“Tell me about it, i was traveling for hours from Eastheaven, nearly froze of my fingers. I was hopeful to make a few coins here, but with one inn closed and the other nearly empty i get the feeling i was wrong.”

Gae-Al watches the conversation out of the corner of his eyes and considers ignoring it, then relents.

”Ja. It is strange the cold is unending. I wonder why it is like this. Who caused it and where are they?”

He looks around the room at the occupants as they might be to blame. 

"I was told a curse was layed here. That's why I came north - breaking the curse would bring me fame, wouldn't it? That's what I had in mind. Now I'm not so sure. I imagined I'll come here, stab a wolf or something and come back a hero. Now I'm thinking I'll become a statue of ice, reminding others that dreams never come true. Even if it was just stabbing a wolf, I don't even know where is the wolf to stab."

Cocoa can be seen shifting his eyes between the chowder and a small notebook he has, writing hurriedly about what you can only assume are the finer points of how chowder is made. He sprinkles a bit of pepper on top and takes a bite, satisfied.

"That sounds terrible," the kobold says to Welfyx. "and I'm glad you're alright now. I'm sure opportunity will present itself; it's always pulled through for me so far."

He reminisces on the words of the barkeep, before turning to Brorth. "A curse causing this... interesting. I'm not sure who would even be capable of it or what could be done..." he shrugs, then adds: "But as to fame, that light-in-a-canteen seems like an interesting thing you've invented. I'm sure things that you build would capture people's interest should this curse business not pan out." he says optimistically.

"I tried that, didn't work. At best, someone would buy my creations as a toy, and not many people found them fun for that purpose either. The reason I'm looking for a grand adventure is that I assume people will appreciate my creations more if they know they assisted me while doing... whatever great thing I hope to do." He thinks for a moment and adds: "The one who told me I should come up north didn't tell me much about the curse, only that it exists. Considering the number of days that passed since I last saw the sun, I don't think he was lying. I just hope he'd tell me more. Assuming he even knows any more..."

Safice lifts his hand “I’m fine, thank. So you don’t really know who’s in that inn, huh. Well perhaps we can check it out as well.” 

The barkeep nods and leaves to take care of the other guests

6 cp per bowl of hot chowder, deduct from your sheets how much you ate

“A curse.. An’ yet I came t’see t’astonishin’ northern lights. Eh, well.. If there’s nothin’ more t’see here, I’m all for headin’ out now, wit’ a full stomach!”

“Ahh, that was needed!” Welfyx puts down his bowl after finishing his meal. 
“You guys want to check out what is going on in the other inn? Maybe it is worth a few coins...”

Welfyx pays the barmen a silver and a smile before collecting his coat and instruments that stop playing. He carefully packs most of them to protect them against moisture and only keeps his drum close by.

"Sure, that looks like a good place to start. Assuming there's a good place to start in this place." He finishes his meal, gets up and pays the barkeeper. "Shall we?"

Once settled with the barkeep, Svrf exits the tavern. ”No’ th’ most forthcomin’ of gents, for a strugglin’ establishment, bereft o’ business. I’ll wager there’s something’ fishy here besides th’ chowder...”

Cocoa pays the 1 sp 2 cp for the chowder and follows the rest out.

"I dearly hope it is just squatters, as you say, and not something more nefarious." he says.

When they reach the door of the closed inn, Cocoa tries the doorknob. Perhaps it's unlocked.

Gae-Al grunts and puts 12 copper on the bar, then joins the group. 

“I need to check the town out anyway that’s as good a place as any.”

He nods to the barkeep. “Good chowder gjestfrihet gir“

Cocoa notices the door is locked. You can try to pick the lock with a Sleight of Hand (proficiency with thieves' tools apply if you use it, and you have advantage if you use a crowbar) or something else(such as bash the door or drop down the chimney).

Cocoa takes out a crowbar and gets to work, using a kebab skewer from his pack to help pick the lock.

Thieves' Tools (DEX) check with advantage: 8

Cocoa picks the lock as it clicks open.

“Well if it is closed then it might be good to open it back up for folks. At least until we can get these supplies coming to the town.”  Safice will thank the owner then joins the others at the inn. “Shit, it’s freezing maybe that bowl of chowder could have done me some good.” 

Quote from Jayden0 >>

Cocoa picks the lock as it clicks open.

 
"Excellent."  the kobold smiles at his handiwork. He slowly edges the door open and peeks inside.

“Nice job!” Well if everyone is okay with it, I’ll take the lead unless any of you want to go first.” 

Cocoa spots what he would expect from any closed inn: A normal inn except the lights are off this time, and it is a bit damp and dusty.