Vallaki - Slums

[Maryn]

A couple prostitutes stand on a corner in the slums near Tigan's......

"Did you see that prissy bitch come through the other night?"

"Which one?"

"That little whore who works for the blue-bloods.... who does she think she is??  No ones worth that much... no one."

"Oh yeah, I saw her... had a few words with her too... she better just watch her back."

"Going to cut that pretty little face up if I see her near our turf again."

They laugh to each other and walk away.

[crallbri]

Dawn brought with it a most treasured and unexpected prize this morning to the poor of Vallaki.  Laughter erupted through-out the seedy slums as the news spread.  For the first time in their lives, the noble’s district and those pea-cock snobs smelled far worse than the most miserable wretch.  The bawdy slums district, with its crumbling homes and leaky roofs, smelled like fresh flowers in comparison. 

The wind carried the stench of sewer water along the snow covered cobble.  Even the Burgomaster up high in the citadel was not spared from the stench. 

Fitting it was in the eyes of many.  The nobles made a profession out of masking and hiding the fact that they too shit, bleed, piss, and suffer along with the rest of the animals and peasants.

The Gundarakite could not keep from smiling.  The image of blue bloods in their fancy attire running mad through the flooded streets, slipping and wallowing in their own shit like swine was poetic justice.  Maybe they should dare to hope for better times. 

The Blue Water Inn, it was an uncanny sight.  Sewer rats were swimming through the front door to feast upon floating dinner food.  For the blue bloods, their world had been turned upside down in a flash flood of sewage waste.  Ladies, there to show off the latest trends, now stood waist high in sewer water riddled with disease, shit, piss, and other unrecognizable things.  Their dumbstruck faces said it all.  Tis’ the end of us all! 

Laugh as the poor may now, they knew there would be repercussions in days to come.  The blue bloods and their Devil Count take nothing more serious than their pocket books.  And the bank had been jacked, the vault raided as broken sewer pipes exploded below.   

For most in Barovia, they had never set foot once into the bank.  From season to season, winter to winter, they barely sustained their families.  Laugh as they may now, they knew they would be the ones to pay in the long haul.  The boyars would demand more no matter if there was not more to give.  But as they laughed amongst each other, there was one form of poverty they would be spared from; the poverty of spirit.

[crallbri]

According to “eye witnesses,” fishermen leaving their homes for the docks early morning this past week came across a most extraordinary sight. 

The Burgomaster’s son was bare ass naked atop a donkey riding backwards down Old Svalich Road. 

A note that read “Barovia’s Finest” was tied with twine around his chest. 


Some suspect that the boy found himself in such an embarrassing predicament due to losing a bet to some friends. 

Others claim that he drunk himself dumb over a woman and became nothing more than fun sport for a band of partying hoodlums that happened to stumble upon him in his drunken stupor. 

While others believe that the matter is of a more serious nature involving the Gundarakite rebels.  Of course, what this rumor implies is in itself alarming to many Barovians.  Has the outspoken separatist Ardonk Szerieza hidden rebels within Vallaki?   If Szerieza’s reach has grown that long, to be able to pluck a noble son out from under the Burgomaster’s nose, what might be in store for Barovia in the months to come?     

[Iconoclast]

There is no great love between Barovians and Gundarakite, mind you, but there is at least three things that they do have in common; a strong, passionate distrust for outlanders; a crippling fear of magic, “the Devil’s gift,” and of course, dread and repulsion for the wretched caliban.  Today, there is a sense of urgency on the weathered cobble streets of Vallaki.   A restless hum of a hornets nest buzzes from within the mist; stinging whispers that abruptly fade at the first sight of an outlander.  Wary eyes in silent angry faces stare as they pass.  Then, as they slowly fade back into the fog, the hive begins to buzz, again.    

“Unheard of!  Outrageous!  Who coul’ even imagine such a thing, let alone go through wit’ it!?  A filthy nest of caliban given a truce by the Guard!  I did nay believe a word of it, none of us did!  How coul’ anyone in their righ’ mind entertain such foolish fancies?!  But then I heard it a second time, then a third time, an’ then…..”

The two elderly widows grow quiet, swatting at horseflies as a stubby legged dwarf waddles past.  He passes into the morning fog before they resume. 

“Nothn’ but evil can com’ from this.  Shame!  Disgraceful!   Naïve foolishness!  The Guard aint like they useta’ be, when common sense ruled the day.  Wha’ they do!  Let an’ outlanda take the reigns of the Guard?!”

Both women shook their heads and clicked their tongues in disapproval and shock.

[Mephisto]

Whispered rumours speak of killings over the last several nights, all of the bodies found hideously mutilated on the city streets, often missing several fingers from their hands....

[Mephisto]

The children of Vallaki can be heard singing a new song, with all the merriment of children.

"The Finger-man! The finger-man! He won't stop until it's done!
The Finger-man! The finger-man! He'll take your fingers and your thumb!
One...two...three.... and you'll be dead!
The Finger-man will find you in your bed!"

