A New Barovia: Chapter Two

[kintire]

Marilee rises

"yes, I'll come with you. No one should be alone, at ANY time"

[Ail]

"I agree with Marilee, but I think 2 would be enough to talk to Cornelius. I'll stay here with Miss Laurie if you don't mind", and with these last words he bows to the Weathermay girl.

OOC: am I counting wrong, or does that make Robert the only one of the party staying in the room?

[steveflam]

"I agree with Marilee, but I think 2 would be enough to talk to Cornelius. I'll stay here with Miss Laurie if you don't mind", and with these last words he bows to the Weathermay girl.

OOC: am I counting wrong, or does that make Robert the only one of the party staying in the room?

Only you are left until Adam returns.

[steveflam]

Khalfani and Marilee exit the room, in search of Cornelius.

Laurie looks at Robert. "So, is there a reason why you didn't accompany your friends? It is just you and I now."

The gnome and woman do find Cornelius at the reception area, behind the counter and seated at a desk. He is reading some papers. Looking up, he sees you both. "Ello, whut kin I do fer ye? Sorry bout me temper, but I is an honest an proud person. I dun like bein treated like dat jest like anyone else wouldn't be." He lowers his voice and looks around, noone in sight. "Does Thomas hate lycanthropes? I be one but I is one of da few good ones asides dem Raven kinds."

[kintire]

Marilee grins at Cornelius

"I don't think the problem is that he's hostile to lycanthropes: he's been just as condescending and rude to me. He's a wanker: that's the problem here. But he has some useful skills, and those of his ideas not driven by his wankerhood tend to be good. If we can put up with him, he'll be an asset... although that's not a small "if"."

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani waves a disciplinary finger at Marilee. "Do not be so disparaging, Marilee. 'Wanker'... 'wanker'? Well, I confess I do not know what that is, but it doesn't sound like a good thing. Yes, Thomas was rude, but it is my hope that the condition is not contagious. Our tempers will be tested enough by day's end, I am sure.

"Cornelius, I know little of the types of LIKE-annn-thropes, but I said yesterday that I believe you have our best interests at heart. I still believe that. And I believe that Thomas' concern is, hmm, to put it delicately....." He looks around to make sure that no one is listening in, and he also pauses to listen for sounds that should not be there. "The question is, Cornelius, can we have just as much faith in your intentions in your other form? That is, do you retain control of your actions when transformed? Or would the presence of another were-creature affect you somehow? I ask not to offend, but to be informed."

_________________________
Listen check (1d20+2=7). OK, that was a bust, but to follow up Khalfani's IC suggestion earlier, it might be a good idea for everyone to make Listen checks now and then when having "private" conversations.

[steveflam]

Khalfani waves a disciplinary finger at Marilee. "Do not be so disparaging, Marilee. 'Wanker'... 'wanker'? Well, I confess I do not know what that is, but it doesn't sound like a good thing. Yes, Thomas was rude, but it is my hope that the condition is not contagious. Our tempers will be tested enough by day's end, I am sure.

"Cornelius, I know little of the types of LIKE-annn-thropes, but I said yesterday that I believe you have our best interests at heart. I still believe that. And I believe that Thomas' concern is, hmm, to put it delicately....." He looks around to make sure that no one is listening in, and he also pauses to listen for sounds that should not be there. "The question is, Cornelius, can we have just as much faith in your intentions in your other form? That is, do you retain control of your actions when transformed? Or would the presence of another were-creature affect you somehow? I ask not to offend, but to be informed."

"Mister Khalfani, yer raise a good point. I kin keep control 'o' meself in my three forms. If'n dere be anuther lycanthrope it will not affect me in any way. Infermation be fine. Yer learned somethin new my gnome friend. Now, as for brass weapons, yer'll need ter leave Barovia. Dere ain't none I knows of who makes brass weapons here. I did know of a man in Kartakass who was makin specialty weapons against tha evul lycanthropes. 'Is name was Pietro an 'e lived near Harmonia. But don' take me word fer it, ask around. I only knows of dat person."

