Jared follows Kora out and quickly closes the door behind them. He turns to her and speaks in a rapid, hushed tone.
"You're a druid, right?" he asks knowingly. "And you can shift to animal forms, right? The more we are in this place the more I know we are going to be in a fight and I don't want to get into one and lose control without one of you guys knowing it's me." He pauses for a moment. "I went out to Daggerdale and got a job and something happened and I had to spend some time with an old druid named Kran. He helped me through it and helped me keep control but I don't know how this place will affect me." He pauses again looking around then turns back to Kora. "I know there are werewolves about in this place. I can smell 'em and they have marked this place as their hunting ground. Kory, you got to promise me that if things go bad and I go off, you got to promise me you'll keep the others from freaking out and killing me.
"I believe we can wait that long as we cannot get home anytime soon it seems. Would you mind if we stayed here till morning?" asks Aoufie. We are lost in strange land, and we should save as much of our coins as possible.
Ireena nods slowly. "There is a guest suite on the second floor. However, I will warn you that we have been attacked every night for a month now, excluding the past few days. If you stay here, you may need to fend off an assault." She pauses another moment, something she seems to do a lot, before saying in a softer voice, "While I may not trust all of you yet, my brother does, and he's a good judge of character. I'm sorry if I come off as abrupt and rude, but Barovia is the kind of place that kills off those who are kind and soft," she adds bitterly, her haggard eyes flickering over to the corpse of whom you assume is her father.
Ismark descends the stairs a moment later, clutching a large map yellowed and a bit tattered by age. He raises an eyebrow when he notices that two of you are no longer in the foyer, but he doesn't say anyting about it. Instead, he says, "Come this way," nodding towards one of the side rooms. If you follow, he leads you to a bare and disheveled dining room, Ireena drifting behind him. The once-fine wooden table in the dining room is dyed a rich mahogany color, but its majesty is ruined by what appears to be deep gouge marring its rich surface. A dried pool of blood clings to the wood around the gouge, dying it a deeper shade of red. Ignoring it, Ismark spreads the map out on the table, the wizened parchment crinkling and crackling as he does so. Once laid out, you see a detailed map of what you assume to be the valley of Barovia. Ismark places a finger on the map and says, "We're here right now." He moves his hand and jabs towards another spot on the map towards the middle of the valley. "We want to get here. It's not far, but it is dangerous."
"Yes, I will stay as I rather not let the sister of a potential ally die on us in the middle of the night." says Aoufie. He then follows Ismark and takes a detailed look at the map. "I am going to make a copy of this Ismark." Aoufie then takes out the parchment paper, inkpen, and inkwell. He spends the next few minutes copying the map. "It's best to have more than 1 map."
"Good thinking." Anthony comments to Aoufie, glad someone thought of it.
Before they leave for the church, Anthony looks at the map with interest, nodding his thanks to Ismark and Ireena. "This is the Tser pool and the camp hereish?" He asks to confirm, pointing to a dot near the labled lake or pond. "The windmill we were warned to avoid?" Not sure if it's marked on the map "Where abouts isthat? And these bridges, guarded?" After scanning the map and not seeing it labeled, he then points to a structure roughly north of the Tser pool and a west of the village. "Castle Ravenloft?"
"Anything else we should know?" Directing the question to Ireena, trying to get a read on her beyond the obvious 'stessed but competent' vibe she gives off.
"Good thinking." Anthony comments to Aoufie, glad someone thought of it.
Before they leave for the church, Anthony looks at the map with interest, nodding his thanks to Ismark and Ireena. "This is the Tser pool and the camp hereish?" He asks to confirm, pointing to a dot near the labled lake or pond. "The windmill we were warned to avoid?" Not sure if it's marked on the map "Where abouts isthat? And these bridges, guarded?" After scanning the map and not seeing it labeled, he then points to a structure roughly north of the Tser pool and a west of the village. "Castle Ravenloft?"
"Anything else we should know?" Directing the question to Ireena, trying to get a read on her beyond the obvious 'stessed but competent' vibe she gives off.
((Insight 16))
Ismark nods, a frown forming on his face. "Yes, that is the Tsar Pool, but I don't know anything about a camp. There is an abandoned windmill near the pool, but it's not marked. The bridges aren't guarded as far as I know, and yes, that mark there is Castle Ravenloft. Who told you about a camp and the windmill?" he asks curiously. As you recall, Ismark was already outside by the time the conversation with the trio of Vistani occurred.
Ireena leans in, looking at the ancient map and adds, "While my brother is correct about the bridges not being guarded, Strahd has eyes and ears everywhere. Even some of the animals around here serve him, acting as spies."
