Talion cocks his head at Erven, "Is that Thieves Cant? I don't recognize it."

He looks around at the church, assessing how easy it would be to break in. He then compares it mentally to the Manor that they just left. ((Which is safer?))

Finally he turns to Ismark, and asks... (( Depends on above assessment ))

Quote from Twombley >>

Erven sidles up to Ismark and says "Do you think we need to go find out what is in the basement?  I don't think we can leave the chapel and leave your father to this . .  troubled priest, but I don't know that I want to spend the night here with something like that locked in the basement."  He starts to include the others in the conversation as Donavich moves further away and he won't be overheard.  "Ampirevay in the asementbay, if you know what I mean."

 Ismark looks at you and replies, "My father is dead.  Donavich is troubled yes, but perhaps you would also be so if it was you?  I think this is a conversation to have with your companions.  I don't care that much.  You are welcome to my home, of course.  My only concern is to get my father buried properly in the ground, and then get my brother to safety."

Quote from Ereshion >>

Talion cocks his head at Erven, "Is that Thieves Cant? I don't recognize it."

He looks around at the church, assessing how easy it would be to break in. He then compares it mentally to the Manor that they just left. ((Which is safer?))

Finally he turns to Ismark, and asks... (( Depends on above assessment ))

 The church is hallowed and consecrated ground and while you notice the charred doors and claw marks outside, inside there are no such markings.  Yes, it is untidy and things are scattered around, the pews are broken - but it does not seem to have been caused by the hand of zombies or other foul undead.  The manor has similar markings on its outside.  You recall that Strahd seems to be interested in Irek - that alone might make the manor very safe within.  Which is safer?  That's a determination you'll have to decide on.

Erven nods dismissively to Ismark, turns to Onyx, Talion, Bert and Sho and says "So, who wants to have a look in the basement?  Perhaps we should know what we are dealing with before we stay here overnight."

Talion turns to Ismark, "Do you wish us to stay and guard your father, or is our business done?"

Whatever the answer, while the priest waits for any questions, Talion nods. "Now might not be the time, but I was led to believe that you might have incense for sale. Is that true?"

Ismark shakes his head.  "No, my father will be fine.  The father has his secrets and is imperfect but he is still a holy man," he looks to Sho and Onyx and nods, "like you.  There are things he will do to sanctify the dead so it does not rise.  I am sure either of you could also make an area safer if you had to.  I have plenty of beds at the mansion, should you wish to stay there.  We would welcome the company, to be quite honest.  But I understand if you do not."

Talion, you follow Donavich a little ways north into the chapel area, he maneuvers the trolly this way and that.  "Huh, oh.  Incense?  Well, I do need some for the good Burgomaster here.  We don't get parishioners here any more but they all want to be buried out back.  Well, if you come and help me at dawn, I'll give you a couple of blocks of incense.  Or, I suppose you could try at Bildrath's, though, I don't think he carries any of the good stuff, if you catch my meaning."  Donavich winks his eye at you - it's quite unsettling but harmless enough.

Erven takes another look at Father Donavan and says, “Ismark, if you feel comfortable with it, I think that we would like to stay with you and Irek overnight.  This place …. let’s come back in the morning.”  

"Before we do something rash, perhaps it would be better to let things be. Our current objective is to keep Ismark's brother safe. That also happens to include helping to bury their father." Bertolt says as he steps away from the church.

Talion grins at the strange priest. More like the ones I am used to. That's oddly reassuring. "I will return tomorrow. I'll take as much as I can afford...and you can afford to spare." he says.

When Bertolt speaks, Talion nods in agreement. "The brother, then. I agree. Back to the manor it is."

Erven agrees with Talion, "Back to the manor."  He goes to Donavich and says "We are going to escort Ismark back to his house and watch over Irek as well.  We will see you in the morning for the service."

You return to the mansion with no issue. It’s been a few hours since you arrived at the town and Irek and Ismark offer dinner to all of you. You learn that Irek has become somewhat of a talented chef by necessity, and that toasted boar is on the menu. They have a selection of Barovian wines and ales as well, the former Burgomaster being a rather simple man with complex tastes. 
Ismark also shows you a few rooms with comfortable beds that you can use for resting. 
Erven, you note that Lucky Bear and Ismark seem to get along really well, quite a surprising turn of events that you didn’t expect. Lucky Bear follows him here and there unless you specifically order her not too. Even then she sits on her haunches and whines slightly when he’s not around.  Erven, you also start to feel the effect of travel and seem uncharacteristically drowsy and sleepy - quite a strange feeling for an elf. 
The mansion also has a nice sitting/smoking room with a decent library, and a trophy room.  

With 8+ hours before “dawn” the rest of the day is yours - what do you wish to do?  [feel free to RP or sandbox how you like]

"Our comrades own the tavern, so be sure to mention you came here with us. They might be more...amenable"

Remembering the words of Stanimir, Talion takes a detour via the inn. He enters the taproom, then looks around for the Vistani siblings.(( Assuming they are there! )) Grinning, he approaches them, and bows slightly. "I should have introduced myself before, but it has been a long journey. Stanimir brought us here and suggested we introduce ourselves."

