Prologue: The Barony of Harkenwold

"Uh, he runs trade with outsiders for Hammerfast."

"Thank you Carlos. Get your letter to me or Holly tonight and I'll see it goes out with the dispatches tomorrow morning," says Emily.

Leo finishes his cup of wine and says, "Any update from Theo and the rest?"

"They left Mithrilfast under escort yesterday. They should arrive at Hammerfast in two weeks assuming they can keep to their schedule," says the Baron, "But one never knows when traveling the Shallows. Hopefully they don't attract any trouble from the drow."

Leo snorts and says, "More like they better hope they don't attract our attention or the captain will give them the old Ranger Hello if they decide to poke their heads out."

"Anything else we need to discuss," asks Symania.

Stockmer holds out his empty wine glass to Holly, shaking his hand at the need for a refill and says, "We've had luck with our inquiries to the cult of Bahamut. They've agreed to send a representative to discuss matters with the Eye. I was thinking of directing them to Fallcrest, assuming you plan to keep to your schedule, Ser Kathryn?"

Kathryn's ears perk up when she hears about Theo, the Ranger leader of the Harkenwold region and Leo's superior. She hasn't had the chance to meet him yet and seems very interested to learn more about him and his mission. The discussion goes into a different direction however and she has to deal with a much more important matter; the Eye of Tiamat, which she's had in her possession for the last few days now. "Yes, we do," she replies. "I don't know exactly when, but we should be leaving Harken in a few more days. We would have already left by now if it wasn't for the Daggerburg attack."

"I understand," says Stockmer. He looks sidelong at his wife and says, "How about it Em? You up for one more message tonight?"

Emily sighs and says, "After supper. I need some food and a rest first."

Stockmer pulls her hand to his lips and says, "Thanks Em, you're the best."

"Flatterer," says Emily, pleased with the attention.

"There's also the matter of a few strange guests," says Stockmer, "The first was caught flying around the wall the day after you were called away by the recent fighting. After leading our men on quite a chase she presented herself to me in my study, asking for the hospitality due to a knight. After some consideration I granted the pixie this request, after which I asked her what her business was in Harkenwold. She claims to be an acquaintance of the Priestess Zoe, with a message for your party from the Court of Stars. I promised to send you to her as soon as you arrived but I'll leave that up to your discretion. She's made herself quite at home in my library, should you wish to seek her out and her name is Ser Cinnamon Cloudbriar."

"Oh, the Petal Knight," says Zoe, "I wonder what she wants now?"

"The second guest arrived this morning, though no one saw her enter the castle grounds. She claims to be a relative of the Stablemaster's wife, a dwarf come to visit from Hammerfast but there's a strange quality to her and it isn't just her golden eyes. Her presence is striking, is the best I can say about it. You'll know what I mean when you experience it yourself," says Stockmer. "She gave her name as Sylvi Stoneshield, but I've never heard of such a clan. I find the likelihood of it being real dubious at best but perhaps you can make heads or tails of it."

Hunter looks around the room in confusion, and then says, "The Petal Knight stated she has business with us. We should go see her first. Will Ms. Stoneshield be staying long?"

Kathryn is excited to hear that a pixie has come to meet the party, although she doesn't seem very surprised by that news. She's much more intrigued by the news that a dwarf has come to meet them however and she rubs her chin while considering who this person might be.

"She said she'd be leaving on business to the west after supper," answers Stockmer, "Though what business she could have in the swamp is beyond me. I admit I worry she may be in league with our enemy but my instincts say this is not so. Either way, I'd appreciate it if you could look into it for me."

Carlos twitches at a certain word uttered by Lord Stockmer and his eyebrows raise and furrow - "...presence is striking, you say?"

"Yes, like she's somehow...more than she appears," answers the Baron, "Anyway, unless there are any questions, don't let me keep you."

"Thank you, Lord Stockmer. Lady Emily, Mr. Lonetree." She stands up and bows to all three of them. "Don't hesitate to call for us if you need our help. We'll also make sure to come see you before we leave Harken."

Stockmer also rises, saying, "Very good."

"Goodbye for now," says Emily rising to stand next to her husband with the help of Holly.

Lonetree isn't proud and stays seated, waving his glass and saying, "I'll see you at supper, I'm sure."

As everyone is rising and shuffling out the door, Stockmer says, "Hold, Leo. I have news I wish to share. The Lord Warden has accepted our proposal. I'll need you to inform Yor-" His words are cut off as the door to the study is shut by the Baron and you guys find yourself standing outside of Lonetree's study with Symania.

What would you guys like to do now?

Outside Lonetree's study, Hunter perks up at Stockmer getting cut off in the middle of his uncle's name, and puts his ear to the door after it closes.

Perception 3
Listen in for the few seconds he can before someone yanks at him.

