Grugga raises his eyebrows and says quietly: "Ancient Elf. Be careful." He wonders what Deinochlorodon might have wanted with them - there are surprisingly plenty of people in and around Amnifortis, the fact that Deinochlorodon made a deal with the team to investigate Ancient Elves was something noteworthy, Grugga thought. Then Grugga gasps and continues "The statue outside was Ancient as well."

From somewhere within the dome, a woman's voice answers.  It is in Common, with no hint of elven accent.  

"Fair enough.  Let us talk.  You say you encountered an associate of mine?  Under what circumstances?  Where?  What makes you think they require your help?"

     "Wait... what?" Raqisat says in a hushed voice, confused.  Upon hearing the woman's voice he draws his weapons and his eyes attempt to seek out the source.

     "This is an illusion... right?  We weren't...  moved elsewhere?" he asks in the same quiet tone, trying to get a bearing on their situation.

"No, I'm sure it is just an illusion. And please sheathe your weapons, there will be no need for them right now." The young noble says calmly to Raqisat and gives Grugga a pleased smile over his information. Aubrey then turns to speak towards the sound of the elven voice. "Well, considering he is one of your ancient kind I would assume he came here with you. We found him close to the entrance to this place. Unfortunately he has been petrified but I believe we can find help to remedy that." He explains to the unseen elf with a polite smile. "As for you being in need of help I admit that was another assumption of mine, but I got the impression something is troubling you and I am offering our help in exchange for information about this place and a man I believe you might have encountered by the name Deinochlorodon."

There is a long pause before the Elf speaks again, perhaps considering Aubrey's news or merely thinking carefully about what to say next.

"That is unfortunate, but it explains their absence."  

She continues, skipping past Aubrey's comment about her ancient origins without comment.  "Give my companion's injury no mind.  When this is over, if they live, they will be restored.  It is a simple enough thing, though not something I can address in the field."

"You should know you are in grave danger here.  The illusions generated by this artifact are unstable and ever-shifting.  You were lucky to enter when you did, as it is in one of its... calmer cycles.  It changes, unpredictably."

"I would ask you to leave, but if my companion is disabled then my options are limited.  Help me.  Out there, somewhere in the illusion, is a table.  It should be easily identifiable.  There are two crystalline orbs, with the skeletal remains of two Human mages touching them.  I have deduced it is the control key for the containment field.  Find the table and disable the containment.  Then I will disable the artifact and remove it somewhere where it can be held safely.  You will be doing the world a great service."

"I would offer clearer directions, but the location shifts with each illusory environment that is created."

Aubrey tries to discern if he is being decieved somehow, that the ancient elf might simply use them to escape with the artefact.
Insight: 10

Aubrey:

     "And why exactly are we trusting the random Elf chick in the illusion?" Raqisat asks instead of sheathing his weapons. 

"I'm afraid I would need to explain to my superiors why exactly we were assisting you with acquiring the artefact, without even getting anything in return as far as I can tell. You could of course make this easier by sharing more information, particularly about the artefact and this Deinochlorodon." The young noble continues with a slight firmness to his tone now.

Cosette had practically lost herself in the whole illusion. Whether she was actively aware or not, it was real enough to her. It didn't seem or feel threatening, of course that didn't mean it couldn't turn at any time. Regardless, they were in it, so why not embrace it? She'd take the peaceful environment while they had it. It was beautiful. Calming. Serene. She would have tried to run her hands along the foliage as they walked, and even hummed as they went.

Blink. Cos did a lot of that when the group paused, for various reasons. Most of it was to confirm her current reality, and if she was seeing the same thing the others were. So there was an Elven woman there! Aubrey would start the conversation. Cosette would nod to Grugga's suggestion. There was so much to take in, and so much she wanted to touch. She'd look and listen, for now.

