Rage, Malvis and Logan visited the magic shop, to discover that the shopkeeper had no magical items per se for sale, but lots of supplies of use to mages. He carries material components, blank spell books, quills and some inks, plus a large selection of pointy hats and robes emblazoned with stars and planets. He advised you that there were no mages or illusionists resident in End, though there is a sage and several scribes.
As for guilds, you are informed that End has many guilds for the service of its professional community. There are guilds for carpenters, metalworkers, smiths, sailors, warriors and rangers. Callie heads for the latter.
Dor and Niko only pick at their food, being too hung over to eat much. They gave the dockside bars and whore houses a good working over, and also report that apparently slavery is legal in Riverland, for there is a booming public market for the trade near the docks.
Keeping your ears open, you learn that this is a fairly quiet area, as far as dungeon adventuring goes. There are several dungeons on the west side of the Mississippi, the most notable being the Death Dungeon, but they were cleared some years back and have remained quiet ever since. To the east, though, word comes that there is trouble in Tybol. Like many of the old towns in Saltar, there is a catacomb of chambers and passages under it. Thanks to the current civil war, most of the able folk have gone off to fight, and apparently there are monsters now coming up out of the dungeons to carry off the young, old and infirm. If the rumours are to be believed, the evil creatures are being directed by a powerful lich who lives deep under the town, and who hordes an enormous treasure.
Other towns in Saltar are apparently suffering similar incursions, as the forces of evil strive to take advantage of the current chaotic state of the Empire.
You hear no new news of the wars.
You discover the following in End: tailors, weavers, armourers, jewelers, a bowyer arrowsmith, several swordsmiths, a distillery, several wineries, several markets, men's clothier, a women's clothier, a shoemaker, a haberdasher, a provisioner, a wagon maker, some banks, and two pawn shops, among others.
Rage and Kailar scry on Umboth and Hlarn. They see them exploring the Tower of Golgar, and once observe them driving off a group of ghouls.
Kadlian gives Niko and Dor a nasty glare. "I will remember this."
Sian has learned that despite the stories he has heard since his childhood in Strabath, Saltar is still a pretty civilised place. There are some incursions along the border by humanoids, but as a rule the land is quite quiet and safe. For a few months there were raids by bandits and brigands along the roads, but now that Clarvis has secured control of the area it is fairly safe to travel again.
Kadlian inquires with the barkeep about Tybol to see how far away it is and how far out of the way it is from the route to Atlantia.
"Tybol is on the main road to Atlantia," the innkeeper replies, "Several days down the road. The Imperial Road is pretty safe, now," he adds, "Now that the fighting's moved east."
"Thank you."
Kadlian turns to the others.
"What do you think folks? Tybol sound interesting?"
"Umm, I wonder where they get the slaves?" Dor asks. "Do you think any might come from where we are heading?"
Sian glances over at Rage upon hearing the news about slavery.
"We cannot control how others act in this place," he states somberly.
"Oh, and that pronouncement makes it ok?" the mage says, "You try it sometime, perhaps it's just a different lifestyle choice to you! I had thought you understood," she says, getting angry. "You think that because others act and sell slaves, we can just say that it's something we cannot control and that makes it ok? You make me sick."
"That is not what I meant and you should know that," says Sian as anger starts into his voice.
There is a tear in Rage's eye as she speaks to Sian, and then in a whisper, "I had thought you understood."
"I understand completely. I do not want to stay in this place any longer than we have to at this point," states Sian.
Rage then storms off from the others.
Logan follows her.
Sian follows Logan.
A short time after Rage, Logan and Sian left the inn, the ranger returns.
"Kad we are going to have a problem real soon," states Sian as he starts grabbing weapons and supplies. "Rage for sure and most likely Logan are going to go and free the slaves. By any means necessary."
"And what will they do with them once they are freed? I have no objection to freeing them, but I am sure that a number of these people are likely not in good enough condition to fend for themselves. Some are probably far from home. Do we take them all with us? If we do, how do we protect them when we face odds that leave us in a fight for our own lives? If we leave them somewhere, how do we stop them from becoming slaves again?"
"Before we do anything, these things must be thought upon and decided."
Turning to his followers, Sian says, "Guys and gals we are going to be in this deep. We are heading down to the docks to try and keep Rage alive. We are probably going to have the whole town guard on us and whatever kind of guards are at the auction."
He turns and heads out to the docks. His followers follow him.
Late in the day he and the followers return, having seen no sign of Logan or Rage. All seems tranquil in End.