A New Barovia: Chapter Two

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Was it done in a single casting, or did this Mage need several counterspells to dispel your protections?" Valanth ass as she limps over to Khalfani. "As for the clergy, Isuggest we go tomorrow. I have noticed that even the most well-intentioned Barovians are friendlier between dawn and dusk." She sighs deeply. "So let us meet your heroic comrades."

[Ail]

"I agree with you, Adam. But perhaps now it's better to go back to headquarters and decide what to do tomorrow. Let's see what the others found out."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Was it done in a single casting, or did this Mage need several counterspells to dispel your protections?" Valanth ass as she limps over to Khalfani. "As for the clergy, Isuggest we go tomorrow. I have noticed that even the most well-intentioned Barovians are friendlier between dawn and dusk." She sighs deeply. "So let us meet your heroic comrades."

"It seemed to be done at once, Valanth," says Khalfani grimly. "Yes, I am aware that suggests a powerful practitioner of magic. So, indeed, back to the inn."

The gnome heads back with Marilee and Valanth.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Take heart, Gnome," Valanth says. "It suggests access to the Dispel Magic incantation, to me, at the least. But there are ways of getting around even that. The clergy might be able to help us tomorrow."

Valanth follos Khalfani to the inn.

[VAN]

Adam nods in agreement. "Yes better return, it's getting late and we have nothing else to do here."

With the help of the rope Adam climbs down and is ready to return to the inn.

[steveflam]

Both parties begin their return to the Inn. As you walk back, the sun has already begun its descent for the evening. Night will be upon you before either party arrives at the Inn. Citizens scurry about quickly, making due haste to their abodes. The setting sun urges them on. Militia groups of four patrol the streets as you walk back. Recognizing most of you, they leave you alone, merely nodding and moving off.

As both parties turn a corner and actually walk down the same street from opposite sides, the sun sets. A strange sound begins coming from both ends of the street, then suddenly as all of you meet up close to the Inn a swarm of bats converges from both ends of the street and fly over you. The whole street darkens as they fly over you, and you all have a strange sensation, almost as if someone was watching you through the swarm.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Valanth flinches and hunches down when the swarm appears. "Nisi mors, nisi vivens, te video," she mutters, and she makes a complicated hand gesture at the swarming bats. The veiled woman's tone of voice is... decidedly less than pleased.

(OOC: Valanth casts Detect Undead, DC 15. It's not much, but it's something...

Spot check to the tune of 22!)

[BigBadQDaddy]

Looking up at the swarm Thomas can't help but allow a brief scowl to float to the surface of his features. "Our host is not a subtle one. It is apparent that the Lord of the land wishes us to know that he is watching us."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"But an omen of warning, or of support, Thomas?" says Khalfani as he approaches the other group. "My friends, if you do not object, I have requested the assistance of an, uh, acquaintance, one who is skilled in matters of the arcane. May I introduce Valanth Darkheart." He indicates the woman with the veiled face who walks alongside Khalfani and Marilee.

"Valanth, I introduce you to my trusted companions in this dark investigation: Thomas Cante, Robert de Moureaux, and Adam Thunderstorm."

_______________________________________
I had to do some digging to find some folks' last names. It's been a while.

[VAN]

"Holly Sun!" Says Adam as sees the swarm.

"I agree that someone is watching us."

When Khalfani introduces Valanth, Adam shakes the woman's hand but then looking at the swarm one more time he says:

"Happy to make your acquintance Miss, but if you don't mind can we take the conversation inside the inn? I don't feel comfortable here."

[steveflam]

Valanth flinches and hunches down when the swarm appears. "Nisi mors, nisi vivens, te video," she mutters, and she makes a complicated hand gesture at the swarming bats. The veiled woman's tone of voice is... decidedly less than pleased.

(OOC: Valanth casts Detect Undead, DC 15. It's not much, but it's something...

Spot check to the tune of 22!)

This round*, Valanth detects no undead with her incantation. However, she clearly sees in the swarm as it passes over them, a pair of ruby red eyes in their midst. Thomas' declaration may be spot on after all. Khalfani spies the red eyes as well. The swarm passes quickly, moving on into the Barovian night.

After the introductions, you all move into the Inn. Inside you find Quorrin is absent but Cornelius is there, greeting guests and though now proprietor, he is still at his post behind the bar.

* I will update Rock in private the results of the spell.

[Ail]

Robert looks to the bats slightly fearful, almost expecting the count to materialize then and there. But the bats leave, a new ally is introduced and then he enters the inn.

Inside, he mutters to the others in a very low voice: "That was clearly a display for us, he wants to let us know he knows what we do. But I'm feeling there is more than that, either he wants to talk to us or he to use us as his informants."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Adam can feel Valanth pull her hand away perhaps a trifle too quickly to be polite, and she does not respond right away.

Inside the inn, the veiled woman makes an exasperated noise and turns to Khalfani: "'He' this, 'he' that. Who is this 'he', who sends bats around to watch you people? What kind of business are you getting me into besides tracking and stopping a spiteful murderer, Gnome?"

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Ah, Valanth," says Khalfani, who seems slightly bemused despite the disturbing sight, "did I not mention it? Count Strahd has returned to Barovia. And the killer we seek may be linked to those who forced the vampire -- yes, vampire, no doubt of that now -- forced him out of power."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Spluttering sounds of mixed rage and disbelief issue from behind Valanth's veil, followed by a muffled croak from somewhere around the area of her stomach.
For a moment, Valanth's cloak humps up in a disturbing manner, and then a raven peeks its head out and hops onto the table. The black bird takes a moment to groom its ruffled feathers, and then turns a beady eye on everyone except Valanth and speaks in accentless Mordentish: "The mistress is displeased that you have kept this crucial fact from her."
The bird caws as a normal raven would after having delivered this message, and flutters to Valanth's shoulder.