Questions and Answers

[disench4nted]

Rorin was glad that their unexpected adventure in the wood was complete, and that they finally had the chance to inform Radagast and the other leaders of the Tent Town about what they had learned. As he looked around at the company preparing to enter the Council Tent Rorin was glad to see no small amount of true friendship being shared between them all, for the first time in years he felt as though he was in the right place.

[GandalfOfBorg]

Grimbeorn grumbled something barely audible about timeliness, lordlings, and wizards.

[Bandobras]

Gladly accepting his friend's hand, Bandy pulls himself up. The sight of the wizard catches him off guard and he thinks the old man looks like a bird's nest. But then he catches the wizard's eyes and pauses. The eyes are deep and ancient and wise. There is kindness and a terrible power if unleashed. Bandy quickly regrets his first, mocking thought. He glances at his friends and mentally prepares for the council.

[Telcontar]

The canvas of the tent was heavy, a slight tackiness and oily feeling was left on evey hand that grabbed or touched the flap as they entered. The tent was largish on the inside and braziers were used to expel the dampness and provide light. No open flames burned so as to keep the tent from burning, instead the braziers were filled with charcoal and arranged with polished mirrors to give off a red light. As the companions entered they saw that several of the elders sat in conference, the brown mage sat silently to the side and while no man sat higher or in a finer chair, none had the presence that Ingomer Axebreaker of Woodland Hall had.

"Companions, " the aged man said as he rose in greater. "Welcome, come sit and be heard. We would like to hear the story of how you came to the camp bearing a dead man, many wounded, and a well armed man of the forest?"

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast begins to tell the tale.  He describes the route taken by the companions in some detail, noting landmarks near the point on the banks of the Black Tarn where the Fellowship first encountered the unfortunate Beran.  He describes the man's wounds and the tatters of web clinging to him - evidence that the spiders of the deep forest are perhaps encroaching on the Western Eaves.  He recounts the words of Beran's parchment, though the document itself is still in the hands of Orophin, who has not been seen since yesternight's skirmish. 

He similarly spares no detail in describing the location of their meeting with Dagmar and her followers.  If Ingomer or any of the other assembled elders know of Tyrant's Hill, then they may be able to reckon the location of their hall. 

When it comes to the fight, though, he says little.  The fighting was a desperate and confused scuffle - hardly the stuff of grand tales - and the resulting prisoners testify to their own defeat. 

After what seems like an age of talking, he finishes simply.  "...then Orophin and I removed the arrow that struck Dagmar, dressed her wound and brought the survivors back here, along with the body of Beran Wizard's-Friend.  Her fate we will leave to the folk-moot, should she recover." 

[disench4nted]

Rorin sat silently as Arbogast recounted the story of yesterday's excitement content to let one of the groups more eloquent members take that responsibility. He saw the concern grow deep in the faces of the  elders and slowly began to realize that his companions and himself were no longer to be a mere hunting party. The realization did not fill him with apprehension or fear because even in the short time this unlikely group had broken bread together, each of them had proven their worthiness and capability as companions. Rorin knew that they could overcome whatever was in store for them in the coming days.

[Eclecticon]

His tale over, Arbogast casts an appraising eye at the elders, Ingomer especially.  He feels the opprobrium of his people like a wound, but it, and the dour faces before him, have kindled a new fire in the young man's heart and he will not hold his tongue simply for fear of further scorn. 

"Of Orophin's fate, we know nothing, and so a representative of the Woodland Realm and the Elvenking is absent.  Yet the news of the day is grave: orcs on the march and a people unknown to me, a true-born son of Mirkwood, at arms to the south.  The folk have waited long enough.  What we now know must be told.  The moot must begin." 

[tomcat]

"Aye! Aye! Hear! Hear!" came a chorus of cries from the council, as Arbogast spoke his request for the moot to commence. Ingomer and Radagast had the center seats in the circular council sitting, and they were seats of honor, though neither man considered himself the authority. Around them sat Fridwald and Hartfast, Targus and Cutwine, Amaleoda and Bofri - all clansmen and leaders of their perspective folk and some gave acknowledgement of Arbogast while the others sat silent.

At last, Ingomer sighed and he looked to Ceawin, the golden-haired leader of the folk of the East Bight, "You have heard the words, Ceawin. It was you who had called for this moot and most of the folk of Mirkwood have sent their representatives. Now Arbogast brings us these tidings and advises that action be taken. What say you? Do we start the folk-moot with the threat of orcs and evil men to our south?" He then turned to wizard, "Master Radagast - high is the regard of men for your wisdom- what words do you offer us now?"
Going to leave this for Tom to chime in as a few NPC's so that we have a varied conversation, with different ideas and opinions. All players may post, too, to interject into the debate. I don't care if you give stuff like Hear Hear! or Let it begin! Or stuff that might be shouts from your PC in the crowd...know what I mean?

