Neldak would want to pursue any pressing matters. If the town's quest is more urgent they could probably put off visiting a ship frozen in the ice as it doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon.
Also a good point. From the sounds of things, how urgent does the city quest seem?
You break your journey up by stopping at the Northlook (Inn and Tavern - The Northlook is the establishment most frequented by mercenaries and adventurers, and as such it’s the rowdiest and most dangerous place to stay in Bryn Shander. At the same time, its taproom is the best spot in all of Ten-Towns to get leads on profitable ventures, along with the latest news and rumors.) for a drink and a short chance to rest your legs. While there, three stocky figures bundled in cold weather garb stumble toward you. They have snowshoes slung over their backs and ice picks fastened to their belts, and two of them have thick beards. The third holds up a gloved hand and says, through a thick wool scarf in a raspy voice, “Well met! I’m Hruna, and these are my friends, Korux and Storn. We need help, and you look capable.”
Etriel Darastrix smiles and waves at the empty chairs so the newcomers can sit down: "Well met yoou too, Hruna, Korux and Storn. I'm Etriel Darastrix and these are..." and she introduces the other party members.
"I'm glad we seem 'capable' to you. You on the other hand" the foreign traveler fixes her eyes on the interlocutors "seem to have been through a lot. Please, take a seat and rest a while. Would you like to tell us what difficulties you were forced to face?"
“We’re the survivors of a group of dwarves tasked with delivering a sled of iron ingots to Bryn Shander. A yeti surprised us and killed a member of our group. The rest of us fled as the yeti tore Oobok limb from limb. Now we need someone to go back and get the sled for us. As payment, we offer each of you a gemstone worth fifty gold pieces. The friendship of the dwarves of Icewind Dale can also be a boon in these harsh times. You’ll need snowshoes to make the trip in good time.”
(Snowshoes are recommended for any travel that is not along one of the paved areas, so would be handy for getting to the ship anyway. See the spoiler below)
Etriel Darastrix is immediately interested in new means able to make the travel easier: "Snowshoes, you say? Yes, they could certainly come in handy - both for now and for the future - this winter that seems to be never-ending. We can probably buy some, here in the city."
"Coming to the Yeti..." it is now the nature of the eladrin huntress that comes to the fore "Do you know anything about that creature? Is it just a big brute with little brains... or does it have some power or ability that you are aware of? I understand that the encounter with it was traumatic for you - and I do not lightly ask you to think back to those moments - but understand that, while we would be happy to hunt this monster to help you recover your cargo, our chances will be better if we have some idea of the capabilities of our prey."
"Snow shoes sound like a good idea. Yeti's are tough no doubt, Etriel, but they also have their own spoken language. It must have been hungry to attack a group...." Neldak muses deep in thought.
"Another unfortunate effect of this unnaturally long winter, then," the foreign traveler hypothesizes. "The yeti must have had more difficulty than usual in feeding itself and this made it more dangerous. Anyway, if it has its own language, then it's not a stupid brute. Do you happen to know if it has any special supernatural powers or uses any special tactics in combat, Lord Neldak?"
"I understand, Lord Neldak ..." Etriel Darastrix smiles "thanks for sharing how much you know. I suppose that we will have to make you enough".
"Shall we buy these famous 'Snow Shoes' and get on the hunt," the green eyes of the Foreign Traveler shine "my trusty and invaluable travel companions?"
"Sled dogs!" Cirim blurts out, to no one in particular. "I've seen them around, could we afford them? If not, we should think about getting them with any deal we make about the magical cauldron, if you ask me"she says, "yeah, sled dogs would be awesome" she whispers, going back into some quiet contemplation.
"Absolutely!" Danon says, "It sounds like we will surely need them. I would carry some in my pack, but I would be interested in the sled as well, Cirim! I would put some of my gold toward that, but I don't know how much that would be.." Danon is excited to take on this quest, he knows nothing about Yetis, however.
Since everyone seems happy to join the hunt, Etriel Darastrix asks the surviving dwarves for directions (which route to take to reach the site of the crime).
The eladrin huntress then leads the party on a shopping spree: how much does a Dogsled sell for? How much does a pair of snowshoes cost?
An empty sled costs 20 gp, weighs 300 pounds, and has room at the back for one driver. A sled dog (use the wolf stat block in appendix A of the Monster Manual) costs 50 gp and can pull 360 pounds.
Sled dogs must take a short rest after pulling a sled for 1 hour; otherwise, they gain one level of exhaustion.
So technically with the short rest per hour, it ends up being as fast as snowshoes unless you have two dogs each and rotate them (which is probably not feasible)
"I thank you for being to recover these ingots for us. We were about half way here from Kelvin’s Cairn." (see map on post 494) as she points in the direction. "We wish you luck."
The cairn is a fairly large mountain and therefore when the weather is fine (as it is currently) you can make it out and therefore I do not need any checks for you to proceed. I am assuming you all buy snowshoes and set off. If you are doing anything specific on your way, let me know. I also need to know your travel pace (speeds provided previously are normal pace)
Also a good point. From the sounds of things, how urgent does the city quest seem?
