This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
OoC: Garavon is more going to be playing for time and gauging her reaction, then trying to convince her. Especially regarding the 'lord of this demesne"
perception:18
deception: 9
Garavon slowly notches another arrow. "We, why we are just poor travelers pulled into this strange place. Likely at the behest of its master, we are told. And giving a list of tasks to complete in the normal form. You know, prophetic riddles. My own belief it was given at the behest of he lord of this demesne.
"One was to break the circle of three. Now, as I have much experience with your kind in my own world, it was not hard for me to guess, and the stink of children's fear is as potent to me as the smell of a midden. Though it pales in comparison to your own stench, Hag. And that stench I knew when we were a league downwind of you. For you see, in my realm for my people a powerful Druid is called in at every birth to foretell the child's doom, if there is one. Mine is to take the heads of 5 hags. This two will make three and four."
He will pause dramatically. "Now, I am still young, among my people, and it occurs to me, that I could let you go, and ensure my own life awhile longer. But not at he expense of children. I know the power of the stone you hold, and you shall be dead before you finish the incantation to escape. So, we are left with only one option, I see. An OATH. An Oath of sufficient power that even you will quail at break. An oath to do no harm to children, or to ourselves."
Veronica for now is simply going to hold the two children close, ready to protect them with her life if anything else threatens them. In all honesty, she's angry enough at the hag's barbaric acts towards the innocent that she wouldn't be opposed to nailing it alive to the wall of the burning windmill.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Hag’s Insight (in game log): 15+6=21
The Hag narrowed its eyes at Garavon. “You know what I am. And you mix falsehoods with the truth like one of us…elf. Your story’s thick as my most potent brews, yet your threats are as thin as watery gruel. You may know the power of my heartstone, but do not mistake me for my inexperienced daughters. I am Morgantha the Dreamweaver, and there is nothing you can do before I am beyond your reach.
You want an oath? Pah! You bargain like a man armed with nothing but a dandelion puffball in a windstorm. The only thing I’ll give you are restless nights until your body wastes away and your lifeless corpse joins the other poor souls who came before you.
But, it seems you have some knowledge about Lord Strahd von Zarovich. Tell me of these prophecies and how you came by them, and I may allow you to rest on your quest.”
Hag Persuasion/Deception: 12
{DM Note: Beat the above roll with an Insight check to glean more meaning from the hag's words.}
Morgantha seemed like she was telling the truth and was capable of carrying out her threats. It also seemed the hag was afraid of Strahd von Zarovich and was eager to collect any and all information about him, and could be convinced to bargain or trade favors in return for useful information about the Lord of these lands.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Deception: 2
Insight:17
Garavon will briefly dart his eyes to the other companions, especially Veronica
"As I was being absconded to this land, hands of almost solid fog tried to grab at me, and I heard a man's deep, menacing chuckle, and the words "break the circle of three". When I came out there was a camp of.. of wanderers.. and an old woman you told 'fortunes' on how to return and told of a "Strahd" controlled the mists. Though I believe she was not honest in her laying of the cards, the first was an old woman. The 'Hag' she called it. Later, when we were in the tavern, I saw three old women watching us dressed the same as the wanderers. Suspicious and I thought it was them. But if they were the circle of three, then there power must lie not in themselves, and the old fortune teller made four. Then we came upon you. Well, a powerful circle of three. Certainly a challenge to one who is both predator and protector of the people."
Morgantha’s cackle grated the silent air. “Very well…elf. I offered leniency for the burning of my home and the killing of my daughters. All I asked in return was the truth of your prophecy, and you chose to peddle more lies.
I wish you good nights. Sleep tight. And may the bedbugs cover you in bites.”
The night hag faded from view as it disappeared into the Border Ethereal, leaving behind only the echo of her vicious cackle.
“That sounds like it’s going to be a problem,” said Ismark.
“Maybe someone in Vallaki can help with that?” replied Ireena, the shadow of doubt hung heavy over her words.
The windmill went up in a towering inferno, the fire ate at its innards and its wooden floors and vanes came crashing to the ground as burning debris.
{DM Note: The party has completed a level-appropriate milestone by rescuing the children and chasing the hags away from the Old Bonegrinder windmill and will advance to level 5 after the next successful long rest, which may prove to be a problem with Morgantha still at large.
