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

[stonegod]

With the two of them working together, Khensu and Ashlyn quickly make an opening in the barrier. A moment after, the three riders enter the town square. While the two re-close the protection, the riders dismount.

The man who spoke earlier, a dark haired Karnn with a nasty scar across his face, turns to the Inquisitor. "Sir knight. We intercepted your mount in our haste to make for your location. It was good we did, as it allowed us to avoid the undead that walk these streets." The man spits on the cobblestones. "Ugly blighters, and no one controlling them. A waste." A waste of what was left unsaid.

Turning to the others, he makes his introductions. "I'm Tobias Gorzen and this be my mate Ladreth Dorkunan." The other armored man, this one a half-orc with a glazed over left eye, nods but says nothing. "We're Deneith hire-ons. This little one"---he gestures to the halfling---"be one of Mateusz's men, Bergeron being his name."

Tobias cracks his neck before continuing. "I know you are wondering why we be here when your horse hasn't even met with the rest yet. We're here to warn you. A lot has happened since you left yesterday."

Tobais tells a terse version of events of the caravan's journey since the Six ventured out. As Mateusz predicted, the carts made slow progress through the wooded trail---one would be hard pressed to call it a road. Nothing untoward happened until near dusk. Then all chaos broke loose.

"There was a fire in one of the carts, the one with d'Sivis' sending stone. Thought it was an accident at first, but then we heard fighting. The halfling was there, could tell you more which is why he's here, but we put together later that it was a diversion."

When all was accounted for, Mateusz was gravely wounded, another scholar was killed, and some vital records from the Lakeside dig were missing. The culprit?

"Emerald Claw. Mateusz warned of their presence, but apparently didn't think they'd be so close. It was an agent and two undead cohorts. They took off for this place after the deed was done. So they're here somewhere. Looking for the same thing we are."

Tobias, Ladreth, and Bergeron were sent ahead to warn the Six about the new player on the field soon after everything settled. They rode hard during the night and in the early morning until they met Luminous outside of gates of Barovia.

After finishing his tale, Tobias rubs the side of his head. "That's about it then. So, what's your plan?" A confused look comes over his face a moment as he looks around. "Wait a minute. Aren't there supposed to be six of you? Not this new one"---he gestures as Ashlyn---"but that loopy priestess. Where she be?"

 

[Stormwind]

Ashlyn stands a little to the side and back after closing the barricade as the dark haired Karnn speaks to Sir Khensu. As the Karnn speaks of Selase, Ashlyn bows her head slightly looking tired and worn. Then, like a dog shaking water off its back, she straightens up and looks Tobias in the eye, a look of iron determination and tenaciousness in her eyes
"Polite aren't you? Still forthrightness does make some things simpler. I'm afraid their companion fell to the undead. I'm Ashlyn Dorandanna and if you'll lend your hand and blade against these undead, then I for one welcome you here."

 

[GwydapLlew]

This was not good. Not good at all. "Does Lord Mateusz plan on continuing into Barovia? It may behoove them to wait until we've found the Claw agent and cleared the valley of this zombie plague." The Six had been hired to protect the caravan - of course it would have been attacked when they were absent on a scouting mission.

((OOC - Sense Motive to make sure that what they are saying is on the up-and-up.))

"Our current plan is to bring an end to this undead infestation. A pair of blades would be useful - the villagers are in no condition to defend themselves, but we do no one any good staying here. The paladin gestures to Ashlynn and continues. Dame Ashlynn has been in the valley for longer than us, but is unwilling to leave the villagers defenseless. If the two of you will stay here and keep the square protected so that the caravan will have a base of operations, it will allow us to scout the rest of the valley."

 

[stonegod]

[Sense Motive: They appear to be truthful]

Tobias shrugs at Ashlyn's comment. "Too bad for her, but people die. Best to put that off as long as possible."

The warrior rubs his head again as he looks over the barricade. "It won't be pretty, but we can try to hold it. Lord Mateusz is coming here one way or the other. How did he put it?" The man makes foppish pose and speaks in a high pitch---it is obvious where his respect lies. "Little more than the Keeper himself shall keep us from our appointed research. Hmph." He spits on the ground again. "Best we be here when they arrive."

 

[GwydapLlew]

"Best we be here when they arrive."

"Indeed. Jarrith, if you would like to introduce Tobias and Ladreth to our good friends inside? The rest of us should decide our tactics for finding Madame Eva." He sizes up the halfling, wondering if the dimunitive creature will be of any use in their predicament.

 

[James Heard]

"Something should be done about the food situation soon too, because if they're reduced to such simple fair now then everyone's bellies will be tight indeed with the arrival of the caravan."

Janis pauses.

"And that's to speak nothing of the sleeping arrangements."

 

[stonegod]

"I wouldn't be worried 'bout that, miss. We've got provisions for the caravan. They'll be peachy."

 

[Stormwind]

Ashlyn nods slowly at Sir Khensu's words and then she sizes up the two mercenaries.

[Sense motive to assess the challenge presented by the two mercenaries. Does Ashlyn think that they are competent enough to protect the villagers? (As per skill use in CAdv)]

As Tobias' earlier words slowly sink in to Ashlyn's concious mind, she focus's on the mention of something. Turning towards Tobias she speaks, ... politely, ... her need for information on the afore mentioned undead cohorts overriding her natural distrust of the Karnn "A moment Karnnite, ... you mentioned an agent of the Emerald claw and two undead cohorts? Can you tell me anything further about them?"

[Diplomacy check to improve the reaction of Tobias. Please apply some appropriate penalty to the check: Ashlyn is trying to be polite as she wants information, however he is a Karnn. ]

 

[stonegod]

[Ashlyn Sense Motive: Tobias his companion seem to be about evenly matched with Ashlyn]

[Diplomacy Check (hurried): 1d20+10-10=3]

Tobias halts his steps a moment and looks at the armored woman. "I didn't see them. According to him"---he thumbs in the direction of the quiet halfling---"they were skeletal, but not dumb. Prolly ex-Karrn outfits." He shrugs, then enters the inn with Jarrith.

After a moment, the Stalker returns with the two warriors. Ladreth's face looks grim, but Tobias seems unflappable as ever. "We, no ones dying of the cough yet, so that's good. Don't you worry. We'll hold this place up if it kills us." He's eyes twinkle with his poor joke.

Bergeron, the halfling, observed all of this quietly. Seeing the group preparing to leave, however, impells him to speak. "I, uh, I think it would be in our best interest if I accompanied you fine fellows. Best to, uh, keep everyone in large numbers." In a lower tone, but still audible, "Nice, safe, numbers."

 

[Kralin Thornberry]

After a moment, the Stalker returns with the two warriors. Ladreth's face looks grim, but Tobias seems unflappable as ever. "We, no ones dying of the cough yet, so that's good. Don't you worry. We'll hold this place up if it kills us." He's eyes twinkle with his poor joke.

"Aye, that's what I'm afraid of. Well, not that I'm really afraid you see. Have you ever heard the ballad of Bergeron Foebender? Tis said that I, uh, I mean he, once fended off a dozen Karranth zombie warriors by himself!"

Bergeron pulled his cloak tighter. "But perhaps you're right, we should be going now."