(now that Velan is back and has a chance to address the conversation Mrs Goodwinn shall answer his question as if she was still standing there before she exited back into her room. Just so nobody gets confused on what's going on.)

Mrs. Goodwinn's head turns towards Velan

"Yes. You are correct. Before last night there were no rumors flying around. Everybody here knows there is a cannibal on the outskirts. And everybody in general knows gnolls as well as any other humanoid group out there will eventually learn and become in general more cunning and more dangerous."

she says as her cup gets refilled by the serving wench

"But now since you all have arrived. There was no talk about this Face in the ice. Well at least there was no talk here at Moore's Inn. Everybody here knows I don't believe in rumors. Even though I may here them doesn't necessary mean I believe in them. And if there was talk it was behind concealed doors or away from my place. And any rumors I hear are just that, Rumors. Nothing else and nothing more. Until I get some sort of major proof that this "Rumor" is real then it will be dismissed. As well a be discouraged to be talked about while here in this place. All of this would have been discussed this morning as I had originally planned to do anyway but liquid courage especially during the night once again loosens tongues as well as makes people forget temporary what they were told."

as she stops to take a drink out of her mug. 

"If your choice is to believe in all the rumors you hear then you have a much different way of thinking then I do. I believe in the truth. The truth is the truth. It doesn't leave you second guessing. It doesn't leave you wondering. And it surely doesn't morph and grow into something else. It's constant and all ways the same. So since I believe in the truth I would like you all to go out and put any and all of these rumors you here to rest. Then come back to give me a definitive answer of whether or not it was actually True to begin with."

as she stops to look around the table at everybody's face

Spix smiles and says” we will get to the bottom of it one way or the other.  And I’m for sticking together.-  especially if the rumors have any truth to them!    I say we equip today and get a map of the area, and plan out where we will have the best chance of hunting.   We will go tomorrow-  this bad weather can’t last forever.  We can send our owls up high to scout for game, and maybe find tracks in the snow. Do any of you have any skills in tracking game- or know where to start looking?   I’d guess they would be needing food and water which may be scarce in all this snow.    Anyway- I’m ready to go check out the outfitters-  who’s ready?”

(spix would like to purchase snowshoes and crampons- but she doesn’t have enough gold.  It is 2 GP for each, per the PHB-  she also wants the group to buy a map of the area).

 She sheepishly asks to borrow some gold from someone for the purchase. 

"I can show anyone who wants to learn about hunting or foraging," Magwynn says. "We can do some basics inside, especially if we can borrow some items from the kitchen. And we can set traps tonight if the weather lets up before we go to bed. And if there are a couple folks who are already confident in their abilities there, they could go make purchases for the group, if folks have a list."

Magwynn will spend some time with anyone who wants to learn showing them how to identify different animal tracks and scat, and how to identify non-poisonous foods to forage, especially if she can borrow some from the kitchen.

“Ohh! I’d love to learn”, says Spix

 “I have no doubt we have very different ways of thinking, for we are very different persons with very different histories and experiences.” He says with serenity, looking at Barbara in the eyes and trying to read if she spoke true when she said that would mention all those dangers. “Now, when it comes to rumors, one of the few things in which I believe in is the well-known fact, or at least well-known to the sciences, that just because something is not proved to be true it does not mean that something is false. It is, rather, a theory or possibility. And on the field of battle the possibility of hostile forces are never to be dismissed if one hopes to keep on living - that much is secret to no one.”

The words held even more truth for them who were called to help with the security of the place. The cannibal, the gnolls, the Face in the Ice, it would all be their trouble as long as they remained there and in that position.

“On the matter of gnolls, and anything subservient to Yeenagu, humanoid or not, they do not tend to become more cunning. Quite on the contrary, for this particular demon lord abhors civilization and both embraces and instills savagery.” And that made he question how did the people in town know that the hyena-like creatures had changed their worship. “That said, how long have the gnolls and the cannibal plagued the village and what prevented the incursions to finish them?”

It was then that Síx and Magwynn returned the talks of the hunt.

“I agree with Spix and I would also appreciate your teachings, Magwynn.”

OOC: Thanks for letting me roleplay with Goodwynn, DM. Below there is a insight check for Velan too see if Barbara was talking the truth when she said she would mention to them the dangers in the rumors.

Insight Check: 22

After hearing your words Velan her head swivels as her body follows to now be focused entirely in on you

"Mr. Wizard you couldn't be more right. If we were to keep on living here in Kleine, then why do you think we have you all here?"

she says before she exits to the back to prepare for the upcoming feast.

(Now picking up the request for food)

Melody smiles

"So how can we help with that? What do you need from the kitchen?"

