ember sheaths his sword but remains uneasy does time work differently in the faewild? and can we hurry this up?

Triss doesn't jump at the invisible voices, though it's a very near thing. They're used to seeing the people they're speaking, too, after all. They do turn an eye on Ember, letting their usual crooked grin creep back across their face. "I trust everyone, Em, 'till they prove me otherwise. Makes things easier - and a lot more fun."

Then they spread their hands out, wiggling their fingers a bit. "Like my friend said," Triss says. "Let us know what we can do to earn your trust, and we'll do our best to accomplish just that."

“The pixies have already appraised the elves amongst you and did not learn anything to cause concern. The rest of your party felt our touch as we attempted to assess your intentions. But we met resistance. If the impatient one, the blue one, and the gnome will allow us to try again without hindering our reading, we will know how to proceed,” explains Watcher. “If you are afraid, understand that no harm will come to you from this test. Please let us know if you consent.”

(Will Ember, Tender, and Kellen allow the sprites to assess your character?)

Ember scowled i will accept this assessment, but i would prefer if you could all  become and remain visible. i still dont trust you.

Kellen stands with his arms outstretched. " I mean you no harm and will prove it.  I will allow your assessment.  My mind is a blank page, I mean an open book, something like that.  Just don’t go digging around too deep in there.”

Tender shrugs, offering a smile to the invisible faerie folk, twirling in a small circle as if in invitation. "Please, assess away. I didn't mean to hinder you the first time," she says, clearly consenting to whatever test needs doing.

Watcher appears in the air a good ten feet from Ember, approaches cautiously, and places a tiny hand on Ember’s chest. After a moment, he nods and moves away. “You value order and despise evil. You may enter Hedgegrove, but know first: some evil wears a merry face and some good lacks beauty. Life is complicated in the Truelands. Do not be too hasty to bring your judgment against our people, as you did with us today. One day, you and I may fight side by side in the defense of good. And I would be honored to do so.”

Another sprite appears to test Kellen. “A good heart on this one and a balance of fun and duty, independence and community.”

A third sprite places a hand on Tender. “Caring and kind, a believer in freedom before structure. She’ll do alright.”

The three sprites regroup in the clearing, hovering above the flowers. Three pixies appear with them. They spread out in a half circle on the far side. In the center of the line, Parolanta holds out her arms. “It seems we can invite you to Hedgegrove, the rich, complicated, surprising community that serves as the seat of our good Lady. A warning: we have been tolerant of some insults to our honor today, understanding your unfamiliarity with us and our people. Do not test the patience of the court. Show proper humility and respect to our Lady and she will welcome you with warmth and hospitality. Show disrespect and she will act immediately to chastise you.”

Watcher directs you, “If you are prepared to journey to the Bright, enter the circle. We will take you directly to the Rose Palace and seek an audience with the Lady.”

Ember steps within the circle his hand on his sword i would also be honored to fight by your side.

Their eyes lighting up at the appearance of all the fey, Triss can't help but grin at all their friends. "We've always talked about a great adventure," they say. "This is our chance." And they step fully into the circle. Their chest is tight - with anticipation? Excitement? They're not entirely sure, but it's not an unwelcome feeling.

They give a little bow to Parolanta and Watcher in turn, their bow bouncing across their back as they do so. "We're honored that you allow us forward, truly. We may not know your ways and customs, but I, for one, am willing to learn whatever we need to in order to succeed."

Kellen leaps into the circle with a light step and without hesitation.  “I am honored and humbled to meet your good Lady, and will prove that your trust in us is not misplaced”

He grins at Triss and the others, his hair a jumbled mess and a sparkle of mischief in his blue eyes “I do so love a dance, a fine adventure to be sure”

Celesta steps into the circle and says “Thank you for considering us worthy,  we will not disappoint.  I am glad to be returning to my homeland”

Tellior, already within the circle, turns to his friends as they too enter.  "You are absolutely right Triss!  This is going to be fun!"  He smiles at the various fey now visible in the clearing, looking particularly at Parolanta as she speaks. "Well, all I can do is echo my friends - we will certainly do all we can to show your trust in us is not misplaced."

(Mobile)

Tender grins brightly and follows the others into the circle with clear excitement. "Oh, this is going to be great!" she exclaims, her tail waving happily before curling safely around her feet. "We finally get to have our adventure!" Triss was right on that account - they had always talked about it, and now, finally they were getting to put their words to action.

