Swiftly arriving at the gates of Vallaki, the partys Expeditious Retreat finally wears off leaving them winded and tired. Having arrived at the gate a little ahead of the party, Summer is found banging on the steel gate into the city.
While Francesco loops the collar around Summers neck, Torbin notes the lack of vegetation within almost 100 feet of the city walls. Hearing the party outside the gates, a voice calls out asking for identification. Slate steps up to the gate to talk, telling the guard that the party are after a reprieve from the wilderness.
The guard apologizes, but he is under orders to not open the gates for entry until sunlight the next morning. Knowing full well of the dangers of the night in Barovias wilderness, Tariel attempted to convince the guards to let them in as she is on a mission of the Morning Lord. Except she was still quite tired from the battle with the fiend and the marathon to Vallaki, so it didn't exactly come out as intended...
Getting irate at the situation, Ireena steps forward and identifies herself as the daughter of Barovias late Burgomaster and sister of the current Burgomaster, and she demands to be let in. The voice goes quiet before the loud sound of chains and locks being removed from within. Quickly ushering in, the party finds themselves surrounded by armed guards.
Except for Summer, who they refuse to let in. Torbin, feigning a limp, explains that the small red thing is his donkey. His ride. Climbing atop of Summer, Torbin rides her inside while the guards watch the beardless gnome ride the very strange looking donkey inside. Tying Summer to a post, Torbin joins the rest of the party in time to overhear the conversation with the guards.
The guard captain stationed at the gate, Illora, explains the rules of Vallaki to the party:
- Don't mention the Lords name, only address him as 'the Devil'.
- Vallaki holds a festival each week to keep morale high in the city. Attendance is mandatory for everyone, including visitors. The upcoming Festival is the 'Festival of the Blazing Sun' starts in three days time.
- You are allowed to bare arms within the city, but they must be registered before you are allowed in the city.
- If you are happy, your joy will drive away evil. BE HAPPY. 'All will be well'
Illora stresses on the last rule: 'You can't just be happy, you NEED to be happy.'
Ireena, Tariel and Francesco have their weapons check and registered, giving their full names to the guars before waiting for the others. Ireena states that the young boy from the windmill, Alan, was her attendant.
Torbin grabs the grumbling Summers collar and limps over to the table, presenting his weapons to the guards. He hobbles over to the others as Abe goes next.
Abe gives his name, expecting some response of surprise or awe of his lineage.
Watching the guards as Slade picks up his belongings, Torbin ponders if this whole city is a police state...
Illora approaches the party and welcomes them once more to Vallaki, asking Ireena if she wished to meet with the Burgomaster but Ireena declines, just wanting to go to bed. Illora understands, giving the party directions to the Blue Water Inn. Before she can take her leave, Slate approaches her and asks about the Ravens he's been seeing in Barovia. Illora explains that Ravens are considered good luck in Barovia. 'It is bad luck to kill a raven'.
Finally heading into town further, Torbin notices that Summer is struggling to keep him on their back. He climbs off the fuming Kobold so they can recover a little.
The party discuss whether or not Summer should be allowed to stand up while they're here, as a 'pet'. Summer reminds Torbin that if they don't get respect, they WILL act up and HE will be the one taking the blame for it.
Reaching the tavern with the assistance of some guards, the party head inside.
Relived to finally stand, Summer get on two feet....
And they immediately get back on all fours.
Meeting with the barkeep, Irwin, the party begin to settle in. Ireena books her room, taking Alan with her while the rest of the party talk with their new friend.
Torbin pays for the rooms and Irwin gives them their first drinks free. and a bowl of milk for their 'dog'.
The party ask Irwin some questions about the 'happy rule', but he seems to have trouble keeping a straight face when he says 'All will be well'.
Irwin ushers the party into the kitchen to talk, saying that their are some eyes everywhere that could tell guards about people who show signs of unhappiness. Apparently, the joy of happiness wards off evil. This has been the practice for as long as Irwin can remember. It's considered a serious crime to lower peoples spirits in Vallaki.
While Summer steals a steak from the counter behind Irwin, Slate asks if the barkeep knows anything about the Wizard that 'the Devil' had faced. He had seen part of the battle in the sky, much like the rest of the city, but there wasn't much to glean from that.
Abe asks if the town has a library they can go check out to learn more about the town, but apparently the only records in the town are kept in the Burgomasters home.
Seeing they couldn't learn anything else from Irwin, the party decide to call it a night. But before they can leave the kitchen, Irwin asks a favor of them. With the festival taking place in three days and his wine stock running low, Irwin is worried he will run out before the festival if a delivery doesn't arrive in time. Can the party venture out of Vallaki once more and retrieve the wine he needs?
The party agrees to leave the next morning for this on the condition that their rooms are paid for while they're in Vallaki. Irwin agrees and the party head to their room to get some well deserved rest...
Except for Slate...
No comments:
Post a Comment