In reply to The Mists (msg # 550):

OOC: Nah -- It's no biggie.

Imondo clears his throat and says: "I'm coming up. Do not be alarmed."

Imondo slowly approaches the ladder, giving the birds (and anyone above) plenty of time to protest as he cautiously climbs--ready to slide down like a fireman at the first sign of trouble.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 552):

Imondo grabs a crust of bread from his pack (or grain from the stable, or whatever) and scatters crumbs before him while holding some in his hands. He wants to see how the ravens react. Imondo's demeanor is cautious, but unafraid--he is concerned that the ravens are guarding something or that there is someone they are loyal to hiding in/behind the hay.

In reply to SIRE (msg # 553):

13:28, Today: SIRE rolled 10 using 1d20+4.  Imondo Animal Handling (Raven) - Non Proficient.

So, I suppose they would be in the rafters. Being rather quiet, Imondo’s actions don’t seem to disturb the sleeping ravens. Though a few flutter and hop away or to a railing further away from the monk. None of them seem interested in food (we have chickens now, and even if they were underfed during the day, they won’t eat after they start roosting, we have noticed).

Don’t you move among the hay or explore the hayloft?

In reply to The Mists (msg # 555):

I got the vibe they were watching me, not sleeping. No sense in potentially creating a massive ruckus in the night and drawing attention, so no, but Imondo mentions it to the party at breakfast the next morning and Sen, remembering RvR's comment, asks permission from the innkeeper whether he knows about the gathering and, if not, whether it would be ok to search the loft.

OOC: For some reason, I'm under the impression that ravens don't congregate in groups that large in reality.

Urwin frowns and says, "Yes, I know they roost there. They are used to me going up there for hay. Even so, I leave them alone and they leave me alone. Search? Well, I would ask that you stay in the guest areas, same as I would ask that you stay out of the kitchens or the larders. If you acquire a horse to stable, I will see to it."

(Feel free to continue this conversation)

I^² want to get going to the abbey. Outside the inn you see two children playing, you had heard that the innkeepers have two children and these are undoubtedly them. The are playing some game with sticks and coins, and perhaps other baubles. It seems to involve tossing the sticks and shiny objects then hopping on one or both feet avoiding the sticks or maybe jumping past the next one and recovering the treasures along the way.



OOC: I have been calling it the abby, apparently it is St. Andrals Church, which matters. You can just say you proceed.

Father Lucian Petrovich oversees the church and does his best to raise spirits. Assisting him is an orphan and altar boy named Yeska. They greet you when you come to the church and Ismark explains their plight. Lucian seems a little troubled when Ismark tells him that Strahd seems to be pursuing Ireena and that they have come to the church for sanctuary.

"Yes, uh, of course."

In reply to The Mists (msg # 557):

If there was a lot of poop, I let the topic die. If there wasn't, I mention it.

Ritin and Imondo take a moment to learn the game and play it with the children, if they are willing to teach it.

Edwin and Imondo wander the graveyard, checking things out, while Sen and Ritin go with the siblings. Ritin inquires what sanctuary means in Strahd's realm. Sen is trying to suss out whether the Father is a coward.

There was poop.

Imondo and Ritin pick up the game and quickly dominate.

Father Lucian says, "Uh, yes, indeed. What can ever be safe. Our Church is protected by our Patron Saint, St. Andral." The Father seems nervous, "Tell me, do you consider yourself to be a religous man? As most things are, sanctuary is often a matter of faith."

Edwin and Imondo spot a brawny young man digging a grave.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 560):

OOC: Sometimes, it seems like D&D requires that characters act like weirdos. Like...it always seems like there is more of an expectation that I get into people's business than would be normal, IMO.

Edwin and Imondo wave to the man in a way that is appropriate to acknowledge the existence of another worker if he takes notice of them. If he stops his working, they approach and introduce themselves.

Sen answers in the affirmative that he is, indeed religious. Ritin makes a little joke that amounts to saying he believes strongly, but doesn't like labels.....man.

Sen asks about St. Andral and checks what he is told against what he knows, listening for omissions and/or embellishments.

In reply to SIRE (msg # 561):

16:05, Today: SIRE rolled 14,18 using 1d20,1d20 with rolls of 14,18.  Sen and Ritin, Naked Insight.

That's a modified 20 and 21, respectively.

