Rhun's I6: Ravenloft - IC Thread

[Fenris]

Originally Posted by s@squ@tch

"I would imagine that since we are not dead, and are not werewolves, they will be at least not unhappy to see us."

"But they've probably been all driven to insanity."

"That is what we love about you Delkat, your indefatigable optimism." quips Kyranvik.

"We are headed there, so hope does us little good, they will either welcome us or not and a slow pace merely delays knowing which" adds the warrior as he continues on.

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

Esmeralda
Ares say as he tights his hood around his head, covering completely the demonic horns.
In past years the land dwellers used to celebrate a witch hunt, so keep your profile low if you don’t want to end on a stick with licking flames.
Turning to Kay'el he adds
I suggest you tighten your hood either.
The people will not understand that you are an Elf, I do not think the common people ever met one, they will think you are a disfigured cursed human.

[renau1g]

"Your suggestion is well advised Ares. I will do the same" Sarryx adds, pulling his own travelling cloak up higher to hide the silver scales around his neck.

[kinem]

Ryan says "After that journey, any town is a sight for sore eyes. I'm not too worried about the people who live here - just about the other people whose home it is."

[s@squ@tch]

Delkat shrugs slightly as he walks,"Without the sun to shine its light upon this blighted area for decades, or even centuries, I can see no other reason for these people to have any hope remaining -- and these letters only serve to cement that line of thinking."

[Queenie]

Originally Posted by Strahd_Von_Zarovich

Esmeralda
Ares say as he tights his hood around his head, covering completely the demonic horns.
In past years the land dwellers used to celebrate a witch hunt, so keep your profile low if you don’t want to end on a stick with licking flames.
Turning to Kay'el he adds
I suggest you tighten your hood either.
The people will not understand that you are an Elf, I do not think the common people ever met one, they will think you are a disfigured cursed human.

Esme nods thanks to Ares. "Yes, you make a good point. I don't exactly relish the thought of burning today. Though one would think these people would take any help they could get with whatever madness is going on here." She hops off her broom and scoops it into her hand, walking like the others now. "I will try to be discreet." She smiles mischievously, knowing full well that her version of discreet didn't always match up with everyone else's. "Let us carefully carry on, I fear we may be too late to help this town already."

[Rhun]

The muddy ground underfoot gives way to rain-slick cobblestones, and the tall shapes looming out of the fog become recognizable as the dwellings of the Town of Barovia. The windows of each house stare out from pools of black nothingness. No sound cuts the silence, except for a single mournful sobbing that echoes through the streets from a distance.

You trudge down the street toward the center of the village, without seeing a single soul. Soon enough, you reach the village center, a round, cobbled plaza built around a fountain of dark stone. Where once the fountain likely flowed water beautifully, it now only trickles into the dark pool of water around it.

To the left, sparse light spills out from behind heavy drawn curtains of a large building. A sign over the door creaks on rusty hinges, proclaiming the place "Bildrath's Mercantile."

To the right of the plaza, a single shaft of light thrusts into the plaza, its brightness like a solid pillar of light in the dull grayness of the fog. Above the open doorway, a sign hangs precariously askew, proclaiming this place the "Blood on the Vine Tavern."

Credit

Credit to jermilex at DeviantArt.

[Queenie]

"Charming," Esme quips, pulling her cloak up tightly around her face to keep out the mist. "I say we begin at the Inn. Someone there should be able to point us in the correct direction, and we can get something to warm our insides before we set off on the next part of our mission."

[Rhun]

Lightning crackles above the mountains to the west-northwest, and thunder booms in the distance, momentarily drowning out the sobbing that echoes through the streets. As if to reinforce Esme's words about something warm, a cold rain again begins falling from the ominous clouds overhead.

[kinem]

"Sounds like a plan to me." Ryan will enter the inn unless anyone objects.

[Queenie]

Esme quickly follows Ryan in, keeping close to him in case of trouble.

[Rhun]

Entering the tavern, Ryan notes that the sign above the door once read "Blood of the Vine," but someone has scratch over the "F" with a "N." Inside, the once finely appointed tavern has grown shoddy with age and neglect. A fire blazes in a huge stone hearth, but seems to give off only scant warmth to the few cloaked persons huddled at tables nearby. The silence is near complete inside, broken only by the crackle of the flames and the occasional sip of a drink. A thin man of average height, thinning brown hair and plain features, wearing a leather apron over his clothes, stands behind the bar. He mindlessly polishes glasses, one after another, staring off into the distance. He doesn't seem to even notice you as you enter.

[Strahd_Von_Zarovich]

Curse on the land
Ares says to himself when the sky begins to weep again.
He follows Ryan but say nothing, all he want is a room and silence. Both of them seem to be available in here.

[Rhun]

A trio of men at a table near the door give you a cursory glance, and then go back to their wine. You note that they wear the brightly colored clothes of the Vistani gypsies under their heavy cloaks. A few townsfolk near the fire pay no attention to you at all. One man sitting in the shadows of the corner, hood pulled up to hide his features, seems to stare in your direction for several moments before going back to his drink.

The bartender continues polishing glasses, not even looking at you.

[kinem]

Ryan saunters up to the bar and addresses the man behind it.

"Good evening. My friends and I have had a hard day's travell, and we could use refreshments, food, and rooms. And if you don't mind a bit of music, perhaps I'll play some tunes on the mandolin after dinner. I'm Ryan, by the way.

We are in town on urgent business for the burgomaster, so I'd appreciate it if you could point me in his direction, as well. I realize that you don't get many strangers here, but we're here to help people, if we can."

[Nebten]

Donner stads out in the rain to let it wash over him and soak his clothes. He says a prayer under his breath before heading in.

Ahhh, gypsy folk! I've heard tales of your enlightening herbs. Might you have some to share to celebrate this glorious night!

Ryan, thank you so much for the first round! I will most likely return the favor once we have been paid to rid this land of its plague. =v)

Donner

[kinem]

Ryan winks at Donner. "Sure thing, as long as it comes from that platinum you owe me. My purse right now is as light as a feather."

[Rhun]

Originally Posted by kinem

"Good evening. My friends and I have had a hard day's travell, and we could use refreshments, food, and rooms. And if you don't mind a bit of music, perhaps I'll play some tunes on the mandolin after dinner. I'm Ryan, by the way.

We are in town on urgent business for the burgomaster, so I'd appreciate it if you could point me in his direction, as well. I realize that you don't get many strangers here, but we're here to help people, if we can."

The man behind the bar turns to look at Ryan, blinking several times as if coming out of a trance. He wordlessly fills glasses for you with a dark red wine, and then disappears into the kitchen. He returns a few minutes later with a platter, upon which are wooden bowls filled with thick brown stew. His voice is low, hardly more than a whisper as he speaks. "Two coppers per glass, and another for the stew. Rooms are a silver piece each." His words spoken, he picks up a rag and empty glass, and returns to polishing the drinkware.

At Ryan's mention of the burgomaster, the hooded man in the shadows looks up. Though you can't see his features, it seems as though he is now staring at Ryan.

Originally Posted by Nebten

Ahhh, gypsy folk! I've heard tales of your enlightening herbs. Might you have some to share to celebrate this glorious night!

The three gypsies at the table give Donner a stern, hard look, and then return to their quiet drinks without so much as offering a greeting.

[renau1g]

Sarryx will calmly walk up to the front and place a pair of silver coins onto the bar, sliding them to the barkeep. "I trust the accomodations are safe for an evening of rest?" he asks

[Rhun]

The barkeep merely shrugs at the question. Taking the coin, he hands Sarryx a heavy iron key with a number engraved in it, and points to a set of stairs leading up.