And so it begins...

Nestled amidst gentle hills and verdant forests, Willowbrook is a serene haven. Cobblestone streets wind their way past charming cottages adorned with vibrant flora, while the scent of fresh pastries mingles with the lively melodies of street musicians in the bustling Marketplace Square.

At the heart of this quaint town stands "The Dancing Raven," a tavern and adventure guild. The guild emblem is of a raven holding a sword and bow in its talons. The guild is run by Elden Stonehelm, a grizzled, retired adventurer. He and a few others keep the place to themselves.
Inside the guild, parchment boards line the north walls, displaying contracts that range from simple escorts to thrilling expeditions into ancient ruins or defending against marauding creatures. The west wall is a full, sturdy wooden bar, and a few patrons currently sit nursing an ale. The middle of the room holds a half-dozen sparsely crowded round tables.

The group is sitting at one of the tables, enjoying dinner and a strong drink, and discussing what to do next.

Elden enters the room, then looks around the guild. He spots the group and heads over. "Gots a job for you. If you are interested,. It should be quick."

As he spoke Elden noticed a pair of golden eyes opening through the thick cloud of pipe-smoke in the corner. They belonged to the wanderer known as Eye of the Storm, an odd name for an odd species, for the ranger was one of the Tabaxi, the cat-men of the deep forests. He had a broad tankard in front of him, and an open bag of pipe-weed that continuously fed his long-stemmed pipe and filled the room with herbal fragrance. His legs were stretched out before him, his mud-caked leather pants ending to show large bare paws resting on the table. A travel-stained cloak of heavy dark-green cloth was drawn close about him, and in spite of the heat of the room he wore a hood that overshadowed his face; but the gleam of his eyes could be seen as he watched the innkeeper intently. At his side a second pair of eyes opened, near identical but belonging to a night-black panther. Stirred by her master's alertness, Darkcloud lazily regarded the grizzled innkeeper.

"Quick.... But not easy?" the cat-man inquired, his voice a growl of distrust. The Tabaxi had many strengths, but trust in men was not among them..

Seated with her legs draped off the edge of the table so as to keep her dirty boots off the space where the group had their meals and beverages, Briar had been amusing herself with one of the ball bearings she kept on her person in case of emergency. She had been juggling it between her hands and attempting to run it around her wrists and arms in some sort of delicate dance between her sips of ale.

"How can quick not be easy?" She chirruped as she tucked the small shining piece back into its storage place.

The fairy tucked a collection of her short, jaw-length hair behind her elongated ears, allowing the firelight to glint off the string of piercings. Fluttering her absinthe wings with a stretch, she looked from her companions to Elden expressing interest in hearing further details by means of an engaged expression.

Decked in her usual traveling gear all in earthen browns and greens, she donned breeches of leather that met their end inside of calf-length boots. A flimsy and well-worn bodice of leather protected her core but left her collarbone bare. The tunic beneath her corset hung loosely off her shoulders and ballooned around her elbows, gathered at the forearm into light bracers. Exposed by the nature of her attire, the inky leaves that decorated the fair skin across her torso could be seen to rapidly flutter excitedly for a moment as Elden made his announcement before returning to their usual state of calm waves.

Couth has kept to himself and quiet as he sat with his priestly clothing on. Semi tall with some scaring on his face showing he has been in battles before, he only sipped his drink. Appears he has been just killing his time in thought.

Consider there is yet to be more conversation, Couth only nods to let Elden know that he was heard.

Ashtar looked around at the motley crew as Elden approached. Being down on coin was the worst inconvenience in life, but needs must. They all seemed uniquely qualified, despite their strange looks. Ashtar himself tended to stick out in a crowd. Dressed in fashionable blacks and red with his pale complexion and a dark mop of hair, he was used to the glances the peasants threw him. It helped that he was once a star of the theatre.

But those days are long past, and he now awaited Elden with impatience.

"Aye, listen 'ere! A bunch o' them wandering merchants, they came a'knockin' 'round these parts a few sunsets ago," the dwarf gruffs, snatching a bit of roasted potato from a nearby plate with his sturdy fingers.

"At the start, they seemed a jolly lot, all smiles 'n trades, offering up their oddities and whatnot," he grumbles, letting out a sigh.

"But by the beard of my ancestors, it's gone sour! The folk 'round their camp, the farmers and such, they're riled up like a pack o' angry mountain goats," he grumbles, taking a hearty swig from a random ale mug he grabbed from the table.

"These traders, they've turned the nights into a proper mess! Loud tunes, brawls breakin' out like thunder, and their lass is temptin' folk wanderin' about," he growls, pinching the largest part of a sausage from another's plate.

"The townsfolk've had enough of this hullabaloo! They're wantin' these lot to pack their wagons and be gone, and that's where you lot come in," he declares, pointing around the table with emphasis. "Off you go, talk to 'em, but mind yer tongues! Convince 'em to clear off, and do it with a touch o' grace, if yer able."

"Giving peasants a talking to?" Ashtar's face soured. "How many folks might you be speaking of? Is that the reason why we need to mind our tongues?"

