Jahren takes one more step forward and nods to Toc to join him.  "We will not touch any of these items without your permission.  Are you aware of the evil that has destroyed the elven civilization here?"  (he waits for a raise or lower of the axe between questions)

"Do you wish for the evil to be destroyed?"

"Do you wish for the elves to be restored to this wondrous place?"

"Can you discern that we are friend here, and not foe?"

"Would you permit these items to be used against the evil that resides here currently?"

"Can one still become a Champion of the Order?"

     "We have paper and ink, perhaps ask if any of then can write?  It could make for a quicker and more robust dialogue," Fianna suggests.  "Or if one was shaped changed into something with a tongue, perhaps?"

((Fianna can do Speak with Dead at will due to her Eldritch Invocations and will try that, but as that doesn't work with undead I assume it doesn't work...  Just figured they may appear as skeletons but be something else? *shrug*))

The skeleton shakes its head, lowering the axe and no longer using it to communicate.  It is not aware of the evil that destroyed the city it seems.  It seems....it's answer to your next question can not be answered with a simple yes or no.  The same as the next.  It says it can not discern if you are friend or foe. They answer no to using these items against the evil. They don't know the answer to the last question.  

Toc to Fianna, "I could use the polymorph spell, but it only turns them into a beast, and robs them of their intelligence as well I'm afraid.  I could try a message cantrip...." 

He points to one of them. After a moment he says,  "That worked.  I asked him to tell me who he was. He says he and the others submitted to this undead binding centuries ago, and are guardians of this holy and wonderous crypt."  

Toc points to Jahren, so just he can hear Toc speak,.  Jahren: 

"They were elves who gave up ... absolutely everything to protect that crypt?!" Mirica talked quietly, trying not to interrupt conversation, but the revelation was to big to stay silent. "Those items have to be something truly sacred for anyone to submit to such fate. May be we should just leave - if they fight as fiercely other intruders, Aldlas would not get those things either anyway".

Toc looks to Mirica and shrugs, "Elves live a long time. Spending a bit longer as an undead may not seem as strange to an elf as it does to you. If you keep your mind...it's just another form. The Mythals are guarded by another form of undead elves that keep them stable and working...but those ones are more like Liches.  Elves know more Necromancy than most so called necromancers."

Hard to say what was funnier here - Mirica's idolizing ignorant view of elven culture, or her sudden realization that Toc with his "death interrogation" spells is essentially a necromancer, a walking proof of elves familiarity with the subject. Well, she never claimed to be an expert and other cultures do look romantic and glamours from outside after all. "So... Let me get it straight, your Mythals, that wonder of magic is supported and guarded by Undeads? And we might run into elven Liches here? I do not want to presume anything ... but are you absolutely sure those Liches preserved their loyalty to elvenkind (and those with them) along with their brains?"

She looked at the skeletons. "Probably a discussion for another room, though."

Jahren smacks himself on the forehead for not thinking of using Message.  After Toc is done using it, he can't resist starting a full on conversation with the skeletons.  He uses Message on each and introduces himself, and asks who should speak for them.  He tells each who he is briefly, such as his general purpose in his travels and a brief summary of why he is here, asks them each their names, and asks their appointed speaker if they would like an update about the current state of Myth Drannor and the outside world.  He asks if there is anything the group can do for the guardians, and otherwise tries to learn all he can from them of Myth Drannor, an era gone by, the Champions of the Order, how to become one, etc.  He presses only gently on the notion of being able to take and use the items in this room, such as if Toc could become and Champion perhaps, but does not push the topic too far.  The bard could likely talk to these fascinating figures for days, even getting the individual story of each, so will continue to do so until the group reminds him they have other pressing matters.

If allowed, Jahren will also make some notes as he often does, including the names of these guardians, if they do not mind.

P.S.  Did he finish the one Identify that triggered this fight?  Really curious just how powerful these relics might be.  Jahren is not greedy, but I am! ;)

Toc looks to the skeletons, then back to Mirica, "Where liches are undead creatures of true evil and terrible intentions, our people sought to use a version of this horrifying ritual as a frame- work to preserve our culture and society. With the aid of the Seldarine—the elven court of deities—we created the baelnorn. They are good folk and retain their memories and ideals that they had in life, and are regarded as high standing members of society.  Some require a phalactry, like a liche, but some do not. They look like a very ancient elf, but with transparent skin, but often take care to disguise their undead form, just to make others more comfortable around them. This is guarded elven lore. I trust I've shared this in confidence."

