"I..." she wants to say that she's okay, but it's obvious she's not. She sighs and tries again.
"I made my pact to help people," Chara says at last. "I wanted to heal those who were sick and hurting. I can deal with killing dangerous animals, or putting undead to rest... but... killing a human being... I... I know we had to do it... but... it feels so wrong..."
She gently reaches out to Lucian, putting a hand on his, as if looking for anything solid to hold onto as she sorts out the turbulent emotions running through her heart.
When Eithne tells her not to think about it too much, Chara nods along and does her best to take the savage woman's words to heart.
"Th-thanks," the she-devil says. "I... know that we did what we had to..."
She trails off, not able to say much more at the moment. She feels completely mentally worn out.
Bran sits and lets out a tired sigh. He observes for a while how Chara and Lucian talking about how they feel after the fight. How Eithne joins them to share some good insights with which he agrees completely. How she, along with Nikolai and Cole keep watch while Lenn tends to his wounds. He doesn't join neither of them and chooses to take his lute instead and plays a few random chords justo to distract himself, initially. But as his hands move deftly over the strings and the conversation finishes, he thinks about going farther and adding his voice to the sound of the instrument. A song may lift his friends' spirits, or at least, help them forget the fight for a while.
This time he doesn't choose one of his own songs, but a well known tune in Barovia. At least, he's heard it many times during his life so he assumes that the party knows it, too. He's often wondered about the bard that composed this specific song. Bran is completely sure that it was written by a very short person. A halfling, probably? He's never actually met anyone from that race, and while he plays and sings he lets his mind imagine how the song could have been transmited from such a person from a far away land to end up being played in this woods in the middle of Wolfrun:
"The sun is fast fallin' beneath trees of stone The light in the tower, no longer my home Past eyes of pale fire, black sand for my bed I trade all I've known for the unknown ahead
Call to me, call to me lands far away For I must now wander this wandering day Away I must wander this wandering day
Of drink I have little, and food I have less My strength tells me "No", but the path demands "Yes" My legs are so short and the way is so long I've no rest nor comfort, no comfort but song
Sing to me, sing to me lands far away Oh, rise up and guide me this wandering day Please, promise to find me this wandering day
At last comes their answer through cold and through frost That not all who wonder or wander are lost No matter the sorrow, no matter the cost That not all who wonder or wander are lost..."
Song of Rest If you or any friendly creatures who can hear your performance regain hit points at the end of the short rest by spending one or more Hit Dice, each of those creatures regains an extra 1d6 hit points.
(Bran will use one hit die to be at full hp.)
Song: "This Wandering Day" by Bear McCreary, from "The Rings of Power". (Yeah! Not a videogame this time!)
When the bard finishes singing, he remembers that he's promised Lucian to teach him and realizes that he's really excited about the idea. He'll need to think how to actually do that, as he's never really taught music before. Surely, he helped Cassandra play a little with his lute, but that was more a game than actual teaching. Bran smiled softly remembering the little one sitting on his lap while he helped move her tiny hands along the strings, as her mamma watched them with a warm smile on her face. He let out a deep sigh... Yes, he needed to prepare if he actually wanted to teach the young man properly. Perhaps they could begin in the next longer rest?
As he's thinking this, he catches Eithne's glance at him. He tilts his head a little, but ends up diverting his gaze. Bran's getting surer that there's something there ... something he really doesn't know how to handle. For all his varied knowledge, he's at a loss at this specific point. Sould he say something? Should he put some space? Should he be less ... himself? That doesn't seem right, but then again...
He sighs once more. Funny to have sang a song aimed for listeners to not feel so lost, but find himself precisely like that.
(OOC: @Painted, if you don't want that glance to be perceived by him, we can leave it to a roll vs passive Insight or something like that and then I'll edit that part)
The party has a short rest (right? and for how long?) to recover a bit after the fight with the beserkers. Ichabodis sent ahead to scout out the winery. When he returns, he stands in the middle of the party, again attempting dignity in his new appearance, and says, "I found the winery. It appears to be filled with dirty humans and plant creatures. There are also several ravens. Outside the winery, in a group of nearby trees, there is a party of humans, including three children. They appear to be looking for a way to get into the winery. There are also several ravens there." He says it is roughly an hour's journey along the road to the south. He then bows, flies up to Chara's shoulder, and disappears.
Once you are ready, you begin to make your way along the southern road. After a half mile, the road becomes a muddy trail that meanders through the woods, descending gradually until the trees part, revealing a mist-shrouded meadow. The trail splits. One branch heads west into the valley, and the other leads south into dark woods. A wooden signpost at the intersection points west and reads, “Vineyard.”
