Adira will roll her eyes, "I'm not saying to hug them. I'm just saying not everyone is out to get you. A little politeness goes a long way." When the Vistani are out of earshot she'll say, "Besides, we had them outnumbered four to one. Even if they were up to no good, it would have been foolish for them to try anything."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Current Characters: Tailine, Tiefling Rogue 2 - Zanoliv
Ericina spends most of the trip being silent, seeming to relax somewhat now thst they were back in the wilderness. "By strange men!"- She calls to them suddenly as they walk away.
"If another pair of them pop out down the road, I'll have them pay a toll. This country is gonna give me my money's worth, one way or another, " Bala grumbles, sharpening his claws on the longsword.
Bala, something about those two seemed... off. Almost like they were deflecting and eager to be on their way. You've probably used the same maneuver yourself if you've almost been caught planning to swipe something.
"Cutpurses. Lovely." Krolbrik seemed unamused; he'd sniffed out a cutpurse or two before in his time, both since swearing his oath as a paladin and also in helping his parents keep the peace at their tavern; often, the offenders would be mahandled by the scruff of their neck before promptly being warned by Krolbrik not to do it again and being booted from the establishment with a large hobgoblin boot in their backside.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ismark scoffs, "Vistani thieves, who would've thought?"
You all continue on your way, minutes later coming across a crossroad. An old wooden gallows creaks in a chill wind that blows down from the high ground to the west. A frayed length of rope dances from its beam. The well-worn road splits here, and a signpost opposite the gallows points off in three directions: Barovia Village to the east, Tser Pool to the northwest, and Ravenloft/Vallaki to the southwest.The northwest fork slants down and disappears into the trees, while the southwest fork clings to an upward slope. Across from the gallows, a low wall, crumbling in places, partially encloses a small plot of graves shrouded in fog.
(4)
You take a moment to examine the signpost before eventually continuing down the road to the northwest. (Just a side note, if at any point you want to retcon in an investigation as you're travelling feel free to post if you think travelling is going too fast.)
As you leave the crossroads, Krolbrik, you turn to take a second glance behind you at the gallows. What you see there surprises you. The noose that earlier was empty now sports a limp corpse. Not human, either, it doesn't take long before you recognize the figure as... yourself? Swinging by the end of the hangman's noose. You stare at the vision for a second before it blinks out of sight, leaving the empty noose hanging in the wind.
To everybody else, however, the figure swinging appears to be a nameless Barovian, dressed in drab clothing like many that you've seen throughout your travels.
(12, 9, 10)
Uneventfully, you follow the dirt road as it clings to the side of a mountain and ends before an arching bridge of mold-encrusted stone that spans a natural chasm. Gargoyles cloaked in black moss perch on the corners of the bridge, their frowns weatherworn. On the mountainous side of the bridge, a waterfall spills into a misty pool nearly a thousand feet below. The pool feeds a river that meanders into the fog-shrouded pines that blanket the valley.
The bridge is slick with moisture but Ismark assures you its safe to cross. Surely, enough, he crosses without incident.
(12, 4)
Your journey continues, even here, in the mountains, the forest and the fog are inescapable. Ahead, the dirt road splits in two, widening toward the east. There you see patches of cobblestone, suggesting that the eastern branch was once an important thoroughfare.
"That way leads to Castle Ravenloft," Ireena remarks, "Best to get as far away from there as possible." She and her brother continue along the road to the northwest the way you were heading.
(20)
Four hours now into your journey, you see in the distance an imposing gate, like the one you first passed on your way into Barovia. Strangely and ominously, the massive iron gates swing open to allow you all passage as you make your way further into the valley. On the other side, you can see the strange, weathered statues, mirror images of the ones you saw on the other gate.
(9, 3, 10, 10, 14)
Another long stretch of uneventful travel awaits you as you curve down the mountainside. In the distance you can see smoke swirling from chimneys below. Vallaki.
The Old Svalich Road meanders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods recede, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a 15-foot tall wooden palisade. Thick fog presses up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber.
The dirt road ends 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 are a half-dozen pikes with wolves’ heads impaled on them.
Just inside the gate, two guardsmen, a human man and woman stand vigilant with pikes in hand. The woman raises her hand and eyes your party as you approach, "Halt! What's your business here, travellers?"
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Greetings, " Bala steps up, wide smile and arms stretched out. "No need to be alarmed. Though we are not natives here, we seek only to escort these two to their destination." He gestures to Ismark and Ireena. "The roads aren't so safe when there are so few, wouldn't you agree?
