You and your friends are finally ready to live out your dream of travel and adventure. After a few years of tedious work in the taverns, fishing boats, and farms of Seaside Harbor, you all have amassed enough training and equipment to become a band of adventurers! Your first quest will be for Lord Kliso of the neighboring town. His daughter Catherine did not return from her last hunt in the Arbaro, the local forest. Lord Kliso’s bard was able to cast Sending and discovered that she was transported to the Feywild. You must follow in her footsteps, discover what keeps her there, and bring her back. From all you’ve heard about the Feywild, this will be an enchanting and dangerous journey.

But let’s get to know our adventurers a little first. Let’s go back to the previous night when you are all meeting up at the local tavern, the Sleepy Sturgeon, for some drinks and stories. Describe your character for us all. Then remind everyone of a funny or embarrassing story about one of the others from the last year or so. Or share something about your town that you won’t miss when you hit the road. Or tell us what you are most looking forward to in your expected adventures.

(Experimenting with ambience)

"Oh, it's so great not being the one workin' for a change!" the lean blue tiefling exclaims brightly as she ducks under a barmaid's full tray, some of the ale in the mugs she's holding spilling over the side. She barely seems to notice, curling her long, spiked tail close so as not to trip anyone in the crowded tavern. She sets the alcohol on the table with a grin at her friends, flopping into her seat with none of the grace she's usually known for. "I can't wait to get out of here," she confides, boldly stealing a bit of cheese off the plate next to her and munching on it. She snorts, making a face as several of the local fishermen wander in, boisterous and smelling strongly of their work. 

"I'll definitely not miss smelling fish guts all the time," she decides, her gold-freckled nose scrunching up. "D'you know, it doesn't mix well with the alcohol smell, and then whatever stew 'ole Teak makes in the back of the Shark's Head." The stuff was abysmal unless you were so hungry you couldn't taste it. She'd been there, so she knew. The scrunched-up disgusted face disappears as mischief rakes its way across her face while she watches one of the drunken men across the tavern faceplant onto the floor.

"Say, Triss," she calls to her elven friend, a little on the conspiratorial side, "remember a few weeks back when Ember and I was workin' that one lil place in the middle of the slums? What's it called? The Copper Pony?" She considers it for a moment before nodding; not that the name mattered - it changed every few weeks anyway. "That lil lordling who challenged you two to the drinkin' contest? And you an' Ember swore he wasn't big enough to beat me, let alone you lot?" He'd been small for a human, she supposes, but arrogant enough for about ten men. But that was lordlings for you. "Poor Ember got drunk right under the table and then," she grins, snickering, at Ember. "Then! You were like 'I can still take any man here!' loud enough for the whole slums to hear you," which would have been bad enough, had anyone been able to stand up at the time. "Fortunately," and she's almost giggling now, her tail curled up around her in her mirth, "you decided the the straw pony outside needed throwin' out for riotin' and fought 'im 'till you passed right out in the horse trough!" 

She cackles into her drink, tongue poking through her sharp teeth. 

"Oh, I hope we can still get drunk and watch you try to fight things what don't move! I won't miss the city, but I'll definitely miss that!" 

A young elf sits low in their seat. A little tall, a little lean, and almost certainly lanky, Triss sprawls their limbs out and takes up as much space as they possibly can. As per usual. There’s a lazy grin on their face, brown eyes darting around the room and taking in everything around them. Arms folded behind their head, they are the very image of relaxed. The quiver hanging off their hip still, an intricately carved longbow hooked over the back of their chair, and the leather bracer still laced on their forearm completes the picture of the wood elf. If Triss is around, that longbow is, too. Simple facts.

Their foot taps against Tender’s shin as the tiefling rejoins them, just a little ‘welcome back’. They’d kept an eye on her as she’d made her way around the tavern. Sure, Tender knew her way around a bar, but, well, drunks will be drunk. Triss just likes to keep an eye out.

Sitting back up to grab one of the drinks, they flick their braid back over their shoulder, the little flash of yellow ribbon tied around the end disappearing behind them. Triss wraps both hands around the mug and grins wider at Tender. “I get drunk a lot, dear, I’m afraid that time’s not really stickin’ out much,” they tease. “Is that the time I flirted with that redhead, only to find out her husband was the guy sitting next to her - and then just flirted with him, too? Or the time I tried to fight a horse, only to get kicked pretty hard and we had to go find that cleric? Or the time I somehow ended up in the river with no boots, no pants, and a fancy-looking hat on my head?”