(Post 3922 History Check: 9)

While she may not have recognized much about the elven woman, Cosette couldn't help but make some mental notes on what she was saying. There was a mounting list, each one growing more curious than the next. The elf took a long time to think about her response. She didn't have much concern for her partner. It's not something she can 'address in the field'? Huh. So she's not the source of the illusions? The artifact is? That may check out with what Grugga was saying about the source of the magic down here. It's in a calm cycle and could change. A containment field? For her, or the artifact? It must be her, if she's offering to disable the artifact. Could they disable the artifact? And time was limited.

Hmm. They could multi task. Time to heavily suggest some ideas and delegate the who she thought was the best candidate for those suggestions.

Cosette leans into Grugga while she gently tugs on the back of Raq's shirt to talk to them first while Aubrey keeps the conversation going. "Aye. What do you think 'bout the artifact? Do ya wanna try to contain it Grugga?" If anyone who wasn't a currently contained elf could do it, it'd be their talented artificer. She'd give his arm a squeeze. "I know yer real. I know yer mind is sound. I trust ya the most." Cos trusted that he'd know how to best handle it, and what to do with it if they managed to contain it before the elf. She exchanges a look with Raquisat suggesting that he help Grugga.

(Bardic Inspiration: Grugga)

Next Cosette would lean lower to Leelan to consult with him, and try to encourage him to walk with her towards the domed area with the study. "Aye. What's yer take on that domed study area? Safe fer us to cross into an' check out the control key an' what this containment field may be about? Is it containing the elf some how? Them human mage remains seem teh be comitted teh doing what they doin'. Is it a ritual or somethin'? They dead dead? or undead ya think?" She spitballs a bunch of open ended questions in hopes of helping him discover any answers, should he be willing to investigate/look into it further.

(Action: Help?)

Cosette would look about where she stands, as if looking for the invisible woman to address her directly. "Name's Cosette Shadowjaw." She calls out in a casual introduction. "May I ask yours?" It felt rude to not know the name of who she's speaking too, especially if it's as dire of a situation as she claims it is. "I'm an archaeologist." She'd share this information whether the woman cared or not. "Can't help but wonder what it is that you specialize in."

(Trying to build a rapport/get to know more about the elf via passive conversation?)

Leelan looks relieved that the illusion seems to create a rather serene setting. He looks around and takes it all in. Even if none of it is real, there’s no harm in enjoying a bit of tranquility. 

When Cosette begins questioning him about the dome and the human remains, he looks puzzled. There several hypothesis going through his mind, which he’s more than happy to share. "While it may be an unsubstantiated guess, I think this domed study might indeed be "containing" the elven woman. Perhaps a form of security measure to catch unsuspecting thieves? She does seem eager to leave with this blue crystal. Otherwise, it could be a spell of hers protecting her from the unstable illusion magic, in which case, I doubt we’ll be invited to join her inside. As for the skeletal remains, I’m not familiar enough with old imperial arcane rituals to hazard a theory. Let us see what Master Goldentide can learn from our friend here."

     Raqisat shrugs.  "No idea what this artifact is but I AM in favor of us finding it before some random elf woman," he admits and looks to Grugga to see if he does want to go looking for it.  Raq would rather stay by Cosette's side but he really can't argue for one of them going off totally alone.  He looks to Grugga and waits to follow his lead...

When the voice speaks again, it is with a measured, authoritative tone.

“You want more information, fine.  But understand this: the more you know about this crystal, the more dangerous this becomes—for all of us."

“Deinochloridon…” she repeats, the name rolling off her tongue thoughtfully.  “Yes, I’m familiar with that creature.  A man?  No.  A green dragon of considerable cunning and power, though it has kept to its lair and its own devices, for the most part.  The fact that you speak its name to me in this place is troubling, to say the least.  You see, Deinochloridon is not just any dragon.  It’s a manipulator, a creature that thrives on deception and treachery.  Its schemes run deep in the history of this land.  If it sent you here, it likely has its own agenda, one that could end very poorly for you—and for me.”

