Gail smiles politely at Esteban, with her arm round Valen's waist. Whispering into his ear she told him, "We have accepted their hospitality, it would be churlish for me to refuse. Besides you and the others will be just outside Valen, I'm sure nothing untoward will happen." Yet why did she have butterflies? Some primitive instinct warned her there was more to this than met the eye.
She allows herself to be led into Madame Eva's tent.
Talus listens to Esteban's tale attentively, looking thoughtful , then asking , playing the innocent, "This Strahd you speak of, does he rule here still?"
He catches Gail's elbow as she passes, whispering in her ear, "Remember, some of these Vistani are in league with our enemy, be on guard."
Malthorn smiles as the tale comes to an end, watching Gail and Valen but commenting little. Gail had proven herself and he trusted her judgement. As Talus poses his question the thought crosses Malthorn's mind Has not Ismark told us this already??? Well confirmation from a secondary source cannot be a bad thing. so Malthorn holds his tongue letting the men respond to the question as they would.
Esteban frowns at Talus' question Surely you know this? Strahd IS this place...he owns it part and parcel. His eyes and ears are everywhere, watching and waiting. Who knows what plots the Devil Strahd hatches.
Ismark smirks but doesn't say anything, he hovers close to Ireena.
Gail enters Madame Eva's tent
Magic flames cast a reddish glow over the interior of
this tent, revealing a low table covered in a black velvet
cloth. Glints of light seem to flash from a crystal ball on
the table as a hunched figure peers into its depths. As
the crone speaks, her voice crackles like dry weeds. "At
last you have arrived!" Cackling laughter bursts like mad
lightning from her withered lips.
Gail Grey, Come in. I grant you leave to sit at my fire and warm yourself follower of the Forest Father. The Child Rose spoke highly of you.
Gail walked in and eyeballed the decorations, 'A crystal ball. Check. Bad, perhaps even melodramatic lighting. Check. Far too much makeup and ridiculous outfit. Check. Best if I don't say much, I'm so going to offend her, this is like a Waterhavian theme night ..."
She automatically replied "That's nice." without really thinking about it. "Wait you spoke to Rose? How odd. I imagine that's fairly difficult now..."
Malthorn suppresses a smirk of his own when the man replies to Talus Ismark has been trying to tell us
While not having stories to relate of their land, at least one he chose to talk about right now. Leaving the house of horrors alone until he knew them better. Malthorn tells them stories of the goblins they had chased in recent months before finding their way here.
Valen stares after Gail, waiting for her to return safe and sound, but alert for anything untoward. It won't do her any good to have us waiting out here if I don't pay attention.
Madame Eva just smiles enigmatically at Gail
The cards my dear. The cards reveal much, and the crystal does the rest. You. You want a reading? The cards reveal...much. Call your friends in, the Oathsworn, the Halfman and the Mind Knight. I will read for them as well.
Malthorn enters the tent with the others, "Thank you Madame Eva for your invitation."
Esteban frowns at Talus' question Surely you know this? Strahd IS this place...he owns it part and parcel. His eyes and ears are everywhere, watching and waiting. Who knows what plots the Devil Strahd hatches.
Talus nods sagely, acknowledging Esteban's statment, but watching the man for any dissembling in his disdain for Strahd. He also watches the other men for signs of disapproval of Esteban's warning.
Gail frowns and stammers, "Uh I uh, I don't know. What if you where to tell me something awful? Not sure I'd want to know. Frankly that's more the sort of thing Malethorn would appreciate..." Gail was far from convinced by Madame Eva, she'd seen parlor tricks performed by tarot card 'seers' before in Waterdeep. Generally they were very good at reading people, claiming the cards said whatever they thought they wanted to hear.
She calls out to the others, "Uh guys, come in. I think Madame Eva wants to tell your fortune."
Valen enters when Gail's voice reaches his ears and stares at the Madame suspiciously. Being told the future can be a dangerous, self-fulfilling thing. "Madame." He nods curtly, "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Talus cannot tell if the man is lying, he doesn't think so though. However, Ismark's body language tells Talus that he is definitely not comfortable being here.
The Vistani smiles at the heroes as they enter Bine ai venit eroi. she says in her own tongue.
I sense that you wish to confront the Devil. Beware, his spies are everywhere. You will not be successful unless you prepare yourselves.
Come. I will read for you. she says, humming over a deck of brightly painted cards.
She shuffles them deftly and lays the first card out
This card tells of history. Knowledge of the ancient will I help you better understand your enemy.
