"You know... if we do decide to release the wolves... Ichabod is able to fly and turn invisible," Chara points out. "It would be pretty easy to have him open a couple of latches for us..."
Then she sighs.
"Even so, if we let a bunch of starving wolves out... there's a real chance that they could hurt people... especially... well... if I'm not mistaken, there are going to be children at this horrible event..."
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
“Alright. We’ll stop back at the room or wherever to drop them off and l’ll give them the run-down. For good measure I could stay with them, unless anyone too squeamish for the festival wants to. We could make up an excuse; a twisted limb, a bad cold, or a good lay usually does the trick.”
- No worries. Dark gray colours shifting to blacks, just like our "beloved" and everpresent mist - the bard says to Lucian, quicky finishing the cloaks for those who have agreed to wear them and wearing one himself.
- I also feel that staying at the back of the crowd might be the best option for our secrecy and the wellbeing of this cause. Though I too hate the idea of watching the wolves suffer (or anyone else, for that matter).
He doesn't add anything else as he feels it's pretty clear their hearts are in the right places regarding the wolves' suffering. Silently, he positions himself next to the door and waits. Further discussion seems pointless until they reach the place where the festivities will be taking place so they can see their real options.
"Indeed," confirms Eithne. "Probably, we have no hope of making any good out of this Festival - the less we do, the better. Let's just be as passive as we can. We smile as fake as we can and wait for it to pass. Like a nagging disease to run its course. We're getting there only to avoid problems and soon be free to take more effective action, in the fight against the root of all the evils of Barovia".
'Not that recovering a shipment of wine seems much more effective, regarding the ultimate goal of killing the Devil Stradh…' the voices in his head begin to comment. 'Yes, in fact... Drowning him in a barrel I don't know if it's practicable...' 'These humans! Such ephemeral lives, yet they waste their already limited time like this... They should be more active, more effective...'
'We elves, with our lives so much longer,' sighs the last of the dusk elf maidens mentally 'I don't think we've done better! Perhaps humans...' the azure eyes nonchalantly turn to Brand on their own initiative 'With their passion and solidarity, those good feelings of theirs sharpened by their so short and intense lives... Maybe they can provide us with the right inspiration! What if collaboration was the key to winning, instead of haughty isolation?'
'Yes, sure! We know how you would like to 'collaborate' Eithne...' 'Not that we don't understand you, huh?' 'You can be honest with us, Eithne... even if you don't want to, we know what you think anyway!'
'I'm just 'collaborating' to eliminate Devil Stradh!' the savage stranger angrily strikes with her right fist in the palm of her left 'While you, with your incessant chatter in my thoughts, are not 'collaborating' at all!'
Eager for a break, Eithen tries to calm down with her favorite trick: she takes out a pomegranate of a pocket and begins to eat it - opening it, putting the seeds in her mouth, slowly crushing them with her teeth to savor the juice completely ...
'So veeeeeery good!'
When her azure eyes return to Bran again, the savage stranger can't help but offer to share her fruit; she extends half of it to him with her hand, asking: "Do you want to taste? Do you know pomegranate? Come on, be my guest!"
Bran, who is leaning against the wall next to the door while waiting for the rest to finish, catches Eithne's gaze and looks curiously as the eats the strange fruit. When she comes over and offers half of it, the bard takes it, looks a it for a few seconds and half a smile appears in his face.
- Pomegranate...? Interesting. You know, Eithne, that I love tales? I once read a dark and twisted story of a god of death condemned to live alone for eternity in his terrible realm. Away from the sun, from love, from happiness and from everything that was good and beautiful. Yet he somehow managed to deceive the goddess of spring: forever young and beautiful, a lover of evergrowing, everliving and everlasting life. Did you know the story? He somehow tricked her by giving her a few seeds of pomegranate, thus condemning her to remain with him in his dark realm.
He peels his half of the fruit and takes a few grains in his hand, and continues:
- Truth is I never got to read the end of the story. In any case, you won't turn to be a god of death trying to trick me, right, Eithne?- he laughs softly, gazing at her - This - he says eating one of the grains - is me trusting you will not.
He smiles with his eyes and keeps eating.
- It's delicious, by the way. I'd never tried pomegranate before.
Lenn, who hasn’t moved from the wall nea the door rolls his eyes and turns towards the others specially the Druid, Lucian and Chara.
- I am with you I trying to free the wolves. But perhaps.. you should keep in mid that maybe thy are beyond our capability to help or free them. Maybe they had fallen prey of the hunger and cannot be treated with or there are too many people to free them safely for them or the innocent that had been dragged to this sick entertainment. Maybe their best option is a quick and clean death. Just… just keep it in mind. No everyone can be saved”
He says the last sentence in low voice, it seems that he says it more to himself than to the others.
