A New Barovia: Chapter One

[BigBadQDaddy]

Private Room

Thomas shifts a bit in his seated position. His eyes look over the others hastily as he thinks about how desperate the militia must really be that they would pick a handful of travelers at an inn to investigate a string of murders. And what of the creatures patrolling the town?

"Captain..." Thomas begins. "...The situation here in Krezk warrants some explanation. there are...creatures patrolling the streets. Are these the militia men you refer to?
"And what else could be going on in the city that would steer away the due attention of a string of murders?"

[A G Thing]

Before Josem can compose himself he finds Delsenora coming to both he and Khalfani and with a very beautiful voice with almost perfect inflection speaks their native tongue to them. "I assure you that I and perhaps my new friend here would are just as surprised and pleasantly so to see you!" Her reference to a dwarf aside Josem is quite stunned by both her behavior and appearance but it is with some admiration and interest that he records it diligently. He wonders internally whether such impractical and provocative dress is perhaps something common to those of dark elven or shadow fey lineage... 'Perhaps their is also some sort of magic in the design for it certainly seems to defy gravity to an extent!' Then with the mention of a dark place ideas for gravity defying bodices and others (such as magical anti gravity shoes to levitate at eye level with other races on command.) simply are set to the side. "A dark place?!?! What do you suppose she meant by that Sir Fenimikk?"

Josem is once again happy to learn so much about others, and when Robert announces that he is perhaps no the most skilled bard or practitioner of such arts he is surprised but it is not to the negative. On the contrary for him to have been so very convinced means that there is more than likely a very interesting story behind the lute carrying mystery man. His playing also is quite good suggesting that while he may practice the art on the side, he has some aptitude to it to be sure. Josem started trying to take what little he knew of music to remember the song so he might be ahead a bit when he attempted to learn to play the lute for it sounded wonderful... Of course his would be smaller so the acoustics would naturally be different but perhaps sonic magic might alter it to match a larger instrument? His interest peaked he also is sure to comment on the song played by Robert as it is quite beautiful. "Well despite your assertions I assure you I think that you have plenty of stories good Sir de Moureaux! The fact that you play so well means you have spent some time learning such a craft and whether you consider yourself one or not you were offering to play publicly so I think their may be more of a bard to you than you admit! Surely there is something worth knowing about so interesting and studied and individual such as yourself, even if it is only how to play such a fine insturment!"

Josem then is whirled through a maddening pace of social introductions, and as he stumbles through an introduction with Thomas as it seems to be both a fast but still polite affair... This is followed by quick introductions of both Vassili and then Coin, which he was sure he had perhaps misheard the name of but recorded into the notes anyways. The three men seemed to be quite different in appearance but also practiced in the world and they all seemed to be of different enough character that Josem was having to use short hand to convey his notes onto the page at the berth of new info that kept pressing in.

Just as they all began to settle and he began to sort the various notes again noticing that he is filling up more pages today than he has in several weeks in walks another possible companion, which until he looks completely up her form he almost took to mistake as a man. The lady however carried a confidence around her that said she would perhaps add volumes to the tales he would record in his little note pad!

For once Josem was having trouble managing his thoughts enough to speak, but as he straightened them out he focused on the words he had just heard... A string of murders of women, six to be exact. This captured his minds main resources and he set to listening as the Captain continued to speak!

[kintire]

Marilee strides confidently into the room. Again, her expression slips briefly to surprise as she sees the oddly assorted company, but she recovers quickly and tosses the Captain a nonchalent salute.

Greetings Captain: and gentles all! I'm Marilee. Sorry to barge in, but I hear you're hiring

She sits in the nearest chair, and glances around the company.

She is a tall young woman with raven hair, strong looking and dressed in light armour

[Ken of Ghastria]

"And good evening to you, Marilee," says Khalfani in slightly awkward, accented Mordentish. Marilee sees a bronze-skinng gnome with deep-set, piercing yet friendly eyes. He wears loose, lightly colored garments and a red, purple, and gray striped head covering of some sort. "I am Khalfani." He then proceeds to introduce the others "...and new they are to me as well. It is an interesting night."

"Captain, it is good to see you again. Please continue. These murders... the women were killed by the same villain, is that what you believe?"