They pause and look down at the drink in their hands. “Gods, maybe y’all shouldn’t be lettin’ me half as much anymore.”

Celesta  sits in the middle of the group, a goblet of wine in her hand.  She seems to be almost glowing with happiness to be with her friends, laughing at the tales.  She is a beautiful young eladrin girl, with silver-blonde hair, fair, almost luminous skin, and violet almond shaped  eyes.  Dressed in a light green dress and traveling cloak embroidered with tiny flowers and leaves- in the dim light she looks even more fae than usual.   “Oh we’re in for an adventure to be sure, my friends.  Even more than that time we convinced Captain Ceesh he’d been robbed by goblins to help his wife get away with the first mate -  and his crew  chased us all over town! It’s good to leave the dusty old books of Grommet’s library behind.  If I never see another book on the history of ships in the eastern regions I’ll be a happy lass.  That old man Grommet can talk for hours about  baggywinkles and bowsprits -and yet he’d get so seasick he’d heave over the side when he set foot in a boat that’s still tied to the dock!    Adventure is the life for us, my friends.   To seeking our destiny in my homeland- the Land of the Fey.- and  to a successful rescue!”  

A spry gnome costumed in imitation fine clothing plays from the top of a table in the corner of the room. A light, face-paced tune on the violin that has your foot tapping along without even knowing you are following along. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6JBPUl0vAQ&list=RDbtNNNiCiLSU&index=18 

Performance 15

Following the song, he gives an exaggerated bow, hopes off the table and heads over to join the group, overhearing just a bit of the previous conversation.  “Tender, you ain’t worked a day in your life, slinging that river water that Teak tries to pass off as ale don’t count”  Kellen stands on a chair to get level with the rest of the group and sticks his face in his own drink, his forked beard flaring out on both sides of the mug.  “What, you all getting teary-eyed about the good old days, like the time we got those merchant fellows drunk and made off with their boots and cloaks?  Then dressed Triss up like the town guard when they showed up to complain the next morning? I’ll never forget the looks on their faces.  Just as well they never remembered our faces.”

His sparkling blue eyes glance around the room, getting a look at everyone and keeping an eye out for a full purse or interesting trinket.  He once found a pretty pipe carved from a whale bone and the original owner didn’t even know it went missing.  It was a pretty full house for the Sturgeon, but that wasn’t saying much in Seaside Harbor.  Kellen had told stories and made music in just about every tavern and inn in town, and it was literally played out. 

“Not me, friends, the good days are ahead of us.  I am looking forward to leaving this town and seeking fortunes ahead in Celesta's land.  The first adventure of many to come! Finally get to stop telling stories about others and making some ourselves”  He raises his glass and winks “Here’s to the road ahead, and more drinks to drink, boots to steal, and straw ponies to fight.”  

Tellior raises his mug at Celesta's toast. "I agree - to a successful rescue!  And an adventure to remember!"  He then listens attentively to Kellen's performance, applauding loudly once he is done.  "Not bad at all!" 

The young elf is wearing a cloak covering his shoulders that easily catches the eye - a thin material but bright white.  He has dark black hair that hangs past his shoulders, which makes a contrast with his white cloak and pale-colored skin.  He is constantly scanning the room with his bluish-grey eyes.  As usual, he wears a loose-fitting shirt and pants, a shade of light grey at the top fading to an off-white. The fine material seems to match the quality of his dark leather boots.  

He has a happy smile on his face as he drinks down the last of the cider in his mug then roughly sets it down on the table.  He grins as he leans back in his chair. "I think the thing I will be most glad to leave behind is old Botie Grindle that owns the Royal Pelican Inn.  I can't walk within sight of that place without her giving me a death glare!" He looks very serious for a moment, as though insulted by this slight.  "Granted, I had convinced those wealthy merchants who had come all the way from Noressea that the place was haunted."  He laughs loudly. "You guys were of course instrumental in helping. I really still can't believe that they actually believed me with all that.  But when that dwarf smith fellow told Botie about what I'd been telling them...  wow, was she mad!"  

