(Sorry folks)

(I'd say the creatures you pulled from the bag are still loyal to you.)

Sarkt notices your hesitation, "I suppose I could accept another treasure in leu of the bag. What other magic items do you have? Perhaps we could see what the foolish rogue has on him. He was of course the one that got into this mess." Sarkt looks inquisitively at Mark. Neither Elero or Erix feel the Mind Flayer's presence in their thoughts anymore, it must be using it's focus to keep Mark dominated.

(Feel free to discuss and work this out however you want. Basically though, Sarkt is a clever and calculated individual. You are going to have to give SOMETHING up. A magic item is the simplest thing, but if you can think of something else that he might value go for it.)

When Elero feels the presence leave his mind, he decides to take a chance.

"What about my dragon?" he offers, motioning the Eldritch Flamethrower forward. "It's compact, and can really...clear a room."

If he can command it to puff out a little cloud of flame, he'll do so, not wanting to damage anyone or set the room alight.  Then he'll tap the armored head of the dragon.

"Plus, it's tough to kill.  Could be a handy assistant for you."

(I'm going to assume this is a Deception check.)

Elero DC 20 Deception Check: 9

Sarkt's eyes narrow as you hear his voice become angry in your mind, "DO NOT try to fool me Artificer! I know that this trinket would cease to work the moment you conjured a new one. Now give me something worthwhile or this negotiation is over!" He stands up.

((@DM How much would Erix know about mindflayers, how are they seen within this world? e.g. Evil/good/Neutral etc.

btw, nice try bird^^))

I figured it was worth a shot.  :)

(I love my crossbow and it really helps in a fight but I can let it go if no one else wants to loss something.)

Elero sighs, taking off the Robe of Useful Items. "You can have this.  It's been very useful to me, and has magical items hidden in it for almost every situation.  Healing, animal companions, ladders, pit traps.  You name it, it's in here.  Just free our friend and it's yours.  And I mean actually free, not trading one master for another."

Sarkt smiles at you telepathically as he takes the Robe from you and puts it on over his dark finery. "Very well, I will take this as payment for what I am now to do." He moves over to Mark and puts his hands on either side of the rogue's head. Mark instantly feels a rush of pain as the Mind Flayer races through his mind and begins putting Psionic barriers in place to block out specific external divine influence. At first it seems the force imbibing Mark wants to fight back against the psionic blocks, but Sarkt pushes more of the psychic energy into Mark and you see the rogue's eyes turn purple as his mind is flooded by the Ilithid. Finally Sarkt removes his hands from Mark's head and takes a few uneasy steps backward. Mark's mind is free of the taint it received in the blood bowl room. Sarkt also drops concentration on Dominate Monster

Sarkts voice enters your minds again, "It is done, I have successfully blockaded this man's mind against The Mockery. It took much more energy than I had imagined, and I believe some traces of my own power may remain in his mind." He turns to Mark, "We are bound now, if ever any harm comes to me, your own mind will once again be forfeit to The Dark Six." He then picks up a few things from the table. "I will be taking my leave of this place now, it stinks of the taint of those dark gods once again. You of course have my permission to clear out the rest of my guests, they are down here." He pushes aside a bookshelf to reveal a staircase going down. "Farewell, I suppose that we are unlikely to meet again. Not unless you ever have any business in my home, the City of the Glass Pool. But if you do come down there, know that I will not hesitate to kill you next I see you, and take the rest of your lovely trinkets." He whips his new robe around his ankles and goes to leave the old bedroom, heading back out the way you came in.

Mark's mind is free from external influence. But he is left with lingering Psionic powers in him, and Elero has lost his Robe of Useful Item. The staircase below stands before you.

Erix looks at Mark

"You feeling good again, back to yourself? And what powers do you have now?" Before he turns to Elero

"Thank you for doing that, It was difficult to give away the Bag of Tricks. Let's make sure we get you a new toy as soon as possible after we are out of this place." he says.

"Now how do we all feel, going straight down the stairs? Or have a rest first?"

"I'm doing ok," Elero responds, "but if a rest is best, that's fine with me."

((Erix doesn't necessarily need a rest yet either))

"What, where are we, what is that thing," pointing at the Sarkt, "What happened, my head hurts so bad and I got a weird taste in mouth." 

How do Erix and Elero respond to Mark's renewed cognizance? And are you going to need a Short Rest or will you press on? Reminder that I offer 1 Action Short Rest per day that only takes 5 minutes.

Erix asked him how he feels, and what's different, so Elero's waiting for Mark to answer that question.  While that's happening, Elero will look around the room, to see if Sarkt left anything of interest behind.

"I feel like I have a massive headache but outside of that I think I am fine. What happened after the blood bowl?" 

"You got posessed by something, and told us we had to cleanse this place of all life, which was a bit scary, since we weren't sure if that included us.  You led us back to kill the troll, which was easier than I thought it'd be, and then we ended up here, where a mind flayer freed you from the curse after I gave it my Robe of Useful Items.  Then it left, thankfully without killing us, and here we are.  Should we take the action short rest?"

"I am sorry for putting you all through that. I was impulsive with the bowl and should have put more thought into my actions. I will make it up to you, Elero! When we get..." 

Mark then drops to the ground, clenching his head, and screams in pain. His eyes shoot open and begin to glow a deep turquous haze. 

He shuts them again and sits there motionless for a few minutes (enough time for an action short rest). 

Mark coughs again and gets up. He looks a lot better; like something changed in him, but in a good way. Then you both hear in your mind, "That was weird, but I don't feel like I am being possessed again. I am sorry for that." Mark does not seem to realize he is not saying this out loud.