"Look, Zeetin!" Zeenon says. "A yellow bird!" The warforged points from his perch on the wagon into the trees.

Peace, having learned from the pumpkin incident puts his hand on Zeenon and says, "Ah, that's lovely Zeenon, let's enjoy looking at it from here, so we don't scare it.  I bet if you ask Rowan nicely, she may take a picture of it for you."  

Peace has pondered this issue for a bit.  He wants to follow Dain to see where he's going, but then he remembers his job: to keep everyone out of trouble, ESPECIALLY with the Wardens.  "I think we should meet the Warden as well.  We absolutely need to stay on their good side."

The journey to the Wolfwood Grove takes you even further into the forest, deeper than perhaps some among you would care to. As you go in deeper and deeper, you see that this part of the forest seems as old as Khorvaire itself. The weathered, gnarled trunks of the trees seem ancient and the canopy above you grows ever thicker, so much so that Zeenon eventually needs to hunch his massive frame over to avoid getting thwacked by the branches.

You are met by Brother Halkhad, the otherworldy-looking Kalashtar who is also the agricultural advisor to Havenglen. He has long braided brown hair and big hazel eyes. "Welcome. We were expecting you. The birds foretold of your arrival. Archdruid Teollin will see you. Please follow me. Unfortunately, your wagon must remain here. It will however, be well protected. By the trees itself."

He leads you silently to a large clearing where a thin delicate looking elf, with hair so blond it is almost white is lounging on a bed made of moss, grasses and leaves.He looks a bit haggard, and you can see some sort of poultice or balm spread across his chest and neck. He is attended to by Sister Wynrora, the elf you met earlier, and a newcomer. He is a dwarf, and he looks at you with interest. He has long, fiery red hair, a kindly smile, and little bits of twigs and leaves are littered throughout his beard.

Teollin raises his hand in greeting you, wincing in obvious pain. "So many visitors to our Grove! First the d'Vadalis clan, then our dear friend Brother Berdor, and finally the esteemed gentlemen and lady of the press. You will forgive me if I do not get up, as I am still recovering from one of the first attacks upon this grove. Which, I suspect you are here to discuss, yes?" He runs a long finger along his jawline. "I suspect you will not be happy with my answers, but you may ask your questions."

Sister Wynrora, the younger elf whom you met earlier turns and looks to Berdor. "Forgive me, Archdruid, but should we discuss this with Brother Berdor present. He is not a Warden, nor is he native to the Reaches."

Theolin smiles. "Such a mother hen, Wynrora. Let's let our friend Berdor speak for himself, eh? Well, dwarf, what brings you here?"

Berdor looks to everyone gathered in the clearing and the new comers who just entered. He could tell they did not grow up in the woods as he, but that doesn't bother him! With a cheery smile and rosy cheeks, he responds to Theolin.

"Thank you, I respect your graces and allowing my arrival. I have traveled long to arrive here. I may not be a Warden...nor from around this wood...but I grew up in the wilds indeed. I come to offer my assistance. A merchant friend told me of these unheard of attacks by beasts. I have worked with wild creatures all my life, and have never heard of such tragedy. Something must be amidst and wrong for these attacks to happen. So, with your blessing, I'd like to investigate the attacks. I am not honored to be called a Warden, but I can hold my own and prove my intentions!"

Berdor looks to those introduce as the press, "My, quite a lot you are! My name is Berdor Burrowfound, druid by day and....well, I guess druid by night as well. I suppose druid all around, with a passion for the great outdoors and forging for new ingredients to whip up an excellent meal. Scrappy always told me that the finest meals are the ones with the most dirt." Berdor says enthusiastically. He reaches out a mud crusted hand to be shaken. 

Korvash bends down and shakes the dwarf's hand. "Welcome to the Reaches, Brother Berdor," Korvash says with a smile.

Breyten gave the dwarf a friendly smile, wave, and "Hello..." but seemed to be preoccupied with his surroundings. Ever since arriving in the woods he had felt unnerved at this feeling of being home, but now there was something more and as he focused he began to hear what sounded like the voices of hundreds of it's inhabitants. It was unsettling and he was doing his best to keep his composure. 

"It's very interesting how you've used your magic to make the animals speak!" Breyten said to the gathered druids, his voice raised a bit due to trying to talk over the voices of insects, birds, and other small mammals in the grove. 

Ironically, the big warforged with dried pumpkin innards smeared up and down its front points at the dwarf's hand and intones, "Dirty."

Berdor takes the hand of the dragonborn and gives a firm and honest shake. 

