Cracking the Code
With Dominik dead and two letters in hand, the group brings everything back to Baz. The personal letter from Tanwen has answered many questions but the blank enchanted letter remains a problem. They believe it was written in Illusory Script, meaning only Dominik could read it, and with him dead that avenue is closed. The group spends time with Baz working through their options. They need someone capable of casting True Seeing.
I Know A Guy
Arbin calls in his "I Know A Guy" reward, conjuring an NPC from his past. He knows a divination wizard named Richard Robert. There is a complication however, as the dice reveal that Arbin owes Richard a moderate sum of money. Arbin agrees to settle the debt upfront to secure Richard's cooperation.
The group tracks Richard down and finds him to be a suspicious and reclusive man, reluctant to engage with strangers. When Arbin explains what they need, Richard is willing but hits a snag. He doesn't have the saffron required as a component for True Seeing.
Five Finger Discount
With the shops closed for the night, the group needs saffron and needs it quickly. Myrnin crosses King's Road to Bishop's fine wine and cheese shop, the only place in town likely to carry something so specific. Rather than wait until morning, he breaks in. He finds what he needs and, in a characteristically Myrnin move, leaves gold on the counter to cover the cost before slipping back out.
What The Letter Says
With the saffron in hand, Richard casts True Seeing on Arbin who is then able to read the enchanted letter. The contents reveal a Grey Wolf operation already in motion in Cothrom. A ship called The Dogfish is due in port and a Halfling cook named Essim has been paid to smuggle a cache of weapons aboard. The group is to make contact with Essim at the tavern using a passphrase, retrieve the weapons, and move them out of the city to Caer Abhainn. A man named Bishop Aetria is expecting delivery on the 14th day of the month at an old cemetery outside the city.
The Grey Wolf has been a step ahead this whole time. Now, for the first time, the group has a step ahead of him.
A Conversation Worth Having
While the rest of the group prepares to intercept The Dogfish, Myrnin stays behind to speak with Baz privately. In a gesture of trust, he removes his Ring of Mind Shielding and offers Baz an open look at his thoughts. Baz thanks him for the gesture but tells him he never has to do that.
When the conversation turns to Tanwen, Myrnin makes his loyalty plain. Baz acknowledges that her connection to the Grey Wolf complicates things but tells Myrnin he's glad to know she's alive. Now that he knows where she ended up, he'll do some digging. Before the conversation ends Baz says quietly, "I miss them too, you know" — a reference to Myrnin's parents that hangs in the air. Myrnin doesn't pull on that thread. Not yet.
The Dogfish
With the window narrow, the group moves into position. Bluud and Amérre take up posts in the tavern while Myrnin follows Essim from the shadows. Lorelei makes the approach. On their way into position they run into Scian, who reads the situation quickly and throws a globe of darkness into a nearby alley to help them stay out of sight.
Lorelei makes contact with Essim using the passphrase. He turns out to be a pawn — paid to get the weapons to Dominik and nothing more. He doesn't know what they're for or who Dominik ultimately answers to. The group slips aboard The Dogfish, locates the cache, and gets the weapons back to the Bastion without encountering any resistance.
The Grey Wolf's shipment is now in Baz's hands. Caer Abhainn is still waiting.