[@KatherinWinter][@Neziul][@Mistress Dizzy][@MooiEen]



Once again, Arrigal offers both his pipe and flask to the newcomer as his eyes lingering on her pointed ears before he answers, [color=f6989d]"I have explained the basics of this rescue mission, which will involve entering a land crawling with all manner of abominations, undead, and creatures of the night. The journey there will take several days, providing ample time for us to discuss specific details. For tonight, however, I suggest you take advantage of my cousin's cooking, drinks, and spare rooms. It may be some time before you once again have access to such niceties."[/color] With that advice given, Arrigal excuses himself and approaches Lucia where they have a brief, whispered conversation. From the few words that carry to the secluded booth where the party has gathered, the two Vistani are discussing the preparation of a small caravan. After they finish their conversation, Arrigal gathers his cloak about himself and grabs a longbow that had been just out of sight behind the bar. With a final nod toward the group of would-be heroes, he makes his way out of the tavern, the mists that now surround the bar parting to allow his passage.

((Feel free to roleplay amongst your characters before you turn in for the night. Lucia is happy to serve you a small selection of wines, ale, and simple but hearty fare. When you're ready to rest, you can wave her over and ask about the rooms offered))

After the party has had their fill of food and drink and are ready to retire, Lucia would guide them through a curtained door next to the bar. As you pass through the doorway, the heavy velvet curtains brush against your skin like the tender touch of a loved one, and you find yourselves in a short hallway that leads to six small bedrooms. Lucia will bring out a keyring that jangles as she passes you each a delicate silver key and showing you each to a separate room. [color=f6989d]"Please don't lose these in the night, it's quite a bother sending for the keymaker the next town over. People tend to be nervous about visiting this village, and for good reason I suppose. Arrigal asked me to wake you just before first light. He'll be waiting with the vardos just outside the village, at the edge of the tree line; you can't miss it. And one final word of advice that Arrigal wouldn't likely tell you: Barovia's citizens are nearly all human and they have a strong distrust of outsiders. While Kassandra here may get along just fine, the rest of you would do well to mind your manners and keep your head on a swivel."[/color] With that final bit of advice, Lucia would excuse herself and leave you to get what rest you can. The night is relatively peaceful other than the wolf howls that grow nearer and nearer, at one point sounding as if they're just outside the tavern. If you look outside a window however, you'd be greeted by nothing more than the ever-thickening mists that have consumed the ramshackle buildings of the village.

((Again, if there's anything you want to attempt during this long rest, let me know. For those of you new to D&D, a long rest is at least eight hours of rest with no more than two hours of light activity, while a short rest lasts an hour. Each provides different levels of resource recuperation))

In the morning you would each be woken by a firm knocking on the doors of your quarters and find a small tray for each with a serving of oatmeal, apples, cheese, and fresh water; along with a note explaining these provisions were provided by the village's grateful parents. As your group leaves the tavern, a chill wind would pierce your clothes and giving you the sensation of pins and needles stabbing your limbs and nibbling at your fingers. The sun has not yet begun to rise though the stars seem to be shrouded by the same mists that blanket the village. There seems to be but one avenue clear of the choking, blinding mists: a muddy path leading the woods that lie just east of Khazan's rest. At the edge of these woods, you see a small caravan of barrel topped wagons adorned in the same manner as the Vistani people that man them: vivid hues of fabric and with silver and gold adorning nearly every available surface. The drivers of these vardos share the same tanned complexion and jet-black hair as Arrigal and Lucia, though they seem to be in a lighter mood than the other two. While Arrigal can be seen staring into the forest with a thousand-yard stare, the rest of the Vistani are gathered near a small fire and sharing steaming mugs of cider. Amongst them you see one woman that immediately stands out: an unbelievably ancient woman with cavernous age lines and startling violet eyes that hold the wisdom of untold decades. Even before you leave the borders of the village, she's noticed you. Her piercing gaze holds your attention as she curls a beckoning finger toward your group.