Struggling against the Blight's viny grip, Galqarin manages to swing out with his staff. The creature seems transfixed on the blackened staff as the bugbear brings it to bear against the druid. Unfortunately, the first swing is not clean and finds only air. However, the second staff attack cracks into the druid, splitting open her head. Blood streaks from the wound and her eyes roll back into her head before she slumps over, dead.
The grip on Galqarin's arm slackens as the mass of vines and foliage that constitute the blight cease to have shape. Unlike the previous combat, the druid's gulthias staff splits and breaks along its shaft, fracturing into splinters.
All - It would appear that the immediate threat to the winery has been ended ((combat has ended)). Outside the light is beginning to fade as evening sets in. Though the druids might have been dispatched, their handiwork yet remains; much of the winery has been desecrated and the stock destroyed.
A dull thud of a body hitting the floor signaled a marked change in the fight. It prompted Sandu to carefully shuffle forward to see what transpired. Galqarin stood over the fractured body of the druid, her skull spit open and dripping blood. For a moment the bugbear looked like the one from all of the horrific tales he knew them from: animalistic with blood and gore dripping from dirty claws and a fresh kill at their feet, deciding on whether to eat it or kill more. The moment transpired and Galqarin looked like he was: a little bit unsettling but ultimately on Sandu's side. He silently was glad for it.
Sandu's eyes drifted to the body on the floor. Good riddance. Sandu thought. He held no love for the druids in his heart after all that had happened. Least of all the loss of his animated armour. Not to mention the weakness that began to spread throughout his body. He just hoped this was the last of them and that the Martikovs could return back to their home. Speaking of.
'I'm going to do a quick check of the rest of the rooms.'Sandu told the others. He had not forgotten the raven totem in the basement and did not want to leave anything to chance. 'Then we should tell the Martikovs what went down here and get out.'He shivered for a spell. 'This place is giving me the creeps.'
As the party elect to explore the rest of the Winery to ensure that no evil yet lurks within, they discover that the damage wrought by the druids was not contained to the vats or cellar. Moving from room to room they find similar wicked-looking runes decorating the walls. It does not take a trained cleric to understand that the place has been desecrated and rituals offered to some foul god.
Sleeping Quarters
In the first set of sleeping quarters lie two pairs of bunk beds: their sheets torn and fouled, the pillows sliced open. A strange rocking horse sits in the corner, it is black with wild eyes and has painted orange flames where its mane, tail, and hooves should be. Carved into the wooden nightmare is the name“Beucephalus” and, in smaller lettering, the slogan “Is No Fun, Is No Blinsky!”. Otherwise, four identical footlockers are resting against the west wall; their lids are wide open and children's clothing is strewn everywhere.
The second set of sleep quarters tells a similar story, except that it is clear that this room belonged to adults. A strong smell of rotting permeates the room as it appears that several dead ravens have been crammed into the northmost footlocker.
Kitchen and Dining Room
Midway across the width of the house lies the combined kitchen and dining room. This room contains a rectangular table surrounded by eight chairs, an L-shaped cupboard, and a floor-to-ceiling closet pantry. Next to the pantry is a small iron stove. Though the pantry is filled from top to bottom with cooking ingredients, it is clear that these have been spoiled. Splayed on the dining room table is a twisted and disembowelled dire rat, many of its organs now decorate glass containers and its heart now sits on a wooden tray. As with the previous rooms, the stench is stomach-churning.
Master Bedroom
Continuing to the east of the kitchen/diner is the Winery's master bedroom. This room contains a four-poster bed, its headboard is carved in the likeness of a giant raven. A soft black bear rug covers the floor between the bed and the door; it is now matted with filth and grime. In the corners of the south wall stand two slender wardrobes with a torn tapestry of a church hanging on the wall between them. Beneath the tapestry sits a handsomely carved rocking cradle. To the north, under a window, is a plain desk and chair. Other furnishings include a wooden chest and a cracked, freestanding mirror in a wooden frame.
