Bran feels his heart pounding like crazy when he sees Izek coming towards them. "******* hell. Did it have to be him??", he thinks, while he tries hard not to stablish eye contact with Izek - nor with the rest of the group - and keeps faking he's deeply enjoying this sick show. A few seconds later, the man turns around and the bard has almost regained his inner peace (given the circumstances) just to loose it once again when Izek returns and grabs Nikolai.
"Damn it!!!"
Containing the urge of reacting with even the slightest of movements, which would only lead to expose the rest of them, he just follows Nikolai with his eyes, keeping track of how the situation develops to assist him in anyway he can from as far as he can. The bard hopes he'll able to provide some leverage so Nikolai's attacks strike easier and everything ends as quicker and less painfully as possible.
He relays this idea to the rest of the group trying to not be overheard by anyone else.
Eithne, who had been keeping in the middle rows, is too far away to hear what Izek is saying to Nikolai, yet she is annoyed that the bully has chosen him as a 'volunteer'… just 'luck'? Or is there something else underneath?
However the savage stranger isn't too worried... Nikolai was perhaps the most prepared of the group to deal with that situation, having already planned in advance what to do... He'll do just fine! She'll kill a wolf in cold blood, as he was eventually prepared to have to do, then he'll be finished, right?
'What senseless horror!' thinks the last of the dusk elf maidens 'We did really well not to bring the puppies...'
"I'm cooperating, you brute! There's no need to act like some prehistoric cave-dweller. Just show me where you want me,"sputters Nikolai as he is yanked and dragged.
In sotto voce, he adds,
"I really don't care in the slightest where you've been. Consider it all forgotten. What toymaker? Choose your actions carefully, though, Vistani are like ants, you snuff out one of us, and you'll suddenly realize we're crawling all over you. You really don't want to disturb the nest..."
Lucian's already wide eyes grow even wider at Chara's comment, and he ducks his head again as more thoughts cascade through his mind. Married? It hadn't even occurred to him...not since...well as an elf he is hardly old enough to be considered an adult... He does like Chara...but...well...married? He did realize that for humans it wouldn't be all that strange to be married at his age, but... Well he might not even be full elf anyways...so... Does it even matter? "It would just be pretend..." he reminds himself, his face growing hotter as he realizes that...well, it wouldn't be all that bad would it?
When Nikolai responds to Lucian's whisper, he looks up at the half-elf feeling...well guilty in a sense. Perhaps it wasn't fair of him to put meaning into his friend's apology that hadn't been there...he couldn't expect everyone to know what was going through his head after all...sometimes he wasn't even sure what was going through his head. Yet Nikolai's words were also so close to the truth...which furthered that uncomfortable knot in Lucian's stomach. Unsure of how to respond he just nods saying shakily, "I...understand."
He stays quiet and close to his companions as the Baron speaks, shrinking back a little when volunteers are called for. He watches Izek with wide eyes as the man inspects them, nearly letting out a sigh of relief as the man turns to pass them by only to flinch visibly as Izek suddenly yanks Nikolai away. He reaches out reflexively, then shrinks back as he reminds himself what is going on. All he can do now is watch and wait in line for their group to be given a pike.
Glancing nervously at the rest of the group, he moves closer to the middle of their company.
Chara isn't entirely sure what to make of Lucian's reaction to her (perhaps overly-hasty) suggestion... maybe she should have suggested 'sweethearts' instead of 'married,' as their cover story. Still, she stays close to the monk, both for the purpose of looking like a couple and because she thinks he might need her support (and that she might need his) at this event, even if she did just make things awkward.
But she doesn't ponder long as they arrive at the so-called 'festival.' She feels absolutely sick to her stomach from the sight... and possibly even worse, the smell. It's kind of a miracle that she manages to keep her dinner down... and she can barely even pretend to enjoy this barbarism.
When Izek drags Nikolai away, Chara clasps Lucian's hand as she sees the monk start to move towards the two men.
