With the Queen of Knives' blessing, the crew calls on Malifax DuVex, retired Blackstaff instructor, professional provocateur, and owner of a puppy assembled from several other puppies. Mal has exactly one way into the tower, and it costs one evening of catering.

So: white uniforms, illusory decorations, aboleth soup, and a guest list of people who want to murder or rob each other. Somewhere in the room is a young mage with an arcane focus the crew needs and no interest whatsoever in being charmed.

The mission is simple: Steal the crystal. Return the crystal. Try not to die over dessert.

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