In reply to Beran (msg # 37):

Amalina looked to the Beorning and said "If you wish to know the way... the best one to speak to is Heva. She has traveled through Mirkwood and may give you guidance. She is the story teller upon the carved stool. Fare thee well kinsman of Beorn."

In reply to Gandalf The Grey (msg # 46):

Beli thought the Southern merchant was actually encouraging him to ....
Of course, Beli wasn't up to any mischief, none at all. He was just going to explore the mysteries of the world
In spite of the misunderstanding, Beli answered in a good humored manner:
"Yes, it's so nice to see those happy faces of dwarven children. Did you know that dwarven miners often carry their children on their backs
when they go to work? And while they're hacking away with their pick axes, the children need some toys to keep them busy, I'm sure you understand.
So I knew I wanted these toy-tinker tools when I saw them. How about 24 silver for the lot of them?"

"Yes," he says, almost to himself, as he took a few practice cuts with the blades.  He set the normal blade down and then held the curved blade up to his eyes to study the runes.  As he finished studying the blade, he dipped his hand into his pouch and set out the coins that the merchant asked for.

"If you can tell me more about how you acquired this blade," he said, gesturing to the curved, Corsair blade, "I might be inclined to give you a few more silver...or this shield I carry."  He leaned in a little closer gesturing for the merchant to come closer, "Plus," he whispered, "the more I know, the more likely I am to tell everyone about the marvelous wares of Brego...and I will be having dinner with the Elders of this town." He let those words sink in as he strapped on his new blades.

In reply to Beli (msg # 54):

Brego listened to the dwarf's story of mining, dwarf children, and toys. Beli was sure he was taking this all in with great interest. At the mention of the price, Brego smiled broadly and nodded vigorously.

"Aye Master Dwarf! A fair price aye. Twenty four silver... yes that is acceptable. I would like to hear more of your... your lands. So? your folk dig under the mountain once more yesss? Hard to believe such a place could still hold riches to dig for. Not that the tales of the riches which the dragon laid upon is unknown... even to the people of the south. Dain is your king yesss?"

In reply to Trotter (msg # 55):

Brego's squint-eyes went wide as the Hobbit laid out the coins.

"Fate has smiled upon me yesss? Betwixt you and Master Beli, my trip has been well worth the distance traveled. What? This blade... "

He paused to scratch his be-stubbled chin.

"... I bought the blade in Minas Tirith. The one whom I bought it from said it came further south... mayhaps taken from one of the corsairs. He mentioned a city... Umbar I believe. The place where the corsairs hail. The curved blades are prized by them I am told."

At this he shrugged "That is all I know I'm afraid. Now! What of your folk Master Trotter. You lands are far far from this place... to the west yesss?"

Beran turns to Amalina with a smile "Thank you for the advice, I shall seek her before I join the hunt. May you enjoy the rest of your day." hs gives her a polite nod and heads over to where Heva was pointed out to him.

"Greetings to you Heva, I am Beran of the Mountains and I have been informed that you would have the knowlegde that I seek."

Lifstan handed Odo the five silver and accepted the offered jerky "Thank you friend Odo, hopefully our paths will cross again."

Walking over to Barad's stall "Greetings sirs, Amalina advised me that you were the best when it came to working with wood and I am in need of handles for these two axes."

In reply to Beran (msg # 58):

The old guide named Heva sat at the edge of the Market Green upon a carved log stool surrounded by a knot of children as they listened to some tall tale about one of her treks under the darken boughs of Mirkwood.

"Thar be ah beast... savage n' wild... nay ah wolf... nay ah warg... but some such akin ta thar likes mind! It hunts it does... all living things but it likes the tasty morsels we the Woodmen make. It's eyes n' ears be keen as any hound o' Woodmen-town... it's sense o' smell nigh magical they say... "

She paused when Beran came up. She squinted up at the Beorning before her as he spoke. Finally she gave him a curt nod.

"... jus wot knowledge twould that be Beran o' the Moutains?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:29, Fri 10 Nov 2017.

In reply to Lifstan (msg # 59):

Odo gave the Barding a quick nod but said nothing as he pocketed the copper and continued to chew his own jerky.

It was but a small walk to the woodcarver's place upon the Green. Avina and The Bride tagged along as well. Barald was a rotund, shaggy-haired woodmen who sat upon a patterned blanket and was carving a wooden talisman. Lifstan could see that it was in the shape of a wolf's head. At the sight of the three newcomers he gave them a big smile!

"Ho! Aye!" he said with a chuckle and wink. "She did tell me that she did. I kin do that fer ya! That I can. She said one be small n' the other big... kin I have ah look at the axe heads mayhaps? Ta judge the size o' the handle ya see. Ya nay be from here if I be ah judge o' such things. Whar ya from then warrior?"

In reply to Gandalf The Grey (msg # 61):

The Bride had been quiet for some time. She was content for the others to do the talking. After all, her mission to escort the young healer was done. She and her hound, Cú Cathal, could now continue with their real mission- finding the Beast Of Mirkwood. This foul creature had taken her groom and with that, her happiness. Yet her eyes beheld the wood carvers' trinket and the wolf's head drew her to it.

