Thane chuckled and blew out a great gust of iced-steam breath in the process.  "I'm with her," he stated, jabbing a finger in her direction.  "She's got her priorities straight.  Getting out of this cold and putting warm food my belly seems more important than figuring out why and what somebody stoled from somebody else.  This town's got guards and such, crime and punishment is their job I'm thinking."

He looked down and smiled at Dalgura.  "If your brother don't want to take you right now, I'll accompany you until he can catch up," he offered in a friendly and non-disparaging way.  "I'm longing for a hot cider, fresh biscuits, and company that isn't trying to kill me or complain about how long the journey is taking!"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:47, Wed 11 Jan 2017.

Ellie shivered a bit, her layered clothes hardly moving however. "Yes, getting into the warmth sounds like a good idea."

"I've been chilled to the bone for a fortnight. I can make it an hour longer. I don't know that this other fellow can. There'll be no asking him in the morning."

The chill of early winter eventually convinces those freshly arrived from their journey northward to find shelter in a nearby inn or tavern, where they can arrange for lodging and perhaps a chat around a warm hearth. Most of Hugglesward's company begins filing through the snow and mud-choked streets in search of warmth, shelter and liquor.

Two prominent inns are found within Bryn Shander:

Geldenstag's Rest: one of the oldest establishments in town featuring small rooms and sparse furnishings, but perhaps the quietest and a good choice for those patrons not looking for much excitement during their stay in Bryn Shander. Most of Master Hugglesward's company are headed here.

The Northlook: the inn most frequented by mercenaries and adventurers, and as a result, the rowdiest and most dangerous place to stay in Bryn Shander. Some of the caravan guards are headed to this inn, to live it up a little bit.

Kevlin's Comfort: not an inn, but the most popular tavern in Bryn Shander, with an excellent selection of dwarven ales and brandies. Some of the more hard-drinking guards head here to get an early start on their revelries, before Master Hugglesward throws his little shindig later in the evening.

"Ok.  I'm going to let you talk to them out here then.  I'm going to head to Kevlin's Comfort.  I am going to start without you which means it will be up to you to carry me out if I pass out first.  Of course you might also have to catch up with me...if you can."

Dalgura knew that she wouldn't drink that much but also knew that Morgrim would take it as a challenge.

Dalgura looked up at the human who had offered to escort her.  "You still up for escorting me?  Anybody else coming?"

Kira just continued with the curious, if perhaps a bit simpleton expression.  Everything smacked of a mystery and when they said the barbarian had stolen money, she definitely felt like something was off in the biggest of ways.

When the guards weren't looking, she cocked an eyebrow in query to Arnan and Morgrim to see if they were interested in pursuing this.  She nodded in agreement when Morgrim told his sister he could wait another hour, she nodded.

"Aye, I'd like to talk to this barbarian that stole money instead of food or supplies," she said with a disbelieving tone.  "I can't help thinking the attack, the woman I saw, and this prisoner are connected.  Then again, I can be daft and seeing things that aren't there."


Edit:  My brain pooted and I used the name of a dwarf in a different game.  My sincere apologies Morgrim!
This message was last edited by the player at 14:42, Wed 11 Jan 2017.

Upon hearing mention of Kelvin's comfort, Ellie perks up a bit. "Yes, Kelvin's Comfort, known for their dwarven specialties. That nails it, I'm positive; there's a Dwarven clan in the foothills of Kelvin's Cairn, founded there after King Bruenor Battlehammer and the dwarves of Mithral Hall were displaced from their homeland many many years ago. The clan at Kelvin's Cairn has been shrinking since the reclamation of Mithral Hall, but it is still there I believe. the Silverstream family is prominent in the clan, leaders of what is left I do believe. Helda must be from that family."

She rambles on with her sudden realization for a moment, then snaps out of it, her scarfed head turning to Morgrim and Kira. "I suppose that I could wait before warming up first if it means someone is in need of help. Shall we go speak to this prisoner?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:30, Wed 11 Jan 2017.

In reply to Dalgura Ironhammer (msg # 60):

"Yes, I will go with you," Thane replied.  "I don't drink much.  I prefer to keep a clear head about me," he confessed.  "I will gladly break bread with you, though, and make sure no jerk tries to take advantage of you if you drink too much!"

Dalgura and Thane are indifferent to news of the barbarian thief chained to a post in Bryn Shander's market square and elect to warm up with a stein of spicy dwarven liquor at Kelvin's Comfort, with the other adventurers passing just beyond the tavern to see the man for themselves.

