Neya takes a contemplative pose, gives an appreciative smile and says, "Ah, but that's the trick behind being subliminal, isn't it? It's all about planting a seed in the subconscious..."
"We had only noticed Graxx's change in behavior, but didn't have anything to attribute to it."
"But, our host did say something during our negotiations. While it was directed to Graxx on the surface, the rest of us were unknowingly listening. That ultimately led us to find out what was happening to him."
Derannos looks a bit upset at first, while Doozey and Utar speak. Once Neya pipes up, though, he takes the compliment quite well, albeit non-modestly. "Indeed. I had asked the Sky Pony tribesman if the gift of his luminous blade was being presented by himself or by his preferred blade, did I not? I am glad one of you at least picked up on that." The dragon pauses for a moment to scratch its long neck before continuing. "Now, I offered you some knowledge as part of our trade, so allow me to fulfill that promise. Since we are already on the topic of this black blade, let me start there. Except... you'd do well in allowing your indisposed companion to hear my tale as well. Why don't you disarm and awaken the manacled one first and then I can properly begin? "
Doozey still seemed unconvinced by both Derannos and Neya. And yet wishing not to disrupt things further, he brushed things off without a word, and just went over to start removing Graxx's remaining gear; including any weapons. Although bereft of most of his own already, unless someone else offered to hold it, the stoutling would look somewhat strained, but determined to hold it all. He did, however, made sure there was at least a good twenty or so feet between himself and Graxx for however long as possible.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Still somewhat suspicious, Doozey approaches a moaning Graxx and partially fulfills Derannos' request by disarming the man.
-> Graxx does not currently have access to any of his items that could be considered weapons.
Neya attempts to fulfill the other half of the dragon's suggestion by whipping up a quick smelly concoction, but it makes the barbarian groan a bit louder and little else. Though a bit disappointed with the result, Neya knows that if the group heals the barbarian within the next few seconds, her concoction should provide at least an extra little kick.
-> Graxx may heal for 1 extra HP if he is healed by another method.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
DM's Screen:
W: 622
Utar checks with his companions and then delivers the suggested healing to Graxx. The barbarian looks a bit dazed but otherwise alright (Graxx heals for 8 HP).
@Graxx:
You wake up with a headache and a bloody nose. You have no recollection of what happened. You see CRAP talking to the dragon and Neya holding your blade on the end of a rope, like a dog on a leash. You want the blade back, but aren't willing to fight for it. She is your friend after all.
"Very well," Derannos says. "Listen to this and listen well, especially you, Sky Pony." Derannos sits, assuming a somewhat grandiose pose. "That black blade was once part of my horde. I traded it with an aspiring soldier of a nearby town who sought me in hopes of gambling for a piece of powerful treasure. I offered him a fair trade instead. He reluctantly accepted, saying that the trill of the gamble would have made the deal more savory. I was already aware of the curse embedded into this weapon at the time and made the soldier aware. He cared little. We completed the deal and off he went with his powerful cursed weapon. The weapon, and its curse, now entrap your soul, Sky Pony, though it is a bit curious that the blade found its way back to me."
The dragon pauses before continuing: "How I came into possession of the blade in the first place is also somewhat of a curious coincidence. A certain Alton Redfoot found me many years ago and proposed a trade. He was in search of information I did not have, but was able to direct him to a brethren who might inform him. He accepted the trade and, to his credit, was upfront about the cursed weapon he offered in return for the introduction. I could smell the sincerity in the wee traveler." It looks at Doozey. "Your clansman's candor is the only reason I gave you a chance to recompose yourselves after the initial rudeness with which you addressed me."
@Ori:
You can decide whether Doozey knows Alton or not.
Scratching a bit more, the Bronzen Wave Crest adds: "Finally, and this will complete my side of the bargain, the matter of the girl. I keep her here not out of love but out of caution. Those crones in the isle are a lot more powerful than they initially seem, and this girl is the key to them becoming even more so. A coven is what they seek and this girl is the first in decades to be born in the isle and survive childhood. Others were brought in but lacked the blood that sealed their treaty with Tiamat long ago. This girl now approaches her thirteenth birthday and is on the cusp of becoming what the crones need her to become. I keep her here so they instead continue to fail until a more permanent solution may show itself. Bahamut would not approve of these beings becoming even more powerful, and so I stall them."
Visibly shocked twice over by news of kin and their maybe like search, Doozey could not even begin formulate the words to refute the Dragon's claims of rudeness. The fading of the initial shock did little to change the stoutling disposition, as he then seemed lost in thought for a time; attentive, but mute.
