Year 2949: Kinstrife and Dark Tidings

[Vladim]

’Who goes there? Show yourselves, if you are no orcs!’ cried Idunn towards the approaching figures, clasping her weapon, ready to strike.

[OOC: Sorry; not much of a post, but it seemed to me that we were stuck, so I thought something should be posted to initiate interaction between the two groups.]

[Vladim]

Dahr-Ol's nostrils flared at the impudence of whomever would dare to challenge a Beorning on their own lands. He held his tongue for a moment, the dead goblins implied they might just be arrogant and not evil.

"I? I am Dahr-Ol, son of Throl! A Beorning and tasked by the master himself to watch these lands! You might do well to show some respect while you travel on the lands of another...

And who are you that I should have to prove myself while on my master's rightful lands? I see no Beornings amongst your group..."

Dahr-Ol's eyes darted across the group. Should an arrow be loosed he was prepared to charge headlong into the group.

[Vladim]

When hearing Idunn shouting at new comers and the answer she get from them, Fundor quickly lays the rope and the knife he was handling and turns around. He raises his hands in a sign of appeasement and says "Hey, calm, we are not enemies of beornings, quite the contrary ! I'm Fundor, son of Thrar of far Blue Mountains and you're wrong about us, there are 2 men of your people here with us. But unfortunately, they are dead. We discovered them while walking along the river a few minutes ago in a boat stranded on the shore. We were preparing stretchers in order to bring them to Beorn's house. We tried to understand what happened and we believe they were attacked and killed by orcs. So please calm down. If you are Beornings, come and help us taking care of those two poor men. We try to take care of them at the best but we aren't aware of your funeral customs."

[Vladim]

Dahr-Ol gestured for Annungil to come closer. His expression softened, but the grip on his axes did not. He called back to the man.

"Annungil, they claim they are escorting the bodies of two Beornings slain by orcs."

Dahr-Ol turned back to the Dwarf. "We found your orcs back in those trees. They were slain by one of your party. He left on foot towards the Carrock. Who is he? Why did he not stay with you?"

[Vladim]

Following the exchange between Fundor and Dahr-Ol, son of Throl, Idunn allowed herself to lower her guard somewhat; still, she remained on edge: for though these men said they were Beornings, one of them clearly did not look like one.

Idunn inspected the silent man carefully, the one that Dahr-Ol had called Annugil. He was clad in mail armour and had a shield and a sword, and none of those were customary amongst the folk of Beorn. For all she knew, these two men could be liars, thieves or brigands, and after witnessing her cousin’s dead body, Idunn was slow to trust strangers.

She turned towards Dahr-Ol to reply to him, but not before responding to his bitter words with some of her own. ’Too late you are in your coming here, Dahr-Ol son of Throl. Too late to help your Thanes, who lie dead by the river, pierced by orc-arrows. Does your lord and master know that orcs despoil his lands and slay his servants so brazenly, ever so close to his house? Where are his wardens? Have they forgotten their duties?

We may not be Beornings, but we are friends to your people. You would know this well if you ever visited Stonyford, and heard the tales of Beorn’s sickle. It was stolen from him two years ago, but my company tracked down the thieves and recovered it. I am Idunn, daughter of Theodwin, huntress of Mountain-Hall, and Thane Merovech was my cousin. I have a personal interest in seeing that justice is done to the orcs that killed him.

But of the one who fled towards the Carrock, we know nothing. You are mistaken to think he was of our company. But there was a third man in the boat: a prisoner accompanied by Odo and Merovech, who escaped and fled. Perhaps you have confused him with one of our own.

This is all that we know. You should take us to Lord Beorn, or carry the dead back to his house while we track down these orcs and destroy them. While we tarry here, they may escape, and hide in their caverns beneath the Misty Mountains, where neither us nor your folk can find them. I would see to it that my cousin is avenged, and I think that your master would be of the same mind.’

Idunn paused after recounting what she thought had happened, before pressing Dahr-Ol about his companion. ’We have told you the truth now, yet I do not believe you when you say you are Beornings. Your companion looks more Dalish than Beorning. Has he no tongue of his own?’

[Vladim]

Annungil frowned and shifted, but stayed his disagreement. He was still a foreigner in these lands, far from home, and perhaps there was a reason for them to be wary, though it pained him to know that the reputation of the Men of Minas Tirith did not extend this far north, and may or may not have been besmirched by these northerners.

Seeing no arrows shot, nor a sign of conflict, Annungil strode forward, returning the shield to rest on his shoulder. "I have tongue to speak, but are you willing to hear what it says? Your voice is bitter with your grief and for this, I hold no blame. To avenge murdered kin carries honor. I am Annungil of Minas Tirith, recently arrived in these lands from the South."