He’s telling the truth. Bird, come back down! His new vulture friend lands right next to him. We even saw 2 people. They didn’t look like they were up to good things. Apparently, according to the cat man here, they were going to steal something before we spotted them. And we saw a corpse in a noose, which is never pleasant, but I’m used to them. Now, this is Vallaki, no?
Ericina well stop to look at the gargoyles and other statues as they pass, occasionally poking at them with a stick as they pass on by. As they get to the gate of the town she will slow as she is clearly less then pleased about going back into another town after all the strange goings on in Barovia.
Adira would have been disturbed but also fascinated by the journey. She would have paused to glance at the names on the tombstones as the group passed the crossroad. She wouldn't expect to recognize any names, but would want to know them. This place was occasionally frighting and very gloomy, but also magical in a way. This place was full of stories to learn an tell to the rest of the world and her mind hummed with possible song lyrics as they traveled past the towering waterfall and through the fog.
She would linger at the turn off to the castle for a moment before hurrying to catch up with the others.
She would nod her head in agreement when Bala speaks to the guards, "We've traveled here from Barovia village and seek shelter for the night."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Current Characters: Tailine, Tiefling Rogue 2 - Zanoliv
Bala, the statues are massive, towering far overhead. They are weathered, cracked, with pieces of their bodies fallen into the tall grass at their feet. Unlike the two statues you passed on your way into Barovia, however, one of these still has his head. Carved onto it is the grim visage of a stalwart sentinel. He stares straight ahead, unblinking, into the dense fog ahead.
Ericina, you tap the gargoyles with your staff but they don't seem to mind.
Adira, strangely these graves are marked but don't have any identifying details. No names or dates to find. Guess nobody cares to remember the names of the hanged.
At Vallaki the guard gives you all a look over before saying, "Very well, welcome to Vallaki." She and her partner pull aside the iron gates to the town, letting you all pass through before closing and locking them behind you as dusk begins to turn to night. You all pass through the streets, following on the heels of Ismark and Ireena who seem at ease now that they are safely within the fortified walls. Following the main road to a large square, you see gray smoke issued from the chimney of a large, two-story wooden building with a stone foundation and sagging tile roof, upon which several ravens have perched. A painted wooden sign hanging above the main entrance depicts a blue waterfall.
Ismark and Ireena turn to you all, Ismark gives you a warm smile before extending his hand to each of you, "Thank you all so much. With the trouble on the roads I don't think that we could've made it on our own. We're in your debt. If you ever need me for anything you only have to ask. I will make arrangements for you all to spend the night here, on me." A colorfully-dressed half-elf steps out of the inn carrying a kerchief sack filled to bursting with apples and a generous steak, behind him the sounds of a lively common room escape into the night air.
Damp cloaks hang from pegs in the entrance portico. The tavern is packed with tables and chairs, with narrow paths meandering between them. A bar stretches along one wall, under a balcony that can be reached by a wooden staircase that hugs the north wall. Another balcony overhangs an entrance to the east. All the windows are fitted with thick shutters and crossbars. Lanterns hanging above the bar and resting on the tables bathe the room in dull orange light and cast shadows upon the walls, most of which are adorned with wolf heads mounted on wooden plaques.
Mounted on braces and tucked into alcoves behind the bar are three wine barrels, a brass spigot pegged into each. The room is packed, glancing around the room, the taphouse is filled with at least a dozen patrons, each engrossed in their own conversations. Compared to those you found in Barovia, the people here seem more lively. They wear brighter colors and move with more vigor - more spirited.
A silver-haired woman with black feathers pinned in her hair tends the bar. Adira and Ericina, a pair of young boys are running around the common room playing and nearly trip the two of you on accident as you enter the inn. Two grim-looking men sit together at a table in the corner. One sports a strong-looking bow, hanging from the back of the chair, the other a patchwork cloak of wolves' pelts; both men seem deep-in-their-cups. Enjoying a moment of respite. Over a railing, you can see the guest room doors on the second floor from the common room. The smell of cooking meat and wine causes your stomach to rumble, its been a while since you've last ate you realize.
The woman looks up from the counter, "Welcome to the Blue Water Inn, take a seat I'll be right with you." Empty seats are lined up along the bar, a couple of empty tables also are scattered throughout the floor.
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Insight on those two as they walk past.
18
(Keep in mind this isn't a wizard's familiar, you can't watch through it's eyes and it can't tell you what it's seen.)
Aka, you send your bird up to watch for threats from above. From the ground, you see the two continue on their way down the road.
Adira will roll her eyes, "I'm not saying to hug them. I'm just saying not everyone is out to get you. A little politeness goes a long way." When the Vistani are out of earshot she'll say, "Besides, we had them outnumbered four to one. Even if they were up to no good, it would have been foolish for them to try anything."