"... Alton was always a strange one, according to me Ma. Even by Redfoot standards. Very honest, but at the same time hard to read." He muttered just loud enough to be easily overheard, and then finally looks up at Derranos. And though it was against his inclinations to normally do so, he took a knee before the dragon, and waited for all others to get their questions out before asking with his head bowed, "This brethren of yours, and the thing he -- Alton sought.... would I need to find an equal treasure as the one he traded to learn of these things? Not necessarily cursed, mind you. Just something of equivalent value."
@Lerus:
Since I cannot for the life of me thinking of a good one right now. Anything he would know about Alton would be second hand at best, barring maybe the one direct meeting depending on how 'long ago' his meeting with the Dragon was supposed to be. Granted, halflings tend to live for quite a while, so its not impossible for them to have met at least the once.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Derannos looks at Utar as he is the first to utter a follow-up question: "Yes, Utar Hammerhand. Grim was indeed the dragonborn's name, though at the time he wore simple ring mail. It would seem our lives are intertwined in more ways than one, or even two..." The dragon listens to the next question and responds while letting the tip of its tail play with the water a bit: "I understand the curse to be a simple one, when it comes to curses, that is. A curse of vengeance, as is the case with this weapon, should not be difficult to deal with for a well trained cleric. I am sure you yourself could at least temporarily break the hold the weapon has on your companion, Utar Hammerhand. Perhaps just enough to, say, leave the blade here and put some distance between it and the Sky Pony." The dragon's eyes glint with a hint of greed.
(OOC: Just to be clear, Derannos is referring to breaking attunement, not necessarily permanently removing the curse from the weapon. That would be a harder task).
Derannos then observes the interaction between Graxx and Neya and addresses the barbarian: "I assure you your god is not the one speaking to you through the sword. You'll be better served by finding a true relic of Tempus, not this pretender's blade."
Then, Doozey changes the subject a bit. The Stormy Bay's Wave Crest responds: "My kin does not divulge each others' lairs' locations with ease. Your kin's plea was a worthy one, and he gained my trust through a series of mutually beneficial trades and visits. The cursed blade was one among many offerings. If you wish to follow the path of Alton Redfoot, come back when you are stronger. Become the permanent solution I have been seeking to deal with the crones in that vile isle. Help me cleanse the Stormy Bay from their filthy presence, and I too will help you in return. You have my word."
Aside from side-eying Graxx when pleads, the stoutling did little more than turn back away, slowly shaking his head. He promptly turned to the dragon once he spoke, and again found himself having to resist from a disparging look for the hint of greed in his eyes. "Something to sleep on, I'm sure, giving our friends here skill as you've verified." He said casually during the pause in speech.
Beyond that, he wisely chose to remain quiet and observe, remembering that his own question had yet to be answered. When it did Doozey could not help but lower his head once more, seemingly choosing to answer with silence for a moment or two, and then look up once more. "Then you have my word -- The Word of a Grey Huntsman -- that this will be done. Or I will die trying." He rose on that final, determined note. "... Huh? Uh... Yea. I believe it was their contract or somethin. Uh.. hm.. I don't think-..." He trails off to pat himself down again, only to give up and shake his head after a few seconds. "It's back at camp.But, I remember the words." Doozey takes a breathe, closes his eyes, and following a moment of silence, repeats the words. It is not from word to word of course, as there had been quite a lot there. But enough to cover the main points without any flowerness left in the contract.
(@All: If retrieved/conveniently on his person in a case)
The scroll appears to be a contract between the "Servants of the Queene" and the "Folk." It details a deal struck sixty years ago in which the islanders traded their souls and a fortune in gold and gems in exchange for personal power and the casting away of the "Outsides.” The details go on to define the term "Outsides" as the crew of the infamous ship named "Audacity," who had plied the waters of the Moonsea for fortune and glory, taking the occasional prize and raiding the coast. They had anchored off the shore of the island, come ashore, and made quick work of the villagers. They subdued the town and made it their own, turning the inhabitants into their slaves. For these crimes, they were to be taken away by the "Queene." At the bottom of the scroll, this sentence is also written: "The deal holds until it is broken." It does not offer any more details than that.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(OOC: I am fine with Doozey remembering the key points of the contract/parchment he took from the isle. Let us say that it is indeed outside in the camp. but that it wouldn't be hard to remember the words of an important document he read just the night before. You are all welcome to read the spoiler box in @Ori's post above).
Derannos does not react much to Graxx's show of remorse, though he repeats the words: "... a true relic of Tempus."
Turning to Doozey, the dragon says: "A new deal is then stricken, and it shall be deferred until your return. I assume your companions would aid you in the hunting o f the crones when the time comes?"
