The sparkle that Katia managed to send at the dying elf would hardly hurt a chicken and it seemed that elf was finally ready to talk anyway. Katia made a few steps toward the bandit. "Who are you and why did you attack us?"

Shagar will move to each of the elves and check the bodies of the dead

Investigation: 18

Slowly getting to her feet and spitting blood to one side, Red Chanter looks at Katia.

"The why seems fairly clear. We capitalized on the element of surprise and they defended."

She looks to the injured elf and approaches with her most pleasant smile (made almost horrific by the blood covering most of her teeth). "Everything else is yet to be determined. Now, my friend, we came here to speak with the proprietor and speak with her we shall. Now, where is she? And to that end, who is this boss of yours? I'm sure we'll wish to speak with them as well."

"They attacked first," stubbornly repeated Katia but did not interfere with interrogation anymore.

"Meat-brains came in swinging."  The elf nods toward Daelgar.  "Not that it matters much.  In this business it's kill or be killed."  The elf considers for a moment.  "Well, the jig's up.  Our crew works for Hulil Lutan, a dwarf priestess of Tiamat. Hulil works for the Uttolot family of Shadycreek Run." 

"Hulil’s sister, Tulgi, robbed this shop about two months ago, and Hulil sent us to shake it again.  See, Hulil is sick, or cursed.  Some affliction that causes her to move slowly and is turning her veins blue.  Like a dwarf popsicle.  She's holed up in Croaker Cave with more crew, and some other religious nut.  They meditate and pray all hours."  The elf rolls his eyes.

"But, Hulil  says jump, we ask how high.  The money's good.  She ordered us to trash this place in search of potions, scrolls, or other items that might help cure her. But we found nothing useful."

The elf grins, showcasing a bloody smile to rival Red's.  "That elf who owns this.  You'll find her back there in the living quarters.  She don't look too good."

In the rear quarters you find what appears to be an ice statue of an elf bundled beneath the blankets of a bed along the east wall of the room. A small table loaded with dirty teacups and a kettle stands next to the bed.  Verla Pelc, the reclusive owner, has become a frozen corpse.

"Well that was the easiest interrogation I've ever been a part of. Since the the immediate threat has been dealt with, I think this one should be turned over to Elro to judge according to Palebank's laws." Red Chanter takes a length of rope from her pack and limps over to tie up the elf. "Would one of you mind fetching Mr. Aldataur while we finish searching for clues or anything else that might help us along the way? He should also be made aware of Verla's demise and the increased threat to the village."

"I'll go." After all Katia was the most familiar with the villagers here and, to be honest, not that keen of the display of deadbodies. Before she left, though, the girl asked: "Seems like we were right - it's relics, or one of them. But ... if the cave is full of cultists... how are we going to convince them to part with the treasure?"

Tapping his cane to get Katia's attention, "The usual end for violent cults is death, lass.  Considering she be sendin folks to harm the locals, they be violent. When she dies, likely the band will fall apart and we'll have brigand all 'round."

Red Chanter nods.

"And most even semi-rational people wouldn't want to hang on to a cursed item that kills anyone it touches so we can hope that they'll want to be rid of it."

Harley goes to the rear quarters and inspects the area around the bed for clues or anything that might help them. 

Investigation: 3

She then murmurs a few words of apology to Verla and uses the blanket to fully cover the frozen corpse. 

"As soon as this one is safely in Elro's hands," she says to the group while gesturing at the elf Red is tying up, "we should hurry to the cave. Who knows how many others might have touched one of the cursed objects, and be freezing as we speak?"

Shagar searches the six elves, finding no further clues.  She does recover as many leather armors, scimitars, and light crossbows.  Harley scans the cabin for additional clues, but only finds the broken remains of Verla's unusual collection.

Elro arrives, summoned by Katia.  A seasoned law elf, he doesn't flinch at the bodies.  But when he sees Verla, his skin becomes the color of refined flour.  "Is it... Is it contagious?"

(Actions?  Do we head to Croaker Cave immediately?)

