The Exploits of Misfit Company

Courage had nothing much to offer during the trip, except a protective presence and readiness to follow whatever instructions are provided along the way. And though tempted to tease Alys for the complaint about stairs, the usual jokester element of the tiefling is kept in check for the mission. It is with that in mind, in fact, that if push comes to shove, there is no resistance to any mental linking along the way. Though even then, he is quiet, offering only loosely tactical information as things come to his attention. Apart from that, the artificer kept towards the back of the group along with Souperb, making sure nothing snuck behind them along the way. 

When it looked to be that they had all successfully snuck past any possible threats, Yvan picks up his pace just enough to match Alys' slowed speed, interlocking their fingers together once he feels her comfortably lean up against him. He trusts that with her and Hoodini's keen eyes, they would be able to spot out a sturdy enough set of stairs for them to climb. During her scouting time in the sky, the goliath had ensured that as they continued forward, he would keep her out of harms way.

Once she points out that there had been a staircase they could use to get to the second floor, Yvan gives a look to the others, ready to keep pressing onwards.

You detect no threats on this level. Scouting ahead, it's clear that the wailing is coming from the East Wing, as it gets louder the more you head down that way.  

Alys would continue guiding Stella and Obsidian, and in turn the others, towards the most direct and safe route heading to the East Wing.

(If only for posterity's sake..)

Courage is steadfast in following behind and make sure the rear stayed protected from any hunting threats. Yet as time moved on and the noise grew clearer without much interruption, the tiefling began to suspect things to be truly in their favor. Even so, both he and Souperb would stay alert, mentally at least prepared for anything to go sidewise the moment they crossed into the East Wing. Which, unless the others still seemed to be trying to be sneaky, the heavily armored old chef was unlikely to think to try and soften the sound of his footsteps.

Stella takes Alys's guidance and draws her blades quietly as the group nears the East Wing.

Moving through the East Wing, you enter a ruined dining hall with broken chairs and bones that were picked clean of meat scattered around on a table that looked like it was fancy once. You also find the source of the crying, a feral elf wearing rags that looked kingly once, draped over what looks to be a statue of another feral elf, made completely out of gold. The Crown of Aeglos is around his head, just as it was in Alys' vision.

Yvan leans down a bit and lowers his voice to the group, hoping to not draw attention to them as he speaks. "I... wouldn't suppose one of you have a spell that could, um... levitate the crown off his head would you? To maybe... avoid riling them up?"

Courage shares a look with Souperb, before then turning back to Yvan and shaking his head. "Not exactly something within my particular brand of expertise. At least, nothing i trust that can be done with any confidence of success, my boy... Sorry." He admits, head bowed towards the end. "Most I can offer is maybe causing a distraction elsewhere, or, uh, offering a pick me up to help sharpen the focus of anyone that might have something for this. Otherwise... well... There's always plan rough'em up."

Alys blanks for a moment when Yvan whispers the suggestion of levitate. She didn't have the actual spell levitate ready, but the elf often used her divination magic to move things about like when they've been - "Oh!" The blonde would blush lightly.

She'd politely wait with a smile for Courage to finish his thoughts. Lifting a finger, "I do have something I could try first?" Alys would offer. "If it fails, we can definitely go with the latter." She'd agree with a light chuckle.

The divination wizard would begin to hum a gentle tune as she'd make a few gestures with her hands, blue hues moving to focus on the crown. When her concentration would lock, Alys' rune on her forehead would glow. From a safe distance where she stood, the elf would go through the motions as if she were removing a/the crown from the statues head, and should it lift, she'd make small 'come hither' movements with her fingers to have it float their way.

Action: Telekinesis on the Crown of Aeglos

Can you give me an Intelligence check to see if you can steal the crown without him noticing?

As Alys tries to telekinetically manipulate the crown, it jostles around the head of the elf and he breaks from his weeping to notice all of you. "Why...you...here?" He says, trying to regain composure.

Courage's eyes actually go wide when the king speaks, and is soon looking back and forth between said King and the others. He then holds a hand up beside where is mouth would be if not for the faceplate, and stage whispers to the others, "Is it just me, or is this fellow not quite as wild as the others? Because, uh.... well... probably can still go with Plan B, but... you know...." On that awkward note, both Courage and a shoulder Souperb awkwardly wave at the king. The latter then slips behind the former's shoulder for cover.

"What's plan B, exactly?"

"Killing him," Stella explains under her breath before speaking loud enough for the elf to hear. "Hello, are you the elf who once ruled Ericea?"

"Me king of Ericea. Why you here?"

"Well, we kind of need your help to save the world," Stella says simply. "There's a dracolich trying to escape, and your crown is one of the things that can stop him."

Courage kept his mouth shut, but behind the visor, squinted at the elven king. While a touch certain from the speech patterns, searching eyes of the tiefling sought further in the king's expression and behavior more confirming clues on the state of the elf's sanity and intelligence.

--> Insight: 23.

Then his eyes would roam up to the crown, and an idle thought had him "hmming" and tapping the chin of the face plate in thought. Finally he'd mutter just loud enough for those close to hear, "The crown... it must've protected him at least a wee bit from it.... perhaps even functioning like a headband of intelligence of sorts?"

Courage: It sounds like this king is at least smart enough to speak common on a basic level and has retained enough humanity (for lack of a better word) to feel sorrow and to engage in dialogue with you instead of immediately going on the attack.

"You need crown, me need help. We trade."

Absolutely, not completely and utterly distracted by her own thoughts, Alys would fumble the crown, just short of dropping it back on the mans head."Oop!" She'd squeak, a little surprised by the elf speaking up, even though she should have known it wasn't actually a statue. Paused in place with bright pink cheeks, the blonde would listen to Stella engaging with the King and just catch Courage's whisper. She'd try to see if she could answer his questions by taking a look over the king and the crown.

Med check for assessment on King's condition: 15
Assessment on the crown: 20 (Not sure so: +8 History, +5 Arcana, +10 investigation?)