Chapter 15. Crones, Cursed hands and Crooks

General Summary

The group wake up in the bluewater inn. Noone else has dreamed like Barnard, but he feels ok - he got back to sleep. Ichabod speaks to him, referring to Esper's revelations last night - "Is it OK to lie if it's for the greater good?" Bernard frowns, thinking. "Other than her name, she didn't really lie. She witheld the truth." Alyric chips in: "Sometimes in the past I have stretched the trush. Her reasons were valid". Ichabod looks more confused - "So witholding information isn't lying?" Alyric responds: "Lies can be many things." Breakfast is good - yoghurt, bread, butter - even eggs. You get the impression Urwin and Dankia are trying to make you feel at home. Alyric and Danika discuss the Night Mother. She says it's a fairy tale. "All fairytales have a root in truth if you go far back enough" says Alyric. When asked by Ichabod if a man with a monkey has been seen in town, Urwin explains that the Inns newest visitor (a carnival ring master and bard called Rictavio) had one when he arrived a few weeks ago - but it was shitting everywhere and Urwin made him get rid. Rictavio has dinner at the inn most evenings. There is no sign of Brom or Bray this morning. Esper asks Ireena what she wants - "I want Strahd to forget about me, forever. To be happy. To have Barovia without it's dread lord." Esper - "As much as I'd like to leave, I'm stuck here. But while I'm here I don't want to see you die. I want to go to one place - Mt Baratok - and find the Mage who has lost his mind". "In the north? We can see it from the lake". Ichabod reveals what he was workign on the night before - a bag of holding. "Perhaps it would be best not to walk around visibly armed. But with this, we can have the weapons on hand if we need them." Alyric stashes his sword, Ichabod a dagger, Barnard his sword, Vass all but two daggers, and Esper a dagger. About to leave, the door is flung open - a hulking figure with a massive axe, clothes bearing the bear ingignia of Vallki, and a dark red, massive, clawed hand stands in the doorway. He asked if they are the 'travellers', and hands Barnard a note, (dismissing his jovial greeting and outstrecthed hand). Seein Ireena - the figure balks. 'You....how...' He turns and leaves, hurriedly. Urwin explains that this is the Burgomasters right hand. A terrible man (a 'mad dog') called Izek Strazni. They would be wise not to cross him. The notes invites them to tea at the Burgomasters house at their earliest convenience. After he leaves, Urwin explains that Vargas, the Baron, is well intentioned, but the result of his father, Vargo. Hangings, beatings, whippgings, "reeducation" were all common under his rule. Vargas has the idea that if everyone is happy, then the Devil doesn't cross the walls. Hi smethods, however, leave much to be desired - he rules with an iron fist and Urwin doesn't believe he's completely sane. He's obssessed with Pagantry. He's not smart but flattery will work. Izek is loyal to him, and if Izek wasn't there, Vargas wouldn't be able to rule. The group make their way into the town square - where a number of locals are being kept in the stocks with papier mache donkeys heads on. The guards explain their crimes - mostly minor. Malicious unhappiness. Making fun of the Burgomasters festivals. Etc. Two are boys under 10. Frayed posters for the wolfs head Jamboree line the gutters. Newer posters for the Festival of the Blazing Sun are stuck to walls and fence posts. A statue fountain in the centre bears no inscription, but shows a figure facings west (towards the church, and where the mice were headed in Barnards dream). The local leatherworker sells Vass a whip, and the smith sells Ichabod some hide armour. He offers a small discount on some Ring mail (not on public display) if they come back. 75 SP rather than 90 SP. He explains that he can silver weapons for 100 SP, and says he has heard of a haunted house south east of Vallaki, where an order of knights (and apparently a dragon!) once lived - might be a good place to look for armour. At Arasek stockyard near the eastern gate, the group see crates of boxes and a squat wooden dwelling/storehouse. A decorated wagon stands against the back wall of the yard. The owners are discussing a late grain shipment anxiously as the group ask about supplies - Ichabod buys some ball bearings and assorted small items. On the way out, Alyric sees a dark cloaked figure staring at the group across the road. He starts toward him, and the figure flees - Alyric catches up, and the man slips in the mud. Demanding to know what the man wanted, Alyric tries to grapple him - the man, sallow, yellow teetched and with heavy bags under his eyes, slips away, making a desperate grab for Alyrics neck pendant - which he tears free. About to escape, Arakan reaches out and demands, magically, that he stop and give back the necklace. He seems confused - and drops the necklace in the mud before running away.

Report Date

04 Oct 2024