A New Barovia: Chapter Two

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Thank you for understanding, Adam," says Khalfani. He addresses the rest of the group: "Did you find anything of interest during your searches today? If not, then yes, perhaps it is time to eat and rest until the new day."

[Ail]

Robert picks his tooth as he's thinking:

"Getting whatever they're after for yourself, Adam? That might not be the wisest of moves. Depending on the thing, I'd outright think about destroying it in the first place. Don't want a bunch of high-powered fanatics on my tail..."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"You have better - or worse - to worry about than fanatics," Valanth suddenly says, her voice pitched low so only the people at the table can hear her, but very sharp nonetheless. "There is an undead presence outside this building. A powerful one."

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani's eyes widen at Valanth's comment. The dark-skinned gnome stands up slowly, muttering something indecipherable as he does so. He shares a look with the others, and then he walks over the inn's window and peers outside.

______________________________________
Khalfani casts mage armor.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Valanth rises and goes to join Khalfani. "You may not be able to see it," she mutters at the Gnome. "I sensed this presence through the wall. It may be skulking around the corner. I can not even be certain whether this is one creature or several, although to be honest, the fact that it triggered such a simple detection spell does not speak well for its willpower."

The veiled woman shakes her head and mutters an incantation of her own.

(OOC: Valanth also wards herself with Mage Armor.)

[steveflam]

The doors to the dining room open and two armed men enter. Followed by them are a man and a woman. The man is middle aged. Long pepper hair with a pony tail reaching the top of his buttocks. He sports a charcoal attire under his black cloak. A scabbard is apparent under the cloak and in his right hand he holds a cane. He is well groomed. The woman is brown haired and in her twenties. She sports a proper black dress. A beautiful red ribbon adorns her neck, accompanied by a fancy ruby necklace. They chose a table not far from yours. The two guards are middle aged. Each sports a chain shirt under their cloaks. A scabbard at each hip. Their expressions are blank, yet their eyes take in their surroundings and are obviously taking inventory of the patrons of the Inn.

Cornelius returns with food for the animals and goes to serve the newcomers. He appears to know the woman but not the man and the woman and himself are on a first name basis from the looks of it.

[BigBadQDaddy]

Briefly glancing at the two entering the inn with their entourage Thomas takes a mental note of the unfashionable scarf the woman is wearing. Nothing came to mind of it's country of origin. Deciding to not make himself a target he rises, giving what could only be a lady of some sort the proper respect, and seats himself again once she and her men have seated themselves at their own table.
Thomas looks idly across the room to Valanth, watching her, for any indicator of the undead threat which may have just entered the inn.

[VAN]

"I didn't mean to keep it for myself, more like it take it so they don't get it. If it's something we need to destroy we will most certainly will."

When VAalath mentioned the undead outside Adams narrows his eyes and whispers:

"Any chance this maybe the Count? We already saw him outside as a bat. Might still be him or someone else?"

When the group of armed people came inside Adam studies them for a second making a mental note they are all armed. Then says:

"I think we should call it a night my friends, I don't know about you but I'm very tired, a big day attends us tomorrow."

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani nods solemnly at Valanth's analysis, and he scrutinizes the newcomers. He returns to the table and says softly, "It is... difficult not to become -- how do you say? Parasol? When you see threats in every corner...? Oh, paranoid. Thank you, Robert. In any event, I oddly feel more at ease regarding these new arrivals simply because they ARE so obvious.

"Very well, Adam. Let us retire. But first..." He beckons Cornelius over and says in a polite whisper, "Cornelius, my friend... if you do not mind my asking, who are those interesting-looking guests who just arrived?"

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Valanth replies to Adam in a whisper: "I have never met this Count face to face, but rumour has it he is quite the magus For him to fall afoul of my sensor against the undead would be a small miracle. My spell has ceased functioning, in any case. I can not cast it again before tomorrow."

[steveflam]

Cornelius leans down and respnds to Khalfani "I dunno who tha man is but he spoke with a really ole Balok accent. I canna say who she is but I call her Missus J as that is part of 'er first name. Gots ter run n serve 'em. Them guards give me tha willies, they smell funny."

He walks back to the kitchen.

[Ail]

Robert nods and sits more deeply in his chair. He looks at the newcomers quite attentively, while discretely his hand feels his rapier, just to be sure it is on his side.

He comments to his comrades, very softly:

"I don't like the look of these people. They are hooligans, and I'm sure they mean some harm here tonight. I think we should stay for a while and watch. I for one would not want to be called responsible, even if unwillingly, for not being present in a time of need."

Is the room very full or not? How are our spellcasters, have they used many of their powers for the day?

[VAN]

Adam glances the newcomers one more time and then says in low voice:

"Well, we can stay a bit longer and see if they stir some troubles. When they leave we can retire to our rooms as well."

[Ail]

"Yes, I agree", Robert says. "At least, let's see how they behave. We should always be mindful of the ways of those that stay near the place where we sleep."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Them guards give me tha willies, they smell funny."

"'Smell funny?'" mutters Khalfani in confusion. "I smell nothing to be amused about... ahhhh, I understand the meaning now. Although perhaps I wish I had not." Khalfani looks down at the table, seemingly lost in thought. "Valanth senses undead... and now we have new arrivals who 'smell funny.' Not a happy coincidence. Yes, perhaps we should wait here for a short time."

He then looks up, trying to gauge the reaction of the various animals at their table to the presence of the newcomers. "And perhaps, too, others may sense what we do not."