Just another gruesome day in Ten-Towns: howling wind, bitter cold, foul tempers, and snowdrifts big enough to bury a herd of moose. But today the local tavern is abuzz with news about a series of recent killings. Before the murders, the only question on everyone’s mind was, “Will summer ever return to Icewind Dale?” Now the question is, “Will I be the killer’s next victim?” Nothing breeds fear and paranoia like a murderer with no face.
Three cold-blooded murders have been committed in the past month: a halfling trapper in Easthaven, a human shipbuilder in Targos, and, three days ago, a dwarf glassblower in Bryn Shander. Each victim was found with a dagger of ice through the heart.
What’s the connection? The drunken lot huddled in the tavern offers no credible ideas, but sitting apart from them is an elderly shield dwarf with a nasty scar across her nose who looks like she has something worth knowing. She’s been smoking her pipe and eyeing you ever since you walked in. After a moment, you realize this is Hlin Trollbane, the person you've come here to meet.
The heroes have all come to The Lucky Liar in Lonelywood to meet with Hlin Trollbane, the retired shield dwarf bounty hunter.
For Heribo Harpell, Hlin was an old friend of his family's from before she retired. Though Heribo himself had never met her, he was given her name as a friendly contact in the generally, unfriendly Ten Towns.
For Piemin Cherrycheeks, Hlin is a friend of a friend who, by dint of her career, knows how to help people who don't want to be found disappear.
For Vothos "Tusktaker" Draesur, Hlin was a contact of his mother's, who had once worked with the Goliath tribe to hunt down a murderer who had been hiding in the Reghed Glacier.
For Brod, Hlin is a respected bounty hunter in their field. Though they've never worked together before, she's known to Brod by reputation. It's not many who actually retire from bounty hunting, most die early in their career.
Hlin invited you all to meet her, and each other, to help solve a seeming serial killer in Ten Towns.
The door to the Lucky Liar opens loudly as the freezing wind swings it violently on its hinges. A slender, yet poised Goliath stands in the doorway and lowers his hood revealing his bald head and gray skin marbled with black stripes. His eyes are dark, nearly black, and sunken. He wears thin robes, relative to the chilling temperatures outside, hemmed with arctic fox fur. He gazes around the room suspiciously as if waiting for someone to confront him. When no one does, he steps forward and locks eyes with the shield dwarf, Hiln, and approaches her cautiously. He speaks in a loud, commanding voice with a thick accent.
"You are Hlin? I am Vothos "Tusktaker" Draesur, son of Vilthos and Dilu Draesur. My tribe, the Mauna Haki, used your services before. I am here to help if you are still in need."
The shield dwarf looked up at the goliath. She appears as tough as the mountains... and almost as old. Her hair was still a dark gray and pulled back into a tight bun, but her eyes are a brilliant green that are still full of life and ferocity. She is dressed in thick grey woolen clothing, with fur-lined boots. A wolf skin cloak is hangs from a peg on the wall behind her, Vothos recognizes the handiwork of his clan in the cloak, and the bone and antler buttons. A leather wrapped, metal-tipped cane leans against the table near her hand, and a pair of hand axes hang from her belt. Despite her obvious age, an aura of menace still surrounds her.
She reaches up and itches at the scar on her face. Her voice is as hard as the rest of her, but holds no hostility. "Aye. I am Hlin, known as Trollbane." She gestures toward one of the other chairs at her table. "Please, have a seat. Will you drink?" She continues, gesturing at the dark-haired human tavern keeper to bring a drink. "Thank you for coming, I am expected three more. There is a murderer loose in the Ten Towns, you'll have heard the rumors if you've been in the Ten Towns for very long. I'm too old to do anything about it myself, but I'm hoping you and the others can handle it."
The goliath brushes off the last remaining bit of snow from his cloak and robes and sits down in the stool next to Hiln. He turns to the tavern keeper.
"No ale for me but I'll take a tall glass of mammoth milk if you have it."
He turns back to Hlin.
