Your long journey to Vallaki is remarkably safe. Curiously safe. Uncomfortably safe.

The Old Svalich Road meanders into a valley watched over by dark, brooding mountains to the north and south. The woods recede, revealing a sullen mountain burg surrounded by a wooden palisade. Thick fog presses up against this wall, as though looking for a way inside, hoping to catch the town aslumber.

The dirt road ends at a set of sturdy iron gates with a pair of shadowy figures standing behind them. Planted in the ground and flanking the road outside the gates are a half-dozen pikes with wolves’ heads impaled on them.

"Hail! By order of the burgomaster of barovia open the gates. We are adventurers in the fight against Strahd." Ismark commands.

"Orders of the Baron of Vallaki are to keep the gates shut until dawn. Scram." Comes one of the guards.

----
sounds like some persuasions are in order.

Zrakrud looks towards the guard with cold contempt, but it was not something he was unused too. In his own him, his kind were generally not welcome in the cities either, but usually because they raided them when they needed to. He looked to the others, to see if any had words that would help them gain entrance before something of the night falls upon them.

---

OOC: don't make the guy with the neg cha modifier try to get us through the gates. We will be stuck here forever.

The dwarf, neither subtle or patient, looked at the wall like a bully beating up a child. "Well then, why don't ye get of ye ass, get ye master and see what in th' he'll ye got here....people willing ter face th' lord bloodsucker. Now open th' gates or so help me, ye'll get a dwarven boot so far up ye ass, ye'll know me family history!"

<OOC: sorry. Persuasion of 8, plus dwarf equals bad tempered!>

Lando chided Brankx, "Now now, my friend.  Don't blame these men.  They're only following orders."  He addressed the guards, "It's the duty of the common soldier to follow orders, and I for one appreciate your dedication.  You have shown yourself to be adequate at your job and I'm sure you'll be guarding this gate for many years to come.  That is if that's all you want to do with your life.  On the other hand it's the virtue of a truly great soldier to know when to look beyond simple instructions and use his own reason.  A great soldier who uses his own wit will rise through the ranks to a position of prestige.  You see before you adventurers who will defeat the Baron's enemies for him, if we can get into the city, in the company of a trusted community leader, so you can be assured of our credentials. Your forethought now could reflect well on you in the future.  So tell me, gentlemen, are you only common soldiers?"

00:44, Today: Lando rolled 25 using 1d20+7.  persuasion.

Meh, it's not my best argument, but at least my roll is good

As they pass the pikes with the wolf heads impaled on them, Skuldja frowns. "Those poor poor doggies."

At the gate she stands behind Lando and is very impressed with his words as he talks to the guards.

The gates begin to budge open, the chains as thick as your arm begin to be dragged through the iron bars. It’s quite the ordeal.

After a minute the gates open and Ismark pulls the carriage through, then he hops down and helps them close the gate.

Guard, “you should go to meet the Baron immediately. He will not be happy if you don’t see him first.”

——
But it’s finally an open world. You see all the locations in the town. Feel free to explore. I can create multiple groups if you wanna split up.

Zrakrud looks to Imsark "I assume you know where the Baron resides?" He wished to speak to this Baron and get that over with. Perhaps rest a bit and then begin their task in acquiring these relics.

Ismark leads you toward the baron’s mansion.

On the way yoh pass town square

The shops and homes that enclose the town square are decorated with limp, tattered garlands and painted wooden boxes filled with tiny, dead flowers. At the north end of the square stands a row of stocks, locked in which are several men, women, and children wearing crude, plaster donkey heads.

In the center of the square, peasants in patchwork clothes eye you suspiciously as they use cups and vases to draw water from a crumbling stone fountain. Standing tall at the center of the fountain is a gray statue of an impressive man facing west. All around the square are posted proclamations: Come one, come all,

to the greatest celebration of the year:

THE WOLF’S HEAD JAMBOREE!

TOMORROW

Attendance and children required.

Pikes will be provided.

ALL WILL BE WELL!

— The Baron —

Zrakrud eyes those in the stocks, perhaps the gladiatorial pits were better he thought, "Strange lands, water is free, metal is freely shown about" he muttered.

As they walk Lando quietly says to the others, "do we have any actual business with the Baron? because I was jest bull shitting the guards so I didn't have to wait outside the walls all night."

"We need more allies. And information, if we want to get home." Zrakrud offers softly as they continue their walk through the city.

