Brakara's Journal of Beasts ((Very Image Heavy))

[Lupis]

(Inspired by Tyger and Kurasu! Decided this might be fun. Like Tyger, I'm making mine RP-like.
Lots of pictures, sorry about that. >.>)

Journal Entry 1

My father decided it was time I go out and prove myself to the other orcs. He says he wants me to be strong and honorable, but I personally think he wants me to catch the eye of some orc boy and leave the house. Good luck with that one, father.
When it was time to leave, I headed out to the pig pens and found Groma. The old sow is pretty wise. She's a wise companion, and she's been my friend for years now.



It didn't take long for the orcs at the Den to realize I could shoot a bow pretty well. They sent me into a demon cave. Demons! Filthy things. Needless to say I took pleasure in killing them.

At the end of the cave I found a traitorous orc, working for the demons.



He didn't last long, though he managed to get out a fire spell that burnt my arm a bit. Nothing I can't ignore, and I'm glad that he's dead. It's shameful to see fellow orcs falling to demonic influences.



After returning to the Den, they sent me to a troll village. Apparently they thought I was pretty strong.



It was an interesting place, though I couldn't stay long. Something about the islands off the coast called to me. However, I couldn't visit them yet. Humans - I grimace as I write the word - had infested a nearby valley. I itched to slay them, and I got my chance.



They sent me to Razor Hill after I was done at the troll village, saying something about humans taking over an abandoned keep. I took one of the riding wolves to get there.
By the spirits, those beasts are glorious. I look forward to the day when I prove myself worthy of one.



The keep was swarming with pink skins. One of them in particular was getting on my nerves, sobbing over a body. Pathetic humans.



In a moment of good graces I shot an arrow through his spine and let him join the dead. He won't have to worry about being lonely - I sent most of his friends to the land of the spirits shortly after.



The commander was in the top of the keep. Apparently he thought he was the scorpid's pincers.



Silly humans.



Groma seemed pretty tired after all the human slaying. She lied down in a water trough and refused to move. I was forced to leave her at Razor Hill.



The islands off the coast continued to call to me. Restless, I headed back and watched them for a while. I could hear the screeches of raptors, but they sounded unbridled and ferocious. A different sort of rage than the normal Bloodtalon has.



A quick swim landed me on the beaches, and I saw a strange looking red beast hidden in the brush. It vaguely resembled a Bloodtalon, but with spikes and strange black armor-like scales. It also seemed to glow strangely, and it stank of corruption. The beast intrigued me, though. I approached, and the demon-damned thing leapt at me! I managed to keep it at bay by holding an arm to its neck, though that arm is going to keep a few scars.



As soon as it calmed down, the sickly glow began to fade. That seemed to overjoy the beast. It stuck close to my side, and when I moved it followed. I believe I've made a new friend.



I think I'll rest for now. Drakka needs food, and she won't stop trying to lick my arm. It's probably infected, seeing how much she's trying to draw my attention to it. As much as I hate to admit it, I'll probably need to see a healer.

Until next time, then, journal.

[TygerDarkstorm]

*SQUEE* I'm glad to see another person doing this! ^_^ It's by far one of the funnest ways I've ever leveled a character. I look forward to more Lupis.

[Lupis]

There's gunna be a lot more screenshots of Brakara standing over some random corpse. xD One of her favorite poses.
Can you tell she likes killing humans? >.>

[TygerDarkstorm]

Her and Roxíe would not get a long at all.

[Mozag]

Oh, I'm loving this one as well! Now I have two fun threads to frequent, thanks to you and Tyger! I love that they are both different races, and thus on the "opposing" ends of the Warcraft universe. The pets should be an interesting contrast too. Looking forward to seeing more, Lupis.

[Lupis]

I will definitely be continuing this, sorry for the delay. I'm having too much fun with art. xD
Oh man. I can't wait to get her to Stonetalon. I can't imagine what she'll think. Southern Barrens would be a nice cheering up, though. Mindless human slaughtering!

[TygerDarkstorm]

Stonetalon Alliance side was a joy so I'm curious to see it from a Horde's perspective.
Also, totally random, but the Silverpine questlines are absolutely amazing. It's the first zone I actually played through all the way to the end of its quests (instead of hopping to the next zone as soon as I hit the level range).

