Silas listened as the goblin spoke, trying to making sense of their argument. "I believe that the real truth is that you waited for the yetis to attack and once they left, your boss decided to take the metal. Which also means you observed them as they tore Oobok limb from limb." Silas said

"You failed to aid those in need and therefore the metal is stolen. You do know that it made the pile of metal ingots cursed." he added, going into his knowledge of dwarven magical curses.


05:20, Today: Silas Nightwind rolled 17 using 1d20+3.  Arcana.
05:20, Today: Silas Nightwind rolled 11 using 1d20-1.  Deception.
05:11, Today: Silas Nightwind rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Insight.

The goblin turns it's eyes to Silas, "Oobok? Uh, you mean the frozen dwarf? Uh, he dead when, uh, we find sled.  He look, uh, like he been there at least full, uh, day.  We find when sun there." He points to the sky indicating the sun position that was only a few hours old.

Much as he would have liked to just kill the goblin he had to admit that his story sounded right.
The tracks at the poor dwarf's demise had not shown any of the yeti. Thus that fight had been much longer before the goblins found the sled.
Given that Hruna and her companions had taken about eight hours to reach Bryn Shander and they themselves had taken another eight, plus the time spent in the blizzard, the goblins would have been long gone if they had been witness to the slaughter.
The goblins were just scavengers.
"What is the name of your boss?"
"Where is your home, your hideout?"
"How many goblins are there in that hideout?", he threatened.

Uriah made a conscious decision not mention Eofric by name, just in case the warrior wanted the goblin to know as little as possible about the party and their mission.

"Not to stop you, feel free to continue with the interrogation, but don't forget what we are here to do. Best not to get too sidetracked"

The goblin sputters on, "My boss is Izobai. She not tribe boss My, uh, tribe in the mountains north of, uh, dwarven fortress.  Uh, we searching for supplies. Hunting getting harder and harder."  Those of you who have seen goblins before can tell he's definitely under weight but not to the point of being weak.

The other sleeping goblins start to stir.

Eofric nodded at the gnome wizard.
"That Izobai will return empty-handed. More importantly, Izobai lost that wagon and the bears. She returns with less thsn she set out. She is in trouble when she meets her boss. Trouble she will blame us for. She will want revenge. It's good to know who hates your guts."
"And next time we meet her she may have more goblins with her. Better watch out for that bird of prey of hers."
For good measure he kicked the goblin again, not as hard as before though.
"If I see your ugly face again or your comrades' I won't be so nice to you."
He spat into the snow, sheethed his blade and turned around.
The goblins were free to run for all he cared. He doubted they had a wish for further fighting right now.
Uriah was right: they had to return a wagon full of iron ingots.

The goblin scrambles up an starts to awake his friends.  If no one stops them they leave in the direction Izobai had gone.

Sheesha returns to the group with a glance at the sun, "We have only a few hours of light left.  Should we camp or try to travel through the night?

As the party starts to look at the sled, all appears to be in good order.  The sled weighs 300 lbs and the iron on it weighs another 600 lbs.  It will take a few of you to move and will slow your return.

"Do you know of any good spots to set up camp? I can't imagine we'll survive the night out in the open"

"For whatever it is worth I suggest to leave the immediate area at least. If only to not put any fancy ideas in those bears' heads. Those goblins looked pretty scrawny. And the bears rather hungry."

He turned to the large cleric.
"Come Silas, let's try to move this thing."
Eofric looked first at Artim and then at Bisa and encouraged them to also join them.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:59, Wed 12 Apr 2023.

Artim stood at the ready until both polar bears and goblins were out of sight. At this point, he put his arms against the back of the sled, ready to push while some of the others pulled. He was a big and quite strong dragonborn. "In the cold of night, the hearth of our hearts must burn the warmer, says Moradin. The effort of transporting this thing should keep us warm, I think."

"I say we press on as long as we can manage, or until the weather turns again. Better to rest in town." That was Artim's opinion. "At least as long as someone walks ahead of us with lights, or eyes accustomed to the blanket of night."

Silas nodded. "Having spend many evenings staring at the stars, seeing in the dark is not a problem for me." he said, Taking a position in the front to help guide the group, sometimes pausing to look behind them.

As they traveled, Silas pointed out the constellations to the group.

I'll nudge us along a bit, especially since we have a new character waiting.

The journey back to the Northlook Inn is long and cold - but uneventful.

Arriving exhausted and road-weary the group enter to find Hruna and her two companions sitting at one table and Scrimsax again behind the bar.  The fire in the common room brings welcome warmth.

Hlin is huddled at another table with a halfling none of you recognize.[Private to Jerris Dunbottle: Let them turn in their quest with Hruna first.  Hlin is sharing the story he shared in the private room with some of the others and is trying to get you to go in search of the murderer.  I plan to connect you with them as they leave for that and will use Hlin to help if necessary.  Meanwhile feel free to share your description as you talk with the smoking dwarf]

Eofric made straight for Hruna, sat down and waved for the barmaid to come.
He said bluntly to the dwarves.
"Some goblins tried to get away with your iron but were convinced to let us take it again. It's all outside."
"We brought back your companion for burial rites."

The maid hovered at the edge of the table.
"Poppy, my dearest. I am hungry like a polar bear., he placed his flask on the table.
"And I would not mind a refill with Scramsax' schnapps."