"H-he volunteered to do this," Chara whispers to Lucian, even though she's also fighting back the urge to jump to Nikolai's aid as that horrible man Izek manhandles the half-elf.
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Lenin’s first reaction when Nikolai is pulled is to reach out and help him but he contains himself. Hearing his words towards Isei the paladin smiles. He has spirit. Noticing a family of five, three children of different ages, to the left of the group that seems as horrified by the whole thing as they are he steps to their side, remaining between them at his lefts d the party at his right. If things go wild he could protect both of them.
Lucian freezes when Chara grasps his hand, more out of surprise then anything else. In the midst of everything that was going on he'd nearly forgotten the awkwardness from earlier, but for a moment some of it returns--his face reddening a little. Trying to push that aside, he recognizes this as an attempt to lend support and...possibly ask for support as well. He squeezes her hand, forcing himself to stand up a little straighter rather then resuming his former posture of shrinking and hiding. Fear would do him no better then anger, so right now he would choose resolve. ...They have yet to take a pike, and while he hopes that he doesn't have to be the one to take one, he'll make sure that they don't make Chara take one.
It felt good to hold her hand...a strangely familiar yet also unfamiliar gesture. Like something he'd forgotten he'd ever done. He gives her what he hopes is a reassuring look, and then turns his attention back to Nikolai. He makes no attempt to appear as if he is enjoying the festival--seeing how half the people here don't really look like they are having much fun either. Right now his main focus is on Nikolai. Sure, he'd stated that he would not hesitate to put one of the wolves out of its misery, but he hadn't willingly volunteered to do so here. ...why did Izek come back? What made him pick Nikolai? Should they be worried? Or would there be measures taken to ensure that the wolves didn't hurt anyone?
"I can't wait to be away on our next assignment," he says to Chara under his breath, trying to keep himself calm.
"I... I just want to be anywhere else right now," Chara replies in a whisper as she exchanges a look with Lucian.
She can tell that he's trying to reassure her, and that makes her feel a little bit better. But still... this whole event just makes her want to disappear until this whole thing is over and forgotten. Holding onto Lucian's hand is probably the only thing giving her the strength she needs to resist the urge to run away and hide in the shadows until this event is finished and all those who actually want to be here have had their fill of carnage. She takes a deep breath, trying to keep her frayed nerves under control.
"At least Ichabod might be enjoying himself," the she-devil mutters dejectedly.
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Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
The waiting for the next horror drags on painfully for Eithne, who begins to wish that everything is accomplished and finished quickly, whatever it is. The smile she's trying to maintain is probably a bit stereotypical, by now, but she hopes no one notices, also given the position she's chosen, where it's easy to blend into the crowd.
'Come on, Burgermeister! Do you really want to savor that long, this 'victory' over Stradh you're imagining!? Get these last wolves killed. Get them butchered, if that's more fun for you. But then declare all over, so that we can go and do something that makes sense'.
Though his main focus is still on Izek and Nikolai, the bard notices his colleagues preparing. Their stances changing. Some of them turning to one another. Those changes are so slight... but still noticeable for the discerning eye of someone who knows they are all together in this.
Bran smiles slightly, silently grateful for all these sparks.
They didn't need to pretend they were a family. They were already one. A chosen family. And a damn fine one at that.
Along with Nikolai, four are gathered from the crowd. Two boys, who look like they are maybe 10 or 12 years old and two adults, a man and a woman. All five are brought to the stage. One of the boys is brought to the Burgomeister, who asks him, "What's your name, boy? Are you excited to get to kill a wolf?" The boy, clearly scared, says, "m'Gunnar. guessso." The burgomeister, displeased with his lack of enthusiasm, beckons forward the woman. "You're Golda, the blacksmith's wife, correct? You must be proud that your husband make these fine weapons." Golda keeps her face a complete mask, nodding once and then stepping back. Turning to Nikolai, he says, "Look at you! So festively arrayed for the occasion. You must be looking forward to getting in there and making your mark!" He watches Nikolaiclosely, expecting a response.
