The unseen servants of the Vistani quickly verged upon all but one, providing grails, filled with the blessings and curses of exhumed pharaohs. The champion and his pirouetting shadow refused, despite the prods by the encroaching flames. The fog slowly dissipated its beautiful trauma, yawning out its vaporous confabulation to better encompass the five wayward souls, elaborating the dozen surrounding the sightless vizier. The man tilted his head, akin to a lost puppy, towards a teenage redhead, motioning and governing the movement of the full flagon and the dancing demitasses to its final resting place.

With one fell swoop, Starovir crowded his maw with the brew, then suddenly spat its quelled swelter upon the bonfire.

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ByMUbmph.jpg[/img][/center]
The conflagration jaunted from a callow auburn to a bitter olive green. As the fervent blades of ardor waltzed and flourished, a dark profile materialized from a myriad of nooks within the inferno’s core, coalescing into a knight mounting a dusky horse. 

[color=39b54a]"We herald from an ancient land.”[/color]  Trees and wagons could be gleaned within the blaze. [color=39b54a]“Whose name is long forgotten. A land of kings. Our enemies forced us from our homes, and now we wander the lost roads."[/color]

A scorching spear suddenly pierced the flank of the blistering shadow. Starovir continued. 

[color=39b54a]"One night, a wounded soldier staggered into our camp and collapsed. Nursing him with wind and wine, he survived. We took him as one of our own. Pledging to return him to his birthplace.”[/color] The panorama of the blind seer perfectly pantomimed the unraveling series of events. [color=39b54a]“His enemies fell upon us like wolves. Howling and salivating: [i]‘He is a prince.’[/i] Yet, we did not give him up.”[/color]

Deep in the fiery beacon, charcoal figures stood with swords drawn, fending off a host of smoky shapes. [color=39b54a]"We finally bore him. Unharmed to his home. He thanked us. [i]'I owe you my life. Stay as long as you wish, leave when you choose, and know that you will always be safe here.[/i]'"[/color] 

The theatrical pyrotechnics swiftly dispersed in a hazy cloud of embers, whilst Starovir's face melted into a somber mask. 

[color=39b54a]"A curse has befallen our noble prince. Turning him into a tyrant. We alone have the power to leave his domain. We've traveled far and wide. To find heroes. To end our dread lord's curse and put his troubled soul to rest. Our leader, Lady Eva, knows all. Will you return to Barovia with us and speak with her?"[/color]