Well, I've only been here for a few days. But so far, my stay has been pleasant. Most members seem well mannered.

And there's quite a few courtship stories running around, which is expected... physical proximity brings emotional closeness.

Lord Thrax is a dapper man. Although I suspect he hides more than what he's letting us know. His presence feels almost... supernatural.

As for the adventures, I've signed up to quite a few, but to no avail so far. Apparently the work is slow in this season. We shall hope this will get better soon.

The State of the Syndicate - June 2026

Kythorn 1502 DR

Tova

I have not been with the Syndicate long, but I have already found more trouble, kindness, bruises, and beautiful distractions than I expected.

The Syndicate remains lively, humid, loud, occasionally dangerous, and full of people far more interesting than is probably wise. I have met more faces this month: Theoden, with his red and gold and very honest appetite for reputation; Surx, who may or may not know what they are looking for when they stare; Zaerius, still courteous and theatrical with his three-eyed raven; Sylk, who slips away from crowds but offers lavender lights in the dark; and of course Dahlia and Fenris, both of whom have already become difficult not to like.

I also visited Na’ima’s club in Loudwater, Club Gadagadaahat, after Arlis was kind enough to bring me there. I had been told it was worth seeing, and for once, rumor did not oversell the truth. Music, mirrors, drinks, dancing, good company, and a hostess with tattoos as lovely as her smile. Na’ima is confident, generous, and very easy to admire. Her ink is beautiful, her hospitality warm, and her bed far better than anything I have slept in lately. Breakfast the next morning was no small kindness either. I am beginning to understand that comfort can be dangerous in its own way. It makes a person want to come back.

There was also a great deal of talk about the Feywild after my recent encounter with green hags. I will say this carefully: I learned not to assume that beauty, sweetness, or a soft voice means safety, but I also learned not to paint every creature with the same bloody brush. Annabelle tried to save me. She was honest in the moment that mattered, even if the truth of what she was nearly stopped my heart. Her sister, however, was another matter entirely. Yikes feels too small a word, but it will do for now.

One evening, Sylk left the feast hall. I assumed the room may have become too crowded, so I followed after a while to make sure he was well. He made soft lavender lights for me in the dark, which I appreciated more than I said at first. We spoke at length about magic, home, family, and the Weave. I tried to explain that, for me, magic does not always feel like calling on something distant. It feels like holding a storm behind my ribs and deciding where the lightning is allowed to go. He understood more than I expected. Or at least, he listened beautifully. That is sometimes rarer.

Dahlia, Fenris, and I also played a drinking game called Not Upon My Legend, which is exactly as dangerous as it sounds when played with whiskey and hard cider. Fenris made a dramatic toast to the parents who abandoned him to a river, Dahlia briefly began speaking in a language neither Fenris nor I understood, and I somehow defeated both of them in an arm-wrestling contest. I do not know where that strength came from. I suspect confidence, alcohol, and divine comedy. I also apparently declared Fenris my wingman, which still seems like a sound tactical decision.

Training has become important to me.

Fenris has beaten me in the sparring ring more than once, and I am grateful for it. He is enormous, kind, difficult to put down, and annoyingly capable of undoing every wound I manage to give him. Each spar has taught me something. Distance matters. Control matters. Running out of magic is not an abstract concern when someone built like a wall decides to cross the ring.

Then I sparred Vincel.

The first fight was over almost before it began. They caught me in a spell that locked my body in place, then cut me down before I could break free. I woke with the very clear understanding that being helpless in a fight is a lesson I do not care to repeat.

So, I tried again.

The second time, when that same paralysis began to close around me, something in me pushed back. I broke through it. I drew deeper into the spellfire than I have before and forced it into something precise. Not just power. Not just a flare of blue-white radiance thrown in anger or panic. Control. Aim. A strike shaped exactly where I wanted it to go, even while I was exhausted and nearly out of strength.

I still lost blood, breath, and pride in some places. But I gained something sharper.

Fenris healed me afterward, gently and without presuming. I thanked him before, but I will say it again here: that sort of kindness matters. Especially when it comes without demand.

I have also begun to understand what I need to learn next. I have plenty of ways to burn. I need more ways to survive when I am out of spells, cornered, hunted, or caught off guard. More ways to escape. More ways to misdirect. More ways to keep myself and the people beside me from being trapped, cut down, or killed before I can act. Recent events have made that painfully clear.

