Into the Hool

[Spearmint]

Gordansk

"There are those in Port Tovin who could lift any curse or stress upon this child. She is growing into womanhood and needs to be among her people not stuck in a swampy backwater."

He wonders if Count Tydan could not also bring Orphelia into his care in some fashion. Maybe not an ideal set up but much better than living in the wilds with a mad old crone.

As folk eat and apparently suffer no ill effects, he will eat too.

"We should not outstay our welcome." he indicates to the others.

[hedgeknight]

"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."

Are you saying you didn't bring the box inside the cabin? If not...where is it?

[gurusql]

"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."

Are you saying you didn't bring the box inside the cabin? If not...where is it?

No I am saying I did not walk into the cabin, I was carried in against my will

[hedgeknight]

"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."

Are you saying you didn't bring the box inside the cabin? If not...where is it?

No I am saying I did not walk into the cabin, I was carried in against my will

Ah, gotcha.

[hedgeknight]

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?"

"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."

The swamp crone puffs on her pipe and the sweet, heady aroma of the weed fills the cabin. "Everyone I ever knew who dealt with Sakatha came out on the dead-end. Mayhap it's a trick and there ain't nothing in that box the Elfling carries," she raises an eyebrow at Zan. "Or it could be a payoff for some type. Rich lords give gifts all the time and send fools on missions that are too dangerous for them to carry out themselves. If the fools don't return, they just send another batch, and then another and so on. How do ya know you and yer friends ain't the sacrificial gifts for ol' Sakatha? Would that fancy rich lord have any reason to rid himself of ya?"

Gordansk
"There are those in Port Tovin who could lift any curse or stress upon this child. She is growing into womanhood and needs to be among her people not stuck in a swampy backwater."

When the preacher of doom changes the subject, Mother MayEye rolls an eye in his direction. Watching him eat, she smiles and puffs her pipe. "I'll have you know Ophelia bears no curse. She's not stuck here; she's free to come and go as she pleases; just so happens it pleases her to stay with me...for now. I dare say I'll waste away to nothing once she leaves; her cooking is keeping me healthy and fat. Har!"
Ophelia brings Mother MayEye a mug of mulled wine. The swamp hag drinks a big gulp of it even though it is steaming hot.

"We should not outstay our welcome." Gordansk indicates to the others.
Vilana nods, having finished her second bowl of stew. She glances at the small pot by the fire and Ophelia brings her a mug of mulled wine. She sniffs and then sips gingerly, making a "yummy sound" in her throat.
"Stay as long as ya like," Mother Mayeye says smacking her lips and taking another gulp. "Not every day I get the pleasure of talkative company. It gets lonely just conversing with oneself ya know."

"I'll stay with ya fer a while longer, if'n that's okay," Tree Moss suddenly speaks out. "I know exactly what ya mean. 'Sides, I can't go any farther into the swamp, and I might be able ta do some tradin' with ya fer spices and such." His smile is genuine, even if he does have a small piece of bread in his tangled beard. The old trader looks at the startled faces of his companions. "Snake Bite needs ta be getting back too. His tribe ain't welcome down here in these parts. He knows it, but he's paying a debt to Sai. If ye'll be so kind as to release him..."

[Rex]

Fahima

To Sai, "Seems we should be fine finding Sakatha from here if you are good releasing Snakebite."

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan thinks about it but then decides that is probably not the case "Honestly, that don't make much sense the lord wants us ta go an save his kid too after this not ta mention he spent a lot supplyin us. I'd think that cost'd be too high fer what it's worth ta gift us away ta some undead lizardfolk deity."

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

Cassius suddenly blinks and shouts out. "That's two gold for the mutton!" He looks around the room wildly, looking at everyone. "Where is she? Where's my daughter!?"

His eyes land on Ophelia and narrow. "You. I know you, her. But you're not her, are you?" Cassius turns to the swamp lady. "What was in that stew?"

[Darklin2]

Sai

Well, I guess we are in your debt. I think we should spend the night. Going to be hard finding dry ground here in the swamp. If I may would you be interested in selling me some of your herbs? I use them for healing and salves. If Ophelia would allow it I could take a look at her ears to see if I can heal her. I have some magic to help as well if it comes to that.


He then looks at Snake bite and Tree Moss.

You have fulfilled your debt to me. I, thank you for your aid and wish you luck on your return trip home. Watch yourself for those men, I am sure they will hold a grudge.

Come here child. (And waves for her to come close to look at her ears.) I am thinking the Duke's child is a Vampire as well. He wants us to kill the Head Vampire to release his child.

[gurusql]

Zan

Zan doesn't much like Sai's suggestion, but also sees that it has merits. He will go with the majority point of view.

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan looks at Cassius "What's wrong with him eh? What's next he gonna start talkin in rhymes?"

