Arrrg! It is the Mighty Grymalkin who was going to post post #100! Curses!
We must concoct some cover story in case we are questioned in the course of our investigation. What plausible reason, other than hunting for evidence of a devil cult, could we have for asking the sort of questions we shall have to ask? Perhaps we could imply that our inquiries are intended to aid us in making decisions about investment possibilities within the city? The authorities would likely perk up at the prospect of wealthy treasure-hunters tossing some of their wealth into the economy, and probably supply all we need and more.
And where oh where, praytell mr Trekkerts, shall we sleep at night? I fer one needs a comfy place ta lay me head cuz that'sn when I gets me whispers from Pelor and Mayaheine and Lydia and Ehlonna and all of thems.
Ye sound like a some travelling nomad whats always looking for the horizon.
Mayaheine says she wants me to sleep in a bed so she can finds me.
There is no bed more suited to a healthy rest than the green grass under the stars, Samhain. Wasn't that where we found you sleeping at our first meeting?
OOC: BTW, how is next saturday for you guys? Or the following if next is no good?
Arrrg! It is the Mighty Grymalkin who was going to post post #100! Curses!
Poor mortal, we tend our pulchritudinous and superlative . Feel not dolorous as you do; be blessed and savor the air you share.
We must concoct some cover story in case we are questioned in the course of our investigation.
Hmmm, how 'bout we just tell Cpt O'Suggil what we're hoping to do and see if he can give us some kind of "warrant" to take to city record keepers. You guys can politely ask to see records and such but be ambiguous at the most -- if you have to say anything at all. Pretend it's routine; or pretend you're assigned to find out general info in the aftermath of the Malgoth.
What do you think, Killua -- you're the titled noble here, afterall?
Wasn't (the open ground) where we found you (passed out drunk) at our first meeting?
Hey now, 'hat were just the MacGuffin -- Like me said afore, Pelor had a tol' me to leaves me place in the Free City o' Grey Hawks anda get meself ta Sterches Marches e'en though I ain'ta heard o' no Storchin Marsh, but ya knows how ole Pelor gets, yeah?
An' as I recalls, I were Hi on the nector o' Atroa cuz'n she were flirtin' wi'h me perty good 'hat night, making Mayaheine and Myhriss all jealouses.
OOC: BTW, how is next saturday for you guys? Or the following if next is no good?Next Saturday, the 1st Saturday of March, hmmm?
I will be in Sarasota playing chess; there's an ity bity tourney. So, sorry, no D&D for me that day.
However, the following Saturday (2nd Sat of March) sounds .
ooc:I'm fine with the second Saturday of march for the next game
ooc:I'm fine with the second Saturday of march for the next gameOOC: BTW, how is next saturday for you guys? Or the following if next is no good?Next Saturday, the 1st Saturday of March, hmmm?
I will be in Sarasota playing chess; there's an ity bity tourney. So, sorry, no D&D for me that day.
However, the following Saturday (2nd Sat of March) sounds .
2nd sat of March it is!
M
Okay, so Killua, Marvin, Aqualung Tull and I will focus on making some underground contacts in Isstivin that will hopefully lead to knowledge of the Devil Cult. . . . Trekkert of Fharlanghn and Grymalkin will spend time looking over recent City Guard reports, Noblemen & Landowner documents and maybe some barrister and solicitor claims to find any kind of paper trails -- they'll report what they find to Killua and together see if anything looks suspiciously diabolical.
Regarding the first team, if we're lucky we'll get some good info and leads after just a few days; that'll mean that we can start getting close to a diabolical contact -- which means we'll need disguises and aliases since the Devil Cult knows specifically who we are. I think we all need to purchase a Hat of Disguise (everyone think of an alter ego!)
. . . . Also, I'm a bit concerned about Aqualung Tull; he's really not very smart and I'm CERTAIN his mouth can get us all in trouble at the worst possible time. I can't seem to think of anything to say to him to convince him to keep his mouth shut so I am hoping my four esteemed comrades can (and think of damage-control strategies)
. . . . Finally, I think both teams should keep an ear out for anything regarding Pelman Drudd. I don't feel his (most likely) vile activities are as dangerous to Isstvin (let alone ALL of Sterich) as the Devil Cult's are, but we do know he's up to no good and especially considering his bureaucratic "immunity," I feel we are duty bound to find evidence and bring him to justice.
