Dizziness, as if she's seeing stars, Shae wavers a moment before regaining her posture. "I-I..." She'll stutter before clearing her throat. "Can't say I know any more than what you've discerned." Glancing around them, the warlock would eventually nod to the Professor and Berrus. "I'm imagining she may already know we are here..."

Berrus reaches out an arm to steady Shae   "are ye alright ?"

The Professor:

Oblivious to her discomfort, Snively says, "Alright, shall we move on to the skull, then?" as he moves that direction, crossing the demarcation of the summoning circle.

As soon as the Professor's foot crosses the line in the sand, a withered, ancient and stooped figure appears in front of you, in the centre of the summoning circle. The crone has dark grey-blue skin that seems to be stretched, pachment-like, over her stout body, jutting out pointedly at her joints. Her dark grey hair almost hides the two thin horns that curl backwards from the top of her head. Her smile is wicked, revealing rows of broken and yellowed, sharp teeth, more like fangs. Her threadbare dress is of a long-faded red or burgundy color with gold trim, but her forearms and body are wrapped in linen bandages that bear similar symbols like the ones you see around the summoning circle. Around her neck, you see a small leather or skin pouch, and a shimmering black stone. 

Her thin, grey lips curl back :"Stop! You have nothing to find here but death and misery. This affair need not concern you. Turn back, as long as you still can!"

I want everyone to give me a wisdom saving throw: Shae, you have disadvantage.

Maxine save: 16

Being as non-mystic as one can be, Maxine ignored all the creepiness and should she be able to speak (physically), went straight to the point: "We did not mean to meddle in your affairs the slightest, we came to ask for help with our own, nothing more. Would gladly turn back but need to ask a question first."

Maxine, you're momentarily shaken by the presence, but manage to collect yourself. 

"You're meddling by your presence alone. I'm not inclined to interfere in the affairs of others, and kindly wish you to do the same!" The polite words are accompanied by a cruel grin, and an icy flash of her deep-sunken eyes.

The Professor:

Wisdom Save:  5

(If this is a magical effect, the Professor has advantage on the roll, so here is the second roll just in case:  Wisdom Save:  16  )

Professor, you're absolutely terrified of the figure before you. For the moment, no coherent thought can form in your mind, and all you want to do is to flee this fell creature.

The Professor:

Taking a quick, involuntary step back away from the creature and out of the magic circle,  Snively fights the urge to turn and run, and the words he was trying to form have flown out of his brain.

(If the fear effect forces it, he will turn and run...otherwise Snively will cower in place, outside the circle.)

Shae would lean in to Berrus' reach. Before she could respond, the hag makes her appearance before them.

Wisdom save w/ disadvantage: 4

Wisdom save: 10

Berrus and Shae, you're similarly terrified by this being, and none of you, apart from Maxine, can willingly approach the crone. After a temporary fright, you find your words again though, so if you wish to speak (and you think it can help), feel free to.

"Believe me, we would never come if not for a true necessity!" Maxine looked in surprise at her suddenly silent companions, then at the hag, "and you truly do not have to do this! Whatever you are doing with us. It would not change our need. The best way to get us off your hair is to answer our question." To be honest, Maxine hoped Professor would explain the actual reason for their visit. She looked at him again - looked like everyone was feeling better, so, indeed, Professor could explain everything.

The Professor:

The Professor collects his thoughts for a moment, then attempts to reason with this being who frightens him so.  He starts by saying, “You say you have no interest in meddling with the affairs of others, that is good.  Neither did we, although the attack on our camp by the Grung led by Koro-arak forced our hand.”

Taking a deep breath and swallowing hard, Snively continues,  “The old chieftain and his counselors would have sought to trade with us, but this Koro-arak attacks us and makes some of our number his slaves.  He sought power through claiming the magic stone and having his scale color changed to gold in contravention of Grung sacred tradition.”

Now trying to make eye contact, the Professor concludes, “and our research points here, to you, the Horned Lady, as the one who meddled in the affairs of this Grung tribe and elevated Koro-arak to his position of power.  Please tell me the truth—have you meddled in this matter?  Or are we mistaken and can you set us upon the right path?”

"And why, pray, do you think I would tell you, if in fact I had meddled in their affairs? Surely, if I were so conniving as to want to usurp a grung leader for my own benefit, I wouldn't also be daft enough to admit to doing such to the first best group of meddlesome outsiders. Now, could I have? Certainly. But once more, what would I have stood to gain from meddling in their affairs? What would I gain from meddling now? I have a tight schedule to keep, the full moon is soon upon us, you must excuse me."

The Professor:

The Professor will watch carefully for reactions as he makes each point, trying to see if she betrays anything as he speaks ( Insight:  4 ).  He then looks to the others to see what they think before continuing.

Well, Maxine was not the one to hold in her thoughts: "Why would you tell? To brag, may be? To show how smart and powerful you are to someone who can appreciate it? You said it yourself - we are the best and when was the last time you talked with someone other than a snake, frog, or a mindless mephit? We are stuck here, and unless you help - we might remain stuck for far too long. Would even gladly pay for your meddling in our affairs. Though... what would someone so powerful need from us?"

Persuasion 7

"Your souls are barely worth the effort… barring one exception." Her eyes glint with malevolence at the small addendum. "Without my help, you're going to remain stuck, and will eventually succumb to the jungle, and I'll have everything I desire. Helping you? That implies effort, for a not too tangible benefit. In any case, how would getting involved with the local grung be aiding you? And how will it help me? I've lived next to them for generations without interfering, and now you ask me to, or threaten to what exactly, remain a nuisance? I could just as easily kill you and carry on with my plans. Would be a waste of blood and souls, but I'd be done with this whole ordeal."

Professor, you're still terrified by the crone, and your fear creeps in, affecting your judgement. You all start to feel like prey in a spider's net however, with her careless phrases taking on a deadly sincerity. When she utters the word "kill" a shudder runs down your spines. Although ancient, the figure seems to possess impressive strength, and you don't doubt that she could be exceptionally dangerous for the four of you.

A smile cracks her thin lips, and with an evil grin, she says: "But enough talk. I said I'd want some peace and QUIET." She adds a hand gesture to the last word, and without any warning, Maxine drops unconscious, and the hag has disappeared from view.

 If you consider your party to have been attacked, roll initiative. Maxine, instead of rolling for initiative, please give me a constitution saving throw, with advantage.

The Professor:

Initiative:  12

Berrus initiative:  18