Tempest listens to Seth and sighs at sprinkles observation. "Lucky I'm the faster swimmer....I'll give you a head start." She had no outward changes other than a grim look on her face.

She looked at the clerics. "Do you have any weapons I can use underwater...a spear or trident?"

“A ‘Healer’, eh? I saw Lenelle and Telric and the charming blue lass and Sheila and the Priests hard at work treating the injured. I don’t remember seeing you, though! Weren’t you busy baking your muffins?  I thought you were taking up a career as the town Baker! The way you gallivanted with the basket makes me wonder!” Laredon harrumphed and sought out the leaders of the party.

Mercion and Sundos spoke quietly amongst themselves, as Lord-Lieutenant Stuart sat on a pew and watched the group. When the Clerics broke from their huddle, Mercion looked somewhat flustered. “Simon, you & Lenelle seem to hold leadership positions in your party. Why don’t you work with Seth & Tempest, and plan a strategy to deal with the Dragon. Sundos will remain here with Pockets, and rally the town watch with Laredon. Sheila will place protective wards at the gates. Tempest, Sheriff Laredon can provide you with a spear. Do you need any additional aid when you march, Simon, Lenelle…?”
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:24, Fri 11 Feb 2022.

Lenelle looked more than a little surprised. "Sister, I do appreciate the vote of confidence, but...since when? I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times they've listened to anything I've said,"  she laughed slightly, then instantly sobered.

"Pardon me. Nonetheless, I'll contribute whatever I can. I can think of no additional aid for the moment, but may be overlooking something Simon will think of."

[The Sulphur's Spit]


Simon's eyes roll as the half-orc strolls into the common room at the Spit. Nonetheless, he grabs a muffin on his way out the door.

"Thank you, Telric. Tell me will it be effective underwater?"

Simon was still standing, and looked to answer when Laredon shouted out and quieted the group. The warlock nodded in agreement with the Sheriff's words, and did not add to them.

"You have confirmed what I suspected, Seth. This fight will likely be on the dragon's terms."
Simon almost chokes on the piece of muffin in his mouth. And before he can protest Lenelle is already doing the same!

"And you think they listen to me any more!" The warlock laughs out loud. "Mercion, this a group of headstrong individuals who choose their own path at every moment. Combined with these strangers who have appeared in the last few days.

The idea of leading them is preposterous. The best we can hope is to herd them in the right direction!"

As the group leaves the inn and heads toward the Temple, Simon listens to them discussing the need for water breathing spells or perhaps the twins being used as bait.

"People!" he calls to get the group's attention. "Since returning from the battle with the hags, Sarraamosh has been kind enough to endow me with an...invocation...let's call it...that will allow me to breathe underwater indefinitely, and I will be able to provide the same to ten others for a full day. I expect this will remove the need to use Tempest and Sprinkle as worms on a hook!

So the breathing part is covered, but there is still the problem of vision, movement, and the effect on spells and weapons."

Before anyone can reply, he adds, "And there is still the issue I want to discuss in private, which will wait until we are in the Temple."

In reply to Simon (msg # 47):

"Once it is absorbed into your skin, it will effect the entirety of your body for a limited duration. You must apply it before swimming however, but it will only take a few moments to go into effect." Telric says to Simon.

Sprinkle brought her bag in front of her and opened a side pocket, taking a small lantern, fashioned of the same greenish material as her armor, decorated with marine figures. She opened it and a bright flame shined inside, without giving any heat or smoke.

I created this when the sea elves would not allow us to keep the glow globes that we grew up with. It will not extinguish under any circumstances... well until I dispel it. Tempest also has one. Like I said, we don't see very well in the dark, and the depths are very gloomy.

She closed the door, masking the ever burning flame inside.

That should help a little with the lighting.

Fire that didn't burn? Grog wasn't sure if that was the dumbest thing he had ever heard of, or the most brilliant. He stared at the bag while it was open, then for a moment longer after it was closed. He couldn't make up his mind, so he kept his mouth shut, "To the temple, then."

Tempest nodded at Sprinkle's admission of the lanterns. "I have also had a little training in fighting in darkness - Not as good as some of the elves back home, but could still hold my own."  She looked at Grog and Simon at the request, grabbing her gear, ready to go to the temple

Grog picked up the massive glaive beside the door as he headed out, and saw Tempest was there behind him, "I see in darks, but no always good. If dark is magic, is no no good. I can try kill," Grog shrugged, "maybe get a lucky, but still no see."

"Magical darkness is dangerous, but I know a trick that sometimes helps," said Tara.  It wasn't much of a trick, but it did, generally, work-- it was hard to keep a spell up when getting pelted with multiple hits.

Cela holds out her hand and extends the claws.  "I should be fine for weapons, and can see with very little light."

Sskith needed them to understand. He sought to craft his words as best he could.

"To fight the Vutha within the water issss death."

He eyed the two blue skinned ones. He could hold his breath for a thousand beats of his heart, but he would never claim that he could breath water. Could these two truly do such a thing?

"Sssssee yourself fighting in a cloud ssooo thick you can barely sssee before you, yet he can hunt you. There is no worsssse place to be. You would be prey, nothing more."

[The House of The Sun Father]

Once the group was settled into the temple, Simon stepped to the front.

"We have to come up with strategies and tactics to battle the dragon. And we have to deal with mundane things, like keeping books and scrolls dry if we end up travelling underwater.

But that can wait a few minutes. I need to discuss Murky Constance Toadtwitcher, the hag known as Connie.

Along with Tempest and Beijor, I visited her earlier today, and we managed to gain some information from her.

She confirmed that Baleful Blackfang is the offspring of Byrsiss Blackfang, the dragon that Mercion and Pockets helped to defeat. And that dragon was the offspring of another dragon that over a century ago was defeated by an elven warrior. It was that first dragon that held sway over a tribe of Lizardfolk in the northeast."

Simon's eyes shifted to Seth for a moment.

"She also said that a tunnel must lead from their tree house to the dragon's lair.

Simon took a deep breath before continuing. "She gave us this information as a down payment of a sort, on having her life spared. The final payment was to be details about Granny Grimfiddle and the Abattoir.

You know full well that I want to see her dead. I wouldn't believe there is a speck of redeemable good in her; but I also saw her reaction when Tempest threatened to kill Elise. It was the same as any mother; as much as it repulses me to say so.

If she can provide us with useful information on Grimfiddle and the Abattoir, then she may have earned a respite from a death sentence.

So, I have a question for all of you: Do you agree with the course of action I have taken with the hag?

And a second question for the casters and clerics. I know that creatures can be banished from this plane of existence...but I do not have the ability. Is there a way, if Murky is spared, to banish her?

I apologise for the lengthy lecture, but it is important that we all know."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:36, Sun 13 Feb 2022.

Lenelle nodded emphatically. "This is what I was thinking.  For most of us, being able to breathe water doesn't make us able to move and fight within it.   Especially not bedecked with armor, weapons, and all sorts of equipment!  I may be missing something, and I deeply apologize if so.  But that just sounds crazy to me." 

Then addressing Simon's information, she sighed.  "Thank you for that, Simon.  You three did an exemplary gaining information we must have, I think.   And yes, I agree -- if she can tell us about this other threat, then it is worth sparing her life for.  Though she must be carefully guarded and watched.  With that watch supervised by either Mercion or Sundos.  Because the guards here have no idea what they're dealing with. She has bought time for herself, and will surely try her damndest to make use of it." 

"And while I cannot personally advise you on the banishment of fiendish entities, I do remember that Sister Mercion said she knows the spell for that, and could send a Hag back in that manner." 

In reply to Simon (msg # 56):

"In regards to the Hag, as I was not there at the time, I think my thoughts on the matter would be irrelevant. I will go along with whatever the group decides." Telric says while nodding.

"As for banishment...perhaps. That is a powerful spell, one I cannot cast myself. However, I can research a ritual that may be able to do the same thing. That would take time, and we may not have that much time to spare. Lenelle's idea may be best."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:04, Sun 13 Feb 2022.

Mercion nodded at Lenelle. “Yes, Lenelle. I know a spell that banishes a foe into an otherworldly dimension. If I cast the spell against a target of extraplanar origin, then that creature would return to its own realm.” She watched Simon as she shared her knowledge.

“Simon is not the only one among you who feels strongly about delivering Justice to Connie. Certainly not the only one in town who cries out for vindication. Connie would return to the Feywilds if I banish her. Witches, like most beings, may be good or evil. Sheila and Tara help the sick and defenseless as White Witches. Hags are the most hateful and evil kind of Witch known.

Will returning Connie to her own plane end her threat, or merely provide her respite to plot further schemes? I would comfortably banish her with no reservation if we could ensure that she would trouble Deadwater or any innocents no more. As far as I know, only a Geas or Wish could compel on a permanent basis…”

“I saw her Evil firsthand. Simon, you have exceeded expectation in uncovering valuable information. However, I agree with your primary instincts. None in Deadwater will be truly safe until that Hag is dead.”

