Chapter Two - The Town of Vallaki

Appreciative that they took the time to bury the body before they left, it's a relief to know that the group's attempt at persuading the caravan to join them to the Vistani was also a success.

Once they see the wagons, she quickly whispers to Taniwha: "Don't the wagons look somewhat familiar? I hope Drina and her brother were able to escape the land around that cursed house like we did."

Taniwha Had been taken a back by the wagons when they had come into view, and was once again thankful for the mask he wore as it cover his emotions. When Amalthea spoke it broke the urge to race to the wagons calling out Drina‘s name, pausing before answering. "Inhope so as well, and the peace she deservesd." The Tiefling placed a hand upon Amalthea’s shoulder and share a quiet moment, before walking on towards the caravans.

And so, Amalthea and Taniwha venture into the clearing ahead of the rest of the party. There are twelve Vistani around the campfire, men and women in colorful blouses and coats of red and orange silk, with ruddy, smiling faces. Some wear armor, but they look more ready to carouse than fight. They each enjoy the mutton roasting on its spit over the fire, passing around a skin of wine as they talk. As you approach, their faces slowly turn to you. Their eyes appraise you for a silent moment, before they all cheer! "Come, strangers! Sit by the fire! Share a story!"

Amalthea and Taniwha are guided to logs where they can sit by the fire, and are handed fresh, sizzling mutton. "I am Janek," the one who guided you says. "If you need anything, just call my name." He tilts his head back to demonstrate, giving a hearty, "Janek!" He adds: "Why don't you invite your friends? We don't bite, and they look hungry."

If you ask around for Drina, the Vistani reply that they've never heard of her before, but that they hope she found some peace outside of this cursed land.

As they are welcomed into the camp so warmly Taniwha indicates for the others to join them, "These lands make us very cautious, but I am sure the others will join us now." The Tiefling says to Janek. "Your coaches remind us of a friend we lost to the mist, and our hearts had sparked with hope upon seeing them. They may not be here but our hearts were good judges of the company before we even arrived" Taniwha finishes as he joins them by the fire and taking some of the mutton, he’s stomach gurgling the tiefliing keeps his mask on a little longer.

A short time into the conversation and once the others join them, Taniwha openly says. "We have been told you maybe an alliance we could seek against the self proclaimed Lord of these lands?"

Amalthea eagerly bites into the mutton and shares the wine with the Vistani. Dwarves drink to remember as she would like to remember their friends. As for humans, drinking does loosen the tongue.

She makes room for Irineu and happily waves over the rest of the party if they are interested to help pry loose the tongues of this caravan. Taniwha already seems to be doing a good job getting the conversation rolling.

"You chose well," Janek laughs, "for there is no friendlier place in all of Barovia. Or, at least, no place freer with its wine." A peal of hearty Vistani laughter follows this.

When you mention an alliance against the Lord of the Land, the celebration becomes muted and Janek looks surprised... but not too surprised. "Ah, you are bold to be making that talk out here in the open. We will protect enemies of the Devil all we can, but this is very much his domain." Another Vistana refills your wine as Janek settles in to tell more. "We have been working against the Devil who rules these lands for many generations. We do all we can for the people who come here as liberators, so I see no reason why we cannot do the same for you. Just know that there were people who stood where you stand now, and they paid for their optimism with their lives and more. It is not an easy road."

Another Vistana nearby pipes up. "He's talking about the wizard. An old wizard came here a year ago, stirred the peasants into revolt. When the peasant army marched on the castle and got one look at the Devil's terrible pallor, half of them turned and fled. The rest were taken into the castle and never seen again."

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Nothing makes a sound except the popping of the fire. "I saw the battle with my own eyes, and so did Janek and a few others. Thunder shook the mountainside; the Pillarstone of Castle Ravenloft trembled, and we thought it might fall. Still the wizard was unharmed, kept safe by strange magics. The Devil called lightning to strike him, but still he stood. Finally, the Devil threw himself upon the wizard in all his bestial rage. The two fell from the spires of Ravenloft to the bottom of the mountain. No one ever heard of the wizard after that, but we all saw his tattered cloak on the river."

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Janek clears his throat to get the conversation back on track. "Ahem, yes, many have fallen before you, but we will offer what aid we can. And we will not force you to move against the Enemy. If you do however, you would be a savior to all of us and your dear friend, whom we can only hope escaped these lands or is trying to."

"Eh? What happened to the wizard's cloak, if you don't mind me asking?"

Amalthea is happy to continue partaking in the wine. It's going to be a while before it affects her.

Taniwha eats and relaxes listening to the conversation and banter, for the first time he feels he is back in with the street gangs after a night of good work. Enjoying the company of others for a brief moment in time.