Kerric:

Fed and rested, with some good conversation besides, Kerric asks, "So, do we want to head to the docks and see what we can learn there tonight, or do people want to get some rest tonight and head over in the morning," seeming to be okay either way.

(Oh damn, you're right lmfao XD Even got 21 apples too? Guys, we gotta go to casino! Also should have added in my post the before heading to the inn, Hawke will give Bill his 3 apples as promised <3 Ebele can feed him one as well, if she wants!)

There's a bright sparkle in Hawke's eye when he hears the pet rock could be activated with a phrase. "Oh, shit, really? What does it do? How do I set it up?" The druid starts looking more closely at the stone. Maybe there was a button you had to press?

His attention goes between both the pet rock and now the potion in his hand, continuing to shake it to see if any of it would mix together. Nope! "Magic..." He whispers under his breath.

As he set his new potion away, the druid glances up to see the monk struggling with the finger trap that was Xalkas' gift. He snorts as he watches her panic a little bit, trying to get it fingers out. "You're a smart girl, Belle, you can get outta that thing no problem!"

A chocolate brown eye gazed over to Kerric now. "Hmm... I think we oughta rest, then head to the docks, but I'm good with whatever is decided between the rest of us."

Nick would let out a big hearty laugh as apples were delivered to the table from outside. He'd have a glint in his eye and a grin on his face. Perhaps...

"Lookit yous inspiring me to keep on giving!" Feeling as though everyone more than embraced the spirit of giving and sharing, the inn keeper would announce something else while scanning the group. "A'ight. Tonights stay, in yer choice of rooms, on the house." He'd nod in confirmation to both Kerric and Hawke when they suggest to rest. "Whenever yer ready to retire that is." The Dwarf would jut his chin towards the still hefty spread. "Enjoy the food an' drinks as ya wish." He wanted to encourage everyone to take the time to continue pouring over their gifts and plans should they choose.

"You're a smart girl, Belle, you can get outta that thing no problem!"
Then Nicks eyes would land on the monk who brought in the fruit, struggling with the gnomish finger trap. A smirk would grow on his lips, obviously she had help picking. He would wait to see if she'd make it out.

'Smart Girl' Check
In her surprise, can she figure it out?

Roll call: Ebele
Intelligence check: At a disadvantage for a successful surprise
DC10: For her to learn how the trap works.

Completely absorbed in the challenged before her, Ebele would nip on her lip as she'd try to focus.

Ebele: 3

The monk had an idea come to her. She felt the trap loosen on her fingers when she pushed them together, and it was like she was almost free. Then one slight movement made the trap slip, bouncing back and latching onto her fingers again. "Wuuhhh?" Ebele could have sworn she had it figured out! "Ahh..." The sense of confusion clouded her mind and she'd start tugging in slight panic. Not enough to damage the device but she still wasn't free.

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker sees Ebele in trouble, and with quick reflexes, whips out his dagger and, grabbing one of Ebele's hands to keep it steady, slices the magical trap keeping her fingers attached. 

He glances around with a frown, "You're welcome."  He looks around the table, "You were all so shocked into inaction. It was potentially some cursed thing that was going to try and meld her fingers...or....simply trap her like that...who knows what foul magic was a foot. Don't worry, I took care of it." 

He sits down, sheathing his dagger with authority, looking like a hero of the ancient days, his victorious gaze off towards the horizon as a bit of wind from an open window fluffs at his hair. 

The moments vanishes. He looks to Kerric, "We've had success not leaving things until morning before. I suggest we head down the water and check things out tonight." 

Hawke watches T'chal's actions with eyes widened in a mixture of horror and surprise, mouth also hanging agape. "All she hadta do was... That was a gift, Snickers! I think Xalkas would've known if the thing was cursed, otherwise he wouldnt've given it to her."  He frowns. "Can anyone fix it?"

Xalkas expression changes dramatically from amused at Ebele’s struggling to shock and dismay at the abruptness of T'chal'fronack'zcinicker‘s actions. He stares at him very fixedly. Waiting for him to fix it...

Earlier... Xalkas gratefully accepts the scroll of hideous laughter and makes a mental not to transcribe it into his spell book later when he has time.

(OOC: assuming no one else wants it. T'chal'fronack'zcinicker? Reghys? Also, since I already have the inks required, would you like me to deduct the gold value as described in phb for transcription? Or pro-rate it?)

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker looks around at the group. "Wha....I thought it was maybe...a cursed thing or something. You can't know something is cursed, until it does its thing. It's supposed to grab your fingers like that? What purpose does that serve? Sure, sure, I can fix the bits, my bad." He grabs the two pieces, holding them together, and magic mends them back into a single piece. He hands it back to Ebele, still looking confused.

