The Town Hall was easily the most recognizable building in the town of Dryad Wood.  It was a large, fortified building at the crossroads that comprised of a large meeting hall and had numerous administrative chambers within it.  One could only guess at the numerous documents that were contained within it that documented the town's history and other events.  The building was topped with three very tall towers. The outside two were clearly meant for defense.  However, it did not appear as if anyone was manning those towers today, or perhaps any other day.  The center tower had a timepiece by which the people of the town regulated their lives.<br/><br/>Across the street from the Town Hall was Dryad Wood's covered marketplace.  Today, it was busier than others but that had been becoming more steadily true as more foreigners had been arriving.<br/><br/>At the entrance to the Town Hall stood two men who were clearly intended as guards were in a relaxed pose at either end of the doors.  Swords hung lazily in their scabbards from their sides and they were dressed in scale mail.  They barely moved as the party entered the Hall.<br/><br/>Behind a table were three men that the locals knew well, as they were the town council.  The first was an apparently cheerful gentleman with round brown eyes that are like two splotches of mud. He was bald, but used to have fine, curly, black hair. He had a plump build. His skin was tanned. He had an elegant nose and large feet. However, his wardrobe was bizarre.  Nothing matched despite his claim of it being stylish.  He was one of the local tailors that went by the name of Tomas Pratt.<br/><br/>The second was a gentleman with beady green eyes. His luxurious, curly, alabaster hair was medium-length and worn in an uncomplicated style. He had a thin build and pale skin. His forehead was low and ended in a hooked nose. Yet, his wardrobe was elaborate and classy, with a completely black color scheme.  Locals knew him as the most wealthy man in town, a semi-retired merchant, Guy Dering.<br/><br/>The final man was the local blacksmith, George Forge could remind one of a sturdy tree. He had eyes the color of the evening sky. His luxurious, straight, graying hair was worn in a style that reminds you of a complex device.  His skin was dark and occasionally blistered from his work with steel. He had a small mouth and large hands. His wardrobe was plain but sturdy.<br/><br/>In front of them stood a familiar woman.  Her back side was as elegant as her front.  Her clothes clung to her, yet flowed.  As you walked in, Aerenwyn said, "And here are the people that you will need to send.  She gestured at the party.<br/><br/>Dering looked at the party and asked, "What good will two halflings be?  Or Miranda?  She seems to be having another one of her fits, even as we speak?  And even the others, what world experience do they have?  How do we know that they will be able to discover the cause of these mysterious activities?"<br/><br/>Pratt smiled and said, "He has a point.  We recognize your position but this hardly seems like the correct people."<br/><br/>Forge stroked his chin thoughtfully and asked "Do we question the Gods now?  We asked for volunteers and it appears we have them.  Who are we to determine their destiny?"<br/><br/>Pratt nodded.  "If they wish to go, then I say they should go."<br/><br/>Dering complained, "It seems that I am out voted."  He looked hard at party and said, "If you want to go, the Council has said you may but it must be of your own free will.  Tell us that she has not coerced you in some way."<br/><br/>Aerenwyn's cheeks flushed slightly as she looked at the party.  However, they quickly returned to her normal coloring.<br/><br/>tag - party<br/><br/>(I'm going to assume everyone says that they were not coerced and wish to go.  We can insert other conversation here but I'm going to move past it, as well.)<br/><br/>Once the council was satisfied with the party's answers, Forge said, "Good luck to you.  We shall let Aerenwyn guide you from here.  Report back with your findings."  With that, the Council left the Hall, leaving the party with themselves and Aerenwyn.<br/><br/>Once alone, Aerenwyn said, "I believe that you have many questions.  I will answer them as best as I can before you head to Medford."<br/><br/>tag - party<br/><br/>