Gray smoke issues from the chimney of this large, two-story wooden building with a stone foundation and sagging tile roof, upon which several ravens have perched. A painted wooden sign hanging above the main entrance depicts a blue waterfall.

The Blue Water Inn is Vallaki's main gathering place for locals, especially at night. The innkeeper, Urwin Martikov, considers the inn a sanctuary from the evils of this land. In the event of trouble, the windows and doors can all be barred shut from within.

A bed for the night costs 1 ep. Characters looking for something to eat are fed hot beet soup and fresh bread at no additional charge. A cooked wolf steak costs 1 ep.

The inn offers a pint of Purple Grapemash No. 3 wine for 3 cp, or a pint of the superior Red Dragon Crush wine for 1 sp. Urwin is hurt if the characters complain about the wines, for his family makes them.

---

Jun Jia and Ceila (please describe yourselves) enter to see a good number of people at 3 separate tables: Over here sit two large wolf hunters with two men that you think could be wereravens, they have that piercing look in their eyes.

Toward the back sit six people who seem soulless, but are dressed in finer clothes. They keep quiet, talking amongst yourselves, avoiding eye contact.

Smack dab in the middle are two men, one a half-elf dressed as a circus ring leader (couldn't find the Hugh Jackman greatest showman for the avatar portrait), the other a full human dressed like an accountant. The women, both half-elves, can describe themselves.

There is a makeshift stage at the front of the tavern. Danika, the proprietor, gestures for you to sit where you like as she tidies up something at the bar. Then she makes her way to you and looks you over with piercing eyes and at once knows all there is to know about you.

She whispers (perception DC15 for anyone other than Jun and Ceila to hear)

"Whatever you like is on the house. Thank you so much for what you did for us. We have private rooms, very secure. Whatever you need."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:42, Mon 28 Mar 2022.

This message was deleted by the player at 21:58, Mon 28 Mar 2022.

A road-weary Jun Jia accepted the table with a grateful nod and smile. When Danika spoke with them, Jia felt at ease with the woman. Her reply came with a smile that came naturally for their hostess. “Please, no thanks are necessary. We were glad to offer your family what aid we could. We would appreciate a meal and a room that you can reasonably spare.

Oh, and perhaps a little information.” Jun Jia recalled the posters as she and Ceila arrived. “What is the Festival that we’ve heard about?” For the moment, she let their connection with the “Guests of Honor” remain unspoken after a quick look at Ceila.

"A hot meal, yes," said Ceila.  A private room sounded good, too.

...but this festival, now.  What could that be about?  Surely it was Vyktor's work...

You can tell she's a half-elf because of the slim bone structure, the curve of her ears, and the rise of her eyebrows, but the thing that keeps her from being fully elf-like is her proportions; curves that fit a human woman rather than an elven, and she has obviously spent years learning how to make the most of both sides of her heritage. She is confident, which accentuates her physical attributes.

She wears a dress that seems a little out of place here. The corset around her is a deep blue, complimenting the color range of the gown. The dark edge along the bottom is so dark blue it is nearly black which then fades through the spectrum until the palest of powder blue at the shoulder. Just above floor length as she sits, you can see that the footwear she has is, in contrast, utterly appropriate for the weather. Being black, they do not clash color-wise, though style-wise the clunky boot is a bit jarring. She has a pack on the floor by her seat, there are many more smaller pockets than a normal pack would have and inside is a harp, though only just barely visible.

The half-elf is in the conversation, listening and contributing when appropriate. She appears totally engrossed in the people with her.

-----
Elma hears nothing!

Today: Elma Keensong rolled 9 using 1d20+3.  Perception.

Perhaps Danika was too busy to answer. Jun Jia leaned closer to Ceila and whispered in what sounded like harsh grunts…

Ceila answered her in a low voice, and then bowed her head, as if in prayer.


OOC:  What the hey, Divine Sense.

Ceila: the half-dozen give off a strong stench that only your divine sense could pick up. In the physical realm they actually smell quite nice, especially compared to your muddy and bloody selves.

Danika brings a key to a room and two bowls of beet stew, the stuff is red as blood and your stomach turns as you think of everything you've been through today. Still, once you put it in your mouth you find it palpable, you didn't realize how hungry you were.

"I have Urwin cooking you some steaks as well, you do eat meat? You should. You need the strength."

She rolls her eyes when asked about the festival, and speaks freely, not even bothering to keep it secret, "Burgomaster Baron Vargas is a bit cookoo. He throws a festival every weekend to force us all to be merry, thinking ignorance and bliss will keep Count Strahd at bay. I suppose in a way it has been working, at least during the weekends we see more patrons here."

"Danika, you should not be so loud. AHEM..." Urwin, her husband, comes up behind her, clears his throat and throws a quick glance over to the table with the ring leader, "Thank you both for helping my mother, it was unfortunate that her cat was stuck in a tree..." He makes it very obvious that we should not be mentioning anything further about wereravens or witches.

---

Rictavio curls his lip, not convinced. "Just because we are not working together does not make us rivals or enemies, Ersnt. I will continue my project and you can rest assured I have my nose out of your business." He keeps steady eyes on Urwin, trying to drop eaves.

"What of those two? They look like they've been through hell and they are getting almost more attention than your performance."

Ernst nods, "Ne'r seen 'em before. You two enjoy your stay, tomorrow is the festival, I will meet your here again in the morn' to see Lady Wachter." Then he bows and excuses himself to leave.

I will try not to ever have npcs actually leave without you being able to ask them anything further.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:58, Wed 30 Mar 2022.

