Session 06 - Transcript

00:00 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, the recording is live now.
00:02 [Sildir (Tris)] I feel like Ghost Visionship has very strict...
00:05 [Saturno (Steph)] The recording is live.
00:07 [Sildir (Tris)] Mm-hmm.
00:08 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
00:08 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, I'll stop with the soundbite.
00:11 [Saturno (Steph)] Hands off the soundbite, everyone.
00:13 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, so, this is Phantom Chain Session 6. Would anyone like to recap what happened in the last session?
00:25 [Speaker 7] Anyone?
00:25 [DM (Aarya)] Just don't talk to us for way too long. Probably going to be the same person as last time, but unless someone else would like to talk.
00:32 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, D, go on, dude.
00:33 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, well, let's go for it, D.
00:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, I didn't want the person that usually recaps to talk right now. I think they need a second to time out. I'm fine.
00:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] So, I think... So, we started off over talking with... What's the girl's name?
00:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] Irina. Irina. Yeah, so basically we went over to...
00:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, Irina. I always want to call her Irene, but that's not her name. Irina, and she was over by this tree in the yard, and she was digging up a piece.
00:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] I think it was a piece of jewelry that was her mother's...
01:22 [DM (Aarya)] A keepsake from her mom, yeah.
01:24 [Mercurio (Gui)] A keepsake from her mom. I don't remember if it was like a bracelet or a necklace or something.
01:30 [Speaker 7] It was a little bracelet. It was a bracelet.
01:33 [Sildir (Tris)] And it had a pressed flower, too. It was a box. Yeah.
01:33 [Sildir (Tris)] With a pressed flower and a bracelet.
01:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] And then after that, we were like, well, yep, we're good to start our journey, and then we started our trek. We were planning on going to the Vistani camp near the waterfall before going to the big city. And along the way, we encountered some people that were from Barobia Village looking for some kids that went missing in the attack, and we were like, well, we'll definitely keep our eyes peeled for them.
01:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] Y'all search this area. We'll search up ahead. Shortly after, we got to a crossroads where we were like, okay, yeah, we go to city or we go to Vistani camp.
01:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] We're going to Vistani camp. And then right there at that crossroads, there was a bad omen. There was one of those, a gallow.
01:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] And then we were like, oh, this is a spooky area. And then lo and behold, who shows up? Mr. Strahd from the famous Strom of Todd. And then he was there with his little twink guy. His little twink guy. His little twink guy, Esher, who in this canon is...
01:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] He was like besties with the preacher's son, Doru. And then now he got turned into a vampire just like Doru. Fucked up, fucked up.
01:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] And Strahd, you know, he was amused with us. We entertained him and we were funny, especially Syl. Syl was extremely funny.
01:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] What a jokester. But, you know, he was persuaded to let us, you know, keep hanging out with Irina. And yeah, that's the session.
01:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] I hope I didn't miss anything.
04:12 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, pretty good. Pretty good recap. Yeah.
04:12 [DM (Aarya)] Right after your encounter with Strahd, you did have another short combat encounter. Yeah.
04:24 [Sildir (Tris)] Scarecrow Vulture.
04:25 [DM (Aarya)] Fuck those ugly guys.
04:28 [Sildir (Tris)] Helped a crow.
04:29 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, you helped the raven that you met before.
04:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Yes, raven, sorry.
04:37 [DM (Aarya)] And I forget which one of you healed the raven. I got him. Oh yeah, so you healed the raven and they're just like chilling on your shoulder now.
04:37 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Cool.
04:37 [DM (Aarya)] Cool little guy. Did we name him? I don't think you did.
04:56 [Mercurio (Gui)] We should name him.
05:00 [Saturno (Steph)] I think you should since you healed him.
05:04 [Mercurio (Gui)] Maybe he already has a name. Yeah, that's true. He might have a name, but we can give him a nickname still.
05:04 [Mercurio (Gui)] We should call him Bebito.
05:18 [Sildir (Tris)] Bird, what is your name?
05:23 [DM (Aarya)] Are you asking the raven? Yeah. It's just going to crow at you because it's a raven.
05:32 [Saturno (Steph)] Ravens can speak.
05:35 [Sildir (Tris)] I've heard stories of ravens speaking. Yeah, they can imitate voices and stuff like parrots.
05:43 [DM (Aarya)] I didn't know that.
05:45 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, if we're talking about a game, then yes. They're pretty darn good. They get a big vocabulary.
05:51 [Mercurio (Gui)] That's cool. I think it's even a feature of the ravens in D&D. They have the mimicry feature.
05:58 [DM (Aarya)] That's a Kenko thing, isn't it?
06:00 [Mercurio (Gui)] But just ravens have it too.
06:03 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, I didn't know that. Well, either way, this raven simply crows at you.
06:12 [Speaker 7] Doesn't know any tricks. Alright, so.
06:16 [DM (Aarya)] As we resume. I think we can keep this scene for a bit. We won't be here for too long anyhow.
06:16 [DM (Aarya)] So, you find yourselves at the crossroads. You're heading down the trail that leads towards the Sareful encampment where the Vistani are. You know from the directions you got previously from...
06:16 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, one sec. I think my food is here. Good timing.
06:16 [DM (Aarya)] I'll be right back.
06:46 [Speaker 7] Wow.
06:49 [Saturno (Steph)] I didn't know they had Uber here.
06:58 [Sildir (Tris)] The mist transported us to New York. Where there's public transportation. No!
06:58 [Sildir (Tris)] Has anyone seen that stupid horse racing game? No. What do you mean?
06:58 [Sildir (Tris)] Or what is it called? It's called Uma Musume. You like...
06:58 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, I've heard of that. Race anime horse girls. It's really fun.
08:29 [DM (Aarya)] I see. I have returned.
08:34 [Sildir (Tris)] It's like semi-popular right now, right? Yeah, it's... This reminds me.
08:40 [Irredel (Sav)] Do you all know what hobby horsing is?
08:43 [Saturno (Steph)] Wait, is that when people pretend to be horses and they jump over...
08:48 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes. That's a thing? Yeah, and the thing is that people who do that are actually really athletic.
08:48 [Irredel (Sav)] They're doing really high hurdles and running really fast. It's just inherently a really ridiculous activity and so it looks really funny.
09:02 [DM (Aarya)] I see.
09:03 [Irredel (Sav)] It's kind of crazy that they can make those jumps like horses. No, those are like fucking D1 hurdlers, basically. I see.
09:03 [Irredel (Sav)] And instead they're choosing to be hobby horses.
09:14 [DM (Aarya)] They're horses, like four horses, and they're doing them?
09:18 [Irredel (Sav)] Not actually, but it's like, yeah.
09:21 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
09:21 [Irredel (Sav)] And they run around with a little horse head on a stick that little kids have. They compete while holding those.
09:28 [DM (Aarya)] That's fun.
09:29 [Mercurio (Gui)] That reminds me. In high school, we had a Quidditch club and we played Quidditch and we ran around.
09:36 [Speaker 7] Seriously?
09:37 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah.
09:38 [DM (Aarya)] Oh my gosh.
09:40 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, people tried to make Quidditch a thing, like a sports port.
09:44 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah. Wow.
09:52 [DM (Aarya)] Well, anyway.
09:54 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, hi-ho to Sir Falls we go.
09:57 [DM (Aarya)] Back to the session. Yep, you're on your way over to Sir Falls. From your directions that you got from Eastmark, you know that it's not much of a trek from this point to the camp.
09:57 [DM (Aarya)] You can kind of see the waterfall in the distance. And the camp, as you know, is by the pool a little ways down from where the falls strikes the river. So yeah, you guys are on your way.
09:57 [DM (Aarya)] Any interesting chatter amongst yourselves, considering the encounters you've just had?
10:35 [Sildir (Tris)] Sil, am I mistaken or are you deeply admirational of Strahd?
10:48 [Ember (Spurthi)] I don't know what you're talking about.
10:51 [Sildir (Tris)] It seems like you are at a loss for words. And I'm remembering, I think you said that he's a perfect being or something like that?
11:05 [Mercurio (Gui)] I do not have anything to say to you, half-breed.
11:11 [Speaker 7] Okay. But I have a sad twinkle in my eye.
11:21 [Irredel (Sav)] Do you only say stuff when it benefits you or your ego?
11:30 [Sildir (Tris)] I just turn away. I just physically face away from you and I'm not saying anything. I think Strahd is the type of hero that...
11:30 [Sildir (Tris)] You are not hero. That's saying, if Strahd is your hero, he will disappoint you, is my point. I would not make Strahd my hero or my crush if I was you.
11:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Seems like a really terrible person.
12:00 [Irredel (Sav)] Yeah. I mean, think about what it would be like to be poor Arena. Which, by the way, Arena, how are you doing?
12:00 [Irredel (Sav)] That was just terrible all around. And yeah, if we were worried about you before, we're even more worried about you now. I hope he's alright.
12:21 [DM (Aarya)] And you can see that she is visibly still pretty shook. I think it's not much further to the camp. Perhaps we can find some respite there.
12:39 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, he did give us his word that he could travel with us.
12:43 [DM (Aarya)] So hopefully all will be well. That comes as little comfort from him.
12:52 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, I gotta say, it was curious timing, you know, meeting him and him saying, Oh yes, I'll let you travel about. And then we were attacked by some strange scarecrow minions.
13:05 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah, very convenient.
13:10 [DM (Aarya)] You bring up a good point, Mercurio. And he seemed, his carriage was coming from the same direction that we're traveling on now. Is it possible that he was at the camp?
13:27 [Sildir (Tris)] Well... Once we get there.
13:32 [Irredel (Sav)] The Vistani are allowed to travel back and forth. He's the lord of this land. It would make sense if there was some sort of connection.
13:32 [Irredel (Sav)] Whether or not the Vistani want it.
13:44 [Saturno (Steph)] And they know about the house that many travelers seem to get stuck in, that we destroyed.
13:54 [DM (Aarya)] The Vistani have many secrets, and there are rumors that some of them serve the devil.
14:03 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, I'm sure that's also true of people, I mean... I'm not sure who exactly they were serving, but whoever owned that house. I think Strahd mentioned that it was his servants.
14:03 [Irredel (Sav)] We're humans, and we're doing terrible things. Just regular townspeople. Sacrificing people in their basement.
14:28 [Saturno (Steph)] No one's got to be special to worship the devil.
14:32 [DM (Aarya)] They must be truly terrible people.
14:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, the light at the end of the tunnel for you is Vallaki, or supposedly it is. So, we're going to see it through that you get there.
14:49 [DM (Aarya)] And hopefully I'm able to help the villagers that fled. Alright. So as you walk down the trail a short ways, you eventually find yourself reaching a small encampment.
14:49 [DM (Aarya)] Let me see if I can find the... description. Dang.
14:49 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. And, I'll go ahead and switch the scene as well. Here we go.
14:49 [DM (Aarya)] Let me bring Alan to the scene. So many tokens. I think I have music for this scene as well.
16:56 [Sildir (Tris)] Come to Strahd's castle.
17:08 [Speaker 7] Cool. Alright.
17:09 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. So as you make your way towards the camp, one gentleman over here takes notice of you. And he looks to you all and he says, Well well, what have we here?
17:09 [DM (Aarya)] Weary travelers? Weary indeed.
17:31 [Sildir (Tris)] We had a couple run-ins on the road.
17:35 [DM (Aarya)] I see. You say this so casually and yet it's apparent that you all are worse for wear. Not friendly company was it that you came across?
17:45 [Speaker 7] Quite the opposite.
17:49 [DM (Aarya)] Well, worry not. You are safe here. You're among friends.
17:49 [DM (Aarya)] Come, come, join us. Madam Eva has been expecting you.
18:02 [Irredel (Sav)] Did anyone send a message ahead? Or does she just know? Ah, I see.
18:08 [DM (Aarya)] You must be new to these lands. Indeed. There is no seer or fortune teller of equal to Madam Eva.
18:08 [DM (Aarya)] She most certainly foresaw this encounter. Is there any way I can turn down the music?
18:25 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm sorry.
18:25 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, yeah. One sec. I'll figure out how to do it.
18:25 [DM (Aarya)] If you go to the music tab, you can turn it down.
18:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, I see it. Okay. I can do it for myself?
18:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I think so. Okay, cool. Let me know if that ruins it for everybody.
18:30 [Sildir (Tris)] It's too quiet now.
18:39 [DM (Aarya)] You want me to turn it back up?
18:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, let me just... I'll manage it myself. Yeah, now I know where to go.
18:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Thank you. I'm all good, by the way.
18:52 [Speaker 7] I'm sorry.
18:52 [Sildir (Tris)] I interrupted everything. I just couldn't hear much.
18:56 [DM (Aarya)] Please, please, come in. Madam Eva is most eager to meet you all. Okay.
19:06 [Irredel (Sav)] What was your name, by the way? Thank you for this gracious welcome.
19:11 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, of course. I am Stanimir. Pleasure to meet you all.
19:16 [Irredel (Sav)] Pleasure to meet you. I'm Miradel Provokey. And these are my traveling companions.
19:16 [Irredel (Sav)] Nice to meet you, Amber.
19:24 [Mercurio (Gui)] Nice to meet you. What was it? Stanimir?
19:27 [DM (Aarya)] Stanimir, yes.
19:30 [Speaker 7] I'm Mercurio.
19:32 [Saturno (Steph)] I am Saturno.
19:35 [Sildir (Tris)] Sildur Goldenfield.
19:41 [DM (Aarya)] And that elf fellow, does he not have a name?
19:46 [Sildir (Tris)] Not really. That's not to engage with him.
19:49 [DM (Aarya)] I see. Well, well met, all of you. Please, come this way.
19:49 [DM (Aarya)] I will show you to Madam Eva's tent. Well, let's go, gang.
20:06 [Sildir (Tris)] Esmark said it's good to talk to her, right? Go for it. She did.
20:06 [Sildir (Tris)] I think that's why we came.
20:12 [Irredel (Sav)] And given how uncertain everything is, I would love to know a little bit about what's on the horizon.
20:19 [DM (Aarya)] Supposed to have Irina with you all as well. I always forget her. There we go.
20:25 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm still in a scene, by the way.
20:26 [Speaker 7] Yeah, we're still in the other...
20:28 [DM (Aarya)] Did I not activate the scene? Hold on, let me... Yeah, I think you're just doing it.
20:32 [Saturno (Steph)] Let me know when you're all in.
20:36 [DM (Aarya)] I'm in.
20:37 [Saturno (Steph)] I'm in.
20:38 [DM (Aarya)] Cool.
20:38 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah.
20:40 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm assuming this guy is who we were talking to?
20:43 [DM (Aarya)] That is Stanimir, yes.
20:45 [Sildir (Tris)] Alright, so we'll follow Stanimir.
20:46 [Irredel (Sav)] And the music has changed, by the way.
20:49 [Sildir (Tris)] The music has changed.
20:50 [Irredel (Sav)] It's like very ominous now.
20:51 [Sildir (Tris)] It's like spooky music now, yeah. Which I like. Where before it was like the upbeat accordion.
20:56 [DM (Aarya)] This is the music that's supposed to be. Alright, so Stanimir will lead you over yonder. And he will lead you inside to Madam Eva's tent.
20:56 [DM (Aarya)] Let me read this out for y'all. Alright, so you see magic flames casting a reddish glow over the interior of this tent. Revealing a low table covered in black velvet cloth.
20:56 [DM (Aarya)] You see glints of light seem to flash from a crystal ball on the table as a hunched figure peers into its depths. As the crone speaks, her voice crackles like dry weeds. At last you have arrived!
20:56 [DM (Aarya)] Cackling laughter bursts like mad lightning from her withered lips. Alright.
21:44 [Sildir (Tris)] Yes, we've heard you've been expecting us.
21:47 [DM (Aarya)] Indeed! I am most eager to meet and make your acquaintance.
21:53 [Irredel (Sav)] And for us as well, we've heard much of you.
21:57 [DM (Aarya)] I'm sure you have. I see you have a raven in your company.
22:04 [Irredel (Sav)] That we do, we saved it along the road. May I? Mostly Mercurio.
22:10 [DM (Aarya)] If you would come forward, may I inspect your friend?
22:15 [Mercurio (Gui)] Um, sure thing. Take a step towards her and kind of talk a little so she can get close to the raven.
22:23 [DM (Aarya)] You see her rush forward and you see her fondly stroking the raven's feathers. And she says to you, I once had a raven in my camp as well, though I have only seen him once these past ten years. Doubtless he's gone wild now without me.
22:23 [DM (Aarya)] Now then. Not ten years ago.
22:53 [Mercurio (Gui)] Do they live that long?
22:56 [DM (Aarya)] In these lands, yes. And it is most fortuitous indeed that you have one in your party. Do you know that ravens bring good fortune in Barovia?
23:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] I didn't know that, but I guess we've seen a little bit of that. It guided us to Irena here, actually.
23:20 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, yes. The Acolyon's daughter. I am sorry to hear of his passing.
23:20 [DM (Aarya)] And you see...
23:28 [Sildir (Tris)] How did you hear so quickly?
23:31 [DM (Aarya)] You don't realize yet who you're speaking to.
23:36 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, you're Madame Ido, aren't you?
23:38 [DM (Aarya)] Indeed. There's much that I see and little that I do not see.
23:45 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, you spoke of Barovia as these lands, and what other lands have you seen? I've heard that your people can travel freely.
23:57 [DM (Aarya)] That is correct. We Vistani are free to come and go as we please, beyond and into the Veil of the Mist.
24:07 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, we're from beyond the Veil, if you haven't divined that already somehow. Is there any way for us to get back?
24:16 [DM (Aarya)] That is a very good question, and it brings us to the matter at hand. There is but one way for you to escape the Mists. And that is to depose the one who controls them.
24:16 [DM (Aarya)] And I'm guessing that must be the nasty fellow we met on the road, who undoubtedly you sensed somehow. I am afraid you are correct. If you wish to escape Barovia and return to your homes, you must defeat Strahd von Zarovich, the dread lord and master of these lands.
25:02 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, that doesn't seem easy, so I guess we're going to be here a while, guys.
25:07 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, okay, he controls the Mists now. If we depose him, who will be able to control them in replacement? I don't want to swap one villain for another.
25:07 [Irredel (Sav)] Is there a line of secession?
25:30 [DM (Aarya)] The Count does not have any known heirs. He's been ruling these lands for centuries now on his own.
25:42 [Irredel (Sav)] So the Mists just become free after we depose him?
25:46 [DM (Aarya)] This is a question that even I cannot see the answer to, though I suspect these mysteries will be unraveled as you progress on your journey here.
