Seeing the stare from the elf confuses Thulewyn, "What? Was it something I said?" Thinking back at what he said, he didn't recall saying anything that wasn't true. "Look saying 'everything going to be alright' doesn't make it so. Answering questions might make a difference." He knew he wasn't great with those who needed a soft approach to their situation. Thulewyn was blunt and to the point, and he appreciated those who thought likewise. But Thulewyn understood that his approach didn't sit well with most and decided maybe it best he looked around instead "Bah, fine, do it your way." Thulewyn will go back downstairs to look around.

Janek stands nearby as Celeste speaks with the woman. He seems content to let dinnertime else speak. Meanwhile his eyes scan the room for anything that might give them a clue about this disappearance.

(Perception: 24)

Oblivious to the conversation taking place upstairs in the house, Rodan slowly paces the center of the road, not moving more than two houses down before turning and retracing his steps.  He softly whistles an old elven melody, maintaining his concentration on his spell. 

Otherwise, he just tries to remain alert, taking in the desolation of this place, and wondering again at how they came to be here.

The door, and the entire house, seem totally mundane and non-magical. Nothing happens, and the door remains broken on the floor. You see come tools, wood and nails in the corner, with which a skilled labourer could no doubt fix this door, but it certainly doesn't seem to be doing the fixing itself.

"you two have been in this rotten place for 14 years? If you never let her out, no wonder she gave ya the slip. Why when I was around her age, the world didn't scare me have as much as isolation woukd have.
...
"What? Was it something I said?" Thinking back at what he said, he didn't recall saying anything that wasn't true. "Look saying 'everything going to be alright' doesn't make it so. Answering questions might make a difference."

(lol)

Alcazar steps over the wreckage of the door and stares down at the tools like they are alien implements. "Someone should summon an artificer to fix that," he says before pushing it out of his mind and moving on. Problem solved, from his perspective.

In the room with the grieving woman his listens carefully to the conversation, his face expressionless as he tries to recall the correct way to respond to such emotions. While he is adept at all manner of persuasive techniques, he worries that in a strange land he should be careful not to offend or to promise more than he can deliver. This might be home for some time to come.Now there's a cheery thought.

He is relieved when the others seem to take control of the situation, and turns to Thulewyn, nodding. "These matters -- like the door -- are best left to those with the requisite skills and knowledge, though in many cultures -- particularly in high society -- it is quite common to cloister the young." he looks around the room and shakes his head, "Though I don't think that would be the case here."

At the bottom of the stairs, Thulewyn turns to face back up the stairwell. He ponders for a moment and turns and walks back out the door-less entry way. He walks over to Rodan. "Teenage runaway. Those upstairs seemed to forget we are in much need of assistance then the kid on the run. See any sings of life out here? Hopefully we can get in good with the mother and maybe we found a place to  camp while we are stuck in hell-hold. Little chance we find the runt and even less chance we find her in good health. But maybe the fact that they will promise that we will do everything in our power to look will be enough. Clearly this is no place to be alone, even less so for a youngen'. Who knows, maybe the little shit is made of sturtier stuff then us."

Quote from Oberon99 >>

"I want to help you find Gertruda, but to do that I need to understand where I am." The blonde elven maiden says in a soft, gentle and melodious voice, still kneeling gracefully by the woman. "I am Celeste, and like the people I travel with I lost my way into a mysterious fog and ended up in your village. Can you tell me where we are and if you have any idea where your daughter might be and I promise I will look for her."

 "I don't know. I sheltered her for so long. She has had a lovely childhood and life, but her mind is full of fairy tales and stories - she has not experienced the world. I am afraid she may have been seduced by some tale of the outside."

Quote from Culuril >>

Janek stands nearby as Celeste speaks with the woman. He seems content to let dinnertime else speak. Meanwhile his eyes scan the room for anything that might give them a clue about this disappearance.

(Perception: 24)

 Looking around, you notice that nothing is broken or seems disturbed (no signs of a break-in), but that the drawers on the teenager's side of the room are considerably more empty than you would expect. Your guess is that the girl packed some of her things and then simply let herself out of the house.

