Fil cocks an eyebrow. "Vampire?"

Insight - 4

To Fil: "Yes, vampire. You must know the one... the one that lives in the castle. Unless you're not from around here.... of course, if you're not from around here, why in the graces of god are you here NOW?!" 

The lady starts sobbing inconsolably, clutching her malformed doll, rocking back and forth... "Oh Gertruda, please come back to me...."

Ignatia, you take a quick look around the room and you can clearly see that every window is completely barricaded from the inside. Normally this would be used to keep someone out of the house... but it seems that these barricades were meant to keep someone INSIDE the house. You also think you might see claw marks on the barricades, but are not completely sure.

Also, the lock on the front door you entered has been smashed from the inside. This was how you were able to get in so easily.

" Strahd.  Every day that arsehole gives me another reason to stake him out in the sun.....", Ignatia said to herself.

She did her best to make the front door somewhat functional again, " EIther of you three ladies good at DIY?"

Ignatia called out softly, " Fil, does she have relatives she can stay with.  She shouldn't be alone at a time like this."

The woman says, to no one in particular:

"I suppose it was only a matter of time... until she got the strength to escape... I tried to protect her..."

*sob sob sob*

Fil sighs and tries to help the woman. "Ma'am, we're here because we heard you crying. Now obviously you're daughter is missing. I can help find her if you would like. Until then, do you have someone you can stay with?"

"She's not missing... she left on her own accord... she escaped."

"he SEDUCED her."

*sob sob*

Ignatia knew from her studies that the girl was either dead or.....undead......to have someone influence your mind like that........ugh, too many bad memories down that road.

Ignatia came forward and knelt next to Fil, " She did not leave of her own accord!  He took her, he just used sorcery and words instead of hands and rope.....but you can't stay here. Get up."

Ignatia, please roll a Persuasion check. Make the roll with advantage since Fil is helping.

Persuasion: 13

*sniffle sniffle*

"I.... I.... alas, you're right. Whoever you people are... you're right. She's gone. Ain't nothing I can do about it now. I suppose I couldn't keep her locked up forever... she was getting quite strong. Although I sure as hell tried!"

The woman stands up, and looks at you both with a blank gaze.

"Please don't judge me... I was keeping her locked in here for her own good. To keep her away from... him. Hell, she never even seen the light of day since she was born until she went gone and escaped a few days back. It was my only option."

The woman then starts to leave the room and head into the kitchen. 

"Now, I'm standing up, but there's no way I'm leaving my house... what if dear Gertruda decides to come back, and I'm not here? Now then... would any of you like a piece of this pie? Lord knows I need it right now. And... well... wait, why in the good graces of god are you in my house again?"

She begins cutting the pie.

Fil is doing to do a Perception Check to see if that pie is the same one the hag offered them. 

23

Fil, by the way the pie is shaped, you are almost certain that it's the same type of pie.

Shae stayed quiet, near the door, for two reasons. 

One, to keep an eye on their new companion. This Vyrila just seemed to appear at the most “convenient” time. And two, to make sure no one was following the group. 

(Sorry for us being so absent of late. We’ve had a few things going on in real life. We should be back and at em now though.)

Fil shakes his head. "Ma'am, where did you get that pie? Did an old woman sell that to you?"

Shae, you are in a good spot close to the door. Your keen eyes scan the streets, and it seems no one is following the group.

The woman responds to Fil: "Ah, so you know Madam Morgantha... Yes, she comes around from time to time to peddle her special pies. I tell you, I did a lot of psychedelics throughout my life (not much to do in Barovia....), and well, nothing takes away the pain like these little beauties. It makes the grief I have for my daughter... a bit more bearable."

"Was there anything else? I'm going to start eating this now, and well.... I won't exactly be "here" once I do. Like I said, help yourself though, I have a few more in the back pantry."

Ignatia came forward, " You know what is used to make these pies?  How many other mothers had to suffer as you do?"

Fil nods at Ignatia. "Ma'am those were made from children. You're eating children." 

Renny glances inside then back to Shae, "The pie again. Think they make people sort of.. forgetful or docile maybe?"

"Made of CHILDREN?! HOGWASH. I don't believe it. I REFUSE to believe it!"

The woman starts to stuff her face full of the pie. Using her hands now at this point.

Fil or Ignatia can make another Persuasion check to get her to stop eating. At disadvantage this time, since she's basically addicted to these things. Or, you could do something else. Or leave her house altogether.

Here's a roll for something that may or may not be needed, depending on your next actions: 20 and 7

" Leave her. She'll wake up when her supply is cut off and realise all that she has done."

" Gods, this entire country makes me want to take a long bath with a great deal of scrubbing."

She looked at the others, making her way back outside.

" There was a church? Should we try that?"