If Barnaby also has realized that the craving is an unhealthy one than he will resist the urge. If he does not, and if Lucento does not explain it to him, then he will stop for a pastry on the way out of town.
That’s fine. I will not compel Barnaby or Lucento to get pastries. But they both know that they don’t feel right, and they have this idea that a pastry would be just the thing. And Lucento is clear enough to have some confidence that there is something sinister at work there, too.
I think we can imagine Lucento sharing his concerns with the party. If you believe that that would cause Barnaby to skip it, then that's fine. I think it's also reasonable to think that Kif would have found Lucento's concern persuasive, given what he's seen from his friends. Put it on the pile of Things To Investigate In Vallaki, if you want.
Lucento and Barnaby now have one level of Exhaustion, which causes disadvantages on all skill checks. And only skill checks. Levels of Exhaustion go down at the rate of once per day, assuming a long rest.
Kif's concerns about the fine biscuits after his own experiences is only reinforced by this morning's revelations. he is anxious to leave the city, even for just a few days
Lucento places a hand against his stomach, as if searching for the source of the unease. Yet his sprits remained buoyed for the most part by thoughts of wine, he is eager to depart.
You make your way to the west gate, and emerge into the gloomy Barovia morning.
The woods immediately embrace you outside. It's damp and cool, though it did not rain. Just kind of damp and gross, as you get later and later into the fall season.
You hike about 90 minutes down the path, glad to stretch your legs. The path bends to the southwest, and you enter an X-shaped intersection. Branches extend to the northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast. The lower half of a snapped wooden signpost thrusts upward at an angle near the eastern elbow of the intersection.
A quick glance around the area reveals the top half of the sign, which aligns with the post in the ground. It points to TSOLENKA PASS and KREZK to the southwest, LAKE BARATOK to the northwest, VALLAKI and RAVENLOFT to the northeast (where you came from), and BEREZ to the southeast. You follow, as directed, the path to Krezk, in the southwest.
You walk several hours more, as the path bends to the south and then to the north again. The sky is gray and doesn't seem to get brighter as the morning gets later and later. Finally, you reach another intersection. A weatherworn signpost stands next to the road. The three arms of the sign point along the three branches: north, marked KREZK, back east, toward VALLAKI, and southwest, marked THE WIZARD OF WINES.
Two men are seated in the grass, talking among themselves, near the sign. One of them stands and calls out, in a deep voice: Who goes there? Through the shade and gloom you see a large man in drab clothing, wearing a tattered gray cloak. He has shaggy, black hair and thick muttonchops. He leans heavily on a spear as he stands, and he has a small bundle of animal pelts slung over his shoulder.
Chub sings loudly and poorly as the group walks along the road in an effort to ward off the dreary morning.
He tries to get others to sing along, at least for the chorus:
We're going to a vineyard,
They'll have lots of wine,
Perhaps they'll let us sample some,
I hope we have the time!
He’s clearly making it up as he goes along, and frequently needs to stop to think of good rhymes.
When the werewolves confront the group, he interrupts his song:
How nice it is to see a friendly face on this dreary morning! I'm Chubs, he tips his too small flat cap, and these stalwart gentlemen are Barnaby, Kif, and Lucento. We were just on a sing and walk. Are you guarding something? We are peaceful folk, he unconsciously glances at Kif’s ax, and looking to enjoy our walk in the woods without any trouble.
Barnaby will look around at the surrounding woods to see if these gentlemen are truly alone. Perception: 16
Yes, hello gentlemen, I certainly hope that you are guarding the road. It seems that there is no end of nefarious beastie’s out and about. We haven’t seen any today though, so I salute you on the fine job that you’re doing.
They appear to be trappers, traveling light. There are only the two of them, and you are watching them with suspicion as they appear to be doing the same to you.
“Ho, yes, keeping the beasties away. It’s what we do! Where are you lot headed?”
Aye, if you don’t need us, we’ll stay here and finish our lunch. Off with ye, then, and good luck.
They both watch with interest as you make your way down the path. Even with your good Perception check, you perhaps overlooked what, if anything, they were eating for lunch.
Off to the winery then, we've got a long walk ahead of us
If Barnaby also has realized that the craving is an unhealthy one than he will resist the urge. If he does not, and if Lucento does not explain it to him, then he will stop for a pastry on the way out of town.
That’s fine. I will not compel Barnaby or Lucento to get pastries. But they both know that they don’t feel right, and they have this idea that a pastry would be just the thing. And Lucento is clear enough to have some confidence that there is something sinister at work there, too.