[Pawtrack]

This is awesome! Your making me want to try doing this, too! XD Can't wait to see more

[Sarayana]

Ahahah I love Brakka! Feisty and disgusted by those filthy humans, it's just awesome. Can't wait to see how your adventure turns out.

[Lupis]

Journal Entry 2

I was sent to the Barrens today. Drakka wasn't happy to leave Durotar, but she was too loyal to leave me. I suppose I have her to thank for keeping my arm. The cut was pretty badly infected with some sort of corruption, and it had to be cleansed. It healed quickly, though, and now my aim is as good as ever.



The first thing I was sent to do was kill Quillboar. They're nasty beasts, but better than humans. Then again, anything is better than humans. Dung beetles are an improvement over humans.
I was quickly in a frothing rage, though, when a peon told me that wolves were trapped in the flaming stables. Wolves! The quillboar would pay for hurting them, but first I had to rescue the great beasts.





As soon as they were all free, I extracted my revenge on the quillboar. No filthy pig is going to hurt a wolf while I'm around.





The orcs at the nearby farm had more quillboar-related tasks for me. They had attacked, and now they wanted revenge. I was glad to help, especially after hearing that they had pigs on the farm. The pens were on fire, too. Dirt-sucking quillboar...



They wanted me to capture one of the creatures after killing as many as possible. My armor still reeks with their blood - Groma would be proud. I netted the last one I could find and knocked it out, though I had to keep Drakka from eating it while it was asleep.



Information on the quillboar leader was the goal, so I had time to beat up on the quillboar. Kicked it in its big fat face. ((Exactly what the action is, actually. "Kick it in its big fat face" sounded way too awesome to pass up.)) It gave in depressingly fast - doesn't anything have any metal to them anymore? Bah. They're almost as bad as pink skins.



I took a kodo caravan to the Crossroads. The orcs decided that I was a good enough aim to be the shooter, but I didn't anticipate the Burning Blade to attack! Those traitors can jump like orc-sized flees!



Needless to say I left a trail of dead cultists in my wake. The local big game hunter was impressed, and sent me hunting. Simple prey at first, like tallstriders, but eventually I moved up to Zhevra, then lioness. Drakka enjoyed it immensely and kept trying to chew the hooves off of the zhevra.



When we returned, though, Drakka seemed a bit upset. She hid in a bush and whined, clicking her jaws and lashing her tail. I think she has an upset stomach, probably because of all the Zhevra hooves she wolfed down, the greedy reptile. I made sure one of the healers was there to watch over her, but I had to continue my hunt.



I had heard rumors of a local Highmane for the lions, and I wanted to track him down. The huge pile of bones to the northwest seemed the logical place. What proper Highmane wouldn't decorate its lair with the bones of its greatest kills?



...Apparently it agreed with me. The glorious beast leapt out of the shadows like a pale mist. Immediately I knew why it had become Highmane - its speed and strength were greater than I could have imagined. I couldn't help but hope it would see me worthy after a fair fight. I didn't want to hurt it, so I dropped my weapons and wrestled the beast. Thank the spirits it decided I was worthy of its friendship, I think it clawed part of my ear off!



I have yet to give him a proper name. I've been thinking of naming him Lok'vadnod. It's traditional orcish, which has fallen into disuse lately. It's a song about the life of a hero. It seems fitting. For now I'll return to the Crossroads and check on Drakka. Maybe get a bandage for my blasted ear, which I think it going to fall off soon.



Until next time, Journal. And hopefully next time Vadnod and I can try our hands at killing humans together, I'm sick of these reeking quillboar.

[TygerDarkstorm]

EEeeeeee!! I loved it!
And Echeyakee looks lovely by your side. I hope Drakka feels better soon! Silly raptor eating all those hooves.

Can't wait for more.

[Lupis]

Journal Entry 3

More work in the Barrens today. The aim has shifted, however, from Quillboar to Centaur. I suppose it's an improvement. Centaur are at least half human. Still, it's really not the same experience. Fighting alongside Lok'vadnod was quite the experience, though. He's fairly old, but the strongest cat I've ever had the fortune to meet. We even held off waves of centaur and one of their leaders while we were defending a hill!



