Stormraider Keep (A M.E.T.A.L. Campaign)

Elyria follows on the tour of Alvahollow, listening politely to Sabynn, but her mind keeps on drifting away to Rahkeshi. "No questions, we are ready to meet your lady." She says plainly.

"Sabynn, we understand that your mistress will want something in exchange for her help. Can you give us some idea of what we might offer that she would consider worthy?"

At Aurelius' question, Sabynn turns to Fylanis, speaking Elvish.  "He is asking what our Lady might ask for in return for assisting them." 

Fylanis says, in Elvish,  "It is always hard to know."

Sabynn repeats Fylanis' response in Common, then continues. "And I agree.  It seems likely she would ask some service of you. But it might be some item if you had sonething of value to her.  Occaisonally she makes seemingly strange bargains, but I don't understand the intricacies of Fey politics and the magic of all those rules."

"Let's hope politics will not stand in the way of saving lives then." Elyria mutters. She remembered more and more now why she once left civilization and embraced the untouched nature as her new home.

Fylanis says in Elvish,  "It is time we should be going."  Sabynn repeats in Common, "We should be going to meet Lady Sylmare now. Just follow Fylanis."

The one elf leads while the other drops back to the back. You arrive at what looked from a distance to be a flimsy walkway working its way around the very large tree trunk. Up close though it seems very solid.  The railings are thin but seem exceptionally sturdy.  Two guards in full plate stand at the ramp entrance. Seeing Fylanis they step aside.

You make a couple of circuits around the tree as you gain in elevation. You pass by one small building which seems to hold additional guards.  Finally you arrive on a broad platform, an immense building in the middle.   A single guards steps aside as an apparently unarmed attendant opens a door.  Down another 30 feet or so you see a pair of immense double doors and several more guards.  

There is something familiar about the guards and attendant's dress. (Elyria and Aurelius make an INT Check with Advantage)

Fylanis steps into the doorway.

Elyria follows but is having a hard time mustering proper amount of respect for an audience with Lady Sylmare.
Int check: 11

The paladin will smile at the guards, and give a friendly salute to those on duty.

Aurelius INT check (with advantage): 5

(LOL, clueless)

Flynt quietly casts comprehend languages as he follows every to the greeting hall.

You all follow Fylanis inside and are a bit surprised to find a very ornately decorated room. It is a bit out of sync with the outside appearance of the building.  The room is fairly small, with a couple of couches and a small sideboard.  Sabynn says in Common, "If you would, please wait here while Fylanis checks on the status of our visit with Lady Sylmare. Please, have a seat."

Fylanis goes out through a different door and is gone for about five minutes while Sabynn stands quietly.  You can see another attendant, looking much like the one that let you into the room, holding the door. "Lady Sylmare is ready to see you now," he says in Elvish.  Sabynn translates into Common and then turns to walk beside Fylanis.  The pair lead you down a short hallway that opens up into a much larger room.  

The room has a vaulted ceiling with a colonnade running from your left to right.  It is about 100 ft. across and 200 ft. long, the two rows of columns spaced about 20 ft. apart.  To the left end you see large double doors - you suspect they may be near to the double doors you saw outside.  To the right, two steps rise up to a slightly raised platform.  An ornate chair - a throne really, sits on the platform.  An ornately dressed Eladrin woman sits there.  Two elves in full armor flank the raised platform and you note another pair near the double doors at the other end of the hall.  There is also an elderly looking elf in elaborate robes standing to the right-hand side of the throne.  

Fylanis and Sabynn escort you past the nearest row of columns and indicate for you to approach the throne ahead of them.  You have a chance to note that the architecture seems to be all smooth polished stone. It is sparsely decorated aside from what seems to be a flag of some sort in black and greys hanging on the wall behind the throne.  And you now also see in the two corners at the throne-end of the room are each occupied by an Ogre.  One is sitting, paying more attention to something on the ground.  The second is standing but not even looking in your direction.  They seem to have a chain about their leg. 

As you approach, the woman seated on the throne rises to her feet.  Finally, just before you reach the steps, your escorts whisper, "You should kneel."  The two do the same. 

"Greetings visitors and welcome to the humble hall of the Lady Sylmare," says the older man in Common. 

"We present Aurelius, Elyria, and Flynt to you our Lady.  They are visitors to the Fey Realm and wish to seek your guidance." says Sabynn in Common. 

(Elyria and Aurelius make another INT check with Advantage.) 