For now, the party has to decide to continue the last hour’s journey to Vallaki, to explore the nearby megaliths, take a short rest (and its accompanying random encounter rolls), or do some other activity I’ve left out.
I’ll move the party to Vallaki tomorrow (real-life time) if the majority of the party doesn’t give an opinion on what they would like to do.}
"Well... that... doesn't sound good,"she sighs, picking up each of the children gently and returning to the rest of the party. "But the most important thing is that we saved two innocent lives and put a stop to this barbaric so-called 'business.' Now children... what are your names? And where can we find your parents?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Garavon approached the four megaliths (it’s not one monolith) arranged in an ancient stone circle. The side of each stone facing inward was carved with images of a city, which appeared identical on each stone save for various embellishments. The first image of the city was arrayed in flowers, the second had a sunburst overhead, the third was covered in leaves, and the last was covered in snow.
Ravens circled overhead. One of them was atop the second stone, pecking on a pastry, identical to the one Skanon had bought from the hag.
Garavon spottes a small pile of brownish-white stones in the middle of the circle, which revealed itself to be made of children’s teeth caked in dried blood.
Garavon’s religion check, DC 12: 17
Meanwhile…
“Freek,” said the boy to Veronica.
“Myrtle,” said the girl, “Please don’t bring us back to our parents…they sold us for pastries.”
“Thank you for rescuing us…” said Freek. He looked around and noticed your companions. “Miss Ireena…Ismark sir, will you take care of us?”
Ireena smiled at the two children. “Don’t worry, once we get to Vallaki and find somewhere safe, you can stay with us.” She addressed Veronica quietly, “Our father sent us around the village every winter with provisions and extra blankets for those who needed them. Ismark and I know these two children, we’ve always wondered why their parents were destitute despite stable employment…now we know.” Ireena turned back to the kids. “You’re strong enough to walk to Vallaki with us right? Lady Veronica can’t fight off bad people if she’s carrying you two.”
The children nodded sheepishly and requested to be let down.
Veronica, a little bit reluctantly, sets the two children down. She makes a mental note to hunt down the so-called 'parents' who were so sick as to sell their children for pastries and deal out some brutal justice.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Garavon will enter the stone circle and with his bow brush away the teeth, then take out his water skin and poor some water on the stone to clear away any debris.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Garavon cleared away the hag’s desecration within the standing stones, a gap cleared in the perpetually overcast Barovian skies and the pure, unadulterated warmth of the sun brought brief respite from the damp mist.
{DM Note: Garavon gains Inspiration.}
However, just as soon as it happened, the gray clouds closed in once more with a vengeance at the sun’s intrusion into their realm.
The children may have been set down, but hovered close to Veronica, their rescuer.
{DM Note: Veronica gains Inspiration.}
The party set out for Vallaki, alert for possible threats. Sounds of distant, howling wolves and sudden unexplained cracks of dead twigs from the forest made the children grasp tightly at the hhand of their nearest protector.
Rolling for random encounters per half hour on the last hour of travel to Vallaki, they occur on 18 or higher: 1116
The Old Svalich Road meandered into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods receded, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog pressed up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber. The dirt road ended at a set of sturdy iron gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking the road outside the gates were a half-dozen pikes with wolves' heads impaled on them.
“There it is. Vallaki,” said Ireena, “they don’t seem to welcome Strahd’s minions.” She noted the impaled wolves’ heads. “Lets get in and find a safe place to plan our next move.”
“Hold on,” said Ismark, “should we travel incognito or announce ourselves as…well I suppose we’re the burgomasters of the Village of Barovia now that father is gone. He never did mention which one of us would take his place.”
“A problem for another time,” replied Ireena.
“Agreed. Announcing ourselves would definitely open more doors, but may tip off Strahd’s spies should they be lurking in Vallaki.” Ismark addressed the party, “what do the rest of you think?”
{DM Note: Walking right up to the town gates isn’t the only option, it’s just the one Ireena and Ismark are presenting.}
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"I think, and interrupt me if need-be, you two should never mention a word about your status. With your sudden disappearance from Barovia, and I mean the village, the-" Vicky goes into a low whisper for a second, "- the Vistani will be on high alert. I sincerely hope these townsmen do not find joy in harming the wolves, and especially no ravens."
