#79

Pasted to a few pages before the entry are several photos showing parts of Zandalar the doe has visited.




Vol’dun is amazing!! I spent an incredible few days exploring it with several Vulpera, and that sullen, quiet bull called Shah as well as on my own. Shah was indulgent enough to get a picture of myself, Bhenta and a new hyena I met in the sands! Her name is Sufa - she has a bad rear paw. I think the abrasions on the right rear paw pad (from trying to come down from some rocks I think) caused her to be slow in her pack, and perhaps driven out. She didn’t run when Bhenta and I came upon her. I left her some dried meat and left her - a beast will let you know if it’s meant to stay. I’ve seen some folks force a beast to stay and the results have been .. well. Not good. Sometimes the beast lashes out, or leaves. Or ends up tethered against it’s will. That’s not a life for a creature in your care I feel.

 She ended up following me back to camp,  hanging around the Vulpera caravan I where I was lodging, giving that weird sound hyenas give in the middle of the night. Bhenta and I went to investigate, with the intent of driving her away but she rolled on her back, exposing her belly.

I took this to be a sign from the spirits - like the way Bhenta came to me in that vision quest. Hyenas are strong creatures, not to be taken lightly. I’ve seen before how those jaws can crunch through bone - it’s terrifying. This one seemed ready to be touched, scarfing down an offering of dried meats and water before limping back to camp with Bhenta and I. No mystical visions or whispers, just a hungry beast looking to survive. I was questioned about her by the Vulpera back at camp, who said it was a good sign - they have domesticated (sort of?) hyenas of their own to ride, claiming if I am careful I could my own someday. I plan on helping them out when I can - they are a very interesting people with a life akin to my own - the life of traders and caravans.

The next photo is of the  tortollan where I am currently writing from. It’s a cozy place I suppose. It’s people, the  tortollans, are welcoming. They smell like wet sand and rocks, and weird .. just  weird. I don’t hug them if I can help it. But their fires are warm and the food is decent. They are eager to tell stories and trade, as long as you can be patient - they are long winded so far.

 Shah left me there to go do his own work somewhere - which is fine by me. He doesn’t talk much and I think he just tolerates my presence.  We traveled up the coast to this camp - up Vol’dun on the border of Nazmir. We saw the most amazing creatures walking through the swamps there. I don’t know what they are called, but I got a photo before Shah left me behind - I saw an armored version in Dazar’alor briefly as I made my to Vol’dun.

I’ll be going back to the Zandalar city soon - Ginja is there waiting to talk business and discuss trade plans. She’s eager to set up routes here, feeling Zandalar would be a good opportunity. That’s why I set out for Vol’dun sort of. To see what the people might need and have to offer to a busy trading team. I’m also exploring for my own purposes, to see more of this growing world. The Horde has a great presence in Dazar’alor, with portals, ships and emissaries all over as they try to get in good standing with the people there. Such craftsmanship there too - the food is delicious, and the armor crafters! Already I have worked out an agreement with an armorcrafter to trade his skills for our business. He wants to craft me some armor after the style of his people in exchange for word of mouth of his services (and Kalimdor food, he has an affection for Mulgore spice bread). The armor is very garish, but he is so proud, how do you say no to good work? He says it will be ready in a week or more.

The last photos are of an island I explored with some Vulpera - it was absolutely covered in treasures and of all things, freaky skeletons. Whispers of misdeeds and sea shanties could be heard the whole time we were there as he did a service to the spirits there. I was shaken by my time there, and was careful to leave an offering to the spirits. I was allowed to take a bit of treasure myself, but it feels strange in my bags, like a weird presence - I’ll ask the trolls of Dazar’alor for their advice when I get back - I can’t say I want to keep it. But.. if a spirit says to take something as a gratitude, you best not offend the spirit. There’s no telling what this walking, talking troll skeleton might have done had I refused it.

I haven’t had word from Vik’wa since I left for Zandalar, nor from Highmountain regarding Routledge. I’m not sure my letters are reaching the Alliance outposts there since the upsets in Undercity and Darkshore - I think current events are creating troubles with the mail couriers, despite my best attempts at being a neutral party. Trade with Alliance members has all but stopped I am told, because we, as a tauren with a team of goblins are viewed with mistrust because we are so-called Horde members by association. I’m hoping in time we can move beyond that but Ginja and I agree it’ll take some time. Our goal right now is to explore and survive this new land. I just wish Routy were with us, alive and well.