Lucento kneels near to Hendrik while being careful not to disturb anything, and places his hand over Hendrik's eyes. Lethander, I do not presume to know this man's motives for enlisting a desperate child to desecrate and steal the remains of a saint, or whether he had even more nefarious goals in mind, but his flame was not ours to extinguish. Please tend to it on the next plane.
Lucento rises to his feet and follows Barnaby's lead, searching the shop for any evidence of what Hendrik was up to.
You search the lower floor, which you’ve basically already seen. You passed through a large store room, with empty coffins and other finished woodworking products. There is nothing of note here.
Upstairs, opposite the door to the kitchen, Kif opens the door to what is essentially an attic storeroom. There are crates and piles of junk throughout.
As soon as the door to this room swings open, Lucento gets a chill. A very very very bad presence is in this room. Or presences. Not sure. Some thing or things of significant power.
You do not see anything moving from the doorway. Perhaps, whatever it is, is inactive. You may enter and explore this room, but as with all rooms, you are not required to do so.
Josh is moving into a new house and Dov, who already has some ideas about what’s next, is also busy working on some Very Important Things in his life. So we’ll wait for Josh, who I’m sure will be with us presently.
What makes you say this Lucento? Every way we turn here is evil. Everywhere lurks something powerful waiting to kill. Haven’t we found that learning of this evil is our only hope for salvation? This could be worse, or it could be a cold draft. Regardless, to turn from evil in this place is to lay down and give up. Why do you believe that this is the time when we should turn back.
Lucento turns to Barnaby with a soft but serious expression, Master Gnome, perhaps I am still reeling from the grizzly scene downstairs created at the hands our young shepherd friend, or the fact that this is the coffin shop of a man who sought out the sacred remains of a saint -- a foul deed in itself, but most likely a stepping stone to a far more nefarious end. The moment this door was opened I felt a chill and detected a presence, or presences both "very very very bad" and of "significant power." I have seen some share of evil in my day, but I confess I am largely accustomed to the sun-caked beaches of Waterdeep, and encountering malignancies of this potency with such frequency is unusual.
Lucento turns to Kif, If either of you wish to investigate it is not my place to stop you, and I will offer whatever aid I can, should the need arise.
I will remind you guys that you came here for the bones, which you now have. What you do next is completely up to you.
Generally, you should know - as you discovered in the basement of Death House - that Barovia will sometimes throw things at you that you are simply not equipped to handle. I'm not saying whether this might be such a situation, but if you have any attachment to your current PCs, it would be wise to remember that.
You speak words of wisdom my priest friend. Sometimes I get a bit wrapped up in logic and forget common sense. Let us return the bones so that they may once again serve their divine purpose.
Father Petrovich looks enormously relieved. Thank you, thank you, my friends. I hope it was not too much trouble. I do not know what lay in wait for us without the protection these bones afford us here, but I fear it may have been terrible. He speaks quietly: And Milivoj? Did you speak with him? Is he well?
After a brief conversation with Father Petrovich (which you may elaborate on as you please), you have about an hour before it's time to get ready & go to your dinner invitation. Provided you intend to keep it. Is there anything you want to do?
Lucento fails to conceal a grimace at Father Petrovich's expression of hope that the errand was not too much trouble. Father, I will spare you the full account, but we encountered a great deal of tragedy in our effort to restore these bones to you. I do not say this to make you feel it was an imposition, I for one am glad to have been able to help a fellow man of the cloth. That said, there seems, from my perspective, to be a great deal of unhappiness and suffering in this town -- a fact made all more strange considering the incessant celebrations, not to mention the exorbitant price of pies. If our assistance has earned us any kind of return, I hope it would be your candor when I ask what can you tell me, in your honest assessment, about the those in charge? Specifically, the burgomasters and the [house that starts with a W]? Are the fair? Do the people love them? Fear them? Resent them? Any odd quirks or reputations?
Also, might I fill my flask with holy water, while I am here?
Kif will also take her aside and fill Ireena in on events. Also making sure things are good here, where I think it will be best for her to stay for the time being
Lucento fails to conceal a grimace at Father Petrovich's expression of hope that the errand was not too much trouble. Father, I will spare you the full account, but we encountered a great deal of tragedy in our effort to restore these bones to you. I do not say this to make you feel it was an imposition, I for one am glad to have been able to help a fellow man of the cloth. That said, there seems, from my perspective, to be a great deal of unhappiness and suffering in this town -- a fact made all more strange considering the incessant celebrations, not to mention the exorbitant price of pies. If our assistance has earned us any kind of return, I hope it would be your candor when I ask what can you tell me, in your honest assessment, about the those in charge? Specifically, the burgomasters and the [house that starts with a W]? Are the fair? Do the people love them? Fear them? Resent them? Any odd quirks or reputations?
