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Fahima

Fahima just sniffs the stew and swirls it around with the spoon.

Zan

Zan will tear off a piece of bread and watch for a reaction from the witch.

Roan not entirely please with the entanglement and capture just kind of glares at the bowl of stew "Yah, know there be better ways ta treat and invite guests in." he just kind of looks like a ticked off child for the moment.

Gordansk


He will take some bread, breaking a piece for Caw but will hesitate to partake himself. He watches the birdmen, particularly where they place any equipment or weapons they took from him.

Sai

So what is your plan, Witch? We are not here to ruin you just pass through. What do you know of the Lizard King?

As he toys with the stew but not eating any.

Greyhawk, 586 CY, Readying 19
Southern Hool Swamp, Evening, Cool and Foggy
The Cabin and the Cauldron...Dinner Guests

Fahima: The stew smells delicious and she can't stop her belly from growling. The crone spoons a piece of potato in her mouth and chews contentedly. "It won't bite ya, dear one. I'm surprised ya ain't already ate two bowls! Ha! I know ya Halfling folk have big appetites, yes?"

Zan: The bread smells nutty and delicious. There are raisins inside and it is dusted with what you think is cinnamon. "Ophelia makes a nice loaf, don't she?" the crone says, reaching over the table and taking the piece of bread from Zan's fingers and popping it into her mouth. "Ya don't know what yer missing!"

Roan: The crone glances up at the Dwarf as he speaks. Then she slurps a cup of something and smacks her lips. "You be right, longbeard. But...these days can't take no chances. Things are afoot and I still ain't sure whether you be spies of Agruntha. She's been after me for many a year."

Gordansk: He is surprised to discover the "birdmen" did not remove their weapons at all. Everyone sitting around the table is full equipped. Caw enjoys the bread and nips his hand for more. The crone smiles at the preacher of doom, showing only a handful of teeth and those yellow and brown. "Ya bird...he a pet? Simon has his eyes on him, doncha Simon?" A black cat sitting by the door mewls, looking up from cleaning its paw.

Sai: "Oh, I know a fair amount about ol' Sakatha, Elfling! I should ask you the same question...and I believe I will! Ha! If'n ya are indeed on the way to his lair, what is YOUR plan? The king of the lizards ain't too kindly to accept company...like I am." She smiles again and stuffs a piece of bread into her mouth, chewing loudly. "And I ain't no witch! I answer to Mother MayEye, and I prefer ya call me that when in my cabin."

Tree Moss clears his throat, having been silent this entire time. He's been too busy eating. He mops his empty bowl with a hunk of bread and pops it in his mouth, giving all of his companions a look. He raises his eyebrows and pushes back from the table. "Mighty fine gator stew, Mother MayEye, mighty fine." He smacks his lips, pulls a pipe and feels around in his pockets, frowning. Ophelia brings a small stick from the fire and Tree Moss nods and lights his pipe from the flaming end. He puffs a few times, blowing smoke up into the ceiling, and then says, "I've heard tell of Agruntha in the northern parts of the Hool. She be a powerful hag, eh? Haven't heard the name in many months. But these young 'uns be telling ya the truth. As crazy as it sounds, they be in search of Sakatha. On some mission from Port Torvin, or Toli, or some such. Me and me friend, Snake Bite...erm...I think ya left him outside, didn't ya? Well, me and him agreed to accompany them as far south as we could...and this might be it!"

"I don't like lizards in me home," Mother MayEye says, sitting back from the table as Ophelia collects her bowl and the old trader's bowl as well. She takes out a filthy looking rag and blows her nose rather loudly and then stuffs the rag back in among her clothes. She gives Tree Moss a long measured look, then turns to Sai. "So, ya gonna leave yer own kin all stiff as a board?" She points to Vilana who is lying on the floor near the fireplace, still held by Sai's magic. "No matter ta me, just asking. And I'm feeling a bit insulted that me guests, barring one, won't partake of me food. But...no matter, more for me later. Sakatha's lair is about 20 miles from here, directly south. Ya can't miss it. Or rather, you won't miss it because his servants won't miss you! Ha! Oh, they'll take ya right to him, sure as the world. And then he's gonna drain everyone of ya dry. Unless ya got something ta appease him with."

