So we are playing a dry run, open book of the starter set with all books etc open to all players (as we are looking to run multiple runs of the same adventure at the same time for a charity night) and we have just got the the river for the first part of the adventure, and no one can cross the river. there is a suggestion of finding a log on the opposite bank (pg 7) and getting it could be achieved by shooting a rope arrow and pulling it across, but none of the characters have any equipment. especially not a bow, which might look a tad suspicious walking through the town on the way to bag End armed to the teeth.
so question - where do the characters get equipment from? does bilbo have an armoury filled with weapons and other adventuring kit on the offchance and allows the players free reign? do they find a bow lying around? goblin patrol (after all i assume this is about the time Gollum is being tortured)