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

"Hmm, I also have some skill at locating lost objects, if that would be of use to anyone," says Aurelius as they continue to the herbalist.

It is a brief walk over to what seems one of the larger buildings.  As you step inside you note how the entryway slopes down into the earth.  Though the roofline seemed low, once inside the ceiling feels normal.  You are also a bit surprised once inside.  While from the outside this building - indeed all of them - appear to be somewhat crude thatched construction, inside you see immaculately built rooms of wood panels and wooden floors.  You seem to be in a small entryway and are led to the left into a slightly larger room.  To your right is what could possibly be a work room for herbalists.  Double doors lead straight ahead but offer no clue to what is beyond. 

An earthen-toned rug covers much of the floor of the room you have entered.  It gives the place a somewhat dark appearance, despite the light from multiple lanterns around the room.  The place has the feel of being underground, but also has a cozy feel.  There are several chairs and at one end of the room is a desk.  Sitting behind the desk is a shorter looking Harengon.  She seems very energetic as she stands and comes over to you all.  "Hello! Wow, visitors! Whatever brings you here?" She glances at the older man who had led you in, the adds excitedly. "Is there something I can help you with? Have you come with questions?  How interesting!"

"Yes, I believe they have some questions for you about mushrooms," says the older Harengon. 

"Oh! Well, what sorts are you looking for?  There are so, so many! Many, many! Are you gourmands?  No, likely something more magical!  Are you making a potion? Or..."  It seems the energetic woman might keep going on, but the older man cuts her off. "Let them tell you what they seek."

Elyria stifles a laugh and simply smiles at the excited herbalist Harengon. Then she goes on to describe the mushrooms they search for. "We just need to know where to find them really, and if there is anything we should be careful with while collecting them, like if they are poisonous to the the touch or if they are guarded or something." She says with a slight bow.

Aurelius smiles at the female, and listens to Elyria's description of the fungi they seek.  His eyes glance around the room, looking for anything unexpected or out of the ordinary, given the circumstances.

Perception 20

Flynt checks his compass as he listens to the introductions.

Aurelius doesn't notice anything out of place. And Flynt's check of the compass shows they are slightly farther now from the artifact, as expected from their travel. 

The Harengon woman's eyes widen as you describe the mushrooms. "Oooo. Oh! I think I've heard of that! Never seen one of course, as it's really really really rare."  

She pauses a moment in thought. "Yea, I think some stories I read say it only grows at the heart of Gwyllinwald.  Seems there were others stories too: Swamps of Iryldan, Stone Giant's Toe up in the mountains...others. I never really thought about it much - swamp's too wet, mountains too cold.  Forest makes the most sense."

She then laughs. "There I go carrying on. You evidently have some information that led you here. Gosh! Just think, such interesting mushrooms so close there in the forest."  Her voice then drops a bit.  "But so far too. I've never heard of anyone navigating the place successfully.  They say though the heart of the forest is filled with lights! That's how you know you're there."

She takes a breath, barely. "These mushroom aren't for eating.  No, no, no! I daresay it would likely kill a person.  It's said they have a powerful affect on the mind.  I know it's mentioned as an ingredient in a couple of potions.  All used to cloud the mind and be able to deceive and control the person it's given to."

She looks at Elyria sharply, as well as the rest of the group. "Why do you want something like that anyway?" There's certainly an accusatory tone to her voice.

"It is not for ourselves, but I am tasked with finding these mushrooms in order to be able to save our teammate. Either we fail and no one else will be harmed, or we succeed, in which case others almost certainly would aswell. Either way I intend to complete this task." Elyria says defiantly but then she calms down. "I'm sorry, I've been under a lot of pressure lately, I thank you for your help, I will not intrude any more on your generous hospitality." She says apologetically and readies herself to leave.

Hastily, Aurelius speaks up, "We asked a local elf-lady for help in our quest, and by the rules of hospitality she demanded this as payment.  Tell me, what do you think of the nearby Eladrin? Do they keep their promises?"

