Well our friend Ismark asked us to get Ireena to Vallki. Ireena, did you have a destination here, perhaps the old church, that would take you in and give you shelter.
Kif looks about..didn't we have a cart at one point?
I don't believe that you took the cart with you. It certainly would have slowed you down to haul it, and I'm not sure that Ireena would have wanted to take it from her brother.
I -- I don't know. There's a temple on the far side of town, but I haven't been in Vallaki in many years. The main thing was to get away from the shadow of Ravenloft. Somewhere . . . safe!
She looks around, both hopeful and a little concerned. She leans forward, with a conspiratorial glance at Lucento. She whispers. Many thanks to you and your friends. Keep this. You earned it, not I. You feel the press of a small object into your hand. When you step back, you see she has given you the gold ring from the basement of Death House. Worth 50 gold, even!
We are in the theater of the mind. No need for a map, at the moment.
At the outer edge of Barnaby's darkvision - roughly 50 feet away - there is a figure standing in the clearing: Count Strahd. His body is half-turned away from you, but he appears to be looking down at something in his hands.
What Ho. We meet again Count Straad. We have not found this land of yours to be particularly hospitable. Most recently some wolves - as big as horses they were - made off with young Fope’s new companion, a wolf pup named Revenge. Have you seen him? He’s just the cutest little fellow.
Barnaby and Fope approach the Count, in the middle of the clearing.
He turns to meet you. You can plainly see that he is holding, gently in his hands, an unharmed wolf pup: Revenge.
He pauses before speaking.
Hospitable? Definitely not. There are terrible dangers, particularly at night. You took a grave risk coming here.
Lost a wolf pup, you say? I believe you have lost a wolf pup. This one, which I have taken from from some of his larger cousins. He strokes Revenge's scalp and back. But "yours"? I do not know. Are the creatures of this land available to be adopted by guests from foreign lands? He is such a handsome fellow, too. Quite handsome. I understand the attachment. Andwhat, addressing Fope, do you intend to do with young "Revenge"? I will tell you that I am inclined to take him with me back to Ravenloft. After all, you have done a poor job of protecting him out here, in this inhospitable place. But I am listening.
We can't leave Fope on his own. Kif and Lucento, bring Ireena to town. I will go with Fope. We'll catch up with you shortly. Barnaby sighs heavily, tightens the knot on his robe's belt and waddles off behind Fope. Let's go get your pup back.
Honored Elder, I made this commitment to Revenge, not you. Use your fire to keep the others safe. I can approach more stealthily and flee more rapidly alone. Time is too short for Føpé to press the point if Barnaby insists.
Fope, you take your time. Hurrying but staying low and quiet, and being careful not to lose your way in the forest, you reach the edge of a clearing. You can just make out a figure - a human, or human-shaped, anyway - standing alone in it.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Føpé, shocked at how quickly Barnaby threw away his plans of stealth and reconnaissance, studies Count Straad as he speaks, looking for insight into what the count wants. Insight: 14.
Count, it was your majestic wolves that saved my life when I entered this land. It is in gratitude to these mighty creatures that I hoped to raise this one to the nobility and might of its race. I hope that in so doing, I will prove that I am worthy of all that you and yours have given me. persuasion21
Remember, travelers, that I owe you nothing. I have no obligation to you, except the general obligation that a nobleman owes to all who travel the roads across his lands. I would, and perhaps should, decline your request.
I do not know what the future holds for you, Master Føpé. But I will show you this kindness, this time, and grant your request. You may look after Revenge, and I hope that he will, in turn, look after you.
I have provided a service to you, young man. Judging by the grave risk you took, coming into this wood in the dark of night, I imagine it is a valuable service. He looks down at you, and appears to perceive that this is, in fact, important to you. There may come a day when I ask a similar service of you. Something you do not owe, something that you are not inclined to give. And you will remember, young Føpé, that it is owed. Nevertheless.
Barnaby, in no rush to find himself also in debt to Straad, will make a polite bow. Your Excellency, and then with a meaningful look at his halfling friend, Come Fope, I’m sure the Count has more important things to attend to than us.
Didn't the priest in Barovia suggest we take Ireena farther than here for her safety? We just met Strahd in the woods. I'm not sure this place will keep her any safer than Barovia.
The prayers conclude as soon at the very moment the sun clears the eastern horizon. Father Donavich kneels, chants a few more words, and leads you all back inside.
Now you must leave here, he says. As Ismark and Ireena prepare their things, he says to you quietly, Ireena is not safe here. I do not think even her brother knows all. Take her away. Far away, to the fortified Abbey of Saint Markovia in Krezk, or at least to Vallaki, though I fear that Vallaki is not far enough. Here, take these. Father Donavich reaches into an inner pocket and draws out a pearl, worth 15 gold, and two gold pieces with Strahd's likeness upon them. Hurry. She cannot last much longer, and I fear what will happen if she succumbs.
