James looks up. “Light will find its way even unto dark places. And if this is a work of some divine entity, then this isn’t something we an just get rid of. The divinity would just put it back even if we managed it. We need to atone. It sounds like this noble that took his vengeance did so in such a way as to draw ire. His story is the one we must suss out.“
The Count smiles. He seems pleased with himself for some reason. "My people have become very resourceful when it comes to agricultural endeavors and they have been able to manage a living, though somewhat meager.' he says.
The Count pauses for a moment then says: "I will have the chef bring out some sweet bread and tea for each of you." he says. He seems to anticipate your responses and adds: "Do not scoff. I assure you it is very delightful and decadent to the taste." he says. "Now I must be off, I am a Count and have many duties to tend to. Once you are finished I will make sure you are provided with a bit of gold to make some purchases as you see fit to aid in your endeavors. I wish you all well and wait excitedly for any news you can provide. Until we meet again." With that, the Count does a slight bow and turns and walks out of the room.
Just as he does the 4 serving women return with a tray of pastries and pour a cup of tea for each of you. They say little and seemed focused on their work at hand. Once the Tea is poured they leave the room and the party to its small meager meal.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gillain seems resigned to this being all she’ll get out of the Count at this stage. She’s dealt with people in Strahd’s position before, and they’re particularly good at being ‘very busy’ when it suited them.
She waits on her companions, for any last remarks, before thanking him: “More than generous, my Lord. We’ll be in touch as soon as we have any news”, and offers a deep curtsy and a slightly lingering look as he leaves.
She’s happy to sit and partake in the offered refreshments, while the group discuss next steps.
Does she like the refreshments check: 1
[edit] The tea is better than she’s had in a very long time, and even in some ways reminds her of her distant homeland...
James says between sips. “I think I’d like to go take a tour of Barovia. See what can be learned and found. However, I’m still struck by what the carriage man said: stay inside the carriage or he couldn’t promise our safety. A place shrouded in mist and darkness may attract all sorts of dangers. I know I shouldn’t, but I feel a sort of fascination with going towards the danger. We could find untouched secrets.”
Ermren had been enjoying the food when James made his comment and gives him a sour look, "Why you'd have to say it like that, now I have to go explore this strange, cursed land. He mentioned giving us some gold, but we still need to find a place to spend it for it to do any good."
Dmitri says, "I don't recall seeing anyone on our journey here; but to be honest I barely remember much after our encounter with the Mist and our speedy carriage ride. I would like to see and speak with some of the commonfolk as well."
For all of Bob's shrewd questioning he falls in line with the others quickly enough. In fact, it was right about when the refreshments were served that he began to think this Strahd fellow wasn't so bad after all and perhaps they ought to save this cursed land. He certainly wouldn't want his hill to be to be choked off from the rest of the world with bedeviling fog, even if he was a bit of a hermit.
"I agree with James and Dmitri, this land is crying out to be explored an' saved! An' I'm sure the people could use a helping hand as well," he says with a look toward Gillain, a knowing twinkle in his eye. She was a sucker for people in need of saving and, well, so was he.
Gillain bites into another pastry, “Mmm, yes... Maybe the staff here can direct us towards town. Or perhaps the coaches are still outside? They might good enough to give us a lift in that direction... It would be good to find a place to stay before nightfall... Then when we’re settled, perhaps we can start asking around, or take a tour of the place, as you say”. She stands, as if to make a start in that direction.
She calls out to nobody, expecting staff to be waiting somewhere unseen, “Excuse me!... we are finished with tea. If you would be so kind as to show us out. Thank you”. And she begins to ready her things.
If no one appears, and when everyone is ready, she is happy to make her own way back the way they came.
((OOC: @DM, by the way, have we seen any weapons or armour on the walls or around the place? Just wondering. It’s just something Gillain would notice if it was on show.))
Gillain: You do not see any portraits that contain weapons.
Once Gillain calls out that you all are done the serving women appear in the doorway, enter the room and retrieve all the plates, cups, remaining pastries, and tea kettle. With a flourish they leave the room.
