(Noone can resist the charms of le puss in boots!)

Though Rhogar smiled appreciatively at the Brass for catching the bill, the Bronze soon after looking away seeming slightly more subdued in demeanor. At some point or another, Gorrah is remateralized upon the Prime to have at much of his meal. Yet rather than be annoyed, the sight cheers the Bronze's spirit enough to do more than just passively listen to conversation. "It seems when the time comes dare Chip, you will truly have to give your all." He commented on offhandedly with a chuckle.

As Rhogar is raising a half-empty cup of mead to his maw, he finally and truly takes notice of the shield dwarf eyeing the crew. With a soft, "I'll be right back", Rhogar made his way over to the woman with Mug in hand, but Psuedodragon left to consume the rest of a hardly consumed meal. "Might I have a seat?" He asked politely, gesturing to any empty seat near the elder. "Forgive me for being presumptuous. But you look like you have an interesting story just brewing behind that look. And while I'm not quite my Brass friend over there, I am ever seeking to learn more about the lands beyond my home and its people." 

Chill looks over his shoulder at Chip and grins.  Looking back at Scramsaw he extends his hand.   

"You sir have a deal and will not be disappointed.   You'll get a show to liven this dreary town.   Name's Chill.  We are the White Cloaks and we're here to serve."

As he sits back down. 

"There you go Chip, saved you a few coin.   Don't be so quick to accept the first offer.   That man never stood a chance!"

Chill calls for another drink and settles into his chair and looks around to see if there is anyone that might want to dice with him. 

"Thanks Chill, I suppose you are right. I guess I was just so happy to be out of the cold I didn't care what it cost" The dragonborn would say with a smile. "And as far as the show later.. I was planning on having you come on stage and give me a hand." He would add with a grin. "I think your lessons have been coming along quite nicley, I can't wait to see how you do in front of an audience!" He would say with a smile as he gives the tabaxi a hard slap on the shoulder. 

"That is very generous of you my friend!" says Krom as Chip offers to pay for the lodging. "I agree lass, we should investigate those murders. Starting from the one that occurred here three days ago. A trapper, a shipbuilder and a glassblower, they do not have nothing in common." replies Krom to Kazri. After a few moments of pause he adds "Beside the fact that they are all of different races, halfling, human and dwarf and that they have been killed by the same type of weapon."

"As for your question lass, honey mead is extremely important. Why you may ask," Krom pauses for a moment "the answer is simple, because it is honey mead! And also because with this never-ending winter, drinking alcohol is extremely important. " says with a big smile.

Krom notices Rhogar walking towards the shield dwarf and, taking his mug and another mug full with ale, follows the dragonborn. As Rhogar finishes his introduction, Krom salutes the fellow shield dwarf and sits down in an empty seat placing the mug filled with ale in front of the elder dwarf. "Greetings, Krom Firebeard of Axeholm, Smith of Moradin at your service." salutes Krom in dwarvish. He then continues in common "I was noticing that you were paying attention to us when the innkeeper told us about those murders. Can we be of some service to you?" 

Kazri nods to Krom. "I think I got it..." As Chill and Chip work on the performance for the night, and Rhogar and Krom heads to the other table. She tries to keep a tab on all of her companions, and for any issues that may arise. Meanwhile, Kazri scans the inn for any possible trouble. Any person that has an unhealthy interest in her group. (Perception: 15)

Rekuberk for the most part simply listens to what is being said, taking mental notes as they are told of the strange events that have been happening. "Well it seems that we will be more needed then we thought. This does sound very concerning."

The dwarf looks Krom and Rhogar over and then accepts the offered drink.

"Aye, yes.  I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you.  My name is Hlin Trollbane.  I'm a retired bounty hunter who has been stalking a serial killer ever since I found a connection between three murders and a small trading company called Torg’s. You folk seem to know one end of blade from the other and your competence shows.  Your tabaxi friend there handled ol' Scramsax very well and my guess is the rest of you have skills to match his tongue. Strange things been happening in this town and I've taken it upon myself to look into these murders.  The suspect is a bit more than one old dwarf can handle and I was thinkin of offering you a job.  No one else—not even the Council of Speakers—can be bothered to look into the murders. I am asking to help take down my only suspect: a man named Sephek Kaltro. Here’s what I know about Sephek and the victims"

“Sephek Kaltro works for a small traveling merchant company called Torg’s, owned and operated by a shady dwarf named Torrga Icevein. In other words, Sephek gets around. He’s charming. Makes friends easily. He’s also Torrga’s bodyguard, so I’m guessing he’s good with a blade."

“His victims come from the only three towns that sacrifice people to the Frostmaiden on nights of the new moon. This is what passes for civilized behavior in Icewind Dale. Maybe the victims found a way to keep their names out of the drawings and Sephek found out they were cheating, so he killed them. Maybe, just maybe, Sephek is doing the Frostmaiden’s work."

“I followed Torg’s for a tenday as it moved from town to town. Quite the devious little enterprise, but that’s not my concern. What struck me is how comfortable Sephek Kaltro looked in this weather. No coat, no scarf, no gloves. It was like the cold couldn’t touch him. Kiss of the Frostmaiden, indeed."

“I will pay you a hundred gold pieces to apprehend Sephek Kaltro, ascertain his guilt, and deal with him, preferably without involving the authorities. When the job is done, return to me to collect your money.”

Quote from DarthDrizzt >>

Rekuberk for the most part simply listens to what is being said, taking mental notes as they are told of the strange events that have been happening. "Well it seems that we will be more needed then we thought. This does sound very concerning."

"Indeed Mr. Onc. We should remain vigilant."

