Barnaby: You would come with us Misalyk, knowing the dangers of this place? I am heartened by the sentiment, and clearly we could use the help with Lucento choosing to stay here, but...are you sure? What motivates you to take such a risk when you have a home here in this place which you are clearly fond of?
Chubs: Ah shut it Barnaby. Don't look a gift horse in the ass. Any man who casually walks into a festival with a bottle in hand and a song on his lips is okay in my book. On another note, Chubs looks around, how did we end up here? I thought we were going to the Inn for a drink. This place is depressing. Besides, the GM hinted at story progression there. :)
Misalyk would know that the main drinking establishment in town is the Blue Water Inn. You could all try to find some other option, or do something else.
Lucento expresses a desire to return to the temple; he is concerned about Father Petrovich, who did not seem well when you spoke with him since your return. There is no need for the rest of you to go.
The guard is, in fact, being put in the stocks. The Burgomaster says a few more words, and the crowd begins to disperse. Roll a Perception check. If you roll a 17 or higher, read the following:
Some of the disappearing commoners appear to have homemade weapons concealed in their clothes. You notice maybe 2-4; it's hard to get a good sense of how many. They quickly disappear into the crowd.
If you roll a 20 or higher, and you aren't Misalyk (who doesn't get to do this roll), read the following:
One of them, a middle-aged man, is familiar from the group of people speaking with the Wachter brothers the night before.
The afternoon is before you. I will review your options, which include but are not limited to the following:
1. Hang out at the Blue Water Inn. Anyone looking for you will likely start there, and there's been enough going on that someone might very well be looking.
2. Visit someone in town: the Baron, Father Petrovich, whoever.
3. Consider Madam Eva's card reading, and see how you're doing.
4. Figure out what to do with Ireena.
5. Look into the pastry business (not that there are leads that I'm aware of, at the moment). Misalyk is familiar with the pastry seller, if you discuss it with him, and he knows better than to eat those savory delicacies.
Please carry on speaking amongst yourselves, as well.
If you do return to the inn, you will find it is quiet, though Rictavio is seated by the window, staring off into space. The kitchen and bar (you will recall) do not open until early afternoon, and it is almost time.
I was definitely *not* hinting at story progression. You are at a decision point, to be sure. But I gave you a menu, and you are free to order off the menu, as well. There is plenty to do, some of it in Vallaki, and some of it elsewhere. For now, you are at the temple, speaking quietly among yourselves (without Lucento, who is elsewhere in the room).
To Chubbs: "How is it depressing? We never get sunburnt, we have wine, we have people to love and people to hate. This place is all of the wonder of library, without the books, and with better wine."
To Barnaby: "Sometimes, you just want to spite someone. You know they can kill you but you know it will inconvenience them to pick your dead vermin body out of their stew, and any small blow is worth it. We all have reasons. I have spite. "
Barnaby: Very well. I appreciate the offer and wholeheartedly accept. We can use all the help we can get. More importantly, I do hope this tavern that we are going to has whiskey. I have not been able to fill my flask since our arrival in this town.
"Diamonds? No, although perhaps the Count would have some. Maybe someone close to him? Although I doubt it. I haven't seen any." Misalyk frowns. "As for vendors. If you.... " Misalyk gives the directions to the vendors in town who sell things that might be close to what Baranaby is looking for.
I vote 4(taking her to the abbey) or 5 if we're trying to pick a direction.
Yeah, Barnaby asked about what time the pastry stall closes intending to follow them home to find out what was going on, but I think at this point he'd reconsider and decide that moving ahead with Ireena might be a higher priority. Chubs has no strong feelings about what to do next, he's happy to take direction.
The pastry shop would have been right in the town square. It would have been unusually busy that morning, but then shut down when the festival began.
Lucento stays with Father Petrovich, as the party makes its way to the Blue Water Inn to move forward (with whatever). Upon its arrival there, the party discovers a package waiting for Barnaby. It is from Lord von Holt, and roughly the size of a pumpkin.
Barnaby opens the package, and discovers two things inside: First, an envelope bearing his name. Second, a pair of supple, cuffed, doehide boots.
Dearest Master Barnaby and Friends,
We discussed whether there was an opportunity for you to find employment in the service of the protection of the people of the valley. At the time, I did not have a mission in mind, but as soon as I arrived at my home I realized that there is a fine opportunity for you, right near Vallaki. A coven of witches has set up residence in an old windmill, east of town. You will walk, if you choose to approach, most of the morning to the east. Then, where the road bends a bit to due east, you will see a narrow path going back due west. You will follow that path, to the windmill.
There is nothing requiring you to dispatch these wicked hags, but, if you do sincerely with to protect the people of Vallaki (and beyond), you may begin to do so by slaying these foul creatures.
Your humble servant, etc.,
Lord H.P. von Holt
p.s. Barnaby, you may recall we discussed footwear. I hope these boots, which belonged to me when I was a boy, will fit you. Wear them in good health.
The boots, if Barnaby tries them on, do fit. They do not appear to be magical, except for how supple the leather is.
Oh my goodness, these are BEAUTIFUL! Apparently he wasn't listening when I asked for black patent leather, but, nevertheless, we must do as he asked. Any man, who in this godforsaken place, [sorry Misalyk] is the type of man who will send a pair of high end boots as a gift to a stranger, is certainly the type of man that we should ally ourselves to. Witches should be a piece of cake, right? I once read the tale of Jonathon the Obsequious, who took out a coven of a dozen witches with just his broadsword, Brutus, and his donkey, Elmer. Certainly the four of us will have no trouble.
Chubs has once again turned his mug over and is staring up into it wistfully.
"I don't know the noble sir very well but I've seen him once or twice. You guys have talked? And you say he's a friend? What kind of friend would send you to that baleful windmill? I've never visited it but plenty have told me I shouldn't." Misalyk shivers dramatically. "It is cuuuuuursed." He makes a wiggling motion with his hands and an unhappy face. "We could be turned into toads or something else that doesn't appreciate cards and wine."
I'm not arguing against going just trying to play into his role as a local.
I seem to recall a wealthy woman from the fancy card game the valkirie woman held for us. and we certainly met a few here, like lady Wachter and the burgomeister's wife but either we burgle these ladies houses or we move on. perhaps we might move a bit to the east and enjoy the company of some witches before we take Ireena to the west
Ok that looks like consensus on the windmill. I think. It's a 3-4 hour walk and it's early afternoon. I'll hand wave the rest of the day and start you out the next morning, unless you'd rather hit the road now.
Lucento, if you ask, explains that he would like to stay at the temple, and look after both Father Petrovich and the villagers who were under his care.
Yes! There was a deed to a windmill in the secret study room in Death House. You have it. You would also recall one or two symbols of windmills around inside the house.
Barnaby would like to try and ascertain if the deed is for the same windmill that we are going to. Swing by the town clerk's? Or some other such thing? Investigation check?
I think you captured what Misalyk might say in that moment, and what he would know about Strahd, perfectly.
Barnaby: You would come with us Misalyk, knowing the dangers of this place? I am heartened by the sentiment, and clearly we could use the help with Lucento choosing to stay here, but...are you sure? What motivates you to take such a risk when you have a home here in this place which you are clearly fond of?
Chubs: Ah shut it Barnaby. Don't look a gift horse in the ass. Any man who casually walks into a festival with a bottle in hand and a song on his lips is okay in my book. On another note, Chubs looks around, how did we end up here? I thought we were going to the Inn for a drink. This place is depressing. Besides, the GM hinted at story progression there. :)
I was definitely *not* hinting at story progression. You are at a decision point, to be sure. But I gave you a menu, and you are free to order off the menu, as well. There is plenty to do, some of it in Vallaki, and some of it elsewhere. For now, you are at the temple, speaking quietly among yourselves (without Lucento, who is elsewhere in the room).
To Chubbs: "How is it depressing? We never get sunburnt, we have wine, we have people to love and people to hate. This place is all of the wonder of library, without the books, and with better wine."
To Barnaby: "Sometimes, you just want to spite someone. You know they can kill you but you know it will inconvenience them to pick your dead vermin body out of their stew, and any small blow is worth it. We all have reasons. I have spite. "
Barnaby: Very well. I appreciate the offer and wholeheartedly accept. We can use all the help we can get. More importantly, I do hope this tavern that we are going to has whiskey. I have not been able to fill my flask since our arrival in this town.
Misalyk would know that there is no whiskey - or ale, or anything other than wine from the Wizard of Wines - in the valley.
What about diamonds Misalyk? Diamonds of significant value? Or a shop or vendor from whom I could procure a scroll or two?
"Diamonds? No, although perhaps the Count would have some. Maybe someone close to him? Although I doubt it. I haven't seen any." Misalyk frowns. "As for vendors. If you.... " Misalyk gives the directions to the vendors in town who sell things that might be close to what Baranaby is looking for.
I vote 4(taking her to the abbey) or 5 if we're trying to pick a direction.
Yeah, Barnaby asked about what time the pastry stall closes intending to follow them home to find out what was going on, but I think at this point he'd reconsider and decide that moving ahead with Ireena might be a higher priority. Chubs has no strong feelings about what to do next, he's happy to take direction.
The pastry shop would have been right in the town square. It would have been unusually busy that morning, but then shut down when the festival began.
Lucento stays with Father Petrovich, as the party makes its way to the Blue Water Inn to move forward (with whatever). Upon its arrival there, the party discovers a package waiting for Barnaby. It is from Lord von Holt, and roughly the size of a pumpkin.
Barnaby opens the package, and discovers two things inside: First, an envelope bearing his name. Second, a pair of supple, cuffed, doehide boots.
Dearest Master Barnaby and Friends,
We discussed whether there was an opportunity for you to find employment in the service of the protection of the people of the valley. At the time, I did not have a mission in mind, but as soon as I arrived at my home I realized that there is a fine opportunity for you, right near Vallaki. A coven of witches has set up residence in an old windmill, east of town. You will walk, if you choose to approach, most of the morning to the east. Then, where the road bends a bit to due east, you will see a narrow path going back due west. You will follow that path, to the windmill.
There is nothing requiring you to dispatch these wicked hags, but, if you do sincerely with to protect the people of Vallaki (and beyond), you may begin to do so by slaying these foul creatures.
Your humble servant, etc.,
Lord H.P. von Holt
p.s. Barnaby, you may recall we discussed footwear. I hope these boots, which belonged to me when I was a boy, will fit you. Wear them in good health.
The boots, if Barnaby tries them on, do fit. They do not appear to be magical, except for how supple the leather is.
Misalyk would recognize the name Lord von Holt as an affluent young gentleman occasionally seen, on rare occasions, around town. They've never spoken.
Oh my goodness, these are BEAUTIFUL! Apparently he wasn't listening when I asked for black patent leather, but, nevertheless, we must do as he asked. Any man, who in this godforsaken place, [sorry Misalyk] is the type of man who will send a pair of high end boots as a gift to a stranger, is certainly the type of man that we should ally ourselves to. Witches should be a piece of cake, right? I once read the tale of Jonathon the Obsequious, who took out a coven of a dozen witches with just his broadsword, Brutus, and his donkey, Elmer. Certainly the four of us will have no trouble.
Chubs has once again turned his mug over and is staring up into it wistfully.
"I don't know the noble sir very well but I've seen him once or twice. You guys have talked? And you say he's a friend? What kind of friend would send you to that baleful windmill? I've never visited it but plenty have told me I shouldn't." Misalyk shivers dramatically. "It is cuuuuuursed." He makes a wiggling motion with his hands and an unhappy face. "We could be turned into toads or something else that doesn't appreciate cards and wine."
I'm not arguing against going just trying to play into his role as a local.
I seem to recall a wealthy woman from the fancy card game the valkirie woman held for us. and we certainly met a few here, like lady Wachter and the burgomeister's wife but either we burgle these ladies houses or we move on. perhaps we might move a bit to the east and enjoy the company of some witches before we take Ireena to the west
Ok that looks like consensus on the windmill. I think. It's a 3-4 hour walk and it's early afternoon. I'll hand wave the rest of the day and start you out the next morning, unless you'd rather hit the road now.
Lucento, if you ask, explains that he would like to stay at the temple, and look after both Father Petrovich and the villagers who were under his care.
Misalyk would prefer to NOT travel at night in Baroooooooovia.
Mr. DM Sir, I seem to recall a painting of a windmill somewhere or some such thing. Any chance that you could refresh my memory?
Yes! There was a deed to a windmill in the secret study room in Death House. You have it. You would also recall one or two symbols of windmills around inside the house.
Barnaby would like to try and ascertain if the deed is for the same windmill that we are going to. Swing by the town clerk's? Or some other such thing? Investigation check?
The only logical place to check would be at "city hall," which is of course just the Vallakovich Manor. Which you are welcome to do.
You are met at the door by a house servant. How do you wish to proceed?