As they walked from the room Gail whispered to the others, "Curious, that painting seems to be the same church of Lathander but not as we know him that's everywhere here. But this time with ravens. I certainly don't remember the real Lathander's teachings involving birds..."
Gail follows Malthorn closely behind.
"Hmmm, different aspects of the same diety, perhaps? " Talus offers, joining the others in continuing their exploration for more evil Druids.
Strips of iron and wood lie in neat piles on the floor of this workshop, the walls of which are lined with tools. Two worktables stand against the east wall.
Malthorn tries the sliding doors to Area W5, but finds them chained shut.
This turret contains a stone spiral staircase. Windows in the outer wall allow light to enter.
This staircase connects all three levels of the Winery.
This turret has a sloping, wooden floor that spirals from the cellar to the upper levels. Scratch marks suggest that barrels are rolled up and down the ramp on a routine basis.
Parked in the loading dock is a wagon with three barrels set in braces on the bed. A raised wooden walkway runs along the west, south, and east walls. Through a hole in the ceiling you see the wooden arm of a loading crane with ropes and hooks dangling from it.
Noting the scratches and twigs on the ramp Gail points out the obvious, "Seems those little horrors came up this way." She was about to same more when suddenly she moved her finger to her lips for silence, she indicated with her hand there was noise from below.
Carefully she moved down, weapon at the ready.
Malthorn joins Gail with searching the main floor agreeing with her assessment of the ramps uses and the fact there are others below. Nodding he readies his staff and moves forward
Gail creeps down into the Basement. A lone torch gutters at the base of the ramp.
Wooden pillars and beams support the ten-foot-high ceiling of this ice-cold cellar, which is split in two by a five foot-thick brick wall. A thin mist covers the floor. Each half of the cellar features an eight-foot tall wooden partition that doubles as a wine rack. The western rack stands empty, but the eastern one is half filled with wine bottles. Something moves behind the eastern wine rack. Through, the holes, you glimpse a half dozen humanoid figures, one with a full rack of antlers. You hear a gravelly voice mutter the words of a spell.
Round 1
Druid casts a spell.
Valen
Malthorn
Blights
Talus
Gail
Valen moves out of the stairwell toward the first creature on the south side of the wine rack, testing his rapier against the creatures mettle.
While Malthorn moves to the bottom of the stairwell and turns his attention to the creature to the north.
Round 1
Druid casts a spell.
Valen smashes into one of the Needle Blights, it collapses into a pile of thorny vines.
Malthorn sends an Eldritch blast at the Northern Blight.
Blights
Red and Green engage Valen +3 missing
Yellow hurls thorns at Valen missing
Purple engages Malthorn missing
Talus
Gail
Round 2
Druid
Valen
Malthorn
Blights
Talus
Gail
Gail squeezes past Malethorn and turns to face the blight. She blocks a one woody appendage on her shield and tries to counterattack but doesn't have the reach.
Round 1
Talus moves forward, focussing his will and striking out at the nearest Blight...
Talus moves forward, focussing his will and striking out at the nearest Blight... he smashes it with ease.
Gail squeezes past Malthorn and turns to face the blight. She blocks a one woody appendage on her shield and tries to counterattack but doesn't have the reach.
Round 2
Druid moves over and utters a few mystical syllables. a wave of thunder erupts from his outstretched hand
Valen
Malthorn
Blights
Talus
Gail
As the thunderous report fills the air, it catches Valen off guard pushing him into the creature ahead of him, rapier first.
That same thunderous report shoves Malthorn back against the wall, shaking his head to clear the ringing. A spell of his own is sent back, 3 rays of fire twisting toward the antlered creature.
Talus moves forward, focussing his will and striking out at the nearest Blight... he smashes it with ease.
Gail squeezes past Malthorn and turns to face the blight. She blocks a one woody appendage on her shield and tries to counterattack but doesn't have the reach.
Round 2
Druid moves over and utters a few mystical syllables. a wave of thunder erupts from his outstretched hand Everyone takes 12 and is pushed 10' back (if possible). A DC12 Con save means half damage and no pushing.
Valen is slammed into Gail, and yet still manages to smash a blight with his Rapier.
Malthorn sends three rays of fire into the Druid, the foul spellcaster screeches in pain!
Blights
Yellow moves up and attacks Valen missing
Green attacks Gail missing
Talus
Gail
Round 3
Druid
Valen
Malthorn
Blights
Talus
Gail
Gail dodges the attack and thinking she had spotted an opening she lashes out with her hammer. At the last moment one twiggy leg shot out and she stumbled, her swing ruined.