The young man held his arms up to indicate he meant no harm. "And in other circumstances, I would be the first to pursue these carrion goblins unto the very edges of the sea, but there is more here than we can unriddle."

Annungil gestured to the fallen orcs. "There are more back in the woods. This prisoner was no friend of theirs, nor was his escape aided by them, save perhaps an opportunity. For two lay hewn, one with their own blade."

He shrugged. "There are more parties in this than simply the goblins. Ourselves, you and your companions, the escaped prisoner as you say, and the goblins. Of the prisoner and the goblins, which is of the greatest concern to Beorn, your lord? Many of the goblins now lay slain by our hand up by the Mountain passes. It will be long ere they return in any force of arms. Perhaps vengeance has already been dealt, but that is not my ken to say."

[Vladim]

Dahr-Ol tucked his axes into his belt.

"Annungil and I were delayed in the High Pass dealing with a nest of goblins who were disturbing our trade with the little folk whom Beorn has great affection for. We are here now.

I grew up in Stonyford, my family settled there after our admittance into the clan. I would see the Thane for myself."

Dahr-Ol's eyes moved across the bodies. He examined the arrows and matched them to the wounds.

"This day will live in infamy. Merovech was as mighty as he was just. His wife will grieve mightily.

As for the man, we must assume he was wanted by Beorn personally or Thane Merovech would not have been dispatched for such a simple task.

We can be sure of very little until we get to Carrock. It is our first priority. Beorn must told, and we must learn who our quarry is. Moreover, we can alert all the wardens and so cast a wide net.

I do not deny your right to vengeance, but these arrows look goblin or orc made. The hand that fired them may already be dead.

Annungil, you are the better bowman. Are these the same make as those we fought in the High Pass?"

[Vladim]

When the men first appeared out of the wood, Nori's hands and arms immediately went behind him, reaching for his axe and ready to pull it from it's loose binding on his back. However, when the number of new arrivals was noted and they exchanged words with Idunn and his cousin, the craftsman eased his hands away from his back and dropped his arms to his sides. His fists clenched as the nerves in his body ran wild, he exchanged glances between the two men and his compatriots. Tensions had subsided, but there was still a great deal of uncertainty in the air. It would stand to reason that neither party meant the other ill will, but trust was not exactly established. As such, Nori remained vigilant, keeping a close eye on the two - turning his body to keep his front facing them even as they came to examine the bodies they were preparing to bring to Beorn.

[Vladim]

’As long as any of their raiding party remain, justice will not be done.’ remarked Idunn bitterly to the two companions. ’For we know not who shot the killing arrow. But we cannot leave the Thanes’ bodies to the wolves and the carrion crows, and Beorn’s House is not far.’

She pondered the matter of the prisoner: she knew not who the fugitive was, but it was clear that he had not remained to aid the Thanes, and thus in her mind, he was little better than the orcs that had laid the ambush – little more than a coward. Still, she said nothing of the matter, wishing instead to listen to what Beorn had to say before solidifying her opinion.

’Come!’ she said finally. ’Our path is laid out for us, and we have wasted enough time as it is. I am bent on tracking down any remaining orcs before the day breaks.’

She turned to Dahr-Ol and added: ’Take us to your lord. We will return the bodies of his men to him so that they can be properly buried, and seek his leave for hunting these orcs in his lands.’

[Vladim]

 

The hall of Beorn is a short, few hours walk from the river, although the company had been weighed down with the burden of the dead, and slowed by the care they showed for the fallen - in the end, the sun had barely been seen over the horizon when they'd arrived. The companions find themselves walking across vast patches of clover of different colours; the air is fragrant with the flowers’ sweet scents and is droning with the sound of dozens of large bees. Several homesteads can be seen to the north and south, the residences of those who have come to live under Beorn’s protection.

By sunrise, the company arrives in sight of an ancient belt of mighty oak trees; beyond it rises the high thorny hedge that surrounds Beorn’s Hall. A tall and wide wooden gate opens in the thorn-hedge to the north, beyond which a wide track leads south towards Beorn’s house and the surrounding outbuildings.

When they push open the heavy creaking gate and start making their way towards the house of Beorn, they feel as if they were returning home after a lengthy absence. Their spirits feel uplifted, and even the bodies of the Beornings seem suddenly easier to carry; if they turn to inspect the bodies they are surprised by the expressions on their faces: their facial features are no more twisted by pain and suffering, but composed and seemingly at peace, as if they were simply asleep. The companions feel the bonds of mutual friendship that ties together their company reinforced by the experience

The company is met along the track by dogs, who sniff them and bark excitedly at first, but then grow momentarily quiet as they notice the burden carried by
the adventurers. These dogs knew and loved Merovech, and start howling mournfully once they realize he is dead. The adventurers are accompanied by the wailing dogs until they reach the courtyard outside Beorn’s hall – a long, low building with several wings and outhouses. Bees buzz sleepily as the dawn sets it. Beorn himself sits on the porch of his house, whittling a piece of wood. Observant characters notice that he is not using a knife to carve the wood – his fingernails are tougher than oak. The chieftain raised his head and cast a glance from under his thick brows at the group, momentarily abandoning his carving and being right in front of them, looking at the dead faces with shock and anger. When he speaks, in his voice can be heard a growl of a distant avalanche:

“I know these men. That is Merovech, and his battlebrother Odo. Who has done this to my friends!? How did they die?”