"Well met Hlin, the Trollbane. I don't mind waiting for the others, I've been on the road for a long time. I've heard these rumors of which you speak. Are they true?"
A small, somewhat cherubic human man fumbles his way inside, awkwardly slapping ice and muck on the patrons near him. He then rights himself with a crooked smile spotting Hlin and slinking like a snake to the table with the Dwarf and Goliath.
"Oh hellll-oh there beauties, it's such a, mhmp, pleasuure to finally make your acquaintance. Haribo Harpell, at your service and, mhmp, disposal."
He emphasises the last word with and eyebrow raise and a greasy smile.
Piemin. A meek and frightened-looking halfling with a bulbous nose and dark cloak sidles into the tavern. He shifts his beady and suspicious eyes, trying to stay out of the attention of the tavern's patrons. He moves towards the old dwarf. He narrows his eyes at the others with sceptical looks and curt nods of greeting.
"Piemin Cherrycheeks," He whispers to Hlin, "are you the one who can... get the heat off my tracks?" Piemin speaks in some thieves cant to disguise his meaning.
a tall human with brown hair and pale skin walks up to the group.
"Hlin, definitly an honor to meet you. I didnt expect you to have so many friends though" He will introduce himself to the others as well offering a friendly handshake to each.
Normally i work alone but I never mind making friends.
Realizing his mistake, Vothos greets the chubby human as well as the others as they enter. He simply gives his name as "Vothos" and sits back down not describing himself or his purpose unless others ask.
The old shield dwarf remains unfazed as the other characters join the table, though she eyes Haribo with a barely perceptible distaste as he introduces himself.
"Haribo, your family is known to me. Welcome to the icy north. I trust your uncle Dowell is well?"
Not waiting for a response, she turns to Piemin, in the way of thieves cant, she feigns familiarity with the halfling, "Ahh, friend Cherrycheeks, how long has it been? How urgent is the task? How is your family these days? Who is it that's after you? My family is mostly dead and gone now. I'm just one person, not a member of a guild anymore, so support is limited. But, I still manage. But I can likely still help. In the Ten Towns, people tend to look out only for themselves and their close friends anyways. There's no organized Thieves' Guild here. I do have a job for you and the others if you're interested. It'll be nice to catch up afterwards. While you're doing this job, I'll see what I can do. We're just waiting on one more to arrive."
"Ahh, Brod, welcome." She looks up, seemingly missing his question, "Thank you for coming. We're all here now."
She looks around quickly to be sure that no one else is within earshot. "You'll have heard by now that there's been a string of murders. I've taken it upon myself to investigate them because no one else, not even the Council of Speakers, can be bothered. The only possible culprit is one Sephek Kaltro."
“Sephek Kaltro works for a small traveling merchant company called Torg’s, owned and operated by a shady dwarf named Torrga Icevein. In other words, Sephek gets around. He’s charming. Makes friends easily. He’s also Torrga’s bodyguard, so I’m guessing he’s good with a blade."
“His victims come from the only three towns that sacrifice people to the Frostmaiden on nights of the new moon." She pauses here and looks around the table, "If you haven't been here the past two years, you may not know. All the Ten Towns have been making sacrifices to Auril to appease her wintry anger for ages. Most of the time, this is fruits or crops or even some livestock. But Bryn Shander, Easthaven, and Targos, have taken to giving human sacrifices to Auril, chosen by lottery." She shakes her head, and says with a sardonic tone, "This is what passes for civilized behavior in Icewind Dale."
She continues with a sigh, "Maybe the victims found a way to keep their names out of the drawings and Sephek found out they were cheating, so he killed them. Maybe, just maybe, Sephek is doing the Frostmaiden’s work. I followed Torg’s for a tenday as it moved from town to town. Quite the devious little enterprise, but that’s not my concern. What struck me is how comfortable Sephek Kaltro looked in this weather. No coat, no scarf, no gloves. It was like the cold couldn’t touch him. Kiss of the Frostmaiden, indeed.
