To elaborate on that point, Barnaby stubs his toe and fall down unconscious
All three of you were a hair's breadth away from going down. I messed up the rule for reloading a heavy crossbow, and if I hadn't done that, the encounter might have been been closer to bad. Another little difference maker was that the wolves were both to the west of Kif, on the same side of him. The rules permitted the spell to be centered far enough behind the wolves that Kif was unaffected. If they had been flanking him - one to the north and one to the south - the sleep spell would have affected (1) one of the wolves and (2) Kif.
Fope stands up, hurriedly strapping on his gear, which is laying neatly beside him. As he finishes adjusting straps and stretches, he hears the voice of an elderly woman call out from within the tent: You may enter, young man.
Entering the intent, in pursuit of the information you seek, you encounter an old crone seated before a small table. Magic flames cast a reddish glow over the interior of this tent, revealing a low table covered in a black velvet cloth. Glints of light seem to flash from a crystal ball on the table, illuminating a hunched figure as she peers up at you. You have awoken, finally, she creaks. I am Madam Eva, Master Føpé. I told your friends that I would watch over you while you recovered, and I have. You are recovered?
She is the only person you have met since you left your home who pronounces your name correctly.
Seeing Kif and Ismark securing the doors, Barnaby puts his back against a wall and slides down into a sitting position. He pulls his hat off with one hand and wipes his brow with the sleeve of the other. He takes a pull from his flask, then offers it to the others. Finally he begins packing his pipe and says, “Well that didn’t go great. You guys can check on Ireena and whoever is screaming, but I think I just need to sit here and rest for a few minutes. Puddin, perhaps you could put in a few good words with your lady Shar to bring me some healing [in case you haven’t been pestered enough already].”
Honored elder, I am recovered. Thank you. But I have questions.
Am I to understand that I am in the cursed land of Barovia? Why was I brought here against my will? Is this Stanimir's doing? Could he have prevented it?
I have business in Waterdeep. Stanimir said we could only leave after breaking the curse, but I have no understanding of magic. How am I to do such a thing?
I have some friendship with a dwarf and two gnomes that came through here. We tussled a bear together a while back, and now, I believe, share a common plight. Do you know where they are?
Honored elder, I am recovered. Thank you. But I have questions.
Am I to understand that I am in the cursed land of Barovia? Why was I brought here against my will? Is this Stanimir's doing? Could he have prevented it?
I have business in Waterdeep. Stanimir said we could only leave after breaking the curse, but I have no understanding of magic. How am I to do such a thing?
I have some friendship with a dwarf and two gnomes that came through here. We tussled a bear together a while back, and now, I believe, share a common mission. Do you know where they are?
You are, indeed, in the cursed land of Barovia. It is the domain of Count Strahd von Zarovich. It is a dark place, and none but the Visanti may leave until the curse is lifted.
Why were you brought here against your will? You, in particular? I do not know. Sometimes outsiders come, and they eventually challenge Strahd as they try to break free. Or they wander into the forest and try to make homes for themselves. Or they try to escape through the fog at the edges of the valley. None succeed. Could Stanimir have prevented your arrival here? I do not think so. You were already on the path. When you encountered Stanimir, it was already too late to turn back.
As for how to break the curse, I have already read the cards for your companions. The little folk you describe. They will tell you what the cards said, when you catch up with them. I do not know what will happen when the curse breaks, but perhaps you would even have time to take care of your precious business in Waterdeep.
You will find them in the village of Barovia. Follow the trail south toward the Old Svalich Road, and turn to the east. Follow the road and you will arrive in the village before nightfall. I suggest you hurry; you do not want to be on the road after dark. And do not venture into the woods, small one. It is not safe.
Could you, or Stanimir, bring here someone of your choosing? Perhaps my brother, the warrior Gågor, son of Nostle and Brint of the Soft Plains, could be brought here through the fog as I was?
Helping you? Hardly. Certainly your friends did not think I was helping them. They were most displeased, when they took their leave.
I did not ask you to do anything; I did not ask them to do anything. I read the cards, and the cards spoke to me. I answered a few questions, though I know as well as you do that the answers I give from myself, and not from the cards, are not very helpful.
You have set down the coffin in the front hall. The two of you enter the chapel, where Ireena is speaking with the priest.
The chapel is a shambles, with overturned and broken pews littering the dusty floor. Dozens of candles mounted in candlesticks and candelabras light every dusty corner in a fervent attempt to rid the chapel of shadows. At the far end of the church sits a claw-scarred altar, behind which Ireena is speaking to a priest. Next to him hangs a long, thick rope that stretches up into the bell tower.
As you approach the altar, from beneath the wooden chapel floor, you hear a young man’s voice cry out: Father! I’m starving! Please!
