Regmiir grew worried at the proclimation from the guard, and it seems Sezsu shared this sentiment. This was odd, he thought, as not even some of the more larger cosmopolitan cities along the Sword's Coast issue such warnings at their thresholds. He joins in Sezsu's questioning, "If yeh can give us a proper 'andout or listing of t'code for Vallaki, we'd kindly appreciate it."
He presses further with some additional questions and motions towards Ed, "If we 'appen to just be on our way once we finish t'business we mentioned, can yeh tell us of any laws preventing us from doing so?" He pauses, "And what of this Festival, eh? Can yeh tell us more?"
"Erm..." Sezsu starts as his brow furrows and a thoughtful frown creases his youthful face. "I assume those aren't the only laws of Vallaki. Is everything else pretty straightforward? You know... 'Don't kill, don't steal, don't bear false witness, don't covet your neighbor's wife, etc.'? Or are there other things we should be aware of so as to avoid missteps?"
"Oh ho, yes! Ivan is getting to that," says the other guard, gesturing to "Ivan" importantly.
Ivan continues. "Vallaki supports its citizen's rights to bear arms, due to great dangers posed by wilderness and Devil. Vallakians are therefore allowed to possess weapons registered with town guard... This is us... Anyone wishing to hold weapon must register weapon. Including wolf hunters! Please present weapons now."
Regmiir grew worried at the proclimation from the guard, and it seems Sezsu shared this sentiment. This was odd, he thought, as not even some of the more larger cosmopolitan cities along the Sword's Coast issue such warnings at their thresholds. He joins in Sezsu's questioning, "If yeh can give us a proper 'andout or listing of t'code for Vallaki, we'd kindly appreciate it."
He presses further with some additional questions and motions towards Ed, "If we 'appen to just be on our way once we finish t'business we mentioned, can yeh tell us of any laws preventing us from doing so?" He pauses, "And what of this Festival, eh? Can yeh tell us more?"
"Peaceful travel is not prohibited. You are free to leave. Festival of Blazing Sun will be celebration when sun is revealed." The guard points up to the overcast sky and smiles. "All will be well."
Ed perks up immeasurably at the mention of this festival, "You mean, the sun actually pierces this darned fog at some point? Oh wonders, that is something we absolutely must partake in. This land is far too dreary for me, and a good burst of warming light would do wonders for our spirits."
Alessandra silently and obediently presented her crossbow. Not that she was going to use it, but the law is the law. "Could you please point us to the church? We would like to visit the holy place first." At least that was her goal that she explained previously - if anyone around here knew anything about orphans (and parents selling their kids, as well as any other news in the town), that had to be the church.
Regmiir grimmaces at the vague detail left by the guard. He nods in approval to Alessa's query and shuffles the warhammer out from the loop on his belt. He holds it up under the head and averts his gaze towards the guards, trying to remain as inconspicious as he can. "One 'ammer." he declares.
Ed taps the hilt of his longsword with his shield. "One sword, one shield. The land has unfortunately not yet seen fit to grace us with friendly merchants that would sell their wares at prices the common man can afford."
Alessandra silently and obediently presented her crossbow. Not that she was going to use it, but the law is the law. "Could you please point us to the church? We would like to visit the holy place first." At least that was her goal that she explained previously - if anyone around here knew anything about orphans (and parents selling their kids, as well as any other news in the town), that had to be the church.
"Yes, church is other side of town, near Sunset Gate. This is Morning Gate."
The guards make a record of your names, appearance, and registered weapons. "Vallaki is strict place," they warn. "Violence. Killing. These things are taken very seriously. Punishable by imprisonment and even death. Visitors are wise to be on best behavior, hmm? But, for nice visitors, is good place. We have church. We have inn. Welcome!"
Once inside, you find the streets are teeming with people and there's the obvious sign of life everywhere. The volume of people in this area is actually a bit shocking compared to what you've seen in the Village of Barovia. The atmosphere is almost jovial. People wear smiles and greet each other with enthusiastic Good Evening's and Goodnight's.