That was a thrilling fight. Lok'tar ogar indeed, we stood our ground until all the centaur that dared attack us lay dead. That's what being an Orc is about! Unfortunately, our next task wasn't so honorable. We were told to kill a centaur's mate to draw him out of hiding. Neither I or Lok'vadnod enjoyed the task, and I briefly asked the spirits to guide their spirits kindly. Killing them outright would have been fine, but using their family ties is a coward's strike.



Next we headed out for some big game hunting. A goblin from Ratchet wanted the horn of King Reaperclaw, a local raptor. He wanted it for some frivolous business venture, which I think is shameful, but I did want to test my skills against the great beast. While searching, I found myself listening to the rapid approach of furiously stamping hooves. I turned to see Lok'vadnod leaping towards a large and oddly colored zhevra that had just about run me down.



Not long after the Zhevra was down, King Reaperclaw and his two consorts happened upon us. I took the beasts attention with a few shots while Vadnod attacked him from behind. I got a few scratches from an enraged Consort, but we bested the great beast in the end. I thanked it for helping me grow as a hunter.



The day started to look up when I was sent to knock out a local human. He was drunk as fel and hardly noticed me approach. His two guards did, though. Luckily none of the local guards saw me slay them, or perhaps they simply turned a blind eye.



As I left the tavern, a pink-skinned creature called out to me in Orcish. I just about shot him before I realized it wasn't a human at all. No human from Azeroth has ridiculously long pointy ears and glowing blue eyes. He looked like he was about as strong as a prairie dog.



However, my opinion of him rose when he asked me to do my favorite thing in the world. I wanted to hug him. At last, Vadnod and I could hunt my favorite prey together.





I was probably grinning like a fool by the time I came across the captured pirate I was supposed to talk to. He was a human, so I instantly disliked him. However, the goblin wanted him alive. He told me how to find his treasure in return for his freedom. When I found it, however, he came with a guard and attacked! His betrayal annoyed me, but at least it's one less human alive.



The goblins next sent me to an island infested with pirates. Most of them were humans, though there were a couple pudgy grey things about as tall as my waist, and a single HUGE ogre. I've only seen one or two before, but this one had to set a record on fatness. Regardless, I had to slay quite a few of them to find the troll I had to talk to.




Improvement.

The troll was a rebel, and I helped him cause a bit of chaos.



After that bit of mutiny, I was sent by the goblins to the north. They wanted me to deal with a bunch of mechanical things. Bah! I knew bad things would happen as soon as I set foot in the area they call Sludge Fen. It reeked of oil and smoke.



Wouldn't you know, Lok'vadnod got pushed into the ooze by a few attacking goblins. His glorious white fur was stained black and he kept grumbling and whining, pawing at the stuff. It wouldn't come off easily. I hurried to the Crossroads to get him some help, but they couldn't do anything. Useless! They couldn't even help Drakka, who was still ill. I took both of them to Orgrimmar. Drakka was tended to by a few troll healers, while Lok'vadnod took a bath in the spring. I had a couple of orcs nearby see to him. In the meanwhile, I looked longingly at the riding wolves they had stabled. There was no way I had the money to buy them. I even chose my favorite out of them all.



It wasn't long before one of the wolf handlers approached. I explained that I hadn't the money to buy one, but the prices apparently have dropped. Scrapping together all the tiny bits of money I had, I was able to purchase myself the great beast.



I named him Goshlok, or Wolfsong.
He accompanied me back to the Barrens. I was headed to Ashenvale, but I stopped when I saw a few raptors pestering a hyena. The yellow furred creature wasn't backing down despite the odds stacked against him. Immediately I knew I had to save the brave thing, so I ran forward and shot at the raptors. They fled, and the hyena turned, bowing his head in respect.



With that he was my companion. Brosk will come with Goshlok to Ashenvale.



((Two Barrens pets? Wut? Well, Northern Barrens is a 10-20 zone, so I tamed a pet for each five levels. The next pet will be from Ashenvale.))

[TygerDarkstorm]

Looking forward to the next leg of Brakara's journey.

[Azunara]

Yaaay! More!

