Amelia looks flat-out annoyed at this point. “Bloody hells, anyone want my voice in their head while we’re at it?”

Baudric continues walking back towards the entrance, "Back by the entrance to the manor."

Estelle follows Baudric sedately, perplexed by the apparent goose-chase they are being led on through the manor.

As you reach the front, you see a ghostly vision of a dragon near the entrance. "I'm Argynvost. My apologies for the confusing request. Vladimir, was driven mad by my death and the demise of the other knights, including his beloved. Only lighting the beacon can free him, but to get the beacon you must travel to Castle Ravenloft and take my skull from the Hall of Bones. Strahd has other matters to attend to and he won't be there."

Rose and Thorn turn to each other and mutter words to each other. Thorn raises an eyebrow. "How can we enter Castle Ravenloft. None of us have been there." 

Argynvost nods. "A couple of allies will arrive shortly to take you there. Can I count on you all to help me?"

As he finishes, you hear wagon wheels in the distance. 

Bral looks at the vision of the dragon, "Are you actually a dragon?"

"I was," Argynvost responds. "I lived among Barovians as a noble but I was secretly a dragon. I tried my best to help others, including enemies to Strahd. I spread hope and joy, but he didn't see it that way. He killed me and took my skull as a trophy." 

The wagon appears to get closer as Rose raises an eyebrow, then shakes. "Not her." Thorn smiles and is happy. "It's Ez!"

Baudric glances to the others, "A detour might be preferable to facing down that thing, but what about Lord Soth?"

Thorn shrugs. "If Soth is killed, that means one less potential ruler in Ravenloft." 

A woman steps out of the wagon and surveys the area. 

She stares at all of you for a moment before walking to Rose. "Rose Durst. I'd never thought I'd have to see you again." The woman balls a fist, causing Rose to do the same. She laughs and hugs her. "Good to see you, rich loser. Hello Thorn, still hanging out with this loser." 

"She's my sister," Thorn says before turning to everyone. "Everyone this is Ez D'Avenir. One of the most famous monster hunters besides Dr. Van Ricthen."

Out of the wagon also steps a tall silver dragonborn wearing scalemail armor with a sword and shield. "And that is her protege, Flynt Silverflame." 

Bral

Baudric nods a polite greeting, "I am Baudric Holystalker, honor to meet you." Glancing at the others, "Could this be our ally?"

"Well, if you helped his enemies, then no wonder why he wasn't too keen on you," Bral replies to Argynvost.

When Ez arrives and is introduced he recognises the name of the monster hunter.

"Hmm," Bral grunts. "I have heard the name, but I think I will need a private word with her. If she would lend me her ear."

Rose nods. "I think this is the ally Madam Eva spoke of." 

Ez turns to Bral. "I'd love to have a word with you, but we've got some people on your tail."

When she says that you see three Vistani men arrive, one on a black horse and two riding direwolves. The man on the horse gets off and brandishes a dagger. "You best give back our horses and come with us, Ezmerelda." 

Rose and Thorn turn with disapproving looks at Ez and Thorn asks Flynt," You didn't stop her." 

"I didn't have a choice," Flynt adds. 

The Vistani man turns to the group. "I'm Arrigal and this woman stole horses from my camp. I suggest you stand back and let us take her." 

Amelia frowns. "Did you...have a reason for stealing horses?"

Meanwhile, she tries to determine if these men are being entirely sincere.

Insight: 11

She tilts her head, reaching for the psionic power in her mind and focusing it on them, trying to use it to get a better sense than she's pretty sure she's getting right now.

Psi-Bolstered Knack: 1

Baudric shakes his head and stands back a little, waiting to see how this works out.

Bral sighs at the current predicament that they all find themselves in. He then steps forward to meet with the man, and the two others, who would seek to take their new ally.

Then making sure the others cannot see his face, Bral smiles showing off his fangs, which glisten in the light.

"I think it would bode well for the three of you to leave now whilst your necks are still in tact. Wouldn't you?"

(Intimidation: 6)

Arrigal turns to Bral and laughs as the two bandits draw their weapons. He motions them to stay back. 

Ez turns to Amelia and nods. "Yes, I had to use the horses to rescue someone from a werewolf. I was going to return them but I had to find Flynt and make it here to Argynvostholt."

"That is true," Flynt adds.

From that 11 Amelia, you sense she's telling the truth. 

Estelle steps forward. "It sounds as though she had her reasons for taking your horses. If we return them, can we all go on our way and avoid any bloodshed?"

Persuasion: 3

Amelia nods. "This seems to largely be a misunderstanding. I don't see why anyone needs to be injured or killed for it. Do you?" She summons a dagger to punctuate that sentence, not brandishing it but making it quite obvious.

Intimidation: 7

Arrigal regards Estelle's proposal with curiosity, especially when he notices the dagger Amelia just summoned. "Very well, we will take our horses and not speak of this." 

Arrigal's companions gather the horses as he and Ez have a stare-off. They leave without incident and Ez shakes her head. "Where are we going to get horses?"

"We have a Vistani wagon," Rose replies, pointing to your wagon, which is still at the spot where you left it. 

You've managed to explore Argynvostholt and acquired your ally. Everyone level to 4.

"So you need to go to Castle Ravenloft?" Ez asks. 

"Sounds like it," Bral responds. "I think we have to light some beacon or something."

"We must take back Lord Argynvost's skull. He seems confident that Strahd won't be there...that we could possibly sneak in." She approaches Ez, looking at her with wide-eyed curiosity. "So you are our fated ally? My name is Estelle - cleric of the Moonmaiden. What can you tell us of this land? Of Strahd?"