Early the following morning, under cloudy skies, the party makes its way east (back the way you originally came, toward Death House, the village of Barovia, etc.), and walks for a couple of hours back to an intersection you do not likely remember: the main path has curved to point southeast, but a hairpin turn leads to a narrow track due west. Sort of like this:
---\
Except that the slash is at a shallow angle.
Anyway, you follow that track up a hill overlooking the valley housing Vallaki, and you climb for about an hour. The sky darkens and there's a cool, damp breeze, perhaps signaling rain. The forest opens up into a clearing, gloomy even at midday, and you see a windmill.
The onion-domed edifice leans forward and to one side, as though trying to turn away from the stormy gray sky. You see gray brick walls and dirt-covered windows on the upper floors. A decrepit wooden platform encircles the windmill above a flimsy doorway leading to the building’s interior. Perched on a wooden beam above the door is a raven. It hops about and squawks at you, seemingly agitated.
You can see beyond the windmill, at the far edge of the large clearing, there are four large stone statues. In the gloom, you can't make out the features of the statues.
Before you is the windmill. It looks like this, and I've left some markings as visual aids for us to share.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Misalyk follows, rapier out, narrating quietly to himself. "And thus the heroes approached their inevitable doom and dismemberment, bravely, but with the knowledge of failure keen on their minds....." Stealth 23 Perception 17
Woah, woah, woah, gentlemen. It's early, why rush to die as Misalyk suggests. Let's sit back in these woods for an hour or two and let Tulip do some scouting for us. I brought cheese. It's good cheese.
Hearing her name, Tulip pops out of her nest in Barnaby's hood and perches on his shoulder. Barnaby reaches into a pocket, Nope, that's the cheese pocket, into a different pocket, and pulls out a couple of dried meal worms which Tulip happily scarfs down. If the group agrees, they will go sit down in some cover a couple hundred feet away while Tulip flies in to take, first distant, then closer looks in the windows. If she doesn't see too much of interest, then she will perch in a nearby tree and watch for any action. I'd say this goes on for at least an hour or two, as Barnaby said, but I'm open to suggestions from the group. Meanwhile, Barnaby will be watching and listening through her eyes and ears, occasionally blindly popping a morsel of cheese into his mouth.
Tulip flies off into the gloom, with Barnaby as her eyes and ears.
The windows around the mill are neither large nor clean, but Tulip, flying close enough to get a look in each, makes some discoveries.
The ground floor, Area O1, has been converted into a makeshift kitchen, cluttered and a bit messy. Baskets and old dishware are piled here and there. Adding to the clutter is a chicken coop, a heavy wooden trunk, and a pretty wooden cabinet with flowers painted on its doors. There is an open barrel in the center of the room, which does not appear to be occupied.
The second floor, Area O2, is occupied. A haggard old woman sweeps the floor, pushing around a cloud of white dust with her broom. She wears a stained, flour-caked apron. Her long gray hair is piled into a mound on top of her head, held together by a single, long bodkin. The dirt-caked windows allow very little light to enter this eight-foot-high chamber, most of which is taken up by a large millstone connected to a wooden gear shaft that rises through the ceiling in the center of the room. A stone staircase continues up.
The third floor, Area O3, is also occupied. A plain-looking young woman with black hair is using a thick wooden bar to turn a thick wooden gear shaft in the center of this cramped, circular room. You might imagine that the arms of the windmill no longer operate, so the mill is now being operated manually. There is also a small closet in this room, a pile of clothing on the floor, and a rumpled bed. A ladder raises to the area marked O4, but there are no windows on the dome of the windmill.
Barnaby tells the group what he sees. I don't know guys. I tend to trust people who give me boots, but I don't know if we should go in swords a blazing or maybe try and have a palaver with them. I doubt they're good in the grand scheme of things, but in a place like this, maybe they're on the better side of bad? Jeepers I just don't know. There was the time that the legendary knight, Sir Frankfurt of Brisbandia, attempted to form an alliance with a coven of sea witches and they ended up eating his kidneys with fava beans and a nice chianti. Oh man...
"I'm leery of anyone outside of the town. The Count has many allies and servants. I have no direct information that they are bad. I would never eat a pastry made by them though. There is something... off. But if you wish to talk to them then.. I cannot stop you and will stand ready." Misalyk frowns at the windmill but puts his rapier away.
Hmmm, one young woman turning a millstone all by herself, either they breed them strong around these parts or that might be suspicious. Misalyk, we've had unusual experiences with pastries purchased in town...from the cart in the town square. Is there a connection between them and this mill that you know of? anyone able to sense any evil or magic coming from that place or are we too far away?
Barnaby will ritually cast detect magic before approaching, but definitely too far away for now. He will cast mage armor on himself though.
No no, doesn’t seem like diplomacy is a good bet with this group. Valor is the better part of wisdom and all that.
I’m not sure that we’re the stealthiest lot. Perhaps direct aggression would be the best tactic? Kicking in the front door and whatnot? Chubs, you used a silence ability to excellent effect against those druids at the winery. I imagine it would be equally applicable verse witches. Any other strategic thoughts before we approach?
Well gents, should we just walk up to the front door like we own the place (because we've got a deed). Maybe they belong here or maybe we could start charging them rent
"Let's do that." Misalyk walks up to the door and bangs loudly. "HELLO OCCUPANTS! I COME ON BEHALF OF THE OWNERS OF THIS PROPERTY TO DISCUSS YOUR CURRENT VAGRANT SQUATTING ON THEIR PROPERTY!!!"
Barnaby puffs his small chest a bit, Um, yes, pursuant to section 2.03.115 of the Town of Vallaki Rules, Regulations, and Ordinances, and I quote, "Those who reside at a residence, whether hovel or mansion, townhouse or condominium, straw or stucco, watermill or windmill, shall, upon request by an official, representative, or random passer through of the Town of Vallaki, present lease, deed, title, or rental agreement in its original form, signed in triplicate by the Duke as well as the purser of the Town of Vallaki." So you see, as my new friend Misalyk here says, quit squatting and come out with your hands held high.
The door opens, and a heavyset, late-middle aged human woman stands before you. The room smells delicious; you instantly recognize the aroma of the pastries you know from Vallaki. Even Misalyk, who has not had them, is familiar with the aroma, from the cart's presence every morning in the town square. Greetings, dears, welcome to my bakery. Are you here for pastries?
If you want to give the presentations described above, she nods along with interest, and then asks to see the deed.
Early the following morning, under cloudy skies, the party makes its way east (back the way you originally came, toward Death House, the village of Barovia, etc.), and walks for a couple of hours back to an intersection you do not likely remember: the main path has curved to point southeast, but a hairpin turn leads to a narrow track due west. Sort of like this:
---\
Except that the slash is at a shallow angle.
Anyway, you follow that track up a hill overlooking the valley housing Vallaki, and you climb for about an hour. The sky darkens and there's a cool, damp breeze, perhaps signaling rain. The forest opens up into a clearing, gloomy even at midday, and you see a windmill.
The onion-domed edifice leans forward and to one side, as though trying to turn away from the stormy gray sky. You see gray brick walls and dirt-covered windows on the upper floors. A decrepit wooden platform encircles the windmill above a flimsy doorway leading to the building’s interior. Perched on a wooden beam above the door is a raven. It hops about and squawks at you, seemingly agitated.
You can see beyond the windmill, at the far edge of the large clearing, there are four large stone statues. In the gloom, you can't make out the features of the statues.
Before you is the windmill. It looks like this, and I've left some markings as visual aids for us to share.
well, I usually suck at this, but percepting all the same 18
Sure is another beautiful day in the valley, let's kinda move a little slowly and perhaps kinda sneak up a touch 22 stealthing
Misalyk follows, rapier out, narrating quietly to himself. "And thus the heroes approached their inevitable doom and dismemberment, bravely, but with the knowledge of failure keen on their minds....." Stealth 23 Perception 17
Woah, woah, woah, gentlemen. It's early, why rush to die as Misalyk suggests. Let's sit back in these woods for an hour or two and let Tulip do some scouting for us. I brought cheese. It's good cheese.
Hearing her name, Tulip pops out of her nest in Barnaby's hood and perches on his shoulder. Barnaby reaches into a pocket, Nope, that's the cheese pocket, into a different pocket, and pulls out a couple of dried meal worms which Tulip happily scarfs down. If the group agrees, they will go sit down in some cover a couple hundred feet away while Tulip flies in to take, first distant, then closer looks in the windows. If she doesn't see too much of interest, then she will perch in a nearby tree and watch for any action. I'd say this goes on for at least an hour or two, as Barnaby said, but I'm open to suggestions from the group. Meanwhile, Barnaby will be watching and listening through her eyes and ears, occasionally blindly popping a morsel of cheese into his mouth.
Tulip Stealth: 5 Perception: 17
Tulip flies off into the gloom, with Barnaby as her eyes and ears.
The windows around the mill are neither large nor clean, but Tulip, flying close enough to get a look in each, makes some discoveries.