So, this month I have learned:

• The Syndicate is full of beautiful trouble.
• Hags are complicated. Some are dangerous. Some may still try to save you. Some sisters, however, should be avoided at speed.
• Never underestimate a quiet person with dancing lights.
• Fenris is an excellent healer, a terrible drunk, and a very good person to have in your corner.
• Dahlia is dangerous in at least three languages.
• Na’ima makes a very good omelette and runs an even better club.
• Arlis knows where to find the interesting people.
• Surx is curious, and I am curious about the curiosity.
• Theoden has an ego, but at least he is honest about wanting to use it for good.
• Vincel is terrifyingly effective.
• I need more ways to survive than simply hitting harder.
• My spellfire is growing, and I am beginning to control it with more precision.

I do not yet know what that means.

But I intend to find out.

• Tova

HEY THERE PEOPLE! I DIED!

3 Kythorn, 1502 DR

Well, the Syndicate remains much the same as usual, though there have been some concerning developments.

Orlak is still around and clearly planning something. He has managed to gather a vast amount of power in a very short time and now has several powerful devils on his side.

The region around Parnast seems to be getting more chaotic as well. I don't particularly like the town, but at the same time, I fear they might be in danger.

Other than that, the Syndicate seems "normal." The area around it is perhaps a bit less dangerous, or at least I haven't heard anything that would make me think otherwise.

There has also been a steady stream of new arrivals. I may not have met them all, but the ones I have seem capable enough.

The New Ones I've Met

Theoden Brightshield — Human
I don't really know how to describe him. I guess... Yashir 2.0? For now.

Zaerius Morggoth — Shadar-kai
I assume he's a Raven Queen zealot.

Tova Sundara — Human
????????????????????????

Other than that, the rest of the Syndicate gang seems to be the same as always.

I'll update this as the month goes by.

— Surx

After joining the Glassfang Syndicate in search of work and lodging, and being welcomed by a rather strange receptionist who ate my membership paperwork after I signed it, I quickly found myself involved in a series of unusual assignments. A mix-up sent me, Balasar, Desky, Sylk, and Forvist to the Midwinter Festival in Port Nyanzaru, where we uncovered the truth behind an earth elemental named Sleb stealing supplies to care for a weakened fire snake and ultimately resolved the situation peacefully. Shortly afterward, I joined Tapioca, Onics, Kyani, and Forvist on an expedition into the Greypeak Mountains to recover two hidden caches, dealing with giant badgers, ancient riddles, kobolds, and fire-spawning magmins along the way. Most recently, a vague plea to rescue a princess from a red dragon led Vernan, Tova, Theoden, and me into a dormant volcano, where we fought through kobold servants, slew a red dragon wyrmling, and discovered that the kidnapped "Princess" was actually a goat, whom we safely returned home. In only a short time with the Syndicate, I have helped settle a dispute between elementals, explored forgotten ruins, recovered lost treasure, and can now truthfully claim that I have saved a princess from a dragon, even if the princess happened to have four legs and a taste for grass.

Ivor

As this new month begins, I find myself richer than usual.

I will use this newly found luxury to employ someone skilled to craft me some magic items

The State of the Syndicate

17 Kythorn, 1502 DR

I will use this as an opportunity to summarize my time within the Glassfang Syndicate, as I have yet to complete one of these logs.

I arrived approximately the 20th of Tarsakh, a couple months prior. I came from the lands of the Underdark, seeking mercenary work and to better myself as a warrior. And I have discovered so much more about myself than I imagined.

My first mission, five days after my arrival, took me through the labyrinth of the Blue Alley in Waterdeep. My second, I rescued the captive wildlife of a dragon at the behest of a druid-turned-canine. Then, I assisted in helping a basilisk leave the sparring grounds. I've hunted the eyes of abberations in the Dire Woods. I've explored a wizard's home to rescue a rival's familiar. I assisted in solving a murder case in Baldur's Gate. I attended a lively festival in Chult. I convinced some kobolds to leave our workshop alone. I've helped best yetis holding prisoners of innocents. I took on demons, saved children from hags, and protected most of Loudwater from the wrath of a carnival gone wrong.

