Yurgunn mutters. "I've been waiting for a long time for word of her, I can wait some more. Her name is is Hethyl Arkorran and she's been serving the townspeakers family for two generations. She's a grump old hag, so I wouldn't put it past her to refuse to answer my letters out of spite. I'll put some coin to the side in case you manage to ascertain what she's up to. Go with Berronars blessing."

Scramsax is appalled as Sirius asks to bring Bouncer into the room. "You might as well ask me to bring your horse. No deal. I'm not cleaning up after that. We've got a stable out back, for 4 silver your axebeak will be taken care of and fed till the morrow."

Aubreen: The bronze dragonborn barmaid collects the payment as you leave for your rooms: 1 gp 5 sp for the rooms and 8 sp 4 cp for the meals and ale.

Long Rest

The rooms are fairly utilitarian, less well furnished than the ones at the Eastside. But you still spend a restful and most importantly, safe, night in the Northlook. The aurora passes overhead in silence, the Dale prepares for a new day of bitter cold.

The next day you're all gathered back together. Those who would have liked to grab something to eat for breakfast on the way out, small trays of goat cheese, milk and butter, roasted trout, hunks of bread and sliced salted mushrooms are available (4 cp).

Marlede looks well rested and eager to set out whenever everyone is ready.

"I hope you guys are well rested. Are you all ready to leave? Before we go, and I know we just met, but there is another matter I need to investigate after we clear the mines. Remember the rumor I mentioned yesterday about a wizard being burned over at Easthaven? I'd like to confirm the identity of that individual. However, I haven't heard when the burning will take place. Although, they might wait to make the wizard into another sacrifice to the Frostmaiden. If we succeed on the mines, would you all accompany me?"

OOC: DM, she got more arrows (20) by spending 1gp at the workshop (she would not take them for free). 

Aubreen greets Marlede and the others over a small breakfast, "I think Sirius and I were hoping to pay a visit to the Temple of the Triad, you are welcome to join us, My Lord Torm would welcome your patronage." He mulls over what Marlede said about the wizard.

"If there is to be a sacrifice would that not take priority over the mines? I figure it might take us 2 or 3 days to deal with the kobolds between heading there and back. Easthaven is not a short jaunt, even from Bryn." Aubreen again looks to his companions for guidance, a questioning look upon his face as to how they wish to proceed. "The Kobolds need to be dealt with, no doubt. But we dont know when the burning is to happen, and what, simply out of fear. Has this individual done anything to deserve their fate?"

Sirius pipes up. ”Choices, choices. I truly don’t know what needs to be done first. There is so much to do, so much help needs to be given out. But I do know that a visit to the temple might just help us figure out our priorities. I, for one, get all my best thinking done in temples.”

"I apologize for bringing this up now. I did not intend to dissuade you all from making good on the job you've already agreed to. But this matter is also important, and I just wanted to make that clear. Whoever they are, and whatever crimes they committed to deserve such a fate, is beyond me. The rumors only speak of them being an evil wizard. However, I do intend to take this seriously by going there myself. I'd appreciate it if you all came with me, whenever the time comes."

Marlede seems a little intense about the subject and isn't insisting on going there immediately, but definitely expresses that it's something important to her.

"And as for visiting the Temple of the Triad, I'd be honored to join you. Though I have to admit, I don't know much about it or the deity you called Torm."

She chuckles nervously and grabs the back of her head after saying this.

If Sirius had paid for the stable service the day before, a stablehand emerges from a squat building behind the Northlook and hands him the reins to Bouncer. "Friendly fella you have there sir!", the youth says, before hurrying off to tend to other animals. Bouncer ruffles his feathers and seems content.

In the early morning hours you make your way over to the house of the triad. The biting cold does tend to be a bit more bearable when one walks thorugh a busy crowd, as there is today. The mood in Bryn Shander is always the best one tenday after a sacrifice and when the next one was still a ways off. Townsfolk go about their business, heading to the marketplace to scrounge up some of the meagre imports and discuss events with their fellow neighbours.

The house of the triad is a large, square stone building, looking utterly steadfast and unmoveable amidst the mostly wooden houses of the town. Sirius [Lang:Dwarvish, History] recognizes the dwarvish style of construction. The windows are long and narrow, but furnished with many-colored glittering glass panes, probably at great expense. 

