Story Thread

[Aileen]

After making our way through more blade doors and smoke filled rooms, I finally stumble out of the Death House coughing and bleeding from many cuts. The doors were not quite as easy as when I first jumped through them. There were four more on the way out, and I followed the sound of Rideyr's voice to find my way through.

"Zola, you alright?" Rideyr asks, steadying me.

I take a deep breath of the Barovian air, and smile.

"We made it out!"

"Yes, we did! Are you hurt?"

I shake my head. I'm all sliced up, but it's nothing the clerics can't heal. I take the windmill sword out of my belt, and it is clearly tarnished and useless... it had been fine back in the house! No matter, I was getting rid of it anyway. I hurl it towards the side of the house, watching it flip several times before slapping against the siding and falling.

"Thanks!" I scream in disdain.

The rest make it out. Ireena was a bit of a pain in the a** and kept almost dying. Drama queen. Steinbjorn and Chad do some healing on those of us injured, and we head back into the town center. Chad wants to go to the Mercantile. I want to bury my cousin, but the crazy tiefling woman is holding onto him like theres a way to bring him back. We are penniless and in a horrible place, I don't think there is anyone who can help us. Eliza needs to be put to rest, but it hurts me too much to speak to anyone of it. Rideyr tried to talk to Creed, but she claims she is responsible for Eliza's life and getting him back. I don't want to talk to them, it's too painful.

We go in the Mercantile, and Creed is immediately kicked out. I ask the shopkeeper about one handed wooden stakes, but he has none. I show off my shovel stake and suggest selling them but he wants none of it. I think they look awesome and work well, but whatever. His loss.

While discussing the matter of Death House, and our deed disintegrating right in the store, the shopkeeper calls out for Parriwimple. Out comes a hulking, beast of a man. He is gorgeous. I feel my heart aflutter in my chest, and my eyes nearly pop out of my head.

"This my nephew, Parriwimple. He is strong, but simple."

Big, hot and dumb. He is perfect.

And then it hits me... Madame Ava's reading called for a strong but simple man, a mother's boy... in the village of Barovia. He is right in front of us! Chekasha catches my eye when I let out a gasp, and I whisper to her,

"It's him!" I try to contain my excitement but fail. "Madame Ava said a strong but simple minded boy would help us defeat the darkness!"

Chekasha smiles.

"That's got to be him!"

"I'm going to ask him out!" I tell her, and I move up to the counter. "Hey, Parriwimple. Do you want to get out of here and get a drink?"

"I don't really drink."

"Do you like food? We can get dinner."

"I like food! But I have to stay here."

"Come on, you must be starving, big man like yourself!"

He doesn't seem to be catching what I'm dropping. I'm trying my hardest! Hair flipping, batting my eyelashes, chest all but hanging out of my armour. What is wrong with him?!

He really seems to like Popov, and as we have just found out Vallaki has the Blinsky toy maker there, I try to persuade him to come with us and get his own Popov.

"Why are you going to Vallaki? Are they going with you?" He asks, pointing at Ireena and Ismark.

"Yes, we are escorting Ireena there for her protection." Cecil says.

"You are traveling with the pretty lady?!" His face lights up.

"Yes, I said I was going!" I say.

He turns to me.

"Ireena is so beautiful! I could protect her!"

I feel anger gripping my insides, threatening to spill out in a rage. He just blew me off... right to my face. For Ireena!!! She looks like a dog, Ismark said it himself!

"What?! Um... yes, you could protect her! You should go with us for that purpose!"

I am going to kill her in her sleep.

"Ireena, my dear friend," I sidle over to her and whisper. "You get this guy to join us. You're going to have to milk it."

First Strahd is obsessed with her, and now this guy. What am I doing wrong?!

"If I can't get him, I can't get anyone!" I feel tears pricking my eyes as I brush past the rest of the party in the store, trying to get away from the big idiot and Ireena. "Am I not pretty enough?!"

"I think you're very pretty, Zola. He's just an idiot."

"Thank you, Steiny."

The uncle wants us gone anyway for persuading his nephew to go out on an adventure, so I go outside and wait. I watch Ireena trying to be flirty with my new man, and feel the hatred boiling in my soul. Guess it's back to trying to hit on Ismark. Although he isn't that great either, didn't even help in the battle that killed my cousin.

I had almost forgotten, and now the memory stings like a reopened wound. Eliza... I failed him. I haven't stopped seeing him since it happened. Hard not to when the tiefling is carrying him around. I just want to forget. I don't want to feel this feeling, I don't even know what it is. I've never lost anyone close to me until now. Am I supposed to cry? Here I am almost crying over a stupid guy I literally just met, and I can't even properly mourn Eliza. What is wrong with you, Zola?

The others leave the store, and we all go to the church where we killed the priest and his vampire spawn son. Not exactly where I would like to bury Eliza, but our only option. Parriwimple digs the grave for us, and the clerics bless the ground. The rest is a blur, but soon I find myself staring at a mound of dirt with no marker, still unable to cry. I feel a hand on my shoulder, and look up to find Rideyr.

"Zola, I'm sorry. He was a good kid. If you need anything, anything at all, I'm here."

I nod, giving him a quick smile. I really just feel numb about all this right now, and I'm ready to move on to Vallaki.

Along the road we come across the body of a big wolf, slain by crossbow bolts and spears. A bit up the road we find folded up clothing wrapped in leather... werewolves, maybe? But wouldn't the body be of a person? I really am not familiar with Were-anything. We also pass by a windmill in the distance, and keep our distance. I am not ignoring Madam Ava's warning! Finally we arrive at the gates of Vallaki, which are decorated with wolves heads on pikes. Not foreboding at all!

"What is your business in Vallaki?" A guard asks.

"We are looking for lodging," says Steinbjorn. "We are escorting her from Barovia Village."

"Good! It much better here than Barovia Village!"

They're giving Ireena the look over, too. I roll my eyes. Can't wait until she's out of our hair! They let us in and tell us we want to look for the Blue Water Inn. As I pass by the head guard, he gives me a weird look.

"Your ears?"

Ah, s***. I forgot I put my hair up. I forgot everyone here is paranoid.

"Oh, I was born like this. Minor birth defect."

He sees Rideyr, and gets excited.

"You are family?"

"Yeah, we all have the same birth defect where we're from. Something in the water, probably."

He points at Chad and Mike.

"Distant cousins." Says Mike.

When it comes to Chekasha, his face really looks nervous.

"You are werewolf?!"

"No, it's hormonal." She says.

They tell us the Festival of the Blazing Sun is in three days. The Wolfs Head Jamboree was a week ago. In fact, these people have festivals every week! They say their Burgomaster thinks it will keep the devil Strahd away. I'm totally okay with festivals, they're always fun. We are also warned about several things, especially to ignore the flashes of light in the Burgomaster's mansion, and don't smack talk the festival's. If we go with the flow here, we will be fine.

We pass by a covered wagon emblazoned with "Rictavio's Carnival of Wonders" on our way through town. The gate guard told me that there was one of my relatives with the carnival, and he may be at the Blue Water Inn. I'm looking forward to meeting him.

Outside the Blue Water Inn there are ravens roosting, and I finally feel some semblance of home. I linger outside a moment as the rest of the party enters the inn, and pull a ration from my bag. I break it into several pieces, and set the snack out for the ravens. If you're kind to ravens, they always pay you back double. My mom instilled that in me, and I'm hoping ravens are the same here in Barovia.