As the maids leave Rahadin appears in the doorway. In his hand is a sack of what sounds like coins. "My Master bid I give you these for your journey.' With that, he tosses the sack into the room landing at the foot Gillain. Rahadin has a walking staff in his other hand. He strikes the end of the staff on the floor 3 times. The sound seems to echo throughout the room and the vibrations send chills down your bodies. He turns and is gone.
At first you feel an odd warmth going through each of your bodies. It turns to an odd uneasiness. Abruptly the room begins to blur.
All but Tio stagger a bit. Tio remains motionless, unsure what her companions are feeling.
The room starts to spin and abruptly it is gone. There is nothing but blackness for all to see. (everyone)
The world comes back to focus and you find yourselves standing on a muddy wet road. Pools of water stand like black mirrors in and around the muddy roadway. Everything within your vision seems to be covered in mist and giant trees loom on both sides of the roadway, their branches clawing at the mist. the sack of coins Rahadin threw lay in the mud in front of you. Behind you, the roadway seems to disappear within the mist and trees. In the distance, you all hear the howl of a single wolf. In response, another howl can be heard. The first comes from somewhere off to your right and a great distance away. The second comes from your left and the sound is much closer, approximately 600 ft. or so.
Ermren pulls himself up and begins cleaning himself up again with his cantrip grumbling the whole time, "I remember when the law of hospitality meant something, never get away with treating guests like that back home. Maybe 'noble' means something different around here, harrumph."
As the tea and pastries were passed out Tio declined politely, lifting her hand as the tea was set. Watching her companions become drupe and staggered she tries to comfort Gillain. The room begins to spin, then sudden darkness Tio will keep her hands up in a defensive position. Ready to fight, the world coming back to focus she will lower her stance. "Hmmm, Are you all alright? Was there something in the food? Perhaps we should keep this Count at arm's length." Tio will pick up the sack of coins opening it to check its contents.
Dmitri staggers and puts his hand to his head as the world rematerializes. He looks about at the scene around them to identify any immediate threats. He inquires, "Is everyone here? Where ever here is..."
”Anyone have a knife? Maybe it’s silly, but... I’d like to mark a tree here. This may happen again, and I’d like to know if we always go to the same place.”
Gillain begins to come round, hearing her friends’ voices one by one, distant, as if in a dream... ...
Ermren: ‘...noble means something different...’.
Dmitri: ‘...everyone here?...’.
James:‘...anyone have a knife?...’.
Tio: ‘...something in the food...’.
Then Gillain is properly present... stood in the mud... looking up into Tio’s porcelain face...
Before she can really think why, Gillain says to Tio, “How strange for this to.. happen... twice...”.
Then she hears the wolves and spins on her heels, spear and shield in her hands in a flash...
She’s not with it, this must be a dream...
She shakes her head... once, twice... and when she looks up the same wave of calm has washed over her as before. She does a slow, full, spin, staring far into the distance with a now-familiar, penetrating stare...
((in her attempts to get a handle on her surroundings, she finds herself seeing deeper than usual again with divine sense)).
((sensing celestials, fiends, and undead within 60ft that are not behind full cover, and consecrated or desecrated ground and objects))
Bob blinks his eyes several times before opening them wide. He stares around at his surroundings, hand still held up to his mouth like he's about to take a sip of tea. "What in blazes just happened?!"
He fumbles with his belongings, checking that everything is still there, before heaving a huge sigh. "Should've stayed in your hill, Bob Beezly."
The stillness of the all-encompassing mist was broken by the howling of wolves. Bob froze, staring wide-eyed first right into the distance and then to the left with a frightened whimper. "Th-that's close. Why the devil did that damned Strahd leave us out in the middle of this cursed fog if he wants us to stop it? Does he want us to get eaten by wolves?"
Taking a steadying breath he holds his palm open and in his other clutches his staff to his breast while he murmurs ancient words in Druidic. Flame leaps from nothingness into his hand as he casts Produce Flame. It was a mere cantrip, little more than a parlor trick, really, but the friendly flicker of the dancing flame gave him some measure of comfort.
Gillain begins to come round, hearing her friends’ voices one by one, distant, as if in a dream... ...
Ermren: ‘...noble means something different...’.
Dmitri: ‘...everyone here?...’.
James:‘...anyone have a knife?...’.
Tio: ‘...something in the food...’.
Then Gillain is properly present... stood in the mud... looking up into Tio’s porcelain face...
Before she can really think why, Gillain says to Tio, “How strange for this to.. happen... twice...”.
Then she hears the wolves and spins on her heels, spear and shield in her hands in a flash...
She’s not with it, this must be a dream...
She shakes her head... once, twice... and when she looks up the same wave of calm has washed over her as before. She does a slow, full, spin, staring far into the distance with a now-familiar, penetrating stare...
((in her attempts to get a handle on her surroundings, she finds herself seeing deeper than usual again with divine sense)).
((sensing celestials, fiends, and undead within 60ft that are not behind full cover, and consecrated or desecrated ground and objects))
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Gillain looks around the group and is coming back to her senses a little. She says, “wolves to the left and right... mist and trees behind... I say we move, onwards down the road! Is anyone hurt?? Come on!”.
((OOC: Unless anyone objects, she will attempt to lead them all ‘forward’, along the road (if I have the geography of the scene right in my head).))
Gillain will keep near the front and keep an eye on what is ahead - Perception: 14 (passive: 14).
"Onwards, then! I'll light the way!" With what might mistakenly considered to be courage Bob heads to the front of the group behind Gillain, which of course means they'll all have to walk just as slowly as him. He casts an uneasy gaze back down the path and at the surrounding mists before holding the flame in his palm aloft while striding ahead.
”Anyone have a knife? Maybe it’s silly, but... I’d like to mark a tree here. This may happen again, and I’d like to know if we always go to the same place.”
Ermren pulls a hammer and metal chisel from his pack and etches a rough hammer symbol on a couple of adjacent trees. After he puts them away, he pulls out a torch and lights it and holds it up for the group, "Well, at least we're all here. Anyone have any preference for a direction?"
James looks up. “Light will find its way even unto dark places. And if this is a work of some divine entity, then this isn’t something we an just get rid of. The divinity would just put it back even if we managed it. We need to atone. It sounds like this noble that took his vengeance did so in such a way as to draw ire. His story is the one we must suss out.“
Paladin - warforged - orange
The Count smiles. He seems pleased with himself for some reason.
"My people have become very resourceful when it comes to agricultural endeavors and they have been able to manage a living, though somewhat meager.' he says.
The Count pauses for a moment then says: "I will have the chef bring out some sweet bread and tea for each of you." he says. He seems to anticipate your responses and adds: "Do not scoff. I assure you it is very delightful and decadent to the taste." he says. "Now I must be off, I am a Count and have many duties to tend to. Once you are finished I will make sure you are provided with a bit of gold to make some purchases as you see fit to aid in your endeavors. I wish you all well and wait excitedly for any news you can provide. Until we meet again." With that, the Count does a slight bow and turns and walks out of the room.
Just as he does the 4 serving women return with a tray of pastries and pour a cup of tea for each of you. They say little and seemed focused on their work at hand. Once the Tea is poured they leave the room and the party to its small meager meal.
Gillain seems resigned to this being all she’ll get out of the Count at this stage. She’s dealt with people in Strahd’s position before, and they’re particularly good at being ‘very busy’ when it suited them.
She waits on her companions, for any last remarks, before thanking him: “More than generous, my Lord. We’ll be in touch as soon as we have any news”, and offers a deep curtsy and a slightly lingering look as he leaves.
She’s happy to sit and partake in the offered refreshments, while the group discuss next steps.
Does she like the refreshments check: 1
[edit] The tea is better than she’s had in a very long time, and even in some ways reminds her of her distant homeland...
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
James says between sips. “I think I’d like to go take a tour of Barovia. See what can be learned and found. However, I’m still struck by what the carriage man said: stay inside the carriage or he couldn’t promise our safety. A place shrouded in mist and darkness may attract all sorts of dangers. I know I shouldn’t, but I feel a sort of fascination with going towards the danger. We could find untouched secrets.”
”What do you all think?”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Ermren had been enjoying the food when James made his comment and gives him a sour look, "Why you'd have to say it like that, now I have to go explore this strange, cursed land. He mentioned giving us some gold, but we still need to find a place to spend it for it to do any good."
Dmitri says, "I don't recall seeing anyone on our journey here; but to be honest I barely remember much after our encounter with the Mist and our speedy carriage ride. I would like to see and speak with some of the commonfolk as well."
For all of Bob's shrewd questioning he falls in line with the others quickly enough. In fact, it was right about when the refreshments were served that he began to think this Strahd fellow wasn't so bad after all and perhaps they ought to save this cursed land. He certainly wouldn't want his hill to be to be choked off from the rest of the world with bedeviling fog, even if he was a bit of a hermit.
"I agree with James and Dmitri, this land is crying out to be explored an' saved! An' I'm sure the people could use a helping hand as well," he says with a look toward Gillain, a knowing twinkle in his eye. She was a sucker for people in need of saving and, well, so was he.
Gillain bites into another pastry, “Mmm, yes... Maybe the staff here can direct us towards town. Or perhaps the coaches are still outside? They might good enough to give us a lift in that direction... It would be good to find a place to stay before nightfall... Then when we’re settled, perhaps we can start asking around, or take a tour of the place, as you say”. She stands, as if to make a start in that direction.
She calls out to nobody, expecting staff to be waiting somewhere unseen, “Excuse me!... we are finished with tea. If you would be so kind as to show us out. Thank you”. And she begins to ready her things.
If no one appears, and when everyone is ready, she is happy to make her own way back the way they came.
((OOC: @DM, by the way, have we seen any weapons or armour on the walls or around the place? Just wondering. It’s just something Gillain would notice if it was on show.))
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
Gillain: You do not see any portraits that contain weapons.
Once Gillain calls out that you all are done the serving women appear in the doorway, enter the room and retrieve all the plates, cups, remaining pastries, and tea kettle. With a flourish they leave the room.
As the maids leave Rahadin appears in the doorway. In his hand is a sack of what sounds like coins. "My Master bid I give you these for your journey.' With that, he tosses the sack into the room landing at the foot Gillain. Rahadin has a walking staff in his other hand. He strikes the end of the staff on the floor 3 times. The sound seems to echo throughout the room and the vibrations send chills down your bodies. He turns and is gone.
At first you feel an odd warmth going through each of your bodies. It turns to an odd uneasiness. Abruptly the room begins to blur.
All but Tio stagger a bit. Tio remains motionless, unsure what her companions are feeling.
The room starts to spin and abruptly it is gone. There is nothing but blackness for all to see. (everyone)
The world comes back to focus and you find yourselves standing on a muddy wet road. Pools of water stand like black mirrors in and around the muddy roadway. Everything within your vision seems to be covered in mist and giant trees loom on both sides of the roadway, their branches clawing at the mist. the sack of coins Rahadin threw lay in the mud in front of you. Behind you, the roadway seems to disappear within the mist and trees. In the distance, you all hear the howl of a single wolf. In response, another howl can be heard. The first comes from somewhere off to your right and a great distance away. The second comes from your left and the sound is much closer, approximately 600 ft. or so.
Ermren pulls himself up and begins cleaning himself up again with his cantrip grumbling the whole time, "I remember when the law of hospitality meant something, never get away with treating guests like that back home. Maybe 'noble' means something different around here, harrumph."
As the tea and pastries were passed out Tio declined politely, lifting her hand as the tea was set. Watching her companions become drupe and staggered she tries to comfort Gillain. The room begins to spin, then sudden darkness Tio will keep her hands up in a defensive position. Ready to fight, the world coming back to focus she will lower her stance. "Hmmm, Are you all alright? Was there something in the food? Perhaps we should keep this Count at arm's length." Tio will pick up the sack of coins opening it to check its contents.
