Dues for the Dead (DM Lerus)

Neya looks at Derannos' hoard. She feels a little guilty for essentially grave-robbing a dragon, but concludes that using some of it could gain some advantage.

"The tricky part will be how to explain why we are paying them to invade a seemingly random island of strange fishing folk. Only we have some idea what the crones are capable of, and it still seems a bit outlandish to me."

(OOC: I should mention, in case it is not apparent, that the horde will not fit in its entirety within the bag of holding.)

Derannos' confirmed death affects some CRAPers more than others. The group is not necessarily proud of what they are doing, but can't deny the potential usefulness of all the treasure they are collecting. Graxx mentions a few possible useful ways to spend their newly found fortune, which could help in the fight to come. However, Neya once again highlights the group's lack of information on the crones.

Taking a break from his successive dives, some of which were aided by Doozey handing over the bag of holding to the half-orc, Utar looks at the small shrine he lifted from the depths. The brazier and the altar are nothing to write home about, but the statuette depicts an interesting symbol. It is a set of four interlocking silver circles on a dark purple background. Despite his vast knowledge concerning religious matters, Utar can't quite place this specific holy symbol. He is sure, however, that it must belong to an incredibly obscure worship, or a dead one, for him not to recognize any traces of its origin. (OOC: Sorry, the DC on that one was pretty high.)

Doozey also takes a break eventually, mentioning he feels the need to go give Sagin and Taters an update. Upon popping out of the water outside, Doozey feels a sling bullet flying past, some two feet away from his head. A second later, Sagin emerges from behind a bush with an apologetic hand raised. "Startled," he explains. Doozey proceeds to deliver the bad news to the kobold as Taters flies in and momentarily lands on the stoutling's shoulder. Being treated as an individual whose own choices are respected is something new to Sagin, and he says such to Doozey using his own, simple words. Nonetheless, the choice laid in front of him is not clear to the kobold at the time Doozey pauses to let Sagin respond. He thinks for some time and finally says: "Sagin needs to think. Choosing is not easy." He points to the bush behind him, below which he has dug a small trench for himself, and adds: "Sagin sleeps here tonight, yes? Stay away from water and think on what to choose." He waits for Doozey's approval of his plan.

(@Ori: The way I read it, Doozey didn't really elaborate on the choices proposed to Sagin until after the kobold was expected to express his acceptance or rejection of said choice. Hence, Sagin is doing neither right now, and I interpret the dialogue after your persuasion roll to not have taken place just yet. Let me know if I am misreading something.) 

"If that is your wish, Mr. Sagin, then let it be so. It is a big choice to make. Only but a day or two ago, you were but a miner. And now... a lotta has happened, to say the least." Doozey admits with a half-smile. "Just know that what I offer isn't without its dangers still. But, if all goes well, you'll become stronger for it. Perhaps even a bit more... Though, I do hope what shared with you -- what I would offer you would use for the greater good." He expresses as much. But though there's a moment in which he looks as if he might reach out and pat Sagin's shoulder, Doozey held himself back, and simply looked over to Taters.

"Taters  here will still be in the area too, and help you out if need him. Just ask, and he'll understand you'll well enough."  Taters looks to the water, then to Sagin, and then finally back to Doozey before nodding in grudging agreement. For that, Doozey is sure pet the former Almiraj, as well as feed it a treat, prior to then sending the beast on its way to find a roost nearby to rest. "If we're not back up top ourselves later, I'll... see you tomorrow, Mr. Sagin. And if not, well... may Big Mama Yondalla watch out for ya on any future journeys." With that, Doozey turns as if intending to leave, but stops short at a thought. "And here. Bit of added protection. You'll need, uh... just keep on your person, and the knowledge of how to use it should come to you over time." Sagin is then handed the Wand of Web. After that, Doozey aimed to return to the others, and see to finishing up the treasure recovery process.

If/When he returns to the others and given an update on at least the most recent, the halfling would remind that there are probably not many villagers capable of fighting left following their raid on Derranos lair. And that the island wasn't so vast as to require horseback to get around. Regardless of whether he's given a head's up on that conversation between Neya and Graxx, his return not only meant setting back to work dredging up the rest of the treasure, but pausing long enough to speak with Utar about possibly communing with Derranos at least. Which on that point, Doozey was strangely eager to dive down and double check if the body had been intact enough for at least that.

Medicine: 15. (If helped(?): 9.
(if Guidance: 4)

Sagin thanks Doozey for respecting his request for time to think. He looks at Taters when the flying bunny is mentioned, and receives the wand of web once the ranger offers it. He looks confused by the item but does as he is told. Sagin looks a bit sad but also seems to have a better understanding of what Doozey is asking of him. He wishes Doozey a good evening as the conversation comes to an end.

