"A crystal strong as metal and easier to work than steel? No doubt that the Duergars seek it, they lack the proper skills to craft the gifts of Moradin." says Krom with disdain. The dwarf turns towards Rhogar "Duergars were once a clan of dwarves, but due to their greed and brutality they rejected Moradin. The Underdark and its riches become their only obsession and their doom. The Mind flayers first then the Underdark itself changed and twisted them into the beings that they are now. They are enemies of all dwarves as their ultimate goal is to dethrone Moradin."
Krom stays silent for a long moment before saying to the Speaker "As I do not trust myself to ride an Axebeak, I'll gladly take a dogsled."

Deception 18

"Well then since we now have a goal in mind we should make any preparations soon and be ready to set out before the light of the sun fades.' Rekuberk says as makes his way to the door.

Rhogar listened with rapt attention to the various explanation. Though the Dragonborn's expression hardly changed from scholarly interest throughout most of it, the last note from Krom left him far more wide-eyed at first, before he looked away and took on a more thoughtful expression.

"... I still have my duchess, so no sled would be necessary for me." Rhogar comments absently. Then at Rekuberk's assertions, he nods once in agreement, then turned to the Sherriff. "We need but directions then, I suppose. And of this wizard, uhm... is she to meet us there then? I presume as much given she left the message, but didn't want to be presumptuous." 

Chill is able to stifle the laughter coming from him enough that Copper and Mishann do not realize he is laughing. While his departure is quick and perhaps a bit rude there seems to be no hard feelings.  

Back in the streets he can quickly find his way to the town hall and meet up with the others.

The sheriff is able to describe the location, directly to the south of Dougan's Hole, is one the passes that leads to the fortress.  He can mark the general location on your map.

"With dog sleds and mounts you could make Dougan's Hole in 5 or 6 hours by taking the Eastway and going through Good Mead.  You could also go directly across land but it won't save you any time and certainly be more dangerous.  There is no direct path south for a reason.  From there it would be overland travel, another full day at least to the pass and then perhaps most of another to find the fortress.  I'll make arrangements to outfit you with dog sleds." the sheriff says

The sheriff leaves to make the arrangements.

Duvessa Shane continues "I presume she will meet you there? She was not that specific but implied that was where she was going or was.  I do not know."

Clearly embarrassed, Kazri raises a hand. "Humm... In the interest of making haste. Would you have in your possession a diamond worth 300gp? I was going to Rendaril's Emporium, but I figured I would ask you first, Speaker. I need it in case of one of us falls, and either me, or perhaps Master Krom, needs to bring us back." She looks first at the Speaker then at the Sheriff. "I would pay for it, of course."

"As soon as we are on our way I'll contact her again. Even if the hymn of sending does not allow to engage in long conversations, it should be enough to arrange a meeting point." replies Krom. "I hope to learn more about this dragon menace she was speaking about in her last message. Maybe that warlord made a pact with one of the dragons that live in the Underdark."

"Stands to reason as well that the more "indirect" path would be best for us. Although we've been able to bear the challenges your lands have so far put against us, there is hardly a need to push our... mn... I don't like the word much, but no need to push our luck needlessly. Especially if we might be facing a dragon in the near future, or worse, some dragon infused with this chardalyn stuf you mentioned before." Rhogar admits. "Not to mention we can check in on Good Mead and the Hole. Though unlikely, being closer to this stronghold might've afforded them a unique perspective on things. And with communication being what it is according to the last town speaker we spoke of, it couldn't hurt, since we'd likely need to stop at either point anyways to rest our beasts." With all that said, short of their being more for the others, Rhogar awaits in solidarity for the sherriff's return before the journey began in full.

3

The sheriff shakes his head indicating that he does not have a diamond like that.  Likewise Duvessa Shane tells Kazri that she does not either.

"It will take about an hour to get the sleds and dogs ready.  I will have 4 sleds with dogs that will be waiting by the East Gate.  You have time to stop by the Emporium.  It is right across the open square." the sheriff says before he leaves.

"In that case, we will check the Emporium and meet you at the East gate Sheriff." replies Krom as the sheriff leaves the room.
"We may have to do some climbing to reach that fortress, I think that I'll purchase another rope or two. My climbing kit should be sufficient, but having some extra ropes will not hurt."