Tellior then looks at his empty mug with a somewhat sad expression.  "It was a shame.  The Pelican patrons always gave the best tips in town. Anyway, I need more drink! Anyone else?"  He stands, still firmly steady on his feet it seems and moves over towards the bar, glancing back to quickly to see if anyone responded. 

a tall young half orc in chainmail with pale green skin and messy brown hair sat tensely upright on Tthe edge of the group growing more and more distressed as he heard the conversation  at least you miscreants are leaving town so you cant cause any more trouble Ember sighed only partly joking and i am never getting that drunk again I don't know how you manage to drink and then get enough work done to keep yourself alive. Ember wears a faded and tattered red cloak with a hood over a well-fitting suit of chainmail. he wears loose black pants and shirt with heavy dark boots the next time i get that drunk will be because of trauma if it ever happens at all. the only thing ill miss about this town is the lake. its a nice lake. and im glad we are leaving. the place never liked me, and the feywild is a dream for celesta. i only hope i can stop you from thieving. and dressing him up as the town guard while necessary at the time, was wrong. and i thought they were lying about you robbing them.

HEY kellen we dont need you being booo´d off the stage on our last day here ember jokes

but while we are telling stories remember that time when that old merchant thought you guys robbed him and got us arrested. we were really lucky the guard  let us out the next day. I guess they also saw the truth, i'm glad we didn't get stuck in jail any longer than that i almost got fired. that guard was strange though. ive never seen him before or since. and he walked a little mechanically. 

ember relaxed a little drinking some cider. to a successful rescue he agreed smiling.

NO tellior. nobody needs more drinks. you dont either. we all need clear heads tomorrow. no drinks! 

Old Grommett may be useless on a boat, despite his eternal fascination with every detail of their construction and operation. But nevertheless, he was the one who handed Celesta a note on thick vellum, written in fancy, though clearly rushed, script. 

Grommett ~
Catherine hasn’t returned from the hunt today. Brustri says she’s in the Feywild of all places!
Surely you know a group of sellswords who could go after her.
Send them to the manor first thing in the morning!
~ Kliso

And so, your first real venture presents itself. The following morning, you all stand in Lord Kliso’s library as he explains his problem. The half-elf’s shock of rusty hair is matched by a small goatee. You imagine that in other circumstances, he would never allow himself to be seen with such rumpled clothes. “As you should know, Catherine never returned after her hunt yesterday.” He runs his hands over his hair and you understand why it all stands on end. “She was with two of our loyal retainers who commonly go out riding with her. When the sun went down, we sent out a search party. They found her companions wandering in the woods, lost and confused. They seemed unable to explain what had happened. Indeed, they hardly knew their own names. They kept repeating, ‘She joined the dance.’ Given their uselessness, I called on Brustri here.” He points out a short half-orc woman in a cream shirt with flowy sleeves and red vest, with a lute slung over her shoulder. She gives a slight bow when her name is mentioned.

“I wish mi’lord had called on me sooner,” she says with a smooth, rich voice. “No disrespect intended, sir, and maybe by the time we realized there was a problem it was too late anyway. In any case, I was able to contact Catherine by magical means. All she would tell me was that she was happily visiting with a ‘Lady Daneliean’ in the Feywild. She said all was well, but she wouldn’t be home for a while.”

“She’s a headstrong girl. Generally quite capable, but I worry that she doesn’t understand the danger she is in,” says Lord Kliso. “Anything could happen in the Feywild! You all must go find her and bring her home. Anni and Barlo are in better shape this morning. They believe they can show you where she disappeared. Will you go? Are you ready?”

im willing if my friends are. are you able to lend us any equipment to improve our chances?

Celesta looks at her companions and says “yes, we are willing.  I don’t need anything I can think of right now.  I am ready to go at once!”

(it doesn’t even occur to her to ask about a reward or anything, but she wouldn’t be opposed if others ask)

(Mobile)

"Of course we'll go!" Tender says, smacking a fist against her open palm. Then she smiles brightly, her tail swaying behind her. "We are definitely ready!" Well, hopefully, anyway. She wasn't exactly sure what one needed in the feywild, but. They could wing it.

Kellen looks around the library in awe, he had never been in a Lord’s manor before and finds himself slightly distracted by bright shiny objects. Less so by the musty books. 

