“Yeah, the Realm would be a lot bettah without people tryin’ to lord it over us ‘Commoners’.” He stepped a little closer. Jennet felt a small lump in his belt pouch.

"Do you think the lizardfolk will listen to us?" Cela asks.  "Azatch tried last time and it didn't go well.  And if they worship that croc we killed..."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Wed 12 Jan 2022.

“Who told you that the Lizardfolk worshiped a crocodile?” Mercion stared at Cela with a near-incredulous expression. “Most of the Lizardfolk worship Semaunya. There are a few factions who still revere older gods, and fewer still who follow the demon-lord Sess’innek.

But I am not aware of any Lizardmen worshipping a crocodile,” she said with a soft chuckle.

"We may have misinterpreted what the masks meant.  Talking didn't last long in our last meeting."

“I meant no disrespect, Cela. You and friends protected Deadwater, and deserve nothing but our respect. I was just a little taken aback, but a I suppose that some habits of the Religious scholar never truly die,” Mercion chuckled again, this time a more self-effacing gesture. “I think I have a book that includes a passage or two on Lizardfolk religion. You’re welcome to study them before your meeting with the tribe.”

Then, Mercion glanced at Simon and Lenelle. “What will happen to Connie…I mean, the Hag? She was always…divisive a personality, under the feigned smile. I should have suspected something.”

"Yes, I would like the chance to read that."

Skye, quietly fuming over the baron and his casual comments on the irradiation of the lizardfolk had Skye thinking. She liked this group, even the town....but while the baron ruled, they would suffer.

She chewed her lip all the way to the inn, and just before going in she spoke up. "When Azatch goes into the swamp to scout, I'll be going with him. The barons calous remarks make me believe that he will be deceptive, and while the lizards hold no love for me, they don't deserve death if their protecting there land."

She looked at the group with a smile. "I'll still be around, but Azatch and I have a better chance together - someone's gotta watch his back out there."

She sighed as she looked at Cela. "As to will they listen....who knows how a lizards mind works. bit if we get the chance to speak, assuring them if they don't bargain, they will die might help us. Lizards are about survival, and with a army baring down, they may choose us. Maybe with the orc and myself as forward scouts, we can convince them to at least listen."

The halfling sighed....this wasn't goodbye.

When Skye announced her intention to leave, Pockets’ face drooped. He slowly walked over to the Ranger with whom he’d alternately flirted and bickered. “Hey. I know yer a valiant Ranger, but…be careful in that swamp. Okay?” Pockets tried to force an optimistic smile as he playfully slugged her arm.

Lenelle accepted the arm. "Of course, good sir.  I appreciate your understanding in such a, er...potentially unsettling matter?"   

Lenelle nodded understanding at Skye's words.  Gladdened that Azatch wouldn't be going alone.   The pair would be formidable together, and should be safe enough.

Poor pockets... she thought, glancing sidelong.  His fondness for the tough minded rangeress had been plain for some time.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:08, Thu 13 Jan 2022.

"I...was hoping you might be the one to decide on that, sister.  Or at least have some thoughts?  She and the others were responsible for much evil, and are not human." Lenelle shook her head, frowned. "Summary justice could be easily argued, couldn't it?  Yet, there has been so much pain and death, already.   I hate to think of more...even for her.  I don't want to decide; don't want any part of the decision.  I admit it."   

Mercion’s smile held the warmth of the Sun God she worshipped. “I understand, Lenelle. Tho’ I do not know you as well I would like yet, I already know that yours is a gentle soul. You shed blood of necessity, and I, for one, will not demand that you shed more in an execution.” She gently touched Lenelle’s arm, then her hand fell away.

“My God blessed me with the means to banish the Hag back to the Feywild. I could do so right now, if I called upon his aid.” The blonde priestess sighed ruefully. “Yet, as you say, Connie perpetrated evil most malicious against people that I know and care for. Miriam may not be an easy woman, but hers has not been an easy life. A life made harder by the capricious cruelty of the Hags. Sheila holds different beliefs, but I still respect her as my Sister in the Healing Arts. I thank Pelor that the Hag scheme against her didn’t come to fruition.”

She met Lenelle’s eyes again. “The people of Deadwater deserve Justice. We will hold a trial and decide Connie’s fate.”

Skye smiled at Pockets, and hit him back (a little harder). "Don't worry rogue....I'll be around. And it'll take more than some lizards to take me down."

She looked at him. "I'll be back - gotta make sure you stay out of trouble."

"That's it!!" Simon exclaimed suddenly. "Cela you're a genius. The book...not Mercion's book...the Hags' book!

Tara that book looks like it records everything that has happened in this swamp...we need to see if it mentions that masks. Granny Grim's plans might have included inciting the lizardmen against the village and maybe the masks are part of it.

And maybe there is mention of this Abbatoir?"



"I would see her executed.

Her crimes range from the death of Sheila's husband to the death of Miriam Greaves' baby to planting her own offspring Elise with Miriam to the death of Adele Redfern and the exile of Jason Redfern.

Her death will not bring the dead back, nor right any of the wrongs hse perpetrated...but there must be consequences for actions.

Lenelle is right, though...the decision is not for us but for the people of Deadwater...hopefully that does not include that idiot Baron."

“Simon is right. The old bitch should hang.” Azatch sighed. “Too bad I won’t get to see it.” The Barbarian shook his head regretfully.

