Erven seems fascinated by the story and the images in the fire. He lets Stanimir finish, looks at his friends to see how they are taking the tale. (Also give a quick look around to LuckyBear, to see how she is reacting to the Vistani). He has a strong curiosity about what he has seen, a desire to know more. After considering, he turns to Stanimir and asks, with a plain, innocent face -
"What is the name of your noble princess? And how do you feel that her curse could be lifted?" After pausing for a reply, he says "How much further into Barovia must we go, how far do we need to travel? Where is Madam Eva? Could we rest with you, travel with you? We have learned" he pauses and looks at his companions, "that there is safety in numbers. And these woods... don't seem safe. Not from what we have seen."
Erven Lucky Bear seems normal - as normal as can be, that is. She moves around from person to person, looking for pats and attention. She finds an old bone and lays down to chew it. It's quite a strange sight, actually. Stanimir's face goes ashen and he shakes his head. "Madam Eva has the answers you seek. We must keep to the road for several days. Keeping to the road is safest. Yes, of course. As I mentioned, we've been waiting for you and it is our charge to bring you to Madam Eva."
Talion listens to the story and finds it comforting: If their princess is Strahd -- as seems likely -- these Vistani will be allies, at least for a time. And if their princess is a victim of Strahd then they are also likely to be allies. It's always the same. Favours and alliances. He nods at Erven's flurry of questions, and can't resist adding one of his own.
"I am sure I speak for some others here when I ask: Are you able to guide us away from this place?"
"My question is simply this. If you can leave the mists then if we were to travel with you would we be able to do the same. Or is it merely an ability granted to you and yours?" Bertolt asks as he carefully packs his pipe with firewood, using the fire to carefully light it. He carefully eyes the old man as he waits to hear his answer even though he suspects the answer to be a no.
Talion, Bertolt - Stanimir looks at you both, nodding. "Yes, yes, yes. We alone are allowed to leave this place. And if you are with us, then you too can leave. But you are not leaving because we are not leaving. But,"Stanimir smiles widely and stretches his hands out towards the looming woods, "of course, you are welcome to try. We will await your return."
After your questions, Stanimir claps his hands and addresses all of you, including the Vistani. "We have completed what was foretold and now move to the second part of our duty. But first, let us eat, drink, and dance!" Stanimir reaches into one of his many pockets, drawing some dust forth, and throws it into the fire. The fire jumps to life and from somewhere around you, several instruments start to play a rousing number punctuated by percussion - the deep bass reminding you of a more sinister drumming, though this one is....happier. Dancers begin to swirl around the fire, bangles and chimes clinking in time to the music, half-naked bodies kicking up light dirt and dust around you. Wine skins, carafes, and wooden platters of food are circulated and you all partake as much as you want. The food and drink is delicious - the best you have had....well, for a very long time. Sweet scents assail your noses as incense and herbs of many varieties are lit, some smoked, some eaten, but the clouds of smoke are omnipresent.....You feel comfortable, which is alarming given your experience so far. But the temptation and feeling is irresistable.
The next hours go by in a blur. You don't remember falling asleep, likely your bodies demanded it to avoid exhaustion. Erven, although sleep is unusual for an elf, it isn't impossible. But as usual, the dreams you see play in your mind frighten and unsettle you. Nevertheless, you all awake on the road, in the back of one of the covered wagons which, surprisingly, is padded and extremely comfortable. All of your equipment is with you, Lucky Bear is curled up on a small cushion and growls slightly when the wagon bounces from a bump in the road. Up in the front is Stanimir and another Vistana. The other Vistana is a younger male and he is driving the wagon, which is pulled by two large draft horses.
"Ah! You are awake! Apologies for not waiting for you to rise before setting off but we must be getting moving. Unless you would like to go on without us?" Stanimir smiles and winks, but waits for your answer...
Onyx had been completely enraptured by Stanimir’s simple but dramatic tale. A wounded warrior-princess, hospitality repaid, valiant combat against overwhelming odds – it was the stuff of legends. It was the type of tale that inspired him as a youth – the type of tale that had guided his career since leaving the monastery.
He had a sickening feeling that he and his companions had already met the cursed noble. But these Travellers, whom had known her for time indefinite, thought she could be cured. Curing a cursed princess? Well, how could he not be interested?