[steveflam]

Vassili smiles at both Thomas' and Khalfani's questions. "Very good. I will start with the murders. Over the past few months a string of grisly murders has occurred here in Krezk, all female. Six, in fact. In case you wanted to see the bodies or see our notes on the subject, both have mysteriously disappeared. The notes from our Headquarters and the bodies from the cemetery here in Krezk. I only can tell you that five of the six were visitors to the city. The sixth, unfortunately was my sister whom was visiting from Darkon last week."

The man swallows and grits his teeth, fists clenched at his sides. "You caught me at a good moment but at a bad time as I depart for personal leave this evening. Sergeant Dmitri Kholov will be replacing me until I return. He is a good man. This evening I had planned to visit the cemetery for clues, but it is now impossible in my case. I am here to offer you work as special investigators for the militia. As your first task, I would like you all to visit the cemetery and see what you may find. In the morning you will report to Dmitri at our HQ. I am sorry but I can't tell you more and must be taking my leave. Delsenora can answer some questions, if you like." He looks at everyone and nods.

"I take my leave now, but good luck." He exits the room and closes the door behind him.


Delsenora, always one for the dramatic begins levitating until she is seated cross legged at table height. "So, uh, well I am glad to meet you. Thomas, you asked about those Goblyns? Well the only thing I can tell you is that nearly ten years ago they appeared. They patrol the streets and only do they take in criminals. The population is accustomed to them. I think it has something to do with that devil Strahd's death and Barovia being closed for that whole time. I am not an arcane specialist, far from it. Well, once I have answered any questions I can answer, it might be a good idea to get to know each other. The cemetery awaits, after all. That is the dark place I was talking about, Khalfani."

She now awaits your questions.

[Zilfer]

"The note's and pictures just.... up and disappeared? Doesn't that imply that either that they know how your HQ works or have already infiltrated your ranks? I don't mean to throw accusations but following this line of thinking don't you think its strange that a killer would target the captain of the guards' sister? I don't think it's a coincidence, they have to know something at the very least know you," said Coin thinking aloud to make sure his ideas were heard. He was used to thinking internally so it was a little awkward talking aloud to a group he knew little about. He really wanted to look at the HQ room where the information was stolen to gauge how hard it would be for someone from the outside to get in or if it had to be an inside job. He was having a hard time reasoning as to why someone would murder six women anyways. 'What was there to gain? Madness, he would never understand so focus on catching him instead,' he told himself.

"I got a few questions, for you." said Coin putting his hand to the side of his face in a V shape matching his chin. "What age were these women? and..... nevermind." He was a little embarrassed as to where his thoughts had gone. Sometimes questions were better left unspoken. Perhaps his hesitancy showed his line of thinking. He looked to the others. "I don't suppose you've ever had anything like this happen on your travels? I myself had a string of murders when I was back in Nova Vassa.... found out one of the nobles would pay this group to snatch people off the street so he could do whatever he wanted to them, and they always ended up dead. Corruption is always present in cities it seems like... depressing really. I thought far out lands would be different."

[Ail]

Robert sits almost absent-mindedly giving out the musical support to what he thinks will be a pleasant evening. He's almost sure Vassili frowns as he starts, his heels non-chalantly poised on the table. He answers with just a candid smile. He vaguely notices the entrance of Marilee.

He is more forthcoming at Josem's compliments though, and is about to respond when Vassili, curtly, mentions the six dead women.

Robert's mood changes instantly. He takes his feet off the table, puts the lute away and becomes the most interested listener in the room. He interjects

"Six dead women?! Now, six dead men I could still allow, but women? We must apprehend the criminal, who dares stalk the most beautiful creation of our land?"

He listens to the rest, and answers at the end.

"You can count me in. I will gallantly step --- nay, run! --- in the pursuit of whoever did this, even if I have to go to a cemetery at night or even hell itself."

He knows a good part of this is simple bravado, but that's just his way.

[kintire]

So, all we have to do is head down to the graveyard, find the culprits and take 'em out? easy!

Marilee looks rather more impressed at the Drow's levitation than she would like to admit, but maintains a confident air

We'll avenge the good captain's daughter in no time!

[steveflam]

Turning to Coin, Delsenora simply states "It is very easy to infiltrate somewhere if you know how, young Coin. Here, this helps." And just like that , she disappears from view. She still however talks "See? And if you are in any way a light stepper, then how simple might it be to get around unseen and take whatever you like? Pretty easy I'd say. It is possible that the thief is known to the militia but a good professional need only study and take what he, or if the case is perhaps a she, is paid to take. That, my friend Coin is most probably what happened."

