The group heads out into the thicker woods to the northwest of Anwaar, searching for signs of these Fey you have been reported dwell here.
The fog is thick, but as the day goes on and the sun’s heat burns it off, it slowly fades. However, the trip does not grow less troublesome. It would seem Baron Girndmar has hit a streak of unfortunate luck as not one but three branches break off at different points, all hitting him in the head, which illicits several strings of uniquely dwarven curses.
Then, Galendir’s saddle straps give way and the whole rig, saddle and all, slide off the horse resulting in the Baron landing on the mossy earth with a heavy thud!
"wait, whoa, whoa. ow." Looking up wondering what happened.
"I had suspicion at the second and then third branch but now it would seem we have pranksters. It seems there may be normal mischievous fey here as well. Maybe they can help us."
Galendir stands and examines the saddle and gives a laugh. He will then call out in Sylvan.
"A very amusing joke. That and the branches. Allow me to tell you some jokes."
Galendir will tell a few jokes also involving some physical comedy since that is what they seem to prefer at the expense of his other Barons. He won't involve the queen.
Still in Sylvan: "Come now that we have shared jokes with one another lets talk. I would very much like to meet the masterminds of these pranks. I am Galendir."
Flaith adds in Sylvan to help Galendir.
Auto aid Perform comedy.
"And indeed he has a very long nose."
As he continues she adds.
"You are indeed very good pranksters. I am humbled!"
Auto aid Diplomacy.
"Hhhh." the strange masked man exhales in what might be a laugh and might merely be frustration.
As soon as Carnifex arrives Flaith does ask him to present himself. Looking at him up and down, his weapons and armor as if to discern his abolity. Suddenly she nods.
"Baron Lucius said, that you would be of more help than he is. I will, for the moment, have faith in his words. So I will have faith in him.
Please, do not disappoint me."
She then looks him deep in the eyeslits and gives him a smirk and a nod.
Govannon considers a preparatory spell, but decides any move might be considered hostile and so he keeps his hands out front where they can be seen. He laughs at the excellent comedy performed by Galendir, even when he's the butt of the joke.
Not knowing Sylvan, he says nothing, but listens and waits.
- - -
Dolgrin mutters ”Aye, come out an’ I’ll show ya some Dwarven ‘umor...” he says as he rubs his sore head. While the helmet he wears blunted most of the Damage, it’s clear he still had a headache now.
”At least you biggsies have a sense of humor!” a female voice calls out.
”Ya. You seem different than the Tuskers! What you doing here?” another voice calls out.
The Carnifex silently studies the beings.
Flaith looks at the tiny fey and smiles.
Oh they seem very dangerous!
"Well, we are looking for some experts in those woods. We have heard many a story that would make your hair stand on end. And now we have found, well I would say, two new friends."
"What fun is life without a sense of humor? I am called Galendir. The woman speaking there is Her Majesty Flaith. our queen. I rule the land just south of here. I had heard rumors of fey in these woods with not such a sense of humor. Quicklings, redcaps, and other sort. I am happy to have met the two of you. Do you have names? The Tuskers were men hear trying to rule before us. Can you tell us anything about them?"
”Friends Shmiends!” one of them calls out. ”The Tuskers said that two!”
”No they didn’t,” the little dragon replies.
”Ya huh! Did so!”
”They absolutely, positively, did NOT say they were looking for experts in the woods!”
”Well, no, not EXACTLY that, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN PERLI!”
The high pitched bickering continues up in the tree, seemingly forgetting about you all below....
"Did the Tuskers do something bad? I just want to make the area safe for you and my people. We can help you with any problems with the evil fey. There was mention of tree with scythe like limbs. Do you know of such a thing? Perli you and your friend must come visit my village. My people love jokes and pranks."
Galendir continues trying to put them at ease while trying to get info and see if the rumors for hear are true.
Looking at her saddlebag Flaith procures a flask of beer and opens it with a loud plop.
"You know, as a token of hospitality would you like to have a little drink. I have just one tiny cup, but you can share it."
Whispering to Galendir she shrugs.
"Do not get me wrong, but those two neither seem dangerous nor deadly!"
Govannon enjoys the repartee with the fey. Galendir and Flaith seem to have things well in hand, at least for now. Still, he has little faith that the fey will remain peaceful for long - not after what Galendir has said about his neighbors to the north, so he remains vigilant.
