The Burgomaster of Krezk fits you with a two horse open wagon, the kind fit for hauling wine casks. It's not comfortable, but much faster than walking.

You don't get a very good idea of the layout of the land, because the 100' pines are so close together it is stifling. The forest seems to exhale at you, then breathe in, hoping to inhale your very last inches of hope.

Sign posts indicate this cobblestone road is The Old Svalich Road. You go east. You come to a fork and the sign indicates The Winery is south. You go south.

After a half mile, the road becomes a muddy trail that meanders through the woods, descending gradually until the trees part, revealing a mist-shrouded meadow. The trail splits. One branch heads west into the valley, and the other leads south into dark woods. A wooden signpost at the intersection points west and reads, “Vineyard.”

You go west.

A light drizzle begins to fall. Unpainted fences blindly follow the trail, which skirts north of a sprawling vineyard before bending south toward a stately building. The fog takes on ghostly forms as it swirls between the neatly tended rows of grapevines. Here and there, you see rope-handled half-barrels used for hauling grapes. North of the trail is a large stand of trees. An old man wearing a dark cloak and cowl stands at the edge of the trees, beckoning you.

"...all that trouble for wine," said Ceila.  She generally hadn't had any; it was for the tables of the rich, not the likes of her, in her homeland.

"But for all that, if it makes the people here happier, I suppose it's worthwhile," she continued.  "It must be hard, living in this place.  Better if we can find a way to help them."

“The Temple trained us to avoid strong spirits, unless we drank it for medicinal purposes, a feast, or a ritual. I once drank rice wine at a wedding.” Jun Jia smiled. “It was pleasant.”

Then, Jia stared at the forest, contemplating the seemingly impenetrable barrier of the line trees. “The trees...they remind me of the woods where I met Zumu De Kunan...Grandmother Misery.” The Monk shook her head, as if shaking off an unpleasant memory.

“If the wine helps their community, then the people shall have it again.” She acknowledged the old man who waved at them. “Da ye...Sir. How may we help you?”

"Greetings Old-one, we're looking for the Wizards of Wine. Are you in need of something or does it become your lot to act as greeter to the vineyard?"

Vyktor's right hand was beneath the slanted edge of his cloak. He didn't directly approach the cowled figure, but tried to approach warily without appearing to be wary.

The joy Chokahr had felt upon leaving the house vanished as he crossed the bleak countryside. It wasn't just the weather; bad weather didn't bother him. Each tree, each shrub, each blade of grass gave off a sensation he could only describe as... repulsive. As if the land itself hated him for simply being there. Slowly, creeping, the house's feeling of dread caught up to him, and he felt the beast beneath his skin tense up, ready to bounce.

He started to wonder what kind of horrors the people of this land had to face on a regular basis. Even the horses acted strange.

As they stopped to talk to the old wanderer, Chokahr stood up on the wagon, stretching his stiffened muscles, and looked around for signs of danger. Right now, he would rather have taken a good, dirty fight over this oppressive feeling of despair.

You head toward the cloaked figure, as you do nine more humans emerge from the stand of trees and greet you in weary cheer. They wear dark leather rain cloaks and cowls.

The old man makes introductions, "I am the current owner of the winery and vineyard, Davian Martikov, evil druids and blights have attacked the winery and forced my family to take refuge in the woods."

Davian’s group includes the following people:
Davian
Adrian, his eldest son
Elvir, his youngest son
Stefania, his adult daughter
Dag Tomescu, Stefania’s husband
Stefania and Dag’s four children: a teenage son named Claudiu, two young boys named Martin and Viggo, and a baby girl named Yolanda.

"If you're here for wine, we have it all ready loaded up, a shipment for Krezk, a shipment for Vallaki...but we are hopeless to stop the druids. But I think you're about to change all that, aren't you?"

He has a knowing look in his eyes. Like he's been watching you. "I must stay here to defend my family, you go and take care of those druids, and I'll give you everything you came for and more."

"I suppose there's naught for it but to find these druids, then," said Ceila.  "What can you tell us about them, good Davian?  Forewarned is very much forearmed."

“We will teach the Druids who torment your family the nature of Impermanence,” Jin Jia said with a crack of her dainty knuckles. “Tell us about these enemies, and what a ‘blight’ is, and that lesson shall be forthcoming.”

Davian explains that these dark druids commune with nature for unholy powers over it. There is a cursed tree called the Gulthias Tree that was buried over a vampire that makes it sprout living trees, and these druids can control them.

But the one thing these druids cannot do is shape shift into animals, which is something that they hate the Martikov's for...because, you see: The Martikov's are wereravens.

"A stupid hatred," said Ceila.  "I suppose we'll have to cure them of it."

“My people believe that ravens may be the spirits of our ancestors.” Jun Jia smiled at Davian. “In a land consumed with Death, meeting you and your family may be a good omen.

We shall punish these evildoers for tormenting you.”

"Hmmm. Druids are powerful. In my forests, we rely on them for guidance and healing. How is it possible that such holy men would turn bad?" Chokahr scratched his chin, looking at his companions in turn.

"You lot seem awfully eager to get this done. I'm not sure you fully understand what you're going up against. Me, I just came to pick up some wine. Battling evil druids in a cursed forest of walking trees wasn't part of the deal." He turned to Martikov. "We can help you anyway, but if I'm going to risk my life I want to know if it's worth it. What's in this for us?"

