Year 2946: Don't leave the path

[Vladim]

[Post 61]

Author : Born on the Bayeux

Date : Jul 22 '16 5:24am

 

The journey to Mirkwood was hard on Bella although she tried hard not to let it show.  For once, the little hobbit did not need admonishment to stay on the path.  Well, at least not too often.  More than a few steps into the dense tangle of forest and you might lose your way.  It had almost happened once too often.  At times, Bella squinted into the forest so intently she could have sworn she saw webs.

 

When the fellowship finally entered the caves of the Elvenking, Bella was relieved.  Even the dark and chill were welcome for they weren't endless trees.

 

I am playing Bella a little weary and thus possibly careless as she has a Hazard coming up...

[Vladim]

[Post 62]

Author : Diofant

Date : Jul 22 '16 11:09pm

 

"Nori?" Gramtyng scratched his head. "He's from Erebor. Glad to see you're willing to agree to fees, I hate arguing about that stuff." He walked away to pack his bags, fetch Leasere, and of course, attend to the grim task that Bella volunteered for as well; burying the two dead bandits. He'd shot arrows at them, even if he did miss, it seemed improper to just burn them like they were orcs, as would be done in Rohan. There was always the chance to correct things with words, he grimly concluded, shovel digging into the dirt, but once blood was shed, it was a slim chance. Perhaps he ought to have been quicker at scaring the thugs than he was, and two lives could have been spared. Had these been orcs, he wouldnt have given this a second thought... But these were humans. Same as him. Perhaps not entirely evil men, who had families, maybe. Finishing up the burial, he thrust their swords into the dirt where the graves were, and shoveled the bandits belongings into a third pit. He wanted none of their money nor weapons; desperate though he may have been to gather gold for Leasere and himself to live well, to lower himself to marauding those who havent wronged him was too much.

 

---Later...---

 

Gramtyng poured over the maps of their way, trying to figure out for himself if there was a better path to take but could not find anything that would cause them to change course from the one Nori had proposed earlier. Just as well, if he, an outsider, could come up with a better path than Nori for these parts, that would have been... odd. He looked up from the map, patting Leasere on the neck to calm him - not required, as the palfrey was well trained, but by now it was almost mechanical. His gaze had wandered to the trees as the rafts neared the protcullis, and among the treeline, he spotted something odd. Due to his father's insistence on either King's Guard or the Peerless Hunter career choices, Gramtyng liked to think he knew most animals by their footprint, much less silhouette, but this...?

 

It was hunched over, moving on all fours, but the legs had been bent the way a human's might, so it had not been some malnourished mongrel or forest cat. The head was too large and too round, almost oversized for its body. A goblin? A very small and starved one, maybe? The monstrel reached for his bow, but in the next second his eyes met those of the critter, and he knew it was not a goblin: What filthskin, after all, had blue eyes like that? They had been cold, almost fishlike, but the intelligence within was absolutely not that of an animal. He decided to bring it to the Rangers and Elf's attention later, maybe the Bride's as well; perhaps at camp.

 

The rest of the trip passed by without incident; the minstrel lead the horse off the raft and helped others unpack their things. When Ellerina voiced her pity about the forest, he tapped his head slightly, trying to recall something, and replied: "It was called... Greenwood the Great before, wasnt it?"

[Vladim]

[Post 63]

Author : Dramacydal

Date : Jul 23 '16 7:19am

 

Mirkwood was inhabited by Elves from the earliest times. From the earliest times, Mirkwood was a former vestige of it's once proud glory. After the Necromancer described as a darkening or shadow of evil influenced the depths of Mirkwood, this shadow forever changed Greenwood the Great to what it is now called. Mirkwood Forest. Now ettercaps, spiders, and a dizzying and overwhelming feeling of being miserable and corruption seem to take over.

 

With Thranduil having escaped and lost most of his territory and now resides on the Forest River of the Halls of the Elvenking, Thranduil is a lot like his elven brethern. Full of distrust and animosity towards any of the other cultures and races of Middle-Earth, Thranduil is afraid to leave his home and retake Mirkwood.