As you head west, a light drizzle begins to fall. Unpainted fences blindly follow the trail, which skirts north of a sprawling vineyard before bending south toward a stately building. The fog takes on ghostly forms as it swirls between the neatly tended rows of grapevines. Here and there, you see rope-handled half-barrels used for hauling grapes. North of the trail is a large stand of trees. A man wearing a dark cloak and cowl stands at the edge of the trees, beckoning you.
Chara swallows nervously. She doesn't want to fight, and probably kill, more people... maybe they can be convinced to leave the winery in peace? Somehow, she doubts she'll be that lucky.
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Bran's voice and notes soothe the last of the dusk elf maidens a lot, during her watch, to the point that she is repeatedly tempted to turn around again, for a moment, to look at that bard capable of arousing so many positive emotions... Barovia needs people like him!
But the savage stranger forces himself to focus on her task, thinking, 'We're just fellow travelers... At best, fellow adventurers. I'm helping him find his family... Not to...' 'Not to...?' the voices in her head intervene. 'Sure Eithne, just that... We know very well that you're not thinking of anything else...' 'Besides, it's so obvious: he will soon find his family, ready to welcome him with a big hug, announcing as if nothing had happened that dinner is ready and asking him why it took so long...' 'He may not be exactly like me!' argues internally the last of the dusk elf maidens 'Your fate has made you bitter and cynical, but he is different from me! He remembers better... He rests easier... Maybe it hasn't been that long for him... Maybe... Maybe he has not lost everything. Maybe there's hope for him! For him to get back the life he had earned! And until I'm completely convinced otherwise...' '...will you give up hugging him?' the voices try to complete the phrase for her. '...will you lie to yourself and tell yourself that you don't care about him?' '...will you get yourself a blinder, so you don't risk to look at him?' 'Until I'm completely convinced otherwise,' the savage stranger grits her teeth a little, 'I won't listen to nonsensical voices taunting me in my head and will do my best to get him back what he deserves!'
When Chara's familiar finally returns: "Very well done, Ichabod" congratulates Eithne, before the angelic imp disappears, giving him an approving nod. "Your assistance has been invaluable".
To the companions: "From what our worthy scout discovered, it is clear that dirty humans and plant creatures must be responsible for the problems. They must have taken possession of the winery for their own purposes. Probably, the people outside, who, like our friend Urwin, understand it well with the crows, they'll be the rightful owners. And luckily they're alive! We should probably contact them first. They'll know what happened - and together we can figure out how best to act".
And so, when she sees a man wearing a dark cloak and cowl who is standing at the edge of the trees and is beckoning the party, the savage stranger approaches him... and when she is at such a distance that the man can hear her, she murmurs: "Urwin sent us, we are here to help you. Are you the owners of the winery, right? What happened?"
Lucian nods slowly, and feels a little heat go to his face when Chara puts her hand on his. Forcing that initial feeling of awkwardness away, he turns his hand over to hold hers, giving it a small squeeze hoping to lend whatever support she is looking for. He doesn’t really know what to say, so Eithne’s words are welcome. He nods again as she speaks, and gives Chara a hesitant glance before saying, “I…don’t know anything about your Master, but I have a feeling he is just glad that you are alive. We’ll do what we have to do, and…we can all support each other through it…” He turns his head away a little, feeling awkward again as he realizes he doesn’t know what he’s saying. “We’ll…I… sorry, I don’t know what I’m saying anymore. I just…I know it feels wrong, and well… I don’t know, Eithne put it better then I can. This is all too new to me.”
He listens quietly as Ichabod gives his report, silently dreading the potential of another fight. It was foolish, he realized, there would always be another fight so long as they wanted to continue fighting for Borovia. That was what he signed up for so he should expect it by now. Yet, things were slowly becoming a bit to real to him. He isn’t questioning his choice, but…he’ll have to strengthen his resolve.
He stays close to Chara as they make their way to the winery, realizing that she’s probably agonizing over the possible fight as well. He doesn’t say much, fearing that he might just worsen the situation with his own worry. When the hooded figure beckons them, he immediately goes on high alert. Sure, this could be the person they are meant to help…but what if it is another trap? He decides to let Eithne and the others handle it, as usual, and he stays at the back trying to be ready for anything.
(OOC: Answering Lorenzo's question, I guess we have rested for like an hour? That's the standard short rest duration, right?)
Bran listens to Ichabod's report and sighs:
- There goes our hope that those two savages were the ones that prevented the wine from reaching Urwin ... I do have a question, though: what's so important about the ravens for you to be so specific about their location? - he looks at Ichabod first and then at the party - You've been on this quest for longer than me and perhaps you understand some underlying message that I'm not really getting. Why are ravens so important?
