“How can these prices be right?” Hadrian asks the merchant. “For what reason are you charging this much?”

Not needing to buy anything, Elyse is waiting outside the shop and taking in her surroundings, looking to see if she notices anything out of the ordinary.

Perception:   6

"Because I can" Bildrath sneers. "You see any other merchants in this cursed town? I can set the prices however I like. The Vistani never complain about my prices, so you can either pay up or get out."

(Space it out a little when it says "Dice Rolls Not Yet Available For This Section". That usually helps me out)

Elyse notices that the town is almost completely silent, with the streets empty and none of the usual hustle and bustle of city life. There aren't even any stray dogs or beggars milling about, which is slightly unsettling. The fog that has been ever-present since you entered Barovia still surrounds the village. The only source of sound is mournful crying coming off in the distance.

Elyse almost starts toward the crying by herself but decides to continue waiting for the others to finish shopping. As soon as they exit the shop she will start walking to the sound.

(Moving things along, since I assume that no one wants to shop here)

Bildrath eventually turns angry when it becomes apparent that none of you are going to buy anything. "Get out of here! I'm running a shop, not a museum where vagrants can come in and stare at everything!" Once he's shooed you all out, he slams the door behind you and locks it. Following the source of the crying takes you through the gray streets until you approach a two-story townhouse. You enter the townhouse and move up to the top floor to find a middle-aged woman, lost in her grief and despondency. She is clutching what looks to be a malformed doll.

"Great....more problems.....with children." Enialis says aloud at seeing the woman and doll. 

The crying woman turns for a moment at Enialis' comment before going back to her crying.

While the others are in the shop, Fae goes around to the back. Once she's certain she isn't being watched, she takes a small red egg out of her bag and checks it over for scuffs or cracks. Content it is intact, she returns to the others.

Now:

Fae goes up. "Are you okay?" she asks the woman curiously. "Did something happen?"

The woman stops crying as Fae offers to listen to her tale. "My...my Gertruda! I've kept her in here her entire life, to keep her safe from the monsters that roam the outside world, but last week she broke out and is who knows where right now! She's not even 18, she can't handle what's out there!" 

She goes back to crying and clutching the malformed doll, which as you look closer has a frayed tag bearing the words "Is No Fun, Is No Blinsky!" 

"Tell us about what's out there," says Hadrian. "What kind of monsters would be endangering your Gertruda?"

"Horrible creatures! Ghouls and zombies and werewolves! And the worst monster is that devil who terrorizes our land! Oh Gertruda, why did you have to go?" At the mention of all of this, the woman resumes sobbing, as she's worked herself into a small frenzy talking about all of the horrible monsters that roam the land.

"Great. Monster infested lands. That's just amazing." Enilais says sarcastically and he goes to make his leave and heads towards that tavern he saw earlier. 

Fae bounces along with him. "We should try and find Gertruda," she suggests cheerfully.

“Should we try and find our would-be patron?” Hadrian suggests, looking around for an obviously wealthy dwelling. 

(None of these building look obviously wealthy)

You all follow behind the elves to the Blood of the Vine tavern and enter in. The tavern is shoddy, but you can tell from appearance that it was once a fine establishment during some long gone era. You also see that the sign labeling the tavern has been vandalized, with an 'N' scratched over the 'F' on Blood of the Vine, giving the tavern the more ominous title of Blood on the Vine. Inside, you come across one of the most gloomy taverns you've ever walked into. Despite there being a fire blazing in the hearth, there is scant warmth in the tavern. The barkeep is a pudgy man who barely acknowledges your presence, instead focusing on cleaning the glasses at the bar, despite the fact that they're already clean. Three tanned women sit at a table by themselves, showing little interest in any of you. A young, blonde man comes up to you as you get situated. "Hello friends! Allow me to purchase drinks for you all so that we may sit down and have a chat!" Unlike everyone else you've seen, this man is well-kept and in good spirits.

"Hi!" Fae says cheerfully. "Are you the one who sent the letter?"

"No, that would be my father, Kolyan Indirovich, the Burgomaster of this humble village, but unfortunately, he has passed away. I am Ismark Kolyanovich."

"Hi Ismarck! I'm Fae, and this is Enialis, and this is Hadrian, and this is Elyse, and this is Phanuel," Fae introduces the group cheerfully. "Do you still need our help with your sister?"

Hadrian takes the drink, listening intently to this new burgomaster. He says nothing, but keeps his eyes trained on the blond man's face as he answers Fae's question.