 

Soon the Elves of Mirkwood un load Baldor's wares upon the moist packed earth of the underground dwelling called the Halls of the Elvenking. The facial expression of the Elves are that of distrust and are eager to move on from this laborious endeavor. You are taken to an area that opens up to an expansive room but after some short moments, you find them locking you inside the room. The bars are made of strong wood, and are tied together by sinewy weeds and wood fibers of the trees of Mirkwood.

 

They leave you with your gear at least. A Beorn's saying goes as this, "Without force of strength is not like having a weapon of steel." Remembering casually to yourself. Baldor pleads with you that this is temporary and they do not want you roaming the halls. If it not for Nori, their trust might have spoken in better volumes to you. Still it is a safe place to rest.", Belgo says as the short and wise ten year old is full of expressing comments.

 

Lindar, an Elf of Mirkwood sees this as an opportunity to stand on the other side of the guarded gate of wood. "Baldor, these are not the ones that you traveled with in Esgaroth. Do my eyes deceive me?", mentioned Lindar. Baldor exclaims of the situation on the open road near Long Lake. With a sigh of relief, Lindar seems to believe him but does not trust you or even perhaps the ones Baldor originally traveled with.

 

"In two days, I will travel with you to the end of King Thranduils realm. Here our agreement and pact written in the gold of coin will be fullfilled." Then Baldor nods in approval and finds a seat and unrolls a backpack with a blanket and uses some worn clothes as a pillow. "While it's not the cleanest of places to sleep, nor the most comfortable, at least we are safe." Then Belgo pipes up, "At least for now."

 

OOC: Original prose on Mirkwood written by Loremaster to convey successful Lore test and his reasons by Master.

[Vladim]

[Post 64]

Author : Maester1216

Date : Jul 23 '16 2:26pm

 

"That's something at least. We will need the rest.... though I am loathe to be trapped like a rat in a cage in a region such as this." Arphel slides down the nearest wall in exhaustion, shooting a few imperious, distrusting glances at Lindar before going over her equipment; tightening her bow string, taking a whetstone to her blades and readjusting any loose straps on her hauberk. A brief glance falls on Gramtyng before she begins speaking.

 

"It was called Greenwood, long ago.... before the Dark One came. A foul Necromancer seized Dol Guldur in the South, and from their spread a corrupting, entropic evil that darkened and befouled this forest. Now? There is only Mirkwood, even in the Northern forest under the Elves, Darkness has been eating at this land for a very long time."

 

A tone of solemnity enters her voice as she finishes; she holds her blade close to her chest. Her eyes fall on Bella, a slight smile spreading at the corner of her mouth."Have I told you the tales of Arnor before little one?" She gives the hobbit an expectant look.

[Vladim]

[Post 65]

Author : Neopopulas

Date : Jul 23 '16 2:33pm

 

"Thranduil is not overly trusting, of late.. " she motions around "Though i suppose it goes without saying..." Fighting about their arrangement was pointless, though she took more than a little umbrage at it, she wasn't going to let it show.

[Vladim]

[Post 66]

Author : Diofant

Date : Jul 24 '16 2:50am

 

Gramtyng nodded at the information Arphel shares, and mentally noted the parts that came as news to him, thanking her, before turning to his lute, strumming it somewhat absentmindedly as he sits in the corner, while Ellerina voices her opinion: "Not overly trusting indeed, but isnt it a tad odd that you, and elf, had to go through this as well?" The minstrel raised an eyebrow at this notion. "Mayhaps you could go talk to Lindar? Or at the very least ask for something warm to drink... Dont know about you, but I'm a bit chilly, myself. Some mulled wine or warm mead would hit the spot - but making a fire in here is well..." Gramtyng flashed a smile: "...Inadvisable. I'd offer a song, but... I am not so arrogant as to expect them want to listen to mine."

