Chilling Adventures in the North

Qinfaren volunteers to stay outside with the dogs and sled, happy to get to know the animals better.

"I've never slept in a tent," Qinfaren says to the dogs. "Are they big enough for the likes of Bjorn and me?"

@SquareToes

Arogna inquires if the trading post has a large animal fur that she could both wear as a cloak during the day, and put over her bedroll at night, and if so how much it would cost. She will be very happy if she can afford a brown or even a white bearskin, although she won't purchase a black bearskin.

"You ain't gonna fill an extra large tent," she says to Shad with a grin. "'S that meant for all of us? Sharing don't bother me. Back home we useta sleep the whole tribe in the one cave. Kids all in a heap more or less."

Muharg stays out with Qinfaren. “How are you liking the environment up here, lad? Oh, and I noticed you asking around in the tavern, did you get any insight from the townspeople about the change in weather?”

The shop keeper, a burly man, grabs a tent from underneath the counter that he stands behind. He places the simple canvas tent on top of it. He quickly runs a hand along the surface of the canvas removing some of the dust.

"This tent here will fit two of you, maybe three at a tight squeeze. It's yours for two gold pieces," the man places two fingers in the air to indicate the amount. "Though I do have any tent. Same size, same cost.

I don't have any animal furs. No skinners in Fireshear, I'm afraid. I can offer you a set of thick heavy coat, hat, boots and gloves. Ten gold pieces for a set. Tough you already look like you have them."

"S'alright, yeah, I got my uniform," Arogna says, standing a little taller and wider as she does, with a proud look on her face. "I'll just hafta sort myself out for furs on the way." 

She looks at Shad, "What d'you think? Two of them? I 'spose someone's always gonna be out on watch. Less it's too cold for anythin' to move outside."

Qinfaren thinks about Muharg’s question for a moment, watching the dogs while he does then looks down the road at the snow and ice.

”There’s something very compelling about the snow, but I’m not sure it’s for me. It’s hard to just sit down on the edge of a stream and just spend the day talking to whatever animal happens by or to the flowers and trees when you’re always focused on staying warm. This place must make hard people.”

He reaches down and scratches one of the dogs behind her ears.

”No one had any explanation for what brought on the long winter. It’s going to get even harder up here.”

Shad considers the two coats he is wearing. He was thinking about a third, but that would slow him, he thinks. Maybe the gear he has is enough.

He looks at Arogna and says, "I'll buy a tent. Whoever is not on watch can share it, maybe?" Handing over the two gold pieces, he is surprised by how cold even the coins are.

"I'll get one an' all, an' then we all got room to stay in if we gotta," Arogna says, putting down another two gold pieces. "'Nother one like that, please."

"Excellent," Shad says. Assuming Arogna is ready, he'll turn toward the outside, tent packed on his back. He'll wait with Arogna if they need more equipment, but otherwise is ready for the road.

Arogna follows Shad outside when the purchase is complete. "We got two of 'em," she announces to the group outside. "Big 'uns. Prob'ly fit all of us an' the dogs too. Who's drivin' the sled, then?" She looks at Shad. "Maybe you should, ain't fair to make the dogs pull one'f us big guys."

Qinfaren looks at the sled and the runners on the back of it but then at the space between them.

"I don't think they need to pull anyone," Qinfaren says. "Who ever handles them can walk along between the runners. I don't think we have enough dogs to pull any of us as well."

He looks down at the dogs with a big smile.

"Are you guys ready?"

Then he looks at everyone else.

"Shall we go?"

You continue walking north and are soon leaving Fireshear and are out on the Ten Trail, following it north. The dogs happily pull the sled along the path. You decide not to a pace that is too quick, so as not to tired out the dogs. However, with the snow and ice covering the road, your speed is also reduced. After walking four hours, you've only completed six miles of your journey.

It is at this point that the dogs stop in their tracks, sniffing the air, they look nervous. It seems to be that dogs have caught the scent of something in the air. A possible danger.

Seeing the dogs' behavior, Muharg gets his axe and shield ready and glances around trying to spot the source of their anxiety. "All right lads, you'll suffer no harm."

Perception: 22 

Qinfaren looks around as well (Perception: 22  ) 

"A lot of animals have white fur up here, don't they Bjorn?" Qinfaren asks Bjorn.

He slips his shield into place and taps the snow off the end of his staff.

At the sight of the nervous dogs, Shad will try and hide: 9. He will do his best to look like an innocent pile of snow.

If he sees any of his colleagues trying to be stealthy as well, assuming they are close, he will use the Blessing of the Trickster: "As an action you can touch a willing creature other than yourself to give it advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks for 1 hour or until you use this feature again."

Arogna hefts her hammer and positions herself in front of any undefended side of the sledge, preferably in front of the dogs. 

Muharg and Qinfaren are the first to spot the against the thick snow. Then as they watch the movement, they realise that two winter wolves are approaching you from the north east.

Arogna scowls as the wolves approach. Shifting her hammer to one hand, she pulls her hunting knife from her belt and quickly cuts the sled dogs' traces. "You can outrun 'em," she tells the dogs.

Muharg clenches his jaw at the sight of the wolves, steadies his breathing, and gets in position for a tough fight. "All right then, let's do this."