Madame Eva lays over a painted card depicting a woman summoning a creature
I see a dead village, drowned by a river, ruled by one who has brought great evil into the world.
Madame Eva tsks and draws another card.
This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope.
Madame Eva lays over a painted card depicting a wizard casting a spell
Look for a wizard's tower on a lake. Let the wizard's name and servant guide you to that which you seek.
Madame Eva's eyebrows shoot up and she draws another card
This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance: a sword of sunlight.
Madame Eva lays over a painted card depicting a priestess casting protective magics
I see a fallen house guarded by a great stone dragon. Look to the highest peak.
Madame Eva frowns and draws another card
This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness.
Madame Eva lays over a painted card depicting a dungeon
Search for a troubled young man surrounded by wealth and madness. His home is his prison.
Madame Eva's eyes shine with concentration, she draws the final card.
Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are I beyond mortality. This card will lead you to him!
Madame Eva lays over a card depicting a skeletal rider she gasps
He lurks in the one place to which he must return-a place of death.
Madame Eva is panting with exertion, she gestures feebly to the tent flap.
The storm has broken, your invitation is rescinded. Leave now.
The whole process seemed rather alarming for Gail, she'd been expecting something quite different Your Aunt Agatha died of a canker deary, but she's here now and wants you to know the pain has gone and she loves you. I can ask her some questions if only you'd cross my palm with silver.
They were dismissed it seemed along with the storm, perhaps that had some significance Gail mused as she left. If this Strahd truly was all that folk where saying then they where... Gail's mind skittered off that path, it went somewhere desperate and dark. No they'd see Ismark's sister safely to the town and then find some way to get back to Faerun.
"Perhaps we should seek out a wizard once we've seen Ireena safely to Vallaki. Perhaps they can send us back, for a price."
"Thank you for your hospitality madame, and the reading; I and my friends will take our leave. If it is not too much to ask, do you know of the drowned village?" Whether she chooses to answer or not Malthorn retreats from the tent respectfully.
Outside overhearing Gail "I'm surprised Gail, you would leave this evil here unchallenged, to go back to chasing goblins through the hillocks?"
Valen glares at the woman as they leave, she nearly forced this reading upon us and then kicks us out of the camp? He tries not to think too much on her predictions, but it is difficult.
When outside with the others he offers his opinion out loud, "We should not put too much credence in that woman's words. We lend her predictions power by making our choices because of them."
"Malthorne if they are to be believed, he is the land, the very devil himself. How are we supposed to fight something like that?", her tone of voice makes it clear she doesn't believe half the things they've been told about Strahd. In a normal voice she caries on, "Anyway we promised to deliver Ireena safely to Vallaki, I supposed we'd better get on with it."
She starts walking.
Talus acquieses to the reading with a doubtful look on his face, entering the fortune-tellers tent with the others.
As the 'reading' is begins, he watches and 'senses' as best as he can, trying to ascertain if this was real or not.
In a moment of zen, Malthorn replies "Even on the darkest night, a candle can be seen. " not pressing his argument but preparing to leave and causing the fire to flare a bit, accompanied by a wink, to the men surrounding it, when Gail's back is turned.
Talus thinks that Madame Eva thinks the reading is real...
When the heroes leave the tent the Vistani men are moving swiftly about, packing bags and preparing to leave. None of them make eye contact or even look at the heroes. Ismark and Ireena wait at the edge of the camp. Ireena says I don't know what was said in there, and I don't want to know. But as soon as the storm broke, the Vistani jumped up and said some words in their strange tongue. Then they began packing up the camp like men possessed. They mean to be gone, and soon!
Ismark grunts and says They've probably done some foul magic and wish to be away from it.
For whatever reason, the Vistani aren't inclined to conversate anymore.
Gail and the others continue down the footpath and eventually come to the bottom of the canyon.
You follow the river to the base of a canyon, at the far
end of which a great waterfall spills into a pool, billowing
forth clouds of cold mist. A great stone bridge spans the
canyon nearly one thousand feet overhead.
There are two choices here. Climb the canyon to the High Road, or continue on overland and meet the Road past Tser Falls.
"Umm, that's a ways up there." Malthorn says stating the obvious while looking at the bridge high above. "Thought this was supposed to be a short cut."
Gail answers promptly, "I vote for the road less traveled. Well its not actually a road, anyway we're less likely to meet somebody this way, right Ismark?"
Admit it Gail, you just like the wild.