Berdor may be able to deduce what Breyten is experiencing, as he looks in all directions. Berdor hears the same critters and noises as he, but he has heard these noises for longer they Breyten it seems...so he's had time to hone on this skill. Berdor says to Breyten "Ye know, I find nature soothing to just...listen to. But it can be overwhelming to take it all in at one time. I really enjoying just listening to the birds sing their love songs...then move your ears on to the flapping of the butterflies as they effortless float through the trees. Take it in, one sense at a time, and just....listen. The animals have much to say!" Berdor gives Breyten a smile and a wink. 

The large warforge is a sight Berdor has not seen yet. He does notice the pumpkin smeared on the front, looks down at his own hands and laughs. "Yes dirty I be. When forging you also find lots of dirt, but that just adds to the dishes I whip up, adds a great earthy flavor to soup you can't get anywhere else! Ye be dirty too there (takes a large whiff) by guess of sight and smell you stumbled into a pumpkin patch. Those go delightful with a handful of mushrooms and a sprig of herbs in a hot soup." 

Breyten listens to Berdor's words but his face twists in confusion, but not wanting to offend he simply smiles, "Thanks, I'll guess I'll do my best to get used to it" he then looks back to the other Druids, "We are here following Bilick the dwarf, he was brother to Dain. He rode an ass in here not long ago. We wanted to get permission to follow as it seems strange that he'd enter the woods in times such as these"

The elderly tiefling with worn armor looks down at the new seemingly excitable dwarf.  He unhesitatingly sticks out his hand and takes the newcomer's grubby one.  "Greetings, friend.  I am Peace Haran.  I also love sitting in nature and spending time in meditation, studying the plants and wildlife.  I appreciate your hospitality in these times!  As far as the walking pumpkin crusher, we had a bit of a mishap earlier in the field.  He's a very curious sort."  

Upon hearing that Breyton is hearing the voices of the animals, he says, "I'm glad you are taking the time to enjoy the sounds of nature, though I admit I am surprised to hear you wax poetic about the chirping of the birds and the skittering of tiny feet."

As Breyten makes his comment about hearing the animals in the forest, Teollin and Wynrora exchange glances. 

"You are the...gifted young man Sister Wynrora told me about. I have lived many of your lifetimes, and I have not met any whom the fey had bestowed powers upon. Tell me, do you know much of the being who granted you these abilities?" He studies Breyten for a moment, then tries to sit up, but fails and sinks back down to his elbows, hissing a sharp intake of breath as he does so.

Listening to Berdot and Breyten make their request, the old elf smiles. "Sister Wynrora had undertaken a very thorough investigation. You are welcome to continue the investigation, but I do not know where you will find more success than she did. Sister?"

The female elf looks at you skeptically. "Our brothers and sisters have all used their abilities and have not been able to find any sort of creature within these woods that was responsible for these attacks. Brother Halkhad investigated the townspeople extensively. No one among them had any window or the knowledge to pull off these attacks. Even Samuel Inish, whose feelings towards the Wardens are very clear, was cleared. The attacks began when the shifters arrived, and the large one was found with the body of the dwarf who was supposed to watch him. We have made the case. Archdruid Oalian will decide the rest."

Teollin speaks softly, but somehow, each of you hear his voice swirling around you. "My dear sister, we are not so close-minded as those in town believe us to be. All of you, including you, Brother Berdor, are free to continue your investigation, in whatever manner you see fit. I do ask that you be discrete. The Vadalis family is here, and I would...prefer they not be brought into this case, as you would you yourselves, I believe. And the townspeople are scared and just want this to be over. I pray to the Gods that it is." Teollin suddenly sits up and his icy blue eyes settle upon Rowan. "I do have a request, though. Sister Rowan. I believe I knew your parents a long time ago. I would that you stay with me, child, and speak for a while. You are not a Warden, but you know much of our ways. It would do an old elf good to speak to the child of old friends. Besides, I am giving you Brother Berdor. Since the two of you are working to  the same purpose, perhaps it makes sense for you to travel together."

Rowan looks at you all uncertainly, but you can see she is positively vibrating with excitement. "Gosh! I mean, yeah! Oh wait....Mr. Whiskers? I mean, he wants photographs, right?" She thinks for a moment. "Zeenon! Zee, big buddy -- do you think you can take some photographs? Its easy! I mean, its not easy, but if Masterpiece can do it, you can. You just look into the little window and press the button, right?" She presses the camera into the warforged's hands, cringing a bit as she feels the sticky pumpkin bits. "I'm sorry, guys! But a chance to talk to an Archdruid? I just can't!" She makes a high pitched squeal. "I'll catch up with you guys later!"

