Essie blinks at the woman a few times before tilting her head to one side. "Oh, no, I'm not that important at all. And I don't have a station. I think. I'm just Essie." A bright smile accompanies her name.

She drums her fingers against her holy symbol, hanging around her neck, and lets out a soft hum. "I'm afraid I don't know much. We weren't the ones who rescued them. There was a lady knight who told us she'd pulled them from the wreckage of a barn, I think she said? She asked us to bring them here, since she was headed in the opposite direction." She wrinkles her nose, as she tries to remember the details. "I think she's the one who said it was stone giants. Which I hear are a lot different than the cloud giants whose aftermath we dealt with. Lots of giants going around, I s'pose."

Femery seems to calm down a little as Essie speaks, though she does ask, “But why would stone giants--or giants of any kind--attack our farm? I’ve never heard of such a thing. I mean, I realize that you don’t know the answer to that question. I’m just mystified. I’m also very grateful. I’m not looking forward to seeing whatever they did to our farm, but I’m very glad to have my children here with us safe and sound. Thank you for bringing them here...Essie. And thank you for answering my questions the best you can.”

Quote from InkedBee >>

Sphyboe has never seen a Griffon before, as a result she is surprised at the view of a rider using the creature as a mount. She replies to the Druid companion:

"Yes, we need to examine something new and it is related to your area of expertise."

The half-elf adjusts her scarf and clothes while tucking the stray strands of dirty hair behind her ears. Then she will move forward and greet the guards who are responsible for the duty of keeping the garrison safe from trespassers:

"Evening fellow comrades! I wonder if you have the jurisdiction of granting an amicable messenger of the Harpers' and a 'Wildlife Specialist' access to the garrison. The Griffon has caught the attention of my colleague, Mr. Mossbottom."

Charisma: Persuasion 20 (Rolled with advantage from Bramble's help)

 Bramble blinks with a blank stare of total incomprehension. He’s just along for the ride with his brain pretty much off.

The “Mr. Mossbottom” catches his attention. Ha, such formality he thinks to himself.

As the conversation continues regarding whether or not we’ll be allowed to pass, the thought suddenly comes to him (noticeably later than most hominids would have ‘gotten it’). Wait, if I can see a bit more of that Griffon, I might be able to wild shape into one once my skills have been … well, it can fly, so it will be some time yet before I can pull that off.

“I guess Metsi would like to show off her bird to a ‘wildlife specialist’,” says Tam. “Actually, maybe you could give the griffons a health exam? That would be good, right? So here’s the deal, I’ll introduce you to Metsi who will show you the griffons. But if we run into a dwarf, that’ll be Captain Kazardun. We’ll tell him you are checking their health, sent from Waterdeep, right? He can’t complain about that, right?” Tam seems very worried about how the captain will react, but wants to help you all.

(Roll Stealth, not to be silent and hidden, but to see if you can blend in with the general activity in the garrison and not draw undue attention.)

Bramble will take off his backpack and squish it and carry it to more closely mimic a veterinarian’s medical bag. He’s not adept at deception but he will do his best to appear as if he belongs.

Stealth: 10

He will also be muttering the Guidance spell to hopefully trigger when needed most.

Guidance assist: 1

"Don't worry, we'll just take a look at the Griffons, then leave the garrison immediately. If we meet Captain Kazardun, we'll be able to deal with him. We're not from Waterdeep though"- Sphyboe replies to both of the guards with assurance. Then she will move forward with Bramble casually and confidently.

Dexterity: Stealth 19

As Tam leads them quickly to the griffon roost, Bramble draws a little attention. The druid looks out of place in this military post. Sphyboe walks with confidence, though, and most people who note their passing merely shrug. Tam opens a wooden door at the base of the tower that they had observed over the garrison wall. The room within has a couple of other doors, but presumably the stairs leading upward are your way forward. Tam takes a few steps up and calls out, “Metsi! I’ve got a couple of visitors! A messenger and a wildlife specialist. They want to take a look at your birds!”

A voice calls back, “They’re griffons, Tam. How many times do I have to say it? Show some respect. In any case, send them up!” 

Tam gestures to the stairs and says, “Gotta get back to my post. Don’t make me sorry I let you in. Behave and don’t get the captain’s attention.”

The further up you climb, the stronger the smell of hay and manure is strong. The first landing opens to a protected area with stalls, rather like a barn. Once you get up another level, you see a tall, slender half-orc with gray braids brushing down the sides of a griffon. At first, you think Tam’s label of “bird” is quite accurate, as you see the giant eagle head with a wicked beak, massive feathered wings, and powerful talons. But Metsi is brushing a fur coat on the body and back legs that could belong to a lion. The griffon gives you a piercing look, tilting her head and clacking her beak a little. “Shhhh…” says Metsi. “It’s alright. They’ve just come to look and admire you, Bela.”