You approach the mansion.

This mansion has walls of plastered stone that display many scars where the plaster has fallen away from age and neglect. Drapes cover every window, including a large, arched opening above the mansion’s double entrance doors.

https://media-waterdeep.cursec.../684/600/825/015.jpg

The place is the most alive thing you have seen since you woke up yesterday. Out of the front door, two guards are dragging an unconscious man whose face is painted with a smile. As the door is still opened, Ismark hollers in and introduces you, and a maid curtseys and shows you in.

(a) You enter the entry hall. Framed portraits adorn the walls of this grand foyer, which features a wide staircase with a sculpted railing. A long, carpeted hall attached to the foyer stretches almost the length of the mansion and has several doors leading away from it, including one at the far end. Pikes and severed wolf heads are piled up in a corner.

The maid leads you down the hall and into the first door on the right. (e)
Padded chairs and couches line the walls of this cozy, carpeted den. The room reeks of pipe smoke, and mounted on the east wall is the head of an angry-looking brown bear.

Skuldja points to the man being dragged out as they go in and smiles. "Looks like someone may have had some cupcakes." She keeps an eye out for more cupcakes.

In the room, Skuldja plops down on to a couch.

To Skulja he said, "yes, it starts innocently enough with cupcakes, but it can lead to face painting or who knows what kind of frivolity."

In the waiting room he took a standing position looking out the window with his hands behind his back so he could look suitably disinterested when the baron called them for an audience.

Brankx, listening to the talk, snorted. “Ye see the smile, yet not th’ fact he’s been carried out? Ever thought we walk into danger rather than just a baron’s house?”  The dwarf muttered to himself as they went, his eyes constantly moving.

In the room, he took out a dagger and started cleaning his nails. With a half smile, he spoke. “Nice view there Lan.....or ye planning ye next speech?l

A half man half demon shark face monster ducks and squeezes through the door frame and grins at you. He has no eyes, and no lips, it becomes apparent that he is not grinning, he just cannot not unbare his teeth.

"Greetingssssss. I am Izekkkkk. The Steward. May I present to you, Baron and Baroness Vallakovich!" He then bows, his head now coming to your shoulders. The Baron and his wife enter with giant smiles on their faces. The baron would be the largest man in the room if he weren't dwarfed by Izek. Large. But his personality is larger than life.

"Welcome welcome welcome to Vallaki! Greetings Ismark and Ireena! I am happy to hear of your father's death! It is fantastic! How wonderful! And to you, brave adventurers, blessings upon you! Your arrival is fantastic! Just in time for our Jamboree! HA HA HA!"

His wife, a thin thing dressed in the finest bright colors giggles and nods like her head is gonna fall off.

Seti watches, wondering what kind of world to which they have been whisked away.

Lando turned away from his silent musings at the window when Izek announced himself.  He was taken aback by the steward's appearance, but he kept his face indifferent.  He bowed deeply to the Baron and his wife when he a addressed the group.

This Baron was mad, he was sure of it. His wife likely too. His eyes though did scan the Half man, half demon shark steward. This whole land was strange. Shaking his head slightly. he just nods in greeting to the Baron and his wife. Let the human do the talking. They like to do that he thought.

Brankx, still leaning against the wall, didn't make any moves. He was one that hated formality...he spoke plainly.

When the baron arrived, he rolled his eyes. great....this guys hens have left the henhousehe thought.

He, however, made no moves to talk. He was brash and forward, but this was a baron.

 ...he wasn't stupid

Skuldja did not know how to respond to the Baron and his wife. She thought Izek looked handsome though. "Jamboree? Will there be yummy food?"

The dwarf snorted at the barbarians question. "I hope there's none of those bloody cupcakes again" he muttered

Baron: “food?!? Bahahaaahahaha!”

And his wife laughed three times higher pitched.

Baron: “ya. Ya do you need some food now? Are you hungry from traveling? Let’s put a smile on those faces. I could eat. The best way to keep strahd away is pleasure and happiness. He only wants to keep us in misery. I know how to hit him where it hurts! Haha! Izek! Fucking smiles izek!”

Izek nods his head, his lipless mouth constantly in a salivating smile.
“Fucking smiles boss!”

Then he moves toward you to help you with your smile...

(You can smile, let him help you smile, or resist...)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:39, Sat 01 May 2021.