Round 2
Talus concentrates for a moment and small brief flash covers his body...
He then steps around the rack of bottle and pokes at the antlered man with his spear, infusing it with psionic energy...
Talus stabs the druid with his psionically charged spear, the druid collapses to the ground
Gail tries to smash a blight, but the little thing dodges
Round 3
Valen
Malthorn
Blights
Talus
Gail
Round 3 - Valen
Valen continues to attack the blight in front of him.
Round 3 - Malthorn
With a nod to Talus, "Nice strike", he turns to join the others against the blights.
Valen and Malthorn combine to smash the blights into bits. A calm comes over the cellar.
A search of the cellar shows that it is kept near freezing by patches of Brown Mold. If you wished you could destroy the mold with fire, however you are pretty sure the mold is kept there on purpose.
The fallen druid has a strange necklace
Leaning heavily on the wall, Gail says urgently, "We must rest. Tomorrow father Oak will hear my prayers and knit flesh, but for today I'm spent, utterly spent..."
"let us not fail to complete our task" Valen states, moving to finish checking the remainder of the cellar.
Malthorn joins Valen in searching the cellar, when they are sure the druids and blights have been dispatched they are ready to go.
Talus looks down at the fallen druid, then bends down and takes off the necklace.
He smiles at Gail, "A rest would be nice, but Valen is right , let's ensure all of the Druids are gone..."
He joins the other in checking the cellar more closely...
If nothing else is down here let's go out and give it back to the owner, a nice flagon of their Dragon s Tail red sounds good about now." Malthorn quips as they finish their search of the cellar.
The Heroes collect the necklace from the fallen druid and resume their search of the Winery. Several tense minutes pass but no more foes show themselves. Soon thereafter, a raven caws loudly announcing the arrival of Davian Martikov and his two sons.
Davian says Well! You did it! Thank you lads! and then noticing Gail And lass.
Adrian and Elvir Martikov immediately search the house once more, and then signal to the others to join them. Soon the entire Martikov clan is ensconced in the Winery.
Davian pulls the heroes aside and says
My family, I, am in your debt adventurers. Let me repay your kindness with a tale. A tale of magic, and loss.
Davian tells of his family, the Martikovs and how they came to operate this Winery. Hundreds of years ago, his ancestor Vasily Martikov, a wizard of great power, founded the Winery. The wizard fashioned three magic gems, each one as big as a pinecone, and planted them in the rich valley soil. These "seeds" gave rise to healthy grapevines, which produced sweet, plump grapes. Even after Strahd's curse settled over Barovia, the gems kept the vines and their grapes from succumbing to the darkness. The Wizard had a daughter, named Lugdana, a paladin of repute and valor. This Martikov was given an artifact of great power, The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind. It was this gift, from an angel, that blessed all further Martikovs with lycanthropy. The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind was carried by the scion of the Martikov clan until the Devil Strahd took power in Barovia. The Servants of the Devil attacked the Martikovs repeatedly, until the Symbol was lost. It is said that when the time to fight the Devil arises, the Symbol will be found by "those who follow the cards".
Davian heads to his bedroom and returns a few moments later with a large box.
These are the last treasures the Martikov clan has. I want you to have them. Take the fight to Strahd, kill the Devil if you can. My family will be with you.
Inside the box is a small black iron ring. Sigils of flames cover its surface. Shades of red and orange are the prominent colors. The Ring of Lugdana. Davian says Legend says she fought a Devil and his flames did not touch her
Also inside the Box is a cloak, adorned with grape vines, leaves and fruit inset gemstones, gold inlays, and silver filigree adorn its surface. The Cloak of Vasily Martikov. It's said the Wizard of the Winery never got lost when he wore it. He also felt at home in the wilds, and could hide in plain sight with his cloak.
The heroes are invited to stay the night at the Winery.
Talus listens carefully to Davian's tale, looking sharply to his friends at his portenous ending ' those who follow the cards'.
"Your gifts are generous, Davian. We are strangers in your land, but it seems more and more likely that should we want to see our homes again, we must defeat this Devil of your....somehow."
Earlier
As they finish their search of the cellar an ethereal voice whispers in Malthorn's ear "Your sight is lacking little one, for we have a pact and little good it would do for you to die before you fulfill your end of the bargain. The darkness will be you friend just as I am. Learn to enjoy the darkness." the whisper ends with a sibilant hiss fading away to nothing.
