"Now's safest, if anything."

"The... book... lady... would be very cross with us if we gave the location away. I can see if Ealu can bring us some bedrolls and tents and stuff if we're planning on camping out here. but then she'd be stuck out in the cold too, unless I send her back."

It's clear from Kroshav's tone that he doesn't like the idea of camping in the snow.

"If we're to fear this, then we would assume we are watched at all times, and would have been already.  Yet a goblin was sent to try to track us.  I doubt we are observed."

Thir trudges along with you, looking over her shoulder back towards the tomb and dragon repeatedly.

She suggests, distractedly,

"Can go to water smoke hole, was warmer."

((So, where are you going to camp? Back to the Archives? The hot water hole that Jaq explored before it was hot? Somewhere else?))

((Was their solid ground in the hot water hole, or just water? Also, we may want to be concerned why it's hot now?))

Jaq smiles when Thir mentions the hot water hole.  “That is a pretty good idea.  That’s my vote.   But I’ll do whatever you all decide.”

((As you recall, the hole was filled with very warm water and the snow immediately around it (10' or so) had melted. Further away, the water had frozen (downhill) in an odd pattern but no one really inspected it beyond a passing glance.

The hole is also only about a half hour walk from the archives, so you can change your mind when you get there.))

"Let's move, then.  Need to set up camp."

The group decides to return to the hot water hole, which they do without any issue.

The hole is steaming, and the odd wave like ice pattern on the slope down remains, and the little ice hill looks to have grown.

((How close are you camping to the hole? It is mostly clear of snow and ice within 10' of the hole. The closer you get to the hole the warmer it is, but also the more humid/damp. On the south side of the hole there is a 30' long 20' wide ice slick ending in a 5' high ice hill. It looks like it might be fun to slide down! To the north of the hole there is a bit of ice outside the 10' but it is just regular snow beyond 15' from the hole in that direction (and to the east and west).

Watches?))

((Gentle bump))

Kroshav snorts as he's jostled from his thoughts. Had someone just nudged him?

Arriving at Jaq's hot hole, he looks around. Is the ground dry around the hole, or are we looking at camping on warm mud?

Kroshav checks the ground within the melt zone and finds it to be warm, damp stone. Hot, damp stone right at the lip of the hole.

"Damp's not bad, hm?  That slick, though...  We think anything comes out of this hole?"

((Investigation check on the steamy... You know what, let's just say hole. I know I set myself up for that but it's completely innocent.

So investigation on the hole in the ground, please @Forever.))

"Damp and warm isn't bad... damp and cold though..."

Their, for her part, moves north of the hole and opposite the ice slick and collapses with a groan.

"Rest now, kill dragon..." She seems to struggle for a word in her exhausted state, "next sun." She settles on.

After a few moments she does ask,

"What dragon doing with tribe? Why she not just fight?"

She scoots a bit away from the hole, seemingly finding it too warm.

Cladmir blink rapidly and shook his head... clearly still trying to clear his mind of the effect the dragon on his mind (or maybe a side effect of being an old warrior who may have taken a hit to the head one too many times).   How long had he been following others and what has he missed?  

"We are planning to kill the dragon?"

"She's trouble. The kind of trouble that would be less troubling if she were dead.", Kroshav remarks.

Investigation: 8

Ernos lays out his bedroll opposite the slick, "I can dry and warm our clothes when we leave the warmth.  As for the dragon...  She lost many forces pursuing the rebels.  She may be trying to replenish those losses."