Poor Lok'vahnod.

[Lupis]

Journal Entry 4

We were sent to Ashenvale. Brosk and Goshlok seemed quite curious about the entire place. Personally, I was more interested in the battle going on. I was rewarded for my interest - the first thing I was to do was to kill the night elves attacking.



They really aren't at all like humans. Sometimes, on days like this, I miss Durotar. The environment wasn't helping... What self respecting orc lives in a purple forest? Not a large dangerous bug or snake in the area. It was pathetic.
Apparently the elves could do some damage, though. They killed one of the best assassins that the Horde has. I found his body and immediately prayed for his spirit. To my surprise, he was still alive. He sent me back to the shamans with a vial of his blood. When I returned, his spirit rose up from his dead body! I have a new hero. His devotion to the Horde goes beyond even death.



He led me to a small island, where a night elf commander was staying. I was surprised at his hight - he towered over even I! I admit I'm not the largest orc out there, but I have a feeling this was an unusual night elf.



He didn't last long anyways. I headed back to the Horde encampment and was invited to ride the local war kodo, Brutusk, to Splintertree village.
By the spirits! That beast was massive!



He was just as impressive in battle. I never knew kodos could leap, or spew lightning from their maws, but he proved it possible. What a creature! I envy the orc commander who traveled with it.





To my rage, Splintertree was under attack. That was not the worst of it - massive tree creatures were throwing boulders at the walls, and one struck Brutusk across the spine. He was dead instantly. I had little time, but I took a moment to wish the great beast's spirit safe passage. He died a true battle warrior, and his spirit deserves all the respect it can have.



After entering Splintertree, I was instructed to find an old orc in the caves at the back of the camp. I immediately had a bad feeling about him - he reeked of demons.



He sent me out to fight the agents of the Burning Legion nearby. While I was heading there, I fought off a few night elf spies, and slew a massive beast the likes of which I've never seen before. Half bird and half horse, it was quite noble, but aggressive and relentless. My hunt for it ended in victory. I feel honored to have tested my skills against it.



Overall my task was simple enough - slay the demons and gather fel fire. I didn't quite know why he was so interested in the fire, but at least it got rid of the flames. Fighting the demons wasn't easy, especially the infernals. They almost crushed Brosk several times, but that brave hyena wouldn't let them win.





When I finally returned, I found that the old orc wanted me to "help" them secure Splintertree. That included disguising myself as some miserable imp and calling down fel-infused meteors. I loathed to help the old orc. We could have fought with honor, but instead we relied on demonic magic? Needless to say, Brosk wasn't happy either. He almost killed me when I was disguised, thinking I was really a demon. It took some convincing to calm him down.



I must admit that the assault was impressive.



They didn't stand a chance against the demonic magic, but I felt that it was wrong. A cowardly strike. Even worse, apparently Warchief Hellscream wasn't happy in the least with the news. I hurried to Orgrimmar to explain, and he threatened to kill me if I didn't slay the old orc. Damn that whelp - he was a demon himself, disguised. I was eager to kill him, though the fact that Hellscream and his guards were breathing down my spine helped speed me on my way as well.



The Warchief was, as always, correct. The old orc transformed into a giant demon and attacked me, but a well-aimed arrow downed him. Straight in his chest.


((Love this picture.))

I was forgiven, and sent to a logging camp to the west. It was... slightly harrowing. I understand the need for resources, but it seemed extreme. None the less, I was happy to help them. I'm no traitor to the Horde.



They quickly had me slaying Furblog. Brosk excelled at it, running circles around the beasts as I lined up my shot.



We also fought off a corrupted water elemental. That was somewhat upsetting. The elements are being corrupted, the core bases of life. Hopefully destroying this one helped in some small way.



Our last task before being sent to Stonetalon was to slay a few hydra. Brosk was hesitant to enter the water, but I finally managed to get him to follow. Perhaps that was a mistake. I slew a few hydra before noticing that Brosk was bleeding heavily from one shoulder.





I quickly helped him to the land and examined the wound. One of the hydra's heads had snaked around and tore a large gash, which looked like it was poisoned. He wasn't happy, although he refused to be carried. I know no beast braver than he. I began to lead him back to Orgrimmar, keeping Goshlok slow so the wounded hyena could keep up. As I was walking, I noticed a bright white wolf.