"It's our great honor to be allowed into your realm and given the chance to learn!" She tells the faerie folk, anticipation making her almost unable to be still.

As the sprites and fairies begin to circle your group, Parolanta offers one last assurance, “Do not be afraid. Let the dance take you.” Then a sourceless music arises, sweet and strange. You hear birdsong and the rustle of leaves in a playful breeze. The flowers around you suddenly grow with an unnatural speed, their petals gently brushing your cheeks and their stems and leaves wrapping around you. Soon you cannot see the forest around you. It would be frightening, but you sense a connection with the plant growth that soothes you. For a moment, you are surrounded by green light and life…

And then it all falls away. You are in a beautiful room framed by wooden pillars and cloudy pink stone walls. The thick carpet reproduces the lovely flowers you encountered in the clearing. Looking more closely at your surroundings, you see the pillars have intricate carvings of leaves, vines, flower buds, birds, and beetles but also have actual rose vines climbing them. The walls between are a somewhat translucent quartz stone that suggests depth. There are comfortable benches with rich brocade upholstery along the walls. A side table holds fresh fruits and berries, slices of cheese, bread rolls, a pitcher, and glasses.

“Welcome to the Rose Palace,” says Parolanta with a slight bow. “Please, help yourself to refreshment and rest. We will inform Lady Daneliean of your arrival and call you to her when she is ready.” She vanishes and you are left alone in this comfortable room.

"Oh, my gods."

Triss isn't sure they've ever seen something this truly splendorous before. Their eyes dart back and forth, like they're not quite sure where even to start. Shifting on their toes, they decide to go to look at the pillars first, the sheer intricacy of the carving catching their eye. But they pause a moment after they take that first step, bouncing on the thick carpet a bit. A soft laugh escapes them before they bound over to the pillars. They run a gentle finger over the carvings, quiet noises of amazement leaving them. Then they turn and dart over to the benches, testing the seat and finding it perfect before sprawling out across an entire bench with another laugh. Making sure to keep their boots off the furniture, of course; Triss isn't a complete heathen.

Gods, they could stay here forever. Triss turns back to their friends with a beaming smile on their face.

"Guys. Guys."

eat nothing the tales say those who eat fae food can never leave

Tender gasps in audible amazement, barely waiting for Parolanta to disappear before she follows Triss in zooming around the room, her curiosity and excitement overflowing. She pauses briefly at the quartz wall to smush her face against it, both to see if there's anything she can see through it, and simply to feel it. She giggles, high-pitched and excited, and does a small dance over to the intricately-carved pillars, gently tracing the designs with the tips of her claws. "This is amazing," she whispers, glancing over to Triss and then back at the rest. She'd never in her wildest dreams imagined a place like this - her imagination had been somewhat stunted by only knowing the city she'd grown up in, and that was nothing like this place. 

"The things we might see here," she marvels, finding her way over to a bench to sprawl in an ungainly heap, though she leaves room for the others should they wish to sit as well. "Celesta, is that true? If we eat the food, we can't leave?" she asks after Ember's words, head tilting to the side as she turns to study the food. 

ember relaxed. it is beautiful. and i would like to believe it is safe too. but i can never be sure. and the food may react differently to celesta as a resident.

((OOC- celesta needs to make a knowledge check for this? Not sure-   if so-here’s a knowledge arcana check:: 22 in the campaign log.))

Celesta will tell the others if the food is safe to eat or not.  

Tellior is speechless as he emerges into the splendor of this Rose Palace.  He immediately scoops up a few berries, popping a couple into his mouth and savoring their sweet flavor.  For a moment he just stands, studying first the carpet and then the ornate columns.  Softly he whistles to himself, trying to recall the music he heard as the flowers in the forest surrounded him. 

Hearing the admonition from Ember, he gives him a quick glance.  But he comes over to Tender and offers her the two berries still left from the handful he's already eaten.  "We're here at this amazing place, let's enjoy!" His voice is full of enthusiasm as he speaks. 

"Kellen! Perhaps we should play something while we wait! A fitting tribute for this fine place. Perhaps a dance of some sort?"  He starts to to unsling his cornett from his side as he glances around for the gnome.