"A hug is where you put your arms around someone else to comfort them," The half-orc mimes the actions, and then shakes his head, "It might be easier to do it, than show you,"
Utar streches out his arms, "And you do the same, then," Utar embraces Pipyap, "This is a hug. It's supposed to make you feel better." Utar pauses "Is it working?"
Once released from the imp, Utar adds, "If you're planning on going back to the barn, you should note that the other villagers might not take kindly to you eating all of their livestock. We might need to tweak your plan slightly."
Back with Ms. Green:
Utar rejoins the conversation having overheard enough to consider himself roughly caught up. "I would offer a small amount of my blood, the price of this contract weighs heaviest upon you, Doozey, but you do not need to carry the weight of it alone."
"W-w-wait, wait, wait, wait! I-I believe there's been a, uh, slight misunderstanding?!"Doozey said frantically, waving one hand while the other putting away his dagger. Turning to Utar next, he waggles a finger at Utar. "As for you, Mr. Utar, you're not offering anything, Mr. I-can't-handle-a-wee-bit-of-neckbone-soup! You want to be offering more than a word of advice, then maybe ye be helping Serelis out here. Not that he did anything wrong mind ya, but, eh..."The stoutling glances back over his shoulder at Ms. Green. "But if yer suddenly less bow shy, perhaps focus yer energy there, yea?"
Finally Doozey allows himself to take a breath, rubs at his face, and then with another exasperated sounding huff, returned his attention once more to Ms. Green. "The SHORT grace period I was referring to was the one about notifying Phlan. Not, uhh, delaying the payment. I'm prepared to..." He looks to the knife, and swallows hard. "I'm prepared to pay that right now. So, eh, if you'd be so kind." Doozey holds out a hand, ready to accept the instrument of his silence. Once it's in hand, Doozey mutters, "Here's hoping Lord Witchthorn be not needing a word from me", before awkwardly extending his tongue as much as possible and... at least attempting the procedure on himself if noone stops him.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Pipyap awkwardly but willingly accepts Utar's demonstration, holding on to the half-orc a bit longer than Utar might have expected. "It works, I think," he responds. Then, when reminded that his lifestyle may still cause him trouble, Pipyap admits: "Maybe I need to find another way. A safer way. I'll think of something."
Utar leaves the imp to think about his options and offers a bit of his own life essence to help conclude the deal. Doozey then clarifies that he is no longer interested in delaying his own sacrifice as he can't be sure what exactly is being asked in return. A disappointed Ms. Green clicks her tongue but is glad enough to proceed with the original exchange. "Very well. A tongue now for the restitution of the agreement with Phlan, including a 5-day grace period. Some extra gifts shall go around to mark a well-struck bargain. When you are ready, go ahead and slice your tongue off, my dear Redfoot."
Doozey awkwardly extends his tongue as much as possible...
(OOC: Pausing here (i) for dramatic effect and (ii) to give others a chance to react/interrupt as they may like.)
Neya looks on, feeling somewhat powerless over the fact that Ms. Green has had control of this conversation since minute one. But, also having more profound respect for Doozey.
As Utar, Neya, Denae, and Biscuit look on, Doozey places the enchanted knife on his tongue and slices it clean off. There is no pain, no blood. What remains of the halfling's tongue is painlessly and instantly cauterized with a combination of the orange-hot blade and whatever witchy enchantment it holds. As she had previously described, both articles disappear from the hunter's hands and are seen in Ms. Green's possession a moment later. She grins widely in her victory before putting her new treasure away and rushing through the conclusion of the almost-complete deal.
"Very well, very well. Now, it is getting late and I am sure you have other business to attend." She turns to grab the other promised gifts, starting with Halvin's cloak. Handing it to Doozey, she says: "This is yours, my mum friend. Halvin should have put its concealing virtues to better use." She then opens her personal chest, made of a beautiful purple-hued hardwood, and digs inside for something to offer to the others. To Neya, she extends a pair of slippers "You look like you could put this sticky pairs of shoes to good use". Utar is next, and he receives a plain wooden ring. "Despite insulting my cooking, I don't think this deal is completed without you being here. That... and I said everyone would leave here with a gift, so here, take it. I hope you like jumping."
