Mirror, Mirror: The Further Adventures

Game Master Terquem

Listening attentively, Ballar offers to assist Liliannawyn with all those papers via an outstretched hand. The dwarf nods appropriately but does not interrupt.
At the end Ballar thanks the minion for the ring and asks, Wha 'bout money? Doubt-las our coins donna look tha same as thars, stamp'n wise. Can Ed change it?
Any maps ta study?

Zaehyra nods at Liliannawyn overview, and Ballar's valid questions. I am optimistic about our encounter with this place and this vampire. I figure we make contact with Edward Holbrock and just make do from there.

Thinking some more, which creates an odd expression on Ballar's face, he asks, Ba'ra-kov-e'ya ya said? Ain't a name ya hear frequent-lay hear ba eet does ring-a-bell...

Knowledge Religion: Who is Baravkovia for $500: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

It is singularly unlikely that Ballar would have come across the Names Barovia, or Baravkovia, as they are on another/parallel material plane (another world). But that roll deserves something - let me see what I can come up with that might be helpful, and still make sense to a Cleric of this world.

Yeah, lucky roll. Perhaps Ballar can help Minion with all of those papers and come across what he is looking for?

knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Niversal will buy 15 holy water vials packed in boxes of five and put one box in each area of his haversack. He will also try to ask what the locals look like and buy some merchant clothing for a near by town researching (know local) to know about that town and it's people and wares.

When Ballar is trying to help the minion juggle the stack of things in her arms his fingers come into contact with the roller of a small scroll. The roller is made from black stone, and carved, where it can be seen, with elaborate images of an ox dragging an ogre’s head. Ballar takes no special notice of the incident at the time, until…

As Ballar speaks the names out loud he rolls them around in his head. The words knock about like the stones in a game of Gaknok* until suddenly there is a revelation.

He wasn’t prepared for one. They do not come frequently. Ballar’s eyes glaze over and his mouth falls open as the thoughts tumble around gaining bits and pieces like Athgal Gum. Suddenly, as if a bolt of lighting has struck it becomes clear to him what he must do. Drawing his hood down over his eyes, Ballar darts away from his associates, running as fast as his legs can carry him.

His friends, Bud, Keryth, Niversal, and Zae exchange clances. Each is thinking the same thing but does not speak it out load for fear of being right. Ballar has snapped. With a collective shrug they quickly follow the mad dwarf as he runs through the city, passing brothels, pubs, and specialty book stores, the places Ballar normally frequents, the group is thoroughly convinced he is completely off his rocker.

Then, still mouthing the name “Bar-rav-kof-fia,” Ballar comes to a stop, deep within the old city, where shrines line the busy streets.
He turns to his right, and he is facing a filed. The field is chocked with weeds, and abandoned bits of stone litter the vacant lot like poorly placed headstones, but these are not the graves of forgotten souls.

In the center of the field sits a small monument, and behind the monument is a simple stone building, unmarked and unadorned. The monument is a set of three objects, carved from black sandstone they are weathered from centuries of exposure. They once represented a bowl, a maul, and a scroll.

He stands quietly, still mouthing the word when his friends reach him and at that moment he has finally puzzled out his complex thought. It seems as if something takes hold of him, and Ballar begins to speak, in a clear and cold, slow voice, unlike him completely.

Baravkovia, ah dinna know the name, but it is like this one. Bara Ako Anavia. She is an old goddess from before the time when there were dwarves, men, and elves, separated into their own kinds. She was a dark hearted goddess, not cruel, but not kind either. She was a strong protector of women in childbirth, and a warrior goddess who defeated the demon Fulsbredg, by cutting off his head and lashing it to the tail of the ox demon Gurrd then forcing him to plow the world for all eternity, dragging the head back and forth boustrophedonically. It is said that that is how elves were taught to write their laws. She crafted the bowl and hammer, to give to first dwarves, Trembor and Yillise, the Homedwellers, created by Ismea the mother of all beings. The bowl she gave to Yillise to make the first meal, while the maul to Tremblor who passed it on to the great grand daughter of Jaskor so that she might lead the dwarves in war against the grey ones.

Bara has fallen far from a place of reverence. She is a mystery to most of the living, but she is known to those who practice the dark arts of necromancy. She cares not for the complaints of young gods and goddesses who are denied the souls of the faithfully departed when those unfortunates are called back into the world by the power of the energy of the negative world. Bara is a master of both positive and negative energy and some used to believe she was responsible for keeping the two forces in balance as they crossed into the material world. She is only understood by the greatest of the never dead or never living, the Lich and the Mulgur. She is worshipped on many worlds, and her power has never diminished, even if her temple here has been forgotten.

