"While a strong philosophical argument, Ms. Green. I draw a personal line there, if I offer offence, I would note that I think you intend to do the same, making us even."
" 'If the orthodox doesn't give results. Then the opposite is necessary.' " Neya says to herself, echoing one of Estra's lessons. "I have done questionable things in the name getting a job done. I suppose this is not too dissimilar."
She acquiesces to Ms. Green's condition for further discussion and eats her bowl.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ms. Green nods along with Doozey as the halfling offers some good arguments to his fellow CRAPers. She is happy to see its results, gesturing to Neya in approval as the warrior eats her serving. Ms. Green then mimics the "drinking straight out of the bowl" action as she turns to Denae and notices that the half-elf is sure to keep her word. Her Sister gave it her okay, so Denae also indulges in the meal.
Utar, the last man standing, remains resolute. Ms. Green waves his defiance away and declares: "Fine, have it your way. Just know that I'll not listen to a word you have to say in the negotiation we are about to start."She counts the team of barristers she is about to face and concludes: "Being against three people, a devil, and a beast is probably enough of a challenge at the negotiating table anyway."
Before then, Ms. Green replies to Doozey's latest question: "All of them. Some are fresher then others, as you surely could tell."She then clears the area of most of the eating utensils and tools, before sitting back at her chosen spot and re-opening discussions.
(@Ori: I'm inclined to say Biscuit is about to go eat the bowl of stew Utar set on the ground, but I'll leave it up to you. If he doesn't, Pipyap does.)
(@Drache: Please give me a CON saving throw for Neya. This does not count as a harmful gas and vapor.)
As much as Doozey looked both a touched disappointed and even a little worried for Utar, seeing Ms. Green wave off the bout of defiance left him relieved. When it later came to his question being answered, Doozey looked only thoughtful at the admission, then a little conflicted for a moment. But eventually, he just shakes his head, deciding to put the whole matter of his clearly nonfunctional tastebuds out of mind.
"So, uh, Ms. Green, uhm, about mending the pact. Forgive me for being a touch presumptuous here, but I felt ya might've been angling at having some ideas on that, yea? Also, eh... If'n ya don't mind too greatly, if you be having any of Halvin's remains remaining even after the brew, I, uh... I be hoping I can take it with me."
Neya passed, nothing changes for her, but Denae failed.
Ms. Green slowly turns her head to face Doozey again. "Yes, let us not delay this conversation any further. This age old pact between the fey of this forest and the city of Phlan is, as I previously mentioned, not ironclad. Many an exception have been granted over the years, either formally or in the form of a "look away" of sorts. I rue the day I agreed to it, but I admit it has granted me much desired isolation, lest I succumb to the temptations of power as sisters of a certain inlet previously have. So, I am indeed willing to consider this yet another "look away" instance, but at a price. I have kept my side of the bargain over the ages. I value the power of given word and well-kept secrets, none of which can be kept or given, as appropriate, without the power of speech. Phlan has failed on their word and largely forgotten our secret pact. They must pay. As their representatives, you must pay, and what I ask of you is exactly what was failed to be given: trustworthy word. A volunteer among you must willingly gift me their tongue. Make this offering, and I will simply "look away" once more. Moreover, I shall have gifts for you as well, to represent a well-struck deal of renewal."
She briefly changes subjects, as did the halfling hunter. When Doozey asks about Halvin's remains, she looks up for a brief second. Neya would recognize the direction that she stared at as being the one pointing to the caged survivors hidden by an illusion. She then says "Of Halvin, I may yet be able to collect some of the bones from the cook-pot. I may have one of his belongings still. Why don't I make that one of the gifts from me to you once a deal is struck?"
By now, Biscuit has already claimed Utar's bowl. What Pipyap had missed before finally reaches his inattentive ears. He ponders on the partial words he heard: "Halvin's bones?" You all look over your shoulder in anticipation of the imp throwing caution to the wind.
Neya listens to this conversation. At first this exchange seems simple enough. But when it comes to the fey, such thinking is best left aside. She tries to discern the deeper meaning behind the symbolism of surrendering one’s tongue.
Not really thinking much of the glance up from Ms. Green except simply as a sign of her thinking, Doozey instead looked thoughtfully to the ground, and then over to Biscuit. Alas, the stoutling's council would have to be his own, what with the beast's face still buried in the bowl. And despite vague notions cautioning against it, Doozey found himself nodding along in practical agreement to the deal. However, just before he can speak, hearing Pipyap's voice gives him pause.
