Lando listens to Ireena's proposal incredulously, "Mistress, I fear your recent tragedy has made you rash.  I wish you no ill, but I wish no ill on myself either.  I could accompany you to Vallaki, or I could help Father Donavich, but if you want me to accompany you into Strahd's very home, you had better have a very good plan, and leave out no details."

Ireena goes on to explain all the details of going in to Castle Ravenloft, she sounds like she has never been there, but doesn't sound afraid. It's hard to get a read on her, you know that Strahd has the ability to charm, so maybe that's it, the charm is beckoning her to come to him. Plus, didn't Strahd ask you to bring her to the castle? Maybe he was helping you help him. Maybe you should. Maybe you shouldn't.

Ismark explains that Vallaki is a well defended city west of here and west of the castle, farther away means Strahd won't so easily keep his eye on you and maybe you can form some sort of resistance. There are many supporters looking for adventurers who will stand a chance against him. Maybe you should start building your army. Maybe you shouldn't.

Skuldja thought for a bit, tapping her chin. They were suppose to take Ireena to Strahd, but maybe that was a bad idea. Ismark wanted to take her to a well defended city far from Stahd. "But Ismark, if we take Ireena to the castle, Strahd promised a big dinner."

Lando sipped at his tea.  Ireena's plan wasn't a plan at all; it was rash or compelled, and based on their interaction with Strahd, he had no doubt he would use compulsion if he could. Lando wasn't an expert on vampires or the magic they could wield, but he was adept in understanding behavior, and Ireena's change in destination didn't seem reasonable. "I have some reservations about Lord Strahds offer regarding Mistress Ireena.  It seemed a bit too forceful for a polite invitation, if you understand my meaning.  And, it would reflect poorly on us as guests of the Kolyanovich household to assist Lord Strahd in gaining an audience with you under such circumstances.  I'm sorry, I don't think I can help you to enter his castle, Mistress."  He offered an alternative to Skuldja's desire for a big dinner,  "on the other hand, I'm sure Vallaki has numerous taverns, and restaurants where we can find a variety of tasty meals."

11:32, Today: Lando rolled 24 using 1d20+5.  insight. trying to gauge Ireena's motivation.

I'm not sure if my court functionary feature would help but I'm using any ability I have to figure this out "You know who the movers and shakers are, whom to go to for the favors you seek, and what the current intrigues of interest in the group are."

Ireena's motivation seems self serving. She doesn't speak with any interest or loyalty to Strahd, but out of her own selfishness. She seems drawn to the castle.
Other than Strahd, who is ruler/negligent landlord of the entire country, Ismark is the Burgomaster of this town, and there is a Burgomaster of Vallaki, and that's all you know so far. In this case, Ismark will gladly help you with "the favors you seek," but I'm not sure about "what the current intrigues of interest in the group are."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:48, Tue 06 Apr 2021.

"This Strahd has also been the only one to offer us a way home. But does he intend to keep said promise, if he is as powerful as a Dragonking. Then I would assume his temperament is the same and likely will not." Zrakud offers in response to Lando, his eyes studying Ireena. He looks to her "Why do you want to go to the Castle of this Strahd, when you know his intent?"

After much formal argument, Ismark finally sways the jury and you set out to Vallaki.

An hour after leaving the walls of Barovia you come to the bridge that crosses the river Ivlis. This river flows as clear as a blue winter sky through the valley.

You have safe travels for another hour and come to a crossroad. An old wooden gallows creaks in a chill wind that blows down from the high ground to the west. A frayed length of rope dances from its beam. The well-worn road splits here, and a signpost opposite the gallows points off in three directions: Barovia Village to the east, Tser Pool to the northwest, and Ravenloft/Vallaki to the southwest.The northwest fork slants down and disappears into the trees, while the southwest fork clings to an upward slope. Across from the gallows, a low wall, crumbling in places, partially encloses a small plot of graves shrouded in fog.

Ireena speaks up: "Friends, I agree with you that we must go to Vallaki and not Castle Ravenloft, but please o please o please we should stop at Tser Pool to speak with Madame Eva! She is known to tell the future. She could give us our fortune. She will help us greatly."

Ismark: "we should not tarry. We still have a long road ahead of us."

---
once again, the choice is yours.

"How far would that take us away from our Journey?" Zrakrud asks of the pair of siblings, his manner most a matter of fact and devoid of any emotion. His eyes scan the pair before shifting to their surroundings wary of any attackers.

Seti suggest moving on to Valaki. Whatever gods of light seem to have lost their bearing in the realm, although he would never utter that aloud. Even in Europe, where the Fates measure the length of every live, soothsayers that are getting their guidance from the right divine sources are as apt to mislead as be helpful.

Ireena: "It will only take an hour, we can still reach Vallaki shortly."

Ismark: "An hour turns into a day very quickly when the Vistani get involved. IF we go I will be staying with the carriage to make sure they don't do anything funny."

----
votes are even at the moment. Next vote will settle the tie. I won't wait for everyone to vote, we're slow as it is. :)

Lando continued casually sipping his tea and listened to various opinions before voicing his own, "I want to be fair. Although I appreciate Master Seti's opinion on soothsayers, I wouldn't wish to deny Mistress Ireena's belief in them, and an hour isn't a long time.  Although, Master Ismark is right, and we shouldn't tarry over long, I'm willing to concede to Mistress Ireena's wishes with the understanding that she keep her visit with Madam Eva brief.

"As we travel, perhaps you can tell us of these Vistani.  Can we make allies of them?"

OOC: I'll take that as the second vote for fortunes first, vallaki after.

Ismark: "The Vistani are gypsies. You'll see they very much like to flaunt their free-spirited-nature. In a world like this who can be happy without being insane??? I don't trust them. Let's make this quick."

Across from the gallows, a low wall, crumbling in places, partially encloses a small plot of graves shrouded in fog.

Ismark quickly turns north to get away from the gallows. If anyone looks back they see a man hanging there when they didn't see him there before. He looks you deep into the eyes.

The road gradually disappears and is replaced by a twisted, muddy path through the trees. Deep ruts in the earth are evidence of the comings and goings of wagons.

The canopy of mist and branches suddenly gives way to black clouds boiling far above. There is a clearing here, next to a river that widens to form a small lake several hundred feet across. Five colorful round tents, each ten feet in diameter, are pitched outside a ring of four barrel-topped wagons. A much larger tent stands near the shore of the lake, its sagging form lit from within. Near this tent, eight unbridled horses drink from the river.

The mournful strains of an accordion clash with the singing of several brightly clad figures around bonfire. A footpath continues beyond this encampment, meandering north between the river and the forest’s edge.

One man in bright orange stumbles toward you with four bottles of wine in his hands. "Welcome friends! I am Mikal! Madame Eva told me you would be arriving. Of course, your reply is: How do we know you're not just making this up right now? Well maybe you're ready to meet her right now, huh?"

While Ireena talked to Madam Eva, Lando got to know the vistani.  He joined in their music to try and ingratiate himself with them, and he tried to gauge them as potential allies.

The dwarf looked on as Mika with narrowed eyes. "Yes...o' course she knew we were commin'. Does she know how ter get us outa this god fersaken hell hole?"

He sighed as he crossed his arms. "Lets get this over with.....it seems every step puts another obstacle ter get us home."

Zrakrud admired for a moment the dwarf's brashness, it was true he wanted to know how to get home. "I am curious what this seer knows. Most seers from my home are charlatans."

Once inside Madame Eva's tent, the seer wastes no time in formalities, introductions, or even bothering to gain your trust.

Eva draws five cards and places them in a cross on the table. She puts the rest back in the box:

SNAP
She snaps her fingers and the left most card jumps, flips, and lands face up.
"This card tells the history of the ancient. This is the Tome of Strahd Von Zarowhich. No one has ever found it, but you must if you ever wish to understand your enemy."
The card is the 4 of coins.
"This is the Merchant. Seek a cask that once contained the finest wine, of which not a drop remains."