“Very well then. We thank you for your assistance sheriff.” Kazri replies to the Sheriff. “We should not linger at the Emporium, and be ready to move out as soon as possible.” She looks at Roghar. “We should pass by the towns on our way south and check for news, but we should not linger there for long either, Mr. Nimbatuul.” She replies to Rhogar.

Chill does his best to compose himself after fleeing the temple.  He knew that the conversation taking place at the town hall would be serious in nature he decides that his curse, his laughter, had no place there.  

He finds a spot that he can watch the town hall and then waits for his companions to leave.  He'll join them then and hear the news.

If they decide to go into the emporium he'll decline to enter with them and wait outside.

"I fear my curse is a distraction. I cannot stop laughing in serious situations.  I nearly ruined any relationship with Copper as I couldn't stop laughing when I gave him the news of his friends death.  Krom, I need this curse removed.  First thing tomorrow please.  Until then I cannot speak to others!"

At the end of this he his laughing again, the seriousness of the discussion of his curse striking again.

"See? I cannot stop!"

"Be patient for just one more night Chill, I'll remove the curse at the first light tomorrow." replies Krom "Do you need something from the Emporium?" Asks as the tabaxi informs the group that he will not enter the shop.

You step into Rendaril's Emporium and see that not much has changed.  The same wares fill the shelves and line the floors.  The shop is empty of other customers and Rendaril, the half-elf proprietor, smiles and greets you.

"Back in town I see?  Find anything interesting someone might be interested in taking off your hands? I've had a few new items of interest pass through my hands since you were here, what a month ago now?  Good to see you doing well still.  Your friend, Chip was it, the bard?  He left town a 10 day ago.  Said it was time to return to Neverwinter and warm lands.  He was always so worried about some college or something.  Bards!  So very finicky.  Anyways, what can I help you with today?"

Everyone who enters the shop can make 1 d20 roll and 2 d100 rolls

"Greetings. It is good to see that you are good as well. I am looking for a diamond worth 300gp, do you have any?" Kazri greets the shop owner.

1d20: 18

2d100: 18, 51

"No, thank you Krom. I need nothing, except the removal of this curse.  I will wait for you out here and then we can head for the gates." Chill says with a smile.

"Perhaps, or perhaps not. The way I see it, considering it will be a full two days from Dougan's Hole to reach our destination regardless, either which way we would need to stop at the hole for the evening anyhow by the time we reach it." Rhogar asserts with a faint smile. "But think of it as idle though, as we first need to reach our destination without the weather turning on us halfway there." 

With that, there was to be little more out of the Dragonborn as the party made their way out. Chill would earn a sympathetic pat on the shoulder following his news. But knowing little else could be done for the Tabaxi for a day with Krom's affirmation, it was but all he could sadly offer. It is with such grimness hanging over head that Rhogar abandoned any thought to wait outside(not that the cold wouldn't have urged him inside anyways), and quietly perused the shelves alongside a returned Gorrah as others spoke with the proprietor.   

20, 30, 6. 

Krom nods to Chill and then walks into the shop "Greetings to you as well. As we will be climb some mountains in the following days, I was looking for a couple of extra ropes. I would like to see those new items you talk about, they may be of some use for us." The dwarf pauses a moment "So Chill is no longer in town? I hope he finds what he is looking for in Neverwinter."

1d20   11
1d100 96
1d100 51

Rekuberk frowns a bit about the news of their former companion, helplessly shrugging before going to look about the shop for a bit of equipment.

9

96

100

Taking a look around the shop Kazri finds a couple of potions that Rendaril says are a Potion of fire breath and a Potion of water breathing.

Rhogar finds a Potion of mind reading and a Potion of healing (superior)

Krom finds a Potion of climbing and Dust of dryness

Rekuburk finds Iron Bands of Bilarro and an Eversmoking Bottle

Rendaril smiles as he shows you around.  "Rope, of course, both silk and hempen.  As much as you will need.  Climbing kits, crampons, anything like that I have lots of."

Seeing the special items you have found "Yes, yes, very good stuff.  Potions are 150 gold each, and the other items 200 gold each."