Valar will nod at the King's assessment. "I understand my lord, if I may ask, are you aware of what the threat is at Kholias? That it may be the entrance to be used by mind flayers to enter our world, where we will all be placed at great risk? I have sworn to see this darkness exorcised and prevented. My goal was to see this axe returned to you and seek allies in this area for which we could use as a base of operation against Kholias. A safe place to rest and heal if needed, perhaps gather intelligence on Kholias as you have been already fighting those who dwell there. ANything that can support our campaign against that darkness there and remove it like a cancer before it grows."

“I agree with Valar. The most we would be looking for is some hospitality, which we’d be willing to pay or trade for, and some information if you have it. As far as I’m concerned, the artifacts are yours. We have no skin in the game as far as your son trying to manipulate you through our actions. That’s between the two of you.”

The King of the Elves nods at the mention of the items belonging to the Fallen Elves, and is happy to offer whatever hospitality you need for your journey. At the mention of the Mind Flayers he starts, "What proof do you have the Illithid have anything to do with Kholias?"

Valar will go over to Sanford, "Are you willing to tell him what you told me?" 

Valar Persuasion check: 26

Sanford stands there mute. The usual crazed smile on his face. King Ivaran brushes his hand in the air "Whatever this man has told you cannot be trusted. The terror leaking out of Kholias has likely been caused by radiant arcane combustion form the collision of our homeland Ish Alora crashing into Kholias. We've been unable to get closed to the impact site because of the beasts pouring out of that site. The harm done is irreparable." You discern a trace of guilt and extreme sorrow as he talks of his homeland. "Please, if there is nothing else, I would rather you deliver the Sarris Talisman and Greataxe of Amalkim to us tomorrow. That way we can have all our people in attendance. In the meantime Vasandoral will show you a place to rest. Afterward you may do as you wish, either continue on to Kholias, or preferably turn back and leave us here to watch over that gravesite of a city." He goes to turn back into his room.

Valar will look to the group to see what they wish to do. 

“Yes, let’s rest and discuss our next steps,” says Thelanis, eager to get out of earshot of these elves.

Vasandoral nods at his King's order to escort you to rooms. He is noticeably silent as he leads you to another home in the north side of the encampment. Once your out of earshot of the King's home he lightens up a little and ask you about Prince Lukian. He is friends with the Prince and wants to know of his movements.

Otherwise he leads you to the guest house, a single roomed home build into the rock. There is only space for 5 people in this house and Amiz sighs as you enter, "This may be a good excuse for me to take my leave. I have been having troubling visions the closer we get to Kholias, and I can no longer be relied on to keep a level head. I will return to Erithon and await for you all to return there. Good luck, and may Aaevos be with you." He smiles his mighty feline jaws at you, clasps you all on the shoulders, and takes his leave.

You all may stay the night here in the guest house. What is discussed as you settle down for the evening?

Valar suggests they develop a plan of action for their next step towards Kholias, is there anything they need from the Elves like more information, or supplies. 

“I don’t understand your obsession with keeping this man alive. If you intended to help him, and bring him to sanity, I’d get it. But we’d be moving away from Kholias, not bringing him into the heart of the madness. Was getting his interpretation of the layout of the ruins and a better idea of the nature of the threat a good idea, sure, but he’s not reliable, we have no idea if the idea of mind flayers is even what we are up against.”

”We should kill him and go on without him as a potential liability.”

[[OOC: I’m confused about some things that may have occurred when I was not posting or otherwise things I just missed.  The destruction in this city was caused by a chunk of elf homeland?! These “fallen elves” come from there? It is entirely possible these are things I skimmed in the original info too, I apologize.]]

Thelanis History check: 15

It's also hard for me to remember what's been revealed to you, but some of this stuff would be pretty general knowledge. The High Elf flying city of Ish Alora allied with The Scarecrow in his battle against the Kholian Republic. That war ended with Ish Alora being brought down and ultimately crashing into Kholias. The High Elves became the Fallen Elves and took up residence near their ruined city as honor guards, they were the first to notice the darkness spreading out from Kholias. They eventually retreated underground, which is actually LESS dangerous than the city. Elves in particular seem to have an ability to resist the madness. And with the Fallen Elves already acting as caretakers they eventually became the first line of defense against the darkness.

So what is the plan at the moment. Are you all going to go to sleep and deliver the magic items in the morning?

Quote from drumdigby >>

So what is the plan at the moment. Are you all going to go to sleep and deliver the magic items in the morning?

 I’ll post for real later, but I have to say that post makes me not want to sleep ever again.

Thelanis knows they have to keep an active watch on Sanford and offers to do her part, but plans to gag him while she does, but aside from that, plans to rest and turn in the items tomorrow.

You all settle down in a bed for the first time in over a week, and gain the benefits of a Long Rest. Alsen rolls a madness check for his proximity to Kholias, the effects seem to be worse now that you're much closer:

DC 10 WIS Save 12

But Alsen is able to shake off the madness, owing to his faith in his own god. When you look outside, you see that the people in this camp seem to be more interested in you than they were yesterday. People are making there way to your side of the camp and arranging themselves as if getting ready for a speech. As you're about to go outside, a message comes through the Sending Stone, this time form your Wood Elf friend Liarona:

"Bad news. Lukian convinced The Scarecrow his father will help assault Kholias in three days, we've amassed an army. Convince the Fallen Elves to attack!"

You can respond if you wish, but remember you only have 25 words.

Thelanis drops the stone, horrified. “I didn’t start doing this to convince kings and armies what to do, I was honestly too self absorbed when we met with them to pay any attention to the politics.” Thelanis says. “Are we really beholden to these elves?”

Valar shakes his head. " I was more hoping for a base of operations, a safe place to rest. I don't think we want to get caught up in the middle of a war here."