He looks around at the group, "Well, what now?"

"Disguise..." Mirica narrowed her eyes and looked at Toc a bit too intently, then at Tic, then shook her head and smiled as if to some ridiculous thought. "No worries, your secret is safe with me. I mean it."

"Did anyone tried to make a map or at least counted turns? We need to get even deeper to find Aldlas, right? Do not remember any stairs up or down around here. Which part we did not check yet?" 

     "So, are we ok with the skellies now?" Fianna asks, uncertainly. "Will they be ok with us creeping around?  Can the stop the sentinels from attacking us?  Mind you, this is all very confusing."

Jahren knows that the item he touched was a Staff of Striking (except that it is a rod, that becomes a Mace).  

Toc raises an eyebrow at Mirica, a small smile plays on his lips, but he says nothing until she asks about Aldlas.  "The only place we haven't been is down the passage of statues. But...this is the crypt of the Order, not the crypt of Aldlas. Most likely there is no underground path between the two and we'll need to return to the surface.  We were about a mile from the Crypt of Aldlas, at least as far as I could tell.  Though...when a mountain and a city falls on top of another city....it seems things move." 

Jahren speaks in depth to the undead elves. The main speaker is named Rocan Ianmaer. He is the leader of the Thaelaene Orders Disciples of Protection. His other companions who joined him in the ritual of the sleep of the unwaking protection are Yllara Gilwynn, Zinbella Xilleth, Adkas Urimenor, Fenris Sarlamin, Glynro Leoyarus, Iliro Naewarin, and Herxalim Hiegolar who you've put to eternal rest. He motions to the bones crushed by Chen.

Chen...by the way, still had blood shot eyes, is breathing violently in and out, and clutching his hammer with both hands.  Fianna has her hand on his shoulder but he doesn't seem to have calmed down too too much. 

Back to the elves, Jahren continues. Rocan speaks the history of the Thaelaene Order. A great alliance of philosopher mages who worked the fabric of magic like clay, bending it to their wills and in creative ways, combining art, magic, and existence. This crypt was the place where their kin were lain to rest upon an untimely demise. Though Rocan seems very forthcoming about their order, he seems to show little to no interest in the current events of the day. He...does not seem interested in the fate of Myth Drannor, nor does he seem to be able to accept the information that it's been destroyed.  "Myth Drannor shall endure, as it ever has," is his reply to the point blank assertion that it's been totally destroyed. "But let us talk of other things, I can tell you much about the order...."  Unfortunately he can't tell you what you want to know about joining. The Disciples of Protection were mage warriors, much like ... he motions to Toc ... this one who is both wizard and warrior, pulling both together as an art. Though the secrets to admittance of the Order was guarded by the Disciples of Philosophy. He seems to think you can go talk to them, but is simultanously unable to tell you when or where they may have last been.  "In the city proper, at the Orders headquarters, you will find them."    "The line goes on of course, you must seek us at the orders headquarters."   The historical information Jahren learns is interesting, and valuable, and Rocan seems an open book, but regarding anything to do with modern day, the future, or what not, he seems willfully, or simply unable to comprehend. 

Near the end he says, "You have proven yourselves allies of the order. Indeed, one day perhaps you may join. Myself and the others feel it would benefit the order to provide you a fine gift.  You may choose one item from the table." 

They place the items back, "The rod of striking. The axe of Xyrrois, potent magic, but no other function"  (+3 magic great axe).  "The blade of Grena, moderate magic, but no other special function."  (+2 longsword)  "This belt contains a stone of wisdom." ( Ioun stone of insight )  "And the helm of Inaqirelle. It grants protection, and allows its wearer to breath water." (combined Ring of Protection and Cap of Water Breathing ) 

Chen calms down in a few moments after the battle ceases. (Rage ends if you don't do or take damage).