Will Save 17

Kathryn yanks at the tiefling's sleeve and says, "Hunter! That's not polite! Besides, you can just ask Leo later."

Hunter isn't able to hear anything before Kathryn pulls him away from the door. However, he is there just long enough to feel a wave of cold wash over his skin and mind before leaving immediately thereafter. He recognizes the feeling as a curse, likely set there for eavesdroppers. Other than the feeling there's no visual cue so he's pretty sure no one else knows about it and that he probably managed to shake it.

The tiefling shivers and palms his forehead, cursing under his breath. He breathes a sigh of relief and nods. "Y-yeah. Let's go meet Ser Cinnamon..." His tail twitches at how it must sound for him to say that out loud.

"Magical defenses, uh? That'll teach you to eavesdrop on others. Come on, let's go."

After a short discussion to confirm whether or not they should go meet Ser Cloudbriar first, the Acorn Avengers decide to head to the library.

Hunter bites his lip. "Force of habit. I... Nevermind."

Intelligence 22
A: The doors and windows on this level are warded against eavesdropping.

Symania frowns at her grandson, puts her fists on her hips, and says, "I can't believe you would do that after how kind the Stockmers have been to all of us. You should be ashamed of yourself." Grandma Symania continues to give her grandson a piece of her mind as you all walk to the library, drawing smiles from everyone at that familial banter.

When you guys finally arrive and enter the library, you find a little one foot blonde teenager with gossamer dragonfly wings wearing white plate armor sitting on a large pile of four great big books reading a much smaller book that just happens to be perfectly sized for her little hands.

Ser Cinnamon Cloudbriar:

When she sees you come in, she immediately energetically waves at Zoe and says, "Hello priestess! It's good to see you again!"

Zoe smiles back at the little pixie knight and says, "Hello Ser Cloudbriar. We came as soon as we heard you were waiting for us. But first, meet my friends. Everyone, this is Ser Cinnamon Cloudbriar, Petal Knight of the Sunflower Meadows, in service to the Summer Queen Tiandra."

The little pixie closes her book and sets it down on the table before flying over to see you all better. As she does, the book she was reading begins growing, taking on its proper, human size before she has even begun checking each of you out. Her guileless curiosity soon gives way to the excitement of meeting new people, and as you each introduce yourselves she flies really fast around each of your heads. "It's so nice to finally meet you all! Cinnamon is so happy right now! Yay!"

Hunter's cheeks turn rosy from being humiliated in front of passersby.

---
In the library, Hunter smiles at the little lady flying around.

"Yo! I'm Hunter. It's nice to meet you too."

Kathryn gazes in wonder at the small pixie, having never seen anything like her before. When the tiny knight begins to fly around their heads as they introduce themselves, Kat can't help but chuckle at the enthusiasm the Petal Knight displays and says, "Yes, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ser Cinnamon. I was beginning to wonder if we ever would."

Carlos gives Ms Cinnamon a two-finger salute, followed by "Yo, me llamo Carlos Jalapeno de Muerta an' i'm about as sharp as me hammer!"

"Whoa! Your hammer is sharp!?" The pixie begins furiously flying around Isabella, finally testing the hammer's spike with her finger, saying, "She is sharp! Wow!" She begins pirouetting in the air while Jo and Symania introduce themselves. Introductions out of the way, the fairy wastes no time sitting on Carlos' shoulder, saying, "It's so fun meeting new people! Cinnamon thinks it's the best!" She claps in pure joy and giggles. Carlos finds her surprisingly heavy but he quickly chalks it up to her armor.

Kathryn giggles too but soon realizes that they should get down to business or else their other visitor might get impatient. After recomposing herself, Kat clears her throat and says, "While I would love to speak more with you Ser Cinnamon, we've heard that you had something to tell us?"

"Oh right!" The pixie quickly looks around, about as subtle as a six-year-old human child and says in a long, loud, and drawn out whisper, "Right!" She winks at Kathryn like they are old conspirators before she launches herself from Carlos' shoulder and flies back ten feet. She says, "Okay, here I go!"

The little Petal Knight's eyes glow a bright green and start projecting an image of a beautiful Eladrin woman. Her golden blond hair falls almost to her wast, her lips are redder than the roses Eyton gifted you to ensure safe passage through the Feywild, and the orbs of her eyes are a creamy rich jade. Her long, black gown plunges from her neckline, drawing attention to her large bust line. Added to the silver crown upon her head, it's obvious she is a high born lady, a fact confirmed by Zoe a moment later when she says in surprise, "Queen Tiandra!" She instantly changes her look to a fine dress using her hat and deeply curtsies to the archfey queen.

Queen Tiandra of the Court of Stars, ruler of the Summer Fey:

Of no surprise, stunned by the eladrin queen's beauty, Hunter takes furtive notice of her bust line before making eye contact, turns pale, and immediately bows like a sycophant with everyone else.