*a small, sturdy, waterproofed case made by an artisan of her homeland, containing sheets of Deep Pigskin vellum upon each of which are a number of maps. Some (such as the town of Sanctuary itself) are lovingly drawn with amusing charicatures of people she knows. Most are skillfully executed and depict complexes of caverns. Others are mere sketches. These last no doubt dashed off on the fly. Within, aside from skillful renderings of people and flora and fauna of the environs round about Sanctuary are a plethora of lists, notes and professional correspondence, all in a cramped, flowery style*

Spoke to Amothiewien regarding Rite of the Arrow. I put this off far too long, but it makes no sense now given my participation in the Spellswords. I guess that makes me a joiner. Four Nyths, two Ungols and an embarrassing display of impatience later, I successfully completed the Rite. I made several important discoveries, not least of which Amo thinks me a precocious youth. No matter, I am glad to have such a good friend here from among my own people. Afterwards, we ran into Graalhahmet again and Ami. Ami is a little odd, but we had a delightful conversation about theology. This whole Elistraee thing is fascinating. Amothiewien has been so helpful to me, I must get her a present. Have not heard from Cronus for some time and I worry. Since the episode with Akevitt, there was been a lot of turmoil among the Dwarves. Many of my friends among them have been demoted or have been slain. Note to self- ask Frors about Cronus!

*on more recent sketches and maps, the name "Dru" and "Druzilla" appears in the margins in elven, common and dwarven, intertwined with doodled hearts and flowers* Attended Nina and Shayne's wedding and a miracle happened. So it's not all bad down here.

Need to return Cleo's dress--and what in heaven is wrong with her anyway? She sure can drink. I hope she's alright.

Druzilla has died. I have found strength in my friends. Especially Ruby and Verisa. I need to find Amothiewien soon and join the Seekers. Best thing to do to fight depression is stay busy. That's what Ruby says. --note to self-- find other cartographers.

Ruby, Gabi, a big sort of ogre person named Vurbag (who is really very nice) Max Best and Jack Pickles helped the Hoar Temple with some undead invasion. This seems to happen from time to time. We found a hole in the ground in a large room and it led to trouble when Max and Jack goaded us into having a look. It'd be bad luck to even write it down what we saw...but we did all get away. The Hoar people looked a little worried when we told them about it, but they had to pay up anyway.

Ran into Westly and had a wonderful discussion of philsophy.

Told Varlam about the thing I heard about the Spellguards.

Had a wonderful time with Graal. Enough said about that.

Must get in touch with Cleo!!!! *underlined in red*

*a new series of maps of the area around Dark Lake indicates that she has been hard at work. As usual, copious notes in the margins accompanied by maps and artwork. A charcoal drawing of an elven man looking very dignified and sitting at a chessboard is accompanied by a sheaf of letters involving the Spellswords and the Seekers*

Graal was very patient sitting for his protrait. I hope he will be pleased with the result. Excellent kisser, and all around good friend despite his occasional attempts to seem sinister. Talked at length about Amothiewien and my misgivings about what is going on. Finished out our chess match and he won, which led to other more fun games...

After the episode in the Sand Caves with Tarnis, I thought I would be ready for a rest, but I find myself creeping about the Gate road, mapping again. Solonor seems to shield me even as I push my luck.

Where has Cleo got to?

*a hastily drawn map of the Badlands region accompanied by sketches of the grim walls of Traensyr and the land about. In the margins are scattered notes and a narrative*

Ran into a wood elf who knows my mother's people. Wonderful to speak to someone who remembers the same places, sights and sounds! His name is Calas and it turns out he works with Kor'us. I was honored to be asked to come with them on a hunt. Delor wandered by and made us four. As we walked along the Low Road, Kor'us revealed that our game was to be Drow. After some frightening encounters, we made our way to the city of the Enemy, the cursed ones. We kept right under the parapets to elude the watch on the walls and in a thick stone formation we were surprised by and surprised a Drow patrolman with his spiders. The swine ran past me, not seeing me-after Kor'us. As Kor'us, Calas and the enemy and his pets duelled, I ran immediately to help with my blade. This was both good and bad- All I can really remember is the enemy's face as he turned quickly and stuck his spear through me. Apparantly, Delor was hurt badly also. Calas and Kor'us however led the sentry on a merry chase and circled 'round again to carry us away. Luckily Drow sentries are not chosen for their ability to read trail sign, but rather for sheer martial prowess for we made our way back up into the badlands. There, we found our enemy binding his own wounds and there we set an ambuscade and together brought him down, along with his arachnid friends. After, Kor'us revealed that it was I who had saved him in turn- dealing a greivous wound to the sentry which allowed him and Calas to make good their retreat. All my things were restored to me including this precious map, so the pain of my wounds I will not rue. I have never exulted in killing, but the feeling of pride I have after proving myself in a fight against our deadly enemy is something that will sustain me in this pit for a long time.

