North: The Mountains and the woods

You travel to the North. Lands of the mighty dragons, but also infested by goblins, orcs, and other nasty creatures that lurk in the forests and mountains.

A path splits the wilderness, directly toward the distant mountains. The Mountains of Ash are to the northwest, their peaks shrouded in perpetual clouds and snow, while the Green Mountains to the northeast promise warm valleys and a dense forest. Both call to you, but the journey will not be easy.

The path through the woods is the obvious choice. It is safer, faster, and less likely to hide the dangers of the wild. But safety comes at a cost. Bandits often prey on travelers and other humans.

The wild woods, on the other hand, are untamed and unpredictable. The dense foliage makes travel slow and arduous, but it also provides cover, making it harder for bandits to spot or track you.

What do you do?