Prologue - Expedition to Castle Ravenloft

[Yemam Silverman]

Yemam joins Marius in gaining arrows.  "I trust your knowledge friend.  My shot is obviously not anywhere near yours, but quality is good."

Yemam follows Marius around for the rest of the day, mostly because he has nothing to do, but we shouldn't be walking around alone.

[unkabear]

Hassid spent the day restocking his supplies.  Lamp oil here, leather to fix tack there.  Hassid felt that at times he was being taken, the prices were fairly in line to what he was used to back in Sharuun.  Something about the way he walked or perhaps his whole persona seemed to steer the less desirable elements well away from him.

Later when the night finally arrived Hassid found himself in the small yard near the stable looking up into the stars.  The Sorshef was different here.  The constellations unfamiliar to him.  Perhaps the Riding Host has already ridden these skies.  Hassid continued to stare upon them until he began to become drowsy and went back to his room.  There were remnants of something up there.  He could feel that it was important.  But he was no Sahi and the mysteries of the sky eluded him.

In the morning he was ready just before sunup to leave.  And could be found in the stable brushing down StarDancer with a full stomach of fresh bread and cheese mentally preparing for a long ride.

[Ioan Nicolae Costache]

Ioan contemplated what he had faced to this point, and what he might be facing on the journey to come. His first purchase of the morning was a small, silver holy symbol, the rising-sun icon of the Morninglord.

His next stop was at a weaponsmith...

"I have an unusual request," he began, holding up the holy symbol and his masterwork warhammer.

The smith grinned. "You want a poor man's wolfhammer" he said. "Simple enough to affix your symbol there to the business end. Changes the balance o' the hammer a tiny bit, but I can fix that with a bit of plumb under the wrap at the pommel-end o' the hilt."

He accepts the weapon and symbol from Ioan, and gets a better look at the scarred giogoto. He looks back at the weapon, noting the patterns of scuffing and the occasional dent in the hammer's face.

"You've already tried this on a wolf or two. And lived to tell about it."

Ioan mumbles assent, rather than telling anything.

"Come back in the evening. I'll have it done, and I'll make sure the symbol stays put."

...

Ioan spends the rest of the day moving from shop to shop, picking up the sorts of supplies he's found himself needing or expending. Not fully trusting the local temple, he buys flasks and powdered silver and prepares his own holy water.

As the sun sets he returns to the weaponsmith. The hammer is as good as promised, and better. To Ioan's practiced hand the balance is unchanged, though the weapon might be just a little heavier overall.

"I don't expect I'll be seeing you again. Folks get something like this, they're usually looking for trouble."

Ioan nods. "Hittin' th' road in th' morning. If I ever make it back this way, though, I'll bring it in for a shine." He pays, and returns to the inn, ready for the morrow...

[Adam Godson]

Adam spends the remaining portion of the day on three important tasks. 

First, Adam heads to a local temple to donate his earning collected from Matton to care for the sick and homeless in the community.  He lets the good priest know that he will be back and expects an accounting of how his money was spent.   

Second, he identifies the best arms dealers in town and purchases from them a masterwork greatsword treated with achemical silver.  Before purchasing he tests the blade for balance, strength, and toughness.   

Finally, he approaches Helen Morgurn about the loan of a good warhorse and riding tack.  Watching Hassid tend and care for StarDancer brings back fond memories of times spent with Lindon.  He missed the spirited beast, but wasn't ready to purchase a new mount within such a short time frame.  He is hoping that Helen may have a good warhorse that her caravan guards used or point him in the direction of reputable dealer.  He will provide a deposit if required. 

[Ikoma]

Helen is pleased to hear you are traveling back to Barovia.  She reminds you that if you hear anything of her husband and is fate, to send word to her.  She is willing to lend any who need it a horse suitable for cross country travel.