"Uhh... well, I mean, aye? Ms. Green be telling us before 'bout killing the poor sod and adding him to the stew. And I don't be thinking she be lying 'bout that sort of thing now. Or are you gonna be telling us next that ya be sensing him now that we here all alive 'n well?" He asks of the imp. "Yer not calling Ms. Green now a lying, are ya?" He asks while giving Pipyap a warning look.
A deal with the fey always runs the risk of having hidden layers. There is always a catch. The hag is certain to use the offered tongue for nefarious purposes. You can't be sure what that would be in this case, but you can be sure that Ms. Green is not going to reveal it, if there is indeed one. Nonetheless, three possibilities pop up in you mind. It is up to you to decide which one is the most likely.
She uses severed tongues to speak secrets into the wind. She deals in secrets to cause chaos and benefit from the decisions made based on the revealed secrets.
She farms tongues and glands to collect saliva, which is then used to insult people (a magical "spit in someone's face") and sow discord in the lands beyond the Quivering Forest.
Humanoid tongues are a delicacy in hag cuisine. She uses them to brew powerful, mysterious potions with who-knows-what effects and for who-can-tell purposes.
Regarding potential workarounds for such a deal, a few additional theories pop in your mind as well. It is once again up to you to weigh them:
You lose your tongue and it can't be regenerated, replaced, or otherwise fixed until you somehow convince Ms. Green to relinquish her hold onto the offered tongue.
You lose your tongue but continue to feel all the agony it goes through while Ms. Green puts it to whatever use she desires. Only killing the hag would relieve you of such torture.
Your tongue is forever forfeit. You may want to work with an artificer to produce a prosthesis, a cleric to regenerate it, a wizard to enchant your stump into a ghostly working tongue, or any other fantastical solution you may imagine. Whatever avenue you pursue, the hag will be none-the-wiser, and you are free to bypass the handicap. In turn, whatever she does to your original tongue is none of your concern either.
Pipyap's eyes widen as Doozey confirms Halvin's death. You can see some sense of revenge filling them, but Pipyap was never as hot-headed as Halvin could sometimes be. Halvin was his master and Pipyap will miss him, but he is not going to thrown away his newfound freedom by rushing head-first into a fight with a hag. All of these thoughts run through the imp's head in a flash, and are plain to see in his eyes. Even Ms. Green notices it all. The imp calms back down in an instant. Showing wisdom beyond initial impressions, he simply says "My freedom attained, but at what cost?" Pipyap puts some distance between himself and the rest of the party, and then sits on the ground, in thought and looking somewhat desolate.
Utar had held his tongue given Ms. Green's insistence that she would not listen to him, but he loosens it for the benefit of Neya, Danae and Doozey.
"What she asks for is a high price and should not be given up lightly by any of us. Remember prro Rerk back in Kabel's Hill. The potential benefit is great though. If the pact with Phlan continues to stand the number of lives it would touch would be immeasuable. However, I would strongly suggest you see what you are to receive before any agreement is made,"
Utar points towards the imp, "I'm going to go chcek on Pipyap. Do not agree to anything just yet."
Stepping closer to the imp, Utar settles himself down on a nearby patch of ground, "Do you want to talk about it or just sit quietly for a bit?"
Doozey frowned and even Biscuit growled a bit at Utar for the Half-Orc's continued lack of trust in sweet, old Ms.Green. But knowing there could be little done about the stubborn Half-Orc's "ttude", the duo chuff or shake their head in dismissal, before giving the hag once more their full attention. "Or barring that, and I... hesitate to ask this, as much as been asked as is. But ya wouldn't mind terribly so if once the deal is concluded, there's at least a, uh..grace period as well? A small one, if'n ya would be so kind. T-to give us time to let those in Phlan and so on and at least know about the bargain. Otherwise, it would be rather awkward if seconds later it turns out some other fool came a wandering in minutes later, and seeing the whole thing moot."
Taking Utar's advice to heart, Neya asks for more information on the offered gifts. Ms. Green points to the cloak hanging from a peg on a nearby wall and says "I believe it used to belong to the other Redfoot. It can be one of my gifts to you. I have other reclaimed possessions around the house, valuable trinkets that I wouldn't mind gifting as a show of goodwill. All untainted, you have my word."
