Eyes widening at the attention from the shopkeep, Triss stumbles a bit before they seem to recover their usual charm. A bright smile and a straightening of their spine, and it's like they're back in their element.

Tel’Marxas shows Triss a few options with golden themes and helps her put together a full set of traveler’s clothes. She then thanks all of you for your patronage and assures Tellior that his order will be complete the following evening. Unless you all want to do anything more at the shop, you return to the palace, most of you very pleased with your purchases. Parolanta leaves you all at your rooms to rest a bit before dinner.

It isn’t too long though before you hear a musical chime that seems to come from everywhere and nowhere. A moment later, Parolanta has returned to your doors to lead you to the dining hall. Like other rooms in the palace, the dining hall has pink quartz walls, carved wooden columns, and rose vines, but this room also has a lot of cream and light green in the carpets and other decor. Beautifully polished wooden tables form a large U shape, with room for maybe 50 guests, but places are set for just about 15 at the head table. Lady Daneliean is talking with some of the same folks you had met previously: Arcanist Sinariel, Arbiter Rendul, and the sprite named Watcher. A handful of other guests of various fey races are there as well. A half-elf in an orange and brown tunic directs you to your seats at the head table.

“Good evening, friends,” says Lady Daneliean as you find your places. “You all look very well this evening. I’m so pleased you are here.” Once everyone is seated, Lady Daneliean rings a little crystal bell and the first course is brought to the tables. The food is absolutely delightful, an assortment of fresh, crisp vegetables, toasty bread, flavorful soups, perfectly done fish or meats, tangy cheese, and sweet fruits. During the meal, you have time to talk amongst yourselves, chat with or question the Hedgegrove citizens, and simply enjoy the fine food. At some point, Lady Daneliean invites each of you to share something interesting from your home. You can tell that she is intensely curious to hear stories from beyond the Feywild.

Tellior dresses in his new blue and silver garments for the dinner, leaving his scale mail back at their lodgings.  He has on the light-weight blue cloak that goes with the set.  He spends time chatting with various guests, making a few rather silly jokes and getting to know a tiny bit about them. He tells them of his own service to Melil and of course his love for music.  As the courses are brought he tries to eat sparingly, trying to taste a bit of everything.

As Lady Dabeliean invites him to share, he at first delays, "Dear Lady, our home back in Seaside Harbor was nothing much to talk about really.  It was all of our desires to be able to go from that town and be off on an adventure."  At this he smiles broadly. "And here we are.  We couldn't be happier! But surely you don't want to hear about our old, drab, dull, boring, uninteresting, and...  where was I?" He laughs, hoping to move on to another subject, but he sees the Lady truly does want to hear something.  

"Hmm... well I do not want to give a false impression here of our harbor.  For the most part, the harbor consists of fishing boats, heading out daily to try and bring in their hauls of fish.  Most of the merchants carry mundane goods, and quite a few do not even trade in Seaside Harbor, but rather move the goods on to other cities.  But every once in a while an interesting new ship stops in."  He tells a tale of a particularly flamboyant merchant prince that came to Seaside Harbor aboard his small personal ship.  The older man stayed just two days but had all kinds of tales of strange monsters he had seen and lands that he traveled.  "Unfortunately, soon he was gone and things in town went back to as they were." 

Having told his story, Tellior sits back in his seat relaxing and enjoying the company. 

"Are you sure your not exaggerating? Because the guy didnt seem That fancy to me" ember laughs

Lady Daneleian lights up with interest as Tellior describes the harbor. “Now, you see, what you find ordinary, I find most intriguing. Imagine being unable to leave Hedgegrove to see any other sights in the Truelands, much less in other planes. And you tell me a harbor and ships that travel the ocean are drab, dull, and boring? I’ve heard stories of the ocean, but I would so much like to see it myself! So much water that it fills the world to the horizon? And ships traveling here and there upon it to other lands? I have often wondered about the creatures that live within the sea. How different they must be! Have you seen any ocean denizens? And how do those ships stay afloat? Is the surface so very calm? I have read about such things, but you have seen it! Have you ever been on a boat?” Daneliean is full of questions, and you do your best to answer them.

Tellior laughs, looking at Ember.  "I am certainly not exaggerating.  Perhaps he was a bit worn, but that's to be expected with the salty sea mists.  I do suspect however the merchant prince himself may have exaggerated a little.  But he still told great stories!"  

He seems a bit surprised at Lady Daneleian's interest in such mundane things. "Well, I have been on ships a couple of times.  Though I have not traveled very far.  Mostly I have just seen the sea life brought back by the fishermen.  FIsh mostly.  And shellfish.  But sometimes they might get an octopus or something caught up in a net.  Once a ship brought in a shark."  He glances at the others, "Do you all remember that?  Looked pretty ferocious, then the sailors all say that was just a small one!"  He does his best answering any other questions she might have.  

Eventually, he turns to the others. "Surely someone else has something mundane to enchant our Lady with?  Tales of a farm perhaps? 

Celesta says “well I grew up among my Eladrin people in the Feywild, but I could tell of what I learned of the history, arcana and natural world from my studies in the library there.   One fascinating sea creature they have there are called Seals”.  (She tells everyone about seals) 

Kellen is silent at first, a bit shy in the presence of the Lady and her followers, but his outgoing personality soon emerges.  He stands on his chair, wearing his new clothes and regales the court with tales of his home and Seaside Harbor.  

“I was different from my brothers and sisters and instead of being content in the forest, or work as a tinker or jeweler, I craved seeing the smiles on peoples faces as I performed for them.  I left my village and made my way to Seaside Harbor to make my way as a musician”  Kellen pulls out his fiddle and plays a fast-paced, rowdy drinking song about a hungry halfling and his incredible exploits in finding a snack.  “...and he did it all for a turnip!”