In this time, I've also made quite a few friends of sorts. Mimsy and Fenris' support has kept me alive. Vincel and Surx are masters in spars. There's Vindal, and Arlis, and Salviron, and of course, there's Tova. All incredible mercenaries, all under Thrax's leadership, and the guidance of the kobolds.

I may have much to learn regarding the surface of Toril and its denizens. But I can say I have learned more in two months than in the last ten years. I will continue to grow and be the young man my family would have wanted to see. All thanks to the work and opportunities we have here.

-Sylkran (Sylk) Teke'zynge

This month for me has been spent in Loudwater for most of the time. It was quiet and full of earning coin and crafting in all honesty. I don't know much of what's happened at the Syndicate in all honesty. Loudwater was full of crazy things as per usual--a carnival included. I will not be going back to any carnivals if they're all like what we experienced. Oh right. Arlie's got a not-boyfriend. He doesn't call him that but it very well may end up that way. But good for him. Solia and Yashir got together and apparently Shev and Bri broke up.

Apparently, the Syndicate is a telenova.

State of the Syndicate: Kythorn 1502

It has been quite a month.

Official Syndicate jobs remain sparse, for me at least. It has been frustrating, in a certain sense, to watch the newer members sallying forth each day and not being able to help them. I fear my skills and instincts languish from disuse.

Unofficially, however, things have been much busier. No sooner did I complete a renovation of Shining Peaks than it was attacked by mercenaries sent by Optometry. Much to my own surprise, I was able to renegotiate their loyalty in my favor, and they have proven remarkably loyal and steadfast. Together we moved on a location intended to give us information on Optometry's sky castle, but it was a trap. We have a new line of attack, however. A local dragon has provided us information instead.

In the interim, much to my even greater astonishment, the relationship between Solia and myself has... developed. It has become a relationship indeed. These two things -- relationship and new hirelings -- have complicated one another in ways I do not care to describe here or anywhere.

All of this pales in comparison to Solia's own complications. She simply vanished for five days. Half the Syndicate turned out to search for her, and then she turned up as suddenly as she had gone, in the den of a malevolent dragon, wounded and half dead, with a fantastical tale of Fey prisons and monsters and paths and gatekeepers. I have not yet begun to comprehend... any of it, really. She is returned to me. That is all that matters. Well, not all. But it matters most.

The future is uncertain. Optometry still lives. The hunt for Orlak continues. In many ways, progress seems to have stagnated. But I am undeterred. The Syndicate is growing, new members signing on nearly every day. My confidence grows alongside it that we can face any and all of these threats, together.

-- Yashir adh Rumahr

Arlis the Shade

June 2026 (Kythorn 1502DR)

There's been a bit that's happened lately... Some of it's been real personal so I'm just gonna skip over most of that.

First of all, found out I really fuckin' hate the circus. We were hired by a guy who had a crew of bugbears and had a bunch of animals locked up in cages that were starved and abused. Fuckin' awful. The bugbears had a scheme goin' on where they were druggin' people and lockin' em up in cages. Probably gonna traffic 'em. We tried to stop 'em, but there were a lot of civilian deaths that we couldn't prevent. It was... a real bad day for me.

Then we were sent to a world beyond the stars to talk to a girl about her missing girlfriend. She asked us to find out what happened to her, and we went to find that the girlfriend was the princess of some astral elves. They were bein' harassed but some shitty space clowns, but we took care of some of 'em. Found that there was a bigger plot to sacrifice the astral elves to the void for a ritual and we managed to stop that. Got to join in on partying too. Dressed up an' everything.

Another job, we were hired by the blue dragon I'd seen in a vision. Apparently we're allied with 'em now?? He wanted us to clear out an area in the Nether Mountains. Fought a bunch a nasty poisonous creatures and killed some dragon-not-dragon things. We did what we were tasked to, but I wasn't happy with it...

Unrelated to jobs... we celebrated the Summer Solstice at Na'ima's club. It was the first Summer Solstice I had since leaving the Lathander Monastery... it... turned out a lot better than I expected.

Solia had gone missing at some point.. fell through some kind of doorway that she summoned from her... eye? Not quite clear on that. But... I feel like whatever happened to her... it's not over... and we should be on guard for the future. We need to make sure she's safe.