The next few moments are spent digging deeper into her possessions to find lesser but still suitable gifts for the other. Ms. Green places a copper diadem inlaid with pieces of amber on Biscuit's head (worth 35gp), gives Denae three loose pieces of jade (worth 10gp each), and hands Utar a single garnet with instructions to present it to the imp (worth 5gp). She then closes her fancy treasure chest and waves goodbye to the group, leaving no doubt in your minds that she considers the visit to be over.
Having braced himself for the worst, Doozey squeezed his eyes during the process, only to open them moments later with a look of blank confusion on his face. "Iee im wor-... yea, iz gom..."The stoutling says or tried to say, before rolling his eyes at the failed effort. 'This is... going to take some getting used to', He thought grimly at first, but with Biscuit soon nuzzling against his face in a show of comfort, the stoutling expression softens until he's idly scritching the tundra mastiff alongside the jaw.
At the offering of the cloak, Doozey accepts it with a mixed look of gratefulness and sadness on his face, before going on to hug it close to his chest and offer a silent prayer filled with just as mixed feelings. Biscuit, on the other hand, looks more confused than anything after the diadem is placed, but "Boof" in thanks at Ms. Green all the same. After all of that, seeing no reason to linger once Ms. Green gave the signal, Doozey again nodded once in appreciation, and was in the process of stuffing the cloak into his backpack while turning away when Neya's question gives pause. Enough to at least raise a brow at her, but not really commit to glance about the place.
If she yet persists or Ms. Green began to look upset at the curious subject, his expression turns more into a warning one... directed at Neya.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar takes his gifts and offers his thanks to Ms. Green. He hasn't been expecting anything given his staunch refusal to play her games... And now he learns she might have been playing more?!
"Well," Ms. Green looks up in the direction of the two caged villagers. She asserts: "There was no grace period in place when they came digging around the forest. They belong to me."She then gestures to Doozey and adds "Now, let us not sour a successful deal. Why don't you follow your halfling friend here and make ready to depart?"
She looks at the caged villagers again, her eyes betraying anger for the first time during this encounter.
Now alerted to the presence of living villagers, Doozey and Utar look more pointedly in the direction Ms. Green is referencing. The image of the caged villagers come into view (passive perception) as if gradually appearing through fog.
"Ah. My mistake. I had assumed that since you did not include them in the previous bargain you might have thought to reserve them for a separate deal had any of us brought them up at all. I hope you would forgive my ignorance.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Once the "fog" faded away Doozey immediately whipped around to glare and let out a strange sound snarl at Ms. Green! He should've known better -- No, he -knew- better, and yet willing blinded himself as assuredly as he made himself mute! Ms. Seranolla's advice be damned at this point! Doozey would... He would....
The look of betrayal and anger had lasted but for a few seconds on the stoutling's face. Mere moments before confusion, doubt, and even a touch of shame began creeping into his visage. At first he shook his head in denial of the feelings...
A concerned or... questioning(??) "Boof"from Biscuit startles stoutling back from his inner turmoil. "... E.... I... I'm awrye... em awrye. We, eh, uh-..."Doozey huffed in frustration. "Meh.Reem am rye. 'ey-"He gestures up to the caged pair. "Forfeim mife 'oin afer foo of Refoom. Bimmah fool up-" Again, Doozey huffs in frustration, and then started to go for his pack for writing utensils. But then following a glance to Ms. Green, he furrows brows, then relented on the effort in leeriness of pushing some hidden bounds of the pact.
