Year 2947: Theft of the Moon

[Vladim]

Idunn woke up early, before all the people of the village had gathered near the main square. The night’s discussion worried her, and the words spoken did little to ease her concerns about the troubles in Beorn’s lands. Yet the generous breakfast, the sight of the Beornings slowly gathering for the festival, and the words of her cousin, did eventually bring some cheer back to her heart. She listened to the Marshal’s speech and found the rules fair, though she doubted that the compromise reached would satisfy Guthred and his master.

When Merovech spoke to her, she eagerly accepted his offer, though she needed no reward, even if she did win an event. ’I gladly accept your sponsorship, cousin, and would be honoured to represent you in the festival. If I can win in your name, then the glory of the deed shall be sufficient reward.’

As her cousin left to tend to his many duties, Idunn meandered around the village, dividing her attention between the celebrations and Guthred. For she was eager to prove herself to her cousin, but at the same time she was curious to see if the Viglunding would compete.

[Vladim]

Now that the Marshall had introduced the events, the Company was free to explore the festival however they wished. Torbald was not exaggerating - there had been plenty of stalls practically groaning under the vast collection of food, drink, and various items the merchants had brought in - some of which werent often seen in Beorning lands. There was a decent amount of food with meat available, for example - Beorn's restriction on hunting in his lands ensured that meat was a rare visitor to a Beorning's table, but this only increased the demand on meat import from other places. Clothes of a fancier cut were ther as well, but there had been much less of them, as the Beornings were a simple folk. Children's toys that had to have come from the markets of Erebor made an appearance as well - small animals that moved were the most popular. Musical instruments from Esgaroth, bows from Dale, various jewelry from Erebor.. There had been much to see for the discerning eye.

The events themselves had, of course, remained the focus of attention:

On the stage Torbald had vacated, chairs were set up - proper ones, not overturned tree trunks! - where the competitors settled, talking quietly among themselves as they waited for the event to begin. Out of these people was an older, extremely cranky old woman with a tongue sharper than most spears. Based on the quiet words shared between the competitors, it seemed like the main objective of this competition would be trying to out one another with various euphemisms and debate. A pair of people on the side seemed more concerned about the old woman - they called her Gelvira Pot-Stirrer, and did not seem confident they could best her - apparently it was not usual for her to come to Stonyford, as she lived in a holding close to the Old Ford, in a holding she called the Hall of the Crossing.

The next spectacle was much less fancy-looking: it was a table with a bearded, thin man seated behind it, three thimbles arranged in front of him. The point of this was quite clear, but even so it drew heated discussion among the multiple Beornings who wished to compete. One stood out in particular, a woman talking with an air of superiority and making her nose practically lengthen - the others seemed to scowl at her lengthy theories about how to best spot the dried pea under the thimbles and keep track of the things. She did not seem to notice that they reacted as they did, until someone mentioned her full name: Ethal the Unkind. At this, she bristled and launched into a lecture, shaking her finger in front of his face about how he was ignorant about her ways which only sought to find the truth of everything. It was a long tirade, and the man visibly shrunk back into the crowd.

The third activity only begins when it gets dark, and is one of the last to take place: despite this, a group of runners is gathering near the start, excitedly discussing what kind of obstacles Hartwulf had arranged for them this time. Slightly off to the side, there was a [img2=200thin, ragged-looking man tiredly explaining the course to a couple of young Beornings whom seemed to not have participated before. From their conversation, it was easy to determine that they didnt know him: Then again, the color of his hair likely meant he was not from around here - perhaps from around the Carrock. The man grimaced when the pair finally left, rubbing at his temples in annoyance, muttering something about how he never even attended anymore and knew more than the lazy youths. Rathwulf, as they called him, sat down directly on the grass, leaning against a fencepost. From his explanation, it was easy enough to gleam that the point of the race was to keep your torch lit while running through a number of obstacles: mud, swinging bars, multiple things you had to climb, and so on.

