"Very well. We shall speak again upon the morrow." And you all head upstairs for a night's rest.
Doremor:
With the materials that you've liberated, you come across the lands of Barovia, where you believe that you could come across knowledge and power that was previously hidden from you, as well as the rest of Faerun. Unfortunately for you, no one points the way to this land, out of not knowing where it is, or having knowledge of that land and having too much of a conscience to send another person that way. However, you remain undeterred in your quest to find Barovia. You pore through the other materials you've stolen and find a scroll containing a Teleport spell. You say the required incantation, close your eyes, and silently pray that it miraculously teleports you to the right place and doesn't end in mishap. To your great fortune, you are not broken apart as the result of some errant spell, but you end up in a tavern. You aren't sure where you are, but you assume that the fact you're alive means you've managed to arrive somewhere in Barovia.
Belzo:
As you have done almost every night since Mishaan's disappearance, you stay up past midnight into the early hours of the morning, researching the Shadowfell; how you are connected to it, where Mishaan may have ended up, how you might be able to use your connection to bring her back. Eventually, you stumble upon something about a land called Barovia that's connected to the Shadowfell somehow. You try to read as much as you can, for your notes, but it is late and sleep overtakes you. You pass out at your desk, face resting in your research. You wake up the next morning in an unfamiliar tavern, with no memory of ever leaving your home, let alone your study.
Everyone else: You wake up the next day and get yourselves dressed before heading down. In addition to Kasimir, Ismark, Ireena, and Rictavio, you see two unfamiliar beings; a human male and a tiefling male. Persuasion and Orileo, please introduce your characters to the rest of the party.
Doremor is a tall, lanky Tiefling with thin, vertical horns, light red skin, and plain, white eyes. He has a thick cloak around his shoulders with a scarf beneath it, and a well kept suit of leather armor around his torso.
His weapons, a rapier and a shortbow, are clearly visible on his person, as well as a backpack full of other items.
”So! This is Barovia! I’ve heard stories of treasure and knowledge hidden away here, would any of you folk happen to know where the nearest library is?”
Fae and Enialis have a long conversation that night. In the end, Enialis ends up stealing quietly out of the inn, with Fae spoiling the effect by waving manically from the window. The next morning, Fae comes down alone, looking a little down-an air that dissipates immediately when she sees the new people.
Fae bounces up to the tiefling. "Hi, I'm Fae! What's your name? Why're you here? I haven't heard of a library near here, have you guys?" She looks at the others for a moment before continuing with her barrage. "Why're you looking for a library? Do you have something you're researching? Do you need help? We could help!"
Fae is obviously an eladrin, with green skin and hair threaded with flowers framing solid gold eyes, and even a pair of horns. She looks like she physically cannot stay still, constantly bouncing on her toes and fidgeting. She also has a massive grin plastered to her face.
Though tall as well, the dark-skinned human is far more filled out in places, and seemed at first preoccupied trying and failing to be casual in examining the area. He has thick, faded black cloak wrapped on him that has seen better days, but no armor to speak of at the moment. Just as clearly worn down trousers, blouse, and boots. Only the dagger sitting in a fine sheathe at his hips show any signs of maintenance. Eventually, Belzo's gold brown eye -- the other clearly faded and blind -- settles upon Tiefling and elf, regarding them each with a measure of trepidation.
"Barovia? No.. no, this isn't possible. I... There was no circle." Belzo says in a gravally voice prior to trailing off into indecipherable mutters and flickering gaze. The more he muttered, the more he couldn't help scratching at the short cropped, salt-and-pepper head of hair, or deepen the many wrinkles in his face. To the more attentive, one could also swear his shadow just moved unnatural so.
He jerks about looking suddenly to Fae, and points at her. "You! Tiefling! No, wait... Nonono. Fae Blooded clearly, not fiend. Hm. Need check myself in the future -- You mentioned a library? Or wait! No, it was other! E-either or, I do not care. Where is this library?" He says, getting to his feet quickly, even though the sudden movement exhausts him for a second. "I -- a name. I just need... I just need... yes! Candlekeep? Might you have directions, uhm... Fae, was it?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
“I haven’t personally seen any libraries around, though I’m afraid we’re far from Candlekeep, my friend,” says the armored male cleric, using a calming tone. “Perhaps our host here knows where a library might be found. You can call me Hadrian, by the way. You seem confused to be here?” That last was directed to the human.
