Leon's Insight check for any deception from Elmo's story doesn't reveal any indication that he was being dishonest at any point. Everything that Elmo said, by all appearances that Leon can discern, was said with genuine conviction. Given Elmo's inebriation the night prior, and potentially causing gaps in Elmo's memory, it's virtually impossible to know with absolute certainty if something was missed...however, Leon does believe that Elmo believes what he said was truthful.
"Elmo you are a damn fool. You already experienced the evil of that box first hand back when we met Elhutz. You knew what would happen if you looked at the box. Why would you steal the damn thing in the first place? Why would you steal anything from someone who trusts you? I tell you one thing Elmo. Yeah sure Morgana was evil, a *****, and treated her party members like dirt but at she had the balls to be that way all the time and even to our faces. She always remained who she was as bad as it was to us. This sneaking and stealing from someone who trusts you is the lowest of the low. To make matters worse this isn't the first time you have stolen from your party members. Leon is no snitch but you know this to be true. This is more evil than anything I ever experienced Morgana do. This is far more selfish than I have ever seen Morgana do. Drunk or not, you had no right to take it."
Leon begins walking out of the room.
"I would have let you see the box or spend all night with the box Elmo. All you have to do was ask."
Leon exits the room and goes back to the area where they had met Hemmeth in the morning.
Hemeth - "Aye...I'm familiar with these visions as I too have seen both of the Demon Lords before. As for the scratches...we should never underestimate the twisted evils growing in power. We know not the extent of their power. This appears to be a manifestation of their influence. We must end their plans to make our home theirs...whatever the cost!" he replies with ferocity.
Hemeth looks around at the group, particularly at Elmo, then at the broken door frame, shakes his head in disappointment, then follows Leon out to where they met in the morning.
Gremryl has a flashback to that time in the cavern... not again he thinks.. Not again. A sudden flush of anxiety washes over him. dammit... Not this time he thinks.
"While his words were harsh, they were not ill spoken master halfing. Ye may see some don't take kindly to unwanted procurement of their belongings without their consent. He'll get over it lad. Times are to grave not too. But take his words to heart. I was once told 'ye have to take criticism, and grow.. or ye will be a chopped up tiefling hacked up by duergar...' Anyways, I'll be in the foyer with Hemeth and Leon. Come down when ye have cleaned yeself up lad. We have a drokopoli to stop, a dragon to see, ale to drink, and we still have to visit the stonegiants hemeth had words with. I'll not be breaking my word with Hemmy. Get yeself together and i'll see you in a bit."
Gremryl cast Lay on handsto clean up the claw marks on elmos chest. Then shakes his head, walks out the door, then picks up the door and futilely attempts to put in back in its hinges, settling on just leaning it on the doorway to give some semblance of privacy.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Elmo says to himself after Leon leaves,
"A Wee bit of hyperbole. He don't mean it. No way I'm lower than that wee *****." Elmo knows real thieves. Cut throats who steal anything of value from anybody. He also knew Morgana. No was he was either of them. He feels foolish for not learning his lesson with the box after his last experience (stupid Damian). Despite Leon's harsh words, he knows that they come from a place of hurt and ignorance. Leon didnt grown up on the streets. He doesnt know the difference between a stealing and fun roguish mischief. Ye have mischief with ye mates for fun. Stealing is something ye do for personal gain. in that moment it dawns on Elmo that these are the first friends/brothers that Elmo has had that were not criminals. They play by different rules that he is used to. Friends and brothers bond differently than they would if they were thieves. Elmo believes that non thieves prefer to bond less with mischief, and more by calling each other gay. Far less eloquent and creative form of bonding than Elmo is used to, but if that's how he has to show his appreciation for his friends then thats what he will do.
Elmo runs to catch up to Leon. Being far from his good luck charm is an unpleasant thought. He playfully says,
"Leon! Wait up for Elmo the fool ye big human homosexual!" Elmo jumps on Leons back and gives him another hug
Acrobatics check: 12
"Im sorry I offended ye mate. It was me last intention. I was trying to have a spot of fun with ye last night. I was a fool to touch the box after last time. I promise to do better in dealing with me old bad habits with me mates. I hope ye believe me when I say that I would never act in any way against ye, Grem, Hem, or any other member of the party. Provided that ye dont count taking some pocket meats as a capitol offense and ignore all the times Elmo has saved a friend's life. (elmo pauses) I didn't leave this city and go for the surface when I arrived like me instincts told me. Ask Hem, I stuck around to pay me debt to Grem and to figure out a way to search for ye, grem, and stool. I just needed to rest me bones at the Twin Boulders for a short while first. After all, I couldn't let a couples of gays such as ye self loose in the under dark forever could I?"(Elmo laughs heartily)
"I agree with ye mate. I appreciate your wise words and healing mate. Just let some booze bring back some old habits. It was meant in fun, but it hurt the feelings of me mate. Sorry for all the drama this morning mate."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Leon would like to use Elmo’s momentum against him and as soon as he hears the insult coupled with the jump on the back Leon reaches onto his back and with a hip toss motion slams Elmo’s onto the ground.
Athletics check 23 plus guidance 2
Leon then withdrawals and ignites Dawnbringer. Leon let’s Elmo finish his speech.
”Steal from me then insult me. Bold choice.”
