And so it begins...

Alyria considered the feline's point before stating, "That may not be the case in this situation due to his tyranny. Most likely anyone who would help him would happily double cross him if he's as bad as it seems, meaning his ability to stay in power is low."

Turning to look at Stanimir, she asked, "Is this curse he's under unbreakable? Would you not want to try that before ending his life? I cannot imagine that that is your goal after fighting so hard for each other. Surely, he must be saveable."

Couth adds in to add to Alyria thoughts, "By the morning rise, I would say most all soles deserve a second chance in life."

"We wish to save him and our home as much as possible. However it takes. If the curse is breakable, we know not how to do it nor where to look." He sighs and looks at Eye of the Storm. "My people are few and only travelers and traders. We do not have heroes among our people."

"If you are willing to help, we can leave as soon as able. It will take us a short amount of time to load everything up and get ready for the road."

"My feline friend, you ask questions with noble intentions, but let us exercise calmness." Ashtar nodded at Eye of the Storm. "These folks are clearly in need of help. A short journey to speak to their Madam seems a reasonable exchange for them this place in due time, wouldn't you say?"

He turned back to address Stanimir. "Well, I for one, am ready, and it seems I'm not the only one."

"Like you Ashtar. I too am ready to travel."

With a clap and an elated squeak, Briar shot up in the air, ready to travel. "Do you need help loading up? I’m happy to help secure things down so they don’t tumble during travel," she offered, failing to mention that fact that some of those items would be secured in her own purse if she got the chance.

Smothering her giggle at knowing Briar's real intentions for offering to help, Alyria offered with more genuity, "I too am ready to depart and am willing to assist with securing the wagons for travel."

While the travelers are rearranging crates, boxes, and trunks from one wagon to another, the old man introduces himself and the others to the party. He introduces himself as Stanimir, You then meet his daughter Damia (The lady that was all over Ashter), and then his Son Ratka.
He motions to the large wooden wagon as it gets closed and locked up for travel, explaining that the older woman in there is his grandmama Luludja. After that, he goes around and introduces you to the others in there caravan (unnamed NPCs).

The introductions are quick and mainly in passing. The group helps manly by transferring closed chests or sacks from one wagon to another and by holding a horse still while they tighten and adjust its harness. Once everything is loaded and the horses are harnessed to wagons, Stanimir calls the group over to load into the back of one wagon. "The journey will take through the night. We left some blankets for you to get some rest." He the waits nearby incase anyone has questions

Stanimir

Damia

Ratka

Luludja

Knowing we have an evening to kill, Couth from all the introductions will make his way to his lady that he smiled to earlier (No name but no name is fine.) for the evening in her wagon with the suppled blanket. Making good on his smiled promise. Couth has a few gold coins that might also disappear in the evening.

Eye of the Storm was clearly not pleased with the events. He questioned the others' intentions. Overthrowing a local ruler was hardly smart. It had a tendency of getting one end up on a chopping block and he voiced as much to them. He had a tribe to look after. This all seemed like a fool's errand..

Feeling the warmth of an incessant itch, Briar used the bustle of packing up to slip away and tuck into a shadow so she could examine her once sticky fingers now gone stinging with the burn of rash. Brows furrowed, she looked carefully over her skin to identify the source. She grew suspicious of the bath the woman had given her hourglass and produced the item to check its current status.

Where needed, Ashtar helped load the wagons, but he was not a man prone to inserting himself unto strangers, and thus only helped when asked, or if someone clearly needed it.

He listened to Eye of the Storm's displeasure, reminding the feline creature that this was simply a mission to hear the Madam talk for now. Ashtar himself had reservations, but nothing so strong, and he took this as simply another opportunity to fatten up his starving purse. Perhaps he'd go away in seclusion again after the mission. This group was quite rowdy.

@GeneCortess Grabbing your blanket to spend the evening with your new-found female friend, Lalya (name can change), you find her in the back of the wagon with four other travelers you met earlier. They all seem to be getting cozy to get some rest for the night, too.

Finishing up her exam, the fairy repacked her hourglass and hopped into the aforementioned wagon.

@Redamancy The Hourglass doesn't appear to have anything strange or wrong with it. The rash looks like a normal red rash. Perhaps you touched something you shouldn't have, and now your hand is irritated. It should hopefully clear up in a few days.

Dearest Alaina,

The financial problem that afflicts the living may soon be reprieved, that I may search for you once more. I write this from the creaking 'comforts' of a Barovian wagon as we journey to its people to glean what information we can regarding the plight of its people. There's talk of curses and princes and a search for heroes, typical fireside tales of peasant fare, but I admit the old tale weaver enraptured me in his net, and I felt compelled to go.

I travel with strange companions, but the task is a simple one. We shall speak to a Barovian Madam and forthwith decide whether or not to take up this 'heroes' quest. Do you recall my performance in Dante's Descent? To think that I could play the part of a hero in truth, and not in costume, were you to see me in such a light--it makes me recall your sweet laughter. But perhaps that shall be my fate. The gold is promising, the mission simple, and yet...

I cannot deny the cold dread stirring within me.



Ashtar spent his last remaining waking hours for the night as he was always wont to do, by writing a letter to his lost dearly beloved.

Dissatisfied with her self-diagnosis - or rather, lack thereof - Briar turned begrudgingly to sleep hoping to see some change by the morrow. She wasn't terribly interested in knowing where they were going or how to get there and decided the best thing she could do for herself was to rest.

Bleep. Couth is not seen till morning.