Anthony
As Ireena leans over the map, you notice two angry red puncture marks on the side of her neck. They look slightly puffy and swollen, and you assume that is where Strahd has been feeding upon her as of late. Other than that, the bags under her eyes and her posture indicates she is exhausted and weakly at the moment. While you know her strong, stoic personality is genuine, you can't help but feel as if she was acting better than she was currently feeling.
Given Ismark's open disdain for the Vistani, he doesn't see much point following that thread and just said, "Rumors I maybe misheard." Anthony looked at Ireena intently at the comment of spies everywhere. He almost asks about people bloodbound to Strahd, but swallows those words. "Animals? Like Ravens?"
Given Ismark's open disdain for the Vistani, he doesn't see much point following that thread and just said, "Rumors I maybe misheard." Anthony looked at Ireena intently at the comment of spies everywhere. He almost asks about people bloodbound to Strahd, but swallows those words. "Animals? Like Ravens?"
Both Ismark and Ireena shake their heads. Ireena comments, “Of course not the ravens. They’re sacred animals that carry the souls of the fallen to the afterlife. Strahd likes to use animals associated with night: wolves, bats, rats and the like.” They both looked somewhat amused that you grouped ravens with the animals that serve Strahd.
Anthony glances at Jared. Easy enough to read the impatience and guess at a reason. He takes a moment to speak to him quietly and as privately as he can before heading to check out the church. "Look, this is a crappy situation. But we know she came here and she wanted us to pick up where she left off. But that's literally all we know. We're stuck playing detective until we have a real lead or direction. These people? Maybe they met her, if not, atleast they let us see a map and know a little about this place. It's frustrating, but we know more now than we did this morning, even if it's not much."
The big man scrubs his hair lightly. "Maybe you do some sniffing around. See if someone here remembers her passing through. And maybe see if you can sort out who's who. Guess this Strahd guy has spies everywhere. People and animals. I think Zathon and I are headed to the church to see what we can learn about this morning lord. Aoelwyn thought it was important enough to decorate her house with sumbols."
He leaves it at that. Jared was an adult. He could decide for himself where to spend his time.
Kora frowns as she listens to Jared. "What makes you think the werewolves have marked this place as their hunting ground? That sounds awful. But yeah, I can shift into many different animals."
She looks at him for a moment and considers his words. Kora then pulls out a dagger and reaching forward, "just hang on, I want to make sure we all know it is you.." she grabs hold of his ear and pierces one of them. She then puts her dagger away and takes out many of her many earrings.. a silver hoop. She threads it through the hole she made in Jared's ear. "Hey, doesn't look bad on ya."
She follows Jared back into the house. As she heads in, she sees the group has moved on to the dining room. She wonders what has happened to leave such a pool of blood on the table. As Aoufie copies the map, she also mentions, "Yes, good idea. We're probably going to need that." and as they all figure out what to do next, "I'll go along to the church as well, I think we all have our own reasons."
Aoufie finishes the last detail on the map, but then looks to Ismark "Can you tell me where Kresk would be located on the map?" Afterwards he will let the ink dry before putting the map into his pack. "Kora is right and I will head to church as well."
Ismark points out a small settlement towards the top left of the map and says, "That's Krezk. If I remember correctly, the Burgomaster's name is Dmitri Krezkov, and Krezk is built around an old abbey."
Upon hearing talk of going to the church, Ismark pipes up, "If you are going to the church, I'll come along as well. I need to talk to Father Donovan about holding service for our father."
"I'll come along," Ireena says.
Ismark turns his attention to his sister, a small frown forming on his lips. "I don't think that would be a good idea. You don't look very well still. Perhaps you should stay and re-"
"No!" Ireena interrupts, determination glinting in her eyes. "None of the villagers would help us, but these strangers want to. I need to get to know them better. Besides, I know my body better than you do, and I know I can take a little trek to church." Her expression grows dark as she says, "I've had enough of cowering behind walls when the enemy can freely move about unchallenged. It's time to start standing up to his tyranny."
Ismark looks like he wants to object, but he changes his mind after seeing how resolute his sister is. Sighing slightly, he says, "Lets head to the church then."
After undoing all the latches, Ismark begins leading through the town towards the spiritual center of the town. Atop a slight rise towards north stands a gray, sagging edifice of stone and wood. This church has obviously weathered the assaolts of evil for centuries on end and is worn and weary. A bell tower rises towards the back, and flickering light shines through the holes in the shingled roof. The rafters strain feeble against their load. Stepping up to the doors of the church, you see the heavy wooden doors are marred by claw marks and scarred by fire.
