It has a certain... charm. Some of the trees are really quite lovely. It was very generous of you to have us over for dinner. The meals at the inn are adequate, but it smells like something delicious is cooking in here (doesn’t it?). Not to be to forward, but, Barnaby glances up at the portrait as he takes a sip of his wine, was he taken from you recently? We’ve noticed that survival in this land is no easy feat.
He was handsome, wasn't he, she says, though that's not what you asked. He passed three years ago. Just got sick, and there was nothing we can do. She is clearly emotional, even three years later, talking about him.
Her attention turns back to you. Yes, quite dangerous, outside the city walls. Inside, too, if the Burgomaster catches you complaining. But I don't complain, at least where his spies are listening, and he leaves us well enough alone.
The food smells and looks delicious. You can hear kitchen noises nearby; someone is hard at work.
And what would you complain about if his spies weren't listening? It's hard to put a finger on what exactly is going on here.
Really? Hard? You have not seen it already? There is a new celebration every week, or almost every week. "All will be well." Anyone who does not help prepare the new celebration, even anyone who speaks unkindly about the Burgomaster or his family, off to the stocks! Wear this ridiculous donkey head in the town square. Or hang on the scaffold! It's absurd.
But look! We are interrupted by dinner. The valet and another man - presumably the chef - bring in several more platters of food and add them to the table. There is meat and bread and more wine, along with a few vegetable dishes. It is neither sophisticated nor delicious, but it is good, and therefore it's the best meal you've had since the Visanti fed you outside of Daggerford.
Haliq, you will go and fetch the boys. Please let them know that our guests have arrived and it is time for dinner. The valet disappears upstairs and, soon thereafter, two young men come down. You recognize them as the two young men you saw carousing at the Blue Water Inn the night before. Lady Wachter introduces them as her sons, Nikolai and Karl, and you all sit to eat. The boys look like they'd rather be goofing off somewhere else, and they generally look at each other and snicker when their mother speaks, and otherwise misbehave.
Lady Wachter ignores the young men, and continues: Baron Vallakovich is a ridiculous man. Not as wicked as his father was, but in his own way just as repressive.
Did you know you are not even allowed to say Count Strahd's name in Vallaki? Ridiculous. Now at least I've warned you, so don't. At least, not outside this house, where you are safe from such foolishness.
Did you know, she says, that Count Strahd has not been seen in Vallaki in over a hundred and fifty years? I mean, I don't know what it's like in Barovia, you're starting to get the hang of the difference between "Barovia" the valley and "Barovia" the village, which she clearly means here, but if Count Strahd's affairs are mainly keeping control of the werewolves and beasts of the forest, then I don't have such a problem with him.
The boys arch their eyebrows comically at each other. Clearly, they've heard their mother before.
The only cruelty I see in Vallaki is the Burgomaster's, she says with some confidence.
He sounds like a most unpleasant Burgomaster I think we saw one of his men with an unusual hand out about the town yesterday
But at the same time do you have any reservations about the Count, who by your own reckoning is at least 150 years old...or are you just happy that he seems to leave you alone.
He sounds like a most unpleasant Burgomaster I think we saw one of his men with an unusual hand out about the town yesterday
But at the same time do you have any reservations about the Count, who by your own reckoning is at least 150 years old...or are you just happy that he seems to leave you alone.
Izek, yes. He is a cruel, cruel lieutenant, on behalf of Vallakovich. Vallakovich, you will recall, is the Burgomaster's family name.
As for the Count? As I said, he has done nothing bad to the town. Or nothing at all to the town, for many many years! Have you met him? I know he travels outside of the village, and people see him from time to time. He appears not to have harmed you, stout fellow.
If we really wanted all to be well, she casts a sidelong glance at you, Kif, having asked the question, I think the Burgomaster could flee into the woods, and somebody who thinks more highly of our lord, Count Strahd, might take stewardship of Vallaki. Indeed, if only somebody could dispose of that terrible Izek, then I believe that I could manage the rest. She is staring dreamily at the ceiling now, but her attention returns to the party.
