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

[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]

[somepagesturn]

[Paige remembers it though (wis 19), AND IS IGNORING NATHAN AGAIN.] Our map is with our- [She looks around the bar.] Oh dear, where did Henry and the others get off to?

[She'll fret about that later, as she turns back to the man in front of her.] When we arrived here, we found some people who'd killed by- by a werewolf, I think. Someone from here in Barovia sent them a note about a woman named- [she screws up her face, thinking] Ireena Kolyana, who is suffering from a curse of some kind. Do you know anything about that? Maybe it's connected...

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

The Vistani people travel though these lands often, they're a nomadic folk who entertain, trade, and sell stories. They also lie, cheat, and steal - they're only loyal to their family troupes. [They're pretty much exactly Gypsies, they're just called Vistani in the land of Barovia.]

Ireena is my dear sister. Though, surely she's no more cursed than the rest of the damned town. Who would pen such lies, I wonder...

[autorevive]

[nathan is having the realization that VISTANI ARE GYPSIES. SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE?!?!?! AND HE'S SURROUNDED BY GYPSIES RN. WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT. sound of silence plays in the bg while nathan is traumatized.]

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[Ismark knows the feeling Nathan. It's not racist if they're gypsies, right?]

Fortunately the Vistani do not come into town often. They usually maintain their camp near the Tser Pool, and occasionally send a few in to trade, or more likely steal from my hardworking people.

[You would notice there's a definite difference in the manner of dress and slight difference in skin tone of the townsfolk. The Vistani have a kind of uniquely vibrant tan skin, whereas much of the Barovian townsfolk are quite pale - so he's not entirely surrounded.]

[somepagesturn]

[PAIGE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT YOUR GYPSY RACISM, BOYS.]

So that whole letter was just a ruse... But.... [THE PLOT THICKENS. She grabs Nathan by the shoulder as she stands.] Thank you for your time, Sir, but we should probably reconvene with the rest of our group. And I apologize if any of my comments earlier gave offense.

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

Indeed. If you've any further need of me, I shall be here drinking... I only pray the alcohol overtakes me before the undead do.

[He's a cheery fellow.]

[autorevive]

That's the spirit. [nathan claps ismark on the shoulder like he shared some truly inspirational words right there and starts heading out the door. wine bottle still in his hand. oops? HE HAS TO GET OUT TO ESCAPE THE GYPSIES. and then ... go find more gypsies.]

[somepagesturn]

[as they're leaving:] Did you see where the others went?

[DID WE LOSE THE CHILDREN, STU????]

[autorevive]

What? Fuck no, I had to take care of my hat emergency. But I look pretty dashing now, don't I?

[somepagesturn]

[squinting] You sort of look like a Musketeer...

[autorevive]

It was all they had!

[count_strahd_von_zarovich]

[The Lightbringer Ashlyn bobs over their way]

Excuse my eavesdropping, but your friends went on a foray over the barricade a while ago.

[She points toward the south wall.]

[somepagesturn]

Oh, thank you! [AND OFF THEY GO...] I hope they're all right...

[autorevive]

Well, if they're not, we ought to start thinkin' about the two of us. [really tho nathan???]