On your travels, you carry with you a memoir of your youth. A token that helps you stay focused on the purpose of your quest. What is it?

>A picture of your family you and Joannus drew together as a child.
>A necklace that used to belonge to your grandmother.
>A rusty old key. No one ever figured out what it opens.
>A tiny clockwork figure of a dancer. It's missing a gear and doesn't work.
>A little black book that your sister used as a journal before she was taken.
>The very holy symbol of Kossuth that you wear around your neck.
>Other (specify)

>>5195344
>A picture of your family you and Joannus drew together as a child.

>>5195344
>>A little black book that your sister used as a journal before she was taken.

>A little black book that your sister used as a journal before she was taken.

File: q3fCysg8oZq8XU0v1uq6Bc65V(...).png (1.89 MB, 2604x1448)

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>>5195347
>>5195354
You look fondly at Joannus's journal. It's full of idle fancies, a young adult's thoughts on travel and adventure. She romanticized heroism, citing the legendary exploits of drow adventurer Drizzt Do'Urden, or the chronicles of travelling scholars like Volothamp Geddarm. A few months before she was taken, she was talking about backpacking out on her own, uncovering treasures across the coast, facing unknown dangers, making a name for herself. This wanderlust is something you always admired about her, but didn't have in common with her growing up. If she could see you now...

The final pages contain some shorthand notes about the price of adventuring gear, followed by sketches of tents and wagons, then nothing. The last pages have been instrumental in helping you track down Barovia, as innkeepers and bards you've sought advice from all over the world have oft claimed that the tents depicted belong to the travelling merchants Joannus was hanging out with before she vanished.

The mist begins to encroach, and you pace quickens. There is something unnatural about this fog; it's almost as though it's following you. That seems like a crazy notion, but when you look the way you came, the fog is thicker, obscuring the way back toward the gates. It opens up ahead of you, allowing you to see the muddy read, which seems to continue endlessly.

Eventually, the fog reveals tall shapes looming in the distance. Your heart quickens as the tall shapes become recognizable as village dwellings. The valley seems to open up as you step out of the Svalich woods atop the hill, hundreds of miles of valley land sprawling before you.

You have a pretty good look from here. The village is at the foot of an impossibly steep cliff. Thousands of feet above the village, you can just make out the silhouette of a castle that overlooks the whole valley.

It also begins to rain. From what you can see from here, the buildings down there wouldn't provide very good protection from the elements.

Still, some shelter is better than none.

(cont.)

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As you reach the end of the trail to the village, the muddy ground underfoot gives way to slick, wet cobblestones. The windows of each house stare out from pools of blackness.

You hear a sound from up ahead, and you freeze. Small, wooden wheels rolling across damp cobbles. Squinting, you trace the lonely sound to a hunched figure bundled in rags, pushing a rickety wooden cart through the fog. Whoever they are, they are making their way down the road in your direction. You have no time to get your bearings. What do you do?

Suggestions:
>Call out for help
>Approach civilly
>Approach with weapon drawn (Intimidation)
>Hide and slip away into the village (Stealth, DC 10)
>Hide, but stay behind a building and observe (Stealth, DC 15)
>Try to discern more information about the figure from afar (Perception, DC 15)
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Use another skill (specify)
>Other (specify)

>>5195369
>Approach civilly
What could possibly go wrong?

>>5195369
>Approach civilly
Cautiously of course

>>5195369
>Hide, but stay behind a building and observe (Stealth, DC 15)

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>>5195374
>>5195377
You figure, as a stranger in this land, it's your responsibility to approach civilly. Remembering the sword at your side, you step forward.

The figure is an old woman bundled in a rags. She stops her cart when she spots you approaching. "Oh, outsiders!" she says, her voice weak and crackly. "There hasn’t been this many outsiders here in all my life, but now? Ah, first that bard fellow, then the wizard. Now you! Welcome!"

At a glance, she doesn't appear to be carrying any weapons. Her cart is covered by a cloth. A savory smell of baked wheat & flour wafts from the cart, making your stomach rumble.

You eye the cart suspiciously.

"Hello," you say. "I'm Aranuel." You pause. "Are you... selling food?"

"Why yes I am," she says with a motherly smile. "Pastries, fresh from the oven. Would you like some?"

Suggestions:
>Say "no!"
>Say "yes please!"
>Say "how much?"
>Say "what's in them?"
>Say "I am looking for my sister... [...]"
>Ask for directions to the nearest inn
>Ask her about Barovia
>Other (specify)

>>5195383
>Say "how much?"
>Ask for directions to the nearest inn
>Ask her about Barovia

>>5195386
Agreed but also ask the kind lady her name

>>5195386
This. We only have a mere 11gp though.

File: ps9jv8-1JAacW0278QxUZtjAW(...).png (3.3 MB, 2560x1280)

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>>5195386
>>5195391
>>5195393
"Sure provided they're not too expensive," you asy. "But first, could you answer some questions for me?"

"Oh, excellent! I think you will find them so very pleasant and appetizing!" she says. "Please, ask whatever you wish."

"Can you tell me more about this place? Where exactly am I??"

Her expression grows dark. "Oh, this is just a silly little town. Not the place one would want to go for a vacation." She begins laughing at her own joke. "Oh, don't mind me," she says. "It's good that you asked for advice. This place can be very dangerous for those unprepared. You should stick to the road if you plan on travelling farther into the valley. If you take the branch west, it will take you to a city by the name of Vallaki. And to Krezk after that."

"I see," you say. "And where else does the road lead?"

The old woman points up to the castle that looms thousands of feet above the village. "Castle Ravenloft. our Lord's domain."

Something about the castle feels like bad news. "Why did he have to build it that far above the valley?" you ask.

"Oh, just to keep an eye on his subjects, I suppose... He really is not that bad, despite what many of the residents here will say."

"I see," you say, smiling. "I appreciate the help."

"Of course," she says.

"So, what is your name?"

"You can call me Morgantha," she says. "I come here sometimes with my sisters. We live out of town, making coin here and there with our little pastry business." She chuckles.

"That's great," you say. "Business is going well I assume."

"As well as it can be, given the times, I suppose! Hahaha!"

"Yeah... One more thing," you say. "Where can I find the nearest inn?"

She points to the town square. "There's a tavern just up the way."

"Great!"

She reaches under the cloth of the cart and pulls out a small pie.

"How much were these again?"

"One gold piece for a pastry," she says.

(In your inventory is a Coin Purse containing 11 GP.)

Suggestions:
>Say "1 GP per pastry? That's obscene!"
>Buy pastries for 1GP each (how many?)
>Try to barter the price down (Persuasion)
>Threaten her (Intimidation)
>Politely decline and thank her for the help.
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Use another skill (specify)
>Other (specify)

>>5195397
>Buy pastries for 1GP each (how many?)
1
We should probably just buy a pastry, seeing as she did help us. That's like nearly 10% of our wealth though...

>>5195397
Alright we need to save as much as we can for the inn so I’m saying we buy 1 ask about the price bid our farewells and pray the inn isn’t expensive

>>5195397
>Buy pastries for 1GP each (1)
>Go to inn

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>>5195405
>>5195406
>>5195407
You wince at the price, but, given the advice and kindness she gave you, you can't help but return the favor in the form of coin. You reach into your coin purse and pull out a single gold piece, placing it down onto her cart.

"Thank you," she says, "and enjoy your food!" She tears a piece off of a small cloth and covers the pastry partially before handing it to you.

"If you don't mind me asking," you say, inspecting the pastry, which appears to be some kind of mincemeat pie. "Why are they priced so high?"

The conversation is interrupted momentarily by the approach a sad-looking man hobbling down the street. Morgantha immediately engages with him, and you watch, stunned, as she just... sells him a pastry, no words exchanged. He seems hollow; no emotion behind his eyes. He pays no attention to you.

The woman smiles on you as her customer begins shambling away. "Oh," she says, "be careful asking too many questions around here, dearie. You never know who might overhear."

"Yeah... But, the pastr-"

She winks at you. "You best be heading along now," she says.

What is her angle? You're puzzled. Maybe food is scarce around here? Maybe it's some type of secret recipe that she doesn't want to reveal?

What do you do?

Suggestions:
>Thank her for her advice and hospitality, and continue to the inn.
>Insist that she explains why the pastries are so expensive. (Persuasion, DC 20)
>Follow the customer.
>Ask her if she's heard any rumors about a woman about your age entering the village 10-or-so years ago.
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Other (specify)

>>5195417
>>Insist that she explains why the pastries are so expensive. (Persuasion, DC 20)

>>5195417
>Ask her if she's heard any rumors about a woman about your age entering the village 10-or-so years ago.

>>5195417
>Ask her if she's heard any rumors about a woman about your age entering the village 10-or-so years ago.

>>5195417
>>Follow the customer.
>>Stay quiet

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>>5195427
>>5195431
"Hey, before I go," you ask, "I am here looking for someone. And, well..."

"Hmm?" she looks at you expectantly.

"You seem to be familiar with this village. Do you know if a woman might've come here 10 years ago? Same likeness as myself?"

Morgantha thinks for a moment. "You will have better luck talking to Ismark," he says. "He makes it a point to know everyone who comes into the village. You might find him at the tavern at this hour."

"Thanks," you say.

Morgantha gives you a dark look. "Adventurers who come here through the mists tend to meet their end quickly. Oh, I don't mean to be a downer, but... if you came here looking for someone... I'm afraid you may be disappointed, you should understand."

You nod non-committally. You've heard this kind of talk before - your family wrote off Joannus as dead not even a year after she vanished. But to hear it from a citizen of this valley is disconcerting. You have to accept that she's here and alive, no matter the likelihood of the contrary, because without that assumption, your quest would be meaningless. "If she were alive," you ask, your voice crackling slightly, "Where might she be?"

"Not here," she says. "Far east. Past Vallaki." She gestures up to the castle. "Away from him."

"Thank you," you respond, swallowing as you glance up at Castle Ravenloft, magnificant yet oppressive.

"Do not travel by night. Travel with a companion, if you can."

You nod. "Is there any reason why?"

"Creatures of the night." She chuckles. "Take care, dearie. And remember to come back if you would like any more of my pastries."

"I shall."

She pulls her cloak over herself and once begins pushing her creaky cart down the street, disappearing into the fog.

You look down at the pastry you bought. It's pretty small. You wish she had more information about your sister, but she gave you a lead. You shouldn't complain.

(cont.)

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You begin to make your way down the village's main road, where she said to find the tavern.

From here, now that the fog has cleared a little bit, you can see what looks to be a church in the far distance, sagging against the roots of the cliff on which Castle Ravenloft stands. A bell tower rises toward the back.

You look back to the village street. The sparse light from a building spills out from behind drawn heavy curtains. A sign over the door, creaking on its hinges, reads "Bildrath's Mercantile." A shop.

You continue down the road to the main square. A single shaft of light thrusts illumination into the road, its brightness looking like a solid pillar in the heavy fog. Above the gaping doorway, a sign hangs precariously askew, proclaiming this to be the "Blood on the Vine" tavern. Close inspection of the sign reveals that it originally read "Blood of the Vine." (An "n" has been scratched over with the "f.") You can tell at a glance that this tavern would've been magnificant in its prime, but it's grown shoddy over decades, maybe even centuries.

You take a deep breath and enter the building. A blazing fire in the hearth gives scant warmth to the few huddled souls within. At a table near the entrance, three robed figures - women, at a glance - sit together with their backs turned away from you, their clothes sporting intricate, rich red-and-purple embroidery. Your stomach turns at the way they're dressed. The merchants who set off with your sister Joannus were wearing designs exactly like those, if your memory serves right.

You scope your surroundings before making any sort of move. The barkeep is a pudgy man. He pays you no regard, as though he doesn't see you. He is cleaning a glass at the counter, cirlces under his eyes. His movements seem robotic and lifeless.

It takes you a moment to notice the final patron: a finely-dressed young man with his head down, sitting alone at a table in the corner sipping wine, hidden out of sight. He has golden hair.

What do you do?

Explain your approach if you vote for any of the Approach options.

Suggestions:
>Approach the barkeep.
>Approach the robed women.
>Approach the lone young man.
>Use a skill (specify)
>Other (specify)

>>5195456
>Approach the robed women.
Just, like, swagger up to them. How long has it been since we've had any leads at all?