Eithne thinks: 'Nikolai knows he must show enthusiasm... and the stupid burgermeister wants to see enthusiasm... it should be not too difficult to feign. You go, friend!'
I've realized I haven't specified what Bran would like to get from that Insight check: could Golda and her husband be allies to our cause (we don't know that they are, right?)? Or at least her? Would it be better to approach only her? Or would it be safe to approach both of them?
Btw, I'm guessing she's Radulf's wife - Blinsky mentioned that name a while back. Is that correct?
Lenn tries to stomach the whole display. He doesn't like this burgomeister and he wonders if, when the time comes, he will show real courage or will hide behind others.
Seemingly satisfied with Nikolai'sanswer, the Burgomeister takes the other boy by the hand and leads the 5 villagers to the cage. He makes a signal and each one who had a pike has it taken away and, instead, they are given javelins, each about 3 feet long. "Those pikes are so unwieldy," says the Burgomeister, "it will be easier to jab through the bars with these javelins, see?" He demonstrates a jabbing motion with one of the boy's javelins, inadvertently poking at Golda, who hops out of the way. Pleased with the crowd's surprised gasps, the Burgomeister jabs into the air a few more times, then hands the javelin to the boy who isn't Gunnar.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Nikolai pauses a few seconds, but if there are no other volunteers, he steps up. He will take the javelin and look at the wolves, trying to determine the sickest and saddest looking one to put out of its misery.
He will go through the motions of jabbing at it, but the real attack will be a mind sliver DC 15 INT Save or 6 psychic damage
Lucian nods at Chara's words, but doesn't respond until she mentions Ichabod.Caught up in watching what's going on with Nikolai, he clenches his teeth at the sight of the children they'd selected."Well...maybe we should ask him to go in there and help kill those wolves. Maybe he can have fun and still help keep those kids...from...from having to experience taking a life." He swallows, why had they chosen children? ...at least they were only having them jab at the wolves through the bars but still, to force a child to kill something? Even an animal, it just wasn't right.
He watches as Nikolai jabs at the first wolf, wondering if maybe the half-elf could use his magic to help quicken the process for all of them.
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Bran feels his heart pounding like crazy when he sees Izek coming towards them. "******* hell. Did it have to be him??", he thinks, while he tries hard not to stablish eye contact with Izek - nor with the rest of the group - and keeps faking he's deeply enjoying this sick show. A few seconds later, the man turns around and the bard has almost regained his inner peace (given the circumstances) just to loose it once again when Izek returns and grabs Nikolai.
"Damn it!!!"
Containing the urge of reacting with even the slightest of movements, which would only lead to expose the rest of them, he just follows Nikolai with his eyes, keeping track of how the situation develops to assist him in anyway he can from as far as he can. The bard hopes he'll able to provide some leverage so Nikolai's attacks strike easier and everything ends as quicker and less painfully as possible.
He relays this idea to the rest of the group trying to not be overheard by anyone else.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Eithne, who had been keeping in the middle rows, is too far away to hear what Izek is saying to Nikolai, yet she is annoyed that the bully has chosen him as a 'volunteer'… just 'luck'? Or is there something else underneath?
However the savage stranger isn't too worried... Nikolai was perhaps the most prepared of the group to deal with that situation, having already planned in advance what to do... He'll do just fine! She'll kill a wolf in cold blood, as he was eventually prepared to have to do, then he'll be finished, right?
'What senseless horror!' thinks the last of the dusk elf maidens 'We did really well not to bring the puppies...'
"I'm cooperating, you brute! There's no need to act like some prehistoric cave-dweller. Just show me where you want me," sputters Nikolai as he is yanked and dragged.
In sotto voce, he adds,
"I really don't care in the slightest where you've been. Consider it all forgotten. What toymaker? Choose your actions carefully, though, Vistani are like ants, you snuff out one of us, and you'll suddenly realize we're crawling all over you. You really don't want to disturb the nest..."
