Chen picks up the maul, finding it superior to his own in weight and balance. Taking some time to get accustomed to it as a weapon, he also attunes to its magical properties. He has no particular interest in the books, and probably would be of little help if he did, but he spends the idle hours wandering the rooms and looking at all the interesting items and magical effects.

As the statues are restored, Chen has a few questions of his own. Talking to Nezuj he asks: So why is it that you have not, uh, emerged before? You've been with us all this time, but I'm sure it's always been Jezun. And does SinSin know? And which one of you agreed to assist this group? I was on my way to Cormyr at the time.

Chen is still wary of the kenku, despite its apparent sincerity. Maybe because of that mimic voice, but also due to its shifty demeanor. With an undisguised tone of suspicion he asks: How did you get inside here? And how long have you been in here?

As Russel comes back to the land of flesh and blood creatures and not a stone statue, he reflexively moves backwards. As last he knew he was in the middle of a fight. It takes several moments for him to relax, clean his weapons and put them away. Miricas calming words and voice were what helped him to relax the most. Surely the person that just de-stoned him wouldn’t then try to kill him... right?

Russel stays near the edge of this group he’s stumbled upon curious as to why they are here exactly. It seems like the reason is closely related to his own. Though he isn’t entirely certain of this. (Dm if you would confirm via private message. Thanks)

He eyes with mild interest the veritable bounty of shiny knick knacks, trinkets and baubles. Though he has little use for most of the items. The Dagger of Renaissance catches his attention the most. (Also the needle of mending. But if it looks like a needle it wouldn’t catch his attention)

It’s not until Toc points out the feast to Russel, telling him to come sit and eat, does Russel approach the group. He curiously sniffs the food that’s seemingly appeared from no where. Watching curiously as the rest of the group eats from this magnificent looking bowl, Russel wonders how much it’s worth to the right buyer. He’s hesitant at first to begin eating, as the look and smell of the food are foreign to him. But seeing everyone else eating without any issues or complications begins doing the same.

In response to Toc asking for his name Russel simple makes the sound of wind rustling threw leaves.

Fianna’s True seeing reveals that Russel is in fact... a Kenku. Hearing her mention the Dagger of Renaissance, Russel would immediately repeat her words and point to himself. As if to indicate that he was interested in the weapon.

After her tirade about storage solutions, most of it Russel is unfamiliar with but he is familiar with bags of holding. He once again repeats Fianna saying Bag of Holding, points at himself and holds up his bag. You get the sense that he is offering the use of his bag. If you feel so inclined as to trust someone you just met.

When addressed by Chen, Russel turns his head toward the rotund dragonborn and says in a patchwork like quilt of borrowed voices from the residents of Hillsfar, “I haven’t been here long,” Russel points to the room where the cage was found. “Showed up there by magic.” He falls silent and continues ... pecking at the proffered food.

Chen thinks Russel's answers are a bit vague. And look at the way the kenku eats! Just pecking and nibbling. Chen on the other hand is grabbing huge handfuls of chow and piling them onto a wooden plate, large enough to be used as a shield, that he produced from his gear.

Toc taps his finger impatiently on the table at the Kenku's responses, "Do you have a name that I could more easily pronounce?  I'm not sure trying to make sound effects is going to work great. We could call you 'Rustling leaves' I suppose. And, magic brought you into a cage? Where were you coming from? And finally, earlier, your attention seemed piqued by the conversation about a Lich. Why are you interested in Liches? To be honest, we've little reason to trust you. Your assistance in the battle was nice, but, could easily have been self serving." 

((So does True Seeing give me any insight into Jezun/Nuzej and/or the rooms we've squatted?  Any secret rooms, possessing spirits, possum nestle tc...?))

Mimicking Toc’s voice Russel says “Rustl” leaving off the ‘ing’. It just occurred to Russel that no one has actually said his name before. Those of his own kind usually just make the sound they hear as he goes by. He quickly opens his bag and pulls out a piece of chalk and writes ‘R U S S E L’ hoping that will alleviate any confusion for Toc.

