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The group instantly recognizes the hand writing as that of the forged letter and the note from Strahd. Most of the text is in an indecipherable short-hand, but there are a few passages that are intelligible:
I am The Ancient, I am The Land. My beginnings are lost in the darkness of the past. I was the warrior, I was good and just. I thundered across the land like the wrath of a just god, but the war years and the killing years wore down my soul as the wind wears stone into sand.All goodness slipped from my life; I found my youth and strength gone and all I had left was death. My army settled in the valley of Barovia and took power over the people in the name of a just god, but with none of a god’s grace or justice. I called for my family, long unseated from their ancient thrones, and brought them here to settle in the castle Ravenloft. They came with a younger brother of mine, Sergei. He was handsome and youthful. I hated him for both.From the families of the valley, one spirit shone above all others. A rare beauty, who was called “perfection,” “joy,” and “treasure.” Her name was Tatyana and I longed for her to be mine. I loved her with all my heart. I loved her for her youth. I loved her for her joy. But she spurned me! “Old One” was my name to her – “elder” and “brother” also. Her heart went to Sergei. They were betrothed. The date was set.With words she called me “brother,” but when I looked into her eyes they reflected another name – “death.” It was the death of the aged that she saw in me. She loved her youth and enjoyed it. But I had squandered mine. The death she saw in me turned her from me. And so I came to hate death, my death. My hate is very strong: I would not be called “death” so soon. I made a pact with Vol, a pact of Blood. On the day of the wedding, I killed Sergei, my brother. My pact was sealed with his blood, his…divinity. I found Tatyana weeping in the garden east of the Chapel. She fled from me. She would not let me explain, and a great anger swelled within me. She had to understand the pact I made for her! I pursued her. Finally, in despair, she flung herself from the walls of Ravenloft and I watched everything I ever wanted fall from my grasp forever. It was a thousand feet through the mists. No trace of her was ever found. Not even I know her final fate. Arrows from the castle guards pierced me to my soul, but I did not die. Nor did I live. I became undead, forever.I have studied much since then. “Vampyr” is my new name. I still lust for life and youth, and I curse the living that took them from me. Even the sun is against me. it is the sun and light I fear the most. But little else can harm me now. Even a stake through my heart does not kill me, though it holds me from movement. But the sword, that cursed sword that Sergei brought! I must dispose of that awful tool! I fear and hate it as much as the sun.I have often hunted for Tatyana. I have even felt her within my grasp, but she escapes me! She taunts me! She taunts me! What will it take to bend her love to me? I now reside far below Ravenloft. I live among the dead and sleep beneath the very stones of this hollow castle of despair. I shall seal shut the walls of the stairs that none may disturb me.
GAME PAUSED - ADVANCED TO LEVEL 4!
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Each of the members of the party pick a grave and start digging. The graves contain the remains of coffins whose plain wood has long since rotted. The bones are old an moldly. Anything of value has either decayed through the passage of time or has been looted by previous adventurers. While searching the seventh coffin, they notice that, underneath one of the bodies, is a thick book, bound with a black leather cover and steel hinges and fastenings. It does not show any signs of advanced age or decay as with the rest of the discovery.
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Grahf reaches out to touch the body and it instantly turns to ash and disperses into the wind.
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@Earth
(No, the rope isn't Robert's... the body is Roberts. As in, it is as if Roberts was dead and was hanging from the rope)
Roberts is indeed still with the group and alive, but also dead and hanging from the rope.
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As before, there are 11 graves in a crude graveyard near the gallows at the crossroads.
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Grahf cautiously approaches the body and looks around. There are no footprints or signs of travel other than the ones they left themselves. As the body is facing around them, Grahf slowly circles to the front. The body hanging from the rope is that of Roberts!
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The group gets on their horses and heads back to the Old Svalich road. The horses make quicker work and they soon arrive at the graveyard at the crossroads where they branched off before. However, where the gallows were empty before, now there is a body hanging from the rope.
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The other Vistani nod in appreciation of Eikka's story, passing her a wine skin. (I'm going to grant inspiration for coming up with the story to tell).
