Slightly confused, Chokahr kicked the ground around the place where the sapling had disappeared, to no avail. This place was bad news... probably. Despite the healthy glow on his hands, the barbarian felt like going too far could be the last mistake he'd ever make. He made a mental note of the castle , the fortress and the tree, and backed cautiously out of the fog onto the hill again. Maybe he could remove that battleaxe back there, see what it would do.

You enter into the mists and find yourselves at the peak of your prime, whatever that may be for your species. For me that would have to be at 20, before I could legally drink, because I kid you not I had like 5% body fat and could bench 2 plates. Now I can eat 5 plates and have the fat of 2 bodies. Stop me if you've heard that joke before.

A brilliant white castle outlined in the fog beyond. But just up the path is a 3 story fortress, rectangular in function, the drawbridge down, the gate open. At the top of the fortress is a tree that looks just like the Gulthias Tree you saw at Yester Hill, though this one doesn't bleed black, it is white and pure.

Jun's staff stretches itself toward the fortress. "Where is Kavan?" She asks.

There is no sign of him.

"I don't know," said Ceila, looking around.  "...this is a strange place.  Time seems... strange."

Vyktor felt invigorated as he passed into the strange mists. He looked around in wonder to see his companions in their primes, vigorous and vibrant. He looked at his own hands and saw that many of his hard-earned scars had faded.

"That way I would assume," Vyktor said and began walking in the direction of the tower.

Feeling strangely satisfied after his brief fights and invigorating gardening, Chokahr follwed his companions towards the rejuvenating mists, whistling happily. Pulling out a somewhat cleaner piece of cloth from his package as he walked, he began to clean up his new axe, removing the sticky sap and dirt. As they stood on Yester's edge, he simply acknowledged his companion's choice of direction with a nod, and followed.

As a young woman, Jun Jia was already in her prime. Still, she felt reinvigorated in the strange mist, the effects of previous battles washed away. Gulthias got her attention with the insistent tugging. Jun Jia held onto Gulthias with a gentle, but firm, grip. “If Kavan is in the tower, we shall reunite you shortly.” She glanced at their destination—the tower. “Gulthias, what can you tell us of Kavan and this fortress?”

"If you remember the black tree where we were before, you will see what the white tree becomes. The castle beyond the fortress becomes the hill. Although you had to travel west to enter the mist, you did not travel west to come to where you are. You travelled Yester to come to where you are. Mind boggling I know."

She continues tugging you gently toward the fort. The beautiful white stone, the stained glass windows, you feel peace that you have not experienced since awaking in Barovia. Perhaps you could stay here? Gulthias's voice attempts to snap you out of the idea, "To the top, please. Do not explore. You may decide to stay forever."

https://www.dndbeyond.com/atta...719/850/1129/702.png

17 on map, The door opens to the main entrance. Four white marble pedestals stand near the west and east walls. Atop each pedestal is a corked flask made of opaque green glass.
Four cockatrice feather dusters are constantly dusting each pedestals and flasks. Vyktor likely recognizes the unseen servant spell at work.

“Your story only confuses those who think of Time in the linear sense. In my temple, we learned other ways of understanding Time,” Jun Jia said with a half-shrug. Although the comfort of the place appealed to Jia, she needed Gulthias’ warning. “I do not wish to spend my life—or other lifetimes—here.” Jia walked the hall until she found stairs.

Ceila wasn't really used to comfort, and this place was strange.  She kept walking... she did wonder about those bottles, but so much might be dangerous here!

Perhaps for the best you wisely ignore all else and take the stairs.

This second floor is adorned with long purple rugs with gold trim. Wood-framed portraits of wizards cover the floors as if they've been pulled from the walls. Where the halls widen, carved oak chairs padded with red velvet are available to weary visitors. At the foot of each chair rests an ottoman. Crystal-barred windows face the courtyard (area 23).

Many doors to many rooms are shut, but the stairs to continue up are easily within reach.

