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

[stonegod]

Perriwimple

Perriwimple liked to work with his hands. It got him away from the shop, where uncle Bildrath's eyes did not follow him, he sharp voice did not sting him. He did not understand what was going on, only that bad things had killed people, and the killed people became bad things. Bildrath did not tell him more, apparently did not feel that he had to. "Keep your nose down, stay in here, and smash anything that gets inside," where is uncle's words of advice. His uncle had even shown him where some 'supplies' were kept that he would use to keep the place safe. "But only in here. If I see you outside with these, you will receive a whipping so hard your true Blood will spill!" The weighted gloves felt nice, and the dark metal of the metal shirt gave the large brute a rush that he had rarely experienced.

There has been some angry words between Bildrath and the Burgomaster's son. Ismark wanted Perriwimple to help build some sort of wall in the square. Ismark apparently one out, and the wall was built. But the Burgomaster son was still angry because Perriwimple staid in the shop, but Uncle Bildrath would not budge.

Occasionally the bad things would break his wall, and he had to fix it. There was the shiny lady there then, but he did not look at her much, just scant glanced out of the corner of his eye. She was pretty, like Nana's stories of the Dark Lady, but she was light. She had few words for him though, keeping always a watching eye to the dark.

Then last night, there were newer people. A wolf man in armor scared him a little, and he saw a Pale Lady that reminded him of Nana's warnings of the witches in the woods. There were others too, but he kept his head down like Uncle Bildrath said, built what he must, and then went back into the shop. The Dark Light Lady was still there, but looked hurt and sad. This made Perriwimple sad too.

Today, the bad things were really bad, and a few got into the shop. Uncle Bildrath screamed the entire time, but Perriwimple smashed their heads in like he was told. The metal platting on the backs of the gloves worked well, and there was a secret rush he felt when the bad things fell down. It was almost like he was a hero of the land, like Nana said once roamed, before the curse. Uncle Bildrath saw something in his face afterwards, and gave him a chewing out. Perriwimple did not understand why.

Sulking afterwards, Perriwimple morosely helped rebuild the barrier as the Burgomaster son told him too. The wolf man and some of his friends helped, but Perriwimple tried not to speak to them. But the Dark Light Lady was also there, looking sadder but seeming to try to help. There was another man there too, a man with a raven on his shiny armor. Seeing that, Perriwimple almost gasped---it was like the shiny men Nana spoke of! Dark Light Lady was with the Shiny Raven Men! Perhaps Wolf Man and the others were too! They were heroes!

Perriwimple wanted to be a hero. He knew there were dark things here, felt them instinctually, but he wanted to do something. Wanted not to be hurt by Uncle Bildrath. To do the hurting against the bad things. But he'd have to escape. Somehow.

[Perriwimple has just finished the barricade. He has just noted that the others have left for the Indrovich manner]

 

[James Heard]

Ismark makes brief introductions, describing four gathered as "those responsible for helping the town." She nods, and then quite bluntly adds, "I appreciate what you have done for the town, and it joys me to see Ismark safe. But, in these dark times, strangers are not always a gift. So, if you please, why are your here?"

Janis shrugs aloofly.

"Not to be rude about it, but given examples of this valley's charity I think it's stranger that you are all here than visitors from outside," Janis pauses, then her eyes narrow. "You've met many strangers? I had thought that Barovia was more or less cut off from the outside world entirely, and with such a small town you all would have met each other more or less by default?" Janis leaned in, her nostrils flaring as if to catch the scent of this possible source of new information.

 

[stonegod]

Tessa

It was a nightmare.

Tessa did not sign up for this. When she had found the caravan hiring hands in Korth, she had no idea that she was signing up for this. She needed to keep on moving and to help others. To better understand herself and the dark things within her. She even eventually admitted there was a bit of a thrill of hiding herself amongst those that hated those marked like her the most---the true Dragonmarked.

Things has went swimmingly for several weeks. She was officially attached to the House Jorasco healers, but when Mateush Ochem discovered her keen mind, she ended up spending more time with the archivist's and historians, trying to put together the puzzle that was their destination. This suited her fine, as it gave her surreptitious access to the best minds that knew about her mark. She had to be careful in her questions, but she did can some tidbits of knowledge that hinted at more.

