Prelude: The Gathering of Five Armies

It is the year 2946 of the Third Age, and the lands east of the Misty Mountains are astir. From the cloud-shrouded peaks above the High Pass to the spider-infested gloom of the forest of Mirkwood, paths long-deserted are trodden once again. Busy merchants carry their wares to new markets, messengers bring tidings from foreign realms, and kings send forth armed men to extend their influence and the rule of law. Some say that a new age of freedom has begun, a time for adventure and great deeds to reclaim glories lost in long centuries of oppression and decline.

But adventures are not really things that people go out and look for. They are dangerous and rarely end well. While it is true that a handful of valiant individuals set out to make their mark on the world, for others it seems that adventure chooses them, as though it is the path they are fated to tread. They are restless warriors, curious scholars and wanderers, always eager to seek what was lost or explore what was forgotten. Ordinary people call them adventurers, and when they return successful, they call them heroes. But if they fail, no one will even remember their names...

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Re: Prelude: The Gathering of Five Armies

Post by TetNak » Tue Oct 22, 2013 7:29 am

Aerth nods from under his hood, "Aerth," he says simply, "I agree with Varuthil, shall we take you back to town?" He watches the men flee, attempting to gauge their path as best he can.
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Re: Prelude: The Gathering of Five Armies

Post by Eilandor » Tue Oct 22, 2013 3:45 pm

"Well done Varuthil," Wren says in such a way that illustrates his surprise at her display.

Turning to Baldor and his son Belgo, "My name is Wren and I am pleased that we now meet under improved circumstances."
Number Two: "You are number six."
Number Six: "I am not a number, I am a free man!"
Number Two: "Muh ha ha ha ha!"

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Re: Prelude: The Gathering of Five Armies

Post by Vardaen » Tue Oct 22, 2013 4:50 pm

Baldor nods a few times, "Yes yes I guess that is wise. I'll need to redo my travel plan, down to Lake-town first I think, then up the river, cutting cross country like this was a poor idea." Belgo is tugging on his father tunic and the older man leans over and the boy whispers something to him, and he smiles. "A wonderful idea Belgo." Adjusting his shirt he addresses the small fellowship, "You are brave and strong and I can see wise as well. I have need of new caravan guards, quite plainly my first choice was poor, but Belgo has suggested perhaps your small company would be interested in a short trip through Mirkwood? My plans are all worked out, I can tell you all the details later, but we'll be going all the way to the Woodsman on the far side with iron toys and tools I picked up at the festival. I'll pay you handsomly to escort me. What do you say? It could be quite an adventure!"
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: Prelude: The Gathering of Five Armies

Post by TetNak » Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:10 pm

Aerth listens patiently, "I know the ways through the Wilderlands well," he says, "And I am ready to make my leave of Lake-town as well. I would help guard your caravan." Aerth is used to this sort of work, "For a marginal fee," he includes, as he must eat and be able to buy supplies. His most recent trip to Lake-town has dwindled his coin greatly.
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- King Stannis Baratheon, First of His Name

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Re: Prelude: The Gathering of Five Armies

Post by Trogdor » Tue Oct 22, 2013 9:56 pm

"An adventure you say?" Pipkin looks uncertain for a moment. "Well, I suppose a small adventure couldn't hurt," he replies at last. "And it would certainly give me something to shock them with back at home. Imagine, Fungo Brandybuck's grandson having a genuine adventure. Why the gaffers at the Dancing Dog will fall off their chairs when they hear the news!"

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Re: Prelude: The Gathering of Five Armies

Post by Muskrat » Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:41 pm

Varuthil says, "Though I am more scholar than warrior, I am still a fair hand with the bow. And I know much of the darker things that lurk in Mirkwood. I would be interested in joining you on this adventure." The chance to travel around a bit and possibly see places she has not seen yet attracts the scholar's curious mind.

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Re: Prelude: The Gathering of Five Armies

Post by Eilandor » Wed Oct 23, 2013 3:31 pm

Wren spent quite a bit of his time during the Lake-town rebuilding effort guarding the trade caravans between it and Dale. Hmm, just like recent times...

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Re: Prelude: The Gathering of Five Armies

Post by Vardaen » Wed Oct 23, 2013 6:25 pm

Baldor looks pleased, Belgo even more so. The older merchant smiles, "Alright its settled then, you'll work foe me escorting me to the Woodland Realm of the Elfs and beyond to the Woodsman of the Anduin Vale." He works out a bit of payment now how much it will be on completion and the like and his offer is more than fair. "I'm going to turn south from here, and you meet me in Lake-town in two days and we'll set out on our adventure from there. My elven friends will be meeting us at the river. I should be fine from here to there, there is enough traffic up and down the river and Jonar won't try anything again, not after the scolding you gave him, I don't think so, no I don't think so." He is worried but tries not to show it.

Belgo looks up at the tall elves, "See you soon!"
Image
Here is going to end the Prelude. We will start Book 1 on the edge of Lake-town setting out on the adventure in 2 IC Days.

You work out that Baldor will give you coins or goods for your service (worth 2 Treasure Points Each) once you reach the Forest Gate on the west side of the forest.

Feel free to finish up a post and I'll start up the game. Also pick your Fellowship Focus now, one of the PC. Watch for an OOC thread on it.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring

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Re: Prelude: The Gathering of Five Armies

Post by Muskrat » Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:07 pm

Varuthil returns to the field and watches the kite-flying again for a while, though she does not attempt to fly another kite herself after the disastrous fate the last one met with. That evening, she makes her way back to her quarters among King Thranduil's retinue, where her uncle and foster father, Eällandor, is staying. "Father," she says to him, "I will be leaving on my own in a few days time." A wry smile appears on her face. "I have been hired as a guard for a human merchant traveling through Mirkwood if you will believe it. Wren, whom I think you know, will be coming with me, as will a dwarf, a man and even a hobbit that Wren and I met in town. We rescued the merchant from the first set of guards who he hired--and who proved to be more bandits than guards. He asked us if we would act as his guards instead. I agreed--it is a chance to travel and see more of the world."

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To Be Continued

Post by Shurijo » Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:55 pm

"Blagh," Borir huffs, "Darned elves, getting in the way of a proper negotiation. " The dwarf grunts a bit as he kicks a few stones on his way back to the smith. While the result turned out to be the same, Borir heads to fetch his gear and join the caravan.

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