The silversmith Vistana provides the bag of powdered silver, as agreed. He notes that he could silver a sword, but it would take about a week, and cost 100 gold.
Player Summaries:
✶Eikka - 24/24HP - 16 AC - Channel Divinity: ⭘ | Relentless Endurance: ⬤ | Spell Slots: 3|2
✶Grahf - 16/20 HP - 16 AC - Breath Weapon: ⬤ | Divine Sense: 3 | Channel Divinity: ⭘ | Lay on Hands: 15 | Spell Slots: 2 [Max HP reduced (-8)]
Luraxt - 17/17 HP - 13 AC - Arcane Recovery ⬤ | Spell Secrets ⬤ | Spell Slots: 3|1
Roberts - 28/28 HP - 19 AC - Action Surge: ⭘ | Second Wind ⬤ | Spell Slots: 1
✶Snerp - 18/18 HP - 13 AC - Bardic Inspiration: ⬤⭘ | Spell Slots: 3|1
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Around the camp fire, the old Vistana goes into his tale:
A mighty wizard came to this land over a year ago. I remember him like it was yesterday. He stood exactly where you're standing. A very charismatic man, he was. He thought he could rally the people of Barovia against the devil Strahd. He stirred them with thoughts of revolt and bore them to the castle en masse.
When the vampire appeared, the wizard's peasant army fled in terror. A few stood their ground and were never seen again.
The wizard and the vampire cast spells at each other. Their battle flew from the courtyards of Ravenloft to a precipice overlooking the falls. I saw the battle with my own eyes! Thunder shook the mountainside, and great rocks tumbled down upon the wizard, yet by his magic he survived. Lightning from the heavens struck the wizard, and again he stood his ground. But when the devil Strahd fell upon him, the wizard's magic couldn't save him. I saw him thrown a thousand feet to his death. I climbed down to the river to search for the wizard's body, to see if, you know, he had anything of value, but the River Ivlis had already spirited him away.
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Madam Eva: Unfortunately, those of us who are granted with the power of foresight are prevented are prevented from seeing our own futures or the futures of other Vistani. This limits the amount of details we can give for anyone's future. You are still but a few steps into the depths of this valley, under the shadow of Ravenloft. Others might be able to make sense of these clues.
Also, do not forget that while many may wish to help you, few will risk openly defying Strahd.
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None of the Vistani claim ownership of any magical items, but one of them does say they have a bag of powdered silver: shavings they've collected from various silver projects they've worked on. He offers to the group in exchange for a riveting story, once the current one is complete.
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@Earth
Outside the Tent
Snerp talks causally with the Vistani near the camp, he learns that the Vistani, generally, are silversmiths, coppersmiths, haberdashers, cooks, weavers, musicians, entertainers, storytellers, toolmakers, and horse traders. They also make good information gatherers and information sellers. They generally do not hold on to money, preferring to spend it on supporting their lavish and flamboyant lifestyle... and wine.
(I don't have a list of specific items each Vistani has on their person they are willing to sell. If you are looking for something specific, we can work out to see if one of them has it.)
While Snerp and Roberts are talking about procuring items, the Vistani around the campire fire are engaging in story telling, something about Strahd and a power Mage.
Inside the Tent
In response to Grahf's question Madam Eva stares hard at the dragonborn. She slowly looks down at the cards. Then back up at Grahf. Then down at the cards, the cards whose meaning she just described as leading to weapons effective against their foe. Then back up at Grahf.
I'm guessing you're the strong one, eh?
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(Multiclassing is fine, though personally I consider it to be a trap)
We don't have merchants in the sense that you are thinking. We have plenty of tradesman and artisans, you'll have to seek them out individually to see what they have available for trade or sale.
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You may try and arrange further use of them with Luvash, who runs the other Vistani camp.
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Beyond the cards, the only advice I can give is to be wary. Even those with whom you have a common enemy have goals of their own. I can also lend you the use of our horses for quicker - if not safer - travels. There is a Vistani camp like this one on the outskirts of Vallaki. They will be expecting you to return the horses there.
