Session #10: insecurities

[istainion]

14 December, 2020  [6:00 PM - 10:40 PM+ (GMT+1)]

 

We entered Vallaki only moments ago before we realized how much activity was going on behind the tall walls. The head of the guards led us inside and brought us to the Burgomaster, I kept analyzing the arm from nearby. Though I did notice the nervousness of all the people that we passed by. They immediately began to smile as if it was their duty to survive. What was it with this Izek Strazni that made the people behave like they do? Has he done anything, other than to appear strange, to these people?

 

I was washed over with more insecurity once we made it inside the manor. It looked similar to the Durst mansion, though it had its own unique traits. Two guards were guarding the entrance of the house and quickly jumped to the side when they saw us coming. Or rather, the captain. He's tall, bald and rarely speaks but threatening is surely something he is good at, after all, it was the first thing we experienced. One mistake and we're done for. I saw plenty of methods to get rid of the connection between our heads to our bodies on our way. Before we visited Barovia, I had never seen such things other than in illustrations. Maybe Mother and Father shielded me from seeing such things up close. I'd rather believe they were too concerned with their daily business than to concern themselves by showing me those. I do appreciate it, in a way ... "Malicious & Happiness", huh? I wonder what they mean with that message.

 

We were greeted by a woman of around 50 years old, she was elegant and kind. I didn't get a lot of bad vibes coming from the woman, but the surroundings had this odd atmosphere. Much like the rest of this place. She asked for Ireena, who stepped forth and made a short introduction. Then she led us to the Dining room, where a tableware was prepared for our stay as guests. We all took a seat and each of us was welcomed. Every one of us was asked for our names and our impression of the great Vallaki. We learned that these people live in peace for quite a while but a number couldn't be mentioned. With my choice of words, mentioning anything of attacks, had Lady Lydia Petrovna distressed. There was clearly some more to the story. She said they live in peace thanks to her husband, if we all follow exactly what he says, then it will all be fine. In the meanwhile servants came in from the room and shared us some sweet strawberry shortcake. It was so tasty! And sweet ...

 

Shevat asked her about the Festival of the Blazing Sun and she was enthusiastic to talk about it. It's an event that is a follow up of the previous Festival due to its great success. From some housewives outside after our visit, I've learned that it was a ritual in which wolves are slaughtered inside the town, like a feast against the count's favored minions. The Blazing Sun is an event in which a large ball, or giant orb is positioned at the town square that displays a bright light to symbolize the sun, as hope against the count. There will be music playing and children dancing around the artificial sun in flower costumes, Lady Petrovna mentioned that there will be a storyteller and play happening, organized by a man named Rictavio from Rictavio Carnival. It will be the first time this is going to happen in Vallaki and I am wondering if this will end up like our previous experience at the Carnival near Leilon.

 

After she told us a little about the festival, Shevat eagerly asked if we could help in any way. He immediately referred to the flower costumes that the children would be wearing. And I felt my irritated gaze resting on him. I was quite certain that I was not alone. Luckily it's nothing we can achieve, these costumes would have to be made and I do doubt that anyone is capable of doing such a thing. (Why would we bother?!) Then she mentioned something of backing up the guards by patrolling the town and paying mind that everyone participated in this festival. Yshvara is requested to take a role as a musician which she seemed interested in. I am wondering why it is so important? They appear obsessed with it and I am honestly curious why these people behave so ... Off.

 

My curiosity slowly faded when her husband entered the room. He had two large guard dogs with him and a forced smile imprinted on his face. Sure, he looks controlled and he really loves it to come off as a powerful man with every word his mouth let out. His word is absolute, I can tell, his will is everything. I'm wondering if he's brainwashing these people with whatever threat and when they offered Ireena a stay for the night, we all felt the insecurity wash over us. Ireena included, but she could not refuse to stay for a single night for their sake. The Burgomeister, Baron, insisted and said that there is no safer place than Vallaki. Oh I bet ... Not suspicious at all. He handed us a note as proof, that we are guests of the Burgomeister. I do wonder how the townspeople would respond to that.

 

The conversation continued and Baron handed us a task, an optional task. He spoke of many opposing nobles that live in the town. They tend to cause trouble for him, spread lies about him. Though not many of them are shared and I fear that these lies might as well be true when I see his facade acting up. He spoke of a specific noble house, Wachter. In charge of Lady Fiona Wachter, whose husband, Nikolai, has passed away. He thinks of her as an evil woman that might be working with the count. "Strahd is to be welcomed.", she would say and convince the people. She is to be marked as a traitor of Vallaki, in case we were to find evidence that she conspires with the count. He mentioned that she has two sons that often hang out in the inn. He spoke rather ill of them when mentioning that they are the drunks that we would find laying around in the inn. Not much of their appearance, just their behavior. It could be anyone!