SNAP
The top card flips.
"This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope. Seek it at all costs for your protection."
The card is the 9 of Glyphs.
"This is the Traitor. Look for a wealthy woman. A staunch ally of the devil, she keeps the treasure under lock and key, with the bones of an ancient enemy."

SNAP
The right most card flips.
"This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance: a sword of sunlight. The story behind it is one I love to tell, but I will save it for another time."
The card is, most appropriately, the 4 of Swords.
"This is the Mercenary. The thing you seek lies with the dead, under mountains of gold coins."

SNAP
The bottom card flips
"This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness. You may think you are Strahd's enemy. But this is one whose fate is intertwined with his, just as I am, and just as you are."
The card is the Jack of Hearts. Madame Eva reels back.
"What horror is this? I see a man made by a man. Ageless and alone, it haunts the towers of the castle."

She looks up at you and pauses for a moment. "I have not forseen this." Her lip trembles for a moment.

Ireena: "What is it? A man made by man?"

Eva shakes her head: "I am sorry. I am only allowed to show you the clues, I cannot solve them for you. Let me finish."

She simply picks up the last card and tosses it back onto the table, kind of bored now. "Obviously this is Strahd."
It is the King of Diamonds.
She yawns."He haunts the tomb of the man he envied above all....I'll break the rules a bit. It's his younger brother Sergei. Don't go to his tomb until you're ready to face Strahd once and for all."

The dwarf listened at the edge of the tent, his brow furrowed as madame eve done her reading. Like all seers, she was cryptic, but not so much to give even the dwarf doubt. "So let me get this straight....We are lookin' fer a book, some holy symbol, a sword and some man who knows the demon?"

The dwarf snorted, but even in his gruff exterior, it was clear he memorised the details.

...he was cautious, not a fool.

"So....ye want us to find a cask of wine thats empty, a rich woman hiding a sword in a tomb, a mountain of gold and an ageless man haunting a castle. That's not gonna be hard to find!" His tone was clearly one of sarcasm.

We check every snooty rich human and cask o' wine and we'll be here fer an age. Ye think ye can narrow it down a bit....perhaps a map or a guide!"

Zrakrud watched the "show" as he was prepared for it to be for any quick slight of hand. He noted the details the dwarf said as well. If she was telling the truth, there may be some additional information to gain he beyond just the items they should seek. He allowed the dwarf to speak and did not add anything additional, but his eyes did wander to his other companions.

While they traveled, Skuldja passed the time playing her Lute.

Skuldja happily accepted some wine from Mikal and watched with wonder as Madame Eva told them all their fortune. "Do the cards tell you if we'll ever be able to get back home."

Seth smirks at Brankx's comments. He warned the group not to listen, but they can do as they like. He waits patiently.

Madame Eva: "You were brought here by Strahd himself, or worse, the dark powers that made him. You are just as cursed as he is. The only way to return home is to beat Strahd."

She holds up 3 fingers. "He wants Ireena for his wife."

She puts a finger down, 2. "He wants someone to replace him as lord of this domain."

She puts a finger down, 1. "He cannot be killed, many have tried, but if you find all the fortunes of Ravenloft, you may have a chance."

"Only the Dragon-kings are immortal. Everything else can die. It's just a matter of having enough power to kill it. We shall find these fortunes if it what it takes to garner our freedom from this strange land." Zrakrud remarks as he decides upon his task.

The dwarf snorted. "Great help" he muttered. "Find a weapon and holy symbol to use, and find an enemy so ye can kill him. Dunno where, but good luck"

He thre his hands up. "Bah....seerers are all th' same. As vague as water is wet"

Lando passively listened to Madam Eva, and when she finished he clapped his hands together and stood up from his chair. "Is that all? Well fortunately, my calendar is open at the moment. Put the kettle on. We'll have this sorted out soon enough.  Until then, fair well, Madam Eva." He bowed to the fortune teller and strode confidently to the carriage. Once inside he mused, "I wonder if there are any job openings for a skilled bureaucrat in Vallaki."

Skuldja scratched her head as she thought about all Madame Eva had said and tried to memorize it all. She looked very deep in thought.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:28, Tue 27 Apr 2021.