Any who were near would have noticed a momentary glow in the back of Malthorn's eyes, Bright red fading to jet black, yet shaking his head as a chill ran down his back, the warlock couldn't help but notice he saw as well in the deep dark corners as he did underneath the wall mounted torches.
Current
Malthorn listens closely to the tale about the winery's history, impressed that the family had been granted a blessing and a curse all at the same time, much as he had been when he made the pact for his powers.
"We thank you for the gifts, we shall try to put them to good use. And the rest is welcome as well. Especially if you still have some of the excellent variations you were sending your brother?"
Gail tells the Martikov's, "You are most kind. I hope the druids will not return to trouble you and yours."
Later she confers with her friends, "Darien told us to follow the cards, somehow I believe him. Yet I can't help but think of the Vistani and their readings - they are the sway of Strahd are they not? How to trust such a thing?"
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.
"It seems that we need to find the wizard's tower first, however fortune tellers rarely give you straight answers in my experience. The truth is there couched in symbolism, that's easiest seen afterwards" mulling it over a bit "Granted how many wizard towers beside the lake can there be?"
Later after night has fallen
Malthorn leans against the wall on the porch watching the night animals move through the vineyard quietly seeking their next meals, the fox and raccoon working different spots but both with the same agenda in mind, a full belly. Beneficial this is, wonder what it will cost me in the long run?
Gail whispers one word in reply to Malthorne's question, "Rictavio."
Davian nods at the thanks. You can tell that he is grateful at having his winery, which has been in his family for hundreds of years, returned to him.
Davian responds to the heroes
I'm afraid this Winery will soon succumb to the darkness that covers this land.
Davian tells a story about the magical gems that protected the Winery from Strahd's influence.
Ten years ago, one of the vineyard's magic gems was dug up and stolen, and as a result, the winery stopped producing its best vintage, the champagne. No one knows what happened to the gem. Davian blames his middle son, Urwin for the loss because Urwin was on watch the night the gem was taken. Davian is convinced that Urwin shirked his duty to spend time with his betrothed, and the two men have been at odds ever since. To this day, Urwin steadfastly denies his father's accusation.
Adding to Davian's misery, the wereravens have been fending off frequent attacks by Baba Lysaga's scarecrow constructs. Three weeks ago, during one such attack, another gem was found, dug up, and taken. Davian believes that it is in the possession of Baba Lysaga an almost mythic figure tied to Strahd's ancient past. A hermit, she spends most of her time crafting and animating scarecrows to hunt down and kill the ravens and the wereravens that infest Strahd's domain.
Five days ago, evil druids stole the third and final gem
and bore it to Yester Hill. The wereravens launched a counterattack on Yester Hill, hoping to get it back, but to no avail. The druids and their blights proved more than a match for the lycanthropes.
Without the Gems, our Winery is lost. Davian mourns.
Gail listened with rapt attention. Like many from this land it was full with woe. Eventually she ventured, "Maybe we could return them, if only we knew were to look. Perhaps this Baba Lysaga has all of them."
"true but he also said that the druids took one to their encampment, they are three fewer now. Master Davion, do you know how many of the druid are within their camp you stated they withstood the wereravens attack. And how far might it be?"
Yester Hill is just a short ways south.
The Witch Lysaga has her lair in the Ruins of Berez. It lies to the East.
Davian doesn't know for sure, but he thinks there are as many as a dozen druids at Yester Hill. There are also strange men he calls berserkers there, remnants of the old mountain tribes that inhabited this area. Of course, there are also Blights, all types of them.
Gail mulls on this information before suggesting the obvious, "Yester Hill is closest, lets try there first. Davian are there any precautions you'd recommend we take?"
That will work, hopefully our three were included in Master Davian's twelve. The blights individually are easy enough to deal with but en-masse can be quite troublesome, perhaps a trip back to town to find some help would be in order, unless perhaps the wereravens wish to throw there assistance our way once more?" He says the last with an arched eye towards Davian.
"The witch you said has held her own for a long while, she will likely be difficult especially should we encounter her on her own land and in a fight of her own making. But that is a worry for another day, the druid hill first."
Davian shrugs at Gail's question Don't die. If you die in Barovia...your soul will belong to the Devil.
Davian says to Malthorn My family will be hard at work restoring our Winery for some time. I cannot say we can help you at Yester Hill. The Ravenkind inside the rookery here tend to stay nearby...
