Mid Spring, 2946

The earth is warming up. The trees have sprouted rich green leaves, the smell of honeysuckle fills the air, and everywhere bees are buzzing, gathering nectar from flowers. On stilts and raised platforms in the Long Lake, the town of Esgaroth, or Lake-town as it is otherwise known, is brimming with new prosperity. Every day, construction carries on as the town continues to rebuild after the destruction it suffered from the fire of Smaug, and merchants travel from Dale, Erebor, and farther away, bringing in gold, jewels, and exotic wares.

After a few days' rest, the Dwarf Balin is eager to make another attempt, this time with a larger company of adventurers, those who rescued him and his companion Óin from the lair of the Mewlips. This company happens to have representatives from each of the major free peoples of Middle Earth: Men, Dwarves, Elves, and Hobbits, and Balin has decided that his journey will include a side trip to the Beornings so that Balin can personally invite both Gwaihir, the Eagle Lord, and Beorn, the skin changer, to the coming anniversary of the Battle of Five Armies at the end of the year.

While Balin busies with arranging food and supplies, the recently formed company meets to interview new members to replace the departed Thibault and Gram. Gilmith, Gumm, Gwydian, Jody, Mock, and Navarre hold court at the tavern The Silver Flagon, the five sitting around a table as they meet with prospective members. The afternoon crowd is lively, with day laborers mingling with out of town merchants and the occasional Dwarf and Elf, and on a raised platform, a man is juggling small brightly colored balls.

Most of the interested persons already interviewed have proved less than satisfactory. Few have had any kind of combat experience, save for a grizzled Barding named Grimmar who saw action five years ago at the Battle of Five Armies and lost an eye and an arm in the process.

Some have other useful skills, such as a plump Lake-town youth with scraggly facial hair. Skarf, though possibly the clumsiest Man Jody has ever seen, can throw a dart with uncanny accuracy from 10 feet away. Regrettably, personal hygiene is apparently a completely unknown concept to the young fellow, who is pleasant enough as long as one does not stand downwind of him.



OOC: Welcome back, and my apologies for the delay! In addition to our returning company members, Haldir and Eorik are also joining the adventure as prospective members. Haldir and Eorik, in your introductory posts please describe yourselves. Treat this as an informal job interview. Explain why you would be suitable companions to join the others in their trek into the wild.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:54, Fri 07 Feb 2020.

In reply to Loremaster (msg # 1):

Mock sighs at the rpospects so far.

"Do we really need anyone else? I have gotten a whole lot of supplies. 100 rations, a barrel of water, an extra mule, some rope and axes in case we need to make a raft. I even got some ideas how to make it too, just in case. And Tools. Saw one of those tents too is someone had cash for that, and perhaps groups basics, but the come to less than $300, and they can be put on my mule. Then we are set.

We even have the two extra dwarves! Three Dwarves...how much fighting do we expect...an army of elves?"

He enjoys the beer offered, as dwarves do!

A tall man wearing a travel stained green hooded cloak approaches. Beside him trots a giant shagy grey hound. Larger than an average wolf. The stranger throws back his hood revealing an young bearded face with brown hair and dark eyes. He motions to the hound and gives the command to sit. It complies sitting close to the table and eyes the group warily. Leaning on his short throwing spear he scans the occupants of the table and bows his head slightly in a gesture of respect. "Word about is you are looking for companions to accompany you on a journey. Buren and I would very much like to join you. I am Haldir son of Galdor. Buren and I hail from Wilderland on the otherside of Mirkwood."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:49, Sat 08 Feb 2020.

In reply to Haldir (msg # 3):

The grumpy dwarf look up, trying to evaluate the newcomer.

"We are. Hail from the other side of Mirkwood do you now? So you know the woods well?"

Haldir looks at Buren and as he pats him on his head,"Buren and I are familiar with Mirkwood. Things have improved after the battle of five armies.  However, there are still places one dare not tread.

In reply to Haldir (msg # 5):

"So you know how to survive there then, and the paths through there?"

He looks at the dwarf,"That is how Buren and I came to be here."

In reply to Haldir (msg # 7):

"Well, yes. But we too have traveled through Mirkwood on occasion, but I would never claim I know the paths, nor how to survive there without carrying my own supplies. Do you?"

"We have hunted in Mirkwood from time to time.  But not everything is wholesome that dwells inside.  There is still a taint of the evil that dwelt there in years past.  But that is where Buren comes in.  He is the best tracker I know.  We can fair well under her boughs."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:31, Sat 08 Feb 2020.

In reply to Haldir (msg # 9):

"Do you know of the Mewlips that dwell there? Or trolls?"

Haldir laughs,"Of course I have heard stories.  Never have seen any.  There were and likely still are many foul beasts that still dwell within.  Buren's sire and I hunted Goblin and Orc raiders when I was younger.  But after the war not many of those foul creatures about.  Especially with Beorn and his people about."

Gumm takes Mock aside, and explains that he wouldn’t mind paying for a 20-man tent, as long as somebody else carries it.