// and so the trek continues //

"So, where exactly are we headed, now that we've made it into Vallaki?"

// OOC: Have we? Were those the gates to Vallaki? //

Beyond the gate is a road, leading into the mists.

"Into the mists we go..." whispers Valanthe. 

Valanthe keeps an eye out for shadows in the mists...

Perception 2

//  lol  //

Emre will cast light on her shield, and then offer the same to the others. "Just touch whatever object you have to my shield, and I will make it as bright as a torch. So that we can find each other more easily if we get separated."

"Thank you, Erme, but I prefer the light of the stars and moon."

Note: It is still daytime. So the primary light source is the sun. But the sun's light is dampened by clouds and mist.

The road continues northwest for a few hours. On the left side of the road is a foreboding dark wood. Every now and then, you hear a strange sound: a howling wolf, a cawing raven, or someone moaning, come from far off in the wood. You stop for lunch under a gnarled, twisted tree. While you are eating, a flock of ravens collect on the branches of the tree, numbering in hundreds. They watch with red eyes yet do not  interfere with your meal. After lunch, you travel along the road for a while. Ireena insists that you are nearing Vallaki. You come to a place where the road divides. The main road leads northwest, and a small footpath leads west.

Thpas follows along the west leading footpath. "Is this the right way?" He asks the others.

Remaining at the fork, Valanthe calls out, "Ireena which is the correct path? "

"Side note, it was nice of those ravens to join us for lunch, right?" 

"The northwest path leads to Vallaki!" says Ireena, shouting so you can hear her over the pounding rainfall.

Assuming you continue that northwest, you reach Vallaki by nightfall:

The old Svalich Road menders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods recede, revealing sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog presses up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber. The dirt road ends in a set of sturdy iron gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking road outside the gates are a half-dozen pikes with wolves'  heads impaled on them.

LEVEL UP!

You have successfully escorted Ireena Kolyana to the town Vallaki, reaching 4th-level! (Please advance your characters as necessary).

Note: I am sorry to say, I will not be able to post for the next three days. After that I will continue to post as normal.

//Woo hoo! //

Thpas takes a deep breath as the torrent of water streams down his face. He smiles.

Emre is using her shield as a makeshift umbrella. “Let’s get inside and find someplace dry,” she grunts, obviously not in the mood for making a joke. 

Byllemura follows Emre: "Let's find shelter. I am soaked wet."

When you reach the gate to the town, one of the figures inside the gate stares at you with a grouchy, haggard expression. "What business brings you here by nightfall?" barks the old man, "I have a reason to be suspicious of folks such as you! Half of you ain't even human!"

"We have come as Ireena of Barovia's escort," says Emre, gesturing towards Ireena in the light of her glowing shield. "Let us in please...we're tired and soaked through."

The guard looks at Ireena and says, "You're Indrovich's daughter, ain't you? Didn't know you were comin' tonight!".

"Yes" replies Ireena. "And we want to be taken to the burgomaster's mansion immediately."

"Alright, alright. I can't be to careful with them werewolves prowling about!" The guard opens the gate, allowing you to pass through.

Valanthe nods as she walks by, "Thank you, good sir. ... Are werewolves that big of a problem here?" 

"Where've you been? Werewolves have been a problem for centuries!" says the guard.

The guard leads you through the town. The buildings are taller and show more signs of life than the ones from the village of Barovia. No one is out of doors tonight, save for guards patrolling through the town. Faded ribbons hang from houses as if there had been a recent celebration. Finally, you come to a large mansion:

This mansion has walls of plastered stone that display many scars where the plaster has fallen away from age and neglect. Drapes cover every window, including a large, arched opening above the mansion's double entrance doors.

 Ireena walks towards the door, and knocks. A maid in a white dress opens the door, her and Ireena exchange a few words unheard by the rest of you, and she steps inside, the door shutting behind her. The guard says, "Shall I take you to the Blue Water Inn?"