Vyktor considered the request, and felt something of an obligation to help the Martikovs. He was skeptical of the claim of lycanthropy, likely a clever ruse. Nevertheless, they seemed honest enough, and it seemed as if their products were both highly regarded and considered essential in the many villages they serviced...

"There were druids of wicked intent among those who sent me to this exile. I shall be happy to dispatch them and their... whatever you referred to them as, blighters I think?"

"Do you have any suggestion of where we might begin?"

“what can i offer you? i told you it would be worthwhile. they’re in our house, the winery, just up the road. “

he’s not sure what else to say....

but it is curious isnt it? theyre just hanging out in the woods because their home has been invaded. but dont bother going to any town. just hang out here in the woods. these terrible uninviting inhospitable woods. these woods make the death house feel comfy cozy. and these guys just hang out.

hmmm. something that keeps me up at night.


shall we off to the winery to kill some druids then?
FIRST ASKS

“You will have wine, glory, and perhaps make your dinner of the fallen,” Jun Jia said dryly. The ease that Dravin displayed about the woods didn’t seem overly suspicious to Jia. They were part-raven, and ravens were accustomed to woods and the dead. “Enough. Let us go face these Druids and get the wine for Krezkov.”

Chokahr snorted at Jun Jia's snarky remark.
"You're starting to get the hang of me, that's good. But.. glory? What am I, a friggin' knight in polished armor? Who gives a crap about glory, seriously? Glory just gets you killed faster. Alright, let's go wet our throats and our swords."

He turned to Martikov again.
"Why don't you and your family go to safety in Krezk until this is over? We'll find you there."

“You are not a knight, but if you were a spell, I think you would be the ‘Magic Mouth’.”

"Well, 'magic' is one word for it," said Ceila.  "In any case, let's be underway."

Davian nods, "Krezk...I suppose." He looks like he would say more, but you know, mysterious people sometimes just don't share their secrets.

But as the family begins walking away Stefania says: "Oh I wish we could just fly there but the baby isn't able to shapeshift yet." And then Dag says, "Take the kids and fly, the rest of us will take Yolanda on foot." Stefania: "No. We stick together." Davian: "Fine, but if any trouble comes you kids fly outta here and get to Krezk? No arguing. That's an order."

----

Situated in the midst of the vineyard, the winery is an old, two-story stone building with multiple entrances, thick ivy covering every wall, and iron fencing along its roofline. The trail ends at an open loading dock on the ground floor.

A wooden stable of more recent construction is attached to the east side of the winery, next to the loading dock. West of the winery is a crumbling well and a wooden outhouse.

You approach from the north, when you get to only 60' of the front door you hear the rustle of dead vines all around you. Inhuman shapes emerge from the vineyard, their limbs cracking as they trudge forth through the mist and rain. My god! There must be two dozen of them!!!
----
ROUND 1
Twig Blights AC10 HP10
(yep, there's two fucking dozen. Have fun)
All are 60' north of you. House is 60' south. Your turns, no INIT. For AOE spells that require saves I'll roll a d8 to see how many are affected
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
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This message was last edited by the GM at 06:45, Sun 30 May 2021.

"Be careful," said Ceila.  "Back to back-- don't let them surround you!"

She tried to do just that, stabbing at the nearest one as it approached.

But a 9 is a miss.

“Heed Ceila, and stand out of my way!” Jun Jia braced hersekf with her back to her companions. For their own safety, she hoped they’d listen to the Cleric!

The petite Monk concentrated, summoning that part of her Ki that drew power from the Golden Dragon! She felt heat in the center of her chest that rose quickly through her throat. Jia opened her mouth and released that heat in a blast of Dragon-fire! “MWAWR!”!

OOC:
Jun Jia summoned Breath of The Dragon. She’ll blast a 20 foot cone of Fire at the Blights.

DC 12 DEX save, they still take half damage if they succeed.

22:12, Today: Jun Jia rolled 10 using 2d4+3.  Breath of The Dragon (Fire).

"Who puts the outhouse next to the well?" Vyktor began to wonder as they were suddenly attacked!

"Towards the winery!" Vyktor barked. "We can't be surrounded if we have the building at our backs!"

From beneath the edge of his cloak, the hidden hand appeared with the strange-looking tubular weapon. Vyktor raised it, aligned the sighting post, and pressed the trigger!

Action: Pistol Attack - Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 19 to hit for 8 bludgeoning damage and 8 sneak attack! 16 total.
Bonus: Cunning Action Disengage, keeping distance!
Move: Work the party toward the south (winery)

The vine creatures didn't look too tough, but there was a lot of them, and getting swarmed would mean certain death. Nodding at Vyktor's suggestion, Chokahr readied his trusty hammer and shield, following closely on his companion.

Action: ready weapons
Move: follow Vyktor towards the house.

Ceila lets just one get in range.

Jun's fire ashes 5 of them completely. Fire is extremely effective.

Vyktor takes advantage of the one next to Ceila and destroys it with his pistol shot.
---
2 attack Ceila, 1 hits for 5dmg
2 attack Jun, none hit
2 attack vyktor (I halved the amount of attackers on you bc of your cunning action), none hit
4 attack chokahr, 1 hit and 1 crit for 15dmg total

Twig Blights AC10 HP10
All are in melee range, I'll roll d6 to see how many gang up on each one of you.
House is 30' south.
For AOE spells that require saves I'll roll a d8 to see how many are affected
1 dead
2 dead
3 dead
4 dead
5 dead
6 dead
7 MR CEILA
8 MR CEILA
9 MR JUN
10 MR JUN
11 MR VYK
12 MR VYK
13 MR CHO
14 MR CHO
15 MR CHO
16 MR CHO
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

Chokahr was ready to lash out wildly, but managed to control himself. There were too many of those things, and their vines and thorns were not to be trifled with. Instead, he focused his rage into his favorite defensive form, calling upon the spirit of beasts long forgotten. He shattered the closest creature to smithereens and concentrated on keeping his distance.

