SCENE 3: River Cross

[tomcat]

It was another three days of Mirkwood and finally the Company broke free of the forest. The sight they beheld made them catch their breath as they looked upon the towering heights of the Misty Mountains that rose before them. Between the peaks and where they were, a long ribbon of water laced its way both to the north and the south.

They continued down the road a ways and then looked back at the forest that took them almost all of two weeks to cross. The eaves of the woods were just starting to take on the tinge of green as spring buds were waiting to explode with the expected warmth of April. Some of the plants had already flowered and the bright colors splashed amongst the greys, browns and greens.

Kori nodded his head up and down, "Well lads, that is the one major obstacle we had to get past... there is the other."

The companions all followed the craftsman gnarled, pointing finger to the great river that blocked their road. Anduin the Great was wide and its current was strong. They would need to find a crossing.

"I know of the ford that lies to the north of here, governed by the Beornings... do any of you have knowledge of a crossing that lies to the south? I prefer it not be as far as Gondor!"

[Telcontar]

Gumbo had spent many years in the foothills of those mountains and the shores of this river during the goblin wars. He gazed upon the river and the mountains and tried to place where they had emerged from the wood.

"Getting on the otherside will put the river between us and the horrors that are in the southern wood."

Lore: Realm Anduin Vales Roll(2d6)+3:
6,5,+3
Total:14

Lore: Realm Misty Mountains Roll(2d6)+3:
3,5,+3
Total:11

[donimator]

Turumarth learned much from his family and the others of Laketown about trade routes. Taking sight of some mountain peaks for bearing, he searched his memories of mention of a southerly crossing...

Lore (Realm, Misty Mountains, general navigation) +6, (spec +2?) = +8
Lore test, +8
2d6+8 = 6,1 +8 = 15

...failing that he tries to recall what he knows of trade from Rhovanion
Lore (Realm, Rhovanion, trade practices) +7 (spec +2?) = +9
Lore test, +8
2d6+8 = 6,3 +9 = 18

[GandalfOfBorg]

Like his uncle, Nori knows little of these environs save what has been recounted in tale or second-hand talk.

[tomcat]

Both Gumbo and Turumarth knew that the Old Forest Road was the very road that would take you over the mountains to Rivendell and old Arnor beyond. There was a ford where the road met the river, and once there had been a great bridge, whose abutments could still be seen. Unfortunately, the span had fallen into the river long years past, leaving a low-water ford for an uneasy, but possible crossing.

Other than the Forest Road ford, the only other means to cross the river north of Gondor was Tirith Anduin, another great work of the ancient years. Once a great stone bridge that was destroyed by the Gondorians who were unable to maintain its repair and guardianship. But like here, the river was shallow and wide at that location - but that was many leagues to the south and would require they pass the eaves of Dol Guldur.

The Halfling did know of a few settlements of men, south, along the Anduin, and some were capable raftsmen and ferrymen. The fees were hefty, but it would allow for passage if the Old Forest Road ford was impassable.

[Telcontar]

Gumbo scratched at his chin and thought about the paths ahead and the best coure. "Captain, the ford at the Forest Road is the only one that I know of in these parts unless we head far to the south upon the eaves of Gondor. The Anduin is a strong river and a good defensive barrier. There are rivermen who may be able to ferry us down stream before going that far, but the ford should be tried first."

[sdrotar]

Gumbo scratched at his chin and thought about the paths ahead and the best coure. "Captain, the ford at the Forest Road is the only one that I know of in these parts unless we head far to the south upon the eaves of Gondor. The Anduin is a strong river and a good defensive barrier. There are rivermen who may be able to ferry us down stream before going that far, but the ford should be tried first."

"Aye," said Vari.
"T'would rather walk the river myself than pay someone fortunate enough to happen to lash together a few planks of wood."

[Telcontar]

"Vari, do not underestimate the Father of Waters. This is a large and swift river even here this high up. A great ally and barrier to those who know its ways and respect it. It would take more than mere lashed logs to make a safe passage. The dwarves were almost two years in making a wooden fortified ferry point across the river during the Goblin War. What was left after the wars has by this time been reclaimed. The money we would spend for passage should it be required would not be wasted."

