The man says, "No Beer in this region my good man. We do not grow the barley necessary for such a creation. It will have to be wine. Grapes can also be made into wine and also eaten."

Gaius sits down but doesn't drink the wine. After the feeling he got from the pies his hunger and thirst has passed.

He looks to the man who is sitting by himself and wonders if there is anything he might have in common with him.

OOC: Can you describe the man sitting alone?

Ismark is dressed surprising well. He is man in his mid twenties and seems to be use to some form of physical activity. He sips his wine and seems to sink in your details as well. He pays particular attention to Gaius.

”Aren’t you going to tell us they are all evil?”. Gaelin asks Gaius quietly. She then notices the well dressed young man paying particular attention to Gaius and not her. ”I’m not sure what he meant when he said we were the ones he was seeking, but apparently Gaius can provide what he is after better than I.” She says to Fenlen in a conspiratorial tone.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:51, Sat 10 Oct 2020.

Fenlen leans to Gaelin and whispers, "Don't be too jealous. I get the feeling that all of us but Gaius will be quite the oddities in this land. I wonder if we'll see any other elves or gnomes at all." He finishes his wine and asks the barkeep for another, then tries to make eye contact with Ismark, wondering if this one is on his new well-dressed friend, too.

Ismark says, "Based off your friends attire here I would say he is a holy warrior of some sort. The rest of you must have prowess to accompany him. I am in need of your service. I say we have a few a drinks and then retire to my fathers estate where I can inquire more without prying ears." He says this last bit and looks at the other within the tavern.

Fenlen shifts his eyes towards the brightly-dressed women. "What's wrong with them? They seem so interesting. I've never seen humans dress like that before."

He looks back toward Ismark. "I still have questions about this land, mind you. We're trying to get on our way back to more familiar territory, remember. I don't see a problem with helping you, but after that we must be on our way."

Gaelin perks up considerably at the mention of the word estate.  "Where we are from the word estate implies lots of room with very comfortable beds, warm bathes drawn by helpful staff, someone who can mend clothing with wolf bitemarks and soaked in blood, and wonderful meals served at massive tables.  If that is also the case here, I'm ready to retire now.  Perhaps I can take up gardening.  Make stuffed animals for poor, unfortunate children.  I never really thought about it."  She responds to Ismark quietly, but with excitement building in her voice.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Mon 12 Oct 2020.

Ismark looks over at the women and then at Fenlena and says, "They were Vistani at one point. They did something to become outcast though. The Vistani are gypsy nomads in this realm. Getting out of the this place huh. Well perhaps we can discover that together." Then looking at Gaelin he says, "Yes the home is nice for this place. I think I can arrange a bath for you if that is what you are in need of."

"Cousin, if you would like to introduce yourself to the colorful ladies, we can wait.  The more we know about this realm, the better off we may be.  Now if there is one you fancy and need someone to distract the others, I am at your service."  She says to Fenlen ending with a small mock bow, then turning her attention back to Ismark.  "Now, I have come to trust my kinsman, after only knowing him for a short time.  However, I see many, many problems helping you out.  Normally, someone seeking Holy warriors and their companions of prowess to assist with a matter in a realm ruled by evil would cause me to head in the opposite direction.  But, what can I say, you had me at bath."  She says in a low tone.

Ismark says, "Yes well I will ensure that you bath is taken care of m lady."

"Oh, it's nothing," Fenlen says to Gaelin, looking at the ladies. "I just think it's quite nice to see after what happened last night." He turns back to the group. "I won't be forgetting that any time soon. And those vibrant colors in a place like this? I won't be forgetting that either." He smiles and returns to his wine.

Then, he thinks about what Gaelin just said about blood-soaked clothing and the like, and remembers being engulfed by that horrid monster the night before. "I actually learned some magic last night, while we rested after we killed that monster." With a wave of his hand, he casts the prestidigitation cantrip a few times to clean himself up, causing the dried up gore on his armor and clothing to disappear, then to replace the offal smell with that of ocean air at the beach.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:33, Tue 13 Oct 2020.

