Day 7 - Mid-morning
After a long and arduous night battling vile vampiric creatures, the party rises slowly ready for a new day. The group lazily heads down to the tavern of the
Blue Water Inn where a few people are already partaking in lunch. The party greets Rictavio sitting alone at a table with a bowl of beet soup and a cup of wine and take notice of a city guard sitting at the bar while nursing a cup in front of Danika. Fidelia heads over to the bar and greets Danika, "Morning. Can we get a pitcher or two of wine and a round of soup?"
Looking Fidelia over she asks, "Sure. It looks like a slow start for your group. Everything alright?"
Fidelia responds, "Yes. It was just a rough night so we're taking it easy today."
Sitting down at a large table, the party discusses last night's events. "Well, we've returned St. Andral's bones," starts Fidelia, "The church should be safe now. Do you think Ireena will agree to stay here?"
Sticky disagrees, "Do we think she'd be safe here? I mean the bones have been stolen once already. What's stopping someone from stealing them again?"
"Orc bones are stronger. These thefts wouldn't happen with strong Orc bones," declares Nazgog.
"We don't even understand what protection the bones provide," Morgana adds.
Just then Urwin approaches the table with a tray of food and drink, "Morning folks. I heard it was a rough night. Hopefully, this'll soothe your troubles just a little."
Jagger looks up, "Who told you it was a rough night?"
"My wife told me after talking with Fidelia," answers Urwin. "Also, if you have time, I've got a small situation that could use your assistance. I get regular deliveries from the Wizard of Wines Winery west and south of Vallaki. However, I was supposed to get a shipment almost a week ago and it still hasn't arrived. Can you go there and check it out for me? I'm not out of wine yet, but the stocks are getting low."
Looking agrieved at the prospect of no more wine, Jagger asks, "How far away is the winery? Could we get there and back before tomorrow? We're special guests of the Burgomaster at tomorrow's festival. If not, how bad would it be to miss his invitation?"
"All is well," Urwin starts, "The Burgomaster is quite serious with his festivals. He believes that if he can just make people happy enough, then the entire town will drop out of this hellish domain and he'll be free of Lady Strahd's oversight. If you miss his invitation, then he will put you in the stocks or worse. I'd be there or never return to Vallaki." Seeing the sober nods of understanding, he continues, "However, I think you should go say hello to Lars at the bar. He's got a friend whose going through difficulties and could use your help." Urwin then heads back to the kitchen with the empty tray.
Morgana hurriedly eats her soup, then jumps up from her chair and gleefully rushes over to Lars, "Greetings friend! Have you heard of
Celestian? May I tell you about our lord that walks among the stars."
"I've had enough of the gods. I've been stuck in this hell for a decade or more and my last remaining friend is struggling," replies Lars. "You've got to understand I come from the Emerald Outpost within Tal'Dorei a wondrous place that I long to see again. My friends and I stepped through those damnable mists over a decade ago and I've lost all of them except Bluto. But Bluto cracked being trapped here and has become the town's drunkard. He goes fishing everyday so that he can trade with Urwin for wine, but he's been on a dry streak lately and the more he sobers up the worse his mind becomes. He's just a shell of who he used to be and I'm afraid he's going to do something incredibly stupid. I don't know what that could be, but I fear the worst."
Approaching the bar Fidelia asks, "What do you mean by the worst? Are you saying he'll steal from Urwin? Or are you hinting that he might kill someone? Just how messed up is your friend?"
"You've got to understand what this place does to you," replies Lars. "He was fine when we first entered, but we've seen so much horror since arriving. You've got ravenous wolves in the woods, but you have so much worse as well. Things that will drain you of life only to then live as one of them. You end up fighting the corpses of your friends, wolves that walk and look as men do. And yet still there is worse to come. To answer you, I'm not sure what he's capable of doing now. He doesn't see right and wrong like we do. That's why I became a city guard here. I'm trying to keep an eye on him and keep him out of most troubles. Can you go out to the lake and help? I've got duty within the hour."
"I'm not sure what you expect us to do," explains Fidelia, "but we'll go check on him." The party then heads out to begin their day.
As they reach the crossroads between the eastwest and northsouth roads, they see a townsperson walking by with a smile firmly in place. Curious, Fidelia asks, "Have you seen Bluto today? Do you know where he's gone?"
"All is well," responds the person, "I saw Bluto a few hours ago. He had a large sack and was heading northward, probably to the lake."
"You said he had a large sack," continues Fidelia, "Is that different than normal?"
