Curse of Strand: Welcome to Barovia (Inactive)

Game Master inxpitter

"Oatmeal and eggs are fine for me".

Victor nods at the man that is in the Inn, "Who is yon older man?"

"Methinks we should keep our appointment with yon mayor," Galador says as much to the group as himself between massive bites of food. He breakfasted mightily, tucking in reserves should they again be swept away by events and prevented from having a good, hot supper.

The innkeeper Urwin watches the conversation move back and forth.

"I've got some old weapons and armor that I have no use for, tending this inn. If you secure the wine supply, then its yours."

Is the bartender Urwin?

"Hmm...bacon's hard to get around these parts, but I'll what we've got left."

At the mention of the stranger, the barkeep looks up.

"Ah yes, our other visitor. Tells a good story, seems harmless. So long as folks stay away from his carriage. Damn thing makes noise with no one inside too, spooks the hell out of me."

The bartender wanders into the back to grab your foodstuffs.

Vasilios keeps eating while he asks. "Who is this other guy you're talking about?" Nom."And weren't we supposed to be given some rewards or whatever?" He doesn't seem to be concerned by yesterday's episode with the wolf bite, seeing that he has awaken perfectly fine and rested.

Vasilios keeps eating while he asks. "Who is this other guy you're talking about?" Nom."And weren't we supposed to be given some rewards or whatever?" He doesn't seem to be concerned by yesterday's episode with the wolf bite, seeing that he has awaken perfectly fine and rested.

Victor points without trying to point, badly, "Yon fellow over here with us Vas.

As far as meeting with the Mayor, is it really a good idea? I'd suspect he's in league with the very villain who haunts these lands. How else would he gain such a title? I say we collect our reward and head out to meet with that ahhh, old knight we encountered on the road. An ally we've battled with and it seems we could trust".

"If it's a trap, Victor, it's already sprung. If we don't meet with him and he -is- in league with evil, he'll take offense. Or if he isn't evil, and we don't meet with him, he'll still take offense. If we at least meet and hear what he has to day, we can beg time to think upon it and then make ourselves scarce. He'll still take offense, but at least we'll know.

And not everyone is evil. I hope. Perhaps he is like yon winemaker and is simply beset by a plague we can help him out of."

The bartender returns with what could be considered bacon, though its a small portion, the salty grease you taste seems comfortably familiar.

"I believe what you're seeking can be found in the cellar, but I ask that you take only one item each. We've got to keep some in case....matters escalate. But you have your pick."

With that, he hands you a key and nods to a wooden door, with an iron lock.

"That's so nice! Thank you!" cheers Vasilios, referring to the bacon. After all his recent experiences, a familiar touch like this, as small as it is, comforts his heart and soothens his soul.

Belly and heart both full, he joins his companions in going downstairs to see what they find before meeting the Mayor.

Victor leans into Galador whispering, "Or we take the Mayor unawares today and free the people, rally them behind us. They are all clearly terrified of the man. What "good" man endears such reactions from his people?"

Casdin will make his way downstairs.

Galador motions for Victor to follow him as they trail Casdin downstairs, and he mumbles back, "Aye. Well, I'm open to that idea, but I've the feeling that a man so feared and unloved as he will be capable of defending himself from a mob such as we. I'm all for fighting for a worthy cause, but my terms usually forsee me living at the end of the day and a goodly reward of fat sacks of coins in my hand. Launching myself at a mayor who offers me coin and employment and gratitude while having done me personally no insult is not really fitting in to my menu.

So let us watch and wait. The right play will make itself known."

Galador takes a bite of a bit of fruit that he brought with him and anxiously looks for this trove that they have been told of.

Listening to Galador behind him, Casdin says "That's a surprisingly long-term view for an adventurer."

After Casdin's response to Galador's exposition, Vasilios has but to answer. "Well, given that we're stuck here and we want to go away, and the only way is to defeat a moster thousands of times stronger than us, long-term view seems the only possibility. We need to increase our power and diminish his, and I bet that's not a one-day feat." Pointing to Gal, "He is right. Let's see what the Mayor's hand is, and play our cards accordingly. We still don't know if he's friend or foe." After a second, he adds in a more jokingly manner, to shoo the seriousness: "Darn, we still don't know if he's a he."

You make your way down the rickets steps that lead to the basement. Each step feels like its pushing the old wood to breaking point, but the stairs see you safely to the bottom.

