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I went to the Hearthmire ruins today, after falling IN to the mire and my skin turned purple. I also got wings that only worked for an hour, but now I have them and they won't go away. The storm outside made me wary and a little angry, though I don't think that anger stemmed from myself.

In Hearthmire, everything was overgrown with green moss. The courtyard had a large fountain with green water, and statues that looked as though they were taking drinks from the fountain. Some runes were written on the ground, but I couldn't read them. I had a bad feeling about it so moved on. I went into another room and saw an earth elemental (I think it was, anyway. I know about elementals, but not enough to say for sure) but as soon as it saw me it made a shrill noise and vanished. It left behind some dbs, a lock of topaz hair, some old keys, and a dull knife.

I want to go back soon, and try to solve the mystery of the angry storm, and the scared elemental.

Today I learned: that sometimes my dexterity does come in handy.

On the map: I know that Hearthmire ruins are to the west of the main crossroads of Meditative Meadows.

I ventured on the Eastern Path today and found myself on the Cairn Steppe with its twisted trees. I followed along a caravan and met with a human scholar named Phone Grove. She was reserved, but enjoyed talking about her studies. I didn't care for her field of study: mothballs.

The caravan stopped when large and deep claw marks were found in the ground, and we discovered an elf shepherdess nearby who was digging for something. She convinced me to move the caravan along and she would share some of the treasure she was looking for with me. I was just successful and even managed to get more out of her! I received a broken key, a flask of ale, a magnifying glass worth 100 dbs, a list of taverns at a nearby dwarven town, and the directions to something called the Dark Vaults of Terror. Sounds awful, but there may be some good treasure to get! I also got a whopping 26 dbs.

Today I learned: Some ales are aptly named. The ale I drank today was called, "Shadowloss". I lost my shadow and my skin became ghostly. Ah, the expense I pay to keep my pockets from becoming overburdened.

On the map: I know that the Cairn Steppe is on the Eastern Path from the Meditative Meadows.

Today I went north and wandered into a place called Hellgate Plains. The skies are blustery and red, and the ground is covered in a fresh layer of snow. It's cold and the wind howls through the tops of the trees like screaming banshees.

I happened along a house that was inside a giant's helmet. A lady was singing inside so I went to introduce myself- and take a break from the cold. I met her husband, too, but he was bed-ridden with a hurt back. They were almost out of firewood so asked me to cut some for them. I ended up cutting more than what they asked for, so they gave me, by the insistence of Carda's husband, to give me something extra. It was a very nice gesture.

On the way back to the crossroads I was robbed by a thief called The Black Widow. He only took a couple of things, and didn't touch my dbs thankfully. Then I went shopping at Imagi-Knit! I got new boots, a neck scarf, and a new corset top. They're all adding to my charismatic appeal which is awesome.

Today I learned: I'm strong, but not strong enough to enjoy menial tasks and labor. If I had enough charisma and could speak to trees, I'd ask them to cut themselves down. Does that make me a bad person?

On the map: I know Hellgate Plains is off the Northern Path from Meditative Meadows.

Went back to the Cairn Steppes today, with its windy trees. The air was dry and dusty as usual. Ventured along until I found an old and crumbling town called Bellbridge, with a wide chasm that has dropped many buildings. It seemed most of everything was looted already. A wind elemental blew by and dropped some dbs so I picked that up. Why are elementals afraid of me?

In one of the houses I had a feeling of something really magical being nearby. I ripped apart some floorboards and found an amazing staff! I need to take it to Mage Kemryn or Al'teesh and see if they know anything about it.

Today I learned: Patience is not a virtue. Persistence is.

On the map: the ruins of the town Bellbridge are in the Cairn Steppes.

I visited Mage Kemryn and she instructed me on how to sit and meditate with the Staff of Wizardry to attune with it. It's costly at 4 spoons per attempt, and there's only a 50% chance of successfully doing it. I could only do it twice before I was too tired to continue. She wants me to come back tomorrow after I've gained more spoons and try again.

Tomorrow, if I have enough spoons, I'm going to ask her to teach me rune magic. Who knows, with this staff maybe I'm destined to do magic?

Today I learned:
Failure sucks. I'm tired.

On the Map: Mage Kemryn's office is near Professor Al'teesh's. It glows pink and red from her rune magic.

I went back to Mage Kemryn and not only achieved attunement, took my first rune class! I learned the first symbol, Yridy. It means intention and concentration, but also greed. It's finnicky to get to incant in the air, but with the attunement to the Staff of Wizardry, it was much more achievable.

Later I ventured back to Hearthmire and went through it to the swamp on the other side. I've nicknamed it "Frogbog" for now, as there are so many statues of frogs and other swamp-like critters. Their eyes are gems, but I can feel there's curses on them so I stayed well enough away.

Ah! When I entered the Frogbog there was a dagger that had caught flames suddenly nearby. I went to look at it and the wooden handle had turned to ash. I left the blade alone.

In the bog I passed a troll cave and heard someone singing from within but I don't know the language of trolls so left well enough alone.

I also successfully performed my first ballerina quartet with a perfect landing, leaping stone to stone across the bog, but had no audience to witness the grace. I think I just got lucky!

After that I came across a circle of hewn stones with strange runes carved into their faces. When I approached, I didn't feel anything was off, so dug around to see if there was anything of interest I could bring back to Mage Kemryn and get her opinion on. I found a purple crystal and when I held it up had somehow stepped myself into the center of the hewn stones and the runes lit up! The magic from the stones connected to the purple crystal, lit me up, and I was blinded for a moment. When I came to, the crystal was gone, but I felt I needed to get some heavy armor for myself.

On the way back home, I passed an oracle on the main road and she convinced me to spend one of my last spoons for a prophecy of my future: Upon the second day of the Summer of Flames, when the Dreadstaff is broken, the Palace of Vess shall be torn asunder.
I have no idea what it means, but she was nice enough to write it down for me. She also gave me a "Yummy Potion" that I know has a side effect to it, but I won't know until I drink it.

Today I learned:
Don't waste spoons on oracles.

On the Map: Through Hearthmire is a swamp I've called Frogbog. There's a troll cave within, as well as hidden circle of hewn stones with strange runes.