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The new day was as beautiful as the last. The sky was an azure blue and only thin white wispy clouds could be seen high above.

Arbogast sat outside the hall, his eyes following a raptor in the sky, as it hung on the thermals looking for prey. It reminded him of a day long gone when he and his companions were trapped within a Dwarven fort.

His morning peace was suddenly broken as the Dwarf he had met just the day before, thumped out into the clearing. Anar the Old, thought Arbogast as the Dwarf poured out the contents of his cup. Old beer? There came some grumbling, as was the nature of those folk, and then Anar stretched his back as it was bent from years of hard labor.

The Fire-watcher's fascination with his new companion was interrupted even more, as cries for aid began to come from the north gate.

"Help! Aid here! Come, we need assistance!"

Arbogast stood to see, soon followed by many folk that had been inside Rhosgobel's main hall. A crowd was forming and the throng now moved to where four men urgently carried a fifth between them.

"He was washed up from the river!" Cried out one of the men. They were fishermen that spent their days along the river, using nets and baskets to draw in the Dusky's bounty. Though it was less these days then times passed.

"He was drowned in the water, when we found him!"

"Started spluttering and coughing once we got him ashore!"

"Is he alive?"

"Stand back now, make room!"

"I think he is lost!"

"Stand back!"

"Give him air!"

And so went the cries, as people moved in to see.

Arbogast shares a momentary glance with Anar before rushing to the side of the half-drowned man.  He is not the most skilled healer even among those dwelling within Rhosgobel, but he is here, and resolves to do what he may before surer hands are available to take over.

As he works to restore the man's breath, he thinks hard about the nearby streams that feed into the river proper, several days walk from here.  He knows of none that have proven especially hazardous in days gone by, but as the Shadow lengthens across Middle-Earth, who can say what new dangers might lie in wait for the unwary?


:ooc: I'm going to try A Healing roll.  Wish me luck!

Anar rushes over, wanting to help in anyway he can. But healing is not his strong suit, so he waited for his new companion who'd already started to try and heal him in case he could be of some use.

:ooc: Saving the man is going to require a Prolonged test with a cumulative TN 56.

• each test performed takes 1 minute
• each test must meet a TN 14 minimum to be a success, but the total dice result will be counted toward the cumulative goal
• the drowned man will pass away in 6 minutes.

So far, a minute has passed and Arbogast's attempt to aid the man proves futile: 1/6

Sigrid the Healer - a silver-haired woman who has worked long under the tutelage of Radagast in the ways of healing.

TN 56 healing 4d

The crowd stood around Arbogast and Anar, as the Fire-watcher administered to the man. He opened his mouth to allow air to flow into the drowned man's lungs but only gurgles could be heard.

Time was passing and the fellow was a deadly shade of blue.

Voices came from the crowd, "Make way! Sigrid is here! Make way for the lady!"

Arbogast and Anar saw a tall woman appear through the throng of people. She was of middling age with silver-white hair that hung in a braid down her back. There were wrinkles at the corners of her mouth and eyes, but still she was a comely woman. The Fire-watcher had only heard of her, but had never had the chance to meet her personally. This was Sigrid the Healer who had spent many years under the tutelage of Radagast the Brown, learning the craft of healing.

She spoke with an authority that made the two companions react, "Quickly, get him on his side."

Sigrid knelt down to the drowned man, her ear placed near his mouth.

"He lives, but barely! His body is trying to breath. Hold him tightly for me."

The two grabbed the man by shoulders and waist and Sigrid place a hand to his abdomen. With great strength, she pushed in on the stomach, while hitting the man's back. Arbogast and Anar saw as water gushed forth from the mouth and the man's body wracked in a spasm - trying to cough.

Sigrid tried again.

:ooc: Okay - I reread the Prolonged Actions rules and I need to adjust what I posted above - as that stuff is written based on the CODA extended action (cumulative TN) rule.

Saving the man is going to require a Prolonged test which will require 5 successes

• each test performed takes 1 minute
• each test must meet a TN 14 minimum to be a success
• a :%: success counts for 2 successes; an :%: :%: success counts for 3 successes
• the drowned man will pass away in 6 minutes.

RESULTS THUS FAR
• 2 of 6 minutes passed
• 2 of 5 successes achieved

TN 14 healing 4d

Sigrid shoved once more on the abdomen and hit hard on the back.

Water was released again and then the drowned man was coughing and gasping as he sucked air back into his lungs. Arbogast was amazed - the man's flesh almost immediately began to change from a morbid blue to a pale white.

The woman spoke calmly, "Give him a moment. Let him work it out. He should be well enough to move and get to a fire for warmth." Sigrid looked at a young boy, resident of Rhosgobel, "For now run and fetch a blanket, child."

With a nod, the boy was off through the crowd.

Grimbeorn and Hathcyn had just arrived and stood where they could see - behind them, the tall Rohirrim.

Sigrid held the man as best she could, trying to provide comfort as his body went through the torment of expelling water from the lungs. A painful task to say the least.