Also, might I fill my flask with holy water, while I am here?
Father Petrovich sees the sadness in your eyes. You see his eyes dart back and forth; perhaps he has only just now realized that your party is smaller.
You ask penetrating questions, Lucento. I wish there was more I could tell you, but I will answer as best I can.
"All will be well," we are told. There are celebrations to prove it. Those who do not live by that creed can find themselves in trouble. For myself, I do believe that all will be well, but I do not know when. The celebrations are to keep spirits up. Do they work? I do not know. But the idea is that happiness will keep us safe. He arches an eyebrow in the general vicinity of Ravenloft, Strahd's castle.
As for what the Burgomaster and his family believe privately, and what they do in their mansion, I do not know. They do not come here. Neither do the Wachters. I simply do not know what they think or do, except that I have heard that Lady Wachter does not like the Burgomaster. I know that the Burgomaster is feared, but he is perhaps not so harsh as his father was. A cruel taskmaster, was the former Burgomaster. Now we have celebrations every week. I suppose that is better. He pauses. Willemina Rikalova's son, the shoemaker, he glances at a slightly older woman, sitting on the other side of the chapel, has been imprisoned for speaking out against the Burgomaster. We pray for his release.
I do not have much holy water, but you may have this. He produces one vial of holy water. I hope it helps on your journey.
Kif will also take her aside and fill Ireena in on events. Also making sure things are good here, where I think it will be best for her to stay for the time being
Ireena is saddened by Fope's fate, of course. She consoles you as if you had been close friends.
She agrees to stay in the temple, and talks about the people who she's been helping, treating for ailments, etc. She seems content.
This mansion is enormous, compared to the small homes nearby, but it is in desperate need of repair. A slouching roof hangs heavy over furrowed gables, and patches of moss are visible and bare wood are visible on the exterior walls. It looks like nobody with relevant skill or experience has been taking of this home, for a long time.
The heavy wooden doors stand shut. Your knock is quickly addressed by a servant, dressed in faded, fine clothing. Welcome to Wachterhaus, he says somberly, and he shows you into a narrow vestibule. Three stained-glass doors in wooden frames lead from it. There is the main door, likely into the house, and a door to your right and to your left, each hinting at a coat closet beyond. The servant looks past you for a moment, as if looking for another person. Seeing none, he proceeds: Follow me.
He walks you through the main door, revealing the main staircase beyond, and two more doors: one on the left and one on the right. He leads you through the door to your left, which opens into a large dining room. An ornate dining table stretches the length of this room, a crystal chandelier hanging above it imperiously. The silverware is tarnished, the dishes chipped, yet all are still quite elegant. Eight chairs, their backs adorned with sculpted elk horns, surround the table. Arched windows made of a latticework of iron and glass look out onto the small, fog-swept estate.
The table is set for seven, with some food already laid upon it. The dining room opens up to your right hand side when you enter, revealing a large parlor. Here three elegant couches surround an oval table made of black glass. All are set in front of a blazing hearth, above which hangs the portrait of a smirking nobleman sporting a broken nose and a tangle of hair graying at the temples. Several smaller portraits hang on the north wall.
Standing next to the table in this room is Lady Fiona Wachter. She stands tall and straight, with straight, graying black hair. She wears a black and gray gown, and is absolutely gorgeous. She looks like this:
Greetings, and welcome to Wachterhaus. It has been my home and my family's home for many years. I am Fiona Wachter. Please, make yourselves comfortable. She gestures at the three sofas in the parlor. She offers wine, and pours it for anyone who accepts. If anyone would prefer a glass of water, she will pour it from a pitcher instead.
I am glad you were able to accept my invitation on such short notice.
I make it a point to know what is going on in and around Vallaki, and you can imagine my surprise when I learned that five strangers came to town last night, looking for a place to stay. And such strangers! Only one of them even human! You were quite a sight, I assure you. So I hope you will share stories with me of where you are from, and I will tell you about where you are.
Here before you, she gestures with her wine glass at the large portrait, is my beloved husband Nikolai, of blessed memory. My two sons will be joining us for dinner.
Now. Where are you from? What business brings you to Vallaki? Or, if you prefer, what can I tell you of this place?
Kif takes a glass of wine. Thank you , my lady, I am Kif, from the northern reaches and how my companions and I come to be here is quite a story. We have found ourselves here quite by accident (Kif doesn't quite want to reveal the story of how we came to be here, especially any role Ireena might play., even though she seems to know Ireena was part of our party ) Are you in the habit of inviting all travelers to your table
I certainly am! Travelers who are not itinerant Visanti, of course. They hardly count. But from, I think, outside Barovia?! Certainly. You are the first, but if more come tomorrow, I will invite them, as well.
