"I jest of course, I... Oi Kothar! Just ask man."

Findabair smiles at the elf woman. "Watch Chief Quinala, please have a seat. And apologies for any rudeness on the part of my companions."

The human priestess wipes some crumbs off of a spot of bench and offers it to the chief.

Chief Quinala seems to take the jokes and odd mannerisms in gracious stride.

"I would love to sit and share a meal with you all, however, not only does it look like you've all already eaten, I am here on some rather pressing matters.

"I was hoping we could discuss things in my office?"

With a nod and already on his feet, Valentino says, "Lead on then."

Without a word, Barry rises to leave, his pack already slung onto his shoulders. He smiles slightly toward Kothar, and moves his plate of bones an inch closer to the lizardman with a small nod, then turns to follow the Chief.

Barring any objections, Chief Quinala leads you to her office which is, thankfully, only a few blocks away. Any questions asked about the meeting are deferred with an polite, "I'll give you the details in private."

You all arrive at the watch headquarters; a blocky three story building facing the market district. She ushers you inside and leads you to her office; a spacious twenty foot by fifteen foot room set at the back of the building. Adorning her walls are many portraits of elves; presumably her family. Behind her desk is a wall mount with three swords. In the corner of the room is a set of decorative plate armor.

"Please, have a seat," she says motioning to the office couch and chairs. She sits on the corner of her desk.

"This situation is rather dire, so I won't waste time beating around the bush. Daggorford desperately needs your help once more. This morning I received reports of werewolves in the Misty Forest. A merchant caravan was traveling by last night when they were attacked. A lone survivor managed to escape and arrive here this morning to tell me the tale.

"None of my officers are willing to investigate, so I turn to you for help. I know this is asking a lot of you, so I met with the Duchess to see what she could do to help. She has promised if you dispatch the werewolves, she is willing to grant each of you land and title in compensation. Also, I am willing to give you these," she says as she stands and goes behind her desk.

From the wall mount she takes down one of the swords, and then picks up something off the floor, not in view.

"I give you this quiver of silvered arrows, and my own silvered sword."

Valentino sags into the couch lazily, cocking a leg over one of the arms.

At the mention of werewolves his eyebrows shoot up but he says nothing.

When she brings down the sword and mentions the silver he whistles to indicate that he is impressed by the story and offer of rewards. This is serious business.

"Werewolves are a dangerous prospect and the Countess seems to be proportionately generous in her offer of reward."

He sits up straight and glances at his companions trying to gauge their reactions.

"Has the survivor been questioned?"

He is clearly entertaining the notion of accepting this request.

"Yes. I spoke with him for a couple of hours this morning after being called in," Quinala replies. "His name is Ivan Dragovich. Claims he is from some place called Barovia. I've never heard of the land. Aside from claiming to be from this unknown region, he seems rather rather composed and level-headed."

Valentino tries to recall if he has ever heard of Barovia and asks, "Did he mention how many werewolves beset his caravan?"

"Even a single werewolf is formidable against an unprepared party. He claims there were three that attacked."

Valentino whistles again and looks to the others.

His tailing swishing back and forth, Kothar saw Valentino sit on one of the plush couches. He seemed to consider the cushions for a moment before plopping himself down on the floor. The shaman knelt there with his legs tucked under him, the tail still swishing lazily on the floor.

The mention of werewolves made him hiss softly.

“Shapeshifters defy natural law. They spit on the creator and follow the whims of the moon. I am not one for the titles of soft skins but more lands for my clutch intrigues me. I will help.”

Barry shows a hint of a grin as the rest of the group seems to be preparing to face the monsters. He expected nothing less.

"Is this Ivan still here? Did he say anything more about this Barovia?"

"Yes, he's currently waiting in the officer's lounge. He's been very...cryptic, about this so-called Barovia."

Barry glances toward the proferred weapons. "Then I would question him before we go. I assume we're going?" he asks the group at large.

What type of sword is it?

Vargo had lingered near the door, listening to the Watch Chief as she went over everything. He agreed with Barry that this Ivan may provide some more insight and should be questioned further. Looking around at the others, "If the group wishes to accept this mission I will accompany them. Though I may need some time to try and find additional equipment."

Findabair listens intently to the conversation, thinking the job sounds risky. "I'm of course willing to help. I've never faced a werewolf, and they sound dangerous, but if people are threatened, I will stand with my companions to aid them."

It is a longsword of elvish craftsmanship.

"If you wish to question the man, I have no issues with that. As I said, he has been cryptic, but not unhelpful."

Barry nods, apparently satisfied. He glances expectantly at his companions.

Anything else to ask here, or are we good to go on and question the man?

In reply to Barry Coppersmith (msg # 23):

Good to go here.

Barring any other questions, the chief leads you all to the officers' lounge. It's a spacious room, almost as big as the chief's. There are few tables with chairs with couches lined against two of the walls. Cots rest against the other two walls.

Sitting at one of the tables are two human men. One is clearly part of the city watch. The other, obviously Ivan, is dressed in festive garb dyed in vibrant red, yellow and orange tones. He is a handsome man, possibly late twenties, with short onyx-black hair. His ice blue eyes pass over each of you as you enter and a smile spreads on his face.

"Ah! These must be the heroes you spoke of," he says in a thick accent (think Hungarian-type accent).

The officer turns around and smiles as well. "Why yes, they are!"

"Lieutenant Baker and I have been speaking with Ivan this morning since he arrived. Baker, you're free to return to your duties."

"Yes, sir," Baker says with a nod. "Take care, Ivan."

Chief Quinala closes the door after Baker's departure, motions to Ivan at the table, then sits on the couch closest to the door.

Findabair takes a seat at the table with Ivan. She smiles. "So, we hear you have a werewolf problem. Please tell us all you know. We may be able to help."

Val nods along as Findabair speaks, his body language supportive.

"Oh yes! Was horrible! Brother Igor and I were out in woods hunting wolf for dinner and pelts.  We track wolves far off road. We stop in clearing when we hear wolf howl, but not wolf howl. Much worse. Can hear evil in it, yes? Igor and I grow up hearing story of werewolf. So we decide to run back to wagon, but we get lost is mists.

"As we run, we hear this large creature run with us. We hear it getting closer. Can hear it growling and barking at us. We are getting scared. It impossible to see through mists and we are scared for our lives! So I did only thing I could think of.

"I push brother Igor over."

"YOU WHAT," Chief Quinala exclaims as she stands. "You said NOTHING of that earlier?"

"No," Ivan asks as his eyes shift around. "You sure? That seem like very important detail for me to leave out."

"YES! I'm sure," Chief Quinala says, obviously dumbstruck by this sudden revelation.

Val waves placatingly at the Chief, "Don't interrupt him. What happened next Ivan?"