"That seems a likely conclusion," Nelyna answers, staring at the body. "After what we've seen...this man could be a vampire too."

Nelyna studies the holy symbols as well to see if she recognizes any from her studies.

"I was referring to this whole country, I came here looking for answers not trying to pick a fight with some vampire.  Almost certainly this poor guy has been afflicted too although you would think our presence would have made an impression on him."

Jim shrugs his shoulders, "Either way, we agreed we would escort Ireena to Vallaki. Unless you are one to go back on your word?"

Jim then steps into the mansion and begins to look around for any clues as to what might have happened here.

(Investigation: 16)

laughing..

"I am not but if I were, where would I go exactly?  Let's get on with it, I feel like this guy is going to pop up and starting chasing us at any moment."  

Caine jerks his head around at the sound of the voice from somewhere in the house. He looks over at the others, his gaze finally meeting Jim's eyes. He shrugs then turns in the direction the voice seemed to come from.

"So far I can't say we're fans of this Strahd guy," Caine calls. "We're friends."

Razi catches up to the others and pokes his head inside the manor.  "Sorry guys.  I was just finishing that maple nut pie.  Is anyone home?"

"We are no allies of Strahd friend."

When Caine gazes at him, Jim shrugs his shoulders looking sheepish.

"Yeah, we're definitely friends. Sorry, we entered the mansion without permission. The door was unlocked and we were worried that something had happened to the occupant of this lovely mansion. That is you, right?"

(Deception: 18) 

Nelyna glances around nervously as the voice emanates from somewhere else in the house.

"We are definitely not allies to this Strahd. Please, show yourself."

Caine looks from Ireena to the coffin and then back to Ireena.

"Not in good health might be a wee bit of an understatement," Caine says.

He steps forward, bows with exaggerated courtesy and smiles as he looks at Ireena.

"Stanimir of the Vistani said the lord of this land was cursed and they needed help returning him to normal. I suspect that good old Stan may have left out a few important details and that we were more lured than recruited. But either way we now find ourselves in your quaint little town looking for information on what's really going on here."

Caine is about to go on when he pauses and cocks his head and looks more closely at Ireena.

"Did you say your name was Ireena?" Caine asks. "I think we met your brother last night. Izzy? Ismuth? Ismark? He said you needed an escort out of here to Vallaki."

backs away with open hands from her sword...

"I also seek an audience with Madame Eva."

Nelyna studies the new woman with interest. She is content to let Caine do most of the talking. She's never been very good with words, not having had much experience outside of the tower where she studied with Master Neralmo. Still, she is very interested to see what this Ireena has to say. Finally, it seems as if they've come across someone who knows what is going on and hasn't been driven mad.

Jim gestures with his head towards Sleet, "Yeah, he is not so keen on dealing with Strahd. He is mostly just wanting to speak with Madame Eva. However, I just can't help but wonder just what kind of treasure we might find in this land. Strahd must have something worthwhile, surely?

I also guess that I cannot help but want to put a stop to Strahd so that he cannot hurt any more innocent lives. It's in my nature."

Caine opens his mouth to speak, pauses, closes his mouth, raises a finger, opens his mouth, looks back at the others, shrugs and returns his attention to Ireena.

"Donavich? That's the priest at the church at the other side of town?" Caine asks, hoping the answer is no. "We can take your father there, but I don't know how much help the priest will be. He seemed, um, let's just say a bit distracted by his son."

He looks over at the body of Ireena's father in the coffin.

"Any reason your father is still here and not already over at the church?"

Nelyna stares at the woman with even more curiosity. "What happened to your father, if I may ask?"

"At the very least, can I move him to a more respectable place here?"

"Come on," Jim adds. "If Ireena wants her late father to be moved to the church, then I think we should all help. The church should still be able to provide protection. And it is probably the most respectful place to bury someone."