[Ken of Ghastria]

At Cornelius' response, Khalfani looks at Marilee with his wide, dark eyes, then he scratches his chin. "Kartakass... hmmm. That is not ideal. Under other circumstances, I would welcome the opportunity to travel. Like most people in Kresk, I have been sealed in Barovia for a long time! But what might happen here while we traveled to Harmonia...?" He looks back at Cornelius and says, "Thank you, Cornelius. I accept your word. Considering how clever our foe has been, I would expect that if there had been any brass craftsmen in town, they would have been ... removed."

Turning back to Marilee, "What do you think, Marilee? We might as well continue to investigate for a while before deciding whether or not to travel. At the very least, we should return to the scene of yesterday's ambush, as I believe Thomas had suggested last night. We may indeed find clues that were not visible at night."

__________________________________
Tarlyn: I don't have Ravenloft maps handy here at work. (Bloody firewall!) How long would it take us to travel from Kresk to Harmonia?

[kintire]

Marilee looks surprised

"There are NO redsmiths in the town at all? I've never heard the like! Yes, lets check out the scene of the crime! well, actually, you check out the scene of the crime and I'll watch your back. Investigating isn't really my thing!"

As they leave the inn she whispers to Khalfani

"that almost ties it up: its the mayor. No one else could make sure such important craftsmen were not availiable!"

[Ken of Ghastria]

Khalfani nods grimly. "At least not without drawing a great deal of attention," he replies softly. "To remove all such craftsmen from the area quietly? A ruthless person in a position of authority could do so fairly easily, I fear."

The gnome leads the way back to the site of the ambush. Along the way, Khalfani nods to some familiar faces -- people whom he's gotten to know during his time in Kresk. Marilee will notice that, for the most part, the townspeople's reaction to Khalfani is noticeably more positive than a "demi-human" would typically receive. Seeing Marilee looking around, Khalfani seems to recognize the apparent oddity of this, and he says, "Enforced isolation can forge new bonds and sunder old ones. It is a tribute to the people of Kresk that there was more of the former than the latter."

He sees a merchant opening his shop and setting up various antiques and knick-knacks on display in the window. Khalfani pauses and says to Marilee, "A slight detour, if you will indulge." He knocks on the side of the doorway to get the merchant's attention. "Good morning, Vladislov."

____________________________________________
Tarlyn: Hope you don't mind the improvised NPC creation. I figured it would be a faster way to ask about and possibly resolve any lingering doubts about the presence (if any) of a brass craftsman in town.

[steveflam]

Marilee and Khalfani hear footsteps and then the door opens. Before you stands:



He looks first at Marilee, expression blank, then to Khalfani. "Ah, hullo Meester Khalfani. How are you dis afternoon? What bring you to my shop and who is you friend?"

[Ail]

"Why, Miss Laurie, to pass up on an opportunity to be alone with a woman of such delicate grace and intelligence as you? I don't mean to be rude nor imposing, but that would be very unwise of me...

Of course, I am certain that being as travelled... and famous... as you are, you've had many imposing suitors before. And dealt with them accordingly. But let me assure you, that is not my intention at all, so please don't let me make you uncomfortable.

I was, on the other hand, interested in learning... I marvel at seeing you travel all alone, my lady, even though I'm not a stranger to the fame of the Weathermays. Isn't it dangerous to travel by yourself in Barovia?"

He smiles for a bit, even blushes but tries to conceal it turning his face away from her.

"I have so much I'd like to ask you, but I fear we'll have to leave that for another time, my lady. You see, you are a hunter of renown. I could learn much from you, if you'd allow me that boon."

[steveflam]

Laurie puts down her ale and looks at Robert. Her first reaction is to laugh, and she does.

