What fools offend...

[tomcat]

Olin heard it in their voices. These men that sought him were deadly serious and though he had not seen if they were armed, he still only bore a small dirk and he knew that that would be inefficient. Like his comrades in the tavern, he was no warrior of skill, he made a living in other ways.

Thus, Olin decided it best to not try to run - his pursuers were to close. Wily had given him up, and worst of all, there seemed a problem with his neice. Olin may have been a rogue, but he loved his sister's small daughter very much. She was the only one that looked up to him and gave him a feeling of credence.

With a sigh, he slowed his pace and forlornly turned to Dirnhael and Fengel, "What is wrong with Erin?"

The two freinds could see in Olin's face that he knew nothing of her current situation.

OOC: Don't get my prior post wrong, Olin is not a child... he is in his mid-twenties. Still very youthful in comparison to Fengel and Dirnhael.

Edrahil walked about the sarcophagus, his hand alight and held above him. The circuit revealed little but the old burial vessel and a few trinkets that lay astrewn on the floor. There were no apparent marking on the sarcophagus that showed it having been opened or moved. But to the keen eye of Seriand, the room told another tale. The dusty stone floor showed evidence of small foot prints shuffling about. They were not the same size as those that he had followed here, but they came into this chamber from above and then had left. Someone had come here recently and mayhaps had stirred the dead.

OOC: Shawn, give me a Track test TN 12, or Observe (Spot) TN 15 to interpret what the tracks you can see tell you.

[Wiseman]

Seriand looked over at Edrahil, a look of profound intrigue on his face, something about this place was not right and he had a foreboding feeling just standing still.  The hairs on his neck were raised at he was at the peek of alertness, ready to get back to the task at hand while keeping an unwavering eye on his surroundings as well.

Suddenly is was not about finding a little human girl, it was more about saving a life and solving a mystery.  Squatting down Seriand looked closely at the tracks, something was unique about them...

Track: Roll(2d6)+8:  1,3,+8 Total:12

[tomcat]

Seriand closely inspected the items on the floor and saw that they were trinkets of decoration off of the tomb and its surrounding decorations, though they seemed to have been discarded. The metalwork and woodwork had antiquated value but were not of precious metal. Yet, the Elf could see where some jewels and other gold filagree had been unceremoniously removed by what looked a small knife.

He pointed out these findings to Edrahil who commented, "It would seems that this tomb has been disturbed by a thief."

As the two stood there, a feeling of dread, as thick as the tendrils of webs that hung from the walls and ceiling, began to grow within the chamber.

OOC: The following actions will have occured from the onset of the two Elves arrival at the barrow.

Observe (Sense Power) TN 15
Observe +9, Specialty +2= +11
Roll(2d6)+11: 5,2,+11 Total:18 SUCCESS - Edrahil is sensed as he casts his spell and enters the tomb

Cast Evoke Fear TN 10
Willpower +6
Roll(2d6)+6: 3,6,+6 Total:15 SUCCESS

Cast Shadow of Fear TN 12
Willpower +6, Active spell -3
Roll(2d6)+3: 3,3,+3 Total:9 (1 Courage) SUCCESS - increases range of the spell to drape over 100' per point of Bearing (or the whole hill)

Intimidate (Fear)
Intimidate +9, Specialty +2, Evoke Fear +8
Roll(2d6)+19: 5,2,+19 Total:26
-Elves need to make a TN 26 Willpower test to resist the effects of fear (remember, Ghost Scorn is not a repellent to the Wight's fear effects)

Durgil came to the realisation that the Abelman's knew very little of where their little girl may be and he felt his time could be better served assisting his comrades. He left the small farm cottage in pursuit of his friends.

OOC: Hey Matt, I am not to sure that Durgil would be able to trace the steps of the Elves, but he could probably find Nain or Dirnhael and Fengel - the former is at the King's Rest Inn, the latter two are at Wily's tavern.

Fengel and Dirnhael watched as Olin approached them, concern on his face for young Erin.

OOC: This is a reiteration of the above post, I am just waiting for some kind of response to carry on this bit of our story.

[Wiseman]

The chill that ran down Seriands spine was unlike anything he had experienced before, and he hoped unlike anything he would experience again!  He could feel his palms get sweaty and his knees grow slightly weak as his eyes darted about the tomb.  "This is bad...very bad..."

