At the first sign of rats scurrying about Rhogar is both startled and annoyed by the suddenness of Gorrah practically clawing her way out of the confines of his hood to starting hunting down some tasty morsel. The Dragonborn huffs, and might've also hissed out some reprimand in draconic, only to bite the words back at the approach of the man. Following a raised brow ridge and once over the man, Rhogar offered the man a toothlessly grin and a slightly formal bow. "Rhogar of Clan Nimbatuul. Though it's doubtful you've heard of them this far north." He said, throwing in a bit of a chuckle towards the end. 

"And mayhaps we can help each other. As we're something of an adventuring band new to these parts, and... well my friends here can tell our tale far better than I." He looks to and gestures to teh remaining party members. 

As Krom notices the rats, the dwarf murmurs to himself "If they come closer, they will face my hammer..."

After the man introduces himself and Rhogar replies to him, Krom turns towards the speaker and bowing says " I am Krom Firebeard, Smith of Moradin, Keeper of Axelholm and member of the Fellowship of the White Cloaks." He pauses a moment to adjust his belt "We are trying our best to help the population of Icewind Dale against this eternal winter."

Sensing Rekuberk's uneasiness, even though they are in town, Kazri pats her colleague on his back. "Easy there my friend. You may relax a little, we should be safe here." When they enter the inn, she tries to ignore the rodents scurrying around. "Name is Kazri." She greets the Townspeaker. "Are you in need of aid?"

Chill sits back and just watches as his companions speak to the town speaker. He covered his mouth for a moment and a stifled a chuckle. Best not to laugh, he wasn't sure why he laughed.  This just didn't seem to be the time or place. 

"Ah, yes, the White Cloaks.  I have indeed heard of you.   I can tell you that we are iglad that a group of adventurers has taken an interest in our plight.   We are on hard times here, that's for sure.  My town and my services stand ready.   We are doing okay yet here in Targos.  The water isn't frozen fully on the Maer Dualdon.  The work is harder but it does continue.  But if there is anything my own personal connections can supply, please do not hesitate to ask. "

The man speaks with sincerity. 

Rhogar stand up a touch straighter, crosses his arms over his chest, and gives the Speaker an approving nod. "For the offer alone you have our most sincerest thanks, good man. And in truth, there are two things that comes at least readily to my mind. Though admittedly, I fear both might be a tall task." He says frankly as Gorrah in the background manages to corner a rat and started waving her stinger menacingly behind her.

"The first would be a no doubt rare component of... hmn... Well perhaps Master Krom here would best be the one express that. The other is any news having reached your fair town about the others of late. Or perhaps even anything on your fellow speakers perhaps that we should be wary of when we should find our way in their neck of the woods?"

"Speaker Maxildanarr, thank you for your offer." replies Krom "As Rhogar was saying, I'm searching for rare components used in healing rituals." the dwarf pauses for a moment, clears his throat before continuing "diamond dust and diamonds of a certain value." Krom scratches his beard as he says "Unfortunately, being rare components, our search has not been fruitful so far."

Kazri just stands, and listens to the conversation.

"Hmm, yes. Diamond dust would be difficult to obtain.  I mean who would transport their diamonds in dust form?  Whole diamonds would have more value."

He ponders for a moment.

"I do have some, private stock you know, that I could part with... for the right price of course. Diamonds do hold their value."

The man is cordial, down-to-earth.

"If you wish to follow me to my rooms, I live here at the inn, and we can discuss details."

"As for word from the other town speakers,  no nothing recently.  Not much passes between towns these days with trade nearly at a halt."

Krom nods to the Speaker "Of course, please lead the way, I'm sure that we will find an agreement."

Even if the Speaker seems to be sincere and open, Krom carefully studies him trying to understand his true intentions. (Insight 21)

Chill's ears pricked up as the man mentioned that he would have diamonds for sale.  Chill had been flipping his luck stone in his hand but he quickly caught it and slipped it into a pouch hidden in his shirt.  Standing erect he moved to follow the man.

