Dabbert watches Mudge twist Syl's ear and smiles.  

"I'm in love."  He jests, then his eyes land on the glass of murky water in front of Jaylan.  As the Monk confirms he won't be drinking it, Dabbert makes a dour face in agreement.  

Krumar stops his playing waiting for applause and shouts of praise but instead the orcs cheer for the music being stopped. Krumar angrily puts his insturments away and grumbles "Seems nothing has changed since I left these gods forsaken lands....Well about these mines..there are ice creatures? Not ghosts and ghouls?"

"OW! Blast... yip!  Hey! Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow OK OK OK!  Got it!  Mudge! Right-o!" Syl howls as his ear is nearly twisted off the side of his head [or, he acts like it was, at least].

As she warns him about being taken out back, Syl grumbles, "Don't threaten me with a good time, Mudge."

As he takes his refill and tries to catch up on the conversation, he instead is caught fancy by the term 'Grunstein.'  He pictures a huge, dwarven ale mug, large as a barrel, carved with runes and painted with images of trolls and ancient battles from pre-history.  Perhaps drinking from such a vessel would grant a man the strength and virility of the giants.  He imagines floating inside such a tankard, as if in a hot bath, lounging in serenity as the ages of the world turn in the distance, beyond his sight or care.

"Ice and gemstones?  That doesn't sound like a spectral, are you sure?"  She looks to Raevyn as she is becoming a bit unsure of what their foe might be.  But then she shrugs it off, a creature is a creature and she was sure they could handle this.

"Your friends are trapped?  Well we need to get down there as soon as possible!  There is no time to waste, which way to the mine?"

     "I warned you about the tea," Mudge says.  "Not much call for it 'round here.  The hot chocolate is rather popular though."

     "I would but I'm afraid I'd break you," Mudge then replies to Syl as she continues busying herself around the tavern.  ((Syl may have forgotten but Grunstein is Orcish for Greenstone...))

     The crowd continues it's low grumble, not all of it about the music or the strangers, much is probably just the hum of people in a tavern having their own conversations and such.  Some of the patrons are definitely curious and wary of the outsiders, a couple perhaps with hostile intent, the prohibition about fighting in the bar seemingly holds everyone at bar.  Those closest to your table tend to be the quietest now that there is some clue why you are here.  There is some eye rolling and banter about Hrolf telling his stories again but they seem to quiet down enough to try to overhear...

     Hrolf seems to be put back a step by the questioning and interest.  "Spectral, ghostlike, creatures the like of which I ain't never seen before!" Hrolf insists.  "Look, I'm no monsterologist or nuthin, alright?  I'm a miner.  Me and a few friends were desperate so we went down there against out better judgement and we paid for it, alright?  Magdug... Ughat... Varbuk... None of them made it out.  This lot all scoff, write them off as having left town and their debts and all... But no, they're still down there if whatever id down there hasn't done them in yet."

When Nefire would perk up to show interest, Raevyn would lean in and nudge her notes closer for her to peruse as she may like. For a doctor, her research writing was surprisingly neat and quite elegant. "I managed to find what information existed and I have been cautioned on it's accuracy." She admits. "However, I rather be over prepared in my line of work, than under." A smile tugs at her lips when Nefire confidently quips that her axe is always a satisfactory option. Raevyn was extra pleased to know she assumed appropriately and came prepared with something to satisfy Nefire's needs should they be faced with something less physical. 

Raevyn simply responds to Mudge with a smile of her own and a lift of her glass in cheers to her. The woman had her hands plenty full with these men around to serve on day or night. She knew where to find her should there be a need.

Once joined by Hrolf, the doctor turns her attention to him. She dips her head in acknowledgement to him and as he asks whether they're here for the mine. As he chatters on, Raevyn makes note of the new mentions that were different from her earlier notes. Her face remains professionally calm and neutral. It wasn't unheard of, historically, in legend or lore, that those who mine too deep are met with powerful creatures from the depths. Nor was it unexpected that there could be variations or developments from her original findings from old information. A lot of witness accounts are based off of an individuals perception and memory.

