Strahd's passionate love for Tatiana is a thing of legend, among the Vistani. That much is clear. Misalyk doesn't know more than that.
The party passes a safe evening by the fire.
Morning rises on the day of the invitation from Strahd. You would arrive at the gates to Ravenloft a few hours early, if you went straight there, but you don't have enough time to go to Vallaki and get back to the gates. So, if you want to go to the party, you have a few hours to kill (or show up early). If not, the day is yours.
The party makes its way out of Madam Eva's tent, and down to the campfire where the Vistani are preparing an elaborate meal. They encourage Barnaby to let them know what they're looking for, though they do not always know their own schedules or when they might return. What do you have that we could possibly want? I don't mean to offend, little man, but what are you offering?
They respond to the party's questions about Strahd and the history of the valley over the course of your delicious dinner. They share a series of soulful, sad songs, mixed with a few stories connecting the narrative, that shine a little light on Strahd's (and the valley's) past: In the long-ago past, Strahd arrived as the eldest son of a king from a nearby monarchy. The valley of Barovia was essentially unruled. There were walled villages, as there are not, and Strahd seized it with his army, in the name of the king, his father. The valley was beautiful, as was the maiden Strahd encountered in it: the exquisite Tatiana.
Strahd wooed Tatiana over weeks and months, and they were finally to be wed. Strahd also, meanwhile, built a castle in the valley. Ravenloft, named for his mother, Queen Ravenia. He sent for his beloved parents to join him, as his brother already had. On the day of the wedding, though, Tatiana confessed to Strahd that she had been seduced by his brother, and had been unfaithful to him in the weeks before the wedding day. Strahd, in his fury, killed his brother, and Tatiana fled into the forests of the valley, never to be seen again.
The gods, punishing Strahd for the wicked murder of his brother, broke Barovia off from the rest of the world, and it has existed in this isolated place in the unknown hundreds of years ever since. Strahd rules here, pining for his gone Tatiana, suffering, and ruling without challenge in this isolated, tiny universe.
The Vistani explain that these are old legends and songs, and they do not know more. The fire is burning low, and everyone has eaten well and had all the wine that he could wish to drink.
Madam Eva, who has distant and pretty stern both times you've met her, relaxes and smiles. Why, Kif, look at how much progress you've made already! I do not know any more than what I have said. Lady Wachter? Whoever she is, she does not come here, and I have never drawn cards for her. Eat and rest, dwarf. You are safe here, among these Vistani.
You have questions about your reading. Understand that I do not know more than what the cards have said. I may nevertheless be able to offer you some guidance.
You ask about the Vistani. You realize that you misremember the spelling. Or perhaps that the spelling was wrong, at one time. I am not Vistani, myself. I am their guest, as you are their guest this evening. You wish to trade with the Vistani? Speak with them.
You ask about some particular missing child. I wonder why you focus on this one. In all the time you have now been in Barovia, have you not discovered many children missing, in one way or another? I do not know what the card means. But it does indicate a connection to the Vistani. So, if there is not a connection to the Vistani for this missing child or that missing child, then keep, as the saying goes, an open mind.
Does that answer all of your questions, travelers?
The party approaches Madam Eva's tent. You all stare at each other and contemplate what to do, because the flap hangs closed. There is nothing to knock on. Should you walk right in? That doesn't seem right. Barnaby shuffles his feet and edges toward the flap. Chubs coughs into his hand, and you hear a voice from within: Enter, travelers.
Madam Eva sits within, illuminated by a lantern. She sits at her table, as before, though there is no sign of the Tarokka deck that she used when divining the future (or appearing to do so) the last time you were here. I am not often surprised, my guests, but I had not expected to see you again. And with a Vistani guide, no less! Well. Welcome to my tent. What do you seek? The Tarokka deck has no more for you.
I encourage you all to have a look through your earlier encounter with her, much of which (but not all of which) is documented in the OP, before you respond. What do you want to ask?
Ok. I'm (finally) prepared for either encounter; you have but to choose. Sorry for the delay, but I have finished a bit of preparation that I was delaying. We are, basically, transitioning from Phase 2 of the campaign to Phase 3 (no such borderline exists, in the campaign material), and I needed to satisfy for myself how some aspects of it would go. Mea culpa.
Sort of. You passed to and from this encampment by a path to the south, that heads to the Old Svalich Road near the village of Barovia. There was a gallows at the crossroad, and you fought your first twig blights there.
You got here this time via a path on the north side of the encampment, that follows a river toward the Tser Falls. Same encampment, approached from the opposite direction.
The party hustles all day long, and reaches a bridge over the Tser Falls - Misalyk gives the name - in midafternoon. Misalyk also shows a narrow path from the edge of the bridge down to the river's edge below, making it possible to reach the Vistani encampment by dusk.
The party arrives and sees five or six unfamiliar Vistani nursing a fire to light, just as the sun is setting. One of them looks up and greets you as you approach: Misalyk?!
Nothing. It’s an unremarkable, unmarked weapon. The clothing is also ordinary, tattered rags. You can choose between a short rest, taking some precious daylight, or hustling on without one.
0
Heh. Yes, sorry. I appreciate everyone’s patience during this hiatus.
0
Strahd's passionate love for Tatiana is a thing of legend, among the Vistani. That much is clear. Misalyk doesn't know more than that.
The party passes a safe evening by the fire.
Morning rises on the day of the invitation from Strahd. You would arrive at the gates to Ravenloft a few hours early, if you went straight there, but you don't have enough time to go to Vallaki and get back to the gates. So, if you want to go to the party, you have a few hours to kill (or show up early). If not, the day is yours.
