Brother Lazlo was just about to settle down when one of the women in the bar approached him. His eyes looked her over rather quickly and it was quick to ascertain that she was as much of a stranger here as he was. "Who knew so many years away from here would make this place strange to me now?" Her laugh gave him a small smile as he spoke low and careful. "I am glad that I could help. It seems that there is more wickedness here than I remember and the dark rumors to this place is true." A large man would emerge out from the globe of darkness that would seem to disappear now, fading away into nothingness. The large man approached and when he said that Lazlo was the one to thank for the timely joke, his smile would fade slightly.
"The Morninglord is no joking matter. He may be all that will save these lands from darkness, one day." He says softly, no real irritation in his voice but it is evident to see that he does truly believe the words he is saying. There is only the slightest face when the man calls himself "Spleenripper" but it passes quickly though. "I am Brother Lazlo Krykski. This is Louis Morrow, a guard to protect me on my travels." Lazlo's eyes move to look at the strange company assorted at his tables. Strangers only meant one thing usually; something was changing. For good or for ill, that had yet to be discovered.
"I think I shall join you all. You're a curious bunch and it seems you have been here longer in my old hometown than I have been. I want to hear your tales of what has happened here so far." Rising from his seat, Lazlo would gesture Louis to join him as he makes his way over to their table and pulls up a chair. As the barmaid comes up, Lazlo sighs as he realizes that now would not be the time to enjoy the local wine anymore. "Just some ale for me, some steak and potatoes as well please." He would look back at the others, noticing the terrified woman and a look of concern would spread across his face.
"Nadima, was it?" He would say, looking back at Netzer for a moment's confirmation. "Do not be scared. I will not let harm come to you and yours." Looking to the others, he would lower his voice softly and whisper to each of them. "Are they all dangerous or are only some of the patrons dangerous?"
Carella leans in. "Including us." Then she leans back with a smile. "Carella Fletcher. It's nice to meet you. You are from here? Elaris and I are from a really long way off. We were in the dessert, and then there was fog. Suddenly Elaris and I were in this land. Has this place always been so exciting?"
Louis had been doing his best to keep his cool during all this. It was a bit overwhelming but somehow Lazlo had managed to defuse the tension in the room. He padded the Brother on his shoulder as they made their way to the table.
When he introduced Louis, he gave Netzer a curt nod. Louis followed Lazlo to the others and took a seat. He wasn't sure what would happen next, but followed Lazlo's example and just ordered the same. He made a silent prayer that he'd actually get to eat here.
When Carella told her story Louis looked at her curiously. "Desert? That sure is something else." Louis had been studying maps of the areas around and he was thrown off.
"Fog.. It's been known to bring strangers to these parts. I'd be more curious to hear what your take is on this land."
"This land? It's not something I'm used to. In fact it's rather horrible. We were locked into jail with a werewolf, and the jailers ran away. Luckily I have talents that make it hard to lock me up. Then we were asked to come here and meet someone, but we turn into the evening's entertainment. Are you from here?" she asks Louis.
"So it appears to be." Lazlo says begrudgingly, looking rather cross at the remaining patrons. Carella's comment doesn't bring a pleasant look to the priest's face as thinks softly to himself. It seems that Skald had only gotten worse since he was taken from here, brought to his home in the abbey back north in Barovia. "Being dangerous is not a virtue in these dark lands, especially when it comes to strangers like you...like us..." The realization that he is just as much a stranger here now as they were dawned upon him, even though he had expected it to some degree. "I am sorry..." He said, a smile slowly coming to his face. "...we have just finished a long journey and our reception here was less than what I would've liked."
Lazlo would listen to the tales that Carella spun, his head nodding softly with each bit of information that she released. Her tale was not an uncommon one, at least if the tales of the bards were to be believed. He nodded in agreement with Louis, giving a small shrug to the woman.
"There were many tales of strangers coming in from the fog from wild, strange places that make no sense to anyone born here. Sometimes, they disappear back into the fog. Sometimes, they stay here." Lazlo would try to give a reassuring smile to each of them. "I do hope you are able to get home at some point though, I truly do."
When she asked about whether or not Louis was from here, Lazlo would speak up for just a moment. "When I was a young child, this place was my home. I ran away though and was found by one of the priests of the Morninglord in the woods. He saved my life. I hail from Barovia, where my monastery is located."
"If you don't mind me asking, who are you supposed to meet?"
Skald -
Nadima chimes in, "A young Lady, her name is Akriel. While we were imprisoned we heard her being accosted by a man who she claimed wants to marry her.
He is a wandering bard and druid of these parts who has been seeking her hand in marriage. He has a violent temper and cannot cope with her rejection of him.
