Business Log. Day 1.

Is having explored lots now, is thinking is having enough places to be opening up business. Is meeting two mammals ... one is big, one is small. Is give one guiding to Portal to Surface but he is think it is being trick. Is okay, he pays anyway. Then he is show to place that is being kobold camp. Is good.

Is thinking how to be setting prices now. Places to be taking people is being dead thing place, curio shop, Bunge camp, Portal to Surface, eyeball tunnels, lightning place, and maybe to see lizard bones.

Is thinking these is being good prices:

Portal to Surface is 5 gold. Bunge Camp is 20, is being long ways. Dead thing place is 20, is being scary. Eyeball tunnels is cost 1 gold only. They is tasty. Lightning place is cost 10, is scary too. Lizard bones is not far, is only cost 5 gold. Curio Shop is being interesting place, is cost 10.

Those is being places Kaz can be taking people if they is pay. Maybe is being more he finds some time.

Is having had first two customers today, and is getting gold from both of them. One is being gnome, so is charge extra to be putting up with smell. Is get lots coins for guidings, but is not being anyone wants go hunting yet. Business account is now up to 12 gold. Expenses is being 48 for swords. Is leave little ways to go before is have profit.

Is having first close call with human today. He is pull out sword and start counting, and Kaz is pretty sure he is know what that is meaning. Is okay, though, because while he is busy counting, Kaz and other kobold runs away and hides. Is being rule one of good business plan: not lets youself get killed.

Speaking of business plan, was thinking of not letting gnomes be getting services ever, but when is talk to one little while ago, is change mind. They is not smell that bad, and is easy to be charging them extra, since they is not know better. Is better than goblins even, is thinking. Ran into goblin just after started business, and all it say is that it thinks if it cuts off Kaz's head, is being able to get 500 gold. Kaz is knowing he values his head lots more than that. Is being part of rule one, after all. Keeps head, is easier stay alive. Stay alive, business is only get better.

Is almost forget to be writing that is having wrangled first lizard today, and is figure out trick. They is have lots legs, lots more than Kaz, anyway. Is easy they gets tangled up and then you is just have to bop them on nose and yell at them a little. Is make them listen right up. If they is start growling again, tells them you is put yous claw in their eyes. That is make them listen lots good.

Was hoping to be learning more about lizards by keeping this one, but then is see big machines beating up rats, and when they is start looking at Kaz, is decide is okay business expenditure sacrificing lizard so they is not kill me. Is loss to company, but is maybe worth it. Can be finding new lizard, but is being only one master tracker, guider, and killer.

Is having learned important new thing about guiding and tracking in Underdark: you is see mushroom, is good idea stay away.

In thing that is being not related to that, is having found new place people maybe is want get guided to. Is having lots of Dwarfs who is being all gray and mean-looking. Is probably not spend lots time here unless is having group to be guiding to place.

Day 2.

Is not being long since Kaz opened business, so maybe is hope it still gets bigger. Is not have any jobs yet today. Is thinking is having discovered Rule Two of running good tracking and guiding and killing business, though: location is being important! Was trying to find customers in inn on top of kobold tunnels, and man with bad manners tells mean joke about kobolds dying. Not thinks it is very funny. Is good thing there was being halfling there who says he is not think it is funny either. Man tells us both get lost, and then halfling is think we should be killing man. I think was good idea, but not is having planned ahead enough; for a good kill you need to stake out target long time, and maybe use tricks. So is find way to kill him later. Now is get back to planning business.

Is thinking is having good idea about where better location is being. Is go to Lord Bunge's camp! If man who took Kaz there was knowing about it and was buying things there, is good chance is being better place to find customers than inn, and probably not has to hear as many bad jokes there, either. Is planning to talk to Bunge, tell him rules Kaz is learning about running profitable business in Underdark.

On another note, is needing to set prices for how much animals is cost. Is definitely cost more if is bring them in live, and big ones is need have big price.

Is thinking small lizards is cost 20 gold to hunt. Those is being ones with lots legs. Big ones is maybe cost 200, and only is hunt if is having big, big group.

Rothe is easy kill, is only cost 5 gold. Is give some of meat to guide for helping.

Now is thinking is needing big high profile event to be kicking off business ...

Is having new thing that is learning today. Is learn why everything tries to eat kobolds! We is taste good! Was never knowing before, but there is being kobold named Keeyizin who asks for help getting rat back from other kobolds for man in city. Well, these other kobolds is being really hungry, and is think we is food. They is cut up Keeyizin and is almost get Kaz too. Is being first time Kaz is ever have to kill other kobolds. And was finding out it not is as bad as tribe elders say is being. They is have coins that Kaz is keep. And Kaz is take tiny taste of Keeyizin ... is taste better than was thinking. Still is not as good as gnome, but maybe not bad to eat every once in a while.

Day 3.

Location change is good. Not is having gotten contract with Lord Bunge yet, but is easy to be telling already that if is stay up here, is get customers lots more often than was getting them in Chudax's tunnels. Is bring more business to Bunge, too, so is win-win for us both. Is already having talked to three people from Sanctuary, and is almost get job with two of them. Third one is say he wants guide, but is not have enough money.

Is also have chance that female one is tell city about Kaz's business so they is let him in. Other idea they is bring up is ask Shadow Tribe for membership. Is having heard of Shadow Tribe before, maybe is find their city some time in travels, and then is ask if can be member. If is make it easier do business, is something Kaz wants to do.

Still is not having price sheet made up, but is figure it out soon. Would be good to have when is talking to people who is maybe be customers. Is have to be sure is including mention of special discount for groups. That way is guaranteed get more customers.

Day 4.

Is have first big hunt today. First is find customer in Pissing Crone Inn who is say he not really needs guide, but would accept help killing goblins. Is not what Kaz had in mind when started business, but is really hate goblins, so is not mind so much helping with that. Is lucky, though, because there is two other humans who help kill goblins, and when i finished, Kaz tells them he is hunting guide. They ask what kind of things Kaz helps people hunt, and Kaz is tell them. They is not seem interested in hunting rothe and lizards and cats, so Kaz is decide he might as well tell them of special deal he likes to keep secret. Is gnome hunt! Best of all things to hunt. They is seem interested in that, so Kaz gives them special deal and leads them to place in mines where he knows there is lots of gnomes to find. Is best hunt Kaz has yet! We kills lots of gnomes and moles, and is even get to kill another goblin on the way. When hunt is being done, humans is say they had so much fun they gives Kaz a tip. Is good, because Kaz saw them take lots of stuff from the gnomes, and is feel like he maybe is not charge enough for this hunt. But tips is being a good idea. Makes more off them than is make on starting price for guidings.

Is still thinking about what one lady said, that maybe is get more customers if is being Shadow Tribe and is able to go into city. First is have to find thems place, though. Maybe is time to do some explorings.

Is almost break rule one today. Twice! Is being very stupid both times. First is when Kaz sees Dwarfs in kobold tunnels. Is think because they is being in kobold tunnels, they is not mind kobolds so much, but is being wrong! They is say they was looking to kill a rat anyway, but kobold is being like scaly rat. Is not take smart trap-making kobold to know that is not being good news for Kaz. Is lucky for him they not has very good eyes. Kaz loses them in the dark. Is need to remember to be more selective in clients that Kaz is approach.

Second time is being when Kaz is hurrying too much. Is see other kobold fighting oozey-looking thing, and for long time looks like kobold is winning, but then he is fall down and the ooze is just slide right over top of him. Is make screams for little while, sounds like is hurt pretty bad. Kaz thinks it is good opportunity for him to run past ooze while it is distracted eating other kobold, but then about same time screaming is stop, Kaz is look down and is see that ooze is having glopped onto his foot. And it burns! Kaz cuts it off--ooze, not foot--and he runs like he never run before. Then there is spider that grabs Kaz because he is being so scared he is forget to watch where he is going. Is lucky thing beetle gets caught in web same time as Kaz. Spider decides beetle is look tastier, so Kaz has time to cut himself free. He not even cares how much hide drinks is costing, is figure this is good time to use one. So he is use, and then he is run. Is run all the way to camp of Lord Bunge.

Is new rule for when Kaz is walking in wild places: is need to make sure he is watch his step.

Is new place to guide people to. Is called Blue Mushroom. Is thinking they is call it that because is being full of mushrooms, and they is blue.

Day 7 (Or 8, Kaz not remembers)

Business is being slow lately. Expenses is almost being too much for what is making. But is good news! Money maybe is coming in soon, since woman in Pissing Crone Inn is talk to Kaz about getting animals. Is not know how many she wants, but we talks for little while and works out good prices. Is just hope she is have coins to pay, because is going to be lot of trouble bringing so many lizards through streets. Kaz is have to think about way he maybe can be sneaking them through tunnels, but then is whole different problem of how to push big lizard up ladder. Is maybe just get enough lizards that people is leave Kaz alone when he is bring them through streets. Lizards is big after all, lots bigger than humans. Nobody wants to get close to big lizards.

Is have to think about this more, and is still need to get list of animals from woman. Is chance, though, that animal order is just what business is needing to make big profit!

Day 10.

Is not know whether to call this good business day or bad business day. Is guessing good day, since Kaz still is alive to write this, but arguments for bad day is strong. Is start out okay, is find new customers, gets jobs working with them, and is get to kill lots of goblins (3 points for good day), and then later is meet up with lady from Pissing Crone who is want to go on hunt. We is capture 3 rats and 1 rothe. Is another point for good day.

But then we is see meanest bat Kaz ever is look at. Kaz is tell lady, for 100 gold, is catch bat for her. She is seem skeptical and is tell Kaz not is being good idea. Kaz tells her she not is being animal expert, is being him who is. In looking back, is maybe good idea Kaz should have listen. Bat is meaner than first looks (and it was looking lots mean to begin with). Even bites through special gloves Kaz is put on when is having to catch bats or things with sharp little teeth. Is hate wearing those gloves, they is all wrong for kobold hands, even if is help keep them safe when is catching animals. But is worse being eated on by bat.

This one is worst of all, it bites all over Kaz's arms, and scratches Kaz's face, and is probably eat littles pieces it tears off of Kaz. Is leave him sitting almost dead on ramp, and then is flap around, like is protecting kill, and Kaz can't even be moving to swat it away. Is 5 points for bad day!

But then lady who is hunting with Kaz is come and is drag him away while bat is distracted hissing and flapping at beetles that comes to nibble on Kaz while he is being too hurt to defend self. Is black out for little while, but is wake up and is able to get back all the things is dropping when is get attacked by bat. Is guess is good enough gives one more point to good day count.

Is still leave it 5 points to 5 points. Is think can be making few more coins before day is done, maybe turns into good business day after all.

Is have to make sure is remembering rule one.

Is new rule: Not talks to people who is stand around with axes ready. They is probably not care much about business anyway.

Day 11.

Is change of plans, is seeming like. Guide business is work okay, and Kaz is not give up on it yet, but is get job offer today not exactly can be refusing. Is good one, and is probably gets Kaz lots of gold. Halfling lady she is say, "Is not capturing stuff that makes you rich, is capturing STUFF." Kaz thinks he knows what she is mean, but is not quite sure. Is thinking it means Kaz not is honest business kobold anymore. Is okay with that, if is bring in the gold.

So now Kaz is have to talk to Captain Thorn. Halfling seems to think is maybe have need of expert tracker to hunt someone down.

Is still have words of crocodile lady to be thinking about, too. Is no question about power is giving, but is still not sure is want to be close to her so much. She is seem dangerous to Kaz.

Day 12

Is not very safe run business in Sanctuary city. You can be just hiding on corner, minding own business, scouting own customer, and all of sudden is woman asking questions, and then is gnome frothing at mouth, and they is hurling threats and saying you is have five seconds to be gone or is getting strangled.

Is think ... [The writing trails off.]

Gnome is being cleverer than Kaz is think. Was writing in business log when kobold is come into camp that Kaz not is recognize. Is think it smells funny, but it is have good kobold name, Grz, and is sound like is sick. Kaz tells it watch out for gnome, because there is being one that has magics and is liking to strangle kobolds. It is ask for guidings to Bunge's camp because is wondering if is any other kobolds out there.

Kaz offers special discount price for kobolds, and Grz is pay it from purse that is looking lots fuller than Kaz's business account. Should have been clue ... is long time since is having seen rich kobold.

And still is not having seen one, because is turn out this one is really being gnome! It lures Kaz away and is try to kill him.

But Kaz gets away and is warn camp in time so gnome not is catch them by surprise. Then is try to sniff it out, because is knowing gnome not is have good enough eyes to see Kaz. It was being gone.

Is not really sure how this is relate to business, except that it is make it harder to find customers when is have to worry about stranglings from gnome. Maybe Kaz is work one job for self ... gnome is being annoying and grumpy, is probably not have any friends who notice if it goes missing.

Is having made profitable business agreement this dark. Is take chance on customer who is not seem like could be very good hunter from looks and smell of him, but he is look like kind who is have gold to pay, and those is being Kaz's favorite kinds of customers. Is having seen him out in Underdark before, so is think at least is being chance he pays for hunts.

First thing happen when Kaz is approach him is being that he is start telling stories. Is not expected! He tells stories about wrestling and sleeping, and usually both is involve him being naked. Then is funnier thing happen ... after we is talk to drow for little while, he is give Kaz gold to be telling stories of Carl to clients on long hunting trips. Is not exactly type of way Kaz is prefer to make gold, but not can complain. Is easy enough tell stories, and coin is being just as golden if is come to Kaz any other way.

Only problem is being that now Kaz is have to make up ridiculous stories about which things Carl is wrestle, and which he is sleep with.