Fope had used the Inspiration that the OP says he has, but I'm giving him a new one for his good memory.
The guards look back and forth between the darkness outside of the gate and the curious band of adventurers talking quietly among themselves in the light of the town's lamps.
I don't believe that you took the cart with you. It certainly would have slowed you down to haul it, and I'm not sure that Ireena would have wanted to take it from her brother.
I -- I don't know. There's a temple on the far side of town, but I haven't been in Vallaki in many years. The main thing was to get away from the shadow of Ravenloft. Somewhere . . . safe!
She looks around, both hopeful and a little concerned. She leans forward, with a conspiratorial glance at Lucento. She whispers. Many thanks to you and your friends. Keep this. You earned it, not I. You feel the press of a small object into your hand. When you step back, you see she has given you the gold ring from the basement of Death House. Worth 50 gold, even!
I can’t do maps until this evening but, perception: 21.
Edit: Woot
We are in the theater of the mind. No need for a map, at the moment.
At the outer edge of Barnaby's darkvision - roughly 50 feet away - there is a figure standing in the clearing: Count Strahd. His body is half-turned away from you, but he appears to be looking down at something in his hands.
What Ho. We meet again Count Straad.
We have not found this land of yours to be particularly hospitable.
Most recently some wolves - as big as horses they were - made off with young Fope’s new companion, a wolf pup named Revenge. Have you seen him? He’s just the cutest little fellow.
Barnaby and Fope approach the Count, in the middle of the clearing.
He turns to meet you. You can plainly see that he is holding, gently in his hands, an unharmed wolf pup: Revenge.
He pauses before speaking.
Hospitable? Definitely not. There are terrible dangers, particularly at night. You took a grave risk coming here.
Lost a wolf pup, you say? I believe you have lost a wolf pup. This one, which I have taken from from some of his larger cousins. He strokes Revenge's scalp and back. But "yours"? I do not know. Are the creatures of this land available to be adopted by guests from foreign lands? He is such a handsome fellow, too. Quite handsome. I understand the attachment. And what, addressing Fope, do you intend to do with young "Revenge"? I will tell you that I am inclined to take him with me back to Ravenloft. After all, you have done a poor job of protecting him out here, in this inhospitable place. But I am listening.
Honored Elder, I made this commitment to Revenge, not you. Use your fire to keep the others safe. I can approach more stealthily and flee more rapidly alone. Time is too short for Føpé to press the point if Barnaby insists.
Perception: 7
Føpé, shocked at how quickly Barnaby threw away his plans of stealth and reconnaissance, studies Count Straad as he speaks, looking for insight into what the count wants. Insight: 14.
Count, it was your majestic wolves that saved my life when I entered this land. It is in gratitude to these mighty creatures that I hoped to raise this one to the nobility and might of its race. I hope that in so doing, I will prove that I am worthy of all that you and yours have given me. persuasion21
Hmm. You speak eloquently, small one.
Remember, travelers, that I owe you nothing. I have no obligation to you, except the general obligation that a nobleman owes to all who travel the roads across his lands. I would, and perhaps should, decline your request.
I do not know what the future holds for you, Master Føpé. But I will show you this kindness, this time, and grant your request. You may look after Revenge, and I hope that he will, in turn, look after you.
I have provided a service to you, young man. Judging by the grave risk you took, coming into this wood in the dark of night, I imagine it is a valuable service. He looks down at you, and appears to perceive that this is, in fact, important to you. There may come a day when I ask a similar service of you. Something you do not owe, something that you are not inclined to give. And you will remember, young Føpé, that it is owed. Nevertheless.
He lowers the wolf cub to Fope's waiting arms.
Yes, we cross-posted. I have updated appropriately, above.
Føpé accepts Revenge silently, and bowing with respect, backs away from the count slowly.
I will give Barnaby this opportunity to prattle at Strahd, if he wishes.
The rest of you guys can take in the sights of Vallaki if you want. Or hang out near the gate. Or talk to the guards. Whatever you want.
Barnaby, in no rush to find himself also in debt to Straad, will make a polite bow. Your Excellency, and then with a meaningful look at his halfling friend, Come Fope, I’m sure the Count has more important things to attend to than us.
I will hand wave away the time difference and allow you to catch up to the party just inside the gate. The time is now 11:00 pm.
Didn't the priest in Barovia suggest we take Ireena farther than here for her safety? We just met Strahd in the woods. I'm not sure this place will keep her any safer than Barovia.
Fope had used the Inspiration that the OP says he has, but I'm giving him a new one for his good memory.
The guards look back and forth between the darkness outside of the gate and the curious band of adventurers talking quietly among themselves in the light of the town's lamps.
We need rest. Let us get a room at an inn and decide if we should move on in the morning. In the end, where Ireena goes is up to Ireena anyway.
Føpé is correct, although we picked this destination because it seemed to be the one we could reach without having to camp overnight...
Do we see a likely inn? Agreed, Barnaby, I'm about done in