Insight: Lucian seems worried and wary of you. He doesn't seem like a coward, but he seems on edge.

Lucian assumes a cadence somewhere between lecture and sermon-



Roll a history or religion check for your knowledge of Andral and of the Morninglord.

Lucian lowers his voice and says, "I must confide in you that we are in dire, dire need. The remains of St. Andral have been stolen. I feel like a peasant soldier frozen with fear on the battlefield. Any direction I go may lead to death, whether I make it known and ask for help, or do nothing and remain exposed to danger."

The youth stops his digging and scowls at you with a look of, "what?" If/when you approach he remains quiet and surly. After you introduce yourselves his recalcitrance breaks, he says, "I am Milivoj. I work for Father Lucian. We don't want any trouble here."
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:27, Mon 19 Dec 2022.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 563):

Both Sen and Ritin get a 16 on their history checks after modification.

Upon hearing that the remains are stolen, Sen loses his composure and looks a little worried. Ritin tries to play it cool with a "We'll just have to get them back, then" but trails off. Sen's face makes it clear this is no time for jokes. If the area is sufficiently private, Sen asks Lucian if he knows what happened, how they were stolen, what protections had been in place to secure them, and about any strange visitors, or even more or less frequent regular visitors, before or after their disappearance.

Outside, Edwin tries to be charming (but fails without a roll) and disarm Milivoj with a smile. Given that it's a graveyard, it falls flat. Imondo says, matter of factly: "Wanting trouble, or not, has little to do with it finding you. However, we are not trouble for you. We are simply strangers, newly trapped in this land, looking for our place in this darkness. Who has passed from this realm to where the sun still shines?"

"I, uh, someone pried up the boards in the floor," he gestures to the floor near the altar. You notice that there are some boards that look new, "The only protections were secrecy, very few people knew where they were. People know that St. Andral protects this place, but they do not know that his very bones were kept in an crypt below the altar. I had confided in Yeska," he glances at the altar boy who visibly cowers under the priest's sorrowful gaze, "I know he has told someone, but I have not been able to get him to tell me."


The youth scowls at your comment, then sensing Imondos's genuineness, gives him a pitying look and says bitterly, "Alive or dead, nobody leaves here." The strong young man goes on with his work.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:38, Tue 20 Dec 2022.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 565):

Ritin smiles at the boy and waves him over to try and convince him to reveal what he has revealed. I'm imagining something to this effect:

Ritin: "Kid, I hear you might have said something about the remains to someone when you shouldn't have. Believe me, it happens. My mouth gets me in trouble, too."
Sen: "That's true."
Ritin: "Here's the thing -- everyone is assuming the worst already. You saying what you said, and saying who you said it to, is going to make things better for you. Right now you're in trouble because of what you did and because you are keeping a secret."
Sen: "That does make things worse. It gives the appearance of guilt."
Ritin: "Sure sure -- for someone else it would look like guilt, but look at this boy. He's holding it back because he's worried about more than himself, aren't you Yeska? You're trying to keep things from getting worse, right? How will things get worse if you simply tell us who you told and why?"

In reply to SIRE (msg # 566):

OOC: It was Imondo who made the comment about the sun.

Upon hearing the boy's comment, Edwin says: "I think I knew that. There are people around who look...different. Thin. Like they aren't entirely there. You talk about it like it is common knowledge, but we are new here -- those who die here do not meet their gods?"

The boys starts crying then whispers something to the priest. The priest's face darkens, but he does not look surprised. He pats Yeska's back, but does nothing else to comfort the boy.

In a low voice he says, "There is a youth that helps with the grounds. Milivoj. That is who Yeska told. I half expected him. He is temperamental and bitter. It is possible he let the secret slip, or worse."



Milivoj nods, "You are talking about people with no souls. Only so many to go around. Least, that's what a witch told me. Nobody escapes the mist, and there are more bodies than souls, so not every child gets one, according to the witch." Now that Milivoj is talking and shoveling, he seems more at ease. Or maybe it is because some people like to deliver bad and disturbing news, "The only gods anyone believes in here are the Morninglord and the Night Mother. The Morninglord has forsaken these lands. The Night Mother watches over the people and sometimes answers prayers. And there's just one devil."

In reply to The Mists (msg # 568):

Sen asks: "If we call Milivoj in, is he a flight risk? If so, I know Imondo could catch and detain him, but it would be best to get cooperation."

