A sigh of relief at the barkeeps answer, though it would have been a good place too look. Taking the two bottles to a table for the group to converse at, Thulewyn sits with his back to overly happy man ( gets his ears closer and his eyes on what those taking to him won't see. He puts one bottle in his pack and uncorks the other and fills a glass for himself. He watches the room while he waits for food and half listens to the man.
If needed perception:8
(The man is not looking happy, just is not depressed as the others. But he seems more normal and balanced which, compared to the rest of the dreary and depressed company, makes him stand out. He is also sitting by himself, and does not strike you as the type to madly talk to himself. He offered for your group to join him, but unless someone comes to talk to him (from your group, or you can wait and hope), he probably won't be doing much talking.)
Somewhat surprised at the unexpected offer, the blonde elven maiden bows quite gracefully . "Thank you young man, you are very gracious to invite us to sit with you."She says with a warm and melodious voice, bringing her glass of red wine over to one of the chairs by the hearth, motioning for her companions to join them. "I am Celeste, and these brave gentlemen are my travelling companions."She says as she takes her seat. "I must admit we don't know how we ended up in your village, there was a mysterious fog. Perhaps you know something about this fog, and how we could find the Vistani who we have heard travels through it." She says with a warm smile, taking a sip of her red wine.
Persuasion if needed: 24 (Advantage due to Eagle's Splendor making Celeste quite radiant)
The man courteously offers you and your companies some chairs, bows, and then sits back down himself to talk to you.
"Well met. My name Ismark Kolyanovich, the son of the Burgomaster of this village. Well, the late Burgomaster, but that is another tale.
It is clear from your appearance that you are outsiders, and if I may guess, probably only recently arrived. The locals do not offer help, so I am hoping that you may do so.
My trouble is this: I believe that Devil Strahd to be after my adopted sister, Ireena Kolyana. He is known to come after certain young women. No one knows how he selects them, but Ireena certainly seems to have drawn his attention.
I must protect her from this vile vampire, and I believe that Valliki, to the east, will be much safer than keeping her here - in the shadow of Strahd's own castle.
I would journey there with her, but fear that that the two of us alone would make easy prey for Strahd and his minions. Would you find it in your hearts to help us?"
"As for the Vistani, you may find them across this land. They travel by their very nature, and are seldom in the same place for long. But I believe they currently have a camp some way west of here near the river. If you agree to help us, we could perhaps even try to find them as part of the journey to Valliki"
"There was fog earlier, yes. But this is normal, is it not? It comes and goes, and has done so all my life - the same way the clouds move in their neverending dance in the sky. Although truth be told, it is best to avoid the thickest fog when travelling at night, lest you run into something unexpected."
(You get the impression that while the fog was strange and unusual to you, he honestly doesn't appear to consider it unusual)
The blonde elven maiden listens to Ismark as she sips her wine. Strahd again, a dark menace to this village and one that they did not dare to oppose. She wanted to confront him and his evil ways but she didn't doubt there was a reason the villagers didn't dare oppose him. "Perhaps we can help each other Ismark? We are looking for this girl..." She says, showing the young man the picture of Gertruda. "...if you help us find her and the Vistani I'm sure my companions will join me in helping you to escort your sister away from Strahd. But first, please tell me more about him, and what kind of minions we could expect to assail us on our way to Valliki?"
Janek had listened quietly to the conversations with the barkeep and then wandered over to the table just behind Celeste. He continues to quietly listen to the conversation between her and Ismark. He would take a seat as well, studying the man as he speaks, trying to gauge his truthfulness or pick up any signs of ulterior designs. (Insight: 8)
As the others move to the one person that stands out in the room, Alcazar pulls a seat from a nearby table and joins them. He studies the man, trying to determine what he can about them from their words, demeanor and clothing, but is perhaps just too tired to properly focus.
The blonde elven maiden listens to Ismark as she sips her wine. Strahd again, a dark menace to this village and one that they did not dare to oppose. She wanted to confront him and his evil ways but she didn't doubt there was a reason the villagers didn't dare oppose him. "Perhaps we can help each other Ismark? We are looking for this girl..." She says, showing the young man the picture of Gertruda. "...if you help us find her and the Vistani I'm sure my companions will join me in helping you to escort your sister away from Strahd. But first, please tell me more about him, and what kind of minions we could expect to assail us on our way to Valliki?"