Scene: Kelvin's Comfort
Dalgura and Thane enter the bustling tavern and make their way to open seats on a long bench near a roaring hearth. The common room is bedecked with dwarven craft, a keen eye for such things perhaps noticing most to be of Battlehammer make. The clientel here are primarily human, though there are a significant number of alternatively dour and red-faced dwarves in their midst. The adventurers do not wait very long before the proprietor, Ogden Flamebeard, approaches and offers his suggestions for the uninitiated. Most of the liquors are of imported from Mirabar, perhaps offering a touch of home to Dalgura, though local specialties from Good Mead and Ogden's proprietary drink, Flamebeard's Firebrandy, comes highly recommended by none other than its brewer himself.

Some time after sitting down to drink their preferred brew, Helda arrives at the tavern looking quite refreshed and garbed in a fine but conservative overcoat lined with mink. Over drinks, she explains she has returned to Icewind Dale to visit her uncle, Stokely Silverstream, the clan elder of the dwarves of Kelvin's Cairn. She plans to reconstitute a few days at most here in Bryn Shander, during which time she will retain the services of mercenaries to ensure her safe arrival. "Of course, that may unnecessary should we decide to travel together a bit longer..." she says with the hint of a smile, before finishing her drink, Firebrandy. Slamming it to the table, she whispers conspiratorally, "tastes an awful lot, if not exactly like, Mirabaran rotgut, if you ask me. Only, more expensive...by a lot!" She casts a suspicious glance at the tavernkeep while he is turned away.

***

Scene: Bryn Shander Market Square
Just shortly beyond the amber glow of the smokey window-panes of Kelvin's Rest, the other party members emerge onto a large open market square, the heart of Bryn Shander. At other times of the year, the market place would be a cauldron of scrimshaw merchants hawking their wares, but today it is a lonely place with all but the fewest of meager merchant peddling various odds and ends. At the center of the square, the party sees a tall, muscular man lashed to a thick wooden post.

The man has fair skin and bright blue eyes typical of a northener, with light brown hair that hangs past his shoulders. He is stripped of all belongings except for a pendant on a thong around his neck, fashioned from two pieces of antler to look like the rack of an elk.

The people of Bryn Shander go about their business around him, alternatively avoiding eye contact or casting aspersions and/or spitting his way. He periodically calls out to them in a hoarse voice, protesting his innocence and begging to be released.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:01, Wed 11 Jan 2017.

At the market square...

Seeing the adventurers approach, the condemned Northerner cries out to them:

"Please! Help me, travelers!" the effort of forcing out these words causes him to cough and wheeze.

"I came here seeking aid...for my people, and I fear they will perish. If my trible fails, nothing will shield the people of Ten Towns from the wrath of Ice Witch!"

A guard standing watch near the market square eyes the condemned man with a look of equal parts disdain and shame.

"Take advantage of her? You be careful she doesn't take advantage of you, Mister Harkensen," Morgrim replied with a roar of a laugh.

"You just keep my mug cool and frothy and I'll catch you up never you mind, missy!" he continues with a wink for his sister. "Now some of us have work to do, so why don't you kids go run along and start the fun without us?"

* * *

Morgrim watched the scene unfold from the edge of the square with a frown before approaching the captive northerner and his guard. He met the barbarian's gaze but directed his question to the Ten Towner. "Can we speak to him?" he said, indicating the tied prisoner with a nod of his head.

In reply to Morgrim Ironhammer (msg # 66):

Dalgura just laughed at Morgrim's comment about her taking advantage of others.  She wouldn't do that...often. She had a couple of years yet before, by Dwarven standards, she was considered an adult so she could slip every once in a while.

She was still chuckling when she got to Kelvin's Comfort.  She walked in a stood off to the side for a moment drinking in the atmosphere.  Of course the proprietor, Ogden Flamebeard, lived up to his name with the red beard.  A handy color to have if one wanted to have attention brought to themselves Dalgura thought.

"Ahh.  Look at that.  A nice tribute to the clans."

Dalgura settled down and sat at a table where she could keep an eye on people coming in the door.  When Flamebeard approached and mentioned he had liquors from Mirabar Dalgura stopped him.  "No need to go further on your list.  If you have it, I'll have a Morgolo's Holy Wonder.  Keep a mug chilled please.  I'm expecting my brother to get be along shortly.  He wanted a frosty mug and plenty of froth.  Of course the sister in me says only serve him froth in that first mug but you know Dwarves and their ales."

