A New Barovia: Chapter Two

[kintire]

Marilee observes the antics with some amusement, then orders some refreshment.

"Well, we've found some things out, but we're not much closer to our target. What's our next move?"

[VAN]

"I think we should call it a night and tomorrow morning go to Jacob's house. What do you think?"

[BigBadQDaddy]

Thomas allows a brief welcoming smile to cross his lips as he is introduced to the mysterious expert of the arcane. He takes a mental note as to her reaction to the handshake specifically. Replying to the few speculative comments made regarding the Count and the swarm, Thomas begins in a rather dry tone, "Information is the currency of choice for those in power, or, in the dear sweet Count's case those seeking it. His bullying antics and his display of showing that he knows how to find us are his way of insuring that we stay under thumb and behave like good little subjects and do what we are told. He is attempting to secure a grip on our actions through fear. And though it pains me to say it we may be well served to play along. After all keeping your enemies close as they say."
Later in the inn as the Raven makes it display and proclamation Thomas looks at the woman with expressionless eyes for a moment or two before speaking. "Lady Darkheart, Khalfani mentioned you are skilled in matters arcane. It is very fortuitous that you have come into our company. I hope I am not too forward in querying what specific matters of arcane are you most affluent? Do you have a mind for investigation?"

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"I specialize in divinations, if that is what you mean," Valanth replies in a curt voice.

"The mistress specializes in divinations, but is also fluent in the hurling of energies and the raising of protections," the raven says, its voice cheerfully obsequious. "Why, during her first year at the Academy, she was challenged--"

Valanth shrugs, nearly unseating the raven, and it stops talking.

[steveflam]

Rizzin the Pseudragon levitates down from his perch above the Inn to settle on Thomas' shoulder. He observes Valanth and introduces himself to the woman. "I am Rizzin, now friend of Thomas. Once friend of Jacob and Delsenora, I can be useful, especially if I get foods, lots of foods!"

From above a hoot can be heard. Only big eyes can be seen from your vantage point. The eyes obviously belong to an owl. The owl flies down, landing near Khalfani. "That is Lupzig, my friend. She once belonged to a great man De Casteeles. When he died, she remained with mistress Delsenora."

The owl hoots once at the gathered group. It is obvious she wants food as well. To Vallanth, the Inn's occupants may the two animals no heed which leads her to believe that they are used to this occurence.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani raises an eyebrow at the expanding menagerie of flying creatures suddenly present. "And I believed that we were a distinctive group of people before today...." he muses.

"Adam," he enquires, "what do you believe you may find at Jacob's house? And in any event, we need to decide: Shall our main focus be the search for Delsenora's killer, or our original goal -- the one assigned to us by Delsenora and the distinguished Vasili -- the search for the were-creature?"

[Ail]

Robert nods to Valanth, but he says nothing. This woman does make him feel uncomfortable and he does not wish to associate with her more than strictly necessary. At least for the moment. He keeps looking at her veil, trying to guess at what lies underneath. It is unnerving.


Without looking at her, he pets Lupzig as she comes down on the table. Then,


"I am not sure. Indeed, I think we could check on Jacob. All that we know is that we lost him, but not how nor why. On the other hand, we are probably being followed by our attackers too. And suppose they don't know about Jacob? Wouldn't it be better to not reveal where he lived?

Personally, I think we should deal with the first matter first. I suspect whoever killed Delsenora is a foreigner into this land, someone coming from her place. We may be luckier in defeating those more akin to us, and those are the ones that took Vasili's sister. Logic can not help me in this choice, so I'm just choosing a reason over another to make a decision. I wait for the others to choose."

[VAN]

Adam notices that Rizzin and Lupzig are hungry and asks Cornelius if he has any spare food to give to the birds. After listening his companions he says:

"I think we should go to Jacob's house because we don't know what we can find there. Exactly because those that killed Deselnora were from a different land we need to learn more possible about them and their world. I do hope Jacob had some books, documents or anything that can help us get better our new enemies. They were after him for so long, even followed him here which makes them dangerous and very dedicated I might add."