Activate Rage (Tail); +1d8 AC vs. the first attack.
Attack closest vine, hits AC 26 for 11 dmg.
Move in an optimal pattern , trying to put obstacles between me and them in order to scatter the threat.

When the Blights attacked Ceila, Jun Jia rushed to her defense. The power of the Golden Dragon still burned within her. Jia released it in a second devastating wave of fiery Dragon-breath! “BWOOSH!”

OOC:
Breath of The Dragon again.

20 foot cone at the Blights past Ceila.

DC 12 for DEX Save.

13:03, Today: Jun Jia rolled 10 using 2d4+3.  Fire damage .

10 damage if they fail, 5 damage if they succeed.

Fighting these numbers was not what Ceila's strengths lay in, but she kept moving to reduce the number of foes that could reach them at once, and thrust as she moved.

20 hits for 9 damage.  Not quite enough, sadly.

Vyktor continued to maneuver for another shot that would miss his companions but not the bizarre foes they faced! Just as he had a bead on one of the bigger blight-creatures, Chokahr seemed to go nuts with rage, stepping right into the line of fire! Vyktor hissed in frustration, pulling the shot just in time!

Action: Pistol Attack - Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 7 to miss!
Bonus: Cunning Action - Disengage, keeping distance!
Move: Work the party toward the south (winery)

JUST A FUN REMINDER THAT MR MEANS MELEE RANGE AND ALL OF YOU BUT VYKTOR DIDN’T MENTION DISENGAGING BUT DID MENTION MOVING. I WONT AOO THIS TURN. BUT I WILL NEXT TIME. ( DM inspiration to Vyktor. That description blaming Chokahr for your miss was beautiful)

Chokahr tears through one but the other three next to him just toddle after...
Jun Jia’s fire breath demolishes the two bothering her and the two bothering Celia.
Celia finds the closest one and cleaves it in two, but the half with the claws is still clawing away at her.
Vyktor arrives at the front door of the winery. The two story run down mansion sighs and takes a deep breath as you lead the blights to it. But you fear that the real threats are inside.
———
VYK: CRIT, 17, 9, 7, 18, 15; TAKE 4 FOR EACH HIT AND 10 FOR THE CRIT
JUN: 13, 20, 17 TAKE 4 FOR EACH HIT
CEILA: NO HITS
CHOKAHR: YOUR TAIL SAVED YA
————
Twig Blights AC10 HP10
MR melee range, I'll roll d6 to see how many gang up on each one of you.
YOU ARE AT THE HOUSE
For AOE spells that require saves I'll roll a d8 to see how many are affected
1 dead
2 dead
3 dead
4 dead
5 dead
6 dead
7 dead
8 dead
9 dead
10 dead
11 MR VYK
12 MR VYK
13 dead
14 MR CHO
15 MR CHO
16 MR CHO
17 MR CEILA hp-9
18 MR VYK
19 MR VYK
20 MR VYK
21 MR VYK
22 MR JUN
23 MR JUN
24 MR JUN

Vyktor and Chokhar pushed through toward the house. They’d crossed the yard with success, but the Blights stabbed Jia with sharp twigs that passed as their “fingers”. There were still too many of the plant creatures to engage in hand-to-hand.

Fire destroyed them. Summoning her Ki, Jun Jia tapped into the Dragon’s power one final time. “GWAR!” She blasted at the nearby Blights in a cone of fiery breath.

OOC:

00:18, Today: Jun Jia rolled 9 using 2d4+3.  Fire Breath w/1 Ki point.

DC 12 DEX Save for 9 damage, 4 if they save. 20 foot cone.

Disengage into the house.

 
This message was last edited by the player at 04:26, Wed 09 June 2021.

The porch. Finally. At least they wouldn't be able to come at them from all sides. Which was a small respite, yet better than dying outright. Outwardly roaring and frothing, but with a strange calmness on the inside, Chokahr fought on, burying his hammer in one of the creature's chest.

He had expected the vine monster to die from the blow, but instead, the vines creeped around the weapon, yanking it from his hand and fixing it solidly to the plant-man's body. The abomination marched on, the hammer's hilt sticking grotesquely out of its torso.

"Aw crap", the big man muttered, drawing a large butcher's knife instead.

Attack: Critical miss
Move: Draw "dagger"
Tail at the ready!

Ceila continued a tactical retreat, destroying one of the Blights as she moved to the house.  Better to destroy the things as she moved-- running might well see the group torn to pieces.

23:20, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 20 using 1d20+6 ((14)).
23:20, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 13 using 1d8+5 ((8))

Suddenly Vyktor found himself in the midst of grasping branches which raked painfully across his exposed flesh! He felt panic rising within him and the taste of it was like rancid milk. He dropped first to a knee, trying to steady himself with his off-hand, meanwhile slashing feverishly with his rapier. Soon however, the accumulation of jagged tears in his body and the loss of blood caused him to falter, and then stumble, and then fall!

The world seemed to go dark.

Vyktor takes 22 damage, Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 18 to pass the first Death Saving Throw!