"Perl's a nice name. You sure you don't want to join us for a drink?" He takes out his flask with a little brandy in it and offers it to the forest. He hopes he's not about to lose it forever... he likes that flask.
He makes a mental note to bring gifts when he visits the lizard folk to help break the ice. His mind wanders a bit, wondering what sort of gifts lizard folk might like. But he refocuses quickly.
The bickering stops suddenly and you hear a high pitched chorus of “Ooo! Beer!” and two small figures leap from the trees and flies down to you all. One is a blue scaled dragon like creature with butterfly wings. the other appears to be humanoid from the waist up, but like an oversized cricket from the waist down.
Galendir is pleased and will continue to engage their new friends with various performances to keep them entertained. While doing so he will ask again about any dangerous fey.
"Please enjoy all the hospitality you wish. So are the rumors of such fey true or were the reports from the Tusker's wrong?"
Being very liberal with the beer she starts to question the fey about the forest, who else is living here and if there are any dangerous fey close.
Govannon chuckles as the universal gift makes some headway. Boooze!
He relaxes a little now that he can see what they face. They don't look too tough, but likely chock-full of magic. He thinks to himself.
He shifts in the saddle, letting Galendir take the lead with the Queen's assistance. he watches and waits for the fey to finish drinking.
As you talk and the two little fey drink up, you all hear a melodic tune played on some pipes, like a lullaby. A moment later, both Govannon and Carnifex slowly slump to the ground, fast asleep!
The two little fey look about, seemingly as shocked as the rest of you, while Dolgrin lifts his hammer. "Ach! I knew tha wee buggers couldn't be trusted! They've magicked up the lads!"
From a hidden location, you hear a voice call out, "Tut tut tut! I wouldn't move if I were any of you. You have no idea the trouble you are in. A dozen bows are trained on you all this very moment. One false move and you don't return to your precious towns."
Dolgrin grumbles and looks to Flaith before laying down his hammer slowly.
"Smart move from a dwarf. And now you two..."
The female cricket Fey whispers "Falchos..." to the dragon, who just nods and looks about nervously before the pair become invisible!
Flaith will will Mellorn from her body into her dress.
Straigthening herself Flaith will speak into the forest.
"Well and we have the honor?"
What is Falchos?
"I doubt these are friends to these little ones here Baron Dolgrin."
Galendir looks out into the woods as FLaith addresses them.
"Yes you have us at a disadvantage. You can see us but not us you. If you wish to talk then come talk if you wish to fight you probably would have just fired on us. Come have a drink. I am Galendir."
"Says the ones armed for war entering our grove. Drop your weapons if you are so inclined to talk!" the voice calls out again.
"Well, you also threaten an unarmed woman! But for the moment please keep your weapon sheathed, please. And if you are really 12 men, well in that case I highly doubt one swordsman could beat you!"
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Govannon curls up and begins to snore, his thumb inching ever closer to his mouth...
”Possibly. But we have learned the hard way that the best way to make certain ofmthat is to not give them the chance.”
"Well this is no way to politely communicate. Please let us talk."
"You assume much. Men would be foolish to travel these lands unarmed. We were having drinks and fun with our new fey friends. You wielded sonic magic against us. I am a bard and performer so I'm aware of how you put our friends to sleep. None of our weapons are out, again as we were just sitting enjoying the company of new friends. Will you not join us and talk as the lady has asked?"
A humanoid creature with legs of a goat and curved horns steps gracefully out from behind a tree, bow drawn and pointed at the group.
”Perlivash, Tyg, I know you are still here. Come on out!” he calls out. The two tiny Fey creatures reappear a few feet away on a thick branch.
”Sorry Flachos!” they say in unison.
”Lady Tiressia asked you to keep an eye out for intruders, and you two let her down. It’s a good thing I have been keeping tabs on you,” the satyr says. ”Now...what do we do with these trespassers, hmmm?”
Flaith smirks and replies.
"How about you let us wake those two, lead us to Lady Tiressa and we continue to empty the beer and trade stories?"
The satyr smirks ”And I suppose you invite people into your homes after what land you once lived on has been taken repeatedly, especially when they come to the last place you hold dear, armed, and looking for your leader, on their word of good intentions alone?”
He shakes his head. ”I think not. If you wish to speak with Tiressia, you will do so unarmed, under escort, and blindfolded on the way.”
"I will admit to it, but not blindfolded. Take it as a token of faith!"