The others are talking to the woman at the bar about the wines on offer, and it turns out there is only two- Purple Grape Mash and Red Dragon Crush. I want some of the Red Dragon for sure, and ask Rideyr to get some for me. I'm still nervous about getting turned down for being young. Not that it really matters in Barovia.

The barmaid tells us that the wine is running low and their shipment from Wizard of Wine winery has not arrived. Now knowing we are adventurers, she offers us reward in exchange for finding out what happened to the shipment. We are all more than willing to lend a hand, if we are staying here during a festival and the wine runs out... I dare not even think of the consequences!

"I have something for you!" She says, pointing at me.

"Me?"

"Yes! Some friends of ours said you were very kind to them."

She pours some kind of liquor into a small glass from a fancy tap, and hands it to me.

"A fine cognac!" She says

"Thank you... but what friends?"

She just smiles. I take a sip, and it's delicious!

"You were really nice to those people back in the village..." Chekasha says.

I'm still so confused! The barmaid laughs, and points upwards. More ravens roosting in the rafters. My jaw drops. I raise my glass to them, and finish off the cognac.

"Thank you, friends!"

I didn't know other people spoke to them too! My mom would hold full conversations with some of the ones at home. Zoltan especially. I miss him almost as much as I miss her. I'm glad I have raven friends here, too.

As we are standing there, getting our wine poured, a brightly dressed older half-elf sidles over to me.

"Hello! My name is Rictavio!"

"I hear we are related." I whisper to him in elvish. He laughs.

"Of course! Aren't we all!"

We learn from him that he is a carnival ringmaster from distant lands and has been here for a month. I go over to his table with Rideyr to drink our wine as he regales us with his tale.

Barovia Village was not great, but I really am starting to like Vallaki. The dead wolves everywhere are a bit much, but it's not too bad! My heart is still heavy with the loss of my cousin, but I'm already the happiest I've been since coming here. I still don't like Ireena though. Maybe the ravens will divebomb her for me. That would be nice.

~ Zola

[donaldado]

Val was happy with leaving the house. This place must be affecting her as she has no memory of leaving the house. What could be distorting this land? It is rumored to be this Strahd character.

[donaldado]

"Lin Lohan of the five hundred finger technique has become has become amused!"

"Wha? get away from me! By the gods where did you come from? Who the hades is Lohan?" Was the last thing the slaver uttered as the swirling embrace of dark unreality enveloped him.

"Oh no! Poor Lohan will be lonely once again. Maybe some adventerer girl will find him! Lohan must wait longer."

[dragonforgotten]

We settle down again to try and get some sleep after the shadow was delt with. The short Gnome named cecil asking if I had any spare daggers so i gave him one. What the heck is going to due with it? I feel the greif tearing at my chest at the thought of Eliza. Why him?! Everything has been terrible the moment i found myself insnared by the fog. I was traveling through the forest when it suddenly filled with mist. Before i know it i was marching through marshs. Besides the one or two wondering zombie or ghost no one bothers me. They must think I'm one of them I think to myself and shiver. I found a village but i was chased out before i could even say a quick hello. What is wrong with these people? Ive been sneered ay but never the torch and pitch fork treatment! They ran me off and so i continued my march till i hear the sounds of music and laughter till the dim sun starts to set and the distant lights of a camp fire illuminates through the woods. At last! 
To my relief they welcomed me just fine and i got to known the Vistani and met with the crazy eyed broad Madam Ava as she tells me that i've been ensnared by the mist. Im no longer in the same plane I started in and i am stuck here. S***. She told me my fortune, peeked my interest when she mentioned a teifling among them so I thought if i'm going to be stuck her might as well not be stuck here alone so off i went with my Vistani guide Boris. He was so hot, the perfect man with a hot accent. Then he died in a bog before i could stop him from sinking. He didnt make the trip but even in death he showed me the way. With his death i discovered a disturbing fact of life about this place. The dead don't stay dead here. The souls don't leave. The dead can never rest and that makes my skin crawl. I glance down outside me and Mikes room thinking and trying to gather my broken heart together
----------

We finally escaped this hell house but no one will listen to me. Ive taken it upon me to carry Eliza myself while they speak to the shop keeper who shunned me from his shop as i ease drop from the doorway. Just holding his body is getting my overly emotional. I watch the inky shadow follow after the half elf girl and i can feel my teeth grit. Ive failed. I wont stand by and let him slip away again. I will bring him back.
They come out with a tall hansom man who's as dumb as rocks, disowned by his own father. As Zola walks by with a pout and eyes full of jealously till she catches my eye and Elizas still form. I watch her eyes well up in tears but dries them quickly before immediately marches fast to stand besides Stein. Seeing her face Stein gives me a hard stare. I'm finally confronted by both clerics.
"Its time we bury him." My grip tightens.
"He needs to go to Valaki. Someone can help him. They bring him back."
"Creed. It's too dangerous to carry a corpse. You'r being selfish."
"Then cast Gentle Repose!"
"There's no time. We don't have the money or materials to even try. Zola is his cousin. She has the right to bury him and mourn. You are denying her closure by carrying him around like this. You'r making this harder on everyone." I want to scream with rage and frustration.
"He cant stay dead! He needs to come back!" 
"What he needs is to be put rest." Something snaps inside me. The pain is raw and burns. I will not leave him behind!
"THE DEAD DON'T REST HERE!" Stein narrows his eyes but doesn't rise to my yelling. I can feel the tears escape my one good eye. It is then i catch Zola, struggling to hide the tears and I realize what I'm doing. Im doing more harm than good. I am hurting his relative out of my sense of duty. My death grip loosens and I hold him out to him.
"Take him." I say stiff with throat raw. He takes him from my without a word as they all begin the march to the graveyard. Im not content as i stand inside the empty church watching from the stairs.This church isn't a church anymore. It's a decaying hollow building now that there is no holymen to keep it. I wanted more done for him. I wanted more time but I cant intervene anymore for now. Ive only succeeded in deepening the wound in everyone including Zola. All i can do it hope that within ten days we can return with an answer or my pain will heal. If my ten days are up.. I don't know. I just don't know... What every comes first. I hope we come back in time. I cant stand living this half life knowing how much i fail.
----------------------

