Nashkel

The party enters the mine, anxious mutterings from the crowd of workers fading away just like the morning's light.

[color="Purple"] Sheemish remains silent throughout most of the argument, shifting uncomfortably in his armor, eyes down, his own fists clenched. As all sides calm down Sheemish breathes out a sigh, unclenches his fists and adjusts the shoulder straps of his armor.

He speaks out loud but to himself or others it’s hard to tell.

"Alone . . Death . . Neither are funny, and neither should be together. he looks up at dieter "If you have true friends you won’t die alone. An old hero taught me that. He was strong, powerful, and massive. But He realized the best way to protect others was none of those things, but rather to be their friend., /color]"

The party leaves the mine behind and returns to Nashkel. Checking in at the Nashkel Inn, Stella learns that her friend Minsc (and his hamster) left town yesterday, grim-faced and armed for battle.

Aldous Silverhand and his guards are still taking rooms at the inn. Apparently the guard replacements from Beregost haven't arrived yet, and the current ones have no wish to travel further north. Except for Shar-Teel; the woman seems to have collected her pay and departed.

There is one notable new patron in the commonroom, a human man with a finely-styled beard and ornate red robes. A gold stud on his nose connects to a chain that runs along his cheek to attach to a similar stud in his ear. He speaks loudly with a thick, foreign accent that the party has never heard before, and makes no effort to hide the fact that he's a powerful mage and due everyone's respect - and obedience.

"(Time to converse with the locals...) Attention, partakers of this swill you call drink. If it is more you crave, I offer a JOB and PAYMENT. (Yes, pay attention, you simians.) GOLD! For any who will join me in this task. (For any who survive, at any rate. Hehehe...) If my words have sparked your curiosity, come and present yourselves to me! (Though they must stay at arm's length, the stinking baboons.)"