Uriah, leaving Eofric and the others to delivering the job, heads straight for the fire, eager to warm up his frozen hands.

He talks mostly to himself, though anyone from the party nearby would be able to hear.

"Is it bad I'm almost wishing for Kaltro not to be our target? A non-evil way to ward of this weather would be most appreciated..."

Artim was cold by the time they returned, in spite of his draconic heritage. He made a note of buying some extra warm clothes, later on. Perhaps an extra winter blanket too. Inside the inn, he ordered a warm meal, while Eofric reported back to the dwarves.

He sat down not far from Hlin, giving the old man an update. "We've dealt with our other errand. I believe we're heading off to Lonelywood after a bit of rest." The tall dragonborn cleric with silvery scales gave the halfling a polite nod.

Hruna motions to the other two dwarves to go check the sled then turns back to Eofric, "You have my thanks and those of Clan Battlehammer."  Nodding at the comment about goblins she adds, "That's why I didn't want you to wait on us to recover.  There are many scavengers in the tundra."

She pulls a pouch off her belt and drops a bloodstone for each member of the party on the table.

---

Hlin grins and grips his pipe as Artim speaks "Good, good.  I wasn't sure you'd be coming back so I was just telling Jerris here about the situation - He may want to go with you."

---

Merrel collects his bloodstone and then approaches Scrimsax about some rations.  He announces to the others that he'll go back to search for the yeti.  He wants to study it.  Bisa says he shouldn't travel alone and since she knows the Battlehammer territory well she will accompany him then travel on to the clan to check in.

"Ah, I see. Maybe we can exchange notes if we see each other again then. Good luck out there"

Taking the bloodstone between his thumb and index, Uriah examines it up close, trying to recall the alchemical properties of the stone and it's magical uses, if any.

11:23, Today: Uriah Gimbel rolled 11 using 1d20+3.  Medicine.
11:24, Today: Uriah Gimbel rolled 25 using 1d20+6.  Arcana.

When Jerris had come in, his appearance had caused quite a stir.  Being small, being dressed in winter garb in the style worn by goblins, and carrying a pair of handaxes and a quarter of javelins made in the jagged-edged go bin-style, many would assume that he is, in fact, a goblin.
But, the style of the longsword sheathed diagonally across his back, and lowering his hood and unwrapping the scarf from his face dispell that notion quickly.  Beneath all of that is the face of an average appearing halfling of Stout heritage.
He is about to take a couple of stools (one for him, one for his gear) at the bar, when the dwarf called Hlin beckons him over.  He collects a bowl of stew, a plate of cheese and bread, and a mug of ale before wandering over to the dwarf.
As he eats, he listens to the dwarf's tales.
Bah! he exclaims around a mouthful of meaty stew, his voice sounds riugh, like he is not used to speaking a great deal, it at all.  I'm a guide, no' a constable.  I've no head for investigatin' anything.  If you can find someone else to look into it, I can guide them all around Ten Towns in the snow and ice.  But that's about it.
As other come up, he falls silent and continues to eat his stew and drink his ale, ordering a second serving of each from the oassing server when done.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Mon 17 Apr 2023.

"Greetings Jerris. I am Artim." said Artim. He continued eating, but was polite enough to chew and swallow before he talked again. "Guide, huh? For the most part, I reckon we can find our way between the towns easily enough. I lived in the area just about all my life. Then again, Moradin says: The hidden road is the most difficult to follow".

He gave a smile and a nod. "If you can get us through snow and ice, when all other paths and tracks are gone, you will surely earn your place in our company...if you care to join us."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:18, Tue 18 Apr 2023.

Eofric nodded at Hruna, took the gem and went to the bar.
When the meal was served he grabbed the plate with an amicable wink to Poppy and sat next to Artim.
"Eofric. My pleasure.", was all he said to Hlin and Jerris before he started to eat.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:09, Tue 18 Apr 2023.

Hlin leaned back and puffed on his pipe.  "You all look like you could use a good hot meal and some of this pipeweed."

Poppy tends to everyone's order.

Uriah looks at the bloodstone, weighing it in his fingers.  [Secret to Uriah Gimbel: It's a semi-precious stone common to this part of Faerun.  You know from your last trip to the inn that Scrimsax will give you 50 GP for it. You also vaguely remember there is a medicinal use but you can't remember the details. As for spell uses I couldn't find it as a material in anything but don't promise it's not in any of the supplements.]

After considering himself warm enough, Uriah would walk away from the fire, and pay for a room for the night. If prompted for, he would ask for a room that is realatively quiet, away from the noise of the inn, to study and rest in peace until morning, where he will come out to the hall as early as he woke to meet the others for their next quest (the one that held most of Uriah's interest).

"I'll see you fine people later." said Artim to his new traveling companions. "Judging by the lateness of the hour, maybe we can leave at around noon?"

He followed Uriah's example and paid for a bed, if one was available. He wasn't picky and could share or sleep on his bedroll on the floor should he have to.

The halfling gives a nod at the introductions, somehow managing to be curt and polite at the same time.  He somehow seems almost dwarf-like in demeanor.  When Poppy returns with his additional food and ale, he grunts his thanks, then begins devouring the new portions with gusto.

Silas handed over the bloodstone to Scramsax for his room and board while the cleric is in the area as he had mentioned before they had departed for the sled..