Nivi certainly recognizes the hand signals from the unknown Vistani instantly, though the forms seem archaic and somewhat distant from the more fluid sign language prevalent among the criminal element of Waterdeep.  She herself gestures freely, waggling her fingers though not using Thieves' Cant.

Casting Minor Illusion (no Verbal component) as the sound of a voice.  Luvash's voice, in fact, speaking booming Common in Luvash's own accent:

Attention!  Town boss of Vallaki here, Lulu-splaining to you all that this fine pair of Vistani are using what we call Thieves' Cant, the hand language common to rogues everywhere, to ask our buddy Ruby whether we are friends or marks.  This message brought to you courtesy of your pal, Nibbles.

She then grins toothily at the two new Vistani, not yet drawing her blade.  From his perch on Nivi's shoulder, Shiv takes flight, winging his way upward in a wide spiral to survey the area for any other hidden interlopers amidst the fog.

Shiv's Perception at advantage thanks to Keen Hearing and Sight:  22

(I'll allow the owls vision to be double that of the players, so that ir still has a good use, but also so it doesn't negate the fog effect entirely - so 40 feet)

Shiv Circles around the area as this is all beginning, and on a full loop, see's no one aside from the pair in front of them. If there are 'reinforcements' they're a significant distance (atleast 80-100) feet away. The two Vistani eye Nivi strangely. Though they flinch the entire time that her voice is booming, as if reeling from nails on a chalk board, but not because of the noise itself... Shut your gob! The undead ain't gonna hurt me or your friend there but that don't mean they won't hurt the rest o' you. Bloody fog horn out in the wild? Are you daft? N' seeing as you know what we was askin, perhaps you'd like to answer the question then. Their blades fully sheathed, though the men still seemed tense. And if you're friends, we don't want to see you become corpsefodder.

 After spending the gods only knew how long traveling with little change in the group's surroundings (except the occasional tree of some variable size), the sight of something or more accurately someones immediately lit a fire in Jack's eyes! Yet before he can so much as comment the sight of drawn blades even took the generally unflappable eladrin off guard. "Highwaymen then?" He muttered and studied the pair, noting the gestures but recalling no significance in them in the moment.

But then with a bit of a start, Jack soon found himself looking every which way for Luvash, only for the final line of the spell giving him brief pause before letting out a hearty chuckle. "That so?" He asks without looking at anyone in particular, prior to turning his gaze upon Arugal and raising an expectant brow. However, at the questioning from the Vistani, Jack whipped his head about to face them once more and even stepped, sweeping his arms wide (and likely accidentally clipping Beren and/or Olamoira in the process) as he declared boisterously, "Of course we're friends! Or even family by the looks of it, in the case of the other handsome fellow behind me! Hahah! And oh how fortitious this all is! No, fortutious... fortious? HAH! I think if it's fine with you all, I'll just stick fortunate! But I digress! No instead, I confess to some confusion in your earlier demand to someone among us needing to 'shut their gob' when none of us have even spoken yet."

"Let alone this mentioning of undead! But I take it some are near by? How less fortunate, haha!" Jack grins at the pair. "But as the saying goes, things are never so bad so long as you have good friends at your side, eh?! Hahah! Pretell, if you would be so kind my friends, what is the truth of this? What lies ahead, if'n you should be aware? And if not, might you accompany us as well?"

Beren huffs upon hearing Jack refer to him as "Barbie" clearly assuming it's another unwanted nickname but deciding to just let it go for now. Instead he just gives a bit of a nod, not really keen on entertaining the idea of training Bluto to fight, but he also doesn't think it would be a bad idea--especially if the fool is going to be staying with them. It's a lot easier to keep someone alive if they aren't completely helpless. 

His hand instinctively goes to his sword when the two men approaching draw their shortswords, though he doesn't draw his own seems how the sight of Argual gave them pause. His mask shifts to Nivi as Luvash's voice suddenly erupts from nowhere. Even if he hadn't known of her magical capabilities it was pretty obvious who cast the spell thanks to the nicknames she used. His hand moves slowly away from the hilt of his longsword as the two Vistani drop their guard... well, sort of. Clearly the loud voice upset them, setting on guard for a different reason. 

He gives Jack an unreadable glance, not really surprised by the Eladrin's words but also unsure how these two will take them. Then, looking to the strangers he says, "Undead are no threat to us." ..as if he hadn't nearly died fighting undead just a couple days ago... "And why would such creatures pose no threat to you?" He looks to Argual, "I take it you know these men." The light flickers, unsure if these strangers can be trusted. Why wouldn't undead harm them if given the chance? What makes them different, other than them being Vistani... perhaps that is the answer. 

