.
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Mom's still upset, I can't blame her. Dad hasn't said a word since they got the news, I think he's just holding a lot in. I don't think that any of us really let it sink in when he left for his assignment, but he was my brother, you don't expect these things to happen.
Susan has locked herself in her room since the funeral and I don't think anyone has tried yet to coax her out, let her cry they say. A day or more I'll be heading back to Stormwind, so at least when I'm working I'll have less time to think .
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I will not see Karelle anymore, I suppose I barely see her to begin with but neither of us believed with her being always on the move would have made anything lasting, her more then me, I guess I was always naive. It hasn't been something I've had a lot of time to think about though, with one local disaster replacing another.
The Earthshaking started several hours ago and hasn't seen fit to stop since.
All available hands have been running nonstop trying to quiet the citizens, I'm sure the ground hasn't shook so much since the orcs invaded and the tremors have gotten everyone a bit upset. Happily the worst casualties have been some broken dishware and a few frayed nerves but if things don't quiet soon we're going to have a panic on our hands.
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I think the earthquakes are getting worse, the citizens are beginning to panic a little, I've seen more people crowding around the keep then I've seen in years, to say nothing of the cathedral. With these tremors it seems more people are turning to the light for guidance. Myself, I have never listened to sermon from an alien, or Draenei, I suppose it is no different from the usual priests, at least he listens just the same. I almost wonder if these priests might become a permanent fixture of the Cathedral, we do after all seem to have a few dwarves in the watch.
If the citizens are panicking with the tremors it's the prisoners who are worse as they grow restless each time the ground shakes. In many ways I can't blame them, they cannot simply move somewhere else and I think they are starting to feel trapped, many complain of the strange noises at night I'm concerned there will be another prison riot soon, Captain has assigned more guards to the area as a precaution to this.
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Someone set a bomb off in the stockades during the last tremor, I'm sure that even a firecracker would have set them off at this point though. It took hours to quell the riot and move all the prisoners into the secondary level, I'm sure they're not going to mind sharing theit cells with the petty thieves, the locks are certainly more secure.
Graham and Hutchins are dead, we all went to deal with the prisoner in cell block A, I'm not sure what they plan to present at the funerals, all I know is their bodies were not anything you wanted to show to their families. No one actually believes what I saw, I was out of it when they found me so maybe I did only imagine that monster, it's hard to even believe one man could have been responsible for so much carnage.
If I'm lucky I'll be laid up for a week with these injuries, Captain says I should take it easy at the least, he didn't say anything about the investigation of that dead guard. No word either on what's to be done with the Gilnean prisoner, technically he was killed in self defense and diplomatic relations with the kingdom have been severed for years so I doubt anything will come of it. If I can help it mom and dad will not hear a word, they've been through too much already.
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My insides feel they're twisting around, enough to convince me that death is only hours away. My day has been replaced by vomiting and endless pain, whenever I feel I'm going to recover they force more herbal treatments down my throat and I feel even worse then before. I think they are actually trying to poison me.
At least the priests have been helping in part with my recovery but even they're forced to admit I'm worse off then I should be at this point. I can hear them talking about my funeral arraingments, sounds that just drift in and out as they question whether or not to contact my next of kin. If this is to be the last document of my life I do not want my family to know that I died in bed.
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You would think with all the healers and herbalists one of them would bother to check if I was allergic to anything. I stopped taking the herbal treatments after someone suggested I looked like I had food poisoning, I'm no longer throwing up and I'm healing much faster then expected now.
Still can't sleep, I never realized how easily the hoof beats carried into the church and I don't even know how the priests here can stand it. I plan to go back to my own housing and get some rest there after I get something to eat.
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Feeling better then I have been in days, my wounds are even healing more quickly. The guys joke I've been faking it the whole time and if I hadn't experienced it myself I think I would have agreed with them. I've been catching up on work a lot, mostly because right now I have too much energy to sleep. I know all this extra energy is going to catch up to me but right now, I'm takin advantage of it.
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I stayed in today, body has been aching all morning and with a sore throat to boot I chose not to even bother. There was a brief panic that my illness might be a result of infection, but those injuries have already healed so my concerns have been eased.
