Shamus clasped the sides of his now enlarged head with alarm, "Uhhhh", he groaned squeekily as his face grimaced with shadowy fears of tipping over, more so with his wide brimmed hat growing wider still, "It's... It's just an illusion, right? So we should be fine", he said, head bobbling coming to rest as he reoriented himself to his new appearance. He looked with eyes behind huge disks of rimmed glass that now formed his glasses and was immediately taken aback by the others, particularly Naia.

Upon Naia's command, Shamus would clasp his hands and smiled at their cute leader then bobbled in a nod indicating his agreement.

Seti had to struggle for a few moments to maintain his balance amidst the somewhat drastic shift of his head size and body size! Being a half elf himself, his ears were larger than normal, their points exaggerated. His hair was fluffy, to the point of being downright poofy!

Rowan seemed somewhat indignant at the change, and began to strut about with his strange, noodly legs. Unlike Emma, the shoebill didn't have to worry about hugging Naia--and so he did, wrapping his wings around the crusader and giving her a big hug!

"...Emma, was this REALLY necessary?" Seti squeaks up, his arms flailing in his now oversized robes, the sleeves of which extended down past his hands.

The chibi-heroes moved towards the manor house unmolested, though they did attract a lot of attention. The older people seemed mostly confused, but left the non-threatening group alone, instead focusing on their tasks. The children reacted much differently, however, many briefly following along the group with bright expressions on their filthy faces. Well, at least until they were scolded for bothering, and set back to their chores. Still, for a brief flicker at least, the children seemed... like children, and not whatever they were here in this backwards villiage. Emma's spell, and the party's appearance, brought something to them they had never experienced before - whimsy.

Though it was difficult to focus on the manor, when the group was close enough the effect that caused their eyes to want to slip away and stop looking at it faded, allowing them to get a better look at the exterior. The stone structure was a great deal better constructed, with worked stone instead of rough like the rest of the buildings in the village. There were no windows to speak of, and only the double wooden doors on the front face of the building. There were silverberry shrubs in full flower lining each side of the building, disappearing into the back and extending beyond the structure to act as a privacy fence into the rear of the house. There even seemed to be a second floor, and a balcony of wood planks and iron reinforcements and railings - two materials that the rest of the village seemed to make minimal use of.

The manor house left them a few options - there was the direct approach, which was either busting the door in, or simply using the heavy iron knockers, or perhaps the stealthy approach through either the rear or the balcony.

Naia frowned at the door, an expression which was less like a frown and more like a puppy that just got done trying to walk across a slippery floor. Disconcertingly adorable was the concern from the Crusader. "I feel deeply for those poor children. No matter what we find within, I will sacrifice my quest for more information if it means we help these people. I think we all can agree to the priority." While she had never actually explained in full what their purpose was here to all of their party, that it was to cleanse a sword was known. Its importance to her necessitated her saying the priority out loud. But she had a feeling there were none among them that would argue.

"While I agree, Woten, that going through the front door would mean if we are captured we appear less guilty, I am more and more concerned over what awaits us inside. I believe if we burst the door it will bring the villagers on us." Turning her eyes toward the others "I would suggest a split approach. Woten, Emma, and I knock. Seti, Shamus and Rei go around and help each other over the balcony." She didn't mention Rowan as he likely would choose for himself.

Waiting to see if there were any countering opinions and giving people time before she'd knock on the door. But if everyone was in agreement she'd wait for them to disperse before knocking.

Woten was a berserker that didn't anger easily which might have been good right now. He gave a wave to the children as they marched bay. The only facial expression shown was his eyebrows pivoting, the insides sliding up and his eyes going into lines as his smile was hidden under the beard.

He turned his attention back to the march ahead. It was really, until they were nearly on top of the mansion that he could see it. Since they left the children there has been a gradual change in his expression. Eyes focused down to needle points of icy blue and the eyebrows sunk inward with the outsides rising. This was his angry face. When Naia spoke those words of helping the children there was only a growling grunt from the Northlander and an up and down movement of his bearded head. Apparently he agreed with that statement though pulling children from the only life they have known was never easy, especially when taking them from parents who they cared for. He suspected this would end up being an 'all or nothing' case but he still agreed. Getting them off of of the isle would be a challenge though with limited space on the ship.

