The Road South

[tomcat]

And so, on the 22nd of April, the Company rode out of Rivendell and followed a trail along the east side of the Bruinen River - to their left, the Misty Mountains stood in line like a huge fence of rock and ice, their tops covered in clouds. The companions rode within a pine forest and the rich smell of spring wafted in the air and the breeze made the trees sing.

Their trail rose and fell as it climbed up the foothills of the mountains or plummeted into ravines dug out by the runoff snowmelts from the mountains, the water eventually finding its way to join the Bruinen. The time of year was ripe for heavy melts and many streams and small rivers were treacherous to pass, but still the Company pressed on.

Only Seriand seemed somewhat familiar with the lands, having traveled them once or twice in the past, and the Sindar spent most of his time riding in the fore. Edrahil always on a quest for more knowledge spurred his horse alongside Seriand to converse with his kin about Lorien, the Misty Mountain regions and the western lowlands that were once home to one of the greatest cities east of the Blue Mountains. He imagined what it had once been like with the great craftsman and loremasters that had resided there - the things they had created.

Nain found companionship amongst the Men, for they seemed to be more of a mind to the Dwarf than the Elves. Though they would never see the span of years of a Dwarf, Nain had grown a respect for the Eothraim and two Dunedain.

Two days were spent riding out of the surrounds of Rivendell and on into the lands that were Cardolan. Dirnhael thought of home and wondered at how much his life had changed in the six months prior. He never thought he would again be roaming these lands, although he had never visited these particular regions.

Camps were set nightly in thickets, or bowls in the land to allow for cover from the wind, but the companions did not concern themselves to greatly with stealth. The Dwarf would set a fire and they would let its flames climb for them to keep warm by and to cook their food. The skies had been clear since their departure and so both travel and rest had been made easier and more comfortable.

At the end of the thirds days ride, the companions stood atop a ridge of land formed by the erosion from the river that lay before them, its waters having washed away the softer earth over the many years leaving the escarpment. The river plain below formed a rich area of fertile soil that had been of interest to the settlers of eastern Cardolan and the town, surrounded by farmlands, could be easily seen. The only problem was that both Seriand and Edrahil saw with their keen-eyes that the town lay in ruin.

War had come to this part of Cardolan many years past out of Rhudaur and Angmar and the invading forces had never left. The Company wondered about the road before them.

OOC: Actions or any RP'ing?

[GandalfOfBorg]

Durgil was cautious on the road they travelled -- still too near Angmar and moving a land that had been in league (and might still be) with his enemy.  His recent gift remained near at hand at all times while he kept a trained eye upon the environs, even while conversing with the others.

There was just something foreboding in heart about this path and now, stumbling upon this place, it grew.  "I think we should avoid it.  We could be inviting trouble when the trouble that finds us is more than enough for me."

[Wiseman]

Seriand enjoyed the time spent with Edrahil, he had wanted to converse with the Men and the intriguing Dwarf, he didn't harbor the same ill will that others of his blood did for the short people of the mountains.  But the times and his still fresh memory of failing Edrahil and the little girl still panged at his heart, and much of that time conversing with the elven comrade was apologizing and offering his undying service.

As Seriand peered off into the distance, a distance that no Man nor Dwarf could ever dream of seeing, he noticed the destruction that had been wrought and he grit his teeth.  "The town has been torn asunder..."  Seriand looked again and tried to spot anything that might prove to be useful, any signs of movement at all.

Observer (Spot): Roll(2d6)+10: 6,6,3,+10 Total:25!!!  BOOYAH, I can see anything with that roll!

[tomcat]

The Elven scout was correct, the town was in ruin and nothing seemed to stir except for the carrion birds that hovered on the winds and hopped amongst the fallen structures. Seriand hoped that they scavanged the remains of livestiock and not the people that once lived here.

But the battles for Cardolan had been long ago, at least for Men - two hundred plus years. The forces of Angmar and Rhudaur had sacked Amon Sul and slain the prince of these lands. The people were then driven out or slain by the advancing Enemy hordes. It was some years after that the few remaining Dunedain returned to their homes to try and start anew. Had they come back this far east? Or was this a new settlement of mountain-folk, or Men from the south... Men from Dunland?