Current Characters: Tailine, Tiefling Rogue 2 - Zanoliv
Ericina spends most of the trip being silent, seeming to relax somewhat now thst they were back in the wilderness. "By strange men!"- She calls to them suddenly as they walk away.
"If another pair of them pop out down the road, I'll have them pay a toll. This country is gonna give me my money's worth, one way or another, " Bala grumbles, sharpening his claws on the longsword.
Bala, something about those two seemed... off. Almost like they were deflecting and eager to be on their way. You've probably used the same maneuver yourself if you've almost been caught planning to swipe something.
"Thieves. And bad ones at that. Which means there's more. Hands on your coin purses, people." He let's out a long sigh. "It's gonna be a long day."
"Cutpurses. Lovely." Krolbrik seemed unamused; he'd sniffed out a cutpurse or two before in his time, both since swearing his oath as a paladin and also in helping his parents keep the peace at their tavern; often, the offenders would be mahandled by the scruff of their neck before promptly being warned by Krolbrik not to do it again and being booted from the establishment with a large hobgoblin boot in their backside.
Just to be sure, he checked his own coinpurse.
Ismark scoffs, "Vistani thieves, who would've thought?"
You all continue on your way, minutes later coming across a crossroad. An old wooden gallows creaks in a chill wind that blows down from the high ground to the west. A frayed length of rope dances from its beam. The well-worn road splits here, and a signpost opposite the gallows points off in three directions: Barovia Village to the east, Tser Pool to the northwest, and Ravenloft/Vallaki to the southwest.The northwest fork slants down and disappears into the trees, while the southwest fork clings to an upward slope. Across from the gallows, a low wall, crumbling in places, partially encloses a small plot of graves shrouded in fog.
(4)
You take a moment to examine the signpost before eventually continuing down the road to the northwest. (Just a side note, if at any point you want to retcon in an investigation as you're travelling feel free to post if you think travelling is going too fast.)
As you leave the crossroads, Krolbrik, you turn to take a second glance behind you at the gallows. What you see there surprises you. The noose that earlier was empty now sports a limp corpse. Not human, either, it doesn't take long before you recognize the figure as... yourself? Swinging by the end of the hangman's noose. You stare at the vision for a second before it blinks out of sight, leaving the empty noose hanging in the wind.
To everybody else, however, the figure swinging appears to be a nameless Barovian, dressed in drab clothing like many that you've seen throughout your travels.
(12, 9, 10)
Uneventfully, you follow the dirt road as it clings to the side of a mountain and ends before an arching bridge of mold-encrusted stone that spans a natural chasm. Gargoyles cloaked in black moss perch on the corners of the bridge, their frowns weatherworn. On the mountainous side of the bridge, a waterfall spills into a misty pool nearly a thousand feet below. The pool feeds a river that meanders into the fog-shrouded pines that blanket the valley.
The bridge is slick with moisture but Ismark assures you its safe to cross. Surely, enough, he crosses without incident.
(12, 4)
Your journey continues, even here, in the mountains, the forest and the fog are inescapable. Ahead, the dirt road splits in two, widening toward the east. There you see patches of cobblestone, suggesting that the eastern branch was once an important thoroughfare.
"That way leads to Castle Ravenloft," Ireena remarks, "Best to get as far away from there as possible." She and her brother continue along the road to the northwest the way you were heading.
(20)
Four hours now into your journey, you see in the distance an imposing gate, like the one you first passed on your way into Barovia. Strangely and ominously, the massive iron gates swing open to allow you all passage as you make your way further into the valley. On the other side, you can see the strange, weathered statues, mirror images of the ones you saw on the other gate.
(9, 3, 10, 10, 14)
Another long stretch of uneventful travel awaits you as you curve down the mountainside. In the distance you can see smoke swirling from chimneys below. Vallaki.
The Old Svalich Road meanders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods recede, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a 15-foot tall wooden palisade. Thick fog presses up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber.
The dirt road ends 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 are a half-dozen pikes with wolves’ heads impaled on them.
Just inside the gate, two guardsmen, a human man and woman stand vigilant with pikes in hand. The woman raises her hand and eyes your party as you approach, "Halt! What's your business here, travellers?"
Bala will make a casual investigation check.
20
(What is Bala investigating?)
(He was investigating the weathered stone statues)
"Greetings, " Bala steps up, wide smile and arms stretched out. "No need to be alarmed. Though we are not natives here, we seek only to escort these two to their destination." He gestures to Ismark and Ireena. "The roads aren't so safe when there are so few, wouldn't you agree?