Utar's request doesn't land so well with Doozey. Perhaps in an attempt to change the subject, the halfling asks for a grace period and is granted this boon: "An understandable request. Should I be given what I am owed in our bargain, I can agree on a short grace period. But should Phlan get in trouble during such period, do not expect me to lift a finger."
Over to the side, Pipyap replies to Utar. The emotional moment brings a level of sincerity out of the imp that had not been seen before: "Halvin treated me better than any of the bullies in hell. He wasn't nice, but he was better then them. In Halvin's care I learned to enjoy my stay in the Material Plane. Now that I am no longer bound to him, if I die, I'll reform in hell and Halvin won't be around to re-summon me to this plane. I can't afford to die."
"I am sorry for your loss, Pipyap. But no-one is insisting you return to the hells. The big question for you, is what does life look like without Halvin? What is it you want to do with yourself? Where do you want to go? No one is looking for you to have answers to those questions either. Doozey would likely appreciate a long chat about Halvin, but later, okay?"
Utar looks at their relative sizes, shrugs and then offers a more simple gesture to the imp, "Do you need a hug?"
Doozey nods. "That's more than fair enough and reasonable, Ms. Green. And before about the gifting of a belonging of my kin, if not his bones, that will be appreciated as well... o-once negotiations have concluded. Which on the subject of which, I... Hmn... I have at least one more difficult request to make. Or, eh, really a, uhm.. minor amendment to the bargain? It's-" He glances over to Neya first, then Denae, and then finally Utar before returning his gaze to Ms. Green.
"There's someone in the feywild connected to this forest that we still need to speak to. And a loss of a tongue for even one of us would make things rather tricky, to say the least. Is there any way to, eh, delay the severing until the business is concluded, but magically assure it is done, er, afterwards? Like, say once the volunteer and or their fellow representative were to return home? A sort of 'gift of time' perhaps in exchange forgoing any other gifts to the individual?"He asks of Ms. Green. "I-I apologies for any poor wording there. Though I have some understanding of the arcane and hemocraft, I am hardly a learned expert. So, I leave that to you, Ms. Green, as to whether such a thing is feasible or not."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Pipyap's eyes show that he appreciates Utar's show of empathy. "I... I dunno. Probably living at the barn and hunting cows. Stuffing my face with raw meat and meelk. The good life, y'know..."When Utar mentions a later conversation with Doozey, Pipyap simply nods. At the mention of a hug, Utar realizes he has once again stumbled into a word the imp does not recognize. "A... hoog?"
Ms. Green's calm demeanor is almost lost at Doozey's latest request: "You mean to offer your tongue on credit? Now, my dear halfling, that sounds quite absurd, especially coming from a Redfoot. I care little for whomever else you need to strike a bargain with in this forest, and I am pretty sure I don't want this other party getting any advantages in his claims within the forest." She gestures once again to the pin holding her hair, as if to remind the group that she knows more about CRAP and their recent conversations than they themselves might have realized. "But let it not be said I am not a willing negotiator. You want time-credit, I want guarantees. Offer me a bit more and I shall grant you your extra request. A small bit of your life essence is all I ask in addition to your binding word that you'll indeed offer the previously agreed tongue. The bit of life essence does not even have to come from the same person offering the tongue. Agree to this and I'll agree to your request. And no, I shall not elaborate on what I am asking any further."
Denae opines at this point: "We may be pushing our luck here. If you are taking the deal, I say you do it while she is still agreeable."
"The question is who would give the payment? I'd imagine whoever it is will need to prepare for further consequences outside of a major speech impediment."
"I will say that I will not accept Denae as an option. It will have to be one of the three of us, if anyone"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Doozey grimaced, and after a quick side-eyeing of Denae following her suggestion, sighed in defeat. "Tch! As if Denae was actually an option."Doozey is quick to say, before shooting Denae a half-hearted but apologetic look. "No offense, but... ya know..."He leaves things there on that note, and turns once more to Greenteeth with an expression that flitted between apologetic and wary. But after a few moments of staring her down, he takes out his hunting dagger and stares at it.
