As you pass the houses back into the tents and Vardos of the Vistani , you hear a man screaming at another. Annabelles name in his words make you pay attention.
Piled outside the wagon are several empty casks of wine. From inside the tent comes the crack of a whip followed by the howls of a young man. Three sputtering campfires fill the tent with smoke, and through the haze you see six Vistani passed out in various places on the dead grass. A barely conscious and shirtless teenager hugs the central tent pole, his wrists bound with rope and his back streaked with blood. An older, larger man in studded leather armor lashes the young man with a horsewhip, causing him to scream again. Standing in the bigger man's shadow is a third man also clad in studded leather. "Easy, brother," he says to the whip-wielding brute. "I think Alexei has learned his lesson."
Illmirth looks at the scene with sadness, but holds his tongue. He does not know the Vistani laws and customs, nor what crime the man had committed. With a sad shake of his head he looked to Frederik. "Can you show us the last place the girl's trail was found? It wouldn't do to have her, nor ourselves, wandering the woods at night..." A shudder ran through his body at the thought of facing Barovia's dangers without the sun above them.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Crisaryn also holds her tongue as she catches sight of the man lashing the teen. But after a moment she approaches. "We heard mention of Annabelle. Do you have any news of where she might have gone?"
She follows the lead of her companions. Surely this young man is a criminal of some sort otherwise why would he be punished? She stays silent though because sometimes truth is created by strength not actual truth.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
The young blonde priestess is appalled to see the flogging of the young man. In her mind no one should ever be punished in such a heinous way. She grits her teeth but stays silent for now, hoping they could find something out about the missing girl before she confronted the man with the whip about the wrongs of his ways.
(Insight to determine if this is just rampant sadism: 20 + Guidance: 1 )
The man with the whip turns towards Crisaryn his face flushed with rage.
Just who do you think you are talking too? I am Luvash village chief here, and this ungrateful cur, Alexei deserves every stroke I've done. He left my daughter Annabelle to wander away from the other children when he was charged with their safety.
He grabs Alexei head and pulls it back to stretch the boys neck, touching his dagger to his throat, if she isn't found alive before night fall, I'll give you to Strahd myself! He swiftly cuts through the rope and the boy slips to the ground.
The other man nods at the party. Be welcome here, this is the Hunters lodge, my name is Arrigal. I believe that you are also searching for the lost girl Annabelle. Any luck so far? We can find her track near the Sweet Chestnut trees, as well as those from a man, he is very difficult to track. We think she may have been grabbed and forcibly taken away. I can show you the last traces that we have found.
”That would be very helpful sir. I don’t think we’ve found any clues.” She looks down at the crumpled form of Alexei and shakes her head. It is difficult to keep track of a group of children, they always do such random things.
If Annabelle was stolen away it isn’t all Alexei’s fault. Whoever it was though is going to pay painfully.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
Crisaryn narrows her eyes at Luvash as he speaks harshly to her. "I thought I was speaking to someone who might have known about Annabelle's disappearance. The true question is who do you think you are to speak to me in such a tone. I said nothing about the boy, but your reaction indicates you must be questioning your actions." She then turns to Arrigal, nodding. "We do indeed intend to search for her and would think you for your help."
The young blonde priestess struggles to restrain herself, wanting to point out to the cruel village chief that the flogging hardly would bring his daughter back. Once the girl had been found she would definitely have a talk about decency with the vistani.
Arrigal led the party back outside and began to walk swiftly towards the forest. You can see the glimmer of Lake Zarovich between the trees.
Frederik flew ahead and dived into the boughs of a Sweet Chestnut tree, no doubt as far as he'd tracked.
You look around the clearing whilst listening to Frederik cawing at Arrigal girl here then disappears.
Arrigal looks sideways at the talking raven. Yes...yes it does now look a few feet away here and here he showed them heavily indented in the dirt a mans track. Try and follow that! We'll do it together. Spead out!