"I am sorry, but don't take this the wrong way. I Never would see you as a suitor, young man. I am not uncomfortable in any way. As for me hunting, yes I have been doing it a long time. I travel alone for no other reason because I can. Yes, it is dangerous but I assure you I can handle myself quite well, thank you. I am neither saying yes or no to your query of me teaching you. Stay with your friends here. Thomas might be a prick at times but he knows a lot. I do not have the time right now to teach anyone, to be honest. Fear not, I am not the only one who hunts. I have friends and allies who aid me from time to time. As for right now, I think I will retire to my room. Good evening Robert."

She gets up from her chair and exits the room.

[Ken of Ghastria]

He looks first at Marilee, expression blank, then to Khalfani. "Ah, hullo Meester Khalfani. How are you dis afternoon? What bring you to my shop and who is you friend?"

"I am well, thank you, Vladislov," says the gnome, politely inclining his head. He indicates Marilee and continues, "This is my friend, Marilee. And Marilee, this gentleman is Vladislov. He has assisted Dmitri and the militia in the past, mending and even sometimes creating armor and weapons for them."

He steps fully into the shop and closes the door once Marilee as stepped through as well. "Vladislov, I know that you don't work with Dmitri on a daily basis, but ... well, the Sands of Fate have blown in odd directions lately, and Marilee and I now find ourselves assisting the militia with an important matter. And I come to you today for knowledge, my friend." He pauses to examine an ornate brazier on a shelf before continuing, almost in an offhand manner, "Is it difficult to shape brass? Does it require skill beyond the molding of iron or steel?"

[steveflam]

He looks first at Marilee, expression blank, then to Khalfani. "Ah, hullo Meester Khalfani. How are you dis afternoon? What bring you to my shop and who is you friend?"

"I am well, thank you, Vladislov," says the gnome, politely inclining his head. He indicates Marilee and continues, "This is my friend, Marilee. And Marilee, this gentleman is Vladislov. He has assisted Dmitri and the militia in the past, mending and even sometimes creating armor and weapons for them."

He steps fully into the shop and closes the door once Marilee as stepped through as well. "Vladislov, I know that you don't work with Dmitri on a daily basis, but ... well, the Sands of Fate have blown in odd directions lately, and Marilee and I now find ourselves assisting the militia with an important matter. And I come to you today for knowledge, my friend." He pauses to examine an ornate brazier on a shelf before continuing, almost in an offhand manner, "Is it difficult to shape brass? Does it require skill beyond the molding of iron or steel?"

The man nods at Marilee. Then he listens carefully to Khalfani and what he has to say, how he says it and so forth. Pursing his lips slightly, he moves to the door and locks it, placing the closed sign on the door. "Follow me," is all he offers.

He leads you back through the shop through another door next to the counter. He mutters a word and the lights close in the shop. He leads you to two doors. One door emanates a strong heat. This is the door he leads you through. Stairs descend maybe twenty feet. A door stands at the bottom. He opens it and now the heat is very eminent. Passing through you realize why. This is where the forges are!
Ten dwarves mull about this large room. Whether at the forge or hammering their wares, they are busy. The noise is close to deafening.

"Kilbur!," he calls out and then thinks better of it and walks over to one dwarf who is in the midst of hammering a sword by the looks of it.

The bald dwarf looks up at him and spits on the ground, then stops his work.

"Whut yer wantin? I be busy, ye dolt."

"Be nice, I haff important customers here. Dey vant to know somethink aboot a special weapon."

The dwarf looks at Vladislov then to Khalfani and Marilee. The man walks back to the gnome and Marilee, Kilbur in tow.

"These are dey. Askink aboot brass weapon. Dis is not for militia, but special job. I tink it for special use. Now, I go back, but you talk viss Khalfani an Marilee. Dey is nice people and deserve your attention, da?" He nods at the dwarf and exits the room.

Before you is a bald headed dwarf, male, with amber amber eyes, and a long green beard tied in braids across his chest.

"So, whut yer need one a dose brass weapons fer? Ter show like a noble dolt?"