1. The Cloakwood

Aiwë bows respectfully. "All well and good sir. Just as soon as we see proof that the one who does own these woods has given you permission to hunt here."

Dieter sees nothing wrong, the Druid is trying to evict a man who has just as much legal right to the woods as he does. "Why did Seniyad forbid you from returning?" Dieter asks.

The nobleman scoffs. "Nobody owns land in the Cloakwood. Nobody wants to own land the Cloakwood. Except Seniyad and his fellows, apparently." He waves a dismissive hand. "The Gate often posts bounties on monsters and such that can be found here, and I happen to enjoy such sport."
Aldeth rolls his eyes. "Last time I was here I cut down a few trees to build myself a simple lodge." He gestures to the nearby tent. "As you can see, I decided to go logless this year."

Seniyad tilts his head. "Your logs last time came from the tree of a dryad. She died as a result. You do not belong here. You should not be here."

Stella looks between Aldeth and Seniyad as they exchange.

He just chopped down a few trees? She looks to Seniyad, confused. Even Mama knew trees were a gift from nature, so long as it wasn't in excess, and the trees were replanted...Perhaps some circles were more extreme than oth—He MURDERED a driad?! She looks sharply at Aldeth, eye stars flashing orange.

Even if he decided to use a tent this time, his attitude implied callousness. Was the dryad the 'monster' you were hunting? She folds her arms and bites her lip as she almost voices the thought, eyes narrowed.

"What are you hunting this time?" she asks, as cooly as she can manage, though her distain is rather clear.

"Sneiyad, do you have a problem with Aldeth hunting monsters in the woods or just that he allegedly caused the death of a Dryad." Dieter asks trying to clarify

Sashenstar raises an eyebrow at Stella. "Wyvern. Their growing population threatens the Gate's farms. I-"

The man looks past Stella and blinks several times. "Koveras? What are you doing wandering this forest? Surely you have better things to be about than harassing myself. Ah. Everything becomes clear to me now." He points an accusatory finger at the half-orc. "The Iron Throne has always been... creative in how it deals with its rivals. After you and your band assassinate me, what are you going to call it? A hunting accident?"

Seniyad turns his frown to Dieter. "Allegedly? Her name was Springstep, and he as good as murdered her. Was it to claim a bounty on a so-called 'monster'? I have no way of knowing, but in either case she died because of his actions. He was warned never to return!"

(Insight: Seniyad's eyes keep flicking to the treeline about the camp. Perhaps his words for Sashenstar aren't a direct threat from himself, but a warning that other forest denizens might seek vengeance against the noble.)

The half-orc steps out from behind the rest of the party. "Aldeth. The Iron Throne's business is its own, but you can be sure they hardly care about a low-ranking member of the Merchants' League. Don't flatter yourself."

"Allegedly means that you said he did it but I can’t confirm it personally, I wasn’t there so I can’t say "he killed the dryad" because that would mean I know he killed the dryad which I do not but I also am not calling you a liar either." Dieter explains.

"Aldeth, I would recommend you vacate the woods as it is no longer safe. I think that some woodland beings are actively conspiring to do you harm seniyad not being one of them." Dieter says matter of factly

"Seniyad, you need to reevaluate your claim on these woods. I’d recommend meeting Aldeth in a neutral location to discuss how you can better manage each others expectations. Life and death is natural but murder is not. We can see Aldeth has made some changes to prevent last times mistakes, I think he might be receptive to some regulation and guidance." Dieter suggests

"Nobody is getting assassinated today..." Stella sighs.

Stella relaxes at Dieter's words, narrowed eyes relaxing and eye-starts shifting back to green. He...made a compelling case. And a reasonable suggestion. But words aside, the way he said it seemed almost as uncaring as Aldeth. She purses her lips.

Something went through her mind. They were vague sensations, of escalation, but she could feel tension rising, now and in the future.

"Seniyad, Dieter might be right..." she says quietly, but loud enough for Aldeth to hear she was trying to help find peace. "Any hostilities towards Aldeth, whether you force him to leave, or leave him to the forest, could lead to the Merchants' League or others producing more problems for the Cloakwood and its wardens. But if you can strike an agreement with one of its members, you might have a chance at peace for the forest."

(Using Portent to make my d20 roll a 19, with +1 CHA for a total of 20.)

"'Allegedly' denies the dozens of witnesses who saw his crime, and those who held Springstep while she died. Just because you weren't here, child, doesn't m-"
Seniyad seems to have more patience for his fellow druid, and listens carefully to her words.

"Peace..." he murmurs, and closes his eyes. "There will always be a struggle between civilization and the wilds. But such peace is the Balance we seek."

He nods. "Very well. If the merchant noble is willing, I will speak with him - outside the Cloakwood. For his own safety. Assuming we come to an agreement, I will try to sway those who live here to let him enter." He doesn't smile, but his frown lightens significantly. "The wyverns are a problem, after all."
Seniyad's eyes flash when he overhears this exchange between Aldeth and Koveras, but the patient druid doesn't leap to conclusions. This group has already said they are here to rid the forest of the Iron Throne's presence.

Aldeth Sashenstar rubs his fingers together as he listens to both Dieter and Stella. "You would have my doings be regulated by this man? He has no political or financial power to do so! The gods know if he's ever even wandered out of this forest before and seen the real world!"

He turns his head to one side and mutters under his breath, but eventually sighs and nods. "But I suppose that would make him an expert here... Very well! We'll learn and play by these 'rules'."

The merchant lord turns to his two retainers. "Break camp! We're leaving... for now. The wyverns will still be here when we return."

Aiwë raises her eyebrows at Koveras. With a smirk and an elvish lilt she says, "Oh, the assassins were flattery?"

Seniyad's eyes check the treeline once more. "And none too soon. The forest grows restless."

He turns to the party. "I said I would lead you to the mine, but my duty insists I remain with these... men. However, I will mark the location your map." He does so, assuming Stella's permission. He also notes several other places of interest. "Be wary of wyverns when you cross this river; they know beasts and people pass by there to drink. And stay away from the giant spiders here... A terrible being seems to guide their will."

Seniyad hesitates before giving his last warning. He points to an area near the middle of the Cloakwood. "There are... other druids here. Another Circle. You should have no trouble with them, and might even perhaps seek them as allies. But they are... extremists. Sashenstar thinks me dogmatic and uncompromising. The Shadow Druids would have ended him long before his crime, had they found him first. Take extra care if you encounter them, and be sure to tell them you hunt the Iron Throne."

He singles out Koveras. "I would make no more mention of your association with the Iron Throne, lest the Shadow Druids learn of it. Whether you played a part in the goings-on here or no, they will seek to avenge the wrongs dealt by your kind. You do not want to incur their wrath."

Aldeth Sashenstar takes a moment to speak with the party before leaving. "I recognize what you've accomplished today, avoiding bloodshed." He also checks the treeline, a sign that his confidence is at least partly feigned. "Should you find yourselves in Baldur's Gate, please visit my estate! It is good to know reasonable people in the city. And..." He tosses the party his coinpouch. "As my thanks, and for your trouble."

Koveras' stoic expression turns into a wince. "I... did apologize for that..."

"hey Stella, what’s a dryad?" Dieter asks in a low voice once they get a quiet moment.

Well after our encounter with Mr. smucky noble guy we probably have what..half a day before the iron throne knows we are here Dieter thinks to himself. With luck he will be too embarrassed to say anything but I won’t be counting on that from his paid help.

"Thank you for the apology by the way it was really thoughtful" Dieter says leaning in

Stella is surprised at the sheer amount of coin. She hadn't been convinced he had meant what he said about being compensated. She just hated to see such hostility, especially due to misunderstandings, and...whatever it might have led to. She still felt uneasy, uncertain whether future dangers were abated, but for now, she felt like she had done her druidic duty.

Somehow, they now had inadvertently gained some connections to both the Silvershields and the Sashenstars. She sincerely hoped they wouldn't have to get into politics...from what Caliope had told her about Waterdeep and her family's involvement with the Faunfables and other nobility, it sounded like a royal mess. Er...noble mess?

Quote:

"hey Stella, what’s a dryad?" Dieter asks in a low voice once they get a quiet moment.

"Well, I...don't actually know," she admits. "But I'm pretty sure they're a sentient species with close ties to forests, as much people as any of us. If we have any in the Icewind Dale, I've certainly never seen them, and Mama rarely mentioned them."