Endur's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft

[Pyrex]

"Dareios, he's playing music, not waiting with a bow drawn. There is something wrong, but it is not an immediate threat. The whole land here is under a Curse. We need to learn more to get to the heart of the matter. That is most important."

"Even if he were an immediate threat he's still the lord of the land, and we owe him the courtesy of a peaceful responce to a peaceful invitation to dinner."

Even as Ashlyn defends the count, it is easy to see she is ill at ease, watching for signs of an ambush in the creepy corners of the empty castle.

 

[Pyrex]

She says, "Please do not be alarmed. I am Thredra Aranax, a loyal servant of the master. I had to wait to be certain there were no traitors amongst you. The doors were closed for your protection, to keep the danger at bay while we talk."

Ashlyn does not detect evil.

/ooc: Ashlyn swapped Detect Evil for Detect Undead.

"What dangers are there within the castle that you would need to be protecting us from? And why would you close the doors to protect us before you had determined we meant the Count no harm?"

Relaxing a bit as she sees Theradra and the others sit and serve themselevs, Ashlyn sits and serves herself a modest portion from the feast laid out before them.

 

[Pyrex]

"And lastly, that the adventurers themselves demand payment for their work and sacrifice."

"I would accept no reward on my own behalf, but rather insist that my share of whatever reward you deem appropriate be spent towards the repair and reconsecration of the church in Barovia. In such dark times the villagers will need all the protection it can provide." Ashlyn then looks at the others around the table with her, "Given the state of the church I would request that you all consider contributing part of your reward as well. Your reward for saving the townsfolk is well earned, do not dismiss it out of hand."

 

[Endur]

Thredra responded to Ashlyn, "Dangers within and without. There are those that claim Castle Ravenloft is haunted by spirits. Or perhaps the Curse manifests itself at night as an evil spirit that lurks in the Castle."

 

[Endur]

Thredra responds to Jack's question concerning the holy symbol, "While I have heard of the Holy Symbol of Ravenkind, I can not tell you anything more about it. However, I can tell you that it is not the only such holy relic in Barovia. Perhaps in the future when we have less pressing business we can discuss ancient saints and their relics at length."

 

[Endur]

Thredra responds to Ismark's angry comment with a smile and says, "You are armed and armored, not to mention taller, heavier, and far stronger than I am. I am not concealing any weapons in my dress. I am not the one in control of this situation."

 

[Legildur]

Thredra responds to Ismark's angry comment with a smile and says, "You are armed and armored, not to mention taller, heavier, and far stronger than I am. I am not concealing any weapons in my dress. I am not the one in control of this situation."

Isamrk laughs. "I may be a mere warrior, but your guise does not fool me," Ismark responds quietly. "I strongly doubt that you have put yourself in such a position without either a means of escape or of dealing with me."

"Not that you would need to," he adds with a slight smile after a brief pause. "Allow me an audience with the Count to confirm my position within the community of Barovia, and his intent that you should speak for him, and I will henceforth treat your word as the Count's until he says otherwise."

 

[Endur]

Thredra responds to Ismark,
""I think you misunderstand my role. The atmosphere in this room is somewhat dark, perhaps tainted by the curse. The darkness colors your thoughts, making you see motives and dark powers that are not there.
"I am a simple researcher, hired by the Count to assist in the research of the Curse.
"It is not my role to either permit or deny audiences with the Count. Nor am I speaking for him in an official capacity. I am telling you what I believe he intended to tell you, but I am not speaking for him.
"The Count planned to meet with you tonight, but the malady struck him and he was unable to attend this dinner.
"If you seek confirmation that I am a specialist employed by the Count, you could ask Lief Lipsiege, the Count's steward, to confirm my role. Lief Lipsiege is one of the few to dare living in Castle Ravenloft besides the Count, Cyrus, and myself.
"Lief can also confirm that the Count authorized the reward for the heroes who saved Barovia from the zombie plague."

 

[Legildur]

"Where is Lief?" Ismark asks simply with a tilt of his head.

 

[Le Noir Faineant]

In the meantime, Dareios has trespassed through the dining hall, inspected the furniture, toyed with a candleholder, and promptly broken it.