Kessintra gives a look of sorrow at the sight of the corpse and the obvious care put into arranging the flowers around it. Her hands itch to retrieve her lyre and she gives in after a few moments, stepping closer and playing a few quiet notes.

Ireena looks over to the corpse. "Me and my brother built the coffin. We can't get it to the church, however. Ismirk can't do it alone, and we both agree it isn't safe for me to leave the house."

"We can help move him. You are not safe outside because of Strahd? You said he is...obsessed with you?"

"Yes. Despite staying inside, I've already been bitten. Twice."

Kessintra's eyes widen as she studies Ireena. "Twice? But you're...He hasn't tried to turn you?" It is strange. Vampire spawn sometimes appeared in the Underdark, but they were largely mindless, never letting go of a victim until they were drained dry. A vampire with intelligence must be different.

"He is known to toy with his victims. I fear that I won't get that privilege again..."

We won’t let that happen to you, is there something we can do to protect you?

"Indeed. We won't let there be a 'next time'." Kessintra's eyes narrow in thought as she peers from Ireena to the flowers surrounding the coffin and back again. "Ah, I'm Kessintra. Where is your brother?"

"He's likely at the tavern again, drinking away his sorrow. Can't blame him though. It has been three days since my father's death and yet no one is brave enough to help lay him to rest. As for my safety, I think Ismirk has been working on a plan, but we need to get my father to rest before that."

"Ismirck?" asks Chipper. He tries to have a consoling facial expression after hearing of her father's death and nods along wordlessly when Garrick mentions protecting her. "Though I did think vampires generally needed an invite. Is this... Strahd... able to circumvent such laws? Presumably due to his lordship of this land?"

Amelia utters a brief but heartfelt Elvish prayer for the fallen burgomaster.

“Strahd is no ordinary vampire, Chipper,” she says, turning to the wizard. “Most undead shun the sun, but he is the one who keeps it hidden from this land.”

The cleric then faces Ireena.

“We’ll go to the tavern and bring your brother back before sunset—his strength will be essential. But first…” She meets Ireena’s eyes, “This may be painful, but I need you to tell us about the previous assaults. What tricks, tactics or minions did the vampire use? And how did you and your family fight back?”

"Apologies, Ismirk is my brother. As for his tactics, most of the assaults were just zombies, ghouls, and wolves. When the devil 'graced' is with his presence, he would charm me, and that's when my memory gets blurry. I think I invited him in? All I can clearly remember is the blazing hunger in his eyes. My father's heart couldn't take the constant attacks. Since his death, we haven't been assaulted."

"Then this place is not safe, day or night." Charm. Kessintra wonders if that was what made Gertruda leave her home so violently too. "Perhaps...I could disguise myself as you? I am skilled at such things. It is unlikely to fool Strahd himself for long, but may draw his minions' attention to me instead of you at least. This way you can attend your father's burial if you wish."

Ireena is shocked at the proposal. "Are you sure? I'd hate for something to happen to you. I don't want you to be dragged to Castle Ravenloft, after all....."

Let’s go visit Ismirk, you say he has a plan to keep you safe. I am eager to find out what that is. And we should lay your father to rest as soon as possible so he doesn’t return in an unnatural manner due to Strahd’s influence.

Kessintra nods, giving a small smirk. "It should be alright. I have my companions to look out for me, not to mention I am rather good at killing and escaping if need be." Although, being taken right into the castle might offer valuable intel...Ah, no, they should stick together. She remembers Madame Eva's mention of the March of the Dead; entering Ravenloft is not to be taken lightly.

Ireena wears a nervous expression. "If you're sure... I'd pay special attention around the ears, too. Mine are more round than yours. Once you're ready, I can point you all in the direction of the tavern."

Kessintra, make a Sleight of Hand check.

Sleight of hand: 20

You're able to create a convincing disguise. The two of you almost look like twins. "Good job. Are we all ready to go to the tavern?"

Kessintra is pleased with how the disguise came together. Knowing that wolves and such may be able to tell them apart based on smell, she picks up a bundle of the wilted flowers and tucks them into her pockets. "I'm ready." She will await what other preparations the others might want to make.