According to her if we retrieve the secret Crown of Soldiers that was lost by her ancestors her betrothed the good Doctor Dominiani could face and defeat the Woodsman and they could be together.
We agreed to aid the woman in her plight. Now I wonder why she would send us to such a place. Though considering the reception in Harmonia, this one almost seems warm by comparison".
"We haven't been thrown in jail yet. I think that's a good sign. Where does one start to look for a Crown of Soldiers? Maybe a nights rest." I'm not sure how good it will be.
"We can start our search in the morning."
"Brother Lazlo it sound like the place of your youth has quite changed since you left. This is not a cheerful place that is certain."
The name "Crown of Soldiers" had an important ring to it and for a moment, he would challenge his memory to see if he remembered it at all.
"I cannot say I have ever heard of such a thing, though it seems strange. Why can they not find it themselves?" He murmured to himself, pondering if the nightmares he had been having were related to these events. There was a strange collection of outsiders here, a sign usually that something was going on. All stories told him that, at least the ones he remembered.
Looking over at Carella, Lazlo would shake his head slightly and whisper low. "No...this is where I was born but it is not my home. It seems that it is the same as it ever was." Darkness was infecting his homeland's heart but he knew not what its source was or how he could stop it. "I came here because I've been having dreams...nightmares really. They called me back home from Barovia. Maybe..." His thoughts would not escape his lips but his head would turn up towards each of them. "Maybe I can help you all. The Morninglord guides me here, perhaps your task is why I am here."
Skald -
Nadima shakes her head, "It's not supposed to be a blind search, she is supposed to meet us here. Perhaps she fears too many eyes in the room to approach us here in the main room? Assuming she is here of course".
Skald -
As Nezter suggests that the group head up to the rooms, you walk through the the inn which seems peaceful and stately (without a snarling werecreature threatening anyone at any rate) in its ancient grandeur, you can't help feeling that some of the eye shaped knot-holes in the old pine paneling contain some semblance of consciousness.
As you get to the second floor where your rooms are supposed to be, a twisted old man hobbles up to you, and whispers, "You'll find your pretty in the secondary bar which you can access through the stairs at the back of the third floor." He the breaks into a coughing fit and the stench of his breath is remarkable. During this interruption, a small leather wrap falls from his vest onto the floor. He then hobbles along hurriedly back towards the direction your group came in.
Carella looks around and picks up the item that fell. She looks at it closely. "I guess our friend can be found at the end of the hallway. Would you like to join us?" she directs the question to Brother Lazio and Louis.
Carella finds within the envelope a skeleton key!
Carella holds up a key. "This must go to something. Shall we? She'll hand over the key to Nezter. "Lead the way if you please."
Skald -
Dust and cobwebs are thick in what seems to be an not oft used stairway here in the Inn. The stairs creak so loudly it would take a Master Thief to sneak down them without alerting those below they were coming. Nezter uses the key to unlock the door at the bottom of the stairs.
The door opens into a small bar. The bar has been used as storage for the furniture that has likely been broken in bar fights if its condition and the events earlier tonight are indicative of what takes place here with any frequency.
Some of the chair legs have blood on them as if they were used as weapons in the past. The bar itself is small and has a mirror behind it which is spotless. Seated at the bar looking a bit nervous is Akriel.
There are two doors here, one leads inside the other may well lead outside though not knowing the layout of this place too well yet, it is difficult to determine. Both are barred with stout wooden beams.
She breathes a sigh of relief as you all come through the door though a look of apprehension quickly follows when she sees unfamiliar faces, "Thank the Gods you have arrived".
She stands and takes the key from Nezter locking the door behind you all. She gestures at the bar where there are enough seats for everyone a few extra since some of those who first set out are no longer with the group.
She takes in another deep breath, "Before we begin, it seems that some old faces are not with you but new faces are. This is supposed to be a secret meeting. I'd like to understand why these strangers are here and your other friends are not". Her face is determined, the fear gone she almost seems imposing as she asks the question.
Brother Lazlo gives a short nod before giving an apologetic look towards Louis, murmuring to the man. "We'll have the food brought up to our room, my friend." He was still cautious of these strangers who stood out so very much. On the way through the inn, he alerts the clerk that they'll take their food in their room and promises to pay for the inconvenience to the staff. Reaching the second floor, the twisted old man catches Lazlo's sight and he frowns at the man's knowledge of their business. "I thought they said it was a woman? How many others are involved with this conspiracy?" Lazlo's stomach twists slightly at the thought but he continues forward with the rest of the party, feeling ever more certain that this is what the visions were leading him to find.