Torbald could be found arguing heatedly with a young woman he called Avagisa about the difficulty of the trial: Apparently, she'd been convinced his idea was too difficult - not only had they had to find small rocks specifically marked with 'MOON' on both sides, which in a large field that'd been recently plowed would be a problem, but Torbald, in his eagerness, dumped the rocks into mud to make them less visible. Torbald's defense was that there was more to find than just the rocks - coins, various baubles, a few well made statuettes(the old man seemed to be an avid fan of Magric's carvings). He did not seem overly persuasive, but the girl quickly realized there was nothing she could do and gave up, shaking her head in frustration.

The next trial took place on a clearing closest to a patch of trees planted in Stonyford, with tree trunks arranged in rows for an audience and several overturned stumps for the competitors. Of all the competitions, this one had the oldest feeling to it - there were no flags around, and music was somewhat distant from the spot, muffled by walls of trees. The competitors had likewise remained mostly quiet, contemplating what they would say and ask: all knew just the sort of game this would be, and how it would be played. The only exception from the rule was a middle-aged man who flipped through a leather-bound journal, every page covered with chicken-scratch, with inkblots here and there. The sound of turning pages was by far the loudest thing in the clearing. He had been visited by a dwarf who seemed to have started celebrating early and was impatiently waved away: From the conversation, it was easy to pick up their names: The drunk dwarf was Lomi, and the man, who turned out to be a merchant, was Turin the Tinker.

The Sixth Trial consisted of a corral with two pens on opposite sides: one has a small entrance, the other a large one, its inhabitant the bull the Company had seen being wrestled down by Gerlod and several other Beornings. Bull did not seem to enjoy being in his pen, and did his best to indimidate the small crowd gathered near the other pen, which had a small sign with rules posted on it: "Make Shurack retreat back into his pen after he is released, and you win! No weapons allowed." That was it. Several men seemed unconvinced this was a good idea, one mentioned that Shurack had won last year's Trial, and jokingly suggested he qualifies to be given the sickle too.

The Lay of the Moon, the final trial, should have in theory been the quietest one, as others had to listen and judge the songs that others sang. Instead, it was a cacophony of voices and instruments - everything from lutes to harmonicas to drums, but the songs... Some of these people should have not been allowed to perform in public at all, half the audience laughing, the other seeming to consider leaving before it even began. The calmest person there seemed to be an old man who someone stayed asleep through it all, whose snoring easily drowned out at least half of the 'concert' of practicing bards and performers. The rules sign above the inn's fireplace, where the crowd gathered, was even more laconic than the one by Shurack: "Three songs. Theme: Moon." When time neared to begin the competition, the members of the audience began to take turns to wake up 'Old Theo' as they called the snoring old man. This was apparently part of the yearly ritual.

[Vladim]

Bella was normally quiet around Big Folk which meant she was normally quiet. But the talk of contests and events made her think of the old faires of the Shire, especially when the old wizard Gandalf would bring fireworks and mystery.

Here was a chance for even a humble (relatively speaking) hobbit to shine. It wasn't a fight to be crushed under or burgling to caught in. Even the smallest might shine. "How can I help?" She asked her fellows...

[Vladim]

Idunn looked at her hobbit companion, who had remained silent thus far. ’There are many contests,’ she replied, ’and the Beornings like your folk-it is the stout folk they mistrust.’ She looked at her dwarven friends, quietly warning them about the fabled prejudice of Beorn against the folk of Durin. Then, she knelt beside the little hobbit and whispered in her ear:

’If you can’t find anything, then perhaps you should keep an eye on Magric and Guthred. I don’t think the two like each other much, and I don’t want anyone from Mountain-Hall to bring trouble to this festival. Hartfast would not be pleased.’

(A bit later-'Mean Shurack' contest)

Idunn walked through the hustle and bustle, taking fleeting interest in the various contests. But it was when she approached the corral that something strange happened: her hound, Uthred, started barking like a creature of madness, and despite his master’s calming words, seemed determined to take on the mean-spirited bull. Intrigued, Idunn whispered something in the dog’s ear, but she eventually gave in to her hound’s wish. As she approached, the gathered Beornings gave her an ironic grin, but they did not stand in her way. Before long, the unlikely duo was allowed into the corral: the dog excitedly rushed in, and Idunn followed hesitantly, ‘encouraged’ by the shoves and shouts of the crowd.

