Meanwhile, in the Westwoods...

Elwin was a bit surprised by the king's letter, before remembering there was unfinished business with his being knighted. Inside the envelope he found his patent of knighthood, signed and sealed by the king himself as well as the wardens and elders of Lomalos. There were also instructions on seeing a Sir Rokkeek of the Council Hall for training and being formally sworn in, along with a final request.

The last request wasn't too difficult... Elwin had been mulling over what sort of coat of arms he should take, and had already settled on a particular pattern. Taking the pen and paper provided for him in his room, he carefully described the blazon, before checking it and deciding to add a sketch of the design, just in case.

(( Forgive my unfamiliarity with heraldry--hopefully the simple design I made will suffice! You can check out Elwin's new coat of arms here: https://imgur.com/a/INDyxeO ))

Upon meeting with the others and reading the group letter, the young man smiled at the note from Cup, then found himself frowning at the news of Lemmet Naica. While he had never wanted to harm him, it had become clear the youth was incorrigible. In Elwin's mind, it was settled--he had to be brought to justice by whatever means necessary, to face whatever punishment suitable. Not that theft or making his own ale warranted capital punishment; but there were worse, more suitable punishments than death--or at the very least they'd likely be seen as worse by Lemmet.

(( if I may retro: At the end of the day Del can Lesser Restoration away another sniffles, and suggest Raven could Lay-on-Hands away the others. And  Send a short summary to the High Druid that we arrived, shared news, and discussions are underway. Third, nightly routine of strumming up some  Goodberries and distributing. Unless specifically prevented for some reason, each should assume you always have 6  ))

It the morning, Del shows that the Prince sent armor, in place of the sword he returned (with a tiny ribbing to Q - you got a letter, I got a package, but maybe mine is less personal)

He shares some news from Slate City That kitten-head Lord Flaume understated the trouble in Slate City, and skipped how much is caused by the nobles themselves - they are not short of workers - they have replaced the local guards with monsters and the excess people looking for work lets them lower wages. Revolt is brewing, and I would not blame the people, though it probably wouldn't work. And the pirates are real. So there is another trouble spot to put on our list. 

Confirming to Elwin, and bringing Quentin up to speed and letting everyone know The Abbess has had visions as well, tending to think Our Lady's Divine Intercession is affecting my magic, as I had thought as well

Regarding the news from Free City Looks as if we are in danger of being the Mol Wakkers unless we pick something else. Funny how Hooleran asks for help, given how she lectured us for being a bunch of Amateurs...I like the Amateurs as a name better than mole whackers. 

"A most engaging and unique coat of arms," says the aaracokra, bowing to Elwin, as the two armored figures behind him--a half orc and a wood elf--salute. "If I may present myself, I am Sir Rokeek, Knight of the Hall and captain of our garrison here. I have been asked by his majesty, King Celairatar of Lomalos, to oversee your investiture. You may spend your days as you wish, but the next three nights you must report to the chapel to stand a night vigil alone. At the successful conclusion of this charge, you will take the oaths and be invested as a Knight of the Hall. To celebrate, a tournament will be held so that the local errantry may meet you as Sir Elwin, Knight of the Hall, and know you for one of their brethren."

"Ordinarily this is followed by the assignment of a quest," the aaracokra adds, "but his Majesty has indicated that you are already engaged in a great and noble service to the Westwoods, so we will forgo assigning a challenge and let you get on with your current task."

Raven takes her letters back to her room and reads them in private, smiling a bit as she reads them both.  She is glad her brother seems to have gotten something to do, and quickly writes letters back to both her father and mother.

(I will put the letters together and PM to the DM later.) 

Three nights vigil and a tournament Del muses There will be time to fill before we can move on. I hate the delay, but perhaps we can lay the groundwork for our next step. Do we still feel it is investigating the Great Pixie Tree? 

