When Rookgaard gained its independence, I thought it meant the beginning of something beautiful. I had grand plans for fishing and food production. I was going to create jobs, feed the growing population, build something that would last. But the mayor... that treacherous leader had other ideas.

Mining. That's all he cared about. Digging holes in the ground while people starved. He promised me a role in the new government, then stabbed me in the back. They banished me, claiming I was plotting against the newfound government.

The goblins saved my plans. They offered me to lead their smuggling operations. I took it. What began as simple revenge has become something far more complex. The dwarves, once an opportunity in our independence, have become lawless expansionists. They break every deal, seize territory with impunity. Their mining operations have awakened ancient horrors. They even trade slaves with the minotaurs to get trolls to move their heavy chests around.

They're getting dangerously close to our hideouts. We had to move deeper into the caves to avoid them. But that's when we discovered the bog - an underground nightmare where a joke of a ruler, King Spector, colors skeletons different colors and makes them fight for his amusement. The goblins built seven watchtowers, but the undead were too strong to fend off.

First the minotaurs took our territory, then the dwarves seized our second base, then the undead in the bog drove us away. But we found this underground grove, and it's perfect for our operations. We're surrounded by enemies, but that's what makes this place perfect. Nobody would expect us to be here.

From here, we oversee our smuggling harbor. Resources flow through underground waterways to our port, then onto ships bound for Thais, Carlin, and Venore. Rookgaard has no navy to stop us. Jeronimo's discount prices put local vendors out of business, and we capture most of the trade. The loyalty program is just a cover for our operations.

Now I'm the leader of the biggest smuggling operation the island has ever seen. The mayor thought he could silence me, but he has no idea what I've become. I'm going to show them what real independence looks like, even if it means bringing down everything they built.