Qidira continues along getting used to the new snow shoes planning on how to remove them quickly should anything occur completely not knowing what to expect from this wilderness, but very alert.  

Marching order (please correct me if any changes), from front: Orvo, Ressys, Brandon, Qidira, Durnham, Kotar

With snow shoes in place for those who wish to (including Orvo), the party sets off at a brisk pace across the snow.  The terrain is like a vast blank canvass with very few distinguishable features, yet Orvo seems to instinctively know his way.  He makes no attempt at small talk and only speaks to indicate that a snow drift should be traversed or avoided.

The trek is monotonous and tiring, with little to do except concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other.  The pace keeps your heads down and you are doubtless less alert, but so far have seen nothing of concern.

After a day's worth of travel you reach a large berm of drifted snow.  Orvo brings you to a halt, panting and tugging at his jacket to circulate some air. "We've probably covered enough distance for one day, we would risk exhaustion if we went any further and this berm should provide some shelter. I'll follow your lead though, camp now or get in another couple of hours before we rest?"

Brandon pauses and  looks around the featureless landscape, breathing heavily from exertion in the snow and cold  “This berm will provide some shelter from the elements, and anything else that may be out here.  No guarantee we will find anything better if we push on.  I suggest we follow our guide’s counsel and camp here.”

Qidira nods quickly after a pace she's unused to with her short legs, happy for an excuse to stop.  She looks around for any nearby game for hunting then branches, even rocks to fortify the space from the cold but visually rather than walking away from the group.  (small animal tracks, nests and the like for creatures, not really expecting much as mostly hibernating)

If discovered, she will note any evidence of game to the others as she doesn't suspect her abilities in such a level of snow helpful to hunt. Any natural shelter materials she will assist in gathering.  If neither is found she will dig out a pocket of snow in a spot of the sheltered area and slip off her snowshoes propping them up and clearing the snow off of them, then plants her bedroll down and plants a torch in another pile of snow as she works her tinderbox to light it for warmth while the others determine heat options. Holding it once lit and trying to sort out a way to rig up something to hold it so they could melt/boil snow at least over torches for fresh water.  (At least it will be lit to transfer to a fire or provide some heat while they get settled. it might not last long enough to boil water, but she has more torches.  Using tinkering supplies to work out a stand for it.)

"Happy to take a first watch once we're settled."  She volunteers trying to take in the normal features of the environment around her.  

With the consensus seeming to be to camp here, you unpack and set up tents within the lee of the berm.

Qidira sees no sign of game, or even materials to assist with the camp; you appear to be in a wide open snow field and will only have your carried equipment to help you this night.

(Qidira for first watch, Orvo will take second; any other preference?  Otherwise I will assign randomly)

Durnham is happy to call it a day and willing to take whichever watch. At camp, he would talk to Orvo about his travels with Urgon.

Ressys trusts his senses and agrees with Orvo that this place is good place to stop and shelter for the night.  After helping set up tents for the night he settles in by the fire to eat a meal of hard tack trail rations.  "I will take third watch.  That will give me opportunity to observe the moon."

Sitting around the fire before heading to his tent he takes the opportunity to speak with Orvo.  "I need you to understand something so you are not taken unawares.  This is dangerous country, as you know.  Be aware that during a fight or some other time I have the ability to change my shape into a beast.  A dire wolf is one of my preferred though a giant hyena is also very capable.  For brute strength a brown bear cannot be matched even by that one." As he nods towards Kotar.  "I tell you this so you know it is I who fight by your side.  I will demonstrate if you need."

Qidira knowing the torch will only last an hour and provide little heat will make the most of it without wilderness sources.  "I'm not very good at this out here, but we do have the coal to make up for the lack of wilderness branches."  She tries to transfer the fire from her torch before it expires to a small stack of coal to use as a longer fire for the night fearing to be without fire as even the city's dogs didn't like the glow of a flame.  survival  9 Then pulls out a die and her bedroll.  Poking at one of the sides of the die, she displays the maps and notes she's gathers on the bedroll.  "I don't know if this is any help to you all but these are points that the missing one had in his journals, in case his path may cross the route we are taking?"  She says this glancing at Orvo.  "Only if its helpful."  

