As Kealsha, Kassandra, and Gawzarth join Arrigal one by one; Arrigal repeats the gesture of offering a swig from his flask while taking in the group as a whole. While he had noticed the tiefling glancing outside the window as if searching for another, she didn’t seem to have seen the elven woman that had been creeping around the tavern. [i][color=f6989d]”So we have a lizardfolk brute, a tiefling wanderer, and a human bard (judging from the instruments she carries. Not exactly the most cohesive group, though perhaps a bit of variety and novelty is what’s needed…”[/color][/i] Arrigal ponders briefly before responding to Kealsha’s queries.

Chuckling slightly, he answers, [color=f6989d]”Nothing escapes you, does it? Aye, this is no simple mission to track down a few lost children, nor is it simply a wolf hunt in the name of vengeance. These children were not taken by man or beast, but a clan whose members blur that line with every full moon. They hail from an isolated land unknown to most, comprised of a handful of villages enclosed by mountains that scrape the sky and mists that blot out the sun.”[/color]

The Vistana pauses to take a few puffs from his pipe, offering this too to the adventurers before him as he lowers his voice and continues. [color=f6989d]”You wonder why I prefer to keep the details a secret? It’s because I seek to avoid leading an entire village to their demise. You see, Barovia—from what I understand—is considered a demiplane. A miniature universe unto itself and largely unconnected to the rest of creation. Though my people know the secret of traversing the Mists and entering Barovia, shapechangers are not the only peril that greets newcomers to the land. If I was to explain to these villagers just what horrors are no doubt haunting their children at this very moment, they would insist on being taken there immediately. This sudden injection of flesh blood into Barovia would undoubtedly draw forth all manner of predators looking for an easy meal. If the children are to be saved before the shapechangers can complete their plan, their rescuers must be expeditious and able to evade notice. This is where you come in. The town has scraped together 200 gold pieces to offer as a reward for the heroes willing to follow me into Barovia. I was specifically seeking those strong of limb and mind, for Barovia has a way of breaking both, so tell me: do you have what it takes to stand steadfast against the dark and all creatures of the night? If so, I suggest you avail yourself to the few rooms my cousin has available and rest well for the night. The journey ahead is long and treacherous, and there’s no telling when you’ll next get a full night’s sleep. In the morning I can lead you to the small caravan of vardos my people use to travel through the Mists.”[/color]