To Toc’s second question Russel replies with, “Yes magic”. It becomes noticeable that the more you speak around Russel the more your own words and patterns of speaking are incorporated into his ‘vocabulary’.

“Coming from Hillsfar” Russel adds to his answer. “Hunting them. Told to gather information.” Finishes Russel in regards to his curiosity about Liches. Feeling that this was enough of an answer and not seeing any need to supply more of an answer...

“I’m trying to locate the dragon...” He pauses trying to remember the name, “Verdant Cloud.” He watches everyone carefully trying to judge their reactions to his ‘words’ ready to spring away at a moments notice if they seem ... hostile. Though he had been the enemy of their enemy... that enemy is no longer...

Fianna's "True Seeing" walkabout doesn't reveal anything else of interest. Looking at Nuzej, she sees just....Nuzej. There's no overlay, no strange glow, just...the wizard. Neither does it reveal anything different about Russel. Walking around this place, she finds that everything else seems as it is. The torn threads, the illusions of people walking, the mist in the necromancy room.  The Mythallar.  Everything else seems as it should be.

Looking upon the book, the thick tome contains pages of thin, hammered copper and has thin covers of slate. It is held shut by a severed elven tongue. Identifying the item results in determining the following : Tome of the Stilled Tongue.  (except for the information about Vecna)

Toc listens to Russel's responses. He appears to be focused on eating a beet salad, but is listening and nods when Russel spells his name.  "Excellent, Russel it is!  Very interesting Russel."  

When no one jumps at him when he mentions Verdant Cloud's name, he calms himself slightly.  

Nuzej takes his first rest, regaining his spells, and then actually sleeps for the second long rest, hesitant to try, but his body finally succumbing to exhaustion. He wakes up, head fuzzy, looking around, poring over his hands, and casts a simple cantrip into the air.

He sits up, a smile on his face. "It's me again, I suppose."

Later, as Toc and then Chen ask him questions, he answers eagerly. "Chen, Jezun has not been with the group for a long time. A few days, as I understand it? We often will switch off on longer stretches, but there is always a mystery of who will wake up. Like I said, no pattern. He was in control when he agreed to help you. He trusts SinSin's judgment. I trust Jezun. Even if he can be endlessly frustrating at times. So I would like to help you. Toc, I wish I knew more. Why I'm here. I've always been here, I think. I have memories going back to being relatively young. Training of some kind? It gets foggy the further back I go. But I can remember a lot of where Jezun and I were after that -- he training as a monk, me studying when I had control. My goals? Well, I take joy in learning. I want to find out how the world works, as much as humanly possible. No offense. I want Jezun to be happy and find solace in the chaos of all of this. He is a good person. I've learned a lot from him. Taking things slower. But from the bits I've been able to piece together from Jezun's time with you, well, while it's a bit of a complicated mess, we have to do something about this warlock. He seems to intend bad things for this world. The dragon too. And their allies. I'd like to help you all as I can. You may not be able to rely on me every day, but when I am here, I will put my resources at your disposal. Toc, we have not met, but I have read of you, heard of you. It's an honor. I realize I haven't said that yet, but life can be short. So I'd like to learn what we can of this place, and from these books, in the time we have here, and find some ways to stop Larloch and the Scourge. There has to be some secrets here. I'm new, and you know so much, have seen so much, so please just point me in a direction and I will take it on."

He speaks very quickly.

He'd like to help sort through the books and detect magic all over the place. He'll double check the rod to ensure it's not magic.

The rod is indeed not magical. All of the magical items were noted. And, with detect magic, the group also does a thorough sweep of the location and doesn't find anything new. 

Toc listens to Jezun's story carefully. He seems to take it all in. "Nuzej...you are a mystery, an unknown, amidst many other unknowns. I believe you....and your story....and that you don't know how this has happened. But....for the time being, I think you're still going to be in the position of earning our trust for a while.  And thank you for the compliment." 

