It is still quite early when Mei, Kira, Guardok, and Malvyn meet outside their rooms, ready to get going to the storage warehouse.  Needing to be there at 5am, you are allowing yourselves plenty of time.  The campus is rather quiet at this hour on a Saturday.  But not empty, as you spot maybe 3 or 4 individuals either out exercising or traveling somewhere. 

You soon are at the warehouse. It has an architectural style similar to the rest of the campus. But rather than the usual halls and classrooms, it has just a pair of pedestrian doors on this side of the building and a larger roll up door nearer the middle.  Standing next to the nearest pedestrian door is a large orc in a Witherbloom uniform.  He seems to be waiting for you. 

"Hey there. Urzmaktok, I presume", Guardok says as he looks way up at the face of the Orc.

"Sorry to get you up and out so early, but we really appreciate it".

It was early even for him, but he had enjoyed the morning constitutional walk across campus, even if he hadn't been as chatty as usual. He didn't have much in the way of possessions on him, but he had his backpack with some essentials and rations, and he wore his weapons and light leather armour.

Malvyn would try to get his hands on coffee, quite a few cups, or he won't be of much use this early morning. Either way he follows along, trying to speak reassuringly to Mei about everything and ask her and Guardok about how things went last night apart from what Mei already explained in her note. As always he carries his shoulder bag with his favourite book.
"Yes, we are most grateful." The purple-skinned tiefling chimes in as they meet the large witherbloom orc.

"Yes, Urzmaktok Grojsh. And I appreciate your thanks, but I am happy to help out. Professor Lang said you were heading out on a field investigation and need some camping gear. Come follow me." He steps inside, holding the door for you all. "What sort of supplies are you needing? We have packs with basic gear. Tents. I'm not sure exactly where you are going." 

 Unfortunately, the cafeteria had not opened quite yet, so no coffee was available there.  So unless you had the means to get coffee in your room, it seems you are still in search of that particular item! 

"That's right", Guardok confirms, following after Urzmaktok and then entering the storehouse.

"Basic stuff sounds perfect, but beyond that I suppose we could use some advice. Probably best if you tell him about the trek", he suggests to Kira.

Malvyn nods in agreement with Guardok but kept quiet, not being awake enough to be of much use in this early hour anyway without his dear coffee. He hoped he would be able to find some in Silkmeadow before they left for that mysterious grotto.

Mei, who read that it was best to dress in layers for hiking, is currently wearing about five. The oracle walks like a stick figure, her body stiff beneath the constricting layers of fabric. Her cheeks are pink and face flushed from the warmth, but she makes no complaint. 

She tries to follow into the storehouse, but it takes a few attempts as she forces her stiff arms low enough to pass through the doorway. "Thank you so much, Urzmaktok," she says, also leaving Kira to fill the other student in about their trek.  

Kira tries to explain to Urzmaktok the area where they will be traveling. "There is quite a bit of elevation gain. Being early spring the days are not all that cold. However, there is a bit of chill in the night. We usually just rely on tents and a bedroll."  She glances over at Mei as she struggles to get through the door. "Mei, I told you don't need so many layers. Your normal clothes, pack an extra coat..."  She turns back to the orc. "Urz is it? Maybe we should pack an extra blanket or two just in case." 

The orc stops suddenly and turns. "It is not Urz. It is Urzmaktok."  He continues even before Kira can say, "I'm sorry. Urzmaktok."  He then remarks. "We do have blankets. I'll grab you a few."  

You see the warehouse contains rows and rows of all sorts of supplies. Quite a few of the items you don't really recognize.  But there are obvious things - shovels, trowels, wheelbarrows, picks, and other tools.  Eventually you come to a row filled with bins of pre-packed backpacks.  "Here we are. Basic supplies for a campout."  He pulls out one pack for each person. (It is an Explorer's Pack but with only 5 rations and 5 torches) "Blankets are right there."  He points over to bin just past the backpacks and heads that way. 

Guardok listens as Kira describes the journey ahead. It was not something he was particularly worried about, he was used to be outside and sleeping in tents.

He grabs one of the explorer's packs indicated by Urzmaktok, along with a blanket, "Thanks, Urzmaktok. Very grateful for the help. I don't suppose you have better boots my size, and maybe a thicker cloak?".