Then listening to Ressys speak of his shapes and their benefits she seats herself on the edge of her bedroll studying one of the three gems she traded The Buyer for in case they hold more than cosmetic value knowing that if uncut they can look less than their actual value.  

Catching a glint of the Ring on her finger, she speaks up again.  "I have this Ring, it hasn't been much use yet, but in the wilds here, might be helpful.  I allows me to track another person's location mentally.  I'm not entirely sure of the range, but I can pass it to someone and find them if needed.  Might be useful when sending out scouts or whatever?"

Intent for Qidira's maps are to possibly give easier routes than ones Orvo might already know, areas where they linger close to the missing one's trail so could make a quick search or animal notations to anticipate local dangers.  Ring is attuned to her and able to be tracked as long as she shares the same plane of existence with the person or thing carrying it.  

Current party supplies in the Bag of Holding  in spoiler  

As Qidira sets fire to the coals, your guide looks impressed. “That will keep us warm, thank you.  Oh, Gulrim’s journal?  Fascinating, let me have a look during the night if I may?” And then: “Oh, that ring is nifty – yes, maybe we should make sure anyone leaving the camp site takes it with them”

Orvo looks more intrigued than surprised at Ressys’ revelation about his shape shifting. “I have heard of people having such powers, it is encouraging to hear that one is now on my side in such an adventure.  Whilst I hope you have no cause to use this fascinating power, I must confess I’m curious to witness it.  If it wouldn’t be too rude, I would love to see a demonstration thank you!”

He seems unsteady when discussing Urgon but is reassured by the time you have already spent together: “Is there a particular story you want to hear?  Or a specific side to his character?”

As Qidira studies the gems from The Buyer, she sees that they hold the value placed on them at trade and she has not, sadly, snuck herself a bargain.

Qidira's head gear seems to flex as a smile broadens her face appreciating the compliment of the fire, "Gulrim's journals were left in their tent, but I've taken notes from them?"  She tugs out a wad of parchment from the little satchel at her waist then takes an ordinary gaming die from her pocket and pressing first one side then the other displays images of the maps and documents lain out flat alternately. "I didn't have a lot of time, but his notes were extensive.  I was hoping we might cross an area of travel and come across him too as we search for a cure."

Then thinking of his comment to Ressys, "Oh you must see his magnificent Dire Wolf form.  It looks to swallow me whole!"  

She settles herself on the accurate valuation of the gems by The Buyer, knowing of course they would be correct and remembers the costume jewelry picking through the remainder of those in her continuous hunt for Durnham's spell component.  Upon her watch, she will tuck it all away and be a diligent soldier.  Alert and watchful avoiding any distractions before taking her share of the night's rest.   Perception  12  (passive 13)

deleted duplicate post. 

Ressys smiles.  "We will be comrades and allies it is good that you know the balance of the situation."  With that said he stands and moves back from the fire.  A moment later he falls onto all fours as his body morphs into the shape of a Giant Hyena

His ears flicker back and forth and the other party members would see that the motions of his ears is very similar to how he moves his ears normally.

He stalks around the camp for a few moments and then returns back to his full shape.

They walked fast and mostly in silence through the arid lands of Eiselcross. A familiar view to the goliath, but desolate all the same. He much rather preferred the tundra covering some of the mountains deeper in the isle. There the ice made every blade of grass look like carved from emerald and every drop of water over the leaves shine like diamonds. He also enjoyed the shade of the forest. It was never as oppressive as true darkness, and contrasted so well with the white of the snow. I am starting to feel homesick, the fighter admitted to himself as Orvo broke the silence, questioning if they should stop there or walk further.

Everyone seemed of a mind that it was best to rest, a thought Kotar shared. He looked at the others gathering around the fire. They all worked so differently in comparison to the tribes, it was a curious sight to him. Curious, but welcome.

“I would be surprised if he could.” He said after Qidira mentioned the direwolf being able to swallow her. “You have good eyes and are nimble like an eel. Even transformed Ressys would have a hard time taking a bite, let alone snapping you whole.” The battle in the Remorhaz was proof enough.  

Qidira admires the colorful Hyena, enjoying yet another example of the Druid's skill in shifting.  "It is magnificent how you capture the shape and spirit of the animal without losing yourself within it."

Looking to Kotar, "My speed and agility has saved my life from the dangers on the streets many times and I am pleased to be blessed with them.  I didn't think I'd find them so useful once I'd escaped that life.  Its nice to know.  Ressys, Kotar, all of you, I'm glad we're on the same side.  Enemies will continue to find us formidable together." She finishes addressing the group.  

He felt slightly embarrassed by Qidira’s compliment and didn’t think himself worth of the praise. In his mind the fighter had underperformed during the fight at sea and his objective was still so far away. Yet he did say nothing about that. For what he knew about the gnome and her kindness, she would insist on her kind words.

“It is small things like that show me how different people see the world in different ways.” He said to the rogue while looking at the embers of the campfire. “You know, deep in the mountains we all think the same way about a lot of things and sometimes justifiably so.” Others not so much, he though. “One of the ways in which my clan see things is in terms of combat abilities. In part because we always have to fight something to survive and in part just because we like fighting, usually not to the death, I might add. Point is any Anakalathai would consider speed and agility one of the most useful things in their life, always. It is possible, likely even, they would let themselves be defined by that and that alone, receiving a name like Fastwind or… I never talked about how we get our names, did I?”

Durnham turns discuss their intended goal “This vault... and the area where you found the vials... is there any way to avoid detection or were these guardians animated merely by your presence?”

Qidira thinks of the knack the kids on the street had of naming each other by their habits, deformities or talents as Kotar speaks of his Clan's naming habits.  Perhaps it was much like that.  Before asking for further details of the custom, Durnham brings the subject of of the Vault.  She hasn't heard much of the detail yet as to their destination so her attention is peaked.  She leans forward and whispers to Kotar, "You must tell me sometime.  On the streets we had a bit of a similar thing, but I think it's likely to be much nicer of a tradition that the one I experienced."

Brandon goes about helping the others set up camp, assisting with tents and securing equipment.  He cleans and reorganizes his own equipment and armor as he sets by the warmth of the fire, grateful for Qidira’s skill with the flame, and listens to the others talk.

He watches in amazement as Ressys transforms into a hyena, still a bit surprised at the ability even after fighting side by side with the dire wolf on board the ship. “A fearsome creature, and your fighting ability in those forms is impressive indeed.  Something like a polar bear would be right at home in these icy fields.”

He turns to Qidira and Kotar “Speed and agility are often overlooked.  The skill to avoid or get away from trouble quickly is often more important than skill with the blade.”  Brandon pauses at Kotar’s last question “No, I don’t believe you did talk about names, and how did you get your name Kotar Ironhunter?”

"Indeed, a polar bear is a powerful creature.  As I explore and learn more of this ability the opportunity to shape change into even stronger creatures is certainly a possibility.  I can turn in to a brown bear, or an ice spider or a few others. But a polar bear is out of my reach at this time." Ressys says as he joins the others back around the fire.

Kotar was genuinely surprised to see not only Qidira but Brandon had interest on the way his people gave names.

“I would like to know how you give names in the streets.” He told Qidira with honest curiosity. “In the tribes everyone has three names. The last one is the first we gain, it is the name of our clan or family and we receive it simply by the fact that our parents are part of said group. In my case, Anakalathai.” Then he turned his eyes to the fire, the shadow of his parents appearing in his memory. “Our first name is chosen by our parents, very much like is the custom on the continent, but our middle names are different. They are honorifics, or a punishment, chosen by the tribe’s chief and never really set in stone. For example, one can be called Strongarm or Kinslayer. One called Strongarm can have his name changed to Kinslayer. Sometimes the middle name is chosen on a whim or as a joke. A friend of mine once was called Brownpants for a day because he… Had an accident in the dinning table. I was called Ironhunter because I had the habit of taking the weapons of everyone I defeated in single combat.”