He's been most interesting, we are new to this region, brought here under the most unusual circumstances and he has come to us initially in a very passive aggressive way, civil but a little threatening and has shown an inordinate attention to one of our friends and has never really helped us in any of the challenges we have faced...but talks a good game about being a good and wise leader. And now we have an invitation (summons) to share his company
It's about a half day's walk back toward Barovia, the windmill, etc. You passed the outer gate to the castle on your way to Vallaki, though the castle was some distance away beyond it.
Civil and threatening, yes. That sounds like the count. Invited you to Ravenloft, you say? Interesting. It's probably not a trap, you know. If he wanted to take you, he could take you. Do you intend to go?
Barnaby: Yes, that is our intention. He invited our travelling companion, Ireena, as well though, and we are thinking that it is best to leave her out of the mix.
As you say, he seems to know where we are at all times, so there is no point in trying to avoid him, but we'd rather not put Ireena in any more danger than she is already in. Misalyk here has a silvered tongue, if we are asked, perhaps he can just suggest that we had overlooked that part of the invitation, or that she is not feeling well.
Barnaby, I think that's a plan. I'm sure the Count could find us no matter what and would probably be pissed (pardon the French, sir, I am at heart a crude soldier) if we fail to attend, he is lord of this land. We'll go and make excuses for the girl, while she is hopefully safe where she is.
Feel free to spend more time with LVH, or politely take your leave after your eggs. Up to you guys. If you do take your leave, as I see it, there are a few loose ends you could address.
1. Return to the werewolf den in the cliff.
2. Return to the Wizard of Wines, who spoke to you of some looming trouble.
3. Investigate something involving the fortune. I'll take an Insight check from each of Barnaby, Kif, and Chubs, please. This does not relate to your encounter with LVH.
4. If you want to ask LVH something about whatever you're contemplating doing next, go ahead. I'm not trying to shoo you out of his home.
It is my vineyard, and my winery. The wine we make, we do not sell. I give it freely to the taverns of the valley, because I know how the people suffer.
You say you want to see the winery? Well, I want to show it to you. I promise you will never anywhere else orchards such as these, which have been powered by magic for many years to keep the grapes coming in this wretched place.
A week ago, these druids stole one of the magic stones that powers the orchards. Without it, the grapes will stop growing. So, we went to get it back. We are, he looks around him, few in number and not great fighters. We were defeated, and as punishment, two days ago they came back and ran us out of the winery.
You would talk to them first? Even a moment's delay could spell your doom. You will find they are not much interested in talking.
But I want to show you the winery, and I want to supply the taverns with wine once again. So please, do not die.
Davian explains.
Without the magic stones, the grapes will, soon, stop growing. And we are not much for fighting, so we will soon enough be defending ourselves from the same forces that took the winery this time.
It is time to make the trip to Vallaki. We are in your debt and you have our gratitude, but I cannot say we will be here if you wait too long to return. Of course, if you were somehow able to defeat the druids at their home at Yester Hill . . . His voice trails off as he looks you all over with apparent concern for whether that could be successful. I do not know.
Be that as it may, you have bought us some time with your heroism today. Many thanks.
Lord Von Holt takes his leave, as you enjoy your breakfast, and disappears within the house. As the members of the party chat amongst themselves, they have two revelations:
1. Madam Eva's card reading. This clue is poking around in your heads, and you wonder if you have already encountered someone who might fit this description: Look for a wealthy woman. A staunch ally of the devil, she keeps the treasure under lock and key, with the bones of an ancient enemy.
2. You have learned much of the ways of this dark valley. And learning is knowledge, and knowledge is power. You are now Level 5. Share me your sheets over Dropbox, or here on DND Beyond.
"I of course am always up for wine. Lead on to the winery!" Misalyk idles away the waiting time by trying to play music on the various breakfast glasses.
