Bookish Bargaining, Requests for the Rod and a Frictionless Felony

## Meeting preparations

* While waiting for the meeting, the group bought some goodies from a bakery and planned their strategy
* To entice the academics, they decided to offer the following items:
	+ Copy of the Pre-Breaking map
	+ Statue of the Fire Giant God, Surtur
	+ Ancient Iysgarthian Shield
	+ Golden Sextant
* They also took the opportunity to scope out the Westgate mansion, Elyan investigating the guards and Scribbulus having a chat with the local tree — they found that there were 4 guards, 2 mastiffs and a few servants at any one time

## Dean on the scene

* Two crimson mages guarded the door to the Dean’s office and escorted the party inside
* At the large mahogany desk was sat a female halfling with an air of authority and a warm smile, to her side a half elf male with a long trench coat and stern face, and to the other a younger human female
* The Dean introduced herself as Riverstone, then the others as Professor Gutenheim the ancient history expert, and Gloria the bursar
* Elyan made a charming set of introductions and set out the situation; that they were there to re-establish the relationship between institutions
* He tempted them with he Golden Sextant, though the half elf was initially skeptical that it actually belonged to Leon Garth
* While he inspected it, the Dean asked about the monetary situation
* As that was discussed, the professor interjected to say that it was indeed legitimate, though wasn’t impressed that it had been stumbled across in an antique shop — nor was he impressed by the Iysgarthian shield
* Foe the amount of money being asked, 500gp per month, the dean demanded something more — use of the Divining Rod
* After consulting with Dr T, they reached an agreement of 750gp per month for 4 months use of the Rod, which Elyan go them to agree to with words of silk
* The university people were hesitant to say why exactly they wanted the rod, but the issue wasn’t probed

## Tamission Imposscribble

* Elyan voiced his concern with taking the job, but after some discussion it was agreed that this was worthwhile
* The plan set out was that Tamsin and Scribbulus would infiltrate the house while Leo and Elyan distracted the guards
* They waited patiently for Westgate to leave — Tamsin and Scribbulus posed as a happy couple while the others took on a disguise as guards themselves
* Once the target had left, Elyan and Leo approached the guards at the front gate, who naturally asked who they worked for — by the skin of his teeth, Elyan lied that it was Professor Xander, while leo played the role of inexperienced guard ‘young William’
* The guards cracked out some whiskey and they all had a lovely time over a game of cards
* Meanwhile, Ellie scoped out the upstairs rooms and Tamsin used Dimension Door to get her and Scribbulus inside, with shrouded by Pass Without Trace
* Tamsin searched the first bedroom while Scribbulus investigated the house as a spider, finding the office room they needed
* To get past the guard mastiffs, Tamsin was polymorphed into a smaller spider and carried by Scribbs past the hounds - they briefly awakened but were unable to catch the spiders on the ceiling
* Once inside the office, Tamsin scrutinised every nook and cranny, soon finding Westgate’s smut tucked behind a painting — without hesitation, the fake ledger was placed there and the pair teleported back out, a brief message to Elyan finishing the job. ‘Mission accomplished'.
* They departed their game amicably, Elyan smooth as ever: ‘Well I think I’ve lost enough for one evening. Come young William.'

## Getting Lucky in the Mother’s Luck

* After a successful mission, the group wound down back at the Mother’s Luck
* Tamsin found Simone
* Elyan messaged Dr T to confirm the University arrangement