Allen, while you misjudged the new human man before you with a previously known adventurer, something in your memory focuses on that occurrence where you first met Johnny. When the dragonborn and human came in, they were escorted by someone else. You look up, thinking, closing your eyes, and there's just something about the clothing of the third person who quickly left the church after entering.

Then, you remember bright, rather gaudy and ostentatious clothing was exactly what the 'organ harvester' wore. Connecting the memory with the moment, that particular foe was that very man that made quick egress out the church. It hits you, how could you have not recalled from his appearance, but he came here with these two newcomers and promptly left in a harried fashion. 

"Yes, everything that plagues these lands leads to one evil. The devil Strahd, he wants her for some reason and he pulls people into this plane for his amusement. I heard from her brother..." Allen present Ismark "That Vallaki was safe but with those bones gone nothing prevents Strahd coming here.This place was sacred grounds that stopped  Vampires from entering even strahd." 

Ismark stands and steps up to the dragonborn, and his face alight with interest. He sizes Itisko up and mutters a lot to himself as he observes your form. He bows slightly and addresses the dragonborn. "I've never seen a lizardfolk live before! You're exquisite! My, where would you happen to come from?"

He collects himself and continues, "Pardon, I am the Burgomaster of Barovia, a village to the far east. Ismark Indrirovich, very much pleased to meet you. The lovely lady sitting over there is Ireena, and we seek her sanctuary." Ireena stands, bows slightly, and sits back down as she looks to the sun insignia behind the lecturn. "Please, assist these adventurers, and I will see to it your name is known to the land."

The lean man before you, Itisko, looks at you like he has truly never encountered a dragonborn, but he has a healthy enthusiasm to learn about you. His medium length hair is blonde, and he has an air of nobility about him and his dress. Ismark continues, "As Sir Allen has mentioned, these grounds must be safe. This church is the fabled safe haven for this dreary existence. The sun has forsaken these lands, and Count Strahd von Zarovich is feared by all."

Itisko is very amused at the man. "I come from parts of the world where the eyes that watch me aren't as kind as yours." Itisko eyes Ismark then studies Ireena. Itisko gazes up to the same symbol she's looking at. It's beautiful, and it causes Itisko to wish he had a different life. Looking towards the back of the church, "I care little for renown, but as of late I'm out of a job. I'll help."

Itisko turns to Ireena, looks up to the sun again, back to Ireena, and says, "What do you seek sanctuary from? If something is out to get you, I'd like to know what I am to fight." 

Solemnly, Ismark speaks for the woman Ireena. He slowly says, "We seek refuge from the blackness in this realm, but as the sunlight is choked to near nonexistence, there is little hope to be had. Much like attempting to banish the mists, holding sand in your hands, or ending a war without losses, we stand to fight against the insurmountable. Someone, something, that cannot be outrun, cannot be gone up against, and cannot be vanquished. The Lord of Night seeks dear Ireena, and we know not why. He killed our father through sheer fright, sending legions of undead to haunt our homestead, and it seems only a matter of time until he comes again."

As Ismark ends his dim explanation of their plight, the church doors open slowly. A gorgeous man wearing finely crafted leather boots and gloves, a billowing cloak of brown and red, and a fine face that speaks noble upbringing enters the ancient church. He whistles loudly, the shrill tune echoing off the stone interior. He taps the stone floor with a brilliantly shining golden walking cane, topped by a raven handpiece. With a quick flick of his wrist, he billows his cape to an appropriate position behind him as he bows deeply. With a stunning grin, he announces, "Well now, I can't say I expected to see you lot around here." His flowing brown hair sways to one side as he looks at Allen and Rumble, then to the rest. 

Rumble and Allen, you both recognize this man as the enigmatic Vasili. This human man you had encountered at the large, obsidian gate and who had provided the insight to open it. Vasili walks along the outside of the pews, near the walls, observing the murals depicted in the stained glass windows. He continues along, effortlessly twirling his walking cane, until he comes near the front by the priest lecturn. The lavish gentleman approaches Ireena, snaps his right fingers, and a bouquet of magnificent and picture-perfect roses appear in his outstretched hand. He kneels and offers the beautiful flowers to Ireena, who takes it wordlessly. 

Seeing her reaction, he asks grandiosely, "What has befallen this beauty? Someone so lovely should never look so down. My dear, my heart is pained greatly at your downtrodden demeanor." Vasili puts a hand on his chest and the other over his face in dramatic fashion. For those at/near the front, Ireena has been uncharacteristically bleak since coming to the church and learning that the last bastion of safety was so close but is now but a false hope. She looks at the flowers and perks up only the slightest, the roses and praise doing little to raise her spirits. 