Listening again to Naia's plan he grunted with approval. His eyes closed as he breathed out to calm the roaring avalanche within. A few more of these and his eyes opened, taking lessons learned from a certain Valkyrie to keep the storm of rage at bay for just a little longer. This was a time of words, if violence was the answer to what awaited them he would sound the call.

Woten thought about the plan, the splitting of the team. While risky it had its own rewards "I've no objection to this plan, maybe the group going to the balcony could delay till after we've knocked so we could be an earnest distraction. Also Emma, maybe the,...spell could be lifted on us three since we will be doing the knocking?"

Emma couldn't really speak, because she'd say something weird or naughty. It took more mental fortitude than she really had to not grabby-hand Naia. Instead, the Witch suffices to just stare adoringly at her. She also beams at the roundabout praise, and answers the "was this necessary with:

"Yup, it was!"

As the "Heroes" march for the manor, Emma takes the opportunity to...make silly faces at the children and wave her hand to keep their attention, regardless of their parents' insistence that they get back to...work, or whatever.

"Umm...well, I think we should...like, help the children and complete your quest. However you wanna do it...I'm good with it, unless things start falling apart...I might improvise if it'll help, then?" ...Emma is just being forthright, since she figures that Naia is already well-aware of her capricious nature. "I can undo it if...you want, Woten. It's not hard to undo."

"If you're going to knock, best to do it looking like this. It'll be less likely that you're seen as a threat! Maybe we can pretend we're some kind of far circus or something..." Seti waved enthusiastically at the children, wishing there was time to play a game with them.

At the mention of Naias plan, Seti had to cover his mouth to keep her adorable expression from forcing him to giggle. He does, however, agree in short order. "That works for me." Rowan nodded to Seti, and then shuffled over to stand with Naia and Woten. "Rowan will go with you, so we can stay in touch if need be. If there's something you need us to know, just tell Rowan and I'll hear it. And if we're in trouble, Rowan will get your attention."

Seti wasn't fully aware of Naia's telepathy, but having a backup mode of communication didn't hurt. With the plan decided, Seti begins to sneak towards the balcony. "Maybe we should have brought one big trenchcoat..."

Shamus head bobbed slightly as he tried to avoid the stares of the children on him, thinking that he must look the most ridiculous of the party and thought he could already hear the taunts of mischievous youth. He breathed a sigh of relief when they were at the manor.

He was further relieved when he found he was not to be in the direct approach to the building, "If you have a broom, er, or something like it. I can probably enchant it to fly someone up to the balcony"

Once Seti, Shamus, and Rei had had time to get to the balcony, coordinate climbing or flying up, and Seti sent a message through Rowan the woman would lift both her hands and grip the knocker. "Perhaps best we stay looking as innocent as possible, Woten." trying to be as lighthearted as she could while a boiling hate for whatever was pinning the will of these villagers bubbled in her "They may be afraid of your beard." Lifting and heavily thinking down the knocker with her small doll-like hands. "Though be prepared to fight if the guise isn't enough." what it would look like from the outside for these adorable heroes to be in a fight was probably something which would go down in legend if it happened. Maybe not the same legend where the exploits of her parents and her mentor and all their cohorts, allies, and friends were written.. but it would be written down somewhere. Likely somewhere to be acted out by Xandra with mocking sock puppets.

Naia gave a fleeting prayer to Mercy for her protection on their small group and the three skulking around behind and gave the knocker her all.

Emma rifles through her Bag of Holding -- which has gotten adorably smaller -- for...something. It's actually just a piece of canvas with an Owliger painted on it. "Ready...~" She gazes lovingly at Naia as she knocks on the door.

"Well, I don't have a broom...But I have some rope? Or...I might be able to climb it, and drop a rope down..." Seti looked around for potential hand-holds. Of course, at his current size, it would be quite difficult for him to actually climb up. Darn tiny hands! He looks to Shamus thoughtfully, and holds out one of his over-sized sleeves. "...Go ahead and enchant my robe. I'll float up there, then you can come up after me once I make sure the coat is clear."

Of course, if there happened to be something that WOULD be climb-able, Seti would be considering that. But in the absence of any convenient ivy or trellace, he would opt to simply float up with Shamus' magic.