24/10/23
21st -22nd Day of Rainmoot: 1492
Mission: Bring the wine
Campaign: Tales from the Bard
Location(s): Barovia, Vallaki, Winery, Lake Zarovich, Vistani Camp
Present: Bernadette Greycastle, Dramos Ethrane, Niall Tharivol, Ragul-Nur, (Roscoe Tosscoble), Moonwhisper, Bomber Longbeard. Ireena and Ismark. Family of Davian Martikov.
The group spent an uneventful evening in the building of the Winery.
22nd:
Ragul-Nur prayed to his god and researched the words of a prayer to replace his prayer of Detect Magic, with Purify Food & Water. Before he could use the prayer the group transferred the contents of 1 of the poisoned large storage vats back into the 3 smaller grape crushing containers. He prayed for 30 minutes, incanting his prayer of each container. Satisfied that he had purified the wine contained it was poured into barrels. Time was pressing as the wagon was loaded with barrels of wine. Ragul-Nur told the group to fill more barrels from the last vat. He would purify those on their return to Vallaki.
The group reached the shores of Lake Zarovich and observed a man sitting in a boat, in the middle of the lake. He just sat staring into the distance. The wife of Davian Martikov told the group it was just Bluto Krogarov, a drunkard and a hollow shell of a man who had failed to catch fish for weeks.
Moonwhisper: "Ok, lets deliver the wine!"
The group decided to continue on their way when they heard a high pitched scream and a splash. Turning round they saw the man in the boat standing up, looking down at the still, mirror like waters of the lake with his arms outstretched pointing at the water.
Ragul-Nur was the first to respond, he ran towards 3 empty boats pulled up on the shore line. Bomber was close behind and they launched the boat. Rowing as fast as they could until they reached the ripples that were extending from the boat where something had been thrown into the water. Ragul-Nur reached down and could feel just below the surface a rough, sack, sinking. He pulled as hard as he could and the sack flopped down into the boat.
Bomber used the blad of his axe to slice through the rope tying the neck of the sack and a young girl fell to the deck of the boat coughing and spluttering, spewing water onto the deck. Bluto swung the oar as hard as he could the blade just missing Ragul-Nur's head. The swing made him topple over and he fell backwards into the boat.
Bluto: "You swine, you ingrates, now I shall never pacify the goddess of the lake and catch fish, I hope your wine turns to vinegar and your beer curdles. Die you swine, I curse you".
Bluto was gesticulating widely, obviously mad with rage or drink or both. His actions caused the boat he was standing in to move from side to side. He lost his balance and fell into the waters of the lake.
Ragul-Nur and Bomber rowed back to the shore. The Martikov females gathered around the girl and dried her off, giving her a blanket to keep warm. Arabella spoke to the Martikov's in a dialect the group could not follow.
Davian: "She tells us her name is Arabella, she was kidnapped by Bluto, she doesn't know why. She also asks if we could return her to the Vistani camp which is very close by, about 15 minutes walk?"
The group quickly decided that Roscoe would accompany the family and the wine to the Blue Water Inn whilst the remainder took Arabella back to the Vistani camp, Bernadette carried the young girl on her shoulders. Arabella thought it fun to pull Bernadette's hair or push her head forward whenever Bernadette asked which way to go on the many trails through the wood. Davian told the group to take a barrel of wine with them, it may help with the Vistani.
The wagon, Roscoe and the family headed for the gates of Vallaki.
Some 15 minutes later he woods parted and they saw lay an expansive open clearing, a small grass covered hill with low houses built into its sides and a wagon enclosure on the top lay before them. A man approached, a Vistani by his dress and two tall dark individuals their heads covered by the cowls of their cloaks.
Arabella told Bernadette to put her down, the man was her father. She ran to the man who hugged her tightly, tears rolling down his cheek.
Luvash: "I am Luvash, Afrabella is my daughter, I thank you for bringing her safely back to me".
Bernadette: "We thought it best, we rescued her from a certain death. She was thrown into the waters of Lake Zarovich in a sack, some kind of offering by a man called........Bluto!"
Luvash: "The drunk fisherman. Yes. Now come with me, be my guest, take food.......and you brought wine.......then you are very welcome."
Niall: "We thank you for your hospitality".
As the group made to follow Luvash one of the dark strangers took hold of Niall's arm, leaned closer and whispered in the language of the Elves.
Elf: "Come and see me before you leave the clearing, my house is the one to your left."
Before Niall could answer the two tall Elves had walked away.
Moonwhisper: "Those looked like Dusk Elves, I thought they were just a legend".
Niall: "Yes, strange, you heard what he told me?".
Moonwhisper: "Yes. I think it may be worth our while".
Niall: "I agree".
They caught the others up and entered a large round tent in the centre of the wagon enclosure.
Inside they were shocked to see a young man, stripped to the waist and tied to the central tent pole being whipped by another Vistani man.
Luvash: "Fear not my friends, he is being punished for not watching my daughter more closely, it is his fault she was take. He is punished according to Vistani law, I hope that I make myself clear."
Arabella: "Father it really wasn't Alexei's fault, it was mine. I sent him back to the wagon to fetch my cloak. It was cold and I forgot it."