I travel in relative silence banished to the back of the group. No ones willing to speak to me after my stunt. I don't blame them, I made a large show of things.  Im surprised when Cecil comes over to me and begins striking up a conversation. I ask about his powers and he tells me which fascinates me when he mentions his control over shadows.
"Thats something my family would have been interested in. They liked to dabble in the dark arts."
"Do you?"
"Sort of. Im just weird."
He then shows me his puppet Popov. He's used my spare dagger to hide it in its mouth. Thats unsettling but I find the doll strangely enduring. It reminds me of grandpas china doll collection. 
"Thats really cool. Take a look at this."
I show him my pocket watch since we are going a show and tell.
"I got this watch from my grandpa but it's been acting weird. Every midnight the clock spins backward for an hour. Ive tried everything but nothing works and the clock smiths tell me its fine." He takes my watch and looks it over intrigued. I knew he'd be fascinated, all gnomes are. Just having someone talk to me makes me feel better.
We stumble upon a large dead wolf as we walk littered with bolt, unsilver to my interest. As soon as the city comes into my sight I don my magical disguise as a beautiful human Barovian woman. Soon enough we reach the gates just in time before they closed for the night. Apparently Valaki is a city that parties a lot and theres a circus in town run by someone like or elf friends here. The festival has a very metal name. When we begin to go past the guards to the city they don't even give me a passing glance.
We found our way to the Inn and i can feel my mood souring again as I realize I don't even have a copper piece on me. I watch as they all buy drinks and food as I sit on the barstool feeling very thristy wondering what the hell am I going to do about lodging. I cant just ask. I barely know them and i completely destroyed my first impression. Cecil then struggles to climb onto the stool. I want to help but i don't want to disgrace him. The villagers already thing he's a child. I don't want to look like I'm treating him like one too. He manages then turns to me.
"Whats wrong?" I sigh and whisper to him.
"Im broke. I don't known what to do about lodging tonight. Maybe theres room in the stables." He raises his hand.
"Say no more, i got you." I unleash the tension in my body knowing i don't have to sleep outside tonight.
"Ill pay you back."

-Creed

[Jeff]

This short respite at the Blue Water Inn has been a time of healing for me. I loved feeling relatively safe and felt bad when everyone went to the toy store, and I stayed back at the inn because Cecil, who I’m becoming better friends with all the time, was asking me to come. It felt great to be included, but I needed to rest after being injured at the Death House. I’m not that old, but this body and this psyche has had more than its fair share of trauma, and I don’t bounce back the way I once did. I love when I feel like part of the group, but I often feel like an outsider—only having met these people a short time ago. I’ve been by myself for years following my decision to walk away from the position of High Dawnknight of the Order of Aster and travel the lands working for what I believe to be what’s right and only picking up my sword when it’s absolutely necessary. I truly like some of these people, but I may have to leave and head out on my own again. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’m not going to make it out of here, so whatever I decide to do I’m going to go down working for peace.

Peace,

-Rideyr Storm

[bxtreme]

Journal Entry 8

Well, today started out great! We did a bit of shopping before heading out of town to find the missing shipment of wine. We also stopped by the puppet shop! It was hard to hide my excitement. The owner of the shop had seen better days, but I suppose everyone in Barovia has. We got an interesting tip from him about Strahd's castle. Apparently, there is some sort of autonomous mechanical puppet inside? He wanted us to get it back for him if possible. We also struck a deal to get some Dawn Breaker clothing made - finally we will look like a legitimate unit!

After that, we set off on our adventure to find the missing booze. After fighting a few packs of wolves and taking a...detour...we found the vineyard. The owners of the vineyard had their house taken over by evil druids and their summoned minions. I asked about compensation for the job, and received some unpleasant responses from both my team and the vineyard owners. The owners accused me of not being a "nice person", and Zola informed me that sometimes you have to do favors for people without compensation. What do they think this is? A charity? Mercenary groups receive payment for services rendered, simple as that. Maybe they will reconsider after this mission puts us through it's paces.

No matter, this mission will make us stronger as individuals and as a team. Free work or not, this will bring me closer to my goal.

[Aileen]

~Castle Ravenloft~

Strahd Von Zarovich enters the foyer, smiling as the castle doors shut by themselves behind him. A bat flies by his head.

"It's a beautiful day in Barovia,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine.
Could you be mine?" He sings.

Strahd goes to the cloakroom, taking off his travel cloak and donning a house cape. He sits on a bench and changes into house boots.

"Hi, neighbor! It's a lovely dawn in Barovia! I've just come from slaying a wayward traveler. Say, let us check in on our newest group of adventurers that think they can defeat me!"

[Camera pans out from Castle Ravenloft to the village of Vallaki, zoom in on The Blue Water Inn. A raven perches outside a window where several adventurers sleep. Camera zooms in on a young half-elf with knotted hair, snoring.]

"Here we have Zola, a fighter and sorceress. She is probably dreaming about me right now. Sleep well, little Zola. I'll most likely kill you in the morning."

---

I look down at my reflection. It's Eliza. His pale eyes look sad, scared even. His shirt is open, and I can see a symbol tattooed on his chest. I... he pulls it down, and there it is. The five headed dragon. My mom and everyone stopped her rising... why does he have that as a tattoo?!

"I'm sorry mom and dad. Zola. Auntie. Everyone." His voice leaves my mouth.

With one last angry glance at his reflection, Eliza splashes a hand in the water, distorting his reflection.

I wake up gasping, tears streaming from my eyes. Looks like I'm the last one up. Creed is still here, fully dressed and finishing strapping on her armor.

"You okay, kid? You talk a lot in your sleep."

I catch my breath, wiping away the tears.

"I'm fine. Thanks."

I hurry out of bed and get ready for the day, the remnants of Eliza in my dream fading away. Is this why left home? He followed Tiamat? That doesn't seem like him. Maybe I'll discover his mystery. Perhaps Creed can help me.

After a breakfast of wolf steak, surprisingly delicious actually, and some breakfast booze, we head out for a tour of Vallaki. There's not much here, it is quite a small town, but very quaint in that creepy Barovian sort of way. We pass by the Blinsky store, and Cecil and I get excited- we want to see where Popov came from! We head to a general store to get some things for our trip to the winery.

"Zola, remember to get a gem for that spell I told you about." Steinbjorn tells me.

"I know, I don't have enough gold yet."

"What do you need it for?" Cecil asks me.

"Chromatic Orb spell," I tell him. "It sounds cool, but I can wait I guess."

I wait outside while the others shop, and finally they join me. Cecil hands me something, and it's my gem!

"Cecil- thank you!"

Where did that gnome get that kind of money?

"Anything for the Dawn Breakers!" He says.

Half the party including Ismark and Ireena head back to the inn while some of us go to Blinsky's, the Popov store. The clerk doesn't look up as he recites some welcone speech he has clearly grown bored of over the years. He has a monkey wearing a tutu on his shoulder, the only happy thing in this drab and depressing store. The jester hat he wears adds nothing to his dull personality. As we pass by the creepy toys, I see a doll that looks exactly like Ireena.

"How much for that doll? It looks a lot like my most wonderful best friend." I say with a touch of venom.

"Does it really?"

"Well... kind of, but lots of girls look like that. How much?"

"Not for sale, is special order for Isaac Strahsny."

That's the guy we were warned about, the Burgomaster's right hand man! We chat with the guy who turns out to be Mr. Blinsky himself. He remembers Popov but the details are hazy, it's been a while. We are also introduced to Piccolo, who was given to him by who I can only imagine was the half elf from the tavern. Chad pulls out a flute to see if the monkey will dance, and plays a little tune. Piccolo dances in his little tutu! And then he slaps Chad across the face with his cute little monkey paw.

"What brings you here, you are adventurers?"

We tell him a vague summary of why we are here. I let it slip that we are looking to fight the "extra" evil, pointing up. He gives me a quizzical look.

"The ceiling? I've had my suspicions."

I shake my head.

"Speak the evil." He says.

The others try to cut me off, but I'm not backing away from the truth.

"Strahd!" I announce.

