Gio sighs and looks longingly towards the bandit’s exit, but relents. “Aye. The balloon. The diva would wish it. And better to meet an ally than an enemy, when first in new lands. Although, one never knows…” 

Hearing overall consent, Speedwell attempts to lead everyone through the swamp/marsh towards where he saw the balloon go down. 

 “C’mon,” he says. “This way.”

Walking through the swamp is not a fun or easy task. The mud and muck sticks to your shoes and makes traveling slow. And though it is your first foray into this type of terrain, everyone is on high enough alert to notice the mud pits and avoid them, realizing that you might easily sink down into the mud.

After about an hour of walking a crumbling stone tower rises out of the swamp, leaning at such an angle that it threatens to keel over. Black brambles surround the base of the tower and cling to its lower half. Hanging from the crenellations on the lower side of the tower’s peak is a large woven basket at the end of a tangle of ropes and tattered fabric. The basket dangles thirty feet above the surface of the swamp.

What would you like to do?

Autumnleaf flies up to the basket to see if there is anybody still in it. "Hello, is there someone in need of aid. We're here to help, no need to be afraid."

Approaching the basket Autumnleaf suddenly hears a rushed “Shush!!” followed quickly by a whispered, “Two serpents are asleep in the brambles, just outside the tower door. If you awaken them, they might put the squeeze on your friends, or worse, devour me.” 

Looking down into the basket from the air, Autumnleaf can see the corpse of the balloon’s bullywug pilot. At the bottom of the basket, a silver birdcage lies on its side with a violet faerie dragon inside.

Looking up at you, he says, “I’m in a bit of a bind, as you can observe. I, Sir Talavar, as one of the Summer Queen’s loyal servants, ask that you free me. You see, I was in the midst of a daring escape from the vile Bavlorna Blightstraw when our balloon was set upon by an ill wind and sent plummeting to its current unfortunate location. My pilot, the honorable Wigglewog, did not survive. I’ve been trapped up here for a while now. Help me. I must tell my queen of the fall of Prismeer!”

While Autumnleaf flies up, Speedwell will attempt to quietly investigate the base of the tower. “I’m going to look around,” he says quietly to the rest of the group. 

As Speedwell circles the tower he sees that it is fully surrounded by brambles, though he does also spot the entrance through them, and believes that if he is careful enough, he could likely climb through the thicket without too many scratches. Not far from the entrance, somewhat hidden in the brambles, he also spots two giant snakes currently napping, and though he may have stepped on a twig or two walking around, it wasn't quite enough to wake them.

Inif pulls out his rope and lifts it telepathically as an offer of assistance to Autumnleaf and looks for something heavy to anchor it.

Speedwell informs the group of what he found. “There might be another way up there, but we have to be careful if the giant snakes.”

Gio waits patiently for the problem solvers to reveal what’s going on and how to help

Inif steps up to the faerie dragon, "The name was 'Sir Talavar'?  Please, tell me of of your queen and how you came into her service?  I don't suppose we'd be fortunate enough for this to be an ordinary birdcage or is there a special key required to free you?"

With Inif’s magical hand and Autumnleaf’s help, the two are able to rig up a sort of simple pulley system to attach to the birdcage and carefully, and quietly, lower it to the ground.

As Inif begins to question him he quickly ‘Shush!’s him again and replies in a whisper, “Perhaps we should be away from here before they awaken? And yes, I am a knight-errant of the Seelie Court and a loyal vassal of the Summer Queen. I must be free from this cage to return to my queen and report the news that Zybilna has been overthrown by the Hourglass Coven. And you are correct. This is no normal cage…” He then quietly pushes at the small door as in quietly rattles, but stays firmly closed. He then adds, “There is a goblin named Jingle Jangle who lives not far from here Aton Telemy Hill. She likely has the key to this accursed cage.”

It is also about this time that you notice that Giovani has seemingly disappeared into the mist.

What would you like to do?

Inif awaits for Speedwell's return and whispers to the group "Our first priority should be retrieving the key.  From the sound of it, we should stay away from the tower until we can deal with the snakes."

Addressing Sir Talavar, "We have heard mention of the Hourglass Coven before by a kenku named Kettlesteam.   Tell me, what do you know of the Witchlight Carninval?  Kettlesteam spoke of some deal its proprietors, Mr. Witch and Mr. Light, made with the coven.  Does any of this make sense?"

Inif holds the birdcage and lets Sir Talavar navigate them towards Aton Telemy Hill as he listens to the faerie dragon's response.

"Where did Gio go," Speedwell asks, looking around

"Ah the carnival. Yes I am familiar of it, though have little time for such frivolities." Talavar replies, adding, "I do believe that Witch and Light are not the original owners, nor are they from the Feywild themselves. But they seem to be running the carnival quite well over the past many years. Of what agreement was made though, I cannot say. I only learned of the Coven's actions here myself recently." Thinking for a minute he then adds, as he swings in his cage while the group walks, "The tower seemed rather empty from what I could see inside of it."

As Speedwell looks around he sees no side of his former companion.

“How do we get to Jingle Jangle, then?” Speedwell asks, still looking around, distractedly. 

"Speedwell, my guess is it's that large hill to the east, but Sir Talavar should be able to guide us.  Let's just see if we can find the way" Inif replies.

Inif continues to make conversation with Sir Talavar during their trip. "So tell me more about this Hourglass Coven. How exactly did they seize control? A bard named Tumblestrum showed us the way here and bid us to rescue the 'dormant queen'. Has the queen been bewitched?"

"You are correct good sir." Talavar replies as you walk, adding, "The Hill is just to the East. You can see it from here." He then pauses to continue, "As for the queen... Bavlorna Blightstraw is a hag who lives here in the muck. Up in the Bullywug settlement of Downfall. She and her sisters form the Hourglass Coven. Though, like many covens, they don't get along with each other over most matters... The sisters used an ancient cauldron to freeze time in Zybilna’s palace, trapping her inside. This is what I must return home to report to my queen."

((We'll just continue the RP here and montage the walk to the Hill once we hear from Noodle)).

 Autumnleaf doesn't say anything, her face set in a determined sort of expression as the conversation goes on, and she maintains her silence as the group begins their trip to the Hill.

Inif walks quietly for a bit, then asks of Sir Talavar, "Bullywugs, you say?  Are they allied with the hag then?  Where are the queens allies in this land, beside yourself?"