A New Barovia: Chapter Two

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani says, "I would like to converse as well, Robert. Thank you." The gnome requests a coffee. "I do not relish the idea of sleep and nightmares at the moment." He addresses Laurie. "Until tomorrow morning, good lady. May you sleep soundly, I pray."

[BigBadQDaddy]

Thomas wishes his Aunt to sleep well and turns to the rest of the party joining in the conversation.
"Unfortunate though Laurie will not be joining us, that does not mean we can't discuss our findings of the day...and what has happened to Delsenora." He says solemnly. "I dare not think of what this will do to Jacob or her husband Cornelius for that matter." He takes in the silence for a while before continuing, his speech nearer to it's usual pattern.
"So, we have a new player in this twisted plot. We know little of her other than she is a she. She has reason to hide her true nature. She may be learned as a spell caster. And last but not least she is formidable. What we do not know is what her role is and what was her reasoning for targeting Delsenora. We will need to find out if Delsenora had any enemies in the area and if not was this intended as a warning to Jacob? That may sound rediculous but I guarantee you he would have enemies from the past. Enemies who may not know how powerless he has become these days."

[VAN]

Adam nods to Laurie's words.

"I fully understand. Good night and we will talk tomorrow."

The nhe turns to the others:

"Better take this conversation in my room, this isn't the best place to discuss."

When they all gathered in his room Adam says with clear sorrow at his voice:

"Thomas, Jacob is dead as well. He had casted a spell on Deselnora to keep her alive a bit more sacrificing his own life. Unfortunately even with that Delsenora didn't make it. So we have lost them both."

Adam makes a small pause to pray one more time for the peace of Del and Jacob's souls. Then continues:

"The piece of cloth you have found Thomas has a symbol on it. I cannot recognize it though. Maybe one of the others can so better give it a look in turns. As about the woman well it isn't sure is a spellcaster. Actually I'm more leaned to believe that she is just an assassin. She used a want to vanish and dart or another way to poison Delsenora. Of course Rizzin had sighs of burning but these could have gotten by another magical item or from one of the other men. As a matter of fact we do know that the werebadger is a spellcaster himself or at least works with one. So we may assume he was there as well or of course could have been a different spellcaster and the werebadger has nothing to do with Deselnora. Just I find it weird that the attack happened when she was coming to help us...Which makes me think that Quorin isn't a person to trust. He gave us the bards names and was the only one that knew we were going to see the bards and guess what we have been ambushed at our way to the 2nd bard and Rizzin warned us when we were at Lemay's house...Too much for a coincidense for me."

[kintire]

Marilee frowns

"Quorin was also the one that poisoned me with that beer. A jest, perhaps, but a very poorly timed one if so. I'll take a look at the symbol, but I'm not an expert on wierd symbols..."

She studies the cloth with some care then shrugs

"Well, we have a suspect in the werebadger case, who fits both the race and access to the records, but its going to be very difficult to get anything to stick on the mayor! I think we will have to catch him in the act to convince anyone. We need some appropriate weapons, and fast"

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Yes," says Khalfani, "it is somewhat terrifying to think that our most likely suspect is the mayor of the town." He also looks at the symbol on the cloth.

After a few moments, the gnome adds, "I noticed another symbol earlier this evening. It was on the ring of our new friend, Mister Lemay. Have any of you heard of the Fraternity of Shadows?

"No? It would not be surprising if you did not, since you have not been in Barovia for as long as I have... although I believe your aunt, Thomas, may know the name. It is a secret organization, about which I have long heard rumors. And the rumors indicate one thing: The members of the Fraternity are good people, determined to help people and prevent the rise of evil in Barovia and perhaps elsewhere.

"Lemay is a member of the Fraternity, I believe. Understandably, he wants to keep... what is the expression? A low profile, yes? But he may be a greater resource than we expect."

[BigBadQDaddy]

Thomas seems floored as it is revealed by Adam that Jacob has been declared dead as well. Delsenora. Jacob. Two legendary figures in his minds eye. Two companions of his mother and father. He suddenly felt homesick.
For a moment his mind rallied at the thought that some old enemy of his fathers hunting party was mixed in this, though he realized that was baseless, he wanted desperately to understand how such a person as Del was caught by surprise.
He was both saddened and proud at the selfless actions her father made in a desperate attempt to save her life. The fact that they failed made no difference.
Thomas nods at Marilee's words. He did not trust this Quorin character either, though his aunt had advised him otherwise. "I think if we deal with him at all it should be with caution. My Aunt seems to find him trustworthy but people change. Especially so when they are desperate. If we deem it necessary we could have him followed, though it would thin our resources."