"... I'd wonder if coming back later is an option altogether, but best we not part with a sour taste in our mouths... assuming we'd even be allowed to at this point."Doozey says, before worried whines and soft "Boof" from Biscuit drew the ranger's attention. The stoutling smiled sadly, and after waving the beast to approach, pet him a few times. "Looks like you'll have to be caring on the conservations on me behalf, brother. Try not to make me look too much like a fool, eh?"Biscuit chuffs and growls at Doozey, then started to push his way past the stoutling to stand between him and Ms. Green. But a strong hand from his smaller compatriot halts his movement. "No, Brother. Even if it were acceptable, you've literally given your life for me more times than I can count. I won't be having ya give up this as well. Just... stay still."
Resolved, Doozey turns once more to Ms. Green and says, "I offer you my tongue in exchange of you simply "looking away" once more AND a grace period of.. if not 5 days than 3 at least. Hopefully that'll be enough time for Phlan to actually get its act together and not stir the pot for at least, oh... another century, if nothing else." He flashes a weak smile. "And for your, eh, patience, I suppose, I ask if you would prefer I cut it out myself or if you prefer your own means, Ms. Green? Oh! And if Mr. Serelis can be overlooked as well regarding this whole mess, that would be appreciated, but, uh...." He trails off sighing and bowing his head. "I leave that to your own discretion, Ms. Green."
-Persuasion: 10. (if needed in regards to Serelis)
Doozey answers Neya's prompt for a group decision, as does Biscuit, though the mastiff is denied the self-sacrifice. Denae replies to her own disqualification with a respectful nod and an attempt to soften the blow of the heavy moment with a quip: "I'll try not to complain too much about it."
Once Doozey accepts and details the terms to be agreed on once more, Ms. Green brings to the "table" what she had agreed to offer. She removes Halvin's cloak from its peg and dips inside her cottage for a brief moment, returning with a wooden chest. "Your family heirloom and a chest-filled with valuable gifts to symbolize a deal well struck." Regarding Doozey's questions about the exact steps for tongue-removal, she pulls a small knife from her belt and passes a hand over its blade, which turns bright orange as if left in a blacksmith's furnace. "Be careful now. The blade will remain hot for the next five days, so it matches the grace period you have asked for. After a single cut, the blade and whatever it sliced off will find their way back to me. Be sure that this cut is the one severing your tongue, my dearest Redfoot, for I shall consider our deal broken if it isn't, and Phlan will no longer have the forest's protection."
She lets Doozey finish his last spoken piece and waves a hand negatively: "Serelis is not part of our deal. If he wants to save himself, I shall offer him a separate bargain. Now, only one detail is pending. Who is to offer a bit of their life force?"
Utar sets his bowl down on the floor, untouched.
"While a strong philosophical argument, Ms. Green. I draw a personal line there, if I offer offence, I would note that I think you intend to do the same, making us even."
" 'If the orthodox doesn't give results. Then the opposite is necessary.' " Neya says to herself, echoing one of Estra's lessons. "I have done questionable things in the name getting a job done. I suppose this is not too dissimilar."
She acquiesces to Ms. Green's condition for further discussion and eats her bowl.
Extended Signature
Ms. Green nods along with Doozey as the halfling offers some good arguments to his fellow CRAPers. She is happy to see its results, gesturing to Neya in approval as the warrior eats her serving. Ms. Green then mimics the "drinking straight out of the bowl" action as she turns to Denae and notices that the half-elf is sure to keep her word. Her Sister gave it her okay, so Denae also indulges in the meal.
Utar, the last man standing, remains resolute. Ms. Green waves his defiance away and declares: "Fine, have it your way. Just know that I'll not listen to a word you have to say in the negotiation we are about to start." She counts the team of barristers she is about to face and concludes: "Being against three people, a devil, and a beast is probably enough of a challenge at the negotiating table anyway."
Before then, Ms. Green replies to Doozey's latest question: "All of them. Some are fresher then others, as you surely could tell." She then clears the area of most of the eating utensils and tools, before sitting back at her chosen spot and re-opening discussions.
(@Ori: I'm inclined to say Biscuit is about to go eat the bowl of stew Utar set on the ground, but I'll leave it up to you. If he doesn't, Pipyap does.)
(@Drache: Please give me a CON saving throw for Neya. This does not count as a harmful gas and vapor.)
