A New Barovia: Chapter Two

[Ail]

Robert stands apprehensively, careful not to touch the poison. He examines the wall where the drops were found, trying to understand if someone climbed or tried to climb.

[VAN]

Waiting Fharghos to explain Adam says:

"Can I see the coinfor a minute please?"

When he gets it he studies it.

[steveflam]

We will presume that Marilee shows the coin to Fharghos then to Adam after.

The dark elf examines it closely, exclaiming in a strange language. He passes the coin to Adam, rage passing momentarily on his face before it subsides. "That is the insignia of a Captain of the Black network. Better known as the Zhentarim where I am from. They are responsible for the death of my mother and brother. To make a long story short, they are an evil organization who perform evil deeds for the betterment of their organization. This is bad news indeed, if this is indeed the case. And they are responsible for the death of my sister, by the looks of the poison. They have had it in for my family ever since father eliminated their leader years ago. He belonged to a good organization in those days. After Mother and Rizzin my brother died, he left the organization. I must meditate on these events to decide my further actions. Please excuse me."

Fharghos stretches, and soon his form shimmers, changing to one of an eagle. He squawks once and flies off into the sky. His eagle companion follows. Soon both birds are but dots in the sky.

[kintire]

Marilee looks impressed as the Drow shapeshifts, then returns her attention to the others

"it looks as if this might be a red herring then: trouble from the family's past. We should take care of these murderers if we can, but it is the serial killer that poses the greatest threat to the people here"

[Ail]

"Unless, that is", Robert adds, "if these guys are somehow involved with the werebadger. I do think it is a stretch, but having a whole bunch of people coming here from another land... literally... well, that is the biggest of all stretches, so I'm open to everything now... To think I didn't need to grow old to hear of these tales, now that's quite something."

[VAN]

Adam cannot help a little whistle when Fhargos transformed.

"This was indeed impressing!" Apparently we have more gamers in ours seek the killer game. Which is hardly a game actually since women are killed...Anyway I think I think we should try to know more about this Zentharim. I know that our land is kinda protected from plane travelling so they are trapped here without a way to return unless they find a really powerful wizard or being to help them. As I see things I have 2 suggestions my friends: 1st go to Jacob's house, he has been from the other world and maybe we can find something useful in his house. Plus I want to arrange the funeral. Jacob deserves to be burried with honour. Then we can go, and this is the hardest part of the plan, to arrange a meeting with Count Strahd. He was the old ruller of the land and knows it as better as anyone and I'm sure he is craving get it back. I don't say be his allies because for sure he will have his own agenda, but he might be willing to help us get the werebadger especially if is the mayor...And I bet he will be intrested to know that outlanders assassins are in his land. Strahd is powerful and maybe very helpful."

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani looks in amazement as Fharghos transforms, but his attention is brought back down by Adam's comments. "Meet with Count Strahd?!" he exclaims. "Ohhh, Adam, I do not like the idea of doing so. Entering into an agreement with one such as Strahd, especially now that we know for certain he is one of the Undead... I would fear for our souls. In any event, you will likely not find Strahd unless he wishes to be found. Let me explain....

"When Strahd disappeared and this land was sealed off from the neighboring realms, Strahd's ancestral home -- Castle Ravenloft -- ALSO disappeared. I know not what magic was involved in such an event. In its place appeared another castle -- an equal to Ravenloft in its grimness. To my knowledge, no one knows who, or what, resides there, and those people who went to investigate either quickly returned with tales of terrifying, ghostly sounds ... or did not return at all."

"In any event, Marilee and I were going to visit the site of last night's ambush to see whether MORE clues can be found." The gnomes pauses, as though considering something that had just occurred to him. "I may also seek the insight of a ... colleague, someone with greater knowledge of the arcane than my humble self. We shall meet you at the inn later then, my friends."

___________________________
I've updated this to pave the way for future developments.

[Ail]

"Uh.... before you go", Robert calls...
"Someone climbed this wall. I'm thinking it would be a good idea for us to climb it too and see if we can learn anything above."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Many pardons, Robert," says Khalfani. "You, of course, speak wisely."

___________________________

OOC: D'oh! [headsmack] Yes indeedy....

[Ail]

"Well, then, if you don't mind, I'll try and see what I can find."

Rober turns and attempts to climb.

OOC: Climb check: 20
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3294623/

[BigBadQDaddy]

"I would have to agree with Khalfani, Adam." Thomas says to his friend. He looks away from the pair of eagles disappearing from sight and to Adam before continuing. "To ally with such a...creature would only serve to efficiently invite our ends. My father and his companions spent an evening with the devil Strahd years before I was born. What transpired then was...beyond belief to say the least. Not to mention after our encounter in the graveyard..." The young man trails off as his attention changes to watching Robert attempt to scale the wall.

[steveflam]

Robert scales the wall with ease, arriving at the rooftop. Once on top, he scans the roof for anything out of the ordinary. The first thing he finds is a piece of brown cloth, the same that Marilee saw on the ground. There are slight footprints across the rooftop to the other side. Upon further inspection of the footsteps it is apparent they belong to either a large child or maybe a woman's feet. If this was a man the prints might be a bit more prominent. This was a light person. Upon closer inspection he sees blood drops every few feet which lead to the other side as well. This terminates his inspection of the rooftop.

[VAN]

Adam listens carefully Khalfani an Thomas and sighs:

"Well was just an idea, I do remember my father speaking about Count Strahd and how powerful he was and indeed if he doesn't want to be found he wont. We can go to Jacob's house when you and Marilee go to the person you want Khalfani."

Looking at Robert asks:

"Is there anything up there Robert?"

[Ail]

Robert examines the footprints better. He wants to make sure if they could tell anything about the race of the person. He then comes to the other side of the roof and looks for signs that may show if the person climbed down the wall.

OOC: were the feet bare of shod?

[steveflam]

Robert looks down the wall at every place and can not see that anyone climbed down.