As soon as they entered, Shurack charged against the huntress, and it was only her quick reaction that saved her from being head-butted by the bull. Uthred barked and growled, all in vain, but when he nipped the creature in the thigh, he got its attention. Enraged, the bull tried to trample the dog, but Uthred crouched and growled some more, showing Shurack its sharp teeth. The bull seemed to reconsider, and a few more loud barks were enough to reach a stalemate. Idunn looked on in bewilderment, as did the crowd, which had now grown silent. Finally, after a tense minute, the bull decided to charge one last time: Uthred dexterously evaded the beast, and delivered a quick, sharp bite on its hindquarters. Frustrated, Shurack looked at the stubborn dog, perhaps thinking if this strange, furry creature was worth his time. He decided it was not, retreating to his pens. The dog let out a triumphant bark, and the crown cheered on as he and his master were allowed out.

[Vladim]

Midly surprised at Idunn's statement of the obvious, Bella nodded. Who doesn't like hobbits, thought the gregarious halfling. "If I do nothing else, I will keep an eye on those two. We hobbits can be quite good at not being noticed, Lady Idunn."

[Vladim]

(Later on, Thiumblerig event)

After her success at the event with Shurack, the Beornings and the other folk start to pay some attention to the huntress from Mountain-Hall. To be fair, though, more attention is paid to her hound, who seems aware of his own popularity: he struts proudly in the village, wagging his tail and happily barking to some of the Beorning children. A curious group of them gather around the huntress to pet the hound and to ask her questions about Uthred, questions she answers to the best of her ability. Eventually, however, the many games, competitions and attractions win over, and Idunn is once again left alone to meander in Stonyford.

The Thiumblerig contest captures her attention, and Uthred barks happily again at the prospect of another event. Ignoring Ethal, who is eager to school everyone around the table, Idunn approaches and attempts the trial. In the first round, she almost chooses the wrong thimble, but at the last moment, a loud bark from Uthred urges her to reconsider her choice, and because of him, she makes the right one. People around, and especially the children, cheer on and laugh, and some of them even try to engage Uthred in conversation, thinking that the clever hound is capable of it. In the second round, Idunn does not make the same mistake, and even though the bearded man moves the thimbles surprisingly quickly, the huntress chooses the right one quickly and decisively, earning a few more cheers. By now, Idunn has gained Ethal’s attention, and the proud Beorning looks on quietly, with a faint smile on her face. By the third round, Idunn is confident; perhaps over-confident, even, and when she points to the thimble of her choice, she does so with conviction bordering on certainty. Alas, the huntress makes the wrong choice: the crowd expresses its disappointment loudly, Uthred lowers his proud head, and Idunn is saddened for a moment, but shrugs it off and prepares to leave.

Ethal’s faint smile now turns into a smug one, and she sarcastically wishes Idunn better luck next time, earning the huntress’ quiet resentment.

[Vladim]

Almarion followed The Bride to the Thiumblerig event and watched with interest at the woman's performance. She did seem to have a keen eye, and clearly knew quickly where the pea was hidden, but she lacked patience and was fooled by the third attempt.

Almarion stepped forwards and nodded that she wished to take part too. She really cared little for victory but she saw it as an opportunity to hone her skills, something not to be missed when she had spent the last weeks in relative safety.

Patience was the hallmark of the Dunedain and Almarion was no different. She watched the thimbles move, no expression crossing her face and waited until they had stopped. Without a word she simply tapped the top of the right thimble and as it was lifted the pea was revealed. No fuss, no hesitation and no mistake.

The second round proved no different. The ranger simply watched and waited and once more when the thimbles stopped moving, she tapped the top of one of them and once more the pea was revealed.

And so it was with the third. The thimbles moved this time with dizzying speed and flair and the Dunedan simply stood impassively once more. When they finally stopped, with no hurry she once again tapped a thimble and once again it contained the pea.

Neither smile nor frown altered her expression as she gave her name. She had performed adequately to her training and was satisfied. She cared not whether another performed the test with more flair, she knew that her eye was still keen and that this could save her life and that of her companions which was all that actually mattered.

[Vladim]

Having offered to shadow the two suspected miscreants, Bella was silent. There was a pause in conversation, perhaps an onlooker might have said just a gap between breaths. But it was enough for the slightly eager Bella to leap for the chance. "Or perhaps I will go for the Courtesy Contest." The young halfling said, ironically placing enthusiasm before demure courtesy itself.