When Helda arrived at the Inn, Dalgura waved her over.  She listened to Helda talk and nodded.  "My brother will be along shortly and I shall discuss it with him.  I'm not adverse to traveling with you but he's in charge of our jobs.  That's fine with me.  If it doesn't work out I can always blame him then.  A tidy arrangement I think."

Kira knew justice was harsh but this was something that made her burn inside with humiliation for the man who kept protesting his innocence.  When he called out to them, she didn't hesitate to stride forward while Morgrim took a moment to ask permission.  Drawing out the waterskin that was tucked up against her skin, she stood on tiptoes to offer him water to soothe his raw throat.  "I believe you and will help as much as I can.  The Ice Witch ... can you describe her?" Kira asked quickly as she offered the water.

Ellie looked to Morgrim, looking as if she was awaiting an answer as well. Her eyes, however, shifted over to look at the barbarian.

[Private to GM: You need not strain your voice to speak to me, son of Icewind Dale and follower of the caribou. Fear not, I am no witch and would like to hear what you fear of this one you spoke of.]

---

[Private to GM: ^{(( OOC: Using Awakened Mind to speak to the prisoner telepathically. ))}]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Wed 11 Jan 2017.

Arnan snapped his fingers when Ellie spoke of the Silverstream family and its prominence in the clan that populated the Hold known as Kelvin's Cairn. "Of course!" he exclaimed, looking a little sheepish. "I knew that I had heard that name somewhere, but addle-pated as I sometimes am, I couldn't place it. Over the years I have traipsed all around Kelvin's Cairn in my wanderings, but have never had occasion to visit the place itself. Mistress Silverstream's offer sounds like the perfect opportunity to go there."

Like Kira, Arnan did not wait for permission to speak to the barbarian prisoner. He had long felt that Fortune favored the bold, instead of those who hung back and waited for the apples to fall from the tree directly into their lap. He glanced over at Kira when the man spoke of the threat posed by the Ice Witch, and she picked up on the same clue, asking the barbarian to describe her.

"Aye," Arnan said with a nod, "and after that, please tell us how it is that you find yourself in the mess that you are in, if you are an innocent man."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:50, Wed 11 Jan 2017.

A confused look flashes across the condemned barbarian face as Ellie's voice enter his mind. The barbarian has little experience with magic but recognizes the presense of an outsider in his head and finds is somewhat unsettling, despite Ellie's reassurances otherwise. Still, he needed help, and the voice was offering just that.

Then, Kira and Arnan break the inner turmoil by speaking directly and in a manner that is less terrifying.



The barbarian gratiously accepts the proffered waterskin and sips at it with controlled zeal. "My thanks," he says.

"A mirage she is, always, a pale reflection in the distance. Elusive as a white fox. She has turned beasts against our people and will stop at nothing to see the tribe eradicated!" he answers somewhat cryptically.



The muscled Northener quickly responds, "I came to your town seeking aid for my tribe, a wizard or another wise in the ways of magic, to combat the Ice Witch. To save my people from her predations!"

The guard nearby looks on skeptically, the man's countenance becoming more agitated with each passing second.

The barbarian continues, now speaking more quickly, "On the blood of my ancestors, I have done no wrong!" he vows loudly. "That woman, I don't even know her! I hadn't been in town for a day when your people spoke against me!" he protests.

The guard is now quite agitated and he cuts in loudly, "Alright, you already said your peace. You over there," referring to the adventurers, "Don't listen to 'em. His kind will say anything. Move along now."

"Please, help me," the barbarian says in a defeated tone while looking earnestly at the adventurers.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:36, Thu 12 Jan 2017.

Ellie turned away from the barbarian man, looking to the guard. "What are the charges levied against him good sir, and what evidence condemns him?"

The guard has been leaning against a nearby post, idly digging out a splinter in his thumb before the adventurers started getting chatty with the prisoner. Standing more erect now, he calls back to Ellie, "Caught thieving, or some such."

"If you have something to say on it, take it up with Sheriff Markham. But you're wasting your breath, if you ask me."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:34, Thu 12 Jan 2017.

Ellie smiled, though it was not evident with her face coverings. "That's the great thing about breathing, sir" she said, sucking in a big lungful of air made audible through the cloths over her mouth. She then breathed it out; "even if the last was wasted, this one still comes."