"Indeed ice and gemstones do vary from the descriptions of 'spectral entities'." Raevyn agrees with Nefire when she looks her way. It was plausible that other types of beings existed in different sections of the mines. "However, I am curious about this 'abomination' guarding the Grunstein. Perhaps it may be an anomaly?" She thinks out loud, wondering what it looked like and if it may be the/a spectral entity. Either way, in theory, silvered weapon properties should support many applications, not strictly just against the spectral.

There's no hesitation from Raevyn when Nefire would pipe up, willing to take on the responsibility of assisting the trapped miners. She had her back. The doctor appreciated Nefire's efficiency and was prepared to venture back out into the cold on a moments notice to begin their journey to the mine. She'd nod assuredly to the warrior.

(Aye... a bit too slow again but always on time for a cross post... sigh... Sorry...)

((Cross posts happen, and there's nothing contradictory in the two so we lucked out there :)  Just wanted to make clear Hrolf wasn't sure exactly what was down there...))

     "Anomawhatly?" Hrolf asks Raevyn and turns to Krumar to see if maybe the Orc could tell him what that word was. 

     Hearing the small ones enthusiasm Hrolf is about to laugh - Imagine such a little one being so eager to go where all the big brave Orc of Eisloch refuse.  They scoff and say it's 'cause the don't believe in no hauntings or such but there is fear in their eyes and some embarrassment when they refuse.  The child sized one being so eager is almost laughable to Hrolf but then he sees Raevyn's eyes and their silent agreement and he realized that he finally has people willing to help...

     "Directions?  Everyone knows how to get to the mine," Hrolf says but then realizes who he is talking to.  "Oh, right.  Sorry.  You just head north out of town for about an hour or so til you see the path turn to the left and brings you down into the valley.  It's mostly unused these days but still plenty of path to follow, eh?"

"Wait what? are we leaving but I am still co... oh trapped miners.. I see.. Ok let's go... I guess" says Jaylan

"Oh yes...grand plan....let's head straight into the mouth of danger where death looms."

“That’s what we’re here for, i’nit?” Syl says, laboriously putting his coat and pack back on.

”Right then.  Let’s go find these strange and unusual gem and ice creatures and bloody kill ‘em all.”

[Syl didn’t forget the meaning of grunstein, as he did not then or now pay attention to the explanation.  He will, however, keep his eyes peeled for this magical stein.]

Nefire smiles at Raevyn, seeing the good doctor has her back.  After hearing where to head, she also starts getting her cold weather gear back on.  She gives Jaylan an eye roll and as Krumar sarcastically adds his quip, she elbows him in the hip and glares up at him, "Isn't that what we are here for?!"

"Ah, see!  Syl's got it.  Let's go old man!  And yes, kill 'em all!"  She heartily swings her axe after getting her gear back on and then looks back to Rae, "Where did you stash our new stuff?"

     “No!” Hrolf calls out in a panic.  “Don’t kill the hostages..,”

     Hrolf then shifts from foot to foot and looks a bit taken back by his own voice.  “You know…  not if they’re still alive and all.  Not their fault..,”

     Mudge rolls her eyes.  “You all sure you want to leave now?  It’ll just get colder and darker as the night deepens.  I don’t have rooms to rent exactly, not many tourists here, eh?  But I could make room for you all to put up for the night…”

Krumar rubs his side where he was elbowed by Nefire before being continuing with his jovial self "Well if we are going to die, might as die when its warmer no? Besides I could play you all some music to inspire you and maybe keep your spirits up before you become one"

"I uh...worry about the miners.  Can they afford for us to wait overnight?"  Dabbert asks.  He still hasn't risen from his seat to prepare like the others have, though he does request another drink from Mudge as if he's in no hurry.  He looks at the countertop as he thinks, and listens, and takes in what is happening around him.  

"This is uh...probably a dumb question."  He says, his eyes shifting to Raevyn.  "We brought silvered weapons.  It sounds like they're maybe more corporeal than we anticipated.  What if they're rock or ice, Doc?  Still work?"  