DM's Screen:
Denae CON (Fey Ancestry): 21
Neya CON: 18
Extended Signature
(@Lerus: Unless Utar actively tries to keep the bowl out of Biscuit's reach, he will 100% try to eat Utar's meal as well as you rightly predicted.)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
As much as Doozey looked both a touched disappointed and even a little worried for Utar, seeing Ms. Green wave off the bout of defiance left him relieved. When it later came to his question being answered, Doozey looked only thoughtful at the admission, then a little conflicted for a moment. But eventually, he just shakes his head, deciding to put the whole matter of his clearly nonfunctional tastebuds out of mind.
"So, uh, Ms. Green, uhm, about mending the pact. Forgive me for being a touch presumptuous here, but I felt ya might've been angling at having some ideas on that, yea? Also, eh... If'n ya don't mind too greatly, if you be having any of Halvin's remains remaining even after the brew, I, uh... I be hoping I can take it with me."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
@Drache: Please see spoiler below.
Neya passed, nothing changes for her, but Denae failed.
Ms. Green slowly turns her head to face Doozey again. "Yes, let us not delay this conversation any further. This age old pact between the fey of this forest and the city of Phlan is, as I previously mentioned, not ironclad. Many an exception have been granted over the years, either formally or in the form of a "look away" of sorts. I rue the day I agreed to it, but I admit it has granted me much desired isolation, lest I succumb to the temptations of power as sisters of a certain inlet previously have. So, I am indeed willing to consider this yet another "look away" instance, but at a price. I have kept my side of the bargain over the ages. I value the power of given word and well-kept secrets, none of which can be kept or given, as appropriate, without the power of speech. Phlan has failed on their word and largely forgotten our secret pact. They must pay. As their representatives, you must pay, and what I ask of you is exactly what was failed to be given: trustworthy word. A volunteer among you must willingly gift me their tongue. Make this offering, and I will simply "look away" once more. Moreover, I shall have gifts for you as well, to represent a well-struck deal of renewal."
She briefly changes subjects, as did the halfling hunter. When Doozey asks about Halvin's remains, she looks up for a brief second. Neya would recognize the direction that she stared at as being the one pointing to the caged survivors hidden by an illusion. She then says "Of Halvin, I may yet be able to collect some of the bones from the cook-pot. I may have one of his belongings still. Why don't I make that one of the gifts from me to you once a deal is struck?"
By now, Biscuit has already claimed Utar's bowl. What Pipyap had missed before finally reaches his inattentive ears. He ponders on the partial words he heard: "Halvin's bones?" You all look over your shoulder in anticipation of the imp throwing caution to the wind.
Neya listens to this conversation. At first this exchange seems simple enough. But when it comes to the fey, such thinking is best left aside. She tries to discern the deeper meaning behind the symbolism of surrendering one’s tongue.
Insight: 11
Extended Signature
Not really thinking much of the glance up from Ms. Green except simply as a sign of her thinking, Doozey instead looked thoughtfully to the ground, and then over to Biscuit. Alas, the stoutling's council would have to be his own, what with the beast's face still buried in the bowl. And despite vague notions cautioning against it, Doozey found himself nodding along in practical agreement to the deal. However, just before he can speak, hearing Pipyap's voice gives him pause.
"Uhh... well, I mean, aye? Ms. Green be telling us before 'bout killing the poor sod and adding him to the stew. And I don't be thinking she be lying 'bout that sort of thing now. Or are you gonna be telling us next that ya be sensing him now that we here all alive 'n well?" He asks of the imp. "Yer not calling Ms. Green now a lying, are ya?" He asks while giving Pipyap a warning look.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
@Drache: Please see spoiler below.
A deal with the fey always runs the risk of having hidden layers. There is always a catch. The hag is certain to use the offered tongue for nefarious purposes. You can't be sure what that would be in this case, but you can be sure that Ms. Green is not going to reveal it, if there is indeed one. Nonetheless, three possibilities pop up in you mind. It is up to you to decide which one is the most likely.
Regarding potential workarounds for such a deal, a few additional theories pop in your mind as well. It is once again up to you to weigh them:
Pipyap's eyes widen as Doozey confirms Halvin's death. You can see some sense of revenge filling them, but Pipyap was never as hot-headed as Halvin could sometimes be. Halvin was his master and Pipyap will miss him, but he is not going to thrown away his newfound freedom by rushing head-first into a fight with a hag. All of these thoughts run through the imp's head in a flash, and are plain to see in his eyes. Even Ms. Green notices it all. The imp calms back down in an instant. Showing wisdom beyond initial impressions, he simply says "My freedom attained, but at what cost?" Pipyap puts some distance between himself and the rest of the party, and then sits on the ground, in thought and looking somewhat desolate.
