"Well the sooner we can get to hyrantar, the sooner we can return to clear out the bandit camp. Is everyone up? Maybe we should get moving."

“I agree!” Exclaims Thurston and grabs his gear. “ I am ready if you are my friends.” He says with one of his backpack straps around one shoulder and the hammer over the other one. 

Dorno asks Vark "who is your friend?"

Archibald still grumbling about breakfast agrees with the plan and what everyone is saying.  “I’m ready to move when you are.”

"Oh... uhm, well his name is Aureaonus. he's a giant, who lives at the top of the mountain my tribe lives on. Well, he did. I'm... not quite sure where he's at now..." he says solemnly. 

The wagons continue down the woodland track, the forest growing ever denser as they go. They see no further sign of bandits and mid afternoon they clear the hills and enter into the forest proper. A short while later in the time it takes to blink they go from wandering slowly through the forest to surrounded by elves, bows drawn and watching the foreigners warily. An especially tall elf with long blonde hair and ice blue eyes approaches the front wagon carrying a long curved sword outstretched before him. He wears an ornate shining breastplate emblazoned with a tree in front of a setting sun.

"Why do you trespass in Eldren, outlanders?"

Archie steps up “The name is Archibald Swiftstep, we are here to bring supplies and news from Sheercleft.  He uses his hand to push the sword out of his face.  These are the supplies to help defend against the bandit problem and what other things are lurking in the dark.  We have come across some of these bandits just to get here.  Along he way we found a battered carriage with your emblem on the side.  He waves for Val to show it as proof.  We believe Irithiel has been attacked and captured and intend to free him once delivered these supplies.  Have you seen him lately?  .... But the main question is. Do you have anything to eat?” He looks around at all the bows spinning around.  “Anyone?”

The elf's eyes narrow, but he sheaths his blade.

"Irithiel never returned from Sheercleft. We feared he had been betrayed, those who killed him could just as easily carry that crest, but then you would have no reason to trade with us."

He hesitates and thinks, before signalling to his men, who lower their bows.

"We will escort you to Hyarantar. You must speak with Lady Lelfaer."

The elf ignores Archie's request for food. However, as the wagons start moving again an unknown elf tosses the gnome a piece of elven traveller's bread. He is unable to identify where it came from.

"I don't know how you do it." Vark whispers down to Archie as they begin moving again.

Archie taps his finger on the side of his nose twice and winks at Vark as he holds up the mystery bread.  And follows the lead while munching away.

The bread is sweet and pleasant tasting and soon the caravan is moving again. A number of elves peel off, disappearing back into the woods and leaving the convoy with a six man escort, including the leader. Many walk with their bows out and an arrow nocked low in front of them, although it is unclear whether they are expecting bandits or wary of the strangers.

It takes a few hours to cover the remainder of the way through the eerily peaceful pines to Hyarantar and by the time the caravan draws near the sun is low in the sky, sending rays of golden light filtering amongst the tall, slim trees in the pre-twilight. Finally, they pass through a curtain of what had appeared to be a dense thicket of bushes into a small clearing that had been otherwise impossible to spot from the outside - an elven Glade. It appears only to be a small hamlet - a stable building here, a smithy there, but no real houses or living areas - that is, until one looks up. Broad tree trunks are scattered about the Glade, around which narrow, vaulted staircases are encircled, running ever upwards into the forest canopy. The fine structures are woven in ornate patterns of wood and almost blend right into the tree, as though they have been grown from the forest itself. High above, elves move from tree to tree on hanging walkways where slender dwellings and a great wooden hall glow with soft golden light.

"Welcome," the lead elf says, with a smug grin, "to Hyarantar."

Valaith tenses at the sudden appearance of the armed elven war band, her breath suddenly fogging in the air as her grip tightens upon the haft of her hammer before Archie steps forward and engages in a duel of words. She removes the wooden seal and throws it to the elven leader, keeping her eyes sweeping over the archers surrounding the caravan. She lowers her weapon when the elves lower their bows, but she does not relax her awareness and her eyes constantly sweep the group for any signs of aggression as they are escorted further into elven territory... that is until they enter the city...

Valaith had never seen anything like it before and was instantly dumbfounded by the beauty of the city. She stops walking, ignoring the smug elf, and simply... stares at the wonder around her with her mouth unabashedly hanging open in awe. "...how?"

“By Thor’s goats” says the paladin in awe seeing the elf settlement. Having seen that his new companions do pretty well with talking and diplomacy he let them lead the way and enjoys the sight of the elven architecture.

