Manlius's Memoirs: After Venom's Reach

This group of mercenaries that Quevvry insists upon employing is very strange. I don't think that a person would be incorrect if they assumed that every person within this group was doomed and commanded very little respect, yet their competence in their craft is unrivaled. Quevvyr, being a man who is used to hiding his own power must have seen their abilities where I did not. The horny one for example despite being a jester is not a laughing matter when it comes to his collection of spell. Though his abilities have not reached my heights, and he may never understand the schools lost to time, his collection is expansive. He was unappreciative of my gifts, probably because he did not understand them.
 
The days before and during the travel to Ched-Nassad was filled with negotiations on behalf of Quevvyr. The Godly man Solin, strayed from Amonator's teachings by requesting 10,000 gold or two arbitrary magical items. The latter deal was struck though we will see how the rewards are distributed. To protect artifacts integral to the heritage and cohesion of the drow population Quevvyr reserves two vetoes. The fury one was unspecific and just wanted a 'future favor'. I disliked including it for her own sake. Both because it means that the contract is in effect until she exits or that I may deem any request from her as the fulfillment of the contract. This is however not the spirit of the agreement and definitely not the intention of Quevvyr, so I will not exploit this. The horny one was given time with the archmage's spell-book to copy some spells from it. Hopefully he will not get grease on it. This is preferable to his first request, the assassination of some bigwig in Loudwater named Thelman Stormwind and a threat on some wizard. Although I could care less what happens to some heretic or the mental well being of a wizard, if Ched-Nassad was to ever rise, it would be best if it was not immediately at war with it's nearest surface nation.
 
In keeping with the theme of negotiations, the halfling's self-worth is delusional. Workers' Rights? I've never heard such a ridiculous thing. They deny the fundamental law of nature; that the strong, empowered and chosen by Our Lord Amaunator are meant to lead to prosperity. Do we not provide them with food, shelter, water, and protection from war and chattel slavery? How ungrateful! Did we not enter into lawful contract, an agreement to uphold these tenants? Their arguments may move the horny one, and to a lesser extent Knack since they are compelled to profit. They have to defend their profits and since the halfling's labor is skilled and their interests (as a class) are unified, Amon and Knack have conceded in some sense that their work has value. I however am unmoved. Defending profits is only secondary to defending a prosperous fiefdom and the exercise of direct power.
They want human rights yet are halflings, curious.
 
At last their is one more contract of discussion. Knack entered into a contract the adherent to the true illumination religion about the purification of food. I gave some passing advice during the drafting that knack should expect some means of leaving the contract. This was done by limiting the number of refusals of responsibility. That is to say that Solin is able to deny the request at any time no more than twice. Unknown to me this Solin was blessed by Amaunator more that I had thought as he is able to cast it more than any paladin or cleric I have ever met, though he must do so as a ritual. Knack now would like to exit the contract. We shall see how the litigation continues.