Burr nodded grimly at Zeflas question, though he thought grumpily to himself that they may need to stock up on supplies before heading there.....still, rather cursed wolf-things than witches...at least for the moment though he worried the creatures might have other children in their clutches already.
Urwin purses his lips at the mention of the Vistani. "The Vistani are... a complicated people. On an individual basis, I have found them to be quite charming, and their culture holds that they be welcoming to travelers and strangers." Then his look darkens. "As a whole, however, they are tied to the Devil Strahd. Much of what they see and hear is reported to their master, and when he calls, they come. In this, the Baron is not wrong, though I am not sure that his prohibition against them entering the city is either wise or effective."
"And prohibition or not... there are many noble houses here in Vallaki that display art or hold vintages in their cellars that come from lands beyond the mists."
He raises an eyebrow at Zefla'snext question. "A den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake...? I'm afraid I know little of the comings and goings of wolves. I saw you speaking to Yevgeni and Soldar last night. They are accomplished hunters," he says, making gesture to the many wolf heads on the walls. "Did you try asking them?"
He pauses. "And why, might I ask, are you looking for such a place? On the roads of Barovia, wolves will often find you soon enough. Why do you seek them out?"
As for Lake Zarovich, he tells you it is easily accessible down a short road leading from the north gate of Vallaki. There isn't much there to be seen: a few docks, a warehouse where fish from the lake are cleaned and prepared, and a couple of buildings where locals distill crude potato and grain based spirits.
Father Lucian clearly takes your concern about Milivoj to heart, Soren. "I will speak with the boy, when we have some time to be alone. It's possible your arrival and all this talk of the Devil has stirred up old feelings. Thank you for the insight. And of course you will be welcome tonight... so long as you are not too disturbed by our vigil. We can get a little bit lively with our hymns and dancing," he adds with a tired smile.
Soren, you will arrive back at the Blue Water Inn once their conversation with Urwin is over (it is probably taken place back in time when you were still resting.)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zefla nods, "We did try asking them last night (I'm pretty sure) but they weren't much help. I do appreciate your candidness about your village for us newcomers."
She scratches her head, obviously trying to decide something and then just goes with it, "Well, we were given a tarot card reading and we were told to find this den of wolves. We are desperate to find our way home... and well, this is the only lead we have."
Zefla nods, "We did try asking them last night (I'm pretty sure) but they weren't much help. I do appreciate your candidness about your village for us newcomers."
She scratches her head, obviously trying to decide something and then just goes with it, "Well, we were given a tarot card reading and we were told to find this den of wolves. We are desperate to find our way home... and well, this is the only lead we have."
" As my wise friend says, it is our only hope of finding our way home......and it was, in a way, the job we were originally hired to do."
Urwin nods, but with a look on his face which suggests he is not quite understanding something.
"You were... hired to hunt wolves? I suppose that might explain Yevgeni and Szoldar's reluctance to be more forthcoming. They hunt to feed themselves and might have seen you as competition."
He scrunches his nose. "But you are from lands beyond the mists and only just came to Vallaki, correct? Who could have possibly hired you to hunt our valleys' wolves?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
"No, no, you misunderstand. We weren't hired to hunt them. We were told to find this den, there is something there we need to find. I'm not sure what it is yet, but hoping it will make sense once we get there. Any tips on how to talk with Yevgeni and Szoldar to get them to talk to us? Are they going to be here later today?" Zefla inquires.
Urwin looks from Zefla to Burr and then sighs. "They may be back tonight, if they have success with their traplines today. By now, I suspect they are already in the field, hunting. It's possible, I suppose, that you could find them if you have a skilled tracker among you. Otherwise... they could be anywhere beyond the walls by now, in any direction."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Giles smiles unctuously and slides into the conversation when Burr mentions being hired to hunt wolves, “What my friend here means to say, is that we were not meaning to compete with the hunters at all, as dear Zefla said, we were told that something of interest may be near their den. I am keen to learn more of this Lake Zarovich, perhaps we should head north of town and explore a bit… I don’t’ know that I want to wait on the hunters or make them feel… uncomfortable… that we are trying to encroach upon their craft.” He turns and looks at his companions, “What say you? I wonder if Soren will be joining us soon, then we depart?” Giles smiles and arches his fingertips and watches Urwin.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"Lake Zarovich lies here in the middle of the valley. All of the local streams drain into her and she has no outlet. In many ways she is the breadbasket of Vallaki. While there are still farms that continue to work the land despite its many dangers, the roads are seldom safe and it is never a guarantee that produce sees its way to the town. Fish from the lake see to it that the people of Vallaki are able to eat."