Lucian's already wide eyes grow even wider at Chara's comment, and he ducks his head again as more thoughts cascade through his mind. Married? It hadn't even occurred to him...not since...well as an elf he is hardly old enough to be considered an adult... He does like Chara...but...well...married? He did realize that for humans it wouldn't be all that strange to be married at his age, but... Well he might not even be full elf anyways...so... Does it even matter? "It would just be pretend..." he reminds himself, his face growing hotter as he realizes that...well, it wouldn't be all that bad would it?
When Nikolai responds to Lucian's whisper, he looks up at the half-elf feeling...well guilty in a sense. Perhaps it wasn't fair of him to put meaning into his friend's apology that hadn't been there...he couldn't expect everyone to know what was going through his head after all...sometimes he wasn't even sure what was going through his head. Yet Nikolai's words were also so close to the truth...which furthered that uncomfortable knot in Lucian's stomach. Unsure of how to respond he just nods saying shakily, "I...understand."
He stays quiet and close to his companions as the Baron speaks, shrinking back a little when volunteers are called for. He watches Izek with wide eyes as the man inspects them, nearly letting out a sigh of relief as the man turns to pass them by only to flinch visibly as Izek suddenly yanks Nikolai away. He reaches out reflexively, then shrinks back as he reminds himself what is going on. All he can do now is watch and wait in line for their group to be given a pike.
Glancing nervously at the rest of the group, he moves closer to the middle of their company.
Chara isn't entirely sure what to make of Lucian's reaction to her (perhaps overly-hasty) suggestion... maybe she should have suggested 'sweethearts' instead of 'married,' as their cover story. Still, she stays close to the monk, both for the purpose of looking like a couple and because she thinks he might need her support (and that she might need his) at this event, even if she did just make things awkward.
But she doesn't ponder long as they arrive at the so-called 'festival.' She feels absolutely sick to her stomach from the sight... and possibly even worse, the smell. It's kind of a miracle that she manages to keep her dinner down... and she can barely even pretend to enjoy this barbarism.
When Izek drags Nikolai away, Chara clasps Lucian's hand as she sees the monk start to move towards the two men.
"H-he volunteered to do this," Chara whispers to Lucian, even though she's also fighting back the urge to jump to Nikolai's aid as that horrible man Izek manhandles the half-elf.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
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Lenin’s first reaction when Nikolai is pulled is to reach out and help him but he contains himself. Hearing his words towards Isei the paladin smiles. He has spirit. Noticing a family of five, three children of different ages, to the left of the group that seems as horrified by the whole thing as they are he steps to their side, remaining between them at his lefts d the party at his right. If things go wild he could protect both of them.
PbP Character: A few ;)
Cole tries to get a front row/stage side position, flanking Izek. Best to keep him in firing range.
These words are smaller than the other ones.
Lucian freezes when Chara grasps his hand, more out of surprise then anything else. In the midst of everything that was going on he'd nearly forgotten the awkwardness from earlier, but for a moment some of it returns--his face reddening a little. Trying to push that aside, he recognizes this as an attempt to lend support and...possibly ask for support as well. He squeezes her hand, forcing himself to stand up a little straighter rather then resuming his former posture of shrinking and hiding. Fear would do him no better then anger, so right now he would choose resolve. ...They have yet to take a pike, and while he hopes that he doesn't have to be the one to take one, he'll make sure that they don't make Chara take one.
It felt good to hold her hand...a strangely familiar yet also unfamiliar gesture. Like something he'd forgotten he'd ever done. He gives her what he hopes is a reassuring look, and then turns his attention back to Nikolai. He makes no attempt to appear as if he is enjoying the festival--seeing how half the people here don't really look like they are having much fun either. Right now his main focus is on Nikolai. Sure, he'd stated that he would not hesitate to put one of the wolves out of its misery, but he hadn't willingly volunteered to do so here. ...why did Izek come back? What made him pick Nikolai? Should they be worried? Or would there be measures taken to ensure that the wolves didn't hurt anyone?
"I can't wait to be away on our next assignment," he says to Chara under his breath, trying to keep himself calm.
