Sitting by the fire and daydreaming of home, Dril cannot help but overhear the conversation being had in the empty tavern. "Verrina is a gnome? I must have overlooked that detail. Please, what did she look like?"

Ospos: The man's eyes widen; he looks almost embarrassed. It's the most emotion you've seen from him this whole time. "I... no. People round here don't talk much. Maybe try the general store, she musta stopped for supplies."

Dril: "Bout your height. Dark grey skin, pointy ears, white hair." he says across the room. (give me a history check with advantage)

"The general store. Wonderful. Thank you for your time."

Ava turns away from the bartender, placing her hand on Ospos' shoulder and giving him a warm smile, then continues on to leave the bar.

Bram jumps up as he sees Ava heading for the door, putting his Flute away.

He gives the bar keep and smile and a head nod as he heads outside, following after Ava.

"A female Gnome, greying a bit, hmmm..."

History Check:20

Bram nods at Liafial's suggestion,

"Yeah it would be great if he is with Verrina, when we find her. Well, if we find her."

Bram thinks for a bit, before continuing,

"My gut feeling on this, is we may have a longer way to go before we get to the bottom of the disappearance of Ava's father."

"Hopefully, it's just the mood this place brings though, and I am way off mark."

Bram smiles and continues on towards the store.

To Liafial and Bram; "Yes, that would be wonderfully fortuitous. I'm very much hoping that this is the case."

Addressing the group; "I have a feeling that the owner of the general store might be a little more amicable than our stoic barman. "

To Ospos; "Thank you for the help back there, I've sometimes found that a diplomatic tone has become my default, and I have trouble using a  heavier hand when the situation calls for it."

Meredith's General Store sits right across from the tavern, distinguishable only by the chipped white letters painted above the door. The interior is also homogenous with the rest of the architecture here, though the shelves lined with various wares do break up the monotonous grey tones. At a closer look, most of these shelves and their contents are covered with a thin layer of dust, and the occasional cobwebs. Towards one side of the store is a counter where a half-elf woman sits. She is quite beautiful, though she does show signs of age as well as the pallor and slightly sunken eyes that seem to afflict most denizens of this plane. As you all enter, she looks over warily. "Greetings. how can I help you?" she says as her eyes assess each one of your colorful forms.

Bram lets his competent friends do the talking, wandering around the store, absent-mindedly perusing the shelves.

Perception check to look around: 15

"Good Morning Ma'am! I wanted to inquire about an individual who passed through town rather recently, and might have made a few purchases in your establishment. Her name is Verrina Dusttoe."

Bram: The store is fairly well stocked with basic materials and tools. It seems more focused on home goods, but the essentials for adventuring are there as well. As indicated by the dust and cobwebs though, it seems that the store doesn't get a ton of business.

Ava: "Ah, yes, the gnome. She did pass through here. What of her?"

Dril: The description leads you to believe that Verrina is likelye a deep gnome, or svirfneblin. On the material plane, they are found in the Underdark.

"Did she mention a destination or a direction of travel? She is a family friend of mine, and she could possibly have information that could help resolve a deeply pressing issue."

Clermar looks around for a whetstone as the group enters the general store.

Ava: "I think she said she was heading west, along the ridge. She mentioned some ruins, but that is all I learned of her intentions." 

Liafial: Your search is fruitless, there don't seem to be any magical implements here.

Clermar: A whetstone is easy enough to find, next to some other very basic tools for weapon and armor maintenance. 

"That is incredibly helpful, thank you. Was there anything else of note that she mentioned?"

Clermar approaches the half-elf and Ava holding the whetstone. He waits until she responds to Ava and asks, "Could I purchase this? Also, you said something about ruins, do you know anything about the ruins her gnome friend was after?" 

Ospos wanders around looking at the various wares.

(Sorry guys, travelling for the holidays.  Very limited access to the internet.)

Dril looks about the shop, listening to the answers that Meredith gives. Not interested in anything he approaches the counter, "While we are on friendly conversation, ah, have you ever heard of horsemen.... um, kidnapping travellers for some sort of bounty? Just... trying to be prepared I guess." Dril is visibly uncomfortable bringing this up. His speech is stammered and he fidgets with his hair and sleeves.

Ava: Meredith nods solemnly. "Be careful, the ridge is quite perilous."

Clermar: "A copper for that. I don't know anything about the ruins, I haven't traveled far out of Ashstone. And she didn't mention her incentive for seeking them out." she responds, turning back to Ava as well.

Dril: "There's all sorts of vile people and things stalking these lands, and all sorts who would pay for mortal souls, or strong corpses. If you must travel my only advice is to trust nothing and no one"

Clermar pulls out a copper, "Here you are. A ridge huh, maybe we should grab some climbing gear."