"Even so, we don't do most of that fishing ourselves. They say a fire burned down the harbor many years ago on the south shore of the lake, and it was never rebuilt. Now, fishermen from smaller villages on the other side of the lake do our fishing and then bring their barges to Vallaki for trade."
Sorenarrives from the church as the questioning of Urwin begins to wind down.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Face still haggard, though less so, Soren apologizes to any ravens still present outside for the prior spirit bear spectacle using Speech of the Woods.
Upon entering, once the conversation is over, he also apologizes privately and sincerely to Urwin for his previous hasty departure and causing a scene. He forthrightly tries to explain the circumstance of his debilitating nightmares and his hopes to stay at Saint Andral's Cathedral under Father Lucian's watch tonight in case that protects his sleep and dreams from the intruding witch. Finally, he turns to his companions.
"Where should we go today? It seems we have many choices. I think it premature and dangerous to hunt the witches at the windmill, but I do hope to return to Vallaki tonight so I can shelter at Saint Andral's in the hopes that whatever protection the Morninglord offers protects me there."
"In the meantime, we could venture outside the town, perhaps searching for this wolf den. Or perhaps stay in Vallaki to obtain a book and take advantage of Lady Wachter's book club invitation that we found, and the fact that we returned her two sons safe last night. Though neither she, nor the burgomaster Vargas and his henchman Izek sound pleasant. Or perhaps something else I have not considered."
Burr grimaced at the mention of a book club, " I want to be of use......but there seems precious little we can do. None of us are great heroes or mighty mages......or even somewhat satisfactory sorcerers."
" This land needs its Devil killed for anything to improve but that is well beyond us. I worry that the witches hold children....but getting ourselves killed won't help them."
" The wolves seem somewhat within our reach.....unless there are a few ambulatory corpses or perhaps a single ghoul or gribbly that needs putting down."
“Let’s head north eh? And I would like the path with no ghouls, please.” Giles begins to tighten up his pack, readying this things. He begins to head for the door if the others are following.
”Head north and watch for wolf tracks I suppose.. unless one of you has a better idea. Soren, you feeling alright?”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Happy to hear a decision has been made, Zefla picks up her pack of many things and follows Giles. As Giles asks Soren how he's doing, she does look to the druid to see his answer. He appeared in her eyes to be looking a lot better than when they left him at the church.
"Did Father Lucian have anything interesting to say?"she inquires as they head out. She thought all religion was nuts, but she couldn't deny the way the mist edged it's way around the church...
As they head out, she uses her scouting abilities to try and see which way the two hunters went...
Soren still looks haggard and haunted, clearly still suffering from exhaustion brought on by a night of torture and no sleep. But his brown eyes are back to their usual serene state and his face is not quite as pale as it was earlier during his outburst. He smiles wanly when asked about his condition.
"Father Lucian was without sleep himself, having kept vigil through the night with his... prayer group? You all heard the tale of Ivanka and her neighbor Jitka who was ensorcelled by Morgantha's pastries..." Soren cannot help glancing at Zefla once more.
"After you left, he cleaned the pews while I rested. One thing that I noticed was the oldest of the younglings, Milivoj, who last time was digging with a shovel outside near the mist, then staring at you Zefla when he thought you were not looking... something is troubling him. Father Lucian begged me that we not to put ideas into his head, and told me that when this great mage we heard of in the stories raised a rebellion against the darklord, Milivoj was eager to join them and sullen when stopped. Yet, I the lad seems restless, or has already committed a grave offense for which he believes Father Lucian will punish him, though the priest does not seem to be the type to rely on punishments. I asked Father Lucian to speak with him."