Vicky then looks directly at the nearest wolf head to her and thinks: if you, Lord Strahd, can hear this, I am not from another world. My friends will hunt you down and help me murder you. I am in spirit from here, Vallaki, yet I do take pride in my nearness to Krezk. I will not yield till one of us goes down in flames, and I hope I can one day call the sun down, past the clouds, and send your ashes into the deep oceans I have once heard of.
Not sure who I'm intimidating, but I rolled a 8 for it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Look at it! Beauty! A spoiler!
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
“No, I'm afraid we have not visited Vallaki before, but father did journey here on ocassion and they do know of our village,” said Ismark, “we’ll hang about in the rear while the rest of you make the introductions.”
“We should probably decide on the best entry point as well,” said Ireena, "if push came to shove and the Vallakians are hostile, we can always reveal our identities later...provided we weren't the ones to trigger their wrath."
A quick scout of the area around Vallaki proved that the town was entirely walled off by the 15-foot tall wooden palisade, the top of each log sharpened into a pencil-shaped point.
The party had arrived from the east and the iron gate they saw was only one of three such gates.
The west and north sides also had similar gates, each with two humanoid figures glancing over the top of the palisade. They were just as tightly shut as the east gate and decorated with impaled wolves’ heads.
The old Svalich road on which the party had been traveling continued its meandering journey out from the west gate, where a dirt track quickly branched off the main road into the forest. Meanwhile the road heading north led to a tranquil, misty mountain lake.
Several prominent buildings within Vallaki stuck out above the palisade. There was a church steeple near the west gate, a tall blocky townhouse near the center, an old crumbling mansion near the north entrance, and a similarly ancient but slightly better kept mansion toward the south where there was no gate giving access to the town.
OoC: Garavon is more going to be playing for time and gauging her reaction, then trying to convince her. Especially regarding the 'lord of this demesne"
perception:18
deception: 9
Garavon slowly notches another arrow. "We, why we are just poor travelers pulled into this strange place. Likely at the behest of its master, we are told. And giving a list of tasks to complete in the normal form. You know, prophetic riddles. My own belief it was given at the behest of he lord of this demesne.
"One was to break the circle of three. Now, as I have much experience with your kind in my own world, it was not hard for me to guess, and the stink of children's fear is as potent to me as the smell of a midden. Though it pales in comparison to your own stench, Hag. And that stench I knew when we were a league downwind of you. For you see, in my realm for my people a powerful Druid is called in at every birth to foretell the child's doom, if there is one. Mine is to take the heads of 5 hags. This two will make three and four."
He will pause dramatically. "Now, I am still young, among my people, and it occurs to me, that I could let you go, and ensure my own life awhile longer. But not at he expense of children. I know the power of the stone you hold, and you shall be dead before you finish the incantation to escape. So, we are left with only one option, I see. An OATH. An Oath of sufficient power that even you will quail at break. An oath to do no harm to children, or to ourselves."
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
Veronica for now is simply going to hold the two children close, ready to protect them with her life if anything else threatens them. In all honesty, she's angry enough at the hag's barbaric acts towards the innocent that she wouldn't be opposed to nailing it alive to the wall of the burning windmill.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Hag’s Insight (in game log): 15+6=21
The Hag narrowed its eyes at Garavon. “You know what I am. And you mix falsehoods with the truth like one of us…elf. Your story’s thick as my most potent brews, yet your threats are as thin as watery gruel. You may know the power of my heartstone, but do not mistake me for my inexperienced daughters. I am Morgantha the Dreamweaver, and there is nothing you can do before I am beyond your reach.
You want an oath? Pah! You bargain like a man armed with nothing but a dandelion puffball in a windstorm. The only thing I’ll give you are restless nights until your body wastes away and your lifeless corpse joins the other poor souls who came before you.
But, it seems you have some knowledge about Lord Strahd von Zarovich. Tell me of these prophecies and how you came by them, and I may allow you to rest on your quest.”
Hag Persuasion/Deception: 12
{DM Note: Beat the above roll with an Insight check to glean more meaning from the hag's words.}
Insight:7
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
Morgantha seemed like she was telling the truth and was capable of carrying out her threats. It also seemed the hag was afraid of Strahd von Zarovich and was eager to collect any and all information about him, and could be convinced to bargain or trade favors in return for useful information about the Lord of these lands.