“Not one for weepy goodbyes,” Azatch grunted. “You fight well. We will fight alongside each other again.” He gave a terse, but respectful, nod. “Grog, tell the Captain I’m not coming back.”

Azatch gathered up his gear and motioned to Skye. “Come along, Little Scrapper.” Then, Azatch turned and left.

Skye smiled at the others. "A night sleep woyld've been nice, but at least we fed."

She looked at the group. "Keep each other safe and for gods sake, watch pockets - keep him outa trouble."

She shouldered her pack. "We gotta stop for Hock - three is better than two." She waved as she followed the orcish warrior

“You’re a Ranger, ain’tcha? Sleep in the woods.”

“Farewell, Azatch. It was an honor to sail and fight beside you.” Sundos didn’t forget Skye. “I was also honored to meet you, lovely one. Your courage and spirit outweigh the giants themselves. May the Sun Father protect you both!” He waved at the friends he’d made as they walked off.

When they were gone, Sundos turned to Simon. “For a time, I…was not certain I could trust your judgment. However, you proved my doubts wrong when you showed unflinching bravery, resourcefulness, and skill against that foul Coven. Your pleas for Justice—for the people of Deadwater—will not go unheeded. This I vow.”

“If there’s Justice to be had, why don’t we start with an arrest? Since the Baron appointed me Sheriff, I’m deputizing you all. Wanna join me for a reckoning that’s long overdue?” The older man sounded glib, but his words held a righteous anger. He’d known Benny as long as Sheila. What the revelation about an old friend must have meant suddenly dawned on the party.

The clenched fists and resolved face showed that Laredon would not shirk this diet, though.

Skye snorted at Azatch's comment as they trailed off. "...this is gonna be fun"

Lenelle waved her farewell to the departing halfling and half-orc, silently wishing the pair good fortune and safety.   And then:



"Moon and stars!  That is brilliant!  If it's in there, we might save a lot of time! And be spared much confusion."  It wasn't hard to imagine Granny having had some contingency plan.  Or planting some seeds of evil, so to speak. To grow, even if she should fall...

Lenelle looked to Laredon, nodded, understanding how he likely felt. "Aye, very well."   She turned to look toward Sheila.

"I very much think he should look again on the face of the woman he bereaved of a husband, and then sickeningly tried to take for his own.  And I'd like to see if he has enough of a spine to be shamed and silent, and accept the consequences of his actions.  Or, if he's going to spout a bunch of pleas for the same compassion and mercy he didn't give." 

Aye. I would very much like to look Robert’s murderer in the eye one last time.”

OOC:

If you want, you can say goodbyes to Azatch & Skye, then jump forward to Benny’s capture.



The burly Laredon called upon Joshua Redfern first. He allowed Tara to share the secrets that she’d uncovered. Joshua’s face wavered as he took these revelations.

The new Sheriff solemnly looked away when Joshua wept, as Sheila held him. The woman rubbed his back, comforting him in a soft murmur. “Hush, dear boy. We’re going now for a reckoning with the bastard who opened the door and welcomed Sorrow into our lives.”

Laredon clapped Joshua gently on the back. “Aye, lad. These heroes broke up the Coven, and they exposed the crimes that Benny hid for years. We’re paying a visit that’s long overdue. Come with us. Come help us make him pay for his crimes.” Joshua wiped his face, nodding, suddenly looking much older as he smoldered with the same quiet anger.

Soon, Laredon and Joshua walked into the Sulphur’s Spit, flanked by the band of heroes they’d come to know. Benny’s face brightened as he saw the group across a full tavern. “Laredon, you’ve brought some esteemed guests! Welcome back!” The curly-haired man laughed, holding up two mugs. “I suppose I’ll be owing you all a round of ale for what you’ve done for us all!”

"Haven't known ye long, but take care," said Tara.  "And if you have need of some magic, find me.  I'll help you."

"Safe journey Azatch. I look forward to our next meeting. Keep your head down, Skye."

---

"You were not wrong, Sundos! These last few years associated with Hazim...no, it was not just Hazim...it was the pompous ass I was even before...all of that.... Let's just say that if you ever have your tongue burned out of your mouth your perspective changes...as does being thrown off a cloud.

I hope that I will eventually be someone that will make my mother proud."

---

Simon laughed heartily, "I have my moments!"

---

Simon silently marvelled at the strength that Sheila Blackmoor displayed. Her life had been run roughshod, her husband murdered, and yet she had it in her to comfort Joshua.

~By the gods, I have much to learn again about humility and humanity.~

---

As the group entered the Sulphur's Spit, Simon's hand clenched, and he began to shake with rage.

"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" the warlock screamed, unable to contain himself.

Lenelle felt her own heart shatter, once Joshua broke.   It was too much to see...his mother had been a rare, special sort of soul.  The kind of parent she wished she'd had.   And too, his brother...who was alive, but considered his former self dead, and would likely never be the same...

She walked to stand near the enraged Simon.  Lenelle's own outrage didn't explode like his.  It was there, but banked. 

There was nothing fearsome or imposing about Lenelle.  But, in her blood was the essence of Celestials; she was a scion of the Upper planes.   And the direct and level look she turned on Benny could have been that of an avenging angel:

"It's over," she said, calm counterpoint to Simon.  "Your lies have all been exposed, now.  It is - at last - time for you to face justice for all that you've done."