When Eithne mentions that Urwin "understands" those birds he adds:
- What? Urwin has some understanding with ravens? Oh. I didn't know that. So he's able to control them somehow?Interesting - that did answer the question the bard had asked himself hours before about how Urwin was going to check on the hags of Old Bonegrinder.
When the hooded figure appears, he approaches and just waits to see his or her reaction to what Eithne has said. Also, he wonders if they'll be able to free the winery without needing to fight. That short rest the group had been good, but in his case, it didn't help him recover the magic he used in the fight against the barbarians, and this could be troublesome in the upcoming hours.
...When Eithne mentions that Urwin "understands" those birds he adds:
- What? Urwin has some understanding with ravens? Oh. I didn't know that. So he's able to control them somehow?Interesting - that did answer the question the bard had asked himself hours before about how Urwin was going to check on the hags of Old Bonegrinder.
...
"it was a raven," Eithne replies "who directed us to the grave where there was the book we recovered when we met you. And as for Urwin... when I had to leave Juhowly at the inn, he was kind enough to assure me she 'would be protected' and with that ravens entered the room, without he needing whistling for them or something, as if to keep watch on her... When I tried to ask Urwin about his familiarity with ravens (I wanted to understand if he might know anything about that first raven who had pointed us to the book) he did not answer me. Perhaps this familiarity with ravens is a dowry (and a secret) of the family".
As you approach the man in the cloak and mention Urwin's name, you see him smile for a moment and then make his face blank before turning around. "They have been sent to help from Vallaki," he calls back quietly. As he does, you see other figures emerging from the trees. All wear dark cloaks like the first. Some are obviously children, including a babe in arms.
"I am Adrian Martikov," says the man who beckoned you over, a human, possibly 50 years old, with dark hair and dark eyes, "You see here my father, Davian, my sister, Stefania, her husband, Dag Tomescu, their children, and my brother, Elvir. My father owns the Wizard of Wines winery and we all help run the business. Two days ago, these filthy druids overran our home and business. They are in there, poisoning our wine and spoiling our home and vineyard. We ask you to please help us recover our home. It may not be too late. But we must warn you; there are many of the mad druids in our home and even more of their wretched plant monsters. Clearing the house will be no easy task."
"Blasting some sense into some of those other druids sounds about as fun as dealing with plant monsters." Cole growls, sparks creeping down his sickle.
"Blasting some sense into some of those other druids sounds about as fun as dealing with plant monsters." Cole growls, sparks creeping down his sickle.
"Druids... Plant monsters..."Eithne wonders "Cole, do you know something about all this? Something like their powers, their weaknesses... why they should attack the winery... You... you are also a druid, aren't you?"
Bran nods and smiles as Adrian Martikov introduces his family and listens gravely to his report on the winery status. To be removed from their own house and have their precious wine spoiled this way, that was hard. Specially taking into account they even have kids and a baby with them.
- Might I ask, Master Martikov,have you had dealings with these druids before? This region is druid land, after all, if I'm not mistaken. So I imagine they have been your neighbours, of some sort, for years. Have you had problems with them in the past? Do you know could have led them to do this? I ask this because it would be good to know if they can be ... reasoned with? - at this point he, as Eithne, looks at Cole in search for his insight - What do you think, Cole?
Turning again at Adrian Martikov, the bard adds:
- You see, we've just had a tough fight on our way here, not but an hour ago. And I think it would be wise to explore a more peaceful solution this time. If possible. - he shares a hopeful glance with Chara. He's not sure that they will manage to get out of this without a fight, but they could certainly try.
Chara sees Bran's look, and does her best to look hopeful in turn.
But there's another thought nagging at the back of her mind. She remembers her patron's words, which leaves her with an uncomfortable feeling... maybe she's just being paranoid, but she's never known her master to be wrong before...
"Wasn't... wasn't Onika a druid?" Chara whispers to Lucian.
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
...- You see, we've just had a tough fight on our way here, not but an hour ago. And I think it would be wise to explore a more peaceful solution this time. If possible. - he shares a hopeful glance with Chara. He's not sure that they will manage to get out of this without a fight, but they could certainly try.
As Bran talks about dealing with the invaders, Eithne pales at the memory of the berserker's ax that nearly killed or maimed the bard: "You see, Bran..." she begins hesitantly - she doesn't want to look bloodthirsty and knows she's not the brightest mind of the bunch "You've got a good heart... probably no less than Chara's angel heart... But uh... did you just remember the poor troubled kids from before... those who have pulled out two greataxes bigger than themselves and they tried with those to tear us apart - almost succeeding, in yur case… I, even looking back now, can't see a single way we could have avoided… a violent solution".
