With his current journal full from his ventures on the surface Jesse has turned to a new journal. The book has a black rothe leather-bound cover and its pages only with a stain or two of blood at the top. The book's cover reads "Journal" and nothing else.

Entry 1,

The christening of a new journal, it certainly has been a while since I've done this. My last book so filled with ventures and pictures. The memories passed and forever a reminder of the surface. I chose the color of the book for a reason for it is black like the cavern darkness that surrounds me always.

Much has happened, much indeed, so much that I really should of been keeping track during my eight or so months of minding my own. Well to start off things are turbulent as always. It seems no matter where my feet bring me I always come to a place with troubles and in dire need. Currently the city is running under less than perfect pretenses. There is a paladin councilor who is blinded by the light and jumps to battle to the lizardmen with no less enthusiasm than a frenzied berserker. He goes so far as to belittle the other defenses of the city in light of any word of lizardmen as he did to Presea and I. Pompous fool.

Another matter to worry over is the grim news of a Banite in the midst of the watch. Jaya had told me that this 'Dromar', I think that was his name, anyways this 'Dromar' person is a follower of Bane and had beaten her. In addition it seems that they're going so far as to throw less than just charges on people to, quite bluntly, shut them up. War, blood blinded, and banites, seems things really are shaping up to be a 'Sanctuary'.

I would throw my gloves into politics, but I told Ellie I would not. She seems to worry that a grim fate will fall upon me if I do. Death. I don't think things would get that extreme. Although I said I would not if things get worst I may have to do so anyways just to try to help straighten things out. I suppose I wouldn't seem that much of a stranger if I did, for Clover says I am making quite the name for myself as of late.

A final addendum before I end this entry, for I really do have too much to say, but I really can spread it out over many entries and not cram it into one. The addendum is Ellie and I finally kissed. She seemed a bit nervous when she did, but it's to be expected with how shy she is and it probably being her first time.

- Jesse Rives

P.S. I need to date this sooner or later.

*Drawn at the bottom of the page is a silhouetted wolf howling at the ominous moon which looms behind it.*

((My apologies for the low-quality pic and the glare. I am taking this from my jurry-rigged, old, and broken digital camera. I have to capture single frame on video mode.))

Entry 2, Marpenoth 14th, 151

Today was quite the day, quite the day indeed. Through the fog and turmoils of the city a new problem sprung forth, one that involved Ellie. It seems a woman, Dilane, all to lacking in tact mind you, she was attacking a dwarf, Bognus, also lacking in tact. He was on the ground and Ellie had fired missiles to get Dilane off the dwarf. He was being beaten while he was done. Seems honor held no bounds in that fight.

The trial was done with due process. I even had the chance to speak a little with Dilane. A name I wont forget. Dromar, the 'Banite', was there too and had laid blade on Ellie. That I wont soon forget either. From his actions I can confirm that the rumors I heard may well be true. I've told Nymm of this, of how faith is falling. It seems he is the only watchman I care to trust now. Besides Rollek, but I don't know him terribly well.

Dromar may be easily enough understood. From what I seen from him I can piece together the rest of his mannerisms. People are so predictable. He claims to not want to drag matters out on whether the dwarf was hit when he was on the ground, but he wishes to draw things out for the magic missile being deadly or not. Hypocrite. I for one detest hypocrites and try my best to never be one.

From what it seems the watch has its faults and the view of them skewed. The fliers say that the spellguard is still warring with itself and of course the council has their problems and mixed views. With each walk of protective life falling to darkness I fear for the citizens. I can't just sit idly by and hope though. I may have to break my word I gave Ellie.

- Jesse Rives

*Drawn at the bottom of the page is Ellie standing with her hands behind her back.*

Entry 3, Marpenoth 15th, 151

A good rest earned. I just got done cleaning the deep stains of blood from my clothing. I should consider myself lucky that the majority of blood on my outfit isn't mine. Many did not have the same luck during the raid.

The lizardmen attacked. Out of our huge force of defenders many fell in battle. I should consider myself lucky I survived the siege without needing dire medical attention or a raise gem. I think only three others besides myself slipped away from the top of the stairs to help reinforce the rest of the city.