>>5195456
>Stand near the hearth, for "warmth"
>Perform Perception check with our Wisdom(?), see if we can glean any information by sight or eavesdroppping

Question about the "Calm Emotions" spell, if we were to cast it in a place and time like this, before acting, would it be noticeable and make us stand out? Or be concealable/imperceptible?

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>>5195470
>How long has it been since we've had any leads at all?
More or less, never. The only time you saw anybody resembling the merchants who spirited away Joannus was... around the time they spirited away Joannus, when you were no more than eight years old. A strange folk with colorful garments. When showing Joannus's drawings to prospecting adventurers throughout Faerûn in your early adventuring years, those who recognized the designs of their wagons described them as traveling merchants, appearing occasionally throughout the realm and leaving as quickly as they came. This is the closest thing you've seen thus far to evidence that they exist.

>>5195476
>Question about the "Calm Emotions" spell, if we were to cast it in a place and time like this, before acting, would it be noticeable and make us stand out? Or be concealable/imperceptible?
Calm Emotions has a Verbal and Somatic component (V, S) which means it requires making a physical motion with a free hand, and speaking a magic incantation (can be done quietly/under breath). There is nothing in Calm Emotions that would alert somebody that it's being cast, as long as they do not see you cast it.

>>5195478
I'll switch to
>>5195476
Then, but let's not let them leave without talking to them first.

>>5195476
>>5195479
>Perform Perception check with our Wisdom(?), see if we can glean any information by sight or eavesdroppping

Wisdom (Perception) Check

Roll 1d20+Wisdom (1d20+3) to perform a check with Wisdom (Perception).
Using the best out of 3 rolls. (How is this decided? https://pastebin.com/sTurBdHZ)

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5195483

>>5195485
+3 (15)

Rolled 18 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>5195483
We're coming, Joannus!

Rolled 2 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>5195483

>>5195490
Well, atleast they'll be calm when we talk to them AND we'll be warm.

>>5195493
Yeauh boiii

>>5195493
Oh, we're not casting whoops nevermind.

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>>5195493
>>5195495
Well, maybe they won't be calm or nice to us, but at least we're gonna G L E A N something from them

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>>5195485
>>5195486
>>5195490
>>5195491
(Rolled 21.)

The women have their heads down, and are engaged in a quiet conversation between themselves. You can only make out bits of what they're saying from here.

"... Vallaki ... Tser Pool ..."

They are speaking about locations - you recognize Vallaki as a city up the way, thanks to Morgantha - for what purpose you cannot gather.

"... adventurers ... good business ... Urwin Martikov ..."

They seem to be speaking about business.

"... shipment ... wizard ... wine ..."

Something about late shipments of wine and... a wizard?

It takes a sharp ear, but after listening for a couple of minutes, you think you've determined, at least, that they are the owners of this tavern. What to do with that information, you're not sure exactly. They are caught up in an argument over whether it's lucrative to have business here in the village, concerned about a rival tavern owner from the city, and distraught about late wine shipments.

Even though the subject of their conversation sounds stressful, they seem to be at ease. It's clear they aren't paying much attention to you; none of them have even looked up at you since you walked in.

What do you do?

Suggestions:
>Cast Calm Emotions at the cost of a 2nd level spell slot (2/2) and approach the women.
>Just approach the women.
>Other (specify)

>>5195498
>Just approach the women.
If they're arguing and angry, then they might slip up if they're unwilling to share any information with us. I thought they may have been acting supsicious or paranoid.

When approaching the women, will you...
>Ask them about Joannus outright, explaining that she is your sister
>Try to ask about Joannus without revealing the nature of your quest
>Take a hostile approach, accusing them being kidnappers
>Question where in the valley their people are from
>Other (specify)

File: 1.png (1.19 MB, 1202x1208)

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Going to sleep. Will continue tomorrow, 10-15 hours from now. Vote on how to approach the table of women while I am away (what to ask them, etc.). If possible, decide what you will do after speaking to the women assuming the conversation goes well. Thanks for participating in my quest.

>>5195509
Thanks for QM'ing

>>5195504
>Ask them about Joannus outright, explaining that she is your sister
Assuming the conversation goes well,
>Ask about nearby adventurers who might accompany you
>As well as any particular dangers we need to keep an eye out for

>>5195504
>>Try to ask about Joannus without revealing the nature of your quest

>>5195513
Support

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The women stop speaking as you approach them. They look up at you expectantly. Their eyes are a strange shade of blue that you have not seen before, and their expressions imply an unspoken wisdom.

One of them speaks in a thick accent you don't recognize. "You're a new face," she says.

"We are in the middle of a conversation," the woman in the middle says. "You are free to speak to Arik." She gestures to the barkeep, who is still polishing the same glass, with the same cloth, in the same position as when you walked in. "Or Ismark," she says, gesturing to the golden-haired man drinking wine in the corner.

"Actually," you say, "there is something I hoped I could ask you abouty."

"We have a moment," says the one on the left.

"My name is Mirabel," says the woman in the middle.

"I'm Sorvia," says the woman on the left. "And that over there is Alenka."

"I'm Aranuel Caniella. I will be concise. And please, don't take what I am about to say as an act of hostility. I want peace." You out Joannus's journal, turn it to one of her sketches of the wagons, and gently lay it on the table facing the women. "Ten years ago," you say, "my sister Joannus Caniella disappeared. I tracked her here, to Barovia, partially with the aid of the things she drew in this journal."

"Ah..." Alenka says as she peers down, her head propped up by her elbow. "The spirit of travel claims many lives."

"I am a cleric of Kossuth," you say, "and a proponent of truth. I mean you no harm. However... if my memories of that day serve me right - and if my Lord of Flames has not lead me astray - I think you may know something about my sister's disappearance."

Sorvia says something sharply to Mirabel in a harsh language that you don't understand. Mirabel nods, and replies in the same language. This goes on for a couple exchanges. If they speak another language, why were they speaking in the common tongue when I was eavesdropping? you think.

Mirabel then looks at. "Travel up the Svalich road," she says in Common. "When you reach a trail that splits off northeast toward the lake, follow that trail to the Tser Pool. You will meet somebody there who I think will help you."

Your heart races at the possibilities. Could this have been the lead you needed? Before you even catch yourself, you are asking more questions. "The wagons she drew," you say. "You recognize those?"

"Caravan wagons," Alenka says.

"The locals here call us Vistani," Sorvia says. "We are travellers. We use those wagons to carry goods and living supplies."

"This is not our home," Alenka adds, "just one of the few places we are welcome."

(cont.)

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"My sister Joannus," you say. "You know what happened to her?" You are just barely managing to keep your voice steady. You so badly want to beg them, to accuse them, but you know now just by looking at their faces that they would've been around the same age as you when your sister was captured. Nonetheless...

"We know nothing about the woman you speak of," Alenka says.

"We have done everything we can for you," Mirabel adds. "Please allow us to return to our conversation. You may come to us if you have any concerns about the establishment."

"And we will come to you if you don't pay your tab," Sorvia says. She punctuates it with a smile, but you somehow you can tell she is telling the truth.

You still have so many more questions bouncing around in your mind. You have to remind yourself that you have a lead now: Tser Pool, down the Svalich Road, and up a trail that branches northeast.

"Actually, I did have one more question," you say. "Two, actually. I will leave you to your business. But first, please tell me where I may find another adventurer who can accompany me on my travels, and whether there are dangers I should watch out for on the road."

"Dangers?" Alenka says. "Do not be anywhere near the Svalich woods at night."

"And do not get on Strahd's bad side," Sorvia says.

You cock your head inquisitively.

Sorvia pauses a moment, then elaborates. "Strahd von Zarovich," she says. "Our Lord." She points upward with her finger. "He rules Barovia from Castle Ravenloft. He often takes an interest in adventurers who stumble in through the fog."

Thinking of your sister, this notion makes you feel uneasy.

"Do not defy him if you wish to stay long," she continues. "He is a very exacting man, and his gaze extends far."

"Adventurers are rare here," Mirabel says, acknowledging your other inquirey. "You are the first in a few years."

"I see..." you say. "So that's a no to fellow adventurers?"

"No. You may have more luck up in Vallaki."

"Ah... and..."

Their heads are turned together once again. They don't seem to be interested in continuing the conversation. That's okay.

Your mind turns to the Svalich Road, and to this Tser Pool they mentioned. The night is late, however, and they said not to travel at night.

That golden-haired man in the corner is still sipping his wine. He seems to have noticed you now, and he gives you a brief nod when you look over at him.

What do you do?
>Talk to the barkeep about a place to sleep. This is a tavern, not an inn, but it's worth a try.
>Order food. It was a long road to get here. Need to keep your energy up.
>Go to Bildrath's Mercantile, the shop outside. It seemed to be open, despite the late hour.
>Approach the lone man who is sipping his wine in the corner.
>Seek the church you saw at the foot of the cliff on which Castle Ravenloft stands.
>Set out on the road. You have been traveling alone for years.
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Other (Specify)

>>5195874
>Talk to the barkeep about a place to sleep. This is a tavern, not an inn, but it's worth a try.
Then
>Approach the lone man who is sipping his wine in the corner.

>>5196015
+1

>>5195874
>>Seek the church you saw at the foot of the cliff on which Castle Ravenloft stands.

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>>5196015
>>5196057
"Hey," you say, trying to get the barkeep's attention. He has been fixated on cleaning that glass with that cloth ever since you walked in - well over 5 minutes now. It takes a few attempts to even catch his attention. His eyes are sunken and hollow, like you're looking into a void.

"Small wine costs a copper," he says, enunciating every syllable slowly in a dull voice. "A silver for a pitcher."

"I'm new here," you say. "I need a place to rest. Is there maybe... a room I could rent, perhaps?"

He continues cleaning the glass, staring at you, as if waiting for an answer to his question.

"Oh," you say. "I'm not interested in a drink. Not right now."

He continues staring, waiting expectantly for... something.

You reach into your packpack, find your coin purse, fish a couple of gold pieces out, and show them to him. "Money," you say. "For shelter? Would two gold pieces suffice for a few days, maybe some accomodations?"

His expression doesn't change. You simply stand there, defeated. You've met some strange people, but...

"Excuse me," you hear, directly from your left. You nearly draw your longsword by instinct, but stop when you turn and see who it is: it's the young man who was drinking alone in the corner, wine glass no longer in hand, standing non-threateningly. He's a tall fellow, but his posture sags slightly, and his face bears some burden. "Would you mind having a word? Over at my table."

...

(cont.)

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>>5196015
>>5196057
It's only now that you are sitting that you realize just how sore your legs have been from travel. You could fall asleep in this chair.

"I cannot divulge much information here," he adds, gesturing over to the group of colorful-robed women who you were just speaking to. "Never know who's listening."

"So what would you have me do?" you reply. "I tried getting a room, but the locals here aren't as helpful as I would have hoped. I suppose that's to be expected though - I am a stranger after all."

"You're new here. I can help you get your bearings. Give you a place to rest. In the safety of my manor, we will have the freedom to speak."

The man you've been speeking to is Ismark, the burgomaster of Barovia. Where you're from, he would've been called a mayor. You never would have guessed from looking at him that he runs this town. He appears to have a lot of free time. The locals have nicknamed him Ismark the Lesser, because he has spent his life living in the shadow of his late father, who, according to him, passed away only three days ago. He refuses to divulge specifics here on how his father died.

"Nothing comes free here," you say, "or at least from what I've seen thus far. How much would I have to pay you?"

"Nothing," he says, plainly.

"What?" you say, your eyes wide. "Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt your integrity - you seem quite charitable - but I know how these things work. There has to be a catch."

"The catch is that I need you to help me with something."

You tap your hands on the table. "I need help with something too, you know. I am here for a purpose."

"I know," he says. "And you're heading down the road to Vallaki. I was listening."

"Ah..."

"There is somebody in my manor I'd like you to meet. I can't say more until we have privacy."

"What exactly is it that you need help with?" You lower your voice. "Your father. Is it... related to him?"

He nods, but holds up his hand to silence you, looking suspiciously over his shulder. "Please, follow me if you are interested. We can go there right now. I will leave first, then you wait a few minutes and follow me."

What do you do?