Bramble will cast Speak with Animals unsure if it will be understood by the Griffon.

”He called you Bela. The name is appropriate for you are magnificent! My name is Bramble, which by all appearances is also appropriate.” Bramble shifts his faux medical bag from one hand to the other rather clumsily while allowing a slight smile to creep onto his face.

”Would you suffer our presence for a short while? I’ve never encountered a being of such splendor. And is there a different name to which you would prefer to be called?” Bramble will hold his ground waiting to see if there is a reply or if he was understood.

Sphyboe inspects the Griffon while maintaining a safe distance from the fantastic creature. Then she attempts to brush it's side trying to imitate the movement of Metsi, and mimics the speech pattern of her companion:

"Beautiful Bela, the Griffon of the Zundbridge Fort"- she exclaims with wonder, then attempts to communicate with the Griffon, "Roh, roh!"

Animal Handling 21

As Bramble attempts to communicate with the griffon through a combination of eagle screech and lion rumbling, the creature just stares at him, cocking her head. At most, it seems to pick up on the druid’s appreciation and respect. Metsi watches this and says, “Tam said you were a wildlife specialist, but I didn’t imagine that you would be able to speak with her. Do you think she understands you? We communicate to some degree, as I raised her from her hatching.”

When Sphyboe reaches over to brush the griffon’s side, Metsi starts to block her protectively. “Whoa, there! She doesn’t do well with strangers!” But she relaxes a little when she sees Bela lean in a little to your gentle scritches. “How about that! You have a way with animals, as well, I see. Still, I would recommend that in the future you ask the handler first, before you reach out to pat a creature of this power. She could have bit your hand off. In any case, this is Bela. I’ve trained her since her hatching and now she is the best mount a soldier could ask for. We have three griffons for the fort here, used to patrol the road between here and Waterdeep. They are also useful should we need to send quick word to the city of any incoming danger. Is there anything else you would like to know about them?”

Bramble shifts his attention and language to address Metsi. With a forced smile but disappointed eyes, he says, “I’m afraid I was unable to speak to Bela, which is a pity. But it is obvious that you have done a wonderful job raising her. She appears to be in fine health and quite contented. Thank you for allowing us this time to appreciate her.”

Sphyboe will thank Metsi for letting them examine the Griffon, then she will bid Bela goodbye by saying:

"Hope we will meet again, and you will show me how the world looks like from a bird's eye view."

“Happy to show off this magnificent creature. I appreciate your interest. Have a good evening!” says Metsi. As you head down the stairs, you glance at the stalls where you assume the griffons sleep. (Roll Perception)

Bramble’s perception: 15

Perception 4

As you pass the stalls, Bramble notices that they are almost like nests. It is clear that the griffons have collected a few random items to include with their straw: a torn piece of cloth, a broken shortbow, a piece of a broom handle, and so on. One piece of wood catches his attention. Is it a stick? It is about a foot long with a bluish tip.

(What do you want to do?)

If it doesn’t draw rebuke, Bramble will walk over to investigate the curious “stick”.

Sphyboe has been marching forward without paying attention to her surrounding. She's been attempting to ask Bramble about the true meaning of the 'Roh, roh' call, or if he uses any kind of bird-call for sending signals. But, there's no sign of her companion when she pauses momentarily to move her head backwards. At first, she seems confused about the situation when she gently scratches her scalp. But, she decides to investigate finally. "Where did he go? He was right there when I had seen him a few moments ago."

Intelligence: Investigation 16

Bramble steps toward the nest to get a better look at the “stick” which definitely has the look of a wand or at least an intentional tool. Maybe it’s for cooking? He would have to spend more time with it to determine its nature and purpose. As he considers this, Sphyboe comes back up a couple of steps and finds him on that second level. You both hear Metsi coaxing Bela down the steps, presumably to return her to her nest for the night.

(Do you want to take the item?)

Bramble will return to the threshold of the entrance to the stall without touching the stick.

(I’m going to assume that Sphyboe did not see the stick but just me exiting the stall, potentially blocking a clear view to the nest.)

As Metsi comes into view, Bramble will call out, “Hello again, I was just passing by and happened to notice a blue tipped stick in this nest.” He will motion to the stall behind him. “Is this Bela’s stall?  I was curious as to what it is but didn’t want to disturb it if it is a toy or prized adornment for her nest. I wouldn’t feel right about moving it or handling it if it would upset Bela.”