“You again, look give the lady some space.” Allen will get between Ireena and Vasili “There’s Something about you I don’t trust nor like. Why are you hear?”

[Vasili must make a CHA save DC:12 for the Zone of Truth. Allen will also know if he failed or passed his check.]  

Vasili frowns deeply for a moment, puts a hand to his chest, and says aghast, "Why, I surely don't know what I've done to upset you or even give you a reason to doubt my benevolence." He smiles gently and, Allen, you can tell that Vasili willingly fails the check. He puts one hand over the other on his ornate cane and answers, "Why, I thought I would pay my respects to the Morninglord. I also heard there were some queer strangers around, and I must admit my curiosity was peaked. I believe I also mentioned I did have a residence in Vallaki, so naturally I was already here." 

"Now, I see you acquired a few new acquaintances." He looks over the group and then around at the zone of truth before continuing. "Surely, I mean you no harm, especially not the lovely lady here." Vasili leans forward and whispers at the side of his hand, "Be careful of who you trust. Something tells me the lizard over there will betray you when darkness surrounds you and all else seems lost." He taps his cane on the ground, looks to the golden sun behind the lecturn, and gives a dramatic bow as a metaphorical tip of the hat. 

Lastly, as he turns about face towards the door, he looks a little dejected, "It comes as a pain to my character that you have such a negative connotation about me. If you prefer I leave, I will walk right out the door." He gestures with a flourish of his cane towards the door. 

Itisko remains calm but is silently furious and says towards Vasili, "Rassgat, it seems I specifically have acquired your attention. Tell me, what do you find so distrusting about a lizard in the house of the Morninglord? It comes as a pain to my character that you have such a negative connotation about me." 

As Itisko says this he walks and positions himself in the direct path between Vasili and the door, cutting the distance in half and shepherding him ensuring he doesn't leave Allen's zone.

The decadent gentlemen stops just before the large dragonborn and kindly states, "I came to see you as well, my good man. I have a gift of soothsaying, and so I see things others do not." He draws a smile on his face with a finger. "Smile lad; you're never fully equipped without one. Anywho, I saw your fiasco in the ring. I must say, what a performance! I haven't been that entertained in a great many years. Perhaps I can be of assistance as a comrade?"

He says just low enough for you to hear with a thick underlying power, "And believe me, if I wanted to hurt anyone here," He laughs and tilts his head sightly, his eyes magically changing to a fierce gold and face to darkness solely visible to the dragonborn, "I would have already done so."

As soon as the silent, magical visage spread across his face, it vanishes back into his charming smile. He picks a bit of fleece off his collar and says 'adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod'. The scenery suddenly and utterly changes. Bright sunlight fills the center area of the church, and a kind breeze brushes all of your skin, fur, and scales with the lighthearted smell of blooming flowers. The dark interior surrounds a veritable paradise with beautiful green trees, lush, green grass, and the warmth of a sun you haven't felt since coming to these dreary lands. It's incredibly beautiful; picturesque and serene. 

"Don't worry my friend," he continues with a charming smile and welcoming energy, "I could provide assistance, my good man. Let me prove my status as an ally." He flourishes his cape, suddenly summoning a set of gleaming armour behind it, then with another whip, it vanishes and in its place an elven blade similar to your own. It's positively shining in the daylight. He flourishes again, and the weapon is gone. Another change of items to a set of bracers a monk would wear, a pile of magic tomes, and a giant, engraved shield of gold and silver. All appear and vanish in turn.

He turns to the pre-existing party and goes on, "This heroic thing you are trying to do; I want to help you in your quest." The indoor sky dissolves into a night sky with the bright stars shining, and the weather grows chilly as if a cool, fall evening. Vasili dramatically puts an arm around Itisko's shoulders, and a spotlight centers on them both. His face crestfallen and demeanor deflated, "Yet you treat me like a bother!" He returns to his gentlemanly composure, and the scene fades from existence to return to the church proper. Vasili leans on his walking cane, smiling. 

All the while, Ireena's face lights up as per its usual as she witnesses this amazing display. Everyone present knows he does not lie. Allen, it strikes you again that he also willingly gave into your magics of his own free will.

OOC: First off, I want to try and figure out if I recognize the type of magic performed, specifically the magic only Itisko saw. 

Arcana: 6
If the check involves anything fey, fiendish, or undead, Hunter's Bane gives me an advantage: 5

Itisko laughs honestly. "Don't be so hard on yourself, vinur. I treat you as an oddity, not a bother. Forgive me if I seem defensive. Am I to understand you intend to give us gifts?" Itisko looks over to Allen and flashes a look of concern on his face quickly, then turns back to Vasili with a smile and sits down in one of the pews.

