"Well met, Celegnor.  And you too, Master Dwarf," says Narieth, raising her cup of cider in greeting.

Looking to Eradan, she raises en eyebrow.  "What say you, cousin?  I know of Mount Gram, but only by rumour.  It is a long journey, and a dangerous one.  But I think my return to Sarn Ford can wait, if Gandalf believes the orcs are stirring."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:59, Wed 20 Apr 2022.

Borin listened as Gandalf laid the job out to those assembled.  At the mention of Orc's his interest was peaked but only for a moment. "Ye want us ta spy on Orcs?  I be more fer splitin' Orc 'ead's with me axe not runnin' to no Ranger's." he huffed but added, "But if'n that's what ye wants us ta do then tha's wa we'll do.  Ye 'ave me axe Tharkûn!"

After Celegnor's self introduction he addresses the others and introduced himself, "I am Borin of Durin's Folk, a Warden of the Blue Mountains."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:42, Wed 20 Apr 2022.

In reply to Narieth (msg # 8):


Eradan nods at his cousin, raising his ale in turn. "Aye, I cannot agree more, cousin. The journey is long and dangerous, but I think if orcs are stirring, there will be more danger if we do not act."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:18, Fri 22 Apr 2022.

Borin was not one for sitting around talking, he prefered action, and it felt like they's been sitting there for days already.

He addressed Gandalf, "So, tha's it?  Go ta Mount Gram... spy on 'em... an' report ta tha' Ranger's if'n it looks like they be preppin' fer war.  Ye got nothin' else fer us? Then what are we sittin' around fer?  Let's be on our way.  No need ta wait fer the Hobbit, 'e'll be here any minute I'm sure an' if'n 'e ain't well I'm sure as an Orc is ugly that 'e'll find an' catch up."

He looked to the other's as if to say, "well... let's be on with it!"

Gandalf smirks at the dwarfs enthusiasm and then says to the group “Well then if you are of a mind to be off right away. I counsel you to plan your route to Mount Gram.” With that Gandalf sits back and puffs on his pipe.

OOC: Alright guys it is time to plan the journey route I will put a map up later today for you guys to use.

Narieth offered a brief smile to Borin.  "I'm also keen to get on with the spying."

Leaning forward and pointing at Borin's map, she said to the Company: "Perhaps we could take the Road to Weathertop first, and then strike north-east?  That way we would avoid the Midgewater Marshes, and stay away from the Ettenmoors.  But who knows what creatures or other dangers we might find in that empty wilderness east of the Weather Hills?"

"Whatever we may encounter would be better served to give us a wide berth!" Leaning back in his chair, Celegnor offers a dip of the chin to Narieth respectfully.

"Though I have also learned it is wise to listen to the words of the Rangers when venturing in the wilds of Eriador. Set a course and I shall follow and my sword arm shall be ready for whatever we may encounter upon the way!"

Eradan nods again. "Aye, I'm also keen to get on with the spying. But I also think that going in with information is the best course of action, rather than going in blind."

Borin listened to Narieth's suggestion of what course they should take as he waved a barmaid over with another Ale.  He interjects, "Nah, I say's we take the Great East Road as far as the Last Bridge then follow the Hoarwell until it starts curvin' East an' jus keep on headin' North till's we reach Mount Gram.  Should allow us ta skirt around the Ettenmoors an' the Trolls that call's it home" He paused for a moment as he took a big swallow of his newly arrived ale then all of a sudden blew out hard, spraying the drink all over the table, "What is this swill ye be callin ale!" he was clearly getting quite mad and was bringing his mug down hard to smash it upon the table when he heard a familiar giggle coming from under the table.  He stopped the mugs momentum in time to not smash it to bits, he bellowed, "Gundolph Bolger, get yer arse out from under there and stop messin' with me drinks or so help me I'll smash yer skull in wit' the broadside o' me axe!"  Borin sat back in his chair and waved for another Ale, ready to kick at the impudent Hobbit if he didn't get out from under the table promptly.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:03, Sat 30 Apr 2022.

As Borin nearly exploded at finding apple cider in his mug instead of ale, Gundolph broke out in to near uncontrollable laughter.  It took a few minutes but the trickster-hobbit finally regained control enough to allow himself to move out from beneath the table he'd hidden under and greet his good friend.

"Come now, Uncle Borin. I were but a'lookin' out for yer health'n well-being don't ya know.  Too much o'that there ale nay be good for ya.

I could'na help but overhear you and yer friends discussing a journey, why...all the way to tha mythical Mount Gram nay-less?  Tell me you were nay planning to head out on such a grand adventure as this with-oot askin' yer favorite nephew to tag along?"

With that, Gundolph took a seat beside the moody dwarf, ignoring the fact that he was the one to have put him in a mood to begin with.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:47, Thu 28 Apr 2022.

"Pleased to meet you, Gundolph," said Narieth with a shy smile. "I've been known around here as Ratty, since Butterbur caught me fighting with one of his cats in his stables a few years ago.  It's as good a name for you to call me as any, for now."

"Anyway, you've arrived in the nick of time.  We were just about to bid farewell to Gandalf and take to the road."

The ranger finished her drink, nodded to Gandalf, and moved swiftly to the front porch where she retrieved her mighty bow and quiver of arrows from the rack.

"It be a mighty nice pleasure ta make your acquaintance as well 'Ratty'."  Gundolph went with Ratty as the woman hadn't provided her true name, not to him, nor to the others.  He knew this for he had been present and eavesdropping on the conversation being had with Gandalf from the start, right up until he'd made his presence known by way of the prank he'd played on his old friend, Borin.

"Yer welcome ta call me Gunny or Gunner, whichever you prefer as I answer ta both just as readily."

