-/-/- Tomb of Annihilation -\-\-

Brunella can make no sense of the bracers, other than that they are well made. She looks to the tortle for help. "Do you know? How to use?"

Gertrude looks at each an every single one of the sorry bunch that they are. The clothes on their bodies hang in tatters, they are all heavily injured and need to treat their wounds. This was a close call. They lost their guide and friend because she too had put her faith in the wrong person.  

Gertrude looks at Brunella, seeing her anger and sadness. She nods at her friend and puts her hand on her shoulder while she walks past. She looks at Artus, barely alive. She looks at Felix, as always seemingly disinterested in what the others are thinking and talking about. And she walks over to him. "Felix, would you like to have this cloak? It may help you hide in the shadows. You did good in there. We all got out. That's all that matters." She smiles and keeps walking, touching and reassuring them one by one, as if counting and making sure they are all here, that they will be strong enough to continue. Like she would have done countless times as a soldier before. 

Only when she feels everyone is as ok as they can be, she sits down. And for a glimpse, a moment, anyone watching her can see her muscles tensing, and absolute hatred shine from her eyes. 

 Short Rest : 38

".........." Felix looks at the cloak and slowly takes it. He looks at the material and places it on. Seeing Gertrude trying her best to act as leader reminds him of his past life. "Thanks... Gertrude..." 

Felix looks at the group one by one. Burnella though she is a dwarf and will probably out live Felix if they survive this, she's still a kid. Kurma trying his best to think out a plan, that's a cleric of Oghma. Always thinking of what's best for the group. Oniss like Felix he's suffered but he didn't let that change his mind, like Felix did. They are similar yet different. Irommek, a dwarf through and through strong and dependable. Especially in a fight he saved our skin. Inete always looked like a kid but after her encounter she grow to a harden cleric. Artus and Dragonbait, Felix doesn't really mind the dino person but Artus the bane to Felix existence. However now, Felix's hatred for the man he barely knows got someone killed. Musharib.... he had just finished cleansing his home... Just like back then Felix trying to take the easiest route and it comes back worst than before. 

Frustrated with this realization Felix abruptly gets up and leaves the group. Heading down to the river, Felix looks around for any threats. Not seeing any he undresses from head to toe and takes a quick swim to clear his mind.

Short Rest 16

Oniss looks at the party catching their breath and managing the barely won battle.  Knowing his humor is often his reaction to tense situations, he reflects on the parties mood is happy he didn't use "Hydra more like Bye-dra" joke after fleeing the beast in the caverns.

Oniss looks goes through his component bag and looks over his staff to assure all is ok and accounted for. 

Quote from Thordain >>

Brunella can make no sense of the bracers, other than that they are well made. She looks to the tortle for help. "Do you know? How to use?"

 "I might Brunella, leave them to me and I will identify them"

OOC: if we can spend 10 more minute before moving, I will cast identify as a ritual. Otherwise I will do that during our long rest.

Quote from RonanKP >>

Quote from Thordain >>

Brunella can make no sense of the bracers, other than that they are well made. She looks to the tortle for help. "Do you know? How to use?"

 "I might Brunella, leave them to me and I will identify them"

OOC: if we can spend 10 more minute before moving, I will cast identify as a ritual. Otherwise I will do that during our long rest.

 Kurma comes to know them as bracers of defense.

Short rest: 37

After the rest, the party receives a visit. A beautiful, blonde elf lady, cloaked in a dark robe. Where she comes from is anyone's guess, but two cubes (the puzzles cubes!) come with here floating in the air.

"Greetings, adventurers. It is way past time we met each other. You can call me Valindra..."

Kurma find it strange that this wizard is all by herself.
Letting someone else do the talk (i.e I have a low Charisma), he focuses on the environment and tries to look for other hidden wizards.

Perception (+guidance): 16 + 1

Kurma doesn't see and hear anyone else nearby.

But Dragonbait is emanating a very strong smell of ham, like never before.

Feeling much better in his half plate and having "Dwarf's Kiss" in his hands again, he takes some time to test the feel and weight if his new turtle shell shield when he sees the Elf and hears her name.

"Valindra...Shadowmantle?"

In his many years at sea, Irommek has heard the name but tries to recall more...

OOC: history check (16) in discord

Gertrude again tries to understand what is going on. She is tired and hurt, and doesn't trust her instincts anymore. She is still trying to figure out if this person is telling the truth about her motives for showing up. 

Insight 12

Quote from Spock >>

Feeling much better in his half plate and having "Dwarf's Kiss" in his hands again, he takes some time to test the feel and weight if his new turtle shell shield when he sees the Elf and hears her name.

"Valindra...Shadowmantle?"

In his many years at sea, Irommek has heard the name but tries to recall more...

OOC: history check (16) in discord

 Irommek recall of stories about Valindra Shadowmantle. There are maybe only a couple of wizards in the realms able to match her prowess in the arcane arts. She was once a member of the Arcane Brotherhood in Luskan, but history has lost her with the destruction of the Hostower. Rumours have it that she battled Drizzt Do'Urdern and his companions a few decades ago. Besides all her achievements, she isn't a good elf at all.

"Yes, I see my reputation precedes me. Let's skip the pleasantries then. I see that your friend Artus is not the carrier of the Ring of Winter anymore. Who has it at this moment? In exchange for this information, you will have these cubes you have sought for so long."

Gertrude has never encountered a person as inscrutable as this elf lady.

Oniss assumed this was the red wizard leaders since they were accompanied by the cubes.  He hears her short exchange, stands up, and chimes in;

"A Parley then.  We have interacted with your group before and they also seeked the cubes to enter the Tomb, why the change of heart for a magic ring?"  

Valindra: "Despite our differences, we do have a common goal. We want the Death Curse to end. It is pointless to fight over and over again. Let's end this. I just need that one little thing..."

Artus: "Nothing good will come out from you having the Ring, Valindra, I won't..."

Valindra: "No, Artus. You will try but won't succeed. You know I can erase you from existence in a blink of an eye. You all are just pawns in a game far too big for you to handle. So..."

Oniss to Valindra

"Pawns in a game.  I rather dislike games but often have been know to be skilled at them.  Other then the death curse what game is it that you speak of?"

Quote from Jcburgg >>

Oniss to Valindra

"Pawns in a game.  I rather dislike games but often have been know to be skilled at them.  Other then the death curse what game is it that you speak of?"

 Valindra's answer comes with the pronunciation of arcane words. Although, there seems to be no tangible effect.

Coming back from the river Felix redressed his body with the remaining black silk and clothes. "So what? We help and you give us the last two pieces?" Felix mentions as he places his cloak on.

Quote from BeastyC >>

Coming back from the river Felix redressed his body with the remaining black silk and clothes. "So what? We help and you give us the last two pieces?" Felix mentions as he places his cloak on.

 OOC Felix, make a Wisdom saving throw

Wis Save: 18