For the moment, he has forgotten his woes, and his rage and fear. When the festivities began, he stripped his armor off and joined in the dancing and carousing as best as he could in his injured state. For a few hours, he seems the jovial man the others had first met traveling the caravan together. There is little trace of his stubbornness and antagonism as he feasts and drinks and attempts to learn the steps of the Vistani.
He is one of the last to awake, meekly checking his equipment and wounds. The nightmares had been unpleasant, but he was somewhat accustomed to such things, and the memories, clouded they may be, of the night were a pleasant balm.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Another medical problem. Indefinite hiatus. Sorry, all.
Bertolt remains suspicious through out the night but keeps his concern to himself so that the others may relax. Despite his musical talents he does not play but instead observes the Vistanti play their style of music. He will still eat and drink his fill without complaint, glad for more then just their rations.
After the tension and depredations of the last two days, Talion is unable to stop himself from just giving in to the joy exuded by these odd strangers. He spends the night -- or at least the time he has before exhaustion claims him -- dancing and talking. He occasionally glances in the direction of the others -- Sho and the old bard, mainly -- but when he does so, memories of rats, bats, and near death come flooding back to haunt him. He looks away, smiling broadly at whoever he happens to be dancing with at the time, his dance becoming even more animated as he strives to break the line of sight.
This welcome escape almost comes to an end when Onyx joins in, but the warrior seems changed once more. Relaxed, maybe, for the first time since they entered the house. Talion keeps his distance, but finds that the old/new Onyx reminds him of the joy he felt when he began the journey out of Baldur's Gate. The patterns of that journey seem to be reasserting themselves, with Onyx and Talion mixing freely while everyone else keeps to themselves, lost in their own thoughts and, at least in one case, misery.
Eventually the events of the day reassert themselves, and Talion finds himself unable to hide from them any longer. His dancing slows, he bows to his partner at the time, and his thoughts move inexorably to the strange priest. Still tired, but also still flooded with adrenaline from the frantic dancing, he leaves the crowd and sits down next to Sho.
"You still owe me a tale" he says quietly.
@DM: Talion is pretty indiscriminate in who he talks to or dances with; he will happily divulge (edit) edited tales from his past life, or the journey, but talking about their experiences in the house this soon would be unlikely. What he would be interested in is:
Why are these people on the road?
Are they traders? (thinking selling the 'stuff' and buying incense/herbs for find familiar)
If not, why do they travel?
What is the name of the princess?
Who is Madam Eva?
Why did Stanimir react to his ring? (( This probably waits until the morning after the party, unless it comes up ))
Talion wakes up late, muscles sore from the dancing if not the mayhem of the previous two days. He eventually manages a grin for Stanimir. "Why walk when you can ride, eh? I'll need to stretch my legs later though. Too much dancing." Again he grins at the old man, wincing at the bright light of day. "And maybe too much wine as well."
If there is space in the front of the wagon, he moves to sit next to Stanimir, initially shading his eyes until they adjust. He watches the road and the forest for a time, taking it in for the first time without a sense of fear and dreadful foreboding. Eventually he turns to the man, his expression serious. "You...recognised my ring." He holds up his hand, examining it himself as if for the first time. "It's a plain enough ring. What did it mean to you?"
Sho found a quiet and unassuming place behind the fire to sit down, his limbs still stiff and his back rigid, as if someone had dumped him bodily in starch. He stayed silent and he listened. The flame guttered under the older Vistani’s manipulations, jumping, licking, shifting, assembling tableaus of tales, and the fire created gigantic dancing shadows under the night sky.
He switched off his lit circlet by now, to not draw any more attention. The burning tongues of flame gave a tinge of warmth back to his impassive pale face, and his long dark hair fell lusterlessly down his back. He’s always been withdrawn and reserved, so he didn’t really seem more gloomy than usual, expect the suggestion of pain and regret hidden deep in his eyes that made him look like he was having a massive stomachache.
Eventually the events of the day reassert themselves, and Talion finds himself unable to hide from them any longer. His dancing slows, he bows to his partner at the time, and his thoughts move inexorably to the strange priest. Still tired, but also still flooded with adrenaline from the frantic dancing, he leaves the crowd and sits down next to Sho.
"You still owe me a tale" he says quietly.
His solemn eyes turned to Talion, and the man’s tousled hair and jewels after the intense dancing, the corner of his mouth the faintest hint of a bitter smile. Now is as good a time as ever, he supposed. He looked down at his hands, and he said in a low voice: “Her name was Talindra.”
