Waking up early after her fitful sleep, the blonde elven maiden quietly gets up from her bedroll by the campfire and sneaks down to the river for a quick dip, then dressing and returning refreshed to the Vistani camp, pondering her vivid dreams. She looks up at the clouds and realizes she really misses the sun now, hoping it will show itself soon. "I think you're probably right Alcazar..." Celeste says with a warm smile, her long blonde hair still moist as she takes a seat by the fire. "...but perhaps some breakfast first while we wait for the others to wake up." She adds with an amused smile, looking around at those still sleeping as she unpacks some dried fruit and bisquits from the neat backpack at her side.

Once it seems the first people are heading to sleep, Janek finds a spot to set out his bedroll. Methodically he doffs his chainmail, laying it out precisely next to his bedroll. He then removes each scabbard and longsword, placing them side by side next to the armor.  Finally, he pulls something out of his pocket, holding it he sits for a long while murmuring something.  Finally he places the item back and only then does he lay down to rest. 

With the morning, he is up very early, spending a few moments to himself before moving to see who of the others might be up as well.  He waits for everyone to be ready to head on with their journey. 

(im assuming no one else has anything they want to do at the Vistani camp)

Ismark and Ireena wait around the campfire, and shortly after you all break your fast, suggest that you move on. Ismark: "It's a long way to go to Valliki. If your business is concluded, let's be on our way. We can get there today if we make no further detours. I will be able to sleep much better once Ireena is save in Valliki"

Ireena packs up her provisions and gets ready for the day in her armour and straps o her weapon, ready for the journey. Ismark thanks the Vistani for their hospitality, paying them a few coins for the food and wine the group drank, and bid a them farewell.

Ireena: "I heard of the fate Madame Eva predicted for you. Very strange and mysterious. I never understood why foretelling cannot be in plain language. What's the point?

And I'm not altogether certain of that old woman leading the Vistani. There's something odd about her, and I could swear I spotted her staring at me from her tent at one point in the evening. 

So, let's be off. Best to worry about this from somewhere far away!"

The blonde elven maiden stands up after her simple morning meal and gather her gear, nodding in agreement with Ismark about continuing the journey towards Vallaki, also thanking the Vistani over their hospitality.

"But then it wouldn't be mysterious..." Celeste comments with a wink to Ireena's statement about the reading. "...and as believer in the mystic in a sense I accept there will be interpretations in play. If my future would be crystal clear it would take away my sense of deciding my own fate I guess." She adds with a weak smile. "We should certainly get going though."

Rodan spends the late evening around the fire with any remaining Vistani, swapping stories and questioning them about if this land, or their own culture, have any noteworthy tales of heroes or revolutionaries (whether their efforts were successful or not).

As an elf, Rodan needs only trance for four hours each night to take a proper rest.  He has lived most of his life with and around humans, however, and he has taken to relaxing for the full eight hours, trancing for four and then resting in a not-quite-sleep state for the rest of the night.  When the grey morning comes, he gathers his things and prepares with the others to set out again.

At Ireena's concern and Celeste's response, he chuckles lyrically and gives his own thoughts.  "The blurry talk is the bloomin' point itself.  Most 'seers' are sketchy blokes, no more clued in than you or me. The fancy, high-and-mighty, and flowery talk allows for duckin' the blame when wrong, and offerin' loads of ways to read the readin'.  Make your predictions vague enough, you see, and they'll always pan out... if'n you squint hard enough."

"... On the other hand, there are real mystics out there, gifted with a peek into what's to come. But seein' the future is power, you see. Real, honest to darkness power. And like all real power, it tends to turn even honest folks dodgy."

"I reckon folks like ol' Madame Eva, if'n she is a true seer of the future, got so used to being one step ahead of literally everyone and everything around 'er, she gets a proper kick out of leadin' us lesser folks around by the nose. Droppin' just enough hints to prove she saw what was comin', but not enough for us to do anythin' with it, and then most likely showin' up at the end of the tale, cacklin' about how we were too simple to see what was right in front of us the whole bleedin' time."  He shrugs.  "Or maybe I'm just an old curmudgeon."

(I take this as no one else having much to do in the camp. If you did mean to have something else to do, as per the OOC chat: I don't think it's an issue if we do a couple of posts outside of the strict order of things. It's fine to squeeze that in. But in the meantime, let's move the narrative on if no one has anything else they are doing in the camp)

You pack your bedrolls and packs, and thank the Vistani before leaving their camp. They big you farewell and wish you good fortune on your journey. The same track you came in from follows through the camp on the other side and leads you further along the river. You follow along the bank of the river, and the sides become steeper. After a while, reach the the base of a canyon with the river flowing through. At at the far of the canyon, a great waterfall spills into a pool, billowing forth clouds of cold mist. High above you, snapping the top of the canyon at a great height, perhaps a thousand feet overhead, a great arched stone bridge spans the canyon.