(I just realized my mistake. For some reason i thought she cast Thaumaturgy when I made that response, not minor illusion when i finally got around to posting. Not sure how to play this out without fully retconning the most recent interaction. My apologies. I will try to proceed with this as best as I can. Though this IS just a random encounter!)

Well 'en, We all heard the voice claiming to be 'Luvash' or 'Ruby' so someone was talking, and they need to shut their gob! Just cause we Vistani are protected from most of the shite in these lands, don't mean we want to see someone else be attacked by it! Bad for business eh? Can't sell to a corpse. As for whats ahead? Well nothin. Least not when we passed by. Roads been unusually quiet.

Through all this Arugal remains silent, watching the interaction, but neither helping nor hindering. His hand is reluctantly on the hilt of his one dagger, just in case. Bluto meanwhile already has the mace drawn, but clearly doesn't know how to hold it properly.... As Beren speaks though, they give a hearty chuckle. Ah, you don't know? Surprised your guide there didn't tell ya. to which Arugal  chimes in, cutting them off. The Vistani have Strahds blessing. And no undead that are under his thrall in any way, can attack a Vistani because of the Vistani's ties to Strahd. Mutual loyalty. Simple enough? he said curtly.

And no, All Vistani are allies of all other Vistani, but just like I am sure some of you have a large family, you don't know everyone in it. And not all Vistani agree on everything, as I'm sure you've heard by now. That about sums it up. As they said though, No, we, and they, are not marks. And I am currently bound to help them, whether I want to or not.

That seemed to satisfy the two men, and they relaxed, mostly. Well take care, and stay cautious. Just cause the road is quiet now.. don't mean it always will be. We're headin to the Blue Water. Just came back from Waterdeep, made a killin selling the trinkets we find just off the road.

(Do you all continue the conversation, or proceed? or other?)

Nivi looks bemused at the "conversation."  She stiffens briefly at the mention of Waterdeep, and appears on the verge of asking a question, but then shrugs.

Her fingers waggle once more as she grins - casting Minor Illusion to project Luvash's voice in Luvash's accent again, this time at the same volume with which the Vistani have been speaking at length now so they quit whining about being too loud.

Got an open invitation to Vallaki, you two.  On me, Luvash, being town boss, Vistana and all.  Get inside my gates and tell me to shut my gob any time you like, yeah?  Might be I could get my beak wet in your little Waterdeep trinket hustle...  better deal than offing Ruby here like I almost did.

With that, Nivi is done "talking" to the two Vistani strangers and ready to continue the journey towards the winery, Shiv still flying tight aerial circles above to keep a limited lookout through the fog for the lurking threats that have just been implied.

If Jack is disappointed at all in his offer being ignored it never really shows on his face. If anything he looked to have quickly become enraptured in their explanation about the Vistani's relationship, and all the more so in hearing about the pairs recent travels to Water Deep. But before he can get in a word edge wise Nivi's magical addendum leaves him laughing.

"That sounds like an execllent way for them to wind up in prison! Or worse, haha! But either way, our newfound friends I wish you good luck on your journeys, and for your thirst to be swiftly sated!" Declared the Eladrin. "But you might want to act fast before supplies run out! As there's been rumors of a growing shortage of such luxuries of late!" He warns the pair, but is afterwards more than happy to carry on down the road. 

The two Vistani eye eachother at the return of Luvash's voice, but atleast this time its not shouting. The fog reduces visibility but has no effect on noise! Regardless, the to move around the group. Offering them passive courtesies, though they give Arugal a quizzical look, which he does not react to or return beyond shrugging, though once the pair move on, Arugal lets out a sigh.  Bluto remains passive, at this point ,Arugal has .. literally beat into him that his usual behaviour will lead to pain. Giving the man a pavlovian reaction to his own reactions. 

The day goes on and dusk approaches. Following the path that had been shown to them. As the two Vistani had said, at-least so far, there had been nothing on the road (thanks to the overly merciful dice rolls!) 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.” 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.

(I can't post more until I know if you interact or pass this person up)

In spite of the seeming mudanenity of the trip given the lack (thus far) of more horrifying encounters, Jack remained alert and pretty animated throughout most of it, occasionally regaling to the party about his other misadventures while traveling the sword coast. Most of which if given any real thought are not nearly as exciting as they sound. Yet given how passionately Jack told the story one might start to think there was more to the others mundane events.

Jack is just in the process of asking Bluto about his own history when the group finally arrive at the vineyard. At which point he says, "Hah! Actually, hold that thought Bluto. Seems we've finally... arrived?" He slows in step as his eyes fall on the man. Jack then cocks his head to the side, giving the man a quizzical look, before simply shrugging and start making his way over to him. That is, if none of the other party members top him.