For now. "We mo'. Whimmerhorn awaim um."He says, gesturing first down the path, then making a circler motion as if signifying the group at large."'em-"He gestures again to the caged invidivuals, before waving a hand dismissively. "Meh. Gweem, eh... 'e ware for'em. 'ey be fime."He assures the party with the corner of his lips twitching as they try to form a smile. Biscuit nods along in agreement, nearly dislodging his new crown, and then lowered himself for Doozey to climb aboard. The pair would then begin to meander a short way back down the path, only to stop and look back to make sure the party was coming along soon after. As Doozey's eyes inevitably fall upon Pipyap once more, they narrow in speculation.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Doozey goes through a thousand emotions in mere seconds, and his face betrays many of them even if his words don't/can't. Eventually settling on spurring the group onward and out of Ms. Green's clearing, Doozey receives support not only from his mastiff, but also from Denae. As she steps behind the halfling as to follow him out of here, she says: "Right. I'm sure they'll be fine. We did our best here and managed to maintain the deal between Phlan and the forest, and our little friend here paid a high price for it. A bit of collateral damage is only to be expected."
All three CRAPers are well-versed at noticing when something is off (passive insight). Over the course of the past several tendays (episodes) Denae has been advocating for "coming out of the shadows" and helping the real people of Faerûn, those who can't afford hiring well-meaning adventurers and secret sisterhoods. Her talk of "leaving the villagers behind" is extremely out of character, as is the fact that she is so quickly agreeing with Doozey.
While you all contemplate Denae's behavior, Ms. Green raises an eyebrow in response to Neya: "You offer another deal then?" Ms. Green asks of Neya while visibly producing the orange-hot knife once more.
@Ori: Please see spoiler below
Even while charmed, you notice that there is something off about Denae's behavior. This makes you suspect something odd is going on here. This is in addition to other hints you have been getting (hostages, humanoid stew, how she specifically didn't want the tongue-severing to hurt (i.e. cause damage), the sudden rush in getting CRAP out of her clearing). You may roll another WIS save. I'd say you can do so with advantage given the cumulative suspicions at this point, but will leave it up to you whether you want to use that advantage or not. No shame in it either way.
I'll take you up on that offer, especially given how paranoid Doozey tends to be (or certainly has been for the past couple of chapters/arcs). That said, I'm not sure if the advantage offered is for the retroactive wisdom save from last post or a whole new set of rolls now. So, I'll roll 2 separately with the bottom one ignored if NOT a case of a new wisdom save opportunity.
"Hang on though," Utar raises a hand in a stop motion, then indicates the members of CRAP and the two caged humans, "There was no grave period in place when we entered, but there is one in place now. They are citizens of Phlan just as we are. If the grace extends to us, it extends to them too, surely?"
Putting questions of Doozey's and Denae's behavior aside for the time-being, Neya picks up the red-hot knife as Utar voices his opinion. She then replies to him, "Due to my error in timing, I think that might be the issue. The grace period only now exists. We never asked for one that was retroactive."
She the turns to Ms. Green, "If it's to free these men? Yes, I would. Would the price be the same or different?"
Doozey looks to Denae, the only other sensible member of the group (aside from Biscuit, of course), then sighs and shakes his head in exasperation. Unfortunately, much as he was of a mind admonish or manhandle the stubborn pair away before they disturb the kindly Ms. Green overly much, he neither had the tongue or the leverage (gauntlets of ogre power notwithstanding) to really do either without doing more harm than good. So, he watched them with a mixture of annoyance and wariness plain on his visage, and at least a hand at rest near Apostle should things call for it.
Though for which side the blade would be against in such a moment would be... up in the air.
Ms. Green is happy to let Neya answer Utar's question and focuses instead on the the question posed by Neya herself. "No, not the same, although I have already mentioned it: a nick on your finger, a little of your blood, a bit of your life's essence, is all I ask."
Doozey and Denae observe this potential new trade from several yards away, both looking more annoyed by the minute.
With Pipyap:
"A hug is where you put your arms around someone else to comfort them," The half-orc mimes the actions, and then shakes his head, "It might be easier to do it, than show you,"
Utar streches out his arms, "And you do the same, then," Utar embraces Pipyap, "This is a hug. It's supposed to make you feel better." Utar pauses "Is it working?"
