Crimson Sands of Time

Sam pipes up “the doors had a emblems on them one of a lion, have you lot met envy yet” 

Piccolo dances around the room, still bare hoofed, relatively oblivious to the discussion, playing with her new glass rapier. She seems both happy and perhaps bored, waiting for the group to make decisions.

Drain:

Drain shakes his head.  "We have met some interesting beings  - the new ruler Kelek and his minions, a monster eating cake, some hags, some demons.  I don't remember the name envy but can't say I remember all the names either. "

Uriel:

”Is there some kind of puzzle with clues to opening these doors?  This crown may be useful for that, given that it is pictured prominently in several of the door reliefs,” comments Uriel.

(OOC: I did a thread search of Envy, Lion, Crown, here's what I came up with, Trisk said the hart is a deer).

The tiny girl keeps dancing around but begins playing a merry jig on her instrument.

You see an image of a bronze plaque embedded in a flagstone at the gate, and then as if you are looking through the eyes of a familiar, you see what is written on the plaque.

"The lion or the hart must wear the crown.

But which one should it weigh down?"

Piccolo winks at the group, then plays a bit more, showing a Statue of a lion, then you see her climb up on the statue and place the crown on its head.

Then you see the east tower in the garden with another plaque,  the word "Envy" on it.

The girl puts her instrument away and keeps stabbing at the air with her tiny rapier, smiling and winking at Trisk.

Uriel:

”That seems like an excellent idea.  Let’s try that,” he suggests in response to the vision asking, “Does envy represent anything, or is there perhaps a statue of a deer elsewhere in the castle?”

Sam could tell you that Envy is a talking iron lion who resides in the oak filled tower beating their name.

You guys want to go there? 

"If it says the one or the other must wear the crown, let's go back outside and put the crown on the lion's head, maybe then we'll be able to open the doors with a lion symbol on them?"

Although Trisk is an illusionist and the Feywild deals with a lot of illusion magic, the logic (if any) of the Feywild comes across as totally alien to him. He simply cannot think along the same lines.

The disheveled girl claps with glee and starts skipping toward the garden. (she is a strange creature for sure).

Back in the garden... You ascend the stairs and open the door to enter the tower. 

Oak trees fill much of the interior of this tower. Rays of light cut through the canopy, illuminating a marble pedestal that stands at ground level, swathed in tree roots. A hulking lion seemingly made of iron stands on the pedestal, flicking its tail in irritation. “You can call us Envy,” it says.

(after their last interaction, I'm holding Sam outside unless he decides otherwise.)

Piccolo does a deep curtsey, smiling at the lion. She looks at him with her timeless jade-green eyes.

Watching the statue as it talks Trisk will ask it a question, "Do you know how to open the doors in the castle?"

The lion responds "We and our counterpart were created as a pair to protect the gardens from intruders in Zybilna’s absence.”

“Our presence here means that our mistress is gone. Where? We do not know.”

“The palace receives visitors even in Zybilna’s absence. Guests are to remain in the garden pavilion until Zybilna deigns to grant them an audience. It is not our responsibility to protect visitors.”

"Zybilna created the crown as a key that guests can use to reach certain areas of the palace in her absence. The crown has two forms: one made of silver needles, the other of golden roses.”

“To transform the crown of needles into its gold form, it must be placed on the brow of the correct iron guardian. Which of us, Envy or Wrath, is the correct guardian? We cannot say. Placing the crown on the incorrect guardian banishes the guardian to its demiplane, along with the crown.”

“Once the crown is transformed into its gold form, either guardian can wear it without being banished. Certain doors inside the palace become unlocked or locked, depending on which guardian wears the golden crownm.”

Not sure if I mentioned it, explicitly, but there is no roof on this tower, so you can see the twilight through the trees. 

Without fear, Piccolo wanders near the lion and tries to pet it. She is very curious.

As Picollo reaches out to pet it, the lion it remains stoic for a moment, its iron form unyielding. But the magic within it senses the gentleness of her touch. Gradually, it starts to show a reaction: its eyes soften, and a barely perceptible warmth emanates from its body, suggesting that it appreciates the gesture. Though formidable, Envy responds with an understated yet friendly acknowledgment of your affection. It even nudges Picollo gently with its head, a silent yet powerful gesture of mutual respect and trust.

Pointing out that Drain's familiar saw the other tower has an open roof, as well. 

Uriel:

”Interesting, a riddle with no obvious answer, though it would seem wrath would be a better and more direct guardian than envy to protect one’s castle,” muses Uriel, “Though if people arrive seeking wishes granted, it is more likely to be envy than wrath that motivates them.”

”The queen might not take kindly to someone envious of her free access to some of her castle, though someone with anger in their heart might wish her harm as well.  Wrath, what can you tell us about Envy?  About the queen herself?” asks Uriel.

As he speaks, Uriel seeks to read the creature for reactions to his words.  Does it seem to approve or disapprove of any of Uriel’s observations as he vacillates between speaking well of Envy or Wrath, that he might use that reaction to choose correctly…

Insight:  13

The tiny girl watches as well, for any signs of something that could give the group a clue.

(perception 12)