JudyMacs Curse of Strahd

Illmirth

The bard offers Rictavio and the other carpenter a friendly wave and nod of approval as they pull together the stage to entertain the wee ones.

He continues to follow the flow of people into the church; he was pleased to support Lorelei's faith, and he was quite curious to see the relics that were mentioned.  He drops a silver into the tithe bin when it is appropriate, then settles in to observe, and or sing along if such is appropriate.  

Quote from Culuril >>

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn just shrugs as it seems Alerya didn't seem to catch her question and Lorelei certainly did not seem the sort to have an opinion. It really doesn't matter to her what other people might think of her attire. She simply follows behind the others when they head to hear the prayers. 

 Alerya

"Oh well, I'm wearing this," Alerya smiles and gestures at her clothing. "I'm sure we'll be fine. Maybe if there is an especially beautiful and free dress out there I might buy it. haha!"

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn gives Alerya a brief look when she eventually responds to her question. "Do you often find places selling free dresses?" she asks with a grin. As they approach the church, she barely gives a look to Rictavio outside. Once within she is more than happy to just take a place in the very back. Having found a seat, she sits quietly, waiting to see what happens.

Alerya

"Well no I have not ever found one. But does that mean we should stop looking?" she chuckles as the group enters the church. Holy places always gave the blue girl a sense of peace, and they all seemed to have that same...comfort smell.

Lorelei Dawnwarden

The young blonde priestess finds a seat among the others, attentive to when the sermon would start, pleased to see so many townsfolk turning up, wondering if it was the festival or if they were always this pious.

DM

Soon the boy stopped pulling the bell rope and stepped to the back of the seats. His gaze was riveted on the priest and the handling of the bones.

The cleric lifted the bones from the casket silk cloth and held them above his head. Simultaneously he began a hymn to the light of the Morninglord. The bones glowed and fought back the dark to the sighs of relief and pleasure of his congregation. You can hear the birds outside begin their dawn chorus. The cleric gently placed the bones back into the casket. Then stood and called the dawn light into the church, along with it he called his soft light of dawn, spreading throughout the church and far beyond.

You are all caught up in a moment of pure happiness, each to their own private vision.

Illmirth 

As children, we were taught to fear the sun.  I feel now why that was so, for even the hardest of hearts would soften in this glorious light of the Mornig Lord he said in a hushed, reverent tone.

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn takes the moment to listen to the hymn. And she sees the pleasant light. She looks around, trying to see how others might be reacting. At the least she hopes it's an omen that today will be a peaceful one. 

Alerya

"Well now that is a beautiful thing. I thought this land held only shadows, but this proves that is not true." Her heart is filled with warmth and contentment. Evil exists but there is light to stand against it.

Lorelei Dawnwarden

A small serene smile finally reaches the lips of the young blonde priestess. In this moment it was indeed hard to imagine there was anything troubling the people of these lands.

DM

Lorelei for a moment was caught in the gaze of the Cleric. He smiled gently at her. He closed the box containing the saints bones and put them safely away into the Altar.

I declare the fire festival as open the Burgomeister called out

Twilight fled before the dawn. You can hear the sound of a hammer from outside, followed by cawing. A few children ran outside begging for illusions or a puppet play. A few mothers stayed behind to watch over them.

For once the festival seemed to mean something to them, and an air of gaiety took over.

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn slowly rises and heads outside. She had enjoyed the moment to rest but it hadn't really done anything really.  Outside, she sees the excitement of the children who had run out there. Their happiness seemed more meaningful than the service.  

She looks around for Illmirth, or any of the Vistani she might know. She knows they planned to dedicate themselves to entertaining such kids. Perhaps she can find some way to make herself useful.

Lorelei Dawnwarden

The young priestess with the blonde braided hair would not be eager to join the festivities outside, leaving that to those better suited for frivolities, instead waiting until most of the congregants had left the curch before approaching the local priest. "Pardon me, a devout follower of the dawnfather myself, I wish to make a difference and truly lift the darkness from these lands. Tell me what I can do to defeat tho old one in the castle, or at least take us closer to that day." She says with a pleading look and a reverent bow.

Illmirth 

The bard walked silently out of the chapel when the service concluded.  His oft flapping lips silent, lost briefly as he was in contemplation and reflection.  He saw Crisaryn exit slightly ahead of him.  

His sharp ears immediately heard the sound of tiny feet running and joyous laughter.  He was back to himself immediately.  With a smile from ear to ear he followed the music of merriment.

When he saw the children and their destination he conjured the illusion of the giant running flower again.  Casting quickly over and over he could make subtle changes and give the look of movement.  The flowers root legs and feet plodded merrily along, leaf arms swinging, with a big smiling flower face to boot!  The absurdity of the sight, botanical ballyhoo racing laughing children, sent ripples of laughter through and smiles through the grown-ups as well.  A child's joy certainly was contagious!

