Taiga considers Elro’s words and listens patiently to what the others come forward with. Even though her shoulders still are bowed under the weight of her loss, she finds herself nodding in agreement with Carina’s conclusion and line of questioning. “What does Tulgi do for a living?” she adds and then remains pensive chewing on words that she seems uncomfortable to speak out loud while waiting for Elro to reply.

"Tulgi is a trapper," the village leader responds, glancing between each of the party members solemnly. He appreciates the group already beginning to put their minds together and consider how they might conquer the challenge Elro has placed before them in his and his village's time of need. Briefly, he'd worried that after learning precisely how dire and dangerous this mystery was, you all might have changed your minds in helping. He wouldn't have blamed you — their priests trying to rescue the Dwarven Explorer from an unknown fate that froze his body further by the day, like chasing after death and begging it to stop, felt insurmountable. But he's grateful to find that your characters are a good bunch, and for the first time in a long while — the village leader feels he may have hope after all. "I've never seen her and Urgon interacting myself, but you may be able to ask her yourself." His interlocked fingers tighten thoughtfully. "I believe you all might have better luck speaking with her than I. She is... distrustful of authorities."

Towards Carina, Elro gives pause. "I know not of everything he discovered while on his ventures to Eiselcross. But surely you've heard the legends as well as I — those dangerous islands are home to ancient runes, ages-old arcana, and secret treasures, they say." It was possible, however, that something Urgon had found there was sinister. Deadly, even. It hadn't come from Palebank itself, as Elbert would recall as he thinks back on his recent prey and is certain that none of them had displayed these strange symptoms. "I know Urgon didn't return empty-handed, but you might find more information looking into his home yourself. His cabin is guarded, but tell the Grassblade posted there that I've sent you." He turns his gaze upon Taiga, watching her carefully as he speaks. He can only hope that, despite the grief she and Ragnus were suffering at the death of Urgon, they will still find the strength within them to enter his home and pursue the clues they need. Stifling a weary sigh, the elf accepts the glass from Brix and downs the drink. He supposed they all needed a great deal of strength, desperately.

"Well let's start there. Could be we'll find a connection to Tulgi that might make her more willing to talk to us." Suggests Brix.

Taiga becomes increasingly uneasy under Elro’s eye, and finally comes forward, “I mean no disrespect to anyone and, certainly, I would never think of blaming anyone as no one could have foreseen this but,” she breathes in heavily, “I do need to ask if Urgon had been sent there on a mission by someone, and if so, why he was going there alone.” At least that is what Taiga assumes since Elro hasn’t mentioned that anyone had accompanied Urgon to Eiselcross. “Was Urgon regularly going to such places?” She wonders. “I mean, I know he was an explorer but he wouldn’t place himself in danger knowingly and go alone to such a place. And especially this place sounds dangerous to me.”

Carina is already halfway to the door, bound for Urgon Wenth's home (though she hopes one of her more local companions knows the way).

If Urgon did not spend time with Tulgi, then it likely was an item he brought back from Eiselcross that is the disease agent.  We have to find what he brought back, and what Tulgi may have come into contact with.  It must be something specific or the whole village would already be sick.

Taiga's question slows Carina's steps and she waits near the door for an answer from Elro Aldataur.

Elbert accepts a glass from Brix, taking a small sip in the interest of camaraderie before setting it down and turning back to his spiced wine. Truthfully, he is not entirely sure why Elro selected him for this task as it seems a bit outside his usual area of expertise. Investigations and interviews and social contact in general are not exactly within his comfort zone. Nevertheless he resolves to trust the elder’s judgement and follow this group wherever they decide to start the investigation.

As some of the group move toward the door he grudgingly hurries through the second half of his wine before standing and once again pulling his furred hood up around his head and neck, preparing to brave the frigid conditions.

Ragnus listens to the others discussion and stands up as Carina moves towards the door. He agrees that Urgon must have found something, he's never known him to come back from an expedition empty handed. Ragnus' curiosity and cautiousness are waging war, he is determined to get answers, but what will they cost. At least the group seems to be of one mind about their next steps.