As for a way to meet the underground: An idea floating around in my head is that we go to a seedy place and pretend that we're new to town and "may need" to purchase some "items" that don't seem to be for sale (read: don't want the gov't to know about, as in, they're blackmarket). Then, when a contact agrees to meet with us "about business" we ask about products like Devil Weed -- though not specifically Devil Weed, necessarily. I feel we should maybe make a few purchases over the next couple of days, turning everything in to the authorities, pay whatever dues to the Isstivin mafia (Thieves' Guild), and then ask for more contacts and specifically Devil Weed . . . . What do you guys think? Any problems you see with this plan? What are some other things we could do instead?...
Finally, I'd like us to come up with a protocol of "what we do when we split up" -- as in, where and when we meet back together and, more importantly, what we will do if someone doesn't show up at the right time.
Arrghhhh....
I don'ts to like to reads 'em longen posts. Keep em shorter, mate.
AND LET'SEN GONNA KILLZ SOME DEVILSES!!!!
As for keeping Samhain in check I can't think of anything but if he were to say something stupid we could apologize and then say he was affected by a confusion spell and doesn't know what he's talking about. As for keeping in contact if we can stay in Istivin we could just use the Silver Raven to keep in touch every so often.
Hail, Fharlagn, Roamer of Worlds! Hear the petition of your humble messenger. Guide our feet onto the path that leads to our quarry, and grant us vigor in our pursuit (and if necessary, our flight), when we have arrived at our destination. Let it be so, in your divine name!
Perhaps the underworld team should pay another visit to that circus fellow, Dardamel. Samhain sensed evil in the heart of his half-orc lackey, indicating that Dardamel, though not evil himself, might have associations with other evil individuals, possibly including members of this devil cult. Perhaps his lackey is even a member.
As for Trekkert and myself, I propose that we begin our investigation by examining any records that might be kept in the offices of Krelont Keep regarding reports of missing persons. Devil cults are known to abduct victims to sacrifice during their unholy rites, and perhaps we will detect a pattern missed by the mediocre wits of lesser detectives.
Another possible line of investigation might involve a survey of local farms. The devil cult was supposed to provide a great quantity of whinnis seeds for the devils to plant. Where would such an amount of seeds come from? Perhaps one or more other devil-weed farms have already been producing crops, and the devil cult collects the seeds before selling the devil-weed.
As much as the idea of roaming the farmlands around the city appeals to me, I fear what we might find besides devil-weed should our investigation bear fruit. Do not forget how formidable and hostile the farmers were at the first devil-weed farm we discovered!
Interviewing the friends and relations of missing persons sounds considerably less risky to me. Let us start there, Grymalkyn, and if we find nothing useful, let us ride out to the nearby farms and see what can be seen.
Perhaps the underworld team should pay another visit to that circus fellow, Dardamel. Samhain sensed evil in the heart of his half-orc lackey, indicating that Dardamel, though not evil himself, might have associations with other evil individuals, possibly including members of this devil cult. Perhaps his lackey is even a member.
I don't remember this, though I have wanted to get to know this guy and what he's all about. I think I'd still like us to first go to a random "extra-seedy" looking place and just be "the new rogues in town" kinda looking to continue "our careers" without stepping on any "association's" feet. Then go to Dardamel, and especially since the first may take a couple days before we get a contact whereas Dardamel is easy to contact. (We could contact him while we're waiting to "hear back" from an "extra seedy"-like person.) What do you think, Killua?
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I propose that we begin (investigating) reports of missing persons.
I have thought about the remote possibility of a "miraculous" coincidence that the Devil Cult we Really want to bring down is tied in with the villain we "secondarily" want, Pelman Drudd and his "missing" girls. I don't think it's likely because that would be quite a coincidence. (Like, finding out that Luke's father is Vader and then finding out that Luke and Leah are siblings -- cool -- and then, ruining it all, finding out that Vader is ALSO C3PO's dad . . . . I just think Istivin is a big enough place where all these villains don't have to be tied together. But we'll see.