[Vladim]

Nori slept well that evening, even as Idunn went on to confront her cousin and his Viglund guest. After fixing several pieces of furniture in the room, the dwarf of the Lonely Mountain settled into his bed and fell fast asleep, his hands resting atop his stomach while his axe leaned against the wall near the headboard.

When the group gathered at the start of the festival and discussed their plans, Nori encouraged Bella to participate in the games. "I think that would be a more enjoyable use of your time," he tells her. "I don't think we have to worry about the trapper - he's not here to cause trouble. I think it's high time we all had a good laugh as it were and blend in. We're here to observe, right? What better way than to get in the thick of things?" With that, the dwarf gives the hobbit a firm slap on the back of her left shoulder before marching down one of the aisles to take a cursory examination of the stalls selling various wares.

The Thiumblerig

Knowing he would compete later and that the festival would offer ample opportunity for him to visit the merchant stalls, Nori decided he would first observe those in the fellowship that wanted to participate in the games. After all, this would give him a chance to observe the competition and the general environment. Surely, there were no cheaters in a game sponsored by the Bear-lord, but perhaps there might be one or two that played the games a bit more seriously than the rest?

Whatever the case, Nori stood near the front of the gathered crowd as the contestants took turns guessing the thimbles. He placed no side wagers on who would win, but intently watched Idunn and Almarion as they each picked. He felt anxious for them, the dwarf wrapping his arms about his chest and stroking his mustache with his right thumb and pointer finger as he waited for them to select the thimble. When Idunn chose her third and final thimble, he let out an amused, but disappointed chortle of sorts while shaking his head. She had played the game well, but luck was not on her side.

When Almarion ended up being more successful in the event, selecting all three thimbles correctly, the dwarf shot a curled, right fist into the air, growling out "YES!" from behind grit teeth. He turned to those gathered on his sides, giving them competitive, teasing shoves and nudges before turning back to watch the stage and clap his hands. It appears this Fellowship would indeed leave a positive mark on the festival after all.

The Searching Field

When it came time for the Searching Field event, Nori eagerly waited with the other competitors, rubbing his hands together before cracking knuckles and popping the joints in his fingers. He twisted his torso from side to side, getting as limber as he can to sprint through the field. He smirked to himself as he overheard the woman's complaint about the stones being hidden in the mud before muttering himself, "Well, that's one less lass in the way."

As soon as the start of the competition is announced, Nori takes off into the field like a starved dog chasing after a meal. There's a wide, almost terrifying smile on his face as he anxiously searches for the 'MOON' stones. If any of his comrades didn't know better, they would probably think the dwarf was possessed as it's a look none of them have seen. There's glee, rage, and tenacity all rolled into one dwarf. He looks as happy as a pig in filth, an image that really takes hold when he spots the corner of a stone peeking out of some mud in a bog-like area.

Charging towards the mud pit, Nori leaps into the air, coming down with both feet near the patch of long, wild grass growing out of the mud. The dwarf immediately sinks through the mud, the think, liquid earth covering him from head to toe. Spring up from out of the muck, he holds not one, but two stones - one in each hand. His eyes are wide with the thrill of the find and he lets out a deep roar of delight from the pit of his stomach. He doesn't even bother to wipe off his face before throwing the stones in his satchel and slogging off to the next area he thinks he might be able to find some stones.

[Vladim]

Bella approached the imposing harridan on stage with some trepidation. Judging from the old woman's demeanor, Bella's courtesy was to be tested to the limits. "Greetings, Lady Gelvira." Bella said, with a curtsey as punctation.

