Ok, let’s get a history or arcana check from both Sen and Ritin.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 1):

Most prestigious open to a campaign I have seen. Two crits:


23:02, Today: SIRE rolled 19 using 1d20-1.  Sen Arcana Roll (-1).
23:01, Today: SIRE rolled 20 using 1d20.  Ritin History Roll (+0).

What the balls?!

Ok, I'm going to take a little license with your characters for a minute.

Ritin: So, what do you know of Ravenloft? Do you know where it is?

Sen: Ravenloft is the name of the castle where the Vampire King rules. The land he rules is called Barovia.

Ritin: So, where is Barovia?

Sen: As far as I know, only in the past. Some say it's in a hidden valley. Some that it's on another plane. Adventurers go looking for it sometimes, never to be heard from again. Maybe because they don't want to be known as the ones who couldn't find it. Or they're dead.

Ritin: What do you think?

Sen: I think if we find it, we're in trouble. Strahd von Sarovich was a dangerous and cruel leader of armies before he was a vampire. It's foolish enough to go looking to kill a King that rules with an iron grip. Insane to hunt one that commands the minions of hell.

Ritin: So, where do we go?

Sen: East. All rumors spring from the Vistani. They say they move freely within Strahd's realm.

Ritin: *nods*

With Ritin's check, he knows that Strahd's cursed to be a vampire which can happen from truly great acts of evil and cruelty, like a paladin becoming a death knight. He knows the basic things about vamps I'll send you a screen shot of what he knows. He also knows that with very powerful being, they can sometimes influence the area around them. So, not only does Strahd rule from Ravenloft, he very well may control the lands round about, or at least the lands are said to reflect their master.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 3):

Amending to be "in voice" so you (and I) can get a sense of them:



We go. All info is shared within the party.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:57, Fri 13 Mar 2020.

Thanks. I was actually going to have more back and forth and shorter answers, but... lazy.

Ok, jump cut to small village tucked deep in the woods. Started as a trading outpost among hunters and pelters. Through a heavy, cold rain, you see an inn lamely lighting the night. Outside the building you see a large cart that appears to be an oversized barrel tipped on its side with a door on its side. It is painted in bright clashing colors. There are no horses attached. Probably already stabled at the inn.

There is a loud, upbeat duet coming from the inn's tavern. (Rivolta Silenziosa by Humanwine, go listen to it).

The inn is called Hell's Stoop.

Edited grammar and spelling. There is a duet, not a duel.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:09, Sat 14 Mar 2020.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 5):

OOC: That song is perfect

Ritin: Looks fun! Let's go.

Edwin: Nervously smiles

Imondo: Moves closer to Edwin while still somehow hiding behind him

Sen: The devil hides in plain sight. Keep your wits about you.

Edwin: Didn't you say you could sense evil, Ritin? Do you think there are any?

Ritin: I can't tell from here. We will have to go in or find a window or something.

Imondo: You will check?

Ritin: Yes, and then we can have some fun.

OOC: Only doing this until all characters are established personalities in your mind. I'm already getting a feel for them.

Ritin leads the way to the inn and, if there is no incident, looks goes to a window and uses divine sense (if possible) or does so at the first inconspicuous opportunity inside.

Your nothing pings off you divine sense.

You enter and after a few moments the song will wind up.

You see 5 people that must be the vistani. They are dressed in multi colored clothing, parts of which cling tight to the body and some that hang loose such as sashes. They are the ones producing the music. 4 men and 1 woman.

The rest of the people in the pub are rough looking men, frontier men. There are also serving wenches and a bartender, who is just as rough looking as the other men, though slightly less muscular and slightly more well fed.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 7):

Ritin: Looks clear enough to me. Let's go in.

He confidently leads the way and, taking only a moment to pause to make sure the others are following him at the door before opening it and looking for a table near the band.

Ok, the band ends and their tune and are served dinner and more drink. You gather it is venison and steamed and seasoned tubers.

A serving girl comes to your table with four pints and asks if ya'll would like food and drink, and if you'll be taking a room, or rooms, for the night.

(Sorry for no voice, figured quick post was better than none).

In reply to The Mists (msg # 9):

That is more than adequate for less than significant interactions. If it is how a book would gloss over something, do it.

Ritin thinks for  a moment and says: Yes, I think we will have rooms and, if someone else has not beaten us to it, I would like to purchase a round of drinks or dinner for the band, with my compliments on their playing and my apologies for not catching more of their set, which I found enchanting as a lover of the arts.

OOC: I guess I should figure out gold, now. Will do tomorrow and subtract this. It will be hilarious if he has to borrow the money.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:16, Tue 17 Mar 2020.

