All of Moina's magical effort ends in a frog falling on her shoulder and croaking at her. What! I can feel this entire storm, why can't I control it...
A moment later the frog hopped off her shoulder and was blown away by the wind...
Thankfully the others manage to subdue the hag without her, she is relieved but annoyed at herself for being so useless. She had lots to learn.
She moves closer the the others, finally finding her footing. "What about the kids?!" she yells over the storm.
"Sorry," Beliza yells nicely to Aghon. "Learn what you can from her." The she turns and says something into Korbrand's ear before acknowledging Moina with a wave and dropping to the ground and crawling beneath the tent canvas in the direction of the lumps that are trapped people.
Beliza told Korbrand to behead the hag when the party's done questioning her.
Stepping forward, Jordan returns his arrow to its quiver before moving in to assist with binding the hag. Should bring a pretty penny when turned in, he thinks to himself.
Being so focused on tying the hag up, Jordan failed to recognize any semblance of conversation passing between Beliza and Korbrand. Standing, he takes a step back. Kicking the hag's foot, he asks "Are ye awake in there, or do you still fancy yourself queen of the sea?"
Kicking the hag's foot, he asks "Are ye awake in there, or do you still fancy yourself queen of the sea?"
The hag doesn't respond to Jordan's prodding. She's apparently unconscious still.
Now that the hag's down and your adrenaline isn't pumping madly...you notice that you don't feel quite right. Looking at your hand (and any other exposed skin), you notice that your skin seems a bit pale and is flaking in a few places. You don't feel any pain...more of a slow numbness creeping over you. (1 hp dmg).
Unless called upon to do something, or somehow threatened, Culder spends the next minute leaning on his anchor and relaxing as his body returns to normal. "Take yer time..." he scolds the bounty hunter, "she ain't goin' nowheres right now."
As Beliza bends forward to climb under the tent, Culder crouches next to her and whispers something to her...
"I ain't got no idea who in Hell you think's gonna pay a bounty for a live hag. That thing's killed children on this isle an' is gonna be put down, ya hear? But that's not to say we can't profit from this, right? Killin' the hag might not bring you gold, but it'll sure as Hell bring us fame! I plan on carryin' that ugly head into every bar, tavern, marketplace, an' temple on the island an' lettin' folks know that we ended her reign o' terror. Hell--I might even march it into Harborhorn Tower as well! I'll make sure folks know you damned near killed her yourself, and that your friends played a part in bringin' her down as well. We earn fame for the deed now; we cash in that fame for gold in the future, eh?"
Culder tugs down the corner of his hat at Beliza in his customary salute then returns to his loitering.
Moina stares at her hands as she notices something weird about the skin on her hands and feels her neck and face too, it all feels numb and very strange. She rolls up one of her sleeves to check other parts of her body.
Moina stares at her hands as she notices something weird about the skin on her hands and feels her neck and face too, it all feels numb and very strange. She rolls up one of her sleeves to check other parts of her body.
You've heard of a rare phenomenon called acid rain, but this precipitation doesn't seem to be burning your skin...it seems to be slowly killing it. When you roll up your sleeve you find the skin on your arm damp but not showing any signs of flaking or peeling...yet.
"All present and accounted for, Cap'n," Jordan reports, snapping off a salute to Culder as he stands from tying up the hag, a grin showing under the hood. Walking over to the big man, he remarks.
"A sea hag's a new one for me," Jordan comments, looking at their catch. "Anyone know if she's worth anything alive...or at all?"
I'd bet she's worth a fair penny more alive than she is dead, especially if some of the magic users in port can get some solid information out of her. Judging by her raving madness, that might not be as easy as it sounds, but I've seen mages do some pretty amazing things. If she's bound good and tight, I say we leave her unconscious, get these people off the beach, and then drag her sorry arse indoors. Aghon screams over the continuing gale of the winds.
The hag's bound, Korbrand's keeping close watch over her, Culder's resting, and Beliza's crawled underneath the collapsed tent to try to help whoever's trapped in there; several Varisian carnies are trying to put back up at least one tentpole so Beliza and those trapped beneath the tent can have an easier time getting out.
Jordan busies himself helping the others rescue the victims of the storm from the tent.
Aghon moves to help the carnies get the tent at least partially up, so those trapped underneath can get out and get off the battering beach.
Jarvis continues to sit in Culder's pack so long as the wind continues to howl. He stops singing and instead starts scanning with eyes and ears, eager to spot anything of use.
"I heard some priests can talk t'th'dead... may have more luck with this one that way," Culder offers.
When he finishes catching his breath he starts tightening down a few tent ropes to help stabilize the pole the carnies are raising and lift more canvas off the ground.
