Suddenly, a voice speaks softly from behind you. “Thank you for attending Urgon’s service.” You turn and meet the gaze of Elro Aldataur, a weathered elf, retired ranger, and the leader of the village. “I’m sorry to speak of dark tidings under such circumstances, but I believe that Palebank Village might be in danger, and I’m hoping you can help us.”

 "Always willing to listen," Ash says, nodding.

Responding to Sorlech. Ahh a native, good to know. Always usefull to have someone around that knows the way. 

He will continue eating after that untill Elro speaks to Brocc (and the rest of us). 

He nods at Ash's words Yes, we could use some work.  Perhaps we could help each other. 

"Oh aye. I'm here for a bit now, an' am happy to help with yer troubles." Brocc smiles warmly at Elro and gestures to Ash, Sorlech, and Sten around the tavern. "It seems ya've got a merry band of adventurers here, itching ta do somet'ing. Why don't ya tell everyt'ing ya can an' point us in da right direction?" Brocc will then continue to eat his meal.

“Please, follow me to my humble abode and I will explain everything.”

Brocc quickly finishes his meal then grabs his things to follow Palebank's leader.

Interested to see how things develop, Ash follows.

Sten will take what remains of his bread and follow as he finishes it on the way.

Sorlech follows the leader and the rest of the adventurers.

He takes you to his cabin near the middle of town, and beckons you to come in and sit down. “So, what do you already know about the situation?”

"Well ta be honest, not much really." Brocc leans on his shield. "Just dat some seem ta t'ink dat da Eiselcross be causin' some unnatural deaths. Is dere any more dat you can tell us, so dat we can help ya all da better?"

Indeed, like Brocc says. We know only of these deaths. The cold should be normal for people around these parts. Something more seems to be going on. 

Sten will remain silent after that, to see what information this man can give us. 

(Guys, I'm probably gonna be dropping soon. This campaign is just moving too slow for my tastes. I know it's partly due to the multi-big groups that are ongoing; but I've got a few other forum games + 4 discord games going, so I'm gonna give this another week but I'm probably gone. Apologies for the inconvenience.)

(understandable: looking at the threads for the other groups none of them really started yet. After delayed start its about a month now and we havent finished our first conversation with NPC yet. Perhaps the DM has some real world things that prevented him from doing any of the campaigns i gues.)

(I’m sorry, I have stuff going on and i completely understand people needing to leave. Just please be patient. I don’t know when this stuff going on is ending, and to make matters worse, I only just got my Wifi fixed after almost a week of having it down. Please be patient, guys, I’m trying, I promise.)

The village leader continues, “I’ve brought in another person to help, if that’s okay with you.”

"Ah dat's no problem. Da more, da merrier dey always say." Brocc greets the newcomer, then turns back to the town leader, "But please, tell us what ya can of dis freezin' blight ya got harassin' da village. I'm keen ta be movin' ta help keep me warm."

(DM, that's fine, I understand that things outside get in the way. However the pace of the game isn't helped when several PCs have asked the leader what's happening, and his only reply is "I've brought someone else in". I'm keen to keep playing, but we need to figure out the pacing issue somehow.)

(I‘m sorry, I’m trying. The fifth player should be finally joining, that was the queue for them to introduce their character.)

”Well, it seems Urgon contracted it after an expedition to the Eiselcross. He kept talking about some sort of vault, and the Tribes of Shadycreek Run. I wonder if those two are connected?”

"Me condolences on Urgon's death, mister...?" Brocc tries to get the leader's name. "What was dis expedition lookin' ta find in Eiselcross? More importantly, was dere anyone else dat went wit' him an' are dey sick too?"

Brocc turns to the others, "Talk of a vault is intriguin' ta me. If yer up for it, I'd be willin' ta make da journey. After all, vaults are designed ta hold shiny stuff," he says with a grin.

“All I really know is that he came back about two months ago, and since then, his veins and skin slowly started turning blue. He refused healing from out best healers, which is a bit uncharacteristic for him.”

"Well I've got not'in' else goin' on til de snow melts a bit in da pass. If ya can secure me a boat an' someone to sail it, I'd be happy ta investigate dis vault... I mean dis icy plague." Brocc looks around at everyone already gathered. "Would any of you like to join me?" And," turning back to the village leader, "where's dis new fella you were talkin' about? He's welcome ta come along."