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Author Topic: Barovia - Krofburg  (Read 44700 times)

failed.bard

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Barovia - Krofburg
« on: May 01, 2009, 07:29:09 AM »
  Wilhelm, a former master smith for the vardo, was rumoured to have mentioned relocating his custom smithing practice to the small town, after having been been visibly moved by some of its more charming elements.

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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2009, 09:18:41 PM »
Krofburg has a new resident, and an unwelcome one at that.

Before the Pale Man vanishings, the creature was mainly glimpsed among the ridges and mounts near the dwarven settlement Dvergeheim, whether bearing a bucket of water, practicing peculiar physical exercises or simply watching passersby from afar, retreating if approached.

But now the creature is lurking among the houses and vineyards of Krofburg.  A number of peasants have glimpsed the small and ghostly pale figure, or a flurry of silver hair as the creature retreats.  The creature--clearly a female thing of alien grace and unsettling comeliness--seems to be quite shy but sometimes grows bold enough to approach a villager; her voice is soft and melodic, issuing from lips that appear either silver or ice blue, depending on the light.  Most often seen lightly clad and barefoot, the creature shows little fear of the cold yet is visibly reluctant to approach open flames.  And though the creature's silvery, almond-framed eyes never betray anger or malice--and though no residents of Krofburg have yet died by her hands--the villagers fear and shun the unnatural creature all the same, wailing "monster" or "ghost" or "caliban" as they flee.

Ovidiu--one of Krofburg's few guards--attacked the creature as she approached him one sunset.  Though most of Ovidiu's strokes were deftly avoided or struck aside with her bare hands, one of his halberd thrusts struck her ribs and drew blood, laying to rest the notion that she might be a banshee or other undead.  In the guard's words, the creature in turn defended herself by striking Ovidiu with hands and feet "made of stone" with "a touch as cold as ice," knocking him aside before turning away and fleeing "as swiftly as the wind".

It is not commonly known if the creature is here because she followed the Pale Man--whether as his accomplice, his enemy, a villainous opportunist or a mere seeker of curiosities--or if she simply came of her own accord.  But the village is laid out with numerous holes and cellars where such a creature may hide.  Barring a massed effort to drive her out of Krofburg, the bizarre creature may be here to stay, for better or for worse.
« Last Edit: May 11, 2009, 09:25:05 PM by Wids »

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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2010, 01:46:05 AM »
A white-skinned lady has been seen visiting the cold and unwelcoming mountain village rather often. Locals are rather suspicious about Outsiders, considering the not-so-hidden gossips about the Bellegrade company. Yet, curiosity is a temptation even for the most narrow-minded brains, and a break in the routine of the manual labours.
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2010, 07:12:15 AM »
Those that survived the harsh winter in the Balinoks felt no safety when spring finally crept into the shadow of Mt Ghakis, during one of springs first eve's an attack in the Burgomasters house took place. Baffled by how the thick robed witch managed to enter the mansion, he was seen chasing a young woman threw the mudy paths of Krofburg, any peasant, Garda that attempted to swat the mage was struck aside with its varya. Upon the young woman flee'ing into a Inn, the dracu-witch transformed in sickening ways into a large caliban like beast, it returned moments later carrying the young woman who was screaming in fear.

A single Garda ws brave enough to chase the beast up into the Mountains...the brave soul never returned...

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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2010, 07:18:09 AM »
A surviving guard sent for help for the nearby Vallaki, which was answered by Corporal Belovich and his men. When they arrived they could find what the dark witcher beast had done. The guard from Krofburg was informed that the Corporal and his men explored the dreaded mountain for any trails. And so they left up the rocks to explore what has caused this misery...

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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2010, 10:58:58 PM »
The Vadims are seen spending more and more time in the village of Krofburg, some say they mean to become a permanent fixture there. They seem to spend a lot time in the vineyard looking at farms and such. Though walking through the tiny town they often cast glances at the Bellegarde building, ideas floating around in their heads.

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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2010, 01:23:04 AM »
A regiment of Zarusian knights, clad in their black-and-gold uniforms, arrive in Krofburg. They enter the inn, pay heartily, and discuss battle plans against the regional creatures of the night. The Chaplain spends a good part of the day preaching the word of Zarus in the streets, despite his knowledge of the innate distrust of organized religion that Barovians are notorious for.

He preaches messages concerning the values of strength, hardiness, hard work, and purity, using the native Balok tongue to deliver his message, linking these values to Barovian culture and folklore.

(a brief example of some of the preaching)
"Zarus grants betterment to those who seek it! The craftsman who honors Zarus seeks perfection and mastery of his art! The laborer finds his work more efficient and satisfying! The soldier, his martial skill unmatched! Misery is naught, for one must only look within ones self to find strength!"

