Ismark sighs heavily, relief plain on his face as the last of you hold the sign of the Morninglord. 
“Perhaps it is I who should apologize. You obviously know of the plague that haunts and butchers my land. I don’t know of what house you speak, nor of your experiences here, but know that we have lived under a pall for generations - centuries!  My family - my father, my adopted brother, my mother - ugh, the suffering is non stop.  Let me explain. I need your help. I need an escort to move my brother Irek somewhere safe, away from Barovia, away from the clutches of the dark creature - whom you already seem to know. It’s not safe here.  Vallaki - a town to the north, from what I hear is safer and we’ll defended. At the very least it is away from here and away from that cursed castle. I don’t know why she is so interested in Irek but it can’t be good. The stress has just recently taken my father and I fear Irek is next.”

“I know this is a lot to digest. Take time to speak to each other.  Your more suspicious companions’ instinct to distrust is sadly justified most of the time. When you are ready we go to my fathers house - he is - was - the Burgomaster here in Barovia.”

Erven cocks an eye at Sho and smiles.  "Agree with you there.  Being cautious is wise."  He turns to Ismark and speaks in low tones.  "I feel that you are telling us the truth.  But perhaps you should give us the whole of it.  We know at least part of your story is true.  We found the Burgomaster's runner, lying behind the bushes, chewed up by wolves apparently."  He rolls out the letter that was taken from the corpse.

 "It would be helpful if you had told us that Irek had been bitten by a vampyr.  In what condition is he currently?  Do you know where Irek is?  And your father, Kolyan, the Burgomaster.  He died of stress?  Really?  Was he bitten as well?  You say that you want to get Irek away to Vallaki - - it seems that only the Vistani can travel in this land, do you know if ...she... would allow it?  Or would she attack us if we try to move him there?  Please tell us everything if you truly want our help."  

Quote from Twombley >>

Erven cocks an eye at Sho and smiles.  "Agree with you there.  Being cautious is wise."  He turns to Ismark and speaks in low tones.  "I feel that you are telling us the truth.  But perhaps you should give us the whole of it.  We know at least part of your story is true.  We found the Burgomaster's runner, lying behind the bushes, chewed up by wolves apparently."  He rolls out the letter that was taken from the corpse.

Hail thee of might and valor:

I, the Burgomaster of Barovia, send you honor—with despair.

My adopted son, the handsome and fair Irek Kolyanovich, has been these past nights bitten by a vampyr. For over four hundred years, this creature has drained the life blood of my people. Now, my dear Irek languishes and dies from an unholy wound caused by this vile beast. She has become too powerful to conquer.

So I say to you, give us up for dead and encircle this land with the symbols of good. Let holy men call upon their power that the devil may be contained within the walls of weeping Barovia. Leave our sorrows to our graves, and save the world from this evil fate of ours.

There is much wealth entrapped in this community. Return for your reward after we are all departed for a better life.

Kolyan Indirovich
Burgomaster

 "It would be helpful if you had told us that Irek had been bitten by a vampyr.  In what condition is he currently?  Do you know where Irek is?  And your father, Kolyan, the Burgomaster.  He died of stress?  Really?  Was he bitten as well?  You say that you want to get Irek away to Vallaki - - it seems that only the Vistani can travel in this land, do you know if ...she... would allow it?  Or would she attack us if we try to move him there?  Please tell us everything if you truly want our help."  

 Ismark takes the letter and unfurls it, scanning it closely.  "This was not written by my father.  I knew my father very well, enough to know that these are not his words.  That is a certainty.  Where did you find this?  A runner you say?  Hmm..  May I keep this?"