Lando smiled broadly and spoke up, "Do you know what makes people smile? Joyful music.  I left my viola in the carriage.  I'll fetch it straight away.  Master Brankx, would you give me a hand please?"  He bowed pleasantly to the Baron and his wife and gestured for Brankx to join him outside.  Before he left, he shot the Seti, Skuldja, and Zakrud a subtle look of concern.

Brankx, still leaning against the wall, has the same sour disposition while looking at the baron and his 'servent' with a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

When lando went outside, he nodded. "aahh....'scuse me a sec will ye" and followed him out

<Brankx, being the sourpuss he is, will resist>

Once they were outside and beyond earshot he said, "sorry, to hustle you out, but you're an honest man, and that wouldn't have served you.  You were right in your concern. I fear the Baron is mad.  I only hope the others got my signal."

"Lizard do not touch me. This is my happy face. Let us not make it unhappy." Zrakrud offers to Izek as he approaches. Looking to the Baron "I appreciate the offer of food and drink. But we just wanted to make our presence know within the city. To see if there was a way to aid your city."

Lando and Brankx leave with polite bows from the Baron and Baronness and Izek just grins. "Have fun!"

Izek comes over to Zrakrud, leads in close that you can smell the skunk on his breath. "I understand. This is how his face looks boss! He can't help it. He's just an ugly mudder fudder boss. But he's happy. I can tell."

The Baron claps his hands, "Well! Let's put a smile on that face!"

The Baronness giggles and pulls out lipstick from between her breasts. She bobbles over to Zrakrud and giggles, "Let's put a smile on that face!" The red lip paint nears your mouth.
(Zrakrud dex save or we'll paint you like a clown!)

The Baron laughs and coughs and wipes his sweaty forehead, "You CAN help us! A couple of things, actually. First! Join us for tomorrow's Jamboree as my special guests of honor. Tell everyone that all will, indeed, be well. Make sure they smile! HA! if we can make everyone in Vallaki happy, the town will slip free of Strahd’s dark grasp.

"Number Two. The butler and the baroness’s lady-in-waiting have gone missing this past week. I charged Izek with finding out what happened to them, but investigation isn’t Izek’s forte. Searches have been organized, to no avail. I'm quite sure you can do better."

Zrakrud was ready for an attack, but not what the mad Baronness was going to do. As she began to smear the lipstick on his face he tried to pull away... Only making the matters worse. He grumbled and continued to try and pull away.

"Oh no no no!" The baroness draws a squiggly line across Zrakrud's cheek instead of a smile. "Oh poo." She frowns, then realizes that her husband might see her frown and quickly turns that frown upside down. "It's beautiful darling!"

she presents Zrakrud to the Baron.

He smiles, "Better than you usually do, Lydia! HAHAHA!"

Then she busts up laughing.

Brankx, still serious looking, managed a half, ironic smile. "A bit mad? I think his top pasture is empty boy. No...don't apologise fer that boy, shows ye are smarter than I gave ye credit fer. That kinda crazy is dangerous...fer himself and others. If he believes smiles can save them from a vampire, then he's a fool too."

He looked around the town. "Gods know the people need reason to smile in this dung pile, but that...." indicating the house and baron. "....I think we have ter save the people from him as much the leech."

Skuldja smiled as she watched the Baronness smear lipstick on Zrakrud's face. "I can help Izek with the investigation and I would be honored to be a guest of honor."

The baron laughs, “Fantastic! Thank you so much for your help! I will see you tomorrow! Oh I almost forgot are you staying for dinner? It’s my privilege to feed you! We must stay merry!”

Zrakrud shook his head slowly to the Baron "I will find an Inn for the evening." Bowing slightly he begins to move towards the exit.

Baron laughs, "Even better! The economy needs your support! YES! Be sure to tell them all is well!"

"Heh."

"All is well."

He sounds like he believes it.

"This has been fun, but I better go after my friends and keep them out of trouble." Skuldja scurries after Zrakrud not wanting to be left behind with these weird way too happy people.

Zrakrud exits the Baron's manor wiping away the lipstick with what ever rag he has at his availability, including some of his clothes, muttering softly to himself as he makes it outside.

You stumble through the night. The only establishment with lights on-welcoming or not-is the inn.

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.