The man's face lights up. He tells us he has a request, a mission even, if we are to go to Castle Ravenloft. There is a "Clockwork Man" that he wants us to bring to him. If we deliver, he will pay us with any toy we wish. Big N Dumb gets excited, but I'm too old for toys.

"How about... the monkey."

"Yes, if you bring me what I wish... Picollo is yours."

"Its a deal. Shake on it." I say.

He gives me an odd look, and shimmies his shoulders. I grab his hand firmly, and shake it.

"Ah. Yes. Deal."

We return to the inn and find the rest of our crew. I go up to Ireena, swallowing back the bile in my throat.

"Ireena, we saw a doll that looked like you in Blinsky's."

"You mean beautiful and dark haired?"

"No, that would be me, Ireena."

Ugh. I'm so glad Ireena isn't accompanying us to the vineyard. Strahd would be wise to come nab her from Vallaki while we aren't here to protect her, but I'm going to keep that opinion to myself. My cousin died while escorting Ireena. If we hadn't been... maybe he would still be here.

We set out with directions from the tavern owners. It's an easy trip they say. It's also a rather lovely day for a trip. We are having a lovely stroll down the Old Svalich Road when the day is interrupted by a wolf standing in the road. It let's out a haunting howl, and nine more join it. I've never seen live wolves in the wild, other than the dead one we passed on the way in. Mom brought home a wolf pup once but they got rid of her when she kept tearing up furniture. She still works as a guard dog at Castle Waterdeep. These guys look beefier and scarier than Lily does!

The wolves charge, and we fight back. Magic is thrown at them, and I start getting used to my new abilities. Finally all but three lie dead, and those ones run off into the woods. I'm sure we will see them again soon, but for now we are safe. We move on, and eventually come to what looks like the right path. When we come to the remains of an old mansion with a moss covered dragon statue, I realize this is a place we've been told about, but not the place we are looking for!

We backtrack, but now we know another place to check out when we have the time! We backtrack and take a different road. Creed brushes by me, then turns around and pokes my cheek. I recoil, not liking being touched by strangers.

"Why are you so cold?" She asks.

"What? Why are you touching me!"

"People say I'm a touchy-feely person." She replies.

Steinbjorn steps in.

"You don't know her," he says quietly but slightly threatening. "Keep your hands to yourself."

When we turn back to the road, there are now four larger wolves ahead. Direwolves! We go back to our battle formation, and I whip out my new gem. I cast Chromatic Orb as the wolves close in on Rideyr, and watch as a colorful ball of energy sails from my gem towards the wolf. Bolts of lightning seem to cover its body, angering it. I cast it again, and then use Chill Touch. It dies! Poor Rideyr unfortunately goes down, but soon only one wolf remains and runs away. The clerics get Rideyr back up, and we thank him for another heroic stand against these fowl creatures. He is the bravest half-elf I've ever met. Well, other than my mom of course.

Less than an hour of travel later we find a sign pointing West that says "vineyard". Finally! By mid afternoon we finally come to the vineyard. It's drizzling now, and we see a man in a black cloak beckoning us. As we approach, eight more individuals step out of the woods wearing dark leather rain cowls. We approach, and the old man welcomes us.

"Hail, strangers! I am Davian Martikov. I own the vineyard. What brings you here?"

"We came from the Blue Water Inn. They said their wine shipment never came, so we came to check on it."

"Ah, yes. Some friends told us you may be coming here."

He tells us that they have been driven out of their home by evil druids and their blights. Creatures made of twigs that they summon. They've been hiding in the woods hoping that someone would come along soon. We are introduced to the rest of the family: Adrian, Elvir, Stefania and her husband Dag Tomescu, their children Claudiu, Martin, Vigo and Yolanda. There are apparently some barrels ready for the taking, but the druids will prevent us from taking them. They plead for our help, but Cecil of course asks how much they will pay us.

"Cecil, we can't just leave them without a home! They're good people, we have to help them. Reward doesn't matter, we are getting free room and board when we bring back the wine!"

He sighs, relenting. I like these people, they are clearly hard working and I doubt a family with children is going to lead us astray.

"I heard from friends that one of you likes to feed birds." The old man says. "Is that you?"

He points at Creed, who is disguised as a Barovian woman.

"That was me." I say quietly. He turns, smiling at me.

"You like feeding birds?"

"Yeah, I guess so."

"You like ravens?"

"I love ravens! I grew up with them." I laugh. "I'm named after one!"

He grabs me gently by the shoulder, and walks me out of earshot and sight of the others. We have a little chat, and I am elated to meet this wonderful family. I have a secret now, a very good one, and I must not tell the others until they are deemed worthy. This family has deemed me a nice person, and I aim to prove it to them by helping to save their home.

When I get back, the rest of my party is suspicious. I convince them that it is in our best interest to help them, and the others finally agree. As we sit talking and resting, the Martikov's dote on me. It's what I'm used to back home, but I still tell them they don't have to.

"May I comb your hair?" Stefania asks me.

"Sure! I haven't brushed it in days!"

"Yes, I noticed."

She combs my long and unruly wavess as gently as possible, and I feel like I'm back home with mom again. She would love this family, for more reasons than their kindness alone. Stefania plaits my hair, adding raven feathers in. I hope they stay in for when I see Ismark next, maybe he will think I'm prettier!

After resting, we head towards the house. From either side of the path emerge sixty creatures which I can only assume are the blights. Most of us start sending fire bolts and other ranged attacks, but there is just too many of them! Creed runs to the door and holds it open, and we run for it. I make it in, and when I turn around the blights are shooting needles at Mike, Chad, Rideyr and Creed. Creed could be in here, but she decided to hold the door. The door would have stayed open on it's own, but hey she was being nice. Chad goes down, and Mike drags him in. There is the noise of the blights sending their needles into the door as it shuts behind us, and then it grows quiet. We are in the belly of the beast once more; There's no turning back.

I look forward to avenging my new friends... they have already embraced me as family, I must prove to them that the Dawn Breakers are heroes of their word. We are getting this vineyard back from the evil druids if it's the last thing I do!

~ Zola

[Jeff]

I feel the need to spend some reflective time in a church to center myself after what we’ve gone through these past days. I assume they have one in Vilaki and will search for one when we return. I’ve spent a great deal of my life in service to the Morninglord but haven’t been inside a church for years. It’s funny how life changes and how much I’ve changed, but I feel the need to make peace with Lathander before I die, which may be soon.

If I fall in battle, I would ask my comrades to read this when they lay me to rest.  It is the oath I took when I became a Paladin in the Order of the Aster in the service of the Morninglord Lathander and one I’ve humbly tried to live up to. “Strive always to aid, to foster new hope, new ideas, and new prosperity for all humankind and its allies. Perfect thyself, and guard ever against pride, for it is a sacred duty to foster new growth, nurture growing things, and work for rebirth and renewal. Be fertile in mind and in body. Consider always the consequences of thine actions so that the least effort may bring the greatest and best reward. Wherever you go, sow seeds of plants, tend the growing things you find, and plant seeds of hope, new ideas, and plans for a rosy future in the minds of all. Whenever possible, see each dawn.”

And I’d like them to remember these thoughts: “From death, life. There is always another morning. In the dawn, beauty reigns, and the way is clearer.”

