The party has responded to a call from the Lightbringers, an organization devoted to destroying undead. One of their members, a paladin named Ashlyn, sent them a message asking for reinforcements. Her message said she was in a village known as Barovia, and the land was overrun with undead...
Roughly a days travel from the village of Barovia, the party comes upon the Weary Horse Inn, a roadside hostel whose common room hosts patrons from the sparsely populated countryside. You've stopped in for the night.
With the dying of the daylight, a fog creeps across the land, clutching everything in its clammy grasp. Inside the Weary Horse Inn, though, the fire is warm enough, and if the few patrons are sullen or stare at you a little boldly, at least the food and drink are good.
For an inn's common room, it's quiet. It holds no more than a handful of customers. They keep their voices low, and even the clink of their mugs seems subdued as the fog gathers outside. When the door swings open, every head turns to see who has arrived.
This new arrival loudly stamps the mud off his boots in the doorway, then strides confidently over, throwing a letter down in front of you.
"The village of Barovia is in need of heroes," he says in a thick accent. "You'll do as well as any." Without another word, he turns to leave.
The letter:
I, a lowly servant of the township of Barovia, send this honor to thee. We plead for thy so desperately needed assistance within our community.
The legions of Hell itself are at our gates! The dead rise up out of their graves and seek to drag us down with them! Not content to slaughter us in our homes, they spread the taint of their horrible curse, so that those they kill join their numbers.
There is much wealth in our community. I offer all that might be had to thee and thy fellows if thou shalt but answer my desperate plea.
Come quickly, for our time is at hand! All that I have shall be thine!
Kolyan Indirivich,
Burgomaster of Barovia
Gaspar reads the note with growing excitement. "Finally a chance to do what Pelor wishes of me". "A chance to strike down evil with the might of Pelor". "I must go immediately to my room and pray for guidance". "Will I see you all at first light"?
Motioning for the tapmaster to pour him another mead, Rourke pauses and then nods to Gaspar. "Aye lad, although I can't guarantee that I'll be in a good mood that early in the morning." Then, looking to the others,"And the rest of you?" A challenging smile growing across his usually dour face,"Anyone up for another round?"
After reading the letter along with everyone else Brin lets out a puff of smoke from his pipe and replies, "Aye, a test for our skills this'll be. That sounds like a lot of undead and where there are a lot of undead you usually have a foul dog of Nerull nearby. Either way we shall purge their stain from existence for Pelor lights the path and we shall follow, right Brother Gaspar?"
"Excuse me stranger. Will you stay a moment, share a drink with us and tell us what you know of the situation? I'm Brinmore Kane, servant of Pelor and vassel of his church. What do you know of the situation in Barovia? Do you know where the undead attacking from and does there appear to be anyone leading them? Any information would be of use."
Motioning for the tapmaster to pour him another mead, Rourke pauses and then nods to Gaspar. "Aye lad, although I can't guarantee that I'll be in a good mood that early in the morning." Then, looking to the others,"And the rest of you?" A challenging smile growing across his usually dour face,"Anyone up for another round?"
"Sure Rourke, I'll have another."
Turning to shout after Gaspar, "Oh! If I remember correctly it should take about a day's travel to get there so make sure you're up early. We'll want to leave before it is light so that we can get there before dark and get a good look at things."
Lance welcomed the reprieve of the handful of patron inside the inn, it wasn’t often that one could find room enough to really sit back and relax a bit.
“You know all to well brother Gasper that come the dawn my blade will be ready. By the burning light, we shall see what evil in Barovia causes the dead to rise.”
"Anyone up for another round?"
“aye, me friend. Though I may not be able to empty a barrel on my own as you can, I must admit I’m a bit parched this night.”
When the barkeep brings the another round Lance asks “so, what news of happenings have you tis day?”
"Excuse me stranger... "
I watch the priest go and listen quietly to the conversation of my journey-companions in this transition-dwelling. I also attempt to meditate, though the drinking of the dwarf makes that all but impossible. Failing that, I sit by his side drinking water and hearing tales about how he save the day...again. Maybe this time I will glean some as yet unforseen wisdom from him.
