"I've looked through the stores and taken stock of what they have, but I didn't start gathering anything. I didn't want to appear as if I was simply hoarding non-perishable food and supplies," and he'd been a little disheartened by his main excursion partner dying.

"Ah yes. We've met." He nods, approving of their plan. "A couple short trips for reconnaissance will help us better plan for a longer one. I think trying to go parallel from the lighthouse, either north or south, might be a good starting attempt. With any luck that should follow a coastline and if we're hoping to encounter another town or any signs of civilization they'll likely be on the coast."

He pauses, thinking about what he just said, "I'm assuming it's north and south, I don't have a compass on me and I didn't see one in the store. You don't happen to have one do you?"

That seems like something that a sailor might have.