Utar had held his tongue given Ms. Green's insistence that she would not listen to him, but he loosens it for the benefit of Neya, Danae and Doozey.
"What she asks for is a high price and should not be given up lightly by any of us. Remember prro Rerk back in Kabel's Hill. The potential benefit is great though. If the pact with Phlan continues to stand the number of lives it would touch would be immeasuable. However, I would strongly suggest you see what you are to receive before any agreement is made,"
Utar points towards the imp, "I'm going to go chcek on Pipyap. Do not agree to anything just yet."
Stepping closer to the imp, Utar settles himself down on a nearby patch of ground, "Do you want to talk about it or just sit quietly for a bit?"
“Just out of curiosity, are you of a mood to tell us what these gifts might be. Or are you leaving them as a surprise?”
Persuasion: 14
Extended Signature
Doozey frowned and even Biscuit growled a bit at Utar for the Half-Orc's continued lack of trust in sweet, old Ms.Green. But knowing there could be little done about the stubborn Half-Orc's "ttude", the duo chuff or shake their head in dismissal, before giving the hag once more their full attention. "Or barring that, and I... hesitate to ask this, as much as been asked as is. But ya wouldn't mind terribly so if once the deal is concluded, there's at least a, uh..grace period as well? A small one, if'n ya would be so kind. T-to give us time to let those in Phlan and so on and at least know about the bargain. Otherwise, it would be rather awkward if seconds later it turns out some other fool came a wandering in minutes later, and seeing the whole thing moot."
-Persuasion: 19. (if needed)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Taking Utar's advice to heart, Neya asks for more information on the offered gifts. Ms. Green points to the cloak hanging from a peg on a nearby wall and says "I believe it used to belong to the other Redfoot. It can be one of my gifts to you. I have other reclaimed possessions around the house, valuable trinkets that I wouldn't mind gifting as a show of goodwill. All untainted, you have my word."
Utar's request doesn't land so well with Doozey. Perhaps in an attempt to change the subject, the halfling asks for a grace period and is granted this boon: "An understandable request. Should I be given what I am owed in our bargain, I can agree on a short grace period. But should Phlan get in trouble during such period, do not expect me to lift a finger."
Over to the side, Pipyap replies to Utar. The emotional moment brings a level of sincerity out of the imp that had not been seen before: "Halvin treated me better than any of the bullies in hell. He wasn't nice, but he was better then them. In Halvin's care I learned to enjoy my stay in the Material Plane. Now that I am no longer bound to him, if I die, I'll reform in hell and Halvin won't be around to re-summon me to this plane. I can't afford to die."
"I am sorry for your loss, Pipyap. But no-one is insisting you return to the hells. The big question for you, is what does life look like without Halvin? What is it you want to do with yourself? Where do you want to go? No one is looking for you to have answers to those questions either. Doozey would likely appreciate a long chat about Halvin, but later, okay?"
Utar looks at their relative sizes, shrugs and then offers a more simple gesture to the imp, "Do you need a hug?"
Doozey nods. "That's more than fair enough and reasonable, Ms. Green. And before about the gifting of a belonging of my kin, if not his bones, that will be appreciated as well... o-once negotiations have concluded. Which on the subject of which, I... Hmn... I have at least one more difficult request to make. Or, eh, really a, uhm.. minor amendment to the bargain? It's-" He glances over to Neya first, then Denae, and then finally Utar before returning his gaze to Ms. Green.
"There's someone in the feywild connected to this forest that we still need to speak to. And a loss of a tongue for even one of us would make things rather tricky, to say the least. Is there any way to, eh, delay the severing until the business is concluded, but magically assure it is done, er, afterwards? Like, say once the volunteer and or their fellow representative were to return home? A sort of 'gift of time' perhaps in exchange forgoing any other gifts to the individual?" He asks of Ms. Green. "I-I apologies for any poor wording there. Though I have some understanding of the arcane and hemocraft, I am hardly a learned expert. So, I leave that to you, Ms. Green, as to whether such a thing is feasible or not."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Pipyap's eyes show that he appreciates Utar's show of empathy. "I... I dunno. Probably living at the barn and hunting cows. Stuffing my face with raw meat and meelk. The good life, y'know..." When Utar mentions a later conversation with Doozey, Pipyap simply nods. At the mention of a hug, Utar realizes he has once again stumbled into a word the imp does not recognize. "A... hoog?"
