Curse of Strahd [CLOSED]

[TemplePhantom]

While Izek addresses Moira's questions, Tegan turns his head to his shoulder and pretends to cough. Between coughs, he whispers to Vanwandir "The winestopper. I need it. Green gem."

Once Tegan feels Vanwandir's weight leave his shoulder, he moves to the other side of the room and begins to interact clumsily with a bauble, hoping to catch Izek's attention.

 

[Baba Luga]

The Baron's Mansion
The Den

Vanwandir chuckles, and something changes about the way the familiar feels on Tegan's shoulder. Its weight is distributed differently as, instead of taking flight as Tegan expected, it slithers off his back and onto the frame of the chair. This seems to be Tegan's cue to act. There's a pipe carousel at the edge of the Baron's desk, where all his festival notes are still laid out, that presents plenty of opportunity for the sort of clumsy fumbling Tegan has in mind.

It doesn't take much manipulation of the Baron's pipes to make Izek stride forcefully into the room. "What are you doing? This is not your playroom. It is late. You want more drinking, go to the Bluewater." Satisfied that Tegan is not going to continue playing with the pipes, Izek goes about collecting whatever glasses the four of you still hold, regardless of whether or not you're finished.

Meanwhile, those of you who happen to be looking in the direction of the sideboard see the wooden stopper of a carafe dislodge itself, bobble in the air and fall to the floor, rolling to a stop midway between the sideboard and the chair where Tegan was sitting before he approached the desk.

With the glasses in hand, Izek makes for the sideboard, looking back at all of you with great annoyance. With his eyes on you, he does not see that he's about to plant his left foot directly on the round wooden stopper.

 

[TemplePhantom]

"Stop right there, sir!" Tegan manages to interject. Tegan walks up to Izek, and says "You've a wine stain, sir. Allow me." Tegan then proceeds to utilize prestidigitation to cleanse a spot on the side of Izek's coat near to his monstrous arm.

 

[Baba Luga]

Izek wheels around at Tegan's words and takes a defensive stance. In the process, his heel strikes the round stopper and sends it rolling back under the sidebar. As Tegan begins casting a spell, Izek reaches out with his smaller hand to interfere with the arcane gestures.

 

[ZombWie]

Hircus stands and grabs for Tegan's arm to try to prevent an apparent spell gesture while also stepping between the two men, "This is no time for parlor tricks Tegan, eh... even if we happen to be in a parlor." letting out a nervous huff of a chuckle.

 

[TemplePhantom]

Tegan flicks his wrist with a fluorish and finishes the spell, leaving a large section of Izek's coat clean as a whistle. "Parlor tricks? Nonsense, my good man. I simply wanted to return a good deed for the fellow who served us such fine wine." Tegan nods to Izek and beams a smile.

"You really ought to relax, sir." Tegan says to Izek "Not all of us are snakes waiting to strike or steal your eggs from the nest."

 

[Baba Luga]

Despite there never having been a wine stain on Izek's shirt, Tegan's cantrip has left one spot noticeably brighter than the surrounding cloth. Izek snorts and clacks the glasses back on the sideboard. "No, you are a trickster. I know many such tricks too." He flicks one of his oversized fingers and a tiny bead of flame arcs over to land on Tegan's sleeve, where it glows brightly for a moment before going out. A small scorch mark remains on the material. "Something more for you to practice your cleaning," Izek says, with the first genuine smile that's crossed his face this evening. "Now you leave, but if I see you on the street some time, I promise to show more tricks."

In the midst of Izek and Tegan's magical displays, Moire, who is some distance away, feels a sharp tug on the cuff of her trousers. There's another tug and then, before her eyes, the lace of Moire's right boot unties itself. Nobody else in the room notices this.

 

[TemplePhantom]

Disgust flashes across Tegan's face whe the smell of singed cloth reaches his nostrils.

Tegan locks eyes with Izek. Being lit on fire was not an ideal conclusion to such a long and trying day. Tegan's bicep contracts, he bites his cheek and the textures of leather and cold steel dance tenuously along his right palm and fingers.

With a deep breath, Tegan's better judgement returns and he releases the call to his battleaxe before it can materialize.

He then turns on his heels and pats his sleeve as he walks through the door.

 

[Epiphany]

Moire finds the entire exchange utterly confusing. Having just set her glass aside (unconsumed), the Paladin has the impression that she's missed something. Perhaps it's her earlier preoccupation with this place and the memory it evokes.

The tug at her boot is something altogether different, though. A cue? Someone getting her attention?

Dutifully, Moire leaves her chair and drops to one knee while she reaches down to tie the lace. Which begged the question; why? Was there something she'd be able to see down here?