"Greetings Flachos. I am Galendir. I am leading the people that has settled in the land south of here. You have little reason to believe me as humans have lied to your people many times over, but I will be honest here. I will even submit to being put under enchantment if you have that ability so you know I am not lying. I came here on rumor of evil fey. Quicklings, Redhats, and something called a scythe tree. These evil fey are a danger to my people and yours. I wish for my people and yours to live and prosper together. I would like these lands to be included in that in which my people settle. You would have our protection and I would keep these lands as a sanctuary and protect it from development. If I do not succeed another will be sent, then another. Let us break the cycle and build a new future together based on trust." He pulls his sword and presents it kneeling in front of the satyr.
"You are not the ones I'm here to harm. I will go unarmed if that is what it takes."
”So you do seek to come in here and claim the last of our lands as your own? How very typical of you humans. The Tusklanders dealt with the Fey you mentioned, and then decided that there was no reason to stop there. And now they are gone and you have arrived, admitting to wanting to finish what they started,” he says as he steps forward and takes the weapon you are holding out. He then looks to Flaith ”A show of good faith to a confessed conquerer is essentially surrender. If you all wish to speak with Tiressia, you will do so without her grove’s location being revealed.”
It is clear that Falchos is very protective of this Tiressia and is also not much of a diplomat himself.
Flaith looks at the others and shrugs.
"I am open to start diplomatic negotiations.
Alas, I understand that you would claim a part of the forest as your haven and you want it protected! Baron Galendir, what is your opinion?"
"Zzzzzzzzzzz"
Flaith dismounts and starts to waken Carni and Govannon.
"Hard to discuss topics while asleep! And you have made your point."
Govannon opens his eyes blearily, and though he was only asleep a moment or two, he still wipes a crusty from his eyes as he stands, taking in the scene.
Seeing the bow drawn on the party, and Galendir offering his blade, Govannon is confused. He stands quietly, waiting for more to go on - sensing this is a tense negotiation. He keeps his hands free from his weapon for now however, either in supplication or offense.
"Your understanding of this will not be swayed by my words. I will submit and be taken to Tiressia. I am offering you sanctuary and you call it conquering. You don't realize if it is not me it will be another and they may not be willing to deal, they will conquer. Please lets go."
Falchos keeps a keen grip on his bow as you wake up the two who had fallen victim of his pipes. As they awaken, he again demands their weapons be handed over.
Once you are all awake and unarmed, he calls out "Perlivash, Tyg-Titter-Tut. Blindfold our guests so that we can take them to speak with our Queen."
The two tiny fey simply nod and fly to do as they were commanded, whispering apologies to you all as they do as they were told. Dolgrin in particular is quite perturbed at the situation and grumbles in dwarven the entire time.
After about three hours of blindfolded walking through the woods, taking hundreds of twists and turns that make it mind-numbingly impossible to keep track of your direction or how far you've traveled, you are each one-by-one blinded by light as the blindfolds are removed.
As your eyes slowly adjust, you find yourselves standing in a picturesque clearing within a beautiful grove of trees surrounding a magnificently beautiful lake. Knelt down near the water's edge is a striking woman clad in clothes made of plants and leaves. And standing in the water near her is what appears to be a young girl with several aquatic features, like webbed hands and feet, with bits of algae and aquatic plants hanging seemingly unnoticed in her hair.
Perlivash (the faerie dragon) and Tyg-Titter-Tut (the cricket-like girl) fly over and land on a rock nearby and sit quietly beside one another, while Falchos carries your weapons over to the woman and lays them down beside her. She looks at the satyr, almost disapprovingly, before turning to you all. "Hello there. I am Tiressia, and welcome to my Grove. I apologize for any inconvenience you may have endured, but my guardian here has insisted on more vigilant means to secure the last of our lands. Perhaps he is right, perhaps not. May I ask you your names? It would seem you have already met Falchos, Perlivash, and Tyg-Titter-Tut. This here is Melianse," she says gesturing to the water-fey beside her, who just crosses her arms as she glares at you all.
Bowing deeply, but not to deep Flaith answers.
"We are deeply honored to meet you. My name is Queen Flaith Aredhel and this fine Gentleman is Baron Galendir. I will leave the peace talks to him, as his Barony borders close to you."