 

He handed us 200 gold pieces to thank us for bringing "sweet Ireena'' to his house. His son and her could get along well - Yeah, sure. Is that his plan all along? He even went as far as to mention sending supplies to her brother Ismark in Barovia. It's for a good cause but something about him feels wrong. No, in truth, everything that comes out of his old mouth feels wrong and twisted.

 

After we said our goodbyes to Ireena, we left the mansion with mixed feelings. I mentioned my concerns about Ireena's safety to Shevat, but he, and the rest of the party, preferred us to speak of it inside the inn. Yshvara suggested we get a room to speak in privately and made sure we got some. It was really kind of her and a very good idea too, I wouldn't feel too safe to speak of it inside a crowded place either. The people must be tense around the Burgomeister subject, and I don't feel entirely sure how to feel about it either.

 

Inside the "Blue Water'' inn, we stood at the bar and observed the surroundings. I noticed Muriël sitting at the bar and I wanted to approach her, but Tibirin held me on the spot and told me not to. I returned him a nod, but damn, what is she doing here? I've decided to ignore her entirely for the sake of her quest with little detail and focused on the woman behind the bar. The barkeeper was a gentle and confident seeking woman. She introduced herself as Danika and appeared full of life.

 

Her attitude impressed me, just as much as the beard of the man that came out of the kitchen when she yelled his name. Urwin came out with an apron, he must be the kitchen chef. He grabbed the keys for the rooms and requested us to follow him.  My eyes were fixated on his beard. That arrow shape in his beard looked fascinating. I should request Ishvara to make a drawing of him sometime, now that I know how capable she is. I would love to keep his beard in my memory. Their children Brom and Bray around the age of nine were dancing around the inn in the background. It seems these children are as lively as the rest of the people.

 

We made it to the inn room and were invited for some sweet dinner in the evening. It's on the house, he said and I couldn't help but to finally feel a little at ease in at least one place out of everything so far. This family appears genuine and I feel that I could get a decent rest here. No humid air, no rain, no creepy monsters around every corner. Yeah, finally some civilization ... Though, could I really relax when a dear friend of us is held inside the devil's hell house? It was to my luck, that the others felt the same way about it. For the first time in my life, I felt confirmed by these guys. Normally, my doubts are to be questioned. Much like all my choices, or anything I am capable of. It is always to be questioned and doubted ... I'll show them one day.

 

We spoke of a plan and Shevat proved himself to be an intelligent man, one that is capable of adapting to most our troubles when the times are rough. He told us that he would find an animal outside to control and seek Ireena's window to guard over her. If something were to happen, he said, he would tell the bird to alert us. The window room, it would fly to. Naedithas offered to keep watch over it, much like Yshvara suggested. Either him or Tibirin. I'm wondering if she left me out on purpose but I didn't speak up, I knew what to think. Though, they trust me enough to guard over them as they sleep? Interesting people ... Shevat and Naedithas left the building to seek a capable animal for the task and moments later, they returned. At the window a raven sat down and before I could even get to the thought that it was under Shevat's control, I was praying that he had nothing to do with Strahd ...

 

They explained to us the plan that we would put in motion, when suddenly a knock on the door was heard and we all looked up. Yshvara went to the door to welcome a stranger. A man, a servant that invited us to meet Lady Wachter. Just when I voiced my concerns about getting to meet her. Yshvara admitted that we spoke of her but there was a clear doubt on his face and I did try to back her up, it's just that his expression didn't change. I'm not too convincing, am I? What a shame ... Well the invitation was still going. He hoped for us to be available today, or the soonest moment we can. It's funny how excited Lady Wachter is to meet us, the assumed traitor of Vallaki. Though, I did pick up that this messenger has observed our entry, has observed us enter and leave the Petrovna manor. That's absolutely normal. He left us and with that, the inn as well when suddenly a new face showed up.

 

He stood out so much from the crowd for his appearance, that Tibirin couldn't resist leaving it a remark in my direction. He asked if he was related to me for his flamboyant looks and possibly because he has elven blood. He's a half elf and I have no relatives in this weird place!

 

Yshvara greeted the man when he headed up the stairs. He walked over to her and briefly looked over to us before he focused on the beautiful lady in front of him. The half elf with questionable fashion senses revealed that he is Rictavio, the man responsible for the play during the festival for the very first time in Vallaki. He invited Yshvara for a private meeting to discuss her role in the festival. He spoke with a charming voice, it was hard to tell if he had special interests for her or not. Though, should I really be bothered with that? She's bright enough to think for herself and manipulative enough to bend the situation. The door shut again and we went through the planning once more before each of us went in a different direction.

