Day 11 - Midday
Earlier the party traveled from the Wizards of Wine Winery with a cartload of six barrels of Purple Grapemash wine. They had a brush with wolves along the Old Svalich Road and then dispatched the pack of Werewolves circling the palisade surrounding Vallaki. After the battle, Lars rushed out of the west gate with a squad of city guard to greet the party.
After pleasantries, the party heads toward
The Blue Water Inn following the main road through town. As they pass an alley, Jagger sees a hooded figure huddled within the shadows. He asks Morgana if she also saw the person, but doesn't get confirmation.
Upon entering the tavern of the inn, Urwin comes out from the kitchen asking, "So? What did you find out at the winery?"
Fidelia points to an open table as she responds, "Why don't we sit as there are several topics." Upon sitting around the table, Fidelia quickly summarizes reaching the winery and learning that all three seeds had been stolen causing Urwin to gasp in shock. Continuing, she relates the destruction of the Gulthias Tree and liberation of the first seed as well as cleansing of the vats. She then finishes with the journey back to Vallaki with the cart filled with six barrels of wine and the battle with the werewolves.
Urwin speaks first, "My father still blames me for the Champagne seed? I've tried to explain, but he won't listen. Perhaps now that the other seeds were stolen, he'll find a way to forgive me. This wine should hold us over for three weeks so hopefully with the next vat you'll be able to help other towns. But supply will remain tight with only one vine producing and three working vats."
Lars adds, "We've completed the first jail, but we are already running into shortages. We need lots of metal-work, bricks, and wood. And how do we equip the guards with silver like you suggest."
Fidelia, "Is there not a blacksmith in town? No? Fine, gather who you can tomorrow and I'll do same base training to see which ones have a knack for it. Plating silver over metal should be an easy task and we'll see who might do more. Anything else?"
Leaving Lars and Urwin to their duties, the party heads outside and up the stairs to knock on Ireena's and Ismark's door. They quickly recap their journey to and from the winery.
"I'm sorry," starts Ismark, "You are telling me that wine comes from magical seeds?"
Morgana explains, "Not really. They winery still grows grapes on vines, but without these magic gems called seeds, then the plant won't fruit and therefore no grapes."
Ismark stares at Morgana in confusion.
Nazgog grunts, "Winery was broken. We fixed it."
"As long as you understand what you did," replies Ismark, "then that's what matters." He then calls out to Ireena, "Our heroes are here! Come and chat with them."
Ireena comes to the door asking, "Our Heroes? Is that you Rictavo? Oh! Greetings all. I'm glad to see you return."
Morgana greets Ireena, "It's good to see you as well. You look much better than the dolls of you."
Ireena's face blanches as she asks, "There are dolls of me? Who would do such a thing?"
"We don't understand it either," replies Morgana, "But would you be willing to meet him?"
Ismark interjects, "I thought we talked about this and that decided it was a bad idea."
Ireena jumps on his admission, "You knew? Why would you not tell me?"
"Well, no good will come of it and they can't guarantee your safety," Ismark responds. "What happens if this person goes beserk and attacks you?"
Mollified, Ireena nods in concurence. Nazgog grunts, "Is family dispute over? Nazgog hungry. We head to mansion for food."
Leaving the Blue Water Inn behind, the party heads east on the old svalich road in town and then turns north. As they come within sight of the
Burgomaster's Estate, a hooded figure shrouded in a billowing cloak jumps from an alley and does two quick strikes against Morgana before fleeing toward the south.
As the party begins pursuit, Morgana spots ravens circling overhead and calls out, "Hey! That thug's getting away! Can you follow him and let us know where he goes?" Everyone pauses for a moment and then a lone raven peels off toward the south returning just a few moments later and squaks, "Wachter! Wachter!"
Upon reaching the Wachter house, the party approaches a decaying two story home. The house once proud and shiny now seems disgusted with itself. The roof slouches over furrowed gables frowning with frustration. The walls sag and bulge from overgrown vegation. As the party surveys the grounds, a long low groan exudes from the settling house almost as if it's willing itself to collapse.
Sticky raises a finger to his lips as he skirts away from the party and follows the path around the house, he finds a front door, back door, and, down a few steps, a door in the side of the house. Each door except the cellar door is locked, which he opens and, shrouded in darkness, silently descends more steps until he hears a few squelches deeper in the darkness. He pauses and then quickly ascends the stairs and reports back to the group.
Taking a direct approach, the party marches toward the front door and knocks. With no immediate answer, Nazgog looses patience and forces the door hearing braces crack as it opens onto a narrow vestibule with multiple doors leading off. The party quickly searches the ground floor. The place seems deserted with a layer of dust several days old. The most interesting room, the parlor, contains a portrait above a mantel depicting a family of four, a noble male, his shrewd wife, and their two sons, a spitting image of the man. The party also avoids a hidden door leading downward into the basement.
Heading upstairs, the party hears a faint scratching. Ignoring it for the moment, they open the door on the right, revealing a small bedroom with neatly made bed, wardrobe, and a small chest that contains trivial bits. Moving past double doors on the opposite side of the landing, the party follows the scratching to a door midway between the ends. Calling out, a feminine voice replies, "Can little kitty come out to play? Little kitty is sad and lonely and promises to be a good kitty this time. Honestly she does."
After trying the locked door, Sticky quickly picks it and opens the door, a young woman starts to bound forward, but halts and hisses and then scurries backward while exclaiming, "Little Kitty doesn't know you! Little Kitty doesn't like the smell of you!"
Jagger looks amused as he tells Sticky, "She is right. I bet we smell of earth, rotted wine, and blood! However, let's just close and lock this door and deal with this bit of crazy later."
The party heads to the next door on this side of the hall which reveals an identical bedroom to their first door.
Heading across the hall, they open a door into the master bedroom and see a perfectly preserved body laying fully dressed on the large canopied bed in the room. After a few moments of prodding and testing the body, Nazgog swings her giant axe through the man's neck beheading him. Exploring the rest of the room, another picture of the man and his family. Opening the closet reveals fine clothes including a ceremonial black robe and chest on a high shelf. Sticky quickly disables a trap and picks it open to show lead lining and human bones.
The party then heads back to the landing, lets Kitty out of her room who offers to guide them. She takes them to the double doors, and ,after picking the lock, Sticky opens the door to a cacophony of meowing. Cats are everywhere. Perched among bookshelves, on a desk, chair, and a small table. Poking through this library, most shelves appear barren but there here and there a random book sits crosswise against an edge. Exploring the room, Jagger discovers that one section of the bookcases pulls away allowing access to a hidden room. Examining this dusty store room uncovers a few treasures.
Satisfied that the interior of the house is not a threat, the party heads back downstairs where Kitty shows them the hidden backdoor that starts their descent into the basement.