The river flows fast through the narrow canyon, but then widens somewhat as it exits into the more open land. The canyon itself looks daunting and tall - sure to be a hard climb. The land further along the stream slopes upwards at a steep but climbable rate, and there looks to be a sheep path on the near bank that leads up into the hills and perhaps toward the road or bridge.

The blonde elven maiden smiles at Rodan's observation. He was not wrong, in her humble opinion.

As the companions journey on towards Vallaki, Celeste would sing a cheerful song in elven to lighten hearts and steps alike. When they reach the bridge up above she turns to Ismark and Ireena. "Are we crossing the bridge then?" She asks, seeming wary of Strahd's servants catching them up there.

Performance for song: 5
Perception to notice threats: 15

Quote from Oberon99 >>

Perception to notice threats: 25

 Your song provides a rare bit of cheer and merriment in this dreary place where the sun never seems to shine properly.

Quote from Oberon99 >>

Perception to notice threats: 25

 You keep a keen lookout on your journey but do not notice anything dangerous nearby.

Quote from Oberon99 >>

As the companions journey on towards Vallaki, Celeste would sing a cheerful song in elven to lighten hearts and steps alike. When they reach the bridge up above she turns to Ismark and Ireena. "Are we crossing the bridge then?" She asks, seeming wary of Strahd's servants catching them up there.

 Ismark shrugs. "From what I know of the area, this path here should lead to the top of the bridge which will then lead us along the road to Valliki. Or we could try and cross the river outside the canyon where the river is slower and less deep. Personally, I think we should get back up to the main road as that will surely enable us to travel faster."

"Do I understand correctly that while the main road is faster it is more likely watched?" Janek asks. "I've no problem with faster, and if anyone might try to stop us, it's about as likely they'd watch both routes."

Rodan nods to Janek and begins making way for the old sheep's path.

You make your way up the sheep track, which winds up the slope and around, until it reaches the road a little way away from the bridge. You follow the road and cross the bridge. From up close, you see that the stones of the bridge are covered in mud as and liches, and on the side walls are weathered Gargoyles (small grotesque statues). The whole thing looks extremely ancient, as if it has been here for centuries, but seems very solid and sturdy nonetheless.

You cross the bridge, only stopping briefly to admire the view of the canyon below and the waterfall beyond. 

As you make your way further along the road, you encounter a crossroads, with the road giving you two choices: further to the north-west towards Valliki, or east towards Castle Ravenloft - the seat of Strahd himself. You notice that the road to the east is paved and maintained much better - although you guess that this could just be from the fact that there is probably far less traffic towards the castle than between the towns. 

Ireena shudders and speaks urgently: "Quickly. Let us carry on to Valliki before Strahd or his minions sally out of their castle and come down the road! On to Valliki"

(Let me know which branch of the road you take)

The blonde elven maiden would indeed admire the view from atop the bridge before descending again. Her steps would only quicken as the companions reach the paved road heading towards the castle. "Yes, this is already too close for comfort." She says quietly, resuming her song once they have left the crossroads behind and continued towards Vallaki.

Perception to notice threats ahead or coming from the castle: 9

Quote from Oberon99 >>

Perception to notice threats ahead or coming from the castle: 20

 You cannot see anyone, but you also cannot shake the feeling of being watched.

18

The rest of the journey is uneventful. The road winds past more trees, fields and hills, until eventually you reach a lake at the foot of a mountain, nestled in the misty forest. From your map, this must be Lake Zarovich. The water is perfectly still and dark, reflecting the black clouds overhead like a monstrous mirror.

Pulled up along the south shore, close to the road you are walking on, are three small rowboats. A fourth boat can be seen in the middle of the lake, with a lone figure sitting in it, fishing pole in hand.

Ahead of you, you can see the outline of many roofs in the distance, which you conclude must be the town of Vallaki.

(Lake to your right, town ahead)

Celeste is relieved as the group leaves the ominous castle behind. As the companions pass the lake, the blonde elven maiden curiously peers out at fisherman while continuing towards the town of Vallaki.

Perception: 18

Rodan pauses to look down over the wide mountain lake.  He says - to the group but to no one in particular - "Lovey country do, innit? I reckon it'd be proper charming 'round 'ere if it weren't for all them gods damned vampires."