Ismark looks at the picture of the girl. "No, I am afraid I do not know her."
"I would be happy to assist you in finding the Vistani as a repayment for your help in safely delivering my sister to Valliki.
I don't know what kind of beasts we may encounter - but I suspect wolves and others. For weeks now, every night the house was attacked by wolves, Zombies, and other creatures of the night. Every night, we fight them off. The attacks stopped suddenly three days ago - on the night on which my father die of a heart attack. I fear this is only a lull in the storm, before Strahd comes to claim Ireena."
Janek had listened quietly to the conversations with the barkeep and then wandered over to the table just behind Celeste. He continues to quietly listen to the conversation between her and Ismark. He would take a seat as well, studying the man as he speaks, trying to gauge his truthfulness or pick up any signs of ulterior designs. (Insight: 8)
As the others move to the one person that stands out in the room, Alcazar pulls a seat from a nearby table and joins them. He studies the man, trying to determine what he can about them from their words, demeanor and clothing, but is perhaps just too tired to properly focus.
Percepetion: 12 (passive), rolled 7
You detect no deception or dishonesty, and feel that he genuinely wants your help.
"So when do you propose we set out on our journey to Valliki?"The blonde elven maiden asks, taking another sip of her wine, looking around at her new companions. She didn't know them yet but they all looked quite competent, like they could handle both wolves and the walking dead, and Valliki might be where they were headed next anyway in their search for the Vistani.
"So when do you propose we set out on our journey to Valliki?"The blonde elven maiden asks, taking another sip of her wine, looking around at her new companions. She didn't know them yet but they all looked quite competent, like they could handle both wolves and the walking dead, and Valliki might be where they were headed next anyway in their search for the Vistani.
Ismark responds "We have to go to the house first, to collect Ireena. As soon as she is ready to go, we can depart. I can accompany you there now, or meet you there later if you have other errands to run first. The house is easy to find. It is the large manor house, just south of here along the road from the square." (The same house you spotted earlier, further along beyond Mad Mary's house)
Rodan looms out of the gloomy shadows of the bar alongside Thulewyn, having procured a mug from one of the tables. He holds it out toward Thulewyn's wine bottle, 3 pcs of silver clutched between thumb and forefinger of the same hand. "Right good lookin' out, mate."
[Assuming he gets a friendly pour in return for the silver....]
He turns to look about the room, at the desperate and hopeless faces at the tables. He says, perhaps to Thulewyn, perhaps to no one in particular. "Well, ain't this a fine example of the grand reign of Count Strahd Von Zarovich, eh? A land filled with folks as broken as old boots, starin' off into the distance like they've seen the ghost of a werewolf. That's what it's come to, I reckon."
He raises his glass. "To the Devil, then."
"May the bloke take a tumble down a rickety ol' flight o' stairs." He takes a long sip of wine.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Pouring wine into the mug, Thulewyn mutters "aye and the least brow beaten of the lot has been fending off attacks of creatures in the night, papi just took a nap in the stones and is convinced that straw count fellow is out to kidnap his sister. Kinda makes wonders what under the mountain happen to the rest of them."
After the toast, Thulewyn says, "And may the stairs lead to the edge of a cliff." Realizing they were the only two that were going to sit at this table. "Well we may as well go sit with Sir Lucky, he seems to have the rest of the groups attention." Takes a swing from the bottle and starts to join the rest with Ismark.
Janek thinks a moment about Ismark's offer. "I think we should help get Ireena to Valliki and get some help back in return." He then focuses his attention on Ismark. "I'm curious though what makes you think getting the girl to Valliki will help? I would think someone like this Strahd would certainly have her followed and come after her. But again, I'm willing to help and do hope you are right in this. I think we ought get a bite to eat here and then we would be ready to be on our way."
He stops a moment, realizing he sounded like he was speaking for the rest. He turns from Ismark to each of the others. "If that's what you all wish to do, of course."
Janek thinks a moment about Ismark's offer. "I think we should help get Ireena to Valliki and get some help back in return." He then focuses his attention on Ismark. "I'm curious though what makes you think getting the girl to Valliki will help? I would think someone like this Strahd would certainly have her followed and come after her. But again, I'm willing to help and do hope you are right in this. I think we ought get a bite to eat here and then we would be ready to be on our way."
