From The Journal of Jacob Cayle

Well, alls well that ends well, or so they say. No one died, and it seems that the staff is in safe hands (or as safe as we can hope). This means I can reflect on recent events.

I really must make a point of summoning more rhinos in the future. Summoning monsters to do my fighting in general seems an excellent strategy, and I see the key is to know what to summon in what situation. I've relied too heavily on elementals, when I should be making more careful choices, since I can only summon one creature per day. Perhaps I should try summoning each of the creatures that I can summon on days when we take pause and are unlikely to need such for fighting purposes. This way, I can see what their various strengths and weaknesses are.

In other matters, we're heading off into the desert on another quest. One of these days, however, I really must investigate this "Valley Between Many Places" which we have visited a number of times now. How such a place was created, and why, are matters I would greatly like to know more about. And where else does it reach to? Perhaps it's purpose is one that may aid us? Could each exit place one near each of the fortresses that we seek? I could see a mage such as Chris making great use of such a valley. Teleport, as I understand it, can only cover a distance of around 1000 miles, generally. And these fortresses may be many thousands of miles apart. But if they are all within 1000 miles of an exit from the valley, one could travel between all of them within a day and using only two uses of the spell.

While that may not be the exact purpose of the valley, I'm sure that it's exits are not placed haphazardly. Whoever (or whomever) created it, it required a lot of time and energy to create. And I'm sure the various exits and entrances are placed for a reason. Although I must also consider, based on the differences between the two tunnels I have used thus far to enter or exit the valley, that the valley may be the work of a great many entities. Perhaps whenever a wizard of enough power want's access to an easy method of travel, they simply create their own entrance to the valley.

Hypothesis aside, once I get a chance, I will have to take some time to do some serious investigation of the valley (I must make note to get some Roc repellent. Like a necklace of fireball spells). I will no doubt have to take my leave of the paladins, but perhaps it's for the best. I don't entirely like or trust their ways. Far quicker to violence than I like. And that's saying something when it bothers me.