Another attempt at a divine intervention to save Theobald was unsuccessful, but we have Taielye ready today to cast the Wish spell later on this afternoon.
We head to Southspire in preparation to speak to Taielye, but are early and spend the morning around Southspire, Berdyn speaking to family about trading, the rest of us eating at Flaming Maeves. It turns out the Crimson Standard Trading company is the main group that trades with the Human settlement.
The last caravan leaves on the 18th of Heartful, we are asked to arrive on the 17th so they leave at dawn.
Flaming Maeves is delicious and rowdy, as always. We then head to the Runecaster’s tower, and speak to Taielye about the Wish, and the ability to shrink items.
We now have the Shrinking device, in exchange for a favor. And the wish spell will be cast in the evening.
We head to the summit, and Codex reads the wall. It is confirmed that the “Lesser dragons” (what the dragons call the dragonborn and half dragons) did also go to the great gathering. There is a mention of preparation for Her plan – her being Tiamat. We also realize that the White Dragon had several plates and cutlery with the seal of Bahamut, likely trophies.
We shrink down the clockwork dragon and return to Kingston.
We arrive in time for the wish to take place. Theobalt initially is unresponsive, but then he proceeds to expunge liquid gold. It burns Berdyn and hisses when it hits the floorboards.
Theobald is now a boy, and the curse is lifted We are victorious!
We meet William Duststone and Faye Duststone and have dinner. During dessert, Able tells them about the smuggling and shows them the iron bar we found in one of the crates. Both of them are shocked, and when they look over the cooked books they grow scared.
They tell us that they didn’t know exactly what was happening, but William suspected something was amiss, as the Northern Trade route was reporting losses, but still open. He didn’t know the extent of the smuggling, or what was being smuggled.
They are aware that this iron being smuggled is treason, and they understand now why their father was so furiously angry when they sold the trade route to Liondark trading. The father must know. They ask if they are to be executed.
Able says he doesn’t – he wants to know who took this iron, and what this iron was being used for. Their response is that it is likely that the Crown Prince and Princess. They pledge to try to find out the answers to these questions.
Codex then asks to go to the Gambling Cleric Inn to speak to his clan. The rest of them agree, and we head over to the bunker of St. Cuthbert by wagon, and then get a guide (a local prostitute) to take us to the Inn. When we get there, the orc at the door lets us in.
The half elven woman was bartender, and was short and tough. When Codex comes up to ask about Cinnabar Flint, she challenges him to five finger fillet. Rather than embarrass himself, Codex just stabs the middle of his hand. This impresses the bartender, who does the same.
After a moment, Cinnabar Flint, and his daughters Cinnabar Tyrana and Cinnabar Jynx arrive. He stares at Codex, and then sits down.
After some hostile awkwardness, Codex asks him why they left. “Lasthaven was dying, and Kingston is where you can find fame, fortune, and glory.” This confirms that Epiphany told the truth to Codex. Flint offers question for questions, so long as Codex is honest in turn. Codex agrees.
Codex first asks if the Cinnabar Clan went to Tiamat’s Gathering. “Of course we did.” (in draconic, but Codex aggressively uses common, which annoys his father and older sister Cinnabar Tyrana, and amuses Cinnabar Jynx) Which means the Cinnabar were among the Lesser Dragons that went to the Citadel. In return, Cinnabar Flint asks if he has influence over the dwarves, which Codex honestly says he really doesn’t.
Codex then asks if he is aware of the large amount of mercenaries being hired in Kingston. Flint is aware. He asks in turn Codex’s relationship with the Duke. Codex says that Duke Able Alegan “trusts him completely”.
Codex then asks where the mercenaries went. “First south, then they were sent West”. This confirms that perhaps Deseragar is a mustering point for the Crown Prince’s army. Flint asks about the defenses of Gilbert and Emma’s compound. “It is not as lax as it appears, they have well hidden guards.” Replies Codex.
The conversation then turns to discussions of strength and weakness. Cinnabar Flint finds out that Epiphany went to the Citadel. “Good for her” he says ... with surprising sincerity. He remarks that as a cleric of Ioun he worried Codex is weak, but Codex seems strong. “Cinnabar Rhogar did well in that, I see”. He tells Codex that he cares only that Cinnabar act with strength, not hide behind books. He asks Codex if he wishes to be disowned, and Codex replies honestly that he isn’t sure. He understands his family, he gets that the world is cruel and will not show mercy, and that his family have embraced the cruelty and lived within it. He will show mercy and kindness none the less, and spit in the face of the cruel world. Flint thinks it is stupid, but Codex retorts it is brave, because he has weapons of knowledge. “Your weapon is garbage” – to which Codex retorts “I’m proud of my garbage”.
They part – not friends, not enemies, Cinnabar Flint tells him “I’ll keep my eye on you”. Cinnabar Tyrana glares at him, Cinnabar Tyrana smiles at him with some degree of malice.
We return to the Bunker of St. Cuthbert, and take the wagon back to Gilbert and Emma’s Estate.
It is very late at night, and just before we go to sleep, Maud is given a sending from Katla Liondark's sending stone. Lasthaven was attacked by a warband of orcs. All but one was slain, and one, a very young orc, maybe 13 years old was captured. She doesn’t understand what the orc is yelling.
Codex uses a sending to tell her that he will be scrying her in about 10 minutes with her permission, and Katla gives it. He then scries on Katla and sees her trying to calm down a screaming orc teenager, who was blooded (but way too young for this) and emaciated – his tribe must be starving and desperate to have to do this. He is yelling and enraged “Let me die with my brothers” he keeps screaming, and straining against chains. Katla is trying to soothe him. Then the Orc passes out, his rage exhausting him, but more than it should, it seems the orc teen was already exhausted.
Codex casts another Sending to Katla. “Proud angry teenager. Tell him “Don’t be a fool, live now, die later” (Orcish) firmly when he is yelling. Arriving 24th at latest. Miss you too.”
Katla repeats the words a few times and then thanks us.