Grog'tial mentally raises his eyebrows, while carefully keeping his actual face neutral. He has strong suspicions about both the first and second layer of the ploy here, but his adversary should know he's not that easy a mark, so the third and probable fourth layer remain somewhat opaque. As the skull mentions the pink outfit, Grog'tial fingers the ribbon... but no, that type of power play is exactly what he won't allow himself to be goaded into!

Instead, he chuckles along, and being acutely aware of Argy's presence, carefully addresses the skull. "Aye, women! They have a lot going for them, though. Well, except for some of them - like those zombies you mentioned. Or hags!" He chuckles some more, and if the skull doesn't take the bait on his own, continues. "I heard you pulled a fast one on one of those, though. Nicely done! I'm half a'mind to try something similar myself. Got any... tips? Maybe something I could taunt her with?"

(Grog'tial will try to draw Morte out, playing along with the scheme in order to understand it better, making it seem on the second layer that his only aim is to learn about the book, and/or ways to defeat the hag, while underneath he's trying to figure out the identity of his adversary which he's certain must be directing Morte's 'ruse'. His initial suspicion after encountering the hag was that it was his half-brother, but the fish's presence hasn't been felt for far too long, which speaks of deep-lurking ploys, and of course all his life he's felt that there was an even worthier adversary behind many of the setbacks he encountered, maybe even a secret cabal, who could now finally and unwittingly be revealing themselves!)

If the door opens outward and he can make it in time before zombies come, Count will shut the door close, unstrap the shield, shove it under the door, and hit it with hammer to jam it good. He probably looked stupid with it anyway. That should be enough to stop the zombies.

Otherwise, he will get ready to fight them - using shield for protection and bashing at their heads and knees with a hammer.

Afterward, if he sees Gilius and/or Bellandra heading for the portal and sees nobody returning, he will shout: "Wait 'n' think 'fore doin' anythin' foolish! What if that's a trap laid fer us? Then ye won't be able to 'elp anyone; let's push forward!"

He will follow the corridor. If left alone, he will hesitate, sigh deeply, then follow the corridor.

Captain's Log Mission 7 - The Tunnels, Turn 18
I stand before the being we've been searching for... a flying talking skull. He supposedly had some book that the Hag desperately wants but I have no intention of giving her anything. Instead, I'll enlist the help of this skull person to aid us in defeating the Hag and getting out of this dungeon. He seemed trustworthy enough. After all, when he took the Book of Armaments out of my hands to banish the wights, he could've taken the book for himself but didn't. Heck, he could've left us all for dead and took off for the portal without helping at all but he didn't. Despite his appearance, deep down, I believe him to be a good person. Or partial person. He is missing everything from the neck below.

Captain BenKii holsters his weapons seeing no threat of the flying skull. He addresses the floating apparition in his most diplomatic voice yet, "Sup Skull Dude." he said with a nod.

"I'm Captain BenKii, these are my comrades Argy, Kyp, and Grog'tial. But I guess you already know him." pointing and looking toward Grog'tial while squinting. "Oh, you're right he would look better in pink. Haha, looks like you got yourself one good funny bone in that noggin of yours." Somewhere in the distance a "buh dum tss" could be heard.

"But I digress, look Mr. Skully we have a common enemy. The Hag. She wants us to steal some book from you but clearly she's a lying good for nothing.. uhh... well Hag. She's locked us in this dungeon and won't let us go until we give her what she wants but I have a better idea. We just kill her and find another way out. I've already escaped this dungeon once and I can do it again especially if we have your help." BenKii holds out the Book of Armaments to show the Skull Man the page about Hagsbane making sure to not open it on the page with the sealed wights on it. "Here, check the page on Hagsbane. Maybe you can help us with it. If we can find the ingredients to this Hagsbane and mix it up, then we'll have another weapon to fight her. Just got to find a way to get her to drink it. Maybe invite her for dinner?" BenKii said jokingly but in the back of his head still kept it a serious possibility.

BenKii then looked around the room for a second, heard the grumble in his stomach, and asked another question, "By the way, you got anything to eat here? I've starving. Or even something to steep my tea in? Gotta keep my calories and caffeine level up!"

[GM - The room is outside the regular dungeon time to allow for some questions to be asked and answered during this turn.]

The skull sighs. ""Typical! Why do I always get lumbered with amnesiac stiffs? What happened to the book I gave you last time? You know, the one you used to obliterate one of the hag sisters? Og'rialt's Guide to Dungeoneering, the log of all your travels? Did you lose it, or give it to that bald mercenary friend of yours like the other book you stole from me, Gith? You should take better care of your stuff. You really don't want just anyone sifting through the crap and knowing all your secrets, chief."

[GM - The room is outside the regular dungeon time to allow for some questions to be asked and answered during this turn.]

"Don't talk to me about boners, Gith! You've no idea how long it's been!"

"Another way out? After last time, this place is locked up tighter than a chastity belt! Well, except maybe the paintings."

The flying skull looks over the page. "Says you need moonflowers and graverot," he says to you oh so helpfully. "Graverot's easy, find an old graveyard at night." The skull laughs like a maniac. "Invite a hag to dinner and you'll end up the main course. Kiss her with it! Hag's are suckers for kisses. I mean, who'd want to pucker up to that, am I right?"

"Do I look like a waiter to you, chief? Don't talk to me about hungry. I've been milling round here for an eternity, or so it feels."

"Paintings you say, eh? Think I remember a room with some of those the last time I was here. About which direction would that be?"

"And which way is the graveyard?"

"I'm not completely against it. I have been known to be quite charming from time to time. It's true."


"Oh that's Grog'tial. I think his brother is Og'rialt. Met him once. Nice guy. Ahhh, all those dwarves look alike. Easy to confuse the two of them, I know. So then I take it that you don't have the book in question? Well darn, I thought there might've been something in that book we could've used on the Hag."

"Where? With the way you've made it mix things up? Hell if I know! Do I look like a tour guide now?"

"Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, chief." The skull turns to Grog'tial and rolls it's intact eyeballs as if to say 'Where do you pick up these people?' "Sorry, the air in this place makes my skull itch."

"No, he does ... or did." The skull nods toward Grog'tial. "Huh. Looks to me like you have a book in your hand with something about Hagsbane, chief. Or you could tear out that page and throw the wights at her for a kiss. Then again, she might throw them right back at you." The skulls laughs.

Kyp seeing others questioning the skull doesn't want to feel left out and asks

"What question should I ask you to get information to defeat the hag or get out of this dungeon? And then what is the answer to the question that I should ask you to get information to help us get out of here"

(Kyp had no good ideas of what to ask)

"Oh and... how does it feel to be flying? That seems pretty cool except for the fact you are able to go so high up"

"What? Now I'm a Monster Manual?" He jerks his jaw towards Argy. "Why isn't anybody asking her? Gith, you already have the recipe for Hagsbane, what more do you want, a warning guide?" Shaking his head at you the skull coughs up a small pamphlet, 'A Guide To Hags: The Wicked Witches', dropping it at Kyp's feet. "Don't ask me where I keep this stuff."

What Are Hags?
At first glance, Hags may seem to be no more than strange old women. But don’t be fooled! Hags love nothing more than to spread misery for misery’s sake. They may disguise themselves as old women, but this is only to hide their true form as something far more gruesome and sinister. Hags view anything ugly as beautiful and vice-versa. Their influence corrupts the land around them as they plot and scheme the best ways to crush the spirits of unsuspecting people nearby. Hags obsessively seek any opportunity to grow in power and become even more destructive.

Hag Lore
Hags are impossibly old and have lifespans that reach even beyond that of dragons. Hags obsessively pursue dark knowledge and power to further spread misery throughout the world. A Hag’s age can be roughly determined by her name as the oldest most powerful hags are referred to as “grandmother” by other Hags. Most commonly a Hag will be given the title “auntie.” Hags are created by other Hags. By trapping and devouring infants, the Hag is able to give birth to daughters who, upon reaching their thirteenth birthday, become Hags themselves. It is not uncommon for Hags to do this to create a coven of their own. Hags will often join in groups of three into covens to gain access to more power.

Let's Make A Deal
Even with magic that doesn’t play by traditional rules, Hags prefer to bargain and are dangerously skilled manipulators. Always be on high alert when interacting with a Hag. Hags never explain their motives, but even the most simple of terms in a bargain with a Hag ultimately plays a part in her goals of tormenting others. If the deal can be used to corrupt or torture the other party, the Hag will eagerly look to strike an agreement. It’s almost impossible to trick a Hag and terrible punishments await those who seek to break their deal. Hags look to strike deals with those who are desperate or at a low point, especially if she is the one who tricked them there. This means most Hags will have the high ground from the very beginning of their negotiations. Whatever the terms of the agreement, the Hag's purpose is to create misery and always to win in the end. Even better if the Hag can send you on a quest. This gives the Hag a chance to break someone's spirit while scoring a 'helper' for her own evil agenda. Remember, no matter how tempting or fair the offer may seem at first, they are always, ultimately, one-sided for the Hag's benefit.

Hag Magic
Hags’ greatest strength lies in their spells. They use a type of 'weird magic' that is different from any magic understood by others. Hag’s spells are just as bizarre and deadly as the Hag herself. A Hag’s magic does not play by the rules. It is sure to terrify others and give her an edge over anyone who would try to stand up to her.

The Best Way To Fight A Hag
Don't.

"I already said this place is locked up tighter than a chastity belt, except maybe the paintings. Didn't you hear? So far it looks like you still have your ears. As for flying, see for yourself." The skull zooms in and picks Kyp up in his teeth by the back of the collar and proceeds to fly him high around the room before dropping him back down. He laughs as Kyp sinks to his knees, swallowing hard. "Does that answer your question, chief?"

[Hag guide info credited to Wade W and various D&D resources.]

Kyp says while quivering and holding onto the ground and takes the book

"Thank you for the demonstration... kind... sir? I heard but I felt like if I didn't ask a question I wouldn't be as cool as the rest of my crew."

Trying his best to be courteous and respectful.

Don't take anything the skull says personally. He's just a 'smart mouth'. (since skulls don't exactly have ... donkey's heinies.) ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ya I know lol, was playing along with it.

Nothing could be as mean as the queen of hearts anyways.

Argy steps accidentally on BenKii's foot at this point.

---------------

Turns to the skull after some wandering around "Won't ye have a map of this place, my jolly sir? We be a little lost, and hag magic isn't helping..."

"A map of this place?" He looks around at the entire room. "What you see is this place, but sure ..."

An X appears on the floor with the words YOU ARE HERE written in chalk underneath it.