So you want to go to the store, Erven?

We will press on to the house.  Erven will do this later.

[Okay then].

You trudge south towards the mansion, your footfalls echoing off the buildings to both sides.  The clatter of Granny's cart disappears and the rain that had stopped earlier once again starts back up.  Nothing crazy, just a persistent rain and cold enough to cause your breath to show in the air.  You'd guess it's perhaps an hour or two past midday but it's hard to tell here. 
Up ahead, a weary-looking mansion squats behind a rusting iron fence. The iron gates are twisted and torn. The right gate lies cast aside, while the left swings lazily. The stuttering squeal and clang of the gate repeats with mindless precision. Weeds choke the grounds and press with menace upon the house itself. Yet, against the walls, the growth has been tramped down to create a path all about the domain. Heavy claw markings have stripped the once-beautiful finish of the walls. Great black marks tell of the fires that have assailed the mansion. Not a pane nor a shard of glass stands in any window. All the windows are barred with planks, each one marked with stains of evil omen.

Erven walks around, looking at the house, walks up the front steps.  "He lives in here?  This house looks abandoned.  Are we sure that we are at the right place?  What do you think Onyx, do you sense anything?"  Erven looks over to Onyx for his assessment.  

Erven, make a perception check please.

Onyx steps forwards at Erven's prompting, and summons up his divine sense without crossing the threshold of the front door.

"I don't need Lathander to tell me there is something foul here, but . . ."

Erven looks around the house -

Perception : 19 

Erven, surveying the grounds, you notice the trampled grass and weeds all around the place.  The ground has been made muddy by scores of humanoid footprints and wolf prints.  The smell in the area is that of rotting meat and decay - you know this smell: zombies, maybe ghouls; definitely undead.  But nothing is here now.

Onyx, while it looks bad, there is nothing evil here - nothing that registers on your senses at least.

Erven walks up to the front door and then knocks, opening it if it is busted up or ajar, waiting if it is intact.

”Hellooo, Ismark?  We are here…. Are you home?”

Quote from Twombley >>

Erven walks up to the front door and then knocks, opening it if it is busted up or ajar, waiting if it is intact.

”Hellooo, Ismark?  We are here…. Are you home?”

 There is some sounds from beyond the door, shuffling feet, some furniture moving, and footsteps.  A small viewing door opens up and a pair of striking grey eyes look out at you underneath arched eyebrows.  "Who are you?  What do you want?"  The eyes look from side to side and at the others with you.  "What are you doing here?  Did she send you?"

“I am Erven Aloro, who is the “she” you are talking about?  We are here to meet with Ismark, he told us to meet him here.  Who are you?”  Erven asks with a pleasant manner, trying to reassure her.  

Erven, roll a charisma (persuasion) check.

Erven Persuasion :  10 

“Really, we’re here to help, Ismark told us to come here.  At least you can tell me you’re name…”

He scoffs behind the door, shaking his head.  "Nice try.  If Ismark told you to come here, then you'd know who I am. You'd also know who "she" is.  You're not very convincing.  I let you in and you'll kill me!  Ismark isn't here right now anyways."  He looks past you to your companions, "And who are they?"  nodding to Talion, Onyx, Sho, and Bertolt.

[anyone else want to try talking to this person?  Or wait for Ismark?]

Onyx nods in return.

"Well, there must be some confusion then.  I'm Onyx, and I'm happy to wait until this gets all sorted out."

Bertolt sighs as he looks at the others with a frown. He steps forward and clears his through. "Your brother sent us to help you deal with the problem of Strahd. She is no friend of ours. She is keeping us here against are will and we wish to find a way to return to our home." 

Persuasion: 14

Talion waits for the response from the man, and if it is negative he turns to Onyx and says, "Perhaps we should visit the church or the shop, and leave a message to let Ismark know where we have gone?"

@Bertolt - the man shakes his head again, obviously quite worried about you gaining access.  You recall the letter in which it said something about Irek being bitten already.

No sooner has Talion voiced his opinion, than you hear running footsteps behind you.  You all turn quickly to see Ismark jogging up to you.  "What is going on here?  Irek?  Are you alright?"  Ismark looks at you sheepishly, face going a bit red.   "I uh, must apologize.  After I left you I stopped at my, ahem, friend's home on the other side of town.  I thought it would be quicker but, um, it didn't work out that way.  Again, I apologize.  Irek!  Open the door now!  It's okay, I know these people; they are here to help."

Ismark walks up to the door and looks at his brother.  He seems to say something low but you don't really hear what it is.  After a second or two, you hear a large piece of wood being lifted off the back of the door, and several dead bolts being unlocked.  Ismark heads in but after a few steps turns to all of you, along with his brother, Izek, waiting for you to enter...

Talion smiles at the invitation, glances at the others, then nods to Irek before following Ismark. "Thank you" he says, as he enters.

As he walks around he examines the interior of the house carefully. "Are all houses under attack, or just yours?"

Erven greets Ismark and nods to Irek, walking in and looking him up and down, assessing him.  Looking at his neck for any puncture wounds.  "Hello Irek.  Thank you for letting us in.  Eventually.  But I understand your hesitation, you can never be too careful in these times..."  He urges Lucky Bear to come into the house with him, and to sit.

Perception :  18