Ismark pushes the large doors open, and they swing open with a slight creak to reveal a ten-foot-wide- twenty-foot-long hall leading to a brightly lit chapel. The hall is unlit and reeks of mildew. Four doors, two on each side of the hall, lead to adjacent chambers. You can see that the chapel is strewn with debris, and you hear a soft voice from within reciting a fervent prayer. Suddenly, the prayer is blotted out by an inhuman scream that rises up from beneath the wooden floorboards. Ireena and Ismark share a look before they both draw their swords from their sheaths. They cautiously move towards the chapel, ancient floorboards groaning under their feet.
The chapel is in shambles, overturned and broken pew littering the dusty floor. Dozens of candles mounted in candlesticks and candelabras light every dusty corner in a fervent attempt to rid the chapel of shadows. At the far end of the church sits a claw-scarred altar, behind which kneels a priest in soiled vestments. Next to him hangs a long, thick rope that stretches up into the bell tower. The figure continues to pray, unaware of your presence. You see the rising sun imagery of the Morninglord repeated all throughout the room: a sunburst emblazoned on the ground, suns decorating the shattered remains of the pews and so on.
Jared follows along but says little. Once inside the church, he will look at the mess with a bit of disdain. "This place looks like crap." he says out loud. Once the scream is heard he crouches slightly and pulls his mace. "You sure this is the place you want to come to?" he asks while looking around for any threats.
So much for getting a private word away from the strangers. Anthony glances at Zathon wondering if he's thinking similarly. But not like they could tell the grieving siblings to shove off. Any thoughts along those lines are scattered by the piercing scream. Not being a stab first and ask questions later kind of person in town, he doesn't immediately draw a weapon. Though, like at Mary's, there's magic at his fingertips ready to go if needed.
He focuses on trying to discern the nature of the scream from below. A fight, pain, grief, or something monstrous?
((Rolled as insight , but adds are the same for perception if that fits better. 24))
You can tell that while twisted and almost bestial, the cry came from a young human lad. You pick up on the young man's frustration through the cry, and oddly, a sense of hunger. It is the cry of a starving predator whose attempt to capture prey has been foiled.
He can't help but glance at Ireena wondering if that kind hunger was in her future. Or her present and she was just that good a liar. But he could be chill until he had a reason not to be. "Is someone hurt? I'm a healer." He offers to whoever might know something of what's going on here. His tone is light, but his posture remains alert and he slides his shield onto his arm. Still no weapon, however.
Zathon is not perturbed per say by the additions to his and Anthony's church visit. They all have their reasons it seems to want to gather here. He does pull from his thoughts however, straightening at the scream. One hand goes to the hilt of his sword, the other to his emblem as he tries to get a sense of what kind of being is below. ________________ Using Divine Sense.
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Jared follows Kora out and quickly closes the door behind them. He turns to her and speaks in a rapid, hushed tone.
"You're a druid, right?" he asks knowingly. "And you can shift to animal forms, right? The more we are in this place the more I know we are going to be in a fight and I don't want to get into one and lose control without one of you guys knowing it's me."
He pauses for a moment.
"I went out to Daggerdale and got a job and something happened and I had to spend some time with an old druid named Kran. He helped me through it and helped me keep control but I don't know how this place will affect me."
He pauses again looking around then turns back to Kora.
"I know there are werewolves about in this place. I can smell 'em and they have marked this place as their hunting ground. Kory, you got to promise me that if things go bad and I go off, you got to promise me you'll keep the others from freaking out and killing me.
"
Ireena nods slowly. "There is a guest suite on the second floor. However, I will warn you that we have been attacked every night for a month now, excluding the past few days. If you stay here, you may need to fend off an assault." She pauses another moment, something she seems to do a lot, before saying in a softer voice, "While I may not trust all of you yet, my brother does, and he's a good judge of character. I'm sorry if I come off as abrupt and rude, but Barovia is the kind of place that kills off those who are kind and soft," she adds bitterly, her haggard eyes flickering over to the corpse of whom you assume is her father.
Ismark descends the stairs a moment later, clutching a large map yellowed and a bit tattered by age. He raises an eyebrow when he notices that two of you are no longer in the foyer, but he doesn't say anyting about it. Instead, he says, "Come this way," nodding towards one of the side rooms. If you follow, he leads you to a bare and disheveled dining room, Ireena drifting behind him. The once-fine wooden table in the dining room is dyed a rich mahogany color, but its majesty is ruined by what appears to be deep gouge marring its rich surface. A dried pool of blood clings to the wood around the gouge, dying it a deeper shade of red. Ignoring it, Ismark spreads the map out on the table, the wizened parchment crinkling and crackling as he does so. Once laid out, you see a detailed map of what you assume to be the valley of Barovia. Ismark places a finger on the map and says, "We're here right now." He moves his hand and jabs towards another spot on the map towards the middle of the valley. "We want to get here. It's not far, but it is dangerous."