I am a total failure. I should have become a jeweller like mother always said. I was left for dead on a tower of the goblin fort as I tried to drive the enemies away from poor Ruby. I'm fighting for my life and next thing I know, I'm half naked and having my wounds tended to. Nothing but abject shame, failure and humiliation. I'm out of my element and I have failed my friends. If the Seekers have good sense, they will not deign to answer my request. I might be useful to do their washing. The whole affair was a disaster from start to finish and ended up in bickering between Ruby and the fighter Angus who disagreed on wether to go on or not after taking the walls from the goblins. Angus, however did a good job holding the enemy off almost single handed while the rest of us recovered. Amy, Tara and I shot as well as we could, but the goblins were well protected in their fort, so without heavy soldiers to take them on, we were reduced to a shooting match that we couldnt win. I am not sure what to do with myself now.

Who is Samin Fyne? Pay more attention to who you are running with Mor! Suddenly it's important to know who is who besides will they watch your back or not!

Might have the answer to Ruby's problems with her boat.

Meg took me to a crazy Drow temple. They were friendly though, so I kept my mouth shut and did what I was told. Laramie is kind of a jerk. Mr. Bigstuff yelling at me like I'm some dummy. Who is that guy anyways?

Havent seen Amy in a bit, but I did get Avro to join our warband and Amal is a member too! Now if Amal can just stay alive...!

Amal has died- Tagnar was very gentle about breaking the news. His little group was very supportive. Amal had befriended them. I bawled for a half hour or so and then went to work.

Druzilla, Graal, and now Amal. I seem to be the kiss of death for people.

I guess I should keep a few more notes. The one known as "Kin" revealed to me the secret of his lost memory. He must have fell asleep on guard duty or some such, for he has remembered that the people of his town were killed by someone and he feels responsible. Usually in such cases, someone who is traumatized so, usually is indeed responsible. On the other hand, it's entirely possible that false memories were implanted by some agency. My occult studies have progressed slightly, but I am far too busy patrolling the waste places of this hellish twilight world to devote my faculties to aught but weapons training. I believe the Sentinels are the best vehicle for my purposes. In my turn I can do them much good. I have another romantic dalliance. It makes me happy, but I will not mention it here. I think the act of setting such things down on paper seems to result in the whole thing fizzling. Superstitious? Perhaps, but nothing seems to work properly down here. I suppose it's the same for the Enemy when they enter our world. I suppose a Drow who was accomplished in the Art would find herself similarly stilted and unable to progress without great labour and grief.

Kyle Fox is making me crazy. He's engaged to Clara Fireheart and yet he sits in the Inn mooning over me. I absolutely don't understand him. He can't even be just a little big pragmatic. The poor man stomped off after Aylana and I tried to convince him that the reality of his situation is that he's the perfect Fireheart. I said something that hurt his feelings and off he stomped. He needs to get over elven women and find affection from his own kind.

Had a perilous adventure. Caught between enemy soldiers and the city of Ysinode, Astaldar, Monica and I were set on by a pack of spiders the size of mastiffs. They had Astaldar down, but I drove one off and Monica and I used her magicks to get our comrade's body and his things back to Sanctuary. I used almost all my money to get the priests to bring him back to us. And then something else happened. Astaldar and I found comfort in one another. Which was the last thing I expected. I steel myself for the worst, but sometimes good things happen. On top of that, I got word Somniis made her way back to the city after an even more harrowing travail. We tried to get the one called Sev to join us. She was with Elrindra who is now confirmed dead. No word on how that's turned out, but she seems to be more a freelance type. The decision of the group to limit our membership to elven rangers is to my mind a mistake, but I was alone in my dissent and will keep my thoughts to myself. We have to figure out how to free Eldest, who may or may not be still a prisoner. Don't see Merin much anymore. I hope she is well.

I'm helping some people fight some ghosts in the old Tiger Eye bunker and who should wander along but Kyle. In full baby-man mode, sulking and punching walls. He says he's got nothing to live for, as Clara stood him up at the altar, but I asked around and there was some sort of battle going on at that time, which explains why Clara would have run off. Those Cormyrians and their noblesse oblige! I tried to tell him that self-pity was hardly the hallmark of a nobleman and that he'd better go back to her and set a new date. It's not like she was running away from him- more like running to the clarion call of duty. Or something like that. Then Kyle managed to get his bell rung by a dwarf. I'm sure that didn't help his self-esteem issues.

All in all things are looking up, aside from my manic-depressive friend. My animal spirit companion returned to me today. I was buying some things from King Bunge when who should come sniffing along on the rocks above, but my old friend. I must be doing something right after all.

Our mission now is mainly recruiting. I spoke to the one called Sev. She seems distracted and a bit off, so I plan to just ignore her. Two other good candidates came forth, so hopefully Somniis can get them into shape soon enough to go rescue our hapless commander.

Kyle Fox said he was going to leave town. I did my best to make him feel better, but it's impossible to tell what we will do. All in all, things looking up.

I had planned to start a mapping company before. Since Elrindra has been lost to us, I feel I really must follow through. Otherwise, I'm just a flake. Kyle seems resigned to my romance. I do miss Merin so. It's how these things go. Will things be so complicated when I get back home at last?

