News from the Hunters

[GandalfOfBorg]

Grimbeorn was awoken with a start, finding himself clutching Esgalwen to himself and unfamiliar person, nay Elf, inspecting her.  Ire immediately sprung on him but cleared away with the sleep from his body.  Though he gave her over to the newly come Elf, he didn't leave her side for the night previous clung on him and his heart.  In his own gruff manner, the Beorning queried them in somewhat mocking air.  "What kept the fair ones from coming sooner to this den of creatures of the Shadow?  Surely they seek the destruction of His creatures no less than we of the Second Born as you call us."

[Telcontar]

Morirúsë, who was not too keen on Wood Elves either, was still not willing to let the Beorning's comments go by unanswered.

"We have other names besides, and lest we use those too you should think before you speak. Your charge of lateness Lafdag, Arbodag, and Eberhard could lay at your feet. Yet here we all are, come as chance has  provided us to be, and in common league against the same foes."

"Orophal, my companion has suffered hurt of body and of heart, but you know him to be brave and true. Take not too keenly his hasty words. We are set out only recently on our hunt for the beast, but this combat and the woods itself have darkened our moods and we have found no trail of the beast we seek."

Then perhaps for Arodag's benfiet more than any other Morirúsë continued.

"Firewatcher, your great deeds, and those of your companions are known among the Wood Elves, and in great praise your names are spoken by the king for your rescuing of one of their folk."

[tomcat]

"Well, you need seek it no longer," laughed Orophal. "For it has been slain! I took it down myself."

The Elf motioned, stabbing at the air with a non-present sword.

"Its skin dries even now, stretched as it is, back at our campsite. It is just north of here, should you wish to go see it."

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast opens his mouth to respond, blinks and shuts it again.  He nods blankly at Orophal's offer. 



... though I'll believe it's dead when I see its head on a stake.  Preferably on fire. 

[Telcontar]

Morirúsë was as surprised as the Woodman at the news of the beasts demise.

"Then our errand is done as well. How far to your encampment? We still have the wounded to care to and we would welcome your company if you would tarry awhile while the swoon lasts or aid us in the bearing of our comrade?"

[tomcat]

"It is for certain your task is done," smiled Orophal. "The monster took many of us to bring it down, but down it came. It is a pelt that King Thranduil will hang within his hall. I see no problem with waiting for your lady-friend to be released from the poison. As for the others, a few of my folk can assist them back to the Woodmen-town, whil'st we make our way north and I can show you our prize."

Orophal looked around at the Company, "How does that sound?"

With the nods, he then turned to four of his folk and quickly spoke in the Silvan tongue.

"This is Heledhon," said Orophal, introducing another Elf. "He will escort your wounded back to the Woodmen settlement, along with these four others." The group of Elves separated from the rest. "He speaks the tongues of Men, and thus is a good pick. I advise they soon be on their way. Yes?"

Again the companions nodded.

"Then quickly," Orophal ordered his troupe, "see to the manufacturing of litters and get to the river. Once there, you will need to signal the Woodmen, for we have no time to build crafts to cross the Dusky and Men do not have the Elven sure-footedness to cross the water on rope bridges."

Lafdag looked at Arbogast, "I will make sure your father is returned home safely. It will then be in the healers' hands to see him better."

The two men embraced, younger thanking the older, though he knew his father would criticize the choice.

Orophal went to Esgalwen and looked upon her once more, "Does she need to come?"

The Beorning quickly interjected in the decision, "She will be coming."

The Elf laughed, "Then we will wait. Or we can carry her? It is not far."

A few minutes of discussion and the decision was to wait a bit longer to see if Esgalwen truly did survive the poison. If she showed signs of the paralysis relinquishing, Beorn would carry her for the time it took her to truly regain herself. If she did not...then they would leave the Elves to their trophy and take Esgalwen back to Woodmen-town where her passing could be made as comfortable as possible.

The dell became a flurry of activity as preparations were made for the wounded men, and then Heledhon was ready. Orophal spoke once more in Silvan and the group was off. Now, the remaining time would tell for Esgalwen.

As the sun crossed the dell and slowly began its descent in the west, the Ranger, who lay against a soft grassy embankment suddenly stirred. Grimbeorn sat near her and when she moved, he quickly drew her hand in his and he felt her squeeze. A faint smile appeared on Esgalwen's face and then on that of the Beorning.

A hoarse whisper, "Hello, my friend."
It's pronounced Helethon.

Paul - about your Encounter  result...

No, due to the Elves coming to you guys, I am not requiring an encounter. If you all had entered their camp first, then yes, I would have had one. What I will say is from your result, Arbogast feels uncomfortable about the Elves purpose.

