Soren sips from his coffee and comes over to the group.

"Winter's definitely coming, but I don't think we'll get snowed in," Soren says.

He takes a bit of food and chews for a moment.

"The sooner we get going the better," he finally says once he swallows. "The more daylight we have to use the better."

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You didn't notice too many buildings in the town but you gather they have the basics if there's anything you need to get before leaving.

Sipping on a cup of coffee, Ethel takes her own turn looking out the window at the winter skies.  

[Did we secure cold weather gear before departing for this expedition?]

((Yes, warm clothing is a must!))

Avaria stumbles down the stairs amid an arm stretching yawn as she finally emerges to join the rest.  "Wow, that was such a great night sleep."  She heads over to the table with the rest of you and pours herself a large cup of coffee.  Sitting down next to Hammerdasher, "So, I see I'm the sleeping beauty, what's the plan this morning?  It's still morning... right?"

(So is that we did get warm clothing or we need to go shopping for it?  Cause yes!  Definitely a must!)

(Don't believe anyone picked up any cold weather gear)

(Any for purchase here?)

"Morning Ava! We were wondering if you'd decided to stay!"

Ethel is a bit shaken to realize that, in their haste to move on toward Icelace Lake, she hadn't though to secure cold weather clothing for the party.  

"I think we need to see if anyone at this trading post can provide us with warm cloaks, hats and gloves.  I don't now how this escaped by consideration up until this point.  We have enough to worry about once we reach our destination... freezing to death shouldn't be one of those things."

The local trading post has sufficient, if not the most flattering, cold weather gear. There are always southern merchants and travelers who forget they're traveling north and need to stock up. Unless the group wants to question any merchants/traders at the trading post, basic cold weather gear and basic supplies/equipment are available (at PHB pricing) and you can just buy them and add to inventory.

Jan prioritizes warmth, fit and comfort over any appearance concerns, when they go on a mini shopping trip. 

"I have little use for this crossbow... would one of you like the use of it, or should I see if I can sell it? Same for this leather armor..."

((If anyone in the party wants them, they're yours, otherwise she'll attempt to sell them. Also, am I just terrible at maintaining her purse, or have we been keeping funds in a party pot? I've only got 19 gold on her sheet. 9 after buying cold weather gear. How much were rooms and meals here?))

((Mostly been using pot funds, but each character has whatever they've kept out of the pot. Check the OOC page for the gold status, 344 gold in the group pot.

I think the rooms here got comp'd cus Marrin sang so good.))

Marrin would take the crossbow bolts, but decline the rest.

She wouldn't be too worried about the clothes' fit and would even accept irregular sizes if there's a discount on them (but not if they're defective)!

The rooms and meals were indeed comp'd because of Marrin's performance. There's nothing defective about the clothing - they're functional but look like they were made by someone who understood the concept of tailoring but had never really given it a go yet. Anyone looking to be as 'neutral' in every way possible will love them. Except for an exposed face, whomever wears these will look humanoid but not much else beyond that.

Used gear can be sold for 50% of PHB prices.

((Jan can make even the ugliest cold weather gear look stylish.))

Jan will hand off the remaining crossbow bolts to Marrin, unless someone else in the party pipes up about taking both the crossbow and bolts.

((I'll sort out the selling/purchasing of her gear once I know if anyone is taking the crossbow.))

"Like I'd let you all go after that group on your own!"  She almost said Hargroves, but held back seeing Soren wasn't privy to that knowledge and didn't want to open that box.

She stretches a bit more as they talk about going shopping next.  Ava will just be happy if there is warm clothes that can fit her larger stature.

(Ava also has chain mail she can't use.  If no one wants it, can I sell it for half cost?)

(Yes, they'll take armour at half cost)

Once the party has finished their bartering and shopping, the road awaits. The horses and ponies look well cared for, and they seem a little reluctant to continue on their way, but eventually they’re ready for the road as well.

Well, not exactly a road. Soren leads the group out Bezentil through a small gate on the northern side of the town. This connects with more of a trail than anything else.

“Woodsmen, the odd  hunter, adventurous kids and the occasional game are all that use this trail,” Soren says. “Keep a sharp eye out as it doesn’t take much for a horse to twist a leg along here. These ones look sturdy but I don’t know how much off road travel they’ve done.”

As Bezentil recedes behind the party, a couple of shepherds pause in their corralling of a flock of sheep to watch all of you pass by. You can see surprise on their faces and one shakes his head at the other, as if to say, you can’t help those willing to do foolish things.

After several hours of travel, constantly leaning to the east to keep the wind from blowing you out of your saddles, individual trees of the Rwalinswood can now be made out.

Despite the strong daylight when you arrive at the edge of the forest, a darkness looms over everything you can see inside.

Soren stops for a moment, looking at the woods and nearby hills and bluffs. He looks west then east and finally nods and turns into the wind and leads the group another hour east.

Then he points into the forest.

“This is it,” Soren says, indicating what could only be considered a trail by the most observant of travelers.

“We can grab a quick bite now before heading in,” Soren adds. “There used to be an old loggers camp a few hours along this way. We should be able to make it by nightfall.”

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There’s time to ask questions along the way if you have any (and to retcon any activities you might have had back in Bexentil before you left).

Also, we'll need a riding order. There will be places you can ride two abreast but for the most part it will be a single file ride. Soren assumes he's leading but you can suggest otherwise.

((Geff has got to be in the middle, he is so squishy and we know Thor is ready to commit NPC murder.

Marrin wouldn't be in the very front or very back, but perhaps second to last with Ula as the tail?))

On seeing the trail proper.

"Oh. Yep, this is going to be a lovely ride through the woods. But at least we're out of the wind, I'm pretty sure my right leg is going to fall off."

Munching while they prepare to head in,

"How long will it take us to cross to the otherside Soren?"

((It’s not murder if it’s in the service of the story))

Soren takes one last look up at the blue sky then into the woods.

”If we can make the logging camp by dark, we should be able to get out the other side on the third day. Get ready for two nights in here.”

He pauses then nods.

”Collect whatever dry dead branches you find on the ground as we go. We’re not touching any of these trees with an axe.”

(Ava would take behind Soren or the rear - she would prefer towards the front as she can outrun Soren if need be to get to whatever needs gettin)

Seeing the dark and gloomy forest puts Ava into a more introspective mood.  She has always loved being out in the forest, but not this.  This just didn't feel right and put her fur on edge.  She paces while eating, nervous energy she can't contain.  "Mhm, lovely."  She doesn't find herself noting much of the cold though, thoughts are too distracted with the trees they fought and if that is just a precursor...

[I can't seem to find cold weather gear in the character sheet inventory options.  Ethel would need to draw from party funds as she has only 8gp.]

Once they reach the forest proper, Ethel casts false life on herself.  She seems to sit up a little straighter in the saddle and handle the reins with just a little more vigor than before.  

Temp HP:  6

The spell only lasts an hour, but it gives her a boost of courage as they enter the forest.

Along the way, she would watch for and point out any promising-looking kindling beside the trail.  Perception:  13  [if survival would be a more appropriate roll, the bonus is the same.]

(Clothing, Cold Weather - not sure which book provides access as I have some characters with access and some without - can add a modified Adventurer or Traveler’s Clothing - believe the cost is 10gp)