Book I - The Forging of a Fellowship

[Vardaen]

Draig heads inside, letting the others follow in. The keg not left outside for anyone to drink. "Ov course, I 'ave a whole meal ready fer yea. I donna know what Elves and Dwarves eat, but I can tell you the lamb here is tha best anyplace in Middle-earth."

Heading into the tower you find that it is a simple afair. The tower once might have ben regal and mightily covered with Dunedain art, but now it is simple and rustic. Tanned furs cover the floor and wall, a few stuffed heads of large deer are mounted on the wall. This chamber is set up like someones house. A table chairs, a few more comfortable chairs, and other features you might find in a place where men gather to spend the time are here. The room is smaller than the outside of the tower, as a set of stairs spirals up the outside of the tower walll, and a doorway, covered by a fur, leads into a small armory of spears and shields to be used the village's defense takes up a portion of the area. Draig offers a seat at the table, where a large rack of lamb is already set out for four, "Lets sit an eat and talk." He's being rather understanding, hospitable, and welcoming so far. Perhaps these people aren't as savage as everyone has thought?

[Shurijo]

Borir smiles at the sign they have prepared food for the occasion. 'œBawh. We dwarves'll eat nearly anything as long as there some ale to wash it down.' He takes a seat at the table and begins to fill his plate with all of the food elements.

[TetNak]

Hwindsul nods, following along with the dwarf and elf. He remains quiet about the food, and ale, and simply looks around, staying alert to their surroundings. The Dunlendings are not know to be sneaky in nature, but it is possible.

[Trogdor]

"I assure you," Faladril says with a genuine smile, "that I am as eager to try the best lamb in Middle Earth as any man or dwarf." He follows Draig and takes the offered seat at the table. "You do us a great kindness, Draig," he says with a short bow of his head. "And we thank you for it."

[Vardaen]

Draig nods to the Elf, he's a bit enamoured at the sight of the Eldar. "Our lamb be good, but ear the best, not since we lost a few ov our best cooks last winter ta tha fevor." He dishes out food, ale, anything else and takes some himself. Borir dives into the food, as does Draig enjoying the dwarven ale greatly. "Now this is a fine heady mead!" Draig doesn't talk much at first, and there is an unease silence at the table as dinner is had. Outside there can be sounds now and then of village life at this time of year, the baying of sheep, and the shouts and laughs of men and woman.

You are half way through your meal when the front door bursts open, and Druce appears. "<Dunael> Raiders! Raiders at the north flocks!" He looks around at the trio gathered, and his eyes stray to the dwarven ale keg, only for a moment.

Draig stands up shoving his chair back, "<Dunael> Úrlach Clan? (d. Stag Clan)" Druce shakes his head no, "Nay, Daen Iontis!" Draig curses loudly and points at you three. "Yea best stay here, this be trouble yea donna want!" He strides purposfully to the side of the room takes up his spear and small round shield there, and motions to Druce to lead the way.

[Shurijo]

Borir looks around at the others. He is clearly confused by the speech but the mannerisms let him know that it isn't good news that was brought to the group. 'œWhat? What's happening?' he asks as he picks up a leg of lamb hoping to take it with him wherever they might go.

[TetNak]

Hwindsul calls out to Borir, "Master Dwarf, please, calm yourself." He pauses, looking over at the elf, "We do not wish to involve ourselves in a Dunlending civil strife." He frowns, "Choosing sides in a battle we do not understand is extremely unwise."

[Trogdor]

Faladril nods as Draig tells of the loss of cooks. "I have some minor skill in cooking myself," he replies, "and can understand the loss of a true artist. "But there are ways to compensate," He adds. And as he does, he gestures over the food and ale. In response, nothing spectacular happens. But somehow the entire feast becomes just a little bit sharper. The ale is crisper; the lamb juicier; and the root vegetables more fresh.

OOC

Cast Enhance Food.

The others have seen Faladril perform this minor enchantment many times before. It doesn't actually change anything in the food, he has explained, but simply brings out the best that the food has to offer. Regardless of the explanation, however, it does make the feast that much tastier.

When the interruption comes Faladril remains quiet. But once Draig leaves, he gets a thoughtful look. "Unwise, perhaps," he says in reply to Hwindsul's comment. "But this is not exactly a conflict we know nothing about."

"They said that the raiders were Daen Iontis. That tells us two very important things. First, despite being in the clan of the wolf, this village is not itself allied with the Daen Iontis faction. And second, not only are they not allied with Daen Iontis, they are opposed - at least enough opposed that Daen Iontis raiders will attack them. Perhaps they are even within the Daen Coentis faction."

"This is important," Faladril continues, "because the Daen Iontis are opposed to the Dunedain, and by extension are opposed to King Elessar. They may well be the strongest force opposing the rebuilding of Tharbad, since they wish to stir up dissent between the Dunlendings and the folk of Gondor, Arnor, and Rohir, and Tharbad represents a place where all four folks can meet and make peace."

"So you are right," the elf concludes, "it would be unwise to choose sides in a battle we don't understand. But it would also be unwise to let an opportunity slip from our grasp to strengthen ties between us and those with whom we share a mutual foe."

[Shurijo]

Borir continues to eat away at the prepared food as the others converse. At first he goes to sit back down as Hwindsul speaks, but as the elf speaks the dwarf sees that there is another side.

As the others talk, he stuffs a couple pieces of food into his carrying sack and then stands, 'œWell, then wat're we waiting for?'

[TetNak]

Hwindsul nods slowly, "The elf is correct," he says, "We should at least take a look at what is occurring." He prepares to follow the dwarf out of the room to see what 'raids' are taking place. The truth, of course, is that stealing is against the King's Law. That is enough for the simple facts.

OOC

Do we have our weapons?