"I was thinking about it," nodded Mihris to suggestion that contradicted all her believes. "It was not the most peaceful thought and I am still not sure I can be convincing enough. But I can try. We can also remind Ignazio of a danger of such sacrifices, though ... it can be a double edged sword - who knows, those people can think they appease Auril with such offering and can get through wilds unharmed? May be better to stick with the warning only. I will try my best." She was ready to meet Ignazio the moment group was willing to go.

(Do not worry about pushing - someone has to push the plot forward)

Vanys grins at Mia and says, "I'll do my best. Your point about the priestess makes sense so we should all go see Ignazio. Besides, we don't know what he'll say and the more of us there are to convince him, the better." With that, he nods, and seeing everyone else ready to go starts heading off towards Ignazio's tent.

(OOC: I rather like Mia's bossiness, it makes for interesting inter-party character interactions.)

(its fun party dynamics)

Saddling up-without a saddle, simply tossing his pack over his back Red prepares to move and agrees, "A fair point for him is how it may look to Icewind Dale if he' becomes known for holding trials and throwing people to the wilds at the whims of travlers-Strings pulled by a foreign warduke of falsehood, and an impulsive priestess. Being known as a Merchant of Death is bad for business."

(edit: spelling of impulsive)

"Did you hear that! Red just gave us good motivation! Surviving for a couple of days, then you can get a sweet beautiful home,my friend!" Mia tickles Mike with her fingertip. She pinches the mouse and puts him into her pocket. Her coat has many pockets which is fortunate for the little elf and her small friend…. 

"Well said Red. If Ignazio killed someone by fake accusations, that would hurt him a lot! I mean, who wants to join a caravan which suddenly throws you into a snow desert?" Swinging her arms and going over the snow, Mia heads to the front of the caravan. " Before reaching the caravan master, I wanna discuss a few things. Miri's great one gives her a miracle to boost her friends abilities and power which is very useful and super strong. But she can only use … Ah,twice a day? So we need to decide when we should use it beforehand…" 

((Absolutely continue on with your RP and plans, everyone! :) Just wanted to let you know that if you had any choice restriction due to the "Player's Handbook +1" Rule on your character (like spell selection, etc.), you can change to your liking, because that rule just got revoked from Adventurers League 🎉 https://yawningportal.dnd.wizards.com/blog/saying-goodbye-to-the-ph1-rule/ we can say the spell changes happened on the long rest))

"I can only imagine that a blessing like that should be saved if we got into a fight." Vanys suggests, "Although perhaps before an extremely important social interaction it might also be useful..." He shakes his head, "No, I think saving it in case we get into a fight would be prudent. Unless we are certain that we won't need to fight anyone for the rest of the day, I think it is best to save our resources for that."

(OOC: In actuality, I have never played AL before, so I don't know whether that is actually true, but Vanys would probably think that and in my experience in home games and other games on the forums, saving resources for fights tends to be the way to go.)

"Well, if that boost creates more forceful speaking then it likely is not a bad idea for our chat with Ignazio, or the trial itself. If anyone is skillful with words in the first place, it may help sway to reason.  Ideally we avoid violence; but it is an undeniable risk considering we'll be speaking out against folks backing this-or potentialy stronger statements.  How long does the blessing last?"

(Neat rule change there. Not any terrible big changes overall over here.

"It is indeed a generous gift of Eldath, that she grants her faithful. It lasts for ten minutes - enough for soothing hot heads. Or at least it should be enough. Let us see if we are worty of that gift and can do what we need in time. Shall we?" The plan was set and there was no reason to delay - if they could speak to Ignazio right away,  then it would be better to be done with it.

As soon as the party reaches Ignazio's wagon, Mia runs toward the nearest guard. She pulls their sleeve,and jumps and yells. "Hi! Good morning! Emergency! Do you know where the caravan master is? We have a veeerrrry pressing business with him!"

The guard is startled as Mialee approaches, clearly he haven't had much sleep while changing shifts last night, "Oh! Uh... That wagon." he points towards the second wagon in order at the front of the caravan. You can see the silhouette of the plump man through the fog, nearby walks a shape wrapped around a distinctively red robe, and at the other side rides a bald man on a horse.

