Ostagar

I am disguted by a prick named Daveth. What a worthless frat boy. I have such faith in womenkind that I truly believe all his arrogance is a front and he's still trying to score a first- cause no woman i know would sleep with him. ugh.

I met an interesting prisoner today. Covered in blood, no clothes- just wanted some food in return for a mage's key to his box of artifacts.... sounds a little too good to be true if you ask me. but you didn't, and i'm game for any opportunity to improve my state. What's a little dinner to a chest full of powerful treasure? seemed worth it at the time. We'll see how it goes when i try to use the key. It's currently guarded by some mages. I'll wait til they're gone for the evening.

Picked up a backpack for cheap. Never know when one of those might come in handy.

I'd heard of Mabari warhounds before, but I'd never seen one. Terrifying, beautiful animal. There are some in the camp, but one is sick. Lost his owner and got bitten by darkspawn. I guess some flower will help him. If I see some, I'll grab it and bring it back.

I met Alister. I have rarely met a man so handsome or so annoying. He must be using humor to hide some secret, that's the only excuse. Duncan is sending him with the other recruits and myself into the wilds to prepare for the rite. We still don't know what it entails, but if preparation for it involves going into the wilds, it can't be a tea party.

Escape....kind of

I just passed my harrowing. It was....harrowing. I would have never believed the demon was .... well. I can't say. Others will be expected to pass and if I give it away we could end up with ranks of Maleificar overwhelming the circle.

Despite my honest efforts, a maleficar has run free. I had no idea Jowan was so awful. A part of me is jealous that he is free of his servitude. Mostly I am shocked. He always seemed so meek- he always let me go first, made me ask his questions, check his answers. I would have never dreamed he had the confidence to be a Blood Mage. Then again- i guess it doesn't take much confidence to use others' blood as your fuel for magic. Can you imagine the raw power? The unending supply of energy to preform whatever magic you please? It's so terrible, and.... incredible. It's truly awesome. Sometimes I regret my moral upbringing. The bad guys have more fun.

Somehow, by the amazing politial power of Duncan, I wasn't held responsible for the events of last night. Or maybe i was. Who knows what the real costs of being a Grey Warden are? I'm sure I'll find out the unsavory details once I can no longer turn back. I am probably already incapable of turning back- so those little details should come along any day now.

I met the king. An altogether unsatisfactory experience. More a cocky child than a king. I was polite, but I can't help but express my disgust here. We're supposed to trust HIM with guarding us from the darkspawn? From Orlais? From.... ourselves? Maker help us.