Suggestions:
>Accept, and follow his instructions.
>Deny his request. You will head to the shop to stock up, then set out on the road.
>Ask him to come along with you to Vallaki. You will aid him when you are finished your business.
>Insist that he explains more. (Persuasion, DC 20)
>Flirt. (Charisma)
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Use a skill (specify)
>Other (specify)

>>5196083
>>Deny his request. You will head to the shop to stock up, then set out on the road.

>>5196083
>>Insist that he explains more. (Persuasion, DC 20)
>>Flirt. (Charisma)

>>5196106
+1

>>5196106
>>5196118

Charisma (Persuasion) Check: Convince Ismark to divulge more information about his request.
Roll 1d20+Charisma+Proficiency (1d20+0+2) to perform a check with Charisma (Persuasion).
(Best out of 3.)

Charisma Check: Flirt with Ismark.
Roll 1d20+Charisma (1d20) to perform a check with Charisma.
(Best out of 3.)

Charisma: +0 (https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>5196127

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>5196127

>>5196128
+2 (5)

Rolled 1 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5196127

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>>5196148
Fuck

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>>5196148
>>5196150
Sucks to suck. Remember to roll for the second check as well.
Current tally:
Convince Ismark to divulge more information about his request (d20+2): 5 (2/3 attempts)
Flirt with Ismark (d20): 13 (1/3 attempts)

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>5196170
Oh thanks for reminding me

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>>5196173
Oh boy its like I'm playing with my group.

Also I hope flirting doesn't become a regular thing we choose. I've heard stories of quest going under because the coomers take over and i like this quest so far.

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>>5196178
Without railroading I will do my best as QM to shepherd the quest toward resolution of character arcs and avoid appealing to coomers. There is only so much I can do.
Some disastrous failed Charisma checks might do the trick for me later down the road.

Still need 1 more person to roll (1d20+2, then 1d20) before the next section.

Rolled 15 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5196188

I will roll the final roll to speed things along:

Sorry guys I'm retarded.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

There we go.

I feel like the QM rolling a 20 is cheating.
I refuse to use this result. Still need another roll.

Rolled 10 (1d20)

was it natty tho

>>5196225
I don't think it is that big a deal, but you probably shouldn't say you are going to do a roll to speed things along, roll a 20, and then refuse to use it out of some intuitive feeling of it being "cheating" because you were the one who rolled it on our behalf. If anything you could say we were cheated out of a 20.

Just caught up, I like the quest so far.

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Results
Convince Ismark to divulge more info: 15
Flirt with Ismark: 18

--

You look over at the group of Vistani tavern owners you spoke to earlier. They are still engaged in their argument. The tavern is empty save for them. You admire Ismark's caution, but you are positive that it's safe here. You may be a stranger to Barovia, but you would rather have more information about his request before walking into his home.

"You've taken an interest in me?" you ask. "Am I to infer something from that?"

He gives you a stone-cold look, then looks away after a brief moment. "No."

"In my home town, someone like you - golden hair, an air of mystery..."

"Unfortunately, I have given you the wrong impression."

"I apologize then," you reply.

"No need."

"But listen... if I'm honest, I really don't know if I am able to accept your plea for help. The details you've given me are too scarce. I wouldn't fault you if you had simply hoped to chat with me."

He breathes a sigh of defeat. "Listen," he says. "You are not the first adventurer I have asked for help in this matter. But I am getting desperate."

Here we go. He's finally going to spill the beans. Maybe if you accept whatever this problem is, in return for helping him, he will offer assistance in your quest for your sister.

"The problem is regarding my sister," he says.

You almost feel compelled to ask him to repeat himself, just in case you heard him wrong.

(cont.)

"She is currently staying in the manor. It is not safe for her to go outside."

"Hang on," you say. "I thought this issue was about your father. Is it really about your sister, too?"

"Yes," he says. He is clearly paranoid, shooting side glances to the other table. "What do you know about Strahd? The Lord of Barovia, in the castle?"

"I haven't heard much about him," you say. "I was told he's maybe not as bad as he seems."

"A lie," he says, his voice quieter than before. "Strahd is no mortal man. The villagers call him the Devil. He has lived for an abnormal amount of time - centuries, perhaps, covered up."

"What are you implying?" you ask. "That he is a demigod? A demon, perhaps?"

"No," Ismark replies. He keeps his voice low, but speaks with grave ugrency. "He is a Vampyr."

Your heart quickens. Your god Kossuth, Lord of Flames, and your domain being the study of Light, holds great power over undead. But an undead being this powerful is an evil you have never heard of. You suddenly feel a great weight come over you - much of what you've seen in the village suddenly makes sense to you. There is a pervasive evil here. "I understand," you say. "How does this have to do with your sister and your father?"

He slouches over in his seat, speaking with great sorrow now. "I understand how ludicrous this may seem," he says, "But, for reasons beyond my understanding, he has taken a personal interest in my sister." He looks down. "I have done my best to protect her from him. In retallation, he has brought torment to my family."

Your stomach turns hearing this news. "I understand," you say. "The need to protect family." You wish you could have done more for your sister. Her bravery, her heroism... these are traits you do not have, personally; you have simply been wearing them, emulating them, as it is the only way you can muster the ability to track her down. Had someone simply prevented her from being taken to begin with...

"It pains me to ask an outsider for help," he says. "But as you are travelling to Vallaki anyway, I had to ask. I meant to present this information to you in the manor, with Ireena to advocate."

"If I help," you say, "what part am I to play?"

"I would be relieved if you could take Ireena with you on your travels. Deeper into the valley. And away from Castle Ravenloft. To the safety of Vallaki, or even to the abbey in Krezk."

What do you do?

Suggestions:
>Accept his plea for help. The issue seems urgent, and you need a travelling patner.
>Politely decline. You have your own problems - you simply cannot play bodyguard for his sister against a powerful creature like Strahd.
>Tell him you would like to meet Ireena, and that you will consider his offer afterwards.
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Use a skill (specify)
>Other (specify)

>>5196261
Yeah my bad. The roll was an 18 anyway, so you're fine. I think I will just keep my cursed hands off the dice moving forward.

>>5196273
>Tell him you would like to meet Ireena, and that you will consider his offer afterwards.

We need to judge her character for ourselves.

>Ask for any materiel aid he can offer, if we are to be protecting his sister, and if what he says is true and Strahd is indeed a vampire and is specifically interested in Ireena, then it seems that the task of protecting his sister would be an extremely dangerous prospect. So dangerous that it seems like Ismark could hardly ever repay us, the least he can do is provide us with a horse and carriage, whatever supplies and tools he has available and whatever part of the family coffers Ireena is entitled to, if not more.

>>5196300
Supporting

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It's a relatively short walk to Ismark's manor, but a chill runs down your back, and you feel as though you are being watched from the moment you step outside. The adventurer hero facade is beginning to crack, far too early. The new information you have about the Lord of Barovia has you unsettled, and you hate to admit to yourself that you may be in over your head. You simply have to try.

You tame your nerves as Ismark leads you through a set of twisted iron gates. Weeds choke the grounds and press with menace upon the house itself: his home is a weary-looking mansion, straining by its own weight. Yet, against the walls, the growth has been tramped down to create a path all about the domain. Heavy claw markings have stripped the once-beautiful finish of the walls. Great black marks tell of the fires that have assailed the mansion. Not a pane nor a shard of glass stands in any window. All the windows are barred with planks, each one marked with similar stains of evil assault.

There are weeds trampled all around the mansion, and in the dirt, you spot scores of wolf paw prints and human footprints.

Ismark takes you around the mansion to a side enterance. He knocks on the door 4 times in a practiced rhythm. A few moments later, a voice appears from the other side - that of a young woman. "Who goes there?"

"It's me," he says through the door. "I've brought with me a new friend. An adventurer from out of town. She needs a place to stay. She might be able to help. I've already filled her in on some of the details."

There is a long pause, then the voice speaks again. "Say the password."

Ismark clears his throat, then speaks clearly: "I swear on our father’s soul that I hate the devil Strahd von Zarovich and I will gut him when I am given the chance."

(cont.)

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A pause. Then a bolt shifts, then another one, and the door opens a crack. Peeking through the door is a young woman dressed in full plate armor. Her hair is a striking auburn, but her face is a sickly pale, and she looks weak. She looks at you up and down, hesitating when she sees your longsword.

"It's okay, Ireena," Ismark says. "I know for sure she isn't a servant of Strahd."

Ireena regards you with a cautious warmth, and moves out of the way so you and Ismark can enter.

She closes the door behind you. "I am Ireena, as I'm sure you have gathered," she says. "We have been facing a predicament."

"I can see that," you say. "I have a bit of a predicament of my own. You see, I came here searching for my own sister..."

Ismark nods in understanding. "And the Vistani told you that you may find answers at the encampment up at Tser Pool, correct?"

"Yes," you reply.

"Let's talk for a while," he says. "Follow me."

The interior of the mansion is well furnished, yet the fixtures show signs of great wear. Noticeable oddities are the boarded-up windows and the presence of holy symbols in every room, for which you cannot recognize the deity.

Eventually you are lead to a side drawing room. Ismark and Ireena's father - the town's previous burgomaster, three days deceased - is in a side drawing room on the floor. He lays there in a simple wooden coffin surrounded by wilting flowers and a faint odor of decay.

"Oh," you say. "Why..."

"Every time we've went outside to try and bury him, we have been attacked by wolves. Being on the outskirts of the village, our manor is quite vulnerable to the wildlife of the Svalich woods."

"But wolves do not typically act this way," Ismark adds. "Make of that what you will."

"In the weeks before his death," Ireena says, her voice sounding weak and out-of-breath, "terrible creatures attacked the house night after night for weeks. His heart couldn't stand the constant assault, and he died three days ago."

"Strangely, since his death, the house has not come under attack," Ismark adds. "No one from the village has been brave enough to help escort his coffin safely to the cemetery for proper burial."

Ireena clenches her hand into a fist. "I would go myself," she says, "but my brother no longer feels safe having me outside alone."

(cont.)

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"You should be able to," you say. "He is your father."

"No, I understand the need."

"You look pale," you say to her, matter-of-factly.

She nods, looking down.

"Strahd is a Vampyr," Ismark says. "There is no question about it. And he has taken an interest in her personally. Twic-"

"Twice he has bitten me," she interrupts him, tilting her head and pointing to her neck. There are 2 sets of puncture wounds, like those of a snake bite. "And twice, my memory has failed."

Your face goes quite pale as well from the thought.

"I have no memory of inviting him in," she says. "All I remember is his face. The blazing hunger in his eyes. And a piercing pain in my throat."

You shudder at the thought. "Why?" you ask. "Why you?"

"That's just it," Ismark says. "Barely anybody in this village has even seen Strahd personally. He rules from above, occasionally sending a representative down to collect taxes and deliver his usual threats. There is no discernable reason why he is doing this to my sister."

Ireena slouches over to a couch and sits, exhausted. "My brother is right," she says. "I need to get out of the village. And I am in no shape to travel by myself."

"So," Ismark says. "What will it be? I will prepare a room for you, regardless of your answer. But if you could do this for me - for Ireena - what remains of my family would be in your debt."

"I could," you say, your tone carrying a cautious empathy. "I understand the urgency. But if I am to be protecting his sister, and what you say is true, that Strahd is indeed a vampire and is specifically interested in Ireena... I am worried about the dangers this will add to my trip."

"I understand," he says. "I will do anything in my power to help, save from leaving the village. I am the only one left. My duty is here, else I would take her myself."

"Do you have a horse and carriage I could use?" you ask.

"No," Ismark admits. "I'm afraid I don't have access to anything of the type. This is part of why Ireena is still here."

"Supplies? Tools?"

Ireena stands up. "I'll be right back." She leaves momentarily, then returns with a small sack. She walks up to and hands it to you.

You look inside. It's full of gold pieces and silver pieces. The coins ancient-looking, crafted with the likeness of a young nobleman's visage. There is easily 60 GP worth of coin here.

What do you do?