"Barald? How much for the talisman? The one you carve now."

Beli pays twenty four silver to the merchant and quickly puts the picks in the pockets of his leather jerkin, which he wears under his fur-lined coat.
He answers the merchant: "Dear mister Brego, I see we will become good acquaintances in a short time. Yes, my folk dig and
dig wherever they think it's safe, but sometimes it's not: evil things out of a long forgotten past still lurk in the deepest regions of
the mountains. You may have heard such tales about the monsters of the Deep yourself? I've never been so deep myself. I'm more of
a hill dwarf who likes to stay close to the surface even when he's underground. But great dangers also promise great rewards and
there are those of my kind who're willing to take big risks. That's the real dwarf for you: afraid of nothing, stout dwarfs explore the
mines ever deeper and deeper. We've lost many noble dwarves in that way before. Now King Dain is indeed our monarch, His
Majesty the King, I should say. But I would like to hear something more about the south. Are there kings in the south and what are
their names?"

Lifstan knelt on the edge of the blanket a handed Barald the two ax heads he had, "I was born and raised in Lake Town up until it was destroyed. I now call Dale home." Waiting as The Bride spoke with Barald he then continued, "How much will a couple stout handles cost for these?"

Trotter eyed the man intently as he spoke, trying to ascertain the veracity of his words.  As he finished speaking, he fished out a silver and pressed it into his palm.

"Thank you," he said.  In the same breath he finished with, "Beli, I will be over here by these stalls.  I will wait for you to finish up over here."

He walked over to a couple of other merchants, noticed their looks of surprise as he approached and said, before they could speak, "Yes, I am one of them. No, I am not the Baggins...now that that is out of the way, Do either of you know of any loremasters in the town?"

In reply to Beli (msg # 63):

Brego eyes became mere slits as he hung upon the dwarf's words with great interest. The merchant nodded here and there as dwarf spoke of mining deep and the risks involved. Finally, when asked a query of his own Brego paused to think upon his answer.

"Yesss! Dangers and risks are always companions to those who are bold in their searching this I agree. I have heard your folk lost the great hold of Moria because the riches there were so great."

Finally he pursed his lips and said "The straw-heads of Rohan have a king yesss. His name is Fengel. Some say he is a grasping man... well known for his love of gold. Aye! I have been to his hall and I have sold him a few trinkets yesss. Now Gondor be a mighty nation but has no king. A steward rules in the King's name... Lord Turgon be his name. Gondor has know both peace and prosperity under his rule."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:58, Sat 11 Nov 2017.

In reply to Lifstan (msg # 64):

Barald looked up at Lifstan still smiling "Dale? On the other side o' the wood? Ya be far from home Lifstan o' Dale but welcome here jus the same. I don't know how anyone could live under so much stone but to each his own. Now then... a price ya be wanting eh? Well since ya be ah friend of Amalina... I'll do it for a silver a piece. How does that sound? Oh! Does your family have ah symbol or such? Is there some such ya wish be to carved upon the handles? Like ah wolf... or eagle mayhaps?"

In reply to The Bride (msg # 62):

Barald looked to the Bride and winked "One of me own folk eh? A keen eye ya have Mistress. That be the truth. Oh! This here be a lucky talisman o' heartwood that's true enough. It'll keep ya safe as you trek hither and yon! Made in the likeness o' ah fierce wolf. Like it do ya? For you... a silver and it be yours!"

In reply to Trotter (msg # 65):

Brego gave the Hobbit a curt nod and frown to go with it "Very well Master Trotter. Very well."

The merchant quickly pocketed the money and then turned his attention back to the dwarf. Trotter soon found himself in front of an older Woodman selling bundles of charcoal in a variety of sizes to cook with and keep warm at night. The Hobbit knew that they would be easy to light and keep going for some time once lit. He heard the old man mumbling something as if talking to himself.

"Spiders... creeping n' crawling... goblins and there many many eyes ah peeking n' spying... " he muttered softly as he stacked the bundles upon an old small table before him.

"Not ah Baggins? But ya be one o' those? I nay take yer mean'n small one. I nay know wot ah Baggins is nor wot ya be! If'n ya be want'n sum charcoal... that I kin help ya with. Loremaster? Nay know of that either ta tell ya true but Heva can spin ah good yarn n' Radegund be ah wound-witch aye! She knows as much as anyone here in Wood-men town Ill wager. Now.. how 'bout sum charcoal lad?"

---

Trotter can try to a Riddle Check to gather the meaning of the old one's mutterings. DC 10![Private to Trotter: Trotter can tell Brego is angry that the Hobbit did not tell more of himself and his homeland the Shire. Yet, whether it was because he thought him rude or closed mouth he was uncertain.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:39, Sat 11 Nov 2017.

