Within the Palisade - Session 11 Report
General Summary
Day 5 (continued)
Exiting the Blue Water Inn, the party enters another overcast day with only diffused light peeking through the mass of dark gray clouds passing lazily overhead. Ireena and Ismark follow outside as Fidelia asks, "We've made it to Vallaki as you've asked. How far away is the Abbey of St Markovia?" A puzzled look passes across Ismark's face before responding, "The abbey isn't within Vallaki, but rather farther west in a small village called Krezk. I've only been in the village of Barovia, so I'm not sure, but I think a half-day's travel." "Alright," Fidelia responds, "but since you wanted her in Vallaki you must know a safe place here, right?" "No," Ismark answers, "I only know that Vallaki isn't directly under Lady Strahd's castle. I've never been to Vallaki, so I don't where or if there is any place that provides safety for my sister. Why don't we start with the church. If any place knows where safety lies, it'll be the church." The party heads westward along the main Vallaki road. A smattering of townsfolk head purposefully about their tasks with smiles firmly affixed. Fidelia stops one of the townsfolk asking, "What is the Festival of the Sun?" The guy replies, "It's the next festival to bolster our spirits and it'll be held in just three days. All will be well" Fidelia shudders at the sycophant tone as the man heads onward down the street then states, "Happy people really get on the nerves, don't they?" Nazgog nods adding, "We could get some charcoal and draw frowny faces on them. Would that help?" Fidelia shakes her head, "Let's just carry on toward the church for now." Several minutes later the party sees a centuries-old stone church that slouches and bulges from decay. Stained glass windows depict pious saints and a wrought iron fence encloses gravestones next to the church. Knocking on the double-doors leading into this squalid church, a young boy dressed in white square smock opens the door and greets the party. He quickly leads them down a short hallway into the sanctuary where an older priest attends to five or six patrons, including a young crying child. Fidelia pats the head of the child comfortingly as she approaches the priest. "Father, we have come on an errand of mercy and seek a place of peace for our young lady here. We fear the mistress of this land has a dark obsession with Lady Ireena Kolyana. Would your church offer such sanctuary?" The priest studies Ireena and then notices Morgana's holy symbol. "Greetings. I'm Father Petrovich and most heart-felt greetings to you, follower of Celestian . Knowing the grace that your goddess provides, I must, in truth, answer that our church stands vulnerable." Morgana reacts, "Truly? Why doesn't the Morning Lord protect it?" Father Petrovich walks toward the altar as he explains, "This isn't something I've shared, because these people have so little, regardless of our esteemed burgomaster. Several days ago, the reliquary was violated. The church has lost its holy protections. Someone has stolen the bones of St Andral. I fear what might happen without the relic protecting my lost sheep." Fidelia inquires, "When did this happen? Do you know who took them? Have you tried getting them back, perhaps a reward" The priest shakes his head slowly before responding, "Yeska came to me in tears several days ago fearing a monster was hunting him. I shared with him that he would be safe here, because this church was protected by the glory of the Morning Lord due to St Andral's bones. I've only ever shared this with him and two days later, the bones were gone. I asked him if he shared this with anyone and he nodded, but wouldn't tell me who. I suspect my other assistant, Milovoj, but I've not confronted him due to his mercurial temperment. If he made a scene, then my parishioners would panic." He sighs while pleading with Morgana, "Is there anything you can do?" Morgana readily assents, "Of course, we'll find this relic and return it. May we talk with Yeska and Milivoj?" "Please be discreet," answers Petrovich, "I'd hate for this news to become public." Fidelia takes a knee in front of young Yeska and smiles warmly at him as she inquires, "We heard that Father Petrovich shared that his church was protected by St Andral's bones. That made you feel safer, yes?" As he nods, she continues, "But you told someone else didn't you?" In the background Jagger starts tumbling and entertaining Yeska as he nods. Fidelia continues, "You told Milivoj? You wanted him to feel safe too and that's a good thing. You care about him and wanted him to feel safe, so you told him, yes?" The boy looks around fearfully, but then quietly nods. "You did good trying to make him feel safe, but you probably should let Father Petrovich help next time." The boy shyly nods again as Fidelia gives him a friendly hug. Fidelia stands and states, "I'm thinking Morgana might lead our conversation with Milivoj. She just bubbles over with enthusiasm. Jagger stares at Fidelia for a moment as a goofy grin tugs at his mouth. Morgana leads the party back outside to find Milivoj. Trailing behind Morgana, Jagger subtly wefts his fingers then points at Morgana while cupping a bit of fleece. He then leers as Morgana's chest begins to swell in cups. Walking beside him Nazgog's eyes bulge for a split second before the party sees Milivoj digging a hole in the yard. Milivoj glances up as Morgana and the party approaches. His eyes go as wide as saucers as Morgana enthusiasitically greeets him with her trademark, "Hi friend!" Overwhelmed, he mumbles a reply. Then Morgana asks, "We need some assistance. Can you help?" Milivoj replies "I'm rather busy and then I have to cook for my brothers and sisters." Morgana smiles warmly trying to persuade Milivoj, "I'm sure you are a great older brother, we all just need a bit of support from time to time." Snickering