The shops and homes that enclose the town square are decorated with limp, tattered garlands and painted wooden boxes filled with tiny, dead flowers.
A large wooden platform, about four feet tall, dominates the center of the square. This square stage features several stocks, lined up around the edges and facing outward towards the rest of the town square. Locked in these stocks are several men, women, and children wearing crude, plaster donkey heads. In the center of this platform is an empty gallows, a trio of nooses hanging ready and waiting.
Off center of the square, peasants in patchwork clothes eye you suspiciously as they use cups and vases to draw water from a crumbling stone fountain. Standing tall at the center of the fountain is a gray statue of an impressive man facing west. All around the square are posted proclamations:
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Zied lingers on the "children required" line, and glances around and ponders. Has anyone been unduely noticing these kids? or do they think they're one of ours? glancing at his cohorts. "They call out 'children' specifically. Given the proximity to the mill. I'm not fond of that." talking to the children for a moment. "Have either of you two heard much about this town before? Or this celebration?"
20 perc +2 or insight +0. Trying to gauge if folks are interested in kids (wow cannot think of a better phrasing), or if there just plain haven't had many kids around as we traveled.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Alessandra was also looking around with an expression closer to concern than relief. "They are smiling," she sent yet another smile to yet another overly happy citizen and wish him a good evening, "but I have a feeling of an inescapable official social gathering, if less classy." She could be wrong, of course. After days of the grimmest imaginable surroundings, any smile could look unnatural. (Insight for the sincerity of the people's happiness: 18)
"And what's with the stocks? Even if the city has so many criminals, that combined indiscriminative punishment - are some of them children?! - does not look like a sign of a happy city. Please, let us go to the church first!"
She kept smiling but kept closer to "their" children. The nagging feeling that they walked into a worse trap than the mill kept growing.
Regmiir couldn't help but shake the unsettling feeling he had as they entered Vallaki, though he put on a brave expression for the kids. He pulled the cart along with the kids, its left wheel squeaking as it clopped over the cobblestone roads. As Zied and Alessa shared a moment, Reg found this to be a good opportunity to address the young ones. He stopped the cart and looked back to Freek and Myrtle. "Yeh both 'eard the gentlemen as we entered, eh? I expect both of yeh to be on yer best behavior now. None of t'fooling or t'fawdling around until we can 'ave a go at figuring out what's all about this place."
Seeing their sullen expressions, Regmiir leaned in close with a grin. He whispered to the kids:
"And besides, if yeh can't behave yerselves, then I might 'ave to let t'holy boys look after yeh two,"He motioned his head towards Ed and Sezsu. Freek covered his mouth in shock, but Myrtle, with the wisdom afforded by her preteen years, could see through Regmiir's playful bluff. She played along as he continued, "And we both know that t'two of them wouldn't be 'alf as fun as ol' Zied and myself 'ave been, eh?" He shared a grin with Myrtle and rested a calloused hand on Freek to assuage his concerns.
He picked up the conversation as Alessa left it, "Agreed m'lady. We should make 'aste to t'church and see if they can 'elp us learn more about t'town or its... traditions"
"Nonsense! You're all overreacting," Sezsu says pleasantly as they walk through the square. "This is probably part of the ramp up for the festival. I bet they take turns in the stocks, wearing the goofy donkey heads, to help everyone get into the spirit. It's probably a tradition to ward off evil or something. Why else would they have children up there?"
He smiles and waves to the onlooking locals as they pass.
"Let's get to the church. I'm sure the local clergy will be more forthcoming with information..." he trails off for a moment. "Oh and then there's that whole thing with the crazy toymaker and his monkey!"
Freek and Myrtle giggle with Regmiir before give Zied a perplexed expression and shrug. “We only know about our home, Barovia.”
Zied notices that there are, in fact, children present about the town. In fact, there are a couple locked in the stockades!
When Alessa attempts to greet a villager, their smile falters and they hurry on their way, as though hesitant to speak to strangers.
Another shoots Sezsu a dirty look when he waves.
The group is able to locate the church without difficult, owing to its obvious architectural features.
The slouching, centuries-old stone church has a bulging steeple in the back and walls lined with cracked, stained glass windows depicting pious saints. A fence of wrought iron encloses a garden of gravestones next to the church. A thin mist creeps among the graves.
The door is unlocked. You find the interior to be similar to the church in Barovia, albeit in a more ordered state. In fact, an old priest is busy sweeping the altar floor as you enter. He turns. "Greetings. Blessings of the Morning to you. Are you visitors to town? Have you come for confession?"
The silence was getting too long and Alessa finally broke it with a bit of blunt but hopefully forgiven (consider the circumstances) answer. "We are travellers, reverend father. Lost in these lands and unfamiliar ... traditions people of these lands have. My name is Alessandra, and these are Edlanar, the chosen of the Morning Lord, Sezsu, Zied and Regmiir." (At the moment it looked like mentioning Ed's devotion was worth it) "And these kids - Freek and Myrtle - are the unfortunate victims of one of the ... tradition we came across. Plainly speaking, they were about to be eaten up. We hoped that the church can be a safe place for the kids, while we could get some explanation of the rules and ... well... traditions we are still unfamiliar with. In a way, we came for guidance." She mastered a polite smile looking at the priest expectantly.
Regmiir clears his throat and speaks in a serious tone, "M'lady speaks t'truth 'ere, Father." He thought quickly of the strange turn of events since his arrival in Barovia and, more importantly, what still needed to happen in order to secure their escape. After a moment, Reg continued his corroboration with Alessa's statements, speaking in a muttered breath so as to avoid scaring the Myrtle and Freek, "T'path we likely will be walking ain't no place for these 'ere children. T'young'uns are in need of sanctuary if yer willing to 'elp. We don't bear no 'arm or ill will, but our travels 'ave proved there to be lack of good-hearted folk in t'land. We were 'oping you'd prove this wrong, eh?"
After speaking, Regmiir steps back and places a firm hand on both shoulders of Freek and Myrtle. He locks eyes with the priest and stands firm, hoping his overt confidence keeps the two children calm during this exchange.
Zied allows them to talk, still pondering the town's laws and proprietorship given that they locked children in stockades and apparently have what sounds to be an extreme. As they chat with the priest, Zied will walk around and explore the church lightly, refraining from areas if anyone states otherwise. Trying to take in the area. How well kept is it, how much damage is in the area. Are there signs of the kind of undeath that frequents these lands. Or perhaps scuff marks on wood, heavy locks on doors.
Giving a brief look into Alessa's eyes he leaves his kinder cohorts to examine the priest as he examines the enviroment.
16 +2 if perception, but I think investigation makes more sense as he is amble wandering and observing rather than taking in a quick look. In which +5.
Sezsu briefly genuflects at the entrance of the chapel and offers the priest a warm smile.
"Good evening, father. We aren't lacking for sacrament in our travels but thank you kindly for the offer. As my companions say, we've just arrived to Vallaki and, at the moment at least, our two most pressing concerns are seeing that these children are well cared for and safe as well as familiarizing ourselves with the local customs and expectations that will be placed upon us as visitors in a foreign land."
His eyes briefly flit to Zied wandering around, devoid of decorum, before continuing.
"We managed to make it to town before nightfall but now find ourselves in need of shelter for the night. Might we impose upon your hospitality for a place to stay tonight so that we can better gain our bearings at first light?"
"Ahhh. Welcome to Saint Andral's Church. I am Father Petrovich." He claps his hands and a moment later a young boy appears from behind a curtain. "And this is Yeska, my assistant. Children, you say? No parents? There is orphanage next door, also named for Saint Andral. Headmistress Belasco will likely accept new wards. You are welcome to stay through the night here, but there will be many others. Darkness approaches, and so will the many villagers who spend their night here for protection. For this church is hallowed ground." Father Petrovich hesitates, glancing at Yeska meaningfully. The boy averts his eyes and busies himself with dusting the podium. "Otherwise," Father Petrovich continues, "you may visit Blue Water Inn."
You notice several villagers beginning to gather at the doors.
Insight DC 10:
Father Petrovich looks uneasy, as though caught in a lie.
