"Ahh... well each oil vial is 5 silver each, but before that.. I saw Mordred talking to you. You ain't.. in cahoots with em are ye? As for somewhere to stay? Hell if I know, the church used to take people but now Donavich doesn't come out anymore. Not since his son and Mordred ****ed all of us over with that stupid revolt business."

The childish young brute had looked over after finishing moving his crate.

"Aww.. I like Mordred though... I miss Escher and Doru too uncle! Hello again! I likeded you're musics sooooo much!! THANK YOU!"

The brute reaches out and grabs Osse's hand with a brimming smile.

"I'm Parrywhimple!"

"Hey, none of that you stay away from Mordred AND Ireena both. Donavich too for that matter my boy he's gone insane."

Ooooh! I know where you can stay! But uh's.. it'll cost a gold!

"That's ma boy! Well you two sort that out and hey I want half that money boy for you're living expenses you eat like a god damn horse!"

The young man nods and goes outside to await Osse as Bildrath looks to finish his business with the young half elf.

"Ain't used to seeing dusk elves around these parts but money is money so doesn't matter to me what ye are."

Osselorn bows as the brute clutches his hand. "You honor me, Sir Parrywhimple. The gold is yours. I will meet you outside in due course."

Osse waits until the boy is gone and them turns to Bildrath, an earnest look on his face.  "He's got a good heart, that one. The Morninglord's blessing to you for looking after him..."

He then shifts his tone, getting a bit more down to business. "I'm no dusk elf, though I appreciate your tolerant welcome. My lineage is of a more exotic sort, truth be told, but half of my blood is as human as your own. Either way, you are sharp to notice that I'm a visitor to these parts, brought by chance after following wayward path through a dense fog... bringing all of my coin but none of my troubles. As such, I pride myself in being best sort of guest a town could hope for." He adds a puckish smile to that last part.

"As for the man who introduced himself as your burgermeister... Morded? Is that what you said his name was? Anyway, yes. You're right. He did chew my ear off a fair bit, asking me to compose a ballad to honor some ill-fated revolt he led... I'm embarrassed to say, I had a hard time following his story...  I get these sort of requests all the time from grandiose types. I do try not to be rude, but it does become tedious... But I take it you're saying I'd do well avoid this fellow in the future? Any other important things I should know as a newcomer?"

OOC
Sorry for the pause in post.

Roll 

19

Gotta wait for this roll first

The man belts out a laugh and crosses his arms.

A straight forward customer! With good sense too! I like the cut of you're jib! As for the boy he's... Rather simple I'm afraid. Strong as an ox, wouldn't believe it looking at him but he's the best damn warrior in this village. Course.. his only real competition is Mordred the lesser so that ain't saying much is it! Half human huh? Knew you were a bit different from other elves. A song? For that sad excuse for a revolt? Baah! All it did.. was get his father killed! Most of my customers too! His father was a good man, gods damn it... It's as if him and Doru have learned nothing at all.. Those idiotic bastards.. Even Parry Whimple's got better sense!! Anything else eh? Hmm.. The Vistana are a.. Dangerous sort but make for decent merchants not as honest as me of course. Donavich is the town priest but he's gone bat shit insane. And be careful sometimes undead come shambling about but the invasions at least have stopped from the castle. Plus many of us are leaving Barovia, heading to Vallaki myself included after the recent attacks it's been hell to stick around here honestly.

"Invasions from the castle? Recent attacks?... Gods above and below, it sounds as if you've had more than your share of trials. What sort of attacks have these been? ...Perhaps I'd best make my own exodus to Vallaki while I still can."

"Hah! He didn't even tell you that much eh? Well attacks from the castle have all been.. The undead variety, shambling corpses come to drag us with em! I don't know what an exodus is.. But I reckon it means getting outta town boy and you should! Speaking of which.. when you're done shopping and done talking to Parry Whimple outside I gotta get my own ass ready to go!"

OOC
Also reference art for what Mordred looks like (I meant to put it before)

And a second one

OOC: Very cool indeed! And, no worries about the delayed posts. I'm probably going to be slow with my posts through Christmas as well.

