Waverider, that rope you can either purchase it or threaten to take it by force and either way he will give it to you. Once you have the rope, go to the tower where the mage is standing outside and there is a lower door that you can enter and away you go....can't tell the rest
Oh, if you talked to this man already it might be in your log book, check it.
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To quote the pestering peasant, Neeber, of tradesmeet: "
I killed a rabid rabbit! I'm experienced, now!"