 

[Baba Luga]

As Moire behinds over and reaches for her untied shoe, something unseen wraps around one of her fingers. It feels very much like a tiny hand. Then something smooth and round, a sphere about the diameter of a coin, is pushed into her palm; the tiny digits grasping her finger push it down over the object to hold it in place. With this done, two tiny invisible hands grasp her sleeve and start climbing up her arm. Sharp toenails soon find purchase as well, and before long, something, presumably Vanwandir, is hanging onto her back. There's a rearrangement of the invisible form as Vanwandir turns into a bat and then climbs up on Moire's shoulder.

 

[Epiphany]

Moire receives the small, smooth, round sphere. And frowns slightly at the moral dilemma that follows. On the one hand, she thought the familiar had been with Tegan who just behaved quite strangely and now she was being given something by said familiar. Who was being invisible, discreet, wanting not to call anyone's attention to what he was after. Which begged the question of why and who it belonged to.

There was some likelihood that the object belonged to the Baron, making this a theft. It would explain why Vanwandir was trying to be sneaky, at least, especially if Tegan's antics were in any way a diversion. On the other hand, they'd already inexplicably found Hircus' old holy symbol of Torm in this town. Perhaps Vanwandir had located something else that belonged to them. Or had belonged to his original master. Or something that posed a danger to them or to the town. All of which likely superseded the Baron's claim.

Moire promptly pockets whatever it is as she straightens and rises to her feet, laces tied once more.

"My friends, we've kept this good man here long enough. Thank you Izek for your hospitality and your answers, such as they are. May we, and you, fare better than any of us have in the past. Good night, sir."

With that, she follows Tegan out the door, hopefully accompanied by Hircus and Ina. Time enough to talk out the familiar's findings. Perhaps after a good night's sleep, come to think of it. Moire yawns despite herself and thinks wistfully of a good meal, a bath and a comfortable bed, none of which she's likely to see tonight.

 

[ZombWie]

Hircus is befuddled. It may just be the length of the day or maybe it's this place. He steps away from the two men following Moire to the door. Turning once more to Izek Hircus takes a breath as if to say something, but decides against it and leaves the room.

Once in the hall, he approached Moire, "Are you feeling better? You appeared to leave us for a moment when we first arrived. I imagine I looked much the same back at the stockyard." He pauses and looks around, "Nevermind, we can discuss it on the walk to the to the stockyard." With a nod, he walks to the door waiting for the rest of his friends.

 

[jfish]

Ina follows them wordlessly, her compounding weariness dulling any attempts to verbalise any thoughts or ideas regarding the conversation that had taken place that night. As she steps back out into the hallway - and out of Izek’s view - she takes the doll from her pocket and places it gently on the closest pile of offerings, smiling sadly.

 

[ZombWie]

Once outside in the cool night, air Hircus relaxes a bit. Tension releases from his back and shoulders like wax rolling down the side of a candle. "Tegan, I pray you understand that my interference between you and Izek was a reaction without thought. I saw the flourish and... reacted." He sighs and looks to the sky as he walks. "I am just so tired of this place. I know you each must feel it too." He stops and looks at each one of them. "Moire, what did you see when you looked at that painting? You left us for a while. Tegan? Back on the road? Ina? Have you been transported as I have?" He sighs and starts walking again. "Back at the stockyard when I found the amulet. That battle, that cliff, I was there!" He shows them all his hand. "The ache persists as if my hand was stomped on just this evening. I don't know what it all means, but I know that I want to get out of this land. Maybe we should seek out these Vistani and hear their story. The Baron says they are evil, but... Well, did you see the arm on that man Izek?" Hircus just shakes his head. "I need to get that amulet and I must see to my evening prayers. I must know Torm is here with us and he must know that I still walk his road." Hircus picks up his pace eager to get to the stockyard to finally rest.

 

[TemplePhantom]

"I share your concerns, Hircus. I fear that these visions will plague us until we have a full understanding of our purpose for being here, both in the present and the past. There was a moment in the Baron's parlor when I felt an attachment, such as the one you've described for your amulet, to the Baron's wine stopper. I apologize for my awkwardness, but I meant to acquire it and study my intuition regarding this object at length. Vanwandir seems to have failed in his mission to retrieve the object, though." Tegan pulls the sling from his backpack and shows it to Hircus. "I'd be happy to part with this and my spear if it would garner enough coin for your amulet."

 

[Epiphany]

As the companions return down the road to the stockyards, Moire listens to her friends' conversation as she tries to come to grips with her own disquiet. Hircus, forthright man that he is, brings up a topic they'd all spent the day dancing around, at least in part. Her courage can be no less than his.

