23/06/2016 - The Wizard of Wines (7)

19th August 1790

Expedition to the Wizard of Wines

Hans confronts Horatio pointing out he is only a coach driver, he is not paid to go on dangerous expeditions. He wants an extra 5 copper pennies a week for having to do such a dangerous job as driving the coach out of this safe town to some dangerous place outside.

Horatio argues but in the end goes to tell Antonio, who agrees to give everyone a danger money rise.

It is agreed that Hans and Ismark will drive the coach, with Antonio, Dr Johan, William and Peter riding inside. Horatio, Pierre and Rene will ride along side. The others will stay behind in the Inn.

There are delays getting everything ready and the expedition does not leave until late morning. Horatio gives Hans a leather jacket and knife and procures extra provisions just in case.

They get directions from the Inn Keeper, Urwin, who tells them to head west on the Old Slavich Road and turn south just before a stone bridge. They should then see the winery on the right.

The Winery

After a few hours the road branches off to the left just before a stone bridge and they turn off, heading south as per their directions. They begin to approach the winery and can see that the vineyards are damaged and the fences are broken down.

Horatio sees a figure in a cloak duck into cover. He takes Pierre and Rene with him to investigate. He finds himself confronted by four people armed with swords and bows.

When Horatio says they are have been sent from the Blue Water Inn to help, the man introduces himself as Davian Martikov, who owns this place. He tells them that the magical seeds that help the winery grow were stolen and freaky tree creatures over ran the winery. Three other companions are with him, his two sons and the husband of his daughter.

The Twig Blights

Davian leads them along a small track that leads to the winery building. As they pass between the vineyards, they see a strange thin tree-like creature made from twigs rise out of the ground. Then another and another rises.

Antonio, Peter, Ismark, Pierre and Rene are struck by fear and unable to act. Rene fires off his musket uselessly.

Hans abandons the coach and runs into the winery for cover. Dr Johan drives the coach into the winery. William takes Horatio, Pierre and Rene’s horses inside.

Refuge in the House

Horatio slaps Pierre out of his paralysis and the musketeer helps his friend Rene into the winery then comes back to get Antonio and Peter.

Davian and his friends help Horatio take the horses off the coach and they all cram inside, watching as twig creatures begin to march towards the winery.

There is a high pitched whistle coming from a cloaked, bearded human figure further back. He appears to be some sort of druid, who raises his staff and more of the twig creature’s rise from the ground. The winery is surrounded by over 20 of them.