“I will pay you a hundred gold pieces to apprehend Sephek Kaltro, ascertain his guilt, and deal with him, preferably without involving the authorities. When the job is done, return to me to collect your money.”
Do we have any idea where Sephek is now? Is the motivation really just upset over a lottery? Do we know what these murders had in common? What race is Sephek? I know some more then others are not as worried about the cold...
Sorry for the dozens of questions i just want to ensure i know exactly what i'm dealing with. The fact you brought multiple people here worries me a bit. What kind of resistance do you expect?
"These are all valid questions. I heard rumors they were all killed with a dagger of ice through the heart. But most importantly, I heard there was a murder in Bryn Shander just three days ago that fits the same profile which means the culprit is still likely in Ten-Towns."
Haribo has been staring hungrily in the direction of a barmaid with a tray of food and drinks, but it's not obvious which thing he's drooling over. He looks up briefly, at the barrage of questions and then looks at Him as if waiting for an answer.
Hlin nodded. "Indeed, these are valid questions. For motivation, I do not know for sure, upset with the lottery is only a theory. As Vothos mentioned, all three bodies were found with a dagger of ice through their hearts. Sephek appears human, though, I suppose there are many that could put on a human face. As for resistance, I do not know. But I would prefer for there to be too many of you than too few."
She looks to Vothos, "It is very likely he is still in Ten-towns. Torg's caravan travels between the Towns. I don't know if Torrga Icevein, the dwarf owner of Torg's, is involved or not, so I suggest that you isolate Sephek and dispose of him quietly, if such action is called for."
"Torg's tends to travel based on what they purchase at each Town and where they think they can sell it, so it's not quite random, but it might as well be for determining where they'll be in the future. But when they do arrive at a settlement, they are usually there for a few days. The first two to sell, then a day or so to rest before resupplying and heading out to wherever they're headed next. If you ask around, you can likely find where they're at now, especially if you're willing to reward the person for their knowledge. Any other questions?"
Vothos taps his long, spidery fingers on the table; his fingernails long, but well-groomed. He appears to be calculating in his head and eventually his attitude shifts as he says to Hiln in nearly a whisper,
"So 100 gold pieces for an assassination? You have done my tribe a great favor in the past but you were paid well then. We could be traveling for days and we will need to purchase rations, equipment, lodging. Considering this, I think we are owed more."
He taps his chin, "Perhaps 150 is agreeable," as he turns to the rest of the group.
"It is not, an assassination. It is justice. If you find that he is not responsible, then do not harm him. But I am convinced of his guilt. Torg's caravan was visiting each of the locations at the time of the murders. All of the other members had alibis. Nothing else I've been able to find links the murders or locations.
The heroes have all come to The Lucky Liar in Lonelywood to meet with Hlin Trollbane, the retired shield dwarf bounty hunter.
Hlin invited you all to meet her, and each other, to help solve a seeming serial killer in Ten Towns.
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
"You are Hlin? I am Vothos "Tusktaker" Draesur, son of Vilthos and Dilu Draesur. My tribe, the Mauna Haki, used your services before. I am here to help if you are still in need."
The shield dwarf looked up at the goliath. She appears as tough as the mountains... and almost as old. Her hair was still a dark gray and pulled back into a tight bun, but her eyes are a brilliant green that are still full of life and ferocity. She is dressed in thick grey woolen clothing, with fur-lined boots. A wolf skin cloak is hangs from a peg on the wall behind her, Vothos recognizes the handiwork of his clan in the cloak, and the bone and antler buttons. A leather wrapped, metal-tipped cane leans against the table near her hand, and a pair of hand axes hang from her belt. Despite her obvious age, an aura of menace still surrounds her.