Jun lights another 7 on fire, they run around till they burn to cinders. The moist vineyard quickly extinguishes them.

Ceila finishes off another.

You don't really notice the 3 ravens, but when they shape shift into men you really take notice.

Davian, his son in law-Dag-and his oldest son-Adrian. "Quickly!" Davian yells and throws open the door to the house. Dag and Adrian scoop up Vyktor's body and pull him in as Davian blocks the twig blights from attacking them. "Get inside everyone!" He swings a rapier wildly at the twig blights who ignore him and attack Chokahr.

----
CHOKAR: BLOCKED BY TAIL,22,13 = 1 hits for 4 dmg

Twig Blights AC10 HP10
MR melee range, I'll roll d6 to see how many gang up on each one of you.
YOU ARE AT THE HOUSE!!! Don't forget to enter!!! Description of the inside next round.
ONLY 3 LEFT!!!
For AOE spells that require saves I'll roll a d8 to see how many are affected
1 dead
2 dead
3 dead
4 dead
5 dead
6 dead
7 dead
8 dead
9 dead
10 dead
11 MR Davian
12 MR Davian
13 dead
14 MR CHO
15 MR CHO
16 MR CHO
17 dead
18 dead
19 dead
20 dead
21 dead
22 dead
23 dead
24 dead

Chokahr hadn't expected the help, but it surely was welcome. Now he probably had a chance to finish things off. He could run inside the house, of course, but then, what of his hammer? He sure wasn't ready to abandon his trusty companion. His butcher's knife tore a large gash in the vine creature's torso, and he reached for the hammer's grip and pulled with all his strength, hoping it would come loose.

Attack: 10:13, Today: Chokahr rolled 18,8 using d20+6,d4+6.  Dagger attack (Rage).
Move: "Retrieve weapon"

This message was last edited by the player at 08:15, Thu 10 June 2021.

Jun Jia lashed at the Blight furthest from Chokhar with a scissor-kick. Even the petite Monk was taller than the Blight, though, and her first kick missed. “YIAH!” Jia brought her leg lower in a downward kick next, hearing a satisfying crack of wood that signaled some success.

OOC:

12:04, Today: Jun Jia rolled 7 using 1d4+3.  Damage.
12:02, Today: Jun Jia rolled 12 using 1d20+5.  Bonus Unarmed Strike.
12:02, Today: Jun Jia rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Unarmed Strike.

Vyktor thought he smelled the dark red roses of his homeland wafting toward him in the darkness. Rosewylde, how I long to walk thy thorny pathways...


Death Save #2: Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 15 - Successes = 2, Failures = 0

"We don't have time for you to die, Vyktor," said Ceila.  She fought to his side, and lay a hand on him, bringing him back.

Lay Hands on Vyktor for 5 hp

Chokahr's hammer would rather be with him than a twig blight. With Jun's help he ends another twiggy, and Jun damages another to buy time for everyone to get inside.

Davian slams the door with the twig blights slamming into it to get it open. Davian slams it back.

W3
https://media-waterdeep.cursec.../697/600/825/028.jpg
Strips of iron and wood lie in neat piles on the floor of this workshop, the walls of which are lined with tools. Two worktables stand against the east wall.
Wine barrels are made here. The north door is barred from the inside.


Davian at the door.
Dag, Adrian are here with you.
Twig Blights AC10 HP10
4 twig blights at the door. STR CHECK DC5 to keep it closed (this will take someone's full turn, or you can let it open). There doesn't seem to be any enemies in this room.
1 hp-7
2
3
4

“Davian, hold the door.” Jun Jia ran toward the work tables. “Chokhar, help me move this table. We can use it to block the door.”

Ceila dragged Vyktor inside, taking no chances on his recovery.

"Too many of those things," she said.  "A hateful place, this."

Vyktor's eyes blinked open and he drew a long, shuddering breath. He felt Celia's hands dragging him. He tried to get his bearings, but there was a gray haze in his memory, almost as if the mists had clouded his mind...

"Thank you Lady Greendoor," Vyktor said, ignoring the wince on her face. He would treat her like a lady, even if she didn't feel that way herself. It was evident from her actions that she was more than a commoner.

He struggled to his feet, still a little groggy, and tried to assist the party in blocking the doorway.

Nodding, Chokahr ran to get a hold of a heavy wooden table with Jun Jia, ready to bar the door with the cumbersome piece of furniture.

You get the table in front of the door. The thumping from the other side continues, but it seems it will hold.

Davian holds up 3 fingers. "Three druids, inside the still well. There are four vats of wine, probably poisoned. The druids were always jealous of us. My kind."

(you have a brief reprieve. Take a few minutes but don't spend too long or the druids will come to you...or maybe that's a good plan.)

As they slammed the table against the door, Jun Jia breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Chokhar. That bought us a little time.” She gave her Barbarian companion a quick nod. Then, she listened to Davian’s update.

“These Druids are not tenacious, but also quite petty.” Jia watched Vyktor with concern. He’d only narrowly survived their encounter with the Blight-swarm. “Vyktor, how do you feel? Can you still fight?”

"If need be, I can use magic to strengthen us for the battle," said Ceila.  "Against the druids, that might be for the best.  It could help a few shake off some of the spells they might cast."

She sincerely wished that her magic was stronger, but there was no helping it-- she was a warrior first, and a holy champion second, and that was that.