Ismark leans in and his facial expression changes, "What happened last night?"

Chompski pretends not to notice the parlor trick that Fenlen performs. He extends a hand toward Fenlen as he looks at Ismark. "Perhaps it's best we retire to your estate before going into any more detail." Chompski then whispers to his friends "he just happens to be waiting here when we walk in and we just happen to be 'exactly what he's looking for' as a rag tag pack of travelers from potentially a whole different realm? I think it would be wise for us to learn a little more about our new acquaintance and his motives before we share too much more information ourselves."

Gaelin gives a slight nod in agreement to Chompski, then stands and starts collecting weapons and backpack.  "Yes, let us retire post-haste.  I am eager to see this estate and hear about your family roots in the area.  And more about the Vistani.  The gypsy lifestyle has always had appeal to me.  Going where you please, seeing new places and meeting new people.  I suspect they are better at this traveling life than I appear to be.  Do you mind holding this for a second?" she asks as she hand Ismark her spear and crossbow.  Then puts on her backpack and takes the weapons back.  "Spears are great for many things, but they just aren't as easy to carry around as other weapons.  I used to have a leather cover for the tip, so I wouldn't put my eye out, but I seem to have lost it somewhere in the last few days.  Maybe we need to start traveling by wagon.  The gypsies are on the something there I suspect, then when I lost stuff it there would at least be a chance I would find it in the wagon later."

"Oh, yes. Ismark, my friend, let's see your estate. But suffice it to say, we have a penchant for killing monsters, and that's apparently some sort of secret we must take to our graves, or at least the privacy of your home."

He turns to Chompski and whispers, "Don't fear. If we made it out of that house alive, we can surely survive a polite conversation with someone who has offered us hospitality. I don't want to disrespect him by repaying his kindness with suspicion; I wasn't raised that way."

"Lead on!" he says to Ismark after draining his glass.

Ismark flings some coins at the barkeep who mindlessly catches the coin and sticks it into his apron.

Ismark ensures that everyone is following him and then heads out into the streets. He leads to the group to a weary-looking mansion squats behind a rusting iron fence. The iron gates are twisted and torn. The right gate lies cast aside, while the left swings lazily in the wind. The stuttering squeal and clang of the gate repeats with mindless precision. Weeds choke the grounds and press with menace upon the house itself. Yet, against the walls, the growth has been tramped down to create a path all about the domain. Heavy claw markings have stripped the once-beautiful finish of the walls. Great black marks tell of the fires that have assailed the mansion. Not a pane nor a shard of glass stands in any window. All the windows are barred with planks, each one marked with stains of evil omen.

Ismark climbs the stairs and bangs on the door and says, "Ireena it is me Ismark. Please open the door and let me in. We have guests."

The Door opens and you see a striking woman looking out hurriedly into evening. "Are you daft," she says. "The sun will be down soon. Get inside."

Ismark hurries inside and ushers you to follow him.

The interior of the mansion is well furnished, yet the fixtures show signs of great wear. Noticeable oddities are the boarded-up windows and the presence of holy symbols in every room. The burgomaster is in a side drawing room on the floor—lying in a simple wooden coffin surrounded by wilting flowers and a faint odor of decay.

Gealin follows Ismark into the manor.  "This is a lot to take in.  First, manor does not mean the same thing here as it does to me.  What image comes to mind when I say the word dump?  If you have coin to buy strangers drinks, why not fix the gate?  Or hire a gardener?"  She pauses and takes a deep breathe before continuing.  "Ireena, it is a pleasure to meet you.  I am Gaelin.  I love your armor, it's very ... um... striking.  Ismark didn't mention he was taken, Gaius might feel a little led on, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.  I guess.  Who is in the coffin?  Why do I get the feeling someone smashed all of you windows and tried to burn your house down?  Possible an evil wolf?  Wait, they blow houses down, they don't burn them.  At least that is what I was led to believe.  Was it evil wolves?  Peasants with pitchforks and torches?  I thought things were not going our way before, but what have you brought us into the middle of?"