[Ail]

Robert had been silent thus far, but his mind was thinking.

"Quorrin, the mayor, the woman, and Lemay... how many players here. First, Quorrin. We know he's strange, and by strange I mean strange in the same way our werebadger is strange. I think he is a were-something. It's a lot of coincidence, a week ago I hand't ever seen any of those and scoffed at the idea, now there seems to be two around. But... I've seen the dead rise, I've seen a.... a Rizzin!, I've seen a violet-skinned-elf-woman.... I've seen a lot to challenge my beliefs...

Where does that put Quorrin? Strangely enough, I trust him. What I don't understand is the connection between the attacks. Are there two groups or only one? The group that followed us to Lemay, is it the same that attacked Del? And how on earth could Del possibly be vanquished? Why was she on that alley, we never told Rizzin where the tunnel would exit for we did not know it ourselves! Thank the heavens for your aunt, Thomas. At least, she appeared at just the right time! "

He pauses for a while and then adds

"Right now, what worries me is who is hunting us, what was the motive to kill Delsenora, and if it is in any way related to the badger murders. And who is so powerful that she died."

[VAN]

"I have noiced the ring Lemay had as well Khalfani, but I don't know what is the symbol and who this Fraternity is. Asa about Quorin, well as I said I don't turst him but Luarie and Lemay did apparently. We have also Cornelius, if you remember he has told us that he can help us with the werebadger if we will go to his house which unfortunately we have no idea where it is but maybe we can find out. If the mayor is responsible for the attacks this is a really big problem! We can't go after him directly and we should try to get strong proof first and even try to warn the Count. Yes I know none of you trust him but enemy of my enemy is my friend. And even if the Count was cruel for what I heard from my father I think he is a better ruller that this mayor. But maybe this is just me. Deselnora was at the alley because was coming to us, Rizzin probably saw the enemies head to Lemay's house, told Delsenora and as she was coming there they ambushed and attacked her. Or they didn't ambush and she was just extremely unlucky that the assassin, because I really believe that woman is an assassin, got her with a poisonous dart or a spell and duzzled her so she couldn't fight well and leave. Delsenora didn't know we were at the werehouse she was coming to Lemay's house."

Adam makes a small pause so everyone gets his words.

"I think we should go find Cornelius first and then try to leaen whatever we can about the mayor. More we know the merer. If you want we can discuss if inform and how of course the Count as well. At last but not least we should check on the symbol of the cloth. Maybe return to Lemay and ask him, he seems to know a lot of things."

[steveflam]

The evening passes without incident. In the morning a private room awaits you, courtesy of Laurie. She awaits you with Rizzin who appears to be in better shape than the previous evening. Laurie is inspecting some items on the table. On a cloth is some tiny shards of broken glass with some kind of liquid on them. Next to that are a bag, presumedly Delsenora's. In front of the bag is a ring, three parchments, some gloves, an odd looking armor which Khalfani will recognize as an armor only Gnomes create! A pair of bracers, a cloak and another pair of gloves complete the items.

In one hand she holds a wand and the other hand a ring. Looking up she smiles and greets whomever is first. "Good Morning. I am just in the process of identifying the items. I just came in but a moment before you did in all actuality."

[BigBadQDaddy]

Thomas enters and smiles warmly. "Good morning Aunt Laurie." He says. "What have you found?"
He makes his way to an open chair close to the inspection table and sits down, looking at the items.

[steveflam]

Laurie looks up from her identifications. "Good Morning, young man!" She winks and takes a sip of something hot. Putting down the wand, she looks at the items on the table. "Well, I have only identified this ring thus far. It permits someone, once they've been wearing it for a week to forego eating and only need minimal sleep. I honestly can tell you that for me this would be a wonderful item. I don't care about the other items to be honest. I will identify them for you however. Oh, by the way, there are three potions in the bag which I didn't remove yet. I am presuming that the bag is magical."

The tiny pseudodragon looks up from his perch on a stool at Thomas and appears to smile. "Thomas, it is good to see you. I was hoping you would be the first one here." The tiny creature flies over to where Thomas will be sitting and will lay near his feet.

"He hasn't said anything to me about last night. I figure he needs some time. This glass here I found at the scene. It is covered in some type of liquid but I am no alchemist so haven't a clue as to what it is. The other items were in the bag and I removed them to inspect them. I don't think Delsenora would have wanted the militia to have these items, rather letting you young ones make good use of them. I'll be heading out tomorrow to Mordent to see Cornelius and the children." She looks down and swallows, that task not being an easy one.

