The only thing we've 'murdered' is some ice trolls, and they nearly murdered me first so that's only fair. 

Looking a bit alarmed at Kurik's response....a look of relief washes over his face when Kari talks.  "Ooooh. Haha...right yes....ya, quite fair....good on you then. Sounds like you're most well equipped to manage then. Just uh...watch yerselves out there. As usual, people are usually the worst threat in the world. Well, an maybe this cold.  But...there's been dark sort around Ten Towns recently. I heard tell there's some cult worshippin some devil of the cold. Then of course there's the druids who pray to the Rimemaiden. And finally I heard tell about some wizards up from the south, some brotherhood or somethin. They're pokin about for ancient relics I think. Anyway, just sayin....uh...watch who you decide to trust." 

From down below, the woman's voice comes up, somber and serious, "For once that knobhead is right, things 'er goin from worse to worser up here." 

A look of frustration and anger take over on Copper's face, "It's KNOBBERKNOCKER YOU DULLITE WOMAN!!!! AND WORSER AIN'T A WORD!" 

She shouts back from down below, "GO KNOCK YER KNOBBER SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR A CHANGE YOU CRETIN! AND AIN'T AIN'T NEITHER!"

As the two house-mates clash, Badger wordlessly indicates to his companions (with a flick of his bushy eyebrows) that they should take the opportunity to depart. When they get out of immediate earshot, Badger mutters half to himself: I forgot how ornery gnomes can be... Remembering also the Harper gnome in Blundlestone, Badger hopes they don't have to deal with any more of his kind...

"So are you saying that the devils of the cold are one and the same as the frostmaiden?  Or that they are separate but allied or none of the above-mentioned.  But then you said ancient relics.  What may these be?" Kurik asks.

Copper looks to Kurik, "By goodness sake, what is that you are wearing? It looks....attached, in a most unhealthy way.  Um, devils of cold, no, devils are not gods my boy. There are powerful demons that live in realms of cold that some more desperate folk may have started worshipping. The frostmaiden is a demi-god, and.....she lives here in this place, flying across the sky each night on her roc to renew her hold on time and weather, and making the sun never rise. I doubt the frostmaiden is much enamoured with a devil that takes people who she might think should be worshippin her.  Relics?  Well, they're lookin for some ancient relics or some such, from another age, an ancient time known as Netheril. That was the height of magic in this world. The wizards back then practiced the weave and bent it to their will in such ways that have not been seen since. The magic we practice is paltry by comparison. That city of shade that did crash down on the elves far to the east was one such city. Those shade are descendants of those long lost powerful wizards I'd bet.  Anyway, they're lookin for Netheril artifacts, or so I heard." 

Badger is halfway down the stairs by now, though he can still hear Copper talking. Devils of ice... maidens of frost... arctic snow-druids worshipping wintry gods riding mythical birds across the polar night sky... what a load of superstitious nonsense! But one word makes him scoot back up the stairs... Netheril. Shuffling back over to the group, Badger looks back up at Copper and blurts: Where? Where are they looking? And... how many wizards? Do you know? What makes them believe there are Netherese artifacts in Ten-Towns? How did you find this out? Badger stands there impatiently hopping from one foot to the other, rubbing his nose, waiting for Copper to elaborate...

Copper jumps back in surprise, "Oh, uh. Well. Look, this is silly."  He raises his voice, "Mishann, we're comin down. I need tea. I'm gettin cold again." 

From downstairs the priest responds, "It's probably that ice cold heart of yours!"   There's a brief pause and then, "Fine." 

