Memories of Holdenshire.

@ChrSch. I believe Shortsword is a finesse weapon.

That's why my monk ended up using a hand ax

Jmm, okay, weird, seems a character's speed has no bearing on travel pace. So forget what i said about how travelling without a wagon will make you slower...

I doubt they can track a specific wagon on a road. The road is definitely the fastest way in reality but in D&D it doesn't usually matter other than potential obstacles. The problem with the road is it will likely have more patrols so it is easier to get spotted. I doubt they have great descriptions so a simple disguise would work for most. But Ugost kind of sticks out as there are few of his race. Off road is just to avoid patrols.

I assume we followed the road? If so would we not be on the east side of the river now? What is the map scale? We traveled at a fast pace the first day but we pulling a wagon so ... 16-24, minus late start, miles from Northpoint then whatever we have already traveled today . . . .?

Each hex is 5 miles. You're technically still in the same hex as Northminster (probably very close to its border, remember that Zariana had steered away from the main road after the flight from Northminster and its ensuing combat).

I'm going with what the scenario assumes (50 miles puts you either at Northminster or one of the adjacent hexes on the horizontal axis, although, now that I check the map more closely, you could have also crossed the river...), if you want to be further away, I'm fine with that, but you'll most likely have more than 50 miles to make before reaching Halfpoint.

There's also the fat that I'd rather avoid making two Journeys for 2 separate groups. Having one group resolve a combat encounter or an exploration challenge will be a bit annoying for the group that only got a scenery or social encounter instead...