After Gerant leaves, Rin asks the rest of the group, "What needs to be done before we leave for Skirnvjar?"

(Rin assumes we're going to Skirnvjar next)

"I am ready to depart, as soon as the rest of you are," Lumaris says. As the others finish whatever preparations are needed, she retrieves her shield, longbow, and quiver, stowing them over her cloak, everything else of her person stowed beneath its flowing grey shroud. The elf retreats to stand in a corner of the room, seeming to meditate, her senses of faith cast out through the building and the land surrounding, fixing her memory of the feel of the place, of its direction, of the ebb and flow of life that marks it as if on a map. She sets a Waypoint here.

Eris' focus snapped towards Avery as he spoke up, assessing both his words and demeanor. "The pleasure's mine." The sheepish grin was matched, her own stiffing an amused huff at his admission. At least this posting wouldn't be a boring one.

"I'll be just a moment, then. Sir-" She gave the departing Gerant a quick, formal salute, then hastened from the roombehind him and down the hall, clearly intent on securing what few items she'd need for the journey ahead. The rest didn't need to wait long on the elf, as she returned within fifteen minutes, packed and ready. Not wishing to disturb whatever ritual Lumaris was concentrating on, Eris quietly stood near the door, eyes occasionally leaving their study of the hall to the grey cloaked woman.

Since it looks like the group will be leaving soon, Rin starts tidying up their rooms. While this is something that would usually be left for the inn's staff. Rin cleans anyway. But since she's using magic to clean and tidy, it also serves as magic practice.

Once the group has prepared, gathered their belongings and is ready to leave, the Inn Keeper takes you through to the downstairs back parlour.  For each party member there is a small pack containing 10 days of rations, 1 hooded lantern and 2 flasks of oil, climbing pitons and a heavy cloak.  In addition, there are: three 2-person tents, bedrolls for each party member, 1 large pot, cooking utensils, a shovel, tinder box (for those times magic might not be available!), 1 length of rope, 10 torches, 1 set of animal pack bags, a thick, coarse horse blanket and 10 days of feed for the mule that Lord Gerant has provided to carry these items and whatever else you choose not to carry yourselves.  There is also a letter for each of you, signed and bearing Gerant's seal, confirming your status as Deputies of the High Sheriff of the Northern Territory.

"It's not much of a road north," the innkeeper tells you. "Little more than a mud track at best and that's generally hidden by snow.  If you can head due north for three or four days, you'll see two tall peaks to the north-west. Head directly towards them and you'll be close enough that you'll find Skirnvjar.  Keep a sharp eye on the weather - it can turn quickly up here, and try to encamp in some shelter from the wind.  I wish you well."  He shakes each of you warmly by the hand before seeing you out of the back door.  A slightly scruffy mule stands in the middle of the yard eyeing the world suspiciously.  The stable lad, who is holding the halter, is rubbing his arm and giving the creature an evil stare and not a little verbal abuse.  It appears he may have been bitten by it. He gratefully thrusts the rope's end into Rin's hand before she can react and scuttles back into the Inn.

Having finished her preparations and stowed her weapons again on her person, Lumaris follows the others out, with a nod to the Innkeeper as she accepts one of the packs. "You have my gratitude for your kind advice," she says. "Long may winter days and nights be when one cannot find one's way through the snow." She makes note of the supplies and the pack saddle for a beast of burden, and steps out with the others into the yard to see the creature that Lord Gerant has provided... a slight smile crossing her face seeing the perturbed frustration of the stable hand.

"Ah, take not personally the ire of a beast, for he is bound by his nature, and when you understand his mind, you will know where to stand that he will love you better than his own mother." As the stable boy thrusts the rope into Rin's all-too-willing and available servant's hand, Lumaris reaches out to try and soothe the mule before it can direct its ire towards the poor wizard's apprentice.

Animal Handling: 12

When looking over the items being provided, Rin asks, "Could we have a hammer to go with the pitons?"

(I'm assuming 10 pitons since that's would comes in a dungeoneering pack)

When Rin is offered the lead for the mule, she takes it. She doesn't have a familiarity with mules. The only animal she ever interacted with was a pet mouse she used to have. But she sees it as her job to lead the mule.

[OOC]So, so very sorry for my extended absences lately. It's been a rough summer so far.[OOC]

Gwen joins her companions the following morning with her ever-present smile. "Good morning, fated companions, and newcomer Eris. I most offer my most humble of apologies for my lack of comradery last evening. I have spent much of my time recently pondering the comings and goings of these lands. Which, speaking of, which of you would be best as our guide through the wilds? I am not versed in such things."