"I promise I will try to find Gertruda, but as I mentioned I do not even know where I am yet. If you could tell me about this realm, and I will set out and search for her." The blonde elven maiden continues, her voice still calm, gentle, comforting and melodious.

The woman tells you the story of village and wider area, or what she knows, between sobs and wailing - still clutching the doll. From the rambling narrative and pieces of information you piece together the following:

The valley you are in now is nestled inside what is known as the Balinok Mountains. Her own parents told her of stories, which were passed down from their parents and ancestors, that this place once was a slice of heaven - a wonderful and prosperous valley with a mild climate and full of cheerful people. But all this was long ago, and well before the arrive of the valleys current master, whom she refers to as 'The Devil Strahd' - spitting on the floor in disgust each time she says the name. She tells you that the tales are that Strahd was once a warlord who led a bloody crusade against the enemies ended here in this valley with the slaughter of hundreds. In honour of his victory, Strahd made the valley his home and named the valley and this village 'Barovia' supposedly after a King Barov of some farway land. He also erected the castle on the hill high above the village.

At some later time, after his conquest and settling here, Strahd became a Vampire and Dark Powers took over the land. The entire region became dark and troubled. Around the same time, Barovia and its people were cut off from the wider world they used to trade with, and none leave this land. There are some travellers called Vistani, a normadic kind of people, who appear to be able to come and go as they please - and they are the Barovians' only link to the outside world and the only way to trade with them. She does not know how the Vistani achieve this, but Barovians themselves are not able to leave. If you want to look for them, it seems they travel in wooden carts and caravans that should be easy to spot. The Barovians themselves seem to be aware of their being trapped and ruled by a dark Vampire, and have lost their supposed former cheerfulness long ago.

Occasionally, other outsiders - such as yourselves arrive. They sometimes seem to be around for a short while, sometimes a long time - but in the end they always disappear ... one way or another. (She does not know exactly how, and tales seem to vary each time; but she fears that the Devil Strahd is behind it all). No one she knows would dare oppose Strahd.

Because of the dark nature of the land, she decided to try and bring up her daughted in the isolation of her home - rather than let her go out into this dark and forbidding land to eventually disappear like so many of you travellers. She has no idea where here daughter could have gone, as nothing outside the home would be familiar to her, but she fears that she may be acting naively as if living in a child's fairytale.

She is also able to tell you a little about the area: The village of Barovia, where you are now, sits at the east end of the valley. There is a town called Vallaki which lies in the heart of the valley, and the fortified village of Krezk at te far end (west) of the valley. The castle on the hill high above the village is called Ravenloft, the seat of Strahd - though no one dares go there. (She does not have a map. You would have to try elsewhere for that)

"What about beyond the Balinok Mountains? What might be found there?" Janek asks the woman after listening to her story. "We'll do what we can to find your Gertruda, ma'am."  Lowering his voice, he then turns to Celeste. "Perhaps if we find the Vistani they could lead us out of here?" He leaves any observations about the teen having packed and left on her accord to himself. 

Quote from Culuril >>

"What about beyond the Balinok Mountains? What might be found there?" Janek asks the woman after listening to her story. "We'll do what we can to find your Gertruda, ma'am."  Lowering his voice, he then turns to Celeste. "Perhaps if we find the Vistani they could lead us out of here?" He leaves any observations about the teen having packed and left on her accord to himself. 

 

 

 "I don't know anything about what is beyond the mountains. No Barovian has been able to leave for as long as anyone remember. The Vistani must know. Perhaps they can take you. Maybe that it how some of the outsiders disappeared? Who knows."

Nicholas listens quietly to the woman's explanation, perking up at the mention of a vampire. "We can ask around town after this Gertruda on our way out. But I think finding the Vistani should be our primary concern."

"Getting out before we run afoul of this Strahd is a priority. I have no desire to cross paths with a vampire in an unfamiliar land."

Thulewyn wanders back in just to hear the last part of Nicholas's statement. He starts at the woman. "What's this talk about bloody vampires?" Not really knowing if the comment was in reference to the girl's disaperance.

