I'm prepping for my next session, and I've been thinking about how, as written, there's really no way for the PCs to afford to get Trollskull Manor up and running as a fully-renovated and licensed tavern *before* they get their share of 500,000 gold coins in the Vault of Dragons.
Unless they take out a loan from somebody. Conveniently, the adventure establishes at least four people/groups who are in the moneylending business: Mirt, the Cassalanters, the Irlingstars, and Istrid Horn.
Unfortunately, the subject of how to go about securing a loan is never broached.
Although Istrid's description talks about her rates being comparable to those of the Cassalanters, it doesn't specify what any of their rates actually are.
Anyone got any thoughts on the matter?