Karl looks at Vondal's efforts and says "you obviously don't have much experience at getting rid of evidence, this is how you do it!" (Sleight of Hand: 21) After covering the bodies with brush and removing the drag marks etc. he brushes off his hands and says "that's better."

Much better.

Vondal calls back, "It is not as if I make a habit of this back home, Uncle. And you /know/ how I don't like these sort of things." He says sounding both exasperated and little winded at that point. He cedes the lead to Karl without further complaint as the elder dwarf's plan starts to become clear. "Hm! Well, it is only a temporary measure. Now let's get that Brom over the temple before our spellslinging gets up to any more trouble." 

Nif will investigate the notice board to see what the singular notices say before he continues be wander down the street.

Posted on a board next to the front door is a notice written in Common. It reads: "REWARD — Orcs near Wyvern Tor! Those of a mind to face the orc menace should inquire within." The notice bears the town's seal and an indecipherable signature.

Nif thinks for moment after Reading the notice, "This might be worth bringing to the group.. I will enquire after I gave spoken to the miners exchange."  he thinks to himself as he turns to final building, which must be the Miner's Exchange.

Nif enters the modest-sized building. The interior is lamp lit and smells clean. It reminds Nif of the Three Picks, but under a woman's care. Maps hang on the walls. There are barrels full of random equipment. A counter runs down the center of the room. Behind the counter is a sturdy-looking human woman. Her hair is light brown threaded with gray and braided into several skull-hugging braids running from her forehead and temples over and down the back of her head. She looks to be a little older than middle aged. Her dress at first looks like maroon work clothes, but, upon closer inspection, are actually semi-ornate and decorative. She is speaking encouragingly with a gentleman who is dressed in actual work clothes. His hat lays on the counter beside a map the two are looking at. The woman is making notes as they speak. Nif waits patiently toward the front of the building. The two are speaking in hushed tones, so he doesn't overhear what they're saying until the woman bids the man good-bye. "I'll get this drawn up," she says. "Come back tomorrow. You can sign the paperwork then and pay me the usual fee." She smiles as she shakes his hand. "T'ank you, Halia," the man replies. He picks up his hat and leaves the building, giving Nif a sideways, but not unkind glance on his way out. When Nif turns back to the woman, the map has been rolled up and her notes have disappeared. Halia places both hands on the counter top and gives the dwarf a welcoming look, though the smile doesn't reach her eyes. "Good day," she says. "May I help you?"

 Nif walks up towards the woman. "Hi, is this the Miner's Exchange?"

If the woman says it is not:

Nif will apologize, explaining he is new to town and if she can point him in the right direction.

If the woman confirms:

Nif will continue, "I was told i would be able to sell some gold items here?" he asks as he fetchs them out of his bag, ready for her inspection when she asks.

"It is," Halia affirms after Nif's question. When he produces the tiny jade frog, she accepts the trinket from him and looks at it with interest. "I could give you 40 gold for this," she says bluntly.

Nif gives a knowing smile. "I am sure you can do better than that? How about 80 gold pieces?"

Halia blinks at Nif. "I realize you're not from around here, stranger, but I am not one to play games. I can give you 40. That's my offer. It's my final offer. You can take it or leave."

Vondal and Karl, what are you two up to?

(@DDP Sort of dependent on Karl, but otherwise, Vondal is heading to the temple to get's Brom's situation taken care of, or try to at least. Just was waiting on confirmation on if he was taking the cart there to drop off the body, or heading to drop off goods as originally intended.)

Gotcha. I'll give him a prod.

Nif bows his head briefly, "My apologies. I did not mean any disrespect. 40 gold pieces sounds like a deal."

After formalising the sale, Nif bids thank you as he goes searching for his group to explain his findings.

(Sorry got a bit confused but I am assuming that after helping Vondal get rid of the bodies and not knowing where Nif has gone or got to, Karl has gone with the cart - with Zander's comatose body - to take Bron's body to the Temple.)

Vondal and Karl, after hiding the three dead bodies and one unconscious body in the bushes east of the Stonehill Inn, they collect Zander and load him onto the cart. They swing the oxen around easily enough and travel west to the shrine, which is on the north side of the village square. The dwarves stop in front of what is actually a collection of stones, most likely moved from the foundations of ruined buildings. The walls create a U shape, with an alter of sorts in the center. A middle-aged human woman of Mulan descent, with dark skin, hair and eyes and dressed in a silver robe with blue accents approaches the wagon as Karl and Vondal stop. Smiling pleasantly, she gives a small wave. "Good fortune to you, strangers," she says in a strong voice.

Nif is heading north back the way he came with 40 more gold than he had before.

Vondal gives a pained smile. "A wish that was far too late for some of us, I am afraid. But it is appreciated, nonetheless." Vondal clasps his hands together before doing a quick but formal bow. "May the earth ever rise to meet you, milady." He comes out of the bow. "I am Vondal. And this here is Uncle Karl. I apologize if this comes at a bad time. As I understand it, you have recently returned from a rather harrowing venture of your own... if there's any truth to the rumors." He gives a questioning look, but doesn't press the point. 

"I do not know much of your worship, I will admit. But if you and your lady could spare a miracle, our... our brother... he... If you have the means of at least preserving him until we can make the trip home, it would be appreciated." He requests solemnly. 

Nif walks back to the square, looking for his companions.

(I will post assuming he can tell where they have gone. Happy to roll anything else if required, investigation: 15)

Nif heads over to the temple where he is pretty certain Vondal and Uncle Karl have gone.

The woman looks concerned at Vondal's words, but responds, "I am Sister Garaele. And, yes, I recently returned to Phandalin, but that's a tale for later. I believe I may be able to help your dearly departed." She turns and moves back near the altar. "Bring them here. Lay them on this stone." She walks around the shrine, producing items from places that aren't readily apparent. (I assume) Karl and Vondal take Brom's body from the cart and place it on the stone as instructed. "Tymora can halt death for a tenday," she says, placing a tiny container, two coppers, and a clean, white cloth beside Brom. She looks at the dwarves with kind eyes. She then begins praying to her goddess. As she prays, she lifts the tiny container in a kind of offering. She sticks two thin fingers into the container and extracts a powder of some kind, which she flicks over Brom's body. Continuing her prayers, she then puts a copper coin over each of Brom's closed eyes. Finally, gently, she wraps the cloth around Brom's head, tying it over the coins. She finishes her prayers and looks at Karl, Vondal, and Nif, who has now joined his fellow dwarves, having found them easily enough with the ox cart right there. "The coins must stay over your loved one's eyes for the blessing to continue for the full tenday," she explains. "Now, tell me, strangers. What brings you to Phandalin?"

The Gold Dwarf is slow to answer, so absorbed was he on looking upon the fallen. With a final sniffle and a thumb brushed across the eyes, he looks up to the woman with an apologetic smile. "You have our thanks, Sister Garaele." He bows again. "We were only meant to drop of supplies for an old drinking buddy. I'll spare you the story that lead to that, but suffice to say things didn't work out as planned." He sighs and shakes his head. "And now thanks to another new... 'friend' of ours, and my own... failings." He huffs and half-heartedly shoots a glare at Karl. 

"We may have found ourselves in a bit of trouble with the Redbellies here before long. So, there's that." he trails off from there rubbing his face.