[Rex]

Fahima

To Roan, "I think it was that stuff he ate outside."

[hedgeknight]

Greyhawk, 586 CY, Readying 19
Southern Hool Swamp, Evening into Early Morning, Cool and Foggy
The Cabin and the Crone

The companions agree to spend the night, and Mother MayEye says they can sleep inside the cabin for safety; "I normally sleep outside anyways...when my mind allows it. Ophelia has her own room if ya need anything."
When Cassius suddenly comes to himself, it causes no little concern for Fahima and Roan. Vilana just shakes her head and sips on a mug of the mulled wine. Her eyelids are heavy and she really doesn't care what happens to them; somehow she feels safe among this swamp witch.
Roan doesn't believe Count Tydan will sacrifice them; he still needs them to bring his daughter home.
Sai ventures outside with Tree Moss, where he releases the Lizard Man, Snake Bite, from his debt. Snake Bite clacks his jaw and grasps Sai by the arm in a warrior's handshake. Tree Moss decides to sleep outside with Snake Bite and Mother MayEye.
Mother MayEye cackles at Cassius' behavior and says, "This stew is Ophelia's specialty. I call it Gator Gumbo. Mighty tasty. As fer what is bubbling in my cauldron, well that's a potion I'm working on. How did it make ye feel? What did ya see?"

Ophelia refuses Sai's healing but when he reaches for her, she boldly sits down in his lap and curls up on his chest like a cat, wrapping her long arms around his neck. Amazingly, she is quite clean and smells like fresh lavender. (See note in your private forum.)

Throughout the night, the sounds of the swamp coo the companions to deep restful sleep. In fact, most would say it's one of the best sleeps they've had in quite awhile...even if they did sleep on the floor! An hour before dawn, Ophelia is busy with the stove and the smell of something being cooked fills the cabin, waking everyone from their slumber.
Eggs and biscuits with gravy are the morning fare, along with hot tea or mulled wine.
As the companions eat, Mother MayEye returns from outside. She carries several small leather pouches against her bosom. She sits a pouch in front of each of the companions at her table. "Might help against the lizard king. Might not. Ye'll just have to find out fer yourselves, I reckon."
Inside each pouch is a small vial of greenish liquid. "Before you appear in his presence, best drink it. Anything else I can do ya for?"

[Rex]

Fahima

Fahima takes her pouch, "Thank you Mother MayEye. May I ask what it is supposed to do?"

[GreyWolfVT]

Roan asks "Do we drink it now er wait till we are closer ta tha lizard king?"

[gurusql]

Zan

"Thank you Mother MayEye."

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

After a good night's sleep, he seems back to normal. "I think this was a lucky stop. A good reminder that not everyone is out to get us."

"Thank you for your hospitality. And the vision. I hope it comes true."

Cassius then turns to the task at hand. "To Sakatha?" He takes the pouch and vial and nods his head in thanks.

[Spearmint]

Gordansk

If we sleep here he will get up early to pray. Keen to move on from the crone's clutches and her Kenku brood.

[hedgeknight]

Greyhawk, 586 CY, Readying 20
Southern Hool Swamp, Early Morning, Cool and Foggy
Mother MayEye's Parting Gifts

"Yes, yes, yer welcome. I thankee for the company. Most folk...well, most folk never make it this far, much less stop in for vittles and conversation." She smiles down at Fahima. "This should prevent ol' Sakatha or his minions from taking a bite out of ya...a least for a minute or two; time enough to git yer arses outta there. And master Dwarf, don't drink it until ye are about to come into Sakatha's presence; it won't last for long...but hopefully long enough."

She approaches Zan, noting the box he's holding. She brazenly runs her dirty-taloned fingers across its top, then sucks in her breath, glancing up at Zan's face. "Ah, Elfling...be careful with this...gift."
Turning to Cassius, she smiles and nods. "I hope so too, youngling. I hope so too."

"To Sakatha?" Cassius says, and Vilana (still gnawing on a biscuit) replies, "Lead the way." She stuffs the rest of the biscuit in her mouth, bows slightly to Mother MayEye, and unslings her bow, readying an arrow as she falls in behind the archer.
Tree Moss wishes all of the companions safe travels, reminding them to keep turning south, and "Watch for quicksand!" From the top of the steps, Ophelia stands and waves as the companions leave, especially Sai.

The morning turns off cold and still foggy. There are distant sounds all around, sounds of the swamp waking up.

All of you are fully rested and energetic. It felt as if you slept two days or more!
Need a marching order and what you are doing as you go along.

[Monsieur Rose]

Cassius

Cassius has his bow out and ready and will be near the front, hopefully behind a scout. He will lead if nobody is confident in their scouting abilities.

He suspects the lizardfolk stay low and sometimes submerge themselves, so his focus is on the ground and pools of the swamp.