You hear the priest explaining to Ireena that burial ceremonies must be conducted at dawn, in honor of the Morninglord. When he is interrupted by the cry from below, he grimaces slightly, but continues with his presentation. Ismark and Ireena both look unnerved.
Barnaby, realizing that he was left sitting all alone will grumble to himself and then, with lit pipe dangling from his lips, stand on creaky knees, make his way to the chapel and collapse once again. He is breathing deeply from the exertion that this move took in his weakened state, but with each breath he draws heavily on the pipe. As his breathing returns to normal, Barnaby resumes grumbling to himself as he listens in on the conversation.
So, does anyone but me hear the tortured screaming from below the floorboards. It's pretty unnerving stuff, just like everything else in the place. Padre, what's that all about?
So, does anyone but me hear the tortured screaming from below the floorboards. It's pretty unnerving stuff, just like everything else in the place. Padre, what's that all about?
He looks at you uncomfortably and with some distrust. He glances back and forth between Ismark and you, and you can see on his face his calculation that it is acceptable to speak to this outsider. He draws himself up to his full height, nevertheless, and puffs out his chest. I am Father Donavich, and this is my chapel. I have allowed you entry because you are in the company of those I trust.
What that is "all about," dwarf, is that my son is not well. I am keeping him downstairs with the hope that he will soon recover from his illness, and I pray every day for that recovery to be granted by the gods. He calls out for sustenance, but now is not the time to feed him. Leave him be.
Apologies sir, I have been chewed by wolves and am in some pain, as are my companions. I'm afraid it's has made me short tempered. And we have been on edge and under attack since we've entered this realm. At this point we are just helping Ismark and his sister see their father to a final resting spot and have paid for our troubles, almost with our lives. But I can also see that this place has been under attack as well
You and your companions are most welcome to stay the night. Unfortunately, as I have been explaining to Miss Kolyana, we cannot lay her father to rest until the morning. The church is secure, and you and your companions may rest here tonight.
Thank you for your hospitality father. I am Barnaby and this is Kif and Puddin. I don't suppose you have any prayers of healing that you might bestow upon us. Our arrival was not without incident, as my friend Kif has pointed out.
I am also curious, does your house of worship here have a library or other repository of scrolls and texts? I am a man of learning and always looking for sources of rare knowledge. And I have no doubt that if there is knowledge in a place like this, it is certainly rare.
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Føpé, also while still in the camp, will attempt to find out why the Visanti brought him here. Why couldn't they just let him go? Investigation 6
To elaborate on that point, Barnaby stubs his toe and fall down unconscious
All three of you were a hair's breadth away from going down. I messed up the rule for reloading a heavy crossbow, and if I hadn't done that, the encounter might have been been closer to bad. Another little difference maker was that the wolves were both to the west of Kif, on the same side of him. The rules permitted the spell to be centered far enough behind the wolves that Kif was unaffected. If they had been flanking him - one to the north and one to the south - the sleep spell would have affected (1) one of the wolves and (2) Kif.
Fope stands up, hurriedly strapping on his gear, which is laying neatly beside him. As he finishes adjusting straps and stretches, he hears the voice of an elderly woman call out from within the tent: You may enter, young man.
Entering the intent, in pursuit of the information you seek, you encounter an old crone seated before a small table. Magic flames cast a reddish glow over the interior of this tent, revealing a low table covered in a black velvet cloth. Glints of light seem to flash from a crystal ball on the table, illuminating a hunched figure as she peers up at you. You have awoken, finally, she creaks. I am Madam Eva, Master Føpé. I told your friends that I would watch over you while you recovered, and I have. You are recovered?
She is the only person you have met since you left your home who pronounces your name correctly.
Seeing Kif and Ismark securing the doors, Barnaby puts his back against a wall and slides down into a sitting position. He pulls his hat off with one hand and wipes his brow with the sleeve of the other. He takes a pull from his flask, then offers it to the others. Finally he begins packing his pipe and says, “Well that didn’t go great. You guys can check on Ireena and whoever is screaming, but I think I just need to sit here and rest for a few minutes. Puddin, perhaps you could put in a few good words with your lady Shar to bring me some healing [in case you haven’t been pestered enough already].”
Honored elder, I am recovered. Thank you. But I have questions.
Am I to understand that I am in the cursed land of Barovia? Why was I brought here against my will? Is this Stanimir's doing? Could he have prevented it?
I have business in Waterdeep. Stanimir said we could only leave after breaking the curse, but I have no understanding of magic. How am I to do such a thing?
I have some friendship with a dwarf and two gnomes that came through here. We tussled a bear together a while back, and now, I believe, share a common plight. Do you know where they are?