Willpower: Roll(2d6)+3: 4,4,+5 Total:13

OOC: Heh, can't really fight a 26 roll on fear

[tomcat]

Edrahil's Willpower TN 26
Willpower +6, The Art +2
Roll(2d6)+8: 3,1,+8 Total:12 DISASTROUS FAILURE

OOC: Because the fear is magically enhanced I am allowing the Elves to include their The Art racial ability - as can be seen, it wouldn't matter for Edrahil in any way.

The fear turned to panic for the Elves as they wondered what lay beneath the hill that they had disturbed - both Edrahil and Seriand knew that they just needed to be away. The two companions bolted for the passage that led them back up and to the safety of the sun outside; quickly they traversed its length.

They were deposited in the ceremonial chamber above and Seriand was horrified to see a dark shape scrambling up from the rift in the floor, its awkward, jerky movements revealing its inhumanity (though it occupied the long dead corpse). Claws scraped at the floor as it pulled itself into the room, but before its dessicated, grasping hands lay an ancient blade.

The two Elves did not tarry long in observance of the shape, instead turning towards the passage that would take them out. As Seriand hunched down to go into the crawl way, another shape from the shadows of the chamber struck him from the other side, the weight of its body smashing into him with an unholy strength.

OOC: I am going to start a new thread for the combat between Elves and Wights; the other story line may continue on this thread until I separate it into a new one.

[Palandil]

"I feel we haven't much time Olin, so your full cooperation is needed.  Your sister told us that you often took Erin with you on adventures.  Did you and Erin take anything from anyone, or cause trouble that would provoke revenge?"

[tomcat]

Olin could see that the two strangers were sincerely concerned for his neice and that they truly only wished information from the rogue, and thus he calmed, his shoulders easing with the release of his tension.

"I have taken her on walks throughout the lands around Bree... we go a'huntin' Trolls and Orcs and I tell her of the great deeds of the Men of old. The Men that came from across the sea and established the once proud nations of Cardolan and Arthedain! But I wouldn't really take her places that might endanger her!"

Olin gave his two interrogators an incredulous look, "How could these men think I would hurt my Erin!" he thought to himself. But then inquired of Fengel and Dirnhael, "Why? What is it you know and why would you think it be me that would bring harm to my small Erin!"

[GandalfOfBorg]

OOC: No problem, that's what he'd do, just insert my appearance when appropriate due to travel time.

[sdrotar]

Olin could see that the two strangers were sincerely concerned for his neice and that they truly only wished information from the rogue, and thus he calmed, his shoulders easing with the release of his tension.

"I have taken her on walks throughout the lands around Bree... we go a'huntin' Trolls and Orcs and I tell her of the great deeds of the Men of old. The Men that came from across the sea and established the once proud nations of Cardolan and Arthedain! But I wouldn't really take her places that might endanger her!"

Olin gave his two interrogators an incredulous look, "How could these men think I would hurt my Erin!" he thought to himself. But then inquired of Fengel and Dirnhael, "Why? What is it you know and why would you think it be me that would bring harm to my small Erin!"

"She was taken from her home - kidnapped. We were told that she often ventured with you, and had hoped that you may know her whereabouts.
"Do you know who might have wished her or the family ill?"

He could tell that the young man was very concerned. He started walking back to the house, guiding Olin with him as he did so. Hopefully, he would have further information. They would meet up with Durgil at the home, and the three of them could share what they had found.
With any luck, their next course of action might be made more clear.

He hoped that the Elves were having better luck...

[tomcat]

"KIDNAPPED!" Olin's face went white, "When?!"

Getting his answer from Dirnhael, and then being asked if he or Erin had done anything to anger a neighbor by Fengel, Olin looked to the ground and fidgeted with his feet.

"N...No, I would never take or teach Erin to steal anything!"

Not sure he believed the response, Dirnhael began guiding Olin back towards the young girl's home. As the three men walked up the road from Wily's, the trio came upon Durgil who was in search of them.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Greetings... I found nothing of further use from the parents.  I feel we should act fast as the longer she is gone, the less the chance there is of finding her.  Any word from our fair friends?"