>Accept. You will stay the night, buy supplies in the morning, then disembark with Ireena, escorting her to safety away from Castle Ravenloft.
>Accept, and also pledge to help bury Ismark's and Ireena's father by the church before you go. He deserves a proper burial, under Kossuth.
>Decline. You cannot escort Ireena, even for 60 GP. It would put you in too much danger, if what he says about Strahd is true.
>Say you will return later, but that you cannot commit to helping right now.
>Propose an alternate plan. (specify)
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Other (specify)

>>5196396
>>Accept, and also pledge to help bury Ismark's and Ireena's father by the church before you go. He deserves a proper burial, under Kossuth.
Ask about the church, in fact, ask about the holy symbology in this place while you're here. Then prepare for wolves, see what the locals use to hunt or ward them away with.

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I am going to bed now. Vote on the course of action. I will be back to post the next updates within 15 hours.

>>5196396
>Accept, and also pledge to help bury Ismark's and Ireena's father by the church before you go. He deserves a proper burial, under Kossuth.
Do we actually bury people? I don't know about Kossuth, but I assume he'd cremate.

>>5196396
>>Accept, and also pledge to help bury Ismark's and Ireena's father by the church before you go. He deserves a proper burial, under Kossuth.

>>5196396
>Accept, and also pledge to help bury Ismark's and Ireena's father by the church before you go. He deserves a proper burial, under Kossuth.

Well, it is certainly not much, but I suppose it can get us some rations and travelling supplies, I hope not everything in this town is as expensive as that pastry.

>Try and use our Religion skill to identify the which god the holy symbols we couldn't identify at a glance belong to.

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>>5196396
>>>Accept. You will stay the night, buy supplies in the morning, then disembark with Ireena, escorting her to safety away from Castle Ravenloft.

Rolled 19, 15, 4 = 38 (3d20)

[Intelligence (Religion) check to identify the holy symbol: 1d20+Intelligence+Proficiency (1d20+4).]

(cont.)

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Funeral ceremonies for worshippers of Kossuth tend to involve cremation: the fire is said to cleanse the body, preparing the soul for entry into the Elemental Plane of Fire. Kossuth's blessing can be extended to other faiths as well, however, offering his boon to those who don't have the luxury of proper burial rites. Apparently the priest in the church has stopped peforming funeral ceremonies, for reasons unknown to the village. That's where Kossuth comes in: Ireena's father will not become a petitioner of Kossuth in the afterlife, but the blessing of light should him to where his faith demands.

You make the preparations to help with the funeral. Ireena, thankful for your help, informs you that fire is a good ward against wolves, should you need to fight them off. You reassure her that the faith of Kossuth is on your side: if worst comes to worst, you can call upon his wrath, as you have done many times before, summoning holy fire to banish evil.

Even though you sleep in a comfortable bed, your night is uneasy, as you are plagued with thoughts that wear on your soul. You don't want to stay in this place longer than is necessary. *Only until I find my sister,* you think. But what if she's not here..? Have you wandered into this place alone? A terrible prospect. And a useless one, until you have answers. And so, you banish the thought, and manage to sleep soundly enough for now.

In the morning, you took a look at the holy symbols scattered throughout each room of the mansion. They depicted a sunburst symbol. When you are sitting with Ireena in the dining room, eating a lightly-seasoned lamb stew, you think you are able to place them to a faith: it is undoutbedly the symbol of Lathander, the God of Dawn. You're not sure why you didn't see that before. "His worship emblematizes the warmth of the morning, as well as symbolizing youth, fertility, and creation," Ireena says. "We call him the Morninglord here."

You can't help but think about that new information when you walk outside, and see only dark clouds, blocking out the sun and giving the morning a dull ambiance. You haven't seen the sun since you arrived in Barovia.

(cont.)

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You and Ismark haul his father's coffin toward the chapel through the gray morning mist. Ireena follows closely behind. You notice a few villagers are watching anxiously. They seem nervous. But the wolves do not attack. Ismark is on edge; he seems surprised that there is no sign of danger.

You make it to a fence of wrought iron with a rusty gate, which encloses a rectangular plot of land behind the dilapidated church. Tightly packed gravestones shrouded by fog bear the names of souls long passed. All seems quiet.

It is a relatively mundane ceremony. During the ceremony, as Ireena is saying her words of prayer, you keep a sharp eye on the horizon, one hand clutching your holy symbol, looking out for signs of danger. That's when you spot it: a dark humanoid figure is standing alone in the woods outside the church, watching from afar. It's wearing a large cloak, obscuring its form. It seems to be looking right at you, but it doesn't react.

"Wait," you say. Ismark follows your gaze and sees the figure. Ireena pauses her prayer. The figure definitely wasn't there when you began. It's probably not a villager either, as it's on the far side of the church.

What do you do?

Suggestions:
>Continue with the ceremony, but watch the figure. There's no problem as long as it keeps its distance.
>Approach the figure with Ismark, weapon ready. You will try diplomacy, but you can't take a risk.
>Same as above, but approach alone. Ismark should stay behind and guard Ireena.
>Cast the Guiding Bolt spell at the figure at the cost of a 1st or 2nd level spell slot.
>Call off the ceremony and return to the safety of the manor
>Cast another spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Use a skill (specify)
>Other (specify)

>>5195343
Someone became inspired by Elden Ring

>>5196949
>>Continue with the ceremony, but watch the figure. There's no problem as long as it keeps its distance.

>>5196949
>Continue with the ceremony, but watch the figure. There's no problem as long as it keeps its distance.
No fear

>>5196949
>>Continue with the ceremony, but watch the figure. There's no problem as long as it keeps its distance.

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You keep your eye on the figure, one hand by your side at all times, ready to draw your longsword if anything happens. The figure just stands there, looking on from a distance. When the ceremony is over, the final prayers spoken, the figure disappears into the woods. You, nor Ismark, see any other signs of danger. You can only guess what it wanted. Was it a servant of Strahd, keeping tabs on us as we go about our business? Could it have even been Strahd himself, disguised in that cloak?

By the time noon comes around, you have already completed the ceremony. It was quiet, and concise, but essential. It takes you and Ismark quite some time to bury the coffin.

Ireena places a hand on your shoulder - a wordless thank-you. "I am not sure why we weren't attacked," Ismark adds, "but given our failed attempts over the last three days, I believe your presence is what made Koylan's burial possible. I am in your debt, not only for that, but also for your pledge to keep my sister safe. I pray she makes it to Vallaki."

When asked what business keeps Ismark bound here in Barovia Ismark, he responds, "not all is well. As you saw today, the town priest has stopped doing burial ceremonies. I need to get to the bottom of why."

And that is far from the only issue at hand. The people here seem miserable. Even if Ismark is wrong about the nature of the Lord of Barovia, one thing is certain: he keeps his subjects desperate, and does not offer aid.

"Be careful," Ismark says. "Stock up well." He gives you an extra 20 GP out of his own pocket, and tells you to spend it at the general store, claiming he would give more if he had it.

You consider investigating the woods where the figure was standing. You may still do that before you leave, though you question whether it's worth it.

There are hugs, warnings, and well-wishes.

(cont.)

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A couple hours after noon, you and Ireena stop at Bildrath's Mercantile. You will buy the supplies you need, then either investigate the woods, or disembark immdeiately.

Ireena tells you that Bildrath trades with the Vistani when they pass through. She warns you that his prices are steep. He is happy to make a profit from any strangers unlucky enough to find themselves here. He serves his own interests and offers no sanctuary. He never bargains since, as he says, "If you want it badly enough, you'll pay for it." He has no competition in the village.

"Welcome to Bildrath's Mercantile," he says, barely looking up. "Just got a new shipment in. Purchase what you want. I will answer whatever questions you have about my merchandise."

You have 90 GP. Reach consensus on what itmes to buy. Disagreements on quantity can be resolved by averaging.

(cont.)

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Abacus, 20 gp, 2 lb.
Acid (vial), 250 gp, 1 lb.
Alchemist's fire (flask), 500 gp, 1 lb.
Arrows (20), 10 gp, 1 lb.
Blowgun needles (50), 10 gp, 1 lb.
Crossbow bolts (20), 10 gp, 1½ lb.
Sling bullets (20), 4 cp, 1½ lb.
Antitoxin (vial), 500 gp, —
Crystal, 100 gp, 1 lb.
Orb, 200 gp, 3 lb.
Rod, 100 gp, 2 lb.
Staff, 50 gp, 4 lb.
Wand, 100 gp, 1 lb.
Backpack, 20 gp, 5 lb.
Ball bearings (bag of 1,000), 10 gp, 2 lb.
Barrel, 20 gp, 70 lb.
Basket, 4 sp, 2 lb.
Bedroll, 10 gp, 7 lb.
Bell, 10 gp, —
Blanket, 5 sp, 3 lb.
Block and tackle, 10 gp, 5 lb.
Book, 250 gp, 5 lb.
Bottle, glass, 20 gp, 2 lb.
Bucket, 5 cp, 2 lb.
Caltrops (bag of 20), 10 gp, 2 lb.
Candle, 1 cp, —
Case, crossbow bolt, 10 gp, 1 lb.
Case, map or scroll, 10 gp, 1 lb.
Chain (10 feet), 50 gp, 10 lb.
Chalk (1 piece), 1 cp, —
Chest, 50 gp, 25 lb.
Clothes, common, 5 sp, 3 lb.
Clothes, costume, 50 gp, 4 lb.
Clothes, fine, 150 gp, 6 lb.
Clothes, traveler's, 20 gp, 4 lb.
Component pouch, 250 gp, 2 lb.
Crowbar, 20 gp, 5 lb.
Sprig of mistletoe, 10 gp, —
Totem, 10 gp, —
Wooden staff, 50 gp, 4 lb.
Yew wand, 100 gp, 1 lb.
Fishing tackle, 10 gp, 4 lb.
Flask or tankard, 2 cp, 1 lb.
Grappling hook, 20 gp, 4 lb.
Hammer, 10 gp, 3 lb.
Hammer, sledge, 20 gp, 10 lb.
Healer's Kit, 50 gp, 3 lb.
Amulet, 50 gp, 1 lb.
Emblem, 50 gp, —

(cont.)

Reliquary, 50 gp, 2 lb.
Holy water (flask), 250 gp, 1 lb.
Hourglass, 250 gp, 1 lb.
Hunting trap, 50 gp, 25 lb.
Ink (1-ounce bottle), 100 gp, —
Ink pen, 2 cp, —
Jug or pitcher, 2 cp, 4 lb.
Kit, climber's, 250 gp, 12 lb.
Kit, disguise, 250 gp, 3 lb.
Kit, forgery, 150 gp, 5 lb.
Kit, herbalism, 50 gp, 3 lb.
Kit, healer's, 50 gp, 3 lb.
Kit, mess, 2 sp, 1 lb.
Kit, poisoner's, 500 gp, 2 lb.
Ladder (10-foot), 1 sp, 25 lb.
Lamp, 5 sp, 1 lb.
Lantern, bullseye, 100 gp, 2 lb.
Lantern, hooded, 50 gp, 2 lb.
Lock, 100 gp, 1 lb.
Magnifying glass, 1,000 gp, —
Manacles, 20 gp, 6 lb.
Mirror, steel, 50 gp, 1/2 lb.
Oil (flask), 1 sp, 1 lb.
Paper (one sheet), 2 sp, —
Parchment (one sheet), 1 sp, —
Perfume (vial), 50 gp, —
Pick, miner's, 20 gp, 10 lb.
Piton, 5 cp, 1/4 lb.
Poison, basic (vial), 1,000 gp, —
Pole (10-foot), 5 cp, 7 lb.
Pot, iron, 20 gp, 10 lb.
Potion of healing, 500 gp, 1/2 lb.
Pouch, 5 sp, 1 lb.
Quiver, 10 gp, 1 lb.
Ram, portable, 40 gp, 35 lb.
Rations (1 day), 5 sp, 2 lb.
Robes, 10 gp, 4 lb.
Rope, hempen (50 feet), 10 gp, 10 lb.
Rope, silk (50 feet), 100 gp, 5 lb.
Sack, 1 cp, 1/2 lb.
Scale, merchant's, 50 gp, 3 lb.
Sealing wax, 5 sp, —
Shovel, 20 gp, 5 lb.
Signal whistle, 5 cp, —
Signet ring, 50 gp, —
Soap, 2 cp, —
Spellbook, 500 gp, 3 lb.
Spikes, iron (10), 10 gp, 5 lb.
Spyglass, 10,000 gp, 1 lb.
Tent, two-person, 20 gp, 20 lb.
Tinderbox, 5 sp, 1 lb.
Torch, 1 cp, 1 lb.
Vial, 10 gp, —
Waterskin, 2 sp, 5 lb. (full)
Whetstone, 1 cp, 1 lb.