She cocks her head curiously to the side then. "I'd be delighted to speak to this Sheriff, won't you please escort me to him? This town seems so difficult to navigate, as it is only my first day here."

Her eyes briefly looked over to the other girl who had come along, Kira, and she tossed a wink her way.

[Private to Kira: Perhaps I can buy you and one of the other gentlemen here a moment to speak to the prisoner alone, without this guard's interruptions or ire. Answer not with your tongue, for none of the others can hear this.]

---

^{20:33, Today: Ellie Dovehand rolled 17 using 1d20+5.  Persuasion.}

The curt guard's demeanor softens and he begins walking toward Ellie with some degree of pomp.

"Right, right. You folks come in on the caravan, I guess," he says in a somewhat friendlier tone. "Long way you've come. Alright, yeah, I'll you around town, err...to Sheriff Markham."

"Come along now, we'll get to the bottom of this..." he says while leading Ellie away from the others, affording them an opportunity to talk to the prisoner out of earshot.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:43, Thu 12 Jan 2017.

She dips her head in a small curtsy to the guard, her thanks and gestures for him to lead the way. Once he starts away she turns around towards Arnan, Kira, and Morgrim, looking directly at them for the first time she did so with anyone since leaving Luskan.

In between the folds of her scarf and shawl, one can see just a little bit of her skin around the eyes. It is pale, almost deathly so, with just a slight blue tint to it almost as if it is translucent over chilled blood. Her eyes are icy blue, unnaturally so, with the pupils being bottomless dark pits. The combined effect is something unnatural and perhaps chilling.

Despite that, the wide-eyed expression and beckoning motion she waves with her hand clearly communicates a desperate attempt to get one of them at least to come with her while the others stay and do what they will.

She turns back to face the guard and follow along before he can get suspicious. "Ooo, do you think you can show me a good scrimshaw trader along the way? I so want to get a little keepsake of my time in Icewind Dale..." she said in a soft, singsong voice from behind him as she wandered off after him.

Arnan caught Kira's eye and motioned towards Ellie with his head, indicating that they should accompany her.

For the time being, however, he kept silent, seeing as how Ellie was getting along so well with the guard who had been trying to run them all off only scant moments earlier.

Kira had gazed at Ellie longer than perhaps she should, her eyes slightly wide but then there was a slight tip of her head that was just enough to let the woman know she'd gotten the message.  Turning back, she caught Arnan's eye and gesture and bit her lip in frustration.  She had a few questions to ask so she glanced at Morgrim.  "_{Go with her?  Make sure she stays safe?}" she whispered to the dwarf.  If he didn't, she would go and hope the prisoner was able to answer her questions later.

Morgrim looked for a moment as though he might have more to say, but ultimately nodded. "Very well. Don't do anything fool headed like cut him down unless you've exonerated him first, elsewise they'll have you on the pole next."

Thane tromped wearily into the establishment known as Kelvin's Comfort.  He'd never been there before and, although he did take a moment to admire the interior and take note of it's distinctly dwarven decor, there was nothing there that spoke to his soul like it had done to his companion, Dalgura.  "Nice place," he observed as he followed Dalgura to a spot to sit.

While she sat with her back to a wall, he sat opposite her even though it meant he had his back to the entrance. "Aaaaaaaah!" he let out a groan of comfort as he sat down heavily and allowed the bench to bear his weight.  He leaned his shield and flail against a thick wooden table leg and basked in the warmth of the fire.  A smile of pleasure lit his cold-chapped face.  "Not complaining, mind you, but gosh it's nice to be able to just sit.  I walked most of the way here from Luskan and a proper seat in a proper tavern just plain beats sitting around a snowy camp fire any day," he effused while loosening the tops of his boots and massaging his lower legs.

When the proprietor came over and offered some drink suggestions, Thane smiled and let his wishes be known.  "I think I'll start slow until I get some food in my belly," he started, clearly more interested in food than drink at the moment.  "I'd like some hot cider and a platter of bread, meat, and cheese," he expressed.  "After that, I think I will try some of your Firebrandy, since you recommend it so highly."

With that out of the way, he gave his attention over to Dalgura.  "Now that we're here and done caravanning for the moment, why'd you decide to make the trip?" he asked with friendly curiosity.  "My reason is simple - my Ship-Boss gave me the assignment to guard the caravan.  Never gave much thought to what I'd do once I got here, though.  Makes me interested to hear more about that Helga Silver-lady's offer."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:54, Fri 13 Jan 2017.