I am thinking that for meals and rooms for the party, total of 2gp.

To buy the meal/drink for the vistani, 1.25gp

In reply to The Mists (msg # 11):

Let's assume it's done?

It will be important to track gold.

It is done. They all cheer you, then there is a brief conversation in a foreign tongue. They then set into enjoying their meal, giving you an occasional wink and nod.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 13):

When the time seems appropriate, Ritin stands and approaches the band, motioning to Sen to get up as well. With some encouragement from Edwin, Imondo stands up and they both approach as well, but keep some more distance.

Ritin: Do you mind a little company? I have never heard music like that before. It was very enchanting, and I would love to learn more about your troupe if you don't mind company.

They laugh at the word 'troupe'. The lone female responds, "Oh that? That was only a bit of fun. We have learned that you can always find joy if you bring it with you."

The other vocalize their agreement and one of the men says, "Sometimes true of the music, but always true of you, my dear." The others quietly cheer.

The man continues, "We do receive coin sometimes for our music, but mostly we are travelers. At this time, though we are traders, though our business will conclude soon. Then we are off to one of our encampments." Though the conversation is casual enough, the other vistani (and perhaps the rest of the bar?) seem to be paying close attention.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 15):

Sen says: We're looking for infor-

Ritin interrupts: Let's not ruin a joyous occasion with such talk. I propose a toast to home, without which we could not travel, and a toast to abroad without which we would have no home.

Ritin raises a glass and gives Sen a look to communicate that Ritin want to run the conversation. Sen grimaces, then takes a long time to take a small drink for the toast.

OOC: Trying to put in some of the stuff that would happen if there were multiple players, too, even when it isn't according to plan.

They raise their cups in a sort of. "well, we might disagree a little on the details of that statement, but we will cheer the sentiment."

"So, are you traveling, or on your way home, then? Surely, you on on your way to some adventure."

In reply to The Mists (msg # 17):

Ritin: You have us pegged, he says, holding he hands to the side in a you-got-me fashion. Home is at our backs, and only recently. We don't really know where we're going, though. Just chasing rumors for now--I would offer to trade news, but we mostly only have a few names of places that sound intriguingly dangerous, or dangerously intriguing. They are likely old news to people who travel as far abroad as yourselves.

Sen: *obviously frustrated with the pace of the conversation and biting his tongue*

Edwin: *taking in the garb of the Vastani, their mannerisms, etc.*

Imondo: *watching the people around the inn to see what they are doing*

"In truth, we have not traveled abroad in some time. We have come here awaiting a trader with some basic supplies. Then we will head back to our camp where a broken shovel a lack of good rope can be a nuisance."


The speaker winks at Sen.


As mentioned before they are paying attention while appearing not to be. The woman looks a little sad.


The rest of the people seem to be going about the night, no longer regarding your party one way or the other. Maybe even avoiding eye contact?

In reply to The Mists (msg # 19):

Ritin: *A little at a loss that didn't work, but with a smile* - Well, we do not wish to pry, but we would love to hear of your past travels, or your home--wherever such lovely music was learned or first composed is a place I should dearly like to visit. Such joyous music must come from a lovely place, or a place in need of joy, either of which sound right up our alley.

Sen: *stands* Excuse me... Sen makes for the bar.

Edwin: *leans forward in the hopes they will tell a good story*

Imondo: *tries to be invisible*

The man says, "Then perhaps you would like to join us, no? Our camp is truly not far, but difficult to find. We will be your guides, no?"

The woman addresses the man, "Why are you doing this? It is not why we're here. They seem so nice."

He responds, "She is worried because she fears for your safety. But I assure you, though our lands are dangerous, you will not come to harm if you travel with us."

She looks away exasperated.

At the bar the bartender says, "What'll it be?" after glancing at you for barely a moment.

In reply to The Mists (msg # 21):

Ritin: We would love to see your camp! Will there be more music?

Edwin and Imondo: Both looking obviously concerned about the woman's remark. Edwin starts to ask, but stops himself.

----

Sen: Water. -- He then sits down at the bar and looks at the rest of the patrons one by one to see if anyone is worth taking note of.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:53, Thu 19 Mar 2020.

“Haha. Quite taken with the song I see. I think we have one to see along the way, but the land we go to have a way of making music sound hollow.”

In reply to The Mists (msg # 23):

Ritin: Say more? Or perhaps it is best discussed on the way?

The woman interjects. "I will not let you come unless you receive fortune reading." She brandishes a deck of tarot cards, "Then you decide if you will come."

(She is addressing the party, it is one reading for all of you)