Alerya follows the group and tries to pick up the trail like the others. She isn't trained in woodcraft but she does the best she can. Internally she hopes they can find the girl before too much mischief as occurred.
Survival Check 19
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
Eager to find and save the girl, the young blonde priestess nods and tries her best to follow the tracks, calling upon the blessing of the Dawnfather to guide her steps.
Reaching into a small pouch, the bard pulls out a bit of pork and offers it to Frederik. "You did great Frederik. When we find Annabelle you will be a hero!" he says cheerfully.
Seeing the others hard at work, Illmirth offers encouragement and looks for a place where some inspiration would be helpful.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
The large footprints that you can see keep returning on themselves as if someone was trying to befuddle those following them. Once they crossed a small stream and you follow along the sides to find where the footprints exit. Sometimes Frederiks eagle eye spots them, then it is Arrigal, finding the tip toeing steps Alerya and Lorelei see the path now smooth out and the footprints are deep into the loamy soil.
You end up on the shores of Lake Zarovich where the Vistani come fishing. Most of the boats are pulled high on the sandy shore, save one in the distance. The footprints become muddled amongst all the others.
"Is anyone on the lake fishing? If not we better start rowing and try to catch up. Frederik, can you fly out and see who is in the boat way our there?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
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Alerya
She nods in agreement, searching for the girl will be the current priority. Hopefully some clue can be found.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
DM
As you pass the houses back into the tents and Vardos of the Vistani , you hear a man screaming at another. Annabelles name in his words make you pay attention.
Piled outside the wagon are several empty casks of wine. From inside the tent comes the crack of a whip followed by the howls of a young man. Three sputtering campfires fill the tent with smoke, and through the haze you see six Vistani passed out in various places on the dead grass. A barely conscious and shirtless teenager hugs the central tent pole, his wrists bound with rope and his back streaked with blood. An older, larger man in studded leather armor lashes the young man with a horsewhip, causing him to scream again. Standing in the bigger man's shadow is a third man also clad in studded leather. "Easy, brother," he says to the whip-wielding brute. "I think Alexei has learned his lesson."
Illmirth
Illmirth looks at the scene with sadness, but holds his tongue. He does not know the Vistani laws and customs, nor what crime the man had committed. With a sad shake of his head he looked to Frederik. "Can you show us the last place the girl's trail was found? It wouldn't do to have her, nor ourselves, wandering the woods at night..." A shudder ran through his body at the thought of facing Barovia's dangers without the sun above them.
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Crisaryn Melkial
Crisaryn also holds her tongue as she catches sight of the man lashing the teen. But after a moment she approaches. "We heard mention of Annabelle. Do you have any news of where she might have gone?"
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Alerya
She follows the lead of her companions. Surely this young man is a criminal of some sort otherwise why would he be punished? She stays silent though because sometimes truth is created by strength not actual truth.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Lorelei Dawnwarden
The young blonde priestess is appalled to see the flogging of the young man. In her mind no one should ever be punished in such a heinous way. She grits her teeth but stays silent for now, hoping they could find something out about the missing girl before she confronted the man with the whip about the wrongs of his ways.
(Insight to determine if this is just rampant sadism: 20 + Guidance: 1 )
DM
The man with the whip turns towards Crisaryn his face flushed with rage.
Just who do you think you are talking too? I am Luvash village chief here, and this ungrateful cur, Alexei deserves every stroke I've done. He left my daughter Annabelle to wander away from the other children when he was charged with their safety.
He grabs Alexei head and pulls it back to stretch the boys neck, touching his dagger to his throat, if she isn't found alive before night fall, I'll give you to Strahd myself! He swiftly cuts through the rope and the boy slips to the ground.
The other man nods at the party. Be welcome here, this is the Hunters lodge, my name is Arrigal. I believe that you are also searching for the lost girl Annabelle. Any luck so far? We can find her track near the Sweet Chestnut trees, as well as those from a man, he is very difficult to track. We think she may have been grabbed and forcibly taken away. I can show you the last traces that we have found.
