In the Shadow of Mount Gundabad

[GandalfOfBorg]

Grimbeorn eyes Arbogast. "You're the storyteller, brother," he says, thankful that he is at the opposite side of the fragrant circle.

[tomcat]

Esgalwen inched herself away from Essylt, trying to not be rude in her efforts, but her smell was strong. She was confused as Hathcyn of this tale, for she had played no part.

"Yes, Arbogast, you will need to tell us this story as I know naught of this woman." To Esslyt she said, "I am Esgalwen, daughter of Eradan, of Gondor."

Her mind thought back to when they were here before. Esgalwen remembered the slave camp and the children, and that they had rescued them. She had elected to take them south - back to their people - and left the party to continue on.

[Telcontar]

"Aye, here is a fire. And there a firewatcher. I fear his tale will ve long and require another trip for wood. This batch is about steamed and ready to burn, but it will not be enough. I fear none of us now wish to head out again."

Hathcyn had in fact dragged some dead fall and hacked some dead limbs and stacked them near by. His comment indicated that their temporary stop to dry had already stretched overlong and as they dried under the bougher few thought of pressing on again.

"Well Raven daughter, how familiar are you with the lands north of here? We could use a guide perhaps and we would share food."

The Beorning shook his wineskin, "and drink. For your services."

[Eclecticon]

Okay, if you're determined to make the GM talk to himself, I'll do that.    Post to follow when I get a minute. 

[Telcontar]

  i tried to minimize that somewhat. I'm fine with hand waving that part.

[Eclecticon]

Nah, it's alright.  This is what I get for turning one of the key 'social' PCs into a GMC.

[Eclecticon]

Essylt snatches the proffered honey-cake, tearing it up and swallowing it almost without pausing to chew, her attention focused solely on the morsel in her hands until the sloshing of the wineskin draws her still-hungry eye.  As she washes down her food with a generous draught of Hathcyn's wine, Arbogast clears his throat. 

"As it falls to me to speak for us all," he begins, "I shall begin with introductions.  I, the Fire-watcher, and Grimbeorn, son of Beorn, you know already.  The woman to your side is Esgalwen of Gondor, and the owner of the wineskin is Hathcyn, whom Men name for the Longspear."  To his companions, he adds, "Essylt is she, formerly of the Black Helm clan.  When we pursued the captors of the Elf-maid Ruthiel to this country, we rescued her from orcish bondage and she stood with us thereafter in battle against her captors." 

Her cheeks still bulging, Essylt looks questioningly at he and Grimbeorn.  "To answer your question, Rorin of Erebor is now a wealthy and important Dwarf, for he speaks with the Voice of the King Under the Mountain to the folk of the Wood and Vales.  As for Bandobras..."  His voice trails off, the grief easily noticeable to those with the ears to hear. 


I'm going to start playing this as an Encounter, since there are story implications for how well we do.  I'll get Arbogast to do the introductions and an initial roll.  Then, if you want to join in, just jump in. 

Courtesy roll

1d12 : 9, total 9
Rolled 2d6 : 3, 5, total 8

[Eclecticon]

Echoing Hathcyn's comments, Arbogast continues "We seek the place where once stood the city of the Éothéod, and would gladly trade food and drink for your knowledge of these lands."  Before she can clear her mouth sufficiently to reply, he adds "I cannot but think that this venture will be less perilous than when last we met." 


Rolling Persuade...

1d12 : 12, total 12
Rolled 4d6 : 2, 2, 3, 6, total 13

[Eclecticon]

Two successes, no failures.  Anyone else want to chime in?

[tomcat]

First I will roll Insight to see if Esgalwen has any advantages:

TN 14 Insight 2d

1d12 : 12, total 12
Rolled 2d6 : 4, 3, total 7

[tomcat]

A success for 1 die. I will use Awe for Esgalwen's introduction.
TN 14 Awe 3d

1d12 : 8, total 8
Rolled 3d6 : 5, 1, 3, total 9

[tomcat]

Esgalwen smiled at Essylt at Arbogast's introduction and the wild woman took a liking to the Ranger's fair countenance.

Her mouth full with honey-cake, Essylt inquired, "Gondor? And what is Gondor? Where be this strange place?"

"It is my homeland, far to the south. Actually I make Ithilien my home, but it lay within the boundaries of far off Gondor."

"You have the look of the grey men that venture at times over the mountains. Tall and stern they be, and grim of face, but I see them in you."

"Grey men? From over the mountains?" Esgalwen did not know of whom Essylt spoke. Nor was she present when the Rangers of the North had come that night long ago.
I will make a Riddle test to try to understand Essylt. I am including my advantage die.
TN 14 Riddle 1d

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

[tomcat]

That is an 18 and so Esgalwen starts gabbing back and forth with Essylt, as two women might, giving and receiving information. I think that should add 3 successes to the encounter, right? 
"Yes, the Grey Men - regal they are as if kings they be," answered Essylt. "My folk lived on the highlands of the Misty Mountains and oft times we would interact with these men - though it was not always pleasant. They roam the lands of the north, across the mountains... at least that was the tales told. You look like them, woman, and you speak like them."

For the other companions, the memory of Damrod and his company was brought to the fore. The grey-clad warriors that had come, as if from the very ground, to offer aid. The battle with the fell-wraith had been hard won and the company was thankful for their coming.

"So then you have roamed these lands and know them well?"

"Yes, for certain. My people have lived long within these highlands and at times have crossed over the mountains into the cold fells beyond."

"Then you could aid us, no? As Hathcyn has said, we could use the help in finding the old city. Do you know its location?"

[Eclecticon]

Four successes all up, yes.  Plenty of scope for more people to join in...

[Telcontar]

Ooc: I'll jump into this awe game.

"I am known as the Longspear to some, the kin slayer to some, and the Hall Burner to others. Know also Raven's Daughter that I am the Foxes Son. I surmise that in the distant past our folk were probably of closer kin then they are now. So sit by the fire, warm yourself and rest easy underneath the protection and arms of the Beornings."

Rolled 1d12 : 7, total 7

Rolled 3d6 : 3, 6, 3, total 12