In the decades since the fall of Sauron and the passing of the Great Shadow out of Middle Earth, many changes have come to Gondor. King Elessar has been a wise and gentle monarch and his kingdom has flourished under his leadership. Where fortresses and palisades had guarded the roads in days gone by, now villages and farms dot the rolling foothills of the White Mountains.

As the day brightens, the company rides along the King's Road winding north and west across the shoulders of the great slopes that rear into the sky on their left. From high points along the way you can see out across the broad valley of the Great River, a patchwork of open meadows, copses of trees, and fenced fields all stitched together by busy country lanes. Along the road, you encounter many signs of peaceful commerce: Wagons laden with goods for sale, children herding gaggles of geese, dogs chivying flocks of sheep to keep them moving.

The company sets a medium pace by agreement to spare the horses and your own backsides. Though many of you more used to walking than riding are soon convinced your mounts are trying to kill you. [OOC: I will subtract 1 from common skill rolls while on horseback to emulate the discomfort!] A full day is a long time to spend in the saddle, but you make good progress, rounding the turn in the road from traveling mostly northward to traveling westward, along the side of the Drauden Forest.

Some miles past the Grey Woods and beyond the gaunt peak of Amon Din where one of the watch beacons still stands, ready to be lit and summon aid, you come to a small village with an inn for travelers. Nothing fancy. A taproom and a kitchen. A bunkhouse and a stable. A smithy and a well. With a handful of thatched huts where the staff of the inn lives, mostly an extended family, and the smith, a burly dwarf with a thick leather apron and expressive eyebrows.

Day 1
Terrain: Rolling hills, with a well-traveled road
Season: Late spring
Weather: Clear and chilly
Encounters: Farmers, children shepherd

Telric moves by the others, now on foot, whispering to each of them...expect the wizard of course. He uses his spear more as a walking staff, idly rubbing his neck while peering about and seeming listless and dull. However, what he whispers is anything but boredom.

"We are being watched from the trees." He quietly communicates to each member of the group.

In reply to Telric Traventor (msg # 2):

Falin nods.  "Aye, I saw master elf.  The eyes of dwarves are keen as well."  His tone is severe, but the amused bast of his features, and the wink he tips the elf, belies his expression.  "The question is, of course, who it is that watches us.  Mayhap our friend the sorcerer knows, eh?"  Falin casts the wizard an inquisitive glance.  Quietly, he ensures his bow is ready to his hand.

Not even waiting for the elf to make it two people down the line, let alone for the banter and exaggerations to begin Mercury slips off her pony and disappears into the bushes at the side of the road.

"I've also preceived it" Berthold said. "We're on Drúedain territory, and they use to watch the road, while being to shy to show themselves. They are my first suspects, though, as Fali nsaid we cannot rule out some friends of the Warlock".

He saw Mercury sliping to the woods.

"Damn" he said. "Isn't she able to play in team?"

He turned to Telric "You're better in woods than myslef" he told him. "Can you take a look on her, while we keep the group safe and watch the Warlock? If the Drúdain are the ones watching us, I guess she's not in danger, unless she does something stupid, but if they are not, she might use some help, and only you might move through the woods unnoticed. If you have any problema we'll come fast."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 13:19, Tue 05 Apr 2022.

After it, Berthold turned to the woods and and said some strange words in loud voice.


He then stopped his horse to see if there was any reaction from the woods.

In reply to Berthold (msg # 5):

"I can try, but even elf eyes cannot see through trees..." Telric replied, ready to follow Mercury as she breaks from the group.

Admina had spent some time getting use to being on the back of another animal, she would have much more preferred a cart. When the idea that they were being watched Admina rode her pony closer to the wizard, lest they be comrades looking to free him.



-

”An interesting approach.” Brand remarked as Mercury dove into the bushes.

Turning to Berthold he added, ”One of my men will ride back and warn the main body.  What do you know of these Drúedain?”

In reply to Herubrand (msg # 9):

"They are woses, wild men who inhabit the forests among Gondor and Rohan" Berthold answered. "Time ago the Rhohirrim viewed them as little more than animals, but when the War of the Ring they helped Theoden and his army to bypass the mordor blockade and reach Minas Tirith in time for the Battle of Plennor. Since then, relations have improved, and now we recognize them as what they are: feral people, but not dangerous unless provoked, and Kings Eomer and Elesar gave them the rule over those forests. As far as I know, they don't attack people on the roads.