The recent battles have reminded me of how fragile life is: the wolves, the dire wolves and the blights that far outnumbered us. It was so heartening when Zola thanked me for my actions in battle and told me I was brave. It means so much to me that she would do that. I was only doing what I thought was right. I’m definitely scared but have been able to overcome those fears and do my job; I guess that’s one definition of courage. Mike and Zola moved up and engaged the wolves as well, and everyone else showed their valor by standing fast and engaging in battle. It was so brave of all of them, and I need to tell them as much; I’m just not good at those types of things. 

Creed showed valor when she held the door to the winery and yelled for us all to retreat from the blight attack—she didn’t have to do that, so she really proved herself. I should have retreated much sooner than I did, but that was more from confusion than bravery. I’ll have to be more aware in those moments.

Cecil disappointed me when he asked the family for compensation if we could take back the winery. I question his motivations. In my mind The Dawnbreakers are into doing what is right rather than being mercenaries. I fully understand taking money if it is offered since we need to refresh our supplies and eat, but doing this just for money doesn’t sit well with me. I’ve made it many a year on very little money and am fine with that. I’ll have to keep my eye on him.

As I sit inside this winery, I can’t help but think back on my life—no wife, no children, no family, no friends to speak of after leaving the order so many years ago. It’s been my choice, but I sometimes look back on this path I’ve chosen and question it. I’ve given up much and have never felt loved—that’s the saddest part. I don’t regret my choices because I’ve dedicated myself to serving others, but it would have been nice to experience a moment of what a normal life feels like. Well, time to put that away and look for the evil druids who have taken over this winery and hopefully give this place back to the family who owns it. Have to get myself together so I can do my part for the group.

Peace,

Sir Rideyr Storm
High Dawnknight of the Order of the Aster
Honorary Knight  of the Purple Dragon

[dragonforgotten]

Creed age 13

“Pawn to C4” I drawl out as I move my piece across the chest board. The dark outline of my grandfather rubbing his chin in thought behind the curtain wall separating us. For as long as I could remember grandpa never liked me seeing or touching him. When i needed something one of his servants would attend to me. He only stepped out once or twice a day and only for a painfully short hour. No hugs. He always treated me with such love and kindness but it hurt not to be able to touch him when i was little.That’s proably why we live in the catacombs in this big underground chamber under the city. Girl Scouts can’t harasse you here in the city of the dead. I watch him then lean back in his arm chair as the room quakes around us.
“Queen to D6” I move the price and I groan as I look at the board.
“Checkmate. Why can’t you let me win grandpa. Just once.”
“Then you’ll never learn child, you don’t want to remain stupid just because I go easy on you.”
“Ya,ya. I hear you.” I roll my eyes pushing my hair out of my face.
The room shakes violently as dust falls from the ceiling. I look up at it.
“People sure are panicking up there. There making one hell of a racket.”
“It’s the end of the world dear. Why wouldn’t they be afraid.”
“I don’t buy all that smooth saying c***. The adventurers will clean up the mess. They always do.”
“You say that with such certainty”
“Because they do, eventually.”
The earth rumbles again.
“Shouldn’t you be evacuating like everyone else dear?”
“Shouldnt you?" I shoot back dripping with sarcasim.
"If you won’t leave I won’t leave.”
He then begins to cackle as he slaps his knee.
I put my head in my hands as he starts talking again.
“Well have a new problem when the world stops ending. When the apolocoplys stops distracting everyone they start hunting for me again. With Karsilene Stormwyk having free time again I’m sure she’ll join the hunt. Her father most certainly did before his passing. Not like they can find me. I’ve lived comfortable here for decades and I anit leaving. My warriors and wards will give them something to play with.”
He starts cackling again and I sigh. I can’t stop him when he goes on these tirades.
Eventual he stops the laughter seeing me slouch bored. I want to explore, to go outside again. It's been so long but grandpa is grandpa. Lay low he says, be patient he says. Boring Stuff old grandpa. I bet he has cobwebs in his ears.
Then the shadow of an old raven begins to climb up his shoulder, his familiar Corvo. He gives him something round before leaping off his shoulder hoping towards me.
“A present for my beloved granddaughter. Let it remind you of the time you have. Treasure it.”
The bird then drops a strange device into my lap. When I pick it up I’m surprise to see it’s a pocket watch.

————

I wake up and sit up in bed. I can see the darkness beginning to break away to barovians grey morning. Ugh the suns up. Guess it’s time to check the watch. I reach next to my bed into my pack and pull out the pocket watch. Like always since coming here it went backward for one hour. I’ve trained myself at this point to wake up an hour after midnight to fix it so my time piece actually keeps accurate time. It worked fine in the past. Why is it all screwed up now?
I glance across to the other bed in the room where a sleeping Zola lays curled up in the blankets, her expression pained. She’s hurting as much as I am but she does not want to speak to me. No one does except for Cecil. He’s a kind Gnome. Me and Zola became roommates due to us being both female but we barely know each other. I tried breaking the ice only to get the cold shoulder. Teenagers.
My tail, bare of any of my brass bands wrap around my leg.
It’s at that moment my ghostly Vistani friend walks through the walls back into the room to his spot in the corner but he isn’t alone. A dark figure walks behind him, he leaves wisps of shadows in his wake as his tail swish’s back and forth. The lost spirit pushes it's hood down revealing its dark head, I recognize that face easily even if it is obscured by shadows. The tainted spirit of Eliza sits on the end of Zola’s bed and places a clawed hand on her brow. Gentle petting her hair as black tears fall. Just by his touch Zola stiffens, tears running down her face. It’s one of the most saddest f***ing things I’ve seen today and I’m barely awake. My eye narrows.
“Do you even know what you are doing?” I whisper to him as those sad eyes peer up to me from the darkness of his face before turning back to his relative lost to any words I can say. Just like what happened to Boris. I can’t sleep now with this s*** going. The door creeks open as Cecil pokes his head in and I put a finger to my lips pointing to her.
“Everyone’s down stairs. Is she up?” He whispers. I raise my hand for five more minutes and he leaves. I watch the spirit as I begin to put on my beat up leather armor.
He begins speaking but no words come out from him but instead I hear his voice emanating from Zola’s lip.
“I need to show you.. listen..”
His voice echos from her lips as he recounts his first night in my mercinary company. She’s talking about things she shouldn’t know about. Things about himself and a little thoughts about me but mostly about his loathing of his pact. It’s honestly unsettling in all my years of dealing with the undead. What are you telling her Eliza?
“I’m sorry, Mom, dad, auntie, Zola...” My eye widens. What kind of s*** is this. The shadow steps away as she suddenly flys forward with a gasp pale and panicky as I pretend I didn’t see anything. I finish the last buckle when I turn to her.
“You okay, kid? You talk a lot in your sleep." I ask worried.
She catches her breath, wiping away the tears. Trying to be tough.
"I'm fine. Thanks."
I just want to roll my eye again. She obviously not and she looks like she has a slew of questions for me.Teenagers. I wasn't like that when i was her age... who am I kidding, yes I was. I cast my disguise as a beautiful barovian woman with long wavy black hair and i think at least this will more likely to not get me staked or stoned. I look down the my watch, my grandpas words weighing heavy on me. Only eight days left for Eliza. An unknown amount of time for me.
---------

I got stuck with eating beet stew since I'm too broke for wolf stake. Its still pretty good but I'm kind of jelouse. I join the group going to the toy story, hoping to find some rays of sun shines and happyness. Nope. It's another dead end. There is not a single god damn smile in this shop despite the mans happy slogan. I wonder towards a music box with a wolf chasing some child and I chuckle. Boris hovers over my shoulder in interest
"Guess you like this one huh Boris." I smile catching the shades attention but he still doesn't let go of Zola and he quickly turns back to listen as she begins talking about the strange uncanny doll that looks like one of the women were suppose to protect. That cant be a good sign. What kind of creepy guy makes a replica of his crush. Zola then starts mentioning Strahd and she blerts it out before we can stop her. He probably heard that. There are ears and eyes everywhere. We then strike a bargon with the toy maker that if we retrieve an atomaton from the castle should we ever be inside hell give us his monkey. I wouldn't have asked for the monkey. Would have asked for something more... helpful in our mission to get out of Barovia and free the spirits. I would like to have some god damn peace again.