Elma smiles and says farewell to Ernst. Once he leaves, she leans forward to speak quietly to Rictavio. "I don't have a full understanding of what's going on here, but what I do know is that whatever is happening is obviously not working. I'll look around tomorrow at this so-called festival and see what the current leader is forcing his people to go through." She has been looking around a little, making sure that there aren't people blatantly staring at them or obviously trying to overhear. She then turns and makes direct eye contact, "I would like to speak with you in a place more suited to private conversations, then we can talk about your experiences here and what course of action you would advise at this point."

-----
Before we leave this setting, Elma wants to talk with Dannika (who is the wife of the owner, if I understand correctly).

Although Jun Jia preferred not to eat anything involved in the suffering of a living being, she also understood that crops may have been harder to grow in that blighted land. She quietly accepted the steak as she finished her beet soup, which she quite enjoyed. When Urwin thanked them, Jia nodded. “Of course. Your mother’s…cat was harried by an aggressive bitch. Luckily, a friend put that mad dog down.”

For the moment, Jun Jia refrained from naming the friend in question. Though she trusted the Ravens, she felt apprehensive about the rest of the people in the tavern. “Danika, what do you know about the ‘Guests of Honor’ the poster described?”

Ceila's expression was remarkably readable-- whatever she'd sensed, it angered and disgusted her.

"Those six," she muttered.  "I don't know what, but something very, very bad."

Jun Jia trusted Ceila, and acknowledged her warning with a pleasant nod. Leaning closely once more, she whispered an answer for Ceila’s ears alone.

Ceila nodded.

"Agreed," she said.  That was safe enough; no need to arouse too much suspicion by only speaking a language the others didn't know.

Ernst heads to the door.

Rictavio leans in toward Elma, "I would like that too. I have a room here, the bed is more than capable, but if you really are only interested in talking I would feel more privacy if you were to meet me at my carnival wagon, it is parked at the Arasek Stockyard, you can't miss it. I go now to valiantly go where no mortal man dares go, to leave two beautiful women to go talk to two other beautiful women. Pray to your gods I do not die from any or all of them." He smirked and tipped his imaginary hat, standing...

Urwin's piercing eyes widened a bit. He had been told the witch was dead, but seeing the two who did it brought more affection than mere words.

Danika scoffed, "I haven't heard anything about the 'Guests of Honor' but old Vargas probably glued rocks to his wife's socks and will be putting on a puppet show. Trust me, if there truly were any new arrivals in Vallaki, we would know it."

Urwin clears his throat, again, "Ah, actually, it's the two old men that worked with you. We saw them riding in to town then entering the Burgomaster's Mansion. At this moment they are at the Coffin Maker Shop." He gives a look to Jun Jia and Ceila saying "I have eyes everywhere."

"Ah," said Ceila.  "I wonder-- is this part of their attempt to find a great healer?  It seems a strange way to do it, but perhaps there's no choice.  Tell me, do you know why they are in the coffin shop?"

Urvin shrugged, scratching his beard.

"Oh right, now that I think of it... They were at Saint Andras' Church shortly before that, didn't stay for too long. Maybe old Father Lucian sent them on an errand or something."

“Should we visit the Coffin maker, then?” Jun Jia asked Ceila. “Do you feel rested enough?” That time she asked with ample concern for her friend’s wellbeing. Chokhar & Vyktor weren’t the only members of their party maimed by Baba Lysaga.

"I do, yes," said Ceila.  "We should get underway."

She still wondered about a coffin maker in this place.  Perhaps they should invest in iron bonds to keep the dead inside their coffins...

“Thank you both for your hospitality and your help,” Jia said, as she stood with Ceila. She reached into a simple traveler’s bag and pulled out two Gold coins, which she laid upon the table. “Yes, Ceila. We should make haste and find our companions.”

Quietly, she muttered in what sounded like grunts…

Ceila nodded.  She made a point of keeping an eye on that table full of undead as they departed.

Elma stands up once Riktavio has gone, "Come, Minty. We'll go talk to him at his wagon. I want to know what he thinks is the better course of action." She looks around, wanting to talk to Dannika before they leave the inn for the moment.

CEILA AND JUN JIA TO COFFIN MAKER

Danika approaches Minty and Elma at their empty table, "First off, thank you so much for your performance. It was truly moving. I haven't had good reason to be cheerful lately, and it actually brought a smile to my lips.

Now that I've blown the appropriate smoke up your rear let me explain, I make it my business to know people's business in my Inn. I'm not asking for your dirty dark secrets but your initial story doesn't quite hold up after a performance like that, and you've got the ears of both Ernst and Rictavio."

The bard smiles at the praise, "I do so appreciate an enthusiastic audience! I'm glad I was able to bring a bit of joy in these dark moments."

Elma looks at Dannika, gesturing for her to sit with them. She speaks softly, "We did get in today, not too long ago. Ernst was showing us around a bit after we were allowed through the gates. I do not know how he heard of us, but he was eager to explain the situation in this area and the thought of a festival every week - with all the same decorations and everything - is an affront to my sensibilities, as you can well imagine!" She takes a little breath to calm and center herself once more. "We agreed to check it out, he wants us to see what the current leadership is doing and whether the situation is sustainable." Her brow furrows for a moment, "I'm not sure why it's so important that we understand, but he was quite interested in having us on his side."

She leans back a bit, "Rictavio, I don't know. When you saw him approach us after my performance you saw the first time we ever met him. We haven't talked much, but along the line of looking at the entertainment deficit in this place I wanted to talk to him about opportunities, difficulties, and possibilities." Elma shrugs and glances over at Minty. "I haven't had a chance to discuss any of this with my companion here, so I don't know what's going to happen next."

