Graeme, the shortsword was at one point rather nice. Over time and misuse, the intricate scrawl-work has faded, but perhaps a professional could restore it to useable form. With a good whetstone and work, it would be a suitable weapon for an experienced fighter. The patina would indicate it as extremely old. Holding the blade up and flourishing, the surrounding mists seem to recoil just a bit.
Allen, the half-orc has several oddities on him. You think perhaps spoils of war: a large tooth of a beast strung on a small leather band, a shrunken head of a drow elf, and a small-chipped dagger of black hue. Aside from that, his clothes are soaked in ichor and blood; tattered to shreds. The barbarian wears wraps that are splattered with any number of dried stains from different sources.
"What now?" Rumble asks, looking around at the group. "Shall we move on? This man seems stable... or shall we wait until he regains consciousness in hopes for information?"
As Rumble and Allen load the man in the cart, Graeme spooks the feeble blue tiefling good. In shock, Allen drops the unconscious man harshly into the wagon with a deep thud. A light exhale from the man can be heard as he unconsciously reacts. Slowly, the cart proceeds onward for quite some time without much change in scenery. After about an hour's time, as the forest parts into an open plane, the man groggily awakens.
"Ugh, wha... What's going on? Where am I? Who are you?" He puts his hand to his head and gasps from the pain. A slight look of relief crosses his confused, pained face as he feels Allen's bandages wrapped on his head. "Guess you dealt with Baa'k. Big brute, that one. Name's Jerkin."
He looks the group over and pats himself down quickly, "Well, as you can see I was ruthlessly accosted," he sheepishly sulks. "As to what I was doing, I was traveling. He ate all of his rations, wanted mine and me gold, then up and robbed me! I can't say I blame him. After all, he's a filthy half brute! Should have never done business with his ilk." He spats over the side of the wagon.
Allen, you can see he's being coy, and the man was surely not the most righteous type. However, it certainly does track that he was in a fight over gold.
Jerkin looks relieved as you cease to press him for details and offer safe passage. "Aye, fair enough, and I appreciate it. I can't say there are many who would do the same. Sounds, and looks, like you lot haven't been there before. If'n you be interested, perhaps I can provide some insight."
He gets comfortable, adjusting his legs cross-legged in the wagon before continuing, "A few hours ride from here, there's a split. If'n you be looking to go left, you're in your own. Villagers spread awful rumors about the ladies that live there. Witches, they say," he puts his hands outward and waves them about mystically. "About a full day's ride from there, you'll find your way to Vallaki - the happiest place in all of Barovia."
Agnes offers a pastry, “is that saying much? Things seem so drab here. Might be more willing to take my chances with some witches.” The old woman chuckles.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gash- Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Agnes, the man recoils heavily when you offer him a delicious baked good. He scrambles back against the wagon's side in sheer terror as he goes white. "G-get those things away from me," he exclaims. "Those things are poison! They say the witches make them. Are, no, you're not with with them. You can't be!"
Graeme, it appears he's being straightforward. Unlike earlier where he was reserved, it seems he is earnestly providing information as payment. Even as he has a small freakout, he appears genuine.
"My apologies mister. I'm not from here. I've come from Sword Coast... these were made by my wife there. They aren't poison and while I can do magic, I am no witch." she says softly.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Gash- Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Graeme says reassuringly, “Easy now, lad. There’s nuthin ta fear here.“ Graeme lightly slaps the tip of the mans boot And throws a thumb back at Agnes...
”Besides, I’ve had two an’ lived to tell about it.” Graeme concludes with a wink.
Jerkin's eyes are wide, pupils dilated and large, but he slowly regains composure as the Highlander eases the tension. Taking deep breathe, he says, "Alright, alright. Sorry. Once I've spent a long time without anyone I could trust, so I jump to conclusions quickly." He looks over the group and seems more relaxed at the human members of the party. For those of other races, his gaze lingers for some time.
The wagon bumps and rumbles ever forward, making way through the ever present mists. Time passes, and the group comes upon the fork Jerkin mentioned. The Old Svalich Road transitions from a winding path through the Balinok Mountains to a lazy trail that hugs the mountainside as it descends into a fog-filled valley. In the heart of the valley you see a walled town near the shores of a great mountain lake, its waters dark and still. A branch in the road leads west to a promontory, atop which I'm the distance is perched a dilapidated stone wind-mill, its warped wooden vanes stripped bare.
Graeme, seeing Allen so preoccupied with searching the Orc, attempts to sneak up behind him.
Stealth: 18
“GGGGGRRRRRRAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!” Bellows Graeme from behind Allen While making claw gestures with his hands...
Graeme, the shortsword was at one point rather nice. Over time and misuse, the intricate scrawl-work has faded, but perhaps a professional could restore it to useable form. With a good whetstone and work, it would be a suitable weapon for an experienced fighter. The patina would indicate it as extremely old. Holding the blade up and flourishing, the surrounding mists seem to recoil just a bit.
Allen, the half-orc has several oddities on him. You think perhaps spoils of war: a large tooth of a beast strung on a small leather band, a shrunken head of a drow elf, and a small-chipped dagger of black hue. Aside from that, his clothes are soaked in ichor and blood; tattered to shreds. The barbarian wears wraps that are splattered with any number of dried stains from different sources.