He pauses once more, looking chagrined. "I have wasted your time this morning, and for that I apologize. Though in truth, if the witch poisons your dreams, you will understand. So we look for the wolves?" He attempts to remember what Madame Eva had said.
"... a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope. Look for a den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake. The treasure belongs to Mother Night. Retrieve it from her grasp and it will light your way."
I wonder if this Mother Night is one and the same as Morgantha, Soren wonders bleakly...
"Is Lake Zarovich a 'mountain lake'? It looks as if there is more than one lake near the mountains here." He retrieves the map from his pack (when the party is alone), pointing to another, smaller lake in the Forest of Wolves to the northwest, and another lake further northwest still.
Zefla looks at the map that Soren pulls out and then squints at the NW corner. Pointing her little finger at the lake nestled in the mountains past the Forest of the Wolves.. "Yeah, I'm thinking we'll have to go all the way here, but gotta start somewhere."
Urwin Martikov continues cleaning the bar top as the party departs the Blue Water Inn. At the top of the stairs, you spy the young Martikov boys perched and watching you silently as you exit their parents' establishment.
Now, more than an hour after daybreak, Vallaki is beginning to stir. There are still very few citizens out on the cobblestone streets, but as you pass narrow homes you can hear the sounds of boards creaking, pots clanging, and other sounds that life is awakening in the grim mountain town. At the northernmost city gate - the sign over which reads 'Lake Gate' - the sleepy guards raise an eyebrow at your appearance but otherwise do little more than confirm you have your papers on you. The remind you the gates are shut at dusk and there will be no re-entry allowed until the following morning. If you are not back by nightfall, you will need to fend for yourself outside the walls. All will be well.
Zefla, you scan the ground but are disappointed. If the wolf hunters left Vallaki this morning, it wasn't by this gate. There is some old foot traffic [at least 3-4 days old] that suggests a few large groups came and went at that time, but the only more recent tracks are two single sets of prints... one arriving yesterday... one departing just this morning. Different shoes.
The path down to Lake Zarovich is a short one. Most of the woods between the town and the Lake have been cleared, allowing you a clear view of the dark waters of the lake. Lake Zarovich stretches approximately 7 miles on its long side and looks to be perhaps 3 miles across at its widest point. The grey mists of Barovia seem to avoid the surface of the lake, though they hug its shorelines. In the distance, it looks like there might be some cottages on the far eastern (?) end of the lake but you cannot be sure from here. Beyond the lake, the land slopes upward quickly, with a mountain range quickly rising above even the mists, dominated by a single huge mountain, its peak disappearing into the grey clouds.
After a 10 minute walk, you arrive at the shoreline of Lake Zarovich. Here the path ends and there is only thin forest and reedy coastline to either side. At the end of the path, there is a small, sandy beach with a dock. Two rowboats float there, tied up with heavy rope. Another four boats and a pile of nets in disrepair sit piled up on the beach. There are a handful of small wooden buildings near the dock as well, none much larger than a single room.
Anyone taking more than a cursory glance at the scene may make a Perception check.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM -(Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown *Red Dead Annihilation: ToA *Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Giles looks from spot to spot, taking this in after they arrive. He looks at the boats and rope, looks to the buildings, examining the whole scene. “I wonder what manner of fish live in this lake… and who comes and goes from here.” He scans the area.
Perception : 9 (passive of 14).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
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Burr nodded grimly at Zeflas question, though he thought grumpily to himself that they may need to stock up on supplies before heading there.....still, rather cursed wolf-things than witches...at least for the moment though he worried the creatures might have other children in their clutches already.
Urwin purses his lips at the mention of the Vistani. "The Vistani are... a complicated people. On an individual basis, I have found them to be quite charming, and their culture holds that they be welcoming to travelers and strangers." Then his look darkens. "As a whole, however, they are tied to the Devil Strahd. Much of what they see and hear is reported to their master, and when he calls, they come. In this, the Baron is not wrong, though I am not sure that his prohibition against them entering the city is either wise or effective."
