“dagnabbit. crap.”

very unladylike words come from the lady’s mouth as her eldritch blast hits the balcony railing, the druid safely on the other side.

the druid slaps out more vines and ducks back into cover.

why would he risk his life? why not run?

60’ away, you must go up stairs to melee him…str check dc12
or…maybe athletics climb dc20 to get cool points.

druid 4
ac17 hp-19
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:20, Thu 15 July 2021.

Skuldja recklessly charged at the druid, snapping their vines like they were nothing. Her first attack hit, the second the druid just barely got out of the way in time.

03:19, Today: Skuldja Blackrazor rolled 10 using 2d6+5.  Damage.

03:18, Today: Skuldja Blackrazor rolled 16 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Second Attack.

03:18, Today: Skuldja Blackrazor rolled 21 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Charge Attack.

03:17, Today: Skuldja Blackrazor rolled 16 using 2d20+5, dropping the lowest dice only.  Vines DC12.

The druid ducked down, and was hidden from view, Lando would have to leave the killing blow to his friends, but he could at least cheer them on.  "You've got this! finish them off!" he called out.

17:13, Today: Lando rolled 15 using 1d20+3.  perception.

bonus action: bardic inspiration for Brankx 1d6

That creature gains one Bardic Inspiration die, a d6.
Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the die and
add the number rolled to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw
it makes. The creature can wait until after it rolls the d20 before deciding
to use the Bardic Inspiration die, but must decide before
the DM says whether the roll succeeds or fails.

Zrakrud moves about the room, his chant and dance still going as he makes a plea to the Druid "Stop your attacks and free the family members and you may yet live."

Brankx, irritated at the druids, the stupid plants and stairs, charges the stairs, plowing through the vines out of sheer frustration and anger, reaching the druid, he swings his left hand, missing with a piece of vine making him misjudge his shot, but the second hits true with Lando’s words echoing in his ears. “Damn tree-hugger….leave decent people be!” He yells as he hits him.

<OOC: strength check vs vines

Brankx rolled 16 using 1d20+1.  Str roll.

Movement - up the stairs to the Druid

Action - attack druid with dagger

Brankx rolled 5 using 1d20+4.  Attack - dagger.

Bonus action - attack with dagger (off hand)

Brankx rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Attack - dagger.
Brankx rolled 6 using 1d6.  Inspiration

Brankx rolled 4 using 1d4+2.  Damage - dagger.
Brankx rolled 4 using 2d6.  Sneak attack.(if applicable)>

And with that the room is finally still. You take a deep breath and the rich smell of fermenting wine fills your lungs.

The druids lie where they fell, their blood redder and livelier than it should be.

The silence is broken by the fluttering of birds. Ravens. Beneath the sloping roof stretch thick rafters, ravens have gathered. They watch you with great interest.

The balcony climbs another five feet as it continues along the west and east walls, ending at doors leading to the winery’s upper level. Underneath these side balconies are several doors, some of which hang open.

(just a bit of railroading to make up for my absence)

After searching the whole house you find no further druids, but also no sign of Davian's family.

Davian returns to you, meeting you in the fermentation room where he inspects the wine, which has definitely been poisoned.

Davian: "It's no good. We will have to start all over. But before that, my family must be saved. Yester Hill and the Ruins of Berez. I will join you, we can take my wagon. You said you needed to take wine to Urvin? It's not really on the way I'm afraid, and we must hurry."

He shows you a hand drawn map of the land:
https://media-waterdeep.cursec...hments/2/670/001.jpg

We are at W.
Yester Hill is at Y, only an hour away.
Berez is U, 7 hours away, a 2 hour detour to Vallaki could be made, if wine delivering is still important to you.

Skuldja looks down at Brankx, rage quickly fading from her face to be replaced with joy. "Yay! We did it! That was fun!" She then gives Brankx a pat on the back. "I enjoyed fighting druids with you on this day." She then looks over the balcony at everyone. "Good fighting everyone!"

When Davian arrived, she was quick to follow him. "Let's hurry then."

Brankx snorted as the Druid dropped, and the dwarf Ben down, wiping the blades on the druids cloth and searching them. The dwarf, ever practical, searched the druids, but left the winery alone, though he wished to, he knew the owner needed his riches.

With skuldja complimenting, he managed one of his rare smiles. “Ye got unite a swing there ye self.” He sheathed his blades and walked to the others. With no family, he listened to The man and sighed. “We find ye family…then we can talk about th’ wine.”

The dwarf, despite his bluster, had a soft spot

Brankx does find loot on the druids. (sent in PM)

If anyone wishes to, they can watch him, join him, or argue with him.

Likewise there are lootables that can be stolen from the winery, if anyone wants to roll sleight of hand.

