To the Millfort

[tomcat]

Two days passed for the companions, as they made their way back north towards Bofri and the Old Dwarf Road. The forest slowly loomed closer with each step until finally they passed once more under its eaves.

They followed their original route, the one that had led them to Geirbald and his folk and then passed them, all the while looking for signs of the Dwarf. The outlaws did not show themselves, or were no where near the Company, as they made quick pace of their journey. Their benefactor had said that he would camp along the trail and wait for them, but the only sign that could be found was the tracks of a pony.

Keeping an eye for an encampment, the Company pushed on faster until at long last, the soft clop of the horse hooves took on a brighter sound - one made when hoof strikes stone.

"We've found it!" exclaimed Rorin, who like his kin had been eager to locate this great work of his people. Jumping from his pony, the Dwarf scrabbled at the ground with a shovel until he uncovered cut stone. His fingers traced the dirt-filled runes engraved on the slab. Rorin grasped at the memories of his teachings about the old road and he announced, "Five miles east to the Millfort from this spot, maybe? Certainly none less, but not much more! Forty-five to the Beacon tower, and sixty-five west to where the Westfort once stood!"

The Dwarf craftsman could not help but feel jubilant - he stood upon an earthen work of his folk that had been started sometime in the early Second Age, perhaps even earlier. Unfortunately, any records that might have spoken of its crafting were lost. Perhaps in the dark halls of Moria or Gundabad writings, or ledgers, may have survived these many days. "Or maybe they, too, have been destroyed by the orc filth!" Rorin thought to himself, and then he spat.

Behind them and before them, the forest continued like a leafy tunnel. "The route before us seems easy enough now," said Esgalwen, "Shall we continue?" The Dúnadan took a forward position in their line, spurring ahead as she pulled forth her bow and quickly strung it. "Master Bandy! Care to join me at the lead?"

Two prepared archers would ascertain that nothing, or no one, would make an easy ambush upon them.

The Company rode for a ways until Esgalwen held her hand up to draw them to a halt. A fetid odor filled the area and the Company could see a large bulk laying near the moss-covered road's edge. Esgalwen slid from her saddle and moved closer to what was certainly a carcass - the smell grew worse and black flies buzzed all around. She got as close as she needed and said, "It is a pony."

Rorin felt a bit of relief but then his blood chilled. Looking up the Dwarf pointed, "What's that?"

Hanging from the limbs above, a large, web-wrapped object swayed in the faint breeze that moved the trees. It was large. Too large maybe to be a Dwarf?

[disench4nted]

Rorin's heart pounded in his chest as he clumsily dismounted his pony and pulled his hammer from it's sheath. He rushed to the rotting pony and searched for anything that might tell him what had happened here.

 

Search

Rolled 1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 3d6 : 1, 6, 6, total 13

[tomcat]

Rorin could immediately see the animal's condition, as it lay with its legs in precarious positions and its head looking as if it were upside down. Something large had either fallen on the pony, crushing it, or had briskly knocked it away. Though it had started to bloat from decay in the warmth of the forest, it had not laid here long. There were superficial wounds, but it was apparent that they had been made after its death - scavengers coming by to eat of the carcass. The flies were the worst defilers, having dug into the pony and laying eggs only to have the larvae emerge and spread over the area.

The saddle and gear were still upon its back - it was Bofri's mount.

[tomcat]

Esgalwen will search around for any other signs of activity...
TN 14 search 1d

1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 1d6 : 5, total 5

[tomcat]

For a Ranger, she is none too perceptive! 

I will have to remedy that when we get our next advancement.

[disench4nted]

"HO! Ready yourselves! Some beast of great size befell Bofri here."

Rorin readied his hammer and began scanning the woods around him as he backed towards the rest of the group.

"Can anyone release the web above us? I must know if it's him."



Do I get a advancement point for the extraordinary success on the search?

[disench4nted]

 

And another search, this time looking for Bofri's assailant.

Searchi]

Rolled 1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 1, 2, total 6

[tomcat]

Do I get a advancement point for the extraordinary success on the search?

Yea, I had awarded the point for your successful Search and updated your sheet afterwards

You should have 1 check mark in Perception now.

Rorin cannot see anything new with his current roll - the TN is 14.

[Telcontar]

The Hobbit was wary, he had not soon forgotten the last time they faced the spiders of the wood.

"The back of this pony is nonplace for me unless we intend to fell. Perhaps I have spent too much time with Rorin, but the ground is a better place for a Hobbit."

With a hop Bandy was back on the ground and examined the area and the bundle hung from the tree.

Search

Rolled 1d12 : 11, total 11

Rolled 2d6 : 3, 3, total 6

[Telcontar]

Crap.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Another casualty of those orc-loving filth!  I lay the loss of our guide at their feet as well," growled Grimbeorn.  He assists as he may to search out any signs of what befell poor Bofri.

 
 

Search -  1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 1d6 : 4, total 4

[tomcat]

With his greater height, Grimbeorn was able to reach his axe to where the webbing attached the bundle to the tree's limb. He could see no other evidence, but if it was desired, he could bring the body down. Unfortunately, it would fall the distance to the ground, which would be quite irreverent to the body within.

[Telcontar]

"Perhaps if a grab a hold of a cloak we can catch the bundle as Grimbeorn shakes it free? If it is Bofri I'd hate to suffer him an further indignity."

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast, thinking along similar lines, is already unrolling one of the large, coarse-woven blankets that have kept them warm in the chill of the spring nights. 

"Of all of us, Grimbeorn," he says, "you know these beasts the best.  Might this unfortunate still live?" 

[GandalfOfBorg]

This site of the area is not unfamiliar to the Beorning for they dredge up memories from his younger years.  Stoically though, none of them show upon his face. "If we don't see a carcass or any trace of their foul ichor, then it appears he was caught unawares.  It is odd though that his body was left here as well as a pony; these creatures aren't wasteful with food.  I believe this is a warning to us specifically from yesteryear."

Grimbeorn cuts down the dwarven guide with as much as could be given.  "Rorin, what can we do for him as to your people's customs?"