Itisko, you think back on your arcane training. Back to you when you worked tirelessly to hone your abilities and learned from your experiences, but you aren't sure what he has done in his stunning display. However, you do know the magics this gentleman has at his whimsical disposal is great. 

His flashy smile widens, and he swirls the golden cane. Letting the cane rest on his left shoulder, he leans over on the pew in front of Itisko. Cheerfully, he states, "Why, yes. Why not? It isn't often any of your kind visit these lands. Now, my new friend, let me introduce myself like a good gentleman. One always should present themselves before doing business." He stands up and bows with a gentile hand gesture before continuing, "My name is Vasili, and you are?"

Itisko draws his blade, grips it with his palm facing towards him, brings his fist to his chest, and stands upright as you would see a soldier do letting allowing his Dragonborn pride to show momentarily. "I am Itisko Mystan." He becomes relaxed and places the weapon back in its holster on his back. 

Vasili kindly smiles and says, "Excellent, excellent. Now then, tell me, how can I help you? As you can see, I have at my disposal a great many things, but entertainment not sure much. Sheer, absolute boredom! I've lacked inspiration for decades. My work became mundane, lacking focus, aimless! I've come to crave a new form of entertainment!"

He places one hand over the other on his cane. The holy men and Milijov have gone quiet at the scene stunned, not knowing what to do with all this extravagance. Graeme seems uninterested and had sat down on a pew near the edge and has started to snore ever so lightly. Ismark looks to Allen and says, "His power is astonishing. I've never seen such wonders before in all my days. Perhaps it would be a good idea to ally ourselves with others." 

Ireena smells the flowers and tosses her hair in a ladylike fashion and nods in agreement as she watches Vasili.

"Am I too understand, based on your display just now, that you have gjafir for us? They suspiciously seemed perfect for each of us." (ooc: read as gifts) Itisko looks towards Ireena and Ismark and a look of longing comes over him momentarily. 

The pristine gentleman smiles and nods, "Yes, indeedy! I see big things coming your way and who better to help you than I? Is there anything I can provide you to aid you can your," he looks to the rest, "companions? I'm a rather generous person, if I do say so myself. I foresaw in a dream that you needed some assistance. My friend, I am doing some charity work and took it upon myself to volunteer my services!"

Allen frowns turning to Ismark saying  “Even Salt can look like sugar... Are you certain you want to trust this person just because he shows us a bit of magic?” Turning to Vasili “If your as powerful as you say you are then why don’t you help us retrieve the sacred bones to protect this place from Strahd.”

Insight: 21

"Those first two items: the armor and blade. I'm curious. What were those?"

Ismark responds, "I'm a way, I'm more inclined, and he also has seemed rather accommodating and helpful each time we have met him. We could use allies."

Allen, you think about Vasili. How he carries himself, your past experience with him, and the words he speaks now. Again, you keep in mind he willingly failed his save on the Zone of Truth, and he seems purely sincere with his offer to help you. Perhaps your suspicion is right on point, you consider, his assistance then and now too convenient. At the same time, it is possible that his presence in this land meeting you is just a chance encounter. 

The gentleman turns to face Allen and responds, "Do I look like one for action? I could pull a muscle or chip a nail!" Vasili puts his hands out before him and looks over his fingers. "No, no. I have other things on my docket and am no hero. I seek not honour through battle but to help others attempt to achieve greatness. My station is less affronting danger and more of the inclined to struggle and climb up the hill of betterment!"

Smiling, he turns back to the dragonborn. "Why, a magical breast plate and a silver Valenar elvish sword. You have good taste, I see.. I think we could get on famously." Vasili waves his hand, and both appear behind him, floating in place. 

Itisko looks at Allen, Kendall, and Bishop. "Strength is strength, no matter the source. I suggest we take advantage of this generosity." 

Itisko looks back at Vasili. "Tell me about this breast plate and sword. They are quite bright. What makes them so special?"

Vasili laughs, "Haha! I knew you were a smart man. The armor is of a lord. Worth more than the lot of you in coin. Belonged to a knight known by many during his time. The blade is an enchanted weapon to fight evils of this land."

The breastplate has a beautifully and ornate carved rose that has been painted a lovely red. The colour the same as Ireena's flowers. Meanwhile, the sword is less refined but definitely sharp and sturdy. There's a raven on the pommel.

The gentleman poses next to the gear and gestures gracefully. "Please, take them if you believe they can be of service to you in clearing the evil within these lands. I have not a need for them myself, mere memories now and no action. I see big things coming your way and who better to help you than I? So, it's a deal then?" He presents his hand for a confident and respectful handshake.