Keeping his voice low, Petyr whispers to Ioben, "Stefan always seemed alright to me. Him and his brother, Grigori, were always exceptionally close. Since their da' well... since 'e passed." he pauses to think, "Tha' bein' said. Stefan was always the brains, Grigori the brawn... even though Grigori is the older. Couple'a folk told me tha' the brothers been meeting with folk a' all sorts'a queer hours. Not tellin' anyone where they been goin'." He shrugs,"I'mean their business is their own like. Still little odd."
Shey prods her husband in the ribs, "Don't ya be speakin' ill of tha dead now." she hisses, "... besides, 'tis not a wonder 'e kept to 'imself, given all the gossip an' idle-speak folk get upta round 'ere." Petyr shifts awkwardly on the spot.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"As I said, he seemed like a nice enough lad. But still, rumour and gossip is often grown from a grain of truth. It might be worth seeing if we can sift that grain out in such bizarre times."Ioben looked at Shey with a slight smile and tried to show that he meant no disrespect for Stefan, but this was a desperate situation. (Persuassion: 16) "Even the smallest of clues could help us find the right path."
Ioben - Shey nods at Ioben's request, "Really it's 'is brother - Grigori. 'e's the person to speak ta. All we've 'eard is tha' the family fell on 'ard times since Varus - Stefan and Grigori's father - died. Many seen tha boys comin' snoopin' abou' 'ere and there. Some folk reckon they've been causin' trouble for some of the Barovian village-folk." She looks uncomfortable as she is saying this, clearly upset about repeating the rumours. "Still can't say I've seen it wit' me own eyes. Both of 'em always been mighty courteous ta me."
Dormark - "Agreed."Ismark says in agreement with you,"Didn't want to speak up earlier but I really do think that we should get Ireena to safety." Ireena scowls at her brother. "I mean if an attack can happen here - with all due respect." Ismark says by ways of apology to Madam Eva, Shey & Petyr,"... might it not happen again? The Count seemingly has means beyond even our comprehension." Ireena speaks up,"Come now Ismark, we do not fully know what happened in Madam Eva's tent earlier. Besides, the party might have unfinished business in this place. I would not hurry them needlessly."
Sandu stared at the cards before him. His eyes glazed over the longer he observed them, his mind becoming more and more obscured by intrusive thoughts. So preoccupied he was with the images the cards conjured in his head that he did not hear Valerie's question. He did not even notice her leaving until the heavy thuds of her boots and soft jingling of her armour were barely hearable in the distance.
Sandu snapped out of his trance. 'Wait!'He shouted at Valerie and ran after her.
'What I meant to say was,'He paused to direct Valerie's attention to the cards, 'that she turned over only one card. This one.'He pointed at a card depicting a man with a skeletal visage sitting on a throne: the Darklord.
'I asked if these were all the cards because,' Sandu's eyes shifted around to make sure no Vistani were within earshot, 'she flipped over fivecopies of it.'Sandu lowered his voice to a conspiratorial level. 'And when the deck got scattered, all the cards were the same card!'
"Oh! Then that’s... strange... I..." Valerie wants to ask something more, but then she thinks Sandu just recover from trauma. She goes. "Let's go back to the others."
"Even someone who is courteous can get desperate if the situation is right. Do you think they could have helped someone get access to Madame Eva? Maybe they did not know what they intended, just that they wanted an audience." Ioben thought about the young man who had played cards with him. His roguish spirit was such that he was clearly enjoying life, but if that was a mask for pain, then there was no telling what he might have done.
Shey looks worried now, "To wha' end Ioben? Why would they lead someone to 'er? Why wish 'er ill?" she shakes her head. Petyr thinks, "Dunno ta be 'onest wit' you. Maybe Stefan gone and poked 'is 'ead in where it don't belong? Can't 'elp bu' think this is all linked some'ow."
"I am not saying that they did anything wrong, but someone in a vulnerable state can be easy to manipulate and trick into doing things they may not realise. I am just not sure if I go talk to Grigori my self, or if I pass this on to someone in the camp to follow up with."Ioben looks questioningly at Petyr.
Galqarin shifts uneasily. He can't help wondering if it is they - or perhaps even he - that has brought this ill-turn of events upon the Vistani encampment.
Ioben - Petyr visibly gulps as you ask him,"Me, speak wit' Grigori? I, uh, well..." He splutters,"'ave ya seen the size o' him? Maybe it's bes' if we leave 'im to grieve for tha time bein'?" Shey raises an eyebrow at her husband, "We could ask around the camp. Might be someone know's somethin'. Folk tend ta try an' keep ta themselves though... don't want it to look like we're accusin' anyone of anythin', y'know?"
Baern agrees with Dormark and Ismark, thinking it best to leave the Vistani to their business and get on the road before it is too late. It would certainly seem as if the party wouldn't want to be caught between here and Vallaki without shelter overnight.
Baern starts looking at Sandu and the rest of the party nodding his head sideways as if to suggest that they should leave, or at least talk privately.
Baern looks down at his short, thick legs and then frowns up at Galqarin. After a moment however the frown is replaced by a wide smile and he starts laughing. "Don't worry Galqarin, I can make it."
Galqarin looks sadly at the cheerful dwarf, "Most folk afraid of dark. They maybe right". He glances up at the sky, as if to gauge how much longer the daylight - or his diminutive new friend - will last.
“No I don’t want people around here thinking ill of you. You have been nothing but hospitable and kind. Thank you for your wisdom. I will figure out how to deal with this information.” Ioben excuses himself and heads back to the rest of the group. Once there he relays the information about Stefan and Grigori.
Hoping against better judgment that the situation had calmed down a bit, Sandu joined the rest of the group. He overheard the first mutterings of leaving the encampment and moving on to Vallaki. As much as he would prefer to stay put for the night, Sandu agreed that, with what transpired with Madam Eva and her subsequent injury, they might have overstayed their welcome. His added two copper amounted to the group leaving as quickly as possible but without showing any disrespect to their hosts.
Sandu then turned to Galqarin. 'So what's the deal with... ?' He pointed a finger at his own face and traced a circle in the air, referring to what the bugbear was wearing.
Should any of the party approach Ismark and Ireena for their thoughts on leaving the camp;
Ismarkis very keen to leave the place;"We'll be safer in Vallaki, you shall see.", "I fear for Ireena here, he brazenly attacked the camp!", "Maybe it is better we leave - the Vistani here might be placed at greater risk by our presence".
Ireenaon the other hand is very keen for the party to conclude any business they have before moving on;"Don't you worry about me.", "Weren't you going to ask Madam Eva about that old book?", "These Vistani have been a pleasant distraction, we don't have to leave now do we?"
Keeping his voice low, Petyr whispers to Ioben, "Stefan always seemed alright to me. Him and his brother, Grigori, were always exceptionally close. Since their da' well... since 'e passed." he pauses to think, "Tha' bein' said. Stefan was always the brains, Grigori the brawn... even though Grigori is the older. Couple'a folk told me tha' the brothers been meeting with folk a' all sorts'a queer hours. Not tellin' anyone where they been goin'." He shrugs, "I'mean their business is their own like. Still little odd."
Shey prods her husband in the ribs, "Don't ya be speakin' ill of tha dead now." she hisses, "... besides, 'tis not a wonder 'e kept to 'imself, given all the gossip an' idle-speak folk get upta round 'ere." Petyr shifts awkwardly on the spot.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
"As I said, he seemed like a nice enough lad. But still, rumour and gossip is often grown from a grain of truth. It might be worth seeing if we can sift that grain out in such bizarre times." Ioben looked at Shey with a slight smile and tried to show that he meant no disrespect for Stefan, but this was a desperate situation. (Persuassion: 16) "Even the smallest of clues could help us find the right path."
Dormark looks to the others and says, “We should head to Vallki soon. We cause enough trouble for these people as it is.”
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Ioben - Shey nods at Ioben's request, "Really it's 'is brother - Grigori. 'e's the person to speak ta. All we've 'eard is tha' the family fell on 'ard times since Varus - Stefan and Grigori's father - died. Many seen tha boys comin' snoopin' abou' 'ere and there. Some folk reckon they've been causin' trouble for some of the Barovian village-folk." She looks uncomfortable as she is saying this, clearly upset about repeating the rumours. "Still can't say I've seen it wit' me own eyes. Both of 'em always been mighty courteous ta me."
Dormark - "Agreed." Ismark says in agreement with you, "Didn't want to speak up earlier but I really do think that we should get Ireena to safety." Ireena scowls at her brother. "I mean if an attack can happen here - with all due respect." Ismark says by ways of apology to Madam Eva, Shey & Petyr, "... might it not happen again? The Count seemingly has means beyond even our comprehension." Ireena speaks up, "Come now Ismark, we do not fully know what happened in Madam Eva's tent earlier. Besides, the party might have unfinished business in this place. I would not hurry them needlessly."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
"You don’t see the card?" Valerie stands up then heads back to the camp and searches for the card.
Investigation 14
Sandu stared at the cards before him. His eyes glazed over the longer he observed them, his mind becoming more and more obscured by intrusive thoughts. So preoccupied he was with the images the cards conjured in his head that he did not hear Valerie's question. He did not even notice her leaving until the heavy thuds of her boots and soft jingling of her armour were barely hearable in the distance.
Sandu snapped out of his trance. 'Wait!' He shouted at Valerie and ran after her.
'What I meant to say was,' He paused to direct Valerie's attention to the cards, 'that she turned over only one card. This one.' He pointed at a card depicting a man with a skeletal visage sitting on a throne: the Darklord.
'I asked if these were all the cards because,' Sandu's eyes shifted around to make sure no Vistani were within earshot, 'she flipped over five copies of it.' Sandu lowered his voice to a conspiratorial level. 'And when the deck got scattered, all the cards were the same card!'
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
"Oh! Then that’s... strange... I..." Valerie wants to ask something more, but then she thinks Sandu just recover from trauma. She goes. "Let's go back to the others."
"Even someone who is courteous can get desperate if the situation is right. Do you think they could have helped someone get access to Madame Eva? Maybe they did not know what they intended, just that they wanted an audience." Ioben thought about the young man who had played cards with him. His roguish spirit was such that he was clearly enjoying life, but if that was a mask for pain, then there was no telling what he might have done.
Shey looks worried now, "To wha' end Ioben? Why would they lead someone to 'er? Why wish 'er ill?" she shakes her head. Petyr thinks, "Dunno ta be 'onest wit' you. Maybe Stefan gone and poked 'is 'ead in where it don't belong? Can't 'elp bu' think this is all linked some'ow."
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
"I am not saying that they did anything wrong, but someone in a vulnerable state can be easy to manipulate and trick into doing things they may not realise. I am just not sure if I go talk to Grigori my self, or if I pass this on to someone in the camp to follow up with." Ioben looks questioningly at Petyr.
“Bad omen to be sure, but what does it mean,” Dormark says following Valerie and picking up the chest.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Galqarin shifts uneasily. He can't help wondering if it is they - or perhaps even he - that has brought this ill-turn of events upon the Vistani encampment.
Ioben - Petyr visibly gulps as you ask him, "Me, speak wit' Grigori? I, uh, well..." He splutters, "'ave ya seen the size o' him? Maybe it's bes' if we leave 'im to grieve for tha time bein'?" Shey raises an eyebrow at her husband, "We could ask around the camp. Might be someone know's somethin'. Folk tend ta try an' keep ta themselves though... don't want it to look like we're accusin' anyone of anythin', y'know?"
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Baern agrees with Dormark and Ismark, thinking it best to leave the Vistani to their business and get on the road before it is too late. It would certainly seem as if the party wouldn't want to be caught between here and Vallaki without shelter overnight.
Baern starts looking at Sandu and the rest of the party nodding his head sideways as if to suggest that they should leave, or at least talk privately.
Picking up on the mood, Galqarin bends down to whisper to the dwarf, "More'n a day afoot to Vallaki."
Contemplating their relative stature he adds, "that with long legs".
Baern looks down at his short, thick legs and then frowns up at Galqarin. After a moment however the frown is replaced by a wide smile and he starts laughing. "Don't worry Galqarin, I can make it."
Galqarin looks sadly at the cheerful dwarf, "Most folk afraid of dark. They maybe right". He glances up at the sky, as if to gauge how much longer the daylight - or his diminutive new friend - will last.
“No I don’t want people around here thinking ill of you. You have been nothing but hospitable and kind. Thank you for your wisdom. I will figure out how to deal with this information.” Ioben excuses himself and heads back to the rest of the group. Once there he relays the information about Stefan and Grigori.
Hoping against better judgment that the situation had calmed down a bit, Sandu joined the rest of the group. He overheard the first mutterings of leaving the encampment and moving on to Vallaki. As much as he would prefer to stay put for the night, Sandu agreed that, with what transpired with Madam Eva and her subsequent injury, they might have overstayed their welcome. His added two copper amounted to the group leaving as quickly as possible but without showing any disrespect to their hosts.
Sandu then turned to Galqarin. 'So what's the deal with... ?' He pointed a finger at his own face and traced a circle in the air, referring to what the bugbear was wearing.
William Brackwater: Human Fighter - The Windward Isles
Tyrgram, the Butterfly Knight: Dwarf Warlock - Secret of Greenwold
Iòlinder Corrach: Half Elf War Cleric - Allansia Adventure
Valerius Sergius Publius: Dhampir Paladin - Vae Victus
Should any of the party approach Ismark and Ireena for their thoughts on leaving the camp;
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)