 

((Rolling Insight to maybe roll for a Social Encounter advantage? Up to you Drama, I just feel like Gramtyng would try to get a better sleeping place. If not, ignore the Insight Roll.))

 

Gramtyng sized up the elf, studying him as best he could, attempting to see how he could best approach him. He didnt want to offend him, after all, and was not sure if he even could get his message across, but he certainly would try, for that warm bed or at least warm drink! "Early to bed and early to rise makes you sore, bored, and bleary of eyes..." He recalled an old saying.

[Vladim]

[Post 67]

Author : Vladim

Date : Jul 24 '16 4:10am

 

The Bride elected to remain silent during most of the journey, contributing what skills she had to the fellowship. And while she did not participate in the confrontation with the bandits, she had remained in hiding, alert, ready, and with dagger in hand, should those criminals engage them in melee. In the end, however, it did not come to that, something she was thankful for. Hunting and killing Free folk were entirely different things, after all.

 

She did not mind escorting Baldor, as she was heading through Mirkwood anyway, and there was strength in numbers. Yet the age of her new companions-an old man and a child-did worry her somewhat.

 

At the elven-king's hall, The Bride finally decided to break her silence. Stories of the Woodmen said that the elves were immortal and wise, so they could know about her quarry, the mythical Beast of Mirkwood. Perhaps there was valuable information to be gathered here. So she spoke thusly to Lindar:

 

I shall sleep wherever you say and abide by all your customs, Master elf. she says hurriedly, eager to get to her point. But you should know that I also bring dark tidings from the realm of the Woodmen; dire news that your king would be interested in hearing. Would you lead us to him?'

 

Ok, back safely from the last leg of my trip. Posting may still be a bit spotty (I have one more flight to make).

 

I wanted to bring a bit of the Bride's background into play, in particular her connection with the Werewolf of Mirkwood. However, if you think that this derails the game too much, feel free to ignore it or play it down. I just thought it might be a good reason for requesting an audience.

 

I wanted to convey that the Bride is direct and impatient, i.e. poor Courtesy skills, but can be an imposing, stern figure when motivated. Therefore, I will complement the text above with an Awe roll; the goal is to convey that she is indeed dead serious and knows what she is talking about. If appropriate, I would also like to invoke her Forthright trait to represent her honesty.

[Vladim]

[Post 68]

Author : Dramacydal

Date : Jul 24 '16 5:34am

 

"Master Elf?! Dire Tidings? Indeed Woodsmen of the Wilderland.", now exclaimed a more humble servant than master as Lindar speaks again."I'am but overseer of the cellar, my word matters little but your fellowship does travel with an Elf but I do not know of her. Your tidings speak volumes woman. While it's my responsibility that none of you wander the Halls of the Elvenking, I do not like seeing you couped in this dwelling. Come and leave this begotten shelter." Then Lindar unlocks the wooden gate to the room as your fellowship exits the small room; he leads you throughout the grand Halls of the Elvenking.

 

The underground is mostly carved out of hewn stone as torches fitted in metal sconces align the uneven walls. As the flaming oil seems to drip down from the carried torch that Lindar carries, the Elf of Mirkwood swiftly walks through a network of corridors and causeways; passing elves who neither care or do. Finally arriving at Thranduil's chambers, the statuesque elf-king of Mirkwood sits upon a chiseled rocky throne that is brightly illuminated by torch light. There are several sentries guarding the king and Thranduils demeanor is of distrust much like the others. With narrow almond eyes, looking you over. He sizes up your party with a narcissistic and haughty demeanor.

 

Then he speaks, "What is the meaning of this intrusion Lindar? I did not summon these....these people! I do not carry myself in the company of even a dwarf let alone that one. But you, High Elf of Rivendell, I have heard of you. Ellerina is it? Why do you travel with vagabonds and nay sayers? You should be in the company of your brethern. Should you not? And you little one, you should take heed and caution for the very spiders of Mirkwood will eat you alive.", then a boastful laughter errupts from Thranduil. It's as if he is mocking your very presence.

