((Apparently, I am thinking this is Pathfinder and confusing my games. Disregard second attack))
Sven runs around his comrades and attacks the wolves from behind, one punch each.
Her new friends were fighting admirably against the wolves, but the carnivores had gotten too close to Ismark and Ireena. Blaze galloped towards them, and physically inserted herself between the wolves and the humans, shouldering them aside while trying not to crush their feet beneath her hooves.
Shandi mercilessly cuts the skin of the next wolf.
Following a flurry of attacks from Sven, Shandi plunges her dagger into the final wolf, ending this threat.
Blaze trots around the group, making a perimeter, weapon in hand. She wants to be certain the threat is over, and there are no more wolves, or worse, waiting for them to relax their guard.
Sven quickly checks for wounded companions. "Are you all okay?"
Velspira quickly wagged her right throwing arm around a bit as the magical flame had lightly singed the cuff of her sleeve. When it was out, she could finally take a break, sighing in relief as they had dealt with the small pack of wild ferocious animals.
A barely perceptible mist leaves each of the dead wolves as the last warmth leaves their dead bodies. Ireena informs Sven that she is okay. "The wolves...they are an ever-present danger. It is fortunate that we are travelling in such a large group. We are also fortunate that all of you appear to be...capable...warriors."
Ismark agrees with his sister. "I think we could all use a short rest and perhaps a cup of wine. I know where we can get both, and they aren't far from here. We may also learn any news about what may lay ahead along the road."
"Wine?" Sven exclaims with a smile. "Let's go for it!"
"What's the place called? I wouldn't mind a good glass," Velspira says, slightly unnerved by the fog that rolled in, or mist as she thought it was. She wasn't the best to refer to such technicalities as she seemed more creeped out that it seemed to haunt over the bodies of the slain wolves.
Shandi shrugs her shoulders. Wine is good. But is it possible to get a rapier there? I lack the blade I am used to in such circumstances. She stares intently at the fog. There's something creepy and deadly about it...
Blaze nodded her head, and took point. She didn't go far enough ahead that the group could be separated from her, but she wanted any upcoming danger to run into her first.
Shurq had begun to formulate her own comment on her homeland, when her thoughts were interrupted by the wolves' attack.
Pulling a strip of cloth from her pack , she carefully wrapped the gash on her arm, before commenting, "Indeed , it would seem places of welcome and warmth are few and far between in this land, a respite would be welcome."
Gathering up her pack, she looks to Velspira and Sven, "I have heard of your homes. I grew up in the Dalelands far to the west of the Sword Coast... it is comforting that at least some of you hail from somewhere familiar! " she says, before turning to Shandi, "Though I am unfamiliar with Cyre, it pains me to hear of such suffering there. "
It was then that she realized that these were possibly the first words she'd spoken directly to her new companions, and her cheeks flamed with embarrassment.
As Blaze moved to the front, she said "Your home sounds beautiful, you must miss it."
Ismark and Darrien lead you forward.
The road gradually disappears and is replaced by a twisted, muddy path through the trees. Deep ruts in the earth are evidence of the comings and going of wagons.
The canopy of mist and branches suddenly give way to black clouds boiling far above. There is a clearing here, next to a river that widens to form a small lake several hundred feet across. Five colorful round tents, each ten feet in diameter, are pitched outside a ring of four barrel-topped wagons. A much larger tent stands near the shore of the lake, its sagging form lit from within. Near this tent, eight unbridled horses drink from the river.
The mournful strains of an accordion clash with the singing of several brightly clad figures around a bonfire. A footpath continues beyond this encampment, meandering north between the river and the forest's edge.
Who is it? Shandi quietly asks the locals, such as Ismark and Darrien. From these tents, can you understand who that people are? Merchants, warriors, pilgrims or... Should we be more wary of them than usual?
One think you will learn here, you should always be more wary. But... I think they are who we are looking for. And he tries to get a better look, just to be sure.
Darrien relates the following after Ismark suggests making his stop for rest and wine:
It's likely that Ismark is referring to the encampment of Vistani that is near where you are. Though the rather itinerant Vistani can be unpredictable, Darrien knows this particular group to be at least somewhat welcoming to strangers.
Ismark gives Darrien a nod and a smile, and adds "these Vistani will likely be deep into their cups, and are usually quite good natured. I have never known them to be surly drunks."
"Ah, the Vistani, now that be my kind of people. Knew a few over from Baldur, fine folk I tell you," she lied partially. The only Vistani she knew was a man that had helped her swindle a few idiots out of their coin, thinking that they were buying some sort of special mana potion when it was really just water with food coloring. A little bit of magic to give the appearance it actually did something.
She'd move up in front of the party towards the camp, a smile on her face, "Let me be one says hello, shouldn't be too hard," she says before walking up with a clear voice.
"Greetings to you folk, my party is just passing by for a little rest,"said smiling like a used cart salesman.