Gumbo looked back at the woods and then to the south again. "I fear our passage to Moria will have at least one more surprise left for us before we see its gates before us."

[tomcat]

Kori nodded at Gumbo's suggestion and spoke, "Then let's put more of the day behind us. We should make the river by nightfall and that is good... it will allow us to face the challenge with the new day."

And so with weary legs, they pressed on. As the sun faded over the mountains to the west, the river loomed closer and wider. To Turumarth and Gumbo's eyes, they could see that the river was going to be a greater challenge then expected. Even in the shade of dusk, the water could be seen moving fast and it was swollen up above its normal bed.

They would need the light of day to truly gauge whether a crossing would be possible.

[Telcontar]

Gumbo gauged the river as they looked upon it.

"Captain, its as I feared. The snow melts have beat us to the ford. I dont think it wise to attempt to bring the wagon over. A fast current even a few inches deep is enough to make a crossing tragic. We could perhaps try to rig a line across but the river is wide and chances are small that someone washed down could grab it. Daylight will however provide us greater knowledge as to the risks in the morning. I suggest we hold to our policy of two on watch tonight even though the woods are behind us. If the day prooves what the night indicates then the ferry by the woodmen would be the best course. They may even be able to provide some insight on the surrounding area. It has been years since I have passed this way and who knows how much the Goblins have recovered from the war."

[tomcat]

Day proved Gumbo's fears to be true. The river was swollen with spring melts and it rushed by at a speed uncharacteristic to the terrain. Water had risen over its bed and flooded further out about the plain. Usually the river flowed shallow and slow across this wide flat area and so it had always been an advantageous place to ford.

Kori did not like the thought of losing everything they had - high, fast water was very dangerous. "We'll continue south to these ferrymen that you know of."

And so, more weary days of travel passed. The Company clung closely to the river, using it as a guide, and two days of the southern path brought them into the mires of the Ninglor. The confluence of the tributary with the Anduin was a rocky, dangerous rapid but it too had also swollen and flooded. The warming ground had become saturated and mud was thick.



Even though they tried to skirt the mire, all the companions were soon covered in itchy, grey mud and were being tortured by swarms of newly-hatched midge flies. Legs became very weary with each footstep, the mud holding onto their feet and only letting go with a wet sucking sound. The flies flew into ears, nostrils, and eyes - each of the Company was ready to scream by noon.

As was his wont, Gumbo was forward of the group, scouting along the riverside. He saw the first body half in the river, snagged as it was by a large, long-limbed log, unable to pull free even with the strong current. As he approached, he could see it was the build of a young man, discoloured in death, but youthful. Three long, black-fletched arrows protruded from his back.

The halfling looked about and could immediately see that a few of the lumps in the mud were other bodies. He swiftly moved to see them and recognized the mishapen features of orcs! One large lump was covered in fur - warg! All were slain by arrows. Gumbo then heard a whimpering cry coming from a large hollowed log that stuck up and out of the river reeds.



[OOC:] Actions - and / or - Dialogue

[Telcontar]

Judging by the light of day and the colour of the body Gumbo figured there was no ambush waiting for them here. he placed his fingers in his mouth and gave shrill whistle easily heard by the party that followed behind him and ran towards the sound that he heard.

[tomcat]

The rest of the Company came forward as quickly as the ground would allow them, but as they did, Gumbo peered into the hollowed log. Scrunched down within was a young lad of maybe twelve years. He cringed in fear as the light of day was blocked by Gumbo, and whimpered a bit louder.

Laying beside the boy was his bow and empty quiver.

[GandalfOfBorg]

"Hi, you! What you looking at, halfling?"

[Telcontar]

Gumbo, not being very big kneeled down to allow some of the remaining light to shine upon him, "Hullo lad! I'm no orc come on out so that we can take a look at you and get you some food."

Over his shoulder he shouted, "its a boy, looks like an ambush occured."

Gumbo offered his hand which in all likely hood was smaller than the boys and tried to help him out.