Talion involuntarily shudders and turns to Sho, "Something doesn't feel right, let's get inside."
Mentally he asks if Osgar senses anything.
You ask the question and you hear the reply, I sense that I won't like this one bit, oh marvellous one! So, you have one friend - I suppose that's better than none.
“They disappear like this all the time together, I don’t know what the hell they are doing.” Erven is saying to Ismark, in the study. “It’s been like that for a while. I see that Lucky Bear has taken a liking to you! Are you trying to steal my dog…?” Erven grins at Ismark, calls Lucky Bear to him, now seeing her as she was before…
Ismark smiles at the skeledog. "Yes, I quite like the creature. It reminds me of the hunting dogs we used to keep! She always has a place here, if you find you cannot maintain her. My father was an excellent trainer."
Ismark addresses you all: "Thank you, my brother for the food and drink. Please make yourselves comfortable in my home. The good cleric has kindly warded and blessed the beds and rooms - thank you, Onyx - it will help keep us all throughout the night a bit safer. 'A good deed done for others also helps ourselves.' Something my father used to say. I will leave you now, as I must get up early before the dawn. I will see you all at the church then." With that, Ismark retires to his father's bed chamber.
Ismark gets your attention: "Please accept this meal as a meagre offering - for thanks in your aid already given and aid to come. My brother means the world to me and getting him out of Barovia, out from under the gaze of that...thing...is of the utmost importance. I wish I could come with you and help more but my responsibilities here keep me tethered." And thank you for helping with my father. At dawn, we go to say our final goodbyes." He looks at Sho and Talion, adding "No, I have not forgotten the monetary transaction side of things. And you will be richly rewarded when Irek is safe. It seems the resources of even a lowly Burgomaster are not insignificant. So, if you please, raise a glass. To you, adventurers and to your success and long life!" He looks at you all slowly before downing his glass.
Talion stares at his wine for a brief moment before enthusiastically toasting, "Long life!" He looks around the table wondering really how much of a blessing such a thing would be, especially here.
After the toast is finished he speaks in answer to Ismark's comment. "My services need not always be bought with coin." He smiles, "Though, I will admit, it is useful!" Pausing a moment, he seems to examine his wine glass, "Alliances, favours, information, shelter..." he looks around the table, "...good company and a good meal. They are all of value. When I ask what will I get in return, the asking tells you something, and the answer tells me something. What I think we most need now is information about this land and woman who has doomed us."
As he eats the meal, Talion asks Osgar if any of the food appeals to him.
Talion quickly chews on a mouthful of food, and sets aside a few vegetables. He swallows and nods at the vegetables. "I hope you don't mind, they are for later. But, as to questions, I'm sure wiser heads than mine will have something to ask, but...there are some things I'd like to know."
He holds a fingers up for each question, "Why can't we leave? What does she want with the likes of us? Who the hell is Madame Eva? And what's all this about reading us?" He looks around the table. "Anyone else?"
He holds a fingers up for each question, "Why can't we leave? What does she want with the likes of us? Who the hell is Madame Eva? And what's all this about reading us?" He looks around the table. "Anyone else?"
Ismark nods at your questions. Shrugging, he answers thusly:
— the mist keeps people from leaving. Most think it’s - and Strahd - a punishment for some unknown or forgotten sin... - he doesn’t know why Strahd is interested in you. Clearly there is something about you she fancies...or desires... - Eva is a Vistani. They serve Strahd. They seem to be the only ones able to come and go as they please... Eva is rumored to be able to tell fortunes of any who sit at her table....
Talion nods, absorbing the answers. "So...we are trapped here. There are at least four factions in town: you, the Vistani who like The Lady, the Vistani who don't like what she's become and want to end her, and...the church..." he remembers the anguish of the priest at the fate of his son, and sighs. "...who seem to have knuckled under quite nicely. Are there any others?" Because you don't seem to be working well together at this point, and because I'd like another option!
He frowns then looks around the table, wondering if the others have questions. His gaze settles on Sho, but he seems distracted by his own thoughts for the moment.
To Osgar: "In case you are wondering, The Lady is an immortal Vampire Lord of this whole place, and we can't leave. And this lot -- our host and his brother -- are possible allies . And before you ask, the old guy at the other end of the table, he's my other friend. I have two, not counting you."
“If Eva serves Strahd, why would we want to speak with her? Will she lead us on some wild goose chase to serve her pleasure? Have you ever spoken with Madam Eva? What was it like, what did she tell you, if you did?” He looks around the table, pausing, reflecting.
”If you were us, where would you go next, after we help to bury your father? Should we focus on getting Irek out of here, to safety? I think that all of us would like to get out of here, away from Strahd and her influence, but I fear that we are trapped in this land until, what, we kill her, we die, or we amuse her enough in some way that she allows us to go? I think what Talion is saying is, what are our options here, what is the endgame, the Vorduvoviel, to all of this.”
Bertolt will leave the room of books after a while, making note of anything that had been even the least bit useful. He will join the others after a time as they prepare to rest for the night. "I have read some of the books that our hosts have. I found a few tidbits of history and various maps that looks to be from different points in time."
Talion grins at the old man and settles into a seat. As he leans back he suddenly moves forward, then settles slowly again, fidgeting briefly with his collar.
"I'm all ears" he says. "Find anything to explain this place, and what's what in the squat?"
To Osgar: "Sorry! Gonna take some getting used to. Bert might look old, but he can handle himself. And he knows things. Useful things."
"No more then a few different accounts of how the Countess came to rule over this region. Other then that it was mostly local history and a few thoughts of scholars. As for the maps most are older but a few seem to be newer but not that much so. Other books were just on various subjects of little value to our current situation." Bertolt tells them with a shrug as he gives his companion a look as if he knew they still thought he was an old man.
To Osgar: "In case you are wondering, The Lady is an immortal Vampire Lord of this whole place, and we can't leave. And this lot -- our host and his brother -- are possible allies . And before you ask, the old guy at the other end of the table, he's my other friend. I have two, not counting you."
Oh, a multitude of thank you, most benevolent one! You hear snickering laughter in your head and coarse cutting words: Zfpix smiz dawyr mijy haf wylz py za?! A set of images flash in your mind - golden chains, whips, stooped figures in sweltering darkness. Then it ends. You think of me as a 'friend', warlock?! The words have a sense of surprise to them, of incredulousness. Ivuaz.
“If Eva serves Strahd, why would we want to speak with her? Will she lead us on some wild goose chase to serve her pleasure? Have you ever spoken with Madam Eva? What was it like, what did she tell you, if you did?” He looks around the table, pausing, reflecting.
”If you were us, where would you go next, after we help to bury your father? Should we focus on getting Irek out of here, to safety? I think that all of us would like to get out of here, away from Strahd and her influence, but I fear that we are trapped in this land until, what, we kill her, we die, or we amuse her enough in some way that she allows us to go? I think what Talion is saying is, what are our options here, what is the endgame, the Vorduvoviel, to all of this.”
Ismark nods at your questions and he answers: - he tells you that the Vistani have never done anything, as far as he knows, violent to the people. - he doesn't know the answers to some of your queries - he's never met Eva. - he doesn't know your other commitments, if any, but of course he'd like you to get Irek as far away from Strahd as possible. - he would love it if you killed Strahd, of course, but hints that you might need to get stronger and, based on what he's seen briefly, perhaps learn to trust each other more. Cracks in the foundation always lead to ruin. - he reasons that he isn't a wise person, but that likely the Vistani brought you here for some reason. Perhaps Strahd sees you as playthings but that is true insofar as you agree with it, let apathy decide your fate. He sees that you are adventurers and that you must be capable to survive what you say you have so far. In the stories, adventurers explore and confront and are never given the answer in the first pages. He hopes that you are stronger escorts than detectives. Perhaps going to Eva might help you but he doesn't know.
Bertolt will leave the room of books after a while, making note of anything that had been even the least bit useful. He will join the others after a time as they prepare to rest for the night. "I have read some of the books that our hosts have. I found a few tidbits of history and various maps that looks to be from different points in time."
Bertolt you find a pretty decent map (shown below). If you show it to Ismark, he looks it over and nods. "This is a fairly accurate map. Obviously, not too much has changed in the several hundred years of night that we have had to endure...some places vanish, others appear, some are built over time....Would keeping this help you?" he asks of the bard. MAP
To Osgar: "Sorry! Gonna take some getting used to. Bert might look old, but he can handle himself. And he knows things. Useful things."
If I may, most intelligent one, I sense kindred attachment and spirit from the ones you say are not your friends - the one is clearly a beacon of light in this broken place, and the other retains a connection to my own homeland. However, other than the 'old man' as you call him, I sense a darkness from the one you say is your friend and - if I may be so bold - yourself (you already know this of course, unless you don't know who exactly you serve...?) The other two I sense similar to the big one but less so. But I am only your bound and humble slave, most brilliant one. Please forgive my transgressions upon your own wisdom...
Only a few moments after Sho exits the building, Talion reappears, this time he is surrounded by a much stronger and much less pleasant scent. Burned incense and herbs perhaps remind Sho of the packages he handed Talion. A little smoke seems to cling to him and he waves it away, taking a deep breath. In the dim light, Sho can make out what looks like a raven sitting on Talion's shoulder.
Talion seems a little more rested, perhaps even excited, and smiles when he sees his friend. His head turns to face the bird. "This...he points to Sho...is a friend. Someone I trust." He raises his eyebrows, and waits for the bird to seemingly nod before continuing. "Sho, this is my new..." he looks quizzically at the bird. "...well, we are still working that out."
The bird -- it certainly looks like a bird -- stares at Sho with an unnaturally fixed gaze. It is hard to properly make out in the darkness, but it does not seem to behave like any bird Sho has seen. It hops from foot to foot, seemingly unable to find a position it likes, sometimes slipping when Talion moves, and all the while staring at Sho. As Sho is about to turn away it speaks in a grating, rough voice. "A 'riend eh? He said he had some, I didn' 'elieve 'im."
The birds eyes blink and it quickly turns to face Talion, then disappears from sight.
Sho looks at Talion a little weirdly like one would look at someone who's talking to a bird. But then, the undercurrent of the strong presence and the intense gaze tells him the bird must be something eyes. He purses his lips, and says to Talion after the bird is gone. "Looks like you two still have a lot to work on." In a less annoyed tone, and somewhat intrigued, that indicates he seems to approve Talion's choice of pets over a certain elf's.
Talion nods to Sho. "Fun times, eh? How are things in the house?"
"Babbling." He answers, as he starts towards the house. "A lot. Babbling. They are talking about dog food now."
Sho notices Talion's fidgeting and furrows his brows. Silently, he reaches over and touches his hand, lightly, like he is just brushing over to reach something. He gives Talion a look, then crosses his arms in front of his chest. To think. He doesn't really want to leave this place; not yet, at least. He has to figure out what he's looking for first. And he needs to know more about Strahd. But he doesn't mind help find a way to help his friend away from this land. Plus - he looks over the Irek, and narrows his eyes. He doesn't really understand what Strahd sees in this man/boy. She could have any man she wants, yet she has her eyes on this one. Is this a the-boy-next-door kind of thing? This is not his area of expertise. Though he has heard of some rituals involving a virgin's blood. The selection process is usually very specific. Perhaps Irek's birth chart was especially auspicious for this kind of rituals. That would explain why Strahd is obsessed with him. But now he'll have to get his hands on Irek's birth chart. He said he had his cards read, once. Maybe that could lead to something.
Oh, a multitude of thank you, most benevolent one! You hear snickering laughter in your head and coarse cutting words: Zfpix smiz dawyr mijy haf wylz py za?! A set of images flash in your mind - golden chains, whips, stooped figures in sweltering darkness. Then it ends. You think of me as a 'friend', warlock?! The words have a sense of surprise to them, of incredulousness. Ivuaz.
Talion mentally shrugs, irritation and amusement mixing in his mind, "That choice has not been made; it is as much up to you as to me. But, 'Zfpix...'...what did all that mean?"
If I may, most intelligent one, I sense kindred attachment and spirit from the ones you say are not your friends - the one is clearly a beacon of light in this broken place, and the other retains a connection to my own homeland. However, other than the 'old man' as you call him, I sense a darkness from the one you say is your friend and - if I may be so bold - yourself (you already know this of course, unless you don't know who exactly you serve...?) The other two I sense similar to the big one but less so. But I am only your bound and humble slave, most brilliant one. Please forgive my transgressions upon your own wisdom...
Talion reacts with surprise, "I did not say they were not friends. I am just ... unclear. Our journey here was not easy, and Strahd played tricks with our minds. Things happened that I would ordinarily find it hard to forgive but, like I said, we were all under her influence. Time will tell."
Then he chuckles mentally, "You are right, though: The big one -- Onyx -- is some kind of hero, or that's what I heard before we came here. He denies it, so it could be true." He sends various images of Onyx helping out in the wagon train, and of him fighting. "The other -- Erven -- has something dark in his past. In the house something threw him into the abyss, and he became...not himself." Images of a friendly happy elf are juxtaposed with the maniacal scenes with Sho. "He seems to have recovered."
Finally, he smiles mentally, "Sho...well he's a bit of a mystery. He's a good man, and I like him: he's the only one that's stuck by me no matter what, and he's damned good in a fight. Him and the old man, both." Images of Sho and Bert in the battle against the Dursts and of Onyx and Sho in the final battle flood his mind.
"Anyway..." he glances briefly yo where Osgar sits, then turns away. "...thank you for the insights. They are always welcome."
Talion's gaze moves slowly around the room, barely listening, apparently engaged in some internal debate. His gaze moves Onyx, then Erven, and finally Sho.
"Babbling." He answers, as he starts towards the house. "A lot. Babbling. They are talking about dog food now."
Talion grins, a look of mock-shock crossing his face, "You don't like dogs? That could be a deal-breaker." Then he shrugs. "Lucky has seen better days though. Here's hoping you do too, soon. You deserve it more than most."
"I think we should go meet Madame Eva." He says.
"That, I agree with. There is no point in hiding from the neighbourhood boss. If they want you, they find you. Better to bash on their door first. But first..." he waves at the house. "We need to cement an alliance." He closes his eyes for a moment and sighs. "Favours and alliances -- that's what it's all about. Those were the days. And here I was thinking that I had escaped."
"The map would be useful I will not lie. If I were to be in contact with some of my friends from my home I would have one copy it." Bertolt says as he looks over the map and makes a quick mental version of it for him to think on.
"The map would be useful I will not lie. If I were to be in contact with some of my friends from my home I would have one copy it." Bertolt says as he looks over the map and makes a quick mental version of it for him to think on.
“It’s yours then, Sir. Please accept my thanks. And may it aid you in your journey!”
Bertolt nods in thanks and will carefully fold the map and then place it into the bag of holding. "After we complete our tasks here we can use this to decide where we shall travel next."
After dinner, Erven sits down on the ground, holds his hand up, and calls Lucky Bear over to him. He is testing to see if the dog has formed more attachment to Ismark, or to himself. "Lucky, here girl! Bring it!" He point to a bone from dinner on the floor, holding his arms out, looks up and catches Ismark's eye.
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A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
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You ask the question and you hear the reply, I sense that I won't like this one bit, oh marvellous one! So, you have one friend - I suppose that's better than none.
Ismark smiles at the skeledog. "Yes, I quite like the creature. It reminds me of the hunting dogs we used to keep! She always has a place here, if you find you cannot maintain her. My father was an excellent trainer."
Ismark addresses you all: "Thank you, my brother for the food and drink. Please make yourselves comfortable in my home. The good cleric has kindly warded and blessed the beds and rooms - thank you, Onyx - it will help keep us all throughout the night a bit safer. 'A good deed done for others also helps ourselves.' Something my father used to say. I will leave you now, as I must get up early before the dawn. I will see you all at the church then." With that, Ismark retires to his father's bed chamber.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Talion stares at his wine for a brief moment before enthusiastically toasting, "Long life!" He looks around the table wondering really how much of a blessing such a thing would be, especially here.
After the toast is finished he speaks in answer to Ismark's comment. "My services need not always be bought with coin." He smiles, "Though, I will admit, it is useful!" Pausing a moment, he seems to examine his wine glass, "Alliances, favours, information, shelter..." he looks around the table, "...good company and a good meal. They are all of value. When I ask what will I get in return, the asking tells you something, and the answer tells me something. What I think we most need now is information about this land and woman who has doomed us."
As he eats the meal, Talion asks Osgar if any of the food appeals to him.
“What do you want to know? I will do my best to answer.”
Thank you, your magnificence! Your thoughtfulness exceeds all limits. Surely you are a grand exemplar of your race. The vegetables if you please.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Talion quickly chews on a mouthful of food, and sets aside a few vegetables. He swallows and nods at the vegetables. "I hope you don't mind, they are for later. But, as to questions, I'm sure wiser heads than mine will have something to ask, but...there are some things I'd like to know."
He holds a fingers up for each question, "Why can't we leave? What does she want with the likes of us? Who the hell is Madame Eva? And what's all this about reading us?" He looks around the table. "Anyone else?"
"Why do you keep doing that? You know my name. Vegetables it is."
Ismark nods at your questions. Shrugging, he answers thusly:
— the mist keeps people from leaving. Most think it’s - and Strahd - a punishment for some unknown or forgotten sin...
- he doesn’t know why Strahd is interested in you. Clearly there is something about you she fancies...or desires...
- Eva is a Vistani. They serve Strahd. They seem to be the only ones able to come and go as they please... Eva is rumored to be able to tell fortunes of any who sit at her table....
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Talion nods, absorbing the answers. "So...we are trapped here. There are at least four factions in town: you, the Vistani who like The Lady, the Vistani who don't like what she's become and want to end her, and...the church..." he remembers the anguish of the priest at the fate of his son, and sighs. "...who seem to have knuckled under quite nicely. Are there any others?" Because you don't seem to be working well together at this point, and because I'd like another option!
He frowns then looks around the table, wondering if the others have questions. His gaze settles on Sho, but he seems distracted by his own thoughts for the moment.
To Osgar: "In case you are wondering, The Lady is an immortal Vampire Lord of this whole place, and we can't leave. And this lot -- our host and his brother -- are possible allies . And before you ask, the old guy at the other end of the table, he's my other friend. I have two, not counting you."
“If Eva serves Strahd, why would we want to speak with her? Will she lead us on some wild goose chase to serve her pleasure? Have you ever spoken with Madam Eva? What was it like, what did she tell you, if you did?” He looks around the table, pausing, reflecting.
”If you were us, where would you go next, after we help to bury your father? Should we focus on getting Irek out of here, to safety? I think that all of us would like to get out of here, away from Strahd and her influence, but I fear that we are trapped in this land until, what, we kill her, we die, or we amuse her enough in some way that she allows us to go? I think what Talion is saying is, what are our options here, what is the endgame, the Vorduvoviel, to all of this.”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Bertolt will leave the room of books after a while, making note of anything that had been even the least bit useful. He will join the others after a time as they prepare to rest for the night. "I have read some of the books that our hosts have. I found a few tidbits of history and various maps that looks to be from different points in time."
Talion grins at the old man and settles into a seat. As he leans back he suddenly moves forward, then settles slowly again, fidgeting briefly with his collar.
"I'm all ears" he says. "Find anything to explain this place, and what's what in the squat?"
To Osgar: "Sorry! Gonna take some getting used to. Bert might look old, but he can handle himself. And he knows things. Useful things."
"No more then a few different accounts of how the Countess came to rule over this region. Other then that it was mostly local history and a few thoughts of scholars. As for the maps most are older but a few seem to be newer but not that much so. Other books were just on various subjects of little value to our current situation." Bertolt tells them with a shrug as he gives his companion a look as if he knew they still thought he was an old man.
Oh, a multitude of thank you, most benevolent one! You hear snickering laughter in your head and coarse cutting words: Zfpix smiz dawyr mijy haf wylz py za?! A set of images flash in your mind - golden chains, whips, stooped figures in sweltering darkness. Then it ends. You think of me as a 'friend', warlock?! The words have a sense of surprise to them, of incredulousness. Ivuaz.
Ismark nods at your questions and he answers:
- he tells you that the Vistani have never done anything, as far as he knows, violent to the people.
- he doesn't know the answers to some of your queries - he's never met Eva.
- he doesn't know your other commitments, if any, but of course he'd like you to get Irek as far away from Strahd as possible.
- he would love it if you killed Strahd, of course, but hints that you might need to get stronger and, based on what he's seen briefly, perhaps learn to trust each other more. Cracks in the foundation always lead to ruin.
- he reasons that he isn't a wise person, but that likely the Vistani brought you here for some reason. Perhaps Strahd sees you as playthings but that is true insofar as you agree with it, let apathy decide your fate. He sees that you are adventurers and that you must be capable to survive what you say you have so far. In the stories, adventurers explore and confront and are never given the answer in the first pages. He hopes that you are stronger escorts than detectives. Perhaps going to Eva might help you but he doesn't know.
Bertolt you find a pretty decent map (shown below). If you show it to Ismark, he looks it over and nods. "This is a fairly accurate map. Obviously, not too much has changed in the several hundred years of night that we have had to endure...some places vanish, others appear, some are built over time....Would keeping this help you?" he asks of the bard.
MAP
If I may, most intelligent one, I sense kindred attachment and spirit from the ones you say are not your friends - the one is clearly a beacon of light in this broken place, and the other retains a connection to my own homeland. However, other than the 'old man' as you call him, I sense a darkness from the one you say is your friend and - if I may be so bold - yourself (you already know this of course, unless you don't know who exactly you serve...?) The other two I sense similar to the big one but less so. But I am only your bound and humble slave, most brilliant one. Please forgive my transgressions upon your own wisdom...
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Sho looks at Talion a little weirdly like one would look at someone who's talking to a bird. But then, the undercurrent of the strong presence and the intense gaze tells him the bird must be something eyes. He purses his lips, and says to Talion after the bird is gone. "Looks like you two still have a lot to work on." In a less annoyed tone, and somewhat intrigued, that indicates he seems to approve Talion's choice of pets over a certain elf's.
"Babbling." He answers, as he starts towards the house. "A lot. Babbling. They are talking about dog food now."
Sho notices Talion's fidgeting and furrows his brows. Silently, he reaches over and touches his hand, lightly, like he is just brushing over to reach something. He gives Talion a look, then crosses his arms in front of his chest. To think. He doesn't really want to leave this place; not yet, at least. He has to figure out what he's looking for first. And he needs to know more about Strahd. But he doesn't mind help find a way to help his friend away from this land. Plus - he looks over the Irek, and narrows his eyes. He doesn't really understand what Strahd sees in this man/boy. She could have any man she wants, yet she has her eyes on this one. Is this a the-boy-next-door kind of thing? This is not his area of expertise. Though he has heard of some rituals involving a virgin's blood. The selection process is usually very specific. Perhaps Irek's birth chart was especially auspicious for this kind of rituals. That would explain why Strahd is obsessed with him. But now he'll have to get his hands on Irek's birth chart. He said he had his cards read, once. Maybe that could lead to something.
"I think we should go meet Madame Eva." He says.
Talion mentally shrugs, irritation and amusement mixing in his mind, "That choice has not been made; it is as much up to you as to me. But, 'Zfpix...'...what did all that mean?"
If I may, most intelligent one, I sense kindred attachment and spirit from the ones you say are not your friends - the one is clearly a beacon of light in this broken place, and the other retains a connection to my own homeland. However, other than the 'old man' as you call him, I sense a darkness from the one you say is your friend and - if I may be so bold - yourself (you already know this of course, unless you don't know who exactly you serve...?) The other two I sense similar to the big one but less so. But I am only your bound and humble slave, most brilliant one. Please forgive my transgressions upon your own wisdom...
Talion reacts with surprise, "I did not say they were not friends. I am just ... unclear. Our journey here was not easy, and Strahd played tricks with our minds. Things happened that I would ordinarily find it hard to forgive but, like I said, we were all under her influence. Time will tell."
Then he chuckles mentally, "You are right, though: The big one -- Onyx -- is some kind of hero, or that's what I heard before we came here. He denies it, so it could be true." He sends various images of Onyx helping out in the wagon train, and of him fighting. "The other -- Erven -- has something dark in his past. In the house something threw him into the abyss, and he became...not himself." Images of a friendly happy elf are juxtaposed with the maniacal scenes with Sho. "He seems to have recovered."
Finally, he smiles mentally, "Sho...well he's a bit of a mystery. He's a good man, and I like him: he's the only one that's stuck by me no matter what, and he's damned good in a fight. Him and the old man, both." Images of Sho and Bert in the battle against the Dursts and of Onyx and Sho in the final battle flood his mind.
"Anyway..." he glances briefly yo where Osgar sits, then turns away. "...thank you for the insights. They are always welcome."
Talion's gaze moves slowly around the room, barely listening, apparently engaged in some internal debate. His gaze moves Onyx, then Erven, and finally Sho.
(( Crossed posts! ))
Talion grins, a look of mock-shock crossing his face, "You don't like dogs? That could be a deal-breaker." Then he shrugs. "Lucky has seen better days though. Here's hoping you do too, soon. You deserve it more than most."
"That, I agree with. There is no point in hiding from the neighbourhood boss. If they want you, they find you. Better to bash on their door first. But first..." he waves at the house. "We need to cement an alliance." He closes his eyes for a moment and sighs. "Favours and alliances -- that's what it's all about. Those were the days. And here I was thinking that I had escaped."
"The map would be useful I will not lie. If I were to be in contact with some of my friends from my home I would have one copy it." Bertolt says as he looks over the map and makes a quick mental version of it for him to think on.
“It’s yours then, Sir. Please accept my thanks. And may it aid you in your journey!”
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Talion will wait, listening to the conversation, and when everyone seems done, will head to his room with his bowl of vegetables for a welcome rest.
Bertolt nods in thanks and will carefully fold the map and then place it into the bag of holding. "After we complete our tasks here we can use this to decide where we shall travel next."
After dinner, Erven sits down on the ground, holds his hand up, and calls Lucky Bear over to him. He is testing to see if the dog has formed more attachment to Ismark, or to himself. "Lucky, here girl! Bring it!" He point to a bone from dinner on the floor, holding his arms out, looks up and catches Ismark's eye.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.