You break your journey up by stopping at the Northlook (Inn and Tavern - The Northlook is the establishment most frequented by mercenaries and adventurers, and as such it’s the rowdiest and most dangerous place to stay in Bryn Shander. At the same time, its taproom is the best spot in all of Ten-Towns to get leads on profitable ventures, along with the latest news and rumors.) for a drink and a short chance to rest your legs. While there, three stocky figures bundled in cold weather garb stumble toward you. They have snowshoes slung over their backs and ice picks fastened to their belts, and two of them have thick beards. The third holds up a gloved hand and says, through a thick wool scarf in a raspy voice, “Well met! I’m Hruna, and these are my friends, Korux and Storn. We need help, and you look capable.”
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Etriel Darastrix smiles and waves at the empty chairs so the newcomers can sit down: "Well met yoou too, Hruna, Korux and Storn. I'm Etriel Darastrix and these are..." and she introduces the other party members.
"I'm glad we seem 'capable' to you. You on the other hand" the foreign traveler fixes her eyes on the interlocutors "seem to have been through a lot. Please, take a seat and rest a while. Would you like to tell us what difficulties you were forced to face?"
“We’re the survivors of a group of dwarves tasked with delivering a sled of iron ingots to Bryn Shander. A yeti surprised us and killed a member of our group. The rest of us fled as the yeti tore Oobok limb from limb. Now we need someone to go back and get the sled for us. As payment, we offer each of you a gemstone worth fifty gold pieces. The friendship of the dwarves of Icewind Dale can also be a boon in these harsh times. You’ll need snowshoes to make the trip in good time.”
(Snowshoes are recommended for any travel that is not along one of the paved areas, so would be handy for getting to the ship anyway. See the spoiler below)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Etriel Darastrix is immediately interested in new means able to make the travel easier: "Snowshoes, you say? Yes, they could certainly come in handy - both for now and for the future - this winter that seems to be never-ending. We can probably buy some, here in the city."
"Coming to the Yeti..." it is now the nature of the eladrin huntress that comes to the fore "Do you know anything about that creature? Is it just a big brute with little brains... or does it have some power or ability that you are aware of? I understand that the encounter with it was traumatic for you - and I do not lightly ask you to think back to those moments - but understand that, while we would be happy to hunt this monster to help you recover your cargo, our chances will be better if we have some idea of the capabilities of our prey."
"Snow shoes sound like a good idea. Yeti's are tough no doubt, Etriel, but they also have their own spoken language. It must have been hungry to attack a group...." Neldak muses deep in thought.
"Another unfortunate effect of this unnaturally long winter, then," the foreign traveler hypothesizes. "The yeti must have had more difficulty than usual in feeding itself and this made it more dangerous. Anyway, if it has its own language, then it's not a stupid brute. Do you happen to know if it has any special supernatural powers or uses any special tactics in combat, Lord Neldak?"
Neldak shrugs. "They are normally very reclusive. There aren't many who have met one and lived to tell the tale."
"I understand, Lord Neldak ..." Etriel Darastrix smiles "thanks for sharing how much you know. I suppose that we will have to make you enough".
"Shall we buy these famous 'Snow Shoes' and get on the hunt," the green eyes of the Foreign Traveler shine "my trusty and invaluable travel companions?"
"Sled dogs!" Cirim blurts out, to no one in particular. "I've seen them around, could we afford them? If not, we should think about getting them with any deal we make about the magical cauldron, if you ask me" she says, "yeah, sled dogs would be awesome" she whispers, going back into some quiet contemplation.
"Absolutely!" Danon says, "It sounds like we will surely need them. I would carry some in my pack, but I would be interested in the sled as well, Cirim! I would put some of my gold toward that, but I don't know how much that would be.." Danon is excited to take on this quest, he knows nothing about Yetis, however.
Since everyone seems happy to join the hunt, Etriel Darastrix asks the surviving dwarves for directions (which route to take to reach the site of the crime).
The eladrin huntress then leads the party on a shopping spree: how much does a Dogsled sell for? How much does a pair of snowshoes cost?
So technically with the short rest per hour, it ends up being as fast as snowshoes unless you have two dogs each and rotate them (which is probably not feasible)
Snowshoes are 2gp each
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Etriel Darastrix explains how the dogsled will not hasten the journey, in the end, so she advises to stick to snowshoes.
She buys her pair and is ready for the hunt!
Neldak will also buy a pair of snowshoes.
Cirim is clearly disappointed that buying sled dogs is not the optional, or most cost efficient option.
"Snowshoes are fine" she says, examining the strange things.
"I thank you for being to recover these ingots for us. We were about half way here from Kelvin’s Cairn." (see map on post 494) as she points in the direction. "We wish you luck."
The cairn is a fairly large mountain and therefore when the weather is fine (as it is currently) you can make it out and therefore I do not need any checks for you to proceed. I am assuming you all buy snowshoes and set off. If you are doing anything specific on your way, let me know. I also need to know your travel pace (speeds provided previously are normal pace)
After joining more my signature got out of hand so I am now a proud member of the extended signature club!! :)
Normal movement feels right to Cirim, at least until we get nearer a target? Or we get bad weather or environmental factors, then move to slow.
Neldak would agree with Cirim. Normal movement sounds good for now.
Etriel Darastrix also agrees to normal movement. Let's go!