"Hmm I could figure out what it is, but the spell component I need for the spell is currently out of price range, Maybe we can figure it out a bit later. Well let's head out, we shouldn't be to far from Vallaki," says Dormark looking around as he heads down the road.

Late Evening - Day 4 - Progressing to Vallaki

The evening starts drawing in as the party continue down the Old Svalich Road towards Vallaki, their senses on heightened alert.  As the journey continues there is an awkward silence as the group march on.

Less than half a mile later the silence is disrupted by a harsh, male voice emanating from the road in front.  "Bloody 'orse!  What am I gonna do now?!" this is followed by a number of indistinguishable curse words, "I'll never get to Vallaki by nightfall!"

In the distance the silhouette of a figure can be made out in the dying light; their back currently to the party, an orange cloak is pulled up over it's head.  There appears to be a number of obscured objects near the figure's feet.

(Galqarin perception: 10 - guess he see's things exactly as described!)

Ioben slowed as he heard the voice ahead of them. The man was right in the middle of the road, so they would have to interact with him, or go out of the way, through the woods, to avoid being seen. Normally this would have been a great opportunity to get to know some of the locals, find out about the nearest tavern and learn if there were any local law enforcement around that he should be aware of, but Ioben was still on edge from the confrontation with the druid in the woods. He couldn't tell who, or what, he could trust here. 

Quietly, Ioben slipped off the side of the road, hoping to avoid detection. As he did so, he tried to determine what the situation was and see what was on the ground around his feet.

Perception: 8
Stealth: 12

Galqarin's Perception check:

Ioben's Perception check:

"Not trust him", utters Galqarin softly, hoping the dwarf will show more caution.

Recognizing the merchant from the Vistani camp, Ioben relaxes immediately. Stepping out, back onto the road, he calls out to the man ahead of them. "Ho, there merchant. We meet again." Ioben strides forward with arms spread wide. "You look like you could use our help."

Valerie relaxes her shield a bit when she sees that Ioben appears to recognize the man. Though she is still on her guard to the surrounding.

Dormark makes his way up the road finding Galqarin and Baern stopped in the middle of it. “What’s up you two? You see something else,” he asks.

Radu turns suddenly, red-faced, and takes in the party.  He smiles, "Looks like me fortunes jus' picked up.  Well met!  You are the group which just visited the Vistani camp at Tser Pool, are you not?"  He looks downtrodden as he waves his hand over his dead horse, "Got attacked, on me way to Vallaki... Bloody dire wolves.  Can normally deal with them..."  He points to the carcass of the dead wolf, "As you can see."

"Unfortunately, this time they managed to get Old Hooky, me horse."  The dead horse is partially obscured by a blanket which has been placed over it.  "Truth be told, I thought I were dead out 'ere on me own at night."  He shakes his head before continuing, as much to himself as to anyone, "Got waylaid, you see.  Dropped off a number of goods at the Old Windmill South of 'ere...  Anyway, enough of that, you're all 'ere now."

"Reckon you could 'elp at all?  I'd be mighty grateful." Radu looks at Ioben and the others pleadingly.

((Reminder of Radu's appearance))

Ireena steps forward and shows her face, speaking formally she addresses the merchant, "Good evening Radu Radovich.  Fancy seeing you all the way out here."  She smirks.  "Oh, uh, well met Lady Ireena." Radu says, bowing with a flourish.  "Glad to be uhhh.." he casts a sideways glance as Ismark, too, reveals his face, "... making your acquaintances."

"You kill dire wolves regularly?" asks a confused Baern.

Radu smirks, "Mos' of the time they don't go disturbin' travellers along the road.  Tha' said, I know how ta handle meself - scare 'em off an' the like.  Jus' this time they managed ta take a chunk outta Old Hooky there."  His face looks down forlornly at the recently deceased horse.

"I'm sorry for your horse.  I can help with your other belongings."  Baern does look to the others for any concern regarding this individual, as he did not have any direct contact with him back at the Vistani camp.  "Do you know whoever lives at the windmill?  We, ah, didn't want to bother anyone there."

Galqarin stands sullenly to one side, his posture aloof. It is clear that he trusts this merchant scarcely more than the wild druid.

As they talk, Ioben starts to gather the scattered belongings. “Sorry to be blunt, but as great as Old Hokey was it is probably best that e don’t hang around a dead horse, especially if there are things like dire wolves on the area. We don’t know what will be attracted to it. We should probably move quite quickly.”

Quote from Sixfoot10 >>

Ioben gives the shield to Sandu. "Do you want to hold on to this until you can take a closer look at it?"

'Uhm, sure but,' Sandu replied when Ioben placed the shield in his hands, 'I don't know how to-'

That was all he could say as he noticed Ioben had already turned around. Sandu looked down at the shield. It was heavy. He tried to hold it in one hand but could feel his arm straining to hold it up. From all the times he had seen someone use one, he figured a shield was not that complicated: just strap it on or hold it tight and you were set to go. The weight of it certainly caught him off guard. It unbalanced him to the point that he felt he was putting more weight on the leg he had injured the day before. The wound began to sting. With a shrug Sandu slung the shield on top of his backpack. If anything it could keep the water out should it rain.

The rest of the travel Sandu followed the others in relative silence. Small talk did not seem to be all that appropriate when travelling down the Svalich road. Evening began to fall when they came across another living soul on the road. Thankfully this one did not seem to be poised to attack them. It was a fellow traveller, Vistani from the looks of it, dressed in a rather garish orange cloak. His horse had met with a terrible fate. Dire wolves the man said. Sandu could almost hear the howling in the distance when the man mentioned them.

The man, named Radu Radovich, seemed to know Ismark and Ireena. Or at least be aware enough to address them with name and title. He also mentioned something about delivering goods to the windmill they had passed on the way. That piqued Sandu's interest who leaned in to hear more of the conversation.

“Galqarin, why are opposed to this merchant? Do you know him,” asks Dormark haging back and whispering to the Bugbear.

"I not trust", says Galqarin stubbornly. "Not forget what happen at camp".

Baern - Radu nods, "Yea' it's a regular stop of mine.  Morgantha and her two daughters live there - Bella and Offalia.  Make sure I keep 'em well stocked... good clients."  He shrugs, "Always seem alright to me, it is a late hour to disturb them though."

Ioben - "Old Hooky.  I think ya might be right.  To be honest I've 'alf a mind to leave the cart 'ere and go somewhere safer.  Glad you all showed up when you did."

All - Ireena explains, with occasional interjections from Ismark, that Radu is a known merchant around the village of Barovia.  Though the conversation seems pleasant enough it is clear ((without an Insight check)) that they do not entirely trust him; Ismark is, similarly to Galqarin, very tentative and uncertain around him, whereas Ireena is a little more open.

(Doing I guided insight check I roll a ... 11 on the merchant)