Vyktor stood, embarrassment plain upon his chiseled features. "Yes, again, thank you, I'll endeavor not to place myself in such danger going forward. It was a bit... unexpected that they would pounce on me thusly!"

He reloaded the strange weapon he'd used and returned it to its holster beneath his cloak. With a practiced flick of his wrist, he called the whip back to coil in his hand.

He wiped a sheen of sweat from his brow.

They almost got you.

THe thought was making him uneasy. It was not every day the savage fighter felt in danger; more often than not, HE was the danger. But not this time. Those vines were ravenous, bestial, implacable. And worst of all, they showed neither fear nor concern for their own safety. Panting slightly from the battle, the effort and the adrenaline, Chokhar gave Jun Jia a brief, appreciative nod, then glanced over to Vyktor.

"Your whip will be of little use against plants, and it looks like your fire-stick doesn't work very good. You better get hold of a real weapon soon. Or ask Jun Jia to teach you how to breathe fire," he added with a chuckle. "That sure worked wonders out there."

THUD
THUD
THUD

Davian, Dag and Adrian scramble to barricade the inside door.

Davian: "The druids. They know where we are."

"Are they outside?" Ceila asked.  "We must stand ready to repel them.  If it's more of those plants, well, at least they have no magic."

Chokah'r eyes narrowed. He wasn't keen on taking out those druids head-on. The vines were bad enough; the ones who summoned them would certainly be worse. Vyktor already was in no good shape, and it would certainly take all of them to repel the attackers. They needed a respite.

"Wine-maker, you know this place in and out. Where can we best ambush those druids?"

"We must find a more favorable position certainly." Vyktor agreed.

"I can set a trap, but I'd like to make sure it's not just more of those stick monsters..."

He pressed his ear against the door in an attempt to discern that which threatened them from beyond it...


Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Perception.

davian explains the layout of the building. the room the druids are in (9) is the vat room with large barrels of wine and a  two story balcony to reach the tops. if you want to leave this room by heading back outside there are a few (or maybe just one) twog blights remaining, but then you can sneak around to the west entrance, get in, and ambush the druids from there.

ireena asks if there is a way to climb up to the second floor, and davian suggests the only way would be to climb to a second story window from outside

“There is no other way, then. We must go back outside and destroy the remaining Blights.” Jun Jia looked at Davian. “Could the Druids summon more Blights in the time we’ve sheltered in here?”

davian: “no. the druids do not make the blights, merely control them. the gulthias tree at yester hill is the mother of the blights. they come from her, not the druids. more may come, or more may already wait…”

so the answer is yes and no.

While Davian spoke, Jia searched for a hidden passageway leading upstairs. The last house had one, so she thought that it seemed like a fair possibility for this one. However, her cursory search revealed no such passage.

She sighed. “We cannot wait for whatever Blights remain to break in here. Even if they fail, they keep us penned here for their masters.” She looked at the door with a resigned steel in her eyes. “Do whatever you plan, Vyktor, and quickly. We must reach those Druids soon.”



OOC:

18:37, Today: Jun Jia rolled 7 using 1d20+4.  Perception check for secret passageways .

Whomp-Whomp.

"If we must, we can regroup carefully, and force them to fight us at the narrowest point," Ceila suggested.  "Their only advantage is numbers, and we can remove that, in here.  Let them in one doorway and kill them as they enter."

Vyktor nodded, "Good idea m'Lady."

He drew his rapier and dagger then, for there was too little room to work his whip effectively, and the report of his pistol would only draw more attention and fill the room with smoke!

"I'll save my trap for now."


OOC: Let'er rip tater chip!

The door continues to be slammed over and over, soon splintering at it's hinges in the frame.

Vines shoot through the gaps and completely fill the room...

Davian and Dag beat the vines away, but Adrian is caught up in them and they pin him to the ceiling.

Everyone DC12 str/athletics or dex/acrobatics check or you are restrained.

When the vines burst through the door, Jun Jia reacted with the finely honed instincts of a Monk. Jia flipped in a backward somersault over a vine, landing out of the plant’s reach. She watched the vines warily, ready to dodge more vines. “Apparently, the Druids will not wait for us!”

OOC:

19:47, Today: Jun Jia rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  DEX Acrobatics.

"Best we take the fight to them," said Ceila.  She barely rolled clear of the vines, and had to jerk her shield free of the growing vines, but it was enough.  She was free.

23:11, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 12 using 1d20+4 ((8)).

Splinters struck exposed skin as Vyktor tried to avoid the grasping vines! The door now in shambles, the exile attempted to make his way to the opposite side, hoping to get them through another doorway and perhaps buy them some time! If he could only avoid the vines...

"We're penned in!"

He drew the odd weapon he kept hidden beneath his cloak and pressed the trigger, aiming through the door at the druid, who was concentrating on causing the vines to harass them so...

The hammer dropped and a rather pathetic pop issued, producing rather nothing in the way of recoil, and Vyktor watched in humiliation as the leaden projectile rolled lazily out of the end of the wolf-inspired muzzle.

~~~

DEX(Acrobatics): Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 21

Edit: Trying to get through the doorway going into W4!
Will work back toward the door with the blights...

Ranged Attack at Druid: Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 6 (Natural 1)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Wed 07 July 2021.

With a groan, Chokahr pulled free of the grasping vines, tearing at the plants with visible effort. A narrow space, like a corridor or a doorway, would indeed be a better fighting spot against the monsters. And he would be right in the middle of the action.

With a devilish grin, the barbarian checked his weapons and followed Vyktor.

14:06, Today: Chokahr rolled 14 using 1d20+8.  STR/Athletics.

Ceila followed, hoping that they could control a chokepoint.  The wooden monsters weren't that tough, but so many!

Crap. Vyk, the druids are attacking from W4. The twig blights from outside (north) w3. I'm gonna post a passive perception result but hold doing anything until you can confirm if you want to enter w4.

The door to w4 is halfway destroyed, through it Vyk can see rows of new barrels fill this room. A narrow stone staircase spirals upward in the southwest corner. Most importantly, there is only 1 druid in this room, concentrating on the vine growth.

Screaming, Davian and Dag hack away at the vines keeping Adrian pinned to the ceiling.

When Jun Jia saw the Druid, she reached into a pouch and withdrew a petrified eye of newt. She quietly said, “Zuzhou.” At the same time, she jabbed two fingers in a quick stabbing motion his direction.

OOC:

I’m casting Hex on the Druid. He’ll have Disadvantage on his Dexterity checks. 1d6 extra necrotic damage when my attacks hit him.

 

Ceila moved in to attack the druid fast, stabbing with her rapier!

A 9 misses

Bursting through the half-open door with Celia, Chokahr brought down his hammer with a grunt of satisfaction, certain to break the unaware spellcaster's skull apart.

"Our turn now, daisy-eater" he groaned in a bestial voice.

Hits AC 22 for 10 bludgeoning damage.

OOC:
Since Hex is a Bonus action, I’ll join the attack, too.


IC:

Jun Jia raised her fingers again into the somatic configuration that she utilized against the nanny’s spectre. She spoke the words of power for an Eldritch Blast. “E Er Deli Qi Baozha!” A red bolt of energy shot from her fingers toward the Druid!

OOC2:

22:12, Today: Jun Jia rolled 4 using 1d6.  Bonus Necrotic damage from Hex.
22:11, Today: Jun Jia rolled 2 using 1d10.  Force damage (if it hits).
22:11, Today: Jun Jia rolled 13 using 1d20+5.  Eldritch Blast.

Chokahr's hammer makes a very disgusting "Prrrrp" as it collides with the druid's noggin.

Jun Jia's eldritch blast fizzles against the tree-bark-like armored skin of the nature man.

The vines pinning Adrian to the ceiling fizzle as the druid reshapes his magic to make his staff grow spikes. He swings at Chokahr but misses the barbarian.

And now you see the man is alone. You should be able to beat him.


ROUND 2
Druid AC16 Hp -10

Ceila attacked with great speed!  This time, the druid could not escape.  Her holy rage unleashed a mighty blow!

OOC: More Rapier!
18:51, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 19,11 using d20+6,d8+6 ((13,5)).

And, heck, a Smite!

18:54, Today: Ceila Greendoor rolled 12 using 2d8 ((7,5)).

So, 23 damage altogether.

A hammer-smashed face, a piercing blow to the gut... Bloodthirst took over the barbarian as he mutilated the druid further into his tomb. He stared into the eyes of the (soon to be) dead with a chuckle.

"I wish you'd get devoured by vermin. Your friends should better remember that I am a death walking terror!"

Unfortunately, the savage man took a wrong step on a slippery puddle of fresh blood, and missed by mere fractions of an inch.

10:33, Today: Chokahr rolled 15,6 using d20+6,d8+4.  Attack the druid *snaps fingers* AGAIN.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:35, Thu 15 July 2021.

Jun Jia ran briskly into the room and flanked the Druid. Her fist darted at their enemy, but Jia slipped on that same patch of blood. Unlike Chokhar, however, she rode the momentum and pivoted in a quick spin, lashing out with a spin kick that connected! The fell magicks of her Hex further weakened the man where her dainty foot connected with Necrotic damaged!

OOC:

04:50, Today: Jun Jia rolled 6 using 1d6.  Necrotic damage from Hex.
04:49, Today: Jun Jia rolled 6 using 1d4+3.  Damage.
04:48, Today: Jun Jia rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  Bonus Unarmed Strike .
04:48, Today: Jun Jia rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Unarmed Strike.


This message was last edited by the player at 08:54, Thu 15 July 2021.

https://media-waterdeep.cursec.../697/600/825/028.jpg

With your combined might you fell the wicked druid as he stands, the last words on his lips: "Strahd."

The knocking of the twig blight from w3 grows distant as you enter w4, a room full of a baker's dozen wine barrels. A narrow stone staircase spirals upward in the southwest corner.

the door to w9 stands open, you see a large room with 4 fermentation vats, stairs in the middle lead to a balcony that runs the entire room. A druid stands at the top, before the west most vat, chanting.

Vyktor's hands worked to quickly reload his strange weapon which belched fire, smoke and a roar of thunder. He took the chance to fire off another shot and then slipped through the door and to the east, seeking cover behind one of the huge vats.

Action - Ranged Attack: Vyktor Rosewylde rolled 8 to miss... again.
Move: Go through door and to the east, looking for cover behind the empty-looking vat on the map.

The druid was too far to reach, and she needed another solution, but she dared not drop weapon or shield to take a shot...

One chance.  It might not work, but it was worth the effort.  The druid was standing right in front of the vat, after all.  She ran up the stairs as far as she could, but time for a desperate attempt as she ran.

Magic filled her words as she shouted a simple command:

