JudyMacs Curse of Strahd

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn just listened as others spoke with the undertaker. She really didn't want to go in and sit for some more tea again. Though she thought maybe that would be the least intrusive way to get a chance to talk to Milivoj. She finally says, "Artur, it was a pleasure to meet you, and I thank you for the offer. But perhaps I shall be on my way and let my friends speak with the boy." 

Whether anyone else joins her is up to them, but Crisaryn nods politely and turns to head back out the way she had come in.  Once out of sight, she tries to stay hidden as she turns to glance back. Grasping the crystal focus she keeps in a pouch at her waist, she casts Message, whispering to Lorelei, 'I'll be near at hand. Will try to spy on the boy if I can.'  She then tries to figure a way to work back around towards the back area where Milivoj is working in the mortuary. (Stealth: 24)

Alerya

The warrior girl is not thirsty but standing around for an unknown amount of time doesn't sound very fun. 

Illmirth 

"Most gracious, good sir.  Please allow us a few moments to admire your lovely garden."  With that he turns and takes several steps towards a patch of lovely flowers.  With his back to the man he fishes a copper from his pouch and very softly hums a soft tune, calling on the music to fuel his magic.

The man's squirrly behavior was not lost on the bard.  His lips may withhold information, but his mind could not.

***OoC: as subtlety as possible he casts detect thoughts***

DM

Artur looked relieved when Crisaryn said that she would go on her way, his shoulders relaxed. As you wish dear lady, go and enjoy the festival. I'll get the boy to talk to your friends.

He turns to Illmirth, certainly enjoy the garden if you will, just stay clear of the bee hive, they act badly around strangers. There is a bench near the rose arch, feel free to wait for the boy there.

He nodded at them then turned away.

Illmirth hears, don't look down, leave the shovel there. What if they know? I must save my wife, she's all I've got. I can't let the undead take her. I was right to bribe him. What do I do? 

Lorelei Dawnwarden

"I'm so sorry to hear about your wife Artur, I do hope she will get well soon."  The young blonde priestess says with a soft compassionate smile. "Would you have any idea who would be interested in the sacred bones kept in the chapel?" She asks with a concerned look. 

Insight:9 :-P

Crisaryn Melkial

Once away from Artur, Crisaryn continues to try to find a way back around to where Milivoj is supposed to be working. 

Quote from Oberon99 >>

Lorelei Dawnwarden

"I'm so sorry to hear about your wife Artur, I do hope she will get well soon."  The young blonde priestess says with a soft compassionate smile. "Would you have any idea who would be interested in the sacred bones kept in the chapel?" She asks with a concerned look. 

Insight:9 :-P

 

 ***wierd phone spaz/ accidental button hitting - incident, please disregard ***

Illmirth 

Illmirth remains on the peripheral of Arthur's mind, listening but not yet pushing farther into his thoughts.  He mutters a polite thank you and pretends to closely inspect the roses.  "Come ladies!  Have ever you seen such beautiful roses!  Lovely, just lovely.  Say my good man, would you be so kind to fetch that tea?  Much appreciated.  You see, the astute eye notices the seventh ventricular leafeveinstriatiosassurous, so rare in these parts."  The bard continues to talk in circles, asking for tea, then with no discernable transition, plunging headlong into some plant gobbletygook.  When Arthur is confused enough to go in or step far enough away Illmirth whispers what he learned from the spell.  He holds concentration, listening but not yet probing deep enough to give away his foothold in the man's mind.

Gently placing his hand on Alerya's shoulder he pretends to point out some interesting this or that and leans in close, whispering, "Be alert and be ready, you got this!" 

 ***deception if needed: 13  B/A bardic inspiration to Alerya (d6) attack, skill, or save**

DM

Artur trembled slightly and looked away from Loreleis eyes, I have no idea what Milivoj would have done with bones if he took them. From the Chapel you say? I'm not a follower of the Morninglord so I don't know much about them.

He nodded at Illmirth trying to keep his own face from betraying him. He walks swiftly to the backdoor and his wife watching them all. Fetch some tea would you dear, we have visitors. His wife Nadya nods and walks back inside. She seems to be frail, her skin translucent and lips blue. For one moment you see a small wound on her neck.