Trudging the last few miles to the Wizard of the Winery, Ozgo is surprised he has not been attacked by the many minions of The Devil. Having never been to this location personally, he is none the less familiar with its place and importance to the people of the land.
Up ahead he sees a number of people standing outside one of the buildings.
"Greetings, I am Ozgo Kisovir, Knight of the Raven. I have been sent by the town of Kriezk. Our supply of wine has dwindled and I was dispatched to discover the reason for this disruption."
The man before you stands well over 6 feet in height, and wears a set of ancient-looking, soot-black splint-mail with a golden crest of a raven on the breastplate. Over his shoulder is a mighty two-handed monster of a sword with a flamberge blade and spiked lugs. A small pack also sits by his feet.
Through gritted teeth, Gail replies, "I see. I shall try to bear that advice in mind next time something tries to kill me."
With a sudden flash of insight, Gail grasps the religious significance of the various raven based iconography they've seen around Barovia. She deices to share this with her friends later once they are away from Davian. Before this can happen a stranger comes walking up the road.
Eyeing him a little suspiciously (rather a lot of things have proven to be unreasonably hostile in Barovia), she replies "Well met, My name is Gail, I come from... Well hmm never mind, suffice it to say we're a long long way from home. Anyway we too came here to deal with the disruption, which was caused by some druids. They have been dealt with, at least for now but that may not be the end of the matter." She looked at Davian, the rest of the details where his story to tell or not.
"Well met and welcome, better late than never, I'm Malthorn. I think they are roasting a brace of rabbits over what is left of the blights. For now the winery is safe." Replies a red-skinned tiefling leaning on his staff, eyeing the knight. "Could've used your blade last night sir knight, perhaps next time the town will see fit to outfit you with a horse to make the trip."
A slender elf in traveling garb suddenly approaches you out of nowhere, his long hair blowing in a breeze you don´t feel.
Ahem, excuse me, i couldn´t but notice this gathering here and wonder if there´s something for free here perhaps? Allow me to interrupt and make an inquiry. I am in search of a person called Rictavio and it would be wonderful if you could point me towards him. Maybe you even want to travel together for a bit of the way. You look like a gathering travel group somehow.
He makes wide gestures with his hands and arms while talking, pointing and looking at everyone in the round.
I am called Kassimir for what it´s worth.
"Err." Gail glanced at Malthorn not quite sure what to make of that! Turning to the elven stranger she asks, "Friend of Rictavio's are you?"
Ozgo bows towards Malthorn and speaks.
"I am very sorry to have missed any combat you have had with the Devil and his minions, but we did not realize that such an assault had been sent against the Winery. I do apologize...but you are not of this land, are you?"
"A regular traveling circus this is turning out to be, we have the strongman Ozgo, knight extraordinaire - who we just met by the way. Gail the belle of the crowd and troupe's ringmaster, our dreamy friend here, Talus, resident psychic. Kassimir, exotic patron of the arts and myself, Malthorn, tamer of beast or perhaps just a beast myself."
Malthorn ends with a bow and a wink, eyes lit with an inner red fire that quickly returns to normal. Turning once again to the knight...
"No apology needed, help offered is welcome, even if late. Far from here I believe, yet maybe closer than I know. We've yet to determine where home is in relation to here."
Talus smiles at his 'devilish' friend, "Not psychic, Mal, mystic. " he says , waving a hand, "But that is of not matter. Ozgo, Kassimir, you are well met in this benighted land. As Gail said, and you noticed, we're not native to Barovia...these devilish mists brought us here. And so , we've made ourselves useful, most recently to rid the winery of these pernicious Druids and their blights. But, as it is often said, there is no rest for the..." here Talus trails off, leaving the 'wicked' unsaid.
"Davian, the partriach of the winery, has told us of the loction the Druids call home, where they've no doubt hidden the Gems that protected this land. But , a visit to Kissimir's Rictavio is in order , I think. He will no doubt have some sarcastic and ill humoured advice for us. "
He then crosses his arms and waits for the newcomer's reaction...
The mists brought you here mh?
Kassimir eyes everyone a bit curiously.
I didn´t hear about those druids yet, but i´m willing to hep protect the land if you wish. There´s serious matters i need to talk about with this Rictavio, but i hope he will be there a little bit longer.
"Yeah the mists are freaky, they snatched us away from our home and dumped us in Barovia.", Gail frowns at the memory, she missed the Sword Coast dearly. With a sigh she continued, "As for Rictavio, I don't claim to be a friend of but last time I spoke to him, I got the impression he was planning an extended stay at his tower."