"FALL!"

So, yeah, casting Command to acquaint the druid closely with the vats.

Once again, Jun Jia spoke the words of power. “ E Er Deli Qi Baozha!” After firing her Eldritch Blast, she ran forty feet closer to the Druid. She paused to Hex this one, too, cursing his dexterity so he would fall into the vat.

OOC:


16:05, Today: Jun Jia rolled 5 using 1d10.  Nope, Force damage!
16:05, Today: Jun Jia rolled 18 using 1d20.  Force damage?
15:59, Today: Jun Jia rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Eldritch Blast.

Since the last target died, I can Hex a new target. Cursing his Dexterity, too, so Disadvantage on any DEX saves.

Everybody was shouting. Well, at least this looked like the kind of battle he'd enjoy. And apparently, shouting things was pretty effective, so Chokahr decided to give it a go. Poiting his bloodied hammer at the druid standing over the vats, the barbarian put on his scariest war-face and yelled "DIE!" at the top of his lungs. Well, you never know.

Action: Intimidate the druid into getting a heart attack.
12:03, Today: Chokahr rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Intimidate the druid.
Move closer to the druid.

In response to your commands, magic, and intimidation, the druid loses his footing and plummets head first into the vat before him. SPLASH.

There is no further noise from the vat.

You catch your breath as you enter the fermentation room (w9). The rich smell of fermenting wine fills this large, two-story chamber, which is dominated by four enormous wooden casks, each one eight feet wide and twelve feet tall. A wooden staircase in the center of the room climbs to a ten-foot-high wooden balcony that clings to the south wall, which has four windows set into it at balcony level. Stacked against the wall underneath the balcony are old, empty barrels with “The Wizard of Wines” burned into their sides. The balcony climbs another five feet as it continues along the west and east walls, ending at doors leading to the winery’s upper level. Underneath these side balconies are several doors, some of which hang open.

The silence is broken by the flutter of birds. Ravens. A flock of ravens gathers beneath the sloping roof on thick rafters. They watch you with great interest.

"Boys, search the house. If you see a druid holler and we will come running."

Dag and Adrian head up the stairs and disappear into a hallway. Davian cautiously approaches the vat that the druid fell into.

"He's gone??? But the wine is poisoned now. Why? What good would this do them? Ruining my wine will only...make us all suffer just a bit more."

He looks up at you with hopeless eyes, on the verge of tears. "Fuck Strahd."

Ceila awkwardly patted Davian on the shoulder.

"Your wine isn't lost," she said.  "I have divine magic.  Not a great deal, but give me time, and I can purify your wine.  Wine needs time anyway, doesn't it?"

Davian’s weariness turns to hope, “truly you are sent by the god you serve!!! how devine! pray tell, is it the Raven Queen, Morning Lord, Night Mother? or a new god we do not know?”

...it was easier to name the god she was associated with, she supposed.

"I serve the causes of justice and vengeance, but it's fair enough to say that I also worship Torm," she said.  "Do you know of him?"

Davian shakes his head. "No. Though I am glad he is powerful enough for his divinity to break through the curse that is Barovia. I've heard stories of other religious knights who would cast a spell and hear only silence, they soon fell to darkness as their faith shattered. Keep your faith, Ceila. May Torm always be with you."

A moment later Dag and Adrian return.

Dag: "No druids...but no signs of (the names of his wife and baby girl). I am heading at once to Berez."

Davian: "Shut up Dag. Don't be a fool. Without the help of our new best friends you'll be raven pie at the hands of Baba Lysaga."

Dag: "I will fly to Vallaki and get Urvin's help."

Davian: "URVIN? BAH!" He spits on the floor and stomps on it. "You're better off getting yourself killed than getting that traitor's help."

Dag: "He is your son."

Davian yells, "HE IS DEAD TO ME."

“Who is Baba Lysaga?”

Chokahr dipped his hammer in the wine vat that now served as the druid's watery grave, cleaning it of the blood. There was a nasty gash in his side from the thorn creature's attacks, and he pressed against it carefully to slow the bleeding, wincing and sweating lightly. Seemingly oblivious to the chattering of the winemakers, he went around the first floor to make sure the doors and windows were properly barred, propping furniture against possible entrances. Only then did he join his companions and sat down on the floor, sighing, dropping his travel pack at his side.

"Your druids are different from the ones I know, back home. Ours wouldn't behave like savage beasts."

Popping open his waterskin, the burly man took a large swig, spat on the floor and lifted his shirt to look at the wounds.

"Hey, winemaker, you got something stronger than wine on your shelves? I got a wound that needs cleaning."

Dav: "Indeed, Chokahr. Come..."
He leads you to the bedrooms and douses your wounds with turpentine.
You get as comfortable as possible in the beds that do not belong to you. Some too soft, some too firm, none just right. As you rest, Davian describes the lore of Berez and Baba Lysaga:

"As the legend is told, hundreds of years ago there was a peasant from Berez named Marina.
Berez is a small village on the shore of the Luna River. Marina bore a striking resemblance to Strahd’s beloved Tatyana, both in appearance and manner, and she became Strahd’s obsession. He seduced her in the dead of night and feasted on her blood, but before she could be turned into a vampire, the burgomaster of Berez, Lazlo Ulrich, with the aid of a local priest named Brother Grigor, killed Marina to save her soul from damnation. Enraged, Strahd slew the priest and the burgomaster, then used his power over the land to swell the river, flooding the village and forcing the residents to flee. Later the marsh crept in, preventing the villagers from returning. Berez has remained mostly abandoned since.

