Cautiously, the group begins to follow to sound of weeping emanating from the center of the town. As Anthony keeps an eye on the windows, he spots an occasional face peering at the group behind panes of glass, but the faces don't seem hostile. Instead, he sees they are the haggard faces of those who live in constant fear and oppression. 

You arrive to what seems to be a small townsquare, but it too shows signs of struggle: singed cobblestone, clawed walls, and shattered windows. Partially tucked behind some of the dilapidated buildings lies a grander structure. Much larger than the surrounding houses, it appears to have once been a very handsome building, but it too bears the scars found upon its siblings to either side. Above its gaping doorway, a sign hangs precariously askew, proclaiming it to be the Blood on the Vine tavern. Warm firelight shines through its tinted windows, the first sign of life that the majority of the party has seen thus far. ((E2))

Across the cobbled street is another large building, but it isn't as well-kempt as the tavern. The sparse light from this building spills out from behind drawn heavy curtains. A sign over the door, creaking on its hinges, reads "Bildrath's Mercantile." ((E1))

The moaning sobs float still float through the still, gray streets, coloring your thoughts with sadness. The sounds flow forms a dark, two-story townhouse a couple doors down the street from the mercantile ((E3)). It too appears to be boarded up and sealed.

"Here's a tavern Alfie" Jared calls and motions to the tavern. "No need to get wrapped up in someone's misery. I bet there are folks here that can satisfy your curiosity." 

Looking up at the windows and seeing only harried citizens rather than snipers or lookouts Anthony agrees with Akyan. “Yeah, there are people… existing here. For whatever that’s worth.” Then he enters the square with the others. Tavern, shop, and the crying. He had visions of people running off in different directions. He glances at Jared with a half shrug.  “We should partner up at least. This doesn’t look like the sort of place to get caught without backup.”

Aoufie was torn between getting the information they needed and helping the poor soul. He looks down the street towards the crying and then to the Blood on the Vine tavern. Maybe the chill of Icewind Dale has changed him as he reaches for the tavern doors and enters. 

As a habit he makes sure to keep his hands in plain sight as whomever may be inside may not have seen a Harengon before. "Well met everyone we are just weary travelers in need of some information."  

Zathon seems to make a similar calculation to Aoufie, walking in step with him to the tavern. Although he does lean in to whisper, "We could have played it a tad more casual but that works too," as he addresses the tavern as a whole.

Anthony looks over toward Kora. "Crying or pub?" Ready to give her some backup if she wants to peel off from the main group.

Kora looks to Anthony as his question reaches her, "I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot of sobbing in this poor village.  Shoot, if I lived here, I would probably be one of them.  Let's check out the pub."

She thinks of the Goose she was in just yesterday, how was that yesterday? she shakes her head as she thinks and looks around the pub as she follows her brothers in.  She bets she won't find a chatty waitress in this forlorn place.

Letting Jared go in front of him to give one last scan of the street, Anthony tosses his best 'awe shucks' grin onto his face before he steps into the tavern.

Akyan nods in agreement to Anthony's suggestion of pairing up. Though at the moment it seems like they will all be going to the same place. So, he walks into the pub alongside Kora and Anthony. As soon as they walk through the doors, he glances around to take everything in, and to look for any suspicious people.

Perception: 22

As you come closer to the tavern, you notice the sing hanging above the door originally read "Blood of the Vine," but someone has scratched out the "of" and wrote "on in its place. You open the doors to reveal a once finely appointed taver that has grown shoddy over the years. A blazing fire in the hearth gives scant warmth to the few huddled souls within. At the bar is a pudgy man with thinning hair. He looks at you blankly as he mindlessly cleans wine glasses, one after another. Three woman with long, dark hair that wear colorful, if a bit worn, dresses sit huddled on one of the tables near the hearth. They look up at you as you enter, but they quickly dismiss you and go back to their hushed conversation. A young man with long blonde hair sits by himself in one the corners, sipping a glass of dark wine as he does. As he takes a sip, his dark eyes linger on you curiously. A few other haggard-looking peasants are scattered throughout the solemn room as they spoon steaming soup into their mouths.

