"Thpas... who is supposed to be invisible, but you say is not?" Valanthe asks, echoing Erme's concern, as she loosens the longsword from her belt.

"I suppose the cat's out of the bag... or rather , the imp's out of the nine hells. This is Sylciss." As Thpas points up to his own shoulder, a figure shimmers into view.

A deep red creature appears, with bulging wet eyes, which it licks regularly using it's forked tongue. It has a stunted snout with whiskers, a pot belly, and a tail that would seem familiar on a scorpion. It's hands and feet are reminiscent of clawed monkey paws.

"The 'Overgeneral' (Thpas' patron) sent him to me while we were at the Vistani camp." 

With an arched eyebrow, Valanthe responds, "We didn't see him Thpas... and it's a bit upsetting you waited so long for you to tell us about him."

Looking over Sylciss from top to bottom, "Could be worst... He could've been a demon. And THAT I would not abide... Still, keep him in check - and don't make any deals or ask them of us."

Valanthe continues marching forward muttering about demons and devils and contracts for a while as the group hikes forward. 

Sylciss keeps talking to Thpas in infernal. He's quite persistent in wanting to go to the castle. (Those who understand infernal (translate petulance)) 

// Alas, Valanthe speaks abyssal... know thine enemy. //

"Thpas, I understand that Sylciss wants to go to the castle, but he will have to learn patience.  We must see to Ireena's safety, find out the fate of young Gertruda, and get stronger ourselves.  Whatever plan he wishes to see through will be better served when we are better off."

Byllemura reaches for Sylciss with her left hand and pat it gently on its head, while speaking words of the Nine Hells in Infernal: "Be patient my friend. We will storm this castle, eventually." and in her breath, in common, "Or so I hope..."

Turning to Thpas, smiling: "You are full of surprises. I like your new companion."

You travel for an hour, following the Ivlis River on the footpath from the Vistani encampment:

You follow the river to the base of a canyon, at the far end of which a great waterfall spills into a pool, billowing forth clouds of cold mist. A great bridge spans the canyon nearly one thousand feet overhead.

You follow the footpath, which continues up to the top of the canyon.

Through the mist, you see a black bird circling overhead. When it feels your eyes upon it, the raven flies away, but its back before long, keeping its distance.

After traveling for a while, the raven following you, it becomes near noon:

Even here, in the mountains, the forest and fog are inescapable. Ahead, the dirt road splits in two, widening towards the east, the other end going to the northwest. There you see patches of cobblestone, suggesting that the eastern branch was once an important thoroughfare.

"Vallaki is to the northwest. The east path leads to Strahd's castle." Says Ireena.

"Vallaki it is then. I have no intention on going to Ravenloft... yet."  Then, gushing, "Also - did you see the waterfall?? I think that's the waterfall the wizard fell from - we should check it out and I wonder where that bridge goes??? It was really long."

At some point during the walk, Valanthe would look up to the black bird and start singing bird calls to it - although not raven song, because it's not that nice sounding.

"I don't like that bird," says Emre. 

Quote from Valanthe>>

"Vallaki it is then. I have no intention on going to Ravenloft... yet."  Then, gushing, "Also - did you see the waterfall?? I think that's the waterfall the wizard fell from - we should check it out and I wonder where that bridge goes??? It was really long."

The raven stops on a nearby tree and listens to Valanthe, cocking its head to one side. Its eyes glow an odd reddish color.

Quote from DungeonLord58 >>

The raven stops on a nearby tree and listens to Valanthe, cocking its head to one side. Its eyes glow an odd reddish color.

Quote from Awaypturwpn >>

"I don't like that bird," says Emre. 

// is there a connection between Kelemvor and ravens that I'm not aware of? //

"It's not behaving like a raven," says Emre. "And look at its eyes! It is unsettling. My point is that it's either a bad omen or else a very...intelligent animal."

//  Umm, perhaps not, just thinking about Norse mythology I guess... Ravens transporting the dead, etc. //

"Oh, I'm sure it's fine - I mean, it's not like it came from Ravenloft....... Wait a minute - Raven? Ravenloft?" Valanthe gasps and eyes the raven suspiciously. 

"Sylciss is curious about the Raven. Should he say 'hello' or might I have him sneak over to investigate?"

You see the imp on Thpas shoulder, gesturing wildly and pointing at the bird. 

"If it's an omen from the gods, I would not want to anger them by attacking it. But investigation is probably a good idea."

The raven flies away quickly, cawing angrily, heading northwest.

"Oh..." Valanthe sighs, "We scared away the raven. I hope I didn't offend it."

Valanthe makes a last futile bird call out to the raven before resuming the march.