No, other than the Visanti. I believe they come and go as they please. Otherwise, nobody from beyond the valley. The young lady who was with you, she looked like she was perhaps from the village of Barovia? But none from beyond the valley, such as yourselves.
What happened to young Master Fope? Did he not wish to join us?
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Lucento kneels near to Hendrik while being careful not to disturb anything, and places his hand over Hendrik's eyes. Lethander, I do not presume to know this man's motives for enlisting a desperate child to desecrate and steal the remains of a saint, or whether he had even more nefarious goals in mind, but his flame was not ours to extinguish. Please tend to it on the next plane.
Lucento rises to his feet and follows Barnaby's lead, searching the shop for any evidence of what Hendrik was up to.
You search the lower floor, which you’ve basically already seen. You passed through a large store room, with empty coffins and other finished woodworking products. There is nothing of note here.
Upstairs, opposite the door to the kitchen, Kif opens the door to what is essentially an attic storeroom. There are crates and piles of junk throughout.
As soon as the door to this room swings open, Lucento gets a chill. A very very very bad presence is in this room. Or presences. Not sure. Some thing or things of significant power.
You do not see anything moving from the doorway. Perhaps, whatever it is, is inactive. You may enter and explore this room, but as with all rooms, you are not required to do so.
Lucento calls out to Kif, Wait!
The evil we encountered in the orphanage pales by comparison to what is emanating from this room.
waiting
Josh is moving into a new house and Dov, who already has some ideas about what’s next, is also busy working on some Very Important Things in his life. So we’ll wait for Josh, who I’m sure will be with us presently.
What makes you say this Lucento? Every way we turn here is evil. Everywhere lurks something powerful waiting to kill. Haven’t we found that learning of this evil is our only hope for salvation? This could be worse, or it could be a cold draft. Regardless, to turn from evil in this place is to lay down and give up. Why do you believe that this is the time when we should turn back.
Barnaby is suddenly looking old and weary.
Lucento turns to Barnaby with a soft but serious expression, Master Gnome, perhaps I am still reeling from the grizzly scene downstairs created at the hands our young shepherd friend, or the fact that this is the coffin shop of a man who sought out the sacred remains of a saint -- a foul deed in itself, but most likely a stepping stone to a far more nefarious end. The moment this door was opened I felt a chill and detected a presence, or presences both "very very very bad" and of "significant power." I have seen some share of evil in my day, but I confess I am largely accustomed to the sun-caked beaches of Waterdeep, and encountering malignancies of this potency with such frequency is unusual.
Lucento turns to Kif, If either of you wish to investigate it is not my place to stop you, and I will offer whatever aid I can, should the need arise.
I will remind you guys that you came here for the bones, which you now have. What you do next is completely up to you.
Generally, you should know - as you discovered in the basement of Death House - that Barovia will sometimes throw things at you that you are simply not equipped to handle. I'm not saying whether this might be such a situation, but if you have any attachment to your current PCs, it would be wise to remember that.
You speak words of wisdom my priest friend. Sometimes I get a bit wrapped up in logic and forget common sense. Let us return the bones so that they may once again serve their divine purpose.
Father Petrovich looks enormously relieved. Thank you, thank you, my friends. I hope it was not too much trouble. I do not know what lay in wait for us without the protection these bones afford us here, but I fear it may have been terrible. He speaks quietly: And Milivoj? Did you speak with him? Is he well?
After a brief conversation with Father Petrovich (which you may elaborate on as you please), you have about an hour before it's time to get ready & go to your dinner invitation. Provided you intend to keep it. Is there anything you want to do?
Lucento fails to conceal a grimace at Father Petrovich's expression of hope that the errand was not too much trouble. Father, I will spare you the full account, but we encountered a great deal of tragedy in our effort to restore these bones to you. I do not say this to make you feel it was an imposition, I for one am glad to have been able to help a fellow man of the cloth. That said, there seems, from my perspective, to be a great deal of unhappiness and suffering in this town -- a fact made all more strange considering the incessant celebrations, not to mention the exorbitant price of pies. If our assistance has earned us any kind of return, I hope it would be your candor when I ask what can you tell me, in your honest assessment, about the those in charge? Specifically, the burgomasters and the [house that starts with a W]? Are the fair? Do the people love them? Fear them? Resent them? Any odd quirks or reputations?
Also, might I fill my flask with holy water, while I am here?
Kif will also take her aside and fill Ireena in on events. Also making sure things are good here, where I think it will be best for her to stay for the time being
Father Petrovich sees the sadness in your eyes. You see his eyes dart back and forth; perhaps he has only just now realized that your party is smaller.
You ask penetrating questions, Lucento. I wish there was more I could tell you, but I will answer as best I can.