Other than her scholarly duties, Tessa kept to herself. She occasionally saw the six heroes that that caravan had hired as extra security, but never approached them. Bergeron, the over-talkative halfing she had gotten into some amusing debates with regarding the true nature of dragonmarks, said they had managed to save quite a few people at a lightning rail attack, but Tessa has not heard the story.

When they had finally found the road to Barovia, Tessa's heart had quickened. She was eager to see this strange land of the "Zarovich's" she had read about with Mateush. The Six had gone ahead, supposedly answering the call of some missive. The caravan, however, had to fall in slowly behind.

That was when things started to go wrong.

That first night out, Tessa has been assisting Mateush and another scholar with some notes found at a previous expedition when the call of "FIRE!" when throughout the camp. There was a bit of chaos, and she was distracted.

She didn't notice the skeletons before it was too late.

Thadeus' neck was torn out by the first, and only the provenance of Olladra---or the dark hand of Khyber---kept the other one from doing the same to her. She did not have time to think, only to act, and thus quickly found herself with a flaming brand in her hand, striking at the sudden foes.

The battle was pitched, and she was wounded, though not so much as Mateusz. As she heard footsteps coming her way, her sanity reasserted itself, and she hastily drew her weapon. But then some spell knocked her out.

When she came too, she was being tended by some halflings, apparently an hour or so after the incident. Mateusz was there too, more seriously wounded. The talk of the camp was the fire at the sending stone wagon, but that was only a diversion. Many records from the Lakeside dig that held the reason for the expedition were stolen!

Tessa was told to rest, and she would have, but a raspy Mateusz kept her awake. Alone, he smile a wicked smile and said, "It is not often one marked with an aberrant mark walks among the Twelve."

Apparently, the archivist had seen something that tipped him off. Tessa's heart raced. It was not a capital offense in the Five Nations, but the Twelve would surely look down on her and seek some sort of repercussions. But the archivist just smiled his smile and said, "We will... work something out."

It was going to be blackmail.

Mateusz 'suggested' Tessa should pursue the Emerald Claw culprits, perhaps assisting the Six that were already in Barovia. She was to make every effort. Otherwise... the rest was left unsaid.

Tessa's bedrest kept her from leaving with Bergeron and the two Deneith mercenaries that evening. She was better by dawn, and sullenly followed with the rest of the caravan into the mists.

They reached an abandoned gate at the outskirts of Barovia when things got worse. The gates were closed, and even far away they could hear the sounds of wolves and horses fighting. Nothing could be seen, however, due to a thick fog. It was when they entered the fog that all chaos broke loose. Screams, wails, and all sorts of horrid sounds surrounded them, disorienting Tessa. In the fog, she saw horrors she had only seen in nightmares. She managed to keep her calm, but not so much of the caravan. At the same time, the sounds of wolves became stronger, and she barely fought two of the off.

A half an hour later, less than half of the caravan finally escaped to the other side of the caravan. Officially entered Barovia.

It took time to take stock of the situation. Many had died. Included was the d'Sivis scion, and any hope of outside communication. Many of the carts were smashed, their supplies spilled---it would take several journeys to recoup what could be salvaged. But Mateusz pressed on, forcing the remnant to pack what they could. The Expedition would not fail!

The worried survivors kept an eye out for the wolves they could still hear, but none emerged. At the town, they though they were safe---until they started seeing the corpses.

This place was a nightmare.

Finally, up ahead Tessa can hear the sounds of the living. She can see a barricade in the foggy-haze. Perhaps they will have answers.

[Tessa has just come upon the barricade. The others (save Perriwimple) have already left.]

 

[pathfinderq1]

A half an hour later, less than half of the caravan finally escaped to the other side of the caravan. Officially entered Barovia.

It took time to take stock of the situation. Many had died. Included was the d'Sivis scion, and any hope of outside communication. Many of the carts were smashed, their supplies spilled---it would take several journeys to recoup what could be salvaged. But Mateusz pressed on, forcing the remnant to pack what they could. The Expedition would not fail!