Making a note to shave more often or at least stop bothering, beard has been growing in so quickly these days it's hardly worth it when the stubble comes back after a few hours. I heard those goblin barbers have this new electric treatment that gets rid of hair longer, I've considered risking it. I might actually be able to get a haircut too while I'm at it, Light knows I need one of those too.
Forced myself out of bed long enough to buy a chicken, honestly I didn't even bother cooking it.
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Some of the folks up top haven't been to thrilled about letting a private group poke around about a dead dwarf in Ironforge. Guess their way of smoothing over relations is to appoint their own investigation. My question is how this qualifies as light duty.
On the Thirteenth in October records in Ironforge manage to show that Bragan Stormhammer was apprehended following unspeakable crimes involving gnome children. From there he was apparently taken by an angry mob and lynched, falling into the lava twice and, apparently, dieing as many times.
Of everyone I have interviewed at this point all witnesses and participants of the lynching claim the man deserved it. Captain Branngas of the 73rd unit is, nonetheless, crying foul.
It seems that while many of the guards within Ironforge turned a blind eye to the killing there was nothing exactly legal about the execution where Priest Aberforth apparently knocked Bragan into the lava, where he was rescued, revived and then thrown into the lava again when Dwarf Halvar Ironsight threw a grenade at him, which left no question about his survival. Halvar Ironsight has been taken into custody pending further review and possibly extradition, Aberforth has yet to be questioned on the matter. As to the full details of the incident, dwarves apparently keep poor records so relying on witness accounts continues to be necessary.
Cat has been nothing but piss lately, which probably means she's mad that I keep stealing her food, theres just not any meat left in the apartment besides whats in her bowl, means I'll have to stock up again. Made a note to stop buying so many vegetables, haven't been eating enough of them lately and whats left over is going bad. Maybe if I ate more of them I would stop getting these headaches.
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Been having some bad dreams lately, past two days I've woken up sweating, this morning I found myself eating my pillow. Wish I could remember what I was dreaming, all I seem to recall though is fragments. Cat has been hiding under the table all morning, not even going to bother trying to get her out anymore, she throws a fit anytime I come too close...it's the last time I take in strays.
Accusations of corruption aside It looks like the Citizens United group will have to swear Mister Ironsight in inside a cell. Even ignoring the vagueness of the incident the execution of Bragan Stormhammer remains obviously illegal. Aberforth has yet to be found but once apprehended both are likely to be extradited to Ironforge to stand trial. The weird thing Is all Bragan had officially been charged with was stealing food, why so many people got themselves riled up is beyond me.
Made an appointment with the barber today to get a decent haircut, it's been getting in my eyes lately.
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Woke up badly today, whole body aches like I spent the whole night during a harvest. Cat's gone, think some sick bastard broke in and let a dog loose in my apartment because the place is ripped apart and theres marks on the walls...some are from the cat but, some too big to be that. Bedclothes are beat up but I look I made it out okay cat has been torn to shreds and partly eaten. Not too broken up I guess, cat's been mean lately but no way he deserved that.
Contacted the guard about the break-in, told them to keep a lookout for Halvar Ironsight, assuming the damned dwarf did it as revenge for arresting him, he's been the type before, if his own thrown out confession shows anything. Sick bastard even hired a lawyer.
May contact the inquisitor to print a retraction, referring to me as a girl and printing kodo shit but Captain says it ain't worth it. Stopped cutting my hair, it grows back so fast it ain't worth it either, I don't know what's wrong with me lately.
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I keep having the same dreams. I'm running, I know I'm low to the ground and I'm chasing something, It's always someone different and they're always going too slow. I can smell the fear as I catch up to them. I think the part that scares me the most is near the end, when I finally catch up to them and tear their throat....I'm enjoying it.
Avoiding sleep hasn't been working, I get too tired and I can't control my temper. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is crazy though and I'm not sure that's really a salvation. She called me something, sounded like one of those wolves the orcs ride. Starting to wonder if maybe I dismissed her too quickly.
It's not a good thing when even your enemies take sympathy on you, how in burning felfire do you get a diplomatic pass after signing a written murder confession? They should have killed her immediatly, not listened to that other elf, either way I blame her for losing my temper again, even though I know it is not completely her fault. Headaches have been so bad lately, the butcher is actually starting to look at me funny buying so much food. I can't keep this up. Plan to take the day off, see a doctor or a priest. I'm terrified to know what's wrong with me.