"And prohibition or not... there are many noble houses here in Vallaki that display art or hold vintages in their cellars that come from lands beyond the mists."
He raises an eyebrow at Zefla's next question. "A den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake...? I'm afraid I know little of the comings and goings of wolves. I saw you speaking to Yevgeni and Soldar last night. They are accomplished hunters," he says, making gesture to the many wolf heads on the walls. "Did you try asking them?"
He pauses. "And why, might I ask, are you looking for such a place? On the roads of Barovia, wolves will often find you soon enough. Why do you seek them out?"
As for Lake Zarovich, he tells you it is easily accessible down a short road leading from the north gate of Vallaki. There isn't much there to be seen: a few docks, a warehouse where fish from the lake are cleaned and prepared, and a couple of buildings where locals distill crude potato and grain based spirits.
Father Lucian clearly takes your concern about Milivoj to heart, Soren. "I will speak with the boy, when we have some time to be alone. It's possible your arrival and all this talk of the Devil has stirred up old feelings. Thank you for the insight. And of course you will be welcome tonight... so long as you are not too disturbed by our vigil. We can get a little bit lively with our hymns and dancing," he adds with a tired smile.
Soren, you will arrive back at the Blue Water Inn once their conversation with Urwin is over (it is probably taken place back in time when you were still resting.)
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Zefla nods, "We did try asking them last night (I'm pretty sure) but they weren't much help. I do appreciate your candidness about your village for us newcomers."
She scratches her head, obviously trying to decide something and then just goes with it, "Well, we were given a tarot card reading and we were told to find this den of wolves. We are desperate to find our way home... and well, this is the only lead we have."
" As my wise friend says, it is our only hope of finding our way home......and it was, in a way, the job we were originally hired to do."
Urwin nods, but with a look on his face which suggests he is not quite understanding something.
"You were... hired to hunt wolves? I suppose that might explain Yevgeni and Szoldar's reluctance to be more forthcoming. They hunt to feed themselves and might have seen you as competition."
He scrunches his nose. "But you are from lands beyond the mists and only just came to Vallaki, correct? Who could have possibly hired you to hunt our valleys' wolves?"
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Burr looked at the other two in a slight panic, he hadn't meant to start a conversation....
"No, no, you misunderstand. We weren't hired to hunt them. We were told to find this den, there is something there we need to find. I'm not sure what it is yet, but hoping it will make sense once we get there. Any tips on how to talk with Yevgeni and Szoldar to get them to talk to us? Are they going to be here later today?" Zefla inquires.
Urwin looks from Zefla to Burr and then sighs. "They may be back tonight, if they have success with their traplines today. By now, I suspect they are already in the field, hunting. It's possible, I suppose, that you could find them if you have a skilled tracker among you. Otherwise... they could be anywhere beyond the walls by now, in any direction."
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Giles smiles unctuously and slides into the conversation when Burr mentions being hired to hunt wolves, “What my friend here means to say, is that we were not meaning to compete with the hunters at all, as dear Zefla said, we were told that something of interest may be near their den. I am keen to learn more of this Lake Zarovich, perhaps we should head north of town and explore a bit… I don’t’ know that I want to wait on the hunters or make them feel… uncomfortable… that we are trying to encroach upon their craft.” He turns and looks at his companions, “What say you? I wonder if Soren will be joining us soon, then we depart?” Giles smiles and arches his fingertips and watches Urwin.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"Lake Zarovich lies here in the middle of the valley. All of the local streams drain into her and she has no outlet. In many ways she is the breadbasket of Vallaki. While there are still farms that continue to work the land despite its many dangers, the roads are seldom safe and it is never a guarantee that produce sees its way to the town. Fish from the lake see to it that the people of Vallaki are able to eat."
"Even so, we don't do most of that fishing ourselves. They say a fire burned down the harbor many years ago on the south shore of the lake, and it was never rebuilt. Now, fishermen from smaller villages on the other side of the lake do our fishing and then bring their barges to Vallaki for trade."
Soren arrives from the church as the questioning of Urwin begins to wind down.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Face still haggard, though less so, Soren apologizes to any ravens still present outside for the prior spirit bear spectacle using Speech of the Woods.
Upon entering, once the conversation is over, he also apologizes privately and sincerely to Urwin for his previous hasty departure and causing a scene. He forthrightly tries to explain the circumstance of his debilitating nightmares and his hopes to stay at Saint Andral's Cathedral under Father Lucian's watch tonight in case that protects his sleep and dreams from the intruding witch. Finally, he turns to his companions.
"Where should we go today? It seems we have many choices. I think it premature and dangerous to hunt the witches at the windmill, but I do hope to return to Vallaki tonight so I can shelter at Saint Andral's in the hopes that whatever protection the Morninglord offers protects me there."
"In the meantime, we could venture outside the town, perhaps searching for this wolf den. Or perhaps stay in Vallaki to obtain a book and take advantage of Lady Wachter's book club invitation that we found, and the fact that we returned her two sons safe last night. Though neither she, nor the burgomaster Vargas and his henchman Izek sound pleasant. Or perhaps something else I have not considered."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Burr grimaced at the mention of a book club, " I want to be of use......but there seems precious little we can do. None of us are great heroes or mighty mages......or even somewhat satisfactory sorcerers."
" This land needs its Devil killed for anything to improve but that is well beyond us. I worry that the witches hold children....but getting ourselves killed won't help them."
" The wolves seem somewhat within our reach.....unless there are a few ambulatory corpses or perhaps a single ghoul or gribbly that needs putting down."
“Let’s head north eh? And I would like the path with no ghouls, please.” Giles begins to tighten up his pack, readying this things. He begins to head for the door if the others are following.
”Head north and watch for wolf tracks I suppose.. unless one of you has a better idea. Soren, you feeling alright?”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Happy to hear a decision has been made, Zefla picks up her pack of many things and follows Giles. As Giles asks Soren how he's doing, she does look to the druid to see his answer. He appeared in her eyes to be looking a lot better than when they left him at the church.
"Did Father Lucian have anything interesting to say?" she inquires as they head out. She thought all religion was nuts, but she couldn't deny the way the mist edged it's way around the church...
As they head out, she uses her scouting abilities to try and see which way the two hunters went...
Survival 22
Soren still looks haggard and haunted, clearly still suffering from exhaustion brought on by a night of torture and no sleep. But his brown eyes are back to their usual serene state and his face is not quite as pale as it was earlier during his outburst. He smiles wanly when asked about his condition.
"Father Lucian was without sleep himself, having kept vigil through the night with his... prayer group? You all heard the tale of Ivanka and her neighbor Jitka who was ensorcelled by Morgantha's pastries..." Soren cannot help glancing at Zefla once more.
"After you left, he cleaned the pews while I rested. One thing that I noticed was the oldest of the younglings, Milivoj, who last time was digging with a shovel outside near the mist, then staring at you Zefla when he thought you were not looking... something is troubling him. Father Lucian begged me that we not to put ideas into his head, and told me that when this great mage we heard of in the stories raised a rebellion against the darklord, Milivoj was eager to join them and sullen when stopped. Yet, I the lad seems restless, or has already committed a grave offense for which he believes Father Lucian will punish him, though the priest does not seem to be the type to rely on punishments. I asked Father Lucian to speak with him."
He pauses once more, looking chagrined. "I have wasted your time this morning, and for that I apologize. Though in truth, if the witch poisons your dreams, you will understand. So we look for the wolves?" He attempts to remember what Madame Eva had said.
"... a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope. Look for a den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake. The treasure belongs to Mother Night. Retrieve it from her grasp and it will light your way."
I wonder if this Mother Night is one and the same as Morgantha, Soren wonders bleakly...
"Is Lake Zarovich a 'mountain lake'? It looks as if there is more than one lake near the mountains here." He retrieves the map from his pack (when the party is alone), pointing to another, smaller lake in the Forest of Wolves to the northwest, and another lake further northwest still.