Leon deactivates Dawnbringer and continues walking with Grem and Hemmeth
The tenseness of the situation causes Hemeth to refocus everyone's attention to the day's next actions. He asks of the group,
Hemeth - "We're done playing this morning, yes? Right? Are we? Good." Without pausing to really give anybody a moment to answer his rhetorical questions. "We can go to the Forges..." he looks at Leon before saying his next words, "unless you'd rather save that for a private evening tonight?" A sly grin barely noticeable by the others, but knowingly caught by Leon. "Or we can make for Ylsa's warehouse...purchase supplies at the Blade Bazaar and learn what we can about Droki's whereabouts...or I suppose you could sit here all day playing grabass..." A pause as he places one hand on his hip and the other to judgingly stroke his impeccably manicure'd beard hair.
(Vote for your next location of travel. Majority wins)
"One is as good as the other to me. Where the box goes, I follow. Perhaps we'll find a mirror at this warehouse where you can enjoy the splendor of that stubble on your face."
Hemeth - "Ylsa's warehouse it is then. Grab your morning provisions in the dining hall and meet me back here in 15 minutes." he says and heads into the dining hall to get breakfast and rations for the day.
(Elmo indeed has a nasty set of claw marks across his chest. It looks freshly made...)
To Hemeth, "Does any of this mean anything to you? The demonic symbols, the visions or the scratches?"
"Elmo you are a damn fool. You already experienced the evil of that box first hand back when we met Elhutz. You knew what would happen if you looked at the box. Why would you steal the damn thing in the first place? Why would you steal anything from someone who trusts you? I tell you one thing Elmo. Yeah sure Morgana was evil, a *****, and treated her party members like dirt but at she had the balls to be that way all the time and even to our faces. She always remained who she was as bad as it was to us. This sneaking and stealing from someone who trusts you is the lowest of the low. To make matters worse this isn't the first time you have stolen from your party members. Leon is no snitch but you know this to be true. This is more evil than anything I ever experienced Morgana do. This is far more selfish than I have ever seen Morgana do. Drunk or not, you had no right to take it."
Leon begins walking out of the room.
"I would have let you see the box or spend all night with the box Elmo. All you have to do was ask."
Leon exits the room and goes back to the area where they had met Hemmeth in the morning.
Gremryl has a flashback to that time in the cavern... not again he thinks.. Not again. A sudden flush of anxiety washes over him. dammit... Not this time he thinks.
Gremryl cast Lay on hands to clean up the claw marks on elmos chest. Then shakes his head, walks out the door, then picks up the door and futilely attempts to put in back in its hinges, settling on just leaning it on the doorway to give some semblance of privacy.
Rowland hurries out partly to be away from the awkwardness of the recent exchanges and partly not wanting to be alone with Elmo.
Elmo says to himself after Leon leaves,
"A Wee bit of hyperbole. He don't mean it. No way I'm lower than that wee *****." Elmo knows real thieves. Cut throats who steal anything of value from anybody. He also knew Morgana. No was he was either of them. He feels foolish for not learning his lesson with the box after his last experience (stupid Damian). Despite Leon's harsh words, he knows that they come from a place of hurt and ignorance. Leon didnt grown up on the streets. He doesnt know the difference between a stealing and fun roguish mischief. Ye have mischief with ye mates for fun. Stealing is something ye do for personal gain. in that moment it dawns on Elmo that these are the first friends/brothers that Elmo has had that were not criminals. They play by different rules that he is used to. Friends and brothers bond differently than they would if they were thieves. Elmo believes that non thieves prefer to bond less with mischief, and more by calling each other gay. Far less eloquent and creative form of bonding than Elmo is used to, but if that's how he has to show his appreciation for his friends then thats what he will do.
Elmo runs to catch up to Leon. Being far from his good luck charm is an unpleasant thought. He playfully says,
"Leon! Wait up for Elmo the fool ye big human homosexual!" Elmo jumps on Leons back and gives him another hug
Acrobatics check: 12
"Im sorry I offended ye mate. It was me last intention. I was trying to have a spot of fun with ye last night. I was a fool to touch the box after last time. I promise to do better in dealing with me old bad habits with me mates. I hope ye believe me when I say that I would never act in any way against ye, Grem, Hem, or any other member of the party. Provided that ye dont count taking some pocket meats as a capitol offense and ignore all the times Elmo has saved a friend's life. (elmo pauses) I didn't leave this city and go for the surface when I arrived like me instincts told me. Ask Hem, I stuck around to pay me debt to Grem and to figure out a way to search for ye, grem, and stool. I just needed to rest me bones at the Twin Boulders for a short while first. After all, I couldn't let a couples of gays such as ye self loose in the under dark forever could I?"(Elmo laughs heartily)
To Grem,
"I agree with ye mate. I appreciate your wise words and healing mate. Just let some booze bring back some old habits. It was meant in fun, but it hurt the feelings of me mate. Sorry for all the drama this morning mate."
Leon would like to use Elmo’s momentum against him and as soon as he hears the insult coupled with the jump on the back Leon reaches onto his back and with a hip toss motion slams Elmo’s onto the ground.
Athletics check 23 plus guidance 2
Leon then withdrawals and ignites Dawnbringer. Leon let’s Elmo finish his speech.
”Steal from me then insult me. Bold choice.”
Leon deactivates Dawnbringer and continues walking with Grem and Hemmeth
Elmo follows closes to Leon.
(Vote for your next location of travel. Majority wins)
"I vote we be heading Ylsa's ware house" Elmo says as he inches closer to Leon.
Leon gives a wink to Hemmeth.
“I hear the forges are better at night. I vote for the warehouse as well.”
"One is as good as the other to me. Where the box goes, I follow. Perhaps we'll find a mirror at this warehouse where you can enjoy the splendor of that stubble on your face."
Rowland waits for the rest of the group to lead the way, not wanting to lose track of the box again.
Gremryl asks hemeth to find a place to pray and prep. Then follows him.
Elmo hugs Leon till we leave.