25:57 [Irredel (Sav)] But you can foresee that that is the path to escape?
26:01 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, of that much I am certain.
26:04 [Irredel (Sav)] Alright, that's enough for me. I can live with that. We'll figure out the rest as we go.
26:10 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, that Strahd guy really is an asshole, eh? And I give her a super incredulous look.
26:17 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, many would describe him as such.
26:21 [Sildir (Tris)] How would you describe him?
26:26 [DM (Aarya)] He is the Dark Lord who has presided over these lands as long as I can remember. And all the inhabitants of this valley tremble at mention of his name. I think I will leave it at that.
26:44 [Sildir (Tris)] Are you trembling in a good way or a bad way? I'll just be forward. I've heard that some of your people serve the Devil.
26:44 [Sildir (Tris)] I don't know. We're new to these lands.
26:57 [DM (Aarya)] Well, there are those of us who see it as beneficial to be on good terms with him, as it were. And it is true that there are Vistani who are in league with him, though no such Vistani is present in this encampment.
27:21 [Sildir (Tris)] My kind of Vistani's, then. Glad to hear it, Madam Ivo. I live to serve.
27:29 [DM (Aarya)] Now, then.
27:30 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, sorry. Is there an encampment that we should watch out for, then?
27:36 [DM (Aarya)] Many of us are wanderers and travelers going through and forth as we please through Barovia and beyond. However, there is one other major encampment in this valley, and that is just outside the borders of Vallaki. In fact, I suspect that you will all find yourselves there before long.
28:10 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, if you're saying that, I'm sure we will.
28:14 [DM (Aarya)] That I cannot answer. I'm not intimately familiar with the politics of that group. I will tell you that there are good Vistani among them.
28:14 [DM (Aarya)] Should you travel there yourself, you may meet my granddaughter who lives there.
28:39 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, what's her name? If we run into her, we'll make sure to mention that we met you.
28:46 [DM (Aarya)] And as you ask about her, you see Madam Ivo smile with a big toothy grin, and she says, Her name is Aravel, and she's quite an interesting child. I'm sure you will take a liking to her. If you meet her.
29:04 [Mercurio (Gui)] I will definitely take a liking to you, it's guaranteed.
29:08 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, you flatter an old woman.
29:13 [Irredel (Sav)] And I would say that we could bring back news of her. I know grandparents love to hear of their grandchildren, but something tells me you aren't the kind of person who needs that.
29:23 [DM (Aarya)] Regardless, I would appreciate anything you can bring me of her.
29:28 [Irredel (Sav)] Certainly.
29:30 [DM (Aarya)] But to the matter at hand. Is there anything you wish to ask me? You come to a fortune teller's tent.
29:30 [DM (Aarya)] Are you here for a reading, perhaps?
29:45 [Mercurio (Gui)] Ah, yes. That is why we came, actually.
29:50 [DM (Aarya)] I see. And to what end? What do you hope to divine from this?
30:00 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, we might all have different purposes and different reasons, but I think overall we're just very uncertain of ourselves in these lands. We're a bit lost, so a little bit of guidance would go a long way.
30:21 [DM (Aarya)] Guidance? That I can most certainly provide, but is there a specific goal you have in mind? Or do you intend to make yourself at home in Barovia?
30:37 [Ember (Spurthi)] Well, we're trying to protect Erina, too. Could you tell us more about Strahd and the relationship between her? Why is she so interested in Erina?
30:47 [Speaker 7] Hmm.
30:49 [DM (Aarya)] These secrets that I cannot reveal to you as of yet. Though if you wish to learn more about Strahd, I can provide you some helpful hints in that direction. Do you stand to oppose him, then?
31:11 [Sildir (Tris)] Even if I could leave, I would come back and see him dead.
31:21 [DM (Aarya)] So you are all in agreement on this?
31:27 [Irredel (Sav)] I am. Well, he's a dustbot, and it's the only way to leave. We have no other option.
31:34 [Ember (Spurthi)] He's been torturing so many people, too.
31:37 [Mercurio (Gui)] If I'm going to be stuck in this drinkless wasteland, then yeah, I guess we're going to kill the vampire.
31:43 [Saturno (Steph)] Sounds like a good idea.
31:45 [Sildir (Tris)] I gaze at my feet.
32:15 [DM (Aarya)] How could we?
32:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] We know it's no small favor.
32:21 [DM (Aarya)] Indeed. She sighs, and she looks to you all. I will not do this thing for you.
32:21 [DM (Aarya)] Not just yet. If you wish to pursue this path, however, come to the River Iblis Crossroads at midnight tonight. I shall await you there by the gallows.
32:21 [DM (Aarya)] And come alone. Do not allow yourselves to be followed.
32:51 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm sorry, where did you say we should meet you?
32:54 [DM (Aarya)] The River Iblis Crossroads. I understand you were just there.
33:02 [Sildir (Tris)] Gallows. Do you want us to escort you there just before midnight? It's relatively dangerous.
33:10 [DM (Aarya)] That won't be necessary. But I appreciate your concern.
33:17 [Sildir (Tris)] Sure, you've been so kind to us. I wouldn't want to leave you on your own.
33:23 [DM (Aarya)] Charming young man that you are. Now then. You may leave me.
33:23 [DM (Aarya)] I will see you all later tonight.
33:38 [Sildir (Tris)] Looking forward to it.
33:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] Thank you for your help.
33:51 [Mercurio (Gui)] I think you're right. I'm gonna walk over to this young lady right here. Excuse me, ma'am.
33:51 [Mercurio (Gui)] Do you have drinks here?
34:04 [DM (Aarya)] So as the last of you is filing out from Madam Eva's tent, you hear her voice in a low hiss as she speaks, her silhouette dancing in the flickering candlelight. A shadow is approaching my tent. A lone servant of darkness.
34:04 [DM (Aarya)] They seek knowledge of your future. Secrets that I am sore never to reveal to any but their keepers. Do not look, child, nor rush to greet them.
34:04 [DM (Aarya)] If they learn of your true aspirations, all may be lost. Do not reveal, even, that you know of their true nature. For their master will know that I have told you, and his wrath will descend upon us all.
34:04 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. So, as you file out... Did you guys...
34:04 [DM (Aarya)] hear that?
35:05 [Irredel (Sav)] Iredel nods solemnly.
35:07 [Mercurio (Gui)] What was that? I'm so thirsty, I can't hear.
35:13 [DM (Aarya)] You see Madam Eva tilt her head and smile at you as she shuts the flaps to her tent. And as you're standing outside, near the campfire, you see this young lady come over to you all. Oh, we have new faces here!
35:13 [DM (Aarya)] Welcome! Come, join us by the fire! Have a drink!
35:38 [Mercurio (Gui)] Ah, I guess now you're speaking my language.
35:42 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, come, please join us.
35:45 [Sildir (Tris)] I silently walk over and grab a bottle of anything.
35:50 [Speaker 7] So, I guess I'm a...
35:52 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm a little freaked out, guys. I've been in my fair share of business deals, so I know a third party when I see one. Hmm.
36:07 [DM (Aarya)] So, whoever chooses to come sit around the fire, the Vistani who greeted you will rush to offer you a glass of wine.
36:20 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, why thank you!
36:22 [DM (Aarya)] Of course! I'm Eliza, by the way. Pleasure to meet you.
36:28 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, Mercurio.
36:29 [DM (Aarya)] Likewise. Well met, Mercurio.
36:33 [Ember (Spurthi)] You said Eliza? Yes. My name is Amber.
36:33 [Ember (Spurthi)] Nice to meet you. So, how do you know Madame Eva? How has she helped you?
36:43 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I've been travelling with this group for as long as I can remember now. Madame Eva has always been the matriarch of this encampment.
36:57 [Irredel (Sav)] How long have you been with this encampment?
37:00 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, some ten years, since I was a small child.
37:05 [Speaker 7] Hmm.
37:09 [DM (Aarya)] So, what brings you all here?
37:14 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, trying to learn about the local cultures and, you know, see, join the festivities like this.
37:25 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I hope you will enjoy our hospitality. We Vistani are known to be most charitable to visitors.
37:33 [Mercurio (Gui)] I can see that much already. Although I think maybe my stick-in-the-mud friend over here has other reasons to be here. Can I wave my hand to Syl?
37:47 [Speaker 7] Ah, yes. Which Syl?
37:50 [Mercurio (Gui)] He's a businessman. Oh, okay, okay.
37:53 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, yes. The gentleman clad in that impressive looking armour.
37:59 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, you think my armour is impressive? It's not that impressive.
38:03 [DM (Aarya)] Well, it is certainly difficult to miss it. I see you've made no... You've certainly indulged in many decorations for it.
38:15 [Sildir (Tris)] It was an indulgence. It's the best my town had to offer. Thank you for the compliment.
38:21 [DM (Aarya)] I see. I would assume that one such as yourself would have it commissioned specially for you. Is that not true?
38:31 [Sildir (Tris)] You're quite perceptive, yes. If you see here, this is my house crest, and over here I hand-designed these carvings. And I worked with local artisans to get this all done.
38:31 [Sildir (Tris)] Are you a smith yourself?
38:45 [DM (Aarya)] I'm not, but in my travels I have met many talented artisans. I can tell that this one is of exquisite make. Wow.
38:45 [DM (Aarya)] Wow. And she's going to walk up to you and inspect your armour pretty closely, like running her hands over it and everything. I notice this crest...
39:10 [Sildir (Tris)] It has a nice feel to it.
39:11 [DM (Aarya)] This crest upon the chest here, this seems new. A recent addition?
39:20 [Sildir (Tris)] Are you sure you're not a smith? You're quite perceptive, yes.
39:24 [DM (Aarya)] I have an eye for detail, yes. I am an enjoyer of artistic crafts such as this.
39:34 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, perhaps I'll consult with you next time I make an addition to the armour. But yes, this one, I believe at least, was added by a god.
39:44 [DM (Aarya)] Oh? A holy man, are you?
39:48 [Speaker 7] Hmm.
39:49 [Sildir (Tris)] It's hard to describe myself as such, but I, in principle, think it's caught the attention of at least one god. Maybe two.
39:58 [DM (Aarya)] A chosen champion, then.
40:01 [Sildir (Tris)] I suppose you could put it that way.
40:04 [DM (Aarya)] My, you certainly are rather impressive, aren't you?
40:08 [Sildir (Tris)] Some may think so, others may not.
40:10 [DM (Aarya)] But I'm glad you think so. Please, have some more wine. She rushes to offer you another glass.
40:20 [Sildir (Tris)] I've already downed my glass, I walk over. Well, I haven't had a sip of this one yet. I'm quite okay, for now.
40:20 [Sildir (Tris)] But thank you. I'll indulge, and I have a little sip.
40:32 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, I'll have another. This was fantastic.
40:36 [Sildir (Tris)] Can I snag the bottle from her hand?
40:39 [DM (Aarya)] Like, you're just gonna snatch it?
40:41 [Speaker 7] Yeah.
40:43 [DM (Aarya)] Um, I guess give me, would it be sleight of hand? Um, yeah, just a real sleight of hand, I guess. Oh wow, with an 18 sleight of hand check, you, like, smash that bottle right out of her hands, and for a moment she doesn't notice, and then she turns to you and she says, Oh, my friend, if you wish for more wine, you need only ask.
41:11 [Sildir (Tris)] I start pouring myself, and... Seal!
41:16 [Mercurio (Gui)] Where are your manners? Not a talkative one. But yes, I'll take a bit more.
41:21 [Sildir (Tris)] I fill our glasses to the brim. Cheers! Can I roll an insight on Eliza?
41:30 [DM (Aarya)] Sure, what are you trying to insight?
41:32 [Sildir (Tris)] Just wanna know if she actually liked my armor or not.
41:35 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
41:38 [Mercurio (Gui)] Sales, always be selling, that's what they say.
41:42 [DM (Aarya)] Oh yeah. Oh my god, okay, with a 20 insight check. Um, you can tell that she probably was a little bit interested in your armor, but mostly she was just flirting with you.
41:56 [Sildir (Tris)] Damn, I'm getting rizzed up. Uh, you guys all see, still there, like, blood heavily upon revising.
42:07 [DM (Aarya)] You see it, okay, and as you're chattering amongst yourselves, this man over here on the left pipes up. A rowdy bunch, aren't you?
42:21 [Mercurio (Gui)] Sorry, it's been a while since we've had some festivities, so we're a little bit, you know... We're a little over-excited, you could say.
42:33 [Speaker 7] I understand.
42:34 [Sildir (Tris)] And please, don't judge us based on the elf. He's kind of a terrible person.
42:39 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I've met my fair share of rather unfortunate creatures in my time, and it's actually kind of nice to make your acquaintance. It is not often that I indulge myself with company like this, I usually travel on my own.
43:00 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, well... What's your name?
43:01 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, yes, where are my manners? I am Arturi. Arturi Radonavich.
43:09 [Ember (Spurthi)] Donavich?
43:12 [DM (Aarya)] Radonavich.
43:14 [Mercurio (Gui)] Radonavich? Yes, that's right. Is that, like, one name or two names?
43:20 [DM (Aarya)] It is one name, my friend.
43:25 [Mercurio (Gui)] What a splendid name.
43:27 [Speaker 7] Thank you.
43:28 [Mercurio (Gui)] I've never heard it before.
43:28 [DM (Aarya)] And you're Mercurio, was it? I overheard.
43:32 [Mercurio (Gui)] Ah, yes. Mercurio is my name.
43:35 [DM (Aarya)] I see. Are you a bard, Mercurio? Oh, I dabble.
43:35 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, you're too modest. Certainly you must have some talent. Ah, well...
43:46 [Irredel (Sav)] His primary talent is making wine disappear from the bottle. He has other ones as well.
43:52 [Mercurio (Gui)] A talent that many of us share. Usually I don't play before my third glass, and this is only my second, so...
44:00 [DM (Aarya)] I see. Well, we... Of course, of course.
44:00 [DM (Aarya)] And he rushes over and pours you another glass of wine.
44:07 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay, so, are these people actually friendly? Or, like, are we getting set up to be robbed?
44:12 [DM (Aarya)] Like, are we...
44:13 [Irredel (Sav)] I would hope my insight check was, like, good enough. Yeah, I also probably have, like, subtly tried to pour out my wine, and can I just get a vibe check on these people? Like, are they getting us drunk to rob us?
44:25 [DM (Aarya)] All right, you can do insight check.
44:27 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay.
44:29 [Mercurio (Gui)] Can I do what I have known with my insight check?
44:33 [DM (Aarya)] With your insight check, Sildur, I'll say, since you weren't specifically looking for that, necessarily, you wouldn't be able to tell specifically, but you can tell that the interest that Eliza had in you wasn't, like, nefarious or anything. She was just, yeah, flirting with you. So, Iridel with a 21 insight check.
44:33 [DM (Aarya)] You can tell, you're quite certain that these people are just friendly. Like, they're not trying to, like, set you up or anything. They're just being hospitable.
45:02 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay, fantastic. All right, so that's okay. She's gonna loosen up a little bit.
45:02 [Irredel (Sav)] Quit frowning so much. Maybe sit up a little straighter and kind of readjust her cloak.
45:14 [Sildir (Tris)] I start drinking directly from the wine bottle, turning that shit up. Had a long day, have you?
45:25 [Irredel (Sav)] He seems to be going through some sort of crisis. We're not sure what kind.
45:31 [DM (Aarya)] I see. He does appear to be young for an elf. Perhaps it is teenage angst, as they call it.
45:41 [Sildir (Tris)] I think you nailed it.
45:44 [Irredel (Sav)] And not to mention, he is obsessed with grace and beauty and being refined. Oh, I could tell! He's choking out of that wine bottle like a college student!
45:44 [Irredel (Sav)] Or a drunk on the side of the road! How does it feel to be amongst us low-born sylillists?
46:01 [DM (Aarya)] And as Iridel says that, Arturia will come up next to Sylillus and like, clap him on the back. And he says, Let loose, my friends! You're among friends here!
46:01 [DM (Aarya)] Enjoy yourselves! There's wine to be had!
46:17 [Sildir (Tris)] I push his arm away, and I just go sit facing the other way on the tree stump, throwing him on the ground. Like I said, terrible person.
46:29 [DM (Aarya)] So, as you're all enjoying yourselves around the campfire, chatting with the Vistani members here, a few of them bring you all a dinner of a hearty stew. And you all enjoy it, sitting around the campfire. And as you're talking...
46:29 [DM (Aarya)] She's still sitting with you all. She's sitting next to... She's wedged herself between whoever among the party is closest.
46:29 [DM (Aarya)] She's not really talking much, but you can tell that she's loosening up a little bit.
47:13 [Sildir (Tris)] Irina, you said?
47:14 [DM (Aarya)] Yes.
47:19 [Mercurio (Gui)] Irina! Come here! Help me with this song!
47:23 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, Master Mercurial! What do you need me to do?
47:28 [Mercurio (Gui)] Ah, you see, I need someone to take the bottles of wine from over there and pass them around as I do this song. Oh! And then I start doing 99 bottles of beer on the wall.
47:28 [Mercurio (Gui)] I start placing beer with wine.
47:45 [Speaker 7] Yeah.
47:47 [DM (Aarya)] Are you gonna sing it, or are you just like, R.P., man?
47:50 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm just gonna R.P. Okay, okay, fair.
47:53 [DM (Aarya)] Come on.
47:53 [Mercurio (Gui)] Alright, 99 bottles of wine on the wall, 99 bottles of wine. Take one down, pass it around.
48:00 [Speaker 7] 98 bottles of wine on the wall.
48:03 [DM (Aarya)] Um, yeah, you can take inspiration for that. That was pretty good.
48:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Please tell me we're not gonna do all...
48:10 [Speaker 7] There's a clear drop coming at us.
48:15 [DM (Aarya)] So, as Mercurial is drinking himself silly, Arturia will come over... Hold on. He'll come over to Sildir, and he'll turn to you, and he'll ask, Forgive me, it is not...
48:15 [DM (Aarya)] I have only recently arrived at this camp. Do you happen to have any news from Barovia? Any major goings-on?
48:44 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, we're relatively new arrivals ourselves, but are you familiar with the village of Barovia?
48:51 [DM (Aarya)] I've heard of it, yes.
48:54 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, there is some news there, but if I tell you, you must remain quiet. It pertains to some of us in this party that I wouldn't want to dredge up feelings.
49:03 [DM (Aarya)] Ah, yes, and he's gonna lower his tone as he speaks to you. Do tell me then, man.
49:09 [Sildir (Tris)] Yes, well, the village of Barovia, I say in a hushed tone. It's not doing too well. There's lots of night raids there from the Devil, and...
49:09 [Sildir (Tris)] The Burgomaster actually died. That's horrible! It is awful.
49:09 [Sildir (Tris)] You see that woman over there with the red scarf?
49:29 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, what of her?
49:31 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, that's the old Burgomaster's daughter. He's Mark Kalinovich, the Burgomaster's son. And he...
49:31 [Sildir (Tris)] He's having us take her over to Vallaki, which is supposed to be safer.
49:45 [DM (Aarya)] Supposed to be, you say?
49:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, like I said, I'm new to these parts, and I'm skeptical of just about everything, especially when it comes to safety in these lands. Nothing seems safe here.
49:55 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, well, rest assured this camp here is safe enough, at least for the time being.
50:01 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, you guys do have some sort of... Some sort of blessings to do as you wish, yes?
50:10 [DM (Aarya)] What do you mean?
50:12 [Sildir (Tris)] I've heard the Devil overlooks Vistani activities, which... Very happy for you, by the way.
50:20 [DM (Aarya)] I would not say overlooks entirely. He still would not take kindly to any of us directly opposing him. But we are not bound in the same way as other Barovians here, as I come to understand.
50:36 [Sildir (Tris)] I see, I see. Well, I guess one other thing I can tell you... I'm not sure if you are familiar with it, but...
50:36 [Sildir (Tris)] The old Durst House?
50:49 [Speaker 7] I don't know it.
50:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Ah, well, it's good that you don't. It's gone now. It was this nasty old haunted place that we fumbled our way into on the way in.
50:51 [Sildir (Tris)] From our own world, that is.
51:01 [DM (Aarya)] Haunted, you say?
51:03 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh yes, quite nasty.
51:06 [DM (Aarya)] And you all... What? Slayed a monster?
51:06 [DM (Aarya)] What happened?
51:12 [Sildir (Tris)] Quite literally, yes. It was one of the most bizarre experiences of my life, and I've seen some crazy things. But yes, we took down a monster that was manifested from some nasty family drama, let's just say.
51:27 [DM (Aarya)] I see. You must be a mighty party of adventurers, then.
51:31 [Sildir (Tris)] I angled my armor in the light a little bit more. Yes, we're quite strong.
51:38 [DM (Aarya)] Not much is obvious. Now... By chance, have you heard of any rumors pertaining to one man named Rudolf van Richten?
51:53 [Sildir (Tris)] Interesting, you should bring him up. We have heard some. I believe one of us has pages from one of his journals, actually.
51:53 [Sildir (Tris)] I see. I say that louder so the party can hear... Who has them, actually?
52:10 [Saturno (Steph)] I think I found it in the closet. So I would have it.
52:15 [DM (Aarya)] Is that all you know of him? You haven't heard anything else?
52:19 [Saturno (Steph)] No, that's about it.
52:21 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, we do know one person who's... I might be remembering from somewhere else. What do we know...
52:21 [Sildir (Tris)] We've heard a little bit here and there in Barovia. He's a famous figure, but that's about what we know.
52:39 [DM (Aarya)] I see, I see.
52:44 [Sildir (Tris)] Why, is there something you'd like to tell us about him?
52:47 [DM (Aarya)] Not as all, it's just... I am an old acquaintance of his. And I'd recently heard a rumor that he had been spotted traveling to Barovia.
52:47 [DM (Aarya)] Really?
53:02 [Irredel (Sav)] As in Barovia these lands, or Barovia village?
53:05 [DM (Aarya)] These lands, broadly speaking.
53:08 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, is he able to travel between as well?
53:13 [DM (Aarya)] I cannot say. This is only the rumor that I've heard. But if you all found yourselves here, then it stands to reason that perhaps someone else could as well.
53:26 [Mercurio (Gui)] That's true, we've already met a couple gentlemen that arrived here just a bit before us.
53:34 [DM (Aarya)] Have you now?
53:37 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, actually, only one of them was from out of here. The other one was a Vistani gentleman, I think.
53:43 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, I see.
53:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] What were their names again?
53:48 [Sildir (Tris)] It was Elmo, and... Joe?
53:56 [Mercurio (Gui)] I think Joe and Elmo. Yeah, that's close enough.
54:01 [Saturno (Steph)] Close enough.
54:02 [Mercurio (Gui)] I could be misremembering. I see.
54:06 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I'm not familiar with them.
54:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, are you familiar with the taverns of Barovia? Do you have a favorite?
54:20 [DM (Aarya)] I must admit, I don't often partake in company such as this. I prefer to keep myself traveling alone, so... I cannot say that I'm familiar with any taverns.
54:20 [DM (Aarya)] Perhaps Stanimir here can satiate your thirst? You certainly seem to enjoy your wine, young man.
54:47 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's just, it's been a while, you know? I don't know when the next time I'll have this opportunity is.
54:53 [DM (Aarya)] And you'll see Stanimir pipe up. What is it? You needed something?
55:00 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, I've been pointed to you as the expert of the festivities of Barovia and the best taverns.
55:08 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, I would not say expert, but I have certainly traveled across the lands. You want to find a tavern, you say?
55:17 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, what is the best tavern in these lands? What is your recommendation?
55:21 [DM (Aarya)] Well, you see, all of the wine in the valley comes from one particular winery, the Wizard of Wines. And I have it on good authority that they have a close relationship with the Blue Water Inn in Vallaki. They are always first to receive their shipments.
55:21 [DM (Aarya)] If you wish to go to a tavern where wine flows freely, I suggest you find yourselves there.
55:54 [Irredel (Sav)] So by first to receive their shipments, does that mean that they receive the stuff that isn't aged? Or they're receiving the rare stuff that may go away faster? I feel like there's a marked difference there.
56:09 [DM (Aarya)] Good question. As I am to understand, the supply here is limited. And since the Blue Water Inn is first to receive their shipments, they are always guaranteed to be stocked.
56:09 [DM (Aarya)] How do you know so much about this, Arturi? That was Stanimir, by the way. Sorry, I switched the voices.
56:33 [Sildir (Tris)] So wait, who was telling me about Van Richten?
56:36 [DM (Aarya)] Arturi was asking about Van Richten, and Stanimir was telling you about the Wizard of Wines.
56:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, okay.
56:45 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, well, I am familiar with these lands rather intimately, so I do know these things.
56:53 [Sildir (Tris)] I see. Does anyone want to say anything? I have a question for Arturi.
56:53 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, I'll let her rip. Arturi, you said you're friends with Van Richten, yeah?
57:08 [DM (Aarya)] Friends? Loose acquaintances, I'd say. We've met.
57:13 [Sildir (Tris)] You've met? Okay, well. For a figure as legendary as him, that's more than most people, I would imagine.
57:13 [Sildir (Tris)] Perhaps.
57:25 [DM (Aarya)] Has he made a name for himself, then?
57:28 [Sildir (Tris)] I believe he has.
57:30 [DM (Aarya)] It has been many years since I've crossed paths with him.
57:36 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, if you were to seek him out, how would you do that?
57:44 [Speaker 7] Well...
57:45 [Sildir (Tris)] Would you have any idea?
57:48 [DM (Aarya)] Are you familiar with his exploits at all? I'm told that he's become something of a monster hunter.
57:56 [Sildir (Tris)] Yes, and we've recently realized that we have quite the big monster to hunt. That's kind of why I'm asking.
58:02 [DM (Aarya)] I see. Well... If his reputation is accurate, and it is true that he's in Barovia, then I would suggest wherever you find a dense congregation of monsters, you might find him.
58:27 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, that's interesting. I would explain his visit over to the village of Barovia.
58:35 [DM (Aarya)] He was in Barovia village?
58:38 [Sildir (Tris)] I think we saw evidence of that, right guys? Or am I mistaken? We did, I think.
58:38 [Sildir (Tris)] It was in their, like, manor. We found one of his notes or something. Arena, you had a guest, right?
58:54 [DM (Aarya)] In the manor? Yes, we did have an older gentleman stay with us briefly. He and Doru became close.
59:10 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, just because someone had some of this person's book, doesn't necessarily mean you're the writer of the book. Has it been widely circulated, this Monster Hunter Use Guide?
59:22 [DM (Aarya)] Well, Doru has told me before that copies of Van Richten's Monster Hunting Guide have been making the rounds, as it were. Doru himself did have a copy of that manuscript.
59:41 [Sildir (Tris)] And I am remembering now. We learned somehow that Van Richten was part of the, and I hushed my voice again, rebellion against the devil.
59:52 [DM (Aarya)] Who were you saying that to?
59:54 [Sildir (Tris)] Arturi.
59:55 [DM (Aarya)] I see. I'll quickly remind you that you heard that piece of info from Doru himself. And he also asked you to keep that under wraps.
59:55 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, okay. Never mind then. I'm not going to say it.
01:00:08 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, cool. I take it back.
01:00:10 [DM (Aarya)] You can! You can choose to reveal that.
01:00:13 [Sildir (Tris)] Nah, it's okay.
01:00:26 [DM (Aarya)] So, as you all are finishing up your dinner... Oh, you were going to say something? Sorry.
01:00:32 [Sildir (Tris)] Sorry. So, Eliza is spelled how?
01:00:35 [DM (Aarya)] E-L-I-Z-A.
01:00:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, and this is Arturi Rodanovich. How do you spell that?
01:00:42 [DM (Aarya)] Um, I'll put it in chat for you. Excuse me. Hold on.
01:00:42 [DM (Aarya)] Where is it?
01:00:55 [Sildir (Tris)] Just note-taking things.
01:00:57 [DM (Aarya)] Nah, you're good. Good questions. Arturi Rodanovich.
01:00:57 [DM (Aarya)] I'm enjoying this Vistani music. I'm glad I found this.
01:01:13 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, it's a banger.
01:01:25 [DM (Aarya)] So, as you're all finishing your dinners... Dusk is ascending around the campfire. Standomare looks to you all and cheerfully informs you...
01:01:25 [DM (Aarya)] One second. So, as guests among the Vistani, now that you've drank and dined with us, you are all expected to play the Game of Stories with us. Do you accept?
01:01:25 [DM (Aarya)] Sure. Who's saying it? Standomare.
01:02:02 [Irredel (Sav)] Do we know the rules of it? Yes, of course. I'm a big stickler for rules.
01:02:05 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, yes, of course. Well, if you choose to play, you must put up a wager of some sort. It can be any small object of monetary or intellectual or sentimental value.
01:02:05 [DM (Aarya)] And then each participant must share a story to make one laugh or weep. Each time a story is told, the other participants in the game must guess whether the story is true, false, or a bit of both. And at the end of the game, the participant with the most correct guesses wins the whole pot.
01:02:05 [DM (Aarya)] Are you interested?
01:02:45 [Irredel (Sav)] Absolutely. And not to mention, you said it was a custom to play, correct? Now that we've shared a meal?
01:02:51 [DM (Aarya)] It is our custom, yes. We would be most eager to accept your participation.
01:02:57 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, if it's a custom, then I don't think I have a choice. I respect your rules here.
01:03:02 [DM (Aarya)] Very well. Do you all wish to participate?
01:03:07 [Sildir (Tris)] I think it would only be right.
01:03:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, I think that game sounds good. Although I'd like to add a rule. Every time you get a guess wrong, you take a drink.
01:03:18 [Irredel (Sav)] It could be a rule just for you, perhaps.
01:03:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, I invite you all to play with my extra rule.
01:03:25 [DM (Aarya)] Perhaps I will humor you on this one, Mercurio. I do like your spirit. All right, who's going to start?
01:03:25 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I guess we'll go around. So the Vistani will offer their wagers first. Stanimir has with him a worn deck of Taraka cards that he says belong to his late wife.
01:03:25 [DM (Aarya)] They've sat unused and dusty in my wagon for long enough. I think she'd like it if they were out in the world again. You see that Eliza wagers a collapsible brass spyglass that has a small maneuverable mirror, which allows someone to peer around corners with it.
01:03:25 [DM (Aarya)] And Arturia wagers a short manuscript on werewolves by Rudolf van Richten.
01:04:23 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm going to go into one of the many pockets within my cloak, and I'm going to pull out a clean, very neat, and very high-quality pair of wool socks. You can tell they're handmade, but they're expertly stitched. They're grey, and they look like they are perfect for Barovian weather.
01:04:45 [DM (Aarya)] Very nice. Anyone else? What did Stanimir wager again?
01:04:45 [DM (Aarya)] He wagered a deck of Taraka cards from his late wife.
01:04:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'll go for a chameleon gemstone I have in my loot.
01:05:02 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Anyone else?
01:05:15 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'll pull out a little bottle of perfume that I have in my vest pocket. And say, ah, some fine perfume from lands very far away from here.
01:05:29 [DM (Aarya)] Very nice.
01:05:34 [Sildir (Tris)] I'll wager this, and I pull out one gold coin. And I note that it is the second gold coin I ever made in my business.
01:05:50 [DM (Aarya)] Wow, wow. A practical man, aren't you? Quite.
01:05:59 [Saturno (Steph)] I pull out an ivory comb that is the only comb that Mercurio and Saturno have, so they can't brush their hair if they lose it. Okay.
01:06:12 [DM (Aarya)] And you, sir, elf gentleman. Do you wish to play?
01:06:21 [Ember (Spurthi)] I could not be fucked to speak with any vile creature. I just sort of slump over.
01:06:37 [Speaker 7] I'll take that as a no!
01:06:38 [Ember (Spurthi)] No!
01:06:42 [DM (Aarya)] And then, Irina will chime in, and she will offer a wager of a painted wooden hair clip in the shape of a sunflower.
01:06:55 [Sildir (Tris)] Very well. And Mercurio, what did you wager? I wagered some perfume.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, thank you. Um, let me write down a quick thing to tally your guesses. We'll do Iridel, Amber, Mercurio, Sildir, Saturno, Irina, Stanimyr, Arturi, and Eliza.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] I think that's everyone. Let's see. Okay.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] Very well. Stanimyr looks to you all and he says, I will offer my story first. Let me find it.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, here is it. So, you see, Stanimyr fills his mouth with wine, and then spits it into the fire. The flames turn from orange to green.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] As they dance and sway, a dark shape appears in the bonfire's core. We come from an ancient land whose name is long forgotten. A land of kings.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] Our enemies forced us from our homes, and now we wander the lost roads. The dark shape in the fire takes the form of a man. A man being knocked from his horse, a spear piercing his side.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] Stanimyr continues. One night, a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed. We nursed his terrible injury and quenched his thirst with wine.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] He survived. And when we asked him who he was, he wouldn't say. All he wanted was to return home.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] But we were deep in the land of his enemies. We took him as one of our own and followed him back toward his homeland. His enemies hunted him.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] They said he was a prince. Yet we did not give him up. Even when their assassins fell upon us like wolves.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] And deep in the bonfire, you see the dark figure standing with sword drawn, fighting off a host of shadowy shapes. This man of royal blood fought to protect us, as we protected him. We bore him safely to his home, and he thanked us.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] He said, I owe you my life. Stay as long as you wish, leave when you choose. And know that you will always be safe here.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] The figure in the dancing fire vanquishes its final foe, then disperses in a cloud of smoke and embers. Stanimyr's face becomes a somber mask. A curse has befallen our noble prince, turning him into a tyrant.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] We alone have the power to leave his domain. We've traveled far and wide to find heroes such as yourselves to end our dread lord's curse and put his troubled soul to rest. Our leader, Madam Eva, knows all.
01:07:04 [DM (Aarya)] And with that, he concludes his tale. So, is this true, false, or perhaps a bit of both?
01:10:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'd say it has to be a bit of both. This seems like a story from a long time ago, so I'm sure some of the details are fuzzy, and you certainly wouldn't remember this story firsthand. You're too young.
01:10:53 [DM (Aarya)] Very astute. Any other guesses?
01:10:58 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm gonna say it's true. I think it's true as well. I also think it's true.
01:11:06 [DM (Aarya)] Um, so let's see. Mercurio said a bit of both, Sylvia said a bit of both, Ember said true, Iridyll said true, Saturna said true?
01:11:17 [Saturno (Steph)] Yes.
01:11:19 [DM (Aarya)] Um, let's see.
01:11:21 [Sildir (Tris)] Should I make you play your own game? Irina, what do you think?
01:11:25 [DM (Aarya)] I suspect there is some truth with it. I'll say it is half true. So, Irina will guess half true, Arturi will guess half true, and Eliza will guess true.
01:11:25 [DM (Aarya)] And Sternimir says, Well, I was told this story many times as a young lad growing up. As far as I know, it is the whole truth. Not one bit of it is a lie.
01:12:06 [Mercurio (Gui)] Darn, I'm down one already.
01:12:08 [DM (Aarya)] I guess that's a drink for you, Mercurio!
01:12:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, the shame!
01:12:16 [DM (Aarya)] Would any of you care to go next?
01:12:24 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, your story was so serious, I would feel a bit silly going next. But perhaps this could be one to make everyone laugh. That was one of the criteria, right?
01:12:24 [Irredel (Sav)] Alright, so my story takes place in a small seaside town. I was there to help an old man with his taxes and with estate planning. He expected to die soon, and he needed me to set up a will.
01:12:24 [Irredel (Sav)] We had numerous meetings in his smoke-filled house. He was a prolific smoker. Always had a cigar.
01:12:24 [Irredel (Sav)] And nothing was out of the ordinary. He wanted to apportion some to his children, some to his wife, some to some charities. All was going according to plan.
01:12:24 [Irredel (Sav)] I bring a draft of all of his estate documents to him one day. He starts marking it up, cigar in mouth. He suddenly says, Iridel, I want you to change everything.
01:12:24 [Irredel (Sav)] I hate this entirely. I say, Well, I've only done exactly what you have asked me to do. He says, No, I have decided that I need to change this altogether.
01:12:24 [Irredel (Sav)] My wife and kids would not bring me scrambled eggs to bed this morning, and I'm writing them out of the will. I say, All right, that's fine. Who instead shall you give it to?
01:12:24 [Irredel (Sav)] And he reaches into his sweater, pulls out a key, and opens a locked drawer in his desk. He pulls a heap of papers out of the drawer and sets them on the table in front of me. I start going through them.
01:12:24 [Irredel (Sav)] I realize they are rapturous love letters and a significant amount of drawings. Illustrations of what appears to be every single portion of this old, old man's kept mistress.
01:14:23 [DM (Aarya)] Wow.
01:14:24 [Irredel (Sav)] Every inch of her body was documented in that photo. And yes, she was just as old as him. Oh my.
01:14:24 [Irredel (Sav)] So I go ahead and prepare a new will just for the kept mistress. And of course, when he died, it was my job to break the news to the family. I have not yet since been back to that town.
01:14:51 [DM (Aarya)] I cannot imagine why.
01:14:57 [Irredel (Sav)] So folks, true, mostly true, or false?
01:15:01 [DM (Aarya)] That must be a true tale. Hmm.
01:15:08 [Irredel (Sav)] I say mostly true.
01:15:09 [Saturno (Steph)] Because I think you'd be... I think... I think you'd go back to that town.
01:15:17 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, if it's anything like my talk shows, hopefully it's mostly true.
01:15:30 [Irredel (Sav)] Any other guesses?
01:15:34 [DM (Aarya)] Stan... Oh, sorry. Arturia...
01:15:34 [DM (Aarya)] Arturi will say, That must be half true. Surely some of this is exaggerated. And Eliza will say, I agree with Arturi.
01:15:34 [DM (Aarya)] Irina will say, Surely that must be false, Iridel. I can't imagine you would do such a thing.
01:16:01 [Irredel (Sav)] All right, I think that's everyone who has guessed. And yes, I would do such a thing. If clients want me to record their final wishes, I will, whatever they may be.
01:16:01 [Irredel (Sav)] It's not my place to judge them. But, this story was only half true. You see, the kept mistress was actually a kept mister.
01:16:01 [Irredel (Sav)] And he was a bugbear. Oh my! Now that is a twist!
01:16:32 [DM (Aarya)] So, that's one for Eliza. One for Arturi. None for Stanimere.
01:16:41 [Irredel (Sav)] And yes, the illustrations were just as detailed as you might fear. So, who got that right?
01:16:48 [Saturno (Steph)] I did. I said half. Okay.
01:16:48 [Saturno (Steph)] For a different reason.
01:16:53 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah.
01:16:54 [Saturno (Steph)] Who else got that right?
01:16:58 [Sildir (Tris)] I got it right.
01:16:59 [DM (Aarya)] You said half true? Yeah. Okay.
01:16:59 [DM (Aarya)] Sildur. And Mercurio, did you get it right? I got it wrong.
01:16:59 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
01:17:08 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, shame!
01:17:12 [DM (Aarya)] All right. And then, with that, Eliza will pipe up and share her tale. It is said within each raven flutters a lost soul, and that each raven's song tells a tale of ages past.
01:17:12 [DM (Aarya)] They whisper, so listen closely. She takes a deep breath, and when she speaks again, her voice is quiet with an eerie melodic quality to it. Sing, ravens of Barovia, birthed from the mist and bathed in twilight.
01:17:12 [DM (Aarya)] Sing of Lugdana, the morning-lord's stalwart, dawn-touched foe to the deep-lurking dark. The holy symbol of ravenkind, her radiant testament, the warrior's beacon of faithful resolve. Sing, ravens, of Chernivog's rise, named green-god and demon-lord upon Yesterhill.
01:17:12 [DM (Aarya)] Lugdana, gray-haired, wary of battle, her long sword and shield yet polished and ready. Guided through shadows toward sacred ground, she clashed with the demon, their tempest-like dance. Sing, ravens, of Lugdana's last fury, of ravenkind's token now blazing with light, the battle's tide turning, a hero's brave cry, a final onslaught with divinity's grace.
01:17:12 [DM (Aarya)] The demon-lord banished, the warrior now fell, the wound at her side gouged too deep to bear. Sing, ravens, of light's final moments, a shadow descending from radiance on high. Sing of the angel, black-feathered and beaked, the morning-lord's angel reclaiming its gift, the symbol retaken in raven's claws held.
01:17:12 [DM (Aarya)] Sing, ravens, you are the keepers, the watchers, the tellers of stories untold. Sing, ravens, of Lugdana's memory, the shadows that lurk and heroes to come.
01:19:16 [Sildir (Tris)] Can you post these, by any chance? Yeah, I will. What are you sharing?
01:19:19 [DM (Aarya)] I will post Eliza's tale.
01:19:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Thank you.
01:19:23 [Mercurio (Gui)] I look at the raven on my shoulder and I say, Pepito, what do you think? You're a raven.
01:19:31 [DM (Aarya)] The raven will, like, nudge at your side and crow quietly.
01:19:42 [Mercurio (Gui)] That's definitely true. Little birdie told me so.
01:19:47 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Stanymir will say it is true. Arturi will say it is false.
01:19:47 [DM (Aarya)] Idryna will guess half-true.
01:20:05 [Saturno (Steph)] This one's difficult.
01:20:09 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm gonna bet on Mercurio this time. He'll say true.
01:20:13 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay. I'm gonna say a mix of true and false.
01:20:18 [DM (Aarya)] So Mercurio said true, Sildur said true, Erdal said true and false. What did Ember say?
01:20:24 [Saturno (Steph)] False. False.
01:20:26 [DM (Aarya)] And Saturno?
01:20:29 [Saturno (Steph)] I'm gonna go with false.
01:20:31 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Alright. Well, that story was half-true.
01:20:31 [DM (Aarya)] Lugdana was indeed a paladin of the Morning Lord who bore that legendary symbol of ravenkind. It is said that this was a platinum amulet shaped like a sunburst with an enormous ruby embedded at its center. According to legend, the symbol was given to Lugdana by an angel in guise of a raven.
01:20:31 [DM (Aarya)] However, no one knows what happened to the symbol after Lugdana fell at Yesterhill. Nor does anyone know where it resides today.
01:21:14 [Mercurio (Gui)] Darn. Three for three. Oh, shame indeed, Mercurio.
01:21:21 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm starting to think you're guessing wrong on purpose.
01:21:24 [Mercurio (Gui)] No, no, I would never do such a thing.
01:21:32 [DM (Aarya)] Anyone else?
01:21:39 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm working on mine.
01:21:41 [DM (Aarya)] Uh-oh. Mercurio, surely a bard of your caliber has a story to tell?
01:21:50 [Mercurio (Gui)] I suppose so. Give me one more turn.
01:22:00 [Speaker 7] Of course.
01:22:01 [Mercurio (Gui)] All the sad stories come to mind now. We need some funny ones in the mix.
01:22:05 [DM (Aarya)] Well, a story to make one weep is perfectly acceptable.
01:22:12 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well... I guess so. Uh, well...
01:22:23 [DM (Aarya)] If you would like, I can go first, Mercurio. Uh, Irina says yes.
01:22:28 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yes, Irina, if you could go first. Very well. Give me one more moment to think.
01:22:35 [DM (Aarya)] Well... When I was a child, my father took me and my brother to a vast, tranquil lake. I remember the sand beneath my bare feet and the lapping of waves against the shore.
01:22:35 [DM (Aarya)] But then something broke the silence, a low growl that echoed through the wind. As I turned, I saw a beast emerge from the fog, a wolf, far larger than any that I'd ever seen. I still remember its eyes, yellow, cold, and hungry.
01:22:35 [DM (Aarya)] My father screamed for me to run, and I took off for the woods. The wolf followed, its snarls echoing through the underbrush. I remember branches whipping against my face, thorns cutting at my feet as my legs burnt and my breath grew ragged.
01:22:35 [DM (Aarya)] But my fear drove me forward. It was only much later when my heart had quieted in my chest and the wolf's footsteps had faded into silence that I finally allowed myself to stop. By then, though, the woods were strange to me, and my father's shouts had faded.
01:22:35 [DM (Aarya)] A heavy mist had descended around me and shadowed shapes lurked in every corner. I stepped forward, one hand reaching fearfully into the fog, and a wolf made of mist leapt forward. Its jaws opened wide to devour me, and then everything went black.
01:22:35 [DM (Aarya)] The next thing I remembered, I awoke in my own bed, my father's humming echoing from the kitchen. I don't know how I got there or what became of the wolf, but I can still remember its teeth as clearly as ever.
01:24:15 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, that's terrifying. I'm going to say it's true.
01:24:18 [DM (Aarya)] True.
01:24:20 [Irredel (Sav)] I agree.
01:24:22 [DM (Aarya)] Um, Iredelle says true, Sartorno says true, Sildur says true. Any other guesses?
01:24:33 [Mercurio (Gui)] My apologies, Ireena, but that story is false. Okay.
01:24:38 [DM (Aarya)] Amber?
01:24:40 [Speaker 7] True.
01:24:45 [Sildir (Tris)] Ireena who told the story? Ireena, yes.
01:24:50 [DM (Aarya)] Well, as bold a tale as it is, this story is false. That story is nothing but a dream that I've had since childhood, a recurring nightmare. There are no lakes near the village of Barovia, and I've never seen a dire wolf in my life.
01:25:14 [Mercurio (Gui)] Damn it.
01:25:14 [DM (Aarya)] And you hear Stan Amir pipe up, and he says, he says with a mysterious smile, though it may be false, you might find that many dreams have a kernel of truth. Thank you, my dear, for sharing this story. Anyone else got a story?
01:25:42 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, I guess I can tell one. It still pipes up. It's the story of a boy and his mother.
01:25:42 [Sildir (Tris)] One day the boy wakes up and his father is gone. What seems like the next, his mother is crying on the ground of their kitchen, no food to give. The next, he is in an alley, begging.
01:25:42 [Sildir (Tris)] And what feels like an eternity later, his father is back. Father, just some bread, please. The cruel father throws the straw he was chewing on the floor.
01:25:42 [Sildir (Tris)] He says, grind that up into flour and make some yourself, boy. Nothing in this life is free. But father, we have been suffering.
01:25:42 [Sildir (Tris)] Nothing in life is fair either, boy. And what feels like an instant, his father is gone. In a moment, the mother is nursing the boy through sickness.
01:25:42 [Sildir (Tris)] And what feels like a flash, but was truly quite a long time, the boy is older, but not aged. His mother seems to have aged rapidly next to him. In a golden moment, the boy makes a deal.
01:25:42 [Sildir (Tris)] He can work a farm. And one season, well, one season later, the boy brings bread home to his mother. He made it himself.
01:27:17 [DM (Aarya)] Is that the story? Yep. Very well.
01:27:17 [DM (Aarya)] You see, Arturi wiping a tear from his eye. Such a sad story, Sylvir. Surely, such an emotional, provoking tale as this must be true.
01:27:17 [DM (Aarya)] Arturi will guess half true, and Eliza will guess half true. Okay. Irina will guess true.
01:27:55 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'll guess true.
01:27:59 [Irredel (Sav)] I'll guess true as well. I'll guess false. I'll guess true, although I hope it's not true.
01:28:14 [Sildir (Tris)] I think that's everybody done.
01:28:16 [Saturno (Steph)] Which is it then, man? Tell us!
01:28:19 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, the story is true. And I'll tell you, I am the boy. I saw it myself.
01:28:27 [DM (Aarya)] You poor thing.
01:28:27 [Sildir (Tris)] I lived it. No, I'm not a poor thing. Not anymore.
01:28:36 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm gonna say this explains a lot.
01:28:41 [DM (Aarya)] So who got a point that round?
01:28:44 [Saturno (Steph)] I did. I also did.
01:28:47 [Mercurio (Gui)] It was true.
01:28:49 [Sildir (Tris)] It was true.
01:28:50 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yes.
01:28:50 [Sildir (Tris)] I worked hard to make sure my mother could live the rest of her life.
01:28:55 [Speaker 7] Did Ember guess true?
01:28:56 [Ember (Spurthi)] I guessed false. Okay.
01:28:58 [DM (Aarya)] And Mercurio? True. Okay, point for you.
01:28:58 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. Who's left? Ember, Mercurio, and Saturno.
01:29:15 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yep.
01:29:19 [Speaker 7] Who's had any preparation?
01:29:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well... I guess you've put me on the spot. Not feeling all that prepared.
01:29:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] Maybe another glass would do me well. But I'll go ahead of my friends.
01:29:34 [DM (Aarya)] Well, don't feel pressured. If you... If it is too much for you, you need not share, though you have already wagered.
01:29:34 [DM (Aarya)] Would be a shame to let that go to waste.
01:29:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] Ah. It's just the pressure is giving me writer's block, but I'll just start talking and hopefully the words will flow out of me.
01:29:54 [DM (Aarya)] Here, have another glass, Mercurio, and Stanimir will fill your cup.
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] Stanimir. Ah. You know...
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] You always know what to do. Alright. I'll tell a story of a royal family from my land.
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] The royal house of Scorn. They were a jealous bunch. They always felt that they should rule the kingdom instead of their own king.
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] And so, they plotted against him. They planned a revolution. A revolt.
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] They attended all the noble parties and balls, and there they whispered carefully to the other noble houses. They sowed... What is it?
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] Dissent. They spoke of how greedy the king was, and they tried to make all the other houses jealous. And it worked.
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] Slowly, over the years, we... I mean, they wore them down. They turned their hearts black against the king.
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] But then... Just a week before the royals amassed their armies to throw a surprise ambush at the king, all the nobles gathered together and they got drunk and cheerfully, you know, sung about how they would overthrow the king. And in that corner, there stood one.
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] One little tiny rat. The noble Plutodral. Oh my.
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] A week later, when they amassed their army and marched upon the king's castle, well, once they entered the narrow corridor and they tried forcing their way into the castle, they found themselves in an opening, surrounded on all sides by the king's men. Out came the king, next to Plutodral. And then we knew we were had.
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] They knew they were had. And they announced, fire down on them! Hardly any of us, any of them made it out with their lives.
01:29:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] That's my story.
01:32:23 [DM (Aarya)] Your story indeed, Mercurio. You see, Stannimir once again wipes tears from his eyes. I hate to say it, but I believe this story must be true.
01:32:23 [DM (Aarya)] Eliza will also vote true, and Arturia will vote half true. Irina will vote true as well.
01:32:51 [Irredel (Sav)] I'll vote true. I'll vote true too.
01:32:56 [Sildir (Tris)] True.
01:32:57 [Ember (Spurthi)] I also vote true.
01:33:01 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yep. The story's true.
01:33:06 [DM (Aarya)] Oh my. Very sorry to hear that, Mercurio.
01:33:16 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, don't feel sorry. It's just a story from my land. It's just some history.
01:33:22 [DM (Aarya)] History is often tragic, I'm afraid. Now then. With that, Arturia will pipe up and share his story.
01:33:22 [DM (Aarya)] Well, I suppose it is my turn now. There once was a fox, renowned for his wisdom and skill, who dwelled with his kit in the misted woods. On a cold, moonlit night, a pair of sparrows brought in their child, the tendrils of death clutching its shivering body.
01:33:22 [DM (Aarya)] The fox took the chick into his den, but for all his knowledge, he could not cure its ailment, and it breathed its last in his paws. Driven mad in their grief, the vengeful sparrows, aided by four of their kin, stole the fox's kit in the night. They delivered him to the wolf, who had long hungered for the taste of fox flesh.
01:33:22 [DM (Aarya)] The wolf devoured the kit, and the sparrows departed to return to their flock. When the fox found what the sparrows had done, rage clutched his own heart. In his cunning, he knew that the rats, in their burrows beneath the earth, had always despised the songs of the sparrows far above.
01:33:22 [DM (Aarya)] The fox descended to the kingdom of the rats, and he promised them a forest free of the songs of the sparrows. Intrigued, the rats agreed. The rats could not find the sparrows' nest alone, but the crafty fox could.
01:33:22 [DM (Aarya)] And as the sparrows slumbered in the hollow of a great oak, the rats fell upon them to feast with tooth and claw. For the crimes of six, the whole of the flock perished, with nary an egg spared. The misted wood is now darkened, and the trees no longer sing with the songs of the sparrows.
01:33:22 [DM (Aarya)] But some say that the rats hunt still, that a lone chick yet escaped. Their clutches, and that one day they will find it, and gobble it up like the rest. Amber, Arodel, um, Sildur, Mercurio.
01:36:11 [Sildir (Tris)] Surely, these weren't actually animals we were speaking of.
01:36:16 [Speaker 7] But I do believe the story is somewhere.
01:36:20 [DM (Aarya)] Half-truth. Half-truth? Mercurio?
01:36:25 [Mercurio (Gui)] Uh, I would say it's half-true. Okay.
01:36:32 [DM (Aarya)] Well, the story is true, I'm afraid. Though I must admit...
01:36:47 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, they were literal rats.
01:36:49 [DM (Aarya)] I must admit... The story cannot truly be told in full until it has ended.
01:37:03 [Irredel (Sav)] Until what has ended? The story?
01:37:06 [DM (Aarya)] The story, yes. And he smiles sadly at you.
01:37:15 [Speaker 7] He did.
01:37:16 [DM (Aarya)] Well, enough of that. Any other tales you all would like to share?
01:37:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Where are these woods, Sartori?
01:37:27 [DM (Aarya)] I believe I've told all that I'm willing to share of that story.
01:37:34 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, you've been very hospitable. It would be rude of me to push you any further.
01:37:40 [DM (Aarya)] I appreciate your consideration.
01:37:43 [Sildir (Tris)] Keep your secrets, then.
01:37:44 [Mercurio (Gui)] Okay. Stanimir, has he always been like this? Growing up, was he always this much of a tight lip?
01:37:52 [DM (Aarya)] Well, Arturi did not grow up with us in this camp. He only joined us rather recently. So, I cannot say.
01:37:52 [DM (Aarya)] His story is as new to me as it is to you. Although I do believe that is another drink for you, Mercurio. Yes, it is.
01:37:52 [DM (Aarya)] Any other stories, or are we finished here?
01:38:23 [Saturno (Steph)] I guess I have one.
01:38:25 [DM (Aarya)] Please share.
01:38:29 [Saturno (Steph)] Ever since I was a young child, maybe starting at the age of eight, I was trained to be a fighter and to learn the way of the blade.
01:38:42 [Speaker 7] A noble calling.
01:38:45 [Saturno (Steph)] Yes. I basically lived to serve Mercurio's family. And they've been nothing but a second family to me.
01:38:45 [Saturno (Steph)] So, I kind of grew up with Mercurio as a result. And after rigorous training every day, I'd say we'd go out and play. Until one day, we came across a wolf.
01:38:45 [Saturno (Steph)] And it was the first encounter I've ever had where I've had to draw my blade to protect Mercurio. And that was the first wolf that Mercurio killed because I could not do it. And that is my tale.
01:39:33 [DM (Aarya)] Wow, that's a moving tale, Saturno. I trust since then, you've grown to be a mighty warrior, surely.
01:39:43 [Saturno (Steph)] I'd say so.
01:39:45 [Mercurio (Gui)] The record's grown quite lopsided in the other direction since then.
01:39:50 [DM (Aarya)] Don't worry about that. Well, I can see that for myself. You clearly are a seasoned fighter.
01:39:50 [DM (Aarya)] I say this story is true. Arturi, Stanamere, Eliza, and Irina will all vote true.
01:40:11 [Irredel (Sav)] I'll say true. I'll say true.
01:40:17 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, it's a bold-faced lie.
01:40:25 [Ember (Spurthi)] Maybe someone is looking for another drink.
01:40:26 [Saturno (Steph)] This one is looking for another drink! It is half true. I killed the wolf.
01:40:38 [DM (Aarya)] Well, color me surprised. Although, I guess I shouldn't be. We do have two left.
01:40:38 [DM (Aarya)] I think everyone... Nobody got points on that. That was a good one, Saturno.
01:40:58 [Mercurio (Gui)] Saturno. Saturno, a high five on that one.
01:41:01 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah.
01:41:03 [DM (Aarya)] Well, Vicario, you really were looking for another drink.
01:41:08 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, then I had to help sell the story.
01:41:11 [Saturno (Steph)] Well done.
01:41:13 [Sildir (Tris)] What was the name of your stand?
01:41:17 [Saturno (Steph)] Memphis. I think they're still out, actually.
01:41:20 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, hold on. Was it you or Memphis who killed it?
01:41:24 [Saturno (Steph)] It was me. I didn't have Memphis yet at the time.
01:41:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, darn. I guess I got it wrong, then. No arguing that.
01:41:37 [DM (Aarya)] Any other tales? Or shall we tally up the score?
01:41:45 [Speaker 7] Sorry.
01:41:47 [Mercurio (Gui)] Does Ember have a story?
01:41:54 [Ember (Spurthi)] No, I do not. I think it's too painful to talk about.
01:41:58 [DM (Aarya)] Fair enough. I won't press you for it.
01:42:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] Thank you so much.
01:42:03 [DM (Aarya)] Well, then. I believe it is time to tally up the score. So, Irina is sitting at three points.
01:42:03 [DM (Aarya)] Stanimir has three. Arturi has two. And Eliza has four.
01:42:03 [DM (Aarya)] I didn't keep, like, perfect track of all of y'all's points, so... I hope y'all have been keeping track. I haven't, but I don't know if I was.
01:42:34 [Irredel (Sav)] I thought you were.
01:42:37 [DM (Aarya)] I'm sorry, I should have clarified. I have it at Sarturno with four. Sildir with two.
01:42:37 [DM (Aarya)] Mercurio with two. Ember with three. And Iridel with four.
01:42:37 [DM (Aarya)] Does that sound right? Fine for me.
01:43:02 [Sildir (Tris)] Fine for me.
01:43:05 [DM (Aarya)] So that means it is a three-way tie between Eliza, Sarturno, and Iridel.
01:43:16 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, what do we do in case of a tie?
01:43:20 [DM (Aarya)] Well, Eliza will speak up. Well, since you are all the guests here, I don't mind giving up my share of the pot. You two may split it amongst yourselves.
01:43:20 [DM (Aarya)] Why, that's very generous.
01:43:35 [Speaker 7] Yeah, are you sure?
01:43:37 [DM (Aarya)] We Vistani are nothing but hospitable, and the tales you all shared with us are treasure enough for me.
01:43:53 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, thank you. This was marvelous fun, I have to say.
01:43:57 [DM (Aarya)] Glad you all enjoyed yourselves. So I guess Iridel and Sarturno are splitting the pot?
01:44:06 [Speaker 7] Yeah.
01:44:06 [DM (Aarya)] So you win Iridel's socks, Ember's gemstone, Mercurio's perfume, Sildir's second gold coin, Sarturno gets her comb back, you get a deck of Taraka cards from Stanimyr, and a trick spyglass from Eliza, and Arturi gives you a manuscript about werewolves, written by Van Richten. So I'm going to DM that to the two of you, for you each to share at your leisure. This is for Fanny, this one is for Sam.
01:44:06 [DM (Aarya)] I don't know how big I'm hoping.
01:45:10 [Irredel (Sav)] Also, Iridel is definitely going to grab her socks back, and then the second gold coin. Before you're divvying things up, those are the two that I'm wanting.
01:45:23 [Saturno (Steph)] I feel the same way. I'm just going to get the comb back, because I kind of need that.
01:45:29 [DM (Aarya)] What are you going to do with it? Are you going to give the gemstone back to Ember, or keep it for yourself?
01:45:36 [Saturno (Steph)] I was going to give it back to Ember, honestly.
01:45:39 [DM (Aarya)] And Mercurio's perfume? No, that's totally fine.
01:45:43 [Saturno (Steph)] I'm going to hold it for now.
01:45:46 [DM (Aarya)] You're going to keep Mercurio's perfume?
01:45:50 [Saturno (Steph)] I'm going to wear it a little, and then give it back to him.
01:45:52 [Irredel (Sav)] Just make him feel stinky, you know? I'm keeping the gold coin for bribery purposes. I'll give this back if you shut the fuck up Friday around Strahd next time.
01:46:10 [Sildir (Tris)] It would be far from the second gold coin I've given you.
01:46:13 [DM (Aarya)] You've both had a chance to glance over the manuscript. I'll let you decide who's going to keep it. And then there's the Spyglass, and the deck of cards from Eliza and Stanimir.
01:46:13 [DM (Aarya)] You can choose who's going to hold what.
01:46:32 [Irredel (Sav)] I guess I'm more drawn to the Spyglass. I think you should keep the text, honestly.
01:46:40 [Sildir (Tris)] I think the cards might be cool for Saterno, because he had that moment with the kids in the cards.
01:46:46 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah, I can keep the tarot cards. I'm sorry, what were they? They're basically tarot cards.
01:46:46 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah, I'll keep them. Maybe I can learn how to use them. Take them around for a ride.
01:47:03 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so Stanimir sees that you're taking the cards and he says, That was my wife's deck, so I trust you will look after it, Saterno.
01:47:17 [Saturno (Steph)] I'll take it everywhere I go. I'll take good care of it.
01:47:20 [DM (Aarya)] I think she'll be most pleased to know that someone such as yourself is carrying them now.
01:47:28 [Saturno (Steph)] I do find cards. I do tend to be fond of cards.
01:47:32 [DM (Aarya)] As was she. And you see a small tear leaking from Stanimir's eyes.
01:47:41 [Saturno (Steph)] No, stop. No!
01:47:46 [DM (Aarya)] So with that, you all can take a short rest for having party time around the campfire.
01:47:56 [Sildir (Tris)] I need a long rest.
01:47:58 [Ember (Spurthi)] Do you know what time it is? Because Ivo said midnight.
01:48:02 [DM (Aarya)] It is pretty late, but close to midnight. So yeah, it is probably time for you to head over soon. Let me go over a couple things really fast.
01:48:23 [Saturno (Steph)] Give me a second. I'm going to grab some water and check on Mochi. Okay, sure.
01:48:27 [DM (Aarya)] I'll get water as well. Short rest, sit up, baby.
01:48:33 [Saturno (Steph)] Mochi, are you home for your hostage?
01:48:39 [DM (Aarya)] How dare she?
01:49:22 [Saturno (Steph)] Is Stephanie back? Uh, not yet. Okay, no worries.
01:49:34 [DM (Aarya)] Whose story did you all like the most?
01:49:40 [Sildir (Tris)] I liked the rat one.
01:49:42 [Saturno (Steph)] The rat one? The rat one went crazy.
01:49:44 [DM (Aarya)] The rat one was pretty good.
01:49:47 [Saturno (Steph)] Arturi's story.
01:49:50 [Sildir (Tris)] Arturi's was pretty good. Iridel's story was also pretty fire.
01:49:54 [DM (Aarya)] I also really liked Iridel's story. I liked Saturno's story a lot too.
01:49:59 [Mercurio (Gui)] Saturno's story went crazy.
01:50:04 [Saturno (Steph)] Good job team. Okay, I'm back, but I actually have a different story. It's not related to D&D.
01:50:04 [Saturno (Steph)] It's about Gilbert.
01:50:16 [Speaker 7] Oh, yes.
01:50:20 [Saturno (Steph)] Gilbert has cooked. So we found a bag of dog food that was on the tallest shelf in the cabinet that we have. That we have a baby lock on.
01:50:20 [Saturno (Steph)] The baby lock is on because, you know, Gilbert opens the stuff and gets in there and eats the food. So we're like, how the fuck did Gilbert... get in the cabinet and went to the third level of it?
01:50:20 [Saturno (Steph)] Wait, he got past the baby lock? Correct.
01:50:57 [Speaker 7] How?
01:50:59 [Saturno (Steph)] We were like, maybe we left it unlocked or something. Maybe it was our fault, right? Like that could happen.
01:50:59 [Saturno (Steph)] Human error.
01:51:06 [Speaker 7] Yeah.
01:51:11 [Saturno (Steph)] Oh my god. And he pulled his hair. And I'm like, dude, no way.
01:51:11 [Saturno (Steph)] I need more baby locks.
01:51:48 [Speaker 7] That's crazy actually.
01:51:49 [DM (Aarya)] Wow. I just wanted to tell you.
01:51:53 [Saturno (Steph)] Because I was thinking we left it open and he just ate the food. But today during work I saw that and I was like, holy shit. We did close it.
01:51:53 [Saturno (Steph)] He just is too powerful. Did you watch it happen? I saw it happen.
01:52:11 [Speaker 7] Oh my god.
01:52:13 [Saturno (Steph)] And I called Carl and I'm like, Carl, do you need to see this? Oh my god.
01:52:18 [Ember (Spurthi)] What did you say? You were just observing in the back?
01:52:23 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah, I was freaking out while he was doing it.
01:52:27 [Ember (Spurthi)] I was like, I need to see if this is the actual...
01:52:31 [Saturno (Steph)] Because I thought like, okay, yeah, you know, I left it open. He went inside, but it's still like pretty high up there, you know? So it still didn't make sense, but I was like willing to accept it.
01:52:31 [Saturno (Steph)] But no. He cooked.
01:52:44 [DM (Aarya)] He really did cook.
01:52:46 [Ember (Spurthi)] That's crazy. But that's it, yeah.
01:52:50 [DM (Aarya)] All right. All right. So it is approaching midnight and game.
01:52:50 [DM (Aarya)] I assume you're all like making your way over to the crossroads.
01:53:03 [Speaker 7] All right.
01:53:05 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, absolutely.
01:53:08 [Sildir (Tris)] Guys, did it not bother you what we heard Anamita saying as we left?
01:53:15 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, it definitely bothered me. I'm deeply perturbed.
01:53:19 [Sildir (Tris)] What bothered you about it? Just about everything, but it kind of sounded like she was talking to... Literally Strahd or some servant of Strahd who was telling her not to tell us the things that we need to know.
01:53:19 [Sildir (Tris)] Or was I misinterpreting that?
01:53:39 [Ember (Spurthi)] I felt the same kind of vibe.
01:53:45 [DM (Aarya)] It seemed to me that it was a warning of sorts. Maybe she's trying to tell us some servants of the devil will try to listen in.
01:53:59 [Saturno (Steph)] I'm not sure. To me, it felt like a warning that there was someone nearby with ties to Strahd that maybe we should watch what we say.
01:54:15 [DM (Aarya)] It seemed like a warning to keep our knowledge to ourselves and not to share it with anyone who might tell Strahd.
01:54:32 [Speaker 7] What do you all think?
01:54:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, I can go with that explanation. Anamita and Vistani do seem quite nice after all.
01:54:43 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, and as you all are leaving the camp, you see Arturi is also leaving the camp and heading off in his own direction. He says to you, I thank you all for your company. Your stories were most entertaining.
01:55:10 [Irredel (Sav)] Of course, it was a pleasure meeting you.
01:55:13 [Sildir (Tris)] Are you leaving somewhere, Arturi?
01:55:16 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, well, I'm afraid I've spoiled myself a little too much tonight. I'm not usually one to partake in merriment such as that, but it was a good night. Perhaps this won't be the last we see of each other.
01:55:37 [Saturno (Steph)] Hopefully not.
01:55:39 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, so you're just headed to bed?
01:55:41 [DM (Aarya)] No, I'm continuing on my travels.
01:55:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, I hope we see you again, Arturi.
01:55:50 [DM (Aarya)] We shall see.
01:55:52 [Mercurio (Gui)] Maybe we'll catch you at the Bluewater Inn for some more drinks sometime.
01:55:57 [DM (Aarya)] Perhaps, Mercurio. Truly, your appetite is insatiable. Alright, so that's Arturi with a hide-off in the direction opposite to y'all, basically.
01:55:57 [DM (Aarya)] Y'all are making your way to the crossroads, and let's see.
01:56:22 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm already heading down, by the way.
01:56:24 [DM (Aarya)] As you're making the journey over, you see a pallid moon hanging low in the sky, casting a weak silvery glow upon the mist-shrouded landscape below. Ancient trees loom on either side of the muddy road, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. As the witching hour approaches, an eerie stillness descends.
01:56:24 [DM (Aarya)] Even the leaves cease their rustling, leaving the squelch of your boots through the mud, the only lingering sound. So you guys are just, like, making your way on the trail, right?
01:57:03 [Speaker 7] Mhm.
01:57:03 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Let's see. All of you except Saturno notice that you're being followed, and you hear the sound of a snapping twig cutting through the silence like shattered glass.
01:57:03 [DM (Aarya)] A bush behind you rustles, and then abruptly falls still.
01:57:35 [Saturno (Steph)] Oh my! What are you waiting for?
01:57:38 [Mercurio (Gui)] Who goes there?
01:57:43 [Speaker 7] Over here, over here, over here.
01:57:44 [DM (Aarya)] You call out, but you don't hear any response after you.
01:57:51 [Mercurio (Gui)] Alright.
01:57:55 [Saturno (Steph)] I draw my sword.
01:57:57 [Mercurio (Gui)] Who wants to go out there and slice up that bush, then?
01:58:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] I would love to.
01:58:03 [DM (Aarya)] Oh my goodness.
01:58:05 [Sildir (Tris)] I approach the bush.
01:58:07 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay.
01:58:08 [DM (Aarya)] Are you approaching with, like, sword drawn or anything, or what's up?
01:58:12 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, sword drawn. I say, last warning, reveal yourself, or I'm just gonna swing.
01:58:17 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Let's see who comes out. So you see out from the bush, Eliza pops out.
01:58:17 [DM (Aarya)] She comes out, hands raised, and she says, Oh, it's just me. Don't hurt me, please. Oh god, Eliza.
01:58:45 [Speaker 7] Sorry.
01:58:46 [Sildir (Tris)] Very sorry about that. You really shouldn't sneak up on a group of adventurers in the middle of the night at the witching hour, no less.
01:58:57 [DM (Aarya)] I could say the same to you. Out and about at midnight, when a time when all but monsters fear to tread, one might think you were up to something. And a storyteller can always use more tales.
01:59:14 [Sildir (Tris)] I see. Well, Eliza, while your company has been certainly pleasant, as it has been with all the Vithani people, we are here to meet and discuss private matters.
01:59:30 [Speaker 7] I see.
01:59:30 [DM (Aarya)] Well, surely you wouldn't mind one more person talking along? It must be a good story, after all.
01:59:50 [Irredel (Sav)] I mean, we were asked to come here privately, I believe.
01:59:56 [Sildir (Tris)] Specifically, we were asked to come private.
02:00:01 [Ember (Spurthi)] Sure.
02:00:03 [DM (Aarya)] Go ahead, roll persuasion.
02:00:04 [Ember (Spurthi)] Oh, shit.
02:00:11 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, so how are you, like, phrasing your persuasion?
02:00:20 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'd say that, like, it's just a persuasive role, less than that. Maybe, like, with my privacy, or something like that. I'm not sure.
02:00:33 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so with a 17 persuasion roll, I'll say Eliza, like, slumps her shoulders and says, Oh, well, I tried very well, I understand. Perhaps I'll see you again? Yeah.
02:00:33 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, fuck. It's already shrinking.
02:00:54 [Sildir (Tris)] I sure hope so. I would love to.
02:00:59 [DM (Aarya)] Very well. And with that, she turns and heads back towards the encampment.
02:01:08 [Speaker 7] Yeah.
02:01:14 [Sildir (Tris)] Um... Guys, I think she has a little crush on me. That would be really awesome.
02:01:14 [Sildir (Tris)] If I sliced her up, that would be, oh my god.
02:01:25 [DM (Aarya)] Oh my goodness.
02:01:28 [Sildir (Tris)] Glad that she revealed herself in time. Your girlfriend's a little clingy. Well, she's not my girlfriend, but honestly, she likes my armor that much.
02:01:28 [Sildir (Tris)] She can be a little clingy.
02:01:48 [Mercurio (Gui)] Not an easy, uh, I mean, not a hard man to please. No, I'm really not.
02:01:55 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, you know what I'm gonna say.
02:01:59 [Sildir (Tris)] What's that?
02:02:01 [Irredel (Sav)] If you're gonna end up marrying her, just make sure you get a prenup. Oh my god. We have worked too hard to get your assets in order for you not to do that.
02:02:01 [Irredel (Sav)] And of course, I am eligible to officiate ceremonies.
02:02:16 [DM (Aarya)] Oh my.
02:02:19 [Irredel (Sav)] Alright, so...
02:02:20 [Sildir (Tris)] Wow, you're a one-stop shop here, Adele. That's wonderful.
02:02:24 [Irredel (Sav)] I aim to please.
02:02:26 [Sildir (Tris)] I need to give you another raise. We'll talk when we get back home.
02:02:29 [Irredel (Sav)] Of course. If we both survive this, I will be asking.
02:02:34 [DM (Aarya)] Sorry, I'm not familiar with the interpersonal relationships of you all, but... Is she your, uh... Remind me again what your relationship is?
02:02:46 [Irredel (Sav)] We're business partners. Ah, yes, of course.
02:02:50 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, that makes sense. Yes.
02:02:56 [Sildir (Tris)] And it is truly, uh... A partnership of sorts, as... Iridel, uh...
02:02:56 [Sildir (Tris)] I would like to ensure that... Her interests are also my best interests, so... I incentivize her as such.
02:03:10 [DM (Aarya)] I see. Well, Iridel certainly seems to be a capable one, and... As are you.
02:03:10 [DM (Aarya)] Silly.
02:03:20 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, thank you very much for noticing. Yes, I will attribute much of my success to Iridel.
02:03:28 [Irredel (Sav)] I can attribute a significant amount of my success to, uh... To Sillier. I mean, really, just the word-of-mouth marketing, in terms of my professional services...
02:03:28 [Irredel (Sav)] After we've sorted through all of his stuff... It's phenomenal. Not to mention he gives me a study book of business to...
02:03:28 [Irredel (Sav)] His ventures.
02:03:49 [Sildir (Tris)] It's true, the Goldenfield name goes a long way these days. Well, maybe not in Barovia, but... Maybe that'll change too.
02:04:02 [DM (Aarya)] Um...
02:04:03 [Speaker 7] Yeah, maybe.
02:04:05 [DM (Aarya)] And with that, you all approach... The crossroads... And you see...
02:04:05 [DM (Aarya)] Let's see... The well-worn path returns to the crossroads, now illuminated beneath the pale, sickly light of the moon. Across the road, the misty, shrouded headstones seem to hunker down in the gloom...
02:04:05 [DM (Aarya)] Beside the old, wooden gallows, whose frayed rope dangles lifelessly in the still air. A squat, cloaked silhouette stands besides the gallows, waving.
02:04:44 [Sildir (Tris)] Um, can we see Madame Ila? That's creepy.
02:04:46 [DM (Aarya)] Um, you can see, like, the silhouette of her. I mean, it does look like her silhouette, but yeah. You're not close enough to actually make out the details.
02:04:58 [Sildir (Tris)] Guys, I think... As creepy as it is, we should go approach. If that is an amoeba, we should be next to her out here.
02:04:58 [Sildir (Tris)] It's dangerous.
02:05:08 [Irredel (Sav)] Agree.
02:05:10 [Sildir (Tris)] So I guess we approach the gallows... Cautiously, let's say.
02:05:15 [Speaker 7] We'll hear the heebie-jeebies.
02:05:17 [Sildir (Tris)] Lost her marbles. Um... Madame, is that you?
02:05:25 [DM (Aarya)] She turns to you, and with her voice grasping like a chill wind... What did I say to you before you departed my tent?
02:05:38 [Mercurio (Gui)] Uh, something about her spooky shadow, uh, following us, and... Bad stuff happening.
02:05:47 [Irredel (Sav)] Still remember...
02:05:48 [Mercurio (Gui)] He's more, uh... In his right mind than I am. You remember it.
02:05:48 [Mercurio (Gui)] Word for word, I'm sure.
02:05:58 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, not quite word for word, but... It was... Definitely a concerning message, warning us, uh...
02:05:58 [Sildir (Tris)] That there may be an interloper on our conversation... Tonight. That's what I got out of it.
02:05:58 [Sildir (Tris)] After a disgusting party.
02:06:14 [DM (Aarya)] And... Hearing that, Madame Eva nods and seems... Assured that you are...
02:06:14 [DM (Aarya)] Who you say you are? Um...
02:06:24 [Sildir (Tris)] Let's see... Speaking of, Madame... I must say...
02:06:24 [Sildir (Tris)] While I'm sure there was no ill intent... We did run into Eliza out here, perhaps to discourage her from wandering around by herself in these dangerous woods... Near midnight.
02:06:39 [DM (Aarya)] Come again? You... Eliza was here?
02:06:42 [Sildir (Tris)] Mm, yes. She seemed to want to eavesdrop on... The party's conversation, not...
02:06:42 [Sildir (Tris)] Knowing that, uh... We were hoping to meet with you, so... I got all the different...
02:06:55 [Ember (Spurthi)] I persuaded her that we were under a planet reading about our troubles.
02:07:01 [DM (Aarya)] I see... And... Where is she now?
02:07:06 [Sildir (Tris)] We encouraged her to go home, like Ember said, uh... Ember gave her a stern talking to.
02:07:10 [DM (Aarya)] Did you make sure that she actually left?
02:07:13 [Speaker 7] Nice.
02:07:15 [Sildir (Tris)] Hmm... I guess not truly, but... She said she would leave.
02:07:15 [Sildir (Tris)] Should we do a search around?
02:07:22 [DM (Aarya)] The fate of these lands itself hangs in the balance. You must be certain.
02:07:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, gang, split up. Let's cover these grounds quickly. See if we find her.
02:07:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Give Mercurio a buddy. He's too drunk to look himself.
02:07:42 [DM (Aarya)] You can... The check you'll do will depend on, like, how you're searching. If you're looking to, like, literally spot her, like, with your eyes or your senses...
02:07:42 [DM (Aarya)] Um, that would be perception. Um, if you're maybe, like, trying to follow a trail... Or, like, signs of someone, like...
02:07:42 [DM (Aarya)] Wandering in the brush or hiding, then that would be investigation.
02:08:01 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay. I'm gonna go in the direction where she went and just kinda... Look around in the bushes.
02:08:01 [Saturno (Steph)] Speaking of which, can I stop?
02:08:09 [Ember (Spurthi)] No, I'm gonna look around in the bushes and see if it's investigation.
02:08:12 [Speaker 7] I'm gonna... Perceive, man.
02:08:14 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, Eliza! There's, uh... Eligible bachelors with...
02:08:14 [Mercurio (Gui)] Nice custom armor here! Oh my gosh! Come out, come out wherever you are!
02:08:24 [Saturno (Steph)] He said perception? For checking bushes and stuff?
02:08:27 [Sildir (Tris)] I did a... Little 18 roll. I don't know what that gets.
02:08:31 [Speaker 7] Okay.
02:08:32 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'm gonna do investigation. He's dead, he's dead.
02:08:36 [DM (Aarya)] Hey! Take a choke, pal. Get ready to pop some items.
02:08:46 [Sildir (Tris)] Crambo? I like to think Erdo's like...
02:08:49 [DM (Aarya)] I will make you sign a prenup!
02:08:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh my gosh! You can't hide from it!
02:08:53 [DM (Aarya)] Crambo? So, with those rolls... Sildir, Ember, and Satorno...
02:08:53 [DM (Aarya)] You spot Eliza... Hiding behind this portion of the wall around the cemetery. She doesn't seem to realize that you've spotted her.
02:08:53 [DM (Aarya)] But she does look like she's on high alert. After hearing Mercurio calling out.
02:09:24 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, alright. I guess she's not here. Everyone, let's meet next to...
02:09:24 [Sildir (Tris)] Ember. And I would like to imagine that everyone does that. And I...
02:09:24 [Sildir (Tris)] In the most hushed tone possible. Guys... Look over the corner there.
02:09:24 [Sildir (Tris)] She's hiding right there. You think your girlfriend is a... A spy of Strahd?
02:09:24 [Sildir (Tris)] I would hope not. She seemed quite kind. That could just be her compliments to my armor talking.
02:10:10 [Speaker 7] Yeah, she was really cool.
02:10:11 [Sildir (Tris)] I like all the wine she gave me, but...
02:10:16 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'll give her the benefit of the doubt this time. But we really need to get her out of here.
02:10:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Perhaps we should invite her in. Say, fine, you can just join us. And then...
02:10:22 [Sildir (Tris)] We actually escort her home this time. I feel like if we try to approach her, we won't.
02:10:33 [Speaker 7] Oh yeah. On my way. Sorry.
02:10:35 [Sildir (Tris)] You know. These woods are dark. She seems quite sneaky.
02:10:38 [Speaker 7] I got locked in.
02:10:39 [Sildir (Tris)] We may escape. Or maybe Ember, you could quietly go... Sneak up on her.
02:10:46 [Speaker 7] Oh shit!
02:10:48 [Sildir (Tris)] Seem like the sneaky type.
02:10:50 [Speaker 7] Oh no!
02:10:53 [Saturno (Steph)] Oh no! He's literally muted after that.
02:10:58 [Sildir (Tris)] Here Adele, remember when... You so rudely muffled me?
02:11:05 [DM (Aarya)] So is Ember trying to do stealth, or what's happening?
02:11:09 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'm quietly going over to her.
02:11:11 [Sildir (Tris)] I think we're planning right now.
02:11:12 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so if you're trying to sneak without her noticing you, you'll have to do a stealth check.
02:11:18 [Irredel (Sav)] Okay, I'll do a stealth check. And depending on the outcome of what Ember's doing, one of the spells I'm able to perform is to force someone to flee.
02:11:30 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so 14 stealth check. Let's see what her perception is. Her perception actually isn't great.
02:11:30 [DM (Aarya)] So a 14 stealth check will be enough. So you're able to sneak up to here without her noticing.
02:11:51 [Ember (Spurthi)] Where am I?
02:11:53 [DM (Aarya)] So right by the corner over here. So you're basically a little bit around the corner from where she's hiding. Is anyone else trying to do something based on Ember's movements?
02:12:10 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm going to see how the Ember thing works out, but otherwise I'm going to probably do a little spellaroni to help resolve this if this doesn't get fixed.
02:12:22 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can I talk to Eliza now?
02:12:29 [DM (Aarya)] You can try to talk to her, but you can tell that if she really is a spy, then you're not sure what will happen if you reveal yourself right now.
02:12:46 [Ember (Spurthi)] Can I escort her back home?
02:12:49 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, I was going to do command flee.
02:12:53 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay.
02:12:56 [Mercurio (Gui)] I think I have a spell that's a little more suited. What do you got? I'm a little worried about the flee.
02:12:56 [Mercurio (Gui)] I don't want her to just run off into the woods. True. I have a suggestion.
02:12:56 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm going to tell her to take the safe route home and get a good night's rest.
02:13:21 [Ember (Spurthi)] Why couldn't you say that? Um...
02:13:25 [DM (Aarya)] So...
02:13:25 [Mercurio (Gui)] I was going to be extra persuasive.
02:13:28 [DM (Aarya)] Madame Kiva is going to step up to you and she's going to grab your arm and urgently whisper to you, If she truly is a spy of the devil, she cannot be allowed to report back to him. You must capture her.
02:13:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Aw, shit.
02:13:49 [DM (Aarya)] But Madame Kiva, are you even sure that she's a spy? You can't take the chance. There's too much at stake.
02:13:56 [Irredel (Sav)] But she hasn't even heard anything yet, has she?
02:13:59 [DM (Aarya)] Well, but she's seen us here with Madame Kiva. If the devil finds out that I'm meeting with you to deliver a prophecy to defeat him, his wrath will fall upon us all. She cannot be allowed to report back to him.
02:14:23 [Ember (Spurthi)] Damn.
02:14:24 [Mercurio (Gui)] Alright, well, it's time to capture her then, I guess.
02:14:27 [Irredel (Sav)] Yep. Yep. Let's go.
02:14:27 [Irredel (Sav)] Um...
02:14:33 [Sildir (Tris)] How far away is she? She's pretty far.
02:14:35 [Irredel (Sav)] I like the command idea, it's not bad.
02:14:37 [Sildir (Tris)] It's a 60-foot spell.
02:14:39 [Irredel (Sav)] Should I focus them on? But she already knows that...
02:14:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, but... Maybe we just need to interrogate her a little and find out if she is a spy or not. I might die, though.
02:14:55 [Irredel (Sav)] I have no health.
02:14:55 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, man.
02:14:57 [Irredel (Sav)] I think there's an easy solution here.
02:15:01 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay.
02:15:06 [Mercurio (Gui)] And that might be... A good way of shaking the truth out of her?
02:15:10 [Irredel (Sav)] Mm-hmm.
02:15:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] Okay.
02:15:13 [Irredel (Sav)] No one is more likely to spill secrets than with a lover.
02:15:18 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, God.
02:15:20 [Speaker 7] Oh, my gosh.
02:15:20 [Sildir (Tris)] For real. I know you were kidding with the whole prenup thing. Well, not truly kidding, but come on, I mean...
02:15:20 [Sildir (Tris)] You can't just be... I thought you were... Selling me out like this.
02:15:20 [Sildir (Tris)] I thought you were a lawyer, not a pimp. I mean, she is attractive, yes, but I'm not...
02:15:42 [Irredel (Sav)] So you found her attractive. You already said you'd be willing to meet with her later.
02:15:47 [Sildir (Tris)] Jeez. You know, I thought I was the guy who thought everything was a commodity, but Iridel, you are surpassing me.
02:15:56 [Irredel (Sav)] All right, all right. We can drop the suggestion, but...
02:16:00 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, I didn't say it wasn't a good idea. I just...
02:16:05 [Speaker 7] Make up your mind, man.
02:16:06 [Sildir (Tris)] The oldest profession. I'm just kind of... Impressed and...
02:16:06 [Sildir (Tris)] Disgusted.
02:16:16 [Irredel (Sav)] No!
02:16:17 [Sildir (Tris)] Both, Iridel. Good job. A true businesswoman.
02:16:20 [Irredel (Sav)] Just have to be practical here. Madame Eva told us what to do. Great things are at stake, and I think there's a, you know, straightforward path.
02:16:30 [Sildir (Tris)] Well... I feel, though, that... To put on a truly convincing performance...
02:16:30 [Sildir (Tris)] It might take a little too long.
02:16:43 [Irredel (Sav)] All right, well, we can just go capture her then.
02:16:45 [Sildir (Tris)] I mean, Madame Eva, how much time do we really have?
02:16:49 [DM (Aarya)] Time is of the essence, I'm afraid.
02:16:55 [Sildir (Tris)] Well then. All's fair in love and war, they say. Must be war this time.
02:16:55 [Sildir (Tris)] Thanks. All right. So, maybe we should try to wrap around the other way through the woods.
02:16:55 [Sildir (Tris)] And approach her that way, and scare her into... Her... So at the very least, Ember can attempt...
02:16:55 [Sildir (Tris)] A grapple if needed. If she tries to run off.
02:17:25 [Irredel (Sav)] And if... Would anyone maybe want to provide a distraction? Madame Eva, do you want to say something...
02:17:25 [Irredel (Sav)] Fictitious? And make it... Appear that you're just giving one of us a run-of-the-mill regular prophecy?
02:17:25 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh!
02:17:40 [DM (Aarya)] Iridel, if it was... If it's a... A personal reading that you would like, I can come take you over right here.
02:17:40 [DM (Aarya)] Right this way.
02:17:48 [Irredel (Sav)] Yes, yes, exactly. I'm... Quite not sure what to do in my life.
02:17:48 [Irredel (Sav)] Things are going... Successfully, but I feel dissatisfied. And I feel as if I could use...
02:18:00 [DM (Aarya)] Direction. Yes, yes, of course. A simple palm reading should do.
02:18:00 [DM (Aarya)] Show me, show me your hands.
02:18:05 [Irredel (Sav)] Ah! Yes, okay, here, here. And Iridel holds both her hands out.
02:18:09 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so... While these two are... Doing their thing, um...
02:18:09 [DM (Aarya)] The rest of you can attempt to, like... Try to sneak around and wrap around, or... What is it you're trying to do?
02:18:19 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, like, just walk through the woods to get onto, like, the other side of this path. To, like, spook her into Ember. If she gets spooked.
02:18:19 [Sildir (Tris)] Rather than away.
02:18:28 [Saturno (Steph)] Okay.
02:18:29 [Sildir (Tris)] Does everyone agree with that? I don't want to just...
02:18:31 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah, I think it's a good idea.
02:18:33 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I think that's good.
02:18:35 [DM (Aarya)] Alright. Um, so then I'll have you all... Are you, like, trying to be sneaky about it?
02:18:35 [DM (Aarya)] Or are you just, like, walking?
02:18:42 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, to get there, I'd like to be sneaky-ish about it. But we can take, like, as wide of a path as needed.
02:18:49 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so...
02:18:50 [Sildir (Tris)] To make that easy.
02:18:51 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, with that, um... With the combination of you, like, being cautious and the distraction that Iridel and Matamime were providing, you can all roll stealth with advantage as you're trying to make your way around. Okay.
02:18:51 [DM (Aarya)] You're already there, Ember, so you don't need to do that.
02:19:08 [Speaker 7] Okay.
02:19:15 [Sildir (Tris)] So, Vantod. Por favor. Yes.
02:19:15 [Sildir (Tris)] Me and my clinky-ass armor is pretty stealth.
02:19:22 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. So, yeah, you're all able to, like... You're able to, like, come around to, like, over here, I'll say.
02:19:22 [DM (Aarya)] Um... Right about that corner of the wall. I'll go ahead and move you all.
02:19:22 [DM (Aarya)] So, like, right here. Um... Okay.
02:19:22 [DM (Aarya)] You're, like, hidden in the brush a bit, like, out here. Like, the woods are, like, thicker in this area. So she hasn't spotted you.
02:19:22 [DM (Aarya)] Um, she seems to be, like, watching Matamime and Iridel pretty intently.
02:19:56 [Sildir (Tris)] All right, I think... Here, guys, maybe we just make a... Balance of quick but sneaky approach and just try to get close to her as quickly as possible.
02:19:56 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah. Let's do it.
02:20:11 [Ember (Spurthi)] All right. And, um...
02:20:17 [Speaker 7] Okay.
02:20:19 [Sildir (Tris)] Hmm, do you have them?
02:20:21 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah. From Tinkerstone.
02:20:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay, cool. Good to know. Well, do you have them now or do you have to, like, make them?
02:20:22 [Sildir (Tris)] It's too different.
02:20:29 [Ember (Spurthi)] It'll be two different things, I think. I'm not sure, actually.
02:20:34 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, we'll cross the bridge when we get there, I guess.
02:20:37 [Ember (Spurthi)] Okay.
02:20:39 [Saturno (Steph)] Do we have to roll stealth again?
02:20:41 [DM (Aarya)] Um, if you're trying to sneak up for, like, closer, then, yeah, you'll have to do stealth again.
02:20:49 [Saturno (Steph)] Regular or with advantage? Um...
02:20:55 [DM (Aarya)] If you're wearing heavy armor, you'll have disadvantage. If you aren't, then you can just do regular stealth check.
02:21:03 [Sildir (Tris)] Womp womp. Um... Maybe I'll just...
02:21:03 [Sildir (Tris)] hang back and dash in if it comes to combat. Mm-hmm. Like, I don't know how...
02:21:14 [Saturno (Steph)] I think that's what I'm gonna have to do as well, since I have heavy armor.
02:21:21 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, I'd like to get closer, so... Should I vote... Should I roll the, uh...
02:21:26 [Speaker 7] Yeah, if you're trying to get closer, you can do stealth, too.
02:21:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] Doops. That's, uh... That's a crit, right?
02:21:35 [Mercurio (Gui)] I get a hope.
02:21:38 [Speaker 7] Yeah, yeah, yeah, you get a hope.
02:21:41 [DM (Aarya)] Um... Excuse me. So you're able to make it, like, up to, like, here, I'll say.
02:21:41 [DM (Aarya)] Like, right next to this tree, basically. Um... Past that, it's, like, open space between you and her, so it'll be difficult to sneak back, like, further.
02:21:55 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay. Who else is there? Still, are you sneaky?
02:21:55 [Sildir (Tris)] Maybe you should get up in there. I am sneaky, but I am pretty fuckin' drunk still, I would say. Maybe you can go make a bigger scene with Eva.
02:21:55 [Sildir (Tris)] Can you just, for once in your life, be a silly little elf and go say, Ah, please, give me my fortune, I'm so drunk, and I just can't wait to have it. Something like that. Okay.
02:21:55 [Sildir (Tris)] Rumbles in response. I see, I see.
02:22:30 [Irredel (Sav)] And I also want to check, man, I feel like at this time, Iridell is, like, really trying to, uh, drag things out, and is like, and Madam Eva, is there anything in my palm reading that would indicate, um, I would die young? I have all my estate planning in order, of course, but there are certain instruments that I'd want to use if I die after the age of 50 versus before.
02:22:50 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, well, I'm getting conflicting readings from your lifelines. There seems to be a break in this crease further down your palm. It's rather difficult to say.
02:22:50 [DM (Aarya)] You might find that you have some calamity ahead of you, and whether or not you survive this encounter will determine if you live to long age.
02:23:10 [Irredel (Sav)] Ah, okay, so it's like, uh, I either die now, or old.
02:23:14 [DM (Aarya)] I'll say, if you have something you need to do, best to get on with it sooner than later.
02:23:21 [Speaker 7] So... All right, I've always expected as much.
02:23:23 [DM (Aarya)] Madam Eva will say very loudly, you must act quickly as you can.
02:23:32 [Sildir (Tris)] All right, well, I'm going to leave it to Mercurio and Ember, then.
02:23:36 [Speaker 7] Yeah.
02:23:39 [Sildir (Tris)] We'll dash in as soon as it looks interesting.
02:23:49 [Mercurio (Gui)] I guess I'm going to pop out of the bushes and say something, ready to...
02:23:55 [Sildir (Tris)] All that wine, it's making me pissed.
02:24:00 [Mercurio (Gui)] All right, you're going to cast Command? Uh, not right away.
02:24:06 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so you're, like, repealing yourself, basically?
02:24:08 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, I'm going to have it at the tip of my tongue. Okay, so... I'm going to step out.
02:24:13 [DM (Aarya)] Eliza sees you, and she's like, oh, shit! And she, like, immediately, like, bolts in the opposite direction.
02:24:19 [Mercurio (Gui)] Hey, stop there! Stop, stop, stop! Okay.
02:24:23 [Sildir (Tris)] And then, uh, Ember, are you going to intercept there? Is Sop you using the Command word? Uh, yeah, fuck it.
02:24:34 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm going to Command her to drop.
02:24:37 [Speaker 7] Okay.
02:24:38 [DM (Aarya)] Go ahead, cast a spell. So that's a Wisdom save? Yeah.
02:24:38 [DM (Aarya)] Yep. Wisdom. Normal.
02:24:50 [Speaker 7] Oh! She saves.
02:24:52 [DM (Aarya)] That's an 18 Wisdom save. All right. Um...
02:24:52 [DM (Aarya)] She's... Okay, so she, like, runs in the opposite direction. She runs directly into Ember.
02:24:52 [DM (Aarya)] Um, Ember, do you try to do anything? Ember? Ember?
02:24:52 [DM (Aarya)] Hello?
02:25:15 [Ember (Spurthi)] Muted. I was on mute, sorry. Um, I will wrestle her and pin her down and, like, keep her from losing.
02:25:21 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, so you can roll an Athletics check.
02:25:24 [Speaker 7] Okay.
02:25:28 [DM (Aarya)] And I'll have her do Contested Athletics as well.
02:25:33 [Speaker 7] I don't have Athletics. I'm going to do Acrobat. I don't know how that'll work.
02:25:37 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, if you're, like, wrestling her, that's going to be Athletics, I'll say. So that's a 7 Athletics checks. It's going to be a little rough.
02:25:45 [Mercurio (Gui)] Uh-oh.
02:25:46 [DM (Aarya)] Uh-oh.
02:25:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] We're fumbling the bag.
02:25:49 [Speaker 7] Oh my god!
02:25:51 [Mercurio (Gui)] What the fuck?
02:25:52 [Speaker 7] Oh my god.
02:25:53 [DM (Aarya)] She rolls a Nat 20. So she basically just, like, trucks you and knocks you, like, flat on your butt and she's going to, like, immediately just start running past.
02:26:06 [Speaker 7] All right, at this point, I was...
02:26:07 [Sildir (Tris)] I chased. I'm running. Yeah, I'm running.
02:26:07 [Sildir (Tris)] If I get into range, I'll use my Command Word as well.
02:26:13 [Speaker 7] Okay.
02:26:15 [DM (Aarya)] I'll say, Sildur, you're able to get just into range in order to cast your spell.
02:26:21 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay. So I use... Actually...
02:26:21 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, wait.
02:26:29 [Mercurio (Gui)] Actually, I have... I also have another feature I can use.
02:26:32 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. What's up?
02:26:37 [Mercurio (Gui)] Beguiling Magic.
02:26:38 [Speaker 7] Ooh.
02:26:42 [Mercurio (Gui)] How do I do this? Let's use... So I will...
02:26:42 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's consumed by... What the heck?
02:26:53 [Ember (Spurthi)] Wait, can I, like, shoot my arrow and, like, try to, like, pin her clothes or her hair to the ground?
02:27:00 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, you could shoot an arrow, for sure.
02:27:02 [Mercurio (Gui)] Okay. Yeah, go ahead.
02:27:03 [DM (Aarya)] It won't go in the chat for some reason.
02:27:05 [Speaker 7] Excuse me.
02:27:06 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, roll your shortbow attack. Okay.
02:27:09 [Sildir (Tris)] All right, I'm going to say, though, that I want to use my cone first if we're doing it like this.
02:27:14 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. Sildur, you can go first if you want.
02:27:17 [Sildir (Tris)] All right. I'm going to do a command to drop. Or...
02:27:17 [Sildir (Tris)] Approach will be my command. Like, approach me. Okay, so she'll do a...
02:27:17 [Sildir (Tris)] What are you going to attack?
02:27:30 [DM (Aarya)] I'll have her do a wisdom save first. And if this...
02:27:33 [Speaker 7] That is funny.
02:27:36 [DM (Aarya)] So she succeeds the wisdom save.
02:27:39 [Sildir (Tris)] Can I use my inspiration to make her reroll?
02:27:41 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yeah, I rolled the ranged attack.
02:27:45 [Speaker 7] Okay.
02:27:46 [Sildir (Tris)] Hold on. Can I use inspiration to make her reroll?
02:27:50 [DM (Aarya)] Unfortunately, no. You would have to... It's only for your own rolls to redo.
02:27:54 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay.
02:27:55 [Mercurio (Gui)] Can I use the beguiling magic?
02:27:57 [DM (Aarya)] Okay. What are you trying to do with that?
02:28:00 [Mercurio (Gui)] So when I cast an enchantment or illusion spell, I can cause a creature I can see within 60 feet to make a wisdom saving throw or be charmed or frightened.
02:28:10 [Speaker 7] Okay.
02:28:10 [Mercurio (Gui)] So she has to roll another wisdom save or be charmed.
02:28:14 [Speaker 7] Okay.
02:28:19 [DM (Aarya)] Jeez.
02:28:21 [Sildir (Tris)] She's a high roller.
02:28:22 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, there we go. That's a two on the wisdom save, so she's now charmed by Mercurial.
02:28:29 [Sildir (Tris)] Cool.
02:28:31 [DM (Aarya)] Do you still...
02:28:34 [Sildir (Tris)] Let's not, because we could kill her for no reason. I was trying to save her. We don't know if she's that bad.
02:28:34 [Sildir (Tris)] Could just be a goofy, silly person.
02:28:52 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so she's not charmed. She's not moving, but she is still wary of you.
02:29:01 [Sildir (Tris)] She's kind of elite. We should recruit her. She dodged five things from us.
02:29:01 [Sildir (Tris)] Eliza! Eliza! No, no!
02:29:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] I was just out here taking a little tinkle because of all the wine that I drank. Just waiting in my turn for my reading, and I just wanted to chat with you some more since you're so enrapturing, and maybe we could talk a little bit about boys. Oh, I know.
02:29:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] I saw you eyeing Syl there. Why don't we chat about that?
02:29:29 [DM (Aarya)] Yes, well, he is easy on the eyes, isn't he?
02:29:34 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, yes. I mean, no one is denying that. I'm just going to stay where I am.
02:29:34 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, are you a little bit more interested in him than just that? Is he just eye candy, or are you a bit more interested?
02:29:49 [DM (Aarya)] Well, he does seem to be pretty good with a sword, judging by how well armed he is.
02:29:56 [Mercurio (Gui)] You share similar interests, too, with the whole armor thing. You both have an eye for detail.
02:30:03 [DM (Aarya)] I do appreciate a man of strength. Someone who carries himself with confidence.
02:30:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, I have to look out for my friend. You're not just into rich guys, right? That's not what it is.
02:30:15 [DM (Aarya)] No, it goes much deeper than that.
02:30:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] Okay, okay. Just making sure. But I have to say, you know, this isn't a good way to start a relationship.
02:30:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's a little bit creepy, you know? I suppose. You see how this looks, right?
02:30:39 [DM (Aarya)] What does it look like?
02:30:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, it looks like, you know, you have an interest in Zil, but maybe it's going to come off a little bit unhealthy. Listen, between you and me, I understand. I'm clingy, too.
02:30:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] But, you know, some people, they don't get it. So they might get the wrong idea, you know? Some people would call this stalking.
02:30:41 [Mercurio (Gui)] You know, I wouldn't call it that. But there are people who would. And we don't want people bad-mouthing you, you know?
02:31:11 [DM (Aarya)] Of course not. Can't have that.
02:31:16 [Mercurio (Gui)] Oh, Iridell, what were you saying?
02:31:19 [Irredel (Sav)] I also was going to say that I was asking Madam Eva some very private and personal questions regarding my love life, for the lack thereof. Future business plans, and when I might die. And I think those things should be private.
02:31:19 [Irredel (Sav)] And the rest of you all here, my friends, had respectfully been far away, not listening. And I find you here eavesdropping on something very personal to me. And now you, a complete stranger, knows how long it has been since I have been intimate with another person.
02:31:19 [Irredel (Sav)] And I think that's mortifying. And I, what say you? Why were you listening to us?
02:31:19 [Irredel (Sav)] Oh, you know. I don't know if I need to roll deception for this one. Yeah, I'll say.
02:32:02 [DM (Aarya)] It depends, are you trying to deceive her? Are you trying to intimidate her?
02:32:08 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm trying to deceive her that we were literally only here for the reading that she heard Madam Eva doing for me. And to, you know, at least in some capacity, convince her to start spilling why she was here.
02:32:25 [DM (Aarya)] Okay, yeah, roll deception. I'll say, like, beat a 14 for her. Okay.
02:32:25 [DM (Aarya)] To, like, beat it. Believe it, I mean.
02:32:38 [Speaker 7] Oh my god.
02:32:40 [Saturno (Steph)] Nice, 15 deception.
02:32:42 [DM (Aarya)] She says, Oh, well, I didn't really overhear anything of particular interest, Iridel. Like, really just a bunch of stuff about how you're going to die soon or something like that. I don't know.
02:32:42 [DM (Aarya)] Seems kind of concerning, if you ask me. Not really anything that would make for a good story, I think.
02:33:03 [Mercurio (Gui)] You would tell us, though, right? If, like, somebody told you to do this? Did somebody put you onto this?
02:33:03 [Mercurio (Gui)] You know? You just seem like such a well-adjusted girl. It's hard for me to believe that you would, you know, eavesdrop like that.
02:33:21 [DM (Aarya)] No, I...
02:33:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] Tell me. Iridel is... Come on, girl, we're friends.
02:33:22 [Mercurio (Gui)] Tell me.
02:33:28 [DM (Aarya)] So you're trying to... Are you trying to, like, persuade her to, like, tell you?
02:33:32 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah.
02:33:32 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, so since you have her charm, you can roll that with advantage. You can do persuasion.
02:33:37 [Sildir (Tris)] Let's fucking go. I'll pull up now. That's a 27.
02:33:44 [Mercurio (Gui)] Holy 27! Wait, is that a nat 20 too? Nat 20 plus 7.
02:33:49 [DM (Aarya)] Damn, okay. Alright, alright. So...
02:33:49 [DM (Aarya)] She falls to her knees and she says, Alright, alright. I confess. I am a servant of Count Strahd, von Zorovich.
02:33:49 [DM (Aarya)] The true master of these lands and the rightful king of the Vistani. I was spying on you so that I might report to him.
02:34:15 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm gonna stick to the bit. I'm just gonna say, And Strahd wants to know about my personal, intimate life?
02:34:23 [DM (Aarya)] I'm not...
02:34:24 [Irredel (Sav)] It's very boring. It's very boring. This was a very private reading.
02:34:24 [Irredel (Sav)] And...
02:34:30 [DM (Aarya)] You... You all were clearly... You all...
02:34:30 [DM (Aarya)] The whole group of you were clearly here to find some means of deposing him. Why else would all of you be...
02:34:40 [Mercurio (Gui)] Deposing him?
02:34:40 [DM (Aarya)] Why else would all of you be gathered out here with Madame Eva with no other...
02:34:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, clearly because our sex lives are very boring and that's a private matter, okay?
02:34:51 [Irredel (Sav)] Because we want to know how to fix things in our life.
02:34:54 [DM (Aarya)] I'll say roll deception. If you want her to believe that's the actual reason for coming out here, you're gonna have to roll pretty high. I'll say like...
02:35:04 [Mercurio (Gui)] Can I roll that?
02:35:07 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, you can roll it.
02:35:09 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's just a charge, right?
02:35:11 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm also gonna...
02:35:13 [Sildir (Tris)] While this is going on, can I try to pray to Tyr for like... Just like an inkling of direction.
02:35:23 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm gonna go put my hand on Mercurio's arm like I'm comforting him and I'm actually going to cast Guidance.
02:35:31 [Mercurio (Gui)] I'm gonna fake a bunch of tears too. You don't know how hard it's been since my last fake-up, okay?
02:35:38 [Irredel (Sav)] Not to mention, you are used to this magic. You talk to people who can see the future all the time. At least me personally.
02:35:38 [Irredel (Sav)] I've never encountered a fortune teller. What else would someone want to know other than about themselves? Their deepest desires, their future.
02:35:56 [Saturno (Steph)] Alright. I don't even get to ask anything. This is so lame.
02:35:56 [Saturno (Steph)] You can still ask something if you want.
02:36:04 [DM (Aarya)] I'll say... Since you have her charmed, you can do the roll... You can roll the deception with advantage.
02:36:04 [DM (Aarya)] However, it is still going to be a pretty hard sell. So you'll have to be like... I'll say like a 20.
02:36:18 [Speaker 7] Okay.
02:36:19 [Irredel (Sav)] And I also cast Guidance on Mercurio because I went over and touched his arm and was like... You know, looking like I was comforting. But, you know.
02:36:19 [Irredel (Sav)] We know what I was doing.
02:36:39 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, D4.
02:36:40 [Speaker 7] That's 4!
02:36:41 [DM (Aarya)] And the D4 from Guidance. Yeah, that was a 17 deception check and then add the D4 on top of that.
02:36:48 [Speaker 7] No!
02:36:49 [DM (Aarya)] So that's a 2. 19. No!
02:36:49 [DM (Aarya)] Just shy. And she looks to you and she says... Do you think...
02:36:49 [DM (Aarya)] Do you take me for a fool? Do you think the Dreadlord employs fools in his service? No, obviously you aren't here for your sex lives!
02:36:49 [DM (Aarya)] That's ridiculous!
02:37:11 [Sildir (Tris)] Can we do a record scratch and go back to me praying and see if I get an inkling of what to do here?
02:37:16 [DM (Aarya)] So you're praying to Tyr?
02:37:17 [Sildir (Tris)] From Tyr? Yeah, your champion. Yeah.
02:37:17 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah.
02:37:21 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so you'll pray to Tyr. And you'll get...
02:37:25 [Sildir (Tris)] I want to know if... Yeah, go ahead, I guess.
02:37:31 [DM (Aarya)] Remind me really quick what Tyr is. Tyr is the god of order and justice, right? Tyr is my god.
02:37:31 [DM (Aarya)] Okay.
02:37:38 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, but also the god of all paladins.
02:37:41 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's right, that's right.
02:37:42 [Sildir (Tris)] And, like, very righteous, self-righteous, vengeance-y type dude.
02:37:48 [DM (Aarya)] So you hear the voice of Tyr booming in your head. The quest... I thought you had a different...
02:37:48 [DM (Aarya)] Was it not? Is it not Tyr?
02:37:58 [Sildir (Tris)] It was... There were two that reached out to me, but I went with Tyr.
02:38:03 [DM (Aarya)] That's what I thought. Or was it Torm? That's a different one.
02:38:08 [Sildir (Tris)] I mean, I can... No, there was Tyr and Torm, but I turned down Torm.
02:38:12 [DM (Aarya)] Let me look it up really quick. Paladin...
02:38:15 [Sildir (Tris)] What session would it be? Like, two?
02:38:17 [DM (Aarya)] I think it was two or three.
02:38:19 [Speaker 7] Sorry, I just...
02:38:20 [Irredel (Sav)] Tyr is my god, and I know that they're, like, a little different.
02:38:24 [DM (Aarya)] I think yours is Torm, and I think the other god was... Let me look it up. Thor.
02:38:24 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, that's right. It's a funny name, actually. So you were between Torm and Thor.
02:38:44 [Sildir (Tris)] You're right, actually.
02:38:45 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so Torm is your god.
02:38:47 [Sildir (Tris)] I'm praying to Torm, who is the more paladin-y god of all paladins.
02:38:50 [DM (Aarya)] Yes. The god of duty, loyalty, righteousness, obedience, and law and valor. So...
02:38:50 [DM (Aarya)] You hear the voice of Torm booming in your head. You cannot allow any obstacle on your quest for justice. She must be dealt with.
02:39:12 [Sildir (Tris)] Okay. Well... With that, I stand.
02:39:12 [Sildir (Tris)] I look to the party and say... I've spoken with my god, and unfortunately I agree. With this conclusion.
02:39:12 [Sildir (Tris)] I think... She must be dealt with, and I hold my sword out to her.
02:39:43 [DM (Aarya)] Um... You see, like, she's on her knees at this point. She has tears streaming down her face.
02:39:43 [DM (Aarya)] And she says... Do it, then. I gladly give my life in service to my king.
02:40:03 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, I met your king. And... I can see now that you're ugly on the inside.
02:40:12 [Speaker 7] Oh, shit.
02:40:13 [Sildir (Tris)] And I just go for a clean execution, if no one tries to stop me, I guess.
02:40:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] Wait, wait, don't... She's just a brainwashed girl.
02:40:26 [Sildir (Tris)] You heard Ivo. We can't risk this. The entirety of the land depends on her not somehow blabbing back to Strahd.
02:40:26 [Sildir (Tris)] For all we know, he can see us right now in some kind of crystal ball. I mean, if Madame Ivo can see us, who knows what he can see.
02:40:40 [DM (Aarya)] As you're saying that, um... Sildur, you hear another voice in your head. A similar voice to one you heard before when you initially swore allegiance to your god.
02:40:40 [DM (Aarya)] But this is the other god. She betrayed you. Take your vengeance.
02:40:40 [DM (Aarya)] Hey.
02:41:10 [Sildir (Tris)] Do I know it's a different god?
02:41:12 [DM (Aarya)] You know it's the same god that spoke to you, like, in addition to Torm. So, like, the other one.
02:41:22 [Sildir (Tris)] Now I have another god in my ear telling me I should do this.
02:41:27 [Irredel (Sav)] I mean, if they're both saying it...
02:41:31 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, if Iridell approves... And I'm just gonna go ahead and let it fly.
02:41:38 [Irredel (Sav)] Does anyone else protest? Madame Ivo. Do you foresee any problems with this?
02:41:46 [Sildir (Tris)] Isn't there someone you forgot to ask?
02:41:50 [DM (Aarya)] I foresee problems arising if she's allowed to report back to her master. Under no circumstance can she be allowed to share what she has learned here today.
02:42:09 [Sildir (Tris)] She must perish, then. And I'm just gonna do it at that point.
02:42:23 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so, you just execute her right there, I guess.
02:42:31 [Irredel (Sav)] I don't like this, but...
02:42:34 [Sildir (Tris)] I did not take joy in it either. But even if we were to imprison her, Strahd could easily come and gather whatever information he needed.
02:42:43 [Irredel (Sav)] I'm also gonna go ahead and just cast Gentle Repose. So that this person cannot become undead. And yeah, by the way, it has material components, which are two copper pieces, which I feel like we should probably have.
02:42:43 [Irredel (Sav)] Like, I feel like we have money around us.
02:43:11 [Mercurio (Gui)] I don't know if we believe in material components.
02:43:16 [DM (Aarya)] So the way I'm running material components is if there's a material component listed and it doesn't have a gold value, you can just use your arcane focus in place of that. But if it does have a gold value, then yeah, you should have that.
02:43:33 [Saturno (Steph)] Is there any leftover shuffle in this graveyard?
02:43:36 [Mercurio (Gui)] It's like just a meme. It's like a funny for your thoughts joke.
02:43:40 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so if it's like two copper pieces, don't worry about it, you can just do it.
02:43:45 [Irredel (Sav)] Cool. So yeah, and it keeps her from being raised for 10 days. So that should be able to prevent Strahd from, at least for a little while.
02:43:55 [DM (Aarya)] Sounds good. All right. So with that, Madam Eva looks to you all and she says, It was a grim job, but it had to be done.
02:43:55 [DM (Aarya)] There's too much at stake here.
02:44:17 [Irredel (Sav)] Indeed.
02:44:20 [DM (Aarya)] Very well.
02:44:21 [Saturno (Steph)] Should we continue? Or maybe I can dispose of the body somehow and you can continue?
02:44:31 [DM (Aarya)] You guys are right by a cemetery. You can just take a second to bury her if you want.
02:44:37 [Saturno (Steph)] That's what I was thinking.
02:44:40 [DM (Aarya)] What were you going to say, Tris?
02:44:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah, I was just going to say that taking a moment quietly to reflect. Visibly shaken, for sure. But steadfast still and confident in my choice.
02:44:58 [DM (Aarya)] You hear the voice of Torm in your head. Sacrifices must be made to preserve order. And you hear the voice of Hor Remember this feeling, rather shit.
02:44:58 [DM (Aarya)] All right. I'll go back to them for now, but thank you for that. Does anyone else want to try anything?
02:44:58 [DM (Aarya)] That was fine.
02:45:42 [Ember (Spurthi)] I'm good.
02:45:44 [Mercurio (Gui)] Mercurio just looks upset. I decide I still do.
02:45:57 [Saturno (Steph)] I just want to bury her already.
02:46:00 [DM (Aarya)] All right. So I'll assume then that you guys take some time to bury her in this cemetery and then try and Madame Eva can help bury her. Excuse me.
02:46:00 [DM (Aarya)] All right. R.I.P. Eliza.
02:46:19 [Sildir (Tris)] Whatever I can do to help bury her I bury, I did. And yeah, that's it, I guess.
02:46:26 [DM (Aarya)] All right.
02:46:26 [Saturno (Steph)] I think we're pretty short on time.
02:46:29 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, so with that done you all gather around Madame Eva and she looks to you all. I know this task was not an easy one. And I fear that your quest will not get any easier still.
02:46:29 [DM (Aarya)] But you must steal your resolve. For the journey you must take to depose of the Dark Lord will be full of trials like this one. To that end, I provide you with this simple reading.
02:46:29 [DM (Aarya)] And you see her pull out a deck of Taraka cards and she begins shuffling it. You see her old hands working deftly. The Ancient Seer removes 14 cards from the top of the deck setting them aside.
02:46:29 [DM (Aarya)] And the remaining cards she shuffles nimbly. Twice, three times, four. The task you seek of me is no small boon.
02:46:29 [DM (Aarya)] In exchange, I would ask a boon of my own. Do you accept? Of course.
02:47:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Can we hear the terms first? Of course.
02:47:44 [DM (Aarya)] My great-granddaughter, Arabelle will celebrate her tenth name day in two days' time. For this momentous occasion, I wish to provide her a gift. But in my old age, I'm quite unable to make the journey myself.
02:47:44 [DM (Aarya)] She hands you a small pouch of gold. I would ask that you purchase for her a toy from a famous toy shop in Vallaki. Blinsky's Toys.
02:47:44 [DM (Aarya)] It is her favorite. I ask that you purchase a doll for her from there and deliver it to her in the encampment southwest of Vallaki. You are, of course, welcome to keep any change left over from these funds as payment for your services.
02:47:44 [DM (Aarya)] And you see her smile cryptically and she says As I mentioned before, Arabelle is a most interesting child and you might find that befriending her is a gift in and of itself. Do you agree?
02:49:05 [Mercurio (Gui)] Well, why not? We're doing favors for everybody in this fucking land.
02:49:09 [DM (Aarya)] So why not? Don't forget that I'm doing a great favor for you as well. This is a mutual exchange here.
02:49:09 [DM (Aarya)] Let's see. All right. Very well, then.
02:49:09 [DM (Aarya)] So you see Madam Eva set both decks upon the earth before her. Closing her eyes. She places her right hand over the surface of the light.
02:49:09 [DM (Aarya)] Actually, hold on one sec. Sorry. I need to take a quick potty break, but I'll be right back.
02:49:41 [Sildir (Tris)] Really pissed real bad.
02:49:44 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah. Unlucky moment. But yeah, I'll be right back.
02:49:51 [Sildir (Tris)] Well, Madam Eva has to piss. Crazy.
02:50:10 [Mercurio (Gui)] As soon as you killed her, Triss, I remembered that I had inspiration and now I want to die.
02:50:17 [Sildir (Tris)] No. Well, what would you have done with it, really? To rerun the roll, right?
02:50:25 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah. Oh my gosh. I rolled pretty tragically.
02:50:29 [DM (Aarya)] You were off by one. Yeah, that was really...
02:50:32 [Sildir (Tris)] Oh, to convince her, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
02:50:35 [Irredel (Sav)] We're like literally just weirdos.
02:50:38 [Sildir (Tris)] You know, honestly, like, I didn't want that to happen, but I think it was like a decent, like...
02:50:45 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah, it was still a good moment.
02:50:46 [Sildir (Tris)] ...point for my character to be like, huh.
02:50:50 [Speaker 7] What does it mean?
02:50:52 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah. All right, I am back.
02:50:54 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah. I think I'm gonna... I'm gonna give you so much shit about this.
02:50:54 [Mercurio (Gui)] That's okay. So maybe it was a good thing.
02:51:01 [DM (Aarya)] I'm actually... Hold on, let me find the button. I'm trying to turn on my webcam for this.
02:51:01 [DM (Aarya)] There it is. We have the card.
02:51:23 [Speaker 7] Yes.
02:51:24 [DM (Aarya)] So, I don't think you guys can see it super well, but I have the card spread out here. Let me see if I can just...
02:51:34 [Saturno (Steph)] You can always do it from mobile, and like...
02:51:38 [Speaker 7] I think I can see it.
02:51:39 [DM (Aarya)] That was good.
02:51:40 [Saturno (Steph)] Yeah, that was good. That's good? That was fine.
02:51:40 [Saturno (Steph)] Is that a Dr. Pepper?
02:51:44 [DM (Aarya)] It's an A&W cream soda.
02:51:49 [Sildir (Tris)] Nice fridge, Siggy. But don't let them go any further to the right. What do you mean?
02:51:49 [Sildir (Tris)] If that makes sense.
02:51:57 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, yeah, I'm looking... I'll move them any further to the right.
02:52:00 [Speaker 7] Okay.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Sounds good. Alright. So.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] You see Madam Eva sets both decks upon the earth before her, and closing her eyes, she places her right hands over the surface of the larger deck. The crimson flames dim and swirl in eldritch patterns as her lips move silently, a distant tension spreading through the air. The sound of the rustling trees begins to dim, the external world growing mute and insubstantial as the space within grows more solid, more real.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Slowly, reverently, the crone draws three cards from the top of the deck, laying them face down separately on the ground, with the second laid between and above its partners. So these three here. She then moves to the smaller deck, drawing two more cards, the first she plays below the first three, forming a cross, and the second she places in the center.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] The shadows of the headstones around her sway like silhouettes, leaning in toward the cards like anxious watchers, yet the air in the cemetery is perfectly still. No light intrudes besides the light of the three candles. No voice rings out in the silence.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Shadows and mist swirl beyond the graves, where the darkness of deepest night dwells. But here, at its center, light yet reigns. The crone then moves her wrinkled hand to the leftmost card, the first.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] She closes her eyes and tilts her head, as if listening to an unspoken word. The arcane lights swirl and then shift, their colors changing to a deep piercing blue. This card tells of history.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Knowledge of the ancients will help you better understand your enemy. She flips the card. And cerulean light dances across its surface.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] And you see the card here is... This is the Nine of Swords. Let me double check that I'm actually showing it to the camera.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Let's actually move a couple things over here. Yes. Alright.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] I don't know how well you guys can see it, but... Nine of Swords. This is the Torturer.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] There is a town where all is not well. There you will find a house of corruption, and within, a dark room full of still ghosts. And then...
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] She moves her hand to the second card. This one at the top of the cross. As she closes her eyes and listens once more, the candlelight flares, its color bursting into a fierce cheery yellow.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection. A holy symbol of great hope. And she flips the card, revealing...
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] The Five of Swords. The Myrmidon. Look for a den of wolves in the hills overlooking a mountain lake.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] The treasure belongs to Mother Knight. And then... She moves her hand to the third card, at the right arm of the cross.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Her eyelids closing like a trance, her lips pursed in quiet contemplation. The candlelight vanishes for a heartbeat, and then returns in a nova of fierce burning white. So pure and strong and clean, that it hurts to look at, burns to see.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Madam Eva's eyes snap open, burning with a fierce determination. This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] A sword of sunlight. She flips the card. And this card here is...
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Let's see... The Eight of Glyphs. The Bishop.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Um... What you seek lies in a pile of treasure, beyond a set of amber doors. She moves to the fourth card, at the bottom of the cross, and listens once more.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Tracing small circles across its back as she hums a contemplative note. The magic flames leap and dance upon their wicks. Now casting swirling violet embers into the air as the graves beyond shimmer with a twilight glow.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness. She flips the card. And this one is...
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] The Queen of Diamonds. The Tempter. I hear a wedding bell, or perhaps a death knell.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] It calls to thee to a mountainside abbey, wherein you will find a woman who is more than the sum of her parts. And finally... She moves her hand to the fifth card, and nearly recoils.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Her brow furrowing until the wrinkles split her forehead like a trench. Behind her, shadows encircled in the candlelight until the light is very nearly swallowed by the creeping dark. When she next speaks, Madam Eva's rasping voice is scarce above a whisper.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. When the hour of judgment arrives, this card will lead you to him. Her hand trembles above the card for a silent moment, and then deft ancient fingers reveal the opposite side.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] So this card is... The King of Diamonds. The Broken One.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] He haunts the tomb of the man he invaded above all. As the last syllable passes her lips, the old woman freezes, and then rocks backwards. Her eyes rolling until their whites gleam like pearls in the darkness, and then she snaps back.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] The candlelight burning down to its ordinary crimson glow. The sound of the natural world returns. The whispering of the wind through the trees, the distant howling, the distant hooting of an owl, and the faraway lapping of the Iblis River against its banks.
02:52:00 [DM (Aarya)] Silver moonlight once again pierces the cemetery's edge, and you feel yourselves breathe for the first time since the reading began. Madam Eva says nothing. She only regards you silently with dark, heavy eyes.
02:58:57 [Speaker 7] And...
02:58:57 [DM (Aarya)] turn off the camera. Okay.
02:59:04 [Sildir (Tris)] Nice, that was cool. Thank you for the cards. Yeah, good experience.
02:59:09 [Ember (Spurthi)] Cool. That was a good touch.
02:59:12 [DM (Aarya)] Can you post the questions? Yeah, I'll post all of it. I'll also probably take pictures of the...
02:59:12 [DM (Aarya)] Let me just take a picture of the spread really quick right now. And post it in chat.
02:59:25 [Sildir (Tris)] I didn't transcribe because I wanted to be in the experience.
02:59:29 [DM (Aarya)] Yeah, I'll definitely give you guys a transcription of the readings as well. Let me just post this really quickly. Yeah, so Madam Eva is looking to you all, regarding you one by one, clearly exhausted by the toll this took on her.
02:59:29 [DM (Aarya)] But you sense a feeling of determination emanating from her, and you find it infectious even.
03:00:14 [Sildir (Tris)] Madam, are you okay?
03:00:17 [Irredel (Sav)] Words can't describe how grateful we are for this. And I too am thankful in return.
03:00:24 [DM (Aarya)] It has been many, many years since a party with such promise as yourselves has visited me.
03:00:37 [Ember (Spurthi)] We appreciate your kind words. Thank you. That must have taken a lot of energy out of you.
03:00:43 [Saturno (Steph)] Your strength inspires me. It was necessary, my child.
03:00:48 [DM (Aarya)] And your efforts too shall be necessary. I only provide you the guidance, the groundwork for your quest. But it is you, through your actions and deeds, that must see the task done.
03:00:48 [DM (Aarya)] It is of the utmost importance that you tell no servant of Strahd what you have just heard now. This must stay between the six of you.
03:01:24 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, I would personally rather die than give up this information, so...
03:01:31 [Sildir (Tris)] I believe I've already shown my resolve.
03:01:34 [DM (Aarya)] We will keep our word. Indeed, you have thus far already proven your convictions. And you will continue to be tested while you are here.
03:01:46 [Mercurio (Gui)] How many times have you charted a course like this for a party?
03:01:54 [DM (Aarya)] This is not the first. And I shan't reveal more than that. Hold on, let me see something really quick.
03:01:54 [DM (Aarya)] Alright, let me find something really quick. It is... wait, I have it in my notes somewhere.
03:01:54 [DM (Aarya)] As you ask that question, Mercurio, she points to the road behind you. The road behind you that leads in the direction of Castle Ravenloft, peeking out above the trees in the distance, backlit by the moonlight. You see, an eerie green light suffuses the graveyard.
03:01:54 [DM (Aarya)] From this light emerges a ghostly procession. Wavering images of doughty women toting greatswords, woodwise men with slender bows, dwarves with glittering axes, archaically dressed mages with beards and strange-pointed hats, all these and more march forth from the graveyard, their numbers growing by the second. These are what remains of adventurers who have come in the past.
03:01:54 [DM (Aarya)] Their spirits are bound here, doomed to make the same march to the castle, so they might face the devil even in death. None of them succeeded. This is the precipice you must walk.
03:01:54 [DM (Aarya)] There are many paths among the webs of fate, but I can only see what may be, not what will. I can tell you what you must do, but I cannot ensure that you will succeed. For if you fail, this shall be your resting place.
03:01:54 [DM (Aarya)] A place without legacy, glory, or love. Do you understand?
03:04:17 [Irredel (Sav)] Well, it's not much better than staying here anyways.
03:04:22 [Speaker 7] Very well.
03:04:22 [Irredel (Sav)] We all die one way or another.
03:04:26 [DM (Aarya)] That is true.
03:04:28 [Ember (Spurthi)] Yes, we are accepting your advice.
03:04:31 [DM (Aarya)] In any case, the hour is late. You are welcome, of course, to take rest in our camp this evening and continue on your journey in the morning.
03:04:46 [Sildir (Tris)] I think we must.
03:04:49 [DM (Aarya)] Very well. In that case, please return to the camp, and I shall meet you in time. You wish to stay here alone?
03:04:49 [DM (Aarya)] For the moment, yes.
03:05:05 [Sildir (Tris)] Madam, if you're not back by a certain time, we should come and check on you, I think.
03:05:12 [DM (Aarya)] Oh, my child, I've been here a great many years. I have my tricks. Your concern is appreciated, but not needed.
03:05:24 [Sildir (Tris)] If you say so. I'll trust your judgment.
03:05:29 [Speaker 7] All right.
03:05:35 [DM (Aarya)] All right. So, with that, I think that's a pretty good spot for us to stop for the night. Yeah, how's everyone feeling?
03:05:47 [Sildir (Tris)] That is the heaviness that Strahd must have the reputation for. I'm seeing it now.
03:05:55 [Saturno (Steph)] You know, what a doo-doo head.
03:06:00 [Sildir (Tris)] Like... Yeah. The nurse family, obviously, was hard, too.
03:06:00 [Sildir (Tris)] Yeah. But I feel like this was like... It was still like, all right, kill the ghosts or whatever.
03:06:00 [Sildir (Tris)] You gotta do what you gotta do. Yeah. But this was tough, because we kind of made friends with that person.
03:06:18 [Mercurio (Gui)] Yeah.
03:06:21 [Sildir (Tris)] But it was cool, overall.
03:06:24 [Speaker 7] Nice.
03:06:25 [DM (Aarya)] Good session.
03:06:26 [Speaker 7] Glad to hear it. Yeah. I'll stop the recording here.