26th of Uktar 1373 DR [The text is more or less scribbled onto the paper in a sloppy cursive, indicating a shaky hand] I must find the painting... I must get out of this place...

If I return without the painting, they'll kill me for sure. If I can find the painting, however, I can return, and prosper as the youngest and richest noble of Waterdeep. Not to mention they'll finally have the proof they need to put Ashmore out for good. What I don't understand though, is the chain of events how it all went down - I wake up, I chase, I fall, I sleep, I wake up again, in the streets of this strange rat-ridden place, and it all felt as if it happened in a matter of minutes.

I met another surface noble yesterday, by the name of Lord Dolorin Drake. He's a Sembian. It was at least somewhat comforting to know that I'm not the only one of my kind in this place. I felt my heart drop like a rock though when he informed me we're 5 miles or more below the surface - and finding a way out is near impossible. Perhaps he's just scared to face the risks that plague these dark tunnels? All I know for certain, is that impossible is nothing, and I can get out of this place when it comes time.

First priority, however - is to find that blasted painting. I can't return without it. Delorin informed me of a group called the Seekers, and he took me to see their paintings. My painting was nowhere to be found, but I'm not eliminating the possibility quite yet that the painting is somewhere to be found in their back-rooms. Perhaps if I join them, I can steal the painting, along with any information they carry pointing towards the surface.

That's later down, however- My first priority is to check a lead Delorin mentioned in the sewers. Says there's some kind of exotic item merchant down there living in some "Sewer City" (strange, no?) who might have an idea of where my painting can be found. I wouldn't dare trudge through any sewers though, considering how dirty the streets are by themselves - I'm sure it's child's play compared to the filth and grime down there. I'll have to send some of those "adventurers" to talk to the fellow for me, but before that, I have to earn some gold to be able to pay them for their efforts.

This whole concept of "earning" gold is completely new to me- I responded to a couple notices posted regarding the need for an informant of sorts. Considering my abilities, I'm sure they'll have a fond need of my gift. Let's just hope they pay handsomely enough to keep me happy.

[At the bottom of the entry is a detailed scetch of a man in a hood and armor stabbing another man in the street with a glowing dagger. On the shoulder of the attacker, rests an emblem of a serpent, an emblem on the victims chest-plate revealing the insignia of the Waterdeep City Guard]