After that, the dragon observes as CRAP discusses the contract. It feels the need to clarify: "Tiamat... that is the Queene they refer to, the Many-headed Queen of Chromatic Dragons. Judging by the fact you possess the parchment, Tiamat's deal has been broken. The crones will want the girl even more now, so they can solidify their own power without needing the Dragon Queen's foul blessing. I better go back to keeping the girl away from their prying eyes." Deranos then waits a few more moments to allow you a chance to mention anything else you might want to. You can tell that it is mostly satisfied with the encounter and agreed upon deals.
Before returning to its lair's depths, it asks: "So, are you leaving the cursed sword behind?"
(OOC: I swear I am selecting the orange font for Derannos' lines in this post. For some reason, that selection is not sticking once I click on "post/save changes." Is this happening to you as well? — ah, it’s fixed!)
Utar nods in agreement and smiles sheepishly.
"I, uh, certainly did not pick up on any hints about his sword."
Then suddenly picking up on the dragon's meaning, he adds,
"Did you know something about our friend here? How...did you know, if you don't mind my asking?"
Neya takes a contemplative pose, gives an appreciative smile and says, "Ah, but that's the trick behind being subliminal, isn't it? It's all about planting a seed in the subconscious..."
"We had only noticed Graxx's change in behavior, but didn't have anything to attribute to it."
"But, our host did say something during our negotiations. While it was directed to Graxx on the surface, the rest of us were unknowingly listening. That ultimately led us to find out what was happening to him."
"Well played."
Extended Signature
Derannos looks a bit upset at first, while Doozey and Utar speak. Once Neya pipes up, though, he takes the compliment quite well, albeit non-modestly. "Indeed. I had asked the Sky Pony tribesman if the gift of his luminous blade was being presented by himself or by his preferred blade, did I not? I am glad one of you at least picked up on that." The dragon pauses for a moment to scratch its long neck before continuing. "Now, I offered you some knowledge as part of our trade, so allow me to fulfill that promise. Since we are already on the topic of this black blade, let me start there. Except... you'd do well in allowing your indisposed companion to hear my tale as well. Why don't you disarm and awaken the manacled one first and then I can properly begin? "
Doozey still seemed unconvinced by both Derannos and Neya. And yet wishing not to disrupt things further, he brushed things off without a word, and just went over to start removing Graxx's remaining gear; including any weapons. Although bereft of most of his own already, unless someone else offered to hold it, the stoutling would look somewhat strained, but determined to hold it all. He did, however, made sure there was at least a good twenty or so feet between himself and Graxx for however long as possible.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx groans.
Neya will attempt to use her herbalism kit to create a sort of herbal version smelling salts to rouse Graxx.
Medicine w/ herbalism kit: 18
(Was this the right method of using it?)
Extended Signature
Still somewhat suspicious, Doozey approaches a moaning Graxx and partially fulfills Derannos' request by disarming the man.
-> Graxx does not currently have access to any of his items that could be considered weapons.
Neya attempts to fulfill the other half of the dragon's suggestion by whipping up a quick smelly concoction, but it makes the barbarian groan a bit louder and little else. Though a bit disappointed with the result, Neya knows that if the group heals the barbarian within the next few seconds, her concoction should provide at least an extra little kick.
-> Graxx may heal for 1 extra HP if he is healed by another method.
Utar looks sidelong to both Doozey and Neya.
"We're sure about this, aren't we?"
Kneeling back down over Graxx, Utar grips his amulet and casts cure wounds (level one spell slot burnt).
Graxx recovers 7 plus 1 hp.
DM's Screen:
W: 6 22
Utar checks with his companions and then delivers the suggested healing to Graxx. The barbarian looks a bit dazed but otherwise alright (Graxx heals for 8 HP).
@Graxx:
You wake up with a headache and a bloody nose. You have no recollection of what happened. You see CRAP talking to the dragon and Neya holding your blade on the end of a rope, like a dog on a leash. You want the blade back, but aren't willing to fight for it. She is your friend after all.
"Very well," Derannos says. "Listen to this and listen well, especially you, Sky Pony." Derannos sits, assuming a somewhat grandiose pose. "That black blade was once part of my horde. I traded it with an aspiring soldier of a nearby town who sought me in hopes of gambling for a piece of powerful treasure. I offered him a fair trade instead. He reluctantly accepted, saying that the trill of the gamble would have made the deal more savory. I was already aware of the curse embedded into this weapon at the time and made the soldier aware. He cared little. We completed the deal and off he went with his powerful cursed weapon. The weapon, and its curse, now entrap your soul, Sky Pony, though it is a bit curious that the blade found its way back to me."