She suddenly remembers, "Oh! Right! I was going to talk with you about honey. I know that inns have many uses for honey, and I have access to a great deal of it. I was wondering if we could trade for a room." Elma smiles brightly, "I can show you where it comes from, but I don't want to bring it out here in the midst of all these people."

-----

Today: Elma Keensong rolled 25 using 1d20+10.  Persuasion (if needed).
This message was last edited by the player at 18:59, Tue 12 Apr 2022.

Danika seems taken aback by the mention of honey.

"Honey? Why that is practically worth it's weight in gold. We havent served mead in..."

You see her reminisce, but if you think she is thinking of happier times you are wrong. She has never gone a day without fear and trembling.

"Lanark took care of your bill this evening, but I am happy to work out a long term arrangement with you. Was there anything else?"

Elma smiles, "I don't think there's anything else. I'll be happy to work out some kind of arrangement. We're going to talk with Rictavio, but after that we'll be heading to our room for the night - I don't know how long that will be, but we can talk in the morning, yes?"

As if emerging from a concealing haze Minty emerges from behind Elma and curtsies, "Nothing from me, thank you, ma'am."

"A pleasure." Danika nods her head and smiles. Now you have a business to run, a steady stream of income in this economy. Smart thinking.

You head to the stockyard to see what Rictavio is really up to.

Minty smiles at her companion and curtsies to Danika.

As she accompanies Elma to the stockyard she says, "That was smart. But then, you always were! Umm and still are."

-----

She watched Rictavio being walked down the street- She didn't know how to feel about her two-faced tattling there, but he didn't seem safe to be around, tiger or not. What kind of person could think of something like that? A group of people attacked randomly by an ill-treated and aggressive animal. Long teeth, longer claws, and probably hungry enough to eat one or two whole people. She relaxed into a soft smile. He would get what he deserved.

He was obviously mad, and his anti-Strahd sentiments made her uneasy.

As Elma enters the inn she is grateful for the fire. The cold didn't bother her too much, but after a while the chill starts to seep in. She was always fascinated by things like this - she didn't realize she was cold until she started to get hot.

Elma looks over at Minty. "We should find the proprietors and tell them about Rictavio, I've got to make a deal with Dannika anyway." She starts looking around the inn and when she spots Dannika she will head toward her with a smile and a confident walk. Once Dannika has a moment where she's not busy, Elma gets close enough to speak quietly without whispering. "If you would take me to your kitchen? We can work out a deal in a quieter place or we can wait till the morning, though I'd rather not do because this unending festival is something I'm interested in observing and hopefully adding to."

Minty orbits slowly in the background; a wallflower but still looking out for her freind's safety.

Danika did not yet bring you into the kitchen. "Sorry lass, I thought we made the deal, didn't realize you wanted contracts drawn up. All right then, let's get this over with."

She then leads you into the back where her husband Urvin was frying up bacon. "GAAAAH! Fuckin' shit shit shit. Grease right in mah eye!!!!" He yelled right as you crossed the threshold. He looked up at you with only one eye opened. "Excuse the profanities, ladies. What's this?"

Danika explained that you have a procurement of honey and Urvin's eyes lit up. "Well now, let's have a taste! It's been forever since I'd something sweet. Other than you, babe." He winked with his good eye at his wife.

Minty gently moves around, back nearest a wall, watching the ways in.

Elma smiles, "No contracts, but I need to show you something, and explain."

She brings out the Jug once they are in the kitchen, says the activation word as just a whisper so the pair could not hear, and feels the magic course through the jug as it fills with honey. "As you can see, I couldn't do that in the full room out there." She places the jug carefully on the nearest tabletop, never moving more than an arms' reach away. "I can pay you in honey every third day, and I would ask just for room and board for myself and my companion, and possibly information from time to time. I have no idea how long we are going to be trapped here, but we..." Elma looks at the floor, clears her throat, and smiles again as she looks up. "We're looking into improving the situation for everyone here." With a bit of a shrug she adds, "I will know more of what we need after tomorrow's festivities" she says the word with a bit of a sneer, "which we have heard some things about."

The half-elf looks at the Jug and gently strokes the ring around the top opening, "You will need some kind of container for this..."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:46, Thu 26 May 2022.

Danika grabs a pot roughly the same size for your to deliver the goods into.

"Do I dare ask WHO you got this from??? I'm sure I don't want to know."

Urwin makes a face, trying to insight you, but shrugs. "You say you're here to help, and so far you're helping. I'll trust you. Tomorrow will be like every festival, a huge failure, but I would like you to tell me what you have learned. We need new perspective. The people here, this is how things have always been, since before we were born. We do not know HOPE. Vargas (the burgomaster) keeps pushing HOPE. What is it?"

Hope is just a four letter word.

Minty ventures, "Numerically true, but meaningfully? It depends what one hopes for. What might you hope for, Danika?"

She takes a moment, carefully choosing her words. "I want my family to be safe, I want to die of old age. Urvin too. I want my boys to die of old age. Yes." She smiles.

"Nothing's certain but maybe we can help with that," proffers Minty and gestures to the more eloquent Elma to continue..

Elma smiles at the conversation as she helps Dannika fill her pot. "I got this in another place, back in my home." Once the transfer is complete she places the Jug back in her pack, anyone who looks can see that there's no residue or stickiness left from the honey. She watches as the words flow, and when Minty looks to her she adds to the moment.