"The painting? I remember...I remember being here when its owner lived. When I came to this town, Pomuk Vallakovich told me they could not help me against the Devil. Could not help Aurica Markovia, who I had chosen to aid it seems. What's more, the implication is that this Devil is either a generational oppressor or the tyrant of these lands is a very, very long lived-one indeed. Elf, perhaps, or something much darker."

Moire sighs and pushes in. "I have no magics for surviving the passage of time. I have no explanation, only observation. And what I observe is that I seem to have been brought back to life, a long, long time after I perished presumably fighting this Devil. Brought back with friends whose company I've already come to cherish but whose history I seem to be largely ignorant of. I don't know why I can't remember my experiences the first time I was here, nor do I know why I can't remember how each of us met and became friends. But if there's an explanation in this land, I mean to find it."

With Tegan's admission and his selfless offerings, Moire nods in understanding before reaching into her pocket to produce the small round object. "Vanwandir did better than you credit, my friend. He pressed this into my hands to carry from the Baron's manor. It's yours, of course." Moire turns it over to Tegan as they continue to the stockyard.

To the invisible familiar still perched somewhere on her person, Moire adds, "You're full of surprises, my little friend. And I'm grateful to you that they've been good ones. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you in return."

 

[TemplePhantom]

Tegan's countenance beams with delight as Moire produces the gemstone. Clasping Moire's hands as he accepts the gem, he says "Oh, you wonderful woman! I am made that much more whole by this. Allow me to return the favor." Tegan inspects the gem, turning it as small flashes of the street's dim light reflect off its many facets. "The stone you recieved from the cloud imp as we fell, if you'll permit me to walk with it as we continue toward the stockyard, I can now ascertain much of its exact nature."

 

[Epiphany]

Gamely, Moire hands it over, still curious about that souvenir of an unexpectedly challenging fight.

 

[Baba Luga]

The Streets of Vallaki
Early Evening

You were nearly an hour at the Baron's manor and the sun, wherever it was in the sky, has now journeyed below the horizon. It is dark out, with only the dim, flickering lights in the windows along the streets to guide your way back to the stockyard. Aside from some noises from the Bluewater Inn as you pass by, the town has become even more sedentary with the onset of evening.

In the darkness, Vanwandir becomes visible again as a tiny bat on Moire's shoulder. "I am happy to have done my small part to aid our cause, Loopanom. My request remains the same as ever: let us be on our way at dawn to the Powdered Lover's castle, east of this hamlet, and petition him for release from this place. No more entanglements with these preposterous rustics and their tragicomic celebrations; there lie the chains that will bind you to this land."

Vanwandir flits back to Tegan's shoulder and whispers to him, "Well done, Peaches. It is beyond my simple reasoning how you foresaw this outcome, but our adventure of the stopper seems to have ensured we will not have to return to that crusty old manor for luncheon. That brutish fellow Ethereal Pox made that quite clear."

"Apologies for temporarily relinquishing our bauble to Puzzle Box; I couldn't manage the thing myself, you and Lonely Teeth were engaged with Ethereal Pox, and Frog Finder seemed half asleep. Loopanom was my only option. Fortunately everything has worked out for the best, without us getting bogged down in a moralistic contretemps."

 

[jfish]

Ina looks up briefly at the mention of her name and nods at Hircus. "Yes, I - I also saw something," She flinches slightly she hears Moire mention Markovia. She reaches forward and places a hand on Moire’s shoulder, speaking quietly enough so that only the group can hear, tripping on her words somewhat.

”The vision I saw, or remembered? I remembered how we met, Moire. Like you said with yours, Hircus, I was there, and now it seems ridiculous ghat I ever forgot it," she speaks feverishly, eyes desperate, "It shames me to say it, and things must have happened since then for us to become friends, Moire. We... I was trying to take something - from a church or somewhere of the like," her eyes don’t leave Moire’s, her cheeks flush a little, "You were with a man - Elmo? And you caught me. Said whatever it was I was taking had been claimed for Markovia, in the name of the Morninglord." She trails off, "We will do right this time, yes?" She’s not sure who she’s trying to convince.

 

[ZombWie]

If anyone is watching Hircus as Moire and Tegan discuss the theft of the Baron's property they will see him knit his brow in twitches and chew on nothing in a huffy attempt to suppress his obvious objections to this crime. In the end, he loses out to his conscience and sighs, "I pray that this act does not lead more wolves our way in the form of the Vallaki guard. I will say no more about it but know that I am disappointed in you both."

Hircus turns his attention to Inawenys, "I wonder about these visions. Do they speak from the past in warning? Or maybe they are rewards for choosing the correct path through this land." He turns to Tegan to address Vanwadir, "Your previous company, did they experience the same sorts of visions? You seem focused on leaving this land, but I wonder if you are taking into consideration our preparedness. We are hardly better off now than when we arrived in town a short while ago. You are suggesting that we should leave at dawn! Do you remember the wolves nearly devoured us on the road?"

