Meanwhile, in the Westwoods...

Are you just going to....step into one?

(( Hmm... I realize Elwin missed the first round of experimentation with these. So, he'll...

1) Look through each hoop to see if there's a visual distortion, another plane visible, etc.
2) Throw things (rocks, sticks) through the hoops to see if they disappear
3) Tie a rope to things (rocks, sticks) and throw those through the hoops to see if they disappear, and can be pulled back, or if the rope cuts

Depending on the results, he WON'T step through, but may be willing to send an animal through. ))

I'm afraid they act pretty much like any woven wicker hoops would act.  You can look through them and see whatever is on the other side.  Rocks fall through and land on the ground. It seems likely that some particular spells might be needed to activate them and to anchor their exits and entrances.  ((I scared you for nothing. XD  But, dang, who knows where you would have ended up if they actually worked?))

(( Ah well, it was a long shot in the first place. ))

A bit disappointed, but not disheartened, in his results, Elwin decided to let the mages at the academy examine his hoops and the remaining wooden strips whenever the party next visited. He also made a mental note to yell at Mindartis.

Quote from JacWalke >>

When he hands over his spellbook to Elwin for safe keeping, assuming he sticks around, he asks him “Hey....can we....can we talk?” 

Smiling at Quentin as he took the spellbook, Elwin threw an arm over the elf's shoulders. "Sure, let's find someplace."

Once they found a quiet corner, Elwin sat next to Quentin, his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward while focusing his attention on him. "So... what's going on?"

Quentin looks down and starts to play with some of his hair that gets in his eyes as he says, "Well....I...seeing the Prince like that has got me thinking. Umm....at any time...well....it could be the end of us. And...umm.....in case that happens there's stuff I don't want to leave unsaid." 

Seeming worried for his friend, Elwin replied, "Okay. What is it you don't want left unsaid?"

Quentin's face gets red as he says, "Remember when I was telling you about the Prince and how I was uncertain. And that there was another guy who....well who I have a crush on but I don't think he even realizes it." 

A bit confused now, Elwin continued, "Yes, I remember."

Quentin is still embarrassed not looking up at you instead interested in playing with his hair as he quietly says, "Well....I....umm...I....needed to let you know that....well....Elwin it's you. You're...you're the other person I have a crush on." He doesn't wait for your reaction, seemingly already planned the rejection in his head as he quickly sputters out, "But if you're not cool with it I can stop. I mean....I can try. I understand if you don't like me that way I just needed to let you know. You know....before....before you or I become crystalized in sugar next and I couldn't tell you anymore." 

The confusion on Elwin's face faded a bit, as he uttered a single "Huh."

There was a very brief pause while he organized his thoughts, before continuing: "Well, I'm flattered, although I admit, I'm pretty sure I don't think of you the same way. Just based on what you've told me before. But as long as you understand that, I don't see a real issue." He shrugged. "I like you well enough too, so that still makes us close buds, as far as I'm concerned. And to be honest, I do understand wanting to tell someone how much you appreciate them before it's too late. So thank you for that. For what it's worth, it would be quite a blow to me were anything to happen to you."

The warlock smiled and placed a hand on the elf's shoulder. "So let's watch each other's backs and help ensure that nothing does happen, yeah?"

((Del just does the examine an object for a short rest procedure to see if it is less resisted than Identify. We have tried all I can think of and I don't want to mess with destructive testing on an object that might be very dangerous))

Assuming the tin box continues to be mysterious, Del will next check Auntie's Ominous Rocker - can a brother get a Detect Magic? the same way

At a time he's not disturbing the shippy conversation Del learns what E found about the strips Thanks for finding all that out. I had thought of comparing the complete with the half finished one side by each before Mister Patience took off. Cutting from roots reminds me of my vision that night we all had them - kids and small folk were mining wood, looking a lot like slaters slaving away in the quarries

For other parts of the day, Del will fill the time cleaning our walk-in, see if there is a way to drain the cistern and change out the water. Probably leave the cubefolk in place for now, in case we have to run or fight

Any thoughts anybody, on what to send to Lord Mindattis tomorrow morning?

Raven would be settling in at her home-away-from-home.  She would spend times with the foals and make sure they are getting fed and have a good stall in the stables.

Mysterious tin box remains mysterious. The rocker is creepy and spooky, but non-magical, and perfectly comfy apart from the hideous squeaking it makes when it is rocked. The farm workers are able to provide a water pump Del can borrow to empty the cistern of Chuul water, which is probably good fertilizer and gets poured into the garden. After a bit of prestidigitaion from his friends (or  lot of scrubbing from Del) the tank is sparkly clean and can be refilled. It is 15 feet wide and 15 feet deep, and holds about 20,000 gallons. (2650 cubic feet) Sadly, nobody has mistaken the cistern for a wishing well or used it to hide treasure in...you find nothing worth keeping hidden under the filthy water.

Raven gets moved back into her room, feeling like a teen on summer break again and catching up with  all the familiar servants and farm hands. It's too bad your Dad is away, but at least you don't have to put up with your brother's BS for a bit.  The foals like the barn and paddock much better than the dungeon, and now have the company of the farm horses and a few cows, cats and farm fowl. Milk is no longer a problem.

Quentin nodded with a slight chuckles saying, "Yeah, we'll of course watch each others back. And hey....now you can tell anyone you're interested in that you had a nobles eye before you became Sir Elwin Cold." Looking down some he does add, "And..umm...well....I hope we can grow closer as friends, and....if you need anything just let me know." 

 After a long day of cleaning, investigation, socializing and emotional turmoil, you have the pleasure of spending a quiet night in a normal bed.

When you wake up in the morning, a steady drizzling rain is falling.

After recovering spell slots, Del Sends to Mindartis: ( rolling for cross-plane delivery 17 )

Where are you? How and what doing?
Days until help arrives, probably cannot reach you sooner
Will keep trying
When contact next?
Angry and worried

((saved enough words that I could put those last 3 instead of leading with a single word))

Upon awaking, Elwin will re-examine the interior of the portable dungeon. He grinned as his mind raced with possibilities, especially now that they had clean(er) water inside.

(( I know you gave us some of this, but could you give us the number of cells in here again, along with the dimensions of each cell and of the dungeon as a whole? I'll record the info in our group wiki/doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WX3BY6mgoYe9i_D-rmuQ8o81WO88QPOQoTfopggU_sA/edit?usp=sharing ))

It was when he finally came back up that he decided to see if there had been communication with Mindartis yet.

((just pasted into the doc))

Mindarti's Response:

"Am fine. Auntie was there maybe.
Weren't happy. Hid till they left.
Two dragonborn, one black cloak.
Went somewhere, didn't understand.
Couple days away."

"Del...do you want to try and dispel the magic in the tin box." Quentin suggests making work into physically removing the sugar from everyone so they just need magic cast on them when help arrives.