I had seen plenty of them before, but this one seemed much more powerful. An alpha most likely, displaced from his pack. Despite the fact that he was alone and without family, he didn't falter to stare me down. Apparently my gaze held to long and he lunged, attacking with all of his might.



I wrestled the beast until he relented... and I noticed by the glint in its eye and the stance it held that it wasn't a he at all. An alpha female. She gave me a steady look, then fell in along step. Perhaps she has now found her pack.



I have yet to name her, though I may name her Gar'mak, or Anguish. She seems quite the sober, powerful, toughened type.
For now I will return to Orgrimmar to help Brosk and check up on my other companions. I dislike how many of them are getting wounded while I stay back, but they still show no anger or resentment. I didn't ask Brosk to take the attacks. Still, I'm starting to wonder how long I can keep this up.

[Azunara]

I really like Brakara. I'd love to see what would happen if Roxie, Sol, and Brak met. I could tell Brak would try to kill Sol and Roxie. Sol would probably try to kill Brakaram cause orcs crippled Ghost...Not sure about Roxie. xD

[Sarayana]

I really like how you're emphasising that Durotar is her original home.

It's sad that all her pets are stabled because they get injured. I wonder if there are other options, she seems to be feeling more and more guilty about using her pets in fighting... Perhaps she just comes to an understanding that they can't fight until they're injured and so starts to let them rest in Orgrimmar or whatnot? Or she could tame a pet with a purpose... Say, a pet that blends in well in its surroundings (like taming a silithid while going through Silithus or a shale spider while questing in Deepholm, that kind of thing) but then has "served its purpose" but now she's attached... I dunno, I just see poor Brakara having a breakdown because she always seems to injure her pets.

[TygerDarkstorm]

I really like Brakara. I'd love to see what would happen if Roxie, Sol, and Brak met. I could tell Brak would try to kill Sol and Roxie. Sol would probably try to kill Brakaram cause orcs crippled Ghost...Not sure about Roxie. xD

Roxíe's actually pretty neutral about stuff. At first she was pretty pro-Alliance, but then she saw Camp T and did some Crusade/Cenarion Circle stuff and she's slowly realizing that there's some good Horde too and that not everything the Alliance does is necessarily right. She would easily be a proud member of the Argent Crusade.

[Lupis]

((This one got complicated. And long. You see, I leveled to 30 before I got to the climactic part... So I stayed, breaking one of my rules. However, I only got to 31 as I left the zone. Also, the climactic part is the part this journal will center on, as all of the other quests weren't important to Braka.))

Journal Entry 5

What an... eventful day.

It started simply. I was sent to Stonetalon Mountains and recruited into Krom'gar's legion. He sent me out to kill Alliance spies in the area using some sort of goggles. I would have rather found them myself, but the goblins there insisted I use them. Bah. My day only got worse when I realized I was going to be fighting even more Night Elves.



Next I had to kill their commander. She was an elf too, but with pale skin and blue eyes - like that one in Ratchet. My heart fell when I saw she also had a tiger-like companion. Garmak chased the tiger away while I slew the elf, sparing it the pain of seeing its mistress die. I don't care about the woman, but beasts are a different case.



Things started to look up when I returned to Krom'gar. First I was promoted, and then sent to kill Alliance soldiers. Many of them were humans. Garmak regrouped with me and we cut a swathe of destruction through the area, heading for the commander.



He was in overly shining armor and was obviously not paying any attention. Garmak charged at him first and I put an arrow in his throat. Funny how humans always decide to leave the vulnerable parts of their bodies unprotected.




I completed several other tasks that got me even more promotions. Shooting down attacking planes was one of them that I particularly enjoyed - the machines used were very powerful and the gnomes never knew what hit them.



I also got to use a strong battle machine of some sort, though it looked rather strange. Why would it need a diving helmet? And who was the strange girl following me around? She was somewhat disturbing.



They sent me to Malaka'jin then, which was near a Grimtotem camp. I've heard about the Grimtotem before, though not at length. Apparently they've been our enemies for years, merciless, cruel people. I helped empower our troops with impressive trollish voodoo, then slew a few Grimtotem myself.