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Perhaps we will detect a pattern missed by the mediocre wits of lesser detectives.
Yes, I love your "confidence" and we sure do have so much detective and investigative acumen. Uh huh.
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Another possible line of investigation might involve a survey of local farms. The devil cult was supposed to provide a great quantity of whinnis seeds for the devils to plant.
Exactly. This is one of the possible things I'm hoping we can find out about. In conjunction with a time-line connection with other farmsteads, probably also near Istivin, that have recently been taken over. If we can find the paperwork for the Devil Farm and see where that paper trail leads, we may be on to something.
Now, if the Devil Cult uses different names for different deeds, it will be more tricky to find.
But I don't think we should end with just the farmsteads.
Perhaps the underworld team should pay another visit to that circus fellow, Dardamel. Samhain sensed evil in the heart of his half-orc lackey, indicating that Dardamel, though not evil himself, might have associations with other evil individuals, possibly including members of this devil cult. Perhaps his lackey is even a member.
I don't remember this, though I have wanted to get to know this guy and what he's all about. I think I'd still like us to first go to a random "extra-seedy" looking place and just be "the new rogues in town" kinda looking to continue "our careers" without stepping on any "association's" feet. Then go to Dardamel, and especially since the first may take a couple days before we get a contact, whereas Dardamel is easy to contact. (We could contact him while we're waiting to "hear back" from an "extra seedy"-like person.) What do you think, Killua?
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I propose that we begin (investigating) reports of missing persons.
I have thought about the remote possibility of a "miraculous" coincidence that the Devil Cult we Really want to bring down is tied in with the villain we "secondarily" want, Pelman Drudd and his "missing" girls. I don't think it's likely because that would be quite a coincidence. (Like, first finding out that Luke's father is Vader and then finding out that Luke and Leah are siblings -- all cool -- but then, ruining it all, finding out that Vader is ALSO C3PO's dad . . . . I just think Istivin is a big enough place where all these villains don't have to be tied together. But we'll see.
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Perhaps we will detect a pattern missed by the mediocre wits of lesser detectives.
Yes, I love your "confidence" and we sure do have so much detective and investigative acumen. Uh huh.
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Another possible line of investigation might involve a survey of local farms. The devil cult was supposed to provide a great quantity of whinnis seeds for the devils to plant.
Exactly. This is one of the possible things I'm hoping we can find out about. In conjunction with a time-line connection with other farmsteads, probably also near Istivin, that have recently been taken over. If we can find the paperwork for the Devil Farm and see where that paper trail leads, we may be on to something.
Now, if the Devil Cult uses different names for different deeds, it will be more tricky to find.
But I don't think we should end with just the farmsteads. Maybe a look at any businesses that have recently changed the nature of their business to do stuff like "refine plants" into food products is good. I don't know how one makes Devil Weed into a product, or even what that product usually is. But if a long-time vintner is all the sudden opening up a cigar chain, we can look at the business closely.
Obviously, this will take time. I think you and Trekkert will likely spend your time just getting the raw data and then we can all get together and try to analyze it.
Hail, Fharlagn, Roamer of Worlds! Hear the petition of your humble messenger. Guide our feet ....
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hee hee hee
Aye mate, ye mights a wanna be careful durin' yer prayers thesen days. I remember one ole time 'hen I missperled Myhriss's name. 'Hat ole gal were so pissed at me fer a time I thought's I were gonna have to stick wi'h just Sotillion and Lirr fer a few nights.
But dontcha worry too muchn, Trekkerty, Myhriss gots a so much luvn fer me 'hat she's back in me front pocket wheren she's nice an' comfortables.
Perhaps the underworld team should pay another visit to that circus fellow, Dardamel. Samhain sensed evil in the heart of his half-orc lackey, indicating that Dardamel, though not evil himself, might have associations with other evil individuals, possibly including members of this devil cult. Perhaps his lackey is even a member.I don't remember this, though I have wanted to get to know this guy and what he's all about. I think I'd still like us to first go to a random "extra-seedy" looking place and just be "the new rogues in town" kinda looking to continue "our careers" without stepping on any "association's" feet. Then go to Dardamel, and especially since the first may take a couple days before we get a contact, whereas Dardamel is easy to contact. (We could contact him while we're waiting to "hear back" from an "extra seedy"-like person.) What do you think, Killua?