Bran, who is leaning against the wall next to the door while waiting for the rest to finish, catches Eithne's gaze and looks curiously as the eats the strange fruit. When she comes over and offers half of it, the bard takes it, looks a it for a few seconds and half a smile appears in his face.
- Pomegranate...? Interesting. You know, Eithne, that I love tales? I once read a dark and twisted story of a god of death condemned to live alone for eternity in his terrible realm. Away from the sun, from love, from happiness and from everything that was good and beautiful. Yet he somehow managed to deceive the goddess of spring: forever young and beautiful, a lover of evergrowing, everliving and everlasting life. Did you know the story? He somehow tricked her by giving her a few seeds of pomegranate, thus condemning her to remain with him in his dark realm.
He peels his half of the fruit and takes a few grains in his hand, and continues:
- Truth is I never got to read the end of the story. In any case, you won't turn to be a god of death trying to trick me, right, Eithne?- he laughs softly, gazing at her - This - he says eating one of the grains - is me trusting you will not.
He smiles with his eyes and keeps eating.
- It's delicious, by the way. I'd never tried pomegranate before.
(OOC: THE MYTH OF HADES AND PERSEPHONE! What a beautiful idea to mention it here in character! I assure you I wasn't thinking about that when I decided on Eithne's passion for the pomegranate - but still a great idea!)
"Yes," Eithne's azure eyes sparkle "tales are so beautiful... They are proof that some realities, some feelings... can survive even death... live in memory - or in new souls - even when the protagonists of the story have already concluded their journey in this world".
"Of course, however, that god of death, so treacherous, deceiving that other poor goddes like that! Just typical of males!" realizing what she's just said, the savage stranger blushes like she's never done before and brings her hands to her mouth, removing them only after a while, to try to correct herself "I mean... Sorry, the voices meddled to say that thing... Of course I didn't mean to generalize!"
'We!? really Eithne?!' her voices in his mind seem to laugh 'Just shut up, darn it! Don't distract me, otherwise who knows how many more silly things I'll say...' the last of the dusk elf maidens tries to silence them.
"I only meant that...well, in my opinion he didn't behave correctly. Anyway," Eithne tries to go on, "if we don't know the end of the story, maybe then they got to know each other better and got on well... And who knows? Maybe in the end, together, they made that accursed place a far better one... Kind of what we are trying to do for Barovia!"
"Oh, and..." the savage stranger adds, lost in Bran's eyes "thank you for trusting me. I'll make sure you never have to regret it".
After an undetermined amount of time in which the world has completely faded into the background, the last of the dusk elf maidens realize that this perennial fixation, however pleasant it may be, could make them late for the odious (but obligatory) Festival, so she rouses herself and begins to go out, commenting, in a lighter tone: "I'm glad you like the pomegranate so much! It's my favorite fruit - even if it's very difficult to find it here in Barovia. You know? It gives me so much pleasure eating it, that, many times, it even silences voices!"
"Thanks," Lucian says to Cole. "I'm...not sure that you'd need to stay with them. It sounds like they should be fine here and...well if most of us have to go anyways it would probably be for the best if we don't have to make excuses... I just worry that lying might make trouble for us later..."He trails off. Perhaps he should stay with the pups. It wasn't as if he was...well, squeamish as Cole put it...well he was a little to be honest...but he was also dreading the prospect of seeing more wolves. He doesn't want to be anywhere near them, alive or dead. The possibility of getting picked to torment the animals made him sick... but...well, if they did try letting them out...what would they do? If they are starving, they'll likely be aggressive so letting them out could very well endanger all the people there. As much as he doesn't like the idea of killing them, Nikolai's view made sense. It might be best to just put them out of their misery. ...but then there was another reason...he always avoided large groups of people if he could. Mostly because he never knew when something could...well serve as a trigger. If things went badly...or if he ended up unlucky enough to be picked...well the starving wolves might not be the only caged animals they'll have to worry about.
The thought made him shiver, and he glanced around as if looking for answers. When Bran gives him the black and grey cloak, the motion of accepting it forces his mind back into semi-calmness. "Thanks..." He says staring at the piece of clothing for a moment. He's never worn a cloak before...not that he can remember at least. He shakes his head to bring himself back to the present, and forcing a small smile, "Thanks! This is perfect..."He trails off, mind returning to the question of whether or not he should go.
When Lenn comes over to pretty much confirm his own thoughts on letting the wolves out, Lucian simply nods. He's taken on a shaky tone again, similar to when they tracked down the wolves in the forest, and his hand wraps around his pocket watch--clutching it tightly. After a moment he says to Lenn, "I... agree with you. I don't like the killing, but...well... its just like the she-wolf we tried to tame..."He blinks, diverting his eyes, "I don't know if I should go with you all. Maybe... I should stay with the pups. There's a chance the guards didn't notice me... lots of people tend not to...notice me that is." He sighs, "I... will go if everyone thinks it would make this easier...like...like I said I don't think making up excuses is the best idea especially since we have to wait until after the festival to get our instructions... but...I just..." He trails off, squeezing the black fabric of the cloak in one hand while running his other hand up and down the chain of the pocket watch around his neck.
