The body hanging from the gallows is that of a Barovian, It smells like a dead corpse, it looks like a dead corpse. As Reggie pokes it with his sword the body begins to melt away into nothingness.
Once the body is gone Tilo shrugs and continues on down the road that goes deeper into the trees.
The road gradually disappears and is replaced by a twisted, muddy path through the trees. Deep ruts in the earth are evidence of the comings and goings of wagons.
The canopy of mist and branches suddenly gives way to black clouds boiling far above. There is a clearing here, next to a river that widens to form a small lake several hundred feet across. Five colorful round tents, each ten feet in diameter, are pitched outside a ring of four barrel-topped wagons. A much larger tent stands near the shore of the lake, its sagging form lit from within. Near this tent, eight unbridled horses drink from the river.
The mournful strains of an accordion clash with the singing of several brightly clad figures around bonfire. A footpath continues beyond this encampment, meandering north between the river and the forest’s edge.
Seven Vistani females and five males are standing and sitting around the fire, telling stories and guzzling wine. You notice another three Vistani, two men and one woman, sitting up in the wagons watching you. As you approach the camp one of the females near the fireplace notice you and stumbles over in your direction.
(Instead of the knife in her hand it is a flagon of wine)
A wide smile forms on her lips as she makes her way towards you. "Ah friends, I am Vasha, Welcome to our camp. Come, enjoy some cooked boar and wine. Share your tales of exploit and daring. We are Vistani."She says while slurring. Once done she takes a large gulp of her drink and grabs onto Artus's arm and smiles. "You are a curious one indeed. Come, drink with me." She hands Artus the flagon and drags him towards the fire while stroking his massive arm.
As the hanged body before them melts away to nothing, Reggie takes a step back. He sheathes his sword gruffly and grumbles, "I hate this place."
At the camp, Reggie follows behind Artus, his eyes taking in all the faces in a surly manner. He sits down unceremoniously and glowers at everyone.
A woman comes over to Reggie and sits beside him glowering. After a minute she hands him a flagon of wine and smiles. "Cheer up friend, I am Nyanka. What brings you to our camp?"
Reggie leans to the side away from the woman to look her up and down. With a slight grin which doesn't reach his eyes, he accepts the flagon and takes a draft, a little wine dribbling down into his beard. "Fresh air," he replies, offering the woman back her pitcher. "What is it with this place and wine?"
Lando approaches the fire, and introduces himself. "Good evening Vistani. My name is Lando Coldleaf. My comrades and I are seeking an audience with Madame Eva. We are also seeking to ease our troubled minds and sore feet after a harrowing ordeal with a rather unpleasant haunted house. I was told you could help us in these matters."
Reggie leans to the side away from the woman to look her up and down. With a slight grin which doesn't reach his eyes, he accepts the flagon and takes a draft, a little wine dribbling down into his beard. "Fresh air," he replies, offering the woman back her pitcher. "What is it with this place and wine?"
Nyanka laughs. "Wine is all Strahd allows in his domain but I am Vistani. If you want something stronger I can give to you. We come and go from Strahd's domain." Nyanka pulls up her dress and you see a flask placed in a white lace garter belt. She pulls it out and hands it to you. "Very strong yes. You will like. Now come. Sit with me and tell me a tale."
"Would you happen to have any beer? Wine isn't my favorite..." Artus walks off with Vasha.
(Instead of the knife in her hand it is a flagon of wine)
Vasha laughs. "But wine is what Strahd prefers." Vasha leads Artus towards the fire and raises her arms. "Our new friend wishes Ale. Who will give up private stash?"
One of the men smiles and hands over a flask to Artus.
Lando approaches the fire and introduces himself. "Good evening Vistani. My name is Lando Coldleaf. My comrades and I are seeking an audience with Madame Eva. We are also seeking to ease our troubled minds and sore feet after a harrowing ordeal with a rather unpleasant haunted house. I was told you could help us in these matters."
Lando then sits down at the fire.
One of the men stands and hands Lando a flask. "I am Jirko, A strong name Lando. It means Famous throughout the land. Are you famous Mr. Lando? Madame Eva has foretold you would come. Sit, drink, tell us a tale and let us see if you are worthy to see our Great Mother."