Alerya
”That would be very helpful sir. I don’t think we’ve found any clues.” She looks down at the crumpled form of Alexei and shakes her head. It is difficult to keep track of a group of children, they always do such random things.
If Annabelle was stolen away it isn’t all Alexei’s fault. Whoever it was though is going to pay painfully.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Crisaryn Melkial
Crisaryn narrows her eyes at Luvash as he speaks harshly to her. "I thought I was speaking to someone who might have known about Annabelle's disappearance. The true question is who do you think you are to speak to me in such a tone. I said nothing about the boy, but your reaction indicates you must be questioning your actions." She then turns to Arrigal, nodding. "We do indeed intend to search for her and would think you for your help."
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Lorelei Dawnwarden
The young blonde priestess struggles to restrain herself, wanting to point out to the cruel village chief that the flogging hardly would bring his daughter back. Once the girl had been found she would definitely have a talk about decency with the vistani.
DM
Arrigal led the party back outside and began to walk swiftly towards the forest. You can see the glimmer of Lake Zarovich between the trees.
Frederik flew ahead and dived into the boughs of a Sweet Chestnut tree, no doubt as far as he'd tracked.
You look around the clearing whilst listening to Frederik cawing at Arrigal girl here then disappears.
Arrigal looks sideways at the talking raven. Yes...yes it does now look a few feet away here and here he showed them heavily indented in the dirt a mans track. Try and follow that! We'll do it together. Spead out!
Alerya
Alerya follows the group and tries to pick up the trail like the others. She isn't trained in woodcraft but she does the best she can. Internally she hopes they can find the girl before too much mischief as occurred.
Survival Check 19
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Lorelei Dawnwarden
Eager to find and save the girl, the young blonde priestess nods and tries her best to follow the tracks, calling upon the blessing of the Dawnfather to guide her steps.
(Cast Enhance Wisdom, Survival: 20 Perception: 25 )
Crisaryn Melkial
Joining in with the search, Crisaryn makes an attempt at identifying the trail along with the others. (Survival: 14)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi || Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric
Meira Dheran, Rogue || Qirynna Thadri, Wizard || Crisaryn Melkial, Sorcerer || Bronnryn Hethgar, Cleric
Illmirth
Not skilled in the woodland skills of his friends, Illmirth follows their lead.
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
Illmirth
Reaching into a small pouch, the bard pulls out a bit of pork and offers it to Frederik. "You did great Frederik. When we find Annabelle you will be a hero!" he says cheerfully.
Seeing the others hard at work, Illmirth offers encouragement and looks for a place where some inspiration would be helpful.
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond
DM
The large footprints that you can see keep returning on themselves as if someone was trying to befuddle those following them. Once they crossed a small stream and you follow along the sides to find where the footprints exit. Sometimes Frederiks eagle eye spots them, then it is Arrigal, finding the tip toeing steps Alerya and Lorelei see the path now smooth out and the footprints are deep into the loamy soil.
You end up on the shores of Lake Zarovich where the Vistani come fishing. Most of the boats are pulled high on the sandy shore, save one in the distance. The footprints become muddled amongst all the others.
Alerya
She calls out to the boat "Annabelle!...ANNABELLE!!...ANNABELLE!!"
Full of hope, she thinks, Surely the child will answer.
"Sooner or later, your Players are going to smash your railroad into a sandbox."
-Vedexent
"real life is a super high CR."
-OboeLauren
"............anybody got any potatoes? We could drop a potato in each hole an' see which ones get viciously mauled by horrible monsters?"
-Ilyara Thundertale
Illmirth
"Is anyone on the lake fishing? If not we better start rowing and try to catch up. Frederik, can you fly out and see who is in the boat way our there?"
“Let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.” — Elrond