((Alright.... lol  Since it's been a day, I'll roll Persuasion for Sanjay.  If anyone else would like to do something, feel free.))

Sanjay Persuasion:  18 

Hulil looks over Sanjay and then eyes the rest of the party.  Then sighs.

Obviously desperate, and convinced that you do likely want to help, she gives you information.  "You want to help?  Fine.  It's called the Frigid Woe, this illness.  I don't know much about it except for its obvious symptoms which I'm displaying vividly, and I've heard rumors that some explorers in Eiselcross sometimes succumb to it."   She takes a deep breath and shivers.  "I believe that it was caused by one of the vials Tulgi took from Pelc's Curiosities.  A blue one from the store Urgon sold.  I remember that the vial was cracked... you could see a dark blue dust was inside.  We've been praying for a cure, but it's time my friend and I head out to see if we can't purchase one.  Unless... you've got a better idea?"

((Sorry! I totally forgot to come back and roll that Persuasion. My apologies!))

"The Frigid Woe..." Sanjay says to himself aloud. 

Has he ever heard of this, before?

Whichever one of these you think would be more appropriate...?

• History: 17
• Arcana: 15
• Medicine 18

 Sanjay feels like it sounds familiar, but cannot recall anything more about it.  He realizes however that if it is possibly caused by the fine powder mentioned, it is likely a disease and should have a consumable cure.

((Don't worry about it.  Clearly... it happens.))

Looking to the rest of the group, he says, "The sickness is most likely caused by that powder. It should have a cure, but we might need to ask a local healer if they have any information on how to make or acquire the cure."

"Well isn't that sweet?  says Hulil, rolling her eyes. "You don't think I've sent anyone out to check with the healers?  You go on ahead, but I'm not waiting on you. The only other thing I can tell you is that I sold the other vial to Irven Liel.  I believe he's staying at the Jolly Dwarf with his family.  Now, I told you what I know, so if you do happen to get lucky and find a cure, be sure to inform me.  We're heading to Shadycreek Run.  If you have nothing else..."  she sweeps her hand back towards the entrance.

Senine sneers at the woman's attitude. Looking back at the members of her group, she thinks for a moment, before she turns to Hulil. "There were a number of combatants in the tunnels. You an' your friend gonna be able to get out in your... condition?"

Hulil sneers back.  "Combatants huh?  They won't be bothering us any.  I'll call Old Croaker for you though, and have him escort you out.  Make it easier through the ponds."  She gives two short, low whistles.

"You must be pretty tough then." Senine continues, smiling at her humorlessly, brow furrowed, "Unless there's some other reason they'd leave you be." She turns and begins walking away at that, throwing back over her shoulder, "Though I suppose if you say you'll be fine, then I'm sure there's nothing to worry about."

During this interaction, Thistle turns everything over in her head. She finally speaks up as she sees Senine turning to leave. "Elro told us that the local healers tried everything they could to cure Urgon and failed, remember? I think that if we can get our hands on some of that powder or at least the source of it, we may be able to have someone study it to find a cure. In any case, Hulil has clearly made her mind made up and I'm not sure it's worth trying to convince her to try and come with us," she says quietly to her group. She looks towards Hulil and takes a step towards her. "If you don't mind me asking, what's in Shadycreek Run? And do you know if this...Frigid Woe, was it? Is it contagious or does it only come from contact with this powder?"

"Good trade, that's what." Hulil answers, a soft bite in her tone.  She shivers again.  "I'm hoping to find someone willing to make trades for the cure.  And if it were contagious there's a good chance a lot more people would have it by now, I can tell you that.  It's only been us who've likely breathed in that powder.  It's getting late," she ends pointedly.

At that moment, the giant old ice frog hops up on the shore at the end of this short tunnel.  "There's your ride." says Hulil.  "Be nice to Old Croaker."

"Let's get out of here," Sanjay says. "We can discuss our next steps out of the danger of this cave."

You each take your turns riding Old Croaker to the other side of the cave.  Once you're all over, you realize there is still no sign of any bandits from before.  You are now back in the cavern with the 10 bed rolls.

Sanjay will continue backing their path to leave the cave.

Thistle will also make her way to leave the cave.

Once they're well away, as they're leaving the cave, Senine huffs in annoyance. "Am I the only one who thinks she's fulla shit? She's got a damn smuggling operation running just outside of town. Bastards." She shakes her head. "I'm not an Imperial soldier anymore, and we need to get this whole 'Frozen Woe' thing sorted, but damned if it doesn't rankle me." She pulls out her flask again, shaking it with a frown as she realizes it's mostly empty. She sighs and finishes its contents, stowing it again. "Anyway, we're looking for a blue vial that some fella named Irven should have. Anybody have any thoughts on the matter?"

As you're exiting the cave, and Senine is grumbling because she slipped again - but caught herself - on the beam, you are greeted with the late evening sky.  The sun coloring it a deep pink and purple; stars peaking out here and there.  You guess it's around 6 pm.

Thistle shrugs. "Where I'm from,  a lot of good people are forced to smuggle in order to survive. Sometimes the bad people get too powerful and the ones who are meant to protect the people can only do so much. The rest of those left in the middle have to do what they can to provide for their families. I don't know much about Hulil and her family, so I don't feel right making any kind of judgments." She watches Senine empty her flask. "If that Irven guy is staying at the same inn we are, we might as well head back. Rest up, warm ourselves up and grab anything else we may need."

Senine let's out a bark of a laugh. "If that were true, I might have sympathy, but the Empire employs all sorts. They coulda been making good coin, legally, plying their skills under the Empires banner." She spits off to the side. "They're just greedy, and that greed's gotten at least one person killed already."

Sanjay, just listening to the conversation, nods his head in agreement at Thistle's suggestion to go back to the inn.