I'm going to play the CD version with 1.2 patch. The bows don't seem work even with this patch, but from what I've gathered the CD version has more content. No specifics though.
We'll start with creating our heroes.
Meet Vladimir.
And Malack Ross.
The grim darkness of future awaits!
To remind you, we are currently chasing an assassin who stole some amulet.
Starting equipment. Those are 'Cure serious wounds' and 'Neutralize poison' scrolls.
The numbers speak for themselves.
Target spotted.
There are two ways to attack an enemy: either click-click-click on its sprite or click-click-click on your weapons.
Dayam, he landed quite a few hits on us. As soon as he goes down, a message pops up:
Let's see what we get for our trouble.
What the fuck is mortal ardor?
Parchment, eh?
You're not freeing anyone anytime soon, buddy.
Phew, the amulet is safe. There is one last thing lying on the ground, so we'll just take it and be on our way. But as soon as we pick it up...
Oh noes!
Then suddenly all is silent.
Lord Dhelt's amulet and those foul objects we found on the assassin are gone. Gone! They've vanished: don't you see they've been stolen from us?
I have a bad feeling about all this. Retreat!
Looks like there is no turning back now...
Well, in that case let's see where we are.
The building to the west looks like a good place to start.
Updated my journal.
Thursday never came. There is a letter near the skeleton:
Here you can see the trap door that Malack was talking about.
*click*
Not much inside, other than a couple locked doors. But we can rest safely here, so no complaints.
It wouldn't be a bad idea to manage Vladimir's spells before resting.
I have no idea what we'll need soon, so I just pick up a few curative spells.
Nice background.
That's some quality resting.
With a mighty roar worg plunges at us.
Two worgs!
While skillfully strafing and rocket jumping, I try to evade worgs and heal our party. Who knew that real-time blobbing could be so awesome
Barely managed to survive. Grab those stones and off to the resting chamber we go.
More worgs as soon as we're out of the house. This time it went much better though :itsamystery:
We've met someone near the house, but before I could start a conversation...
It went smooth again, so no worries. Let's do the talking.
Sir, you appear to have lost your way, much as we have. Is there any assistance we might offer?
Would you direct us to a town, some settlement where we might bargain for supplies, or raise a tankard to dull our thirst?
But from where... Ah, you come from the mist! I've heard of such things. If evil the like of that is upon us, I urge you - get away! The forest will not be safe. A road lies a way off, but if you make haste, you may reach it alive. From there you'll find your way to Barovia.
Do you know of the dwelling nearby? We came upon a hut where the welcome died out long ago. Its owner lay unburied within.
All I know of it is this: I found no sign of my son there. He is lost, and my hopes to find him lie as dead as the corpse in that place. I leave pieces of my hope behind with each cold step. The corpse of my hope lies unburied on the land. But you must go. You are not safe in these devil woods!
Please, answer us this: is the name Strahd familiar to you?
Aye, the name is no mystery. Here you breathe it on the air: you feel it from every fire and hear it on the whispers of the night. Look to the peaks, the rocks, the streams: there is Strahd! 'Twas Lord Strahd freed the land from old Dorian, sometimes called Dorian the Pig-hearted, - but that was long, long ago. Take care, for Strahd brooks no insult and applies justice with an iron hand.
He than disappears. After a couple more worg encounters, we retreat to our underground hideout.
One of the stones on the right wall looks brighter than the others.
*click*
Behind the doors we found this fancy dagger, 'Raise Dead' scroll, chainmail and some healing potions.
To the southeast an unknown NPC is waiting for us, so let's pay him a visit.
Goblyns are abound in this region.
They are pretty tough.
Uh-oh. Reload.
Dead again. Maybe I should try using that dagger we found earlier...
We can kill goblyns a bit faster now, but it's still kinda tough.
We have finally reached our destination.
Fellow, you've done well to keep your head on your shoulders in this company. Who might you be?
Don't you recognize a proud merchant when you see one? Well, I'll admit to being an adventurer first and merchant second. I was doing some trading when they caught me on the road, though I think the goblyns ate my goods and may have been about to do the same to me. Well don't stand there gawking, cut me loose!
Merchant, eh? Then you'll understand I'm cutting you loose, but not free, ah, - for free that is. Can you aid us?
By the gods, I do thank you. But as I said, these beasts have all I had, including some of the Barovia's finest brandywine, in their bellies. All I can offer is my help. At least until some profit comes my way, but till then my hands and heart are yours.
The offer of aid is welcome: forget the profit. I have a feeling that in this dark place a man of your talents will be useful.
I'll join you, and know that I'll not let us fall prey to goblyns. I've learned their tricks. By the looks of you you're not from Barovia, no, not even Kartakass. No matter. For me, it seems strangers are a good omen!
Looking good.
I think it's time to gtfo (after a healthy nap). There are two exist, we're going to use the upper one.
Gnawed bones are lying here and there.
We made it!
Huh, a skeleton.
EXTREME
Let's explore the southern path first.
Perhaps. But I couldn't find anything, so maybe later.
Criminals are on the loose.
Looks like we don't have many options here. Back we go.
We'll show them how to fight
This is the last one.
Awww.
And run he did.
Killing an occasional worg.
Ho, fellow! Which way to the nearest town? You're the first traffic we've encountered that hasn't tried to attack us.
This Barovia, is it a vistani town?
Ha! No, Barovia is a place for Giorgios, for those not lucky enough to be born Vistani! The boundless world is a gypsy's home... Ah, but the land is not as boundless as it was once, and in places, in the outer regions of Barovia, you will come upon a fog. Beware. It is a vapor, a poisonous mist that rots the organs. Only a Vistani potion can get you through.
Your words have the sound of good sooth. For safety's sake, I ask you, how may we acquire your potion, this antidote for the fog?
Fifteen coins and the potion is yours. Ah, but your eyes tell me you do not have such a sum! Worry not. I am soon to be in Barovia myself. You will find me at a tavern know as the Blood o' the Vine. Later, you may have coin enough and in good faith, I will reserve some of my potion for the honest fellow I meet upon the road.
What of the king of this land? We've heard he is a tyrant named Strahd, a man much despised by his people.
Aren't you a native here?
I'm afraid you are misinformed. For one, Strahd is no king. Our Lord, Count Strahd von Zarovich makes few laws, and his voice is rarely heard. He rules from the shadows. Even so, he is the Lord, the Land, and the Law, a friend to the Vistani and a just ruler. If you heard otherwise, your ears know the voice of an evil man.
[Perception] Here is the switch.
The camp is cleared, but Malack got poisoned during the fight. Good thing we have a 'Neutralize poison' scroll.
'Fireball' scroll is ours
Inventory is getting full. After a long-awaited rest we continue our journey north.
Why hello thar.
You'll find I can be generous with wine, good food and friendly conversation, but coin you must earn. How much do you need?
There's a limit? Is there some level of wealth where we need no more? Well, to be honest: my first goal is to find a house that meets my needs, perhaps in the village of Barovia. After that, I don't know. I've never been very good with plans.
It appears you haven't done too badly, my lady. What have you been up to?
A little of this and a little of that: whatever might add another feather to my hat, or a coin to my purse.
I for one believe a coxcomb such as yourself would add flair to the quest. Will you come along and add your blade to the work?
Blade? That's not what I was thinking about...
Blade, book and sleight-of-hand: these tools of mine are at your command. May we journey together with laughter in our voices and the sound of jingling coin ever closer to our ears.
Will do for now, but I think we'll have to find a better mage later. INT is way too low.
Finally getting somewhere.
Until next time
