Chilling Adventures in the North

"Thanks. It makes the task easier," Bjorn, grateful for the thawed ground tries to finish the grave as quickly as he can before any wild animals return.

"Alright," Arogna says. "Thanks for tryin', Shad. We better get you a new set of, uh, openin' tools." She winks. "Better stand back."

If no-one else offers to try opening the box by a less destructive method, Arogna will place the box on end and hit it with her hammer. First, she'll just let the hammer fall using its own weight. If that doesn't work, she'll take a proper swing at it, but with one hand. Finally, she'll go all in. If a party member suggests stopping after any attempt, she will do so.

(OOC to DM: Can you "non-lethal" an object? Arogna is aiming to break the box open, not flatten it. Also, do you want me to roll to hit? Arogna will keep trying in the same way until she lands each blow.)
First attempt (one-handed and not adding strength modifier): 8 bludgeoning damage
Second attempt (one-handed with strength modifier): 5  bludgeoning damage
Third attempt (two-handed with strength modifier): 8  bludgeoning damage

When the box is finally open, whether by Arogna's hammer or otherwise, you discover 100 Waterdeep-minted gold pieces.

Qinfaren looks down at the gold pieces, kneeling to examine one of them.

"These are a long way from home," he says then sighs. "I do wonder why he held on to these rather than trying to fight off whatever was attacking him."

He mumbles in Firbolg to himself and waves his hand over the coins.

(Uses Firbolg magic: Detect Magic )

"I suppose we should divide them up and take them with us."

Shad holds one of the square gold coins between his mittened fingers and thumb. He studies the profile on one side and the dragon on the other. "Ah Waterdeep," he says. "I've fond memories of that city. But, yes, I wonder how they made their way here." He thinks for a moment. "Qinfaren, nothing on the body? Maybe we could find a clue among the remains of the cart."

"Maybe he was a merchant, an' these was his takin's," Arogna guesses. "But yeah, the cart might have somethin'."

After spending time to bury the remains of the half-elf man, you return back to the cart. 

Muharg helped Bjorn bury the body, leaving the box to Shad and Arogna. Once they're back by the cart he examines it for anything that could help figure out who the half-elf was or any other meaningful information.

Skill check 9. If Perception applies: 12, if Investigation: 9

Muharg checks the cart and find a tattered letter sitting at the very bottom of the cart, covered in snow. Opening the letter Muharg sees that the letter reads, "To be delivered: 100 gold pieces for moneychangers in Bryn Shander."

"Well, hopefully there aren't too many moneychangers in Bryn Shander, and we can finish this deliver for him," Qinfaren says when he sees the letter Muharg found. "At least we know where he was headed."

He looks up at the sky and then down Ten-Trail road.

"We should keep moving while we still have some light."

"Hmm," Shad says. "Perhaps there is a moneychangers' guild there. But I feel a chill," he says. "As Qinfaren says, we ought to keep moving. Although . . ." Shad will take a moment and gather the lighter wooden remains of the cart for firewood.

"He mighta been a thief, you know, an' he wrote that letter 'case anyone stopped him like," Arogna offers hopefully, but she can see it isn't going to work, and sighs.

Deciding that it's best to wait until you reach Ten Town, and see if you can find any moneychangers you decide to press on along the Ten Trail. However, as you continue on the sky becomes darker and the dogs are looking more weary. However, there are no signs of any civilization anywhere nearby.

As they walk along the Ten Trail, Muharg approaches Arogna "So you're fully committed to becoming an outstanding Deliverer, huh? In my humble opinion, you have the potential to become one of the greatest out there, and I think I can help you take a step further." He looks up at her with a smile "How do you feel about giving reading a try? I'm no scholar, but that I can teach you if you will."

As the weather starts to turn, Muharg looks up at the sky "This doesn't look too good, right? Bjorn, Qinfaren, what do you think? Should we try to find shelter?" He then winks at Shad.

"Hm," Arogna says with an unusually thoughtful expression on her face. "If you're offerin'. Be good to spell out the names on the parcels an'all. An' know if it's the right name when they signs for one. Well, maybe I still ain't gonna know that." She laughs. "But yeah. Thanks, man. That's good of ya."

Bjorn looks to the sky and nods, "I think your words wise Muharg. Best we find shelter or set up camp before we lose light for good. The nights of the north are deadly for the unprepared."

Bjorn then starts looking around for a suitable place to make camp for the night and start a fire.
Survival 7

Bjorn builds a fire that, whilst not the best, will surely provide warmth. Though it looks like it might collapse if anything knocks the fire.

Muharg gladly helps his companions with the fire and setting up the tents.

Once they are ready for the night, he approaches Arogna once again and adjusts his belt "So, ready for your first lesson?" If Arogna feels like it, he starts teaching her the basics as good as he can.

"I'd like to know what my name's like writ down," Arogna confesses. She is sitting near the fire, scratching one of the dogs behind the ears. "I put a mark on a contract one time, an' I guess it was in there someplace, but if I'd asked where they'd a thought I was dumb an' all."

Shad's arms are heavy with all the burnable remains of the cart. He sets the wood down close to Bjorn and Muharg and also does his best help with the fire: Survival 23.

He listens to Muharg and Arogna. Their conversation brings back good memories.

"I can take the first watch," he says.