... his eyes beheld the dancing group around the bonfire in reminisce... the Vistani, much like this one...
He fell into a long silence after that, and it seemed like he had left the tale without an ending. His gaze fell far in the distance, and slowly, he recited: “…Yet each man kills the thing he loves. Some do it with a bitter look, some with a flattering word, and the coward does it with a kiss.”
Talion moves closer to Sho and says something quietly that is lost in the sound of music and dancing and in the crackling of the fire. His face seems concerned and tired, but that could just be a trick of the flickering light.
Sho turned to Talion. His wetly dark eyes looked weary and distant under the licks of orange firelight. A look that replied affirmatively. His mouth felt dry.
He slowly stood up. He was stripped of his armor and shield, and under the fire, he was lean and frail and alone, and it was suddenly obvious who he really was. “Good night, Talion.” He said softly, then he turned around and climbs onboard one of the wagons.
Talion watched Sho rise, then waited as the priest moved off to the wagons. A few moments later he too rose, walked nearer to the fire to fetch his pack and catch site of Bertolt, then followed the priest to the wagon. He moved slowly, the pack held awkardy on his shoulder, clearly both tired and not yet fully healed of his injuries.
Talion Charisma: 7 (if it's persuasion, then add 2 more Oops. I already added 2, subtract 2if it's a straight check!))
[It’s not a save so it’s just a +4 I believe.]
Throughout the evening, you wander around trying to glean information from the Vistani in the camp. They mostly ignore you, seemingly not interested in mixing business and pleasure.
- No one will speak the name of the princess from the story. - Re: Madam Eva - “She is the one who knows all. She told us to find you.” - All of your other queries go unanswered.
After the answers from Stanimir, (even though he didn’t get his questions answered fully), Erven relaxes, also as he sees his companions relax and unwind from the harrowing experience that they have just endured. You see Erven laugh and smile, a rarity during the last day and a half. After some drink and a meal and when the music starts, he loosens up even more. He has heard their kind of music before and it resonates in his mind. There must have been a traveling group of Vistani that played for his village before because some of the tunes are familiar. After a while (and several cups of wine) Erven’s eyes close, he stands and starts to dance, twirl and jump. He is nimble and graceful, lithe as he dances. He is doing steps with an invisible dance partner, a memory in his mind, dancing obviously familiar steps and an unrecognizable elvish dance to the tune. As he finishes after several long songs, he opens his eyes, a tear in his eye, quickly blinked away and the image before him in his mind vanished in his sight. He laughs and claps, deeply laughs and has full enjoyment of memories of happier times, good days long past. He curls up at night and sleeps well, unusual for him since he usually just meditates but his exhaustion and relaxation gets the best of him this night. He awakens the next morning excited to move on and to find the answers he seeks from Madam Eva.
@erven - I’m assuming you - ALL actually - will talk and banter with the locals. So you (and anyone else) could make a straight charisma check with any questions you might have.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
((Timeline : evening))
Erven tries to ask a number of questions casually to the Vistani. Charisma : 13
Questions Erven has :
Who is the cursed princess, more about her. Who is Madam Eva, what might she know and how. Any further info about the Vistani and where they are headed.
As Erven goes to sleep, it is a very active sleep with dreams. Frequently he smiles in his sleep, calls out the name “Dorina”, and his legs move at times in a restless manner. When he wakes up, bony Lucky Bear is curled up at the top of his head and he shoos her away, initially startled and recollecting all that has happened. As they start rolling he plays fetch with her with a large nut that was on the ground, gets a bone for her from the night before, for her to chew on and not add to her body.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Onyx quickly understands that the Vistani want to leave important questions to their Madam. He does try to ask about the names of the dances, and to learn what he can about the culture of the Travellers.
Charisma: 17
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Another medical problem. Indefinite hiatus. Sorry, all.
He fell into a long silence after that, and it seemed like he had left the tale without an ending. His gaze fell far in the distance, and slowly, he recited:“…Yet each man kills the thing he loves. Some do it with a bitter look, some with a flattering word, and the coward does it with a kiss.”