[Vladim]

Gramtyng does not enjoy much luck in the games, unlike Nori and Bella: his first attempt had been the Torch Race, and that had went poorly as he had a very slow start, tripping and nearly letting go of his torch - but the Rohirrim stood up, holding the torch up, having managed to protect the flame at the last second, and began to run, leaping over the obstacles, but clearly uncomfortable with his left foot. Guthred, runs the course fairly comfortably, the large man used to these sort of obstacle courses while hunting. He does pause for a moment to yell 'Watch yourself!' at someone running behind the bard: judging by the amount of cursing, it had been Rathwulf, who had fallen over. In the end, the Viglunding was the first to clear the course and cast his torch at the prepared brazier, being hesitantly declared winner of the trial by Torbald. The Viglunding looks incredibly angry about something, and walks away as soon as the ceremony is complete, which puzzles Gramtyng. At the Lay of the Moon, things turned far more sour for the bard, as his attempt at the three songs involved humor - lighthearted, slightly barbed songs that he found enjoyable - but the crowd's silence and the arguments that erupted after he was done spoke for themselves - at one point, there was even a fight where those that thought the song was decent and those that thought his performance needs to be stopped, even at the cost of dragging him off the stage clashed. Torbald quickly stepped in to break it up with Ava's help, and in the end, Old Theo was declared winner.

---

The Festival

 

Compared to Idunn's cleverness, which got quite a few cheers from the crowd, and Almarion's stoic demeanor, with her choosing correctly every time, which drew impressed clapping, Ethal's 'performance' was met by a grave-like silence. The woman waited a solid ten minutes between each choice, going as far as to sniff at the thimbles, nearly poking at them with her overlarge nose. In the end, however, she chose right every time, and for the last one, she had not even bothered looking at the thimbles, instead keeping her head raised skyward, and staring up imperiously, telling the old man who worked the event to add more thimbles. The man attempted to argue, but Torbald tiredly told him not to bother, and add two more. In the end, Ethal's finger descended and pointed out the exact thimble the pea had been under, without any of her previous 'rituals'. There was much more clapping at that flaire, unlike the other times, and Torbald declared the smug woman the winner of the event.

Nori, meanwhile, enjoyed success after success - his riddles proved utterly impossible to figure out for his challengers, and in the final showdown between Turin the Tinker and the son of Glom, the dwarf proved himself more knowledgeable than the human and his book put together. Turin's dwarven companion stood aside and quietly laughed into his fist, listening to Nori recounting old dwarven riddles. Nori had been declared leader by Torbald, and left to cheer for his friends. The merchant, Turin seemed far too amazed by the variety of the riddles presented to be angry, and wanted to chat after the contest had been done and over with, giving him a few gold coins as a 'token of his respect for a true master', as he expressed himself. In the Searching Field trial, the dwarf had once again enjoyed his fair share of success - Avagisa had spent more time grumbling to herself than actually searching, and in the end, Nori outpaced her. Nori's enthusiasm at this venture pays off in finding a few gold coins, as well as the 'MOON' rocks.

"Hello... Who might you be?" Gelvira responds to Bella carefully, while waiting for her turn. If you wish to pursue conversation with Gelvira, go here. Over the course of the contest, the old woman seems to become interested in what Bella has to say, and as the contest goes on, her grin grows wider still, listening to the young Hobbit. In the end, she admits her defeat, despite Torbald being uncertain who to award victory to: she gives him a stern lecture on how a Marshall is meant to carry himself, and raises Bella's hand upward as the winner herself, causing the old man to cough uncomfortably and concede she is right.

As the festival draws to a close and the moon rises, all of the trials have been completed, and the time is nearing for the winner to be announced. Understandably excited over the prospects of this, the crowd gathers before the stage where the Stage of Nobles had been played out and talk among themselves, with the winners of the contests sitting on stage: Bella, Nori, Guthred, and Old Theo (who is, of course, asleep). Torbald and Ethal, who has won Thimblerig, are nowhere to be seen, and the crowd is getting impatient, when there a cry goes out: "GOBLINS!" The bellow clearly belongs to Gerlod, who the company previously saw wrestling Old Shurack back into his pen - his voice carries clear over the crowd's noise and is heard through Stonyford: Looking around, anyone can notice him sitting on roof of one of the houses, where he'd been observing the village from. "BY THE MARSHALL'S TENT!"