 

[Baba Luga]

"You sell yourselves short, Lonely Teeth. I recall a pack of vicious wolves smashed to pieces, with us suffering nary a scratch. Perhaps Bag of Peaches took a nick or two, but it was a fair rout all told. And besides, I know the road east of here well and can provide directions. My old chums and I traveled on it escorting Cold Memory from the little slum where we found her. Did I mention that, about Cold Memory?"

"I warn you, don't become like Lemon Pony: He was the fourth member of my old master's band when we first found ourselves in this cursed land. Even in that little hamlet to the east where we met Cold Memory, he lacked the fortitude to go on. The roads were too dangerous, he declared, and found some occupation to keep himself there, something unpleasant with swine or nightsoil I wager."

"As for visions, Lemon Pony, Hairy Golem and Stump Slab all had their personal fixations to be sure, and were, as I've expressed many times, quite delusional. But there was not the repeated conferring and comparing of 'visions' that I hear more and more from you lot. My former master spoke quite intimately with her patron, who was seen to no one, but that was a private matter she kept to herself."

 

[TemplePhantom]

Tegan chimes in at the end of Vanwandir's thoughts. "I'm with the bat on this one. We don't know why Zhudun has sent us here, only that a woman with the same face as his agent would provide us aid. We haven't seen her here in Vallaki so why not visit the Vistani? The people here clearly have some dire problems of their own, but they are not our problems yet."

"If it makes you feel better and if Moire is amenable, I can use this trinket in place of the gem and see that this gem is returned to the Baron's manor."

Tegan then recounts the additional properties of the smoke mephit's heart to the group.

 

[Epiphany]

Vanwandir's request draws a slight frown from Moire's face, but it's not a frown of disagreement, exactly. "An interesting suggestion," she says to the familiar bat on her shoulder, just before he takes off. "Vanwandir makes a suggestion we would all do well to consider. While I'm reluctant to put myself in the hands of the Devil, all we have so far is hearsay and by all accounts of those Hircus and I spoke with, it seems this land has a habit of ensnaring adventures from elsewhere only to doom them all in time. Perhaps the direct approach is worth noting as a viable plan."

When Ina puts her hand on Moire's shoulder, the Paladin smiles warmly at the elf before reaching up and squeezing Ina's hand in return with her own. "These memories are important," she says, softly but fiercely to her elven friend. "And so is your desire to do the right thing. That's the truth too many forget; no matter our mistakes, we are never so lost that we cannot return to the road of righteousness. We will do right this time, Ina. I promise, we'll help each other survive this land and find our way home."

Hircus' displeasure cools the Paladin's fire but she meets his frown with only an impassive look. "I have great respect for the laws of any land I find myself in, my friend. But this land has a mystery and we, each of us, are bound up in it. These things we find, things that were ours, may be the only clues we have to discern what happened to us. To keep us from making the same mistakes again. I do not condone stealing but I do support reclaiming what is ours. As we survive and have the means to pay recompense, let us of course do so but we have to live to do so. If that means Tegan lays his hand on a bauble that doesn't belong to the Baron, I see no harm to him and perhaps the difference between life and death for us."

Vanwandir's further observations are interesting and worthy of thought. Moire doesn't follow up with further questions, though.

Moire glances at Tegan and frowns a little. If she's not mistaken, there may be an implication that the jewel wasn't as important as she'd thought, as he'd made it out to be. But then, he may have already gained what he needed by holding it, much as she had by observing that painting. She owed him the benefit of the doubt.

"By all means, if you're through with the gem, if it has no more secrets to yield to you, I would see it returned to the Baron. Perhaps it belonged to us once but I don't know we have any believable means to assert our ownership now. You are welcome to use my 'trinket', such as it is." Moire smiles at last, approvingly. "I'd suggest letting me return it, though. That brute isn't likely to receive you too well again, my friend. Now, as for the Vistani, another good suggestion. I'm curious about this Festival dedicated to the Morninglord, of course; he isn't my God but he's a God worthy of worship. But what we need is information. I don't share your..." Indifference? "Priorities," Moire chooses instead, "Or Vanwandir's, I imagine, but I also don't see a direct way of helping the people of Vallaki right now. If we can find that agent, we may improve their position and ours. Another good suggestion."

"So, do we visit the Devil? The Vistani? Hircus, Ira, what say you?"

 

[jfish]

Ina smiles gratefully at her friend, tears pricking in the corner of her eyes. "I hope you're right, I really do. Whoever we decide to visit first, I think we can all agree our priority right now should be rest?" She yawns as if to emphasise her point, "We'll be able to discuss our plans in the morning."