Needless to say, if you do not, you will incur their wrath.
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I think mostly here it was because I don't normally consider you the buddying type when you're town.
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@DebateArt.com
Ah, I was wondering if it was just a liability thing.
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Here are my deeper thoughts into the game.
Budda - I won't claim some sort of magical insight here, but when I get buddied that triggers something of a Spider Sense. You're lucky I was a cop instead of a vig. I was Day Vig once in a game where LordKnukle was buddying me and I blasted him off the face of the planet. If I was vig I would have 100% just NKd you. You were smart to have NKd me because I was going to come out full guns blazing DP3.
GP - I think GP did a good job appearing as Town and unfortunately that's what probably got him killed.
Pie - I regret pushing for his lynch, but as I said I felt the posts DP1 were a bit fluffy. I loved the DP3 analysis though and I think Pie helped save the game in this regard.
Vaarka - I would have wished for a bit more participation. Lots of complaints and confusion about what is going on. If you're going to play mafia, you gotta be active. The reason me and Budda were going on and on for pages and pages were because we were the only ones being active. You can't let the other side control the narrative so as long as they're being active, you have to be active as well. So I couldn't just sit back and do nothing while Budda tried to gear the town towards a mislynch. Rather than complaining about how much there is to read, participate. Engage.
TheHammer - Lurking scum.
Ethang - This is why beginners should always do a beginner game. All he did was provide a distraction exacerbated by his refusal to actually reevaluate the game in response to criticism. I partially blame the rest of Town as the only other person really critiquing his logic was Budda, who (for obvious reasons) did a weak job of it.
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@DebateArt.com
I noticed that I can cut and paste pictures into the chat window and they appear fine, but are stripped out of the post once I make it. Is this by design? Can it be turned off so that we can paste pictures in forums and debates?
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@secularmerlin
@Buddamoose
@Earth
@TheDredPriateRoberts
@kindertina
(@Earth: Nothing beyond the original description, no)
Eva gives a broad smile, her face wrinkling like aged leather.
You're a sweet one, but I'm a bit out of your league.
She sets the crystal ball aside and smooths her hand over the velvet cloth covering the table. From within her robes she pulls out a deck of cards bound in twine. The wedges are weathered and worn from use. She unties the deck and begins to mix it about atop the table.
I can provide you guidance, lead you to things to help you succeed. The directions may be vague, they may be specific, it is up to the fates to decide. And, in the end, you must decide whether to follow that path.
She gathers the cards into one pile again, then deals out five cards in the form of a cross. Reaching over, she flips one.
The first card tells of history. Knowledge of the ancient will help you better understand your enemy.
The card is the 7 of Coins: The Thief.
What you seek lies at the crossroads of life and death, among the buried dead.
She flips over a second card.
This card tells of a powerful force for good and protection, a holy symbol of great hope.
The card is the 4 of Stars: The Abjurer.
I see a fallen house guarded by a great stone dragon. Look to the highest peak.
She flips over a third card.
This is a card of power and strength. It tells of a weapon of vengeance: a sword of light.
The card is the 8 of Glyphs: The Bishop.
What you seek lies in a pile of treasure, beyond a set of amber doors.
She flips over a fourth card.
This card sheds light on one who will help you greatly in the battle against darkness.
It is the Seer.
Look for a Dusk Elf living among the Vistani. He has suffered a great loss and is haunted by dark dreams. Help him, and he will help you in return.
She flips over the fifth and final card.
Your enemy is a creature of darkness, whose powers are beyond mortality. This card will lead you to him!
It is the Marionette.
Look to great heights. Find the beating heart of the castle. He waits nearby.
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I essentially mirrored you most of DP1. You were rightfully sus if that's what you noticed 😂. You said you buddied me though.
Yeah, it is what I noticed, and in response I buddied you back with stuff like this: https://www.debateart.com/forum/topics/426?page=10&post_number=250
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Hammer had me fooled. I thought the last scum was among Pie or Vaarka.
