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15:45, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

05 Wizards of Wine.

Posted by DMFor group 0
DM
GM, 251 posts
Mon 24 May 2021
at 17:29
  • msg #1

05 Wizards of Wine

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.
Ceila Greendoor
Paladin, 130 posts
AC 17 HP 28/16
Vengeance!
Tue 25 May 2021
at 05:17
  • msg #2

05 Wizards of Wine

"...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."
Jun Jia
Monk, 161 posts
Monk from Kara-Tur
AC 14 HP 36/36
Tue 25 May 2021
at 05:59
  • msg #3

05 Wizards of Wine

“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?”
Vyktor Rosewylde
Gun-Rogue, 89 posts
AC15, HP:19/19
Wed 26 May 2021
at 04:54
  • msg #4

05 Wizards of Wine

"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.
Chokahr
Barbarian, 92 posts
Yes, I bite.
AC 17 - HP 45/45
Wed 26 May 2021
at 09:26
  • msg #5

05 Wizards of Wine

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.
DM
GM, 253 posts
Wed 26 May 2021
at 20:35
  • msg #6

05 Wizards of Wine

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."
Ceila Greendoor
Paladin, 131 posts
AC 17 HP 28/16
Vengeance!
Thu 27 May 2021
at 00:20
  • msg #7

05 Wizards of Wine

"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."
Jun Jia
Monk, 164 posts
Monk from Kara-Tur
AC 14 HP 36/36
Thu 27 May 2021
at 02:14
  • msg #8

05 Wizards of Wine

“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.”
DM
GM, 256 posts
Thu 27 May 2021
at 17:59
  • msg #9

05 Wizards of Wine

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.
Ceila Greendoor
Paladin, 132 posts
AC 17 HP 28/16
Vengeance!
Fri 28 May 2021
at 04:31
  • msg #10

05 Wizards of Wine

"A stupid hatred," said Ceila.  "I suppose we'll have to cure them of it."
Jun Jia
Monk, 166 posts
Monk from Kara-Tur
AC 14 HP 36/36
Fri 28 May 2021
at 04:40
  • msg #11

05 Wizards of Wine

“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.”

Chokahr
Barbarian, 94 posts
Yes, I bite.
AC 17 - HP 45/45
Fri 28 May 2021
at 06:03
  • msg #12

05 Wizards of Wine

"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 Rosewylde
Gun-Rogue, 90 posts
AC15, HP:19/19
Sat 29 May 2021
at 05:18
  • msg #13

05 Wizards of Wine

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?"
DM
GM, 257 posts
Sat 29 May 2021
at 20:47
  • msg #14

05 Wizards of Wine

“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
Jun Jia
Monk, 167 posts
Monk from Kara-Tur
AC 14 HP 36/36
Sat 29 May 2021
at 21:40
  • msg #15

05 Wizards of Wine

“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
Barbarian, 96 posts
Yes, I bite.
AC 17 - HP 45/45
Sun 30 May 2021
at 05:54
  • msg #16

05 Wizards of Wine

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."
Jun Jia
Monk, 168 posts
Monk from Kara-Tur
AC 14 HP 36/36
Sun 30 May 2021
at 05:59
  • msg #17

05 Wizards of Wine

“You are not a knight, but if you were a spell, I think you would be the ‘Magic Mouth’.”
Ceila Greendoor
Paladin, 133 posts
AC 17 HP 28/16
Vengeance!
Sun 30 May 2021
at 06:04
  • msg #18

05 Wizards of Wine

"Well, 'magic' is one word for it," said Ceila.  "In any case, let's be underway."
DM
GM, 258 posts
Sun 30 May 2021
at 06:44
  • msg #19

05 Wizards of Wine

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
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This message was last edited by the GM at 06:45, Sun 30 May 2021.
Ceila Greendoor
Paladin, 134 posts
AC 17 HP 28/16
Vengeance!
Sun 30 May 2021
at 23:07
  • msg #20

05 Wizards of Wine

"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.
Jun Jia
Monk, 169 posts
Monk from Kara-Tur
AC 14 HP 36/36
Mon 31 May 2021
at 02:13
  • msg #21

05 Wizards of Wine

“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).




Vyktor Rosewylde
Gun-Rogue, 91 posts
AC15, HP:19/19
Mon 31 May 2021
at 04:55
  • msg #22

05 Wizards of Wine

"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)

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