What is the Tribe of the Blade? For many of you, your images of us have been scarred and unreasonably harshened by the difficulties that surrounded us when we first arrived in Sanctuary. For others, you see us as merchants, peddling goods to you and dallying in the mercantile affairs of your city. What you have seen are mere fractions of a larger image, mere illusions of the true might and honor of the Blade Tribe.

Yes, we are traders. Yes, we are herders. Yes, we are travellers-wanderers in this great Underdark. We have been known to cause problems-yet we have never done so with malice, nor with the intent to harm others. The Underdark is a dangerous place-one that we have struggled to survive within for over a hundred years, as you, the people of Sanctuary, have. Danger has found us, as it has found you. Yet we have not fled from it, or abandoned our responsibilities, as you have not. The troubles that arose when we first arrived at Sanctuary have been resolved, and we faced them honorably. We ask that you, the people of Sanctuary, forgive us for these troubles, and look beyond them to our true nature, and what we may offer you.

Above all the rest, we are mercenaries-warriors of honor and skill, committed to fight for our Tribe, face immense challenge and danger, and provide for our Tribe by proving our worth and talent. This mercenary tradition predates our flight into the Underdark. It is what has allowed us to survive in these lightless lands, and it is what has sustained us in our wanderings through them. Some of you may find our ways and our customs harsh. They are not. They are the product of what we have endured for over a hundred years in these barren wastes, and we adhere to one tenet above all, that has never left us since our flight into the Underdark-to act honorably, and to behave towards others in an honorable fashion.

Now, we find ourselves alongside your city. Your city is a fractured place, riddled with conflict and surrounded by many dangers. We are mercenaries such as few of you have likely ever met. We are warriors of skill such as the likes of which the best among you would be proud to stand alongside. We have come to your city, open-handed, offering our services to you. Make your causes ours, if they be honorable. Permit us to fight alongside you, if you be righteous. Allow us to stand with Sanctuary, and we will not abandon you. All we ask in return is respect and payment for our services, as you collect so much coin to pay your Watch for the valiant efforts they make to safeguard your city.

We are mercenaries. Bring us contracts of battle, of skill, of testing, of honor, of glory, of riches, of righteousness. We will hear them, and if they be so, you shall find no truer ally to fight alongside you.