TOPIC: Meet at the Inn

Xavon wrote: "So, Ismark Barovian, would Kolyan Indirovich be your father or perhaps a more distant ancestor?" I ask quietly.

"He is, was my father," Ismark replies pausing for a moment to give the words time to become real.

"He was taken from us. Killed a fortnight ago by the vampyr that rules over these lands, rules over them," he says with a scowl as he nods to the gypsies at the next table, "the same creature that even now seeks claim my adopted sister Ireena. The same creature who I suspect lured you all here for some dark purpose with my father's name and my likeness. I do not yet know the monsters game, it is a terrible genius and wickedly cruel but whatever the vampyrs reason for bringing you all here one thing is certain. You are servants of the light and in these dark time we who still have the strength to fight must band together against the darkness that seeks to destroy us. To that end friends, I will offer you any aid I can, answer any questions you may have, and if you will have me lend you my steel in your fight against the beast."

"What can you tell us of this evil, this "vampyr," that plagues your lands so? And--have you any idea what he would want with us?"

Strahd von Zarovich was once a man of noble birth, legends say he spent much of his life leading his armies in the service of good. In time though years of such service took their toll upon him until Strahd came to believe he had squandered his life and his youth.

With this dark mood upon him, he returned to his ancestral home in Barovia taking up residence in the castle known as Ravenloft. From this position of power and security, he called for members of his family to join him, including a younger brother named Sergei. It was his hope having families. Close at hand would lift the darkness from his heart and for a time it seemed to work as Barovia prospered under its young like lord.

Some time after this reunion, the Count even fell in love with a young Barovian woman, Tatyana, though she rejected his affections in favor of the younger Sergei.

Heart filled with despair and jealousy, and brooding a growing hatred for Sergei, Strahd made a pact with the dark force he had dedicated his early life to fighting. On the day of Sergei and Tatyana's wedding, Strahd murdered his brother and claimed the grieving Tatyana. Legend holds she flung herself from the walls of Ravenloft with a curse on herlips rather then let him have her. After that Strahd ordered the gates of Barovia closed and sealed himself inside ravenloft and there he has sat these four centuries trapped by the dark powers he sought to control but these past few years something has changed.

Strahd is on the move again, actively seeking something I know not what. Until recently our village was protected from the worst of his wrath by an icon in the church at the towns center but now that too has vanished and the demon walks our streets with impunity. My father tried to rally the people against him, without the icon we did not even have the strength to protect Ireena.

"What kind of icon was this? Do you have any ideas on who could have taken it? Perhaps if we could restore the icon it would provide its protection once again."

Barkley looks at Adeya. There seems to be something about at least one of her questions that saddens him slightly.

Adeya wrote: "What kind of icon was this? Do you have any ideas on who could have taken it? Perhaps if we could restore the icon it would provide its protection once again."

The icon was a silver raven made in tribute to the gods of good, as to who took it your guess is as good as mine but whoever they were I would be willing to bet they were in the vampyrs employ. If the icon could be restored to the the church I'm certain it would be of great help to our cause. As it stands brother Donavich is killing himself fighting a loosing battle to maintain what defenses we have left.

"Brother Donavich is the caretaker of the church, I presume?" I prompt, "Can we find him there?"

I stealthy palm my mirror, and scan the room for anyone who is not reflected. I do my level best to use Ismark, the table, and if necessary my allies to mask my actions.

"So it seems our mission is twofold - we must rescue Ireena, and we must find this silver raven and return it to your church. Anything we find out in the meantime about the dark magics corrupting this place will help to contain and reverse them."

"Ismark, do you know if Ireena is with Strahd? Do you know where Strahd is? I would rather we find him before he finds us."

Cram grumbles quietly
"just let me know when to hit something. Maybe we can save the village, after all."

He checks his pouch again.

Suddenly, Cram perks up. "Widesth? That Lute is a magic even I can enjoy."

Xavon wrote: "Brother Donavich is the caretaker of the church, I presume?" I prompt, "Can we find him there?"

"You are correct," Ismark replies looking concerned as he speaks of the man, "Brother Donavich has been in near constant prayer at the chapel since the icon was taken, that was ten days ago. Palor sustains him thus far but I fear his flesh will fail before his faith if he continues at this rate."

Xavon wrote: I stealthy palm my mirror, and scan the room for anyone who is not reflected. I do my level best to use Ismark, the table, and if necessary my allies to mask my actions.

Scanning the room discreetly are able to detect all the reflections you would expect to see. If the vampires influence is here it is in the form of human agents.

bpsymington wrote: "Ismark, do you know if Ireena is with Strahd? Do you know where Strahd is? I would rather we find him before he finds us."

"Thankfully he does not have her yet. She rests at our father house, exausted from the counts nightly attacks. Brother Donavich's efforts have so far been enough to protect us but the vampires minions grow more bold with each passing night. I can lead you to her if you wish. As to the vampire himself he sleeps in the castle of Ravenloft. It is only a few hours ride from the village if you follow the west road quicker still and equally more dangerous if you travel cross country."

darkangel866 wrote: Cram grumbles quietly
"just let me know when to hit something. Maybe we can save the village, after all."

"Those three would be a good start," Ismark laughs weekly brightening a bit at the notion as he nods towards the gypsies, who despite making taking pains to hide it are to trained eyes trying their best to listen in over the music. "Madam Eva and her gypsies are the counts human servants in these lands. There is a good chance they are the ones who made off with the icon for their dark master."

"Where might we find this Madame Eva?"

Turning to the group--"It may be best to start by speaking with Brother Donavich--he may have more information to share..."