"Easy slim," eyeing the Gith's drink,"I'm allergic to that stuff, ya' know."
"Easy slim," eyeing the Gith's drink,"I'm allergic to that stuff, ya' know."
while chuckling Lance says "aye, so that's why you refuse to bathe more than once a month."
"I bathe! But not in that germ infested stuff. Alcohol is pure and cleansing. Drink enough of it and it bathes you when you sweat it out!"
Scowling, Rourke discreetly sniffs himself. finding nothing offensive, he continues draining his tankard.
Lyria stares at the messenger. "'You'll do good as any' ?" She mutters to herself and for a while amuses herself with the thought of making the messenger dance a bit. It doesn't seem the best way now though, so she calms herself down. "So what's new ?" she asks while reading the letter. "Legions of Hell, undead, curses... I guess it sounds fun, especially the 'All that I have shall be thine' part. He better keep up that promise".
Sitting on the opposite side of Rourke to avoid getting dirty from the amounts of ale, Lyria sips from a glass of wine, and listens, amused, to the conversation between her friends.
This man is not a Lightbringer, this meeting seems like coincidence.
"Excuse me stranger. Will you stay a moment, share a drink with us and tell us what you know of the situation? I'm Brinmore Kane, servant of Pelor and vassel of his church. What do you know of the situation in Barovia? Do you know where the undead attacking from and does there appear to be anyone leading them? Any information would be of use."
The man pauses and turns, "The letter is from the Burgomaster. That is all I know. My journeys take me through Barovia, but I do not live there." He turns back and opens the door before speaking again. "The villagers' troubles are not my troubles. They pay me to find them heroes, and that is what I have done." The door swings closed.
When the barkeep brings the another round Lance asks “so, what news of happenings have you tis day?”
The innkeeper eyes the man suspiciously until the door closes. "Things be quiet around here. I doubt such simple things as livestock would interest folks like you."
I believe undead were mentioned in the letter, what experiences have you had with such beings travel-companions?
Gerth's knowledge of undead is limited to mindless servitor types such as zombies and skeletons. He knows they are simply walking body parts that are barely capable of following simple instructions. There was also a ghoul, once; a feral creature operating at seemingly basic predator instict. The only thing remarkable about it was its ability to paralyze with it's claws.
1d20+9 → [18,9] = (27) Knowledge Religion. j"All of the humble servants of Pelor know our enemies." "Is there something in particular you wish to know?"
"Excuse me stranger. Will you stay a moment, share a drink with us and tell us what you know of the situation? I'm Brinmore Kane, servant of Pelor and vassel of his church. What do you know of the situation in Barovia? Do you know where the undead attacking from and does there appear to be anyone leading them? Any information would be of use."The man pauses and turns, "The letter is from the Burgomaster. That is all I know. My journeys take me through Barovia, but I do not live there." He turns back and opens the door before speaking again. "The villagers' troubles are not my troubles. They pay me to find them heroes, and that is what I have done." The door swings closed.
"That's strange. I thought the Lightbringers asked us to lend a hand and check things out. Lance, do you recognize that fellow? Is he a Lightbringer?"
"Well, information would have been nice but I guess we just have to get down there and check things out."
I believe undead were mentioned in the letter, what experiences have you had with such beings travel-companions?
Knowledge: Religion check = 15
"Well, I assume there will probably be zombies and skeletons, you know the mindless feet shuffling kind of undead. They're regular fair when dealing with undead and necromancers but other than that I can't help much. I guess I should've paid a little bit more attention when Father Dender was talking about them."
Lyria stares at the messenger. "'You'll do good as any' ?" She mutters to herself and for a while amuses herself with the thought of making the messenger dance a bit. It doesn't seem the best way now though, so she calms herself down. "So what's new ?" she asks while reading the letter. "Legions of Hell, undead, curses... I guess it sounds fun, especially the 'All that I have shall be thine' part. He better keep up that promise".
Sitting on the opposite side of Rourke to avoid getting dirty from the amounts of ale, Lyria sips from a glass of wine, and listens, amused, to the conversation between her friends.
"Eh, he was probably intimidated by the size of you wand Lyria. I wouldn't worry about it," Brin says with a chuckle and a smile.