Lorelei Dawnwarden

The young blonde priestess nods and follows along, her keen eyes taking note of the wound on the neck, pondering if she could have been visited by Strahd or any of his vampiric minions.

Medicine: 15

DM

Lorelei closes the distance between them and manages to get a good look. The puncture mark is carefully hidden behind her stiff lace collared blouse. Unlike Irenas bite, this one was savage, bruising all around it suggesting a new vampire if indeed it was a vampire bite. It would still be possible to cleanse it with Holy water.

*********************************************************************************************

Crisaryn found a small window in the mortuarys wall. Inside she watches Milivoj wiping down the corpse with care, each finger and toe gently placed and cleaned.

Illmirth 

The bard moves towards the house as well.  His gait is slow and leisurely, eyes drifting from garden to garden.  As he nears the house, he allows his awareness to open wide.  Still concentrating on his spell, he simply tries to detect the presence of other thinking creatures.

***maintsin concentration on detect thoughts (1min)***

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn tries to stay out of sight and keep an eye on the boy.  She looks about to see if there is any signs of anything that might match the collection of bones they were looking for.  

(Perception: 18)

DM

Illmirth hears a cacophony of words all overlaying each other. He skilfully concentrated on one at a time hoping to clear the psychic storm. (spoiler for Illmirths detect thoughts)

Crisaryn watched the boy closely, but he did nothing wrong. Milivoj dried the man off then reached for a clean suit from a basket nearby and carefully dressed the old man, and gently combed his hair and beard. The coffin made of oak wood rested just within view. She didn't see a pile of bones in the mortuary nor through any other window.

Alerya

Alerya follows the others and discovers yes, there is the boy they are looking for.

hmmm More waiting. He doesn't look like a criminal.

Illmirth

"Say there, my good man.  Would you be so kind as to ask your wife to come out and join us for a moment?  It is such a lovely day.  My dear friend is in fact a healer.  I should expect that she will get a better look at her out in the light of the Morning Lord,"  he says to Artur.  He then flashes the man a smile, but not his usual.  He pulled the corners of his mouth into the spiteful, arrogant, grin of deceit and malcontent that his people had so mastered.  He then subtly pushes into the man's mind (WIS save DC 14 - he wants him to know that he is in his head).  "Go now, and return promptly to us with your bride."

The second he is out of sight, Illmirth pulls the other two close and says softly, "I believe that they are under the influence of powerful undead, possibly Strahd himself.  I also think that we need to turn that soil over, he was trying very hard not to look down at it.  His fear of the undead and concern for his wife are at the forefront of his mind."

Alerya

"Oh...ok...." she moves toward the new grave and picks up the shovel(?) ready to work.

DM

Artur turned and walked back into the house. He emerged shortly with his wife and a tray of teapot and small glasses. He looked at Lorelei, Are you from the Abbey?

Nadya put the tray down on a small table near the bench. She shielded her eyes against the sunlight. Tell them Artur or I will.

Artur pauses then blurts out It's my nephew Henrik he recently turned and was buried in the extended cemetery, my family refused to cut his head off. The ground there isn't hallowed, it's for all of those who are not followers of the Morninglord. He keeps coming here to feed. He wrung his hands. I've tried garlic and he just gets Nadya to take the precautions down. 

************************************************************************************

Alerya dug into the rich soil and uncovered an embroidered muslin bag.

Illmirth

The bard holds the spell until it's minute expires.  His face reflects his sadness at this horrific story, but he stays on the peripheral of Artur's mind, just in case...

"Where is Henrik now, and does he come alone on his nightly visits?"  His eyes glance to the embroidered bag, then to Lorelei.  If that sack contains what he thinks it does, he assumed that she would want to verify the contents and hold them for safekeeping.  

Crisaryn Melkial

Unaware of what is happening with the others, Crisaryn keeps out of sight and keeps her eyes on Milivoj. While it seems he's simply doing his work now and there are no signs of the bones, she figures it best to wait here until he finishes up.