The boy returned moments later and handed the healer the woolen blanket, which she wrapped around the man. His eyes were wide in wonder as he did not know where he was, or what had happened.

Sigrid stood and pointed to a few strong men, "Lift him now...gently...and take him to the hearth. He will need to warm himself. The water's of the river are still cold with winter's touch."

And it was done.

The companions followed the train the led to the hall. Behind them, the throng of people - though still desiring information as to who the drowned man was and how he came to such a state - disbursed. Each had a task of their own to attend to, and none would be done by standing about. Even the fishermen who had rushed back to Rhosgobel with their charge, resigned themselves to returning to where their nets and baskets still drifted in the streams.

Inside the hall, Bivor had made room near the fire, which was now piled with soft furs. The man was placed there and Sigrid moved to get him a cup of hot tea. She handed it to the man as he chattered, "W-w-where am-m I?"

Grimbeorn spoke up.  "You are in Rhosgobel, dwelling of the wizard Radagast.  What is your name, whence do you hail, and how is it that you were found in the river?"

Anar grabbed a nearby blanket and wrapped it around the shoulders of the man to help warm him some more.

Hathcyn, while not uncaring to the mains plight, knew he could do nothing personally. The questions he eanted answered were already asked by Grimbeorn. So the tall man drank his ale and chewed on some salted fish he had talked out of the serving girl they had met the night before.

Looking up at the tall Beorning, which seemed to confuse the man more, he replied, "I am Everard, son of Everand, and I am from Woodland Hall."

"You are far from home," said Bivor, though he was not surprised. There were quite a few people in his house now that were far from their lands.

The sodden man gladly accepted the blanket from Anar - a look of familiarity passed over his face, as if he knew the Dwarf or had seen him before. The town of Woodland Hall had benefited greatly from the presence of the Dwarf road-builders and all of their gold.

"Aye...Rhosgobel you say?" It was evident that Everard was trying to put things together. "We were on the Dusky. How did I end up in Rhosgobel?"

The question was in all of their minds. The Dusky River had many tributaries forming its headwater, but it was straight for most of its path. There were the occasional streams and branches that broke away from the river proper - one of which the fishermen of Rhosgobel used as it passed close to the small town.

"You were found afloat in our tributary," said Bivor. "You must have been washed down from the main flow. What happened?"

"We had set out on a river barge four days ago. The Lady Verwyne had come to us barge-men and offered gold for any that might find a new water route off of the Dusky that led east towards Sunstead. Word is that the gold comes from Ceawin, master of that folk, who seeks for new paths through the Narrows.

"On day three, I remember the water becoming a torrent, as if a great deluge of rain had fallen, but none had. Our look-out caught sight of a raven-haired woman along the banks - her clothes shimmering like they were scales! The boat was tossed upon the raging waters and I was cast off. I remember nothing more than the freezing cold and being adrift...and then waking here."

Arbogast's face cast a grim look - this was the second time a woman was seen in the woods and the second time men had been led astray to some tragedy. Everard's next comment added to the Fire-watcher's concern.

"Was anyone else of my company found in the water?"

A number of silent shakes of the head was the only answer given.

"Then we must find them! There are stout folk among us and one is my brother!"

Arbogast's spirits are mixed as he listens to the man's tale.  Though his heart sinks to hear that the corruption of the River-maidens has spread beyond the Black Tarn, folk lost in the darkness of the Wood, at least, is a problem he will understands.

"How many was your company?  Can you describe them?"

"There was four of us, including myself. We are barge-men and so we are all of the same size and build - our boats need to carry more supplies than the weight of passengers." Those around could see that Everard was thin of frame, though his arms and shoulders were strong. Poling boats up and down the river created the needed upper-body strength.

"One of them looked like me, but he is younger - my brother, Edward. It was our intent to take the Eldosa tributary off the main Dusky and see how deep it goes into the wood. Mayhaps it would allow for ease of travel."

Arbogast knew the tributary that Everard spoke of - it was a wide branch of the Dusky River that flowed east into the forest, but was said to thin and become bogged with reed and plants.

"Firewatcher, what do you know of these rivers and streams the man speaks of? I have no knowledge of the lay of this land so far south.
And when we have a moment I have another question for you as well."

"I know but little, for it flows north of the Black Tarn, toward the darkest woods where only spiders go without fear.  I know of no Man living who has followed it to its source."

The Fire-watcher stands, his face drawn in a grim expression.  "I will go in search of this man's lost companions," he says.  "I will be glad of assistance from any here, but know this," he pauses meeting the eyes of each Man, and Dwarf, present, "the Heart of Mirkwood is home to many terrible things, and I will hold none a coward who wish to venture no further than the banks of the Dusky River."

"Will you tell us about this River Maiden? I have heard only pieces of a story it seems and then from what I have heard all does not go together well."

Grimbeorn actually laughs at his friend's dour proclamation.  "Now don't scare the lot too much.  My axe was ready the moment he said his companions we're missing.  This is what I came for anyways for my father spoke of this darkness, meeting our old foe in its web seems to be foretold."