You immediately notice two swords on the wall. A small chest sits in the corner of the room, its metal furnishes rusted with a small dent in the wood. There's a bookcase with few tomes on it, what looks like a ring, and and a small figurine of sorts.

Worshipping the god of knowledge, Casdin will make his way to the books.

Vasilios examines everything with curiosity using Detect Magic if need be, starting with the figurine.

"I wonder if this counts as one item," Galador wryly says, heading over and opening the rickety chest.

Victor gives a non-committal shrug at the response of his comrades to his plan.

As the group heads into the basement, Victor moves to the swords for closer inspection.

So, if we could get a description of the contents of the chest?

Yep! Just having a rough week as all professors decide to have projects/tests/etc due before break.

Casdin, you examine the texts and find them to be assorted books of different natures. There is a diary, history book, a cartography book detailing the area from one stranger's travel's through Barovia, and something that seems arcane.
By choosing a book as your choice, you gain the knowledge within. All books but one are mundane but have possibly useful information, but the last one seems to be magical in nature and will bestow its reader 1 extra spell slot and 1 extra spell at the highest current level.

Vasilios goes to examine the figurine, what seems to be a small group of adamantine ants climbing on top of each other, nestled in an open steel case. There are 12 in total, about half an inch long each.
These ants come in a small steel case which holds twelve half-inch long figurines. ey can become giant ants that are each able to lift 35 pounds for 4 hours. You must activate all the ants of the set at once. Once used, these figurines cannot be used again until 2 days have passed.

Victor begins to inspect the blades hanging off the wall. One seems a gladius of sorts, its hilt formed like spreading wings, its sheath a goldish tint. Gripping its handle you are surprised to find the sword shines as if it was made of semi-solid light. It radiates light and power which would cause the darkness to waver.
[oo]When drawn, this weapon sheds a bright light in a 15-foot radius and dim light for an additional 15 feet beyond. It causes no damage or negative effect to living creatures or constructs. When wielded against undead, infernals or entropic creatures, this magic weapon grants you a +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls. In addition, the weapon deals an extra 1d6 radiant damage to undead, 2d6 radiant damage to infernals and 3d6 radiant damage to entropic creatures.[/b]

The second blade has a bluish tint to its blade when pulled from its scabbard. You feel an almost visceral sensation as the blade glides through the air as you swing it about.
You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage when attacking with this magical steel weapon. As a bonus action, you may move 15 feet as long as that movement brings you closer to an undead. This movement does not provoke opportunity attacks.

Galador opens the chest and finds it to be much larger on the inside, and contains a variety of items inside. Two rings, one set of Armor, one dagger, a pair of boots, robes of a sort,

This quartz ring has been carved to resemble a flight of swallows.
While wearing this ring your speed increases by 10 feet. You also gain advantage on all Dexterity (Acrobatics) ability checks. You also don’t take damage from falling 20 feet or less if you aren’t incapacitated.

These dark iron bands are etched with runes of focus, allowing the wearer to split his attention amongst different spells.
While this ring is worn you find that you may maintain concentration on two spells simultaneously, as long as both spells are of 2nd level or lower. If you fail to maintain concentration on either spell, both of them end.

This tight- fitting jerkin is made of tough, but pliable leather and dyed a dark color with engraved red accent decorations.
This armor grants a +1 bonus to your Armor Class. While wearing this armor, you can gain the bene ts of the Fighting Styles Duelist and Two-Weapon Fighting at the same time

This finely crafted dagger appears for all appearances like a simple dagger.
You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with this magic weapon. If you use this weapon to make a ranged attack and your attack hits, add 1d4+1 dice to your damage roll. If you score a critical hit, these additional dice are doubled as normal. Additionally, when you use this weapon to make a ranged attack, the weapon flies back to your hand immediately after the attack.

These mid-calf high boots are crafted from fine leathers and polished to a mirror shine
These boots have 3 charges and regain 1d3 expended charges daily at dawn. If you expend the last charge, roll a d20. On a roll of 1 the boots cannot regain charges until left undisturbed in a small box or cupboard for 1 day.
When wearing these boots, as an action you may kick any door, gate, or similar portal and expend 1 charge to cast the knock spell on it. Once this ability is used, you have advantage on all Charisma (Intimidation) checks made against individuals who were on the far side of the obstruction for 10 minutes.

