Mother Crone

## Appearances in Game

During the trip to the Sedgemoor, the group decides to go to Crone's Island in their attempt to complete the scavenger hunt. While there, they encounter a massive tree: over 300 ft. tall and 40 ft. wide. They approach and find the towering 10 ft. tall figure of a maiden that appears lodged in the tree. She seemingly has knowledge about the past, present, and future.

### Optimal

As Optimal approaches Mother Crone, her pendant begins to glow on her chest. A warm feeling begins to overtake her: a feeling of peace and serenity that seems to come from the pendant. Mother Crone speaks, saying that is a presence that she has not felt in sometime. She greets Optimal as a "Follower of Majere", an ancient deity that has walked many domains in many worlds, but until now was lost until a little tiefling girl has begun to rediscover him. She tells Optimal that he will direct her if she seeks him out. His domains are discipline, loyalty, and meditation. Mother Crone says a great shadow envelops Optimal and envelops all of us. She tells Optimal that if she waivers in her loyalty, she fears all will be lost.

### K-W3rk

K-W3rk approaches next and Mother Crone says that some refer to him as “the homunculi” and “the vile one”, but that he is not without hope. Mother Crone tells him that she is focused on what matters and that *he* matters. He asks her if he has a soul. She says the answer to that question awaits him and he will get that answer: to avail himself to a dear friend who is waiting for you. But be careful. "What is a soul?" She asks, "Without the ones you love." She says she is afraid the path he is on will put the ones he loves in danger. The question he seeks is not 'does he have a soul', but what souls matter to him - for that will be tested the moment he finds the answer to 'what is a K-W3rk'. She says answers are worth it: never doubt that. It is always worth it.

### Afton

Afton is next to approach Mother Crone after he says a quick prayer to two of the Nine. Mother Crone calls him "the lost one": separated from his home, his family, and from time itself. She notes that those who mettle in time have a heavy burden. Afton assumes she's speaking of his Uncle Hollace, but Mother Crone says she speaks only of him. Afton says that he hasn't mettle with time; she responds "Not that you know of."

Afton mentions Eldritch Balm and she notes that it poisons her roots as they speak. He says that it's been tampered with and Mother Crone agrees: "Very purposefully". Afton asks her if she knows the source. She responds that it is a vile creature named Magaxor: he seeks entry into the Echo Assembly. Mother Crone says: "If you decide to allow me to give you the things you desire, you will be put in danger and very close to Magaxor and it may cost you your very lives." She notes that his destiny is very closely tied to K-W3rk, calling him the "vile homunculi" again - what the hollowed grave seekers say. K-W3rk may decide to bring hope or darkness, as many creatures do. Mother Crone says Afton is lost and even as they speak, events are unfolding. The one he calls Zyl - "he will not save you, but he may be a compass to guide you". She tells Afton that great power awaits him, but there are those in his life that have been utterly destroyed by it. "Perhaps you will find a new home, but the places you once called home are lost to you."

### Sashura

Sashura steps up and Mother Crone smiles wide. Sashura asks if her sister will ever make it here. She says her sister is waiting - she is weeping, but she is safe. She says none leave Barovia, none will escape. If she returns, there is only one way out: through him. Sashura says she can’t fight him. Mother Crone says "You're not without strength and you're not without hope." Mother Crone says she cannot tell her when, but if Sashura doesn't act, the consequences will be grave. When the three moons rise over Strixhaven, she will see a sign: on that day, seek out the Emerald Mother - her roots run deep into Barovia: not even he knows it. She tells Sashura to stay close to Raina - in the world of dreams, you are a mighty champion. The time will come when you are needed again.

### Raina

Raina steps forward. Mother Crone tells her that she has already discovered that her mind is a gateway, but for some reason she believes it is a curse. "There are so few gates in this universe. Do not fear the shadows in your mind." Mother Crone notes that she is the gate: it is not Raina who should walk through, but others. She warns that Noni will become corrupted, but Raina can save her and the wisdom of the ancients - but it will require a great sacrifice. She tells Raina when she returns to Strixhaven, seek out the voidfish, as she will learn much.

### Slayeh

Slayeh is next to step forward. Mother Crone says "You bring a great, ancient evil into my domain." Mother Crone tells her that she will get everything she wants, but if she forsakes the loyalty of Optimal, she will lose a part of herself. She tells Slayeh that she is loved and to sever the bond with one who gives her power will cost more than she can imagine. Slayeh asks how to sever the bond. Mother Crone tells her there is but one course of action and asks Optimal to step forward. The roots move and form a small dias, where the hilt of a blade rises in the center. Optimal grasps the blade: it is a very large, sharp longsword. Mother Crone tells Slayeh: "If you trust her, allow her to take your arm." Without hesitating, Slayeh holds out her arm. Mother Crone says there is no going back from the seeds that Slayeh has planted: we can't go back and change the past, but we can change our endings. She sees in her path a decision that could bring about great suffering and harm - or a decision that could bring hope and prosperity. Mother Crone says that only Optimal can do this: she stands as a loyal friend and the sword severs bonds. Mother Crone tells Slayeh that this will make her feel whole again.

Optimal prays to her new god and friends a hand on her shoulder: she can sense the heart and emotions of her friends all around her. Slayeh is bracing herself for relief. Raina is concentrating on Slayeh and her thoughts to see if Slayeh is in her right mind. She understands tough choices. Sashura is still unsure this is the right choice, but recognizes it’s Slayeh’s choice and is going to support her. Cuddles realizes Slayeh made up her mind and has the resolve: she has a good enough point. His mind is towards Optimal and her wellbeing and loss of innocence. He saw her as the ‘purest’ member of the group and is having to do something horrible. Afton is totally unconvinced by this tree and trusts his friend to make the decision than a tree he just met. He doesn’t feel Mother Crone knows the future and what lays before us. K-W3rk has an overwhelming sense of humor and laughter: he thinks this is a great show. And then he recognizes it’s true and goes into stark terror.

A heat emanates from Optimal and the wind blows out from her. An energy ripples up the blade as it is imbued with divine energy. As she opens her eyes, there is a glow from her eyes. Raina shifts Detect Thoughts to Mother Crone. Raina sees an image of Mother Crone and the tree itself is imbued with tendrils of a mechanical nature: wires, metal barbs bursting out of the trunk. The image is not so dissimilar to what Slayeh is thinking about: a world covered in blood as a premonition of what could be. The village is merged with a machine and coated red.

As Optimal moves to remove Slayeh’s arm, Afton casts Spiritual Weapon as a shield to stop the swing while K-W3rk casts Shatter to attempt to stop it. K-W3rk's spell does damage, but Optimal is able to dodge the Spiritual Weapon and land the blow. There is a moment of undiluted pure trust in Optimal from Slayeh. The blade severs her arm and she passes out. In that moment, it hurts, but it feels as if a weight has been taken off. There is a pause and then a blood curdling scream: “You dare!” The arm begins to move: mechanical tendrils spew out and smoke bellows out of the wrist. The arm splits in half and blood is pouring out. The arm begins to stand up and the tendrils begin to bellow: “All will be one and all will be beautiful.” Afton has heard that before. Everyone goes to attack the severed hand. With the sword, Optimal is able to cast Divine Smite and lands the final blow. There is a voice: “All means all. I will have you.”  Afton is struck by those words: he recognizes it from his Uncle Hollace. The divine energy leaves Optimal and the blade turns to dust. As Raina tends to Slayeh’s wound, it glows and it is stabilized. Optimal gives Cuddles a quiet hug.