"I plan to perform. There is much one can learn from an audience, both as a performer," she looks over at Minty with a smile "and as someone in the crowd." She looks back at the couple.  "Having ears inside the audience before, during, and after a show is a surprisingly in-depth way to learn who people really are." She looks serious for a moment. "I don't know what we'll find, but since we don't have much right now, anything will be of benefit. I'm also hoping that the burgomaster will approach us so we can work toward some information above the ground level."

Minty smiles at her friend's reference to 'someone in the crowd' then adds, "So, Danika, we are new to this town. To this land, in fact. nonetheless we plan to change things for the betterment of all. What will you tell us that will help us understand this land, its peoples, better?"

She exchanges looks with Urvin. They seem guarded in their answer, in fact, answering your question with a question.

"Like what???"

Perhaps you can gather more from what they did not say. Why would they be so guarded, if not keeping a secret?

"Whatever comes to mind. If nothing, comes to your mind, then that's fine, we can go talk to someone who has an opinion," replies Minty not altogether diplomatically. It didn't help being fed up with a town that promised to tell its story but said little and that at a glacial speed.

Elma glances over at Minty with one eyebrow raised. She then turns back to the pair, "Anything of import? It's hard to know what to ask when one doesn't even know the streets of the town, or the names of those involved. Or what is actually happening aside from 'it is all horrible'. But... that's fine, when you think of something you'd like to share just seek us out." She put her pack on her back and smiled. "You know where we'll be!" She does a little curtsey and starts to turn then chuckles and turns back, "You know where we'll be better than we do! Where is our room?"

Uncharacteristically Minty lingers a number of breaths longer, "Like what? Like who controls what around here? And, yes, you're going to ask 'why?', well, in case you weren't listening, it's becasue we can and intend to help. Help what? Well, you want Urvin, you and your boys to die of old age. Currently that's not going to happen. In fact currently it's not even vaguely possible. That's what we hope to change." She doesn't add that she, Minty, may pay for the change with her immortal essence, her soul.. "So if you're interested and want to quit stonewalling, come and talk to us. You know where to find us."

With three careful, backward paces the half-elf moves towards Emla and then spins on one heel to follow her friend towards their room.

Danika gives you the key to room 3. They both pause and exchange worried glances to each other before giving you the lowdown you've requested.

Urvin: "You will need to forgive our hesitation. You have come bearing a gift, and it has not gone unwelcome, we gladly trade you room and food for the honey. You say you want to help our land, it is no secret that Count Strahd is an evil vampire, but the land is still his, and he has spies everywhere. We too want to help our people, but you aren't the first adventurers to waltz in here and start demanding our secrets."

Danika: "You were speaking with Ernst, he works for Lady Fiona, the only noble in town that could challenge Baron Vargas to defend Vallaki. Despite Vargas's...eh...insanity, he keeps our guards and gates strong. We know Fiona is in league with Strahd. If she overthrew Vargas it would weaken the town against the vampire. Not to say we are actually well defended against him, but he does not bother us as long as we pay taxes."

Urvin: "There are a few other adventurers here who have recently killed Baba Lysaga, an old witch that is said to be Strahd's nursemaid. If you want to help, speak with them, perhaps you're in alignment with your goals."

This message was deleted by the player at 20:50, Mon 20 June 2022.

(After Vyktor’s healing)

The door opened. Jun Jia entered the Inn, scanning the tavern for an empty table. “We should rest and gather our strength for tomorrow’s festivities.” She looked up at Vyktor with a bright smile. “A celebration of your healing would be in order, too.”

"That sounds good," said Ceila.  "We do need to recover, before we risk facing their kind again..."

"I'm not sure if I'm much for celebration, but a good meal and a relaxing evening sounds very good. Let's not draw too much attention." He added the last as an afterthought. It seemed that wherever they went, trouble seemed to present itself.

The half-elf nods, and answers with a little smile. "I owe no loyalty to Ernst, we talked to him for something like five minutes before he brought us in here." She shrugs, "I don't have any loyalty to anyone here yet, though I am generally pre-disposed to the working classes." She tilts her head, "I wasn't looking for all of your secrets, just a general idea of what's happening in the town and the area as a whole. What you've told me here is enough to start with, and I am grateful for it. You've little reason to trust us, but I thank you for pointing us in a direction." With a small curtsey she leaves the kitchen, "I'll return with more honey, you'll not be housing us for free while we're here, but we appreciate the room, board, and a chair to perform on."

Elma enters the main room, her pack slung over one shoulder. Her dress is still the most colorful thing in the room, but that's a position she's used to being in. She leans over slightly and speaks briefly to her companion while looking around the room. A group of adventurers that just killed Strahd's 'nursemaid'? Would she be able to recognize them on sight with such a simple description...?

The answer was, apparently, yes. She watches a group of battered and scuffed people walk in, look around and sit at a table. Elma and Minty share a glance and then Elma pulls out an instrument, hands her bag to her partner and heads back toward the "stage" they had set up for her earlier. It had been mostly taken down after her performance, but there was a chair sitting there in a bit of clear space so she sits down again.

She brings the piccolo up to her lips and blows gently into it. After a few notes she plays a slow, easy tune. She doesn't want to hit the high notes, in a room this size anything of a higher register would just grate on the ears and overwhelm the probably tipsy audience. Nobody wants a high note shrilling through the air while one is trying to enjoy a little conversation with their food, so she sticks to the lower notes and keeps the beat slow with a tapping foot.

