"Please listen and I will explain, although I doubt I can condense the information down to 10 seconds. For that I apologize my friend."
Stanimir fills his mouth with wine, then spits into the fire. The flames turn from orange to green. As they dance and sway, a dark shape appears in the bonfire's core.
"We come from an ancient land whose name is long forgotten--a land of kings. Our enemies forced us from our homes, and now we wander the lost roads."
The dark shape in the fire takes the form of a man being knocked from his horse, a spear piercing his side.
Stanimir continues. "One night, a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed his terrible injury and quenched his thirst with wine. He survived. When we asked him who he was, he wouldn't say. All he wanted was to return home, but we were deep in the land of his enemies. We took him as one of our own and followed him back toward his homeland. His enemies hunted him. They said he was a prince, yet we didn't give him up, even when their assassins fell upon us like wolves."
Deep in the bonfire, you see the dark figure standing with sword drawn, fighting off a host of shadowy shapes."
"This man of royal blood fought to protect us, as we protected him. We bore him safely to his home, and he thanked us. He said, 'I owe you my life. Stay as long as you wish, leave when you choose, and know that you will always be safe here.' "
The figure in the dancing fire vanquished its final for, then disperses in a cloud of smoke and embers.
Stanimir's face becomes a somber mask. "And curse has befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant. We alone have the power to enter his domain. We've traveled far and wide to find heroes such as yourselves to end our dread lord's curse and put his troubled soul to rest. Our leader, Madam Eva, knows all. Will you return to Barovia with us and speak with her?"
Yes yes sad story ooo woo as you. Now lets get down to brass taxes, you give the money back and i dont torture you. You have made my fried mad so now am i. Ounce i had no friends all i had was pain now they know theirs as will you, but i will give you a second chance give the money back or i will deliver your burt bodies to the gates of hell"
Oh my, use some tact, Necros. My apologies for my angry friend, nature of fire I suppose. We do need any money back that you may have taken from townsfolk, but I have to ask: If you were looking for "heroes" then why were you taking coin and wine from people? You'd have done much better in your quest had you not pissed off Morwen.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-We are all just one failed saving throw away from someone else's fantasy...
”Oh, for the love of ravens” Lae mutters under his breath... “Stanimir, friend, kindly lend this hothead some of your liquor to take the end off so we can hear your story.”
Stanimir looks confused for a moment "The money?.....Oh, the money. If course, of course. But first your friend. Damia! Ratka!"
The younger and and woman beside him previously move beside him once more. He first talks quietly with the woman, who grabs a nearby flask, pours some of the liquid into a small cup and carries it to Necros. He then speaks quietly to the man, who wanders off to the wagons and returns a bit later with a small money pouch.
Stanimir continues, "I have no more story than what I have given, but would hear your answer. Will you help us?"
Hmm... Zander puts his hand thoughtfully on his chin. Well, you are giving back the money, still not sure why you took it in the first place, but I suppose as long as you right the wrongs you commit, that's honorable enough. I suppose however you leave, we've completed our task. What does everyone else think? And Stanmir, is there anything you can tell us about the nature of this curse?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-We are all just one failed saving throw away from someone else's fantasy...
“Aye,” Lae begins with a haunted look in his eye.. “I’ve ventured to Barovia before Stanimir and received nothing but ill fortune for my efforts.. convince me why I should return there, for I fear this party may receive the same fate as my last and that is something I may not be able to bear...” he concludes his face hardening awaiting a response from the old man.
I had a feeling you'd say that. Very well, the Brothers Smoothhands will go with you to Barovia. We'll try not to die on you, Lae.Zander gives a joking smile. I would still like to hear more about this curse situation though, or will that be Madam Eva's part in this?
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
-We are all just one failed saving throw away from someone else's fantasy...
Stanimir thinks for a moment. "Yes, Madam Eva will know more about the curse to be sure. As to fate, I make no promises, but I think your current company may prove stronger than your former comrades, though I intend no offense. And even we tread with care these days. Shall we be off?"
"So please make me even angryer"
"Please listen and I will explain, although I doubt I can condense the information down to 10 seconds. For that I apologize my friend."
Stanimir fills his mouth with wine, then spits into the fire. The flames turn from orange to green. As they dance and sway, a dark shape appears in the bonfire's core.