Sohk smiles at Spix and says, "I'll cover you." He stands up and is stretching out a bit and he says, "Alright, I'll head to the store and buy some goods. I'm getting some snowshoes and cramps ons for myself and Spix. Who else needs what?"

"Some samples of local forage -- fruits, mushrooms, seasonings. Birch bark, if it grows around these parts," Magwynn lists off for Melody.

At the mention of purchasing goods, Magwynn says "I ought to go myself at some point today, I'd like to upgrade my armor, but it might be easier if they reinforce my own rather than trying to find something else that would fit. Do we think we'll take enough jobs that leave us outside of town long enough to get some tents?"

Zin says "I would love to learn about hunting and foraging Magwynn, I never learned those skills and I see that they will be quite necessary here in the wilderness of the north.  As for supplies, I would like some snowshoes, crampons, and a short bow and arrows.  I have 20 gold to contribute to the pot for purchasing supplies.  Hopefully I can make some additional coin with my viol tonight, or perhaps Mrs. Goodwinn would want to pay for some entertainment for the event?"  Zin looked around expectantly, hoping that she was eavesdropping.  

"Unfortunately we don't have any birch bark but I can full fill the rest of your request."

As she leaves to the kitchen then returns shortly with ingredients as requested. She places them on the table then steps back to watch

The older couple nearby who was watching and listening the whole time starts to talk back and forth.

Older lady "Maybe you should pay attention to what is about to be taught. You could learn a thing or two from him."

Old man "Woman, I've learned plenty in my years. I don't need some young wiper snapper to teach me what I all ready know."

Older lady "If that was the case then for all those years we wouldn't have been eating only rabbit for dinner."

Old man gives her a look of disgust

Old man "Woman if I brought anything bigger then that then you wouldn't know what to do with it."

old woman mouth opens as her eyes get big

old woman "If you even attempted to bring back anything bigger then that you would have probably had a heart attack for trying to carry it in."

Melody grins as she see's the man ball his fist shaken in anger looking back at the older woman

"I need to purchase a few extra javelins." Davis mentions. "Likely some snow shoes would be good for all of us to get as well." He considers. "And maybe a sled or something like that, to help get whatever we hunt up back to town."

For a moment, a brief moment, Velan questions himself on how Goodwinn could know he was a wizard. Even if she had communicated with Blackheart or talked with the rest of the group the most she could know is that he was a spellcaster. But then he remembered of the night before. He had asked Melody specifically for a place to buy incense, spell scrolls, parchment and ink of high quality. There is only one kind of mage that employ all of that.

“It seems my questions will be answered in private.” He spoke getting up from his seat. “Not only snowshoes and cramps, but I would also like to pay a visit to the temple. So, if you could wait for me a moment I would appreciate, Sohk.”

Velan then moves following Barbara. It is a short walk, but during it his mind travel to a myriad of places. Memories of the last ten years. Am being prudent or paranoid? That was a question he could not answer, not yet. He had been too eager to find reasons for distrusting Goodwinn, that much he didn’t fail to notice. At the same time there was always the chance that he was right in not trusting in her. For all that he knew the woman was adept on using her power to control the behavior of others, limiting what they could speak, dismissing important information with rhetoric, semantic and ideals. The kind of sophistry he was all too familiar with.

“Mrs Goodwynn.” He said knocking at the office’s door, not entering. “I understand you would have no qualms on answering my questions in a more reserved place, such as this one.”

Velan As you walk into her office you see two chairs facing away from you. A desk facing towards you. Mrs. Goodwinn sitting in a chair behind the desk facing you. Various papers, ink and parchment in piles along her desk. A mug to her left and two small metal sphere's in her right hand. A wall of various books behind her and a small drawer off in the lower back half of her office. As she hears you she looks up seeing you standing at the door looking scared, anxious and unsure of yourself. She looks at Velan for a moment trying to determine the cause of why he followed her back to her office. Was it he has a thing for older ladies and was attempting to seduce her in a more secluded place? If so then should she worry about what he might do when she was asleep lying in her own bed? Was it something he heard or didn't hear that causing him to loose his mind and become scarred like a little kid attempting to assure himself that everything will be all right? And the big bad boogey man would simply disappear if he was held and cuddled in her arms. What ever the reason for his follow she smiles politely towards him as she then waves him inside.

"Close the door and have a seat. Then you can relay to me what exactly is on your mind."

she says as she starts to swirl the metal sphere's around and around in her right hand 

He entered the office after her invitation, feeling ever so slightly satisfied for getting his reading of her right. A sensation drowned by his memories. Over the figure of Barbara Goodwinn he still imagined a familiar face. One he never wished to see again.