Reggie allows himself to be ushered by Nyanka. He takes a draft from the flask. "We were told that no one can leave this place," Reggie says confidentially. "How is it you can?"
Reggie allows himself to be ushered by Nyanka. He takes a draft from the flask. "We were told that no one can leave this place," Reggie says confidentially. "How is it you can?"
Nyanka laughs. "I told you, we are Vistani. During one of Strahd’s military campaigns, years before he became a vampire, a group of Vistani rescued him after he was wounded in battle. These Vistani not only nursed Strahd back to health but also delivered him safely home. As a reward for their generosity, Strahd declared that all Vistani had the right to come and go from his land as they please, and this privilege extends to the present day. Thus, Vistani can travel freely through the fog that surrounds Barovia, without fear of harm or entrapment."
"Now, that is a good story," Reggie says with a smile. He takes another long swig from the flask and looks around. "So, the vampire. You say he used to be a soldier. How did he become a vampire?" Reggie realizes he's leaning a little too close to Nyanka and sits up a little straighter. He gives the flask a curious look.
Now, that is a good story," Reggie says with a smile. He takes another long swig from the flask and looks around. "So, the vampire. You say he used to be a soldier. How did he become a vampire?" Reggie realizes he's leaning a little too close to Nyanka and sits up a little straighter. He gives the flask a curious look.
Nyanka lays her hand on Reggies arm and smiles.
"In life, Strahd von Zarovich was a count, a prince, a soldier, and a conqueror. After the death of his father, King Barov, Strahd waged long, bloody wars against his family’s enemies. He and his army cornered the last of these enemies in a remote mountain valley before slaying them all. Strahd named the valley Barovia, after his deceased father, and was so struck by its scenic beauty that he decided to settle there.
Queen Ravenovia lamented the death of Barov and was fearful of Strahd. War had made him cold and arrogant. She kept her younger son, Sergei, away from the battlefield. Strahd envied the love and attention his mother visited upon his brother, so in Barovia he remained. Peace made Strahd restless, and he began to feel like his best years were behind him. Unwilling to go the way of his father, Strahd studied magic and forged a pact with the Dark Powers of the Shadowfell in return for the promise of immortality.
Strahd scoured his conquered lands for wizards and artisans, brought them to the valley of Barovia, and commanded them to raise a castle to rival the magnificent fortresses of his ancestral homeland. Strahd named the castle Ravenloft, after his mother, to demonstrate his love for her. When it was complete, Strahd commanded his mother and brother to come to Barovia and stay with him. Sergei eventually took up residence at Ravenloft, but Ravenovia passed away while traveling to her namesake. In sorrowful disappointment, Strahd sealed his mother’s body in a crypt beneath the castle.
Strahd’s attention soon turned to Tatyana, a young Barovian woman of fine lineage and remarkable beauty.Strahd believed her to be a worthy bride, and he lavished Tatyana with gifts and attention. Despite Strahd’s efforts, she instead fell in love with the younger, warmer Sergei. Strahd’s pride prevented him from standing in the way of the young couple’s love until the day of Sergei and Tatyana’s wedding when Strahd gazed into a mirror and realized he had been a fool. Strahd murdered Sergei and drank his blood, sealing the evil pact between Strahd and the Dark Powers. He then chased Sergei’s bride-to-be through the gardens, determined to make her accept and love him. Tatyana hurled herself off a castle balcony to escape Strahd’s pursuit, plunging to her death. Treacherous castle guards, seizing the opportunity to rid the world of Strahd forever, shot their master with arrows. But Strahd did not die. The Dark Powers honored the pact they had made. The sky went black as Strahd turned on the guards, his eyes blazing red. He had become a vampire."
At this point, Reggie turns his body and throws up all over the ground. A bunch of the Vistani men laughs as Nyanka begins to rub Reggie's back. "It's okay friend. Drink this." Nyanka hands him a mug of water. "It will rinse the bad taste away. What is your name?"
Reggie accepts the mug, swishes with the water, and spits. He rubs his mouth with the back of his hand as he turns back. "Reggie," he says a little sheepishly. "I'm not sure ... Drink doesn't usually affect me this way. I'm sorry." He looks at the flask again and then offers it to Nyanka. "I'm all wrong in this place."