'Make sure the boss sees me... gonna tack this time on t'tomorrow...'
There's not much for Jarvis or anyone else to see in the raging tempest; you folks and the carnival workers are the only people still out in the streets.
Those helping with the tent are rewarded for their efforts when Beliza helps a distraught mother and her two crying children crawl out from beneath the heavy, wet canvas. The wind's intensity doesn't let up, so Beliza screams the suggestion that the group seek cover someplace back to the south or southwest: the Golden Monkey Gambling Hall, for example. After ordering Korbrand to carry the unconscious hag, the woman heads back the way the group came, this time with the wind at their backs for the most part. She slings an arm across Moina's shoulder, grins, and shouts, "Didn't notice you at the battle--was afraid the wind had blown you away! Let's get outta this wind an' rain, eh?"
When your group reaches the gambling hall, Beliza leads you inside. Waving around her holy symbol of Besmara, the woman shouts, "Official Port Peril business! Give us some room! Nothing to fear here!"
Several other islanders have taken shelter from the storm here, and they move deeper into the establishment at Beliza's authoritative words. Korbrand lays the KO'ed hag on the floor about ten feet inside the front door and asks the golden question: "What now?'
You notice that your exposed skin is flaking in a few places despite the fact that you're soaking wet.
Some of the people in the gambling hall are giving Beliza suspicious looks and a few are whispering to others nearby.
"I'm just wantin' to know how much we can get for a prize like this," Jordan replies. Absentmindedly, he scratched at his hand. Strange that his hands should itch, and it felt like...pieces of skin coming off? Surprised, Jordan looks down to see dry skin flaking off.
"Maybe I should go wash my hands off," he mutters, looking around for a basin or sink.
Aghon leans in to Beliza's ear and whispers. Don't look now, but there are some folks paying more than casual attention to you. I'd keep that hulking half-orc on the ready.
Then noticing his skin acting in a way that is none too pleasing, he goes to the bar, retrieves a rag from the barkeep, and then returns and unceremoniously shoves it into the unconscious sea hag's mouth. After that he calls on Hanspur for a bit more of his healing hand to surround them all.
"I think the rain affected our skin somehow. Mine's all flaky where it was wet too."
"Aye--I'd noticed that," Beliza whispers back to Aghon. "Funny how some people don't take kindly to an inquisitor in their midst. Guess I'll have to add the Golden Monkey to the growin' list o' places I ain't exactly welcome."
Aghon's magic heals up everyone's problem skin , including several soaked bystanders, who cheer a bit and thank the cleric for healing them. The waterlogged hag's still lying on the floor, unmoving.
You didn't say so, so I'm assuming you didn't, but...did you mean to use selective channeling or were you hoping to revive the hag for questioning as well? If the hag was included, her cracked skin heals some but she's still out cold.
Culder removes his battered tricorne and uses it to swipe the rain off himself, then quickly puts it back on. After Aghon's healing clears up the white patches on his skin he tips the hat in the cleric's direction. Stepping up to the bar he says to the barkeep, "I be celebratin' takin' down th'hag, gimme somethin' with fruit and rum!"
Well... somebody want to go get the Watch, and tell them we nabbed the notorious sea hag?! I do think there'll be a reward in it for us. Aghon smiles, and then kicks the hag as he walks by to join Culder at the bar. I'll have what he's having. He says and nods at the captain. Good show out there cap'n. You wield a wicked anchor.
Moina looks outside and shivers reflexively even though she is warmer inside here. "Maybe wait till the storm passes?"
The barkeep pours Culder and Aghon small glasses of a pale yellow something he calls a Sunshine Eyeopener--it tastes of pineapple, rum, and a few other spices. Tasty, but with a decent kick to it.
Beliza bellies up to the bar and orders one, too. She asks the men, "You think this be a good idea--handin' ol' prune-britches over to the Watch? Hell, like I told the Cap'n earlier, I'd chop off her damned head an' parade it into every tavern, inn, and other public building from one tip o' this isle to the other. Make a show of who killed the menace an' made Crescent Harbor a safer place for her inhabitants. This is a chance for fame if not fortune; 'twould be a shame to pass it up just so the Watch can ask the addled thing a few questions she likely can't give a straight answer to."
Aghon enjoys the sweet, spicy beverage, and smacks his lips at the quick bite. Honestly, I don't give a flumph's fart whether she lives or dies, but since you said she's been in the habit of kidnapping children, I just figured the watch might have the resources to find out if any o' the kids are still alive, and where they might be. If you want your hulking half-orc friend to remove her hideous head from that disgusting body, I won't stop him. Like you said, fame and fortune. He says, raising his glass in salute and taking another long swig.