Not even Dirnhael new an answer to that query as until the quest for Ephanial began, the Dunadan had spent most of his life in the surrounds of Tharbad. That city had somewhat returned to some semblance of prosperity, hadn't it? Could the Eriadorians and Dunedain have reclaimed these lands? The Company did not give this much hope as there was still said to be an army of Angmar settled in Cardolan just southwest of the Angle. It was said that sickness and supply shortages had caused the army to halt.

Unfortunately for Cardolan, there was no way to amass a force great enough to drive the invaders out, and thus they had become unwanted neighbors to both Cardolan and Rivendell. The Elves could not exert enough force upon the Enemy and even Fornost was be unable to divert the needed soldiers. Camentir had spent the last three years harrying the Angmarim and treacherous Rhudaurim but he was like a bee in a woman's bonnet - a nuisance with a painful sting, but never enough to really cripple that which they stung.

With these thoughts and a bit of conversation between them, the Company looked to one another for someone to make a decision... did they divert the town or find out who had been there?

Edrahil looked to Dirnhael, as he had become the apparent leader, the one that most here had deferred the decision making to, "It may be wise for us to reconnoiter the area to find out who was settled here, then again, it may be safer to skirt the town altogether."

The Elf's comment just added more frustration to the choice.

[GandalfOfBorg]

OOC: Ahhh the guarded advice of the elves... taking Gildor's words to heart eh?  hehe

You already have Durgil's opinion.

[Stefan]

"Leave the dead be.  There's nothing to be found in that place but death and the spirits of those who lived there.  We should avoid the place, we'll find only ill there."

Nain had now experienced the undead and had no wish to learn more of them.  He couldn't see the place that the Elves were pointing at other than perhaps a dark smudge on the horizon but the idea of going into such a place that the described made his skin prickle under his heavy chain armor.

[Palandil]

"I have no desire for unessecary trouble, but information gathered from the town may prove useful to you and your people Dirnhael.  What say you?"

[Wiseman]

"If you will not scour the area then I will have to part ways.  My duty to my king is to search for signs of the Enemy, this is surely a definate sign."  Seriand sat back on Faerdhínen and looked back to the destroyed village.  "You may remain but I will investigate the area." Without looking back again he spurred on his horse, looking for a grove of trees or something to hide the faithful animal at.

Observe (Spot): Roll(2d6)+10: 2,3,+10 Total:15

[sdrotar]

Dirnhael was not the type of man that looked for trouble, but he knew that ignoring warning signs of it was the surest way to become ensnared by it.

"We should not go into the town unless it becomes necessary to learn from it."
He saw looks of approval from Durgil, Nain and Fengel. Edrahil seemed noncommital, but Seriand... well, he had an idea for Seriand.

"Edrahil, Seriand, your eyes can see far more than our own. We will find an overlook and camp there while the two of you see what you may. I ask you not to get too close to the town, however - only as close as you must. Stay hidden, and signal us if you spot anything... unexpected."

He hoped he could satisfy Seriand's curiosity without endangering the Company.

Though, in his most private thoughts, Dirnhael wished to know more about the ruined town, as well...

[Stefan]

Nain had nothing to add to what had laready been said, but the glower that he showed as he assented to wetting up camp anywhere near the forsaken place let everyone know that he was against it.  The elves may have no fear of the spirits but even they had no real way to fight them if it became necessary and they'd proved it in the barrow.  Nain's mood grew darker as the company approached the town of death.  As it came into view it reminded him of another town that had cursed his dreams for many months and the passing of his brother.

[tomcat]

The riders spent the next hour looking for a path down the sheer escarpment upon which they stood, but soon after found themselves upon the river plain below. They circumvented the ruin heading south, as the best place to establish a camp to watch over the town was the highlands on its opposite side. Nothing stirred about them in the growing shadows of night except the wind in the trees and the birds and bats that flew about hunting the insects that were becoming prominent with the arrival of spring.