“It won’t take time enough to need a seat.” Velan said closing the door, half expecting to be attacked. I should have applied Mage Armor, he said with the voice of his mind. Kept Ninlin at my shoulder. He still had the new spells. If one didn’t work the other should help. But as he turned to the woman no strike came. Maybe I’m really just being paranoid. “I’m just after the answers to my former questions - how long have the gnolls and the cannibal plagued the village and what prevented the incursions to finish them?”

It could have something to do with the terrain. Maybe the strange weather that some of his new travel companions pointed to be unnatural. Another possibility was a game of politics, after all, it would be easy to send spies during the incursions and for each request of aid the village would have one more debt to be called in a moment most opportune to the creditor.

He could have asked when Goodwynn intended to send them after either of the threats, if she intended to send them, and how much would she pay, but that she would tell in the due time. There was also the question of how the villagers came to know of the change in behavior on the hyena-like creatures, but it seemed better to have Zin ask in the streets.

Her warm smile leaves her face.

"So you choose not to accept my hospitality." as she looks down for a moment before looking back up

"So be it." pausing for a moment as she continues to swirl the metal sphere's in her hand

"So even after I tell you the truth, I can bet you still won't believe it." as she shakes her head

"Sad really if you think about it. However you did come for the truth so here it is." looking into Velan's eyes

"Lets start with the cannibal. The cannibal was from his own making I'm afraid. Around here when times get tough you either need to be well supplied or have to dig in deep in order to survive. It was a tough season 5 season ago. For 11 months it did nothing but snow every day and freeze ever night. That means the wild life was very scarce and importing things in very rarely happened. That poor lost soul out there being new to this side of the world never experience in his wildest dream that life could be so tough. Didn't understand you need adequate supplies or be a well experienced hunter to make your way through. So despite our best efforts to persuade him about this life not being for him. He choose to blame us instead for not sharing what we all ready didn't have. So he took up hunting what was most abundant. And the people of Kleine started paying the ultimate penalty. One by one people started disappearing. And as we started to figure out why he fled out there somewhere. Picking off what he could get a hold of which was our hunters and trappers. So this is why we warn all the new people who come into town. And why we turned to importing our food more frequently then ever."

She say as she takes a drink out of her mug

"Now on to the Gnolls. We know they have always been here. That is no secret by any means. However it wasn't until this season is when we started to see them become more aggressive then normal. Normally we just call for aid and Ramos goes and takes care of it. But this time it's been different. This time Ramos couldn't take care of it. Ramos explained to me they have become smarter. More deadly. Able to see through his normal tactics. Able to fight back. Even though he was able to keep them at bay. He knows it won't be permanent. He knows they are getting bolder. So when you and your team came in telling everybody here you were ambushed on the road. That only proved exactly what Ramos was talking about. Ramos second daughter married one of Mr. Blackhearts sons. So he not only has strong connections but through his business has a good repour with the people. So if it wasn't for him I don't think Kleine would have survived. So this is why I believe you as well as the rest of team are here. To help save the people of Kleine."

She says as she take a drink out of her mug

All the doubts and memories disappeared from his mind as he listened to Goodwinn give him his answers. He poured every ounce of his attention to her words, committing every fact to his memory. The history of the cannibal was nothing strange, not in that kind of arid lands. Velan knew enough of natural sciences to understand that much. The gnolls becoming stronger was another history. It had to this Face in the Ice, whoever or whatever it was.

Both things were recent. Maybe they simply didn’t have time to deal with them yet. If what Barbara told was true, then Ramos was clearly unprepared for what he found. If only they had cleaned the area from the gnolls earlier... At least the wizard could understand what Blackheart meant with his questions about saving a family member. It also made sense that the first group was less than ideal, the merchant was in too much of a hurry to be picky. Could at least have told us what the work was really about.  

“I prefer to never be spared a bitter truth and hopefully this information can prove itself useful in dealing with these problems, something beneficial to both of us.” It was then that a though crossed his head. The feast was not simply a reason to gather more food should Kleine need. It could very well be a bait for the cannibal. “I take both the problems are simply hard to find in such vast area and that neither have peculiar abilities that my group should be aware of?”

Velan waited for an answer to his question, thanked the old woman for it and made his way back to the tavern. There he found the group. Sohk seemed to agree to wait for him.

“We can go whenever you want.” He said approaching the group’s table.

“Oh good- you are back.   We want to do our shopping now.”

Spix says.  She bundles herself up for the cold and heads for the door. 

Sohk is bundling himself up as well as he follows Spix, "Off to the general store then?"