"But who says those children have been living a night past being taken?" Jordan asks, moving up alongside Aghon. Motioning for a drink, he turned and glanced about the room. "Our employer may be right. A reputation can be worth it's weight in gold." Taking a sip of his drink, Jordan swirls his glass and looks thoughtful.
"Heads do get a bit smelly, and one starts to look much like the other after a while. The best thing t'do may be t'start the stories here, with a little music," With a grin, Jordan gestures towards Jarvis and asks, "If you'll favor these good people with a tune?"
"Storm should be over soon. Quarter hour or less."
"I don't even want to think about what she might have done with those kids. I doubt you'll get anything useful from that crazy woman though.
Well then, if we're all in consensus, as the wicked queen of the fable once said, 'off with her head!' Aghon smiles and chugs the last of his drink. I'll have another of those. He indicates to the bartender.
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Absolutely! Jarvis says, face breaking into a grin. Taking a breath he launches into a dark tune.
Cackling and mad,
upon the clouds came the hag.
On the streets of Port Peril
is where she stalked, shrill and feral.
Hag's breath! Nasty and cold!
Hag's spit! Vile and horrors untold!
Came she to find a 'tasty child treat'.
Poor wretched Zephelza.
When by sheer luck, 'twas the Captain she did meet!
Poor wretched Zephelza.
Hag's breath! Nasty and cold!
Hag's spit! Vile and horrors untold!
Against her, he and his crew did square.
Through battering winds and driving rains
they fought and brought their mighty arms to bear.
Anchor blows and falchion strikes adding to her pains.
Terror of the winds and haunter of the night
Let all present know, twas us who stood to fight!
Ha ha! Hear, hear! Good show Jarvis! They'll be singing our praises as far away as the Brazen Peaks.
Culder cracks what might just be half of a smile while Jarvis sings. At the end of the song he raises his glass to his companions and dryly remarks, "A reputation might be worth its weight in gold, but sadly it don't weigh a thing."
they best be right... if we miss out on a pay day fer some braggin' 'bout town I'll be right sour 'bout it...
The folks waiting out the storm inside the gambling house seem to generally enjoy Jarvis's song--so much, in fact, that several (mostly those who benefitted from Aghon's positive energy channeling) buy drinks for the island's newest heroes.
Moina's weather forecast is quite accurate: The winds and rain drop off and die out within ten minutes, leaving the streets puddled and filled with debris such as palm fronds, articles of clothing blown off clotheslines, and shingles and shutters torn off homes and businesses.
At Beliza's command, Korbrand carries the hag's body out into Dock Street and lies her in the middle of the road. He then draws his falchion to end the evil thing's wretched life. The half-orc's overhead chop is fairly clean, efficiently separating the hag's ugly head from her knobby shoulders. While Beliza picks up the head by its long white hair, she tells Korbrand to drag or carry the body along until they reach to nearest jailhouse.
The subsequent Hagslayers' Victory Tour takes Beliza, Korbrand, and the heroes to every bar, inn, and gambling hall along Dock Street as far as the Shark's Tooth Gambling Hall. In general, the populace of Crescent Island are happy to be rid of the predatory hag, and quite a few folks buy drinks for the vanquishing heroes. You visit enough establishments for each of you to make a few observations: 1) Beliza's plan may work out--the people seem genuinely pleased and impressed by the killing of the hag; 2) Beliza is disliked or distrusted by some of the locals; 3) Beliza seems interested in building up the reputation of The Captain more than the fame of the rest of the party (she refers to them as "the Cap'n an' his Crew"). Then again, Culder and Korbrand did do most of the heavy lifting in terms of vanquishing Zephelza.
As the group leaves behind its newest group of admirers at the Shark's Tooth, cries of panic sound to the east. Several unarmed sailors race past, heading inland. One stops long enough to make this harrowing report: "The dead are coming! The dead are walkin' outta Crescent Harbor!"
Moina enjoys the celebration time and thinks about her plans for adventure. Today was the first exciting thing that had happened besides the almost fight with the goblin pirates. She only wished she had done something noteworthy to deserve a mention in Jarvis' song.
"The what?" She thought she had possibly had a couple too many drinks bought for her during their celebration because what the sailor just said didn't make any sense. "I think he drank too much salt water!" and she laughs it off thinking her joke quite funny.
As the tour begins Culder is his usual, sullen, self; by the end, though, he seems to be truly enjoying the accolades. At the last few stops he even smiles and hoists the anchor above his head to the cheers of the crowd.
When people run by shouting about the dead rising he smirks and says, "we oughta check that out."
check out who gets killed... maybe we can claim a free ship once the folks usin' it be dead...