The townperson nods while confirming, "He normally only has a bucket and his line." The person concludes the conversation with the ritual phrase and heads on eastward.
Heading north, the party sees two large tough guys pinning a lady against a wall. Morgana rushes forward and asks, "Hey! Are you bothering this lady?"
The brothers turn toward Morgana while scanning the rest of the party behind her before responding, "We're just having a chat with her. None of your business."
"If you are threatening her," responds Morgana, "Then it is my business." While Morgana's talking, the lady queitly backs away from the group before hurrying south down the road and out of sight.
Behind her, Jagger quips, "Nice to know having a chat is code for bullying."
"Look," responds the taller brother, "I'm Nikolai and this is Karl. We're sons of who should be ruling Vallaki. It'll go better if you just let us get on with our business."
Fidelia steps forward and asks, "Oh? Who should be ruling Vallaki? I thought it was Burgomaster Vallakovich. Is he your father?"
Karl spits at the mention of the Burgomaster before replying, "No that toad is delusional. Our mother is Lady Fiona Wachter and she should be the ruler here to serve our Lady of the realm. So just let us get on with our business and you go about yours or there'll be trouble."
"Sure business," quips Jagger again, "Because here in Vallaki we do our bullying in broad daylight."
Nikolai glares at him, "What was that?"
However, Fidelia interjects, "So why isn't your mother in charge here?"
Karl smriks as he responds, "She just hasn't made her move yet. Her power is growing, so it's only a matter of time though. Now get out of our way. We've got other business to attend."
As the brothers walk southward, the party continues north. Shortly, the group sees the open archway ahead of them with two guards sullenly standing on either side.
Fidelia asks, "Have either of you seen Bluto today?"
A guard replies, "Yah. I saw him heading toward the lake with a large sack several hours ago. I doubt that he'll catch anything though."
"How far is the lake?" Fidelia continues. "Could we make it there and back today?"
"Sure. It's maybe an hours walk, likely less," replies the other guard. "You do know there be dangers out there though, yes? Wolves and worse."
Turning back to the party, Fidelia ponders, "You know, maybe we don't need to head to the lake. Why don't we just wait here for him? He'll be back by sundown, right?"
Sticky muses for a second before responding, "His friend seemed really worried that Bluto was going to do something. It seemed he thought it might happen today."
Morgana also expresses, "I'd like to see the lake. We've been in the woods before, surely we'll be alright just heading up to the lake."
Fidelia nods at the responses and the party continues out beyond Vallaki along a narrow trail that gets swallowed into a mass of twisted and gnarled trees. As the noon hour begins, the woods peel back from the trail revealing a large lake at the base of a mountain surrounded by mist-laden trees. The perfectly still water reflects the black monstrous clouds overhead like a mirror. Sitting in the middle of the lake, the party can see a row boat with a large man hunched over in thought. Next to the party along the southern shore are three additional rowboats.
Jagger tries to capture the man's attention by yelling out, "Hey! You on the boat! You okay out there?" But the man continues to stay hunched over. He then yells out, "Hey Bluto! This wine we've got is most excellent!"
Still not receiving any sign that he heard, Fidelia and Jagger slowly begin inspecting the rowboats looking to ensure they are structurally sound. As they do so, the large man rises slightly within the boat and lifts a large sack at his feet. He heaves the bag overboard as Nazgog complains, "Is someone going out there? Nazgog not like to go out on murder liquid. No? No one? Fine Nazgog will go!" She then pushes a rowboat off the shore as both her and Morgana climb into it. Morgana grabs an oar and rapidly rows out toward the sinking bag. Nazgog reaches out, grabs the bag, and lifts it with one hand just after the bag slides beneath the surface of the water.
Morgana quickly unties the bag and discovers a young girl inside whose been gagged with had her hands and feet bound. Untying her, she calmly greets her saviours, "Thank you. That was most distressing. I'm Arabelle, daughter of Luvash, leader of the Vistani outside Vallaki. Will you return me to my family?"
Perplexed, Morgana asks, "Aren't you upset about this? Why would Bluto do this to you?"
Arabelle calmly replies, "I am Vistani. I am the daughter of Luvash. I am above this. And him? He doesn't even know what he did. However, I hear townsfolk talk about the luck of the Vistani, so he might think that by giving me to the lake that he will receive the luck of the Vistani." Shaking her head slightly, she continues, "I forgive him for what he does not know. I've been with him long enough to know he isn't right in the head, but my father will bring down the fury of the Vistani in search of justice if he finds him."
Morgana continues while she rows the boat back to shore, "So if we just let him go, that would not bother you?"
