'I lived as one an Orc, and aside from the occassional beating from my peers....and father, as a result of my heritage, I was treated as a full-blooded Orc and trained in the warrior's ways.'

'Upon my 10th year, our tribe was raided by a band of powerful mercenaries. It seemed the local human Barony had a problem with an Orcish tribe raiding it's towns and villages. My people were wiped out that day, but by some, and possibly cruel twist of Fate, I escaped. I'm not sure how, or why...but such things have always happened throughout my life. My surviving that raid was simply the first of such occurences.'

'Such puzzles are left to greater intellects than mine, although I do have a desire to know what the Gods hold in store for me.'

'Several days, or weeks later (I still can't recall how long I survived in the wilds) I found myself climbing the steps of an ancient monestary. There I was greeted by gentle and humble souls, at least in my own eyes...some would say these men were viscious and evil...who took me in, fed me, clothed me, and nutured me. Again, I cannot say how I found my way there, or why these strange priests even helped me, or showed me mercy. For, their patron was Death herself.'

'I was raised by the secluded monks for most of my life. I spent nearly ten years with them, and learning their ways. They taught me to speak, and read, and educated me in the ways of civilized humans. After a time I realized that my human half was not something that could be beaten out of me...it was a part of who I was.'

'Their faith was strange, they had a fascination with Death, and their rituals called for much sacrifice to their bizarre God. Upon my 15th year, the monks had found me mimicing their mantras, and I am not sure how I became to possess such knowledge...'

'The priests were enamored when they found I was able to summon the power of their Dark God. It was then that they realized this strange gift, and quickly began to train me in their Dark Arts.'

'Their faith was talked about in secret, at least among more civilized folk who lived near the temple, that they performed evil rituals to a God of Death. These rumors were true, but they were not in practice of evil, for their Goddess of Death had repented her evil ways, and now remained beyond the concepts of good, and evil. Death would eventually take every living thing, this Goddess had no need to take a side.'

'She required sacrifice to gain her favor...What did I sacrifice?'

'I shall not speak of that here. But, when I did make that sacrifice, Death granted me abilities so few mortals of her choosing are able to summon.'

'Two years after the monks discovered my gift, the monestary burned to the ground, leaving none alive...except myself. Once again I have no memory of how I escaped. All I remember is waking up in the graveyard of the temple, with the heat of the fire at my back. I left then, and began to wander. Many friends and foes I have made these past years, which is why I am here.'

'Am I your average, stupid Orc? Hmmm...I'd have to say that I've met just as many stupid humans in my life...so perhaps I'm not. What I am is beyond my comprehension, all I am certain of is that Death will eventually take me.'

'Now, if you'll excuse me, my companions have arrived.'