"What now?" Rumble asks, looking around at the group. "Shall we move on? This man seems stable... or shall we wait until he regains consciousness in hopes for information?"
"CoS" Rumble- Tabaxi Shadow Monk
“If we leave him here the realm will definitely claim him. We should take him with us to Vallaki.”
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiA“If we leave him here the realm will definitely claim him. We should take him with us to Vallaki.”
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiARumbe nods and helps heave the man into the back of the wagon.
"CoS" Rumble- Tabaxi Shadow Monk
As Rumble begins to help Allen with unconscious man. Graeme uses this as an opportunity to scare Allen.
Dex save: 5
”Wha!” Allen caught of guard drops the unconscious man.
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiAAs Rumble and Allen load the man in the cart, Graeme spooks the feeble blue tiefling good. In shock, Allen drops the unconscious man harshly into the wagon with a deep thud. A light exhale from the man can be heard as he unconsciously reacts. Slowly, the cart proceeds onward for quite some time without much change in scenery. After about an hour's time, as the forest parts into an open plane, the man groggily awakens.
"Ugh, wha... What's going on? Where am I? Who are you?" He puts his hand to his head and gasps from the pain. A slight look of relief crosses his confused, pained face as he feels Allen's bandages wrapped on his head. "Guess you dealt with Baa'k. Big brute, that one. Name's Jerkin."
“If you mean the Half Orc then yeah we dealt with him. Jerkin, what were y’all doing that the orc was trying to kill you?”
Insight: 22
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiAHe looks the group over and pats himself down quickly, "Well, as you can see I was ruthlessly accosted," he sheepishly sulks. "As to what I was doing, I was traveling. He ate all of his rations, wanted mine and me gold, then up and robbed me! I can't say I blame him. After all, he's a filthy half brute! Should have never done business with his ilk." He spats over the side of the wagon.
Allen, you can see he's being coy, and the man was surely not the most righteous type. However, it certainly does track that he was in a fight over gold.
“I see... Well we are heading to a town called Vallaki. We can take you with us but from there you’re on your own.”
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiAJerkin looks relieved as you cease to press him for details and offer safe passage. "Aye, fair enough, and I appreciate it. I can't say there are many who would do the same. Sounds, and looks, like you lot haven't been there before. If'n you be interested, perhaps I can provide some insight."
He gets comfortable, adjusting his legs cross-legged in the wagon before continuing, "A few hours ride from here, there's a split. If'n you be looking to go left, you're in your own. Villagers spread awful rumors about the ladies that live there. Witches, they say," he puts his hands outward and waves them about mystically. "About a full day's ride from there, you'll find your way to Vallaki - the happiest place in all of Barovia."
Agnes offers a pastry, “is that saying much? Things seem so drab here. Might be more willing to take my chances with some witches.” The old woman chuckles.
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Graeme listens intently to the man. Listening for deception.
Insight: 16
Agnes, the man recoils heavily when you offer him a delicious baked good. He scrambles back against the wagon's side in sheer terror as he goes white. "G-get those things away from me," he exclaims. "Those things are poison! They say the witches make them. Are, no, you're not with with them. You can't be!"
Graeme, it appears he's being straightforward. Unlike earlier where he was reserved, it seems he is earnestly providing information as payment. Even as he has a small freakout, he appears genuine.
"My apologies mister. I'm not from here. I've come from Sword Coast... these were made by my wife there. They aren't poison and while I can do magic, I am no witch." she says softly.
Gash - Lvl14 Goblin Wizard - The High Court of the Aasimar Queen
Graeme says reassuringly, “Easy now, lad. There’s nuthin ta fear here.“ Graeme lightly slaps the tip of the mans boot And throws a thumb back at Agnes...
”Besides, I’ve had two an’ lived to tell about it.” Graeme concludes with a wink.
Jerkin's eyes are wide, pupils dilated and large, but he slowly regains composure as the Highlander eases the tension. Taking deep breathe, he says, "Alright, alright. Sorry. Once I've spent a long time without anyone I could trust, so I jump to conclusions quickly." He looks over the group and seems more relaxed at the human members of the party. For those of other races, his gaze lingers for some time.
The wagon bumps and rumbles ever forward, making way through the ever present mists. Time passes, and the group comes upon the fork Jerkin mentioned. The Old Svalich Road transitions from a winding path through the Balinok Mountains to a lazy trail that hugs the mountainside as it descends into a fog-filled valley. In the heart of the valley you see a walled town near the shores of a great mountain lake, its waters dark and still. A branch in the road leads west to a promontory, atop which I'm the distance is perched a dilapidated stone wind-mill, its warped wooden vanes stripped bare.
Which direction would the group proceed?
What time of day is it?
Rumble suggests they continue towards the mountains.
If it's late, maybe the windmill may offer some shelter for a rest?
"CoS" Rumble- Tabaxi Shadow Monk
While it's always a bit difficult to determine the exact time in this land, thanks to the permanent choking mists, it's early evening.