Chapter 2: Welcome to Barovia

Wil travels fast through alleyways and soon emerges into a town square. A single shaft of light thrusts illumination into the main square, its brightness looking like a solid pillar in the heavy fog. Above the gaping doorway, a sign hangs precariously askew, proclaiming this to be the Blood on the Vine tavern.

Another building in the square also seems to be inhabited. The sparse light from this building spills out from behind drawn heavy curtains. A sign over the door, creaking on its hinges, reads "Bildrath's Mercantile."

A blazing fire in the hearth gives scant warmth to the few huddled souls within. The tavern contains 3 people sitting at a table near the door, caught up in discussion. They barely acknowledge your presence. The attendant at the bar doesn't acknowledge you at all, constantly cleaning wine glasses. Another man, sitting alone in a corner table in the back, seems to take great interest in your entrance and silently glances at you as he continues to sip his wine.

The man doesn't seem to notice you sneaking glances at him. With that natural 20, You gauge from his body language that he means to stand up and address you but wants to get a better idea of your disposition before he does so. You also pick up his fascination at Wil and Greymond, almost as if he's never seen their kind.

Indirovich. Ismark Indirovich. He says, as if he's genuinely surprised by your friendliness. He holds out a hand to shake, getting up from his table. And let me pay for that. He says as he slips a silver piece into Wil's hand as they shake. He turns toward the barkeep A pitcher for the table, please, and a glass for each of these strangers. The bartender stops cleaning glasses, pours a pitcher of wine, sets it on Ismark's table, and goes back to mindlessly cleaning glasses. Come. Sit and talk with me won't you? He motions to you all to come sit at his table.

Wil: The man doesn't seem to have any adverse intentions beyond getting your attention. He doesn't smile throughout your interaction but seems less than dour.

The man answers Basra's question You look able. I would ask you to help me get my adopted sister, Ireena Kolyana, to safety in Vallaki. She is beset by the Devil Strahd and I cannot do it on my own.

The three men, that you now notice are dressed in a similar way to the the people you rode into town with, don't stop their discussion and the bartender continues staring at the wall, cleaning wine glasses.

You are truly newcomers. The Devil Strahd is a curse placed on us as a punishment for our ancestor's sins. He is a vampire of great power that resides in Castle Ravenloft and he has taken great interest in my sister. If i can take her the farthest away from the castle that I can, then I hope his pursuit will be halted or at least hindered. But I need you to help.