"Can you somehow lure the frog over here?" Katia liked the idea of riding that big amphibian again and did not fancy swimming in ice cold water. "Or we can fix a couple ropes to the stalagmites?"

Red is able to traverse the cave by clinging to the eastern wall. Once outside, it’s not hard to locate the large plank. The bandits abandoned it several yards outside the cave’s entrance. Hauling it back, it’s only a matter of minutes before the group is able to safely exit the cavern.

(It’s now well past midnight. Do you want to head straight to the Inn, or wait until morning?)

"Off to the in I say; if we're in luck we can find the merchant and warn, retrive and figure it out. Ifn they left afore us, we'll rest and set out with supplies to catch up." Suggests old weary Malik

Katia nodded in full agreement with the idea, and led those not familiar with the way to the inn with the merchant.

It’s deep into the night when you reach The Jolly Dwarf, a cozy, two-story inn run by a retired adventurer named Arl Bortock. The downstairs of the inn features a large taproom, which is unlocked and unmanned.  The table chairs are stacked neatly atop the tables, the floor swept, the bar pristinely clean.  Guest rooms extend through the floor above and the the side wing.  A large bell hangs near the door with a sign that reads “Ring If You Enjoyed Your Stay”.  Arl's quarters are behind the bar's wall.

As Daelnar enters the inn, he visibly stands a little taller and puffs his chest up. "Ah, I'm always fond of the ourdoors, but there's nothing like a warm taproom to make you feel good about life!" He wanders to the bell and reads the sign. Understanding that he isn't supposed to ring the bell, he takes the axe from his belt, reverses it, and bangs loudly on the timbers supporting the bell, accompanying it with a loud and hearty "HEEELLLLOOOOOOOOO to the house!"

Shagar enters the warm interior shaking off the cold and little bits of snow that has been falling. "It appears we've arrived after closing." The tall Orc will move up to stand next to her human companion waiting for a response from the establishment. 

With a yelp, and a cry, Malik smacks Daelnar's thigh with his obsiddian cane "Damn you youngin's why are you all so damn loud?"   taking a moment to spint in the tobacco jar in the common room, the old man shuffles near the heat.  "Simple and quiets out the door. Well mayben that we're lookin fer will show up now; or not and we narrow down the troubles." figuring anyone currently in freezing mode likely won't come hollar at the keenly loud entry to the old man's sensabilities 

"Just wait a little - it's late, they could rest already. Good thing they keep doors open for sudden night guests." Katia did not add her voice to the chorus, expecting the owner of the Inn to appear any seconds after Daelnar's summon.

Red Chanter smirks and leans against the bar next to Daelnar and quietly says, "Not sure about you, but half the time I can't understand a word he says and the other half I have absolutely no idea what he's going on about."

She waves a hand behind her at the empty tables and suddenly it sounds like a drunk and unruly crowd is shuffling into the taproom with voices laughing and yelling for service.

Harley enters the taproom with the group, savouring the rare warmth it provides. She laughs at Red's illusion as she moves to the closest table and pulls down a chair, then sits facing the bar  while waiting for someone to appear.

Almost immediately there’s a stirring in Arl’s chambers. “Alright, alright! Quit yer bangin ‘n hollerin! Bar’s open!” A moment later he emerges. Arl is a portly, aged dwarf with hair as white as snow and a matching beard that trails past his knees. He wears a long, brown nightgown of thick material and a similarly colored sleeping hat with a tail that hangs over his shoulder.

He rounds the corner and gasps. “‘’S yoo makin’ such a racket?! Katia! Taken to drink, have ye? Malik! Returnin’ to it?”

Chuckling and pushing herself off the bar, Red Chanter ends the spell. "Apologies, Arl. It's hard to resist poking the bear after a day like we've had and we're, unfortunately, in a hurry so we might not have time to stay and drink for now."

She approaches him, cocks a hip, and swishes her tail as she asks, "Do you currently have a merchant staying under your roof who goes by the name 'Irven Liel'? It's very important that we find him as quickly as possible as his life may be in danger and the lives of several others may hang in the balance."

"Weelll, when ye put it like that!"  Arl scratches his nose and yawns.  "But what's so urgent you'd have me wake me guests this time 'o night? Nothin's gonna bother them here, 'cept you bunch o' drunks makin' too much noise."

"They share a wall with a tavern that you keep up all through the night. I'm sure there's some expectation when they see the layout," she grins. "Besides, this is probably preferable for dear Irven than us just barging into his room. Now," her face grows more stern. "I couldn't help but notice that you didn't mention Mr. Liel's whereabouts and, as I said, we're in quite a hurry." Her tail swishes again, clearly perturbed and impatient.

Quote from Ashen_Age >>

He rounds the corner and gasps. “‘’S yoo makin’ such a racket?! Katia! Taken to drink, have ye? Malik! Returnin’ to it?”

 Waving his cane about his own face, "Bah, As if I e'er left it! I'll live to be 110 and I'll still like my mead, warm fire and book ya fool's gold inn keeper" Huffs Malik, spoken with a bit of endearment to "his" fool's gold Inn, Shiny and fun, but not exactly high class.

"butter we aren't jokin' round.  Spot of trouble. Ye heard of the trouble at the local shop?  We're worried about this feller being a target for pain."  expresses Malik with a hint of sad doctor"Now quick as ye can, we need to go. Aah. Also no drinking strange blue liquids."

20 Persuasian

Katia gave a polite quick smile but become serious right away. "Thank you for offer, Arl, but we better finish with that business first. It is important, as others said. People are dying and that merchant can be the next victim. He does not even know in how much danger he is, the sooner we warn him, the more chances he will survive."

Arl frowns. “Trouble? Well, Elro did come ‘round after Urgon’s funeral, rest his soul, askin’ if anybody’d showed signs of sickness, like chills or fever. But I ain’t seen nothin’ ‘o the sort here…” Arl’s eyes grow large in the darkness. “Yoo sayin’ these folks might be sick like Urgon? Tarnation! Ye shoulda said so!”

With that, Arl disappears down the hall. You can hear him knock on a door and the quiet moments that follow. There are hushed whispers, and a couple of minutes later Arl appears with a sleepy looking male human, his hair standing straight up on one side of his head, wearing heavy pajamas and slippers.

“This be Irven Liel,” Arl introduces the man. “He’s stayin’ here with his husband ‘n wee ones. Mr. Liel, these folks are neighbors ‘n guests. This here’s Katia, Malik, Shagar, Daelnar, Red, ‘n Harley. I fear they have some heavy news. I’ll pour us all a drink.” Arl slips behind the bar, and Irven looks to you expectantly. “Yes? Arl said you had something urgent to share with me?”

Shagar will keep to the edges of the conversation keeping an eye out in case anyone tries to interrupt. 

Perception: 15

(oof)

"I'll be blunt Irven, we gots us some worries about them artefacts that Urgon gone brought back from Eiselcross. We thinks that one 'em be causing this freezing death, and we be trying to chase down the cause just as fast as we can." Daelnar lays it out to the man in a plain fashion, no frills. He's tired, has been running around the frozen wilds, and battled frogs, elves, and almost a dwarf. He gives the man a flat stare, "If'n yet got any of those in her possession, we be needing them."