Honing in on the possibility of some sort of unique trinket, Briar stood and excitedly inquired, "What kind of oddities?"

As much as the task was a directive to solve a problem, it was never outside of her whims to try and magpie away with something new in her possession. She bounced with eagerness at the prospect of the small-scale adventure that could potentially double as a pocket-lining expedition.

"Sounds like they just need a reminder of their manners. Easy enough, I think."

The Tabaxi scoffed at the Fairy. This whole affair sounded more like a brawl waiting to happen.
"Wait, if their customers want them gone, what are these merchants sticking around for?"

"Well. I'm willing to give it a try. Haven't got anything else to do."

Ashtar wasn't one to be so melodramatic as to groan and sigh, but someone perceptive might've seen the ghost of a twitch to his lips, a clear sign of irritation. Peasants! He thought, but outwardly he offered a mild nod, before turning to the group.

"I can be quite persuasive, despite-" Ashtar motioned his hand to his morose face. "With or without magic, I might add. Or, I can always go the deceptive route. Lastly, there's always my preferred method, but our patron here would frown upon it." He tapped on the blade strapped at his hip.

Evidently unphased by the tabaxi's sentiments, Briar beat forth a quick and rapid succession of giddy claps with her tiny hands. The leaves inked across her skin swirled and danced the way canopies in an autumn breeze rustle vigorously during the stronger bursts of wind that arrive with the colder seasons.

"Point us in the direction and let's go have a look!"

The fairy fluttered from her table perch to the chair beside where her equipment lay in waiting. She wasted no time and immediately began attaching her primary satchel to her waistbelt, then checking that her other supplies were all adequately secured to her various belts and leads. She looked a little bottom-heavy when fully geared up, but it left her still capable of flight by divvying up her belongings around her hips and legs.

Snatching another mug and taking a long Chug. He points to the west with the mug
"Go yonder for 'bout 20 minutes, and ye'll hear 'em clear as night!" He chuckles at his joke.

With a smirk on her face, more amused at other’s discomfort about the more… expressive women of this group, Altria finally acknowledges the information presented.

"I must say, even if we must encourage them to leave, I’m rather excited to meet this band of unique characters." Never one to shy away from socializing, the half-elf was always eager to make a new friend and the odder they were, the better.

Resting back in her seat, wavy, brunette hair hung down her back as eyes the color of steel flicked over the group, gauging everyone’s reactions. Seeing them packing up, she was quick to rise to her feet. Wasting no time, she collected her blue and silver shield from beside her seat before ensuring she had her sword and dagger sheathed on the sides of her dark grey chainmail.

Her face, still unmarred despite having seen battle, broke out into an excited grin. "Oh," she added, looking at Briar, "You know if you can’t resist collecting something that’s too heavy for you to carry, I am willing to assist."

Mirroring the expression of the taller elven-eared individual in the group, Briar gleamed with a joyous curl on her lips. She rubbed her hands together excitedly with a scheming glint in her eyes.

"Anything you want me to keep an eye out for yourself? Always happy to help a friend do a little bargain hunting in the markets." Sure, shopping was stereotypically considered a woman’s hobby and bonding exercise among the sex. Partnered pilfering, however, was an art form and skill that amped into true sisterhood status as far as Briar was concerned.

Flitting up to float at an average eye-height among the party, Briar looked to the rest of the band to gauge their readiness for travel. Her wings hummed as they held her aloft, invisible save for the streaks of green that caught the light, the leaves on her shoulders stirred eagerly at the prospects ahead.

Priestly looking Couth who hasn't really said word one continues his masquerade of silence. He does eye the cute flying thing (Briar) with a touch of wonder. If it wasn't for that combo of handaxe and dagger you might just ignore him. You might wonder if he has taken a vow of silence or something, but you have heard him talk. Just not much.

With a chuckle, Alyria tells Briar, "If I get a notion for something, I'll be sure to point it out, but I have no particular needs just yet."

Ashtar side-eyed the fairy and the paladin with equal measure amusement and irritation. Chatty, those two were, quite the opposite of the brute who loves to show his physique at every opportune. He sighed inwardly. This was going to be a long day.

Quickly finishing their dinner, the group grabs their gear and heads out to deal with these rambunctious traders.
Stepping outside into the brisk nighttime air, they are greeted with a beautifully clear night sky. The moon bathes the landscape in its gentle glow.
The village is shutting down for the night. Townsfolk are blowing out their candles and lamps, shops are closing and locking their doors, and a few duos of guards start their patrols with lanterns in hand. The guards nod, wave, or give a short "Evening" , as you cross paths.

The short stroll does indeed take about 20 minutes. You pass by the village watch tower and gate, pass by a farm, and then another. Pretty soon, the lively sound of music fills the air. You see four colorfully decorated cloth-covered wagons and a slightly larger, fully enclosed wooden one. They are positioned in a "C" around a rather large, roaring bonfire. You see less than a dozen folks dancing and having a merry good time around the fire.