Krom listens carefully to Hlin while drinking the rest of his ale and trying to study the dwarf (Insight 19). "So for you this Sephek Kaltro is the mysterious assassin behind those murders. Let me ask you a question, what made you follow Torg's in the first place? How did you link them and Sephek to the three victims? Were all three Torg's customers?" asks the dwarf. "You offer is generous and since we were thinking to investigate this matter anyway, I think that my friends will not have any issues with accepting this request. By the way, is Sephek or Torg's still in this town or they have moved to another one now?"

"Torg's was in the towns when the murders happened. Certain settlements; Bryn Shander, Easthaven, and Targos, are making humanoid sacrifices to Auril, holding lotteries to determine who gets sacrificed on nights of the new moon. The murders happened in these towns and when Torg's was in town.
They seem to be the only link to each that fits. So I followed them. That's when I started suspecting Sephak Kaltro. The more I observed and learned of him the more I felt he's the one. I've been a bounty hunter for many decades, I trust my instincts. I heard him one night in a tavern in Good Mead claim that he was born on the holiday of Midwinter and that the Frostmaiden’s blessing protects him from the cold.

He's the guy I tell ya. But I can't prove. That's what I need you for. If my theory is true and Sephek Kaltro is killing Ten-Towners who cheat their way out of becoming sacrifices to Auril, it’s likely the Frostmaiden will use him to kill again. The new moon is about two tendays away.

As for where Torg's is right now, I don't know. They aren't in Bryn Shander, I know that. Torg's is run by Torrga, a shield dwarf. She employs Sephek Kaltro as a bodyguard and pays four others to drive and protect the sleds. The caravan consists of three heavily laden dogsleds, each one pulled by six sled dogs. One sled carries provisions and supplies for Torrga, her team, and her dogs. It flies a flag bearing the company’s emblem, a gold wolf’s paw on a black field. The other two sleds transport goods for sale. It's an outdoor shop. Goods are unpacked and displayed in crates, with small canopies to keep the snow off them. They travel from town to town throughout the Dale."

Rhogar let Krom do most of the talking, but would closely listened to the story. When it came to hearing that Bryn played a part in humanoid sacrifices to Auril, his eyes actually wide for a second, and then narrowed as he tried to recall who in the bar gave them odd looks. 'Lotterry or not, its-...!' He catches himself mid thought, faintly shook his head, and then tuned back in on the conversation proper. If anyone noticed he at least had the decency to look apologetic. Yet soon after, he's motioning for things to continue.

"... I'm not much one for clandestine business, personally. But, if nothing else, it is a lead, at the very least. One we might want to handle somewhat delicately, given that we our outsiders, and that there might be a non-zero chance this whole lottery business does not stop at only locals alone. Or the extremes some may go to be just as quickly rid of us to spare their own." Rhogar said as much, and while combing back his frill tried to think up anything he knew about the 'Frost Maiden' or her blessings, if anything. A long shot most likely, but he had been staying in Neverwinter for some time. So just maybe some details were passed along from the north.

Religion: 3.

Chip would move to take the stage after having his share of food and drink. once there he would motion for Chill to come on up with him. 

"Thank you for the information Hlin." replies Krom, "We will try to find out more information and have a chat  with that fellow. If he is indeed behind those murders, he will taste Moradin's fire." The dwarf stands up and before returning to the others he asks "If we need to talk to you, for exchanging information or collecting, where can we find you?"

Krom will listen to Hlin's replies and return to the Fellowship's table where he will tell to the other members what the Shield dwarf told him and Rhogar.

"You'll find me here at the Northlook.  As far as I know they've only served up locals for these sacrifices.  I'm not a a local so I'm not in line for that.   Visitors are hard to come by and they don't want to scare off caravaners and the like with the chance they might win the lottery."

Rhogar remembers one of the sailors on the Icebreaker speaking one night of Auril.  It wasn't much and mostly said out of fear.

Auril is the Frostmaiden, the cold breath of the north. She asks that her followers extinguish all flames, open structures to the cold, and to embrace winter... Those are the basic precepts of the faith.  She is known to be a lesser god of cold indifference who embodies winter’s cruelty.

"Well it seems that I am going to have to go through with my earlier statement about taking people doing sacrifices and returning the favor. Whatever is going on here this Kaltro does sound like someone that we should speak to." The half orc says, clearly outraged as he clenches his fists tightly.

Chill tunes his lute and will help Chip with his performance that night.   Mostly staying in the back and providing a little rhythmic accompaniment to Chip's show.

Chip would loosen up.. stomping his feet as he begins to strum his lute. As he does so a set of spectral female tabaxi would form and begin dancing alongside Chill in the background moments before dancing lights start to circle the two performers. "This place is cold as ice!... " The dragonborn would shout at the start of his song as he plays with the help of Chill..

Performance! 20 

Krom nods to the shield dwarf and before returning to his seat next to the fire he inquires "One last question, could you point me to shop of the glassblower? We may find some clues at his shop."

The dwarf sits down and, sipping another ale as he watches the two performers, asks to the other members of the group "After they finish their song, shall we take a quick tour of the city? We should still have a few hours of daylight left."

Though the Bronze left the meeting somewhat frustrated with himself, once back with the others and given a few minutes to cool, the feeling turns to determination. Its only after that he truly tunes into the song, and inwardly grimaces. "Not sure if THAT particular number may have been the best one for those suffering the grip of this Auril goddess the most. But-..." He trails off there with a shrug. "Sorry. Yes, a tour would be best. With daylight being such a precious commodity, every little bit we'll need, darkvision or not."

"That would be a better use of our time. Let's head out when Chip and Chill are finished with their performance." Kazri gets ready to head outside again.