Bram manages to climb out of the hole and flops over onto his back, panting and dirty and still entirely out of breath.  "... Mercy," he pleads, too exhausted to expend breath on a long-winded explanation.  "Trying to hunt down some bandits, but nearly got killed by a gigantic worm with feet instead.  Need a moment here, guys," he wheezes.  He cracks an eye open and looks over at Tanisar.  "Saved my life, you did.  Thanks, friend."

“Blast! That bugger nae loikes  th’ tast’ o’ oor medicine.” Tafod looks up to see the elf approaching and, after he is finished speaking, says, “Weel, fer one wes be foes o’ th’ oron circular scumbags an’ fer two wes be lookin’ fer youse folks.  See wes bes wantin’ t’ rid the folk round ‘ere o’ them circular scum by gittin’ alla folk what’s bes oppressed by’m t’ unite in opposions, smite’m doon hard, ye ken.”  He looks to his companions, “Wes bes th’intermediates say t’ speak.” He thumps himself in the chest. Oi bes Tafod Harare.” 

Quyst bows slightly "I'm Quyst, and as Tafod states we're here to talk with you, Woodsingers. I apologise if we're lacking on proper formalities, but we just avoided death by a hair..."

 "We can't return short one of the group, can we?" he says to Bram with a smile.

As the elf comes out and greets the group, he replies in Elven, "Greetings, Israfen of the Woodsingers and company! May the wind ever be at your back in the hunt" Continuing in common, "I am Tanisar Freeman, troubadour and recorder of history. This is Bram, Tafod, Renewal, and Quyst. As these two have expressed, we have come to this wood seeking an audience with your kin to discuss the growing threat of the Iron Circle. This day, we passed through the village Marl. They had completely obliterated it, leaving only burnt-out frames of buildings, the bodies piled and burnt like rubbish! Will you please allow us to make our case to your leaders for help against these heartless death-mongers?"

OOC: if you need a roll: Persuasion 28

Israfen hears out the heroes and then replies, “This is a matter for Eriyel. Come, follow me.” Two more elves step out of the shadows to join him, and the three hunters lead you to a small elven encampment in a clearing by a forest stream. Hammocks hang from trees and elves flit around the camp.

There, Israfen introduces you to Eriyel, an elf woman of middle years with dark eyes and long green-gold hair. She is the chief of the Woodsinger clans. Eriyel speaks slowly and softly, carefully weighing her words. “Greetings. You are in great haste, that much is plain. What do you wish of my people?“

Bram, still recovering from his wounds, blurts out "A place to rest and a warm meal would be super," before realizing that Tanisar is supposed to be doing the talking, and quieting down while rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably.

Quyst, at first amazed by Eriyel's hair, holds a giggle when Bram speaks. She then looks to Tanisar, also waiting him to be the spokesman for the group.

Eriyel solemnly turns to Bram. “I know you fought the bulette. That was very brave. I offer you shelter for one night to recover from your wounds, if you wish.”

Tanisar straightens up to attention, and salutes: his right fore-arm crossing his chest, fist thumping his left chest. With a slight inclination at his waist and a lowering of his head, he addresses Eriyel, "You are most gracious and your hospitality is received with a multitude of thanks!" He relaxes his stance, though remaining formal as he continues. "We explained to Israfen on the road that the Iron Circle has become more bold as it continues its dominance in this area unchecked. They were at first slowly removing all who oppose them, taking citizens from their homes and businesses while stealing and disrupting the local communities. Try what they may, there continues to be a strong resistance to attempt to subvert their actions. These pockets of resistance have formed together and are striving to stir up the people of Harkenwold! A man named Dar is working in Albridge to gather together those who would oppose these brigands and thieves." Stopping for a breath, and lowering his voice for the solemnity of what comes next, the half-elf continues, "We passed through Marl on the way here, or should I say what was left of it. The Iron Circle killed everyone in the town, piling up the bodies to burn and decimating the village before they took their troops off to Harken Town. We believe that their intention is to gather together what force they have and attack Albridge." At this point, his voice will slowly rise as he continues to attempt to inspire confidence and acceptance of this plan of action, "We intend to stand against them. We have gathered together as many who can hold a weapon, pitchfork, or staff. We are fighting for our freedom to live in harmony with each other. We are fighting for the freedom to live free of the oppression of the Iron Circle! They continue to embolden themselves as they choose stronger targets, but if everyone stands firm against them; THEY! WILL! FALL!"

Taking a breath and regaining his composure, Tanisar continues, "Yet, let's be real. We have many farmers and merchants in our midst. There are more like us, who are capable of fighting. There are more like us, who can stand against an individual or small group. Yet, your swords and bows would lighten the burden that is before us. And, as you can tell from the actions of the Iron Circle, they will be coming to the Woodsingers camp to clear out those who would oppose them. Let us stand together now, in unity! I will compose a ballad of the event that will remind our short-lived human neighbors of what the Woodsingers did during this dark hour! May their memory ever be full of how their neighbors stood with them when they needed friends to resist the evil Iron Circle."

"Will you please join us in this endeavor?"

