stonegod's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Ch. II [IC]

Marot shakes his head -- there is no way someone with any virtue could live in such a place.

"I would agree with Jarrith -- lets see what the source of light is, perhaps our host has left the light on for us?" He says, unconvincingly.

"Ireena - surely you have been here before to meet with the young lord, no?"

s@squ@tch said:

"Ireena - surely you have been here before to meet with the young lord, no?"

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"I-I have never been to the Castle. Lord ir'Zarovich has always seen me at the manse. I told him not to stay in this place."

"And now that you have seen his abode, how do you think of this young lord? Surely you notice the darkness and depravity that fills this castle -- for it permeates ones soul to the very marrow."

Marot notices her clutching the hilt of her sword.

"Tut tut... If you had nothing to fear from this lord of yours, why do you instictively clutch your blade so tightly?"

"I have a feeling that someone has pulled the wool over your eyes for far too long."

He looks around the dark castle foyer, looking for any sign of movement.

As the Marot hisses his suspicions to Ireena, there is a sudden creaking from down the hall to the right. The doors, by an unseen hand, open wider, spilling their light into the hall. Yet no other sound is heard.

The invitation, however, is obvious.

If I succumb to the curse, will I rule over the people within the village from a place such as this? Withered like last years fruit clinging to the vines?

Janis shivers, but says nothing - the whining protestations of the mayor's spawn flung to the back of her mind for once.

Noticing the increased amount of light behind him, Marot spins around and notices the door opening silently.

"Well, that was somewhat unexpected," He says to the others,"It would appear that someone or something would like us to go that way."

With a smile, he gestures to Ireena in the direction of the door,"After you, your highness."

Ireena regains a bit of her dignity with her ire, and stares cooly at Marot. She strides resolutely forward, though her hand is still near the sword hilt. Following after, the group is in for quite a surprise.

A wind whistles through a vast open room, crystal singing as three great chandeliers swing, their light not touched by the darkness. Motes of light dance in glass and china on a great dinning table. A sumptuous meal of dark wine and fine meats is laid, one plate exactly for the party.

At one end of the table, his back to you, sits an elegant gentleman in the fine clothing of the Karrnath season, obviously a nobleman or man of worth. As you enter, he turns to face you, revealing an ageless but aristocratic face with prominent cheekbones and a high forehead. His piercing eyes take you in, then he slowly smiles.

"Welcome to Castle Ravenloft."

"Swallow your embarrassment and introduce us, girl," Janis commands Ireena in the arched tones of a scolding schoolmistress.

James Heard said:

"Swallow your embarrassment and introduce us, girl," Janis commands Ireena in the arched tones of a scolding schoolmistress.

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Ireena opens and then shuts her mouth, forming a thin line with her lips. She starts again, her voice cool and collected. "My Lord, these are the strangers with the expedition we spoke of. The Lady Ashlyn Alsedora Dorandanna of the Lightbringer Order. Master Jarrith Bronns, Sir Khensu Feral, and Marot of the Order of Flaming Silver." Khensu cringes as his title. "Miss Tessaryl Varequin of Westbridge, a scholar with the expedition. And the Stormhand and her beast." Ireena's voice is sour at the last name, and does not give Janis any honorifics. She then turns to the group, her face calming. "May I introduce Lord Sergei ir'Zarovich, descendent of the Lords of Barovia, and claimant to all its lands."

The Lord remains seated, but glances at each in turn as they are introduced. When Ireena is finished, he smiles at her, the effect on her immediate. He then turns his attention to the food, gesturing broadly. "The heroes, or so I have heard. Please, sit. I have had this meal prepared in celebration of your deeds in my lands. Please, I wish to know of all you have done here."

Glancing back at the group, Jarrith's eyebrows raise and his shoulders shrug, as if to say "what the heck, why not?" He turns back to the Lord of the castle and walks forward down the side of the table, then pulls out a chair and sits directly next to ir'Zarovich on the right. "Jarrith Bronns... Order of Illumination. This is... quite a place... you have here, Lord ir'Zarovich. May I?" he asks, motioning to a bread roll on the table in front of him.

Khensu does not want to enter, and indeed almost looks as though he wants to turn around and leave... but seeing Jarrith stride in and sit, the big man uncomfortably shuffles down the table after the Stalker and then silently stands behind the chair directly next to him. Even if he's not technically still a paladin, he still knows his manners and will not sit until the ladies have taken their seats first.