Once released from the imp, Utar adds, "If you're planning on going back to the barn, you should note that the other villagers might not take kindly to you eating all of their livestock. We might need to tweak your plan slightly."
Back with Ms. Green:
Utar rejoins the conversation having overheard enough to consider himself roughly caught up. "I would offer a small amount of my blood, the price of this contract weighs heaviest upon you, Doozey, but you do not need to carry the weight of it alone."
"W-w-wait, wait, wait, wait! I-I believe there's been a, uh, slight misunderstanding?!" Doozey said frantically, waving one hand while the other putting away his dagger. Turning to Utar next, he waggles a finger at Utar. "As for you, Mr. Utar, you're not offering anything, Mr. I-can't-handle-a-wee-bit-of-neckbone-soup! You want to be offering more than a word of advice, then maybe ye be helping Serelis out here. Not that he did anything wrong mind ya, but, eh..." The stoutling glances back over his shoulder at Ms. Green. "But if yer suddenly less bow shy, perhaps focus yer energy there, yea?"
Finally Doozey allows himself to take a breath, rubs at his face, and then with another exasperated sounding huff, returned his attention once more to Ms. Green. "The SHORT grace period I was referring to was the one about notifying Phlan. Not, uhh, delaying the payment. I'm prepared to..." He looks to the knife, and swallows hard. "I'm prepared to pay that right now. So, eh, if you'd be so kind." Doozey holds out a hand, ready to accept the instrument of his silence. Once it's in hand, Doozey mutters, "Here's hoping Lord Witchthorn be not needing a word from me", before awkwardly extending his tongue as much as possible and... at least attempting the procedure on himself if noone stops him.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Pipyap awkwardly but willingly accepts Utar's demonstration, holding on to the half-orc a bit longer than Utar might have expected. "It works, I think," he responds. Then, when reminded that his lifestyle may still cause him trouble, Pipyap admits: "Maybe I need to find another way. A safer way. I'll think of something."
Utar leaves the imp to think about his options and offers a bit of his own life essence to help conclude the deal. Doozey then clarifies that he is no longer interested in delaying his own sacrifice as he can't be sure what exactly is being asked in return. A disappointed Ms. Green clicks her tongue but is glad enough to proceed with the original exchange. "Very well. A tongue now for the restitution of the agreement with Phlan, including a 5-day grace period. Some extra gifts shall go around to mark a well-struck bargain. When you are ready, go ahead and slice your tongue off, my dear Redfoot."
Doozey awkwardly extends his tongue as much as possible...
(OOC: Pausing here (i) for dramatic effect and (ii) to give others a chance to react/interrupt as they may like.)
Utar says nothing. To do so might rob Doozey of his intent and nerve. Instead, he readies himself to watch and intervene with healing if needed.
Neya looks on, feeling somewhat powerless over the fact that Ms. Green has had control of this conversation since minute one. But, also having more profound respect for Doozey.
Extended Signature
As Utar, Neya, Denae, and Biscuit look on, Doozey places the enchanted knife on his tongue and slices it clean off. There is no pain, no blood. What remains of the halfling's tongue is painlessly and instantly cauterized with a combination of the orange-hot blade and whatever witchy enchantment it holds. As she had previously described, both articles disappear from the hunter's hands and are seen in Ms. Green's possession a moment later. She grins widely in her victory before putting her new treasure away and rushing through the conclusion of the almost-complete deal.
"Very well, very well. Now, it is getting late and I am sure you have other business to attend." She turns to grab the other promised gifts, starting with Halvin's cloak. Handing it to Doozey, she says: "This is yours, my mum friend. Halvin should have put its concealing virtues to better use." She then opens her personal chest, made of a beautiful purple-hued hardwood, and digs inside for something to offer to the others. To Neya, she extends a pair of slippers "You look like you could put this sticky pairs of shoes to good use". Utar is next, and he receives a plain wooden ring. "Despite insulting my cooking, I don't think this deal is completed without you being here. That... and I said everyone would leave here with a gift, so here, take it. I hope you like jumping."