-----

The song I have in mind is Clearly Now (https://www.youtube.com/watch?...ab_channel=onlyalena) but without words, of course, so it's soft and gentle and slow, using low notes that somehow have a positive and hopeful feel to them.

minty curtsies when Elma does, once again looking smaller in the background of her more imposing companion.

When Elma glances at the slightly travel-worn group, Minty understands volumes, and settles down next to the the others. She ventures, "If you've not heard her before, you folks are in for a treat. But where are my manners. I'm Minty; she's ELma. We've newly in town. May I offer you folks each a glass of something by way of aplology for my wayward manners?"

“Nihao, Nushi,” Jun Jia nodded, not quite making direct eye contact with the new woman. “I mean, hello, ma’am.” She spoke in a dialect perhaps unfamiliar to even as well-traveled a woman as Minty. “My companions are Ceila and Vyktor. If a tall man joins us, his name is Chokhar. My name is Jun Jia.”

She watched the Bard sing, nodding her head slightly with the music. A pleasant smile on her face, Jun said, “Your companion has a pleasant voice, Minty. Music soothes the weary soul after a hard day’s work.”.

Noticing the female's eyes sliding away from hers, Minty makes a deliberate head movement to catch them. "Hello, 'Ginger', and thank you. My apologies if I don't get your name quite right. Now, what might be your pleasure?" She leans in to invite response.

“My name is Jun Jia, not ‘Ginger.’ If it is easier, the people of the West might call me ‘Jia’.

Thank you for your kind offer. Tea or well water would be welcome. My companions may want a stronger drink?” She tentatively allowed Minty to establish the eye contact with a polite smile. Jia looked at Ceila & Vyktor for their answers.

Minty practise, "Jia. That's easier. Jia. yes, thank you," and mirrors the polite smile. Her attention lingers for some seconds and then turns to those named 'Ceila & Vyktor'.

Chokahr purchased a bottle of the more expensive wine, Red Dragon Crush, and gracefully carried 6 glasses in one hand. It was a feat in itself that the barbarian did not shatter the wine glasses at their stems.

"Greetings. I am Chokahr." He pulled his shirt collar over a bit to show off his scar where the vampire had bit him. "Everything is redeemable here, as long as you are willing to push yourself to the limit. I assume you both are like us, brought here against your will and with no other choice but to try and solve this world's problems for a chance at returning home?"

Danika and Urvin appeared from the kitchen to bid everyone a "good evening" and you were left in the care of a woman named Vesper with bright piercing blue eyes. Some of you remember her from both the wolves and vampires, but she pretends to have never met you before and treats you like any other patron.

It is 8pm and the front doors crash open for the two sons of Lady Fiona Wachter: Niko and Karl. The town drunks.

They stride through the inn on the way to the bar to hassle Vesper when they stop to oogle Elma's playing.

Once she finishes her tune they both bow in turn, "Greetings, I am Nikolay Wachter." "And I am Karl Wachter." "You play so beautiful." "If there is anything you need you come to me, I will take care of you."

Elma smiles, more focused on caring for and putting away her instrument.

Insight - Elma has run into any number of town drunks in her time, does she recognize these two as being such?
18:48, Today: Elma Keensong rolled 6 using 1d20+3.  Insight.
Nope!

Once she is ready she stands and bows her head a bit toward them. "I do thank you for your greeting, and for your compliment." She steps away from the chair and toward the table Minty is sitting at. "I will return to my companion here, but I will likely perform again before the night is done!"

Insight result: they are already drunk and plan to get even further drunk.

Niko and Karl's jaws drop a bit, and they heavily breathe through their mouths, "Wait? Compainion like..." "Like lovers?" "Like...isn't there a word for that?" "Lesbians?" "That's so hot. I've never met real lesbians before."

Clearly no amount of noble blood nor money has been spared on their pedigree.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:16, Tue 21 June 2022.

Elma glances at Minty and widens her eyes, having to struggle to keep from rolling them. When she looks back at the two, her face is still smiling but her eyes are slightly less so. "You assume a great deal, men... if you've never met a lesbian then how do you know what they look like?" She chuckles a bit before adding, "I'll let you buy us a mug, but only if you promise to dance for the crowd next time I sing."

They both nod furiously, "Absolutely!" "We love to dance!" "Vesper dear! A mug for everyone and when the time is right we all dance!"

Vesper raised her eyebrows at Elma as if to say, "Don't encourage them!" But she began pouring ales anyway, coin is coin.

When Chokahr turns up Minty nods a greeting, eyes the glasses, and then the bite bites, the latter with some alarm. "Doesn't that mean you'll turn into..one of those things?" She pushes her chair back slightly and gathers her balance.

When Chokahr doesn'tlunge for her thorat (or, perhaps, blood) Minty notes the lack of alarm from Jia and ges with it. "Well, yes, brought here  and so forth, exactly. And we're trying to work towards getting home. As soon as a serving person comes within range the half-elf orders a round according to the tastes of the group.

***

With the loudmouths doing what they do, Minty pays attention to the table conversation around her but there's a slight remoteness, as if also tuned in elsewhere, a featutre common to half the population and to the eternal bewilderment of the other half. When the pair of lushes settle down so does Minty.

“Will your friend be alright?” Jia discreetly indicated the wealthy, drunken louts accosting Elma. “Ceila and I were not so lucky as to meet them the last time we were here.”

She leaned closer to Minty. “The…bites…came from six unwelcome guests at the Coffin Maker’s shop. We…ended their stay. I do not know if there are more ‘guests’. A priest warned us of a stronghold to the south overrun with undead.”