The dragon pauses before continuing: "How I came into possession of the blade in the first place is also somewhat of a curious coincidence. A certain Alton Redfoot found me many years ago and proposed a trade. He was in search of information I did not have, but was able to direct him to a brethren who might inform him. He accepted the trade and, to his credit, was upfront about the cursed weapon he offered in return for the introduction. I could smell the sincerity in the wee traveler." It looks at Doozey. "Your clansman's candor is the only reason I gave you a chance to recompose yourselves after the initial rudeness with which you addressed me."
@Ori:
You can decide whether Doozey knows Alton or not.
Scratching a bit more, the Bronzen Wave Crest adds: "Finally, and this will complete my side of the bargain, the matter of the girl. I keep her here not out of love but out of caution. Those crones in the isle are a lot more powerful than they initially seem, and this girl is the key to them becoming even more so. A coven is what they seek and this girl is the first in decades to be born in the isle and survive childhood. Others were brought in but lacked the blood that sealed their treaty with Tiamat long ago. This girl now approaches her thirteenth birthday and is on the cusp of becoming what the crones need her to become. I keep her here so they instead continue to fail until a more permanent solution may show itself. Bahamut would not approve of these beings becoming even more powerful, and so I stall them."
Derannos pauses once more, inviting you to talk.
Utar's eyes narrow at Derannos' story.
"This soldier. His name wasn't Grim was it? Dragonborn with black armour?"
Pausing, he considers whether this is really the important follow up, easing his expression, he continues,
"This curse? Can we lift it?"
Visibly shocked twice over by news of kin and their maybe like search, Doozey could not even begin formulate the words to refute the Dragon's claims of rudeness. The fading of the initial shock did little to change the stoutling disposition, as he then seemed lost in thought for a time; attentive, but mute.
"... Alton was always a strange one, according to me Ma. Even by Redfoot standards. Very honest, but at the same time hard to read." He muttered just loud enough to be easily overheard, and then finally looks up at Derranos. And though it was against his inclinations to normally do so, he took a knee before the dragon, and waited for all others to get their questions out before asking with his head bowed, "This brethren of yours, and the thing he -- Alton sought.... would I need to find an equal treasure as the one he traded to learn of these things? Not necessarily cursed, mind you. Just something of equivalent value."
@Lerus:
Since I cannot for the life of me thinking of a good one right now. Anything he would know about Alton would be second hand at best, barring maybe the one direct meeting depending on how 'long ago' his meeting with the Dragon was supposed to be. Granted, halflings tend to live for quite a while, so its not impossible for them to have met at least the once.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Graxx looks around... Confused... Hurt... Bound... He looks to the dragon.
"No... No this can't be true. My god Tempus lets me know his will through the sword. It cannot be some curse as you say..." says Graxx.
Graxx looks to Neya and pleads.
"Neya... Please give me my sword back. It needs to be with me." says Graxx.
Graxx starts to dry heave violently and eventually some stomach acid comes up and he spits trying to clear his mouth. His eyes are red and bloodshot.
"I need help... I know some truth to your words... I can't control it... I need the sword..." pleads Graxx.
"I know you do, Graxx..." Neya says apologetically. But, she doesn't make a move as she's still waiting for more information.
Extended Signature
Derannos looks at Utar as he is the first to utter a follow-up question: "Yes, Utar Hammerhand. Grim was indeed the dragonborn's name, though at the time he wore simple ring mail. It would seem our lives are intertwined in more ways than one, or even two..." The dragon listens to the next question and responds while letting the tip of its tail play with the water a bit: "I understand the curse to be a simple one, when it comes to curses, that is. A curse of vengeance, as is the case with this weapon, should not be difficult to deal with for a well trained cleric. I am sure you yourself could at least temporarily break the hold the weapon has on your companion, Utar Hammerhand. Perhaps just enough to, say, leave the blade here and put some distance between it and the Sky Pony." The dragon's eyes glint with a hint of greed.
(OOC: Just to be clear, Derannos is referring to breaking attunement, not necessarily permanently removing the curse from the weapon. That would be a harder task).
Derannos then observes the interaction between Graxx and Neya and addresses the barbarian: "I assure you your god is not the one speaking to you through the sword. You'll be better served by finding a true relic of Tempus, not this pretender's blade."