Loading Winch
Finally, the easternmost room has a wooden floor with a ten-foot-square hole cut into the middle of it. Looming over the hole is a wooden winch. Dangling from the winch is a strange construct made of twigs, branches, mud, and rope, it is in the shape of a giant, winged human. It is plain to see that much of the wood used for the construct is from a similar tree to that of the staff Galqarin currently wields; which is to say blackened and from the Gulthias tree. There is a cavity in the centre of the construct's chest and a single scrap of parchment lies within.
Though it appears that the menace of the druids has been dealt with, much of their handiwork yet remains. It might well be some time until the Winery is operational once again.
Galqarin's eyes light up when he reads the toymaker's inscription on the rocking horse. "Blinsky!", he exclaims happily as he carefully sits astride the flame-footed quadraped.
After a few minutes of gentle rocking, he eventually moves along, giving the other rooms cursory inspection before ending up at the hole. "There is something there - it might be a message", he calls out, stretching down to try to grasp the scrap of parchment.
Galqarin - You reach into the cavity and withdraw the old scrap of parchment. The material itself looks old to the point that you wonder how it has survived throughout the years. When you open it, the following is written in a hand that is clearly not the druids';
Even when broken, I do not stop, If I am touched, I am snared, Through absence, I grow stronger, When slowed, I become faint, Yet, when quickened, death follows...
Look inside yourself and provide what I require.
Do this and I shall be yours for all time.
You are able to tell that the parchment has been torn and the first segment is missing.
Dormark - Punctuating your point, several ravens fly in through the windows to the north and east. They number four in total and proceed to perch themselves along the window frames. One of the ravens in particular appears to be advanced in years and, you could swear, hops with a limp of sorts.
Dallid looks over Galqarin's shoulder at the note and smiles. "I love this sort of thing. A heart, of course. See? It's even where the note was kept. Although I admit, I'm not sure what it means when it says 'provide what I require.' Could be many things. Needs narrowed down. Love? Too intangible. This surely is a thing. A hug? A kiss? A heart? A breath?"
Sandu moved quickly through the rest of the winery, poking his head in and out any remaining room for anything interesting though most of it just made him sick to his stomach. He was about to call it quits when Galqarin brought something interesting to their attention.
Dallid looks over Galqarin's shoulder at the note and smiles. "I love this sort of thing. A heart, of course. See? It's even where the note was kept. Although I admit, I'm not sure what it means when it says 'provide what I require.' Could be many things. Needs narrowed down. Love? Too intangible. This surely is a thing. A hug? A kiss? A heart? A breath?"
Sandu read along with Dallid. He pondered the note but it was only when Dallid threw out suggestions that it clicked.
'It's the heart.' Sandu replied. 'A broken heart does not stop beating. If someone touches your heart, you're ensnared by them. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, makes the longing stronger. A slowed heartbeat is a faint one and too quick a heartbeat can strike a man down.'
He had placed his own hand over his chest where his heart beat. The sharp contours of the raven amulet pressed into his hand.
'Don't know about the last lines.'Sandu shrugged. 'I hope it's not suggesting we put an actual heart into that thing.' He nodded at the construct.
Looking towards the ravens Dormark says, "We cleaned out the druids, It look like they poisoned the wine, and were looking for something in the house. You're going to need a priest to clean out this place. We need to hurry back to town. However please remember we are friends to the ravens of Barvioa and we need their help in these lands."
He gathers the rest of the party and starts heading towards the door.
Sandu - A sharp pang of fear hits you as you realise that a heart is precisely what the construct requires; though whether it is asking for your own heart or a suitable alternative remains unknown. Your mind wanders back to the splayed dire rat you saw on the dining room table -- would this suffice? If so, what is the intent of the construct should it be reanimated?
Dormark - The ravens fly down from their perch to the floor next to you. Their forms appear to shimmer and grow, slowly morphing into the Martikovs you met outside, Davian steps forward. "Bleedin' 'eck,"he declares, awestruck by the efficiency of the party. "All o' 'em? Mornin' Lor' bless y'!" Tears of appreciation come to the old man's eyes. "Ain't sure 'ow y' managed it but mus' say tha' y' done a good deed 'ere today." He steps forward and awkwardly attempts to shake you by the hand.
