One day the wandering bug hit me, and I decided to go exploring, and set
off for the Vashnar mountains. I was happily minding my own business,
poking my nose where it had never been before, I might have been
whistling a tune. As I climbed deeper into the Vashnar's, a large
mountain lion bounded up to me. Taken aback by his large teeth and lean,
hungry look, I was a bit apprehensive, but I held my ground. I was after
all exploring, and I would be a poor explorer indeed to be afraid of
what was after all, little more then a large cat. As I approached
cautiously, the lion gave a mighty affronted roar and attacked me! You
can imagine my shock! Cats don't behave like this! Obviously a barbarian
throwback. His mighty fangs and slashing claws dealt severe damage to
me, but I, the intrepid explorer, quickly regained the upper hand and
dispatched this inhospitable creature. How rude. Hmph.

As I wandered the mountain range, I ran into two more of these lions,
however, none would respond to any of my pleas for peace, forcing me to
slay them. Then wonder of wonders, I came upon an animal that didn't
attack me. It was a sheep. Gratified at his show of restraint and
gentrification, I smiled, and explained to it that his fellow creatures
of the Vashnars were rude, illogical, and though it pains me to throw
such an insult to this peacable fellow's face, uncivilised! The sheep
listened politely and seemed receptive to my ideas. He didn't even
interrupt once! Heartened by his genteel manner, I proceeded to ask him
to restrain his fellow Vashnarian creatures. I am at heart a peacable
fellow I told the sheep, however I am very capable of defending myself,
nor would I hesitate to destroy these lions if they did not show
restraint.

Oddly, the sheep didn't respond for a while, and I started to fidget.
Surely 15 minutes was more then enough time for any civilised creature
to come up with some sort of response, no matter how, shall I say,
underdeveloped they are. Growing agitated I confronted the sheep,
"Well?" said I. The sheep chewed on something for a while, clearly
ruminating. Then it looked me straight in the eye. Ahah! A response at
last. Gazing at me seriously, it opened its mouth and said, "Baah!"

Bah? BAH?! Unbelievable. These ... these ... animals. How dare they.
Consumed with righteous fury at this insult, at this clear and obvious
disregard for my well argued and presented pleas, at the absolute
callous treatment of a peaceful explorer, I struck this foolish sheep
down. In disgust, I departed for my home city of Ashtan, intending to
bring some of my friends to make the Vashnars safe ... perhaps a
fortress... hmmmm

Skarash Azon

This story dedicated to my friend Thakren, Cheers! old friend, where
ever you are.

Penned by my hand on the 20th of Aeguary, in the year 386 AF.