Toc looks at the heavy book, with the tongue on it with a grimace across his face. "It is a temptation for sure. A powerful magical item....but I fear what comes with it. It's clear the Warlock used it to influence the Baelnorn. I fear I should not use it, no matter how much I may wish to. Nuzej....if you wish to use the tome...who knows, perhaps your unique personality trait will protect you from any curse.  Disrupt the formation of a bond as it were. If you wish to make use of it, I would not complain." 

Regarding the other books, Toc says, "A demiplane they would be safe...it's a good idea. However, I think at least for the time being, I'll be wanting Nuzej's help reading...that and....this Mythallar isn't going anywhere.  We can't just leave it here unattended.  So...for the time being, I say we leave the books here, and move them when we're done. I've also found several books that appear to be journals. I'm afraid I have an extended research period to go through here before I can say more. We can all either remain here, or....you could return to town...or...wherever, but I think it will be a couple days, or even weeks of reading before I can say more.  Of course....we also have the dragon to deal with....and our new companion Russel here seems interested in the dragon. Not to mention the threat it poses to the city. It's really up to you....but I'll be spending any of my 'spare' time here....reading."

He wanders over to Mirica and on the side says, "Could I please have 2 of those 1000 gp diamonds. And 3000 gold worth of the ruby dust. And another 10000 worth of....whatever...since I'll need a lot of components in the days ahead.  That's 15,000 gold worth of materials."  

Does anyone take the ring ? 

(I’ll take it if no one wants it... preferable when no one is looking at it or me 😉)

"Here." Mirica handed over to Toc requested materials. "I would appreciate if you can use other gems instead of diamonds - gods have their preferences, unfortunately, you do not argue with gods. But the rest is all yours."

She looked at Nuzej and Russel. "Do not take that questioning personally. Our group had been through a lot and any degree of paranoia is justifiable at this point from any of us, not only Toc. You saw for yourself, Nuzej, the way our archenemy (I wonder if he sees us this way too?) controls those around him. So, possession of any form is suspicious on its own. As of you, Russel, good people of Hillsfar wanted to hand us over to the dragon you claim you are hunting. Combined with your interest with liches and general... shady nature in every meaning of the word - and you should understand the questions and the caution. You would do good keeping as open and honest as you can." Mirica smiled, demonstrating quite sharp teeth. "By the way, that trick with writing is a very good idea. Ever heard the sad legend of a mermaid that went to the land? Could never understand why that pitiful girl did not try to write her story or to draw if she was illiterate... Never mind. What I am trying to tell is we are hunting the very dragon you said you are after. As well as the liches you are so curious about."

"Speaking of the dragon. Since we are stuck here for weeks - how about we now return to the lair and check it out? And either find the main entrance or think what to do with the traps inside the backdoor?" 

     “You suggest the possessing wizard needs to still earn our trust and yet you offer him a possible quite powerful and possessed book? I’m confused by that logic,” Fianna points out with a puzzled look. “I would think destroying it or putting it out of reach for anyone would be the best option...”

     “I see no need to return to Hillsfar unless we have a reason to return.  Last I knew we were wanted, but only so as to be sacrificed to the dragon. We could disguise ourselves easily enough but unless there is a goal to returning...” Fianna shrugs on this topic, leaving it up to further debate if wished.

     “As for you, little birdy, you do seem to like the shiny things.  I assure you that you’ll get an opportunity to get many a trinket if you accompany and cooperate with us... “ Fianna adds ((unfairly using OOC comments IC.))

     “I will admit I’m a bit... hesitant about you,” Fianna says, turning to Nezuj.  “We had not a hint of this from SinSin when he recommended you.  Or, obviously, from Jezun himself.  I frankly find the idea that our friend is possessed far more likely than that of him only living half a life and being unaware of it.  He’s stupid, but not stupid.

