The East Upper Vales

[tomcat]

The companions informed the king of their purpose and Thranduil was pleased. To them, he offered supplies for their travels and gave them information as to where they would find the Roaring Falls. Each member gathered his, or her, own personal items and made themselves ready to travel. The day was still young and so they decided to make use of every bit of daylight they could.

Once ready, Neldir came to them, "I was told that my assistance was needed. I understand that you would like me to show you the way to the Elf-path, or to put you on the path north along the Forest River."

Esgalwen nodded, "Only Grimbeorn has ventured this far north into the forest and thus a guide would be helpful." To which the Elf smiled, "I will help you along your way, Esgalwen, but this path and this task is for your folk."

The  Dúnadan woman nodded her head with a smile of her own, "We thank you for your aid."

And that is what Neldir did.

He led them west from the Woodland Realm's hidden fortress along the Elven path. It was easily identifiable by the carved stones that were neatly laid into the earth. "Beware this path, as it is known to wander and there are places where the wood has taken back its own."

"It is our intent only to take the path until the Forest River separates from it north," said Grimbeorn.

"Well that will not be long," answered Neldir. "You will need my services, then, for only a short time."

And with the midday sun approaching its zenith, the Sindarin minstrel took his leave of the Company. Under a large elm tree, Neldir said his goodbyes, "I wish you a safe travel. May the light of Elbereth guide you and keep you, and it is every Elf's hope that you are able to find Ruithel and bring her home once more."

The companions each said a goodbye of their own and they were once more alone and on a journey. Grimbeorn took up the lead and pressed them on north with the Forest River at their right. Above, Rorin was pleased to see Magrac drifting down towards them. The raven had heard his call and come. The Dwarf gave him quick instructions and Magrac took once more to the air to scout their path from above.

[tomcat]

The Forest River's course was flanked by birch, alder and poplar trees.

The Company could feel the land begin to rise as they marched north - subtle at first but then more as the miles passed behind them. Grimbeorn knew, as did Rorin, that the centre of Northern Mirkwood was a long low spur of hills, falling away on the west to the Vales of Anduin and dropping sharply in the east to the Forest River valley - along which they now marched. At times, the river was at their side and next it was far below cascading over stones and boulders, as it cut through the rolling terrain. The hills were chalky and perilous, with many unexpected ravines and cliffs. The companions biggest fear was the caves in the upper hills that they would suddenly come upon - fear that these might be home to bears or wolves.

But thus far, no threats revealed themselves.

With the sun approaching it's mid-afternoon position of their first day of travel, the companions followed their self-made path downwards once more. The land fell to meet the banks of the river and it immediately softened into a thick muddy bog. Midge flies and black flies buzzed in thick clouds under the trees, and the earth tugged at their feet. Weariness began to set in quickly and Bandy found he needed to be lifted and carried by the tall Beorning, so as not to slow the pace too much. Other creatures became a threat - poisonous vipers lay hidden in knots of tree roots; snapping turtles with cruel, hooked beaks bit aggressively at the heels of any who misstepped. It was during this arduous leg of their march that the mists began to rise around them.

Grimbeorn cursed at the vapors that drifted before him. It was hard enough to judge their course, but the fog made it worse. How could they manage the crossing of Mirkwood with the forest, its denizens, and now the weather challenging them? Surely the Elf-maiden would be lost!
I need awareness rolls from everyone
TN 14 awareness by PC

Arbogast 2d 1d12 : 10, total 10
Rolled 2d6 : 5, 2, total 7

Bandy 2d 1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 3, total 9

Esgalwen 2d 1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 3, total 4

Grimbeorn 3d 1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 3d6 : 5, 6, 6, total 17

Rorin 2d 1d12 : 3, total 3
Rolled 2d6 : 1, 3, total 4

[tomcat]

Arbogast and Grimbeorn had successes (extraordinary for the Beorning)  

Their legs ached with weariness and they stopped to rest upon a large stone that rose out of the bog. Arbogast looked to the sky. The leaves were thick above, but still the Fire-watcher could see sunlight filtering through. They had been marching for what seemed hours, but surely the sun still rode the afternoon sky. He looked around at the other companions and each of them dozed where they sat - all save Grimbeorn. The young man had a strange look upon his face.

"What is it?" asked Arbogast.

Grimbeorn turned his eyes to the Woodman and there was a slight look of panic contained. "There is a voice within the fog!" hissed the Beorning. "It sings."

