The Games - Day 3

[tomcat]

Ingomer watched the games with a concerned eye.

The day was light of mood, though the skies were overcast. It at least quelled the heat. But tempers were high - having been even more so the night prior. The games on the previous day were simple, but the Toft-men and those of Tyrant's Hill were making a good showing for themselves and there were many braggarts among them. This had the affect of making the other clans chafe around their opponents and it had come to fists the night before over mugs of ale.

Today was no different as again, the Toft-men knocked the other clans out of the brackets in archery and both spears and cabers. From his chair, Ingomer could hear the grumbles from the crowds...

They should not be here.

They lost their rights to stand next to us in games when they brought blood-shed to our gates.

They are not natural these men of the Sorcerer's wood. Some say that they are tainted by the Shadow!

Ingomer looked to Grimbeorn who was also quite aware of the mixed feelings of both competitor and bystander.

At the end of the field, the announcer called the matches between Sunstead and The Toft. Ruud of Tyrant's Hill had clearly out thrown his stone against Wingold of Sunstead, and it had come down to the closest of calls on whose spear had flown farthest between Arden Vex from the Toft and the east-man that had challenged him. The Toft was given the match as the Sunsteaders who had come to watch cried out in protest.

Though beaten on the south field, Edager out shot the man of the Toft, though his brother was bested by Danner of Tyrant's Hill.

"They have once more pressed out the easterners," said Ingomer to no one in particular. Only slight resentment could be heard in his voice, for these men of Sunstead were only now being accepted among the clans, but still it was causing trouble. With Sunstead out, the Toft advanced against the more indigenous clans of the Vale - and they were the ones who had suffered at the hands of the Blood-moon.

[tomcat]

We'll give Tom some time to get his stuff posted, but if he is too busy, I will update with the weekend.

[Telcontar]

Hall
Archers

Rolled 1d12 : 11, total 11

Rolled 4d6 : 1, 2, 4, 4, total 11

Rolled 1d12 : 4, total 4

Rolled 3d6 : 4, 3, 2, total 9

Spear

Rolled 1d12 : 3, total 3

Rolled 6d6 : 2, 3, 1, 3, 3, 4, total 16

Caber

Rolled 1d12 : 11, total 11

Rolled 5d6 : 5, 4, 1, 5, 4, total 19

Town
Archers

Rolled 1d12 : 5, total 5

Rolled 4d6 : 6, 1, 6, 2, total 15

Rolled 1d12 : 8, total 8

Rolled 4d6 : 4, 4, 4, 2, total 14

Spear

Rolled 1d12 : 5, total 5

Rolled 3d6 : 3, 3, 5, total 11

Caber

Rolled 1d12 : 1, total 1

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

[Telcontar]

The men of Woodmen Hall and Town took their marks. The crowd was anxious as the games began to take on a greater level of intensity and competition. Today was the much vaunted archery and spear day, tools and weapons both the men of the Wood took great pride in their skill.

The anxiety of the crowd rose as the two men of WoodHall failed to hit the marks. Both the contestants and the crowd rose in fevered pitch to see two contestants in this vaunted match fail to qualify. Even their own townsfolk fell upon them as the spectators took to throwing clods of turf at the home town failures.

The men of Woodman Town faired better, shaft after shaft was sent towards the mark. Each stayed in pace with each other as arrow after arrow found its mark. The closeness of the contest between Harold and Henga of Woodman Town finally subsided the heckling the men of WoodHall had been dealt.

Harold shot his last arrow and from his spot in the line believed he had hit the smallest of marks.

"See Henga, behold how the MEN of the Vale shoot. Go back to the spinning of thread!"

He laughed and faced the crowd raising his bow cheering on the crowd.

Henga stepped to the line and paused. This caused Harold to laugh louder and point. At this Henga hiked her skirt up, the fabric up and over her belt to show her bare legs from the knee down. She now had Hathcyn's and many others full attention. The draw of the arrow and the quick movement of the string were like one motion. The arrow sped to the target hitting the mark and breaking the arrow of Harold. The crowd cheered, as the woman curtsied to her now defeated opponent.  A cry of Henga! Henga Bareleg went up from the crowd.

Next was the spear event.

Arkam of Woodhall was a giant man. Here was the hope of the Woodman Hall. He had at first come only to watch, but the poor showing of his comrades and the prompting of the crowd drew him forth.

His size was contrasted by that of Ewer, the man from Woodman Town. While the other was large and imposing, the later was small in stature, but had poise and grace of movement.