Persuasion: 23

Performance (dramatics?): 8

Eriyel remains calm and resolute in front of Tanisar. “I grieve for the evil that has come over Harkenwold, but it is not our fight. There could be truth in what you say, evil left unchecked cannot help but spread. They may indeed come for us one day. Still, I deem it better to wait and watch for now. Given time, this Iron Circle may simply move on. As for the people of Harkenwold, many treat the forest without respect, and some fear us. Would they come to our aid, if the situation were reversed? I doubt it.”
Eriyel’s face is full of melancholy. “You ask us to risk our lives for you, and I will not risk the lives of my people without reason. Only if you were to show that you would do the same for us would we be willing to match your selflessness.”
She pauses, surveying your faces. “Tell me, are you truly willing to risk death for the people of Harkenwold? There is a sanctuary hidden beneath a ring of standing stones, near the ruins of an old eladrin village a few miles from here. An evil presence there poisons the surrounding forest. Go there and end this threat, and we will aid you. Otherwise, you must find help elsewhere.”

“O joy!” Tafod expostulated, swinging his great axe gleefully. “More villainous villains an’ miscreants t’ smite! Oy! ‘t is almost as good fun as me birthday.” He looks at the elves, “There be a reas’n ye no kin take care o’ whate’er beasties lié hidden inner th’ groond, why bes it tha ye no kin rid yersel’s o’ this thing? Far folk bes fier’some warriors, tha’ bes known.” He looks questioningly at Eriyal.

"Ahem, uh, what our fearless Tafod means to ask is what can you tell us about the sanctuary and the 'presence" that threatens the forrest? For surely, we are willing to show our own intention of helping our neighbors through this act."

Eriyel’s eyes are momentarily touched by anger at Tafod’s remark. “We will not force you to do anything against your will, nor should you try to do the same to us.”

She gently smiles at Tanisar. “Wizards have long used the sanctuary as a private place to conduct magical research. Now, an undead mage lurks in the sanctuary. He has allied himself with the Daggerburg goblins, our hated enemies. Defeating him would be a great service to us. The sanctuary lies underground, but pouring dragon’s blood onto a pedestal located in the ring of standing stones opens a portal there. I can provide you with a vial of green dragon’s blood, which we obtained at great cost. The vial contains only enough for three journeys, so use it cautiously. If you choose to do this, I will give it to you as a sign of our trust.”

„Listen, we‘re adventurers, but we‘re people first,“ Bram says to Eriyel.  „Some became adventurers maybe because we‘re looking for a little immortality in song and deed, kinda like what Tanisar just showed us.  But at the end of the day, we‘re all still mortal, and we‘re all gonna die someday.  Some of us sooner than others.  And maybe not even having those song about us written yet.“. *Or proving anything to our families,* he thinks offhand.

“There really isn‘t a huge chance any of us will do deeds here that will go down in history, like Brombeard Oakenshield The Strong, or any of the other heros of legend we were weaned on.  But that doesn‘t stop us from trying.  Maybe even those of us who are so short lived try so hard to show what we can do with the time we‘re given.  It‘s in our nature to push for greatness, that‘s why we chose to live this way.  And I can‘t think of anything greater than using the time I was given to preserve our civilization, from whatever evils threatening to destroy it.  Iron Circles, Bulettes, Undead Mages?  They‘re all worth it, so long as you‘re still fighting the good fight.  If you don‘t even try to help other people with your time left, well... that‘s when you really start dying, least in my opinion.  So yeah, we‘ll risk our lives to help you.  We‘re adventurers, after all!“

“Very well then.” Eriyel says. “You may be brave, but it would be foolish to confront the mage while you are injured. Rest here, then leave once you are healed.”

 "We look forward to the welcome rest this evening." As others begin to disperse after the formal discussion, Tanisar asks Eriyel, "Are there any musicians here who might be willing to teach me some of your songs? I'm always seeking to learn new music to play!" he adds with a smile.

OOC: not sure how much time we'll spend before we "cut scene to the morning", but Tanisar will spend the downtime playing music and talking to discover as much as he can about the mage, the sanctuary, and the history behind it. Feel free to roll any rolls that you determine to be necessary.

Quyst will use her downtime to explore the camp. It's her first time in an elvish settlement, and she's curious. She's not the kind to talk a lot to strangers, but her ears are open for any info if someone is talking about anything interesting.

After eating heartily, Bram will collapse face-first onto the first thing resembling a soft mattress and fall into a deep, dreamless sleep as he recovers from his wounds.

Tanisar joins in with the elves, conversing and playing music. He finds out that the evil mage inhabiting the sanctuary is named Yisarn, and he is working with the Daggerburg goblins, sworn enemies of the Woodsingers. The sanctuary is due East from here, easily visible from the road.
Soon, it is time to rest for the night. Woven hammocks are brought out and set up for you to sleep in. One by one, you fall asleep. The night is loud with the sound of wind and the hours of owls out here in the forest.

In the morning, Eriyel presents you with the flask of dragon’s blood. The silver liquid shimmers in the light of the rising sun. “It is time for you to depart and go to the sanctuary. Farewell, for now.” Elven hunters lead you to the road, then disappear into the shade of the forest again.

"Thank you m'lady" Tanisar says as she delivers the flask. Upon being shown the way down the road, he bids the elves good day and turns to his companions, "Well, that was a fun night! Let me tell you what I learned...." and he shares all.