As Blaze moved to the front, she said "Your home sounds beautiful, you must miss it."
Blaze takes the comment seriously. "Must I? Is beauty so very important?" By her tone she was clearly asking with curiosity, not attitude. The centaur cocked her ears back and forth as she pondered, her tail swishing. "Sometimes I miss it. But not most of the time. This adventure is interesting, and worthy, and I would not leave you all to return home if I could."
***
Blaze looks at the encampment with curiosity, especially once she sees the horses. At least with so many people, they would be safer from random attacks, and the horses would let them know if they smelled or sensed danger.
As Velspira approaches and greets the Vistani, they at first stop the music and are momentarily silent. Finally, one of them pipes up. "COME! Have a cup of wine with us and share our fire! You shall be our guests, for at least as long as you would like to stay. Bartholoways! More music! And wine for our friends!"
As the group approaches the encampment, Ismark, Ireena, and Darrien find that this group of Vistani know who they are, and in fact, may have encountered each other on the road at some point.
Blaze happily joins them by the fire, warming herself. She politely declines the wine, however. What is it with humans and their rotten grape juice?
Stamping her hooves to help warm up, she said, "Thank you for your hospitality! I am Blaze." She looked around the encampment. "What is the name of your town?"
Blaze happily joins them by the fire, warming herself. She politely declines the wine, however. What is it with humans and their rotten grape juice?
Stamping her hooves to help warm up, she said, "Thank you for your hospitality! I am Blaze." She looked around the encampment. "What is the name of your town?"
The leader who initially spoke as you all approached laughs. "Blaze! Your joking makes me laugh! Are you sure you won't join us in a cup of good wine? And this is no town, just our humble collection of tents, horses, and wagons. Though we might occasionally wander into one of the towns around here, our home is wherever we decide to build a fire and open our barrel of wine each night!"
Shurq marvels at the Vistani's cheerful greeting and welcome, amazed that they possess such levity of spirit in such a benighted land.
She moved into the light of the fire, "May the Morningstar bless your journeys!" she says in welcome, gladly taking the offered wine.
Shandie accepts a cup of wine. To you and your hospitality! May your path be easy and safe. She takes a sip. Please share your stories with us, free travelers. What have you heard lately? Are there more wolves on the roads? Or something else?
Sven gladly accepts the wine and takes a seat, though he doesn't speak much. The gathering reminds him of his home, and he realises it's more than probable he never gets to see it again.
Velspira would take any drink offered to her, drinking down the wine and carousing with the locals as much as she saw fit. With so many there, she didn't have much worry of something too crazy happening. Besides, this place was gloomy, cramping her overall style and this people seemed to know how to party, "Nothing like a good barrel of wine ready to go."
Shandie accepts a cup of wine. To you and your hospitality! May your path be easy and safe. She takes a sip. Please share your stories with us, free travelers. What have you heard lately? Are there more wolves on the roads? Or something else?
The leader responds, "the wolves are an ever-present danger on the road. They are especially dangerous as night begins to fall. Be sure and find a safe place before the darkness comes." He takes a sip of his wine and continues. "Of course I have heard that the burgomaster of Barovia has died. He was a kind man." Turning to Ismark and Ireena, he adds "you have my sincere condolences, and the sympathy of my family."
The leader responds, "the wolves are an ever-present danger on the road. They are especially dangerous as night begins to fall. Be sure and find a safe place before the darkness comes." He takes a sip of his wine and continues. "Of course I have heard that the burgomaster of Barovia has died. He was a kind man." Turning to Ismark and Ireena, he adds "you have my sincere condolences, and the sympathy of my family."
Blaze tipped her head, ears forward. "Do they not bother you? You do not have walls to shelter behind. Or does the size of your encampment keep them away?"
Casually drinks her troubles away.
Sven notices that one of the larger tents has flickering candles within. The light dances upon the walls of the tent in unsettling, less than natural patterns.
A glance toward Shurq indicates that she also notices that this tent seems to be lit from within, and perhaps has at least one occupant.
The flap of the tent is partially open.
Shurq savors the simple wine, it's taste greatly enhanced by the generosity and cheerfulness of their hosts.
Occasionally she glances at the darkness beyond the campfire, as if she expects something or someone to be lurking there.
After one such glance, her eyes pass one of the tents and notices the tell-tale flicker of candles.
Not sure if it was rude to ask, she addresses the leader tentatively, "That tent..." she says, indicating the candle-lit tent with her glass of wine.
Sven notices the candles and the first thing that comes to mind is how bold or expert that person must be, for a single mistake and fire can engulf the whole tent, turning it into a charring tomb.
He's a bit lost in those thoughts when he notices Shurq asking, and thus he readies his ears for the answer, out of curiosity.
Darrien notices the light show, and frowns slightly. When the others mention it, he shrugs and starts heading towards the tent.