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Zefla looks at the map that Soren pulls out and then squints at the NW corner. Pointing her little finger at the lake nestled in the mountains past the Forest of the Wolves.. "Yeah, I'm thinking we'll have to go all the way here, but gotta start somewhere."
" I'll follow you. I'm good at finding my way, but shite at reading maps."
Soren rolls up and stows the map in his pack once more.
"Lake Zarovich, then." His voice remains slightly hoarse and muted. "Perhaps the air and open water will do me good."
Tanis(Ranger1): Shiverquill's Tempest City | Xarian(Fighter2): NioNSwiper's Tyranny of Dragons
Dyson/Eleo(TwilightCleric4): Vos' Beyond the Veil | Soren(ShepherdDruid5): Bartjeebus' Ravenloft | Ophelia(WildMagicSorcerer4): Ashen_Age's Risen from the Sands
Joren(EchoKnightFighter6): NotDrizzt's Simple Request | Sabetha(MercyMonk3): Bedlymn's Murder Court | Seri(NatureCleric3/DivineSoulSorcerer1): Bartjeebus' Greyhawk
Urwin Martikov continues cleaning the bar top as the party departs the Blue Water Inn. At the top of the stairs, you spy the young Martikov boys perched and watching you silently as you exit their parents' establishment.
Now, more than an hour after daybreak, Vallaki is beginning to stir. There are still very few citizens out on the cobblestone streets, but as you pass narrow homes you can hear the sounds of boards creaking, pots clanging, and other sounds that life is awakening in the grim mountain town. At the northernmost city gate - the sign over which reads 'Lake Gate' - the sleepy guards raise an eyebrow at your appearance but otherwise do little more than confirm you have your papers on you. The remind you the gates are shut at dusk and there will be no re-entry allowed until the following morning. If you are not back by nightfall, you will need to fend for yourself outside the walls. All will be well.
Zefla, you scan the ground but are disappointed. If the wolf hunters left Vallaki this morning, it wasn't by this gate. There is some old foot traffic [at least 3-4 days old] that suggests a few large groups came and went at that time, but the only more recent tracks are two single sets of prints... one arriving yesterday... one departing just this morning. Different shoes.
The path down to Lake Zarovich is a short one. Most of the woods between the town and the Lake have been cleared, allowing you a clear view of the dark waters of the lake. Lake Zarovich stretches approximately 7 miles on its long side and looks to be perhaps 3 miles across at its widest point. The grey mists of Barovia seem to avoid the surface of the lake, though they hug its shorelines. In the distance, it looks like there might be some cottages on the far eastern (?) end of the lake but you cannot be sure from here. Beyond the lake, the land slopes upward quickly, with a mountain range quickly rising above even the mists, dominated by a single huge mountain, its peak disappearing into the grey clouds.
After a 10 minute walk, you arrive at the shoreline of Lake Zarovich. Here the path ends and there is only thin forest and reedy coastline to either side. At the end of the path, there is a small, sandy beach with a dock. Two rowboats float there, tied up with heavy rope. Another four boats and a pile of nets in disrepair sit piled up on the beach. There are a handful of small wooden buildings near the dock as well, none much larger than a single room.
Anyone taking more than a cursory glance at the scene may make a Perception check.
PC - Ethel - Human - Lvl 4 Necromancer - Undying Dragons * Serge Marshblade - Human - Lvl 5 Eldritch Knight - Hoard of the Dragon Queen
DM - (Homebrew) Heroes of Bardstown * Red Dead Annihilation: ToA * Where the Cold Winds Blow : DoIP * Covetous, Dragonish Thoughts: HotDQ * Red Wine, Black Rose: CoS * Greyhawk: Tides of War
Giles looks from spot to spot, taking this in after they arrive. He looks at the boats and rope, looks to the buildings, examining the whole scene. “I wonder what manner of fish live in this lake… and who comes and goes from here.” He scans the area.
Perception : 9 (passive of 14).
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.