Day 14

Is while since Kaz sees halfling with hard name to say (even harder to writes) [Here there are numerous scratched out attempts at the correct spelling of Plopilibop, none of which are quite right). Is having worked with her again for profit, and is convinced is good business move to be getting onto crew with Captain Thorn. Ploopelebob is say she is arrange for meeting soon. Is just have to be patient.

Day 15

Is new lesson being learned today: is bad idea if you is see somebody out in Underdark to be telling them about business, unless they is look like they is lost. Even if they is lost, maybe is better follow them around for little while to be making sure, because there is very strange people in Underdark who is liking animals so much they is get mad enough to kill kobold just because he is offer them hunting trip. Is not understand, but is being what is happen. They is not like tasty meat, or thrill of hunt, and once you is say you is take them on hunt, is no way to be taking it back. Even giving special discount not is helping, they is say no way can be letting Kaz live if he is accept gold to be killing animals. Is say Kaz is upsetting balance by killing animals. Is stupid, Kaz not is upset balance, is increase balance! Is increase balance in business account.

Is think they is stupid. At least Kaz is get something for killing. They was going to be killing Kaz for nothing.

Is finally getting to meet Captain Thorn, and is easy to see we is get along good. She is know importance of making profit, and more, is understand how animal sellings can be leading to big financial gain. We is talk for little while, and after talk she is tell Kaz congratulations, is being part of crew now.

Is still not sure crew is being right thing to be calling us, since we is not having ship, but is not mention that to captain, would probably only be making her angry. Is right after Kaz is become member of crew that some other lady is show up who is say she is want to be on crew, too. But she is not come with recommendation, so is have to fight First Mate to be getting into crew. That is not work so well for her. Is not work good at all. She is end up laying on ground, and was not just us who was seeing. Is someone who is watch fight, is watch from little ways away, and he is run away as soon as is realize we is know he is there.

Kaz not was sure at first, but is having gone back to site and sniffed around. Is sure now: was same person who was wanting Kaz dead for hunting animals. Now is wondering about him lots. How can he be saying is bad for Kaz to hunt, but then he is hunt Kaz?

Not is knowing. Maybe is have to tell Captain is having score to settle.

Day 18

Is good dark for business. First is get good contract for big order, is remind Kaz [The writing breaks and a note is scribbled in the margin: "Price for dead goblin is being 20 gold, price for dead lizard is being 200. Price goblin is put on Kaz's head is 500. Doing math, is being ten goblins worth one lizard, and is 2 lizards and 5 goblins worth one Kaz. Is always knowing goblins is worthless."]

Is wonder how many goblins man is needing. Is find out when he is say stop, is guessing.

Is other business, too, maybe easier. Man is say something to Kaz about needing to be finding Frozen Monastery. Not is ever having heard of that, but is guessing can be finding. Now is having to go exploring. Maybe finds lizard or two on way, gets good money for them. Goblins not would be bad, either. Is more fun killing goblins. Is liking gurgle sounds they is making when throats is getting cut.

[This entry is written in a shaky hand.]

Day 19.

Is cold. Is lots cold. Not knows how much longer Kaz can be standing it, but is making camp for little while. Is too cold go on. Bedroll is cold. Ground is cold. Whole place is being cold. Is up to gods if Kaz survives night sleeping here. Maybe is pray to Shaundakul like man in Crone says. Maybe is pray to Ibrandul like ship's chaplain is wanting. Is maybe even pray to Kurtulmak like Chudax says. Is pray to any god that can be keeping Kaz from dying cold.

Is have little bit farther to go, is thinking. If is anywhere frozen for monastery to be, this is being place. Maybe sees after is get some rest.

Day 21.

Is having made it back to city of Sanctuary after short rest. Is interesting things happen when is getting back, too. Is seeming business is picking up. There is man who wants to find Frozen Monastery still, is make first payment, so Kaz is sure to be seeking place out. Then there is halfling who is ask Kaz to be finding Deep Hound pup for him. Kaz is tell him price is being 300 gold. But he is say dog is being for Seekers, and Kaz not is exactly have friendly relationship with Seekers. Is tell him is being extra condition on deal: he is have to convince Seekers not to be interrupting Kaz's business and trying to be breaking Rule One on Kaz.

Other man who is ask Kaz for business, he is already having help from other kobold. Not is liking to be sharing customers with competition, but kobold is not seeming so bad, maybe we can be arranging something.

While we is talking, is being something happens that is make Kaz angry ... is while since Kaz sees Plopilibop or Captain Thorn, but is have message for them next time is seeing. Is certain kobold hunter needs to be dying. Is more than just vengeance. Is business!