At the mention of pumpkins, Zeenon says, "Big and orange." It watches the dwarf curiously until Rowan presses her camera into its hands. The warforged looks down at the device, holding it awkwardly. "Press the button," it repeats.

Peace smiles at the girl's enthusiasm, but then frowns.  I'll think of what to tell Whiskers later.  I doubt he'll be surprised, or care overmuch if we bring him pictures.  "We tremendously appreciate your kindness, Wardens.  I appreciate your wisdom as well.  I admit to having no idea who could have done this or how, but something about this feels wrong to me.  I can't promise we'll be staying out of the woods, so is there anything besides a murderer that we need to be concerned with?"  Pausing for a moment, he asks Rowan "Are you going to be returning with us at the end of this assignment or are you planning on staying here?  I need to know where to send your last payment if you are planning on staying, and I know your perception of time is... stretched out."

Korvash wishes Rowan well, and thanks the druids for their hospitality. "Yes, Peace is right," he adds. "We may not be able to avoid these woods, but we will try to get to the bottom of this as best we can." Pausing for a moment, he continues, "We found distinct claw markings on Dain's body that would not resemble any attack Beard could make. We believe Beard is innocent, but we cannot entirely clear the shifters." As they mention the Vadalis house, Korvash sits down and contemplates. I wonder if the druids are trying to hide something... whether the Vadalis family is somehow responsible for this?  He will meditate, just to clear his mind and absorb himself in the beautiful nature around him, until someone nudges him to leave.

 ^Metagamey thoughts

The druids look at each other. Brother Halkhad finally speaks to answer your question, Peace. "There have been some...err, reports of a fae in the woods. A few of our own have had encounters with it. It is less malicious and more mischievous. Things like you fall into a magical slumber and wake up without your clothing or it teleports you to Greenheart. Brother Lawrence's gender was changed after he drank a tea laced with...something.  Some of our own are trying to determine why it has strayed so far from the Twilight Desmene, but we have not been successful. I doubt you will encounter it, but be on guard nonetheless."

Rowan gives Peace a big hug. "Honestly, who knows? I really want to learn more about the Wardens, but I'd miss you guys. Especially Zee." She leans in. "Just be careful. Whiskers is our boss an' all, but we're making ourselves targets a bit. I'll be safe enough with the Wardens, but you all need to be careful. Just make sure Zeenon gets a little exercise. He gets more eccentric than usual when he doesn't have stuff to do."

Sister Wynrora watches the Dragonborn skeptically. "He lacks claws yes, but he could fashion a weapon easily with his knowledge. Or perhaps he is covering for someone else." She strokes her chin and then leans down and whispers something to Archdruid Teollin. The older elf nods and Sister Wynrora faces you all. "Please excuse me, I have other duties to attend to, and Archdruid Teollin needs to rest. Brother Halkhad can show you the scene of attack from this morning if you wish, or he can answer any questions. He's already spoken to the gnome from The Korranburg Chronicle as well, so he is used to such frivolities. Good day." 

Halkhad laughs nervously. "Please forgive Sister Wynrora. She is usually quite lovely. You caught us at a stressful time. How can I help you?"

There's suddenly a flash of light. Everyone looks, and the warforged's extended finger is hovering over the camera, which is pointed at everyone's feet. "Zeenon press the button."

"I know, I know... there are so many variables, it's hard to tell," Korvash rubs his temples as he speaks. He is suddenly snapped out of his meditation by the flash of the camera. Visibly frustrated at first, the anger soon leaves his face as it is replaced with calmness. It's just a Zeenon thing to do, he tells himself.

Peace smiles down at Rowan and hugs her back.  Easily distracted, this one, but she's a good kid.  And wiser than she had any right to be at her age.  "I'll keep that in mind.  And I'll make sure to keep Zeenon busy!"  Peace would also hear Sister Wynora's words and bid her a polite farewell.  

To Brother Halkhed, "It is good to know that there is a fae wandering about.  They can be delightful creatures, but more often they are terrifying.  What kind of other activity has it been up to?  Is there any reason to believe that it may have an involvement in this particular case?  I know their motivations can be difficult to pierce, but if anyone can do it, it would be you, who are most in tune with the forest."  Pausing for a moment, Peace then notes, "I know it's possible that Beard made a weapon which could cause the injuries we saw, but since he was apprehended at the scene, would it not have still been on his person?  We can talk as we walk to the scene of the murder, if you wouldn't mind."

Breyten didn't like the thought of a Fae walking about the woods with them, they were notorious for having interpersonal conflicts, and if this one didn't like his patron that might cause issues. However, he couldn't do anything about that now, they needed to visit the scene. 

"Rowan, take care of yourself" he said with a smile, "We should get a move on"