You are, indeed, in the cursed land of Barovia. It is the domain of Count Strahd von Zarovich. It is a dark place, and none but the Visanti may leave until the curse is lifted.
Why were you brought here against your will? You, in particular? I do not know. Sometimes outsiders come, and they eventually challenge Strahd as they try to break free. Or they wander into the forest and try to make homes for themselves. Or they try to escape through the fog at the edges of the valley. None succeed. Could Stanimir have prevented your arrival here? I do not think so. You were already on the path. When you encountered Stanimir, it was already too late to turn back.
As for how to break the curse, I have already read the cards for your companions. The little folk you describe. They will tell you what the cards said, when you catch up with them. I do not know what will happen when the curse breaks, but perhaps you would even have time to take care of your precious business in Waterdeep.
You will find them in the village of Barovia. Follow the trail south toward the Old Svalich Road, and turn to the east. Follow the road and you will arrive in the village before nightfall. I suggest you hurry; you do not want to be on the road after dark. And do not venture into the woods, small one. It is not safe.
Very well.
What is it that you want? Why are you helping me and my companions?
Could you, or Stanimir, bring here someone of your choosing? Perhaps my brother, the warrior Gågor, son of Nostle and Brint of the Soft Plains, could be brought here through the fog as I was?
Helping you? Hardly. Certainly your friends did not think I was helping them. They were most displeased, when they took their leave.
I did not ask you to do anything; I did not ask them to do anything. I read the cards, and the cards spoke to me. I answered a few questions, though I know as well as you do that the answers I give from myself, and not from the cards, are not very helpful.
That is all.
We cross-posted.
You wish someone to be brought here? Your own brother? Why would you ask for such a thing?
If it wasn’t clear, I slumped to the floor in hopes of a short rest.
Kif heads with Ismark to where his sister is
Well, you can start the clock, and see if you get one in.
You have set down the coffin in the front hall. The two of you enter the chapel, where Ireena is speaking with the priest.
The chapel is a shambles, with overturned and broken pews littering the dusty floor. Dozens of candles mounted in candlesticks and candelabras light every dusty corner in a fervent attempt to rid the chapel of shadows. At the far end of the church sits a claw-scarred altar, behind which Ireena is speaking to a priest. Next to him hangs a long, thick rope that stretches up into the bell tower.
As you approach the altar, from beneath the wooden chapel floor, you hear a young man’s voice cry out: Father! I’m starving! Please!
You hear the priest explaining to Ireena that burial ceremonies must be conducted at dawn, in honor of the Morninglord. When he is interrupted by the cry from below, he grimaces slightly, but continues with his presentation. Ismark and Ireena both look unnerved.
Barnaby, realizing that he was left sitting all alone will grumble to himself and then, with lit pipe dangling from his lips, stand on creaky knees, make his way to the chapel and collapse once again. He is breathing deeply from the exertion that this move took in his weakened state, but with each breath he draws heavily on the pipe. As his breathing returns to normal, Barnaby resumes grumbling to himself as he listens in on the conversation.
So, does anyone but me hear the tortured screaming from below the floorboards. It's pretty unnerving stuff, just like everything else in the place. Padre, what's that all about?
He looks at you uncomfortably and with some distrust. He glances back and forth between Ismark and you, and you can see on his face his calculation that it is acceptable to speak to this outsider. He draws himself up to his full height, nevertheless, and puffs out his chest. I am Father Donavich, and this is my chapel. I have allowed you entry because you are in the company of those I trust.
What that is "all about," dwarf, is that my son is not well. I am keeping him downstairs with the hope that he will soon recover from his illness, and I pray every day for that recovery to be granted by the gods. He calls out for sustenance, but now is not the time to feed him. Leave him be.
Apologies sir, I have been chewed by wolves and am in some pain, as are my companions. I'm afraid it's has made me short tempered. And we have been on edge and under attack since we've entered this realm. At this point we are just helping Ismark and his sister see their father to a final resting spot and have paid for our troubles, almost with our lives. But I can also see that this place has been under attack as well
You and your companions are most welcome to stay the night. Unfortunately, as I have been explaining to Miss Kolyana, we cannot lay her father to rest until the morning. The church is secure, and you and your companions may rest here tonight.
Thank you for your hospitality father. I am Barnaby and this is Kif and Puddin. I don't suppose you have any prayers of healing that you might bestow upon us. Our arrival was not without incident, as my friend Kif has pointed out.
I am also curious, does your house of worship here have a library or other repository of scrolls and texts? I am a man of learning and always looking for sources of rare knowledge. And I have no doubt that if there is knowledge in a place like this, it is certainly rare.