3rd Brahmarusday of High Spring, Second Age 1853: A troubling undercurrent of corruption and crime has taken root in Hithfaer, and while Isenara's web certainly encouraged some of these activities—through subtle maneuvers and networks—it cannot account for the full scope of this malaise. Other forces are at play, their motives obscured. Are they potential allies who share our vision, adversaries scheming against us, or merely opportunists exploiting the chaos? I’m compelled to study this web, to unravel its threads through careful observation and inquiry, perhaps over quiet conversations with those who see the city’s underbelly.
The discovery of an unsanctioned thief operating in our midst is disconcerting. Their audacity, acting without our knowledge, piques my curiosity—what drives them, and what do they know? I’ve endorsed Bahzel’s investigation, eager to learn the thief’s identity and purpose. Astarlan is tasked with monitoring three suspects, leveraging his connections across the city. If this thief proves valuable, I’d relish a discussion to gauge their potential; for now, I await the insights Astarlan’s network might yield.
We prepare to depart Hithfaer to address the dwarven threat in the mountains, where they seek to establish a fortified settlement. The army has moved ahead, and we’ll join them by sea, a route that offers time for reflection. The dwarves, having tasted rebellion, pose a risk we cannot ignore. Their fate—elimination or enslavement for sale—will be decided swiftly, but I find myself pondering the broader implications: what knowledge might they hold, they have dug the tunnels under Nyxthranis for some time after all, and could any among them be persuaded to share it? My mind lingers on these questions as we prepare to set sail.