The next few moments are spent digging deeper into her possessions to find lesser but still suitable gifts for the other. Ms. Green places a copper diadem inlaid with pieces of amber on Biscuit's head (worth 35gp), gives Denae three loose pieces of jade (worth 10gp each), and hands Utar a single garnet with instructions to present it to the imp (worth 5gp). She then closes her fancy treasure chest and waves goodbye to the group, leaving no doubt in your minds that she considers the visit to be over.
"I apologize if this risks overstaying our welcome. But, we've had an audience through out this visit. What is to become of them?"
Persuasion: 10
(She's trying to see if Ms. Green is even willing to broach the subject.)
Extended Signature
Having braced himself for the worst, Doozey squeezed his eyes during the process, only to open them moments later with a look of blank confusion on his face. "Iee im wor-... yea, iz gom..." The stoutling says or tried to say, before rolling his eyes at the failed effort. 'This is... going to take some getting used to', He thought grimly at first, but with Biscuit soon nuzzling against his face in a show of comfort, the stoutling expression softens until he's idly scritching the tundra mastiff alongside the jaw.
At the offering of the cloak, Doozey accepts it with a mixed look of gratefulness and sadness on his face, before going on to hug it close to his chest and offer a silent prayer filled with just as mixed feelings. Biscuit, on the other hand, looks more confused than anything after the diadem is placed, but "Boof" in thanks at Ms. Green all the same. After all of that, seeing no reason to linger once Ms. Green gave the signal, Doozey again nodded once in appreciation, and was in the process of stuffing the cloak into his backpack while turning away when Neya's question gives pause. Enough to at least raise a brow at her, but not really commit to glance about the place.
If she yet persists or Ms. Green began to look upset at the curious subject, his expression turns more into a warning one... directed at Neya.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Utar takes his gifts and offers his thanks to Ms. Green. He hasn't been expecting anything given his staunch refusal to play her games... And now he learns she might have been playing more?!
"Well," Ms. Green looks up in the direction of the two caged villagers. She asserts: "There was no grace period in place when they came digging around the forest. They belong to me." She then gestures to Doozey and adds "Now, let us not sour a successful deal. Why don't you follow your halfling friend here and make ready to depart?"
She looks at the caged villagers again, her eyes betraying anger for the first time during this encounter.
Now alerted to the presence of living villagers, Doozey and Utar look more pointedly in the direction Ms. Green is referencing. The image of the caged villagers come into view (passive perception) as if gradually appearing through fog.
"Ah. My mistake. I had assumed that since you did not include them in the previous bargain you might have thought to reserve them for a separate deal had any of us brought them up at all. I hope you would forgive my ignorance.”
Extended Signature
Once the "fog" faded away Doozey immediately whipped around to glare and let out a strange sound snarl at Ms. Green! He should've known better -- No, he -knew- better, and yet willing blinded himself as assuredly as he made himself mute! Ms. Seranolla's advice be damned at this point! Doozey would... He would....
The look of betrayal and anger had lasted but for a few seconds on the stoutling's face. Mere moments before confusion, doubt, and even a touch of shame began creeping into his visage. At first he shook his head in denial of the feelings...
(Spoiler for Lerus eyes only..)
Wis Save(DC ??): 6.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
A concerned or... questioning(??) "Boof" from Biscuit startles stoutling back from his inner turmoil. "... E.... I... I'm awrye... em awrye. We, eh, uh-..." Doozey huffed in frustration. "Meh.Reem am rye. 'ey-" He gestures up to the caged pair. "Forfeim mife 'oin afer foo of Refoom. Bimmah fool up-" Again, Doozey huffs in frustration, and then started to go for his pack for writing utensils. But then following a glance to Ms. Green, he furrows brows, then relented on the effort in leeriness of pushing some hidden bounds of the pact.