 

Lindar speaks up when the laughter seems to cease. "Wise king....the human woman has dark tidings from her people. I thought it could not wait lest I leave them were they lay." "Very well, all of you are trying my patience but I grow with boredom each day so please entertain me."then King Thranduil gives you his attention. You have succeeded in what many have tried and failed to do. Communnicate with the King, even let alone see him.

[Vladim]

[Post 69]

Author : Neopopulas

Date : Jul 24 '16 6:08am

 

Ellerina offers a small courtesy bow "Good king Thranduil" lifting her head she straightens above her companions "Strange times make for stranger fellows. It seems we adopted the merchant, to a point, but as you hear, there is more than that. Only something worth your time, would we bring to you now."

[Vladim]

[Post 70]

Author : Maester1216

Date : Jul 24 '16 6:09am

 

Arphel steps forward ahead of the Bride, bowing smoothly and graciously before removing her hood; the deep auburn of her hair is a striking contrast in the gloom of the throne room, accentuated further by her piercing blue eyes. "You honour us with this audience Your Eminence, even in the face of the grim news we carry. I am Arphel, Daughter of Aglaril of the Dunedain and a Ranger of the North. Accompanying is my comrade in arms Duilin and Gramtyng of the Rohirrim. You have already I see been made aware of the wise Elerrina of Rivendell, the stalwart Nori of Erebor, the kindly Bella Bracegirdle of the Shire and the... Bride of the Wilderland, whom brings tidings to your noble court."

 

The ranger steps aside so as to allow the Bride the floor of discussion, rejoining the others at the front of the group.

[Vladim]

[Post 71]

Author : Old Overholt

Date : Jul 24 '16 8:03pm

 

The dwarf of Erebor places his attention on the hall as opposed to the people, studying the intricate work used to craft the great hall. His focus wanders the towering columns, scanning the expertly done carvings and inlays. There's appreciation and wonder coming from his eyes - maybe even a sort of inspiration for later works. Few could say they've ever stepped foot in this place, but how many would be able to have a design from that hall carved into the handle of an axe or spear? How many would pay for such an extravagance? Nori could find out if he could commit any of it to memory and that's just what he appears to be doing as opposed to paying attention to the conversation at hand.

[Vladim]

[Post 72]

Author : Vladim

Date : Jul 24 '16 11:53pm

 

The huntress from Mountain Hall had never before visited the domain of kings, so she did not know how to carry herself in the presence of one as powerful or as noble as Thranduil. Yet she somehow sensed the ancient king's power, which inspired both fear and respect. Hesitantly, with trembling voice, and averting her eyes from his, she spoke to the great king of the elves.

 

Lord Thranduil, your people have long shared this forest with the free Men of the Woodland Realm. Now, a great evil has returned to the forest, a foul creature that threatens both our peoples. I speak of the Beast of Mirkwood. It has awakened once again, and has already claimed the lives of many good Woodmen. You know the history of this forest better than even our greatest sages. I bring you these dire news so that we can do something about it, to end this threat before it becomes even greater.

 

She took a step back and lowered her head slightly, awaiting the king's response.

 

This is probably the last post I can make for the next couple of days, so please feel free to push forward without depending on the Bride for a response. Or, feel free to NPC the Bride for a while, if her participation is critical. Up to the Loremaster.

 

I will complement this with a persuade roll in the dice thread.

[Vladim]

[Post 73]

Author : Diofant

Date : Jul 26 '16 2:43am

 

"Well, that... That went well." Muttered Gramtyng as he strummed his lute out of habit, standing out of the way. Clearly, he wasnt going to get a turn to speak at this glorious gathering, much less sing, and suggesting he compete in song with an elf as a trick to get them to stay would be ridiculous. It was uncertain if they would be able to benefit from being called to the Feast Hall, but then again... It would be rude for someone as important as a king to simply send off people from a Feast with nothing, even if he did not wish they stayed - but then again, Thranduil was an elf, so his customs likely varied. From his human perspective he was being downright rude but he understood to keep his mouth shut and not make things worse than what they were, simply admiring he surroundings instead.