Ms. Green's calm demeanor is almost lost at Doozey's latest request: "You mean to offer your tongue on credit? Now, my dear halfling, that sounds quite absurd, especially coming from a Redfoot. I care little for whomever else you need to strike a bargain with in this forest, and I am pretty sure I don't want this other party getting any advantages in his claims within the forest." She gestures once again to the pin holding her hair, as if to remind the group that she knows more about CRAP and their recent conversations than they themselves might have realized. "But let it not be said I am not a willing negotiator. You want time-credit, I want guarantees. Offer me a bit more and I shall grant you your extra request. A small bit of your life essence is all I ask in addition to your binding word that you'll indeed offer the previously agreed tongue. The bit of life essence does not even have to come from the same person offering the tongue. Agree to this and I'll agree to your request. And no, I shall not elaborate on what I am asking any further."
Denae opines at this point: "We may be pushing our luck here. If you are taking the deal, I say you do it while she is still agreeable."
"The question is who would give the payment? I'd imagine whoever it is will need to prepare for further consequences outside of a major speech impediment."
"I will say that I will not accept Denae as an option. It will have to be one of the three of us, if anyone"
Extended Signature
Doozey grimaced, and after a quick side-eyeing of Denae following her suggestion, sighed in defeat. "Tch! As if Denae was actually an option." Doozey is quick to say, before shooting Denae a half-hearted but apologetic look. "No offense, but... ya know..." He leaves things there on that note, and turns once more to Greenteeth with an expression that flitted between apologetic and wary. But after a few moments of staring her down, he takes out his hunting dagger and stares at it.
"... I'd wonder if coming back later is an option altogether, but best we not part with a sour taste in our mouths... assuming we'd even be allowed to at this point." Doozey says, before worried whines and soft "Boof" from Biscuit drew the ranger's attention. The stoutling smiled sadly, and after waving the beast to approach, pet him a few times. "Looks like you'll have to be caring on the conservations on me behalf, brother. Try not to make me look too much like a fool, eh?" Biscuit chuffs and growls at Doozey, then started to push his way past the stoutling to stand between him and Ms. Green. But a strong hand from his smaller compatriot halts his movement. "No, Brother. Even if it were acceptable, you've literally given your life for me more times than I can count. I won't be having ya give up this as well. Just... stay still."
Resolved, Doozey turns once more to Ms. Green and says, "I offer you my tongue in exchange of you simply "looking away" once more AND a grace period of.. if not 5 days than 3 at least. Hopefully that'll be enough time for Phlan to actually get its act together and not stir the pot for at least, oh... another century, if nothing else." He flashes a weak smile. "And for your, eh, patience, I suppose, I ask if you would prefer I cut it out myself or if you prefer your own means, Ms. Green? Oh! And if Mr. Serelis can be overlooked as well regarding this whole mess, that would be appreciated, but, uh...." He trails off sighing and bowing his head. "I leave that to your own discretion, Ms. Green."
-Persuasion: 10. (if needed in regards to Serelis)
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Doozey answers Neya's prompt for a group decision, as does Biscuit, though the mastiff is denied the self-sacrifice. Denae replies to her own disqualification with a respectful nod and an attempt to soften the blow of the heavy moment with a quip: "I'll try not to complain too much about it."
Once Doozey accepts and details the terms to be agreed on once more, Ms. Green brings to the "table" what she had agreed to offer. She removes Halvin's cloak from its peg and dips inside her cottage for a brief moment, returning with a wooden chest. "Your family heirloom and a chest-filled with valuable gifts to symbolize a deal well struck." Regarding Doozey's questions about the exact steps for tongue-removal, she pulls a small knife from her belt and passes a hand over its blade, which turns bright orange as if left in a blacksmith's furnace. "Be careful now. The blade will remain hot for the next five days, so it matches the grace period you have asked for. After a single cut, the blade and whatever it sliced off will find their way back to me. Be sure that this cut is the one severing your tongue, my dearest Redfoot, for I shall consider our deal broken if it isn't, and Phlan will no longer have the forest's protection."
She lets Doozey finish his last spoken piece and waves a hand negatively: "Serelis is not part of our deal. If he wants to save himself, I shall offer him a separate bargain. Now, only one detail is pending. Who is to offer a bit of their life force?"