((Timeline : Prior evening before travel))
Erven is getting ready to rest, lies down opposite of Talion and Sho. He heard them conversing then picks out something that Sho says, and his ears perk up. He sits up, looks across the fire and speaks in their direction but not particularly to them individually. “I would say that the last couple of days have led to all sorts of strange choices and decisions. Questions of death, and life. The hereafter.” He looks down at Lucky, starts turning a small smooth rock in his hand over and over again. “I may not be as smart as you or the scholar over there, but I have lived many years and seen many things. The last days have made me think much of death and what awaits us afterward.” He pauses, considering. “I hate it.” He looks down at Lucky, his face blank.
“A poet in my village once said this, this is what I remember of it. Your words and my thoughts remind me of this.” He recites -
”And death shall have no dominion. Dead men naked they shall be one With the man in the wind and the west moon; When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone, They shall have stars at elbow and foot; Though they go mad they shall be sane, Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again; Though lovers be lost love shall not; And death shall have no dominion.”
”I know that I will be with my Lady Sehanine after. She must favor me, she has appeared to me three times now. But hopefully that will be far from now.” He looks up and gives you a wry smile and then curls up, looking at Lucky.
Talion rubs his forehead with both hands, clearly fighting exhaustion, and waits for the elf to climb aboard. His his eyes glaze over as he listens to the words. He watches the revelers, remembering the brief but welcome release they gave him, feeling grateful. He smiles when he sees Onyx still cavorting half naked around the fire, but eventually he turns back to Sho to continue a conversation that has obviously being going on for some time.
"Honour is a luxury that most of us can't afford, Sho. Let me ask you this: Which is better -- to fight an honourable fight and fail, dooming a whole village to undead servitude, or to fight dishonourably and save the entire village? I know which I'd choose. If I cared about the villagers, that is."
"Loyalty on the other hand, that's a whole different matter -- it's rare and it's valuable -- and..." he glances at the elf, then back to Sho, choosing his words carefully, "...anyone" he pauses again for emphasis, and tries to catch Sho's eyes, "...anyone who squanders it is not to be trusted. They do not understand its value and they do not deserve it. A betrayal of such a person is no betrayal."
"As to trust? I'm not even sure I know what it means. It's not loyalty. It's not honour. I think it's just predictability -- a measure of how strongly each person will cleave to the beliefs and people to which claim to be loyal. If I ask Onyx to save you, will he? If I kill a man, will the guard try to arrest me? Will they still try if I have my whole crew with me?" Then his smile broadens, "If I ask you to save me from certain death, will you?" He shakes his head, remembering that moment, then looks back at Sho. "These are the things that inspire loyalty, and determine where trust can be placed."
"By that measure, I think I trust the Vistani -- they seem purposeful and loyal to a cause. Their tales speak to this. Problem is, I don't yet know what they are loyal to. They didn't answer any of my questions...so they're not loyal to us...we have a place in their tales, but they don't yet trust us...if they ever will. Favours and..." his voice trails off and his eyes fix on something in the distance, then he laughs out loud.
"Damn, will you look at that! I don't know what they teach where the old man comes from, but I think I might need to take lessons. Full of surprises that one."
Erven
Lucky Bear seems normal - as normal as can be, that is. She moves around from person to person, looking for pats and attention. She finds an old bone and lays down to chew it. It's quite a strange sight, actually. Stanimir's face goes ashen and he shakes his head. "Madam Eva has the answers you seek. We must keep to the road for several days. Keeping to the road is safest. Yes, of course. As I mentioned, we've been waiting for you and it is our charge to bring you to Madam Eva."
Talion, Bertolt - Stanimir looks at you both, nodding. "Yes, yes, yes. We alone are allowed to leave this place. And if you are with us, then you too can leave. But you are not leaving because we are not leaving. But," Stanimir smiles widely and stretches his hands out towards the looming woods, "of course, you are welcome to try. We will await your return."

After your questions, Stanimir claps his hands and addresses all of you, including the Vistani. "We have completed what was foretold and now move to the second part of our duty. But first, let us eat, drink, and dance!" Stanimir reaches into one of his many pockets, drawing some dust forth, and throws it into the fire. The fire jumps to life and from somewhere around you, several instruments start to play a rousing number punctuated by percussion - the deep bass reminding you of a more sinister drumming, though this one is....happier. Dancers begin to swirl around the fire, bangles and chimes clinking in time to the music, half-naked bodies kicking up light dirt and dust around you. Wine skins, carafes, and wooden platters of food are circulated and you all partake as much as you want. The food and drink is delicious - the best you have had....well, for a very long time. Sweet scents assail your noses as incense and herbs of many varieties are lit, some smoked, some eaten, but the clouds of smoke are omnipresent.....You feel comfortable, which is alarming given your experience so far. But the temptation and feeling is irresistable.
