Year 2946: Don't leave the path

[Vladim]

[Post 31]

Author : Dramacydal

Date : Jul 10 '16 7:11pm

 

Belgo’s words tumble out in a terrified flood. The company can piece together the story: his father Baldor is a merchant of Dale. He has a caravan of trade goods, and intended to bring it across Mirkwood. He hired seven guards for protection, but these guards have now turned on him. The caravan is nearby ・if the company hurry, they can rescue Baldor. "What direction were you heading? And how well armed are the guards?", exclaims Arphel. Then Belgo says while out of breath. "The company are out in the countryside near the Long Lake. They are armed with a bunch of short swords."

 

 "I know this might be difficult but it could prove useful to us; why was your father heading into Mirkwood? hope for trade with the Elves? "I must have known those woods to be still dangerous." He explains that his father Baldor set out from Lake-town with me and the seven thugs. He is a merchant and a travelling trader, and his four ponies are carrying iron tools and toys from Dale that he intends to sell to the folk of Woodland Hall. My father has arranged with the Elves for passage through their lands. He knows that Mirkwood is dangerous, and so he looked in Esgaroth for guards who were brave enough to risk the crossing of the forest. It seems that he chose poorly."

 

As Belgo words trail off while traveling upon horses through the grasslands along the Long River, there is a grouping of trees lit with campfire as the horses nigh in frustration that they were woken from their sleep. The terrain features is sparsely dotted trees along the long river. You can see the seven thugs toying with Baldor as he waves a thick stick as it slams into one of the thugs face; leaving a welt and red mark. There are ponies tethered to a tree, the wagon nearby from which to hide behind but it is on the other side of their encampment. Belgo points in the direction that his father is over there. Kneeling behind a few loosely scattered rocks that were tall enough to support cover, it appears that each of you have surprise therefore can act in initiative first.

[Vladim]

[Post 32]

Author : Old Overholt

Date : Jul 10 '16 7:25pm

 

His pride or his resistance having taken enough beating, it's only when Bella chooses action (mostly) over food that Nori begrudgingly removes himself from his chair. Hoisting his gear over his right shoulder and grabbing a rib for the road, the dwarf is probably the last to leave the tavern, bringing up the rear of the Fellowship. He's neither racing to adventure nor dragging his feet - he might just have resigned himself to the anchor of the group, making sure no one or nothing is left behind, staying in close proximity to the last of the companions and trying to remain vigilant of what they might not know around them.

[Vladim]

[Post 33]

Author : Maester1216

Date : Jul 10 '16 7:44pm

 

Arphel studied her foes as she pulled the bow from around her back and knocked an arrow, aiming at one of the thugs farthest from the group. She whispered briefly to Duilin. "We strike from back to front; kill the two near the Ponies, then Wagons, then we dispose of the other three. On my command... let fly." She pulled the string of her bow taught as aim for her target; she whispered softly. 1.... 2.... 3.. She let fly her arrow.

[Vladim]

[Post 34]

Author : Who_Am_I

Date : Jul 10 '16 10:01pm

 

Duilin moved up as quietly as he could to Arphel, testing the draw on his bow and wishing he had spent more time practicing with the weapon and less with the sword that hung at his hip. Still, the ranger drew an arrow from the quiver balanced against the weight of the sword, nocked it against the string of the bow and breathed to calm his hands before moving in a smooth motion that he knew conceptually at the very least. As the bow was brought up, he drew back the string with two fingers on either side of the nocked arrow, the muscles in his shoulders and back tensing at the pull of the bow as he brought the string back so that it was in line with his cheek and he could sight down the arrow. Another breath as Arphel counted them down and, as she hit one, he released his arrow as smoothly as he could so that it would strike its target at the same time. As long as his aim were true, of course.

[Vladim]

[Post 35]

Author : Diofant

Date : Jul 10 '16 10:12pm

 

The minstrel let out a low, melodic whistle at the news Belgo had told them. "Seven men, huh? Your father is either a very careful man, or hmm... well, dont know much of Mirkwood." He was going to say '...or he carries more than toys and iron toos.' but that would sound too thug-like to a terrified child who was already having trust issues. What did it matter if his father was a coward or not? Still... it was a more than a little odd: seven men whom were hired abandoned their employer just like that, out here, without even waiting to go far outside the city, where they could have robbed him easier. The very idea of robbing him was odd, too: toys and tools? These had  to be very -specific- bandits.

