NEW CAMPAIGN - RAVENLOFT 1983

Nice job you two! Here are two morsels of knowledge just for you guys.

The Blue Water Inn (N2) offers food, wine, and shelter for visitors. A stranger with pointed ears is staying there. He came to Barovia from a distant land, riding into town on a carnival wagon.

The burgomaster, Baron Vargas Vallakovich, has decreed that the Festival of the Blazing Sun will be held in the town square (area N8) in three days. The previous festival, which he called the Wolf's Head Jamboree, was less than a week ago. You can still see evidence of the last festival, which, more or less, appears to be a weekly event here in town to keep the population happy - the burgomaster believe that happiness will keep Strahd away from the town.

Are people out and about? Bors  stops anyone he sees and asks how it is this town seems normal in a realm which is otherwise utterly miserable. Persuasion: 18

Earlier, as Briella finishes her healing, Kia gently... well, pets her. It comes across a little awkwardly, but sincerely, and yet there’s a little twinkle in Kia’s eye as she does.

”Thank you, mistress,” she says. “We all need care sometimes.”

Fast forward to the town, Kia will sniff at the dead wolf heads, smile toothily at people, and generally conform to her average charisma and outlanderness. 

Imryll to random citizen who I magically charmed: "That Blue Water Inn sounds interesting!  Thank's for the pointer.  May I buy you a drink?"

Martha has been taking in the whole of the village. A wolf head jamboree sounds... worrying, but perhaps it’s more of a symbolic gesture. She’s going to just investigate around town. Investigation: 11

Ah, why not. Insight: 14

Yes, as expected. :)

People are indeed out and about.

They look at Martha with quiet curiosity.

Kia, one of the townsfolks tell you that those that speak ill of the festivals are declared by the burgomaster to be in league with the devil Strahd and arrested. Some are thrown in the stocks, while others are taken to the burgomaster's mansion so that the baron can purge them of their evil.

Which location would you guys like to visit?

Imryll casts her vote for the Blue Water Inn.

“Well, I believe that the inn might be a good idea. We’ve really been going at top speed lately.”

OOC:Blue Water Inn, but we might want to look into to seeing the Burgomaster as soon as we can. Cause they sound suspect AF, "purging" people of their "evil" just because they don't like parties.

THE BLUE WATER INN (N2)

MORNING

Gray smoke issues from the chimney of this large, two story wooden building with a stone foundation and sagging tile roof, upon which several ravens have perched. A painted wooden sign hanging about the main entrance depicts a blue waterfall.

A - From the outside, you can see a 3 foot high stone rim well that the inn draws water from.

B - This is a stairway leading to the second floor guest quarters.

C - This is where you are should you enter inside.

The innkeeper, Urwin Martikov, startles you all as you enter. "Danikaaaa!" He calls out, seeing there's nine of you walking in. "We've got a big group! Welcome, welcome!" he says graciously.

It's morning, so it's not very busy in the inn at the moment. A bed cost 1ep for the evening, and comes with fresh hot beet soup and bread at no additional charge. Wolf steak is 1ep, and various wines cost 3cp a glass.He is very proud of the wines. His family makes them.

OOC: Has Martha ever heard of ep?

Electrum pieces? Sure, why not? =P That would be 2 gold, I believe.

You guys can hang in the inn for a bit and rest up, or move on to another location. If you wanna hang out a bit, I can further describe what you see, or you guys can move it. It's all good.

OOC: I believe we’re all healed up, no?  If so, someone who is charismatic should talk to that pointy eared outsider we heard about. 

Damp cloaks hang from pegs in the entrance portico. The tavern is packed with tables and chairs, with narrow paths meandering between them. A bar stretches along on wall, under a balcony that can be reached by a wooden staircase that hugs the north wall. Another balcony overhangs an entrance to the east. All the windows are fitten with thick shutters and crossbars. Lanterns hanging above the bar and resting on the tables bathe the room in dull orange light and cast chadows upon the walls, most of which are adorned with wolf heads mounted on wooden plaques.

In addition to townspeople that do not look out of the ordinary, there is a half-elf bard in the corner of the room telling tales to a small group of listeners. 

Kia walks over to the bard, turns a chair backwards (tail) and sits, smiling at him. "I would hear the tale of a great enemy of Strahds," she interrupts.

"And over the hill we went, and all of the su- well, well!" He says. "What have we here? A new visitor! Summoned to this realm for reasons only known to herself - joining a powerful and diverse group of people possessing bravery and courageousness who have overcome great challenges laid out by the Dark Lord so far. You want to hear a tale of an enemy of Strahd? I will tell you a tale.." He takes a bite of his apple and begins..

"There is a rumor of an empire, ancient and lost to time. An empire rules by three perfect women: One time would not touch - she would never age or die. One was loved - everyone who met her eyes would want nobody else. And one stopped harm - no one who kissed her could hurt another being. And though they were beautiful, ageless, and merciful, the kingdom that grew around the Triarchy was the most monstrous yet made. A tyranny of torture and pain that could never end while the three immortal sisters lay at its center like pearls in a poisoned shell. 

Until one day it did.

The women disappeared and were never seen again. The Empire slowly faded and fell, leaving only a memory, like a nightmare recalled at dawn. Rumor has it the Dark Lord Strahd found and imprisoned them three in his castle. Oh woe how they hate him - what wrath would ensue should they be let loose."

Martha listens to the story with suspicion, as everything in this land has been a lie or some bent truth. She would like to make an insight check to see if he’s actually telling useful information, or if he’s just spinning a yarn. Insight: 3

EDIT: Accidentally added a +1 so I needed to remove it

(Holidays are great for dropping off a radar)

Grishkar follows the group into the tavern, leaving his raven perched above the door. He immediately makes his way to the bar. His hand produces a gold coin between each finger and he playfully drums them on the table until met by the barkeeper, "Oh wonderful to meet you! I am a traveling priest with my companions. You see, My Lord venerates the dead and it is my mission to consecrate those long deceased. Could you direct me to your graveyard so that I may deliver my blessings? I take no charge for my services, but information is always gladly appreciated."

(Skill check or will a 4-5gp bribe for simple directions be enough?)

The story seems woven well enough that you can't really discern whether its true or not, especially since you've never heard of this ancient empire or the Triarchy. So, to you, it appears truthful. 

No bribe is necessary, there is a small graveyard near N6, the Coffin Makers House.