Immersive Ink

Gustave shows a keen interest in the longbottom weed and pipe - given the demonstrated lack of his own cigars at present, though he is willing to share. He is otherwise only interested in viewing the 'sights' in the forest and attending meals.

Desmond, after a long and restful nap, takes inventory of the items.

The first thing to jump out at him is that the reliquary had a fake staff, a fake book, and a fake bowl. He wonders if the less attractive bowls, book, and gnarled staff from the secret room are the real things and the former are the decoys...

Dorgan wants Josiane to examine everything first to make sure we don't sell off some magical relic for pennies on the dollar.

Highbough awakens from his long slumber feeling better than he has in years. The food, the drink, even the beds of his people have all had a rejuvinative effect. When he sees that Wen is awake, Highbough would take him aside for a private chat.

"You are so young, and there are truths I cannot explain to you in the time I have left in this world. Let me begin by revealing my Elfish name to you; it is Taurnorn, meaning "high tree," so named for the lone pine that is the sigil of my family. I kept this from you before, but tell you now because it is very important we speak no falsehoods before the Council. It is useless to deceive these Wood Elves; the ancients among them can probe our thoughts and root out any lies. Their interrogation may reveal things that you did not wish to know about me, but trust me when I say we should stick to the script and not try to embellish our tale beyond the basics of our flight from Ket. I am Taurnorn, you are Lleuad-Wen, and we are goblin-hunting companions of recent acquaintence. Yes. Sometimes I am forgetful, at my age, but I think even I can keep those facts straight." He fixes the juvenile Elf with an inscrutable stare.

Armando drops closed the lid on the box after briefly observing the tome within. "Just as I suspected!" He confers with Desmond and the, er, three of them agree that the finer items might in fact be decoys, and the shabbier-looking items the true relics. "We should present these to Josiane — this text here is Empyrean, a script I of course know by sight, though I have no fluency with it.

"But first — we must bury poor Rufus."

Beringar, knowing right from wrong, has no interest in the treasures the others have accumulated. He is interested in getting something nice for his missus, though, but that will have to wait. Elven baubles, bah! Wouldn't take his coin, eh? A woman is more impressed by spoils wrest from the cold, dead hands of an enemy!

Ulric rises early and changes into his clean spare suit of clothing he had stored in his pack. Better to use the space for more food next time, Ulric thinks to himself.

He finds a comfortable place to sit, removes his Grimoire from his satchel and begins to study, memorizing The Exigent Secernment (he is sure to have a large flagon of water available) and The Effable Apperception to help identify the items they recovered from the secret room, in particular, as well as the other odd items.

Ulric oversee the splitting of the coin so that those requiring new equipment could procure it from the elven stores. Once Rufus has been buried, Ulric sets himself to the task of examining the other items.

"Josiane, you are the most learned in the matters of religious artifacts. You should take the lead on this. I can determine which items are enchanted and I can read any unknown writing upon them. Highbough and Wen, could you assist as well; our combined knowledge should be equal to the task."

Looking upon all of items, Ulric will first cast The Exigent Secernment to determine which are truly magical. Once this is done he will drain the pitcher of water. He will then cast The Effable Apperception if needed to identify any unknown writing on the items.

OOC: Ulric does have one more language slot available if it is needed as well.

Dorgan wakes up, stretches, and feels as good as he's felt in weeks!

Then he steps onto the floor and remembers his blistered, scorched feet.

His goals for the day involve breakfast and finding someone to have a look at his feet to see what sort of healing can be done. He will definitely attend any services for Rufus.

Later in the day, assuming the party has at least divided up the coin, he will look into buying new boots, a new shield and a new helmet. He'll also see if they have any dwarf-sized clothing so he can discard and burn what he's been wearing over the past few weeks. And he'll try to get Mads Cold Iron Axe sharpened, if it's been returned to him.

Dieter will arise, stretch, and climb out of the oh-so-comfortable bed.

He will dress simply, in the cleanest clothing he has (have elven launderers visited him in the night?) and seek out breakfast and a bath, in that order. It will feel good to walk around with a full belly and no armor for a change! (Even when you're used to it, it gets old after a while.)

Then he will seek out anyone from the elf General Staff who is interested in what he saw around Ket. It is his best attempt to repay the kindness of their hospitality.

He will definitely attend the funeral for Rufus.

mushgnome wrote: "You are so young, and there are truths I cannot explain to you in the time I have left in this world. Let me begin by revealing my Elfish name to you; it is Taurnorn, meaning "high tree," so named for the lone pine that is the sigil of my family. I kept this from you before, but tell you now because it is very important we speak no falsehoods before the Council. It is useless to deceive these Wood Elves; the ancients among them can probe our thoughts and root out any lies. Their interrogation may reveal things that you did not wish to know about me, but trust me when I say we should stick to the script and not try to embellish our tale beyond the basics of our flight from Ket. I am Taurnorn, you are Lleuad-Wen, and we are goblin-hunting companions of recent acquaintence. Yes. Sometimes I am forgetful, at my age, but I think even I can keep those facts straight." He fixes the juvenile Elf with an inscrutable stare.

Wen listens intently to Highbough and nods. "If that is your wish Taurnorn, then it will be so. Our people have always honored the eldest, for if you can not honor those who have seen their", and here Wen the Elven word for "quarter-million sunrises", then you can not honor life itself. I do not think or people will judge you that harshly, but I have not the right to speak of things you do not want spoken of. The Wildwold has need of us I think, you are my friend and companion so." Wenfinishes with a single finger raised to his lips. "Now I must go see the Sword Master."

Wen will wander about the Watchtower, when he hears that Rufus is being buried he would go a visit the sight. He would play a soft song over the grave with his flute and make a wreath of boughs from the forest. "I'm sorry little one, it was terrible way to die, sightless and surrounded by chaos. May you rest here in peace.

Wen spends the rest of his day arming himself and getting some pointers from the Elven Warriors. Depending on how much money is available he'd buy Armor, Shield, Helm, Sword, perhaps Bow + Arrow.