Intrigued, Sergei sits with Ismarck.

”Yeah we are new here. In fact, I’m not even sure where ‘here’ is... Where are we in relation to Daggerford?”

To Alev's question, he responds with a grin, "Always." He takes a swig and continues, " I have never heard of Daggerford. Right now, you are in the town of Barovia, named after the valley we are also in." He leans back against the wall. "It seems good ol' Strahd brought you here as he has brought others. It looks like you are his new toys, no?"

 Perrin brings over several glasses and sets them on the table in front of everyone. As he pours a red wine into the cups, Ismark continues in a serious tone, "I have come to learn that newcomers are much more tough than most around here. I need help moving my sister to the town of Valieky to the east of here. Strahd has taken an interest in her, and he has visited her twice now in the night. I have heard that Valieky is much safer than it is here. Would you be willing to help me?"

Sergei:

“We’ve heard a thing or two about this Strahd fellow. Who is he?”

"I'm not anyone's toy..." Alev is quick to add, feathers ruffled, before continuing. "Strahd this, Strahd that... Please do explain who that is and why I should care. I would normally ask you for how much you'll paying me for it, but screw it. If this Strahd ****** turns up to be the culprit behind at least half of the bullshit that has happened to me so far, I'm willing to do anything for a little payback. Heck, I might even do it for free!"

Rudick clenches his hands into tight fists at the 'new toys' comment. But, before he can speak, the arrival of wine gives him pause  mid-raised fist as to let Ismark continue. By the end of which, he grumbles and lowers the hand to scoop up a glass while the other hand flipped up the visor of his helmet. "What else do you know of this place? Why is it supposedly 'safe' from that one?" He says just before taking his first sip of the wine.

He raises both his hands and says, "I apologize if I insulted anyone; I'm just telling you how it is." He takes another sip and says, "Strahd is our vampire Lord. He has ruled this land since its founding. He preys upon the living of this land, and he knows everything that happens. He has spies everywhere. There are even some in this room." He gestures with his glass towards the three women. "I've heard that Valieky isn't assaulted by him or his minions as often as we are. Then again, this town is right below Strahd's castle." He shrugs and takes another sip.

The wine isn't the worst, but it isn't the greatest. You have a feeling you would need to drink a lot to get buzzed.

"Vampire... Should have seen that one coming." Alev says.

This is actually his first time drinking wine, so he chooses to focus on his drink instead of talking, letting others do the conversation for now. He's still tired, and if there are spies listening he's probably better off staying quiet for now anyways.

Sergei muses, then (deliberately being blunt to judge reaction) says,

“So you want us to help you defy the supernatural lord of this realm? Sounds like a big ask.”

He shrugs and says, "Meh, if you don't die today, you die tomorrow, yes?" He sips and asks, "So, will you help me escort my sister?"

“What’s it worth?” The gnome asks from the back, face hidden under his hood, eyes darting about suspiciously. Especially at the three women that were indicated 

"Worth?" Leann asks with a frown to her new companions. "A vampire is preying on a woman of this town, and you ask what it is worth to save her? It is the only just thing we can do, from my point of view..." she nods to the local. "I will aid you at least, though I need to get some sleep prior to such a task as this one."

Alev looks up to Leann. "You seem like a good person, I like that. But there's a lot of people who would try to take advantage of that. Not to be rude, but we don't even know this woman."

He takes a sip before continuing. "That being said, I'm in. As I already said, I have a few bones to pick with this so-called Vampire Lord. If he is in anyway to blame for what happened back there at the house, I want my payback. But first..." He yawns, his beak opening wide and then closing. "...I want to at least take a nap. A very long nap."

Rudick tiredly nods in agreement to Leann's last point. "Same. And in any case, if that one is responsible for us being in this lands, it stands to reason that he will keep us from being able to leave by normal means. Vallaki, thus, as a good a place to go as any at the moment. Perhaps we might find actual allies there... and if escorting said sister means spiting the one responsible for us being here? Hmph! Decent enough reward to start." Rudick says, before the glancing again over to said spies.

"Unless you have spare rooms at your place, you'll have to come back to get us though."

"Does it require knowing someone to make sure justice is done for them?" Leann asks with a frown. She lifts the shield she wears, with the symbol of Torm on it. "I say no, justice is for everyone who needs it. There is little light to be seen in this world, I attest to that, but, what there is of it, I will protect and nurture however I may." She nods to the group then glances to this man who is asking for their aid. "I will be in this common area once morning comes, seek me here and I will accompany you on this mission of yours." She then walks away, heading to her room.

Sergei states that he will go along with the group. He will retire to his bed once everyone else has.

With that, Ismark drains he glass and says, "Well, I'll see you tomorrow, my good people." He stands and bows at the group before exiting the establishment. Two of the women watch his backside appreciatively as he leaves, and then turn to each other and giggle as the third rolls her eyes.

You make your way up to your dark and dreary rooms in the second floor. Each room is 10 by 15 foot and has a single bed that looks worn by use and time. Each room has a circular window set into the wall, and a bushel of old garlic hangs above the bed. You settle in and eventually fall into a dreamless sleep.

You arise the next morning and make your way back down the stairs. You can see a line of disheveled and a forlorn people inside the inn waiting with bowls. You see  Perrin expressionlessly give each person a large of some sort of gray porridge from enlarge lot resting on the bar.

Leann frowns at the large cauldron the barkeep is filling bowls from, then shrugs. "Is that what you have for breakfast this morning?" She asks as she moves over to the bar. "If so I'll take a bowl, if you have other options, then let me know." Her gear is clean and gleams as she moves and her blond hair is tied back in a fresh braid. She would nod respectfully to those already in line for the bowls, waiting her turn if that is the breakfast option available.

Emerging from his gloomy little room, Skip heads into the common room, eyes marking out every person there, looking for any potential marks, or any potential spies. Seeing Leann waiting, he goes over to wait with her, and to have a quiet word

”Mornin’. I ‘ope you don’t think I was bein callous last night. We was all sent ‘ere on a job tha’ didn’t exactly pan out as it were meant to. An’ I don’t fancy on jus’ jumpin into bed with the first pretty face to fall eyes on. We tried tha’ with them kids, an’ some of us din't return is all”

Waking up, the first thing Alev does is check that all his possessions are still on his backpack. He slept as he always does: Curled up around his backpack, holding it tight, with his wings folded around it. 

Once that is done, he emerges from the room and joins the others. When he sees Leann and Skip talking, he suddenly joins the conversation uninvited. "...Meh, I've seen worst" He comments about the grey porridge. Then he turns to Leann. "I should say sorry too, I guess? I guess my first impression wasn't the best, but I was really tired. That being said, I also saw two of my companions die last night, so I would appreciate it if that doesn't happen again. You seem like the hero type, and I respect that, but... If by any chance this man and his sister aren't what they claim to be, can we please just run?"

Once that has been said, he takes a bowl, joins the line, and will eat as much porridge as he's allowed to, if he's allowed too. He never says no to food.

((Hey guys im gonna be heading off grid for a little over 24 hr, please navigate my character as needed, I’ll be back!))