Doozey then dives back into the water and reemerges in the dragon lair to reunite with CRAP. The others are still in the middle of collecting the hoard and cataloging it, so Doozey resumes his previous task after updating the group on the conversation with Sagin. While in the water, Doozey checks Derannos' head for its overall condition and finds it to be quite damaged. For the purposes of the spell he suggested to Utar, it might be right at the edge of having a functional maw/mouth. There is only one way to find out.

Utar mulls the idea over. While Derannos' body has been ravaged, the mouth looked about how he remembered it from before.

"I think that could work. Might at least mean we can properly understand what happened here. Best get back in the water."

Athletics - 19

Doozey is there too of course assist in the effort of dredging up at least head, if only in as a token gesture on the stoutling's part. For determination could only get him so far. Yet if it could be helped, he temporarily recruit Graxx as well, further assuring the job was done with some degree of "care", if nothing else. Well, Graxx' help, and perhaps some last minute securing of rope on the Stoutling's part to at least help keep the maw intact for the journey back to the surface.

Sleight of Hand: 11. (if needed)

Once all is said and done, the normally more stoic...ish halfling seemed at once nervous, angry, and even saddened seeing the remains of Derranos above the water. "I... I should've been more attentive... More adamant... more..." He trails off from there, jaw clenched and eyes closed as anger boarding on the feral began to take more presence in his heart. But rather intentionally or not, a moment of silence had been observed on his par after; and with that time, so too did his features calm again.

".... Let's get this over with." Doozey said, looking resolutely up to Utar. "I leave it your discretion of course which would be best to ask. But, I do have a few in mind-..." With that, the stoutling tries his best to articulate several key points they may wish to bring up with the dragon.   

1) What are the islander crones, and how might we best defeat them in the 'event' of your absence?
2) If you were to be slain, how might we honor your spirit/remains?
3) What do you know of the Redfoot kin you spoke of last, and of their whereabouts?
4) In the event of your death, do you know of any means we might seek to revive you sooner than later?
5) (Leaving blank, as it may be dependent on the answers above)

Graxx will gladly help pull the remains out of the water.

Graxx will also add the Potion of Cold Resistance and Greater Healing Potion to his backpack.

(OOC: I still want to give everyone some time to see if they agree with the proposed questions, so I'll stop short of the spell casting.)

Well into the evening, after all treasure has been accounted for and the group is getting ready to settle for the night (I assume somewhere away form the carnage), Doozey brings up the idea of asking the dead dragon a few questions. Utar agrees with the idea, and volunteers to dive one more time to try and bring the dead dragon to the surface. Doozey gets some of the rope the party had used to arrive here in the first place and follows the Tormite.

With enough time and several resurfacings for air, the duo eventually ties some rope around the carcass and begins to bring it slowly upward. At some point, the rope work proves to be somewhat faulty. The rope gets pulled too tight, squeezing the dead dragon's severely wounded mid-rift. Plenty more gore is forced out of the body in the process in what could certainly be considered as desecrating the dead by some. Utar's efforts are still successful, due to buoyancy and the carcass' diminished weight.

Eventually, Derannos' upper body makes it to the surface, where Graxx lends his strength to pulling it onto land. It is a grim scene. The multi-headed monstrosity's body is still nearby, as are the bodies of many villagers. The haul has further damaged Derannos' body as well, leaving many of its remaining parts hanging by a thread. If the group is to cast the proposed spell, they better do so swiftly.

Given the deterioration in the state of Derannos' body, Utar decides to dispense with the formal niceties of ritual casting, although he cannot think of a more deserving recipient of them at the moment, and instead opts to take a more direct approach.  Strapping his painted pauldron to his shoulder, he kneels at his pack and hopes that they have had the chance to become sufficiently dry.  Repositioning himself to kneel now above Derannos' head, he places a small pile of incense carefully to either side of the dragon's head.

"I'm not sure whether this will work, but I imagine it will be similar to before.  We have our questions, yes? To find out about the crones, to find out about Doozey's kin, whether there are any burial rites Derannos would want observed, whether he would want to return to the material plan and the means to do so? We can work out any further questions if we get the opportunity."

Utar pauses for a moment should any further questions be raised before proceeding to light the incense from his tinderbox.  Touching his hands to the sides of Derannos' head, Utar begins to chant a short, repetitive line, slowly at first, then faster.  As he begins the spell the symbol upon his pauldron begins to glow, faintly at first, becoming stronger as the spell takes hold, then pulsing in a steady rhythm not dissimilar to a heartbeat.

Cast speak with dead using a spell slot rather than as a ritual.

(OOC: Some bug made me lose the edits to this post as I clicked on "Save changes". Incredibly frustrating... Well, here I go again. Apologies if this is shorter than intended and/or the first go.)

DM's Screen:

Noting that time is of the essence, Utar decides to spend his resources in as quick a casting of speak with dead as he can muster. The group quickly decides on some questions to ask the deceased dragon, though there is some slight disagreement on priorities.