The next hours go by in a blur. You don't remember falling asleep, likely your bodies demanded it to avoid exhaustion. Erven, although sleep is unusual for an elf, it isn't impossible. But as usual, the dreams you see play in your mind frighten and unsettle you. Nevertheless, you all awake on the road, in the back of one of the covered wagons which, surprisingly, is padded and extremely comfortable. All of your equipment is with you, Lucky Bear is curled up on a small cushion and growls slightly when the wagon bounces from a bump in the road. Up in the front is Stanimir and another Vistana. The other Vistana is a younger male and he is driving the wagon, which is pulled by two large draft horses.
"Ah! You are awake! Apologies for not waiting for you to rise before setting off but we must be getting moving. Unless you would like to go on without us?" Stanimir smiles and winks, but waits for your answer...
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Onyx had been completely enraptured by Stanimir’s simple but dramatic tale. A wounded warrior-princess, hospitality repaid, valiant combat against overwhelming odds – it was the stuff of legends. It was the type of tale that inspired him as a youth – the type of tale that had guided his career since leaving the monastery.
He had a sickening feeling that he and his companions had already met the cursed noble. But these Travellers, whom had known her for time indefinite, thought she could be cured. Curing a cursed princess? Well, how could he not be interested?
For the moment, he has forgotten his woes, and his rage and fear. When the festivities began, he stripped his armor off and joined in the dancing and carousing as best as he could in his injured state. For a few hours, he seems the jovial man the others had first met traveling the caravan together. There is little trace of his stubbornness and antagonism as he feasts and drinks and attempts to learn the steps of the Vistani.
He is one of the last to awake, meekly checking his equipment and wounds. The nightmares had been unpleasant, but he was somewhat accustomed to such things, and the memories, clouded they may be, of the night were a pleasant balm.
Another medical problem. Indefinite hiatus. Sorry, all.
Bertolt remains suspicious through out the night but keeps his concern to himself so that the others may relax. Despite his musical talents he does not play but instead observes the Vistanti play their style of music. He will still eat and drink his fill without complaint, glad for more then just their rations.
After the tension and depredations of the last two days, Talion is unable to stop himself from just giving in to the joy exuded by these odd strangers. He spends the night -- or at least the time he has before exhaustion claims him -- dancing and talking. He occasionally glances in the direction of the others -- Sho and the old bard, mainly -- but when he does so, memories of rats, bats, and near death come flooding back to haunt him. He looks away, smiling broadly at whoever he happens to be dancing with at the time, his dance becoming even more animated as he strives to break the line of sight.
This welcome escape almost comes to an end when Onyx joins in, but the warrior seems changed once more. Relaxed, maybe, for the first time since they entered the house. Talion keeps his distance, but finds that the old/new Onyx reminds him of the joy he felt when he began the journey out of Baldur's Gate. The patterns of that journey seem to be reasserting themselves, with Onyx and Talion mixing freely while everyone else keeps to themselves, lost in their own thoughts and, at least in one case, misery.
Eventually the events of the day reassert themselves, and Talion finds himself unable to hide from them any longer. His dancing slows, he bows to his partner at the time, and his thoughts move inexorably to the strange priest. Still tired, but also still flooded with adrenaline from the frantic dancing, he leaves the crowd and sits down next to Sho.
"You still owe me a tale" he says quietly.
@DM: Talion is pretty indiscriminate in who he talks to or dances with; he will happily divulge (edit) edited tales from his past life, or the journey, but talking about their experiences in the house this soon would be unlikely. What he would be interested in is:
(( Timeline: In the morning ))
Talion wakes up late, muscles sore from the dancing if not the mayhem of the previous two days. He eventually manages a grin for Stanimir. "Why walk when you can ride, eh? I'll need to stretch my legs later though. Too much dancing." Again he grins at the old man, wincing at the bright light of day. "And maybe too much wine as well."
If there is space in the front of the wagon, he moves to sit next to Stanimir, initially shading his eyes until they adjust. He watches the road and the forest for a time, taking it in for the first time without a sense of fear and dreadful foreboding. Eventually he turns to the man, his expression serious. "You...recognised my ring." He holds up his hand, examining it himself as if for the first time. "It's a plain enough ring. What did it mean to you?"