Sargrea Maze

June 2026 (Kythorn 1502DR)

I have only been a part of the Syndicate for a couple days now. I must say that the level of friendliness and generosity among these mercenaries has been jarring to the best degree. It seems that I may have an easier time here than I originally anticipated. I must see if there is a temple dedicated to my faith nearby, or if prayers openly will be welcomed. I have had no controversy as of yet, which brings me peace. Let us hope it remains that way.

Until next time,

𝔖𝔞𝔯𝔤𝔯𝔢𝔞 𝔐𝔞𝔷𝔢

State of The Syndicate

Kythorn 1502 DR

Exactly two weeks ago, I have joined the ranks of the Syndicate, though I almost joined staff rather than the mercenaries. Thankfully, Trax is a very pleasant man who understood the misunderstanding. Since then, I have undertaken two jobs, both more ridiculous than anybody could ever conjure up. First was a venture into space to prevent the annihilation of an entire planet of prideful astral elves by a group of void worshippers. I regret not spending longer admiring the stars. Second was the investigation of illegal doings prior to and during a cheese competition, including a cheese beholder. I've also had some happenings on the road, including a regrettable dog-like-person encounter, two crazy men with axes ambushing me, and a wagon full of apples breaking down and needing repairs and horse control,

So far, I've learned much, though I've also discovered many questions about myself and the world. I've learned to catch a punch and to more efficiently deliver my own. I've learned to put more booming in my words to sound more convincing. I've learned to breathe ice, to let it flow through my fingertips, and to throw it from afar. And I've learned some valuable lessons, to prioritize my survival over a target's demise, to hone my mind as much as my body, and that the world is more dangerous beyond city gates than I could ever have expected. But despite this, I still question where this draconic power comes from, who or what it may be connected to, as well as what my place in this world is. Maybe I'll uncover my grand ambitions in the following month. Maybe.

But enough about me. The Syndicate is a team, isn't it? I'd like to extend my deepest gratitude to those who have helped me learn, or who I simply got to share some words with.

• Teromen and Fetch, for helping me not get eaten alive by dogs and for being very pleasant to talk to.
• Surk, for giving me the opportunity to put my talents and talons to use, and the free coin for it.
• Vince, for the tips regarding what I should train and focus on, and the occasional spar, though bitter.
• Rehka and Wilson, fellow kobold, for help with the cart, the rides on Wilson, and the potential... flight partnership.
• Torva and Slick, for being amazing first impressions of the Syndicate's members, and being so welcoming and nice.
• Missy, for that night out talking about so many things under the rain, and the tunes.
• Basar, for showing me how draconic breaths function. I had a feeling I could do it, and you proved me right.
• Juice, for getting beat up.
• And you, for reading this note I've left. I do hope your eyes don't hurt from it being so small. Barely anyone knows I can write so properly. How do you even mention it to people? Hello, look at this calligraphy I've done? Hi, take a look at my poems? Bullshit.

So much has happened in so little time for me. I'm thankful for being here, for having somewhere safe I can say. I'm happy I was able to call it home so quickly.

Here's to hopefully many more months,

Snap

It is no surprise that this past month has been the most explosive when it comes to my growth and exponential when it came to my potential. I spent almost every day sparring, as I intend to continue to do so, but that was not all. I built my home. A bastion of my own, I no longer am forced to spend my days and evenings in the Barracks. Do I intend to return every day to utilize the facilities? Absolutely; that Sparring Ring is far to special to practice with another anywhere else.

Despite the fact that I do have a training grounds on my own property, I would never subject another to the potential of death under my blade. That would do no one any good. Perhaps I will look into getting the same wards placed on my home, though, I do not know where to begin for such abjuration.

I have garnered a reputation with some Syndicate members due to my relentless sparring habits. It is not unfounded, of course, but I do find the development to be most puzzling. Not everyone views such practice as intensely as I do, which is their own shortcoming, and this has lead to a number of disagreements at their conclusions. But, I can only hope that they take something from the encounter, rather than resorting to the fallacies of emotion. Loss and failure are great teachers, too, as necessity is the mother of invention.

As I progress, my knowledge of magic expounds to the almost unheard of. I can create more than I ever dreamed, and hope to heighten this growth into the next echelon. Until next month, where I intend to reach the rank of Master.

After my first mission, I had gotten really ill and sadly was unable to continue any missions. Although I did get to meet a ton of new people within my time in the syndicate so far and made a few allies. I believe that this is a promising step in my future plans, and plan to make myself far more powerful than I am as of now...