The ruins of Berez are now home to Baba Lysaga, an almost mythic figure tied to Strahd’s ancient past. Baba Lysaga sacrifices beasts to Mother Night and collects their blood, then bathes in the blood on nights of the new moon in a ritual to stave off the effects of extreme old age. But some say that she is the avatar of Mother Night herself. Long has she waged war with our goddess: The Raven Queen.

Not only has she sent the druids to kidnap our family, but they stole three magic gemstones from the vineyard, forcing us to try to reclaim them. The gems are  magic seeds passed on through my family, given to us by the Raven Queen at the dawn of this land's curse, before her powers were stifled by the dark. The gem is what allows the vines to grow...I'm sure the druids have put them to nefarious uses..."

“As Chokhar said, Druids typically nourish and protect the land. Even I know this much. Perhaps the corrupt nature of this world also corrupted their mission?” Jun kept another thought to herself, though. Concerns that Strahd’s malefic influence could eventually hinder even Ceila’s contact with her beloved God.

Jun sat with these dark thoughts, facing them as she meditated. Her teaching required sitting with all discomfort, including fear. She realized it was folly to ruminate over a future that had not yet come to pass. Jun Jia could live and act in the present. Living mindfully in the moment, she focused instead on her injuries. Redirecting her attention also redirected her Ki to heal those wounds, gradually restoring her to full health.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Mon 26 July 2021.

Rubbing the pungent chemical onto his wounds gave Chokahr a kick, and he paced around the room, stretching his arms and neck, while listening to Davian's story. The turpentine burned his wounds, making him slightly dizzy. He spat on the floor at the tale of Baba Lysaga's rituals.

"Bah, witches. Arrogant wenches with too much power for their own good. Never ends well. Anyway, we came here to get the wine back to Krezk, so if the path's clear, that's pretty much what we're gonna do top o' the morning, I guess."

Chokahr left the resting room, made his way back to the vats, and took First, the talking skull, out of his backpack for a nice dive in the blood-infused wine that was now the druid's final resting place.

"Cheers, mate."

Quenched in the life giving poison, the skull begins to speak, "Welcome back." Sounds like she's talking to you, but aren't you the one welcoming her back?

"Thank you for joining me again. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Davian and Dag begin to argue again:
Davian about how without your help they are doomed.
Dag about how they need to fix things with Urvin because Urvin can help.

Who is Urvin?
Well it sounds like from the bits and pieces of the argument that he is Davian's oldest son who lives in Vallaki and has a small army of wereravens under his command. Davian says that Urvin turned his back on his family and is dead to him. Dag says Davian is being stupid.

I rather agree with Dag.

"You'd better let me have some time to purify the wine, then," said Ceila.  "I'll take care of it now.

...it was a simple enough spell.  She wondered vaguely why others hadn't tried it before.  Were priests so rare here?
This message was last edited by the player at 22:57, Thu 29 July 2021.

The barbarian gave the blood-and-wine soaked skull a puzzled look, then chuckled lightly.

"Eh, might as well.... First, you've been around this place a while. What do you know about Baba Lysaga, the Night Mother, the Raven Queen, and some magical gems that make plants grow?"

He paused, thought for a moment - a rather incongruous task, judging by his tortured expression - and spoke up again.

"Oh, and while we're at it... what can you do, actually? Don't get me wrong, you're great company, but maybe you have some other talents?"

"I don't know those gods. I am merely an afterthought of the Whisperer. I was the First to be sacrificed to him. I have only heard whispers of life since then. I am content to exist with you, join you on this path, but I am afraid I am of no use to you."

Then as if in a stroke of genius she adds, "WAIT! I am good at math."

Chokahr picked the thigh bone from the first killed druid clean, using a twig from the shrubbery monsters to clean his teeth. His grisly meal seemed to have rejuvenated him, and the chemicals he had doused on the wounds had made their work. He didn't seem to mind the horrid smell. Sitting down near the winemakers, he lifted a hand to talk.

"Help sounds good. But some words and deeds, you can't simply put aside. Davian, what happened between you and your other son?"

"He turned his back on his family. A profitable businessman, like father like son-I guess, he runs the Blue Water Inn in Vallaki. I still sell him wine of course, I'm no idiot. But when he left our winery he went about it all wrong. We haven't spoken in years. Worse, he split our numbers. Half of the wereravens sided with him. HE made us weak. It was just a matter of time before Baba's druids attacked. How fortunate that you arrived in time for us to salvage some of the wine. Thank you again Ceila. I will make my offerings to your god."

He hands Ceila a small coin purse. 10gp. Perhaps generous, but you did just save his entire batch, not to mention his entire business. Now if only you could save his entire family.

Where to:
1. Krezk - return with wine and finish the original quest
2. Yester Hill - Davian knows for sure druids have taken some of his family there
3. Ruins of Berez - Davian knows for sure druids have taken some of his family there
4. Vallaki - perhaps Urvin can fix everything

"Mmmmmh. You know about wolves, Davian? Packs don't always stay together. Sometimes a young male will wander off, alone or with some of his own, and that's just the way of nature. But if there's a large threat, both the old and new pack will join forces. You and your son no longer share a pack, but you still share blood."

With a hearty burp, the barbarian stood up and gathered his things.

"I say we bring this wine back to Krezk first; ain't that far anyway. In the meantime, you think about what to do with that other son of yours, and we'll be back in a few to see what can be done about them witches. Can't have those creatures mess with wine, or there won't be anything decent to drink 'round these parts."