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

[stonegod]

Ashlyn, Daellin, Janis, and Jarrith

Once Jarrith is presented or brought to the map, he takes out the crude map that Ashlyn made and compares the two. He then spends several minutes drawing a copy of the Burogmaster's map on more of his paperwork (assuming Ismark doesn't let him take the map with him).

Ashlyn's map, while crude, does lay out the general lay of the land. Ismark's map (which Jarrith copies) provides some more details on the surrounds, though the forest and the swamp are sketchy at best.

Janis takes the wine and as she moves about, nonchalantly sets it in front of Ismark while she listens to Ireena talk.

" Here, it is whispered on certain tomb walls that it contains courage."

Ismark, watching over Jarrith's map investigation, scowls at Janis, but says nothing.

" So, where are these other visitors now? Perhaps it would be possible to meet them?"

"Why doesn't the curse touch the Visanti?"

Ireena sighs, a bit exasperated. "They are gone. It has been some time since the last, a dwarf, though I would not have believed it if I had not seen it. Before that... an unseemly pair of gentlemen that I was glad Father got rid of. As far as I know, all left Barovia on the next day." Ismark, in the midsts of a drink, shares a glance with Ireena, almost a half glare.

"As for the Visanti... Madam Eva is very wise, and her wisdom apparently protects them somehow. But they are not to be trusted. Bildrath has dealings with them; they supply him with most of his wares."

While the conversation continues with the women, Jarrith pulls out the priest's journal and reviews the section where he spoke on how the Burogmaster found Ireena at the base of the mountainside. He also does a quick review on pages before and after to see if it says anything else about the girl.

The book is a heavy weight in Jarrith's hands. The section regarding Ireena is the same as it was, and surrounding by more mundane accountings of Barovia.

" Puzzling. If possible I'd like to examine him further, and in a manner that might be a bit upsetting to observe. See this paleness? That might indicate disease, but given all other coincidences I think that unlikely or at least suspicious. It's not the same disease as in town, in any case."

Ireena opens her mouth, but is at this time that Ismark finally comes into the room with his father. The continued barbs in his direction, the stress of the last few days, and the wine seem to have set him on edge, and he cuts his sister off before she can say something.

"We know the how and the why he was killed, dear sister. It was that other visitor, the one you were so infatuated with. Fah! You can be coy and try to deny it, but I saw it in both of your eyes!" He downs the rest of the glass while his sister looks on in shock. "The fool has the audacity to claim relation to those cursed ir'Zarviches and demand we bow and scrape to him! Father had the right of it, tossing him out. And, what, not a week later and Father mysteriously dies and our Symbol of Ravenkind goes missing! It was no disease; it was poison for sure! Father Danovich had nothing to do with this! To think I was worried for you. Keep your delusions!"

Ismark storms out of the room, while Ireena looks on with shock.

 

[Kafkonia]

Khensu looked surprised at Perriwimple's sudden desire to assist Tessa, but said nothing of it, instead addressing Tessa's question directly. "They are at the local Burgomaster's estate, supposedly on the south part of town. The dead Burgomaster's son wanted to check on his sister's well-being."

"Oh yes. I know that house. It's big. I can show you where they are!" Perriwimple smiled as he realized that he did know where the strangers were after all. What great luck! He could go with the nice lady and maybe help the others too. His uncle would be mad when got back... But he could help! He really could!

"Oh!" He ran back to the shop, then emerged a few moments later with a bulging sack and a long walking stick. "Ready now."

(OOC: Perriwimple has picked up his gear, hiding the armour and gauntlets in the sack.)

 

[DEFCON 1]

As he is flipping through the journal, hoping to find something more of note, he hears the quick burst of anger Ismark lets loose onto his sister. To say that he is surprised by what is said is an understatement.

After the young man storms out of the room, the Stalker decides to take an active hand in the proceedings and shuts the journal quietly. He stands up and walks across the room to where Ireena, Janis, and Lady Ashlyn are sitting and talking.

"One of the ir'Zarovich's was here? Really! What is his name? Where did he come from? Does he still live in the castle?" Jarrith turns to Janis and Ashlyn and inquires "Have any of us heard anything from anyone about the castle still being occupied or knowing of the owners? I don't seem to recall anything. The castle's been spoken of in harsh tones, but I don't think anything's been said about who might still be up there, if anyone. Do you?"

