A New Barovia: Chapter One

[BigBadQDaddy]

Thomas waits at the gate for the others to go in and taking advantage of getting Delsenora alone.
"This is not a good plan, Delsenora. What we are going to be caught up in...these amatures are going to find the wicks of their lives cut quite short. Surely Vasili can come up with a few less reckless men and women?" That being a rather rhetorical question, Thomas continues without waiting for an answer.
"These people need lessons, especially since the Lord of Barovia is back in the picture."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Yes, I am entering the place of graves again, of course, gracious Delsenora," says Khalfani matter of factly in his stilted Mordentish. "As frightening as this evening's events have been, my people hold onto mysteries like the jackal holds onto a bone." He reenters the cemetery and begins looking around the area where the bodies are located. Rather than examine the corpses, however, the gnome mutters slightly and performs a quick movement of his hands.

____________________________
Khalfani casts detect magic and begins to circle the area, looking inward and outward for any auras.

[steveflam]

Cemetery

Thomas waits at the gate for the others to go in and taking advantage of getting Delsenora alone.
"This is not a good plan, Delsenora. What we are going to be caught up in...these amatures are going to find the wicks of their lives cut quite short. Surely Vasili can come up with a few less reckless men and women?" That being a rather rhetorical question, Thomas continues without waiting for an answer.
"These people need lessons, especially since the Lord of Barovia is back in the picture."

"I can't help you with that, Thomas. They'll learn, or they'll die, it is as simple as that. Talk to them is all I can offer. I am not a party person, in general. I tend to like to work alone, just habit I guess. Look, Rizzin and Lupzig will be around. I am a busy body around here, but I'll keep an eye out for Strahd, ok? I don't think Vassili chose wrongly. Like I said, talk to them. People can learn, you know. This was a good lesson for them tonight. I have to run now. Leave a message at the Inn if you need me for something, ok? Stop worrying so much, ok? You sound like your father!"

She grips his shoulder gently. Turning, she walks into the night.

"Yes, I am entering the place of graves again, of course, gracious Delsenora," says Khalfani matter of factly in his stilted Mordentish. "As frightening as this evening's events have been, my people hold onto mysteries like the jackal holds onto a bone." He reenters the cemetery and begins looking around the area where the bodies are located. Rather than examine the corpses, however, the gnome mutters slightly and performs a quick movement of his hands.

____________________________
Khalfani casts detect magic and begins to circle the area, looking inward and outward for any auras.

Khalfani detects no magic in the cemetery. There is a faint residue of a spell, but the Gnome knows it not. The guards are dead, mostly eaten by the Zombies. Nothing else is out of the ordinary.


______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Delsenora

Go back to the Inn, Rizzin. Keep an eye out for trouble

"Yes, mistress"

The pseudo dragon vanishes and reappears at the Inn, up in the rafters. From his vantage point, Rizzin sees all who enter and exit the Inn. Most who enter do not bother the tiny dragon in the least. A young man enters and walks up to the desk. The tiny beast looks at the young man, sure he has seen him before. Then it hits him. This is not the one he has seen before but an offspring! Of course, being his usual self, he disappears and reappears at the man's shoulder. "You are the son of Van. I am Rizzin. Have you got any food? I am hungry."

[VAN]

As already late Adam is pacing fast through the streets of Krezk. He has heard rumors of horrible deaths happen to those that use to travel after sunset and he doesn't want to confirm them. So he doesn't bother to get a good look of the city this time, he heads directly to the first inn he finds and rings the bell so he can get a room. When the pseudodragon appears at his shoulder and talks to him Adam jumps from the surprise. His hand gies to the morning star that is hanging at his zone but when Rizzin speaks its name hits the cleric. He has heard about this pseudodragon from his father.

"You said Rizzin? My father told me about a drow woman called Delsenora that has pseudodragon with that name. What the odds! I'm Adam, Van Thunderstorm's son, till I arrange my room can you tell Delsenora I'm here. Well if she is here of course."

Adam searches a bit in his backpack and finds his half eaten ration. He gets a slice of dry meat and tosses it to Rizzin.

"Here you go, now please fetch Delsenora."

[steveflam]

Adam

"I am Jacob's familiar, but now am Delsenora's friend. I will let her know you are here this instant!" His little maw opens and takes the food gladly. Closing its eyes, it concentrates and moments later the eyes open.

"I have informed her you are here. She tells me that Thomas is here, the son of William. One moment, she will tell me if they are returning here or you should meet them at the cemetery............... They will come back here to meet you."


