"So do we want to split up?"  Raven asks. Some of us go to to find a shift boss while some of us head on to the gnome city?"

Del answers I think we deliver our news and continue on to Yonpinagel together. And treat it as that he proposes delivering news from the Council Meeting and our travels, not trying to bluff our way into the circle. Let them ask us to investigate, we can come back and keep applying pressure later

If we agree, Del will ring at the "Ring for Delivery" sign

Hunting around, the party finds a small, very unobtrusive bell attached to one of the overhead tree branches and Del gives it a whack with a stick.  Within a few minutes, a woman appears riding a giant elk. She stops, an expression of annoyance on her face.

"I don't see any supplies, so I suppose you are more curiosity seekers, tourists, or pranksters.," she says.

"Not as such."  raven says with an amused chuckle.  "We have come to bring you information that you will most likely wish to know." She nods to her companions to explain as they know more about the hoops than she does.

"Guildmaster Viggo Quillic Wakabaka Jooboo Mossop Flanget Blagobag just talked about this place at the meeting. We discussed after the meeting about potentially trading with you some of the 1500 lbs of sugar we possess." Quentin responds with a smile, "We are interested in the Pixie Tree. We're certain that those who are kidnapping children, small fey, and gnomes have wood from the tree and is using its magical properties to teleport around to commit these kidnappings." 

The woman listens with surprise, and a touch of skepticism.   "If what you say is true, we would be willing to purchase a couple of hundred pounds of that sugar.  Most of the druids keep talking about how much healthier and better off we are without it, but I know that there are plenty of mages and clerics here who miss their cakes and jam." 

"What you say of kidnapping sounds tragic, and I would like to help, but of course, we have no control over who has wood from the Pixie Tree.  We have called for as much of the tree's actual substance to be returned as possible, to speed the ritual, and many people have brought back staves and carvings and even furniture made from the fallen branches, but others, even among those who love the tree most, are reluctant to give up their souvenirs. It's a tragedy if the tree's wood is being used for such a foul purpose, but entirely out of our hands. We are in the middle of a ritual that is likely to require a century or more to complete, and can't spare people to go running off collecting lost splinters."

I am sorry, to be more clear: we think that the Tree and its equivalents in the Feywild and Shadowfell are under attack now. The conspiracy includes bringing back the Archwitch. Children and small people are being sent to work across the dimensions. These strips Del shows samples are identified by the High Druid of Lomalos as from the roots of the Great World Trees and recently harvested. The Trees are supposed to be guarded in their own planes as well you guard the Barrow, and yet teleportation hoops are being constructed. So it is not a matter of chasing down splinters, it is stopping ongoing attack.

((search is broken so I can't find the details (and do not remember) what the other trees are are called etc. will look through but for now just assume Del knows what he's talking about))

We come because the Restorers had no presence at the Council Meeting, and no one seemed to have the task of keeping you informed. All across the Westwoods people are suffering individual problems, but it seems they are all connected to this conspiracy, part of which was the attack that burned the Blessed Tree in the first place

 ((ah, Everlost and Twisted Trees - Del knew that))

 (Insight roll: 15 )

She does not seem that disturbed.  "I would never doubt the word of Talos Vithan. He is a very powerful druid.  He helped get our ritual started, though he refused to leave his own kingdom and tree to join us permanently.  But he is not here, and I don't know who any of you are.  There have been constant attempts to disturb and disrupt our ritual, and for all I know you are another set of miscreants from the Court of Fools playing pranks, more speculators who want to turn this holy spot into a tourist attraction for Guildmaster Viggo, or even followers of the Archwitch, yourself, trying to gain access to the tree's remains."

"Know this, though," she adds, poking a finger into the yielding surface of the dome.  "The Bubble of Protection bars all access to the Pixie Tree both above and below ground.  There is no way your wood scraps can be fresh.  If the bubble had been breached, the mages who created it would all have been alerted. The only people who can go into the bubble are those who have the proper enchantments and blessing on them, and there are very few of us.  And I can assure you we are all FAR too busy to be dealing in Pixie Tree lumber, as you are implying. Your whole story sounds unlikely."

With that, she turns her elk and starts riding away.

Del won't press further, he wasn't trying to get in, hopefully information will make its way (but of course it won't) to the right people who can pass an insight check. But to the group Which do you think is more likely - that the hag gang can get through the bubble undetected, or that the strips were mined before the Burning? Is there another option? The Archwitch did fly across time in the final chase, pursued by Randal Styles and Thanicles - maybe there is time travel in this mess as well.

"I could send Henry pass the barrier to look around." Quentin suggests, "I doubt they'd suspect an owl." 

I am not sure that you could, Lord Quentin Del replies And not sure you should - no need to get on the wrong side of the Restorers. I feel we will be approaching this mystery from many directions for some time.

Elwin scratched his chin, a bit frustrated. It seemed like the typical arrogance of the high and mighty that would have them presume their barrier impenetrable. Yet, he couldn't wholly fault them--without proof, why investigate the words of some random strangers? Besides, there was the possibility that the High Druid was wrong, and the strips from this tree weren't actually fresh.

More in resignation than trying to be helpful, he muttered, "Well, at least their are two other trees to check out. Surely there's no way the scraps from those could be old?"

((We've slowed down quite a bit! My fault in part, restarting work and playing with my new air fryer and stuff. Do you guys have anything else you want to try here?  Or move on to the city? What do you want to do next?))

Raven is ready to head to the city.  She has not been involved with the hoops at all, so is not all that worried about that part of it.