The party is on the road before the sun has cleared the horizon.  They are not alone on the road.  A few other small groups, apparently leaving the carnivale.  They are all quiet.  And by noon, they have separated onto side roads, leaving this group alone.  Ahead, you can see the mighty mountain range that gives Barovia it's name - both the country and the village that serves as capital.  Snow always sits on these high peaks.  Today, clouds can be seen ahead, low enough that jagged mountain tops can be seen poking out above them.  Those clouds promise rain... perhaps snow... before they arrive in the Barovia proper.

About the time the sun begins to drop from the sky, the wood lands on either side of the road begin to change.  Large trunk, deciduous trees give way to smaller truck quakers and aspens... mixed with a healthy sprinkling of pines.  And as the early clouds promised, a drizzle begins to fall, making the dusk very brief.  The sky goes from bright to dark within a few short hours.  As the rain grows deeper, the party looks for somewhere to camp.

((Post your miserable night of bonding.     There will be no surprise attacks.  This is more character building, party building opportunities.))

[Ioan Nicolae Costache]

Ioan looks around in the drizzle, and identifies a somewhat sheltered campsite, likely used by travelers in the past.

He gathers a pile of rain-dampened wood, builds a small firebed, and then manages to get it to burn cleanly. There are no gestures or invocations, and no fuels or waxes involved. Just wet wood and a tinderbox.

It's amazing to behold. Yemam has seen him do it before, but never in the rain.

Ioan looks up from the now crackling, merry blaze, and notes the puzzled expressions of his traveling companions.

"Before you ask... I don't know. It amazes me that EVERYBODY can't do this. Once dead, the wood wants to burn, and the spark wants to burn it."

[unkabear]

Hassid gathered the horses and tended to them making sure that they would be as dry as possible and comfortable as possible.

He returned to the camp just as Ioan lit wet wood.  "That is a good trick none the less my friend.  Talents to speak with nature, or animals or even people are gifts that should not be taken for granted."  Hassid was not yet comfortable with Lorelei, and even Adam.  Though he had been with Adam he had not really fought with the man at his side as he had with the others.  As much as he wanted to fight it his feelings for the others were forged in combat.

Hassid tried not to direct attention to it, but his lack of words might have spoken volumes.

[Marius Ionescu]

Marius felt better out here than in the city, the forest was his home after all, but at the same time there was something wrong in the air.  He almost got used to the shadows in the city, but here the shadows were different, more alive, more desperate.  He tried to shake the feeling from his mind, "not now!" Marius shouted.  He looked around hoping no one heard that.

He watched Ioan perform his marvelous act, he shook his head, smiled, and walked over to Hassid.  He wasn't sure how, but somehow he knew what his friend felt.  Marius put a comforting hand on his friends shoulder and smiled, "more alike than we like to admit," he half whispered, "another mess we have gotten into together this fine day."

[Yemam Silverman]

Yemam smiles as Ioan lights the fire.  "Friend...you are truly talented in many many ways."

Looking around, Yemam can't help but feel like this trip is likely to turn rather difficult very quickly.  "Those mountains do not look inviting."

After a moment he adds, "But let us not stress on the inevitable.  Tonight, although wet, is a fine night.  We are finally away from the city...and close to friends."

"Tell us Lorelei, how do you know the Burgomaster of Barovia?"

[Adam Godson]

Adam laughs softly to himself as he watches Ioan light the fire with such ease.  He feels a warmness inside as each of Ioan's companions heaped praise upon him for his work.  Ioan is a fine soul with much to offer the world.  Adam would do himself well to emulate his new friend. 

Picking up some bundles from his saddle bags Adam approaches the fire and Ioan.

"What say you friend Ioan.  Are you ready to help me cook a lovely dinner of Vagabound Stew?  It is a my greate grandmother's secret recipe from another time and another place.  It fills the belly well and warms the heart against a cold and rainy night.  It would be an honor to prepare it with you for our good friends."

Taking out various vegetables, spices and meats Adam instructs Ioan in the fine art of cooking Vagabound stew in the wild over an open fire.  Soon heavenly smells begin rising from the cook pot.  As the stew finishes Adam laddles a bowl for each companion. He hands them a steaming bowl along with a slice of fresh brown bread and a wedge of pungent cheese. 

Turning to the party he commences to speak. 

"Friends, eat and enjoy as I enjoyed preparing it for you.  Before we feast a small prayer of thanks is in order."

Bowing his head Adam begins a simple prayer. 

"Lord, thank you for good food and great friends.  Thank you for brining everyone back safely from their perilous adventure.  Thank you for The One that hung on the Tree to teach us the way back to you.  Watch over us as we begin a new adventure and please grant us your protection that we may all enjoy another bowl of stew together when it is finished.  Amen"   

Adam opens his eyes, smiles at his companions, and dips a huge chunk of bread into the stew.  "Enjoy my friends."

[allornothing]

Lorelei had prepared before they left, buying any last minute items and packing up those that she all ready had in a bag she kept slung over her shoulders. Starting out at day break was no problem to Miss Feybourne. She enjoyed the sun's caress, all most as much as she loved the moon's twilight. Unfortunately, both were very short lived with the horrid rain they were blessed with. "Figures.." She murmurs as it begins to pour down heavily upon the traveling party; oh the joy she felt when a shelter was found. Nearly running to get out of the rain, she shakes off.. much like a dog, then goes to ringing out her long fiery ringlets. So lost in drying out, she doesn't pick up on the tension nor the looks the others are awarding her and Adam. "Hm? I don't know him. This letter was delivered to a friend of mine, that knows the Burgomaster.." She shrugged, then pulled up some sort of log to settle upon. Amethyst pools washed over the dampened gentlemen gathered before her. As she watched them, watch her, the bag was carefully slipped from her shoulder.. along with her short spear. Next came her robes. Don't worry fellas, she had a pair of leather leggings and a chain shirt beneath the emerald outer attire. Never can be too careful. The bowl was accepted with a nod and a soft smile for Adam. "I was asked to deliver the letter to you, but I never really new the truly urgent matters it held within. I knew it was important.. just not to this extent. I'm often sought out for delivering messages; letters, packages, bad news. I enjoy traveling the countryside, interacting with folks." She nibbled on her bottom lip, before going to town on her food.

[Ikoma]

The morning comes with no real change in the weather.  Perhaps the rain has slackened somewhat... but not by much.  Camp is broken, horses are saddled, and the group sets off.  By mid-day, the rain has been replaced by a thick fog.  It becomes hard to judge time in the perpetual dimness.  Trees seem to almost float by.  And the white cloud deadens sound... creating an intensely creepy experience.

At some point, later in the day, just when your aching muscles and empty stomachs tell you it should be time to stop for the day, you see a huge set of metal gates come out of the mists.  This marks the boundaries of Barovia proper.  Two massive stone columns on either side of the road have these huge hinges, easily as large as each of your heads.  There is no visible latch or lock... but the gates are closed.

[unkabear]

Hassid looks upon the gate and then to Lorelei, perhaps she passed this way previously and knew of a way through.  Or perhaps...Hassid didn't know, but it was becoming such as nothing surprised him in this accursed place.  Well, at least it was a different accursed place.  He looked to the others and simply shrugged.

[Marius Ionescu]

A friend of a friend ... this is never a good start Marius thought to himself, his mind turned on him once again and the shadows within the mist began to move, "I said not now!" he shouted once again.

Marius fought his mind until they reached the gate, "First it's a friend of a friend, now this.  I can't wait for what comes after," Marius boasted.  "Hey Yemam, tell Locke to keep those eyes peered, this will get interesting, and fast.  Trust me on that." 

Marius turned to Lorelei, "my lady, since it is your job to deliver messages, perhaps you have a key or a clue on how he should enter?" his voice doing it's best not to sound irritated.

[Yemam Silverman]

"Relax Marius...I bet there is a perfectly good explaination as to way this is closed.  Let us not stress, just find a way past."

Yemam goes closer to the gate to inspect it, hoping to see that the gate is just closed and not in fact locked...or if it is locked if he can find the way to unlock it.