romania ♔ in the end of the night i can feel you breathe

[pickyourbattles]

♬ Night - Zola Jesus

WHO || Willow, Paige, Nathan, Henry, Aurelius, Dovan [Closed]
WHAT || The Knights travel to Romania to investigate a mysterious, magical fog
WHERE || Romania
WHEN || April 11th [back dated]
HOW || Actionspam. Single thread, don't worry about maintaining tagging order.

February in Romania isn't very comfortable, so hopefully everyone bundled up for this little trip into the countryside.  The appearance of a mysterious bank of fog into which several locals have gone inexplicably missing upon entering, has caused Wynn to speculate that it might be connected to the mist that appears when the Veil brings people from other worlds.  Could this be the first instance of a door going the other way?  If so, here's hoping it's a round trip...

Comments

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[Well done. Many of the faces brighten, and heads slowly poke out of their respective side-rooms and broom closets to listen. A man approaches Paige from behind the crowd as her number is winding down, drawing much applause from the crowd.]

Thanks for that. I'm Arik, I own this place... Whatever that means these days. [He hefts a flagon her direction] Ale? Compliments of the house. We've got to drink it before the dead do, right? [He's grim, but in better spirits thanks to Paige's uplifting song.]

[somepagesturn]

[The applause makes her smile brightly, giving a little bow. When Arik approaches, she straightens and folds her hands in front of her.] Oh, thank you, but I don't drink. [she shakes her head, politely.] And it's the least I can do. We saw what was out there beyond the barricade. It must be terrible having to live like this. I just... I didn't think it ought to be so dreary in here too.

[She frowns deeply looking around.] There must be some way to put an end to all that.

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

Wasn't always this bad. [He passes the drink off to the trio of Vistani, then. Best to keep that lot happy.] This town always has it's problems, but it bounces back. We're hardy folk... but we're not warriors. [He casts a sad glance at the commoners.] This plague started just a few tendays back, then those "Lightbringers" arrived. I thought we were saved, but it's been about five days since, and things are just as bad. [He leans in and whispers.]At this rate, we'll be out of food in another tenday.

[autorevive]

[and now that nathan has his hideous purple hat to hide that it looks like he got into a fight with a lawn mower, he bursts into the bar (and interrupts paige's conversation probably) like] Nathan Young's here, bitches! Now the party can begin!

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

Nice hat. [Arik says plainly, drawing some jeering laughs from the pack of Vistani men at the bar. Nathan would note they look exactly like gypsies.] I should get back to cleaning and preparing meals. It was good to meet you Paige, cleric of Milil, and Nathan Young. If you're looking for information, I'd suggest speaking to Ismark, the Lesser. [He nods in the direction of the man sitting alone in the corner, and explains;] Son of the late Burgomaster, he is. Should know more than most about what exactly is going on. He spoke with those Lightbringers when they arrived.

[autorevive]

[his eyes go wide as he realizes HOLY SHIT IT'S GYPSIES. A BAR FULL OF GYPSIES!!!!!11 SO MANY GYPSY. good thing he didn't barter his holy water!!!!!! he sliiiiides in next to paige.]

[somepagesturn]

[siiigh. maybe nathan will amuse them or throw them off. she has to have faith. so much faith. She grabs his shoulder.]

Nathan, we should talk to him. [she points to Ismark.] Maybe he knows something about those Lightbringers. Something isn't right here.

[autorevive]

All right. [since paige told him to, he barges his way over an declares, loudly] HEY! ISHMAEL!

[somepagesturn]

[turning scarlet, and more quietly:] Mr. Ismark.... Sir. We thought we might have a word.

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[He regards them quietly for a moment, then lets out a grunting laugh, and says cooly;]

Seems my reputation precedes me. What would you ask of Ismark, son of Kolyan Indirovich, strangers?

[autorevive]

[he leans in close like this is gonna be some kind of ~secret conversation~.] What do you know about these Lightbringers lurkin' about? [gather info ... 12.]

[somepagesturn]

[nathan pls. she puts a hand on his shoulder.] What he means, sir, is that we're looking for a friend. And we need as much information on what's going on here as we can get, so we can find him. [Gather info assist....22!!]

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[What begins as a brash reply is bolstered by Paige's charismatic tune. Thank the gods for Paige.]

They're undead hunters, they are. A pair of them set out for the old church, where this whole plague began. We told them to seek out Madam Eva first - she has more wisdom than the whole of this town - but they set off for the church with the utmost haste...

The old priest Danovich used to ward this whole town from evils. His vigil lapsed when his son, Doru, was slain by brigands on the Old Svalich Road. Soon afterward, the dead began to rise...

[He seems to have more to say, but he's more concerned by his empty goblet than you...]

