Songs of GlimmerwickTo complete the Songs of Glimmerwick fern quest, silence the printing press in Strange Pamphlets, give the Cacophony shard to Fern or the Headmistress, then follow Fern to confront Zinnia. Recommended: give the shard to the Headmistress for 300 Gold Petals, then talk to Fern. Giving it directly to Fern pays 100 Gold Petals. Both routes start Fern's Confrontation, where Zinnia turns out to be innocent.
How Do You Start Fern's Confrontation?
Silence the printing press
During Strange Pamphlets, silence the printing press to obtain the Cacophony shard. This is part of the Songs of Glimmerwick walkthrough.
Hand over the Cacophony shard
Give it to the Headmistress for 300 Gold Petals, then speak to Fern; alternatively, give it directly to Fern for 100 Gold Petals. If you need help finding her for the conversation, see where to find Fern in Songs of Glimmerwick.
Meet Fern and follow her
Meet Fern at the door to the Northern Grounds. Follow her to the Green Sprites Headquarters near the Nocturne Forest for the confrontation with Zinnia.
Who Should Receive the Shard?
Headmistress — Recommended for 300 Gold Petals
Hand the shard to the Headmistress, then talk to Fern to begin Fern's Confrontation. This route gives you 200 more Gold Petals than handing it directly to Fern, while still starting the same confrontation.
Fern — 100 Gold Petals
Give Fern the shard to receive 100 Gold Petals and begin Fern's Confrontation. Continue to the meeting at the Northern Grounds door.
Giving the shard to the Headmistress still lets you continue Fern's quest. Remember to talk to Fern afterward.
What Happens When You Confront Zinnia?
Fern suspects Zinnia because her tracing potion points to Zinnia's involvement with the printing press. The potion identifies whoever last cast a spell on the press, rather than whoever originally caused the Cacophony. Zinnia had tried to end the Cacophony herself, so the result does not prove she wrote the pamphlets. For other recipe help, see Songs of Glimmerwick potions and cooking.
Zinnia turns out to be innocent, and the pamphlet author's identity remains unresolved after this confrontation.
Fern's Confrontation belongs to the main story. Fern also hosts game nights throughout the year; those are covered in the Songs of Glimmerwick Forests and Fairies walkthrough.