"When you drink, boy," he mutters to Tilo, "never do it on an empty stomach. Speaking of which," he looks towards the offered portion of boar and begins to eat.
Reggie accepts the mug, swishes with the water, and spits. He rubs his mouth with the back of his hand as he turns back. "Reggie," he says a little sheepishly. "I'm not sure ... Drink doesn't usually affect me this way. I'm sorry." He looks at the flask again and then offers it to Nyanka. "I'm all wrong in this place."
Nyanka frowns. "But this is Barovia, A beautiful land but Barovians are a simple frightened people. Some have old souls, but many do not have souls at all. The soulless ones are easy to spot, for they know nothing but fear. They have no charm, hope, or spark, and they don’t cry. Are you one of the soulless? You can't be friend Reggie. You are not from here."
Andrei shakes his head.
"When you drink, boy," he mutters to Tilo, "never do it on an empty stomach. Speaking of which," he looks towards the offered portion of boar and begins to eat.
"So friend, Who are you and what is your story?" A Vistani man asks Andrei as he hands over a flagon of Ale.
Andrei accepts the flagon gratefully, taking a small drink before replying.
"I'm Andrei. We (he gestures at himself, Tilo and the others) my companions joined forces, so to speak, to stop a necromancer."
He chuckles slightly, raising his hand to scratch his scarred cheek before remembering himself.
"We thought we'd done something great. I doubt this Strahd thought so, but he brought us here anyways."
Andrei lowers his voice.
"Are there ways out of...uh, Barovia, that we could take?"
"Sure there are ways out of Barovia. if you are Vistani, but you are not friend Andrei. But I'm sure there is a way if you look hard enough." The man eats some boar and takes a pull of wine from a flagon he has.
"A Necromancer, sounds like you and your compatriots are badass. maybe that's what caused Strahd to notice you and bring you here. being noticed is probably not a good thing if you wish to remain unseen and left alone. I fear that you might not have any freedoms left since you were brought here. You are probably being watched now as we speak."
Reggie lowers his head. "I hope I still have a soul," he almost whispers. "If I do, I'm pretty sure it isn't mine anymore."
Nyanka pats Reggies arm. "I am sure you have a soul Reggie. Do you know what your name means in Vistani? It means Powerful Ruler. Are you a powerful ruler where you come from? Or maybe you will become one and live up to your destiny. I am sure Madame Eva will know more."
Andrei takes a deep breath, closing his eyes and opening them again.
"Just looks like a 'regular' dead body to you?" he asks Lando, frowning.
And that's all I have to say about that.
The body hanging from the gallows is that of a Barovian, It smells like a dead corpse, it looks like a dead corpse. As Reggie pokes it with his sword the body begins to melt away into nothingness.
Once the body is gone Tilo shrugs and continues on down the road that goes deeper into the trees.
DM Tomb of Annihilation X2
DM Curse of Strahd
Redleaf Moutain Dwarf Circle of land(Moutain) Druid
As the hanged body before them melts away to nothing, Reggie takes a step back. He sheathes his sword gruffly and grumbles, "I hate this place."
At the camp, Reggie follows behind Artus, his eyes taking in all the faces in a surly manner. He sits down unceremoniously and glowers at everyone.
A woman comes over to Reggie and sits beside him glowering. After a minute she hands him a flagon of wine and smiles. "Cheer up friend, I am Nyanka. What brings you to our camp?"
DM Tomb of Annihilation X2
DM Curse of Strahd
Redleaf Moutain Dwarf Circle of land(Moutain) Druid
Reggie leans to the side away from the woman to look her up and down. With a slight grin which doesn't reach his eyes, he accepts the flagon and takes a draft, a little wine dribbling down into his beard. "Fresh air," he replies, offering the woman back her pitcher. "What is it with this place and wine?"
"Would you happen to have any beer? Wine isn't my favorite..." Artus walks off with Vasha.
Mavi Göz Mal - Half Orc Monk Level 1 Not Another Lost Mine of Phandelver
Drita - Aasimar Hexblade Warlock Lvl 3 Tomb of Annhilation
Iznik Sylnithas - Half Drow Blood Hunter Level 2 Precipice of Voids
Lando approaches the fire, and introduces himself. "Good evening Vistani. My name is Lando Coldleaf. My comrades and I are seeking an audience with Madame Eva. We are also seeking to ease our troubled minds and sore feet after a harrowing ordeal with a rather unpleasant haunted house. I was told you could help us in these matters."
