Homnir smacks the table with his hand "We will find out what befell the merchants, and return with news. And I have great hopes that the Darkness can be pushed back even further." And he takes a bit out of the juicy piece of roast lamb served to him.

"If we cross paths with any Orcs, we will make sure they never see the light of day ever again."

Nodding to Homnir, Balin snaps a lamb rib-bone in two, as though finishing off an orc.

"I don't leave orcs alive.". Vidar states, as he carves into the mutton.  "Thank you.". He says to Balin, in response to his assurances that his will would be carried out, in the event of his death.  "It is the nature of darkness to lurk at the edges of the light.  As the light dims, fades, and goes out, the darkness returns.  For darkness is nothing but the absence of light.  Harder it is to see it when it appears between bright lights, for even light casts shadows."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:57, Thu 30 Dec 2021.

Balin looks at Vidar:
"Oh, a scholar too, Master Vidar?! A champion... of deep thoughts. Yes, yes, I imagine that thus is our task: bring light to push the Darkness away."

The grand dinner held outside in the cobbled courtyard of the Dwarf-house is a fine affair.
The fresh, roast, spring-lamb is good, and Luki, the Dwarf head of the family that runs the Dwarf-house, moves around, from table to table, to make sure all are having a good time.

As you eat and drink and make merry, with flutes and drums and fine voices keeping people awake with songs till late at night, Homnir and Vidar are still intent on finding out about this mission they have been entrusted with.

Asking some questions, listening to tales, they do gather that the tower with the lights they might be seeking is most probably what is left of a mighty fortress built at the time of the North Kingdom of Arnor.
One of their Southern outposts.
There is a rumor that it was built atop a Dwarven subterranean ruin.
It is said to have been besieged at the time of the war with Angmar, and fell after a long resistance.
Some whisper-- that treasonous Dwarves betrayed the Dúnedain, allowing the forces of the Witch-king to enter the castle by secret ways.
Dwarves betraying their oaths?
Like Petty-Dwarves...

But you do not let such dark thoughts mar the fine party--

--especially when, Luki, the grey-bearded steward of the Dwarf-house, starts singing bawdy songs that ring loud, and make all laugh, filling your hearts with cheer.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:12, Sun 02 Jan 2022.

Balin slips a piece of advice, before he slips away to retire for the night:
"When you leave, tomorrow morning, you will see a well... The Well, the Well of Bree, just outside the Dwarf-house.
'Tis a source of pride to all the Bree-folk, and it is said to grant luck to any traveller who takes a drink from it before heading off on a journey down the East Road.
I am sure it will work too for the South, down the Greenway."
He smiles, and winks at you.
"Anyhow, given that it’s the source for the water used to brew Barnabas’s Best, perhaps it’s true that there’s always a taste of Bree on the lips of those travellers who partake of this tradition!"

As dawn breaks, Vidar and Homnir are awoken by the sound of people cleaning up the remnants of last night's party.
Tables and stools are carried away, empty barrels rolled back to the Pony.

It is the day to start out on Balin's mission.

Homnir is in good spirits. He wakes up, braids his beard, and puts on his armor. It is good to be on the road, and find out the fate of the two merchants, and possibly, discover more about the history of his people.
His armor on, he grabs his weapons and heads out to meet with his companions.

Homnir's companions are simply Vidar.
The two of you are the ones setting out.
But you have ponies, prepared by Luki, the Dwarf-house master.

If you did not note those one your sheet, you can add them (tell me if you need some info' ; they can carry Treasure, and they help lessen the impact of Travel Fatigue).

In good spirits, Homnir is in the courtyard, waiting on Vidar, ready to set out in this early morning.

Vidar steps into the courtyard at the appointed time, dressed in battle attire.  "Morning Homnir.". He rumbles, as he goes to retrieve his mule.

"Morning Vidar, a great day to start our journey. Shall we be on our way?" Homnir leads his mule, eager to find out more about the ruined tower, and hopeful to find the two merchants.

You both set out from the Dwarf-house, heading towards the South of Bree.

Two Dwarves and a pair of mules.

Any stop on the way out of town?

Vidar and Homnir lead their mules, two move through Bree, from the Old-town to the center, where they will turn south, and go down past the Greenway in order to exit the Mannish town, leaving it through the South gate.

On you go? Straight out the gate-- or any stops before departing?

"Indeed.". Vidar responded, as he and Homnir walked towards the gate.  He filled such waterskin as he had at the well, then continued on out the gate with Homnir.

"Wasn't there something with the well? I must have been drinking a bit much last night." Homnir says as they start heading out.

Luki, the grey-bearded steward, bids you safe travels as you leave the Dwarf-house.
And, you do indeed pass-- the Well.
You do remember, despite what was drunk the night before, that it was said that any traveller taking a drink from the well before heading off on a journey was granted luck.
As you wonder if it is lucky to do so, you do also feel that the fresh water will wash away some of last night's partying.

Seeing you wondering what to do, some young Bree-folk who are gathered around the Old Town Well, call out to you:
"Give us a pair o' coins, Master Dwarf! I'll buys myself a pie in your honor with one, and toss the other in the well for you, for good luck!"

Homnir tosses a coin to the well, but seeing the crestfallen faces of the youths, he fishes out one more coin, and holds it up "Go get yourself something to eat."

The young Bree-landers call out, thanking "fine Master Dwarf!", as they whoop and rush off to purchase pies.

Homnirs' coin disappears into the well, with a faint splash...

@Homnir: please note that you gain (+1d) on your first roll for Event Resolution made during this journey you are undertaking.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:55, Mon 10 Jan 2022.

You meant +1d? or is +11d(!!!) really the case?

In reply to Homnir (msg # 37):
You meant +1d?
Yes.

or is +11d(!!!) really the case?
No.
The +11d for not being tired is when you smoke some Goblin crack-- but then you are wiped out when you finally crash!

Homnir and Vidar leave the well, and move West through the city of Bree, turning South when you reach the inn of the Prancing Pony.
You can check the Game Map for Group P.

You move South, down the street alongside the Green, where the Fair is still going strong.
And you exit Bree at the South-gate.

There, the gate-keeper pays you very little attention, as he is focused on all the Bree-folk moving back into town, coming from outside.
You hear these folk talking--
"A Troll. I did not see any Troll in the cemetery!
- It must have been eating fresh corpses.
- Makes me happy I did not just die. Wouldn't want to be eaten up!
- If you were dead, you wouldn't care!
- Not a Troll... Orcs! Orcs are in the cemetery, right now!"
--talking of a Troll, or Orcs, digging up the dead in the cemetery.

Exiting Bree, you see torch-lights flickering off to your left, at the end of the trail that leads to the cemetery.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:07, Mon 10 Jan 2022.

"Should we swing by there?". Vidar rumbles to Homnir.  "Might be worth a small detour to avoid a nasty surprise later."

"You mean bashing orc skulls now instead of waiting? I'm game." Homnir smiles at Vidar

Moving you over to the Orc bashing room--
--to the other thread.

I will merge the two Companies for a bit.
Doing the next part of Old Bones & Skin, and then getting the whole group back to the Mist to run that totally-- before going back to finish Old Bones & Skin.