One of the visible creatures flutters to the center of the circle. Now that you all can get a better look, you see her orange hair is intricately braided, wrapped atop her head, and decorated with tiny blossoms. Her skin is a rich brown and her eyes glow a bright tangerine. She wears a fanciful outfit: a green silk vest over a flowing orange skirt, both trimmed with tiny leaves and other adornment. A second, more fierce looking creature pops into view next to her, this one with a shock of golden hair, lighter brown skin, and similarly glowing eyes. He wears orange leather armor and holds a short bow with arrow nocked. Both are fluttering with shimmering, gossamer wings. Most of you recognize them as a pixie and sprite.

“Welcome to the dance!” says the female pixie. “We see that you are concerned and curious, worried about your friends here and the kitten that wandered into our realm before you. I assure you that we can be friendly to those who seek friendship. I am Parolanta, servant of the Lady of Hedgegrove.” She looks mostly at Triss, Tellior, and Celesta.

“But some of you hide your hearts’ intent,” says the male sprite with a fierce look at Ember, Tender, and Kellen. “You seem intrigued and perplexed by the crossing here, but also threatening. I am Watcher, also an emissary of the Lady. Know first that Parolanta and I are not alone. Second, we do not mean you harm, unless you bring harm to us.”

“Though we have read some of your intentions, speak now in your own words. Tell us your desires and why we should allow you into the Lady’s domain,” adds Parolanta with a smile.

(As you respond, roll Persuasion or Deception, depending on whether you speak honestly or not.)

A smile crosses Tellior's face as he speaks first to the pixie. "Thank you Parolanta.  I am here with my friends to find Catherine.  Though I certainly am excited just to see the Feywild.  I so love a fun dance!"  He then turns his attention to the sprite. "And Watcher, we echo your words as well - we have no intention for harm unless you do harm to us. All here are my friends and I know they would not do ill without provocation." 

Persuasion: 16

Tender seems taken aback by the Watcher's words, her tail curling around her ankle anxiously. She lifts one hand to press against her chest and bows slightly to both. "Thank you for your welcome, and I assure you, I mean no harm to you or yours so long as my friends don't come to harm," she says to Watcher, glancing around at the group. "Like my friend said, we're here to find the one who wandered into your realm, and to see it for ourselves! We're curious and excited, but we don't got ill intentions towards you or your people," she uncurls her tail then, letting her hand drop from her chest to tap the flute she keeps at her waist. 

"I gotta say, if it's a dance, I'm even more interested! Your realm seems strange and wondrous, and while we need to find Catherine, I freely admit I'm in it more for seein' the Feywild!"

Persuasion: 16

Always the performer, Kellen delivers a deep bow to the fey appearing before them. “Rest assured, we come seeking friendship as well.  You see true, we are concerned with our dear friend who passed this way earlier and desire to meet back up with her.”

He grins at Tender’s words and does a little jump “Yes, I must say I am interested in learning more about this dance as well, I am something of a performer myself, you see”

A brief thought passes through his head before he pushes it out Kitten, why did they call her a kitten?  Is it a play on her name or did something happen?

Persuasion 2

Insight on Parolanta's use of Kitten to describe Catherine   3

dont join their bloody dance!  Ember exploded in disbelief pacing worriedly they kidnapped Catherine and who knows what ,magic they used on us they can not be trusted. and i most certainly do have ill intentions towards whoever was in charge of the kidnapping! let us begone before it is too late. if you mean us no harm then you will not block our way.

now get out of the way or I'll remove you.

he adds to the fae his eyes smoldering

21 (rolled intimidation because im not trying to make friends

Hearing Ember, Tellior takes in a deep breath, then slowly turns to the half orc. "Ember my friend, now this wonderful girl here Parolanta has said she is servant of Lady Hedgegrove.  That bard told us Catherine was with a Lady Daneliean.  So these folks might not even be involved.  But in any case, from all descriptions, Catherine went willingly - so I would hardly accuse anyone of kidnapping unless we learn something different." He then rests a hand on the paladin's shoulder.  "We have to give them a chance. You wouldn't want us to jump to conclusions, do you?"  

In a lower voice, though still not too hard for everyone to hear.  "And wouldn't a dance with that cute pixie be fun!"  

wend willingly. we all know fae are known for enchantments. and they re complicit anyways. what would be ¨fun¨ would be getting our job done before its too late and saving that poor girl.

lets go. and better to prepare for the worst that never happens than for the worst to happen and be unprepared.

Ember stated impatiently. hurry

19 persuasion.

Celesta looks disturbed at Ember’s outburst.  She says “I am sorry, my friends are so concerned about this girl.  I am Celesta- an Eladrin from the Feywild, although I have been in these lands for many years.  My companions and I do seek to bring the girl home to her father, he is quite concerned for her.  I assure you we have no Ill will towards you and your friends.  Please, will you help us find the girl and see to her safety?” 