Lenelle nodded, feeling somewhat foolish for having forgotten, "That's right.  Sending her back only gives her more time and resources to work with." She sighed.  "Executions are not to my taste. But they serve a real purpose sometimes; she and her sisters had no bounds or mercy for their victims.  Even innocent children were preyed on by them."

“If you spare Connie, perhaps I could see my little girl again?” Miriam Greaves entered from the hall, looking thinner and paler than when the group first encountered her. She ambled with an uneasy gait, as if she’d spent too much time bedridden and was rediscovering use of her legs. “What you told me can’t be true. Connie was my friend. Surely she did not murder my Elise.”

Miriam spoke in a reedy voice that sounded almost dreamy. She wore a simple white dress and slippers. Her dark hair showed new gray lines, as if she’d aged in mere days since the party returned. Her dark eyes were lined with rings of muddy-looking smudges. Something about Miriam rankled Cela’s acutely sensitive nose.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:31, Tue 05 Apr 2022.

Although this woman had been something of a hindrance, at several junctures, as well as a source of sourness, Lenelle's heart went out to her.

How could she accept the truth, when it was so completely awful?   Plainly, she was having a very hard time with it.

Lenelle did not feel she was the one to help her through this.  Instead, she looked in silent appeal toward Mercion and Sundos.

An unpleasant thought then struck her...Connie was my friend...

When had that changed so dramatically? Was it perhaps induced? Was the Hag trying to make use of her...somehow?

Edited this one to account for what Simon reminded me of.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:06, Mon 14 Feb 2022.

The concerned Clerics approached Miriam. “Sister Miriam, we discussed this,” Mercion said gently. “Yes, Miriam. The truth is terrible, yes, but you must try to…!” Sundos reached out, but stopped short, a look of revulsion that he failed to hide. Mercion almost gagged, but caught herself. “Oh, Miriam. No.”

The Genasi was discussing quietly with her sister, about Tempest threatening the life of a child during the interrogation when some pale woman came in. She didn't know her and it didn't seem like a danger so she pushed her to the back of her mind. There was more important thing to think about, until the disgusted cries of the landbound clerics attracted her attention again toward that little group.

What is it?

Looking at the pale woman, she tried to determine if she needed an healing or attack spell...

Today: Sprinkle rolled 17 using 1d20+6.  sprinkle perception.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:51, Mon 14 Feb 2022.

When Simon spoke up, Tempest became strangly quiet, looking a little more unsure of herself. The warrior was skilled in tactics, trained to find weakness in the enemies, and when faced with the hag, she found hers.

But in doing so, she pushed her own morals to the limit, doing something she thought she would never do - something she dreamed would never happen.

...threaten a child's life.

Even the thought made her sick, and the muffin she held, half eaten, she put down. She looked at the group as she spoke softly.

"For teh record for all who don't know me, which is pretty much everyone, I would never harm a child. Simon and the loud mouth who thinks he's funny saw something that even i didn't want to see."

She lowered her head, the shame on her face. "Even to threaten a child in such a deception is beyond what i thought would ever happen, and to all of you, i apologize. I had my goal in sight, and forgot my own limitations."

then when the cleric's hesitated, her sorrow was gone, and back was the warrior and defender, on the edge of her seat.

Grog drew in a deep breath and let it out as a half-sigh, half-grumble, "When you live in a farm, there is many working to be done. Plant, animal, always need foods, need waters, always working to do. In a farm, always you can find spiders. Some spiders you kill, or they kill animals. Or they kill you. Some spiders can kill animals, but not want kill animals. Danger spiders that not want kill animals. These nice danger spiders; still danger, still can kill, but not want. In a farm, we let nice danger spiders live, because nice danger spiders kill other spiders what do want kill."

"Same is for snake, and same is for murder puppy. You let one danger live to help fight other danger. Better is for have a danger you know than danger you not can control. Right now, we needs kill a dragon. If hag knows how we kill a dragon, then hag gets still be alive tomorrow. I will do a burying for children, then we kill a dragon, then I have a talking with hag. Maybe hag become nice danger spider. Maybe hag no get still be alive."

"I can understand how you must feel," Lenelle said to Tempest feelingly.  "I'm so sorry you had to be in that position.  But we really needed that information; having it will lead to saving lives, including those of children.  A bluff is a bluff, and words are not the deed. Please don't be too hard on yourself."   

On the topic of children that really died:  "That's lovely of you to plan a service for them, Grog.  I'd be happy to attend and help with it." 

Once it became apparent Miriam Graves was suffering something worse than heartbreak and stress, Lenelle was alert, waiting to see what the clerics would reveal...