Alright, Osselorn says his farewells to Bildrath and goes to meet Parrywhimple.

Parrywhimple seems to be in a world of his own looking at the looming castle in the distance before looking down the street with a soft little hum to himself. It's than he looks to Osse approaching with a big toothy grin.

"Hey! So... I know where you can sleep nice music man. Mordred and Ireena... they help the homeless a lot... At least till village started ignoring them. Mordred and Ireena real nice folk! Also... Don't worry about the gold! That was a.. Well not a truth which I know is bad... I will give uncle a gold! So he does not discover that I was lying!"

OOC
Tis the holidays I understand X3 also glad you like it~!

"Give him one if you must, but take this as my gift to you..." Osselorn pulls out his bird-pipes and plays a small tune, a regional drinking song from his home village. A catchy, easy to remember melody Parrywhimple will have no problem whistling to himself while he works.

He stops and smiles. "That's an original composition I wrote just now, inspired by your kindness and gerosity. I call it "Parrywhimple's Song" and I will make it my duty to ensure it is known and enjoyed wherever I travel." 

Osselorn bows and takes his leave, once again moving quietly, making his way towards the manor where Mordred said he'd be waiting.

Parrywhimple had offered a smile tapping his foot along happily.

"Thank yous Mr! I shall remember it fondly! Always!!"

After a farewell the bard had made his way quietly to the manor of the village. 

A weary-looking mansion squats behind a rusting iron fence. The iron gates are twisted and torn. The right gate lies cast aside, while the left swings lazily in the wind. The stuttering squeal and clang of the gate repeats with mindless precision. Weeds choke the grounds and press with menace upon the house itself. Yet, against the walls, the growth has been tramped down to create a path all about the domain. Heavy claw markings have stripped the once-beautiful finish of the walls. Great black marks tell of the fires that have assailed the mansion. Not a pane nor a shard of glass stands in any window. All the windows are barred with planks, each one marked with stains of evil omen.

"Charming..." He thinks to himself.

Osselorn will take a quick look around to ensure he's not being watched...

 ...and if he believes the coast is clear, he'll move to the door and knock.

There is silence and some hushed whispers for a moment before a woman with red hair answers the door. A white robe, a symbol of a sunburst medallion across her chest. Breastplate and a rapier to her side. She had looked up and down upon the individual with weariness and distrust. That is.. Until Mordred had came to her side.

"No need to worry Ireena, this is Osse the kind bard I had met at the tavern."

"Bard? Like Escher? An outsider too? You must be... an ADVENTURER!"

Despite this desolate and dampened town her voice almost breaks to a squeal and her eyes begin to let up. Her eyes are hot red and yet... Soft and full of curiosity as she begins to circle and inspect Osse most excitedly including his weapon and armor. 

"How do you fight? How many adventures do you go on??"

"Ireena... please don't circle him like a vulture... you're going to make him change his mind about us.... I apologize.. She's read much on adventurers and foreign fighting techniques but has seen precious little of either.

OOC
Her reference art 

Osselorn bows and takes Ireena's hand for a chivalrous kiss.

"Dear lady, you flatter me with your questions. I am known as Osselorn Fenmore, child of the savage frontier, toast of the feywild, traveler of worlds... I have seen kingdoms and country few could only imagine in dreams... but in all my travels I have never seen a marvel so great as the beauty of your friendlysmile. If generosity would allow you to show this weary wanderer the warmth of your fire on this cold and dreary night, it would be my privilege to share what humble stories I have of my journeys through the wilderness."

Mordred had crossed his arms giving a somewhat concerning look before letting it go entirely. Ireena offers an awkward smile as she strokes her hair behind her ear. There is a stumble and a flinch.. A flinch almost as if done responsively rather than by choice. 

She keeps the friendly warmth in her eyes and her smile wavers only in a awkward tinge but she manages to smile again.

"Awww, buttering me up for a place to stay huh? Ahh, none of that! You can stay! Butter or no butter~"

"Yes... of course. Osse will be helping me take you to Vallaki at ST Andral's his kind and chivalrous spirit will aid us."