Lando then sits down at the fire.
Nyanka laughs. "Wine is all Strahd allows in his domain but I am Vistani. If you want something stronger I can give to you. We come and go from Strahd's domain." Nyanka pulls up her dress and you see a flask placed in a white lace garter belt. She pulls it out and hands it to you. "Very strong yes. You will like. Now come. Sit with me and tell me a tale."
(Instead of the knife in her hand it is a flagon of wine)
Vasha laughs. "But wine is what Strahd prefers." Vasha leads Artus towards the fire and raises her arms. "Our new friend wishes Ale. Who will give up private stash?"
One of the men smiles and hands over a flask to Artus.
Lando approaches the fire and introduces himself. "Good evening Vistani. My name is Lando Coldleaf. My comrades and I are seeking an audience with Madame Eva. We are also seeking to ease our troubled minds and sore feet after a harrowing ordeal with a rather unpleasant haunted house. I was told you could help us in these matters."
Lando then sits down at the fire.
One of the men stands and hands Lando a flask. "I am Jirko, A strong name Lando. It means Famous throughout the land. Are you famous Mr. Lando? Madame Eva has foretold you would come. Sit, drink, tell us a tale and let us see if you are worthy to see our Great Mother."
DM Tomb of Annihilation X2
DM Curse of Strahd
Redleaf Moutain Dwarf Circle of land(Moutain) Druid
Reggie allows himself to be ushered by Nyanka. He takes a draft from the flask. "We were told that no one can leave this place," Reggie says confidentially. "How is it you can?"
Nyanka laughs. "I told you, we are Vistani. During one of Strahd’s military campaigns, years before he became a vampire, a group of Vistani rescued him after he was wounded in battle. These Vistani not only nursed Strahd back to health but also delivered him safely home. As a reward for their generosity, Strahd declared that all Vistani had the right to come and go from his land as they please, and this privilege extends to the present day. Thus, Vistani can travel freely through the fog that surrounds Barovia, without fear of harm or entrapment."
DM Tomb of Annihilation X2
DM Curse of Strahd
Redleaf Moutain Dwarf Circle of land(Moutain) Druid
Andrei sits down and motions for Tilo to do the same.
"Watch yourself," he mutters to the boy as he straps his ice ax to his belt.
And that's all I have to say about that.
"Now, that is a good story," Reggie says with a smile. He takes another long swig from the flask and looks around. "So, the vampire. You say he used to be a soldier. How did he become a vampire?" Reggie realizes he's leaning a little too close to Nyanka and sits up a little straighter. He gives the flask a curious look.
Nyanka lays her hand on Reggies arm and smiles.
"In life, Strahd von Zarovich was a count, a prince, a soldier, and a conqueror. After the death of his father, King Barov, Strahd waged long, bloody wars against his family’s enemies. He and his army cornered the last of these enemies in a remote mountain valley before slaying them all. Strahd named the valley Barovia, after his deceased father, and was so struck by its scenic beauty that he decided to settle there.
Queen Ravenovia lamented the death of Barov and was fearful of Strahd. War had made him cold and arrogant. She kept her younger son, Sergei, away from the battlefield. Strahd envied the love and attention his mother visited upon his brother, so in Barovia he remained. Peace made Strahd restless, and he began to feel like his best years were behind him. Unwilling to go the way of his father, Strahd studied magic and forged a pact with the Dark Powers of the Shadowfell in return for the promise of immortality.
Strahd scoured his conquered lands for wizards and artisans, brought them to the valley of Barovia, and commanded them to raise a castle to rival the magnificent fortresses of his ancestral homeland. Strahd named the castle Ravenloft, after his mother, to demonstrate his love for her. When it was complete, Strahd commanded his mother and brother to come to Barovia and stay with him. Sergei eventually took up residence at Ravenloft, but Ravenovia passed away while traveling to her namesake. In sorrowful disappointment, Strahd sealed his mother’s body in a crypt beneath the castle.
