Tahnis continues to dance with her. "What seems like a couple of drunkards can easily turn into a massacre if it's not taken care of. I would like to travel more, but I prefer to at least know the direction I'm going." Hearing Stanimir's words, calls to his companions. "I think we should at least listen to their story."

(OOC would Minerva need to hair a persuasion check? Low DC, 10)

“Oh it’s nothing to do with your people. This just makes me feel... out of my element so to speak.” Gekks gives a soft smile and says “A story sounds nice.”

Minerva Persuasion Roll: 17

    As all the members of the Vistani gather around the old man, they all quiet down as Stanimir appears to clear his throat and prepare to tell a tale. At your suggestion Tahnis you see the half elven woman give a bright smile, and she interlocks your hands as you walk over to the fire. If you allow her she will bring you over to a spot slightly away from the crowded campfire but still within sight and earshot. She sits atop an area with covered with a blanket or tarp and will gesture next to her. If you sit beside her she will be mostly quiet but will lay her head atop you, watching Stanimir and waiting for him to begin. 
   The rest of camp then notices Stanimir fill his mouth with wine, and then spit into the fire. The flames turn from orange to green. As they dance and sway, a dark shape appears in the bonfire’s core.

“We come from an ancient land whose name is long forgotten — a land of kings. Our enemies forced us from our homes, and now we wander the lost roads.”

The dark shape in the fire takes the form of a man being knocked from his horse, a spear piercing his side.

Stanimir continues. “One night, a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed his terrible injury and quenched his thirst with wine. He survived. When we asked him who he was, he wouldn’t say. All he wanted was to return home, but we were deep in the land of his enemies. We took him as one of our own and followed him back toward his homeland. His enemies hunted him. They said he was a prince, yet we didn’t give him up, even when their assassins fell upon us like wolves.”

Deep in the bonfire, you see the dark figure standing with sword drawn, fighting off a host of shadowy shapes.

“This man of royal blood fought to protect us, as we protected him. We bore him safely to his home, and he thanked us. He said, ‘I owe you my life. Stay as long as you wish, leave when you choose, and know that you will always be safe here.’”

The figure in the dancing fire vanquishes its final foe, then disperses in a cloud of smoke and embers.

Stanimir’s face then becomes a somber mask. “A curse has befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant. We alone have the power to leave his domain. We’ve traveled far and wide to find heroes such as yourselves to end our dread lord’s curse and put his troubled soul to rest. Our leader, Madam Eva, knows all. Will you return to Barovia with us and speak with her?” 

Stanimir 

Gadhan picked Minerva up thrown her over his shoulders, smack her butt a few time and asked her "Where do I punish you?". And is not seen until ether fighting begins, the morning, or the party starts to leave.

    Minerva gives a laugh as Gadhan lifts her up, and will point out to him a tent that she says to be hers. The rest of the party would notice Gadhan disappear into the tent with the human female. 

Tahnis' heartbeat picks up as the woman lays her head atop of his. He listens intently to the story. "Madame Eva knows all. I can't speak for my companions, but I will go with you and talk to this Madame Eva." 

Remembering Gadhan's "situation," Tahnis glances at the half-elf woman and adds. "It seems we will be traveling together. I hope you have a spare bed. Of course, I have no problem sharing ... what was your name again?"

     Ketch accepted a job.  He accepted coins to do it.  By Gruumsh, he is going to attempt to do it, even if his companions prefer to abandon the job in order to get laid.  The free booze and cheaper women do seem to explain why everyone else who tried to make these people push on instead returned groggy and confused.  Story over, two compatriots disappeared into tents, one lost in the darkness as soon as they had come upon the camp site and the last being way too accommodating for Ketch's taste, the half-orc finally decides enough is enough.  Now he does step up to the fire in order to be in the center of as many people as possible and casts Word of Radiance to cause 3 (I believe +4 since it's my spell modifier, but not positive?) on ALL within range (who fail their Con saving throw.)

     Thaumaturgy causes Ketch's voice to boom as he shouts out "Duchess Morwen has commanded you depart, and now you SHALL."  With Thaumaturgy ended, Ketch continues in a normal half-orc shouting voice: "The story was well told, the ale well drunk and hopefully my companions well dipped... But now is the time for you to depart.  If you want to hire us for a job that can be discussed... DOWN THE ROAD and out of Daggerford territory.  Now start departing now or Gruumsh shall be worshipped in this camp!" At that last comment Ketch raises his shield and prepares to swing his hammer...

   Ketch steps to the center of the camp and casts his spell, his booming voice can be heard as he threatens the Vistani. You see two Vistani men and a woman cry out in pain from the radiance summoned. Two of the affected Vistani appear heavily wounded, with the woman on the ground spitting up blood. One of the Vistani, a woman who’d been standing close to Stanimir, looks to Ketch with a glare after seeing him harm some of her people and begins to mutter some words underneath her breath. (Roll me a Wis Save Ketch) . Also the human who’d been playing the instrument notices Ketch preparing to swing his hammer, and seems to tightly grasp a necklace around his neck, and close his eyes as he quickly mutters something under his breath. (Roll Charisma Save)

    And as a reaction to this action by Ketch, the others would also notice Stanimir look to Ketch with a look of disappointment and then cast a spell. (Roll Wis Save for this as well Ketch) 

    For anyone wanting to join Ketch in his aggression, Roll initiative.

(Tahnis you would’ve been finishing your conversation with the half elf around now, she’s about to reply when you see your companion start a confrontation. The rest of the party would also see this, other then Gadhan who’d likely hear the commotion after at least one round, with him being thoroughly distracted. Silent Blade IS stealthing rn so they can involve themselves however they see fit. The party is outside rn and there are about a dozen Vistani outside as well.)

Tahnis is confused at Ketch's behavior. "Let Stanimir finish his story. He said they would be gone before tomorrow." He is going to remain in his spot.

   "We were hired to make them leave. We rushed out right away to do so, not to listen to stories and delay..."

1st Wis Saving throw: 14

Charisma Saving Throw: 23

2nd Wis Saving Throw: 13

And initiative: 15

   Ketch as you stand ready to swing and complete your job as you’d been told you suddenly find your world filled with nothing but blackness. The screams of those you’d wounded before are no longer there, it’s nothing but silence. (You are now both blind and deaf). You then feel yourself freeze in place, as you find yourself under the affects of a Hold Person spell. You also feel your will over your own actions dissipate as you are also compelled under a Dominate Person. 
   Immediately you all see several of the Vistani rush to their tents and the carts. You see a particularly burly Vistani man, that looks identical to the woman who’d casted a spell near Stanimir, yell out to the musician. The musician opens his eyes and rush to a tent not too far, pullout a scimitar and toss it to the man. The man catches the blade and points it to the paralyzed form of Ketch on the ground, “You attack after we invite in and treat you as best we can? No honor!” He then spits onto the face of Ketch below. While both blind and deaf, Ketch does feel the mucus and spit land near his mouth. Stanimir stands with his arms to his side, non combative, and just watches the rest of the party to see how they react. The woman who seems to be the man’s twin watches you all as she whistles to other Vistani who’d run to the carts, her hand held out expectantly towards the Vistani as she never breaks eye contact with the party.

Tahnis holds out his hands. "There's a misunderstanding. We mean you no harm. I will go with you as promised to combat this evil."

   Tahnis you also notice the half elven woman stand up quickly and attempt to stand between the paralyzed form of Ketch and the man with the scimitar. 
   “Peace Ratka! It was the actions of one man, and he was only seeking to do his job!“ 

The man looks to the female half elf with frustration, “You‘ve a good heart Adaine, but we cannot trust everybody! Some only live to make blood flow” As he says this he looks again at the paralyzed form of Ketch, spitting on him again with the loogie landing on Ketch’s right eye instead.

Tahnis turns to Adaine before cleaning the spit off Ketch with a rag from his pocket. "Adaine, that's a lovely name."

How the Twins look like

Gekks finally shakes himself out of his shocked stupor of the events that just transpired "Hey, hey listen, listen. Yes, yes ill also be happy to help you guys first and foremost though. Please, please, please lets not let anyone else get home. Bind him if that makes you feel more comfortable but between all of us I'd rather not have anyone else get hurt. What was your name? Ratka she said? Alrighty, please please just set the sword down. I can promise he is more of an asset to us than anything. He at the very lease could be easily swayed by the promise of coin to help, we just must leave this present location first." Gekks gives a soft, scared smile toward Tahnis and then does a mental check for where everyone is. A look of shock crosses his face. He raises his voice out a little louder. "Hey! Mr. Kenku! I'm sorry I never caught your name, but please come out in a non threatening way and introduce yourself to these fine people. I dont want any of us to have any more trouble." Throughout all these events, small sparks and traces of lightning jump off Gekks' neck and across his fingers. His floppy goblin ears twitch wildly throughout. Though he holds a smile and sure posture, its clear to see he is nervous.

Silent Bade will use the distraction of the story teller to enter the camp, and begin to search for anything out of the ordinary, and valuables of course. 

Stealth 21

Investigation 11 

    After looking at you all and realizing that you all will not start a combat, you see Stanimir move towards the Vistani who’d been wounded by Ketch’s spell. You see him muttering in worry and shake his head as he examines their wounds, calling out to some of the Vistani to bring him what he needs to treat them. Around this time most of the Vistani are returning from their tents or carts armed with scimitars and hand crossbows. After hearing Gekk call out to a supposed 5th member, several Vistani will spread out and search for them. [Perception rolls for 4 Vistani: (3)(16)(13)(4) ]. None of them are able to find the supposed Kenku member of the troop.

As Stanimir treats the wounded, you see a Vistani hand a very intricate looking rapier to the female twin who’d been staring you all down. You all see her look to the body of Ketch before looking up ”He attacked with no provocation, you really expect us to be merciful because he might be useful? Or because his greed is a good motivator? Tell me friendly goblin what would you do if a stranger came into your home after being offered free ale and hurt your family? Answer honestly. “ Her eyes scan the party after her question before landing on Tahnis, gesturing to him she continues , “And what do you think? What’s the proper sentence for such an act?”

     You see her place a hand on her brother’s shoulder and he visibly relaxes, backing away from the form of Ketch and lowering his weapon (though he does give his sister a curious look as she does so). “We are of the roads, we travel land to land with little to our names, with only our stories and our clan to give us strength. But you all don’t care about that do you? Just hired mercenaries looking for a payday.” As she says this she will give a cold, calculating look at the paralyzed form of the half orc cleric. ”I wonder if Gruumsh will still love him when he’s flailing blindly through the battlefields. How tragic for him.” 

Silent Blade: