Legends of Avantris - Curse of Strahdanya | Ep. 10 | Widows Watch: Part 1

Episode Date: June 10, 2025

Vallaki becomes more dangerous as the Azran Expedition meets with Strahdanya's powerful ally and uncovers a dark secret.   Gain access to an exclusive campaign, Shroud Over Saltmarsh, over on Patreon: https://legendsofavantris.com/patreon The Crooked Moon, a folk horror supplement for 5e, is available for preorder! Get the Crooked Moon at: https://thecrookedmoon.com/ Watch more D&D adventures in the world of Avantris live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/legendsofavantris Check out our merch store: https://shop.legendsofavantris.com  Join our community on Discord: https://legendsofavantris.com/discord Watch our many campaigns on YouTube: https://legendsofavantris.com/youtube  All other links: https://linktr.ee/legendsofavantris   Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/JMLnAW6Ykxc?si=Oes8QzC9EjGbL9S7

You are back in the Blue Water Inn and listening to Curse of Stradania, a legends of a ventress podcast. Last time, the Azran expedition finally locked away the saber-tooth tiger they unleashed upon Wollaki, but not without the comedy of errors. Then, there were more mystery hijinks as they crept around the Martikov's Inn to investigate the mysterious man with the monkey known as Rick Davio. In the end, they finally met the man himself, although he was not who he seemed, just like everyone here in Borovia.

He introduced himself as Rudolf van Richten, and he seems to have quite a problem with me. I wonder why. As always, the audio quality reflects our humble beginnings, but does improve over time. With that out of the way, let us proceed with the first part of Chapter 5, Widows Watch. All right.

As your eyes slowly open, up. You let out a small yawn as you turn to the side. Staring directly into your eyes is morbid Molly. Holding a blade in her hands, she looks at you, one of her eyes dangling loosely from the thread, resting gently against the tufts of the bed as she raises a finger to her mouth, her stitched mouth and strange lopsided grin. she takes the blade, aims it towards your face, before quickly flipping it, jabbing it into her stomach as she begins to laugh and slowly cut down the middle of her body. The burlaps splits and cracks. As you see, small childlike teeth begin to tumble out of her insides and spill out on the bed around you.

I'll want to center myself. I will see this happening. Stream, basically jump up and try to, like, grab the doll, like take the knife away from it. The moment you touch the doll, her entire body falls, and you hold her there for a second. The knife clatters to the ground. As she looks up at you, a small smile greases her face,

and her head falls forward. completely life. What is the matter of Shepard? You're still asleep. Oh, you screamed. Oh, that's, yeah, that's what I... I didn't realize that you screamed. I just didn't do it because I was...

I can do it. Sheple, what is the matter? What is it? What is that? I... I pinched myself and, like, I'm... I'm...

Don't be trying! No, everyone, everyone, everyone, calm down. Everyone. I'm holding the knife, and I'm holding the... Like, I'm looking, are the teeth there?

Like are the teeth all over the bed? As you hold the doll, you notice a few more teeth fall out. And as you shake it around lastly, a green gem, roughly the size of pine cone, tumbles out of the inside of the doll, a faint glowing light pulsing on the inside of it. Are there like bed posts on the bed? Like anything made a board? It's a porpoaster bed. I'm going to sit the knife into the wood on the bed and pick up the gem and shaking.

And I'll brush the teeth off it out. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I know that these are just toys, but I woke up and this one was brandishing a knife at me. And I, Sarnax, take care of this God for sake of piece of shit. And I throw him the doll. And I'm holding the gem. And it's just, it's God's damn teeth everywhere. And there's this. And I hand it to the professor and I get in the gym. Don't destroy that thing. Sarnax Don't? I see you.

Five. Don't destroy it. Five. Sarnax can get the water bottle. This thing. This thing. So this toy is an abomination professor.

What purpose do we have to continue holding on to it? Just the girl. Just the teenage girl who could still be in the castle. Yes. We gave... I'm sorry.

mother, I would. It was embarrassing. I shouldn't have responded like that. I've centered myself. I immediately go over to the desk and like strap my holstered weapons on and, uh, and put my hat on. And basically I'm just like,

I'm very shaken. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to start everyone like that. I know that I know that our new friends said that these things are not malicious and that they're just toys. And I just, I was startled. That's all.

Um, This is just me curious. I would like to take 10 minutes to cast detect magic. On. On, we'll protect, and look at the gym. The gem.

You take the time to cast it on the gem, and I'm honestly not quite sure what school of magic it would be, but you essentially sense a it's almost, if there's a, well, roll an archana, I don't see what you get for this.

Ooh, very good. 17, or 27, sorry. That's quite a bit different from 17. Yeah, no, 27. You look down at the gem and you can't quite discern where the magic itself comes from. It seems to be a

benevolent jurid magic, a magic that promotes growth. This gem. It promotes fertility in the soil. Well, I don't know. Professor, I would like very much. Wait, wait. You don't think.

There's no way. The odds of that would be. But one of these dolls traveled all the way, even if they do reproduce and they are able to pill for such things, how far is that kind of a journey round trip, a full day? Well, it's been missing for some time, Perhaps it was stolen by Binsky, or maybe they were keeping it at the graveyard from the church or...

The cemetery. Not cemetery, perhaps? So you're saying that maybe they stole it from whoever originally stole it from. Nothing really makes sense. Eleven. Yeah, no, nothing makes sense. Can I walk over to the T, essentially? and kneel down and pick up one of them and inspect it just to see if it looks like real children's teeth or if it's more like adult teeth or if it's fake.

Roll in investigation. We all be on the same room. Yeah. Oh, is there a different room? Oh, did we only have two rooms? Oh, no. Okay. All right, we would have gone and gotten you too.

Or you would have heard the screen. If the older is thin enough, you would have easily hurt. Okay. I was very loud. My bad. As I was going to make sure. I was almost in Nashville 20, 10. They look like teeth.

You're not familiar with teeth. You're not a dentist of any kind. So trying to determine whether they're adult, et cetera, it's not. It's really pretty dull. I just quietly try to clean up as much of the spilled teeth and they're like a little meat pile while they're talking. Professor. Yes, I would very much like to inspect that gem.

As long as you don't destroy it, why would I destroy it? Or burn it at least a little bit. Why would I? I don't know. You like to burn face. Did you roll the perception check? You?

Me? Me? Oh, sorry. Perception. Oh, nice. That's better. 22. So, though you can't discern the age,

you do get a faint width of dirt. And you notice throughout the trees there's soil. And as you look through them, you begin to notice small etchings, the same similar room markings that you saw on the stone circle outside of the windmill. Oh, no. Yeah.

Remember there? You went to that stone circle and you saw that pile. Yeah, but these are like, they're like, these teeth, and I immediately run over to the professor, and I try to point out their rooms. These are from the stones that we saw outside of the three hags house. What?

They should be dead. The hags are tormenting us from beyond the grave. Roll an intelligence check. Richie or professor? Oh, if it's me, I would say that you remember that the dolls have gotten out of your case.

Right. And we know that they've done grave robbing before. Yes. So, yes, as I was saying, It's possible that in our journey, they've escaped and collected this. I just don't know where they would have got there from. Sorry, Sarnax, if you think for a second that there's any chance that these hags or have to have some sort of power after we put them down for good, we need to get to the church and make sure the kids are okay.

And Irene. I do not know the magic of the night hag, but I have her tales of dark forces, even after being slaying, tormenting those that slain them. I will say, Rich, with that role, you easily be able to tell that the doll probably climbed out of your pack when you were there at the stones, dug up

a bunch of stuff, and basically stole teeth and potentially a gym. Now that I think about it, perhaps it stole the teeth while we were there on our journey, as I was saying. From that pilot? But perhaps the reason that they're together

is that made. Is there they... Yes. You should be in this too. That's basically what I was saying, sort of. Perhaps they collected this when they collected the teeth, meaning the hag stole this gem. Didn't we burn the pile, though,

of bums before we left? We investigated the pile, so she probably escaped while we were looking around. Perhaps the doll was actually a savior that we would have burned this gem, had it had not been for her kleptoans. Well, we can be sure that she got the gem from the same place. Regardless, at the very least, you might be able to take this to the innkeepers,

and that gentleman down there might just be able to identify that as one of the missing gems. Could have saved us a lot of problems if we're intended on heading in the winery anyway. Yes, indeed. The gem from the bar. I mean, the way I feel about it is that they basically said that if we don't get, they don't get their wine, there's going to be a riot on our hands. And these folks seem like they're at least a neutral party and very generous. So I don't see why they would cause trouble with here in Balaki when there's potentially a riot to start.

I would hope so, but they said that they're crawling with his father. Regardless, she also asked us to go check it out at the, to check out what was going on there at the winery. So if we identify the gem and we're heading there anyway, we can just deliver it. Perhaps I'm being paranoid I didn't say. I would very much like to go to the wine. But Sarnay, you know, you don't. You don't drink, sorry, Ax. I'm less interested in the fruits of this winery and more in the soil.

I see. The fact that standard crop can be grown at all in this place, not just the seeds I am planting, is of a great curiosity to me, and I wonder, perhaps utilizing similar gems for my own purposes, what could be gained? Wine is also very flammable sarnoids. We must keep that in mind to not cause that entire place to go up in flames. My interest is even further peaked. Oh, would you ask, could you please give the gem to Mr. Morgan?

I think that's a great idea. Why don't you take it downstairs? My gem is on my person, safe and sound. No, you give it to, please give it to Shepard. He will confirm with the innkeep that that is one of the gems. I will say, I know it's been a week, but you didn't hear from the in-keep about the gems. For Rudolph Van Richten, and you know that him and his father had a falling out. He does his father believe that he stole it. Oh.

Wait, who's father? So the In-Kee's father is the Wizard of Wine. We haven't actually talked to him about. We talked to him about, he asked Sarnax to say basically we could go check it out. That's how we knew there was some sort of, of. Okay. So he asked to check us out, but he doesn't know that we know about the gems. Correct.

Okay. Thank you. Appreciate that. Correct. Which is why, professor. So you don't want to just alarm that. You don't want to just, all right, all right, look. That's a good point now that I remember it.

I just thought if they could identify it would make our lives a lot easier. Everybody get the wine they eat when we deliver the, when we deliver the gem. Yes, we should leave. You should leave it. And first, Victoria, you said you didn't sleep there. It's not. It was a true. See, it's curious that we've heard so much about bad dreams, but I've been sleeping fine.

I haven't had any dreams. Perhaps the dream pastry lasts more than one night. Connor, how have your dreams been? I've been waiting for dreams. Fine. I've been resting peacefully, yes. Everyone else, any issues? No problems.

I have been sleeping quite peacefully. I miss the dreams of my dog from the garden. you have no pastures none i will never sample such a fiendist delight i have many regrets i am certain you do let's just please be mindful of it if any of our sleeps get unusually terrible please just speak up right all right some tea and then we'll leave so we'll head downstairs Yes, exactly right. I'll order some tea and drink it. You make your way downstairs, and the entirety of the tavern area of the inn is completely devoid of people,

including the two drugs that you remember seeing the day before, as well as Danica, the lady of the inn. It seems like this early in the morning, everyone is fastest of that is. Remind me of Danica's husband's name. Irwin. Irwin. You humans have very similar sounding names. It all gets confusing. I believe that if we cannot speak with Irwin,

if we make post-haste to the winery, we may be able to solve their problems and arrive back and perhaps be rewarded. So let us continue on our journey, and we will not dredge up in bad blood with Irwin. Fair enough. Is there a hoff in this room in the bottom room? It's burning embers at this point, but you could probably utilize your resources.

Quistigio, and I want to light the fire again, and I'm just going to make a quick pot of tea. It's easy enough to do you. I'm going to use about 10 minutes to just review my notes and drink my tea. Perhaps I should do the same. I'll prepare my spells and get my divination business. Well, they always roll low, but that helps. So we wake up from a long rest? Take the time that you need to get yourself set up for the day.

There's nobody downstairs. No, you remember when you left early the day before, and it had only been three people. It was Danica who was still cleaning up, and she seemed to be, I would say, you were perceptive enough that she seemed to still be spending time there because of the two drunks who were passed out on the table, basically not willing to leave until they had vacated the building.

and then because there's no one there now that she's retired. I've joined the professor by the hearth and I've kneeled down sitting back on my legs on my heels and I'm enjoying some green tea with him while he's preparing his belts and just staring into the hearth. I'm just going to kind of sit by with you. You sit wildly by yourself and you watch as the town wakes up for the day. And there is definitely more of a jubilation to this place than there had been to brovia proper, but there's

also a weariness and you see as more and more people are running around, putting up the signs for the newest festival, the festival of the blazing sun. And you notice how the townspeak themselves almost turn and head the opposite direction when they notice

these signs coming up, is that they don't want to be accused of unlawful unhappiness. I'm ready to go? As am I. Remember everyone. we see the Vistani from camp outside of town, make sure we do not engage with them. Agreed.

That was pretty shocking to find out that there are what our new friend called evil Vastani. Well, all of them might not be... Well, I think you're right, but... It's the reason for Chad. Better safe than sorry. Yes, yes. I agree. But some engage with any of them...

We're so mad about that. We never know. We never know which ones are evil. I trusted them probably a little bit more than we should have. Yes. We all did, Shepard. There was, I think, a cold comfort in that some individuals were not in league with the countess, but now it seems as if they were no better than individuals baiting souls here.

Well, I hope that Hotoroka card reading was indeed genuine. believe it is. I mean, those things are coming true. Yes, they're coming true. I just hope it's not some foul trick. Garricks. Garricks told me specifically that the readings in Madame Ava herself will trustworthy. And I believe that fervently, even if every single other Vistani is not to be trusted.

Right. Well, onward? Onward. Do we know how long, roughly, this journey is? Several hours. So we can make the round trip in a day. No. All right.

You are here and you're traveling. Oh, shit. Wow. Holy shit. It's like two days. That's like as far as Brovievilleville's all. Probably a little bit further. But you remember that you stopped and stayed the night at the Stani Camp.

For what it's worth, then. We may not make it back to our time. It was actually two nights because you stayed the night at the Astani Camp. and then you stayed the night at the windmill, and then you left in the morning. So it was three days. Do we feel like we can get there, spend time there, and get back in time for...

No way in hell. Out of character. Not a chance. Professor, do you want to maybe think of another course of action? I hate to waste the day just sitting around here, but it's probably, as much as I hate to say, in our best interest to meet with the watchers. we don't want to miss that again.

Supposing rides, I feel like you'd be wasting time. I totally agree. So I guess we, so it basically, logically was how we're looking at the map, we think that we would not be able to get back in time for dinner. So. Well, you don't know. I mean, if you were able to travel, if you were able to just get near Ford Fiesta and trying there without any issue,

then there's definitely a chance, but you don't know what you're going to come across. you don't know what you're going to have to do with the winery. So I would say as as a venue, you don't know where you're going to put you electric cars. Until there. You're so worried for all the cloud cover. We're less than two days.

But then we wouldn't be able to just get wine to the festival, right? Because the festival is the next day. Yes. So your options are essentially see if she's available for lunch or brunch or something in the midday and then go towards the evening.

But then you're doing night travel. or to just say you'll deal with her when you come back. Professor, if I may make a suggestion, I'm quite skilled in calligraphy, perhaps we can send a note to Ms. Wachter and let her ask for a later appointment for dinner. I mean, we've already done it once. I don't hate trying it again.

She just might, we just might lose our chance. That's all. And if this is a big lead, I don't know if we want to do that. I guess you time that room. Perhaps this may be considered, but perhaps we call on her now for breakfast. Unamount.

It will give us an air of mystery, perhaps. You can send a note ahead of our arrival and maybe that would be sufficient. And plus, we're dealing with somebody who could potentially be very dangerous towards us. Yes. I'm not really concerned about being very rude or polite.

Well, perhaps we send a note. Come if you'd like to draft something up, as flowery as you can. So I will pull out my calligraphers supplies, and I will very elegantly to help match kind of the ongoing theme of the font that they use in Borobia draft up a letter to... How do I address? Madam Wachter? Lady. Lady Wachter?

Lady Wachter. Unfortunately, we have some plans that perhaps something came up unexpected. I have no whiteout. that came up unexpectedly and will not be able to join you for dinner tonight. Would you like to meet for a late breakfast this morning?

Signed. Professor Azran The Adran Expedition Miss Haller University. Coast trip. I let him. You may take it to the Oh, no one's here, though. How are we going to get us?

Are there any ravens? You look up and you see that the rafters are completely empty. The ravens that were roosting in the evening have retired to wherever they go during the day. I hope everybody's all right after warning all we learned. Here's what I suggest. We give this to Mr. Morgan here, and he will hand deliver it to their door. Just keep an eye out. With us in tow.

I suppose we can all go, but that's a bit of a walk. I would not suggest Mr. Morgan. I would suggest, comma. Then, yes, okay. Mr. Morgan and I won't heal and observe. Would you like me to go with great taste? Yes, yes. I believe that was, I suggested Mr. Morgan simply because if anyone,

if he runs in any trouble, he can just, like, shoot them in the face from far away. but I believe if we don't expect any danger, you two tail them. I think we should always be expecting danger at this point. And he's a professor, I do think he should be shooting in one of the face. Well, I agree, but if the need arises having the ability to just go, you know, do one of those things that he does, you know. That would bring a quick end to our expedition, yes. I feel certain he'd have to leave town at once. Should we bring any gifts ahead of our arrival?

I think that's a wonderful idea. Is that a custom that you people do? Some people. Some people. I don't know what the custom is to drink here, but we normally bring a favorite tea or a bottle of rice. They are getting our company. What more could they possibly want? We are also intruding at a very last minute moment.

We have been invited into their home. I failed to see a need for a gift. After they were tailing us pretty close. Let's just bring them the note. We'll all go together, I guess. Let us go. And then perhaps we do not even need a note if there are no reasons. Let us knock on the door and present ourselves.

I'm so ungentlemanly. How about I go ahead? Trevor and I will then be the ungentlemanly one. I will go ahead and I will knock on their door. And if there are any issues, I can report back. If we're doing that, we might as well all just go. Let's just drop in on what's the worst they could happen. They tell us to go away.

All right. We know they're in there. They don't really go anywhere. It seems like they're kind of shut-ins, unless they're tailing us. Do I see from out the window of any shops appear to be opening up or is it still too early? Most of the shops appear to be opening up or have at least opened within the last 30 minutes or so. I agree with Mr. Morgan on this. There is no need for the pretense of gentlemanliness.

When life and death are on the line, Professor. Feel free to keep up that facade, if you will. Not that I don't think that your intentions are genuine, but as Sarnax said, I'm kind of past the point of being polite. How about this? We all go, but we let Kammer go first, and we just act as if we're shopping. And to make it look like we are just being polite, delivering a letter, but if she calls us right away,

Kamah can wait for a response, we can join her as quickly as possible. I think that's fine. There are some things I'd like to pick up. on the thoroughfare anyway. All right. Let's go. I would like to just try to find a place that might be selling, like dried mouth meat. I will say it's really easy for you to find, but it appears to be a general store. The door is wide open.

People are milling about going in and out with sacks of dried meat, cured meat, and some just raw meats ready to be cooked. Whatever it would cost. to buy several days worth of dried wolf meat like rations is what I'd like to purchase. Okay. I will say it would, there are a couple of things that you look through the list. The shopkeep is busy here and there, but he essentially passes you a parchment with what's available. For 500 gold pieces, you could buy a back of colding to store fresh meats.

Outside of them, fresh meat, fresh meat. is going to run you three silver pieces per pound of fresh meat. The dried meat is actually more expensive because of the drying process, and that's going to run you five silver pieces. Like per ration? Yeah. I want to buy nine rations of it. So nine times three is 27 silver?

Yep. I'm going to buy at least three meals a day's worth of this dried meat. My goal, basically, just in case anybody is curious. I'm not eating any of the food that anyone is giving us anywhere, and I'd rather just try to eat freshly butcher wolf meat to avoid any kind of impurities. And there are also water skins where you can purchase water skins for drinking, etc. Oh, that would be lovely.

How much for that? I'll say I don't know, but I'm going to say it's like a one silver water skim. Done. I'll buy one refillable water skin. That'll be 28 silver pieces. Thank you very much. I would like to keep an eye out for a blacksmith. Okay.

I'll let you see what now. I would like to look for any kind of store that might just have, like, I guess, not like jewelry, but like fine, you know, like a really classy gift shop. I assume they don't have flowers here, right? No, not really. I mean, you can find a place that sells like nettles or maybe, you know, maybe you could find some flowers, but it's not going to be what you would imagine where you can go in and find these beautiful bouquets. It's more like local vegetation that you can bring it to your house just to try

and spice it up a little bit. It's also a little drab and a little dreary. I will say you're not necessarily able to find a gift shop, but you're able to find a small, almost antique shop where it seems like it's a small elderly woman who is selling off almost like a large, sale. People die, people sell their things to her and then she resells them. Professor May I... Sorry, go ahead. I watch. She said that was going to find come into the shop. Please do.

Yes. And so while we're doing that, I'll say you may deliver, yes. So I will take off at a full sprint towards where I believe Lady Walker's residences with the note. It takes you about

15 minutes to get there from where the inn was. You head straight there and you see this gigantic looming mansion in front of you. The door firmly shut. There's a small letter box on the front that you can slip the letter through or

there are large knockers that you can, that you would be able to utilize if you wanted to attempt to get someone's attention. I will approach the large knockers and I will just just

strictly knock twice, not like a full on bang, but. but just in case there's somebody near the door to not wake the whole residence. I just knocked twice and then I take like five, ten feet step back and then I'm holding the note in my hand just waiting patiently. Do you wait for a moment as the knocking? You can almost hear it echoing down the hallway behind the door. And you're actually able to hear the skittering of footsteps,

the thudding as someone's walking through the hallway. But no one comes to the door to open it. You see, or no one opens the door. You see that there's a small plate on the front that slides open, and you see one malformed eyeball look through the door at you, and it slammed shut quickly, and you hear the skittering against if you stop the ball. No one opens the door. I step forward and just listen.

I don't put my head up against it completely. I just listen to hear if the skittering is coming back at all. It doesn't sound. It sounds quiet, completely behind. on the door. I will take two feet back, do a 90-degree bow, and I will carefully slip the note through the slot bow again. As you open the letter hatch,

the creaking noise of the rusted hinges, almost screams out at you. You hesitantly push the letter through, and you can hear as it flaps and floats and lands gently on the floor. Dust bursts up. You can faintly see it, though it's, really dark inside this hallway. And as you close the letterbox and walk away, once again,

you hear that same skittering setting of footsteps. It stops at the door for a moment when you listen. You hear almost a faint muttering or babbling as once again, these skittering footsteps make their way further down the hallway. And it's nothing but silence. I wait five minutes to see if anybody comes back with an answer. And I'm a respectable like 10 feet away from the door now. Okay. We will head to Victoria. So you make your way into the show.

And you see there is a hunched older woman standing behind the counter. She appears to be reading a book. And she giggles and knocks one of the tendrils of hair away from her. face is she looks into it. She looks up and her cheeks a light with rosiness. She slams the book shut and puts it down. Oh, hello.

Can I read the title of the book? Love and Bones. Yeah. Yes. I'll give her a coy knowing, knowing smile. How can I help you? Well, aren't you a sweet little thing?

Oh, thank you. She looks down and sees at the cover still visible and she flips it over on the other side. On the back, you see what looks to be a skeletal man, a pirate, his outfit hanging away. Somehow

he still looks muscular with his skeletal form as he's holding this lithe woman. She's bent over backwards in this beautiful black dress, a full bustled skirt. Her hair ringleted falling down her back. It appears to be carved into

the leather and realizing that you can see the back, she just knocks and off for the camera out of the floor with a loud thud. Yes. I'm so sorry, Deep. I'm so sorry to interrupt your reading time. I'm looking for a host of a skiff, for

someone of a well-off nature. Do you have anything? Well, we have many things with necklaces and bracelets and, um, there's tapestry. Oh, that might be much. Um, we have a vintage bottle of champagne

from the Wizard of Warrants. You can't get it anymore. you know. Oh, my. Well, that would be wonderful, but I'm sure that would cost a pretty good. Oh, yes. But, you know, you get what you pay for. Um, might I ask how much that would go for?

Oh, at least ten gold pieces. Ten gold. No? I suppose that we're too. Well, thank you. I'll tell you. In that case, there's another golden piece I'll throw in a red velvet back. Um, um, I think I'll just.

just do the champagne. Oh, but he is. And she makes her way towards the back, and she bustles around on this large, wooden shelf, and you see as she knocks over bookends and trinkets, a few porcelain or ceramic figurines, and she finds this, she comes to this large bottle that's completely covered in dust that you can see firmly on it the label for the wizard of blinds. and the and the

sign of the type of wine that it is I can tell you in a minute. Champagne de leston de l'lisd de l-liston. It's champagne, V-U, L-E-S-T-O-M-P.

Let me do this on. Great. Oh, great. 50-year vintage. It's quite the treasure. It will be ten gold then. Thank you. She passes it back to you.

I appreciate you. Thank you, folks. You'll make many friends with the gift, place. That's my husband. Good day to you too. And you see as she, you can see that she's like, her foot

stromaging around. So I'll go back out and join the professor in this thoroughfare. You did? Yes. Yes. I've gotten that gift that I think could be suitable for our posters. Yes?

I agree with you that we should get more flies with honey than vinegar. So what gift did you get them? I've actually found a bottle of vintage champagne from the wizarding. How do they say that? Have they just not sold it yet? yet. She said that it's a 15-year vintage. It's curious. Well, clearly bottles still exist, despite the crystal here

stolen. Well, either way. Do you recall the wind of the champagne field stride up? About 10 years. 10 years ago? So it seems very unlikely that this would go on sold for that long. Well, it seems to be in a state store.

Perhaps it just came onto the market. Perhaps. Well. By the way, we could, if we are invited, we can bring it. We'll wait for a little for Connor. I had found to catch more flies. It is best to use the large carnivorous plant, not honey. Catch flies, Victoria.

More of an expression, but that is good to know. Should we find ourselves need to fly? Oh. Well, if you need to catch flies, we will talk. Thank you, Mr. Solix. My lizard tongue like you. About five minutes or so passed, you once again, you once again hear these same skittering footsteps as the letterbox opens,

and the letter slowly drops to the ground in front of the door. front of the door. I wait for the skittering to go away, or I guess, I pause for a second to listen to see if the person goes away. You don't hear any movement from the door.

And as you get closer, you hear a quietly, I just slowly start reaching for the letter. I peel it open just a little bit to see if it's addressed to me or it's addressed to the professor. Professor asked.

Okay. So I just keep it completely sealed. And, uh, thank you. Thank you. Quickly here, skittering away from the door the moment you start to speak.

I hate that noise. And I just step backwards, and then I make haste and Paul asked back to the professor. You're easily able to make your way back to the town square Everyone's finishing up their shopping. You see Professor and Victoria outside of a small, what appears to be, ant, shop. As they're having a conversation, you're able to walk straight up to them. And join up with them right as Shepherd is, making his way back over with a few satchel full of dried meats and a water scan.

I quickly but calmly approached a professor with a note in the hand and Professor. Oh, are we invited? He's addressed to you. I have not read it to you. I will open it up and read you. Professor Asrin, I'm sorry to hear that you will not be joining me for dinner tonight. I have rearranged some plans, lunch at noon. Kind regards, Lady Fiona Walker. We have lunch, friends.

Bethnoon. It was great news. Were you able to speak with anyone at the house and was a letter exchange? It was only a letter exchange. No one answered the door, and there was a very deep breathing. on the other side. So a single eyeball, I assume that the lady has a hatchet.

Well, that seems to be the standard ramp here for the noble, so maybe that's just how they do things. All right, well, is it approaching noon? I don't say it's probably around eight, almost nine in the morning. You should get there a few minutes early. Yes. of course. Let us,

why would we get there a few minutes early when they requested us a new. Functional is functional. The late situation is on time.

A true gentleman is never late, John X. So you arrive early so that just in case you are held up, you arrive precisely on time. Even if you're late.

Yeah, the doc always, good doctor always told me it's better to be 15 minutes early and five minutes late. I'm going to go to Blinskins. We don't want you going alone for Starnex. I'm coming with you.

I will be fine, but you may join if you wish. I am checking on my commission. Oh, that's right. It's probably best for six. You told you it was going to be like a week. I know. The rest of us come with me. Let's meet back in an hour.

Is it all right if I go to all? Please go. All right. I want to actually. seek out the blacksmith shop. So yes, you look around and I'll say it takes a while, you don't find what that looks to be necessarily

a blacksmith, but it is an old building that has an attached, not garage, but almost like a studio area, an outside area with a forge, where you do see a soot-covered, older gentleman

hammering into something. You don't see looking around, it appears at the house, the cat seems to be a home. You don't see anywhere where it looks like it's a building, like a store of any kind. But he does seem to be working on sometimes.

I'll approach. Excuse me, my good man. Hello? Do you offer services for paying customers? That depends on what you're looking for. Do you have been two silver weapons? They've had that request

here and there. I don't have much for silver, so you will have to provide it to yourself. Oh, all right. Well, we need to silver this, and I gesture to be the Naginada, the Connoissell man. I'm Sheehan, and I presented to him, no first. It is a very nice weapon that you have here. Thank you. I could silver it if you have the silver for it. Once we get you the silver and you start, how long will it take?

Well, I don't really have much on my plate currently. probably by the end of the first night or the second. All right, well, we will keep an hour for silver and we will return. All right. I will be here. Do we know how much? How much? We'll have to put a weapon like that. If you bring the silver yourself about 200 gold pieces.

All right, that sounds. How much silver do you have? Well, probably. 50 silver coins would probably be sufficient enough to cover the entire tip of that weapon. Oh, we can just give you silver coins? Will they melt to silver, yes. Oh, why does my think of it? I probably have 50 silver coins, right?

I'd say. Well, you will also need your weapon. So... I have my hunker as well, my truckbook, if needed. I'm a short weapon. Do you have any loner weapons available? I have my guitarist. Okay, well...

It's not as strong as my Nagano, but I should make it. Well, then, perhaps you should have this done. Just, I feel like we should get it done as soon as possible. So, I have some both, too, to spare. If you'd like me... No, no, don't worry. You are. Truly, I insist this is a grand gesture on your apartment. I appreciate it.

Do you mind if I continue to hammer away before these skips gold once you talk? He turns around looking a bit confused as he gets to hammer away. Well, we'll just leave this here and I'll put... Oh, if you were ready to make the decision, I will take it from. Oh, yes. Best not to just leave it sitting about the weapon of this. I have 149 gold. Well, let me pay for at least 150 up.

That's why he has all the money. Okay, I know, but I insist. I don't want to, like, offend you though. No, no, I insist, Professor. I would love to be able to contribute. Okay, then I will... 50 gold, I will pay for the rest. Thank you, Professor.

And I'll place the silver separately. So you're doing 50 silver and 150 gold, and then you're doing 50 gold. And I'm putting it on the... Putting my nagitata on the counter and just taking out my katana and just insecting it for. any sort of impurities.

And then I chief that and take out my hanku and make sure that it's bing, bing, bing, and then I put that on my back. Seems to be working just fine. It's a beautiful bing, bing, bing sound. Wow, very cool. So we'll all return to where we're going to go.

The two of you are heading to Blinskys. You make your way to the front of the shop. The door is closed as you slowly open it, the creaking sound of the rusting hinges scream out and the little ding of the bell is almost feels louder, even though you're expecting it this time, as you make your way in. The room is completely illuminated by candlelight here and there. And you see Blinsky hunched over tinkering with a toy. He has it open on the tabletop.

And Piccolo, the monkey, is perched on his back, picking through his hair. He looks over for a second but doesn't say, and he continues to work. Blinsey. He's not ready. I told you one week. One week. How long would it take to get an additional purchase? Well, that depends.

What are you looking for friends? Rob. Shepard. Yes. Can you please check out that corner over there? I believe I saw some. something. What?

In the corner, in the toy shop over there, I believe I saw something for the young child, Thomas, that you care for. Do you want me to go away? Yes, Shepard, I would. You know, Sarnax, you can just say that. If you need to drive, I didn't need to come.

There's also, make sure you are right. There also may be a toy for Thomas, the child that you care fondly for. God's damn, Sarnax. be outside and I just go outside the toy shop and I'm just waiting outside the door. All right, you do that.

You wait outside the door. I would also like to add an additional commission. Could you create the exact same dragon but make it silver in color and have it breathe the same destructive fire? Do you want it to breathe

actual fire or do you want it to breathe ice? No, this will be fire. Well, if that is what you would like, I could easily do that. How much would that cost? Well, you know, you're adding a lot of work on what I'm already doing. Five big pieces. I can do that.

That is 10% of my goal. Jesus, I'll reach him to my pack, my power. It's just like a little small thing. One. I count out all of the, uh, all of the coins, and I will say... I will not add on additional times. I will be able to use...

and be able to do much of the work at the same time. But don't come back. Not until it's done. I will come back in one week. That is one whole week. Seven days. Seven days. From today or yesterday?

Yesterday, friend. Six days. I shall return then. And you will not have to let your creature get any primate oils over the toys, will you? Piccolo does what Piccolo wants to do. But I don't think he has oil. I do not know what you mammals do. Otherwise, farewell. I'll go. I'll join Shepherd.

For next. For the record, the future purposes, If you've got to do something in private, you can just tell me to go away. You don't have to try to trick me. I just wanted to make sure you were safe coming here because I don't trust that slimy son of a bitch. Well, thank you very much. I said he was slimy due to the oils of his primate. That's thank you for probably weirdly accurate. I believe it means.

I don't know. He's so ingrained in the oils of that filthy beast and does not notice it. Regardless. I'm sorry if I crashed your party. You had gone on here. I just wanted to make sure. It is as you say this, that you see that Blinsky's standing behind you. That is not a nice thing to say.

I was coming out there, you gave me one extra silver, one extra gold piece. You may keep it as a tip. Thank you. I'm assuming you don't want it now that it's covered in the filthy oils of my primates. And he slams the door shut as you and walk back in. Well, that wasn't ideal. I'll leave them in and I'll say, yes, that's exactly why.

Are you good? Should we get back to the professor? Yes. All right. Let's get a deal. We'll assemble in five minutes before noon, we will go to the front door. That's a fucking goal.

Yes, that's exactly why. Okay, so you are, where are you meeting? What are you doing? We're meeting in the town square, and then five minutes before noon, approach the house at knock. All right. You make your way back down the lane towards Wachther House.

And you, for the sake of it having been a week, I'll read the description in the house to you again, you make your way up to it. This house seems disgusted with itself. A slouching roof hangs heavy over furrowed gables and moss-covered walls sag and bulge under the weight of the vegetation. As you study the house's sullen countenance, you hear the edifice actually grown. only then do realize the extent to which the house hates what it has become.

Sounds like definitely a spooky house. Is it? Is it lose? Do you have you a knock? Yes, please do. I will keep an ear out with heavy breathing. I will approach and I will tap the knockers a little bit more loudly this time

now that I feel like most people probably awake. Give it two knocks. So a couple feet back and wait. Can I say, well, or walking with my skirts or something. You don't have enough time from when you bought it. It's pristine.

Professor helped you with some prestigious from some prestigious and helped you to clean it off. And it looks it looks like a beautiful bottle of shipping. You knock on the door. The sound reverberating through the cavity behind it, behind the

door. and you wait it takes a minute before you begin to hear latches and tumblers moving behind the door as it slowly swings in the front door opens into a narrow vestibule three stained glass doors and wooden frames

lead out from it you'll notice that there is the gardens on one side facing towards me and the door is facing towards Victoria and Clay. There doesn't appear to be anyone standing at the door. It's just open. Hello. You slowly see a man,

and you immediately recognize him as the hunch over an older man that he's trailing you as he steps out of the shadows and he waves his hand at you, he begins to make his way out of the vestibule area. I package you to follow. Hello, my good man. How are you today? He opens another one of the doors,

and you see what appears to be a stairwell going up as he walks in through, closes the door behind himself, and you're left, in a small foyer the door in front of you leading towards a stairwell where he had left from two doors, one to your right

and one to your left. We have an invitation. Just don't do anything quite yet. Excuse me. Hello, we're here. We accepted your invitation. Please, if anyone is home, we'd like to meet you.

Your voice echoes throughout this small area. It almost makes the doors themselves shake with the tonality of it. This looking around, you see that this is an incredibly ornate house. The wealth of this family is immense. Everything is pristine and perfectly clean. Even the doorknobes themselves have filigree designs on them, and they are a near-perfect shine. You wait for one more moment as the door that the man had left in slowly opens, and he turns towards you, and he points directly towards the door to your left, as he slowly closes the door again, and you hear of skittering up the stairs. All right, well, at least that's direction.

Kana lets you and I head in first. Sarnax, you watch our backs. Professor and Victoria's stay in the middle, stay safe, all right? Mr. Shepard. I implore you to go with Grace into this room. We've been invited. You should be acting as though, be our guests,

and so on the same. Undershow. It comes up otherwise. Do you like me to go first? Yes, I do come. They're not on the door. Wait for any sort of invitation. If I hear nothing, then I'll try to get it.

You knock and you hear nothing but silence greet you. Slowly turn the handle. And you've become used to the sound of the rusty hinges. But there is no sound here as the lock slowly tumbles open. And the door swings open almost noiselessly. As you walk in to an ornate dining room, a dining table stretches the length of this room, the crystal chandelier hanging above it imperiously.

The silverware, isn't tarnished at all. The dishes chipped. They're all quite elegant. Eight chairs, their backs adorned with sculpted elkhorns around the table, arched windows made of a latticework of ironing glass lookout onto the small fog-swept escape. Then off towards the back of the room, three algae couches surround an oval table made of black glass. All are set in front of a blazing hearth, above which hangs the portrait of a smirking noble pin, sporting a broken, nose and a tangle of hair graying at the temples. Several smaller portraits hang on the north wall. It is here that you see a woman in all black sitting cross-legged on one of these couches, her hands tapping along the wooden arm of the couch as she looks at all of you. Well, welcome to my home. Before, so they go in first, just before I cross the threshold.

I'm going to say, Curio, my case will open up, and I'll take out a little piece of leather. Adult stash of the face. Actually? No. How much damage to do you? No.

You have a little. I would like to say, Armathos and Cass Nanger. I'm sorry. I bow. Yeah, my hat is off of pulling into my chest. I do a little nod and say, I'm sorry to interrupt.

We were let in, and the professor's right behind us, I believe your letter was. It was addressed to him. Yes, yes. Hello, there, madam. Hello. I'm Professor Clayton.

Let's take a seat. We will enjoy drinks before we have our lunch, please. I'll wait for everyone to sit down, and if there's no room, I'll just kneel on the ground. Thank you so much. There's enough room for everybody to sit at the cities. Thank you for your hospitality. No, yes. I had to move a few things around to be able to come a different.

you here, but it was interested in meeting the new fox in town, you see. Well, you're certainly gracious. Absolutely, we've brought you a gift for having us. Well, you did not have to, so she immediately grabs for it. I see.

It's fair, did you come across this? A huge shop in town. I can't recall the name. Well, the dead always have the best trinkets, and she puts it away. and you see as she opens up the table in front of you, it has a little latch and she pulls out, you see five bottles of champagne,

the exact same Wizard of Wine champagne. She pulls out a newer model and puts it down. We will let that one age. These are 150 years. I see. Now, you would all like drink glass, yes. I set them out for you. Uh, it's a little too early for me.

It is never too early to have champagne. Uh, well. You wouldn't want to be rude at my... Oh, no, no, of course not. Of course not. I slowly reach forward and, uh, take one glass and give, uh, the professor a newing look. No. Oh.

For the wine for the ladies. Oh, it's not for yet. Do you mind? I asked you to do. I don't have my main hand, grab it. Oh, yes. A man of the archa. And I will have it for six glasses.

I'm going to put my hand over the glass. You will forgive me. I do not partake. No, I would not. Please, have a drink. You are in my home. My religion forbids it. You must understand.

Well, my home encourages it. So please, have a drink. He is a holy man, and I have been. assured him that I would not require him to do as part of the expedition, require him to do anything against his religion. And that is lovely for you, but I have not promised anything, and I'm asking. But we all have a drink in my home. Sarnax, is this really going to be a problem? This is quite rude to bring a reptile into someone's home.

Now, now. And allow them to be so rude to their hostess. But buddy, and I just think I'm a little closer, are you going to be all right with us? I'm not trying to push here. I will be fine. Please proceed, Professor. I do not want to be rude to our host. Yes.

You see if she gives you a faint smile. Obset. Yes. Well, thank you. To Rovia. Can I whiff it really? To Vachter House. To Votter House, yes.

I have a quick question. Is there any kind of Damn it. So if you use an arcane focus to cast a spell, it removes the verbal and semantic, somatic components of the spell. If I wanted to try to use a spell called detect fine traps, would I be able to do that undetected or would I need to do some sort of roll?

You'd have to roll a slide of mail. So it removes the material. It removes material, not verbal or semantic. Yeah. Okay, that's all that I wanted. Thank you. And it's only material. components that don't have a cost.

Right. So if it says like a parole worth 50 gold stops by the fall. Got it. Could I, before, while they're like speaking, could I quickly like with the wine just to see if I'm able to pick up any traces of poison? Sure. Rule a nature check.

Six. Sounds like wine. It's really potent. You can tell that this has definitely been aged for years. Okay. I'll take, uh, as soon as they finish it, I'll the first thing. And Mike, you can roll a sleight of hand to make it look like you. I'm going to me doing that. So I'm going

to just take it and do a touch your lips and I will attempt to do that. It could be worse. Sle of hand, 16. Okay. You can tell she's keeping her eye on you a little bit, but she notices

as kind of goes in to smell the wine. Oh, it is a great vintage. Yes. And she does not notice as don't drink. Very different from the rice wines that we create back home. I would anyone make wine not the fries? It is a tradition back from

four people. It can be consumed by many. I think the aging process definitely appeals to those of grander stash. Yes, I'm not sure. So what brings you to Borovia? Well, this is

my expedition to Borovia. I am working. I'm the archaeology professor from the Scholarie University, and it's been my life's work to research the unknown places, hidden places, uncovering relics, and Berovia was at the top of my list. What inspired you to delve into Borovia? The alur, the romantic notion of a lost land.

begin to change a little bit as you talk about your passion for Borovia. Oh, I see. I heard tales. I've read stories of people encountering Vistani along the road or in their camps and mentioned this land called Borovia. And I dug into it and no one believed it existed. They didn't. No, they did. And you have proven them wrong.

That's right. So I set out to prove that it did exist. There was too much ever. evidence for it not to. And so here we are. I'm learning everything I can while we're here. And this is my expedition to do so. That is just charming. How do you like Barovia? Well, I love it a lot. I'm not a fan of Velve. The Bergo minister, you see.

Oh, why is that? Because he just, you've met you. You've met you. Of course you have. You cannot have been in the town. for him near a day and have not met him. No, I don't. Have we met him? He's so full of himself. We have not. No. He's so full of himself. They believe he knows what is best for the town of the lucky.

Which is not the case. He angers the Countess and why would you ever want to do something quite like that? Can I insight check her on that statement? She is the best thing that could have happened to our land. Ah, yes. Oh, of course, if I had my way, he would not be the Bergomester very much longer. Oh, how does it work?

I'm not sure how succession for burgomastery works. Well, his son will obviously take up as Bergomaster once his pass. Yes. I don't think that will happen for a while, but something. what to happen to him. But even then his son would take up the mantle once he was of age. I did try to set his eyes on my sweet daughter Fiona, but her Stella, my name is Fiona, my sweet daughter Stella,

but he is a strange boy, and he did not seem interested in my sweet girl. That's quite rude. Well, hopefully his festivals are at least, A pleasure? Have you been to one? No, no. We arrived at town right out to him. What would you know about his festivals?

They are dreary. I've just seen the mass. You see him cutting people in the stocks? Yes. All because they did not have fun when he was carting around an entire wagon full of bleeding wolf sets. How is that supposed to bring joy to the people of Borobia? No, if he would stop irritating our dear Stredania. then I believe the village would be in much better streets.

Of course, of course. You know, as they say, the ones in power, you know, meet the new boss same as the old boss, as they say, right? No. We'll just, you know, what is that all saying? Whole power corrupts wholly? Absolute power corrupts absolutely? No.

Well, I don't believe in that. I'm sorry about your If I were to be the Bergo Master, I would make sure that we were always on the right side of the countess and he would favor our small village. So my insight check for all this has been 20. And because of that, I know that Milwaukee would prosper. But, well, I don't see eye to eye. So, here we are.

Here we are, yes. She seems to be completely honest. So she's not like trying to lie. Okay. So I'm curious. What made you seek us out and invite us to dinner? How did you hear of us? Well, you know, if you are to retain power anywhere,

you need to make sure that you always know the going on with the little village. And we may not be the Berko master, but I am the richest woman in time. So that comes power of its own. Oh, yes. That's a good. Yes. Thank you. And so I inquire, what would you do if you would live?

To keep this turn happier and the context. Well, I, of course wouldn't put people in stocks for being obsessed. So, absolutely. I'm so full of himself. That I would let him down you know that you have an ally in me. And in doing so, I would communicate with her. I would do the bidding that she would like me to do. And in that, I would ask for her protection and her grace.

And become her lucky, of course. And she's very valuable. So if we were not constantly trying to make her angry, I don't see why she could be doing so much to do this for us. It's a sudden. I know how it was. At expense. Do all.

That of the late for darkness. It's not the pleasure of seeing her as of counsel. Oh, but have you been invited to dinner? Yes, yes, we have. And she seems very lovely. And you are lucky indeed. Not every one. I've tried, but I have not been so lucky to have an invitation myself.

But should I be someday the Bergamaster, then I believe she would invite me to dinner. I see. So is that your hope? If you could become a Bergamaster, then maybe Shudana would, be a close out of yours. I have no doubt she would be a close out one. She has my loomty.

I see. Can I insight, check her when she says she has my loyalty? Oh, most days her wrong greet. Uh, she, yeah, seems to be honest. She's a type of personality you haven't really met before. She's looking her nose down at all of you. The only person she's even

sort of giving respect to is, Clayton. And that all turned after he started talking about his interest in Brovia. She seemed to have a connection there, but it's really hard to read her. So, shall we have lunch?

Of course. The table is also. So if you are done with your wine, champagne, I'll finish mine and I'll put it on the table. And I guess die horribly. She tips her back and she slowly gulps down

every last drop with the champagne. I would not want to waste the throat. Well, through the diving table then. And she steps up the bustle behind her, billowing out as she rises.

She turns, she doesn't even look at you, she makes her way towards the head of the table. She waits for a moment and looks around and you can see her foot is moving back and forth as if she's irritated as a side door opens up and that strange man walks in, pulls her chair out.

she sits down, pushes her chair in, he lights a few of the candles, looks between all of you, and then shuffles off back into the same side door. I'll sit down, but I'll wait, waiting behind my chair for her to sit first, and then I will sit down. She's sitting down. Do, have I seen any kind of, like, I guess, would bathrooms or restrooms or washrooms be common houses like these. Yes.

Washrooms, yeah. If you don't mind, do you mind if I take us a brief trip to the washroom before lunch before I sit down? Well, if you must. Could you point me in that direction? Well, there is a service quarter. Quartz are off to, and she points over. So if you look at the map, you'll see that there's a door connecting the den off. to back area with some beds.

These serpents that are there. So it would just be in there somewhere. I believe that's what. They do their motion. All right. Thank you. I would like to go back there and find the...

As I'm going through, I want to just sort of look around and see if I can get any sense of thinking of on the card. And I believe the Taroka card reading had something about um ahead oh you have it up

so it had she keeps the treasure under lock and key with bones of an ancient enemy so just anything that seems locked sorry that seems locked or that seems hidden or anything like that as I'm walking back so you're going into the servants quarters I'm going wherever she's directed you guess

I'm not going to like step out anywhere This podcast is brought to you by our Patreon. Become a patron today at patreon.com slash legends of Aventress and gain access to tons of exclusive perks, including a monthly movie night and a weekly Patreon exclusive campaign set on the high seas, Shroud Over Salt Marsh. You can also go to The Crooked Moon.com

to pick up your own copy of our first published supplement, The Crooked Moon, a folk horror tome for Dungeons and Dragons fifth edition. And don't forget to snag all of the extra goodies like dice, miniatures, plushies, a tarot deck, and more. Thank you. You make your way into the servants' quarters, and you see that it is very similar fashion to everything else, but significantly more drab there. Four beds that line the wall, a small wash basin that does house a small amount of water,

a cloth off to the side. It is devoid of most things. There are a few chests which you quickly rummage through, and it has bed linen and change of outfits, etc. And there is another door off to the side leading in a direction of the house that you have no idea where it would connect you. I will, if I can, and it wouldn't be like too unreasonable, take 10 minutes in the washroom. Would that be like, would that seem unreasonable? You would have to decide that, not me.

I will take 10 minutes, and hopefully with no one watching, I would like to cast as a ritual to tech magic. And then once I'm done... And what's the radius of detect magic? 30 feet. Yeah, you do not set magic. So as we... I guess if you guys want to do anything while I'm in there...

Not unless she leaves the table. If she sits down and she looks between all of you, as you walk away, you see her as she begins to butter the bread that's on the table. And she looks between all of you and smiles. Lady Walter, you've got a beautiful, just stunning her. Well, thank you. How long have you been here, my daughter? Your accent is very, very easy for me to fall into, so I have to try and be. Sorry.

I cannot be hard. It's really hard to be an asshole. With Victoria. That hurts. Well, thank you. I do appreciate it. It has been in my family for as long as I can remember. It's just stopping, really.

I saw that portrait about the, or about the mantle. I saw the portrait, why I'd I ask? Is that a relative abuse? It's my, he's my late husband. I'm so sorry. Darling. No, it is. It is fine.

You love you. So much, still. Even do you say? When did you do some? Far too long ago. And sweet me, boy. How did he meet his end? Yes, just like I said, very polite.

You're not the kind of question that you ask a lady during lunch. Uh, you're going to have to, uh, please be patient with our, friend star next year. He's not from around here. He's not used our customs. He came down with an illness. He worsened. As though I tried to nurse

him back to health. I was unfortunately unable to do something. Often that was so difficult. It was. And for the boys. Your children? Yes, my too lovely. My two love me. Stripping young voice.

Can we get me since how old she is? Probably late 40s, early 50s. She said she had two cells. I don't know, I can't show you this picture. But didn't she say Stella was her daughter?

She is more. I'm still in the future. Let me know the wrong back. Do you do much gardening? I, no, I do not. Who is then tending to the garden outside of you? You're home.

Obviously, my servants tend to my garden. Again, please. We appreciate your hospitality and patience with our friend here. He has quite literally a green thumb. He's interested in that kind of a thing. Oh, this was a joke because he is a green lizard. Well, I mean, it turns out that it's humorous, but no, I'm being serious. He has a great interest in him garden.

What other color would my thumb be? Well, I like my motion to myself. And then I motioned to the ladies and I'll, like, you know, show you my red skin. And I'm like, I don't know. Sorry. Our deepest condolences for the loss of your late husband, Lady Wachter. Your children, will they be joining us for lunch? Oh, no, they will not be.

My sweet darling Stella was not. She's been having such a time since the Berkommaster's son's parents. and my two sons do not spend time here since their father's death. Yet I know the type of conversation would get into inviting me to lunch, I think I might have escaped. Again, we're sorry. We can just move on. Sarnax? Yes, gardening. Do you know what they plant in the garden?

Honestly, I think that would be even worse of a conversation than you prying into my own life. Sarnax, maybe we just for the rest of the lunch, just enjoy what we have here and maybe don't talk anymore. But you are telling me that you are all part of this expedition. Yes, that's correct. So you must all be interested in Rovia and in so much the Countess Radania. Very much so. I suppose so. and your thoughts on the context. We have seen her once on our passage to Milwaukee,

and she's very beautiful. We have seen her twice, come. Did we see her last session? Sorry. We have seen her twice on our journeys. She took my breath away. She's quite good. It was very coarse.

And you see, as you see, as you do it, say this that her countenance shifts once again. As she looks, well, in that the case. And you see as the same shambling man comes out, and this time, the porridge and the salads and the soups that is on the table, he is now bringing out trays and trays

of delicious pastries and roast meats and filling up your glasses with sparkling waters and different beverages. Let us. Please then let us have lunch together. Where is the professor? He's taking quite a while in these servants' quarters. Would you like me to go find him? I apologize for the wait.

No, I'm just concerned. Does he have bowel issues? Yes, he does. Sarnax. Well, when you come to a certain age, men have a tendency of having weak bowels. Indeed. Sarnax. That's quite appropriate for

Estesanics to agree with our hostas. I agree with what you say. Well, Let me know when I would go back. Yeah, it's been about ten. Come save them. Look at you.

No, something. You're the one who's snooping around in the back room. We're all just twiddling ourselves. So, on our way, first I want to open the door that I don't know where it goes, it's very subtly, and just kind of peek at. Do you? I do.

You open. in this small door to find a certain's closet. Coats and aprons hang from hooks in this room and boots are neatly lined up against the wall. Can I have you make a protection check for me, please? Oh, it's almost in the out of you for me.

Almost. So 12. You look around. You don't sense any magic. Something about this closet appears off to you. As you run your hands along the wall, you find a latch hidden towards

the back. It needs you slowly pull it open. The door creaks. Very faintly, not enough to alert anyone outside of this small room. As musty, dank, cold air laughs into your face, as you notice, as you find a secret stairwell leading downstairs, moss-covered stone stairs, leading straight down into darkness. I look down the stairs. I look down the stairs.

I look back. It's not long. It's just... Envisio, and I want to make myself invisible. And just very brief way. Yeah, very briefly. Peek in and then come back. You're just going to peek in.

I just want to peek in. Iron torch sconces cling to the wall of the stone staircase that cuts its way through the heart. part of this old house. You slowly make your way down. None of them illuminate it. But you can see at the bottom a small oil well that looks like it could easily be lit. And as the faint traces of such having been lit sometime, having been lit sometime recently,

you finally make your way to the bottom as the flickering of light comes into view. Flickering candles and iron holders fill this room with light and shadows. This room has a 10-foot-high ceiling and a large black pentagram inscribed on the stone floor. At each point of the pentagram rests a wooden chair. Seated in four of the five chairs are men and women in black robes with hoods. A young man who has the face of an angel, a balding hulk of a man, a squawked middle-aged woman, and a taller younger woman with an unsettling glare. None of them seem to notice you.

What the fuck? I peek. I just quick. So if that's all I see, I'm going to fucking note all the way back. So the professor's irritable bowel syndrome is the reason

for his insane incredible delay. Sarnax. That's enough. Wait. So when I come back up, I want to shut all the doors behind me and get back in the service force. Make sure no one's there.

Drop. drop in visibility and then quickly hustle back while passing the champagne that we ate and then getting to the food just seeing if anything blows as magical to me. Okay.

So you were saying. It's going to be longer now that you decided not to just come straight back. My apologies again, lady, for the tardiness of the professor. While we are here, perhaps we can inquire on your favorite places to visit

in Borovia, as we are very eager to learn more about these lands. I don't find much. It's nice to visit here. I'm going to town on occasion, but it is mainly for the festivals

we're all required to be there. And they are drab and dreary. My favorite place to be is here under the loving gaze. my sweet husband, Nikolai. She glances over fondly to the portrait over the mantle.

I share her gaze onto the mantle. If I may inquire, what were your favorite moments with Sir Nikolai? All of the time we spent together talking and we, he understood me like nobody did. And though he did not always align with me, He was the best person to keep me in check.

He did not feel the same way I do about the Countess Bertania or the Bergo master necessarily. But he was a good, what is he call it, a devil on your shoulder. And he was a sweet man. In the world is a worst place for him not being anything. But he is always with me. watches over me while I sleep. Can I discern what she might, if she meant that literally?

Like reception, Jeff, she did. Watching over me always. Ooh, not bad. 22. There was something very strange about the way that she said those last two statements, this idea of him always being with her and watching over her while she sleeps.

There was a sense of truth to it. any sense of what's the word I'm looking for you know when something's not a metaphor literal literal yes thank you it seemed like a very literal statement did she say before when he died she did

a long time ago that was all she said she said it died too too long ago too long ago I have consulted with many who have experienced loss an attempt to ease and suffer, what have you found helps you feel like he is watching over?

Well, I will retire to my room and take a nap. Find myself in the comfort of his loving and grace. Can I see if she meant that literally too? Sure. And that is great, 10. It's hard to tell.

If his embrace with his memory, with his memoir. Of course. Of happier times. The present. What are some of your favorite things about the countess that you can tell us? They bring the most joy in your heart. I would have to say that she rewards those who serve her well and punishes those who go against her,

which I think is a very strong. own trait for someone who plans to rule. You see, when you allow people to just run wild and they have no control, then they will destroy all that is good in this place. And those that work for her service are rewarded handsomely. And I think that that does a lot to incentivize people in, say, heavy amounts of wealth. You see. So you would say that she rules with an iron fist.

It's exploiting her power and privilege over those beneath her. I would never say anything of the gun, actually. I am saying it. That would be a way to anger the countess, what if not

Sarnas. Is that not an admirable trait? Does that not keep the common folk in line. If they are not doing things to anger her, what do they have to fear? Indeed. A wonderful sentiment.

That is why those in Borovia village do not fear her. As someone... I wouldn't know, I haven't been. Is it nice there, under her watchful gaze? They are so lucky, you see, because they are, are the closest thing to her castle.

She looms over them. It is unfortunate that we are not closer. Would you consider moving there? They locked her. Oh, no. They do not have a house. It is grand enough for me. Of course, this is the grandest home we have.

He would not want to leave lock their house. And it is right about this time that the door opens, and her attention turns. Well, I see that you are back. So sorry, yes, yes, I'm back. Unfortunately, wolf meat does not agree with me. I've been eating quite a lot of wolf meat labor. I think that is enough, Professor.

Oh, yes, yes, thank you. Lovely lunch, bread. Is there any wolf meat? There is borg here if you'd like some bores. Oh, yes, ball would be lovely. A nice change, certainly. Please take a seat. I'll take a seat.

Any magic business? Yep. Professor, we were just speaking with Lame. Lady walked her in your absence on her late husband, Sir Nicolai. Oh. May he rest in peace. Yes, may he rest in peace. So sorry to hear about your husband.

Thank you. He was a grand man. Sounds very lovely. And I start eating. I wait for her to start eating. There's near silence, as you just hear the clink of the professor's fork and knife on the, as he slowly eats, is the sound of his chewing

unusually loud in the silence around the scene. Seeing that he's eating and not wanting to be completely awkward, I'll help myself to some more meat only, and just begin like slowly cutting it all up and like moving it around my plate. She slowly slathers some preserves

on the bread that she had to decide and takes a bite. She takes a little bit of the meat and builds herself a small tea sandwich and she begins to consume alongside you. Do you have

any foul available? I'm sorry. I just read Boxfinato. Wolf meat doesn't agree with me. Is there any wolf meat here? In the same friggin' breath. I would like to avoid the wolf meat if at all possible. I'm sorry, what were you saying? Is there any foul? Oh yeah. I will say there is. I will stick to the avian flesh.

Excuse him. Have you already said to a lot? We have excused anyway. That's right. I've a little less appetizing. We've tried, Professor. You won't shut up. Well, I wouldn't force him to shut up. This is a pleasant lunch conversation. Just if you could be understanding of his curiosity.

Thank you. And the understanding of your small jaunt about my home? There was no jauntin about your home. Unless you mean, Johnston. to the washroom to use the bathroom. All of the septu, Jack. You'd be lying. Yeah.

I tried to, like, distract her gaze really quickly and be like, a lady walked her, these preserves are absolutely excellent. Wouldn't you agree, Victoria, are these from your gardens? Sheppery gets sweat. They are made by my cook, and as long as they are delicious, I don't care. Well, compliments to your chef. Thank you. and I try to

compliments to the hands that is one of them. Agreed, absolutely. And I bow my head and I'm just trying to pull her gaze away from him. Oh my God. What the fuck? Where's your divination?

Fucking shit! Oh, I could make it an eight. Oh! You could make her. Oh. Oh. Your insight roll is now two. Thank you,

maybe. Thank you. I roll a natural 17, so. Oh, my God. She looks at you for a second. Yes, well. I haven't been into the servants quarters at all, I don't think. And I can imagine they must be very confusing with all of the poor things that are in there.

Oh, yes, it was very poor, I must say. But you found everything that you were able to wash up. It was very comfortable, yes. And how is your stomach feeling? Um, still a little unsettled, but this delicious warm... Would you like a tablet? A tablet? Yes.

As if to chisel upon. To settle your stomach. Like a thumbs, professor. Oh. What is a thames? That is my favorite brand of Alceston. I think I'll be fine, thank you. All right.

Speaking of your help, your servant that opened the door first. Well, look, Carrie's fellow, how long is he working for you? For as long as I can remember. He is... As close to a friend as a servant can be. Well, that's wonderful. Must be lonely in the house, sounds. It's good to choose someone who can speak with.

It is. Fuck, that voice! Got it so hard. Got it so hard. Sherry! Fow is delectable. As is this burger, it's very delicious. She nods.

So I am going to interrupt you. You, I offered dinner, and I was hoping to know a little more about you before we had. We were able to come together, but this was from me last minute you see. And you seem so eager to still, to see me so soon. And I'm confused as to what it is you are looking for, how me? We have played these song and dance for a long time. for long enough, I think. Ah, yes.

We should get down to brass tacks. Well, given that, Kana, are you feeling all right? Yes, yes. Did you have the wolfmeet? No, I'm still... I told you to avoid the wolfmeet, Kama. Well, I would never avoid anything that the hostess...

Perhaps you should excuse yourself, Kama. No, no, no, she's fine. She doesn't need to excuse us. I was simply enjoying this delectable preserve. Oh, yes. It is very delicious. And this tea, too. What is your favorite tea, if I may ask?

You said that we should get down to the brass tach? Yes, yes. I would be sitting in my tea, just sweating. Everything is getting moist. Getting to the brass tacks, yes. You clearly know at least a little bit about us to invite us here, and we are... The very smallest amount, yes. We are an expedition of great ability, and I would presume that we may be...

able to offer you something our services while we are in Borovia. And what services are you going to offer? We are very capable. Our abilities are varied and I think that if you

have any need or any desire of a capable expedition in Barovia, perhaps... Expedition, but she looks to shepherd, someone who is strong as all of you look to me.

Yes, we are all capable. He is certainly dexterous, yes. I'm promising slightly. As long as this does not leave this room. I would like you to kill the Berkommaster sent your engine is extrafluid. Well, excuse me. Yes. If we are going to be honest with each other, I would like you to kill him.

All right. He is why. Well, you obviously haven't met him if you're asking. He is a foul creature with a strange extra arm that casts bolts of fire. He is the man that takes the children and the women, and he puts them in the stocks for being unhappy. And as far as I know, the ones he takes to the Baragomaster's mansion, and he tortures and who knows what else.

Can I insight check for, especially physically like the torturing part? This is naming it. I saw up and I steal myself and I still the guy. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. You got four mics now, y'all so you get to hear it in 360 surround sound 5.5.

What? Dolby. What? Huh? What? What? That's how Derek lost his hearing in that old.

I'm sitting here. I'm so sorry, Derek. If you were to wait before, what? What? I hope you were to have. Abby, oh dear, I'm never ready for you doing, Matt. He'd in your chair a little.

I can just imagine you. What were you even asking? Yeah, sorry. I was insight checking her with a 25. She seems to be honest. That's what she believes. So she believes that the burgomaster's henchmen, not necessarily that burgomaster is the one that's taking the women and the children

and torturing them in the stocks. Yeah. In the stocks? Well, she, it's known that he takes people to the stock. for malicious unhappiness. You know that people are taken to the burgomaster's mansion, and she's saying that he probably tortures them. And people are very afraid of them.

Blinsky even mentioned that he was horrifying, and that he does, he creates him dolls just to not incur his wrath. So it's just so that I recall from last session since I wasn't here, do we, are we very well aware the fact that the burgomaster is kind of an evil guy? No, we haven't even met him. We haven't met him. But we know that he's putting. people in stocks for being for

malicious unhappiness. That's all we know. We've met the guy. And he's organizing these festivals. Not all of them are great. And no one has really been able to approach him about this. And he's not like, Isk is the one that was that has all the Irene adults. Correct. Is Zach? Is that the

burgomaster's henchmen? Yeah. Now, you want us to just murder this individual? Yes, I do. I would like for you to murder him. If he is taken out, that gets me one step closer to taking this down. And it is in the wrong hands.

Please, forgive me. But you don't think that maybe this henchman, right-hand man, is just acting on the Burger Master's orders. He very well may be, but that was his choice, don't you think, to align himself with someone like the Berg-o-master? I don't necessarily disagree, but what's stopping the Burger Master than from just finding somebody else to continue to torture? if that's what he does.

Well, who is he going to find quite like Isaac? The reason that he has the power that he has is obviously because Isaac is horrifying. That magical hands that he has, without him, the Berkommaster would be at a severe disadvantage. If... You have a little bit of sauce on the ship. Thank you for him.

I think that hanged to problem. If we murder this man, what can you do for us? Well, you would be in the once I become the Virgo mistress, you would be in my good graces. And think of what you would be doing for the entire village of Milwaukee. Will that be payment? There could be. If I might take a step backwards, why? out of curiosity, would you not ask us

to just, I'll like, kill the Bebecus? Would you do that? I could say one way or another just yet, but... Shepard has much disdain on his face, much disdain. Well, to be quite honest with you, I did not ask because I didn't think he would be willing to kill Iberico master. He is simply a puppeteer

forcing someone else to do his dirty work. Weird how that works. Yes. Unfortunately, I'm trying to do something for good. You can scowl at my table at once. Oh, no, I'm sorry. That's just kind of my face. It is his resting teeth.

Exactly. We apologize. Exactly, right. As I was saying, the Bergomaster is the worst thing for this town. So, if he were to be taken up, I think that you would find yourselves in a much better position. Well, how much gold could you offer us?

How much gold are you looking for? We are not interested in gold. that is precisely right we are interested in secrets knowledge artifacts buried away like what treasures

what can you offer us what do you want a secret is only a secret if it's not spoken I shoot sarnax a glance if I tell you every secret I know then I don't have much to bargain with do I with enough gold we can buy

secret sarnax 10,000 gold I'll have a small person check 19. It is a little steep, but it is worth it. 10,000 gold pieces. And this is for

the henchman, Professor, who is suggesting? The henchman is extrasny. Yes. The henchery. Yes. We have some business to take care of. Make sure that you are not seen.

And if you are caught, we never spoke. And if you tell them that we did, no one will ever. I don't believe you. I am well aware. Mr. Morgan, please. Stop looking at me like that. I don't know what you mean, Professor.

I'm just looking across the table. There is a reason that we came to lunch, is there not? You asked me to have lunch with you. Yes. Well, that is certainly amenable. We won't ask for payments until the deed is done. Well, I will be out of town. Well, not out of town.

I will be out of my home for the next two nights. But hopefully, on the 7th night, the fourth night, the day after the festival. The day after the festival, if dinner plans. But then we should meet. If you happen to have any need to contact me, you may place a letter in my letterbox. I see.

So you'll be able to tell me the next two nights, you're sorry? Three nights. Next three nights. Because I believe it is tonight, the next night, and then the festival. Yes. Yes. Yeah. Yes.

Yeah. It can be now if you're like to be. I'm pretty sure. I'm pretty sure that's what it was. So she's out the next two nights and then the festival. Well, this lunch has been lovely. Have you like to finish our lunch? Yeah.

Perhaps when, if we are successful, we can join you for a meal again. If you so do. Yes, we will plan to do this. Well. So we have an invitation back, so we do not barge onto your precious time at last moment's notice again. She nods at you. Well, it's been a pleasure. Thank you so much for your hospitality.

We have other businesses to attend to, so we must keep going. Yes. Shall we continue? Hi. The little thing that I do, but I can't follow you. That secrets thing. Yes. So as we're sitting, kind of finishing up this conversation,

I'm going to have my hands clasped below the table and pray for the guidance of the leader to reveal secrets. And what's the radiance? 13. Do I see her doing this, having seen her do this before? I would say no, because if her hands are under the table, you wouldn't see you? Okay. Unless your head were under the table and you were like looking up her dress or something.

I probably wouldn't notice. No, mostly looking at her face to see if her eyes shut or she mutters anything. 30 feet, you faintly know that off to the direction directly behind the mantelpiece and the portrait that there is some kind of secret. Lady. Walked her. Perhaps when you have more time on your hands, on your hands, we would love a tour of your amazing home. Or perhaps now.

Is it down payment for our services? No, I do not believe that I have time. You see, I did have engaged in that I had to move around to fit you in for lunch. Yes, we should go. Now I believe it is time that I attend to my business. I cannot keep my friends with any book. You see, I'm part of a book club. And we have a meeting today.

What are you reading? I enjoy reading also. You wouldn't know of the tale. It is a local Moravian author. Perhaps this would benefit the mission. I'm sure the professor would have to. I appreciate your hospitality. We will not have to pester you with any more questions.

Should you stay much longer in town? I will... When we start on Netflix, if you are here, I will send for me. join us if you like. Good day. It would be wonderful. Thanks. Thank you for you.

Good day. I will get myself out. I will follow the professor. I have a lovely one. I will see you soon. And don't forget. Our deal. Of course.

I'll give her a full 90-degree bow and walk out last. She continues to remain seated as she butters more toast. And she has a, you do see that she has a notebook that she pulls out and flips through and drops down a couple of notes. do I mean we start poking it for me do I glance the notebook leaving at all or does she do it just as after we leave as you're leaving the actual room

so you wouldn't be able to see from where you're from if we are out in the thoroughfare far enough away from the mansion I mean like far enough away from the mansion I'm going to turn the first time I'd probably want to wait about the 15 minutes until you get the crossroads head towards the end so once we're back towards the

The main thoroughfare, closer to the inn, I want to see if I can find, like, just a small off-shooting, like, an alley or whatever, and, like, Professor, right here. Not so we'll let us get back to the inn, Professor. You're very serious. All right?

I just like, I just like, to a side street. Yes, yes, yes. You got to be kidding me, Professor. You can't be serious about this. What are we, we're now assassins and hitmen? Well, why else would she have invited us in? I'm not saying that you would accept something like that.

You can't be serious. Surely you have another plan. Why would I have any other plan? I believe we should get back to the inn. Fine. If I may, we've been on the road for quite some time. Yes. And I've seen you eat wolf meat without issue plenty of times before.

So what are you doing? I was using the bathroom. Like I said, I believe you should put. probably get back to the end, don't you think? We have business to attend to. Fine. I glance at his case to make sure it's closed. It's buzzed.

Let's go. I also have, you know. I, would you please accompany me? What else would I do, Professor? Perhaps the wolf meets or the Boer meet is now disagreeing with the professor. He rushes back to lose. So, look at you.

We'll get back to the room. Please collect your things. we are going to the vineyard as at once. I need to write a note. We're leaving right now. Yes, right now. Would you like me to write it for you again? No, I need to write this one.

Very well. I would like to sit down at the desk. You rush back to the end and you. Yeah, as long as we don't get a costume. You're not a constant. Or die from poison meat. While we do that, I'm going to check. Well, he does is I'm going to check for the doll.

You look. Where are you keeping it? I was keeping it in my robe. She is hanging limply out of a pocket in your robe. I would like to take out some parchment, take out a quail, and an ink well. And I would like to take 10 minutes to write out an illusory script a note. Okay. I will say, basically, I have uncovered.

dark magic in the basement of of Bachter House and how fitting or I believe it is quite fitting to betray the one mentioned in the traitor card. Of course we won't assassinate the man

but we don't know if she has eyes or ears anywhere we could still very well betray him. Please just play along and and she has referenced that she's going out in town

in the next two nights. Once we arrive back from the vineyard, we will go under the stealth at night, under the cloak of darkness, and collect the bones of the ancient enemy. I saw fire, and then I sort of kind of take some time to describe in detail the room that I found.

I'll say, for the sake of the situation, you can RP it, as if you were telling them this, so that way you can communicate. and you're not just writing it all in a note, but it will fall under the illusory script. So you use the spell or whatever resources you need, but then you can actually talk amongst yourselves. Okay, so.

So that prevents the whole, like, you're just telling them all of this and they don't really have a say because you're just writing in a note that they can't respond to. Well, I want to pass that around and all cast a tech magic as well to make sure that I don't see any like strying business or alone. And I will say, read this.

I believe we can discuss it. but let's just try not to discuss it in too much detail. Just in case we're still being watched. We gather our things, we head for the winery. We discuss further when we're on the road outside of the lock. Yes, I just, while we're in town, I would like to just get out of town if we can. Is that amenable to everyone?

Understood. Yes. We'll be able to pretend for the festival. So I will say, she's gone the next two nights. that's the two nights and then the festival, which means that you will be returning the day of the festival. You'll also need to be at the festival.

And will she be back that night? She's back the night after the festival, right? Yes. So she is not out the night after the festival. Is she gone this night? She's gone tonight. Tomorrow night. Oh, she's gone tonight. Even though we were going to do dinner with her, she's leaving out. She's rearranged.

She rearranged. So instead of being busy during lunch, she became busy during the evening since she canceled and she basically swarmed. But she is required to attend the festival. Yes, everyone is required to attend the festival. And she will be gone tonight. Yes, tonight tomorrow night and then she will be at the festival.

Ideally with us. I believe that our assassination plan takes precedence over the vineyard. We should murder this man in cold blood. Tonight. And I'll give a no end look to everyone. Deep and dark, where there are many secrets. we'll put an end to this.

Do we know much more about him that we can recover before we do this? Perhaps some places we should investigate before we are. I'm not sure where we would investigate beyond

waiting until tonight, but if you have any ideas, please do let me know. Do we... We have yet to meet the Berbermaster, correct? Perhaps we say that we have just arrived

and Velaki, we wanted to meet him, and introduce ourselves and talk about the expedition. Well, I believe that we should rest up before what we do tonight. Would we have time to, like, get a, what time is it now? Your dinner or your lunch was at new, I would say the whole thing took about two hours. It's probably around two, maybe three. It's a very awkward dinner. Probably took around two. free hours. Perhaps we should

discuss our plans with our new entertaining friend. Yes, yes. Then we could probably speak more openly with him. If he's in. He doesn't usually show up until later. I don't know if we have a way to contact him or find

him before then, but if we wait around here, I'm sure he'll show up eventually. Let us try his room. Just a lot of weight. Sure. Sure. All right. So we'll go. We'll see if he's in. You knock on the door. and it's you're easily able to discern that he is not in residence among them.

And he did say that he is out during the day. So I suggest either we try to get some sleep until night's time, given that we will be waiting and be doing this in the dead of night after she's left. Or we can continue to investigate.

Exactly. And that would have been in the letter you explained everything. That's what I'm saying. You can utilize the fact that you're doing the letter to actually talk to each other. So, yes, I saw cloaked figures, a pentagram,

and dark, dark magics. And I have no doubt that it's protecting those boats, that's reference in the first. I guess, I don't claim to understand any of this, quite frankly. I'm surprised there's

more than one set of bones were concerned about. It seems often. Well, but the bones referenced in this card are not the bones of St. Antle. Clearly. There was an ancient enemy. But of whom? Perhaps they have more bones of St. Admiral? That could be true.

We won't know until we look. But remember, there was also another man with a monkey. It would not surprise, relief. What we first assume is not what it seems. that seems to be the theme of this land. Fair enough. I believe we should rest up until tonight. I believe that to be the wisest decision as well.

And I would like to caution everyone. The man with a deformed arm could also perhaps be one of these individuals that are not what they seem. Anyone who is against the countess would be far more trustworthy. that anyone that the lady walked to would presume we trust. Yes.

All right. That's one of the thing that really calls for a lock and key. Where do we suppose key? Well, if it's any kind of physical key, we know the professor can bypass that pretty easily. And I think, hopefully it's not trapped in some magical way. We just don't have the information. We won't get it until we get in there.

I'm hoping that... We'll have all night. So if you need to leave and come back in, if the house is sufficiently empty, or at least she isn't there, we can... You may have to tear through servants. Well, let's not worry too much about traps.

I've got that kind of taken care of. I'm used to... All sorts of trappings and stuff out in a while. I'm not so much worried about traps as her servants have made the strange shipment of children. As long as they don't mean us harm, we don't mean that harm. I don't think they'll take harm to us breaking and enter it.

We will have to knock them unconscious, surely. Are you prepared to do so? Kama may be best suited for that. They are my suited for any. For knocking, perseverance, unconscious. We won't kill them. There's no magical means, you can't just... I suppose I could...

Supposed to cause them physical harm. I could attempt to. Depending on the... I prefer to them to kill them. or we won't kill them. I mean, I suppose if we get a chance to rest, I could adjust some things to take care of the

servants. Well, eight hours from now, puts us at about 11. If it's three now, I mean, that's hardly the dead of night. We have plenty of time to do what you want to do under the, uh, what did you say, cloak of darkness? Uh, yes. Is this a safe

place to talk? Yes, I, I don't, I don't sense any magic. I believe we can speak over there. I essentially, as a DM, said that because he's using the spell, I would rather you actually talk about this and not just get a letter. So I'm allowing it. There are no scrying.

I see. So it's safe. I do wanted to bring up during the conversation, Professor, not there force, but it appears that her husband, Sir Nicolai, is under her, she's under his warm, watchful gaze. I think she meant that to little, literally, whether it was a, maybe perhaps his remains. This is St. Andrews, the bones.

St. Andrew, or Endo. Endo, sorry, yeah. She did mention that although she was very much in favor of Lady Stradonia that he was not. He may have been part of the uprising that with his bones. And I fear that his remains are either kept somewhere hidden in her room or she is in fact lame.

I don't know how literally she meant it, but I sensed that she is still there. She can still feel it. Either way, I believe we will find out tonight in the investigation. So let's get some rest, and we will... I'm just suggesting because I don't believe it would be in the basement that you have.

Well, right. Well, I believe we should just investigate both upstairs and about. Well, yeah, if there's any kind of unspeakable evil that you're referencing, Yeah, we need to deal with that. We should purge it. A great and holy fire, of course. Why don't? We cannot burn her place down, son X. That will be a blast resort.

You'll purge the evil inside. As a great apartment, we'll make any word, and hopefully, by the time she gets back, this will all be over. Didn't the cards suggest that she was a enemy of the countess? No, an ally. An ally. Yes. The nine of cliffs, the traitor card.

As card tells of history, knowledge of the ancient will help you better understand your enemy. Look for a wealthy woman. A staunch ally of the devil, she keeps the treasure under lock and key with bones and ancient enemy. So, we were presuming, or making some assumptions, that perhaps she may be able to be turned against the countess, but it doesn't seem to be that apparent yet. I don't even intend to try to do so. she seems very staunch in her praise. I agree. If we can just get to the knowledge that this card is referring to with these bones,

perhaps you take the bones as well, create more hallowed ground. But until then, I don't think we can come to any further conclusions until we investigate us. All right. We'll try to get some rest. So you're going to sake of brevity to the evening? We would like to long rest. So just reading, death, and everything.

clever. Clever does. Yes. Because it's technically a long rest. You don't have to sleep for six hours. You don't have to convince me of that. You seem to do light rest. Oh, really? You ought to sleep? As long as you're sleeping, light, like reading, just doing light activity. That still doesn't prevent you from getting exhaustion if you don't sleep for multiple nights.

But for the sake of regaining, like, your spell slots back and anything you'd get back at a long rest. I'm going to try to actually shut my eyes and get some sleep. Yeah. And I'll turn them that as well and read six hours. and we're just kind of prepare. Okay. I'll say you're easily able to do that. You all slowly come back to consciousness well into the evening. The din of the festivities downstairs of the cavern area full of people laughing and drinking.

You can tell that Rick Tavio has definitely made his appearance at this point, his loud voice booming downstairs. It can be heard through the floorboards up to your rooms. you all slowly wake up or collect yourselves. It's now evening. Perhaps, Professor, you can leave him one of your magical notes of where we are and slip it in to his pocket. Yes, I will lose in case we go missing. I will write out a note in a mystery script that he can read and the rest of us can read,

that basically is letting know, hey, we're doing this tonight, we're investigating the walker house, you know, if we go missing, that's where we are. We'll be there throughout the evening. Or throughout throughout the night. Okay. So I will say that you're easily able to collect yourselves, everything that you need.

You make your way down the stairs and into the tavern area where Ruchov, you easily greet you happily, still in the facade of the, the carnival man, as you clasped hands, you slowly pass him a note and you see a quick look of recognition as he smiles at you and pockets the small note as you, all of you make your way out into the dark streets of Aurovian night.

Bilaki is quiet around you as you slowly make your way through the streets. And it takes a similar amount of time, about 15 minutes before you find yourselves outside of Wachter house. It looks darker, even more slumped over, more desolate than it had during the day. The vines looking like they're climbing

up the sides of this building and trying to drag it beneath the ground and it's barely resisting. Victoria, do you have that power to make us blend into the shadows of the night? I do. I'll basically set my

my lantern to hooded mode to quench the light and I'll say, do we proceed with Victoria's shadow magic? Did you say, did we see any like candles and it seems to be completely, completely dark? Well, we don't want to just waltz right

in the front door here. I was going to suggest we laugh at the building house. We've got to see if there's another entrance. Yes. It's not the time of posed to it. It's just that it comes with some it's obvious to to ask for such a thing of my goal.

Unless we'll show that we needed to, I prefer. I believe... I believe we... I believe we would be risky to not use it, in that we don't know who's there. So I will plas my hands and pray to the elevator for shadows of wickedness.

Sorry, just a typos. wickenness. Okay. So plus five to self-chrecks. And I would say you would remember that when you were in you've got the map there.

So you were in the storage, you were in the room. There was that connecting door. Then there seemed to be a door that headed outside before you opened the door into the closet. and the secret stairwell. So that moved that door to the back?

Yes. So it's the back vestibule. It's similar to what you walked into. It's essentially a, almost like a coat room where you'd like clean off your feet and have someone take your coat, except before you walk into the house proper.

So it's the same thing for servants. It's a place where they clean off their shoes, take off their gardening gloves and things like that before they had into the house proper. So you knew that there was one at the very end and that that led it directly into the servants closet, which is where you found the secret. So I rolled a 13.

I got a 13 total. First off. 11. 20 for me. 18. 12. 22. Thank you.

All right. Um, a new long rest. New importance. Yeah. New importance. Oh, you clever. You clever.

Fuck. I didn't even think about any importance. More, he means more important. I know we're at the mansion and this won't change anything, but from what I recall of my naggingata getting silver, do I feel like you would have been done tonight, or did he mean tomorrow night? He said it could have either been done tonight or tomorrow night.

Okay. But you would have had to have checked. Yeah. So I will say roll, you know what, for the sake of brevity of it, yeah, you were able to pick it up and you have your not. Oh, awesome. Thank you.

My intention was that it would have been done tonight. It was just whether you had checked on it or not. And if you guys are going to be doing whatever tomorrow, we'll just... During the long rest, maybe she can just go and collect it. We have plenty of time. Thank you for Neville and Deam. So, yes, I believe that there is an entrance around the back. That's a seal.

Thank you. So we are going to sneak around the... You slowly make your way towards the back of the house. and the back is much like the front looming over you, this large mansion, two stories tall, brought iron railings around the balconies that protrude from the second level. As you make your way to the door, this one is not nearly as ornate as the one on the front. It is a servant's entrance, but as you look towards it, you don't even need to touch it to realize that it does appear to be locked.

Let's me just take care of this, and I would like to take out the thieves tools and pick it. I'm looking around. Let's see if anyone's watching. 16. I'll say with your passive perception, it's easily enough for you to be able to see that you, behind you, there are rows of forestation.

The house backs out to an area for privacy, for the family itself, and back here you feel like you are not being watched. You are able to pixel lock. And here as it clicks and the door itself is slowly able to be pulled outward and opens in to the back festival. Yes, yes. I believe it's

the entrance to the base that's right to this door. Is that I'm going to first? Professor, I should note, when you were in here for lunch, I prayed to my God and I sent some secrets which I'm sure is not surprising to you but they

surrounded the mantelpiece in the portrait of a great househouse. We would like to go first? Well, we got a lot of ground to cover. Let's just take something. It's a large house. Let us go to the basement first and ensure that no one is there.

I saw five figures while I was down there. I would like to confirm that they are not there currently. And if they are and they resist, we can move them on. I just want to make sure we're on the same page. Can I listen at the door here and hear, like, just listen to see if I hear anybody moving around in the servant's corridor. Roller perception. Yeah, roll of perception check.

11. 11. You listen, and it sounds completely silent in the servant's quarters. I'm keeping an ear out for the shuffling and the heavy, low breathing of, we never got his name, but the henchman. Are we on the same page? I don't know. I believe that going into the secret passage. Now, in case there is other movements in the house,

we can at least stay hidden for longer if we go down now. Now, I understand, based on my appearance, that you may think one thing or another, but all I can tell you is a pentegranted, no joke. All right? I understand. And let's just be as quiet as we can and be prepared for anything. Try not to kill anyone, not for them as you can.

but if we need two, we must. Perhaps we should just check, Professor, and see what's going on, leave it undisturbed. If we fidget too much with her things in the home, living or not, she will notice when she returns. Yes, but that is the goal we must. We plan to steal from her.

We plan to literally take whatever it is that she's holding. But these people, if you knock them out, they will know, right? No, no. If there are five people down there sitting around, some pentagram, we kill them. I am hoping in the nine hells we are not dealing with demons.

Okay. All right, well, I will lock the door behind us, and I will open the latch towards the downstairs. You enter in through the storage room. Yeah, the servant's closet. And you feel around until you find

the latch. You slowly slide it to the side, clicking the door open, as you push it inward. the candlelight now in the darkness of evening is undulating in the passageway downstairs. You slowly make your way down, being careful to muffle your sounds, lowering your footfall slowly, toe to heel. So you make your way in and you notice that you seem to come out into a place that looks like a large root cellar. There's a dirt floor. Two ascending flights of stone steps

enclosed by wooden railings stand across from one another. Tracks in the earth lead from one staircase to the other. And other trails go from both staircases to the center of the bare west wall. Four neatly made cots are set in a row against the south wall. So is the pentagram not there anymore? Not that you can see. But you do see tracks in the earth lead from

one staircase to the other, and other trails go from both staircases to the center of the bare west wall. What do you mean this is right? Like, the room is different? Yes. I don't see anyone around, right? No one in the cots? The cops are completely

ambiguous. It was in this room. I looked completely in. It was in the middle of the room, I think. Perhaps it is behind that wall there? All right, so the pentagram is dawn, but I'm saying, is the room different? I mean, This is the room look to say?

Is it smaller? There weren't cops. Were the cops there before? Yes, there were cops there before. I just didn't describe them to you. So, I, perhaps, perhaps this is some illusory wall, a wall that keeps the pentagram hidden. I will say that the room does look smaller. Yes, the room's smaller.

Perhaps that's exactly what it is. Let's look for some kind of way to open it. I'll send my mage hand over and his tap on the wall to make sure that it's a solid room. You send the mage. hand over to tap on the wall as the mage hand slowly floats through the wall and disappears from the I bring it back immediately. Are we seeing the cots through the ill-sury wall or, oh, sorry, no mind. That would be stupid.

Please ignore me. Sorry. I want to look. I'll keep from the wall. Professor, I'm not familiar if I, if any of us were to reportedly touch the school, go down. I am really, you can be destructive. Let us both go. Maybe without your lantern.

There's someone on the other side. I will stick my head out and I'll peer through. I'll stick my head to the wall. You're going to walk. You guys are on the stairwell right now. Oh, well, let's walk into the wall. We'll walk into the room. As your feet touch the ground, you begin to feel a shaking beneath your feet.

Fuck. You slowly see as the dirt moves and bones begin to peek out from the ground around you. first the tips of phalanches and then soon hands and arms as eight skeletons reanimated dig themselves up from the dirt

and begin to shamble towards I need you all to roll for initiative all of them begin to they're about halfway I would say out of the earth as it is Sarnak's your turn I will raise my lantern and I'll turn it from hooded and I'll look at them as my eyes will blaze on

I was like, this is truly an evil place. Now return to dust. And then I'm going to, they all need to make a wisdom saving third of you see six. To do they. Okay, so one, two, and five past. What's the CR of a skeleton? One four.

Not anyone that failed instantly. So one three and five back. Three five. Six, seven and eight all die. Fucking like. For you, the holy power. Yes. All right.

P-p-ish shit, motherfucker. What happens? So my lantern erupts in the holy dragon fire and any, I guess maybe the ones that failed were more out of the soil. Yeah, they hadn't, the one, two, and five hadn't fully been able to climb their way out of the earth

as, wow, five of these skeletons fully find their form. A blast of radiant light illuminates. Go for it, Mike. Submit to the soil of the earth. Ashes to ashes, and then the fire burst out and then... You see as all of these skeletons ignite into fire, the fire is so hot with holy radiance that their bones immediately begin to burn and crackle and pop as they turn to ash and dust

the floor around you. Hell yeah. Connor. How loud are we at this point in time? He's a streaming like, yeah, yeah. We're not being quiet. I'm going to start firing arounds off here.

Good works for next. Try to keep my voice down, but it's not going to work. I'm going to make an attack on number one with my naggingata. 14. 14 hits. All right. Oh, great weapon master, right? On her?

Probably. Great weapon fighting. This was a one. Yeah. Yeah. That's a 10. Oh my gosh. Beautiful.

13 slashing. Is that going to bug you if that's right then? No, I mean, I can't see it either way because I've got all of the attack in front of me. So it's 13 slashing for my first attack to number one. You take your blade in and you, you said slashing. It is slashing damage. Okay. You bring your nagging-knotted down and strike through shattering the bones in its path as

the skeleton crumbles to the ground down. Woo! Which number was that? Number one. And then I'll move up next to to Victoria. I'll be five feet next to her to give her a knowing nod, and I will strike through

the number five. That will definitely hit the 16. Yep. That hits, yeah. Seven slashing. All right. You slide in, you're able to rent.

one of the arms completely off of this of this skeleton is it shambles towards you is jaw hanging loosely it's attempting to chomp down as the bones clatter as it moves but it is still it's still standing well for now shepherd um i'm going to uh unholster my weapons and shoot the uh two rounds into the guy in front of me and yell uh boy saw the next let's go uh those are both going to hit i got a 27 and a 25 Poor woman. That's going to be 16 points of damage to the skeleton right in front of me. All right.

You blast into it, and the bones fly this way and that as it crumps the ground up. I use my movement to back up to the corner and turn around to get a better shot at the one remaining, and that's my job. All right. The one remaining is feeling quite damaged as it is going to go. going to move towards Kana, get directly in towards your face. It's hollow eyes are going to, it's going to get nose hole directly to your face as you feel it rub its bones against your skin as it stabs its blade into your stomach. Hopefully.

Twelve! As it rubs it in my face, I go, ha! No! And you're easily able to move out of the way. as it misses and stumbles forward. Victoria, I'm going to clasp my hands and then stretch one out and, like, a black flame will come out from my hand and I'll cast a fireball.

Yeah, this is an advantage. See, with that five feet, it goes mailing. Oh, man. And a nine. So that is a 15 to hit. That hits? Okay. Man.

It'll probably die either way. Three damage? Okay. You quote, two, sorry. That was two D10. So that was a three and six.

It's a six damage. Okay. Yes, with the three, you would not have killed it with the six. You curl the fire bolt, the fire bolt at it, and you watch as it bursts into flames, and it slowly crumbles to the ground.

Just, it starts crackling inside the marrow of the bones. I immediately run, stick my head into the, into the, the illusory. I'm going to holster my weapons and slaps or an ax on the back and be like, does the ground all like normal and settled?

Is it like, it seems to be settled at least for now? I'm going to run to the stairwell. I just kind of put my back against the wall and like peek up and see if anyone, or listen to see if anyone's coming down the stairs. Probably hear whatever just happened. Now that you're all here, I'll read it again. Flickering candles and iron holders spill this room with light and shadows. This room is a 10 foot high ceiling and a large black pentagram.

inscribed on the stone floor. At each point of the pentagram is a wooden chair. Seated in four of the five chairs are men and women in black robes with hoods. A young man who has the face of an angel, a balding hulk of a man, a squawk middle-aged woman

and a taller younger woman with an unsettling glare. They all rise and look to you. There are dark machinations of foot in Voktor House. What sort of necromanic magic is Lady Fiona practicing, I wonder? the dead walk in Barovia, and the expedition must get used to facing the creatures of the night at every turn.

I did say that I have servants and allies all across this dark domain, did I not? Will our five lost souls uncover the mysteries of the widow Vokter? Find out in the conclusion of Chapter 5 of Curse of Stradania, Widow's Watch. In the meantime, if you wish to watch Legends of Adventress tell similar stories, stories of Dungeons and Dragons every week, you can follow us on Twitch and join our community on Discord. All links are in the show notes. We welcome you to our adventurous family.