When he is finished, Ballar stares across the simple, weed chocked field for several moments. A hand waved in front of his eyes does not even break his stare.

But, it is when Ballar is Speaking that Keryth remembers something about the planes of energy that may be important

Things that will have been made clear to the party before they cross the mirror – you will be provided with clothing, upper class (noble) attire) that matches the attire of the place you are going. Those outfits, there will be many, are waiting for you in the Inn at your destination. You will be given money, By the Innkeeper, Edward, but that actual currency is rare in this part of this world, many merchants trade in “Good For” tokes and many of these will be available for you to use. It will be pointed out that if you find large stockpiles of copper, silver, or gold coins, it will be best to bring them to the inn in secret, lest the town get caught up in an economic unbalance or catastrophe.

*Gaknok – a field game played with large polished, round stones painted different colors. There are multiple teams and points are awarded by striking certain color combination by putting the stones into motion with a soft-headed mallet.
**Athgal Gum, is a sticky gum derived from the Atharessa plant. It is often formed into small balls and used to correct printing and writing mistakes. Because of its stick nature it can be used to rub out ink and graphite while not damaging paper or velum. It does, in time, become “coated” in debris and must be cleaned with a rag soaked in alcohol.

Cool :) I would have had Ballar trance out after he touched the scroll roller and not bother running around but that is neither here nor there ;) So, Will save to break the trance?

Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 "Coo yah maya stupa/koon!"

Keryth listens as Ballar speaks of old and forgotten things. When Ballar uses the word "boustrophedonically" Keryth raises an eyebrow. Definitely not Ballar speaking! he thinks to himself.

I know what a Lich is... but a Mulgur? Mulgur? Mulgur? Keryth repeats the word trying to jog his memory...
knowledge (all): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

When Ballar falls silent Keryth pauses for a moment before replying. That is a lot to digest. Do we think it mere coincidence that the names are similar or do we think there might be a connection? Perhaps we can determine a weakness of this Strahd if he worships this forgotten deity?

When Ballar fails to respond, Keryth unceremoniously slaps the dwarf across the face, while instructing him to Snap out of it!

Zaehyra speaks with a raised brow from atop Kamastra, which she summoned back from the statuette during the chase, I don't know what to think. I've never understood Ballar's actual words and now he's articulating and speaking names. Have we heard of these deities or beings already? Other than Strahd that is.

Niversal listens to all of it and says ok ancient goddess who gives power to undead and necromancers. Sounds like a problem and surely must be related to Strahd. Perhaps even related to our Lady friend? You think she would tell us?

Does the slap work? Is Ballar free from his trance?

When Keryth slaps Ballar across the face, the dwarf is released from the enchantment he was under, if it was an enchantment at all. He stands looking confused, or rather, normal, for a moment before he speaks.

Hmm? Wha's tha? Ballar rubs his cheek, wincing a bit but manages to keep his puzzling good looks. Looking around at the others then at the field and the dilapidated building he hooks a thumb toward the monument and chuckles, Funny tha. Us talk'n 'bout Ba'ra-kov-e'ya ya an then end'n up 'ere. Ya know tha's one o'eres? She's a craf-tay one, eh? Bee'n bipol'r an all. Ballar folds his arms in thought and adds, Did'ya know them necro-mancers 'ave a thing for 'er? Bet-cha Du'pree knows loads o'gossip. The MMA cleric frowns at Niversal feeling a sense of deja vu, but shrugs.
So who's idea was it comm'n 'ere? Ar'we donn? Can we go bak, find our Minion?

Keryth, Zae, Niversal, or Bud may try a Perception Skill check if you beat a DC 32, you may have noticed Ballar's glancing touch of the mysterious stone roller, before he fell under this "spell"

perc: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37

Ballar's hand happened to touch a peculiar stone scroll roller the minion was carrying just before he started acting weird. Well, weirder than usual anyways.

The roller was made from black stone, and carved with elaborate images of an ox dragging an ogre’s head. Perhaps we should take a closer look at that scroll.

good catch Keryth, I was too distracted by Ballar to notice that. Go figure.. Niversal shrugs as if to almost apologize for caring for a dwarf.