Well I do remember about the Half-Orc being evil this was discovered when we first met "The Kid" and his group while they dropped off some game for the arena the Half-orc was the muscle to keep the animal under control. However I agree with Ezra we should start out in some of the shadier places in town now we should definitely investigate the circus ring master because he does seem to work on the fringes of the law with his arena and people who have deputes just "happen" to die while fighting.
@ Ezra: Devil weed is a mildly addictive and widely-banned form of the whinnis plant, specifically the dried buds and leaves of the plant, typically smoked in pipes, hookahs, or rolled-up cigarettes known colloquially as "devil bones".
A silver raven glides down from the sky and alights on a nearby boulder. It is not the one used by your party; this one has a copper tint and beady ruby eyes.
It looks disturbingly familiar to Ezra.
It croaks in a metallic voice: [Tinny giggling] "Did you really think you could escape me by changing your name, Darko? Oh, excuse me -- Ezra, right? I'm closing in on you, my lad, and so are a few other old mates of yours. We'll be seein' ya soon, my lad!"
Having delivered it's message, the silver raven takes flight again, wheeling into the sky and vanishing from sight.
Ezra would you care to explain this? I'm rather curious as to what this message is about and who sent this. Also why did this message declare you as Darko at first?
Quick, everybody go back and delete my first entry on these Boards -- maybe that'll be enough to cover my tracks.
*Runs away screaming
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ezra calm down! I never thought I would see you this spooked. If all of us act together we can deal with anything now would you care to explain what the hell is going on?
Uh, well, before you try to delete my first post on the Thread, read it over a sec and you'll have all the info I can remember. It seems that when Pelor Resurrected me and I became Ezra, I lost all the specific memories from my life before I used the Darko Nikolaykovic alias.
Uh, well, before you try to delete my first post on the Thread, read it over a sec and you'll have all the info I can remember. It seems that when Pelor Resurrected me and I became Ezra, I lost all the specific memories from my life before I used the Darko Nikolaykovic alias.
Okay I have the gist of what's going on so how do we want to deal with this do we want to find them somehow or do we want to wait for them to find us? Each option has an advantage and disadvantage if we find them we will waste our time and energy but we could set up an ambush for when they are weak. On the other hand if they find us then we could be subject to an ambush but we would be able to prepare for them and be well rested.
Uh, well, before you try to delete my first post on the Thread, read it over a sec and you'll have all the info I can remember. It seems that when Pelor Resurrected me and I became Ezra, I lost all the specific memories from my life before I used the Darko Nikolaykovic alias.Okay I have the gist of what's going on so how do we want to deal with this do we want to find them somehow or do we want to wait for them to find us? Each option has an advantage and disadvantage if we find them we will waste our time and energy but we could set up an ambush for when they are weak. On the other hand if they find us then we could be subject to an ambush but we would be able to prepare for them and be well rested.
I for one think we should allow them to find us because if we were go to a base and need to retreat then we would be very easy to surround and concur however if we are in the wilderness we could very easily run into the wilderness and hide at an undisclosed location where we first met could work,to Cpt O'Suggil, where we met up with that mercenary group, or thous farm girls that were raped. What do the rest of you think?
Grymalkin and I, at least, must have contracted lycanthropy when we fought against those werewolves all that time ago. That's what BlackBolt wants; that's why he's sniffing behind us.
Let's go see our good friend Myran of Pelor (He's, like, 20th level by now, right? He can fix us.).
It's my guess that BlackBolt is only one of a larger group of werewolves -- I don't think we cleaned them out all that time ago.
He's also very likely the leader (did you see his sword? It reminded me of BlackRazor, for Pelor's sake!)
I have an idea . . . . what if, after cleansing ourselves of this curse, we somehow fake the werewolf scent and go to him, pretending to still be werewolves; let him give us info on where (and how many of) his werewolves lair. Then kill him, Identify his sword and we'll be able to eliminate the Sterich Werewolves.
That is, when we leave Istivin after we take care of the Diabolists and Pelman Drudd.
