A New Barovia: Chapter Two

[Ail]

"So, Adam, what can you tell? What do you make of this?"

[VAN]

"Well there was a spellcaster here that's for sure. For whoever is familiar with magic I can say that there is lingering conjuration, trasmutation and illusion aura. My thoughts are that someone used a teleportation spell to leave this roof. This one had a trasmutation spell on him, for example could be the one that makes the skin harder or could have grew wings and flew away. The conjuration aura except of teleportation can be the classic armour mages have. The illusion could be a spell that makes him invisible and that's why we didn't see him."

Looking at Robert Adam asks:

"You found only one pair of footprints right? So only one person was here right? If yes then that was for sure a spellcaster, if were more people on here then one of them was spellcaster and maybe casted a teleportation spell to get everyone away."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"I am no great tracker, Gnome," Valanth says, and sighs.

Then she picks up her mug and tosses the ale still in it back in one gulp, slamming the mug down again.

"Let's go anyway. The fresh air will do me good - or my nose, at least."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"You have a nose, then?" asks Khalfani. "It is difficult to tell what features you have behind that shroud. Aside from the mouth, obviously." He puts his drink down and stands up. "If you are ready, also, Marilee....?"

Khalfani then leads the trio back to the site of the previous night's ambush.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"I can see clearly that you have a nose," Valanth hisses as she snatches up her cane and follows after. "But then that is obvious with any Gnome."

What is also obvious, is the fact that the cane is not a fashion statement; Valanth turns out to have a slight limp, and she is using the cane to walk. Its metal heel makes a clear 'clack'-noise, every time it hits the Barovian cobble stones.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani chuckles softly as he walks with Marilee ahead of Valanth. "It is necessary to ... 'feed' her opportunities for insults, you see," he whispers to Marilee. "For Valanth, it is often a more potent stimulant than the strongest coffee."

[steveflam]

Khalfani, Marilee and Valanth - Scene of Ambush

You three arrive there. The scene is not as disturbed as you might have thought it would be. Citizens have passed, but not disturbed it.
On first search, there is not much to see. Badger footprints and the larger badger prints, those of the Werebadger. Closer inspection reveals a little more. A piece of brown cloth and what looks like it was bull dung? Near the wall of the alley is found some hair. The hair is short so you can not tell if it is human or otherwise.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani crouches down to examine the brown cloth and the footprints.

__________________________________________

Is the cloth a ripped-off portion of something else, say, a cloak? And is there any chance of backtracking any of the prints?

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Some of these things look not unlike spell components," Valanth says. She seems to be thinking about something, and then makes a casual gesture and mutters a few words.

(OOC: Knowledge (arcana) check to determine whether the dung and the hair are, in fact, components: 28. Casting Detect Magic and scanning the area.)

[steveflam]

Khalfani crouches down to examine the brown cloth and the footprints.

__________________________________________

Is the cloth a ripped-off portion of something else, say, a cloak? And is there any chance of backtracking any of the prints?

The footprints exit the alley into the street. There it is obvious you won't be able to follow them as people have walked over them constantly during the day and they are now lost to you.

"Some of these things look not unlike spell components," Valanth says. She seems to be thinking about something, and then makes a casual gesture and mutters a few words.

(OOC: Knowledge (arcana) check to determine whether the dung and the hair are, in fact, components: 28. Casting Detect Magic and scanning the area.)

Indeed the dung is that of a bull. The hair is that of a badger. The dung is commonly used for the Bull Strength spell. The detect madic confirms this as Transmutation is the school of magic detected, though faint.

[kintire]

While the other two search the area, Marilee stays alert, scanning the surroundings carefully for signs of another attack

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Bull Strength spell," Valanth says, matter-of-fact. "Your Werebadger's mage ally was stacking the deck against you, it would seem. I think you need to tell me a bit more of what tricks this Mage has under their belt, Khalfani."

[Ail]

"Indeed Adam, I only saw one set of prints. Nothing else. But whoever climbed was a damn good climber. I wonder if a wizard would be very proficient in that.

[VAN]

"I really doubt the wizard climbed up here Robert, someone else did and most propably the wizard appeared here, picked him/her and left together. Do you remember that woman that casted a teleportation spell at the alley where Deselnora died? Well I bet this spell was a dimension door, she appeared her, got one of the wounded men that were with her and they disappeared. Unfortunately I cannot get their new destination. I'm afraid we can't do anything else here. But at least we confirmed that the woman is a powerful spellcaster and at least of the 4 men that attacked Del was here. We need to find the other 3 since they are wounded as well and they can't run fast. And don't forget that we should visit Jacob's house and search there as well."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Bull Strength spell," Valanth says, matter-of-fact. "Your Werebadger's mage ally was stacking the deck against you, it would seem. I think you need to tell me a bit more of what tricks this Mage has under their belt, Khalfani."

Khalfani says, "The only thing that I know she did was dispel defensive magic that had been cast by myself and another. She was certainly prepared. From the beginning, it has seemed that our foes know more about us and our actions than is comfortable."

He looks around, shrugs his shoulders, and says, "I doubt anything else will be discovered here. Perhaps, Valanth, we should follow up on your suggestion about the Morninglord's clergy. If we cannot find such assistance, then we should head back to the inn." He smiles wrly. "I am sure you will be delighted to meet the other fine people who have been investigating these crimes."