 

1d12 1d6t (you did say the other thread is for COMBAT rolls only) (activating virtue of old songs)

"Dress a goat in silk, and its still a goat." Muttered the minstrel - an old saying that came to mind. "Nope." Concluded Gramtyng. "Definitely do not agree with Arphel there." Killing thugs like this, regardless of what they did and did not do, was not their place. Who could put a value on life? Maybe kings and judges, but not common folks like them. Indeed, he would have much preferred to simply persuade or intimidate these thugs into running; it did not seem like anyone had hurt the merchant just yet - more than that, even, the man managed to give one of the idiots a good whack already!

 

He cursed his decision to not bring Leasere along - he  could have used his old friend right now. The sight of an armored man, twirling spinning a good blade above his head, death-song of the Rohirrim upon his lips usually was enough to send even orcs running, much less some random ruffians. Still grumbing under his breath, the minstrel nocked an arrow and drew back a shot without any great motivation. Didnt feel right to do this like this; he hated himself for allowing these sort of thoughts to break his usual sneering outlook on life. His mood completely spoiled, he drew back an arrow, stille his breath, aimed, and loosed his shot at the same time a Arphel's. There was something to say about the intimidating factor of a synchronized volley.

[Vladim]

[Post 36]

Author : Neopopulas

Date : Jul 11 '16 5:11am

 

Elerrina had taken her time, keeping up with the back of the group but she had decided that she would, at very least, see what the situation was before she came to any conclusions.. But now, seeing the situation for what it was - at very least, very uneven odds - she decided something had to be done.

 

Knocking an arrow with the smooth grace of long practice she takes aim at the thug near the wagon and legs fly.

[Vladim]

[Post 37]

Author : Dramacydal

Date : Jul 11 '16 12:20pm

 

"We strike from back to front; kill the two near the Ponies, then Wagons, then we dispose of the other three. On my command... let fly." She pulled the string of her bow taught as aim for her target; she whispered softly. 1.... 2.... 3.. She let fly her arrow.

 

As the arrow zipped into the clearing of camp and men, the night did little to impede the arrow from it's mark. Even the foliage and trees did little to stop the ranger from her precise arrow shot. With a thud, the arrow sunk deep into one of the guarded thugs who gasped in pain."What the *&^%" as the man became wounded from the arrow protruding from the meat of his shoulder to chest.

 

Duilin who released his arrow the same time as Arphel did not fair as well. With the shot missing it's mark by several meters, this alerted the rest of the guards as well as the thug who was wounded from Arphel's bow shot. As most of them searched to see where the shot comes from, but through no avail, they cannot see through the starry night and much beyound the campfire of their camp. They do however withdraw their short swords.

 

"Seven men, huh? Your father is either a very careful man, or hmm... well, dont know much of Mirkwood.", exclaims Gramtyng the minstrel of Rohan. Belgo just remains huddled away from the fighting and whispers, "Even though we had passage through Mirkwood, our father could not score a vanguard of Thranduil's men to accompany us through the enchanted forests. We were left with hiring guards to assist us."

 

Elerinna felt hand to hand combat was more to her liking as the high elf from Rivendell jumps into the clearing and has an open stance with one of the closer guards near the wagon. Swinging her longsword, she scores a lethal hit that creates a deep gash in the man’s abdomen. Soon blood profusely pours from the wounded guard as he gasps in pain and shock.

 

I believe Bella and Nori still have their turns to post actions.

[Vladim]

[Post 38]

Author : Old Overholt

Date : Jul 11 '16 12:36pm

 

Watching the Elf rush to aid the others firing arrows into the trees ahead and then the shouts of the 'guards' sounding their alert, the dwarf at the back of the pack shakes his head before grumbling something under his breath. Spotting a large, discernible tree nearby, Nori chucks his backpack and gear into its trunk so that he can find it later, leaving him equipped with just his armor and his long-hafted axe. Staying near Bella's side with the axe held in both hands, the dwarf tells her, "He may have hired seven... who led him into a trap with seven more. Keep your eyes open."

[Vladim]

[Post 39]

Author : Diofant

Date : Jul 11 '16 6:12pm

 

Gramtyng grimaced as his arrow did little more than annoy the thugs, and pulled the second from his quiver. It seemed like their foes still haven't realized where they were; strange, really, considering they should have understood where the shots were coming from. Then again, he didnt really expect overly much from bandits who were so inept as to attempt to rob a toy merchant without even waiting for them to go further from the city, where the kid would have no chance to bring help. Dunledings were much more organized, but then again they had to be; the Riders of the Mark had little mercy for raiders.