Mia thanks the guard. She walks to the caravan master, waving her hand.  " Oh here you are! We are looking for you, master igna…Oh no!" …Mia runs back ,and hides behind her friends when she sees the fake warduke. "Wow, that's unexpected. What's the egghead doing here?" Said the little elf, painting. "Okay. Miri, guys. Changed the plan. I'll stay behind you, because I don't know how much the baldy remembers me."

Vanys's expression hardens when Mia points out the fake Warduke. Vanys hadn't recognized him from a distance but up close, Mia's description was impeccable. Vanys shields the elf from the Warduke's view as they walk and as they approach, he calls out to Ignazio, "Ignazio, we have some business to speak of. Do you have a place where we might speak privately?" He gives the Warduke a nod of respect as well, but he makes it clear that they wish to speak to Ignazio alone.

Persuasion: 21

At Mia's urging and attempt at hiding. Red sweeps off his purple scarf and wraps it tigntly around Mia's shoulders obscuring her face more; dipping his hand briefly for a bit of soot and chemicals  smuging over her eyebrows breaking up the looks with some dirt. 

As Vanys calls out, Red sneezes a bit, snagging Mia's hand and holding her back a few steps with him as Vanys draws attention.

(Intent is to provide Help action to Mia if she has to make a roll to diguise, or stealth, etc~)

Mialee's approach seems to have been noticed by both Ignazio and Mithann (who where on this side and closer) but apparently not by Emial, and though you were there rather briefly, you managed to catch talk of "... a bird arrived ..." from Emial.

Ignazio is already looking over his shoulder and waves his hand for Emial to wait a moment as Vanys approaches, "Good day to you, honorary magisters!" he says in a half-joking way, speaking rather loudly. He frowns a bit as you mention your need for privacy, "We're shy an hour of our first stop and I have to address the caravan soon, is this really needed?" though as you sound particularly convincing, he begrudgingly climbs down from his wagon under the watching eye of a frowning Emial. You take a few steps away from his wagon and he leans closer, "What is it? Be quick." 

Vanys points his finger at Ignazio and telepathically says, "We have reason to believe that the trial that we will be holding later today is a ploy by the servants of the owl-headed one, Auril, to offer a sacrifice." Out loud he continues, "All we ask is to at least postpone the trial for a few days and give us a chance to investigate further."

(OOC: I am declaring my inspiration here (Unless someone is accompanying and is willing to give the help action)... and I will wait to actually roll to give @BlueBayou a chance to post in case she wanted to use Emboldening Bond and or another feature on the way to this meeting.)

(I cannot think of an effective measure for Red to offer the Help action here; given the particpants and activites going on.)

(I see no reason not to: one Emboldening Bond is used, for 10 minutes Mia and Vanys have 1d4 to add to an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw)

"This is true," joined Mihris the conversation, though as usual softly and quietly. "Should the trial be held, the danger is awaits at the passage - to be cut off of the Towns or buried under the snow. Would you heed the words of those even your Priestess deemed worthy?"

Persuasion: 27

(OOC: RP is above and I am taking Mihris chiming in as the help action... If not, Inspiration was used. I will wait for @coelhogerge for a response before updating my character sheet!)

"Why did they gather this early? …Everyone has still barely awakened!" Mia mumbles under her breath. The little elf pats Red's arm to show her gratitude to the artificer. "…Red, the warduke said … a bird arrived… do you have any idea what it means?" While She tiptoes and whispers to Red's ear, Mia opens her big eyes wide, trying not to miss any reaction that the priestess, caravan master and the imposter show.   

Emboldening Bond:4

Insight:9

((Since Emboldening Bond takes an action, I'll consider Vanys' Inspiration spent on that 👍 Mihris wouldn't be able to Help it either since you used Message for that.))

Ignazio's face contorts in a puzzled scowl, "A- what!? Owl? Pass? What in the Hells are you talking about?" he shakes his still somewhat sleepy head to make sense of the situation, he looks dumbfounded at Vanys and Mihris for a few moments, "You found something this night, haven't you?" he scratches his back and looks off at the distance, "Can't help you with that partners, really wish I could. If we postpone it any length, we'll be right into Ten-Towns. If Bryn Shander doesn't blame us for bringing the criminals, Targos, Bremen, or Dougan's Hole will, and then the Council of Speakers as a whole. And then it's all downhill, people talk, words get out, and I'm done." he looks back at you and shakes his head, "That I can't do." 

((Mialee reads Ignazio as genuinely willing to help out, but he seems to consider postponing the trial not a minor risk for him. He may be more willing to help in other ways.))