would there be a map as to where we are supposed to go?  I am unfamiliar with the place references.

"Well then," says Arbogast, "we ought to begin our journey as soon as we can, for I would be home as soon as possible and not leave the hard work of rebuilding to my kinsmen.  But first, introductions are in order." 

He nods to the Dwarf.  "Rorin, from your labours I take it that Caewin has already arrived, no doubt with his retinue in tow.  We should seek out the daughter of Vingal, and any others who are to accompany us." 

Hey Matt, yea, if you go to Resources above and then Lord of the Rings, there is a map link for Wilderland.

Resigned to his duty, Grimbeorn becomes practical.  "I vaguely know of Mountain Home, as it is south of my father's lands but who is to lead the group back?  Is the a map that might be consulted?  Is there a means to cross the Anduin?  Is there any knowledge of potential hazards or enemies in that area?  What of provisions for the journey?  And if we are to be there and encounter these foul wights, do you have any ideas in how to defeat them?"

The brown wizard could tell that his initial answer did little to persuade the Beorning to undertake the task.
He sighed and looked to the south in the direction of Dol Guldur.

"Grimbeorn, son of Beorn many battles have been fought against the shadow. Many fell deeds and strength of arms have broken themselves against the marring of the world. There have been times where even an entire life span of a man have known peace, but they are few. The wisdom has not been given to you Grimbeorn son of Beorn to know the past and future of the world. There will always be another battle, another fight to be waged for truly our time of peace is over. I dont know if you wil ever know peacce again while this age of the world endures. The ash of the great dfire mountain taints even the air here in my home, and who will care for the small things?"

The wizaard looked older to the companions than he had the last time he saw them. While in the past he had looked travvel worn and rugged, now he looked dirty and smelled like the wet dead leaves of autumn instead of the spices and wood smoke of a crisp fall night.

"I do not have the fortelling, my voice is for the trees, and the birds. When I am gone who will they have to talk to? Take this woman to her husband to be, enjoy the peace of the land. Fell deeds will still be at hand when you return. Who knows what you might find on the road between the forest and the sea."

"Wizard, I will go as an escort and representative of my people; it is my duty.  I just don't want to be caught too much by surprise lest we encounter anything foul upon the road or those dark spirit of Ceawin's.  I have no doubt that war, strife, and evil won't end -- not even with the end of the Dark Lord -- but I want to be prepared for it when it comes."

"I cautioned Ceawin from trying to rebuild in the East Bight. Men lived there, but left it long ago. These new troubles may be connected to the wakening of the evil in the south, or it could be something else that has stirred. Either way I believe his current errand is dangerous, Rorin has taken this quest on, and it will be well that you go with him."

Rorin listened as the Wizard responded to the various questions being thrown at him by the companions, and he was bothered by it. He felt as though Radagast had withheld some information, but he also wasn't going to press the issue...after all, Wizards will be Wizards. However, he did still have one question.

"Radagast, you say that Caewin's request is that of a fool? Do I do the realm a disservice by creating this artifact? I do not know of such things."


This will be a bit of a retcon, but shouldn't affect anything. I had forgotten that I got a new Virtue, Raven of the Mountain, during this Fellowship phase. And it seems wrong to just magically have a Raven pet with no explanation.

One night when Rorin was engrossed in the reforging of his war hammer, a dark raven perched unseen over him quizzically watching the Dwarf's work. After a time, it greeted him,

"Hello Rorin, son of Barin."

"Aye! Who goes there?!", Rorin spun around raising his smithing hammer to strike but saw nothing.

"My name is Magrac, son of Roäc of Ravenhill, and I come to serve you."

The befuddled Rorin lowered his arm and finally saw the figure of a Raven perched on the dark rafters above him. "Why?", he asked.

Magrac went on to explain that since the Shadow had fled from Mirkwood, the Ravens of Ravenhill had begun to flourish again and grow in number. Also now that the Kingdom of Erebor had been reborn and Dwarves once again lived under the mountain the old alliance between the Dwarves and Ravens had been revitalized. The Ravens had begun to spread far and wide to gather tidings and learn about the newly growing Shadow and were reporting back to the Dain II. Some of the elder Ravens had caught wind of this unlikely company that Radagast had created and that they counted a Dwarf of Erebor among their number. Magrac was sent to find this Dwarf and assist him because any Dwarf working directly for the Brown Wizard was clearly of great importance to the region and was worthy of their assistance.  

Ever since that day Magrac was never far from Rorin's side, even if he spent much of his time in shadowy corners where most eyes would not see him. The two conversed on a regular basis and began to greatly enjoy eachother's company.

Grimbeorn narrowed his gaze at the Wizard. "That's a lot of words to say 'I don't know, good luck.'"

-- Following Rorin --

Sighing, the young man takes a moment to consider his words more carefully. "My father is no less a friend to the beasts than what I know of you, so I understand your concern.  We will do what we can for the people."  To anyone still here, he says, "Let's go see this Ceawin and introduce ourselves as Arbogast suggests."

  Esgalwen doesn't have anything to add. She will accompany the bride-to-be as requested.

The conversation with Radaghast having come to an uneasy conclusion, Arbogast stands and excuses himself.  The weariness and worry that remain from the raid are gradually being replaced with the mixed excitement and trepidation at the prospect of another long journey into the unknown.  He goes in search of Caewin's party, reasoning that, among the tiny and familiar population of Rhosgobel, such a prominent man will not be hard to find. 

I will update our game tomorrow.

The companions had few dealings with the Brown Wizard, but their journey south had put him in their company for an extended period of time. There were few in the village who could boast such close personal time with Radagast. Though they could not say what it was to each of them the wizard seemed somewhat changed after their entry into Dol Guldur. He spoke less and was not seen for long periods of time, but strangest of all it seemed as though it was hard to keep his attention on anything and his sense of humor and deep laugh had hardly ever been heard since the winter. Even now when he was with them the presence that he had had before seemed dimmed and less there. None knew the age of the wizard and while he appeared old no one would have called him such, now though he began to act aged, like the old folks of evey village.