With the sun still aslumber, Dirnhael awoke with a nagging headache. The Dwarf beer the night before was quite potent and had left the Dúnadan to suffer.
Still they had work to do.
He joined up with Nain and Falin as the two Dwarves were preparing a small cart, drawn by a pony, filling it with tools and other materials needed for a day of work. It was the first time Dirnhael saw Nain looking like he was truly home - the Dwarf had a big grin under his fully bearded face. If either of the two diminutive folk suffered from last night's ale, they did not show it.
When they were ready, the cart moved out with Falin leading the pony and Dirnhael and Nain walking alongside. It was actually a nice walk - it allowed for Dúnadan's head to clear. Along the way, they espied the Sagath war party that had built itself up over night. It was apparent that they had not slept.
With a constant glance to their right to see the Easterlings still at work, they made their way to the square and at last Falin's forge.
[OOC:] Some of this may change depending on any actions done by Fengel and Durgil for they left at evening's onset about 8 hours ago. I will try to keep the story in proper step.
When they arrived at the forge Nain was nearly overcome by the smell and the heat. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed it all. Though he'd never admit it to anyone it almost brought a tear to his eye. After a moment and a goodly sniff he put his emotions back where they belonged and started giving orders to his new apprentice.
"Unload the cart, then you can go and help the rest of the apprentices get that forge heated up. Maybe you can heat their blood for a fight, they're usually the best for that sort of work."
[OOC:] Shawn is really sick right now and that is why he has not been on recently - he asked that I cover for him until he is better. I will be RP'ing his LotR and ST characters.
Dirnhael bent his thoughts to the job at hand, following Nain's instructions and unloading the cart. He made a point to be somewhat reckless at his job to infer his novice position. The Dúnadan smiled to himself as he envisioned how much the craftsman would enjoy playing his role too... and Dirnhael readied himself for the scathing tone that would soon come. He hoped that the Dwarf remembered that they were just playing a part here.
As he carried a wood crate load of tinder for the forge, large pieces of coal, Dirnhael let some slip from the wood box and scatter on the ground. He quickly bent down to set down his burden and scrambled to collect the fuel... which he had been told was actually quite valuable.
Quote from: tomcat on Dec 05, 2007, 11:21 AM
[OOC:] Shawn is really sick right now and that is why he has not been on recently - he asked that I cover for him until he is better. I will be RP'ing his LotR and ST characters.
Dirnhael bent his thoughts to the job at hand, following Nain's instructions and unloading the cart. He made a point to be somewhat reckless at his job to infer his novice position. The Dúnadan smiled to himself as he envisioned how much the craftsman would enjoy playing his role too... and Dirnhael readied himself for the scathing tone that would soon come. He hoped that the Dwarf remembered that they were just playing a part here.
As he carried a wood crate load of tinder for the forge, large pieces of coal, Dirnhael let some slip from the wood box and scatter on the ground. He quickly bent down to set down his burden and scrambled to collect the fuel... which he had been told was actually quite valuable.
OOC: Thanks, Tomcat. I'm feeling well enough to sit at my desk again, so I can pick it back up from here. Sorry about the delay, everyone.
ooc: NP, glad you're feeling a little better.
IC: Nain saw his companion drop the wood. It suprised him a little so he wasnt sure if the man had done it on purpose or not. Of course that didn't really matter, he had to keep up appearences for the time being at least.
"What're ya doin'? Tryin' ta ruin us? That wood is worth more in these parts than you, ya lazy layabout! Now get it picked up or it'll be your hide that'll be the straps for the next suit of armor outta this forge!"
Nain had to conceal a smile as he thought about what he'd said, it sounded exaclty like his old master back in the mountains. If that old dwarf were hear he'd be on the floor laughing to hear his once clumsy pupil using the same turn of phrase.
The day passed slowly for Dirnhael. Where Nain found the joy in the forge he could not understand, but the Dwarf did not seem to mind the heat of fire under the summer sun. It seemed fortunate to the Dúnadan that some clouds filled the sky, blocking the sun, and even hinted at rain showers to cool them all off.
He hoped.
He performed functions that most apprentices would do, but Nain also gave him jobs that served the purpose of their ruse. In particular was his current task to go and fetch water from the well - a duty that would take him into the heart of the square to allow Dirnhael to overhear conversations; get a close eye on the Sagath build-up on the western shore; and to put him in the paths of the local soldiers that protected the city.
[OOC:] Dialogue - and / or - Actions?
Tell me what your characters are doing... who are they talking too? What are they saying to the anybodys that might be around?