Avery looks over the gear and equipement and helps pack and prep for the journey. He variable hums or whistles a tune quietly to himself while working. 

He looks up and replies as Gwen addresses everyone. "I can! I'm great at everything. Well. Maybe not great. But I'm okay at everything. They taught us a bit of all walks and occupations at the college. If no one else is up for it, I'm happpy to lead the way!" He says overconfidently.

The inn keeper wanders across to one of the stables and returns with a stout hammer which he hands to Rin (at arm's length since the mule stirs and gives him an evil look as he approaches). "Ah, um, that should do the job."  He takes half a step back. "Well, if that's everything, I'll wish you well.  We've a fair crowd in again and there's much to do, with too little time. Blessings upon you all. Your rooms will be here upon your return, Gerant has left instructions.  The, ah, mule's yours to keep with my compliments. Um, sorry about that." appearing embarrassed suddenly, he makes a hasty retreat.

Lumaris watches the Innkeeper curiously, wondering what has him so nervous, and if it's really just the ornery mule that has him so flustered. She looks back to the mule as she helps the others to load the supplies on its pack saddle. She smiles as Rin seems to accept the mule as a matter of course. Perhaps the animal will take to her.

As she helps finish the preparations, listening to Gwen and Avery discuss who will be the guide, she stays silent at first. Perhaps the others had forgotten that she was a Wayfinder, but staying in the shadow of the group's mission seems to feel more suitable to her. So she says to Avery with a smile, "And, I will of course, offer my assistance in navigation, should you need it.

The city around you is beginning to come to life.  There is movement in the streets, stalls and shops are being opened and set up for the day ahead. There is more life stirring within the Inn too, as those who have slept off the night before emerge unsteadily in search of food.  Although the city is strange to you, it takes little expertise to navigate your way from the Inn to the outer gate.  Heading downhill is a good start and after that it is possible to navigate by the flow of people, seeing those clearly burdened for a journey are all heading in a particular direction.

Your first steps into the untamed north are suitably auspicious.  A weak sun forces its way through some light cloud and the great northern waste spreads before you to a hazy horizon. Perhaps surprisingly, the most odd thing about the experience is the great looming void of the Breach. Though familiar to most of you, it is simply on the wrong side.  Rather than looking across towards the unknown, looking now at the breach offers a distant glimpse of all that has been familiar.  It is an eerie feeling best dispersed by looking away.

Those leaving the city quickly disperse. They fan out, some heading back east along the edge of The Breach, others making their way out into the wilderness seemingly at random.  Facing north, you have a large mountain range looming along the left-hand horizon, not so many miles distant.  They seem to reach outwards further north, so much so that you will eventually hit the edge of their foothills if you walk due north from here as you were advised.

The immediate area around the city is bare wilderness; snow-covered tundra upon which there is little cover or shelter visible. In the far distance the ground takes on an irregular outline - suggestive of a more undulating terrain or possibly snow-covered areas of forest.  The wind is mercifully light, though very cold, blowing down from the high peaks to the north-west.  The mule snorts and stamps its feet, suddenly seeming more alive and keen to be on the move. It sniffs the fresher air appreciatively and lets out a noise which might be a whinny (or might be indigestion).

There is the faintest of lines in the snow which heads off in the general direction you wish to go.  If it is a track, it is indeed deeply buried.  There are signs that others have gone this way fairly recently; a jumble of scuffed snow broadly following the indentation though even these have been partially covered with fresh snowfall. (You can all make a perception and survival check for the first part of the journey)

Perception: 22 (rolled in game log)
Survival: 22 (rolled in game log)

OOC: Sorry for the delay. DNDBeyond stopped sending me notifications of updates and I forgot to check for a couple of days.

Perception: 18

Survival: 3

Animal Handling to lead the mule: 13

Rin has no experience at all surviving in the wilderness, having been strictly a city girl till leaving home to come here. She also has no experience with animals, so hopefully the mule is cooperating.

The mule eyes Rin doubtfully but decides that for the time being she is a friend rather than a foe.  It is after all possible that she may have food about her somewhere - an apple perhaps? Besides, she is heading away from the city with its noise and foul smells.  Perhaps she is worth following for a bit, even if it does mean carrying this annoyingly heavy pack.  He obediently moves to the pull of the rope and for the moment does not attempt to bite or kick anyone.  Rin gets the sense that all is well and, by some miracle, the mule has taken to her.  The landscape appears to Rin to be barren and hostile.  It is difficult to imagine being able to navigate it with any certainty.

