OOC: Bringing the threads back together with Fengel going to get Drugil and any aid he may have conjured.
As Fengel made his way down the broken path to his horse, Durgil and the Dwarven patrol weaved their way down the steep slopes of Hollin Road. The falls roared on their right as they continued down in silence, Durgil feeling as if he had been forgotten for no word was said to him, nor did any Dwarf glance in his direction.
Once down the stairs, the group approached Dwolin and he and his brethren spoke quietly to themselves, but then the lone guard spoke, "This Man's companions proceeded down the Hollin way, west to where a broken cart lay - that is where we found evidence of Trolls. I have not heard anything from them since they left."
The Dwarves again discussed in silence, but then Bori made a decision, "Dwolin, you will come with us and show us this place - you three will remain here and take up ward of the bridge." He then looked to Durgil, "You may come as well seeing as your friends are already there."
The group began to move out immediately.
Fengel rode Heostor at a great pace on the Hollin Road, back east towards the bridge and the Dwarven city. He had traveled nearly the mile and a half when he saw Durgil and the three Dwarves approaching.
Back on the ridge, the Company had decided Seriand's idea well founded and commenced gathering what fuel they could to build a fire. The Elves also gathered green pine branches that would be optimum for producing smoke.
"Well met, Fengel. Were on our way to find you. These warriors with me have set out to learn of the fate of their patrol. What news have you?" speaks the young Dunadan.
OOC: I like the idea, but I don't want to suffocate the Dwarves inside the cave...
Of course, it's safe to assume they'll come out, so Dirnhael will try to find some logs and vines so he could place a trap atop the cave entrance.
A concerned look crossed Edrahil's face as the others began gathering wood for a fire to smoke out the trolls. "We don't really know the condition of their captives, and smoke might be quite detrimental to them. If they are somehow bound they may succumb to the smoke before we are able to get them out of the cave, or we may not be able to enter to help them at all. The risk of this plan seems great."
Quote from: BrianM on Nov 14, 2006, 12:57 PM
A concerned look crossed Edrahil's face as the others began gathering wood for a fire to smoke out the trolls. "We don't really know the condition of their captives, and smoke might be quite detrimental to them. If they are somehow bound they may succumb to the smoke before we are able to get them out of the cave, or we may not be able to enter to help them at all. The risk of this plan seems great."
"I agree," said Dirnhael, "but it may be that just the smell of the smoke, plus a few well-placed threats, might well enough itself. All we need is to draw them out for a few moments, and we can strike."
OOC: Is there a test needed for Dirnhael to make a trap; perhaps sharpened logs and a tripwire, or something like that?
Galudir considered the problem and what his best contribution could be to the rescue. "If we can distract the trolls I can slip past behind them and help the dwarves escape. That way they may only be exposed to the smoke for a few moments."
"Chances are the Dwarves are lying down. Since the smoke rises the trolls will be affected long before the dwarves."
As the Company both discussed and prepared their fuel for the fire, the Trolls couldn't help but hear them rustling around at the cave entrance.
"Ort... seems we've got some more visitors out there," Bin said, looking over his shoulder towards the cave entrance. "What are them little rats up to now?"
Bin stood up from the log that lay close to the glowing embers of the Troll's own fire, and he strode over to the long cave that led out towards the open sky.
"Ort... they're piling up leaves and twigs and such at the entrance. Wunder what that's fer?"
"Cuz they're probably gonna try and smoke us out or somethin' ya dim wit!" Ort answered, standing up himself and stomping over until his great mass could be seen as a shadow down the cave. "Light that up ya rats and I'll toss one of yer own on top!"
The Company heard Ort's booming theat and all took pause... moments later a large item came hurling out of the cave, smashing onto the ground outside and then tumbled over the edge. The Company all feared it to be one of the captive Dwarves, but on quick inspection saw that it was a great stone that bounced and skittered down the precipice.