As the walk away from the camp, Talus says "The woman believed what she was doing was real....who are we to say, being strangers here. If what they say is true about Strahd and from our own experiences, I don't think a mere wizardly gateway will suffice to return us to our home, Gail"
Later, confronted with the towering cataract, Talus nods at Malthorn's comment, "Indeed, climbing up would take too long...show us the way Ismark."
"I am certainly not one to say no to the more scenic path." Valen nods in acceptance.
Ismark says The path through the Svalich IS the shortcut. Climbing the Tser Canyon...is possible but not advised.
The party presses on towards Vallaki and an hour later come back onto the main road. Ismark says that any time gained in the shortcut was lost with the storm.
Eventually,
Even here, in the mountains, the forest and the fog are
inescapable. Ahead, the dirt road splits in two, widening
toward the east. There you see patches of cobblestone,
suggesting that the eastern branch was once an important
thoroughfare.
Ismark nods in that direction and says The Devil lairs that way indicating East.
Ireena looks East with a mixture of longing and fear.
The party continues on, urged forward by Ismark who has recovered slightly from his previously sullen behavior.
Soon they come to
The fog spills out of the forest to swallow up the road behind
you. Ahead, jutting from the impenetrable woods on
both sides of the road, are high stone buttresses looming
gray in the fog. Huge iron gates hang on the stonework.
Dew clings with cold tenacity to the rusted bars. Two
headless statues of armed guardians flank the gate, their
heads now lying among the weeds at their feet. They
greet you only with silence.
The gate swing silently open as you approach on foot.
Ismark looks around and then hustles through.
An apparently ruined fort was something Gail would normally wish to explore, but that's not why they were there... "Interesting," remarks Gail, "But maybe we should come back to this? I'm not sure Ismark would appreciate further delay..."
Valen agrees "Yes, if we see someone in danger we can't turn them away, but as long as Ireena is under our protection we must do our best to get her to her destination." Even still, he tries his best to be on the lookout for anything suspicious as they pass.
Talus nods, "Onward, then"
He leans over to Ismark, "M'lord, do you know aught of these head-less guardians?"
Malthorn takes a look at the guardians as he crosses the gateway, but delays little more, Ireena being their primary priority.
"Ismark, what is the purpose of this gate? Historical decoration?"
Ismark shrugs They are old. he says, as if that answers everything.
The party continues on, going through the silent gates of Barovia and following the Old Svalich Road towards Vallaki.
Some time passes with the only sound being that of the thunderstorm which has moved on to the South. Eventually, the heroes pass another spur of the road that heads West. Ireena mentions that she thought an old Mill lay down that path. Ismark says that its abandoned and long forgotten.
The heroes spend the last hours of the day trudging down the Old Svalich road almost due West, and arrive at the Walled Town of Vallaki near dusk. The look of relief on Ismark's face is tremendous.
The Old Svalich Road meanders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods recede, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog presses up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber. The dirt road ends at a set of sturdy iron gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking the road outside the gates are a half-dozen pikes with wolves' heads impaled on them.
Ismark gestures to the heads They resist the Devil's creatures.
Two men stand behind the gate, the shout out Who goes there! Show yourselves fully in the Light!
Gail calls back, "Weary travelers looking for shelter. Is Vallaki's gate open to those in need?"
Gail moves a bit closer, so they may talk at a more normal volume.
Valen steps forward easily enough, "We stand in the light my friends. The darkness is no friend of ours."
Malthorn joins the others in moving to make it easier for the guards to see them. "Well met and grateful we are to see the towns guard working to protect the town, we seek sanctuary within the town for the night and longer for one within our group."
The men look untouched by your words.
Ismark speaks up I am Ismark Kolanovich, sometimes called Ismark the Lesser. My father is Burgomaster of Barovia Village. My sister and I come to Vallaki seeking succor.
Okay then, you and your sister may enter. But these others have an ill look. Are they Vistani? the men ask, and Ismark answers
No, they are...outsiders. he replies
Then let them speak for themselves. Who are you!
A grin playing at the edges of his lips at the guards challenge "Malthorn Redemption, of Waterdeep, Warlock and traveler of the Sword Coast. Recently come to your land." good to know they're vigilant
Gail snorts, "Outsider isn't the half of it. Anyway well met stranger I am Gail Grey, follower of Sylvanus the Oak-Father. At one time I called Ardeep forest my home." She glances as Malthorn and adds, "I too have traveled the Sword Coast from Waterdeep to Baldur's Gate and beyond. I'm not sure what more to say other than we find ourselves very far from home."
"And I, am Valen Oakson. I know not from where I hail, but have spent the last years in the service of Silvanus, defending the natural world and all innocent who dwell within it."