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
"Yes, I will stay as I rather not let the sister of a potential ally die on us in the middle of the night." says Aoufie. He then follows Ismark and takes a detailed look at the map. "I am going to make a copy of this Ismark." Aoufie then takes out the parchment paper, inkpen, and inkwell. He spends the next few minutes copying the map. "It's best to have more than 1 map."
"Good thinking." Anthony comments to Aoufie, glad someone thought of it.
Before they leave for the church, Anthony looks at the map with interest, nodding his thanks to Ismark and Ireena. "This is the Tser pool and the camp hereish?" He asks to confirm, pointing to a dot near the labled lake or pond. "The windmill we were warned to avoid?" Not sure if it's marked on the map "Where abouts is that? And these bridges, guarded?" After scanning the map and not seeing it labeled, he then points to a structure roughly north of the Tser pool and a west of the village. "Castle Ravenloft?"
"Anything else we should know?" Directing the question to Ireena, trying to get a read on her beyond the obvious 'stessed but competent' vibe she gives off.
((Insight 16))
Ismark nods, a frown forming on his face. "Yes, that is the Tsar Pool, but I don't know anything about a camp. There is an abandoned windmill near the pool, but it's not marked. The bridges aren't guarded as far as I know, and yes, that mark there is Castle Ravenloft. Who told you about a camp and the windmill?" he asks curiously. As you recall, Ismark was already outside by the time the conversation with the trio of Vistani occurred.
Ireena leans in, looking at the ancient map and adds, "While my brother is correct about the bridges not being guarded, Strahd has eyes and ears everywhere. Even some of the animals around here serve him, acting as spies."
Anthony
As Ireena leans over the map, you notice two angry red puncture marks on the side of her neck. They look slightly puffy and swollen, and you assume that is where Strahd has been feeding upon her as of late. Other than that, the bags under her eyes and her posture indicates she is exhausted and weakly at the moment. While you know her strong, stoic personality is genuine, you can't help but feel as if she was acting better than she was currently feeling.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Given Ismark's open disdain for the Vistani, he doesn't see much point following that thread and just said, "Rumors I maybe misheard." Anthony looked at Ireena intently at the comment of spies everywhere. He almost asks about people bloodbound to Strahd, but swallows those words. "Animals? Like Ravens?"
Both Ismark and Ireena shake their heads. Ireena comments, “Of course not the ravens. They’re sacred animals that carry the souls of the fallen to the afterlife. Strahd likes to use animals associated with night: wolves, bats, rats and the like.” They both looked somewhat amused that you grouped ravens with the animals that serve Strahd.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
That was interesting. He scratches the day and a half's growth of beard. "That's good to know. Thank you."
Zathon nods at the comments about ravens. "They're allies if anything, or even eyes or messengers of the Raven Queen.." he comments.
Jared turns and walks back inside.
Anthony glances at Jared. Easy enough to read the impatience and guess at a reason. He takes a moment to speak to him quietly and as privately as he can before heading to check out the church. "Look, this is a crappy situation. But we know she came here and she wanted us to pick up where she left off. But that's literally all we know. We're stuck playing detective until we have a real lead or direction. These people? Maybe they met her, if not, atleast they let us see a map and know a little about this place. It's frustrating, but we know more now than we did this morning, even if it's not much."
The big man scrubs his hair lightly. "Maybe you do some sniffing around. See if someone here remembers her passing through. And maybe see if you can sort out who's who. Guess this Strahd guy has spies everywhere. People and animals. I think Zathon and I are headed to the church to see what we can learn about this morning lord. Aoelwyn thought it was important enough to decorate her house with sumbols."
He leaves it at that. Jared was an adult. He could decide for himself where to spend his time.
Kora frowns as she listens to Jared. "What makes you think the werewolves have marked this place as their hunting ground? That sounds awful. But yeah, I can shift into many different animals."
She looks at him for a moment and considers his words. Kora then pulls out a dagger and reaching forward, "just hang on, I want to make sure we all know it is you.." she grabs hold of his ear and pierces one of them. She then puts her dagger away and takes out many of her many earrings.. a silver hoop. She threads it through the hole she made in Jared's ear. "Hey, doesn't look bad on ya."
She follows Jared back into the house. As she heads in, she sees the group has moved on to the dining room. She wonders what has happened to leave such a pool of blood on the table. As Aoufie copies the map, she also mentions, "Yes, good idea. We're probably going to need that." and as they all figure out what to do next, "I'll go along to the church as well, I think we all have our own reasons."