Lumaris feels the Waypoint in the inn, providing an anchor that keeps her orientated.  The faint line does indeed appear to be the track you were told to take and it heads in the correct direction - which is a reassuring start.  The undulating snow heavily obscures the track, but once you get a sense of that subtle change in the snow's surface it is possible to follow its course, at least in good light.  You would be doubtful to attempt it in the dark or poor visibility for all your skill.

As the group heads out over the wide tundra, Lumaris takes a deep breath of the cold, fresh air. Her posture straightens, her head tilted upwards and her expression one of a contented vigilance, as if she is invigorated much as the mule is by the wide open spaces, endless sky, and undulating drifts of deep snow.

She gestures to the faint line in the snow, pointing it out to the others. "Here is the track--subtle though it is, in daylight we should be able to follow it. And, it is heading north, which is our chosen direction." If someone else wants to lead, she falls in behind energetically, and if no one steps up, she leads the party herself, following the twists and turns of the track. It is tiring work, plundering through snow, and although she is able to stay lightly on top of most of it, she knows that a heavier creature such as the mule will suffer more exertion from the trek.

"Even though it is very cold," she advises the others, "make sure that you are drinking plenty of water. Keep your waterskin under your cloak so that it doesn't begin to freeze."

Not being an outdoors type of person, Rin follows the advice of someone that is. 

Since the mule was being so cooperative, Rin though she should try to reward it. She didn't have any apples or carrots though. Thinking about it, Rin gets a few pieces of straw from the mule's feed out of it's pack. then using Prestidigitation, she changes the color to orange and the flavor to that of a raw carrot. She then offers them to the mule as if they were skinny carrots.

OOC: The mule might love her or hate her for this trick, but she's always trying to find ways to use her magic...

The mule accepts the offered straw and is amazed to discover it tastes like his favourite food.  He chews contentedly as they move off. Perhaps things are looking up!  When the going gets a bit difficult due to heavier snow, he pushes suddenly past Rin to walk ahead of her, creating an easier path for her (and anyone behind) to follow.  This greatly eases the task of walking.  Though not quick by any means, the mule appears content to forge ahead almost indefinitely with no more encouragement than an occasional carrot-flavoured chew.

After around three hours, you pause to take a short break.  Mindful of the Inn-keeper's advice, it seems prudent to move a short distance off the track into the lee of a drift of snow which has built up over some unseen object.  Within minutes of settling down to eat and drink a small meal, each party member begins to feel a sense of unease.  This is most acute for Lumaris, who feels the pull of the Waypoint begin to weaken and fade to be replaced by a most alien sense that she is becoming lost and cannot find her way.

Gwen and Eris begin to feel an odd sense of detachment from reality - a kind of muzziness; like a building confusion that washes over them.  Rin begins to feel drained and weak for no reason, while even the Mule begins to whinny and toss his head.  Avery is least affected, though also suffers from a curious sense of loss. [All checks are at disadvantage]

Feeling drained without knowing why, and with the mule being disturbed as well, Rin thinks that there might be something magical going on and starts to ritual cast Detect Magic to check it out. Not thinking clearly, she uses a slow ritual cast as she usually does instead  of a fast cast using a spell slot.

Lumaris is quite enjoying the fresh air and the invigorating cold, and she laughs merrily at the mule's assistance to Rin in packing down the snow for easier travel. She good naturedly talks with her companions, regaling them with tales of her travels to Breach Holm and the missions she went on with the paladins there. She keeps her tales light, and tells only the ones that end with resounding victory and good fortune. As lightly as she speaks of the terrors of the Breach, though, one could assume she lightens it to mitigate perhaps her own sorrow over the things that she has seen that threaten Belinath.

As the group stops for their meal, the growing sense of unease quickly alarms the elf, and as she feels her sense of her Waypoint, always a guiding beacon, fade away, she leaps to her feet. "Skelvath stirs," she murmurs, her eyes dark with sadness but hard with vigilance. And she reaches out with her own Divine Sense to see if she can detect anything nearby. As she does so, she turns to look at the object they've sat next to, covered in snow, and she slips several feet away from it, her grey cloak covering her in the shadows of the snow, attempting to disappear from sight even as she reaches out with her senses.

Stealth: 23