(My work place just unblocked dndbeyond so I *might* just be able to post more responsively)
1. Madam Eva's card reading. This clue is poking around in your heads, and you wonder if you have already encountered someone who might fit this description: Look for a wealthy woman. A staunch ally of the devil, she keeps the treasure under lock and key, with the bones of an ancient enemy
I think at the time we met them we considered the Lady Watcher(?) might be the lady but we had no clear path to tossing their place to find anything...I'm not sure who else we've met that that might fit
He's been most interesting, we are new to this region, brought here under the most unusual circumstances and he has come to us initially in a very passive aggressive way, civil but a little threatening and has shown an inordinate attention to one of our friends and has never really helped us in any of the challenges we have faced...but talks a good game about being a good and wise leader. And now we have an invitation (summons) to share his company
How far do we have to travel to the count's hovel, and how long until we need to be there?
It's about a half day's walk back toward Barovia, the windmill, etc. You passed the outer gate to the castle on your way to Vallaki, though the castle was some distance away beyond it.
Civil and threatening, yes. That sounds like the count. Invited you to Ravenloft, you say? Interesting. It's probably not a trap, you know. If he wanted to take you, he could take you. Do you intend to go?
Barnaby: Yes, that is our intention. He invited our travelling companion, Ireena, as well though, and we are thinking that it is best to leave her out of the mix.
As you say, he seems to know where we are at all times, so there is no point in trying to avoid him, but we'd rather not put Ireena in any more danger than she is already in. Misalyk here has a silvered tongue, if we are asked, perhaps he can just suggest that we had overlooked that part of the invitation, or that she is not feeling well.
Barnaby, I think that's a plan. I'm sure the Count could find us no matter what and would probably be pissed (pardon the French, sir, I am at heart a crude soldier) if we fail to attend, he is lord of this land. We'll go and make excuses for the girl, while she is hopefully safe where she is.
Feel free to spend more time with LVH, or politely take your leave after your eggs. Up to you guys. If you do take your leave, as I see it, there are a few loose ends you could address.
1. Return to the werewolf den in the cliff.
2. Return to the Wizard of Wines, who spoke to you of some looming trouble.
3. Investigate something involving the fortune. I'll take an Insight check from each of Barnaby, Kif, and Chubs, please. This does not relate to your encounter with LVH.
4. If you want to ask LVH something about whatever you're contemplating doing next, go ahead. I'm not trying to shoo you out of his home.
Insight check Lord 10
I am but a simple soldier
I forgot the Wizard of Wines, remind me please what his deal was, otherwise we should go have dinner with the count (A couple days away, correct?)
He expressed concern about the druids returning in greater force. I’ll double check but he did express concern that they needed further help.
Also of course you can do some other thing. But you basically have a day and a half to play with here.
[stray post as I update the OP]
How you left things at the winery.
Ok, the Table of Contents is updated. As is my calendar, finally, not that you know how long it's been since I've taken care of that. :)
Still checking but don't have a lot of input. Misalyk will follow the others as they clearly have a mandate and he's the new one.
So guys, after we have brunch with the Count would we want to go and check back in with the winery?
Lord Von Holt takes his leave, as you enjoy your breakfast, and disappears within the house. As the members of the party chat amongst themselves, they have two revelations:
1. Madam Eva's card reading. This clue is poking around in your heads, and you wonder if you have already encountered someone who might fit this description: Look for a wealthy woman. A staunch ally of the devil, she keeps the treasure under lock and key, with the bones of an ancient enemy.
2. You have learned much of the ways of this dark valley. And learning is knowledge, and knowledge is power. You are now Level 5. Share me your sheets over Dropbox, or here on DND Beyond.
"I of course am always up for wine. Lead on to the winery!" Misalyk idles away the waiting time by trying to play music on the various breakfast glasses.
(My work place just unblocked dndbeyond so I *might* just be able to post more responsively)
(and apparently it logged me in as a different account?)
https://www.dndbeyond.com/profile/Tjrren/characters/38552655
Misalyk is leveled. I haven't picked a new spell yet. I'm leaning towards Tiny hut but want to coordinate with Barnaby.
I think at the time we met them we considered the Lady Watcher(?) might be the lady but we had no clear path to tossing their place to find anything...I'm not sure who else we've met that that might fit
(If they describe that vision would Misalyk be able to do a history or insight or something to recognize the description?)