This finely made robe is fashioned from painted paper, sewn to a layer of fine silks. Each paper strip is painted with arcane runes and sigils.
While wearing this armor, you may expend a spell slot, directing its energy into the robe. You gain an Armor Class equal to 10 + the level of the spell slot expended + your Dexterity modifier. This effect lasts 24 hours during which you may not expend any more spell slots in this way.

After sharing their findings, Vasilios expresses some interest in the magic tome. If no one else wants it, he will have it (unless Casdin has something to say).

That's fine, I'm actually leaning towards the dark iron bands.

"This light sword is... incredible".

You all hear a sharp knock on the door.

"You all finished? Better not be pocketing anything extra, ya hear?"

Final decisions please.

Casdin will slip on the ring made of dark iron bands then head upstairs.

Vasilios picks the old tome. "I'll be having this."

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but we need a long rest to tune up with the items, right?

Yeppers

Galador draws the bluish blade and cuts the air a few times to get a feel for it's weight. "Wow. Can, can you feel that? It's like it -wants- to cut something. Heh, you've been through some times, eh old times?" he says to the sword. "I shall call you, Righteousness. "
Galador swings the sword a few more times, mumbling, "Wow, it just -wants- to feel something cut," before he sheathes it and heads upstairs.

"No, no, we had a pact and we stuck to it. Although, you've got a good collection there. If you feel like parting with any more of those, just let us know what your price is, okay?"

The barkeep nods.

"I'll let the others know. But between you all and me, I do know of one thing that earn you an extra item or two. Interested?"

He motions for you to lean in.

"Its dangerous work, most likely as dangerous as your last task, but sometimes something just needs killing...know what I mean."

"Tell me, have you seen the old windmill known as the Bonegrinder?"

Isn't that where we fought the hags?

Yeeeeep

"Uh... yeah, I think we know this place... go on, please..."

"Indeed, tell us more, knowledge would be most helpful".

"This time..." he mutters.

The bartender gives you an odd look, but whatever makes him hesitate gives way to his need of someone to do a job.

"There are these hags that live in the windmill. Magical, powerful, very hard to kill. Most folks that try and kill them end up dead, or partake in their....sweets. Don't take the pastries they offer, they're made of the essence of the children they steal."

A nauseous expression passes on his face for but a moment.

"They've been a menace on the land, one of many I know, but I've seen what losing a child can do to a family, even to a town. Children are our future. This problem needs to be dealt with."

"I can offer you all, one more item each, but that's it. Any more and the family will be underequipped for the battles ahead.."

"Seems reasonable. I would be willing to help such an endeavor."

"Yeah" Vasilios nods with a very specific gleam in er eyes, "let's solve this once and for all."

The barkeep smiles.

"Excellent, I had a feeling you folks haven't been crushed beneath Barovia's foot quite yet."

With that he set's down some mugs of wine, and a bit of ale for the road.

"Our...friends, will be nearby. They'll confirm when the deed is done. With that, may the goddess shine her light your way."

"And may Oghma guide your steps towards wisdom."

Thinking now that he still needs to study his new found book, Vasilios asks "How far was the mill again?"

"Half a day's travel or so."

Right. "So... we might want to rest so we can use our new aquisitions"

"We can rest should you need."

"Forget rest, what we need is a strategy to combat these creatures. Perhaps this time we burn the house down? Force them to fight us outside?"

"Well, we could burn them much better if I could throw balls of fire, but if you don't find it useful, then let's go."

With the contract accepted, the party faces the day to either explore the town, set out to finish the contract, meet the mayor and his wife, or some other fourth thing. If rest is a concern, the option to do something in town today and set out tomorrow is always an option.

I'll take a majority vote or general consensus.

"We should probably go and meet with the mayor and his wife, then rest and head out to deal with the hags in the morning; that way, we are not perceived as rude, and we can take a more relaxing day where we're not running and fighting constantly."

"I agree on the relaxing day. After all, we fled from the hags before - I see no reason to rush into them now. They won't go anywhere."

"Yes, we should visit the Mayor but be on guard. If he is in league with our enemy there is no telling what may await us at his residence".

With a general plan in motion, the party moves to go meet with the mayor and his wife. The faded and dirty celebratory decorations still hang outside. Eventually, after a few directions from the passing early day laborer, you find yourself in front of a rather large residence. Here in particular, the streamers and flairs are particularly dense and you can see signs and posters advertising various celebrations and festivals that from your understanding, took place only weeks, if not days, apart.