As the contest progressed the folk of Woodman Town marveled that Ewer went toss for toss with the much larger man. It took a final feat of great strength to defeat Ewer of Woodman Town, and though he lost the contest he drew the greater glory. Even in victory a gloom hung over the folk of WoodHall.

The caber toss darkened their mood further as both the contestants of Hall and Town failed to qualify.   

[tomcat]

Okay - I am going to get the rolls done for this day's games and then we will add some narrative/dialogue at need and get the game moving.

Archery
Harold 4d (WT) v Jorra Three-fingers 4d (TC)

Harold 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 4d6 : 2, 2, 1, 4, total 9

Jorra 1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 4d6 : 6, 2, 5, 1, total 14

Henga Bareleg 4d (WT) v Halla 6d (TC)

Henga 1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 4d6 : 4, 6, 2, 6, total 18

Halla 1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 6d6 : 5, 2, 6, 5, 5, 4, total 27

Gaelsa 6d (RL) v Ansovald 4d (BT)

Gaelsa 1d12 : 3, total 3
Rolled 6d6 : 4, 2, 5, 5, 1, 1, total 18

Ansovald 1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 4d6 : 6, 2, 1, 2, total 11

Danner 6d (TT) v Edagar 6d (SD)

Danner 1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 6d6 : 2, 4, 2, 3, 1, 6, total 18

Edagar 1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 6d6 : 6, 3, 6, 1, 2, 4, total 22

[tomcat]

Spear
Arkam the Giant 6d (WH) v The Eagle 6d (RL)

Arkam 1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 6d6 : 1, 6, 2, 2, 1, 6, total 18

The Eagle 1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 6d6 : 6, 5, 2, 2, 5, 4, total 24

Arden Vexed 3d (TT) v Adoc 3d (MH)

Arden 1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 3d6 : 2, 3, 5, total 10

Adoc 1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 3d6 : 3, 6, 4, total 13

Caber -  the three remaining competitors will all go at once

Fridegar 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 6d6 : 3, 5, 2, 3, 5, 6, total 24

Ruud 1d12 : 2, total 2
Rolled 6d6 : 4, 1, 4, 3, 4, 2, total 18

Ulric 1d12 : 5, total 5
Rolled 5d6 : 4, 6, 4, 1, 1, total 16

[tomcat]

Archery
Gaelsa, daughter of Lufa 6d (RL) v Jorra Three-fingers 4d (TC)

Gaelsa 1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 6d6 : 2, 5, 5, 2, 6, 6, total 26

Jorra 1d12 : 7, total 7
Rolled 4d6 : 2, 4, 3, 6, total 15

Edager 6d (SD) v Halla 6d (TC)

Edagar 1d12 : 6, total 6
Rolled 6d6 : 5, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, total 11

Halla 1d12 : 4, total 4
Rolled 6d6 : 5, 4, 5, 6, 6, 4, total 30

Spear - final bracket

The Eagle 1d12 : 10, total 10
Rolled 6d6 : 5, 6, 6, 6, 3, 3, total 29

Adoc 1d12 : 1, total 1
Rolled 3d6 : 5, 1, 2, total 8

[tomcat]

Archery - final bracket

Gaelsa 1d12 : 10, total 10
Rolled 6d6 : 4, 3, 5, 6, 2, 5, total 25

Halla 1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 6d6 : 2, 1, 2, 3, 1, 4, total 13

[tomcat]

Looks like the whole day's events go to Rhosgobel! Cool.

Narrative to follow, sometime today.

[tomcat]

With day three of the games starting with the dawn, Grimbeorn was becoming anxious. As a chieftain of one of the clans, his presence was necessary but there were more important things to be done. It had been good to have this time relaxing and enjoying the efforts of the competitors, but he felt it was time to get back home and see to the tasks at hand.

When he and Hathcyn met once more with Arbogast, the Fire-watcher, too, seemed that there had been enough idle time. Amaleoda had let him know that she would be returning to the Tarn in two days and Arbogast wanted to pack up his family and go with her, but she had told him no.

"After the games, you are to make your plans for travel and be in Dale with the Spring."

She had given him his instructions, but the Spring of next years was a long time away. He shook his head in frustration. It was then that Grimbeorn and Hathcyn had arrived and they persuaded the Wood-man to join them along the lists to watch the archers. So far, the Carrock had made a good showing and Grimbeorn beamed with pride. The other events were looking to favor the men of the Toft and Rhosgobel.

Arbogast kissed his daughters and wife and told them to go enjoy the fairway - he and his friends were going to head to the Field of Heroes. Lindwine smiled at her husband and told him to remember that too much beer under the sun caused for terrible headaches. Arbogast laughed and promised that he would not do anything in excess.