He thinks on this for a second or two and then says "You may be right. I have no doubt he will not give up so easily. But Valliki is further away and is a larger, better-defended town. Surely it will be safer than staying in this village, in the very shadow of his castle. On his doorstep, so to say. Yes, it may only provide some temporary relief, but even that would be better than nothing!"
"Do you already know anyone in Valliki? Someone that will be able to take her in?" Nicholas asks, thinking ahead to when they actually get Irene to the town. "I suppose you could stay at an inn for some time...But having somewhere less obvious to hide her would be a boon."
"Do you already know anyone in Valliki? Someone that will be able to take her in?" Nicholas asks, thinking ahead to when they actually get Irene to the town. "I suppose you could stay at an inn for some time...But having somewhere less obvious to hide her would be a boon."
"I have no friends or relatives there. But Valliki is reknown as a safe-haven of sorts. It is a walled town, guarded and well-defended. And there is a large Inn which no doubt can offer at least temporary accommodation. Once we are there, I can make inquiries as to perhaps taking a house there. To tell the truth, with the constant attacks, I have not had much time to make plans. In fact, the last few weeks have been quite intense and I have been forced to improvise a lot, including now arranging an escort of outsiders that I can trust not to be in league with Strahd." With the last sentence, he does a sweeping gesture, indicating you and the rest of the party.
(The man is not looking happy, just is not depressed as the others. But he seems more normal and balanced which, compared to the rest of the dreary and depressed company, makes him stand out. He is also sitting by himself, and does not strike you as the type to madly talk to himself. He offered for your group to join him, but unless someone comes to talk to him (from your group, or you can wait and hope), he probably won't be doing much talking.)
(Ehm, Celeste joined him back in post #432 and is hoping for a response of some kind)
(My bad)
The man courteously offers you and your companies some chairs, bows, and then sits back down himself to talk to you.
"Well met. My name Ismark Kolyanovich, the son of the Burgomaster of this village. Well, the late Burgomaster, but that is another tale.
It is clear from your appearance that you are outsiders, and if I may guess, probably only recently arrived. The locals do not offer help, so I am hoping that you may do so.
My trouble is this: I believe that Devil Strahd to be after my adopted sister, Ireena Kolyana. He is known to come after certain young women. No one knows how he selects them, but Ireena certainly seems to have drawn his attention.
I must protect her from this vile vampire, and I believe that Valliki, to the east, will be much safer than keeping her here - in the shadow of Strahd's own castle.
I would journey there with her, but fear that that the two of us alone would make easy prey for Strahd and his minions. Would you find it in your hearts to help us?"
"As for the Vistani, you may find them across this land. They travel by their very nature, and are seldom in the same place for long. But I believe they currently have a camp some way west of here near the river. If you agree to help us, we could perhaps even try to find them as part of the journey to Valliki"
"There was fog earlier, yes. But this is normal, is it not? It comes and goes, and has done so all my life - the same way the clouds move in their neverending dance in the sky. Although truth be told, it is best to avoid the thickest fog when travelling at night, lest you run into something unexpected."
(You get the impression that while the fog was strange and unusual to you, he honestly doesn't appear to consider it unusual)
The blonde elven maiden listens to Ismark as she sips her wine. Strahd again, a dark menace to this village and one that they did not dare to oppose. She wanted to confront him and his evil ways but she didn't doubt there was a reason the villagers didn't dare oppose him. "Perhaps we can help each other Ismark? We are looking for this girl..." She says, showing the young man the picture of Gertruda. "...if you help us find her and the Vistani I'm sure my companions will join me in helping you to escort your sister away from Strahd. But first, please tell me more about him, and what kind of minions we could expect to assail us on our way to Valliki?"
Janek had listened quietly to the conversations with the barkeep and then wandered over to the table just behind Celeste. He continues to quietly listen to the conversation between her and Ismark. He would take a seat as well, studying the man as he speaks, trying to gauge his truthfulness or pick up any signs of ulterior designs. (Insight: 8)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
As the others move to the one person that stands out in the room, Alcazar pulls a seat from a nearby table and joins them. He studies the man, trying to determine what he can about them from their words, demeanor and clothing, but is perhaps just too tired to properly focus.
Percepetion: 12 (passive), rolled 7
Ismark looks at the picture of the girl. "No, I am afraid I do not know her."