He doesn't want to be the only one to stay behind. He doesn't want to wait while everyone else is subjected to this sadistic event, but he also doesn't want to put anyone in danger. He doesn't know what to do.
After everyone has made whatever changes to their clothes are necessary and dropped whatever they needed to, Urwin gathers together the group. "When we arrive at the square, I must go to be with my family. You are welcome to come with me or to stay together somewhere else. We will meet back here after the festival and discuss what must be done. I will point out the way; try not to forget it."
(OOC: You are welcome to decide to stay if you prefer; I am assuming some folks are going but I'll put the rest of this in a spoiler in case you all decide not to)
Urwin leads you through the winding streets of Vallaki, taking you through back alleys and side paths that you've never really noticed before, but that allow you to cover most of the distance unnoticed by people on the main streets. Eventually you find yourself at the town square. There is a fountain with an old statue, features long worn away by erosion and lack of care. It appears to have been some sort of rich lord. The fountain itself is ankle deep in fetid water and smells strongly of sewage.
At the other end of the square stand two wooden stages. As you arrive, you see that people are lining up to climb up to the first stage and then the second. At the first stage, each family (or individual) is given a pike. At the second stage, each person with a pike is given the head of a wolf. Town guardsmen oversee the activities on both stages and the villagers are encouraged to put the head on the pike. In the center of the square is a cage holding three wolves, all looking much abused and ill fed. There is a small pile of rocks near the stage and children are being encouraged to throw them at the wolves. They are told to yell at the wolves as they do this.
Bran is surprised at Eithne's comment on the males and wonders what has made her say something like that, but, he doesn't ask about it just yet.
As the conversation is developing, and just as Eithne begins to leave, he realizes that he may have missed, or perhaps overlooked, an important point. A point he was not counting on and cannot really deal with right now. And this troubles him.
But he moves his attention now to Lucian, who he sees looking at this cloak and giving clear signs that he's doubting and not feeling well about it. Bran goes to him and says:
- Lucian, don't worry about going or not going, and don't worry about having doubts. We all have doubts, it's in within our very natures to have them. And don't pay the slightest attention to this cloak if you do decide not to wear it and stay here. I just wanted you to hear this: whatever you decide will be fine, because we know you have though about it deeply. And we'll be fine with your decission.
The bard gives him a nod, an encouraging slap in the back, and just crosses the door to go to the festivities.
Eithne is disgusted by the show, but tries her hardest to feign enthusiasm - someone who makes attendance at a Festival compulsory, probably wouldn't take kindly to criticism of the Festival itself. However, she is careful not to show off or get too close. If she can, she tries to blend into the spectators in the middle rows—not too in front, so as not to risk getting involved, nor too far behind, so as not to seem recalcitrant.
Nikolai's face hardens into a mask that disguises his emotions. Internally, he is saddened and angered by this celebration of savagery and cruelty. However, taking on the Burgomeister and the town guard does not seem the wisest course at this point, regardless of his Vistani heritage. He steels himself mentally. He whispers to Urwin, "Is the pike mandatory?"
If the response is affirmative, he whispers to Lucian (assuming he came with), "I am very sorry to do this, but remember, those wolves are already dead, they don't feel any more pain now." He'll then get in line for a pike and a head.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Upon arriving at the square and getting the general idea of the getting pike / getting head process and seeing Nikolai about to get in line, Bran tells him in a low voice:
- I'll stay in away from the lines as long as I can. You have a clear idea of what to do if needed, and I'll try to mimic you if I end up having to go, too.
Bardic Inspiration for Nikolai.
For the moment, Bran will also remain in the middle rows and act as if enjoying the townsfolks reactions, in an attept to not go to the lines unless forced and at the same time try to get the feeling of the townsfolk (both children and adults) reactions to what they are doing. (Insight check: 24)
If possible, the bard will also check if he recognizes any face. Is Blinksy attending? Maybe that man Izek ...? (Perception check, I imagine? : 19)
(OOC: Don't know if I need a Deception check too? I'll leave it in case is needed: 16)
Before leaving the room Cole gives the pups a talking to with Commune with Animals. “Stay,” he commands. “And stay quiet or so help me when I get back there will be hell to pay. I love you all very much. Goodbye.” Door locked he hustles down to the rest at the festival.
Cole doesn’t grab a pike but does grab a few rocks and throw them into the pen, intentionally missing and trying to “accidentally” hit a few kids.
Chara will do what pretty much everyone else is doing and try to stay as close to the back of the crowd and hope no one notices her... she's wearing one of the cloaks. It obviously doesn't cover her demonic appearance entirely, but at least it might help to obscure her appearance slightly.
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Lucian jumps a little when Bran speaks to him, but quickly tries to pretend that he hadn't by listening very carefully to what the Bard was saying. He nods a little, and diverts his eyes about midway through Bran's speech as thoughts go racing though his head. Right now, he really just wanted someone else to either agree or disagree with him staying behind. ...He also can't help but think that Bran doesn't know the real reason he doesn't want to go. Sure, he wouldn't want to go to this event whether or not wolves were involved... but, well... His eyes dart over to Lenn, who'd been so adamant about him learning to control his curse.
Swallowing, he puts the cloak over his shoulders, fumbling a little with the clasp as he puts it on. If everyone else is going, then why should he be the only one who doesn't have to suffer through it? The pups should be safe, and...he'll just have to trust that he can control himself. Finally looking up at Bran, he tries to give a smile as he says, "I'll try...I...uh... I'll go if everyone else is going. It wouldn't be fair if I was the only one who didn't have to endure it."
When they reach the festival, Lucian almost immediately regrets his decision to come anyways. Instinctively, he makes himself as small as possible, huddling under the cloak as if it could make him turn invisible. Taking in the sight with wide eyes he says, "I...if the pikes are...uh, mandatory... maybe we could all go up at once? It looks like there only giving out one for each family..." He glanced at the group, realizing that the only ones who could look even distantly related would be him, Nikolai, and (strangely) Eithne, as they each had some elvish traits. He blinks at the thought, vaguely remembering Eithne saying "my son" to him when they'd first met... Thoughts cascade into his head about who would take on what role of the family, but he quickly finds the idea a little awkward...which leads to him going a little red in the face and he ducks his head trying to pretend he'd never spoken.
He almost didn't hear Nikolai's words as the half-elf apologized for... Lucian turns his attention to his friend, realizing that the whispered apology was solely to him... "Please...don't apologize to me as if these...as if you were being asked to parade my families heads around." He whispers shakily, "I... I don't like seeing this done to any creature..." He trailed off...remember, I've killed a wolf, he thinks but doesn't say it aloud. In truth, there was something rather disconcerting about seeing the wolf heads and the abused canines... they brought back memories of the she-wolf and... He shuts his eyes. That wolf had submitted to him, but had tried to attack everyone else. He couldn't deny the connection, whether he liked it or not. Letting out a shaky breath he says, "It's fine. Thanks for...volunteering to..to take the pike."
He hopes that only one of them ends up having to deal with the head and the pike. If only he could find the words to express how thankful he was that Nikolai was willing to do what none of the others were comfortable doing.
"If we want to pretend we're a family, we could just say that some of us are related by marriage..." Chara says.
As the words leave her mouth, she catches Lucian's gaze... and her blue cheeks turn scarlet as she realizes what she just said. She quickly glances away... but... the idea doesn't exactly sound unappealing to her...
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
After you are in the square for twenty minutes or so, some buglers play a fanfare and the Burgomeister, Baron Vargo Vallakovich arrives with his retinue. His wife is a stately and yet fragile looking woman. Tall and pale with powdered white hair, Baroness Lydia Petrovna Vallakovich stands by her husband, she waves vaguely toward the villagers. The Burgomeister’s son, Viktor, sullenly stands beside his parents, wiggling his ink-stained fingers in irritation and impatience. Finally, Izek Strazni arrives with the remaining town guard.
The Baron climbs the stage and holds up a hand, calling for silence. “My dear friends,” he says, “We gather here today in a show of joy and laughter. We’ve overcome these foul creatures of the Count and now we show the devil he can no longer intimidate us with his tricks. Those of you with pikes: form a line. We shall march around the square and afterward throw the wolves’ heads into the bonfire.”
"As for those brutes in the cage, we shall dispense with them immediately. Who would like a chance to be remembered as a wolf-killer? Please step forward." The Baron waits a full minute and there is no movement from the crowd. The area is quiet, the only sound the panting and whining of the captured wolves. Clearly irritated, the Baronsays, "Izek, get me some volunteers!"
Izeksignals to the guards and three follow him into the crowd. They push their way through the throng, clearly applying some mysterious standard. Izekhimself approaches the party, but not seeing what he is looking for, he turns away. But then he turns back, staring directly at Nikolai. He walks up to him, grabs Nikolaiby the shoulder with his long, monstrous arm, and begins dragging him away to the stage.
Nikolai:
As Izekdrags you away, he whispers the following: "I remember you. You were outside the toymaker's store. If you tell anyone you saw me there, I'll roast your testicles with flame while their still attached. Now play along nicely and I won't have you thrown out of town for dressing like a Vistani."
