TOR2: T'was the Eve of Midsummer

[Muskrat]

Vidar turns to the others. "Well, this is all very odd. It sounds as if someone wanted to sabotage the smoke ring contest. But why would anyone want to do that? A nasty prank? Some grudge against the Breefolk?" He shrugs, thinking there is not much he can do about it.

He turns back to Ebenezer and says, "Well, I see you meant no harm. Hopefully, others will do so as well if you return their money and make an apology. But that is for you to decide. But if I had to live in a small community like this where everyone knows everyone else's business, I know what I would do."

[RorytheRomulan]

Fargrim gives Ebenezar a doubting look. He's not satisfied with so little information, and not certain the old hobbit is truly telling them all he knows, but the elder dwarf is sometimes unaware of how overbearing he comes across.

[Jon]

After glaring for a long time at Ebenezer, Periwinkle turns to Targon.
"We should report this to that ranger lady you spoke to earlier. She's your boss or something, isn't she? The rangers need to know there's a scoundrel walking these roads, a scoundrel up to no good. Who knows what he'll come up with next."
"And," Periwinkle says and points at Ebenezer," I suggest we take him with us. Maybe meeting your friends will loosen his lips."

[Wbweather]

With all the excitement of the pipe smoking contest and the pipeweed fiasco, Hugh had forgotten about the animals being massacred. While he didn’t see a connection, as long as people were looking into suspicious activities, he thought it might be worth bringing this up as well.

“As long as we are looking into this character and his poisoned pipeweed, I also heard a rumor about livestock being slaughtered in a most unusual manner. These events don’t likely have a thing to do with one another, but it sure seems like a lot of dark deeds are happening around here all at once. I wonder if we should mention the animals to your Ranger friend as well, when we talk to him.”

[Muskrat]

Vidar nods at Hugh. "Good thinking." He turns to Ebenezer and says, "Will you come speak to the Rangers with us? I know they have a shady reputation but, in my dealings with them, they're good folk. And you'll buy yourself some good will by helping find the fellow who gave you the bad pipeweed."

Action

Courtesy 2 + Heirloom Jeweled Arm Rings: https://orokos.com/roll/980237:
2d12k1: 8 [2d12k1=[8], 4]
3d6: 12 [3d6=6, 3, 3]
Total: 20. Great Success.

[Bohemond]

"Well, to be fair," Ragnarr says, stumbling over to the group, "the hobbit didn't actually charge me any money for the pipeweed." The Barding's eyes are still red with irritation from the questionable smoke, but his mind seems to have pushed away the fogginess from before. "However, if some stranger is looking to stir up trouble, I don't think the contest is the only target for his subterfuge."

[Jon]

”Ragnarr!” Periwinkle exults, “you look much better!”
She rushes forward and gives him a big hug. Then, thoughtful, she turns around to face Ebenezer again.
“So, you didn’t take any payments for your faulty pipeweed, did you?”
Her eyes narrow as she stares at the hobbit.
“Tell me, mister Ebenezer, why would you do that, if your goal wasn’t to knowingly make trouble by poisoning as many contestants as possible, eh? Why give it away for free? Can you tell us that?”

[silverfoxdmt73]

"R-rangers!?" The now pale-faced hobbit squeals. "But, it's not my fault! All I did was what the old man wanted.." His shoulders slump, making his pot belly stand out and he looks forlornly at Periwinkle, refusing to meet the gaze of Targon towering over everyone.

When he hears Hugh's rumour of butchered animals and Vidar's suggestion, his eyes go wide in terror. "I had nothing to do with that! Please, I'll talk to the rangers and tell them everything I know, but I know nothing at all about slaughtered animals, I swear!"

"He told me that I would be able to get my own back against that arrogant Took, that's all I was doing with the pipe weed.. I promise, it was selfish revenge is all, I don't know anything about these animals." Ebenezer confesses.

[Muskrat]

Vidar puts a gentle but firm hand on Ebenezer's shoulder and says, "I think you should speak to the Rangers." He looks up at Targon to let the man guide them to the Rangers' leader. "And we can talk about what else you can do to put yourself back in good standing with the community. A public apology and free pipeweed--of the good sort--is probably a good place to start."

[silverfoxdmt73]

Head bowed and shoulders slumped the hobbit nods, "Yes, I know you are right.. I am sorry."

He looks up to Targon, "I should get this over with. Take me to your leader."