Since the clerics keep it warm with a constatly roaring fire, it is a very popular place, even amongst people of differing religious beliefs. Inside, a large, many-pillared open space, furnished with benches. Three statues stand united in the middle of the room, their features skillfully chiseled. Tyr the Maimed God, god of justice; Ilmater the Broken God, god of suffering and compassion; and Torm the True, god of duty.

There is a small shrine to the draconian deity Bahamut as well, located at the eastern wall of the room.

The clerics of Illmater run one of the two main sick houses in Bryn Shander, the other being the House of the Morninglord. Here, the sick may find release, or at least a soothing word. The spaces reserved for the ill and ailing have expanded to include the rooms normally allocated to Tyr and Torm - there are just too many people who need help. Coughing fits and low moans are audible even through closed doors, but the noise of the many people here mostly drown them out.

Artist credit: Erik Wirtz

Perrin looks around curiously at the interior of the church. His family was belonged to the faith of Yondalla, and as such, he had never felt a need to visit this place. Yondalla taught some good morals that he tried to live by, though he wasn't fanatical about it as his oldest sister was. As the others move off to do whatever they were going to do, Perrin trails behind behind them lost in thought about the wizard that their new companion was so desperate to go see. Did they know each other or something? She seemed urgent in her request to go visit them.

Marlede looks particularly curious about Ilmater, the Broken God. However, she will pay attention to whatever the others have to say about Torm, the True.

Aubreen takes the opportunity to proselytize to Marlede on the way to the temple, extolling the grace and virtue that worshipping Torm involves, justice, Duty, righteousness. Arriving he enters with reverence. Finding a Priest he hands over a small pouch of gold (5 gp), "This is for the children, you know there are mouths to feed, living on the street. In this cold, now more than ever. I entrust you with this duty."

He chats with the priest asking after the churches needs, its mission, and if it has any need of help to fulfill its cause offering another 2 gp as a donation to its coffers.

Aubreen catches the attention of one of the priests, a balding human man with a stern but kind face and a thick beard. He accepts the gold with a bow, at once taking note of your appearance and says: "Bless you, warrior of Torm. We rely on the kindness of people such as you. I'm Bran Halorth, the head priest here. I will see that this goes towards the children and the hungry."

[Aubreen gains Inspiration]

Bran converses with Aubreen for a while, talking about the current desperate state of Tentowns. As you offer more money, he says: "We can use all you can give, but I'm confident that you will put any you keep for yourself to good use. Torm will keep us on the path, Illmater will steer our empathy towards those in need and Tyr will see that the injustices committed during this eternal winter will be righted."

If Aubreen tells him of the groups previous deeds, Bran will add: "There is much suffering in this place and you are well poised to work against it. May the dark, cold and evil quiver as you approach."

Marlede looks moved by the interaction between Aubreen and the priest. She will try to follow Aubreen's lead by offering a donation of 3gp to Bran Halorth after introducing herself.

"Consider this a donation and an offering to the Triad. I must admit, I hadn't payed much attention to this place since I like to keep moving from town to town, but I admire the work you're all doing. I'd like to learn more about Ilmater and help the ill once we return from our mission. Please, take care of yourselves, too."

Sirius’ smile fades as he enters the temple and sees all the sick people. He quickly goes over to the head priest giving him 5gp. ”I’m sure you can use this money much more efficiently than I can.” Sirius then goes over the motions of praying to each god of the Triad. 

Sirius ponders what the next move of the party should be. ”I hate to say it but I think the kobold threat might just be the least urgent. The livelyhood of people being at risk seems less important than lives. The sacrifice sure is troubling as is Yurgunns sister not answering her letters. As they’re in the same direction, it seems wise to do both in succession. I propose our next thing to deal with should be the sacrifice and evil wizard.”

Aubreen inspects the new arrival, the wilding  when she is not looking. This wizard, why is it so compelling, now Sirius. I though he would be steadfast. We have been so easily swayed...yet, I don't feel manipulated, is there something more, this place or is it the ranger?

"I am ready when you are" He says to his companions, then turns back to the Father, "Thank you for your service, I shall uphold my duty and pray that I am wise enough to understand the need for justice when I see it."

Taking Marledes offering, the head priest bows to her. "Thank you Marlede. Our burden is lightened by this offering. We would be honored to teach about Illmater and his work of reducing suffering throughout the world."

Bran bows to Sirius as well, then accepts the money. "Thank you sir. It is an honor to recieve a knight of the triad in our humble temple. We will be able to afford more remedies with this."

