Malthorn listened to Ezmerelda's tale from the back of the wagon, chewing a piece of straw from the horses feed supplies.
"Rictavio and you teamed up for a while huh, what can you teach us to help avoid getting our hind-ends handed to us again? That was less than fun, although I hear Kassimir got a new boyfriend in the process."
After dodging whatever retort Kassimir sends his way, Malthorn continues "We had intended to go and see Rictavio, perhaps we should have sooner, at least Strahd is short a few of his minions."
Esmerelda replies to Gail My plan. Well, I'm forming one. However, fighting Strahd in the open is not going to work. The Vampire must be trapped in their lair, and staked.
And to Malthorn Esmerelda says Where is Rudolph? and then she says You know the basics, running water repels them, sunlight will destroy them all, except Strahd, and the weak sunlight of this place may not affect him at all. Mirrors keep the weakest of them distracted, and they all cannot tolerate the smell of garlic. But, Fire and Stakes is the only way to be sure. Esmerelda holds up a vial of liquid and says Blessed Water harms them, and it is what I hurled at Strahd. It drove him away, but only because he wanted to be...he could have slain us all. I believe he was just testing you, seeing how powerful you really were.
Esmerelda finishes by saying The instruments of Strahd's demise are here in Barovia. The Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, The Sun Sword...and the Tome. I know this much. I know anyone who wants to kill a creature such as Strahd would need these things.
He bit me. Does that mean i´ll transform into a vampire now? I do have the fire to disturb them!
Gail listens to Esmerelda and she frowns slightly as she asks, "Hmm if you know this, does Strahd? He doesn't seem the type to allow something like those relics to lie around unguarded..."
Perhaps this giant wicker man we saw was some kind of guard for one of the relics? I mean, this whole druid hill, the wicker man and the druid cult, what better place to hide and store a relic like that? Do you have some garlic for me?
Thinking a moment about what Kassimir said, Malthorn turns back to the others from his rear guard position. "You know, that big wicker guy would likely not burn without a hundred small fires started on him, but the big ax Oz is carrying does extra damage to vegetation-based creatures, perhaps he could whittle it down to size. It would be a great place to hide something like that." pausing afterwards "Strahd did materialize from the fog up there, almost as if he might have been protecting something, well and his throne was up there too, so maybe not."
What Strahd does and does not know... Esmerelda shrugs Perhaps that effigy was built to house something of power...Should we return at first light?
Esmerelda looks at Kassimir's bite wound and then says It won't be fatal. Only the fatal bites cause the transformation.
Gail considered the matter, she felt they ought to see Rictavio at some point - but she wasn't sure there was any hurry. Chewing on her lip for a moment she replied with a sigh, "Maybe we should. I wonder what would be involved in pulling that effigy down?"
Given some rope, and a bit of time, we could probably pull it down using Esmeralda's horses, especially with a few ax hits to the legs. I got the feeling there wasn't enough druids back there to activate that huge wicker man anyways. Even less now" he add with a malicious grin.
"We can check it out in the morning, would hate to leave something important behind."
Esmerelda nods in agreement with Gail and Malthorn.
"A night's rest in the winery, some good wine and a hot meal. Then back to the edge of the fog to play with the wicker man. How far is it to Rictavio's tower Esmerelda?"
Ozgo slumps on the buckboard, reins held loosely in his hands as he scans the path ahead. He occasionally mumbles to himself and seems somewhat withdrawn.
Ezmerelda replies to Malthorn I am not sure. I did not know he was going to the tower...
The rest of the trip to the Winery is uneventful. You manage to catch a quick nap. Upon arrival you are greeted by Davian Martikov
Did you get it! The Gemstone! he asks
he is visibly disheartened when you say there was no gem.
Ah, well. Did ya give the bastards the what for?
The Bloodspear
Uncommon, Requires Attunement
The Bloodspear is a +1 Spear. When you hit with a melee attack using this magic spear and reduce the target to O hit points, you gain 2d6 temporary hit points.
Utterly spent, Gail found herself too tired to reply immediately. After a few moments she looks at him blear eyed and sighs deeply, "I like to think we where doing all right on the last account. We saw off a small horde of druids and berserkers. We would have investigated that oversized effigy but He turned up, barely escaped with our lives. We have Esmerelda to thank for that at least in part. Damnable thing is I suspect He was toying with us..." That didn't make any sense so she simply shook her head before adding, "We didn't get the stone although we plan to return. We did however recover a peculiar axe and spear."
"Davian, if I recall correctly, you said the gemstone they stole from you caused your vineyards to grow exceptionally well, perhaps they were using it to draw out the fibers for the oversized whicker man or maybe the tree. Does that ax look familiar to you?" Malthorn ask suddenly changing subjects.
"We found it lodged in the gulthias tree, with a skeleton below. Perhaps there was a myth/superstition that goes with it?"
Davian frowns at the Axe. His daughter Stefania speaks up Yes pa-pa. Tell them.
Davian sighs and says I "might" have given a few coins and some promises to a fool adventurer...convinced him to kill that damnable tree. It was some time back.
Stefania's husband Dag gawks at Gail when she says that she actually fought with Strahd and lived.
"Well, unless he chooses to walk the earth again as a skeleton, you'll not need to fulfill that contract. He landed one blow on the tree and died of a crushed skull. Perhaps one of the druids minions snuck up on him, perhaps the tree felled him, the vines walk in this land why not the trees in His evil grove."