Cemetery

Delsenora frowns then smiles, looking at Thomas. "Well, well. Your friend Adam is here in the city. He just arrived. I think we should get the hell out of here, personally. I prefer the comfort of rooftops. I'll tell him you guys will be heading back to the Inn shortly."

[VAN]

Adam is familiar with sending messages and the magic bond between familiars and masters, afterall he has grown up in a house with two wizards! But still is surprised that Thomas was in Krezk as well.

"The surprises never ends this day it seems my friend. I haven't seen Thomas in years, he was busy with his studies in Martira Bay's Unisversity while I was busy travelling across the Core. Will be really great meet him again. Now, as we waiting can you tell me few things about this city?"

[BigBadQDaddy]

Cemetery

Delsenora frowns then smiles, looking at Thomas. "Well, well. Your friend Adam is here in the city. He just arrived. I think we should get the hell out of here, personally. I prefer the comfort of rooftops. I'll tell him you guys will be heading back to the Inn shortly."

"You have got to be kidding! This is good news. I know Adam to be quite competent and capable. Perhaps we do have a shot in the dark at solving these murders. Plus now that Strahd and his undead minions are seeming to be tied up in this non-sense a man of the cloth would no doubt be invaluable."

[steveflam]

Cemetery

"Look. Get the others back to the Inn. I'll go meet Adam and introduce myself to him, Thomas." Delsenora vanishes in front of Thomas.


Inn

As Adam is sitting at his table with Rizzin at his shoulder, a dark elf woman enters the room and heads right for his table. "Ah, you must be Adam. I'm Delsenora. I own the Inn. Nice to meet William's son." She grins and sits.

[VAN]

"Hi, nice to meet you Delsenora, I have heard much about you from my father. I quote his words: You are one of a kind! So, is Jacob here too? If both you and Rizzin are here your father shouldn't be far away. I'd like to pay respect to the man that have helped my father and his companions so much in the past. And is Thomas coming here as well? It's long time I haven't meet him and this is a great opportunity to catch up with him."

[BigBadQDaddy]

Cemetery

Thomas makes an attempt to gather everyone together. "We may have a valuable new ally in this investigation, an old acquaintance of mine has just taken up residence in the inn. I plan on making my way back to the inn to rendezvous with him and Delsenora and catch him up to speed on what has happened. It would be a good idea for the rest of you to join me so you can introduce yourselves to him."
Thomas waits for the others to respond before heading back to the inn.

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Very well, Sirrah Thomas," says Khalfani. "But, ah, the dead ones..." The gnome indicates the partially eaten bodies of the guards. "Men of Barovia they were in life, men of Barovia they should be treated in death -- with respect. A priest or cleric should come here to guide their wounded spirits to peace in the Lands of the West. This can be done when we return to the inn, yes?" He follows Thomas back to the inn.

[kintire]

Marilee does a quick circuit around the graveyard. Assuming she finds nothing she returns to the corpses.

"You can introduce me later. The fallen deserve our concern first."

She begins to prepare the fallen guards for transport, covering their faces and trying to arrange their bodies with a degree of dignity

"If you can send a couple of men with a stretcher that would be great"

[steveflam]

Back at the Inn

Everyone has returned to the Inn, less Marilee. Delsenora arranges for men to be sent to the cemetery to help Marilee. It is a reunion of sorts for Adam and Thomas. Marilee returns shortly. The dark elf departs, leaving you to meet Adam.

[VAN]

When Thomas enters the inn Adam smiles and says in mordentish:

"So was true! Thomas Cante is indeed in Krezk! How are you old friend? It has been long time since the last time I saw you in Martira Bay."

Turning to the others says:

"Hello, I'm Adam Thunderstorm, glad to meet you all."

[BigBadQDaddy]

Thomas smiles and gives his old friend a welcoming handshake. "Yes, it has been too long. I have been so busy with family matters that I have not had the occasion to return to Darkon. Fortunately you have saved me a trip.
"And of course introductions are in order. These are my fellow investigators; Coin, Robert and Khalfani. The Lady Warrior Marilee should be joining us shortly after wrapping things up at the cemetery and I don't see Josem presently but I am sure he will turn up at some point.." He leans in a little closer. "I am sure you have arrived for the same reason as I have? Barovia has parted her mists to the rest of the core and revealed she is alive and well. It is with regret that I inform you her master is as well...so to speak.
"Perhaps we should head to our private room to discuss matters further?"