Anthony limps heavily to one of the tables near enough the fire for warmth and rubs the soreness from his leg. He gives a friendly nod and dimpled smile to the ladies, but doesn't try to intrude on their conversation otherwise.

Aoufie heads to the barkeep "Hello. I am new to this land and in need of some information. I noticed some homes were lost and others were ravaged by some unknown beast. Where are we and what happened to your village?" 

Jared shakes his head at Aoufie's entrance but follows in.
Once inside he will scan the room but not linger on anyone.
Occasionally he will sniff the air to get what scents are about. 
Finding a seat, Jared will sit down but say nothing, listening to what everyone else is saying or doing. 

Zathon sides up next to Aoufie, just in case. There are a few other people they can talk to if anything goes awry anyway. 

Akyan hangs back a bit while the others disperse inside the pub. He ignores the peasants, though his eyes linger momentarily three woman he passes over them relatively quickly when Anthony finds a seat close to them. If he knows anything about women, it's that they tend to gossip. Even when times are bad, they'll have something to chatter about at least amongst each other. Maybe Anthony will be able to catch some information there.Turning his head slightly, he narrows his eyes at the blond man, catching his dark gaze and holding him in a cold silver stare. While it's likely the man is just a curious onlooker, it's just as likely that he is a threat.

Insight: 19

After a few moments, Akyan takes his gaze away from the man, assuming he hadn't done so already, and finds a dark corner of his own, making sure he has a good vantage point of the room.

Kora follows the rest in and takes in the dismal scene.  She's seen her share of downtrodden inns before, but that coupled with the village and the surrounding woods.. it was all a bit much.  As the others scatter a bit trying to find out what they can, she sees a couple of peasants enjoying some hot soup and that lifts her spirits a bit.  

She too heads up to the bar and asks the bartender, "What's the soup today?" 

Anthony takes in his surroundings casually, finding his eyes inevitably drawn to the bright spot of color that was the three chatting women on occasion. Not quite staring, but there were few other things to take notice of. In the event they notice him noticing, he'd offer a shrug and one of his best smiles by way of apology. Mostly he just relaxes and hopes someone will offer him something warm, because he'd spent most of what little money he had getting to Neverwinter.

((if passive doesn't apply perception 8))

As the cordial harengon attempts to strike up conversation with the barkeeper, he just watches you with a black expression, his dull eyes void of emotion. Still absentmindedly scrubbing wine cups with his soiled rag, he responds with a robotic, monotone voice devoid expression, "You are in the town of Barovia. Werewolves and vampires have preyed upon our village for many generations, just like everywhere else." The pudgy, balding man then slowly turns towards Kora and responds, "The soup today is chicken bone broth." He blinks slowly, and then looks at both Aoufie's and Kora's obviously foreign attire. He blinks again, his expression still blank. Then, in his still flat voice, he asks, "You're not from around here I take it?" He seemed a bit slow on the uptake.

  As Akyan meets the blond man's gaze, the well-dressed stranger smiles and nods his head in a welcoming gesture, raising his glass of red wine as he does. He doesn't seem hostile towards the group, and you can tell he is rather curious about you all. His dark, friendly eyes scan the group, pausing on your weapons and gear. He then focusses on the conversation at the bar with inquisitive intent, awaiting Kora and Aoufie's response.

The three women continue there hushed conversation, casting an occasional curious look at the group as they do. As you all move around the room to take your seats, they simply keep whispering amongst each other, unbothered by your presence.

The big man settles back, crosses his arms, closes his eyes and waits for the others to ask their questions. The blond man seemed inclined to chat, but Akyan had that handled. Instead he just listens to the rhythm of the room for now. Slurping soup. squeaking glass, and the whispered conversations.

Kora raises an eyebrow as she considers the bartender.  "No..." she says slowly, "we aren't.  What was your first clue?  Werewolves and vampires?  You must be joking."  She tries to watch the man, see if he truly is trying to pull their leg, but she thinks back to what the deer had said.  Were the man-beasts these werewolves?

Insight  17

"But if I could have some of your soup, I would be most grateful."  Hoping that the warmth will help release her from the strange feeling she has creeping up her spine.