Kellen slides over to Ember and whispers in a hushed voice “Patience, my friend.  Yes, it is all well and good to be prepared for the worst and all that, but we NEED the help of these two to even get into the Feywild.  Being in a hurry to go doesn’t help if we can’t get there ourselves. If you want to get the job done, don’t make them angry.”

Tellior takes a step back as Kellen slides over to the half orc, giving a slight nod of agreement to the gnome's words.  There is a slightly worried look that crosses his face - wondering if these fae will be offended - as he turns his attention back to the pixie and sprite. 

Parolanta and Watcher nod pleasantly in response to the initial responses from Tellior, Tender, and Kellen. (And Kellen does decide that “kitten” must have been a slightly patronizing reference to Lady Cat, but not any physical transformation. Probably. Except, well, this is the Feywild we’re talking about. Maybe she did become a literal kitten? No, surely not.) With Ember’s outburst, however, the two fey creatures immediately disappear along with quiet mutterings and exclamations of displeasure from all around the clearing:

So rude!
Uncivilized!
Unworthy!
And we tried to be hospitable!
Good luck entering without our friendship!

Triss puts a hand over their face and heaves a big sigh. “That was probably our best bet for gettin’ over to the Feywild...” they mutter. They look around at the clearing and the flowers again. Slowly, Triss lowers down into a crouch, taking care not to crush any more flowers than absolutely necessary  

”I do apologize for my friend,” they say calmly and just loud enough so that anyone around could hear, if they were still listening, that is. “He’s an... acquired taste. Rough around the edges, y’know? Tries to fight me all the time, too.”

By the time he turns around, the pixie and sprite are already gone.  Tellior immediately spins back around, narrowing his eyes at the half orc. "Ember!" His voice is full of scorn. "Yes, hurry! Where are we going to hurry to?"  He then suddenly steps within circle of flowers. "We should just go - like Triss said. Ember can stay for all I care!"  Despite his rash action, he does try to avoid stepping anywhere there might be signs of other footprints. 

Hearing Triss' comments he too speaks out to the invisible creatures that he hopes are still nearby. "Please do not hold our friend's actions against the rest of us. We would love to join your dance." 

Celesta glares at Ember-  “I don’t suppose you have any magic to get us over into the Feywild you forgot to tell us about, do you? “

to the faerie- folk she speaks in Sylvan: (in spoiler) 

And attempts another persuasion check…

Tender winces at Ember's tone, sighing when the little folk disappear. "Oh, c'mon," she mutters, tail whipping behind her in irritation. "How many times do we gotta have this conversation, Ember?" She groans, running one hand over her face in frustration. "You gotta learn to be more polite." 

She turns back to the circle, peering down at the little path she'd seen earlier. "Please, we don't mean to offend. Our friend is just real worried about this girl," she tries. 

Persuasion (if needed): 6

ember follows triss into the flower circle why do you trust them? i trust you, but they are detaining us when we know time is limited.

No matter how hard you study the circle of flowers, despite any experimentation you do with stepping within it, you all stay firmly in the local woods. After a short time, Celesta hears a whisper in her ear from Parolanta in Sylvan, “We have the power to bring you through the crossing, but we cannot allow anyone who will endanger the citizens of Hedgegrove. Lady Daneliean would not permit it, nor would we wish it.”

Near Triss, an invisible Watcher speaks in Common, “I admire this one’s fierce protectiveness, but he must also understand that we are not your enemy. Unless you choose it to be so. Indeed, we are here to assist. The only delay is that we must establish trust.”

“It’s true,” adds Parolanta to the group in Common, but still invisible. “Your lost kitten needs your help. She is not in danger, but her visit has gone awry, in a manner of speaking. We have been waiting here hoping someone would come along who could aid her as we cannot.” It does seem that the only path forward is to establish trust with these creatures.

Celesta replies in Sylvan “They don’t mean you any harm.  I would Not let them harm anyone who is helping us or not trying to stop our quest- we only seek to find and bring the girl home.  Only those who attack us or are holding the girl against her interests would have anything to fear from us.  You have my word.”

very well but im watching you. i trust my friends and will not attack anyone they trust unless they are charmed.

Seeing Ember enter the circle, Tellior's agitation seems to fade a bit.  He again pats the half orc's shoulder, speaking to him in a soft voice, "I'm glad you are willing to listen to us."  He then quiets as he hears Parolanta speak.  He turns about where he stands, seeing if he can once again catch a glimpse of the sprite.  "Just tell us what to do to earn your trust.  You said you have read some of our intentions.  Well, I am sure if you read Ember's here then you know he is a genuine person and will not be any danger."