Jus in case, what Ishout to the forest is what I awas told to mean "we mean no harm". If the ones watching us are them, we have little to concern ourselves about. Nonetheless, we cannot rule out the Warlock might have allies trying to free him..." he added

Clearly having heard a considerable amount of the conversation on the road Mercury returns to her pony and quickly climbs up the side of the saddle in a manner not particularly appropriate for its design, but seems to work for her small size.

Once atop the pony she points at Berthold, gestures with one finger as if counting, then points into the woods and makes another gesture with two downward facing fingers that move like legs of something running away deeper into the woods.

Bertold closed to Mercury s othat they could talk in whispers.

"I understand a man that went deeper into the woods" he said her. "Can you please tell me how were they dressed? WHere they armed or armored? The people who lives in this Woods don't use armor nor lothing, so if he was he's not..." he explained.

Still not making a sound Mercury points in the same general direction of the woods and shakes her head, along with a dismissive gesture as if it doesn't matter.

Then she becomes a lot more intent, points at the sorcerer, gestures out ahead of them on the road and makes like she is hiding behind her hand, then draws her thumb across her throat in the universal sign for death.

Adunaphel, ever the patient one of the band, listened to the rest talk while watching the fleeting glimpses of their pursuers through the trees with her eyes.

"King Elessar," she added after a moment's thought, "Promised to guarantee their dominion over their forest, and promised that no Men should enter this forest without their leave. Perhaps we should have sent word ahead informing them that we were coming; a company such as ours likely appears threatening, and it is presumptuous of us to travel so near a sovereign territory without warning."

She swung her leg over her horse and went down to the ground, and took a few steps away from the animal to stretch. Her legs hurt, and the ranger was visibly a bit bowed from the time ahorse.

"I believe it would be wise for us to send an emissary to speak with them, and explain that our path takes them alongside their forest but we have no intention of trespass. Especially if, assuming I am reading your meaning correctly, Brave Fleetfoot, they intend to ambush us."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:06, Wed 06 Apr 2022.

"I understand your point" Berthold told to Adunaphel , "but there was not ime to send an advanced messanger to them, and lookin gfor them to explai nwill take time. I guess if we just stay at the road and don't molest them, they will not molest us..."

Then he turned to Mercury to whisper her.

"Do you mean you killed him, or that you think they intend to kill the Warlock?" he asked.

Mercury points back at the forest again and shakes her head, then in turn points at every one of the humans in the group, very obviously skipping every other race including the Dunedain most might think appear the same, then points out ahead on the trail and hides her face with her hand again.

"I guess she means they've set an ambush..." Berthold said. Then he turned to Telric

"Dad told me elves are nearly invisible in woods. Would it be a good idea for you and her to try to amush the ambushers while we act as a bait (though warned) and attack from the road?

I guess if I try to accompany you all I'll put you in risk of being discovered. Not so shure about Adunaphel, as  Iguess she is more used to moving in woods...

ANohter possibility would be to try to amush them all toguethere, but I'd kkeep suggesting those more stealthy in woods (Telric and Mercury, and maybe Adunaphel) to go independently..."

In reply to Berthold (msg # 17):

Falin sighed.  Spending time with the race of Men could be interesting, but it required such patience.  He slid off his pony, and, leading it over to Admina, handed her the reins, asking "Cousin, will you care for this beast for me?  He is greedy, but otherwise well-mannered."

Taking the cameraderie of dwarves for granted, Falin unslung his bow.  Walking over to Mercury, he raises a hand in greeting.  Repeating the halfling's gesture, he points to the humans, then ahead, then covers his face.  He then holds up a finger, adding another, then another, then an interrogative shrug.  Finally, he holds up his bow, pointing ahead along the trail.

In reply to Berthold (msg # 17):

"I could try...but if these are their woods, its unlikely I would get the jump on them." Telric pointed out. "Plus it may make them more hostile, not less. Elves are know for being willing to talk rather than just fight. Well...most elves." He sighed.

Mercury nods at the plan as it develops, she holds a single finger over her lips to indicate silence, and points at herself, then the direction of the forest side of the road.  Gesturing at the others she makes a 'talking' type gesture by opening and closing her hand a few times, and points at the road itself, once again indicating walking with two moving fingers but slowly this time.

As if that somehow constituted a plan she hops off the pony again, and heads back into the forest, quickly disappearing from view.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:32, Thu 07 Apr 2022.

Roclindhir also nods as the plan develops, keeping quiet and following the two Rohirrim.