My experience in the Underdark thus far has far exceeded my expectations. Despite the minor setback early on in my research, I have escaped from captivity and am ready to resume my observations. It is unfortunate that the porters and guards who accompanied me on my expedition did not prove hardy enough for the tribulations presented by drow captivity; I had thought them built of sturdier stuff. No matter, the cost to myself has been minimal, and I have gained much knowledge. I was able to personally observe the effects of the venom secreted by the spiders of Traensyr: the effects of the substance may prove useful at some date. A pity Sasiji could not endure longer, I might have gleaned yet more knowledge from his suffering.

This "dark", as they call it, is my second in this settlement. They call it Sanctuary, which already speaks volumes about the attitude one is likely to encounter here. It is a haven for the weak and the narrow of vision, but there are still some among the town's citizens who possess strength. I have spoken briefly with some representatives of the Spellguard, a local order charged with maintaining responsible use of magic, among other things. Though they have emplaced many unnecessary limitations on the use of magic, my brief exposure to members of their organization suggests an intelligence not found elsewhere in this city. As soon as I am able to register myself with one of their agents, I intend to seek sanctioning to continue my research. Here, even more than in Durpar, my work seems vital for society's continuation.

I have met today with Agent Elapidae of the Spellguard Order, the first member of that organization who seemed to have the time to complete my registration as a spellcaster. My opinion of him is rather high relative to my opinion of the other individuals I have encountered in this city, though that does not say much, as I have seen elephant droppings more noteworthy than the majority of Sanctuary's citizens. Still, I have brought to his attention the many merits of my research in the fields of transmutation and selective biology. He seems open to the idea of admitting me into the Order, provided my research is applied to the augmentation of the city's defenses and to the enhancement of the current stock of associates. I had the pleasure of observing the induction of one of these associates this dark: an elf, slightly less frail than others of his race, and slightly taller as well. If he is any indication of the sort of individuals I will be working alongside within the Order, well, I cannot say I look forward to the opportunity, but the company will be more tolerable than the crowd that seems to plague the common room at the Last Stand.

The Agent also indicated to me that I might find a particularly interesting specimen alongside what he has described to me as "The Low Road." He claims, and I have no reason to doubt him, that a certain species of mushroom grows in this region of the Underdark with a peculiar mechanism for self-defense, perhaps a worthy addition to the defenses of this pathetic settlement. Of course, Agent Elapidae's studies focus on the school of illusion, which, although worthy in its own right, bears little pertinence to the study of life and those things not worthy of such.

No doubt my expedition tomorrow will bring to light more noteworthy observations.

Shrieker Mushroom: Preliminary Report

A report by Akhil Ramana.

The Shrieker Mushroom is one of the more interesting organisms I have encountered so far in my time in the Underdark. Though immobile and therefore susceptible to being fed upon by even such base creatures as rothe, it possesses the peculiar ability to emit a high-pitched wail, as its name would imply. My preliminary investigation into the means by which the mushroom produces this sound has offered little evidence as to whether the sound is produced by organic means or through some latent magic the fungus possesses, though I am inclined to attribute the behavior to the former.

It is possible that the shriek of the mushroom, if amplified, could be made to have a detrimental effect on those nearby, similar to the transmutation first recorded by the noted mage Balagarn, though perhaps even more obnoxious. It is my theory that this city's animatron defenders, given proper time, could be outfitted with organic components culled from the shrieker mushrooms, and that with the proper application of arcane skill, the capacity to shriek might become a useful augmentation to the city's defenses. Of course, with my current level of access to the machines, such is beyond the realm of possibility.

Members of the Order may also find it noteworthy that on this particular expedition I encountered a variety of spider similar in size to the more common variety the drow keep in Traensyr. It nearly managed to subdue one of my guards, no doubt with the intent of consuming his flesh. What was most interesting about this specimen was the speed with which it moved. Given time and access to proper facilities (and of course several specimens to work with) it might be possible to ascertain what, specifically, in the nature of its joints enables such mobility.

Perhaps the largest success of this expedition was the observation of one of the cat-like creatures that commonly prowl the nearby caverns. By studying its movements as it hunted, I was able to figure out the final piece of a simple transmutation that has been troubling me lately.

No doubt these observations will prove useful in the course of my time here in Sanctuary.

I was beginning to lose hope for this city of Sanctuary. It is overrun by the weak, the daft, the maladaptive. But this dark has shown me certain redeeming elements of the settlement; the seeds of strength have been planted in this meager population.