"I would be happy to assist you in finding the Vistani as a repayment for your help in safely delivering my sister to Valliki.
I don't know what kind of beasts we may encounter - but I suspect wolves and others. For weeks now, every night the house was attacked by wolves, Zombies, and other creatures of the night. Every night, we fight them off. The attacks stopped suddenly three days ago - on the night on which my father die of a heart attack. I fear this is only a lull in the storm, before Strahd comes to claim Ireena."
You detect no deception or dishonesty, and feel that he genuinely wants your help.
(By the way, this is what Ismark looks like)
"So when do you propose we set out on our journey to Valliki?" The blonde elven maiden asks, taking another sip of her wine, looking around at her new companions. She didn't know them yet but they all looked quite competent, like they could handle both wolves and the walking dead, and Valliki might be where they were headed next anyway in their search for the Vistani.
Ismark responds "We have to go to the house first, to collect Ireena. As soon as she is ready to go, we can depart. I can accompany you there now, or meet you there later if you have other errands to run first. The house is easy to find. It is the large manor house, just south of here along the road from the square." (The same house you spotted earlier, further along beyond Mad Mary's house)
Rodan looms out of the gloomy shadows of the bar alongside Thulewyn, having procured a mug from one of the tables. He holds it out toward Thulewyn's wine bottle, 3 pcs of silver clutched between thumb and forefinger of the same hand. "Right good lookin' out, mate."
[Assuming he gets a friendly pour in return for the silver....]
He turns to look about the room, at the desperate and hopeless faces at the tables. He says, perhaps to Thulewyn, perhaps to no one in particular. "Well, ain't this a fine example of the grand reign of Count Strahd Von Zarovich, eh? A land filled with folks as broken as old boots, starin' off into the distance like they've seen the ghost of a werewolf. That's what it's come to, I reckon."
He raises his glass. "To the Devil, then."
"May the bloke take a tumble down a rickety ol' flight o' stairs." He takes a long sip of wine.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Pouring wine into the mug, Thulewyn mutters "aye and the least brow beaten of the lot has been fending off attacks of creatures in the night, papi just took a nap in the stones and is convinced that straw count fellow is out to kidnap his sister. Kinda makes wonders what under the mountain happen to the rest of them."
After the toast, Thulewyn says, "And may the stairs lead to the edge of a cliff." Realizing they were the only two that were going to sit at this table. "Well we may as well go sit with Sir Lucky, he seems to have the rest of the groups attention." Takes a swing from the bottle and starts to join the rest with Ismark.
Janek thinks a moment about Ismark's offer. "I think we should help get Ireena to Valliki and get some help back in return." He then focuses his attention on Ismark. "I'm curious though what makes you think getting the girl to Valliki will help? I would think someone like this Strahd would certainly have her followed and come after her. But again, I'm willing to help and do hope you are right in this. I think we ought get a bite to eat here and then we would be ready to be on our way."
He stops a moment, realizing he sounded like he was speaking for the rest. He turns from Ismark to each of the others. "If that's what you all wish to do, of course."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer
He thinks on this for a second or two and then says "You may be right. I have no doubt he will not give up so easily. But Valliki is further away and is a larger, better-defended town. Surely it will be safer than staying in this village, in the very shadow of his castle. On his doorstep, so to say. Yes, it may only provide some temporary relief, but even that would be better than nothing!"
"Do you already know anyone in Valliki? Someone that will be able to take her in?" Nicholas asks, thinking ahead to when they actually get Irene to the town. "I suppose you could stay at an inn for some time...But having somewhere less obvious to hide her would be a boon."
"I have no friends or relatives there. But Valliki is reknown as a safe-haven of sorts. It is a walled town, guarded and well-defended. And there is a large Inn which no doubt can offer at least temporary accommodation. Once we are there, I can make inquiries as to perhaps taking a house there. To tell the truth, with the constant attacks, I have not had much time to make plans. In fact, the last few weeks have been quite intense and I have been forced to improvise a lot, including now arranging an escort of outsiders that I can trust not to be in league with Strahd." With the last sentence, he does a sweeping gesture, indicating you and the rest of the party.
Janek nods at the responses. Finding an empty chair, he'll take a seat at the table, ready for a quick bite to eat.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard
Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer