"If you can cause a distraction without putting yourself and your family at risk that would be helpful." The blonde elven maiden says with a grateful nod to the man with the short beard, then turning to her companions. "It is a sound plan, sneaking into the vineyard to deal with the druids there and hopefully those evil shrubs will scatter, or at least not act in unison." She suggests, looking to her companions for their thoughts.

((earlier))

Quote from Touschka_ >>

...
Ireena: "Yes, quite. Although I do wonder ... is it be best thing to stay in one place for too long. Perhaps we should stay with this lot and keep on the move. Unless they're planning on doing something particularly dangerous and stupid?" she says, quizzically raising her eyebrows.

(Let me know if you want to try and convince them to join you on your travels. In any case, once you are ready to make your way to the Vineyard:)

Alcazar looks from Ireena to Ismark and back. He had not really considered the possibility of local traveling companions. The idea does have its appeal.

When Celeste rebuffs their offer he frowns and turns to Ireena, "I think the idea has some merit...but perhaps making a safe place to rest also has its appeal." He studies the house then looks up the road. "In the short term...this business with the wine should not take long. Probably a vintner too engrossed with their own product."

"We should speak more on our return," he says with a smile and a bow before joining the others..

(now)
Alcazar turns to the one who seems to be the leader, "Blights and Druids, you say? I fancy I know what a druid is...but a blight? What is that?"

Listening to Davian's story, Rodan lets out a whistle.  "Right.  Well, don't that just fit in well with all the other bleedin' good news we're getting?  Instead of a busted-up wagon or some production delay, the entire winery's been overrun with druids and their bloomin' pets.  Glorious be."

As the invasion planning gets under way, he puts up a hand to interject.  

"Hold up, a sec, right?  One thing, mate.  I've crossed paths with me fair share of druids.  Cranky, bossy types that can take the whole 'symbiosis with nature' thingamajig well to and past the point of reason 'n good sense.  But they've rare been evil.  It tends to go against the whole bleedin' 'balance' thing they've got going on, see?  So tell me, what's the history like between them and you lot?  You buggers didn't go and chop down their sacred tree to plant grapes or butcher a grand white elk to make an antler chandelier or any fool thing like that, now did ya?  Its I just care to make bleedin' certain 'fore I go sticking a blade into the bad blokes, that I've got the right bad blokes, ya dig?"

Quote from Ereshion >>

(now)
Alcazar turns to the one who seems to be the leader, "Blights and Druids, you say? I fancy I know what a druid is...but a blight? What is that?"

 The man explains: "You haven't come across Blights? They're a sort of creature made from animated roots and branches. Sort of like an Ent but can come in any size from quite small to quite powerful"

Quote from Bartjeebus >>

Listening to Davian's story, Rodan lets out a whistle.  "Right.  Well, don't that just fit in well with all the other bleedin' good news we're getting?  Instead of a busted-up wagon or some production delay, the entire winery's been overrun with druids and their bloomin' pets.  Glorious be."

As the invasion planning gets under way, he puts up a hand to interject.  

"Hold up, a sec, right?  One thing, mate.  I've crossed paths with me fair share of druids.  Cranky, bossy types that can take the whole 'symbiosis with nature' thingamajig well to and past the point of reason 'n good sense.  But they've rare been evil.  It tends to go against the whole bleedin' 'balance' thing they've got going on, see?  So tell me, what's the history like between them and you lot?  You buggers didn't go and chop down their sacred tree to plant grapes or butcher a grand white elk to make an antler chandelier or any fool thing like that, now did ya?  Its I just care to make bleedin' certain 'fore I go sticking a blade into the bad blokes, that I've got the right bad blokes, ya dig?"

The man ponders this for a bit. "Alright. Fair point. You shouldn't trust just anyone, especially with Strahd and his many spies around. But look around you. We're a family with children, evicted from the only vineyard in all of Barovia. And as you may have heard, there isn't much to keep people happy in this place - but our wine is one of those few things. 

We've got some friends in Vallaki who would vouch for us. Like the Innkeeper for example. Old friend of the family.

And trust me when I say that these are not your nature-and-harmony loving druids like your get in tales. These are minions of Strahd, come to being more misery to the poor people of this land. 

If you want to, try talking to the druids if you don't believe us ... but we won't be able to provide much help when that backfires."

"Your hesitation is quite understandable Rodan, but I'm inclined to put my trust in the words of this man, and I suspect we will have his words confirmed when we explore the vineyard." Celeste says with a friendly smile.

Alcazar sighs, "Your confidence is remarkable, young lady."

He turns to the leader, "We are new to this land and so far we have seen a man trying to sacrifice a child to catch fish and a priest keeping a vampire in a basement for sentimental reasons. I hope you understand our skepticism -- it would not seem to big a stretch of the imagination that you might have chopped down a sacred grove to build barrels."

Turning back to Celeste he adds, "While I fully accept that you may be right, I do not understand the basis of your confidence." Then he shrugs, "The innkeeper seemed genuine, I'll give you that, but this fellow....no offence...we only just met him."

"If anyone is worried then they can go back. Least we can do is look into this," Janek says. "Perhaps start with the vineyard that has the appearance of most recently being affected?" 

Seeming quite relieved that Janek at least seems to be willing to help the family, the blonde elven maiden nods in agreement with him, then turning to Alcazar and Rodan. "I am just saying we should investigate and see what is what? Instead of just saying no to everything you might come up with ideas of your own how to make sure the wine delivery reaches Vallaki?" She says with some annoyance now for the first time since you met, looking between Alcazar and Rodan. "Again, I get that you are wary, we should be, but what would you have us do instead? Just go back to Vallaki and say we didn't trust the family we met at the vineyard?"

She then gives the old man an apologetic look over what she clearly thinks is an embarrassment, her travelling companions being openly suspicious to him and his family, but she nods to Janek to signal that she is ready to follow him into the wineyard to see if there is any truth to the story about these druids and evil shrubs.

Stealth: 19
Perception: 20

With Celeste in the lead, the group ventures forwards to stealthily approach the vineyard's main building.

There are various Blights, tree- and shrub-like magically animated creatures, roaming around as if patrolling or looking for something. As you make your way closer, you hear the sound of human voices approaching and quickly take cover in the darkness of a hedge. From the other side of the bush, you can overhear a conversation between two people.

Voice 1: "Have you found any trace? There must be one more of these gems at least. The second field there looks just like the one from which we took the magical gem-seed. So it must have been dug up not long before."

Voice 2: "Maybe those damned Feathered Keepers have hidden it to keep it from our master?"

Voice 1: "Those insolent beasts. How long will they resist our Lord Strahd. Do they not understand that he is the Land."

Voice 2: "Praised be Strahd for providing the ultimate Balance between life and death. And we were right about the gem-seed."

Voice 1: "I think the family of the winemaker is still around, hiding in the forest. If they took and hid the last seed, perhaps he can be induced to tell us where. Find him and his family. Maybe start pruning some of the fingers and arms on the younger ones. That might get him to believe in Strahd's holy balance and to assist us." 

Voice 2: "A fine idea, brother. I will take some of the Blights and search for them. Strahd's balance will rule all."

Voice 1: "His balance will rule all."

(The voices and footsteps begin to fade. They perhaps 50ft away now, still close enough that you could call out to them to talk to them, or you could catch up to them with a short dash to get into arm's reach, or you could wait for them to disappear out of earshot.)

Janek waits a moment, then motions to whatever others are with him and Celeste, pointing in the direction of the retreating footsteps.  He speaks in a very quiet whisper, "Follow and ambush them. Before they get the family."  It could be a question but is said more like a recommendation.  

The conversation she just heard was quite damning to the duids and any doubts about what was going on here should be gone now.
Celeste nods to Janek, grateful that he would take the lead on this, ready to follow him to ambush those who were leaving to seek the family they met.

Crouching beside the others, Rodan sneers, baring his teeth and hisses softly.  "I 'ave to own up to me regret 'bout doubting the old man... these druids are clearly barmy."

"I'm with ya, we gotta off 'em before they can get to the family holed up in the woods.  I reckon we hit 'em good and quick, lest they call in more of their mates or stir up the beasts of the woods, as druids are bleedin' prone to do."  

He draws his own long sword to make it clear he intends to to play a role in the festivities.

Alcazar nods, "Agreed. Perhaps try to take one alive for questioning. These seeds sound important to them."

He waits and watches as the two groups separate, not willing to lead the charge but clearly more willing to help the farmer's family now that the evidence is clear.

The druid doesn't head directly to the forest, but first goes to collect some of the Blights to help do his bidding. This allows you to move ahead and set up an ambush near the tree line.

The druid gathers a half dozen Blights and then starts walking towards the forest where you are preparing.

It's is daytime, but as ever in Barovia, it is overcast and not very bright. Near the tree line, there are some dark shaded areas, and heavily leafed areas. The forest looks dark and foreboding. You cannot see the winemaker and his family at the moment, but are watched by Ravens sitting in the trees above. You figure that you can hide in and behind the foliage to give you a chance to get the drop on the druid and ambush them. 

Can a few people please roll Stealth to see if you're hidden well enough for the Ambush to work. 

A new stealth roll for Celeste if needed: 14

Thulewyn stealth 24

(Janek Stealth: 3; he's not very quiet in his chain armor!) 

Rodan Stealth:  14

Alcazar: 5, though he is surrounded by the illusion of a large rock.

The druid and his group of Blights walk towards the forest's edge where you are waiting in ambush. While the trees and shrubs offers some concealment, and the Blights at the front of the group seem to be largely oblivious, the Druid spots that something is off and draws his weapon. (Half of the Blights are surprised, the other three and the Druid are not surprised)

Roll Initiative please, assuming you're going to attack. 

Druid Initiative: 5

Blights, rolled as a group to save us some time: 19