Then, Doozey changes the subject a bit. The Stormy Bay's Wave Crest responds: "My kin does not divulge each others' lairs' locations with ease. Your kin's plea was a worthy one, and he gained my trust through a series of mutually beneficial trades and visits. The cursed blade was one among many offerings. If you wish to follow the path of Alton Redfoot, come back when you are stronger. Become the permanent solution I have been seeking to deal with the crones in that vile isle. Help me cleanse the Stormy Bay from their filthy presence, and I too will help you in return. You have my word."
"Hmm... Wait, Doozey, didn't you take something that some islanders were trying to keep from us in that shrine?" Neya tries to recall.
Extended Signature
Graxx takes everything in. He then looks at Neya and the injuries sustained. He starts putting things together...
Graxx falls forward on his face and weeps uncontrollably.
Aside from side-eying Graxx when pleads, the stoutling did little more than turn back away, slowly shaking his head. He promptly turned to the dragon once he spoke, and again found himself having to resist from a disparging look for the hint of greed in his eyes. "Something to sleep on, I'm sure, giving our friends here skill as you've verified." He said casually during the pause in speech.
Beyond that, he wisely chose to remain quiet and observe, remembering that his own question had yet to be answered. When it did Doozey could not help but lower his head once more, seemingly choosing to answer with silence for a moment or two, and then look up once more. "Then you have my word -- The Word of a Grey Huntsman -- that this will be done. Or I will die trying." He rose on that final, determined note. "... Huh? Uh... Yea. I believe it was their contract or somethin. Uh.. hm.. I don't think-..." He trails off to pat himself down again, only to give up and shake his head after a few seconds. "It's back at camp.But, I remember the words." Doozey takes a breathe, closes his eyes, and following a moment of silence, repeats the words. It is not from word to word of course, as there had been quite a lot there. But enough to cover the main points without any flowerness left in the contract.
(@All: If retrieved/conveniently on his person in a case)
The scroll appears to be a contract between the "Servants of the Queene" and the "Folk." It details a deal struck sixty years ago in which the islanders traded their souls and a fortune in gold and gems in exchange for personal power and the casting away of the "Outsides.” The details go on to define the term "Outsides" as the crew of the infamous ship named "Audacity," who had plied the waters of the Moonsea for fortune and glory, taking the occasional prize and raiding the coast. They had anchored off the shore of the island, come ashore, and made quick work of the villagers. They subdued the town and made it their own, turning the inhabitants into their slaves. For these crimes, they were to be taken away by the "Queene." At the bottom of the scroll, this sentence is also written: "The deal holds until it is broken." It does not offer any more details than that.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
(OOC: I am fine with Doozey remembering the key points of the contract/parchment he took from the isle. Let us say that it is indeed outside in the camp. but that it wouldn't be hard to remember the words of an important document he read just the night before. You are all welcome to read the spoiler box in @Ori's post above).
Derannos does not react much to Graxx's show of remorse, though he repeats the words: "... a true relic of Tempus."
Turning to Doozey, the dragon says: "A new deal is then stricken, and it shall be deferred until your return. I assume your companions would aid you in the hunting o f the crones when the time comes?"
After that, the dragon observes as CRAP discusses the contract. It feels the need to clarify: "Tiamat... that is the Queene they refer to, the Many-headed Queen of Chromatic Dragons. Judging by the fact you possess the parchment, Tiamat's deal has been broken. The crones will want the girl even more now, so they can solidify their own power without needing the Dragon Queen's foul blessing. I better go back to keeping the girl away from their prying eyes." Deranos then waits a few more moments to allow you a chance to mention anything else you might want to. You can tell that it is mostly satisfied with the encounter and agreed upon deals.
Before returning to its lair's depths, it asks: "So, are you leaving the cursed sword behind?"
(OOC: I swear I am selecting the orange font for Derannos' lines in this post. For some reason, that selection is not sticking once I click on "post/save changes." Is this happening to you as well? — ah, it’s fixed!)
Utar places a hand on Graxx's shoulder, trying to let his friend know that he is not alone.
Looking to Derannos, Utar raises an eyebrow at the dragon's suggestion, especially it's insistence on mentioning Tempus twice in short succession.
"If we were to leave the sword, what would be given in exchange? A true relic of Tempus?"
OOC: Doing a Con save to represent Graxx's internal battle.
Wisdom Save DC 15: 4
Graxx shakes his head and pulls against the manacles.
"No... No... No... No! Please don't leave the sword! It guides me! It has protected me!"
Graxx roars and pulls against his manacles.
DC 20 Strength Check: 7
Graxx strains the sinewy veins in his muscles bulge but his is too weak from the battle. He sighs and gives up he stares at the sword.
"Please believe me that if you take me away from that sword I will most certainly die." says Graxx.