Snow gently falls from the sky and wind bites your cheeks as you stand in the graveyard of Palebank Village, a fishing outpost of Uthodurn that is home to several hundred dwarves and elves. The sun is low in the sky, sinking behind the fresh grave of Urgon Wenth, an old dwarf who caught a curse or disease that turned him into an ice statue. The folk of the village have gathered to pay their final respects to Urgon’s frozen remains.

I’d like you each to a moment to describe your character, and determine if any of you have been traveling together prior to the funeral.

Sorlech, a young svirfneblin, comes in with a grim and annoyed expression on his face. He says, "I came here because my parents are buried here, now someone else is dying? Wildemount is a terrible place if you want to live." His cold, stony face, bald head, and diminutive stature make him look out of place among the attendees, but he tries to not draw attention to himself. He sees Brocc Folkor and walks up to him, saying, "Hey there! I haven't seen a gnome anywhere for 30 years!" (SpieltJoos can determine how Brocc reacts). He sees the rest of the group of adventurers that were said to be there. Once he heard their reasoning for traveling, he joined them. (this is part of my backstory, don't dispute it pls)

Faen gods, did he hate the cold.

With his unusual and weathered attire and fiery red hair that seem to crackle and sway of its own accord, the tall man stood out like a sore thumb on the edge of this gathering. He brought his hands to his face and placed them close to his horseshoe mustache, and breathed hot air as he rubbed them together for warmth. Compared to the arid wastes of Xhorhas, Ash found himself wondering if he should've headed southwards first in his lengthy journey. Spotting the frozen statue and the evident mourners, he eyes them tentatively and respectfully asks the nearest person (possibly a player):

"What exactly happened here? I know the cold is bad but this seems extreme."

(OOC: With being a Far Traveler, Ash would've arrived alone. He has simple nomadic tastes and his goal is basically just to see the world. While he could have met someone on the way, with how heavily he stands out being a fire genasi and all, I think it may serve better to just have people react to him as a bizarre newcomer.)

Quote from TonashDrahow >>

Faen gods, did he hate the cold.

With his unusual and weathered attire and fiery red hair that seem to crackle and sway of its own accord, the tall man stood out like a sore thumb on the edge of this gathering. He brought his hands to his face and placed them close to his horseshoe mustache, and breathed hot air as he rubbed them together for warmth. Compared to the arid wastes of Xhorhas, Ash found himself wondering if he should've headed southwards first in his lengthy journey. Spotting the frozen statue and the evident mourners, he eyes them tentatively and respectfully asks the nearest person (possibly a player):

"What exactly happened here? I know the cold is bad but this seems extreme."

 (Let's assume it's me the nearest person)

"I don't know what really happened here, but something magical turned him into an ice statue. May have something to do with those Kryn down in Xhorhas. You can't trust a drow."

Near the graveyard stand a few wagons from a travelling merchant. The content of the wagons being unloaded by some people. Among which a large human wearing bearskin coat to protect himself from the biting cold. At his throat a glimpse of his chainmail is peaking out from under the coat. He is unloading boxes belonging to the merchant as ways of paying his travel. By the looks of this man it has been many days of weary travel. 

He has black short hair and a common looking face, a bit stern but that could just be from the cold weather. On his back he carries a large sword tucked into a leather sheath, clearly visible as the hilt of the blade rises above his right shoulder and the tip of the sword comes out from under his coat near the back of his left knee. 

Placing the last of the crates inside he nods to the dwarven merchant as way of completing their transaction and stands their for a moment to look out onto Palebank Village. Not quite the way he had last seen it but content at how it looks now. He reaches under his coat to get a pocket watch, something that might seem unfitting for character like himself. 
He shakes the watch a few times making sure it still works. Then his eyes set on the local funeral.

Sten decides to walk to the graveyard to learn more of what has happened, standing there to look at first, not to disturb the folk paying their respects. 

(ooc: Sten will of started his journey alone but he has travelled by two caravans to Palebank Village starting his journey in Bazzoxan (north of Xhorhas) to Bladegarden (Marrow Valley) then the next caravan all the way to Palebank Village. He could of met someone along the way, if desired we could speak of what they might know of eachother).

(i see a lot of post now, good, for Sorlech we could have met on the caravan as i mentioned, that could be how we 'joined'. Not sure if this is fitting for all but could work for some. 

Quote from EEDNB >> 

"I don't know what really happened here, but something magical turned him into an ice statue. May have something to do with those Kryn down in Xhorhas. You can't trust a drow."

 
Though he had no formal ties to the Dynasty, Ash decided to avoid mentioning he was originally from Xhorhas to the gnome as it was evidently a point of some contention for him.
"Right, right... Well, perhaps there's a place one could find a hot meal and a warm hearth nearby? I'm sorry but are you a local? I'd rather not bother the mourners directly, out of respect."