The Dwarves that accompanied Durgil did not stop or wait for any reply from the Eothraim; they continued down the road leaving the two companions to catch up as they talked.
OOC: Actions -and/or - dialogue
OOC: OK, maybe the fire thing isn't gonna work...
"They would kill the captive Dwarves first before simply wandering out into the light. It is no idle threat," said Dirnhael, who was sharpening the stumps of broken branches on a fallen log.
Fengel nodded in response to his friends greeting, "We have found the Trolls, and they have captured the dwarven company. They are probably still alive, but I fear not for long. The others are trying to plan some offensive. Come Durgil, they may already be in need of our strength." With that he turns his stead around and gives Heostor a kick.
With the dwarves in tow, Durgil and Fengel rejoin their companions.
"Well, that is that then. We should probably wait for the dwarves to send some help." Galudir found a soft patch of dirt and leaves away from the cave and laid back waiting for Fengel to return.
From Galudir's comment to Durgil and Fengel's arrival was about thirty minutes, and behind the duo came three Dwarves - Dwolin being one. The trio immediately went to their fallen companion and the Company said nothing as the Dwarves paid thier respects.
After a few moments, Bori stood and tore at his beard and in the tongue of his people he spoke, "One lies dead here, and three more are within... we will not allow them to receive the same fate."
Bori looked towards Nain, who had heard and understood all; he hefted his axe and turned to enter the cave - behind him, his kin followed.
OOC: Actions - and/or - Dialogue? If you think the rashness of the Dwarves a major folly, you will need to make some Persuade tests to overcome their decision. I will base results on your DOS...
Persuade:
2d6= 5,1
Bearing (+1), Skill Ranks (+5), Speciality (+2), Honey-tongued (+2)
6+5+2+2= 15
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As the dwarves made for the trolls Galudir jumped up from his resting place and ran towards the cave, "Ho there dwarves! For the sake of your comrades do not throw your lives away!"
Nain listens to the newest member of their group in his attempt to change the mind of a dwarf. He then frees his own axe and follows the rest of the dwarves toward the cave.
Scratching the side of his head at the sight of the dwarves simply marching headlong into the troll lair. "Well they aren't going to have their minds changed...." Drawing his blade the elven scout simply followed behind the dwarven war party, keeping to the shadows in a hope to flank around in the midst of the battle...
OOC: Sorry - I was out of town and didn't have 'net access for most of last week...
***
Dirnhael continued to work on his makeshift booby trap until the Dwarves started to march towards the entrance.
He scrambled down the hill from above the top of the entrance while waving his arms frantically.
"No, no! There are at least three trolls inside; it is dark and they know their own lair," he said.
"T'would be suicide. They think a dwarf still lives out here; let us lie in wait until sunset and catch them unawares!"
***
Persuade roll (Persuade +0)
Roll(2d6)+0: 1,4,+0 Total:5
OOC: I figured that wouldn't work, what with my no skill and all...
OOC: As if they can't hear the discourse outside their cave.... ;)
"This won't end well," thinks Durgil as he unslings his bow and nocks an arrow -- he won't leave them to their doom without a fighting chance.
OOC: He remains to the rear of the entering force, ready to fire upon any foe coming into view.
Dirnhael stared at the man he knew as Thermon in stunned silence. To Dirnhael, the roguish fellow appeared to be one of the few remaining with any common sense as he watched Seriand and Durgil prepare to enter the trolls' cave.
Dirnhael was not one to shy away from a fight, but "only a fool fights in a burning house," he thought. The trolls knew they were out there; they knew their lair, and they were formidable foes even under the best of circumstances - and, most definitely, these were not the best of circumstances.
He looked to Edrahil and Fengel in hopes of learning some wisdom that he might have missed.
As he passed his friend, Durgil commented, "You tried to sway them, but they will not be. I, for one, won't let them go off on a fool's errand without lending aid while I may. Besides, the trolls are expecting a small contingent of dwarves, not all of us."