I am giving you guys free reign here to create passerbys and customers to the forge. Tell me what they look like, what it is about them that may give you guys interest to talk to them. You can even write about a Sagath who is snooping around.
Obviously this is not a chance for you guys to direct Harizan - and maybe have him go home ;) , but I will pick up from what you guys give me and take over RP'ing the locals... just give me your interactions via Narrative/Dialogue.
Have fun!
Dirnhael kept a quiet watch on the Sagath as they slowly moved through the town of Ilanin, hoping that Fengel and Durgil would find a weakness - and wishing he were with them.
Nevertheless, he struck up a kinship with some others in the town, for as time passed, he heard many men grumbling about how they had all but surrendered their town without a fight.
"Dark days have come to Ilanin," he mentioned to a group of stablehands who waited to retrieve water from the cistern. "I fear our trade will no longer prosper if the Eothraim fall to these Easterlings; a force that was allowed to pass through our town, feasting on our food while keeping free Men as slaves. I fear that our prosperity is at an end, lest something be done."
"T'is true," said one elderly townsmen, as his lips pursed over the end of his pipe. He drew deep and then blew a ring of smoke, "But what are we to do? The men of Rhûn are notorious warriors of great strength, and though they be as well, the Éothraim are too scattered."
"And our own guards are just hired swords," said another, agreeing with the elder. "They will not do anything to drive them out."
"Not true! Not true!" hissed another in the group. "I o'erheard Patrel, a captain of the guard, and he was saying that there was one who gave an impassioned plea to our Lord Mayor yestermorn - a plea which Korman ignored and refused. Well word is now that there are a few of the city guard that are growing tired of the Sagath's free reign and are ready to do somethin' about it."
"Well what will they do? Or were you just hearing muffled voices while yer face was in a cup!" This garnered a good laugh from all about save the one who spoke of Patrel.
"Yer the one who's daft! I heard it from Patrel's mouth himself... he and another longshanks was talking over me head as I sat by the Flo's hearth!"
ooc: I will be posting for this as soon as I have a little time. It's just been a little hectic around here getting ready for c-mas, sorry for the delay.
[OOC:] Not a problem Stefan... take your time. That goes for everyone - if we don't get busy with the game again until the new year, that is fine. I will be here! ;D
Quote from: tomcat on Dec 20, 2007, 04:40 PM
"T'is true," said one elderly townsmen, as his lips pursed over the end of his pipe. He drew deep and then blew a ring of smoke, "But what are we to do? The men of Rhûn are notorious warriors of great strength, and though they be as well, the Éothraim are too scattered."
"And our own guards are just hired swords," said another, agreeing with the elder. "They will not do anything to drive them out."
"Not true! Not true!" hissed another in the group. "I o'erheard Patrel, a captain of the guard, and he was saying that there was one who gave an impassioned plea to our Lord Mayor yestermorn - a plea which Korman ignored and refused. Well word is now that there are a few of the city guard that are growing tired of the Sagath's free reign and are ready to do somethin' about it."
"Well what will they do? Or were you just hearing muffled voices while yer face was in a cup!" This garnered a good laugh from all about save the one who spoke of Patrel.
"Yer the one who's daft! I heard it from Patrel's mouth himself... he and another longshanks was talking over me head as I sat by the Flo's hearth!"
Dirnhael could not entirely hide the gleam in his eyes. A
captain of the guard, sympathetic to their cause! Dirnhael had done more with less...
He turned to the man who spoke of Patrel and asked, "This captain; does he visit the town center? I know men at the forge who think little of these Easterlings... If Patrel speaks, many will listen."
"Can word be gotten to him... quietly?"
"Yea... he does," the man answered Dirnhael's question. His peer interjected, "Now don't go messin' in the business of yer betters... will only mean trouble for ya in the end."
"Pish posh," returned Dirnhael's spy, "There'll be no trouble fer just speakin'!" Turning to the Dúnadan, "Ye'll find Patrel wanderin' about today after lunch... that's usually when he is on duty. I heard them this morn at the Ebb-n-Flo as they ate their eggs. He's a tall man with long brown hair with no whiskers to speak of... fact he's shaved proper like you."
Quote from: tomcat on Dec 21, 2007, 03:13 PM
"Yea... he does," the man answered Dirnhael's question. His peer interjected, "Now don't go messin' in the business of yer betters... will only mean trouble for ya in the end."
"Pish posh," returned Dirnhael's spy, "There'll be no trouble fer just speakin'!" Turning to the Dúnadan, "Ye'll find Patrel wanderin' about today after lunch... that's usually when he is on duty. I heard them this morn at the Ebb-n-Flo as they ate their eggs. He's a tall man with long brown hair with no whiskers to speak of... fact he's shaved proper like you."
