Kronin nodded in reply to Evia's sentiment as they marched along in file.

The Dwarf was had never been considered particularly verbose, even if he did have a personal fondness for verse. But next to the dour and stolid members of their company he seemed to be downright sociable.

So he next turned to Nendiel, who perhaps understood most the strangeness of their recent tidings.

"It was a great boon to us that you were given leave to travel with us yet further.   I trust that our company is not what you are accustomed to? And yet I have known of no other of your people that can boast of such close confidence with the Dwarves. And with such a mixture of Dwarves as you currently see."

"I am comfortable in the company of your kind, Kronin.  Alas, it is my own kind who seem to misunderstand me, and whom I cannot long abide.  Yet verily there is truth in what you say, for the Silvan Elves have often been at odds with the Naugrim, fighting as much over trade as the rights to fell the trees of the forest.

"Of old there were many disagreements betwixt our peoples, though I do not think they understand that your folk are of many tribes, and they are not all alike in virtue.  The Dwarves of Durin's House, of whom my knowledge is greatest, have always seemed an honourable people to me.  I am as glad to be of service to you as I am to have a reason to leave once more.  My people become more reclusive by the day, and I foresee, with dread, a time when we shall close off our realm to everyone.  That is no life for one such as I."

Nendiel lead the dwarvish fellowship along a slender corridor protected by Thranduil's magic.  The Elf-path was narrow and wound between the trunks of the forest's trees. Scattered shafts of sunlight soon ceased and the passage became as dark as a tunnel. High above, dark webs entangled tree-branches on either side but none impeded the path.  At night, the sounds of many strange creatures can be heard, and eyes gleam out of the pitch darkness, but the Raft-elf assures everyone that, so long as they stay on the path they will be as safe as it is possible to be in the Greenwood.  Oli, in particular, does not seem reassured by this and fashions many runes along the way.

One week later, and roughly halfway through the forest, the Elf-path was crossed by the Gulduin (Enchanted River). This was 12 yards wide but a boat was permanently tied there to act as a ferry.  Here, however, Nendiel strays from the path, which continues westward beyond the Gulduin.  The Elf follows the bend in the river, which continues south before meandering slightly eastwards.

It was here, where the Enchanted River began to turn eastwards, that the Dwarves made camp, on the eve of their eighth day into the Greenwood.  They no longer had a clear path, save to follow along the banks of the Gulduin itself.  Still, they are all very aware that they have left the protection of the Wood-elf King behind...
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:49, Sun 29 Nov 2020.

"Tis perilous here, for we head into the heart of the old forest.  I would suggest that we set a watch for the rest of the journey.  I am willing to take a turn, but my suggestion is to have pairs for sentries."

"Aye, that sounds reasonable, I'll take a watch," Thrir said, "Ascud will help me." He reached down and scratched Ascud's head behind the ears.

As the path they had been following more or less dwindled to nothing before them, Kronin found himself considering the sheer density of the vegetation all about them, as well as the creatures that would call such an ancient forest home.

This was not their element, clearly, and yet it lent some credence to the notion that if their extended kin did indeed dwell somewhere within or beneath the great wood, they would be that much more hesitant to leave whatever fastness they had made safe.

If it would have been an easy journey, if they had dates to stir forth, they surely would have made themselves known at some point. Or so he assumed.

"Watches it will be then. Although I'll take whoever will stand the vigil with me. Kuush is of a noble breed but is not much for conversation."

It was assumed that Dwor would stand the watch with him, as his lessons in Sindarin continued, but there was obviously room for any to volunteer.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Mon 30 Nov 2020.

"We'll all stand our share of watch, I think", Bofri said confidently, as he gazed around at the inhospitable landscape before them.  He didn't mean it as a threat or order, he simply voiced a truth he expected.
Each of the company piping up to confirm they would didn't seem relevant to him.

Then asked, suspiciously, "How many of these trees are ..."  he wasn't sure of the next word to use.  Alive?  Awake? Angry? Likely to walk?   They all seemed appropriate.

"I be for taking the last watch unless the be any objection to it", Ymir said.

Hunginn let out a few caws.

"Oh no, ye be watchin with me - dont think ye be nappin the entire time."

The son of Dar eyes the forest suspiciously, then replies:

"I'll be glad to take a turn myself, if I may stand watch with  you, Nendiel, it might be productive rather than simply obligatory."

The elf-maid nods approvingly as she watches the fire they have built.  She takes a sip from her flask and seems lost in her own thoughts once again.

"So be it, I'd guess its for the best.  Even with the Enemy gone, this place is far from safe." says Dwór, pulling out his axe and reaching for a whet stone.