Currency conversion:
1 silver piece (sp) = 10 copper pieces (cp)
1 electrum piece (ep) = 5 silver pieces (sp)
1 gold piece (gp) = 10 silver pieces (sp)
1 platinum piece (pp) = 10 gold pieces (gp)

Current inventory: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW

I know we have a torch in the opening, but did we lose it? I'd take a torch (89), maybe a bit of rope (79), a crowbar (59) if we need to break in somewhere with our pretty good but not fantastic str, I guess Ball bearings too (49) - but is that too tricky for a cleric of Kossuth? We've got incense, do we need to do regular rituals to regain spells? We probably don't want to be outside while it's dark, but it might be worth getting a bedroll too (39) and just keep our cash in case something comes up.

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>>5197039
>I know we have a torch in the opening, but did we lose it?
The torch in the opening was used up when traveling through the Svalich Woods to Barovia.

>I guess Ball bearings too (49) - but is that too tricky for a cleric of Kossuth?
Ball bearings can be thrown to create tricky terrain for walking creatures. Aranuel would have no problem using them for that purpose.

>We've got incense, do we need to do regular rituals to regain spells?
Yes. Mechanically, spells are regained after a long rest, which is any rest of at least 8 hours.

>>5197042
Clarification: buying incense isn't required to regain spell slots.

Regarding torches, Aranuel also has the Light cantrip, which can be used like this:
>You touch one object that is no larger than 10 feet in any dimension. Until the spell ends, the object sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light for an additional 20 feet. The light can be colored as you like. Completely covering the object with something opaque blocks the light. The spell ends if you cast it again or dismiss it as an action.

In addition to purchasing supplies, please decide on how to proceed after stocking up:
>Stop by the church and look for the priest before leaving. Maybe you can help Ismark get to the bottom of this problem.
>Investigate the woods before leaving, where the strange figure was standing during the burial ceremony.
>Just leave for Tser Pool and Vallaki. You are here to search for your sister, and tasked with ensuring Ireena's safety - everything else can wait.
(Posting this choice now instead of later so I can put out the next update faster.)

>>5197018
>>5197019
Best stock up, sounds like a dangerous road ahead.

>For Aranuel Caniella:
Crossbow bolts (20), 10 gp, 1½ lb.
Rope, hempen (50 feet), 10 gp, 10 lb.
Caltrops (bag of 20), 10 gp, 2 lb.
Manacles, 20 gp, 6 lb. (Two scrawny youngsters on a dangerous journey, you never know when you may need to bind someone)
3 torches, 3cp, 3lb.
Whetstone, 1 cp, 1 lb.
Signal whistle, 5 cp, —
Oil (flask), 1 sp, 1 lb.
Flask or tankard, 2 cp, 1 lb.
Chalk (1 piece), 1 cp, —
2 Candles, 2 cp, —
Sack, 1 cp, 1/2 lb. (to hold small stuff and help separate the flammable supplies)

50gp, 2sp, 4cp, 26lbs

>Buy these for Ireena to hold/use:
Clothes, common, 5 sp, 3 lb. (Leave her old outfit home if it's flashy)
Pouch, 5 sp, 1 lb.
Chalk (1 piece), 1 cp, —
Waterskin, 2 sp, 5 lb. (full
Soap, 2 cp, —
3 torches, 3cp, 3lb.
Tinderbox, 5 sp, 1 lb.
Rations (4 days), 2gp, 8 lb.
Signal whistle, 5 cp, —
2 Candles, 2 cp, —
Tent, two-person, 20 gp, 20 lb.
Bedroll, 10 gp, 7 lb.

32gp, 8sp, 3cp, 50lbs.

(Maybe we can switch off carrying the tent and sleeping supplies? As well as take regular breaks if the area permits. How much weight can Ireena hold? And Aranuel? I know Aranuel already appears to be wearing/carrying dozens of pounds of gear)

If my math is correct, we'll have 6gp, and 7cp left over. I could be off.
We'll also be adding 76lbs. worth of stuff onto our other gear. [If it's too much to carry between the two, drop the manacles, Ireena's rations and Ireena's torches. (17lbs. worth of stuff) Also buy another sack or two or another pouch if needed to hold the stuff.]

Whew. I think we're ready to go to Vallaki.

Hopefully stuff like chalk, the bell and the whistles, along with the torches, candles and separate tinderboxes will keep up from getting lost. And maybe we can have Ireena control the caltrops, in case we're fleeing pursuit or need to make a stand somewhere, or for extra security around our tent at night.

>>5197062
>>5197062
this one is somehow harder to choose than that list of inventory i just went through
>Investigate the woods before leaving, where the strange figure was standing during the burial ceremony.

>>5197103
>the bell
Nevermind, I didn't leave enough money for the bell. Noisy thing, anyway. Better off not attracting the attention to ourselves or scaring away the animals you could hunt.

>>5197103
That's probably good. I didn't even see the tent on the list for some reason.

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A bright star shines from the sky. It appears to be growing in size. As the star grows larger the wildlife begins to flee. The "star" crashes into the planet's surface. After the smoke clears, and the dust settles... a metallic orb can be shine. The chamber latch opens slowly with a mechanical sound....

ENTER

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>>5197103
>>5197128
The exchange takes quite a while, but Bildrath happily counts his money. You and Ireena spend quite some time packing your new gear, organizing and categorizing items (e.g. separating flammable and non-flammable items, deciding who carries what, etc.).

The full price of everything purchased costs 84gp, 3sp, and 5cp. (Somebody may correct me if I'm wrong, but I double-checked this math.)
That leaves the party with 5gp, 6sp, 5cp.

The full list of items purchased (save from those being carried by Ireena) can be reviewed on Aranuel's character sheet: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW

The amount of weight one person can carry is 15 mulitplied by their Strength score. That means Aranuel can carry a total of 225 lbs worth of gear. Her equipment load before the new supplies was very light; I have not calculated her exact equipment weight, but the heaviest items by far are her weapons and armor, which total 24lbs. Therefore it's safe to say she can carry the new gear.

Same with Ireena, who, with a Strength score of 11, is capable of carrying up to 165 lbs.

Ireena is used to wearing fine clothing, but doesn't have much issue leaving her typical outfits at home and opting for common clothes. She understands that it's best to lay low, and plans to spend most of her time on the road in full armor, which means there's little merit to bringing anything more than throwaway wool attire. She doesn't know how to use caltrops, but you give her a quick demonstration of how they work, and she catches on very quickly. She is confused about the purpose of the chalk until it's explained: "It will be useful if we need to mark things like trees or rocks," you say. "I have personally used it before when exploring the woods to create landmarks and avoid getting lost."

Finally prepared to leave, you fill your new flasks with water from the well, haul your packed gear over your shoulder, and set out.

Before leaving, however, you decide to investigate the woods where that figure was standing. Just one quick peek, in case you discover something important.

(cont.)

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The fog is inescapable in the Svalich woods. Even here on the outskirts, you are terrified at how little visibility there is. You wouldn't want to be lost out here. Stick to the road, indeed.

You kneel in the dirt where the strange figure was standing during the ceremony. You don't see anything out of the ordinary. Careful not to disturb the ground, you scan with your eyes, trying to find signs of the path they might've taken to get here. That may provide a clue as to who they were.

Wisdom (Survival) Check
Roll 1d20+Wisdom (1d20+3) to perform a check with Wisdom (Survival).
(Best out of 3.)

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5197195

Rolled 20 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>5197195

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>5197195

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Result
Track the figure: 23.

Disturbed twigs and leaves make an obvious trail. Following it for a good few meters, you look around, and once again see signs of the path the figure must have taken.

It's not long before you realize the figure took a straight path. Following it for 10 to 15 minutes into the woods, you check every once in a while to catch sight of more disturbances, and, miraculously, even in the dim fog of the forest, you manage to continue picking up the trail.

"Where did you learn to do this?" Ireena asks.

"It's a useful talent," you say. "I was never formally trained in tracking. But one time I was traveling on the road south of Neverwinter with a group of highwaymen, and..."

"Why?" she asks.

"It's a long story. Turned out they were actually good people. Just fell in with the wrong crowd."

"Huh..."

"Hunting game is an essential skill when you're traveling on few resources. And tracking people is no different."

You make it to a reclusive location far northwest of the village. Above the tree line here, carved into the side of the rocky mountain pillar on which Castle Ravenloft stands, is a wide, torchlit cave. There is a steep hill leading up to the entrance, which looks like the gaping maw of a great wolf.

From your angle below, in the cover of trees, you can see torchlight flickering against the rocky cliffside. There are guards up there. Adjusting your angle, you think you can count 2 humanoids.

"This is bad," Ireena says. "I don't know if we should be here."

What do you do?

Suggestions:
>Take Ireena's advice. This isn't worth the risk. You can always come back another time.
>Approach the entrance openly
>Try to sneak past the guards with Ireena. (Stealth, DC 20, Disadvantage)
>Try to sneak past the guards, but leave Ireena behind. (Stealth, DC 18)
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Other (specify)

>>5197285
>>Take Ireena's advice. This isn't worth the risk. You can always come back another time.

>>5197285
We'd need a 17 with our Dex to sneak in, right? I don't know if it's safe to leave Ireena behind if these are the guys who may have been coming for her in the past. If Ireena feels like she won't get caught hiding, I say we
>Try to sneak past the guards, but leave Ireena behind. (Stealth, DC 18)
to see what they're up to.

>>5197285
>Take Ireena's advice. This isn't worth the risk. You can always come back another time.

>>5197300
Yes, Aranuel has no proficiency in Stealth, so a 17 minimum is required for the base roll (+1 to Dex).
However it seems like we are heading to the Old Svalich Road, unless we get a tie.

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"Whoever was watching you during your father's burial ceremony is in that cave," you say. "Don't you think this is worth it?"

"I know," she says, "but this is why we are leaving the village, isn't it? Once we make it to Vallaki and beyond, I am safe from whoever this is. We shouldn't take the risk."

"You're right," you say. "I thought maybe we could find an easier explanation in the woods, but this is an unknown. Let's go back."

"You're bold at least," she says.

"I can see how it seems that way," you reply.

You begin heading back...

(cont.)

Rolled 6, 3, 7 = 16 (3d20)

[Wisdom (Perception) check: 1d20+Wisdom (1d20+3).]

(cont.)

Result
Spot the spring trap: 10

--

You trip over your own feet to avoid a spring trap, that you just barely saw at the last moment. Racing with adrenaline, you climb to your feet and look over your shoulder. The flickering torchlight up the hill and through the trees does not move. They don't seem to have heard you. "Oh Lord..." you say, scanning the ground for other traps. There are a few more down the way.

"That was close," you say. "Point taken. We're sticking to the path from now on."

"That's okay," she says. "It's like I said."

You mentally note this area down. You may return here later if you are ever back in the village, provided you haven't already found your sister and left.

This detour may have almost killed you, but the thrill of adventure has your senses heightened. You're glad this lesson was a merciful one - being snapped into high alert will certainly benefit you if you face trouble on the road.

...

(cont.)

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Finally you make it back to the main road.

"The Vistani take the Svalich road all the time," Ireena says, hiking up a slight incline. "Those who do it for a living know its dangers. We're sticking together; we will make it through, just like they do."

You've been on the road for almost two hours - about one hour and forty minutes, to be precise - when you finally come to the river that runs south of the village, and a bridge crossing it. The river flows as clear as a blue winter sky through the valley. On the other side of the bridge, the road leads into the Svalich woods proper. "This isn't the most dangerous part of the woods we're entering," Ireena says, "but we must keep our wits about us. That place the Vistani told you to go - Tser Pool is - it's within a day's walk, I think, as long as we move quickly. It could serve as a checkpoint before the more harsh stretch of woods leading up the hill, and to the main road that connects Castle Ravenloft to Vallaki and Krezk."

"I hope there are signs of my sister there, at Tser Pool," you say. "They said there'd be someone there who might know what happened to her. What if they're the ones who took her? I've gone so long without answers..."