Doremor is taken aback at the sudden barrage of words coming from the eladrin, "Whoa! I'm just looking for some books to add to my collection, nothing special! Help would be... appreciated, but maybe keep it down a smidge? And Hadrian, I am Doremor, you may call me Doremor. If you could point me the way to a library, I'd be much indebted."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Elyse hangs back and makes sure her hood is pulled up to cover her face enough as she settles into a corner table. As she eyes these two new individuals, do they seem to be actually as confused as they seem or are they hiding something?
Fae turns a bright smile on the human. "Yes, I'm Fae! Who are you? You're in Barovia, I don't think we've seen any kind of candle keep here! Have we guys?" She looks at the others for a moment before grinning at Doremor, switching to a stage whisper. "We can help, and I'm really, really good at being quiet and keeping secrets and stuff if you want! Maybe Elyse's seen a library!" Fae turns and shouts across the tavern to Elyse "Elyyyyyyse! Have you seen a library here?"
You get the sense that Belzo is more surprised than wholly confused then he appears to be. As if the circumstance might've been experienced before, but in some adjacent incident. There's also an underlying mixture of hope, frustration, and wariness as he tries to keep his expression neutral and positioned in such a way few our within his blind sight.
With a huff, Belzo falls back into a seat, and starts roughly combing at his scraggly beard. "These are unexpected circumstances, to say the least."Belzo sighs heavily and lighlty shakes his head. "And seeing that none of you are familiar to me, I find that there may be some truth to your, Mr. Hadrian... Hn. Ah! But, where are my manners. The name is Belzo Balkamaar, Planar researcher among other adjacent titles."He bows his head briefly, then squints at Fae as she ramble on.
Turning back, and finally noticing Elyse's presence, he nearly jumps in his seat. "Iiii... Take it you three are friends?"
Elyse lets out a deep sigh of resignation in response to Fae's shouting. "No, Fae, I haven't seen a library. If you recall, we have been travelling together throughout all of our time in Barovia so it would be difficult for me to have seen a building that you didn't."
The individual speaking is a humanoid figure in chain mail with a glaive slung over her back. Her hood is on and pulled down over her forehead, but a keen observer would notice two lumps trying to poke through the top. Every inch of her skin is covered with long sleeves tucked into black gloves, and leggings tucked into her boots. A plain black bandana-like mask is pulled up over her nose, with just enough room left for her eyes to poke out.
She turns now to Belzo and responds, "We haven't known each other long and are nearly as new to this land as you are." As she speaks, she avoids making eye contact so it's hard to make out many details. "But even in this short time it has become apparent that allies are a necessity in this place so we are sticking together, at least most of us." As she finishes speaking she looks around the room to try to find her other two companions.
"Yeah, but you might have been paying more attention," Fae tells Elyse cheerfully. "Since you do a lot of sulking at the back and all. Anyway, hi Belzo! Nice to meet you!"
Belzo cringes, and yet nods subtly in agreement to Fae. He then looks back to Elyse, and lofts a brow. "A Skulker, huh? And here I thought so much cover had more to do with the weather here. No matter. If there is no library, and presuming you all came to this Barovia under similar mysterious circumstances, might one of you elaborate on methods of return? Or even, what could have physically brought us here that you have learned? Please. Anything and everything you can provide us will be not only appreciated, I have... hmm... I should have some spare coin on hand to pay."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Doremor smacks Belzo on the back, "Don't be so pessimistic, there must be a library somewhere. Otherwise people wouldn't have gone to such great lengths to hide this place. What on earth could you need allies for here, anyways? Is this some sort of cultural thing?"
"The two of you must really be new here." A young man with blond hair says. "No one leaves this land without the devil Strahd allowing them to. And he does not allow anyone to leave his lands. My name is Ismark Kolyanovich, by the way."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Doremor gives Ismark a smile, “Well, you at least know these parts well. I have no plans to leave Barovia anytime soon, although a man you call “devil” must be frightful indeed. I would not want to incur his ire, in that case.”