He takes a moment to assess any reaction to the name,  "I am Talion Alboreth, and very new in town. I was hoping you might be able to help me...with knowledge or trade or just conversation: I feel like I have traveled many months with my companions, though it has only been a few days." He sighs, and bows again slightly, raising his eyebrows and indicating a seat, asking for permission to join them.

[Are you by yourself, Talion?]  

The two sisters that were there when you left are still there, the third nowhere to be seen.
One of the sisters puts her leg up on the table.  "Oh, so now you want to talk to us, eh big boy?  So very formal and proper...Stanimir?  That old coot?  Ha, I guess there's hope left for us yet, eh sis?"  She elbows the other woman and they laugh and giggle together before moving her leg and kicking a chair out.  "Be our guest.  Well?  Whatcha want to know?  Whaddya have to trade?"

Talion glances around, then leans forward, smiles, and speaks in low tones. "I didn't listen as much as I should have to Stanimir, he talked a lot the first night, but I mostly slept. He said he wants us to see a lady by the name of Eva. Can you tell me much about her? What we should expect?"

Erven wishes to make a pit stop as well on the way back from the church.  He wishes to stop at a local merchant if available and purchase a rapier, a shield, and make sure that his armor is studded leather (wasn’t clear about whether the studded leather went away after death house or not).  

After dinner and feeling tired after such a big meal, Erven spends his time mainly in the drawing room, looking around at the knick knacks and items trying to get a feel of what the old burgomaster was like.  When he is ready he’ll retire to a room to sleep, perhaps in Bert’s room.

Quote from Twombley >>

Erven wishes to make a pit stop as well on the way back from the church.  He wishes to stop at a local merchant if available and purchase a rapier, a shield, and make sure that his armor is studded leather (wasn’t clear about whether the studded leather went away after death house or not).  

After dinner and feeling tired after such a big meal, Erven spends his time mainly in the drawing room, looking around at the knick knacks and items trying to get a feel of what the old burgomaster was like.  When he is ready he’ll retire to a room to sleep, perhaps in Bert’s room.

 If the armor was found in the house, it would have crumbled to dust upon you escaping that place.  So you are left with your original armor.

Are you going alone to the merchant?

Quote from callmeLothar >>

[Are you by yourself, Talion?] 

I believe so; it is still before dinner, and day time (albeit cloudy), and he knows the way from the inn to the manor...if any of those are wrong, let me know.

((Ok, thanks.  Will tag along with Talion as far as the inn and then split off to the merchant.  Anyone else who wants to come with is free to join.))

Quote from Ereshion >>

Quote from callmeLothar >>

[Are you by yourself, Talion?] 

I believe so; it is still before dinner, and day time (albeit cloudy), and he knows the way from the inn to the manor...if any of those are wrong, let me know.

 Yup all good.

Erven, you leave Talion to his fate inside the inn and make your way across the commons to Bildrath's Mercantile.  You open the door and have to go through a ten-foot long hallway.  It opens into a larger area.  Looking forward, you notice there are wrought iron bars across the width of the room and one skinny, wiry-looking fellow behind the bars.  There are no goods outside of the bars, it looks like all the inventory is behind them.  There are some sitting chairs and a table or two in this area.  On one of the tables is a set of shears.  There is also a jug of what looks like water.  He has wild graying brown hair and his face seems tanned somehow.  He is finely dressed.  However, you're not as curious about his clothing as you are about the large heavy crossbow he has trained on you at the moment.   "Howdy stranger.  Aaaaand who might you be, I'm wonderin'?" he speaks to you in a twangy accent.   "You them new folk?  Came in with them gypsies?  That them, Perry?"  Before you can ask who "Perry" is, a giant hulking human lurks up behind the skinny man.  This specimen is hard to ignore, and muscles ripple anywhere skin is shown.  He doesn't fit too well into his leather armor and it is splitting in places. "Uhm huh," Perry says dully.  Something off about the brute, for sure.  Like he's half awake or something.    "Ahh, well then.  Look at you, comin' into to town and doin' some good."  His face sharpens and points the crossbow at your face.   "Who are you? Who sent you?  What do you want here?"

Erven holds his hands up in a calming manner, "My name is Erven.  My friends and I came here with Stanimir.  We have just been helping Ismark after the passing of his father, we took his father's body to the church for burial.  I saw this place and thought I would see if you are selling any goods.  I am looking for some equipment.  An upgrade to my armor, also I'm looking for a rapier, and also a shield.  I was wondering if you had equipment and arms for sale.  I don't mean you any harm, please put down your crossbow.  Or would you like me to come back at a different time?  This is a store right, a place to buy and sell goods, to purchase equipment, yes?"