As the kids gathered for Rictavio's show, the bard caught up with Crisaryn.  Staying for the show?  If you have any flashy cantrips, illusions, thaumaturgy, or prestidigitation are all great, you might have fun making the wee ones giggle or ooo and ahhh.  He says with a sincere smile.  He was exuding excitement and joy, every bit as happy as the children in the moment.

Crisaryn Melkial

"I'll stay," Crisaryn says, though not sounding entirely thrilled about it. When Illmirth mentions 'flashy' her mind first goes to the bursts of sorcerous power she can create. 'Certainly poison or acid would not work, but maybe fire. Or lightning!' she thinks. But as she considers it, she realizes this is not what the elf likely meant. Instead, she makes a motion and causes a shower of golden droplets of light to descend upon her and Illmirth. "Like that?" she says, as this magic feels a bit frivolous to her. 

Illmirth

The bard claps his hands like a gleeful child.  His mind was going now.  Can you send a streak of fire or lightening up into the air and time out a blast of those sparkles at the top?!?  I could add some sort of sound effect.  It would look AMAZING as the sun was setting.  How they called this a fire festival without us is beyond me, he trails off, already scheming up something off the wall.  He starts experimenting with shrill whistles and long, high pitched illusionary notes.  He intends to pair up the sounds with Crisaryn's elemental blast, then tack on the shower of sparks at the end.  

***And now gentle readers, you have learned the origin of fireworks.  The history books have lied!***

DM

The children let out shrieks of joy running with the flower and sparks, More more they cried. They flung themselves onto the cushions arranged around the makeshift stage yelling out at Rictavio shadowplay! they call.

Rictavio turned to Ilmirth and Crisaryn. It looks like we'll be busy he laughs. He lifts his shadowplay puppets and fixed their strings to the inside of the small surround.

Frederik and five more Ravens are sitting on the wall behind the stage. You can see glowing runes on the five as they stretch their necks and gently tap in time to the childrens clapping.

*****************************************************************************

Be welcome sister, I'm father Lucien. You look as though trouble is dogging you, maybe share your pain. Have you lost a dear friend recently? I know of some things that might help you fight Strahd. The Tome of Strahd, his own diary. The Holy symbol of Ravenkind long since lost. And the Sunsword. Be aware that many have tried to defeat him before, but he is tricky he dies for a while and then returns. That is the Lands curse, he and the land are one. You might go to the Abbey of the Morninglord to ask the abbot there for help. He said to Lorelei

Illmirth 

"Come!  When Rictavio is finished I have a song.  It's fun and mellow, dance with me if you feel your feet begin tapping to the beat," he says with a smile, eyes sparkling with merriment.

When Rictavio finishes his puppet show Illmirth will sing to the children (and ravens).  After the first verse he holds out a slender hand to Crisaryn, an invitation to dance along as he continues with the next verse.

Don't worry about a thing, 'cause everl little thing's gonna be allright.   Rise up this morning, smile at the rising sun.  Six little birds, perch by my doorstep.  Hearing my sweet songs, a melody pure and true.  Singing this is my message to you - oo - oo.

Singing don't worry about a thing, 'cause every little thing's gonna be allright.  Rose up this morning, with praise to the Morning Lord.  Six little birds, perch by my doorstep.  Hearing my sweet songs, ravens and Frederik too.  Singing this is my message to you - oo - oo.

Don't worry about a thing, 'cause everl little thing's gonna be allright.   Woke up this morning, for a day of festive fun.  Six little birds, perch by my doorstep.  Hearing my sweet songs, the Queen's ravens and children too.  Singing this is my message to you - oo - oo.

Lorelei Dawnwarden

The young priestess with the blonde braided hair listens and nods. "My old mentor, I am searching for him in these lands. He always taught me to stand up against evil and darkness so I am indeed seeking the items you mentioned, in fact I believe we have already recovered one of them." She explains with a small but excited smile, showing father Lucien the amulet she has in her possession. "Do you have any idea where we can find the tome and the sword? I admit I am eager to move on to the Abbey of the Morninglord but my companions want to stay for the festival and I was hoping you could give me a task to make use of my time while I wait for them."

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn tries to use her bursts of sorcerous energy to just make streaks of fire as Illmirth indicated. It's just a different to her, not focusing on using the energy to destroy something. She can certainly continue making bursts of sparks, even if different colors. 

When the bard holds out a hand, she clearly hesitates before taking it. Pulled into a dance, she perfuctually goes through the steps.  And after a verse or so she tries to gracefully slip away.  

Slipping back into the fringes, she seems much more comfortable. However, she still tries provide more bursts of sparkles at appropriate times to add to the performance.