We went shopping for a bit and I watch as cecil starts paying for thing. He's mocked by the shop owner as he asks for his mother so I step up this time and tell him he's fine. I tell him that you cant baby children and thats how you teach responsibility. It shuts him up for a bit but eventually he does let him buy things. Cecil then goes up to me.
"Arnt you going to buy anything? You were talking about needing new armor."
I sigh and then he remember my, problem.
"Oh, i can pay for it."
"What! No! You already payed for my bed, you cant pay for this too!"
"Its no problem. Afterall you a member of the dawnbreakers" Thats so sweet. Id date him if i was into short men, but I'm not so he's just a good friend. I still owe him too much!
-----------

We hit the road and with some vague directions we start the march to the vinyard. Were jumped by wolves and with the paladin acting as a chew toy we easily get ride of them but as i brushed by Zola i felt a chill run up my spine and my eye throb under the eyepatch. I started questioning her curious, poking her till I'm cut off by Stein. I don't know what his problem is. I was just asking questions. No need to be rude. We continue our march till we see a ruined castle in the distance with a large stone dragon outside. It seems we've taken the wrong turn. I check my watch. 10:45am, still plently of day light. I then notice a new spirit following us. It's a tall dragonborn baring the symbol of a god I'm not completely familiar with but no barovian. He looks forlorn and sad like a lot of the spirits. Eliza waves at him, still clinging to Zola but he's too caught up looking at his pamphlets.
"Who's the mopy dragonborn stalking us?" I ask but i don't get a response from anyone. I look at the dragon statue as Mikes new owl flys and he tells us everything he can about the castles exterior and interior before moving on. We are them jumped by dire wolves. Im starting to see a pattern here. This isn't a normal attack. After i blind one and  turn it into charred meat we move on and reach the vinyard. Finally. I check my watch, 11:20am. Still time and it starts to drizzle. I renew my disguise as we past a sign. I was unnerved by the appearance of dark robed figures but it was only the winer and his family. they been hiding in the woods after a group of hippies and their living trees kicked them out. If we help them they will be eternally grateful. Cecil asks if we will be compensated but he gets scolded by the group. I can understand him, we are desperate for funds. the family let us sit on their stumps while i try to regain my arcane power. I thank them profusely to finally be off my feet. Suddenly one of them comes up to me
"Are you the one who feeds raven?" I look around confused then i realize he's talking to me.
"Umm, sorry. I love birds but i don't think I'm the one you'r looking for." I gesture to Zola and all of them immedantly migrate to her and start fawning all over her as she talks more about her self and is then taken aside to speak to the winer in private. The next time we see her she's been prettied up by them. Dammnn. Maybe I should feed birds more often. I don't know what they told her but i want in now.
-----------------

We march towards the house ready to kick some **** and destory some shrubs. We reach the stairs and Im feeling pretty confident when the trees start to move. Tree monsters that we've been told about emerge from the woods, three groups of six. My heart starts to sink seeing the overwhelming numbers and looking at my group among them and i begin to think. We wont be able to kill enough of them in time before they over run us. I start think about Eliza, his fiendish pact and all his fire spells and i have to shake myself out of it. He's not here now! Focus on what you have! We need to retreat into the house. I rather face three or four of these guys in close quarters then all of them at once. 
"Fall back! Get inside the house!" I scream and reach the door pulling it open. I hold it open, unsure if the door will swing close if i let go or not. No one moves and i start yelling again in raged.
"Are you F*** deaf! There are too many of them! You are all going to die!" It seems to shake some and a few begin to treat as we hold the line. It is them we start getting peppered by needles and I scream and grit my teeth as they perice into my exposed back. Im half dead but i hang on.
"Get inside!" I growl as the last remaining group drag an unconious Chad inside. To my surprise the blights stop at the bottom of the stairs and with everyone in I muster all the strength in my body to slam the door shut behind me as needles thud against the wood. I sigh whipping the blood from the corner of my mouth as i pull spikes put of my back. That.. was too close.
I cast the frost armor putting some false vitality back into my body, trying to hide my weakness but I'm at least in fighting condition again. Let's get this party started.

-Creed

[Jeff]

Following our defeat of the druids, I find a corner of the room and sit down against the wall. I shut my eyes and try to find a moment’s peace when I’m struck by a vision. I see myself, clean and neatly dressed in my vestments—not the yellow, red and orange sun robes, but the vestments of the High Dawnlord: brilliant white and azure blue with soft gold accents and the sun shield of Lathander emblazoned on my chest. My body is casting a golden radiance, and I glow as I walk down the street.

I enter the church and see the priest, who gives me a long, pleasant look and bows to one knee saying “welcome Lord Rideyr Storm, High Dawnknight of the Order of Aster, we have been expecting you all these many years; it is an honor to have you with us once again.”

I smile and bow to the priest who returns my smile and motions for me to move to the eastern section of the church so we can perform the service to the Morninglord Lathander at just the time when the new dawn breaks the horizon. The priest and I perform the Song of Dawn as a multitude of priests in sun robes fill the now large cathedral with harmonies and counter-harmonies. I ask Lathander to aid our party and provide us with the guidance we need to complete our quest.

All of a sudden it is noon and we perform the service of the highsun and just as quickly the sun starts to set and we perform the Twilight Rituals drinking pure well water that has been touched by the dawn sun.

Then just as quickly the cathedral disappears, and I find myself in the vineyard planting and caring for the vines—trying to help this land achieve re-birth.

Then my eyes slowly open, and I’m once again sitting in the winery with my back leaning against the wall. I blink my eyes and get my bearings as I see the others sitting around the room as I try to process what has happened. I haven’t had a vision like this in years, and I’m not sure what to make of it, but I feel joy and hope and know that once we return to Vilaki, I must find a church and see where these questions lead me.

-RS

[Chris]

The Wizard of Wines
The Winery
Barrel Maker's Workshop
Barrel Storage
Fermentation Vats (druids and twig blights)
Storage
Back Staircase
Wine Cellar (druids and needle blights)
a short rest interrupted
druids and vine blights
a short rest completed
What was that sound?