Arabelle sighs, "Last night when he took me, I was angry, but after listening to his ramblings and hearing his nightmares, I forgive him. His fate does not trouble me. He will either find peace or he will soon die, but not by my hands."
Upon reaching the shore, Arabelle and Morgana climb out and the rest of the party listens to Arabelle's story. Yesterday afternoon, she was reading history of the Vistani within her wagon when her guardian got knocked out. Bluto then came inside, grabbing her and tying her up before dumping her into that sack. She was then carried somewhere for the night where she heard him crying out for lost companions. Then she heard him whimpering in his sleep as he called out in fear those same names.
Meanwhile, Nazgog rows the boat back out to the center of the lake where Bluto has his line dipped into the water. Nazgog props her axe against the boat's bulkwark, then while watching Bluto for any reaction, she ties her boat to his and, as she expected, Bluto focuses only on his fishing line. She rows the boat back to shore as Bluto watches his bobber trail in the wake behind them without acknowleding Nazgog. Back on the shore, she helps Bluto out of his boat, then ties his hands in front of him though his hands still grasp the fishing rod. Walking back to the group with Bluto in tow, Nazgog states "Shall we head back to town? We need a quiet place to stash him before returning Arabelle to her people."
On the way back into
Vallaki, the party discusses what can be done for Bluto. They express concerns for Luvash's wrath as well as the potential that Bluto has become so lost that he might do something worse next time. As they approach the Blue Water Inn, they've decided to hide Bluto in their upstairs room with Ireena and Ismark watching him while the party returns Arabelle. Morgana starts to head into the tavern to buy a pitcher, when she looks back at Bluto and then rushes under the his rope tied hands still holding the fishing rod and gives him a warm hug. Bluto smiles as she then rushes into the tavern.
The party quickly ascends the stairs and sits Bluto on a bed. Sticky heads over to Ismark's room while Nazgog states, "Bluto. We are getting you some wine, but we want you to sit here and not leave until we return. Will you do that for me?"
Bluto looks up at Nazgog as he replies, "Wine? I like wine. Do you have some?"
Jagger looks at Nazgog, "Luvash will likely torture him, why don't we just put him out of his misery and save him the pain?"
"Hey!" retorts Nazgog, "This is my pet! Why think you have choice?"
Shrugging, Jagger states, "I'm just worried what might happen if Luvash gets to him."
Nazgog nods, "Musicman might be right, but we not know that until we talk to Vistani." Turning back to Bluto, she continues, "You have not promised. Do you promise to stay here till we return? You will have wine."
Ismark, Ireena, and Morgana all come into the room. Ismark's eyes flare for a second as the party explains the plan and pass over a silver coin to ensure Bluto stays in his cups. The party then heads back outside and toward the west.
After passing through the western gates of Vallaki, Arabelle points toward a small almost hidden track, "This'll lead us to our camp. You'll get to meet the Dusk Elves as well."
Fidelia looks up and questions, "Dusk elves? There are elves here?"
"Yes," replies Arabelle. "Long ago they fought against Lady Strahd taking this land, but lost. Then a few centuries ago, one of them, Patrina and sister to Kasamir, delved too deeply into dark and unnatural forces. She then sought out our Lady of the realm and married her. Strahd desiring even more power, then tried to consume Patrina, but her own people, her own brother even, stoned her to death. Furious, Lady Strahd, destroyed all of the women and children of the Dusk Elves. My ancestors sheltered them from the horrors of this land and continue to protect them to this day."
"What do you mean 'protect'?" asks Jagger suspiciously.
"We watch over them," continues Arabelle. "We make sure they stay in their hovels and aren't causing trouble that would enrage our Lady further. Ah look we are here! I'm sure my father will be in the tent atop the hill."
The group climbs the hill past a row of small houses that surround the mound. As the party approaches the large circular tent, they notice several casks heaped outside and several covered wagons that encircle the large tent. Suddenly, the party hears a sharp crack followed by a howl inside. Rushing into the tent, the party sees several fires burning and haze of smoke hangs within. A young teenager is tied against a central pillar and two large men stand behind him, one of them holding a whip.
The other says, "Easy brother, I think Alexei has learned his lesson."
Fidelia rushes forward while declaring, "You better stop or you'll pay for your cruelty."
The older brother looks over at Fidelia, smiling as he replies, "Greetings strangers. You'll forgive us of course, but this lad was tasked with watching my daughter and she was taken.."
Arabelle steps out from behind the party and strides over to her father interrupting his speech. They quickly hug, then he continues, "You've brought her back to me. I thank you and will reward such kindness. But first, I am Luvash of the Vistani and this is my brother, Arrigal. Tell us what happened and where did you find her?"