"Oh did he...? It was nice my brother warned me I was being "Evacatuated" oh wait... No.. He didn't. Heh! Osse... You can stay but excuse us a moment!

With that she welcomes in to the manor.

The interior of the mansion is well furnished, yet the fixtures show signs of great wear. Noticeable oddities are the boarded-up windows and the presence of holy symbols in every room. The burgomaster is in a side drawing room on the floor—lying in a simple wooden coffin surrounded by wilting flowers and a faint odor of decay.

OOC
He can make a DC 12 stealth check (But risk getting caught)

OR 

Make the harder DC 15 perception check to try and overhear. Course he could do neither and leave them to talk alone too! 

OOC: Just want to confirm, the burgomaster in the coffin is Mordred's father? Asking because the other townsfolk referred to Mordred as the burgomaster.

Osselorn isn't inclined to spy, but he'll keep his pointed ears open for anything he might overhear...

After a bit of hushed whispers between the two siblings and a few shouts that were hard to hear from her end the two had made their way back. Ireena had looked to Osse with a mournful smile.

"So.. I agreed to head towards Vallaki.. But first I want to bury father at the church. Donavich, the priest was always a good family friend to us. I want him to help with the send off and to let father rest."

"I think.. Father would rather you prioritize you're own safety Ireena but... He'd find it commendable you'd wish to stay. I am sorry Osse, this isn't what we agreed upon early and I feel bad asking for more help.. But I'll do my best to repay you I swear. Will you help us carry the coffin to the church?"

OOC
That would certainly be a safe assumption to make that the man in the coffin is his father.

Mary called him Burgomaster but he said he techincally did not have that title yet but it seems some already see him as one while others doubt his ability to lead from what Osse has seen so far.

A DC 12 insight check to see their attitude/mood returning ^~^

 Osse's brow furrows at the request as he gives his response some careful consideration.

"My dear lady, you honor me with your request... However, prudence dictates that I must demur. At your brother's suggestion, I've done my best to avoid any close association with your family in the eyes of your fellow townfolk. If I were to be seen, now, helping the two of you bear your father's coffin, I might be thought of as a liar, and lose a great deal of trust... In that instance, it would not do for you to be seen in my company. Not a favorable outcome for any of us, I'm affraid." 

He raises a finger. "That being said... I won't leave you in a lurch. I'd be happy to travel ahead to the church and recruit the aid of the good priest, Donavich... If that won't do, I might be able to convince the innocent, Parrywhimple, to lend his muscle. The fellow seems to think highly of you both and his father's protests should be easily sidestepped with a reasonable cover story and a modest display of coin. How would that sound?"

With Osse's insight he can tell that the two of them have just finished crying it would seem though some effort was made to "Clean" themselves up. Ireena had crossed her arms with a long frown but Mordred himself had offered an understanding nod. She let out a soft breath before asking another question.

"What of tonight than? Late tonight? So any Donavich would know."

Osse can tell she's somewhat hurt but also used to people keeping her at arms length for whom she is. Although Osse's second idea had brought a spark back to her eyes.

"Bring Donavich.. Here? Father was always religious though.. Unless you mean the priest help carry this? I'm afraid while he is kind.. He would lack the strength able to really help carry the coffin. Ahh Parpol! I should let you know.. Parrywhimple is a name Bildrath and the town calls him to belittle the poor guy. He doesn't realize it... he's a sweet man though! You'll have to ask him away from his uncle.. Or else his uncle will try to charge you."

Mordred had walked over to Osse offering him a small pouch with about 30 gold in it.

"To convince him with, whatever isn't needed for Bildrath... Well.. You can keep. I'll pay you more once we make it to Vallaki of course. I'd say that plan is rather reasonable and makes a lot of sense.. Thank you truly."

Osse takes the gold, nods to Mordred in thanks, then turns to Ireena, saying, "I will return in haste. Your father will have an honorable burial."

With that, Osselorn makes his exit, being cautious to remain hidden as he makes his way back to to Bildrath's shop. 

When he arrives, he looks to see if he can catch Parpol at a moment when Bildrath isn't at his side before trying to get his attention.