Del agrees, move on to the city, try the Pixie tree later either from across the dimensions, or with a better introduction (or better luck)

The party mounts up, having left their warning to the unconvinced druid on duty.  You can only hope she passes it on, and that some good may come of it.

The traffic is light, apart from oxcarts carrying cargo in both directions.  The city of Yonpinagel is visible for some time before you reach it, a few giant trees sheltering the spread of buildings below.  It seems smaller than you would have expected by reputation, until you remember that it's a gnome city, and most of the residences and many of the businesses are in the underground burrows.

Entering the city, you see the signs of Yonpinagel's fall from glory since the burning of the Pixie Tree. Plazas and amphitheaters meant to hold hundreds of tourists and travelers sit empty. Closed restaurants and inns are everywhere, and quaint sweetshops are boarded up, with signs in the windows saying 'Closed due to sugar shortage,' though customer shortage is clearly another factor. Souvenir and antique shops are also closed. This isn't to say the city is completely dead.  On your arrival, you are surrounded by an eager group of gnomes, waving signs, and trying to hand you pamphlets while shouting praises of the local attractions. 

"Come see the amazing Palace of Illusions!" one shouts.  "The Great Pixie Tree still lives on among the many amazing visions you will be shown there! View history!  View the future! See the terrors of the Nine Hells! See the wonders of the Celestial Plane! Visit the Underdark, the depths of the sea, the mines of the dwarves, the floating islands of the High Elves, all from the comfort of our theater! Special events by arrangement!" 

Another touts the wonders of the Menagerie. "Dinosaurs from the Halfling Republic! Sand wurms from the Great Desert! White bears from the far north!  Why settle for illusions, when you can see the real thing?"

"The amazing Museum of Monsters!" another screams. "Highly educational! The lessons you learn there may save your life one day! Step into a real dragon's jaws!  Touch the actual claws of a terrasque! Learn the secrets of the Illithids! An experience never to be forgotten!"

You are badgered by representatives from water parks, casinos, bowling greens and archery ranges, as well as a few of shops that are still open.  You can see the Puffball Inn, picturesquely rounded and right on the main thoroughfare, still seems to have business.  There are a few sausage carts along the street and bake shops putting out their fresh bread. You can see an armorer's shop, a weaponsmith, a livery stable with donkey-cart taxis standing by, a shaved ice shop (Sharky's Shaved Ice: Who needs sugar?  Try our new savory flavors: Okra, eggplant, duck egg, dried toad, trout and garden slug!) a general store and a couple of other small restaurants who seem to be surviving on the oxcart drivers' patronage. 

There is also a large square with many spiral staircases under mushroom-cap canopies, leading down into the Great Burrow.  Some of these are sized large enough for medium humanoids.

Apart from its proximity to the Pixie Tree, Yonpinagel is also a river port.  You can see cargo being unloaded from boats onto oxcarts for the trip up the cliff past the falls: and cargo from oxcarts being unloaded onto boats to be carried further down the river.  Little gnome urchins scurry between the burrow openings and the shore, carrying packages to the warehouses, while idle groups of adult gnomes hang around on the riverbank or by the road, occasionally asking the oxcart drivers if they are hiring, or whether they happen to be going to a place where a gnome could find a job, and whether they could hitch a ride.

Quentin looks around kind of sad as he tells the other, “I’ll let you handle the sugar. Please be fair to everyone. I think I’m going to spread my gold around here.” He then speaks too the gnomes in gnomish, “How can I refuse all of this? How much would it be to experience everything you have to offer?” 

Is all of the stuff tourist-trappy? Del kind of wants to expand his range of fine clothes, so as to move in diplomatic circles more comfortably. And some high-end travelers' clothes.

I wonder if we can start up some business? Pay some of these folks to carry sugar as we sell it - we'd probably still be able to show a profit. And is that "Sharky" the one we know or a related franchise? 

If the Hall of Illusions is actually educational, Del might take a professional interest. But he prefers to start with business matters.

Mindartis looks around with mild interest. He wasn't used to so many people hawking goods the way they were, and frankly they all just seemed desperate. He decides to join Quentin. 

The gnomes perk up and all start shouting in unison.  The different attractions have different prices, but for 10 gold, you can get a personal day pass that will let you into any attractions you like for all day.  For 25 gold, you can get a week's pass.

On asking about the educational content at the palace of Illusions, the gnome barker assures Del that it is highly educational.  "Our illusions were created by mages who have actually been to the lands and planes that they depict, so our illusions are highly accurate.  In addition, we have fine actors who reenact historical events as accurately as we are able.  By special arrangement, for a small additional fee, you can arrange to see the dreadful battle and burning of the Pixie Tree performed, or the raid on Dasterus by the dread pirate queen Captain Saloosh, or the defeat of the Arch Witch, or the battle against Grimmerang in Lomalos, or almost any other historical event you care to name!"

((Note on educational content: the menagerie would be a good way to see more animals, for those of you with spells where you can summon only beasts you have actually seen...though I am not too strict on that. XD  An hour in the Monster Museum would allow your character to study and learn all the official details about 5 creatures of your choice--species/types , not specific individuals. So you could study Red Dragons, but not Snarfnozzle the Flamethrower specifically. Though, if you were lucky, you might find someone who had specific info.)

Del finds most of the clothes cheap and touristy, but when he asks, the shopkeeper brightens up and pulls out a rack of better quality stuff.  "Not much demand for them these days," he says, adding gloomily, "Not that much demand for anything, really."