He folds the letter back up and hands it back to you.  "It's definitely a lie.  Someone is playing at something.  As I said, I need to be sure you are not under the sway of the creature.  Irek has been bitten twice by the cursed *****, which is why I need to get her out of here - before he is bitten the last and final time.  Of course I know where Irek is, he's at our mansion in town.  If you help me, that's where we'll go next.  You can meet him.  My father is dead.  He was not bit, he was old; this situation could not have helped him.  Do I know it was stress?  No."
When you talk about the Vistani, Ismark seems surprised.  "Hmm, I didn't know that about them.  I know that anyone who attempts to leave the land of Barovia begins to choke on the fog. Those who don’t turn back perish.  But you can travel around Barovia all you like; no guarantee of survival though.  I am not sure what else you want from me but if you have specific questions that might help your decision, I'll answer to the best of my ability."

"I take it that you are speaking of the Countess Strahd? She appeared before us several days ago. She seemed to think that us being here was all part of some game she was playing." Bertolt says with a small growl at the memory of the vexing woman. "So she is after your brother for some reason? Well then I for would help if possible but I am bound to the concensus of my companions."

Sho leans back, narrows his eyes in thought, or in disinterest. Still dismissive of the man with his little test, asking them to prove themselves and yet not doing any favors for them. He finds it funny how one moment ago he was scared of them harming him, and the next he was asking them to guard his brother they've never met with their lives. His lips would curl into a sneer, but then, he doesn't care that much.

He's half listening to Ismark and his family drama, barely paying attention. Then a fleeting thought occurred to him. He lifts his chin a little, toward the direction of the sobbing before they entered the tavern. "What is that building next to the store?" He asks.

“The two story townhouse?  That’s Mary’s house. Her daughter disappeared a while back and hasn’t come back. Poor woman is inconsolable with grief.”  Ismark shakes his head. “Unfortunately there is no one to try to find the girl.”

Erven looks up and says, "Maybe we should talk to Mary for a bit.  After we speak with her we will head to your father's house.  I wonder, if your father did not write that letter, who did?  And for what purpose, to lure more people here?  For this.. for this... game?"  The last word he bites off, anger clear in his eyes, not at Ismark, but clearly indicating... her.

"Should we go?"  Erven pushes the bowls aside and looks to his companions to see if they have any further questions or thoughts about where they should go.

"Yes we should talk to the woman and learn what we can. I shall make sure to keep track of all that we learn of this place." Bertolt says as he gets to his feet and bids Ismark to follow as it seemed they still had more to talk about with the young man.

Okay are you all agreed then?  Mary’s house with Ismark?  Anything else to be done in the tavern?

Not with Ismark. Sho wants to go talk to Mary specifically to not hang with Ismark. 

Talion takes another sip of wine and looks at Ismark for a time, then at his companions who seem eager to help the stranger in the house. "Is her trouble connected with yours? Is she one of your people?" he asks.

He had been looking forward to arriving in town, and the reality is less than he had hoped. He looks around the bar, but his gaze quickly returns to the one 'real' person in the room. "I was looking forward to a meal and a conversation with this gentleman, and I'd like to buy some supplies -- herbs and/or incense -- if they were available."

(( #DM: What time of day is it? ))

It’s around midday. 
With his father deceased, Technically Ismark is the new Burgomaster and it’s his house now. 
just an FYI for you Sho. 

Quote from Ereshion >>

Talion takes another sip of wine and looks at Ismark for a time, then at his companions who seem eager to help the stranger in the house. "Is her trouble connected with yours? Is she one of your people?" he asks.

He had been looking forward to arriving in town, and the reality is less than he had hoped. He looks around the bar, but his gaze quickly returns to the one 'real' person in the room. "I was looking forward to a meal and a conversation with this gentleman, and I'd like to buy some supplies -- herbs and/or incense -- if they were available."

(( #DM: What time of day is it? ))

 Ismark nods at you. “Of course, Mary is someone I’ve known for years. She locked her daughter up in the house, didn’t allow her to leave. Likely a smart move but ultimately it proved pointless. Sadly her story is not novel. Many have died, disappeared, or have been murdered by the creature. You couldn’t have failed to notice most of the buildings are empty. Our able-bodied men have fled or been killed. Myself I have trained my whole life with the hopes of running the stake through the heart of the beast.”  Ismark sighs heavily. “It depends on what you want. The Vistani bring items sometimes, but they are expensive and the mercantile store has the monopoly - there is no competition.  My father has resources of course but not as much as you would think.  I will help you as much as I can.  Herbs and incense can be procured from the store - at a steep price no doubt - but you may also find these things in other areas.”