With growing concern in her azure eyes, the savage stranger continues: "I'm afraid that if someone is going to talk to those people (and note that this 'someone' would probably end up being you or Chara)… those people will not prove much more reasonable than their two former friends. Why should they have left two henchmen on the road willing to kill anyone... if they were inclined to talk? I fear that they have already decided their path. And that their actions show very clearly what this path is. Going to talk to them, in my opinion, we would only get attacked".
"So, however... hard and ruthless my suggestion may sound..." the last of the dusk elf maidens becomes more and more hesitant "in my opinion, we should instead take advantage of the fact that they don't know we've arrived and organize a trap of some kind. I'm probably not the smartest among us, but well... you understand what I mean, don't you? You can work out the detail better than me... We have several possibilities... Adrian could know secondary accesses to the winery that the invaders don't know and maybe entering from there we could eliminate them a little at a time without being discovered.Or Cole, if he really was a druid - and if they don't know him - could pretend to be one of them, perhaps command some plant monsters by sending them away, perhaps attracting other druids, a few at a time, into an ambush... This is, at least, what my wild survival instinct tells me it should be our better course of action. Understanding" she looks him with absolute conviction in the eyes "that, if you all think wiser or smarter (or anyhow better) to do otherwise, I will still trust your judgement over mine any time".
“I am, or at least I was. Barbarism and the language of poison plants were the only languages we spoke, and my mind is either failing or healing itself from those times so things are a little foggy for me. It’s a mashup of fights with wildlife and other druids.”
Cole pauses and quietly lights something from his jacket, brings it up to his lips, and exhales quietly. “However, I do remember when all that chaos ended for me. My poisonous tendrils had found an uncorrupted valley at the base of Mount Bararok. Naturally I sank them into the nearest tree when suddenly it fought back. It fell on be and somehow got back up and fell on me again. I’m not sure how many times it happened but when I woke up a dryad was handing me Typhoon here, telling me to “cleanse what I once corrupted.”” He bends down, giving his porcupine a careful scratch. “So I picked him up and promptly burst into flames but when the smoke cleared and the pain subsided my mind was unfogged, my conscience craved justice, and my corrupt magic had been replaced with that of a wildfire. Nothing about those druids is greater than what will rise from their ashes.” Heat ripples off Cole before slowly simmering down to a small smolder.
The bard considers Eithne and Cole's words and rubs the back of his neck before he replies.
- Well, I had hoped that the people responsible for this mess could be different to those two from before, but it seems I'm sorely mistaken - he says to Eithne. Then he turns to Cole - I had always imagined druids to be respectful of nature and that they fought precisely to preserve it's balance, not to taint it. I guess I shouldn't be so suprised, since everything in this land of Barovia seems to be cursed some way or another, altered from the way it should really be. What you've described is terrible, Cole. But I'm glad to see that at least one druid has been freed from that taint - he nods to him, as a sign of respect for his new purpose.
- In any case, before we plan anything, I have more questions - he says looking again at Adrian - Do we know the invaders' numbers? Do they have any kind of leader they respond to?
Lucian listens with wide eyes as Adrian introduces his family. What drove those druids to take over the winery? It was horrible that this family had been forced from their home. They had children with them too. It was a blessing, he realized, that none of them had been hurt already.
When Chara whispers to him he hesitates before answering, "I...I think so." Again, he realizes how little he knew about Onika, but he does remember that she was a druid. He thinks he knows what Chara is thinking about, but he doesn't ask. Better to leave that alone for now. No use making things worse.
He listens intently as everyone discusses what the best course of action would be, and listens even more intently when Cole discloses his past. ...so that was why he was all covered in ashes all the time. But, there were still questions that this new information brought up. At first, Lucian wasn't sure he wanted to ask. After all, he still hasn't given up his own secret to the druid, so what right did he have to ask questions? Yet, there is one that he thinks he should ask for the sake of the 'tainted' druids they might--or will--end up fighting. "Uh...Cole? I...I know you mentioned that your memories were...foggy. But, do you remember how you were corrupted in the first place? Was it..." He hesitates, unsure if he should continue, but he decides to press on anyways. "Was it by choice? ...not...not that I really think it was...but... well... Or did something else happen to you? If the same thing happened to these druids... well I just want to make sure we don't go in there and..." He glances at Chara before continuing, "...and possibly kill people who have no control over their own actions. If they were corrupted against their will...shouldn't we try to help them?"
- If their corruption could be lifted, that would be the best possible outcome - the bard nodded at Lucian's idea - Perhaps something in that valley where Cole was freed could help with that?