"You will figure it out," she says. "You should tell me about your sister. When we camp, we will need to fill the silence with something. I can tell you some stories about Ismark, that's for sure."

"She was brave," you say. "Braver than I. This... is certainly a lot for me." You smile, holding back a laugh. Ireena stifles a chuckle as well. It's the least you can do in a situation like this.

Ireena does remind you of Joannus a little bit when you are here walking side-by-side with her - it's something about the way she carries herself, the confidence in her stride despite her current physical ailments. Your sister would be much older now, of course - she would have been about Ireena's age when she was taken.

All of this effort is hard work, but you know you are going to see her again, so it's all worth it.

(cont.)

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Across the bridge, the sound of the Svalich road would be calming if it weren't equally as disconcerting: dead silence, punctuated occasionally by the breaking of twigs or the cries of ravens and crows. You have been in the woods before, but this is different - it's eerie, like a presence standing over you and watching you. Most of the trees stand tall, blocking out the sky, yet they carry little life on their branches. You feel almost as though you're too alive to be here.

Eventually, after nearly three hours on the road, the woods thin out a little bit, and the river becomes visible again to your right. You've arrived at a small scenic landmark before the road is thrust back into the darkness of the woods. The road splits northwest and southwest here. Ireena sits on the ground, and so do you.

It's not the prettiest place to rest. An old wooden gallows creaks in a chill wind that blows down from the road, which seems to climb at a steep incline ahead. A signpost opposite the gallows points off in three directions: Barovia Village to the east, Tser Pool down to the northwest, and Ravenloft/Vallaki up to the southwest. The northwest fork slants and disappears into the trees, while the southwest fork clings to an upward slope. Across from the gallows, a low wall, crumbling in places, partially encloses a small plot of graves shrouded in fog.

"We're almost at Tser Pool," Ireena says. "We might be able to stay there, if the Vistani will let us. Then we have a lot of road to cover. But I'm not sure if the Vistani will welcome us."

"I wonder if it's safe," you say.

"What if it's a trap?" she replies.

What will you do?

>Continue to Vallaki. You will find a spot to camp before nightfall.
>Stop at Tser Pool like the Vistani tavern owners suggested.
>Other (specify)

>>5197380
>>Continue to Vallaki. You will find a spot to camp before nightfall.

>>5197380
>Stop at Tser Pool like the Vistani tavern owners suggested.
We can always camp out there if worse comes to worse, if there are people around it should be safe.

>>5197380
>>Stop at Tser Pool like the Vistani tavern owners suggested.

>>5197380
>Stop at Tser Pool like the Vistani tavern owners suggested.

>>5197173
holy kek

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"It's worth the risk," you say. "I have no other leads toward Joannus. We can always flee at the first sign of danger."

"I'm with you," she says.

You get up and hoist your gear sack over your shoulder, deciding on the downward-sloped path that leads northwest.

You stop in your tracks. Something inexplicable is unsettling you.

Ireena seems to sense it too. "There's something on the wind," she says.

She's right. Not even the cloying fog can hide the stench of death that descends upon you. Something evil approaches, and footsteps betrayed by the sound of snapping twigs.

You see movement in the trees. There is no time to hide.

(cont.)

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Combat Encounter

You are surrounded on all sides by undead humanoid creatures. Your heart races, your mind swirls.
Ireena, to your left, stands back-to-back with you, and draws her longsword defensively.

You have 33/33 HP, and enough magic for 4 first-level, and 2 second-level spells.

Suggestions:
>Draw your longsword and attack the first creature that stumbles too close.
>Draw your crossbow and shoot from afar.
>Use Channel Divinity (1/1) for Turn Undead, or Radiance of the Dawn. (https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Help Ireena to a defensive position, hoping to escape.
>Throw caltrops (bag of 20).
>Cast a spell or use another item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Other (specify)

You do a quick count - there are 4 of the creatures, 3 spread out in the woods to the north of you, and 1 behind you, blocking the other road.

The closest undead creature is 20 feet away. The farthest is 35 feet away.

>>5197497
>>Cast a spell or use another item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Scorching Ray (2d6 fire damage on hit)
Let's hit the one behind us twice, and the next closest undead in front of us, once

For combat encounters, I will update quick.
15 minutes for the next vote. Otherwise the highest voted option will win (>>5197515)

>>5197515
Yeah, this

You remove the holy symbol around your neck and clutch it in your left hand. You shout a holy incantation to Kosstuh, causing white flames to materialize in your palm.
Compelled by divine grace, you hurl the flames at your foes.

Roll 1d20+Wisdom+Proficiency (1d20+5) 3 times to land 3 ranged spell attack against the undead creatures' armor classes of 8.
If any roll beats the target's armor class, roll 2d6 for damage.
(Best of 5. Keep track of which roll is for which attack, since each attack can only deal damage once.)

Rolled 9 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>5197555

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>5197555

Rolled 2, 1 = 3 (2d6)

>>5197565

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>>5197563
Scorching Ray creates 3 rays, remember to roll twice more for the other 2 rays like >>5197567 did.

Rolled 4, 1 = 5 (2d6)

>>5197563

Need 3 more people to roll 3d20.
Alternatively let me know if I should be rolling these dice myself to move the game faster. I have avoided it until now, but it is a preference that is up to the players.

>>5197583
Don't worry about the speed, /qst/ is quite slow nowdays

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>5197601
Oh whoops

Rolled 5, 20, 14 = 39 (3d20)

Rolled 12, 18, 15 = 45 (3d20)

>>5197583

Rolled 6, 2, 4, 4, 2, 5 = 23 (6d6)

>>5197640

Rolled 18, 14 = 32 (2d20)

>>5197604

Rolled 1, 6 = 7 (2d6)

>>5197643
Second ray will land a critical hit (>>5197640) due to landing on natural 20
Here is the extra damage for that ray, added to the 4, 4.

Rolled 16, 1, 16 = 33 (3d20)

And here's the last set of dice to conclude the turn.

Rolled 16 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

Rolled
>Ireena vs. Undead Creature - Rapier Attack (+3)

(cont.)

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Combat Resolution (Party)

Your holy bolts of fire strike the undead creatures, causing them to stumble.
You strategically targeted the creature behind you first. It took 30+14 (44) fire damage* from the attack, and was instantly incinerated.
Another bolt strikes the closest creature in front of you. It takes 16 fire damage* from the hit, falling to its knees as the flames singe its flesh.

Ireena fights to keep her nerves.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, she rushes toward the creature you struck, dealing 10 piercing damage*.

(*For those who did not yet read the FAQ - all damage output is doubled: https://pastebin.com/sTurBdHZ)

(cont.)

Rolled 16, 12, 1, 3, 15, 1 = 48 (6d20)

Rolled
>Undead Creature vs. Ireena - Bite (+3)
>Undead Creature vs. Ireena - Claw (+3)
>Undead Creature vs. Ireena - Claw (+3)
>Undead Creature vs. You - Bite (+3)
>Undead Creature vs. You - Claw (+3)
>Undead Creature vs. You - Claw (+3)

(cont.)

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Combat Resolution (Enemy)
The creature Ireena stabbed lashes out in a fear-fueled rage.
He bites the arm that stabbed him, dealing 6 piecing damage.
It lashes out with its claws. Ireena uses her reaction for this round to Parry the creature.

(Parry: Ireena adds 2 to its AC against one melee attack that would hit it. To do so, Ireena must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.)

Its second attack whiffs as she backsteps, holding her arm and flinching from pain.
She is moderately wounded, and cannot continue taking damage.

One of the farther away zombies in front of you stumbles toward you, using all its movement for the round. You raise your weapon defensively.
You avoid its bite with a swift movement, but are struck by the unpredictable assault of its claws.
You take 8 slashing damage, bringing your HP down to 25/33.

(cont.)

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Combat Round

Ireena is engaged with 1 undead creature. Both are heavily wounded.
You are engaged with 1 undead creature, which has not yet been struck.
The third creature is stumbling toward you. By the time you take your action, it will be 10 feet away.

You have 25/33 HP, and enough magic for 4 first-level, and 1 second-level spell.

Suggestions:
>Attack the zombie you are engaged with.
>Use Channel Divinity (1/1) for Turn Undead, or Radiance of the Dawn. (https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Disengage and run to create distance.
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Other (specify)

Guiding bolt on the one attacking Ireena aught to take it down, right? We should be OK for another hit, but I'm worried she may be harmed.

>>5197648
(Meant to quote >>5197626)

>>5197669
>>Use Channel Divinity (1/1) for Turn Undead
Let's move in close to Ireena

>>5197674
I'm thinking if we take down one, and Ireena doesn't take down the other, then the remaining undead might get a kill shot on Ireena

>>5197669
>Use Channel Divinity (1/1) for Turn Undead

>>5197759
It's shambling towards us though, right? We'll have another turn to attack if it starts moving towards Ireena after we kill the one attacking her

>>5198012
Idk, I figured it was within range and that we wouldn't have the time/initiative to avoid an attack, wasn't entirely sure

Rolled 18, 7, 4 = 29 (3d20)

Rolled
>Undead Creature vs. Turn Undead - Wisdom Saving Throw (-2)
>Undead Creature vs. Turn Undead - Wisdom Saving Throw (-2)
>Undead Creature vs. Turn Undead - Wisdom Saving Throw (-2)

(cont.)

Rolled 16, 8 = 24 (2d20)

Rolled
Ireena vs. Undead Creature - Rapier Attack (+3)
Ireena vs. Undead Creature - Attack of Opportunity (+3)

(cont.)

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Combat Resolution (Party)

You thrust your holy symbol in front of you and rebuke the undead creatures in the name of Kossuth, conjuring visions of death by radiant fire.
The undead in front of you, crazed and thirsty for blood, ducks away from your symbol, managing to just barely avoid its effects.
The other two creatures (the one engaged with Ireena, and the one that was stumbling toward you) are not so lucky. Screaming in terror, they turn tail and run away.

Ireena attacks the creature in front of her, dealing 10 piercing damage, killing it outright.

(cont.)

Rolled 2, 3, 9 = 14 (3d20)

Rolled
>Undead Creature vs. You - Bite (+3)
>Undead Creature vs. You - Claw (+3)
>Undead Creature vs. You - Claw (+3)

(cont.)

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Combat Resolution (Enemy)

The pitiful creature in front of you lashes out at you as its friend runs away in terror.

You draw your longsword defensively, pushing the creature's mouth away with the blade as it tries to bite you. But, as you take a step back to try and create distance, it grazes you with one of its claws, causing you to take 8 slashing damage and bringing your HP down to 17/33.

(cont.)

Combat Round

You are engaged with 1 undead creature. The creature that used to be approaching is now fleeing in terror, its mind filled with visions of death by radiant fire. The other 2 creatures are dead.

Suggestions:
>Attack the zombie you are engaged with.
>Disengage and run to create distance.
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Other (specify)

>>5198225
>>Attack the zombie you are engaged with.

>>5198225
>Attack the zombie you are engaged with.

>Attack the zombie you are engaged with.

Roll 1d20+Strength (1d20+2) to land an attack with your longsword against the Undead Creature's armor class of 8.
Best roll out of 3. (how this is decided: https://pastebin.com/sTurBdHZ)
After all rolls, if any of them beats the target's armor class, roll 1d8+Strength (1d8+2) for damage. Or if any roll is a natural 20 (20 before modifier) roll 2d8+Strength.

Rolled 2 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5198318

Rolled 7 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5198318

Rolled 20 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

Rolled 6, 7 + 2 = 15 (2d8 + 2)

FOR KOSSUTH!

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>>5198390

Combat Resolution (Party)

The creature stumbles back and prepares for another strike. You rotate your stance, bringing your weapon back into a raised guard position. The rotting creature bares its teeth and pounces at you, and you are suddenly overcome by an instinct to strike at this exact moment. You have no time to think about the logistics - taking advantage of the slightest weakness, you step forward, bringing your weapon across the zombie's chest and using its own momentum to cut into its flesh. You deal 30 slashing damage, killing the undead creature.

The zombie falls to the floor in a clump of rotting blood and severed flesh. Its only living friend has disappeared into the woods entirely, its terrified shrieks no longer audible.