[Eclecticon]

His brow furrowed with concern, Arbogast holds a hand up for silence.  He listens, past the faint rustles of hidden animals in the leaves and litter, past the faint gurgling of the river...  There is nothing there yet, but perhaps soon.  In the meantime, there are Grimbeorn's concerns to allay. 

"Stay close by, and keep your eyes on the others," he indicates the other members of the company.  "There are yet wilder things living here than the elves, and I have heard tales of Men being lured from their path by strange sounds - even of sleepers walking away without waking, never to be seen again." 



Point to note: Arbogast's Natural Watchfulness upgrades any successful Awareness rolls.  Does having a great success make any difference to what he hears? 

Also, with Shadow Lore and Mirkwood Lore, does he have any idea what our singer could be? 

[tomcat]

Yes. Both of you (Grimbeorn rolled an extraordinary success) can hear that the singing is a female voice and it is Elven language, though nothing either of you have ever heard.

Your traits do not offer an auto-success, but I will allow you them to reduce the challenge level of the Lore test you can make by one rank - from TN 20 to TN 18. I will also allow Bandy's Rhymes of Lore and Grimbeorn's Anduin Lore to do the same.

Only Grimbeorn and Arbogast can make a Lore test -unless- you post a narrative/dialogue discussion with the other PC's who then may add their own test to the mix.

[Telcontar]

Bandy bent to rub his shins but couldnt quite reach where he wanted to. He unslung one shoulder strap and then the next letting his pack rest on the rock. His hands began to rub at his feet and brush out the drying mud he found there.

"This must be why Hobbits dont travel, takes us longer to get there and being closer to the ground we oft fall deeper into it."

The cloak too was soon loose around the Hobbits neck.

"Rorin, why these manfolk ignore the benfiets of a short rest have you got anything other than water to drink? I seem to have a thirst that neither water or wine will put to rest."

His finger traced a vein of quartz in the rock. 
"Do your folk really talk to the stone Rorin? Do you use the language you only use when no one is around and your slam your hand at the forge? If you do the rocks must only respond to a language as equally as hard as them." The Hobbit laughed.

"But I wonder what story or tale this rock would tell, who else sat here I wonder...or does the rock not care and sees me only as a bit of warm snow that will soon be gone."

[Eclecticon]

The Hobbit finds his dreamlike reverie suddenly interrupted by Arbogast's urgent questioning.  "Bandy, you have travelled far and learned much, and have spent time deep in conversation with the loremasters among the elves.  Have you any inkling of what may dwell in these woods, hiding in the mist and singing in the Elvish tongue?" 



I'll make a Lore roll, but obviously don't expect it to amount to much!  I really must get around to sticking some AP in Lore, given that Arbogast's horizons have been broadening of late. 

1d12 : 1, total 1

[Eclecticon]

Ayup. 

[Telcontar]

Bandy listened to his friend and arched an eyebrow.

"Why many things live in the woods here, it's much like the wood you call home. Were we in the south I would be much more likely to ask you that question. What makes you think the lore of the wise would help you? What has caused you to ask?"

[Eclecticon]

"Were we in the southern woods, I would be much more likely to know the answer myself," the Fire-watcher answers.  "But we are far from my home, and the woods here are less than familiar.  There is something here in the mist that sings as I have said.  Grimbeorn hears it, too.  Were we in the elves' realm, I would count it one of their... games.  But we are beyond their borders, and I fear that what sings to us is something altogether less wholesome." 

[Telcontar]

"Sings?"

Bandy arched an eyebrow and looked more serious. "The mists have risen too."

His voice dropped to a whisper, "there were mists and voices on the barrow..."

"I spoke with Ormal the Sinda long..."

Rolled 1d12 : 6, total 6

Rolled 3d6 : 1, 4, 2, total 7

[Telcontar]

"But I have no knowledge about what this might be."

The Hobbit undid a length or rope from along side of his pack.

"We should tie ourselves together so as not the be seperated, and move quickly. Rorin, your friend would be helpful in making sure we head in the right direction and our wits are still with us."

The Hobbit started humming to himslef to drowned out any other music and placed his pack on quickly.

[GandalfOfBorg]

    

Lore -  1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 2d6 : 4, 5, total 9

[GandalfOfBorg]

  With Anduin Lore I believe that's a success.   

[Eclecticon]

Nice work.  Glad someone here has a clue what's going on.