Aoufie finishes the last detail on the map, but then looks to Ismark "Can you tell me where Kresk would be located on the map?" Afterwards he will let the ink dry before putting the map into his pack. "Kora is right and I will head to church as well."
Ismark points out a small settlement towards the top left of the map and says, "That's Krezk. If I remember correctly, the Burgomaster's name is Dmitri Krezkov, and Krezk is built around an old abbey."
Upon hearing talk of going to the church, Ismark pipes up, "If you are going to the church, I'll come along as well. I need to talk to Father Donovan about holding service for our father."
"I'll come along," Ireena says.
Ismark turns his attention to his sister, a small frown forming on his lips. "I don't think that would be a good idea. You don't look very well still. Perhaps you should stay and re-"
"No!" Ireena interrupts, determination glinting in her eyes. "None of the villagers would help us, but these strangers want to. I need to get to know them better. Besides, I know my body better than you do, and I know I can take a little trek to church." Her expression grows dark as she says, "I've had enough of cowering behind walls when the enemy can freely move about unchallenged. It's time to start standing up to his tyranny."
Ismark looks like he wants to object, but he changes his mind after seeing how resolute his sister is. Sighing slightly, he says, "Lets head to the church then."
After undoing all the latches, Ismark begins leading through the town towards the spiritual center of the town. Atop a slight rise towards north stands a gray, sagging edifice of stone and wood. This church has obviously weathered the assaolts of evil for centuries on end and is worn and weary. A bell tower rises towards the back, and flickering light shines through the holes in the shingled roof. The rafters strain feeble against their load. Stepping up to the doors of the church, you see the heavy wooden doors are marred by claw marks and scarred by fire.
Ismark pushes the large doors open, and they swing open with a slight creak to reveal a ten-foot-wide- twenty-foot-long hall leading to a brightly lit chapel. The hall is unlit and reeks of mildew. Four doors, two on each side of the hall, lead to adjacent chambers. You can see that the chapel is strewn with debris, and you hear a soft voice from within reciting a fervent prayer. Suddenly, the prayer is blotted out by an inhuman scream that rises up from beneath the wooden floorboards. Ireena and Ismark share a look before they both draw their swords from their sheaths. They cautiously move towards the chapel, ancient floorboards groaning under their feet.
The chapel is in shambles, overturned and broken pew littering the dusty floor. Dozens of candles mounted in candlesticks and candelabras light every dusty corner in a fervent attempt to rid the chapel of shadows. At the far end of the church sits a claw-scarred altar, behind which kneels a priest in soiled vestments. Next to him hangs a long, thick rope that stretches up into the bell tower. The figure continues to pray, unaware of your presence. You see the rising sun imagery of the Morninglord repeated all throughout the room: a sunburst emblazoned on the ground, suns decorating the shattered remains of the pews and so on.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
Conversation with Kora
"I know that they are here, Kory." he says almost whispering. "Because I've been turned into one. I can smell them."
Jared follows along but says little. Once inside the church, he will look at the mess with a bit of disdain.
"This place looks like crap." he says out loud.
Once the scream is heard he crouches slightly and pulls his mace.
"You sure this is the place you want to come to?" he asks while looking around for any threats.
So much for getting a private word away from the strangers. Anthony glances at Zathon wondering if he's thinking similarly. But not like they could tell the grieving siblings to shove off. Any thoughts along those lines are scattered by the piercing scream. Not being a stab first and ask questions later kind of person in town, he doesn't immediately draw a weapon. Though, like at Mary's, there's magic at his fingertips ready to go if needed.
He focuses on trying to discern the nature of the scream from below. A fight, pain, grief, or something monstrous?
((Rolled as insight , but adds are the same for perception if that fits better. 24))
Anthony
You can tell that while twisted and almost bestial, the cry came from a young human lad. You pick up on the young man's frustration through the cry, and oddly, a sense of hunger. It is the cry of a starving predator whose attempt to capture prey has been foiled.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
He can't help but glance at Ireena wondering if that kind hunger was in her future. Or her present and she was just that good a liar. But he could be chill until he had a reason not to be. "Is someone hurt? I'm a healer." He offers to whoever might know something of what's going on here. His tone is light, but his posture remains alert and he slides his shield onto his arm. Still no weapon, however.
Zathon is not perturbed per say by the additions to his and Anthony's church visit. They all have their reasons it seems to want to gather here. He does pull from his thoughts however, straightening at the scream. One hand goes to the hilt of his sword, the other to his emblem as he tries to get a sense of what kind of being is below.
________________
Using Divine Sense.