Thpas rolls his eyes "greaaaaat..." he draws out sarcastically. Turning to Ismark  "Did you know about this?" He asks in a quizzical fashion rather than accusatory.

Ismark replies, "Strahd had visited us five days ago, charming my sister to get into the house. I believe the vampire fancies her."

"That is... helpful information," says Emre, trying to be diplomatic. "But it doesn't explain the rose. When was anyone else here besides the two of you?"

"Three days ago before father died." says Ismark as he hauls the coffin out the door.

Quote from DungeonLord58 >>

"Three days ago before father died." says Ismark as he hauls the coffin out the door.

"So this Strahd can charm with but a glance? That's good to know - and troubling, as well.... it's no wonder that your father wanted Ireena out of here.  The sooner we lay your father to rest the better - we need to get you to safety."

After a pause...

"And I think we need to learn more of who this Strahd is and why we are here."

Carrying the coffin through the gray streets, you come to the church.

"Atop a slight rise, against the roots of the pillar stone that supports Castle Ravenloft, stands a gray, sagging edifice of stone and wood. This church has obviously weathered the assaults of evil for centuries on end and is worn and weary. A bell tower rises toward the back, and flickering light shines through holes in the shingled roof. The rafters strain feebly against their load."

You carry the coffin towards the doors.

"The heavy wooden doors of the church are covered with claw marks and scarred by fire."

Looking over at the heavy wooden doors while holding the coffin, Valanthe remarks, "Well, it seems the church gets the same sort of visitors that you both have been receiving as of late... I hope that the chaplain is in." With her free hand, Valanthe knocks on the door.

Thpas glances at Valanthe. "Allow me..." as he knocks loudly. "Hello!? We have a dead body here, and as tragic as it is, we would prefer he stay that way" three more loud, nearly belligerent knocks. "Your burgermaster deserves peace in his hereafter, and his family deserves to see him put to rest! Please let us in!"

Valanthe stifles a chuckle. 

Emre keeps a watch for trouble at the back of the group.

Byllemura stays with Emre.

There is no answer from the door, but chanting can be heard within.

Thpas looks to Ismark and Valanthe. "That looks like it's getting heavy....Here" He attempts to open the doors to the church so that they can bring the Coffin into the chapel.

Emre, sensingb possible trouble, rushes to the front to push open the other door. She tries to maintain alertness but also a cool composure. 

"Chanting is - usually - good..." Valanthe says as she leads the way in.

"The doors open to reveal a ten-foot wide, twenty-foot long hall leading to a brightly lit chapel. The hall is unlit and reeks of mildew. Four doors, two on each side of the hall, lead to adjacent rooms. You can see that the chapel is strewn with debris, and you hear a soft voice from within reciting a prayer. Suddenly, the prayer is blotted out by an inhuman scream that rises up from beneath the wooden floor."

"Did anyone else hear that?" Unsettled by the screams, Thpas takes a moment to search for hostile entities.  Perception 9 As he looses a length of chain from his waist, it straightens itself in his clenched hand.

Gently putting the coffin down, "Yes, that was unsettling... but where's the praying coming from?"

Valanthe, sword and shield drawn, though in a relaxed position, heads towards where she heard the praying coming from. 

"I haven't heard a prayer outside of our own since arriving... Seems like we have an ally of faith in here... somewhere." 

"What was that?" says Byllemura, reaching for her staff. She focuses on the orb attached to the tip of this beautifully-carved wooden stick and starts whispering an incantation, casting Mage armor on herself.