[sdrotar]

"Greetings... I found nothing of further use from the parents.  I feel we should act fast as the longer she is gone, the less the chance there is of finding her.  Any word from our fair friends?"

Dirnhael shook his head.
"Nothing."

They had reached a dead end, it had seemed. Neither the family nor Olin had any clues as to who might have taken the child.
The only thing Dirnhael could think of was the seemingly-too-light tracks in the ground that Seriand had spotted.
Undoubtedly, the two Elves would have followed those as far as they could have.
None of the three Men were gifted trackers, but Dirnhael saw no other options.

"The tracks," he said. "We must follow those tracks as Edrahil and Seriand did. They are light and no longer fresh, and I do not know if we can follow for long, but I see no other alternative."

OOC: If no one else has any ideas, then I suggest that we'd bid the family farewell and get moving...

[Palandil]

Hearing Olin's response at taking anything, Fengel felt as though there were more.  With a stern look and urgency in his voice he grabbed Olin by the shoulder, "Listen, we don't care what you may have done, this isn't about you! We must know where you took Erin last and any details that might have caused someone or something to take her!"

[tomcat]

OOC: First of all, I'd like to say thanks to you guys for the great RP'ing! I think the story is flowing great. Now on with our tale...

Olin did not shrink to Fengel's urgent plea, but he did come to full realization that the situation was very grave for his small neice. Though he seemed a vagabond to some, in his heart, he loved the child and if he had caused her harm he would never be able to forgive himself.

"I do not know where she is... but I may have caused this to happen. A few days past, I made my way into the barrow mounds of old and I found one that was broken open. The sun was bright and there was no one to be seen and so I made my way into the old crypt to see those things that I have been told of yore. Great men and kings are amongst those that lay in the hills... I meant no disrespect to their spirits but I took a few things... a jewel here, a bauble there." Olin sighed, "Not until I had my pockets full of these few treasures did a sudden despair fall on me... it was as if my heart was frozen. I ran from the mound and have not been back since. It has taken quite a few ales to take the shakes from my limbs."

He finished, "Needless to say, I gave Erin a small golden bracelet for her 'treasure box'. She was so pleased and I knew that one day she could use its value to have something for her own... maybe the spirit of he that lay there sought his treasures." The rogue's face blanched, "What if it is coming for me as well!?!"

[sdrotar]

OOC: First of all, I'd like to say thanks to you guys for the great RP'ing! I think the story is flowing great. Now on with our tale...

Olin did not shrink to Fengel's urgent plea, but he did come to full realization that the situation was very grave for his small neice. Though he seemed a vagabond to some, in his heart, he loved the child and if he had caused her harm he would never be able to forgive himself.

"I do not know where she is... but I may have caused this to happen. A few days past, I made my way into the barrow mounds of old and I found one that was broken open. The sun was bright and there was no one to be seen and so I made my way into the old crypt to see those things that I have been told of yore. Great men and kings are amongst those that lay in the hills... I meant no disrespect to their spirits but I took a few things... a jewel here, a bauble there." Olin sighed, "Not until I had my pockets full of these few treasures did a sudden despair fall on me... it was as if my heart was frozen. I ran from the mound and have not been back since. It has taken quite a few ales to take the shakes from my limbs."

He finished, "Needless to say, I gave Erin a small golden bracelet for her 'treasure box'. She was so pleased and I knew that one day she could use its value to have something for her own... maybe the spirit of he that lay there sought his treasures." The rogue's face blanched, "What if it is coming for me as well!?!"

"It probably is," Dirnhael said darkly.
At least he knew what they were dealing with now - it explained the light footprints, as well as the condition of the child's room.
He turned to his companions, his face a shade paler then it was the moment before.

"Barrow-wights," he nearly whispered. "Fell spirits that inhabit the Downs, sent long ago by the Witch-King of Angmar." Would Dirnhael ever truly be free of his grasp?
"They take the bodies of the dead, and protect their hoards while hunting any who disturb the burial mounds."

He looked back at Olin with a glare.
"Take us to the grave you robbed. If you return what you have stolen, perhaps you may still have hope."

He turned quickly to Durgil. "We need Nain. Our friends may be in dire peril... along with the girl."