For now. "We mo'. Whimmerhorn awaim um." He says, gesturing first down the path, then making a circler motion as if signifying the group at large. "'em-" He gestures again to the caged invidivuals, before waving a hand dismissively. "Meh. Gweem, eh... 'e ware for'em. 'ey be fime." He assures the party with the corner of his lips twitching as they try to form a smile. Biscuit nods along in agreement, nearly dislodging his new crown, and then lowered himself for Doozey to climb aboard. The pair would then begin to meander a short way back down the path, only to stop and look back to make sure the party was coming along soon after. As Doozey's eyes inevitably fall upon Pipyap once more, they narrow in speculation.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Doozey goes through a thousand emotions in mere seconds, and his face betrays many of them even if his words don't/can't. Eventually settling on spurring the group onward and out of Ms. Green's clearing, Doozey receives support not only from his mastiff, but also from Denae. As she steps behind the halfling as to follow him out of here, she says: "Right. I'm sure they'll be fine. We did our best here and managed to maintain the deal between Phlan and the forest, and our little friend here paid a high price for it. A bit of collateral damage is only to be expected."
All three CRAPers are well-versed at noticing when something is off (passive insight). Over the course of the past several tendays (episodes) Denae has been advocating for "coming out of the shadows" and helping the real people of Faerûn, those who can't afford hiring well-meaning adventurers and secret sisterhoods. Her talk of "leaving the villagers behind" is extremely out of character, as is the fact that she is so quickly agreeing with Doozey.
While you all contemplate Denae's behavior, Ms. Green raises an eyebrow in response to Neya: "You offer another deal then?" Ms. Green asks of Neya while visibly producing the orange-hot knife once more.
@Ori: Please see spoiler below
Even while charmed, you notice that there is something off about Denae's behavior. This makes you suspect something odd is going on here. This is in addition to other hints you have been getting (hostages, humanoid stew, how she specifically didn't want the tongue-severing to hurt (i.e. cause damage), the sudden rush in getting CRAP out of her clearing). You may roll another WIS save. I'd say you can do so with advantage given the cumulative suspicions at this point, but will leave it up to you whether you want to use that advantage or not. No shame in it either way.
@Lerus:
I'll take you up on that offer, especially given how paranoid Doozey tends to be (or certainly has been for the past couple of chapters/arcs). That said, I'm not sure if the advantage offered is for the retroactive wisdom save from last post or a whole new set of rolls now. So, I'll roll 2 separately with the bottom one ignored if NOT a case of a new wisdom save opportunity.
-Wis Save(Retro): 12.
-Wis Save(If fresh, here's adv. roll): 6.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"Hang on though," Utar raises a hand in a stop motion, then indicates the members of CRAP and the two caged humans, "There was no grave period in place when we entered, but there is one in place now. They are citizens of Phlan just as we are. If the grace extends to us, it extends to them too, surely?"
Persuasion - 17
Just in case...
Putting questions of Doozey's and Denae's behavior aside for the time-being, Neya picks up the red-hot knife as Utar voices his opinion. She then replies to him, "Due to my error in timing, I think that might be the issue. The grace period only now exists. We never asked for one that was retroactive."
She the turns to Ms. Green, "If it's to free these men? Yes, I would. Would the price be the same or different?"
Extended Signature
Doozey looks to Denae, the only other sensible member of the group (aside from Biscuit, of course), then sighs and shakes his head in exasperation. Unfortunately, much as he was of a mind admonish or manhandle the stubborn pair away before they disturb the kindly Ms. Green overly much, he neither had the tongue or the leverage (gauntlets of ogre power notwithstanding) to really do either without doing more harm than good. So, he watched them with a mixture of annoyance and wariness plain on his visage, and at least a hand at rest near Apostle should things call for it.
Though for which side the blade would be against in such a moment would be... up in the air.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Ms. Green is happy to let Neya answer Utar's question and focuses instead on the the question posed by Neya herself. "No, not the same, although I have already mentioned it: a nick on your finger, a little of your blood, a bit of your life's essence, is all I ask."
Doozey and Denae observe this potential new trade from several yards away, both looking more annoyed by the minute.