‘We’ve heard you’ve been eating of the flesh of other men, rather than deer, boar, fish - other proper foods. Eating man flesh weakens the spirit, leads into darkness. I come, with my companions, to help you return to a balanced path.’ He nods towards Lucas ‘One of my friends is a hunter without peer, who truly knows the tundra. He will help your hunters. I follow the spirit of the wolf, I will help you find yourselves again.’ His eyes gleam yellow as he speaks, the wolf spirit moving within him...

The tribal guards look over Lucas, almost scoff. "Maybe your hunter without peer can make more animals, then? Eternal winter has killed most of the wildlife here. Made food scarce. So, we survive in ways we can." The guards, both male and female, look hungry, and smell strange. They all stare at you with an awkward intensity. "You are not from here. Saw big dragon not long ago."

Percival glances at Lucas and Sobek, wondering if they two of them can manage to figure out a solution. Meanwhile he can't help but catch a whiff of the tribal guards scent. (How would one describe the strange scent? Like they haven't bathed in a while or something else?)

And he tries to figure out what's behind those awkwardly intense stares.

Insight:19

Shrek, standing quietly besides Sobek, merely nods in agreement at everything Sobek says (acting as if he understands what he's talking about, but he's to stupid to understand anything other than mention of the big dragon, and not having much food to eat).

Nature check: 9

Shrek was going to offer up a suggestion about some tasty kind of wild animal he perhaps spotted recently, but apparently was day dreaming about large women when they were hiking here, and has no insight of value to offer.

Percy: The smell can only be described as bad milk, or rotten meat - similar to the verge when flesh goes bad. Their intense stares are similar to eyeing your favorite meal when you haven't eaten all day.

As Sobek does the talking, Kai leans over to whisper to Vetis, "Since your god seems to be helpin' us lately, would they also be able to create food from thin air?"

VETIS:

Lucas, noticing the bad food sighs and claps his hands together, before creating some Goodberries. (casting Goodberry)

With the 10 berries as rations, he holds them out to the party, "Take one, they'll fill you for the day." He pops one himself (9 left), and waits for those who want one to take it.

 "That works too." Kai says, impressed at the sudden appearance of berries in Lucas' hand. He doesn't go for a berry though.

"I strongly suggest that you not look at us like that." 

Why would they smell like rotting meat? It would be different if this was Chult, but someone could easily freeze into a statue here, there shouldn't be decay.

"I don't mean to be rude, but what is that smell? I'm admittedly an outsider, but with these temperatures, meat shouldn't be going bad around here."

Obviously, they ignore your request, because who the hell are you? However, at Percy's second comment:

"Come." they invite. "We show you."

"Well everyone, shall we take a look?"

“Shrek good helper. He help tribe.” He’ll then follow the tribal guards along like a puppy. 

Vetis glances at Kai. "No," is her simple, quiet reply to the fire genasi.

When the uh...offer is made, she shrugs and follows at the back of the group.

You are slowly and carefully, under close watch, escorted deeper into the camp compound. It's actually larger than you believe. There are more tents as you get closer. However, one scene leaves you a little disturbed. These are no ordinary nomads.

There are about 30 elderly and children around. They watch you carefully. As you eye the camp, there are about forty warriors that live here. All fur laden and armed. The scent of something foul gets stronger.

In the middle of the camp is a roaring fire. A woman, a shaman of some sort, is channeling magic to a huge bonfire, creating it. Strapped to a large natural branch-like totem apparatus are multiple skinless bodies of everything from newborns to elderly, wet, and ready to be eaten. A large warrior of sorts is carving flesh from their bones. Despite the cold, the fire appears to be strong enough to warm you, the tribe, and the flayed bodies. Something is dreadfully wrong with this scene.

You have found the source of the smell.

Percival glances at Sobek, wondering if the barbarian will stick to his belief that these people can be restored.

Sobek stares at the Shaman, to see if the wolf spirit will offer any insights...

Insight: 16

Religion: 20

Sobek springs into action, the wolf spirit within him howling in fear and anger at the wrongness. He shouts ‘Enough!’, his voice echoing through the camp and he strides directly towards the shaman to disrupt the ritual. (Using his new faster movement to close the distance!)

(If not stopped)

He slaps the shaman, hard, to break her concentration, and points at the large man. ‘This foulness stops. Now!’

Kaz looks around at the horrible scene, moving over to Percy, “This, this is the result of imbalance in nature. This endless winter has dwindled their food supply to the point that their desperation had driven them to corrupt their body and spirits. If we are to prevent or permanently aid this region, we MUST find a way to end this winter.”

after saying their peace, Kaz will move back towards Kai, “Shall we stick together? I perceive danger is fast approaching.”