And so they went their way.

The men walked along and chatted of the game results thus far and how the presence of the Toft was causing more tension then anticipated. There was nothing to do about it, save as leaders, to quell the protests as they arose.

"It would seem that nothing can separate you - whether it be battle of fun," a voice came from nearby, directed at the trio.

Arbogast turned to look and a beautiful smile caught his gaze - dark hair, softened by days under the sun, adorned the face. Her clothes were traveled, but they were not those she had worn when he had met her and through their perilous journeys. No - she looked rested and... clean. The immediate recognition made the Fire-watcher's face bloom into his own wide smile and he called her name...

"Esgalwen!"

There she stood among the fair-goers that passed by. She was dressed in light and dark shades of blue that reflected the colors of Dale and the mountain. Upon her cloak was pinned an interesting broach made by skilled hands - it was that of a star which cast its breadth across a mountain peak. At her hip hung her sword, Nimronyn, though its hilt and pommel had also seen the labors of a craftsman. Arbogast could see that peace was in her face and she no longer carried the hopelessness that once burdened her so.

"Hello my friends," she said. "It is truly wonderful to see you all!"

[GandalfOfBorg]

Barely before she finished her sentence, Grimbeorn had rushed over and engulfed her in a bear hug.  It was a moment or two before he put her down.  He'd not been so relieved to see his friend nor ashamed at his outburst (for him) of emotion.  "You look well.. well, well.  It has been some time since your light has shined so."

[tomcat]

The strength of the giant Beorning took her breath as he embraced her in a hug, but she would have it no other way. Esgalwen beamed with a smile even as she struggled to take in air.

At last he lowered her to her feet and his eyes twinkled under the great mop of hair atop his head and the beard that filled his smile.

"I am well," she said and placed a hand against his cheek. "The shadow that hung on me has dispersed. The thoughts of my friends from Ithilien, of Orophin, and the terror of the cave have not left me, but I am no longer a slave to the dread."

She looked to them all, "There is so much to tell and I want to hear all about each of you. Come! Let us away to the fields to watch the events and we shall catch up."

[Eclecticon]

Arbogast hangs back behind the two Beornings, letting his broad and unfeigned smile speak his feelings for him.  Nor does he rush to interrupt as Esgalwen leads the companions toward the fields.  There will be time enough for the tale of his recent days, and he has no wish to mar a moment of joyous reunion. 

[Eclecticon]

When the conversation reaches a lull, however, he asks "What news is there from Dale and the North?"

[tomcat]

The excitement bubbled from Esgalwen. She was truly a different person then what the three men remembered when she had left those few years back.

She enthusiastically listened to Grimbeorn speak of the Carrok and the House of Beorn, and how things had developed beyond the cruel winter. Little was said regarding the battle of Stoneyford, as the presence of Toft-men might create some animus within the crowds. Still, the woman read through Grimbeorn' subtle words and created the picture that was intended.

Even Hathcyn's stories of his farm and the Dwarf Road was of great interest to Esgalwen and she listened quietly, absorbing the details that were pertinent. The men could tell that her questions guided answers that might be of value to the North and Dale. Arbogast's vague, or basic contributions implied that there was something that he did not wish to discuss - a heartache, or worse - and the Gondorian did not pry. It was evident to all three men that her skills as a statesman were honed well, and that she used them masterfully.

With the Fire-watcher's question, Esgalwen smiled in answer. "Things are well to the North! Dale is growing quickly in commerce and strength and has become again a jewel of the north. Relations with the Dwarves is good and Rorin has been a boon in my ability to grow the alliance between the Kings of Dale and Erebor.

"King Bard had taken a woman of Rhovanion, Una, to be his wife - but you all know this - and their son, Prince Bain turns six this year. There will be celebrations at the end of the year, but then the city will prepare for the new spring and the Council of the North, as called by the King.

"I am here for that - to help drum up support and attendance from the clans of the Vale. King Bard sees that the union of the Vale and the alliance of Elves, Dwarves and Men are essential to our prosperity."

Esgalwen realized she had been talking too much and sounding like the statesman she now was, instead of a friend seeing boon companions. She paused with a smile and then changed tack.

"Arbogast... how fares Lindwine? Is she here? Are the children?" The Fire-watcher could see the earnest look on her face, as she spoke of his wife and kids. He remembered Esgalwen's fears of never having such things. In her current place, maybe she would be right. She continued, "And what of you Prince Bear? Is there a fetching, young lady that has wrestled your heart to her own? Please don't tell me you are here at the fair to offer yourself up to one of the many young ladies-in-waiting."