Skooma Routes (Patreon)

(This note and map were found on a badly decomposed body that washed up a short way from Senchal.) 

My dearest Mikel, Pawel, and Sara,

Listen up, you incompetent louts. You may think that surviving in the Black Kiergo to the ripe age of twenty entitles you to some special rank in our little empire, but you're wrong. It's been barely a year since the three of you were peddling sugar to the fursacks on the corner, and now you think you're good enough to set the prices and run your own blocks? If I wasn't in love with your Ma I'd have fed you to the dogs by now. But she's a good woman and gods know this flu has left us short staffed on distribution, so I'm giving you one chance to prove yourself. Don't screw it up.

Each of you will take a route, a crew of eight, and twenty stone of sugar. Your goal is simple: sell the product, don't get caught, bring back the profit.

The same plague that's decimated our forces hit everyone else, too, so the supply hasn't been leaving Senchal like it used to. The poor souls on the outside will be jonesing something fierce, so selling shouldn't be a problem. The authorities are too busy with their skirmishes and invasions, so as long as you avoid the local militias, the law shouldn't trouble you either. As for the profit: whoever bring back the most gets Ja-datti's old spot as my personal favorite.

**** 

Mikel - Your route takes you up the coast to the Rumare and on to northern Cyrodiil. Short and sweet. There's good selling in every city on the way, but it's crowded territory. I've written ahead to our usual distributors, but you'll need to get creative to really capitalize on this opportunity. 

Oh, and stay away from the bluebloods in the Imperial City. I know you'll fall right for their jewels and the silks on their wives' bosoms, but the money's just not there, boy. 

Pawel - I'm giving you the longest assignment: the western coasts. You're always riding my ass about this and that, and I need the break. Highrock and Hammerfell are big markets, so don't waste too much trying to sell to the wood elves. Besides that, I'll let you figure out your own path. Overland takes longer but is safer, and you can visit all those little bits of nowhere that others don't bother with. Those rancher fucks don't have much to do besides smoke. The sea is more dangerous, with pirates and coastal authorities, but you can unload more, quicker.

I expect you to make it to High Rock at the least, but where you stop once there is up to you. We have no networks past Daggerfall, so if you want extra credit, consider moving on to Wayrest or even Jehanna. 

Sara - You're the oldest, so you get the hardest: Morrowind. Deal with the Telvanni directly (those crazy devils are unpredictable), but let our contacts along the smuggler's coast handle the rest. Old Ebon will be your biggest chance to secure your win - I hear their distribution is in shambles after some local inquisition. Make it work in your favor. There's not much in eastern Cyrod worth your time, but if you can earn an extra drake, do.

You may be tempted to take a detour to Black Marsh: don't. The lizards like sugar only a little more than they like "dryskins," which is to say not at all. No addicts, no profit.

 ****   

There. That's it for the instructions. There's a map on the back, as I doubt you'd find your own ass without one. Commit all this to memory and then burn it before you set out.  

Good luck.