"I am familiar with Mirkwood to the south, where I hail from.  The forest was easy enough to traverse where the hazards are known.  My path here took me up the eastern edge.  Mirkwood won't be so different here on the northern side, but I do not know the specific path you will travel."

Weardon pauses after that statement, and a dour look crosses his face as he considers Mock's question.  The man came across as rather pushy.  He had already answered the question to a large extent.  Plus, there were spies to consider, and he barely knew these people.  It did not seem wise to share more in the moment, not until he was more comfortable with his travel companions.  Even if they had been recommended to him, it still seemed wise to come to his own conclusions.  In the moment, he found that he was developing a mild dislike of the dwarf, and so his tone steels in response:

"I already answered most of your question.  The rest of it matters not for now.  Be content that I know of you, and have come to assist."

Weardon then changes his attention to Gumm, who he overheard as he approached the table.  He adds gruffly "And I don't believe your muscle will hold up against mine."

Finally, he turns pointedly to Kodran and Haldir, and extends his hand to both.  His voice softens some as he responds to the men. "Weardon.  I hail from Amon Lanc.  Thank you for the offer of hospitality."

He then offers his hand to the dog to sniff.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:57, Sat 15 Feb 2020.

In reply to Weardon of Amon Lanc (msg # 38):

The dwarf scowls.

"You might know us, but we don't know you from a Mewlip. You speak as if we should be honoured that you spared the time to come with us. It is Balin who is running this show, not you. IF he decides you are a boon to us, he will be in charge. Don't you forget it.

It matters to us who sent you, or if you are a potential bandit who heard about a good mark."

Turning to Balin as he takes a swig from his glass

"Not sure that I trust that one. You know him? Bah, your call anyway."

Haldir takes his hand and shakes it firmly noting the giants strength,"Tis an honour.  My people speak highly of the Beorlings.  I would travel with ye. Mind Buren not unless you try to take his meal or harm me."

A tall, broadly built man with golden curls approaches the small group. "I am Eorik. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Navarre's simple sensibilities are ruffled at the coarseness demonstrated by the dwarf.  Kodran is about to cut off the dwarf mid rant when he reminds himself that he is not the leader of this expedition.  As Mock rightly said, Balin is.  And further Mock has a point.  We don't know these men from a turnip.


And so the ranger waits until Mock has said his piece, then he attempts to smooth things over, but not that its needed.  It just makes Navarre feel better.  ”Now Mock.  Right, we don't know them but they don't know us either.  We're all friends here.”  Kodran waves a hand at the company sent to rescue the missing dwarves.  ”We shared biscuits an' blood for weeks.  We're tight.  IF one 'a these men is a spy AND we find 'em out it's eight 'gainst one.  They'd be good as skinned alive.  An' I don't think anyone's stupid 'nough to risk it.”


Then a third new comer makes his introductions.  Kodran waves in a friendly sort of way. ”Hello and well met Eorik.  What can we do for ya?”


OOC:
Navarre is making the point that if either Haldir or Weardon are spies and they are found out it would be horrific for them to be outnumbered to that degree.  That alone is good enough for Navarre to trust them.  But its clear from his reaction that Kodran is dropping this logic publicly as a subtle warning to say, 'Hey, if you are a spy leave now.  Before we find out and have to do really bad things to you'.

Weardon extends his hand to the newcomer as well, and responds "Well met Eorik.  Weardon." After shaking hands with the human, he acknowledges Mock's comment with a sidelong glance, but says nothing.  He has a frown on his face as he does so, and his body language will convey a certain amount of annoyance.

Instead, Weardon turns back to Haldir, and says "If I may...?" and gestures towards his dog, Buren.

OOC As long as Haldir does not mind, Weardon will drop to 1 knee, and scratch under the dog's chin, and also behind his ears.  I'm assuming the dog will like that, but if not Weardon will adjust based on whatever the dog indicates.  Usually animals tell you what they like with subtle gestures.

In reply to Weardon of Amon Lanc (msg # 43):

"Eorik, Mock. As Navarre asked, what can we do for ya."

He tries to be pleasant to the newcomer, but his body language clearly indicated there are a lot of folk around. He was about to answer Navarre when the newcomer arrived, so you sense he is holding his response, for now.

“Reconsider your beliefs, Weardon.  My muscle could hold out against you until the Fifth Age, although it is my understanding that we are to be on the same side on this quest.  So as long as you don’t turn mewlip on us, you needn’t worry.”

"I had overheard that you all might need some help with your journey - I am willing to offer my services, if you all would like it."

The ranger looks the new comer up and down.  He asks sincerely.  ”And what are your services?”


OOC:
Navarre considers Balin to be the true leader here as this expedition is put on by Gloin.  However this aint my first rodeo and anytime GM's can have the PCs drive the action (as opposed to them steering the car through NPCs) all the better.  It is in this vein that Navarre is speaking up.  He is not truly trying to lead the show.

Sorry Eorik.  Your posts and bio in the Cast section are a bit lacking.  I cant get a feel for what you have to offer.

OOC:
I understand. Sorry about that - will definitely improve those.

"For one, I am a skilled fighter and horseman - on top of that, if you have need of contacting the... upper class, I can gladly assist with that - I was born in Rohan to a captain of an Eored, and I have had contacted with lords and ladies alike while there.

In reply to Eorik (msg # 48):

"A skilled fighter is always good. We also need someone who can assist with a bunch of asses. You any good with the four legged variety?"

"I am from Rohan, so I certainly hope that I would be," he teases. "Though I am not sure how good I am with the two legged kind, that is," he chuckles.

In reply to Weardon Haldir gives a wave of his hand and says,"Buren is his own I am more his friend than his master.  If he deems you a stout and true man he will allow such contact."  He frowns and shakes his head at Gumm's repeated bragging.  Turning to Eorik he says,"Well met Eorik of Rohan I am Haldir of Wilderland son of Galdor.  This is my trusty companion Buren the hound if Mirkwood.  We too are newcomers looking for employ and adventure." He motions to huge dog lying on the ground next to the table.

ooc: Buren is controlled by the Loremaster.  I can only give hints as to what he might do.  And give him commands that were previously laid out at character creation.  Pet him at your peril.... :).
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 16:25, Wed 19 Feb 2020.

Kodran smiles when the man announces his background.  He clasps his hands together and rubs them excitedly.  ”A Rider!  Well well.  That is interesting.  And what would lure a Rider of Rohan to baby sit a bunch of dwarves an' men 'cross Mirkwood?”


OOC:
No worries Eorik.  I wasn't really criticizing, just pointing out that I cant get a feel for your 'class' so you'll have to tell us IC.

The questions are a formality.  The applicants wanting to do this need to make sense to Navarre before he'll risk working with strangers.  Not looking for complex answers.  'I need paying work' is good enough.

In reply to Eorik (msg # 50):

"The two legged variety give us all problems, hence the interview. But it is the four legged asses we are deliberately taking quite a lot of. Glad to have your help with that."

He eyes the big dog warily, not helped by the fact that it could just about look him in the eye...

"Gentlemen" Interjects Jody, way down at the far end, and quite possibly over-looked as Hobbits often are; "May I remind you that we have a lady of the Elfin variety here, rather distinguished, and not just a trusted friend and companion, but in her own way, a diplomat that can help us with safe passage.

But - as long as we're clear on that, it seems to me that your qualifications are really, quite, well, quite nice and eminently suitable.  You have a Yes vote from me, if one was needed, asked for, or even wanted. But yes it is."

"Say, I don't suppose you boys, ah, eat a lot, do you?"

OCC: sry again for delay; thanx.

Haldir cocks his head in a curious manner,"Hello my apologies who might you be?  I thought you were maybe a boy who wandered in.  No offense but you look naught but a child."

From where he is kneeling by the dog, Waerdon can see most of the hobbit's body under the table.  He raises his head slightly, and comments "The halflings rarely leave the shire.  They prefer to stay home and keep to themselves.  I have never worked with one directly, but know of them from others who have."

"Im Jody!" chirps himself happily "And none taken.  I've most definitely left the shire.  I have a knack for a few things, but carrying heavy loads isn't one of them.  I am pretty good at eating, though." He smiles.  "There will be time enough for that, though you may want some travel weight, just in case."

Haldir laughs,"You and Buren have something in common.  He too enjoys to eat.  I have heard of the Hobbit named Baggins who help the Dwarfs reclaim the lonely mountain.  Are you his kin?"

“Bilbo Baggins!” An ancient fire kindles in Gumm’s eyes.  “What I wouldn’t give to meet such a warrior.  He slew Smaug the dragon with a dagger barely the length of his fist!”

Weardon scoffs at Gumm from where he rests on one knee.  That just about puts him at eye level with the human sitting at the table.  "You have all the sense of a mewlip.  I think someone Took you.  Of course a hobbit didn't slay a dragon with a tiny little dagger.  If you're exaggerating that much about a halfling, then I can only imagine the stories you tell about yourself." He quietly sighs to himself at the thought, and then mutters "braggarts..." under his breath.

OOC  Yes, he definitely meant to say one of the hobbits put one over on him.  But he also says it so unemotionally it sounds more like an insult than a joke.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:23, Wed 19 Feb 2020.

"Oh, no no.  Well, not any more or any less than any other hobbit.  I'm a Whitfoot, from East By-and-By; Baggins's are all by Hobbiton; Underhills, and Took Corner and thereabouts.  Good potato country, though my family grew a lot of sunflowers too.  But that's not my trade, yet."

"I'd heard that it was Bard the mayor who placed the arrow, though it was Bilbo who spotted the missing scales.  A wonderful story; and I have it to music as well.  Oooh! Or sung, that's a nice version."

Balin, who had wandered off to talk with a group of Dwarves in the corner, comes back in time to hear the company speak of Bilbo and Bard. At Jody's remark, Balin chuckles and nods his head. "A remarkable Hobbit, that Bilbo," he says with warmth. "Far more to him than meets the eye. As quiet as a fox stalking a hen, and cleverer than an owl. Thorin didn't appreciate Bilbo as much as he should have, but that little Hobbit is worth his weight in mithril. If you have a song, I'd greatly enjoy hearing it, Master Jody."</b>

Then he spies Weardon and raises his mug in greetings. "Ah, Weardon, I'd hoped you'd come. Company, meet Weardon; Weardon, meet the company--though I suppose you've already met."

The large Mirkwood hound looks at Weardon suspiciously, and he sniffs the Beorning before allowing the man to pet him. Though the dog does not growl, he barks several times at Weardon, a deep, throaty bark.

Looking at the company, Balin says, "So, are these all the applicants? Any keepers among 'em?"

OOC: Thanks for introducing yourselves, Haldir, Eorik, and Weardon!

Let's wrap up this part of the adventure with a final say for each of our three would-be PCs. Send me your votes on these 3 via PM.

For those who don't make the cut, I'll work on alternate adventures for you.

Also, please (re)assign Fellowship roles as needed. I'll assume Navarre will remain as Guide. You can allocate the Look-out Men, Huntsmen, and Scouts as you think best. (These are the jobs I'll be using when rolling for encounters or other events as you travel.)