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Ironsight's lawyer sent over some paperwork, filed counter-investigation with 73rd over their investigation over the murder of Bragan Stormhammer. Got grounds for it, the group refuses to show the results of their own investigation to Stormwind, they know the court order for it takes at least a week if officials ain't dragin their feet. Most of the demands by the lawyer are excessive, be lucky to get compliance of half.
Thoughts have been jumbled lately, too much noise outside, can't think, feels like I'm slogging through mud, comes and goes in waves. Priest won't do exorcism, thinks it'll just make me worse. Capn' thinks I've been working too hard.
Still can't sleep, my dreams scare the fel out of me anymore.
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I don't even know who I am anymore. That I was right about the bloodthistle is pointless, not when the guy may not last the night. I think what bothers my the most is that I don't even remember hitting him. I do remember him smirking and then the next thing I knew three guards were holding me down, my jaw was hurting and the captain was standing above me making a fist.
If I'm lucky and the man does not die I will only be faced with suspension, if not I don't know what will happen to me. I think most of the guys think my outbursts are over my nearly dying two weeks ago, but even they have to admit that there is something very wrong.
This isn't me, not the temper, the appetite, I could barely even grow a beard before this! Part of me wants to be locked up because I don't even know if I can be in control of my actions and I'm scared, light help me I'm terrified and I don't even know where to go.
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I sleep in a cave tonight, I'm afraid if I'm too close to civilization something might happen and I at least haven't killed anyone-yet. I want to keep it that way as long as possible.
The tunnel rats were easily dispatched, I'm guessing they'll come back later in numbers but at this point I'm not sure I care, at least if they kill me it will save me some grief.
I have an idea where I'm heading but it's only that and I don't even know how far I'll get before the changes overwhelm me. I'm still getting used to the reality of my situation, scared out of my mind, but at least now I can try to keep the same thing from happening to anyone else.
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Knowing what I am and what I am becoming seems both a curse and a blessing. I'm lucky at least that I made it this far and can see the view of the Greymane Wall, the sealed entrance to Gilneas. I have never traveled so far in my life and if it were not for my current condition I might have appreciated it more. Nadir is still skittish, though I've been able to control him up to this point despite his obvious unease with my worsening condition. I don't plan to take him any further, hoping that not burdened with a mount I may at least manage to find a way past the gate.
There are disturbing howls in the woods beyond me and it upsets me in ways I couldn't imagine before. I've heard too many unsettling stories of Shadowfang keep and I wish to avoid that area at all costs, my one alternative is Gilneas, in the hope that someone can help me or to at least to destroy as many of these beasts as possible while I still have a human mind.
It's getting darker and I'm ready to break camp, sharp pains in my stomach have been assaulting me all evening and I can feel my teeth growing out in all the wrong ways, I know that it won't be much longer. I'm going to release Nadir before I go, It is no use forcing the horse to stay and I have no need for him to become another meal to whatever lurks inside these woods.
The small book lays on the grass, damaged by five deep circular holes made through the leather cover. A few yards away a paladin's horse lays dead, it's stomach torn open and half eaten, tufts of black fur lay here and there indicating some signs of a struggle. It's saddle has been uncinched but never fully removed, the same deep holes that mark the book penetrate the saddle as well, the holes made slightly larger from the animal's attempt to pull away as this happened. A few torn rags that might have once been clothing also lay nearby, though there are no signs of human remains.
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(This entry is in distinctly different, feminine handwriting.)
The idiot. Part of me is just impressed he made it this far.
I combed the area for hours, tried calling out, nothing. No evidence he was killed, at least yet. This suggests to me that nothing 'got him'... rather he created this gruesome scene himself, the transformation, complete. I've collected some meager samples; the shreds of clothing unmistakably his, the bits of hair that same familiar black. And of course, this book.
Fascinating.
I wonder what he'd think to know I had read through and was writing in his dear diary.
For the sake of knowledge I'm going to keep searching for him. Not only would such a specimen be invaluable, but I suppose I'm feeling the pangs of what is commonly referred to as 'healer's guilt'-- that sensation that a skilled mender feels when their best efforts could not prevent something horrible. I keep seeing that moment in my head, when he looked up at me, fully aware of what I am, and asked for my help. I won't be resigning to failure just yet. What else are friends for?
