We have discussed the battle in which Vernon was killed. We have assessed strategy and tactics and gone almost as far as to assign blame, though it appears that we all, to some degree, failed to carry out an orderly retreat, and so, caused Vernon to die.

I am disappointed in the so-called hospitality that the Elves have shown us in their Forest. We are their guests and have been given safe passage by virtue of the amulets we wear. It seems that these are merely wards against the errant arrows of their scouts, and not signs that we are guests to be cared for as we travel what we now know are usually dangerous lands.

"Unusually dangerous" is not an exaggeration, for we have never fought creates even half as dangerous as these that killed Vernon. They were foul, otherworldly creatures the likes of which populate the nightmares of good men and women across Nyternia. They move like the wind, twice as fast at least as a man. And they move with no sound, over any terrain and even through -- yes through! -- the very trees of the forest, for they have no bodies as we know them. They are incorporeal, and thus doubly deadly. They are fierce and unafraid, dealing damage to body and sapping away the very ability to move! More often than not, slow paralysis sets in before life is drained from limb. And lastly, they are formidable as ogres or hill giants, able to absorb amazing numbers of blows -- that is, if the blow does not pass directly through them!

We are to travel to the Elves capitol city in a few days time. Let us hope we do not repeat the adventure on the road we have just travelled.