Toc was right, of course, but the choice between fighting statues and the wild magic infested surface was tough. Mirica followed Fianna out of the room. "I guess we are (ok with the skellies). They seem to be Ok with us too - Jahren even talking about joining the Order - hope he just collecting information and not serious about it. But we have a bigger problem - looks like we need to get back and walk though the ruins and all that magic again to get to that damn Nec... mage. Or we can check the room with the statues, but it does not feel any better. So, ready to surface?"

     “Indeed, if we are to risk our lives here it should be to try to do something to help, not a distraction to our goal.  This place is curious and full of things of interest, but it’s not doing the land any good for us to be fighting statues and the shadows of those long dead...” Fianna replies.

     “Back to our course... even if that course has us fighting chaos magic we understand less than we do this place.”

Chen, who has by now recovered his calm and has been sitting quietly meditating in a corner, looks up at the talk of returning to the surface. His expression is one of disappointment at not being able to continue exploring this fascinating buried city, but he also knows that more aggressive statues lay further on, and he doesn't want to risk harm to anyone, so he nods softly in agreement.

     “We can always s return here after the threat is taken care of and exploring can be a priority...”

Jahren tells the guardians that he is humbled to accept the axe of Xyrrois.  He also tells them that he wishes to visit them at a later time when Myth Drannor is safer and learn more from them, ideally with the native elves joining him as well.

The journey back to the surface takes several minutes for various individuals to let Toc help them fly.  For Chen he turns him to smoke to ease the squeeze through several tight spots.  Chen looks wistfully around with a heavy sigh before he departs. The last out are Tic and Toc who arrive back at the surface, crawling out of the last bit of the cracked passage. 

Loane clears her throat loudly, and looks about at the group. "Hi there. You have all been nice enough allies. When we were going for a walk in the woods, I thought that might be nice, but it's become something else. Battling dragons...fighting strange magical ...things.....and seeking out demons and ancient evil mages in these strange ruins. I hope you can forgive me, but this does not seem like my cup of tea. The wind of the ocean, the spray of water on my face.  These things bring me joy. Not delving into the dark, and exploring crypts. Perhaps....perhaps another time....but...this has made me realize I have someone to go see who I haven't seen in some time.  Thank you all for your companionship, and best of luck."

Loane shakes her head in Toc's direction, "And don't waste your magic on me. I could use a walk back to town if I'm honest.  Just...uh....point me the way." 

SinSin sidles up beside her, "I have to say, you are all great adventurers...but...having nearly died twice now....I feel like I perhaps do not belong here. I'm a brawler, a city man...and....I have others to think of back in Hillsfar.  This has given me stories for the rest of my life, believe me. I think I would do much better escorting Loane and ensuring she arrives safely back at the port. My mind is made up....I also appreciate traveling with all of you brave folk."  

Toc sighs heavily in the background.

There is a brief period of good byes.  Each of the companions have a few words to say to both SinSin and Loane.  Toc spends a time with each pointing at a map that he conjures with some magic.  But eventually they heft their bags, nod to the group, and head straight towards the forest.  

Birds tweet and flit through the rocky ruins and the grey sky is overcast above. A cold wind blows. A feeling of loss sits across the group. Toc looks to them, now down to six. "Come....Aldlas's tomb should be this way." 

The group winds its way through the canyons and clefted chunks of rock that litter the landscape.  A creek cuts through a space, washing out dust and dirt from its path through chunks of mountain and carved stone. You pass by and come up over a rise of rubble. Down below you, in a divot in the earth, you spot a large canopy. A flag of silver, blue and grey flaps from its top, and it appears as if a small campsite is setup around it.  You see a table under the canopy with two people sitting at it, while two others walk around nearby doing chores. 

Looking up from his map Sebastion sees the newcomers

Standing with hand on hilt of his sword he motions his 3 companions behind him as he advances

"Hail and well met travellers. What brings you here?"

You see a large silver dragonborn dressed in silver and blue chain. Behind him are 3 other individuals also dressed in silver and blue.  A shield is next to the table emblazoned with a platinum dragon.

"Greetings, champion of Bahamut.  May I present the mighty Toc, Fianna, Mirica, Chen and Tic.  I am Jahren, at your service.  We seek the truth of the true nature of this place after its fall and reports of foul creatures about.  And you?"

Jahren is an extremely warm and cheery half-elf with orange hair and a light mithril armor below his traveling cloak and clothing.  He has a large shield on his back accompanied by two stringed instruments.