The sight of Mei had made him inwardly chuckle, but it is often the case that experiencing things for yourself is a better way to learn than simply being told something. And so he hadn't mentioned anything. But he was dressed in the opposite fashion if truth be told. Simple common clothes and boots. He could use some travelling clothes for a hike.

He waits Urzmaktok to answer and for the others to kit themselves, aware that they have an appointment at the teleportation circle and so cannot delay too long.

Malvyn too grabs a pre-packed backpack and an extra blanket, ready to go trekking, or so he thinks. He was a bit concerned about Mei's outfit. He himself knew next to nothing about trekking, only what he had read up on yesterday, but while you would have to stay sufficiently warm he had also read something about the need to be able to move freely enough to negotiate the sometimes challenging terrain outside civilization. Still, he felt they would find a solution to the problems as they presented themselves, they always had.

The orc nods at Guardok's request and walks a bit further down the aisle. "We do have some boots."  He reaches into a box, pulling out a pair. "Try these. If you need a different size just check in the box there.  Now, hmm... there should be cloaks somewhere. We don't really need them for most of our student activities. Just a moment." Urzmaktok turns around a corner and you can hear the tap of his footsteps heading down a different aisle. 

Kira seems fine with just a pack and blanket. "Thank you very much, the gear is really appreciated." 

Mei too takes a pack and leans over Guardok to inspect the box of boots. She glances down at her own school-issued ones, wondering if they would be sufficient. 

"I don't suppose you need climbing gear for most activities, either?" Mei ventures, waddling after Urzmaktok in case she can help carry anything back. "And it really is so kind of you, Urzmaktok. Have you done much trekking or camping yourself?" 

Guardok nods his thanks and starts to try on boots whilst he waits for Urzmaktok to return.

As Mei softly walks over to join Urzmaktok, she really doesn't know whether her shoes are sufficient or not. "No, you shouldn't need climbing gear unless you are scaling steep cliffs," he says as he keeps walking along looking at the crates there. "Yes, I have gone on a number of expeditions to collect biological for various purposes. Both for herbalism uses and to find plants to use in cultivating new species for the Fantastical Horticulture Club." He steps forward with a click of his shoe to look into yet another crates. "Here are the cloaks."  He pulls out a few, glancing at Mei. "How many of these do you suppose we need?"  

Guardok finds that the boots do fit quite well, providing good support. 

Mei tilts her head in thought. "Four is plenty, I should think! Thank you," she effuses and offers to help bring them back to the others. "Do you have any recommendations for plants to look for in the Silkmeadow region? I could certainly keep my eyes peeled!" 

As Mei and Urzmaktok walk back to the others, he shrugs. "It would take too long to properly describe what to look for.  But there really isn't anything special I am looking for from that region right now. Thank you though."  He has the heavier cloaks - one for each - and he hands one to Guardok, Kira, Mei, and Malvyn. 

"Thanks, Urzmaktok", Guardok says as he accepts the cloak.

He is now ready to head off to the teleportation circle.

Mei, too, thanks the orcish student as they leave for the teleportation circle, a good number of paces behind everyone else as they walk given the added weight of the heavy cloak she's now wearing. 

All of you exit the building as you bid farewell to Urzmaktok. You head for the place where the teleportation circles are located. Kira again watches Mei struggle with what she's wearing, even more burdened now with the heavier traveling cloak and the backpack with supplies. "Really Mei, you are going to have to lighten your load. It's not that cold - you're going to just make the hiking miserable for yourself."  She glances at the other floormates, hoping they might talk some sense into her. 

It doesn't take long to reach the place, and you find that you have several minutes to spare. There is a tiefling in a Quandrix uniform near the entrance. "Do you have your papers with you?" she asks abruptly as she squints at you. 

"Oh, alright," Mei says, sheepish. "I suppose there is such a thing as being overprepared, isn't there? I'll redress and repack when we get to Silkmeadow."

When they reach the teleportation circles, she smiles at the tiefling student. "We do! From Professor Lang for teleportation to and from Silkmeadow," Mei confirms as she holds out the official looking paper the professor gave them.