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I have no MVP. It would have been Drafter, but the town decided to VTNL. I would say MVP was mafia for forcing a no lynch.
I pushed for the VTNL because that's what you do at MYLO. With a CC, there would have been no reason for Town to choose my results over Buddas.
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Madam Eva smiles as the group files into her tent.
I am gifted with the power of foresight, Sir Finckleskitzle. I know you would come along with your companions: Roberts, Eikka, Luraxt and... she glances at Ismark and Ireena with a glint in her eye ...your "friends."
I can aid you in your quest, if you are so interested.
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@TheHammer
Ideally, I agree, but I just don't see that as feasible given the current inactivity of players. Might as well just not do Mafia.
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
(Sorry, I didn't make the two parts of that post clear. The first part is inside her tent with Grahf. The second is outside by the fire with the rest of the Vistani and the group)
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
(She was talking to Grahf, who beelined for her tent)
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@TheDredPriateRoberts
(She's in her own tent away from the group. I just want to confirm that you're leaving the group to go into her tent with Grahf.)
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Vistana #1: What a boring life it would be if we only drank when celebrating!
The other Vistani laugh.
Vistana #2: Though we are always celebrating: life!
To that, the Vistani cheer and pass around a wineskin, each taking a big gulp.
Old Vistana: We know nothing about you, except that you are obviously strangers from outside the valley. Madam Eva He crooks a thumb over his shoulder at the large tent. She's the one that knows everything.
Ismark and Ireena do not know any of the Vistani around the fire, though the name of Madam Eva is familiar. She is widely known as a soothsayer and fortune teller. Unlike the other Vistani, she chooses to remain in the valley and never leaves.
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I don't think the replacement policy is objectionable. Otherwise Mafia just has to kill the active players and auto-win every game. As much as I would like to enforce activity requirements, we literally couldn't have viable mafia here without a replacement policy. Yeah, ideally, people that can't commit or are unwilling to play and be active shouldn't, but until that happens we need something to compensate.
I didn't realize he extended the DP out, which I don't agree with.
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Grahf immediately walks past the group and into the largest tent. Magic flames cast a reddish glow over the interior of this tent, revealing a low table covered in a black velevet cloth. Glints of light seem to flash from a crystal ball on the table as a hunched figure peers into its depths. As the crone speaks, her voice crackls like dry weeds, Perhaps you should call in the rest of your friends, noble Grahf. Cackling laughter bursts like mad lightning from her withered lips.
The Vistani gathered around the campfire are regaling each other with stories and are clearly drunk. They greet Snerp with several huzzahs and bid the group (save Grahf) to join them around the camp fire. One of the older Vistani nods.
We have horses, yes, but aren't in the habit of lending or renting them out. Normally. But given that the Madam Eva was expecting you, she may have made arrangements.
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Snerp and Eikka disguise Ismark and Ireena to look like half-orcs. Satisified with his work, they head down the path toward the Tser Pool
The road gradually disappears and is replaced by atwisted, muddy path through the trees. Deep ruts in theearth are evidence of the comings and goings of wagons.The canopy of mist and branches suddenly gives wayto black clouds boiling far above. There is a clearing here,next to a river that widens to form a small lake severalhundred feet across. Five colorful round tents, each tenfeet in diameter, are pitched outside a ring of four barrel-toppedwagons. A much larger tent stands near theshore of the lake, its sagging form lit from within. Nearthis tent, eight unbridled horses drink from the river.The mournful strains of an accordion clash with thesinging of twelve brightly clad figures around bonfire. Afootpath continues beyond this encampment, meanderingnorth between the river and the forest's edge.
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Ismark: That sounds like a good plan, though it's likely he'll know that we've left the village before too long.
(Nothing seems "off." The graves are old)
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Eleven graves are here with blank gravestones. The graves look like they were hastily dug and covered.
Ismark: There really isn't much business travelling between villages, but I recall old records my father kept that people could rent a coach from Barovia to Vallaki for 5 silver.
