"Let's get back to the road, it does not seem that we will find out anything more from here." says Krom to the rest of the group. The dwarf chants a brief dwarven funeral hymn to give some kind of rest to the deceased half-elf. "As Chip said we will not be able to bury him properly, this hymn should help his soul to find some rest."

"I am afraid that there is nothing else that we can do for these poor souls." Says Kazri. She says a small prayer to the half-elf, and she is ready to go back to the trail.

Chip would hand the chest to Chill (Assuming they don't find a key on the body.) "Do you think you can get this open? It might include a clue as to who that guy was.. or maybe even a few more magical items to help keep us from freezing to death.." The dragonborn would ask as he glances back a last time towards the frozen corpse before continuing towards the road. 

Chill takes the chest and huddling over top of it he uses his tools to try and pick the lock.

Thieves tools  24

Rekuberk would move to dig a small grave for the half elf, leaving the corpse in a shallow but workable grave. " Let's hope we don't meet such a fate ourselves." As he walks away he keeps his sword out and aflame to provide light and a small amount of warmth.

 Though reluctant to leave Chill to his earlier scouting, Rhogar kept quietly by the others. One look at the dead man and horse is enough for the Bronze to turn back to Chip with a disbelieving look about the boxes contents. And yet, seeing a returned Chill soon at work on it, curiosity urged him off one train of thought, and over to the idea of peering over a shoulders to see what's inside.

"Wouldn't be able to burn him well enough, unfortunately. Not in this weather." He said offhandedly at some point, but little more than that. Short of the thing inside proving to be a trap or little of immediate use, Rhogar simply sighs and says, "Back to the road then," before at least briefly leading the walk back prior to someone more knowledgeable inevitably takes point along the way.

Chill easily bypasses the lock of the chest and opens it.  Within there are 100 Dragons.  You instantly recognize them as the gold pieces used in Waterdeep.

Rekuburk takes the time to try and dig a shallow grave but the ground is so frozen he soon gives up.  You could cover the body in snow, but there is no way to cover the body enough to keep scavengers from returning to the body.

You make you way back to the trail,, your tracks starting to get covered in blowing snow but still discernable enough to follow.

Back at the cart you take a better look.  You find a tattered letter in the cart which reads: “To be delivered: 100 gold pieces for moneychangers in Bryn Shander.” Nothing else of value can be found in the cart, other than a week’s worth of trail rations.  

Any tracks that would indicate what kind of creature may have attack the half-elf have long been covered in snow and you have no idea how long ago this unfortunate event occurred.  Perhaps a wheel broke, or he was attacked by a Yeti or something else.  

"Let's be on our guard, we may be get surrounded by those Yeti and not noticing it." says Krom walking behind Rekuberk and glancing at both sides of the trail looking for anything that may be hiding in the snow.

"So that half-elf had some Waterdeep's Dragons in that box. Since we did not find a key, do you think that he lost the key somewhere or did he stole those Dragons? Waterdeep is pretty far from here." asks Krom to the rest of the group.
 

"Maybe we can find more information at this Bryn Shander place, and also find out more about what is happening in the region." Says Kazri as she prepares to continue the journey.

"According to my map Bryn Shander should be the first town we come to.  This trail leads to its gates.  I'll keep the chest safe and we'll finish that man's delivery for him.   It's the least we can do. "

When the rest are ready to go Chill will head out in front to scout the way again. 

"Sounds as good a plan as any to me. And if nothing else, perhaps we may yet make an ally or contact of whoever it is this was all meant for." Rhogar mentions chiumes in with his own two cents. And just as Chill waited for the others to be fully ready, so would the Bronze to ensure the group didn't get too separated in some freak uptick of wind and snow.

Day 9, Month of Hammer (Deepwinter)

Description: Clear
High: -35°F (-38°C)
Low: -49°F (-45°C)
Wind Force: Light
Wind Speed: 6 mph (9 kph)

The day following the grisly discovery of the dead half-elf the sun did not rise and there was only dim light the whole day, getting dark very early. The temperature began to drop, quickly. The next day after that was even colder, and it was dark until about midmorning when it was just dim. By midafternoon it was again dark. You light torches to help those who cannot see in the dark as you continue your trek north.

It's now the fourth day of travel. You have seen no other travelers on the trail, and again it is dark till midmorning, dark again by mid afternoon. It is extremely cold and you are thankful the wind is very light. When it whips up it seems to blow straight through your winter clothing. Only Chip and Kazri are unbothered by the cold. 

Its now midmorning and the dim light the sun finally shows is enough to allow you see some distance ahead of you.