Talus' voice echoes the weariness of the others, "Aye, we fought...foolishly. We only angered the 'Devil', if it wasn't for Esmerelda's fortuitious arrival, I fear we'd all be plant food." he says with wan smile at their savior.
At the mention of the spear, he extends a hand, "I could put that to good use, replace this one I took from the Order's armory."
"Fine by me," replied Gail, "I have no use for such a thing."
"Shut eye sounds good to me, tomorrow will likely be a long day, with luck that will end with us alive and within the tower."
Ezmerelda stays in her wagon while the Heroes stay in the Winery for the evening. The next day, the Heroes set back out for Yester Hill.
The trip is uneventful and upon arrival they see the same huge "statue" made of sticks and vines. Curiously, none of the corpses of the Druids or Beserkers are present.
Noticing the funny looks from Day, Gail tells him, "Don't take my word for it, ask Esmirelda. Hey do you know what the funny thing is about very powerful men? They're very powerful until they aren't. He should have squashed us like bugs, but because of his arrogance he didn't. That was a mistake. We may not be a threat to him right now but Gods willing we will be!"
When they arrive back at the camp, a glance around elicits a remark about house keeping with the lack of bodies that were strewn about when they left the night before. Walking up to the extra large wicker man he studies it for a bit before turning to Ozgo.
"Ready to play lumberjack? We'll get some ropes and see if we can't wrap them around it's ?shoulders? and tie them back off to the wagon for the horses to pull. Would have to set a half a hundred blazes to get this thing to catch fire and that just might ruin whatever might hiding within or under."
"Indeed. Lets see this unholy statue reduced to tinder!"
Taking the ax, Ozgo begins to chop at the wickerman
With Ozgo chopping, and Malthorn tugging and everyone else helping...soon the Wickerman is toppled. A pulsing green gemstone the size of a loaf of bread tumbles free!
Gail gasps when she sees the gem. "That must be it!" she cried, "We'd better get this back to its rightful owners."
Gingerly using her cloak she picks the gem up and wraps it up, being careful not to touch it. After all who knows what such a thing might do.
Talus claps his hands once, a grin on his face at the sight of the gem, "Finally, a step in the right direction! "
For her part, Ezmerelda just looks amused. This is the magic Gem that Davian was ranting on about? she shrugs.
Ozgo sets the ax down and, drawing his sword, he heads up the hill once again towards the "throne" at the summit.
Mace in hand, Gail followed Ozgo to the throne asking, "Do you think there's anything there?" She eyed the edifice cautiously as they approached.
Seeing Ozgo and Gail heading up the hill, Malthorn shrugs at Ezmerelda, Kassimir, and Talus before turning after them. "hey what are we doing now?" joining them in their trek up the hill.
As he reaches the top of the hill, the paladin strides over to the ancient throne and begins to push against it, as if to topple the stone.
STR Check:
Talus follows Ozgo up the hill, curious as to what he was doing, then stands with hands on his hips watching as the warrior attempts to topple the throne.
With a shrug, he lends a hand....
Not necessarily the strongest individual in the bunch, after watching Ozgo and Talus for a bit, Malthorn consults his backpack, unstrapping a bent piece of metal. "Oz, why don't you try this?" Holding out a crowbar.
Noding his thanks, Ozgo takes the crowbar and wedges it at the base of the throne.
STR (ADV):
"if we're done playing here we should head back to the winery and see if we can't make it to the tower before nightfall."
Gail shakes her head puzzled and admits, "Not sure what came over me. Erm yes! Back to the winery." She turns around and starts walking to back to Ezmerelda's caravan.
Ezmerelda hitches back up her two draft horses and the party proceeds to the Winery.
As the party passes, a piece of paper is flapping in the wind. Malthorn is the first to spot it, and when he grabs it he notices the strangest thing. It's a crude drawing of a boy, a man and a woman. Malthorn distinctly remembers drawing it....as a child.
Soon enough the Winery looms into view. The children rush outside to meet the Wagon, but it seems the adults are busy inside.
I wonder if that gem has some magic properties.
Gail chuckled, "More a few. From what I gather it was was fashioned by Vasily Martikov, a wizard of great power. He planted three of them in the rich valley soil and it gave rise to healthy grapevines, which produced sweet, plump grapes. Even after Strahd's curse settled over Barovia, the gems apparently kept the vines and their grapes from succumbing to the darkness. We should go inside, they will be glad to have it back."
She heads inside.
Snatching the paper from the wind, Malthorn studies it for a moment, odd looks crossing his face as something that should have been lost to the depths of his personal history, was suddenly brought back to the present.
Finally a softened look or amazement settles itself on his visage. "How did this ever come to be here?"
Ezmerelda says Go on in. I'll stay here and take care of the horses.
Gail heads inside and hears the adults, Davian, Adrian, Elvir, Dag and Stefania all talking. It seems there is some disagreement.
Davian stands on one side of the table. Adrian and Elvir on another, while Stefania and Dag on yet a different side.
Vallaki is our responsibility you hear Adrian say, Davian counters with Barovia will give a better price. Stefania says PaPa, your anger at Urwin has blinded you!
The Martikovs all turn and look at Gail when she enters.
Gail calls out, "Hello!" as she enters and unfolding her cloak she shows them what they found... "I'm assuming this what was stolen right?" She offers them the gem.
Malthorn follows Gail into the house, unsure as to what is going on. Only hearing the final question of Gail. "What's going on?"