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

[stonegod]

He waits for the woman to finish, and meekly waits for a pause in the conversation, before beginning,"There is something I must tell you -- last night, on the road to the castle, Sir Khensu and I intercepted a drunken Ismark trying to make his way to the castle itself!"

Ireena blushes and looks upset at Marot's news. "Did you turn him back? I fear Lord ir'Zarovich would have little more patience with him. So is he is likely alive... just indisposed." You can tell she is displeased with her brother.

Urik barely restrains a chuckle at the news, and Ireena's cold gaze indicates that there is little love lost between any of the Burgomaster's kin and the knight. But before he can say anything, one of the diminutive Jorasco healer's enters the room and clears her throat.

"Lady Stormhand, you request us?" Gesturing at Ireena, Janis holds her down while the halfling begins her questioning. Ireena speaks of poor sleep caused by nightmares she refuses to go into as the cause of her sickness. The healer checks her palms and tongue, feels behind the ears, and such. After a moment, she turns back. "I cannot be certain without examining the lady in private, but sleep is the least part of her worries. She has lost a good portion of her vital fluids and this is taking its toll." The small matron favors a glance at the girl. "Been bloodletting?"

Ireena's mouth tightens, but does not answer. "If that will be all, there is town business to be performed."

 

[James Heard]

Janis tightens her grip upon the young woman's wrist, her mouth turning down into a frown.

" There was a question. You did not answer. No, it will not be all."

 

[stonegod]

Ireena's countenance becomes darker, but Urik looks on intently. "I have not been 'bloodletting.' Spilling the Sovereign Blood like that is an affront to those that Overwatch."
[sblock=Ashlyn, Tessa, Marot][Kn: Religion]

There is that odd combination of beliefs again. The best you can tell, Those that Overwatch are another interpretation of Host---but all the mention of Blood, plus the symbols seen at the Burgomaster's manse suggest almost a Blood of Vol like tie. But this place has been isolated for centuries...[/sblock][sblock=Ashlyn, Jarrith][Sense Motive]

Ireena is not lying, but she is certainly hiding something. You suspect the nightmares are related to whatever she thinks is going on.[/sblock]

 

[James Heard]

" Then you are ill. An illness nearly silenced every voice in this village. Are you too full of fear and pride to save your fellow men, as you ask us to save your brother? A month ago you were not even a whisper upon our lips, a shadow passing over our thoughts and these days we kill and die for you and your people. Do us the favor of not making saving you all from this folly of geography any more difficult."

" Secrets often weep blood more easily than any other wound, such is the prick in truth."

 

[stonegod]

Ireena straightens at Janis' words. She glares down the healer. "Do I show sign of disease? Do I give sign of being contagious?" The matron shakes her head, but Ireena continues. "Then what affects me is a personal matter. My brother's safety is important as he is the nominal leader of this place, and I ask you as you are already journeying about. But if it is too difficult to use your own eyes while on your own tasks, then I shall forebear from asking your help again in the future."

 

[DEFCON 1]

"Ismark and I were visited by Lord ir'Zarovich last evening. The Lord said he had heard of my father's death, said it was a sad blow to the community. He... he also knew about the plague, and how we dealt with it. He was quite upset with my brother. There were words... things were said. In any event, my brother stormed out after the Lord had left. I suspect he is out venting his frustrations, but I worry nevertheless."

Jarrith laughs sharply, then takes a long drink from his wine. "Oh come now, my dear... just who do you think you are fooling?" A long sigh and the barest hint of a belch and the Stalker continues. "Well if you won't tell us what's wrong with you... at least do us the courtesy of telling us what this Lord and your brother argued about. "Things were said", you mentioned... which means you heard what it was. So don't try and give us the excuses you gave last time when you didn't want to tell us what the previous argument between ir'Zarovich and Ismark was about."

He leans forward and puts his goblet down. "You know what happened between the two of them. You know how ir'Zarovich felt about the plague and what we did about it. Now spill it!"

He stares directly at the girl for three seconds, then immediately turns on a dime as though he's just remembered something. He smiles wide at the warlock and his attitude brightens considerably. "Marot... it is good to see you. I have missed both you and my Lumin Brother immensely. Thank you for the information. How long will you be staying?"

 

[James Heard]

" If you haven't been bloodletting and you're not sick...Are you wounded then? Have you lost a child recently? Where is the blood? " Janis continues with her dogged interrogation.

" Forgive me...no, to the Dragons with forgiveness! Your sensibilities and precious feelings are worth less than your father's breath now. I'll not seek your brother with one stride while you match it with secrets and children's evasions with the other!"

 

[s@squ@tch]

Marot the Deadly

Ireena blushes and looks upset at Marot's news. "Did you turn him back? I fear Lord ir'Zarovich would have little more patience with him. So is he is likely alive... just indisposed." You can tell she is displeased with her brother.

"Sir Khensu and I turned him away and would not let him pass, he seemed quite agitated towards the lord of the castle for some reason."

"Marot... it is good to see you. I have missed both you and my Lumin Brother immensely. Thank you for the information. How long will you be staying?"

He looks towards the floor and says,"As long as you all will have me."

 

[ethandrew]

There was something wrong with this place. The air, heavy and low, made the people of the town nervous. It even got to the visitors; the caravaners, the shrinking group of adventurers, himself. Ladreth didn't like it here, plain and simple. He shuddered the first time he saw the valley, riding in on horseback, unaware of the dangers contained within. He had killed the already dead, buried peasants and hardly folk, watched his friend die; he had tired of this land, of the arguing it caused, the endless toil.

He guarded the inn while the six turned into three. He had witnessed the brave fall alongside as well, Tobias chief among them, dying for people whose names he didn't know, who didn't even know his name. His back pressed tight against the old wooden door, the stench of decay overwhelming his senses, he watched as his death became a sure truth, only to fight off a few and have the others finally get their rest. He had been wounded more times in his life in this land, slept less, been left with his never-ending thoughts.

The adventurers were kind to him, they didn't pry, ask many questions, just helped him when he was hurt and asked little in return. The white lady he liked, a combination of fear and admiration. He felt honored to watch sigil over her while she knelt in the woods, inspiring awe at the depth of her power as she bent the ferocious beast to her will.

Yet he still mourned; mourned for the death of Tobias and his survival. It was little comfort when Mateusz informed him of his new task, yet the awareness that it would surely lead to his own end somehow put Ladreth at ease. He collected his gear from what remained in the caravan, grabbed his sturdy yet unremarkable blade, and headed toward the inn. Hard, angry voices could be heard from within, so it was with a frown that Ladreth opened the inn door and slowly moved into the warmth, hoping against hope to go unnoticed.

 

[stonegod]

Seeing the will of the group upon her, and the normally sympathetic Lady paladin not saying anything, Ireena sighs. She unceremoniously wrenches her wrist from Janis, and while rubbing it, looks darkly at the others. "Lord ir'Zarovich was disturbed as is right about the plague. He was not very pleased on how Brother handled it. He made it very clear that Ismark would not be the next Burgomaster." She blushes again, a stark contrast to her pale skin. "Apparently I am going to installed in the position."

The Knight of the Raven laughs heartily, and Ireena glowers at him. "You can imagine Brother did not take this news well. As you can see, I was concerned he would do something foolish. And it appears"---indicated Marot---"that I was right. I am grateful he was turned away."

She looks pensive at the final bit, and her hand goes to the high sleeves of her coat. "As for my dreams... I must first get a promise from all of you that this will not leave this room. The people have had enough to worry about. I will deal with it as I must."

She looks at the gathered.