Bertolt grit his teeth as the pain wracked him, having been ready to use his own magic to deal with the strange elf. The moment he is able to move he will also go to Talion to look him over as Evren does. "He is going to he a problem if we run into him again..."

Sho presses his temple, trying hard to shake away the headache. He glares at Ismark, "What just happened?" He demands, hard and crisp. Irritated that the burgomaster apparently knows the dusk elf but decided to omit the information to them. He points a finger at him and bites out his words, "Start talking."

(( Talion remains unconscious ))

Erven, you're able to rouse Talion if you want.  

You watch the carriage disappear into the distance.   The well-dressed nobleman kneels down by Irek, who is still attending to Ismark, and lays a gloved hand on his shoulder, offering his most sincere condolences for the loss of his father and if there is anything he can do, just ask.  He then gets up and begins to walk away.  He avoids eye contact but tips his hat to you all.

Onyx moves over towards Irek, looking at the nobleman with a raised eyebrow.  He gives the letter to Irek, who takes it gingerly.

Ismark is still on the ground, Irek beside him, when Sho asks the question.  He shakes his head, "I..I...didn't know if the stories were even true...-"

Ismark is interrupted by a figure running towards the group from the direction of the town..............

From his many days hunting and helping those who have been injured before, Erven knows to elevate Talion’s legs and improve blood flow to the brain to help him.  Erven rouses Talion awake and helps him up, quickly relating to him what happened after he passed out.  As he helps him to his feet he says to Ismark, “Stories?  Do tell.  We do need you to tell us these stories now.”  He looks to recognize the nobleman, “Who is that?” he thinks to himself.  Now someone new running toward them, Erven tries to see if they are bringing information to us or some new threat -

Talion gathers himself up, moving gingerly a little away from the group to breath and recover. He grimaces at the smell of blood and vomit, wipes his mouth, then nods in thanks to Erven. When he is a little clearer headed, he asks Osgar what he has seen, and what's going on outside.

     "Where?" Shouts the large, barely dressed man running towards the cemetery with a sheather great sword in one hand, a built up sheen of sweat on his skin and a wild look in his eyes.  "Where is the demon??"

     He pauses a dozen or so feet from the assembled group, gasping for air but also looking up and down the streets.  "Rahadin!" He bellows out as loudly as he possible could, turning in place to try to look everywhere at once.  "I was told you are here!  Come!  Face me!!"

     The man wears the typical clothes you see the locals wearing but he looks hastily dressed, as if roused and immediately run out the door.  He's larger than most locals, standing over six feet tall and seemingly built with lean but solid muscle.  His skin is a deep, heavy brown and his hair is long jet black dreadlocks which are tied into a bundle behind his head to keep them from flying everywhere.  He's got a rough, scruffy look to him except for his facial hair, his goatee is well tended and he allows no other stubble.

     "Which direction?" He shouts out, finally looking at the group, imploring them for an answer.  "How long ago?  Can I still catch him??"

As the stranger rushes into the cemetery, a purple glow sheathes Talion's hand then disappears as quickly as it formed when it becomes clear the man is no immediate threat.

He grunts, a weary expression on his face, his eyes still haunted by recent pain. His long blonde hair is streaked with blood, and he waves his hand at those around him, seemingly too tired to answer. He watches and listens warily but seems distracted, his mind elsewhere.

@talion

Quote from Twombley >>

From his many days hunting and helping those who have been injured before, Erven knows to elevate Talion’s legs and improve blood flow to the brain to help him.  Erven rouses Talion awake and helps him up, quickly relating to him what happened after he passed out.  As he helps him to his feet he says to Ismark, “Stories?  Do tell.  We do need you to tell us these stories now.”  He looks to recognize the nobleman, “Who is that?” he thinks to himself.  Now someone new running toward them, Erven tries to see if they are bringing information to us or some new threat -

 Ismark shakes his head, "I...the stories told of a ruthless elf that did the dread queen's wishes.  He often appeared in a wagon, a black wagon.  There were stories...terrible stories.  Rahadin butchered thousands of Barovians - men, women, children.  To be honest, I can't remember the last time anyone ever saw him, we all thought it was just stories."

Onyx turns to help Father Donavich up.  He turns to all of you, "I will stay and help the town.  He," pointing at Donavich, "is in no condition to do any good for these people.  I will be taking over duties at the church."  He looks concernedly at some of you but simply nods, "Good luck to you all.  You are welcome in the Morninglord's house if you ever come back this way."  And with that, Onyx helps Father Donavich back into the church, leaving you all there.

     At the sound of the Vile Elf's name Everlie's gripped his sword tighter and turned his attention to Ismark.  "That piece of offal is no story," he says as he approaches.  "He may slaughter at her behest but he enjoys it.  Relishes it.  He's as much a plague upon the land as she is.  Perhaps more so.  She at least seems to have some restraint...  He's nothing but an unquenchable hunger for death kept upon her leash."