[BigBadQDaddy]

"These are tough times my friend." Thomas replies to Rizzin. He then bends down and offers his hand to scoop him off the floor.
He then looks to his aunt rather quizzically before his expression returns to it's calm and controlled state. "I would assume it would be for her family to decide what happens to her items." He says in the form of a statement rather casually. "Of course anything that would aid in avenging her life I am sure would be understood, so long as it was returned."
He looks to the glass found at the scene of the crime. "I am no alchemist either but I am willing to stake that is some for of oil or other fuel source. That may explain the burnt odor smelled upon her person and the wounds our friend here suffered."

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani gets a cup of strong coffee, then he greets Laurie and the others upon entering the room.

"This glass here I found at the scene. It is covered in some type of liquid but I am no alchemist so haven't a clue as to what it is. The other items were in the bag and I removed them to inspect them. I don't think Delsenora would have wanted the militia to have these items, rather letting you young ones make good use of them. I'll be heading out tomorrow to Mordent to see Cornelius and the children." She looks down and swallows, that task not being an easy one.

"If you will allow..." Khalfani says as he looks over the items. He is certainly interested in the craftsmanship of the armor, but he first examines the shard of glass. He picks up a shard, sniffs it, then touches the tip of his ring finger to a bead of liquid and brings it to his tongue.

After a few seconds, he says, "It is a mixture designed to explode in fire upon impact, Madame. What is your word, 'combust'? Hmm, yes, alchemical fire.... that would be effective against someone as magically talented as poor Delsenora was. She might have had protection against flames from a spell, but not from something like this. Again, her killer or killers seemed to know well the abilities of their target. Even so, the brave lady did not surrender life easily, as the drops of blood leading away from the area wouls suggest. At least one of her attackers was injured."

[steveflam]

"These are tough times my friend." Thomas replies to Rizzin. He then bends down and offers his hand to scoop him off the floor.
He then looks to his aunt rather quizzically before his expression returns to it's calm and controlled state. "I would assume it would be for her family to decide what happens to her items." He says in the form of a statement rather casually. "Of course anything that would aid in avenging her life I am sure would be understood, so long as it was returned."
He looks to the glass found at the scene of the crime. "I am no alchemist either but I am willing to stake that is some for of oil or other fuel source. That may explain the burnt odor smelled upon her person and the wounds our friend here suffered."

The pseodragon sniffs Thomas' hand and moves quickly up his arm to rest at the young Cante's shoulder.

Laurie looks at Thomas with a straight face. "There is no more of her family here. Rizzin says Jacob is dead and Dmitri confirmed it to me this morning. He came knocking at my door. The dark elf died in his sleep apparently as there were no outwardly visible wounds on his body. From what I knew of both of them, they did have family back in their land, them being outlanders and all means it may be a while before one of their remaining family makes their way here, Thomas. I suggest we put her items to good use. I know a few people, so in case one of the remaining family comes looking for both of them, they'll be sent my way."

She sips more of her hot beverage and sighs, rubbing her eyes.

Khalfani gets a cup of strong coffee, then he greets Laurie and the others upon entering the room.

"If you will allow..." Khalfani says as he looks over the items. He is certainly interested in the craftsmanship of the armor, but he first examines the shard of glass. He picks up a shard, sniffs it, then touches the tip of his ring finger to a bead of liquid and brings it to his tongue.

After a few seconds, he says, "It is a mixture designed to explode in fire upon impact, Madame. What is your word, 'combust'? Hmm, yes, alchemical fire.... that would be effective against someone as magically talented as poor Delsenora was. She might have had protection against flames from a spell, but not from something like this. Again, her killer or killers seemed to know well the abilities of their target. Even so, the brave lady did not surrender life easily, as the drops of blood leading away from the area wouls suggest. At least one of her attackers was injured."

"Ah, Good Morning Khalfani. Alchemist Fire would make sense to me. A magical fire would have little chance of harming a dark elf from what Delsenora once told me."

When the gnome takes armor in his hands, he realizes that this is not only a Gnomish Armor, but it is of better than masterwork quality.

[VAN]

Adam rushes to get to the meeting room curious to check the items.

"Good morning everyone! I see there are some intresting items here."

Adam checks all the items one by one and says:

"I found pieces of glass at my boot as well, so I think this vial has been tossed to Deselnora."

Hearing Khalfani speaking about the alchemical fire he says:

"It can be greek fire, it's very common. Poor Deselnora. But what we need to find is if there was another liquid, I'm almost sure that Deselnora has been poisoned before the attack so maybe there is a dart somewhere except of course if she was dazzled by a spell. But I agree that whoever did this knew who Deselnora was and how to fight her."

Turning to Laurie asks:

"Miss Weathermay what does this ring?"