(@Raiketsu: Would a passive insight of 13 be enough to discern whether or not Jack gets the sense of some urgency in the beckoning?)

Slightly disappointed that the unfamiliar Vistani passing by did not so much as crack a smile at her jibes, Nivi sighs theatrically and shrugs to no one in particular.  She and Shiv go back to dutifully keeping watch for threats along the path.

Land is full of horrors, no doubt.  Starting with everyone besides Lu-lu and Shorty here having their sense of humor surgically removed and jammed up their puckered arses.  Unless it's Lu-lu joke-accusing people helping him of being rats when they've already been falsely accused.  Good times.

When cloaked man appears and beckons, Nivi approaches alongside Jack, her posture neutral (and her rapier sheathed), but ready and looking around for an ambush.  When she gets close enough that she can peer into the darkness under the man's cowl with her darkvision, she attempts to discern any resemblance the man might have to Urwin that would mark him as potentially being Urwin's father (who apparently runs the winery).

Meanwhile, Shiv flies a tight circle overhead, looking for ambushers or other threats concealed by the mists or in the treeline.

Nivi's Perception to discern whether the man resembles Urwin:  20 (dirty)
Shiv's Perception to search for threats or an ambush hidden in the trees or fog (advantage due to Keen Hearing and Sight):  15

Having already been admonished for making too much noise along the road, Nivi keeps her mouth shut for once.

Beren nods when his suspicions about the Vistani and their apparent immunity to undead attacks are confirmed. With that encounter out of the way, he quietly follows his companions. 

Upon seeing the stranger beckoning to them, he hesitates. However when Jack and Nivi continue he also follows close behind, ready to take on the defensive should anything turn out awry. 

Unfortunately he isn't very good at reading people, so his insight won't be worth much (got a 3). So, he'll trust Nivi and Jack to handle this for now, content to just keep an eye out for threats instead. 

@mehmen it would not in this case.

Bluto remains behind, clutching his mace-handle idly, but already shivering as the light rain begins. Arugal does as well, letting the party handle being the 'face' but looking ever more dour about the goings on from the sky, and the fact that he was going to be out in it. Beren and Olamoira also remaining rooted in place.

As Nivi and Jack both approach together, Shiv taking flight to scout the area as much as the fog and mist allow. And as they do, after several steps, much like one might see in a supernatural movie with a cult, eight more figures appear from the opposite side of as many tree's. Each of them was clad in dark leather rain cloaks and cowls. As if to accentuate the scene, the sound of distant thunder pealed, echoing like the memory of shattering wood. But belying the scene, each of the humans that appeared, approached casually, offering atleast one hand in a lazy greeting. Each of them looked related to one another except one. And the man whom had beckoned the party looked like an older, and far more stern version of Urwin, as well as like one who had seen just slightly more violence than the commoner in a city, atleast to Nivi's perspective.

Two of which were children, including a single baby among those gathered. The front man speaks, his arms going behind his back. Hold friends. We do not know you, but you do not seem to be in League with the druid. Well... most of you... he says, his eye lingering a moment too long on Jack. Are you all from the city guard? Or adventurers stumbling upon us by chance? Or perhaps my fool of a son sent you in his place? If you are here to collect taxes... then you would perhaps wish to come back later. The winery is quite under siege. Not at this moment, but the attacks have been relentless for more than a week..

Jack doesn't appear particularly disturbed at the sudden materialization of more potential "foes", seeing as none drew steel or the like. If anything the Eladrin perpetual smile only broadened at the sight as he opened his arms wide as if offering them all a hug. Although his first words of greeting ultimately dies in his throat, the poorly timed sound of thunder having prompted an immediate yet calm glance up at the sky. However, the eladrin almost just as promptly dismissed the phenomenon in the wake of the front man's words.

"You're under siege by a druid then I take it? Haha! How peculiar! But this would go a long way to explain why this 'fool of a son' of yours requested we go look into things here, wouldn't it?" Jack said with a grin. "You may call me Jack, if it so pleases you. A foreigner to these lands as much as my companions here to be sure-" He said in greeting, then leaned in a bit and added, "-though I'd imagine that much is obvious!" With another chuckle, Jack straightened out once more and said while gesturing to each party members in turn, "The lovely little minx at my side here is Nivi, the armored fellow there is Sir Beren, and... my rather pious friend over there is Olamoira. Now pretell what exactly did you lot do to go and piss off one of nature's warden? Or -- Hahah! Am being far too presumptuous?"

Olamoira, seeing the friendly greeting of the group, and also the family resemblance--the recognition of which causes a pang in her heart that she pushes away numbly, her brooding silence on the journey threatening to catch up with her--she steps forward. "Yes," she says, "your son sent us, to see about this siege."