Are there any contacts to the Restorers? I know they do not want to be disturbed, but the news that the Three Trees are under secret attack might change their mind. Unless they are in on the conspiracy....Let's check around if anyone has contact. Also will write seeking help from the High Druid and the Dean of Thamasaille. We are supposed to be close to Yonpinagel and the Tree - how far? 

how about an Insight check? 21

What is near the Hall? I assume some city supports the fancy folk here. We could use furniture for the Cloth Closet, seating for the common area at the bottom level, for travel and for the eventual rescue of the missing kids. Del would like to upgrade his clothes if we keep moving in fancy society - more than the one set of fine clothes and traveling clothes befitting his vanity. And a hip haircut, as a rock star needs.

Also, Del wants to start some magical research of his own. The unintentional change in his magic makes him think about deliberate efforts: what if there was a cantrip that used music to move enemies the way Lord Quentin pushes with his new graviturgy? Sound and thunder and movement are related, aren't they? He will talk with Q and E on how to get started, and there must be bards about if this is a hall of diplomacy

Mindartis smiles when reading his letter, though he is back to his normal, always teetering on the edge of fury, self. He tucks it into his pocket, "A few days to wait wouldn't be that bad, it will give us more time to see if we can find more information pertaining to the issues at hand. Also... there's something I'd like to look into while we wait..."

OOC: Would Quentin know about this tournament would entail? Is it like an armed combat only between knights thing? Or a group vs a large beast? 

"I will gladly help you with any magical questions. I just wish I could quickly get to the free city and back now. I did promise Half a Cup lessons and well, their are some royal matters as well that might require my attention." Quentin remarks with a slight sigh, "Guess it just means I need to learn how to teleport."


History for Tournament:  22

Elwin bowed to the aaracokra, trying to be formal and noble-like as he did. "Thank you, Sir Rokkeek. I will be at the chapel by nightfall for my first vigil."

He idly wondered if his patron would have anything against the procedure, then decided he didn't care. This was progress: he was advancing in the world. While he still felt he needed Orridon's assistance, if it came to it, he'd continue the rest of the way on his own if he had to.

After the captain of the guard had left, Elwin talked a bit with Del. "I agree, it seems like the Pixie Tree would be a good idea. Honestly, the sooner we can find anything out about these kidnappers, the better. And if we can cut off their means of transport, that'll be a huge blow."

He was also more than happy to discuss magic with him when the subject arose. (( If you have any specifics you want to go over, just let me know. ))

(( If nothing else of interest happens before lunch, shortly afterwards Elwin will lay down to nap for a few hours; it would probably look bad if he nodded off on his first vigil tonight. ))

 ((Yonpinagel and the Pixie Tree site are both less than two hours ride away--easy enough to make day trips while Elwin waits to stand his vigil. The city is only a bit over a mile from the tree site.

Insight check?  On Sir Rokkeek?  He seems pleased to be swearing in a new knight, and especially just after the meeting is over and there's nothing much for him to do until its time to prepare for the next one

The Hall stands beside the twin waterfalls plunging into the lake below.  There is a road running from the Hall, past the waterfall toward the Pixie Tree site, but the Hall itself is surrounded only by an area of light forest and meadows, without farms, other tenants or nearby villages. The courts of the Westwoods pay tribute to support the Hall of Courts, and some of those who have come here to serve have donated all their property and wealth...the servants of the hall are like an order of monks, who have dedicated their lives to preserving peace and security in the Westwoods, often after careers as adventurers, warriors or even nobles...though, of course, the hall will take any willing and able to serve, even poor wanderers.

Quentin knows that tournaments are usually contests of arms between knights.  In Ellantar, they often include wizard battles, and magic is permitted (even encouraged) even in the melee battles.  In other places, he knows that magic is not permitted at all, even to the point of checking combatants to make sure they have not been blessed or are carrying a magic item.  The rules of the tournament at the Hall of Courts allow magic so long as it is declared ahead of time, known to the opponent, and is agreed on by the referees.  It's likely there will be a joust, pair dueling, a free-for-all melee battle, an archery tournament, and possibly even some mage dueling if you push for it.))

