NEW CAMPAIGN - RAVENLOFT 1983

Grishkar moves to the front of his party, seemingly at home in the malevolent funk of the house, "Madame I must extend my warmest thanks for allowing us into your beautiful home." Giving a low bow, "I am known as Grishkar Darkmoor, servant, steward, and herald of my Lord Nerrul, God of Death and Undeath, Reaper of Souls, and Despiser of Life. There are rumors about that you are one of the few in this place that is on reasonable terms with the lord of the realm. Where I come from, I am in much the same position." Settling in, Grishkar begins to examine the room further, "You say you have spies following us? Please, do tell. This place seems to be a den of death and wickedness and I am more than a bit intrigued."

(I love playing shades of grey and I'm very glad I didn't go with my only truly good character here. Half the house would be in flames by now. That's still "Good", right? Torching a house with no questions because it radiates evil?)

(EDIT: Guess I'm in the Charisma war, then? 2)

OOC: No that’s Kia “good” which is essentially the inquisition... without the torture

So i'm assuming Martha speaks and Grish and Bors remain quiet? Is that what's happening here?

(I am making it my missing to blur the lines as much as possible here. Grish has basically turned into a teenage girl chattering over town gossip and makeup/undead-raising tips)

OOC: Yes, Crispy, I think so

She doesn't speak for a moment, looking you all over.

"How interesting. But no." She finally says. "We are not interested in divine healing. Not here. It should be known that we are in league with the Dark Lord, and you are in a house of shadow and darkness. I am one of his servants. Your "divine services" would not be welcome here. But you are my guests for the moment, and you will be treated as such, should you continue to behave yourselves."

She thinks for a moment, pondering.

"However, I wish to know where your loyalties lie. I could have use for you all. If it is not with Strahd, know that eventually you will be destroyed. Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow. You can help me today, should you wish to live past the next few days. It is true. I wish to oust the current Burgomaster and claim this town for my own. Kill him for me, and I shall let you have the girl upstairs you are...looking for."    

Martha frowns, looks toward Bors and Kia, and arches an eyebrow.

Grishkar smiles to the Lady Wachter, "My Lady, I would like nothing more. I will not pretend to like Strahd, but I highly respect what he stands for. Sadly, he will never be My Master, so I must return to my own land. If that means advancing your status in this land, well," Grishkar looks around the room appraisingly, "I suppose I can live with that."

"Mmm. Yes." She says. "But what about....your friends....."

Imryll, remaining silent, has a tear slowly falling down the side of her dirt caked cheek. 

OOC: Just waiting to see what the others reactions are

"Milady, it is true, what you offer may indeed be what we seek. Tell me, if we do this, what policies would you put in place which are superior to those of the burgomaster?"

OOC: Ok, Bors went politician again, Kia don’t fail me now!

"Those are the concerns of Strahd and myself. You are a mere pawn in the greater scheme of things. Speaking of which, do we have a deal?"

“Oh Yes, lets kill someone without knowing the reasons! What a great plan. No, not gonna happen. Why are you better than the baron?”

"You don't need any reason. The details aren't important. This isn't your world, you live in ours. I am entitled to this town by Strahd generations ago. That's all you need to know. So please. Tell me again 'no'. We can make a deal. You can do something I want, and in turn I have something you want."

"It seems we are faced again with the choice of one evil over another. Let me ask one thing madam, does he have to die?" Briella is also going to do an insight check to see if the woman is being forthright with the deal she is presenting and not intending to go back on it should they accept.

Insight:20

Martha is actually shocked that we’re considering this and speaks up, “Ok fine, I won’t say ‘No.’ Instead! Let’s take a look at this deal, step by step. The deal as it stands is if we kill the baron, and put you in charge, then we get your daughter. You are fully prepared to give your child to us. Something that is a serious threat to Strahd. Your willingness to do this means one of two things. 1. You don’t really care about Strahd, which is doubtful. Or 2. You are confident that Strahd will kill us, and therefore don’t care about your daughter. Moving on, you want us to put you in charge. The baron, while mad, opposes Strahd. You work for Strahd, the man who has repeatedly tried to kill us and had a fetus death room. Why in the kooky realm you call Barovia, would I agree to this!? It’s a terrible deal! The only person who I’m not surprised is considering this is Grishkar, because he’s insane! Bors! She works with demons! How is this ok to you!?”

OOC: Also, of course she’s not being forthright, she said she’s hiding things.

She is true to her word. She seems driven by one thing, and one thing alone - to rise to power.

"My child, this town belongs to me. I shall serve Strahd and be a source of great evil in this land, in his name, and beyond. But the Burgomaster needs to be removed. If I leave this house, I will be killed by his guards. They know I am in league with Strahd."

Martha’s mouth hangs open a little... at least she’s honest I guess...