I think we can imagine Lucento sharing his concerns with the party. If you believe that that would cause Barnaby to skip it, then that's fine. I think it's also reasonable to think that Kif would have found Lucento's concern persuasive, given what he's seen from his friends. Put it on the pile of Things To Investigate In Vallaki, if you want.
Lucento and Barnaby now have one level of Exhaustion, which causes disadvantages on all skill checks. And only skill checks. Levels of Exhaustion go down at the rate of once per day, assuming a long rest.
Kif's concerns about the fine biscuits after his own experiences is only reinforced by this morning's revelations. he is anxious to leave the city, even for just a few days
Excellent. We will be underway as soon as I get it together. This evening I am home, but working. I will be with you all presently.
Sorry for the delay. As Pete knows, we’ve been busy recently.
No worries
Lucento places a hand against his stomach, as if searching for the source of the unease. Yet his sprits remained buoyed for the most part by thoughts of wine, he is eager to depart.
You make your way to the west gate, and emerge into the gloomy Barovia morning.
The woods immediately embrace you outside. It's damp and cool, though it did not rain. Just kind of damp and gross, as you get later and later into the fall season.
You hike about 90 minutes down the path, glad to stretch your legs. The path bends to the southwest, and you enter an X-shaped intersection. Branches extend to the northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast. The lower half of a snapped wooden signpost thrusts upward at an angle near the eastern elbow of the intersection.
A quick glance around the area reveals the top half of the sign, which aligns with the post in the ground. It points to TSOLENKA PASS and KREZK to the southwest, LAKE BARATOK to the northwest, VALLAKI and RAVENLOFT to the northeast (where you came from), and BEREZ to the southeast. You follow, as directed, the path to Krezk, in the southwest.
You walk several hours more, as the path bends to the south and then to the north again. The sky is gray and doesn't seem to get brighter as the morning gets later and later. Finally, you reach another intersection. A weatherworn signpost stands next to the road. The three arms of the sign point along the three branches: north, marked KREZK, back east, toward VALLAKI, and southwest, marked THE WIZARD OF WINES.
Two men are seated in the grass, talking among themselves, near the sign. One of them stands and calls out, in a deep voice: Who goes there? Through the shade and gloom you see a large man in drab clothing, wearing a tattered gray cloak. He has shaggy, black hair and thick muttonchops. He leans heavily on a spear as he stands, and he has a small bundle of animal pelts slung over his shoulder.
Chub sings loudly and poorly as the group walks along the road in an effort to ward off the dreary morning.
He tries to get others to sing along, at least for the chorus:
We're going to a vineyard,
They'll have lots of wine,
Perhaps they'll let us sample some,
I hope we have the time!
He’s clearly making it up as he goes along, and frequently needs to stop to think of good rhymes.
When the werewolves confront the group, he interrupts his song:
How nice it is to see a friendly face on this dreary morning! I'm Chubs, he tips his too small flat cap, and these stalwart gentlemen are Barnaby, Kif, and Lucento. We were just on a sing and walk. Are you guarding something? We are peaceful folk, he unconsciously glances at Kif’s ax, and looking to enjoy our walk in the woods without any trouble.
Barnaby will look around at the surrounding woods to see if these gentlemen are truly alone. Perception: 16
Yes, hello gentlemen, I certainly hope that you are guarding the road. It seems that there is no end of nefarious beastie’s out and about. We haven’t seen any today though, so I salute you on the fine job that you’re doing.
That skill check is at disadvantage, Barnaby. . .
Thpbbbbb...
Disadvantage: 9
Edit: Hahaaa!
They appear to be trappers, traveling light. There are only the two of them, and you are watching them with suspicion as they appear to be doing the same to you.
“Ho, yes, keeping the beasties away. It’s what we do! Where are you lot headed?”
we are headed to the winery at the request og the Burgermeister. And what is your business here
Oh, the winery! We know the way. We have been many times, and the path is dangerous. We'll show you!
The one who stood is doing all the speaking, the other is still sitting in the grass.
No no, that’s quite alright, we know where we’re going, and if you leave, who would guard the crossroads? Surely you’re needed here.
Aye, if you don’t need us, we’ll stay here and finish our lunch. Off with ye, then, and good luck.
They both watch with interest as you make your way down the path. Even with your good Perception check, you perhaps overlooked what, if anything, they were eating for lunch.
Everybody roll a Perception check.
Perception:5
Chubs picks up his singing as soon as he's past the trappers and is totally oblivious. He hasn't quite internalized how dangerous this place is yet.
We met some trappers eating lunch,
They offered to help us,
We had a little bitty hunch,
So we went on alone.
Now everybody!
We're going to a vineyard,
They'll have lots of wine,
Perhaps they'll let us sample some,
I hope we have the time!