One by one you notice Shurq and Sven looking toward a tent that sits across from the fire where you currently sit. Something draws you toward the opening of the tent. Darrien is the first to rise up from his seat by the fire.
The Vistana who invited all of you to the fire suddenly becomes silent. After a moment, he speaks. "She is ready for you. Follow your friend. You may learn what is ahead for you."
Sven, believing he's realised what is all about, nods. He stands up with difficulty - the wine is good! - and heads for the tent trying not to stumble on anyone or anything.
Not noticing anything on her own, Shandi looks in surprise at the tent that Shurq said about. Who is 'she'? The question is obviously addressed to Vistana.
The tiefling would be roused from drinking with her new found friends before walking over with a slight spring in her feet to the fire. Her party seemed to have noticed what was going on in the tent before she even noticed it at all, a bottle in hand as followed everyone else, "She is she I guess?" partial inebriation settling in.
Shurq's eyes shift from the tent to their host, appraising the man's sudden silence.
Fear...or respect? she thinks to herself, before drinking the last of her wine. Standing, she stretched her back a little, before giving their host a friendly nod, then following her companions into the tent.
Blaze didn't understand why the humans (and goat human) suddenly got up to go to the tent. Was the wine-time over? Were they sleepy?
The Vistana who invited all of you to the fire suddenly becomes silent. After a moment, he speaks. "She is ready for you. Follow your friend. You may learn what is ahead for you."
Hmm, no, this we a ceremony of some sort. Blaze felt the hair of her mane prickle and stand up, but it was not her place to stick her hoof in. It was unlikely this was a trap, and if she was wrong, well, then they'd regret it.
Keeping to the rear, watching to see if any of these Vistani looked suspicious, Blaze followed the rest to the tent.
Despite the fact that it's still early afternoon, the tent appears to be unusually dark inside. Through the flap you see single woman, certainly older than the others you met sitting around the fire. She is seated at a small table, and the tent is lit by several candles.
The woman at first seems to be in her own world. After a few seconds, she realizes that some of you have entered the tent. As she looks up at you, she snaps her fingers. At the sound of this "snap," a deck of large cards suddenly takes to the air, circling the woman once, then twice. She holds one hand out, and the cards settle into a neat pile on her palm and fingers.
She speaks. "It is not...entirely...unexpected that you would visit me. I have heard of your presence in the village. And this one...I know you, though it has been many years since you and I have talked." The woman refers to Darrien. "I am Madame Eva, and there are stools for all of you. Sit."
Blaze startles as the cards swirl into the air, and she stomps her back hoof in surprise. However, the human witch doesn't seem threatening, and the others aren't alarmed, so Blaze carefully enters the tent. Clearly the stools weren't meant for her, so she carefully lowered herself to the ground, tucking her legs up under her, trying not to take up too much space.
"I am Blaze," she said, somewhat awkwardly. "Is your deck of cards magical, or did you make them do that?"
Ah, the casing of lots. Cards, this time. Back home, their godi used to cast runes, inscribed on bones or stones, and interpret the future depending on how the bones ended up.
"A pleasure, Madame Eva" he says while sitting on a stool.
I remember you. Shandi swallows nervously and looks into the woman's face. I dreamed about you before we woke up in that house of horrors. You were in my dream! Predicted the mill and treasures, and advised to gain experience. The charlatan's card... What does it all mean? Shandi speaks confidently, for her as a wizardess, these are clearly not just dreams.
"Madame Eva" Shurq says, inclining her head to the woman, "May the Morninglord bless you and yours."
She takes a seat on one of the stools, get comfortable and waits...
neat trick Darrien says before nodding in greeting.
Glad to see you and the others are still well. is all the words he spares her before finding a seat. Though he does give a raised eyebrow at Shandi's statement.
I remember you. Shandi swallows nervously and looks into the woman's face. I dreamed about you before we woke up in that house of horrors. You were in my dream! Predicted the mill and treasures, and advised to gain experience. The charlatan's card... What does it all mean? Shandi speaks confidently, for her as a wizardess, these are clearly not just dreams.
"My child, dreams are fickle. I would not put much stock into the memories you carry with you from this dream. There are many...powers...in this world who would love nothing more to deceive you. It was not I you saw in your vision. Let's have another look at my cards, face to face."
With that, a parade of face cards fly in a wide arc from one of Madame Eva's hands to another for all of you to see.
Velspira took her seat, suddenly feeling somewhat small as she sat on the stool. It wasn't particularly comfortable, maybe in part due to the strange feeling she had in here, not feeling right about this place nor the company they were now in, "So you some sort of Harrow reader? Consult the tarots cards?" she spoke, bringing the small bottle of wine she had caroused partying with the locals at camp. It was empty and she felt worser for it.
[b]"Dreams, you dreamed her?" she looked towards Shandi.