faction

Underbelly

Summary

The Underbelly is an underground faction or community with a truce with the Black Scales, granting Underbelly access to Salinus’ Prison.

On Day 14, an old gnome in Salinus’ prison asked whether the party were Underbelly because the Underbelly had a truce with the Black Scales granting access to the prison.
People there wanted the Justicar kept out.
People at the prison were trying to free the salt dragon, but the Day 14 notes do not confirm that the Underbelly specifically was doing so.
The old gnome guide and his black dragonborn boss were Black Scales, not Underbelly.
Day 23 shows the Drunken Duck as a secret Underbelly venue in Freeport; the barman referred to Eliana as “the Little Finger,” later clarified as her title within The Hand, and mentioned the three best members of the Underbelly going on a mission.
Day 35 identifies Lady Katherine Cole as Eliana’s boss, answering the earlier question about Eliana’s Underbelly boss. This is separate from the Day 14 black dragonborn who was the gnome tour guide’s boss and was Black Scales.
Day 34 shows Baytail imprisoned in Goldenswell and accused as head of the Underbelly.
Day 37 in Highden says the Underbelly was getting back on track now that Lady Coke was back; Granny, an old gnoll liaison, and Scurry, a Highden lizardfolk courier, were the only two to trust.
Highden was described as a wreck where troops had taken over the inn and the place never sees the sun.

day-14: In Salinus’ prison, an old Black Scales gnome asks whether the party are Underbelly because of the Underbelly truce with the Black Scales.
day-23: At Freeport’s Drunken Duck, the party uses Underbelly channels to send a message changing their apparent route from Baytail Accord to the desert laboratory.

Are they liberators, criminals, cultists, or a mix?
Is Baytail truly the head of the Underbelly, or was the accusation part of the Goldenswell prisoner operation?