Bud shivers at all the talk of a goddess of the undead mutters "Undead! Why did it have to be undead? They give me the creeps." He then looks at Ballar and hands him a flask, "You need a drink more that you usually do. Try this." He then looks to the group and says "Ok, lets get out of this sun and go see if we can see that scroll. Then maybe we can get on with this."

Sorry, working through a shift change here so my hours at the keyboard are limited for the next three days.

Ballar takes a swig of what Bud's got to offer. Immediately the dwarf's face is plastered with an expression of both shock and amazement. Then speaking as though suffering from a bout of laryngitis Ballar coughs in agreement, Cheers Bud. Ya, we should 'ead back. Before returning the flask Ballar takes a whiff and another swig coughing out the words, Wow! Wha in Cayden's name's tha?

Appraise: What is that poison?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Pulling the hood of his cloak a bit tighter the dwarf starts back. He has a blank look in his eyes - his thinking face. He appears to turn to the elf (the smart one not the invisible one) but Ballar says to anyone within the group, Ah'm pretty sure tha scroll's a relic o'some kind. Do ya think thas Strahd bloke's a Bara'oque fan? Sounds a wee bit x-sen'track wha with 'er swing'n both ways. Ah'm hop'n he's familiar, ba no deevo-tay. Gett'n pass a bipolar cast'r ain't someth'n they tell ya 'bout down at tha tavern*.

* As Ballar worships Cayden he is referring to the teachings of Cayden which are for the most part found in taverns. Unlike other religions with their vast stores of knowledge stacked neatly on shelves for easy referencing, clerics of the drunken God get their intell mostly second hand and so is a bit dodgy.

I think we can continue the conversation as we walk back. To recap, Keryth expressed interest in examining the black scroll case, Ballar and Niversal will likely want to question the Baroness about Bara Ako Anavia and as we go we could explore the relationship our Vampire might have with this goddess.

So knowing what probably did this, contact with that scroll case, aside, what happened to Ballar? Why'd he get all angsty, lead up halfway across town to spout foreshadowy lore at the scenery? Zaehyra asks looking around for a clue as to the significance of this place as opposed to any other.

Zaehyra is unable to draw any conclusions. This particular part of the city is given over to older buildings, fields, and shrines which are protected more out of a sense of nostalgia than historic or religious importance. The site itself gives no clues about what brought Ballar to this place, but perhaps the scroll or its rollers can shed more light on the event.

The group moves back to the Great Studio, this time at a more casual pace, and as they go it seems a good time to go over last minute details and preparations.

There is little thought, in anyone's mind, that it would be possible, outside of the Lich Baroness herself, to find anyone who might know something about this vampire on another world. Though there are secret societies within the city that claim to have knowledge and experience in "hoping" between worlds, dimensions, or planes, these mysterious groups do not divulge what they claim to know for anything less than a small fortune.

Anyone with Knowledge Local?

I would like to get a look at the scroll, Keryth confirms.

Spotting Ballar's "thinking face" Keryth inquires of the dwarf, You look like you have a question Ballar. Something I can possibly answer for you?

knowledge (all): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

Bud looks at Keryth, surprise on his face (what's left of it). "Oh, I've always thought of that face as a 4 year old trying to do a number two and not being successful. He's not nearly as constipated as I thought. I'll stop pushing the high fiber foods on you, Ballar"

Ballar chuckles at Bud's potty humor but his face is once again stymied in thought when the dwarf turns to Keryth, Aye, we're pret-tay sure Madam Du'pree'll know 'bout Ba'ra-kov-e'ya. Ba will she tell us all tha's ta know an how ta deal wit it? Could make a side trip, talk ta some locals ta cross ref-rance wha she says wit wa'said. Ya know any such place?

As they leave this part of the city, Keryth looks back over his shoulder, catches Ballar's expression, and then looks past him at the old temples and fields. He knows this place, only in passing, and then shrugs it off as not important at this time, letting his mind focus on the scroll, and if he can remember what it looked like so that it can be identified once they get back.

Black stone roller with an engraving showing a ox dragging an ogre's head. Shouldn't be too many of those in the Minion's possession .

The walk back to the Great Studio is calm, and the day is pleasant.
Once you reach the great Studio you are, for a moment unsure of how to proceed. Usually, without any explanation, the Dungeon Minion seems to appear as if on cue, telling you where to go or what to do, but right now, she is nowhere to be seen. The main hall of the Great Studio is a gathering place, and a place where small booths stand against the walls with clever signs above them that read

“See the latest water colors from Dorvin Gul, third floor Oak Gallery”
Or
“Tour the last remaining Finidare Machine Shop – Saturday June 18, reservations are limited apply here”
Or
"Maple and Ash Gallery openings in September – apply Now”

At each booth there is a small crowd. People here are quiet, polite, and seem happy. Some folks walk around with pamphlets in their hands as they stare at the art, architecture, or just other people.