As Talion speaks with Ismark, Erven stands and stretches, walks to the middle of the room.  He bends down and scratches Lucky Bear, taking an odd bone from the plate and letting her gnaw on it.  He looks up and smiles, walks over to the table with the 3 Vistani and bends down, takes a knee to meet them eye to eye.  "Hello, good day to you.  We just arrived (points to his companions), my name is Erven.  We came here with a fellow named Stanimir.  A good fellow, he wanted us to mention his name here.  We are trying to get the lay of the land.  Any news that you would tell me of these parts?  Do you know Stanimir?"

@Erven
[tehre are only 2 as one left the table earlier]
The two lithe Vistani females look askance at you then each other as you get on a knee. They smirk and giggle. 
“Well, Erven, Alenka here is a bit disappointed. Here she has been waiting for a suave traveler like yourself to get down on a knee and pop the question! Come to find out all you want is information. Poor form, if I do say so myself!  Letting a gal down like that.”  She laughs.   The other Vistana closest to you pouts a little.  “I’m Mirabel. We know Stanimir, of course - did he bring any goods for us?  We might have news...what would you like to know?”

Bertolt nods at what the women say, moving to walk closer when he sees Erven talking to the two woman. He will use what he knows from talking with the vistani to make sure none of them do anything to upset them.  "I apologize for my companion. I am sure thst each of you would make lovely wives to the man lucky enough to capture your hearts. Now as cor the information we would like to know, we were perhaps hoping you could tell us more of this village and the surrounding lands."

The Vistana looks disappointed. “Very well. Not very much going on in this town, been a long time since anyone came through. The Burgomaster recently died,” she looks around you at Ismark and waggles her fingers and blows him a kiss. “Follow the road east and well, there isn’t anything but forest. Follow it West, you have the Tsar pool, and further along you’ll have Vallaki - which reminds me, why didn’t we buy a tavern there?”  She looks at the other Vistana with venom. “To the far west Lies Krezk, another town.  Oh and there’s a big castle up on the hill.  You know, you should really get your fortunes read by Madam Eva. She’s near Tsar Pool - or was.  Wanna buy some more food for the road, drink?”

Erven flushes a bright shade of pink when looking at Alenka, and says "I'm sorry, you seem like lovely ladies, we have a lot to do right now... perhaps I could meet up with you later.."  He turns awkwardly with a little laugh and smiles back at Alenka, looking her over briefly (Mirabel as well) and then backs away politely, surprised, and letting Bertolt come to his rescue.  

"Yes Stanamir suggested the some to us as well. We planned to see Madam Eva as soon as we are able." Bertolt says as he makes a note to learn more of the other towns when he is able. "I do not know what my companions intend to purchase supply wise but if we require food I shall gladly return for such things."

Quote from callmeLothar>>

 Ismark nods at you, "Of course, Mary is someone I’ve known for years. She locked her daughter up in the house, didn’t allow her to leave. Likely a smart move but ultimately it proved pointless. Sadly her story is not novel. Many have died, disappeared, or have been murdered by the creature. You couldn’t have failed to notice most of the buildings are empty..."

Talion's expression becomes thoughtful at this remark and he tries to recall the state of the buildings; for some reason, the idea of staying at the inn is less appealing than it might have been. Perhaps sheltering in a deserted building might be safer. He drags his mind back to the conversation.

... Ismark sighs heavily. “It depends on what you want. The Vistani bring items sometimes, but they are expensive and the mercantile store has the monopoly - there is no competition. My father has resources of course but not as much as you would think. I will help you as much as I can. Herbs and incense can be procured from the store - at a steep price no doubt - but you may also find these things in other areas.. 

"So no locally grown herbs, everything is imported? Or incence for the dead?" Then he frowns. "There must be local herbs since the Vistani had none to sell. Perhaps the kitchen might know?"