The man listens briefly, under the pattering of the rain to both. "Too much of a coward to help us himself, Considering he's the one who put his family *in* this predicament to begin with." The accusation hanging in the air. The adults and elder children nodding in agreement. 

"As for the druid, they are no warden of anything except the shadows.And have long sought our vineyard, and it was not until recently that they were able to get through. I'm sure I don't have to repeat myself as to why. My name is Donovan. It is nice to meet you all. Fresh bodied help is in dire need. We've nary a few hours of rest between each fresh wave of attacks. At first, we thought you lot were it."

Nivi rolls her eyes at Jack's description of her as a 'lovely little minx,' while not appearing entirely displeased.  Yet her gaze becomes neutral at the Martikov patriarch's condemnation of his son.  A condemnation which appears to brook no doubt among the elder man's companions.

(She thinks, but does not say):
What is it with the false accusations flying everywhere like cheap fish at a dock market?  Didn't Urwin mumble something about a misunderstanding?

Still, observing the certainty in the expressions of their interlocutors, Nivi does NOT contest their slander of the Blue Water Inn's proprietor's alleged past transgressions, instead sticking only to exactly what Urwin had or hadn't told the party about the current situation.

"Not for nothing, but Urwin never said word one about a siege.  Don't think he knew about that.  Only that the wine hadn't made it in long enough to mean trouble.  But since you're saying it's a siege... by a druid...  Meaning just one druid?"  Nivi looks around doubtfully as Shiv alights on her shoulder.

Suddenly, she recalls the wolf-hunters at the Blue Water Inn speaking of dark druids in the woods.  Among other things.  Werewolves, barbarians, spirits...

"Guessing you mean this bastard's got help - from these 'shadows' he’s warden of?  Funny, I was thinking if the winery's under siege, you all would be inside.  Defending it, yeah?  So, what gives?  You out on a..."  what did her brother Alend call it?  "A sortie?  Or they drive you out of the place already?"

Standing directly behind Jack and Nivi as this conversation plays out, Beren decides to stay silent on the matter about Urwin. This seems to be the person they were looking for so the details matter little to him. 

"Whatever the circumstance, we will take care of these druids," clearly he's still of the mentality that no questions or answers are needed. They have a task and he'll carry it out regardless of why or how these events came to pass. 

Jack's eyes immediately appeared to light up at Donovan's initial reply as the Eladrin could sense quite the tale behind the claim. Yet for all his apparent interest in the moment the following claims about the Druid immediately has him scowling and casting his gaze over towards the vineyard from their current distance, searching for any signs of the druid or their left behind machinations.

"If these fellows have turned towards the shadows as you say, then they have truly lost their way... or gone mad! Regardless, I feel all the more duty bound to see them returned to the earth in repentance. But before that my friend here-" He gesture offhandedly to Nivi. "-did raise some important questions, and I would hear the answer. For if it be but a singular druid, they are either of incredible power, or have roused the land to aid in their endeavors. The fact your home yet stands suggests more the latter, so pretell what form these assailants of the woods take?"

(I will try to update by or before friday)

Donovan shakes his head. To correct one thing, it is not only the druid, but a sorcerer or wizard who sends constructs after us, though for what purpose other than to harry us I do not know. It was a while ago we lost the first and that is likely what led to this. he said, volunteering just a bit more vague information. As for your other question, we have been fighting for several weeks, and between the druid's nearly endless attacks, and the in-between harassment of the scarecrows the spellcaster sends at us, we've had nary a moment to rest. And our resources are at their limits.

As I said, We had spotted your group just when we were deciding whether to retreat in full or make a final stand. He said, repeating himself one more time ((And since it's been a while IRL)) His head turns to the vineyard, and its various buildings, each with their own specific purpose. It looks safe now, but the druid's minions hide in ambush. And .. I'll admit.. I do not recall when the last wave of scarecrows was also sent at us... but neither side seems willing to attack the other, only us. Donovan says, as the others with him look between eachother with anxious glances. I have seen no singular druid with power though, elf, in case such information is pertinent. They have been attacking with small armies of Needleblights.

I hope you will aid us, as your shining friend suggests. Our last count.. if still accurate is that atleast thirty of them remain... along with a single druid that we're aware of, whom is controlling them. Though sometimes he bring others with him. And until now we've held them off.

We will be of no use to you in this fight, we have no energy left. And looking at them all, it seems as if they haven't slept in several days, and are looking quite exhausted. 

(((This is a DM warning, this area will likely be extremely challenging. Proceed with caution in what you choose to do. This is also the last time I will give a Danger warning for an area.)))