[@sigil]

Sounds good to me. That feels like a very natural starting point for Aric.

I think before setting out, he probably would have spent at least a little time in Avonshire trying to piece together what he could from rumors, inconsistencies in stories, and whatever people were actually willing to say out loud about Harvestide and Cavendish. Enough to convince him something about the situation still does not sit right, but not enough to give him a complete picture.

If you want, I would also be completely fine rolling a few skill checks to determine what information he may or may not have managed to uncover before leaving town. That honestly feels very in-character for him.

As for the road conditions, I imagine he would be traveling on foot and making slower progress because of the snow. He is used to rough travel and poor weather, but not in a way that makes him immune to it. More stubborn than comfortable.

The overall setup honestly fits the tone I had in mind for him very well.