The worried survivors kept an eye out for the wolves they could still hear, but none emerged. At the town, they though they were safe---until they started seeing the corpses.

This place was a nightmare.

Finally, up ahead Tessa can hear the sounds of the living. She can see a barricade in the foggy-haze. Perhaps they will have answers.

It took quite a bit to disturb Tessa- when one's earliest memories of childhood involved a village obliterated by hobgoblin raiders, and one's adolescence included battlefield triage station duty as a novice priestess, one ended up hardened to many of the horrors of the world. But this place was disturbing, deeply upsetting, even to someone as experienced as Tessa. She moved forward towards the barricade cautiously, with an Everbright lantern in one hand and a loaded crossbow in the other. Her eyes searched desperately through the darkness and shifting mist that lay over the town, indeed the entire region- the survivors of the caravan would not do well if things turned to pitched battle. But if the barricades were intact, perhaps some of the local folk might still live, and Tessa and the others might find some shelter and safety. Perhaps they might even find out what had happened to the others, the "heroes", Bergeron, and the mercenaries- while she was optimistic about their chances, Tessa had seen just too much over the last few days to simply assume those worthy folk had survived this disaster scene unscathed.

She moved forward another few steps, and raised her lantern high, trying to catch sight of what lay beyond the barricade. After a few moments' hesitation she raised her voice and called out. "Is there anyone back there? We are travelers, a caravan in need of shelter."

 

[Kafkonia]

Perriwimple

"Nose down. Keep my nose down. Smash up anything that comes inside." Perriwimple was muttering to himself. "Why only inside? Bad things are outside too. Should smash them too."

He was pacing in what passed for his room when he heard a voice calling out. More strangers! Maybe with the Dark Light Lady! Without thought he left the building and ventured outside, following the voice.

It was foggy. He didn't like the fog. Most people didn't like the fog, though. Especially these days. Whoever was out there was in the fog. That wasn't good.

"Hello?" he called. He pulled a barrel over and climbed onto it so he could see over the barricade. It was more strangers! "Hello!" he said, waving to the lady he saw on the other side. She had a lantern and a crossbow. He wished he had those. It was dark, and with the bad things... "Do you need help?"

 

[Stormwind]

Ashlyn quietly looks Ireena over, assessing the young woman for a moment before answering her questions, "Hello Ireena, I am Ashlyn. I speak only for myself, but I came to Barovia in search of pieces of history. History, from what I have been able to ascertain, that predates the ills that seem to plague this place. I came with two companions, both better scholars than I, yet they fell and I must continue ..."

As her voice trails off Ashlyn sighs softly and then she looks Ireena directly in the eyes, "I give what assisstance I may whenever it is truly needed, and against the undead such assisstance it always necessary. I will not suffer false life and regardless of that which bought me here, it is that which has kept me. What of you, what do you do for this place, you who may call this place home?"

Ashlyn's tone is simple and direct, yet not demanding.

[Sense motive: 1d20+10; Diplomacy: 1d20+10]

 

[pathfinderq1]

"Hello?" he called. He pulled a barrel over and climbed onto it so he could see over the barricade. It was more strangers! "Hello!" he said, waving to the lady he saw on the other side. She had a lantern and a crossbow. He wished he had those. It was dark, and with the bad things... "Do you need help?"

Tessa could not contain a sigh of relief when the man appeared above the barricade- there had been a decent chance the "fortifications" had been overrun by wolves or worse. While she knew enough to realize that a friendly voice and a living body did not certify safety, it was a good sign. "We need shelter, more than anything. We have traveled a long way to get here, and the journey has been a hard one." She paused, and looked back into the fog towards the other straggling survivors. Another question came to her mind then, and she turned back to the man peering over the barricade. "Have there been other visitors here, other travelers? Some of our group had gone ahead, and I hope that they managed to make it to a place of safety..."