Selune and fate blessed me with allowing me to live the battle without permanent wounds and they both paid me another favor. That favor is Ellie. I thought Ellie had died in the battle. I even went to go check for her body after the lizardmen were repelled, but to no accord. I was so depressed. I had felt my heart pain me like a bolt of frost and my fists clinch tighter than a noble's coin purse. Presea, bless that woman, she helped me in my time of need. She comforted me and played the lute for me and helped lighten my mood. It was after I left the ledge, after Presea cheered me up, after all that is when I saw her. I saw Ellie and Mirin walking by the town hall. Joy overcame me!

"Do I trust my heart or trust my mind?... Why is that truth so hard to find?"

Those are the words I asked myself on the ledge, but it seems my heart was right. Despite the facts, the logical cold proof, my heart continued to scream at me. It spoke no words, it gave only a feeling in my chest. Although I could seem to understand the feeling. Understand as if it was words. It was screaming 'Do not give up!' and it was right.

I thank karma, Selune, and the fates that Ellie and I are not to ripped apart by a tragic attack. Perhaps the fates have something higher in store for us? Perhaps not. Perhaps it's another lesson I must learn in life. Whatever it is time shall tell, it always does.

- Jesse Rives

*Drawn at the bottom of the page is tiny characterized wolf with a small halo above it and a heart between its forepaws. A star and crescant moon hover around it*

This entry has no picture on the bottom. The page itself has many tear drop stains as if someone was crying lightly while writing the entry.

Entry 4, Marpenoth 15th, 151

Time answered the question. It answered the question wretchedly and unbiased. It answer the question with the worst possible answer. Death.

In the area haunted by the clown spirits in town Ellie fell. She fell to the clown with the scythe. She fell and her head fell at the powerful slice of the clown. I stood there, I watched, watched helplessly! She died. She died and couldn't be brought back. Shes dead. Dead for good. May you rest in peace my sweet Ellie. I only hope that you are now in a better place.

- Jesse Rives

Yet again there is no picture at the bottom of the page. The page itself has no other markings upon it, but the entry itself is rather short. The writing hastens in some areas showing it was written in anger. Some at the bottom have heavy ink dots, showing they were written in sorrow.

Entry 5, Marpenoth 17th, 151

Why, why? Why is what I am asking myself. What sort of act did I do to deserve such bad karma? I am tired. Tired of losing her. Tired of losing the things she gave me! Some dirty, low-life, thug mage assaulted me and took all my gold! I could give two damns about the value of the gold itself right now. The only thing that angers me is that was what Ellie left me! She left me that gold and now its gone! It feels like a large chunk of the memories were ripped from me! What did I do to constitute such loss? I fought to defend the town and was blessed with my life, but now I am being cursed with much loss.

Right now I don't feel like doing much of anything. I don't feel like drawing. I don't feel like wandering the town. I am just tired, tired and drained. Most of all I am tired of losing Ellie and the things I have to remember her by.

- Jesse Rives

Entry 6, Marpenoth 19th, 151

Passing moments and listless hours. Sanctuary stays within most of its rubble as it slowly rebuilds. One thing I am glad for is that the doom speakers have finally stopped. That or they moved on. Either way it makes little mind to me.

Tagnar and the other dwarves are clearing out the Inn to rebuild it. It's a noble cause indeed, the Inn being rebuilt will serve as a beacon of hope. I want to help more on the matter, but Tagnar says "This be a dwarves job." I have to respect Tagnar's wishes though, he has been nothing but kind to me, after all. Even if he did get me a little screwed up when drinking that Drow wine. Things started popping up all over the place, hallucations no less! Oh well, it was good wine, damn good wine. Addictive wine. Though it's not like I have an addictive personality. I'll be fine.

The people, well some people, or maybe more? I don't know I haven't paid over excessive detail to it all, but, yes, some people seem to still just wait around for the city to fix itself. Hell some still spread dissension, not doom speaking, but not helping words either. Mayhaps it is time to give some good words to the people, but this matter does seem to fix itself. Hrm, well I suppose I'll just have to see then and allow time to tell its tale.

- Jesse Rives

*At the bottom of the sketch of a pine tree next to a rather large rock on a grassy ledge. The ledge is overlooking a large body of water with a moon popping over the horizon and reflecting in the water*