Perception, if needed during the watch: 8
Chara sighs and looks at Lucian.
"I..." she wants to say that she's okay, but it's obvious she's not. She sighs and tries again.
"I made my pact to help people," Chara says at last. "I wanted to heal those who were sick and hurting. I can deal with killing dangerous animals, or putting undead to rest... but... killing a human being... I... I know we had to do it... but... it feels so wrong..."
She gently reaches out to Lucian, putting a hand on his, as if looking for anything solid to hold onto as she sorts out the turbulent emotions running through her heart.
When Eithne tells her not to think about it too much, Chara nods along and does her best to take the savage woman's words to heart.
"Th-thanks," the she-devil says. "I... know that we did what we had to..."
She trails off, not able to say much more at the moment. She feels completely mentally worn out.
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Bran sits and lets out a tired sigh. He observes for a while how Chara and Lucian talking about how they feel after the fight. How Eithne joins them to share some good insights with which he agrees completely. How she, along with Nikolai and Cole keep watch while Lenn tends to his wounds. He doesn't join neither of them and chooses to take his lute instead and plays a few random chords justo to distract himself, initially. But as his hands move deftly over the strings and the conversation finishes, he thinks about going farther and adding his voice to the sound of the instrument. A song may lift his friends' spirits, or at least, help them forget the fight for a while.
This time he doesn't choose one of his own songs, but a well known tune in Barovia. At least, he's heard it many times during his life so he assumes that the party knows it, too. He's often wondered about the bard that composed this specific song. Bran is completely sure that it was written by a very short person. A halfling, probably? He's never actually met anyone from that race, and while he plays and sings he lets his mind imagine how the song could have been transmited from such a person from a far away land to end up being played in this woods in the middle of Wolfrun:
"The sun is fast fallin' beneath trees of stone
The light in the tower, no longer my home
Past eyes of pale fire, black sand for my bed
I trade all I've known for the unknown ahead
Call to me, call to me lands far away
For I must now wander this wandering day
Away I must wander this wandering day
Of drink I have little, and food I have less
My strength tells me "No", but the path demands "Yes"
My legs are so short and the way is so long
I've no rest nor comfort, no comfort but song
Sing to me, sing to me lands far away
Oh, rise up and guide me this wandering day
Please, promise to find me this wandering day
At last comes their answer through cold and through frost
That not all who wonder or wander are lost
No matter the sorrow, no matter the cost
That not all who wonder or wander are lost..."
If you or any friendly creatures who can hear your performance regain hit points at the end of the short rest by spending one or more Hit Dice, each of those creatures regains an extra 1d6 hit points.
(Bran will use one hit die to be at full hp.)
Song: "This Wandering Day" by Bear McCreary, from "The Rings of Power". (Yeah! Not a videogame this time!)
When the bard finishes singing, he remembers that he's promised Lucian to teach him and realizes that he's really excited about the idea. He'll need to think how to actually do that, as he's never really taught music before. Surely, he helped Cassandra play a little with his lute, but that was more a game than actual teaching. Bran smiled softly remembering the little one sitting on his lap while he helped move her tiny hands along the strings, as her mamma watched them with a warm smile on her face. He let out a deep sigh... Yes, he needed to prepare if he actually wanted to teach the young man properly. Perhaps they could begin in the next longer rest?
As he's thinking this, he catches Eithne's glance at him. He tilts his head a little, but ends up diverting his gaze. Bran's getting surer that there's something there ... something he really doesn't know how to handle. For all his varied knowledge, he's at a loss at this specific point. Sould he say something? Should he put some space? Should he be less ... himself? That doesn't seem right, but then again...
He sighs once more. Funny to have sang a song aimed for listeners to not feel so lost, but find himself precisely like that.
(OOC: @Painted, if you don't want that glance to be perceived by him, we can leave it to a roll vs passive Insight or something like that and then I'll edit that part)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
The party has a short rest (right? and for how long?) to recover a bit after the fight with the beserkers. Ichabod is sent ahead to scout out the winery. When he returns, he stands in the middle of the party, again attempting dignity in his new appearance, and says, "I found the winery. It appears to be filled with dirty humans and plant creatures. There are also several ravens. Outside the winery, in a group of nearby trees, there is a party of humans, including three children. They appear to be looking for a way to get into the winery. There are also several ravens there." He says it is roughly an hour's journey along the road to the south. He then bows, flies up to Chara's shoulder, and disappears.
Once you are ready, you begin to make your way along the southern road. After a half mile, the road becomes a muddy trail that meanders through the woods, descending gradually until the trees part, revealing a mist-shrouded meadow. The trail splits. One branch heads west into the valley, and the other leads south into dark woods. A wooden signpost at the intersection points west and reads, “Vineyard.”
