Triäsa mulls what she recalls on Ettins. "Maybe we could distract the two heads by setting them at odd with each other.  But I think trying to climb around would be preferred."  She looks over at what Thavol is doing and steps over closer to watch. "Well, will it work? I mean, I know you could make it.  But what about us amateurs?"

"The climbing seems risky as it is. If that creature decides to attack us as we are mid climbing we're in a real pickle. I can talk to it, perhaps I can find a way for us to avoid a direct confrontation." Ludolf suggests, scanning up the mountain to see if the creature approaches.

“As a spider I would have no problem climbing the wall.” Pardot says, adding, “And perhaps I could lay down some web to help you all stick to the wall.” But then listening to Ludolf nods and says, “Though… perhaps Ludolf is right. How far down from it would we be climbing? What if it, or something else, saw us?”

The Ettin is still a ways ahead of you and around a blind corner. If you were to climb here it would not be able to see you climb up or as you emerge at the top so you would be safe from the Ettin. Triäsa  would know Ettin to be chaotic evil creatures not known for their social skills, reasoning with it would seem challenging but anything is possible.

"Well, up or through seems the options. I'm not sure if it's just restin' on this pass or what, but if he intends to ascend behind us it could still be a problem. Maybe climb up, and reverse the fortunes on him... get a vantage, and rain down arrow and spell."

Daventry looks up, thinking about the climb. "Might be our best bet. Last thing we need is it descending down the path and knocking us off."

"Okay, let's go for that climb then. Thavol, Pardot, how do we do this as safely as possible?" Ludolf says, glancing over at Triäsa.

"From what I have read, Ettins are hard to charm. You basically have to convince both heads separately. And they often disagree with each other.  I am up for learning more climbing I think! Edgar can perhaps keep watch and alert us." She directly addresses the raven. "You would be glad to help, right?"   She resches into her pouch and offers the bird a small treat.

Thavol nods eagerly, "If you want to scale the moutain I'll lead the way. Try and show you the safest way to the top. Looks like a good 100 feet shouldn't take too long." He will start preparing his equipment for the ascent. 

Here are the mechanics for this little skill check challenge.

1. Your climbing speed is 1/2 your movement speed. Unless you are a spider (Pardot) in which case off you go, you can ignore this entire section
2. You each have 5 pitons you can place that will basically save your location, you can't fall any further than you have a piton so if they are 20 feet apart the farthest you can fall is  20 feet and take fall damage.
3. You will each need to use your own equipment. While Thavol's equipment is reliable it won't hold more than one person's weight. 
4. After each movement "round" You need to make a either an acrobatics or athletics check (DC12) so you don't fall. It takes an action to set your piton. You could dash to go further but if you fall it will be a farther drop.
5. If you want to help someone climb you need to be within 10 of their elevation and it will cost your action. So no Piton for you at that elevation.
6. With Thavol's help you all make normal rolls, it would have been with disadvantage if he had died or not come along

I need to know what Edgar is doing during the climb? Is he watching the Ettin or something else?

Once I know that you can start your first round of climbing whenever you are ready. Clear as mud?

Daventry takes the small climbing axes from her kit in each hand, and makes sure the climbing spikes are affixed well to each boot. "Well..." she says. "No time like the present!"

She will take a more dexterous approach, using the axes in her hands to help her launch and swing her way up. Her first attempts, close to the path as it is, she will attempt to get as far as she can before setting a piton.

Climb: Up 15', Dash up 15'

Acrobatics: 11

Enthusiastic about trying this, Triäsa begins her attempt to climb.  (She will go 17' if that gives less falling damage than 20'.  Otherwise, she will use dash to go 20'.)  

(Acrobatics Check: 22)

Seeing the tough climb ahead of him and his friends, Pardot grabs his dark purple rope and asks whoever is closest for theirs, and then a third as well (a fourth if needed). He then sits down and begins tying the ropes together to make one very long rope, taking the next few minutes tying a solid knot about every meter up the rope ((hoping this will make climbing easier)). Once the extra long rope is prepared, he holds out one end of it to whomever is closest and says, “tie this to me.” Once they take the rope, he suddenly grows in size, and a couple extra arms, as he becomes a giant wolf spider and sends a mental message to whoever grabbed the rope that he’s ready, waits for the rope to be tied to his abdomen, and then begins to climb up the cliff. Assuming he has no difficulties, once he is near the top he’ll slow down and listen ((13)) for any sounds above, and, assuming it sounds safe, will change back into his halfling self, and tie the rope to the nearest rock or tree, shaking it over the edge to let his companions know that it’s safe to climb.

Ludolf stays on the ground for now, admiring Triäsa's elegant climbing, but also keeping a lookout for threats.
Perception: 20

Meanwhile Edgar scans the mountainside for threats.
Perception: 12

@Pardot  -- You quickly ascend to the top of the mountain side, your rope trailing down behind you like a thick silken web. When you get to the top you find the area to be covered in a thick mist that pours over the side of the cliff. The mountain side is lined by a number of stout appearing trees and boulders that you have no trouble tying the rope off and lowering the rope to your compatriots. (You have earned yourself some good 'ol fashion INSPIRATION for a clever solution)

The knotted rope descends down the mountain. As you all look it over the creation seems to completely negate your reliance on the mountain and the icy surface negating the disadvantage. The rope is also much easier to climb lower the DC to 10. To summarize you all now have advantage on the checks and you only need a 10 to succeed. It would still be wise to use your pitons from time to time and secure yourself to the mountain just in case but you are rather optimistic about your chances of getting up.

@Daventry -- you try to climb the mountain side but your foot gives way just as you start your ascent past 10 feet you slip and fall back down to the ground taking 2 points of damage. As you lay on the ground staring up at the sky you see the rope land softly next you.

@Triäsa -- Something about this challenge and the beauty of setting inspires you as you move up the mountain side. You feel almost as if this is something you were born to do before you know you have traveled twice as far as you intended and find yourself 40 feet off the ground as Pardot's rope gracefully passes you by.  

@Ludolf -- You watch Triäsa go up and see Daventry come down. You do not see any other threats along the mountain side and the road appears to be quiet. Edgar keeps his eye on the Ettien who seems rather content to sit at the mountain side staring at the horizon for now. 

"Fine." Ludolf says as the others is on their way and starts his ascent, using his pitons carefully.
Edgar meanwhile continues to scan the mountainside for threats.

(Move+Dash at half speed should take 4 checks to get 100 ft right?)
Acrobatics: 13
Acrobatics: 18
Acrobatics: 18
Acrobatics: 15

Daventry hits the ground square on her shoulderblades and back, the wind getting knocked out of her. She stares upwards, contemplating life decisions for a moment, as the rope lands smack dab on her chest. She looks up at Spider-Pardot and, once she's got air back in her lungs, sighs.

"Real graceful, Dav. Real ****in' graceful." She says to herself.

She stands, brushes snow off her coat, and goes at it again, this time using the rope and setting anchors every twenty feet, alternating between moving and anchoring. When she is moving, she does so fluidly.

Acrobatics: 23

Acrobatics: 16

Acrobatics: 22

Acrobatics: 18

Excited by her initial success, Triäsa enthusiastically continues climbing now with the wonderful assistance of Pardot's ropes.  She will set a piton where she is at now, and then attempt to ascend another 30 ft.
(Acrobatics: 17)

Now at 70 ft. up she sets another piton and now attempts to ascend the final 30 ft. 
(Acrobatics: 17)

Having made it to the top, she is extremely excited. "Wow! That was so much fun! Thank you, thank you, thank you Pardot!"  She rushes over to him, hurriedly giving him a quick hug.  She then turns her attention to the others making their way up.  "Come on you guys! You can do it!" 

Pardot almost instinctively backs up as Triäsa runs up to him as she wraps her arms around him, and then just chuckles saying, "uh... sure..." While the others are then climbing up he begins to look around the area ((21)) to see what's around.

Climbing Checks for Klin who is extra careful placing piton every movement... (So the DM doesn't hurt his PC)

15, 9, 7, 22, 8

Klin nearly reaches the top and just as he is about to cresent he slips and falls down 20 feet. Taking 2 damage as his body crashes into the side of the mountain. He tries again to reach the summit 

13

All of you reach the top of the ledge as it opens out into a flat expanse. You have reached your destination. The abandoned village of Vermeillon. 

(I will post again soon just need to do one or two things)

There is a deep since of pride after scaling the cliff side as you again stare down and look out over the realm. As you turn your back on the glory of the land the ruins of Vermeillon could not be a starker contrast.  The village is eerily quiet. Plants and wildlife have overtaken the crumbling houses. Leafless vines climb rotting walls, birds and other small creatures nest in the exposed rafters, and gnarled trees protrude from the fallen roofs of a few buildings. The overcast sky adds an air of oppression to the scene, seeming to envelop the village. You get a very ominous feeling as you look at the ruined village. The chill is even more biting here and the air is thin. 

Thavol looks to you all says, "This is as far as I go my dudes. I will wait here while you do whatever it is you came here for... This place is just not right, bad vibes man..." The dwarf in his psychedelic leather then sits with his back next to a large boulder, pulls out his pipe and starts smoking. With regards to the map below you are entering from the southern most road. You figure there is four hours or so of daylight remaining.