     “Further, even if trust was not an issue, I’m also concerned about going into battle with you.  One relies on their teammates, relies on their strengths and covers for their weaknesses.  What even are your strengths and weaknesses?  And will they be the same when it’s time to do battle?  And what of halfway through the battle?  Is there any guarantee there’s not a third person in there?” Fianna asks pointedly.  “Or a twelfth?”

     “Unfortunately, I’m not sure we have much choice at the moment.  Even assuming worst case scenario, leaving you on your own could be as worse as bringing you with us.  But you are warned, I would rather wrongly  kill you then let you kill one of my friends because I hesitated.  So do nothing suspicious in the heat or battle...  or in the dark of night..,  or under the shining sun..,  or.., well, I think you get the point?”

     Regarding the ring, Fianna would ask if anyone can wear it and attune to the magic of it without giving up something else they want to keep...  ideally she’d prefer our healer to have it so they could bounce back if needed but believes they’re already at their limit.

"She can be a bit ... quick tempered," explained Mirica while counting valuables for Toc. "Is it enough?" ((all gems/powders subtracted))

The cleric smiled to Fianna but declined the offer. "I appreciate the thought and understand the idea, but if I am not mistaken, that thing is the very last resort, not much of a help in an everyday combat. Like Tic over there. I say the ring I am wearing now gives me more chances to survive. If anyone, it is Toc or our new friend who can fear a sudden death due to the way they fight and their more delicate constitution."

"However I fully agree with you about the book - we need to keep it safe, because this is our only link to the Warlock. But using it... Not that I mistrust you so, Nuzej," (she nodded slightly) "but that lich we fought was an extremely powerful wizard and yet through that book the Warlock bent him to his will. Untill we know more and fully prepared, I say we keep that book locked away."

"As of battling together issues... Perhaps that visit to the dragon lair would solve them as well? Good opportunity to get used to each others (new) style."

Chen is in favour of making another attempt at the dragon. He had considered going back to the forest to hunt and forage for fresh food (as pickings are slim in the ruins of Myth Drannor), or to Hillsfar if necessary, but after that second feast he is quite satisfied.

Toc watches the rather tense exchanges with caution.  Not seeing any immediate argument break out, he looks at the book, and then to Fianna,  "Very well. I agree about the book.  We wrap it up and toss it in a demiplane. It's too dangerous to use. If there are any magic items that people can't use, and you're willing to let Tic hold on to them, such as that staff....then I think that could be useful.  He could essentially stand next to people and provide cover in combat if we wanted it.  He's not attuned to anything, and yet he can. Though, that ring won't do him much good, I don't think it'll work for him. So, it's still up for sale and/or grabs.  And ya, Chen, Mirica.....I agree.  We need to deal with the dragon." 

     Fianna hands Toc the Autumn’s Staff and the Needle of Mending.  She then takes the book and moves into an adjoining room to cast her spell.  Alone she will quickly unwrap the book, shove it into a sack and wrap in some spare clothes, and them whisper her spell to summon a door to a Demiplane. She makes note of the dimensions the nature, and the extra contents she threw in with the book, then quickly closes the door and dismisses it.

     Back in the room with the rest, she dust off her hands and says “Well that’s done.”

Toc points to Tic, and they have a brief magical exchange. Tic keeps a careful eye on both Nuzej and Russel, while Toc follows Fianna.  He returns with her a few minutes later. 

     "We have walls around us, true enough... I still think we should post a watch.  It's not like there is a lock on the front door or things appareling and wanting to kill us unknown.  Tomorrow morning we can... What is the plan?  Hunt the dragon or go to Hillsfar (she says the name with a sneer) or some other city and sell our excess, possibly buy some stock and whatever else they may have of interest?" Fianna asks. 

(Not that I doubt the ability of any of us are to sleep for days, but we just had two long rests back to back plus one Hero Feast :) We are probably as ready to go after the dragon as we ever can be and the lair is just a few steps away)

     ((Fine fine... I'm just trying to retro Fianna's storing the book / using Demiplane to the night before we doing whatever whackiness we do...))