OOC: You had left the village of Barovia in the morning, traveled and passed around the accident and crumbling bridge, and traveled some more down the twisting road. Our heroes all had met up with the new arrival of this domain, Agnes the Sorceress, at noonish. From there, the group had met the curious Vasili and the black gate that Agnes unlocked being pure of heart. We were getting to know each other as we came upon the blood-thirsty half-orc, and vagabond Jerkin, after a bit more down the road. Heading towards the evening is as we find our characters at the road's fork.
The group proceeds, the horses pushed rather hard by Ismark. When asked, he expresses agreement with the Highlander. "'Tis nothing better than a warm bed and a stiff drink after traveling."As the black veil of night falls heavily over the land, the horses' breath puffs at each laboured heave. The Old Svalich Road winds and turns, entering the forest once again.
After some time, the road meanders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods recede, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog presses up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber. The dirt road ends at a set of sturdy iron gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking the road outside the gates are a half-dozen pikes with wolves' heads impaled on them.
As the party approaches, more details become clear. 15-foot-high wall encloses the town, its vertical logs held together with thick ropes and mortar. The top of each log has been sharpened to a point. Wooden scaffolding hugs the inside of the palisade twelve feet off the ground, enabling guards to peer over the wall there. Two guards attend watch over the gate, old rusted helmets hide what little features you can see. The taller of the two authoritatively calls out, "Oi, you lot. Stop right there."
From his large pike bobbing and lowering, you gather he descends a set of stairs before opening a small port hole with the angry metal squeal. His face ragged, tired, and set with a large knobbly nose; "Alright then, what be yer business tonight? Can't say I've seen you round here b'fore."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rumble, wary of the wolf heads on pikes, thinks perhaps these people may not be so, accostomed to his race.
Rumble decides to bury himself in the cargo of the wagon, in a similar spot he was roosting in previously. Perhaps, he thinks, he will be able to see the town under the veil of night and his hooded cooak once the party is inside the gates.
It starts to drizzle as Allen addresses the guard, who squints hard and looks over whomever he can see currently. Rumble's cloaked figure seeks refuge amixed in the wagon's payload as the man retrieves something from behind him. He hefts up a lantern face height and states, "We's all lookin' for something, but 'fraid 's afterdark. No entry." He looks Allen up and down again through his heavy squint, "No entry at night, especially for your like."
Ismark hops down from the driver's bench and approaches the gate. "Now see here, my good man. I'm acting burgomaster of Barovia, and I seek safe passage into the city."He withdraws an envelope and symbol of office, handing them to the guard.
The old guard looks them over in sarcastic fashion, taking dramatic actions and time to retrieve a battered pair of small spectacles. "Hmm. Well, be whomever ye like. No entry after dark for possibly dangerous strangers like you."
Allen, it appears the man is unwilling to allow the group's entry this night. If anyone would like to press him, make a Cha based persuasion or deception check.
Lifting his hood up he turns to the his new friend Agnes; mumbling a pray to himeself softly. Allen place his hand on her shoulder “Perhaps you’ll have a better chance to convince him than I will.”
[Allen will cast Guidance on Agnes to help defuse the situation]
Graeme hops off the cart and steps forward so that the soldier on the wall can get a clear view of him.
(Graeme uses his military rank feature)
”Oi you. Me names General Graeme Harris of the Gallowglasses. I doon expect ya to know me, but I’d hope me name and title carry some assurance of our character.
... and, of course, get us through this ****in’ door.”
Graeme, the man's face in the porthole is a face spent many many a day at this post. He has deep wrinkles around his eyes and mouth, and the look of a career man. "I well understand, sir, but rules are rules. As ye'd know, 'tis how 'tis, 'specially seein I've never heard of ye. If that's all, I'd say keep watch in shifts for the things that lurk about."
Ooc: Graeme, if you'd like to pressure him and pull rank, I'd think a bit more and a persuasion/intimidation check with advantage could potentially sway the stalwart guard.
Graeme steps a little closer, and continues in a far cooler tone...
“Sooo, let me get this straight. You’re leaving a General, a lady, a gran, an’ a child...” he throws a wink to Allen “...to the wilds o’ the night over rules? What’s your name an’ rank, soldier?”
The guard stares at you, Graeme, for a quick moment, looks down, and sighs heavily. He states, "Name's Irvan Rustbury, rank petty officer third class. It's outside my jurisdiction, but I'll tell ye what. I'll run it up the 'ol pole." Irvan closes the wooden port hole deftly.
After several minute the light mist picks up to a drizzle. Before long, wooden slot opens with a deep creak. Once again, the aged face off Irvan looks back at you. "Look, I ran it up the ladder, but no go. Rules are rules, sir. It's just how it is."
Irvan's face looks towards Allen, and he states in a dour tone, "At night? Only indoors..." The old man leads the sentence to hang in the pattering of light rainfall.