 

Naedithas was left in the room, to keep an eye on the raven's return, Yshvara went to meet the man in the other room, Tibirin would merge in with the visitors at the inn, Shevat would head to the manor to keep an eye on the raven, quickly accompanied by Yshvara and me, I went outside to the town square. I was quite anxious about going out and randomly addressing the people for information. I have collected a history of poor results every time I was on my own and it wasn't going very differently this time. My eyes caught an innocent woman selling pastries, two housewives and a number of guards. Not a lot of activity going on at this time. Afraid that the guards would track me, I looked over to the women and hoped to join their conversation. Though, when I approached her, I noticed how tense grew and fell silent. I kindly introduced myself and said it was my first time in Vallaki.

 

It was anything but a pleasant conversation, but I asked about the festival, along with it, the previous one. They referred to the previous festival as the Wolf's Head Jamboree, an event that took place a few days ago. During this event, the guards would take wolves from outside Vallaki's wall and slaughter them at the town's square. During this event, their meat is eaten and their heads are impaled with a spear, much like we saw before we entered. This is an aggressive gesture toward the count and to bring hope to the people in Vallaki. I wouldn't be enthusiastic about eating the meat of the favored minions of Strahd but ... I guess I am happy that it gives the people a certain level of certainty? The women are convinced that all wolves are in Strahd's control. It's an event that is organized by the Burgomeister, himself. Just like the upcoming event of the Blazing Sun. It was these people who gave me the information about the large ball, the children in flower costumes and the music. Rictavio is in charge of something new this year. They said that this man had only arrived a few days ago and was the face behind Rictavio Carnival.

 

I needed more, much more. At one point, they mentioned the captain of the guards, Izek, the man with the demon arm but that's when they seemed to grow wary of their words. I didn't learn much more about him than I already knew, other than that he appears to be rather close with the Burgomeister. Then again, he also scared me when he threatened us. It was the moment that these women suddenly took their distance and left me without a word. Confused again about what I said wrong, I watched them leave into the distance.

 

My gaze rested on the guard that stood close to the torture methods of Vallaki and asked him the dumbest questions. I am hoping that they aren't used for festivals and have tried to ask him that, by saying if these methods are applied in any other events other than punishment. The man wasn't very pleased with anything that came out of my mouth and stated the obvious to me, not without a remark. I felt stripped from my confidence at that point and felt like I could turn this into a disaster for the team if I wouldn't get away as soon as possible. Still urged with the will to discover information, I went over to the older woman. She offered me her goods, of course, but wouldn't tell me what her tasty looking pastries are made of. Yes, if she were to mention all her ingredients, people could copy her goods. She told me that when someone eats one of these, they are said to have good dreams. I was skeptical about that. How is it possible to get good dreams after eating food?

 

A warm meal and a safe place gives me enough good dreams, in case misses Ana doesn't ruin them for me. Though, I couldn't resist my curiosity and when I showed my interests, she quickly shot me down with a heavy price. One gold for a single snack. I was skeptical, since she mentioned it was full of her love, that her love was this much of a price to pay for. I was hesitating, already certain that I probably wouldn't trust the food, that I could maybe bring the others a pleasure. People that are in need of good dreams as she mentioned. The woman gave it a thought, then offered me two for the price of one because she likes me. It's not often that I hear people say that but I took her on the offer and paid her the money she needed. At this point, I felt too insecure to even come up with a thing to say, or even a thing to do. I just ... Returned to the inn with only little information on me.

 

Nothing that could actually be used for our quest. It didn't help that Ireena's safety was still stuck in the back of my mind and the feedback that I have collected over the past few days with the team. A little torn, I entered the building and saw Tibirin enjoying a drink with Muriël. It annoyed me, he told me to stay away from her! A little annoyed as I felt, I walked up to him and gave him a little push. "What?!", he yelled at me. "I could return you the same!", I responded to him. But then he leaned in to whisper to me and explained his actions. What he said was correct, his method of approach is perfectly fine, I just ... I only saw red at that moment. Sighed and left them be, to head up the stairs. I knew of our party, there was one person that could use some good dreams and found Naedithas in the room.

 

Of course, he, like the others, isn't very pleased to see me but he let me in without a word. We're on the same team, I guess that's all we have in common. I have asked the guard if he has been in the room the whole time. He looked over to me with slight annoyance in his eyes and confirmed the obvious but it seemed to build up when I offered him the snack I've bought because I thought he was hungry and he refused. It was like he didn't trust me or he just didn't want the food. He asked me if I would stay and annoy him more or not and at that moment, I sorta snapped. I grabbed the treat from my bag, left it on the desk and left the room to take a seat at the bar, away from Tibirin, to cool down.