He turns to Elro waiting for him to answer Taiga's question.

For a moment, Elro is stunned into silence. He blinks in the seconds that pass by after the Earth Genasi questions Urgon's reason for braving the dangers of Eiselcross all on his own — while the other members of the party begin to rise from the table and head towards the door. Suddenly, the village leader finds himself faced only with the Fighter who'd known Urgon Wenth all her life, and guilt seeps its way quickly into his heart seeing the grief in Taiga's eyes. After a moment, the Elven man sighs, and his true age and sorrow find their way into his defeated expression. "I apologize, Taiga. He wasn't sent there by anyone in particular. I believe he heard tell of the secrets that lie in Eiselcross and decided to investigate himself." Elro Aldataur looks up and meets her eyes again, looking all at once too thin and weathered. "You know as well as I that he was a strong and excellent Explorer. I don't believe anybody doubted his ability to keep himself safe even in the face of the great unknown, not even himself. And in the end, I'm sure it wasn't his lack of ability that led to his demise. It seems to be... something else entirely. And I hope all of you can get to the bottom of it, for the sake of Urgon and all of our people who may fall ill."

The village leader places his hand gently upon the table in front of Taiga, a small but grounding gesture, he hoped. "I am sorry for your loss. I know you were especially close to him. I hope only that seeking the origin and the cure for his disease will grant peace to you and to us all."

After listening to Elro's answer, Ragnus nods towards him in appreciation and says "I'll let ya know what we uncover. I appreciate what ya've done here." With that Ragnus turns and walks outside.

Brix grabs his glass and downs the fiery liquid. He revels in the familiar burn as it slides past his lips and over gums. Slamming the cup down he exclaims, "Excellent! Seems everyone is in agreement. To the home of Ergon Wenths!" He grabs the spear he had left by the door along with his box of a backpack and heads after the rest. Full of nervous excitement he bubbles along. "You know I must say I'm relieved and a bit intimidated to see warrior's such as yourselves among our merry band. Should we encounter trouble I'm glad to see we should be able to meet it with sufficent force." though seemingly addressing Elbert he gestures to the obvious fighters in the group. "Not to say I don't have skills that may aid us, but I'm not much of a fighter myself so having ones such as yourselves accompanying me is a comfort."

Taiga’s dark ochre skin turned a touch olive as she blushes for Elro’s words, might be she should just have hold her tongue. “Thank you, Elro Aldataur,” she says and continues with increasing determination, “We will do our best, I know we will. It is not only my loss, an entire village, if not the entire region has lost one of their best and he will be missed but we need to look forward, too, and make sure this does not continue.” She turns to the others, and notices they are half way to the door. “Right. We should not lose time.” 
On their way out, she wonders which of them are the fighters that Brix identified. She must learn from them and quickly, she never was in a real fight. Not in one that decides life or death anyway, just hard training bouts but that surely hardly compares to what these veteran fighters have dealt with.

“Aye,” Elbert says with a nod to Brix. “Not much danger in the immediate area to concern yourself with. Nothing we couldn’t handle at least. No telling where this path might take us though. Best to remain on guard at all times. Better to be ready for a danger that never comes than to be unprepared for one that does.”

Ragnus turns to watch the others as they step outside. As he waits, he makes slight adjustments to his chain mail and the straps of his pack. To an untrained eye it looks like he is nervously fidgeting with them, but anyone who has been around battle would notice these adjustments are meant to improve how it sits on his frame, allowing for better movement. 

Once the entire group is outside, Ragnus looks to Elbert and says, "Aye, that's sound advice. Keep your wits about ya, never know where danger lies." 

To the others Ragnus says, "Aside from Elbert here, who else has seen some combat? I ask only ta know who I need ta protect if things get... interestin'."