[Vladim]

[Post 74]

Author : Born on the Bayeux

Date : Jul 26 '16 4:29am

 

The thought of the Tales of Arnor told by such a master storyteller as Arphel was enough to make Bella forget her weariness from the journey or even her hungryness.  She listened with rapt attention and asked Arphel if she could include the account in her future book.

 

The tale still kept her interest even in the Halls of the Elvenking.  She had hoped to see where the barrels were cast into the river as Bilbo had said.  But she had not dared to ask the stern elven guides.  Somehow being stared at disapprovingly by an elf was somehow worse than all of the other races.  And Bella knew enough of that.

 

Besides, those elf eyes seemed to see everything.  How did well-padded Bilbo (a complement) stay so hidden?  Bella could still not imagine how..

 

It took being in the presence of the Elf King Thranduil to bring Bella to the present.  She curtsied, bowed, and then showed the knee in the King's presence, just to be sure.  What does one do when presented before the Elven King?  It would be wise to be polite.  Your kinsman is likely the last hobbit the King has encountered and he probably still isn't quite over Bilbo's trickery.  No one remembers like an elf.

 

For all of Bilbo's former wickedness, Bella still couldn't help but smile slightly at the thought...

 

My apologies for taking so long to reply.  Real-life has been stalking me like a Ringwraith.  Nothing worrying, just suddenly quite busy.

 

That is why this post is structured so.  I can flash back to Bella listening intently at Arphel's masterful retelling of the Tales of Arnor.  Bella (for once) will remain quiet in the presence of the King, remembering the impression a former hobbit guest made here.   I imagine the wise if stuffy King is not fooled...

[Vladim]

[Post 75]

Author : Dramacydal

Date : Jul 26 '16 10:15am

 

As Arphel stepped forward after interupting Ellerina's spoken words. The distraught king leans forward and solemn squinted eyes, looks at Arphel speak but is indifferent to the rabblings of the Dunedain. Intent on hearing of the female elf of Rivendell, Thranduil smiles and nods in approval as he emphatically would like to hear from the Bride.

 

"I know of this...this beast woman of honor. I share the same dislike of your people for the abomination has been a curse in our side for sometime. I hear of the tales that even this far throughout the realm of the Wilderlands and to the distant realm of Mirkwood. I hear of the carnage of it's path of woven destruction. Aimless corrupt of the shadow, it's mere presence has both plagued our people for sometime.

 

But rest assured woman of human decent, it's presence is a mere drop in the still pond of deceitful creatures that lurk in the presence of our paths. It is but one of many corrupting influences that I deal with on a daily basis. I have come to realize that if it's death be made, then so by fate it is done. But I shall not worry so of this troubling news for I carry the burden of my peoples existence to carry out a meaningful life here. Aye, it is not the former glory of our people but it shall suffice. Aye?"

 

"Lindar tells me the food, rest and shelter is inadequate. This troubles me so. I am not a cruel king am I not?", looking to each one of you emphatically in the eye. Looking deep within your soul and essence of being. "I am a wise ruler; a kind man that wishes to see you rested and on your way in due time.", in a booming voice, King Thranduil speaks loudly so that everyone can hear him."People of Mirkwood, Elves of Middle-Earth. Extend their rest to two days and nights. Grant them a presence at the feast hall and shelter them in warm blankets.

 

 For now you have made a friend of the Elves of Mirkwood. Go here for the path you tread shall come to pass, but do not stray away from the path nor drink from the water of Mirkwood.", then a hearty laugh can be heard from King Thranduil. As you are dismissed, Lindar takes you to a place reserved for the king's company and then the feast hall to eat. Two days and nights have passed and you are ready to embark on the next leg of your journey. 

 

All fatigue has been lifted including the hazard from Bella. 1 Advancement Point | 1 Experience Point to all participating players