Along the wharfs and quays of Baldur's Gate Harbor, a hunched dwarf pays a visit to each of the dockside taverns. There, in the dark and smoky corners, Grum Grognazdiak, a not-yet-so-infamous burglar and illusionist mage, makes it well known among the circle of less scrupulous patrons that he seeks certain weapons:
First: A dwarven waraxe or handaxe that will enhance either his sneak attack prowess or increase the number of wizard spells he can memorize each day. An improvement to hide or move silent skills would be considered an added bonus and worth additional coin.
Second: A certain heavy crossbow crafted by the name of Longshot.
The dwarf advises would-be merchants or seller's agents to leave word with the barkeep at the Blushing Mermaid. All prices to be negotiated, with no questions asked by either side.
Guido the Barkeep delivers the note to an ale-splotched table in the darkest corner of the Mermaid. The gnarled dwarf behind the table reads the note, sighs, and sends Guido back with a counteroffer.
*A silver-bearded dwarf clad in rough, road stained garb enters the Blushing Mermaid loudly. He inhales deeply and scowls, muttering something crude about the establishment's name fitting the smell. He grumbles and stalks to the bar, climbs up on a stool and slaps his hands down repeatedly in rude fashion until the barkeep finds time. As the two converse the dwarf shakes his head several times before finally scribbling something on a parchment and storming out.*
There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter. - Ernest Hemingway The Fox's Bio Kellan Armstrong's Bio
After much negotiation, the dwarf reaches agreement with agent representing the unknown purveyor. A rare smile crosses his grim countenance as a fine crossbow is delivered to the Mermaid.
The dwarf Grum Grognazdiak makes it known that he is no longer in need of a crossbow, but still heartily desires an axe, dwarven or hand, to better enhance either spellcasting or stealth abilities.