Turning to Robert he says:

"We do know how Jacob died Robert, he has casted on him and Deselnora a spell that would give part of his life to Deselnora if she was close to death. The problem is that since Del died Jacob died as well. That woman and those with her were after both drows, maybe looking for something Jacob have, an item perhaps. So I'm afraid they will not stop till getting what they came for. That's why I want to go to Jacob's house, to find out what they were after and take it. I have heard stories about the drow from my father and I'm sure whatever he got, if this is the case of course, will be much better not get in wrong hands."

Turning to face everyone the cleric continues:

"Since both tasks we have are important I think we should split. We are 6 so 3 of us can investigate the were-badger and 3 can try to find Deselnora's murderer and why they are here. Every night we can discuss what we found out. I would prefer be at the second group honestly but of course will aid the first one if needed."

[BigBadQDaddy]

Thomas looks up from idly scratching Rizzen. "Though it would pain me to not aid in bringing those who murdered Delsenora and Jacob to justice I believe my training requires that I continue on in the investigation of the were-badger. I am by no means an expert on magic nor the politics of the Drow race."

[Ail]

"I see your point, Adam. And it is valid. I will not prevent you from going. I just don't know if we will be safe in groups of 3. Really."

[VAN]

"Why 3 groups? We will be split in 2 groups. One will search for Deselnora's murderer and the other will carry on the were-badger hunting. Since we are 6 we can be 3 in each group. I would prefer both groups to have 1 spellcaster and 1 good in close combat bcz we don't know what we will come across. And again we can meet here every night to compare notes, share ideas etc."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"No, I believe Robert said groups of three, not three groups, Adam," corrects Khalfani. "In any event, I agree with Robert that -- based on everything we've seen -- dividing our forces could be dangerous. We saw the type of power that the werebadger and his mysterious spellcasting companion were able to summon against us during the ambush. Imagine that same force against just three of us." The dark-skinned gnome shakes his head. "No, Adam, I certainly will not stop you from visiting Jacob's home, but when it comes to our original task, we need to act together."

[Ail]

Robert nods at Khalfani.


"Indeed, master gnome, that is exactly what I meant."


He rises and puts a reassuring hand on Adam's shoulder.


"Adam, I'm certain dividing our forces will not be good for us. We must keep together and handle everything together. We will go to Jacob and we will continue after our original quarry. We just have to choose where to go first, that's all."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Valanth clears her throat, then says: "I have two questions.

First: Who is this Jacob who keeps getting mentioned, and what is at his house to make it worth us going there?

Second" - she aims this question directly at Adam: "Have you been diagnosed with suicidal tendencies? From what I hear of this spellcaster, she is at the very least capable of accessing the mid-level of the second tier of magics. The other enemy you have made is a werebadger, and they are foul beasts. Granted I have not met them yet, but judging by what I have been told, either one of them could turn a group of people into stew without breaking a sweat. Separating this motley band seems foolish, to say the least."

[VAN]

Adam sighs.

"I do see your points my friends. I was just concerned on what those that are after Jacob are looking for. But alas you are all right, dividing our forces will weaken us and make us easy pray. So lets do this, lets get a good night sleep and tomorrow morning we can visit Jacob's house and then we can deal with the werebadger. Just please don't forget Deselnora's murder, if that one and the were badger aren't linked I would like to get the one responsible for her tragic death. I want to do that for Jacob."

Turning to Valath he says:

"Jacob was a dark elf that came here from another world. He wasn't evil as the other drows though. He was good, kind and helped my and Thomas father's in past. He actually saved their lives more than once. This Jacob was a mage, a cleric and a fighter a powerful person as you can imagine. Recently we found out that he had 2 children Deselnora that died yesterday and Fhargos. The one responsible for Del's murder was a spellcaster. We didn't know if she was the hand or the mind of the operation though. Jacob had enemies back at his world that followed him here. I think they were after something he has, because they are very dedicated. Who would risk such a travel if there wasn't a very good reason! That's why I want so much to visit his house, in order to learn more about his world and these enemies and of course try to get whatever they are after. If of course they haven't already got it and if they are indeed after something. So need to search his house in order to get some answers."