The party quickly relates the entire tale, then Fidelia asks, "As a sign of our new friendship, can we request that you not seek retribution upon Bluto? We are working to ensure it won't happen again."
Luvash strokes his chin, then replies, "He has safety within the town. That is the domain of the Burgomaster and my clan will not violate it. However, I can promise that if we see him here, then he will wish for death. You can not steal a Vistani and not expect retribution." Arrigal bristles next to his brother, but keeps his tongue.
Fidelia looks over at the teen still tied to the tentpole and asks, "Can I untie this guy?"
Luvash nods, as a middle-aged man strides into the tent. He looks askance at the party then approaches Luvash, handing him a letter and a bag that clinks. Luvash quickly reads the letter, then shakes his head no while returning the bag. The middle-aged man looks again at the party and then quickly withdraws.
Sticky prompts, "You mentioned a reward?"
Luvash smiles grandly, as he leads the party out of the tent, "Yes my friend! And it won't be one of those false mist potions. I'll give something of actual value." He quickly strides to a random wagon where he and his brother use keys to unlock it. "Look closely friends and choose wisely. Not all are equal." The party gets to choose an item among two wooden chests, an onyx jewelry box, a wooden throne, a rug with a unicorn motif, and a box with a dozen stoppered potions. Luvash states again, "Remember those potions are just wothless junk. Choose amongst the others." Once the party settles on a chest containing gold, he responds again, "Wise choice among these treasures. May fortune favor you."
"Shall we go talk to the elves?" asks Fidelia as the party heads back down the hill to the east. Seeing a few figures standing at the entrance to one of the hovels, the party approaches them. One of the guards asks, "What business have you here?" Upon learning that they wish to speak to the leader of the elves, the guards open the door and allow the party to enter a decorated vestibule with a comfortable room with a fireplace beyond. Seated within that room a tall elf rises and greets the party, "Hail! What brings strangers to my door?"
"We'd like to know more about you and your group," Fidelia answers. "Why do the Vistani watch over you?"
Kasamir the dusk elf quickly relates the history of how his people fought the dark lady Strahd before she was transformed into the mistress of this realm and then continues with his tale of woe as he describes his sister falling to dark powers that consumed her with vanity. How she approached Lady Strahd with marriage and how Strahd was consuming her soul before he and his elves stoned his sister to death. "Thus I remain here while Luvash still seeks his daughter."
The party then tells how they found Arabelle and returned her. Kasamir adds, "You've done a noble thing and the Vistani will honor it. Now, why have you really come to see me?"
Fidelia responds, "We had a reading with Vistano the Vistani and his cards showed that you have a powerful artifact that can help us. Do you know of what we seek?"
Kasamir nods before responding, "Aye I do. His cards read truly. I have the Sunsword. An unique blade once possessed by Lady Strahd's brother Sergei. A magnificent weapon that holds the power of the sun within it. A dangerous weapon against a creature of the night like Lady Strahd." He pauses, then continues,"I will not give this freely though. I have been plaqued by dreams of my sister Patrina. She suffers greatly within the crypts of Castle Ravenloft. Long have I sought out a way to bring her back. The Amber Temple holds secrets beyond even Strahd's imagining. I offer the Sunsword as payment for accompanying me to the Temple. Will you help me find a way to bring my sister back and free this realm from Strahd?"
The party accepts his offer and states that they'll return within a week to journey with him. They then follow the narrow path back to the western gates. As they cross under the wooden gate, they hear Lars greet them, "Hey! I thought you all were heading to the lake to check on my friend. Why are you outside the western gates?"
Nazgog quickly hugs Morgana and clamps one of her huge hands over Morgana's mouth as Fidelia stalls, "We had another task to complete. We'll just be on our way."
Lars asks again, "Did you find something already? It's been several hours since we talked at the tavern and I stressed that time was of the essence."
Morgana rips Nazgog's hand off her mouth as she blurts, "We went to the lake and you were right. Bluto did something unconscionable. He kidnapped the daughter of the Vistani leader and was threw her into the lake to drown. How can you let him roam the streets!"
A horrified look crosses Lars's face before he somberly responds, "I didn't imagine he was that far gone. I've been keeping him out of most trouble, but he keeps getting worse. I agree he can't just roam freely anymore, but I'm not sure what to do. Can I meet with you at the tavern after my watch tonight? Maybe we can think of something together."
The party agrees and then heads back toward the Blue Water Inn.