He almost didn't hear Nikolai's words as the half-elf apologized for... Lucian turns his attention to his friend, realizing that the whispered apology was solely to him... "Please...don't apologize to me as if these...as if you were being asked to parade my families heads around." He whispers shakily, "I... I don't like seeing this done to any creature..." He trailed off...remember, I've killed a wolf, he thinks but doesn't say it aloud. In truth, there was something rather disconcerting about seeing the wolf heads and the abused canines... they brought back memories of the she-wolf and... He shuts his eyes. That wolf had submitted to him, but had tried to attack everyone else. He couldn't deny the connection, whether he liked it or not. Letting out a shaky breath he says, "It's fine. Thanks for...volunteering to..to take the pike."
(Still not sure if the pike was mandatory, but if so, before ascending the platform:) Nikolai lays his hand on Lucian's shoulder. "My friend, I did not mean to suggest they were your kin. You are no savage beast. I know that. I'm just not sure you know it. And if anyone ever tried to treat you like they have treated them, they'd have to step over my dead body. Understand?"
"You know... if we do decide to release the wolves... Ichabod is able to fly and turn invisible," Chara points out. "It would be pretty easy to have him open a couple of latches for us..."
Then she sighs.
"Even so, if we let a bunch of starving wolves out... there's a real chance that they could hurt people... especially... well... if I'm not mistaken, there are going to be children at this horrible event..."
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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“Alright. We’ll stop back at the room or wherever to drop them off and l’ll give them the run-down. For good measure I could stay with them, unless anyone too squeamish for the festival wants to. We could make up an excuse; a twisted limb, a bad cold, or a good lay usually does the trick.”
These words are smaller than the other ones.
- No worries. Dark gray colours shifting to blacks, just like our "beloved" and everpresent mist - the bard says to Lucian, quicky finishing the cloaks for those who have agreed to wear them and wearing one himself.
- I also feel that staying at the back of the crowd might be the best option for our secrecy and the wellbeing of this cause. Though I too hate the idea of watching the wolves suffer (or anyone else, for that matter).
He doesn't add anything else as he feels it's pretty clear their hearts are in the right places regarding the wolves' suffering. Silently, he positions himself next to the door and waits. Further discussion seems pointless until they reach the place where the festivities will be taking place so they can see their real options.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"Indeed," confirms Eithne. "Probably, we have no hope of making any good out of this Festival - the less we do, the better. Let's just be as passive as we can. We smile as fake as we can and wait for it to pass. Like a nagging disease to run its course. We're getting there only to avoid problems and soon be free to take more effective action, in the fight against the root of all the evils of Barovia".
'Not that recovering a shipment of wine seems much more effective, regarding the ultimate goal of killing the Devil Stradh…' the voices in his head begin to comment.
'Yes, in fact... Drowning him in a barrel I don't know if it's practicable...'
'These humans! Such ephemeral lives, yet they waste their already limited time like this... They should be more active, more effective...'
'We elves, with our lives so much longer,' sighs the last of the dusk elf maidens mentally 'I don't think we've done better! Perhaps humans...' the azure eyes nonchalantly turn to Brand on their own initiative 'With their passion and solidarity, those good feelings of theirs sharpened by their so short and intense lives... Maybe they can provide us with the right inspiration! What if collaboration was the key to winning, instead of haughty isolation?'
'Yes, sure! We know how you would like to 'collaborate' Eithne...'
'Not that we don't understand you, huh?'
'You can be honest with us, Eithne... even if you don't want to, we know what you think anyway!'
'I'm just 'collaborating' to eliminate Devil Stradh!' the savage stranger angrily strikes with her right fist in the palm of her left 'While you, with your incessant chatter in my thoughts, are not 'collaborating' at all!'
Eager for a break, Eithen tries to calm down with her favorite trick: she takes out a pomegranate of a pocket and begins to eat it - opening it, putting the seeds in her mouth, slowly crushing them with her teeth to savor the juice completely ...
'So veeeeeery good!'
When her azure eyes return to Bran again, the savage stranger can't help but offer to share her fruit; she extends half of it to him with her hand, asking: "Do you want to taste? Do you know pomegranate? Come on, be my guest!"
Bran, who is leaning against the wall next to the door while waiting for the rest to finish, catches Eithne's gaze and looks curiously as the eats the strange fruit. When she comes over and offers half of it, the bard takes it, looks a it for a few seconds and half a smile appears in his face.
- Pomegranate...? Interesting. You know, Eithne, that I love tales? I once read a dark and twisted story of a god of death condemned to live alone for eternity in his terrible realm. Away from the sun, from love, from happiness and from everything that was good and beautiful. Yet he somehow managed to deceive the goddess of spring: forever young and beautiful, a lover of evergrowing, everliving and everlasting life. Did you know the story? He somehow tricked her by giving her a few seeds of pomegranate, thus condemning her to remain with him in his dark realm.
He peels his half of the fruit and takes a few grains in his hand, and continues:
- Truth is I never got to read the end of the story. In any case, you won't turn to be a god of death trying to trick me, right, Eithne? - he laughs softly, gazing at her - This - he says eating one of the grains - is me trusting you will not.
He smiles with his eyes and keeps eating.
- It's delicious, by the way. I'd never tried pomegranate before.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Lenn, who hasn’t moved from the wall nea the door rolls his eyes and turns towards the others specially the Druid, Lucian and Chara.
- I am with you I trying to free the wolves. But perhaps.. you should keep in mid that maybe thy are beyond our capability to help or free them. Maybe they had fallen prey of the hunger and cannot be treated with or there are too many people to free them safely for them or the innocent that had been dragged to this sick entertainment. Maybe their best option is a quick and clean death. Just… just keep it in mind. No everyone can be saved”
He says the last sentence in low voice, it seems that he says it more to himself than to the others.
PbP Character: A few ;)
(OOC: THE MYTH OF HADES AND PERSEPHONE! What a beautiful idea to mention it here in character! I assure you I wasn't thinking about that when I decided on Eithne's passion for the pomegranate - but still a great idea!)
"Yes," Eithne's azure eyes sparkle "tales are so beautiful... They are proof that some realities, some feelings... can survive even death... live in memory - or in new souls - even when the protagonists of the story have already concluded their journey in this world".
"Of course, however, that god of death, so treacherous, deceiving that other poor goddes like that! Just typical of males!" realizing what she's just said, the savage stranger blushes like she's never done before and brings her hands to her mouth, removing them only after a while, to try to correct herself "I mean... Sorry, the voices meddled to say that thing... Of course I didn't mean to generalize!"
'We!? really Eithne?!' her voices in his mind seem to laugh
'Just shut up, darn it! Don't distract me, otherwise who knows how many more silly things I'll say...' the last of the dusk elf maidens tries to silence them.
"I only meant that...well, in my opinion he didn't behave correctly. Anyway," Eithne tries to go on, "if we don't know the end of the story, maybe then they got to know each other better and got on well... And who knows? Maybe in the end, together, they made that accursed place a far better one... Kind of what we are trying to do for Barovia!"
"Oh, and..." the savage stranger adds, lost in Bran's eyes "thank you for trusting me. I'll make sure you never have to regret it".
After an undetermined amount of time in which the world has completely faded into the background, the last of the dusk elf maidens realize that this perennial fixation, however pleasant it may be, could make them late for the odious (but obligatory) Festival, so she rouses herself and begins to go out, commenting, in a lighter tone: "I'm glad you like the pomegranate so much! It's my favorite fruit - even if it's very difficult to find it here in Barovia. You know? It gives me so much pleasure eating it, that, many times, it even silences voices!"
"Thanks," Lucian says to Cole. "I'm...not sure that you'd need to stay with them. It sounds like they should be fine here and...well if most of us have to go anyways it would probably be for the best if we don't have to make excuses... I just worry that lying might make trouble for us later..." He trails off. Perhaps he should stay with the pups. It wasn't as if he was...well, squeamish as Cole put it...well he was a little to be honest...but he was also dreading the prospect of seeing more wolves. He doesn't want to be anywhere near them, alive or dead. The possibility of getting picked to torment the animals made him sick... but...well, if they did try letting them out...what would they do? If they are starving, they'll likely be aggressive so letting them out could very well endanger all the people there. As much as he doesn't like the idea of killing them, Nikolai's view made sense. It might be best to just put them out of their misery. ...but then there was another reason...he always avoided large groups of people if he could. Mostly because he never knew when something could...well serve as a trigger. If things went badly...or if he ended up unlucky enough to be picked...well the starving wolves might not be the only caged animals they'll have to worry about.
The thought made him shiver, and he glanced around as if looking for answers. When Bran gives him the black and grey cloak, the motion of accepting it forces his mind back into semi-calmness. "Thanks..." He says staring at the piece of clothing for a moment. He's never worn a cloak before...not that he can remember at least. He shakes his head to bring himself back to the present, and forcing a small smile, "Thanks! This is perfect..." He trails off, mind returning to the question of whether or not he should go.
When Lenn comes over to pretty much confirm his own thoughts on letting the wolves out, Lucian simply nods. He's taken on a shaky tone again, similar to when they tracked down the wolves in the forest, and his hand wraps around his pocket watch--clutching it tightly. After a moment he says to Lenn, "I... agree with you. I don't like the killing, but...well... its just like the she-wolf we tried to tame..." He blinks, diverting his eyes, "I don't know if I should go with you all. Maybe... I should stay with the pups. There's a chance the guards didn't notice me... lots of people tend not to...notice me that is." He sighs, "I... will go if everyone thinks it would make this easier...like...like I said I don't think making up excuses is the best idea especially since we have to wait until after the festival to get our instructions... but...I just..." He trails off, squeezing the black fabric of the cloak in one hand while running his other hand up and down the chain of the pocket watch around his neck.
He doesn't want to be the only one to stay behind. He doesn't want to wait while everyone else is subjected to this sadistic event, but he also doesn't want to put anyone in danger. He doesn't know what to do.