Brankx gathered the items and came to the others, holding out a small vial of liquid, a ring and a black velvet mask. “I dunno if any of ye can tell if their magic or not. Personally, I can hold onto them until we find out.” The dwarf looked at the vial, suspecting it a potion of some sort, and guessed the ring could be magical as well

"Well done, friends!" Lando said when the fight was over.  He helped Brankx search the druids and the grounds. In particular, he was looking for a weapon for Davian to use.



 "What kind of monster would poison wine?!" Lando exclaimed, then he though on it and added, "well, I mean I know a few people who would poison wine, but only one glass at a time, designated to a specific target, not whole vats!  Why make everyone suffer?! Fear not, Davian, we'll save your family, but if these druids are any indication of the evil we face, you should arm yourself."

Zrakrud looked over the items with some interest but shook his head at the dwarf's request "I have yet to master that arcana, in my world magic was rare to begin with so seldom was it taught." He looked over to Lando and nodded in agreement.

\The druids staff's are as useful as a weapon as you find.

But then Davian chimes in, "I might be able to identify those things for you. I'm not a wizard per say, but I come from a long line, and at one time Wizards of Wine actually meant what it sounds like."

He begins to perform the ritual to identify your items.

"And speaking of Wizards...I suppose now I must tell you the rest of the story...the druids hate wereravens because Baba Lysaga hates the Raven Queen." He says it like it's common knowledge, but then explains:

"As the legend is told, hundreds of years ago there was a peasant from Berez named Marina.
Berez is a small village on the shore of the Luna River. Marina bore a striking resemblance to Strahd’s beloved Tatyana, both in appearance and manner, and she became Strahd’s obsession. He seduced her in the dead of night and feasted on her blood, but before she could be turned into a vampire, the burgomaster of Berez, Lazlo Ulrich, with the aid of a local priest named Brother Grigor, killed Marina to save her soul from damnation. Enraged, Strahd slew the priest and the burgomaster, then used his power over the land to swell the river, flooding the village and forcing the residents to flee. Later the marsh crept in, preventing the villagers from returning. Berez has remained mostly abandoned since.

The ruins of Berez are now home to Baba Lysaga, an almost mythic figure tied to Strahd’s ancient past. Baba Lysaga sacrifices beasts to Mother Night and collects their blood, then bathes in the blood on nights of the new moon in a ritual to stave off the effects of extreme old age. But some say that she is the avatar of Mother Night herself. Long has she waged war with our goddess: The Raven Queen.

the druids stole three magic gemstones from the vineyard, forcing us to try to reclaim them. The gems are  magic seeds passed on through my family, given to us by the Raven Queen at the dawn of this land's curse, before her powers were stifled by the dark. The gem is what allows the vines to grow...I'm sure the druids have put them to nefarious uses..."

The dwarf handed over the items as he listened to the tale. “So th’ raven queen fights this vampire….good ter know we may have allies in a church out there. And if these gemstones are out there, we may be able ter find them and use them ter our use.”

"Baba Lasagna?" Skuldja quietly asks as she listens. "We'll get those gems back for you."

Skuldja didn't want to admit it, but she was quite tired after going all out on the druids and a little hurt. She sat nearby, while the others went through the loot.

"You mentioned two places? Is that where the druids may be? And how do you know them so well?" Zrakrud responded to Davian.

you spend an hour caring your wounds and learning the magic properties of the loot from the corrupt druids.

Davian and Dag reappear with light armor, rapiers and crossbows.
“Now youve wasted enough time. Hurry. Please.”

Where to?

Brankx helps the group figure out the potion and ring are a potion of poison and a ring of animal influence. He holds the potion. “Perhaps they used these ter poison th’ wine.” He mused. He placed the ring on his finger absently. “If anyone wants this, speak up, else I’ll hold it fer now.”

"I have no need of poison." He noticed the ring slip onto Brankx's finger, "the ring should go to whom can best use it.  If you think you're the best with animals, we'll call on you when the need arises."

"Now, let's go get those gems."

"Poison is a cowards weapon." Skuldja looks to the ring on Brankx's finger. "I can be ok with animals, but  Brankx did find the ring and they do say finders keepers losers weepers." She then looked to everyone. "Should we go to Yester Hill first?"

Zrakrud rose from his kneeling position, placing away his items that had laid before him to regain some of his spell might. Nodding to the others he picked up his staff.

---

OOC: Regened 1x 2nd level spell slot & 3 hps from Lando's Song

Lando nodded in agreement with Skuldja, "Yester Hill is the closest,let's start there.  If they aren't there, then we can load up the wagon and drop the wine off on the way to the ruins."

Brankx shrugged at the others. "There will be other places and other treasures, I'm sure. As fer the ring, I think it would help any o' us, but no one want ter use it, then fer now I'm happy ter use it."

He looked at lando. "Sounds as good a plan as any....let's do it."