OOC > Barlow, I think we are all trying to actively forget all the vampire movies we have watched, while still trying to help our characters figure out what is going on. :)

Grishkar's words unsettle Briella and she approaches Irene.

"Miss Irene, would you permit me to take a closer look at the wound. I would just like to make sure there are no side effects or that there isn't any form of infection that might have set in."

(If she lets me check) Medicine:8

Martha whispers over to Kia, “I really don’t trust that guy... he's just creepy. If I die, don’t let him near me, or at least make sure Briella or even Lilitu get there first.”

(He is neither the Hero you want or deserve, he's just the one you got stuck with :P)

Kia snarls in Grishkar's direction, and whispers back, "He will defile none of our bodies, you have my word. And yet, despite the evil of his intent, he has insights that are not to be discounted. His suspicions in the matter of Ireena's injuries mirror mine, albeit I am sure any deceit can be laid ultimately at the hands of the Evil we hunt."

OOC: Ha, misread that to think that Kia had vampire bites

Martha nods, “I suppose that’s fair. I’ve never had much experience with these higher tier undead. The worst that I encountered was the shadow that brought me here. I’m more versed in the underdark, though I doubt that will assist us much in these lands.”

"Evil is evil," Kia says confidently.

”You got that right.” Martha says as she offers a gauntleted first for a knucklebump.

Sorry guys, one sec, super busy at work today. Will post very soon and answer questions!

OOC > No problem, Crispy. We all get busy. Odmun and Kia are just hanging back, exchanging notes about flea dips.

Kia looks at Martha’s fist quizzically, then she puts her open palm against it, and bows slightly.

OOC > see various Chinese martial arts salutes, generally “wushu” or hand salute, a fist to an open palm. Usually done by one person when greeting another, but Kia is happy to do this weird Drow thing.

Martha looks at her quizzically, smiles, and bows before returning to the rest of the group.

Sorry about the delay guys. I work in logistics and this time of month is berserk for me. I will update the game as soon as I get home. So sorry for the delay.

OOC: No worries on my end, life comes first. Or to put it in your own terms, “Come on Crispy! Stop making a living and entertain us!”

(Subject for an OOC discussion, but yay logistics! I work for DHL Supply Chain and I can already feel the insanity just in the automotive sector.)

Yeah, trust me, i'd LOVE to work for DHL instead. I could use the benefits. Ok, back to the adventure! Sorry about the delay.

Ireena pulls on her collar. She studies your face a moment, as you lean in and look at the wounds - as if your beauty is something she's never seen before. Before you can even notice it, she's looking away, self conscious of how she might look being cooped up in a house most of her life. "Over the past week, i've been bitten twice in my sleep." Briella, the wounds clearly look like old puncture marks, two in total, one on each side of her neck. They don't look infected or rancid in any way, but they are clearly bite marks. There is no bruising. "The Vampyr has been sending undead and wolves to attack the town for years every night. It's good to be with people who seem they can handle themselves. As you can imagine, I don't get out often. Although, I am curious, I can't figure out for the life of me who would write such notes about finding help. Could it be the Vampyr needs...more victims? A ploy? Could those notes be his doing? At any rate, the attacks became more and more vicious, and my father had a heart attack from the stress. Like I mentioned. Natural causes."

As you talk and discuss about flea baths..

THE OLD SVALICH WOODS JUNCTION

AFTERNOON

The road splits into the forbidding Svalich woods. The northern fork slants up slightly to the north while the southern fork slants slightly downward. Dense fog obscures your vision. A cold autumn wind whistles down the northern lane, cutting icily through your clothing. Dead brown leaves rush about. There is no sound other than the wind and leaves.

Which way, brave souls?

OOC > Let's split the party! Ha ha ha ha ha. No. Really, I'm just kidding. Unless we send Grishkar off "by himself" with his friends. ;)

Kia looks to Ireena. "Do you know the way?"

If she does not, Kia will examine the ground in an attempt to figure out which road is more travelled. Survival: 17

Haha. The road to the north seems more travelled. Ireena has never been this far out of Barovia in her life.

Oh, there's a sign. A signpost points in three directions:

BAROVIA VILLAGE - EAST

TSER POOL - NORTHWEST

RAVENLOFT - SOUTHWEST

Also, in the junction is a rotting gallows that is about 5 feet high, with wooden stairs leading up to it. Eleven graves are closely scattered around it - all you see are the tombstones. The rope that is attached to the gallows is empty, and frayed.

"Ireena, any idea what the Tser Pool might be?"

"The Tser Pool was a lake that my father told me about as a child, where horses used to drink.." She reminisces "I hear gypsies might live around there, now."

"It is afternoon already," Kia notes. "Perhaps finding shelter would be best? These, gypsies? Might they shelter us for the night?"