While you move slowly through the main hall, you begin to wonder exactly what the process is for running down the minion when you need her, when right to your left another, younger, minion arrives. She is dressed in blue, a sharp pants and jacket combination, with black boots, and she is carrying a clip board. She is also wearing horned rimmed glasses (something new that the minions must have taken a liking to) and she address you all simultaneously

“Hello, um, what was your groups name again?” she says as she examines a few sheets of paper on the clip board. ”I don’t see any appointments schedule for a group like yours. If you are here to begin your assignment, the Dungeon Minion would have known and been prepared to meet you. Is there something I can assist you with today?”

Eve'n lass, Ah'magine someone with ya talents could ease-lay ass'ist us. Ballar tips the young minion a wink and with a waggish smile inspects her uniform in a sweeping glance. 'Faid we're trav'lin unannounc'd ta'night. The dwarf leans in to the minion's side to speak softly, Been on official biz'ness fa Miss Liliannawyn, jus got back. She an Madame Du'pree'll be spec'tin us up on tha fourth floor. Be a dear an show us up.

Perception: Anyone shady looking our way?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Psst, what's our group's name?

We have a group name?

just call us "Nachos, Beer, and Magic surprise." Niversal says wondering what group name was put on the dungeon scroll to begin with.

The awards and honors we were given identified us as individuals. We do not have a group name. We were here a bit ago before our dwarven friend, Zaehyra makes the quotation signal with her hands and articulates "Accidentally" touched a magical item one of your minions was carrying which took us on a bit of a detour. We have accepted a quest from our Ladyship, and in order to fulfill her wishes we need to see this minion and the magical item she was carrying.

The minion smiles at Niversal, and gives him a little wink, saying, Nice.

She then turns her full attention to Zaehyra, and after nodding a couple of times, she says, That does sound important. Unfortunately Lady Dupree is currently getting ready for the Hecaton Gala, that big party at the Museum of Modern Art. I don't believe she'd take it lightly if she were disturbed right now. Her dress, I understand, was designed by Luni Jaspoll herself and it is going to take a lot to put it all together and get her to the Gala on time.

If you are referring to Miss Synawiddle, she is on the second floor, in studio G, I think.

Synawiddle eh? Now tha's a name worth rememb'rain! Ballar proclaims with a grin. See'n as tha Lady's indas-posed, we'd best go'an see Liliannawyn. She's got tha thing anyways so jus'as well.
Ballar throws the young minion a smile then makes for the stairs and Studio G.

Keryth turns momentarily, a booth seemingly catching his eye, before he rejoins the group. Pardon me, he offers to the minion and the others.

Ballar heads for the stairs on the left. The party follows, but for a moment Keryth lags behind. He has plenty of time to catch up, as Ballar and the pothers pause at a kiosk where a map of the second floor is proudly displayed.

“You are here” the map declares with a shinning silver star, and from this position you can see the wings of the building stretching out to the right, left, and ahead of you ( behind you is open to the foyer below).

The map shows there are exhibits in the west and east wings (left and right, while to the north is a twenty-foot-wide hallway, lined with posters and parchment notes, bulletin boards and announcement flags.

Along the hall are doors. The map labels the spaces beyond these doors as, “research and study offices.” You quickly identify room G and are on your way.

The door to room G is closed, but not locked or latched, and you can simply push your way in.

Once the door is opened you see a large room, possibly thirty-foot square in dimensions. The walls are lined with book shelves filled with books of nearly every shape and size. In the center of the room is a large table, eight-foot square. The table is covered in papers, books, objects, scrolls, paper weights, and assorted other bric-a-brac. Around the table are five people, three women, one who is the Dungeon minion, and two men. The me are both elves, the common variety, while the other two women are a human and a halfling standing on a wooden box. Each of the individuals, including the minion, are bent over some object, paper, or book deep in study. The room is otherwise quiet, and there are no chairs. Across from the door, on the far wall, in a break between the bookshelves is a tall narrow window which lets in light. The light would be bright, but a thin gossamer curtain hangs in the window cutting the light down to a comfortable level.

