Thel'Nadras Family History

[Zuffid]

(The pages of this tome are distorted and discolored, as though an attempt was made to destroy it some time ago. Most of the text is legible, despite appearing rather dated in addition to it’s visible char marks.)

I write this tome as I cower in fear for my life. I am unfortunate enough to have the hindsight to realize my mistakes too late, and the foresight to know that I won’t be alive much longer as a result. So I write this to ensure that someone is aware of the real truth behind the Thel’Nadras family name.

To many in Silvermoon, the name Thel’Nadras is simply the name attached to another average family of no particular standing or importance. To the few wise enough to be aware of their true villainy, or the few unfortunate enough to associate with them, their name is much more ominous.

Their head is an elderly elf named Leo’nethel Thel’Nadras. The elf is far from imposing in stature, but any who know him well know he is calculating and ruthless to near perfection. He will do anything to increase the success of his family. More accurately described as his syndicate.

The Thel’Nadras are involved in everything from extortion to bribery to slave trading. I myself was foolish enough to do business with them on many occasions, and for some time I’d considered myself quite wily for being a part of their underground crime reign.

By far the worst thing the Thel’Nadras involves themselves in is assassination, and they have quite a few talented blades to back up their business. They are behind countless murders that may have changed the course of Silvermoon’s political and social standings for ages to come. And worst of all, they never concede a shred of remorse for their crimes.

The worst of their assassins is surprisingly enough the sole heir to the Thel’Nadras family bloodline. The kid is cocky, ruthless, and unfortunately extremely talented. I’ve done some research on him, and the rumors have it that he even assassinated his own lover because she tried to run off with some of the Thel’Nadras income. This kid definitely takes after his grandfather.

The kid’s name is

(The penmanship is ended abruptly, and is accompanied by a grotesque blood splatter on the page. The following writing is in an entirely different handwriting, and the ink much more recent.)

The Thel’Nadras are long gone now, wiped out in the Scourge’s attack on Silvermoon. I could easily keep the truth of my heritage hidden forever, and the attempted burning of this book should be proof enough. Unfortunately things aren’t quite that simple for me.

The name he was planning to write was mine of course. And although I still hide the truth from others like the coward I am, I alone know the truth behind the rumors he had heard of me. The first love in my life did indeed meet her end to my dagger in her back.

I observe the irony in using the tome he’d planned to describe my family’s transgressions as a place to log my journal, but at the same time his warnings are a fitting header and reminder to me. I deserve nothing less for the life I led back then.

Perhaps the lives I save now will be enough to save my soul.

Perhaps.


Signed,
~Zuffid Thel’Nadras~

[Mortica]

(( awesome, lol ))

[Zuffid]

She’s so charming and affectionate. Her smile is heartwarming and her eyes shine magnificently when she’s happy. Her hair glimmers in the moonlight so beautifully, and her figure is perfect.

But-
(A few paragraphs are scribbled out in what appear to be nervously-scratched lines.)

I don’t understand why it would upset her so much. Will I ever be able to say it? Does she feel the same way? I’m scared to imagine how she would react if I fail to bite my tongue again when I think about it. I don’t want to hurt her.

I think I could spend the rest of-
(Another paragraph is scratched out.)

My wounds from some earlier misfortunes in the arenas have all but healed, save for the injuries to my pride. I aim to gain back the acclaim our team deserves and get my mace sooner rather than later.

When I ponder my methods and motivations in life, I’m proud in the consideration that I save others and put myself on the line as a healer selflessly. But then I start to consider the real reasoning behind what I do, and it occurs to me that there are self serving goals behind it all.

In the arenas I aim for glory and fame in addition to the rewards. My reputation is at stake along with our lives. In the battlegrounds I want to be recognized for my efforts - I boast when I out perform the other healers. When I venture into Karazhan, I want to receive my share of the loot and be recognized for it. Do I truly heal for the people I save, or do I simply save lives for my own aspirations?

Even in my love life there are self-fulfilling motivations - I want someone to call my own. I want to be held and reassured.

I don’t want to be alone.

Signed,
~Zuffid Thel’Nadras~

[Zuffid]

An attempt was made at my life this evening, and I was not able to identify the attacker or the insignia he carried. I appear to have earned the ire of someone who would rather have me killed than work out a peaceful solution. Worse yet, the assassin was irrational and self-destructive in his attack.

It's my belief that this crazed elf is under orders from someone who is either decorated enough to be worth dying for, or powerful enough to prefer death at my hands than his. The thought of having such an enemy after my head is not comforting.