"Astra protects Humanity's children, her ever-watchful gaze safeguards the young against evil spirits and feyfolk which seek to take away the most precious of Human life! A mother who has faith in Astra will see her daughters grow to be healthy and beautiful, her sons to grow strong and hearty! No evil can hope to stand against Her maternal protection!"

The Chaplain offers to heal wounds and scars the villagers may have, and restores damaged limbs and sicknesses the local miners may be suffering, should any approach him.

Less obvious are the Zarusians' critical, but subtle hunt in the village, searching for signs of lycanthropy and non-human impurity hidden away in the villagers.

The Chaplain also requests a meeting with the Burgomeister of Krofburg, offering protection to the village. The Zarusians are previously known in Krofburg for aiding to rebuild the village itself, with whispers stating that a massive sum -  over 120,000 fangs - were given to build it.  (link)
« Last Edit: March 15, 2010, 01:32:24 AM by Antonus Taran »
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #7 on: July 28, 2010, 07:34:13 PM »
A recent transfer has brought Krofburg a new Garda. A well decorated Soldier, taking on the position as Corporal in the small mountain town. While the addition to their small force of Garda is mostly welcomed, many shy away from the new peg-legged Corporal, due to his horribly burned face, and grizzly necklace of leathery ears he wears at all times. During the day the Corporal spends his time familiarizing himself with the town, and spends his nights in a bottle at the Wandering Billy.
« Last Edit: July 28, 2010, 07:40:55 PM by Roose »
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2010, 09:50:07 PM »
The new Corporal in Krofburg has been seen spending a few hours a day at dusk chopping down trees, removing their branches, and stacking the logs near the old watermill. Now, he's even hired a new arrival to Krofburg to assist him in this, a quiet barovian man named Tihomir. The Corporal has yet to say what the plan for this is, but the normally dull town of Krofburg is abuzz with speculation.
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2010, 08:32:23 PM »
The garrison of this sleepy little village has received another transfer from the Vallaki Guard. The distinguished and controversial veteran has been seen patrolling the village's perimeter with his new commander. Both soldiers have been heard discussing plans to build a defensive wall and a tower around the village.
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2011, 03:47:25 PM »
Vague whispers are heard of a large shepherd tending a small flock of goats amongst the more uninhabited areas of the Balinoks. Only fleeting glimpses of the herdsman are seen, as the individual seems to be making no effort to come in contact with the townfolk. Incredulous accounts of a possibly two-headed hound working as a herding dog are largely dismissed as fanciful exaggerations of taletellers that have drunk too much tsuika.
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #11 on: October 14, 2011, 08:38:45 AM »
Rumor spreads in the peaceful village of Kroftburg, that some ox goaders went missing on the slopes. Some blame the weather, others the chasms, agreeing that the mountains are not forgiving at night, others are on the opinion that hungry mountain lions are behind the deed. No traces left only some thrown aside wool and barrels of cheese, and a blood trail of a dragged away animal near the ravines.
« Last Edit: March 25, 2012, 03:19:09 AM by DM Tarokka »


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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2011, 06:11:14 AM »
For anyone who start to folllow the route to Kroftburg becomes swiftly obvious, that someone or something marked that area it's own territory. Decapitated heads pinned on trees and warning boards. With the tip of a knife someone carved the word 'outlander' into torn off heads' thin flesh , though the decaying skin slowly make the word unreadable.
Might be some savage group of people taking up residence on the slopes? Band of criminals, perhaps deserting invidians? What is obvious that a large number of half-devoured ox and mountain goats decorate the path towards Kroftburg. A harvest for the carnivores and scavangers.
Strangely enough Kroftburg is untouched, not even a single chicken missing, and though the locals are terrified some murmurs about the rage of the Balinoks sweeping down on the foreigners. For the better or the worse.

Though if this continues like this, the economy of Kroftburg will be gravely harmed, seeing the ox goarders try to avoid the old wool-route. It might soon even harm the local mining company's business. Miners grumbling about the curse of the mountain spirits, other claim they saw hordes of thugs and rascals roaming the mountain half-naked only in a fur loin cloth, others blame the pitic rock-witches.
« Last Edit: March 25, 2012, 03:19:22 AM by DM Tarokka »


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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2011, 06:45:35 AM »
Rumor spreads in Vallaki and Kroftburg, that miners gone missing in the Balinoks. Those who travel the wool-road will eyewitness this with their own eyes, heads pinned on trees, claw marks, corpses without heads. Someone or something is marking it's own territory.
« Last Edit: March 25, 2012, 03:19:39 AM by DM Tarokka »


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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #14 on: October 28, 2011, 10:59:19 AM »
Those who are visit the Balinok mountains, especially near the lakes, can often hear a growling like raving carried by the winds, echoing the slopes. The words that can be identified are balok, speaking about loss, hunger, pain and mourning. Names of Dimitri and Ilena became a common voice of the chill winds of the coming winter. As the season draws close the echoes and raving can be heard further from Kroftburg, and closer to Dvergheim, sometimes even down on the foothills.
« Last Edit: March 25, 2012, 03:19:53 AM by DM Tarokka »


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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #15 on: November 02, 2011, 03:20:42 PM »
In the coming weeks, few and few travelers go missing on the Balinoks, the miners finally go back to continue their daily labor by the copper seams. Those lost, are on the account of the raging mountains at the Barovian winter, and the hungry crag cats. Life returns to the Wool-road slowly, ox-goaders carrying wares from and to Kroftburg. No new reports arrive from the farms by the foothills on bear attacks, none beyond the occasional.


Whispers around the campfire near Kroftburg starts to speak about the monster of Kroftburg is gone, vanished or changed his territory, nothing is certain.

And they'd whisper that one of the woodcutters of the mountain village, Vasile Ionescu gone missing. No corpse had been found.
« Last Edit: March 25, 2012, 03:20:16 AM by DM Tarokka »


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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #16 on: November 02, 2011, 03:42:52 PM »
//Correction, if they look hard enough they will find his grave next to his family's.

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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #17 on: January 12, 2012, 11:41:02 PM »
A new Garrison Commander has been appointed to the sleepy mountain village. Alin Baboescu, former Militia-Captain of Vallaki and veteran of many years in the Barovian Army. The arrival of an officer from the "Grey City" has set many a peasent wondering. Why would someone of his achievement and standing choose an assignment in a backwoods mountain community like Krofburg?
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #18 on: January 14, 2012, 09:04:35 PM »
This morning, farmer Raduescu awoke to find two of his prized goats slaughtered and eaten inside his small barn. Tracks in the snow reveal a large wolf as the culprit, one bold and smart enough to enter the village limits after night. Strange thing being, How did the beast manage to unlatch the barn door or that none of the usually keen eared neighborhood dogs managed to detect the night intruder.
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #19 on: January 19, 2012, 09:07:50 PM »
Just past sunset, in the twilight between day and night, Young Peroti came rushing into the Wandering Billy Tavern. The boy, clearly disturbed and frightened claimed to have seen a large dark wolf stalking the village streets. Quickly the patrons of the tavern shuttered the windows and door.

Come morning three more goats belonging to the Ghanescu family where found slaughtered and half eaten. Again, the animals were secured inside the barn behind a latched door.
« Last Edit: January 19, 2012, 09:09:51 PM by DM Stygian Witch »
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #20 on: January 20, 2012, 08:59:03 PM »
Wolf traps set out have been found sprung. The poisoned meat left untouched. Behind shuttered windows and bolted doors, the inhabitants of the village find themselves fearfully cowering from this "Rogue Wolf". Despite the best efforts of the local law, all efforts to organise a hunting party have been met with silence.

Rumors have begun circulating that this "Creature" is more then just a comman wolf, but a spirit of the mountain, angered by the encroachment of the Bellegrade mines or maybe even a ghost from the villages diabolic past.
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #21 on: January 25, 2012, 06:33:54 PM »
An emergency shipment of flour, dried meats, vegetables and cheese was brought up the mountain from Vallaki by members of the Morninglordian Church.
It is said that the life saving supplies will feed the families who where robbed by the "Devil Wolf" throughtout the remaider of the winter.

Four Morningloridans in particular were noted by the village inhabitants as saviors, Prosper Iverno, Octavian Vlas, Izabela Miklos and Petra Doyevska.
« Last Edit: January 25, 2012, 06:35:48 PM by DM Stygian Witch »
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #22 on: March 24, 2012, 08:25:05 PM »
The off duty soldier Radu Cernea was heard complaining in the Wandering Billy Tavern last night;

[Finishes in fifth mug of Stout Heart Ale]"Hic" Iadul Baboescu chassed us outa tha barracks last noapte... Said eh needin his privacy. Now I have ta spend me fangs on rentin a room ere tonight... "hic"
« Last Edit: March 25, 2012, 03:20:39 AM by DM Tarokka »
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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #23 on: April 06, 2012, 08:15:25 AM »
A lone traveler arrived to the backwoods village not long ago, and rented a room in the Billy for a longer stay. His face is not unknown in the village, often he was seen goading oxen, bringing supplies. He's currently spending much of his time in the woodworkers's workshop or on the slopes. Also asking questions about the "Devil Wolf". Rumor that he might be a hunter judging from his equipment.


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Re: Barovia - Krofburg
« Reply #24 on: April 07, 2012, 05:42:05 AM »
Upon asking about the traveler the locals have little to say. They mention he stirs little attention, waking early leaving the village, coming back late usually with wolf pelts and logs of wood, which he leaves for the crafters without asking compensation. He resides in the Billy, the farthest room, registered on the name of Emry. Every now and then he makes contact with the caravaneers sending small packages and receiving some himself.



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