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Day 3Middday
The group binds Doru's corpse together with whatever implements they can find and they put a stake through his heart and place him in an appropriate plot of land. Ireena consoles Donavich and encourages him to get some rest. As they make to leave the village, Ireean appears distant and distracted.
The road out of town heads deeper into the valley, curving southwest over a river that flows as clear as a blue winter sky throughthe valley.
The road the enters the forest that surrounds the town, and begins winding down into the valley. After an hour of walking, they come to a fork in the road. An old wooden gallows creaks in a chill wind that blowsdown from the high ground to the west. A frayed lengthof rope dances from its beam. The well-worn road splitshere, and a signpost opposite the gallows points off inthree directions: BAROVIA VILLAGE to the east, TSER Pool tothe northwest, and RAVENLOFT/VALLAKI to the southwest.
The northwest fork slants down and disappears into thetrees, while the southwest fork clings to an upward slope.Across from the gallows, a low wall, crumbling in places,partially encloses a small plot of graves shrouded in fog.
Ismark points toward the northwest fork toward Tser pool. That is where the Vistani camp is. If we continue on foot, it is another 10 miles to the windmill and 6 after that to reach Vallaki. We'd be risking getting caught outside at night, which I do not recommend. If we could procure horses, we could cut our travel time in half.
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(I'm out and about tonight. If you guys can summarize what your actions are, I'll try process tonight.)
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@bsh1
Well, you could, but it's clear from experience you won't. The process is more opqaue and obtuse than it needs to be, beyond any issues of user privacy.
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Yeah, I don't believe and am not particularly interested in all that other stuff. The simple case is, all the keys are in your pocket, what you say goes and users just have to suck it up.
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Got it. So you're the final say, and objections are meaningless.
Thanks, bsh1
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So you're saying your decisions are immune to even site owner adjudication? That's an interesting position. I wasn't aware he permanently ceded that much power to you.
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Never use few words when you can obfuscate with many, eh?
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@bsh1
Ok, nice history of the Supreme Court. Educational.
Back to my question. What recourse does a user here and now, have regarding the moderation here and now?
If it's none, then just say "none."
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@bsh1
Supreme Court justices can be impeached, so there is a concrete mechanisms in place to deal with that. Not to mention they are at the end if a series of appeals available to citizens and are adjudicating the decisions of other people.
So,.you know, nothing like moderation here. So what recourse does a user have to combat mod abuse?
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@bsh1
So, if a moderator makes a mistake or acts maliciously, what recourse does a user have, when the moderators can just decide that no change in behavior is warranted?
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@Vader
I tried, man, lol. I just know nothing about football. It started to read like lorem ipsum after the second round.
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@mustardness
{--------------10^-32------------------} A constant force, acting on a particle of mass m, will produce a constant acceleration a. Let us choose the x-axis to be in the common direction of F and a. What is the work done by this force on the particle in causing a displacement x? We have, for constant acceleration, the relations a = ( V - v ) / t and x = ½ ( V + v ) t. Here v is the particle's speed at t = 0 and V is its speed at time t. The the work done is W = F x = m a x = m ( ( V - v ) / t ) ( ½ ( V + v ) ) t = ½ m V² - ½ m v². We call one-half the product of the mass of a body and the square of its speed the kinetic energy of the body. If we represent kinetic energy by the symbol K, then K = ½ m v². We may then state the above equation in this way: The work done by the resultant force acting on a particle is equal to the change in the kinetic energy of the particle.
{== free omniscience[1] == will power { Think 1000/60/60/24/7/365. We will upgrade the buzzword "client-focused". The obfuscation factor can be summed up in one word: user-defined. Do you have a game plan to become 60/24/7/365? Imagine a combination of JavaScript and Python. If all of this comes off as undreamt of to you, that's because it is! Quick: do you have a enterprise scheme for dealing with emerging schemas? The power to target seamlessly leads to the power to incentivize super-virally. A company that can brand defiantly will (one day) be able to leverage elegantly. If you benchmark ultra-micro-transparently, you may have to incubate intuitively.
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