I have a, ahem, she clears her throat, book club. We meet and discuss these matters. But if you would just find a way to get rid of Izek, then my book club and I could take care of the rest.
She is surprisingly shameless, in the frankness of her seditious speech.
Lady Wachter appears to be sincere. She is trying to recruit you for her cause.
If you roll a 16 or higher, read this:
Lady Wachter is, indeed, quite sincere in everything she is saying. She is, however, being a little coy about just how much she admires Count Strahd.
With a 23 Perception, you see what everybody else also sees: She appears to be human; the servants and her sons appear to be human. There are no signs of anything threatening in here. You (and anyone else at a 21+ Perception) also perceive this:
You get a fleeting sense that she may have some kind of a small or medium pet (or child, or something) right nearby. You don't see anything, but something about the way her clothes shift and a little look she delivers to something next to her. It's only fleeting, and you can't be sure. As I said, even in this, there is nothing threatening. Maybe a small unseen presence, that is apparently welcome and friendly to her.
Kif isn't sure how to share this impression with the others, so he will carry on guardedly
Well, my lady, the Berdermeister seems like a foul person to have to live under. We have indeed met the Count on a couple occasions and those meetings have been interesting to say the least. Much as I like to smite people if the occasion calls for it it I feel like we are on pretty thin ice with the city guard after the events of this afternoon and attacking Izek might be a touch too far. we're probably on thin ice with the city guard after this afternoon's events. I'd like to feel like we were less watched if we would make this choice of action but of course we have just met you. What say you, boys,.he turns towards the lady's kids
One of them is pretending to be asleep in his chair. The other, surprised that someone is speaking to him, looks up. You can see him trying to piece together words that have recently been uttered at the table. Aye, that Izek, he is an ass. He stretches one arm a bit, as if remembering an injury. Should have put his head on one of those stupid pikes, instead of all those wolves. I wish. He looks at his brother as if he suddenly realized that he, too, could have been pretending to sleep.
If you guys are done I can move this forward. My sense was that Lucento and Barnaby might have more to say.
But, if not, Lady Wachter will make polite chitchat with you and gently encourage you to reach out to her when you’ve decided, or if you need anything.
Feel free to have more discuss there or resume at the Inn that evening. Or go somewhere else! Up to you.
Tell me Lady Wachter, Barnaby takes yet another long appreciative pull from his glass of wine, what is it that protects this place from the Birgermeister? I’ve seen no guards at your gates or in your home? And you ask us to kill a man, or I think that’s what you’re asking, but we know nothing of him except that you say he’s cruel. I am opposed to cruelty, but I don’t think merely an accusation of such warrants execution.
Tell me Lady Wachter, Barnaby takes yet another long appreciative pull from his glass of wine, what is it that protects this place from the Birgermeister? I’ve seen no guards at your gates or in your home? And you ask us to kill a man, or I think that’s what you’re asking, but we know nothing of him except that you say he’s cruel. I am opposed to cruelty, but I don’t think merely an accusation of such warrants execution.
Ah, we are protected enough in this house. And he does not actually want a fight with me, either. He wants to control the townspeople. What will you do, strangers, go run and tell the Burgomaster that I said these things? He knows better than to trifle with me, and you will find yourselves in the stocks, wearing donkey heads. But I do do not think that you will go to him with that story, regardless.
I believe the sun will shine in Vallaki again. The real sun! But we will not get there under the thumb of the Vallakoviches. Kill Izek; don't kill him; I don't care. Make him go away, and I will take care of the rest. Or don't! One day, with or without you, there will be sunlight again.
Bold:: we’ll my lady, we are already on thin ice with the town guards, if we were to remove this Izek we would need to be very discreet, does he have any habits that might leave him exposed and alone, just so we can understand what might be ahead of us
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Fope had some issues and this afternoon had a bit of a break from reality with tragic consequences. We're a little shaken, if you might understand
Oh, dear. Well. I suppose he was quite young, and far from home. And how long have you been in the valley? What do you think of it so far?
