So who the hell do I talk to to get this ball rollin? Salim or whatever wants me to knock Aruma out of power, but no one seems to be talkin. Also, is there a weapons/merchant dealer anywhere? I have SO much stuff I need to toss.

Just go back to the wandering village for a merchant.

This one's not really all that difficult. Search everyone's rooms for incriminating evidence. As you said, no body's talking.

Specifically, there is a locked room - not the storeroom - where you can find what you need to get rid of Aruma.

After you do the 8 chambers, you'll reach the Underdark, and there will be merchants there to sell your stuff to. They also have some nice items for sale.

<center>Nightowl2</center>

when you get the quest the guy drops a hint that the guy is quartered in the room next to the leader woman...like all bad guys he's not to bright and leaves incriminating evidence lying around.

Seriously that quest is very easy.

When I first got in the monastery I first talked to the monk there. He told me I had to talk to the leader, but that she would not let me get to the underdark. I also saw his overhead message about how he does not trust the other monk.

Then I took my thief and started "confiscating" everything of use in the monastery, and that's when I stubled on the evidence in the room next to the head monk. I took them and showed them to her.

I never even got asked to help, I just found the evidence and solved the problem by myself.

Now, isn't that true heroism? I saved the day without aven being asked to, or getting any hints. Of course, I didn't have permission to look in all those chests, but that was for a good cause... ;)