You hear snippets of conversation emanating from the figures,"hear what happened to...", "Something has to end!", "Enough is enough!", "When I meet the count I'll..." the last trails off but you discern that it was angry and aimed at Strahd. It would appear these are local people marching towards Castle Ravenloft - possibly to attempt to meet out some level of mob justice versus Strahd himself.
It is also clear to discern that these are untrained, ill-equipped commoners. The chances of them posing a threat to Strahd are infinitesimal.
Finally, you would be surprised if they had seen either you or any of your companions. They seem to be too caught up in heading towards the Castle.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sandu noticed Ioben slipping off to the side and disappearing. He briefly considered doing the same but felt more secure standing behind Valerie and Dormark at the sight of dark shapes in the mist.
'More trouble?'Sandu asked. He remembered the last time they encountered strange things in the woods.
“Not for us, but we should stop them cause they are going to get themselves killed,” says Dormark seeming and hearing the group. “Hold there friends were are you heading off to,” says Dormark waving the villagers down.
Ioben watches and listens closely as Dormark calls out to the group ahead. The cleric clearly has higher faith in the group than Ioben does. Still, with a group that size, it would be a challenge to stop them should they choose to target his companions.
The villagers are instantly startled by the large metal construct moving towards them - flailing his arms and yelling commands. A number of them instinctively go towards their weapons and shine their torches towards Dormark.
"Wha'?! Wha', who are you?!" the larger of the members of the group bellows. "Where are we off ta? We've a good mind to pay tha Count a visit. Wassit to you?"He narrows his eyes,"Yer not one of 'is, are ya? Metal man."
As far as you can discern, having watched the scene above play out, these people seem to be a number of the local village folk. The state of their clothing / makeshift weapons, in some cases still bearing tufts of hay / sods of dirt, lead you to believe that their current plan might have not been entirely thought through. Though you get the sense that the big guy standing in front of Dormark could certainly pack a punch he does not seem to be the fighting type and is likely to fold quickly.
Baern quickly runs forward to defend his new pal. "It's ok! It's ok! He's with us, and we're no friends of the Count! Can we, um, talk to you for a minute?"
"Wha? Who the.." The man clearly looks perplexed as the large metal construct is joined by his substantially smaller friend. "'ow many of yer are there?! Show yerselves!"
None-the-less the large man gestures for the villagers behind him to lower their 'weapons'. "Look 'ere. We 'ad it up ta 'ere with tha bloody Count! 'ear me! Fer... fer too long me an' my friends... too long we've been livin' in fear. Somone'll teach 'im..."he beckons towards Castle Ravenloft, "... a lesson. All we ever do is talk!"
"Oh, and what you planning to do with those, give him a tickle? Is what the Dwarf who oversaw my blacksmithing would say, looking at state of your... weapons" says Dormark doing a impression of what sounds like a grumpy old Dwarf. "I heard some of the things Strahd has done, I can understand why your angry, but do you think this the first mob that Strahd has dealt with? How do you plan to get in? What are you going to do about guards? Are there traps? What can you do if he has magic? And believe me he does have magic at his disposal. I just want you folks to think through what your doing and is it worth your lives, or the lives of your families to go run off to your certain dooms? Or maybe the best outcome for all of you not being able to get into the castle in the first place," asks Dormark trying to reason with the mob.
Sandu stepped out from behind Dormark's back into the view of the mob or at least the frontman. 'He's our metal man.' He said, putting a hand on Dormark's upper arm.
He turned his gaze to the person in front of group. 'You can't win.' Sandu's voice was flat and dull with the same intensity as if he was describing the weather. 'It's a fool's errand tantamount to suicide. Go back home to your loved ones. Nothing good will come from you dying today.'
The large man looks dejected at Dormark and Sandu's words,"Mus' admit didn't give it all tha' much thought." A smaller, weaselly looking bloke pipes up behind him,"'ere Col, ya ain't backin' out nah are ya? That monster needs dealin' with!"
"Leave it out Rog!" the larger man, Col, says in response. "Maybe dese two got a point... s'all am sayin'. They look like they can 'andle themselves."
Turning his attention back to the party Col continues,"What do ya propose we do? Continue to sit in our 'omes, subject to 'is torment", again his hand points off towards the Castle.
Dormark - please can you make a Persuasion roll with advantage ((due to assistance from Sandu. You can use Intimidation instead if you would prefer.))
You can see a number of the Villagers more clearly now - around a dozen people stand in the trees behind 'Col' and 'Rog' (the groups 'leaders'). The Villagers are poorly equipped with pitchforks, shovels and other farming tools, a couple of them hold makeshift shields.
In addition - you can tell that the group was hastily put together and are not in the least bit prepared for battle. There seems to be a notable shift in the mob's mannerisms since Dormark and Sandu started talking with Col - no longer do they seem to have the purpose and conviction they initially had when they first emerged from the woods.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Well I would like to have Sandu make the roll, but I can understand your logic. Going to use guidance again to help.)
12
guidance 2
"I'm not saying sit on your and jus take it, but folks you need to be able to defend yourselves before even thinking about attacking Strahd again, go home form a militia find someone to train you in the use of weapons. save some money and find a black smith who sales spears the should be the cheapest and beginner friendly weapon for you folks to use since your farmers<" says Dormark trying to get their thoughts back on defending themselves and not going after Strahd.
Baern looks down at his newly acquired holy symbol yet again while thinking of his people back home. He then steps forward to speak. "Where I'm from, often a house or clan has good cause to settle a dispute with outsiders. We don't, however, unless a majority of the clans agree, because we're much stronger that way and it provides time to truly consider the best thing to do. Maybe the people of Barovia need to stand up to the Count all as one? It would take time, of course, and, ah, probably needs to be kept quiet, from the stories we've heard already."
Privately the dwarf thinks to himself 'most of the time, anyway', with regard to the dwarven clans resisting the urge to seek out their own justice regardless of what anyone else thinks.
As the groups talk, Ioben comes out of the trees slowly, keeping his bow lowered and moving about 20 ft behind the others. Although he keeps an eye on the group, he scans the area. From previous experience, this is exactly the time that Strahd would hit.
Col considers the party's words,"Y'know, I fink yer might be onta summit." Rog looks like he is going to interject but Col calmly waves away his interruption. "Nah, nah Rog. I know yer hurtin', I know yer wanna see justice fer Jess an tha'. But we gots ta do this smart, like this metal gent says. Militia, an tha'."
He turns his attention to Baern,"Maybe ya 'ave the rights of it Master Dwarf." Col looks around despairingly at the rag-tag group of farmers behind him, fear and concern now writ upon their faces. His shoulders slump."Wos tha point, eh? Barovia'll never be free. 'ow can we..."he motions to the group, "... stand against one such as he."Col then motions to the Castle overlooking the land,"bleedin' useless"he mutters under his breath.
Rog, looking thoroughly defeated, turns to address the villagers standing behind him,"But yer said! Yer said ya would 'elp me! 'elp me get me own back on Strahd!" As he says the name a number of the villagers shift uneasily, others look abashed. "Fer Jess, I... I..."Rog's face hardens,"To 'ell with ya all!"with that he spins on the spot and storms off back into the woods.
"Sorry 'bout Rog." Col apologises."Lost 'is wife not more than a-couple-a days ago. Tha Devil's minions came when she were workin' the fields. Didn't leave much of 'er to bury."
"Y'ave tha right of it though. We'll turn around an' go back to our 'omes." Col curses a little under his breath,"In this place, there is only one winner."
The mob of villagers starts to disperse and go back the way they came from. Col remains, should any of the party wish to talk with him.
“I’m sorry for Rog‘s loss, if I thought we could help you succeed I would have helped, but even folks like us probably stand little chance against the Devil in our current state, but even the standards to dwarves and elves nothing lasts forever, you must maintain at least that much for yourself. Use it as armor for your heart against the bitter times. But I do hope you take my suggestion. From what I’ve so far experience Barovia you must work together if you hope to survive. Also, if you sill need weapons and if I manage to set up a forge, I will work with you to see what we can do to arm you. Vallaki is the most likely place I’ll set it up,” says Dormark trying to comfort Cole.
Valerie nods to Sandu. "We should. But, first, we need to get more information about him first. That's why I hope Madame Eva could have some answers for us."
Perception 18
Guidance 2
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Domark's Perception check:
You hear snippets of conversation emanating from the figures, "hear what happened to...", "Something has to end!", "Enough is enough!", "When I meet the count I'll..." the last trails off but you discern that it was angry and aimed at Strahd. It would appear these are local people marching towards Castle Ravenloft - possibly to attempt to meet out some level of mob justice versus Strahd himself.
It is also clear to discern that these are untrained, ill-equipped commoners. The chances of them posing a threat to Strahd are infinitesimal.
Finally, you would be surprised if they had seen either you or any of your companions. They seem to be too caught up in heading towards the Castle.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Sandu noticed Ioben slipping off to the side and disappearing. He briefly considered doing the same but felt more secure standing behind Valerie and Dormark at the sight of dark shapes in the mist.
'More trouble?' Sandu asked. He remembered the last time they encountered strange things in the woods.
OOC: I'll try an Insight check 17
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
“Not for us, but we should stop them cause they are going to get themselves killed,” says Dormark seeming and hearing the group. “Hold there friends were are you heading off to,” says Dormark waving the villagers down.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
(sorry, busy week)
Baern nods at Dormark. "There have to be better ways for them to help than to run off and get killed."
Ioben watches and listens closely as Dormark calls out to the group ahead. The cleric clearly has higher faith in the group than Ioben does. Still, with a group that size, it would be a challenge to stop them should they choose to target his companions.
The villagers are instantly startled by the large metal construct moving towards them - flailing his arms and yelling commands. A number of them instinctively go towards their weapons and shine their torches towards Dormark.
"Wha'?! Wha', who are you?!" the larger of the members of the group bellows. "Where are we off ta? We've a good mind to pay tha Count a visit. Wassit to you?" He narrows his eyes, "Yer not one of 'is, are ya? Metal man."
Sandu's insight check:
As far as you can discern, having watched the scene above play out, these people seem to be a number of the local village folk. The state of their clothing / makeshift weapons, in some cases still bearing tufts of hay / sods of dirt, lead you to believe that their current plan might have not been entirely thought through. Though you get the sense that the big guy standing in front of Dormark could certainly pack a punch he does not seem to be the fighting type and is likely to fold quickly.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Baern quickly runs forward to defend his new pal. "It's ok! It's ok! He's with us, and we're no friends of the Count! Can we, um, talk to you for a minute?"
"Wha? Who the.." The man clearly looks perplexed as the large metal construct is joined by his substantially smaller friend. "'ow many of yer are there?! Show yerselves!"
None-the-less the large man gestures for the villagers behind him to lower their 'weapons'. "Look 'ere. We 'ad it up ta 'ere with tha bloody Count! 'ear me! Fer... fer too long me an' my friends... too long we've been livin' in fear. Somone'll teach 'im..." he beckons towards Castle Ravenloft, "... a lesson. All we ever do is talk!"
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
"Oh, and what you planning to do with those, give him a tickle? Is what the Dwarf who oversaw my blacksmithing would say, looking at state of your... weapons" says Dormark doing a impression of what sounds like a grumpy old Dwarf. "I heard some of the things Strahd has done, I can understand why your angry, but do you think this the first mob that Strahd has dealt with? How do you plan to get in? What are you going to do about guards? Are there traps? What can you do if he has magic? And believe me he does have magic at his disposal. I just want you folks to think through what your doing and is it worth your lives, or the lives of your families to go run off to your certain dooms? Or maybe the best outcome for all of you not being able to get into the castle in the first place," asks Dormark trying to reason with the mob.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Sandu stepped out from behind Dormark's back into the view of the mob or at least the frontman. 'He's our metal man.' He said, putting a hand on Dormark's upper arm.
He turned his gaze to the person in front of group. 'You can't win.' Sandu's voice was flat and dull with the same intensity as if he was describing the weather. 'It's a fool's errand tantamount to suicide. Go back home to your loved ones. Nothing good will come from you dying today.'
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
Valerie stays behind letting the others do the talking, while she keeps herself alter to the surrounding.
If this requires skill check: Perception 21
The large man looks dejected at Dormark and Sandu's words, "Mus' admit didn't give it all tha' much thought." A smaller, weaselly looking bloke pipes up behind him, "'ere Col, ya ain't backin' out nah are ya? That monster needs dealin' with!"
"Leave it out Rog!" the larger man, Col, says in response. "Maybe dese two got a point... s'all am sayin'. They look like they can 'andle themselves."
Turning his attention back to the party Col continues, "What do ya propose we do? Continue to sit in our 'omes, subject to 'is torment", again his hand points off towards the Castle.
Dormark - please can you make a Persuasion roll with advantage ((due to assistance from Sandu. You can use Intimidation instead if you would prefer.))
All passive Perception:
You can see a number of the Villagers more clearly now - around a dozen people stand in the trees behind 'Col' and 'Rog' (the groups 'leaders'). The Villagers are poorly equipped with pitchforks, shovels and other farming tools, a couple of them hold makeshift shields.
Valerie's Perception check:
In addition - you can tell that the group was hastily put together and are not in the least bit prepared for battle. There seems to be a notable shift in the mob's mannerisms since Dormark and Sandu started talking with Col - no longer do they seem to have the purpose and conviction they initially had when they first emerged from the woods.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
(Well I would like to have Sandu make the roll, but I can understand your logic. Going to use guidance again to help.)
12
guidance 2
"I'm not saying sit on your and jus take it, but folks you need to be able to defend yourselves before even thinking about attacking Strahd again, go home form a militia find someone to train you in the use of weapons. save some money and find a black smith who sales spears the should be the cheapest and beginner friendly weapon for you folks to use since your farmers<" says Dormark trying to get their thoughts back on defending themselves and not going after Strahd.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Baern looks down at his newly acquired holy symbol yet again while thinking of his people back home. He then steps forward to speak. "Where I'm from, often a house or clan has good cause to settle a dispute with outsiders. We don't, however, unless a majority of the clans agree, because we're much stronger that way and it provides time to truly consider the best thing to do. Maybe the people of Barovia need to stand up to the Count all as one? It would take time, of course, and, ah, probably needs to be kept quiet, from the stories we've heard already."
Privately the dwarf thinks to himself 'most of the time, anyway', with regard to the dwarven clans resisting the urge to seek out their own justice regardless of what anyone else thinks.
As the groups talk, Ioben comes out of the trees slowly, keeping his bow lowered and moving about 20 ft behind the others. Although he keeps an eye on the group, he scans the area. From previous experience, this is exactly the time that Strahd would hit.
Col considers the party's words, "Y'know, I fink yer might be onta summit." Rog looks like he is going to interject but Col calmly waves away his interruption. "Nah, nah Rog. I know yer hurtin', I know yer wanna see justice fer Jess an tha'. But we gots ta do this smart, like this metal gent says. Militia, an tha'."
He turns his attention to Baern, "Maybe ya 'ave the rights of it Master Dwarf." Col looks around despairingly at the rag-tag group of farmers behind him, fear and concern now writ upon their faces. His shoulders slump. "Wos tha point, eh? Barovia'll never be free. 'ow can we..." he motions to the group, "... stand against one such as he." Col then motions to the Castle overlooking the land, "bleedin' useless" he mutters under his breath.
Rog, looking thoroughly defeated, turns to address the villagers standing behind him, "But yer said! Yer said ya would 'elp me! 'elp me get me own back on Strahd!" As he says the name a number of the villagers shift uneasily, others look abashed. "Fer Jess, I... I..." Rog's face hardens, "To 'ell with ya all!" with that he spins on the spot and storms off back into the woods.
"Sorry 'bout Rog." Col apologises. "Lost 'is wife not more than a-couple-a days ago. Tha Devil's minions came when she were workin' the fields. Didn't leave much of 'er to bury."
"Y'ave tha right of it though. We'll turn around an' go back to our 'omes." Col curses a little under his breath, "In this place, there is only one winner."
The mob of villagers starts to disperse and go back the way they came from. Col remains, should any of the party wish to talk with him.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
“I’m sorry for Rog‘s loss, if I thought we could help you succeed I would have helped, but even folks like us probably stand little chance against the Devil in our current state, but even the standards to dwarves and elves nothing lasts forever, you must maintain at least that much for yourself. Use it as armor for your heart against the bitter times. But I do hope you take my suggestion. From what I’ve so far experience Barovia you must work together if you hope to survive. Also, if you sill need weapons and if I manage to set up a forge, I will work with you to see what we can do to arm you. Vallaki is the most likely place I’ll set it up,” says Dormark trying to comfort Cole.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
'Shouldn't someone go after him?' Sandu asked whoever was listening.
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
Valerie nods to Sandu. "We should. But, first, we need to get more information about him first. That's why I hope Madame Eva could have some answers for us."