Starker receives an open eyed look with Crow tilting his head to the side a bit, “All green dragons are evil in my experience.” He the looks to the lake, “It appears to be a lake of water, but, I don’t enter bodies of water. So, I don’t know.”
Gneuman "I have the belt. I will volunteer to test these waters, if it is the will of the party."
It was not. Entry and exit from the lake caused no splash or waves/ripples in the lake for the dragon or lovely to behold lake fairies. None were wet after exiting the lake.
Now, you see waves/ripples on the lake’s surface as you would expect.
“This bodes ill. I fear that during the ceremony the surface of the lake was actually a portal to some fell realm whither the hags came and to which they have returned, closing the ‘door’ behind them. I fear we must pursue and slay the dragon or find some other way to lift the curse.”
Anticipating the possibility of a "Lewis Caroll" riddle response to the question, Trolkarl also points in the direction ( I think NE) that the dragon flew off
About this time you see that Ajax has returned. You realize that he departed prior to the ceremony. He tells Starker, "I can lead you to the Dismal Swamp."
Hoid, speaking in common despite fluency in draconic, asks “Ajax, do denizens of this area consider providing a sack of hatchlings to women that emerge from ponds wicked?”
Starker gets another sideways turned head look as an answer to his question. "Balefoliumnax has terrorized and bullied everyone around since she arrived 20 years ago."
Ajax gives Hoid a long, unblinking stare. The silence becomes a bit uncomfortable until Crow offers, "This is an annual ceremony. Gifts are offered to the Lake Fairies for their blessing. If the gifts are enough There has a good year. If the gifts are insufficient," he pauses, "It is not a good year."
“Crow, you did not answer the question. I will ask again as plainly as I can. Is it considered wicked to offer up babies as a sacrifice? This is a yes or no question.”
"I did answer the question," Crow responds to Hoid. "Wicked or weal are judgements from your aerie. The Lake Faeries appreciate those gifts very much. It is just what is done."
Ajax flies over to Gneuman to perch upon his shoulder and watch the discussion with his resting grin face.
“It is not for us to judge the denizens of this realm and their aesthetic and economic choices. Perhaps if the 3 babes per annum were not sacrificed all the citizens would be tortured or the crops would fail and all would starve.”
“In our realm Crow, those with moral fortitude, do not offer young ones for sacrifice in any circumstance!” Frowns at this being for his callous response.
Turning to the group “I want these Hags head on a pike for putting these folks in this position.” “I suggest we handle them first, then deal with the Dragon plaguing this land.”
Gneuman "I have the belt. I will volunteer to test these waters, if it is the will of the party."
When the deagon emerged from the ‘lake’ was it dripping wet?
It was not. Entry and exit from the lake caused no splash or waves/ripples in the lake for the dragon or lovely to behold lake fairies. None were wet after exiting the lake.
Now, you see waves/ripples on the lake’s surface as you would expect.
“This bodes ill. I fear that during the ceremony the surface of the lake was actually a portal to some fell realm whither the hags came and to which they have returned, closing the ‘door’ behind them. I fear we must pursue and slay the dragon or find some other way to lift the curse.”
"Any temple of Tyr should be able to take care of removing the curse from us. Getting home might be another matter.
I'm reluctant to attack any creature that was attacking our foe."
Asking any of the nearest fey
Where is the Dismal Swamp located?
Anticipating the possibility of a "Lewis Caroll" riddle response to the question, Trolkarl also points in the direction ( I think NE) that the dragon flew off
Is it this direction?
About this time you see that Ajax has returned. You realize that he departed prior to the ceremony. He tells Starker, "I can lead you to the Dismal Swamp."
(Translating as it goes along)
”Friend Ajax, can you tell us about the green dragon and whether he is wicked or wealful?”
Hoid, speaking in common despite fluency in draconic, asks “Ajax, do denizens of this area consider providing a sack of hatchlings to women that emerge from ponds wicked?”
Starker gets another sideways turned head look as an answer to his question. "Balefoliumnax has terrorized and bullied everyone around since she arrived 20 years ago."
Ajax gives Hoid a long, unblinking stare. The silence becomes a bit uncomfortable until Crow offers, "This is an annual ceremony. Gifts are offered to the Lake Fairies for their blessing. If the gifts are enough There has a good year. If the gifts are insufficient," he pauses, "It is not a good year."
Ajax nods vigorously after Crow's answer.
“Crow, you did not answer the question. I will ask again as plainly as I can. Is it considered wicked to offer up babies as a sacrifice? This is a yes or no question.”
"I did answer the question," Crow responds to Hoid. "Wicked or weal are judgements from your aerie. The Lake Faeries appreciate those gifts very much. It is just what is done."
Ajax flies over to Gneuman to perch upon his shoulder and watch the discussion with his resting grin face.
“It is not for us to judge the denizens of this realm and their aesthetic and economic choices. Perhaps if the 3 babes per annum were not sacrificed all the citizens would be tortured or the crops would fail and all would starve.”
Did those who were blessed get the benefit of that spell against this spell??
Gneuman 1
Gneuman was the only miss close enough to matter. With an additional 1 he did not make it.
“In our realm Crow, those with moral fortitude, do not offer young ones for sacrifice in any circumstance!” Frowns at this being for his callous response.
"That is your aerie." Crow looks about, "this is a different aerie."
Turning to the group “I want these Hags head on a pike for putting these folks in this position.” “I suggest we handle them first, then deal with the Dragon plaguing this land.”
“Ajax, where do the wyrd sisters go between ceremonies?”