Estelle listens in awe and fear as her companions describe their homelands. "Undead?" she whispers. "You have actually seen them, Bral? Baudric? Fought them?"

Baudric's hand traces the fine scars along his cheek, "Yes, for a decade actively, but I've lived under the threat of them for my entire life. Over the last few years I've been practicing some ancient techniques of combating the undead I'd found. It seems they will serve me well here also."

Amelia looks away from the others as she speaks. “Where I’m from, Elturel, the undead used to not dare enter,” she says, quietly. “I’d never even seen one until a couple of years ago.”

"Yes," Bral says. He is quiet for a moment as he remembers. He remembers Darkon and how it was like growing up for him. "Though I have fought more vampires than zombies. It's the shroud that is the most dangerous, though. Darkon had a leader just like Strahd, but, unlike Strahd, Azalin wasn't a vampire. When he disappeared the Shroud began to consume the domain. There are many ideas as to why Darkon began to disappear. I prefer the simple idea that without Azalin, there was no need for Darkon anymore.

I don't know if Darkon can be saved. I do wonder though what will happen to this place if Strahd is slayed."

In a spew of words that come out quickly Ubly says, “Such dreary and dreadful places you come from! I’ve always said the undead are just the dead and we could all un-die, so live and let un-live!” Ubly is quickly glancing around at everyone as they smile and let out a laugh that makes others uncomfortable. “Anyway! Here we are off to the Luna River! What did we plan to see there? Were we looking for something in particular? Did we have a card that led us there?” Still rapidly speaking, they gesture around, "Who ended up with the map? We have the map, right?"

"Well, that's the thing. The undead don't tend to let the living to just live," Bral replies grimly. "If I remember correctly, there were two locations revealed by the cards near that river."

The group comes to the crossroads without incident. There is an X intersection, with branches to the northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast. The lower half of a snapped wooden signpost thrusts upward at an angle near the eastern elbow of the intersection. The top half of the sign, featuring arms pointing in four directions, lies in the weeds nearby.

Estelle, roll me a Perception Check - just her. If you roll a 10 or higher, 

 Bral, roll a Perception check. If you get a 10 or higher

(Perception: 21)

"There seems to be something go on in that tunnel under the bridge," Brals informs everyone else before jumping down the wagon. He then draws his crossbow before loading it will a bolt. "I heard the sound of an animal cry, probably a horse."

Ubly stops their incessant chattering and as their smile drops their sharp features and crooked face become almost scary as they become serious, looking around for this tunnel and bridge. They look around at the surroundings for any threats and stay alert.

Amelia tenses and summons her psychic blades, looking around for enemies.

Nothing emerges from the bridge tunnel.

Baudric picks up his crossbow and moves to angle around to get a view under the bridge from a distance.

Perception: 7

With that 8, you don't see anything except for the Mists. 

Bral steps closer to the bridge to through the mists, or to listen out for more cries; human, animal or otherwise.

(Perception: 13)

WIth a 13 you hear the horse's cry turn to snorting and from the mists emerges a knight riding a black steed with fire for its mane. The knight is wearing gray armor with black trim and a purple cloak. His eyes glow from within the slits as he raises his sword at Bral. "I am Lord Loren Soth, knight of the Black Rose." 

Bral you've heard of death knights and you are aware of how powerful they are. You, as well as Baudric and Mia have heard whispers of Lord Soth, who's traveled through the Mists and he's a frightening figure.

He points his sword toward you and says "I see you are a brave warrior as are some of your companions." 

Lord Soth isn't attacking you at the moment. What does everyone do?

"I do what I can to help those in need," Bral replies without lowering his weapon. "Though I am not a warrior of your caliber. I have heard tale of you, Lord Loren Soth. I assure you, we mean you no harm, even if... even if we take... precautions. We are on a mission in this land and I presume that you too have business here in Barovia. 

What say you?"

As Bral speaks to Lord Soth, Bral tries to be careful with his words to try and avoid unnecessary conflict.

(Persuasion: 12)

However, he will also watch both the death knight and his horse carefully. He wants to make sure that Lord Soth shows no signs of aggression, but to also see if it might be a trick of some sort.

(Insight: 22)

Bral with that 22, you sense that Soth won't attack you at the moment. He turns to you and nods. "I've heard Argynvostholt is without an owner and I plan to claim that keep. From there I will raise an army to destroy the lord of this land. 

Baudric holds his weapon ready, but carefully directs it off to the side, "It seems our goals align, for the moment at least. We are also here to end the current ruler of this land. Though we have no intent to claim it afterwards."

Soth begins to move away from the wagon and points into the distance. "Perhaps our goals do align. I don't know what your plan is, but I will ride to Argynvostholt at once." 

With that he rides away.

What does everyone want to do now? 

Bral watches as Lord Soth rides away. Once the death knight is out of sight, he visibly relaxes his body, and lowers his weapon.

"Looks like we might have competition to see who slays Strahd first. I have the feeling we might meet Lord Soth again... sooner or later. For now, let's a get a move on."

With that he turns around to the wagon, and as he is about to climb back on, he gives the surrounding area another quick glance.

(Perception: 18)