At Elyria's response the woman gives her a sympathetic look. "Oh no? Save your teammate?  I'm sorry if I insinuated anything."

Then when Aurelius speaks up the older Harengon speaks, "The Eladrin.  Well, I suppose they do keep their promises.  But they twist their words and are tricky to deal with.  I'm not sure how many times they have harassed and attacked us.  Sylmare is no friend to us.  We mean you no ill-will," here he looks at Elyria, "and I fear whatever has befallen your friend has led you into a precarious bargain."  

The herbalist comes over to Elyria, "I wish I could help.  Listen, if you do find these mushrooms, and can perhaps spare one, bring it to me.  If I had a chance to study it, perhaps I would be able to derive a counter to whatever nefarious purpose those Eladrin might have in mind." 

"I suppose that is a fine plan." The older man looks to the group. "Is there anything else? If not, then at least join us for a meal and share a tale or two with us.  Perhaps we could spare a healing potion for each of them?"  

The herbalist says, "Of course! I will get a few flasks ready for travel. I'll have them in no time!"

"You're kind." Elyria says with a warm smile. "We will certainly try to bring you one of the mushrooms if you want us to." She says to the Harengon herbalist. "And I guess we would have time to share a meal but we should really be off soon again." She adds, trying to determine how soon they should need their long rest.

"Thank you kindly. I appreciate the offer of a meal but in truth I'm extremely road weary and could use a quiet place to meditate and recoup my energy." says Flynt with a bow 9f respect.

(By the time you had a meal it would be getting close to when you ought to take a long rest.  You might just have time for a meal and travel back to the edge of the forest before you would need to stop.) 

During the meal, Aurelius will share the epic tale of Beatrix the Harengon warrior and scholar, who gave her name to the Summer Queen and became Lilianna Faystride,  and then defeated the white dragon with the help of her friends.  He may embellish a few of the details to emphasize her accomplishments.

The older Harengon leads the group to another relatively large building.  The herbalist has stayed behind.  Much like the last the entrance slopes into the ground as you enter, making the space much taller than you would expect from outside.  There is a long table with room for more than 12 people at it.  You see the group that you had originally encountered, the pair that met you with the older Harengon, and a handful of others.  Introductions are given, a few of the attendees appear to be couples, and there is a mixture of town leaders, scouts, and a few other trades people.  

You are seated near the head of the table where the older Harengon sits.  A bit later the herbalist joins and sits near you all as well.  From the conversations you learn that though the village is able to gather many of the things they need from the land, such as wood for building and tools.  But they also cultivate a few farms to raise food. They seem to have only a small number of townspeople dedicated as soldiers.  But nearly everyone can use some weapon, and a great many are quite proficient with bows. 

Soon food is brought out.  It consists of a wide variety of fruits and vegetable dishes, augmented with many nuts and spices. There is quite a variety of flavors - sweet, savory, spicy, tart, and mild. During the meal there is a great deal of additional conversation.  Much of it is small talk, asking about families or telling of their own.  There is a lot of curiosity about the world you come from. Especially intriguing is the whole concept of day and night.  Sun and moon are a bit of a mystery to them as well.  

It's been a number of years, but it sounds like the Eladrin, led by Sylmare, have attacked a few times.  Years ago there seems to have been an attempt to use force to coerce the Harengon to give fealty to the Lady.  Other times seemed more attempts to conscript some of the villagers to serve them.  But though the Harengon were outmatched in military strength, they proved very adept at defending their village and harassing their enemy.  There is a brief mention of Lady Leilatha as well, though it sounds like she dwells more distant and is rarely a threat here.  She seems to have followed a similar path to Sylmare, but was more distant from this particular spot, so less of a threat.  It seems than far in the past Leilatha gained the favor of a small group of satyrs.  She used them to build a fighting force that eventually consolidated control of satyrs throughout the region of her fortress.  