"Your hospitality and candor are most appreciated. Let us confer whether this would be the preferable setup for our night's rest or if we should, as you say, visit the inn."
Turning to the rest of the group, Sezsu raises an eyebrow and quietly asks, "Any objection to sleeping in a crowded church or would we prefer the privacy of an inn?"
Regmiir grew worried at the proclimation from the guard, and it seems Sezsu shared this sentiment. This was odd, he thought, as not even some of the more larger cosmopolitan cities along the Sword's Coast issue such warnings at their thresholds. He joins in Sezsu's questioning, "If yeh can give us a proper 'andout or listing of t'code for Vallaki, we'd kindly appreciate it."
He presses further with some additional questions and motions towards Ed, "If we 'appen to just be on our way once we finish t'business we mentioned, can yeh tell us of any laws preventing us from doing so?" He pauses, "And what of this Festival, eh? Can yeh tell us more?"
"Oh ho, yes! Ivan is getting to that," says the other guard, gesturing to "Ivan" importantly.
Ivan continues. "Vallaki supports its citizen's rights to bear arms, due to great dangers posed by wilderness and Devil. Vallakians are therefore allowed to possess weapons registered with town guard... This is us... Anyone wishing to hold weapon must register weapon. Including wolf hunters! Please present weapons now."
"Peaceful travel is not prohibited. You are free to leave. Festival of Blazing Sun will be celebration when sun is revealed." The guard points up to the overcast sky and smiles. "All will be well."
Ed perks up immeasurably at the mention of this festival, "You mean, the sun actually pierces this darned fog at some point? Oh wonders, that is something we absolutely must partake in. This land is far too dreary for me, and a good burst of warming light would do wonders for our spirits."
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
Alessandra silently and obediently presented her crossbow. Not that she was going to use it, but the law is the law. "Could you please point us to the church? We would like to visit the holy place first." At least that was her goal that she explained previously - if anyone around here knew anything about orphans (and parents selling their kids, as well as any other news in the town), that had to be the church.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Sezsu smiles and presents his shortsword for inspection/registration.
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Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Regmiir grimmaces at the vague detail left by the guard. He nods in approval to Alessa's query and shuffles the warhammer out from the loop on his belt. He holds it up under the head and averts his gaze towards the guards, trying to remain as inconspicious as he can. "One 'ammer." he declares.
Ed taps the hilt of his longsword with his shield. "One sword, one shield. The land has unfortunately not yet seen fit to grace us with friendly merchants that would sell their wares at prices the common man can afford."
Bring out your inner chatacter class...
"Yes, church is other side of town, near Sunset Gate. This is Morning Gate."
The guards make a record of your names, appearance, and registered weapons. "Vallaki is strict place," they warn. "Violence. Killing. These things are taken very seriously. Punishable by imprisonment and even death. Visitors are wise to be on best behavior, hmm? But, for nice visitors, is good place. We have church. We have inn. Welcome!"
Once inside, you find the streets are teeming with people and there's the obvious sign of life everywhere. The volume of people in this area is actually a bit shocking compared to what you've seen in the Village of Barovia. The atmosphere is almost jovial. People wear smiles and greet each other with enthusiastic Good Evening's and Goodnight's.
The shops and homes that enclose the town square are decorated with limp, tattered garlands and painted wooden boxes filled with tiny, dead flowers.
A large wooden platform, about four feet tall, dominates the center of the square. This square stage features several stocks, lined up around the edges and facing outward towards the rest of the town square. Locked in these stocks are several men, women, and children wearing crude, plaster donkey heads. In the center of this platform is an empty gallows, a trio of nooses hanging ready and waiting.
Off center of the square, peasants in patchwork clothes eye you suspiciously as they use cups and vases to draw water from a crumbling stone fountain. Standing tall at the center of the fountain is a gray statue of an impressive man facing west. All around the square are posted proclamations:
Come one, come all,
to the greatest celebration of the year:
THE WOLF’S HEAD JAMBOREE!
Attendance and children required.
Pikes will be provided.
ALL WILL BE WELL!
