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.