Galendir bows as well.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Tiressia. As Queen Flaith explained. I lead the people that have settled just south of here. I am sorry for the intrusion. I was acting on rumors or evil fey in this area. Redhats, Quicklings, and a scythe tree. It seems the people here before us took care of these according to Falchos. I will admit as I did to him. I came to make this land safe for my people. As I explained to Falchos I would see this land protected and extend that protection to you and your people. I would see us grow in prosperity with one another. I fear if I fail at this there will be another, and then another until this land is tamed. So what I would like is to call you and the fey ally and friend. I would add this land, this grove and this lake to my borders. It would be kept as such. So I ask you what you would like or what I can do for you to move forward. I will not ask you to bend a knee to me. You will remain free and your home will not be changed. Falchos labeled me a conqueror, perhaps he is right as my message is to rule over this land. I hope you can see the truth in my words. If you decline that is your right and I will keep my people away for as long as I rule."
: So 37.
Govannon grumbles as he hands over his weapons, even his dagger - which normally sees more use at the dinner table than in anger. He considers which spells are still effective without a weapon, and shrugs hoping these folks are nicer than they have been so far. He stumbles a little as he walks, being unused to blindness, and he’s quite relieved when the blindfolds are finally removed. Oh good. They don’t mean to kill us right away.
He expected more of a guard presence around their queen, but perhaps this Falchos fellow is enough. He tries to relax.
When introductions are made, he’s impressed by Galendir’s directness. He just charges right in, doesn’t he?
”I am Govannon Gittins, and have a Barony further south, pleased to make your acquaintance ma’am. I am also a neighbor of Galendir, and I can say in our short relationship together, he’s been generous and honest - with a real interest in the wellbeing of my people, and my independent culture. I expect he will treat you and yours with the same respect and neighborly friendship as he’s treated me and mine.”
”An’ I be Baron Girndmar, an’ yer bloody li’l scouts ‘ave a knack fer beanin’ dwarves in tha noggin’ fer no good reason!” Dolgrin snaps angrily, pointing a finger at Perlivash and Tyg.
The two tiny Fey turn their heads away as if embarrassed, but a keen eye can see the snarky grins they are trying to hide behind hand or claw.
Tiressia gives an apologetic look to Dolgrin ”My apologies, Master Dwarf. Some of our kind are a bit more mischievous than others. And some more malicious, as you say Master Galendir. The scythe tree and quickling were indeed dealt with by those before you. However I have never heard of Redcaps in this area...why do you think they are here now?”
The Carnifex wakes up groggily, looking down at his gloved hands. He begrudgingly gives up his rapier and machete to the guards/guides.
"And I represent Baron Lucius Pence, who wishes for friendship with all fey, though if these redcaps are indeed here I am to help with their ...punishment."
"Last reports from those here before us is all. I'm very pleased to find out the land is clear of those threats. If I would have known I would have came to visit with just my wife and I. Tell me Tiressia what do you think of my proposal. Can I call you friend and ally?"
Flaith inwardly rolls her eyes as Galendir puts a verbal sword on Tiressas breast and adds.
"I too would feel honored if you would see as us ally. Please take your time to think about Galendir´s proposal. We would prefer words to swords. And the twelve archers!
Tiressia is clearly pondering the proposal. ”You swear to the sun and earth that what you say is true? You will leave us and our kind to be, and that the lands around this grove will be left to us to tend as we desire?”
”Lady Tiressia!” Falchos snaps. The nixie in the water gasps and looks at her shocked.
”We cannot live as enemies to every man that tries to settle here. Their numbers have grown like rabbits in recent years, Falchos. We either try and help them to see the wood as a friend and living thing, or allow them to clear cut it thinking it only a resource,” Tiressia replies. ”Besides, your boasts of our defenses are quite a bit exaggerated, and the Tusklanders did spare me from the scythe tree. Despite their greed getting the better of them, they had decent hearts. Perhaps Master Galendir here can be more open minded to our kind and the world around them than their predecessors.”
Falchos stamps his hooves in frustration.
Tiressia looks back to him and says ”So, your word, Sir?”
"You have it. I would like to see this a sanctuary. I would make this a park. A place left to nature. A place for people to come and see the beauty that is naturally created. I will do nothing to change these lands unless I have consent or at your request." He bows.
"You have a grasp of the bigger picture. I am honored that you will work with me an my people. I may seek your council from time to time and I ask you do the same of me if needed." He bows again. "We do not want to overstay our welcome, and Queen Flaith has a dragon problem that we must see to. I will return to see you again. I would like for you to meet my wife. If you have no other concerns or questions we will depart if you are ready as well Queen Flaith."