She reappears and looks at Coin. "I have no idea what their ages were, unfortunately. I do know that these poor women were found, their heads missing and right arm torn off. Not to mention part of the body eaten by some beast. Why someone would want the dead women is beyond me. Maybe someone medically inclined would know more. Vassili's sister was identified by him as he knows of a beauty mark I am presuming only he or her family would know of. I do know that, though he is not a Vistani, he was brought up by them and that is where he is off to now, with his dead sister. She was a Vistani. I really pity the poor sod who did this to her cause from what I hear, Vistani's curses are really bad."

Pausing, she looks at everyone. "Well, enjoy the rest of your meals. More food is coming. I have business to attend to, so ta-ta." POOF! She disappears only to reappear standing at the door. She bows, showing off her ample charms before exiting and closing the door behind her.

[Zilfer]

Coin made a warding sign he couldn't help it. It was bred into him from where he grew up. Magic anywhere except from clerics was considered a bad sign, and while Coin had seen little magic in his time he still had these general overtones about magic. The way Delsona used her magic in such an off handed manner. It was quite shocking to him, and he wasn't sure of whether to be resentful, or respectful. He knew she held higher status than him a measley peasant. Peasants were supposed to show respect to those above them, and as such he respected all equally for fear of being punished as all those who were poor in Nova Vassa did.

A foreign land... perhaps if more people saw these foreign lands we would not be so.... close minded? or perhaps I should heed their warnings. He would have to think on it later for now he simply admired what she could do and took into consideration that someone might be able to do this to infultrate such a compound.

"I must admit, I'm a bit taken aback...." said Coin not sure of whether he meant the murders or the magic. "If beasts were involved maybe we could find out what kinds of beasts were involved, might help identify the killer."

Coin watched as Del did it yet again and he withheld a flinch this time. "I really hope you don't do that in places your not supposed to," muttered Coin already seeing how magic could be abused. "I'm up for this case as well so count me in, if anyone would like to leave for the cemetary now I'm up for it as well," finished Coin.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani sits quietly as Delsenora speaks. The twinkle of excitement has faded from the gnome's eyes. "Ah, this is a dark, dark business," he says to the group after Delsenora's departure. "Vassili is a good man. I do not like to see someone so young be so sad. Delsenora, speaking she was of the Vistani.... I know them well. I hope for the sake of Vassili's ka that he does not let the Vistani twist him with thoughts of revenge into something he is not, or resembling the Beast we seek shall be his fate."

After Coin speaks, he chuckles slightly and stands up. "You are young and full of energy, that is good. Running into danger without knowledge ... that is bad. There is a saying in my home, 'Ejna la namˈma, ahlan wa sahlan. Ejna la fahdik, ahlan shukran bi-karr.' For you, I translate, 'Allies in battle live together. Strangers in battle die alone.' Living is better, I think." He smiles slightly.

"And so, more than names are necessary. Knowledge, friend Coin, knowledge. What talents do each of us possess? Clearly, some are masters of the sword..." he indicates Marilee with his eyes, and then he bows respectfully toward her. "...But clearly, I am not, despite this." He indicates a small, black walking stick next to his chair. Now that Khalfani has pointed it out, though, the end of the "walking stick" is a fist-sized piece of obsidian, with a dangerously sharp tip. "Spells of the arcane, yes, that is what I have. I do not speak of it often -- many here fear magic -- but each of you is to know this if we are to accept this task. And accept it I do, and go the graveyard I shall, young Coin... after others have spoken and I have eaten!" With another slight smile, he sits down and continues to eat, while listening avidly to what the others say.

[A G Thing]

Josem had listened for the time to the proposition of the captain, and then Delsenora's further explanation... Murder was something he seldom ran into personally and the shock of the proposition after so many exciting pleasant encounters was such a contrast that he had to think on it longer than he was accustomed... He had heard the night tales and terrifying stories before and while he had shuddered he often had deduced the outcome before hand though it had scared him still. He was not afraid so much now as just nervous and excited about such a job, and while he had ideas the fact that he had not been able to just solve the tale directly drew him further in. He also saw that many of those here if not all of them were already considering the job as well. He knew that even though he lacked experience in the matter he could be of assistance and that it would give him a chance to test himself against the very horrors his Grampap had tried to frighten him with and keep him from leaving on this fools errand as he called it. While thinking these thoughts they play pretty obviously across his face making his interest in the offer quite apparent!