The castle's interior was unlike anything Chokahr had seen. Sure, the house in Krezk had hinted at the riches such buildings could hide, but he would never have imagined such opulence, all for the sake of only one man, or at least only one family. Back home, the chiefs had the most spacious tent, the most wives, the best choice of food and drink. But even the mightiest tent he had ever set foot in would have fit easily into the entrance hall. As for the rest... who ever needed that much in a lifetime?

Then again, he remembered that, in this strange world, some people seemed to dwell around for longer than a mere lifetime. And even time itself seemed a flexible concept around here.

"Dragon-touched," he said to Jun Jia, a hint of deference on his otherwise snarky tone, "what do you know of the time in this place? How dangerous is it?"

“I know only as much as you know, Barbarian,” Jun Jia said with a cautious glance around the hall. “Heed the warning from Gulthias. Touch nothing but the stairs leading up to the top of this place.” She spared a backward glance for the group. “Remember the mission.”

Then, she headed for the stairs…

Ceila followed, sword drawn.  This place was dangerous.  She could feel it...

Vyktor continued with the others though his curiosity was growing by the moment. The construction and decor were similar to that which he'd grown up around. He kept his vigil as he walked.

OOC: Sorry for brevity, been super busy the last two weeks.

38
The stairs lead to the 3rd floor.

The halls on this level join to form a circuit, with crystal-barred windows looking down on the central courtyard (area 23).

The floor is made of tiny bits of colored glass and crushed gems, polished to a lustrous sheen. Four living unseen servants, each carrying a mop and a bucket of soapy water, stand outside the doors to areas 39 through 42, ready to clean up any spills in the hall.

Stairs to the north lead to the rooftop.

A floor made - partially, at least - of gemstones. Actual gemstones. Chokahr stood there for a moment, an incredulous look on his face, stunned by this ludricrous display of opulence. While the first two floors had definitely hinted at the vampire's financial status, it was definitely the somptuous gallery that led the barbarian to understand how insanely wealthy King Kavan must be. Certainly enough to own more lands, troops and treasures than most men in history, probably.

In any case, finding the old man would be the first step towards claiming a minuscule bit of this wealth for himself. Chokahr walked towards the closest invisible servant and waved vaguely in its direction.

"Hey you! We come at the invitation of your master. Take us to him."

“We come to restore Gulthias, Chokhar.” Jun Jia led the group toward the stairs to the north. “Speak with the Master of this place afterward.”

"Although I imagine we'll face the master of this place soon enough," said Ceila, darkly.

Vyktor nodded to Celia, "I'm sure you're right about that. Though I find myself growing more curious with every stair we ascend... and more nervous."

He continued with the others.

“Merely distractions, Vyktor. Pay them no mind.”

The tall man shrugged, "This is a big place... some of those distractions could be very, very interesting." He replied as he looked down halls with curiosity.

Leaving the servant alone, Chokahr followed Jun Jia with a shrug. She was right, of course. Again. Though he dare not ask what knowledge helped her navigate the strange palace. There was, yet again, some uncanny magic at work. That much was certain.

 He bumped Vyktor's shoulder gently as he passed him.

"Nice place, huh? I sure hope King Kavan shows us around a bit, afterwards," he said with a smirk.

47

You successfully avoid temptation and climb the last flight of stairs to the rooftop.
The echoes that a single footstep can create are astonishing.  Each noise you make seems to echo throughout the sky as it moves forward in time, but is only a reflection of the past. Four-foot-high crenellated battlements enclose the roof. From here you have a grand view of the much larger and richer castle further Yester. Behind you is the white and pure Gulthias tree in the center of the courtyard.

Jun Jia's staff is practically pulling her toward it.

When it gets in reach you see the dryad spirit leap from the branch to the tree and as if months flashed by in a moment, the tree grows leaves, flowers, buds then fruit.

"Take. Eat. Be strong. Keep the staff as well, my dear. Thank you for restoring what was past. Good luck in your struggle against the vampire."

pm

"Well and truly done," said Ceila.  She plucked a fruit and bit into it; it seemed like a safe choice.