Chad's Mage Armor is active
Steinbjorn has 1 level of exhaustion
enough time has passed that you could re-visit Madam Eva
Vallaki's Festival of the Blazing Sun starts on the 6th day


Time at end of session: Day 4, 4:25:3pm


MVP Brain Costa



our plays on RPG Geek rpggeek.com/plays/thing/192136?userid=1168080

[Aileen]

Moving further into the winery we come into a room with huge vats of wine. I hang back talking to Creed as the group moves into the room. She's weird and a little scary, but she's been trying hard to be nice to me so I'm giving her a chance. Suddenly there's a commotion, and I look and see tons of twig blight things all over the place. Up on a balcony is two dirty druids, pouring some kind of syrup into the vats.

"They're ruining the wine!" Someone yells.

I get up near the door and get set upon by a twig guy. From above I hear cawing as dozens of ravens swoop down to join the fray. They tear apart the twig blights, but there's so many of them. A couple get hits on me, but the little guys don't really pack a punch. Soon the party and the ravens take out the druids and the blights. I pull out a ration breaking it up for our feathered friends.

"Thank you, sweet birds!"

They're all gathering around me, bobbing their heads up and down and accepting their treats.

"They really like you, huh?" Creed asks.

"They're highly intelligent. They know a friend when they meet one. My mom takes in ravens, I grew up taking care of them. Eliza..."

My words catch in my throat. Eliza always helped me feed them. I can't talk about him.

"That's wonderful! I think they just became my favorite bird. What is your mother's name, out of curiousity?"

"Karsi." Most people already know that.

"Wait... what's your full name?"

"Zola Farsight Stormwyk."

She looks like she just connected the dots. I thought Eliza would have shared info about us back home... or did he completely distance himself from us when he left?

We take a quick breather and then move on. Rideyr and I insist we check downstairs first, so we take the lead. I enter what appears to be the wine cellar, and note the chill in the air. Ahead of me is a large rack of wine bottles, and behind it I catch a glimpse of antlers. More druids! I dash into the room, seeing some of the needle blights like the ones outside. They're a lot meaner than the twig ones! Suddenly nearly the whole wine rack explodes in my face, wine and glass flying at me. Fortunately I don't get cut, but I do mourn for the lost wine.

I start shooting the blights with fire bolts, but there is too many of them. They keep shooting me with spines, and by the time my other party members enter the room, I'm already looking like a pin cushion.

Creed comes in and starts blasting, and rambles something to me about the ravens and how she doesn't have them at home.

"I'm not sure what the subterranean equivalent is," she says. "Penguins! Is that it?"

I nearly choke on laughter.

"I think you're thinking of bats!" I say.

Suddenly a needle gets me in the neck, and I start feeling really, really bad.

"Steiny... I hate to ask, but I'm not feeling very good!"

"I've got you, Zola!" He responds, running in dodging needles with his shield held aloft. He gets next to me and grabs my hand. I feel the healing energy running through me, and I'm back in the fight! Creed said something about my blood looking weird, but I hadn't noticed until now. I barely bleed, as injured as I am.

Steinbjorn moves ahead, attacking more blights as I catch my breath. He doesn't look well after several good hits, and I push back in front of him, nodding at him to retreat. We can't lose any of our healers! I start using shocking grasp, my dad's speciality, on them.

Soon we defeat them all, but all of us are a little worse for wear. We take a look at what we have down here for wine, but a lot of it was destroyed. I'm tempted to drink, but I also don't want to take anything from my new friends the Martikovs. Steinbjorn grabs a bottle of the Red Dragon Crush and announces we will share it while we rest. He claims they said we would be paid in wine, and I'm inclined to believe him. Maybe I missed something when I was talking to Davian.

We return upstairs to rest, but Steinbjorn doesn't even have the bottle open before more druids and blights attack. This time, they're bigger and beefier blights. The Shadows of Popov are defending us pretty well, and I find myself no longer afraid of them. Steinbjorn and I tag team one of the vine blights, but Stein gets wrapped up in vines and can no longer move.

"Hang in there, Steiny! I got this guy!"

As I begin hanging onto it with a death grip, shocking it with all my power, I see one of the druids heads literally explode. Cecil raises a fist in triumph. His mind powers, although awesome, are horrifying sometimes.

I hear Creed swearing up a storm and cursing her arthritis. Looks like she shot the floor, and thankfully not one of us. I've been hit by an eldritch blast before, by my own mother. I guess she wasn't bullsh***ing me when she said it happens a lot. Warlocks aren't always in control. Creed's crazy. Crazier than my mom, even, which it's hard to be. I think I like her more now.

My blight finally collapses dead, smoking and electrified. Cecil kills the last one, and then we have silence. That was 6 druids, which was what they thought was all of them. Now we just have to face the needle blights swarmed outside. I cringe thinking about it.

"You're father would be proud." Steinbjorn says, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You fought well."

Stein is a veteran of the dragon war, so of course he knows who my parents are. The stories follow us wherever we go. I just wish I could be known for something other than just who I came from. I'm going to make a name for myself here, I have to! Zola the Queen of Ravens... Zola Ravenblade... ugh. I'll think of something less cheesy one day. For now, I'm one of the Dawn Breakers and that's heroic enough for me!

~ Zola

[Jeff]

Zola and I enter what appears to be a wine storage room and almost immediately we hear an explosion as bottles of wine are shattered by some sort of Druid spell. I’m not hit but Zola is; I make sure she’s okay and out of the corner of my eye I see a second Druid in the adjoining room. I quickly start to move towards him, as I need to get out of the doorway and let the rest of the Dawnbreakers enter and join in the fight, but more importantly I don’t want him to be able to hurl spells at the party uninhibited. As I make my way towards him, Cecil conjures two shadows and with one on either side of theDruid and me in the middle we do damage to him as I strike the final blow and kill the evil being. Then I move back into the first room to help my comrades who seem to have things well in hand—what a great group of fighters.

After the other Druid and the remaining blights are dispatched, we stop to gather ourselves, catch our breath and make sure everyone is okay. I thank Cecil for sending the shadows and he asks me why I didn’t spare the Druid, ostensibly to be questioned. When I say that he deserved to die, Cecil asks me what kind of Paladin am I and I explain to him that my oath tells me to show no mercy for the evil and wicked. People don’t understand this about my Paladin Order; we are sworn to fight the greater evil; no mercy for the wicked; by any means necessary and restitution. And while I don’t like to kill or hurt anyone, these druids committed an evil act against this family and then followed by attacking us: they were definitely in the wrong and we were in the right. This is again why I disagreed with Cecil when he was asking for more compensation on this quest; that would have cheapened our actions and put things into a grey area and I don’t want that. Somehow I ended up here in Barovia, but I’m going to do my best to uphold my oath and do what’s right.

We’ve dispatched six druids, which is how many we were told were in here and I hope that’s true. We’ll make a sweep of the winery and make sure that’s the case before dealing with the army of blights outside and helping the family take their home back. We’ll have to devise a plan before facing the blights, because their numbers are formidable, and they did some damage to us before we entered the winery. My hope is that if we have or are about to kill all of the druids that the spell will be broken and they’ll be gone when we leave this place. Wishful thinking maybe, but I hope it’s true. I want to get back to Vilaki and make peace with the Morninglord.