In a scene that is becoming more and more familiar to the group, incense smoke quickly rushes into the dragron's nostrils and mouth, reanimating the creature temporarily. Derannos looks intently at Utar and waits for the first question. The Tormite tries to make sense of Doozey's and Graxx's listed priorities while also giving some input himself. This is what the enchanted body is capable of answering before his soggy and mangled facial muscles give out, interrupting the spell:

• What are the islander crones? "Now, a coven."
• How might we best defeat them in the 'event' of your absence? "Avoid fire and ice."
• What do you know of the Redfoot kin you spoke of last, and of their whereabouts? "Into the Feywild."
  

(OOC: I would like everyone to roll a CON saving throw, please.)

Utar's CON save - 15

Doozey Con Save(DC X): 15.

(Con Save? E-zay! Doozey has such a good track record with those!)

Neya Con save:13

Con Save:  18

Without anyone really noticing anything different around them, Neya starts feeling a bit more tired than usual. It is evening outside, so maybe the monk is just getting to that point in the day where she starts to feel the need to sleep. 

Utar rocks back onto his haunches as Derannos' facial muscles give out and the responses from the dragon dwindle away to nothingness.  Still cradling its head, Utar lays a hand over either eye and slowly closes them, before setting a hand beneath his mouth and gently closing it.  Holding the head of the dragon in his lap, Utar also silently speaks a prayer for Derannos' spirit, that it might know peace and be at rest, and implores Torm to speed its journey.

Leaving the incense to burn down, Utar places the head of the dragon gently to the ground and stands, bows and steps away before turning away to face the rest of CRAP.  

"I think we best make a camp here before we make any further move in any direction.  Things might seem brighter in the light of day."

The new wave of fatigue hits Neya, "I agree, we've seen a sampling of what sorts of dangers are present along the roads at night."

"Avoid fire and ice" Graxx says aloud.

Graxx puts his hands on his hips and looks to Neya.

"Maybe that potion of cold resistance will come in handy."

 Though initially stoic, Doozey's expression immediately soured at the mention of the feywild. But after a few more moments of having drifted off into aggravated contemplation, Utar's care for the dragon's body eventually registers enough to draw attention back to the present. Ashamed, the stoutling could only bow his head in apology, and murmur what might've been a prayer in halfing.

(Below part assumes passive 18 insight would be enough)

"Fair enough. Probably should see to some of these bodies, but... yea. Sounds to good to me too." He then looks to Neya, intent on saying one thing, only to look a touch worried. "You aight there, Ms. Neya? Not feeling some after effects of that spirits yelling, I hope." He asked as he wandered up closer to study her for a moment, and with an added request for permission in the case it seemed warranted.

--> Medicine: 19.

If nothing strikes him as worrying, as it could just as well be fatigue from dealing with all the treasure, Doozey leaves things at that to focus on the hydra, curious to see if anything might be harvest able from the creature; even if only as a novelty item. It's only then as well that he cursed himself, realizing that given the creatures regenerative abilities, the window of acquiring anything more useful for preserving might be long past. The others he'd trust to handle the other bodies(Derranos included)... unless the plan was to leave them to rot, and move back into the tunnel.

--> Monstro Harvesting(if possible): 13.

At some point after, assuming the harvesting proved immediately pointless sooner, Doozey took some time to consider not just Derranos' warnings, but everything the group knew of the trio before now. Between being a hunter with some... connections to the fey, but also trained in facing the supernatural using the supernatural, one clear idea had already formed in mind. Yet knowing it better to not rush into a conclusion, snippets of free moments are stolen to further consider the enemies -- the crones that would await them on the island.

--> Arcana: 15 (if Hunter's Bane would apply(adv roll): 23)

Utar does what little he can to give Derannos a calm send off, while Graxx ponders on the usefulness of their most recent acquisitions in the fight to come. When Neya urges the group to call it a night, Doozey notices she seems a bit more exhausted than usual. Choosing not to pry too much, the stoutling tries to examine the human from afar and throws a few possibilities in the air in terms of causes to the undue tiredness.

(@Ori and @Drache: If you are interesting in sussing this out some more, you may roll or help in an arcana or a history check.)

As the rest of the group presumably begins clearing out some of the carnage and/or setting up camp in the tunnel whence they came, Doozey approaches the many-headed monstrosity in search of anything harvest-able. He notices the creature's blood has become quite thick and gelatinous by now, unnaturally and unsettling so. Deciding not to risk interacting with that too much, the stoutling plucks a fang or two as a trophy. Anything more than that might risk some infectious disease, the ranger thinks.

As CRAP settles in for the night, Doozey goes to bed thinking of the crones. From what he observed before, his dream, and Derannos' use of the word "coven," Doozey's mind begins to lean toward some evil fey or perhaps fiends, in terms of the the crones' true nature. The hunter is quite sure they are not simply human spellcasters. That said, one of them... her name escapes him now... the mute one... she did cast a divine spell once, did she not? Anyway, Doozey is getting a bit tired himself now. Perhaps he can get back to thinking tomorrow.

(OOC: You are welcome to take a long rest if you are ready to move on to the next day.)