Ritin says: "I can talk to him if it will help, but Yeska--you should be proud of doing the hard thing. Many who become heroes are motivated by the failures they cannot put right."

At the last, an uncharacteristic pang of pained emotion flashes across Sen's face, but Ritin would be making too much eye contact with Yeska to notice.

------

Edwin is fascinated: "Is this just common knowledge, or is it of a secret kind only held by such a witch? I fear to meet such a woman, but suspect that this information is critical to our survival--if not our departure."

Imondo keeps his cool: "Do others speak to this witch, or would you prefer that we not mention your conversation with her if it comes up in conversation?"

(Holy Rollers)

The priest says, "He is a burly young man, I do not doubt your friend, but I fear someone would get hurt. But I see no choice but to confront him, and if we confront, I don't think it would be good if he ran away."

(Tome and fist)

"People know, but they'd rather not talk about it. Or don't believe it. I think all midwife's know. They test babies with a pin prick. If they don't cry, they have no soul. So they say. But maybe it's just lies to keep us in despair," the young man is really into his work now, "I assume she is a witch. Old woman lives somewhere out in the wilds, I see her roaming the streets sometimes muttering strange things. Being sinister. She said something about my soul and rambled about it. I told her to get out of my face!"

He is obviously uncomfortable with the fear her felt talking to her, and is likely done with the subject.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 570):

OOC: I had to get to a computer to see what spells I had prepped. Nothing useful.

Ritin shrugs: "I'm very charming, and Imondo is very fast."

Ritin and Sen make to exit the building and, if the others try to follow, Ritin says: "I would run if a mob came outside, personally" and then waits to see whether the others concur with his implication.

Outside, Edwin opens and closes his mouth a few times, trying to figure out what to ask next. Imondo breaks the silence: "Roaming the streets here, or around Barovia? I wish to speak with her."

----

Under the assumption that the party re-convenes outside, Ritin would try to play it cool: "Who's your friend?" "Whatcha doin'?" "Need a hand?" type stuff. Edwin would start explaining the souls bit and then Imondo would casually mention that this information came from someone the boy thinks is a witch with a suggestive look to Sen trying to communicate that there's more to that story. If Ritin can pick up what Imondo is putting down, then he would try to take up a line of questioning around the witch by way of mentioning that he had his fortune read by the Vistani and wondering what the witch charges for her services and where he could find her--essentially trying to make the boy feel better about making bad decisions by acting cavalier about making the same choice.

Milivoj to Ritin by shrugging and handing him the shovel. Whoever has a passive sense motive of 14 of higher senses that the youth look skiddish with some many adventurers rolling up, despite Ritin's efforts. He backs up a couple steps to give you room to work and continues talking. Seemingly please with himself for pawning his work off to someone who must look like a minor noble.

"Uh, I don't know. She is just around. Haven't see her lately. The Burgomaster has been jailing or exiling troublemakers and downers. People who speak out against his parades and festivals."

You get the sense that he didn't compromise himself to her, just that she is creepy.

As Edwin mulls everything over, he remembers that he was sent back to collect souls, and now sees a difference between people who are said to be soulless and everyone else.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 572):

As soon as Milivoj starts looking self-satisfied for handing off the work, Ritin looks for the opportunity to slip into conversation that he knows about the relic. Something like:

Milivoj: "So then I told that dirty so and so that he had better watch his mouth or I would take him outside."

Ritin, super casually: "Was that before or after you found out where the relic was kept?"

"Relic?" he asks, scowling with confusion. Then a brief look of shock, and Imondo sees his eyes quickly dart to the basement of the church. "I don't know what you're talking about."

In reply to The Mists (msg # 574):

Ritin: "I'm sorry. I think I got your name mixed up with someone else. All of your names in this country are frustratingly similar to my ear." (Deception: 17)

Ritin keeps making small talk and digging for a while, then eventually hands the shovel back with a "Phew! No wonder you are so big. Tough job, and lonely I imagine. We'll be staying around for a minute, and probably coming back through every now and again, in case you want to talk."

Everyone says their goodbyes, except Imondo who gives a bow to about 1 o'clock. Imondo, to Ritin, says: "I would see the interior of the church before we go, as we have no made it inside yet."

Assuming that goes well, upon entering the church, Imondo tells Sen and Ritin: "Whatever he knows about whatever you are talking about, something of the answer lies in the basement."