"I... I just want to be anywhere else right now," Chara replies in a whisper as she exchanges a look with Lucian.
She can tell that he's trying to reassure her, and that makes her feel a little bit better. But still... this whole event just makes her want to disappear until this whole thing is over and forgotten. Holding onto Lucian's hand is probably the only thing giving her the strength she needs to resist the urge to run away and hide in the shadows until this event is finished and all those who actually want to be here have had their fill of carnage. She takes a deep breath, trying to keep her frayed nerves under control.
"At least Ichabod might be enjoying himself," the she-devil mutters dejectedly.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
The waiting for the next horror drags on painfully for Eithne, who begins to wish that everything is accomplished and finished quickly, whatever it is. The smile she's trying to maintain is probably a bit stereotypical, by now, but she hopes no one notices, also given the position she's chosen, where it's easy to blend into the crowd.
'Come on, Burgermeister! Do you really want to savor that long, this 'victory' over Stradh you're imagining!? Get these last wolves killed. Get them butchered, if that's more fun for you. But then declare all over, so that we can go and do something that makes sense'.
Though his main focus is still on Izek and Nikolai, the bard notices his colleagues preparing. Their stances changing. Some of them turning to one another. Those changes are so slight... but still noticeable for the discerning eye of someone who knows they are all together in this.
Bran smiles slightly, silently grateful for all these sparks.
They didn't need to pretend they were a family. They were already one. A chosen family. And a damn fine one at that.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Along with Nikolai, four are gathered from the crowd. Two boys, who look like they are maybe 10 or 12 years old and two adults, a man and a woman. All five are brought to the stage. One of the boys is brought to the Burgomeister, who asks him, "What's your name, boy? Are you excited to get to kill a wolf?" The boy, clearly scared, says, "m'Gunnar. guessso." The burgomeister, displeased with his lack of enthusiasm, beckons forward the woman. "You're Golda, the blacksmith's wife, correct? You must be proud that your husband make these fine weapons." Golda keeps her face a complete mask, nodding once and then stepping back. Turning to Nikolai, he says, "Look at you! So festively arrayed for the occasion. You must be looking forward to getting in there and making your mark!" He watches Nikolai closely, expecting a response.
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
Eithne thinks: 'Nikolai knows he must show enthusiasm... and the stupid burgermeister wants to see enthusiasm... it should be not too difficult to feign. You go, friend!'
(OOC Leaving a roll here in case the other participants can be Insight checked. Specially Golda: 7)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Questions for the DM regarding that roll:
I've realized I haven't specified what Bran would like to get from that Insight check: could Golda and her husband be allies to our cause (we don't know that they are, right?)? Or at least her? Would it be better to approach only her? Or would it be safe to approach both of them?
Btw, I'm guessing she's Radulf's wife - Blinsky mentioned that name a while back. Is that correct?
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"Your Grace is very perceptive, my only desire is to serve the people of Barovia," says Nikolai truthfully, if not entirely enthusiastically.
Lenn tries to stomach the whole display. He doesn't like this burgomeister and he wonders if, when the time comes, he will show real courage or will hide behind others.
PbP Character: A few ;)
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
Nikolai pauses a few seconds, but if there are no other volunteers, he steps up. He will take the javelin and look at the wolves, trying to determine the sickest and saddest looking one to put out of its misery.
He will go through the motions of jabbing at it, but the real attack will be a mind sliver DC 15 INT Save or 6 psychic damage
Lucian nods at Chara's words, but doesn't respond until she mentions Ichabod.Caught up in watching what's going on with Nikolai, he clenches his teeth at the sight of the children they'd selected."Well...maybe we should ask him to go in there and help kill those wolves. Maybe he can have fun and still help keep those kids...from...from having to experience taking a life." He swallows, why had they chosen children? ...at least they were only having them jab at the wolves through the bars but still, to force a child to kill something? Even an animal, it just wasn't right.
He watches as Nikolai jabs at the first wolf, wondering if maybe the half-elf could use his magic to help quicken the process for all of them.