The old man watches the exchange, "That's a lovely offer, but I'm afraid I don't have much choice on either account. I'm bound to this place by Acerack's will. You clearly didn't kill him because...."  he closes his eyes and focus'...but nothing happens "....ya.  And it's not a threat, it's my bound duty. So, if you wish to battle and destroy me like the others then you may do so, or you may provoke me by attempting to take something.....if that eases your conscience. Though....having been through Acerack's deadly traps, you may not care to have a conscience anymore. I wouldn't blame you in the least. Until that time, you may call me Mr. Fox." 

He turns to Silas, "Um, the sorting system is really quite complex. But I'd be happy to help you find something if you're looking for anything specific." 

"I am not a scribler by any measure but I would like to inquire on any tomes or books on Torm I would be able to obtains through comonplace means?" Silas inquires.

"Badger, may I speak with you for a moment?" Silas calls the gnome over to a corner before whispering while the Fox is busy maybe, "Do you happen to still be able to forcefully manipulate the laws of proabiliy to secure certain outcomes?"

(Still have some low Portent to use?)

Mal will eye the seated figure and then nod her head and move about the room, putting her crossbow away as she looks around.

Perception: 25

Investigation: 9

Badger isn't sure exactly what Silas means - certainly Badger is powerful, but not so much as to do what Silas is suggesting. I read the future, my friend, I cannot influence it. Such is my burden, that I must see your doom ahead of its time, powerless to prevent it. But some things I do see that I can mentally prepare myself for... plan contingencies... that sort of thing. Expectation management is like the key to a happy life! Why, what would you have me predict?

(Badger used both his Portent rolls to cast the two high-level scrolls. And both were high rolls anyway. Sorry.   Long rest?)

Silas will take a moment to take a closer examination of the hanging dead to see if he can determine cause of death.

Medicine: 22

"Well..." Grenk starts to say, "You got any books on lich phylacteries?"   He pauses and say, "or know where those other paths outside lead too?"

Mr. Fox gets to work, moving through the library, before coming forward with a book for Silas. "Here you go. 'Gods of Faerun'. There is a chapter on Torm in there, Tyr as well, since they're related and all."  He hands the book to Silas. To Grenk he says, "I'm afraid I have no knowledge of this place outside this room. Tragic I know. But....Lich Phylacteries, yes."  He goes in and out of the columns picking up books, setting down 8 books. "These are all the books on Necromantic advancements that include Lich's, which all discuss Phylacteries....since you can't really talk about a Lich without discussing where they keep their life force." 

Silas walks up and examines the bodies. One and all, they appear to have been slain by destructive magic. 

Mal walks around the room. She sees dusty books and scrolls everywhere. Otherwise nothing else aside from what they've noticed comes to her attention. 

Badger is in heaven, and treats any disturbance like a huge inconvenience. He is like a kid in a candy shop, going from one shelf to another, squealing with delight at finding a rare volume, and making a small pile of books that interest him the most. He is also on the lookout for any spells. At the same time he realises that there may be many other places to explore before he can get time to read all these, so he tries to just take note of the location of the most important ones so he can come back later at his leisure.

Surely the omen of purple was fortuitous. He can't imagine a grander treasure than this, but at the same time, he wonders where the gold and red trails lead to, or what might lay beyond the pointing skeleton.

As Badger looks through the books he spots tome's of history, philosophy, religion and cosmic knowledge. He also opens books and sees the glittering writing of the language of magic, spells books littered through the library at seemingly random. 

Grenk is looking for info on how to potentially destroy some of the phylacteries in their possession.

Investigation 18

Silas passively read the book but very wary of the librarian but clueless on how to proceed.

Grenk looks up from his reading and says, "You said we couldn't take the books out.  Is there any thing of value here we could take out without violating your orders?"

Mr. Fox looks at Grenk, "Uh....interesting question. I suppose my direct orders are to not allow any books or scrolls to leave. You could take these chairs, or these bodies, or....the shelving I suppose. Please don't take my music player, it's my only enjoyment in this existence.  If you took the shelves.....you'd ruin my hard work sorting everything...but I suppose I'd then have years to devise a new sorting scheme based on no shelves. Hmmmm....interesting problem...."  he seems to begin thinking about this. 

How long do you spend reading.  You figure you could probably spend a couple days reading through a single book, let alone the 8 he's given you.  Could take weeks or months to understand all this material. Maybe even longer!

"So no treasure or anything here besides books... and scrolls...  well what if you made copies of these books here.  You keep the original and I get the copies?  Then I wouldn't be taking your books.  Better yet you teleport them to me when your done because you got magic right?"

"If I may ask, where are you from? We could bring a message to your loved ones if you are forced to stay here," Silas questions. 

Mal sighs in her boredom and will go sit by the creature with her back against the wall.

While Grenk is busy with Mr. Fox, Badger will try to find a book with low level spells that he might be able to quickly copy...

(If anyone else wants to stay for a while, then Badger will copy spells. But as soon as everyone is ready to go, Badger will follow. He expects he will be able to come back later)

The spell book contains :  Grease Ray of Enfeeblement  Control Water  Cloudkill  Magic Jar 

Mr Fox shrugs, "Well, you may go ahead and make copies if you wish. I'm not enslaved to you, and copying books sounds rather dull."  He glances at Silas, raises an eyebrow, and then says, "How did you arrive at this place with your generous nature intact. Quite amazing. Thank you, but I'm quite alright." 

(How long are you guys going to spend in the library?)

Badger slams the book shut and returns it to the shelf. Urgh, these spells will take some time to copy, and I can't concentrate while you lot are bumbling around. Besides, I want to see where the other trails lead - especially the gold one. Shall we?

He looks around for Civi and beckons for his manservant to follow...