 

Social Encounter

This is a Social Encounter.

As such, you may use Insight to gain Bonus Dice to your speech checks - each Speech Check may only be used twice in the encounter. So, if Idunn uses Awe once and so does Dahr-Ol, then Gramtyng cannot also use it, and must use another. Introduction Checks are exempt from this.

You must first Introduce yourselves, either by spokesman, or one by one. To Introduce yourselves, you use Awe or Courtesy - some NPCs prefer one or the other, and may deem one insulting. A Riddle Check will allow you to see which is better.

Failed Social Checks decrease Tolerance of the Encounter. Current Tolerance is the Highest Valour in the party + 2.

Apart from this, you may use Persuade or Riddle to tell the story. The TN will differ depending on style.

[Vladim]

Dahr-Ol stepped forward hesitantly, he respected Beorn but this news was grim indeed.

"My lord Beorn, as Annungil and I began patrolling the region at your request, we happened upon the scene of two dead goblins near the river.

As we investigated, we met these folk who had happened upon the bodies of Merovech and Odo. Present now is Idunn, cousin to your mighty Thane Merovech, Gramtyng of Rohan, Nori of the Lonely Mountain, and Fundor of the Blue Mountains.

It is our belief that Merovech and Odo were transporting a prisoner down the river when goblin archers ambushed them. Thane Merovech pierced two of them with one spear throw. We believe the prisoner was released by the surviving goblins and then slow his rescuers. I lost his trail not far from the second slaying. I judged from his boot tracks that he is a man, but not of the Beornings."

[Vladim]

Despite the beautiful countryside leading to Beorn’s House, Idunn cursed under her breath as they drew closer. Their grim burden that they bore made their progress slow, too slow, and now daylight was upon them. The orcs were bound to escape or hide, before she could exact her revenge. And yet there was little to be done but hope that they could still intercept them. Perhaps if Beorn lent them a few good horses, they could cut them off before they returned to their lair in the Misty Mountains.

As the company crossed the threshold, Uthred joined the other hounds, as if talking to them, and Idunn tried to understand what the creatures were saying – she had learnt a little of their speech from the Beornings, and now wanted to know what was being said.

[OOC: If possible, I’d like to roll another Riddle test to figure out what the hounds are saying – I took that undertaking which allows Idunn to interpret hound-speech after Theft of the Moon. This check has nothing to do with my other (failed) Riddle check for figuring out what introduction (Riddle or Courtesy) is better. If not applicable, please ignore this roll, and let me know.]

Within Beorn’s hall, Idunn fell silent. She knew little of the lord of these lands, but deemed it wiser to let Dahr-Ol speak to his kin. Nevertheless, she was determined to say her part as soon as it had been asked of her.

[OOC 2, after dice rolls: +2 points to Eye threshold because of Saurons rolled on Riddle. Sorry everyone - not having the best of luck so far. Hopefully we can have a really good really bad scene at some point.]

[Vladim]

The rust-haired dwarf lingers near the back of the group. He doesn't appear eager to present himself, but doesn't seem like he's actively trying to hide from Beorn. He has a good reputation with Beorn's people, but prejudices older than he could negatively impact their presentation to the Bear Lord - and it looks like this is readily apparent to Nori after gauging the situation and Beorn's initial reaction to their presence. Looking around the torsos of his comrades, Nori uses his axe as a sort of crutch to prop himself up with slightly, his eyes flickering between those that speak.

[Vladim]

When entering Beorn's domain, Fundor is very careful about his action and talk. Even if Beorn might remember of Nori and himself's assistance to return back the stolen Sickle of the Moon, still he knows that he's not very fond of his people and the sad event concerning his than may well put him in great anger.
Fundor wants to introduce himself but doesn't find the appropriate words "Hello, Beorn. I'm Fundor from far Blue Mountains. The dagger of the moon, urh no the sickle of the moon, Remember me ? I'm sorry, very sad for your men."

[Vladim]

Gramtyng remains silent, only bowing to Beorn, and gesturing for Belgo to do the same. The squire hurriedly follows the rohirrim's example. In the bard's view, the less everyone said, the better - the Beorning that had found them had known what they located, why, and what went on. It would be best left to him to introduce them, though as far as explaining... Gramtyng's eyebrows furrowed in uncertainty; who would be best to deliver these news?