When Mudge says something about putting them up overnight, he gives a knowing glance to Syl and raises his eyebrows as if to encourage the old saltdog.  

     “He’s a good egg, but soft boiled at best,” Mudge whispers to Dabbert as she delivers his next round.  “Who can say for sure if there were others?”  She shrugs and gives Hrolf a friendly pat on the shoulder as she moves on to other customers.

"Maybe."  Dabbert whispers in reply to Mudge when she returns.  "But I uh...have to assume he's accurate.  Otherwise, if we chalk it up to crazy talk, lives may be lost.  I'd rather waste my time, than waste a life."  

He picks his stein up and starts drinking.  

Although at first glance it would appear Raevyn’s giving a simple passive look around the room, the truth was, she was paying attention to the others about the tavern, noticing whether they were all casting their judgement. The doctor simply cocks a challenging brow and casually snaps her book shut on the table.

Indeed, that’s what they were there for. With a nod to Syl, Raevyn’s eyes then meet Nefire’s when she looks over her shoulder with axe in hand. Though before the doctor would respond to the questions asked her way, she couldn’t help but ask the other woman one her own. “Are they all cowards, or just lazy?” She muses as she raises from her seat.

“The weapons should be packed with the steeds.” Raevyn admits, as she would not have burdened herself with carrying all those supplies in on her own. She at least thought to arrange them. The least the others could do would be that heavy lifting. “Silvered weapon properties support many applications and work just as well as any other against non spectral creatures. Over time they may become damaged or dulled like any other, especially if used and or abused against stronger or more abrasive materials. While I’m no weaponsmith, in theory there is potential for silvered weapons to chip of wear faster than normal weapons when not properly cared for. They are expected, and documented, to last a decent while though. Of course, one can carry more than one silvered weapon and choose which to use based on circumstances.” She explains, hoping to cover any concerns on the weapons before moving on to others.

“I imagine the outside weather and daylight matters little in context of delving into the depths of a dark mine.” Rae speculates her opinion out loud. One could correct her if she was wrong. “And should there be individuals trapped, then would it not be incredibly selfish for us to wait for our best comfort to leave to answer the call?” Her head tilts with her question that aligned with Dabbert’s first. The Doctor knew everyone had a ‘clean bill of health’ from their last outing. No one was injured or physically exhausted. So would the cold night enough to justify a delay? Was there immediate known danger lurking, waiting to go bump in the night on the way to the mine? And even if so, would it be more dangerous than what they were asked to investigate?

At the doctor's words Nefire practically jumps off her seat and gets her cold weather wear back on.  "That settles it, we're going now.  There are people down there trapped and Raevyn's right, whether the rest of these folks are cowards or lazy, doesn't matter, we've got this."

Once dressed back up, she looks to Krumar, "Need any help?" she asks him honestly, but also a bit teasingly trying to get him to get a move on and then heads for the door.  "I'm looking forward to checking out those handaxes..." and out she goes.

The matter seeming to have been settled, Syl returns Raevyn's nod and starts to head for the door.  

On his way he looks to Dabbert, to Mudge, back to Dabbert, and then gives a shrug. 

He is whistling Krumar's song as he heads out into the cold, having paid no attention to the mine directions but confident someone else probably was.

     When Raevyn asks if the locals are cowards or just lazy, perhaps rhetorically, perhaps not, three nearby Orc leap to their feet with growls and snarls at the ready.  Just looking for an excuse, they were, and here they have one!  Almost before they are on their feet, howeber, they have obviously had a change of mood and the anger magically washes away.  One orc apologizes sheepishly and sits back down, another looks at his tipped over chair and is aghast and confused how that could have happened, quickly sitting back down in it once he has it rightened.  The last orc stands there sheepishly for several long moments.  Eventually someone at his table tells him to sit down and he simply complies.

((We seem to be agreed to leave right away, yes?  Any last actions, comments or anything before leaving The Frosty Beard?))