“I agree let’s try to find a good defendable spot to rest for the night.” Allen agreeing with Rumble hopes back in the wagon. Aiming to find a good spot to rest
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Felix Windfall (Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA,Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiA
The group turns around and heads back down the trail until Graeme spots a game trail that shoots off into the forest. Not far in, you come to an ancient dead tree that abuts a waterfront. This enormous tree provides shelter from the rain, and the water keeps a side protected. There are four boats on this side of the lake you're at, and one on the other side.
That night, each of you have unsettling dreams. Agnes, as you rest, your dreamscape paints the ride to the Misty Forest with new light. A seemingly uneventful trip leading you to this new land. Within your dream, the driver had been transformed into a broken skeleton. The horses skeletal and undead; their odour rank with rotting flesh. The now familiar mist pours an ethereal form around them. As the nearest beast rears back in hind legs to pummel your frail form, you jump back into consciousness with a heavy jolt.
Graeme, sleep comes quickly and deeply. You're tending to the family crops with your father on a blustery day. The steady gusts carries the sweet scent of your mother's freshly baked pies. You two come home to bandits garbed in the now familiar vistani liveliness. The family home ablaze, set fire from the attackers on the day you lost your family. The fire now pure white, whispy and ghostly.
The loss of your father not long after, now emaciated and disease-riddled at his death. An image of a blinding light flashes repeatedly, that of sun, forming the image of his bequeathed sword. The light so dazzling, it causes you to awaken unable to see quite clearly. After a couple moments, you're able to rub the haze away.
Rumble, your dreams bring your to misty forest. Lost, you're wandering about until you start to feel a mental fuzziness and shortness of breath. Quickly, a queasiness and lack of air rush over you until panic sets in. Hands to throat, you wake up.
Allen, a still darkness engulfs your dreams. With your enhanced vision, gifted through your blood, there's still very little to see at all. Undulating tides of white mist gingerly cloaks the floor in obscurity. The floor ripples with your footfalls, and a pulpit stands before you. Upon our sits a weathered book covered in black raven feathers. A deathly chilling shock runs through your body as you bolt up into the waking world.
The depressingly dreary and bleak morning is yours. It has stopped raining, for now.
OOC: ...and roughly how long have we been traveling?
OOC: You had left the village of Barovia in the morning, traveled and passed around the accident and crumbling bridge, and traveled some more down the twisting road. Our heroes all had met up with the new arrival of this domain, Agnes the Sorceress, at noonish. From there, the group had met the curious Vasili and the black gate that Agnes unlocked being pure of heart. We were getting to know each other as we came upon the blood-thirsty half-orc, and vagabond Jerkin, after a bit more down the road. Heading towards the evening is as we find our characters at the road's fork.
We continue left.
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiA“Well, personally, I could use a drink and a decent rest. I vote we head ta town.”
The group proceeds, the horses pushed rather hard by Ismark. When asked, he expresses agreement with the Highlander. "'Tis nothing better than a warm bed and a stiff drink after traveling." As the black veil of night falls heavily over the land, the horses' breath puffs at each laboured heave. The Old Svalich Road winds and turns, entering the forest once again.
After some time, the road meanders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods recede, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog presses up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber. The dirt road ends at a set of sturdy iron gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking the road outside the gates are a half-dozen pikes with wolves' heads impaled on them.
As the party approaches, more details become clear. 15-foot-high wall encloses the town, its vertical logs held together with thick ropes and mortar. The top of each log has been sharpened to a point. Wooden scaffolding hugs the inside of the palisade twelve feet off the ground, enabling guards to peer over the wall there. Two guards attend watch over the gate, old rusted helmets hide what little features you can see. The taller of the two authoritatively calls out, "Oi, you lot. Stop right there."
From his large pike bobbing and lowering, you gather he descends a set of stairs before opening a small port hole with the angry metal squeal. His face ragged, tired, and set with a large knobbly nose; "Alright then, what be yer business tonight? Can't say I've seen you round here b'fore."
Allen hops off the cart addressing the guard.
“We are currently looking for sanctuary. We’ve been chased by all sorts as we left Barovia Village and tried our luck to make to Vallaki.”
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiARumble, wary of the wolf heads on pikes, thinks perhaps these people may not be so, accostomed to his race.
Rumble decides to bury himself in the cargo of the wagon, in a similar spot he was roosting in previously. Perhaps, he thinks, he will be able to see the town under the veil of night and his hooded cooak once the party is inside the gates.
stealth roll if required to hide 24
"CoS" Rumble- Tabaxi Shadow Monk
It starts to drizzle as Allen addresses the guard, who squints hard and looks over whomever he can see currently. Rumble's cloaked figure seeks refuge amixed in the wagon's payload as the man retrieves something from behind him. He hefts up a lantern face height and states, "We's all lookin' for something, but 'fraid 's afterdark. No entry." He looks Allen up and down again through his heavy squint, "No entry at night, especially for your like."
Ismark hops down from the driver's bench and approaches the gate. "Now see here, my good man. I'm acting burgomaster of Barovia, and I seek safe passage into the city." He withdraws an envelope and symbol of office, handing them to the guard.