In reply to Gandalf The Grey (msg # 66):

The merchant made Beli distrust him by mentioning the old place of his clan;
it was very suspicious that a trader would bring up Moria, unless he was after some of its treasures.
Beli's demeanor changed immediately from joyful and open to guarded and reticent.
Beli answered: "You bring up Moria, mister Brego.
I think you want to know more about it, yes?
I think you want to get information about where to find the entrance and where to find the dwarven properties.
I think someone has been talking to you, someone with greedy plans.
I know I want to know the name of that person, yes, I'm sure of it.
Tell me the name, dear Brego, for you want to have good relations with our people, yes?
So tell me the name of the one who talked about Moria, tell it quickly,
tell me what he said, tell me where I can find him, tell me what weapons he was carrying,
or else our relationship will come to naught."

In reply to Gandalf The Grey (msg # 68):

The Bride's face was grim. Her eyes seemed drawn to the talisman. A wolf's head made of wood. The Beast of Mirkwood was rumored to be like a wolf some said. Was this an omen then? Something that would protect her from the Beast? Might it have saved her husband to be? She had little in the way of wealth but this may be worth more than silver pennies.

"Aye, from Mountain Hall. My husband to be was from Woodmentown. He is dead now. I will take the talisman Barald. Here is your silver penny."

She took a penny from her pouch and gave it to the wood carver. She placed the talisman threaded through a leather cord about her neck. A faraway look came over her brown eyes and frown pulled the corner of her lips downward.

Lifstan fished the two silver out of his pouch and the pausing digs out a third, "Here ya go Barald. Two silver for the handles and a third for the engravings. Though I will leave the engravings to your discretion. My family has no symbol or emblem that I know of so I will let you decide on what fits."

Noticing the frown and far away look in The Brides eyes, Lifstan hesitantly spoke to her. "My condolences on your loss. Might I ask how it came to pass."

"Forgive my interruption." he says with a slight bow of his head "But I am headed for Lake-Town to awnser the proclmation of King Bard, however I lack knowlegde of many places beyond the Misty Mountaind and the Mirkwood and seek one who could point me in the direcrion that I must travel to reach it."

In reply to Beli (msg # 70):

Beli could see  the merchant tense at his words and for a heartbeat anger flashed in those beady eyes. The corded muscles of Brego's forearms flared as his fists clenched at his side. Big hands well used to mischief no doubt. Yet, like a dark cloud that gives way to the sun, Brego forced a smile and though he had rose in stature... by at least four finger-widths, he became slouched and relaxed once more.

"Yesss! You are wise are you not Master Beli of the Lone Mountain. Quite cunning indeed. I do serve another this is true. He pays me for such tales as I gather in my travels...for I have been many places yesss. He is the one I have already mentioned. The King of the straw-heads... King Fengel. His love of gold is well known. He sits upon his throne in Edoras... high upon a hill. There is where you will find him Master Beli. He knows of Moria's fall as do many yesss? However, I do not think he will act upon this knowledge for I can tell him no more than he already knows really. That there are many orcs there... as many as the stars in the night skies yesss? Too many for the Horse lords to the south... too many even for King Dain to the north methinks."

A slow smile spread upon his lips.

"Our business is done Master Beli. Good fortune to you and your stout folk. Be careful for the road is long and often a dark one." Brego said as he inclined his head.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:49, Sun 12 Nov 2017.

In reply to The Bride (msg # 71):

Barald still smiling broadly gave The Bride an emphatic nod of his shaggy head.

"Loss like yours is indeed great and I am too sorry for it. Yet, there is strength in ya and where there is strength there is hope." the wood carver said.

"The charm looks good on ya it does. Now ya have luck as well as strength Bride."  Barald said with a wink.

Taking the pair's coins  Barald turned to the man of Dale "Aye! I'll think o' some such fer ya Master Lifstan. They'll be ready by the morrow. Come back then... I'll see them done tonight. I thank ya both. Much thanks indeed."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:46, Sun 12 Nov 2017.

In reply to Beran (msg # 73):

At the sight of the big Beorning the children became quiet as one save for a brief whispering among them. Two or three mouth's hung gaped-jawed as they starred at the Warden. Yet, Heva took measure of the man and gave him a nod in greeting.

"No pardon needed Master Beran. By your size and bearing you must be of Beorn's folk. Aye! That is it then. You are not so far from home methinks. You show your wisdom coming for advice, for Mirkwood is as dangerous as it is dark. Where you wish to go not many tread because of such things. My advice to you would be not to go at all but you are young... I was young once so I know what stirs inside you. You wish to know the way then? To the other side o' the wood?" Heva smiled a gap toothed smile.

"I am Heva, I guide my folk when they log the trees upon the other side of the Dusky River."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:17, Fri 17 Nov 2017.

In reply to Lifstan (msg # 72):

She gave Barald a slight nod of thanks but remained silent. When Lifstan spoke and asked about her groom to be, she bit her lip for a moment before speaking.

"I was but fifteen winters when I first saw my husband to be. At a folk-moot at Mountain Hall. I loved him in an instant. A few years later I moved across the great river to be close to him and so we could be married. We shared many things and the love of the hunt was one of these. The night before our wedding he left on a hunt, much like the one we shall have today. Food for our wedding feast he said. A big stag I shall bring you! Only his hound returned. Cú Cathal and my memories are all I have left. The claw marks on his hide told me one thing and one thing only, my groom to be was killed by the Beast of Mirkwood. One day I will have my vengeance. Upon my axe this I swear."