As you head west, a light drizzle begins to fall. Unpainted fences blindly follow the trail, which skirts north of a sprawling vineyard before bending south toward a stately building. The fog takes on ghostly forms as it swirls between the neatly tended rows of grapevines. Here and there, you see rope-handled half-barrels used for hauling grapes. North of the trail is a large stand of trees. A man wearing a dark cloak and cowl stands at the edge of the trees, beckoning you.
(Feel free to rp more downtime stuff if you like)
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
Chara swallows nervously. She doesn't want to fight, and probably kill, more people... maybe they can be convinced to leave the winery in peace? Somehow, she doubts she'll be that lucky.
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Bran's voice and notes soothe the last of the dusk elf maidens a lot, during her watch, to the point that she is repeatedly tempted to turn around again, for a moment, to look at that bard capable of arousing so many positive emotions... Barovia needs people like him!
But the savage stranger forces himself to focus on her task, thinking, 'We're just fellow travelers... At best, fellow adventurers. I'm helping him find his family... Not to...'
'Not to...?' the voices in her head intervene.
'Sure Eithne, just that... We know very well that you're not thinking of anything else...'
'Besides, it's so obvious: he will soon find his family, ready to welcome him with a big hug, announcing as if nothing had happened that dinner is ready and asking him why it took so long...'
'He may not be exactly like me!' argues internally the last of the dusk elf maidens 'Your fate has made you bitter and cynical, but he is different from me! He remembers better... He rests easier... Maybe it hasn't been that long for him... Maybe... Maybe he has not lost everything. Maybe there's hope for him! For him to get back the life he had earned! And until I'm completely convinced otherwise...'
'...will you give up hugging him?' the voices try to complete the phrase for her.
'...will you lie to yourself and tell yourself that you don't care about him?'
'...will you get yourself a blinder, so you don't risk to look at him?'
'Until I'm completely convinced otherwise,' the savage stranger grits her teeth a little, 'I won't listen to nonsensical voices taunting me in my head and will do my best to get him back what he deserves!'
When Chara's familiar finally returns: "Very well done, Ichabod" congratulates Eithne, before the angelic imp disappears, giving him an approving nod. "Your assistance has been invaluable".
To the companions: "From what our worthy scout discovered, it is clear that dirty humans and plant creatures must be responsible for the problems. They must have taken possession of the winery for their own purposes. Probably, the people outside, who, like our friend Urwin, understand it well with the crows, they'll be the rightful owners. And luckily they're alive! We should probably contact them first. They'll know what happened - and together we can figure out how best to act".
And so, when she sees a man wearing a dark cloak and cowl who is standing at the edge of the trees and is beckoning the party, the savage stranger approaches him... and when she is at such a distance that the man can hear her, she murmurs: "Urwin sent us, we are here to help you. Are you the owners of the winery, right? What happened?"
Lucian nods slowly, and feels a little heat go to his face when Chara puts her hand on his. Forcing that initial feeling of awkwardness away, he turns his hand over to hold hers, giving it a small squeeze hoping to lend whatever support she is looking for. He doesn’t really know what to say, so Eithne’s words are welcome. He nods again as she speaks, and gives Chara a hesitant glance before saying, “I…don’t know anything about your Master, but I have a feeling he is just glad that you are alive. We’ll do what we have to do, and…we can all support each other through it…” He turns his head away a little, feeling awkward again as he realizes he doesn’t know what he’s saying. “We’ll…I… sorry, I don’t know what I’m saying anymore. I just…I know it feels wrong, and well… I don’t know, Eithne put it better then I can. This is all too new to me.”
He listens quietly as Ichabod gives his report, silently dreading the potential of another fight. It was foolish, he realized, there would always be another fight so long as they wanted to continue fighting for Borovia. That was what he signed up for so he should expect it by now. Yet, things were slowly becoming a bit to real to him. He isn’t questioning his choice, but…he’ll have to strengthen his resolve.
He stays close to Chara as they make their way to the winery, realizing that she’s probably agonizing over the possible fight as well. He doesn’t say much, fearing that he might just worsen the situation with his own worry.
When the hooded figure beckons them, he immediately goes on high alert. Sure, this could be the person they are meant to help…but what if it is another trap? He decides to let Eithne and the others handle it, as usual, and he stays at the back trying to be ready for anything.
(OOC: Answering Lorenzo's question, I guess we have rested for like an hour? That's the standard short rest duration, right?)
Bran listens to Ichabod's report and sighs:
- There goes our hope that those two savages were the ones that prevented the wine from reaching Urwin ... I do have a question, though: what's so important about the ravens for you to be so specific about their location? - he looks at Ichabod first and then at the party - You've been on this quest for longer than me and perhaps you understand some underlying message that I'm not really getting. Why are ravens so important?
When Eithne mentions that Urwin "understands" those birds he adds:
- What? Urwin has some understanding with ravens? Oh. I didn't know that. So he's able to control them somehow? Interesting - that did answer the question the bard had asked himself hours before about how Urwin was going to check on the hags of Old Bonegrinder.
When the hooded figure appears, he approaches and just waits to see his or her reaction to what Eithne has said. Also, he wonders if they'll be able to free the winery without needing to fight. That short rest the group had been good, but in his case, it didn't help him recover the magic he used in the fight against the barbarians, and this could be troublesome in the upcoming hours.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"it was a raven," Eithne replies "who directed us to the grave where there was the book we recovered when we met you. And as for Urwin... when I had to leave Juhowly at the inn, he was kind enough to assure me she 'would be protected' and with that ravens entered the room, without he needing whistling for them or something, as if to keep watch on her... When I tried to ask Urwin about his familiarity with ravens (I wanted to understand if he might know anything about that first raven who had pointed us to the book) he did not answer me. Perhaps this familiarity with ravens is a dowry (and a secret) of the family".
As you approach the man in the cloak and mention Urwin's name, you see him smile for a moment and then make his face blank before turning around. "They have been sent to help from Vallaki," he calls back quietly. As he does, you see other figures emerging from the trees. All wear dark cloaks like the first. Some are obviously children, including a babe in arms.
"I am Adrian Martikov," says the man who beckoned you over, a human, possibly 50 years old, with dark hair and dark eyes, "You see here my father, Davian, my sister, Stefania, her husband, Dag Tomescu, their children, and my brother, Elvir. My father owns the Wizard of Wines winery and we all help run the business. Two days ago, these filthy druids overran our home and business. They are in there, poisoning our wine and spoiling our home and vineyard. We ask you to please help us recover our home. It may not be too late. But we must warn you; there are many of the mad druids in our home and even more of their wretched plant monsters. Clearing the house will be no easy task."
Tamryn - lvl 4 Wood Elf Rogue - Circle of Light Campaign || Drusilla - lvl 1 Half-Elf Ranger - Sleeping Gods || Grrzark - lvl 1 Goblin Barbarian - Danger at Darkshelf Quarry || DM - LTG - Curse of Strahd
"Blasting some sense into some of those other druids sounds about as fun as dealing with plant monsters." Cole growls, sparks creeping down his sickle.
These words are smaller than the other ones.
"Druids... Plant monsters..." Eithne wonders "Cole, do you know something about all this? Something like their powers, their weaknesses... why they should attack the winery... You... you are also a druid, aren't you?"
Bran nods and smiles as Adrian Martikov introduces his family and listens gravely to his report on the winery status. To be removed from their own house and have their precious wine spoiled this way, that was hard. Specially taking into account they even have kids and a baby with them.
- Might I ask, Master Martikov, have you had dealings with these druids before? This region is druid land, after all, if I'm not mistaken. So I imagine they have been your neighbours, of some sort, for years. Have you had problems with them in the past? Do you know could have led them to do this? I ask this because it would be good to know if they can be ... reasoned with? - at this point he, as Eithne, looks at Cole in search for his insight - What do you think, Cole?
Turning again at Adrian Martikov, the bard adds:
- You see, we've just had a tough fight on our way here, not but an hour ago. And I think it would be wise to explore a more peaceful solution this time. If possible. - he shares a hopeful glance with Chara. He's not sure that they will manage to get out of this without a fight, but they could certainly try.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"With all the bandits and foul creatures roaming the land, it seems odd to me that your winery had no guards or defenses... or did it?" asks Nikolai.
Chara sees Bran's look, and does her best to look hopeful in turn.
But there's another thought nagging at the back of her mind. She remembers her patron's words, which leaves her with an uncomfortable feeling... maybe she's just being paranoid, but she's never known her master to be wrong before...
"Wasn't... wasn't Onika a druid?" Chara whispers to Lucian.
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As Bran talks about dealing with the invaders, Eithne pales at the memory of the berserker's ax that nearly killed or maimed the bard: "You see, Bran..." she begins hesitantly - she doesn't want to look bloodthirsty and knows she's not the brightest mind of the bunch "You've got a good heart... probably no less than Chara's angel heart... But uh... did you just remember the poor troubled kids from before... those who have pulled out two greataxes bigger than themselves and they tried with those to tear us apart - almost succeeding, in yur case… I, even looking back now, can't see a single way we could have avoided… a violent solution".
With growing concern in her azure eyes, the savage stranger continues: "I'm afraid that if someone is going to talk to those people (and note that this 'someone' would probably end up being you or Chara)… those people will not prove much more reasonable than their two former friends. Why should they have left two henchmen on the road willing to kill anyone... if they were inclined to talk? I fear that they have already decided their path. And that their actions show very clearly what this path is. Going to talk to them, in my opinion, we would only get attacked".
"So, however... hard and ruthless my suggestion may sound..." the last of the dusk elf maidens becomes more and more hesitant "in my opinion, we should instead take advantage of the fact that they don't know we've arrived and organize a trap of some kind. I'm probably not the smartest among us, but well... you understand what I mean, don't you? You can work out the detail better than me... We have several possibilities... Adrian could know secondary accesses to the winery that the invaders don't know and maybe entering from there we could eliminate them a little at a time without being discovered.Or Cole, if he really was a druid - and if they don't know him - could pretend to be one of them, perhaps command some plant monsters by sending them away, perhaps attracting other druids, a few at a time, into an ambush... This is, at least, what my wild survival instinct tells me it should be our better course of action. Understanding" she looks him with absolute conviction in the eyes "that, if you all think wiser or smarter (or anyhow better) to do otherwise, I will still trust your judgement over mine any time".
“I am, or at least I was. Barbarism and the language of poison plants were the only languages we spoke, and my mind is either failing or healing itself from those times so things are a little foggy for me. It’s a mashup of fights with wildlife and other druids.”
Cole pauses and quietly lights something from his jacket, brings it up to his lips, and exhales quietly. “However, I do remember when all that chaos ended for me. My poisonous tendrils had found an uncorrupted valley at the base of Mount Bararok. Naturally I sank them into the nearest tree when suddenly it fought back. It fell on be and somehow got back up and fell on me again. I’m not sure how many times it happened but when I woke up a dryad was handing me Typhoon here, telling me to “cleanse what I once corrupted.”” He bends down, giving his porcupine a careful scratch. “So I picked him up and promptly burst into flames but when the smoke cleared and the pain subsided my mind was unfogged, my conscience craved justice, and my corrupt magic had been replaced with that of a wildfire. Nothing about those druids is greater than what will rise from their ashes.” Heat ripples off Cole before slowly simmering down to a small smolder.
These words are smaller than the other ones.
The bard considers Eithne and Cole's words and rubs the back of his neck before he replies.
- Well, I had hoped that the people responsible for this mess could be different to those two from before, but it seems I'm sorely mistaken - he says to Eithne. Then he turns to Cole - I had always imagined druids to be respectful of nature and that they fought precisely to preserve it's balance, not to taint it. I guess I shouldn't be so suprised, since everything in this land of Barovia seems to be cursed some way or another, altered from the way it should really be. What you've described is terrible, Cole. But I'm glad to see that at least one druid has been freed from that taint - he nods to him, as a sign of respect for his new purpose.
- In any case, before we plan anything, I have more questions - he says looking again at Adrian - Do we know the invaders' numbers? Do they have any kind of leader they respond to?
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Lucian listens with wide eyes as Adrian introduces his family. What drove those druids to take over the winery? It was horrible that this family had been forced from their home. They had children with them too. It was a blessing, he realized, that none of them had been hurt already.
When Chara whispers to him he hesitates before answering, "I...I think so." Again, he realizes how little he knew about Onika, but he does remember that she was a druid. He thinks he knows what Chara is thinking about, but he doesn't ask. Better to leave that alone for now. No use making things worse.
He listens intently as everyone discusses what the best course of action would be, and listens even more intently when Cole discloses his past. ...so that was why he was all covered in ashes all the time. But, there were still questions that this new information brought up. At first, Lucian wasn't sure he wanted to ask. After all, he still hasn't given up his own secret to the druid, so what right did he have to ask questions? Yet, there is one that he thinks he should ask for the sake of the 'tainted' druids they might--or will--end up fighting. "Uh...Cole? I...I know you mentioned that your memories were...foggy. But, do you remember how you were corrupted in the first place? Was it..." He hesitates, unsure if he should continue, but he decides to press on anyways. "Was it by choice? ...not...not that I really think it was...but... well... Or did something else happen to you? If the same thing happened to these druids... well I just want to make sure we don't go in there and..." He glances at Chara before continuing, "...and possibly kill people who have no control over their own actions. If they were corrupted against their will...shouldn't we try to help them?"
- If their corruption could be lifted, that would be the best possible outcome - the bard nodded at Lucian's idea - Perhaps something in that valley where Cole was freed could help with that?
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra