Kiera and Ebon lead the way into Barovia, down the earthen track. Despite the small size of the settlement, the road is a generous 20ft across, clearly there were grand plans for this realm when the road was first constructed, but now weeds adorn the edges. Billowing mist clouds clings thick once you step between the first pair of houses, limiting your vision to a dozen or so feet, until Keely directs the air around her to surge forwards, giving you another score feet or so of vision. Sure enough the houses on the outskirts of the town are abandoned, windows bordered, the wood held in place by rust tinged nails. Whatever misfortune drove this family away, it is older than what currently ails the village of Barovia.<br/><br/>It is still quiet, and the scent of carrion has only intensified. Litter is strewn across the street, rotten food and worse, and up ahead is an overturned hay cart blocks the path at a crossroad, a more recent tragedy. Ebon amuses himself, joining in a discussion on the merits of travel, the foot or the carriage wheel, but Kiera is more concerned with what lies ahead. You can all feel the corruption of the place, a blight, perhaps the one mentioned in the letter. But you all feel it everywhere, which does not help you find it, nor is it particularly meaningful. However, Kiera suddenly feels a concentration essence of malice, of taint, and that is noteworthy: within 60ft is a source of evil, within a being that walks, bound to metal or wood, or within the ground itself.<br/><br/>A moment later Keely steps forwards and the retreating mist reveals two shapes: a slouching humanoid, braced against a wooden wall and a four legged creature, the size of a small hunting hound, but stockier, and with a wicked set of teeth that would make closing its mouth difficult. The creature barks at you, a guttural utterance, half-strangled, and the humanoids turns, slowly, awkwardly.<br/><br/>OOC: No surprise round for either side, enemies are acting on initiate 3, 9, 13 and 12. If you’re result is higher than any of those, you may post your first actions.<br/><br/>Everyone make a perception check.