Its all in the Cards.

At Alyria’s word, Briar nods and adjusts a few pouches around her legs to better keep tabs on her precious collections. Then the little rogue follows her friend to the mournful man and flits her way up to perch on the edge of the table so as not to be hidden beneath the table from a chair’s height.

"Very kind of you," she says to the stranger after he orders beverages for them all. She waves her hand in a dainty flourish and produces a pale blue rose. "How can we make your blues," she wiggles the flower gently and the petals shift to a light yellow "A little bit brighter?"

The Bartender puts down a clean glass, grabs another and starts wiping it down. "No rooms. Only Wine." Arik says in his monotone voice.


The lonely man uncorks a bottle of wine with a resigned sigh, filling several glasses. He downs one in a single gulp, then lets out a heavy breath.

"My father is dead," he begins, his voice laden with sorrow and frustration. "Father Donavich has barricaded himself in his church for months, leaving us unable to lay my father to rest. Every night, our home is besieged by the relentless dead, clawing and moaning at our doors. The Wretched Lord of this Land, Strahd, has developed an unsettling infatuation with my sister. And now, it seems, I am the new Burgomaster of this forsaken village of Barovia." He drops his head into his hands, squeezing his temples as if trying to stave off the despair threatening to consume him.

At an impass with the bartender, Crow moves on...

"I couldn't help but overhear...I did not mean to eavesdrop. I see you have met Alyria"

Taking out a flask of "Medicinal" liquor Crow takes a swig and then passes it to Ismark. Not all wounds leave a mark thinks the Dr.

"Obviously I’m new here. But I am curious. Why would it be such a bad thing for this Lord to have an interest in your sister? It would seem to me holding favor with a man of wealth and power would be beneficial, no?"

Jorah waves off the wine and leans heavily on the table, doing his best to follow along with the conversation. "Many people of wealth and power are not... good people," he cautions. "At best, they are explotative. At worst..."

The young cleric lets the thought drift off, yawning and rolling his shoulder with the intent to pop it.

He turns and stares at Dr. Crow. His voice filled with anger not at Dr. Crow but at the subject matter. "Because this Lord is no man. He is a sadistic, Demonic Vampire Overlord. He is the one who sends one of his Concubines and her horde of undead to besiege my house every night only in hopes that my sister will change her mind and become his.."
He turning to the table he grabs the uncorked bottle of wine and takes a drink and slams it onto the table. Luckily the bottle does not shatter...

Jorah shakes his head. "See? I was right."

"It’s easy to see that you care deeply for your sister. Your love is obvious and natural. She is your sister. But why Lord Strahd? Why is he so infatuated? What makes her so special to him?"

"I do not know why, nor does my sister. I plan to take her to the town of Vallaki. I hope they can better protect her there." He sighs again.
"My sister does not want to leave until our father is buried, and we cannot bury him without Father Donavich's blessing."

"I suspect there is more with Father Donavich. Why the delay?"

Hearing the situation of the strange man voiced, Briar's expression drops and the flower she held crumbles into dust. The leaves inked across her bare shoulders freeze and seem to wither in tint as the fairy feels his sadness. The particles of her previously conjured flower drift to reform a long slender reed which she flips into the glass she hugs in her seated position. "Oh," she murmurs quietly and brings the reed to her lips. Using it as a straw, she sips contemplatively at her wine.

Sheepishly, she leans in and lowers her voice, "What's a berg-oh-master?"

Seeing the anger on Ismark and sadness on Brair’s face, she places a hand on the fairy’s back and proceeds to gently rub a small circle while patting Ismark on the hand in a gesture of comfort. The emotions around the situation are palpable, but she wants to keep him calm and the situation hushed.

She has a strange feeling about the bartender. With a slightly concerned note to her voice, she whispers to the unfortunate man, "Take care how you share your plans, you never know who is listening and willing to share that information."

"I am curious to know the answer to Briar’s question, though," she adds, ready to figure out a way to help but needing all the information to do so.

"As Burgomaster I am charge of overseeing this village. I am responsible for it. I think the term Mayor is also used."

"Well, I’m sorry to hear of your plight, but happy to have had a chance to meet you. I am a traveling Dr. and plan to stay for a time, assuming I can find a place. I did notice quite a few abandoned buildings and such here and there. Would it be permissible to settle into one of those for at time, or is there some other place that you could reccomend?"

"If you need safe lodging for a few nights you are welcome to join us. Our Mansion is safer than any of the abandon houses around here even with the Undead trying to break in." He grabs both bottles of wine and stands up.
"Sorry. My manors are a little rough to day." Shoving a bottle between his arm pit he offers and hand for anyone who wishes to shake.
"Names Ismark Kolyanovich."

Prior to entry into the tavern, Jerinvar had returned Fauntleroy to his dimensional pocket for safety. He'd followed the others in, but quickly slipped off into a corner where he could observe those within. How the acted towards his allies and one another, as well as how they responded. He watched and he listened. Their non-verbals were as important to him as their words...or, in the bartender's case, lack of words.

He found the conversation had between the Burgomaster and his allies quite interesting...he pondered upon that as well.

Giving a respectable bow, Crow continues "I think I speak for us all when I say we would be honored." Standing Crow offers a handshake "I do have a few things errands to run first however. Is it safe to assume your home before sundown?"

"Sundown is not a good measurement and I wouldn't travel far out of village. If you see any villagers closing their doors and shutters it is best you get inside soon. What sort of Errands do you need done?"

"I lost a few things on the road here…Just a few herbs and incense, a burner…simple things for healing teas and comforting scents that encourage speedy recoveries."

Ingredients for Find Familiar!

He thinks for a moment and shakes his head. "You won't find anything like that around here. Bildrath's Mercantile isn't able to get much goods or supplies in. Vallaki might have more what you are looking for. You could always try the woods for herbs but I wouldn't chance it they are not safe. Forget I mentioned it."

"It is quite important to me. Thanks for the advice. Which way to Vallaki's?"