The old guard looks them over in sarcastic fashion, taking dramatic actions and time to retrieve a battered pair of small spectacles. "Hmm. Well, be whomever ye like. No entry after dark for possibly dangerous strangers like you."
Allen, it appears the man is unwilling to allow the group's entry this night. If anyone would like to press him, make a Cha based persuasion or deception check.
Lifting his hood up he turns to the his new friend Agnes; mumbling a pray to himeself softly. Allen place his hand on her shoulder “Perhaps you’ll have a better chance to convince him than I will.”
[Allen will cast Guidance on Agnes to help defuse the situation]
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiAGraeme hops off the cart and steps forward so that the soldier on the wall can get a clear view of him.
(Graeme uses his military rank feature)
”Oi you. Me names General Graeme Harris of the Gallowglasses. I doon expect ya to know me, but I’d hope me name and title carry some assurance of our character.
... and, of course, get us through this ****in’ door.”
Graeme, the man's face in the porthole is a face spent many many a day at this post. He has deep wrinkles around his eyes and mouth, and the look of a career man. "I well understand, sir, but rules are rules. As ye'd know, 'tis how 'tis, 'specially seein I've never heard of ye. If that's all, I'd say keep watch in shifts for the things that lurk about."
Ooc: Graeme, if you'd like to pressure him and pull rank, I'd think a bit more and a persuasion/intimidation check with advantage could potentially sway the stalwart guard.
Graeme steps a little closer, and continues in a far cooler tone...
“Sooo, let me get this straight. You’re leaving a General, a lady, a gran, an’ a child...” he throws a wink to Allen “...to the wilds o’ the night over rules? What’s your name an’ rank, soldier?”
Intimidation : 18
The guard stares at you, Graeme, for a quick moment, looks down, and sighs heavily. He states, "Name's Irvan Rustbury, rank petty officer third class. It's outside my jurisdiction, but I'll tell ye what. I'll run it up the 'ol pole." Irvan closes the wooden port hole deftly.
After several minute the light mist picks up to a drizzle. Before long, wooden slot opens with a deep creak. Once again, the aged face off Irvan looks back at you. "Look, I ran it up the ladder, but no go. Rules are rules, sir. It's just how it is."
(ooc: nice try! Haha)
"CoS" Rumble- Tabaxi Shadow Monk
“Is there any shelter near by?”
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiAIrvan's face looks towards Allen, and he states in a dour tone, "At night? Only indoors..." The old man leads the sentence to hang in the pattering of light rainfall.
"Let's go make camp before this gets heavier." Rumble grumbles from inside the caravan. He was happy where he was... But also kept the others in mind.
"CoS" Rumble- Tabaxi Shadow Monk
“I agree let’s try to find a good defendable spot to rest for the night.” Allen agreeing with Rumble hopes back in the wagon. Aiming to find a good spot to rest
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiAGraeme looks around for a sufficient place to camp...
Perception: 19
The group turns around and heads back down the trail until Graeme spots a game trail that shoots off into the forest. Not far in, you come to an ancient dead tree that abuts a waterfront. This enormous tree provides shelter from the rain, and the water keeps a side protected. There are four boats on this side of the lake you're at, and one on the other side.
That night, each of you have unsettling dreams. Agnes, as you rest, your dreamscape paints the ride to the Misty Forest with new light. A seemingly uneventful trip leading you to this new land. Within your dream, the driver had been transformed into a broken skeleton. The horses skeletal and undead; their odour rank with rotting flesh. The now familiar mist pours an ethereal form around them. As the nearest beast rears back in hind legs to pummel your frail form, you jump back into consciousness with a heavy jolt.
Graeme, sleep comes quickly and deeply. You're tending to the family crops with your father on a blustery day. The steady gusts carries the sweet scent of your mother's freshly baked pies. You two come home to bandits garbed in the now familiar vistani liveliness. The family home ablaze, set fire from the attackers on the day you lost your family. The fire now pure white, whispy and ghostly.
The loss of your father not long after, now emaciated and disease-riddled at his death. An image of a blinding light flashes repeatedly, that of sun, forming the image of his bequeathed sword. The light so dazzling, it causes you to awaken unable to see quite clearly. After a couple moments, you're able to rub the haze away.
Rumble, your dreams bring your to misty forest. Lost, you're wandering about until you start to feel a mental fuzziness and shortness of breath. Quickly, a queasiness and lack of air rush over you until panic sets in. Hands to throat, you wake up.
Allen, a still darkness engulfs your dreams. With your enhanced vision, gifted through your blood, there's still very little to see at all. Undulating tides of white mist gingerly cloaks the floor in obscurity. The floor ripples with your footfalls, and a pulpit stands before you. Upon our sits a weathered book covered in black raven feathers. A deathly chilling shock runs through your body as you bolt up into the waking world.
The depressingly dreary and bleak morning is yours. It has stopped raining, for now.