"We've still got some time t'kill before work starts tonight," Jordan remarks, tossing back another drink.
Time to kill, but time that could be used to figure out what's going on with this slave trade.
A bit resigned, Jordan adjusts his hood and makes ready to head to the harbor as soon as everyone's ready.
The dead? Is that like a name of a pirate crew I don't know about, are are they actually talking about zombies, skeletons, shades or some such? Aghon checks his trident holy symbol, knowing that his deity's positive energy is a formidable weapon against the undead. Well, I guess we should probably check that out? He says, with an expression that shows he's not really sure it's their job to deal with every threat that comes into Crescent Harbor.
To the east of the gambling hall is a long pier reaching out into the waters of Crescent Bay; two vessels are currently moored there--the Flying Trident and Waverover. No people are on the pier, but a pair of man-sized skeletons have clambered up the pilings and are moving toward you (50 ft. distant). Neither carries a weapon, but their claws look somewhat formidable.
Glancing north and south along the shoreline, you can see several more skeletons emerging from the surf. Some of these are as mobile as the pair on the pier, but most seem old and barnacle-covered, trailing seaweed and a few rags of clothing. Some are missing an arm or a leg or even a head. (Nearest ones: 80 ft. north or south).
Far up the beach to the north (about 180 ft.), a larger threat can be seen: the shambling form of what appears to be a sea devil zombie, while off to the south (200 ft. away), a jigsaw shark has beached itself but still thrashes on the shoreline.
Resist the urge! It's 5 minutes of your life you'll never get back, and you youngsters probably won't get the joke's reference. Gaaa!! 1971!!
Moina can hardly believe her eyes and momentarily stands frozen to the spot staring at the zombies that she had always believed were only stories told to scare the kids in her village. She grips her quarterstaff tightly before deciding she really doesn't want to get up close with these 'things'. Then she pulls out her sling and slips a stone into it, swings it over her head and sends it towards the skeletons.
Moina's nerves get the best of her, and her sling stone clatters along the pier in front of the skeletons before skipping over the edge and into the sea. Korbrand draws his falchion and charges one of the undead on the pier. The half-orc's blow is so mighty it hacks the target skeleton to bony pieces and nearly connects with the second adjacent undead. The remaining skeleton flails at Korbrand with its claws but fails to connect.
The start of the scrum has apparently caught the attention of more skeletons; one closes from the north (ending about 40 feet from the party) while a second ambles to within 60 feet to the south. Both undead are making for the landbound end of the pier, apparently not having any interest in climbing to reach their prey.
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I know this initially sounds really impractical, but if you guys can get them to cluster in a big group I can call down the positive energy thunder of Hanspur, and hopefully drop a lot of these things in one fell swoop. So, if you wouldn't mind Culder, or Jordan, or both, perhaps see if you can get them to close distance in a tight group. Aghon says, and then moves to close the distance between himself and any of the nearer skeletons, and launches another of his magic icicles at it.
Sighting to the further of the two skeletons, Jordan draws an arrow back along his bow, hoping to at least catch the attention of the monster.
A bit under the effects of drink, Jordan cursed as he watched his arrow go, willing it to find purchase.
While Jordan fires at and misses the skeleton to the south, Aghon hops down off the pier and closes on the nearest one to the north, missing narrowly with a magical icicle attack.
"Blades won't work well against these fleshless bonebags," Beliza calls out as she hops off the pier with Aghon. She grunts a short prayer to Besmara and her skin sparkles for an instant as she passes the cleric of Hanspur.
"I may not be able to put much hurt on these bastards," she tells Aghon with another of her trademarked grins, "but I should be able to make for decent bait!" She bypasses the closest skeleton and moves to position herself between it and some of the ancient dead emerging from the surf.
I'm assuming you targeted a beach skeleton with your icicle and not the one on the pier near Korbrand; correct me if I'm wrong.
Hearing Beliza talk about the futility of blades, he glances down to his waist, spotting his daggers and rapier tucked neatly into their sheathes.
Well damn! Pin pricks won't do much to these clatterers. May as well stick close to the gang!
Jarvis turns to see where the combatants are heading and turns to follow Aghon. As he gets close, he opens his mouth to sing and realizes that they may need some additional inspiration later. For now, he will draw his rapier, so at the very least he can stand a chance!
Beliza plays bait only too well, drawing three of the older, less vital skeletons in her direction. The woman gets too close to one, however, allowing it to charge and attack her with a single claw. It connects, causing a shallow bloody gash to form on the woman's bicep.
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Moina will reload her sling and shoot again missing terribly.
Jordan once again takes aim at the southern skeleton. Drawing back his bow, he lets another arrow fly.