Damp cloaks hang from pegs in the entrance portico. The tavern is packed with tables and chairs, with narrow paths meandering between them. A bar stretches along one wall, under a balcony that can be reached by a wooden staircase that hugs the north wall. Another balcony overhangs an entrance to the east. All the windows are fitted with thick shutters and crossbars. Lanterns hanging above the bar and resting on the tables bathe the room in dull orange light and cast shadows upon the walls, most of which are adorned with wolf heads mounted on wooden plaques.

There are 10 people here.
A group of 6 townies are dressed like nobles, have their noses buried in copies of the same book, and try to ignore you.
At another table are two powerful men dressed like hunters who size you all up and stare you down.
At a corner table sits a half-elf dressed to the nines in an elaborate blue white yellow and red carnival showman suit. He's got his eyes on you from under his top hat, curling his black mustache with mild curiosity.
Finally the barman, a middle aged man in decent shape who looks exhausted, but welcomes you and prepares to be of service.

Urvin(barman): "Sad-tidings and greetings! Ismark! Ireena. I am sorry for your loss. Welcome to you travelers. Do you need rooms? We have plenty of warm beds and hot soup."

(info updated on Vallaki thread)

Lando nodded to the barman as he took a seat at an empty table, "yes please to both, and a glass of your finest wine as well."

action: Lando got a room, with a soup dinner, and one glass of red dragon crush wine.

Urvin brings you a key, a bowl of soup that looks devoid of mmm mmm good, and a glass of wine. When yoh taste the wine yoh realize he poured you the inferior wine by mistake, or perhaps on purpose.

The dwarf follows after lando and sits with a sigh. “Give me some real food and ale....and if ye make it cheap and watered down, by th’ gods, ye’ll see an upset dwarf.”

He frowns at him as he takes out a dagger placing it on the table. “And yendont want ter see me upset boy!”

Does it seem like an honest mistake or a slight against Lando?

23:28, Today: Lando rolled 20 using 1d20+5.  insight.

In reply to Lando (msg # 42):

It seems almost like he's embarrassed to have run out of good wine.

Lando spoke softly to Brankx,  "this a troubled land, and the people here may not have such luxuries as we are used to.  Please be patient with them.  They need leadership to raise them up from their current state." He drank his wine making his best attempt to enjoy it, and looked over the rim of his cup to gauge the reactions of the patrons.

Zrakrud nods to the Barkeep "A room and food would be appreciated? You said it is one electrum piece?" He turns and looks to the others, speaking softly "What is this electrum piece? I only have these gold coins I have found. They should be worth a fortune. Beyond that I do have some trade I could offer to the barkeep." He had watched some of the other interactions on coin exchanges, but he still did know the value of the coins here for where he lived metal coins would be unheard of.

"I would love some soup." She looked to the others. "Would any of you like to share a room?"

Ismark and Ireena thank you for your help and he pays each of you 10gp.
Ismark: “I’ll also take care of paying for your rooms. Shall we go to bed sister?”
Ireena: “I want my own room tho.”
Ismark: “you’ll get your own bed but I don’t think it’s wise to split up that much.”
Ireena: “yeah you’re probably right. And you guys, I guess you probably shouldn’t be talking to any strangers.”
Ismark: “yes, don’t do that. Just sit here and talk about your soup and rooms and don’t talk to strangers.”

They go upstairs to leave you alone to talk to strangers.

Lando rose hrom his seat and bowed to both siblings.  He took his payment and pocketed it.  "Thank you.  You're company has been the high point of our journey.  I bid you a good night."

When they had left he resumed his seat, and spoke quietly to the rest of the group, "didn't that fortune teller say something about fine wine?"

"Thank you!" Skuldja was happy to receive the 10 gold and her own room. She then sat down near Lando and started ordering ale. Drinking ale was her plan for the time being. Skuldja scratched her head after Lando asked his question. "Hmmm Maybeee..."

Urwin returned with ale for Skuldja, which was just as good as the wine. Clearly this place is cursed.

Urwin: "So...adventurers I take it? Have you figured out how you got here? Strahd dumped you into his little playground that we all unfortunately call home."

He sits down and whispers, "I think I have what you're looking for. Wine Cask???" He ain't gonna say more, just in case you're not the adventurers he's looking for.

"That is interesting," Lando said quietly to Urwin acting nonchalant in case the other patrons were hostile agents, "I'd love to learn more."

Zrakrud looked at the wealth provided to him by Imsurk, 10 golden coins, he bites one to make sure it's real. Then he quickly shoves it into his pack. "Thank you." he offered, after watching them leave he sits down with the others "Such wealth handed to us."

