Encountered by those with the first caravan to Assur, Bartleby was at first merely a good-humored and entertaining dinner companion for the Freeholders lodging at the Riad al Amin. Professing himself a traveling gourmand, he claimed to be on a personal journey to immerse himself in all the world's various cuisine, so that he could share the finest foods with others in the most authentic way possible, citing the need to have respect and understanding for the culture that produces a dish in order to truly appreciate it.

After spending some days studying the techniques of various chefs in Assur, Bartleby met Councilor Shara Graye and Lord Aram Lazard at the Riad al Hakir just as the caravan was preparing to return home with its entourage of teamsters, porters, hired laborers, and Trollslayer mercenary guards. Finding himself goin, by happenstance, in the same direction with a hope to examine the tribal foodstuffs of the Shaar, he sought to join the Freeholders and followed them west, paying his way by cooking enormous meals for the entire trading party.

When the caravan was waylaid by hill giants on 20 Hammer, 1374DR, the food scholar was nearest the front of the wagons, and joined Marten Noin and Shara in defending the many noncombatants located in that part of the group by employing a respectable level of wizardry, including a protective ward of the Third Circle. When the Freeholders finally made it back to their village, Bartleby assisted in the disembarkation of their goods by feeding the hired hands of Rawnpore Chaka, as well as the Trollslayers and anyone else who happened by.

Living out of his custom-made wagon with its impressive hideaway kitchen, which he says is a gift from pleased diners in Aglarond, far to the north, the heavyset and lighthearted wizard appears to have settled in town, for now, content to share the fruits of his labors as he engages the indigenous peoples of Veldorn and their cuisine.