The ground floor, Area O1, has been converted into a makeshift kitchen, cluttered and a bit messy. Baskets and old dishware are piled here and there. Adding to the clutter is a chicken coop, a heavy wooden trunk, and a pretty wooden cabinet with flowers painted on its doors. There is an open barrel in the center of the room, which does not appear to be occupied.
The second floor, Area O2, is occupied. A haggard old woman sweeps the floor, pushing around a cloud of white dust with her broom. She wears a stained, flour-caked apron. Her long gray hair is piled into a mound on top of her head, held together by a single, long bodkin. The dirt-caked windows allow very little light to enter this eight-foot-high chamber, most of which is taken up by a large millstone connected to a wooden gear shaft that rises through the ceiling in the center of the room. A stone staircase continues up.
The third floor, Area O3, is also occupied. A plain-looking young woman with black hair is using a thick wooden bar to turn a thick wooden gear shaft in the center of this cramped, circular room. You might imagine that the arms of the windmill no longer operate, so the mill is now being operated manually. There is also a small closet in this room, a pile of clothing on the floor, and a rumpled bed. A ladder raises to the area marked O4, but there are no windows on the dome of the windmill.
Barnaby tells the group what he sees. I don't know guys. I tend to trust people who give me boots, but I don't know if we should go in swords a blazing or maybe try and have a palaver with them. I doubt they're good in the grand scheme of things, but in a place like this, maybe they're on the better side of bad? Jeepers I just don't know. There was the time that the legendary knight, Sir Frankfurt of Brisbandia, attempted to form an alliance with a coven of sea witches and they ended up eating his kidneys with fava beans and a nice chianti. Oh man...
Well, we could try to talk first before swinging the ax, perhaps if things turn we could get the jump on them up close
Hmm, good thought Kif. Misalyk, this is your town, do you think there may be any value in giving up the element of surprise in order to talk turkey?
(Checking with DM aboutwhat I know before answering)
(The DM answered.)
Sorry it took so long.
"I'm leery of anyone outside of the town. The Count has many allies and servants. I have no direct information that they are bad. I would never eat a pastry made by them though. There is something... off. But if you wish to talk to them then.. I cannot stop you and will stand ready." Misalyk frowns at the windmill but puts his rapier away.
Hmmm, one young woman turning a millstone all by herself, either they breed them strong around these parts or that might be suspicious. Misalyk, we've had unusual experiences with pastries purchased in town...from the cart in the town square. Is there a connection between them and this mill that you know of? anyone able to sense any evil or magic coming from that place or are we too far away?
Barnaby will ritually cast detect magic before approaching, but definitely too far away for now. He will cast mage armor on himself though.
No no, doesn’t seem like diplomacy is a good bet with this group. Valor is the better part of wisdom and all that.
I’m not sure that we’re the stealthiest lot. Perhaps direct aggression would be the best tactic? Kicking in the front door and whatnot? Chubs, you used a silence ability to excellent effect against those druids at the winery. I imagine it would be equally applicable verse witches. Any other strategic thoughts before we approach?
"I have none."
walking up side by side with Barnaby neck on a swivel
12 perception
Well, let me know whether you’re approaching the door or some other way. And how close you’re getting. But you aren’t getting more than Tulip did.
Well gents, should we just walk up to the front door like we own the place (because we've got a deed). Maybe they belong here or maybe we could start charging them rent
"Let's do that." Misalyk walks up to the door and bangs loudly. "HELLO OCCUPANTS! I COME ON BEHALF OF THE OWNERS OF THIS PROPERTY TO DISCUSS YOUR CURRENT VAGRANT SQUATTING ON THEIR PROPERTY!!!"
Barnaby puffs his small chest a bit, Um, yes, pursuant to section 2.03.115 of the Town of Vallaki Rules, Regulations, and Ordinances, and I quote, "Those who reside at a residence, whether hovel or mansion, townhouse or condominium, straw or stucco, watermill or windmill, shall, upon request by an official, representative, or random passer through of the Town of Vallaki, present lease, deed, title, or rental agreement in its original form, signed in triplicate by the Duke as well as the purser of the Town of Vallaki." So you see, as my new friend Misalyk here says, quit squatting and come out with your hands held high.
The door opens, and a heavyset, late-middle aged human woman stands before you. The room smells delicious; you instantly recognize the aroma of the pastries you know from Vallaki. Even Misalyk, who has not had them, is familiar with the aroma, from the cart's presence every morning in the town square. Greetings, dears, welcome to my bakery. Are you here for pastries?
If you want to give the presentations described above, she nods along with interest, and then asks to see the deed.