As the spell ends, and the arcane glows dissipate, Tiny and Tinaani appear unchanged, although Tiny has a new twinkle in his eye.

"I'm afraid that while Granny Nightshade rules Thither, and while I still have gold in my hoard, I am stuck here. But worry not for me. I will be fine." He begins to knit again. "I don't have any equipment for you, but perhaps you can use this to store it in."  He hands Horatio a finely woven golden sack, with an illustration of a cave embroidered on one side.

(Everyone may take a long rest, if you so choose. Let me know if you have any business to attend to first or during.)

Ben:

"I know this seems strange, Horatio, but I think it would be rude to refuse Nib's gift.  Perhaps we will find a way to help him eventually," Ben says with a smile, encouraging Horatio to take what is undoubtedly a magic bag of some kind.

Ben will rest and recover as best he can, taking his turn at watch as needed.  He is not sure where to go from here, but after almost dying, waking up whole and refreshed sounds pretty teriffic.

Horatio gives Ben a wary and concerned look. He whispers in reply, "Wasn't it you and Titaani who said to be cautious of making deals, and that all things have a cost? This... feels wrong. Dangerous even." 

Ben:

”We have been given gifts as thanks for services rendered,” Ben responds quietly to Horatio, indicating the magical dagger at his waist, “or in preparation for tasks desired,” he adds, showing his studded leather ensemble, “but if you feel something is off about this one, do what you must.  I feel Nib has been truthful with us.”

Insight to determine if Nib has hidden motivations or implied obligations giving us these gifts:  17

Matilda invites Tiny to dance in celebration of her awesome new armour.

Nib seems genuinely happy to impart his gifts; Ben detects nothing duplicitous about his actions. Nib directs you to a pile of old blankets he invites you to sleep upon.

"Sleep here. Stay as long as you need," says the blindfolded old man as the silent spirits flit in and out to mock him. "I wish I had food to offer, but I don't seem to need to eat anymore. I sleep a little sometimes. I miss the nighttime, and the seasons, of home. This place never seems to change. I feel like I'm always waiting for the stagecoach to arrive and it never comes."

(A long rest to those who take it.)

(( Horatio will rest as well ))

Quote from Damian_May >>

Matilda invites Tiny to dance in celebration of her awesome new armour.

 Tiny leaps around Matilda, doing his best to dance as gracefully as he can. He seems extra energetic. 

Matilda curled up next to Titaani and slept.....her dreams were of hags and childrens nightmares....

You awake. The light hasn't changed outside the cozy cave. It's a truly beautiful forest outside, full of unfamiliar bird calls and animal sounds.

Nib is dozing at his wheel. 

(Long rest for everyone.)

Ben:

Waking up and stretching, Ben is surprised by how hale he is feeling.  Wishing to do something for his host, he examines the cave and what improvements on it he might be able to do for Nib and/or his companions/tormentors.

Masonry Tools to assess the cave:  8

”Any thoughts for toys or other gifts for that boy phantasm from our collection of odds and ends?” He asks of the others, whispering so as not to disturb Nib.

Titaani wakes up, wiping her eyes tiredly. She smiles, gently getting up so as to not disturb Matilda. 

Then she rushes over to Tiny immediately. "Did it work?" she asks in gnomish. "Please tell me it worked!"

Tiny communicates telepathically to Titaani, letting her know that the ritual, did, in fact, work. The gnome squeals in delight, giving her familiar a huge hug. She only stops upon hearing Ben, causing her to poke her head out from Tiny's shoulder. "Uh, what phantasm, again?"

Ben:

Answering in a whisper, Ben says, "Yes, the figures that seem to be haunting Nib.  I wonder if they might be part of the key to his freedom--perhaps the real keys to his release instead of this spun gold giftwork..."

"Nib is being haunted?" Titaani exclaims, shocked. This fact had completely flown over her head.

Quote from Scott_R_Simmons >>

Ben:

Waking up and stretching, Ben is surprised by how hale he is feeling.  Wishing to do something for his host, he examines the cave and what improvements on it he might be able to do for Nib and/or his companions/tormentors.

Masonry Tools to assess the cave:  17

”Any thoughts for toys or other gifts for that boy phantasm from our collection of odds and ends?” He asks of the others, whispering so as not to disturb Nib.

Matilda dug around in her bag, " Oh, we still have these truffles that we need to return."

She held out a painted wooden toy unicorn, " Will this do?"

Ben finds the cave to be tidy, stable, and efficient, while small and simple. He's unsure how it could be improved upon.

Nib wakes with a start. "Who? Who's here with me now?" he calls out.

A hunched old woman with a three-legged cat appears behind him for a moment, then vanishes.

" Its just us from last night, Nib."

Ben:

”Yes, Matilda, that could work,” answers Ben when she shows him the toy.  With Nib awakening, Ben reassures him and asks, “Tell me Nib, have you ever tried making gifts for the people you wronged?  I can describe them to you if that would help.  We also have a small toy if you would like us to give it to the young boy.”

"I've tried everything. Giving them things. Pleading with them, begging them. Trying to learn from them. Nothing works. It's Granny Nightshade's bargain with me, her curse upon me. Fortunately, she mostly keeps to Loomlurch and doesn't come out this way. I've been there once – I never want to go back. But I have visitors, and they tell me things.

"I gather she is now obsessed with capturing Will of the Feywild, a boy who helped a handful of younger children escape from Loomlurch. Will of the Feywild’s motley group is known as the Getaway Gang and is protected by a treant named Little Oak. At least that's what I heard."

Matilda turned to the adults in her group, " Do you think my brother might be with these children?"