Cousin Riordan

"We have to talk!" Whenever I hear these words, I don't expect anything good. Things usually turn out worse, if those words come from a person, who truly knows me. And if this person was sent by stuffy Sir Gareth Dragonsbane, paladin of Ilmater, holy knight of the Order of the Golden Cup, Baron of Bloodstone and King of Damara, the party is over.
"What in the name of Lady Luck are you doing?" asked Riordan Parnell. Cousin Riordan is an infamous bard, usually wandering around the Galena Mountains. He is the cornerstone of the Spysong scouting network, and considers himself personally responsible for all of its members. As if he weren'’t busy enough designing the infrastructure of the spy network, Riordan also weaves most of the ditties that carry the coded messages back down to his allies in Damara.
"Gareth Dragonsbane wants to know, what is going on! We have not heard a single word from you, since you reported the upgrade of the lumberyard!" the pleasant and friendly voice did not quite fit with the strict message he was conveying. "I did not understand in the first place, what you were up to, when you talked Gareth into financing this so called reconnaissance mission into obscure dealings of a minor drow house. Where did all the money go, you took with you, when you left Bloodstone village a tenday ago?"
Well, that was an easy one. "Waterdhavians generally work hard, make large amounts of money as a result, and play hard, too. By night, taverns do a steady trade, and the festhalls and nightclubs—there are many in the docks area, and a few in all of the other city wards—are wild, crowded places, to say nothing of the private parties in homes, the villas of the nobles, and guildhalls." I was sure, this would explain everything to cousin Riordan. His life has been a rollercoaster ride between riches and poverty, but whatever his present financial state, Riordan is always ready for adventure. He enjoys equally stealing a kiss from a fair lass or hunting down the bandit army.
"I understand. I'm not sure whether the Baron of Bloodstone would approve, but I fully trust in your expertise in such delicate matters" said Riordan.
"I knew that you would see the potential of my plan. Do you have the requested additional gold with you?" I asked. "Off course!" replied Riordan. This is my cousin, a real thrillseeker, living his life to the fullest and always on the edge of disaster.