Her voice lowers conspiratorially.  “Deinochloridon is a master of sowing discord, of turning allies against each other without ever lifting a claw.  It appeared to you in the guise of a man?  If it’s sent you here, it’s likely because it knows something you don’t, something dangerous.”

“I won’t pretend to know all of its plans.  Has it sent you here for this artifact?  Deinochloridon’s interest in this crystal is a bad omen.  It wouldn’t risk exposure unless the prize was worth it.  And if it sent you after us, then perhaps it sees us as a threat to its goals.”

She lets that sink in for a moment before continuing, her voice growing more urgent. “You need to help me shut down this containment field and secure the artifact.  If Deinochloridon gets its claws on it, the consequences will be catastrophic—not just for this city, but for the entire region.  The dragon might be using you, manipulating you as it does so many others. But together, we can prevent that from happening.  We can keep this artifact out of its grasp and deny it whatever dark purpose it has in mind.”

The elf woman pauses, her demeanor softening slightly, though her intensity remains.  “You may not trust me, and I understand that.  But know this: if Deinochloridon is involved, then this situation is far more dangerous than it seems.  I don’t want to see you—or anyone—fall victim to its schemes.  Help me, and we can both leave here with our lives and perhaps even a chance to stop the dragon from whatever it’s planning.”

“The choice is yours, but think carefully.  Deinochloridon is not a foe to be underestimated.”

"I can assure you we are not about to underestimate Deinochloridon, but I've found knowing your enemy can at the very least be helpful. I can of course see why this artefact might be desirable to a manipulator who thrives on deception." The young noble says, giving the ancient elf a scrutinizing look. "If what you say is true, obviously we wouldn't want it to fall into his hands. While I understand time is of the essence, how to proceed is also a delicate matter for us. Forgive us for taking some precautions, we will give you our answer momentarily." He says with a polite bow in the direction of the elven voice.

While the others investigate, Aubrey then uses the powers of his talisman to appraise his emperor of the current situation and ask for instructions.

     "What does this artifact look like?" Raqisat calls out to ask.  "We could help look for that as well...."  If he and Grugga were going to look for the thing it would help to at least know what it looked like.  Truth is he doesn't know if he should be looking inside of this illusion or outside of it or what.  

[The DM needs to know exactly how Aubrey reports this... ]

The young noble calmly raises his hand to touch his talisman while the other makes a quick mystical pattern in the air before him as he utters a short incantation. He then smiles politely while communicating throough his awakened mind.

Aubrey, you receive the following response from your contact in the Emperor's intelligence services:

Without giving an outward hint of what is going on, Aubrey then proceeds to telepathically inform the team about the response, asking them to be ready for a confrontation with the Ancient Elf once her exact location is discerned.

Perception to try to determine location of the Ancient Elf: 23

((Again, sorry for the delay in replying. Initially dndbeyond was being weird and then I had a long weekend where I couldn't post.))

Perception: 10. DM, is this blue crystal the same chalky blue crystal used in Frumpf cells and airship magic? (and can you remind me the name of that crystal? I seem to have forgotten to write it down). If so, it's massive.

Grugga smiles at Cosette and thanks her; her faith in his abilities is inspiring. A magical analysis is exactly what he needs to take his mind off the current illusion - even if he is analyzing an illusion. He strides up to the magical shield and peers in, trying to figure out what the artifact is, what it does, and - most importantly - try to contain it. He doesn't want to let his team down after they placed their trust in him. Plus, it's personal after he's been stuck in so many illusions today.

Arcana: 27 + 5 (bardic inspiration)

Grugga prefers to let the others talk with the Ancient Elf. The artificer knows this is a delicate situation and he knows so little about them that he could only fumble an amicable solution. However, as he's studying the artifact, Grugga blurts out, "Do you know Dawntreader?" After a moment, he realizes that probably sounds like he assumes all Ancient Elves know each other, so he adds: "He used to have a storefront in this city."