Persuasion: 19
He’s telling the truth. Bird, come back down! His new vulture friend lands right next to him. We even saw 2 people. They didn’t look like they were up to good things. Apparently, according to the cat man here, they were going to steal something before we spotted them. And we saw a corpse in a noose, which is never pleasant, but I’m used to them. Now, this is Vallaki, no?
Extended Signature! Yay! https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/off-topic/adohands-kitchen/3153-extended-signature-thread?page=2#c21
Haven’t used this account in forever. Still a big fan of crawling claws.
Ericina well stop to look at the gargoyles and other statues as they pass, occasionally poking at them with a stick as they pass on by. As they get to the gate of the town she will slow as she is clearly less then pleased about going back into another town after all the strange goings on in Barovia.
Adira would have been disturbed but also fascinated by the journey. She would have paused to glance at the names on the tombstones as the group passed the crossroad. She wouldn't expect to recognize any names, but would want to know them. This place was occasionally frighting and very gloomy, but also magical in a way. This place was full of stories to learn an tell to the rest of the world and her mind hummed with possible song lyrics as they traveled past the towering waterfall and through the fog.
She would linger at the turn off to the castle for a moment before hurrying to catch up with the others.
She would nod her head in agreement when Bala speaks to the guards, "We've traveled here from Barovia village and seek shelter for the night."
Current Characters: Tailine, Tiefling Rogue 2 - Zanoliv
Bala, the statues are massive, towering far overhead. They are weathered, cracked, with pieces of their bodies fallen into the tall grass at their feet. Unlike the two statues you passed on your way into Barovia, however, one of these still has his head. Carved onto it is the grim visage of a stalwart sentinel. He stares straight ahead, unblinking, into the dense fog ahead.
Ericina, you tap the gargoyles with your staff but they don't seem to mind.
Adira, strangely these graves are marked but don't have any identifying details. No names or dates to find. Guess nobody cares to remember the names of the hanged.
At Vallaki the guard gives you all a look over before saying, "Very well, welcome to Vallaki." She and her partner pull aside the iron gates to the town, letting you all pass through before closing and locking them behind you as dusk begins to turn to night. You all pass through the streets, following on the heels of Ismark and Ireena who seem at ease now that they are safely within the fortified walls. Following the main road to a large square, you see gray smoke issued from the chimney of a large, two-story wooden building with a stone foundation and sagging tile roof, upon which several ravens have perched. A painted wooden sign hanging above the main entrance depicts a blue waterfall.
Ismark and Ireena turn to you all, Ismark gives you a warm smile before extending his hand to each of you, "Thank you all so much. With the trouble on the roads I don't think that we could've made it on our own. We're in your debt. If you ever need me for anything you only have to ask. I will make arrangements for you all to spend the night here, on me." A colorfully-dressed half-elf steps out of the inn carrying a kerchief sack filled to bursting with apples and a generous steak, behind him the sounds of a lively common room escape into the night air.
Adira will smile and accept the handshake. She will step into the inn; excited since this one seems more lively then the one in Barovia Village.
Current Characters: Tailine, Tiefling Rogue 2 - Zanoliv
Ericina will stick with Adira as she moves to follow her, occasionally stopping to watch the villagers go about their daily lives.
Damp cloaks hang from pegs in the entrance portico. The tavern is packed with tables and chairs, with narrow paths meandering between them. A bar stretches along one wall, under a balcony that can be reached by a wooden staircase that hugs the north wall. Another balcony overhangs an entrance to the east. All the windows are fitted with thick shutters and crossbars. Lanterns hanging above the bar and resting on the tables bathe the room in dull orange light and cast shadows upon the walls, most of which are adorned with wolf heads mounted on wooden plaques.
Mounted on braces and tucked into alcoves behind the bar are three wine barrels, a brass spigot pegged into each. The room is packed, glancing around the room, the taphouse is filled with at least a dozen patrons, each engrossed in their own conversations. Compared to those you found in Barovia, the people here seem more lively. They wear brighter colors and move with more vigor - more spirited.
A silver-haired woman with black feathers pinned in her hair tends the bar. Adira and Ericina, a pair of young boys are running around the common room playing and nearly trip the two of you on accident as you enter the inn. Two grim-looking men sit together at a table in the corner. One sports a strong-looking bow, hanging from the back of the chair, the other a patchwork cloak of wolves' pelts; both men seem deep-in-their-cups. Enjoying a moment of respite. Over a railing, you can see the guest room doors on the second floor from the common room. The smell of cooking meat and wine causes your stomach to rumble, its been a while since you've last ate you realize.
The woman looks up from the counter, "Welcome to the Blue Water Inn, take a seat I'll be right with you." Empty seats are lined up along the bar, a couple of empty tables also are scattered throughout the floor.