Ubly has been watching the scene unfold with interest, but as this figure rides away he moves up and asks the others, "Did we want to offer our assistance with their task? I do not recall what this Argynvostholt was, to be honest, but perhaps if we help them, they would help us..."

"Never heard of it," Bral replies. He then nods in the general direction that Lord Soth left in. "However, if he wanted our help in claiming Argynvostholt, he would've asked. I doubt that he would need it though, we would just get in the way. The best way for us to help him would be to be better prepared for the fight against Strahd."

Quote from Al_the_bard >>

 

 (If we were at G, was this dotted line different? Did we notice a different road or something if/when we got to the normal line? Or have we just been carrying on?

Assuming we're still on the/a road, I think we just carry on like we had been towards the lake/river.)

Ubly nods, their brow furrowed in thought, "You are probably right." 

Bral with that 23 you don't see or hear anything else. 

Amelia vanishes her blades. “I agree. Strahd needs to be our priority.”

Baudric watches as the man leaves, then returns to the others, "Our goals may align, but I think the most we can hope for from him is a distraction. With any luck, Strahd will be focused on him and give us time to prepare to destroy him ourselves."

Now that you're at the crossroads, where would you like to go?

Ubly looks at the crossroads and then turns to the others and asks, "Shall we head this direction?" Pointing towards the path that leads to the northwest.

Estelle is pensive as the wagon rumbles along. Frustrated, even, at being torn from her home and distracted from her goals. But when she sees the river, her spirits lift a little, as a creeping feeling of certainty settles over her. She's meant to be here. Somehow her fate, and her brother's, are entwined with this dreary land.

"I'd like to know more about this Strahd. It appears he has many enemies." Estelle thinks back to her studies which, admittedly, were focused on stars and maps and navigation. Did she ever hear even a whisper of Strahd? History: 21

(I know we're headed to the monastery for the ally, but I don't remember establishing where the monastery was. And I'm confused which intersection we're at.)

Estelle you really can't recall any information about Strahd. The vampire aspect sounds similar to the Baron of Blood in Waterdeep, but that's really it. 

If you're looking to go to the Abbey of St. Makovia, you'd want to go West. It's the S on the map. 

(No we're not going straight to the Abbey, we're going to Luna River to points Q & U because there's two things there and they're closer.)

Bral turns to Thorn and Rose, "Which way is the most direct route to Luna River? You two probably know the land better than we do. However, if continuing along the road is safer and less conspicuous then that should be our priority."

Bral then turns to the others, "Remember what Madam Eva said? There's a holy symbol by a great stone dragon that we need. Plus the drowned village contains knowledge of the ancient. She mentioned that they were both by Lunar River, when we get there we will have to search of course to find what it is that we seek.

After that, then I suggest that we go to the abbey which was far to the west. I can't remember where else we need to go."

"The road is always safer when traveling in Barovia," Rose says in a dry voice. 

"Yes, we should definitely stay on the roads. If you are wanting to head west, we can go to the northwest or to the southwest. I believe the area you wanted to go was a bit more northern, unless I'm mistaken." Ubly responds to Bral.

Baudric shakes his head, "I thought the plan was to get the ally who would aid us first, then seek out the other items, and the ally is at the monastery to the west."

"Yes," Bral replies to Baudric. "But that was before we realised that these items were so close. We will be passing their location on the way to the monastery might as well go and get them on the way."

Baudric shrugs, "I still think we should seek out the ally first, we could probably use the local knowledge to help us identify where to even look for the other items. But I'll go with the rest of the group. Do the rest of you want to get the two things or the ally first?"

"Well, the monastery does seem quite far away. So it is likely we might encounter other things along the way. While I agree that it should be a priority, I think if we do run into things that seem like these other clues we were given, we should investigate them. But again, for now our question is if we want to head on the northwest or southwest road, since we are decidedly heading that direction."  Ubly adds while looking at the others. 

"Well," Bral turns to Rose and Thorn. "You two should know the best route? We're not exactly from around here, we all came through the Shroud... I mean mists."

Rose nods. "Directly South are the Ruins of Berez. We could travel that way though it's off the road. Argynvostholt is to the Southwest and is closer. If we want to meet our ally, we go west to Kresk. It sounds like you want to go to Argynvostholt?"