Eliae follows her companions into the cozy atmosphere of the cafe, her stomach growling in response to the mention of food. She offers a polite smile to the gnome woman behind the counter, her curiosity piqued by the peculiar sandwich of the day.

However, the idea of crunchy frog legs on toast doesn't quite sit right with Eliae, her eyebrows raising as she considers the menu. Opting for something more familiar, she steps forward and orders a simple cup of coffee. 

"My care...Mom said coffee will make you short! Good thing I never had any." Theodore grins with his whole 3 feet 10 inches of height..

"Hey Ms Fitzbottom, do you know what we're supposed to do with this now?" He shows her the clue sheet.

Weaver presents the gnome woman with their list of clues. "We're on a treasure hunt! We have two clues left, do you think frog legs will give us the leg up on our competition?" she says, with an over exaggerated 'wink wink' to highlight the terrible pun. 

"Oh, you have to pay for it, but I can start a tab for you so you can pay me later. What's your name, sweetie?" She says to Theo as she makes 2 sandwiches of the day and a cup of coffee.

Oh! the treasure hunt! I so enjoyed it as a girl! Well, if you want a "leg up"" she also "wink-winks" "on the competition, I might be willing to help. IF, and only if, you help me put away these deliveries" she gestures to a HUGE pile of boxes by the door, all of them much to large for her gnomish frame to even try to lift.

"Oh thank you so much! These are my best friends Ooby, Eliae, Elsenia, Venrys, Weaver and Aurora. I'm Theodore." Theodore nods, "And yes, we'll be happy to help you with anything you need! Right guys!?"

Weaver looks a little dubiously at the big boxes. "I think we're gonna need a little help with this, Theo - I'm probably the strongest fairy there is, at least as far as anyone here knows, but those are bigger than I am. Let's see if Ooby can help?" 

Ooboron hears his name and looks questioningly at Weaver who fills him in on the task. The loxodon gladly helps put away the deliveries.

Venrys raises an eyebrow at the plush toy in his hand. It's not his style, not by a long shot. Still, he places it into his bag. Perhaps one of the others will appreciate it later. Ooboron in particular seems like he needs comforting. He pats the dogs one last time and follows the rest of the group into the cafeteria.

The special of the day sounds . . . not unpleasant. But at the mention of helping to put things away he steps forward. "I'm glad to help as well. My strength isn't what it used to be, but I can at least get some of this put away." He begins to help Ooboron put away the boxes.

Venrys and Ooboron, make me a Strength check.

Theo, Weaver, & Whoever else wants to unpack the boxes make a Dexterity Check.

Elsenia gives the gnome woman a smile. "Of course we will help."

She moves toward the boxes and begins to unpack the supplies.

Dex - 19

Strength check: 1

Dex check 22

I'll just roll for Ooby (Y'all fine if I start doing this to speed the game up?). Strength: 3

OOC: oh god. 

Now, heres the thing: Venrys and Ooboron singelhandely manage to knock over all the boxes onto themselves, have to dig themselves of the avalanche while the rest of the party watches, probably laughing, then get in the way as Elsenia and Theo try to clean up the mess. Thankfully, only a bit of the supplies get squished beneath Ooboron and Venrys, but the gnomish woman is smiling in a way that suggests she wants you to leave. As you make your escape, she gives Theo a...

DM roll 1: 6

DM roll 2: 2

A stoppered glass that, when opened, plays a brassy orchestral piece.

There is one clue left. #5!

"That went...interestingly." Aurora comments, with a look at Venrys and Ooboron. "Sorry. Let's just move on. Where to next?"

Theodore manages to salvage most of his sandwich from the chaos his best friends caused. A little sheepishly he says to the gnomish woman, "Thank you for the gift and the food, it's delicious!"

"The next...er last clue says 'Clue 5. Some stars are ancient, enduring, and bright. But others—maybe you!—are born on opening night.'" Ears swivel and he points to the stage upon which other people are doing..something. "I think it's over there! Come on Ooby, you get to play your instruments for us!"

Ooboron is absolutely mortified at the way he is failing at doing something as simple as putting away packages, but in response to everyone's good-natured ribbing, he sheepishly smiles. And in response to Theodore's urging toward the stage, the loxodon stomps forward, looking both hesitant and excited. He slowly takes the stairs and then chooses his lute. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and begins to play.

I suppose I should roll a performance check: 10

Ooboron approaches the stage, as the party and other students look on, as well as some imperious faculty members. At least, they see imperious to Ooboron. Ooboron is a master of playing the lute, his hands amazingly skilled for someone with so few and so thick fingers. But, the presence of an audience, especially consisting of strangers, throws him off a touch. The playing is still very good, but it is by no means world-class.

Once finished, bright floodlights snap on around the stage’s perimeter, 7 of them in total. If approached, each light reveals an alcove with a Hooded Lantern filled with oil inside it.

As you reach for the lantern, you hear a scream 

“That trunk!” a young elf screams, pointing toward the stacks as she runs by. “That trunk has teeth! Please, anyone, stop it!”

Chaos erupts in the library as students stream in all directions, their books and papers flying as they shout in fear. The only faculty mages in sight are trying to deal with panicked students. You can’t just let some monster ruin the first day of classes. Time to step up!

Initiative: (I'll roll for everyone to speed things along)

Aurora > Elsenia > Theo > Eliae > Venrys > Mimic > Weaver > Ooboron

Ooboron is about 80 ft away from the beast and the rest of the party is about 50ft away.

Aurora's turn!

"Goodness! What is going on?!" Aurora rushes forward, beckoning for Elsenia to follow. Upon seeing the beast, which is a trunk with teeth and a long, slavering tongue, she stops, and brings out a hurdy-gurdy, and plays a tune. Sonic magic ripples out from the instrument, impacting upon the beast

Magic Flare Attack: 22 to hit, 2 damage

Edit: it rerolled. Original roll was a 16 to hit and 2 damage.

The magic slams into the trunk, sending it reeling. It begins hopping towards the party.

Elsenia, GO!