"Everythin can catch something.  But I betcha its item not person based. Too few for a plague, too many fora one off.  I'm bettin cursed items." Old Man Malik can't help those on scene much, and sits ina corner while the others dig through items and scavanage and make plans.  

(I do not oppose traveling onward; though short rest would be good for some folslk to top up HP; and to get the one slot back. but if we're going regardless thats fine too)

(Short rest would be nice. At some point we planned to go to the caves even at the morning, no?)

"It looks like a cursed item or items," elaborated Katia. "My uncle brought several relics from that place - Eiselcross. And he sold them to Verla. Both died now. Then Hulil and Tulgi stole the items and both are sick. It can not be all a coincidence. We do not know if this is one item or all of them, but it has to be them."

Red Chanter picks up a crossbow, inspects it, then gathers all the bolts she can find on the elves.

To Elro she says, "It's hard to be certain but I'm inclined to agree with Old Man Winter. I'm sure others have come in contact with Verla since she acquired the item but it seems only those who have possessed it have been affected so far."

(I'm never a fan of knowing you're heading into a fight on less than a full tank...especially at 1st level. But it feels like the narrative is making this feel time sensitive so we should probably head straight there after a short rest.)

On that note, she asks anyone more familiar with the village, "Do you suppose any shopkeepers would be willing to trade at this hour? If we're to charge right back into danger, I'd like to see about any kind of restoratives they may have and..." she looks down at the crossbow bolt hole through her leather armor, "...anything that might better keep my fur from getting bloody so easily. It really is a pain to wash out."

"I clearly ain't the brains o' this group, but it seems to me that our pu... Red, needs a fair shot at a good night's sleep b'fore we go trapesing thru the wilderness. A cat nap ain't gonna get us far if there's more than a few o' these cultists hidin' around the cave." Looking at the carnage and dead bodies, spreading his hands wide to emphasise the point, "If'n these elves were sent t' clean shop, we know they gotta be expected back soon. Let's get a few hours o' shut eye tonight and make fer the cave b'fore first light. We'll make better time if we're fresher an with the mornin' light."

Red Chanter looks around one more time to make sure they didn't miss anything helpful.

Investigation: 20

Red rummages through the artifacts and goods,  coming upon an overturned display case.  The contents were under lock and key, but the impact has shattered the glass.  Red discovers a false wall in the case and, behind it, a cache of coins with strange markings and a folded leather case.  Four unusual glass vials,  each containing green globules seemingly suspended in air, rest within.   There was a fifth,  but the impact has crushed the glass and allowed the green liquid to escape. 

(You find four potion of healing).

Red Chanter carefully wraps each of her findings in a scrap of cloth, being careful not to touch the coins or the case just in case, and puts them in her pack.

"I'm afraid waiting until morning might put us at more of a disadvantage. We can create light if necessary, as we've seen, but if these four don't return before morning Hulil and the others might be suspicious and on the lookout. I think we can all take a moment to catch our breath and we should be well enough to press on. Is anyone unable to continue tonight?"

"I can," assured Katia, "but you barely recovered from your injuries. Still, if we can convince them of the danger peacefully," she looked at Malik, "may be we do not need to be in full strength."

"Clearly they'd heard of the funeral, what be causing it, and likely others.  I can't imagine they care to chat if they took this approach and not talked to the mayor fellah. Still, if they'd be willing patients we can see what we can do fer em.  I doubt they'll take kindly to us visiting after murdering n' turning in their bedfellahs though."  Grumpy but open to options in the corner, "Let me know if you find a heal kit... I dunno who to pay but we could use more."

(Prior to us setting out, but after the short rest. Old Man Malik will attempt to see if they had any Heal Kits in stock; I'd rather give advantage to someone else but if no one else looks for one: Investigation 5

[ooc] Also, is folks wanting to use their Hit Die to try and heal; or are they severally wounded? I can Heal Kit them before the long rest and be able to do it again after. just be aware that costs gold; and I only have so many uses (admitidly its a lot of uses but still we're a big group).  Red I believe should be fairly okay between the cure wounds and short rest? but let me know if you're hurt more.  I have not /won't be looking at sheets, so its up to ya'll to make pain known [/ooc]