For the rest of their journey to Bryn Shander, Karl is even more sullen then usual, his scowl so deep it threatens to drag him into the snow facefirst. Lost in his own thought, and planning his own next moves, he absentmindedly follows Matthias into the Northlook Inn. Perhaps thawed out by the hearth and light scent of spirits, he raises his head and steps up alongside Matthias to meet Scramsax.

“Yes, we were called adventurers and told to come here for room and board and rumor. We have six in our party – can you accommodate that?”

Each of these taverns were run differently, and he had never spent the night in Bryn Shader before.

Auraani freezes in place for a moment, not sure what to say. Well, she had already told one minor falsehood today, how much could it hurt to gather some information. "Yes I am, but I'm trying to keep it close to the vest if you get my meaning. Do you have any info that would help with the case?" 

Deception: 21

Scramsax gives a knowing smile. "Six will be no problem at all. Rooms are 7 SP per night, and the rooms can accommodate two, if desired. For those with a room, the first mug of ale per day is on the house, and a meal would be 2 SP, or 3 SP for 2 meals." He rattles off the numbers as a smooth, practiced spiel.

"As for rumors... I think you'll find a fairly lively and varied crowd here most evenings, gods willing."

Auraani: The lady beams and puffs up proudly. "I knew it! I just knew it, the moment I saw you! It's about time Speaker Duvessa Shane take action and get to the bottom of this. Things are dark enough around here without a serial killer running around. Just wait till I tell my neighbor Penny about this. We were talking just this morning, she had only just got word from her husband, who runs a tavern in the South Side, so he hears everything, anyway, the newest victim was found last night, just as predicted, the whole town's putting it together now, the murders happen on the night of the Lottery, so there must be some connection! Do you have any theories yet?"

"Well met, Scramsax," Matthias replies as he and Karl meet the innkeeper and talk price. "I believe those prices will do. We've just come from Targos. Troubled times there. Troubled times most everywhere in these parts these days, so I hear. How are things here in Bryn Shander?"

Variety smiles at the women. "Hello, I don't suppose you can tell me the difference between the fish can you?"

Matthias: Scramsax gives you an appraising look as he says, “Not good at all. We’ve just had the Lottery last night. A depressing affair. Coming from Targos, I’m sure you are aware of it? And to top it off, there seems to be a serial killer on the loose. I’ve heard just this morning that the 4th victim was found last night in the South End.”

Variety: The lady says, “Not from around here, eh? Well, the knucklehead has a rich, meaty flavor, and the walleye is a more delicate white-flake fish, but the flavor is quite soft, many people like it, especially as everyone gets sick of knucklehead trout from time to time, it’s just everywhere.”

Matthias pulls at his beard as he listens to Scramsax's words. "Yes, we saw the Lottery last night. Horrible thing. So all the Ten Towns do their Lottery on the same night, then? Ten souls sent to charm the Frost Maiden?" He shakes his head, puzzled by the towns' commitment to this ritual. 

At word of a serial killer, he cocks one jet black eyebrow. "So what does this killer do to its victims? How do they know it's one killer?"

He pauses, then quickly adds: "And is there a reward for catching this murderer?"

Auraani nods and smiles at the lady, "Oh.. Um.. Yes, we had come to the same conclusion. We're working some angles and visiting several towns to gather more information before we say too much. You know how those rumors get started regardless of the truth or not right? When we do come up with our theory, we'd like to say we talked to the most knowledgeable people in the town. Could I get your name and the name of Penny's husband and that tavern he works at in case we need to follow up on any leads with either of you?" 

 Auraani: The lady says, "Why certainly! I'm Helena Everbright, and Penny's husband is Grimmet Willoughby, he works at the Three Badgers tavern in South End. We all live right next to the tavern, ask anyone."

Matthias: Scramsax says, "They didn't start calling it a serial killer until the 3rd one, last month, morning after the Lottery, and people started thinking it was one person killing at the time of the Lottery. They all had similar circumstances, found alone, stabbed to death and left to die where they lay. The one last night confirms it, another stabbing on the night of the Lottery. As for reward, you'd better talk to the Captain of the Guard." He says this with a twinkle in his eye and a hint of a smile twisting his lips. You've got him pegged as an ex-adventurer, so this all probably feels very nostalgic to him.

Also Matthias: Scramsax also shakes his head and says, "Oh no, not all Ten-Towns have a Lottery. Each town gives what they feel they can 'afford'. The largest have Lotteries, but some Ten-Towns are so small that a monthly sacrifice would deplete the town too much. The smaller towns sacrifice food, or heat for the night, or so I'm told."

"Thank you so much, you've been a big help!" 

Auraani commits the names to memory and with a wave heads after Variety to the bakery.

[ Inspiration awarded to Auraani for a good job playing along with the nosy townsperson. I'm going to try to be good about handing out inspiration ]

((Sorry, ill get a post out soon, been busy))

Matthias nods at the explanations regarding the murders and the lottery. "Doesn't seem that these lotteries and sacrifices are achieving much though, does it? Endless winter just keeps not ending, eh?"

A moment later he adds. "But who can figure the ways of a god or demigod or fey or whatever this maiden may be, you know? Now a murderer, that's something a bit more concrete. Where would I find the Captain of the Guard?"

Matthias: Scramsax explains that the Captain of the Guard can often be found at his desk in the Council Hall near the center of town.

"Hmm," Variety spends a little time thinking, "I'll take one of each, honestly they both sound and smell delicious."

Quote from BaconExpert982 >>

"Hmm," Variety spends a little time thinking, "I'll take one of each, honestly they both sound and smell delicious."

 The lady takes your coin and hands you one of each fish-filled pie. They are warm and smell quite fishy.

Ssej heads to in the direction of city hall seeking info on the goings on in town and any jobs that the town might need doing.

Nazcan follows Ssej, thinking about going to the bakery