 

[stonegod]

Ashlyn, Daellin, Janis, and Jarrith

"You've met many strangers? I had thought that Barovia was more or less cut off from the outside world entirely, and with such a small town you all would have met each other more or less by default?" Janis leaned in, her nostrils flaring as if to catch the scent of this possible source of new information.

Ireena looks cooly as Janis, perhaps formulating a reply, when Ashlyn cuts in smoothly.

Ashlyn quietly looks Ireena over, assessing the young woman for a moment before answering her questions, "Hello Ireena, I am Ashlyn... What of you, what do you do for this place, you who may call this place home?"

Ireena looks over at the Lightbringer, and with a glance at Janis, speaks. "I am the Burgomaster's daughter, and as such, I am been present the few times we have had chance to entertain visitors to our land. They are... few and far between, not that it is important to the matters at hand." She throws another cool glance at Janis. "We appreciate your efforts, Lady Ashlyn, and of your companions. And I am glad you have kept my brother safe." She looks to her brother, her look of concern plain. "Ismark, have you done what you can for the people? We should let it be known that we can temporarily house those who are now homeless, and make sure someone is going door to door."

Her brother looks uncomfortable at her 'suggestions,' and tries to play them off as unneeded, but she is insistent. She then turns to the party again as if forgeting something. "My apologies. It is ungrateful of me to welcome you to our home. If those fool coward servants had not fled, I am sure I would be able to offer you a feast, but as it is, I'm afraid we will have to save our food stores to distribute to those in need." Ismark lips tighten at the notion, but Ireena seems oblivious. "Please, sit, and I will get something to drink."

Ireena does not take no for an answer, and after all are resting, leaves through the large hall to a back room. As she does so, she kneels a moment at the body lying in state.

[sblock=Ashlyn, Jarrith][Sense Motive]

Ireena deflected Janis' question smoothly enough, but you feel that your companion's barb drew blood. It seems she is uncomfortable talking about the subject of visitors.[/sblock][sblock=Daellin][Knowledge Religion]

While the others were talking, you kept your eyes on the room. The various holy symbols bothered you for some reason, and you would not let it rest. The raven's were similar enough to the standard on Urik's shield, but the drop of blood... then, it came to you. The statements about 'True Blood' and the drop in the holy symbol... these were not Sovereign tenents, not any you had ever heard of. But that Blood of Vol cult that used to openly have its grip on Karrnath sounds too similar...[/sblock][sblock=Janis][Sense Motive]

Ireena was obviously off put by your question, apparently thinking her 'status' as local lord's daughter meant that such blunt speech was not be used with her... a bit hypocritical considering her previous tone.[/sblock]

 

[stonegod]

Perriwimple and Tessa

[As a note, its afternoon, so it is not dark. The mists mark it difficult to see detail beyond 60 feet, but night lights are not needed yet.

"Have there been other visitors here, other travelers? Some of our group had gone ahead, and I hope that they managed to make it to a place of safety..."

Perriwimple is about to respond when a familiar face looks over the barricade---it is the Shifter Templar, Sir Khensu Feral. He looks a bit tired, but pleased to see you all. Soon, Tessa, Mateush, Khensu and a few others are gathered in the town square. Perriwimple looks on from the sidelines.

Khensu quickly explains the troubles of the past two days---the necromantic plague, the strangeness of the town, the touched soothsayer, and the costly battle at the Church. There is sadness in his eyes as he sees the few remaining and mournful Jorasco healers take their kin away.

"We have done what we can. My Brother, the others, and our new companion Lady Ashlyn are seeing to the Burgomaster's daughter while Marot patrols the streets and I keep the square." His looks turn grave as he looks to the remnant of the expedition. "And you? You seemed to have suffered as well."

Mateush succinctly and with little emotion describes the Emerald Claw attack, the madness and fear at the gates, and the wolves that followed. The archivist is obviously a man of books and not of people, and Tessa wonders if he even feels their loss. The paladin, however, seems even graver after the archivist's words.