Felix Windfall(Human-V Lv.7 Rogue) killed in ToA, Vallan Houndstrider (Halfling Ghostwise Lv.1 Fighter) in DiADmitri staggers and puts his hand to his head as the world rematerializes. He looks about at the scene around them to identify any immediate threats. He inquires, "Is everyone here? Where ever here is..."
James stands and looks around.
”Anyone have a knife? Maybe it’s silly, but... I’d like to mark a tree here. This may happen again, and I’d like to know if we always go to the same place.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
Gillain begins to come round, hearing her friends’ voices one by one, distant, as if in a dream... ...
Ermren: ‘...noble means something different...’.
Dmitri: ‘...everyone here?...’.
James:‘...anyone have a knife?...’.
Tio: ‘...something in the food...’.
Then Gillain is properly present... stood in the mud... looking up into Tio’s porcelain face...
Before she can really think why, Gillain says to Tio, “How strange for this to.. happen... twice...”.
Then she hears the wolves and spins on her heels, spear and shield in her hands in a flash...
She’s not with it, this must be a dream...
She shakes her head... once, twice... and when she looks up the same wave of calm has washed over her as before. She does a slow, full, spin, staring far into the distance with a now-familiar, penetrating stare...
((in her attempts to get a handle on her surroundings, she finds herself seeing deeper than usual again with divine sense)).
((sensing celestials, fiends, and undead within 60ft that are not behind full cover, and consecrated or desecrated ground and objects))
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
Bob blinks his eyes several times before opening them wide. He stares around at his surroundings, hand still held up to his mouth like he's about to take a sip of tea. "What in blazes just happened?!"
He fumbles with his belongings, checking that everything is still there, before heaving a huge sigh. "Should've stayed in your hill, Bob Beezly."
The stillness of the all-encompassing mist was broken by the howling of wolves. Bob froze, staring wide-eyed first right into the distance and then to the left with a frightened whimper. "Th-that's close. Why the devil did that damned Strahd leave us out in the middle of this cursed fog if he wants us to stop it? Does he want us to get eaten by wolves?"
Taking a steadying breath he holds his palm open and in his other clutches his staff to his breast while he murmurs ancient words in Druidic. Flame leaps from nothingness into his hand as he casts Produce Flame. It was a mere cantrip, little more than a parlor trick, really, but the friendly flicker of the dancing flame gave him some measure of comfort.
nothing within 60 ft.
So, what does the party do?
You have woods to each side of the road. Thick Mist behind you and an open road ahead of you.
Also, please submit a marching order.
Gillain looks around the group and is coming back to her senses a little. She says, “wolves to the left and right... mist and trees behind... I say we move, onwards down the road! Is anyone hurt?? Come on!”.
((OOC: Unless anyone objects, she will attempt to lead them all ‘forward’, along the road (if I have the geography of the scene right in my head).))
Gillain will keep near the front and keep an eye on what is ahead - Perception: 14 (passive: 14).
She has her shield and spear at the ready.
GILLAIN OF ATHKATLA - Human Paladin - Into the Mists PHILLIP THE GRUNG - Grung Eldritch Knight - Tomb of Annihilation
ROBWIN WINDROBE - High Elf Wizard - Dragon of Icespire Peak EVE DARKSHORE - Tiefling Warlock - Rime of the Frost Maiden
ASH OF THE FIRE - Tabaxi Rogue - Ghosts of Marshswamp LIA STARBORN - Aasimar Bard - Out of the Abyss
"Onwards, then! I'll light the way!" With what might mistakenly considered to be courage Bob heads to the front of the group behind Gillain, which of course means they'll all have to walk just as slowly as him. He casts an uneasy gaze back down the path and at the surrounding mists before holding the flame in his palm aloft while striding ahead.
(Bob will go second.)
Ermren pulls a hammer and metal chisel from his pack and etches a rough hammer symbol on a couple of adjacent trees. After he puts them away, he pulls out a torch and lights it and holds it up for the group, "Well, at least we're all here. Anyone have any preference for a direction?"
(Ermren will be in the back)