Archie follows the elf who spoke to him originally.  “I never got your name. Wonderful architecture you have here, how long did it take to make this?  It’s really beautiful that you live in the forest but do not impede it.  Where is this lady Lelfaer?  I’m assuming she is the one we will discuss payment for going back out and securing Irithiel.  Is that smoke over there, must be cooking something.  Where would you suppose we will be spending the night.  Are there places for personal trade too or is that open just city to city.  That’s a lot of steps you expect me to climb with these short legs. “Never taking a moment to breath but also not really letting the elf respond to all of his questions.  Archie is spinning as he walks and talks, taking in all the sights.

As the party is surrounded and the forest seemed to close on them with arrows and blades, Bründir takes a cautious step back and reflexively rests a hand on the pommel of his sword, "Well....shite."

As the party moves on, Bründir takes a moment to draw his sword, but keeps it on his lap to keep it in a peaceful view. When the clearing opens to Hyarantar, the sight takes his breath away for a moment, "Well...shite," he says with a nod.

Vark is characteristically silent as he takes in the sights with his mouth dropped wide open. As they walk through, Vark's walk slows to a stop, and he stands in the center of the glade gawking up at the trees. After a few moments he realizes the group is still moving, and rushes to catch up with them.

"My name is Gadron," the elven ranger replies stiffly. "Come, we must not keep my Lady waiting."

Gadron leads the party slowly up a winding staircase into the village built amongst the forest canopy. Once they reach the top they are led along a narrow walkway that sways gently with the breeze high above the forest floor and into an enormous wooden hall, built of pale wood with high vaulted ceilings and soft organic arches. Warm light emanates from within and inside a broad set of stairs leads up to a long banqueting table set in front of a small dais at the back of the room, upon which two elves sit in ornate wooden chairs, the backs of which look like they have been grown of naturally interweaving branches. One is male and looks serious, thought not unfriendly, with a head of messy shorn golden-blonde hair and vibrant green-gold eyes. The other is an impassive and stunningly beautiful female with a voluminous mane of blonde hair that verges on white and the same ice-blue eyes as Gadron. Both wear the fine clothes of elven nobility and rise from their chairs as Gadron leads their guests in.

"Who do you bring before us Gadron?" The woman asks, her voice is rich and tinged with impatience. "Is there news of Irithiel?"

Archibald brushes past Gadron before he can speak he shakes the hand of the man and then the hand of the Lady, and obviously goes in to kiss the hand. “ An exquisite city for an exceptional Lady.”As he walks back to a respectable distance and paces back and forth “Hello, I am Archibald Swiftstep, this is Brundir, Dorno, Val, Thurston, and Vark.  We are representatives from Sheercreft.  We bring many supplies that were requested in the trade between our two communities.  We found evidence of an attack on Irithiel’s carriage.  When we spoke to him in Sheercleft we made arrangements for us to deal with the bandit incursion.... we were saddened at the sight of the attack on his convoy, but determined to put Hyarantar’s needs as a whole first. Once we rest and resupply we will go at once in an attempt to save him.  we can discuss the payment for the rescue later if you wish.  I’m assuming you have some sort of quartermaster to outfit us with what we need... and perhaps a baker?”

At Vark's response concerning the giant Aureaonus, Dorno perks up. "Your friend is a giant?  Is he nice?  Don't be sad.  I would help you find him, if you want.  I like to help!"

As they enter the forest, Dorno smiles widely for a long time as he enjoys the sounds of the birds and the sun breaking through the tops of the trees.  Despite spending most of his times in such places, he looks almost as giddy as someone who has never seen such beauty before.  When the elves surround their caravan, Dorno just smiles at them and waves from his spot on the wagon, seemingly unconcerned at the potential threat the others are cautious of.

Upon arrival in the elven city in the treetops, Dorno's eyes grow wider than ever.  He's one step away from bouncing up and down with excitement.  He chimes in simply with "see, elves are nice and are friend to the forest." He adds, "most of the time," dropping his smile a bit and seemingly thinking of past experiences.

As the noble elven woman first speaks, Dorno simply calls out "hello Lady!" "You can call me Dorno."

Retcon: Vark looks surprised at Dorno's enthusiasm, and over the next 15 or so minutes, Vark tells Dorno of his friend. Aureaonus is a storm giant who lived at the peak of Endelfjell. The last time Vark saw him, he was being attacked by a trio of large humanoids who commanded wind and lightning.

Vark bites his lip with anxiety as Archie does his usual thing, hoping that the elven royalty wouldn't take offense to the gnome's brashness. he watches their faces for any reaction they have to the introduction

Insight: 9