Act 3 Scene 1: Arrivals and Leavetakings

[Styrius]

Kybalion looks around for some type of watercraft that might be able to carry more than one person while watching to see if the bloody mist heads to the island. “We can’t swim with this gear on. Foul coward, may you die in eternal torment!” He curses the vampire as loud as he can.

[TristenC]

Kybalion calls curses at the drifting crimson mist, but Jerry chimes in. There is a bridge to the island, not far. This way!

The half-elf cleric leads the group along the shoreline through the night to a wide boardwalk bridge suspended by ropes. A thick blanket of fog surrounds the small stone island, accompanied by the roar of the twin waterfalls constantly churning the waters that flow blackly in the dark night. Reddish light filters from the windows of the two-story structure into the night like the great glowing eyes of some ravenous beast. For the briefest of moments the clouds above part and a sliver of moon glints feebly before the tumultuous haze swallows it up once more


[How would the party like to approach?]

[Styrius]

(Ooc: I’m thinking the rest of the party is at the Inn still) “Let’s get across that bridge before coward locks himself away!” Kybalion remarks.

[Nocturno]

I could have sworn I posted a post about using a bridge, since Pyros has been here before.
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"Way ahead of you." Anyone listening will hear from the bridge.

[TristenC]

Pyros scampers invisibly ahead, followed quickly by Kybalion with Airand and Jerry not far behind. The dark haired young local has a grim espression on his face as they cross the damp plank-decked rope bridge.

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How does the party want to approach the structure. There is a door by the kitchen, the servant's entrance (which Pyros has used before), the main entrance (under the octagonal tower) another by the bar under an overhang (not pictured but between the barn and the main structure)

[Nocturno]

Did I notice which door the mist took, or just the general direction?
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"Ill check the rooms, maybe you can blend into the patrons?" Pyros will call back.

Then he will start to slow down and move more silently, then trying the staff door.

[TristenC]

[Ooc] It was difficult to tell in the fog. It didn't seem to go in any doors but passed behind the inn. So maybe a window? Maybe even still outside [/ooc]

Pyros sneaks forward and tries the door to the staff quarters, but it is currently locked

[Nocturno]

Thinking if the mist went inside, it would be going to rest, Pyros will continue he search to the opposite side of the building from the main entrance. He assumes the rest will be going that way, fully visible.

[Styrius]

Kybalion moves across the bridge never letting go of a hand hold. He will make to the first door he can find once across the water.

[TristenC]

Pyros circles around to the back, unbeknownst to the rest of the party. The wide windows of the dining areas span nearly half the length of the building, but eventually he comes to the lodgings. On the ground floor he finds several windows, most are shuttered and dark at this hour; amd there is no visible entrance on this side of the building.

Old Kartakann Inn: Main Entrance (Kybalion, Jerry, Airand)
The path from the bridge leads to the main entrance. Pushing aside the heavy oak doors of the inn releases a shuddering creaking noise and reveals an entrance chamber. Set back on either side is a hatrack next to a bench. Alcoves jut off on both sides of the benches where various coats and outer garments hang. The room is unusually dark and the odor of wet leather hangs in the air. At the far end of the room stand another set of heavy looking doors.

[Styrius]

Kybalion scans the area and listens for the sounds of life (or undead), glaive at the ready proceeding slowly in to the structure.

[TristenC]

Kybalion scans the area but the small segue into the inn provides little more than the obvious damp cloaks and oaken doors before him. Through the doors he hears the sounds of general revelry of a rowdy tavern at an hour after most respectable folk have turned to their beds...

The half-elven woman Jerry hesitates, glancing outside. Hopefully Merrick and Cross will find us here, the road leads this way, but we must find our prey before tomorrow night; else we undergo the task of overcoming him in battle once again... Pyros.... Pyro... Of course... he has scampered off somewhere, and in his invisible state we will never find him... It may be that our best bet will be looking for things out of the ordinary within. But keep in mind, Vampires are clever creatures and my... fa... this one was quite clever in life 'ere ever he drank the mouldy malt of undeath... Wherever we may find him, it will not be in the obvious manner...

Airand, the dark haired local youth, grips his pitchfork tight as if expecting someone to try to take it from him as he pushes through the oaken doors ahead.

The thick, oaken doors leading into the main Inn from the cloak room open with almost no sound to reveal a long hallway. The odor of cooking is sweet in the air, sparking memories of fine meals and relaxing evenings with friends. The basic decor of the area is elegant, but in a modest and unassuming way. Light is provided by a series of fine lamps secured high on walls. Beside the hall's entrance on the south wall is a small alcove in which several shawls and other delicate garments hang.

To the east is an arched hallway leading down some steps and ending in a thick, heavy curtain of some dark brown fabric. The sounds of boisterous gathering come from beyond it and the inviting smell of fine spirits is strong. To the north, a clerk dozes fitfully behind a desk, obviously handling the affairs of the inn. Behind him, a hallway runs into the heart of the building. To the west, is a busy dining section with a number of tables set out for the guests. The smell of cooking clearly comes from this area.

The area West is obviously a dining hall. It is naturally lit by large windows along its North and South sides. Well constructed tables are scattered about this room in an orderly manner. Despite the fact that they are modestly set, a short, thick candle burns inside a sphere of red glass at the center of each table. At first glance, it is easy to mistake these pinpoints of light for the burning eyes of feral creatures. The smell of good food, while present throughout the inn, is overwhelming here.

It is easy to see why the Old Kartakan Inn has acquired its reputation for fine dining. At this hour the tables nearly bare, though there are a pair of tables with the scraps of a vanquished meal languishing amid the phillisophical mental meanderings of the sated. The hall stretches westward to a finer dining area separated by a column, and dining bays in sunken alcoves near the windows. The view of the waters and rolling mist must be absolutely fantastic during the day, and far less damp inside.

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It's a very small area, Octagonal about 15' across

Map legend:
p = Pyros
A = Airand
K = Kyballion
J = Jerry

[Styrius]

Kybalion advances to Area 2 keeping an eye out for surprises. He does his best to keep from making a lot of noise utilizing heavy stealth.

[TristenC]

Moving forward Kybalion gets a better view of the dining rooms (areas 3 and 6) and of the old man dozing at the podium where it seems obvious people register to get rooms from the looks of the guest-book (area 12)

[Styrius]

Kybalion will slowly advance to area 12 still employing heavy stealth to keep from rattling like a tinker's caravan full of pots and pans. He will attempt to get past the dozing staff member without waking him.