Also -- I want to find the familial connection between BlackBolt and that werewolf noble who we killed, which werewolf beget which.
Okay I checked, ....
The werewolf fighter we killed was named Lord Barclay and he was (supposedly) from Aerdy, House Rhola. His weapon was a cool glaive named Felhook.
If we go with my plan about trying to trick the sniffer, we can see if FelHook and BlackBolt are "brothers" -- among other stuff.
Remember also that The Wizard of Witchfire Mountain has info on Lord Barclay. It could be interesting to see if there's any kind of relationship between the werewolves with named weapons.
(Does anyone remember what Lord Barclay looked like? Any resemblance between him and the sniffer?)
Okay, so we have named some new enemies:
The Ruthless Bastards, led by Killua's Half Orc illegitimate brother, are by now at Zaoldyeck Keep. Whether or not they will fight or join the red-headed lady currently is unknown.
Shylo the Halfling from Sasserine is here and will stop, I assume, at nothing to haunt me.
Meanwhile, we still didn't make it to the player who gave us those disguises. That's what we'll do asap -- and then we'll pretend to be loan sharks from Mephistopheles leaning on Ajaradob.
Then maybe focus on Blackbolt.
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But a few things first:
We need Aqualung Tull so we gotta get him Raised (with a Gr Restoration).
We need to follow Trekkert's wishes, whether or not he wanted to get raised.
We need to question N'Tron in jail.
I need to try to remember if Shylo had any superiors who will take notice when he contacts them with his Raven for an update -- and maybe send more help (or if Shylo will have to build a new powerbase here). I'm not sure if I'll be able to remember; we'll see.
Take your time mates, bringing meself back.
I'm a havin' ever sooo much funs as an Archon, playing with Mayaheine and Lirr and Lydia and Myhriss.
I'ms a makin' me best mate Pelor ever so jealouses, though, so don'tya takes too longen er else Pelor may send me downstairs even sooners as er one o' his Demonsy Warriors.
Anda I'da liken to finish in the Sterchen March a what I'd a started beforen I begins me infinity-long quest as an Archon to fightsen downstairs.
Oooh, who is That new Archon?
Hey there Tull -- what's a nice man like you doin' in a place like this?
Go write a poem, Myrhiss, Tully and I have the first dance -- then I'll share.
*sigh* Even in death Samhain is still having his delusions.
I found myself on a broad and dusty road that wended its way among an endless vista of green hills. Where the road crested a distant hill, I saw him standing there, waiting for me. Without delay, I ran to join him, bounding over hill and vale.
As I drew closer, he smiled and raised his right hand in a gesture that I understood to mean both greeting and halt. I halted, and he spoke, saying, "Your legs have not yet grown long enough to keep pace with me, young pilgrim. Your traveling companions yet have need of your healing and wisdom. Return, therefore, to Oerth, with my blessing."
All seemed to fade like a dream then, and I awoke lying on the altar of his temple in Istivin, surrounded by my companions and my fellow clergy. I have returned to Oerth, imbued with fresh vigor from having met my god! I will not rest until I have repaid my debt.
Welcome back, Trekkert!
So, is Fharlanghn's last name "Longshanks," or something?
And I never knew He sounded like John Wayne: "Listen here, Pilgrim..."
Welcome back Trekkert I have missed you being the only sensible caster in our group and the most important you have saved my life more then once and the others as well now we must venture out and get revenge on the bastard who did this to you and Samhain and we must also protect Ezra
*Checks Thread for a reminder of what we're planning on doing next session (and a vicarious read bringing me back into the game).
New rumours circulating in Istivin:
The Azure Prince has plunged Sterich into an endless winter, and cold-loving monsters have begun to trouble the countryside.
A series of bloody battles were recently fought along the western and southern borders between two armies of monsters. Goblins, hobgoblins, orcs, and bugbears swelled the ranks of both armies, but one was led by werewolves, vampires, and wizards, and the other by devils and frost giants!
More forthcoming . . . .
Good we can use these fights as a cover to find more information about both sides while they weaken each other
Killua, I'm gonna do my best not to let your remark get out -- if the small folk -- especially the ones on the Zaoldyeck Lands -- find out you're willing to let three monstrous armies ravage the countyside, killing, pillaging and razing everything in site (their lives and livelihoods), they might not appreciate it.