You all shuffle downstairs, where the priestess waves you through the main 'chapel' room and into a kitchen. There's enough space at the table for her, Copper, and one other to sit, but everyone else is left standing in the doorway or leaning against some cupboards.  Mishaan, the priestess seems to have already started the water since it's boiled, and tea cups are passed around to everyone. Copper turns turns to Badger, "So, you read the histories, you heard about the ancient Netheril empire. Well, about a week ago, some of these Arcane Brotherhood show up. There was um...three of em. Let see, a white skinned tiefling, that someone swore had a gargoyle as an escort. Then there was this other one in an old pointy hat, typical wizard lookin bloke, and the last one was this older lady, and she had these kobold followin her around. Anyway, ya, sure nough, they were askin about...about Netheril artifacts. Oh, oh, there was a couple other folk with them too. Real pale types, funny look about them. Dark hair, dark eyes. Anyway, I heard the lot of them were likely rotten to the core. They didn't last long together. They all went their separate ways, followin leads to their Netheril artifacts they was lookin for."  He sips his tea, cradling the cup between his palms.  The priestess does likewise.  "So, this isn't gunna stop you from lookin for Macreadus is it? You will still check on him ya?" 

Kari leans her glaive against a nearby cupboard and holds her tea cup carefully when it's served to her. She politely thanks Mishann for the tea, then lets the others do the talking, opening her winter coat and enjoying the warmth.

"Nah, it won't stop us but likely we'll cross paths.  If they hear about your Macreadus, likely they will try to shake him down for information."  Kurik adds.

Copper seems to have not considered this, "Oh, I hope not. Hopefully if you show up and they are harassing him, your weapons will dissuade them!" 

"We take care of most things that get in our way." Mal says, and then shakes her head as she did not mean to sound as sharp as that came out. "My apologies, my thoughts are elsewhere." As she also thanks Mishann for the tea then once more attempts to fade into the background.

Badger's tea grows cold as he hastily scribbles a few notes on some parchment, asking extra questions as the information is given: Three you say? Male or female tiefling? A white-skinned one shouldn't be difficult to track down, though I suppose with all this snow... Do you know which way each of them went? Did they find any leads?

Finally he looks to the others hopefully and says: Of course seeking the aid of Macreadus is our primary objective. But should that fail, well, the Netheril Empire had powerful magic. Powerful enough for... our purposes. If there are indeed relics in this area, they may prove useful.

Certainly Mal knows Badger well enough to see that the personal benefits of powerful relics are of equal importance to the wizard than the potential solutions they might offer to the problem of the ring.

Badger gets a few more inconsequential details from Copper, but it's clear he knows nothing of Netheril or any artifacts, nor does he have good information about which way the wizards may have gone. He simply shrugs when asked questions for which he has no answer, a rather frustrating result for the now interested Badger. That said, the trip to the shrine has proved useful.  The group wraps up the conversation, thanking the hosts for the tea, and at the door begin to add layers and wrappings to be ready to brave the frigid cold once more. 

Where are you headed next? 

When it's clear that they are leaving, Kari asks where she could say a prayer. She spends just a moment, lighting a candle if there is one, and closing her eyes with her face lifted up. It's probably not a minute later that she turns and starts bundling up with everyone else. So, are we off to find some spirits then?

Badger shrugs. Urgh! I say we make for Lonelywood and search for Macreadus, keeping an eye out for these wizards along the way. The road passes through Targos and Termalaine first... Then when he sees the disapproving looks, he protests: There's probably no point in actively searching for the chwinga. We can simply leave the lantern running while we pursue our other objectives. Or if you prefer we can skip Targos and travel overland to Termalaine. There's probably more chance of finding one if we avoid the road.

"If we are traveling again. I saw we grab snow shoes.  It should make the going much easier.  Or if everyone prefers we can just trudge slowly through the snow.  Doesn't bother me much." He says to the others.

Snow shoes? asks Badger quizzically. Why don't we just ride our ponies?

Kurik turns to Badger and without emotion just says, "There is a strong likelihood that our ponies will one day die in this cold.  We can cover up but they are exposed to the biting wing and are the ones walking through deep snow.  Plan for the worse Mr. Badger.  Plan for thr worse."

"Right good point, might as well pick up what supplies we need and then we can head out. I also suggest we head across land as well and avoid the town as much as possible, especially the father we head north." Mal says.

Snow shoes would be good. And overland is better for finding those spirits too. Kari looks pointedly at Badger. We should spend at least a day or two looking for them before we move on.