[Since he's a paladin of the triad, Inspiration to Sirius as well]

The head priest nods to Aubreens words as well. "Well said."

The gods faces look stern in the firelight as Sirius prays to them. These statues are nothing much compared to those in Waterdeep, but the sharp edges of their faces illuminated by the flames makes it seem like they're actually listening and reacting to what you're saying.

Outside, visible through the stained-glass windows, the few hours of dim 'daylight' have begun. A few people head out of the temple, intending to make the most of that time.

Marlede listens to Sirius' reasoning and perks up slightly. 

"Sounds like a good plan to me. I'm ready to depart when you all are. Also, thank you for bringing me to this temple. You showed me there is more I can do to help the people than just roaming Ten-Towns looking for evil to fight."

As the party travels to their next destination, you all notice that Marlede likes to scout ahead of the group. And depending on the weather, her silhouette seems to blur as snow begins to fall. Her figure blending with the surroundings until she's barely noticeable. 

Aubreen follows Marlede, trying to keep him within sight. Watching the horizon, squinting through the blowing snow. He mostly keeps to himself on the Journey, a growing anger towards the Lottery brewing in his thoughts

Perception: 18

You head out of the east gate of Bryn Shander, into the wide expanse of snow that is the landscape that leads down to the lake called Lac Dinneshere. A few generations ago, the Eastway was built to facilitate travel between the rapidly growing Bryn Shander and the older Easthaven.

The gravel road still existsts today, albeit buried under compressed snow. Thanks to this connection, Easthaven can be reached within a day. As you travel, clouds roll overhead and you become aware of the complete silence in this place. The thick snow has a muffling effect, stopping any sound short, leaving you only with your breathing.

Animals generally know to avoid this place. Aubreen nonetheless spots a crag cat that was careless enough to move over a rock jutting out of the snow. These animals are large, referred to as Hunters of Men. They often prowl around the settlements to gather food. It strikes you that a person who lost the lottery would likely end up as food for these predators, although probably only after they've frozen to death.

This particular specimen eyes you hungrily from a distance, but ultimately decides against making a move, jumping into the snow and virtually disappearing from sight.

Walking into Easthaven is like stepping into Icewind Dale’s past—the place is a living example of the boomtown way of life that gripped all of Ten-Towns centuries ago. In the generations since, as other towns have settled into a predictable pattern of existence, Easthaven has continued to grow and reinvent itself. After the Eastway was paved, Easthaven evolved into a frontier traders’ paradise, fueling the jealousy of its neighbors. Easthaven’s founders were thieves from the Duchy of Cape Velen, on a peninsula far to the south. They refused to kowtow to a powerful thieves’ guild and were driven out. To this day, Easthaven honors its shady founders by declaring pickpocketing legal within the town limits—which explains the “Watch thy pouch!” signs posted in various local establishments.

The town is large by Tentowns standarts. As you arrive late in the afternon, when it has long since gotten dark, you see numerous street lamps illuminating the main roads. People are bustling about, covered from head to toe, barely acknowledging you, some throwing an odd look at Perrin. There is an air of excitement about.

In the town proper, you come across a town crier proclaiming: "Hear all! The burning of the wizard Dzaan is to take place within two hours in front of the town hall! Everyone is welcome to warm themselves at the pyre while the murderer burns!"

Aubreen collects his several money pouches, stuffing them into his mail hauberk. Uncomfortable lumps against his breast but at least they are safer there. "Two hours, I am glad we decided to head in this way first, Let us get over to the town hall, maybe we can collect some information from the authorities, even try to speak with a couple citizens." Aubreen stops the next couple passerby on their way asking each "What do you know of the burning tonight, what did the culprit do?"

Marlede will stuff her pouch of coins on her cleavage, then tightens her winter coat again. She looks a bit interested in the prospect of pickpocketing being legal, as the signs say. But as the town crier reveals the time of burning and the name of the wizard her expression shifts to a serious one and awaits for the people to answer Aubreen before she makes any moves.

The small group of humans stops upon being spoken to by Aubreen. "Killed some adventurers he has. Word is, he hired them to help him dig out some ruin to the east, then murdered them in cold blood. Captain Arlaggath of the city guard managed to capture him."

A smaller figure with the group goes: "Is there really gonna be a big fire momma? Will it be hot?"
The mother assures the child that it's going to be so hot that it might be dangerous to get too close. The child sounds like it doesn't quite believe that. How would such a thing as 'too hot' be possible?