Krom takes notice of Rhogar's reaction and realizes that he maybe replied to the Dragonborn too harshly "My apologies Rhogar, I did not mean to sound too harsh." The dwarf starts walking, scouting with his gaze for an other cave or some other type of shelter.

Satisfied that he wouldn't have to sleep in the giant's filthy cave Chill nods his assent to moving on. 

Once again he moves out in front to scout the path but also now look for a place of shelter for the upcoming nights rest. 

He'll climb ridges if need to spy out potential areas and try to pick a path that is easiest for the others to navigate hoping to reduce the need for climbing. 

The party moves on. A lingering feeling of disappointment settles among a couple in the group as they watch the Griffon fly away. Glad to have been able to help the creature they can't help but think of the opportunity lost to have possibly flown with the Griffon above the mountains. But the moment has passed and as the cold wind picks up in the late afternoon thoughts change to a warm campfire and shelter.

Up ahead Chill continues to do his best to find the easiest or best path. The small valley where the giant lived is past and the ground rises again up into the mountains. At times the travel is difficult and you give each other helping hands to get over difficult spots. At other times you take a quick breather while Chill scrambles up somewhere in hope of finding shelter.

Chill I need a survival roll please.

Survival 13

Kazri gives a last look at the griffon flying away. She curses herself for not doing a better job handling the situation with the griffon. She tries to forget that event and move on.

A couple of hours later, and before it starts to get dark, you take another short break as Chill scrambles up another small hill.  He's gone a short time and then returns.  He is happy to report that he has found a small cave and this one is empty.  Nothing seems to have lived in it for quite some time.  It is dry and defensible and the party could easily light a fire and not draw attention to themselves.

He leads the group up and you head into the small cave.  A small fire is lit and the cold cave soon warms up.  There is room to spread out and rest from the weary day.

Krom settles in to study the two items found in the giants cave.  The jug turns out to be an Alchemy Jug and the lantern lights up and fills the cave with a warm light. Lantern of Revealing

Pleased with the find, Chill calls for beer and starts pouring for those who wants some.  The evening is spent in good cheer!

 Thinking this may be the last time the company is able to relax for a bit. "Chill. May I have some of that humm... Beer?" She thanks the Tabaxi. "May the gods look after us when we finally meet this dragon." She looks wearily at the beverage, and chugs it in one go.

By the time Kazri was finished with her drink, she knew that wasn't the wisest idea, but she did not care. A slightly alcoholic beverage should not affect her if she is ready to fight a dragon.

Rekuberk seems as if he is going to simply grab the jug and drink all the alcohol it can produce by himself. Instead he takes enough to match Kazri as she begins to drink.

Krom gladly drinks his share of beer, "Drink friends, drink!". The dwarf will make sure that all the cups of all the group are filled with ale.

"The Dragon's lair is near my friends, soon we will face the cruel beast in combat and we will end his reign of terror!" Krom shakes high over his head the Blessed Warhammer as he speak.

"Let's all rest well tonight and prepare for the last part of our quest.", the dwarf enters his bedroll and as he prepares to sleep says "I will take the third watch."

After enjoying the beer from the Alchemy Jug you settle in for the night and set watches. Nothing disturbs your rest (long rest) though and you awaken the next morning refreshed and ready to face the day.

Exiting the cave you find the sky clear, but a cold wind still continues.

You continue your way north for most of the day. The trees begin to thin and ice and snow covers the ground. You finally make your way to the base of Icespire Peak and search for the hold. A couple of hours after noon you find Icespire Hold is a stone fortress perched on the icy northeast spur of Icespire Peak. Another hour later and you find a path that seems to lead up to the fortress. It continues the other way heading north and eventually disappearing from view around a bend.

Clouds partly obscure the stone fortress situated atop the icy spur of a jagged, snow-covered mountain that you recognize as Icespire Peak, a landmark so enormous as to be visible from Phandalin on a clear day. The mountain dwarfs the fortress, which consists of two separate structures joined together by a stone bridge. A narrow, winding path corkscrews up the mountainside to the smaller of the two structures, and appears to be the only safe way to reach it by land. It’s an unwelcome path, but not as unwelcome as the cold, howling wind that buffets you.

Rhogar holds up a halting hand and shakes his head the moment Chill looked in his direction. "So we shall, Master Krom. And if you so wish a change in watches, I will take second with Ghorar. For at the very least, most my reserves would return enough to deal with any night time terrors." He volunteered, before soon finding himself a Dragonborn burrito close by the fire with Ghorar snuggled up under his neck.

Chill looks up at the sides of the cliffs and wonders if they could climb them rather than take the path. 

Kazri is thankful that she is wearing the Boots of the Winterlands. Even though she is wearing winter clothing, thanks for the gnomes, she feels that there is actually no need for them, for it seems she is quite comfortable. She readies her weapon and shield, and waits for Chill to inspect the area.

Rekuberk keeps his arms folded as he walks toward the place, his eyes trained ahead as they go. "Well another place that we can call our own once we clear out whatever is inside."

"I do not know about calling this place OUR 'own', but certainly help others we trust settle here perhaps. Certainly it holds some value yet still, dragon residing near not withstanding." Rhogar admits. "Best we hurry on as much as we can. If the dragon catches us out on the path, it goes without saying that things will not go well." He urges, if the pacing slowed too much for gawking.

"It is indeed an impressive fortress, lad." says Krom to Rekuberk "I prefer the style of Axeholm, but this keep could be our summer castle" says the dwarf with a big laugh "I wonder if the Dragon shares it with some other monsters or beasts. Anyway, as Rhogar wisely said, it is best to hurry up, this is not a good place to fight a Dragon."

As the group starts walking Krom chants an hymn of Guidance on Chill in order to further enhance the tabaxi's skills.

Chill looks at the sheer face of the cliff that the keep sits upon.  He's certain that with the climbing gear and his innate climbing skill he could probably scale it in time.  But recalling Krom's difficulty earlier in climbing he's not sure the rest of the party could do it safely. They would certainly make it up but at what cost?  How tired would they be, or what injuries would they possibly receive?  Once at the top they wouldn't likely have time to rest.

For now there seems to be no sign of the dragon and the path looks to be the only way to safely make it up to the hold.

"I'm thinking the path is the way to go.   I could climb the rocks but we couldn't all do it.   It's not likely to be worth it.  I'll scout ahead and you follow behind me about 100 feet.  Keep an eye out for the dragon and try to stay quiet.  If the dragon is home we don't want to get its attention while we are on the path."

Unless another plan is made Chill.moves up the path.

“Very well Chill. I will be behind you 100 ft.” Kazri will keep her eyes on the Tabaxi.