@spareshoes: The EXP value on the mobs is actually the mobs gaining exp and levels. It becomes more apparent when you get on the later resets and you'll face tougher normal mobs(which show their level when you click on them).
@wwwwww974: Quite odd, in my save the jacket production from the Kivi is still alive and well. In fact I'm still running the wool-yarn-jacket trade route to get enough jerry cans for my caravan to cross to New Serino.(damn Lintu only occaisionally sells them)
@Sacripant, The New Serino trip is a bit long, but quite doable. You can make it with just the main character. There are a few tricks you can employ to make the transit to there easier, stock up on good food like meat(high calories) and/or milk(decent calories and high water content), hunting and collecting can shave some weight off the food and forage needs and allow you to take more water with you. Also try to get up to a decent speed, slow caravans are very heavy on the food/forage and water requirements.
 "Idle Sword"){kind=icon}
 "Caravaneer 2"){kind=icon}