Ceila watched the interplay, a bit confused by all the fuss over who was who's lover.  Her upbringing had left her with very unrestricted views of such things... and then, of course, there were her own feelings, but she still didn't understand why so many people made a fuss.

"I'm Ceila Greendoor," she said.  "I come from yet another... place.  But not one so different, I suppose, in most ways."

"That is what I was to guarantee," replies Minty, tapping her knuckles.

"Hello, Celia, pleased to meet you. We were from a place not so far from Waterdeep. A world away. Metaphorically and not."

"Well I never, who'd have thought it," she answers when the half dozen undead are obliquely cited. "I think we could work together, trying to get home. But there are things to talk about. Not here though. What do you think? All too sudden?"

“Not at all. We trust the innkeepers, but not everyone in the town.” Jia nodded. “We should talk privately.”

Chokahr laughed and laughed at the two scrawny Wachter boys, not bothering to get up, but making sure they knew they wouldn't be messing with anyone on his watch.

But then they offered to buy drinks. "Yes!" Chokahr burst out!

In reply about being bitten, "Vyktor and I were just healed by the priest of a curse of old age. I had been bitten just before the miracle, so I guess it took care of that too. Although I am not sure its as easy as being bit once and immediately turning. I think there's gotta be a ritual to it or something. I don't know, I'm not much of a scholar."

Elma leans toward the group once the two wander off, speaking softly so as not to alert the asshats to the exact content of her words, "Those two are important in the town, are they not? I think it's an excellent idea to go elsewhere to talk. There are many things that need saying ..." she looks over at the two men, her expression carefully blank "and many things that should not be said just yet."

"...if it was that simple, they would fight us by just biting and running away," Ceila said.  "But yes, Jun, we should talk in private.  There are too many ears in this room."

Minty just nods, ready to go private. She watches the noble lushes, ready to intercept any hands wandering where they shouldn't.

Vyktor greeted those introduced in what might be considered an ancient manner of chivalrous respect. "A pleasure, well met. Lady Greendoor and Lady Jia have been wonderful and capable companions, and Chokahr has saved my neck more than once. I too am a stranger to this wretched realm, an exile to be more precise..." It was then that they were interrupted.

The former knight looked as if he might take the opportunity to educate the drunkards and defend the honor of the fairer sex in his company, but the flair of his youth was still somewhat hampered by the lingering effects of having prematurely aged... and then having had it reversed. He simply nodded his assent to take the conversation elsewhere, though he eyed the two with a look that bespoke future lessons to be...  inflicted.

Elma nods at the table, then gestures for them to follow. "We can go to our room." She purposefully does not say which room it is, just in case someone in the hall could hear them. She stands and heads off toward room 3, trusting Minty to make sure no one follows them.

With a quick nod, Jun Jia stood and followed Elma. The suggestion was a wise one. She kept a low profile as she began exiting with the group. However, Jia also watched the louts, prepared to humble them should they put unwanted hands on her or her sisters-in-combat.

Catching Elma's eyes, Minty nods  and disappears into the shadows to rearguard the group..

(Then following when it's clear they're not being trailed.)

Ceila followed as well, but she was on guard, her eyes open for trouble.

In Elma and Misty's room, the bard leans against the bedframe, standing at an angle. She watches everyone enter and when Minty comes in last and closes the door she nods and smiles. "I am Elma Keensong, and this is my companion, Minty. Until recently, we were working our way up and down the Sword Coast. We were up in Neverwinter and there was some drama happening, then suddenly we were here." She stands up straight, crossing her ankles while she rests against the wall. "We haven't seen much of this place, but everywhere we've gone people have been - at the very least - miserable."

The half-elf glances over at Minty. "We have had conversations with several people here, each one giving vague details about how horrible it is here, but when we've asked for more specifics we don't get much more than that." She looks at the others in the room, each in turn. "We've heard there's something happening tomorrow that people call a festival, but from what I hear it's an exercise in the morose. I am planning to perform, with Minty in the crowd, you'd be surprised what you can learn from an audience, but it would be nice to have people to work with and more information about what we're going to encounter."

Elma takes a deep breath and concludes her little speech, "My mother always told me to leave each room better than when I entered it. I want to help these people, and I want to get back to our own lands, and I'm pretty sure the two are going to happen together. From what I've seen, you all may be able to work with us on progressing towards those goals."

Minty stands in shadow a few feet away from the door. Other than nodding when her name is mentioned she remains as quiet and motionless as the grave.

“My name is Jun Jia. If it is easier, call me ‘Jia’,” she said with a slight smile and nod. “I am from one of the nations of Kara-Tur. Like you, I was pulled from my travels in the West by the same Mists.”

Jun Jia stood with her back to the wall. She chose a spot where she could look at Elma and also watch the door. “When the Mists settled, I found myself beside a campfire. There, I met Ceila, Vyktor, and a few others no longer with us. They met terrible ends when we explored a haunted house. There, we met Chokhar, and from there, stopped a sect of Fallen Druids, and vanquished Baba Lysaga.”

Her eyebrows rose as Jia remembered one of the most crucial details. “Oh! We met the Lord of this terrible land. A vampire named Strahd. He…commissioned us for a job to find the reincarnation of his lost love, and persuade her to accept his proposal. They are trapped in a curse that forces them to repeat a tragic courtship that ends in her suicide. Might I also add that Lysaga and her Druids were minions of Strahd. I suspect that the vampires we slew and at least one of the nobility here are also loyal to him.”