Aurelius telling of Beatrix who is later called Lilianna is a huge hit with the group.  The herbalist in particular seemed very invested in the tale and actually cheers at a few points when the fellow Harengon was said to get in a good blow or take an heroic action.  At the close, she presents the group with a Potion of Healing (Greater). 

It is now getting later in the day.  You would have enough time to travel back to the forest and camp at the edge tonight.  Alternatively, you are offered a spot in a small building they have for visitors.  You could rest now, and leave early and not really lose any time.  

At the end of the feast, the paladin will stand and thank the village, and the elders for their generosity and hospitality.

"I fear that the Eladrin may seek to punish you for harboring us. After our comrade is safely rescued, I swear that my sword is ever ready to assist your village in defending herself.  Send word if you are in need, and I will answer."

Aurelius senses that Elyria is anxious to get moving, and so he will follow her lead on where to stay the night.  Before they leave the village, however, he will take a private moment with the herbalist to invite her to accompany them as far as she wishes.  "We thank you for your generous gift. Your skills as a healer would be very helpful, even if you hid until the battles were finished.  But, we understand that the adventuring life is not for everyone.  Still, your company is always welcome with us."

Elyria sits back and enjoys the meal, the company and even the tale Aurlius tells them, making her forget her loss for just a moment. After the meal she approaches Aurelis and Flynt. "Perhaps we should just stay here for a rest before continuing. As much as I want to get going you both deserve a good rest in the comfort of civilization, and this place even I can appreciate." She says, looking around at the quaint Harengon village. "Be ready to move out as soon as you are fully rested though." She adds and nods for the Harengon to show them to their sleeping quarters.

Flynt shares in the story telling relating the tale of a scribe wizard named Emporious Palentine who searched a library shaped like a group of candles to locate a cure that saved his village from a horrible curse. 

As the group is being shown to their quarters Count address the elder Harengon.

"So you mentioned that a group of gnolls attacked. I'm curious to know more. Did you lose anyone? Did they take anything of importance? Is it possible they had a more devious agenda? " Flynt asks. As he asks the last question he produces the cloth he found on the one gnoll. "Does this have any significance to you?"

(Note from my last post. That should be a Potion of Healing (Greater) for each person.)  

The elder Harengon looks a bit surprised as you produce the cloth. "Well yes!  Oh, that belonged to another here at the village.  He was a bit unusual for us here, had traveled in his youth and learned a touch of magic.  We believe that he and a friend of his, a fine druid woman, must have been struck down by the gnolls before they attacked us.  We never did find them and they have never returned.  But it seems if you found that we have further confirmation of what what happened."  He bows his head sadly, as do several of the others.  Noting the armor Flynt was carrying he says, "That looks like something the druid wore."

The herbalist comes over to Flynt and nods to the cloth.  "That was a bit of fancy magic work on his part.  You can use it like a handkerchief and it will just clean things right up for you."  (Allows you to instantaneously clean an object no larger than 1 cubic foot, as per Prestidigitation.  The verbal component is the word "Clean" in Sylvan.) 

As Aurelius offers her a chance to accompany the group, the herbalist looks very tempted. "If it were just me, I would take you up on that offer in a moment.  But there is so much I'm needed for here at the village. I couldn't just leave that could?  Or maybe... no, no, that's silly.  It's just not...  Oh my!" She is clearly at odds about the decision, but in a moment she says, "Thank you Aurelius for your gallant offer.  I cannot come with you right now.  But perhaps if you return, after I've had some time to think, perhaps I will reconsider." 

When ready, you are shown to a smaller building - round and with a small fire glowing in the middle.  There are several partitions and a number of cots with warm blankets and a soft pillow.  

Aurelius will make sure Lady is comfortably situated for the night, and take his long rest.

Elyria will find her separate cot behind a partition for some privacy as she meditates. She will wake up Aurelius and Flynt when they had enough rest and say farewell to any Harengon awake on their way out of the village, again setting her course for the center of Gwyllinwald, sending Aelric to scout ahead.
Perception: 17 Survival: 23 Aelric perception: 23