Fahima

"I am not feeling hungry, being tied up always takes my appetite away. Its a Halfling thing."

Roan eats the food finally letting things go but still not feeling overly welcomed, before it is taken away if he is too slow then so be it. To the crone he says "I'll give yah that, after all some of us were just threatened and insulted by some strange cult before we made it ere. Apparently in their eyes dwarves an halflings ain't worthy. They indicated most o' us weren't. Fore that we get attacked by damned thugs hunting lizard-folk fer bounties. So I get yer meanin an eh precaution I s'pose."

Zan

Zan has some of the stew, but given the bread was taken from him he does not try again.

Sai

Brain Fart- Would have released everyone caught in the Hold Person when he chose to come inside.

Well, It appears you are just a misplaced woman living in the swamps. With that he digs into the stew and finishes the bowl. You said Drain everyone? That sounds like he is a Vampire. Or some form of Undead. This job just keeps getting better every time we stop. If my boat wasn't stuck in port. I would just take what I have and disappear into the Swamp and let the Duke deliver his own package.

Gordansk

"What is it you study here? You have a fine place and able acolytes. Your cauldron of spells seems to overflow with a bounteous aroma that charms. What herbs and spices do you mix to cause such an enchanting flavour?"

He takes his own pestle and mortar and grinds a few herbs to add to his herbal tea.

"Perhaps I can Augur your future in exchange?"

Greyhawk, 586 CY, Readying 19
Southern Hool Swamp, Evening, Cool and Foggy
The Cabin and the Cauldron...Dinner Guests, Pt 2


Fahima: "I am not feeling hungry, being tied up always takes my appetite away. Its a Halfling thing."
Mother MayEye nods and offers a deviant smile. "So...yer saying ya like to be tied up, eh?" She raises an eyebrow and grins at Roan.

Roan: "I'll give yah that, after all some of us were just threatened and insulted by some strange cult before we made it ere. Apparently in their eyes dwarves an halflings ain't worthy. They indicated most o' us weren't. Fore that we get attacked by damned thugs hunting lizard-folk fer bounties. So I get yer meanin an eh precaution I s'pose."
"Feh! That be those damned idiots of the Black Flame. They think there be special magics in the swamp to awaken their gods. Crazy sumbitches; pay no mind." Mother MayEye grumbles, holding her bowl out to Ophelia for a refill. "Your fellow longbeards...what do they think of you tromping around the swamp? Shouldn't you be mining or digging fer gold nuggets or some such?" she asks, with no sarcasm in her tone; she seems serious. By the way, the stew is delicious.

Zan: The normally quiet Elf dives in and finds the soup delicious. The vegetables are cooked perfectly and the meat is salty and tasty. Zan eats in silence and then looks up from his bowl to find Ophelia looking at him. The corners of her mouth twitch and she smiles...the pointed teeth shown prominently.
"What's in the box you are guarding so closely, Elfling?" Mother MayEye asks, not looking up from her bowl.

Sai: Well, It appears you are just a misplaced woman living in the swamps. With that he digs into the stew and finishes the bowl. You said Drain everyone? That sounds like he is a Vampire. Or some form of Undead. This job just keeps getting better every time we stop. If my boat wasn't stuck in port. I would just take what I have and disappear into the Swamp and let the Duke deliver his own package.
"Misplaced? I'll have you know, Elfing, a swamp witch is never misplaced. She is precisely where she means to be." Her ears twitch as if in anger, but then she cackles loudly and stuffs another spoonful of soup in her mouth. Chewing loudly, Mother MayEye says, "Bloodsuckers to the core be Sakatha and his followers. Best be extra careful and don't enter his presence with open wounds. But...I'm more interested in this package you be delivering. Be it the same box your Elfling companion is guarding?"