     Getting that out, Everlie takes one more look around in case Rahadin perhaps was lurking being a nearby corner, then let out a giant sight.  Planting his sword upon the ground he leaned upon it and seemed to relax, if even just a bit.  "If this is your first time laying eyes upon the dog then consider yourself blessed.  When first I saw him he was bathed in the blood of all those I knew and was happy about it.  Pure joy in his eyes, a smile upon his lips...  Perhaps if I had been home instead of off..." Everlie trailed off, his head falling for a moment, his eyes drifting away.  He shakes it off but a moment later though.  

     "Rude of me," he says and dips a bow to those present.  "I come speaking of an old tragedy while you mourn a more recent one.  My apologies...  My hunt of the Vile Elf overtakes me sometimes.  You have my humblest sympathies for your loss..."

Erven bows in response to Everlie, says to him “My name is Erven Aloro.  I am originally from the Svalich woods and a hunter of the undead, and these are my companions.  We have been ensnared in this land by Strahd and have been victims of her machinations.  We met Ismark and Irek here and were helping them put their father, the previous burgomaster to rest when this vile creature (he notably doesn’t use the word elf) interrupted our ceremony.  Please join us and perhaps we can learn from one another.”

Irek, having helped his brother to his feet, opens the letter given by Rahadin.  He reads it, face reddening.  He throws it to the ground.   Ismark picks it up and reads it, a  scowl showing itself on his face.  He hands it to Bertolt:

Bertolt raises a brow at the barley dressed man but puts that to the side as he looks over the letter and then to the siblings. "The elf already departed in a wagon. Now who is this Z?"

Another story of revenge. Sho gathers. He's got his arms in front of his chest, and he stands tall with his back straight. His long sleek black hair falls down his back, and he wears a dilapidated cape over his shoulders, in a shade of an odd, old and dirty yellow-beige. He wears a silver circlet in the shape of an eye on his forehead, glinting. His dark eyes glanced blandly toward stranger who hastily rushed in, measuring for a few seconds, then turns away to the more important matters. But at least one who knows their enemy is. 

"It's Strahd." Sho says gravelly. He reads the last line and raises his eyebrow, tosses a glance at Irek and then back to the note, before handing the letter to Bertolt. He shakes his head, like he can't in the world figure out how Irek's got Strahd charmed like a twitterpated pixie. 

     "The name is Everlie," he says, thumping his chest with a fist and then holding the hand out to Erven Aloro to shake.  "From way down below Luna Lake a bunch of miles.  Up here following the trail of Rahadin..."  He turn and looks to Bertolt as he tells of the wagon already being gone and gives his head a sad nod of acknowledgement.  "But closer, I am...  Sooner or later our paths will cross."

     Everlie takes in the group with an assessing look, not trying to hide the fact.  He decides they mostly look like they could hold their own... or at least keep foes busy while they failed to do so.  "Do you hunt Strahd or attempt to escape from her?  I am dedicated to seeing the vermin Rahadin dead, but it seems it is unlikely to see one perish while the other still lives.  If you do indeed hunt Strahd then I would happily walk with you as brothers..."

Talion stands and takes a few deep breaths, the memory of pain finally receding. Thank you; I didn't see anything after the elf arrived, he tells Osgar.  As the others speak he seems content to listen, shaking his head, wiping his nose and flicking off the last flecks of congealing blood and vomit. Ah, just like the old days. He snorts at the grim reflection, and looks around. Except he took me down without laying a hand on me.

"Well...next time I'll keep my distance from that one." He tries for his usual grin, but it seems forced.

As the conversation continues, he nods at Bert's comment, turning to Everlie "Yes. Long gone, that one. Into the mist. And as to the hunting or escaping: Well, if I understand that tales we've been told correctly, escape is impossible while she lives." He shrugs and seems lost in thought for a moment. Maybe if we really annoy her she'll send us back? Or squash us like bugs.

"We seem to have only two choices: Stay here and try to make the best of it..." He nods in the direction of Onyx, "...or try to escape, by whatever means necessary."

He looks first to Erven then Bert and finally Sho, "I don't know what you all think, but I don't want to exchange one cage for another, no matter how big. Somebody else..." He turns again to  Everlie, looking the man up and down. His type, I think I understand. He grins, "...somebody else who's not afraid of breaking a few bones, is always welcome."

Erven grasps Everlie’s hand and gives it a good strong shake as he smiles at him and says, “We would welcome your company, we … I (he looks around questioningly at his companions) aim to kill Strahd, I hate the foul beast and how she has toyed with us and the people of Barovia, and I think Rahadin and Strahd’s fate are intertwined as you say.  We have the same goals.  And you have a strong grip!  We could use some additional muscle with us as Talion says.  Perhaps… we should all escort Irek and Ismark back to their house and discuss our next steps together there?”

     "I've a room a bit ways off," Everlie says, nodding in the direction he came from.  He then grabs his sword and scabbard and leans it over one shoulder to carry it.  "But all I need is right here, yes my new friends?  I am happy to walk with you all and escort these two mourners back to their home..."

Talion nods at the suggestion, but first approaches the priest, if he is conscious. "You mentioned that you might have some incense in return for my help...I fear it may be a while before we return."

He also tries to catch Erven's eye, looking toward the cellar, mouthing Maybe later.