Perriwimple listens to the word of the Wolf Man and the new strangers. He almost gasped when he heard they had been to see the Madam! She knew everything. Everyone knew it. He did not fully understand the part about the church, and was confused about kind Father Danovich being a bad man, and thus almost missed the other man's talk about the wolves and the gate. Perriwimple nodded sagely. Just as Nana said, no one could leave Barovia---the curse kept people in. They would take the curse with them, she said, so they could not leave. The wolves also hunted those that tried. These new people did not know, but they knew now.

After Mateush finished, Khensu spoke up. "Someone should let the others know the caravan has arrived." The archivist grinned---a small, tight affair reminiscent of skull---and added, "Of course. Tessa should go. She's familiar with the happenings, aren't you?"

 

[James Heard]

Ireena looks over at the Lightbringer, and with a glance at Janis, speaks. "I am the Burgomaster's daughter, and as such, I am been present the few times we have had chance to entertain visitors to our land. They are... few and far between, not that it is important to the matters at hand." She throws another cool glance at Janis. "We appreciate your efforts, Lady Ashlyn, and of your companions. And I am glad you have kept my brother safe." She looks to her brother, her look of concern plain. "Ismark, have you done what you can for the people? We should let it be known that we can temporarily house those who are now homeless, and make sure someone is going door to door."

Her brother looks uncomfortable at her 'suggestions,' and tries to play them off as unneeded, but she is insistent. She then turns to the party again as if forgetting something. "My apologies. It is ungrateful of me to welcome you to our home. If those fool coward servants had not fled, I am sure I would be able to offer you a feast, but as it is, I'm afraid we will have to save our food stores to distribute to those in need." Ismark lips tighten at the notion, but Ireena seems oblivious. "Please, sit, and I will get something to drink."

Ireena does not take no for an answer, and after all are resting, leaves through the large hall to a back room. As she does so, she kneels a moment at the body lying in state.

Janis meets Ireena's gaze evenly and without discomfort. The gentry of this land might be powerful in their own place, but a misstep in their presence would hardly invite the sort caution the wise took while dealing with any of the noble houses of Khorvaire or the heirs of the Houses.

After being properly seated, Janis got back up and looked over the trappings of the house unimpressed, waving away Ireena's proclamations of aid for the villagers.

" The villagers are fine. We've attended them and they're well on their way to recovering once they've had some fat and salt to suit their vinegar. They only needed a little bit of reminding."

Janis picks up some random item and considers it profoundly, as if attempting to pierce its true meaning and place within the home.

" You've had visitors. The people of the village seem to be singularly uninformed of even the rudiments of the news of the outside world," she says. " Visitors from outside stay here then, and not at the Inn normally?" Whatever the reply, Janis appears to ignore it - still engrossed in the trappings of the manor.

When Ireena opens the door indicating the body, Janis follows Ireena at a polite, social distance like a pale, thin shadow closing in upon her shoulder.

" May we examine him? There is a sickness that infects the dead and spreads itself to the living in the town. It should not be here, but..." Janis continues. "The priest's son, he was twisted in death. I've recommended that the dead in town be burned or else allowed my companions blessing over the bodies." Janis moves to examine the body unless Ireena stops her.

" It must have been a terrible bother not having servants to cook for you during such a pressing time. How did you survive here alone? Have there been any other visitors recently?" The questions are deliberately paced and without inflection, as if Janis were for all the world conversing about the weather or a cobble turned out on the road.

Janis smiles.

" What can you tell us about the castle?" The smile that settles onto her pale face is not entirely wholesome. Out of respect, the predatory teeth hide behind her thin lips but a spark of cyan-white something dances in her eyes for a moment regardless.

Ireena might be the burgomaster's daughter but Janis ir'Sandel, by Blood, Flame, & Winter, was a noble scion of Cyre.

Her moment of triumph is broken by the mixed message within the thought. For a moment her smile flickers into a frown, and then is replaced by a much more honest expression of happiness.

OOC: I'm going for Woody Allen movie dialog, not Spike Lee. If the cattiness progresses to the finger-snapping, head-bobbing, and hair-pulling stage I think Janis will try to stop it just on general principles of manners. She skirts dangerously close to propriety, but she's not really intending to have to murder the poor girl by offending her into a rage or something.