Following Ten Trail across the Spine of the World into Icewind Dale, your first sight is of the circular wall of Bryn Shander rising from a distant hilltop, with Kelvin’s Cairn looming in the distance. The twinkling lights of the town’s inns promise refuge from the lashing winds, and the smoke from its many hearths portends warmth and sustenance.

Another hour of walking and you finally reach the southwest gates.  They are open and wary guards watch you enter, but they make no move to intercept or question you.

it’s so frightfully cold outside, which gives the settlement a deathly quiet aspect. Most people who venture outdoors are bundled up in so much cold weather clothing as to be barely recognizable, and they don’t stand around long enough for the cold wind to get the better of them.   Few people walk the streets.

"Finally a city!" says Krom as the group enters Bryn Shander, "I am looking forward to sit in a tavern, eat some food and drink a some pints of ale to fight off the cold." says Krom with a big grin on his face, "We should be able to hear some rumors and speak with the locals while we rest."

As they trudged through the snow, Chip would use his dancing lights to light the path while taking turns casting prestidigitation on each of his shivering companions helmets or hats, keeping them warm for one hour at a time. 

(OOC: So it says I can have up to 3 of my non instant things for prestidigitation up at once.. so does that mean I can help to heat 3 of my companions at a time? Leaving only one of them cold for an hour since Two of us won't need heating? Then I could take turns letting one person be cold at a time? I mean I am sure they would still be cold with just a warm helmet on but it would help.)

 Whenever Chill would come forth with the idea of warming hats or clothing, Rhogar would prioritize the other over himself, reminding his fellow Dragonborn of the high body heat of the kin. And while he was neither of a Red or White bloodline, both of which would've fared the weather the best, neither was a stranger to the cold due to escapades with local tritons. A story he was likely to share over a campfire one evening, but not in the immediate moment. Of course at the weathers worse, he certainly did feel the chill, but stoically bore it without complaint.

"Here is to the hope of finding a guide to said tavern in this miserable weather." The bronze said a mirthful chuckle. He cannot help noticing after naturally stopping just how painfully silent the town was, or from looking around with an uncharacteristic level of worry in what little can be seen of his face. "I-in any case, keep your eyes peeled for that tavern." Rhogar adds, urging others onward.

Chill leads the group into the city.  He's cold and a bit tired.  He's lamented on more than one occasion, when a particularly strong wind blows through, that he is far from the hot jungles of Chult.

He's also threatened,  jokingly of course, that one of these nights he plans to relieve Kazri of her boots or Chip of his ring. Or both.   You can't have too much warm.

The darkness doesn't bother him, he's most comfortable in the dark.  

Entering the town he stops at the gate and inquires of the guard directions to the closest inn.  The city is not that big so I can't be too hard to find.

Rekuberk moves to pull the clothing around himself more, carefully covered so that only the hilt of his Greatsword is exposed to the cold. "Yes the sooner we find a warm fire and a stiff drink the better I will feel."

Once inside the city, Chip would keep the dancing lights close to the group.. slowly circling then in the hope of preventing anyone from sneaking up on them. "I hope the tavern isnt as quiet as the rest of this place.. Maybe I should liven this place up a bit" The dragonborn would say as he pulls out his lute and begins to strum in the cold quiet road.

The walls of the town stand some 30 feet high and are defined by two concentric rings of upright wooden poles, the gap between them filled with dirt and rubble. The outer ring of poles rises above the top of the wall, providing a rampart for defenders stationed on the wood-planked walkway. The wall’s hinged gates are 15 feet tall and can be barred from the inside with iron-banded wood beams.  As you draw near you see a flag bearing a crest flap in the wind.

One of the guards straightens as Chill approaches.  He looks you over and seeing the matching cloaks grins.  "Adventurers eh?  First time in the Dale?  You've got a few choices.  Most of you adventurer types head for the Northlook.  A but rough but you'll find work if that's what you need.  Best taproom in town, and likely the best rooms also.  Might cost a bit more than the others but most say its worth it.  Better than sleepin in the common room trying to stay warm in the The Hooked Knucklehead.  If you like it nice and quiet try Geldenstag’s Rest.    Northlook is straight up the main way and turn left at Blackiron Blades, can't miss the sign.  Northlook is just inside North Gate.  Tell ol' Scramsax that Dean sent ya his way.  The Hooked Knucklehead is just on the outskirts of the Market Square and Geldenstag’s Rest is near the East Gate

Bright lanterns suspended over narrow streets twist in the wind and add flecks of color to the town’s otherwise drab surroundings.

"Sounds like we're headed to Northlook! I'll take care of the cost... it'll be my treat!" Chip would say excitedly as he looks to his companions. He would then start marching down the cold and quiet road.. still playing his lute softly to provide some sound in the otherwise painfully quiet town.