I have a question about the logistics of marking a dot on the puzzles like Dotted Chained Block, where a pre-given clue shaded in black might need a dot.

How can I indicate this in my booklet?

You may either mark it in the pre-given shaded clue or may also leave it blank for the pre-given shaded clues. Full points will be awarded as long as the shaded solution and the dots in all the non-given cells are correct.

Can the person travelling to Exile bring notes with them to Exile? I'm assuming the answer is no because they could just copy all the puzzles and bring them. I just want to make sure this is clear in the rules.

The competitor travelling from Capital to Forest (and back from Forest to Capital) can only carry stationary required for solving. No other items or sheets or any other written information can be carried. While returning back from Forest to Capital, the Transfer Grid will need to be carried and submitted.

We will clarify this during Q&A.