Evia was still busy with her book, but she put her hand up to take a space on the watch. She was not going to use a candle so once the light had faded she closed her work and helped with any tasks around the camp.


-

OOC: Watches are set as follows:

Nendiel and Dwór, first watch
Kronin and Evia, second watch
Bofri and Thrir (and Ascûd the valiant) third watch
Ymir and Hunginn and Óli, final watch.

Having agreed upon the watch schedule, the fellowship settled for the night.  They moved themselves a good ways from the Gulduin's shore, far enough to keep themselves away from whatever might dwell in the enchanted river (even Nendiel could not answer queries about possible inhabitants, though she believed there were some)but not so far that the river was beyond the Raft-elf's keen sight.

It was in a bowl shaped valley, where the oaks and birches grew close together, almost trunk to trunk.  They made themselves a small fire (though Nendiel thought this unwise) and, after a satisfactory supper, were soon fast asleep, save for Dwór and Nendiel, who were taking the first watch.

The night passed peacefully, though the sounds of nocturnal life were somewhat unsettling, the dwarves were exhausted enough not to let such noises keep them from much needed slumber.  Yet there came a moment, on Evia and Kronin's watch when the background noise suddenly stopped!

Neither the scholar nor the warrior knew exactly when the woodland's natural din ceased, but eventually they noticed it; an eerie silence that seemed ominous, as if the Greenwood was holding its breath...

OOC: Evia and Kronin, please roll me a d10 for surprise :) On a one to four you will be caught unawares.

Today: Kronin son of Krolin rolled 5 using 1d10.  Surprise.

Evia daughter of Dwalin rolled 7 using 1d10.  Surprise.

Both Kronin and Evia notice the sudden stillness, and while neither one is certain as to the reason, both realizes that something seems amiss.  Thus both are on alert when the silence is dramatically shattered!

From the shadows of the trees FIVE hulking shapes emerge and swiftly charge your camp!  The creatures are perhaps nine or so so feet in height, with a rough, bark-like hide and eyes like the dark misshapen knots in an old tree.  Their mouths are like gaping cracks in their bark-skin, filled with jagged spiked teeth!  Numerous branches and twigs jut from their skin at odd angles, like the craggy limbs of long dead trees, and their huge hands are like gnarled wooden clubs.  These are NOT Ents, however, or at least not like any you may have heard described.  They seem far more monstrous!

INITATIVE for EVIA and KRONIN

Everyone else roll me d100 please.  You have a 40% chance to awaken this round!

09:46, Today: Secret Roll: Eru Illuvatar rolled 8 using 1d10.  Tawartereg initiative.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:04, Sun 17 Jan 2021.

07:58, Today: Kronin son of Krolin rolled 9 using 1d10.  Initiative.

Evia scrambles from her sitting position as the trees around them crack and giveaway to these misshapen beasts. Once risen with her hammer in hand  she tries to roust her companions with a yell to those around her.


Evia daughter of Dwalin rolled 3 using 1d10.  Initiative.



-

Ymir - 11:57, Today: Ymir son of Gunir rolled 27 using 1d100.

Hunginn - 12:00, Today: Ymir son of Gunir rolled 41 using 1d100 ((41)).

Thrir continues to snore loudly.

21:31, Today: Thrir son of Thrur rolled 93 using 1d100.  waking up?

The five enormous tree monsters come lumbering into the camp, but immediately meet the vigilant watch dwarves, Evia and Kronin.  Evia sees them first, but Kronin is not far behind, Cambeleg unsheathed in the blink of an eye.

Ymir stirs from slumber, his Raven still asleep in a nearby tree.

Thrir sleeps deeply and is not immediately aware of the danger!

Nendiel awakens and fumbles for her staff.

Ôli, usually quite paranoid, is under the influence of several cups of potent dwarf ale and still lays abed.

Dwór sits bolt upright and rubs his eyes, then pulls his sword from under his bedroll.

Bofri still sleeps on, perhaps content to dream of his beloved Nós, unaware of his imminent peril.

P.S: I did roll for Bofri and Dwor to speed things along.  Apologies if I overstepped in doing so.

OOC: Evia you may roll me your ANIMAL LORE of RHOVANION NWP to ascertain what these creatures are.

Evia, you may attack before your opponents.

Kronin, you will attack immediately after them.  Please both of you declare your actions and roll any attacks please.  These creatures are AC 3!
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:36, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

Evia could see her calls were falling on deaf ears as she ran the short distance through the undergrowth and bracken fern to bring her into striking range of these "trees". She would have to delay until her companions were ready to defend themselves she thought, as the last two steps were a sort of skip and then her leg found a broken stump that gave her a little height.

Her hammer, clasp in both hands comes down on the nearest tree with a crack that seems to moves the leaves of the more stationary brush around them. Her right leg then finds the damp earth of the forest floor as she again brings the duel head of her hammer into the leg of the next tree in a wide sweep to her left.

Evia daughter of Dwalin rolled 18 using 1d20.  Animal Lore/Rhovanion.

Evia daughter of Dwalin rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  Attack 1.
Evia daughter of Dwalin rolled 10 using 1d10+5.  Damage 1.

Evia daughter of Dwalin rolled 17 using 1d20+2.  Attack 2.
Evia daughter of Dwalin rolled 9 using 1d10+5.  Damage 2.



-

OOC: Remember, as we begin the surprise round that it has been over a week since your last combat.  You are ALL at full health presently!

SURPRISE ROUND

Evia rushes to meet the tree-like monsters!  As she gets closer, she tries to place them in the lore of living creatures that she memorized by rote

"Now learn the lore of living creatures:
Eldest of all, the Elf children;
Dwarf the delver, dark his houses;
Ent the earth born, old as mountains;
Man the mortal, master of horses..,"

but nowhere do they seem to fit.  They are somewhat like the tales of Ents, but seem far more malevolent than tales of the Tree Shepherds suggest.  It bothers the scholar that she cannot quite place them, but her guess is they are some sort of Troll!  Still their intentions are clear and the daughter of Dwalin replies decisively with her hammer, smiting twice and damaging two of the five.  Bark flies at each solid blow.

Two of the huge tree monsters reply to Evia's attack.  One swings his massive knurled fists at her, trying to smash her flat!  The spry she-dwarf is far faster than it, however and it roars in frustration, shaking the trees (and absolutely waking up the remaining sleepers for next round).

06:14, Today: Secret Roll: Eru Illuvatar rolled 11 using 1d20.  Tawartereg attack: THACO 13 (-4 against dwarves).

06:14, Today: Secret Roll: Eru Illuvatar rolled 13 using 1d20.  Tawartereg attack: THACO 13 (-4 against dwarves).

The next Tawartereg meets the oncoming Kronin with its large wooden club, crashing just in front of the dwarf with a resounding boom!

06:20, Today: Secret Roll: Eru Illuvatar rolled 9 using 1d20.  Tawartereg attack: THACO 13 (-4 against dwarves).

Now Kronin and those awake had their chance to act.  They needed to do so quickly as the rest of the creatures were close behind.

OOC: Kronin may now attack and then Dwór, Nendiel, and Ymir may do likewise.  Those who have just awakened may make only a single attack or action in the surprise round, however.  Remember you have a natural +1 to hit trolls due to Dwarf hatred of these beasts.

After this we will begin Round 1 with everyone awake!
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:34, Mon 15 Feb 2021.

With unfocused, but practiced ease, Bofri snatched up his mattock;  and with a roar, joined the fray.

In the darkness, all he knew was that violence was all about them, and his allies attacked some moving vegetation ... but for Bofri, that was enough.

The noise of battle stirs Thrir from his slumber finally. He fumbled in the darkness to pick up Dunstan's Short Sword, it had served him well to date, so he felt it best. He wished time allowed perhaps for more tactics.


16:22, Today: Thrir son of Thrur rolled 36 using 1d100.  waking up?
Pick up Short Sword.

Seeing her hits might just be having an effect Evia again stretches her hammer over her shoulder and lets loose with another blow. It seems she has hit a soft patch as the impact looked to have been deflected.


Evia daughter of Dwalin rolled 10 using 1d10.  initiative.
Evia daughter of Dwalin rolled 18 using 1d20+3.  Attack.
Evia daughter of Dwalin rolled 6 using 1d10+5.  Damage.


-
This message was last edited by the player at 21:41, Mon 15 Mar 2021.

ROUND 1

(EVERYONE IS NOW AWAKE and may take whatever action they wish.  I will assume you have a weapon close at hand and not be mean and make you draw or ready them first.  Readying your weapon is incorporated into your SPEED FACTOR, so long as you keep the weapon 'at the ready' for a fight.  Now let the battle truly commence!)

NOTE: These are LARGE creatures and take LARGE damage from weapon attacks!

Initiatives Please Everyone!

15:35, Today: Secret Roll: Eru Illuvatar rolled 8 using 1d10.  FIVE Tawartereg initiative.

OOC: Let's do this :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:37, Mon 15 Mar 2021.