[disench4nted]

Rorin completely agreed with Arbogast and said, "Aye, we have no sturdy walls here, and our homelands are lacking many of our leaders. If there is indeed a threat from the south, we had best deal with it rather than let it come to us."

[GandalfOfBorg]

Grimbeorn grumbled, "About time!"

[Bandobras]

The forces of shadow are gatheirng. Let the moot begin without delay, so that we may face the enemy united.

[Posterboy]

Esgalwen quietly observed the council meeting, not feeling the need to add or correct the Woodman's witness... it was close enough to the truth as her testimony would be. And when Arbogast made his request for the folk-moot to begin, the ranger was content to let others raise their voices while she observed the room... paid attention to the council members.

She was favourably disposed towards the folk-moot beginning, though would she help the men of the Wood? She was uncertain at the moment... her mission had only be to gather news and report back, Though, she knew from her journey here that she would require companions to accompany her back home if she hoped to arrive alive.

Shhh... quiet yourself, child, she could her her father's voice. Pay attention... you will find a way.

Esgalwen smiled inwardly at the conforting sound of her father's voice, and settled down to hear what news would be shared around the council.

[tomcat]

Radagast scratched at the brown beard that grew tangled upon his chin - Bandy wondered if it were bugs at which he dug. Without noticing the Hobbit, the Brown Wizard spoke, "If it were orcs that had ambushed our fine friends here, then our answer to these questions would be simple. The shadow of the Necromancer, or its agents, still vie for a hold on the southern end of the forest." He pointed to Esgalwen, "Even our Gondorian friend here has spoken of these creatures waylaying her and her companions along their road. Unfortunately, though orcs still haunt Dol Guldur, it was not orcs that ambushed Arbogast and his company. It was woodmen. So, our challenge now is in the strength of heart - who is strong enough to stave off the evil influence of the domineering Necromancer? How many woodmen are beholden to his will, even though he might be cast out? And who can we trust?"

Ceawin began to speak, but Radagast continued his words, "We speak of alliances, unity among the clans, peace within Mirkwood - perhaps to reclaim the name of Greenwood the Great, instead of the more current, ominous moniker. But how can this be if brigands and outlaws hunt our own, or worse, folks we trust have turned their cloaks. Do we commence the moot when we are not sure which party has been corrupted? Beran's note speaks of orcs at Fenbridge Castle, but who is the will behind them? Why would the woman we have captured, Dagmar, who is clearly a woodman, have slain my man? There are many questions that the situation has brought before us.

"Do we investigate the castle? Tyrant's Hill?" Radagast's questions hung in the room for all to ponder.

Ceawin, seeing an opening, broke the new silence, "Master Radagast, your words ring true and we must take care as we move forward - for this is a chance that Mirkwood has not seen since well before the forefathers of my clan first settled the East Bight. Yes, trust in our alliances is paramount, but it is for the people to decide this. We must present the facts to our gathered comrades. The moot must commence!"

[tomcat]

I was leaving this open for more debate (roleplaying) from your PC's, but I think you guys have given me what your PC's want with the responses above. So, I will move us forward.

Remember though, this is a roleplaying game so you guys can argue and debate, stomp your boots, shake your fists, etc. to make these non-combat interactions entertaining.

Anyway...
The room moved back and forth with the debate, as each party added their own to the conversation. Voices were raised, curses and oaths made, but in the end it came down to the decision of Ingomer and Radagast - both the assumed clan leaders of Tent-town. The two men listened attentively and when all arguments had been made, they had a quiet conference between themselves, at last Ingomer returned to the council pavilion.

He looked at each person in the tent and then spoke, "Great is the purpose for which we have been called. Wise indeed, though his years are still young, was the choice of Ceawin the Generous to call for this gathering - to make new allegiances and join the clans. But the actions of a few over the last few days has had an ill-effect and jeopardizes the moot's commencement. To Radagast and myself, this can only be the Shadow at work, for who else would set evil against us at a time when peace and unity might prevail? So we say nay, to the darkness that would draw us apart, let the folk-moot begin!"

The room erupted in a chorus of cheers along with a few anguished cries, but Radagast held up his hand to restore quiet. He took over from Ingomer, "The folk-moot will commence in a fortnight. This will give time for Orophin to return with any tidings, for the representative of Thranduil must be among us. It will also allow for the people of Tent-town to gather their thoughts and intents for this common cause."

The debate was done and the men of the council, along with the companions of a new fellowship, all exited the tent. It was all about to begin.

[tomcat]

  All right, we will be running through one more thread of debate - the Folk-moot and this will end our first Adventure phase.

I will start the new thread tonight.