(Pro rate is fine with me if you want to use up your inks. Deduct the gold if you wanna hold onto them for any reason.)

Ebele would pause abruptly feeling the swift actions of T'chal'fronack'zcinicker cutting her free of the trap. Immediately, her head would tilt as she'd take a moment to wiggle her fingers to check to make sure they were still there. Then she'd let out a breath of relief from the tiefling's heroic efforts to rescue her hands. The monks head head would turn in his direction when she'd feel a mysterious breeze through the window. She'd scratch her head in confusion from all the fuss, and that it was T'chal'fronack'zcinicker who jumped to her rescue.

After a pause, Ebele would add to T'chal'fronack'zcinicker's thought. "Would engaging with the cultists tonight put us at any disadvantage for our plan(s)?"

Then in her continued bewilderment, the blonde would flinch when her saviour would return the snare, intact, to her hands, dropping it on the table. It'd roll a little. Leaning away suspiciously, she'd point to the other gift Xalkas gave her, she'd whisper. "That's not gunna bite me too is it?" Scootching a smidge closer to her liberator.

Reghys would happily pour over the scroll Xalkas presents them: "Maybe, once you've copied it, I could take a look at your notes, and try to weave it into some sort of song? I'm always looking to add new things to my repertoire, and my stand- up routine is definitely lacking..."

OOC: Could Reghys try to make a series of checks to also add the spell from the scroll to their spells known?

In response to Kerric, “I’m fine either way. Though experience tells me we do our best sleuthing at night.” Xalkas is of course referring to Red Larch though Hawke wouldn’t be aware of that. 

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker shrugs to Ebele, "I'm not sure. I suppose it will mean we have to sleep before we head up river, which could give them time to return to base and inform them of us coming, ruining our attempt to impersonate them, but...I feel like....if any of them get away tomorrow, the same risk will be there.  I say we go tonight."

In response to Ebele (post 1954 sorry I missed this question somehow.)

”That definitely shouldn’t bite you. Though technically neither did the gnomish finger trap. The other thing I got you is a game I used to make back in my parents toy shop. I was wanting to reach you to play... though I suspect we are about to be ankle deep in water cultists...”

Ebele would relax from Xalkas’ assurance, then she’d smile as he’d explain the gifts before her. She’d even chuckle at finally clueing in about the purpose of the gnomish finger trap. A smile would appear on her lips when he’d share his story behind the game. “Thank you Xalkas. Perhaps during some downtime.” She’d nod, gingerly tucking away the gifts in her pack. 

When T'chal'fronack'zcinicker would indulge her question with his thoughts, she’d nod along. The logic was sound enough for her. It was worth asking for consideration. “Okay!” The monk would pop out of her seat, grab an apple and saunter out the door.

Kerric:

Jumping up and following Ebele, Kerric says, "Tonight it is, then," and heads out the door, on the way to the docks.

Xalkas packs up his things and follows after Kerric. 

Hawke watches as the others slowly begin to filter out the door with a slight frown. “Damn. Was kinda hoping for a good nap... Oh well.” The Druid plucks up another three cookies and heads on out with everyone else.

T'chal'fronack'zcinicker grins at Hawke, "You'll be alright. Though, if you'd like to really make some adjustments to the group resting schedule, I encourage you to read the latest group contract and perhaps talk to me about adding some terms around proper rest and so on." 

As the Argent Alliance poured out into the grounds outside of the Spitefire Inn, the group would begin meandering their way towards the docks. While T'chal'fronack'zcinicker encouraged Hawke to read the latest of the group contract, everyone except the druid would notice that Ebele snuck off. Though, the Kalashtar showed no concern, as he knew exactly where she was and had suspicions of what she was up too.

The monk stealthed ahead to sneak around behind the group. She'd tap Xalkas on the shoulder before slipping away out of sight like nothing was there. She'd whistle softly behind Reghys, then march boldly along behind Kerric, and even mimic T'chal'fronack'zcinicker's confident stride off in the distance. Feeling sure of herself at this point, Ebele tested her luck against Hawke's perceptive nature. Even though she knew she could just ask for one, she'd try to snatch one of his cookies. As soon as she touched it, his hold on it would tighten. He knew didn't he! "Damn your spidey-senses!" She'd gasp. "Oh it wasn't that exhausting was it?" Then she'd snap off a piece with a smirk and skip off ahead with it.

"So how are we actually going to approach these guys tonight?" Ebele would ask the group as they took a right by the church. Even though she assumed they were going to be following a charismatic leaders on this one, she just wanted to make sure she was on the same page.

"If we try talking to them first, T would be the best choice, I think. He's charismatic, but unlike me can hold his own for a bit, should things turn sour. That way we can keep the rest of us out of sight, ready to come in as and when it is required."