Allen looks at his tome and contemplates fulfilling his destiny. He takes a few deep breaths and continuec forward. 

[WHOOPS- I misunderstood about the mansion haha. I redacted Rumble's comment.]

Instead, Rumble waits quietly but can't help a mischievous purrr rumble around in his throat. His tail swishes with excitement- trying to hide his anticipation for entering such an establishment.

"We'll help all we can..." He says, with a noticable smirk.

Pokerface: 21

“Well, less hav’ a go look-see!” Graeme says as he begin walking towards the mansion.

Ismark nods to Rumble with a smile, proceeding forward. The group enters through the gates and follows Ismark into the foyer. He clears his throat and knocks hard thrice. Knock. Knock. Knock. The heavy front door's view slide swishes open as two eyes dart out at each of you. From within, a soft female voice questions, "Ismark! You're back... But, you brought... Others."

Ismark responds, "Ireena, please. They're willing to help us, and I will vouch for them. They are as an enemy to the devil as we are." After a what seemed like the door was not to be opened, it cracks and opens slowly.

The mansion interior is well furnished, yet the fixtures show signs of great wear. Noticeable oddities are the boarded-up windows and the presence of multiple holy symbols in every room. Ismark quietly ushers you into a side room containing a simple wooden coffin that is surrounded by wilted flowers and a faint odor of decay. Within lies the late burgomaster. Ireena, a striking young woman, stands 5'7" with long auburn hair, follows the group in. She softly states through teary eyes, "Father passed three nights ago. We... Had to make the coffin ourselves."

"Please, please help us. The Devil is after me and mine, and we can't even put him to rest. Strahd's creatures have assaulted our home for two ten-days without rest. But when he died of heart attack, they all suddenly left us alone. Please help us at least being him to Farther Donavich for burial." The poor girl, appearing rather young, bursts into sobs as Ismark moves in to consume her.

Ireena

Rumble immediatley begins looking around the home for anything... expensive. If he sees a particuarly nice ornate holy symbol, it may just find it's way into his pocket. He picks his moment carefully- mainly when Ireena begins sobbing as a distraction. (Sleight of hand: 10  Slight of hand with adv: 19 )

"Do you feel safe in this place?" Rumble asks. Perhaps we could convince the father to come to the house- that may be safer. He thinks to himself.

Rumble: Ismark and Ireena are embracing; an opportune time for some light theft. Shifting yourself backwards just a few steps leads you back at the doorway, and without anyone noticing, you reach up and expertly slide a golden-sun shaped idol from its perch your backpack. Snapping your pack together, you notice some rather nice looking candleholders sitting on a side desk. Sidestepping to the right, a quick swipe moves them behind your back into a pack's side pocket.  From what you gather, the candle holders value at roughly 2gp. The idol, judging by weight alone, likely runs around 5gp. To be more precise, you may want to check when selling them. The idol is rather heavy, and it looks like a sun with multiple directional arrows coming out. Idol

Ismark holds Ireena to the side and states, "I used to feel safe, but I'm not sure how much more punishment this mansion can take. It's best if we move while we can, I think." As if on queue, the old wooden building creaks and moans of warped boards.

“We can escort you to the church.” Rumble says, suggestingly. “I can scout ahead.” [what time is it and what’s it like outside?]

Ireena wipes her teary eyes, sniffling, "Y-you're like a cat person? Ismark's tales were true!" Her face lights up, makeup smearing the look of curiosity and innocence. Tabaxi are pretty uncommon, and it seems what Ismark mentioned about standing out really was true. She wiggles back and forth a little, trying to get better first real looks at you. She takes in your tail, ears, face, and attire, but blushes and looks at the group's tieflings. Her hand rushes to her mouth, but she promptly regains her composure.

Brushing down her blood red dress and clearing her throat, "Thank you, kind sir. But you must know what you're getting into. To put yourself out for someone else... It's hard to believe. I don't intend to judge others. I've never seen another race but human and vampire, but here stands before me multiple others. I...," pausing and running a hand through her long hair, "don't really know what to say but 'thank you'." She tears up again slightly and gives the party a deep bow. Standing upright, Ismark also bows his head in appreciation and respect.

To the room's right wall stands a large and ornate grandfather clock. A flash of lightning in the nearby window illuminates the magnificently crafted and well maintained face; the curved time-hands demand a time of 5:52. A rapid series of white lightning strikes out in the foggy mist, illuminating in a large aura. There's still a muted light beyond the slow moving clouds, and there's still a bit of light in the day. The overall radiance reminiscent of lit street tamps during daylight hours.

Perception to see if Graeme notices Rumbles slight of hand: 9

“Given the time, it may be better to jus’ lay low for the night an’ heed o’er at morning.” Graeme says as he watches the lady look over the Tabaxi. Graeme gives Rumble a wide smile.

Rumble sheepishly hugs his tail close to his leg and pops his hood over his head.
Where I'm from it's less about what you look like and more about what you can do without anyone seeing... Perhaps I'd be wise to remember that when travelling to unknown lands... Rumble thinks to himself.