Doing his best to not rudely intrude, Ballar lightly knocks on the door frame and politely clears his throat. A-ham, sorry ta intrude. The dwarf tippy-toes across the room toward the gathered quintet, Minion dear, do ya by chance 'ave some o'those pap'rs ya had early'r?Seems we've gotta few questions ta ask.
Stealth: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16
Perception: Is there a black stone roller thing?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Zaehyra is content to lean in from aside the entrance and peer in over Ballar to see what happens.

As Ballar brings the distraction as only his brand of diplomacy can along with the smell of beer and nachos always surrounding the fellow Niversal uses him as he often does to have a quiet look around and see if he can spot anything useful or what they are looking for and aquire it.

perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

Ballar manages to approach the table without drawing attention to himself. When he speaks, the group around the table all stop what they are doing and look up from their work. The dungeon minion isn’t startled, but her expression is one of curiosity and annoyance.

[spoiler=Ballar]You do not see the scroll, immediately, but there are many “layers” of unorganized things on the table.[/b]

Zae peers through the door trying not to add too many distractions to the proceedings, while Niversal quietly enters the room and, taking one step to the right, gives the room a careful looking over. He doesn’t see anything that grabs his attention until his gaze falls on the window. His keen perception picks up some animal, a large bird perhaps, silhouetted through the curtain, standing on the window ledge outside.

The halfling woman at the table is keen to keep an eye on the members of the group who enter the room, and when she sees Niversal, her face becomes stern, and her eyes latch on to him like a hawk, When she notices he has seen something in the window, she looks over her shoulder, lets out a heavy sigh, and says, “Syna, that thing is back at the window.”

The Dungeon minion’s expression changes quickly to one of glee, and whatever answer she was about to give to Ballar is lost in her sudden excitement.

“Quick, get the peanuts. I wan’t to see if it will come inside. It’s so cute I am going to die. Have you ever seen anything like it?”

The elf on her right moves to a bookshelf and retrieves a brown paper bag, while the halfling hops down from the box and tiptoes over to the window. Drawing the curtain back you, who are in the room or are looking into the room, see a animal about the size of a large house cat. It is blue in color, maybe covered in fur or feathers, and it has wings, a large head, and a trunk.

A trunk?

The animal appears to be a winged elephant, no larger than a tabby cat.

The creature is hunched, as if it has not enough room on the window ledge and looks in through the window longingly.

The halfling unlatches the window, swinging it inward, while the elf throws shelled peanuts on the floor below. The creature looks downward, raises its trunk and lets out a trilling bellow, then leaps down, using its wings to slow its descent, and begins eating the peanuts slowly, one at a time.

The dungeon minion is giddy with excitement, and claps her hands approvingly, then turns to Ballar and says,

“What?”

Bud does a double take and shakes his head as he ducks back out the door and collapses against the wall. "I am suffering the effects of something I drank is the past. I'm seeing.... things. No. It's not really there. It's all in my head." He looks around to see who is looking at him and walks back into the room as if nothing has happened and most decidedly does not look at the little blue elephant. You can hear him muttering "It's not really there. It's not really there. It's a hallucination."

Smiling by the table Ballar watches as the girls play. Having seen all manner of strange and crazy things in this realm, its hard to surprise him, or perhaps the neurons in his brains haven't quite made the connection yet, Lov'lay pet. Does it 'ave a name?

The dwarf casually leans against the table letting his hand come to rest upon the stack of papers there in his best Van Johnson pose. He appears startled at having disturbed the pile, Oops! then erringly moves his hand and consequently the pile a few inches to reveal another layer. Oh Blast! Sorry dear! The dwarf panics a little knocking a few more pages about, but really whose he trying to kid?! These girls could snuff his lights out as easy as snapping their fingers together. Feeling the peril he's put himself in Ballar clenches his teeth against some pretty genuine fear and with effort forces himself to stand perfectly still, both hands pressed flatly on the table's surface. Grimacing, he turns back to Minion looking every inch the apologetic school boy having been caught passing a note.

Bluff: Faining clumsiness to accidentally move some papers around: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Perception: Anything interesting?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Zaehyra can only raise a brow at the randomness that is occurring as a feather or furry elephant happens to also be here. She moves to join the others in the fawning over the beast as it delights in its feast of peanuts. What is this creature called?

Keryth stands respectfully in the room's entrance way.

Niversal looks at the thing and at it eating peanuts rather incredulously staring for a long moment before his eyes finally blink and he says are you sure that is safe? Where did it come from?

Surely this is not the most fantastical beast they have ever seen? Keryth thinks to himself as he watches the display before him.