I've got time to kill and Aravinda is behaving herself. I suppose I can spare a few more hours here in Silverpine and see what turns up before returning to my laboratory.
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Yesterday I was forced to return (mostly) empty-handed, but not today!
The scraps of clothing and hair turned out to be of excellent use. Not in determining anything, but I brought out Valeska for the first time in ages, and she was able to pick up a scent trail from my sample. She led me in circles for a while, weaving through the woods, and I was starting to wonder if the old girl actually had anything when I looked up and saw a black creature eating what was left of a bear.
Anyone who's spent much time outdoors knows better than to come between a predator and its food unless you're ready to kill said predator. I went a ways off and got downwind of it to avoid detection, and since Valeska wouldn't take her eyes off the beast, I'm pretty sure I've located the creature that was once Mavis Audrapel.
I followed him for as long as I could, until I was certain he was starting to sense that he wasn't entirely alone. In that time I saw him with no other creatures of his kind; he either has not encountered the packs that roam this area, or he has already been rejected by them.
Despite what has become of him, from a distance, he seems relatively healthy and active. It is impossible to determine overall health from afar, however, and I must say I am very curious as to exactly what has changed about him on a medical level.
If I am to proceed with this curiosity, I must use the utmost caution. I do not wish to find out by joining him in his curse.
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<The following entries appear to have been made over an extended period of time, but are not dated.>
The Forsaken's forces amass in the region and it has given me ample resource as well as less isolation to make my observations by.
He prefers to move about by the light of the moon, little wonder there. Still roving alone. There is no semblance of his former self present in his demeanor; I'd still be questioning it if I didn't have substantial evidence. Tomorrow I will lay my carcass-trap and see what can be observed.
--
<A somewhat hasty, but still well-done anatomical drawing of a Worgen's hand, the skeletal structure detailed and labeled.>
*The process of transformation either does not leave any lasting skeletal or tissue damage, or the regenerative capabilities have simply erased all evidence of it.
*Bone structure is both greater in length and thickness than that of a human but the joint structure remains identical.
*The subject recovered from the paralytic before full observations could be made on any further skeletal or organ differentiations. Dosage was enough to induce paralysis; I fear upping the amount would cause unnecessary risk to life. Suggest perhaps repeated smaller dosages during next procedure over time, if another procedure should happen (see below)
Attempts to follow the subject for re-apprehension led to an amazing scene unfolding before my eyes. Mavis, wounded by the unclosed area I had been working on his hand, was confronted by what I believe to be a pack of roaming worgen. Their dominant alpha, sensing the weakness, attempted to dispatch the stranger that had wandered into his territory bearing an unfamiliar scent.
I had been about to intervene yet it became unnecessary. The fight was savage, all claws and teeth and snarls. After some time, the pack alpha relented. The pack surrounded him. I feared the worst and was just about to cast a spell to startle them when, instead of attacking, they merely began sniffing, their ears no longer back in aggression. It was much like friendly worgs. He left with them; cautiously, I trailed, and witnessed them all eating a kill together before I left the woods.
--
He seems to have good standing in the pack-- he does not eat last, nor first, and seems to be somewhere in the lower middle of their hierarchy. Tracking them has been nothing short of insanely difficult, and they are getting closer and closer to the Wall while avoiding the Forsaken forces.
My last two attempts to trap Mavis have been fruitless, particularly because he is no longer struggling as hard for food and I have a feeling he recalls what happened last time he went for a practically gift-wrapped meal.
Next time, I will try live bait.
--
They either are hiding very well, or they are gone.
I lost track of them relatively near the wall, and there is too much going on for me to persist in looking for him at the moment. The offensive is ready to begin any day now; perhaps the pack sensed danger imminent and have found refuge somewhere.
I will hold on to this, and after the activity in the area dies down a little, I will resume my searching. I suppose I'm still sort of clinging to the idea that I'm going to be able to return this to him someday, so I've made copies of all my observations here, compiled with the more detailed notes I put on scrap parchment.
If you've the good fortune to be seeing this somewhere down the line, Mavis, I bet you're no less than a little unnerved by what you have just read. Don't worry. It's likely I'm still watching over you, as I will continue to do.