Elma strokes her neck, thinking. "We talked with a man called Rictavio, he said that Strahd killed his son, but then he said that it was people who were trying to follow him and gain favor and it sounded like Strahd didn't even know about it until after it happened. Rictavio wanted us to release a crazed and wild tiger into their camp." Elma shrugs, "We asked for more details and he lost his composure, screaming insults at us as he stomped away."

She smiles at Jia, "Thank you for being willing to have an actual conversation. Do you have any thoughts or plans for tomorrow?"

Elma’s tale sparked recognition that showed in Jia’s face. “Ah! It seems that I encountered that very same tiger when I pursued a vampire.” “Rictavio” was a not a name that she immediately recognized, but they had met many people since their arrival. “I do not know any Rictavio, but I will say that I trust Danika and her family. The innkeepers are our proven allies.”

She looked at Ceila and Vyktor when Elma questioned their plans for the Festival. “What do you think? I agree with Elma’s plan to perform—and, more importantly—keep an eye on events. Were we trying to meet the Lord of this town?”

Minty's eyes follow the conversation keenly.

"Uhhhhh...we definitely do not want to meet the Lord of this town. Baron Vargas is -for lack of a better word- fuckin' insane. Unfortunately, Vyktor and I got roped into being the guests of honor when we told him the news about Baba Lysaga...well..actually we never got around to that part, he stopped us when we said we had good news, and said to save it for a speech in the morning."

He then lets the bomb drop, completely unaware that it was supposed to be kept secret, "You should probably know Danika and Urvin are the leaders of the wereravens. They're pretty cool, but not as powerful as the werewolves." He said it twice boastful, first because he knew a secret, but then secondly boastful that werewolves were better.

Minty holds up a hand, "Chokahr, would you expand on that a little? About 'Weres'."

When Chokhar biurted out the Wereravens’ secret, Jun Jia glared at him. With the weariest of sighs, she said, “As always, Chokhar spoke out of turn and shared secrets that weren’t his to reveal.”

"Nonetheless, who are werewolves then? And are there other types? Werebadgers?"

"Badgers! hahahhaa!!!" He laughs obnoxiously, he did have more than an entire bottle of wine, but with tears streaming down his cheeks he further explains, "You know, I wouldn't be surprised if there were badgers after all. You've got your standard raven, rat, wolf and then it gets really crazy with bears and tigers and I've heard of fish varieties though I can neither confirm nor deny."

With a nod and a grim smile Minty persists, "But there are werewolves around here. Who are they? You folks?"

“No, we are not werewolves. Chokhar has a history with werewolves.”

"Ehhhh. Me, only a bit, my tribe was different, our ancestral blood allows me to change for the better only slightly. But there are werewolves in these woods, I can smell it. We have yet to run into anyone that fits the bill, though there are two wolf hunters I have seen in the inn that may know more. I have thought about seeking them out, perhaps I will after the festival."

Elma watches the back and forth, shoots Jia a small, knowing smile when she catches her eye and eventually adds to the moment. "I've heard of wereravens, they're generally pretty good people, yeah? I mean, your average wereboar is incredibly unpleasant, and the wolves are more of a mix, but the ravens are on the good side of things, right?" She nods, hardly waiting for a reply. "I'm glad we made that deal with them, though that does go pretty far to explain why they were being evasive earlier."

“They are under duress at the moment. I would say more, but not everyone in this room can be trusted with that information.” Jia’s tone implied that she didn’t mean Elma or Minty.

Minty looks at Chokahr as if weighing him up. Or his words.

She then nods and, as Elma speaks, seems to shrink back into the shadows on the wall. She shares a brief smile with Jia.

Chokahr shot Jun Jia a look. "Hell does that mean? I was the one who...oh yeah...the Stone of Golorr...you're not still mad about that are you?"

“I mean that one of us expressed respect, perhaps even admiration, of the monster responsible for the suffering of the people of this land. You just betrayed the people who’ve risked their lives to aid us. I won’t give you any opportunity to betray them again.”

Ceila groaned as Chokhar talked.  How did he do it?  How?

"Is discretion something you can learn, ever?" she sighed.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:39, Tue 28 June 2022.

Elma watches with keen interest, not wanting to interrupt the moment. Are they going to fight, here? Now? She glances around the room, making sure to note where the furniture is so she can have something to hide behind if there's a brawl in her room. She didn't want to get involved in a spat she didn't know anything about, but it seems like the women may have the right of the matter on their side.

Chokahr respected Jun Jia and Ceila, they were amazing warriors and they saved his life more than once. He had no clue what they were talking about, once again, probably just a misunderstanding chalked up to cultural differences.

Of course he didn't have the intelligence to say that.

Instead he just put his hands up, "Fuck me, just calm down. Is it that time of the month for you or what? You gotta argue every chance you get."

Minty watches, ready to use Mage Hand to undo Chokahr's laces or belt buckle or somesuch.

“Never do we need our intelligence more than when a fool asks us a question,”Jun Jia said as she stared at Chokhar.

Chokahr stood and bowed to Elma and Minty, "Sorry."

Then he sauntered to the door.

"Chokhar, we are in a dangerous place, in public," said Ceila.  "This is the time to NOT talk about secrets.  Can't you understand that at all?"

The pressure point probably past, Minty examines her nails.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:54, Sat 02 July 2022.

Vyktor wasn't quite sure how the conversation had gone sideways so quickly, but with Chokahr involved it was probably a safe guess that something he said was not well-taken with the others.

"Please, let's back up a bit. Yes, Chokahr and I have been feeling rather well-spent the last little while. It's one thing to have one's life flash before one's eyes, but then to have it pass the present and age prematurely..." he shuddered. "We'll be more careful about what we say, won't we my friend?" He gave the barbarian a stern nod.

"As for this Stra-..." he cut himself short as the eyes of everyone in the room went suddenly wide. "...that is, the so-called Lord of this nightmarish land, I was initially dubious of his power, influence and purported evil nature. But now... well I've had several things happen in the short time since my exile that are beginning to convince me otherwise."

"But where are my manners? Ladies, I am Vyktor of Rosewylde, a rather large holding near the northern city of Vaikus. I must admit I've never heard of any of the places you all speak of, and I'd thought my tutelage in geography as a youth to be sufficiently adequate. I suppose it's possible I might be from an entirely different continent? Or even another world..." He trailed off thoughtfully.

"I was a Falcon Knight in the Vaikusian army. Court intrigues instigated a narrative in which I was framed as a traitor to my Order and a threat to the City-State by means of espionage. I admit to serving as a spy, but on behalf of Vaikus... not against Her. My title and lands and family name afforded me a trial, but the powers against me dared not risk certain revelations coming to light. It was decided that I should be exiled as battlefield dictum could produce for them a desirable outcome without the public spectacle which might not turn out in their favor. I've been stripped of everything. I am landless, titleless, and without my spurs. But the worst... is that I do not know what they've done with... Her..."

At that point Vyktor made an effort to clear his throat, which had become quite constricted with grief and anger. He turned away to hide the glistening in his eyes.

"So I find myself here. A place where none of that means anything. My goals are simple: I mean to establish myself here, and eventually return to my own realm with strength, riches and power. Then I will restore my honor and... shed light upon those who conspired against me!"

Having gotten his sentiments once more under his command, he turned to face those gathered. "If I can help the rest of you return to your own lands, I am at your service. I may no longer wear the spurs of a Falcon Knight, I may no longer set astride a gryphon to fight my battles, but I am certainly possessed of a mind to fight against the darkness of horror and suffering no matter what realm those bastards try to send me to!"

Looking up from her nails Minty nods. Feeling of sympathy resonate within her.

"I'll help you as best I can," said Ceila.  "...I'm no knight, and never was.  I'm just a poor bastard born in a brothel in a city no one here knows, but I chose to fight for justice-- to strike a blow against the bastards who grind the poor down, who press their faces in the muck and tell them that they deserve it.  And to raise up the ones pressed into the muck, as well.  But perhaps a knight can still be helped by a bastard whore's get."

Elma watches each person speak, paying close attention to the reactions of the others in the room before piping in herself. "So, are we working together now, thrown in with each other due to the dangers in the land with the long-term goal of fixing the problem and getting back home?" She chuckles a bit. "It's one thing to write the songs and stories and epic poems, it's quite another to live it. This is going to be interesting."

She stands, moving away from the wall while uncrossing her arms. "So now we prepare for tomorrow. Minty and I will set up in the main town square, yes? Then you all can do some digging and find out more while I've got some people distracted."

Chokahr thudded his big head against the wall next to the door, his hand was on the knob and he slowly turned, "Sorry. I figured we could trust them. See you in the morning."

Without looking back he left the room.

“I am willing to trust you,” Jun Jia said after Chokhar left. She looked at both women with a gentle smile. “My rebuke of Chokhar was not intended to tell you otherwise. Allies who helped us trusted us with a secret. It is a secret to tell at their time of choosing, not mine or his.”

The Festival would begin soon, though, and they needed to plan. “I doubt that the vampires will disturb the Festival, but we will meet them again. Elma. Minty. Do either of you know their weaknesses? We learned of their toughness the hard way.”

"I know a little bit, but all that is from my area..." Elma shrugs, "I don't know what, if anything, translates to this place." She takes a breath and shakes her head, "No, if the ruler of this land is a vampire, then his kiss would likely be stronger than anything I've seen out and about." She chuckles a bit, "I don't even know if they call them that here, would they use brood? Or nest?"

Her smile fades a bit, "I'm not expecting the vampires to attack the festival, but I do think that the leadership of this town has to be dealt with. There's one who technically opposes this leader, but whatever efforts he is making is destroying the place. There's a woman who is in league with the leader, but I know nothing of her methods or goals. Is there even a third option?" She meets Jia's eyes. "Political grandstanding aside, the situation on the ground with the citizens is what makes you a good or a bad ruler. I don't know what it's like in other cities in this land, but if the burgomaster of this town is making life harder during difficult circumstances then he must be replaced. I hope to get his attention and talk with him, or at least distract him so you all can learn more about him." She looks over at Minty, "Break into his house or something? Dig through his papers, find any skeletons in his closets?"

“This I can tell you. The people of this village will not be better off under the vampire lord of this land.” Jia sighed. She felt yet another difficult decision ahead. Support a madman who forced his will upon beleaguered people? Support his wife, who  swore allegiance to a vile monster with a rapacious appetite for death and destruction? Misery seemed ensured either way.

Unless, as their new companion said, a third way was available?

“We must meet them both before any decision can truly be made. Vampires, though. What were their weaknesses in your land? Those vulnerabilities may yet occur here, too, in the Land of Mists.”
This message was last edited by the player at 20:14, Wed 06 July 2022.

"Is there a third candidate?" Ceila asked.  "Someone else who could take leadership here, who would do right by the people?  That's what we need."

It was much more true to her oath to tear the corrupt system down, after all.

“Why not Danika or Urvin?”

Minty listens as the story unfolds, but stiull has part of her attention on the entrance.