After everyone has made whatever changes to their clothes are necessary and dropped whatever they needed to, Urwin gathers together the group. "When we arrive at the square, I must go to be with my family. You are welcome to come with me or to stay together somewhere else. We will meet back here after the festival and discuss what must be done. I will point out the way; try not to forget it."
(OOC: You are welcome to decide to stay if you prefer; I am assuming some folks are going but I'll put the rest of this in a spoiler in case you all decide not to)
Urwin leads you through the winding streets of Vallaki, taking you through back alleys and side paths that you've never really noticed before, but that allow you to cover most of the distance unnoticed by people on the main streets. Eventually you find yourself at the town square. There is a fountain with an old statue, features long worn away by erosion and lack of care. It appears to have been some sort of rich lord. The fountain itself is ankle deep in fetid water and smells strongly of sewage.
At the other end of the square stand two wooden stages. As you arrive, you see that people are lining up to climb up to the first stage and then the second. At the first stage, each family (or individual) is given a pike. At the second stage, each person with a pike is given the head of a wolf. Town guardsmen oversee the activities on both stages and the villagers are encouraged to put the head on the pike. In the center of the square is a cage holding three wolves, all looking much abused and ill fed. There is a small pile of rocks near the stage and children are being encouraged to throw them at the wolves. They are told to yell at the wolves as they do this.
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
Bran is surprised at Eithne's comment on the males and wonders what has made her say something like that, but, he doesn't ask about it just yet.
As the conversation is developing, and just as Eithne begins to leave, he realizes that he may have missed, or perhaps overlooked, an important point. A point he was not counting on and cannot really deal with right now. And this troubles him.
But he moves his attention now to Lucian, who he sees looking at this cloak and giving clear signs that he's doubting and not feeling well about it. Bran goes to him and says:
- Lucian, don't worry about going or not going, and don't worry about having doubts. We all have doubts, it's in within our very natures to have them. And don't pay the slightest attention to this cloak if you do decide not to wear it and stay here. I just wanted you to hear this: whatever you decide will be fine, because we know you have though about it deeply. And we'll be fine with your decission.
The bard gives him a nod, an encouraging slap in the back, and just crosses the door to go to the festivities.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Eithne is disgusted by the show, but tries her hardest to feign enthusiasm - someone who makes attendance at a Festival compulsory, probably wouldn't take kindly to criticism of the Festival itself. However, she is careful not to show off or get too close. If she can, she tries to blend into the spectators in the middle rows—not too in front, so as not to risk getting involved, nor too far behind, so as not to seem recalcitrant.
Nikolai's face hardens into a mask that disguises his emotions. Internally, he is saddened and angered by this celebration of savagery and cruelty. However, taking on the Burgomeister and the town guard does not seem the wisest course at this point, regardless of his Vistani heritage. He steels himself mentally. He whispers to Urwin, "Is the pike mandatory?"
If the response is affirmative, he whispers to Lucian (assuming he came with), "I am very sorry to do this, but remember, those wolves are already dead, they don't feel any more pain now." He'll then get in line for a pike and a head.
Upon arriving at the square and getting the general idea of the getting pike / getting head process and seeing Nikolai about to get in line, Bran tells him in a low voice:
- I'll stay in away from the lines as long as I can. You have a clear idea of what to do if needed, and I'll try to mimic you if I end up having to go, too.
Bardic Inspiration for Nikolai.
For the moment, Bran will also remain in the middle rows and act as if enjoying the townsfolks reactions, in an attept to not go to the lines unless forced and at the same time try to get the feeling of the townsfolk (both children and adults) reactions to what they are doing. (Insight check: 24)
If possible, the bard will also check if he recognizes any face. Is Blinksy attending? Maybe that man Izek ...? (Perception check, I imagine? : 19)
(OOC: Don't know if I need a Deception check too? I'll leave it in case is needed: 16)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Before leaving the room Cole gives the pups a talking to with Commune with Animals. “Stay,” he commands. “And stay quiet or so help me when I get back there will be hell to pay. I love you all very much. Goodbye.” Door locked he hustles down to the rest at the festival.
Cole doesn’t grab a pike but does grab a few rocks and throw them into the pen, intentionally missing and trying to “accidentally” hit a few kids.
These words are smaller than the other ones.
Chara will do what pretty much everyone else is doing and try to stay as close to the back of the crowd and hope no one notices her... she's wearing one of the cloaks. It obviously doesn't cover her demonic appearance entirely, but at least it might help to obscure her appearance slightly.
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Lucian jumps a little when Bran speaks to him, but quickly tries to pretend that he hadn't by listening very carefully to what the Bard was saying. He nods a little, and diverts his eyes about midway through Bran's speech as thoughts go racing though his head. Right now, he really just wanted someone else to either agree or disagree with him staying behind. ...He also can't help but think that Bran doesn't know the real reason he doesn't want to go. Sure, he wouldn't want to go to this event whether or not wolves were involved... but, well... His eyes dart over to Lenn, who'd been so adamant about him learning to control his curse.
