A number of exiles were fallen in the Scarmis Pit on Ash Island today, and some fairly desperate pleas for help went out. I joined a large rescue party in hope that I could do something useful, but it was not to be. The chamber where the fallen were trapped was so densely packed that it was difficult for the rescuers to get in. In the end, Harper and I were trapped outside.

Soon venemous chiggers and scarmis began appearing, forcing us to search (rather frantically) for a way to escape. We did manage to reach the surface, but I found myself pinned against a tree by two hooded corpses and soon fell. Fortunately I was rescued by additional rescuers heading into the pit.

From the sunstone messages I heard, it sounded like most of the rescue party I had joined ending up getting killed. I had to return to the library, so I don't know if a rescue eventually succeeded.

In other news, I've been hearing rumours of a new island (or possibly a newly accessible part of Melabrion's Island) known as "GI." I'll try to visit it soon.

Today I saw Dr. Tessa Malthus in town! She had escaped the library after being trapped under a pile of books for years. Unfortunately I had only a few minutes myself before I had to resume studying, but hopefully she will be able to get out of the library again soon.

This morning large numbers of Orga Shamen appeared in and around town, just as they had on the 26th. There were some very strong exiles around this time, and they were dying in droves. However, I suddenly sensed that Indigo had fallen to an Abyssal Hunter. She was soon raised and announced that the hunter was in East Field, so I headed that way for a look.

I found several, and immediately discovered that Abyssal Hunters are extremely dangerous. Indigo rescued me and returned me to town for healing, but more hunters began appearing all over town. The battle against the hunters lasted for hours, with exiles forced to take shelter in the buildings several times. As the battle continued, swarms of large and giant vermine began appearing, along with small numbers of drakes.

Eventually the attacking creatures were driven from town, but they left some questions. What were abyssal hunters, orga, drakes, and vermine all doing attacking Puddleby together? Since the Orga Shamen appeared first, did they somehow summon the other creatures to aid them?