“With the free time and resources of that man, I’d be surprised if he didn’t.”

Razz spins midair at Gairy’s reply, giving the fallen angel a mock-scandalized look.

"Well... we’ve had wolves, dire wolves, vampire bat swarms, exploding skeletons, a vampire bride, cultists, cultist leader, a slightly demented cat lady, and let’s not forget a certain scream-filled elf who walks around like he invented brooding." He holds up a finger with each count, looking increasingly incredulous.

He turns to the rest of the group with a raised brow. "Did I miss any?"

After a beat, he grins wide and shrugs midair. "Anyway, to be fair... we also had a literal tiger on our side. So maybe we weren’t watching the circus—maybe we were the main act."

He drifts lazily forward, wings fluttering softly. "I call dibs on the tightrope."

Pointing at Striker, slithering on the ground.

”and I guess that makes me the snake charmer. I guess I should learn that flute song thing”

"Circus, huh? I suppose I've had practice at knife throwing. Is it really so impressive to miss on purpose...?" Kessintra gives a skeptical look.

A half mile after turning off the Old Svalich Road, the path becomes a muddy trail that meanders through the woods, descending gradually until the trees part, revealing a mist-shrouded meadow. The trail splits. One branch heads west into the valley, and the other leads south into dark woods. A wooden signpost at the intersection points west and reads, “Vineyard.” As you continue to the west a light drizzle begins to fall. Unpainted fences blindly follow the trail, which skirts north of a sprawling vineyard before bending south toward a stately building. The fog takes on ghostly forms as it swirls between the neatly tended rows of grapevines. Here and there, you see rope-handled half-barrels used for hauling grapes. North of the trail is a large stand of trees. A man wearing a dark cloak and cowl stands at the edge of the trees, beckoning you.

Kessintra sighs and puts up her hood as the drizzle starts to fall. As the building comes into view and they spot the beckoning figure she is obviously suspicious, her hand drifting to grasp her bow but not going so far as to draw just yet. She looks around for any 'friends' the man might have waiting to ambush them.

Perception: 9 -.-

(guidance +2, perception check 17, Does Razz or Kess see anyone else except the man wearing the cowl?  I'm going to adjust my next post based on that.)

He seems to be alone.

As the drizzle begins to patter down around them, Razz tugs the edge of his hooded cloak a little tighter around his wild hair—not that it helps much.

"Dark cloaked figure at the edge of the wood,
If you’re gonna be creepy, at least bring food."

He chants lightly as he waves a hand and touches his temple—glimmering sparks briefly forming the shape of a glowing eye as he invokes a bit of divine guidance. With wings fluttering quietly above the wet path, he slowly glides up, scanning the treeline for movement beyond the lone figure.

After a moment, satisfied, Razz relaxes just a touch and tips a nod toward the cloaked stranger.

"You know, for a vineyard, I expected to see a few more bodies in motion by this hour. Not that we mind the private welcome party, just... wasn't expecting quiet."

He flits along with the others, keeping pace in the air and keeping his eyes peeled.

The fallen angel walks in a steady pace with grim determination, not seeming bothered by the rain. He had yet to get used to the way the others talked though. He was not used to this flippant behaviour but it was of course to be expected from the likes of fairies.

He walks closer to the beckoning cloaked man and bows as he reaches him. "You would have to excuse the fairy, he can't help himself. What can we do for you?" He says with calm confidence. He couldn't rule out that this was another of Strahd's minions but it didn't quite make sense he would reveal himself if he wanted them ill.

Persuasion if relevant to make friendly contact: 12
Insight to deremine intentions: 13

You hear a deep chuckle, then a grizzly voice from the man. "Sorry, I don't have any snacks on me. In any case, I'm a worker for the vineyard- or at least, I was. About five days ago some druids from Yester Hill came and drove us out. That's why you didn't get your welcome party. If you would be so kind, could you give them the same treatment they gave us?"

He seems to be genuine.

"Can you tell us who these druids are and why they would drive you out from your vineyard?" The fallen angel asks.

Kessintra watches the interaction curiously. "Druids, hm? I suppose it has something to do with the land then. A property dispute?"

“If it’s merely a land dispute, those land deeds we found could be instrumental in resolving this.”

"The druids are loyal to the Devil Strahd, and you know how the saying goes, 'Wine is the lifeblood of Barovia.' They must've figured that without wine, people wouldn't be as cheerful. Sounds like something He would want. And no, it isn't a land dispute. It's more of a.... hostile takeover."

Razz hovers a little closer at the mention of druids, frowning thoughtfully as he listens to the man's gravelly explanation.

"Druids. Right. Of course. Strahd's tree-hugging fan club just had to mess with the wine." He shakes his head dramatically, wings flicking with irritation. "If I find out they’ve soured all the grapes, I have to fight them on principle alone."

He does a lazy loop in the air, before pausing mid-hover with a finger to his chin.

"Alright, so wine’s the joy of the people, and Strahd hates joy—sounds like the usual. Let’s go remind his leafy lackeys what happens when you mess with morale."

"Viktor would’ve loved to meet them, I think... though maybe they’d be a bit too much bark for his bite." He grins wide and winks at the group.

Then, turning back to the cloaked man, he raises a brow. "So, any details we should know? Numbers, weird rituals, plant monsters, sentient grapevines that scream when you step on them?"

"More fanatics then. I doubt there will be any reasoning with them." So, more killing. "Are there any secret passages and such in the winery that they might not know about?"

"I only saw a handful of druids enter- around 10 or so- but they've got a whole bunch of blights. Around 70, I'd say. Oh, and they've set up an ambush at the entrance. Around half the blights and no druids. As for secret passages.... There is one hidden door on the first floor. Then again, it's just the master bedroom, so I'm not sure how useful that would be...."

“Oh is that all? Hey Razz, I really REALLY hope you like this wine!”

"We will take care of your uninvited guests." The fallen angel says grimly, "You just stay safe and we will return when these minions of Strahd have been dealt with." He adds, quietly calling upon his tiny invisible servant to scout ahead. "Ready?" He then says to his new companions before drawing his black blade and moving on.

Meanwhile a tiny invisble creature flutters ahead to scout and warn it's master about hidden threats.
Stealth: 21
Perception: 2