The combat encounter is over, you didn't die.
You gain 800 XP, putting your total XP at 1700.
(1,000 XP remaining until 4th level.)

(cont.)

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You and Ireena clutch your wounds, recovering both physically and mentally from the unexpected attack.

"What if there's more?" Ireena says, nervously scanning the treeline for hints of danger. "Do you think that was his doing? Why would those terrible things have attacked us?"

"I don't know," you say. "But what I do know is, if they come back, we will just send them back to where they came from again." You don't actually feel this way, of course - you are trembling to the point where you need to use both hands to sheathe your sword - but your confidence is enhanced by the adrenaline still coursing through your body, and the grace in which you ended that final zombie. You were never formally trained in the longsword, but you have faith in Kossuth, and putting on a guise of fearlessness has carried you through nearly every challenge you have faced until arriving in Barovia But the way these creatures attacked felt unsettling to you. They filled you with a sense of dread, and you're not sure what you would do if they were to return while you are in this state.

"I think this bite wound will be alright," Ireena says.

"You should wear your armor," you tell her.

"I know. I had planned to. I will don it as soon as we find a place to rest."

"Do you know how close we are to the Tser Pool?"

"A two hour walk, maybe," she says. "Less if we hurry."

So you disembark. You're glad you decided to go to Tser Pool. All bets are off now - the woods are dangerous, and anywhere with people in it is bound to be better than the alternative, no matter the circumstances.

...

(cont.)

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Nearly two hours later, you are still walking, and the day is getting late. "Don't travel on the Old Svalich Road by night," you remember being warned.

And so you are relieved when you begin to see signs of nearby human life. The road gradually disappears and is replaced by a twisted, muddy path through the trees. Deep ruts in the earth are evidence of the comings and goings of wagons. You and Ireena exchange a glance, knowing that you must be close to your destination.

The canopy of mist and branches soon gives way to black clouds boiling far above. There is a clearing here, next to a river that widens to form a large lake several thousand feet across. The water is perfectly still and dark, reflecting the black clouds overhead like a monstrous mirror.

Five colorful round tents, each ten feet in diameter, are pitched outside a ring of four barrel-topped wagons. A much larger tent stands near the shore of the lake, its sagging form lit from within. Near this tent, eight unbridled horses drink from the river.

The mournful strains of an accordion clash with the singing of several brightly clad figures around bonfire. A footpath continues beyond this encampment, meandering north between the river and the forest's edge.

"There are people there," Ireena says, the relief palpable.

What do you do?

Suggestions:
>Approach openly.
>Draw your weapons and approach. (Intimidation)
>Do not approach. Make camp here, close to the shore of the lake.
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Other (specify)

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Note: The wagons seen around the Tser Pool encampment are identical to those drawn in Joannus's journal. You feel an overwhelming sense of urgency - you have definitely found what you set out to look for. How do you approach this situation?

>>5198416
>>Approach openly.

>>5198416
>>Approach openly.

>>5198416
>Approach openly.

Just binged through the quest, I really hope that pie wasn't what I think it was.

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>>5198427
>>5198466
>>5198467

"I came to Barovia to look for my sister," you say. "If we don't talk to these Vistani, I will regret it."

And so, you and Ireena approach the encampment, your approach muffled by the sound of music and singing. Twelve Vistani men and women are standing and sitting around the fire, talking loudly and drinking wine. They seem to be having a great time.

Your approach is halted when a man sitting on the back of one of the wagons shouts at you. Most of the Vistani around the fire stop singing and look at you. They don't draw their weapons - in fact, once they see that you are wounded, one of them beckons you toward the fire, a small group of men and women approaching to help you.

"Strangers," says the man who beckoned you, "We do not know who you are. But you are welcome to share our fire!" Finally a welcome sight. Kossuth would be happy. The crowd cheers as you are brought into the circle and sat on the wet ground in front of the blazing fire.

Your eyes scan the encampment as you cross into the ring of wagons, looking carefully at every tent, every face. A part of you hopes you're just going to see your sister among the crowd, looking the exact same way as when she left. But you know there's not yet any cause for celebration. You don't know where you are, or who these people are. You only know that your sister left with people like them.

You are offered flasks of wine and invited to join the reverie.

Ireena is put at easy very quickly. You remain skeptical as the sound of chatter overtakes the quiet of the forest.

You hate being the one to brood and feel miserable at a party, but it's true: you didn't come here for fun. Years of bottled-up pain and frustration over a lack of answers over your sister threaten to overwhelm you. But you stay collected. "I was wondering," you begin, "if anyone here would be familiar with... the comings and goings of other outsiders like me?" You look at their faces, illuminated by the light of their fire.

"Comings," says a man who has introduced himself as Antonio. "But not goings!" He gives a hearty drunken laugh. Everyone seems to think he told the greatest joke in the world.

"So, what? Do adventurers not leave?" you ask. You kidnap them, don't you? You'd love to straight-up ask it out loud, but you know presenting yourself as the enemy seems non-conductive to finding your sister, and that accusing them of being kidnappers wouldn't go over well even if it was true. Instead you just say: "Do you... keep people here?" (In retrospect, it comes out just as bad.)

His face scrunches up. "No!" he says. "No, no... that is quite the suggestion!"

You wince at your own callousness, but still aren't satisfied with this answer. You know Joannus was kidnapped. Kidnapped and brought somewhere by these merchants - the Vistani - for reasons unknown to you. These ones seem so jolly and lively, but there has to be more to it, right?

(cont.)

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"The mists of Ravenloft keep them," says a woman from across the campfire. "It is the curse of our Lord Strahd."

Ireena nods. You are surprised to see this - her nor Ismark told you of this when you arrived. Could this be a common Barovian spiritual belief?

"Adventurers who become lost in the mist often emerge here in Barovia," Antonio says. "And the mist keeps them here forever, body and soul."

You find yourself thinking back to the mist that encroached on you as you entered the gates of Barovia. The way it seemed to be following you as you walked the trail into the valley. You imagine it as a malevolent force, luring in adventurers like a sinister trap. Could it be possible that she was compelled to come her, and just never found her way home?

You decide to simply say it. "I'm looking for my sister." Everyone turns to look. "Ten years ago, she disappeared with people with wagons and colorful robes. Yours are the only ones I've seen in ten years that look similar."

"Ahh... so that's why your here," the drunkard says. "I knew it would be something like that. No one comes to Barovia unless they are searching for something." Everybody laughs again.

"A mighty wizard came to this land over a year ago," says one of the other Vistani men drinking across from you. "Ah, I remember him like it was yesterday. He stood exactly where you're sitting, in fact. A very charismatic man, he was. He thought he could rally the people of Barovia against the devil Strahd!"

A few Vistani men and women around the fire lean in to listen to his story, but you are still distracted by how this all relates to Joannus. There are more questions you need to ask before the night grows too late.

"When the Lord appeared," the man continues, "the wizard's peasant army fled in terror. The ensuing battle between the Wizard and the Lord of Barovia flew from the courtyards of Ravenloft to a precipice overlooking the falls."

You look at Castle Ravenloft across the lake in the distance. Even here, it's visible, its massive ramparts piercing the sky atop the cliff overlooking the village. There really is no escape from its imposing sight.

"Thunder shook the mountainside," he continues, "and great rocks tumbled down upon the wizard. Yet, by his magic, he survived! Lightning from the heavens struck the wizard, and again he stood his ground!"

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The whole crowd is now engaged with his story, the sound of crickets and crackling fire filling the brief silences in his telling.

The man's expression grows dark. "When the devil Strahd fell upon him, however, the wizard's magic couldn't save him. I saw him thrown a thousand feet to his death." He points toward the base of the castle. "I climbed down to the river to search for the wizard's body, to see if, you know, he had anything of value... but he was nowhere to be found. Carried away by the River Ivlis." He leans back and takes a swig from his flask, clearly satisfied with the presentation of his story.

Great adventurers have entered Barovia seeking to defeat the devil Strahd, it seems. But none of them have returned - either because they are slain by the Lord himself, or because of this "curse" they speak of, wherein they literally cannot leave. What role do you play here? You came here for one thing, and you are not making the progress you had hoped for.

You quietly stand up. Ireena has been completely engrossed in the festivities, participating in conversation and paying little attention to you. You decide to step away from the campfire for a little bit, seeking a break in the silence so you may clear your head.

Antonio catches sight of you, and he discretely follows. "We did not take her," he says as he catches up to you. "We promise you that much. But we cannot say she was not compelled. Speak to Madame Eva in the morning. I believe she was expecting you."

You cock your head at that suggestion. But before you can think of something good to ask in response, he is already starting back to the party around the campfire.

You look over at the big tent at the edge of the encampment. The red glow of light pours out from within it.

Suggestions (you may vote for multiple at once if they do not conflict with one another):
>Listen to his suggestion. Go to sleep and speak to the woman in the tent in the morning before leaving.
>Don't let this go. Track down Antonio and demand more information from him. (Persuasion or Intimidation, DC 18)
>Rejoin the festivities. You'd like to spend some time talking to Ireena, and you need to find some enjoyment in this trip.
>Go for a walk alone to clear your head.
>Sneak around the camp. Maybe there is valuable information they aren't telling you. (Stealth, DC 17)
>These folks seem rich. You wonder what they are keeping in their wagons. (Sleight of Hand, DC 18)
>Other (specify)

>>5198467
Also, one more option:
>Eat the pie.

Reach a consensus on the approach to take on the camp. More updates will come tomorrow.

>>5198529
>Rejoin the festivities. You'd like to spend some time talking to Ireena, and you need to find some enjoyment in this trip.

>>5198529
>>Rejoin the festivities. You'd like to spend some time talking to Ireena, and you need to find some enjoyment in this trip.

>>5198529
>Listen to his suggestion. Go to sleep and speak to the woman in the tent in the morning before leaving.

>>5198529
>Listen to his suggestion. Go to sleep and speak to the woman in the tent in the morning before leaving.
>>5198551
AAAAAAAAAA

>>5198529
>Rejoin the festivities. You'd like to spend some time talking to Ireena, and you need to find some enjoyment in this trip.
>>5198551
>Eat the pie.

>>5198529
>>Rejoin the festivities. You'd like to spend some time talking to Ireena, and you need to find some enjoyment in this trip
>Eat the pie

Taste the forbidden pie

>>5198551
>>5198529
>Rejoin the festivities. You'd like to spend some time talking to Ireena, and you need to find some enjoyment in this trip.
then
>Listen to his suggestion. Go to sleep and speak to the woman in the tent in the morning before leaving.
>Under no circumstances do we eat the pie... Alright, fuck it, eat the pie.

-rejoin the festivities
-eat the pie
-speak to the woman in the tent in the morning
Update in a couple hours.

(I will be writing those 3 options, voting is closed, I'm just being assaulted by real-life)

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It takes some time, but eventually you manage to put your anxieties to rest and find solace in the festivities. You and Ireena set up your two-person tent - a great investment, a little hard to set up, but quite spacious - and you find yourself comfortable beside the fire. You find it interesting how the Vistani manage to make their home here - merrymaking in nothing but a bunch of tents around a dreary lake in a dark valley. They carry an energy about them that you have not seen since elsewhere in this land so far. Even the color of their outfits is a stark contrast from the blacks, browns, greens, and grays.

The dozen-or-so men and gathered around the crackling bonfire are in very good spirits. A few of them sing and dance around the fire while others find happiness in their flasks and wineskins.

Without Ireena, you would not be enjoying this night. And the storytelling spirit of the Vistani is infectious. You find yourself at the fire, sharing vignettes of the experiences you've had back home, outside of the valley; the sunlight on the Sword Coast making even Waterdeep's Dock Ward look pretty during the early hours of the morning, the unceasing city life of Neverwinter and the shops on every street corner. To the Vistani there is nothing new about this, but Ireena is fascinated by these tales, claiming the village is all she has ever known.

You are hungry. You decide you will finally eat the "pastry" you purchased from that nice woman. A mincemeat pie of some kind, it has preserved perfectly. Maybe that's why it was so expensive - there is something strange about it, for sure. But you paid a fortune for it. Food is food. You take your first bite.

As you eat, it occurs to you that the Vistani have a lot of experience travelling outside of Barovia. They had said the curse of the fog traps adventurers, preventing those inside Barovia from leaving. So what makes them the exception? You bring this thought to Antonio.