After getting the 2 sec explanation Thulewyn nudges Nicholas, "last I checked, you were in the business of removing abominations from this world. The way I see it, this town needs help, this little girl needs help, and there's a monster who head is a little too attached to its shoulders. We need a place to stay. We need a reason to explore and look around. I say we help each other by staying here and we put all our efforts to finding the girl. We can benefit on another." Looking at the mother, "possibly you could help us look since you are more familiar then us. Also we don't know what the gorl looks like. I don't think we caught your name. I be Thulewyn."

Celeste listens attentively to what the woman tells her and her newfound traveling companions, still with a warm reassuring smile, nodding in agreement with Janek as he says they will find the lost daughter.

"I will help you find the Vistani Janek, but I'm not sure I will be leaving this domain of dread, at least not until I'm sure I have completed whatever task Milil sent me here to perform. Don't you think there might be some purpose for us all to be here together?" She asks the dark rugged man with a somewhat pleading tone.

The blonde elven maiden then stands up and nods in agreement with the dwarf. "Listen to your brave friend Nicholas, this village needs people like you, like all of you." She says in a warm but firm tone, her pale blue eyes looking in turn at the quite capable-looking men gathered around.

"I've nowhere pressing to be," Janek says in way of response to Celeste. "It'd still be nice to know that we could leave. I don't particularly believe we're going to do much for the people here. But guess we can try to do what we can for this one woman and her daughter." 

Quote from Engineered_Beard >>

Thulewyn wanders back in just to hear the last part of Nicholas's statement. He starts at the woman. "What's this talk about bloody vampires?" Not really knowing if the comment was in reference to the girl's disaperance.

After getting the 2 sec explanation Thulewyn nudges Nicholas, "last I checked, you were in the business of removing abominations from this world. The way I see it, this town needs help, this little girl needs help, and there's a monster who head is a little too attached to its shoulders. We need a place to stay. We need a reason to explore and look around. I say we help each other by staying here and we put all our efforts to finding the girl. We can benefit on another." Looking at the mother, "possibly you could help us look since you are more familiar then us. Also we don't know what the gorl looks like. I don't think we caught your name. I be Thulewyn."

 "My name is Mary, and my beloved daughted is called Gertruda. Here, wait, I think I have a little picture I painted of her when we were playing together, practicing art".

She digs around in a pile of paper which seems to be a home-made art collection, some child-ish, some done by a grown-up. After a short while, she pulls out a picture of a girl or young woman. "There she is. Please find her if you can!"

(So, what is the group's next course of action? Mary does not know where her daughter went. As a reminder, there was a village map in this post if you want to go elsewhere in the village, or you could try to venture further out)

"Perhaps you have too little faith in yourself Janek, but I agree, finding the girl and the Vistani is a good start at least." The blonde elven maiden says with a warm smile to the rugged man. Celeste then turns to Mary and takes a good look at the picture of her daughter. "Can we borrow that? It could be quite useful if we are to ask if people have seen her. I promise I will bring it back to you, together with your daughter I hope." She says in a warm melodious voice. 

"What do you say gentlemen, perhaps visit that tavern next for some food, drink, rest and information?" She then turns and suggests to the others.

Quote from Oberon99 >>

Celeste then turns to Mary and takes a good look at the picture of her daughter. "Can we borrow that? It could be quite useful if we are to ask if people have seen her. I promise I will bring it back to you, together with your daughter I hope." She says in a warm melodious voice. 

 Mary is a little reluctant to part with the image, looking at it with a slight look of despair, but she recognizes that it may help you in trying to bring her home so she lets you have the picture.

"Ah let's be off, I doubt we'll fine the girl waiting here." Thulewyn looks at Mary. "We have done a wee bit of damaged to your front door. So ah, any chance you know someone you trust to come fix it?" Staring at the ones who broke it down, "I'm sure my colleagues wouldn't mine reimbursing you for the cost." Making his way outside to wait for the others to join, the poor mother didn't need to hear them make plans that didn't revolve around looking for the kid. "Alright, looking for adventure and fun, where would a kid go? Best start at the tavern."