"Maybe he did not want to give the bones away and was punished for that?" The explanation sounded weak even to Alessa as she was offering it, but she wanted to console the boy.

Alessandra closer her eyes concentrating on the images Grano was sending. "The man is indeed very sick. Quite young for a caretaker... Not that he takes remotely good care of the orphanage." She "returned" to the church and looked at others. "Do you think we can visit him to offer some healing? As a reason for the visit, I meant to say. Would be a good opportunity to take a closer look at the other parts of the orphanage too."

"If we are concerned. For safety sake or otherwise. I can go gather the Sick and take him here. It's just around the corner. Grano can guide me.  I am rather adept at escape if need be "

Nodding in Alessa direction. "Is anyone else in the building or was he left all alone?"

While the crew settles the plan, Regmiir approaches Father Petrovich once more and gestures to speak in private. He clears his throat and crosses his arms before speaking in a hushed time tone, "If yeh 'ave a moment, I 'ave been meaning to ask a couple of questions that 'ave been on my mind. We did not receive much information about local laws and customs when we crossed t'gate into Vallaki."

He raises a hand and strokes his beard before continuing, "Is there anything yeh can tell us about, say, curfews or rules. I'd be especially curious about any against 'aving folks out after dark... Unless," he stops stroking, "there's another reason for all t'folk 'ere to 'ole up for t'night, eh?"

"Yes, my child?" The Father listens patiently to Regmiir's questions before speaking.  "Bless my soul, guards did not explain?  Well, it is very important that visitors understand Baron's laws!  There is no curfew, but night travel is not advised because of night... creatures.  Guards also patrol through night, so be prepared to answer questions.  As to rules, first, it is forbidden to speak name of the Devil.  Many believe it brings bad fortune or, worse, invites him into your mind.  Second, you must participate in all festivals.  We have finished Wolf's Head Jamboree. You might notice wolf heads on spikes, yes? The Festival of Blazing Sun starts in few days.  If you are inside city gates, make sure you attend.  Third, no speaking ill of Baron or of festivals.  And fourth, of course, no killing."

"Grano did not have a chance to check," meanwhile answered Alessa to Zied. "Can do now, if you wish, though I would assume the orphans and some personnel should be inside?"

Since the hair-talisman was already planted in the room, the little owl could investigate the building further (if such a thing was possible, of course). The entrance was particularly interesting (the type of the doors, whether or not they are seen from the streets, if there is some guard nearby) and, of course, if there are lights in the windows, and whether or not inhabitants are asleep now.

Before Grano returns to Alessa, he's able to determine that there are about two dozen orphans sleeping in the dormitories appointed throughout the building.  Other doors are shut and inaccessible.  A terrified scream can be heard from somewhere in the house...

With much concern and repeated warnings, Father Petrovich and Yeska lift the bar locking the front doors, granting you access to the night.  The streets are largely empty, though faint firelight and candlelight escapes the many shuttered homes and buildings lining the street.  Vallaki is much larger than Barovia village, though the orphanage is only just down the street here.

The front door is shut and there aren't any visible lights.  Alessa knows that Milivoj's room is around back on the ground floor, the window of which is within a yard surrounded by a wooden fence.

(Actions?)

If it was possible to determine where the scream came from and get there - Grano would do it. And of course, all the findings were retold to others for appropriate planning.

"Maybe we can try to get straight to Milivoj's room? Of course, we can just walk in and knock on the door, but it is a little late for the visitors."

"If yeh want to knock, know that it's likely to let whoever's in 'ere causing t'ruckus to either change tactics or greet us on their terms. Both of which aren't good outcomes..." He snorts, "I agree with yeh thought of going right to t'boy, Milady. At least we'd be there to 'elp if 'e's in trouble or force t'whoever else is in 'ere to greet us on our terms, eh?"

Regmiir puts a hand on the warhammer at his side, but quickly moves away thinking of the rules that the Father described. "This may get tricky, yeh do realize? Just what do we intend to do once we find t'boy or t'others in 'ere? Best be on our guard, but 'aving a backup plan ain't a bad idea either, eh?"