"Yes, lets do that." he said, his voice smooth as silk.  Anyone paying attention had noticed that the new laugh came when things were stressful, but now Chill spoke as he had before; calm, cool and collected.  The coming negotiation held no stress for Chill.  This was the realm he lived in.

Rhogar grimaces a touch, but then chuckled and admits, "I about figured as much. And admittedly apart from that, I doubt I would be able to contribute much to any further deals." He then started scanning the bar floor seeming to search for something. "The rest of you can go ahead. I will remain down here and make sure Gorrah doesn't get into too much trouble.... as soon as I can find her, anyhow."  

Rekuberk makes a noncommittal sound as Kazri pats him on the back, keeping a close eye on the speaker. As they discuss diamonds he stands against the wall and keeps his eyes scanning the room, his uneasiness only growing as the group are led to the room.

You follow the man to a set of rooms, clearly nicer than the rest as the man resides here.  In the room a tielfling sits in a chair next to a warm fire.  Naerth Maxildanarr enters the room and crosses to a cage sitting on a table.  Opening a box he draws out a dead mouse and feeds it to two small flying snakes that are within the cage.

"This is Captain Skath," Naerth says as an introduction.  "He leads the town militia." The tielfling nods but says nothing. 

Moving to a desk he produces a key and opening a drawer he takes out a black cloth and unwraps it and places it open on the desk "Now, you need diamonds and I have a few that I am willing to sell.  Their quality is the finest you will find and will suit your purposes I am sure."  

Stepping up you see 4 diamonds, 2 smaller, 1 medium and 1 large.

"Take a look, inspect them if you wish, they are authentic.  300 gold for each of the smaller ones, 500 for the medium and 1000 for the largest.  You will not find anything like these, even in Bryn Shander."

Krom nods back to the Tiefling as the Speaker introduces him. As Naerth feeds his flying snakes, the dwarf raises an eyebrow for a moment then he walks closer to examine the diamonds. "You have a good eye for precious stones Speaker." Krom takes from his pouch 300 gold pieces and places them on the table "Here you go, I'll take one of the smaller ones." He turns towards Chill and Rekuberk "This should take care our of immediate problems."

Chill nearly laughed out loud as Krom went to pay the man for the diamond.  He put a paw on Krom's arm as Krom reached for his money bag.

"A moment please Master Krom.  Perhaps a lesson in economics first?   Paying 300 gold for a diamond does not actually means said diamond is worth 300 gold."

Taking the diamond he held it up to his eye and looked at it carefully.   He then set it aside and looked at the others.He tried to determine their basic value.

Investigation 16

Kazri was about to also purchase a small diamond, when Chill intervened. She steps back, and let the Tabaxi manage the transaction.

Chill catches the slightly soured look Naerth gives when the tabaxi steps in to halt the quick sale, though the others miss it.  After spending a few moments examining each of the diamonds Chill makes a quick valuation of each.

Neither of the 2 smaller ones are worth the asking price though the one Krom nearly paid for is better than the other.  The medium diamond seems to be worth what is asked while the largest is the least valued compared to the asking price.

"Chill, we need at least one diamond worth 200 gold." Says Krom as the Tabaxi examines the diamonds. 
As the Tabaxi informs the group of his estimation, the dwarf turns towards the Speaker and in a serious tone, asks "Speaker, what is the meaning of this? Are you trying to take advantage of us?" The dwarf frowns as he continues "We do not ask to have those diamonds for free, but we will not overpay them."

"Its fine Krom." Chill says quietly.  "He's a business man.  Caveat emptor is what we used to say back in Chult.  It meant buyer beware.  What kind of seller doesn't try to make a profit on his wares?"

Chill turns his attention back to Naerth.

"This medium diamond, we will take it." He then pulls out a couple bracelets.  "I picked these up along the way.  They value about 275 gold.  My over eager friend here will cover the remainder in gold.  Fair?"

Persuasion 9