The Company climbed up the hill on the southside of the town and Seriand scouted a campsite that would provide cover from the wind and ample view of the valley. Nain and Fengel quickly set about unloading the horses while Edrahil incanted and with a pop, the fuel gathered by Dirnhael burst into flame. All the while, Seriand lay low on the ground watching for any potential signs of threat.

"There is a fire burning within the town," said the Elf from Lorien.

The large warg lifted its head and sniffed at the breeze that blew. Something was out there. The creature captured the attention of its comrade. His name was Graush and he was a large orc out of the Misty Mountains. He was much larger than those gathered round the fire and he gained his respect and authority through strength alone - none could challenge him. He turned his own gaze towards the direction in which his warg-mount sniffed and looked out into the darkness.

With a growl he kicked a smaller orc that sat near the fire, "Get up ya scab! Walk the outskirts of the town and report back if you find or see anything."

The smaller orc yelped and scurried away with a silent curse to his tormenting superior. He ran to the pack of wargs that laid not far away and the beasts also growled at him for his disturbance. The orc went to his mount and pulled on the creature's reins to get it to rise. It snarled and snapped its teeth at him but did as it was ordered and together the two loped out into the night.

OOC: The interlude of the orcs is primarily for color, but the Elves may make an Observe (Spot) test TN 20 (includes the Darkness physical test modifier) to try and see those that ring the fire in the town. It will requitre a second successful test to see the outrider depart.

[sdrotar]

"A fire?" asked Dirnhael.
He allowed his heart to hope that Men surrounded it, that they had re-claimed part of the ruined city, but it was tempered with concern.

OOC: Perhaps we should put out our fire?

[GandalfOfBorg]

The shadow of threat grew upon the mind of Durgil and he now kept his bow, a quiver, and sword close at hand as they made camp.  A chill swept over him as if the winter still clung to his bones.  Rochithuin, sensing her master's uneasiness, nuzzled his arm to comfort him as he fed her some of the last of the feed from Rivendell -- it helped, but not that much.  Hearing Seriand's declaration, he queried, "Is there anyone around it?"

[tomcat]

With the fire lit, Edrahil piled the rest of the wood about it to block the bulk of the light it generated so that only someone with a keen eye would perceive it. That done, he moved over to where the prone form of Seriand lay and squatted down onto his haunches, peering out into the night trying to discern who may be keeping warm in the town below.

OOC: Observe (Spot) TN 20
Observe +3, Keen-eyed +2
Roll(2d6)+5: 3,6,+5 Total:14 FAILED

The warg slunk along the last standing broken wall of what used to be a barn, its burnt frame still strongly smelling of the fire that consumed it. Yet, the large wolf-like beast had a very keen sense of smell and it put its nose to the wind and drew in a great breath. "Horse flesh," it thought in its simple mind. Without order from its rider, the large warg bounded out further into the darkness that surrounded the town its nose to the ground. It zigged and it zagged trying to find some sort of consistant path of the strong smell of horse. It could smell other animals that had passed, but none had been this recent, and where there were horses there was a rider. The thought of tasting Man-flesh made the warg's large mouth begin to salivate.

At last, the warg and its orc rider came upon the fresh hoof prints of the Company who had passed this spot no more than an hour ago. The orc dismounted and looked at the number of tracks pressed into the soft earth... it was more than two, which meant he would need aid. He looked in both directions, north and south, but saw nothing moving in the dark. Perhaps Graush would reward him for this! Perhaps he might be promoted within the pack and no longer be feeling the boot of so many of his companions.

The orc re-mounted and forcibly pulled the warg about, "We'll need a few more for this prize my pet! Come on now!"

[Palandil]

After unpacking some of their gear, Fengel went to the elves in the hopes that his eyes might aid the inspection of the town.

Observe Spot: TN 20
Roll(2d6)+5: 3,3,+5 Total:11
Just as Fengel began to scour the town, a nat landed in his eye causing it to tear dreadfully.