“Let’s visit the Pixie Tree while we’re here since it’s so close. Hopefully it’ll reveal some clues we didn’t know before.” Quentin will advise to the others also adding, “This is all very exciting Elwin. I love a good tournament. We should all enter. I think it would be very fun. I’m going to try and push for some magical duels so I can have some fun too. Only wish Linteler was in attendance but I can at least impress his sister and have her talk on my behalf.” If the others agree Quentin will get ready to head to the tree with them, if they don’t wish to attend he’ll make the journey on his own and when in the hall push for some magical duels at the tournament. 

Mindartis nods in agreement, "Yes, we should go. Let's hope they're more agreeable if we explain ourselves."

((insight check was for finding people who know how to contact the Restorers or know someone who does, among the diplomats etc over the day)) 

Should we use the sugar as barter in Yonpinagel? They seem like they cannot buy, and I am not sure we can get any leverage on the Restorers. Unless we can buy some gnomish secrets. Or do we save it for better markets?

I think we should at least try to get permission - asking about here or in Yonpinagel, even if it means a day of delay - before we just show up at the Tree.

As for tournament, I'll do maybe a little song contest, but battle for fun is not exactly my jag. I will cheer and apply what buffing is allowed though

Del grins and picks a little example:

The party sets out for the Pixie Tree.  The rain has cleared, and  you enjoy the sunny morning, once you are out of the shadow of the cliff.  Birds flit around the scattered saplings and the few larger trees as you pass, and rabbits and deer skitter through the meadow grasses.  The horses seem frisky, too. Rufus, Rose and Caizana kick up their heels a bit.  Alcari and Oroman are well-behaved always, but they seem in high spirits as well.

Eventually, you notice something in the distance.  It is not very obvious, but the closer you get, the more certain you are that you are seeing it. A large dome rises from the ground, nearly transparent.  Riding on, you eventually come to the edge of the dome, which stops just before overlapping the road.  It seems large enough to hold an entire city. You can see into the dome through the faint, swirling cloudiness. 

At the dome's center, some distance away, stands an enormous earthen mound, covered with spring grass and flowers, with mystical symbols carved into the earth.  Sticking out of the top of the dome are enormous spires of blackened, burned wood--the only visible remnants of the greatest tree that ever grew in Talaveroth. Ringed around the mounds, small at this distance, you see a circle of figures in brown and green robes. To reach all the way around the mound, there must be at least three hundred of them.  You can hear a low murmur of steady chanting, whenever the breeze dies down.

Beside the dome and the road, you see some rough wooden benches and a few stone-ringed fire pits. 

((this means no one we could find had any contact with the restoration crew?))

Before we approach we get well prepared, with the three kids of wood strips we recovered from gingerbread house the sequel as evidence. I don't hold much hope, without prior introductions Del says But let's try to find the shift boss or whatever

(No, sorry. So, how do you go about finding a shift boss?)

Mindartis nods, "After you then."

Elwin eyes the operation with a bit of wonder. The number of people involved in the ritual to restore the tree looked daunting. Experimentally, he poked at the dome with his weapon, checking to see if they were even able to enter without permission.

The dome flexes slightly, as if it's a big, inflated balloon, but a gentle poke of the spear does not seem to damage it.  It returns to it ordinary shape when the spear is withdrawn, no mark left on the magical surface.

"Where are the gnomes?" Quentin asks as he looks around.

Perception: 19

The city of Yonpinagel is about a mile away.  You can see it from here.  There are not any farms or businesses this close to the tree, though the benches and firepits seem to indicate that this spot is sometimes used as a park, and occasionally a campsite. Apart from the chanting figures, the only people you see are cargo wagons traveling down the road.  You can see a bit of a rough trail going through the brush and shrubbery around the dome. If you follow it a little while, you come to a small grove with more campsites, and a sign saying 'Ring For Delivery.'