I dislike killing Grimtotem. They remind me of our Tauren blood brothers too much, and I greatly dislike the idea of harming them. Despite that, I admit I took some pleasure in destroying them - evil is evil no matter what form it takes.
When I next reported to Krom'gar, he promoted me again, this time to Champion.



My first task as Champion was to take the massive bomb they had created to a mountaintop village. I was confused as to what they could possibly wish to do with such a massive weapon, and why they could fathom using it. Of all the cowardly ways to attack...



The General there, Grebo, was a very determined orc. He was sure that a tree nearby, the home of a school for young druids of any race, was holding some sort of "weapon of mass destruction". The local tauren chieftain, High Chieftain Cliffwalker, was equally sure that it was not so.



Eventually Cliffwalker sent me to search for his son, who had been sent to the tree to make sure there were no weapons of any sort in the area. It was... disturbing. The area was swarming with terrified, helpless night elves and tauren, and blood streaked the upper reaches of the tree. It was not a good view.



Do you know the sickening feeling of dread that comes over one when they learn something terrible? I had felt it many times before, when my pets were injured - and I felt it again, coming in a wave, as I saw the badge of a General clasped in the tauren boy's dead hand. It was a Horde badge. Returning to the Cliffwalkers only made things worse.



The grieving tauren confronted General Grebo, and the demon-hearted orc attacked them flat out. He admitted to killing the boy, saying that the child was spineless and weak. Every word the filthy orc said was treason against the Horde I've always known. Ashamed by his blatant corruption, I aided in the defense against him. Masha, the chieftain's mate, helped as well. I was inspired by her braveness.




The Chieftain begged that I go to Krom'gar and explain what happened. I did so, only to have the orc ignore my protests and claim that the tauren - not Grebo - had committed high treason. After promoting me to General - a meaningless promotion - he and his guards started towards the mountain. I raced after them, only to arrive too late. Nearly the entire tribe, including Masha, had been slaughtered.



I prayed to the Spirits for her, then found Krom'gar with the Chieftain. Before I could speak against him, he had the massive bomb dropped on the tree.



My rage at the corruption he showed and the shame he put on the Horde - and, perhaps, the fear I had that all of the Horde was hiding this type of corruption - was muted only by the sudden appearance of the great Warchief himself. Even from afar I could feel the rage from him.



He apparently felt just as strongly as I about the events, asking if Krom'gar thought he could possibly be doing what he had been ordered to do.



Then he quoted a nameless war hero. The quote alone summed up what it meant to be part of the Horde! Was I not in the position I was in, I would have been endlessly proud.



In an act of unimaginable power, he picked up Krom'gar by the neck and flung him from the bridge. Even Garmak was in awe.



He turned on me as well, but the Chieftain stood in my defense. He explained how I helped kill Grebo and tried to help, sparing me a fate similar to Krom'gar's. I was released unharmed.



I did not return to Orgimmar yet, I had things to think about. I let Goshlok wander, Garmak following loyally behind. When I looked up from my thoughts, I saw that I was surrounded by ghosts. They didn't seem to notice me.



The fact that I was surrounded by ghosts didn't help me forget that I had indirectly aided in the killing of hundreds of innocent children. An orc should not dwell on things, and that only made me more sullen. One thing did raise my moral - the sight of several shining, transparent birds flying in circles through the air.



One of them broke away from the others, flying closer, as if to investigate. It was completely unafraid, even drawing close enough to peck at my armor. With exaggerated slowness, I held out a shred of meat.



Again without any trace of fear, it landed on my arm and ate the meat, then flapped by my side for a moment, glittering in the sun.



I have decided to name her Masha, in memory of the brave and innocent chieftess. She appears to be staying. I will return to Orgrimmar to let Garmak rest with the others, then continue on to Southern Barrens.

[TygerDarkstorm]

That was very touching. I almost cried at the destruction of innocents. That quest made me queasy to do as an Alliance--they have to try and save 5 druids on their hippogryph, then the lead druid of that area takes you to go try and stop the whole mess and then BOOM! bomb to the area.

On a happier note, that bird looks beautiful next to Brakara.