[dragonforgotten]

After pulling needles out of my back we went stepped into the other room with huge vats of wine. Theres a murder of raven in the rafters staring at his with their tiny beady eyes. Theres a pair of dirty hippy’s pouring maple syrup into the wine vats!
They will pay dearly for that and I anit talking about in gold or silver. There will be blood tonight. I side up next to Zola since the door way is pretty jammed with bodies. The moment they step into the room, tiny twig men start emerging. There everywhere! They crawl from under the vats, barrels, boxes, shelves. there f***ing everywhere! I punt one over everyones head as it tries to grab my foot.
"Bloody twigmen." i grumble, stepping on one and snapping his dry wooden bones. I look at Zola as she chops them up at her feet.
"I was thinking. It would be funny if i disguise myself as Ireena. See what kind of looks i get." She looks at me incredible
"Why?"
"For the s***s and giggles." she burst out laughing.
"Remember to play up the dumb and slutty." she chuckles out as she chops one of the twigmen in half. Wow,
"Oooo. I think someone is jelly."
"No Im not!"
"yes you are." I sing song as i against blast at the druid. Suddenly the man goes flying off the bannister and into the vat. Nice! Zola gets flustered and mad trying to convince me that she is not jelly. She is very jelly.
"Just remember a good man needs to have a spine and a heart beat. If he's missing one then you've made mistake, unless you'r into that s***." I blast again.
Suddenly something pisses off these birds because they swoop and start tearing the twig men apart as they scream in terror. Yes, beautiful birds! I love you all!. I finial am able to get out of the room and truly enter the vat room but its still too cramped with bodies. I scowl when the hippys cast their nature magic.
"Oooo, scary. I wasn't planning on moving anyway!"
"There not as scary as wizards." Zola mentions and i have to agree.
"I think scary is the definition of a wizard." Eventually all the hippys are dead, the balance of booze has been restored if only al little bit. Still more of them are scurrying about in this house. Zola starts taking out her rations as i watch.
"Thank you, sweet birds!" Zola praises them as she throws them a huge chunk of ration.
They're all gathering around Zola, bobbing their heads up and down and accepting their treats.
"They really like you, huh?" I ask tilting my head. I throw down some ration but they stick up their beaks.
"They're highly intelligent. They know a friend when they meet one. My mom takes in ravens, I grew up taking care of them. Eliza..."
Her words catch in her throat. I can feel My brows crinkly. i miss him to.
"That's wonderful! I think they just became my favorite bird. What is your mother's name, out of curiosity?"
"Karsi." Most people already know that.
"Wait... what's your full name?"
"Zola Farsight Stormwyk."
That name echos in my head. Thats the name of one of the heros that pushed tiamat back down into the hells. Wasnt, there something i had to do involving her? Met her or something? Theres an itch in the back of my skull but i dont remember. I guess i had something to do with that person before... that happened. Ah, the day i got my sweeet powers.
How come Eliza never told him about his family? He never liked talking about himself. He always wanted to know about me. oh well.
Everyones bickering but we then go down the stair. Follow the booze as they say. Stein and Zola take the lead as i be cool in the back. As they reach the bottom of the stairs they start running as the ear spitting and heart wrenching sound of lots of bottles shattering ring in my ears. NOOO! THose animals! THose bloody savages! How could they do this to innocences! They were iso young! Not even a year old!! Cut down in their prime! I jump right down the the bottom of the stairs and i see the b*******. He got a stupid set of antlers on his head. Im seeing red when i step on the remains of his victims. S*** he's using the hostages as a sheild! How dare he hide behind the wine rack and put the 20 remaining survivers left in harms way. Im an aceshot, i can see an opening right to that guy.
"Oi! Deerman! Are you the one who kill them!" I give him time to answer. I shoot right through the small bag in the rack and nail him square in the chest, then shuffle safely behind the armor. A random though comes into my head as I'm staring at the feather in Zolas hair.
"I'm not sure what the subterranean equivalent of ravens is. I lived underground for awhile. Hmmmm. Penguins! Is that it?"
She snorts trying to hide the laughter.
"I think you're thinking of bats!" She says.
"No, not bats. Penguins. There big terrifying things with hooks for wings. Eatcha alive!"
I look back out finally noticing the thorn men from outside surrounding the druid.
"Oooo boy that’s a lot of thorn men. Likes like it’s time for the sharp shooter to come in." I squeeze by and let loose hell as burning crackling energy slams into the bearded hippy. His eyes widen when he realizes how f****ed he is as I ready another hot one. I spin as I unleash it behind my back and it slams into the man as he crumbled and lands into the bon fire. Yes! Perfect shot. Still got it!
I slide on by right behind stein and glance at Zola, she looks like death but her blood is weird. Theres a big bloody thorn in her neck.
“What the hells wrong with your blood kid. It’s as thick as strawberry jam?
I then think over what I just said and maybe it’s a tad insensitive.
“Not that’s it’s a bad thing. I like jam.”
“What?”
“It’s cool. It’s cool. I’ll just be behind you waiting for you drop. It's cool." I then notice a nice big gap to stick my arm though with enough space for me to grab them so naturally i slam into the rack with claws unnaturally long and dripping with acid furiously trying to swipe at them but there too squirrely.
"come on. Little closer. Just want to scratch ya. Ugh fine." I start to retreat. They get me in the arm and i watch as the frost eats one alive. Sweet, thats what you get!
It doesn't last long with the hippys dead. Stein isn't looking too hot so we decide to sleep under the protective watch of the ravens. That is, we thought we were till two more druids showed up with their hulking vine men.
On of the druids catch me with a spell and in rage i scream at them and one bursts into flames. Still awesome. I suddenly find myself with a oppressive vine man myself but before he can do anything to me cat lady stabs him good and he dies as Stein gets a death hug from one.
"Thanks!"
“Help! Someone!” I turn around to see Cecil with a large vine man.
“Don’t worry pal I gottcha!” Ace shot right here. I begin forming the green energy in my hands.
“Eldritch blAhhhh.!!!” my whole arm begins to seize up as I start screaming and cursing. The blast flies straight at my feet leaving a large scorch march.
“Ahhh!!! F***! **** me! I knew I should have warmed up! Curse you arthritis!” I shake my fist at the sky cursing out all the gods I can think of off the top of my head. I have to sit on the ground waiting for my arm to stop spasming as the joints lock up. the battle soon ends after the dirty hippies die. Thats what you get when your hand bones are made of rocks and you skip your warm up hand stretches.

-Creed

[Chris]

The Wizard of Wines

The Winery

Printing press
Sleeping quarters
Kitchen and dining room
Master bedroom

Loading Winch (druid)
Loading Dock (a staff destroyed and the withering of the blights)
Wine delivery (needle blights on the road, Vistani bandits scared of by swarms of ravens)
Vallaki
St. Andral's Church (Father Lucian Petrovich, Yeska, Milivoj and the stolen bones)
Coffin Maker's Shop (Henrik van der Voort and the Vampire Nest)
Vistani Camp
Luvash and Arrigal, a punished Alexei and a missing Arabelle
Kasimir Velikov, scarred Dusk Elf, and the blood pact of the Amber Temple and the Sunsword
Lake Zarovich and a lone fisherman dumps a bundle into the water....

enough time has passed that you could re-visit Madam Eva

Vallaki's Festival of the Blazing Sun starts on the 6th day

Time at end of session: Day 5, 12:41pm

MVP Aileen Russell as Zola Farsight Stormwyk

our plays on RPG Geek rpggeek.com/plays/thing/192136?userid=1168080