Flirting with a Hag

Miscellaneous

After some deliberation the group manages to assist Divis the Aboleth in escaping the swamp to deeper waters. Shortly after they find new patronage in the hands of of another sinister creature.

There is some discussion on the precise nature of how they will assist Divis in leaving the swamp. Talk of flooding the river shifts to using manual labor to dig it out so that Divis can use it to swim away. A short scouting trip the next day, with the aid of some local crows, shows that flooding the river will prove impossible with the current tools at their disposal. Eventually they land on using the magical skull they discovered. They shrink Divis to a more manageable size and have him swim down river for an hour to a location they have prepped to be large enough to hold him at full size. Divis rewards them with a small hoard of coins and potions, as well as some special magic scrolls. Most specially he gifts them a bag of human fingerbones carved with runes that will allow them to speak with him on occasion. The following morning they cast the shrinking spell a second time and bid farewell to the Aboleth.

Emir thanks them for helping rid the town of the Aboleth's curse, though the town still needs to wait some time for the water to clear. He has, however, received unfortunate news: there is no help coming from Stonehill Keep. The Order of the Silver Mind said they did not have anyone available at the moment to send help but would be able to send someone in a couple months. Not willing to let Mayda stay in her state for that long Emir has called upon the help of Ancient Annie, a mage he knows who lives in the swamp. While he seemed reluctant to call on her, he has no other option.

The party spends the next two days in town. Orpheus spent the time learning that the townsfolk know of Ancient Annie, and that they are afraid of her. She hasn't done anything to harm the town in any way, but they are all well away of her power and her chaotic tendencies. Athis spent the days carving a beautiful effigy of his deity Oketra into a tree, finishing off the piece with two rubies for her eyes. He spoke a little with Emir about the faith and Emir seemed interested to learn more. Wilphose spent the time learning about local poisons. Specifically he learned about one which is used to hunt animals without spoiling the meat or making it unfit to eat. Made from mushrooms and lichen that grow in the swamp, a proper dose is lethal to beasts but has no effects on humans (and some other humanoids).

On the third day Emir tells them Ancient Annie is coming at noon. When she arrives the party finds that she is a beautiful human woman, but Athis discovers her true origins are fiendish in nature. Taking the colour of Maria's hair as payment, Ancient Annie cures Mayda of her affliction then invites the party back to her house with a job proposition. They go, and she makes them tea. Before they discuss the job Athis requests that she show them her true form. Ancient Annie complies and shifts into the form of a Night Hag. They discuss the job, retrieving a mortar and pestle from the monks of the Order of the Silver Mind who are keeping it locked up in Stonehill Keep. They agree to the job for payment in coin and gem.