Galqarin - Davian does a double take as he glares at the staff you carry. "Careful o' tha', frien',"he warns, "such a dark ma'erial, such evil. Ain't no item like tha' wha' were inten'ed f' good, mark me words."
All - At the mention of the poisoned wine and the druids' search for an item, Davian's face darkens. "'ow so few coul' wreak so much damage," he shakes his head. "We'll 'ave t' all th' wine destroyed, don' worry. Though, tha' does mean no deliveries... Krezk will 'ave t' make do with wha' they 'ave, I'm afraid."
Steffania steps forward, her face forlorn. "Father, you'd best tell 'em," she prompts. "No one is going to be getting any wine for the foreseeable future, those were the last of our stocks and given we can't..."
"Staffania!"Davian interrupts his daughter before sighing heavily. "Aye, 'tis true. This ain't the firs' time th' likes of those druids 'ave come callin'. They've already taken i'ems worth more to us than anythin' other in th' world..." Davian cast his eyes out the window, surveying the darkness.
"Three they numbered. Three gems o' grea' power, the se'ret to the winery. Plant'd in th' vineyards, they made th' vines grow in spite o' th' mist an' darkness."
"One were los' to us mus' a'been 10 year ago... faul' o' my son, Unwin,"he says with a note of disdain in his voice. "It were responsible f'r growin' th' plants what grew th' grapes we used in our mos' prized wine, the Champagne du le Stomp."
"Another were taken by th' wench, Baba Lysaga."
"We don't know she took it, for sure,"Steffania adds.
Davian frowns."Nonsense,"he says, "it were 'er an' 'er sort. Dug it up an' stole it. It were used t' produce the vines tha', when 'arvested, produced our Red Dragon Crush. Tha's why y' don' see many bottles o' the stuff anymore."
"An' tha' brings me t' th' final gem, wha' grew the grapes used in our Purple Grapemash No. 3,"he explains. "'bout 5 days ago, those bleedin' druids nabbed it an' ferreted i' away t' Yes'er 'ill!"
"So, as yer see -- no gems, no wine. Which does 'owever beg the ques'ion of wha' they was lookin' for..." Davian mutters before the Martikovs share a look. Drawing himself upright on his staff, Davian barks orders to his two sons -- "Adrian! Elvir! Make sure i' ain't been touched. 'ow could they know?"
He swings back around to face the party. "Ain't nothin' t' worry 'bout,"he says nervously. "As I were sayin', only way tha' we could star' producin' wine again is if we ge' one o' those gems back. Bu' yer was sayin' y' 'ad some place t' be? Well off y' go an' good luck wit'..."
"Father," Steffania says pointedly. "They just helped us get our home back and you would send them on their way empty-handed?"
Davian mumbles something unintelligible and shrugs. Steffania rushes off and returns moments later with a pouch containing five gemstones. "Please," she says, "take this. It isn't much but might help you on your journeys."
((You would assess the five gemstones to each have a value of 50gp))
"Bowing his head Dormark takes the gems and says, "Bless you all. And I know about Galarin's staff. I 'll take the time to fix it. But if we do spot any unusual gems in our travel we will let you know. We are trying to stand against the evil forces that tarnish Barovia, including the devil in the castle. We were told we could make friends in this place. Seems those words are correct. Sadly, we must hurry because one of our friends needs us. Contact us if you ever need help again"
Sandu shuddered. He did not want to know anything more about the construct yet some small part of his had a morbid curiosity to investigate further. It disgusted him. His vile fascinations with the horrifying scarecrow-eqsue mannequin was only interrupted by the sudden appereance of the Martikovs in their midst. That proved his wereraven theory at least. He had several questions though.
'Have you been watching us?'Sandu asked. He recalled the occasions when a blue-tipped raven had shown a keen interest in their group's doings and glanced at the family members to see if any were wearing something of blue colouring. 'Madam Eva did tell us to seek out the leader of the feathered ones.'
His next question was already asked by Dallid regarding the thing in the basement. It left Sandu with a moment to organise his thoughts.
'Urwin? The owner of Vallaki's Blue Water Inn?' Sandu connected the dots. What his familiars had seen, the flock of ravens perched in the rafters, it all made sense now. He, and most likely his entire family, were wereravens as well. The reflection did come with a burden he needed to share.
'There was an attack on Vallaki.'Sandu's face became sombre and his tone solemn. 'Danika Martikov, your daughter-in-law, is dead. I'm sorry.'
He turned his head as to not stare at the Martikov family. For what it was worth, Sandu truly felt sorry for them. Danika was a good person, mother and wife. She should not have died.
Dallid - Davian glances at Steffania before sighing heavily. "Foun' tha' did y'?" he asks rhetorically. The old man sighs once more. "I reckon' s'what they were after. The moul' were placed there, many moons ago. Th' process t' become,"he beckons to his family, "like us, is long an' arduous. Th' totem y' foun' is wha' can be used t' grant a person th' abili'y t' transform int'a wereraven. Y' realise why such-a relic is importan' t' us, withou' it th' Keepers of the Feather woul' cease t' exist, endin' wit' us."
Galqarin - The feelings of spite and stubbornness take root within you. Besides, the staff is yours now by rights. Can an inanimate object even be evil? Surely, in your hands, it would become a force for good... Your precious.
Dormark - Steffania looks up at your hulking frame. "Thank you, friend,"she says politely. "You have already shown us great kindness. Know that as you move through the lands of Barovia there are those that stand -- or rather fly -- beside you. Should you ever require our aid, we can be contacted through ravens. Have a care though, not all birds are allies -- some are his."
Sandu - Davian smiles. "Your party has not escaped our at'ention. Madam Eva tol' y' t' seek us ou', did she?"he says with a nod. "Makes sense. Though our num'er is limi'ed, we 'ave been known t' 'elp those in need aroun' Barovia."
At the mention of Urwin's name, Davian's face darkens a little and he looks away. "Thats correct," Steffania says with a smile, "he's my brother." However, the smile is short-lived, at the mention of Danika's death tears begin to stream down Steffania's face -- you note that Davian is now looking directly at you, his face wracked with concern. "No..!"he says, hoarsely. "No' Danika... Wha' of my gran'sons? Brom an' Bray?" He grabs desperately at your sleeve. "I mus' go. I need t' be there." Davian face is downcast but you can see that he is struggling to keep his emotions in check.
"Steffania,"Davian says to his daughter. "Y' mus' try an' restore the winery -- Adrian, Elvir, an' Dag'll stay an' 'elp." He coughs uncomfortably. "I mus' go t' Vallaki. Urwin an' th' boys need me." Steffania nods, knowing that her father's mind was made.
Through her tears, she whispers, "not Danika. Gods."
Davian's form shimmers once more as he turns from man to wereraven in front of you. Once transformed, he takes flight and leaves through the nearest window.
"I... thank you... for the news,"Steffania says. "My father and brother have a strained relationship, but they care deeply for each other. Urwin is the oldest. Should anything happen to my father... well, things would fall to him."
Moments later Adrian and Elvir return with news of the totem. Steffania instructs them to get Dag and the children. Once all are assembled she informs them of Danika's fate and Davian's decision to return to Vallaki.
"Could your... Totem. Process. Could it fix my friend? He's been changed from a human into this. If your process turns people into shape shifters, maybe it can help him?"
Dallid - Steffania looks uncertainly at Ferelyon. "The process of becoming a wereraven takes over a year," she says, eyebrow raised. "If, as you say, he was initially a human, it might work. However, he would need to stay with us. Besides, it takes meditation... do you know whether the change altered your friend's mind?" There is a pang of sympathy in her voice as she asks the question.
Looking calmly at the fallen druid Galqarin says quietly, "Time to let go", before shoving the blight away and swinging his staff.