He glances around the room one more time, for what reason no one knows. "And this Symbol of Ravenkind. Odd. This is the same object that Sir Urik was looking for I believe. How long have you had it? And has Urik ever been here to try and claim it? According to our little conversation with Madam Eva, it's currently hidden in a forest near here being guarded by some fey creatures. I wonder if your symbol and Urik's symbol are one and the same?"

 

[stonegod]

Ireena's face goes from shock at her brother to an poorly hidden blush at Jarrith's questioning. "Lord ir'Zarovich---Sergei if you must know---did visit us almost two weeks hence. He was quite charming and told fascinating tales of the outside..." With a half-start, she refocuses herself, her tone more business-like. "My father and Lord ir'Zarovich had cross words---I could hear them arguing, though I could not tell you about what. The Lord did say he was to go to the castle, and I told him he should not... We have not heard from him since, though with the recent troubles, that is not surprising."

She looks once again down at her father. "I refuse to believe the Lord had anything to do with this. I have not seen Father Danovich for some time, but if he truly went mad as you say, it would not be beyond him to poison my father and steal away the one thing that would drive back his foul progeny. As for Mad Urik, he has claimed the same to Father, but it has been in our family for generations."

She places her hand on her father's arm. "Examine him if you must, but be quick. His final rest has been delayed too long."

 

[pathfinderq1]

"Oh yes. I know that house. It's big. I can show you where they are!" Perriwimple smiled as he realized that he did know where the strangers were after all. What great luck! He could go with the nice lady and maybe help the others too. His uncle would be mad when got back... But he could help! He really could!

"Oh!" He ran back to the shop, then emerged a few moments later with a bulging sack and a long walking stick. "Ready now."

By the time the big man returned, Tessa had wrapped herself a bit more tightly in her swirling black cloak, and cradled her crossbow in her arms, ready for what might lie ahead. For Mateush, she had but a parting nod and a tight smile, but for Sir Khensu her grin was broader and she added what she hoped was a neutral blessing. "May the powers keep you strong and safe, templar." Then she headed out following her local guide...

 

[DEFCON 1]

"Very well then. I thank you for your time." Jarrith looks to the others and motions with his head silently that it's time to leave. He walks back over to collect the maps he now has, places them and the journal back into his pack, then exits the dwelling.

When a few of the others exit as well, he says "So... it sounds as though we might have an errant Lord we may come upon as well. Quite possibly either at the castle or found along the way. In any event, this young girl seems to have little in the ways of substantive information, so we might as well head back to the barricades. In a day or two, we'll need to head out and look for Urik's... or the Burgomaster's... Symbol of Ravenkind, and Lady Ashlyn's lightblade. So we'll need to prep ourselves fully for that, eh?"

 

[drothgery]

As soon as they are all outside, and the Indroviches are out of earshot, Daellin mentions what he noticed on the religious symbology inside. "I may be seeing things that are not there... but between the drop of blood on their symbols, and all this 'true blood' talk... Selease could have told us more, but that seems strikingly similar to the Blood of Vol."

 

[James Heard]

Janis makes no effort to hide her thin-lipped smile and silence as the group exits.

It seems that the tomb walls did not lie, Ismark did indeed find his courage. Winter praise!

 

[stonegod]

[size=+0]Tess and Perriwimple[/size]

The large man leads Tess through the shadows of the town. While the mists hang overhead, she can see the marks of the recent troubles Khensu talked about. However, there are now several people on the street, talking and reistablishing the patterns of life. She sees one group with a wheelbarrow collecting the corpses of the fallen.

Soon, a large building on the southern side of town comes into view; the run down remains of what Tessa assumes is the Burgomaster's manse. She sees several faces she recognizes come out and discuss something just as she reaches the gate.

[size=+0]Ashlyn, Daellin, Janis, and Jarrith[/size]

The sun is still out, though it is obscured by the ever clinging mist. As you begin to discuss you next steps, you see the familiar form of the large, usually silently Perriwimple come to the gate; he is accompanied by someone unexpected---Tessaryl, one of the healers hired one by Jorasco during the expedition. What portents this forebodes is still unclear.

 

[DEFCON 1]

"Hail! By the by... if what we're seeing is true, it appears as though our caravan has arrived. At least... I hope our caravan has arrived." He glances at Tessaryl and a very quick look of concern flashes on his face. "You... aren't all that's left, are you, Miss..." Curse him, he's forgotten the young woman's name. He didn't spend much time dealing with the bookish types on the journey here.

His eyes travel up to the monster of a young man who is escorting the woman. "And surprised I am to see you out here, son. I would have thought my Lumin Brother would have run escort out here. Things are still fine by the barricades, aren't they? We haven't been gone that long."