The most unsettling thing about this encounter was in the assassin himself, and how I find myself reflecting on him. The assassin was cocky, and he was talented. His fanaticism was noticeable in his actions, and his resolve in shedding my blood was unyielding until I knocked him out cold. Even when I had a knife at his throat, he recklessly assaulted me further. I barely avoided a knee he aimed towards my crotch, and he hit me in the eye. In doing this, he left a gash in his own neck from the dagger I held there.

When I threatened his life, he told me - no, dared me - to end his life instead of offering the name of his employer. I knocked him out in response and brought him to the Silvermoon authorities, but for a long moment I had to ponder it. My instincts as a killer told me to end his life right there, and I believe that I would have up until recently.

I saw myself in him. What I was before the destruction of the Sunwell, and what this tome originally chronicled. That was the real reason I wanted to kill him.

And the real reason I couldn't.


Signed,
~Zuffid Thel'Nadras~

[Mortica]

(( awesome-sauce! I can't wait to play this one out :) ))

[Zuffid]

(A couple of pages are scratched out frantically)

I should’ve never written those things. Of course Villy loves me. Of course we’re going to be together forever. She forgives me.

This has definitely turned things for the worse. Villy’s steward has introduced himself to me, and in the same day told me that I cannot marry her. He would not tell me why until I put my sword to his throat, at which point he told me her vows are meant for another and I must sacrifice my personal needs for our people. What does that mean? Who would even consider marriage for a purpose other than true love exemplified by vowing your eternal dedication?

I was petrified with fear, and lacked foresight when I reached my decision to lop his head from his shoulders.

I had to take measures to leave the body unidentifiable. It makes me sick to my stomach to do such horrible things again, but it wouldn’t have been too hard to put two and two together if that bloody harlot Lovely ever finds out that he is dead. That is, if she can take a break from pretending she’s never met me. Ungrateful bitch.

In any case, I appear to have an army’s worth of assassins looking for me now and the murder of a noble’s steward to answer for. Not to mention I may betray my own Order if it will allow me even a few moments of extra time with the one I love. Some Blood Knight I turned out to be.

I have taken refuge in Shattrath for the time being, until Villy can sort out whether or not my life is in immediate danger. Until then, all I can really do is wait and watch the different people going on about their lives in the city. It’s oddly surreal after a life of excitement when you stop and take the time to simply watch the other adventurers scurry about their business.

It’s odd when I stop to realize just how much my motivations in life have changed. I don’t care about glory, or wealth, or success. As long as I can stay with Villy, and as long as she is contented, I don’t need anything else.
Maybe I’ll buy her something romantic while I’m stuck waiting around anyway.


Signed,
~Zuffid Thel’Nadras~

[Zuffid]

I’ve felt uncomfortable keeping track of my thoughts in this journal. This will be the first time I have written since I lost my eye.

Of course, not remembering anything about yourself would make reading through your own journal awkward. I feel like I’m putting my own thoughts at the end of someone else’s journal. It is truly a surreal feeling… nevertheless, I suppose I should continue writing. Where to start?

I woke up without a single memory on a beach, half dead. I was awoken by a troll that I’d later come to know as my Captain. Xaraphyne Nawe, without a doubt the most beautiful troll I’ve ever seen. (something is scribbled out) Then again, I can’t remember seeing any other trolls since my memory extends about as far back as a couple weeks. My judgment could be skewed by that, and the fact that she saved my life. I occasionally regret that she had the foresight to check me for an engagement ring, because I certainly didn’t.

Incidentally, I am apparently one of the most talented Blood Knights around. According to the goblins I was speaking with, if I can keep up my solid performances in the arenas I’m in line to get a special prize. I didn’t tell my arena partners that I’ve lost my memory, but when we entered into some matches I performed just fine. And they didn’t seem to care about my general silence… go figure.

My eye socket still stings when it’s exposed to the air around me. I need to get a glass eye made before somebody sticks something in it.

In any case, it was thanks to the Captain that I discovered my name is Zuffid. When I realized I had the skills of a Blood Knight and knew my name, I figured it was time to speak with the matron of the Blood Knights, Lady Liadrin. She pointed me in the direction of my fiancée… Villayna deSinisca.

She is stunningly beautiful. She’s got a fun personality and apparently has a fair inheritance to her name. It’s somewhat surreal to find yourself waking up to a rich, hot babe that’s head-over-heels in love with you when you can’t remember a thing about her. I can tell by reading through this journal that I loved her before I lost my memory… and it’s killing her that I can’t remember it now. I get the feeling she may lose it if I don’t return to my old self soon.

I hope I remember everything soon.


…Was I always so paranoid and whiny?


Cheers,
(the name “Kean” is scribbled out)
--Zuffid Thel’Nadras