"I thought the plan was to heal him if we can and bring the bones back to their proper resting place...?" Sezsu replies. "Yeah, I like the idea of going in the back or... Perhaps sneaking in Milivoj's window?" He shrugs.

"Speaking of healing... Father Petrovich did not mention Milivoj's sickness. Not that we asked, of course." She walked to the priest with exactly that question. "Father Petrovich, as we said, we hoped to leave the kids that came to our care in the orphanage. But just now heard that the caretaker is quite sick. Have you heard about it? Is it something serious? Something contagious?"

Given the scream I think its apt to just go in.  Over the fence and into the window a direct path.  Grano perhaps can circle the building to give us a heads up if there are extra visitors. Screams and low reaction to screaming is  often a sign." Zied comments as they look about the area.

(It looks like Alessa has a Q for the Father prior to us heading ouot. So Zied'll be doing this after Alessa's mini rewind )

(At St. Andral's Church):

Father Petrovich doesn't prove very helpful.  "I hear the young man sleeps fitfully and cannot leave his bed.  This has gone on for a few days.  I mean to check in on the orphanage soon."

(At St. Andral's Orphanage):

The window to Milivoj's room is shuttered, but not locked.    Within, you see the bedroom is sparsely furnished.  The floors are covered with dirt and an old shovel lies on the ground at the foot of the bed.  A sickly young man sleeps fitfully.  He is covered in sweat from fever and has blood mixed bile on his lips.  His pallor is pale.

(Actions?)

The backyard is surrounded by a wooden fence with a single gate on the west side.  A trio of outhouses stand on one side of the yard and a well on the other.  Three large was basins are pushed up against the wall of the building, one of which is filled with dark water.

(Actions?)

"Over the wall, to the window then? That fellow does not look in the best of health. He may need an elixir for the moment at least." Zied makes the obvious statement to the group. "We should perhaps attempt to be quiet, not awaken the staff and children... or draw attention of anything potentially unkind in these parts."

"Yeh got a point Zied." Regmiir says in a quiet tone. "Something to note, if the latrines are out 'ere, then there must be a way to get in and out easily, eh? Likely too that anyone who uses that egress wouldn't draw much attention from others used to t'noise." Regmiir points a thumb to the window and makes the connection, "Could be an alternative if we didn't want to go in t'back way."

Regmiir looks around the grounds for any sort of trails or footpaths leading to the outhouses, searching for obvious clues as to where a good alternative entrance could be: 4

Regmiir also takes time to visit the well. He cups his hands over his eyes to allow his darkvision to adjust as he peers down inside to see if there's anything of note:  23

¨I can not even begin to think about excuse for our presence in the building at this time. If we will be taken for the robbers ourselves, we might as well act as some - sneak in quietly, silence the man and ask about the bones, promising the cure afterwards.¨ 

The sudden cry in the house was still bothering Alessa and if there was a possibility to get inside the building, the little black owl got an order to check it out, flying as silent as possible. If it was not possible, then once the group was inside the  Milivoj's room, Alessa would open the door and let Grano fly around.

Sezsu stands below the window, holds his hands like a stirrup and nods to the dwarf.

Not wanting to argue, the dwarf shrugs respectfully towards Alessa and begins to move away from the well towards Sezsu. He nods silently, then steps into the stirrup as he is hoisted up towards Milivoj's room.

Carefully, Regmiir attempts to slip into room after opening the window: 17

Within the enclosure, there is a small stairway up to a door on the backside of the building.

Regmiir peers over the side of the well.  Far below, the stone walls disappear into a pool of black water.

Regmiir is able to easily open the shutter leading into Milivoj's room.  He loses his balance over the ledge, however, and tumbles headfirst into the room.

Milivoj doesn't stir, his breathing heavy and rapid.

From elsewhere within the house, a child's wail fills the air.

(Actions?)

Grano's Stealth: 14 , Perception: 14 (advantage on on hearing or sight)