Luvash looked at his daughter and told the man to free Alexei.
Luvash indicated that the group should be fed from the central pot over the fire pit. A Vistani woman filled bowls and handed them out. The food was tasty and good.
Luvash indicated to Bomber to follow him. He took him to the back of the tent and he saw some wood steps leading up into a Vistani wagon backed into the rear of the tent. Luvash opened the door. Bomber could see two chests, 1 wood, 1 metal: 2 small boxes of wood, a rug, exquisitely decorated with a Unicorn, a throne studded with what looked like gems.
Luvash: "Choose one. Choose one and receive my gratitude for saving my daughter".
Bomber choose the rug with the unicorn and carried it back to the group.
Luvash: " Receive this gift with my thanks."
Ragul-Nur: "We didn't save your daughter for a reward Luvash".
Luvash: "If you do not accept then you insult me, you insult the Vistani".
Niall: "We mean no disrespect. Please explain we do not know Vistani laws."
Luvash: "You have given me a gift, my daughter, I owe a debt of gratitude. I have offered a gift in return. We now owe each other nothing. It is Vistani law. If I gave you something, then you would owe me something in return. That is Vistani law."
Moonwhisper: "Then we accept your gift. The balance is restored. We adhere to Vistani law. It is just."
Luvash: "Well spoken Elf."
Moonwhisper turned away from Luvash to hide his expression at being called Elf. Although it stung his pride as one of the High Elves he vowed to himself to remain calm. He looked at Niall, if Niall felt the same way he did not show it, his facial expression remained calm.
The group stayed awhile but the night was now dark. More Vistani were returning to the main tent and were surprised to see strangers in their midst. Luvash put them at ease. They kept their distance from the group but where not overtly threatening.
As the group left, Bomber at the back saw the wine barrel being broached. Parched he grabbed a tankard and marched over to get it filled. He would have a drink before leaving. Luvash stood in front of him, barring his path. Quietly Luvash prized the tankard out of Bombers hands and spoke quietly:
Luvash: "You were offered food to eat, you were not offered wine to drink. Leave."
Bomber nodded and followed the others
At the bottom of the hill the group swung left and walked towards the house indicated by the Elf. Outside were 2 guards. Only Moonwhisper and Niall were allowed to continue.
Elf: "Come in. My name is Kasimir Velikov and yes I am a Dusk Elf. Please sit."
The house was decorated in the style of Elves but not of the Wood nor High Elf.
Niall: "Thanky......".
Kasimir held up his hand and stopped Niall midsentence.
Kasimir: "We have been here for over 4 centuries. We have been here from the very start of Barovia. You may wonder why you have seen no females, nor children. We have Strahd to thank for that. He married my sister and turned her into an abomination. We, the Dusk Elves, killed her and set her soul free. Strahd, in revenge, slaughtered our women and children. We cannot procreate. We are the last, barely a dozen of us left. We try not to anger Strahd but we would help in anyway with his downfall".
Niall: "It is our aim, to try and get rid of Strahd and free Barovia, if we can."
Kasimir: "You carry a book Niall, may I see it please?"
Niall handed the book over and recalled the incident at the Winery.
Kasimir: "You have in your possession the Book of Strahd. Find Rictovio the bard, I believe he resides at the Blue Water Inn, he should be able to help you."
Moonwhisper: "What of the Druids and this Baba Lysaga witch?"
Kasimir: "Yester Hill is home to a druidic cult. I believe they are in league or allied to the Witch Baba Lysaga, a very, very powerful witch. She is a very dangerous opponent. As evil as Strahd is."
Moonwhisper: "Do you have anything else or other information that may assist us?"
Kasimir: "You may find the answer to break the curse at the Amber Temple. Yes, that is the only way for you to go home to break the curse, I'm sorry."
Niall: "Could you offer a guide to Yester Hill?"
Kasimir: "Yes, but they will only take you as far as the last road to Yester Hill. I am sure you understand our reluctance."
Moonwhisper: "We do. Can you then give us anything else that may help us?"
Kasimir: "Meet my guides the day after the festival in Vallaki, they will have something for you. If you are not there by midday then I will take it you want neither guides nor help."
Niall: "That is fine, we thank you".
They said their goodbye's and thanked Kasimir again before joining the others outside. Kasimir sent wo Dusk Elves as guides so they didn't get lost in the woods on the way back to Vallaki.
Approaching the gates to Vallaki they were challenged. Identifying themselves they were relieved to find out that Roscoe had informed the gate guards that they would be late and that they had assisted in bringing wine to Vallaki.
On the way to the Inn they heard running footsteps behind them. Turning they observed the priest.
Priest: "I'm sorry for the late hour but I have been awaiting your return. I must see you tomorrow morning, early, it of great importance, promise me?"
Ragul-Nur: "We will, now we need a drink".
The group headed for the Inn but it was quiet. The innkeeper informed them that it was a good night. Rictovio and Roscoe had entertained the customers with song and prose and the wine flowed. They took an offered drink of wine before heading for their rooms. Rictovio and the priest could wait until the morrow.
PLAYER INFORMATION:
Unicorn Rug value roughly 750 gold pieces.
Congratulations to Bernadette, level 5 Rogue/Assassin.