:ooc: I will get a story post up tonight or tomorrow.

 :ooc: i have an idea, but my character doesnt know diddly squat about the river maidens. Meta question for player thought: is it always the same river maiden that's being nasty? If so has anyone checked with the others on what her deal is? Maybe bargeman was wrecked by one sister and saved by another.

Quote from: Telcontar on Jan 04, 2019, 02:02 AM"Will you tell us about this River Maiden? I have heard only pieces of a story it seems and then from what I have heard all does not go together well."

"For Duskwater do Men name her," Arbogast replies, "eldest of the River-maidens.  She and her two sisters have dwelled in the Dusky River and the Black Tarn, it is told, since before the first Men came to live in Mirkwood.  Ever have they been friends to my folk, rescuing the drowning, yes, but also holding the river as if it were a wall against the darker denizens of the Wood.  They have even," he continues, leaning forward conspiratorially," taken lovers from among those who ply the water, and many among the people of Black Tarn Hall claim decent from one such."

He sits back again. "But all things turn for the worse in Mirkwood, it seems.  Duskwater has turned against my home, so that few indeed will brave the waters of the Tarn.  At first it was simply snared metres and capsized boats, but Radaghast has become sure that the poor takings of fish are due to her efforts against us.  I know not whether she has in truth escalated to murder, for the water has ever had its perils, but certainly every accident and ill fortune among the fishermen and barge traders is attributed to her malice."


:ooc: I'm willing to be proven wrong, but I'm petty sure that only Duskwater is being a problem - the other two are fine.

EDIT: ...for now.

"And what of her sisters? Are the mixed stories and reports perhaps due to a conflict among them?"

Arbogast spreads his hands and shrugs.  "I have heard no tales of such a thing, though it would not surprise me in these kinstrife-riven days.  The River-maidens live their lives for the most part beneath the water, and who is to say what passes between them there?  Were Radaghast here, I would ask him.  But he is not, and we must make our own guesses."

"It sounds to me as if one is bent on destruction, and this bargeman was saved by another and carried a great distance. Though as you say, who is to know for sure, and the ways of water are not well known to me. Either way, the Wolfslayer is right. We have come all this way and here at least is something to do."

Hathcyn put an ale horn down in front of the drowned man.

"Here you go. River water will make you sick, but this will make you strong."

"You know that I will be joining you on your journeys my friend. No need to ask." He says putting his hands on his belt.

"My axe is yours."

"Do we wait a day for the wizard, or do we pack and march at once?"

"Loath as I am to counsel rash and hasty action, when Men go astray in the wood, each hour is precious.  The sun lights the day, and I know the way to the Eldosa stream.  Let us go as soon as we may be ready." 

:ooc: Thanks for the patience, everyone!! I truly mean it - there will be new game content tomorrow.

Been amazingly busy here with year end for my company and having to figure out work arounds for the lost profiler.

With no word from Radagast and questions unanswered, the companions made ready to leave. They collected their gear and girded themselves for travel. The folk of Rhosgobel were accommodating with foodstuffs and waterskins for though both could be found within Mirkwood, care needed to be taken. By the time they were restocked, each of their backpacks bulged with supplies. Arbogast looked at his own and contemplated the aching shoulders to come.

He looked to the Rohirrim who had been silent since his arrival, though he had remained among their group, "I know not your path, but if you are willing to aid, it would be welcomed. Know that your horse will best be left here in Rhosgobel. I understand that living within the wizard's realm will serve it greatly."

The Fire-watcher smiled at the puzzled look on Eomund's face and he thought, What a laugh it would be to return and hear the palfrey speaking!

The straps of their packs bit deeply but they were ready. Bivor the Fair-handed came to see them off and promised he would inform Master Radagast of their presence in Rhosgobel and the direction the companions now took.

"I wish you well in your search. Safe journey and know that we will see that Everard is returned to health and then back to his home."

Hatchcyn shouldered his pack with a practiced toss. He also seemed to have a wine skin that was in excess of those the others carried and a horn from the hall hung from the strap. Grimbeorn arched an eye at the horn and Hathcyn smiled.

"I didnt tie it there. It came with the skin, and there was a kiss or two that came with them both."

The Wolfslayer shook his head, but adjusted his own gear.

"What? She was helpful, it's not my fault that I am easily missed and hard to part with."

The Longspear slapped Anar on the shoulder, "Tate taught me a couple of new songs that I may have adjusted the words to...Anyway, we are off into the wild again, dangerrs all around, strange river ladies tossing dweomers hither and yon. This is far better than cattle herding! Come Firewatcher, tell of this wood of yours. is it much different than that of the north? I have worked the northern end..."

Hathcyn then proceeded to ask questions of the Woodman, but seemed to take no notice, or leave room, for much of a response.

"When one travels with the Wolfslayer you tend to make your own conversation. I have come many leagues with a silent bear, and a bookish badger. Come Firewatcher, break the silence and relieve me of my endless noise." And with that the lanky Beorning listened to all the Firewatccher would tell him as they walked.