Deception: 2
Insight:17
Garavon will briefly dart his eyes to the other companions, especially Veronica
"As I was being absconded to this land, hands of almost solid fog tried to grab at me, and I heard a man's deep, menacing chuckle, and the words "break the circle of three". When I came out there was a camp of.. of wanderers.. and an old woman you told 'fortunes' on how to return and told of a "Strahd" controlled the mists. Though I believe she was not honest in her laying of the cards, the first was an old woman. The 'Hag' she called it. Later, when we were in the tavern, I saw three old women watching us dressed the same as the wanderers. Suspicious and I thought it was them. But if they were the circle of three, then there power must lie not in themselves, and the old fortune teller made four. Then we came upon you. Well, a powerful circle of three. Certainly a challenge to one who is both predator and protector of the people."
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
At least my combat roles are better... :(
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
Morgantha’s insight: 21
Morgantha’s cackle grated the silent air. “Very well…elf. I offered leniency for the burning of my home and the killing of my daughters. All I asked in return was the truth of your prophecy, and you chose to peddle more lies.
I wish you good nights. Sleep tight. And may the bedbugs cover you in bites.”
The night hag faded from view as it disappeared into the Border Ethereal, leaving behind only the echo of her vicious cackle.
“That sounds like it’s going to be a problem,” said Ismark.
“Maybe someone in Vallaki can help with that?” replied Ireena, the shadow of doubt hung heavy over her words.
The windmill went up in a towering inferno, the fire ate at its innards and its wooden floors and vanes came crashing to the ground as burning debris.
{DM Note: The party has completed a level-appropriate milestone by rescuing the children and chasing the hags away from the Old Bonegrinder windmill and will advance to level 5 after the next successful long rest, which may prove to be a problem with Morgantha still at large.
For now, the party has to decide to continue the last hour’s journey to Vallaki, to explore the nearby megaliths, take a short rest (and its accompanying random encounter rolls), or do some other activity I’ve left out.
I’ll move the party to Vallaki tomorrow (real-life time) if the majority of the party doesn’t give an opinion on what they would like to do.}
Garavon looks with disappointment. "I knew I should have tried to shoot her in the throat."
"There was a chest in there. I would like to see if any of it's contents survive the fire."
Garavon will walk towards the monolith, but not enter or touch them, circling them twice.
Perception (in log) 14
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
Veronica shivers at the hag's parting words...
"Well... that... doesn't sound good," she sighs, picking up each of the children gently and returning to the rest of the party. "But the most important thing is that we saved two innocent lives and put a stop to this barbaric so-called 'business.' Now children... what are your names? And where can we find your parents?"
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Garavon approached the four megaliths (it’s not one monolith) arranged in an ancient stone circle. The side of each stone facing inward was carved with images of a city, which appeared identical on each stone save for various embellishments. The first image of the city was arrayed in flowers, the second had a sunburst overhead, the third was covered in leaves, and the last was covered in snow.
Ravens circled overhead. One of them was atop the second stone, pecking on a pastry, identical to the one Skanon had bought from the hag.
Garavon spottes a small pile of brownish-white stones in the middle of the circle, which revealed itself to be made of children’s teeth caked in dried blood.
Garavon’s religion check, DC 12: 17
Meanwhile…
“Freek,” said the boy to Veronica.
“Myrtle,” said the girl, “Please don’t bring us back to our parents…they sold us for pastries.”
“Thank you for rescuing us…” said Freek. He looked around and noticed your companions. “Miss Ireena…Ismark sir, will you take care of us?”
Ireena smiled at the two children. “Don’t worry, once we get to Vallaki and find somewhere safe, you can stay with us.” She addressed Veronica quietly, “Our father sent us around the village every winter with provisions and extra blankets for those who needed them. Ismark and I know these two children, we’ve always wondered why their parents were destitute despite stable employment…now we know.” Ireena turned back to the kids. “You’re strong enough to walk to Vallaki with us right? Lady Veronica can’t fight off bad people if she’s carrying you two.”
The children nodded sheepishly and requested to be let down.
Garavon noted the similarity between the sunburst above the city on the second megalith and the holy symbol he saw in Father Donavich’s church.
The pile of teeth was an offering to the wicked archfey, Ceithlenn of the Crooked Teeth. The hags likely left them here to desecrate the stone circle.
Veronica, a little bit reluctantly, sets the two children down. She makes a mental note to hunt down the so-called 'parents' who were so sick as to sell their children for pastries and deal out some brutal justice.
Unhappy that the market got rid of individual purchases for one-off subclasses, magic items, and monsters?