"Our people are Strahd's historical allies," he replies, as you take another bite from the pie. "He owes us a great debt. We are not affected by this land's curse."

Ah. It suddenly makes sense to you why Ismark was so wary of the Vistani tavern owners back in Barovia. Nonetheless, these men and women are offering you shelter - how bad could they bey? "You don't talk like allies of Strahd," you say.

"No," he says, "but it's the story of our people. This is one of the only places we are welcome. I could tell you the story, if you wish."

"Of course," you say.

Stanimir fills his mouth with wine, then spits into the fire. The flames turn from orange to green. As they dance and sway, a dark shape appears in the bonfire's core. Interesting.

(cont.)

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"One night," Stanimir says, "a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed."

Most of the Vistani grow quiet to listen to his tale, despite having likely already heart it a thusand times. You watch silently, taking another bite of the pastry, which is beginning to taste quite delicious.

"We nursed his terrible injury and quenched his thirst with wine. He survived. When we asked him who he was, he wouldn't say. All he wanted was to return home, but we were deep in the land of his enemies. We took him as one of our own and followed him back toward his homeland. His enemies hunted him. They said he was a prince, yet we didn't give him up, even when their assassins fell upon us like wolves."

Deep in the bonfire, you see the dark figure standing with sword drawn, fighting off a host of shadowy shapes. You become enamored with the fire. There is a whole world in there, separate from your own.

"This man - Strahd von Zarovich, merely a boy - fought to protect us, as we protected him. We bore him safely to his home, and he thanked us. He said, 'I owe you my life. Stay as long as you wish, leave when you choose, and know that you will always be safe here.'"

You are now completely fixated on the dancing figure in the fire. When it vanquishes its final foe, it disperses in a cloud of smoke and embers.

"And thus we alone have the power to leave his domain. This is a promise that predates the curse that has since fallen over our noble prince."

"A promise that existed before he became a tyrant," adds an old man from the crowd.

The Vistani nod in agreement. This makes sense to you; a historical agreement, woven into the nature of the curse that affects the valley. "Does that mean the Vistani could help somebody leave?" you ask, taking another bite from the pie.

"No," he replies. "But worry not. You are safe with us here. The evils that typically lurk the Svalich woods at night avoid us. Strahd's promise is extended to you, as long as you are with us."

(cont.)

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In this moment, you are not worried. For one, this pastry is delicious. But secondly, it doesn't matter that you are thousands of miles away from home. You exchange more tales with Ireena and the Vistani. You dance, and you tell jokes, and Ireena laughs. It's almost like you are back in your home village again. You barely even realize that you are already halfway through the whole pastry, even though there is enough food there to last for multiple days.

A strange feeling begins to come over you as the night grows late and you take another bite of the odd mincemeat pie. At first it feels unnatural, but it quickly becomes pleasurable: a smothering warmth, nostalgic, like being in your mother's arms as a child. For a moment, you can see your mother standing beside you. "Go to sleep," she says. "Have wonderful dreams. Your sister is here today, you can spend the day with her."

You smile. "I'm going to sleep," you say. Ireena looks at you quizzically, but doesn't intervene. You head to your tent.

You're very glad to spend time with your sister as your mother told you. It feels like you have been spending every day with Joannus these past few weeks, but it's so nice to finally have some downtime and to hear so many stories about her adventures across the Sword Coast. The months where she is away feel far too long.

You can smell something cooking in the kitchen - bread and stew, lightly seasoned. Is it morning already? Sunlight is shining thruogh your window, so it must be. You wander to the kitchen. Your sister is already there eating. "Hey!" you say to your mom, who stands at the stove. "She always wakes up before me. You better not have given her the good bits of the stew."

Your mother smiles. She knows you are just teasing. But for some reason, she says "Aranuel, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," you reply. "I'm doing fine!" You turn to your sister. "Mom says you will be staying today."

"I will be!" she says. "Do you want to go for a walk in the grove today?" You love walking with your sister. It's pretty much your favorite thing in the world to do. You imagine adventuring alongside her in a dark forest, facing unknown dangers. You look up to her a lot. You hope to be like her when you are her age.

"Yes," you reply to her, without hesitation. "Let me just finish my stew."

(cont.)

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There is something odd about the sun today. It's like a flickering fire. Similar to the one you saw in your dream last night. But that's a minor inconvenience - you are just enjoying the tranquility of the day. When you are older, and your sister is grown, you and her will inherit this home, and what to do with it will be up to the two of you. Maybe you will turn it into tavern or an inn, serving adventurers who stop by your small town on the way to or from Neverwinter - adventurers like your sister! Or maybe not - you have everything you need here already, more or less.

You can see a look of concern in your sister's face as you walk with her through the grove. You feel a little bit annoyed. You know that you are feeling perfectly fine, so it's frustrating that you are apparently giving off the wrong impression. Is there something on your face? You wipe the tears away. "I-" you begin, "I'd love to spend more time with you," you say. You are just barely choking out the words now. You aren't sure what's wrong with you. It's a perfectly fine moment.

She stops and kneels down. "You really don't look to well," she says. "Are you sure everything is alright?" Of course everything is alright - you feel as happy as you have ever been! She grabs your shoulders and shakes them, and there are tears streaming down your face, but you can't stop it. But that doesn't mean anything...

The world slowly comes crashing back. You are in the Vistani camp, kneeling in front of the ashes of the fire. Ireena, looking on you with concern, is shaking your shoulders violently. A warm afterglow in your stomach is all that remains of the pastry's effects. There are sores on your hands, apparently from kneeling here in front of the fire for... you don't know how long. The Vistani are all in their tents, and the fire has gone out, just flickering embers. The sun is low in the sky, but visible - maybe about five in the morning.

"I'm fine," you tell her. You really are crying, though. You wipe your tears away with the sleeve of your tunic. You stumble over to your tent, repeating yourself to Ireena a couple times for good measure, and you look down at your bedroll. The pastry is there, half finished.

You pick up the pastry, and though you are exausted, you clamber outside. You stand in front of the massive lake, looking out at the earliest reflection of the dull sunrise.

Suggestions:
>Throw the pastry into the lake.
>Keep the pastry. Store it safely.
>Cast a spell or use an item (list: https://pastebin.com/chuTtwgW)
>Other (specify)

>>5199641
>Throw the pastry into the lake.

Rolled 6 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

Rolled:
>Constitution saving throw to avoid progression toward addiction to the pastries. (DC 16)

>>5199644
Feel free to Best Out Of 3 this.

Rolled 8 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

okay

Constitution should be -1 (CON score of 9, available on the character sheet) but I guess the roll option here doesn't support that.

Rolled 11 - 1 (1d20 - 1)

>>5199692
I think there's a way to do negatives in the dice rolls.

For this post I typed dice+1d20+-1

>>5199715
Excellent. Thanks anon.

Rolled 2 + 1000 (1d2 + 1000)

>>5199715
You don't even need to do the +- bit. It works with just a -.

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>>5199761
Huh. I could swear it did. Now I look like the fool instead.

>>5199692
--1 or +-1 works

>>5199641
>Keep the pastry. Store it safely.

>>5199641
>Throw the pastry into the lake.

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After hesitating for what is perhaps a full minute, you throw the pastry into the lake. It lands a good 50 feet away, sending ripples through the lake.

"What was that for?" Ireena asks.

"That's an evil pie," you say. "I don't know what that old lady put in there, but whatever it was, it caused me to see a messed-up vision of my childhood."

"Oh," Ireena says. "That explains the way you were behaving."

You probably did look pretty miserable. The hallucinations were causing you to view Ireena as your sister.

"Well, I'm glad you figured that out while we were here, and not out where it would've been more dangerous."

"Yeah," you say. You still feel quite drained from the effects of the pastry. You don't really feel rested at all, unfortunately.

A part of you feels remorseful for throwing the pastry away. The vision made you feel like you were really back home. The emotional effect it had on you in the real world was... odd, but is that really such a bad thing? You shake off the feeling, what's done is done.

...

Long Rest
The party rested for 8 hours.
Ireena returned to max HP, but you didn't benefit fully from the long rest, being affected by external circumstances. You regain up to 1/2 of your max HP instead, putting your total at 18/37 HP. You can still compensate for this by having a short rest (1 hour) later before leaving the camp and recovering HP at the cost of hit dice.
You regain all of your spell slots, Channel Divinity uses, and expended hit dice (for which none have yet been spent).

You also gained 1,200 XP for arriving at Tser Pool, putting your total XP at 2,900.
This increases your character level to 4. The next target, for 5th, level is 6,500 XP.
Changes at 4th level:
- Increased maximum HP by 5 + CON (5 + -1 = 4)
- 1 additional 2nd level spell slot
- 1 additional spell memorized
- Ability Score Improvement

You now have 4 1st-level spell slots, 3 1st-level spell slots, and a max HP of 37.

Vote on how to spend 2 points to improve the following abilities:
>Strength: 15
>Dexterity: 12
>Constitution: 9
>Intelligence: 13
>Wisdom: 16
>Charisma: 10
(You can improve 1 ability by 2 points, or 2 abilities each by 1 point.)

Also vote on a new spell to memorize:
>Hold Person (https://5e.tools/spells.html#hold%20person_phb)
>Zone of Truth (https://5e.tools/spells.html#zone%20of%20truth_phb)
>Gentle Repose (https://5e.tools/spells.html#gentle%20repose_phb)
>Prayer of Healing (https://5e.tools/spells.html#prayer%20of%20healing_phb)
>Augury (https://5e.tools/spells.html#augury_phb)

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>>5199843
>3 1st-level spell slots
3 2nd level spell slots*

>>5199845
>Gentle Repose
>+1 constitution
>+1 strength

>>5199874
Yeah, this. I was thinking Zone of Truth but it feels a bit like cheating if people can't lie to you, you know? Plus seems that there's undead about, so probably a safe pick.

>>5199843
>>5199845 +1

>>5200071
That was meant to be>>5199874 +1 not >>5199845

>>5199843
>>5199874
Support

WHY DID YOU FUCKERS EAT THE PIE AAAA

>>5199843
>Prayer of Healing
>+1 Constitution
>+1 Intelligence

>Gentle Repose
>+1 constitution
>+1 strength

>>5200278
We were hungry? We paid a whole GP for it, you'd better believe we were going to eat it. I'm still stick we wasted half a pie.

>>5200526
Not only that the pie could unlock some memories that will lead us to our sister.

>>5200526
>>5200549
Fellas, fellas... We can buy more pies.

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>>5199874
>>5199982
>>5200073
>>5200278
>>5200451
Increased Strength to 16, and Constitution to 10. Added gentle repose spell to spell list.
The ability increase puts her Strength ability modifier at +3, and her Constitution ability modifier to +0.
Aranuel's increase to her CON score gives her +4 max HP, and adjusting her partial HP gain after the long that puts her at 20/41 HP.

Next updates (meeting with the woman in the tent) coming in the next couple of hours.

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"That pie you ate," Antonio says. "It must've been from that witch. The one who visits Barovia at night."

You and Ireena are packing up your tent and belongings for your journey later. It's just after sunrise, and the camp is now abuzz with activity. Antonio is leaning on the side of a wagon, chewing on a celery root.

"That sounds right," Ireena says. "She did say an old woman in Barovia sold it to her," Ireena says.

"Morgantha was her name," you add. "At least, that's what she said."

"Had I known, I would have warned you," Antonio says. "You don't want to know what goes into making those pies. She calls them 'dream pastries' and sells them to sad Barovians."

You don't want to say it out loud, but part of you still regrets ridding yourself of the other half of that pie; something tells you if you had more, the vision would've been even stronger than the first one. More real.

"I don't suppose you know where one would find more of them?" you ask. You don't plan to act on that knowledge per se, but you can't help but inqure.

Antonio hesitates for a moment. "On the road to Vallaki, near the top of the hill, before the western gate of Barovia, you will come across an old windmill. You will probably find the witch or her sisters there."

You nod quickly, wishing to move on from the subject.

"Just know though," he says, "if you plan on doing anything besides buying pastries, you are putting yourself in danger. Do not underestimate those women. If I were you, I would avoid the place entirely."

Ireena nods.

It's almost time to leave. But first, it's time to see the person you came here to speak to.

(cont.)