"Yes, I think I shall." Lazlo murmurs, his brows furrowed in concern. They go through the locked door and into some strange storage area. The smell of old blood and broken wood fills the air and the warm feeling of the inn seems to disappear. The beautiful woman rises from her seat and at first, he recognizes that look of relief that then soon turns into one of apprehension. Lazlo would gesture for Louis to follow with him, purposefully sitting opposite Akriel and watching her carefully as she spoke. "For a woman worried about a terrible druid, she seems rather calm about herself." He thinks to himself again, clearing his throat first.
"I cannot say what has happened to their companions but as for myself, I was told that you are a woman in need of help. Having served the Morninglord for quite some time now, I endeavor to bring His light where I can. Surely, you do not worry at the fact that myself and my associate are willing to assist you in finding this crown, are you?" For as determined and imposing as the woman is, Lazlo remains calm and careful. He scrutinizes her though, studying every movement she makes to try and understand more of her.
Skald -
The woman's brow furrows as Lazlo mentions the Morninglord, "I fear I am not familiar with the Morninglord good Sir but I should think that with such a name and such companions that you would indeed be a man who would aid those in need such as myself".
Akriel nods at Nezter's comments, "Indeed, many such creatures serve the interest of my unwanted paramour. He believes me to be in Harmonia still which is why we meet here clandestinely. I've a few friends here within Skald but not many.
One such friend is the old man whom you met that provided you with the entrance key. He was a friend to my Father and a Sage, of sorts. His knowledge of the land is excellent but his body unable to roam as it once did, time catches up with even the best of us I fear.
My time runs out but hope springs anew, perhaps this is a belief of your Morninglord yes?
My hope is that your group is still willing to aid in the recovery of the Crown. If so, our travels here were not in vain. Between the border of Kartakass and the land known as Bluetspur is a land that belongs to neither territory. It is within this place, described to me as a dry desolate canyon, that the Crown was lost or taken. The legend is that this place is where "the bones lie". Though what that means is not clear.
Unfortunately, this location is east of Harmonia which requires passage south once more. I would be ever so grateful if you could quest for this Crown and return it to me here in Skald. It is too dangerous for me to return to Harmonia now. In fact, even here I am in danger. I shall have my friend await you here in the common room each night. From him you will learn of my hideaway here in Skald and then we shall meet, I long to lay my eyes upon my lost heritage".
"We'll do our best to return the crown to you. Where "the bones lie" sounds like there will be dead there. Possibly undead. We'll need to prepare for that."
"Akriel can you tell me about the beings in the common room? They don't seem to be normal people."
Brother Lazlo keeps his counsel to himself, though he nods in agreement that the Morninglord would wish for him to aid her however he could. Yet he is not unaware of the fact that she could not be an ordinary woman if she was able to secure them a room privately within this inn. He speaks up at her question, leaning in with a smile.
"Our Morninglord, my lady. If enough believe in his grace, his light will permeate through the darkness of this land and save us. I would think knowledge of him would be more prevalent, with this place's closeness to Barovia, but it appears not to be." Lazlo would say, the latter seeming to be more to himself. She mentions the land of Bluetspur and the name resonates within his mind for a moment.
He remembers the history lessons taught to him at the abbey, the dark tales of the desolate land known as Bluetspur. His smile fades at this knowledge but it doesn't deter him in the slightest "We will need to be careful, as careful as we can be if we venture there."
After the others ask their question, Lazlo nods for a moment. "This suitor...a druid you say...what is his name? Perhaps I know of him. I used to live here in Skald as a child."
Absolom -
A few weeks ago rumors began to swirl of a portal right outside of the Temple of Gerana.
Hell Nezter has not been seen since so it's very much a mystery to those in the know.
Hoping to cash in on whatever the mysterious magics may be, you both poke into that same alleyway hoping to discover the trigger to the magic but when the mists rise, you both get more than you bargained for...
-------
Kartakass -
The mists recede only after you wander about and realize you cannot possibly be in Absolom, the walls to the alley were much loser than that!
You stand on a road in the middle of nowhere, trees to each side and the sun is beginning to rise, from the north, a group approaches on horseback, one rider a familiar face, it is Nezter. It seems the rumors of a portal were true! But to where has it brought you?
Skald -
Akriel responds to Carella's question, "Some are Druids, others their shape shifting servants. They generally leave patrons alone, they must be particularly rowdy this night to have bothered your group.
Better I do not speak his name in this place servant of the Morninglord, he has ears everywhere whence his name is uttered.
I will arrange for horses for your group to speed your journey. Good luck and may our Morninglord go with you!
Sleep here for safety if not comfort and take whatever horses you find in the stable come morning".
