a trip that had been long planned and long awaited, the kingpin waiting for the ice to set and the snows to drive the ice in towards the shores. recent the wicked winter storms, slamming the coast and making travel harder than ever. rumbling deep in their throat, the kingpin hunched close to the hearth, recently prepared hides laid out over their shoulders. shuddering under them, the kingpin stretched with a deep groan, standing up and shook their head, as warmed as they could be. "alithians! gather here for some words!", they called as they went outside, hoping to gather everyone to the inn, shuddering under their pelts. gods almighty, the cold was already making them dread this trip. "alright everyone. we are going to be going out onto the ice fields you can see out over the coast. if you are afraid of water, i suggest that you don't make this trip, or if you're sickly and weak. i want every one of you, to pick up some pelts and wear them, especially the children.", they started once everyone had gathered.

taking a deep breath, they continued, kneading the wooden floor beneath their paws, "okay. you're probably wondering what i'm talking about and why i want you to wear furs, and why in the world i'm talking about the ice. we are going to be going hunting, to take down some well needed big animals to last the winter. this is the one and only time that i want any of you to be holding a weapon with the intent to kill. we need to find out more about how far out the floes reach, but i can assure you that they are really thick, and they extend a far ways from our land. if there are any minor islands out there, we very well might come across them. the ice is still dangerous, and i can't stop you from coming, but i want you to be aware of the dangers. always test where you're putting your paws, i don't want any of you plunging in because of an air pocket under the ice's surface, or a place where another animal has come up for air. stay close, and travel in pairs or groups." they rumbled, motioning to the packs set at the front of the inn, lined up neatly along the wall. the packs carried simple knives of bone and stone, wires, minor first aid kits for emergencies, bandages and some salted meats and dried fruits. this was going to be interesting, to see who would be going out on the waters with them. they had missed the chance for a fresh whale in unfrozen waters, but the waters had begun freezing some time ago, no doubt thanks to the harsher winds coming in from the sea. yes, they had a lot of inland prey, but such sources could not always be depended on for long time survival, and it was better to hunt the fatty animals of the cold sea for their valuable resources. the whale that they had found so long ago only carried a portion of the things that they could use, for it being a calf. shaking their head, they waited for the others to make a move, drawing the heaviest pack to themself, relegating the duty to carry it.

giving a bow of their head, the kingpin rumbled deep in their throat, "thank you sam, that would be beneficial.", they boomed, eyes sweeping the rest of those who had gathered. hmn. small turnout. oh well, they would make due with what they had for help. at least sam had shown up, they knew everyone was tired of having to rely on only the sea, they'd heard the complaints recently. shaking their head, they shouldered their pack with a low grunt, scars agitating on their shoulders, chafing and aching with the cold. "alright, we'll give it a little longer to see if anybody else is coming. let's head out in half an hour, sam. gives everyone time to finish up things.", they rumbled, tail flicking as they moved away from the main body of the grouping to do some much needed stretching.

digging their claws into the snow and ice, they yawned, pushing their front to the ground as they stretched, body trembling as they changed positions, thoughts elsewhere. they were wary to leave the territory for an extended amount of time but ah ... it needed to be done. they needed more than a split source of big land prey.