Sho found a quiet and unassuming place behind the fire to sit down, his limbs still stiff and his back rigid, as if someone had dumped him bodily in starch. He stayed silent and he listened. The flame guttered under the older Vistani’s manipulations, jumping, licking, shifting, assembling tableaus of tales, and the fire created gigantic dancing shadows under the night sky.
He switched off his lit circlet by now, to not draw any more attention. The burning tongues of flame gave a tinge of warmth back to his impassive pale face, and his long dark hair fell lusterlessly down his back. He’s always been withdrawn and reserved, so he didn’t really seem more gloomy than usual, expect the suggestion of pain and regret hidden deep in his eyes that made him look like he was having a massive stomachache.
His solemn eyes turned to Talion, and the man’s tousled hair and jewels after the intense dancing, the corner of his mouth the faintest hint of a bitter smile. Now is as good a time as ever, he supposed. He looked down at his hands, and he said in a low voice: “Her name was Talindra.”
... his eyes beheld the dancing group around the bonfire in reminisce... the Vistani, much like this one...
He fell into a long silence after that, and it seemed like he had left the tale without an ending. His gaze fell far in the distance, and slowly, he recited: “…Yet each man kills the thing he loves. Some do it with a bitter look, some with a flattering word, and the coward does it with a kiss.”
(( Timeline: Prior evening ))
Talion moves closer to Sho and says something quietly that is lost in the sound of music and dancing and in the crackling of the fire. His face seems concerned and tired, but that could just be a trick of the flickering light.
Sho turned to Talion. His wetly dark eyes looked weary and distant under the licks of orange firelight. A look that replied affirmatively. His mouth felt dry.
He slowly stood up. He was stripped of his armor and shield, and under the fire, he was lean and frail and alone, and it was suddenly obvious who he really was. “Good night, Talion.” He said softly, then he turned around and climbs onboard one of the wagons.
(( Timeline: Prior evening ))
Talion watched Sho rise, then waited as the priest moved off to the wagons. A few moments later he too rose, walked nearer to the fire to fetch his pack and catch site of Bertolt, then followed the priest to the wagon. He moved slowly, the pack held awkardy on his shoulder, clearly both tired and not yet fully healed of his injuries.
Talion, roll a charisma check.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
Talion Charisma: 7 (
if it's persuasion, then add 2 moreOops. I already added 2, subtract 2 if it's a straight check!))[It’s not a save so it’s just a +4 I believe.]
Throughout the evening, you wander around trying to glean information from the Vistani in the camp. They mostly ignore you, seemingly not interested in mixing business and pleasure.
- No one will speak the name of the princess from the story.
- Re: Madam Eva - “She is the one who knows all. She told us to find you.”
- All of your other queries go unanswered.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
((Timeline : prior evening))
After the answers from Stanimir, (even though he didn’t get his questions answered fully), Erven relaxes, also as he sees his companions relax and unwind from the harrowing experience that they have just endured. You see Erven laugh and smile, a rarity during the last day and a half. After some drink and a meal and when the music starts, he loosens up even more. He has heard their kind of music before and it resonates in his mind. There must have been a traveling group of Vistani that played for his village before because some of the tunes are familiar. After a while (and several cups of wine) Erven’s eyes close, he stands and starts to dance, twirl and jump. He is nimble and graceful, lithe as he dances. He is doing steps with an invisible dance partner, a memory in his mind, dancing obviously familiar steps and an unrecognizable elvish dance to the tune. As he finishes after several long songs, he opens his eyes, a tear in his eye, quickly blinked away and the image before him in his mind vanished in his sight. He laughs and claps, deeply laughs and has full enjoyment of memories of happier times, good days long past. He curls up at night and sleeps well, unusual for him since he usually just meditates but his exhaustion and relaxation gets the best of him this night. He awakens the next morning excited to move on and to find the answers he seeks from Madam Eva.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
@erven - I’m assuming you - ALL actually - will talk and banter with the locals. So you (and anyone else) could make a straight charisma check with any questions you might have.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
((Timeline : evening))
Erven tries to ask a number of questions casually to the Vistani. Charisma : 13
Questions Erven has :
Who is the cursed princess, more about her. Who is Madam Eva, what might she know and how. Any further info about the Vistani and where they are headed.