'The creature that committed the murder was bold and brash, and yet showed amazing forethought and a knowledge of the area... We have been given jobs very suddenly and one begs the question if there is perhaps a larger reason for the murders than simple villainy? Much of it seems ritualistic with the repetition and perhaps their is a larger pattern at work? The sound of such a villain almost makes it seem to point to something supernatural in my mind.'

Coming to a bit of a resolution, his face brightening a small amount as he seems to resolve himself to the course Josem looks to those here he is most familiar with first...

"Sir Fenimikk? Sir de Moureaux? What do you think of such an offer? I understand the need and the speed of the offer! I also wish to help and I curse my distraction from not asking further about the subject but so much has happened this day! I just have questions and I think they might be better answered tomorrow when my head is not so busy with the 17.5 thoughts I am currently processing beyond this new one?"

Looking from both Robert and Khalfani after they answer he stands upon his stool and tries to gather the others attention, with a slight gesture and such...

"Excuse me. I realize that we all have just been presented with a unique offer and that we all need to think a bit on where we stand, but I also think that we might for the time being be better served if we were to perhaps reintroduce ourselves as so many new faces seem to be mixed together, just so we are all clear. I am Josem Synablathept Ogmonosphere from Mayvin... I am I guess you could say a bit of a wandering scholar and adventurer!"

He then looks around and waits wondering if his statistical estimation of the rather boisterous young lady who just entered being the first response would hold up... He now filed his mind into having 18 total thoughts as the fully formed statistic was about to be tested!

[Ail]

"Well spoken, master Khalfani, and thank you for your introduction Josem. Yes Coin, magic is strange, I understand nothing of it myself either.
Well, I am Robert de Moureaux. And my specialty is the rapier."


He gets up, and quite a flourish, he finds an open space and makes a few moves with his elegant sword. All can clearly see it is of very fine quality, although he is fast and surprisingly agile. He seems to use his cloak as part of his techniques, and climbs easily to stools and tables, as he shows a penchant for attacking from above.

When he's done, he says.

"I'm basically a fighter, that's it."


However, he only uses a chainshirt, so he is probably not a first line fighter.

[kintire]

I'm as close as anyone needs to get to the best sword in the city!

She glances and the slim rapier with very slight amusement, then draws and flourishes her own sword: four feet of razor steel, and a shield to match it

well, best sword for battle anyway! no offence to any....duelists... present!

her armour too is reasonably light, even a little brazen, but the shield is well used, and the sword looks built for practical use

[Zilfer]

All before him introduced themselves on by one. From the small one who claimed to have knowledge of the unknown powers, what exactly could this sorcerer conjure up with that black obsidian rock? He tried not to think on it, if he was to work together he’d have to set aside his uneasy feeling about magic. The next to introduce themselves claimed to be a scholar and an adventurer beyond that he didn’t know his skills. The next man wielded a Rapier, a thing long blade he had only seen nobles wear back home. He seemed quite proficient with it in fact and would rather avoid that deft blade. The last was a woman who wielded a sizeable blade, and claimed to be the best sword in the city. Odd, he hadn’t met many women who wielded weapons, though again did he know that many women? ‘I guess it’s my turn,’ thought Coin.

“They call me Coin, probably because I like to collect coins. Not a bad nick name. My real name is Darren,” started Coin thinking for a moment of what skills he had that made him unique. “I can use either hand as efficiently as the other.”

To demonstrate he pulled his two short swords out with practiced synchronization, and swung them individually of one another. He then sheathed his blades a moment later wondering if there was anything else he could bring to the table.

“Besides being good with a short sword I’m quick in general. I learn quickly, can hide quickly. I can generally figure out how to open a lock without a key, or any device. I like tinkering with contraptions. Made a mouse trap from scratch back home. I’m also good at finding things, and getting into places I don’t belong without people knowing,” said Coin nodding as he thought that about summed up his skills. “I’m pretty good at getting people to talk about happenings around towns, and I also studied a bit with the town doctor who schooled me on anatomy for awhile, so I know where to hit people where it hurts. It helps in a brawl. Think that about sums me up. Coin at your service, young but eager.”

Studded Leather was all that he wore besides his swords, perhaps he should tell them he was deceint with a bow. He figured at the moment it didn't matter too much.