Swallowing, he puts the cloak over his shoulders, fumbling a little with the clasp as he puts it on. If everyone else is going, then why should he be the only one who doesn't have to suffer through it? The pups should be safe, and...he'll just have to trust that he can control himself. Finally looking up at Bran, he tries to give a smile as he says, "I'll try...I...uh... I'll go if everyone else is going. It wouldn't be fair if I was the only one who didn't have to endure it."
When they reach the festival, Lucian almost immediately regrets his decision to come anyways. Instinctively, he makes himself as small as possible, huddling under the cloak as if it could make him turn invisible. Taking in the sight with wide eyes he says, "I...if the pikes are...uh, mandatory... maybe we could all go up at once? It looks like there only giving out one for each family..." He glanced at the group, realizing that the only ones who could look even distantly related would be him, Nikolai, and (strangely) Eithne, as they each had some elvish traits. He blinks at the thought, vaguely remembering Eithne saying "my son" to him when they'd first met... Thoughts cascade into his head about who would take on what role of the family, but he quickly finds the idea a little awkward...which leads to him going a little red in the face and he ducks his head trying to pretend he'd never spoken.
He almost didn't hear Nikolai's words as the half-elf apologized for... Lucian turns his attention to his friend, realizing that the whispered apology was solely to him... "Please...don't apologize to me as if these...as if you were being asked to parade my families heads around." He whispers shakily, "I... I don't like seeing this done to any creature..." He trailed off...remember, I've killed a wolf, he thinks but doesn't say it aloud. In truth, there was something rather disconcerting about seeing the wolf heads and the abused canines... they brought back memories of the she-wolf and... He shuts his eyes. That wolf had submitted to him, but had tried to attack everyone else. He couldn't deny the connection, whether he liked it or not. Letting out a shaky breath he says, "It's fine. Thanks for...volunteering to..to take the pike."
He hopes that only one of them ends up having to deal with the head and the pike. If only he could find the words to express how thankful he was that Nikolai was willing to do what none of the others were comfortable doing.
"If we want to pretend we're a family, we could just say that some of us are related by marriage..." Chara says.
As the words leave her mouth, she catches Lucian's gaze... and her blue cheeks turn scarlet as she realizes what she just said. She quickly glances away... but... the idea doesn't exactly sound unappealing to her...
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After you are in the square for twenty minutes or so, some buglers play a fanfare and the Burgomeister, Baron Vargo Vallakovich arrives with his retinue. His wife is a stately and yet fragile looking woman. Tall and pale with powdered white hair, Baroness Lydia Petrovna Vallakovich stands by her husband, she waves vaguely toward the villagers. The Burgomeister’s son, Viktor, sullenly stands beside his parents, wiggling his ink-stained fingers in irritation and impatience. Finally, Izek Strazni arrives with the remaining town guard.
The Baron climbs the stage and holds up a hand, calling for silence. “My dear friends,” he says, “We gather here today in a show of joy and laughter. We’ve overcome these foul creatures of the Count and now we show the devil he can no longer intimidate us with his tricks. Those of you with pikes: form a line. We shall march around the square and afterward throw the wolves’ heads into the bonfire.”
"As for those brutes in the cage, we shall dispense with them immediately. Who would like a chance to be remembered as a wolf-killer? Please step forward." The Baron waits a full minute and there is no movement from the crowd. The area is quiet, the only sound the panting and whining of the captured wolves. Clearly irritated, the Baron says, "Izek, get me some volunteers!"
Izek signals to the guards and three follow him into the crowd. They push their way through the throng, clearly applying some mysterious standard. Izek himself approaches the party, but not seeing what he is looking for, he turns away. But then he turns back, staring directly at Nikolai. He walks up to him, grabs Nikolai by the shoulder with his long, monstrous arm, and begins dragging him away to the stage.
Nikolai:
As Izek drags you away, he whispers the following: "I remember you. You were outside the toymaker's store. If you tell anyone you saw me there, I'll roast your testicles with flame while their still attached. Now play along nicely and I won't have you thrown out of town for dressing like a Vistani."
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
(Still not sure if the pike was mandatory, but if so, before ascending the platform:) Nikolai lays his hand on Lucian's shoulder. "My friend, I did not mean to suggest they were your kin. You are no savage beast. I know that. I'm just not sure you know it. And if anyone ever tried to treat you like they have treated them, they'd have to step over my dead body. Understand?"
Lenn pats Lucian on the shoulder when they are walking out towards the central plaza.
"Don't you worry We are at your side"
When he suggets they should go as a group so they take only a pike he agrees and, covering his head with his own hood he follow the others.
PbP Character: A few ;)