As Erven goes to sleep, it is a very active sleep with dreams. Frequently he smiles in his sleep, calls out the name “Dorina”, and his legs move at times in a restless manner. When he wakes up, bony Lucky Bear is curled up at the top of his head and he shoos her away, initially startled and recollecting all that has happened. As they start rolling he plays fetch with her with a large nut that was on the ground, gets a bone for her from the night before, for her to chew on and not add to her body.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Bertolt will ask more about where they are and the history of the placec.
Charisma Check: 7
Oooh exciting! I’ll say more later but based on your roll, Bertolt has befriended a Vistana! The Vistana’s name is Mardovija.
DM - And In The Darkness, Rot: The Sunless Citadel
DM - Our Little Lives Kept In Equipoise: Curse of Strahd
DM - Misprize Thou Not These Shadows That Belong: The Lost Mines of Phandelver
PC - Azzure - Tyranny of Dragons
The Evening Before
Onyx quickly understands that the Vistani want to leave important questions to their Madam. He does try to ask about the names of the dances, and to learn what he can about the culture of the Travellers.
Charisma: 17
Another medical problem. Indefinite hiatus. Sorry, all.
((Timeline : Prior evening before travel))
Erven is getting ready to rest, lies down opposite of Talion and Sho. He heard them conversing then picks out something that Sho says, and his ears perk up. He sits up, looks across the fire and speaks in their direction but not particularly to them individually. “I would say that the last couple of days have led to all sorts of strange choices and decisions. Questions of death, and life. The hereafter.” He looks down at Lucky, starts turning a small smooth rock in his hand over and over again. “I may not be as smart as you or the scholar over there, but I have lived many years and seen many things. The last days have made me think much of death and what awaits us afterward.” He pauses, considering. “I hate it.” He looks down at Lucky, his face blank.
“A poet in my village once said this, this is what I remember of it. Your words and my thoughts remind me of this.” He recites -
”And death shall have no dominion.
Dead men naked they shall be one
With the man in the wind and the west moon;
When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone,
They shall have stars at elbow and foot;
Though they go mad they shall be sane,
Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;
Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.”
”I know that I will be with my Lady Sehanine after. She must favor me, she has appeared to me three times now. But hopefully that will be far from now.” He looks up and gives you a wry smile and then curls up, looking at Lucky.
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
(( Timeline: Evening ))
Talion rubs his forehead with both hands, clearly fighting exhaustion, and waits for the elf to climb aboard. His his eyes glaze over as he listens to the words. He watches the revelers, remembering the brief but welcome release they gave him, feeling grateful. He smiles when he sees Onyx still cavorting half naked around the fire, but eventually he turns back to Sho to continue a conversation that has obviously being going on for some time.
"Honour is a luxury that most of us can't afford, Sho. Let me ask you this: Which is better -- to fight an honourable fight and fail, dooming a whole village to undead servitude, or to fight dishonourably and save the entire village? I know which I'd choose. If I cared about the villagers, that is."
"Loyalty on the other hand, that's a whole different matter -- it's rare and it's valuable -- and..." he glances at the elf, then back to Sho, choosing his words carefully, "...anyone" he pauses again for emphasis, and tries to catch Sho's eyes, "...anyone who squanders it is not to be trusted. They do not understand its value and they do not deserve it. A betrayal of such a person is no betrayal."
"As to trust? I'm not even sure I know what it means. It's not loyalty. It's not honour. I think it's just predictability -- a measure of how strongly each person will cleave to the beliefs and people to which claim to be loyal. If I ask Onyx to save you, will he? If I kill a man, will the guard try to arrest me? Will they still try if I have my whole crew with me?" Then his smile broadens, "If I ask you to save me from certain death, will you?" He shakes his head, remembering that moment, then looks back at Sho. "These are the things that inspire loyalty, and determine where trust can be placed."
"By that measure, I think I trust the Vistani -- they seem purposeful and loyal to a cause. Their tales speak to this. Problem is, I don't yet know what they are loyal to. They didn't answer any of my questions...so they're not loyal to us...we have a place in their tales, but they don't yet trust us...if they ever will. Favours and..." his voice trails off and his eyes fix on something in the distance, then he laughs out loud.
"Damn, will you look at that! I don't know what they teach where the old man comes from, but I think I might need to take lessons. Full of surprises that one."