0
The party makes its way out of Madam Eva's tent, and down to the campfire where the Vistani are preparing an elaborate meal. They encourage Barnaby to let them know what they're looking for, though they do not always know their own schedules or when they might return. What do you have that we could possibly want? I don't mean to offend, little man, but what are you offering?
They respond to the party's questions about Strahd and the history of the valley over the course of your delicious dinner. They share a series of soulful, sad songs, mixed with a few stories connecting the narrative, that shine a little light on Strahd's (and the valley's) past: In the long-ago past, Strahd arrived as the eldest son of a king from a nearby monarchy. The valley of Barovia was essentially unruled. There were walled villages, as there are not, and Strahd seized it with his army, in the name of the king, his father. The valley was beautiful, as was the maiden Strahd encountered in it: the exquisite Tatiana.
Strahd wooed Tatiana over weeks and months, and they were finally to be wed. Strahd also, meanwhile, built a castle in the valley. Ravenloft, named for his mother, Queen Ravenia. He sent for his beloved parents to join him, as his brother already had. On the day of the wedding, though, Tatiana confessed to Strahd that she had been seduced by his brother, and had been unfaithful to him in the weeks before the wedding day. Strahd, in his fury, killed his brother, and Tatiana fled into the forests of the valley, never to be seen again.
The gods, punishing Strahd for the wicked murder of his brother, broke Barovia off from the rest of the world, and it has existed in this isolated place in the unknown hundreds of years ever since. Strahd rules here, pining for his gone Tatiana, suffering, and ruling without challenge in this isolated, tiny universe.
The Vistani explain that these are old legends and songs, and they do not know more. The fire is burning low, and everyone has eaten well and had all the wine that he could wish to drink.
Does anyone wish to say or ask anything?
0
Madam Eva, who has distant and pretty stern both times you've met her, relaxes and smiles. Why, Kif, look at how much progress you've made already! I do not know any more than what I have said. Lady Wachter? Whoever she is, she does not come here, and I have never drawn cards for her. Eat and rest, dwarf. You are safe here, among these Vistani.
0
You have questions about your reading. Understand that I do not know more than what the cards have said. I may nevertheless be able to offer you some guidance.
You ask about the Vistani. You realize that you misremember the spelling. Or perhaps that the spelling was wrong, at one time. I am not Vistani, myself. I am their guest, as you are their guest this evening. You wish to trade with the Vistani? Speak with them.
You ask about some particular missing child. I wonder why you focus on this one. In all the time you have now been in Barovia, have you not discovered many children missing, in one way or another? I do not know what the card means. But it does indicate a connection to the Vistani. So, if there is not a connection to the Vistani for this missing child or that missing child, then keep, as the saying goes, an open mind.
Does that answer all of your questions, travelers?
0
The party approaches Madam Eva's tent. You all stare at each other and contemplate what to do, because the flap hangs closed. There is nothing to knock on. Should you walk right in? That doesn't seem right. Barnaby shuffles his feet and edges toward the flap. Chubs coughs into his hand, and you hear a voice from within: Enter, travelers.
Madam Eva sits within, illuminated by a lantern. She sits at her table, as before, though there is no sign of the Tarokka deck that she used when divining the future (or appearing to do so) the last time you were here. I am not often surprised, my guests, but I had not expected to see you again. And with a Vistani guide, no less! Well. Welcome to my tent. What do you seek? The Tarokka deck has no more for you.
I encourage you all to have a look through your earlier encounter with her, much of which (but not all of which) is documented in the OP, before you respond. What do you want to ask?
0
Ok. I'm (finally) prepared for either encounter; you have but to choose. Sorry for the delay, but I have finished a bit of preparation that I was delaying. We are, basically, transitioning from Phase 2 of the campaign to Phase 3 (no such borderline exists, in the campaign material), and I needed to satisfy for myself how some aspects of it would go. Mea culpa.
0
Oh, little friend. The Vistani have a very special relationship with Count Strahd. I'll tell you the story over dinner.
I'll get the story together while you guys decide if you want to talk to Madame Eva first, or whether you're ready to eat.
0
You’ve had it for hours! Let me know if you don’t see it and I’ll resend.
0
Wow. Kif, and *only* Kif, you will receive an email from me.
The Vistani invite the members of the party to share their fire and their dinner, as they prepare meats and vegetables for cooking in the fire.
0
Sort of. You passed to and from this encampment by a path to the south, that heads to the Old Svalich Road near the village of Barovia. There was a gallows at the crossroad, and you fought your first twig blights there.
You got here this time via a path on the north side of the encampment, that follows a river toward the Tser Falls. Same encampment, approached from the opposite direction.
Everybody roll a Perception check.
0
The other members of the party may or may not think it surprising that Misalyk is (apparently) known here. Play it as you like.
0
The party hustles all day long, and reaches a bridge over the Tser Falls - Misalyk gives the name - in midafternoon. Misalyk also shows a narrow path from the edge of the bridge down to the river's edge below, making it possible to reach the Vistani encampment by dusk.
The party arrives and sees five or six unfamiliar Vistani nursing a fire to light, just as the sun is setting. One of them looks up and greets you as you approach: Misalyk?!
0
Yes, that reaction triggered.
Sorry it’s been slow. It will continue slow this week, too, though things should pick up a bit on Friday and for the following week or so.
0
Nothing. It’s an unremarkable, unmarked weapon. The clothing is also ordinary, tattered rags. You can choose between a short rest, taking some precious daylight, or hustling on without one.