Hugh De Vildegard

[Squire]

I have finally arrived. The journey was long and uncomfortable - the forecastle of a caravel is not my idea of comfort but I had to get out of Waterdeep as quickly as possible, and this was the best way to avoid drawing attention to myself. It's remarkable how quickly everyone can turn against you; one moment you're a highly respected and notorious duellist, with a reputation in the highest standing among the upper classes. Suddenly, one finds oneself in a duel with someone who, after the first pass, claims to be a distant cousin of someone important, and the next thing you know everyone despises you and is threatening to have you hung for "conducting illegal duels in the city" (the same illegal duels that many of them conducted on earlier occasions). It was a perfectly legitimate duel: I simply remarked (in a somewhat humorously phrased manner) on the fact that his doublet wasn't fastened in the proper manner, he demanded the right to satisfaction. We arranged it in the usual way, bribed a few Watchmen to not be there at the time, both acquired seconds, agreed the rules of engagement etc. Apparently he'd never duelled before and wasn't told about the part where he'd get hurt.

Anyway this is far enough, I think. I don't suppose I'll ever be able to return to Waterdeep - at least not for a long time. Trouble is, most of my coin was tied up in stocks, which I can no longer recover, which leaves me practically penniless. I suppose I'll have to enter the job-market. Maybe there's a place for me among the adventuring community, though I'm not sure of what use I'll be to all the armoured fighters, mailed clerics and spellcasters. Only time will tell I suppose. Needs must, as they say, and right now I must survive.

[Squire]

Things are going better than I could have hoped!

I managed to find some small work around the city, locating a few crew members of one of the ships - the Captain paid me quite well for that apparently simple task.

But more importantly, it seems I might be able to rekindle my old interest in my first love! I found out that the Performer's Guild was hiring, so I arranged a meeting with their leader; a fine young lady by the name of Selis Vhaire. She's planning a grand opening event, and I intend to be there, one way or another. Oh how my father would scream if he learnt that I'd abandoned the accountant's trade and turned to music instead. He'd probably take his own life, and then turn in his grave.

I spent the night before that outside the city, sat around a campfire, playing a few songs with a man called Gareut, and an unusual (and by 'unusual' I mean 'utterly dire') song by some woman whose name I didn't quite learn - after hearing one of the most hilarious jokes in the world; Maltz, the weaponsmith, wanted me to walk all the way to Beregost to bring him a shipment! Good one; a pretty jest I must say. Sure Maltz, I'll just walk half way across the Sword Coast, through all the wolves, goblins, and Wyvernspur only knows what else, to bring you a few goods that will be dispatched on an escorted caravan soon enough anyway. Yeah. Whatever you say. Though rumour has it he's offering a thousand crowns to the one who makes that journey - for an arms dealer, he's really not a very good businessman! I dread to think of what his P&L looks like.

I also met some very odd types around here, including a man whose hair was on fire! When stories speak of one with 'flaming hair', somehow I doubt that was what they had in mind.

Anyway, at least I now have somewhere to stay, should I ever find myself short of coin; who knows, I might even end up living at the theatre - literally! (oh I do pride myself on my wit sometimes)

[Squire]

I'm doing well! it's been a week now, and no duels! Probably a good thing, since some of these people don't look like gentlemanly types, and a duel with them could prove fatal.

This place looks like it could be interesting. I've heard talk of necromancers and such things. More than I bargained for, no doubt. We joked that if I'd have known sooner, I might have fled before our first performance, but I fear there may be some truth in that. Best thing now is to keep a low profile, keep up the Foppish Dandy image and make sure I'm not a threat to anyone. As soon as I pick a side, things will get interesting, I'm sure.

I'm going to try and write some music while things are quiet - it's difficult. I can't get that damn Balor song out of my head!

[Squire]

So far so good. Plans for the opening of the theatre are underway. It's going to be grand, I just know it!

I've had the chance to meet some of the other members too. Selis and Gareut I already knew. There was also a woman called Joan, an elven woman whose name escapes me (but it's something long and complicated with very few vowels), a man called Solus and a pretty young foreigner called Valqis with a very interesting accent.

Selis is a fair, most charming young lady, I must say. I could tell from the moment I met her that we were going to be friends. And Gareut defies the theory that "nothing good ever came out of Luskan" (mental note: do NOT say that to his face!!).

I decided to make that delivery to Beregost after all...I can see why he's paying so much! 'Tis a most dangerous road. But surely hiring a merchant caravan with escorts will cost less than paying 1000 crowns to one adventurer? Ah, Baldur's Gate...you continue to defy the law of economics. Ye gods, I really need to stop thinking like an accountant!