Brankx watches as the gold is handed over and pockets his share without a word. When Irwin returns with the ale and advice, he looks at him. “I hear such ‘wine’ is hard ter find...,any help would be appreciated.” He looks at Lando, the only other with a shred of sense in this group, and nods, letting him take the lead in this

Urvin strokes his beard, "ah what the hell. I'm gonna stick my neck out and trust you. Come into the back and we'll talk in private."

He leads you to the back where the wine casks are. Empty. "We're drying up. My father runs the winery west of Vallaki. They make a new delivery every week, but he hasn't for 2 weeks now and I'm growing mighty a'feard. If you take my wagon and go check on them, help them out if need be, and deliver us new wine, I'll give you what yer looking fer."

Skuldja was sipping ale and listening to what was going on and then follwed everyone to the back mug in hand. There she continued to sip on the mug. "That's a shame about the wine." Skuldja frowned and then took a few more sips. "What we need is important though, so that sounds good to me if the rest of you also think it sounds good." She looked to the others for input.

"Well, if there's one thing this town needs, it's good wine."  He looked down at his own glass, and mumbled, "I know I could certainly use some." In a clearer cheerier tone he said, "we'll leave in the morning."

"How far out of town is this winery? None of us are from here." Zrakrud asks, though no hint of real concern in his voice. He thought of the Baron's "party" for the people.

Brankx looks at the man. “...and more to the point, how do we know ye have what ye say?”

He explains the distance, a few hours travel west and then south and then west some more will take you to the Winery. He would go himself except that the Baron won't let any town people leave because of the festival, and while he knows the Baron is insane...he doesn't want to risk being murdered over a party.

"How do you know I have what I say? My dear dwarf, at this point no one has said anything and I've had to do all the talking. I am assuming you've spoken with Madam Eva and she's told you about a certain thing inside a wine cask??? But all of you are playing things so close to your chest, choosing to trust no one, you'll never accomplish anything if you don't start TALKING to people. Nevertheless, I'm the good guy, and I'm here to help you, even if it means being the only proactive person in all of Barovia. NOW GO GET MY WINE."

Lando leaned against an empty cask while sipping his wine, and wrinkled his nose at it, then spoke, "I've spoken to several people in this region, and I have to say, the people around here aren't worth my time talking to." He held his glass up to the light, and looked through it noting the fine particulates which floated in it, and continued, "however, the promise of decent wine is worth my time, so I'll do this favor for you.  I do this for my purposes, remember that."

Brankx, sour disposition as always, simply nods at Nando's agreeance of the mission

urvin gives Lando a deep look, studying him, agreeing. “wine before wenches good sir. get some rest, tourists, your rooms on me tonight. least i can do!”

In the morning before setting off on the next leg of their journey, Lando visited with Ismark and Ireena.  "I want to thank you both for your companionship on our travels.  Burgomaster Ismark, you are a man of reason, and I admire that.  The people need reasonable men to guide them, and you give me hope for the people of Barovia."  He heartily shook Ismark's hand, then he addressed Ireena, "Mistress, you are a ray of sunshine in an otherwise bleak world.  I don't know what troubles we'll face in the days ahead.  If I might be so bold as to ask for a token, a handkerchief, or a ribbon, to remind me that there still is beauty in the world?"

She gives Lando a hug-quite uncustomary in this land-and whispers into his ear: "Take me with you. I'll die hidden away in this town, I need adventure, I was made for this."

She then offers him a silk handkerchief. "Always."

Zrakrud was satisfied with the answer, only nodding in return as Lando made the agreement formal. Gathering up his stuff he headed up stairs for his room. Taking a kneeling posture he began is waking dream state that his kind did.

Brankx, after the night rest, came downstairs to see Lando being hugged by Ireena. He rolls his eyes as he pass3s, but whispers so only he and her hear it. “If ye have stopped carousing, ye want ter get goin’ and find this wine!”

Lando returned the hug, and whispered back to Ireena, "meet us at the inn keeper's wagon."  When the separated he took her handkerchief and held her hand for an extra moment when he did.  After Brankx made his comment he gave both siblings a melancholy smile and said, "we have to be going I'm afraid. I bid you both a fond farewell." He joined with his companions in preparations for their journey.

Zrakrud watched the exchange indifferently. He wanted this task to be done.