"We come from an ancient land whose name is long forgotten--a land of kings. Our enemies forced us from our homes, and now we wander the lost roads."
The dark shape in the fire takes the form of a man being knocked from his horse, a spear piercing his side.
Stanimir continues. "One night, a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed his terrible injury and quenched his thirst with wine. He survived. When we asked him who he was, he wouldn't say. All he wanted was to return home, but we were deep in the land of his enemies. We took him as one of our own and followed him back toward his homeland. His enemies hunted him. They said he was a prince, yet we didn't give him up, even when their assassins fell upon us like wolves."
Deep in the bonfire, you see the dark figure standing with sword drawn, fighting off a host of shadowy shapes."
"This man of royal blood fought to protect us, as we protected him. We bore him safely to his home, and he thanked us. He said, 'I owe you my life. Stay as long as you wish, leave when you choose, and know that you will always be safe here.' "
The figure in the dancing fire vanquished its final for, then disperses in a cloud of smoke and embers.
Stanimir's face becomes a somber mask. "And curse has befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant. We alone have the power to enter his domain. We've traveled far and wide to find heroes such as yourselves to end our dread lord's curse and put his troubled soul to rest. Our leader, Madam Eva, knows all. Will you return to Barovia with us and speak with her?"
“B-Barovia?” Lae stammers as he sullenly lowers his head as if to advert his eyes from those who may be looking at him in the moment.
Yes yes sad story ooo woo as you. Now lets get down to brass taxes, you give the money back and i dont torture you. You have made my fried mad so now am i. Ounce i had no friends all i had was pain now they know theirs as will you, but i will give you a second chance give the money back or i will deliver your burt bodies to the gates of hell"
Roll intimidate
Oh my, use some tact, Necros. My apologies for my angry friend, nature of fire I suppose. We do need any money back that you may have taken from townsfolk, but I have to ask: If you were looking for "heroes" then why were you taking coin and wine from people? You'd have done much better in your quest had you not pissed off Morwen.
-We are all just one failed saving throw away from someone else's fantasy...
Lae raises his head and listens intently for a response from the old man.
Necros screams and falls down to his knees visibly shacking
I... I don't know what to do here, are you alright, Necros?
-We are all just one failed saving throw away from someone else's fantasy...
"The past the past please help"
”Oh, for the love of ravens” Lae mutters under his breath... “Stanimir, friend, kindly lend this hothead some of your liquor to take the end off so we can hear your story.”
Stanimir looks confused for a moment "The money?.....Oh, the money. If course, of course. But first your friend. Damia! Ratka!"
The younger and and woman beside him previously move beside him once more. He first talks quietly with the woman, who grabs a nearby flask, pours some of the liquid into a small cup and carries it to Necros. He then speaks quietly to the man, who wanders off to the wagons and returns a bit later with a small money pouch.
Stanimir continues, "I have no more story than what I have given, but would hear your answer. Will you help us?"
Hmm... Zander puts his hand thoughtfully on his chin. Well, you are giving back the money, still not sure why you took it in the first place, but I suppose as long as you right the wrongs you commit, that's honorable enough. I suppose however you leave, we've completed our task. What does everyone else think? And Stanmir, is there anything you can tell us about the nature of this curse?
-We are all just one failed saving throw away from someone else's fantasy...
“Aye,” Lae begins with a haunted look in his eye.. “I’ve ventured to Barovia before Stanimir and received nothing but ill fortune for my efforts.. convince me why I should return there, for I fear this party may receive the same fate as my last and that is something I may not be able to bear...” he concludes his face hardening awaiting a response from the old man.
I'm up for anything that I can turn into a lucrative situation.
I had a feeling you'd say that. Very well, the Brothers Smoothhands will go with you to Barovia. We'll try not to die on you, Lae. Zander gives a joking smile. I would still like to hear more about this curse situation though, or will that be Madam Eva's part in this?
-We are all just one failed saving throw away from someone else's fantasy...
”I believe the spinner of fate will watch over us should we venture to Barovia... never the less.. we should tread with care...”
I will go i am sorry my anger takes control of me
Stanimir thinks for a moment. "Yes, Madam Eva will know more about the curse to be sure. As to fate, I make no promises, but I think your current company may prove stronger than your former comrades, though I intend no offense. And even we tread with care these days. Shall we be off?"
Lae sighs, “Alright then, go we shall”.