Graeme, as you're engaged in conversation, your focus is on them. Rumble's form shifts from your peripheral for a few moments, but he's definitely standing as he was when Ireena speaks.

"I agree. Going out towards dark can be dangerous, and a morning's early start is always a good thing," Ismark states as he sullenly looks to the casket. "We can certainly accommodate you all, each with their own rooms. If you'd like, I can show you to your rooms, but feel free to use anything at our disposal. Fine drink, comfortable lodgings, a library, and anything in the pantry is yours."

“Eh, lad.” Graeme looks around the house thoughtfully.

”Has Strahd ever been inside this house?”

Hands up, Ismark states, "No. For whichever insidious reason, he has not himself forced himself upon Ireena. When he last made a presence, his dark power touched upon her. Ireena... It was all we could do to stop her from giving herself to him. As if she had to will upon her, she was overpowered and put into a trance." Ismark turns to Ireena, looks back, and continues, "When we finally snapped her out of it, the devil went into a furious rage and cast his minions upon us. When our father passed, they suddenly disappeared."

Rumble goes for a walk in the house. He snoops into the living room, then up the stairs, looking for a good spot for first watch.

"I'll keep first lookout." He says to the group. "Is there an attic or somewhere up high?" he asks Ismark

“Suits me!”  Says Graeme to Rumble. “Say, Ismark, ya got anithin stronger than whot they hae o’er th’ pub?”

Quote from Hanyouslayer >>

Hands up, Ismark states, "No. For whichever insidious reason, he has not himself forced himself upon Ireena. When he last made a presence, his dark power touched upon her. Ireena... It was all we could do to stop her from giving herself to him. As if she had to will upon her, she was overpowered and put into a trance." Ismark turns to Ireena, looks back, and continues, "When we finally snapped her out of it, the devil went into a furious rage and cast his minions upon us. When our father passed, they suddenly disappeared."

Euron takes out his notebook and starts looking for a particular page. Then he writes something down in it. "Interesting. So as much as he seems to want you, he doesn't make an attempt to break in here, but sends some servants or animals instead. Either you are not so important to him in reality, or he has a certain reason not to enter the house. Maybe he can't? Do you have any protection runes on the house? Anything that protects the inner from the undead? Is the floor here perhaps consecrated?"

Euron suddenly seems to have an incredible interest and hardly stops asking questions. Until now he had been quite calm. He was noticed that he didn't like the whole situation. But now that we're talking about the vampire's peculiarities and behavior patterns, he starts to listen and to interfere animatedly in the conversation.

As Rumble walks through the mansion, Iskmark moves out into the hallway and beckons the group outward. "Perhaps we should walk and talk. I can show you to rooms and give you a tour." The group goes through the main hall, and up a nearby staircase on the left. The floors run with ornate carpeting, rather worn with time.

At the top, he motions to both sides. "On the right, we have the guest rooms. Feel free to pick any of your liking. On the left, we have the study. For those interested in reading, please take a gander. It's also where you'll find the wine, which I'm afraid is the strongest we have here. We then have my room, then Ireena's, and our late father's at the end."

He stops midway down the hall and pulls a string. A ladder unfolds, landing neatly on the floor. "For a vantage point, might I suggest the tower. It's just another storey up with enough room for one, but it is what you're looking for. If you'll join me in the study, we can continue."

Ismark pushes open the large wooden doors, revealing a posh study. The smell of ancient books and leather wafts outward from walls lined with books in bookcases reaching the ceiling above. A large desk stands at the far side of the room, and to the left is a seating area with plenty of space for the group. A large L sectional chaise, tufted of old leather, stands before three additional chairs to match. Just to the right is a small bar, with glasses and bottles of wine at the ready. "Now, the horned one was chalk full of questions."

Ismark takes a seat on the sectional and starts, "I don't believe I've had your name, stranger, but I'm not sure any of the holy symbols are worth a damn. We keep symbols of the Morninglord around a plenty, but he no longer looks upon us in favor."

Ireena exclaims, "Ismark! The Morninglord will always be with us. Always." She looks at each of you and states to Euron, "The devil has appeared before he multiple times, each visit more toxic. I can't recall my early past, where I came from, and each vision of him is fuzzy and out of focus. What I can recall with every fiber of my being is the blazing hunger in his eyes. I'm afraid we don't know much of Strahd, beyond that he's stronger than belief."

"Perhaps it will be easier if we get things prepared first. How far is the burial site?"

Ismark stands up and walks towards the bar. "It's not terribly far, Sir Allen. Certainly walking distance as it's just North up the hill. We should stay out of the night and mists; agreed. Might there be anything I could interest you?" Pouring two glasses of wine, he offers one to the Highlander with a nod.

Graeme accepts the glass with with a smile. Bringing the glass to his nose he closes his eyes and breathes in the aroma. 

(I’d like to try and discern if the wine has been tampered with in any way through smell, is there a roll for that?j

Nature Check: 10