In the morning Louis says his goodbyes having fulfilled his task of escorting Brother Lazlo to Skald.
Elaris decides to remain behind as well, "I'll find us a way out of here for when you return with the crown okay Carella?"
---
Kartakass - the Road South -
After a fitful night's rest and a light breakfast, the now five heroes ride south once again on a quest for this crown of soldiers. As the sun rises, mist can be seen ahead, causing trepidation for the four. As the mists recede it seems two new figures have been deposited on the road before you.
Nezter, you recognize these two from Absolom, they are mercenaries, like you.
Twang coughs and gags at the smoke. It was probably magic and if it was he wanted none of it in his lungs! He quickly inspects the woods for any sign of where the magic mist has taken them.
Carella gives Elaris a big hug. "We've been through so much siste. I'll miss you."
Carella rides the horse quietly. She stops when she sees the two beings. "Think they showed up from someplace else this morning? It seems to me how this place gets a lot of their citizens."
Noticing some people approaching, Vasilios warns Twang with his elbow. "People coming." He raises one arm and waves. "Hey! Here! Sorry, travelers... may I ask you where are we? I think we got lost."
What in the Abyss? Nezter? I could ask you the same! One linus we are in a job, the next we were here. I don't even know where "here" is! And I always know where I am!
"Netzer? Netzer... mmmh... Oh, yes!" Vasilios has never been too good remembering names. "What is lost here that everybody seem to wander around?"
"You know these gents Netzer? Carella gives them a look over.
"Someplace that isn't home. That's where we are."
So I take it youall got here about the same way we did. Wonderful.
I guess that also means you don't know how to get back. Wonderful.
Twang nods. No way back. Or, there was a way, but it might as well have been a portal to the moon.
Well. I don't suppose you lot would mind some company? I know a raw deal when I see one and we've just been shafted, feels like. I could use someone who knows my name right about now.
Vasilios listens carefully before speaking. "I... I don't want to die here. I'm okay with doing whatever, but I want to go back after, and sticking together seems the best way to achieve this."
"Good enough for me. Welcome to the party. We're searching for a fancy crown to save a pricess from an evil prince or something like that. Oh and there are lots of werebeasies around here."
Kartakass -
Nadima sighs, "Well at least we've more allies to make this journey with then?"
She looks at the two newcomers hopefully.
"People disappear and reappear here so much I wonder if the locals are somehow immune to these effects?
We have to travel south as Carella stated and recover an item, her family heirloom, that a young girl may avoid the fate of marrying a terrible cruel man.
I am Nadima cleric of Gerana. Awkward and mystifying as this situation may seem, will you join us? You know Nezter and we can assure you, the rest of the locals here are not friendly. I left my friend behind in the capital city to seek out an answer to the riddle of how to return us home. Come with us and if we succeed and she succeeds we can return home together and aid this poor young woman".
Twang takes the fact that people tend to appear and disappear here in with a heavy gulp. Well. Since there's nothing for it. Let's get going then.
"I only want to go back home" Vasilios starts, "though I'll help in whatever task can in turn help me, since there seems to be no other possibility anyways."
"Off we go then. We've got to save a young." she coughs on the word, "girl from a horrible fate."
She has a twinkle in her eye that invites you to laugh along with her. "You have to say this is an adventure."
Kartakass -
The group stops in once more at Maria's home where her husband is on the mend and the group gets home cooked meals, a warm blanket, and a reprieve from the wilderness.
The family discusses with you the area of Kartakass that your group has been asked to journey to, "You may wish to go through Harmonia and pick up further provisions unless speed is what you seek. My son can guide you to this place but he will not enter. None who have entered it brfore have ever left, at least those were the stories I heard as a child", states Maria's husband.
Twang is thankful for the How quickly do we need to complete or task? If we aren't on a tight schedule then I say why rush it?
As for the area, someone must have made it out, even if that sometime is a chipmunk. I've never seen a place from which Nothing escapes.
He thinks a beat, then adds, Then again I've never been transported by magic fog either...
"What you've just said sounds wise, er... What was your name again?" says Vasilios while pointing at Nezter. "Let's do that."
"I'm all for gathering supplies before we head out. Thank you for the offer Maria. We appreciate it very much." She eats well and enjoys the evening.
Kartakass -
The group rests for the evening at Maria's home and over the next day makes their way back to Harmonia. Horseback speeds the ride back this time!
As the group once more enters Harmonia Vasilios and Twang find the reception form the locals non-existent. The trip to the general store is a bland interaction with the merchant grunting at questions though the store does have in stock your needs.
As you exit the building the afternoon grows dark with ominous clouds overhead.