The Marshall's being practically a stone's throw away, just beyond a corner, it is very easy to see the scene that Gerlod has spotted: Rathwulf the Tardy is standing over the body of a goblin, clutching a bloody wood-axe, a strange mix of emotions on his face. Just beyond that, near the entrance to the tent, is Ethal the Unkind, with two torches, waving them in Gerlod's direction wildly - she stops just as people begin to approach and seems both excited about something. Just beyond it, in the tent, lies the body of Torbald. Someone mentions going to get Ava and Merovech and runs off - the two have been dealing with a cleanup of the problems in the Lay of the Moon. Even with unarmed eyes, and without much searching, it is clear that Torbald's tent has been robbed - it's been turned inside out, practically, every chest emptied, clothes on the ground, cabinets turned over... the most audible sound of the scene is the loud snoring noise that is coming from the Marshall himself.

 

The rolls

There is quite some time before Merovech manages to make it here - time enough to speak with the witnesses, should the company so choose. Ethal, Rathwulf, and Torbald(If he is awoken) can be interviewed. Possibly Gerlod as well - who knows how much he saw? For each of these, it is a Social Enounter: Ignore the 'Introduction' stage, but all other Encounter rules apply. If Tolerance of any Encounter is surpassed (due to failed rolls), that Encounter is over. Bonus dice can be gained from an Insight roll to interpret the NPCs. No social skill can be used more than twice in each Encounter.

[Vladim]

Idunn is silent but present, also amongst the crowd of Beornings, when her companions compete in their respective events. Nori’s memory and knowledge of many tales to draw from impresses her, as does others in the crowds, and when the dwarf walks away victorious, she is amongst the first to enthusiastically congratulate him for his success. Of the other contests, she notes Almarion’s silent demeanour and Bella’s skill with words, and she also offers them her congratulations. When Gramtyng sings, she fears that the disagreement amongst the Beornings will escalate, but is relieved to not have her fears confirmed. He offers her companion a friendly smile, joking that he should perhaps try the grimmer and sadder songs of Rohan for next year’s contest, as these Beornings do not seem to appreciate his humour.

(……)

When she hears Gerlod’s cry, Idunn quickly grabs her axe, ready for a battle, and runs by the Marshal’s tent, closely followed by her hound. At the sight of the tent, her first worry is that the Marshal has been injured or killed, but hearing him snore quickly allays this. ’How did a goblin sneak here, with all those people around?’ she thinks, as she examines the foul creature’s tracks to try and find an answer.

[Vladim]

Bella said to the curious Gelvira, "Why, I am Belladonna Bracegirdle of the Shire. But, please..."

Later...

The festival was going so well and even Gelvira had turned to be good company. Bella had remembered Old Bilbo's advice, "Everyone has an interesting tale to tell, the trick is to find it." But the hue and cry of GOBLINS!! had changed everything. Bella followed Indunn to Torbald's tent like a stocky shadow. Out here, not everyone knew much about halflings except that they were Goblin-height and Bella needed a tall friend to avoid any confusion. She cursed that she had to take twice as many steps as the lithe elf-maid.

Seeing the turned-over and searched gear, Bella looked for the glint of coin...

[Vladim]

As the cry rings out, Nori jumps off his seat, landing flat footed in front of his chair and rushing off the stage. As he tromps down the stairs, he goes by the side of the stand to grab his axe before charging towards the tent as fast as his little legs will carry him. Thankfully, dwarves are quite quick over short distances and he soon arrives to catch a glimpse of the scene: the dead creature, the emotionally charged Rathwulf, Ethal and her torches, and the passed-out Torbald.

Seeing Idunn begin to track what she can of the intruders and Bella starting her search of the tent, Nori looks towards the only one he can definitely said interacted with the goblins: Rathwulf. Before approaching the axe-wielding man, Nori looks towards Bella and says to her, "Wake the old man up and ask him what happened." The words seem to come out more as an encouraging suggestion rather than a command. With that, Nori turns to approach Rathwulf, his axe held in both hands in front of him. Looking up at the other man, Nori asks, "How many of them did you see? What were they doing when you came upon them?"

[Vladim]

At the shout of goblins, Almarion was all business and racing towards the call, falling in besides Nori. She had had her bow and blade with her, her father and the other rangers having told her long ago that there was never a time to not be prepared. One of her companions had once remarked that even on her wedding night a ranger shared a bed with three. Her husband, his blade and her own. It had not really been a joke.

Upon reaching the tent, Almarion examined the corpse of the goblin. Perhaps it had some clan marks or some indication of status.