It has a certain... charm. Some of the trees are really quite lovely.
It was very generous of you to have us over for dinner. The meals at the inn are adequate, but it smells like something delicious is cooking in here (doesn’t it?).
Not to be to forward, but, Barnaby glances up at the portrait as he takes a sip of his wine, was he taken from you recently? We’ve noticed that survival in this land is no easy feat.
She looks up at the portrait reverently.
He was handsome, wasn't he, she says, though that's not what you asked. He passed three years ago. Just got sick, and there was nothing we can do. She is clearly emotional, even three years later, talking about him.
Her attention turns back to you. Yes, quite dangerous, outside the city walls. Inside, too, if the Burgomaster catches you complaining. But I don't complain, at least where his spies are listening, and he leaves us well enough alone.
The food smells and looks delicious. You can hear kitchen noises nearby; someone is hard at work.
And what would you complain about if his spies weren't listening? It's hard to put a finger on what exactly is going on here.
Really? Hard? You have not seen it already? There is a new celebration every week, or almost every week. "All will be well." Anyone who does not help prepare the new celebration, even anyone who speaks unkindly about the Burgomaster or his family, off to the stocks! Wear this ridiculous donkey head in the town square. Or hang on the scaffold! It's absurd.
But look! We are interrupted by dinner. The valet and another man - presumably the chef - bring in several more platters of food and add them to the table. There is meat and bread and more wine, along with a few vegetable dishes. It is neither sophisticated nor delicious, but it is good, and therefore it's the best meal you've had since the Visanti fed you outside of Daggerford.
Haliq, you will go and fetch the boys. Please let them know that our guests have arrived and it is time for dinner. The valet disappears upstairs and, soon thereafter, two young men come down. You recognize them as the two young men you saw carousing at the Blue Water Inn the night before. Lady Wachter introduces them as her sons, Nikolai and Karl, and you all sit to eat. The boys look like they'd rather be goofing off somewhere else, and they generally look at each other and snicker when their mother speaks, and otherwise misbehave.
Lady Wachter ignores the young men, and continues: Baron Vallakovich is a ridiculous man. Not as wicked as his father was, but in his own way just as repressive.
Did you know you are not even allowed to say Count Strahd's name in Vallaki? Ridiculous. Now at least I've warned you, so don't. At least, not outside this house, where you are safe from such foolishness.
She develops this point, as the meal goes on.
Did you know, she says, that Count Strahd has not been seen in Vallaki in over a hundred and fifty years? I mean, I don't know what it's like in Barovia, you're starting to get the hang of the difference between "Barovia" the valley and "Barovia" the village, which she clearly means here, but if Count Strahd's affairs are mainly keeping control of the werewolves and beasts of the forest, then I don't have such a problem with him.
The boys arch their eyebrows comically at each other. Clearly, they've heard their mother before.
The only cruelty I see in Vallaki is the Burgomaster's, she says with some confidence.
He sounds like a most unpleasant Burgomaster I think we saw one of his men with an unusual hand out about the town yesterday
But at the same time do you have any reservations about the Count, who by your own reckoning is at least 150 years old...or are you just happy that he seems to leave you alone.
Izek, yes. He is a cruel, cruel lieutenant, on behalf of Vallakovich. Vallakovich, you will recall, is the Burgomaster's family name.
As for the Count? As I said, he has done nothing bad to the town. Or nothing at all to the town, for many many years! Have you met him? I know he travels outside of the village, and people see him from time to time. He appears not to have harmed you, stout fellow.
If we really wanted all to be well, she casts a sidelong glance at you, Kif, having asked the question, I think the Burgomaster could flee into the woods, and somebody who thinks more highly of our lord, Count Strahd, might take stewardship of Vallaki. Indeed, if only somebody could dispose of that terrible Izek, then I believe that I could manage the rest. She is staring dreamily at the ceiling now, but her attention returns to the party.
I have a, ahem, she clears her throat, book club. We meet and discuss these matters. But if you would just find a way to get rid of Izek, then my book club and I could take care of the rest.
She is surprisingly shameless, in the frankness of her seditious speech.
Insight check please 7
Kif will also look about the surroundings a little closer 23 perception
She seems to be quite sincere in all of this.
You may all roll Insight, if you wish.
If you roll a 10 or higher, read this:
Lady Wachter appears to be sincere. She is trying to recruit you for her cause.
If you roll a 16 or higher, read this:
Lady Wachter is, indeed, quite sincere in everything she is saying. She is, however, being a little coy about just how much she admires Count Strahd.
With a 23 Perception, you see what everybody else also sees: She appears to be human; the servants and her sons appear to be human. There are no signs of anything threatening in here. You (and anyone else at a 21+ Perception) also perceive this:
You get a fleeting sense that she may have some kind of a small or medium pet (or child, or something) right nearby. You don't see anything, but something about the way her clothes shift and a little look she delivers to something next to her. It's only fleeting, and you can't be sure. As I said, even in this, there is nothing threatening. Maybe a small unseen presence, that is apparently welcome and friendly to her.
Insight: 4
Perception: 22
Q-bert!!
Kif isn't sure how to share this impression with the others, so he will carry on guardedly
Well, my lady, the Berdermeister seems like a foul person to have to live under. We have indeed met the Count on a couple occasions and those meetings have been interesting to say the least. Much as I like to smite people if the occasion calls for it it I feel like we are on pretty thin ice with the city guard after the events of this afternoon and attacking Izek might be a touch too far. we're probably on thin ice with the city guard after this afternoon's events. I'd like to feel like we were less watched if we would make this choice of action but of course we have just met you. What say you, boys, .he turns towards the lady's kids
One of them is pretending to be asleep in his chair. The other, surprised that someone is speaking to him, looks up. You can see him trying to piece together words that have recently been uttered at the table. Aye, that Izek, he is an ass. He stretches one arm a bit, as if remembering an injury. Should have put his head on one of those stupid pikes, instead of all those wolves. I wish. He looks at his brother as if he suddenly realized that he, too, could have been pretending to sleep.
Insight: 4
Perception: 18
If you guys are done I can move this forward. My sense was that Lucento and Barnaby might have more to say.
But, if not, Lady Wachter will make polite chitchat with you and gently encourage you to reach out to her when you’ve decided, or if you need anything.
Feel free to have more discuss there or resume at the Inn that evening. Or go somewhere else! Up to you.
Tell me Lady Wachter, Barnaby takes yet another long appreciative pull from his glass of wine, what is it that protects this place from the Birgermeister? I’ve seen no guards at your gates or in your home? And you ask us to kill a man, or I think that’s what you’re asking, but we know nothing of him except that you say he’s cruel. I am opposed to cruelty, but I don’t think merely an accusation of such warrants execution.
Ask her if she has any influence to free your friend Føpé so you can give him a second chance. Second chances are very popular now a days.
Ah, we are protected enough in this house. And he does not actually want a fight with me, either. He wants to control the townspeople. What will you do, strangers, go run and tell the Burgomaster that I said these things? He knows better than to trifle with me, and you will find yourselves in the stocks, wearing donkey heads. But I do do not think that you will go to him with that story, regardless.
I believe the sun will shine in Vallaki again. The real sun! But we will not get there under the thumb of the Vallakoviches. Kill Izek; don't kill him; I don't care. Make him go away, and I will take care of the rest. Or don't! One day, with or without you, there will be sunlight again.
Bold:: we’ll my lady, we are already on thin ice with the town guards, if we were to remove this Izek we would need to be very discreet, does he have any habits that might leave him exposed and alone, just so we can understand what might be ahead of us