Volo's Quests
Pathfinder
I return to the Merchant Headquarters in Crossroad Keep. I then speak with Volo, who can be found at #2 on the Merchant Headquarters map.
I had already found 15 locations for Volo when we were still in Samarach. I've found plenty more on the Sword Coast to describe to him. The five that I told him about were:
Traveler
I describe five more locations to Volo:
Nomad
Now I describe another five locations to Volo:
Journeyman
And now another five locations for Volo:
Master Guide
I describe five more locations to Volo:
*Note*
There is actually yet another feat that can be earned, Favored of the Road. It would replace the Master Guide feat and provide the same skill bonuses. The difference is that Favored of the Road also provides a bonus to movement speed on an overland map, Sword Coast or Samarach.
Getting the feat requires visiting two more locations, and both involve teamwork quests.
One of the quests is the Missile Volley one, and is given by Chandril. It does not have any leader requirements, but has the Point Blank Shot feat as its party members' requirement. Completing it involves killing a Golem in some ruins that are just a little east of Thundertree. The benefit is that everyone in the party gets a +1 attack bonus with missile weapons whenever a party member has previously attacked in the same combat round with a missile weapon.
The other quest is the Circle of Blades one, and is given by Juen. The leader requirement is +6 base attack bonus and Weapon Specialization with any weapon. The party requirements are Weapon Finesse or Sneak Attack +1d6. Completing the quest involves going to an Illefarn outpost south of Leilon and killing a Necromancer there. The benefit is a +2 attack bonus against flanked enemies.
The problem I have with trying to get these two quests is related to the party members' requirements. I don't mind doing some sidetracking when it comes to allocating my skill points during level ups. I can do that without comprising my character builds and their effectiveness. It's a different story for me when it comes to feats and character classes taken during level up. Feat and character selections are integral to the planning and success of character builds, and I'm not willing to compromise on that. A bonus to overland movement speed would have been nice, but I can do without.
Another side note is that there are another two teamwork quests available, both from Daerred. They are Fearsome Roster, and Improved Fearsome Roster. The former has a leader requirement of Intimidate +8 and party members' requirements of Intimidate +1 or Charisma 13+. The latter has a leader requirement of Intimidate +12 and party members' requirements of Intimidate +2 or Charisma 14+. You don't need to complete any quests to get the feats. You just need to pay Daerred the gold.
Assuming that Logan was the one talking to Daerred, Gallard was the only party member who wouldn't meet the Charisma requirement as his was only 10. I suppose I could have given him a couple of points in Intimidate. But in the end, missing out on those quests wasn't a big deal for me, especially as they don't need reveal any new areas.
Researching Merchants
I speak to Volo again to get his next quest. He wants me to interview six merchants. The candidates are:
I bring the good news to Khelgar for 1,100xp and 1,500gp.
Researching Bandits
Volo's next job immediately thereafter is to try and interview Bandits on his behalf. I return to the Overland Map. The roads in between Crossroad Keep and Phandalin are ideal for scoping out random Bandit encounters.
Once a bandit group appears, I click on it. The option to bribe them with gold to see their leader is available even when they're scared of me and trying to run away from me.
I need to do this three times, and then a special Bandit encounter (i.e. surrounded by a blue circle) will appear on the Overland Map. I click on it. Either a Diplomacy or Intimidate check suffices to get the Bandit Leader to reveal that he works for a nefarious group called the Forktongues, and that somebody in Neverwinter is pulling the strings.
I could let them go, or kill them. I chose the latter, and finished them off easily in combat.
I bring the good news to Volo, and get 1,800xp, 2,000gp and a Ring of Major Acid Resistance.
30th Level
I now do the 30th level ups for everyone in the party. Highlights include: