Alder's expression is troubled as they enter the town. Even so early there should be people. Bakers who rise before the sun to prepare their wares. Town watchmen. Smiths warming their forges. Somewhere in the distance there was weeping… a woman, perhaps? A child? He drops the ruin of his expended torch to the side of the road, his eyes moving to Baern who has begun searching for something.
"Baern… something is wrong here…" he murmurs, following behind the dwarf.
Baern doesn't go anywhere alone. Relieved to get to town, he too gets an uneasy feeling here. After only a few steps forward he hears Alder and stops. "What is this place?"
'Something bad.' Sandu weighted in. He too had heard the sobbing. Someone openly sobbing was never a good sign. Unless it was a wedding. But as Sandu had never been to a wedding, that was something he could not verify; ergo bad.
He pulled his travel cloak tighter around himself. By now the heavy wool was so wrapped around him, he could barely move his arms. A small price to pay for the comfort that warmth and cloth provided.
'Come on,' Sandu said, 'Let's find an inn or something.'
OOC: is finding an inn difficult? In that case, Perception 18
Ignoring the soldier's remark Dormark resume is burden after took a moment to calm down. Following the others to the village Dormark looking at the town says, "This looks like a ghost town if I ever seen one." Dormark was kind of sad at the state of the town, but also wonder where the man had come from if not from here." We should probably stick together until we find someone who can explain what's going on," he says looking around.
'Come on,' Sandu said, 'Let's find an inn or something.'
"Sounds like a good idea,"Ioben says as he follows after Sandu."An inn shouldn't be too hard to find. They are usually on the main road. Just listen for the sound of tall tales flying up the chimneys and the chorus of singing from the bottom of a keg. I am sure the innkeeper will be able to point us in the direction of Strahd."
With daylight creeping through the clouds and the walls of the town around them, the sense of unease settles a little for Ioben. He takes a moment to sling his bow but makes sure the latch on his scabbard is loose.No sense being completely caught by surprise in a strange town.
As you make your way down the street, senses on edge, you walk past a number of houses but they seem empty and abandoned - some must be inhabited in, right?
As you move along the street you notice movement from inside a number of the properties - the twitch of a curtain, the flicker of a candle, a low moan. It is clear that your movements are being watched.
As you move along the street you can clearly see movement from inside a number of the houses - occasionally catching sight of a human face. These people are clearly fearful - either due to your presence or something... more.
In addition, your sharp eyes pick up movement from one of the rooftops - you're sure that only a keen eye would have noticed it. The raven seems to have blue-tipped wings. As it spots you looking it flies towards the large building overlooking the village square ((See 'Blood on the Vine' Tavern below))
After a couple of minutes the party emerges on to a village square. Though morning has arrived the fog throughout the village remains thick.
To the right of the square is a large, domineering building; a single shaft of light thrusts illumination into the main square, its brightness looking like a solid pillar in the heavy fog. Above the gaping doorway, a sign hangs precariously askew, proclaiming this to be the 'Blood on the Vine' tavern.
To the left of the square is a far less impressive building; the sparse light from this building spills out from behind drawn heavy curtains. A sign over the door, creaking on its hinges, reads “Bildrath’s Mercantile.”
Valerie follows the party but her mind is still thinking about the sobbing sound. After they find the tavern, she says. "I want to check the crying sound, maybe someone has a problem that needs help." She looks at the party. "Does anyone want to go check it out?"
Alder looks about the square as they enter, his eyes and ears searching for potential threats. The light around the inn is welcoming in the midst of the seemingly endless fog. He glances at Valerie as she speaks, nodding. His motivations might be different but the goal is the same.
“I think the people of this town are hiding. Why they are is a conundrum. I think we should enter the tavern first and see what’s going on,” says Dormark.
Baern silently nods and takes a couple of steps towards the tavern, not wanting to go looking for more trouble until they find out more about this place.
Valerie grows uneasy as the crying continues. If someone needs help, she cannot stay idle. But she also thinks Dormak is right. "Alright, we check out the tavern, then we find out what happens with the sobbing." She follows the group to the tavern.
A moaning sob floats through the still, gray streets, coloring your thoughts with sadness. The sounds flow from a dark, two-story townhouse to the your left next to Bildrath’s Mercantile. It sounds like an adult, not a child.
As the group nears the tavern it is clear to see that it was once a finely appointed tavern, but one which has grown shoddy over the years.
Sandu and Dormark's passive perception:
You notice that the sign above the tavern's entrance originally would have read 'Blood of the Vine'; the 'f' has subsequently been scratched over and replaced by an 'n'.
Sandu:
The blue-tipped winged raven you spotted earlier is sitting atop the roof of the tavern.
Tavern Interior
Upon entering the tavern you spot a pudgy, little man tending the bar, currently cleaning glasses - you assume him to be the barkeep. In addition, you notice three women sitting together at a table dressed in coloured garb - they pay you little heed. Lastly you spot a solitary figure, a man sitting on his own next to the hearth, he looks directly at the group as they enter.
Though the fire is currently raging within the hearth, the room feels cold and provides little comfort to the few souls huddled within.
Valerie feels a slight relief when she finally sees there are people going about with their business. This is the first sight of living people since they arrived at this place.
Though, Valerie's mind is still with the sobbing sound. She stays back at the doorway with her arms crossed, waiting anxiously for the group to finish asking for information.
Sandu glanced up at the door of the tavern. He did not know why, maybe because it was the first something familar, but the sight of the raven relaxed him a bit. The smudges of blue on the tips of its wings were not something he recalled ravens having but it looked nice. A small smile formed on Sandu's face. And now I'm smiling at a bird. He thought. I must be going mad. He walked in.
just listen for the sound of tall tales flying up the chimneys and the chorus of singing from the bottom of a keg.
Sandu took in the sight of the tavern. 'Yes, I see what you mean.'He sardonically replied to Ioben. He had been in and out many a tavern but this must have been the first time one actively felt like it would be a better idea to leave than to stay. Sandu bit back his instinct to turn back and instead strided over to the hearth. Fire was a good thing, as proven by their previous encounter, and he could use the heat to drive out the fog clinging to his clothes.
Ioben walked quickly down the road, barely paying attention to the fact that there were no people to be seen. He was just relieved to be unfamiliar surroundings. However, as the wail rose up, he started to look around and realise that things may not be as they seem.
Perception: 7
Despite the noise, Ioben turned deliberately toward the inn. "See? What did I tell you? Money flows along the road, and here is the inn to collect its share."
Sandu took in the sight of the tavern. 'Yes, I see what you mean.'
Ioben steps up toward the door of the inn, ready to head inside.
Dormark laid his burden outside the tavern before entering seeing the crowd inside he says, "Well You folks probably should talk to them first, I would, but i don't think they would react well to me. Maybe starting with the fella who is looking at us from across the way." Pointing out the man who was looking at the group.
Alder steps inside, passing Valerie as he scans the interior of the inn. Noting those present, he turns his attention to the barkeep and makes his way over. He pulls a silver coin from the pouch inside his jacket and lays on the counter with a loud click, hoping to catch the man's attention.
"Ale, if you have it. And the name of this town."
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Alder's expression is troubled as they enter the town. Even so early there should be people. Bakers who rise before the sun to prepare their wares. Town watchmen. Smiths warming their forges. Somewhere in the distance there was weeping… a woman, perhaps? A child? He drops the ruin of his expended torch to the side of the road, his eyes moving to Baern who has begun searching for something.
"Baern… something is wrong here…" he murmurs, following behind the dwarf.
Perception: 13
Baern doesn't go anywhere alone. Relieved to get to town, he too gets an uneasy feeling here. After only a few steps forward he hears Alder and stops. "What is this place?"
'Something bad.' Sandu weighted in. He too had heard the sobbing. Someone openly sobbing was never a good sign. Unless it was a wedding. But as Sandu had never been to a wedding, that was something he could not verify; ergo bad.
He pulled his travel cloak tighter around himself. By now the heavy wool was so wrapped around him, he could barely move his arms. A small price to pay for the comfort that warmth and cloth provided.
'Come on,' Sandu said, 'Let's find an inn or something.'
OOC: is finding an inn difficult?
In that case, Perception 18
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
(Sorry folks, I was at work, so I couldn't post.)
Ignoring the soldier's remark Dormark resume is burden after took a moment to calm down. Following the others to the village Dormark looking at the town says, "This looks like a ghost town if I ever seen one." Dormark was kind of sad at the state of the town, but also wonder where the man had come from if not from here." We should probably stick together until we find someone who can explain what's going on," he says looking around.
Perception:18
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
"Sounds like a good idea," Ioben says as he follows after Sandu. "An inn shouldn't be too hard to find. They are usually on the main road. Just listen for the sound of tall tales flying up the chimneys and the chorus of singing from the bottom of a keg. I am sure the innkeeper will be able to point us in the direction of Strahd."
With daylight creeping through the clouds and the walls of the town around them, the sense of unease settles a little for Ioben. He takes a moment to sling his bow but makes sure the latch on his scabbard is loose. No sense being completely caught by surprise in a strange town.
Baern's Perception check:
As you make your way down the street, senses on edge, you walk past a number of houses but they seem empty and abandoned - some must be inhabited in, right?
Dormark's Perception check:
As you move along the street you notice movement from inside a number of the properties - the twitch of a curtain, the flicker of a candle, a low moan. It is clear that your movements are being watched.
Sandu's Perception check:
As you move along the street you can clearly see movement from inside a number of the houses - occasionally catching sight of a human face. These people are clearly fearful - either due to your presence or something... more.
In addition, your sharp eyes pick up movement from one of the rooftops - you're sure that only a keen eye would have noticed it. The raven seems to have blue-tipped wings. As it spots you looking it flies towards the large building overlooking the village square ((See 'Blood on the Vine' Tavern below))
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
After a couple of minutes the party emerges on to a village square. Though morning has arrived the fog throughout the village remains thick.
To the right of the square is a large, domineering building; a single shaft of light thrusts illumination into the main square, its brightness looking like a solid pillar in the heavy fog. Above the gaping doorway, a sign hangs precariously askew, proclaiming this to be the 'Blood on the Vine' tavern.
To the left of the square is a far less impressive building; the sparse light from this building spills out from behind drawn heavy curtains. A sign over the door, creaking on its hinges, reads “Bildrath’s Mercantile.”
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Valerie follows the party but her mind is still thinking about the sobbing sound. After they find the tavern, she says. "I want to check the crying sound, maybe someone has a problem that needs help." She looks at the party. "Does anyone want to go check it out?"
Alder looks about the square as they enter, his eyes and ears searching for potential threats. The light around the inn is welcoming in the midst of the seemingly endless fog. He glances at Valerie as she speaks, nodding. His motivations might be different but the goal is the same.
"Agreed. We should find out what is happening."
As if to punctuate Valerie's words the anguished wail rings out loudly, WoooaOoowoOHh!
Valerie - can you also make a perception check to see whether you can tell where the wail is coming from?
((Anyone attempting to tell where the wailing is coming from can similarly make a check))
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
“I think the people of this town are hiding. Why they are is a conundrum. I think we should enter the tavern first and see what’s going on,” says Dormark.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Baern silently nods and takes a couple of steps towards the tavern, not wanting to go looking for more trouble until they find out more about this place.
Perception 10
Valerie grows uneasy as the crying continues. If someone needs help, she cannot stay idle. But she also thinks Dormak is right. "Alright, we check out the tavern, then we find out what happens with the sobbing." She follows the group to the tavern.
Valerie's Perception check:
A moaning sob floats through the still, gray streets, coloring your thoughts with sadness. The sounds flow from a dark, two-story townhouse to the your left next to Bildrath’s Mercantile. It sounds like an adult, not a child.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Tavern Exterior
As the group nears the tavern it is clear to see that it was once a finely appointed tavern, but one which has grown shoddy over the years.
Sandu and Dormark's passive perception:
You notice that the sign above the tavern's entrance originally would have read 'Blood of the Vine'; the 'f' has subsequently been scratched over and replaced by an 'n'.
Sandu:
The blue-tipped winged raven you spotted earlier is sitting atop the roof of the tavern.
Tavern Interior
Upon entering the tavern you spot a pudgy, little man tending the bar, currently cleaning glasses - you assume him to be the barkeep. In addition, you notice three women sitting together at a table dressed in coloured garb - they pay you little heed. Lastly you spot a solitary figure, a man sitting on his own next to the hearth, he looks directly at the group as they enter.
Though the fire is currently raging within the hearth, the room feels cold and provides little comfort to the few souls huddled within.
DM - The Call of Strahd (CoS); Feyrealm Campaign, Chapter 0 - Bleak Prospect (BP), Chapter 1 - Destination Unknown (DU)
Valerie feels a slight relief when she finally sees there are people going about with their business. This is the first sight of living people since they arrived at this place.
Though, Valerie's mind is still with the sobbing sound. She stays back at the doorway with her arms crossed, waiting anxiously for the group to finish asking for information.
Sandu glanced up at the door of the tavern. He did not know why, maybe because it was the first something familar, but the sight of the raven relaxed him a bit. The smudges of blue on the tips of its wings were not something he recalled ravens having but it looked nice. A small smile formed on Sandu's face.
And now I'm smiling at a bird. He thought. I must be going mad. He walked in.
Sandu took in the sight of the tavern. 'Yes, I see what you mean.' He sardonically replied to Ioben. He had been in and out many a tavern but this must have been the first time one actively felt like it would be a better idea to leave than to stay. Sandu bit back his instinct to turn back and instead strided over to the hearth. Fire was a good thing, as proven by their previous encounter, and he could use the heat to drive out the fog clinging to his clothes.
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
Ioben walked quickly down the road, barely paying attention to the fact that there were no people to be seen. He was just relieved to be unfamiliar surroundings. However, as the wail rose up, he started to look around and realise that things may not be as they seem.
Perception: 7
Despite the noise, Ioben turned deliberately toward the inn. "See? What did I tell you? Money flows along the road, and here is the inn to collect its share."
Ioben steps up toward the door of the inn, ready to head inside.
Dormark laid his burden outside the tavern before entering seeing the crowd inside he says, "Well You folks probably should talk to them first, I would, but i don't think they would react well to me. Maybe starting with the fella who is looking at us from across the way." Pointing out the man who was looking at the group.
Dormark Calling of Strahd (warforged cleric) 4
Alder steps inside, passing Valerie as he scans the interior of the inn. Noting those present, he turns his attention to the barkeep and makes his way over. He pulls a silver coin from the pouch inside his jacket and lays on the counter with a loud click, hoping to catch the man's attention.
"Ale, if you have it. And the name of this town."