Shove vs blight: Athletics 12
Gulthias staff: 10 (including 1 for Bless), 8 damage
Unarmed strike: 12 (including 3 for Bless), 7 damage
Printing Press Punch-up - Round #1 - Galqarin's Turn
Galqarin's Turn
Struggling against the Blight's viny grip, Galqarin manages to swing out with his staff. The creature seems transfixed on the blackened staff as the bugbear brings it to bear against the druid. Unfortunately, the first swing is not clean and finds only air. However, the second staff attack cracks into the druid, splitting open her head. Blood streaks from the wound and her eyes roll back into her head before she slumps over, dead.
The grip on Galqarin's arm slackens as the mass of vines and foliage that constitute the blight cease to have shape. Unlike the previous combat, the druid's gulthias staff splits and breaks along its shaft, fracturing into splinters.
All - It would appear that the immediate threat to the winery has been ended ((combat has ended)). Outside the light is beginning to fade as evening sets in. Though the druids might have been dispatched, their handiwork yet remains; much of the winery has been desecrated and the stock destroyed.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
A dull thud of a body hitting the floor signaled a marked change in the fight. It prompted Sandu to carefully shuffle forward to see what transpired. Galqarin stood over the fractured body of the druid, her skull spit open and dripping blood. For a moment the bugbear looked like the one from all of the horrific tales he knew them from: animalistic with blood and gore dripping from dirty claws and a fresh kill at their feet, deciding on whether to eat it or kill more. The moment transpired and Galqarin looked like he was: a little bit unsettling but ultimately on Sandu's side. He silently was glad for it.
Sandu's eyes drifted to the body on the floor. Good riddance. Sandu thought. He held no love for the druids in his heart after all that had happened. Least of all the loss of his animated armour. Not to mention the weakness that began to spread throughout his body. He just hoped this was the last of them and that the Martikovs could return back to their home. Speaking of.
'I'm going to do a quick check of the rest of the rooms.' Sandu told the others. He had not forgotten the raven totem in the basement and did not want to leave anything to chance. 'Then we should tell the Martikovs what went down here and get out.' He shivered for a spell. 'This place is giving me the creeps.'
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
Dallid will follow Sandu around the house to help.
Paladin - warforged - orange
Early Evening - Day 8 - Tour of the Winery
As the party elect to explore the rest of the Winery to ensure that no evil yet lurks within, they discover that the damage wrought by the druids was not contained to the vats or cellar. Moving from room to room they find similar wicked-looking runes decorating the walls. It does not take a trained cleric to understand that the place has been desecrated and rituals offered to some foul god.
Sleeping Quarters
In the first set of sleeping quarters lie two pairs of bunk beds: their sheets torn and fouled, the pillows sliced open. A strange rocking horse sits in the corner, it is black with wild eyes and has painted orange flames where its mane, tail, and hooves should be. Carved into the wooden nightmare is the name“Beucephalus” and, in smaller lettering, the slogan “Is No Fun, Is No Blinsky!”. Otherwise, four identical footlockers are resting against the west wall; their lids are wide open and children's clothing is strewn everywhere.
The second set of sleep quarters tells a similar story, except that it is clear that this room belonged to adults. A strong smell of rotting permeates the room as it appears that several dead ravens have been crammed into the northmost footlocker.
Kitchen and Dining Room
Midway across the width of the house lies the combined kitchen and dining room. This room contains a rectangular table surrounded by eight chairs, an L-shaped cupboard, and a floor-to-ceiling closet pantry. Next to the pantry is a small iron stove. Though the pantry is filled from top to bottom with cooking ingredients, it is clear that these have been spoiled. Splayed on the dining room table is a twisted and disembowelled dire rat, many of its organs now decorate glass containers and its heart now sits on a wooden tray. As with the previous rooms, the stench is stomach-churning.
Master Bedroom
Continuing to the east of the kitchen/diner is the Winery's master bedroom. This room contains a four-poster bed, its headboard is carved in the likeness of a giant raven. A soft black bear rug covers the floor between the bed and the door; it is now matted with filth and grime. In the corners of the south wall stand two slender wardrobes with a torn tapestry of a church hanging on the wall between them. Beneath the tapestry sits a handsomely carved rocking cradle. To the north, under a window, is a plain desk and chair. Other furnishings include a wooden chest and a cracked, freestanding mirror in a wooden frame.
Loading Winch
Finally, the easternmost room has a wooden floor with a ten-foot-square hole cut into the middle of it. Looming over the hole is a wooden winch. Dangling from the winch is a strange construct made of twigs, branches, mud, and rope, it is in the shape of a giant, winged human. It is plain to see that much of the wood used for the construct is from a similar tree to that of the staff Galqarin currently wields; which is to say blackened and from the Gulthias tree. There is a cavity in the centre of the construct's chest and a single scrap of parchment lies within.
Though it appears that the menace of the druids has been dealt with, much of their handiwork yet remains. It might well be some time until the Winery is operational once again.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Galqarin's eyes light up when he reads the toymaker's inscription on the rocking horse. "Blinsky!", he exclaims happily as he carefully sits astride the flame-footed quadraped.
After a few minutes of gentle rocking, he eventually moves along, giving the other rooms cursory inspection before ending up at the hole. "There is something there - it might be a message", he calls out, stretching down to try to grasp the scrap of parchment.
“We should hurry back, we need to info the winemakers of what happened and make our way back to help Ioben,” says Dormark.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Galqarin - You reach into the cavity and withdraw the old scrap of parchment. The material itself looks old to the point that you wonder how it has survived throughout the years. When you open it, the following is written in a hand that is clearly not the druids';
You are able to tell that the parchment has been torn and the first segment is missing.
Dormark - Punctuating your point, several ravens fly in through the windows to the north and east. They number four in total and proceed to perch themselves along the window frames. One of the ravens in particular appears to be advanced in years and, you could swear, hops with a limp of sorts.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Dallid looks over Galqarin's shoulder at the note and smiles. "I love this sort of thing. A heart, of course. See? It's even where the note was kept. Although I admit, I'm not sure what it means when it says 'provide what I require.' Could be many things. Needs narrowed down. Love? Too intangible. This surely is a thing. A hug? A kiss? A heart? A breath?"
Paladin - warforged - orange
Galqarin mutely hands the note to Dallid. It makes little sense to him, and he is amazed how Dallid has figured out the riddle.
Sandu moved quickly through the rest of the winery, poking his head in and out any remaining room for anything interesting though most of it just made him sick to his stomach. He was about to call it quits when Galqarin brought something interesting to their attention.
Sandu read along with Dallid. He pondered the note but it was only when Dallid threw out suggestions that it clicked.
'It's the heart.' Sandu replied. 'A broken heart does not stop beating. If someone touches your heart, you're ensnared by them. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, makes the longing stronger. A slowed heartbeat is a faint one and too quick a heartbeat can strike a man down.'
He had placed his own hand over his chest where his heart beat. The sharp contours of the raven amulet pressed into his hand.
'Don't know about the last lines.' Sandu shrugged. 'I hope it's not suggesting we put an actual heart into that thing.' He nodded at the construct.
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
Looking towards the ravens Dormark says, "We cleaned out the druids, It look like they poisoned the wine, and were looking for something in the house. You're going to need a priest to clean out this place. We need to hurry back to town. However please remember we are friends to the ravens of Barvioa and we need their help in these lands."
He gathers the rest of the party and starts heading towards the door.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Sandu - A sharp pang of fear hits you as you realise that a heart is precisely what the construct requires; though whether it is asking for your own heart or a suitable alternative remains unknown. Your mind wanders back to the splayed dire rat you saw on the dining room table -- would this suffice? If so, what is the intent of the construct should it be reanimated?
Dormark - The ravens fly down from their perch to the floor next to you. Their forms appear to shimmer and grow, slowly morphing into the Martikovs you met outside, Davian steps forward. "Bleedin' 'eck," he declares, awestruck by the efficiency of the party. "All o' 'em? Mornin' Lor' bless y'!" Tears of appreciation come to the old man's eyes. "Ain't sure 'ow y' managed it but mus' say tha' y' done a good deed 'ere today." He steps forward and awkwardly attempts to shake you by the hand.
Galqarin - Davian does a double take as he glares at the staff you carry. "Careful o' tha', frien'," he warns, "such a dark ma'erial, such evil. Ain't no item like tha' wha' were inten'ed f' good, mark me words."
All - At the mention of the poisoned wine and the druids' search for an item, Davian's face darkens. "'ow so few coul' wreak so much damage," he shakes his head. "We'll 'ave t' all th' wine destroyed, don' worry. Though, tha' does mean no deliveries... Krezk will 'ave t' make do with wha' they 'ave, I'm afraid."
Steffania steps forward, her face forlorn. "Father, you'd best tell 'em," she prompts. "No one is going to be getting any wine for the foreseeable future, those were the last of our stocks and given we can't..."
"Staffania!" Davian interrupts his daughter before sighing heavily. "Aye, 'tis true. This ain't the firs' time th' likes of those druids 'ave come callin'. They've already taken i'ems worth more to us than anythin' other in th' world..." Davian cast his eyes out the window, surveying the darkness.
"Three they numbered. Three gems o' grea' power, the se'ret to the winery. Plant'd in th' vineyards, they made th' vines grow in spite o' th' mist an' darkness."
"One were los' to us mus' a'been 10 year ago... faul' o' my son, Unwin," he says with a note of disdain in his voice. "It were responsible f'r growin' th' plants what grew th' grapes we used in our mos' prized wine, the Champagne du le Stomp."
"Another were taken by th' wench, Baba Lysaga."
"We don't know she took it, for sure," Steffania adds.
Davian frowns. "Nonsense," he says, "it were 'er an' 'er sort. Dug it up an' stole it. It were used t' produce the vines tha', when 'arvested, produced our Red Dragon Crush. Tha's why y' don' see many bottles o' the stuff anymore."
"An' tha' brings me t' th' final gem, wha' grew the grapes used in our Purple Grapemash No. 3," he explains. "'bout 5 days ago, those bleedin' druids nabbed it an' ferreted i' away t' Yes'er 'ill!"
"So, as yer see -- no gems, no wine. Which does 'owever beg the ques'ion of wha' they was lookin' for..." Davian mutters before the Martikovs share a look. Drawing himself upright on his staff, Davian barks orders to his two sons -- "Adrian! Elvir! Make sure i' ain't been touched. 'ow could they know?"
He swings back around to face the party. "Ain't nothin' t' worry 'bout," he says nervously. "As I were sayin', only way tha' we could star' producin' wine again is if we ge' one o' those gems back. Bu' yer was sayin' y' 'ad some place t' be? Well off y' go an' good luck wit'..."
"Father," Steffania says pointedly. "They just helped us get our home back and you would send them on their way empty-handed?"
Davian mumbles something unintelligible and shrugs. Steffania rushes off and returns moments later with a pouch containing five gemstones. "Please," she says, "take this. It isn't much but might help you on your journeys."
((You would assess the five gemstones to each have a value of 50gp))
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Dallid can't help but ask: "I have to know, what's in the basement?? Past the brown mold?? We don't have the means to deal with it."
Paladin - warforged - orange
Galqarin clutches his new staff tightly, lest someone try to wrest it from him. Besides, how could a simple wooden object be evil?
"Bowing his head Dormark takes the gems and says, "Bless you all. And I know about Galarin's staff. I 'll take the time to fix it. But if we do spot any unusual gems in our travel we will let you know. We are trying to stand against the evil forces that tarnish Barovia, including the devil in the castle. We were told we could make friends in this place. Seems those words are correct. Sadly, we must hurry because one of our friends needs us. Contact us if you ever need help again"
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Sandu shuddered. He did not want to know anything more about the construct yet some small part of his had a morbid curiosity to investigate further. It disgusted him. His vile fascinations with the horrifying scarecrow-eqsue mannequin was only interrupted by the sudden appereance of the Martikovs in their midst. That proved his wereraven theory at least. He had several questions though.
'Have you been watching us?' Sandu asked. He recalled the occasions when a blue-tipped raven had shown a keen interest in their group's doings and glanced at the family members to see if any were wearing something of blue colouring. 'Madam Eva did tell us to seek out the leader of the feathered ones.'
His next question was already asked by Dallid regarding the thing in the basement. It left Sandu with a moment to organise his thoughts.
'Urwin? The owner of Vallaki's Blue Water Inn?' Sandu connected the dots. What his familiars had seen, the flock of ravens perched in the rafters, it all made sense now. He, and most likely his entire family, were wereravens as well. The reflection did come with a burden he needed to share.
'There was an attack on Vallaki.' Sandu's face became sombre and his tone solemn. 'Danika Martikov, your daughter-in-law, is dead. I'm sorry.'
He turned his head as to not stare at the Martikov family. For what it was worth, Sandu truly felt sorry for them. Danika was a good person, mother and wife. She should not have died.
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Dallid - Davian glances at Steffania before sighing heavily. "Foun' tha' did y'?" he asks rhetorically. The old man sighs once more. "I reckon' s'what they were after. The moul' were placed there, many moons ago. Th' process t' become," he beckons to his family, "like us, is long an' arduous. Th' totem y' foun' is wha' can be used t' grant a person th' abili'y t' transform int'a wereraven. Y' realise why such-a relic is importan' t' us, withou' it th' Keepers of the Feather woul' cease t' exist, endin' wit' us."
Galqarin - The feelings of spite and stubbornness take root within you. Besides, the staff is yours now by rights. Can an inanimate object even be evil? Surely, in your hands, it would become a force for good... Your precious.
Dormark - Steffania looks up at your hulking frame. "Thank you, friend," she says politely. "You have already shown us great kindness. Know that as you move through the lands of Barovia there are those that stand -- or rather fly -- beside you. Should you ever require our aid, we can be contacted through ravens. Have a care though, not all birds are allies -- some are his."
Sandu - Davian smiles. "Your party has not escaped our at'ention. Madam Eva tol' y' t' seek us ou', did she?" he says with a nod. "Makes sense. Though our num'er is limi'ed, we 'ave been known t' 'elp those in need aroun' Barovia."
At the mention of Urwin's name, Davian's face darkens a little and he looks away. "Thats correct," Steffania says with a smile, "he's my brother." However, the smile is short-lived, at the mention of Danika's death tears begin to stream down Steffania's face -- you note that Davian is now looking directly at you, his face wracked with concern. "No..!" he says, hoarsely. "No' Danika... Wha' of my gran'sons? Brom an' Bray?" He grabs desperately at your sleeve. "I mus' go. I need t' be there." Davian face is downcast but you can see that he is struggling to keep his emotions in check.
"Steffania," Davian says to his daughter. "Y' mus' try an' restore the winery -- Adrian, Elvir, an' Dag'll stay an' 'elp." He coughs uncomfortably. "I mus' go t' Vallaki. Urwin an' th' boys need me." Steffania nods, knowing that her father's mind was made.
Through her tears, she whispers, "not Danika. Gods."
Davian's form shimmers once more as he turns from man to wereraven in front of you. Once transformed, he takes flight and leaves through the nearest window.
"I... thank you... for the news," Steffania says. "My father and brother have a strained relationship, but they care deeply for each other. Urwin is the oldest. Should anything happen to my father... well, things would fall to him."
Moments later Adrian and Elvir return with news of the totem. Steffania instructs them to get Dag and the children. Once all are assembled she informs them of Danika's fate and Davian's decision to return to Vallaki.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Dallid stares at Steffanina then at Ferelyon.
"Could your... Totem. Process. Could it fix my friend? He's been changed from a human into this. If your process turns people into shape shifters, maybe it can help him?"
Paladin - warforged - orange
Dallid - Steffania looks uncertainly at Ferelyon. "The process of becoming a wereraven takes over a year," she says, eyebrow raised. "If, as you say, he was initially a human, it might work. However, he would need to stay with us. Besides, it takes meditation... do you know whether the change altered your friend's mind?" There is a pang of sympathy in her voice as she asks the question.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)