Sitting in the inn after being kind of sort of maybe interrogated and detained by Grynsk the fisherman, the remainder of the party (Amber Forgeson, Lanin "Bones" Emsbaltriforte, Meryn Anteos, Mr. Mistoffelees) is approached by Hlin Trollbane, an older dwarven woman who promises to have some pertinent information. After recapping the ritual-ish sighting the party had observed the night prior, Hlin tells them what she knows.
Though all of the Ten-Towns have sacrifices to try to appease the Frostmaiden into ending the winter, three of the towns (Bryn Shander, Easthaven, and Targos) take it a little more intensely, offering sacrifices of the human kind. Lotteries are held on new moons, and a spree of murders has become evident in these towns as well. All of the victims were found with a dagger made of ice near a stab wound to the heart.
She's retired and trying to stay that way, which is why she's approached the party for their assistance. There's a trading caravan named Torrg's which she's been following and believes to be associated with the murder spree. It was here in Bremenearlier but has already left for the next town - Targos - a three hour walk on foot.
(Insert interlude about dead fish named Charlie, Charlie 2)
Where to, next? The party elects to speak with the authorities, who consist of the five dwarven brothers that own the five taverns in town. For the curious, that'd be: Orwik, Orsik, Ornik, Orbik, and Orrik! But first, they have unfinished business with Grynsk, who's yet to pay for their haul. In his usual stingy fashion he offers what he thinks is fair: two silver and four copper for the lot.
When the party informs him of the existence of Lisa, who he'd previously vehemently denied, he outright faints, and another fisherman overhearing their tale turns and runs far, far away. But Tali is absolutely thrilled with the outcome, giving five gold and a Scroll of Animal Friendship to the party.
Grynsk gets the group's assistance back to the Buried Treasures where Cora Mulphoon can keep an eye on him while they head to Thurdenne's shack to investigate without Speaker Dorbulgruf Shalescar being a hindrance. There, they find a painting of a similar style to the one in the Speaker's own cabin, of a peaceful river scene. Directly below it underneath the shack an odd patch of gravel catches Amber's eye, and she discerns the rocks here seem to be of Ironmaster origin, a dwarven mining town further north in the Dale on the banks of the Sea of Moving Ice.
Digging at this odd patch reveals a small locked box which Amber is able to easily bust open. Inside rests a cloak or capelet of some sort, thick, like an oilskin. Heading back to town with the box and its contents in tow, they return to the inn, before undertaking further investigations at the taverns.
Dwarves - and brothers - are good at one thing in particular, and that's squabbling. The party has their work cut out for them if they want any helpful answers!