"That's strange. I thought the Lightbringers asked us to lend a hand and check things out. Lance, do you recognize that fellow? Is he a Lightbringer?"
"Not that one my friend, no Lightbringer would so openly ignore one of their own."
Other than the bonus above, i have no ranks or other bonuses to speak of in Knowledge checks (except Religion) so just common knowledge info for me please :)
The innkeeper eyes the man suspiciously until the door closes. "Things be quiet around here. I doubt such simple things as livestock would interest folks like you."
"aye, not unless you’ve had them disappearing in the middle of the night or stricken with an unexplained plague” Lance replied with the rhetorical question, believing all should be well.
Looking about at the other patrons in the common room he says “its quiet indeed”
Having noticed the man observing the stranger, Lance wonders if there was more to it
Sense Motive Roll = 17
"Well, I assume there will probably be zombies and skeletons, you know the mindless feet shuffling kind of undead. They're regular fair when dealing with undead and necromancers but other than that I can't help much. I guess I should've paid a little bit more attention when Father Dender was talking about them."
"Its the necromancer part that'll be the problem, of course that'll mean finding'em first or flushing'em out somehow. Though from the letter, sounded as if we'll need to secure the village first."
“Anyone know what the road between here and Barovia holds for us?”
1d20+9 → [18,9] = (27) Knowledge Religion. j"All of the humble servants of Pelor know our enemies." "Is there something in particular you wish to know?"
Gaspar, you've had firsthand experience with many of the "weaker" undead, and have learned about others. If there is something specific you are looking for let me know.
Having noticed the man observing the stranger, Lance wonders if there was more to it
Sense Motive Roll = 17
It seemed to be more than the average suspicion he showed your group. You noticed the innkeeper become considerably tensed.
“Anyone know what the road between here and Barovia holds for us?”
A day's worth of normal travel through hilly woodlands, and maybe a river crossing or two.
Still dosen't work. And I have an account and am logged in. It works fine on my XP laptop but for some reason my desktop quit working with IC.
Still dosen't work. And I have an account and am logged in. It works fine on my XP laptop but for some reason my desktop quit working with IC.
The link worked for me. Gaspar's last roll
In order to make it a link here you need to use to use the BBCode tag. Just the copy and paste from your post is fine for me though.
To Gerth: What you call passing out, we dwarves call meditating. I would of thought you of all would understand that.
"A necromancer's biggest weakness is his reliance on the minions he raises. We take him out easiest if we go around them and hit him. With the strings cut, mopping up the moaners and groaners should be pretty easy." At this he belches and strikes a matter of fact face.
Having noticed the man observing the stranger, Lance wonders if there was more to it Sense Motive Roll = 17
It seemed to be more than the average suspicion he showed your group. You noticed the innkeeper become considerably tensed.
"relax neighbor, were not here to cause anyone any trouble, were just passing through. A hot meal and a nights rest is all we seek” Lance say casually hoping to put the innkeeper at ease
Diplomacy = 17
At this he belches and strikes a matter of fact face.
"or we can just let you hit'em with one of those and be done with it, would save any of us from even drawing our blades." lance say obvioiusly jesting with his companion
"thou art a sturdy soul my friend, how long has it been since we've gathered thus.”
Looking about at his friends he raises his tankard in a toast and adds “to good companions, and even better friends”
Listening to the conversation, Lyria thinks about what she knows about undead and the area of Barovia herself, but doesn't seem to know anything else important.
Raising her glass of wine, Lyria calls : "For friends !"
Knowledge (Religion), Knowledge (Local) (1d20+13=14, 1d20+13=16)
"relax neighbor, were not here to cause anyone any trouble, were just passing through. A hot meal and a nights rest is all we seek” Lance say casually hoping to put the innkeeper at ease
Diplomacy = 17
"What? Oh, you're fine friend, as long as you're not with the Vistani." He gestures at the closed door. "Every time one of them comes through, it seems like something goes missing."
Knowledge (Local)=14
Barovia is a small county nestled in a valley on the shoulders of a forbidding mountain range. Its altitude makes it cool in the summer and bitterly cold in winter, and the mist that clings to the sides of the mountains often fills the valley with dense fog. An ancient pine forest carpets the valley. The ice-cold waters of the Ivlis River flow from a spring in the mountainside to the chill Ivlis Marsh before trickling down out of the valley to the world beyond.
Barovia is a small county nestled in a valley on the shoulders of a forbidding mountain range. Its altitude makes it cool in the summer and bitterly cold in winter, and the mist that clings to the sides of the mountains often fills the valley with dense fog. An ancient pine forest carpets the valley. The ice-cold waters of the Ivlis River flow from a spring in the mountainside to the chill Ivlis Marsh before trickling down out of the valley to the world beyond.Knowledge (Local)=14
"To wet axes, over-worked picks, and ever-full tankards!" Raising one eyebrow and observing his friends, "And most importantly, a ready ally at your back!" At this he drains yet another tankard. As he lowers the mug he stares almost mournfully at its inside, muttering, "No matter how many times I toast that, the tankard part never comes true."
""No matter how many times I toast that, the tankard part never comes true."
Lance chuckles then say “aye, but that part can be easily remedied my friend”
He raises his arm and calls out to the innkeep “another for my friend here, and make it something with a wee bit of a kick to it”
Paying the barkeep, then finishing off his own tankard Lance says
“Well, that’s enough for me. If there be nothing more on the table to discuss about our journey then I’ll see everyone in the morning”
Gerth takes in everything that his companions are saying. Also, he studies their mannerisms so he can try to fit in more, but still finds the sheer variety of personality types and expressions daunting. He decides to remain silent for now.
Rewinding slightly….
"What? Oh, you're fine friend, as long as you're not with the Vistani." He gestures at the closed door. "Every time one of them comes through, it seems like something goes missing."
“Missing huh, things like what might I ask?” Lance ask the innkeeper “where are these Vistani from anyway?”
Diplomacy = 17 (Taking 10)
If the innkeeper doesn’t shed some light about the Vistani then Lance will pose the question to the others to see what they might know about them.
“Missing huh, things like what might I ask?” Lance ask the innkeeper “where are these Vistani from anyway?”
Diplomacy = 17 (Taking 10)
If the innkeeper doesn’t shed some light about the Vistani then Lance will pose the question to the others to see what they might know about them.
None of you have ever heard the term "Vistani" before.
The innkeeper responds, "Usually a horse or ox, sometimes a silo won't be quite as full as it was." "They call themselves "Vistani". They are a group of human and halfling grifters, though they'd say traders. They come through from Barovia, a small town about a day's travel west. Nobody ever goes that far into the mountains, except routine bands of Vistani."
“Missing huh, things like what might I ask?” Lance ask the innkeeper “where are these Vistani from anyway?”
Diplomacy = 17 (Taking 10)
If the innkeeper doesn’t shed some light about the Vistani then Lance will pose the question to the others to see what they might know about them.
None of you have ever heard the term "Vistani" before.
The innkeeper responds, "Usually a horse or ox, sometimes a silo won't be quite as full as it was." "They call themselves "Vistani". They are a group of human and halfling grifters, though they'd say traders. They come through from Barovia, a small town about a day's travel west. Nobody ever goes that far into the mountains, except routine bands of Vistani."
"Gypsies eh? He seemed awfully sour faced compared to the gypsies I've met."
Brin thinks for a moment before continuing.
"You would happen to know anything about Barovia would you? Who rules the town and the area around it? Why don't people go that far into the mountains? OH, and thanks for answering the questions."
"You would happen to know anything about Barovia would you? Who rules the town and the area around it? Why don't people go that far into the mountains? OH, and thanks for answering the questions."
"Not much." The innkeeper scratches his beard for a moment. "It's been ruled by a burgomaster for a couple generations now, I think it used to run by some nobles way back," he waves his arm lazily as he says this. "It's a small place, bigger than our little community and older. Now though, there's nothing there worth going to, just a bunch of poor people barely living in the mountains."
"I wonder why the dead would rise at such a seemingly unimportant place", Lyria says to herself after hearing the innkeeper. "There must be something more interesting going on there."