“Yes, of course, we will go” he echoes the others in his group.  “But what can you tell us of the Feywild? Who is this ‘Lady Daneliean’?  What kind of dance did she join?” The questions pour out in a jumble of nervous excitement. 

“Let Anni and Barlo led us there when they are ready, maybe they can tell us what they remember while we travel” (Kellen is a bundle of energy, but is ready to move on when the party is)

@DM

 "Don't worry, we'll find Catherine," Tellior replies confidently. "And Lord Kliso..." Here he takes a very serious tone, a look of concern crossing his face. "If we find the person that took all your usually neatly pressed garments we'll get those back to you too."

Turning to the others, Tellior gives a quick wink but otherwise maintains his serious demeanor.   Still dressed much as he was the night before - though everything still looks in perfect shape - he adds, "I will need to grab some items from home before we go. But I'm ready otherwise."

----------------------------------------

Performance Check (for trying to keep up his serious expression): 17

9 insight check to see if i beleive him

yes. we will. Ember agreed seriously and tellior, why did you wink?

we will save your daughter. Ember affirms but if you could lend me better armor that would be helpful. 

(no performance check because i believe him)

It would not have seemed possible, but Lord Kliso looks even more worried and distracted than when you first arrived. He responds to Ember, “I had hoped that whatever group Grommett sent me would be prepared with armor and weapons and basic equipment for this task. If you don’t have such things, I’m not sure you are the right ones for this job, even if you are the closest ones. As far as any special equipment for this exact scenario, you find me unprepared. I know little of the Feywild, other than it is an unpredictable place of equal parts beauty and danger, if the tales are true. I have no magic, oh, I don’t know, faerie’s bane or any such thing to protect you there.” 

He seems a little reassured by Celesta’s and Tender’s expression of their readiness, but Kellen’s questions rattle him again. “I know nothing more than you do of this Lady Daneliean or her dance. I would presume she is some kind of leader wherever Catherine is. Brustri’s impression was that Catherine was unafraid, so perhaps this being wishes us no ill. But again, I would not trust anyone of that realm. Is it not a place of trickery and deception? I’m sorry I do not have more information for you. My only hope is that you can retrace my daughter’s steps, discover where she is, and use your own skills to determine how to get her home safely. That’s why I’m paying you, is it not?”

Brustri gives a little cough at this point. “Excuse me, sir, but perhaps you might tell them what you plan to pay them.”

“What? Oh, yes, quite right. Yes, 50 gold for each of you should you return Catherine to me safe and sound,” adds Kliso. At this point Tellior joins the conversation, but his joke about pressed garments seems to go completely over Kliso’s head. He seems more concerned that there might be a delay. “You need to go home? You didn’t bring all you need? My only daughter and heir has been gone for hours! Really, who knows if time even passes at the same rate at the Feywild! Please, Anni and Barlo are ready for you now at the edge of the wood. If you really must collect any other equipment, then please have pity on a father’s feelings and make haste!”

For Kellen:

Tellior shakes his head at Ember. "My friend Ember, I'll fill you in on the way."

Then to Lord Kliso and the others. "I can be home in a moment and on the way. I wouldn't have expected a meeting at this manor to require traveling gear!  And if time were so urgent why wait for morning?  Anyway,  I will meet you all on the road towards Arbaro in no time."

If there are no objections,  he then heads off quickly to grab his gear.

“A thousand pardons, my lord”  Kellen makes a deep bow “We mean no ill intent with our questions, just excited.  You are in good hands, we are very experienced and are quite ready.  We will be on our way to meet Anni and Barlo”

He nudges the others and whispers as he starts to back out of the room “Let’s go before he gets more upset.  By the stars Tellior, what did you forget this time?”

Kellen is in a sudden hurry to leave.

Celesta says “We will succeed in getting your daughter back to you safely, if it can be done.”  

17 knowledge history check on the name “lady Daneliean“ in the campaign log-  does she know who this might be?

(Mobile)

"Yes, Celesta is right, we'll definitely find your daughter, sir," Tender assures him, making a face at Tellior for riling the man up. "We'll be on our way now, and back as soon as we can!" 

She follows Kellen in backing out of the room, her taloned feet clicking against the floor. 

"Let's go, before he changes his mind about us," she hisses to the others.