—The Baron—
Zied lingers on the "children required" line, and glances around and ponders. Has anyone been unduely noticing these kids? or do they think they're one of ours? glancing at his cohorts. "They call out 'children' specifically. Given the proximity to the mill. I'm not fond of that." talking to the children for a moment. "Have either of you two heard much about this town before? Or this celebration?"
20 perc +2 or insight +0. Trying to gauge if folks are interested in kids (wow cannot think of a better phrasing), or if there just plain haven't had many kids around as we traveled.
Alessandra was also looking around with an expression closer to concern than relief. "They are smiling," she sent yet another smile to yet another overly happy citizen and wish him a good evening, "but I have a feeling of an inescapable official social gathering, if less classy." She could be wrong, of course. After days of the grimmest imaginable surroundings, any smile could look unnatural. (Insight for the sincerity of the people's happiness: 18)
"And what's with the stocks? Even if the city has so many criminals, that combined indiscriminative punishment - are some of them children?! - does not look like a sign of a happy city. Please, let us go to the church first!"
She kept smiling but kept closer to "their" children. The nagging feeling that they walked into a worse trap than the mill kept growing.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Regmiir couldn't help but shake the unsettling feeling he had as they entered Vallaki, though he put on a brave expression for the kids. He pulled the cart along with the kids, its left wheel squeaking as it clopped over the cobblestone roads. As Zied and Alessa shared a moment, Reg found this to be a good opportunity to address the young ones. He stopped the cart and looked back to Freek and Myrtle. "Yeh both 'eard the gentlemen as we entered, eh? I expect both of yeh to be on yer best behavior now. None of t'fooling or t'fawdling around until we can 'ave a go at figuring out what's all about this place."
Seeing their sullen expressions, Regmiir leaned in close with a grin. He whispered to the kids:
"And besides, if yeh can't behave yerselves, then I might 'ave to let t'holy boys look after yeh two," He motioned his head towards Ed and Sezsu. Freek covered his mouth in shock, but Myrtle, with the wisdom afforded by her preteen years, could see through Regmiir's playful bluff. She played along as he continued, "And we both know that t'two of them wouldn't be 'alf as fun as ol' Zied and myself 'ave been, eh?" He shared a grin with Myrtle and rested a calloused hand on Freek to assuage his concerns.
He picked up the conversation as Alessa left it, "Agreed m'lady. We should make 'aste to t'church and see if they can 'elp us learn more about t'town or its... traditions"
"Nonsense! You're all overreacting," Sezsu says pleasantly as they walk through the square. "This is probably part of the ramp up for the festival. I bet they take turns in the stocks, wearing the goofy donkey heads, to help everyone get into the spirit. It's probably a tradition to ward off evil or something. Why else would they have children up there?"
He smiles and waves to the onlooking locals as they pass.
"Let's get to the church. I'm sure the local clergy will be more forthcoming with information..." he trails off for a moment. "Oh and then there's that whole thing with the crazy toymaker and his monkey!"
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Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
Freek and Myrtle giggle with Regmiir before give Zied a perplexed expression and shrug. “We only know about our home, Barovia.”
Zied notices that there are, in fact, children present about the town. In fact, there are a couple locked in the stockades!
When Alessa attempts to greet a villager, their smile falters and they hurry on their way, as though hesitant to speak to strangers.
Another shoots Sezsu a dirty look when he waves.
The group is able to locate the church without difficult, owing to its obvious architectural features.
The slouching, centuries-old stone church has a bulging steeple in the back and walls lined with cracked, stained glass windows depicting pious saints. A fence of wrought iron encloses a garden of gravestones next to the church. A thin mist creeps among the graves.
The door is unlocked. You find the interior to be similar to the church in Barovia, albeit in a more ordered state. In fact, an old priest is busy sweeping the altar floor as you enter. He turns. "Greetings. Blessings of the Morning to you. Are you visitors to town? Have you come for confession?"
The silence was getting too long and Alessa finally broke it with a bit of blunt but hopefully forgiven (consider the circumstances) answer. "We are travellers, reverend father. Lost in these lands and unfamiliar ... traditions people of these lands have. My name is Alessandra, and these are Edlanar, the chosen of the Morning Lord, Sezsu, Zied and Regmiir." (At the moment it looked like mentioning Ed's devotion was worth it) "And these kids - Freek and Myrtle - are the unfortunate victims of one of the ... tradition we came across. Plainly speaking, they were about to be eaten up. We hoped that the church can be a safe place for the kids, while we could get some explanation of the rules and ... well... traditions we are still unfamiliar with. In a way, we came for guidance." She mastered a polite smile looking at the priest expectantly.
Meili Liang Lvl 5 Monk
Dice
Regmiir clears his throat and speaks in a serious tone, "M'lady speaks t'truth 'ere, Father." He thought quickly of the strange turn of events since his arrival in Barovia and, more importantly, what still needed to happen in order to secure their escape. After a moment, Reg continued his corroboration with Alessa's statements, speaking in a muttered breath so as to avoid scaring the Myrtle and Freek, "T'path we likely will be walking ain't no place for these 'ere children. T'young'uns are in need of sanctuary if yer willing to 'elp. We don't bear no 'arm or ill will, but our travels 'ave proved there to be lack of good-hearted folk in t'land. We were 'oping you'd prove this wrong, eh?"
After speaking, Regmiir steps back and places a firm hand on both shoulders of Freek and Myrtle. He locks eyes with the priest and stands firm, hoping his overt confidence keeps the two children calm during this exchange.
Zied allows them to talk, still pondering the town's laws and proprietorship given that they locked children in stockades and apparently have what sounds to be an extreme. As they chat with the priest, Zied will walk around and explore the church lightly, refraining from areas if anyone states otherwise. Trying to take in the area. How well kept is it, how much damage is in the area. Are there signs of the kind of undeath that frequents these lands. Or perhaps scuff marks on wood, heavy locks on doors.
Giving a brief look into Alessa's eyes he leaves his kinder cohorts to examine the priest as he examines the enviroment.
16 +2 if perception, but I think investigation makes more sense as he is amble wandering and observing rather than taking in a quick look. In which +5.
Sezsu briefly genuflects at the entrance of the chapel and offers the priest a warm smile.
"Good evening, father. We aren't lacking for sacrament in our travels but thank you kindly for the offer. As my companions say, we've just arrived to Vallaki and, at the moment at least, our two most pressing concerns are seeing that these children are well cared for and safe as well as familiarizing ourselves with the local customs and expectations that will be placed upon us as visitors in a foreign land."
His eyes briefly flit to Zied wandering around, devoid of decorum, before continuing.
"We managed to make it to town before nightfall but now find ourselves in need of shelter for the night. Might we impose upon your hospitality for a place to stay tonight so that we can better gain our bearings at first light?"
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Neria Tallfellow (Halfling Rogue) - Curse of the Crimson Throne with Ashen_Age
"Ahhh. Welcome to Saint Andral's Church. I am Father Petrovich." He claps his hands and a moment later a young boy appears from behind a curtain. "And this is Yeska, my assistant. Children, you say? No parents? There is orphanage next door, also named for Saint Andral. Headmistress Belasco will likely accept new wards. You are welcome to stay through the night here, but there will be many others. Darkness approaches, and so will the many villagers who spend their night here for protection. For this church is hallowed ground." Father Petrovich hesitates, glancing at Yeska meaningfully. The boy averts his eyes and busies himself with dusting the podium. "Otherwise," Father Petrovich continues, "you may visit Blue Water Inn."
You notice several villagers beginning to gather at the doors.
Insight DC 10:
Father Petrovich looks uneasy, as though caught in a lie.
Insight: 9
"Your hospitality and candor are most appreciated. Let us confer whether this would be the preferable setup for our night's rest or if we should, as you say, visit the inn."
Turning to the rest of the group, Sezsu raises an eyebrow and quietly asks, "Any objection to sleeping in a crowded church or would we prefer the privacy of an inn?"
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With a whisper, he leans in.
"I immediately feel uneasy with this one. He's hiding something. Perhaps the inn is the better option."
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