Kestalt (quiet pride): Far from it. He's everything a father could want in a son. Those first years after we moved to Baldur's Gate were tough, but he grew into a fine, upstanding, honourable man. He's the best leader the Merchant's Guild has had in decades. (Halting) They just needed to be ... *convinced* he was the best choice. You (curious): [[What do you mean?]] Cremlock (shocked): What? That's impossible! Kestalt (desperate): I did it for you! I did it for us! Son -- Cremlock (interrupting, horrified): Don't call me that. My father was trustworthy and honest. He taught me to value a hard day's work ahead of the opinions of others. My father would never have stooped so low. (Fatalistic) I suppose this means I have no father now. And no guild, either. I cannot lead if I cannot look the other merchants in the eye. You (curious): What will you do? Cremlock (tragically resigned): I'm not sure. I cannot stay here. I thank you for your honesty. Here - this is the money we put together for the reward. With the bandits gone, the merchants of Baldur's Gate will be able to conduct their business in peace. I do not know what is in store for me, but I hope that we may meet again one day. Kestalt (pleading): Cremlock, please... Cremlock exits the guildhall, likely for the last time. ENDCremlock (delighted): And a reward you shall have! This is excellent news! The Stormhands have struck nearly every merchant's caravan in the last six months. With them gone, trade can finally resume. Isn't that right, Father? Kestalt (relieved, grateful, he's just dodged a bullet): Exactly right. (To Hero) I don't know what we would have done without your help. You (grateful): Thank you. (curious) What will you do now? Cremlock (confident, magnanimous): I'm calling another Guild meeting. We're grateful you defeated the Stormhands, but they weren't the first bandit problem and they won't be the last. If all the costers of Baldur's Gate came together and contributed towards a security fund, every merchant could afford protection for their shipments. We need to work together instead of tearing each other down. Right, Father? Kestalt (secretly ashamed): Y-yes, of course. Cremlock (jovial): Well, here's your reward. If we have any more need of your assistance, you'll be the first adventurers we ask! ENDAfter defeating the Stormhands, you and your party return to the hall of the Merchant's Guild in Baldur's Gate. You meet Kestalt there. Kestalt (magnanimous): Back so soon? Are the roads of Faerun safe again? --- 1. (Apprehensive) [[The Stormhands are defeated, and I also recovered a letter.]] 2. (Sarcastic) [[That depends. How many bandit gangs did you hire?]] 3. (Threatening) [[Drop the act. We're going to have words.]] Kestalt (blustering): A letter? I'd be surprised if any of those thugs remembered the alphabet. You (unimpressed): Maybe, but a thug didn't sign this letter ordering them to attack the Seven Suns' latest shipment. You did. [[Care to explain?]]Kestalt (frantic denial): What? I'm a respected businessman. I don't traffic with ruffians. You (smart-alecky): No ruffians, huh? What about scoundrels? Scallywags? The occasional ne'er do well? I just took a letter off a Stormhand who was hired to steal goods from your competition, but I suppose he was more of a rapscallion. This looks like your signature. [[Care to explain?]] Kestalt (angry): Words? I hired you to kill bandits, not spit petty insults. You (unimpressed): If this letter I took off a Stormhand is any indication, you seem to have a habit of hiring people who don't do what they're told. [[Care to explain?]] Kestalt (ashamed, halting): I ... have no explanation. I'm an old fool who trusted a gang of cutpurses. But please believe me when I tell you that I didn't do this for myself. I did it for Cremlock. --- 1. (Concerned) [[Is your son in some kind of trouble?]] 2. (Joking) [[If you're looking to pull at my heartstrings, tell me you did it for the orphans. Orphans always work.]] 3. (Accusing) [[So you and your son were in this together?]] Kestalt (defiant): Laugh if you want. You wouldn't be the first. You (curious): [[What do you mean?]] Kestalt (genuine horror): No! Cremlock didn't have anything to do with this. It goes against everything he believes in. But sometimes fathers have to make sacrifices for their sons. You (curious): [[What do you mean?]] Kestalt (bitter): My son and I moved to Baldur's Gate twenty years ago. We built Hoggins & Hoggins together. But we're still upstart newcomers to the old-money merchant families. When Cremlock decided to run in the Guild election, I knew he wouldn't stand a chance. Those families respect history. But they respect strength more. So I hired the bandits to make them look weak. And it worked. --- 1. (Judgemental) [[But at the expense of your soul.]] 2. (Sympathetic) [[You do what you have to for your family.]] 3. (Humorous) [[Bandits are a lot of work. You couldn't have designed a flashy campaign poster instead?]]Kestalt (desperate): You think I don't know that? That's why I stopped paying those criminals. I don't care what you think about me, but Cremlock's a good man. A good son. And a great leader of the Merchant's Guild. Whatever happens, please don't take it out on him. [[At that moment, Cremlock walks into the guildhall.]]Kestalt (frustrated): You wouldn't be so glib if you had to spend twenty years having doors slammed in your face. Cremlock's worth ten of those snooty, soft-handed brats. He could make a real difference in the Guild and the way we do business here in Baldur's Gate. Isn't that worth something? [[At that moment, Cremlock walks into the guildhall.]] Cremlock (jovial): Well met! Father, why didn't you tell me the adventurers had returned? Have the bandits been defeated? Kestalt (lost for words): I ... uh... --- 1. (Firm) [[The bandits have been defeated. But they weren't acting alone. Your father hired them.]] 2. (Lying, falsely cheerful) [[Indeed they have. Completely routed, root and branch. I'm here to collect my reward.]]Kestalt (relieved): See? You understand. I only hired those bandits to steal, and now you've stopped them. Can't you just let this end here? [[At that moment, Cremlock walks into the guildhall.]]