She reaches up and itches at the scar on her face. Her voice is as hard as the rest of her, but holds no hostility. "Aye. I am Hlin, known as Trollbane." She gestures toward one of the other chairs at her table. "Please, have a seat. Will you drink?" She continues, gesturing at the dark-haired human tavern keeper to bring a drink. "Thank you for coming, I am expected three more. There is a murderer loose in the Ten Towns, you'll have heard the rumors if you've been in the Ten Towns for very long. I'm too old to do anything about it myself, but I'm hoping you and the others can handle it."
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
The goliath brushes off the last remaining bit of snow from his cloak and robes and sits down in the stool next to Hiln. He turns to the tavern keeper.
"No ale for me but I'll take a tall glass of mammoth milk if you have it."
He turns back to Hlin.
"Well met Hlin, the Trollbane. I don't mind waiting for the others, I've been on the road for a long time. I've heard these rumors of which you speak. Are they true?"
A small, somewhat cherubic human man fumbles his way inside, awkwardly slapping ice and muck on the patrons near him. He then rights himself with a crooked smile spotting Hlin and slinking like a snake to the table with the Dwarf and Goliath.
"Oh hellll-oh there beauties, it's such a, mhmp, pleasuure to finally make your acquaintance. Haribo Harpell, at your service and, mhmp, disposal."
He emphasises the last word with and eyebrow raise and a greasy smile.
Vothos nods to the chubby human assuming he must be some sort of bartender or servant and then turns back to Hlin for more of her stories.
Piemin. A meek and frightened-looking halfling with a bulbous nose and dark cloak sidles into the tavern. He shifts his beady and suspicious eyes, trying to stay out of the attention of the tavern's patrons. He moves towards the old dwarf. He narrows his eyes at the others with sceptical looks and curt nods of greeting.
"Piemin Cherrycheeks," He whispers to Hlin, "are you the one who can... get the heat off my tracks?" Piemin speaks in some thieves cant to disguise his meaning.
a tall human with brown hair and pale skin walks up to the group.
"Hlin, definitly an honor to meet you. I didnt expect you to have so many friends though" He will introduce himself to the others as well offering a friendly handshake to each.
Normally i work alone but I never mind making friends.
Haribo did that thing where he only grabs your fingers and not a full handshake
Realizing his mistake, Vothos greets the chubby human as well as the others as they enter. He simply gives his name as "Vothos" and sits back down not describing himself or his purpose unless others ask.
The old shield dwarf remains unfazed as the other characters join the table, though she eyes Haribo with a barely perceptible distaste as he introduces himself.
"Haribo, your family is known to me. Welcome to the icy north. I trust your uncle Dowell is well?"
Not waiting for a response, she turns to Piemin, in the way of thieves cant, she feigns familiarity with the halfling, "Ahh, friend Cherrycheeks, how long has it been?
How urgent is the task?How is your family these days?Who is it that's after you?My family is mostly dead and gone now.I'm just one person, not a member of a guild anymore, so support is limited.But, I still manage.But I can likely still help.In the Ten Towns, people tend to look out only for themselves and their close friends anyways.There's no organized Thieves' Guild here.I do have a job for you and the others if you're interested. It'll be nice to catch up afterwards.While you're doing this job, I'll see what I can do.We're just waiting on one more to arrive."**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
Brod tries to study the conversation... he knows its a code but isnt quite sure what is being said....
"I never thought such a legendary warrior such as yourself would care so much about family. How long have you guys known eachother?"
"Ahh, Brod, welcome." She looks up, seemingly missing his question, "Thank you for coming. We're all here now."
She looks around quickly to be sure that no one else is within earshot. "You'll have heard by now that there's been a string of murders. I've taken it upon myself to investigate them because no one else, not even the Council of Speakers, can be bothered. The only possible culprit is one Sephek Kaltro."
“Sephek Kaltro works for a small traveling merchant company called Torg’s, owned and operated by a shady dwarf named Torrga Icevein. In other words, Sephek gets around. He’s charming. Makes friends easily. He’s also Torrga’s bodyguard, so I’m guessing he’s good with a blade."
“His victims come from the only three towns that sacrifice people to the Frostmaiden on nights of the new moon." She pauses here and looks around the table, "If you haven't been here the past two years, you may not know. All the Ten Towns have been making sacrifices to Auril to appease her wintry anger for ages. Most of the time, this is fruits or crops or even some livestock. But Bryn Shander, Easthaven, and Targos, have taken to giving human sacrifices to Auril, chosen by lottery." She shakes her head, and says with a sardonic tone, "This is what passes for civilized behavior in Icewind Dale."
She continues with a sigh, "Maybe the victims found a way to keep their names out of the drawings and Sephek found out they were cheating, so he killed them. Maybe, just maybe, Sephek is doing the Frostmaiden’s work. I followed Torg’s for a tenday as it moved from town to town. Quite the devious little enterprise, but that’s not my concern. What struck me is how comfortable Sephek Kaltro looked in this weather. No coat, no scarf, no gloves. It was like the cold couldn’t touch him. Kiss of the Frostmaiden, indeed.
“I will pay you a hundred gold pieces to apprehend Sephek Kaltro, ascertain his guilt, and deal with him, preferably without involving the authorities. When the job is done, return to me to collect your money.”
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
Do we have any idea where Sephek is now? Is the motivation really just upset over a lottery? Do we know what these murders had in common?
What race is Sephek? I know some more then others are not as worried about the cold...
Sorry for the dozens of questions i just want to ensure i know exactly what i'm dealing with. The fact you brought multiple people here worries me a bit. What kind of resistance do you expect?
Vothos turns to Brod and nods in agreement,
"These are all valid questions. I heard rumors they were all killed with a dagger of ice through the heart. But most importantly, I heard there was a murder in Bryn Shander just three days ago that fits the same profile which means the culprit is still likely in Ten-Towns."
Haribo has been staring hungrily in the direction of a barmaid with a tray of food and drinks, but it's not obvious which thing he's drooling over. He looks up briefly, at the barrage of questions and then looks at Him as if waiting for an answer.
Hlin nodded. "Indeed, these are valid questions. For motivation, I do not know for sure, upset with the lottery is only a theory. As Vothos mentioned, all three bodies were found with a dagger of ice through their hearts. Sephek appears human, though, I suppose there are many that could put on a human face. As for resistance, I do not know. But I would prefer for there to be too many of you than too few."
She looks to Vothos, "It is very likely he is still in Ten-towns. Torg's caravan travels between the Towns. I don't know if Torrga Icevein, the dwarf owner of Torg's, is involved or not, so I suggest that you isolate Sephek and dispose of him quietly, if such action is called for."
"Torg's tends to travel based on what they purchase at each Town and where they think they can sell it, so it's not quite random, but it might as well be for determining where they'll be in the future. But when they do arrive at a settlement, they are usually there for a few days. The first two to sell, then a day or so to rest before resupplying and heading out to wherever they're headed next. If you ask around, you can likely find where they're at now, especially if you're willing to reward the person for their knowledge. Any other questions?"
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |
Vothos taps his long, spidery fingers on the table; his fingernails long, but well-groomed. He appears to be calculating in his head and eventually his attitude shifts as he says to Hiln in nearly a whisper,
"So 100 gold pieces for an assassination? You have done my tribe a great favor in the past but you were paid well then. We could be traveling for days and we will need to purchase rations, equipment, lodging. Considering this, I think we are owed more."
He taps his chin, "Perhaps 150 is agreeable," as he turns to the rest of the group.
"Nothing is agreeable in this frozen hellscape but warmth and company."
"It is not, an assassination. It is justice. If you find that he is not responsible, then do not harm him. But I am convinced of his guilt. Torg's caravan was visiting each of the locations at the time of the murders. All of the other members had alibis. Nothing else I've been able to find links the murders or locations.
But I could perhaps afford to pay 120gp."
**By the Light of the Sun, you will burn!**
Previously BENEFICENCE
DM: Storm Lord's Wrath || Syr Valor Dayne: Sleeping Gods || tooltips | guides | dice |