Crusty is mightily pleased by the richness of the haul and the wealth of potential information that lies within the magic’d tomes. Your next three days are on the house and the viands and vintages are fine indeed. Surprisingly so, in fact given the relatively low-brow (no-brow) atmosphere that prevades this establishment.
In passing, your new-found patron mentions that this level of success will undoubtedly incure emnity and envy from all manner of rival factions and the attention of any and all free-lance and unassigned guild thieves.
He suggests that a contract be taken with the Beggar’s Guild to keep you informed as to any inquiries about the group. The contracts are month-to-month and differ in price based on how often you want updates: anything from hourly to monthly. By purchasing a contract you also ensure that you will not be discussed by said guild…smacks of extortion, but…when in Rome…
Crusty has made polite inquiries into the state of the northlands, since he has a few potential activities planned and he would like the services of a group intimately familiar with the area. In particular, a certain nameless wizard would be willing to pay gp250,000 to a group that can deliver a map of a route from Skullport to the cellars of a Waterdeep tavern. These names mean little to ole Crusty, but the sum means a lot.
He reports some news fragments gleaned about the state of the lands on the other side of the mountains:
Waterdeep was attacked by a small army of demons backed by a Nightmare riding Greenhag of immense power, aided by 4-10,000 foot soldiers and orcs.
Apparently the Archmage Kherun Blackstaff was called forth to deliver the city from the invaders. Assisted by several of the remaining lords of Waterdeep (some having fallen to the poisoned darts and draughts of a nameless killer), he succeeded in routing the foe and led a sally that reclaimed lands all the way to the edge of the Mere of the Dead.
The Moonshae Islands are blockaded by the pirate captains of Luskan, and Luskan has gone so far as to declare war on the city of Silverymoon. An invasion force was met by a hastily assembled dwarven strike force, but the pirates were aided by a foul magic that slew thousands of the brave defenders before the rest turned and fled. SIlverymoon is not yet under siege, but the fighting presses ever closer.
Apparently, hordes of trolls and ice trolls are rampaging out of the Spine of the World and joining in the slaughter. It is said that a particularly rich area of land near the mountains in the north has been seized/attacked by a white dragon and it has enslaved a town to build a lair. Riches certainly await those who would travel to slay the wurm. Crusty would be happy to investigate further and attempt to provide a map/directions.
Aside from these tidbits, much of the discussion involves names and organizations you have not met/experienced, and you are still having a bit of difficulty with the local argot, though you are starting to pick out certain expressions.
As the painted birds sing from the trees lining the slave markets, you sip your ‘Barnacle Blasters’ and enjoy this brief respite from sheer terror and life-threatening experiences…
…bet this won’t last long…
Fame is making me paranoid
I keep thinking people are staring at me
like i was a gaint gold piece
And these offers
Shit
do they think we are miracle workers?
ice trolls
dragons
demigods
and of coarse
Skullport
Fuck
won’t that place go away
but
this is the best offer yet
“so gents, what do you think is best?”
“please, not everyone at once.”
I see its business as usual
can’t agree
its going to be a long night.