From the adventure notes of Danas, hero of Kania

The next allod I mean to tell you of is Grokh. It so happened we were there when Skrakan asked us to bring word to Claude di Vevre -- the elfin Great Mage who holds that land.

Elves, as you are aware, prefer to keep their distance from humans. They guard their secrets, and strangers bring them no joy. Yes, they live on Umoir as well, as you recall... somewhere beyond Al-Riat, so I am told. They engage in trade and sell what they produce. But that is a small House...

Yet Vevre -- that is a Great House. How they distinguish among them is unknown to me; they say all their matters are settled at Gran Balls. One way or another, the elves do not like to permit strangers onto Grokh, and at first, they regarded us with suspicion as well.

However, now it is worth describing what this allod is. Grokh is a vast steppe; small forests and mountains are found only at the island's edges. The elves of House di Vevre themselves live in the middle of the allod -- they have several small towns there. To be honest, the local steppes are not very fertile -- rivers are few and cold winds blow often, so grain does not grow particularly well.

Magic assists the elves in this, but it must be said that besides magic, they found another solution -- they raise various livestock, such as cows and sheep. They ride upon massive lions, which also guard the cattle. No, do not think the lions eat them on the sly; these lions are trained and well-mannered, and they obey the elves as well as any soldier might obey his commander.

It would seem an idyll -- elves riding lions and tending their cows -- but there is one misfortune on Grokh that constantly spoils everything for the pointed-ears. And the name of that misfortune is the Orcs.

Indeed, the Orcs here are countless, and they live in the steppes, a bit further from the center of the allod. House de Vevre, of course, would wish to exterminate the Orcs -- but how can one chase them across the steppes? The Orcs ride upon such massive rhinoceroses and lizards that one cannot catch them. They are occupied with hunting and, naturally, they eat the elfin cattle. And if it were only the cattle... it is best for a lone elf not to cross their path.

Incidentally, that is precisely how we won the elves' trust. Have you not guessed yet? In short, one foolish girl went off somewhere alone, and -- snap! -- the Orcs snatched her. We had to set out after the girl before nothing remained of the elf but bones. Now, Nayra is a wonderful tracker, Fergard also helped in the search with his magic, and I, for my part, was there mostly as the brute force.

We reached the orcish camp, took out the sentries, untied the elfin girl who was bound to a post, and made haste to flee. But the steppe is a difficult place -- a pursuit set out after us, and we barely escaped.

Such are the things that happen there.