(i think we split it before but ollective seems like a good idea)

You all leave Al’madath’s shop and head in the direction Aspen leads you. The sky ahead is slightly brighter, the only hint of a sun in the perpetual Feywild twilight. The hedges continue on either side. You are just starting to make out the hustle and bustle of a market square ahead of you, when a figure comes running at you.

In the short time you have to process what you are seeing, you determine that this is probably an elf, but you have never seen one look so wild. His clothes are mere tatters, torn and stained. His long, matted hair sticks out from his head at odd angles. His piercing gold eyes dart about as if looking for danger from the hedges or the sky. He lurches forward in a crouch and grabs Kellen by the shoulders.

“Doomed! Doomed! The end is here. Hedgegrove will be no more! They come to burn it to the ground! Don’t you see? They come and we must escape!"

Tellior comes towards the elf and tries to get him to let go of Kellen. "Hey! What is this all about? Calm down a bit and maybe we can help you."

Kellen attempts to shrink back away from the elf’s grasp, stammering  “Let me go! What are you talking about? Who comes? Why do they threaten Hedgegrove?”

Kellen looks into the elf’s wild eyes and tries to determine if these are the ravings of a madmen or something else. Insight 4.

"yes, tell us what is going on, and release him"

The elf releases Kellen, turns to Tellior, and grasps his hands. “Please, we must run! The soldiers of the Winter Court come! They will destroy us all!” He pulls Tellior, trying to run on down the road. If Tellior resists at all, he lets him go and continues on, shouting, “Come with me or you will all perish!” And he keeps running, turning back briefly to see if you follow, but not stopping.

Kellen’s heart beats hard in his chest as he considers whether the danger is real. He has seen many surprising threats in this wild city of hedges and hunters and feral dryads and hags. He isn’t really sure how to read this fellow.

Celesta knows that the powerful Archfey of the Feywild are divided into two factions, the Summer Court and the Winter Court. Neither is entirely “good” or “evil” and certainly not trustworthy. It sounds as though this particular elf thinks the Winter Court is an enemy of Hedgegrove.

Tellior does resist the elf, wary, but not willing to panic as this person seems to have.  He looks around to see if anyone else is raising any concern. (Perception: 12)

Kellen looks over at Aspen “Who are these soldiers of the Winter Court?  Are they enemies of Hedgegrove?”

Insight on Apsen’s response, is he truthful and complete? 19.

Kellen watches where the wild elf is going, but makes no move to follow, yet.

ember loosens his lance and sword in their sheaths staring into a hedge as if it holds the answers to his manyquestions

“Well, the summer court and the winter court are the two primary factions of fey here” Celesta says.”   I think I prefer summer to winter, for what it is worth, but you do need to be careful who you trust here.   I suggest we go see for ourselves this danger in the marketplace, and then run if we need to.”

(she’s not convinced this wild elf is sane, or trustworthy, just judging by appearances, as she often does).  

Kellen nods at Celesta “Yes, perhaps we should follow along and see what is going on.  Come along, Ember.  Maybe you will get a chance to stab something with that pointy stick of yours.”

Kellen moves to follow the wild elf toward the marketplace, keeping a sharp lookout for these soldiers of the Winter Court or any other dangers. Perception: 9.

"all right" ember sighs following kellen "try not to get injured though"

Aspen has readied his club, but has otherwise watched this short interaction without too much anxiety. He nods at Celesta’s explanation and answers Kellen while keeping a sharp eye out for trouble. “Hedgegrove is situated at the border of the winter and summer lands. Lady Daneliean herself is a member of the Summer Court. There are occasional attacks from agents of the Winter Court, but I haven’t heard of any lately. That fellow didn’t look like the most reliable source of such information. I agree we should proceed toward the market. If there is any trouble there, I will need to report to the palace with all possible speed.” (Kellen senses that the dryad is speaking truthfully. He hesitates a little when mentioning Daneliean’s connection with the Summer Court, as if there may be more to the story there.)

You all continue along the road toward the market. There are several colorful stalls set up in a relatively large open space. Various citizens of Hedgegrove are bustling about, making purchases at stalls, heading into and out of shops in the bordering hedge walls, and standing around in conversation. There are no signs of any attackers or trouble of any kind.

(If you would like to find a particular kind of shop or goods to buy, make an Investigation or Perception roll. If you would like to question anyone about the seemingly mad elf, make a Persuasion or Investigation roll)

Kellen soaks in the sights and sounds of the bustling marketplace, eyes going wide as he looks from shop to shop.  Bounding with excitement, he moves back and forth across the plaza looking for a shop that sells herbs, charcoal, and incense suitable for spell components and a brass brazier to burn them in.   He also keeps an eye open for a shop where he can trade in his shortbow and arrows for a hand crossbow that can be concealed easily.

Investigation 26.

While he shops, he also tries to track down any rumors or stories on the wild elf or the soldiers of the Winter court.  “Did you see that wild eyed elf babbling about the Winter Court?  What was that all about?  Who is he?”

Investigation 10.

Celesta is also looking for any signs of anything being “off” and anyone acting disturbed or unnatural..

20.  Investigation.

She will peruse what’s available- particularly any magical items or spell scrolls, if such things can be bought.  (She doesn’t have the funds I’m sure to buy much)

”keep your eyes open for anything suspicious, I guess.   But it seems normal enough to me- well for the feywild..”  she says 

As much as he is interested in checking out the market, Tellior decides to see if anyone knows anything about the elf. He looks around, to see if he can maybe identify someone to ask.  

(Perception Check: 17)

"Come on Tell, let's do some shopping" Kellen nudges him, seeing him more interested in checking out the people in the market than visiting the shops.  "You too, Ember, maybe we can finally find the armor and weapons you have been looking for.  Although I would be surprised if they have anything dark and menacing." 

"sure, i dont think i canafford better armor but i should take a look"