I finally found a piece of wood suitable for use in constructing a Heartwood Charm. I now have all the tools of a Ranger, although it will no doubt be many years before I can use them effectively.

I finally made it out of the library after spending almost a full year studying. While hunting to recover the rather large sum I spent on storage fees, the word went out via sunstone that pirates were at the dock.

I was near Puddleby at the time, so I rushed to the docks to discover Darshak rebel Kurt Bentarm and three of his men. Illora Mone offered him some supplies that she had gathered for the rebels (at my clanmate Largo's request), but before they could be delivered Kurt spotted an approaching Darshak force. The Darshak invaded West Puddleby, forcing the exile defenders back from the gates several times.

Kurt Bentarm and his men fought alongside us--which sometimes led to confusion, as they were dressed almost exactly like Darshak Marauders. In the darkness there were several incidents of mistaken identity.

Although the Darshak had apparently invaded to get at the rebels, once they were actually here their attention seemed to be focused at least as much on the brewery. Eventually the invasion was driven off without loss to either the rebels or the beer supply.

Tonight I headed to Ash Island to help with a rescue, and discovered ether flowing just south of the Dark Temple. There were no ethereal creatures in sight, but the undine found there were willing to attack some of the flow--this proved useful when exiles became trapped by the flow.

This is the first time I've seen ether flowing without any sign of an incursion or other unusual ethereal activity. I wonder if it has something to do with the large numbers of Greater Deaths reported on the ethereal plane recently?

There was another ethereal incursion in the interior of Devil's Island early this morning. This time the strong force of exiles present was able to overcome the ethereal creatures and establish a kyuem after eight hours of hard fighting. With this victory, I believe the only remaining incursion site is located on Kizmia's Island.

Today Garre Verminebane welcomed me to the Rangers. I've begun some Ranger-related training, although it will probably be quite some time before I can actually do any of the things I've seen other Rangers do.

As I was out hunting for ore, Daimoth sent out a sunstone message asking for someone to help Treebeard, Malakar, and Grog, who were fallen in the Tree Giant Breeding Ground. I headed that way, thinking I would be able to run in and chain them out before the slow-moving tree giants could catch me.

The situation turned out to be more complicated than that, and I soon fell to a group of vixens as spriggans kept me off balance. Fortunately, Natas had also responded. Treebeard and Malakar both had to depart, but Malakar was able to return and assist Natas in rescuing Grog and myself.

Today I joined the expedition organized by Phineas to reach the library in the Foothills where the first advanced pathfinder training book is hidden. The turnout was very impressive, as this sketch showing part of the group illustrates. The combined force of very strong exiles made quick work of the opposition and reached the Pitch Caves, where Yor took over tactical control from Phineas and led us the rest of the way to the book.

At no time was the group in serious danger, and the worst casualties we suffered were in a cave filled with web-throwing arachnids where about half of the exiles fell. Those still standing had no trouble finishing off the remaining arachnids, and we continued on to the book. Many years after completing my training with the Marsh Hermit, I am finally able to continue my training!

On the way back to the portal we stopped by another hidden library where the third pathfinder book was located so that Sengir could study it. Apparently it was well defended by arachnids, but the exile force killed most of them before I could get close enough to see them.

Overall the expedition was a total success, taking only three hours from the time we left Puddleby until our return. My only previous attempt to reach the library had ended in a massacre just short of the library after fighting for several times as long to get that far.