Don't they pay taxes and such so that you'll protect them?!
I think we should consider leaving Istivin and get back out there, with the Zaoldyack estate on the top of our list (not that we should leave, necessarily, just that we should consider leaving).
I suggest we begin a dialog:
What are the pros and cons of staying and trying to dig deeper into Ajaradob to find the devil cult?
What are the pros and cons of leaving immediately?
Should we stay at least to....
A} Question N'Tron about Sasserine Shylo
B} Make our penetrating attempt into Ajaradob
C} Find out anything we can about The Ruthless Bastards
D} Trade info about The Azure Prince with Algorthis in exchange for werewolf, devil and Ruthless Bastard info?
E} Get better equipment
I'm not saying we should let them kill everyone but in all wars there are casualties I obviously want to protect as many people as possible but this is also gonna be helpful to us when we try to fight one of these two beasts they can't put all their attention on us which is good news for us if we had to fight an entire army we would die no two ways about it.
I was just pulling your chain (only a little bit, though).
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How much time (and for to accomplish which goals) do you think we should remain in Istivin?
I don't think we should devote too much tme to N'Tron (and Sasserine Shiloh) cuz I don't think the former will know much and it'll be really long/ hard in finding the halfling.
I don't know that we can get more info about your H-Orc brother and his gang here, but you know better than I (Wait, hasn't he already left to our knowledge?)
I think Pelman Drudd and his missing women can occupy too much of our time so we should shelve it.
I'd still like to put the heat on Ajaradob to see if any devils pop out but we may have to be willing to leave soon after even if we stir a bees' nest of devils with him.
I'd like to trade more of our knowledge with Algorthas the Seer.
I'd like to get some better magical items before we leave for Zaoldyeck Keep.
Anything else??? Must we wait and meet Blackbolt the hard way?
What are your opinions, Killua?
I am not the least bit concerned about that halfling and his goons. We gave what for to them! And besides, it is Ezra they wish to kill, correct? Of course, after our interferance with their goal, they might seek redress against we others as well . . .
As for the devil cult, I have always maintained that it is hunting the wild goose. I say we leave them alone, and give thanks to our gods that we haven't already been sacrificed to Asmodeus or Baalzebul!
The Wizard has sent one of his favored lieutenants to keep track of us, but not too attack us. Why? It could be that this Garm is taking stock of us before attacking, but this is contrary to what we already know about the behavior of werewolves.
I believe the Wizard is watching us for a reason. Perhaps he wishes to make of us allies against the Azure Prince? I am not eager to enter an alliance with monsters of any kind, but perhaps it would be the lesser of two evils? The Wizard would make a powerful ally againt the devils, both those in league with the Azure Prince, and those in league with the cult here in Istivin. And reclaiming Killua's castle would be child's play to the Wizard! Think on that, Baron Zaoldyeck . . .
Still dreaming of the lich's lore, Grymalkin? Still so athirst for power that you would consider selling your soul for it? It seems to me we are all growing quite powerful enough without the Wizard's aid. And some of us I fear might outgrow our breeches before long.
Let us return to Castle Zaoldyeck and see if Killua's half-brother has arrived there. Who knows what state we might find the barony in? The castle might even be under siege as we speak.
The Wizard has sent one of his favored lieutenants to keep track of us, but not too attack us. Why?
Well, despite hoping that we can put off "dealing with" The Wizard, I think Grymalkin has made a good point with his rhetorical question. And though we can't answer it, considering it is meet.
What we know:
A priest of Vecna who knows of us is "with" The Wizard;
We killed a Noble (who was a werewolf) who was on his way there;
We know Springblossom who told us of his backstory;
We killed lots of his(probably) minions while escaping from them;
We are trusted by the Cpt of the Istivin Guard and are getting more powerful as each week passes;
We have a Wizard who knows something about him (from before he came to Sterich)
. . . . So, it makes sense that he would want to keep an eye on us but I think there's more to it.
I still think we must put off "dealing with" The Wizard but Grymalkin is ABSOLUTELY right in keeping us on our toes about him.