[somepagesturn]

[Paige stares at the goblet, thinks about asking Nathan to get him a freshen up, and then decides against it, picking it up for him.]

What was it, sir? I'll fetch it for you while you tell my friend about those wards.

[autorevive]

I — but — can't I have some booze, too? [HE DOESN'T LIKE THIS TURN OF EVENTS :( ]

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

It's a Chateau Milisov Chardonnay... hardly the finest, but the best this establishment can offer. Grab a whole bottle, and some more goblets. [He'll nods at Nathan.] I'd have it no other way. Wine is meant for sharing, even in these barbaric times.

[Arik is ready with the bottle when Paige goes up to the bar - There are several empty bottles sitting neatly stacked. Ismark has been at it a while, it seems. Arik sighs, and whispers to Paige, "I'll just put it on his tab. He won't know the difference." Ismark gestures to seats for her & Nathan when she returns.]

Come, sit. You must have a great purpose in coming here, all things considered. Where were we... Danovich, yes... The old priest protected this town using blessings from Pelor. Holy rites and rituals. My father once did the same... A few months ago, he who rules the castle - that devil Strahd - tried to pay us a visit. I know not why, however, my Father bravely confronted him using our family's relic, the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind. That drove him off, but at what cost...

[At this juncture, he pauses, and motions to Paige to pour the wine. Her call on whether or not Nathan gets any. Paige is the arbiter of the wine.]

[somepagesturn]

[She will give him some, but none for herself. That done, she takes a seat beside Nathan and runs her fingers over her own holy symbol.] So you think maybe this Strahd person is responsible for all the undead here? That once the wards all fell, he was free to do whatever it is he came here to do... by scaring you all?

[she worries her bottom lip.] Does he have that kind of power?

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

All we know are rumors, truly. The master of the castle is extremely withdrawn. Some say he is generations old, a horrible monster of some kind. Others have said he was long dead, killed in a military coup ages ago. We knew someone lived in the castle, for lights are often seen in the high reaching rooms, but none who enter the castle ever return.

[Ismark sips from the goblet.]

I know not what the truth of Strahd is, but it cannot be a coincidence. The day after my father rebuked him, the hunters reported the wolves becoming vicious and attacking - and worse yet, wolf-men prowling the woods. Villagers began to disappear. My father was poisoned. And now the dead walk.

[He sighs, resignedly.]

He has orchestrated this, though I know not how nor why.

[autorevive]

What the fuck, mate. So there are werewolves!

[what else can nathan say, though. WHAT ELSE EVEN???]

[somepagesturn]

[IGNORING U NATHAN.] Is it possible to... speak with him? Our Knighthood specializes in attempting to fix problems like this and perhaps Strahd might know where to find our friend. We could... approach him diplomatically. I mean... I'm sure it's all a terrible misunderstanding that can be fixed and we are, after all, neutral third parties....

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[Ismark looks at the goblet incredulously for a moment, then at Paige]

Perhaps all this wine has finally addled my senses. Are you suggesting that my Father's murder, and this necromantic plague are some kind of coincidence? [His voice begins to grow a bit agitated, then transforms to something more accusatory and paranoid.] Just what is it that brought you to Barovia, anyway? How do we know you're not Agents of Strahd, here to deliver the coup de grace? [He then notices that Paige isn't drinking any wine, and he narrows his eyes.] Sent to poison me, like my Father? [And suddenly the whole bar becomes eerily silent, and the Vistani men slowly begin to rise from their table. The air is suddenly verse tense.]

[autorevive]

Why would she even poison anyone?! She's a bloody cleric! And besides, I drank that shit, and I can't even get poisoned! [YES NATHAN THANKS A LOT THAT WAS VERY HELPFUL OF YOU. he grabs the bottle off the table.] Watch, I'll drink the whole thing!

[somepagesturn]

[Paige rubs her face. If they are going to get killed, gods make it quick.] Poisoning people is cowardly. And we just want to go home, sir. And if we can't do that, then we can't simply leave innocent people in need.

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[The Vistani take a few steps their way... then head outside to get some air. The tavern noise rises again, and Ismark leans back and takes another drink.]

I'm sorry, I forget myself. Ever since my father was killed, I don't feel as though I can trust anyone, apart from my sister... If she yet draws breath. [He adds, resignedly.]

To answer your question - no - We know of no way to contact the Lord of the Castle. He's never responded to any missives, and none who visit the castle return. I'll give you the same advice I did the Lightbringers - Seek out Madam Eva at the Vistani camp, west of here near the Tser Pool. I can mark it on a map, if you've got one? [This might also jog their memory - or maybe at least Paige's memory - that there was a rather specific note along with the map they had found]

[autorevive]

[i'm not even going to roll for nathan to remember that note, he's a professional dumbass.] What are Vistani? Are they like werewolves, too? [casual racism nbd]