Lastly, I am rolling a TN 18 awareness roll for each PC; if successful, I will PM you.

[tomcat]

Awareness tests

TN 18 Awareness by PC

Arbogast 2d 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 2d6 : 6, 2, total 8

Morirúsë 4d 1d12 : 12, total 12
Rolled 4d6 : 6, 6, 6, 5, total 23

Arbogast 3d 1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 3d6 : 1, 6, 4, total 11

[tomcat]

That third roll is Grimbeorn.

[tomcat]

Grimbeorn carried her for a few miles - a testament to the giant, young man's strength. But as the forest darkened with night, Esgalwen began to move in his arms more easily and then she at last demanded that he let her walk.

"You've done enough for me, my friend," she said. "It is time I ease your burden and see to myself."

The man relented and Esgalwen was set down, though she needed his shoulder for a while longer. There seemed little urgency now and so the Company was patient as the Ranger regained her balance and strength.

They marched into the night, but at last came into an area of the wood where the forest seemed less encroaching. Lamps hung about and a large, makeshift table sat in their midst. The cups and plates were still present, though the food had been consumed by the Elves the night prior.

"Welcome to our encampment," said Orophal. "Please give us a few moments and we can see to re-filling cup and plate."

As the Elves hastened themselves in the redressing of their table, for their guests, Arbogast and his companions walked to two trees. Stretched between them was an enormous gray wolf pelt. It was taller than Grimbeorn from nose to flank and would have met his shoulders with its own.

Orophal came first to Morirúsë, handing him a wooden cup filled with a fragrant elixir, and then to each of the others. "Drink. It is wine from Dorwinion. It comes north to us out of Esgaroth."

Esgalwen drank and was warmed immediately. The woman, having not noticed prior, noted that the seasons were at last changing and the cool nights marked the coming Fall. The wine also took her back in her mind to the lights of Thranduil's subterranean realm, a grotto, and the music that she had heard. She sipped again and sighed in contentment.

"It is good thing this monster is dead," she mused.

[GandalfOfBorg]

Grimbeorn was suspicious of the folk that happened to show without warning out of nowhere from the beginning.  Still, even with this token in front of him, he is not swayed in his uneasiness.  "A beast has been felled, but is it truly the one we've sought?" he mutters.

[Telcontar]

  backing up a bit.

Morirúsë excused himself and helped Lafdag to stand. Moving away from the Wood Elves he bent and whispered into the Woodman's ear.

"Be cautious with your guides. They mean you no physical harm, but they are hiding something or wanting something.... Which it is I cannot gather for their intent is hidden from me. They will see you safely to the river, but I would thank them and send them on their way. Also, let your companions know they should speak little and be wary of questions. Who knows to what purpose their innocent questions may truly lead."

He shook hands with the lame Woodman and nodded in encouragement. As the companions packed and the focus was on Esgalwen the Noldo elf made his way to Arbogast. He had no fear of Grimbeorn speaking.

In the same quiet tone he addressed the Woodman.

"They are hiding something or seeking something. We should be wary of what we say to these Wood Elves. Mind what you do, say, or have of their food."

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast nods his thanks to Morirúsë, for he has not forgotten his experience with the wine of the Wood Elves. He bids a fond farewell to his uncle, and a rather more formal one to his father, and busies himself ensuring that the journey of his wounded kinsmen is as comfortable as possible.

Once he reaches the campsite, he refuses any wine (politely, or so he hopes) and examines the pelt as closely as he may in the light of the elven lamps. 



  Would Old or Mirkwood Lore help with a roll to see whether he recognises any distinctive markings or other signs that this is actually a dead Werewolf?

[Telcontar]

  doug, I'll observe the pelt and make a Lore test to see what I can gather from Morirúsë long memory about werewolves and his ancient enemy.

Rolled 1d12 : 6, total 6

Rolled 3d6 : 1, 5, 4, total 10

[tomcat]

Paul - your traits only familiarize you with the legend of werewolves, and the Beast of Mirkwood in particular. They do not readily identify the monster or not. You know crib tales told you by your parents, and grandparents to warn and teach caution. You know the folk-lore of the werewolf attacking a man and taking his form to live among them and feed and terrorize. You know of tales of the Werewolf of Mirkwood moving through the woods in a man-wolf form, on two legs.

Tom, your Lore roll is a success and you have memories of how the beasts were not of this earth, moreso that they were foul spirits that inhabited the form of a living wolf or warg. In either case, the spirit enhanced the creature in its size, strength, sentience, and malice.

No matter what, there is no identifier that would say THIS is a werewolf pelt.

[Eclecticon]

I thought as much.