Seeing as Ratty was eager to get going, Gundolph prepared to leave as well...but not before tossing a wave and a smile to Gandalf as they made their way to the front porch.

Borin shook his head at Gundolph's "childish" antics... Too much alcohol... What did that even mean, he'd drank nothing but alcohol since he was weaned off his mother's teat.

He got up from the table and pounded back the rest of his ale then followed Rattie out of the tavern, more than ready to get out on the open road and get on with their mission.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:07, Sat 30 Apr 2022.

  Borin and Gandalf spend the rest of the day purchasing and assembling supplies for the journey. After two days of pleasant journeying through the farmlands on the outskirts of Bree that is mostly uneventful, just as the party skirts the edge of the Midgewater Marshes and begins the final three days of journeying to Weathertop the party's lookouts spot something...



OOC: I need an awareness test from the comapany's lookout.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:20, Sun 08 May 2022.

As the company passes a bend in the road Celegnor spots a small elf path in this place through the country to the right of the path that he points out to the company utilizing this path allows the company to more speedily come to the Ancient Site of the watch tower of Amon Sul though not without tiring some members of the company slightly. As the company returns to the Eastern Road you all spot a lone man standing off to the left side of the road...




OOC: I need the guide to give me a final travel roll for this stage of the journey.

OOC: 17:40, Today: Borin rolled a total of 26: an extraordinary success (same result if weary) using the The One Ring with a target of 16 with rolls of 9 (Feat Die), 6, 5, 6.  Guide check.

Roll = 26 (advantage roll was lower)
TN = 16
This message was last edited by the player at 20:44, Sun 08 May 2022.

Keeping somewhat ahead of the company as the lookout, Celegnor is the first to spot the lone stranger upon the road. Seeming to fear no danger, whether because of the nearness to Bree or perhaps simply innate bravado, he lifts a hand to the stranger once within ear shot, calling,

"Hail and we'll met! It is rare enough to find fellow travelers upon the East road. What news sir from further East?"

Narieth is, as usual, bringing up the rear of the party.  She has been dropping back from time to time, checking the back-trail, and scanning the surroundings for game and wild plants to forage.

As soon as Celegnor hails the stranger, Narieth steps quietly off the road and tries to find somewhere to remain concealed but still within easy reach of the rest of the company.

  The Stranger on being hailed by the elf said " News is the same as ever master elf but pray my travelling companions have had an accident and lie injured just off the road. Pray will you come and help heal my companions I have heard much about the fabled abilities of the fair folk." Other than this lone soul upon the road the area seems strangely deserted for this time of year and day.

Gundolph had spent much of their journey thus far riding on his pony-steed, Moonshadow.  All the while he had enjoyed just looking out at the beauty that is the world around them.  That which had been untouched by the hand of man, or elf, or dwarf...or even by hobbit...and any of the more sundry goblinoid races.  The trees, the hills, the wind...all of it.

He was brought out of his sightseeing euphoria when stranger approached.  Gundolph was not naturally a suspicious fellow, but the man's story about injured companions lieing just off the road seemed weak at best?  To him at least.  As the man spoke, Gunny paid close attention to his spoken word, listening for any sort of tell that would give away his true intentions...as well as his body language, for the body usually spoke truth more often than the tongue.

---

OOC: 21:26, Today: Gundolph Bolger rolled a total of 22: a great success with the Gandalf Rune using the The One Ring with a target of 14.  Insight vs TN 14 (Stranger - ambush?).

Narieth tries to move stealthily away from the road, to look for any sign of the injured fellows - or a possible ambush.

In reply to Narieth (msg # 28):

10:29, Today: Narieth rolled a total of 27: an extraordinary success with the Gandalf Rune using the The One Ring with a target of 15.  Moving stealthily around the stranger (favoured).

Gundolph draws upon stories of distant places and events relayed by the Mad Baggins and realizes this is indeed an ambush, at the same time he does that Narieth slips unseen off the road and spies a few other folks of ill intent hiding just off the road. These brigands spot her as she moves through the underbrush and with a cry of " Drop the ruse Bill our cover has been blown!" the brigands who have lain in wait emerge from the brush.



OOC: Everyone gets one opening volley and with the description fo your opening volley can I get a description of which stance you want to use this round. Since Narieth is seperated from the party she cannot assume the rearward stance this round.

A flash of anger lights up Celegnor's eyes as the treachery is revealed. Being the furthest ahead of the company and the closest to the man called out to as Bill, he readies his bow and puts an arrow to the string. Seeing these brigands are full of ill intent he calls out in his high, clear voice,

"Woe betide you and yours that you seek to harm travelers in the wild where so much already stands against the movement of fair meaning folk. You will have your just rewards for your deeds by my hand!"

The last words are followed by a held breath as he sights down the shaft and looses at the man upon the road.

OOC: 11:39, Today: Celegnor rolled a total of 23: a great success with the Gandalf Rune using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 12 (Feat Die), 5, 6.  Opening Volley against brigand 'Bill'.

A piercing blow from the Gandalf rune. If the target succeeds protection roll I'll spend the success die on a heavy blow for an extra 5 (4 strength +1 for 2-handed weapon) endurance loss for a total of 8 endurance loss. If the piercing blow succeeds may I spend the success to 'Make Haste' from the special success table such that I completed the first shot so quickly that I may take a second?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:17, Wed 11 May 2022.

Cursing her luck at being spotted, Narieth let fly with her great bow.  However, she rushed the shot and it flew wide.  Retreating rapidly towards her companions, Narieth drew her shortsword and prepared to fend off these brigands.

[Narieth rolled a total of 6 (3 if weary): a failure using the The One Ring with a target of 15 with rolls of 3 (Feat Die), 2, 1.  Opening volley with Great Bow.]

Narieth will take the Defensive Stance this round.