From the way you describe it, your crown may have rotted away. If there are no crown with eyes, then I think the plant is done. However, if Red Charm roots are adventitious, they will regenerate eyes and grow from the tubers. I don't know if RC is adventitious, but it does not hurt to try. Just bury the roots about 2" under soil level and watch for sprouts next spring. If you get pips coming up in the area that you plant these tubers, then RC is adventious. I just checked the peony database and someone noted that RC roots are adventious but they may take two years to form eyes.