behind her, Nazgog teases, "Yes, we definitely need a lot of support." as Milivoj continues to leer at Morgana's cleavage. "I don't have time," replies Milivoj. "I really need finish my gardening." Jagger suggests, "Tell him what a great idea you have for cooking Nazgog." Nazgog looks startled and replies, "Should I bring a dead wolf to his family?" Jagger sees Milivoj jerk in fear, "Never mind let's raincheck on the bloody wolf." Deciding not to push Milivoj with more extreme measures, the party decides to visit the mayor to learn more about the upcoming festival. Heading back up the hill, the party passes the Blue Water Inn before taking a turn toward the north. Approaching a two story residence with areas missing plaster showing plain rock beneath. Drapes cover all windows including the double door entrance. Fidelia marches toward the entrance and raps upon the door. After a few moments, a young lady wearing a maid outfit answers the door and escorts the party down a hallway lined with piles and piles of bundled wood. The party also sees a small gathering of women in the dining hall prior to being ushered into a room on the right. Entering the den, olfactory sense are overwelmed by the reek of pipe tobacco. Looking around, this cozy room has padded chairs and couches that line the walls and a mounted head of a bear above a fireplace. After a few minutes, the mayor steps inside with a broad smile across his face and exclaims, "All will be well!" As he takes in the faces of the party, he looks bewildered for a moment, then launches into a more formal greeting, "I see you are strangers in our town. I am Baron Vargos Vallokovich, burgomaster of Vallaki. Long has this titled been within my family's hands and I have been raised to continue the traditions from old. However, these are dark times friend as the Lady Strahd rules these lands and inflicts much misery on its occupants. How may I help?" Jagger steps forward greeting the burgomaster in a deep bow, "It is a great honor to meet the burgomaster Vallokovich. We have heard of you and the great festivals that you throw. We came to pay our respects to such a wise and intelligent man." Pleased by the flattery, the mayor continues, "Yes! The festivals are the foundation for liberating Vallaki! If everyone would just embrace the joy that the festivals bring, then I'm sure we'd escape the reach of Lady Strahd and return to normal! There are so few people that understand this. You must stay and be my special guests for this coming festival, the festival of the Blazing Sun. With you up front and exclaiming 'All will be well' everyone will feel at ease and this'll be the best one festival yet!" The compliments continue on both sides for several minutes, then Sticky asks, "What happens if we can't attend the festival? Why do you think that just being joyful will cause the town to be free?" Frowning the burgomaster responds cautiously, "Everyone knows the festivals are mandatory. Only agents for Strahd would miss it and only then to cause mischif to our residents. Are you saying that you're not going to attend?" Sticky quickly assuages the mayor, "Of course we'll be there. It was just hypothetical to ensure that everyone would be there." "Ahh," responds the mayor pointedly, "you can rest assured that you and everyone else in town will be there. It'll just be the best of times. Now you'll excuse me as I return to other important matters. I'm sure you can find your way out." The burgomaster then leaves the room and heads upstairs. Crossing the hall, Jagger enters the dining room as the lady at the head of the table stands and greets him, "All will be well stranger. How may I assist?" Jagger quickly surveys the women arrayed around the table before responding, "What a gorgeous table and such amazing dishes you serve. You are quite the generous hostess." Blushing the baroness responds, "Thank you. I love to serve and providing for women within the town is just one of the small tasks I perform." Quickly losing interest the party heads back outside. After discussing it, the party walks toward the eastside of Vallaki to visit the stockyard they had seen last night. The large yard has locked sheds around its periphery that lie adjacent to a large warehouse. As the parter enters, they pass a sign hanging next to the gate which reads "Arasek Stockyard". Walking towards the warehouse the party notices a sturdy covered carnival wagon with faded and peeling lettering of "Rictavio's Carnival of Wonders". Upon entering the warehouse, a middle-aged human couple greets the party, "Greetings new comers, I'm Gunther Arasek and this is my wife Yelena. We have a limited selection of goods, but all will be well. How may we assist you on this fine cloudy day?" Looking at the selection, the party notices that only basic equipment seems to be present with a price tag roughly ten times from what they would've expected before this strange land. The party quickly decides that there isn't any urgent need for supplies, but Jagger presses for a bit of information. "What's with the wagon outside?" she asks. Gunther responds, "It belongs to a circus master who came to town about a month ago. He didn't have a place to park it safely, so we've been storing it for him. Why?" "It's such a colorful and useful wagon that we were curious," answers Jagger. "Although it's time to head back to the Blue Water Inn. Rictavio wants to see who best enraptures the tavern." The party heads back outside and Sticky states, "I think I'll come back here while you have this character, Rictavio, distracted. There's something about that wagon that just doesn't sit right." Nazgog grunts, "Have you forgotten that we also need to search the church after the worshippers leave? Do we split up?" Fidelia nods while adding, "We should split up tasks. I'll stay with Jagger and feed Rictavio drinks. Nazgog and Morgana can inspect the church and then join Sticky who'll be investigating the circus wagon. Agreed?" Receiving agreement, the party enters The Blue Water Inn where a large crowd already awaits. Rictavio greets the Jagger and the rest of the party magnamiously. "Welcome friends! I've taken the liberty of spreading word of our friendly challenge throughout town so that we'll have a wide palette of judges. I've held a table for you all over here by the stairs. Eat up and we'll start when you're ready." Danika Martikov deliveries bowls of beet soup along with flagons of water which the party quickly starts to consume. As the party finishes their meal and states to split up, Nazgog looks pointedly at Jagger while stating, "I trust you'll not be telling any of our plans." Jagger laughs weakly, "I appreciate the trust." Wiping her mouth, Jagger stands and nods toward Rictavio. He pounds upon the stairwell railing and loudly proclaims, "Lords! Ladies! You've come to be entertained and tonight you'll have not one performer, but two! Strangers within our stange land have agreed to tell tales or songs of daring do and you, our audience, will decide who has entertained you better. As host, I have the honor and privlege of going first. As such, I will tell a tale that marks the death of one life, but the start of another!Many will know of our hero, but few will have heard this tale." Rictavio then tells of a young lad from Darkon. Rictavio tells of this lad's growth toward manhood, learning to be a doctor, and then marrying his lifelong love before a son is borne onto them. After such idyillic beginings, the story darkens as Van Richten's son gets kidnapped by a band of Vistani who give him over to the local lord Baron Metus. Van Richten tracks his son only to find that he has become an undead monster, a vampire spawn. After killing the body of his son, he returns home to find that his wife killed by the same vampire who turned his son. The tale ends with Van Richten righeoustly killing the vampire, Baron Metus, with a wooden stake. The crowd erupts with the victory and reveal of Dr Rudolph Van Richten, a famed monster hunter.
Jagger takes a few steps onto the makeshift stage. He bows before the audience and announces, "You all know that one person who likes to brag about the deeds they've done and you know that they are just full of crap. Well here is a story about one such person and when they did actually do something heroic!" He then begins singing the heroic tale of a bard based on his experience within the Death House just a few short days ago. As he sings the chorus a second time, the audience echoes "a bard who kills a mimic" back at him.
Rictavio asks the audience to rate both of the performances, but they cry out for more instead. Rictavio pronounces that there can be no clear winner yet so he and Jagger will do another performance each. Rictavio then describes a weird scene starting in darkness but something disturbs his slumber, rising toward light he smashes against a large object even though he is larger. Finally, Rictavio reveals that persons are feeling from a ship as his tentacles encircle it and drag it broken beneath the waves of an ocean. The audience is stunned by the depiction. Without reference to oceans or octopusses the audience feels bewildered that such a thing could be true, but are amazed at its creativity.
Jagger steps up and boldly states, "Now for a story that you may find familiar in some way. About overcoming the oppression that seeks to seal your joy and drain your vigor." He then tells how he met with his king who titled him Bard to the King but then wrote songs that seduced the princess into his bed and landed him in the dungeon. Upon being freed, he wrote a new song that seduced the prince which earned Jagger in a deeper dungeon until he managed to play a tune that placed the guard into a magical sleep. Upon escaping, Jagger left his homeland and ventured into the wider world.
Rictavio stands and declares, "You are well met within this town. Perhaps you will one day grace us with a new story and we will all rejoice with it. For now, let me tell the tale of dark times where an evil goddess threatened to be queen of the world." He then proceeds with a dark tale of the dragon queen.
Meanwhile, Nazgog and Morgana head toward St Andrals church and find Father Petrovich in the middle of a sermon. As Father Petrovich concludes the sermon, Morgana approaches a crying older woman, Willemina Rikalova, sitting near the back of the chuch. Upon prodding, she reveals that her son the shoemaker, Udo Lukovich, has been imprisoned by the burgomaster and she fears he'll never be freed. Upon additional questioning, Rikalova states that her son protested against the Burgomaster during the Wolf's Head Jamboree by carrying a sign that the Burgomaster should be fed to wolves. Leaving Morgana to deal with the crying woman, Nazgog approaches the wooden flooring where the bones had been stored. Prying them up, she investigates the scene to determine who might've taken bones. Unfortunately, while she can tell the boards had been pried up, there's no real evidence of who took the bones. Frustrated with the lack of new information, Nazgog and Morgana head back across town to join Sticky as he explores Rictavio's circus wagon. Upon arriving at Aerasak's Stockyard, they find Sticky already on top of the wagon as he works to shine a light downward into the wagon. He quietly shares that there's a large weird cat inside the wagon. Nazgog climbs up to join Sticky and sees the large teeth jutting down out of the cat's mouth and instantly recognizes that it is a Saber Tooth Tiger.
Rewards Granted
Rictavio gave Jagger a silvered rapier
Experience Points:
250 xp/person
Experience Points:
250 xp/person
Missions/Quests Completed
Rictavio and Jagger performed stories together
Discovered that Udo has been imprisoned
Found Sabre Toot Tiger in Rictavio's wagon