 

Maybe they could spare a few once they had the numerical advantage... he was fairly confident in his intimidation skill, as with any tactics involving his voice and narration, of course. A proper bard had to know how to manipulate his audience into the proper emotions necessary for the tale he spun; to capture the audience's hearts was a complex dance. There, he had been Aldor's attentive student: after all, it also helped to woo women.

 

Cutting his reminiscence short, Gramtyng nocked a second arrow, drew, aimed, controlled his breath, and fired once more, this time not bothering to wait for the others. At this point, they simply had to squeeze off as many shots as they could.

[Vladim]

[Post 40]

Author : Born on the Bayeux

Date : Jul 12 '16 4:10am

 

The extra mouthfuls wasn't what slowed down Bella, or depending on her tiny legs once she leapt off of her comrade's horse.  It was the sight of a bad situation getting worse.  She didn't even have time to express gratitude for Nori's protective presence by her side.

 

Hobbits, or halflings as the locals usually said, were often thought to be cowardly and soft.  It would be closer to say peaceful and appreciative of comfort.  They certainly did not often have the bloodlust and greed she now saw in Men.  Even dwarves only go mad for gold, men so often look for reasons for madness.

 

She yelled to the cruel strangers, "Are there not enemies of Free Folk enough that they must now fight among themselves?  Hundreds of slain orcs have dulled my comrade's blades but sharpened their skills.  Yield now or join them!  Is there no other way for you to learn that gold means nothing to the dead?!"

 

Bella prayed the fools would listen for their own sake...

 

 

1. I apologize for the delay in responding.  It has been a busy week in real-life.

2. While most hobbits are brave when needed, few of them relish violence.  It is in Bella's character to make at least one attempt to Persuade the thugs to surrender.

3. This justifies a Persuade roll, I think, which I will roll in the Dice Thread.  I will play off of Dramacydle's reply in either thread.

[Vladim]

[Post 41]

Author : Neopopulas

Date : Jul 12 '16 12:04pm

 

Continuing to engage from behind the rest she fires a second arrow towards the men near the wagon. The quicker she can thin the herd the better for everyone.

 

"No point in trying to convince this sort of ilk my friend..."

[Vladim]

[Post 42]

Author : Diofant

Date : Jul 13 '16 5:15am

 

"Believe me, Bella, I'd much rather not pointlessly kill these men either before they even had a chance to do any lasting harm, but time was of the essence!" Threw the minstrel over his shoulder, grasping for yet another arrow in frustration of this whole situation. "If just one more arrow hits its mark, I will try to end this with no further blood spilled." The hobbit had the right idea, he knew, but taking a kinder tone with raiders and looters was a mistake one didnt make twice. Once at least one more arrow had pierced flesh, the numerical advantage would give his already (doubtlessly an uncontestedly) authoritative voice enough power to convince the poor saps to surrender, and from there, they were a problem for the city guard.

[Vladim]

[Post 43]

Author : Who_Am_I

Date : Jul 14 '16 9:59am

 

Duilin doesn't hesitate to retrieve and nock another arrow, sighting down the shaft and brushing his cheek with the fetching as he draws back the bow and lets fly once more. A silent promise is made as he releases the string, to practice more with the bow as they travel as his father would likely be ashamed of him should he see such lacklustre archery time after time...

[Vladim]

[Post 44]

Author : Born on the Bayeux

Date : Jul 15 '16 4:36am

 

Her fellows had been right all along.  Deep down, she had known it as well.  There was no chance for words now, there may never have been a chance.  Bella sighed, "Aye. But I wanted that words were at least ventured."  With great sadness, she began to nock an arrow.

[Vladim]

[Post 45]

Author : Old Overholt

Date : Jul 15 '16 2:21pm

 

Gripping his hands about the shaft of his axe, the skins on his hands making a dull squeaking sound as the juices from his meal rubs across the wood, Nori keeps a look out at the side of the hobbit as she raises her bow. He doesn't turn his eyes to her directly - instead watching for any potential surprises coming out of the woods - and says to her in a gruff aside, "We should'ave tried those words before we put an arrow in'them."