Brocc trudges into town amidst the bitter cold. His dark hair is icy & fair skin wind chafed. He stops for a moment to shake some of the snow from his thick black cloak. He notices the gathering & approaches, only to realise that it’s a funeral. 
As Sorlech approaches & greets him heartily, Brocc just nods silently in acknowledgment, unsure of what to make of him. He has not had many interactions with deep gnomes & many stories tell of their terrible nature. This one however, seems quite jovial, though given the somber event, also seems out of place. 

Brocc removes the shield from his back & stands it in front of him to lean on gently. He bows his head to listen to the funeral happenings, but also to silently pray. He notices, through subtle sideways glances, as more people seem to gather - outsiders obviously, & quite a mismatch of adventurers, but perhaps people he could join? He strokes his chin-strap beard, but keeps his stern gnomish features bowed. His thick black cloak is wrapped tightly around him but his chain armour can be seen occasionally as the icy wind blows at the cloak. A mace is strapped to his back. 

Quote from TonashDrahow >>

Quote from EEDNB >> 

"I don't know what really happened here, but something magical turned him into an ice statue. May have something to do with those Kryn down in Xhorhas. You can't trust a drow."

 
Though he had no formal ties to the Dynasty, Ash decided to avoid mentioning he was originally from Xhorhas to the gnome as it was evidently a point of some contention for him.
"Right, right... Well, perhaps there's a place one could find a hot meal and a warm hearth nearby? I'm sorry but are you a local? I'd rather not bother the mourners directly, out of respect."

 "You could say I'm a local. I grew up here as a kid, but I don't live here anymore. As for what you're asking, there's an inn some way down the street. Or there was one 6 years ago. I don't know"

Quote from SpieltJoos >>

Brocc trudges into town amidst the bitter cold. His dark hair is icy & fair skin wind chafed. He stops for a moment to shake some of the snow from his thick black cloak. He notices the gathering & approaches, only to realise that it’s a funeral. 
As Sorlech approaches & greets him heartily, Brocc just nods silently in acknowledgment, unsure of what to make of him. He has not had many interactions with deep gnomes & many stories tell of their terrible nature. This one however, seems quite jovial, though given the somber event, also seems out of place. 

Brocc removes the shield from his back & stands it in front of him to lean on gently. He bows his head to listen to the funeral happenings, but also to silently pray. He notices, through subtle sideways glances, as more people seem to gather - outsiders obviously, & quite a mismatch of adventurers, but perhaps people he could join? He strokes his chin-strap beard, but keeps his stern gnomish features bowed. His thick black cloak is wrapped tightly around him but his chain armour can be seen occasionally as the icy wind blows at the cloak. A mace is strapped to his back. 

 Sorlech realized, based on the gnome's impression, he did seem to be out of place. He had been trying to deal with his mood swings for almost 60 years, but he guessed they couldn't be held back all the way. 

(ooc: added mood swings for flaw)

Trying to break the silence of the group Sten says somewhat ackwardly He is better off then the rest of us now. Magical or not when the sun sets anyone of us will become an ice statue here. 

He tucks his coat a little tighter trying to shield himself from the cold. 

"I agree. We should get going. Weren't there supposed to be 2 more people here though?"

Sorlech tightens his small parka, trying not to chatter his teeth. (under his breath) "I never really liked it here..."

Brocc completes his prayer and returns his focus to the funeral. He turns to one of the villagers, "My apologies for the loss of your neighbour. Perhaps there is someone you might recommend I could talk to in order to offer my assistance in investigating what ails the village?"

(Looks like we have a party of 4 here, are we waiting for others?)

OOC - Unless one of our back stories told us of others, our characters wouldn't know of anyone else. Brocc doesn't know of any other adventurers at this point.

OOC - I'll PM the other 2, if they don't respond within 24 hours i say we start without em

More OOC - One person left, were only waiting on the half-elf bard boi

Brocc picks up his shield and turns to the other outsiders that have gathered. "P'haps we should leave dese people ta grieve alone. Cold only seems ta be settin' in. We should make our way ta de local tavern-keep. Dey gen'rally have a wealth of information on de local comin's an' goin's. Maybe dey'll be able ta point us in de right direction to 'elp solve dis icy disease."

(OOC - still trying to find Brocc's voice, so for the change ups.)

Sten nods I agree, let us find some place warm. It has been a long journey and i could use a meal. 

He turns to take another look at the grieving people then turns and starts walking looking for a place to get something to eat, drink and most importantly get out of the cold. 

Perception for place to shelter 10, damn cold wind is blocking his view. 

Brocc follows suit and makes his way further into to town to find someplace warm with Sten.

(I’m going to wait for the last person, as I know that they have a good enough reason to be late)

You step out of the air into the dingy tavern. It is a simple wooden structure lit by lamps on each wooden table, with a small wooden counter at the back, where the half-elf barkeep stands, polishing his glass.

”Ello’ dere. Can a I git ye anyting to drink?”

(I just realized I probably completely flubbed that accent)

"Just a mug of ale for me, please."

(I'm too horrible to even do an accent)

"Whiskey, if you've got it," Ash says as he finds a place for himself within the hall.