Strahd’s attention soon turned to Tatyana, a young Barovian woman of fine lineage and remarkable beauty. Strahd believed her to be a worthy bride, and he lavished Tatyana with gifts and attention. Despite Strahd’s efforts, she instead fell in love with the younger, warmer Sergei. Strahd’s pride prevented him from standing in the way of the young couple’s love until the day of Sergei and Tatyana’s wedding when Strahd gazed into a mirror and realized he had been a fool. Strahd murdered Sergei and drank his blood, sealing the evil pact between Strahd and the Dark Powers. He then chased Sergei’s bride-to-be through the gardens, determined to make her accept and love him. Tatyana hurled herself off a castle balcony to escape Strahd’s pursuit, plunging to her death. Treacherous castle guards, seizing the opportunity to rid the world of Strahd forever, shot their master with arrows.
But Strahd did not die. The Dark Powers honored the pact they had made. The sky went black as Strahd turned on the guards, his eyes blazing red. He had become a vampire."
At this point, Reggie turns his body and throws up all over the ground. A bunch of the Vistani men laughs as Nyanka begins to rub Reggie's back. "It's okay friend. Drink this." Nyanka hands him a mug of water. "It will rinse the bad taste away. What is your name?"
DM Tomb of Annihilation X2
DM Curse of Strahd
Redleaf Moutain Dwarf Circle of land(Moutain) Druid
Reggie accepts the mug, swishes with the water, and spits. He rubs his mouth with the back of his hand as he turns back. "Reggie," he says a little sheepishly. "I'm not sure ... Drink doesn't usually affect me this way. I'm sorry." He looks at the flask again and then offers it to Nyanka. "I'm all wrong in this place."
Andrei shakes his head.
"When you drink, boy," he mutters to Tilo, "never do it on an empty stomach. Speaking of which," he looks towards the offered portion of boar and begins to eat.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Nyanka frowns. "But this is Barovia, A beautiful land but Barovians are a simple frightened people. Some have old souls, but many do not have souls at all. The soulless ones are easy to spot, for they know nothing but fear. They have no charm, hope, or spark, and they don’t cry. Are you one of the soulless? You can't be friend Reggie. You are not from here."
Andrei shakes his head.
"When you drink, boy," he mutters to Tilo, "never do it on an empty stomach. Speaking of which," he looks towards the offered portion of boar and begins to eat.
"So friend, Who are you and what is your story?" A Vistani man asks Andrei as he hands over a flagon of Ale.
DM Tomb of Annihilation X2
DM Curse of Strahd
Redleaf Moutain Dwarf Circle of land(Moutain) Druid
Reggie lowers his head. "I hope I still have a soul," he almost whispers. "If I do, I'm pretty sure it isn't mine anymore."
Andrei accepts the flagon gratefully, taking a small drink before replying.
"I'm Andrei. We (he gestures at himself, Tilo and the others) my companions joined forces, so to speak, to stop a necromancer."
He chuckles slightly, raising his hand to scratch his scarred cheek before remembering himself.
"We thought we'd done something great. I doubt this Strahd thought so, but he brought us here anyways."
Andrei lowers his voice.
"Are there ways out of...uh, Barovia, that we could take?"
And that's all I have to say about that.
"Sure there are ways out of Barovia. if you are Vistani, but you are not friend Andrei. But I'm sure there is a way if you look hard enough." The man eats some boar and takes a pull of wine from a flagon he has.
"A Necromancer, sounds like you and your compatriots are badass. maybe that's what caused Strahd to notice you and bring you here. being noticed is probably not a good thing if you wish to remain unseen and left alone. I fear that you might not have any freedoms left since you were brought here. You are probably being watched now as we speak."
DM Tomb of Annihilation X2
DM Curse of Strahd
Redleaf Moutain Dwarf Circle of land(Moutain) Druid
Nyanka pats Reggies arm. "I am sure you have a soul Reggie. Do you know what your name means in Vistani? It means Powerful Ruler. Are you a powerful ruler where you come from? Or maybe you will become one and live up to your destiny. I am sure Madame Eva will know more."
DM Tomb of Annihilation X2
DM Curse of Strahd
Redleaf Moutain Dwarf Circle of land(Moutain) Druid