[Iconoclast]

“Foolish woman.  Wha’ good is it to have a Gundar-mule workin’ a tavern’s door, especially given tha’ all of her patrons be outlanders and miscreants.  Since when does anyone with a lick of common sense look to a Gundarakite for help?  Just a wagon load of trouble if ya’ ask me.  And some good it did her.  Some good it does the militia too.  The Burgomasta’ oughta’ make it a crime to hire Gundar-trash for anythin’ that matters.  Sure sure.  I’m not against the handful of good and well-behaved Gundarakites from holdin’ down a job an’ providin’ for their families, but a line has ta’ be drawn somewhere damnit.  Let ‘em mop the slop, clean the outhouse, dig the graves, scatter the dung, an’ tha’ sort of thing.  But when it comes to life or death!” she wagged her crooked finger at her sister-in-law, “or anythin’ important for that matter,” she pointed her shaking finger to the sky, “its only natural tha’ such jobs be filled by Barovians!” 

The elderly Barovian women clicked their tongues then laughed cryptically.  The Balinoks mountains off in the distance grumbled as thunder announced the presence of spring.

 “A Gundar-donkey as a door man at the Lady’s Rest!  Ha!  Foolishness!  Them filthy rebels could be anywhere!  I feel for the militia boys, I really do.  If it was my boy, I’d box his ears raw for enlisting in the militia in this day an’ age.  Aint like it was in the old days.  Not even a mink’s lick alike.  Fightin’ off them rebels is one thing, and a good thing, honorable too, but when it comes to a witch…an onion witch at that…” the woman paused and shuddered, her flabby wrinkled cheeks jiggling as she licked her dry chapped lips before proceeding upon her soap box. 

“Jus’ look at Dragomir’s face now.  Such a shame!  How’s he gonna get a wife wit’ tha’ bubbly burnt skin?  By wha’ I heard, Dragomir was jus’ standin’ mindin’ his own at the Rest, keepin’ an eye on the rabble an’ waiting ‘til dawn, when all of a sudden he erupted in a pyre of flames.  They say for a brief moment, tha’ a large shimmering form appeared next to him, reeking of onion, before it vanished inta’ thin air.  Poof!  Gone!  A militia man consumed by flames!”.

Thunder clapped above.  The two elderly women paused in silence to look up to the boiling clouds overhead before quietly retreating into her cobble laid home as rain began to fall.  

[Doom]

Dragomir is seen about his patrols, his skin pink and raw as if brand new. He seems very, very irritable, and occasionally bits of old burnt skin still flake off from various places.

[Tarth]

rumors say during the recent heavy wieght fight in the slums the captain of the boyar gaurds, and a vetern fighter. the gaurd captain took several heavy blows to his well defined features, nearly every punch thrown at him was aimed for his head. some people close to the arena say they heard series of whispers before and after the fight.

[Doom]

Following the Feast Day of Martin Pelkar, Rose clad followers of the Morninglord move through the city at night, making certain the slums are safe and leaving care packages of food which are collected by the poor come morning.

Native Barovians can't help but shake their heads at the Morninglordians, even as they eat the food given to them. Wierd cultists. . .

[arrmuth]

Natives woke at dawn to screams issuing thru the slums. Many were to scared to leave their homes even in the light of day. Those that dared to investigate the disturbance watched as a monstrous skeleton lumbered thru the slums killing anyone in its path of destruction. Voices and the sounds of battle were heard soon after. Those that braved to watch spoke of the knight Vasham,several priests of the Morninglord cult and various Outlanders battling this monstrosity. Many ,both native and outlander, was slain in the battle before the horror was destroyed. Afterwards the priests of the Morninglord moved thru the slums offering to heal the injured and to help bury the dead. Still in shock many locals would not even answer their doors. Those that did now wonder if the cultists are really not that bad. Still others wonder what brought the mosnter into the city. More dark Outlander magic perhaps....

[Negnar]

Two fishermen at home idily chat

Did ya here that the guards arrested one of them Boyar fellas?

Eh?.. nay I didn't.. what for?

Heard he killed one of them fey folk

What?! *Spits out some of his drink* Should give him a bloody medal not arrest him

They chat on for awhile longer

[Negnar]

A number of odd chalk drawins have appeard on many of the walls of the houses, oftern new ones going up as soon as the old ones are washed off. Some give rough drawings of a Vardo with a guard puppet on his hand, the others seem to show Jerovich in a bed with Jimmy and Julia. Locals are puzzles by exactly why these are being put and, some simply find them ammusing and other walk past quicky with their heads lowerds so as not to assocaited with them

[Heretic]

Dozens of Gundarakites Families flock from all corners of the Slums and market district, answering the call to Register at the Citadel, fear and confusion in the eyes of most, anger and despair...

[Catacomb]

Vallaki awoke to shock and horror this morning.

Neighbors claim that they heard what sounded like a fight in the Bochinsky household.  Apparently, Alexandru and Marilena Bochinsky were arguing animatedly about their daughter and recently deceased infant son.

At some point, neighbors claim to have heard Alexandru say, "You killed Nicolai! He is dead because of you!" followed by the screams of a little girl. (most likely their daughter, Anica)  Shortly thereafter, there was a loud thud, accompanied by the sobbing of Marilena. 

When guards arrived on the scene, they and fellow onlookers saw a grizzly sight.  Alexandru lay dead on the floor with several stab wounds on his back, and his wife, Marilena, sat dead in a corner, her throat slashed open, and a bloody knife in her hand.

Anica was found in her room with big bruises on throat, apparently inflicted by Alexandru.  For the moment she has been moved to the Morninglordian Shelter.


The rumor mill seems to have decided that little Anica Bochinsky is the (up until now) anonymous little girl that gossipers claim sold her little brother away.  So far no one has confirmed or denied this rumor, but most seem to think that Alexandru's last words confirm it.

(see this post http://www.nwnravenloft.com/forum/index.php?topic=8444.0)

[Catacomb]

Anica has been moved to the nearby orphanage.  Some people question the placement, given that the girl has "allegedly" already caused the death of at least one other child.

[EO]

Word spreads quickly throughout the slums of a tragedy in the Slevok household. Guards found the whole small family dead in their house and the stench was said to be horrible as blood was all over the place. Some claim that vroloks came in at night to feast on them or that Pavel, the patriarch, had made some dark deals with demons or witches and had paid the dear price. Or perhaps it was a brutal familial tragedy...there is little room for reason when such a thing befalls a town like Vallaki. And even though disagreeing on the causes, all seem to mourn the young family and bar their doors shut with even more caution that night.

[Delphinidae]

For the second time in the week, a man was seen entering the derelict hospice tending to mutiple concussions to his face and abdomen. Amongst Vallaki's hardend men, word spreads about the fights taking place in different locations around the city. From the docks to the noble's district, all places seem to be gathering areas for these impromptu challenges. Some say it's for fun, others speak of preparations for the big tournament taking place. The Barovian women frown at their men coming late and reeking of piss ale, blood and sweat. And the men come back beat up, but smiling as they hold their fang pouches in the air to their family.

The fights continue in the dark corners known only to few and all that proves that a gathering took place are the empty whisky bottles and the blood on the floor.

[EO]

For the past few days, the grim inhabitants of the slums of Vallaki were more joyful than usual. A few days ago, they awoke to find two local men who had enlisted in the militia lying dead in the streets with two outlander witches standing by them, armed and threatening all who passed. The surviving militiamen came out to help the peasants and told them how the two witches had summoned a dark monster straight out of Iadul to help them in their horrible tasks. It took little more for the peasants to demand justice and to brandish their torches and pitchforks. It took little to no time for a pyre to be built out of firewood and furniture and with the help of the guards, who finally saw reason, the tall witch was thrown into the flames that quickly consumed her dark soul! They could rest safely that night, knowing they had vanquished a dark evil and saved future lives. For once, it felt good to be a Barovian, for once, justice was dealt to the denizens of the dark.

Little is known about the fate of the second witch, some say that she was destroyed when her master's soul was consumed. Others say she fled from Vallaki never to return again. Whatever her fate is, it doesn't seem to tarnish the glorious memories of the peasants who had done the right thing and brought justice to a foul witch that had lived too long.

[Amon-Si]

Several nights ago three beggars were found dead, while dead beggars are not uncommon, it was unusual that they had had their heads removed... The heads have yet to be found...

[DM Shadowspawn]

There is whispers in the slums of people going missing, never to return. Ladies of questionable nature and morals seem to be disappearing on a frequent basis. Some say they've left to find anouther means of life, while others think something is taking them.

[Heretic]

Twisted rumors about Vrolock Tatyana Markova, the spouse of Outlander Vasham, ranked Vallaki guard spread amongst the populace, although no one wishes to lend ear for fear to those spreading those rumors, some persist in wanting them to ear the tale.

"Whot's becomin' O' our citeh?! Do somethin' before 'yer kids wake up dead, or lost to 'em outlanders!"

[Haplo Nexus]

Poeple in their homes were woken up in the middle of the night to sounds of a wererat's shrill cries, cries that were silenced quickly by a burst of flame. The locals stayed in their beds, fearing witches about.

[Negnar]

A light carrier from the slums church was torn apart and eaten by one of the wolfmen that stalk the night, locals whisper that it was becuase the church do noo lock their doors at night fall and all that hear the story make sure to bolt theirs firmly shut when the sun sets

[- carrion -]

A couple days later rumor spreads like wildfire through the poorer parts of town that the known Vrolok Tatyana Markova is dead,
destroyed at the merciful hands of goodly forces. One less burden on the weary shoulders of the common man and his family,
one less terror to haunt the night in search of blood and innocence.