I've managed to make friends with Sev, who is really sweet under it all. She's a city kid, so no point in trying to turn her into anything else. I just hope she can keep herself alive long enough to get out of this hole.

The little one, Rabbit, is deceptively strong and has grown skillfull with that sword. Saw her not long ago. She was rightfully proud of her new armor.

Astaldar got the wonderful idea of trying to charm three Malar cats. Now despite the healing drinks, I've got a really impressive claw scar across my belly. Three white tracks. Whatever will mom and dad think?

I assuaged my bruised ego by leading a razzia against a pack of goblins holed up just outside Lower.

This place lurches from one disaster to another. A grandee named Donrick gave a ball which was a marvellous diversion until he and some friends of his in the Spellguard decided to unveil some super hoopy svrifneblin artifact. It apparantly must not have occured to them that the Svirfneblin all disappeared from here for some reason. Maybe opening gateways to other realities at a fancy dress party isn't the best experiment. Anyway, after the ground shook hard and the walls started falling in, the whole ballroom went black and a number of us ran for it. I heard that Mister Donrick was killed, which is sad. He really put on a great party. I hope that fool from Spellguard- the sour one who chased away the little druid got his. Eddie and Merle saved me by dragging me out the door after I tripped over something...it all went black for a moment and all of a sudden I feel Merle pouring cold water on my face! None of the men here can dance half as well as a dwarf in his cups. Utterly pathetic. Wyric was quite the charmer and I'll have to dig up some gossip for him.

I miss Sev quite a bit. Why is this? I have a weakness for lost souls for some reason. Renewed my acquiantance with Frances Alegretti. Got to witness a really barbaric spectacle.

Some Enemy spy was discovered in lower. The penalty for spying has to be death and I'm sure the drow knew this, but holy Solonor! They tripped over themselves to butcher him. The steps were slick with blood. The whole scene was redolent of what I've heard of Kuo Toa sacrifice. Frances and I turned away and left them to tear the drow to pieces like a bunch of sharks.

Had a wonderful time at a School of War contest. Watching people fight is not my first passion by far, but you can always learn a trick or two.

Sev was a marvel but got soundly thumped. There is some taciturn sort who had her eye, not suprisingly. Drin had it out with her about the affair of the Rabbit. I tried to convey my honest concern without being cloying. I think I was sucsessful.

A cozy time with my man was followed by a successfful hunt for Rothe for the Beacon. It's no fun dragging the stuff through the street in Lower crowded with angry looking toughs and starving beggars. I told them all to get in line with everyone else.

Came back in for a long awaited bath at the Stand and was confronted by an angry Chosen at the top of the stair who just shouted at me to "Bring me Lothor" -- I guessed that discretion was better than cleanliness for the nonce and decided to make a hasty retreat back to the wildnerness where it's safer...

Heard Merin has been seen a great deal in town. That may complicate things, but whatever is done out of love is beyond good and evil...right?

Some crazy hin took a swing at me just outside the town. I described the situation to Fox and he says it's one of Celeste Macasta's people. Why they'd care about me, I've no clue. I think someone spied on my conversation with Sten. Koinus is very excited about all this. I think it's offensive that Mur is sheltering someone who kidnaps anyone with money for ransom, but aside from finding these people offensive I can't do anythign about them. Even the rats here aren't afraid of me.

I encountered Rabbit again - and it seems she had a falling out with Sev and Mebrith. Hard to say what is going on, but I hope to run into Sev soon and ask her. I prompted her to name herself anew, as she kept just telling anyone who asked that "Rabbit is dead". So Snorri and Dilandau and I prompted her to dub herself "Shade".

I said "yes". I'm betrothed. This is exciting and frightening all at the same time. I was snagged by Sev and her....not sure what's going on there, but Mebrith and Sev are clearly together. More on that later. We went to help some druids with something. It was quite a schlep out there north of the lake and past the kobold fort. Astaldar tagged along as a scout, but sprung a surprise on me. He took me to the crystal cave, which is beautiful as ever...but there was something new. A small tree grew from the light of masses of crystals. How this can be, I couldn't guess, but before I could collect my thoughts he asked me. How could I say no? He put a ring on my finger and I think I cried for ten minutes or more before I could form words. Typically of this place, the dwarves shouted for me to hustle up. Out of the frying pan into the fire as they say. We stepped into a shaft of light and before I could ask what was happening we were being set upon by crazed onodrim in some sort of elemental pocket plane. I'm concerned about Sev and Mebrith both. Sev is under Mebrith's spell. It's the same as I was with Merin. Anyway, Mebrith is only slightly less than suicidal in the way she goes about fighting. I helped all I could, but she spends most of her time bleeding and limping about- dashing into the next fray before the healers can tend her wounds. All impressive to the dwarves I imagine, but unless she intends to marry into one of the clans I don't see the purpose. I wish I'd have more a chance to talk to them, but they've clearly got a while before other people can penetrate the little shell of rapture they exist within. Hopefully Mebrith can keep herself from self- immolation long enough to learn wisdom. I fear for what may happen to Sev should she lose another.