Belzo grunted and gave Doremor a disapproving half-glare for smack. Yet if there's to be more, it goes abandoned in a wordless attempt to speak prior to another stepping up to speak. "If this man has such a reputation, AND such powers at his command, then 'suppose' is probably putting things lightly."Belzo grumbles lightly, makes as if chewing on something behind closed lips for a moment or two. "It is a pleasure meet you, Mr. Ismark. Pretell what else you know of this devil, and his machinations? I would sooner know in full what I deal with beyond such a bold title, and where my path may yet lead."He admits, folding his arms and giving Ismark a hard look.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"The devil Strahd is a curse that has been placed on this land after a sin from our ancestors. He is a vampire, who dwells in Castle Ravenloft, but none may enter that cursed palace without his invitation. Beware his power, as he can assume many forms and dominate the mind with a simple gaze."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
Belzo shoots Doremor a halfhearted glare for the back slap, but would not interrupt Ismark. Rather his eyes flitted about in his skull as if search for something. "Hn. Succinctly put, to say the least, Mr. Ismark. But still there are questions. Some I suspect will simply be answere in time. One, however, is important that is answered now."Belzo steeples his hands together, and gives Ismark a long look. "Though you have yet to say as much in exacting words, you speak as one that is native to this place. And yet, despite knowing what you know of this vampire given his title, is there yet no risk to you speaking to an invited to these lands? For I cannot imagine a vampire has anything pleasant in mind for them, or those that aid them... So, why risk it? What is your aim in aiding this Fae and Elyse and Hadrian, who seem to be in a likewise state of trouble?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"We helped his sister!" Fae tells Belzo cheerfully, pointing out Ireena (if she's in sight). "She had like, stuff going on, and we helped get her here to Vallaki!" Surprisingly, the eladrin seems to be able to keep at least Ireena's secret.
"Very well. We shall speak again upon the morrow." And you all head upstairs for a night's rest.
Doremor:
With the materials that you've liberated, you come across the lands of Barovia, where you believe that you could come across knowledge and power that was previously hidden from you, as well as the rest of Faerun. Unfortunately for you, no one points the way to this land, out of not knowing where it is, or having knowledge of that land and having too much of a conscience to send another person that way. However, you remain undeterred in your quest to find Barovia. You pore through the other materials you've stolen and find a scroll containing a Teleport spell. You say the required incantation, close your eyes, and silently pray that it miraculously teleports you to the right place and doesn't end in mishap. To your great fortune, you are not broken apart as the result of some errant spell, but you end up in a tavern. You aren't sure where you are, but you assume that the fact you're alive means you've managed to arrive somewhere in Barovia.
Belzo:
As you have done almost every night since Mishaan's disappearance, you stay up past midnight into the early hours of the morning, researching the Shadowfell; how you are connected to it, where Mishaan may have ended up, how you might be able to use your connection to bring her back. Eventually, you stumble upon something about a land called Barovia that's connected to the Shadowfell somehow. You try to read as much as you can, for your notes, but it is late and sleep overtakes you. You pass out at your desk, face resting in your research. You wake up the next morning in an unfamiliar tavern, with no memory of ever leaving your home, let alone your study.
Everyone else: You wake up the next day and get yourselves dressed before heading down. In addition to Kasimir, Ismark, Ireena, and Rictavio, you see two unfamiliar beings; a human male and a tiefling male. Persuasion and Orileo, please introduce your characters to the rest of the party.
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Doremor is a tall, lanky Tiefling with thin, vertical horns, light red skin, and plain, white eyes. He has a thick cloak around his shoulders with a scarf beneath it, and a well kept suit of leather armor around his torso.
His weapons, a rapier and a shortbow, are clearly visible on his person, as well as a backpack full of other items.
”So! This is Barovia! I’ve heard stories of treasure and knowledge hidden away here, would any of you folk happen to know where the nearest library is?”
Fae and Enialis have a long conversation that night. In the end, Enialis ends up stealing quietly out of the inn, with Fae spoiling the effect by waving manically from the window. The next morning, Fae comes down alone, looking a little down-an air that dissipates immediately when she sees the new people.
Fae bounces up to the tiefling. "Hi, I'm Fae! What's your name? Why're you here? I haven't heard of a library near here, have you guys?" She looks at the others for a moment before continuing with her barrage. "Why're you looking for a library? Do you have something you're researching? Do you need help? We could help!"
Fae is obviously an eladrin, with green skin and hair threaded with flowers framing solid gold eyes, and even a pair of horns. She looks like she physically cannot stay still, constantly bouncing on her toes and fidgeting. She also has a massive grin plastered to her face.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Though tall as well, the dark-skinned human is far more filled out in places, and seemed at first preoccupied trying and failing to be casual in examining the area. He has thick, faded black cloak wrapped on him that has seen better days, but no armor to speak of at the moment. Just as clearly worn down trousers, blouse, and boots. Only the dagger sitting in a fine sheathe at his hips show any signs of maintenance. Eventually, Belzo's gold brown eye -- the other clearly faded and blind -- settles upon Tiefling and elf, regarding them each with a measure of trepidation.
"Barovia? No.. no, this isn't possible. I... There was no circle." Belzo says in a gravally voice prior to trailing off into indecipherable mutters and flickering gaze. The more he muttered, the more he couldn't help scratching at the short cropped, salt-and-pepper head of hair, or deepen the many wrinkles in his face. To the more attentive, one could also swear his shadow just moved unnatural so.
He jerks about looking suddenly to Fae, and points at her. "You! Tiefling! No, wait... Nonono. Fae Blooded clearly, not fiend. Hm. Need check myself in the future -- You mentioned a library? Or wait! No, it was other! E-either or, I do not care. Where is this library?" He says, getting to his feet quickly, even though the sudden movement exhausts him for a second. "I -- a name. I just need... I just need... yes! Candlekeep? Might you have directions, uhm... Fae, was it?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
“I haven’t personally seen any libraries around, though I’m afraid we’re far from Candlekeep, my friend,” says the armored male cleric, using a calming tone. “Perhaps our host here knows where a library might be found. You can call me Hadrian, by the way. You seem confused to be here?” That last was directed to the human.
DM - Storm King's Thunder PbP | Yet Another Storm King's Thunder PbP
Current: Eogard Duramastar, Human Twilight Cleric/Star Druid | Eiren Lathrana, Shadar-Kai Eldritch Knight/Bladesinger | Arugula, Rabbitfolk Armorer
Survivor: CrispyDM's Saltmarsh as Syltra | SarcasticFury's Strahd as Hadrian Frozenspark | Forge of Fury as The DM
Doremor is taken aback at the sudden barrage of words coming from the eladrin, "Whoa! I'm just looking for some books to add to my collection, nothing special! Help would be... appreciated, but maybe keep it down a smidge? And Hadrian, I am Doremor, you may call me Doremor. If you could point me the way to a library, I'd be much indebted."
Photo since I forgot:
Elyse hangs back and makes sure her hood is pulled up to cover her face enough as she settles into a corner table. As she eyes these two new individuals, do they seem to be actually as confused as they seem or are they hiding something?
Insight on Doremor: 13
Insight on Belzo: 16
Fae turns a bright smile on the human. "Yes, I'm Fae! Who are you? You're in Barovia, I don't think we've seen any kind of candle keep here! Have we guys?" She looks at the others for a moment before grinning at Doremor, switching to a stage whisper. "We can help, and I'm really, really good at being quiet and keeping secrets and stuff if you want! Maybe Elyse's seen a library!" Fae turns and shouts across the tavern to Elyse "Elyyyyyyse! Have you seen a library here?"
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
For Elyse:
You get the sense that Belzo is more surprised than wholly confused then he appears to be. As if the circumstance might've been experienced before, but in some adjacent incident. There's also an underlying mixture of hope, frustration, and wariness as he tries to keep his expression neutral and positioned in such a way few our within his blind sight.
With a huff, Belzo falls back into a seat, and starts roughly combing at his scraggly beard. "These are unexpected circumstances, to say the least." Belzo sighs heavily and lighlty shakes his head. "And seeing that none of you are familiar to me, I find that there may be some truth to your, Mr. Hadrian... Hn. Ah! But, where are my manners. The name is Belzo Balkamaar, Planar researcher among other adjacent titles." He bows his head briefly, then squints at Fae as she ramble on.
Turning back, and finally noticing Elyse's presence, he nearly jumps in his seat. "Iiii... Take it you three are friends?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Elyse lets out a deep sigh of resignation in response to Fae's shouting. "No, Fae, I haven't seen a library. If you recall, we have been travelling together throughout all of our time in Barovia so it would be difficult for me to have seen a building that you didn't."
The individual speaking is a humanoid figure in chain mail with a glaive slung over her back. Her hood is on and pulled down over her forehead, but a keen observer would notice two lumps trying to poke through the top. Every inch of her skin is covered with long sleeves tucked into black gloves, and leggings tucked into her boots. A plain black bandana-like mask is pulled up over her nose, with just enough room left for her eyes to poke out.
She turns now to Belzo and responds, "We haven't known each other long and are nearly as new to this land as you are." As she speaks, she avoids making eye contact so it's hard to make out many details. "But even in this short time it has become apparent that allies are a necessity in this place so we are sticking together, at least most of us." As she finishes speaking she looks around the room to try to find her other two companions.
"Yeah, but you might have been paying more attention," Fae tells Elyse cheerfully. "Since you do a lot of sulking at the back and all. Anyway, hi Belzo! Nice to meet you!"
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Belzo cringes, and yet nods subtly in agreement to Fae. He then looks back to Elyse, and lofts a brow. "A Skulker, huh? And here I thought so much cover had more to do with the weather here. No matter. If there is no library, and presuming you all came to this Barovia under similar mysterious circumstances, might one of you elaborate on methods of return? Or even, what could have physically brought us here that you have learned? Please. Anything and everything you can provide us will be not only appreciated, I have... hmm... I should have some spare coin on hand to pay."
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Fur Elyse
Doremor just wants books, as far as you can tell.
Doremor smacks Belzo on the back, "Don't be so pessimistic, there must be a library somewhere. Otherwise people wouldn't have gone to such great lengths to hide this place. What on earth could you need allies for here, anyways? Is this some sort of cultural thing?"
"The two of you must really be new here." A young man with blond hair says. "No one leaves this land without the devil Strahd allowing them to. And he does not allow anyone to leave his lands. My name is Ismark Kolyanovich, by the way."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
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Doremor gives Ismark a smile, “Well, you at least know these parts well. I have no plans to leave Barovia anytime soon, although a man you call “devil” must be frightful indeed. I would not want to incur his ire, in that case.”
"He's supposed to be really scary and stuff," Fae says cheerfully.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Belzo grunted and gave Doremor a disapproving half-glare for smack. Yet if there's to be more, it goes abandoned in a wordless attempt to speak prior to another stepping up to speak. "If this man has such a reputation, AND such powers at his command, then 'suppose' is probably putting things lightly." Belzo grumbles lightly, makes as if chewing on something behind closed lips for a moment or two. "It is a pleasure meet you, Mr. Ismark. Pretell what else you know of this devil, and his machinations? I would sooner know in full what I deal with beyond such a bold title, and where my path may yet lead." He admits, folding his arms and giving Ismark a hard look.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"The devil Strahd is a curse that has been placed on this land after a sin from our ancestors. He is a vampire, who dwells in Castle Ravenloft, but none may enter that cursed palace without his invitation. Beware his power, as he can assume many forms and dominate the mind with a simple gaze."
Xenophon: Topaz Dragonborn Fighter (ixi's Dragon of Icespire Peak)
More
Belzo shoots Doremor a halfhearted glare for the back slap, but would not interrupt Ismark. Rather his eyes flitted about in his skull as if search for something. "Hn. Succinctly put, to say the least, Mr. Ismark. But still there are questions. Some I suspect will simply be answere in time. One, however, is important that is answered now." Belzo steeples his hands together, and gives Ismark a long look. "Though you have yet to say as much in exacting words, you speak as one that is native to this place. And yet, despite knowing what you know of this vampire given his title, is there yet no risk to you speaking to an invited to these lands? For I cannot imagine a vampire has anything pleasant in mind for them, or those that aid them... So, why risk it? What is your aim in aiding this Fae and Elyse and Hadrian, who seem to be in a likewise state of trouble?"
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"We helped his sister!" Fae tells Belzo cheerfully, pointing out Ireena (if she's in sight). "She had like, stuff going on, and we helped get her here to Vallaki!" Surprisingly, the eladrin seems to be able to keep at least Ireena's secret.
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!