Performance- 15

Lady Daneliean is fascinated by Celesta’s description of seals. “You say they bark? Like a dog? But they have tails like merfolk? Incredible. I would love to have a specimen.” When Kellen stands on a chair, there are a few surprised and mildly judgmental looks amongst the Hedgegrove folk. But as he begins to play and sing, they are caught up in the joyful energy of the tune and begin banging their cups on the table and singing along with the chorus. They applaud wildly when the song ends.

As a whole, the evening is a grand success: a delightful mix of scrumptious food, attentive conversational partners, and lively music. Amongst the assorted desserts, you have a chance to sample the glimmerberry pie and you understand why it is such an expensive delicacy. As you are finishing, Lady Daneliean speaks up again, “I wanted to assure you all that Lady Cat is doing well. I think her time in service may be good for her in the end. You have done a fine job of completing my first task. I hope you may attend to my second task tomorrow morning: I would like to place an order for 20 glimmerberry pies for a large party I am hosting next week. I shall provide you with compensation for the five we ate tonight to give to Myrin at Berry Bakes. How does that sound? Are you up for the challenge?”

Tellior answers immediately.  "Of course!" But he then looks somewhat sheepishly at his friends. "Well, I mean if we're all agreed,  of course."

To Lady Daneliean he continues, "It sounds like quite a simple task. But given our day today,  I'm imagining we'll need to keep on our toes!"

“Certainly, these are wonderful pies.  I’d think we can do that.  Although nothing seems easy or straightforward here!” Celesta says, with a smile and a giggle. 

"I would be happy to. Although i was wondering where i could buy weapons, armor and the like as well as antimagic talismans." He turns to kellen. "I like how easily you replaced the less... acceptable verses"

“It is best to know your audience, it wouldn’t do to offend polite company” Kellen replies to Ember with a wink.  He replies to Lady Daneleian “I would be delighted to visit Myrin's bakery and place your order, and perhaps explore what other treats they have to offer.”

Kellen turns back to Ember “If I am not mistaken, Parolanta did mention that the bakery was nearby some sort of marketplace.  Maybe you would be able to find your armor and weapons there.”

Triss lightens up and enjoys the merriment of the evening alongside everyone else. Still sipping slowly at their wine, they watch the back and forth go on, throwing in a story or two as well. At the mention of Lady Cat,  they can't help the slight face they make at the reminder of why they're all here. They'd actually managed to forget a bit, given the excitement of the day. It's probably best for the reminder, to be honest, and Triss resolves to pick up the pace on their tasks for the Lady Daneliean.

Upon hearing the second task laid out for them, they perk up a bit. Well, it sounds easy enough - though so did their first one. But Triss shakes it off and flashes a bright smile. "Oh, absolutely!" they chirp. "Exploring this lovely place has been so much fun. I'd love any excuse to keep looking around, if we're being honest. How hard can finding the bakery be?"

As you accept her task, Lady Daneliean claps her hands and smiles broadly, “Wonderful! I know you will succeed brilliantly. Parolanta served you well today as a guide, but she has other business tomorrow. I believe you met Aspen, one of my trusted guards. He will bring breakfast to your rooms tomorrow and then help you find the bakery. For now, get your rest.”

You remember that Aspen was one of the dryads at the door to the Lady’s daytime chamber. As the dinner party breaks up, Parolanta leads you back to your rooms. “It has been a pleasure guiding you through Hedgegrove today. I’m sure I will see you at some point tomorrow, but you will enjoy working with Aspen, too.” She departs and leaves you to your rest.

(You are welcome to have any final conversation this evening. Once that concludes, you find that you sleep very well in the accommodations provided. In fact, when you wake, you feel considerably stronger than the day before. It is as though all the new experiences have stimulated your minds and bodies. You have new ideas and new strength. Go ahead and advance to Level 3!)

(Woot!).  Celesta has a breakthrough in arcane understanding- it’s as if being in the lady’s presence- or perhaps just being surrounded by the potent magic of the Feywild, has unlocked something in her.   She retires early, but spends many hours working on her spellbook.  Her trance as well is filled with visions of her casting new and powerful spells.   She is refreshed and seems to be almost glowing the next morning with joy and excitement.  

As Parolanta departs, Tellior gives her a deep bow. "We were truly blessed with your presence today. I look forward to seeing you again.  Be well." 

Heading back to their rooms, he can't help but spend some time talking to everyone about all that has happened throughout the day.  And of course, remembering the fabulous dinner.  He finally stops only when someone finally tells him to.  He takes the time to meditate, feeling especially enlightened by Melil.  Upon ending the trance he at first thinks to head out to see the sunrise.  But he soon recalls where he is and that this land is in perpetual twilight.  So instead he sits in quiet prayer to his god in order to prepare himself for the coming day. 

After leavingember sits meditating for a while then coming to a decision walks out and knocks on tellior's door

"Excuse me? Could you explain something for me? Somethings strange happened to my oath."

Tellior seems a bit surprised to see Ember, but sits down with him. "What exactly do you mean Ember? I'm no expert on paladins, but perhaps my training could help?" He sounds the tiniest bit skeptical, as he was not the greatest at studying things. 

Kellen chatted excitedly with the others after dinner until sleep overcame him.  The next morning, he awakened refreshed and eager for the day ahead, but something felt ...different.  Whether it was from the day spent in the Feywild, the magical influence of traveling along the Ley lines, or something else, he could not say, but he felt more in touch with his natural illusion magic.  

He rushes to find the others “Celeste, Celeste!  Please, tell me more about your owl.  I had the most amazing dreams and feel like I can call a creature of my own.”