Lady Sylmare: 

(LOL perhaps you have too much faith in Aure's intelligence, but here goes... INT check at advantage: 12 )

Aurelius will bow deeply, but not kneel. He addresses, in Elvish, the aged eladrin that spoke:

"Good Day and Good Health to you,  and to the Lady Sylmare, Mistress of this enchanting village.  We bring greetings from the realms beyond the portal.  We are strangers in your lands, and crave a boon from your lady, for which we offer in exchange our services for her to command, insofar as it does not conflict with our previous oaths and covenants.
"In the interest of full disclosure, I personally admit that I have previously had some dealings with the Lady of the Summer Court, but I swear to you on my honor as a knight, that I am not here at her behest, nor do I have any ill intention toward your lady's person or her realm, and that I will fulfill any righteous request that the honored Sylmare should make of me."

Elyria decides to kneel, not so much out of respect but to try to ensure Lady Sylmare's cooperation regarding Rahkeshi. She glances over at Aurelius, hoping he knows what he is doing, hoping he remembers he is in a Fey Wild court now.

Intelligence check: 17

Something finally clicks in Aurelius and Elyria's minds. The coloring of the uniforms and even the banner hanging above the throne seem to match what the Sprites were wearing back at the Fey crossing.

Behind you, you hear Fylanis and Sabynn murmuring, but can't make out their words. The elderly elf looks disturbed as Aurelius speaks.  He takes a step forward, speaking in Common. "If you wish to dishonor Lady Sylmare, you may leave our presence."

Elyria glances up at Aurelius with a mix of anger and anticipation.

Aurelius will bow even lower.  "You mistake me, sir, In no way do I wish to dishonor the Lady.  In fact, if you recall, I called her 'the honored Sylmare'.  However, in our realm, we only kneel when we swear allegiance to a lord (or lady), which has not been asked nor offered.  Does the Lady demand fealty from every guest that enters her court?  Or does it somehow dishonor her to receive strangers with grace and mercy?  If so, I will respectfully withdraw, and seek another benefactor whose ways I understand better. I freely admit the customs of your people are foreign to me, even though we are kin. I beg your pardon for any trifling offense, it was not intentional, as any gracious ruler would surely recognize, and as I have observed while serving in more than one royal Elven court. As for my companions, please do not associate any ill-favor I have earned with them, my actions and words have been entirely mine, alone."

Lady Sylmare steps forward and points to Aurelius. "You will leave at once." She seems to have not heard even one of your words. "I hearby declare you anathema to my holdings and revoke all privilege of passage.  As a former guest, you have one hour to remove yourself."

She motions to one of the armored guards to come forward. He approaches Aurelius, watching him expectantly. 

Behind, Fylanis and Sabynn are a flurry of activity. "Oh no! You should go. I'll show you to the door Aurelius," Sabynn whispers. Fylanis,  also whispering in Elvish says,  "No, no, no. This will be bad for us. And Olcelle.  We'll be blamed for his insolence!"

(Everyone: WIS Save DC 13. Also, feel free to post but I will pause to make sure Flynt catches up!)

Elyria Wis save: 22 

Wis Save 5

Straightening up, Aurelius will shrug apologetically at Elyria. "I will find you again."

To Sylmare:
"As you wish, milady.  Fare you well.  Perhaps we will meet again under different circumstances."

Turning on his heel, he speaks to Fylanis and Sabynn, "Perhaps you would be good enough to guide me out of Sylmare's domain.  And feel free to accompany me further if you wish. I will extend my protection to you if desired."

And he then moves to the exit ignoring the armored guard.

Flynt takes a knee next to Elyria. His muscles tense as he hears Aurelius being rebuked and his hand drifts ever so slightly towards his crossbow. He immediately begins to assess the room, gauging which guard will be the first target, possible exits, and places of cover. When Aurelius turns to leave Flynt shifts strategies in his head and rises without a word and follows the paladin. As he passes Elyria he places a hand gently on her shoulder. Leaning in he whispers, 

"Gather the information we need. We' will find you." 

He then falls in step with Aurelius.

Wisdom: 10

As Lady Sylmare first stepped forward, all three of you feel a slight moment of sorrow.  For Elyria and Flint it is quite obviously coming from outside of you and quickly passes.  

For Aurelius, the feeling of sorrow overwhelms you.  It is clearly spurred on by the cold-hearted woman who has scorned your honorable greetings.  This place, though large and meant to impress, is clearly devoid of any warmth or heart.  You feel pity for Sylmare as you walk out of the chamber.  (You are charmed and have Disadvantage for all Ability Checks and Saving Throws for 1 minute.)

Aurelius and Flynt: 

Elyria: