"I'm certainly a fan of towns," Sezsu says with a nod. "Never felt overly comfortable in the wilds."
Standing back up, he stretches, arching his back as he yawns and scratches his stomach.
"Speaking of which... We should probably start making our way to the next town while it's still early. I'd like to minimize the number of nights we have to spend in the woods if we can."
A thought occurs to him. "Say, is there something about this country of yours that makes it harder (seemingly impossible, if we're being honest) to wake up in the middle of the night? Is that a normal thing here? We've tried to wake each other to take watches and it seems no one can be roused once they've fallen asleep and those already awake have an unnaturally difficult time staying up. Is it just us?"
"Gee thanks. That's all kinds of comforting." Sezsu replies sarcastically with a smile.
To the rest of the group he says, "We're burning daylight. We should get going. If this map is drawn to scale, hopefully we'll only need to spend one night on the road before Vallaki."
Having taken your pick of the offered equipment, you pack your things, bid the Vistani adieu, and trek off in search of Vallaki.
The path leading away from the lake climbs up into the mountainside, slowing progress considerably. Ed and Sezsu especially find the climb extremely laborious and suffer from splitting headaches.
Day 4 - 1:00pm
You follow the dirt road as it clings to the side of a mountain and ends before an arching bridge of mold-encrusted stone that spans a natural chasm. Gargoyles cloaked in black moss perch on the corners of the bridge, their frowns weatherworn. On the mountainous side of the bridge, a waterfall spills into a misty pool nearly a thousand feet below. The pool feeds a river that meanders into the fog-shrouded pines that blanket the valley. The river flows in the direction of Tser Pool and the Vistani camp.
Zied stops to take stock of the gargoyle from a ways awy. Startled and worried at first that it isn't simply a statue given these lands. But deciding it is likely a statue. "What is the point of a gargoyle guarding a bridge? Ddid any of those folks last night mention these? " While asking his cohorts, Zied unfurles a bit of fabric and creates a small square and replicates the gargoyle's visage and any details he gathers with small suplies and etchings (magical tinkering ability)
"I wonder if there are any fish here? Waterfalls and rushing water tend to collect them... though I doubt any fish from above could migrate back that way. If there are any we could dry some out or smoke some maybe.... prepare for the long game, hope for the short."
Sezsu drops his pack and sits on it heavily. His breathing is hard but he doesn't seem to be sweating.
"Ok," he puffs. "I don't remember anything about gargoyles but I assume these are the falls Arajha mentioned. This looks like a perfect place to take a break. I'm not built for scaling mountains. I'm a city kid!"
He rubs his eyes.
"Hey, Zied, you thinking fish for lunch? Maybe a meal and a nap are in order." He yawns loudly.
By the time the group reached the bridge, Alessa, instead of getting tired, surprisingly, got more spring in her steps, so to speak. "Fish sounds wonderful! You know, lately, I could not think about anything but Grannie's pies... We were talking about life and death but all I wanted is to get just a piece of that sweet pie I had before. And yet now that hunger is gone! I would rather get some fish, or anything else, really. So relieving!"
The relief from haunting thoughts though did not make her careless. "Wait a moment."She whispered Grano instruction and the little bird flew from her shoulder to gargoyles, first, making a circle around them, then attempting to set on one.
"You really are a city kid." Watching as the avian takes flight he continues. "Fish would be nice. Honestly I'm just tired of survival cooking. Insect meat, ration stew. Variety is a spice of life. and this world is dreary." Noting how tired they seem to be. "You two certainly could use some spice in your day. They had some strong brew or something?"
"Eh," Sezsu shrugs. "I don't think it was that. No headache or anything, ya know?"
He bites a lip in thought. "No, I think I was feeling pretty alright this morning...other than sleeping terribly, but we're getting used to that. It's just ALL this TREKKING!" He emphasizes the hike melodramatically. "I'm just exhausted, I think. I just need a comfortable bed and a normal 10 to 12 hours of sleep without the persistent fear that something is coming to get me in the night and I'll be fine."
"What? You didn't like my Rope-Caccoon? Probably for the best. Its not quite what it used to be today." Thinking further. "Honestly, surprisingly few things have attacked while sleeping. Its been basically entirely day time. Or what passes for it."
Grano lands teases the air around the gargoyle, but the stone statute remains inert. The little owl lands lightly on the statue, with no consequence.
Peering far down into the ravine, Zied can just make out the tell-tale splashing of fish in the river. They seem to be plentiful, albeit far away. At this location, the chasm’s walls are slippery and sheer, and likely can’t be scaled without the aid of magic or a climber’s kit.
"Looks safe."Alessa approached the bridge and, not stepping on it yet, carefully looked down into the ravine. "Don't think we are having fish for lunch, though. Ration stew it is?" It was said almost playfully, she really was in a good mood now. "How far are we from Vallaki?"
"You ate every one she gave me Seszu. They're in your stomach. Also. Was it not just yesterday that we questioned if the pies were lulling everyone into a deep sleep?"
"If your stomach hungers this is not a bad spot for a snack of some sort. We should keep this river in mind for the future fishing."
Alessa got yet another reason to eye Sezsu intently. "Yes, I felt the same way just that very morning and all day yesterday. It will pass, I know that now. But once it does, I think Zied is right, we have to stay clear of those pies. Whether they are the reason for sleepiness or not, there is something about them... I hate to suspect Grannie, and yet, there is clearly some magic involved."She stepped on the bridge finally. "We need to go now."
The group is able to traverse the bridge--and admire its breathtaking views--without trouble. The gargoyles, it seems, are merely morbid decoration.
Day 4 - 3:00pm
About 20 yards off the beaten path you see a forgotten chapel, ruined by age. This old shrine bears two altars: one to the Morninglord, and one to another deity. The Morninglord’s fine wooden altar has decayed over time, leaving its carved sunburst barely visible. The other deity's stone altar still bears the mark of a crescent moon, but moss and fungi have overgrown this side of the sanctum, cracking and crumbling the floor.
Sezsu brushes away some of the moss to get a better view of the 2nd holy symbol. Selûne is a goddess of the moon but he doesn't immediately recognize this symbol at first glance.
Alessa, trying not to interrupt Sezsu's study, was looking at the altar of the Morninglord. The sun was hidden by the clouds, the god did not answer to the prayers of his most devoted priest, and yet, she almost felt compelled to kneel before the altar.
The joy of freedon from the spell? the curse? - she was not sure - was fading away, as the place was slowly eating up again her newly found good mood. Asking the god for protection could at least keep thoughts occupied? She stepped closer and touched the sun symbol. Not sure about the specific pray, Alessa simply imagined the sun, it's warmf and generosity to every creature on the planet, the sunny forests and fields... It did help a bit, though the pictures of sun-lit grass made reality so much more bleak. Alessa sighed and stepped away from the altar.
Sezsu is not familiar with this second holy symbol. Could it be that the goddess Selûne's worship reaches even Barovia? Or is this some other moon deity?
Alessa achieves some level of self-induced comfort, albeit short-lived, as the sun remains obscured behind heavy cloud cover.
Day 4 - 5:00pm
Even here, in the mountains, the forest and the fog are inescapable. Ahead, the dirt road splits in two, widening toward the east. There you see patches of cobblestone, suggesting that the eastern branch was once an important thoroughfare.
Parked at the fork in the road, pointed east, is a large black carriage drawn by two black horses. The horses snort puffs of steamy breath into the chill mountain air.
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"I'm certainly a fan of towns," Sezsu says with a nod. "Never felt overly comfortable in the wilds."
Standing back up, he stretches, arching his back as he yawns and scratches his stomach.
"Speaking of which... We should probably start making our way to the next town while it's still early. I'd like to minimize the number of nights we have to spend in the woods if we can."
A thought occurs to him. "Say, is there something about this country of yours that makes it harder (seemingly impossible, if we're being honest) to wake up in the middle of the night? Is that a normal thing here? We've tried to wake each other to take watches and it seems no one can be roused once they've fallen asleep and those already awake have an unnaturally difficult time staying up. Is it just us?"
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Arahja looks dour. "Maybe you are cursed. Haha, only joking. I do not know. But getting good night's sleep is not worst than can happen, hey?"
"Sounds like a curse," Rima confirms.
"Gee thanks. That's all kinds of comforting." Sezsu replies sarcastically with a smile.
To the rest of the group he says, "We're burning daylight. We should get going. If this map is drawn to scale, hopefully we'll only need to spend one night on the road before Vallaki."
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Having taken your pick of the offered equipment, you pack your things, bid the Vistani adieu, and trek off in search of Vallaki.
The path leading away from the lake climbs up into the mountainside, slowing progress considerably. Ed and Sezsu especially find the climb extremely laborious and suffer from splitting headaches.
Day 4 - 1:00pm
You follow the dirt road as it clings to the side of a mountain and ends before an arching bridge of mold-encrusted stone that spans a natural chasm. Gargoyles cloaked in black moss perch on the corners of the bridge, their frowns weatherworn. On the mountainous side of the bridge, a waterfall spills into a misty pool nearly a thousand feet below. The pool feeds a river that meanders into the fog-shrouded pines that blanket the valley. The river flows in the direction of Tser Pool and the Vistani camp.
Does it seem like there are fish in the waters below the bridge?
Zied will use Magical TInkering ability to make an imprint of the gargoyles as he finds them curious.
Do the gargoyles both face outward fro mthe bridge, inward to the bridge, or elsewhere? It seems odd to have gargoyles
Zied stops to take stock of the gargoyle from a ways awy. Startled and worried at first that it isn't simply a statue given these lands. But deciding it is likely a statue.
"What is the point of a gargoyle guarding a bridge? Ddid any of those folks last night mention these? " While asking his cohorts, Zied unfurles a bit of fabric and creates a small square and replicates the gargoyle's visage and any details he gathers with small suplies and etchings (magical tinkering ability)
"I wonder if there are any fish here? Waterfalls and rushing water tend to collect them... though I doubt any fish from above could migrate back that way. If there are any we could dry some out or smoke some maybe.... prepare for the long game, hope for the short."
Sezsu drops his pack and sits on it heavily. His breathing is hard but he doesn't seem to be sweating.
"Ok," he puffs. "I don't remember anything about gargoyles but I assume these are the falls Arajha mentioned. This looks like a perfect place to take a break. I'm not built for scaling mountains. I'm a city kid!"
He rubs his eyes.
"Hey, Zied, you thinking fish for lunch? Maybe a meal and a nap are in order." He yawns loudly.
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
By the time the group reached the bridge, Alessa, instead of getting tired, surprisingly, got more spring in her steps, so to speak. "Fish sounds wonderful! You know, lately, I could not think about anything but Grannie's pies... We were talking about life and death but all I wanted is to get just a piece of that sweet pie I had before. And yet now that hunger is gone! I would rather get some fish, or anything else, really. So relieving!"
The relief from haunting thoughts though did not make her careless. "Wait a moment." She whispered Grano instruction and the little bird flew from her shoulder to gargoyles, first, making a circle around them, then attempting to set on one.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"You really are a city kid." Watching as the avian takes flight he continues. "Fish would be nice. Honestly I'm just tired of survival cooking. Insect meat, ration stew. Variety is a spice of life. and this world is dreary." Noting how tired they seem to be. "You two certainly could use some spice in your day. They had some strong brew or something?"
"Eh," Sezsu shrugs. "I don't think it was that. No headache or anything, ya know?"
He bites a lip in thought. "No, I think I was feeling pretty alright this morning...other than sleeping terribly, but we're getting used to that. It's just ALL this TREKKING!" He emphasizes the hike melodramatically. "I'm just exhausted, I think. I just need a comfortable bed and a normal 10 to 12 hours of sleep without the persistent fear that something is coming to get me in the night and I'll be fine."
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
"What? You didn't like my Rope-Caccoon? Probably for the best. Its not quite what it used to be today." Thinking further. "Honestly, surprisingly few things have attacked while sleeping. Its been basically entirely day time. Or what passes for it."
Grano lands teases the air around the gargoyle, but the stone statute remains inert. The little owl lands lightly on the statue, with no consequence.
Peering far down into the ravine, Zied can just make out the tell-tale splashing of fish in the river. They seem to be plentiful, albeit far away. At this location, the chasm’s walls are slippery and sheer, and likely can’t be scaled without the aid of magic or a climber’s kit.
"Looks safe." Alessa approached the bridge and, not stepping on it yet, carefully looked down into the ravine. "Don't think we are having fish for lunch, though. Ration stew it is?" It was said almost playfully, she really was in a good mood now. "How far are we from Vallaki?"
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
"Ugh," Sezsu groans. "You didn't squirrel away any more of those pies did you, Zied? Rations don't sound super tempting and those pies were SO GOOD!"
He looks down as his stomach grumbles loudly.
"Maybe we should just go back to Barovia Village... I could probably learn to live with all the weirdness as long as those pies keep coming."
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
"You ate every one she gave me Seszu. They're in your stomach. Also. Was it not just yesterday that we questioned if the pies were lulling everyone into a deep sleep?"
"If your stomach hungers this is not a bad spot for a snack of some sort. We should keep this river in mind for the future fishing."
Alessa got yet another reason to eye Sezsu intently. "Yes, I felt the same way just that very morning and all day yesterday. It will pass, I know that now. But once it does, I think Zied is right, we have to stay clear of those pies. Whether they are the reason for sleepiness or not, there is something about them... I hate to suspect Grannie, and yet, there is clearly some magic involved." She stepped on the bridge finally. "We need to go now."
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
The group is able to traverse the bridge--and admire its breathtaking views--without trouble. The gargoyles, it seems, are merely morbid decoration.
Day 4 - 3:00pm
About 20 yards off the beaten path you see a forgotten chapel, ruined by age. This old shrine bears two altars: one to the Morninglord, and one to another deity. The Morninglord’s fine wooden altar has decayed over time, leaving its carved sunburst barely visible. The other deity's stone altar still bears the mark of a crescent moon, but moss and fungi have overgrown this side of the sanctum, cracking and crumbling the floor.
Sezsu brushes away some of the moss to get a better view of the 2nd holy symbol. Selûne is a goddess of the moon but he doesn't immediately recognize this symbol at first glance.
Religion check (with guidance): 9
Characters currently being ruined on this forum:
Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Alessa, trying not to interrupt Sezsu's study, was looking at the altar of the Morninglord. The sun was hidden by the clouds, the god did not answer to the prayers of his most devoted priest, and yet, she almost felt compelled to kneel before the altar.
The joy of freedon from the spell? the curse? - she was not sure - was fading away, as the place was slowly eating up again her newly found good mood. Asking the god for protection could at least keep thoughts occupied? She stepped closer and touched the sun symbol. Not sure about the specific pray, Alessa simply imagined the sun, it's warmf and generosity to every creature on the planet, the sunny forests and fields... It did help a bit, though the pictures of sun-lit grass made reality so much more bleak. Alessa sighed and stepped away from the altar.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Sezsu is not familiar with this second holy symbol. Could it be that the goddess Selûne's worship reaches even Barovia? Or is this some other moon deity?
Alessa achieves some level of self-induced comfort, albeit short-lived, as the sun remains obscured behind heavy cloud cover.
Day 4 - 5:00pm
Even here, in the mountains, the forest and the fog are inescapable. Ahead, the dirt road splits in two, widening toward the east. There you see patches of cobblestone, suggesting that the eastern branch was once an important thoroughfare.
Parked at the fork in the road, pointed east, is a large black carriage drawn by two black horses. The horses snort puffs of steamy breath into the chill mountain air.