"Shaved proper" was a stretch, Dirnhael thought. He had not been staying in luxury, and a razor had not touched his face in some time... not that he cared much, anyway,
But Ilanin was no center of fashion.
"Thank you. I shall inform my
*cough* master about this information when I return. I will be back for more water later; perhaps the pride of our town can yet be restored!"
OOC: I'm really sorry to do this guys but with the way my work has picked up lately and with no sign of it slowing any time soon, I'm going to have to step out of playing Nain for a while. I wish you all the best of luck and hope that your adventures in middle earth are all successful.
Best Wishes,
Stefan
[OOC:] It is a shame to lose you Stefan, it has been fun gaming. Take care of yourself and we'll see that Nain lives a long and prosperous life.
The men around Dirnhael grunted in reply as the disguised Dúnadan left with his bucket of water, their conversation going on without him.
He took a winding path through the square until he came back to the forge, all the while watching and counting the Sagath that he could see. The Easterlings were still hard at work but the number of wains on the far shore was starting to diminish. Dirnhael knew that if unchecked, Harizän would be able to lead out his army by the coming of the new day. The sun was only beginning its afternoon descent so there was still some time for him to make contact with the one guardsman known as Patrel.
Upon approaching the forge, Dirnhael could see his Dwarf companion working behind the table of tools, stoking the coals with a piece of metal. The warrior had noticed a big change in his comrade since he had met his kinfolk; Nain seemed... happier? Dirnhael thought that was the best word for it. The craftsman was certainly more animated then he had been before.
Coming behind the forge to set his buckets down, Dirnhael met eyes with Nain, to which the Dwarf quickly averted his gaze. The Dúnadan wondered what was wrong.
Nain drew forth the slender piece of metal and it slapped into the bucket of water Dirnhael had just provided with an angry hiss. The Dwarf drew off his gloves and looked at his friend, "Find anything of worth?"
Dirnhael nodded and re-counted what he had learned as Nain looked at the newly honed blade - it just needed the guard and it would be complete. The Dwarf listened intently and then in an awkward manner, gave the warrior some unhappy news.
"I know this is not a good time, Dirnhael, and I have no wish to leave you in a bind... especially not Fengel. But these folk of mine are leaving with tomorrow's light and going north to a place they call the Iron Hills. I am going with them."
Nain's last words hit Dirnhael like a mattock. The Dwarf continued, "T'is not me wish to walk away from these troubles, but the life-debt I owed you for your help in the spider-horror's tomb... well I believe it is paid. Besides... a Dwarf craftsman will only slow you tall men down! Anyways, Falin and his band are breaking camp in the morning and I am moving on with them... but we can still work today to help you garner what you need. Now get on with your chores..."
A wink accompanied the last words from the Dwarf and he turned from Dirnhael to grab a chamois for polishing the metal. Nain turned back, "Tell Fengel... I mean no disrespect."
In Dwarven manner, Nain went back to work, heedless of Dirnhael's stunned look and leaving the warrior with his own thoughts on the garnering of a potential ally and the loss of a trusted companion. The Dúnadan wondered what he should do next.
[OOC:] Hey Shawn, for all intents and purposes Nain will now be an NPC who is willing to help, but is showing more interest in being amongst hos own people.
Let me know what you want to do...
"Any such debt has been repaid many times over. I know it has not been easy for you to be apart from your kin for so long; and when you met us, you were a craftsman plying your wares. One does not often find the opportunity to go home again."
He said the last thinking of what his life had become. He was proud of it, but it was so very different from where he started - and there was no turning back. He was happy that Nain had the opportunity to do so, and was not afraid to take it. All of them had to eventually find their own path, and he wondered where Nain's would take him.
"Fortunately," he added with a smile, "if I ever find myself in the Iron Hills, at least there's one Dwarf who might forgive my shoddy metalwork!"
He clasped Nain's shoulders in a warrior's embrace. "Fare thee well, my friend. May the wind be at your back."
***
That evening, Dirnhael reflected on what had happened. He was happy for Nain and did not begrudge his departure - though he would miss his presence - but his cover was gone, and with one less (very stout) axe, their plan needed to be accelerated.
He went to seek out Patrel and tell him his true purpose, come what may... for they were almost out of time.
[OOC:] Hey Shawn, I am going to put your character on hold for a bit to get Durgil and Fengel caught up to you time-wise.
Quote from: tomcat on Jan 16, 2008, 10:38 AM
[OOC:] Hey Shawn, I am going to put your character on hold for a bit to get Durgil and Fengel caught up to you time-wise.
OOC: Sounds good! I've been following that suspenseful thread myself.