"I'm still not in favor of splitting up the group, but if we must do so, at least go in pairs. And also don't say any bad words about the festival or the burgomaster will think you're in league with Strahd and place you in the stocks with those people. Or worse."

Corrin moves over to Winter. “Great! I’ll be your buddy, Winter.” The halfling waits patiently for the others to decide. 

If you guys wanna split up, no problem. Just let me know where you guys wanna go, and i'll do split postings.

"I'm going to check out Rictavio's Carnival. See what he knows about the town and its' festivals."

Orilo finally comes out of a dour funk over Anborn's last comment. Having only paid half attention to everything else, it takes a few moments of half-heartedly glaring at folks before recognition dawns on him. He grabs the villager as they are probably about ready to walk off and asks, "One more question. Will he speak to us at these -- this festival tomorrow. Or not inclined to speak with outsiders?" He asks.

Once answer is given, he turns to the rest already in the process of buddying up. It is at that point he starts to comically sweat profusely as his options were between the reckless Anborn, the emotional Elya, or... Song. He lets out a long, exasperated sigh. "... No. Not today -- Song. You are with me. We see to church. Perhaps someone there know more about local burial customs of elite. Might even know of other means of bringing back fallen." He says then looks between Elya and Anborn. "THat leaves you two. You should both go to Carney. Might be travelers similar to Vastani. Might know lay of land better."

Anborn looks at Elya. "Looks like you got paired up with me. Sorry."

Oreo and Song = Church
Winter and Corrin = Toys R Us
Anborn and Elya = Carnival

ANBORN AND ELYA
ARASEK STOCKYARD
RICTAVIO'S CARNIVAL WAGON

This large stockyard has several locked sheds along its periphery and lies adjacent to a roomy warehouse. A wooden sign above the front gate reads “Arasek Stockyard.” Parked at the south end of the stockyard is a sturdy carnival wagon, its colorful paint peeling off. Faded lettering on its sides spells out the words “Rictavio’s Carnival of Wonders.” A heavy padlock secures the back door.

As you approach, the wagon suddenly lurches, as though something big has thrown itself against the inside wall. You hear the cracking of wood, the scraping of metal, and the snarl of something inhuman. Upon closer inspection, you see that the sides of the wagon are spattered with dry blood. You also see an inscription on the wagon’s door frame that reads, “I bring you from Shadow into Light!”

WINTER AND CORRIN
BLINSKY TOYS

This cramped shop has a dark entrance portico, above which hangs a wooden sign shaped like a rocking horse, with a “B” engraved on both sides. Flanking the entrance are two arched, lead-framed windows. Through the dirty glass, you see jumbled displays of toys and hanging placards bearing the slogan “Is No Fun, Is No Blinsky!”

A fat man, sad, sits at the front counter. He perks up excitedly at seeing you two enter, and says, "Wyelcome, friends, to the House of Blinsky, where hyappiness and smiles can be bought at bargain prices. Perhaps you know a leetle child in need of joy? A leetle toy for a girl or boy?”

OREO AND SONG
ST. ANDRAL'S CHURCH

This slouching, centuries-old stone church has a bulging steeple in the back and walls lined with cracked, stained glass windows depicting pious saints. A fence of wrought iron encloses a garden of gravestones next to the church. A thin mist creeps among the graves. The Father and his assistants look to be in a panic when you enter. Something is not right.

"Sometimes splitting up is necessary," Winter comments to Anborn speaking about their parting. "We can cover more ground this way, pairs will do." She looks down to Corrin after a sigh passes her lips. "I'm not looking for you if you get lost." She then turns on her heel and heads towards the toy shop.

Corrin follows, not so successfully hiding a smirk. 

Anborn knocks on the door of the wagon. "Is everything all right in there?"

Before:

Elya stares distastefully at Anborn before looking down and shaking her head, “You’re apology is-unnecessary.”

Now:

As Anborn knocks on the wagon’s door her eyes go wide and she reaches out, prepared to pul him back should anything jump out and attack him and she looks around for anyone who appears to be the owner of the wagon. Perception: 17

Seeing the panick, Orilo approaches tightening the straps on his shield in readiness for any surprises. "Stay close." He quietly warns Song during the approach. "Faith Walkers. I take now is a bad time for talk." He deadpans more than loud enough to be heard; not really caring who answer. Though if need be, he makes a point of grabbing one and asking more bluntly a "Calm. Down. What. Is the problem?"

Corrin smiles at the fat man, “Just browsing.” He looks about the shop, inspecting the toys warily. “Perhaps you could use some joy, Winter,” he quips. 

Perception: 8

ANBORN AND ELYA
ARASEK STOCKYARD
RICTAVIO'S CARNIVAL WAGON

From the cracks through the wagon, you can see a massive armor plated snarling saber toothed tiger inside. Strangely, no one else is around, and thankfully, the wagon is locked.

WINTER AND CORRIN
BLINSKY TOYS

The fat man, who appears to be Blinsky, and he's certainly dressed the part - he almost looks like a clown without makeup, sinks bad sadly into his chair. On his shelf are a few items on display: a headless doll that comes with a sack of attachable heads, including one with its eyes and mouth stitched shut, a miniature gallows, complete with trapdoor and a weighted “hanged man”, a set of wooden nesting dolls; the smaller each one gets, the older it gets, until the innermost doll is a mummified corpse, a wood-and-string mobile of hanging bats with flapping wings, a wind-up musical merry-go-round with figures of snarling wolves chasing children in place of prancing horses, a ventriloquist’s dummy that looks like Strahd von Zarovich, and a doll that looks remarkably like Ireena Kolyana.

OREO AND SONG
ST. ANDRAL'S CHURCH 

"The church is no longer hallowed ground!" The Father cries, panicking. "Until recently, the church was protected from Strahd’s depredations by the bones of St. Andral, which were sealed in a crypt beneath the church’s main altar. But now the church is at risk because someone broke into the crypt a few nights ago and stole the bones!"

"I'm shit with animals and it doesn't look like there's anyone here. Is there anywhere you feel like exploring or are you ready to head to the inn and see if the others found anything useful?"

Corrin points toward the doll that looks like Ireena. “That’s quite lovely. Who is that?”

Orilo just calms quirks a brow, looks to Song, and then back to the Father. "Your not doing yourself, or anyone else any favors by panicking." He puts bluntly. "So Calm. Down." This he adds while stepping up on the Father so that he loomed directly over the man, and made darn sure to have his full attention.

Intimidation: 6.

"Now. Have a seat." He gestures over to one of the pews. "Tell us everything you and your fellows know about that night. And maybe. Just maybe we can... help each other." He offers plainly. Though at the mention of help, he cringes as if the word pained him in the some way. 

"I don't see why the armor is necessary, the tiger itself should be enough of a spectacle. And what is this blood on the side?"

"Hey big guy, calm down alright?"

Animal Handling: 12

"Let's go back to the inn, unless there's anything else of interest over here."

Perception: 6

Winter scoffs at Corrin's snarky comment but does not retort, and instead takes look at the toy makers inventory. "Interesting..." She says idly as she gingerly picks up the headless doll on display. It wouldn't surprise anyone that the rogue had an interest in creepy little bobbles such as these, so coming here was more to sedate a rare guilty pleasure of hers more than the mission at hand. She never really had the chance before, and she was going to jump at it now before it be ripped away from her. With the doll still in hand, she turns to look at the other doll that the halfling had pointed out with a raised eyebrow, noticing how similar it looked to Ireena.

"Yes, is this doll modeled after someone you know?" She inquires as she moves to pick up that toy as well.