A New Barovia: Chapter One

[steveflam]

While Adam knocks on the door, the dark-skinned gnome mutters a few Akiri words under his breath as he looks at the entrance.*

*Khalfani casts detect magic. Considering that the Big Bad seems to have been a step ahead of us so far, it seems wise to be cautious.

Khalfani will notice that the door radiates magic. Nothing he can pin his finger on, however. Light footsteps can be heard approaching the door. The curtain of the window on the door parts. You see an elderly gentleman peer through the window.




"Yes, can I help you?," he says loudly enough through the door.

[VAN]

Adam turns to Thomas and says:

"You have a very good point here Thomas. Maybe we can check the names of the demi humans that have access to Militia and can read later today. Great idea you had.

When the man addresses them Adam looks at him and says:

"Hello sir, are you Mr Arselius Knorth? I'm Adam Thunderstorm. We would like talk to Mr Arselius about something rather important that requires his exceptional bardic knowledge if possible."

[steveflam]

He opens the door. "Follow me," is all he says. He turns and walks through what appears to be a bookstore, old and new. He stops at a curtain, parting it. "This way" and he passes through the curtain.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani raises an eyebrow as they step inside the house. He pauses at the threshold and politely waves Thomas forward. As Thomas passes by, the gnome whispers, "No mere pretender to magic resides here."

He bows at the man who answered the door, and then he follows him through the curtain.

[BigBadQDaddy]

Khalfani raises an eyebrow as they step inside the house. He pauses at the threshold and politely waves Thomas forward. As Thomas passes by, the gnome whispers, "No mere pretender to magic resides here."

He bows at the man who answered the door, and then he follows him through the curtain.

Thomas nods in response as he continues into the bookstore. Out of curiosity he begins looking at the spines and seeing exactly what is in stock.
I wonder if this man carries any...no that would be too great a fortune. he thinks to himself.

[VAN]

Adam follows the man inside the house.

[kintire]

Marilee follows silently, looking around at the books, with some interest, but also keeping an eye on the shadows

[steveflam]

Passing by, you all notice the books old as well as new. Some titles are about cooking, others about bizarre subjects. Through the curtain, you walk down a hallway and come upon an open door. Light pours out of the room and the man beckons you "Please come in and m ake yourselves comfortable."

Inside is a den. Fireplace and mantle fill one wall. The other three walls contain paintings. Arselius is sitting behind a desk. There are three loveseats spread around the room. As you enter, the fireplace comes to life with a comfortable warmth. "Might I have refreshments brought?"

[VAN]

Adam looks around teh books at the shelves but he isn't surpised by tge fire at the fireplace. He is used to magic display after all. So he just gets a seat at the sofa and says:

"Personally I will not take anything sir, but thank you very much for your kindness."

Adam introduces the other party members and says:

"We are here to seek your knowledge about lycanthrpes Mr Arselius and about werebadgers in particular. Please tell us what you know because even the minimum detail might be imprtant. Of course we will pay your precious time."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Refreshments? Ah, yes, a liquid would be very good, thank you," Khalfani says in his slightly stilted Mordentish. "Or," he continues, switching to Balok, "as a resident, I can speak in this language, if you prefer"

He doesn't take one of the offered seats. Instead, he walks over to the artwork and examines the paintings. Certainly, Har'Akir did not have such art. Nor, he thinks, does much of Barovia outside of the nobility or the well-connected.

After Adam's request, the gnome adds, again in Mordentish, "A fine reputation for knowledge you have in this city, sir. I am honored to have the opportunity to meet with you at last. If only the circumstances were less tragic...."

[BigBadQDaddy]

Thomas walks into the room and idly looks at the artwork hanging on the walls. When offered a drink he declines.
"I do not partake sir. I find it dulls the senses." He smiles awkwardly before continuing his halfhearted inspection of the trinkets and artwork the shops master has seen fit to display.
"As my colleague, Adam, has stated we seek particular information. Does the subject matter draw any water from the vast well of your bardic lore?"

[steveflam]

Arselius purses his lips, nodding slightly. "I was actually referring to tea or coffee. Master Khlafani I do have some nice ale. So the offer is still open for these beverages, young gentlemen and lady. Now, as to your query about lycanthropes, I have no literature on hand. One of my friends has borrowed it long term. It was penned by none other than Dr Van Richten himself. I did peruse it slightly and am sorry to say there isn't much I can tell you on these nasty creatures. Do not attempt to use silver against these vile creatures, as they have a high resistance to this metal. I can not remember if it was bronze or brass they are allergic too, I am sorry."

The older man casts a spell and utters a few words in a language some of you do understand. "So sorry, yes, so I am wondering if you four are asking this of me because of the murders that have been occurring in the city? As for payment, I wish none. However if you do eventually find out this werebadger's weakness I will accept this information as a favor to which I will grant you a favor if it is within my
power of course. Master Khalfani, let us speak in the Mordent tongue so everyone understands. Nothing to hide amongst friends. Otherwise I would have spoken to you in Gnomish, young gnome."

[VAN]

Adam doesn't mask his disappointlemt when the bard told them that he doesn't have the book anymore and he doesn't know the werebadger's weaknes. However he says in a polite tone:

"You are right Mr Arselius, we indeed ask about this particular lycanthrope because we believe that might has to do with the murders. You can be sure that as soon as we learn something more about these ville creatures we will come and inform you."

After a small silence Adam speaks again:

"If I may ask Mr Arselius, may you tell us who borrowed your precious book? and why you haven't claimed it back? Don't get me wrong sir, but Doctor Van Richten's books are quite precious and rare and I'm sure a man that loves the knowledge and the lore as you do would love to have that kind of book among his collection."

[BigBadQDaddy]

Thomas perks up from his perusal of the nicknacks and trinkets displayed in the room when he hears the exchange between the old man and Adam. The man actually had a Van Richten book. Sure Thomas had to have looked through the books a dozen times each when he was younger, but to have the reference would be invaluable.
"Yes, Mr. Arselius, if at all possible we would like to arrange a meeting with this contact. Surely such a book would help a great deal."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Master Arselius," says Khalfani, "you do not seem surprised to learn that a werebadger may be responsible for the murders. Did you have your own suspicions? Or perhaps your 'friend' did...?"