{The journal resumes mid sentence}
her daughter Morrigan. Morrigan at first blush appeared to be one of the rarest of all creatures, a sensible human. Her opinions made sense. She was distressingly honest, but her heart was in the right place. My respect for her mother increased after each conversation we had.

I had some bad news tonight. I actually allowed my true emotions to show and I am heartily ashamed. The blond fool told me I would not live longer than thirty years. This is unacceptable. I will do research. I will discover what the taint is. I will master it and use it to extend my life and to master others.

On Morrigan's advice we journeyed to some sort of squalid little village over run with refugees. My experience with surface humans taught me that they would not do anything practical with the influx of labour. A drow ruler confronted with labourers fleeing into her domain would of course enslave them and use them to strengthen the fortifications. If worse came to worse they would serve as battle fodder and an emergency food supply. Instead the local ruler fled and the fools milled around like queenless termites.

Here we found out the queen's father had seized power and we were outlaws. That clarified things nicely. It's always a help when your enemies declare themselves openly. We also acquired the services of a large man with an attractive complexion as well as a former spy. The large man held the rank of 'Sten' in his army. He held his duty highly, so enlisting him was an excellent idea. That he is pleasant to look at is no small thing. The spy had fallen into the pretense of extreme devotion. I humoured her. Our stay in the hovel infested slum was rather dull. What fools attacked us did so openly and died swiftly.

Loathsome did reinforce something I already knew. Money was going to be needed for my plans. I'm not proud of what I did to get it (making poultices, really!) but it was an unpleasant necessity. The drudgery was enlivened by the one sensible man who wanted poisons. I seriously thought about recruiting him, but on reflection he was probably too old.

Our chores done we headed off back to the Circle.

-

On the way there we encountered a merchant who had a golem's control rod. A short side trip later and I had a golem as a minion. Its attitude, like Morrigan's, is decidedly pragmatic and practical. A human merchant named Levi wandered into our camp. A short side trip later and I now have my own fortress. The resident mage is a genuine delight. He's conducting some very interesting research. I feel very much better about being a Grey Warden.

-

We discovered the ferry service was discontinued when we arrived at the docks. I do like my dog. He has a brute's loyalty and he guards me when I sleep. When he dies, his head will occupy a place of honour at my gates.

Sten proved effective at securing passage. I dismissed my companions and went to the Tower alone. Gloating should never be shared with people who are unaware of your true nature. As expected, Greagoir had bungled things. I had just learned a lovely new spell, Mana Clash. The Tower gave me a lot of practice with it. It didn't work on the templars, but I killed all the mages, including that pestilential Wynne. Now no one is left who knows me. I am free to reinvent myself as a hero. One to be followed. And so I will subvert the Queen and rule this country. Or the bits I want at least.

Journal, I'm at a quandary here. I could head for the Capitol and act directly. I could try to contact the forest elves. Judging from everyone else, they would merely regard me as another of their kind, having no knowledge of the Drow. But the hatred for surface elves still burns hot within me and so that may be best left for later. I could seek this noble acquaintance of Alistair's. However that sounds lethally dull. When I get bored, I get poisonous, literally. That's probably not a good idea. My people have never gotten along with the pink dwarves. But we have two followers of that variety and they seem mostly avaricious. Avarice I can handle. I'm torn between the direct approach of attacking Loghain or heading underground. I had such a good time at the Circle. Ozammar would be yet more indulgence. Time for bed. I'll decide in the morning. What I really need is a bedmate, but none of the ones in the camp are really suitable, even if the Sten is very good looking.