Hi everyone. I wanted to share with you Saljourn’s story, some of the motivations behind his character, and methods I use when writing.
This is a recent revision of the story - as I get more practice, I see changes that are needed!
My favorite style of story telling is when readers are encouraged to believe the story will go one direction, only to discover the story takes a dramatic turn, and that if they had only looked closely enough, the clues to that change would have been obvious.
Another favorite tool in storytelling is the use of obscure characters in existing lore. For the purpose of Saljourn, I chose to make him the younger brother of a Tauren you might find in the Western Plaguelands by the name of Mulgris Deepriver. There is a good bit of information on this character in Wowhead, but the point I’m making is that a benign NPC can so easily be overlooked, but if you only give them a small role in your character’s universe, it’s like an easteregg for others to find without appearing to metagame.
Finally, when I begin to write, I first find a score that meets the emotion and tempo I want the reader to experience. I’ll include the scores I used for each chapter as I post them, and do not take any credit for these artist’s work.
Finally, If you have questions, or advice I would love to hear from you! But for now, please enjoy.
Chronicles of Deepriver
Chapter I - The Hearthstone and the Calf
“Come, little one. Say hello to your brother,” Ano said softly, cradling the baby Tauren in a blanket.
Mulgris hid behind the curtain to the tent, peeking through a sliver in the stitching. Knowing he had been caught, Mulgris pulled back the tent flap, and entered.
Ano shifted his massive frame, allowing Mulgris to peer down at the sleeping calf.
Mulgris cracked a smile and looked up. “What is his name, father?”
“His name is Sal’Journ,” his mother Tahki replied from behind. She moved next to Ano and rested her hands on his shoulders.
Ano looked to her as he cradled the newborn. The bull adjusted again and passed the babe to his mate before turning to face Mulgris.
“My son,” he said, reaching around his neck unclasping an amulet. “I want you to take this.” The amulet was engraved with an etching but was otherwise simple.
Mulgris grasped the stone, tracing his finger along the engraving. As he did so, the etched rune began to glow softly.
“It is a Hearthstone, Mulgris. It is paired with your mother’s,” Ano looked to Tahki, who then lifted hers into view. It too glowed softly at Mulgris’ touch. “I give this to you, to care for your brother. To get each other home safely,” Ano squeezed Mulgris’ hands together around the stone. “Take care of your brother.”
“Yes father.”
Years passed, and the Deepriver family prospered. The brothers played together in the valley beyond their home, while their parents went about their business. One fateful afternoon, a small band of Warriors crest the hill approaching the family’s home. Ano was busy tanning the kodo hides stretched across the rack when Tahki walked over and pointed. Ano looked and nodded.
The Second War had begun.
Ano and the Warriors gathered their supplies. Sal’Journ and Mulgris stood watching with their mother. Ano approached, dawning his full battle garb.
“You little ones are my life,” he said, resting a hand on each of their shoulders.
Sal’Journ beamed a smile, and Mulgris’ chest stuck out with pride. Ano looked to Tahki, and pressed his forehead against hers, before turning to join his comrades.
It seemed ages, but little more than a few months later, the two boys noticed silhouettes of Tauren cresting the hillside approaching their home. Cheering the two boys jumped into the air hugging one another.
“Father is home, and so soon!” they cried.
“Look Mulgris,” Sal’Journ said, pointing at the stone around his brother’s neck. It glowed softly, indicating they were being summoned home. “Mother is calling us.”
Mulgris nodded and wrapped an arm around Sal’Journ. Squeezing the stone, the two boys vanished. With a flash of light, they reappeared a moment later at the foot of their tent.
The unnatural journey always left Sal’Journ dizzy. Once he regained his senses, he noticed Mulgris clutching the tent support, looking around it.
“Mulgris, what is i-” Sal’Journ started, before realizing his mother had collapsed to her knees.
She wept. The Tauren warriors stood around her as their leader, clad in ceremonial skins, knelt beside her.
Sal’Journ craned his head to see, but was shoved aside as Mulgris turned to run, tears welling up in his eyes. Sal’Journ walked slowly up to his mother, rubbing his hands together nervously.
Tahki grabbed him and pulled him close. He did not understand and watched over his mother’s shoulder as Mulgris disappeared into the valley.
…
The Death Knight blinked the memory from his mind. Clutching the glowing Hearthstone in a clawed gauntlet, he closed his eyes as he pressed it against his forehead.