The Guards nod their heads as if they understand what you are saying, but its clear they have no clue the places you are mentioning. They do however open the gates for you.
You enter Vallaki and see Ismark and Ireena standing nearby. One of the guards suggests you go to an Inn. There's one, the Blue Water Inn, not far away.
Acknowledging the guards suggestion "Thank you we will check it out, do they have a local special?" after getting a response or not he will check with Ismark on their next move.
"Where do we need to take you and Ireena, now that we have reached Vallaki?"
Talus rolls his eyes a bit as his literal friends list all of the places....not of this place...they've travelled, thinking They know aught of Barovia, and fear of Strahd, I'm afraid...
As the guards open then gates and let the group in, Talus remarks, "Your kindness is a strike against the Devil Strahd."
He stands inside the gates, looking about what of Vallaki and be seen, waiting on Ismarks' response to Malthorn.
"My thanks", replied Gail as she entered. She shivered slightly and not from the cold, 'They've never heard of 'outlandish' places such as Waterdeep! We truly are far from home.'
To Ismark she asks, "Well we got here in one piece. What will Ireena do now? Does she need our protection until we can be sure she's safe here?"
To her companions she suggests, "It's getting late. Lets try and find this inn?"
Ismark says I am son of the Burgomaster of Barovia, we will present ourselves to the Baron Vallakovich tomorrow. But for now, let's go to the Blue Water Inn.
Assuming the party heads to the Inn
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 above the main entrance depicts a blue waterfall.
'Well this doesn't look so bad.' thought Gail standing outside the I n. One of the ravens squawked and Gail noticed Ireena giving it a hard stare.
Gently she asked her, "Is anything the matter?"
Malthorn waiting on the others to enter the in hears Gail's question to Ireena, waits for the answer before entering the Inn behind them. Once inside he approaches the barkeep and orders a round of drink and the evening meal, sure everyone is hungry after the days travel.
Valen follows Ireena and Gail's eyes to the ravens and his own eyes narrow in suspicion. "Ill omens they are, their caws heralded our coming to this place."
Talus stares hard at Ireena then follows her intense glare up at the preening ravens on top of the inn.
"Hmm, more of our Foe's minions, Ireena? " Talus asks, more to himself really.
He regards the birds for a moment, then sketches a sardonic salute and makes his way into the Inn.
Ireena comes to, as if from a trance.
Oh, no. Everyone knows ravens are good luck. she says, and then Never harm a raven, lest ill fortune befall you! as if she is quoting a child's refrain.
Ismark says They are just birds, nothing more.
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 one 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 fitted with thick shutters and crossbars. Lanterns
hanging above the bar and resting on the tables bathe
the room in dull orange light and cast shadows upon
the walls, most of which are adorned with wolf heads
mounted on wooden plaques.
Inside the taproom of the Inn are seven individuals. A stout woman introducing herself as Danika Martikov tends the bar. Two rough looking men sit together, drinking. The men wear wolf skins and have an ill look about them. Three men who look like farmers huddle together, clutching cups of wine. The final person in the tap room is dressed unlike all the others, he wears a garishly colored outfit and is currently telling a story to the hunters.
Ismark and Ireena find a table.
Gail fishes out two electrum coins from her diminishing purse and goes over to Danika and says with a smile, "Two rooms for the night please and food for the table over there."
Heading back to her companions she says half joking remarks to Ismark, "The rooms are storted, it's your round." Her thinking being he really should have paid for that.
Being somewhat bored, Caitlyn makes a study of the people in the inn, and what a sorry lot they are too! Of course she doesn't stare at them, and in fact is quite sneaky about it. She listens with her head turned and examines their body language as reflected from the cutlery and Valen's shiny belt buckle, knowling he'd understand what she was about.
As they enter the establishment Valen chips in for his own bed for the night and then sits at the table. "I can't say it seems like an exciting place, but it also seems slightly more lively than the tavern in Barovia," Valen leans across the table and whispers to the others when they are left to their own devices. Leaning back he laughs and smiles about the room brightly, attempting to cast himself in a favourable light to the locals. He lets himself visibily relax while staying mentally aware.
He attempts to listen in on the story being told by the garishly dressed man.
Malthorn joins the others and not wanting to spend the evening being suspicious of others tries to help the resident story teller. Taking his Red Dragon and grabbing a chair nearby so that he can hear, well.
Taking little hints from the story teller, using minor illusion, thaumaturgy and druidcraft; he causes little parts of the story to come alive. Adding to the story but not trying to take away anything from the storyteller for himself.