The first is a man called Illario, who it gives me great pleasure to hear has been inducted into the Spellguard Associates. I have no doubt that among his peers he will excel, for he is both skilled in combat and a quick thinker. I believe we will have much to offer each other once I am accepted into the Order. I have yet to ascertain whether he will subject himself to experimentation, but it is no matter, I already have subject in mind for that.

The second is a Dwarf who goes by the name Koinus. Though ill-mannered and certainly no match for Illario when it comes to wits, he has shown definite prowess in combat, and has a grasp at the very least of the nature of the proper relationship between the strong and the weak. He proved sufficiently helpful when I called upon him to aid in my research expedition, although he could not accompany me himself. He is superior to his fellow Watchmen, Carl (I tuly loathe that corpulent man) and the halfling whose name I have not yet learned, though there is another in the ranks of the Watch whose wits far exceed his physical capabilities. I have not spent enough time yet in his presence, but I believe the halfling Talanger may be the most noteworthy individual in that organization. I will have to see about working with him more closely in the future, an intellect such as his is truly an asset to this city.

For the moment, however, my primary concern must remain my correspondence with Agent Elapidae. To this end, my contact with Illario may prove most useful, as he is already in the Agent's good graces.

Perhaps the leads from my other contact will bring useful information to me as well.

I have observed just now a gnome bandaging his own wound in the Last Stand, rather ineffectively, I might add. It is pleasing to note that none of the other patrons present felt moved to offer him any assistance.

This dark, Private Sten has informed me of a primitive society of creatures called the "Chosen" that dwell in the Sewers beneath Sanctuary. From his descriptions of them, I hypothesize that they may provide very useful information for the development of future transmutations. The live capture of several specimens should confirm or refute this postulation.

Dmitryi Radoslav, another of Sanctuary's Watch Privates to give me hope that there is strength and reason to be found among the defenders of this settlement. I spoke with him briefly during the course of a routine investigation in the ruins near the Arena. Our conversation leads me to the belief that he will be a valuable asset in the future, particularly when I need competent men to accompany me during field research. In addition, his personality is more tolerable than that of the Dwarf, Sten.

The Seeker who goes by the name of Dawn proved unhelpful. It may be time to pay a visit to Specimen One.

Prime Candidates for Sterilization

Alow Private Carl Luthien That irksome elf Those irksome elves That other irksome elf. Halflings (some exceptions) Gnomes

Life in the Spellguard is more demanding than anticipated. Not in the sense that any of my duties have been particularly challenging, but the drudgery of dealing with citizens' request and the frequency of encounters with members of the Sanctuary Watch are almost not worth the laboratory space and monetary compensation. Almost.

This assignment with Lecuyer progresses slowly, but I must admit I am interested. I ... no, it is best saved for the laboratory notes and private conversations with Agent Lecuyer and Officer Barkely.

I have given Specimen One another task, another test. We will see if it excels at this one as it did with the first.

Specimen Two Despite all outward appearances of frailty, stupidity, and incompetence, this one has repeatedly survived in situations where the overriding law of nature should by all indications have culled her from the population. She claims it is "luck" but this is a foolish claim. More investigation necessary.

The Process

The Process is driven foremost by the timeliness of death. In a perfect world, governed entirely by the ideal of the process, things would work much as they are purported to in nature. The fit would survive - the strong, the adaptive, the intelligent. The weak and feeble-minded would be culled by a death preceding the physical maturity necessary for procreation.

As is made abundantly clear every miserable waking cycle down here, the Process is not functioning correctly in civilized society. The weak are surrounded and protected by their betters, kept safe from the fate intended for them. I would even go as far as to claim that in most of civilization, this natural, death-driven process of selective improvement of species has been entirely reversed. Here in Sanctuary it is most evident.

This dark, I fell defending the Canal Ward gate from an Unseelie attack. I was accompanied in the initial defense by two dim-witted Watch Privates (not entirely reversed, it seems), and one suitably competent Sergeant. I was the last to fall, and even as I gave my life attempting to close and lock the gate, I could not help thinking how perverse it was that while the four of us fell under the onslaught of the Unseelie, the cripples, the blind, the deaf, and all manner of other useless people remained safe within the homes of those who coddle them, and would no doubt survive the attack at the cost of many more worthwhile lives (if any life can be considered worthwhile before the end product of the Process is reached).

I believe I should begin working more diligently on my previous list, now and begin to draft up a formal presentation of my idea for the Council. The transmutation I acquired recently should make the nuances of writing such a proposal in an appealing way more apparent. It is important that something resembling The Process be restored here, or future generations will have to suffer the consequences of this one's failings.