Now comes the story of one Drax Ironjaw. He was born to an archer of the local lord’s army and a housewife of semi-noble birth. As he grew up, his father wanted him to follow in his footsteps and become an archer as he was. He was taught all the tricks of the archer, like how to find the straightest sticks for his arrows, how to fletch with feathers he found, and how to pick the strongest branches for his bow.

All of this came easy to Drax, but he just felt like there was something more for him to do. Some greater purpose in life than being an archer in someone else’s army. He always felt torn inside whenever he killed an animal, even if it was for food. He tried to talk about his feelings with his parents, but his father would hear none of it and his mother did not have enough backbone to stand up to his father.

One day as he was walking through the forest, he came upon a caravan of humans that had been attacked by thieves. Many were dead or dying, and many more were heavily wounded. As he peered at the grisly scene through the trees, he could see what appeared to be a robed priest moving slowly through the carnage. The priest kept bending over the wounded and laying his hands on them and then praying. As he would pray, Drax could see a pale blue light emanate from his hands.

From this moment on, Drax knew what he wanted to do with his life. He would become one of these healers. He walked into the camp and up to the priest. As the priest looked up at him Drax saw, instead of a man as he had thought, a woman. One of the most beautiful women he had ever seen in his life. Her body glowed with a pale blue light almost as if it were ethereal.

“Follow me with all your heart and I will give you great healing powers” a voice whispered in Drax’s mind.

Drax fell to his knees in awe. As the priestess looked into Drax’s eyes, he felt as if he were somehow looking into a deep pool of knowledge and wisdom.

“I will follow you Mishakal” Drax somehow whispered. (How did he know that was her name?)

And then suddenly, the priestess vanished. As Drax kneeled there in the grass of that camp, he knew that he had been visited by a goddess. He also knew that this was going to infuriate his father. He steeled his resolve and finished the trip home.

When he got home he told his father that he was going to become a priest of the goddess Mishakal. His father became very angry and told him if he did this foolish thing, then he better not do it at home. Drax told his father he would not have to worry about that because he would be leaving in the morning to make the journey to the temple honoring Mishakal, near Kalaman. Drax packed up what belongs he needed and left the next morning never looking back. He has been journeying ever since.

(The following is noted on the paper, in bold, crisp handwritting)

Drax Ironjaw has continued his wandering ways and, in the time honored tradition of the clerics of Mishakal, has returned to wandering the land, and helping those in need. When asked about Drax's decision, Lord Apharot, one of his close friends, would only comment with "Drax is doing what he has been called to do, much as I do as I have been called to do. May Mishakal bless him, and Habbakuk guard his steps." As the lord knight walked away, he muttered, "Safe trails always Drax my friend", as he softly wiped at his eyes.

--Astinus of Palanthas