While the party exits the tavern and discusses the possible dangers that may lie ahead, they begin to trudge their way through the snow towards the edge of Palebank Village. The chilly breeze still bites at your uncovered skin, and snowflakes continue to land in whispered frost upon your heads, but the meeting inside the tavern — along with the drinks — thankfully provided you all with enough warmth to continue on. Once they near the edge of the village, the party eventually reaches the home of the late Urgon Wenth. The Dwarven Explorer had lived in a small and simple log cabin, outside which an Elven woman now stands guard. The roof and windowsills of the cabin are covered in untouched blankets of snow, and the chimney emits no smoke. Beyond the windows, Urgon's home is dark.

Carina nods to herself as she listens to Elro Aldataur answer Taiga, who regains her composure.

That's right.  Stay steady, warrior.  No way but forward.  If Urgon went to Eiselcross alone, the disease agent is almost certainly something he brought back.

To the question about combat experience, Carina reflects back on a fracas with thugs within Rexxentrum, and a skirmish with bandits outside it.  In one, she had used her black warhammer and in the other, she had done what her aunt Lyra did, stretching forth her hand and...

Hardly anything to make her a seasoned warrior.  "Not much combat yet for me.  Safety in numbers is best for us, I think."

As the group approaches Urgon's home and the elven guard posted outside, Carina plays a quick greeting chord on her harmonica so it does not seem as if they are sneaking up.  Approaching with a friendly smile, she salutes and addresses the she-elf.

"Hail - grassblade?  I am Carina and my companions and I are sent by Elro Aldataur to investigate Urgon Wenth's home for... clues."  And for relics from Eiselcross, she thinks but does not say aloud.  "Has anyone entered the cabin that you have seen?  It must be cold, standing out here for so long.  Do you have any company?  One of my associates has this lovely drink to take the edge off the chill.  Have you heard anything from within the cabin?"

Mila, the Elven Grassblade posted outside Urgon's cabin, stands at attention when Carina plays on her harmonica — signaling the arrival of the party. She returns the Warlock's smile, giving her and the rest of your characters a friendly dip of her head. "It's just me for now," the Grassblade — member of Palebank Village's defensive force — responds. "I haven't seen or heard anything yet, but I was only posted here once the funeral was over. I'm alright, but thank you for the kind offer!" The Elven woman takes a step to the side, giving the group access to Urgon's door. "We're used to the cold, but I hope you're all faring well here," Mila laughs cheerfully.

In response to Ragnar Taiga says, “I’ve got basic combat training in Ulthodurn but haven’t been in real combat…” Taiga hesitates, “yet. I hope it won’t be necessary actually. What dangers are there here in the village? I mean, we’re not planning to go to Eiselcross, right?”

Ragnus grumbles "Taiga, I cannae make any promises, I seek answers, if tha path leads us ta Eiselcross, then that's where I'll go."

"Grassblade, thank ya for standin' watch. I'm glad ya can shrug off tha cold. Let me know if I can bring anything to ya during your shift, as a thank ya."

The mysterious circumstances around Urgon's death had piqued Brix's interest. The hope of building good business relations may have inspired his initial choice to help but it's now Brix's curiosity that drives him forward. The Gnome barely registers the guards greeting as he absent-mindedly waves a hand in acknowledgment before he steps passed the grassblade and into Urgons home. 

Quote from OkinDragonborn >>

...The Elven woman takes a step to the side, giving the group access to Urgon's door. "We're used to the cold, but I hope you're all faring well here," Mila laughs cheerfully.

Well, isn't she quite jolly, considering the circumstances...

Carina files the thought away.  Probably nothing.  She favors Mila with another amiable smile as she heads past the guard.

Then carefully, using her darkvision, Carina steps into Urgon's home behind Brix.  As she does so, she raises her scarf to cover her mouth and nose.  It is likely a poor defense against a strange disease from some ancient source unearthed in Eiselcross.  Better than nothing though.

"Let us keep our gloves on and not touch anything directly, not knowing what the disease agent is," she suggests quietly as she lets her eyes adjust.