Gordansk: "What is it you study here? You have a fine place and able acolytes. Your cauldron of spells seems to overflow with a bounteous aroma that charms. What herbs and spices do you mix to cause such an enchanting flavour?"
"Eh, you'd have to ask Ophelia; she's the cook. Alas, poor thing is mute. Her father was a...heavy-handed fellow. When I found her alone in the swamp...holding a fistful of hair from which dangled her father's head...I knew she just needed to be loved. So I brought her to me home. That was 10 years this summer past."
Another spoonful and smacking of lips. "But, yes this is my cozy little cabin. As for my studies, well, I dabble in potions and poisons. Lucky for your Elfling friend," she points her spoon at Cassius, "I was cooking up a batch of psilocyben today, else he'd be as dead as a doornail by now. Ha!"

"Perhaps I can Augur your future in exchange?" Gordansk asks as he grinds his own herbs.
"You be an augur then, preacher? See the future can ya? Did the guts tell ya about meeting a kindly old woman in the swamp and being invited to supper? I bet not."

Vilana comes around and begins to eat slowly...at first, then realizing how hungry she is, she eats heartily; Ophelia gladly gives her a second bowl.
Mother MayEye watches her eat. "All these Elflings in one place. Are you from Celene? Or the forests of Keoland maybe?"

hedgeknight wrote: ↑Fri Jan 13, 2023 8:13 pm Zan: The normally quiet Elf dives in and finds the soup delicious. The vegetables are cooked perfectly and the meat is salty and tasty. Zan eats in silence and then looks up from his bowl to find Ophelia looking at him. The corners of her mouth twitch and she smiles...the pointed teeth shown prominently.
"What's in the box you are guarding so closely, Elfling?" Mother MayEye asks, not looking up from her bowl.

Zan

"The stew is very good, so often chefs do not use enough salt, but that is not the case here. I do not know what the contents of the box are and I would only say that is not a topic that I am wishing to discuss."

Gordansk

"Fate. That is what he is guarding. Fate and destiny, the shaping of a nation and path to peace that the people and lizardmen might tread.

It will not augur well for those whose beaks pry beyond their comfort zone." the priest says in regard to inquiries about the gift box.

He looks at the girl, must have had a case of 'the terrible two's' for she could not be more than a teenager.

"Hallucinogenic fungi. Well, you might be off with the faeries soon " he comments on the poison. He is still concerned regarding the Kenku acolytes that perch about "What of those? Your minions or guests like us?"

Fahima

"No, not saying that at all. I think maybe you had too much of your mushroom brew."

Roan replying to Mother MayEye "Bah!, they dun care bout me. I served me time fightin in wars and servin in tha militia. I been sent out ta be on me own essentially. So I spend me time as a mercenary fer hire but I pick an choose who I be workin fer. I refuse work if I dun like the person payin. Mostly been helpin merchants, an caravans. I'm not one fer minin' if anythin I'd be more inclined ta smith weapons er armor. Always liked workin' with the metal moldin an makin stuff from it." the dwarf honestly reveals one of his inner secret loves. "Kinda gave me tha feelin' of bein like an artist watchin tha weaponsmiths and armorsmiths workin when I was but a lad. But as yah can see by me charmin looks I seen my times in battle." he shows the burn scarred side of his head and the healed claw marks on his face. "Care ta guess at how I got me scars? I always like makin folk guess." he chuckles and slurps down some more food. If you look closer at his face you can also notice his nose looks as if it was broken once and didn't quite heal 100% correctly.

gurusql wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 1:54 am Zan - "The stew is very good, so often chefs do not use enough salt, but that is not the case here. I do not know what the contents of the box are and I would only say that is not a topic that I am wishing to discuss."

"Not wishing...or cannot discuss, Elfling?" Mother MayEye says, looking straight at Zan. "You bring a box into me cabin and you wish not to discuss it, eh? Kinda rude, don't ya think?"

Spearmint wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 2:40 am Gordansk - "Fate. That is what he is guarding. Fate and destiny, the shaping of a nation and path to peace that the people and lizardmen might tread. It will not augur well for those whose beaks pry beyond their comfort zone."

The swamp witch cackles with laughter. "All doom and gloom this one, yes? Your companions must love your company. Har!"

"What of those? Your minions or guests like us?"
"Ah, my feathered friends. They serve me at their leisure. Unlike your feathered companion, my friends serve me because I provide them safety and understanding. I do not control or compel them."
She pushes back from the table and Ophelia quickly retrieves the empty soup bowl. "How's about a mug of mulled wine?" she says to the girl. The girl gurgles something in the back of her throat and dashes off to the cupboard. She fills a small pot with a dark red wine. She tosses in some herbs and places the pot over the fire.

Rex wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 2:46 am Fahima - "No, not saying that at all. I think maybe you had too much of your mushroom brew."

"Ye can never have too much! Ha! Although, there was a time...in my younger years...when I lured a man into me cabin with a cup of brew. He was a handsome feller and his manhood was something to see! Ha! Kept him in me bosom for a few weeks, then turned him loose. I think of him often and wonder if I should have kept him around a bit longer. Ah well. The river doesn't flow backwards...just onward."

GreyWolfVT wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 4:09 pm Roan replying to Mother MayEye "Bah!, they dun care bout me. I served me time fightin in wars and servin in tha militia. I been sent out ta be on me own essentially. So I spend me time as a mercenary fer hire but I pick an choose who I be workin fer. I refuse work if I dun like the person payin. Mostly been helpin merchants, an caravans. I'm not one fer minin' if anythin I'd be more inclined ta smith weapons er armor. Always liked workin' with the metal moldin an makin stuff from it." the dwarf honestly reveals one of his inner secret loves. "Kinda gave me tha feelin' of bein like an artist watchin tha weaponsmiths and armorsmiths workin when I was but a lad. But as yah can see by me charmin looks I seen my times in battle." he shows the burn scarred side of his head and the healed claw marks on his face. "Care ta guess at how I got me scars? I always like makin folk guess."

"Well now, that's a tale I'd like to hear more of, longbeard!" Mother MayEye says, stuffing a pipe with some type of weed. Ophelia appears with a burning twig to light it and the swamp crone puffs contentedly, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. After a few moments of silent puffing, she looks back at Roan. "Mayhap ye would wish to stay with me fer awhile. My minions are always in need of iron and me, well, I could use the company. What say ye?"
Now waiting for a response, she says, "And those scars...dragon marks are they? Well, then ye'll want to know old Aulicus is back. Folk around here call him Black Rain. He's a wicked one and serves no master, regardless of what Sakatha thinks."

Roan chuckles at the offer "I wouldn't mind stayin' Madam but I alrady am workin a job an I swore I'd get these folk back out alive if I could." he winces hearing confirmation of the dragon "Damn, guess me hearin was accurate, twas a dragon I dun heard flyin' overhead tha other night. But yer guess'd be wrong. I got me claw marks when I was a young adult think'd I knew better than me da' an went chasin after somethin' that showed me whatfore. That burns came later. But tell ye what that mad mage ain't castin spells no more. But he dun gave me a interestin' hairstyle I kinda embraced it a bit shaved up tha otherside ta match. So this undead lizard king any idea why some rich lord would wanna give em a gift Mother MayEye?"

Fahima

Looks at roan and rolls her eyes. "What can you tell us about Sakatha?"

hedgeknight wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 4:45 pm "Not wishing...or cannot discuss, Elfling?" Mother MayEye says, looking straight at Zan. "You bring a box into me cabin and you wish not to discuss it, eh? Kinda rude, don't ya think?"

"Except while I was caring it, I did not bring it in your cabin. So no I do not think it is rude. I would much rather talk about Sakatha than a dead-end topic."