Provide feedback!
Garavon will enter the stone circle and with his bow brush away the teeth, then take out his water skin and poor some water on the stone to clear away any debris.
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
As Garavon cleared away the hag’s desecration within the standing stones, a gap cleared in the perpetually overcast Barovian skies and the pure, unadulterated warmth of the sun brought brief respite from the damp mist.
{DM Note: Garavon gains Inspiration.}
However, just as soon as it happened, the gray clouds closed in once more with a vengeance at the sun’s intrusion into their realm.
The children may have been set down, but hovered close to Veronica, their rescuer.
{DM Note: Veronica gains Inspiration.}
The party set out for Vallaki, alert for possible threats. Sounds of distant, howling wolves and sudden unexplained cracks of dead twigs from the forest made the children grasp tightly at the hhand of their nearest protector.
Rolling for random encounters per half hour on the last hour of travel to Vallaki, they occur on 18 or higher: 11 16
The Old Svalich Road meandered into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods receded, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog pressed up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber. The dirt road ended at a set of sturdy iron gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking the road outside the gates were a half-dozen pikes with wolves' heads impaled on them.
“There it is. Vallaki,” said Ireena, “they don’t seem to welcome Strahd’s minions.” She noted the impaled wolves’ heads. “Lets get in and find a safe place to plan our next move.”
“Hold on,” said Ismark, “should we travel incognito or announce ourselves as…well I suppose we’re the burgomasters of the Village of Barovia now that father is gone. He never did mention which one of us would take his place.”
“A problem for another time,” replied Ireena.
“Agreed. Announcing ourselves would definitely open more doors, but may tip off Strahd’s spies should they be lurking in Vallaki.” Ismark addressed the party, “what do the rest of you think?”
{DM Note: Walking right up to the town gates isn’t the only option, it’s just the one Ireena and Ismark are presenting.}
"I think, and interrupt me if need-be, you two should never mention a word about your status. With your sudden disappearance from Barovia, and I mean the village, the-" Vicky goes into a low whisper for a second, "- the Vistani will be on high alert. I sincerely hope these townsmen do not find joy in harming the wolves, and especially no ravens."
Vicky then looks directly at the nearest wolf head to her and thinks: if you, Lord Strahd, can hear this, I am not from another world. My friends will hunt you down and help me murder you. I am in spirit from here, Vallaki, yet I do take pride in my nearness to Krezk. I will not yield till one of us goes down in flames, and I hope I can one day call the sun down, past the clouds, and send your ashes into the deep oceans I have once heard of.
Not sure who I'm intimidating, but I rolled a 8 for it.
Look at it! Beauty! A spoiler!
Look what you've done, spoiling it for you and everyone who can see this screen. You're a disgrace, you know that, right? You have nothing to be ashamed of but yourself, you moster!
But to be completely fair, every monster has a cute side, like have you seen people draw goblins? Goblins look so cool! You're fine, you may seem like a monster, but I bet you're cute on the inside!
Hope I've made your day!
"Well, if you are known here, then I am sure they will be happy to see you returned."
"ALWAYS GIVE A MONSTER AN EVEN BREAK!"
1st Edition DMG
“No, I'm afraid we have not visited Vallaki before, but father did journey here on ocassion and they do know of our village,” said Ismark, “we’ll hang about in the rear while the rest of you make the introductions.”
“We should probably decide on the best entry point as well,” said Ireena, "if push came to shove and the Vallakians are hostile, we can always reveal our identities later...provided we weren't the ones to trigger their wrath."
A quick scout of the area around Vallaki proved that the town was entirely walled off by the 15-foot tall wooden palisade, the top of each log sharpened into a pencil-shaped point.
The party had arrived from the east and the iron gate they saw was only one of three such gates.
The west and north sides also had similar gates, each with two humanoid figures glancing over the top of the palisade. They were just as tightly shut as the east gate and decorated with impaled wolves’ heads.
The old Svalich road on which the party had been traveling continued its meandering journey out from the west gate, where a dirt track quickly branched off the main road into the forest. Meanwhile the road heading north led to a tranquil, misty mountain lake.
Several prominent buildings within Vallaki stuck out above the palisade. There was a church steeple near the west gate, a tall blocky townhouse near the center, an old crumbling mansion near the north entrance, and a similarly ancient but slightly better kept mansion toward the south where there was no gate giving access to the town.