"All will be well," we are told. There are celebrations to prove it. Those who do not live by that creed can find themselves in trouble. For myself, I do believe that all will be well, but I do not know when. The celebrations are to keep spirits up. Do they work? I do not know. But the idea is that happiness will keep us safe. He arches an eyebrow in the general vicinity of Ravenloft, Strahd's castle.
As for what the Burgomaster and his family believe privately, and what they do in their mansion, I do not know. They do not come here. Neither do the Wachters. I simply do not know what they think or do, except that I have heard that Lady Wachter does not like the Burgomaster. I know that the Burgomaster is feared, but he is perhaps not so harsh as his father was. A cruel taskmaster, was the former Burgomaster. Now we have celebrations every week. I suppose that is better. He pauses. Willemina Rikalova's son, the shoemaker, he glances at a slightly older woman, sitting on the other side of the chapel, has been imprisoned for speaking out against the Burgomaster. We pray for his release.
I do not have much holy water, but you may have this. He produces one vial of holy water. I hope it helps on your journey.
Ireena is saddened by Fope's fate, of course. She consoles you as if you had been close friends.
She agrees to stay in the temple, and talks about the people who she's been helping, treating for ailments, etc. She seems content.
Well I suppose we have a dinner to go to, gentlemen
Ok. I’m going to need a minute to set up your dinner party. I’ll be with you presently.
Sorry for the delay.
You arrive at the appointed hour.
This mansion is enormous, compared to the small homes nearby, but it is in desperate need of repair. A slouching roof hangs heavy over furrowed gables, and patches of moss are visible and bare wood are visible on the exterior walls. It looks like nobody with relevant skill or experience has been taking of this home, for a long time.
The heavy wooden doors stand shut. Your knock is quickly addressed by a servant, dressed in faded, fine clothing. Welcome to Wachterhaus, he says somberly, and he shows you into a narrow vestibule. Three stained-glass doors in wooden frames lead from it. There is the main door, likely into the house, and a door to your right and to your left, each hinting at a coat closet beyond. The servant looks past you for a moment, as if looking for another person. Seeing none, he proceeds: Follow me.
He walks you through the main door, revealing the main staircase beyond, and two more doors: one on the left and one on the right. He leads you through the door to your left, which opens into a large dining room. An ornate dining table stretches the length of this room, a crystal chandelier hanging above it imperiously. The silverware is tarnished, the dishes chipped, yet all are still quite elegant. Eight chairs, their backs adorned with sculpted elk horns, surround the table. Arched windows made of a latticework of iron and glass look out onto the small, fog-swept estate.
The table is set for seven, with some food already laid upon it. The dining room opens up to your right hand side when you enter, revealing a large parlor. Here three elegant couches surround an oval table made of black glass. All are set in front of a blazing hearth, above which hangs the portrait of a smirking nobleman sporting a broken nose and a tangle of hair graying at the temples. Several smaller portraits hang on the north wall.
Standing next to the table in this room is Lady Fiona Wachter. She stands tall and straight, with straight, graying black hair. She wears a black and gray gown, and is absolutely gorgeous. She looks like this:
Greetings, and welcome to Wachterhaus. It has been my home and my family's home for many years. I am Fiona Wachter. Please, make yourselves comfortable. She gestures at the three sofas in the parlor. She offers wine, and pours it for anyone who accepts. If anyone would prefer a glass of water, she will pour it from a pitcher instead.
I am glad you were able to accept my invitation on such short notice.
I make it a point to know what is going on in and around Vallaki, and you can imagine my surprise when I learned that five strangers came to town last night, looking for a place to stay. And such strangers! Only one of them even human! You were quite a sight, I assure you. So I hope you will share stories with me of where you are from, and I will tell you about where you are.
Here before you, she gestures with her wine glass at the large portrait, is my beloved husband Nikolai, of blessed memory. My two sons will be joining us for dinner.
Now. Where are you from? What business brings you to Vallaki? Or, if you prefer, what can I tell you of this place?
Kif takes a glass of wine. Thank you , my lady, I am Kif, from the northern reaches and how my companions and I come to be here is quite a story. We have found ourselves here quite by accident (Kif doesn't quite want to reveal the story of how we came to be here, especially any role Ireena might play., even though she seems to know Ireena was part of our party ) Are you in the habit of inviting all travelers to your table
I certainly am! Travelers who are not itinerant Visanti, of course. They hardly count. But from, I think, outside Barovia?! Certainly. You are the first, but if more come tomorrow, I will invite them, as well.
This wine is fine..do you have many folks from outside Barovia? should we look for others on our quest?
No, other than the Visanti. I believe they come and go as they please. Otherwise, nobody from beyond the valley. The young lady who was with you, she looked like she was perhaps from the village of Barovia? But none from beyond the valley, such as yourselves.
What happened to young Master Fope? Did he not wish to join us?