Ismark says, "We have been under assault. Strahd has taken an interest in Ireena here and has been sending his minions for her randomly. That is my request. Protect Irrena and see that she is taken someplace safe. She is my adoptive sister and these would be the wishes of both the BurgoMaster and myself."

Ireena stammers, "I will go no where until Father is taken to the Cemetary Ismark. We must see him buried and his body can not stay here any longer. You must take him for burial before I go anywhere. I demand it."

Ismark looks a bit suprised and then turns to the group, "Well friends it looks like we have a task before us. Would you be willing to help me move the body. After we have eaten and you have gotten somewhat settled of course."

Gaelin opens her mouth as if to speak, then thinks better of it and closes her mouth again.  She looks down at the floor, closes her eyes and takes a couple deep breathes.  "Usually one builds up a new friendship a little more before you get to the moving corpse level.  However, if Ireena is receiving unwanted attention from this Strahd person, I stand ready to help.  I hope you know of somewhere safe, because I haven't get a clue where that would be.  Oh, and for my own conscience, what is this man's name?  What did he die of?  And if it wasn't natural causes, who killed him?"  She says.

Ireena says, "His name was Kolyan Indirovich. Wolves and other terrible creatures attacked this house night after night for weeks. Fathers heart couldn't stand the constant assault, and he died three days ago. Strangely, since his death, the house has not come under attack. No one from the village has been brave enough to help Ismark take  his body to the cemetery for proper burial. Please be so kind as to help Ismark deliver father's body safely to Donavich the local priest."

Ismark then says, "Vallaki! They would have the proper defenses. It is a safe haven against the evils of the Svalich Woods, if not Strahd himself. The town also lies beyond the sight of Castle Ravenloft."

Fenlen puts a fist to his heart and gives a quick, shallow bow. "I haven't heard much of this Strahd yet, but he sounds like an evil man. I will protect you from him, Ireena, and help you send your father to his final rest. Like you said already, the sun will go down soon. Shall we take care of it in the morning?"

Ismark says, "Yes it is safer to move about during the day."

There comes a frantic knocking at the door then. The knocking turns into a bashing.

Ismark gestures for everyone to hide someplace.

He then goes to the door and opens it slowly. As he opens the door it bursts open and a middle aged woman come bursting in sobbing and in hysterics.Both Ismark and Ireena look relieved.

Ismark says, "Calm down Mary what is wrong?"

The woman says, "Gertrude is missing I need you to find her. She is gone. Please Ismark you must I beg of you. You know things are not right in this place. Gertrude is so little and small she can not care for herself. Please I beg you sir."

When Ismark and Ireena look relieved, Gaelin bursts out from behind the curtains and regards the newcomer.  "Tell us everything you know about Gertrude and her disappearance.  No detail is too small.  Pretend we are from a completely different plane of existence and have no idea what is going on in this village or the surrounding area.  However, do try to keep it on point, my morning is booked with moving corpses around."  She says hurriedly.

Chompski posts Dog on the porch to keep watch while he enters the ramshackle house with the others. After listening to Ismark, Ireena, and Mary, he mutters to himself "All I wanted to do was visit my brother, not start a hero's guild... This is why I stick to the lab." He wanders around the house a bit to explore this new space, stopping to study the body of burgomaster as he does so. As he kneels down to investigate the corpse, he asks his fellow travelers "This Strahd character seems like a very powerful and dangerous character. Do we really think it wise to cross him? This could make our pursuit of a way back to our own realm quite difficult."

OOC:
Perception check for the house/room
1d20+1d4+4 (20)

Medicine
1d20+1d4+1 (7) - I found a pulse, didn't I...?
This message was last edited by the player at 16:39, Fri 16 Oct 2020.