Story Time Episode 1: Welcome to Barovia
Disclaimer: The following narrative depicts events, characters and locations that feature in the 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons campaign Curse of Strahd. Curse of Strahd is the property of © Wizards of the Coast 2016. Character depictions are a product of heroforge.com
Their day started as any other. The Fire Brigade - Weepee Herman, Deilis Liadon, Sir Philip Shieldbiter and Pie-Ella, were resting at an inn, putting their feet up and reminiscing over the previous adventure. Suddenly the door burst open, letting in a gust of cold wind and rain. A weary traveler stood on the threshold, a heavy cloak wrapped tightly around his body. He stepped inside and strode directly towards the party with purpose. His clothes were brightly coloured and felt out of place in this tavern. He sported a dark, finely trimmed beard and fine jewelry hanging from his clothes. Without introduction, he addressed the group.
"You must be the people I am searching for. Weepee? Deilis? Sir Philip? Pie-Ella?" He asked. "I have been sent from the Burgomaster of Barovia Village. He calls for aid from adventurers such as yourselves to help with a supernatural problem. This letter will explain more." The traveler hands Sir Philip the letter, sealed with an unbroken, impressive blood-red wax. The group looked between one another, then begin to read the letter.
"We should go and help. These people need us!" Sir Philip petitioned the group.
Pie-Ella fed a small crumb of stale bread to a small mouse nestling on her shoulder, Leviathan. "May as well. Could be something interesting there."
"And the promise of gold!" Deilis piped in, ever focused on riches.
Weepee took a delicate sip of ale and laughed a laugh that could send chills down the spine of lesser men. "It's sorted! We'll set out in first light."
The next day, the rain had lessened to a light haze and mist began to swirl across the road as the party made their way through the countryside to Barovia. The journey was long and boring, with little happening of interest.
As they neared the border of Barovia, the mist surrounding them grew thicker, forming a grey blanket across the ground. They found themselves on the Old Slavich Road, traveling deep into the Slavich Woods. The so-called "road" was little more than a wide dirt path, wed from the mist and rain. The woods opened ahead of the party, revealing a towering stone wall and giant iron gates, flanked by two statues. The crumbling statues resembled knights clad in full plate armor, holding a sword in both hands. Curiously, the heads of the statues were missing.
As the group neared the gate, they noticed the head of one statue on the side of the road. The large iron gate was standing ajar, the mist slipping through to the other side.
"Well that's not ominous..." Deilis murmured, almost to herself.
Weepee kicked his horse forward. "We should keep moving. Who knows what lingers in this forest."
The group passed through the gap in the gate, entering the lands of Barovia. The mist was thicker here, as if formed by supernatural forces. The forest bent down on the road like hundreds of claws reaching for anyone stupid enough to be found on this road. The Fire Brigade made their way further along the Old Slavich Road, moving cautiously.
An ear-splitting screech and slam broke the silence of the forest, forcing Pie-Ella to turn. "Did the gate just close by itself..?" She said in a quiet voice, holding her breath.
With no way to go back, the party continued down the road. The further they traveled into Barovia, the more desolate everything appeared. The trees all became dead, twisted branched and tall pines. The mist, ever present, clung to the horses legs and blanketed the ground. Silence fell around the party, each breathing shallow breaths. None daring to speak.
The silence was broken by the howl of distant wolves.
Welcome to Barovia.
Their day started as any other. The Fire Brigade - Weepee Herman, Deilis Liadon, Sir Philip Shieldbiter and Pie-Ella, were resting at an inn, putting their feet up and reminiscing over the previous adventure. Suddenly the door burst open, letting in a gust of cold wind and rain. A weary traveler stood on the threshold, a heavy cloak wrapped tightly around his body. He stepped inside and strode directly towards the party with purpose. His clothes were brightly coloured and felt out of place in this tavern. He sported a dark, finely trimmed beard and fine jewelry hanging from his clothes. Without introduction, he addressed the group.
"You must be the people I am searching for. Weepee? Deilis? Sir Philip? Pie-Ella?" He asked. "I have been sent from the Burgomaster of Barovia Village. He calls for aid from adventurers such as yourselves to help with a supernatural problem. This letter will explain more." The traveler hands Sir Philip the letter, sealed with an unbroken, impressive blood-red wax. The group looked between one another, then begin to read the letter.
The party looked up from the letter with questions for the traveler, but he was nowhere to be seen. Barovia is a well known land and will not be difficult for the group to find, but what awaits them in that distant land?Hail to thee of might and valor,I, a lowly servant of Barovia, send honor to thee. We plead for thy so desperately needed assistance. The love of my life, Ireena Kolyana, has been afflicted by an evil so deadly that even the good people of our village cannot protect her. She languishes from her wound, and I would have her saved from this menace. There is much wealth in this community. I offer all that might be had to thee and thy fellows if thou shalt but answer my desperate plea. Come quickly, for her time is at hand! All that I have shall be thine!Kolyan Indirovich
"We should go and help. These people need us!" Sir Philip petitioned the group.
Pie-Ella fed a small crumb of stale bread to a small mouse nestling on her shoulder, Leviathan. "May as well. Could be something interesting there."
"And the promise of gold!" Deilis piped in, ever focused on riches.
Weepee took a delicate sip of ale and laughed a laugh that could send chills down the spine of lesser men. "It's sorted! We'll set out in first light."
The next day, the rain had lessened to a light haze and mist began to swirl across the road as the party made their way through the countryside to Barovia. The journey was long and boring, with little happening of interest.
As they neared the border of Barovia, the mist surrounding them grew thicker, forming a grey blanket across the ground. They found themselves on the Old Slavich Road, traveling deep into the Slavich Woods. The so-called "road" was little more than a wide dirt path, wed from the mist and rain. The woods opened ahead of the party, revealing a towering stone wall and giant iron gates, flanked by two statues. The crumbling statues resembled knights clad in full plate armor, holding a sword in both hands. Curiously, the heads of the statues were missing.
As the group neared the gate, they noticed the head of one statue on the side of the road. The large iron gate was standing ajar, the mist slipping through to the other side.
"Well that's not ominous..." Deilis murmured, almost to herself.
Weepee kicked his horse forward. "We should keep moving. Who knows what lingers in this forest."
The group passed through the gap in the gate, entering the lands of Barovia. The mist was thicker here, as if formed by supernatural forces. The forest bent down on the road like hundreds of claws reaching for anyone stupid enough to be found on this road. The Fire Brigade made their way further along the Old Slavich Road, moving cautiously.
An ear-splitting screech and slam broke the silence of the forest, forcing Pie-Ella to turn. "Did the gate just close by itself..?" She said in a quiet voice, holding her breath.
With no way to go back, the party continued down the road. The further they traveled into Barovia, the more desolate everything appeared. The trees all became dead, twisted branched and tall pines. The mist, ever present, clung to the horses legs and blanketed the ground. Silence fell around the party, each breathing shallow breaths. None daring to speak.
The silence was broken by the howl of distant wolves.
Welcome to Barovia.
Comments
Post a Comment